Variety (Mar 1945)

PICTURES Wednesday, March T, 1945 Riskin, With State Dept. OK, Wants If wood to Continue Documentary Pix Hollywood, March 6. Robert Riskin, of Office of War Information overseas branch motion picture division, is presenting a recommendation to studio chiefs here for the founding or a separate non-profit company to make docu- mentaries in the postwar era. In setting up an autonomous or- ganization, to be subsidized by the film industry, Riskin said the. State dept. should have a representative on the policy board, inasmuch as . films will be made for overseas dis- tribution. Board would also include staff of proposed company and top educators and scientists, idea of Alms is to show the world how the people in the U. S. live, and sub* jects would range from medical and scientific achievements to school and government systems. Purpose is to pick up spread of good will and selling of U. S. to foreign peoples via documentaries now being sent overseas where OWI leaves oft six months after duration. Not only should industry subsidize the planned company, but philan- thropic foundations and various Gov- ernment agencies, who would have workings filmed, could place funds at company's disposal. Talent, both writing and acting, could contribute services. Permanent staff and tech- nicians, however, would be paid and studios would turn over facilities for filming of documentaries, accord- ing to Riskin.* State Dept. would also have great ; hand in distribution,of films, work- ing at various embassies and con- sulates with key distributors, who would take on chores of handling, repairing, cleaning, etc. films In their respective territories. Although films would be made primarily in 16 mm., Riskin feels they could also be turned out for commercial re- lease, thereby bringing income which, in time, might be sufficient to make company self-sustaining. However, audiences of educational, scientific, labor and Government topper groups would be the ones aimed' at primarily, with private showings for them through efforts'of Hollywood and in conjunction with ■ the State Dept. Film industry could aid in spreading good will for U, S. after the war by showing the rest of the world how we live and what we are doing over, here, Riskin stated. Company's real dividends would come.from good will built up through this medium. Riskin remains here two weeks parleying with studio heads before returning east and then overseas. He has already spoken to film chiefs in Ne\v York who are weighing idea. Riskin "also stated foreign audiences are anxious to see how we are liv- ing here and OWI shorts already released overseas have had excellent response and huge audiences. Through State Dept guidance, Ris- * kin feels, films could cement U. S. to world, and highly receptive* audi, ences are already created. Plan calls for immediate' formation of company if studio chiefs agree to set it up. State Dept is unofficially k claimed to be enthusiastic about pro ■J gram. WBV $2,368,565 Net For 3-Mo&, Up Over Last Yr. Warner Bros.' net operating profit for the first three months of com- pany's fiscal year ending last Nov, 25 amounted, to $2,368,565 as against $1,981,730 for corresponding period a year ago. This is equal to 63c. per common share against 53c. in com- parable period a year figo. Gross income, after eliminating Intercompany transactions, totaled (33,093,321, as compared with $34,- 113,961. Warners' income and ex- cess profits taxes. for the quarter ending last November amounted to $4,250,000. Reserve for contingen- cies includes $2,187,170 in respect of net assets of subsids operating In foreign territories.. Cox Tops U Ctffhangers . . Hollywood, March 6. Production of all cliffhangers on the Universal lot has been placed under supervision of Morgan Cox, who moves Into the spot once .occur j>Ued by the late Henry MacRae. Cox 1* an old hand at serial*, hav- fag scripted. numerous chapterplays tader to* MacRae regime. CON. FILMS' $561,719 NET PROFIT FOR 1944 Consolidated Film Industries (Re public) net income for 1944 amounted to $561,719, as against $578,338 in the preceding year, after all charges in- cluding Federal taxes in both in- stances. This is equal to $1.40V4 per share on 400,000 shares of preferred outstanding as.compared with $1.44Vfe on same number of preferred shares in 1943. In providing for Federal taxes and renegotiation of war con- tracts amounted to $943,000 in past year while in 194.3 this amount was $585,000, it being contemplated that renegotiation will result in a. refund of about $300,000 before adjustment for taxes. Consolidated net earnings state- ment on Republic's status reveals that $875,000 was deducted for Fed- eral income and excess profits taxes or nearly $300,000 more, than actual net profit. Also that ad-publicity ex- penses totaled $1,319,623. Total in- come from distribution of Republic pictures for year ending last Oct. 27 amounted to $14,555,925, substan- tially in excess of such income for the preceding fiscal year, according to Herbert J. Yates, Consolidated president. Republic's net earnings for the fiscal year totaled $569,409, he revealed. Rep Hypos Prodnction After March Tax Bite Hollywood, March 6. First of the studios to hop.pro- duction after the annual March tax bite on exposed film is Republic; where eight pictures will get the starting gun before the end of the month, in addition to two currently before the cameras. March starters are "Man From Oklahoma," "Trail of Kit Carson,' "Tiger Woman;* "Love, Honor and Goodbye," "Colorado Pioneers, r "Mexicana," "Union Pacific Scouts' and "Down Tahiti Way." Carried over from February are "Girls of the Big House" and "The Amazing Mr. M." Chi Showmen Gripe Brownout Seems Aimed Chiefly at Amus. Biz Chicago, March 6. Contrary to dally newspaper re- ports that show biz here haa ac- cepted WPB's brownout edict "wholeheartedly," there are plenty of beefs being made by exhibs about what they call gross, inequities in the ruling. Like nitery operators, who've gone so far in making objec- tions to WMC's curfew order that they sent a delegation to Washington last week to confer with . Govern- ment officials, exhibs are plenty riled about some of the things that are going on—and apparently with good reason. Theatre operators, while following the 60-watt-only-on-marquee order to the letter, were also ordered last week to cut down On lights in shad- ow, boxes, photo frames and other lobby electricity usage. No viola- tions of WPB rules have been re- ported, and few are expected, but what's burning exhibs is the way other industries are permitted to go all out in illumination. Example: One railroad station here had three new aluminum freight cars on exhibit on a siding two days last week, with public invited to give the show a gander. Cars, each about 40 feet long, had two 100-watt spot- lights, spaced every ten feet; over- head, for a grand total of 24— and the lights were on during daytime hours as well as at night! Cars, which railroads claim will be used extensively after the war, were on exhibit strictly as a postwar In- stitutional advertising pitch and therefore, according to one exhib, gimmicks such as this, which cannot in any way, shape or form 1 be con strued as helping to win -th'e war, should, as in the case of theatres, be clamped down on. Consensus here is that, while rail roads and other such industries are doing a terriff job in the war effort WPB should also limit their use of electricity, just as they have theatres, especially where plugs for postwar biz are concerned. Deitch Returns to Par In N.Y. as Theatre Exec Joe Deitch, veteran buyer-booker, who was originally in the Paramount homeoffice but for the past 12 years has been in charge of buying for the Tri-States (Blank) circuit In the midwest, returns to N. Y. to assume an executive post in the Par theatre department under Leonard H. Gold enson. Exact nature of the post Is not disclosed. With Par 20 years and a home office buyer ' when the old Publlx theatre setup handled all film deals from N. Y., Deitch, who has made headquarters in Des Moines, comes into the h.o. April 1. CoL Inks Four N.Y. Scribes Hollywood, March 6, Columbia's drive for new writing talent resulted in the signing of four young scribes from the east to work under supervision of Richard Sokolove, -story editor. New scripters are Martin Field, Guy Andros, John Lloyd and Harry J. Essex, - . Studio Contracts Hollywood, March 6. Shemp Howard, actor, Columbia Beverly Johnson, actor, Par. Rickl Van Dusen, actress, 20th-Fox Lesley Seiander, director, Rep. Frank McDonald, director,. Rep, Peggy Ryan, actress, Universal Peter Cookson, actor, Monogram Travis Banton,- designer, Universal George Macready, actor, Columbia. Louis King, director, 20th-Fox. Lon Chaney, actor, Universal. ■ Barry Fitzgerald, renewed, Par. Kay Scott, actress, Par. Howard Estabrobk, writer, Rep. Robert Webb, director, 20th-Fox. Edward Hudson, actor, 20th-Fox. Seymour Felix, dance dir., 20th Mona Freeman, actress, Par. Bob Graham, actor,- Pan Lane Watson, actor, Inter*!. Chat. G. Booth, writer, 20th. EsteliU, actress, Republic, While Majors Would Curb Further Indie Deals, Latter Still Grow—Spring Argentina Hay Ban Mex Pii; Wants Slock Argentina, desperate for film raw stock, has threatened to close her picture houses to Mexican-made films unless Mexico supplies raw stock to Argentine for her industry. Chile is understood to have turned over' part of 'her raw stock to Ar- gentina, but not sufficient to meet requirements. CHI POLICE CENSORS NIX MONO'S MLINGER' Chicago, March 6. Chicago police censor board, con- tinuing the policy inaugurated in 1932 when it banned UA's "Scar- face," last week rejected Monogram's "Dlllinger." Board, which made the announcement in its routine month- ly ^roundup of- statistics on pix viewed during .February, did hot ex- plain its. action, claiming it's not the policy to give a distributor a bum rap, and referred ail questions to Irving -Mandel, boss of Monogram exchange here, who in turn said "no- comment." Understood, however, that pic, like "Scarface," which was held up for years and cut plenty before finally being given the white slip, and 20th- Fo'x's "Roger Touhy," which was pinked at first, but later given the green light • when suggested cuts were made, tends to glorify the slain Dlllinger, who, like "Scarface" Al Capone arid Touhy, .first gained notoriety in Chi. Board's decision has roused plenty of comment in Film Row, especially in view of the. fact that Chi Daily News a few weeks ago ran a. gory picture story on Dillinger's life in two Saturday roto. sections, with no objections from the public or any censor board on record. Tightening lip of restrictions, in view of rum- pus over "Trio" in N. Y. last week, is viewed by some as a wartime trend. Mandel wouldn't say whether he'd appeal the board's ruling-or not, but usual procedure is for exchange execs to apply to Police Commr. James Allman for reversal Pointed out that board also pinked 20th-Fox's "Hangover Square" two weeks ago, with no reason given, but learned that Allman overrode the board on appeal of the exchange. Columbia's "I Love a Mystery", was also tagged "Adults Only" during February. Unusual angle of the to-do is that "Scarface," on the shelf for years before UA finally got an injunction against the board forcing them to release it, ran over the week-end at the Loop Monroe on dual basis with "Hell's Angels." Deighton Moves Ahead To Top U Casting Dept. Hollywood, March 6. . Universal upped Howard Deighton to casting director, filling the post recently . vacated by Robert Speers, who was made a member of the Advisory Board in charge of players and directors. Former legit producer in England, Deighton joined Universale casting staff last October after functioning as talent executive for the Holly wood Victory Committee and USO Camp Shows. Jovan Takes Over Monroe, Chi, From Lubliner-Trinz Chicago, March 6. Operation of the Monroe, 960-seat Loop house, was taken over yester- day by James Jovan, who will con- tinue the present : second fun policy until definite arrangements can be made to switch over to first runs. Jovan has tentatively set "Be- hind the Enemy Lines" to inaugu< rate the new policy March 14. Film is a compilation of captured enemy shots edited by Maj. Ross Duff White- tock to be released by Globe. The Monroe was built in 1922 and from 1923 until 1930 was operated by the old Fox Film Co. as its first-run downtown house. Since 1930 house lias been operated by Sam and Eddie. Trims and Harry Lubliner, who also have the lease on the Clark, for- merly the. legit Adelphl. Lesser Starts Monkey Business as Insurance Hollywood, March 6. To guard against a possible simian shortage, Sol Lesser Is developing a farm for the breeding and training of chimpanzees'. With exclusive Tarzan" rights in his possession and Johnny Weissmuller under contract, the only flaw in Lesser's strategy is the undependability of chimps. These actors, like their human col- leagues, are not only temperamental but prone to pneumonia and other ailments of civilization. Al Antonuccl, formerly with the St. Louis Zoo, has been signed as simian educator, with . 12 chimps as the nucleus -of a stock company, based in an artificial jungle in Cul- ver City. Anytime a chimp goes haywire or ill, there will be at least 11 understudies ready to take over. Next chimp picture will be "Tarzan arid the Leopard Woman." Kohlmar to Westwood Hollywood, March 6. Fred Kohlmar, currently produc- ing "The Well-Groomed Bride" at Paramount, will move into 20th-Fox May 1 under a producer contract Formerly an associate producer at Columbia, Kohlmar shifted to Par- amount four, years ago in a similar capacity. Ask Theatre Divorcement In Minn. Legislature Minneapolis, March 6. For the first'time in five years a theatre divorcement bill has been Introduced Into the state legislature. The measure, prohibits film producers or distributors from owning. "in whole or in part" or operating film theatres. It becomes effective 12 months after enactment and carries a penalty of $10,000 fine or a year in jail for violation.' Introduction. of the bill came as a complete "surprise" - to the local Independent exhibitors'* organization and, as far as can be learned, the proposed law has no organized back- ing, but was a single legislator's brainchild. Independent leaders have not been agitating for such legisla- tion recently,. ,A similar bill was previously de- feated in the legislature and the present one Is given little chance of receiving much consideration, let alone passage. By ROY* CHART1ER Major producer-distributors re- portedly have locked the doors against any further releasing deals with independent producers, refus- ing to take any more on, but . this step will not, in the opinion of Sam- uel Spring, w.k. industry attorney, stop what is growing into a tidal wave of indie producing ventures. The end of the war will not only see this tide roll in, to the possible consternation of major 'companies, but when building and other restric- tions are relaxed, it is very likely, Spring believes, that new distribut- ing companies will come into the picture to provide sales and releasing outlet for indie producers. Of course, he adds, those , who have valuable properties, including stories—and, in case of stars, themselves—will find themselves in a highly advantageous position. New distributing organiza- tions would be forming right now, the veteran film attorney opines, if they were able to build exchanges across the country and supply them with typewriters, billing machines, comptometers, etc., which are im- possible to obtain at present. _ It has been reported unofficially that Vanguard Films, Inc. (David O. Selznick) might branch out as -a distributing . company with its own exchanges, which would mean pull- ing away from United Artists. Also, Harry C. Arthur, v.p. of Fanchoh & Marco, some time back was assured by certain producers and artists in Hollywood who wanted to produce picturees themselves, that if a fran- chising organization similar to the old First National company could be set up, they would swing with It. That venture is still on the fire. Spring, who was secretaryitreas- urer and general counsel of First Na- tional before it merged with Warners about 16 years-ago, and acts in a legal capacity for Sam Goldwyn arid Vanguard, plus various other film in- terests, looks to a postwar goldstrike for indie producers. Govt In Indies' Corner "Never before has there been such an opportunity for the independent producer," he states. "The Govern- ment apparently favors them as against studio control by majors, and the exhibitors, also, are in their corner. There are more good pro- ducers now than ever before in the history .of the film business and, based upon what they have been . able to prove, they want to go ahead but without strings." Noting that the picture Industry from its earlier days has gone through several phases. Spring be- lieves that victory will bring about an important phase so 'far as in- ternational marketing of films is con- cerned and that another will be the domination of the industry by inde-' pendent film-makers with releasing channels. Among other things, he points to the attractive taxation angles In the .organization of producing companies by salaried producers, directors and stars. Individual income taxes in the high brackets will be here for a long time to come, but corporate levies will come down, Spring predicts. The attorney also expresses the con- viction that major producer-distribu- tors will be divorced from their the- atre chains and that this will further encourage the spread of independent producing units. Asserting divorce- ment is sure to come, he guesses that it may not be for seven years or so, however. In fact, it has been reported that if the Big Five will agree to divorce- • ment, the Government will allow them possibly up to that number of years to complete divestment of their many and Involved theatre Interests. Nichols, Meredith's RKO Pic With Miss Goddard Hollywood. March 6. Dudley Nichols and Burgess Mere- dith checked in at RKO as producer and associate producer, to make a picture, still untitled, starring Paul- ette Goddard. Production will be the one off- the-lot picture permitted annually under Miss Goddard's contract with Paramount Jean Renoir will di- rect , ' .. . RKO'S BECOBJD STOCK CO. Hollywood, March 6. Stock player roster at RKO Is up to 34", the largest number in the his- tory of the studio. Lists consists, of 38 males and 10 femmea.