Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1946)

Warner to Hold Five Regional Sales Meetings Five regional sales meetings, attended by branch managers, field men and district managers, will be conducted by Warner Bros, division sales managers following the three-day conference of district managers and home office executives held this week at the Hotel Blackstone in Chicago. Ben Kalmenson, vice-president in charge of sales, presided. The main purpose of the country-wide meetings is to launch the annual Warner sales drive, March 31 through July 27. Mr. Kalmenson outlined the drive to district managers at the opening session Thursday, pointing out that another new record in sales was possible this year because the company was prepared to release as many pictures as the market could absorb. Mort Blumenstock, vice-president in charge of advertising and publicity, discussed the merchandising aspects of forthcoming product, citing not only intensified national campaigns but also the greater attention now given to helping the local* exhibitor get the most out of his engagements. Instead of merely supplying exhibitors with press books and letting them do their own exploitation, Mr. Blumenstock said, the company has now embarked on a policy of "applied showmanship" which is being carried out through an enlarged staff of field public relations men. Norman H. Moray, short subject sales manager and designated by Mr. Kalmenson as captain of the sales drive, also spoke and will talk at each of the regional meetings. The district managers' meeting was to continue until Saturday, when the first of the regional sessions was to get under way at the Blackstone with Roy Haines, western and southern division sales manager, holding a two-day conference. The four other sessions are scheduled for Pittsburgh, March 5-6; New York, March 9; Memphis, March 15-16, and San Francisco, March 22-23. RCA Reports Net for 1945 of $1 1,317,068 Net earnings of Radio Corporation of America in 1945 amounted to $11,317,068, equivalent to 58.8 cents per share of common stock, it was disclosed in the RCA 26th annual report released Wednesday by David Sarnoff, president. This compares with $10,263,291 in 1944, when earnings after payment of preferred dividends were equivalent to 51.2 cents per share. Total gross income from all sources amounted to $279,503,615, compared with $326,421,913 in 1944, a decrease of 51.2 cents per share. The total earned surplus at December 31, 1945, amounted to $49,038,127, an increase of $4,393,040, over surplus at the end of 1944. IN NEWSREELS MOVIETONE NEWS— Vol. 28, No. 51-Canadian expedition "invades" Arctic. . . . New Cardinals meet in Rome . . . Banquet for UNO members. . . . U. S. UNO delegates return. . . . Woman of the year. . . . Greek war heroes. . . . New passenger giant. . . . Sports: Golden Gloves, bobsled racing, diving. MOVIETONE NEWS— Vol. 28, No. 52— New Cardinals receive their hats. NEWS OF THE DAY— Vol. 17, No. 248— UNO ends first session. . . . U. S. Cardinals in Rome. . . . Swedish Prince weds. . . . The housewife speaks. . . . Ski thrills. . . . New sky giant. . . . Women of the year. NEWS OF THE DAY— Vol. 17, No. 259 Pope Pius elevates Cardinals. . . . General Eisenhower visits G. I. hospital. . . . Cutting down the Navy. . . . Rickshaw derby. . . . Toboganning. PARAMOUNT NEWS— No. 52— New sky giant. . . . UNO' delegates back home. . . . Housing — action for vets. . . . Five die in blast. . . . Canada probes Arctic wastes, . . . Golden Gloves. PARAMOUNT NEWS— No. 53— New Cardinals elevated. . . . India brideless wedding. . . . Taxi trouble. . . . More war brides. . . . Bobsled champions. RKO P.A.THE NEWS— Vol. 17, No. 54— UNO delegates home. . . . Bradley urges action on vet problems. . . . Task force in Arctic. . . . First jet squadron in flight. . . . Find missing Italian royalty. . . . Royal opera opens in London. RKO PATHE NEWS— Vol. 17, No. 55— Taxi drivers drive on Washington. . . . Richelieu home to France. . . .China celebrates new year. . . . Cardinals receive hats. UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL— Vol. 19, No. 479-UNOi delegates back. . . •. New airliner. . . . Arctic expedition. . . . Three trains in crash. . . . Floods in Britain. . . . Prince weds . . . Golden Gloves. UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL— Vol. 19, No. 480 Cardinals elevated. , . . Chinese new year. . . . Reunion in Honolulu. . . . Bobsledding. Quebec Ban on Children Again Is Under Attack Quebec's Motion Picture Act of 1928, which bans children under 16 from theatres again is under attack, this time by the Youth Bureau in Montreal, which believes the act "deprives children of enjoyable recreation and wholesome education, and encourages disrespect for the civil law." A resolution drawn up by the Youth Bureau has been forwarded to Premier Maurice Duplessis requesting that specially selected theatres be allowed to admit children nine years of age and over on Saturdays and specified holidays between 9 A. M. and 6 P. M. The Bureau also has asked other organizations in the city to back their move. The Motion Picture Act came into effect shortly after the disastrous Laurier Palace theatre fire of 1928. Children are still admitted to films in church halls, community centers and hall basements, but the Youth Bureau maintains many of these lack proper safeguards and supervision, thus endangering lives, Use Radio Widely to Promote "Tonnorrow" An extensive radio advertising program was used to launch "Tomorrow Is Forever," the International-RKO Radio picture, which had its premiere last week at New York City's Winter Garden. In addition to 932 paid day spots and 300 after-midnight spots contracted for the film, several contests were staged. Stars Claudette Colbert and Orson Welles made guest appearances on several interview programs. 60,000,000 Feet Of Stock Shipped In Lend'Lease Under lend-lease agreements, the United States shipped more than 60,000,000 feet of 35mm raw stock abroad during the war, it is shown by figures now being compiled by the Department of Commerce. The figures also show that large quantities of 16mm raw stock were shipped for the filming of military and related activities. During the period between the beginning of lend-lease, in 1941, and September, 1945, a total of 22,742,800 feet of positive and 784,400 feet of negative 35mm film was shipped to Russia. The United Kingdom acquired 3,883,500 feet of positive and 1,488,700 feet of negative, while Australia got 2,840,700 feet of positive and 720,000 feet of negative. Other shipments included 31,600 feet of positive and 201,600 feet of negative to China, 6,864,000 feet of positive to Egypt, and 51,700 feet of positive to New Zealand; 14,468,700 feet of positive and 3,936,600 feet of negative to India, and 496,025 feet of positive to the Union of South Africa. Smaller quantities went to other countries, including 330,000 feet of positive to Ceylon. A total of 129,046,000 feet went to Brazil, and 5,600 feet to Malta. The figures will cover only lend-lease and will not include purchases by countries not entitled to aid, such as Argentina, which sought, but did not get, considerable quantities of raw stock. Academy Award Theatre Radio Series Is Set A weekly half-hour dramatic radio show to be built around motion pictures that have won or been nominated for Academy awards will be broadcast over CBS beginning March 30. Jean Hersholt, Academy president, has announced that a 15-year contract for use of the name of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has been signed with E. R. Squibb and Sons. The program, to be known as the Academy Award Theatre, will in some instances feature film players who have won or been nominated for Academy "Oscars." The Academy will not assist in producing or casting the programs. Schwartz Reelected Head By Cleveland Exhibitors All officers of the Cleveland Motion Picture Exhibitors Association were re-elected by acclamation February 20, including Ernest Schwartz, president; Albert E. Ptak, vice-president; George W. Erdmann, secretary, and James E. Scoville, treasurer. Frank Gross was added to the board of directors, with all present members reelected. Mr. Schwartz has headed the organization more than 15 years. Red Cross collections during one program change in subsequent run independent theatres were approved. 38' MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MARCH 2, 1946