Variety (Sep 1942)

PIGTUBES Wednesday, September 23, 1942 PICTURE BIZ LOOKS TO ENGINEERS TO WARD OFF MORE RAW STOCK RATIONiG First WPB Order Cuts Supplies From 10 to 24% —Celluloid to Be Doled Out Quarterly—Alloca- tions May Change, Subject to Army-Navy Needs Appraising the Board's first film ranging from a 10% cut for com panies using less than 75.000,000 feet of film to 24% for companies using 150.000,000 or more feet of film in 1941, as a measure condi- tioned to some extent by the fact that most major studios such as Paramount, Metro, Warners and Uni- versal had already completed a great part of their 1942-43 releases, major film company toppers still look to engineers for the development of some film-saving device. This, it is believed, will in the long run be the only salvation for an industry faced with ever - tightening Government control over raw film stock distri- bution. Understanding is that raw film is to be doled out on a quarterly basis and that the percentage of allocation may be revised either downward or upward at any time that conditions warrant. Immediate film needs for the Army and Navy from accounts, are far lower than estintates for reserve stock requisitions originally pre- sented. Situation Is subject to change, however. Major company execs stated last week that the current rationing order was by no means to be regarded as the last word on raw film supplies, although it clarified the situation for the current year. That sentiment among various elements in the War Production Board stiU veers towards a 50% celluloid cut, as originally, is substantiated by the feeling within the trade that the industry must find a solution to the raw film prob- lem before more drastic rationing measures are imposed. Successful development of a device such as the Sponsable three-sprocket projector, envisaging a saving of some 25% (or hundreds of millions of feet annually) In raw film, added to the cut. already in force, would be considered suiliclent to satisfy the authorities. At the -same time such a process would maintain pro- duction at nearly normal levels -and result in a considerable reduction In cost of production. Whether pro- jectors can be changed in time to forestall further rationing, Is re- garded as a question which some quarters are Inclined to answer fa orably while others take the nega- tive viewpoint. Large numbers of Independent exhibitors are, of course, opposed to a change on the grounds tnat 'they would not be able to use reissues or foreign films. War Production! be granted il the order results in rationing order, 'special hardship," the WPB asserted, and any regular commercial picture may be lilted out of the limited raw stock quota if the Office of War Information decides it has "particu- lar morale or propaganda value.' The four 'categories' of films which will not be restricted are Identical with the classifications sketched to the industry advisory committee at the August meeting with Hopper. No limits are imposed on the amount of stock that will be available for (1) films lor the armed forces; (2) pictures approved by the O.W.I. Bureau of Motion Pictures (Lowell Mellett); (8) essential scientific pur- poses and research; and (4) news- reels. Allocations From the top of a 24% slice in the raw itock quotas for the biggest consumers, the allocation scheme scales down to a 10% cut in amounts granted studios who used less than 75,000,000 feet In 1941. The brackets are a'g follows: Over 150,000,000 feet last year (Metro), 76% allowance; between 125,000,000 and 150,000,000 feet, (Par and 20th-Fox), 77%%; between 100,000,000 and 125,000,000 feet (Warners), 80%; between 75,000,000 and 100,000,000 feet (Col, RKO and Universal), 82%%; under 75,000,000 feet. United Artists, Republic, Mono- gram, Producers Releasing Corp., etc,, B0%. Film will b« made available for (Continued on page 20) New Project for Him Hollywood, Sept 12. Andre Daven. former European production advisor on Darryl F. Zanuck's staff, makes his debut as a Hollywood producer in 'Project 47,' a war picture. Shooting opens Sept. 28, with Ana- bella and John Sutton In the leads and John Brahms as director. 3^PR0CKETER HAS REISSUE MIAWBACKS BaUo Details Washington, Sept. 22. Sliding scale reductions in the amount of raw stock consumed in entertainment films was decreed Thursday (17) by the War Produc tion Board with the observation the curtailment should not affect either the number or length of 1942-43 features. The anxiously awaited policy state- ment from Harold Hopper, chief of the WPB's motion picture section, ended the 'temporary' arrangement under which studios have been ex- pecting the same amount of footage as they consumed during 1941. Hop- per put teeth in the priorities plan set forth a month ago under which newsrcels and the armed forces get all the raw stock they require. Limitations on re-issues were In- cluded in the curtailment scheme, which contained one pain-killer In the form of limited raw stock bo- nuses for companies whose product Is taken by the Army and Navy for screening at service-operated thea- tres in posts, camps, and bases. The Government will release 50% of the footage^ in. prints commandeered by the armed services as a means of narrowing the gap between avail- able prints-and bookings. Ample raw stock for completing of pictures in progress when the freeze order was issued (Aug. 20) . was promised. The promise was con- ditional, however,. Hopper's policy declaration explained this film will be forthcoming 'in most instances' but only if all shooting has been finished. 'Review and reconsideration' will Independent exhibitors are strongly opposed to the introduction of new projection equipment such as the Sponable three-sprocket or other ap' paratus, contending it would be im- possible to use either reissues or for eign pictures. Opinion expressed by indie chain and small theatre opera- tors Is that 2,000 to 3,000 theatres in the United States, largely depend- ent on reissues and foreigns, would be adversely affected by any change over. It Is pointed out that exhibitors al- ready encounter difficulties In get- ting clear Impressions from reprints of old pictures and that. If obliged to cut, trim or otherwise readjust old film. It would be virtually useless for screen purposes. Producer-distributors with picture properties of high reissue value are also doubtful about the efficacy of proposed changes In projection ap- paratus, apart from the huge cost and skilled mechanical manpower required to make technical adjust- ments. 36 Cincy Nabes Advertise Why No IMimver' Dating Cincinnati, Sept. 22. Exhibs operating 36 Greater CIncy nabes have pooled together for the first time to advertise that they are not playing a specified popular pic- ture. Their campaign Is focused on Metro's 'Mrs. Miniver,' which did smash downtown biz and Is also grossing heavily at those outlying theatres where It Is being shown. The exhibs are members of the In- dignant Exhibitors Forum, reoently formed here with Willis Vanca as chairman. The ad, three inches over two col- umns, which appeared in amusement sections of local dailies over the weekend, reads: 'To Suburban Thea- tre Patrons: A number of subiurban theatres—who make every effort to bring to their patrons all the good pictures—deeply regret their inabili- ty to show 'Mrs. Miniver.' We are unable to show, this picture because the 'playing time' demands of the distributors are, In our opinion, un- reasonable.' Under the' announce- ment are listed the names of 36 the atrea In the Enquirer, Sunday (20), the ad appeared directly above M-G's three-column, nine-inch display on simultaneous screenings of 'Mrs Miniver* at five houses for the first four days of this week. Hollywood, Sept. 13. I/)uis« Jordan draw player con- tract at RKO. Qeorgle Stoll renewed as musical conductor at Metro. Lynn Merrick's player option picked up by Republio. Harry Stradling Inkad new cameraman ticket at Metro. Desi Arnaz Inked pact at Metro. Ann Ayars' player option lifted by Metro. Paul Osbom drew scripting ticket at Metro. Beatrice Pearson, legit actress, signed by SOth-Fox. Emerson Crocker, junior writer, ticketed at Metro. Robert Ellis drew Kripting ticket at 20th-Fox. Donna Reed's player pact renewed by Metro. LiUie Hayward signed to write at 20th-Fox. Don Porter inked new player pact at Universal. Helen Logan handed writing con tract at 20th-Fox. Roseanne Murray's player option lifted by 20th-Fox. John Larkin renewed as writer- director at 20th-Fox. Gus Schilling optioned for two more pictures at Metro. Cecilia Parker's contract renewed by Metro. Walter Slezak, Broadway actor, signed by RKO. Dorothy Kingsley inked writer pact at Metro. Franz Waxman, composer, signed by Warners. Veronica Lake's option lifted by Paramount. Edmund Lowe, now on a Bond selling tour, signed to a contract at Columbia. JACK DIEH INDiaED ON EVASION OF TAXES Jack Dietz, one-time film pro- ducer, was indicted last week by the U. S. Treasury D^t. for alleged evasion of taxes on income derived from illegal exhibition of prize fight films in Interstate commerce during 1936 and 1937. Arrainged yesterday (Tuesday) Dietz pleaded not guilty. Trial is set for Oct. 13 in N. Y. fed- eral court The Indictment followed a lengthy inquiry conducted by U. S. Attorney Mathtas F. Oorrea, who stated that Dietz, through Super-Sports At- tractions, Inc., carried a monopoly of the 'bootleg business' with the aid of 'gangster-type individuals' who allegedly saw to the safe con- duct of films, forced collection from theatres, and prevented hijacking or reproduction of film prints by rivals. The setup was withdrawn, Correa said, when the law banning such distribution was repealed in 1940. Embarrassment in Twin CItlea Minneapolis, Sept. 22. Some of the Twin City independ- ent exhibitors who cancelled 'Mrs. Miniver' In a fight against percentage already are regretting their action It's because they've started to re- ceive inquiries from their patrons as to when they'll play It and because Metro has let it be known that the picture positively will not be re offered. What promises to help to make it even tougher for those exhibitors who now have shut themselves out from 'Miniver' is the fact that several American Legion posts have gotten behind the film and are, in effect, demanding its exhibition. Tha thea- tre men also are growing more and more uneasy, as federal, state and local officials single It out as a mor rale builder. U. S. Senator J. H. Ball, running for reelection, has praised it in his campaign addresses While the 'boycotters' profess to be figHling to buy 'Mrs. Miniver' flat. It has been indicated that what they're really after Is a lesser percentage, Under the sliding scale the picture would cost them approximately 50% and the belligerents have declared they'll not pay such a sum for any picture. It's known they expected that after they cancelled M-G-M would make them some counter- proposition. Lee Tracy As Producer, Star in Hews Series Hollywood, Sept. 22 Lee Tracy signed a contract as star and co-producer in a series of six newspaper yarns with Jack Schwarz doing the other end of the co-producing job. First production is 'The Payoff,' slated to start Oct. Schwarz has been releasing through Producers Releasing Corp. but is understood to be talking major deals for the new series. Stndio Contracts WB'S 2D BLOCK OF 5 READY FORMARKET starting to sell Its first block of -1942-43 pictures only a few weeks ago, Warner Bros, will immediately begin to offer Its second group, also comprising five films. They were screened throughout the country last week and comprise 'George Washington Slept Here,' 'The Hid den Hand,' The Hard Way,' 'Fly ing Fortress' end 'You Can't Escape Forever.' WB will seek percentage deals on two of these, the top allocation be- ing 'George Washington,' the second on percentage being "Hard Way.' On the first batch of five, the high percentage picture is 'Now, Voyager,' the other 'Across the Pacific' Par's 2d Block-ot-5 Paramount has packaged its second group of five pictures and will start selling them after screenings Sept 30 and Oct. 1. Company waited until last week to begin offering its initial batch of five films but has been taking contracts on 'Holiday Inn,' sold singly, tor some time. The second group of '42-43 Par pictures will be 'Forest Rangers, Road to Morocco,' 'Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch,' 'Street of Chance' and 'Henry Aldrich, Editor.' They have all been screened privately at the homeoffice for Par executives. M-G Air Corps Shorts Hollywood, Sept 22. Series of aeronautical cartoon shorts for the training division of the Army Air Corps will be made by a Metro troupe at Wright Field Dayton, O. Animators and other technicians art under supervision of Fred Quimby as executive producer. Bushels of Fun Hollywood, Sept. 22. Joe E. Brown and Judy Canova draw co-starring spots in 'Chatter- box,' the Albert J. Cohen production at Republic. Joseph Santley draws the director chore, with filming slated to start Oct 15. ASCAP, ALLIED CONFAB OFF TILLOa. Due to press of other matters, pl\u the vast amount of research neces^ sary in making an analyila of con* ditiona throughout tha country, meeting scheduled for thia month between John O. Paine, general manager of American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and CoL H. -A. Cole, director of Al> lied States, Assn., to discuss seat taif relief for exhibitors, will not b# held. While no data has been flxej for the session, It will probably b« sometime in October. Paine and CoL Cola huddled mor^ than two months ago to compar* preliminary figures that had been gathered meantime with reject to shift in gross business dons by film theatres, this having followed aa initial overture from Allied last spring for a readjustment of th« seat tax imposed on exhibs. The thought is to try to find soma means of affording relief for thea> tres that have been .hit by tha war and should not be expected to pay the same rate of tax aa charged others which are benefiting from present conditions. N.Y.U/S ROUNDTABLE CONFAB WITH FILMERS Film industry executives hav« been called for a roundtable confer- ence with the faculty of the Motion Picture Department of New York University Thursday (24) to discuss training of students in line with wartime needs in show business, Robert Gessner, former film writer. Is chairman of the faculty. Possibility of feeding the picture industry with new university-tralneo man and woman-power to replace those called into service will likely be discussed. Session marks the opening of the new academic year at NYU, where a four-year course in motion pic* tures, leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree, was established last year with Prof. Gessner as chairman of the Motion Picture Department ol the university. Among those attending the lunch* eon-meeting tomorrow will be Ar* thur Mayer, Joe Hazen, Waltef Wanger, Russell Holman, J. Robert Rubin, Jack Cohn, Richard C. Pat- terson, Jr., Al Lewin, Adolph Zuko^ Howard Dietz, Gus Eyssell, W. O. Michel, James Woolcott Bill Mon. tagt^e, Rouben Mamoullan, Richard Mealand, Eve Ettinger, James Shel- ley Hamilton, chairman of the Na* tional Board of Revlewi Philip Dunne. Coordinator Foy Splits Up His Schedule at ZOth Hollywood, Sept 22. Bryan Foy, newly established as coordinator of production on tha smaller-budgeted films at 20th-rox, has turned over four pictures originally assigned to his personal schedule, to other producers. Two go to Lee Marcus, one to Andre Daven and one to Sol M. Wurtzel. Production reins will be retained b/ Foy on 'Hot Rubber,' 'Sioux City,' 'Four-Star Murder Case,' 'I Escaped frtim Hongkong' and a Coast Guard yarn, still untitled. Mixmg 'Em Up at Col Hollywood, Sept 22. War and escape themes get an even break in tiie eight new pic- tures slated for early production at Columbia. Military films are 'Vic- tory Caravan,' 'Sabotage,' There's Something About a Soldier' and 'The Commandos.' Non-war tales are 'Pal Joey,' 'The Farewell Waltz,' The First Woman Doctor' and The Cover Girl.' Seek Sunday Ban East Liverpool, O., Sept 22. Church forces are circulating pe- titions urging .banning of Sunday theatrical and Picture shows.