Showmen's Trade Review (Jan-Mar 1940)

Page 4 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW January 6, 1940 WB TO RELEASE GOLDWYN PIC FILM LAWS "The Westerner" 1st of a Few Outside Pix For Warners in 1940 Warner Bros, has concluded a contract with Samuel Goldwyn for the release of the latter's forthcoming picture, "The Westerner". At the same time, it was announced that Warner Bros, was gearing its organization to handle a few outside pictures every year. The company recently announced the complete elimination of its "B" unit and the latest announcement presages a cut in Warner production plans as well. Goldwyn, according to United Artists, has an exclusive contract with the latter to distribute all of the pictures he makes until 1945. Any move to distribute his pictures elsewhere would be met by le.gal action according to United Artists. Goldwyn is a part owner of UA. Allied Directors Will Meet This Month Whether National Allied's annual hoard of directors meeting would be held Jan. 17-18 or Jan. 24-25 was expected to be definitely decided sometime this week. Sessions, in either event, will be held in Washington. Among important matters for discussion will be the election of officers and selection of a convention citv. Exhibs Against Neely Bill May March _ Reported to be in the formulative stage is a virtual "march on Washington" by between 3,000 and 4,000 exhibitors from all parts of the country in protest against the Neely Bill. Following this revelation, Max A. Cohen, head of New York Allied, expressed his willingness to debate the Neely measure with_ any legislator, exliibitor or distributor. RK0,"U^^Acces8oriestoNSS Two or Three More Deals to Be Announced Soon Covering All Advertising Materials Gee! Free Coffee! Four features — "What a Life," "Jamaica Inn," "A Day at the Circus" and "Intermezzo" — and coffee on the house were offered patrons of the Lane Theatre. 181st Street, New Year's Eve. Admission was 35c. Universal and RKO have both closed deals with National Screen Service for distribution of all of their accessories through National's new subsidiary company, Advertising Accessories, Inc., it was announced this week. In addition, two or three more companies will conclude contracts for accessory distribution within a short time, Charles Casanave. vice-president and general manager of Advertising Accessories Inc., announced. A deal with Paramount was announced last week. The new contracts, like that with Paramount, include the exclusive right to handle trailers standard accessories and special accessories. Press books and newspaper ad mats will be handled by Advertising Accessories, The original layouts and visuals for all paper will be handled by the individual companies but the actual production and distribution of it will be done by Advertising Accessories. They will be strictly on a rental basis. As much of the personnel a*; possible will be absorbed by Advertising Accessories, Inc. Whatever is unabsorbed will be taken by the various companies, it is said. The material will be hancHed b}' Advertising Accessories, Inc. ir each of the 31 exchange centers In those exchanges wdiere National Screen Service has no of fice at present, the Paramount ex change will be used temvorarily These are Albany, Buffalo, New Haven, PittsbiTgh, Cincinnati, Salt Lake City, Indianapolis, Milwaukee and Portland. (Fuller details of hozv the plan will work will he found on paqe 17) EDINGTON NAMED RKO PRODUCER Succeeds Berman, Who Goes To MGM Feb. 1 Ending all speculation. President George J. Schaefer last week announced the appointment of Harry Edington as executive producer of RKO Radio to succeed Pandro S. Berman. Edington will be responsible for, and will be in charge of all the more important pictures to be made by RKO in Hollywood, Schaefer added that Lee Marcus would continue as executive producer in charge of the balance of RKO's program. J. J. Nolan continues as assistant to the president, in charge of all studio operations. This week it was announced that Berman would join MGM Feb. 1 on a 3-year deal as a producer. The former RKO studio chief stated that it had been his ultimate ambition to be with MGM. Theatre Tele 1940 Prospect RCA's Announcement Indicates Lively Race in Large-Screen Market _ Introduction of "improved projection of large screen television images, of a size adequate for theatre prese'ntation," will be made by RCA during 1940, it was announced this week bv RCA President David Sarnoff. ^ That RCA is preparing to develop the theatrical television field is a disclosure of paramount importance to the industry. The Federal Communications Commission's approval of limited commercialization is virtually assured, following public hearings on its television committee's recommendations which begin Jan. 15. Besides RCA, other companies, including General Electric and DuPont, have been working quietly for some time on large screen television. RCA's an presages livelv nouncement race. Baird television, whicli suffered a standstill in the LTnited Kingdom because of the war, is again said to be considering the possibilities of the American market. Sarnoff pointed to a second important television development scheduled for demonstration next year, that of television relay stations using frequencies of 500 megacycles and up which, according to SarnofT, is the forerunner of a television network. Hammons Prepares To Revitalize GN E. W. Hammons, Grand National president, apparently assured that the RFC loan will be forthcoming sometime this week is movin.g to restore activity in his organization. The first move it is expected, will be the closing of two or more production deals with producers who are said to be ready to go on word from Hammons that re-financing is complete. Another move will be the acquisition of several completed independently-made features. Simultaneously, re-building of the sales force is exoected to get under way. One picture for GN release will be made in the East, it is understood. Maclntyre on Trip On behalf of the Ned Depinet Drive, Herb Maclntyre, captain of the campaign, left this week on a trip which will take him to 38 exchange centers in the \]. S. and Canada. UP]N N. Y. Legislature To Get Several Bills A number of bills affecting films may be passed with legislatures of a number of states as well as the Federal Congress convening this week. Chief item of interest in Congress is the possibility of either a repeal of the Federal Admissions tax or a lowering of the present exemption of 10 cents. In New York State a mo\'e to legalize Bingo is set for introduction. Exhibitor interests will oppose the measure, it was said. Once again the Crews Bill requiring two men in every motion picture booth will be introduced. This measure, consistently fought by exhibitors has been passed by the Assembly several times but never passed by both houses. Another bill affecting theatres would eliminate or license billboards and still another is the possibilitv of a statewide sales tax. Hold Neely Bill Mass Meet at Astor Hotel With a generous representation from the equipment and other branches of the industry but only a fairly large crowd, a Neely Bill mass meeting was held Wednesday at the Hotel Astor. Aside from two or three non-exhibitor suggestions from the floor, the meeting was unenthusiastic and lacking in anything constructive for the fight against the measure. Beano Resumes Springfield, Mass. — Discontinued 'luring the holiday season. Beano 'i'-enses will be issued for operation of games. SHOWMEN'S MOTION PICTURE Trade Review Vol. 31, No. 24 Jan. 6, 1940 Title and Trade Marti Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Charles E. "Chick" Lewis Editor and Publisher TOM KENNKDY A<;sociate Editor TOS. H. GAT LAGHER Film Adv. Merr. HAROT.n KENDALL Equin Adv. Mgr. ROBERT WILE Maragine: Editor WEST COAST OFFICE ANN LEWIS, We=t Coa>=t Manager r-iiaranty Bldg., Hnllvwood Blvd. Hollywood, Cal. Tel. HOllywood 1390 CHICAGO REPRESENTATIVE MARSHALL REINTG 612 No. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 111. Telephone: Superior 7646 LONDON REPRESENTATIVE JOCK MacGREGOR, 20 Port^ea Place Hyde Park. W., London. Eng. AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATIVE GORDON V. CURTE, 1 Elliott Street Homebush, Sydney. Australia Showmen's Trade Review is published weekly by Showmen's Trade Review. Inc. Publiration office. 34 North Crvstal St., F.nst Stroud=hurg, Pa. Editorial and adi-ertising offices, l.'iOl Uroadwav, New York City. Tel.: Bryant 9-.S6n6. Subscription price in the TTnited States and Can nda, $2.00 per year. Foreign, $S.O0 per vpar Sin.gle copies, ten cent.s. Subscribers hould remit with order. All contents copyrighted 1940.