Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1948)

.*. Accurate MOTION P1€?IS£&E FIRST Concise ▲ T T "^K 7" IN and 1 ■ A 1 1 FILM Impartial JLX/Vl JLI j NEWS 64. NO. 27 NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 1948 TEN CENTS AFL Invades ClO's Ranks At Paramount Move Follows IATSE's Drive at United Artists A deeper drive into the ranks of CIO's Screen Office and Professional Employes Guild at home offices was launched at the weekend at Paramount by AFL's IATSE Motion Picture Home Office Employes Local No. H-63, thus marking the second invasion of SOPEG's territory since H-63's campaign at United Artists. Spearheading the H-63 drive at Paramount is a committee of 20 employes, composed of SOPEG members as well as non-SOPEG members. According to Russell Moss, H-63 business agent, "a gratifying number of cards were signed by employes" on the first day of the H-63 drive on Friday. Application to the National Labor Relations Board for a representation election will be made as soon as H-63 has a substantial majority, Moss declared. One reason given for the switch to "IA" has been SOPEG's refusal to {Continued on page 3) 38 Named to TOA Convention Group John Balaban and Eddie Zorn, chairman and vice-chairman,_ respectively, of the general convention committee of the Theatre Owners of America, have named 38 members to the reception committee for the twoday session which will be held September 24-25 in the Drake Hotel, Chicago. From exhibitor ranks in the Chicago area the following were appointed : W. K. Hollander, N. M. Piatt, D. B. Wallerstein, Frank Smith, Aaron Jones, Edwin Silverman, James Costton, Jack Rose, Arthur Schoenstadt, (Continued on page 3) Ploeser Maps Slate For 'Monopoly' Quiz Washington, August 8. — Rep. Ploeser, chairman of a House Small Business Committee investigating monopolistic and unfair trade practices, has tentatively approved a schedule of road hearings this fall which will go into practically every (Continued on page 3) 'IA' Meet Will Highlight Taft Bill Attack Cleveland, August 8. — Impetus to the IATSE's drive for repeal of the Taft-Hartley labor law will be stressed at the organization's weeklong general executive board meeting which will open here tomorrow at the Hollenden Hotel, and at its 39th convention which will start one week from tomorrow at Cleveland's Public Auditorium. William Green, president of the American Federation of Labor ; Eric A. Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association of America, and Thomas J. Herbert, Governor of Ohio, top the list of labor leaders, industry executives and public officials scheduled to attend the convention, with International president Richard F. Walsh presiding. Throughout the week, more than 1,100 delegates will arrive. They are (Continued on page 3) Report on Studio Strike Due Today Washington, August 8. — The House Labor Committee tomorrow may write "finis" to the work of the Kearns sub-committee investigating the Hollywood jurisdictional strike. Rep. Kearns has been working feverishly over the weekend, it was learned, to have a report ready to present to the committee at a meeting tentatively set for tomorrow. According to the plans of committee chairman Hartley (R., N. J.) approval of the report by the full committee will end the investigation without further hearings on any other proceedings. Kearns has been holding out lor further hearings. Empire -U to Amend Writ in Rank Suit Toronto, August 8.— Gordon D. Conant, senior Master-in-Chambers at Osgoode Hall, has granted permission to Empire-Universal Films, Toronto, and other plaintiffs, to amend their writ and statement of claim against J. Arthur Rank and others in their prolonged action for $2,000,000 in damages. The order was issued providing the plaintiffs pay all costs of defendant Rank arising out of the previous order of the court, dated March 12, 1947. (Continued on page 3) Canada's Admissions Are on the Decline Ottawa, August 8.— The Canadian government reports that a nationwide survey shows theatre admission prices in this country dropped from 134.5 per cent in May to 130.9 per cent in June, on the basis of the period of 1935-39 being equal to 100 per cent. The decline in part is attributable to tax cuts in some regions where provincial governments did not replace the national tax abandoned by the Dominion some weeks ago. From other sources it is learned that admission scales may show a further decline for July. British May Expand In Canadian Market Ottawa, August 8. — Some interesting developments are expected to result for the motion picture industry in Canada following the disclosure that the United Kingdom will allow British companies to invest in establishing branches in Canada provided that it "can be shown to be advantageous in relation to our (British) dollar position." As far as the film business is concerned, it is believed here that British film interests may organize operations on Canadian soil to increase their business in the Dominion. It is known that Canadian financial institutions are now ready to aid such schemes. Popcorn Crop Is 51% Above 1947 Washington, August 8. — The U. S. Agriculture Department reports that present indications are that the 1948 acreage of popcorn planted in the 12 commercial producing states will be about 51 per cent larger than the 1947 acreage. Motion picture theatres are among the biggest purchasers of popcorn. The increase follows two successive years of decrease, the department points out. Weather since planting has been favorable for good growth and development, the department reports. Estimated plantings of 126,700 acres this year compare with 83,700 in 1947 and the 10-year 1937-46 average of 125,960. More acres were planted in all major producing states except Iowa. United Artists Realigns Top Selling Force Two Division Managers Under Paul Lazarus, Jr. A realignment of top sales posts at United Artists was indicated at the weekend with Joseph J. Unger said to be resigning as sales manager. That post is to be eliminated and sales will be directed jointly by Edward Schnitzer, continuing as Eastern division manager, and Fred Jack promoted to Western division head. Unger could not be reached for. comment. Paul N. Lazarus, Jr., executive assistant to Gradwell Sears, UA's president, will function as liaison between Sears and the two divisions. Additionally, Lazarus still will continue an active interest in the advertising-publicity department of which he had been director until his recent promotion. Howard LeSieur now is advertising-publicity director. Jack will continue to maintain his headquarters in Dallas where he has been Southwest district manager. Both (Continued on page 3) Long Files Second Suit Against Schine Cleveland, August 8. — An antitrust action was filed here at the weekend against the Schine circuit by Lockwood Thompson, co-counsel with Seymour Simon of Chicago, representing Emerson W. Long of Mt. Vernon, and Cadiz, Ohio. Suit is practically identical with the one recently filed in Columbus by Long against Schine, both charging that the latter's buying power prevents Long from securing suitable product. Latest suit seeks treble damages of $345,000 plus costs. Urges Non-payment Of Ascap Seat-tax Boston, August 8. — Ray Feeley, executive secretary of the Independent Theatres of New England, states that all members have been notified to cease payments to Ascap until the position of exhibitors is cleared in the situation arising from Federal Judge Vincent L. Leibell's New York decision declaring Ascap's collections illegal.