Variety (May 1941)

PICTUBE8 Wednesday, May 28, 1941 Rights of Privacy, AHergy to U.S. Control Among Reasons for Film Biz s Coolness to Connnl Television The fllm ■ industry-has-adopted ■vir- tually a handsroff policy for tele- vision when it gets the commercial green light Xrom the FCC on July 1. Understood that even major com- panies with a link to the television business via some subsld—such as Paramount and DuMont Labs—so far don't -want television In affiliated theatres. Besides being viewed by fllm com- pany Qnanclal advisors' ag economic- ally impractical presently for show- ing In fllm theatres, no general or modifled rush to spot television in picture houses is anticipated because of Ave basic objections: One is that reproduction on even a ■mallTsized theatre screen does not measure up to the average picture theatre's standard of projection. No. 3, few exhibitors believe there Will be sufficient amount of enter- taining features coming through to add much to the theatre's boxoffice, excepting as a novelty of limited ap- peal. No. S, nobody in the fllm business has been able to detect any advant- age obtained through televlzing even big news events as compared with the better coverage supplied rapidly today by radio and the newsreels. Along with this factor, theatre men point out that televizlng of a sports or national news event is strictly a one-time proposition, good only for « limited audience at a specified time, and seldom for more than an hour of screeh time. No. 4 is the desire not to become entangled In lawsuits which may re- mit from exhibition of televized programs under the rights of privacy complaints. No. 5, the fllm business has no yen to have any part of a-new medium under the direct control of a Gov- ernment body presently engaged in a move to curb the radio networks. Costs Attitude of most exhibitors Is that tha cost of television equipment plus refplacements does not warrant this ■additional investment for the sort of televized picture available on the screen. Also, they, are uncertain whether or not advertising plugs xviU be included on certain television •ubjects. ^ Average exhib thus far is not sold on the quality of televized shows. He does not feel that entertainment contained in the. average televiied. Item measures lip to''anything else he has on his screen.' The factor of time, rated essential when a big news evenC or sports match is televized, does not fit in with the average theatre's idea o( audience turnover or b.o. draw. Coverage'of a national football gamie la good for two hours atid.a half at best. "While the exhib might be able to pa«Ic his theatre during this period, there would be no particular Inducement to see a televized show after the. event had been concluded. The exhibitor also Is convinced that more complete coverage can be ob- tained from newsreels, with better projection and edited .down for audi- ence appeal; The No. 4 objection, .raised by ex- hibitors, is a serious one. Any com- mercial program televising a sports event might conceivably have to ob tain releases from every person ap- pearing in the athletic contest it televlzers ruQ into the same diffi- culty as newsreels have in the past. Failure to obtain such releases on a television entertainment show might lay . the exhib open to damage'suits. Peculiar slant was. aired by the house .organ of American Film Cen- ter, organization which as been sup- ported to date by Rockefeller Foun- dation grants. It details that com- mercial television is regarded favor- ably in the non-Hollywood motion picture fleld because many films were used on television program^ 'Alert to such competition as night baseball, not to speak of pictures,' said the article, 'Hollywood is ex- pected to view the move with alarm. Current feature Alms are withheld from television.' ArnoliTCharities Head Hollywood, May 27. Edward Arnold, president ol the Screen Actors Guild, succeeded Samuel Goldwyn as chairman of Permanent Charities Committee of Motion Picture Industry. Goldwyn resigned after serving one year, but continues as a member of the com- mittee. Other members are King Vidor. of the Screen Directors Guild; Ralph Block, Screen Writers Guild, and Bert Allenberg, Artists Managers Guild. To Skate or Not to Skate (Too Much), Sonja's Quiz Hollywood, May 27. Sonja Henie and 20th Century- Fox are at odds over the number of skating routines to be Included In her current starrer, 'Sun Valley Sere- nade,' completed last week. Under- stood she held out for three ice numbers, with Darryl Zanuck ruling that two are sufficient to show off her virtuosity on the blades, ., I Henie deal with the studio ter-l minates with the completion of this ^ picture and she is understood to be ^ contemplating changing to another company. UeSeCaOsPixCoSelfictinis METRO INTERESTED IN HAPPY FaTON PIX CRIX WIN PREVIEW SKIRMISH IN H'WOOD HoUywofid, May 27. Preview problem was Ironed out by Y. Frank Freeman and the Hol- lywood correspondents at a friendly dinner attended by a committee rep- resenting the Studio Publicity Direc- tors. Result is that all pictures will be previewed in this vicinity before they are shown elsewhere. Agree- ment calls for a two-week clear- ance, except when prevented by physical problems. Writers had originally asked for a four-week clearance a two-week pact, even though it may often entail doubling or tripling pre- views on the same day. The cricks paid for the dinner, something imus.ual in huddles. Happy Felton, who with Jay C. Flippen recently took over the roles , vacated by Olsen and Johnson In 'Hellzapoppin,' was optioned by i Metro last week. Deal is now being 'set, following visit in New York of \ Arthur Freed, Metro producer, who I saw Felton work in the revue. ! Freed has nothing particular in mind for the oversize comedian, who until recently led his own band. Metro producer; who will do 'Panama Hattle' next, also tenta- tively lined up Gene Kelly, currently In 'Pal Joey,' for the studio. There wUl be no attempt by the Government to prosecute fllm com- pany executives who have testified or will testify Iji-the Bloff-Browne case, according to the U. S. Attorney's office; Oa the contrary, it la explained, the Government considers the film officials in the same light as their companies—that is, as vlcthns, rather than accessories of the alleged Illegal acts of the defendants. Indicated that the executives will be called as witnesses during the trial, to tell the how and why of their itayments to the accused lATSE leaders, but that no action will be taken against them. Browne-Bioff Trial This Sununer; Federal Grand Jury Continuing With Possibility of Additional hdicbnents BIOFF GETS BOND Redactloi\ t« tSO In Ii. A. Sarrcndcr —'Never Extorted a Dime* Trial of the criminal charges of extortion and conspiracy, which are the basis of Indictments against George E. Browne, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes, and Willie Bloff, Browne's assistant In charge of lA labor matters In Hollywood, will the three offenses are 10 years im- prisonment and a fine of $10,000. Trial of the case, Correa says, is expected jo throw some light on old charges against Bloff, who resigned from lATSE In the latter part of 1938 after 'he was -accused in labor circles of having betrayed his union by receiving $100,000 from Joe Schenck, who was chairman of take place in New York this sunv- special labor committee of fllm pro- mer, according to Mathias F. Correa, | ducers. It was alleged that Bloff U. S. attorney, who will personally I fwe'ved the money after the union ,_ J, »i. -PI.- \r.A\^^ •>* represented had signed an agree- handle the prosecution. The mdlct- . ^^^^ Hollywood technical ments were handed to U. S. Judge ■ workers. Films Eipbin Defense Program to Citizenry Murray Hulbert by a Federal grand . , jury on Friday (23). They charge Hisattorne^;ilX?th^t''L'L!th.t Browne and Bloff over a a property owner here of seven years period since 1936 had shaken down Mv iQKPn rnr residence, Willie Bloff was granted a' four of the major fllm companies /ilp^H ?o I reduction of bond from the $50,0001 for $550,000 under threats of calling thouffh itmav flted by the New York court to strikes In the fllm studios and mo- inougn may ^ ^^en he surrendered last tion picture theatres. Saturday (24) at the Federal build- Victims of the blackmail are he .Mnner ing to an tadlctment charging extor- Loew's, Inc.. Paramount, 20th Cen- Hollvwood "on and conspiracy returned against Hury-Fox and Warner Bros. ' him and George Browne by a Fed- The Brand jury investigation con- eral grand Jury in New York. U. S. Commissioner David B. Head over- ruled William Hall, assistant U. S.; Boris Kostelanetz. would not di- attorney, who contended 'circum-, vulge whether additional Indict- stances have arisen since Bioff's In- ments may be expected Following his resignation, the JA voted Bloff a year's salary. Later he returned to work for the union in Hollywood where he has - re- mained, with the exception of a brief hiatus in the Chicago Brldwell, where he served out a sentence for pandering in 1922. Another case developed by Cor- rea against Schenck bears a rela- tionship to the Browne-Bioff indict- ments. It Is the charges, still un- HoUywood, May 27. Complete idea of the U. S. defense program is being worked out by Metro in a series of two-reelers ex- come tax indictment which Indicate a bond of $50,000 is necessary, es- pecially since so large an amount. tlnues. although Correa and his staff , ^^ied, alleging that the fllm producer assistants, Edward J. Ennis and committed perjury In 1939 when he -■ was questioned by agents of the In- ternal Revenue bureau investigating Bioff's income. ' Bloff was indicted Bloff surrendered to the U. S. at- ^ California following that inquiry tomey In Los Angeles on Saturday charges that he had failed to re- (24), and was held in $23,000 bail i Por* Pay taxes on $100,000 in cash $550:odb. is involved i5 the extorUon pending removal Proceedings on ; ""d lS^OM^n sto^^^^^ Is sa.d to June 5. Date.of his pleading m New receivea m nn. York will be set after the Coast legal routine. ' Bench warrant for the arrests of both men was Issued by Judge Hul- case. Commissioner •Head riiled that $25,000 bond was sufficient and or- plalning what is planned and what i dered Bloff released when it was the general public thinks about it. > posted. Removal hearing was set for , , ^ o. j Edwin L.' Cahn, director, Is now , June 5, at which thne it will be de- bert after the indictments were filed, in Washington conferring with WU- I terihlned whether or not BioS should | Browne, who Is said to be >" Chi L. A. SAU BAV6H'& MUSTANGEB Fort Worth, May 27. •SUngln' Sam' Bai-?h, of the Wash- ington Redskins and Texas Christian football teams, has been ordered to report June 7 for filming of 'King of the Texas Rangers.' Baugb Is to l^e the 'king* in the horse opera. Uucb of It will be' filmed In Texas. li«m S. Knudsen, chief of national production, about Hollywood's co- operation. MORE BUILDUP? Wellea and Hearst Check Into Same S. F. Hotel report to the New^cago, had not been apprehended up to last night. Corro's rrofresslm'" ' In a review of the grand jury action, Correa declared that the in- be ordered to York court Despite .protestations of his attor- neys, Bioff was again fingerprinted by Federal deputy marshals, who rC' Grand Jury Aids Hollywood. May 27. It's been disclosed the Los Angeles County Grand Jury is joining forces with the Government In the lATSE investigation. Inquiry is largely concerned vyrith L^i;? seizure of'Tech-, nicians'' Local 37, and the testimony of lA officials in Superior court on i invoking a 'special emergency' to I take over control of the Technicians fused to be deterred by the fact that' dlctments are the result of a con he had been put through that process tlnuation of the investigation by i Unlpn. There is chaos In the studio when arrested on the Income tax hi- Treasury Department agents into locals as result of the Browne-Bioff dlctment. I y,g income tax matters of Joseph M. federal indictments, with • many It was announced by the district Schenck, recently resigned chairman ' moves under discussion to protect attorney's office that the indictment of the board of 20th Century-Fox." the interests of the workers. One group is said to have over- San Francisco, May 27. ^ On the eve of a sellout opening ! *Winst Bioff .on charges of defraud-'one of the counts in the Schenck (Tuesday) of 'Citizen Kane,' at the '"8 *'>e Government of $84,336 in indictment was that he had paid to Geary theatre, both Orson Welles ! income taxes would be redrawn to Bioff $100,000 in 1937, which was and William Randolph Hearst, who i include the amounts named in the not accounted for. Explanation of claims to be an unfavorable counter- New York indictment ' the payment or 'loan' was unsatis- patt of the 'Kane' character, checked Aside from stating, '1 don't know factory to the government prosecu- into the Fairmount hotel here, anythmg about the charges, I never tors at the Schenck trial. When asked if this was 'inspire- extorted a dime from anybody,'; Bloff already Is under Indictment tional' or 'coincidental,' WeUes re- Bioff let hisjttorneys do all the talk- for income tax evasions in Calif or piled: 'My inspirations are mostly coincidental. I'd like to send him (Hearst) a nota and ,a. couple of tickets, but am afraid he might not take it right Wish he'd see the pic- ture. Think that would end the con- troversy.' Welles' Asthm» Hollywood, May 27. Beverly Hills dratt board today (Tuesday) announced that Orson Welles has been deferred and placed in class 1-B because of bronchial asthma. Hearst papers have been cam- paigning for his immediate induc- tion into the army. mg before Commissioner Head. ! nla. Trial date recently was post Studios said to have been the vie- poned from the middle of June until tims of the alleged extortion, offered the fall term. Correa intends to try no comment on the Brwvne-Bioff ' charges. < tured the CIO, while others are de- manding a hew International setup, with, demands likely to be made on Browne and Bioff for their Imme- diate resignations. Certain AFL reps favor a new fllm industry charter to block a move-in by the CIO. Fred Billingsley, lA Jnternational vice prez in Frisco, Harold Smith, Broones Ankles Republic the extortion and conspiracy charges rep of the International Sound in advance of the income Ux trial. 1 Technicians, and others, were su- The indictment against Bioff and 1 Poenaed for appearance before the Browne charges a continuous con- Grand Jury June 4. Under- spiracy dating back to November, 1935, soon after Browne became na- tional president of lA, and appoint- ed Bioff his representative in Holly- wood labor relations. It alleges that Hollywood, May 27. Martin Broones, former stage pro- ducer and manager of the theatrical, affairs of his wife, Charlotte Green-1 the four corporations 'and other cor wood, checked out of the Republic porations unknown to the grand i studio, where he had been an asso-'jury' made payments to the two de- I elate producer for five months. | fendants, who were aided and abet- In that time he prepared several: ted in their extortion 'by other per- stood their testimony is wanted in connection with a claim by Browne he placed phone calls to get consent of the lA Executive Board before declaring an 'emergency' in the Technicians' takeover. stories for'future production. Other News Pertaining to Pictures Dutch bid for Maxwell's holdings Page 13 Television Page 25 Danny Kaye lukewarm to Kraft Page 25 Cantor back Oct. 1 Page 25 Radio Reviews: 'Carnival of Stars,' Judith Anderson, Phil Spitalny, Stella Unger Page''26 Tony Martin winds up Page 30 ASCAP Page 41 Warners warn pubs Page 41 New Acts:' Dennis Morgan .Page 44 Equity ., Page 49 Sam Harris in N. Y.... ......,.:i^e 49 Cowdin Back East After Month's Stay on Coast sons not named.' This phrasing Is the basis for belief that additional defendants will be named. The in- dictment alleges that both threats and payments were made in New York City. In $500 and $1,000 Bills First strike threat, it was revealed, was made in 1936, following a one- ' , hour strike in certain theatres In ' Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis and I gramT" Nate Bliimberg, company Detroit, the previous December. At | president, preceded him to N. Y. By least $400,000 of the $550,000 figure ' a couple of weeks, mentioned was paid by officials of | VnivCrsal's report on the first six the four corporations In 1936 to months of the company's new fiscal Browne and Bioff in bills of $1,000,' year has been delayed because of $500 and $100, according to the gov- ' slowness in getting estimates of busl- ernment - • | ness from the foreign territories. Prosecution is the first under the Net profit Is expected to be around newly-enacted Federal anti-racket-' $1,500,000 after writeoffs for for- eerlng law. Penalties for each of elgn declines. - J. Cheever Cowdin, Universal's board chairman, returned to New York from the Coast Monday.(26), after spending nearly a month In Hollywood looking over new prod- uct designed for the 1941-42 pro-