Showmen's Trade Review (Jan-Mar 1945)

4 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW February 3, 1945 Fabian Calls Allied WAC Rap 'Monkey Wrench'; Scoffs at Inner Circle' Charges S. H. Fabian "This is a helluva time to start quarreling and nagging among ourselves," said Si Fabian, Theatres Division chairman of the War Activities Committee, when asked to comment on a resolution criticizing the WAC recently adopted by the National Allied board of directors, meeting in Columbus, Ohio. "I realize that the war has reached that stage where our nerves may be frayed, but it is more important than ever, now, that we keep our ranks closed and have unity of thought and action so that we can carry on our war effort to the final victory. It would be a sad thing if the motion picture industry — and especially exhibitors — spoiled our splendid record by bickering in the final chapter of the story. "Up to now, I have not received a copy of the reported resolution. I cannot find that Martin Smith or any Allied official has made direct suggestions or complaints. Apparently, that resolution was just something for a press release and, judging by lack of any constructive action, was intended as a 'monkey wrench' to gum up the war machine of WAC, rather than as an implement to improve our usefulness. "If I did not fear that such ill-timed words might hamper the WAC in its forthcoming Red Cross campaign, Seventh War Loan drive, and other vital activities, I would say the resolution was too irresponsible and contrary to fact to merit a reply. However, in the hope of clearing away whatever misunderstandings exist, I must ask my friend Martin Smith, and the others who voted for the resolution, to go a step further and investigate the record. 'Check Committ'ee Memberships' "There are no 'inside' secrets. There are no 'inner circles.' I suggest that National Allied note the membership of our standing committees, and check the committee memberships in each War Bond drive, in each Red Cross Drive, and all the other WAC activities. If the men and committees heading these activities do not represent the industry thoroughly — all branches of the industry, including independent exhibitors — and do not represent all sections of the country, then I know neither my industry nor my geography. Allied officials, including Mr. Smith, have been asked to serve many times. Many of them did. Allied membership ranks high in the hardworking ranks of WAC. "I agree with one thing reported as appearing in that resolution. Independent exhibitors have done a swell job ; they are the backbone of our effort. And WAC has done everything in its power to recognize that fact. Just check the INDEX TO DEPARTMENTS Advance Dope 45 Box-Office Slants Current Product Summary 52 Feature Booking Guide 48 feature Guide Title Index 51 Hollywood 46 Newsreel Synopses 44 Program Exchange 12 Regional Newsreel 17 Selling the Picture 10 Shorts Booking Guide 53 Short Subject Reviews 44 The Show Builder 42 Theatre Equipment and Maintenance 23 records for names of Allied officers and members. You'll find so many, you'll wonder what all the shooting is about. "There is a great deal more work to be done before the war is won. V olunteers will be needed. We invite the resolution-adopters to join up. It's their war, too. The war is not the property of the War .Activities Committee." 'A Song to Remember' to Be Sold Exclusively on Percentage "A Song to Remember," which is being sold apart from any Columbia program, is the first picture in the company's history to be sold exclusively on percentage, according to A. Montague, general sales manager. Following smash openings at the Orpheum, San Francisco, and the Roxie, Oakland, where it broke all existing records, the film continues its record-breaking business and will be held indefinitely. 3 Companies Discontinue Ross Service for New Checking Plan Three of the five companies said to be participants in a new checking service. Confidential Reports, Inc., have notified Ross Federal Service that they will discontinue Ross service after April 1, it was learned this week. Companies terminating the Ross service are Paramount, RKO and Universal. Whether United Artists and Columbia will follow suit is not known. The proposed checking plan came under Allied's fire last week at the Board of Directors meeting in Columbus because it may permit interchange of information between the companies. Theatres Still on Restricted List for Supplies of Freon Motion picture theatres were not included on the list of industries for which Freon is available without restriction, according to the latest WPB order, which was issued this week. The order permits use of Freon for any refrigeration and air conditioning plants except those in theatres, amusement establishments, banks, clubs, hotels, restaurants, retail stores and service establishments of all kinds. WB Annual Meeting Feb. 20 Annual meeting of Warner Bros, stockholders will be held Feb. 20 at the corporate office of the company in Wilmington, Del. Only business at present scheduled for the meeting is the election of five directors to serve for a two-year term. Samuel Carlisle, Stanleigh P. Friedman, Charles S. Guggenheimer and Morris Wolf have been nominated for reelection, and Samuel Schneider has been named as a new member of the board. ^ Hoffberg Acquires 'Emperor Jones' "Emperor Jones," starring Paul Robeson, has been acquired by J. H. Hofifberg and will be reissued during March. The picture, produced by John Krimsky and Clifford Cochran, was released several years ago by United Artists. 'Hen' Stowell Joins Filmack "Heh" Stowell, recently with the Paramount Studios in Hollywood, has been appointed editor of Inspiration, house organ of Filmack Trailer Co., Chicago. Allied Hits WAC; Re-Elects Smith Re-election of its national officers and passage of a resolution charging that the War Activities Committee has failed to function as a truly representative body of the r industry, were the high''•^ lights of the closing ses ^ sion of Allied States' i board of directors meeting S -wv^ J!«r% ' Columbus last week. * Martin G. Smith of ^> Toledo continues as presi .'fOfc dent of National Allied, and re-elected with him k ^tajP'j^^ were Abram F. Myers as ^ ^^"^ chairman of the board and general counsel ; W. L. Ainsworth as treasurer; Roy E. HarMartin G. Smith rold as secretary, and P. J. Wood as recording secretary. At earlier sessions the Allied board reaffirmed its previous approval of consent decree revision proposals filed by the U. S. Attorney General in U. S. District Court last August, and discussed in closed session product and selling matters of 20th-Fox with that company's president, Spyros Skouras, and vice-president in charge of distribution, Tom J. Connors. Allied's resolution concerning the War Activities Committee included a statement pledging "its continued and loyal support on all matters pertaining to the war effort," but declared that it was the feeling of the board that "the WAC will have no reason for continued existence after the termination of that emergency." The resolution stated that the "inner councils of WAC are not representative of the industry as a whole . . . the authorities and duties of several committees and officers have not been defined or prescribed ; that many of the most important decisions, and the selection of chairmen of the War Loan and other campaigns have been made by two or three individuals without reference to or consultation with members of supposedly responsible committees ... it names individuals familiar with conditions in only a single territory to represent and speak for the entire industry with reference to manpower and material shortages, fuel conservation and other matters not within the original province of the Committee." The board also voted for the continuation of the Caravan committee (from which M. A. Rosenberg, former Allied president, withdrew and was not replaced) ; and authorized H. A. Cole, chairman of the committee on the serial numbering of theatre tickets, to present a plan to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue whereby tax collections would not be disturbed but blind checking would be made far more complicated for representatives of film distributors. SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Title and Trade Mark Registered U. S. Patent Office Published every Friday by Showmen's Trade Review Inc., 1501 Broadway, New York 18, N. Y. Telephone BRyant 9-5606. Charles E. "Chick" Lewis, Editor and Publisher; Tom Kennedy, Associate Editor; Jamei .\. Cron, General Manager ; Ralph Cokain, Managing Editor; David Harris, Business and Circulation Manager; Harold Rendall, Equipment Advertising Manager; West Coast Office, 6777 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood 28, California; Telephone Hollywood 2055. Ann Lewis, manager. Ed Raiden, West Coast Editor. London Representative, Milton Deane, 185 Fleet St., London E.C. 4; Australian Representative, Gordon V. Curie, 1 Elliott St., Homebush, Sydney, Australia. Subscription rates per year $2.00 in the United States and Canada; Foreign, $5.00. Single copies, ten cents. Address all Communications to : SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW 1501 Broadway, New York 18, N. Y.