Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1945)

Pinanski to Head Seventh War Bond Drive, Expected in May Samuel Pinanski, leader in New England exhibition and in civic affairs, has accepted the invitation of the War Activities Committee of the motion picture industry to serve as national chairman of the industry's participation in the Seventh War Loan, expected in May. Mr. Pinanski is president of the Mullin & Pinanski Theatres Corporation, the headquarters of which are in Boston. The announcement of Mr. Pinanski's acceptance was made this week by S. H. Fabian, chairman of the WAC theatres division, and marks the sixth time an exhibitor represents the industry to the nation-at-large in an important war effort. Other Loan drive leaders have been Mr. Fabian, New York, for the first, September, 1942; L. C. Griffith, Oklahoma City, for the third, September 9 to October 2, 1943; Charles Skouras, Los Angeles, the fourth, January 18 to February 15, 1944; Robert O'Donnell, Texas, fifth, June 12 to July 31, 1944, and Harry Brandt, New York, sixth, November 20 to December 16, 1944. The industry did not participate officially in the Second War Loan. "Your war loan chairmen have invariably done an excellent job," Secretary of the Skouras Theatres Aiding WAC Recruiting Drive A salute to the General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. WAC Company in conjunction with the Women's Army Corps recruiting drive, will be made this Saturday, February 10, on the Skouras Theatres War Effort radio program, "This Is Our Cause," over WOR-Mutual from 4:30 to S P.M. The broadcast will originate from the stage of the Longacre theatre in New York and will be preceded by a huge WAC recruiting rally in Times Square. Newbold Morris, president of the City Council, is scheduled to speak. Nick John Matsoukas and Daphne Skouras are in charge of the rally. The broadcast is the 110th in the Skouras series. Tieup Features Chicago Opening of "Burma" In a tieup worked out by W. K. Hollander of Balaban & Katz Theatres, Mort Blumenstock of Warner Bros, and A. S. Gourfain of the GourfainCobb agency which handles the Motorola Radio account, "Objective, Burma" had its midwest premiere Tuesday night in two Chicago theatres, the Roosevelt, where it made its regular debut, and the Paradise, before an audience of 3,000 war workers and wounded veterans. Purpose of the special showing at the Paradise was to spur the workers at the Motorola plant to speed up production of the Handie-Talkie combat radio, used in "Objective, Burma." Army, Navy and Marine Corps dignitaries, as well as civic leaders, also were in the special premiere audience. Blumenstock Adds Five to Warner Field Staff Five additions to the Warner Bros, field public relations staff have ben made by Mort Blumenstock, director of advertising and publicity in the east, for increased promotion on "Hotel Berlin," "Objective Burma," "Roughly Speaking" and other forthcoming releases. George Fishman, who was publicity head for the former United Chain Theatres and formerly staff Photo SAMUEL PINANSKI Treasury Henry Morgenthau, Jr., said Tuesday, in Washington, in complimenting the WAC on its selection of Mr. Pinanski. Mr. Morgenthau's praise included commendation for all campaign leaders for willingness to concentrate on aid to the Government in collection of money essential to prosecution of the war. eastern representative for Gene Autry, has been assigned by Mr. Blumenstock to the Philadelphia territory. Edward A. Johnson, long identified in a press and managerial capacity with various branches of amusement, is taking over the Minneapolis territory. Richard Stephens, formerly with Warners on the coast in the radio department, will work out of the home office under William Brumberg, who has charge of the field staff. Two others recently added to the field crew and now permanently assigned are Stanton Kramer, who joined the Chicago field staff headed by Ted Tod, and Allan Kohan, who is covering the Pacific northwest. Leader Theatre Trial Is Now Set for March 12 The suit of the Leader Theatre Corporation, operator of the Leader theatre, Brooklyn, against Twentieth Century-Fox and the Randforce Amusement Company, will be tried March 12 in New York Supreme Court. The action had been set for trial February 5, but after conclusion of examination before trial, attorneys for both sides requested a month's postponement to prepare for trial. The plaintiff charges alleged illegal transfer on the part of Twentieth Century-Fox, of a franchise given the Leader, to another house of the Randforce Circuit, following sale of the Leader to the plaintiff, Leonard Storch. Damages and the return of the franchise are requested. Gets Astor Franchise Miller Richardson has resigned as branch manager of the Universal exchange in New Orleans and has purchased the Astor Pictures franchise for Atlanta from Robert E. Savini. Mr. Richards was with Grand National and United Artists prior to his confiection with Universal. Set 60 Openings for "Bell" First regular popular priced engagements of "For Whom the Bell Tolls," Technicolor film starring Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman, have been set to open during Washington's Birthday week in about 60 key situations. Paramount announced Tuesday. New Paramount Company Handles Spanish Release Paramount films will be distributed in Spain by Paramount-Mercurio Films, S. A., it was announced last Friday in New York by John W. Hicks, Jr., president of Paramount International Films, Inc. The announcement was made simultaneously in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia and Bilboa. A long-term contract has been signed by Paramount Films de Espana, S. A., and Mercuric Films, thus creating the Paramount-Mercurio company which will release all Paramount product in Spanish territory. Mr. Hicks pointed out the contract was based on an agreement signed with Paramount in New York last October by Peter Couret of Mercurio who later returned to Spain with Robert C. Alexander, of Paramount. Robert L. Graham, special representative for Paramount, joined Mr. Couret and Mr. Alexander in Spain at a later date to complete the final details of the contract. Paramount Films de Espana, S. A., was incorporated in Albany, New York, October, 1944. Its officers are Mr. Hicks, president; George Weltner and Mr. Alexander, vice-presidents ; Roger C. Clement, secretary and Milton Kirshenberg, treasurer. Mr. Alexander is resident executive in Spain. Percentage Deals Are Barred in Spain All film transactions in Spain must be conducted on a flat rental basis, with percentage selling of American films in that country entirely eliminated, a recent Government ruling ordered, according to foreign department executives in New York. This new directive has added a burden to the American industry, already encumbered with many onerous restrictions, special levies and taxes. American companies also are finding it difficult to secure film import licenses, which are issued irregularly. It is estimated that the total annual Spanish gross for all U. S. distributors amounts to approximately $3,000,000. However, this is cut by drastic import duties, the costs of dubbing, printing and distribution and in money lost in converting to dollars. According to reports, American producers who make pictures which receive wide acclaim_ in the Argentine and Mexican markets will receive permanent business from the Spanish Government in the form of permits for exhibition. Allen DuMont To Receive Medal From Wireless Operators Dr. Allen B. DuMont, president of Allen B. DuMont Laboratories, Inc., will be presented the Marconi Memorial Medal of Achievement at the 20th anniversary dinner of the Veteran Wireless Operators Association at the Hotel Astor February 17, it was announced by William J. McGonigle, president of the association. In the past six years, fewer than 12 men have received this award. Dr. DuMont will be the only individual receiving it in 1945. The award is based on the winning of the Army-Navy "E" by his organization and on its pioneering in the field of communication. Republic and Grumman Hold Bowling Match i The Republic bowling team met the Grumman Aircraft "Hellcats" January 31 at the Grumman| plant in Bethpage, L. I., in the first of a threej match series. The total three game pins rolled by Republic were 2,704 against Grumman's winning 2,841. Jane Withers, star of Republic' films, attended, as did company executives and' employees. Individual honors went to F. Persico of Grumman who rolled a series of 659. The second match will be played at the New York Athletic Club February 14. 32 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, FEBRUARY 10, 1945