Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Aug 1942)

32 MOTION PICTURE HERALD August 29, I 942 RAW STOCK ORDER BARS NEW FILM ENTERPRISES WPB Preparing Quotas for Established Film Distributors Only Limitation of raw stock consumption to the 1941 level will "freeze" not only the film for picture production but the structure of the industry as well, members of the producers' advisory committee to the War Production Board were told Tuesday by Harold D. Hopper, chief of the motion picture section. Within the next two or three weeks, the committee was told, the WPB will issue a schedule of specific allocations of film to each company. It is expected to be ready before September 15th, and probably will closely follow the ratios agreed upon by the distributors in their voluntary conservation plans. Applications for raw stock will be received only from the 1 1 established Hollywood distributors. This in effect makes it impossible for new companies to be established or for independent producers to secure film for pictures unless they are to be released through one of the 11 companies. Independents may appeal the order, the committee was told, to secure films. But the WPB clearly indicated that it intended for administrative efficiency to limit the number of eligible film consumers primarily to the 11 that supply the bulk of film shown in U. S. theatres. The companies which will be eligible for raw stock and through which all independent product will have to be released are M-G-M, Warner Brothers, Twentieth Century-Fox, Paramount, RKO, Universal, Republic, Columbia, United Artists, Monogram and Producers Releasing Corporation. Five Categories of Film Use Set Up It was announced that the film-freezing order would apply to feature-company pictures only and that newsreel producers would be given all film they mav need, although they also will be required to make applications for raw stock supplies to the War Production Board. At the same time, it was disclosed, the producers will not be required to bear the burden of raw stock consumed in making prints for the Army and Navy theatres. Tljeir number has greatly increased with the expansion of the Army and Navy, and such film will not be counted against the amounts allocated for commercial business. It was also indicated that film used in the making of pictures by or for the Government will not be charged against the companys' allocations. Five categories of film use other than by the entertainment industry have been set up. Two of these categories apply to the armed forces, one being for pictures made by the Army or Navy and the other for nonGovernment films made at the request of WARNER THEATRES CONVERT TO COAL The Warner circuit is converting all oil burners in its theatres to the use of coal. The circuit has purchased a coal supply for the winter and it is being stored in theatre basements now. In cases where no storage space is available in the theatre, adjoining yards have been rented. More than 1 00 theatres were involved in the change. either service. The raw stock is to be ordered by the two services. The other three categories cover pictures bearing on the war. One, those made by civilian Government agencies, with film to be supplied on the recommendation of Lowell Mellett as chief of the Motion Picture Division of the Office of War Information ; the second, non-Government pictures bearing on the war, made at the request of a civilian agency ; and third, non-Government pictures bearing on the war, not made at the request of a civilian agency. Under these interpretations of the freezing order, it was said, the burden on the companies will be materially less than if no relief was given for the film consumed on behalf of the Government. But the industry was strongly urged to intensify its voluntary conservation program with a view to cutting consumption below even the 1941 figure, if possible. Among those attending the conference were : Barney Balaban, Paramount ; O. Henry Briggs, Producers Releasing Corp. ; Norton Ritchey, Monogram ; John J. O'Connor, Universal ; N. Peter Rathvon, RKO ; Herman Robbins, National Screen Service ; William F. Rodgers, MGM ; Joseph Hazen, Warners ; Gradwell Sears, United Artists; Earl I. Sponable, Movietonews ; James L. Wolcott, March of Time ; Edward Peskay, Hal Roach Productions, and Claude Collins, cooidinator of newsreels for War Activities Committee. Studios Compiling Film Inventories Meanwhile all companies were busy compiling inventories of film raw gtock supplies to comply with the WPB order that they file reports within 15 days. All companies with undeveloped 35 mm film, either negative or print stock, must file a complete inventory on the linear feet, and the type of film on hand at midnight, August 20th, when the order became effective. These statements must be sent to Mr. Hopper, Motion Picture Chief, Consumers Durable Goods Branch, Section E, War Production Board, Washington, on or before September 4th. It was also learned in New York that the 11 distributors at the request of the WPB were compiling reports on all features released in 1941. Print departments report that they are listing all 1941 titles, their length, number of prints, and the type of film used. This will probably form the basis for allocations of film during the war under the WPB schedule. Inventories of raw film stock on hand are being compiled principally at the studios. No acute shortages were reported last week as the freezing order went into effect. It was learned that newsreels, and most of the other departments issuing prints with a time value, had sufficient stocks on hand to tide them over pending the clearance of their first applications to the WPB for new stock. Several of the newsreels at New York last week were reported to have gone to print Thursday night, several hours earlier than usual, to avoid possible stoppage of their films in laboratories or at shipping points under the freeze order. Most of the reels had on hand, or acquired on Thursday, enough film to carry them for several weeks. Product Trailers Not Affected Mr. Hopper's statements before the meeting of the advisory committee on Tuesday "gave the distinct impression that we have no cause to worry about film supplies," one newsreel executive said. Also clarified in the course of the week was the status of trailers. WPB officials indicated over the weekend that the ban on advertising and commercial films does not apply to regular trailers for entertainment product. However, the major distributors and makers of trailers have agreed to impose a voluntary limit on their length. National Screen Service, and several other manufacturers, have also curbed their production of so-called sound trailers using new material rather than clips from the picture advertised. The maximum trailer length for special pictures is 200 feet; for "A" pictures 150 feet and for the run of releases 100 feet. Impending restrictions on 16 mm supply and the restriction of 35 mm to the established distributors appeared likely to hit the roadshow and independent reissue business almost as seriously as the advertising and commercial film industry. Warner Bros. Promotes Frank Armstrong Frank Armstrong, who joined Warner Bros, home office publicity department last January, was named to the post of promotion manager by Mort Blumenstock, eastern director of advertising and publicity, it was announced by the company in New York Tuesday. Mr. Armstrong succeeds Wilma Freeman, who left to join United Artists. Before coming to Warner Bros., Mr. Armstrong was associated with Arthur Kudner. Inc., and Erwin Wasey & Co., advertising agencies.