Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1945)

INDIA WOULD LIMIT FOREIGN ACTIVITY Producers Want Curbs on All Forms of Trade by Outside Interests Indian producers have requested their Government to limit the extent of foreign film operations in India after the war, it was learned in New York Monday. Proposals for the restrictive measures were submitted to the Indian Government following the recent Indian film industry post-war reconstruction conference in Bombay. The recommendations are in effect a threat to American distributors, in the opinion of one home office foreign department executive. Thus far, there has been no indication that the Indian Government intends to act upon them, but it has been pointed out that the Indian producers made known their proposals at this time to prepare the Government for future and continued pressure. Assured U.S. of "Cooperation" Since last autumn, several Indian film representatives have visited the U. S. and have assured film executives here of India's willingness to cooperate in every way with American distributors. The request for Government action made by the Indian producers came as a surprise to foreign departments in New York. The proposed restrictions as outlined to the Indian Government are as follows : "1. No non-Indian company or individual will be permitted to produce, distribute or exhibit any type of Indian films for a minimum period of 20 years after the termination of hostilities or for a like period acquire by any means any property for the construction of film producing studios or cinema theatres in India. "2. For a period of three years after the war, no person shall use any type of 35mm raw film except under a license issued by the Government. The Government shall not issue the license, however, to any person who shall not have had to his credit, between January 1, 1938 till the date of termination of hostilities, at least one full-length certified feature film, or to anyone who was not actively concerned with production since January 1, 1938. No Raw Stock Control "In making this proposal, it is to be explained that beyond this license, the Government shall not exercise any control whether as to the quantity of raw film to be consumed per film or as to the number of films to be produced by each licensed producer or any other manner such as that exercised under present control. "3. Sound recording and reproducing equipment that may become available, either through import or from those no longer required by the military, shall, for a period of one year after the termination of hostilities, be first supplied only to the producers and exhibitors actively engaged in the production and exhibition of films during the period of one year prior to termination of hostilities. "The Industry realizes that it must simultaneously try to make a determined attempt to expand and improve itself all around. It has, therefore, framed the following four-point program to be put into operation as soon after the war as may be practicable : "1. The provision as quickly as possible of 5,000 cinemas, whether permanent or traveling, and thereafter such further numbers from year to year as may be warranted by the natural progress of the country's reconstruction and development schemes. "2. The setting up of factories for the manufacturing of 35mm and 16mm positive raw films; 35mm and 16mm projectors, carbons and cinematographic chemicals. "3. The increase of production necessary to feed the cinemas so that the gross income of the industry may amount at the end of 20 years after the war to no less than Rs. 30 crores. "4. To produce short films of an educational character for exhibition to the public at large and in the classroom as the film industry's contribution to the cause of literacy, education and culture. This activity is intended to be executed on a non-profit basis." Buffalo Plants Setting Up "Co-Pilot" Ticket Booths Two Curtis-Wright airplane plants in Buffalo will set up booths for the sale of tickets to Warner's "God Is My Co-Pilot," which will open at the Great Lakes theatre next month along the lines of the world premiere staged in Macon, Ga. Among Curtiss-Wright's 43,000 employees and their families and friends alone, it is estimated that the picture has a potential audience of close to 150,000. The P-40 fighter planes, made at the plants, are shown in the film, based on the exploits of Colonel Robert Lee Scott. Hirliman Gets Additional 16mm Exchange Outlets George A. Hirliman, president of International Theatrical and Television Corporation, announced the _ closing of two franchise deals whereby six additional 16 mm exchange outlets for its substandard product will be opened in Boston, New Haven, Portland, Me., Memphis, New Orleans and Charlotte. This expansion was in line with Mr. Hirlman's plan eventually to set up 30 branches for domestic distribution of the company's 16 mm product, he said. Based upon pending negotiations, it is estimated that all 30 branches may be in operation within the next few months. Plan Lake City House Plans for the construction of a new 1,000-seat film house in Lake City, Tenn., have been announced by officials of Rockwood Amusement Company, Rockwood and Nashville, an affiliate of Crescent Amusement Company. George Ed Jahn, manager of a local Rockwood, Tenn., house has announced the purchase of the Norris theatre building and adjacent property as the site for a new house. Two Companies Formed Lob-Lee Theatres, Inc., New Haven, has filed a certificate of organization with the Secretary of State in Hartford, Conn., with 60 shares of stock at $50 par. Officers are : Oscar A. Levy, president ; Bernard Levy, treasurer; Lewis Ginsburg, secretary. Western Connecticut Broadcasting Company, Stamford, was chartered by Kingsley and Edna Gillespie and Warren F. Cressy. Clasa-Mohme Acquires "Souza" American and Mexican distribution rights to "O Brasileira Joao de Souza," Portuguese-language feature produced in Brazil by Robert Chutz, have been acquired by Clasa-Mohme, New York. The film was brought to Hollywood originally under the auspices of the Motion Picture Society for the Americas. Paramount Loans Finestone For Seventh War Loan Alfred Finestone of Paramount's publicity | partment has been loaned to the National &1 mittee of the Seventh War Loan and will serve! assistant director of publicity on a full-time ba|i John Hertz, Jr., chairman of the drive public! and advertising, announced Monday. Arranjj ments for his services, which were requested \\ Samuel Pinanski, national chairman of the S m enth War Loan, were made with R. M. Gillhan Paramount advertising and publicity director. Paul Levi, advertising and publicity director lj the Metropolitan theatre, Boston, will be st | chairman for Massachusetts during the drive, H ! ry Browning, executive assistant to the natio s chairman, has announced. Tom W. Baily, coordinator of the War Acti ties Committee, Hollywood division, has accepl Mr. Pinanski's invitation to serve as industry a ; sultant to the Treasury Department. Mr. Ball arrived in New York last week for committee c<|j ferences before joining the staff of Ted R. Ga! ble, national war finance director, at the capiti i Mr. Baily was loaned to the WAC by the Ca1 fornia Theatre Council, of which he is executi; director. Chicago Salesmen Start Drive for National Unit The Reel Fellows Club of Illinois, film sak men's group in Chicago, has started a campai,| for a national association of film salesmen, Sal Goldman, secretary, has announced. Efforts w be made to line up all other existing Reel Felloe organizations and to form similar branches in e' change centers where such groups do not exi he said. The proposed national organization w contemplated only along inter-fraternal lines, IV] Goldman said, indicating that no affiliation wi, the IATSE was sought. Realty Dealer Sues Popkin In Theatre Sale Dispute Herman Sims, realty dealer, filed suit Superior Court, Los Angeles, last Friday askii $10,000 damages from Harry M. Popkin, allegii the latter failed to complete the sale of the loo1 Vogue and Pan-Pacific theatres to Joseph Blumei field, San Francisco exhibitor, for "reasons know to Popkin." The complaint • declares that M Popkin had authorized the transaction under tern giving Mr. Sims a 25-month salary contract i $400 monthly. Leverette Buys Theatres From George Hunt Estate Walter H. Leverette, owner of Leverette Intel state Theatres, Inc., Oregon, has purchased foi theatres from the estate of the late George I Hunt in Medford, Ore. Mr. Leverette, who w; associated with Mr. Hunt, owns theatres in Asl land, Ore., and Yreka and Weed, Cal. He hi sold his interest in the Grants Pass Amusemei Company, operating two houses, to Mrs. Geore Hunt and associates. Charter Theatre Company The Office of the Secretary of State for Nort Carolina has issued a certificate to Manor Th< atre, Inc., of Charlotte, N. C, to operate theatre: The authorized capital stock is $20,000, subscribe stock $400 by C. H. Lowry, J. M. Scarboroug and Constance McLeod, all of Charlotte. Heads Cincinnati Union Marie King, RKO branch' treasurer and A Kokemeyer, of Universal, have been elected vie presidents of Film Workers Local F37, in Cincin nati. Reelected were : George Daubmeyer, War ners, president; Gladys Pollak, MGM, secretan and Robert Morrell, MGM, business manager. Will Build in Waterbury Nicholas Mascoli, former operator of the Car roll theatre, Waterbury, Conn., has been grantei the right to rezone his property there and an nounces he will build a 1,000-seat house as sooi as building restrictions are lifted. 48 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MARCH 24, 194!