Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1946)

Revise New York License Code For Theatres March 4 has been set as the date on which License Commissioner Benjamin Fielding of New York City will begin a series of conferences with industry groups preliminary to the actual setting up of licensing regulations to replace those now in force. Commissioner Fielding is conducting an eightcity survey of amusement licenses as the initial step toward the establishment of an entirely new model code for the city. Mr. Fielding first apprised the industry of his intention to completely revise New York theatre license regulations at the annual luncheon-meeting of the Motion Picture Associates held last Wednsday. In addition to industry representatives, participants in developing the new code will include officials from the city's water, buildings and fire departments, the Commissioner said. Short Product in First Run Houses New Company Formed to Import French Shorts A French company, A. F. Films, Inc., has been incorporated in the United States to handle distribution in the U. S. and in Canada of short subjects produced by Actualities Francaises, the French Government newsreel. This was announced as the former motion picture division of the French Press and Information Service in New York was reorganized into two sections. According to an announcement by Simon Schififrin, outgoing bureau head who has joined Loew's International as French liaison, the import company is part of the reorganization while the other division of the former film bureau will operate as a component part of the film division of the French Ministry of Information. UA Names Dickstein As Goldhar's Aide Abe Dickstein has been promoted to the post of assistant to Jack Goldhar, eastern sales manager for United Artists, it was announced Tuesday by J. J. Unger. general sales manager. Mr. Dickstein succeeds Phil Dow, who resigned after 19 years with the company, 10 years as assistant to Harry Gold, sales executive. Mr. Dow's new post will be with the Howard Hughes office as assistant to Mr. Gold. Mr. Dickstein, who joined the UA home office sales staff in 1933, assumes his new duties March 4! Appointment of Mr. Dickstein's successor as assistant to Edward M. Schnitzer will be announced shortly. NEW YORK— Week of February 25 CAPITOL: Merida and Campeche MGM Magic on a Sfick MGM Feature: The Harvey Girls MGM CRITERION: Apple Andy Universal Feature: Scarlet Street Universal GLOBE; Musical Novelties Vifaphone The Good Egg Vitaphone Feature: Tarzan and the Leopard Woman. . . . RKO HOLLYWOOD: Baseball Bugs Vitaphone Hitler Lives? Vifaphone Feature: Saratoga Trunk Warner Bros. PARAMOUNT: The Little Witch ... Paramount Feature: Miss Susie Slagle's Paramount RIALTO: Jasper and the Beanstalk .Paramount Paddle Your Own Paramounf Feature: House of Horrors Universal RIVOLI: House Tricks Paramount Animalology Paramounf Feature: The Lost Weekend Paramount ROXY: Life With Baby (March of Time) 20fh Cenf.-Fox Feature: Fallen Angel 20th Cent.-Fox STRAND: Book Revue Vifaphone Feature: My Reputation Warner Bros. Squires Joins Wiliard Commander John Squires has been appointed assistant general manager of Wiliard Pictures, New York. For the past three and a half years he has been supervising Navy motion picture production. CHICAGO— Week of February 25 APOLLO: Job Ahead for '46.. .2Qth Cent.-Fox Getting Glamour MGM Feature: The Lost Weekend Paramount CHICAGO: Job Ahead for '46 .20th Cent.-Fox Feature: Doll Face 20th Cent.-Fox GARRICK: House Tricks Paramount Job Ahead for '46 20fh Cenf.-Fox Feature: A Walk in the Sun 20th Cent.-Fox ORIENTAL: Job Ahead for '46.20fh Cenf.-Fox Feature: Blithe Spirit United Artists ROOSEVELT: Job Ahead for '46 20th Cent.-Fox Life With Baby {March of Time! 20fh Cenf.-Fox Feature: The Fallen Angel 20th Cent.-Fox STATE LAKE: Job Ahead for '46 20fh Cenf.-Fox Donald's Crime RKO Feature: Spellbound United Artists UNITED ARTISTS: Michigan Ski-Daddle Vitaphone Job Ahead for '46 20fh Cenf.-Fox Feature: The Harvey Girls MGM John P. Nick Seeking Post In St. Louis Film Union In an effort to regain control of the stagehands and film operators' union in St. Louis, John P. Nick is circulating petitions intended to amend bylaws in anticipation of an election of officers in May in the Theatrical Brotherhood Union, Local No. 6. Nick, one time head of the union, is currently a stagehand at Loew's Orpheum in St. Louis, after serving a term at Leavenworth for violation of anti-racketeering laws. He was released in March, 1945. Movie Songs, New Fan Publication, Appears The new monthly fan magazine, Movie Songs, edited by Charles Reed Jones, former advertising and publicity director of Republic, went on sale this week. It is published by Movie Songs, Inc., an affiliate of Song Lyrics, Inc., publishers of Song Hits Magazine. Louise M. Collins is associate editor ; Melvin R. Mark, art director, and Joseph C. Martin, promotion manager. Hollywood editor is Juliette Laine. Admissions Up In Two Cities Two cities reported an increase in admission prices this week. Following admission increases in several theatres, Harry F. Shaw, Loew Poll division manager, reported a similar rise from 55 to 60 cents Monday through Friday at the Poli, Majestic and Globe theatres in Bridgeport. Other theatres in Bridgeport have already instituted a 60-cent top admission for weekends. In Wilmington, Del., all Warner Brothers theatres have increased their prices five cents. For the present other theatres in and around the city have maintained the same price as during the war. Last week, Motion Picture Herald in a survey of key centers throughout the country reported that with a few exceptions theatre admissions were holding the price line established in recent years despite the increase in the cost of living and theatre operation. Birdwell and Brennan Form New Producing Company Russell Birdwell, public relations counsellor, has formed a production company in Hollywood which will start operating about March 1. Frederick Hazlitt Brennan will serve as associate producer, and Paul H. Sloane has been signed as director. The first picture scheduled will be "Merchant of Death," an original story by Mr. Brennan. Legi jion of Decency Reviews Five New Productions The National Legion of Decency reviewed five new productions this week, approving all but one. In class A-II, unobjectionable for adults, were "Genius at Work," "House of Horrors," "Smooth as Silk" and "Two Sisters from Boston." "The Gentleman Misbehaves" was placed in Class B, objectionable in part, because of "light treatment of marriage." 20th-Fox Party March 5 The Twentieth Century-Fox Family Club will hold its winter party at the Carnival Club, New York, March 5. Milton Berle will be master of ceremonies. William C. Gehring is club president. CBS Acquires Aivin The Columbia Broadcasting System has purchased the Alvin theatre, New York, now housing the musical, "Billion Dollar Baby." The theatre was built in 1929 at a cost in excess of $1,000,000. 40 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MARCH 2. 1946