Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1948)

Tuesday, July 6, 1948 Motion Picture Daily I Skouras to FCC (Continued from page 1) stated that the present stage of progress and the prospects for even greater advances had brought about the decision that 20thFox would get into the field and stay in it, even though it means losing money at first. Skouras said that he now regretted the withdrawal in 1945 and 1946 of the company's applications for televir'ZJ /channels in New York, Boston anc^ds Angeles. He explained that the economic soundness of television had seemed doubtful at that time. He confirmed the statements made the day before by his brother Charles that 20th was planning to expand theatre video presentations as rapidly as possible. He added that some $250,000 were being spent for experimentation work with large-screen television by Fox in conjunction with RCA. He also agreed with Charles that television is not and will not be a serious threat to theatre box-office, but should be classified as a different and non-competitive form of entertainment. Features for Video 'Unsound' Questioned about the availability of Fox films for video showing, he said that features would not be released for home consumption under the present system of distribution until they had run the gamut of theatre exhibition. Any other course would be economcially unsound, he asserted. He did contend, however, that television audiences would like features produced for theatre release. On this point he disagreed with the views expressed by Charles and by Paul Rai bourn, Paramount video head, both of whom had averred that the average film produced for theatre screening is not completely suitable for release to the home via television. Skouras said that 20th-Fox intends to make special television features but pointed out that the cost of production of a motion picture for theatre exhibition is much too high for video. Kahn Also Testifies Irving B. Kahn, 20th-Fox radio director, followed Skouras, and, in the course of discussing p'roposed program schedules, declared that 20th already has produced several films for use on its television stations and is planning more. One type he described as a quiz show made up of scenes from well-known 20th-Fox productions; another is a mystery show. The hearings seem certain to drag well into their third week, as two Fox witnesses remain to be heard, and CBS counsel Samuel Rosenman is expected to call a rebuttal witness for his claims. FCC examiner Jack P. Blume declined to speculate as to when a decision might be expected, but from the volume of testimony which has been taken, it seems safe to assume that some time will elapse before the two channels are assigned. Practices Code for Radio Now in Effect Washington, July 5. — Radio's new standards of practice code is now in effect on all four national networks, National Association of Broadcasters president Justin Miller announced over the weekend. A few changes are still to be made and will be completed by Jan. 1, 1949, he added. 28 Video Stations Are Now Operating Twenty-eight television stations are now in operation in the U. S., according to the Television Broadcasters Association. Construction permits granted total 83, while 287 applications are pending before the Federal Communications Commission. 16mm. Industry Gets A 'Code of Ethics1 A "code of business ethics," by which the 16mm. industry may "set its sights," and may be guided in general business practices, has been issued by the. Allied Non-Theatrical Film Association. The code was discussed and adopted at the recent ANFA convention. Its formulation was the work of a committee headed by E. E. (Jack) Carter, president of ANFA, and William F. Kruse, honorary president. New WABD Department Formation of a sales service department for DuMont's WABD, New York television station, and the appointment of Halsey Barrett, formerly head of station relations, as its manager, is announced here by Leonard Hole, general manager. McDaniel a Sarnoff Aide Glen McDaniel has been elected a vice-president of RCA to serve on president David Sarnoff's staff. T elecasters Will Probe Film Methods A production committee for research on problems of motion picture production, technics, practices and advancements most suitable for television has been appointed by Melvin L. Gold, chairman of the National Television Film Council, and advertising director of National Screen Service. The committee, which will be. headed by Jack Glenn of March of Time, will include Gene Martel, president of the Screen Directors Guild ; Joseph Josephson, of Jerry Fairbanks, Inc. ; Nathan Zucker, Sono-Chrome Productions ; Fred Rosen, producer for World Video and Henry Morley, general manager of J. A. Maurer Inc. Gold also announced an addition to the distribution committee of Sam Gershwin, National Screen Service, and of Jose di Donato of Edward Petry Co., to the by-laws committee. The latter committee, headed by Irwin Shane, will meet tonight with legal counsel Seymour Peyser to draft by-laws and set up an organization structure. Video 'Pickups' (Continued from page 1) its original stand when the Democratic session comes, although there has been no official confirmation of this, and the general suspicion is that the theatre's audience will be given glimpses of the telecast. All of which appears to point to a forthcoming contest before the Federal Communications Commission, or in the courts, or both, on the right of a theatre to pick up telecasts for exhibition on its ARTHUR MARLENZ VIBTRICH JOHN WHO X in • with MILLARD MITCHELL Produced by CHARLES BRACKETT Directed by BILLY WILDER Screenplay by Charles Bracketf, Billy Wilder, and Richard I. Breen • Adaptation by Robert Harari