Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1951)

FIRST IN FILM NEWS VOL. 69. NO. 47 MOTION PICTURE DAILY NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1951 TEN CENTS Divorcement Splits RKO Pension Trust Coverage Continues For Both Firms' Workers Concomitant with the decree split-up of RKO which became effective last Dec. 31, the pension plan of the former company will be continued by each of the two new firms, RKO Pictures and RKO Theatres, as two separate pension plans covering their respective employes, the theatre company reported here yesterday. The existing trust fund will be divided on the basis indicated in the plan of reorganization for separation of this kind, namely, in the split-up of the actuarial reserve respecting the member-employes in each group, it was explained. The respective managements have been studying the effect on the pension benefits payable under the plan of the recent amendment to the Federal Social Security Act. The general purpose of the plan, which covers all employes who have reached the age of 30 and have been (Continued on page 4) Rose Will Produce 4 Films This Year David E. Rose's two Coronado Productions, one in the U. S. and one in England, are geared to produce four pictures between them this year, the producer said here yesterday. Rose arrived from Hollywood early this week and will leave by plane for England on Monday. Two or three weeks later he will be in Jamaica to get his next film rolling ; starring Linda Dar ( Continued on page 4) Safety Stock Use Gains Rapidly in UK Washington, March 8.— Use of safety stock is expected to be universal throughout the United Kingdom by July, according to Nathan D. Golden, head of the Department of Commerce film division. Golden said safety stock is just now coming into use in the United Kingdom but that the changeover will be practically complete by the middle of this year. Government Is Stumped on Films To Promote Defense on Screens Washington, March 8.— The U. S. Civil Defense Administration may eventually have to make special short subjects for theatre showings, since CDA officials believe that the series of 10 films now in preparation primarily for non-theatre showing "will have little appeal for exhibitors." One spokesman said that while CDA is still trying to work out some sort of theatre distribution for the 10 films, it realized that these are not the type of documentary which theatres would fight to show, due both to their subject matter and presentation, and that the main emphasis was being put on getting wide local distribution to non-theatre audiences through local film dealers. "That probably means," he said, "that later either we ourselves will have to make other films specially for theatres or we'll have to get the motion picture industry to make them." Northwest Drive-ins Seek Better Product and Terms Active Trading in Film Stocks Reported by SEC Washington, March 8. — Several film company executives are listed in the latest Securities and Exchange Commission report on transactions in the securities of their respective firms. At Universal, Nathan J. Blumberg bought 600 common shares, and now owns 700 common shares plus warrants for 31,900 shares. Alfred E. Daff bought 2,000 shares of common and 100 shares of 4% per cent cumulative preferred, his total holdings. Preston Davie sold 600 shares, leaving his holdings at 1,409 shares. John J. (Continued on page 4) Schneider to Aid Robbins on JDA With the naming of Samuel Schneider, Warner vice-president, as associate chairman of the Joint Defense Appeal's amusement division, the entire industry has completed plans to mobilize the JDA campaign in greater New York, according to division chairman Herman Robbins. Associate chairmen are Barney Balaban, Paramount Pictures, and Jack Cohn, Columbia. Meanwhile, Robbins has announced additional officers for the drive, Al Lichtman of 20th Century-Fox, beingnamed chairman of the home office committee, while A. J. Balaban, of the Roxy Theatre, was appointed to-head talent. Others holding key posts in the division are: Martin Levine, Wil (Continued on page 4) Minneapolis, March 8. — Remindful of rental terms and clearances last year which were described as overburdensome, several operators of drive-in theatres have already set out to obtain newer and better product and prices for the approaching 1951 outdoor season. Although large-scale openings of drive-ins in this Northwest territory still are upwards of six weeks away, drive-in interests have actually started to talk terms with film exchanges in anticipation of even stronger product competition this year from "regular'' theatre operators. Drive-in operators are said to feel that they are entitled to lower rentals to enable them to spread profits over the comparatively short six-month period of operations, against the 12 months during which regular theatres can apply income to investment. Coast 6RecT Hearings Set For March 21 Breakston & Stahl Set Six More Films Un-American Activities Group to Call 40-50 Washington, March 8. — Members of the House Un-American Activities Committee said here today that some 40 to 50 film figures are being lined up to testify at the coming Hollywood hearings. The hearings are scheduled to start March 21 and 22, and then to recess until early in April. Today the committee got nowhere in its attempt to get testimony on alleged Communist activities in Hollywood from V. J. Jerome, reported to be chairman of the Communist Party's cultural commission. Committee members say Jerome was active in reorganizing the Communist party in Hollywood and in many pro-Communist organizations of film, radio and television workers. However, Jerome refused to answer questions about individuals and groups named by committee members. Among the individuals and organizations Jerome refused to answer (Continued on page 4) Producers George Breakston and C. Ray Stahl, who produce in Japan with frozen yen and release through established distribution organizations in various parts of the world, reported here yesterday that their schedule for the next three years calls for production of six films in almost as many countries. They are in New York from Tokyo to discuss with RKO Pictures exploitation arrangements for "Tokyo File 212," which that company will release, and to set distribution for "Unmei," recently completed in Japan. The latter stars Martha Flyer, former RKO contract player, and Byron Michie, Australian actor. Stahl wrote the original story and screen play and CO(Continued on page 4) Gamble Ent. Moving To Milwaukee Gamble Enterprises, headed by Ted R. Gamble, will close its New York offices within the next several weeks and operate from Milwaukee, where its most important remaining theatre interests are located. The company established headquarters here two years ago after Gamble sold his Pacific Northwest theatres and acquired Monarch Theatres, tak(Continued on page 4) Three Groups to File Briefs on 'Miracle' Albany, N. Y., March 8.— The State Catholic Welfare Council, the New York Civil Liberties Committee and the National Council On Freedom From Censorship were granted permission today by the Appelate Division to file briefs in the appeal to be argued Monday on the Regents' revocation of "The Miracle" 's license. The Catholic group supports the Regents.