Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Jun 1949)

Friday, February 4, 1949 Motion Picture Daily 5 Pinanski (Continued from page 1) financing are expected to be considerable. He not only is highly regarded in the industry as a financial authority but has close connections with the First National Bank of Boston and with Serge Semenenko, its vice-president, whose association with motion picture financing is well known. The First National of Boston already is identified with financing of Pathe Industries, the Eagle-Lion parent company. Pinanski was for many years associated with the large New England circuit, Mullin and Pinanski, in partnership with Paramount. On January 1 last, the circuit was reorganized, with Paramount selling its interest in Netoco, a circuit of approximately 50 theatres, to Pinanski, who operates it as an independent circuit under the name of American Theatres Co. The remaining theatres, about 56 in number, are wholly-owned by Paramount. They are operated by Martin Mullin, Pinanski's former partner, as New England Theatres, Inc. Army Pre-Releases (Continued from page 1) isfied to get pictures currently with first-run theatres or immediately behind them if nearby first-runs date pictures at or near pre-release dates. Brylawski informed Lockwood that Francis Harmon, vice-president of the Motion Picture Association of America, when told that Army and Navy theatres do not require pre-releases, suggested to the TOA investigator that a letter to that effect from Armed Forces chiefs is desirable. Brylawski indicated in his report, however, that he doubted if such letters will be forthcoming. Meanwhile, according to the Brylawski report, Harmon conferred with Robert Mochrie, vice-chairman of the distributors committee of the MPAA, on the question of TOA's complaint of competition from Army and Navy theatres. Reported Brylawski : "Mochrie said that distributors wanted to do exactly what exhibitors wanted them to do; that the distributors had originally been opposed to pre-releases and current releases to Army and Navy theatres." Brylawski then quoted Mochrie as having told Harmon that distributors refuse to accede to requests for prereleases unless they had the assent of exhibitor organizations. Brylawski was accompanied in the investigation by Paul Williams, general counsel of the Southern California Theatre Owners Association and a director of the national TOA. Brylawski said additional conferences will be held. MEMBER FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION Smith Commended (Continued from page 1) in litigation, great losses of time, effort and money, undesirable public airing of industry problems and real or threatened governmental regulations and restraint," the resolution noted, adding : "It would ^e advantageous to the industry to resolve such problems and difference within its own council and among its own membership. And whereas this convention has had as its distinguished guest and speaker a man devoted to the industry, its progress and to the cause of conciliation, who has rendered a marked service to the members of the Theatre Owners of North and South Carolina in directing their attention to more favorable means of settlement of problems and disputes. "Now, therefore, be it resolved that the association hereby expresses to that industry leader, Andrew W. Smith, Jr., general sales manager of 20th Century-Fox, its deep appreciation for his presence, his able discourse and the progressive suggestions he has made." Gov. Dewey Cited (Continued from page 1) in human relations in the last six years than in any comparable period in history." He urged the expansion of freedom on all fronts and pointed out that "the Communists boast of economic security for their imprisoned millions and scathingly condemn the imperfections in our civil liberties." He said that "equality of opportunity is the natural outgrowth of one of the most fundamental principles of our Constitution." Among those invited to the dais were Ned E. Depinet, Malcolm Kingsberg, Al Schwalberg, Arthur Israel, Robert M. Weitman, Irving Greenfield, Marvin Kirsch, Albert A. Senft, Red Kann, Samuel Rosen, city, government and B'nai B'rith officials. Group Insurance (Continued from page 1) Meinhardt, president and attorney, respectively, for the New York Film Carriers. The insurance plan gives all drivers with 10 years service a $2,000 life insurance, a $2,000 accidental death and dismemberment policy, S30 per week for sickness and accident after the seventh day of disability for a period of 26 weeks, up to $6 per day for hospital care for a maximum of 31 days and $60 for hospital services. In addition, employes will receive up to $150 for surgical expenses. All other drivers and helpers will receive similar benefits except that their maximum life insurance will be $1,000, with sickness and accident benefits varying with wages. The association's trustees have been appointed to administer the plan along with the State Mutual Life Assurance Co. TV Firm Offers Stock Television Equipment Corp. is offering 300,000 shares of common stock at one dollar per share through the Henry P. Rosenfeld Co. here. Corporation officers include John B. Milliken, president ; Leonard Mautner, vice-president ; William Brown, secretary. N.C.CJ. Luncheon at 12:15 Promptly Because of radio and television commitments the luncheon of the industry division of the National Conference of Christians and Jews at the Waldorf-Astoria here today will be served promptly at 12:15. Guests are requested to take note and time their arrival accordingly. French Financial Aid (Continued from page 1) that producers can obtain help when they can prove at least one finished production of more than 1,300 metres, shot in 35mm. and done in France ; the public showing must have taken place after Jan. 1, 1946, and before the application for aid under the new law. Films must either be produced by French interests using French capital exclusively or, if co-produced with the help of foreign funds, aid will be forthcoming only on a pro-rated basis. Before financial aid is granted, the Board of Awards must have given its approval and the picture must be in its second week of production. Aid also will be granted for all improvements in safety facilities, repairs and the purchase of new material. The new fund will further provide for the organization, subject to government directives, of a concern to promote French films abroad. Until receipts from the new taxes are collected, the Centre National de la Cinematographic will grant loans from its official funds. 'Brotherhood' Award (Continued from page 1) ary 20 to 27. Louis Nizer, attorney and author, will be toastmaster at the luncheon. Top industry executives will be present at the luncheon for which all reservations have been sold out with more than 1,100 expected. Television and national and local radio stations will cover the event. Among others asked to the dais were : John Alicoate, Leon J. Bamberger, Joseph Bernhard, Milton Biow, Ray Bolger, Edward J. Churchill, Max A. Cohen, Gus Eyssell, George Feinberg. Leopold Friedman, William J. German. Gilbert Golden, Mrs. Oscar Hammerstein II. Harry Hershfield, James M. Jerauld, Red Kann, Jack Kapp, Charles Kenny, Malcolm Kingsberg, Edward Lachman, Albert D. Lasker, Jock Lawrence, Chick Lewis. Also: Isidore Lubin, Robert Mochrie, Charles C. Moskowitz, John J. O'Connor, Charles L. O'Reilly, Charles Reagan, Irene Rich, Herman Robbins, Mrs. Richard Rodgers, J. Robert Rubin, James Sauter, Abe Schneider, W. Waters Schwab, Sam Shain, Nate Spingold, Gael Sullivan, Joseph R. Vogel, Mo Wax, Grover Whaltn, William A. White, Earl Wilson. U 1, Chicago Sales (Continued from page 1) held there between U-I home office and Chicago district sales officials with a view toward arriving at a satisfactory selling plan for that city where, he pointed out, selling of pictures has become fraught with legal uncertainties. He indicated that his personal preference is for the system of negotiation, because he believes it is fairer in many respects to both buyer and seller. One or the other, or both systems, may be essayed at the outset before a permanent policy is adopted, he said. HAL (GILDERSLEEVE) PEARY* HAS SWITCHED TO "FAMILY HONEYMOON" "My all time favorite comedy was My Man Godfrey '. . . until I saw Claudette Colbert and Fred Mac Murray in FAMILY HONEYMOON"' *Sfar of NBC's "The Great Gildersleeve'