Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1949)

\ FIRST Accurate IN Tfc ATT Concise FILM 11 A 1 LY and K 1 IT \ a /C NEW5 ■ Imnartinl IllipUl IIUI VOL. 66. NO. 5 NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, JULY 8, 1949 TEN CENTS Arnall to Ask US to Review British Trade Will Invite Johnston to Join in State Dept. Call Ellis G. Arnall, president of the Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers, will invite Eric A. Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association of America, to accompany him to the U. S. State Department in an endeavor to prompt a "re-canvassing" of the entire AngloAmerican film trading situation on a governmental level. Arnall said here yesterday that he will extend the invitation to Johnston upon the latter's return to the East from the Coast, probably some time this month. He said the move will be in furtherance of the recently declared policy of cooperating with the MPAA in all matters of mutual concern. It is understood that neither of the two organizations has received any word from the State Department on their joint protest against the high {.Continued on page 6) Quota Protest Seen Silenced in Crisis Washington, July 7. — Chances of any strong action by the State Department against the British film quota are regarded by observers here as having been lessened by the continuing seriousness of Britain's economic difficulties. The quota has been the subject of repeated protests to the State Department by Congressmen, the Motion Picture Association of America, the Society of Independent Motion Pic {Continued on page 6) See 20% Wage Boost In Mexican Industry Mexico City, July 7.— Members of the National Cinematographic Industry Workers Union are expected to win at least a 20 per cent wage boost from the Mexican production-distribution industry and the eight maj or U. S. companies operating here when a two-year contract expires next month. It is demanding a SO per cent wage {Continued on page 3) MPAA Committee To Aid 4P. R.' Action Plans for making the community relations department of the Motion Picture Association of America an integral part of the proposed all-industry public relations campaign were discussed at a meeting of the committee at the MPAA office here yesterday. Committee members were requested to study means by which the group might cooperate in whatever program is ultimately adopted by the industry. Suggestions will be sought on types of articles which might be prepared for local and national publication, on subject matter for speeches to be supplied to industry representatives for presentation at local civic gatherings, and for other material which will help tell the industry's story to an interested public. Further meetings of the committee are planned to implement the suggestions which are received and to advance its part in the all-industrv effort. Present at yesterday's meeting were: Maurice Bergman, Universal; {Continued on page 6) Mayer Resigning From German Post Arthur L. Mayer, chief of the motion picture branch of the Military Government in Germany, has offered his resignation to take effect at the earliest possible date. Prior to his return to the U. S., Mayer will visit Israel to investigate possibilities for increased production and exhibition. No announcement has as yet been made by the Army of Mayer's successor, but representatives of the State Department Information Services, including Herbert Edwards, director of the film division, are now in Germany preparing to take over all film, radio and press services now operated by the Military Government. Nashville Levies 2% Tax on B. O. Grosses Nashville, July 7.— The city council has passed an ordinance assessing a two per cent gross receipt tax on all theatres of the city. State legislation provides for further amusement taxation if the Federal tax is cut. SPG to Organize NY Theatre Publicists A move to bring the publicists of some 21 first-run houses here under the banner of the Screen Publicists Guild will get underway shortly, it was learned yesterday. An SPG meeting will be held Monday to draw up proposals for the first contract. Several preliminary meetings with publicists have been held during the past week. Len Goldsmith is SPG business manager. Raftery Argues to Dismiss 'Blimp' Case Washington, July 7.— Final argument before the full Federal Trade Commission was heard today on the FTC's advertising complaint against United Artists in connection with "Colonel Blimp." An FTC examiner has recommended that UA be required to display prominently in advertising the fact that the version has been shortened. Film firms are fearful this may serve as a precedent. Appealing to the full commission, UA attorney Edward Raftery asked that the charges be dismissed. The cuts made, he said, were part of an honest attempt to speed up the pace of an over-long film. The Commission took the case under advisement. Preeedental Drivein Case to Supreme Court Penna. Will Probe Drive-in Traffic Philadelphia, July 7.— The state of Pennsylvania has launched a survey to determine if drive-in theatres are giving rise to possible "highway hazards." The study was requested by Col. C. M. Wilhelm, State Police Commissioner, and the State Highway Department. Col. Wilhelm explained that the {Continued on page 3) Washington, July 7. — Park-In Theatres, Inc., today asked the U. S. Supreme Court to force E. M. Loew's Drive-In Theatres, Inc., to pay ' it royalties on its patents on drive-in theatres. The case deals only with royalties from E. M. Loew's, but could affect and serve as a precedent for all drive-ins. A Federal District Court in Boston found for Park-In two years ago, but {Continued on page 3) Small, E-L Deal Starts To Warm Up Meeting Held, Decision Seen Late Next Week The deal for Edward Small to acquire control of Eagle-Lion took a turn for the better yesterday as an aftermath of an initial meeting here between Small and Robert R. Young. Despite the fact that the meeting was considered to be informal and its results are regarded as inconclusive, it served to dispel the atmosphere of disinterestedness on both sides which has prevailed since the pending proposals were negotiated with Small in Hollywood 10 days ago. Additional meetings will be held during the next few days, with indications of a final decision by the end of next week. Present at the initial meeting here in addition to Small and Young were Serge Semenenko of the First National Bank of Boston, who has been {Continued on page 6) $120,000 Pledged to Lippert Finance Co. Robert L. Lippert said here yesterday that $120,000, or close to half of the total of $270,000 capitalization of the new Motion Picture Financial Corp., which he has set up, already has been pledged by individual investors. Lippert described his new company as being proportionally similar to the $10,000,000 National Exhibitors Film Co. It will provide first-money financing for Lippert productions and will participate in the profits of the {Continued on page 3) Australia Enforces Quota Legislation By FRANK O'CONNELL Sydney, July 3 (By Airmail). — The Theatres and Films Commission in New South Wales has announced it plans to take greater care that exhibitors observe their Australian and British quota obligations. The Australian quota now is 2y2 per cent. The British quota is 15 per {Continued on page 6)