Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1948)

Wednesday, June 30, 1948 Motion Picture Daily 3 Walsh's Reelection Will Be Unopposed For the first time since he became IATSE international president, six years ago, Richard F. Walsh will be unopposed for reelection at the "IA" bi-annual convention in Cleveland starting August 16, according to early speculation among convention delegates. ^\was pointed out that heretofore v 1 there was to be opposition, candidates began pouring campaign literature into the field many months in advance of a convention. The Cleveland convention is less than two months away and there are no declared opposition candidates. About two months ago Walsh announced that he and all other incumbent officers will be up for reelection. Also about two months ago, Eugene Atkinson, business agent of Local No. 110, Chicago, was reported to be a candidate for the presidency, but he has since denied this and has announced he will support Walsh's reelection. Spokesmen of various "IA" locals have said that Walsh's reelection this year became a certainty last fall when his administration's reputed victory in the Coast labor jurisdictional dispute was climaxed with his successful opposition at the AFL San Francisco convention to an attempt by Carpenters' union head William Hutchinson and United Mine Workers' president John L. Lewis to expel the "IA" from the AFL. IA Bids Lawmakers (Continued from page 1) US Dollars in Canada (Continued from page 1) delegates are our supreme government." This democratic precept, Walsh added, "is law for a vast majority of America's labor organizations" and is "scrupulously applied." He said labor's enemies "have made capital of the myth that unionists are helpless victims of so-called dictatorial leaders" and that through this means they "hope to divide and conquer us." To Discuss 'Reds in Hollywood' Along with problems growing out of the Taft-Hartley Act, the Cleveland convention will take up Communism in Hollywood, according to the "IA." "By exposing and defeating the proCommunist forces that sought to control the key medium of public information we serve, the Alliance has played a prominent part in the battle against a world movement aimed at destroying America's democratic institutions," the "IA" points out. Other business on the "IA" convention agenda include the development of employment opportunities in television and 16mm. 29 New Locals in Two Years Eligible to attend the convention are 1,171 delegates; representing 938 locals. Since the last "IA" gathering, two years ago, 29 new locals have been chartered. These are made up of television broadcasting studio employes, projector operators, stage employes, theatrical wardrobe attendants, treasurers and ticket sellers, theatre employes and film exchange employes. The International convention, scheduled to run a full week in Cleveland's Public Auditorium, will be preceded by 14 district gatherings at Hotel Hollenden, convention headquarters. dollars. This is unlike import bans or quotas established to save U. S. exchange in other Canadian industries. Based on Co-operation Project However, this free spending of U.S. dollars for Hollywood films is conditioned on the help which the newlyformed Canadian Co-operation Project shall give in solving the exchange problem. The "gentleman's agreement" calls for more location shots in Canada, more features and shorts to be made here, and other contributions by American film interests. Discussing the cooperative project with leaders of the American industry at the Harvard Club in New York last June 14, Donald Gordon, deputy governor of the Bank of Canada stated that international cooperation is more effective than legal restriction in the situation involving the Dominion government and the American industry. The occasion was a luncheon given to Gordon by the Motion Picture Association. U S Steps Up 'Angling' of Films Indicative of the results of this "gentleman's agreement" to avoid any arbitrary cut-off of the Canadian market for Hollywood films is the increased newsreel coverage of Canadian events for U. S. theatres. Likewise, more U. S. shorts are concentrating on Canada. Paramount is currently releasing its new two-reeler, "Neighbor to the North," a documentary. Universal has a short "Snow Capers," featuring winter sports in Canada. Other Canadian shorts in production or about to be released include Warner's "Calgary Stampede," a series on North American cities by Universal, travelogues in the James A. Fitzpatrick series, Movietone's one-reeler on Canada, and others. New Film Embargo (Continued from page 1) exhibition in gorging himself on the entire industry." J. W. Davies, chairman, alleged that Rank is seeking to become a common informer against his brother exhibitors and pleaded for a forthright stand by CEA officers at the meeting with Rank on Thursday, in order to avoid a long and bitter struggle which would inevitably weaken the structure of the whole industry. Members generally took the view that despite their anxiety to encourage British pictures, that will not be possible in view of Rank's present proposed booking terms, and certainly not if production quality is not maintained. It is understood that negotiations are now proceeding to book a considerable number of American films direct to independent subsequent-run exhibitors here, particularly by Columbia. Discussions have been directed at large-scale bookings and arc understood to be progressing. They undoubtedly will be further implemented if Rank fails to concede better terms at his July meeting with the CEA. Associated British Net Is $2,055,604 London, June 29. — Associated British Picture Corp. had a net profit of 513,901 pounds ($2,055,604) _ for the year ending March, 1948, against 956.174 pounds ($3,824,696) for 1947. Dividends for 1948 totaled 22r/2 per cent, compared with 30 per cent in 1947. Bevin, Lewis Dine But Not on Films London, June 29. — Foreign Minister Ernest Bevin today lunched with American Ambassador Lewis Douglas, Donald Bliss and other American Government representatives. It is authoritatively understood that the State Department's "concern" over Britain's new 45 per cent film quota order was mentioned but Embassy officials said only that "We have far more desperate things on our plates than films just now." Lords Approve (Continued from page 1) tic about their possibilities of turning out greatly increased schedules and he emphasized that the Quota Act provides exemptions for smaller exhibitors who can satisfy the Board of Trade that they are unable to meet the quota. His statement is regarded as important, being the first governmental acknowledgement of the independents' case, as well as indication that the Cinematograph Exhibitor Association's agitation against the new quota is bearing fruit already. Lord Swinton's opposition to the 45 per cent quota hewed mainly to the line that it would encourage British producers to mass production of quota "quickies" at the expense of the British industry at home and abroad. He pointed out that his personal record in securing legislative approval of the original quota against great opposition, when he headed the Board of Trade, acquitted him of any accusation that he is not solicitous of the welfare of British production. Swinton said his quota act deliberately fixed the quota below the maximum potential of British studios' output, its object being to make it an incentive to British producers to not only fill the quota but to produce films which would be acceptable abroad. If Wilson's quota plan fails, he said, and Wilson is obliged to reduce the percentage, that will be a bad advertisement for British film quality. Inferentially criticizing J. Arthur Rank, Swinton said naturally a producer who is also an exhibitor is concerned about his own product, but he is readily able to make appropriate program changes. Britain Needs Our Best Films; Rank In informing Boston papers of Universal-International's plans to hold the American premiere of "Hamlet" at the Astor Theatre there on August 13, J. Arthur Rank said that "the finest British pictures should always play in the United States and the finest American pictures should always play in Britain," it was announced here yesterday by U-I, which will distribute the production here. Rank was further quoted as saying : "I frequently read erroneous reports which might indicate that we here in England feel otherwise. This is far from fact. We want the finest Hollywood pictures always for our public as we hope you will always want ours. We need your good films to bring us closer together and we hope that you will always want ours for the same reason." 20th Fox Plan (Continued from page 1) of the conciliation plan since it was accepted by NCA last week. The endorsement came this morning during a three-hour discussion between Eastern regional representatives and members of N. J. Allied. The consensus was that the plan was workable and constructive and the only question raised was what subjects may be considered by such local committees. The Jersey unit will further discuss the subject at tomorrow's general meeting and at that time will appoint a committee of inquiry to meet with 20th-Fox's general sales manager, Andy Smith, Jr. Cites 20th-Fox 'Leadership' "The most important aspect of the plan," said Wilbur Snaper, Allied of New Jersey vice-president-elect, "is the leadership shown by a major company. We hope other companies will follow 20th-Fox. It means we can settle problems without acrimony and the courts." National Allied endorsement came from Ainsworth, who sat in on the meeting and who announced that "any movement, any idea originating from any branch of this business which is good for this industry, that will bring distributors and exhibitors closer together will have the sincere support of National Allied." The plan will be taken for consideration to their respective units by Eastern representatives Sidney Heldon, Eastern Pennsylvania ; Maxwell Alderman, Connecticut ; Julian Rifkin, Massachusetts ; Meyer Leventhal, Maryland. Eastern Seaboard Committee These four, together with Edward Lachman and Irving Dollinger of New Jersey, also comprise a committee under Leventhal which will meet on Eastern Seaboard problems between conventions and report directly to the national Allied board. The morning meeting here also discussed television without any conclusion reached. Lachman Accepts (Continued from page 1) announced in New York last week that he would not be a candidate because of his entry into the projector lamp carbon field. Also re-elected at the meeting, held in the Hollywood Hotel here, were Haskell Block, secretary, and Sam Frank, Southern New Jersey vicepresident. Elected were : Wilbur Snaper, vice-president ; Morris Fogelson, treasurer ; Sidney Franklin, assistant treasurer, and Joseph Siccardi, sergeant-at-arms. New directors are Clark Hildinger, David Snaper, Jack, Unger and Franklin. 5th and Walnut (Continued from page 1) to deny the National Theatre in Louisville access to first-run product. Fifth and Walnut Amusement Corp. operates the house. Also named as defendants were the Marcus Loew Booking Agency and United Artists Theatre Circuit. Counsel for the plaintiff was granted until July 5 to serve notice to have the verdict set aside. Motion on the notice is expected to be argued before Judge Leibell on July 9.