Variety (Dec 1942)

Wedneaday, December 16, 1942 PICTURES 21 Central States Indies Resent Distribs Genl Distrustfubess MinneaROlia, Dec. 15. Central States Conference, com- prising representatives of the Minne- sota, Iowa and North and South Dakota Independent exhibitors' or- ganizations meeting here this week, was to lay down the law to dis- tributors and demand they cease treating Independent exhibitors like •swindlers and crooks' arid conduct the film business on the same basis as other lines of Industry, according to Fred Strom, executive secretary. 'The vast bulk of Independent ex- hibitors are honorable and honest business men and should be treated accordingly, instead of being re- garded as liars and dupes, declares Strom. What particularly gripes the ter- ritory's independents now in this connection, says Strom, is the dis- tributor practice of setting original film prices excessively high because of an apparent distrust of independ- ents and then making adjustments later after checking th« boxoflice or statements. Central States Conference will take a firm stand and demand more equitable selling terms, asserts Btrom. 'Independent exhibitor* here are fed up on being overcharged,' says Strom. "They're determined not to overpay to start with and then have a fight on their hands to obtain an adjustment. As it is now, they must plead and beg for adjustments throughout the year and it hurts their pride and is the wrong way to do business.' Frisco's 13^ Pop. Increase Keynote To Improved B.O. San Francisco, Dec. 19. Nitery and theatre operators here began to understand where their booming biz was coming from, wh;n a wartime census showed an increase of 13%, or 83,464, in Frisco's popula- tion, over the flgurc set in the 1940 Government census. The wartime census was made by the Air Raid Warden Service of the civilian defense organization in rn effort to convince Federal officials that Frisco should receive greater allotments of foodstuffs. For a real understanding of why the niteries and theatres are jammed, the thousands of service men ever present at this port of embarkation should be added to the population figure. Principal reason for the great jump In the city's population is the influx of workers for shipyard jobs. Exploiting Jive Continued from page 1 with Coca-Cola paying transporta- tion, living expenses, etc., of the musicians. Every so often the out- fit will be cut into Coca-Cola's night- ly series of name bands on the Blue network, picked up via shortwave. Ebcport of an American band direct to the soldiers Is the latest and most ambitious effort to entertain U. S. soldiers in the style they are accus- tomed to at home. More and more American personalities are going abroad for just that purpose, mostly via USO-Camp Shows, Inc., with an •ven more elaborate entertainment program for the A. E. F. due after Jan, 1. By that time the Red Cross should also be organized to present shows, as planned. There will like- wise be a steady stream of top radio names, led by Jack Benny (see radio section this week), making the visits to the bases behind fighting fronts. Mex Theatre Fire Mexico City. Dec. 8. Fire resulting from a short cir- cuit caused damage of $15,000 (Mex.) (about $3,700) to the green salon of the Palace of Fine Arts (National Theatre). Salon will be closed for about a month while under repairs. Studio Tracks Crawl, Slow Down Prodnction Hollywood, Dec. IS. Gas rationing is causing a general revision of the old transportation system used by Sim studios where motor trucks once were one-way conveyances. Now they hav« to work going and coming. When a truck shoves off a lot now to borrow or return needed props, it must have a round-trip load to maka the gas and rubber work both ways. Production* on a good many seta are held up while waiting for the exchange of transportation. Current shortage at one major studio, fairly indicative of the gen- eral rationing, is 20% under par for December, with a 30% ^ut expected in January and 9% additional in February. Variety Clubs To Hold Small Confab in Chi Pittsburgh, Dec. 10. John H. Harris, national president of Variety Clubs of America, an- nounced here last week that show- men's organization would hold a small national convention in Chi- cago some time next month or in Feb.ruary, depending on when the club tent in that city gets organ- ized, since group there will be the official host. On account of war and transportation difficulties, Har- ris said confab would be nothing pretentious, as in the past, but would be conOned to the chief barkers, of- flcially-selected delegates and a feu- scattered members. Meeting isn't expected to draw more than 150 Variety Club repre- sentatives at the most, if that many. Big national convention had been .scheduled for Hollywood last May. but was called off on account of conditions. Chicago get-together is replacing it. Taxes Shut Vera Cruz Theatre Mexico City. Dec. 8. High taxes were cited by the management as the reason for the closing of the Cine Colon, first run cinema in Vera Cruz. Carman Heads Baito Baltimore. Dec. 15. Local Variety Club Tent No. 19 elected officers this week with Lau- rilz Carman named Chief Barker, and Wm. K. Saxton and Rodney Col- lier, assistants. New board consists of Izzy Rappa- port. Frank H. Durkee, Nick Weems, Nat Rosen, Sam'Soltz, Morris Olet- sky. Leon Back and Barry Goldman plus the past Chief Barkers. J. Louis Rome, C. W. Hicks and Bcmie Sea- Show business at war all over the globe will get authoritative year-end reviews from Australia South Africa London South America as part of the editorial content* of *Shouj Business at War* theme of ths 37th Anniveraary Number of Man Bites Dog; Exldb Charfes Pb SalesmeB Threatened Him in NW Minneapolis, Dec. 15. Some of the selling in this terri- tory is getting to the highest pres- sure atagc, with perhaps the con- tagiousnca* of the wartime belliger- ence reaching the film industry here. At least, an Independent exhlbtor in a small North Dakota town has com- plained that he was seriously threatened by a film salesman with 'a punch in the face' if he didn't ink a contract. Instead of making the deal, the ex- hibitor ran out of his theatre to get a policeman. In the meanwhile, the salesman hurriedly left the town in bis auto. Tht cxhib has sworn out a war- rant for the arrest of the salesman. War Manpower Cootlnaed frdgi page I Detroit Variety Elects Detroit, Dec. 15. FoIIowino the report that the De- troit Tent had presented 125 shows for members of the armed forces and shut-ins during the past year, new directors were elocteel at the annual! meeting of the Variety Club ofi Michigan. Members of the crew are Earl J. Hudson, president of United Detroit Theatres: Lew Wisper. of Wisper it Wetsman Theatres: J. Oliver Brooks, head booker for the Butterfleld Cir- cuit: John R. McPherson. manager of National Screen Service: Charles Perry, manager of Adams: Bernard L. Kilbride and Wade Allen, circuit owners; Larry Becker, manager American Seating Co.: David Vew- man. public relations counsel of the Coops of Mich, and Samuel Seplo- win, manager of Republic Pictures. Twin City Directorate Minneapolis. Dec. 15. The Twin City Variety Club at it.s annual election cho.se as directors John J. Friedl. Bill Elson, Eddie Ruben. Frank McCormick. Ben Friedm.in. M. A. Levy. LeRoy J. Miller. Max Toiodor. Gilbert Na- lhan.-;oti. Meile Potter and Bcnnic Beruer. Also .servins on the board will be past head barker.^ W A. Sleffc.s. Ben Blolcky and Mai'.land Fro.scli. who will name the new chief barker. The choice is reported to lie be- tween Friodl and Elyon. The l.ittcr served once before as barker. war effort. Then it studies the jobs within the industry. It separates the essential ones from others by apply- ing three questions as a test. First, is a training period of at least six months necessary before an un- trained worker can attain reasonable efficiency in the job? Second, is the job essential to the industry? Third, is the worker irreplaceable? If a 'yes' is given to all three questions the job is rated as essential. The list about to be certifled by WMC to Selective Service indicates that the 11 occupations included met and passed that test. Guide to Draft Boards Listing of critical occupations within essential industries is in- tended to serve as a guide to local draft boards in the consideration of deferments. Deferments, when granted, are for a six-month period. Listings fit into the 'manning table' scheme which is part of a plan by which WMC and Selective Service intend to meet the withdrawal of draftce.s from industries through the planned training of replacements in a manner which will keep disruption of production at an absolute mini- mum. Manning tables are forms, which, when filled out by the em- ployer, provide a realistic inventory of the personnel and job classifica- tions in each enterprise. Informa- tion is to be furnished to the Gov- ernment and this will provide the basis' for the orderly withdrawal of the workers. Basil Dean — Continued from page 1 s formers in their own profession in- stead of pvitting them into war plants. This is possible, he said, •since for the first time in history the British government has recog- nized performers as servants of the .state.' Thus, while the young men of show biz are In the armed forces, young women would be allowed to stick to their makeup kits. According to Dean, films, variety shows and serious music are. in that order, the prime favorites of .soldiers, sailors, factory workers and people in air raid shelters. Dean's Canada Visit , Ottawa. Dec. 15. Ba.-il Dean, while here, laid gioiindwdik of entertainment for men and wumc.n of the forces in the Dominion. Lunched with Rl. Hoj;. .Malcolm MacDonald. Brili.--li High Co.Timis.-o:ici. and Navy -MiML-ter .\ngU6 Mscdonald. Dean hoped George Formby would bring Bri'.ish troupe to Canada for troop shows. David Rose Sees Product Shortage In England or Radical Departure From Usual Exhib Procedures AmOey's 1la?oc' Lands Him M-G Director Deal Hollywood. Dec. 19. Metro handed a director contract to Michael Audley, co-director of the legit play, 'Cry Havoc,' now be- ing filmed at the Culver City studio. Allan Kenward, who wrote the play, 1* under contract as a shorts director on the same lot. LINK ARRIVAL OFBRITEXECS TOnCEASE Arrival in the U.S. over the week- end of Sam W. 'Smith, president of Great Britain's Klnematograph Renters Society (distributors) and chairman of British Lion Film Corp., along with David Rose, Paramount's managing director in Britain, and Joseph Friedman, Columbia's British chief, is linked with the effort of American distributors to obtain ex- tended playing time in Britain. KRS naturally would be interested in any such move while foreign ex- ecutives in N. Y. long have felt that such extended playdates offer the best solution of the threatened prod- uct shortage in the British Isles. Smith is reported as now being in Toronto but likely wljl return to N. Y. soon to huddle on the British product situation. Present indica- tions are that a unified campaign of American distributors will be set up in an effort to avert the threat- ened picture shortage in Britain. Because theatres in Britain cur- rently are playing product almost as soon as in the U.S. (instead of six to eight months behind, as in pre- vious seasons), the setup of British exhibitors is expected to produce a shortage of strong screen fare shortly unless the situated Is rem- edied. Friedman is here for homeoffice confabs with Joseph A. JfcConviUe and other top executives. Jack Se- gal, company's assistant foreign man- ager, also returned over the weekend from a trip to Venezuela and Pan- ama. He opened Columbia's new branch in Caraca.s. FILM INDUSTRY FETES 2 LATIN JOURNALISTS Lauding the North American mo- tion picture as 'the most powerful and efTective cultural medium in the world today,' two South' American' nev.-spapcr editors. Dr. Angel Bohl- gas and Dr. Alberto Lasplaces. praised the great possibilities of these pictures as a social factor at a luncheon given in their honor by the picture industry last Friday (11) at the Harvard club. Earlier in the week the two ed- itors had received the Maria Moors Cabot prizes at Columbia University for the service performed by their publications in the field of inter- American relations. Bohigas is man- aging editor of La Nacion, of Buenos Aires. Brazil, while Lasplaces is for- eign editor of El pia, of Montevideo, Uruguay. Carl E. Milliken, acting foreign nvanager and head of the MPPDA's eastern production code work, pre- sided al the luncheon which was attended by foreign sales chiefs and assistants of major as well as in- dependent film companies; Besides the major company foreign managers ■ind representatives, Robert Socas, N. Y. correspondent of La Nacion and foreign manager of Producers I Releasing Corp., Morris Goodman, I Republic forei^ sales chief, and H. A. Mestanza, of Monogram, at- I tended. Expressing deep concern over the distribution policy now prevalent in Great Britain and foreseeing an im- mediate product shortage In Lon- don, David Rose, Paramount's man« aging director for Britain, who ar- rived over the weekend from Britain, forecast that British exhibitors would be forced into extended play- ing time or go largely to a single- feature policy abortly. Hose said that the dearth of pictures from the U.S. would be felt even before next February unless Jritish exhibitors altered their present dual policy or shifted from the time-worn prac- tice of only allowing one-week maximums for the best pictures. Rose's trip to the U.S.—his 15th c-ossing since he was made Par chief in Britain—will include a visit to the Coast. He plans to leave for Hollywood next Friday. The film conservation program in tlie U.S. and the loss of male stars to the armed forces are producing an a'ute film shortage as far as Britain is concerned, according to Rose. He explained that three major circuits, comprising about 400 theatres in the I<m d on area, have to have six new pictures weekly. Bulk of them must be supplied by American com- panies because British production is so badly curtailed. Each of these chain*, GauiMmt-British, Odeon and Associated British Picture Corp, takca two new features weekly and there i* a flght each week for the three top Alms. Pirst, this six-picture combo plays North London, and then South Lon- don the foUo-7ing week. Besides these big circuits, tbere are a num- ber of independent exhibitors de- manding product llicn there are 10 to la large theatres in the West End where U.S. distributors show- case their latest product, usually playing extended runs. Rose warned about the forthcom- ing product shortage even last March. Rose feels that extended runs might partially solve the problem though, ultimately, the large first- run houses might have to abandon twin bills. Both practices are over- done in Britain, he is convinced. Ha cited that even 'Reap the Wild Wind' (Par) was used on double- feature combos by the better class theatres. 'HeUday Iiut' aa Exaapla Outstanding example of British exhibitors' failure to cash in on Imx- office potentialities of A-1 features, according to Rose, was the experi- ence with 'Holiday Inn' (Par) in Glasgow. Although the picture broke all records at the Paramount theatre there, it was held to the usual week. Rose explained that such a narrow policy extends all down the line, seldom being devi- ated from no matter how well the picture stands up. Just how serious the production problem, and how few feature* are possible in Britain, whether made by British or American companies, was illustrated by Rose's experifatce witb FsrAmnunl's. planned.isuoto plctur'ss. He had hoped to get under way on The Did Lady Shows Her Medals' the first of the year. While he had a leading lady and Johnny Mills, who appears in 'In Which We Serve.' set for the film, casting troubles will de- lay the start of the production un- til April. 'Admirable Crichton,' which Par ,vill do in color, will not get under way until next June. Rose said that all British studios now are booked until well into 1944. Britain is also encountering trouble with technical help. The govern- ment is tightening up on technicians, who formerly were granted leaves from the service to work in certain filme. Rose explained that 'Coastal Com- mand' is being distributed in Britain but the distributor for the U.S. will not be decided until this week. It' is a British Information Service fea- ture. Less than 10% of Britain's theatres now are closed because of war losses or other reasons, he said. Escapist and musical pictures are in great favor now in the British Is'es, Rose stated. Horror pictures, whether made in the U.S. or else- where, arc banned by the British Board of Film Censorship, he stated.