Variety (Jul 1946)

Wednesday, July 24, 1946 PICTURES 39 Inside Stuff-Pictures The- $237,000 arbitration award given. 20th-Fox on pictures played on percentage by Brandt Theatres, of which Harry Brandt is president, is pcing paid off in installments but, meantime, no 20th product has started flowing back into some 80-odd Brandt houses which this company formerly serviced. Under the deal made with 20th to wipe off the £237,000 indebt- edness. Brandt has paid $37,0QO down and will liquidate the balance at $4,000 weekly over a period of 50 weeks. ' With 20th having been out of the Brandt circuit since last September, a large number of pictures'for subsequent run exhibition have accumu- latea, Some were sold away when 20th broke with Brandt but only in isolated instances. In what appears to be tantamount to an altitude of trying to be hard to get, 20th has not approached Brandt to discuss a new deal nor has the Brandt interests gone to 20th with a view, to renewing relations. However, as expressed in: one quarter in 20th, there is no reason why amicable dealings cannot be resumed. M. M. Rubens, of the. Great States Circuit in Illinois, one of the exhibs who was not immediately sold, on talking, pictures when Warners brought them forth 20 years ago, now relates how he was brought into the fold. Rubens was running the Rialto in Jollet when "The Jazz Singer" came along with much ballyhoo about its singing and talking. Having no sound equipment in his theatre, and hot wanting to disappoint his customers who had read or heard about the new talking picture, Rubens hired a professional singer to stand; on the stage and give with the songs and dialog where it was called for. What's more, for the big scene where Al Jolson sang "Eili Etti'-* in the synagogue, Rubens hired a genuine Hebrew cantor. The audience reaction was so vociferous that Rubens was con- vinced talking pictures had arrived. 9*e Hike Continued Production led from page 9 I Despite statements from many exhibs that the installation of , candy stands to replace their automatic machines has increased the gross sales, many exhibs still possessing the stands are thinking twice about the change over. Chief reason is that the candy service companies, including American Best Candy, probably the largest, allows only 25% to the exhibs on a stand, while giving 30%_of the gross back on a machine. Some exhibs in the smaller towns have decided to stick to the machines, regardless. Venders are installed by the service company, which provides the candy. All the exhib has to do is keep the machine filled and then empty out the nickels as they roll in. On the heels of the Variety story of July 7, the N. Y. Times yesterday (Tuesday) carried a wire from correspondent Dana Adams Schmidt in Germany reporting the effect, culturally and psychologically, of American pix in that country. According to Schmidt, the 35 American Alms shown there by informa- tion-control offices have "with only a few exceptions had no observable effect in the political and psychological reeducation of Germans and have, on the contrary, reduced American cultural prestige and probably dam- aged the future market for American films in Germany." (Variety reported that American films now going to Germany and Austria painted the U. S. os a race of gangsters and jitterbugs.) Visitors on the motion picture lots are hampering production more se- riously than at any time since Pearl Harbor. At the RKO studio recently a total of 212 tourists invaded the sound stages in one day. These casual guests not only Interfere with the actual filming but devour the food in the studio cafes, causing players to go off the lot for luncheon, thereby losing more time. Producers would like to bar the callers, but most of same are regarded as "important people," such as exhibitors, or relatives of studio execs, accompanied usually by their wives, families and friends. Income tax situation may force major Aim studios to follow the example set by the indies and extend participation deals to stars, producers, direc- tors and writers. Recently top talent in all departments have been leaving the major lots on expiration of their contracts to accept profit-sharing deals; thereby reducing the marquee strength of the majors' pictures. One alternative is to develop new talent, but that is a long and eostly process. Film production in France is going full'blast with every studio in the country occupied and a program of 65 pictures promised for completion by Dec. 31. French government is backing the construction of a new studio on the Riviera, destined to be the largest in France and capable of serv- icing three film companies. thing else I know to bring industrial peace in our industry." Johnston declared that every pro- ducer in the industry was fully in favor of collective bargaining, term- ing that an "industry condition of which I'm very proud." He ex- pressed the opinion that labor was just as anxious to avoid strikes as the producers, and maintained that if a firm determination existed on both sides to avoid strike's, they wouldn't happen. "We can't be too' hidebound in sticking to our rights," he said. "Management has. the right , to the lockout but it rarely , uses it; labor has the right to strike, but it should rarely use it. There are times when rights can mean ruin." Calling on the entire industry to work together for the betterment of the world, Johnston said: "It is no exaggeration to »ay that the motion picture industry sets the. styles for half the world. There isn't one of us who isn't aware that the motion picture is the most powerful medium for influencing people that man has ever built. But it's not enough to say just that and be smug in such success. We can set- hew styles in thinking! We can set new styles in living. And two hew styles need setting now. "The doctrine of production must be made completely popular. It must become the style. The doctrine of arbitration—give and take—must be accepted as the natural, normal thing to do. It must become the style. These two things lead to se- curity; they lead to higher living standards; they lead to higher moral standards. These things spell Utopia as you and I conceive Utopia, to be." Pointing out that throughout his- tory, whenever Socialists won their way to power, they always told the workers that the way to have the good things, of life was through pro- duction,' Johnston concluded: •''You-want security? I'm for that: You want higher living standards? I'm for that. You want a Btrikeless industry . and steady employment? I'm for that. You want to feel that you belong to this industry and that you share in it? Tm for that "We can have all these things. Production- will ■ give us all these things'. But they- are impossible without production. We must make things before we can have them. No Aladdin's lamp will bring them to us; ho fairy godmother will wave her magic wand -ahcTctump them in our laps; there's no rabbit in the hat. We've got to make what we want before we cart'have it." Cincy's Buying-Bookmg Combine Starts Aug. 1; Other X'change Briefs Start of booking and buying serv- ice by the newiv formed. Theatre Owners, Inc., a group of .five exhibi- tors who operate 32 houses, about one third of the nabes in Greater Cincy, is set for August 1. The com- bine of indies has engaged Irving Sochin as general .manager. He re- sinned last week as assistant mana- ger of the 20th-Fox office in Indian- apolis, which he . assumed several months ago when transferred from 20th's,Cincy exchange. Exhibs in the new pool are Frank W. "Wes" . Huss, Jr., Willis Vance, Ralph Kihsler representing the. El- mer Shard estate, Maurice Chase and Louis Wiethe. Winnipeg strike Settled .-■..■' Winnipeg. A new technique in labor rela- tions, believed to be unique in Ca- nadian film circles, has been worked out here between the. Manitoba Ex- hibitors' Assn. and Local 299 of the IA. And in its first test, it was able to solve a dispute between' the union and Western Theatres Ltd. and Al- lied Amusements Ltd., which threat- ened to shut down houses belonging to both companies. It also paved the way for peaceful renewal of con- tracts between the union and all in- dependents here. The technique ' is simply a round-table discussion. Houses Reopen In Pitt Area Pittsburgh. Many theatres in this territory, shuttered for years,- are reopening; One is at Star Junction, Pa., closed since 1939. Lou Gilbert, veteran manager of Warner. theatre, ordered' by medico to take a long rest following recent illness. As a result. John Reilly, moving from WB's Strand in Oak- land, fills in for him at downtown house. ^ Dushore, Pa., opened its first mo- tion picture house last - week. Eu- gene C. Mlnier, who also operates houses in Laceyville and Wyaluslng, is operating it. Lyric theatre In Erie, leased by Paul Bronder, Pittsburgh exhib, who owns the Avenue and Karen here. Removal of box-seat sections, and the stage at a later date, will make room for 400 additional..seats at Shea's Fulton theatre, increasing capacity to around 2,100. Modern- ization program will be carried on without any. loss of playing time. Mark . Servanti, district exhib. turned over management of his theatre at Petrolia to his two ex-GI sons, Mark and Lewis Serventl. .. Christ!, whioh he sold to . ArriuKo Gonzales. Although the San Antonio police department will hot' enforce the polio ban until the outcome of a test case here, local Interstate Theatres will continue to enforce the ban against those under 14 years .of age. Ban has been in effect sjnee May 10. According to George Watson, city manager for Interstate, ban will be enforced at all local houses. D. C. Theatre Project Washington. Permit has\been Issued here to erect a large office building, film theatre, garage and shopping center on Temple Heights, wooded tract, a little outside of the mid-city district. While the D. C. Zoning Commis- sion gave its stamp of approval last week, there is no indication whetner the theatre and remainder of the project will be immediately allowed construction materials by the Civil- ian Production Administration. Griffith Bid*.. Plans Hugo, Okla. Griffith circuit announces plans are. under way for construction of a hew theatre here as well as extensive reconditioning on the present circuit theatres. Trio of indie production units has signed non-me mbe r title registration agreements with the Motion Picture Association, whioh " participate in the title registration service of the Ml*A. permits tnem to Indies are Diana Productions, releasing through Universal; Alson Pro- ductions, headed by Edward Alperson, and Sol M. Wurtzel Productions. Latter two both distribute via 20th-Fox. v In the event pictures are to be sold singly to the highest bjdder in com- petitive situations, one theatre at a time, of outstanding import ance will the caliber of the men manning the branch offices, it is stressed in sales circles. Arnold Albert's deal with Columbia as a producer is a two-picture proposition. Option for continuance rests with him. Albert Just left Warner Bros, where he was a producer. PRESTIGE PIX SEEKING SCHOOL AUD OUTLETS Prestige Pictures, unit of the J. Arthur Rank organization, will seek tieups with a number of universities and colleges for 35m exhibition of its films in school auditoriums, Law- rence J. McGinley, Prestige sales head, disclosed this week. Stocked with a number of Rank pix aimed over the heads of the . average audi- ence, unit has already received some feelers from schools and is expected to enter negotiations in the near fu ture, it was said. Company guns Its sales campaign a week before Labor Day, when its first film, "Brief Encounter," opens in New York at the Little Carnegie. Deal for the 460-seat house was closed- this week. Prestige officials are currently dickering for a theatre . in Boston,- with windup of the deal, expected, shortly. Additionally to Noel Coward's "Brief Encounter," Prestige has se- lected Coward's "This Happy Breed," which follows "Encounter" in the N. Y. house; "I Know Where I'm Go- ing," starring Wendy Hiller; "John- ny Frenchman," with Patricia Roc and Francoise Rosay; "Love Story," Henry' to Continue Ron After Exhmg N.Y. Center With "Henry V" forced to bow out of the N.Y. City Center during the first week in September because of the advent of the fall ballet season, other houses around Manhattan are vieing to get the picture on a move- over. Definite deal has not been set yet by United Artists, but it's under- stood that, the Plaza, deluxe nabe and the Little Carnegie, an art house, have both put in bids. UA plans to continue screening "Henry" on a two-a-day, roadshow policy, wherever it goes from the City Center. It's-also possible that one of the Shubcrt legiters might be rented, in order to keep the picture in the Broadway district. Film, under the Theatre Guild's sponsorship, is continuing to draw top grosses Under the UA policy of showcasing it iii only a few cities at a time. Now in its sixth week at the City Center, "Henry", is playing its 18th week in Boston and continues big in Los Angeles. Film opened its fourth run at the Little theatre. Bal- timore, last Friday (19) and is slated to go into the Civic theatre Chicago, on Aug. 5. Redgrave., Plans call for the: distri Wion cj^e^jx-duj-in? tlje.A>t year. . ' , . The Runway Continued from page 1 was a sensation upon its introduc- tion at the Winter Garden, N. Y., when that house was tenanted , with Shubert-revues. It was also a fea- ture with the "Folies Bergere," opened in N. Y. by Jesse L. Lasky and the late Henry B. Harris n the theatre now known as the Fulton, but after burlesque adopted the idea, it was discarded by major musicals. Walter Bachelor, back from the Coast, is said, to have attracted a bankroll to finance the Edison floor show, and Paul Feigay is expected to stage the attraction. Rep Keeps Shearsmen Busy on 13 Films Hollywood, July 23. Editing staff at Republic is work- ing overtime with eight completed films under the shears and five more getting daily treatments while still before the lenses. Completed films are "The. Plains- man and the Lady," "Angel and the Outlaw," "That Brennan_ Girl," "Home in Oklahoma," "Sioofc City Sue." "Last Frontier Uprising," "Winter Wonderland," and "The Crimson Ghost." In work are "Son of Zorro," "Homesteaders of Para- dise Valley," "Heldorado," "The Magnificent Rogue" and "Calendar Girl." New Drive-In For Upstate N.Y. Albany, N. Y. Harry Lamont, who operates a drive-in at Leeds in the CatskiUs and indoor theatres at Philmont, Greenville and.Woodstok, has a 140- car affair under construction on the Glens Falls-Lake George Road. This is in one of the most widely traveled, sections of the Adirondacks. Drive- in. the first projected for Northern New York, was scheduled for open- ing on July 4, but delays in obtain- ing equipment forced a postpon- ment. Julius Perlmutter Is new operator of the Rivoli in Schenectady, having taken it over when David Willig's lease expired. Willig will continue to operate the Autovision theatre in East Greenbush on the Albany-New York Road. John C. Buliwlnkle, former sales manager for Columbia Pictures in Buffalo, is new branch manager here. He succeeds Holbrook C. Bis- sell, who resigned last week. Bis- sell was promoted from salesman in Pittsburgh to Albany manager of Columbia last. year, when Joseph Miller quit to go with PRC as dis- trict manager for Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland and. Cincinnati. He has been a salesman for the company here before. Fellows In Armour Hollywood, July 23. Robert Fellows was assigned by Paramount to produce "The Black Knight" in Technicolor.. Picture will be a free adaptation of Sir. Walter. Scott's novel, "Ivan- hoe." Squawk vs. Memphis Schools > • Memphis. Local nabe exhibitors registered a squawk the oast week with the City Board of Education against the showing of non-educational films in the city schools. In a letter over signature of Ed P. Saplnsley. secretary, the Memphis Neighborhood Theater Assn. asked that the schools "put an end to the commercial showing of non-educa- tional pictures." School board turned a cold shoul- der to the rcauest, however, declar- ing that foreign language and-other films are sJipwn only twice a month to raise money to meet incidental expenses of various schoor projects. O. C. Variety Club Donates S31.2W . Washington. rVariety Club here turned over a . check for $31,200 "to Children's Hos- pital building fund. Hospital needs SI,300,000. Pres entati on was made by A. E.- Uefctmaarraafanan. of the welfare commlSfee; J. E. Fontaine, chief barker, and Carter Barron and Frank La Falce, of local club's board of governors. . " Kemar WB Mgr. at St. John. Mickey Komar, salesman .in War- ners' St. John. Newfoundland, ex- change, named branch: manager there. Succeeds. L. McKenzie, who resigned. . "''■'_. Dennis Sells, One V -,v Bishop, Tex. L. C. Dennis. of Gainsville sold his Rib' here to William Morgan, former captain in Air Corps. $l,«M,tM S. C. Plant Looms Spartanburg, S. C. A $1,000.000'5,000-seat theatre for concerts, films and -ether stage bills . Is planned here, with construction to start as soon, as materials unthaw. It likely will be a big time indie house, first in city, long exclusive territory of Wilby-Kincey chain ex- cept for Rltz, sepia bouse. Des Moines House Pretested . Des Moines. /Plans to erect a $150,000 commun- ity theatre building here are under fire by property owners in the vicin- ity who allege, the house would cause serious traffic congestion and hazards. A decision has not yet been made: by the city zoning committee. - E*ii» In On Airport '' ■ St. Louis. Torn Edwards,, owner of Ozark,. Eldon, Mo., head citizens' committee that control 'new $25,000 airport In the town. . Glen Lentz. newcomer in picture exhibition, opens new 400-seater in ■ Hardin, Mo. The Basin, new 450-seater, Os- ceola, Mo., lighted last week, has stage for road shows. Charles Borg owner-operator. Molohon Joins Par In N.W. Minneapolis. James Molohon, back from the armed services, has been appointed by the Minnesota Amusement Com- pany (Paramount circuit) as man- ager of the Egyptian, Sioux Falls, S. D., replacing Harold Stone who will be transferred elsewhere. Darwood Thompson, another re- turned veteran, has been transferred from the Mora, Moorhead, Minn., to the post of manager of the*Orpheum, Sioux Falls, S. D., succeeding Harvey Horlin, resigned. Stanley Wheeler, who has been assistant manager of the State, Sious Falls, shifts to the Mora to replace Thompson. Isley'a Takeover Dallas. Phil Islcy has taken over opera- tion of the Rita. Dallas nabe. on lease-purchase, with the, former owner. C. V. Caver. The new Colonial to be opened in Laredo. Texas, by T. Z. Sales; a building, remodeled, new equipment installed. , Sales ffinwr^. fiKWPd Brake a Siate Rtghter Seattle. 'Al Brake, former theatre man- ager here with Evergreen Theatres, has opened Special Attraction Ex- change to slate rights pictures in this territory. Dwight Spraeher. salesman with Paramount, has resigned to operate, theatres in Raymond and South Bend, he and a partner having bought the A. G. Basil houses there. Keith Beck with, Columbia film. salesman, has quit to devote alt his time to his own theatres, including the North Bend here. Loew's N. Y. Shifts Eugene Picker, g.m. of Loew's N.Y. circuit operations, announced trans- fer of Murray Lenekofl' from Loew's 116th St. to the Victoria, replacing Larry Samuel.-;, resigned, mum. Ncustein. assistant of Loew's Sftte, a^paujlj^ ac^^!j»*was^^»lMtn