Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1950)

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Motion Picture Daily Friday, November 17, 19501 f MPAA-Tax {Continued from page 1) points out, adding that in almost all countries these funds have already been reduced to a fraction of their original worth through official currency devaluation. Stressing the aid of American films in exporting the idea of American democracy, Johnston says that for three years in Germany, Austria, Japan and Korea film companies received no dollar returns, not even for the cost of prints and film raw stock. Johnson's statement also points out that many film companies have been, or will be, compelled to separate their exhibition business from production and distribution. He urged an equitable method in computing excess profits in these situations. At the outset of his appearance, Johnston is set to state his opposition to the principle of excess profits taxation but, acknowledging the committee's mandate to draft a bill, proceeds to present a memorandum prepared by the MPAA's tax committee. MPAA Favors Among points favored by the MPAA unit, assuming a bill will be passed, are the right of the taxpayer to compute the tax on the basis of average earnings or invested capital, that the base period be between 1946 and 1949, allowance of an eight per cent return on invested capital, the inclusion of borrowed capital as well as equity capital in computing earnings, a carry-over period extended to five years, and a more speedy method of hearing applications for relief from the tax. Scheduled to accompany Johnston to the House Committee hearings were Walter S. Halliday, Warner ; William W. Owens, 20th CenturyFox, and Eliot Rosenthal, Loew's. They, with Benjamin Fincke, Paramount ; Roy C. Kimmerle, 20th-Fox ; Harry Levine, RKO, and Eugene Walsh, Universal, comprise the MPAA tax committee, headed by Halliday. Paramount Profit {Continued from page 1) dated subsidiaries, principally Allen B. DuMont Laboratories, Inc. Earnings for the nine months ended Sept. 30, on the same basis, are estimated at $4,571,000>. These do not include $1,127,000 representing Paramount's net interest in the combined undistributed earnings for the nine months of partially owned non-consolidated subsidiaries, likewise principally DuMont Laboratories. The consolidated estimated earnings of $1,745,000 for the third 1950 quarter represents 67 cents per share on 2,615,619 shares outstanding. Computed on the same basis, the $4,571,000 of estimated earnings for the nine months of 1950' represent $1.75 per share. UA Opening to Charity Detroit, Nov. 16. — All proceeds from tomorrow's opening of the renovated United Artists Theatre, recently purchased by United Artists Theatre Circuit from United Detroit Theatres, will go to the Old Newsboys Goodfellow Fund, William A. Burns, Goodfellow president announced. The opening will feature "The Jackpot." A Goodfellow display will be set up in front of the theatre. COMPO Board Meeting {Continued from page 1) rentals for the calendar year 1949. Under the new system, pledge cards will be printed at once and mailed as soon as possible to exhibitors. The cards will explain the purposes and ideals of COMPO and will ask the agreeing exhibitor to indicate whether he chooses to be billed for a one lump payment of the 1949 one-tenth of one per cent of rentals total, or whether he prefers to pay semi-annually or quarterly during the ensuing year. Hereafter, payments by exhibitors in any one year will be based on the previous year's film rentals. Financing Arrangements At today's meeting of the scheduled two-day COMPO board meeting, COMPO president Ned E. Depinet will explain the financing arrangement to distribution sales managers who have been invited to attend, and out of this session it is expected that a new bookkeeping plan for exhibitor collections will evolve. In due course distribution accountants will confer with the sales managers with this end in view. Distributor contributions to COMPO will, as originally decided, match those paid by exhibitors. The board adopted both the proposal for a nation-wide "Starmakers" contest conducted through theatres to the public, and one for a nationwide "Film Festival," backed by national advertising and exploitation, in which the production talents of Hollywood will combine to offer audiences the best product from all companies. In both instances it was voted that individual committees be named to investigate the plans further and report back to the COMPO board with recommendations. The plans, explained to the board by advertising agency head Monroe E. Greenthal, and Paramount advertising publicity director Max E. Youngstein, respectively, were approved for submission to the board at Wednesday's meeting here of the COMPO program and planning committee headed by Nathan Yamins. Discussion of the third public relations proposal submitted by Yamins committee, namely, a Motion Picture Exposition suggested for New York around Labor Day, was put over to today's meeting. To Require Time It was conceded that the study which will be devoted to the two approved public relations plans will require considerable time and effort on the part of the committees, which will be appointed soon by Depinet. Possibility of raising funds for the financing of the "Starmakers" contest through charges against rentals was raised by board members Art Arthur and Trueman Rembusch, but decisions in this respect will remain with the study committee. O'Donnell reported a COMPO treasury deficit of $41,329 now. The breakdown showed that a total of $34,784 was advanced by the Motion Picture Association of America out of the grand total of $40,784 ad vanced by all of COMPO's constituent member organizations. Allied advanced $2,000 for the work of the taxation and legislation committee which functioned last June under the chairmanship of Abram F. Myers. Advances by Theatre Owners of America, Metropolitan Motion Picture Association, the Pacific Coast Conference of Independent Theatre Owners and the Independent Theatre Owners Association of New York totaled $1,000 each. Cash-on-hand at present amounts to $1,010. Liabilities over assets were listed at $39,462. Signing of Check The board approved a modified system for signing of checks in limited amounts so that hereafter check signings by COMPO executive vicepresident Arthur L. Mayer, special counsel Robert W. Coyne and an assistant treasurer who Depinet will name to assist O'Donnell, will be valid. Heretofore such checks were signed by Mayer or O'Donnell, plus Depinet and COMPO secretary Francis Harmon. The board postponed action on a proposal that the Theatre Equipment Supply Manufacturers Association, the Theatre Equipment Dealers Association, fan magazines and independent film companies be admitted to COMPO membership. O'Donnell made the proposal. Coyne presented to the board plans for conducting research into public attitudes toward the industry and preferences in entertainment, but action: was postponed. Such action may be taken at today's meeting. One of the Coyne proposals was for a survey to be conducted by the University of Michigan at a cost of between $40,000 and $60,000 with the industry to bear $20,000 of the cost. The other was for a "rough-andready" poll by exhibitors of their patrons. Mayer, as well as Coyne, outlined the plans for the meeting. General discussion which followed weighed the "pros" and "cons." Some expressed the opinion that the Michigan plan might boomerang to the disadvantage of industry public relations. Others thought otherwise and expressed their views. Slated for Today Slated for discussion at today's board meeting, in addition to matters which were put over from yesterday, are plans for industry seminars, the Motion Picture Industry Council plan for production's cooperation with the war effort, COMPO press relations, staff personnel and, possibly, a proposal which was due to be made by Ellis G. Arnall, president of the Society of Independent Motion Producers, for an industry conference with the Federal Trade Commission for the purpose of exploring the advisability of drawing up a code of fair trade practices with FTC participation. Yesterday's meeting adjourned out of respect to the memory of Carter Barron, Loew's Eastern division manager, and M.-G-M Eastern studio liaison, who died yesterday in Washington. A message of condolence from COMPO was wired to Barrons' widow. All of the original charter members L. B. Mayer Hits 'Message' Product Hollywood, Nov. 16. — Louis B. Mayer, guest speaker at last night's meeting of the Screen Producers Guild, declared that the making of wholesome entertainment suitable for the family group is the proper function of the film producer. Expressing strong opposition to "message" pictures and ej:%r special-purpose films, ht cSLd the proper subjects faultily produced are preferrable to the wrong-type subjects expertly turned out. Carter Barron {Continued from page 1) Metropolitan and Fox theatres. He joined Loew's in 1929 when they tookj over the latter theatre. In 1932 he was' appointed city manager for Loew's Washington theatres, and in 1934 was; named Eastern division manager. In 1942 he became Eastern studio representative for M-G-M in addition to his other duties, i Barron has long been active in civic and national affairs. He was assistant national chief barker of the Variety Clubs of America, headed the Washington theatres' committee for the March of Dimes, and was a member of the board of governors of the District of Columbia Board of Trade. Surviving are the widow, Velma, one son, Carter, Jr., 17, four brothers and one sister. The remains will repose in Gawler's Funeral Chapel pending services at 2 :30 P.M., Saturday, at All Saints Episcopal Church, Chevy Chase, Md. Johnston Calls Barron 'Most Selfless Man' He Knew Washington, Nov. 16. — Motion Picture Association president Eric Johnston said that Carter Barron was "the most selfless man I have ever known." Johnston stated that it had become a maxim in the Capital to leave to Barron any civic or charitable job that had to be done. "His unselfish efforts beyond calculation enhanced the stature and prestige of our industry in Washington," the MPAA heal declared. I— VOL ft Ri V Infi h Jfts irhat Mil ( tin in ic tio a! ■p Fi Albany Starts Drive Albany, N. Y., Nov. 16. — Pledges of $3,025 were announced at a dinner at the Ten Eyck Hotel for the 8th annual "Denial Week" drive in behalf of Variety's boys club camp. Goal of campaign, Nov. 22-30, is $25,000. of COMPO were represented at today's meeting, including: Allied — Trueman Rembusch, Nathan Yamins; TOA — Sam Pinanski, Robert B. Wilby, alternate for Gael Sullivan; ITO of New York — Max Cohen, Harry Brandt; MMPTA of New York — Leo B-echef. Oscar A. Doob; PCCITO— Rotus Harvey, William Graeper; MPAA — William F. Rodgers; Variety Clubs — Robert J. O'Donnell. Marc J. Wolf; MPIC— Art Arthur, Roy Brewer; S1MPP — Ellis Arnall, Marvin Faris ; Trade Press — Abel Green, Red Kann, alternate for Martin Qui'gley. Present as speakers, observers or guests also were Max E. Youngstein, Monroe Greenthal, Nathan D. Golden, Arthur Schmidt and Francis Harmon, as well COMPO's executive staff composed of Robert Coyne, Dick Pitts and Charles E. McCarthy. ii