Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1950)

Motion Picture Daily Wednesday, April 19, 1950 Movies Are Better Than Ever, By Gosh First home office screening of 20th Century-Fox's "Broken Arrow" had just ended the other day when one of David Golding's publicity staff members noticed an entry in the eighth race at Havre de Grace by the name of Cochise, the same name as that of the Indian chief, played by Jeff Handler in the picture. The boys got up a pool and played the hunch. Cochise romped in, paying $10.80. Sees Defeat of Tax Cut Veto Washington. April 18. — A leading Democratic member of the House Ways and Means Committee said today he thought Congress would override a Presidential veto of any tax bill "that reduces excises a lot and does not increase taxes too much along other lines. He said "such a bill ought to be very popular in an election year." One of the big questions in the admission tax picture has been a Presidential veto and what Congress would do about a veto. The President has threatened that he will disapprove any bill that does not raise as much revenue in new taxes as it loses in excise tax cuts, and it is almost certain that the tax bill that Congress will pass will lose far more revenue than it gains. The House Ways and Means Committee today resumed its executive session work on a new tax bill, but took no votes since one member was absent. However, Committee members said they expected voting to start tomorrow with excises the first order of business. It is likely that excise voting will continue well into next week, with no tax bill reported before May 15. One Annual Charity Drive: Rembusch Franklin, Ind., April 18. — A proposal for "one giant yearly motion picture community drive" with its yield "allocated between all approved and worthwhile charity endeavors" was made today by Trueman T. Rembusch, president of Allied States. "An Allied poll reveals the majority of its exhibitors feel independent drives are being overdone to a point where they are becoming ineffectual," Rembusch said in a telegram to Bob Hope in which he declined to serve as a co-chairman on the United Cerebral Palsy Association fund drive. Review 'While the Sun Shines' (Associated D rit ish — S t rat ford) SOME delectable morsels of humor and characterization are provided in "While the Sun Shines." In terms of entertainment value, this modest British importation ranks high. The popularity of the cast does not have any strong marquee value but the performances are infused with tremendous charm. The picture is general in appeal, but very likely it would be most appreciated by discriminating audiences. The romantic comedy fashioned by Terence Rattigan and Anatole De Grunwald centers around Ronald Howard, who as young Lord Harpenden, is unable to rise above the rank of ordinary seaman despite his title. Howard happens to be in love with attractive Barbara White and wedding bells are in the offing. But suddenly a young American and Frenchman appear on the scene, resulting in the three men vying for the girl's hand. As the story whirls its merry way, it takes on the aspect of a minor UN problem. The ending sees Howard and Miss White joined in matrimony, but there is enough happiness to go around for all. Winning performances are rendered by the latter two. Ronald Squire offers a superb study as a roguish duke while Brenda Bruce performs tantalizingly as "the other woman." Also giving good acting accounts are Bonar Colleano, Jr., as the American and Michael Allan as the Frenchman. A presentation of Associated British Picture Corp., Ltd., distributed here by Stratford, it was produced by De Grunwald and directed by Anthony Asquith. Running time, 82 minutes. General audience classification. May release. Manuel Herbstman Telecasters' Loss (Continued from page 1) this was the picture for the networks and stations : 1949 revenues, $33,800,000 — a 288 per cent jump over the $8,700,000 of 1948; 1949 expenses, $58,100,000— a 140 per cent increase over the $23,600,000 of 1948; 1949 losses, $24,300,000 against $14,900,000 in 1948. It is considered likely that more than six companies were operating in the black by the end of the year, but that their last half operations were outweighed by first-half losses. The aggregate revenue of all AM, FM and TV stations in 1949 amounted to $459,800,000, a 10.3 per cent jump over the $416,800,000 in 1948. Total expenses amounted to $425,000,000 against $370,700,000 a year earlier. The AM-FM stations had net incomes before Federal taxes of $59,100,000 in 1949, against $61,000,000 in 1948. Summarizing the situation before the National Association of Broadcasters' convention on the West Coast, FCC chairman Wayne Coy said AM revenue was maintained in 1949 at 1948 levels, TV revenue increased, TV losses increased and TV losses were met almost entirely by AM income. Minimum Wage Unit (Continued from page 1 ) Postpone Walbrook Suit Washington, April 18. — At a pretrial conference here of the Walbrook Theatre's breach of contract suit against 20th Century-Fox, Judge Laws decided to postpone setting a trial date until after proceedings have started in the suit of the Windsor Theatre against other major distributors. The Walbrook-20th-Fox suit grew out of the Windsor case. of investigating all of the many phases of the amusement industry with a view to establishing a minimum wage. The State Labor Department's research division already has made an extensive survey of the industry. Its findings will be turned over to the board for consideration. Public members of the board include former Supreme Court Justice Francis X. Giaccone, attorney Henry W. Poor and Mrs. Florence Kreckel. The other management representatives are George F. Kister, president of the j Coney Island Chamber of Commerce, and Charles J. Buonomo, president of the State Bowling Association. Alfred Harding of Actors Equity, and Thomas Shortman, of the Building Service Employees Union, are the other labor representatives. Following its study of amusement industry problems the board will report to Corsi, who then may issue a minimum wage order covering workers who need such protection. RFC Loans (Continued from page 1) loans. Sherman's bid covers 10 pictures. Both producers were in Washington last week and Bischoff joined Ellis Arnall, president of the Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers, in conferences with RFC officials. Meanwhile, a prominent industry spokesman pointed out that current developments on Capitol Hill do not help the independents any. A Senate banking sub-committee is making a very critical and searching study of RFC's_ loan policies, and it is considered likely that the agency, already under fire, will hesitate a long while before embarking on a new policy. The corporation has had a policy of refusing to make production loans. Indications were that during the next few weeks, independents applying for loans will submit further facts to back their applications and their attorneys will confer with RFC officials in a further attempt to win the agency to a switch in its policy. O'Shea Leaves (Continued from page 1) for the future, he proposes to take a rest. It is understood that O'Shea has been considering returning to private law practice. Simultaneously, from his New York headquarters, David O. Selznick stated, "It is with mutual regret that Dan O'Shea and myself have come to a parting of the way, an occurrence inevitably dictated by the transfer of my production activities to Europe." Treasury Luncheon Today for Drive The motion picture industry's advisory committee for savings bonds, under the leadership of national chairman Samuel Pinanski, is preparing a promotional campaign for the "Independence Drive" and a luncheon-meetir ~ ' een arranged for tov.ttJ ... the Waldorf-Astoria here for the presentation of promotional plans. Top Treasury officials from Washington will attend the luncheon. NEFC Rolling (Continued from page 1) lication when asked if NEFC's initia capitalization goal of $2,000,000 ha; been reached. He said in effect tha the full groundwork has been laic and it is up to the officers to follow through with the detail work on issul ance of stock, determining whether paid executive should be brought int< the company immediately, and othei matters. Fabian said NEFC's policy on tfh number of production loans to b made in any given period will be flex1 ible, to be "determined by the stat' of the market." The organization of NEFC was an. nounced last June. Fabian said vari ous approvals by the Securities am Exchange Commission, the Depart ment of Justice and statements of regi istration in 15 states have been re sponsible for the delays in the pro1 Towne Decision (Continued from page 1) $1,295,878, in addition to attorney fee; of $225,000. Lawyers here said the decision i certain to be appealed on grounds o an excessive award of damages am< overly severe restraints on licensini of films, in addition to other counts Defendants are the 20th-Fox am1' Warner theatre companies and si: major distributors, with United Art'i ists and Universal excluded. WB Partner Split (Continued from page 1) theatre joint ownership but will be un able to complete a deal by Friday consequently it will ask the Depart' ment of Justice for the additional tim< The Department is expected to g along with the delay since the com pany has shown "good faith" in its ei forts to meet the deadline, it was saic For one terrifying moment, 3,724 people forgot they were Americans!