Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1949)

1 FIRST , ! Accurate IN ¥\ ATT "^7" Concise FILM ll/VI 1 Y and | MFW9 INC WO i Impartial VOL. 66. NO. 13 NEW YORK, U. S. A., WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1949 TEN CENTS Decree Ruled Apart From Private Suits 5th Walnut Loses Its 'Test Action' Appeal The U. S. vs. Paramount antitrust suit has not reached the stage where it can properly be considered within the statutory terms and, hence, the findings of fact and conclusions of law in that litigation do not qualify for introduction as evidence in private anti-trust actions brought against the defendants in the government suit. This ruling was made here yesterday by the three-judge U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals in support of the dismissal bv Federal Judge Vincent L. Leibell a year ago of the $2,100,000 triple-damage anti-trust suit brought by Fifth & Walnut Amusement Co. of Louisville. Following yesterday's ruling, which was written by U. S. Circuit Court Judge Charles E. Clark and concurred (Continued on page 4) Petrillo Here for AFM Contract Talks James C. Petrillo, president of the American Federation of Musicians, has returned here from a Wisconsin vacation to confer with film company heads on the setting of a date and place for opening of negotiations for a new contract for musicians at the major Hollywood studios. The problem of television film mu (Continued on page 4) End Not in View in Ascap Decree Talks Washington, July 19. — Justice Department officials said that they saw "no hope for an early end" to negotiations with Ascap for a revision of the 1941 consent decree. Ascap and Anti-Trust division lawyers met practically all day yesterday, and the upshot was that both sides retired for "more revising and more thinking." And, said one Justice official, "it looks like things will go on that way for quite some while." More conferences this week are unlikely, he indicated. Britain May Tie Quota Changes to Remittance Talks London, July 19. — Board of Trade sentiment for tying up discussions of a lower film quota with the coming negotiations concerning the second year terms of the Anglo-American monetary agreement appears to be gaining ground, it is learned from authoritative but unofficial sources. Meanwhile, the Board today issued a report showing that British production during the year ended March 31, 1949, had dropped to 120 feature length films compared with 170 registered during the previous year, while shorts had dropped to 229 from 297. A Board spokesman said it is always prepared to listen to and consider American views on the quota. He recalled that Americans undertook to maintain production here at the rate contemplated early in 1947 and added that "we should like to see more production under American auspices." The Board is concerned over the (Continued on page 4) To Set Lab Strike Date at Meet Today The day and hour of the strike of the Motion Picture Laboratory Technicians, Local 702, IATSE, "will be set this afternoon at a special meeting of the entire executive board and the negotiating committee, it was disclosed here yesterday by John J. Francavilla, local president. The final plans and strategy of the strike will be worked out at the meet (Continued on page 4) Johnston, Arnall in Wide Verbal Range Washington, July 19. — Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association of America, and Ellis Arnall, president of the Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers "covered the waterfront" of industry problems in a three-hour meeting here today, but came up with "nothing definite." Arnall said the meeting, held at MPAA headquarters, took in "just about everything you can think of affecting the industry — foreign problems, the British situation, domestic business, industry public relations — but there was no decision on anything." Ginsberg Captains Para. Sales Drive Henry Ginsberg, Paramount vicepresident and studio head, has been named honorary national captain of the company's "Gold Rush of '49 Sales Contest," A. W. Schwalberg, vicepresident and general sales manager, announced yesterday. Ginsberg expressed himself as pleased with the honor, pointing out that the responsibility of the studio does not end with the production of motion pictures. "We are all working together to produce, sell and promote our product, and any help that we can lend in furthering the interests of the company (Continued on page 4) Rep. Doughton Says House Won 't Act on Ticket Tax Company Salesmen Handle 'Vet' Short Salesmen of the major companies are handling the booking of the Disabled American Veterans short, "How Much Do You Owe?", being distributed by National Screen Service for the industry as part of its enlarged public relations program. The salesmen will carry the special booking cards when they visit their accounts. When a theatre fills out a card, it is to be mailed to Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright, national DAV commander, in care of the local N.S.S. exchange, with the exhibitor (Continued on page 4) Washington, July 19.— A severe blow was dealt industry hopes for a reduction of the Federal admission tax during the present session of Congress when Chairman Doughton of the House Ways and Means committee made it known to Senate leaders that such a bill would be pigeonholed in the House if the Senate should pass it. Doughton is in a position to control the bill in the House since he heads the tax-writing committee. The North Carolinian is sympathetic to reduction of the wartime excise rates but feels that with the government threatened with a deficit for the current fiscal year no action should be taken on the taxes. Doughton also is said to favor (Continued on page 4) MGM Lists 3 A Month for Balance of '49 Boost Production Further, Rodgers Says Confident of a bright future, MetroGoldwyn-Mayer will release at the rate of three features a month for the remainder of the calendar year and beyond that may step up its production and distribution schedules consistent with market requirements, William F. Rodgers, vice| p r e s i d e nt in CS?lB I cnar&e °f disHH * [H tribution, told Pfflflpfl A. BBH the industry HHh nmk tH| Press at a lun at the Hotel Astor here yesterday. In addition to the 12 films which he (Continued on page 4) W. F. Rodgers 4B' Pool Problem Parley Tomorrow _ The executive committe of the Motion Picture Export Association's board of _ directors, comprising company presidents, will meet here tomorrow morning for further discussions concerning proposals that that part of the Anglo-U. S. remittance agreement (Continued on page 4) MPAA (P.R: Heads Report Tomorrow Ned E. Depinet, William F. Rodgers and Maurice Bergman of the Motion Picture Association of America exhibitor community relations committee will discuss with MPAA president Eric A. Johnston and vice-president Francis Harmon at a luncheon-meeting here tomorrow, the exploratory meetings held thus far with exhibitor groups and will consider the developing plans for the pending industry-wide meeting in connection with the industry public relations drive.