Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1948)

Accurate Concise and \jtr\nrr R. JOYCE 0*HAPvA, 1 C Tl/^E^f |RST HOT I OS PICTURE ASSOC. OF W^^* M» L AMERICA, ^1 WL W »' IN NEW YORK, M. Y. _ f fT 1 1_ L NEWS VOL. ^ NO. 87 NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1948 TEN CENTS Rank Booking Only 4 U. S. Dual Programs 13 Other Current Bills Counter Johnston's Plan London, Nov. 3. — Of 17 film programs playing J. Arthur Rank's combined Odeon and G-B circuits in the metropolitan area here this week only four are double American feature programs, the kind decreed by Eric Johnston, Motion Picture Association of America president, in consequence of Rank's declared booking policies following adoption of the new 45 per cent quota. The current 17 programs consist of the following: eight combined American-British feature programs ; four double American feature programs; four with one British feature only, and one double British program. Of the eight American-British programs, in four cases the American features come from either Universal or Eagle-Lion. A fifth consists of United Artists' "The Girl from Manhattan," playing second feature to a reissue of Rank's "London Town." The other three are reissues of old {Continued on page 4) British Film Bank Funds Open to U. S. London, Nov. 3. — J. H. Lawrie, head of Britain's Film Finance Co., said today' that American producers will be able to borrow from that government bank provided their production programs commend themselves to him and fall within the British film quota requirements. Lawrie said the bank commands at the moment 2,500,000 pounds ($10, (Continued on page 4) Executives' Parley Deferred One Week Washington, Nov. 3. — Conferences of Eric Johnston, Motion Picture Association of America president, with company presidents and other top industry executives, slated to open next week in New York, have been moved back, again tentatively, to Nov. 17-19, it was indicated today at MPAA headquarters. Meetings were to have been held Nov. 10-12. Adapt Industry Production Code to Video Television Broadcasters Association has urged the entire video industry to adhere to the Motion Picture Production Code and radio's "Standards of Practice" until the new industry has developed to the point where it can formulate its own guide on general principles and standards for programs. The measure was recommended by the TBA code committee, approved by the board of directors and proclaimed to be "a great step forward in protecting the interests of television broadcasters throughout the nation." Copies of the film industry's Production Code and radio's "Standards" has been sent by TBA here to all television stations, including non (Continued on page 4) Film Stocks Tumble With Other Issues Surprised by the presidential election results, investors on the New York Stock and Curb Exchanges unloaded heavily yesterday causing stock values to drop practically all along the line. One of the few to show a gain and the only film issue rise was Universal preferred, which increased a quarter of a point. Stock prices which dropped were (Continued on page 2) Government Files in N. Y. Case Shipped Washington, Nov. 3. — Department of Justice files in the Paramount trust case have been shipped from D. of J. attorney Robert L. Wright's office here to the New York District Court where hearings will start on Monday. There is still no indication that there would be any postponement of the arguments. James F. Byrnes, 20th-Fox counsel is slated to confer with Attorney General Tom Clark on Friday, but there is no indication he will talk for anyone but that company. Aga Khan Cash in Eagle-Lion Deal The Aga Khan, Moslem leader, and one of the world's wealthiest men, may invest an unspecified amount of cash in Eagle-Lion in return for production-distribution franchises in a number of Continental European countries, and revenue accruing to E-L under the deal will be paid to the company in dollars in New York out of Aga Khan's resources here, spokesmen for Pathe Industries, E-L parent company, said yesterday. No funds would be frozen abroad. It is reported that Aga Khan, or his designated representative, will become a member of the E-L board of directors in consequence of the deal. A representative of the Moslem leader came here from Paris for negotiations with E-L officials, and has been conferring with them and company attor(Continued on page 4) 'Corner' Theatre Video, Ryder Warns Industry Protestants to Scan Scripts in Hollywood Hollywood, Nov. 3. — Protestant Film Commission will have three permanent committees, made up of religious leaders and laymen, to function in Hollywood under the direction of Paul F. Heard, national executive director, and Oren W. Evans, West Coast director. A script committee will review scripts submitted for production by the PFC "and also study scripts contemplated by studios exclusively from the angle of Protestant theology, creed and doctrine." A committee will also offer to aid producers. Urging U. S. theatre interests to get on the television bandwagon before the theatre video field is captured by enterprising outsiders, Loren L. Ryder, retiring president of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers, said here yesterday that several new technical developments point to rapid expansion of theatre television operations. Film techniques and devices now in use or about to be used, Ryder said, will make it possible to project pictures for television that will register in the video camera on a par with "live" action. Improved electronic pick-up of films by video is an important factor in this connection, Ryder declared. Paramount in Bid for Long Court Inquiry Development of Needed Monopoly Proof Asked Extensive inquiry into the 'circumstances surrounding theatre acquisitions and subsequent operations yesterday was urged upon the New York Federal Court by Paramount as the only means to establish the facts described as being necessary to fashion a proper decree in the Government's action against the distributors. Paramount admits that the task will be "burdensome" to the court and all parties to the suit and the indication is that if the court is agreeable to the film company's bid for the investigation another long trial will be the consequence. In a memorandum presented to the court, similar to one submitted recently by Loew's, Paramount lashes out (Continued on page 5) Exhibitors' As cap Decree Is Filed Owners of musical composition copyrights would license both public performance and synchronization rights to film producers simultaneously under a decree presented to the New York Federal Court yesterday by the 164 exhibitor plaintiffs in the anti-trust action against Ascap. As directed by Judge Vincent Leibell, Ascap has five days in which to submit a memorandum on the proposed order, following which Judge (Continued on page 5) O'Donnell Does Not Seek RKO Theatres Dallas, Nov. 3. — Robert J. O'Donnell, general manager of Interstate Theatres, was reached for comment today on the recent report from Houston that he might head a syndicate which aimed to purchase control of some RKO theatres, and disclaimed having any interest in such a deal. Motion Picture Daily in publishing the report on Oct. 28, said that confirmation of the report could not be obtained. The syndicate was de (Continued on page 5)