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Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 27, 1
Paramount, Keough
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reached, Keough observed, not, of course, in the number of theatres each would relinquish, but in the classifications of theatres which would be barred. Numerically, Paramount would be the greatest loser for the obvious reason that the company has the greatest holdings, he continued.
Keough made it clear that it is not Paramount's intention to sever all partnership connections in offering to stay only in "very substantial competitive situations."
"We will make efforts to settle out of_ court," he said, "offering what we think is right. We would give up op. erations in partnerships — but not all of them by any means."
'Will Not Destroy Properties'
In the course of a criticism of the Government's proposed early divestiture of approximately 1,400 of the majors' _ theatres and eventual complete divorcement, Keough asserted that "Paramount will not destroy its theatre properties."
He charged that the Government has asserted itself on divorcement without presenting the necessary facts on the origin of theatre acquisitions and subsequent operations which were called for, he said, by the U. S. Supreme Court in its opinion on appeals in the case.
Keough said that he recognized the existence of numerous conflicting reports and opinions regarding the Government's action versus the eight distributors.
He ascribed these to the fact that often the companies are at odds with each other on strategy and evince independence of thought even on the advantages of new trade practices which could stem from the litigation. He gave for example Paramount's persistent stand against competitive bidding although this method of licensing was not objected to by the four theatre-owning co-defendants in appeals from the New York decree. "Each of the companies appears to have different problems and different approaches," he said.
Review
Let's Live A Little"
( U nited California — Eagle-Lion)
A PPARENTLY on the happy assumption that what the ticket-buying 1 •»■ public wants is more and wackier stories about advertising agency account executives and their fantastic efforts to engage vacillating clients, screenwriters Albert J. Cohen and Jack Harvey have concocted a yarn which^ in theme, resembles such predecessors as "The Hucksters" and "An Innocent Affair." For good measure there has been added a smattering of psychiatry and some old-fashioned Mack Sennett horseplay. It all turns out to be a merry romp.
Eugene Frenke and Robert Cummings, giving their production a resourceful treatment, headed their cast with Hedy Lamarr, Robert Shayne, Anna Sten and Cummings himself. The story is one that takes spirited liberties with credulity, but the mood is such that only the severely critical will mind. It has Cummings, formerly engaged to the exotic Miss Sten, pursuing her in an effort to get her signature to a renewal of her advertising contract. The pace is too hectic for him and he becomes a sleepless neurotic. A change of scene and client is indicated and he takes on the exploitation of a new book on practical psychiatry written by a Dr. Loring— who turns out to be still another beautiful female client, none other than Miss Lamarr. One look at Cummings and Dr. Lamarr decides he needs her psychiatric help. From this point on the story ping-pongs back and forth in farcical complications. But it all ends happily with Cummings winning Miss Lamarr and Miss Sten winning Shayne, a somewhat harassed surgeon who was supposed to be in love with Miss Lamarr. Richard Wallace's direction of this comedy from United California Productions keeps things rolling at a breezy clip.
Running time, 85 minutes. General audience classification. For November release. Mandel Herbstman
Tri-States
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RKO Meet Friday
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May Seek to Defer Hearing
Keough characterized as a possibility a request by the companies for a further postponement of the newlyscheduled court hearings for Nov. 8 provided that the Government is in agreement. He expressed the belief though that the court would grant such a postponement only with the assurance of both sides that they are "very near" to an accord on a decree.
Questioned with regard to Judge Augustus N. Hand's intimation at the last hearing on Oct. 13 that he might appoint a master to hear the remainder of the case, Keough said he believes that such a development would not come as a surprise if the new proceedings promise to be protracted. He said that judicial procedure is such that a master could be appointed to hear the additional testimony and then report to the court.
be created to take title to and operate the approximately 100 theatres owned or controlled by RKO, with the exception of designated showcase houses in key cities. Stock of the new company would go to present RKO shareholders on an exchange basis. All or a majority of the shares in the new company to be issued to Howard Hughes, who owns the controlling stock interest in RKO, presumably would have to be disposed of by him to prevent interlocking interest.
It has been reported that a group of Texas businessmen are forming a syndicate to bid for the shares and there are reports, also, that a similar group may be formed in New York headed by a theatre executive to bid for the shares which probably would represent a controlling interest in the new company.
Consummation of a divestiture plan is expected to result in a consent decree eliminating RKO from further phases of the Government's New York anti-trust suit.
Small Business Unit Sets Nov. Hearings
Washington, Oct. 26.— The House Small Business Committee which has been studying the need for and ways of tightening the anti-trust laws, will get the views of top Government antitrust officials at hearings here sometime in mid-November.
The committee during recent hearings in 12 Western and mid-Western cities heard many complaints from independent, exhibitors, and has displayed wide interest in monopoly problems in the film industry. Justice Department .and Federal Trade Commission officials will participate in next month's hearings.
executive director of TOA, said cc dilation would come to distribut< and exhibitors in proportion to t co-operation they showed one anotl in every-day dealings.
Speaker after speaker emphasiz their interest in the latest moveme to stop litigations between exhibitc and distributors but thought an over; plan should be formulated immft-^-u ly and worked out along linP" vV; would be favored by Theatre of America.
Max Connett, Newton, Miss., e: hibitor and new secretary-trea'sun °f .Tri-States, is chairman of the coi ciliation committee named by retirii president Orris Collins. A board directors' meeting will be held shor ly, the committee enlarged and plan drafted, it was decided.
At the closing sessions today, th convention heard Edward Zorn, pres dent of United Theatre Owners c Illinois, plead for free trailers to ad vertise forthcoming attractions.
Max E. Youngstein, advertising publicity vice-president of Eagle-Lion a guest speaker here from New York urged the exhibitors to join in a vig orous public relations program in co operation with all branches of the industry, as did Sam Shain of 20tl Century-Fox.
H. M. Richey called on delegates t< work for better showmanship.
The convention elected the following three-state board members:
Board from Arkansas: Emma Cox Sidney Wharton, Dave Callihan, O. G Abernathy, Terry Axley, Gordon Hutchms and Sam Kirby; board from Tennessee: Chalmers Cullins, M. A Lightman, Sr., Tom Dallas, Steve Sten, W. F. Rufinn, Sr., Louise Mask. J. A. West ; board from Misssisippi : R. X. Williams, Charles Eudy, W. S Taylor, Leon Roundtree, Dwight Blissard, T. M. Jourdon and Grady Cook
'Unsavory' Films
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SIMPP, Ascap
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and RKO ask that Ascap be restrained from bringing infringement action against exhibitors showing the films of producers who have not obtained the performing rights, or in any way impeding the exhibition of their films.
The brief, prepared by SIMPP counsel Robert J. Rubin, noted that SIMPP, its members and RKO have no direct interest in the affairs of Ascap and in this respect stand apart from some other film companies which have music publishing subsidiaries either with representation on the Ascap board or among Ascap's membership.
Johnston at EC A Meet
Washington, Oct. 26.— Motion Picture Association of America president Eric Johnston is scheduled to attend a meeting of the ECA advisory board tomorrow. His European trip caused him to miss the last two meetings.
his organization here that "the large number of questionable pictures is doing harm to the industry."
Unless films provide their audiences with entertainment, he pointed out, people will look to other media. He also cited the coming competition of television in Canada, adding that film theatres in the U. S. had already been adversely affected by 15 per cent.
Main's views were bolstered by R. W. Bolstad, vice-president, who averred: 'Whether we like it or not we are now faced with the competition of a new form of entertainment — television— but we cannot stop the wheels of progress."
Mrs. Marjorie Dawson of the Motion Picture Association of America's New York Office described the preliminary development of the Canadian national children's library committee This program, she said, would not make money but would earn good will for the exhibitor.
It was reported at the convention that the ranks of the organization had increased by 41 during the past year bringing the total of 313 exhibitor members to an all-time high.
New Protestant Film
Hollywood, Oct. 26.— With Edward Wassour as producer, "By Bread Alone," next feature for the Protestant turn Commission, will go before the cameras early in December.
Topflight Promotion
Topflight Tape Co., manufacturer of advertising sticker-tape for motion picture and theatre promotions, has published the first issue of Topflight Topics, house publication, prepared by J. Edward Schwalm, production manager of the Yorktowne Advertising Agency, York, Pa.
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