Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1950)

10 Motion picture daily Thursday, February 16, 1950 Mexico Board Has $250,000 Mexico City, Feb. 15— The National Cinematographic Board, set up by the government to supervise the film industry, will have a budget of $250,000 available this year, according to J. J. Castillo Lopez, chairman. Funds will come from the Federal government's contribution of 10 per cent of its income from film exportimport taxes and censorship fees; 10 per cent of the revenue from muicipal taxes on exhibitor grosses; contributions from the industry bank, the Banco Nacional Cinematographic, S. A., and revenues from film copyrighting fees. ACLU Offers to Aid Fight for 'Stromboli' The American Civil Liberties Union, through its affiliate, the National Council of Freedom from Censorship, has offered its aid to RKO and the Motion Picture Association if either contemplates legal action against attempts to ban RKO's "Stromboli." Conn. Protests 'Yankees' Hartford, Feb. 15. — The Connecticut Development Commission has protested to M-G-M the filming_ of "Yankees in Texas," which dramatizes the removal of the Chance Vought plant from Stratford, Conn., to Dallas. The Commission said "it seems too bad that the movie industry should lend itself to dramatizing this move which was so deeply regretted in Connecticut and which might hurt it outside of the state." Cramer to TransRlm Marc Cramer, formerly advertisingpublicity director for Julius Wile and Sons and Coast director of Films, Inc., has been appointed to the post of assistant to president William Miesegas of Transfilm, Inc. Help make Better Americans — Get 10 new members for the National Conference of Christians and Jews during Brotherhood Week, Feb. 19-26. if your theatre is below the \ Mason -Dixon Line . . . ole Colonel Durante is the answer to your boxoffice problem with An Eagle Lion Films Release StrombolV Opening Good (Continued from page 1) playing to $1,500 to $1,800 with the picture yesterday. However, there were few holdouts at any of the theatres during the day. The Criterion, the only Broadway house to open the film, appeared headed for approximately $5,000, a strong first day for that situation. Around the corner on 42nd Street, Brandt's Lyric, ordinarily second-run, reported "Stromboli" business 10 per cent over average for the house, with $3,000 estimated for the day. Brandt's Carlton, in Brooklyn, was reported to be doing more than 30 per cent better business with the picture than the house does regularly as a second-run. The day's estimate was $1,200. Although separated by only a few blocks, the Criterion and the Lyric had different prices posted yesterday. The former opened at 55 cents and the latter at 35 cents. Criterion's top was $1.25 while the Lyric's was 65 cents. An executive of the RKO Metropolitan circuit, all of whose neighborhood houses opened the picture yesterday, reported business "far above average'' for the day. 'Stromboli' Does Satisfactorily, But Not Exceptionally in Chicago Chicago', Feb. 15. — Morning and afternoon attendance today at the RKO Grand here where "Stromboli" opened was described as very satisfactory, but not exceptional, with an estimated gross of $4,500 for the day. Patronage was predominantly women. RKO reports that up to one P.M. the theatre's gross beat the figure for "The Outlaw" at the same house, but "Stromboli" morning admission was 98 cents compared to 50 cents for "The Outlaw." Day's top for "Stromboli" was $1.50. film made its debut in theatres across the country. In Columbus, Ohio, Governor Frank J. Lausche urged public boycott of the picture. The Governor's statement followed the recently expressed opinion of Attorney General Herbert Duffy that the state had no authority to ban the picture because of the personal conduct of members of the cast. Seattle, Feb. 15. — By a vote of five to one the city council has indorsed the action of acting Mayor David Levine in banning "Stromboli." H. B. Sobottka, vice-president of John Hamrick Theatres, which was scheduled to show the film, said his organization would abide by the city's decision. In Tacoma, distributors voluntarily cancelled scheduled showings to prevent protests from church leaders. In Spokane, the censor board recommended that it be cancelled, but public safety commissioner Earl Canwell said the picture had not been banned. Lippert Productions To Release 13 in Next Four Months Archbishop Cushing Tells Scouts To Echew Films for Outdoors Boston, Feb. 15. — Lashing out at "the false heroes and heroines" of motion pictures Archbishop Richard J. Cushing of Boston told more than 6,000 Boy Scouts "it makes no difference how a picture ends because there ar.e all sorts of evils portrayed on the screen. Enjoy the gifts of God and the greatest gift of all is fresh air and not inside of crowded movie houses." Opposition Continues to Mount Opposition to RKO's "Stromboli" continued to mount yesterday as the Boston, Feb. 15. — Nathan Yamins, head of Yamins Theatrical Enterprises, asserted that "Stromboli" would not be booked by his circuit. Toronto, Feb. 15. — The Presbytery of the United Church of Canada in session here today asked the Ontario Government to ban the showing of "Stromboli" in this province. Lippert Prod, will release 13 features during the next four months, more than double the number released previously in a similar perjj^.general sales manager Arthur GrKBpatt disclosed here yesterday. Heading the product list is "The Baron of Arizona," first big budgeter made by the company, which will have a premiere in Phoenix on March 1, with national release March 4. Other features to be released and their national release dates are : "Western Pacific Agent," March 17; "Hostile Country," March 24; "Everybody's Dancing," March 31 ; "Marshal of Heldorado," April 7 ; "Colorado Ranger," April 21 ; "Operation Haylift," April 28; "Crooked River," May 5 ; "Highway Patrol," May 12; "Fast on the Draw," May 19; "None Came Back," May 26; "West of the Brazos," June 2; "Hollywood Holiday," June 16th. Syracuse, N. Y., Feb. 15. — The Syracuse Common Council has asked all city houses to bar films starring Ingrid Bergman or directed by Roberto Rossellini. In Rochester, 11 Episcopal clergymen petitioned by letter the management of the RKO Palace to cancel the showing. Eldora, Iowa, Feb. 15. — In a bulletin to members, Allied Independent Theatre Owners of Iowa and Nebraska has urged theatremen to refuse to show "Stromboli.'' The bulletin declared that the incident "has dealt our industry a severe blow." Jamestown, N. Y., Feb. 15. — Gust Nestle, city manager of Warner Brothers Theatres here, has announced that the proposed showings of "Stromboli" have been cancelled. Malone, N. Y., Feb. 15. — The village board has announced it would ask the managers of Malone's two theatres to prevent the showing of "Stromboli." RKO to Meet Decree Terms (Continued from page 1) sounded out the Justice Department on obtaining more time to reach a full agreement. If the additional time is not given, RKO is prepared to inform the court here today that it will immediately embark on one of the "alternative plans'' looking to dissolution allowed by its decree. The company yesterday completed a deal for the sale of its 25 per cent interest in the Huntington, W. Va., circuit of five houses to the Hyman Brothers, controlling stockholders in the circuit. Book value of the stock was $225,000, but it is understood RKO accepted a lesser amount. The New Jersey State Court hear ing on the order directing Walter Reade to show cause why TrentonNew Brunswick Theatres should not be dissolved, as requested by RKO, yesterday was put off to March 3 to enable Reade's counsel to prepare the case. That RKO and Reade could come to a settlement in the meantime is not discounted as a possibility. This leaves RKO's one-sixth ownership of Metropolitan Playhouses here to be disposed of. The company believes its Metropolitan stock is worth about $2,000,000 and in all probability will trustee the shares unless some form of last-minute deal is effected. United Para. (Continued from page 1) paid to holders of certificates of interest with the balance to be placed in trustee's account to be paid when the certificates are converted into stock. In recent years, prior to the reorganization, Paramount Pictures, Inc., consistently paid a quarterly dividend of 50 cents per share. Upon the break-up, the stock was re-distributed with holders receiving one-half share in the new independent Paramount picture and theatre companies for each share of the defunct parent corporation's stock. Annual Reports in April Goldenson told security holders in a letter reporting the dividend declaration that he regretted the necessity for the voting trust arrangement and partial payments to owners of interest certificates. He told them that while they are not free to vote on any proposed action requiring stockholders' approval, the corporation will provide means for them to express themselves. United Paramount's annual earnings report will be made in April each year, commencing in 1951, Goldenson said. The first quarterly report will be ready about April 18. On the matter of theatre-divestiture compliance with the decree, he said negotiations are continuing but, there have been no major deals since last December. He closed with the comment that "management has great faith in this company and its future." Para. Reissues (Continued from page 1) eastern division under H. H. Goldstein. The West zone consists of the Central division under J. J. Donohue, the South Central division under M. R. (Duke) Clark and the Western division under George A. Smith. The first productions to be re-released under the new plan are : "Beau Geste" and "Lives of a Bengal Lancer," in the East zone during March, and in the West zone in June ; "Wake Island" and "So Proudly We Hail," in the West during March, and the East during June.