Variety (Jan 1949)

PKCTUIIBS Bagnall-Nassonr Fmancn^ Han . Holds Top htere^ at UA Conclave Conclave of United Artists' top'f brass on the Coast last week served more to eliminate certain of the plans suggested for obtaining pro- duction flnancing than to turn up any new or workable ideas. Most promising plan continues to be the one devised by George Bagnalli UA veepee in charge of production, by which the Nassour brothers would provide a fund (rieportedly obtained from A&P heir Hunting- ton Hartford) to finance producers who use their studio; It would pro- vide 10 to 20 pictures yearly. While details of the Nassour plany which was not presented formally to the stockholders and directors' committee at their ses- sion last week, continued nebulous, It was being , looked upon with great interest. Reason was that three of the five alternative plans for raising coin, contained in a special report to owners Mary Pickford and Charles Chaplin by the four-man board comm_ittee, were' virtually eliminatifed 'from further consideration. ■ One of the two remaining ideas Is for obtaining a fund such as the Kassours contemplate, and the fifth is for selling franchises for future UA product to exhibs, who would thus not only be assured of dateS' for the pix thex ' help to finance^ but would own a piece of them, . A variation of this scheme EUggested by «ome UA. execs in New York, but not presented in the board report, would be to sell UA branches to franchise-holders, which would put the company back on a form of states-rights distribu- ■.• tion... • First of the three plans men- tioned by the board committee (consisting of Charles Schwartz, Vitalis Chalif, E. C. Mills and Harold Weill), and eliminated from further consideration, was the sell-^ Ing of UA's interest in the Odeon! circuit in England. This is said to be worth about £2,000,000, but the coin is unconvertible, into dol- lars and so of no value-except for production in England, and the latter the committee didn't think advisable. RFC Loan' Idea ' vSecond idea eliminated was to attempt to get a loan from the gov-^ - ernment's Reconstruction Finance Corp. . This would be somewhat similar to the $20,000,000 fund the British government is making available through the Film Finance Corp. for aiding English ^indies. Idea: was dropped because it was felt that the RFC would probably (Continued on page 20) 20th, U, Col. Continue UA Vcry Legal No fewer than eight attor' neys,; representing the com- pany, the two owners and the ■ board Of directors, attended the United Artists stockhold- ers' meeting on the Coiist last week. liawyers were so much m evidence that one director de- scribed the session this week as "not so much a stockhold- ers' meeting as » meeting of the New York Bar Assn. with the Los Angeles Bar Assn," Majors Deny Plot To Oust Commies Neither the Motion Picture Assn. of America' nor the major com- panies adopted a joint program which would have barred proven Communists in film jobs following the Congressional un-Amefican Ac- tivities probe, an answer filed yes- terday (Tues.) in the N. Y, Federal district court by MPAA, the Assn. of Motion Picture Producers and major companies asserted. The answer, which responds to a suit by the Screen Writers Guild, ad- mits that the point was considered at a meeting of oompany pres- idents.'' ■■■ The particular confab, in ques^ tion, held in New York Nov. 25, 19.47, discussed joint barring; of (Continued on page 26) ' iring Special Three film companies—20th-Fox, Universal and Columbia—are con- tinuing their policies of retiring special stock issues: now in the bands of the public. Some 2,300 ■hares of cumulative convertible preferred and 100 shares of prior preferred were picked up by 20th on the N. Y. stock exchange in^ the past 30 days. Company now has in its hands 25,000 shares of cumulative and 5,100 shares of prior preferred. U acquired 1,270 shares of 444% cumulative preferred during the same period. Company's coffers hold 2,860 shares which will Ulti- mately be retired. Columbia picked up another lOO shares of cumulative preferred to bring its total held in the treasury to 300 shaies. UA Fails to Act On Mills Resignation United Artists' stockholders,: at their annual meet on the Coast last week, failed to act on the reslgna' tion of Edwin Claude Mills from the board. Mills, former general . Manager of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Pub- ' Ushers, submitted his resignation in prelude to moving his perma-' nent residence from New York to the Coast around Feb. 1. There is a possibility that Mills ' will remain ,on the UA board if . the 'owners desire to make arrange-; ments with him to commute to'' meetings. He takes the modest ! view, however,- that that would hardly be profitable to the com- pany, and owners Mary Pickford and Charles Chaplin have given tio indication of their intentions in the matter. UA-Hughes B Contiiiued from page 3 s which Paul Henreid will produce and star in. This trio of plx and Edward Small's "Black Magic," a deal for which is now being nego- tiated by the UA management, will materially aid the company's prod- uct situation; . Board members were given their first official dope on the $5,000,- 000 production financing fund which production veepee George Bagnall has been working put on the Coast with studio operators William and Edward Nassour. They are said to be getting the coin from A&P stores heir Hunt-: ington Hartford, putting up their studio property, as collateral. Money would finance UA pro- ducers making pix at their studio. •Show Me' Stand Directors were given no more info than that and took a more- orrless "show me" stand, although they exhibited no lack of interest in the scheme, which would elimi- nate many of their financing head- aches. They authorized the man- agement to pursue the matter fur- ther; ■ ■ _ When yesterday's session was originally scheduled, it* was hoped that there would be some instruc- tions from owners Mary Pickford and Charles Chaplin on proposals put before them by a special board committee at the stockholders meeting on the Coast last week. There was no word whatsoever from the owners, however. It is expected another board conclave will be called shortly to receive the directive of Miss Pickford and Chaplin on the alternative plans for product financing with which they .were presented; • On the Hughes arrangement, his $600,000 is guaranteed by studio operator James Nasser. In return Jor this, Hughes waived approval of stoi-y and cast. Nasser is now to get together further packages for UA approval to use up the re- maininc $220,000 In secondary financing. Bisclioff's film is budgeted at $1,200,000, Of which $200,000 is Hughes money, while the Rooney pic will go at $850,000, of which $180,000 is from Hughes. Pix returned to Hughes are "The Outlaw" (which has been in re- lease fop more than three years and on which UA will book and service the few remaining con- tracts inked but not played), "Ven- detta" and "Mad Wednesday." Hughes is turning them over for release to RKO, in which he bought controlling interest last summer. 'Christ in Concrete' To Roll in England HoUywood, Jan. SS. ' Sod Geiger production, "Ciu^ist in Concrete," originally slated for lensing in Italy two years ago, will roll in England late in March. Sam Wanamaker will star, Ed- ward Dmytryk will direct, and J. Arthur Rank will release; See Revbion Of RKO s Pub-Ad Setup at Meet Revision of tha exec setup of the publicity-advertising-exploita- tion department of RKO will pos- sibly emerge from the current ses- sions .of company officials on the Coast; Attending the meetings are Ned E.: Depinet, . .prexy; Robeit Mochrie, :sales chief; S; Barret Mc- cormick, advertising manager; and Terry Turner, exploitation head. RKO ' pub-ad-exploitation de- partment has been without an overall head for more than a year. Veepee John Whitaker has been overseeing it. He Is reported, however, leaving the company shortly. He's an engineer who was formerly associated in Wall street operations with Floyd Odium and brought in by him when Odium held controlling stock interest in RKO. Odium sold out last year to Howard' Hughes; Whltaker's absence from the current Coast sessions is viewed as significant. Robert Taplinger, former pub-f ad chief of Enterprise; is known to be a candidate to fill vacancy at RKO. There has been no indica- tion, however, of any intention by the management of bringing in an outsider. Possibility reported is that McCormick may gradually re- assume the: responsibilities of the post, rather than add to current operating expenses by making an- other appointment. McCormick held the job until a couple years ago. Quartet of New York execs is huddling with studio toppers, /'and Depinet is: also' talking with Hughes. They are viewing a num- ber of pictures to be released with- in the next few months and dis- cussing campaigns on them. Films include "The Green Promise," "Mr, Joseph Young of Africa," "Balti- more Escapade" and "The Win- dow." Execs will be on the Coast all week. HOUSE GROUP MAY HEAR BEEFS VS. NSS Washington, Jan. 26; The tiff currently brewing ber tween certain exhibs and National Screen Service may be dumped into the lap of the Bouse small business ■ committee for probing by the solons under a proposal which will be made to the Theatre Own- ers of America at their series of board meets this week. William Buffing, chairman of the NSS com- mittee, it is reported, will recom- mend either that move or the for- warding of a complaint against the trailer outfit to the Dept. of Jus- tice. ' ■ Ruffing, as well as his committee associates, Walter Reade, Jr., ahd Edward Zorn, are behind the ac- tion because of a number of gripes being registered by TOA members. The squawkers are taxing NSS for allegedly cutting down its services without an equivalent reduction In charges to exhibs. They citie the fact that NSS recently shut its Buffalo office as an instance. _ It is also_asserted that the trailer company has been delivering in- complete or defaced posters. Com- mittee has taken up the charges with NSS officials but, So far, have failed to reach an adjustment of the gripes. N. Y. Critics Make Awards New York Film Critics* annual awards, which have been taklnt on added stature and importance ov^ the yean, hit « climax last Friday (21) evening with the presentation of th« 1948 prlzea on tha stage of the Radio City Music Hall. Words of both Olivia dt Havil- land 9nd John Huston in accepting their scrolls indicated their feeling that there was greater-Integrity in the awards by the is New York reviewers th$fi in tiie Academy's Oscars. .While the priu' distribution by the critics can'never hope to approach the glamour and excitement of the Oscar evenings in March, last Friday's cere- mony was extremely impressive in its dignity and quality. Th« giant stage of the Music Hall lent the tone ^of its own simple sjplen- dor and grandeur to;the event, and some 6^000 spectators filled the house, while others queued up outside; Awaxsds, fitted into the 9 p.m. break between pictures ("Letter to Three Wives") and show tpok about 20 minutes. -' Ceremony went extremely smoothly and decorously as Tom-Pryoi*, of The New York Times, chairman of the critics group, aided by vice-chairman Wanda Hale, of The New York News, handed scrolls to Miss de Havilland as best actress for "Snake Pit," Huston for best picture and best director for "Treasure of Sierra Madre," and Roberto Rossellini for best foreign picture C^Paisan"). Laurence Olivier,: who won the best actor award, made his acceptance via radio from London. It was recorded by NBC and piped into the Music Hall. Showing ef a series of one-minute clips from the prize ' ' Winning films preceded the awards. « Ceremony was recorded for broadcasting later in the evening' over a national net and internationally by "Voice of America" ■ shortwave; NBC and* WPIX video-cameras also recorded it for subsequent airing. - A'reception and party, attended by Broadway and Hollywood names, followed In the Music Hall's upstairs apart-, ment suite. * Herb. Bigger Public Relations Program Up For Talks at D.C. TOA Parleys Par Not in Crosby-CBS" Deal being negotiated by Co.* lumbia Broadcasting System to acquire a 25% interest in Bing Crosby's corporate setups does : not include his Paramount Pic- tures contract. It takes in only radio and television. Full details of the deal are in the radio section. U Settles 'Uncle' Suit Lbs Angeles, Jan. 26; Walter J. Wise, writer, reached an out-of-court settlement with Universal Pictures in his $60,000 damage suit involving the picture, "So's Your Uncle." Amount of the settlement was not given out. Studio bought the story from Leonard Lee but Wise declared he was co-author. Settlement gave Universal all rights Wise may have held in the yanu Col. Skeds 21 More Reissues Pointing up the film companies' intensified stress on reissues as a major form of revenue/ Columbia yesterday (Tues.) revealed plans to re-release 21 oldies during the next couple of months. New group, coupled with. the 20 re- issues already available to exhibi- tors, undoubtedly ghres Col the heaviest re-release schedule among any of the distributors. In addition to the 41 reissues, Col has tentatively scheduled 51 new features, including B product and westerns for the coming year. In addition, still more reissues may be dusted off before the end of the year, depending on the box- office success of the present group. Company plans to sell most of them as single features, with the exception of two twin-action bills, which will go out as dual pack- ages. These include "Dirigible" and "Submarine" and "Peniten- tiary" and "Women in Prison." Also in the list are such former top-grossers as "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," "His Girl Friday,'' "Holiday," "Penny Serenade," "Talk of the Town," "Pennies from Heaven," "You Can^t Take It With You" and others. N. Y. to L. A. Alexander Cohen Jack Dales Olivia De Havilland Ned E. Depinet Y. Frank Freeman Leroy Fulmer • Ava Gardner w Marcus Goodrich Arnold-Grant- — Eric Johnston Carl Leserman Ilya Lopert S. Barret McCormick Robert Mochrie John Payne ' Ezio Pinza Claude Rains William F. Rodgers Roberto Rossellini Rudy Solmsen N, Y. to Europe Bennie Becger Montgomery Clift George Cdulouris Lester Cowan Michel Emer Mordecai Gorelik Chico. Marx Spyros Sicourat Whether the Theatre Owners Of America will plunge into a new and. even more expensive public relations program in 1949 is one of the big riddles coming up for discussion this week at the exnib group's Washingtoii board meef^. Organization laid out an estimated $60;000 in '48 over and above its usual p.r. nut. Pressure is now on by certain elements of TOA to boost the budget further for an all-out campaign this year. : Tied to the proposal, which will « be given plenty of talking in D.C.,- is a recommendation, aired last week by the American Municipal Assn., that the 48 state legislatures empower cities and. towns to tax any and aU activities not expressly levied on by the states. The AMA is the: most potent voice of mu-' nicipalities in the U.S. Its demand means that the heat will be on the film biz during the coming raft of legislative sessions. If the TOA board goes for a big publicity drive it would be aimed at forestalling the threatening tax raid on-theatre tills. Directors will be asked at the Washington confabs to approve production of two shorts by the unit—one on taxation, the other on censorship. Proposal, backed by TOA management, (Continued on page IS) L. A. to N. Y. Norman Blackburn Vivian Blaine Sam Boal Bill Brown Norman Corwin ■ John Crosby Charles R; Denny Charles Einfeld Norman Frescott Sylvia Fine Walter Hampden Percy Ikerd Gail Ingrafti Harry Ingram Danny Kaye Arthur Kelly Nick Kenny Arthur L. Krim Anatole Litvak Alan Marshall Wm. Mayberry. Gar Moore Garry Moore Harry Muller . Mildred Natwick Elliott Nugent - Margaret O'Brien Paul O'Brien William S. Paley James E. Perkins William Ruerick Martin Ross John F. Royal Zachary Scott Grad Sears : Jon Slott Charles Vidor Douglas Whitney Bernie Williams Meredith WillsoB^ Herb Yates Europe to N. Y. Noel Coward Maurice Dekobra Alicia Mnrkova William Si.strom Suzy Solidor Maurice Winnick