Variety (Feb 1943)

Wednesday, Februaiy 8, 1943 Sniping Exidts' Phoney ?atmtisni' Philadelphia, Feb. 2. The Hade has been stirred here by the practice ot some theatre operators who have cancelled matinees because of the fuel oil short- age to impugn the patriotism; of others who are keeping open be- cause they converted to coul or already possessed coal-burning heat- ing plants. This is the way some of the so-called 'sacriOcing' patriots work: Because Exhib A didn't have the foresight or gumption to convert his oil-burning equipment in time, and now because of priorities la unable to get the part$ to convert, he places a sign in his lobby to this effect: 'Because we wish to cooperate with the war effort we are closing this theatre for all matinee showings—except Saturday or Sunday.' (Sat and Sun. are most profitable matinees, anyway.) Exhib B across the street, who has converted to coal or had a coal burner before the war started, .is then—by inference—tagged as a 'traitor' because he keeps his house, open on matinees. So in order to keep the record straight he has to inform his patrons that he's the patriot—because he converted to coaL This makes the customer sus- picious of both exhibs, not knowing which to believe. 'jOne suggestion to halt this practice is for .the. War Production Board to present some kind ot insignia to theatres which have converted la order to eliminate the odium of keeping open during matinees. It is estimated that almost 100 theatres have eliminated all matinees, except weekends^ 4ere because of the slash in fuel oil rations. Only large-scale conversion in this territory has beeii made by the Stanley- Warner chain, who now have all but three of their houses on a coal- burning basis. More F3ni Honses Suittered By Fuel Curbs; Many Dronring Mats. Because ot the heating-fuel sltua-' tion, particularly severe in New England and other portions of the northern Atlantic seaboard, numer- ous houses serviced out ot New York City exchanges have reduced opera- tion while in some Instances there have been temporary closings. The Huntington, at Flemington, N. J., opened only last June, has shuttered due In port to the fuel problem and also to the fact that it draws from miles around: the ban on pleasure driving had an imme- diate effect on it. Walter Reade iias darkened two ot his Asbury Park theatres while three others there are operating nights only. The 13 houses ot the St. Cloud circuit, also in northern New Jersey, have cut out matinees altogether. The circuit, which is in- terested in the Clinton Point, at Clinton Point. N. J., with Hugh Kent, is discussing the closing, tem- porarily, of that one. The New Paltr. New Paltz, N. Y., operated by Thomas DiLorenzo, has reduced operation to three days weekly (Fridays - Saturdays - Sun- days), being closed the other four days of the week. While oil-burning theatres have been trying to convert, ihey have suffered unexpected delays in ob- taining grates snd fire-brick as well as getting delivery. In Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island oil-heated theatres were denied fuel for a 10-day pe- riod, effective Saturday night (30). with result where theatres do not have enough oil to carry them over that period, they may have to close or reduce operation. U-Day Ban Boston, Feb. 2. In a sudden clampdown on ftim and lesit theatres, bowline alley.s. night clubs and other places of amusement, the regional office of the OPA banned further delivery of fuel oil lor a period of 10 days com- mencInK Snliirday midnicht (30). The sweeping order came on the heels of the blizzard which had em- phasized again the serious pliKht ot the eastern seaboard and ot .south- ern New England in pavticulnr. iiiid was so designed as to indicate dis- tinctly the OPA'.s po.<ition in reiiard to the status ot pix and legit thea- tres in wartime as It forbade any building which houses a theatre from supplying it with heat. So far as could be learned, no oonnlown house is embarrsi-ssed by the order since all are supplied with Edison heat or use coal-burninjj de- vices. However, some theHlso.-; in outlying districts are certain In be affected and may well be forced to clase until the order expires on the »lh. Mo-t of them have bceii tiyin-j to convert, but some have been un- able to do so. According to the OPA. the critical si.ile nf the supply .situatiim hnf (Continued on page 21) Hioirer' PnOed By M4; As'Original'; Try For Screenpby Oscar Hollywood. Feb. 2. Metro withdrew 'Mrs. Miniver' as a candidate for the best original screenplay in the ballot for the ISth Annual Awards .of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and shifted it, to the best written screenplay division. Reason for the switch was that the picture was based slightly on a compilation of Jan Struthers' short stories In book form, written in England. Only the title and some of the characters were utilized in the screen script. Writers qualified for Oscar voting were notified to use a supplementary 'blue' ballot, enclosed with notice of error, whether they had voted previously or not Only the new blue blank, allowing for correction, will be counted in the 'Miniver' writing award. In addition to the best written screenplay entry. 'Miniver' is a Metro nominee for sound recording achievement. Eleven others seek- ing phonetic honors are 'Arabian NighU.' Wanger—U; 'Bambi,' Walt Disney: 'Flying Tigers,' Republic; 'Friendly Enemies,' Small-United Artists; 'Gold Rush.' Chaplin-United Artists: 'Once Upon a Honeymoon,' RKO: 'Pride of Yankees.' Goldwyn; 'Road to Morocco.' Paramount; This Above All.' 20th-Fox; 'Yankee Doodle Dandy.' Warners, and 'You Were Never Lovelier,' Columbia. BERGER EXTENDING HIS CHAIN; ADDS 3 HOUSES Minneapolis. Feb. 2. Independent circuit operators in the territory are expanding their ac- tivities. Bennle Berger. owner ot one of the largest indie chains, took over three more house.s this week and others are planning similar ex- pansidn. Bcrgcr acquired houses at Sioux City. Ft. Dodge and Rock Rapids, la., from Joe Numero and Ted Kar- atz. local circuit owners. Previously he had been operating only in Min- nesota. With this acquisition, the Bcrgcr chain includes 15 houses, 12 of which are under hi.s own opera- tion. Merle Potter. Ion? Minneapo- lis Journal and later .Minneapolis Times movie and dramatic editor. Is his itcncral manaiici.' Walsh Rolls Along . Hollywood. Fob. 2. Raoul Walsh's long career as a di- ! rccl.ir al Warf.er.- continues under a rcncvv:\l of his conlrucl. His lir.sl B.ssiiinniei;! on ihe re- newed ticket will bf -yi'-iM Shift,' .staiTln;! .\nn Sheri'lan. ' Motion Pic|arc Indnitry Advisory Commltiee has split Into opposing fMUou on qoeston whether pres- snre can be applied t« Independent fllm prodneers, when they try to change dlstrlbntors, by making raw fllni lopplles dUtlenH to obtain from tha S7,N«,«M-foot reserve set ap by the War Prodaetlon Board, Some members of the MPIAC say that when a producer wants to. change dLstributors he must first try every major company and aoply for fllm from the reserve only it unable to obtain supplies from any of those companies. Problem Is highlighting industry discussions, the first case being that of March of Time which switched from RKO to 20th-Fox and was not granted permission to , transfer the raw stock allocation It was given when with the former distrib. Independents classified as 'Class B' producers by the War Production Board, for raw fllm allocation pur- poses. Include names such as Samuel Qoldwyn, Walt Disney. March of Time and others who have had at least one picture released by a 'Class A' or-'Class B' distributor during 1041. Contention of those opposing the proposal that producers be obliged to canvass all the major distrlbs be- fore getting fllm Is that it would tend to freeze independent pro- ducers to releasing outlets. Application ot M- O. T. tor footage from the reserve, which came up during the recent confab in Wash- ington, was opposed by a majority of the members of the industry com- mittee since any depletion ot the reserve would reduce the potential supply for any who might later make application for It who may conceiv- ably have stronger claims. Understood that M. O. T. and 20th Fox reps remained over in Wash' Ington following the meeting to ex' plore the matter further. Tilm Product Shortage InevitaliW Metro's JBili Rodgers Empbadzes No Double Pleasure Philadelphia. Feb. 2. One ot the leading local exhibs swears that the following story Is true: An OPA iaspector planted' outside of a fllmer here last week was waiting for the owner of a car parked nearby to come out. When the show broke he saw one man heading for the parked auto. He approached the gent, and demanded that he disgorge his gas coupons for violating the rule against pleasure driving. Retorted the motorist: 'Are you kidding? Sitting through a double-feature like I just saw Is no pleasure, mister!' MOST SHOW BIZ LABOR NOT IN NEW DRAFT LIST With exception of nitery employ- ees, theatre ushers and doormen no reference was made regarding show business in the announcement Li- sued yesterday (Tues.) by the Selec- tive Service Bureau that men en- gaged In 29 occupations would cease bfeing deferable after April 1 re- gardless of dependents. Among occupations listed as npn- detcrable were nitery operators and employees. List .of 'essential' indus- tries, whose employees are eligible for deferment, did not mention any other branches of show business. It was stated, however, that list of non-deferable occupations was by no means complete and would be added to later. Listed among non-deferable occu- pations, however, were fortune tell- ers,, astrologers, clairvoyants, med- iums, mjnd reader:!, palmists, etc., though not clarified whether this referred to professional theatrical performers or others. 1 Sfodios Defer 48-Hr. Week; Prepare Manual To Guide Draft Boards Hollywood, Feb. 2. Studios have, in .preparation a directory covering critical occupa' tions in film industry branches de- clared as essential with the idea of offering It to draft boards for use as a manual in considering requests for deferments. Producers and company attorneys huddled for several hours Sunday (31) discussing. war problems, par ticularly as they apply to the man- power situation. Pointed out that no official announcement has been made declaring the fllm industry as essential other than notiflcation to draft boards from K. H. Leitch, state director ot selective service, that the original announcement of the War Manpower Commission on the Industry beittg essential listed some 12 occupations. Understood, however, the total eventually will l>e raised to 20. Directory of employees holding critical occupations is being read led by company heads on the theory no blanket deferments will be iS' sued merely because the employee happens to be working In an oc- cupation listed as critical. Draft boards have already announced that each request will be handled on Its individual merit. Executives also deferred any ac- tion on proposed 48-hour week when it was pointed out that no official (Continued on page 47) REP. FILMS EXPLOITS OF GENERAL LE CLERC Hollywood, Feb. 2. Story of the exploits of General Le Clerc, Free French soldier who led his army 1,000 miles across the North African desert in pursuit of Rommel's Afrika Korps, is slated for production at Republic as 'The Phantom General.' Picture is still in the writing mill, with scribes working on a general idea of the story while awaiting later development from North Africa. CUTTING 'B' PIX AND SHORTS, BUT INCREASED NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT BRIEHES NOTED Decline in the number of 'B' fea- tures, now under way. is being equalled by a reduction in Iho num- ber of shorts made by major com- panies, according to industry lop' pcrs. Shortage of raw fllm stock, with slashes in the amount as.slc(ned to individual companies ordered by the WPB. Is blamed for the tr<>nd towards fcw-cr 'B' picture' and pro- portionately more "A" budi;el fea- tures. The raw .stock situation aNo is partially held accountable for the decline in number of .'ihoit.--. but the huge upbeat in quantity ql Goveri.- ment-piociurcd shorts take a por- tion of the responsibility. Heat has been on fur .sonic lime to gel more and more war propa- ganda -hoits of one sort or another into the theatres. With only a cer- tain amount of playing time avail- able the regularly produced .shorts of the n-»-iJor producers arc taking | the rap. While many exhibitors obviously would rather play a gratis subject (all Government-made Aims arc in that category I. other exhibs are; plainly dismayed by the vast quan-' tity of these biicfies they are asked lu play. The .sameness of many sub- jects, plus the deadly dullne.ss of some, has numerous exhibitors won- dering when the end is coming. C^ertaui exhibs feci that the .satura- tion point is rapidly beinit reached— that the uninlerrupled flow of many of the^o shorts may bring squawks from patrons and ultimately drive them away, from the theatre. ' Not only is a product shortage in* evitable but. dqe to ' conservation notably in restricting the number of prints made on pictures, theatre operators cannot escape various hardships already being felt. William F. Rodgers, v.p. in charge of distri- bution for Metro, stated yesterday (Tuesday) at a luncheon session with members ot the trade press. In this connection. Rodgers de- cried the fact that theatre owners or exhibitors are not represented on the Motion Picture Industry Advisory Council, which meets with the War Production Board on Industry prob- lems since. If they were, they would be fully as cognizant of conditions as the distributors are. The Metro sales exec recently recommended exhib representation on the council in view of the growing necessity for exiilbs and distributors to get closer to- gether on multiple, problems, but no action was taken. He may carry the ball further in this direction. Rodgers held his luncheon meeting .w'ith the tradepoper. men principally to discass numerous pictures he saw at the Metro studio on his recent visit Including 'Human Comedy.' which will be sold singly at as yet undetermined terms, as well as "Youngest Profession' and other com- pleted fllms that will comprise Metro's third block for availability In February, or as soon as the mar* ket is ready to absorb them. This third block will number from nine to 12 pictures. A fourth block this season (1942- 43) will depend on market condi- tions, Rodgers added. Should there not be a fourth group, Metro would deliver a maximum of 34 this sea- son, based on the 22 so far on sala and a third block of 12 tops. Metro Ls .continuing to grant lib- eral cancellations. Rodgers noting that while certain accounts have taken advantage of the rejection op- tion, they have done so principally where the pictures are not suitable to the theatres where bought. Making frequent trips to tha Coast himself to see the new prod- uct as it comes off the assembly line, Rodgers announced a new pol- icy of periodically sending Metro's keymen out to the studio for the .same purpose, Including members ot the sales force and the publicity- advertising departments. He said that he would like to sit down with trade reporters from time to time to discuss pictures and policies per- sonally as a desirable substitute for stereotyped, mimeographed an- nouncements sent out through tha publicity department Rodgers also noted In connection with various promotions made In distribution that he favored greater concentration of sales strength In tha fleld rather than from the homa office as has been the custom for many years. ROSE SLATES PAK OF BARRIEPK IN LONDON Hollywood. Feb. 2. David Rose, Paramount's manag* ing director for England, announced the early production of two James M. Barrie stories before shoving off for London. Pictures will be "The Admirable Crichton,' with Laurence Olivier in the title rote, and "The Old Lady Shows Her Medals,' co-starring David Niven and Mary Clare. RKO WUi Distrib Next BriL Propaganda Pic Motion Picture Producers Si Di.s- tributoi's Assn. directorate met ye."- lerday (Tuesday) to draw lol.- on next -British Ministry of Informa- tion feature to be distributed in America. RKO diev.- 'Leller from Ulster.' a .short .-iibieci" and will handle In this coui'liy. Directors alj^o v .lea $3,000 ;•) the Victory Committee ol Holly.voo'J. Committee suxgcste'! Nuch fund was needed to carry on. and company presirienls nk.tyed the appropriation.