Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1955)

Friday, February 18, 1955 Motion Picture Daily 3 Brotherhood {Continued from page 1) participated so unsparingly in behalf of this great work is truly gratifying," Harris declared. "Your support of the Brotherhood Drive affords another splendid example of what our industry can do when it gets behind a public cause of vital interest to every person and every community in the nation. I am certain that this fine start will carry us through to the most successful Brotherhood Week in our. history." Map Plans in Newark Today For N. J. Brotherhood Week Plans for the promotion and observance of National Brotherhood Week will be outlined to representatives^ of New Jersey's amusement enterprises at a luncheon today at the Essex House, Newark. Present will be Dr. James M. Eagan, divisional vice-president of the National Conference of Christians and Jews ; Dave Hyatt, public relations director of the National Conference; Rev. Howard S. Hageman, pastor of the North Reformed Church of Newark; William Heineman, national general chairman of the Conference's amusement division ; Spyros S. Skouras, Jr., Greater New York chairman, and Simon H. Fabian and Samuel Rosen of the Stanley Warner Theatres. These Phoney -Looking Dollar Bills Weren't Phoney; May Mean $$$$$$$$ Special to THE DAILY SHELBY, N. C, Feb. 17.— Two one-dollar bills with flaws in them may result in a windfall for Bill Butler, manager of the State Theatre here. The currency was used to purchase tickets at the State by a patron or patrons unknown. The photo of George Washington appears on both sides of the bills and there are some superimpositions and other flaws that are not found on the ordinary paper money. Local banks say the bills are genuine but that something went wrong on an engraving machine at the mint. Butler already has received offers as high as $500 for one of the bills from rare coin collectors. He has turned down all bids to date. Migrants People (Continued from page 1) Coast Pledges Aid to Brotherhood Week From THE DAILY Bureau HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 17. — Approximately 600 representatives of exhibition and distribution, meeting at the Fox Boulevard Theatre here, pledged participation in National Brotherhood Week. National Theatres' Edwin F. Zabel, outlining the principal aims of the film unit, urged the showmen to "exert every effort to familiarize the public with the meaning and objectives of Brotherhood Week" and to "reach and over-subscribe our industry's contribution quota." Other speakers were Dr. William Lindsay Young, Southern California director of Brotherhood Week; Very Rev. Leonidas C. Contos, Everett R. Cummings, Morris Sudmin and James Valde. CHAMPAGNE FOR ST. MALACHYH! I propose a toast in champagne (for which I will pick up the tab) in honor of ST. MALACHY, patron of actors — also directors and producers — for past favors granted. Details later when we stage a Champagne Breakfast for all who helped the cause. There are stranger things on Heaven and Earth than are dreamed of in your philosophy, Horatio ! ! ! COMMANDO FILMS OF TEXAS, Inc. (Formerly Draw Poker Films of Texas, Inc.) By GEORGE M. LEPPERT President farm workers," the exhibitor declared. Another factor, according to Blank, which doesn't help business in the Central states is the shortage of top flight product. "The product shortage is the cause of many of the woes of small town exhibition today," he said. "The film companies apparently have no interest at all in theatres. They seem to be just interested in securing the greatest profits possible by charging high film rentals. The relief afforded exhibitors under the consent decrees and the excise tax reduction is not doing theatres much good under industry conditions which prevail today," Blank declared. Blank, speaking at the TOA headquarters here following his arrival from the exhibitor group's mid-winter board meeting in Washington, said that he is anxiously awaiting the Federal Communications Commission's action on subscription television. "Theatremen all over the country are highly interested in the outcome," he said. U-I's Miller Retires; Wechsler in His Post BUFFALO, Feb. 17. — After 35 years in the distribution end of the industry, almost 30 of which were spent in Buffalo, Dave Miller is retiring. He has managed the Universal-International exchange since 1925. Miller organized Tent 7, Variety Club of Buffalo, and was its first chief barker. He was chief barker again in 1953. He has been active for many years in many local civic and charity endeavors. Miller has been succeeded as U-I branch manager here by Jerome Wechsler, former manager of the Warner Brothers branch in Cleveland and more recently associated with the J. Arthur Rank division of U-I. 6IP-Perspecta (Continued from page 1) eluding Universal, have been licensed by Perspecta Sound, Inc. on a royaltyfree basis. Universal pictures that will be released with Perspecta Stereophonic Sound are "The Black Shield of Falworth," "Sign of the Pagan," "Captain Lightfoot," "The Strike," "The Purple Mask," "Kiss of Fire," "Ain't Misbehavin'," "One Desire," "To Hell and Back," "All That Heaven Allows," "The Spoilers" and "Chief Crazy Horse." Paul Hartnett, at one time booker for Eagle Lion in Cleveland, has been named booker for Republic in that Ohio city. He succeeds Jack Kenehan, who resigned to succeed Lester Dowell at Columbia. n Lawrence Crolius, producer-director, has been appointed executive producer of Master Video Systems, Inc., here. Ned Depinet, Robert J. O'Donnell, Judge William McCraw and Texas Attorney General John Ben Sheppard will be speakers at the testimonial dinner to Claude C. Ezell in Dallas on March 9. Jack Swiger is chairman of the event. Frank J. Thomas, formerly a broker on Pittsburgh's Film Row, has joined Cooperative Theatres of Ohio, taking over the territory previously handled by Howard Spiess, who now is with the Phil Smith circuit in St. Louis. Trade Bill Advances; Passage Seen Today From THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.— Backers of the President's Reciprocal Trade Bill won a very close victory in the House today on some key parliamentary maneuvering on the bill. By a one-vote margin, 193 to 192, the members agreed to call the bill up under procedure allowing only one amendment to be offered by opponents of the bill. This was the desire of the administration and of the House Republican and Democratic leadership, but protectionist-minded lawmakers mustered surprising strength. The 193 to 192 vote reversed an earlier 207 to 178 vote in which the protectionists had scored a surprise and — what proved later to be — a temporary victory to open the bill to many amendments. The bill will come up for final passage tomorrow, with passage assured. The only question is whether the House will first vote to include the one protectionist amendment that will be offered by Rep. Reed (R., N. Y.). Five Industry Bills Get Boston Hearings BOSTON, Feb. 17.— Arguments on five bills pertaining to the industry were heard today before a committee of four Senators and 11 Representatives at the State House. The two-men-in-a-booth bill drew the longest discussion, with members of the projectionist union speaking in favor and exhibitors opposed to the measure. No action was taken on any bill. The committee will decide whether to recommend the bills for further action or to recommend they be given' leave to withdraw or to be carried over until the next annual session. Gov't's Terre Haute Trust Trial Mar. 28 WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.— Trial of the government's Terre Haute antitrust suit is tentatively set for March 28. The government has charged five theatre companies with an attempt to monopolize first run exhibition in Terre Haute. Defendants are : Alliance Theatre Corp. of Chicago ; Fourth Avenue Amusement Co. of Louisville ; and the Grand Theatre Corp., Terre Haute Amusement, Inc., and Tri-Theatres Corp., all of In diana. Consent decree negotiations have been conducted from time to time among the defendants and the govern ment, but thus far have not borne fruit. J. W. Gayland, Jr., has taken over the Cecil Drive-in Theatre at New Brockton, Ala., from C. W. Wade. M. B. Horowitz, head of the Washington circuit of Cleveland, will accompany a group of Cleveland businessmen on a 32-day trip to Europe and Israel, leaving on May 22. W. F. Gatlin is the new owner of the Bama Theatre in Town Creek, Ala. Walter Lloyd, Tampa city manager for Florida State Theatres, has retired from the industry after 33 years in the business. He has not disclosed his future plans. Lloyd started his career with the Rivoli Theatre in New York in 1922. Seeks Foreclosure Chesapeake Industries yesterday filed suit in U. S. Federal Court here for $22,960 against Rose Tree Pictures, Inc., for alleged non-payment of a loan on the production of "A Girl On the Run." Chesapeake seeks to foreclose on the defendant's rights to the picture. Astor Pictures Corp., distributor, also was named as a defendant. Goldman Case to High Court Feb. 28 WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.— The Supreme Court has scheduled argument for Feb. 28, in the Goldman case, in which the Government is trying to establish that punitive damages won in private anti-trust suits are taxable income.