Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1951)

6 Motion Picture Daily Tuesday, May 8, 1951 Warners (Continued from page 1) that yesterday's session of its members and their attorneys was designed primarily to prepare a formal agreement for discussion and possible signing during the joint meetings with the Warners beginning today. Jack L. Warner, who has agreed to continue as head of the studio for six months following the stock sale to the Lurie syndicate, arrived here from the Coast over the weekend to sit in at the meetings starting today. H. M. and Albert Warner were already on the scene here. Meeting with Lurie yesterday were Charles Allen and Samuel Ungerleider, brokers and originators of the deal, with their partners, Al Goetz and Al Leeds. Attorneys and representatives of the Transamerica Corp., a participant in the syndicate, also attended yesterday's meeting. Elmira, N. Y., Puts British Communists Attack Hollywood Films as Enemies of Reds' Objectives London, May 7. — While Congressional committees in the U. S. probe for Communist links with Hollywood, the Communist Party here is busy urging the outlawing of American films as obstacles to the expansion of Communism and dangerous propaganda for the American way of life. At a recent conference here of the National Cultural Committee of the Communist Party, Sam Aaronovitch, secretary, purported to quote the wife of one of the "Hollywood 10" to the effect that American motion pictures such as "Kiss the Blood Off My Hands," "White Heat," "Brute Force" and "Gun Crazy" "helped prepare American boys to fight 'the ugly war' in Korea." "Let us be clear," Aaronivitch commented. "They are meant to brutalize British lads for war, too." Other speakers charged that American films are designed to break down all barriers to U. S. domination of the world; have captured the British film industry without opposition, and disdain "really great picture themes." Two such great themes mentioned at the meeting were the birth of the cooperative movement and the so-called Tolpuddle Martyrs who are held to represent the genesis of the British trade union movement. UA Plan ( Continued from page 1) sion and district meetings, supervised by Heineman and Max E. Youngstein, UA vice president and director of advertising-publicity, which were attended also by Bernard Kranze, Heineman's executive assistant, Nat Nathanson, Eastern-Canadian manager; Milton E. Cohen, WesternSouthern manager and district managers Moe Dudelson, William Laird, Charles Chaplin, J. J. O'Loughlin, Fred Myers, James Velde and Jerome Safron. % Tax Into Effect Buffalo, May 7.— A local admission tax of five per cent has become effective in Elmira, N. Y, along with a three per cent tax on utility bills and a five per cent levy on rent in hotels, rooming houses and tourist homes. ' • . Elmira is the second city in this area to take advantage of the stategranted power to impose an admission tax on the local level. Binghamton has been collecting a similar levy for more than a year. Arthur Loew Will Address MGM Meet Arthur M. Loew, president _ of Loew's International ; Howard Dietz, M-G-M vice-president and director of advertising-publicity; Silas F. Seadler, advertising manager ; Dan S. Terrell, in charge of field press representatives, and John Joseph, publicity manager, will be speakers tomorrow at the final meeting of M-G-M field sales managers at the Astor Hotel here. Yesterday, at the opening session, presided over by William F. Rodgers, sales vice-president, informal discussions were held by Rodgers, field sales managers and home office aides. Rodgers stated that "Teresa" has been definitely scheduled for July 27 release nationally. 11 a ad Acquires 15 . Virginia Houses Salem, W. Va., May 7— Joseph M. Raad, formerly an exhibitor, _ but more recently engaged in other lines, has acquired a controlling interest m 15 theatres in the state, which he will form into the JUR Circuit, with headquarters at Wellsburg, W. Va. The theatres were acquired from the Southern division of the Alpine Circuit, headed by Albert Urling, and include the Alpine at Ripley, Alpine, Ravenswood ; Alpine, Gassaway ; Alpine, Sutton; Alpine and Trail, East Rainelle ; Alpine at Hundred ; Alpine, Elkdale; Labelle, South Charleston; Victory, Spring Hill; Alpine and Star, Wellsburg; Cowen at Cowen ; Boone at Whitesville and the Auditorium at Richwood. Scrolls to Oldtimers Hollywood stars of yesteryear will participate in a special tribute to Hollywood by New York City's Mayor Impellitteri and Commissioner of Commerce Shirley at the Museum of Modern Art tomorrow evening in connection with an invitational preview of Universal International's "Hollywood Story." A scroll will bpresented by the Mayor to severa' oldtime stars. Rose in March Hollywood, May 7. — Average weekly earnings of craft workers in studios were $104.04 in March, according to a monthly report of the California Department of Industrial Relations. This compares with $99.69 in February, and with $97.60 in March 1950. 'Nightingale' Preview The community relations department and the advisory unit for foreign films of the Motion Picture Association of America sponsored a preview of "The Emperor's Nightingale" last evening at the Museum of Modern Art here. The film will have its American premiere on May 12th at the TransLux 60th Street Theatre. Richey to Accept Awards Grand Rapids, Mich., May 7.— The "Citations of Merit" awarded by th: American Institute of Decorators to four M-G-M studio set decorators were accepted here today in their behalf by Henderson M. Richey, exhibitor relations director. Cited were Edwin B. Willis and Dick Pefferle. for their sets in "Nancy Goes to Rio," and Willis and Jack M. Moore, for "The Forsyte Woman." Warner News reels For Classroom Use Baltimore, May 7. — Newsreel films prepared and distributed by Warner Bathe News of New tfork, and consisting of a monthly series of currentevent films, are being shown to Maryland school children as a new project starting this week. The basic idea is to let the students become more informed about news of the day by seeing the newsreels in their classrooms. The reels are previewed and approved by leading city and state educators as another step forward in the field of audio-visual instruction, described as a rapidly-expanding development in education. Einfeld Confers on Argentine Problems Prior to his departure for Chile, Charles Einfeld, vice-president of 20th Century-Fox, yesterday met with U. S. Ambassador Ellsworth Bunker on film distribution problems in Argentina, the company was informed here yesterday from Buenos Aires. Also in the discussion were plans for the forthcoming production of the company's "The Way of a Gaucho," which ;S to be filmed in Argentine. Over the weekend Einfeld was feted at dinner by a delegation of Buenos Aires exhibitors, during which the 20th Century -Fox executive told the Jieatre owners that the company's -.resident Spyros P. Skduras, was naking every effort to send more American films to Argentine theatres UA to Distribute 'River' On Roadshow Policy United Artists has acquired distribution rights for Kenneth McEldowney's Technicolor production of "The River," directed by Jean Renoir. It will be shown on a two-a-day, reserved seat basis, receiving a campaign comparable to "Red Shoes," it was announced by Arthur Krim, UA president. Announcements will be made soon of the world premiere and other key city bookings. Academy Award Trips for 'Cyrano' Contest Winners The launching of a "Cyrano Oscar Derby" contest for exhibitors and United Artists branch managers was announced yesterday by United Artists and the Stanley Kramer Organization. The contest begins with the national release of the picture on July 20. New Variety Clinic As Tribute to Barron Washington, May 7. — The Variety Club of Washington, Tent No. 11, has pledged a new $115,800 out-patient clinic to Children's Hospital here in memory of the late Carter Barron. This will be the largest single welfare project the tent has ever undertaken. The new clinic will be named the Variety Club Carter Barron Memorial Clinic. Barron was Eastern district manager for Loew's for many years and a leader in Washington film and civic affairs. The government has already named a public amphitheatre in Rock Creek Park after him. 'Red' Aim Missed (Continued from page 1) a solid chain of control of the unions — skilled labor, writers and artists." That control was never obtained, he adds. "Today, the danger has been removed," the Pennsylvania Republican concludes. "The motion picture industry is on its guard to prevent any Communist taint." Para. Signs Hammer stein Hollywood, May 7. — Paramount has announced the signing of William Hammerstein, general manager of Leiand Hayward Enterprises, as producer. He will make musicals. Industry in Defense (Continued from page 1) vision as compared with the neglect of theatres and films. He also cited CDA's decision to have comparatively small producers make the 16mm. films. In view of Hollywood's record in the last war he declared the majority could be counted upon to make finished films acceptable for showing in the nation's 18,000 theatres. Uociini Heads (Continued from page 1) Morris Loewenstein, president of the Oklahoma unit of the Theatre Owners of Amercia, has sent to members of the regional the envelopes being used to collect from theatres the dues required by the Council of Motion Picture Organizations. In a letter accompanying the envelopes, Loewenstein reminds the members that the decision to join COMPO rests with the individual theatre owner. "If you desire to do this, don't delay," he states, "as they are badly in need of immediate support." Loewenstein reported also to the membership that the two minute United Cerebral Palsy drive trailer has been approved by the TOA. He added that "inasmuch as it does not bind you to hold a theatre collection, we recommend that you run it. Your cooperation will be appreciated."