Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1950)

6 Motion Picture Daily Thursday, August 10, 19ii Pinanski Suffers Ptomaine Attack Sam Pinanski, Theatre Owners of America president, was seized with an attack of ptomaine poisoning during the meeting of the COMPO executive board at the Hotel Astor here yesterday and was obliged to withdraw from the meeting to obtain medical attention. Si Fabian, TOA board chairman, was unable to attend the meeting because of illness, leaving Gael Sullivan, TOA executive director, as the organization's sole representative in the COMPO session with a voting privilege. TOA members Robert Coyne and Ezra Stern were present as observers. Cites Congress (Continued from page 1) dustry position was well known to theatre owners in their states, He wrote that the tax itself is "largely responsible for " the present depressed state of the theatre business," and that the industry is in di*e need of relief," but recognizes that ^"national defense must come first." Congress could not do otherwise than refuse to lower the tax now, he said. New Move in House (Continued from page 1) a reversal of form. It -has also been passed by the Senate Banking and Currency Committee. Salaries of film talent would not be frozen, but if wage controls are clamped down the wages of film employes would be controlled. Para.'s 'Sunset' Cited Paramount's "Sunset Boulevard" has been selected as the "Picture of the Month" in .the August issue of Rcdbook Magazine. The picture will open at the Music Hall here today. Review "Bunco Squad" (RKO Radio) THE PHONY racket of pretending to communicate with the dead through fake mediums is given another going-over in this detective drama. "Bunco Squad'' is a routine action thriller that is satisfactory in its classification. Robert Sterling has the lead as a young detective with Joan Dixon, playing a hudding young actress, as his girl friend. The group of racketeers who prey upon the hopes of foolish persons is headed by Ricardo Cortez, a smooth operator indeed. When the going gets tough for Cortez he is not averse to having one of his aides "liquidate" the opposition. Sterling sets about cleaning up the insidious group, but first he needs to amass evidence against them. Employing Miss Dixon's acting talents to the task, Sterling finally snares the criminals. In between there are some close calls for Sterling as well as for Miss Dixon. Lewis J. Rachmil produced and Herbert I. Leeds directed, from a screenplay by George Callahan. Running time, 67 minutes. General audience classification. Release date, not set. Mandel Herbstman RKO Profit (Continued from page 1) per share on the 3,899,914 shares of common stock outstanding at the end of the 1949 period. Consolidated net profit for the second quarter of 1950 was. $311,119, after taxes and all other charges (including a profit of $100,113 from the sale of capital assets, before taxes). This is equivalent to approximately eight cents per share on the 3,914,914 shares of common stock outstanding at the end of that quarter. This compares with a consolidated net profit of $1,169,557 for the second quarter of 1949, after taxes and all other charges (including a profit of $1,499,397 from the sale of capital assets, before taxes). This is equivalent to approximately 30 cents per share on the 3,899,914 shares of common stock outstanding at the end of the second quarter. Provision for estimated income taxes were as follows : Six months, 1950, $475,000, 1949, $1,150,000; three months, 1950, $175,000, 1949, $172,000. Canadian Defense (Continued from page 1) portedly warning prospective customers in the theatre field that they may be unable to carry out extensive plans with the present outlook for supplies. a — — o / ITS paramount's , laugh-happv* successor to THE PALEFACE! BOB HOPE and LUCILLE BALL Color by Be first to get the big money! Book this big money hit now for PARAMOUNT WEEK — Sept. 3-9 s DuMont Profit Up (Continued from page 1) sales of $18,487,000, Dr. Allen B. Du Mont, president, reports. Net profit of $2,797,000 after taxes, and all charges, including network losses, which is equivalent to $1.16 a share on 2,358,466 common shares outstanding as of June 18, was realized during the period. This compares with a net of $1,780,000 for the first 24 weeks of 1949, or 83 cents a share, on 2,057,465 common shares outstanding as of June 19, 1949. Since March 26, the company sold 250,000 of Class A common stock at $25 per share less underwriting discounts and commissions, and 6,245 shares of preferred stock have been converted into 6,869 shares of Class A common stock as of June 18, 1950. As;Of that date there were 2,358,466 "A" and "B" common shares outstanding and 137,661 shares of preferred outstanding which are presently convertible into 1.1 shares of Class A stock for each share of preferred. Clarks-UA Deal (Continued from page 1) $20,000 annually, it will also provide UA films with six new shipping depots, in addition to its own 26 exchanges. The new facilities will be at Albany, Portland, Oklahoma City, Memphis, Des Moines and Butte. Otherwise, NFS will operate from UA branches directly, retaining UA's back room employes at prevailingrates and terms of existing contracts, the company said. Meanwhile, the new UA management is said to be considering dropping its television department, which reportedly has been operating at a loss. Two New England Groups Set Outings Harttord, Aug. 9. — The Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Connecticut will hold its annual outing and golf tournament on Aug. 15 at Racebrook in Orange, Conn. Co-chairmen are George H. Wilkinson, owner of the Wilkinson Theatre, Wallingford, president of the MPTO of Connecticut, and Albert M. Pickus, Stratford Theatre, Stratford, regional vice-president of the Theatre Owners of America. The Warner Club, organization of regional Warner distribution and exhibition employes, will hold its annual outing at Happy Acres, Middlefield, on Aug. 16. James A. Bracken, contact manager of Warner New England Theatres, is in charge. FCC Okays Griffifl Radio Plans Until Final Policy Is Se Washington, Aug. 9. — The FCj today approved a reorganization of tlj controlling interests of H. J. Griffh Theatres in two Texas radio statioi) but took occasion to warn GrifHtj circuit operator in Texas and Okl homa, that any prese(^k~ proval ma be subject to revision* t_ien a polii determination is finally reached < how to deal with licensees guilty anti-trust law violations. Griffith w.found guilty by the U.S. Supren] Court of anti-trust violations in co: nection with the operation of the Grii fith circuit, the FCC said. The two radio stations are KEPf at El Paso, and KWFT, Wichi Falls. War Curbs on Radk TV Not Needed: Co Washington, Aug. 9. — No cur on radio and television in the event a full military emergency are env aged by Wayne Coy, Federal Comrr; ideations Commission chairman. Coy made this statement at a me< ing of the National Association Broadcasters board, apparently answer to unofficial reports that rac station beams might be used by enemy in air attacks. The FCC he said domestic operations could pi ceed normally, with only a self-ii posed censorship on military ne likely. Leo Seligman Sell Out, Leaves Favorh Leo Seligman, independent film d tributor, has sold his stock in F; orite Films and Regal Television P tures, amounting to a one-third infi est, to the corporations and has signed as treasurer of both compani he announced here yesterday. Seligman has opened offices at / Seventh Ave. here and will dev himself to national distribution. Goldwyn Cites Industn Appearing as a music commenta1 on NBC's Samuel Goldwyn PrograB the producer Tuesday night cited industry's contribution to cultu Goldwyn said that "music is only < of the many ways in which mot pictures have done much for the c tural side of our country and the tire world." Goldwyn will be gu conductor on the network for fc weeks on Tuesday nights. BANKING FOR TH 0TI0N PICTUR INDUSTR BANKER COMPAN 1 &TRUST! NEW" YORK MEMBER FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATE