Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1944)

"Hearts Were Young" Authors Sue Paramount on Sequel Cornelia Otis Skinner and Emily Kimbrough, authors of "Our Hearts Were Young and Gay," from which Paramount made a picture, have filed suit in New York Supreme Court, to prevent the company from making a sequel, the title of which is asserted to be "Our Hearts Were Growing Up." Miss Skinner and Miss Kimbrough contend that the proposed picture is fictional although its characters are linked to those of the original story, who are real persons. It is admitted film rights for the original story were sold with the proviso one or more additional films might be made from the material, and that fictional material might be added. Republic Nannes Three As Studio Executives Three Republic executives were named last Wednesday in Hollywood by Allen Wilson, vicepresident, to supervise the company's studio activities. Robert B. Newman, assistant secretary, will have charge of creative phases of production ; Jack E. Baker, formerly with Consolidated Film Industries, will supervise the physical side ; and Hyman J. Glick, comptroller, will oversee the financial phases. Blowitz Joins Pickford Unit William Blowitz has joined the Mary Pickford Productions unit as publicity director, it was announced last weekend by United Artists. The first film on Miss Pickford's production schedule is "One Touch of Venus." Mr. Blowitz, a former newspaperman, has been a publicist for many years, serving with Warner Bros., Paramount and MGM. SHORT PRODUCT PLAYING BROADWAY "Week of December 25 ASTOR Safely Sleuth MGM Feature: Meet Me in St. Louis . . . MGM CAPITOL Wandering Here and There .... MGM Feature: Music for Millions MGM CRITERION Mouse Trouble MGM Feature: Can't Help Singing. . . . Universal GLOBE hiarry Owens and hlis Royal Hawaiians Vi+aphone September in the Rain Vitaphone Feature: Tomorrow the 'World . . United Artists HOLLYWOOD Champions of the Future Vitaphone The Old Grey Hare Vitaphone Feature: To Have and Have Not.Warner Bros. R I ALTO Puppet Love Paramount Rhythm on Wheels Paramount Feature: House of Frankenstein . \Jn\vena\ RIVOLI Jasper's Paradise Paramount Feature: Frenchman's Creek . . . Paramount STRAND Odor-able Kitty Vitaphone Outdoor Living Vitaphone Feature: Hollywood Canteen. . . Warner Bros. ColumbialS Week Net Is $380,000 The net profit of Columbia Pictures for the 13 weeks ended September 30, 1944, was $380,000, compared to a net of $482,000 for the corresponding period in 1943. Operating profit for the 13-week period was $1,065,000 compared to $1,545,000 for the same period last year. Estimated provision for Federal taxes were $685,000 compared to $1,063,000 for the 1943 period. At the annual meeting of stockholders December 20, the following directors were elected: Harry Cohn, Jack Cohn, A. Schneider, N. B. Spingold, A. Montague, Donald S. Stralem, Leo M. Blancke. Fishman Decorated Sergeant Stanley Fishman, son of Selig Fishman, of Fishman Theatres, Inc., New Haven, was recently awarded the Silver Medal for gallantry in action, second highest award of his regiment in France. Sgt. Fishman's rescue of his wounded company commander while under fire has been cited in the Army Bulletin. RKO Dividend, $1.50 The RKO board of directors last week declared a dividend of $1.50 per share on its six per cent preferred stock, payable February 1 to shareholders of record January 20. It was the regular dividend for the current quarter ending January 31. Allied Meeting January 24 The annual board of directors meeting of Allied States Association will be held at the DeshlerWallick Hotel, Columbus, Ohio, January 24-25. This is the annual meeting at which officers are elected and plans made for the year. Stock Production In 1944 Ran 10% Over Last Year itte, ,VE1 Washington Bureau Production of photographic film of all types thij'l year will show an increase of approximately 10 pei cent over 1943, it is indicated by figures compiled J^' by the Census Bureau last week on output for th(| third quarter. The bureau's report showed that production W the third quarter was some 16,000,000 square fee' _ under that of the previous three months, due to th^nw shutdown of machinery for cleaning and repair'' accounting in part for the difficult situation irijtpj^ which the motion picture distributors have founc themselves in recent months. i Third quarter output of film amounted to 142,] 640,000,000 square feet, compared with 158,639,000,000 square feet in the preceding quarter anc, 129,136,000,000 square feet in the corresponding"fci period of 1943, the bureau announced. With all,'ca! machinery back in production for the fourth quar-iitre ter, it is expected that second-quarter levels will^ be regained or bettered, indicating a production for the year of some 602,000,000 square feet, com-s pared with 546,000,000 square feet last year. ^ Throughout the first three quarters of 1944 shipments exceeded production, the third quarter totalio being 146,231,000,000 square feet, necessitating withdrawals from inventories accumulated laslj year. Stocks now are at approximately minimum|ie working levels. ' The bureau reported that 39 per cent of the third: quarter shipments were for military, lend-lease and export use, but said that much of the film shipped^ to motion picture laboratories eventually found its' way to the armed forces, so that it is impossible to determine definitely its final disposition. No infor^ mation was given as to production or shipment of specific types of film. )iie, Monogram To Release One "A" Production Monthly Monogram will release one important picture each month, beginning with the new year, the studio announced this week. Definite release dates» already have been set on six of these "A" pro-" ductions to which the company is devoting an in-' " creasing proportion of its efforts. January 26, "They Shall Have Faith" starring Gale Storm with Sir Aubrey Smith and John Mack Brown' produced by Jeffrey Bernerd, will be released Others are: "DilHnger," February 23; "G. I. Hon-i eymoon," March 23 ; "China's Little Devils," April 20; "Divorce," May 25, and "Sunbonnet Sue,"' June 15. Sanders Is Reelected by Motion Picture Associates Motion Picture Associates, meeting at the Hotel Astor, New York, last Wednesday announced the election of the following officers : Morris Sanders, relected president; Jack Ellis, reelected first vicepresident; Howard Levy, elected second vice-president, replacing Matthew Kahn ; Saul Trauner, reelected treasurer; Charles Penser, reelected financial secretary ; Morris Fraum, reelected recording scretary; Louis Kutinsky, elected sergeant-at-arms in place of Harry Furst; Seymour Schussel and Leo Abrams reelected trustees, and Charles Berliner, reelected chaplain. Plan Relief Fund Hospital Plans for a 90-room hospital to be erected on the grounds of the Motion Picture Relief Funds' Country Home at Calabasas, Cal., were appproved by the executive board last week. Building is to proceed as soon as priorities can be obtained, and the cost of the project is to be met with funds accruing from the Screen Guild Players radio program. When completed, the hospital will effect a saving of some $180,000 annually, on the basis of medical and hospitalization expenses incurred last year. 38 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 30, 1944