Variety (Dec 1942)

fTetlnesday, Dec^ember 9« 1942 PICTUBB8 Harmon Stresses Continued from p«fe T where the SSB tried to service troops in 65 combat areas with 21 prints. ■No Price Too High' Touchlne ,on the difficulties con- fronting Ainerican business, Harmon said, 'We feel that no price is too high to pay for freedom. We want to be reassured, however, that we shall not lose liberty while engaged in a war for its preservation.' Schaefer outlined some of the ob- stacles towards fulfillment of the in- dustry's fiift of 4,700 film programs for the armed services. He said that 1,713 features and 2,202 shorts had been completed and that 59D features and 1.1.57 .shorts were on order but that raw stock and laboratory proc- essing priorities for the Army and Navy had held up deliveries. Following a meeting with authori- ties in Washington at which Schaefer and Harmon were present, the Spcci;il Services division was granted first 300,000 feet of 16 mm. stock and later 500,000 feet (as a re- sult of Harmon's representations). Schaefer also pointed out that suf- ficient projection machines are not available, that the Government had asked owners of old machines to turn them in for reconditioning and ship- ment to combat zones. Si Fabian, reporting for the the- atres division of the WAC, said that 16,463 theatres were now pledged to show Government films, as com- pared with some 12,000 at the out- break of war. William F. Rodgers, chairman of the Distribution Com- mittee, later countered that, although Government shorts were getting from 6,000 to 12,000 bookings, it was not good enough. He held .that if 16,000 theatres were pledged then all should book every one of the films. Oscar Doob, speaking on a budget for public relations, niftied that pub- licists are 'experienced money- apenders.' He then thanked Nick (Ichenck, who was present, for Bl- owing him (Doob) to give away his (Schcnck's) time to the WAC and assured Schenck that he 'would give ell my spare time to Loew's.' Doob's proposal for a 'Movies at War' Inonth, drive embracing all Govern- tnent services, was temporarily pigeonholed, following discussion. Aotors Fred Bcctson, outlining activities of tho Hollywood division of the WAG, said that up to October 1,061 artists had mad* a total of 6.146 ap- pearances on / live radio shows. Transcriptions, spot shows, benefits, personal appearances, bond drives, 4iamp shows, both in America and Overseas. He added that the Re- search Council of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which was cooperating with the U. S. Signal Corps nine years before the war, has delivered 108 training films accepted and approved by the War Department, with B2 additional sub- jects on the way. Bcetson said that Col. M. E. Gil- lettce, on the Coast last wefek. an- nounced that the Government would ask for between 1,500 and 2,000 one- reel subjects for the coming year, due to the increased size of the Army. These are to be produced on a non-profit basis. Some 64 films had also been produced In cooperation with the Coordinator of Inter-Ameri- gan Affairs for non-theatrical re- lease in the 26 South American re- pub! icK. . Permanent CharHlee Beetson cited the work of the Permanent Charities Committee which raised $1,084,421 in Hollywood W'ywr aiTd aald th*.t 'much--of t^e success in the Japanese cam- paign to date was In a measure due to the infiltration tactics and the Use of camouflage, particularly in the camouflage-of the Individual sol- dier to which the studios contributed ^y providing space and material for training groups of officers.' He also mentioned such varied ac- tivities as demonstrations for the Army of studio methods for creating, smoke and fog, cataloging and ap- portionment of studio fire-fighting apparatus, generators and dynamos for use in case of a major dis- aster; furnishing the Office of Stra- tegic Services with more than 250,- OQO feel of film from studio li- braries revealing important infor- mation on various theatres of war and ajjsembly of pertinent material by the research departments for use of Military Intelligence. Harmon was reelected as exec- utive vice-chairman of the WAC and reappointed industry coordinator. Barney Balnban. in proposing Har- men'.-; ivappointment, said that 'It is very important that all of us build rather than tear down our coordinator's office, for to the ex- tent that we work through Mr. Har- mon, instead of going around him, we serve the best interests of our industry. Every time an industry leader from New York or Holly- wood, or anywhere else, goes to Washington 'on his own' without prior clearance with the industry coordinator on matters involving a war activity, we are adding to the confusion and inviting difficulty for the entire Industry.' Resolution of thanks was also adopted to the four retiring WAC division chairmen, Joseph Bernhard, William Scully, Monroe Creenthal and Joseph Seidelman. Among those present at the meet- ing were Gus Eyssell, Fred Beetson, Claude Collins. Spyros Skouras, Bill Rodger.-:. Max Cohen, Harry Brandt, Sam E. Morris, Barney Balaban, Ed Kuykendall, N. Peter Rathvon. Oscar Doob, Adolph Zukor, Jack Cohn, Nick Schenck, Bob Wil- by, Walter Vincent, John J. O'Con- nor, Phil Reisman, Robert J. O'Donnell. Jonas Rosenfleld. Jr., Frank J. Harris, Nate Yamins, Her- man Robbins and Arthur Mayer. WAC's Press Setup The national Public Relations Di- vision of WAC for 1943, chairmaned by Oscar A. Doob, will include Maurice Bergman, Mort BlumeA- stock, Harry Brandt, George Brown, Edward Churchill, Walter Compton, Howard Dletz, S. Charles Einfeld, Ernest Emerling, Alex Evelove, Rob- ert Gillham, Harry Goldberg, Wil- liam Hebert, Hal Horne, Charles Reed Jones, John Joseph, Lawrence H. Lipskin, David Lipton, Howie Mayer, Alec Moss, James Sauter, Silas F. Seadler, Howard Strlckling, Terry Turner, Vincent Trotta, D^ld weshner. Barrett McCormick, chairman of the East Coast Public Relations (Com- mittee, and Perry Leiber, chairman of the West Coast Public Relations Committee, are members, ex-offlclo, as are the 31 Exchange Area pub- licity chairmen ' previously an- nounced. 'Good FeDow' Kellaway Hollywood, Dec. 8. Title role In The Good FeUow,' a Walter MacEwen production at Paramount, goes to Cecil Kellaway. Picture will be based on an old stage piece by Cieorge S. Kaufman and Herman J. Mankiewicz, with script by Hugh Wedlock and How- ard Snyder, formerly of radio. Late Judge Yeeder Sat On Pix Arbitrations Former Federal Judge Van Vech- ten Veeder, who died Friday (4) in New York at the age of 75, was chairman of the Appeal Board of the American Arbitration Assn., set up to decide cases of appeal brought by exhibitors under the arbitrating provisions of the consent decree. The other members of the board, both of them prominent at- torneys, are Altiert W. Putnam and George W. Alger. Last-mentioned was active in the RKO receivership reorganization. Final film arbitration decision in which Judge Veeder figured was handed down by the Appeal Board on Thursday (3), one relating to clearance in Philadelphia. An expert on maritime law and the laws of slander and libel. Judge Veeder was a member of the at- torney firm of Burlingham, Veeder, Masten & Fearey. He was also a member of the Harvard research group on international law. Loses Clearance Plea Efforts of the operators of the Ambassador, Philadelphia, to reduce clearance granted dver it to the Benn there, one of the Warner houses, have failed. The Appeal Board of the American Arbitration Association, to which the case was taken, ruled the seven days clear- ance in effect for more than 10 years is not unreasonable due to difference in investment involved, seating ca- pacity and admission prices. Ambassador, an independent house, wanted the clearance cut to one day. Inside Shitf-Pictores Few people know that Col. W. Mason Wright, former coordinator be- tween the Army and the film Industry, was once a trouper in vaudeville About 25 years ago GoL Wright and Roy Gordon appeared on the stage In support of Marie Dressier in a sketch written by Philander Johnson and Alfred Hopkins, Washington newspaper reporters. The sketch was called 'For Country,' and played two weeks, one at the Palace in Chicago and another at the Palace In New York. It was a patriotic theme but the bookers decided It was too far ahead of its time to be presented to the American public. Col. Wright Is now on his way to the Far East on a military mission. After publishing monthly without interruption for eight .years. Rocke- feller Center tabloid magazine annotmced it is ceasing publication, ef- fective with th« December ^ition. With the U. S. at war, It was explained that, after a survey of various activities which Rockefeller. Center, Inc., controls or sponsors, it was found that the mag could hardlj' be considered an essential activity in these streamlined days. Pointed out in connection with decision to cease publication that there were less than 10,000 tenants when the magazine was launched and only six buildings completed, that now 26,000 have their business homes in the Center in 14 buildings. A film producer on the Coast, who was classified as 3-A, decided to visit his local board and see about his standing or possibly a reclassification, since he renders support to relatives. When he gpt to the board ha dis- covered they had him marked as dead, having gotten him confused with another draftee possessing a similar name. Though he may never have heard from the board, when they learned the producer was alive, they immediately paid no attention to support of relatives and'reclassified him I-A,' slnce' hls 'fbiher receives independent Income. Last diplomatic objection to the Warners picture, 'Casablanca,' wai removed when Vichy broke off its diplomatic relations with the United States. Up to that time there was international diiticulty over the char- acter played by Clai^de Rains, a no-good French Government official in the North African colonial city where the play is backgrounded. Now that Vichy, France, has been taken over by the Nazis, the picture U In general release without fear of diplomatic complications. The third and concluding Installment of Liberty magazine's story of Harry M. Warner, also plugs publicist S. Charles Einfeld in the Dec. 12 issue. Author Frederick Van Ryn says that Warners (having put an end to junkets for the duration) now spends money, not only on creating legiti- mate news but on making shorts that popularize the Atlantic Charter, the deeds of American heroes, technique of flying, etc. A man asked to give within three years the average age of all motion picture actresses, on the CBS show, 'Thanks for the Yanks,' replied '26.' When he learned he was wrong, the quizee said he probably had made an estimate 'too high." Quizmaster Bob Hawks countered that the guess was too low by eight years. Hawks added. '34 Is a nice age for a woman, particularly when she Is 40.' j Theatrical attorney Louis Nizer's 'The Right to Fight' speech was read Into the Congressional Record by Andrew L. Somers. It's an address which Nizer made last Sept. 29 at the Waldorf-Astoria, ,N. Y.. on the occa- sion of the Jewish Army dinner tendered to Robert Ttoy Nftthan, head of • the Planning Board of the WPB. I Rationing Hits Coast Theatres Birt Grosses Still l^her Than Last Year Los Angeles, Dec. 8. Gas—or the shortage of it has taken some of the steam out of Coast film grosses, particularly in Hollywood—but compared to last year theatres arc still generally ahead. Comparisons between first week of gas rationing with same period last year reveal that theatres are still better off this year. Currently area has been enjoying peak biisi- ness, Improvement having l>een growing over past year to recent high levels. Slump was felt in Hollywood im- mediately, trade dropping oil notice- ably on first day of rationing. How- ever, drop was not such that losses staggered anyone, excepting the- atres with extremely light attrac- tions. Those with strong pictures took it gracefully though feeling slight decrease from normal trade. And in Hollywood it was the worst. But even at that it was not too bad. grosses approximating last year's figures, and, in some cases, exceed- ing those of last year. Fox-West Coast's six deluxcrs suffered only slight drops. None was worse off than last year and some continued even better. Two Para- mounts were well over last year. Orpheum improved. Two Warner houses, now augmented by another, the Wiltern, stayed within last year's figures. Pantages and Hill- street were off but mainly due to weak marquee. Hawaii's take shaped favorable on comparison. Some of drop may be due to tradi- tional pre-Xmas slump. However, on other hand, with downtown houses doing well currently, it's thought that only slight adverse affect there may be due to shopping crowds. If rationing happened at any other time than Xmas, downtown, too. may have been hit. In all, manager* figure it six of one and haU dozen of another, and are awaiting clos* of this week when stocked tanks empty out and the new norm must really start. Neighborhoods, which had hoped to cash in on the situation, are finding themselves in reverse. Instead of im- proving they are worse off than ever. Crying loudly for past six months, they hoped for some first- run trade with stay-at-homes. Past week has caused them to take qivek breath for many are as much as 50% off what had been previous poor. Downtown subsequenls are off, too, and Independent Theatre Owners of Southern California re- ports that unofficial cross-section check shows situation is same all over for the indies. Like all the re.st, ITO doe.sn't know the answer— yet. Loew's, Ltd., {171,537 Net Montreal. Dec. 8. Net profit of Loew's Theatres, Ltd. was $171,537, before taxes for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, the com- pany reported Friday (4). This com- pares with $163,441 the previous year. Taxes were $71,851 as against $69,- 206, so net for the period, after all charges, was $99,686 compared with $04,235. After credit of $5,561 for previous year's income taxes, pay- ment of 10% on the 7% preferred, earned surplus account was increased from $754,384 to $790,972. The pre- vious year payment of 14% was made on the preferred. Working capital was reported at $520,370 compared with $455,582 the previotu year-end, New ,York Theatres Sitl WEEK ■rrol FLYNN • Alexia SMITH In Warner Brof. Hit 'HSENTLEMAN JIM" In Per*on GLEN GRAY And Hie Caaa Lome Oreh, WItll Kenny Sargent • Pee Wee Hunt Bxtml oE,u( uvana B'way at 47fh St. SISAIS 4UDY 6ARLANB "FOR ME AND MY SAL" in uau Fittm Hwlel « • • VIoler MATURI Luollle 8ALJ. *7 DAYS LEAVE" CAPITOL ag« SRO WEEK Hoapbrar laarid Fael Booart * Borgman * Henreid In Warner Bros. Hit "CASABLANCA" A Bal B. Wallls Production Directed bjr Hlcli«el Cnrtls HOiLYWOOD THEATRE Oentlnuoua • B'way A Olat St. 26th Week! ^;ARTFR aiSr" MUSIC HALL HELD OTBB "YOU WERE NEVER LOVELIER" Speotaeular Staoe Preductione Paramount r i B V.'AY & 47lli Si PALACE JACK BENNV • ANN SHERIDAN ■ "GKORGE WASHINGTON! SLEPT HERE" I Aani WEACLE « H»beft IIE»rT0Wl LOEW'S STATE "i::" Lait Tlaee W<<, Olina ■ARRVMORI BriH OONLEVV "3IIUHTHABE" In rerun Dkk Reem 4 Orcli. Eltral—AL aERNIE FRANCES FAYE atvli Thur.. Dee. 10 "FLTING TIOEBS" Jelin Aaea WAVNE LCE Jtlla CARROLL In Prrioii CROSS 4 DUNN MINEVirCH'S Hw-moBlee Reiult "Tht rtrttel Skallm Shew."—MiiiUe. Nrwe. 50c $1 & $1.50 ?is;* Set. Nliliti Only see. It $2.S0 Plui Tei Sunji llciile & Allliur U. Wmi prtlCDt A Ml'SIC.tL ICETBAV/lG.tXZ.i STARS ON ICE CENTER THEATRE. Rtckefeller CcetV CO. J.S474 Amcrird'e Only Ir* Tliratre £>•>., lael. See. »M N< Hintey P«rf. Matineei: HH. *n. at IM. See. at i