Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1949)

6 Motion Picture Daily Friday, July 15, 1949 Theatre-TV Stand (Continued from page 1) held in the Eastman Kodak offices of Donald D. Hyndman, SMPE video committee chairman, was designed to draft an outline to be followed in answer to the questions which the FCC had put to SMPE, 20th Century-Fox and Paramount on what specific video facilities the industry wanted and how they would be used. In addition to formal, individual statements to the FCC by the three recipients of the FCC's queries, it was decided that the all-industry appeal for television channels would be taken under consideration. It was made clear that additional meetings of producer, exhibitor, manufacturer and common carrier representatives would be required, particularly in view of the "unknown factors" to be considered in the reply to the FCC from the engineering standpoint. Wants United Front It is understood that Sullivan, who left for Washington immediately following the meeting and could not be reached for comment, called for statements of policy by all branches of the industry in behalf of theatre video. He told the meeting that "everyone should unite and show cause" why the FCC should grant necessary air space and that with showmanship theatre video will become an accomplished fact. Sullivan's plan, in its present state, would have groups of theatres in various areas throughout the country offering perhaps two hours of video programming per day on some sort of cooperative _ basis, using topical events of local interest and whatever other subject matter could be developed. The programming could be before the regular film show or slotted into the regular program. Sees Color for Theatres The need for "advanced thinking" in industry plans for theatre video was pointed up by Dr. Alfred N. Goldsmith, prominent video consultant, who suggested that possibly theatres alone could afford a high definition system of color television perhaps be yond the reach of commercial televi sion broadcasters. In addition to the aforementioned, those present included: Irving Dollin ger, regional vice-president of Allied States; Taylor Mills, MPAA; N. L. Halpern, Fabian Theatres ; D. John Phillips, Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatres Association; Frank Cahill, Jr., Warners; Ralph Cohn, Columbia ; Lewis Blumberg, UniversalInternational ; E. I. Sponable, president of SMPE, of 20th-Fox; Marcus Cohen, TOA; G. L. Beers, Radio Corp. of America; A. G. Jensen, Bell Telephone Laboratories, and R. L. Garmen, General Precision Laboratories. Army Shocked (Continued from page 1) answers probably will not come in for a day or more. It was believed here that MPAA's information came from Arthur Mayer, AMG film official in Germany, and that Mayer and Col. Gordon Textor, AMG information officer there, are working to stymie the move. Speculation at the War Department and in trade circles here was that the move was either British or German inspired, designed both to keep the U. S. film industry from piling up dollar balances to be paid for later by the Germans, and also to protect the German film industry. The two big question-marks which Johnston's letter to Acheson did not answer and which MPAA officials here frankly admit they don't have the answer to are : 1 ) Who started the quota move and 2), How far has it actually gone. Story of Production (Continued from page 1) Seven Films Abroad (Continued from page 1) RKO RADIO PICTURES. Inc. NEW YORK Trade Showing of FOLLOW ME QUIETLY" RKO Screening Room 630 Ninth Avenue TUESDAY, JULY 19 at 2:30 P.M. "Tahiti" on the island of the same name. Sam Zimbalist has already announced filming of "King Solomon's Mines" for Africa, starting in November. Leon Gordon has scheduled production of "Kim" for India early next spring. Sam Marx, who recently returned from Havana and Washington and conferences with officials of both governments, has completed plans to film "Visa" in Cuba. Two on producer Sidney Franklin's slate will be made at the company's British studio at Boreham Woods, Herts, namely the "Mrs. Miniver" sequel, and "Young Bess." Henry C. Potter, who will direct the first, arrived in New York today and will leave tomorrow by air for London to start preliminary work. Walter Pidgeon, who will appear opposite Greer Garson in it, will arrive in New York August 15, enroute to London. September 1 has been designated as the starting date for the production. Franklin will leave for the East on July 17, and will sail July 22 for London. Arthur Hornblow, Jr., will produce "Quo Vadis" in Italy next spring. E. J. Mannix, production executive, returned from Italy Tuesday and is now conferring in New York with Nicholas M. Schenck, president; Louis B. Mayer, head of production, and home office executives on progress made in Italy so far on the picture. all viewpoint. On July 26, Ronald Reagan, president of the Screen Actors Guild, will talk about "The Actor," discussing the method of selecting stars, the requirements for acting and what the performer thinks is necessary for a good performance and a good picture. On July 27, Emmet Lavery, now with 20th Century-Fox, will discuss "The Work of the Screen Writer" and how he contributes to the artistic values of a film. The July 28 show will present Clarence Slifer on "Special Effects," in which he specializes. Slifer won an Academy Award for the special effects in Selznick's "Portrait of Jenny." The final program, on July 29, will have Kenneth McGowan, producer, critic, writer and now chairman of the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Southern California, in a talk on the "Social Impact of the Movies." The discussions will be in the form of a conversation-interview with D wight Cooke of CBS. Leon Levine will produce the series. MPIC Accepts Bid (Continued from page 1) Hardiman Wins (Continued from page 1) tation director of Eagle-Lion ; Montague Salmon, managing director of the New York Rivoli Theatre, and Sid Mesibov, exploitation director of Paramount. Seven won special citations, each receiving a QP Scroll of Honor, listed alphabetically as follows : Carl Doty, Wisconsin Theatre, Milwaukee ; Ned Glaser, Rooseveh Theatre, Union City, N. J. ; Alice Gorham, United Theatres, Detroit, Mich. ; W. T. Hastings, Orpheum Theatre, Denver; P. E. McCoy, Miller Theatre, Augusta, Ga. ; Goodwin Sable, RKO Keith's Theatre, Dayton; Joe Sommers, Strand Theatre, Freehold, N. J. chairman of the MPAA committee, addressed the MPIC meeting, as did Eric Johnston and Francis Harmon, MPAA president and vice-president, repeating the general outline of the purposes and objectives previously discussed with exhibitor groups. An MPIC spokesman said last night's invitation was accepted merely as a bid to attend the exploratory meeting, and does not commit MPIC beyond that point, although the membership was in wholesome agreement with the outline presented by the MPAA speakers. The spokesman pointed out that although public relations is among the major interests of MPIC, its scope is far wider than that. MPIC understanding is that the mid-August meeting would undertake to determine the areas of common interest inside which all participating organizations could function harmoniously for the general welfare. MPAA Calls 'P.R.' Group A 'Working Party' A spokesman for Motion Picture Association of America in New York yesterday called the group that will meet in August a "working party" consisting of two representatives from each of the seven participating organizations. The group will draw up specific plans for coordinating an industrywide public relations program, he said. It also will decide on holding a board meeting in the fall and, if such a meeting is called, will prepare a working agenda, he said. 'Outlaw,' MPAA (Continued from page 1 ) City Bow for 'Johnny* Simultaneous premieres for Universal-International's "Johnny Stool Pigeon" have been set for July 27 at San Francisco, Vancouver and Tucson. York Federal Court here yesterday Apparently this means that Hughes has no intention of dropping his longpending suit against the MPAA at least for the present. He filed when denied a seal for "The Outlaw." New advertising copy for the film has been presented by RKO to MPAA's advertising advisory council and if approved the film will receive the PCA seal. RKO has announced that the film will be released in the fall. Small-E-L Deal (Continued from page 1) today on the S. S. Queen Elizabeth for a European vacation, and Small has tentative plans to leave here for a New England vacation next week. It was emphasized that there has been no disagreement among the principals and that eventual transfer of control to Small still appears to be the most likely outcome. The specific reason for the unexpectedly long delay in culminating the negotiations was not disclosed but it was indicated that complex ramifications of a financial and legal nature may have to be worked out by the Robert R. Young interests before a deal could be made ready for signing. It was stated that the deal is at a stage at which Semenenko's presence no longer is vital and a conclusion could be reached with some other representative of the Boston bank present, providing the remaining details work out as expected. Three in K-B Appeals (Continued from page 1) a 1945 contract on the ground that the contract was part of a conspiracy declared illegal by the U. S. Supreme Court and so is not enforceable in Federal Courts. He also dismissed a counterclaim by Stanley that it be given the right to dissolve the partnership and sell its assets publicly, and also an intervention plea by Kass Realty Corp. that the court say which of the two firms must carry out an agreement to have Kass build a second theatre for the partners. K-B appealed last Monday, Kass appealed yesterday, and Stanley is expected to file its appeal in the next few days, limited to the issue that it should be allowed to dissolve the partnership. Protect your money when you travel.' 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