Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1947)

Salesman Union Not to Affiliate, Chief Insists The Colosseum of Motion Picture Salesmen of America will operate independently and will not affiliate with any union, Arthur M. Van Dyke, president, said this week in Chicago: "We cannot unionize at any time except by a 51 per cent vote of our membership," Mr." Van Dyke, who also is sales manager for the 20th-Fox exchange in Chicago, said. "We want no union affiliation unless we can not get a fair deal as film men dealing with film men." Mr. Van Dyke heads the Colosseum's three-men negotiating committee, which also includes N. Provencher, with United Artists in Milwaukee, and Mel Keller, with Warner in Portland, Ore. They will be assisted by David Benzor of Milwaukee, their counsel. Mr. Van Dyke said three distributors already had replied to letters sent by the group, asking that discussions relating to an improvement of the salesmen's status be held. All distributors acknowledged receipt of the communication. The Colosseum head denied that his group would make any large-scale demands on the distributors, but pointed to the cost-of-living increases received by all other unions affiliated with the motion picture industry. Film exchange employes had received two separate raises of 10 and 15 per cent within the past two years while production workers had been given increases that amounted to $11,000,000. The film salesmen, on the other hand, had received only a five dollar a week salary raise and that after a series of long discussions, he said. This was not enough to make up for the extra cost of living, he stated, pointing out that gasoline and other fuel costs, for instance, have gone up, but mileage expenses have not. The first national convention of the Colosseum was held last December in St. Louis. It is understood the group has a membership of 500 in 13 cities. Film Shipment Rates Up in Oklahoma Rates for shipping film in Oklahoma will be raised April 13. The State Corporation Commission has approved them. Four express firms lead in film shipment in that state. The major one is Mistletoe Express Service, operating more than 25,000 miles per day. The company rate will be increased an average 20 cents per 100 pounds ; and returns will no longer be given a 50 per cent discount. 180 Book Warner Bill Approximately 180 first. run theatres have been set to play Warner Brothers' combination reissue bill comprising "The Sea Hawk" and "The Sea Wolf." The bill goes into general release April 26. IN NEWS REELS MOVIETONE NEWS— Vol. 29, No. 63^-UN hears Austin on Greece. . . . Big four attend ballet. . . . Haifa oil plant set afire. . . . Easter in Jerusalem. . . . Self-parking device demonstrated. . . . Geese in Iowa skies. . . . Baseball's Cy Young is 80. . . . Winter skiing-. . . . Surf thrills. MOVIETONE NEWS — Vol. 29, No. 64— President Truman asks for strong U. S. . . . Telephone strike cuts service throughout country. . . . Nation celebrates Easter. . . . Britain's Royal Family visits Zulus. . . . Air power demonstration at Ft. Benning. . . . North American figure skating championship. NEWS OF THE DAY— Vol. 18, No. 261— Oil fire in Haifa. . . . King Paul rules Greece. . . . Ballet entertains Big Four. . . . Surf thrills. . . . Living statues. . . . Sporting deer. NEWS OF THE DAY— Vol. IS, No. 262— President asks for strong country. . . . New York, Yosemite celebrate Easter. . . . Jamaica race track opens in downpour. . . . Barbara Ann Scott wins figure skating championship. . . . Air power demonstration. . . . Telephone strike in New York and Chicago. . . . Royal Family visits Zulus. PARAMOUNT NEWS— No. 64-India's last Viceroy. . . . Big Four at Moscow ballet. . . . Palestine blast. . . . New king rules Greece. . . . UN probes border incident. . . . Gas tanks make fine boats. . . . water skiing. PARAMOUNT NEWS — No. 65— Demaret wins golf title. . . . French blow up fortifications. . . . Howard Hughes in test flight. . . . French actress praises Hollywood. . . . Safety strike and coal crisis. . . . Zulus welcome King and Chieen. RXO PATHE NEWS— Vol. 18, No. 66^-Tanker snaps in half. . . . Big Four at Moscow ballet. . . . Haifa oil explosion. . . . Floods in ruined Germany. . . . Van Gogh paintings shown. . . . Coast Guard battles surf. RXO PATHE NEWS — Vol. 18, No. 67.— DeGaulli? praises British forces. . . . The man who slew Mussolini. . . . Zulus entertain King and Queen. . . . John L. Lewis blasts Government. UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL— Vol. 20, No. 27— New Greek king. . . . Big Four at ballet. . . . All-Asia conference at New Delhi .... Floods sweep Spain. .... Circus prepares for spring. . . . Surf thrills. . . . Geese migrating. . . . Night water skiing. UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL — Vol. 20, No. 28— Easter services celebrated. . . . National telephone strike. . . . Lewis blasts Government. . . . Viceroy at New Delhi. . . . Train wreck in Illinois Royal Family visits Zulus. . . . Jamaica racing season opens in rain British Winners in Drive Welcomed by Paramount The six winners in Paramount's British quota sales drive were welcomed to New York at a reception April 2 in the recreation room of the company's home office. The winners were : Dave Gilpin and Ashley Bate, of the London branch ; Thomas Ledger and Clifford Cox, of Newcastle; Nellie Nisbet, of Liverpool, and Alice Holt of Cardiff, all of them but Mr. Cox, members of the Paramount 25-Year Club. They were welcomed by Adolph Zukor, chairman of the board. Marines Honor Warners The Marine Corps has awarded a citation to Jack L. Warner, for Warner Brothers, in recognition of that company's aid to the Marines' recent recruiting program. The citation is the only honor of its kind to be conferred on a motion picture company by the Marine Corps. Mexico City Theatre Opens The new Prado theatre, Mexico City, the first house to be operated outside the U. S. by the Trans-Lux Circuit of New York, opened April 2 with Warners' "Deception." Warner product exclusively will be shown in the 800-seat theatre for the next 26 weeks. Released thru MOTION PICTURE HERALD, APRIL 12, 1947 45