Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1950)

6 Motion Picture daily Wednesday, October 4, 1950 Another Trust Action This for $968,400 Los Angeles, Oct. 3. — Attorney Fred A. Weller, representing Alex M. Mounce, former owner of the Campus Theatre filed an anti-trust action against eight major distributors and Fox West Coast, seeking $968,400 damages charging that the defendants conspired to limit the Campus to last-run pictures during the period from its opening in 1939 to 1945. ELC Files Suit (Continued from page 1) aims at correcting monopolistic distribution abuses in Metropolitan New York, represents collective damages by Eagle Lion Classics and Eagle Lion Films as distributors, as well as PRC, Eagle Lion Studios and Pathe, Inc., as producers." The complaint alleges that neighborhood prior-runs reserved to Loew's and RKO "will not compete for motion pictures of any distributor." Instead, it is alleged, the two circuits have entered into a "non-competitive division of films in the New York Metropolitan area," putting into RKO prior runs of 20th-Fox, RKO, Warner and Universal product, and into Loew's prior runs of Loew's, Paramount, United Artists, Columbia and Universal product. Thee plaintiff has asked the court for an injunction to restrain the defendant circuits from continuing the alleged practice, pending court action in the case. Filing attorney was Robert L. Augenblick. William McGovern, former special assistant in the anti-trust division to former U. S. Attorney General Thurman Arnold, has been retained as the plaintiffs' counsel. The complaint claims that Eagle Lion was "driven out" of the distribution business in consequence of the alleged practice, and that ELC will be "driven out" if the defendants "continue to deny ELC all competitive access to the prior-run market in the New York Metropolitan area." Said MacMillen: "Since this market represents some 14 per cent of the potential U. S. motion picture income, they have, in effect, deprived the independent producer of the chance to make the profit he needs to stay in business. They have also deprived the public of the opportunity of seeing pictures which even now would be doing a great deal to keep the movies Smith Offers Year's Product BANKING FOR THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY bank™ COMPAN s/Trust ( Continued from page 1 ) NEW YORK MEMBER FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE C6RT9liAfISN rental-conscious gathering, will be spelled out just as specifically, with stipulated rentals laid down in advance for pictures placed in three classifications. Classification one, Smith said, "will be made up in whole or in part, of percentage pictures. It is our belief," he added, "that for the kind of theatres we plan to serve under this arrangement there must be a very limited number of percentage pictures." The situations envisaged by Smith as eligible for the full season's product deal are "far removed from the center of distribution" and the owner has "limited opportunity to visit the exchange center and make deals for pictures." Sending a salesman into such situation is a costly process for 20th-Fox, Smith admitted, adding that the system was also disadvantageous for the exhibitor. Smith said 20th-Fox branch managers are being asked to compile lists of theatres in each area considered to be qualified for the plan. The season's deal will be entirely optional for the exhibitor, Smith said, as individual contracts for each picture are still available for those who so desire. The proposed contract will cover all product released from Sept. 1, 1950 to Aug. 31, 1951. If at the end of this test period the plan is well received, Smith said, it will be continued. "In discussing the license agreement with our customers," Smith said, "our salesman will be in a position to state by title, and in many instances, the name of the producer and director, stars and leading players, as to each picture to be served. "Pictures will be discussed with our customer, picture-by-picture, and an agreement mutually arrived at will be written up with a stipulated number of pictures that fall in each rental classification. These pictures will not be designated by title," Smith said. Smith acquitted himself creditably in an open question period following his address. H. A. Cole, of Texas, reported that exhibitor fears of reprisals kept them from fully airing their grievances in the convention film buying clinics. In reply to which, Smith said : "I can't do anything about generalities but if you will bring me a specific complaint involving anyone working for us I'll guarantee you satisfaction." Cole also said complaints had been made that film salesmen declined to leave work sheets after conferring with exhibitors on deals. Smith said he thought that could be corrected but it required study. John Wolfberg, of Rocky Mountain Allied, admitted he was confused after asking whether 20th Century-Fox field men actually had local autonomy. Smith said they did but Wolfberg said the Denver men tell exhibitors they do not have it. He asked Smith to tell the Denver men they have it. Jack Kirsch, of Chicago, made a plea for sales managers to attend film buying clinics and learn exhibitors' problems at first hand in order to prevent theatre closings. "A theatre should be sold film at 10 per cent or five per cent to keep it in business," he said. "A closed theatre won't do you any good." Smith was given a surprise party by 35 exhibitors here last night on the occasion of his 35th year in the industry. He left Pittsburgh tonight for St. Louis. in better favor with their declining audiences." The action, he said, "evidences Eagle Lion Classics' determination that there shall be a free market in the sale of motion pictures to insure the future of independent motion picture production and distribution. That such a free market has not existed in our industry is proven by the decision of the Supreme Court of the U. S. to force divorcement of certain theatres by large producers and distributors, and to compel them to abandon their monopolistic practices. One would have expected that in the face of such a decision the law would be respected, but such has not been the case in Metropolitan New York. Para. News (Continued from page 1) thinks he or she can identify a relative in a particular newsreel issue, a request for a special screening is forwarded to the local Paramount branch. Once the patron is able to select the specific clip containing the relative's picture, he or she receives this clip, gratis, and instructions for having it enlarged. The clips are presented after the newsreels have been played-off in the area. Would End DST Cleveland, Oct. 3. — Cleveland independent theatre owners will shortly launch a concerted campaign in an effort to repeal the city's daylight saving time ordinance in the November election. 37 from U-I Studio (Continued from page 1) mont will direct. Others are: "Air Cadet," starring Stephen McNally, Gail Russell and Richard Long, Joseph Pevney directing for producer Aaron Rosenberg. 'Don Renegade' "Don Renegade," in Technicolor, with Ricardo Montalban and Cyd Charisse co-starred, Jack Gross producing and Hugo Fregonese directing ; "Bonaventure," from the British play by Charlotte Hastings, starring Claudette Colbert and Ann Blyth, Michel Kraike producing and Douglas Sirk directing ; "Cattle Drive," Technicolor Western to be produced by Aaron Rosenberg; "Little Egypt," Technicolor comedy, which Jack Gross will produce from the original by Oscar Brodney; "Son of Ali Baba," an Arabian Nights type of adventure story to be filmed in Technicolor, with Jack Gross producing ; "Fiddler's Green," from Ernest K. Gann's novel, Aaron Rosenberg to produce ; "The White Sheep," original by Whitfield Cook, Val Lewton to produce ; "Iron Man," adapted from W. R. Burnett's novel, which will be produced by Aaron Rosenberg. Pinanski Enlists (Continued from page 1) mittees from the motion picture industry which served during the recent Independence Bond Drive were being asked by him to assume the same responsibilities for the fall campaign. Will Honor Andy Smith A record number of exhibitors and representatives are expected to attend the testimonial luncheon being given to Andy W. Smith, 20th Century-Fox distribution vice-president, at the Hotel Astor here on Oct. 11. .Among the many exhibito, vho have joined the New York \ at re Owners Committee, sponsor of the affair, are : Max A. Cohen, Frank Damis, R. V. Downing, Leonard Goldenson, Julius Joelson, Harry Kalmine, Irving Renner, Sam Rinzler, Edward Rugoff, Fred J. Schwartz, Sol Schwartz, Joseph Seider, George Skouras, Joseph Vogel, David Weinstock, William White and Israel Zatkin. Organizing committee members include Harry Brandt, chairman ; Leo Brecher, Si H. Fabian, Maury Miller and Wilbur Snaper. Para, to Release 14 (Continued from page 1) Axis photographers. "Copper Canyon," Technicolor, starring Ray Milland, Hedy Lamarr, Macdonald Carey, Mona Freeman and Harry Carey, Jr. "Dark City," Hal Wallis production, starring Lizabeth Scott, Viveca Lindfors, Dean Jagger, Don DeFore and Charlton Heston. November : "Tripoli," William PineWilliam Thomas Technicolor production, starring Maureen O'Hara, John Payne and Howard Da Silva. "Let's Dance," Technicolor musical with Betty Hutton, Fred Astaire, Roland Young and Ruth Warrick. December: "Mr. Music," Bing Crosby, Ruth Hussey, Charles Coburn and Nancy Olson. January : "Branded," Western filmed in Technicolor, starring Alan Ladd, Charles Bickford and Mona Freeman. "The Goldbergs," with Gertrude Berg, Philip Loeb, Eli Mintz, Larry Robinson and Arlene McQuade. February : "September Affair," Hal Wallis film shot in Italy and starring Joan Fontaine, Joseph Cotten, Francoise Rosay and Jessica Tandy. "The Great Missouri Raid," Nat Holt Technicolor production, with Wendell Corey, Macdonald Carey, Ward Bond, Ellen Drew and Anne Revere. March : "Quebec," Technicolor, produced by Alan LeMay in Quebec, with John Barrymore, Jr., Corinne Calvet, Patric Knowles, Barbara Rush and Nikki Duval. "The Lemon Drop Kid," starring Bob Hope, Marilyn Maxwell and Lloyd Nolan. April: "The Redhead and the Cowboy," starring Glenn Ford, Edmond O'Brien and Rhonda Fleming. MITCHELL MAY, Jr. CO., INC. INSURANCE Specialising in requirements of the Motion Picture Industry 75 Maiden Lane, New York 3720 W. 6th St., Los Angeles