Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1943)

May 15, 1943 UA Revises Selznick Pact At Coast Meet United Artists stockholders, meeting in four i sessions at Hollywood last week, revised David O. Selznick's contract, allowing him to include in his Vanguard Productions "producers who would join in making six to eight pictures a year," it was learned at the production capital this week. The revision eliminates the so-called "escape clause" which allowed Mr. Selznick to withdraw from the company after delivering five pictures. Mr. Selznick is understood to have assured stockholders his "Since You Went Away" will go before the cameras on or before July 15th. The producer is, under the contract revision, to guarantee delivery of not less than 10 pictures, at a rate of at least one per year. Edward J. Raftery, president, reiterated to newsmen that the UA stock of Sir Alexander Korda has not been proffered to the company officially. The company executives, reelected during the sessions, reaffirmed a "prestige" picture policy, admitting at the same time "some defections in the past." Leo Spitz and Jack Skirball completed a two picture deal with the company, it was announced in Hollywood Wednesday. The first, based on the "Duffy's Tavern" radio show and starring Fred Allen will be completed in September. United Artists also has extended its four picture deal with Andrew Stone to a long term agreement. Honor Leftkowitz, Schnitzer On Promotions in UA A testimonial dinner in honor of Edward Schnitzer and Sam Leftkowitz upon their promotions as western division manager and New York district manager, respectively, for United Artists, was to be given to the two men at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York Friday night, May 14th by a group of their associates and friends in the trade. Louis Brandt, of the Globe theatre in New York, was chairman of a committee comprised of Eugene Picker, Harry Brandt, Fred Schwartz, Max Fellerman, Don Jacocks and Charles Moses. Universal Associates Fete William J. Heineman William J. Heineman, former assistant general sales manager of Universal, who was recently appointed general sales manager for Samuel Goldwyn, was given a dinner party last Friday in New York by his associates and friends. Among those present were William A. Scully, Charles D. Prutzman, Joseph Siedelman, Adolph Schimel, David Levy, E. T. Gomersall, F. J. A. McCarthy, Fred Meyers, John J. O'Connor and Sam Machnovitch. Norman Rolfe in Army Norman C. Rolfe, Connecticut division manager for the Lockwood and Gordon circuit, has been inducted into the Army. Also scheduled for departure is George Hardison of the Plaza theatre in Waterbury. Private Daniel Grenier, formerly at the Strand in Plainsville, is stationed at Camp Blanding, Fla., after having been inducted recently. Helen La Grande Weds Cadet Helen La Grande, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank La Grande of Coytesville, N. J., was married last week to aviation cadet John Ellwood Zimmermann at Coleman, Texas, the bridegroom's station. Mr. La Grande is head of the Paramount laboratory on Long Island. MOTION PICTURE HERALD Plan Scout Building To Honor Blank A building to be known as the Raymond Blank Memorial Headquarters is to be constructed at the Boy Scouts' Camp Mitigwa, located 34 miles northwest of Des Moines, with a gift of $2,000 from Barney Balaban, president of Paramount Pictures and John Balaban, head of Balaban & Katz Corporation. They contributed half the amount and G. Ralph Branton, general manager of the Tri-States Theatre Corporation, and Mrs. Branton, the remaining half in memory of Raymond Blank, son of A. H. Blank, head of Tri-States and Central States Theatre Corporations. Raymond Blank was actively interested in Boy Scout affairs. He became an Eagle Scout at 13, and was a representative of Iowa and Nebraska scouts at a World Boy Scout conference held at one time at Wimbleton, England, and had been an active scout leader. At his death, he was a member of the board of directors of the Tall Corn Scout Council. The executive committee of the Iowa Methodist hospital in Des Moines has chosen Myron Blank to head a building committee in the construction of the Raymond Blank Memorial hospital for children. Others on the committee include Dr. Walter Bierring, James W. Hubbell, R. R. Rollins and Rolfe O. Wagner. Play Duals at Goldman's Keith in Philadelphia Dual features are being shown at the Keith theatre in Philadelphia by William Goldman who recently purchased the house. Keith's was formerly a Warner subsequent run. The policy, practically foreign to the downtown Philadelphia theatrical sector, will be continued by Mr. Goldman until better product is available, it was reported. It is believed that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Paramount product is to be received by Mr. Goldman on a split basis with the independent second run Arcadia theatre. Next month, the Karlton theatre is also to be taken over by Mr. Goldman which is expected to cause a further complication in the product setup. The Shubert, recently leased to Warners, has not as yet been opened by the circuit, but it is believed that it will be used for second run showings. Connors Announces Changes In 20th-Fox Sales Staff Phil Longdon, branch manager for Twentieth Century-Fox in Charlotte for the past seven years, has been named southwestern division manager, it was announced last week by Tom J. Connors, in charge of world wide distribution for the company. Other changes placed Arthur Abeles, former manager at the New York exchange, in charge of the Denver office ; Clay V. Hake is transferred from Denver to Mr. Abele's post, and John E. Holston, sales manager at the Charlotte exchange, succeeds Mr. Longdon as branch manager. Resume Bond Rally Sessions The "Victory Square" entertainment in downtown Seattle has been resumed after a period of winter inactivity. The entertainment, supplied by night clubs and theatres, is offered as an incentive for the purchase of War Bonds and Stamps. Cancel "Burlesque" "Lady of Burlesque" was cancelled out of a Providence theatre this week because of objections to the film by the Legion of Decency, according to an Associated Press dispatch. The picture is based on Gypsy Rose Lee's "The GString Murders." 45 'Prelude to War 9 National Release Da te May 27th The War Department's "Prelude to War" will be ready for release to exhibitors by the film industry's War Activities Committee, on Monday, Francis Harmon, WAC executive vice-chairman, reported this week. Beginning May 27, it will be sent to theatres. The War Department at mid-week made available to the WAC an additional 100 prints of the film, making a total of 250. The new allotment is expected to expedite WAC distribution. In addition, 31 prints are being furnished to exchanges for special screenings. The film was to have a pre-release world premiere Thursday, as part of the program at the Strand Theatre, New York. Running 53 minutes, it is the first of a series made by Lieutenant Colonel Frank Capra, former Hollywood producer, for the Army's Special Services Division, and under the general title, "Why We Fight." Colonel Capra this week and last was on the Coast preparing a trailer. The picture, and several in the series which have since been completed, has been shown to approximately 6,000,000 service men in post theatres, as part of their "orientation." To exhibitors, in letters, Si Fabian, WAC theatres division chairman, explained last week that the War Department furnished the WAC with 150 prints. There are no rentals, no clearances. Representative theatres in larger cities will receive prints first. Mr. Fabian added that although there would be delay in giving prints to subsequent run houses and those in rural communities, the pattern devised was thought to be the most effective. He commented : "It is imperative that 'Prelude to War' be handled in a manner which will adequately reflect the industry's desire and capacity to serve the nation." Capra Receives a Citation for Films Major General Alexander D. Surles, director of public relations for the Army, wired exhibitors this week that he was proud of his organization's "partnership" with theatremen. For his "Why We Fight" series, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Capra last week received from the War Department the Legion of Merit in the degree of Legionnaire. The citation reads : "Lieutenant Colonel Frank Capra, 0-900209, Signal Corps, United States Army. For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service. As Chief of the Motion Picture Production Unit, Special Service Divison, Colonel Capra has planned and produced a series of pictures on the events leading up to our entry into this war for use in the Army orientation course. The genius embodied in these pictures is unique in kind and in competence. Their showing has been an extraordinary stimulus to the men of the armed services. In this work he has shown unusual talent, perseverance in the face of great difficulties, untiring energy and devoted loyalty to the war effort." Northio Theatres' Manager Outlaws Chance Games Harry David, general manager of the Northio Theatres, with headquarters in Cincinnati, has ruled that chance games will not be operated in any of the circuit's 18 theatres. "We are devoting our time to showing pictures, which, after all, is the function of the theatre," Mr. David said in indicating the company's policy toward chance games.