Variety (Feb 1946)

-W^edneBday, February 6, 1946 P^fSIETY PICTURES 3 NK EXHIB STAND VS. BRmSH PK Govt. Sues for War Vet in Chicago, Trying to Get Back Job Union Nixes Chicago, Feb 5. -f , Fight between the U. S. Govern- ment and Motion Picture Operators' Union, Local 110, is seen in the ofling as result of the fllbt suit of its kind ' launched here by the Government to force an employfer to rehue a war vet. It was filed in U. S. Distiict Court last week against Ben Cooney, owner of the Ofidcn, a ncighboihood theatre Cooney said he cant rehire the vot, who happens lo be hii. nephew, ■because "my hands are tied by the IkOopiatois' Union" Nephew is Ed- ward J Cooney, an lionoiablj dis- charged sailor. EK-tar said ho wants the job back, and his uncle iaid he wants to give it to him. Tlie youngci Cooney op- eiiitcd a projector foi hib uncle foi 11 yejis befoie he enlisted m the Navy The hou^e wasn't unionized vlicn lie enlisted, accoidins to the suit, but it is now Edwaid's salary was $60 a week at the theatns which is ^art of Ben's Calog Theatic chjui Youth applied •for reomplovment last No\ 12, hav- ii ing received hu. dibchdige Nov G !• A union opoiatoi held the lob when he came homo, hovvcvoi, and his cx- " boss was told by the union that he < couldn't put Edward back to v\ ork Suit was filed by Asit_ U S Atty. Mauuca Handelman. iindei provi- sions oi the Selective Scivico Act of l'54fl Rccniplovnienl Divition, which requires employers to rehire vetinn- liif? servicemen, who Ijold seniority. Union's attitude, as e\piesscd by James Gorman, prcz' of the Ipcal,;is that young Cooney will have. to get 64 the w.aithig list—"aiid it's a long one." Also syid that "jt loolis like the union will liave to flght t'iie suit/' and that the tliealic vv.is. iinioni7ed a few weclcs before Edv aid went into ,the Navy, so that he was put out of work at that time, latter point being contrary to the Government stance. Widow' to Precede 'Outlaw' in Release Despite Hughes Deal Ccspite a repoited deal between Howard Huglies 'and Hunt Strom- berg to insure Hughes' Jjno Russell starrer. 'Tlie Outlaw." getting into thonties belore Stromberg's Russell pic, "Young Widow," it appears vir- tually certain now that llic latter will be fust acioss the st.ntinj; line, Both are being diitributcd hi United .^rtists. ■■ Reported deal is tliat Hughes, whose pictuio-making activities aie a sidehre to his nmlti-miUion doUir plane mteiests. would iinanco Siioni: b='q's next film it tlie pioducer would hold lip. release, of "Widov?": for a short time 'to enable "Outlaw" to precede it into, • distributioh. Stfdhibei'g.is said to have agreed ahd: . pa-;hed, back release on "Widow." .' Situation has since become in- (.Cr^stngly Cohfused, libwevcr, and it ,,ap!iears certain , tlial; ■'•■V?iciovv". will be the fust to bit the nation's scioons since it is sot down on the UV itlcffso calendu- tor Maich 1: Outlaw ' was down loi lelease this- , *^nclay (8). but no playdates are "set :ancl nqne is being taken, since ,UA MS no advertising, or. publicity ma-, tei-ial. Hughes lield such -matoriai "8 hy taking, its conception and es- J-i-Ution into his own hands, onlv to tind that parts ol it f.ulod to get liy ' iContinuect on pat;o GSt ■ ; V ' JOLSON TRAILERS J] WE's 'Singes,' Col.'b b:<»!{ May r.\ Foi E.icli Othei 1 f t re Film Baptism New York banker: vvho only recently got into fihn financing and IS getting his baptism of in- tra-industry goutgs'on, summed up his reactions thus: <, - - "The film business is the only one I've ever known vvheie ne- gotiations slait with tlio signing of the contract.';. > , Chaplin-Selznick Strain Balks Buy Of Lichtman In UA While current strained situation continues between ownei,s Charles Chaplin and David O SeUnick, it is understood there will Ije noi action- on efforts of Al Lichtman, MtG exec producer, to buy into United Artists. Lichtman,: a former pres- ident of UA, is said to have been "carrying a check around m his pockSt for months' for the purpose and has publicly acknowledged his desire to buv in. : UA owners, Chaplin, Selznick and Mary Pick- ford, on the other hand, arc not in the mood at the moment to sell. Next UA boaid meeting is .set foi next Wednesday (13). but it is vir- tuaUv certain there will be jio action, on the Lichtman bid at that time. It's understood that ocfore any stops even will be cohsidci'ed for tai;ing m an additional partner, or iiUowmg one ot the present owncis to sell out. dilleiences cuiiently oxisliiig be- tween Selznick and; Chaplin over company policy and procedure must bo composed No owner can sell his Or her mteicst without bond ap- proval of sthe prospective buyer. It has also been reported that a British group, headed by Sydney Beinstein, has expiesscd inteiesl m either buying into UA or acquiniit; a controlling interest. No direct bid has been made, however. WM. POWELL GETS TITLE PART IN'FATHER' Hollywood. Feb. 5. Wiilicffi Powell will have the title role ill "Life , With Father," vvliiic' Irene Dunne is fairly certain to play "Mother." Mar.V Picklord has been eliminated for latter, but Dorothy Stickney. vvho created the original Bioadway role is still a rlaiKhoi'C Lontender if thcie's tiouble on the Dunne deal; -Howard Lmdsay an d Russel Crouse. authors of the legit version, iott here today (Tuesday) for New^ York, .foltovving cjaiie of dcnl ,on their, "State . Of the Union" vvitli Paranidunt. Ttiey'll be, bacik , Marcii 1 for the start,of Mniiiig :of I'^Ijife with Fiither" on March 1.5. Mrs. Claionce Dav widou of Lhaiaitri aroufid wlldm niC ;.ii^tay is. written will remain here. ; ■ Mike Cnrti7.;lifts,:d,ini(;tOi'iat aissigii- ment., • , Wsvucr Srop. is reported planning 20th rnilivers!iry of Vltapliono .'.taikers) .faf tlie 1940-47 midseascjn, , ;P0£.sibly tD colaeidc with its rumalio °\ ^"The -Jazz,; .Singbi-.'' Coiumbla ^etiii;esV,scrpen.'i3ios pf :^'The Story ■ f Jul,son"may ,be Mlcased c.oin- .wcjentaily, .and ;it's a tofsup wlucli I be a tiailer loi the olHoi "Ji-z Singoi," starling Jolson. aas iSaj^'''''""^ point of iound films lu 'Amber's' March Start William Perjbcrg. in New Yoik for Uvo-vvcek vacash liom 20lli-l''ox production ' chores. . will send; "For- ever .Amber" before tlie oainci^as on March 4. if will be preceded on liis sked of "Claudia tind. David,'' -sCquel to "C;aud-ia.",- •. Diificuities with .Uic Motion Pic- tii.ro Assii. o.f Anieriea on u^c ru' ll"o "Forever Amber" title on the (ihnlza- tion of the yarn havo been .>t|Uai:ed OvV'ay, with Fox gottiVi}* the deeisioii: MPA.'V at fii t obiected 11 ii-e ot tl>( ta". s.iuo Phil DuMiio's sciecnplds neeessi'u'j ve^is con^idcuibly liom ■tlie.'book.;",-. Peggy Cummins has the lead op- posite Cornel WiU.c. HOLLYWOOD SEES U. S. PatroM Resent Theatre Collections, Say Many Kdiib, Plamnng to Cut 'ha By ABEL GREEX Hollywood, Feb.T).. . Hollywood producers with an eve to the foreign market believe, on tlie whole, that It's fallacious tj arcept U. S. exhibitor resistance to Brilitl'- made'pictures^. If the Birtisli CMii'l^. or won't-.-enjoy some American dol- lar, exchange, it must inevitably lead to the furthei nationahzati'm ot tlie.i native fllrn' industry, as is alvcady. being, manifested in. bthei", cottiitiies, many tilmTmakers here aver. What- happens?- The foreign mar- kets for U. S. films dwindle, and that inevitably must lead to fuilail- raent of .production budgets, since the'. -Present high-cost,. AiyierioEiiiT made picture cannot survive on its domestic revenue alone. If tne pro- duction costs are cuitailed quality must suiter. K quality dimuu.shcs that must affect the U. S. boxofiice income. And thus it hits the Anieii- cau exhibitors. ■ . .:: It's for that reason ^very local fllm*maker concedes that the Yank exhibitor must open his datings to foreign product, particularly Briush, because of the language aflinity. Right now. Ill England, there . i.s muchmtratrade talk-rrall favorable —about "Vacation From Maiiiage" (Robert Donat-DeboraU Kerr). v\ Inch the artistic end of the film colony has given a good rating Now, they argue, if the U. S. exhih contends that the British marqee names are too vague for their fans (oi course, Donat is not a good argument, since he formerly enjoyed-quite an,Amerir man vogue, pro-wai), it's impoUant J or the American dibtributois to break down this prejudice. This can and should be done only (Continued on page 57) - Int'l Seen Set on Buy Of 'Bloomer Girl'; May Borrow Durbin as Lead Hollywood, Feb. 5. Intornatioml Pictures is tuiiently negotiating tor purchase of screen iiqhts to "Bloomei Gill" one of the low top Broadway musical hits re? niaining unsold to HoUjwood, Deal is understood pretty vv^ell .set on a pprccntage . participation similar to Paramount's arrangement made last week on "State of the Union.' Pic IS to be made by the Bill GoGtz-Loo Spitz International combo for release under the United World Pictures banner through Universal. Possibility exists that Deanna Dur^ bin may be borrowed from U for the top role. In.side. opinion at the studio is that there's :been dissatis- taction ol late v\ith films not well- designed for Miss Durbin, and the ' Blooincr Girl" part is looked On as a hypo'. . Nat Goldstone. 10f,.er here, who IS associated with John C. Wilson as Bloomer" producer, us handling talks with Coetz on the deal. Show is currently in its 71st week at the Shubcit, N Y with Nanette Fabtav in the top role. . ..... Goldwyn on the Weather Add alleged Goldwynisms: Chap walked intov Sam Gold- wyn's office ..a couple-weeks ago on a cold, rainy day. He re- marked to the producer: "Awful out, isn't it!" "Sure IS," replied Goldwynj ' but what can you expect m weather like this." . Sorrell Gives Ultimatum On laOOO Workers Hollywood, Feb. 5. Herbert Sorrell, prexy of Confer- ence of Studio Unions, IS presenting an ultimatum to the .major com- panies today ((Tuesday) demanding 48 hours' pay for 36 hours' work for 10,000.: studio .workers. Equivalent increase for non-craft unions is asked along with 10 unions associ- ated with Conference. Deadline for inking new wage . agreements is Feb 16 Indie producers have agreed to take quick action on the demands of the Gonterenee of Studio Unions for 48-hour pay for a 36-hour week, and negotiations will be opened: immedi- ately. Donald: Nelson, head ot indie produccis gioup, advised Son ell that demands will he placed before a full membership meeting tomorrow (6). Sorrell stated that the : Chadwick group IS ready to sign agreements immediately- and he expressed the belief that the big indies would go along with the program; Carpenters, meanwhile, have voted unanimously to aftiliate with CbU and also voted to do set trim work. It was also decided that carpenters (Continued on'page 12) FILM DIVVIES FELL OFF DURING 1945 ' Wn.-hinglon. Fob. 5. Despite the fact that .19.4.T was thia all-timc' high year at, ilie nation's :bo.xollic.c.s, filni industry dividendi! I'or the year fell sUght^y iinclcr tl'idse for■ 1!)44, accbrclittg to D.-^J?t. 'pt Coi ii- mercn figures. Thcvoverafl roelDn cut for stock-. holders last year wa:-; $2;j,?OO.II0O, compared with $24,000,000 in 1044! 'I'he December, 1945. ;dividcnds Wpi-.e. Sto'.iiOO.OOi). under, the $7,100,000 for thc.same tnoii'ttV of .1944. j .: in the early .part of l.iJ4,'5 dividends ran ahead of 1944. but tl.ie.v. ■slipped bade in.lhd later iMoiiths of the yeai'-. Engel's Triple Ticket. I Hollywood. Feb 5. S m Engcl inked a thioc-wav con- U-ai'l with 2(jth-F<).'<-.t()::funOtlon as ' produc^jr, direetor ai;d writer. Fii t lob uiidei the neu jgiee- iiH 'l uiU be "Sliangcr on the lilighwoy,";., .■ „,':;:.■;■ ■ ■':"--'yv,:' UA PLANS ROADSHOWING mKY V, NOT 'CAESAR' United Artists: will ■ roadshow •Henry V,' Britishrmade Technicolor production. Initial date will be in Boston about mid-March. The house hasn t been: definitely set yet. Laur rence Olivier produced and stars in the filiTii being released under ; the Two Cities label Meantime; difricultles on getting Technicolor piints is holding up set- ting of arrangements for UA's re- lease in this country of Gabriel Pas- cal s 'Caesar and Cleopatra." re- ported to have cost $5,000,000. It will not be roactshown, but will be,given special treatment and a trehfiendcjus pub-ad campa»gn. Ejipeotation isihat ':G&C will be sold on next season's program.. : 'Henry V, ' according to present plan.Si will be treated more hlio a legit show than any pic ever released: in this country. . Sinall h6uscs vvi.it be uscpl and there will be no simtil-, taiieous openings., Dates wiil,:be wcil spicad out piccoded by lengthy ca'n- paigns designed to attract special tv»p(v audience to which UA execs bcliwo -pie vvill appeal, They arc hbpi ng to reach outside: rogiila r tli e- atre audiences, by ticups with boards: of • education, churches, womcri's clubk c.olleg6a .ctnd. other iiistitiitionS; Special efioits will b^_^madc to sell ttieatre parlies. , . ■■ ■ ' Sherman Ejects Indies , :: ■ Hollywood. Feb. 5. Harry Sherman, lining up.a licavy pruduclion akcd of.his o.jvn, has'iio-, tilicd other indie producere to .chock ofl the Caluoima studio lot b.v Match I Only one lemaining after that dale vuU be Sol WurUel, vvho ijsis a three-picture commitmdht. : , . Sherman will, iieed all hi.?: space to iilm '■JSamrod '. ana '-They Py.sjod II s VVav tuo successive Jbel hie- Ciea slautis. Exhibitors and exhib organizations . are starting to turn a cold .shoulder on various theatre'drive collections. New attitude IS that it will have to- be an extremely worthy cause befoie the campaign Will be okayed for the- atre or circuit: support. It's not that thealiemen have any desire to ignoie worthy charities, but attitude lesuHs from squawks by patrons and claims by exhibs that audiences are fed up on drives;: ■■ v-:'; -;.:''^ Esiiraatod. that some 15 theatre as- : sociations or units have parsed leso- lutiobs against drive collections in theatres. Ohio exhibitors recently voted unanimously against .coHec* tions, while in recent weeks two big southern circuits clamped down, one even ignoring the March of Dunes. Understood that, any number of chains have quietly decided to ifnore the foilhcoramg Red Cross drive for a huge fund lor overset, relief. .• Stand of exhibitors generally is that there is no pressing need for theatres to disrupt their audiences with collections now that the war is over. Quite a few exhibs claim pa- trons have threatened to stay away from the theatre, if collections con- tinue. Attitude-is that they pay their admission to see the show and resent the charity taps- :Now believed that the meetinp of the industry's Theatre Activities Committee in St. Louis next April is likely to run into the controversial is'sue, since the TAG would have continuance of such drives as one of Its main lunctions. Philly Resentment Philadelfihia, Fob... 5. Thei-e's a lot. pf resentnient. in Phillj among exhibs at the forniction of a Theatre Activities Committee to (Continued on page 62) ' : BIG STATE FIGHT TAX BALKS LOUIS-CONN PIX Deal for film rights on the Joe Louis-Billy Conn title bout, to be held June 19 at Yankee stadium, N. Y., IS being stymied by New York State tax laws which call for a levy on ;fight films equalling 5% ; of the , gross gate receipts. If the gate, reaches the anticipated million mark,- taxes alone would amount to $S0;00O. Lt Col, EJWard Eagan, N Y State boxing commissioner, is asking the attorney general's olflce for, clari- fication of the tax provision. ^Tradc Marlt KoKiHlcrod JOINDBI) B* &IME hILVrRMVN riililislivil .IVt'Ckl} by VARIliTY, Inc. ■ Sid ■&l]v.m*mn'h. Proaulonl n Well 4Ctli SI New Toilt 11 N Y SOUhCnU'TION A hrm.-xl... .■. ■. $10. . Porclgn Ci nt K.VII.V VAKIivTV (PuliliM)i?'ii ill. i(.l!>!l.v.w<i!iil by: .. I>iUI.V. .■\'ilfiW3V.'l.li1..i .,: till ft 1 tin—$12 roic 1 ri