Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1950)

Motion Picture Daily 5 Six New Houses for Levittown Project Dr. Henry Brown, Eastern exhibitor, returned here yesterday from a three-week business trip to Los Angeles, where he completed arrangements with William Le i to construct six theatrelP^tt Levittown, Long Island, by the late summer. Levittown is a large housing development sponsored by Levitt. All Owners Invited To SCTOA Panel Los Angeles, Feb. 26.— The Southern California Theatre Owners Association's board of directors has issued an invitation to all exhibitors, whether members or not, to attend an all-day panel on March 18 at the Forum Theatre. Discussions will be held on publicity, apathy of theatregoers, taxation, legislation, merchandising and government rulings, and will be followed by question-and-answer periods in which all are invited to offer opinions, observations or suggestions. Girl Scout Story (Continued from page 1) better people, through its program of activities. It tells the story of the world's largest inter-faith organization for girls in an interesting documentary style. There are no professional actors in the film, the cast members are all Girl Scouts. By booking it, theatres will prove once again that they are important media for building community goodwill. Exploitation-minded showmen should also note that Girl Scout councils throughout the country will be aiding local theatre managers to insure a larger audience for the subject. A special press screening of the film was held at Warner Brothers' home office Friday. M. H. Review "Mark of the Gorilla" (Columbia) JUNGLE JIM (Johnny Weissmuller) comes through with the goods again in this latest action-packed picture of the series produced by Sam Katzman and directed by William Berke from Carroll Young's script. Unusual shots of flora and fauna and a narration about setting aside portions of the jungle for the preservation of wild life precede Jungle Jim's story of adventure on a government preserve. While en route to preserve headquarters Jim saves Nyobi (Suzanne Dalbert) from a gorilla and is surprised to hear the injured animal's human cry. Nyobi is subsequently revealed to be the princess of Shalikari trying to locate her country's stolen gold. At the preserve, the warden's niece, Barbara Bentley (Trudy Marshall), informs them that her uncle is seriously ill and that a Dr. Brandt is caring for him. Bentley tells Jim that during the African campaign the Nazis invaded Shalikari, looted their gold, and when driven out, hid it somewhere on the preserve. Brandt actually is the leader of a gang of thieves who know the whereabouts of the gold and are confiscating it. He poses as a doctor, keeps Bentley out of the way by drugging him and some of his men wear gorilla garb to scare away intruders. During a search, Jim discovers the secret entrance to the cave of gold. Entering, he falls into the hands of Brandt and his men, but help arrives and the crooks are captured. The mystery of the "gorilla men" is solved and Nyobi returns to Shalikari with an armed guard and the stolen gold. Interest is enhanced by exciting struggles under water, on treacherous cliffs and in lion fights. Jim's faithful jungle companions — a dog, a bird and a monkey — bring several laughs. Running time, 68 minutes. General audience classification. February release. Technicolor Decree (Continued from page 1) Share Film's Profits (Continued from page 1) quota. When any branch has exceeded its quota it will receive 20 per cent of all revenue derived by that branch in excess of the quota. "The problem of the independent producer is chiefly one of proper selling," said Melford. "By making the salesmen partners we are giving them an incentive and a just reward for their efforts." BANKING FOR THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY MEMBER FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATIOI moned counsel for both sides to conference on minor changes in the document's phraseology and postponed final entry until Tuesday morning. It was definitely indicated that no ob jections except in wording will be ordered. Technicolor also is required, unti Jan. 1, 1957, to furnish the "know how" to all licensees who pay a rea sonable royalty under any patents licensed. The court retains authority to determine what is "reasonable" in case the licensee and licensor cannot reach an agreement. The judgment also requires Technicolor to furnish at a nominal charge, detailed specifications, prints and plans of the Technicolor three-strip camera to all applicants desiring to manufacture the camera, and to make available at reasonable rentals to all applicants two Technicolor cameras, equipment and accessories thereto. The decree terminates various contracts and arrangements between Technicolor and film producers and other customers which had compelled them to use only Technicolor cameras, services and facilities in making pictures in color. The decree ends the case which was based on a complaint filed on Aug. 18, 1947, charging Technicolor with having conspired with Eastman Kodak to monopolize processing and producing motion pictures in color. A separate consent judgment against Eastman was entered by Judge Mathes on Nov. 24, 1948. but Technicolor chose to stand trial and only recently decided to negotiate for a decree. Technicolor president Herbert T. Kalmus last week issued a statement asserting the decree would be agreed to in the interest of saving the time and costs entailed in trying the case, and asserting the action in no way signifies Technicolor had been guilty of any legal violation. Delay Trial to May 31 Los Angeles, Feb. 26.— The Conference of Studio Unions' $47,000,000 conspiracy suit against the majors and IATSE, set for trial on Friday, has been postponed until May 31. Loew's Gets Stay (Continued from page 1) that Loew's would appeal and indicated that the postponement of operation of the decree would be sought ) . Rubin told the court here in his affidavit that Loew's has a funded debt of $46,000,000 held by eight insurance companies and arrangements with these companies, in addition to arrangements for the division of personnel and ownership of the Loew's properties, would be time-consuming and costly. He said that in view of the fact that Loew's will appeal the divorcement order, preparation for which also is time-consuming, Loew's should be granted the stay. Rubin's application touched upon only divorcement and divestiture without any mention of injunctions against the distribution practices of the company in the court's decree. Loew's has until April 8 to file its appeal with the Supreme Court. Trade Group, FTC Oppose Change in Webb-Pomerene Act Washington, Feb. 26. — Chances of Congressional approval of a pending bill to tighten the Webb-Pomerene Act dropped practically to zero Friday when both the Federal Trade Commission and the National Foreign Trade Council opposed the measure in testimony before a House. Judiciary committee. The State and Justice Departments are slated to testify this week, probably Wednesday. UK Pact Meet (Continued from page 1) ably would be held in Miami, where Nicholas Schenck, Barney Balaban and other company heads are vacationing. When held, the meeting undoubtedly will cover recent foreign market developments in addition to a discussion of a date and arrangements for the London conference on the monetary agreement. Some industry opinion holds that the closeness of the British voting last Thursday may necessitate the calling of another general election in Britain within the year but. nevertheless, should not prevent a review of the monetary agreement prior to the June 13 deadline. Many industry officials believe a London meeting very likely can be arranged for spme time next month or early in April. Greater Union (Continued from page 1) priced, Australian-made sound projector. There are said to be more Raycophones in Australian theatres than any other make. National Theatre ' Supply Co. of Australia, a GUT subsidiary, will take over the business and carry on Harrington's trade in theatre and equipment supplies, including sound service. NTS thus becomes a competitor with RCA and Western Electric. Based on the startling Reader's Digest story!