Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1944)

6 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW November 18, 1944 Seeks Extension of Public Relations Expressing hope that the discussion would result in designation of an advisory committee that would consider postwar cooperation between the industry and various social, civic and religious groups, Will H. Hays, president of the MPPDA, was host at a luncheon in New York Thursday to several leading figures associated with such groups. The representatives of the educational, civic, patriotic, religious, international, cultural, youth and recreational interests who attended the luncheon were present as individuals and not in their organizational capacities, it was made plain by Mr. Hays in announcing the gathering. The meeting was seen as wholly informal, and as designated in the announcement from the Hays office, an "exploratory" approach to com-' mon action in which the program of community service of the industry would work more closely with these various and several interests, with the aim of extending the public relations policy and program of the MPPDA for closer understanding of the industry, its aims and problems on the part of all classes of the public. Trustee Denied Injunction Restraining First Runs Harry N. Ball, trustee of the Penn Theatre, Ambridge, Pa., was denied a preliminary injunction this week in the Federal Court in Pittsburgh on a motion seeking to prevent six major film distributors from entering into first run contracts with other theatres in Ambridge. The Penn Theatre was formerly operated by A. N. Notopoulos, of the Altoona Publix Theatres, Inc., who also was named in the suit and has since reopened a new theatre in Ambridge. Head Goldwyn Promotion in East Leo Katcher, former New York newspaperman, and Claud Morris, former exploitation director in the Chicago territory for United Artists, respectively, have been appointed East Coast publicity representative and exploitation director for Samuel Goldwyn. They will handle Eastern promotion on Goldwyn films. RKO Trade Screens 5 Next Month RKO Radio will hold national trade screenings of five pictures next December 5, 6, and 7. The pictures included are : "Experiment Perilous," "Farewell My Lovely," "Girl Rush," "Nevada," and "The Falcon in Hollywood." Paramount Shows Dec. 14-15 Paramount's third block of the 1944-45 season, comprising "Here Come the Waves," "Dangerous Passage," "For Whom the Bell Tolls," "Practically Yours" and "Double Exposure," will be trade shown on December 14 and IS. INDEX TO DEPARTMENTS Advance Dope 27 Box-Office Slants 8 Current Product Summary 32 Feature Booking Guide 28 Feature Guide Title Index 31 Hollywood 26 Newsreel Synopses 25 Program Exchange 12 Regional Newsreel 16 Selling the Picture 9 Shorts Booking Guide 33 Short Subject Reviews 25 Now \f*s Bean Shooters A new type of bean shooter — perhaps one of the first innovations for postwar plastics (they're built of plastic) — are a current menace to theatres in Detroit. Bean shooter marksmen, it appears, find the screens of Detroit theatres alluring targets for their skill, with results of destructive damage to the screens. The menace has grown to such proportions that Co-Operative Theatres of Michigan has started action toward creation cf a new ordinance to prohibit bean shooting in theatres, or out also if necessary, to end such nuisance as theatre owners in Detroit have suffered from the bean shooter pastime. RKO Appoints Whitaker V-P; Durning Named Director N. Peter Rathvon, president of Radio-KeithOrpheum Corporation, disclosed following a meeting of the board of directors that John M. Whitaker was elected a vice-president, and Harry Durning, collector of the Port of New York, was elected a director. Whitaker has been associated for a number of years with the Atlas Corporation. As vicepresident of RKO, he will have administrative duties, supervise special work and act as assistant to the president. Prior to entering the management phase, Whitaker resigned as a director of RKO. Schless Heads Paramount European Division Robert Schless, formerly general foreign manager for Warner Bros., has been appointed European Division Manager of Paramount Liternational Films, Inc., in a move that involves three new appointments made by John W. Hicks, Jr., president of the foreign unit of Paramount, and announced last week-end. Schless will have charge of, all European territory, including all of Continental Europe, the Near East and North Africa. Henri Michaud, former film divisional sales executive in Europe, has been appointed assistant to the general manager for the division, and Elias Lapinere becomes divisional public relations, publicity and advertising chief. Lapinere served for 12 years as a motion picture advertising director in Europe. The three new appointees will leave for Paris in the near future. Hicks stated, and will make their permanent headquarters there. Glynn and Macdonald in New Posts of W.B. Foreign Unit Warner Bros, this week announced two appointments designed to "achieve better coordination of the company's expanding foreign activities" following the recent promotion of Joseph S. Hummell to complete charge of Continental Europe, Africa, Scandinavia, Palestine and Syria, and Wolfe Cohen to have charge of all activities for South America, Australia, New Zealand and the Far East. The new appointments designate J. J. Glynn, vice-president and treasurer of Warner Bros. Pictures International Corp., as manager of Foreign Branch Operations ; and Karl G. Macdonald, also a vice-president of the foreign unit, as assistant to A'Ir. Cohen. Arthur Abeles Promoted Arthur Abeles, Jr., formerly manager for Warner Bros, in Uruguay, will take over the post of general manager for the company in Argentina. Abeles succeeds Harry Novak, resigned. Church Group Buys Ads To Ban Sunday Shows For the first time on record a religious organization used the advertising columns of a newspaper in its propaganda opposing Sunday showings of all forms of amusements. This occurred in Bonham, in the Fannin County of Texas, when the Baptist Association bought a two-column 21-inch advertisement in the Bonham Favorite. Charging opposition to the "cause of Christ," the association condemned Sunday shows, and asserted that midnight shows on Saturday is "a hindrance to Sunday school attendance." Major J. S. Cole, theatre owner and exhibitor, retaliated in the following day's issue of that newspaper by releasing a story of the special stamp issued by the U. S. Postofiice commemorating the SOth anniversary of the motion picture industry, and reciting the services of the industry in war time activities. No undue alarm was expressed by Maj. Cole over the charge, which he declared was the outgrowth of a Baptist evangelical meeting held locally. Raymond Blank Memorial To Be Dedicated Dec. 3 The Raymond Blank Memorial Hospital for Children, Des Moines, will be dedicated Sunday, December 3. Invitations to the ceremonies marking the dedication have been sent by Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Blank to many prominent people in the film industry. The hospital was built as a memorial to their son by Mr. and Mrs. Blank. Will Rebuild Grand Theatre Plan for rebuilding the Grand Theatre in Wildwood, N. J., destroyed by fire early this month, was announced by William C. Hunt, president of Hunt's theatres. Thalheimer and Weitz, Philadelphia architects, who designed the Shore Theatre have been commissioned for the job. Carter Barron {The Man on the Cover) Loew's District Manager in Washington, D. C, who, as general cinairman of the national meeting of the Variety Clubs of America, is supervising all details of the important events which will take place in connection therewith — including the formal presentation of the 1944 Humanitarian Award to Secretary of State Cordell Hull. Barron is National Assistant Chief Barker of the 'Variety Clubs, is one of the outstanding theatremen of the country and has served conspicuously in many war activities and affairs of national importance with which the industry' has been identified. SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Title and Trade Mark Registered U. S. Patent Offici Published every Friday by Showmen's Trade Review Inc., 1501 Broadway, New York 18, N. Y. Telephonf BRyant 9-5606. Charles E. "Chick" Lewis, Editor and Publisher; Tom Kennedy, Associate Editor; Jamei A. Cron, General Manager; David Harris, Businesi 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. LKjndon Representative. Milton Deane, 185 Fleet St., London E.C. 4; Auitralian Representative, Gordon V. Curie, 1 Elliott St.. Homebush, Sydney, Australia. Subscription rates pei 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.