Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1944)

Organizes 5^000 Extra Players in Mexican Films by LUIS BECERRA CELIS hi Mexico City Organization of picture extras, numbering some 5,000, who have of late loudly complained that they are underpriviledged, has been started here by Federal Senator Isidro Zuniga Solorzano of Queretaro State. The organization features the establishment of what amounts to a booking office, the announced object of which is to see to it that the extras get jobs according to their merits, instead of having to depend upon the whims of producers and directors. The Senator has undertaken even a harder job — that of getting for the extras what they consider to be adequate pay. At present, they do well when they get $1 a day for a very long stint. The solon is also seeking adequate compensation for extras when they get hurt in the line of duty. Now, they are lucky if they get $10 for an injury. V The first major labor trouble ? local first run theatre has had in a long time hit the Cine Alameda, of 3,750 seats, so that that it was forced to close until further notice, said the management's announcement. The trouble was the demand of employees for a pay increase and some other concessions that the operator, the Emilio Azcarraga Syndicate, declared it couldn't afford to meet. The Alameda was closed after a turbulent performance, when everything seemed to go wrong in the projection box — because of sabotage, some said, because the National Cinematographic Industry Workers Union, others said, substituted a "green" crew at the last minute. Admission was refunded to an enraged audience. The film heading the bill, "Arsenic and Old Lace," in its third week, was the most profitable the Alameda had exhibited in a long while. The Federal Board of Conciliation and Arbitration is seeking to settle the conflict, which has brought a threat of a strike. Western Electric's Mexican branch, of which William G. Deous is manager, headed off a strike by allowing a 20 per cent wage increase and recognition of its employees' organization. The settlement was reached with the making of a new contract before the Federal Board of Conciliation and Arbitration with the National Cinematographic Industry Workers Union. V The producers' ranks have been swelled by Arcady Boytler, Russian who came to Mexico as an actor 20 years ago, then founded the country's first grind theatre, which is still operating here, though now run by Spaniards. Then he became a director. Mr. Boytler is soon to start his first picture, "Seven Conflicts." V Norman Foster, now an established director in Mexico, is preparing his sixth picture in this country, "The Black Pearl." V A producing company backed by Nicaraguan capital is soon to be established here and plans an early start on a production to cost at least $210,000, a high mark for Mexico. The announcement was made by Gabry Rivas, Mangua newspaper publisher, member of the Nicaraguan Federal Congress and a former Hollywood film actor, during his visit here to getthe enterprise going. Mr. Rivas said he played in Hollywood for several years and worked in about 20 pictures. Mr. Rivas brought part of the equipment for the new company. The picture is to have a Mexican background and will be played by Mexicans. The enterprise is the first Central American one to operate in the Mexican film industry. MEXICAN EXHIBITORS PLAN ARBITRATION Mexico City Bureau Mexican exhibitors, at least those who belong to the National Association of Motion Picture Theatre Impresarios, nnost of the heads of Mexico's 1 ,036 theatres, at their third national convention in Mexico City recently adopted a resolution providing for the appointnnent of a committee to arbitrate any problem confronting exhibitors. Another resolution unites the exhibitors to work for what they deem to be a more equitable distribution of pictures. Chaplin Can Sue Vanguard in East Charles Chaplin can bring an action for an accounting of $1,000,000 alleged profits against Vanguard Films, Inc., in New York State but cannot sue David O. Selznick Productions, Inc., there, the Court of Appeals, New York's highest tribunal, ruled last Thursday. The five-to-two decision, holding that only Vanguard was doing business in New York, modified the rulings of lower courts that both defendants were in the same category. Mr. Chaplin's suit against Selznick Productions, therefore, will have to be brought in California. He may also sue Vanguard in that state if he elects. Mr. Chaplin's case for the accounting of profits is based on his ownership of 25 per cent of United Artists stock, and on his allegations that three film stories originally purchased with United Artists funds were sold by the Selznick interests to Twentieth Century-Fox. The leasing of actors and technicians was also involved. The pictures are : "Keys of the Kingdom," "Claudia," "Jane Eyre." White and Case, New York attorneys, representing the defendants, had contended that Vanguard was doing business only in California, that all principal witnesses were there and that the trial should be held in that state. Selznick Productions had filed a certificate of dissolution in California before the case was instituted in New York, but Mr. Chaplain had challenged the motive for the dissolution. Schwartz and Frolich, New York, represented the plaintiff. Murray Trust Suit Is Set for January 3 The conspiracy suit filed in Federal Court, Chicago, by Thomas Murray, former operator of the Thalia theatre, against distributors and the Balaban and Katz circuit, v^'as postponed last week by Judge Holly to January 3. Mr. Murray has alleged that he was forced to sell his theatre because of lack of suitable product, and that the defendants were responsible. Breen PCA Contract Extended Three Years An extension of the contract of Joseph I. Breen for a three-year period as director of the Production Code Administration in Hollywood was announced this week by the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America. In addition to his PCA position, Mr. Breen was named a vice-president of the MPPDA. Autry Claims Induction Voids Republic Contract Gene Autry, Republic Western player, last week in the Superior Court, Los Angeles, contended that his contract with Republic was automatically terminated by his induction into the Armed Forces in August, 1942. TranS'Lux Plans' Large Theatre in Washington^ D.C. Plans for the limited expansion of the Tra Lux Corporation into the large-theatre field wi disclosed this week in announcement by P. Furber, chairman of the board, that Trans-L Radio City Corporation, a new subsidiary, woi erect a 2,000-seat theatre and 13-story office bui ing in Washington. The company heretofore 1 confined its operation to units of not more tl> 600 seats. To show first run features, shorts and nev reels, the theatre will be constructed along 1 basic lines of the existing Trans-Lux houses. 0 feature will be a two-floor garage under V property, available for parking space for patrc and the general public. An elevator will take t patrons directly into the lobby from the garaj Provision will be made for television whenev it is available for theatres. The plans are bei prepared by Herbert J. Krapp, New York theai architect. Including the property, the cost of t project is expected to be almost $3,000,000. No immediate plans for the acquisition of oth property for larger theatres are being considers according to Albert D. Erickson, secretary ai treasurer. The new unit will be erected on t, site of the Maryland building and the McLe: building in Washington. A frontage of 100 fe will be provided on H Street. " Three of the seven present units, each nam? Trans-Lux, show features and short subjects wi' newsreels. Two of these are in New York ai one in Boston. The other four — two in Ne' York, one in Philadelphia and one in Washiuj ton adjoining the new theatre site — are confini to newsreels and shorts. tl nSl ■ tlie 'i tail iA\ wall Film itth ■t in ; ;inli Sgelia ts ivli amvlii itinent refuse' ions ( wins iiel/ ip till mion :t stri Btres lent IS al trs ii i\ 1 sra tiont 1 It, W PRC Planning Five-Week Drive f||ie A Act 9 its info' lion I ati PRC Pictures will mark its fifth anniversat in a national celebration beginning March 1, Lec, Fromkess, president, announced in Hollywood la| Friday. He returned to the coast following Ne; York meetings of the board of directors. An elaborate advertising campaign is plannej The celebration will extend for five weeks, 1 April 5. Leo J. McCarthy, general sales manage. j already has started the PRC sales force mappin, the campaign, Mr. Fromkess announced. Wedneii day he said the season's program would be coiii pleted in February, with six films to start in Jam] ary and four in February. ' , Five PRC pictures have been selected as tt"Anniversary Five," including "The Town Werl Wild," "Crime, Inc.," "Strange Illusion," "Wheiy the Lights Go on Again," and "Bluebeard." , The celebration comes at an important perioin the company's history, the president says, whe; PRC is completing plans for the acquisition and th operation of "show case" theatres in important ke cities. Early reports from exchange heads, h added, indicated cooperation on the part of ei&in hibitors in the anniversary drive. AI over tun isor Hold Luncheon for Schreiber; Leaves WAC for Condon Post The War Activities Committee last Friday at th Hotel Astor, New York, tendered a luncheon t(' Ed Schreiber, who resigned from the WAC De^ cember 1, to become vice-president in charge o,' motion pictures for Richard Condon, Inc. Mi'l Schreiber headed the WAC publicity departmen' since its inception two years ago. Walter T. Brown, who succeeds Mr. Schreiber' was toastmaster. Other speakers were Franci: S. Harmon, WAC coordinator ; S. H. Fabian! WAC theatres division head; Harry Brandt, Sixtl War Loan chairman ; Jay Emanuel, Sixth Wai' Loan coordinator and head of WAC activities ii^K Philadelphia, and Mr. Condon. 38 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 9. 194^' m