Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1944)

. S. Companies sh Plans for tin America A FAREWELL to Norman Rycfge, managing director of Greater Union Theatres, Australia, was tendered him at luncheon in the Hampshire House, New York, by executives of Universal International Films, Inc. Above, Hanking Mr. Rydge, are Joseph Seidelman, president of Universal International, left, and Nate Blumberg, president of Universal Pictures. arther developments in the South American \iet indicate that American distributors are inifying their plans for below the Rio Grande in mnction with their blueprints for the distribuof Hollywood product on a world-wide basis. St Friday, Paramount concluded a deal with Cobian circuit of Cuba whereby the American jpany becomes a partner in the circuit. John Hicks, president of Paramount International, Ramos Cobian, head of the Cuban company, has been visiting the United States for the three weeks, signed the agreement, nder the term of the contract, both Paramount Cobian participate equally in the operation of 11 Cobian theatres in Havana and Camaguey, jding three of Havana's first runs, the Eno, Fausto and Alcazar. All Paramount prodis made available to the circuit under a five film franchise. film rental contract with Twentieth Century: which was negotiated by Cobian prior to pletion of the Paramount deal, is expected to signed shortly. KO would adhere to its previously announced cy not to produce in Mexico, Phil Reisman, i of the company's foreign distribution, said l\ew York Tuesday. Mr. Reisman returned -iday from a four-week trip to South America. : film studio recently built outside of Mexico 7 was financed largely by RKO. ccording to reports in Mexico, Twentieth Cen'-Fox is considering the possibility of produc pictures in Mexico after the war. lurray Silverstone, vice-president in charge of -•ign distribution for the company, who returned ?ntly from a trip to South America, reported his tour at a meeting of foreign managers last :rsday at the New York office of the Motion ture Producers and Distributors of America. jpublic Will Launch New idio Show on WMCA :epublic will inaugurate a series of radio proms November 13, following the industry trend iitilize broadcasting for the merchandising of :ion pictures. ;K0 and MGM are two major distributors who e been buying radio time to an appreciable ex: in the last year. The Skouras circuit in New -k and Interstate of Texas have been broaddng institutional shows for more than a year, 'he Republic program will feature Judith Allen, ren and stage star, in a series of five-minute ts over WMCA, New York, on Mondays, Weddays and Fridays. The spot will highlight Relic pictures opening on Broadway and will :ure, via telephone connection, conversations been Miss Allen and a Republic star or produc: executive at the company's west coast studio. ouras War Radio Show onors Free France This Is Our Cause," the Skouras Theatres war irt radio show, featured a dramatic presenta:. "Paris Smiles Again," Monday night over .tion WINS, New York. This was the 95th in weekly radio series staged by the circuit for benefit of patriotic and civic organizations. The y was presented by the circuit under the sponship of American Relief for France and in coniction with the New York War Fund. ■ish Eyes" Opens in 64 Cities Twentieth Century-Fox has arranged for special ,?mieres of "Irish Eyes Are Smiling," Technior musical, in 64 mid-western theatres. Milukee and Cleveland are the two principal cities ected to spearhead the campaign. The Hippo5me in Cleveland launched the premieres in Ohio Thursday, tieing in with 50 other towns in'the ;a, and the Wisconsin theatre in Milwaukee ds 12 other showings in Wisconsin. Columbia Honors Tonnaso, Former Employee, Now a War Hero Private Ralph Tomaso, veteran of 32 months in the South Pacific, and former employee of Columbia Pictures, was the guest of honor at a stag luncheon given by the company in New York October 25. He is the holder of the Infantry Battalion Medal and has been recommended for the Silver Star. At the luncheon he was presented with $250 in War Bonds by Jack Cohn, vicepresident. Company executives and department heads attended. "Arsenic and Old Lace" Sets Records on Holdovers Warners' "Arsenic and Old Lace" is breaking holdover records in key cities, the company announced this week. The film went into general release about five weeks ago and already has had 87 engagements of three weeks, 21 four-week runs, nine five-week runs and 12 day-and-date bookings. The comedy, starring Gary Grant, currently is in its fifth week in Seattle and San Francisco, fourth week in St. Louis, Oakland and Washington, and third week in more than two dozen situations. Columbia Considers Pension Plan for Employees Columbia is considering a pension plan for employees. Similar plans are under consideration by Paramount, Twentieth Century-Fox and Warners. A pension system has already been adopted by RKO and is awaiting final Treasury Department approval. Loew's plan becomes effective March 1, with Treasury approval already obtained. General Precision Net $218,011 General Precision Equipment Corporation and its subsidiary companies report for the three months ended September 30, 1944, consolidated net profit of $218,011, after provision for depreciation. Federal income and excess profits taxes, and other charg^es. Set "Doughgirls" Release November 25 has been set as the national release date for Warners' "The Doughgirls," which recently had a pre-release run at the Hollywood theatre, New York, it was announced by Ben Kalmenson, general sales manager. Monogram Dubs 3 for Mexico Monogram expects to be the first American company to enter the Mexican market with an American film dubbed in Spanish, Samuel Broidy, vice-president and general manager, said in Hollywood last Friday. Mr. Broidy disclosed that the company had three pictures already dubbed and delivered for release in Latin America. The pictures are : "Lady, Let's Dance," starring Belita ; "The Unknown Guest" and "The Return of the Ape Man." Rudolph Brent, former European newspaper correspondent and newsreel cameraman, was in charge of the dubbing for "Lady, Let's Dance." Lasky Resigns Post as Warner Producer Jesse L. Lasky, Warner producer since 1941, has severed his connection with the studio, and "The Two Mrs. Carrolls," which had been assigned to him, will be turned over to another producer, it was learned in Hollywood last week. It is understood, however, that Mr. Lasky may renew his association with the company if he finds important properties or story ideas such as "Sergeant York," which launched his Warner association. Goldsmith Named India Head for Universal Ken Goldsmith, former Universal manager at Trinidad, has been named head of the company's distribution office in India. Mr. Goldsmith will leave for his new post as soon as transportation arrangements are completed. While en route to India, he will visit Portugal and South Africa. Before joining Universal, he was with Twentieth Century-Fox in the Far East. Former Publicist a War Captive Lieutenant Jeff Livingston, bomber pilot, missing in action since mid-September, is a war prisoner in Germany, according to word received by his wife last week from the International Red Cross. Lieutenant Livingston formerly was an MGM short subjects publicist. DTION PICTURE HERALD, NOVEMBER 4, 1944 59