Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1945)

Seventh War Loan Industry Leaders Mee PRELIMINARY plans for the Seventh War Loan and a quota of $4,000,000,000 for the film industry were discussed in Washington Friday, March 2, by Treasury officials and exhibitors, distributors, and War Activities Committee officials. Above, at the meeting are, seated, left to right, John Hertz, Jr., Samuel Pinanski, national chairman of the film industry participation, Ted Gamble, national director of the Treasury War Finance Division; Harry Brandt, chairman of the Sixth War Loan participation; S. H. Fabian, chairman of the WAC theatres division; Walter T. Brown, WAC associate coordinator; standing, Cornwall Jackson, Office of War Information radio division deputy chief, Lou Wisper, Earl h son, Robert Weitman, Martin J. Mullin, Edward Shugrue, Treas Leonard Goldenson, Harry Browning, Herman Gluckman, WAC tr urer, and Alfred Finestone. The drive, to run from May 14 through June 30, will be lor than any previous one. Exhibitors, as in the past, will be prim< responsible for the sale of Series E Bonds through their theatres. Tom J. Connors, Twentieth Century-Fox vice-president, will be tional distributor chairman for the drive, in place of Gradwell Se WAC national distributor cha;rman, who is ill. See Permits Cut For New Houses The War Production Board is studying outstanding building authorizations and shortly may revoke all authorizations in Group No. 1 labor areas on which construction has not yet begun or has not progressed beyond the initial stages, it was learned in Washington last week. All of the theatre projects authorized by the recreation section of the Office of Civilian Requirements are in Group 1 areas. It is understood that about 75 authorizations are outstanding. The concern of the WPB over the construction situation is said to be due to the difficult manpower situation which prevails in Group 1 areas. Many of the projects for which authorizations are outstanding have been delayed because of labor shortage, although there have been delays because of slow delivery of material. The OCR recreation section in the handling of building applications over a period of many months has issued authorizations only for projects most urgently needed. Since the military setback in Europe in December, only a very few new theatres have been authorized, although a few grants have been made for the reconstruction of burned-out houses and for conversion for theatre use where only small amounts of material and labor were required. In view of the manpower situation, it is not believed that further construction beyond that for which a most urgent need can be shown will be authorized until the end of the war in Europe. Ellison on Ideal Staff Philip L. Ellison, cameraman, has been named to the Hollywood staff of William M. Cotton's Ideal Movie Group. The appointment was made by Muriel Babcock, executive editor of Ideal, nov; in Hollywood. 34 20th Century-Fox To Use Victoria on Broadway Twentieth Century-Fox will use the Victoria theatre in New York, as well as the Roxy, as a Broadway showcase for its films under a new booking arrangement announced Tuesday by Tom J. Connors, vice-president in charge of sales. The Victoria already has shown "Wilson", "The Fighting Lady." The first picture to go into the Victoria under the new agreement will be "Thunderhead — Son of Flicka" a Technicolor production featuring Roddy McDowall, Preston Foster and Rita Johnson. Rooney Signs Seven-Year Agreement with MGM Rooney, Inc., formed after Mickey Rooney's induction into the Army, has reached an agreement with MGM whereby the actor, upon discharge from service, will start a seven-year contract with the Culver City studio. It is understood that terms call for $5,000 weekly for 40 weeks a year. MGM is also giving $150,000 bonus to Rooney, Inc., $75,000 of which already has been paid. Under the contract Rooney, Inc., controls all radio, television and personal appearances for the actor. T. P. Comerford Marries Lieut. Thomas Patrick Comerford, USNR, son of Mrs. Michael B. Comerford, of Scranton, Pa., and the late Mr. Comerford, former head of the Comerford Amusement Co. theatre circuit, was married Tuesday in Waterbury, Conn., to Ruth Joan Barry, of Waterbury, a lieutenant in the WAVES. Plan Negro House Announcement of the purchase of a building in Suffolk, Va., which will be reconstructed into a theatre for Negroes as soon as conditions permit, was made last week by Harry Roth, district manager of the Pitt-Roth Theatres in Suffolk. Warner Quarteri Net $2,368,565 A net operating profit of $2,368,565 for the qf ter ending November 25, 1944, was reported weekend by Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc., and sidiary companies. The net operating profit forj corresponding period of the previous year ' $1,981,730. The 1944 period net is equivalent to 63 cents share on the 3,701,090 shares of common stock < standing, compared with 53 cents per share for corresponding period the previous year. The gross income for the three months, a eliminating intercompany transactions, was $ 093,321, compared with $34,413,961 the year bef The consolidated balance sheet, as of Noven 25, 1944, showed current assets of $59,683,296 current liabilities amounting to $29,325,631, leai a working capital of $30,357,665. Current as; of subsidiaries operating in foreign territories $5,558,298, with liabilities amounting to $6,409, including bank loans of $2,125,804 guaranteed the parent company. Income from film rental, theatre admissi' sales and miscellaneous income, rents from ten; and royalties was $33,093,321. Profit before i vision for net losses on fixed assets and bei Federal income taxes amounted to $7,220/ Earned surplus,, as of November 25, 1944, was ■ 240,367. Monogram, PRC Make OWI Film Phil Karlstein, Monogram director, will a short subject for the Office of War Informal and the War Activities Committee, on lend-le The film, which will be produced by Monograrr a joint effort of Monogram and PRC. The rangement was made by I. E. Chadwick, presic of the Independent Motion Picture Producers sociation. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MARCH 10, I