Variety (Dec 1942)

Wednesday, December 30, 1942 piGTunes 19 'Intolerable Film Rentals Beef Again Has Mpls. Indies Boiling Minneapolis, Dec. 29. Northwest Allied has appointed a special committee to find 'effective means' of bringing about Immediate relief for the territory's independ- ent exhibitors from present 'intoler- able' film rental demands. The move was made necessary, it was an- nounced, by the current 'desperate plight' of the theatre owners in con- sequence of the boxoffice collapse due to gas rationing and numerous other adverse factors. No inkling has been made public as to how the committee intends to operate or function. Some of the more bellicose independents are de- manding that an appeal be made directly to the Govarnment to inter- cede. They charge that while busi- ness generally is at the lowest ebb in years and many exhibitors are on the brink of bankruptcy, the dis- tributors are demanding 'exorbitant' rentals for new-season product. There is no organized buyers' strike. Northwest Allied heads as- sert, but. it's stated, few independent exhibitors deals have been made with any of the companies. The exhibi- tors are clamoring for action, accord- ing to Donald Guttman, Northwest Allied Minneapolis governor. They want to 'blow the lid off regardless of the consequences, he says. How- ever, at an indignation meeting cooler heads prevailed and induced the members to refer the matter to a committee with authority to decide on the course of action to be pur- sued. GUTTMAN RESIGNS IN N.W. AUe SPLIT Minneapolis, Dec. 29. A split within Northwest Allied, independent exhibitors' organiza- tion, over policy, has been brought out into the open with the resigna- tion of Donald Guttman as Minne- apolis governor. Guttman wanted to continue a more conservative course in the efforts to obtain re- lief for the territory's 'downtrodden' Independents and was the target of a sizable group which demands drastic action, including, if neces sary, an appeal to the federal gov- ernment to intercede in theatre- owners behalf, recourse to law courts, and a national and state legislative program designed to bring 'relief,' according to those in the know. Guttman himself r e f us e d to elaborate on his brief statement that 'a conflict of opinion exists over policy' and that he is stepping out "in the interest of harmony and the organization's welfare.' 'Sahidos' Set for Long Ron at N. Y. Globe RKO is setting up a special long- run deal for 'Saludos Amigos,' latest Walt Disney feature on Latin- America, at the Globe, N. Y. Film 13 set to open in January. Disney opus, which runs less than an hour, likely will follow 'Jacare.' Sutker Col's Caster Hollywood, Dec. 29< Columbia signed Victor Sutker as n% new casting director to succeed the late Paul Sparks. Sutker re- POrU for work next week after windmg up his current chores for "01 Lesser. Formerly in the agency business, autKer has worked for several years "s'ins director for Edward omall, Alexander Korda and other O'g mdependent producers. Hopper's N. Y. Visit ve^.l'^^'*' Hopper was in New York th. I *y > huddles with PrnH?'i?""'"°" ''""'^h 0* the War ''reduction Board. latln.^V*****"' ^''o'' "P «>atters re- ^"g?'* ako materials needed " studio production. $110,000 Damage Suit On Potential Pix Career Detroit, Dec. 29. Claiming that a street car and train crash here on Oct. 28 ended a promising Hollywood career that would have earned their daughter $1,000 weekly, the parents of 17- year-old Halina Chocianowicz flled damage suits totaling $110,000 against the Detroit Street Railways and the Grand Trunk Railroad. The girl, a dancer who had made professional appearances here, was one of 16 persons killed when the city bus was struck by the train. Both the DSR and the railway were charged with criminal negligence, with the father, Leon Chocianowicz, seeking $100,000 damages and his wife $10,000. The suit alleges that the girl, be- cause of her outstanding ability, was slated to start her film career fol- lowing her 18th birthday. Attorneys for the parents said that they would not disclose until the case comes to trial what contracts had been ar- ranged with the Hollywood studio. OPA's 'Or Else' Bridgeport, Dec. 29. New ruling by the Office of Price Administration gives the- atres, other places of amusement and public buildings one month to convert to coal, or else. The 'or else' means they likely will have to shutter if unable to switch to coal by that time. Several deluxe theatres, still converting to coal, may have to shut down temporarily because of delay in switching to coal heating. Loew's Poli and Majes- tic, which are switching to coal, are having trouble obtaining necessary parts and labor re- quired to convert. Warners' downtown deluxer also may not be able to convert in time be- cause now burning oil. WB other house is okay. KOMM EXTENDING HIS CIRCUIT, ADDS TWO St. Louis, Dec. 29. Sam Komm is expanding his indie flicker house chain in St. Louis, St. Louis County and Illinois com- munities, having last week acquired the Aubert, a unit in the St. Louis Amus. Co.'s chain, and the Amer- ican, a shuttered nabe in South St. Louis. Possession of the Aubert, a 1.440-seater, will become effective when the present lease to Amuse- ment Co. expires. The American, a . 550-seater, was purchased for estimated $20,000. Komm has not indicated whether he will reopen the American, but the Aubert will continue to be lighted when he obtains concession. Komm also is owner or interested in the Brentwood, Ivanhoe, Longwood, Maryland. New Merry Widow, New Shenandoah, Peerless and White Way in St. Louis and St. Liouis County, and the Miners and Will Rogers in CoUinsville, 111. Gypsy Rose Lee Continued from page 3 The G String Murders' and was frozen from her contract. The details of the note of issue revealed from Miss Wheelock's at- torney, Maurice J. Speiser, who de- clared that the two causes of action involved 'profits' from the book, which were to be equally divided and 'consideration' for services ren- dered. Both actions, the attorney de- clared, are predicated on Gypsy's 'breach of contract.' The alleged agreement. Speiser said, dates back to Aug. 21, 1940, when the stripteuse-author and Miss Wheclock were introduced to each other by George Davis, also of Harp- er's Bazaar, while Gypsy was ap- pearing in the 'Streets' of Paris' re- vue at the N. V. World's Fair for Mike Todd. According to Speiser, the joint venture was settled in Miss Hor- vick's apartment with the under- standing that all Income from the book were to be equally divided, with Miss Wheelock receiving her share for conceiving, constructing and exploiting the book. They col- laborated until November, 1940, when Miss Lee allegedly decided she wanted to continue alone. The book was published on Oct, 3, 1941 and proved to be a success. Speiser was to have filed his complaint on Monday (28). He seeks $5,000 for services rendered and an accounting of the profits, which were to be equally divided according to the charges. Miss Lee admitted, when exam- ined before trial, that she had turned over notes and other material on 'G- String Murders' to Miss Wheelock after they had met in August, 1940, and that latter had written a 'sam- ple book.' She denied, however, that the 'sample book' was the one published or that any resemblance existed between the two manu- scripts except such similarities as might have stemmed from notes Gypsy turned over to Miss Wheelock. CoL Ready for '43 Hollywood, Dec. 29. Columbia is stepping into 1943 with four features slated to start in January and two more to face the cameras in February. Next month's starters are 'Ap- pointment in Berlin,' 'Our Friend Curly,' 'Redhead from Rio' and 'What's Buzzin' Cousin?' February launchings will be 'Doughboys in Ireland' and 'Two Senoritas from Chicago.' United Nations Drive All Set to Go; Some Captiousne^ (Midwest) On 'Bad Timing' With Community Chest Despite some opposition to the United Nations drive among theatre operators in Illinois, Michigan and Massachusetts, U. N. campaign managers hope to line up majority of the 16.000 houses in the U. S. in the fund-raising campaign Jan. 14-20. .■ Several theatre heads in Boston, Chicago and in various cities in Michigan are reported opposed to collections in theatres, claiming bad timing. Opposition is considered due to Community Chest workers in various municipalities who are averse to any theatre collections because they figure coin should be raised pri- marily for the main local charity with donations, if any, to be made from the common fund. Only excep- tions are the President's Infantile Paralysis Fund and Red Cross scheduled in March. Majority of major circuit execs in the East are supporting the drive, pointing out that the United Nations cause is of paramount importance at this time. Leonard Goldenson, Para- mount circuit operator, pointed out during a rally at the Ziegfeld theatre. New York, last week that theatres should consider themselves fortunate to be in a position to help. Giant press book, containing In- numerable exploitation ideas for the campaign, has meantime been issued. Front cover, with the Statue of Liberty, is designed to serve for lobby poster displays. E. L. Alperson, campaign chair- man, currently lining up exhibitor support on the Coast and in western cities, is due back in New York around Jan. 7. The Perpetual Bride Hollywood, Dec. 29. Erie Kenton draws th'e director job on 'Always a Bride.' the next An- drews Sisters starrer at UniversaL Currently Kenton is piloting the trio In 'Solid Senders' on the same lot. U. 8.8>n*) Cor9f Phot* Uiililng a training flm at iht Army Hu4^ graphic C*nter, oprrattd iy ihe Signal Cotfa, To end the war—sooner I FROM the simplest rudiments of military drill to the most complex procedures in handling big guns ... from the best methods of destroying their enemies to the best melhods of protecting them- selves ... American boys in the armed forces are learning faster and belter through the medium of talking pictures. The whole-hearted cooperation of producers with the government agencies responsible for the prepa- ration of training films has been of tremendous aid to our armed forces in the making of many of thes* special films. Wc at Western Electric ... who gave the screen its voice in 1926 . . . are glad that our continuing contributions to the art of talking pictures are help ing now to speed the day of Victory! Electrical Research Products Dipi^oa or Westent Electric Company IfS IROADWAT, NIW YORK. N. V,