Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1948)

4 Motion Picture Daily Monday, April 12, 1948 Trade Ads 'Vital' {Continued from page 1) which can hold a candle to the motion picture business when it comes to doing downright queer things," Allied observes in the bulletin, adding : "The advertising that the producerdistributors do in trade journals is vital to arouse the interest of exhibitors. Their advertising — directed to the public — is a necessary part of the industry's appeal for support of its product. The advertising that the exhibitor does frequently means the difference between the success and failure of a lot of pictures." The bulletin calls for "a return to the glorious days when pictures were really advertised and publicized, and when penny-wise and pound-foolish economy was not the ruling passion. There would have been no need for a special campaign to tell the public that the popular priced picture is the public's best entertainment. There would have been no reason to wait until the business went into a tailspin and the box-office skidded before a general advertising campaign was started," the bulletin said. 'American business builds on the principle that confidence in a product is usually measured by advertising support of this product. How can distributors expect exhibitors to really sell product if they themselves do not pre-sell it?" SAG Halts Talks (Continued from page 1) tion "does not look favorable for a new contract." Proposals on which the guild says producers declined to negotiate are : "reasonable restrictions" on reissues to curb unemployment of actors caused by these reissues ; a "temporary stop-gap clause" to prevent use in television of films made for theatre exhibition, until an agreement is reached providing that actors share in additional revenue from the new medium ; a ban on loan-outs of contract players without the actor's consent; reduction in the length of term contracts; reform of the option system to correct abuses ; recognition of the right of actors to perform in other branches of the amusement industry, such as radio and television, and to retain fees paid him for such services ; a ban against bringing pressure on a contract actor by forcing him into "obviously inferior roles." The Guild said it had placed these proposals first during the negotiations on the ground that discussions on other points would be fruitless if these were not settled satisfactorily. Dinner for Levy New Haven, April 11. — Herman M. Levy, general counsel of the Theatre Owners of America, will be given a testimonial dinner on May 6 at the Racebrook Country Club here by his friends in films and politics. Crest Prod. Formed Los Angeles, April 11. — Jack Skirball, Bruce Manning and Charles Wendling have filed incorporation papers for Crest Productions, announcing "Soft Touch" with Claudette Colbert as its first picture. Davis Quits Republic Atlanta, April 11. — Merritt Davis has resigned as Southern district manager for Republic and is being replaced by James Hobbs, former Republic branch manager here. Turning That Corner Albany, N. Y., April 11.— Howard Goldsmith, has been promoted by RKO Radio from head booker-office manager to salesman and William Murray, former assistant booker of 20th Century-Fox, was named to Goldsmith's old post. Appointment of Goldsmith makes RKO the first company here to go back to two salesmen after cutting to one. Trials of Ten Start (Continued from page 1) day postponement" in Lawson's trial: He also turned down a motion by attorneys for Dore Schary, under defense subpoena, to quash the subpoena on the ground Schary must stay with his critically-ailing mother. It was agreed that Schary can remain on the West Coast until needed, but must appear on 24-hour notice. Defense attorneys at the opening of the trial tomorrow will make two motions, both likely to be denied. One will be to remove the trial from the District to some other "less prejudiced" area. This was made once before and was denied. The other motion will be to quash the jury panel as not being properly selected. Un-American Activities Group Recommends Outlawing 'Reds' Washington, April 11. — House Un-American Activities Sub-committee has reported out legislation to curb the Communist Party, which it said "constitutes a clear and present danger to our national security." The committee also urged the Justice Department to prosecute Communists more and recommended enactment of anti-Communist bills now pending in other Congressional committees, including one to raise the penalty for contempt of Congress. Johnston (Continued from page 1) can production in England would produce unemployment in Hollywood, Johnston said his survey of British studio facilities indicated that not more than 12 American films could be made in London annually. He predicted a betterment in conditions due to the recent deal with Britain would result in an increase, rather than a decrease, in the number of pictures produced here. Countering local estimates, he said the overall employment picture in Hollywood shows craft employment down only IS per cent from its peak. The MPAA head reiterated his rejection of a request from the Pacific Coast Conference of Independent Theatre Owners to bar players from appearing in political films. He left for Washington over the weekend. Collins Rites Today Services will be held this morning at St. Agnes Church here for Richard Collins, 55, assistant manager of the Capitol Theatre, who died Friday after a brief illness. Burial will be at Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, L. I. Collins, with the Capitol 26 years, is survived by the widow, two sons, a sister and a brother. PCCITO Trustees to Meet in May in L. A. San Francisco, April 11. — Trustees of the Pacific Coast Conference of Independent Theatre Owners will hold their next meeting in Los Angeles early in May, it was decided at the close of the PCCITO convention here at the weekend. While the convention failed to take up the subject of film rentals, sales policies figured in the discussions only in a reaffirmation of the organization's position in fashioning a workable sales formula. A previously appointed committee announced that it was drawing up final action to bring the plan before the industry. A committee was set up tq follow the trend of television in nine Western states and to study application of video to theatres. Members of PCCITO will be informed of developments by a monthly bulletin. First Telecast of 20th 's Reel in L.A. Los Angeles, April 11. — Telecasts of 20th Century-Fox's television newsreel begin in the Los Angeles area tomorrow, under sponsorship of the Leo J. Meyberg Co., RCA distributor. The reel will be seen through the Paramount-owned station KTLA five evenings a week. The Los Angeles outlet brings the total number of video stations playing the Movietone television edition to seven. Golden State Deal (Continued from page 1) per cent of the more than 125theatre Northern California circuit. Naify acquired the interests of his former Golden State partners, Eugene Emmick and Robert A. McNeil, last October for $12,000,000. In the current negotiations Naify is asking $115 more per share than in the original deal, with six months leeway to take advantage of long-term capital gains. The bulk of the money is being put up by Reynolds. Even if the deal is closed as promptly as is now expected, it would not go into effect until June. A new bid for the circuit by Ted Gamble was rejected by Naify recently because no working agreement could be reached. Joseph M. Schenck, who also made overtures for the circuit earlier, is said to be still interested. Charles Skouras is a stockholder in Golden State. Protest Censor Bill Advertising Advisory Council of the Motion Picture Association of America has added its protest to the proposed Cuningham Bill to enlarge the censorship powers of New York City License Commissioner Fielding over theatrical exhibitions and their advertisements, including motion pictures. In a telegram to city officials Charles Schlaifer, chairman of the council, declared that such legislation "would endanger civil liberties and free expression." Buys E-L Reissues Armand Schneck's Madison Pictures has acquired from Pathe Industries the entire Eagle-Lion-PRC 1942-'43 and 1943-'44 programs. Cohn Pact (Continued from page 1) Cohn rights to purchase 75,000 shares of common at $16 per share, about $4 above the present market value. The board, which approved the contract and option, had asked the stockholders to vote on it although it was not legally obligated to do so. However, after the meeting Cohn issued a statement that he did not wish to proceed with the proposed contracts. The vote favoring them, he indicated was not substantial enough to sat;' (^''lim, notwithstanding the fact that '/ a^ per cent of the outstanding shares were voted in approval while only 4.26 per cent voted to disapprove, and 22.25 per cent were not voted. Of the 469,184 favorable votes, some 271,744 were representative of company officers and directors. Cohn said : "I am unwilling to proceed with the consummation of a contract which may cause even a small minority of stockholders to feel that their interest would be better served by some other type of deal. Accordingly, I have withdrawn my offer embodied in the contract now before the Board of Directors." Cohn has not had a written employment contract with the company since July-, 1945. The stockholders re-elected the following directors : Harry Cohn, Jack Cohn, executive vice-president ; A. Schneider, vice-president and treasurer; N. B. Spingold, vice-president in charge of advertising-publicity; A. Montague, distribution vice-president, and Leo M. Blancke and Donald S. Stralem. Columbia Pfd. Dividend Columbia's board of directors, meeting here at the weekend, declared a quarterly dividend of $1.06J^ per share on the $4.25 cumulative preferred stock, payable May 15 to stockholders of record on May 1. Variety Meeting (Continued from page 1) Miami, Tent No. 33, headed by Mitchell Wolfson, general convention chairman, and George C. Hoover, chief barker here, will greet the visiting showmen. Tomorrow's meeting will be attended by International officers and canvassmen. A get-acquainted party will be held in the evening, with Mrs. Ed Claughton and wives of other local barkers as hostesses. A stag dinner will get underway later in the Alcazar Hotel. Business meetings will be held each subsequent day except Saturday. Highlight of a series of social events will be the stag convention banquet at the Steak House here, Saturday, at which the winner of the Humanitarian Award will be announced. Hails Ruling in Move to Bar Film Commenting on the decision of a Tulsa, Okla., Court Friday, denying a temporary restraining order against the showing of "Gentleman's Agreement" at the Orpheum in that city, Andrew W. Smith, general sales manager of 20th Century-Fox, said: "Had the decision been otherwise a blow would have been struck at free and forthright expression on the part of any public medium of communication or entertainment." The suit for an injunction was brought by Gerald L. K. Smith, based on a reference to him in the film.