Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1948)

NOT Ret MOTION PICTURE DAILY Accurate Concise and Impartial vo NO. 71 NEW YORK. U.S.A.. TUESDAY. APRIL 13. 1948 TEN CENTS Britain Turns Down State Film Bank Wilson Hopes for 'Other' Aid for Producers Loxdox, April 12. — The British government has examined the possibility of setting up a state film bank for financing film production but has decided it would be hopeless to operate with governmental money in view of the difficulty of ensuring "completion guarantees." Harold Wilson, president of the British Board of Trade, told the Association of CineTechnicians. Wilson repeated his earlier assurance that the British tax (.Continued on page 3) Apathy Greets ACT Communist's Rallv Lawson Trial, First Of Ten Contempt Indictments, Opens Washington, April 12. — The trial of motion picture writer John Howard Lawson for contempt of the House Un-American Activities Committee opened today with defense counsel failing in attempts to obtain a change of venue and a new judge. Lawson is charged with failure to disclose whether or not he is or ever has been a member of the Communist party during the hearings last fall on Communist activity in Hollywood. First motion of defense counsel Robert W. Kenny was to ask Justice Edward M. Curran to disqualify himself on grounds of bias and prejudice because he had prosecuted similar cases initiated by the committee while serving as U. S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. The motion followed a sudden reassignment of the case from Justice David A. Pine to Judge Curran. Judge Curran denied that motion (Continued on page 3) London, April 12. — Communist-influenced elements within the Association of Cine-Technicians were able to excite only a minimum of public attention today with a drum and fife parade and rally held in conjunction with ACT's meeting here. A pronounced antiAmerican tinge marked the political proceedings. However, orthodox trade unionists among the ACT membership protested the "Red tinge'' given the association by Communist sympathizers. Meanwhile, Tom O'Brien, secretary of the National Association of Theatrical and Kine Employes, ACT member unit, continues to proclaim that ACT is in itself a Communist menace. John J. Friedl Dead After Long Illness Minneapolis, April 12. — John J. Friedl, longtime president of the Minnesota Amusement Company, a Paramount affiliate, died here today after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. Friedl had been ill for sometime and I many months ago retired from his post in an effort to regain his health. Cohn Spikes Reports Of Deal with Hughes Hollywood, April 12. — Harry Cohn, Columbia president, today declared that his holding's in Columbia are not for sale in response to trade reports that Howard Hughes is negotiating for purchase of the company. Reports linking Hughes with Columbia presumably sprang from a statement by him to the effect that he is determined to acquire one or another fully-complemented producing distributing company. N. Y. Grosses Hold Up Well Business is active at Broadway's first-runs, rain} weather notwithstanding. In general a week of good grosses is anticipated, only a few houses suffering seriously from 3-esterday's and Sunday's rains. Still solid at the Capitol is "The Naked City," combined with Tex Benecke's band on stage; S80,000-plus is seen for the sixth week. Also continuing strongly is "I Remember Mama," plus a stage show, at Radio City Music Hall with S123,000 expected for a fifth week. "Winter Meeting" is due to register a nice (Continued on page 6) CapitalGains Companies to Settle Claims Treasury Studied 50; Gets Millions in Taxes Hollywood, April 12. — Most if not all of the so-labeled '"one shot" independent producing organizations set up in 1945 and 1946, allegedly for purposes of obtaining tax benefits for individuals under the capital-gains classification, have made or are negotiating settlements with the Internal Revenue Department, which threatened to bring suit to determine whether the companies were incorporated primarily for tax-escape purposes, it is learned authoritatively. Although George Martin, revenue agent here in charge of tax evasion investigation, and whose authority par(Coniinued on page 3) Allen Usher to File 8275,000 Trust Suit M-Million UK Film 'Take' in U.S. in '17 London, April 12. — British films earned §4,000,000 in the U. S. last year, most of which was invested locally to leave an eventual remittance to Britain of S1,000,000, it was revealed here today by British Board of Trade president Harold Wilson. Bob O'Donn Head Variety FP -Canadian Profit $3,156446 in 1947 Toronto, April 12. — In its financial report for the 53 weeks ended Jan. 3, Famous Players Canadian today reported lower gross income of $5,875,474. compared with $6,042,000 for the comparative 1946 period. But net profit was higher at S3. 156.446 last year, as against $2,834,956 in 1946, because profits taxes were proportionately lower, the report said The 1947 profit was equal to $1.81 per share, while the preceding year's was equal to $1.63 a share. ell Slated to Clubs Again By RED KANN Miami Beach, April 12. — Robert J. O'Donnell, international chief barker of Variety Clubs since February. 1943, wil be returned to that post for another year unless an upset, not now foreseeable, develops. Election of officers is slated for Friday. The San Francisco delegation wants next year's convention and will campaign accordingly, but there's nothing exclusive about it. Mexico City has the same idea. About 600 barkers hit town Sunday in various special trains, adding to (Continued on page 3) Chicago, April 12. — Allen Usher, former Paramount district manager, will file an anti-trust suit asking treble damages of $275,000 and injunctive relief, his attorney, Seymour Simon, said today. Usher, owner since January of the Sprague Theatre, Elkhorn, Wis., charges that defendant-owned theatres in Lake Geneva and Delavan. Wis., are given clearance over Elkhorn, (Continued on page 3) Sonnett Mentioned For U.S. Judgeship Washington, April 12. — President Truman is reported to be considering nominating John F. Sonnett, Assistant Attorney General in charge of anti-trust laws, to be Federal Judge in the Southern District Court of New York. H Sonnett is named to the post, present plans are for assistant John Ford Baecher to take over Sonnett's job. mnvims milvs m vrwm muse