Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Aug 1943)

August 28, I 943 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 25 De Rochemont to Be Producer For 20th-Fox Louis de Rochemont, producer and founder of the March of Time, this week signed a contract with Twentieth Century-Fox to produce features. He leaves Time, Inc., to report to the California studios on September 15th. Neither Twentieth Century-Fox nor Mr. de Rochemont disclosed what type of production he planned. It was reported, however, that he would work on topical entertainment pictures, perhaps assisting in the production of Wendell Willkie's "One World," and possibly the feature with a labor background, which Spyros Skouars, president, said the company planned for next season. Richard de Rochemont, brother of the founder of the March of Time, and for the past three years its managing editor, succeeds Louis as producer. Previously he had been European editorial representative of the organization and managing director of The March of Time, Ltd., England. Louis de Rochemont was a newsreel editor and cameraman previous to founding the March of Time in 1934. After serving as an officer in the Navy from 1917 to 1923, he resigned to become associate editor of International Newsreel. In 1927 and 1928 he was European director for Pathe News. In 1930 he became director of short subject production for Fox Movietone News. He created the Magic Carpet and Adventures of a Newsreel Cameraman series. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded him a special citation for his contributions to newsreel technique. Launch Move To Organize Managers in Chicago Organizers, seeking a minimum of $100 per week for managers and $60 for their assistants in "A" houses, are expected to push their plans for a Chicago theatre managers' union, to be patterned after the one recently chartered in New York. The minimum would be considerably higher than the prevailing scale, particularly in circuit houses, where booking and maintenance are supervised by a central office staff. Union plans also call for a minimum of $75 for managers of "B" houses, with $45 for assistants. Cashiers, ushers and publicity men would be included in the group, which would come under the United Office and Professional Workers division of the CIO. Manager Union Drafting Revised Wage Scales D. F. Barreca, president of the Motion Picture Theatre Managers and Employees Union, Local 152, New York, has returned from Washington after conferring with Lewis Merrill, president of United Office and Professional Workers of America, and said that a new scale of wages would be drafted for submission to independent and major circuits in the metropolitan area. The contract under the new scale calls for a 40-hour week with $100 for managers, $50 for assistants, $30 for doormen and cashiers, $25 for counsellors and $20 for ushers. Grierson Remains as Head Of Canadian War Board John Grierson has acceded to Premier Mackenzie King's request to remain on as head of Canada's Wartime Information Board following expiration of his term. Mr. Grierson, who also is head of the National Film Board, was lent to the Government agency for six months, to act as general manager. He continues at the head of the agency for an indefinite period. NEIC to Supply Talent For War Center The Coordinating Committee of the National Entertainment Industry Council at a meeting in New York last week pledged cooperation in supplying a talent pool for the Victory Square War Center operating for the benefit of the War Finance Committee's Third War Loan Drive. The committee announced the NEIC would work closely with the National Theatre Conference in arranging a radio script writing contest among the armed forces. Anita Grannis' resignation as a paid executive was accepted and she will continue to work as a member of the coordinating committee without remuneration. Plan 430 Prints For "Army" A maximum of 450 Technicolor prints of "This Is the Army" will be working in September for Army Emergency Relief, Warner Bros, announced this week. Because there are not enough prints to fill bookings, the company is understood to be in no hurry about closing actual run contracts. The prints are being distributed as fast as they are received, but it will take another few weeks before the entire 450 printorder is delivered by Technicolor. More than 272 advanced-sale special premieres have been set for "Army" by Warners to date, with several hundred additional applications for opening dates on hand. Thus far the picture has played to 4,000,000 in 126 cities in less than two weeks, except for the Broadway run which has been in progress at the Hollywood theatre four . weeks. The Wilmington, Del., premiere of "Army" brought $5,000 to Army Relief at the Warner theatre. On Thursday, "Army" opened at the PalmsState in Detroit and it was expected that the $40,000 goal set for the premiere would be exceeded. The Albany premiere at the Strand brought more than $11,500 to Army Relief. Approximately $3,000 was raised for the relief agency at last Thursday's premiere at the Lincoln theatre, Washington, a Negro house. A special U. S. Army-sponsored screening of the picture was held Monday night at the Capitol theatre, Quebec, for a distinguished audience headed by delegates to the Allied war conference. The theatre was made available by J. J. Fitzgibbons, president of Famous Players Canadian. It was the first showing of a picture under U. S. Army auspices in Canada and also was the initial showing of "Army" in the Dominion. Monogram Closes New Season Circuit Deals Monogram Pictures has booked its entire 1943-44 program, adding a number of circuits including RKO to its lists, according to a statement made by Samuel Broidy, vice-president and general sales manager. Besides the RKO circuit other circuits in the list include Maine & New Hampshire Theatres, with 30 houses in New England ; Long Theatres in Texas, operating 43 houses ; Interstate Theatre Corporation, Boston, with 40 houses, and the Ralph E. Snider Theatrical Enterprises, operating 20 houses in Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Loew's State Celebrates 22nd Year August 30th The Loew's State theatre on Broadway will celebrate its 22nd anniversary on August 30th and the theatre will honor 22 service men and women whose birthdays are on the same date. Bouquets of roses will be sent to the mothers of all. Canada Bans "Bell Tolls" 70-30 Terms Canada's Wartime Prices and Trade Board, through R. G. McMullen, administrator of theatres and films, ruled this week that Paramount's "For Whom the Bell Tolls" cannot play Canadian theatres as a roadshow under the contract terms of 70-30 percentage and $1.50 top admission prices. Mr. McMullen pointed out that under Federal restrictions governing theatres and film distributors, the maximum rental was 50 per cent, while the regular admission scale must be maintained at all theatres. He added that the stabilizing of rental terms had been effected to protect exhibitors. In the case of the Royal Alexandra theatre, Toronto, where "Fantasia" was playing at the time of the basic period covering the four weeks, September 18 to October 11, 1941, Mr. McMullen said the top price fixed there for film roadshows was 75 cents and could not be exceeded in roadshowing "Bell," while the rental figure even there could not be higher than 50 per cent. This was the only house having a roadshow engagement during the basic period and all others, therefore, could not go beyond the regular admission scale. Paramount, meanwhile, announced this week that Loew circuit houses out-of-town which play Paramount product will show "For Whom the Bell Tolls" on extended engagements with a continuous run advanced-price policy, beginning September 30th at the Stillman theatre, Cleveland ; the Broad, Columbus, and the Great Lakes, Buffalo. Charles M. Reagan, Paramount assistant general sales manager, made the announcement, following closing of the deal with Joseph R. Vogel, Loew executive in charge of out-of-town theatres. A War Bond premiere has been scheduled for September 15th at Loew's Palace. Washington, with seats scaled from $10,000 to $25 in War Bonds. The opening is planned as one of the big Washington events for the Third War Loan Campaign. Paramount executives were to meet in Washington this week with Carter Barron, Loew's circuit division manager, to discuss premiere plans. Boston's Scrap Drives Continue Successfully Copper and bronze collections continue unabated in the Boston area despite the fact that the national committee temporarily has suspended activities in that direction. Patrons continue contributions, the Capital theatre adding 310 pounds and 2,120 pennies; State theatre, Milton, 125 pounds, 810 pennies ; Empire, Strand, Olympia and Capitol theatres, New Bedford, 460 pounds. Managers in Fall River, Hyde Park, and Fitchburg also have reported successful results with Boy Scouts, school children and youth groups in all neighborhoods contributing their time to collections. Free Saturday morning performances are given in some instances. Seek Curfew Ordinance The City Council of Murfreesboro, Tenn., is acting on a curfew ordinance prohibiting children under 17 from remaining on the streets after 10 P.M. unless accompanied by a parent. Balconies of theatres also are being watched to prevent vandalism. Frank W. Linehan Honored Frank W. Linehan, manager of the Jefferson theatre in Springfield, Mass., was honored by theatre managers and business associates last week on the 30th anniversary of his entering the show business.