Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1949)

FIDQT I IKO 1 MOTION PICTURE Accurare 1 M IN 11 ATT Loncise r*i I a a FILM and NEWS JUlAlI JLa impartial VOL. 66. NO. 72 NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1949 TEN CENTS Canadian Film Industry Seeks United Front Exhibitors Model Meet On Chicago Parleys Ottawa, Oct. 12. — For the first time in its history, the Canadian film industry is attempting to form a united front at the allindustry convention which opened here today at the Chateau Laurier. Originally, the meeting was to be known as the gathering of the national committee of Motion Picture Exhibitors Associations of Canada, but it was later decided to expand this exhibitors conference into an allindustry meeting along the lines of the recent industry convention held in Chicago. This action was taken by an 11 (Continued on page 4) New Kreisler Firm Formed B. Bernard Kreisler, former distribution executive for Universal and Lester Cowan Productions, has been named president of International Film Associates, newly-formed company which will distribute selected foreign films in the Western Hemisphere and will function in allied capacities for both American and foreign producers. Kreisler returned to New York this week after spending four months sur (Continued on page 4) McConnell to Fight 'Stable' Extension Chicago. Oct. 12. — Thomas McConnell, Jackson Park attorney, will appeal the six-week playing time extension terms granted to 20th-Fox for "Come to the Stable" by Federal Judge Michael Igoe last week. McConnell stated that although the film is scheduled to open Saturday at the United Artists Theatre for eight weeks, he would seek a stay of execution either before Judge Igoe or the Circuit Court of Appeals. He contends the Jackson Park decree does not contain anything granting distributors the right to seek extensions on important films, and therefore constitutes a Violation. Kodak's Evans Gets Sam Warner Award Hollywood, Oct. 12.— For scientific film contributions, Ralph M. Evans of Eastman Kodak's color department, tonight received the Samuel Warner Award of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers. The award is presented annually for outstanding work in the sound motion picture field. Evans was formerly with the Fox Film laboratory in New York, was an expert on color processes with 20th Century-Fox, and was head of research for DeLuxe Laboratory, New York. New Color Methods Demonstrated at SMPE Convention Hollywood, Oct. 12. — Color was the key subject of yesterday's sessions of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers convention, with afternoon and evening meetings held at the Academy Award Theatre to facditate demonstration of various processes described by the speakers. The evening session was devoted entirely to six reports by du Pont engineers explaining and demonstrating a new color print stock now being offered to the trade. Du Pont executives W. A. Stanton, J. P. Weiss and A. B. Jennings traced the research from the beginning, stressing the point that the new stock is first in which gelatin has been (Continued on page 4) RKO Sets 10 For Quarter RKO Radio has scheduled 10 features for release during the final quarter of the year, it is reported by distribution vice-president Robert Mochrie. Going into general release at present are "Easy Living," Samuel Goldwyn's "Roseanna McCoy" and Walt Disney's "Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad." Set to follow are : "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," "They Live By Night," "Bride for Sale," "I Married a Communist," "A Dangerous Profession," "Holiday Affair" and Goldwyn's "My Foolish Heart." The latter two are indicated as Christmastide releases. Kahn Heads Special 'Samson' Division Henry W. Kahn, film industry sales veteran, has been named director of sales for a special "Samson and Delilah" division of Paramount's distribution setup, by A. W. Schwalberg, distribution vice-president. "Because of the many problems connected with the distribution of a production like 'Samson and Delilah,' it is essential that they be handled by a separate and distinct unit," said Youngstein. "The creation of a special 'Samson and Delilah' division will not only remove the strain on the regular home office departments, which are now taxed to the limit, but will result in more complete service to our cus(Continned on page 4) Series Television a Hit, But No Homer: Fabian S. H. Fabian yesterday placed the batting power of last week's largescreen television of the World Series at the Fabian Fox Theatre in Brooklyn, at "somewhere between a double and a triple," or, in other words, good but short of the "home run" which was desired. Attendance at the Fox ranged from 1,250 on its lowest day to a peak draw of about 3,150 on Saturday. "Although we would have liked to hit a home-run, a complete sell-out, theatre television showed potent hitting power in the matinees," Fabian said. "Without it we probably would not have had a chance to get on first base," he added. "In our Fox Theatre, the receipts for the matinee television performances of the World Series added up to four or five times those we could have expected for the regular film features during this period, including a booming concession business. "We will continue to experiment and test this new medium of theatre television as an adjunct of the film business. As important events become available, we will theatre televise them and get some more answers, until we know finally how to utilize it best." Fabian's statement was devoid of any statistics on the cost of the video rights, transmission charges and the RCA TV equipment, the latter on the basis of its use for the five-day run. Base Term of Loew's Pacts On Divestiture Mayer, Rubin Contracts Allow for Final Decree By CHARLES L. FRANKE Loevv's is making new executive employment contracts subject to termination by either party in the event the company is required to divest itself of all or substantially all of its theatres in the New York antitrust case. New five-year pacts concluded recently with vice-presidents Louis B. Mayer and J. Robert Rubin contain such provision. The contract of each stipulates that "at any time after such divestiture has been substantially completed either party (Loew's or the executive) may terminate the term of employment by giving the other (Continued on page 4) Dollinger Is Reelected _ Newark, Oct. 12— Irving Dollinger yesterday was re-elected chairman of the board of Allied Theatre Owners of New Jersey at a meeting which preceded a general membership meeting at the Newark Athletic Club. Dollinger and organization president Wilbur Snaper were designated as Jersey Allied's delegates to the Oct. 24-26 national Allied convention in Minneapolis. They were instructed (Continued on page 4) Rodgers to Open MGM Meet Today With more than 100 from the field and home office in attendance, William F. Rodgers, sales vice-president, will open the first of a five-day M-G-M sales conference at New York's Astor Hotel today. This morning's session will be attended by trade paper publishers and editors who will be on hand for the opening remarks by Rodgers. They also have been invited to lunch. Rodgers will outline the program of activities to the delegates this morning, and discuss M-G-M's Silver Anniversary, which concludes on Dec. 31. Following luncheon, a general business session will be held.