SCREEN 'JUN ■ 6 1 RADIO MUSIC STAIpE Piii,llsli,(l w«kly nC iti Went 4611; Street, K>vr York JO. N. T.. hy Variety, inc. Aiinii.Tl iiibscrlptlon. tlO. Sln(i* copIm. 2« crjiti. Hiitcrca IS aecuna-clasa Diatlev DoMinbor I;i05. at Ilia Pont OIKica at N->v Yoi!:, N. y., iiiiiler .llia" act u£ M»ri;l> 3, ISTO. CUl>VRiGUT, J»W. MV VAKUb-lY, INC. AM. KIGU'I:^' MJSSEKV^D. VOL. 162 No. 13 NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 1946 PRICE 25 CENTS N.Y. Drama Critics' Boxscore; p[ AS BiyEPRINI Season of 1945-46 (Jun« 1, 1945-May 31, 1946) (» Abbreviations: SR (Shows Reviewed); R (Ri(ht)i*W (Wron^); O (No Opinion Clcvrly Expressed); Pel, (Percentage) I.KWIS NICHOLS (Time.":). I.OVIS KBONENBERGKR (PM). W.\RD MOREHOUSE (Sun) •VERNON RICE (Post) ROBERT GARLAND (Jotirnal-Ainevican ) . ROBERT COLEMAN (Mirroi'i *WII.ELLA WALDORF (Post; SR R W O PCT. 59 54 5 !915 59, 53 6 .898 57 5) 6 .894 55 48 7 .872 24 20 4 .833 59 4!) 10 .830 58 48 10 .827 31 23 8 .742 56 41 13 2 .732 63 35 18 .660 61 5.1 6 .901 V.^HiKiY (Combined) 61 C'Mi.sji Waldorf reviewed Hisl half season, Rice taking over Jan. 1 due to former's falal illness.) Nichols Noses Out Kronenberger In 'Variety' Drama Critics Boxscore For a number ot seasons Lewis Nichols ot the N. Y. Time.t and Louis Kronenberger ot PM have l)(!en balllinfi it out for Vahikiv's Ni'i.v York drama critics champion- sliili. The past season has been no difii'irnl, Nichols nosing out Kron- enberger, last year's winner, b.v one less wrong guess. Bolh liave now copped twice. Nicliols' 1945-46 percentage of ITIt'is is the critics' boi.tcoie orip- iiinieti niirt atitiualli/ used by Variltv since 1923. It is therefore tlie bo.x:- score the Billbonrd decided lind come t)Uo file public doiiiiiiii and so stole il. The wiiisiinl pni'l o/ this sequeme is that it tool; 'em 20 years to get ai'otind to it.] [Sinatra's Baseball Pic j For Kelly, Lippy and Self I Chicago. June 4. I Script about three baseball pla.vers ! who go on vaudo tours during tlieir I off-seasons is being prepared b.v i Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly. I The Voice added that Metro's story I dept. seems moderately interested. It's a "Tinker-to-Evers-to-Cliance" yarn, lie said. Vith parts of "Ryan, O'Brien and Shaughnessy," tailored for himself, Kelly and possibly Leo Durocher, who has signilicrt some interest. Didn't indicate, however, wlio'd play first and second base and shortstop roles. .915 is e.xccptionaUy high, having been topped only twice since the boxscore started during 1922-23. All but one critic clearly expres.sed an opinion in their 1945-46 notices, liie. exception being charged with two "no opinions.'' Right behind Krorienbergers S9B came Ward Morehouse, of the (Continued on page 68) Awesome Orson PutsHexonCrix Tele Nips Self With Day Program Void; Sets Sold Blindly Television itself is now ganging up on television, First postwar receiving .sets hit the retailers' shelves last week, ptil out by the 'Viewtone Corp. and the Bel- mont Corp., latter a subsidiary of Raytheon Manufacturing Co. Retail- ers, however, can't demonstrate the .sets to' prospective customers din - ing normal daytime hours of trade bccau-se none of the video stations is currently broadcasting daytime programs. WNBT (NBC, N. be.^an broadcasting four aftcriioons a week alter returning to the air ^ul)sccllll.Mlt (Continued on page 24 j In his regular Sunday (2) Blue network broadcast, Orson Welles threatened to put the whammy on tlia critics who didn't like hi.s "Arotmd the World." which opened last Friday (31) at the Adelphi. N. Y. Spilling a fantastic tale of Harlem vengeance, hex, voodoo drtims and all, Welles told of how once before he had "killed" a critic. U was all highly amusing to listeners as he "predicted'' dire things to those re- viewers who panned the show, al- though conceding that the new mu- (Continued on page 33) St. Petersburg, Fla., June 4. . 'Virtually everj' facet of show busi- ness — including films, television, radio and recording .:ompanie.s — had their eyes riveted on St. Petersburg, Fla.. today (Tues.). For, out of the current convention of James Caesar Petrillo's American Federation of Musicians may emerge a blueprint for union behavior that is expected to vitally influence all branches of the entertainment industry, at least for the next 12 months; The repercussions from Petrillo's opening blast at the radio industry and the recording companies on Monday (3) are already making themselves fell, and there's no at- tempt being made to conceal the wori i.somc slate ot the radio -record- ing chieftains. Sensing perhaps more llian ever befoi e that they were being squeezed a.s the "whipping boy" of what es- sentially is an industry problem, net- woi k executives made no bones as to their concern in the wake of (Continued on page 56) Johnston Says He Won't Be Yesman In Answer to Film hdustry Critics Runyon Sets 250G Price on Film Biog Damon Hunyon has set a $230,000 tab on his life story for any film company that's interested, with aoth- Fox reportedly given first choice. Agent Paul Small has just returned from a trip to the Coast where he huddled with studio exacs on the property. If the deal goes through. Runyon wilt script the story himself. Runyon, for a time, produced at 20th. 'Buy Stock And Be Our Partners/ ABC TeDs Talent Hollywood. June 4. Sale of slock to stars broadcasting on it.« netwoik to fortify it.s position against defections to other skeins when time opens up in the fall is ini- der sei ious discussion by the ABC plans board. By making its per- formers and those on other nct.s partners in the operation. ABC's Ed Noble and Mar'it Woods liold 10 the theory that it would strenath- en the ch?in piogramMvise and woo other top latent with the partner- ship bail. Idea stemmed from the proposal to Bjng Crosby and repoi led ov'er- U\re. to Ed Cardnei- for purchase ot ABC slock in lieu ot full earnings, thereby placing them in the capital CConlinued on page 33) Expect N.Y. Fight Bonanza Influx by out-ot-towiiers for the I.,ouis-Conn boul. June 19. is vx- peeled to bring in its wake a bo- nanza for the Broadway spots. One nitcry. La Martinique, which planned to shutter June 19 for the lirst major summer ■ closing since i pre-war, will remain open until :.)iMic 21 to cash in. Spot reupciis in 'September with Harvey Sioic. Martha Tillon and Tlie Viig;il)onds. ROY ACUFF IN TENN. GUBERNATORIAL RACE Memphis. June 4. Roy Aciiff. N.o. 1 hillbilly songster ot rjdio and screen, was entered in the Tc-iine.s.see governor's race in a sin pi ise n"'Ovc the past weekend and I lie is icpoi ted scrioii.-ily considering j canipaigriing for the Republican I ncuninalioM. . Two years ago Acufl had decided ■ nuaiiiM entering politics, alter mull- . ing the matlor lor many months. He : sairl il would interfere with his ra- 'fiio and film commitments at that time. .N'nihing further heard on sub- ' (Conliuucd on page CTj Henry Morgenthau In Quick Fadeout III a surprise move, Henry Mor- genthau. Jr.. ex-Secy, of the Treas- ury under President Roosevolt, has bowed out of the radio commentary picture alter an eight-week series of broadcasts over a flvt-atation "pri- vate network" 'covering New York, Baltimore. Washington, San Fran- cisco and Hollywood. On WMCA. his N. Y. outlet, in Baltimore, anrl in Washington, He was locally spon- sored, while the Others carried him .sustaining. Reason ascribed for the quick fadeout is that Morgenthau is in need of a rest and wants to relax. He considers the eight-week experi- ment in the "pull no punches" tech- nique as a success. But understand- ing is that he won't return to the air unless he can go coasl-to-coast via a major- network. He had pre- viously been rebuHed for network presentation. Morgenthau's last broadcast was Wednesday (May 2B i. with 1>is ac- cusation that President Truman had betrayed the trust ot the man who put him in office stirring consider- able pro and con comment. By HERB GOLDEN Eric Johnston took open cog' nizance last \veek ol increasingly- frequent reports being heard of din- satisfaction by certain industry top- pers . with his administration a« president of. the Motion Picture As- sociation. Johnston freely admitted to VarKkxy that echoes of the reports had reached him, but olTcred no apologies other than his record to date. ? There's no sign thai any crisis in the regime ol the MPA's S100,000-a- year, prexy is anywhere near, but if irritations on both sides continue to grow, a showdown could possibly occur. Likelihood of that happen- ing now, tiowever, is slight in ligtu of the excellent results Johnston lia,'* achieved in the past few week*; in advancing the industry's export trade potential. The settlement w\v,\ (Continued on pag* 5j Mountain Goes To Mohamnied Via H'wood Miniatures By WHITNEY W1LI,I.\.MS Hollywood, June 4. Hollywood in Miniature. Inc.. wUh Don Hai'tman, Columbia producer, as prexy, and Nat Goid.stone choir-, man was previewed for Hollywood last week, and nothing quite like it has ever come out of the tilrn capit-jl. Six large miniatures present a paRcant of Hollywood which is sup- posed to, and doe.s, give an cxai-t jllimp.'ie of the picture colnny as it nicfts the eye. It's due a tour, .itarling in Uie fall, willi u Ni-w York date. - Tlieic is Malibu Beach. Grji.i- man'.s Chinese theatre, the Bi^) vn Derby, the Hollywool Bo.vl. a ly;)!- oal motion picture stud'ii. and, Anally, th.e City of Hollywood. First five arc approximalcly Ave (Continued on page 24 > The Hour Of Charm All-Girl Orchestra a»4 Choir Conductad by Pliil !i^pitoluy 10th Ytar en the Air Sunday t, 10 P. M. E.S.T. NBC !»IISCBULANY Wednesday, June 5, 1946 There's No Place Like Home, H'wood Finds in Hollywood, June 4, The Cindticlla molit is getliiig a play atiiin iii Hollywood star-build- iiiR Bclivilics. It hasn't yet reached the IcKCiHlary piopoilions of the old silent tUiys when, sccording to pop- \\\a\- superstilipni at least, a gal was liable lo be discovered by a directoi; at the Vrnice iiicf, the corner, cpf- fee shop, or a Uixi-dancehall, for in- slaiK-e, and be sky rocketed, prompt- ly to stardom. Habiis and importance of directors and producers have changed all that. Thcv'ro loo hard lor the aver-, age cal io mecl. But, anyway, the- Cinderella scUip has gotten as far. down the scale as Ihc studio bacU- lols. the liilli" theatres and the haunts of n>odcls. Theory a.uain is boing widely dis- cussed and u> some extent acted upon around the studio that there's no reason why the ambitious young- ster.s sliouldn l lake- the high hur- dles lli-st! Nancy Guild was suddenly yanked out of •whatever obscurity may be the lot of an Arizona co-cd and featured by 20th-Fox in "Some- where in the Night." . . ! .'^etlous Speak Louder I Sol Le.s.ser not. Only announced; that "he waij going into, the con- ; tract shadowlands of Hollywood, or even farther, for a couple of youii;i .. actresses for "No Trespassing," but , he actually did as mUch.. Julie. Lon- . don was taken from a; professional school and Allene Roberts from the little theatres tor the two . feninic leads in the Edwai-d .G. Robinson- . Lou McCallister starrer. Also Rory I Calhoim. under contract to David | O. Selznick. but fresh to. pictures. | was signed for a featured role in the film. - . Le.-tsef maintains that the contract . li.sts of the various studios include j any number of talented young , players who aren't being givcn_ a ; chance on their own lots. He in- ' sist.s that theres no need, for talent licouts to range far afield when they can find what they want right in Hollywood's own backyard. Ttiis theory .gets considerable sup- . port from tiie fact that it isn't so ; long ago that Louis B. Mayer served caustic notice on Metro's citing de- pat-tment. producers and directors that tliey were letting valuable tal- ent go to waste and were, failing to give proper attention to. dievclop- nienl of young contract players. Tar's Own Closet Paramount oo the other hand. Sports Shorts Uhfavorabl* weather finally forced two ball games on New York the sanie night (.May 28, a Tuesday ) at Yank Stadium and Ebbets Field. So what do you suppose Henvich — Keller and DiMaggio and Reese— Reiser and Herman did to McGeo — Hope and Skellon'r On a cold, vainv night 28.000 turned out. in Brooklyn and 50,000 in the Bronx, indicating that maybe all. the dairy people are not west of the- Hudson. There was a rush ot ticket or-, ders for the Louis-Conn figlit before the public sale • .started, tiU' demand then .slowing down and with the title event but two weeks- away' OS).- ihe sale will have to' improve greatly, if the Yankee Stadiinn is to approxi- mate capacity. Checks for as much a.>! $25,000 each from large commercjfll firms were received, lho.se rtrms plaiuiing to cnxertain customers and einployees at the match, such expenditures bpi"(( chargeable off income tax re- turns. So far the majority of fans, buying directly Uom. Mike Jacobs' office are colored.' as previously reported; aiid it's as- .•iumed that the bulk ot other .sales w-.ill be made by ageiicies. Total ticket sale.s. as of late last week, approximated $1,850,000, SI 00 top. Mo.st of the tickets sold by Jacobs directly to tight ad- dicts are of lesser deiioniiria- tions. Guy Lombardo thinks he may get iiis Gold Cup boat up to 110. This is the one with the Hi- Cylinder Miller. He is also re- ported fooling around with a jet motor. It explains where Lom- bardo doe« his •bv'uncing. Indianapolis 500-mile auto grind saw- Spike Jones with an entry iit the race,- and antedi- luvian auto collector Jame.s Mel- ton piloted one of tiis ancieiits in the Fiiestone old-car parade. 207lli WEEK ! KEN MURRAY'S •■BLACKOUTS or 194«" El Capitan Th««lr«, Hollywood, Cal, '-V..ii're the killer. Ken--nia in*: .A. Ki*»i "IK'"'.": ALAN LADD. The Berle-ing Point By Milton Berle 'APPLE BLOSSOM TIME' AS ANDREWS' INDIE LucienneBoyer Clicks Heavily in First B^ A. Performance Since '38 I Buenos Aires, Mi9.V IS. ' The famous blue velvet gown niay \ lia\-e gone the way of other glories of France, but Lucieniie Boyer's tal- ent as singer and actress i-f still sock b;o. material for Buenos Aires au- diences. French chantoosey has a whole briefcase full of new songs, but audience.s. here insist, on her packing the old favorites a.s well; this she- does- with incomparable ar- tistry. Her voice is excellent, per- haps less hu.sky than before, -and at- thoiigh .she use.s. no mike, she can be heard effortlessly acro-ss the entire theatre. Mi.ss Boyer's precm at the Odepn Theatre gave socialite Argentines a chance to demonstrate their pa.ssion for everything French, and ^ they gave her a resounding welcome lal 12 peso.-;— $3— which is a high ad- mission .scale for Bueiics - Airest. There was a brief in.slant of stunned 'surprise when .she came on. because 'the "Paries Moi d'Amour" queen, I once so .svelte, is many . pounds. . heavier which may be due to the potato-bread diet of occupied France. But the cleverly designed Alix gowns do good cambuflagc duty, and . all el.se is forgotten , as soon as she goes into song. Singer's stint occupied the second half ot the bill and was divided into three section.s. each punctuated by a different gown: blue, while and Lou Levy, manager of the An- drews SIster.s. has bought the .film rights lo "I'll Be With You in Apple Blos.som Time", as a starrer for the has gone systematically about the : femme trio.. Levy and the Andrews i talent hunt in its own bailiwick. . will produce it independently. . „,„•„., ,„„ „.h:,t Studio has been active in making ' Their Decca disk version ot that last ^ ' foanouls for some time, farming out ' tune was among the early platters called ^^e opt m sm of F. ancc^^ its young.'^lcrs for parts in other ! to catapult the Andrews «iHs' to I audience reali/at.on oj^ Bludios where they can get a build- up and fan following. In addition, the company has established a sys- Boy!' Hollywood's xeally turning. out western pictures in a hurry, In ■ fact, out there, if you don't get your iiiakeup oft quickly enough, you mis- Ihe preview.. ..I'll never forget the day I was. playing golf at Hillcr and woimd Up in a sand-trap-^lhere .was Monogram shooting a de.> • scene. .. .Speaking of movies, due to llie trend of psycho pictures, 1 .,u.vt heard that Prof. Albert D. Metzler, world famous psychiatriijt, was hired, as eastern talent scout for MGM; . ..However it's not true that the cast times for the next Ingrid Bergman' picture will be designed by the Now England Strait Jacket Co. The Crtal WU Way "Oklahoma" has been, running for three year*. . . .next . year Ihey elect a new governor. . Jack' Bobbins is goihg'to spend that MGM. half-million profit ciicoulag- iiig the improvement ot the .T R's. . . .Robbins Rhumba Research. ; Oite comic Jn town did so well the other night. .. .they're congratulating the guy hg stole the inaterlal from. ■ Solly Violinsky knows a guy who . has been in more pawnshops than Ray Milland's piortable. ri Know a . Broadway producer who; has had so many flops'. . . .ho luis a direct chule to Cain's. Saw a niovie .yesterday and cried my eyes out. . . .1 wasn't in the pielurp. Doing great at the Carnival.. Uncle Sam gels 90% of my .salary— my agent gets lO'.i . .. idoes anybody know a reliable finance company.' Incidentally, they have a new innovation for visiting' comics at the Car- nival— on the' $2.50 dinner they .serve Eyorsharp pencils and pine linen pads. A There's Xo Trulli lo the Rumor That Tommy Mahville'.s divorce decrees' are printed on cancellcil checks .;..ThBt John LI Lewis is umpiring for Brooklyn— so that he can keep calling strikes. .. .That W. C. Fields look out a $50,000 policy on his ihiist ....That niy brother, Frank, is looking for a job. .. .That the Moscow Alt Players, are appearing in The' Red Mill... . That when Clai-k Gable wanl.s lo travel incognito he wears- .smoker ear muffs That Meniisha Skiilnick will .sOon be starred iii the "M.-tgnillcent Yonkel" That be- cause of the housing shortage Frankenstein, Dracula and -the Wolf . Man are all living backstage at the Riaito theatre. Ilanfnair Descriptions June March: Strip-endous. . . . Herb Shriher: Harmonic-comic. .. .B. -S. Piilly: Fraud-villiaii. . . .Tommy Mahville: Cashitivaling. . . .Vincent Price: Dragon-wicked. Obscrvalloii Dept. Got the surprise' Of my life last nile. . . .sat in Lindy'.s for 20 niiniiles without hearing an.vone reiriark. "This place is a goldmine. ' Certain nite club M.C.. has beeii spending money likie water. . . .now he's trying to float a loan. Know a girl that has .such an Interesting problem ... .they booked her for a return engagement on"Mr. Anthony's" program. Overheard at the Zanzibar: "He's got all the money shell! ever need." Met a guy that's .so dXimb, when .somebody gave him tickets for "Call Me Mister". . . .he went out to buy a confivmalion present. Saw Jcs.sel at the Roxy. The theatre's so big that if you sat in the last row jn the balcony. . . .you'd think he was. singing on key. ;Undersland B, S. Pully has cleaned tip his ^ict. .. .after each naughty word he says D. D. T.. Bcrird Krcs You can't go wrong with a Feist song unle.Ss you .place it with Mills;. ' Talent Scoift to Young Hopeful: Who knows? In 10 year.s you may be a big "enough .star to be able to write « testimonial for Ken Murray's Blackouts." One nite club funny man is so bad.... his hecklers are demanding top billing. 1st comic: Hotu loiifl t/id it tuUf [inu lo become a sucfi'Ss? 2(1 comic: Oil, nborit 10 -pnyM o/ Joe E. (.eii'is' innterinl. . What n crowd at the Carnival la.st Sunday night. Half aii hour before the show started, the lobby was packed. .. .thought it would never stop raining. < . - Went; into a re.stauranl.on 8th Avemic. One waiter was slanriiiig on liis head serving a cup of coffee. I exclaimed. "What's the idea of standing on your head'? Who arc your' The waiter replied, "I'm one of the Yacopi "Troupe. . Damn that Morris office. ' i4side (6 tiiy bobkiiiokcr: "Yoiir .slip iii slioiri/*;/." My brother (the one with the I'ui lle-ncck no.se) has found a way lo save his money he uses mine. wide"att''enLn.'%n7"the"indTe-made | of,: the three gowns. she got the big- filmusical will be tied in with the ten-i ot stage auditions, oh its own lot through which promising con- tract players can do their stuff in (Continued on page 24) song's revival. Pascal Woes Grycie For Shaw's 'Profession' Hollywood, June 4. Gracic Fields is being paged by Gabriel Pascal for a starring role In a lilm version ot Ihe George Ber nard Shaw drama, "Mrs. Warri-ii's Profes-sion.'* Actre.-^s is currently reading a re- vised script of the play, which may be produced in Hollywood it Pa.-^cal. finds .studio facilities unavailable in England next fall. , Re-Created Club Durante Due for SRO Tonight :est hand of all. U is a typically French gesture, put on with all the grace and showmanship at which Ihc French are so skillful. Songs run the gamut of expres- sion, from the clas.sy "Chanson.s" to "Je ne croLs plus au pere Noel," , . the piquant flavor of "De la Made- SRO sign' is expected to be posted ^ igj^g „ ropera " and the tragedy ot early lonighl (Wednesday) iO f''ont -^napelle Toi." She had her audi- or the Golden Slipper, dancehall "n . thoking back tear.<:. Times Square, N. Y.. when Jimmy | .Jacques Pills (Miss Boyer's hu.s- iDurante's friends gather with The-,,3nc)) covers the (li.St half of the iSchnoz to celebrate his 30 years m , bui^ and' .socks with his joie de , l.show biz. Metro is throwing lha ; innuendo and ' good-na- parly for Durante, and the, dan(:e- | (^^pj bonhomie. He i.s especially hall, on the site of the old Prohibi- ^^^^ j„ .-pi^.^ia Gaucha. " a satire on lion hoispot known as the Silver i i^j.^, pustoms, which g<»es over big. Rogers' Forced Landing . Meniphis, June 4; Buddy Rogers made a forced land- ing in his plane smack on the high- way near Blue Mountain, Miss.. Sun- day >2i night when darkness and Slipper, will be known tonight only pju^ on.stage for .iB minutes, wilh- ; as the "Club Durante. ' 'out being tiling I More than 400 of the comedian's' ! friends, including. Mayor William rO'Dwyer, are expected to attend. , _ , , ,. . , . ■ ;. Durante will leam. iip with his old,! w<-ieavily with (rosmo- tunes thai, helped push Duraiile to polilan U. S. audiences. Her "Par^ Frank Pourcel. violini.st, leads the 'l accoinpanimciit and does a .---oId, a 4th Generation P. A. . Hollywood, June 4. Six-pound, 13-ounce daughter was born Saturday i.I) to Mrs. Eddie Ettinger— and the infant's life work seems cut but for her. ' Father is an independent pub- Hcisl. Grandfather. Ed Ettinger, is an independent publicist. Great-aunt Margai'Ct Ettinger is an independent publici.^t. Great- aiinl Loiiclla O. Paisons is a newspaper coluinni.st. and sec- ond cousin Harriet Pai-.sons is a film producer. poor visibiliLv compelled emergency [ [fj^^-jy" '',;, 'pl.^'^nf.^jy comedians' landing. He was flying his own ship j,, g,|,|i,ion. Diiranle will do a piano from a Biimingliam air show to Memphis, accompanied by - .Marc Cramer. Plane taxied along the highway into Blue 'Mountain where residents ot this old soiitherh college town turned out en masse to greet flim- sier. He resumed trip nexl da.v: escaped willibut injury. for Laurilz Mel- Icz-Moi d'.AiiKiur" has lost nothing over the year.t years. "Comedy of Murders.' atarled leiising yesterday (Monday) on a 10-weck shooting schedule. Chaplin and Robert Ploroy cd- di)cci and Chaphn will co-.star with Martha Raye. Kccoinpaniment chior. Parly is slated to begin at 11 p.m. , DuiaiMe arrived . from the Coast yesterday iTuesda:( )' for the affair! and for the Broadway prcem tomor- i row i Thursday ) at Li-s' board, composed of Mr.s. John AI- dien Carpenter, Mr!!, Louis L. Mann nnd Mrs. George J. Asle. * Paulette to Frankfurt . Pari.s. June 4. .Actress Paulette Godditrd has gone to. Frankfurt for ftvfc days Ss gue-it of the AriTiy before returning to iln U. S. She plans visiting here on htr \vay back to America, Wi^lneMlay, June .8, 1946 FICTCRES $10,000,000 DEAL Enterprise The picture business adds another chapter to its breathless ~ pace with tiie Enterprise-Universal distributing deal. In three months a new major film company acquired a studio, set a re- leasing; deal and went hito traduction. In eight months It will have its first picture, "Ramrod," in distribution; in nine it will have five pictures shooting. Since last March Charlie Einfeid and David Loew (with the cooperation and know-how of A. Pam Blumenthal, David Lewis and David Tannenbaum) have set up a major producing com- pany with almost as many top stars in its stable as any other niajor wltli the exception of Metro. Its roster of marquee names now Includes Ihgrld Bergman, Ginger Rogers, Barbara Stanwyclc, Joim Garlleld, Joel McCrea and Veronica Lalie, plus directors lilie Anatole Lltvak, Universal, for its part, as prexy Nate Blumberg observes, adds a potentiar $30,000,000 gross annually to its business: Blumberg also states that its partners in England (Rank, et al.) ''are particularly enthused about the acquisition." The Rank-Universal worldwide theatre chain wants fresh U- S. product with marquee values/ arid obviously favors playing its own affiliated pictures rather siphoning off dlstiibutlon income to some other major. For U, also, the . Enterprise ac- quisition is an advantageous hypo to Its production values. It looms as an all right deal all around. AheV. LI LOAN CUES 3 Weakness in Pix Stocks Causes ^ Speculation on Anti-Trust Decisb^ USees$MOOOWorM With Enterprise Distribution Deal Deal pkaj'ed Monday (3) by which ♦ the Charles Einteld-David Loew flnlerpi'ise Productions unit will xe- leaso via Universal gives the lattei- cpnipaiiy a considerable product- hypo. U e.\ecs, who during the past yejii- Or so have feared the effects ot a wann\e list .of b.o. names on the studio s: lists, are highly pleased wi!h the ariangement which pro- vides them with such marquee draws Iiijli id Bergman, Ginger Rogers. Barbara Stanwyck,. John Garfleld. (nd .loel McCrea. They figure the Enterprise tieup should- give the company as much as $30,000,000 a year till in world grosses. Pact provides lor the Loew-Ein- teld setup to turn over t^ U lov dis- tribiitioji .a minimum oiaix lealmes a year. They are to be sold sepa- rately from U's own product and that of its other indie units, such as Walter Wanger, Mark Hellinger, Frit/. Lang. Mike Todd and Skir- ball-Manning. To' this end, U will name a sales manager to wflii k ex- cUi.sively on the Enterprise relea.scs. Bach pic will be sold individually and nol be contained in blocks with any other films. Althougli the present deal is ex- clusively with Universal, the pros- pects still are good for the product to be turned over to United World Pictures for release in a year or so. when tlial organization is operating at full blast. UWP is halt-owned by U and half by J. Arthur Rank. Deal v.ilh Enterprise, it was ac- knowlcdijccl by U prexy Nale Blum- berg Moiiday <3), is considerably broadci- than tlie usual perccntaRc distribution contract. Blumberg re fused to discuss what U offered to obtain Ihc Enterprise product in face of oilers to Loew and EinfcUl (CoMtiiuicd on page 25) U B.R. for Ent Hollywood, June 4. , Univer.sal's deal for release of Enterprise pictures, it is under- stood, entails financing of pro- duction by the distributing com- pany. David Loew and Charles Rin- feld were admittedly seeking more than the iisual percentage distribution arrangement from the company, they signed with and the extensive financing set- up offered by U is said to be one ot the added attractions. Einfeld. Bluiiiberg East For U Sales Convention Hollywood,. Jiine 4. , .'Charles F.infcld will come ea.-^l around the 20lh with his boy. Dick to allend tlic Universal convention, "see the shows", etc. Nate Blum- berg. U president, who quickies to the Coast oj) Friday (7), also will return in time for the U sale-: pow- wow al the Waldoi-f-Astoria. N. Y. Mrs. Blumbci'S i.t remaining east until the U topper gets back to N. Y. Laraine Day, M^G Sever . ' , • ' Hollywood. June 4. : Laraine -bay and Metro dissolved their conllaci, wliich still had five .veavs Iff run. Understood aclrcss was dissatisfied with a' long lisl of loanoul roles, . Since she signed her second Mclvo contract in 194-1. Miss Day had played only one picture, "Kccd Your Powder Drv," on the homi; Raftery Quits As UA Prez Tuesday Edward C. Raflery will quit the presidency of United Artists at the annual stockholders'- meeting next Tuesday (11) whetlier or not a suc- cessor is decided upon before then it was flatly slated by an authori- talive source this week. At the .name time it was said that UA three owners have no one set to take Raftery 's place and Ih* indica lions are that there is no likelihood of their finding anyone in the short time left. Ratlery's departure will leave the company' without an overall opcval ing head. There have been veporls that a cojnmiltee consisting of a rep of each ot the ■ three owners would be set up to 1-lin U.\ until a new prosideni is decided on Whellier or not this conies about actual day-lo-day operalions will devolve on CJrad Scars, v.p. in charge of dislribulion. Another possibility that has been talked ot is partner. Mary Pickford temporarily filling in- the presiden- tial vacancy. Miss Pickford is said to have indicated a desire to take the po.vt, but it is questionable whether her two partners. David O. Sel/.nick and Charles Chaplin, would agree to such an arrange- nient. agnew^aoTatdesk after month away Neil Agnew. v.p. in charge of dis- Iributibn tor David O. Sel/.nick. is e.-ipectecl back at his desk late this week. He ha.s been out for almost a month, dining which (ihie ho was operated on at the Polyclinic hos- pilal. N. Y. Ho left the hospital 'last Wednes- day (29 p and has been rei-upeialins at his liome since then. Out; of the chores lacing him is the annual n(-.?elin.!; of Uniled ArlisK slncl;- holcl-ii s nc'xl Tuc.-;di(y (til, ai -.' '.licli 'he is slaliid to repiestfiil SelViiick. By H.\BRT REGENSBjERG London, June 4. Alexander Korda's , recent deal, whereby he acquired British Lion Films for nearly $1,000,000, is only a forerunner of things to come, Kovda is now reputed to be a mil- lionaire iu English pounds, and is wealthier that he has ever been, Appointment of Arthur Jarralt as maiiaging director of BLF:. also is significant. Jarrntt, who is under- stood to have invested $400,000 in Korda's. venture, is a theatre man, having acquired his theatre hold- ings , from the late William Evans, original Ownier of Provincial Cine- matograph Theatres, absorbed some years ago by Gaumont-BritisI). Although Korda is reticent about his future activities, it's understood that he is plenty active, with big developments expected shortly. In- siders say that he is dickering with three important indie circuits, for tlit^ir big holdings. This would give him a real outlet for his fiiLiire product. One company under consideration is Shipman & King, prominent thea- tre owners who,, until receiitly, were backers of- Sydney Box productions. Company controls around 40 houses, scattered all over England, mostly in worthurhile spots. Rank often has bid for these, but understood that the price asked is around $6,000,000, with the owners insisting they main-r lain managerial intere.st. Korda might think it worthwhile to keep them occupied ' with him, which .makes the deal likely. Another company iKorda is sweet on. ^yith Jarratt also anxious, is Granada theatres. The.se comprise 3.5 dehixers, IS in London and sub- urbs, the others in the provinces. These are controlled by Sydney and Cecil Bernstein. They are reported ready , to give Korda and his con- ferees a big slice of their holdings, which amount to near $8,000,000. for a consideration. This is that they slay on actively. S. M. Super Cinemas, Ltd.. and its associated companies, comprising around 60 theatres in the Lancashire and Birmingham areas, including the recently acquired Danilo Cir cuit ot eight deluxeis in Birming- ham and nearby, are others Korda is said to be after. Southan Morris, head ot these companies, is reputed to be extremel.v friendly wilh Korda arid Jarrat, which should help the deal, . Acquiring interest in these three prominent indie circuits would en (Continued on page -24) Charm That Failed Al Sindlingcr, head ot Audi- ence Research Institute, thought that a horse which his daughter, Jacqueline, .17, was riding on their Hopewell: N, J., farm last week was getting too rough with her. He wallcbd over to calm the crlllcr down and ex- plain to the gal about handling horses. He expects to be back at his . office later, this week. The four cracked rib.s are healing okay. Col. Case Cues Gl-Studio Setup Hollywood, June .4, Precedent-setting case of vet- actor relations with the studios, was decided in favor of former GI with settlement that has Fred Graff going back to Columbia under full year's acting contract. . Screen Actors Guild had hearing.s with all major studiosr represented in discussions as to situation of ac- tors whose option periods had ex- jjircd within few weeks, after- return from rriilitary service. Graft' was under yearly option contract at Columbia and was draft- ed about five weeks before first op- tion was due. After severSl ycar.s in the Army, studio hired him back tor balance of original contract period but failed to take up option. Actor claimed that, under the, Selective Service Act, he was entitled to re- employment for- full year becau.se, under his term contract, he coiild not be classed as a"temporary". em- ploye, who is not protected by SSA. . Studio, although disagreeing with Graff's contention, has agreed to re- employ him for full year as "a mat- ter of good will and general policy ot doing its part to aid veterans re- e.>-tabllsh themselves." ♦■ Weakness of Aim stocks during the past week, in the face of a generally, rising market that drove the com- bined average ot all sliares to the highest level in la years, found both indu.sti-y and Wall street financial circles at a total loss for an explana- tion. One theory bruited about was lhat insiders had a tip the anti-trust suit decision, about to be handed down, had gone against the majorj and this was depressing Aim issues. Splendid first . quarter carnin.if statements, far in excess of last year, in all theory should have scnl pic- ture slocks skyrockctiiig, . Instead, while mo.sl .of the riiai;ltet,^climbed, majority of nim shares either just inanagcd to hold their own. or took .spills; There were *declines ot- as niiich .a.s two to three points in one day, with Paramount. RKO, RepubT lie. 20lii-j;ox, Columbia, Universal aiid Warner Bros, among the suf- ferers. Aside from the anti-tnist suit lin^ off theory, only reason that was of- fered on the street for the slides iii picture issues were more or les.-: minor dips, in boxoffice receipts. This trend to drops in gros.scs. as noted last week, was becomiiig in- creasingly evident, but certainly no cause for alarm. Theatres were slill doing biz that in any. but the most limh times— as exemplilied by Ihe past six months— would, be regai-ded as terrific: B.o. weakness. 'Wall si reetcis figured, wasnit ot sufficient proportions to account for some of lliose falls film stocks took. What effect the pendhig anli-lriist suit decision actually had on the market was a moot point. It ap- H>eared fairly certain that the three- judge Federal statutory court in New York arrived at its findings and Ihe decision would be handed down momentarily. But if (he coiirt had actually decided against the Big Five and .was calling for divprce- meiil,. it was figured in some quar- ters, why should this react against Columbia, Universal, and Republic, which arc not defendants in the suit, but who.se shares dropped? U, SHERLOCK SAT ADIEU Hollywood, June 4. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson will cease solving crimes for Uni- versal with the release of "Dressed to Kill." 14th picture 'n the detec- tive series. Studio's contract with the Arthur Cojian Doyle estate for use ot the Holmes stories has lapsed. National Boxoffice Survey Downpour, Unfavorable Weather Dampens Memorial Day Expectancy — 'Postman,' 'Love Me,' 'Tomorrow,' 'Territory' Big Winner* Mrs. Goldwyn Back Sat. Mrs. Samuel Goldwyn, currently in England on a quick look at the pro- duction and distribution situation for her husband, is expected back in New York Saturday (8). She planed over two weeks ago. While numerous key cities are be- ing helped thi.s week by the Me- morial Day holiday upswing,, others are suffering from too much damp- ne.ss. or changeable weather. Heavy downpours on several days wiped out prom iiiing weeks in . .several eastern metropolitan keys, overall total reflecting thi.s. Bulk of big money is concentrated in eight pictures, with small change in leadership from the previous week. Big winnei' at the wickets is ■Postman Rings Twice" (M-G). playing in some 14 theatres, with a national total of- aroUnd J.'l'.i.OOO in principal keys covered by V.^Rl^:nf. Others in the top eiglU; in about order namfed. are "Do You Love .Me" (20th'i. "One More. Tomorrow? (W'BV, "Badman'.s Teri it'oi-y" iRKOi. "Blue Dahlia' (Pan, "To Each Mi.s Own" (Par). '"I'he Outlav:-" lUA) !ind "Heartbeat" (RKOi. "His Own" ?ets into the select class via the .hi.i.!;e. SI35,000 being done on second week at N. Y, Music H.ill. ."Mlhough in Only three cilic. "TV.i- Outlaw" looks lo l:iiid about .Sl JD.nOO ip-..Mily becau. e of Vc!.;ord biz i;- I'l . ; S--.1 l-'r;.;-.'': <) t'-icjlre;-. yihn is still pluyinii in lour- Los Angeles houses althom-h now In ninth week. The remarkaljle slrenglh shown by "Territory" at- tests 10 the comprehensive national exploitation by RKO on this big western. "Heartbeat," another RI<0 picture, managed 16 get into the Hist eight although in only six ke.vs. "Bride Wore Boot. s"' (Par), "Young Widow" rUA), "Devotion' iWB), ■'Killy'' iPar) and "Two Sisters From Bo.-^ton'' (M-G) cither show promise or are rounding out their priiK-ipal playd.ates in pi incipbl . cities! "Widov.'. " second Jane Ru.-- | sell starrer, which has done v.cll in - Dayton, Toledo, Salt Lake City and} |.-everal other spots, hits Detroit this cominj! week. "Two Sisters" is just starting, but is leader in Cincinnati and fine on second Philadelphia week. Ihe.ic bcinx only spots playini;. "Night in I'aradisc'' 'U i sliov.s up in just t^vo cities but is rated tor- rid $a5.600 in Chicaiio, "Dark Correi " (20lh). "Her Kind of Man" iWB; and "Somewhere in Night'' (20thj don'l slack up well this session. Last-named rates an avera.yo S52..000 in throi: L. A. spots, only cily s.l'0-,\lng. (C'oiiipleie fil"! Bo.ro.flice Reports. Patjes 16-17J Trails .Marli neKl»terf<1 l--buxr)BJ> BY BIMK, SII.VKK.M AN ■■(ilillitliKil W'urkl.t by VABIKTV, Ini-. Sid 8i]\-criii:in. I'l-i-nliltiit Wml 4(;ili St., New Tork in, N. T suBSCfiir'noN Anniiot 110 Foreign. S'liijple CoifffN. . • Vol. 162 110 No. 1.1 INDEX Bills . . . . (i7 Chatter . . :.. ...... . . 32 Film Reviews. . . .13 Foreign ; ... 20 House Review.-; .......... . . -24 .Inside Legit . . 71 Inside Music. . . . 58 Inside Pictures. .. :r> Inside Orchieslras ,. 5B .Joe Laurie, Jr. . .,.. .. '. . .. 'j:) Legitimate ;. B8 Litpraii . :: . — .. 2a Milton Berlc 2 Mu.sic ■ . . r>T . Night Club— Revit . . . , . 'iii Obituary . . . Orchestras . . .")? PiclurCs Plays Abroad , . '. 71 Radio :- • . . -:•! Radio. Kcvipws ........ : . 4-1 Recmnmcndcd Records. . . .">« Frank Scully - .. 28 Television ............... f.'4' Vaudeville . , ti:i 1 '|».»M.V V.-Mtl»TV (I'libllsli'il In 'Il0l,!;'v,'(inil. bt D.i'.l.v \ aiii-l.v. l.nl." . tlO « \c.n— JI'.' l-'oip'En A FESSIER-PAGANO PRODUCTION ith CHARLES WINNINGER CARL ESMOND Raymond walburn Elisabeth risdon LOUISE BEAVERS WALLACE FORD FRANKLIN PANGBORN Original Screenplay Written and Produced by Michael Fessier and Ernest Pagano Directed by WILLIAM A. SEITER Executive Producer: HOWARD BENEDICT A UNIVERSAL PICTURE Vednesday, June 5, 1946 PICTURES Johnston s Program for Film Labor Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association, states there are three objectives he aims to achieve to stabilize the Hollywood labor situation. He lists them' as: 1. A system o( arbitration. 2. Establishment 6f a single labor committee to negotiate all wage at'reements on behalf of the craft unions. 3. A method of getting greater continuity of employment. On the arbitration system; Johiiston said he favored a perifianent paid ai-bitrator, similar to the one maintained by the clothing and other industries. Hq asserted this system, with the arbitrator's salary shared by the unions and the employers, had worlced out very satisfactorily in other fields, A single committee to represent the craft unions in wage negotia- tions (not working conditions), Johnston said, was needed because the greatest difTiculty in dealing with some SO different unions was each of the lattcr's constant fear that some other union was- going to get a bet- ter deal than they. Johnston said this greatly delayed negotiations and could only be eliminated by handling all wage agreements via a single representative comnnittee. As fo'r greater continuity of employment, he said he felt that was necessary because the basis of all labor trouble is a feeling of insecurity that most employers have , not understood. He pointed out that em- ployees have the same continuing "overhead costs" as a studio, whether they work or not, so they are entitled to assurances that they can reg- ularly meet this overhead. He refused to disclose his ideas on how the problem of continuity of studio employment should be approached, but stated he didn't think the industry was ready yet for agreements to pay annual wages. Johnston No Yes-Man Contlnned from paic 1 the French government, particularly, has been winning him wide ap- plause. Hollywood biggies, whose grum- blings have been heard all the way to Washington and New York, are mostly mifled at wliat they consider a lack of attention by Johnston. Ex- plaining that the MPA during the past few months . had been prac- tically a five-ring circus, Johnston said it was manifestly impossible for him. to be everywhere at once and he had. been spending the major part of his time on the important ex- port matters^ the results of which he was very proud. ' One Hollywood insider explained the irritation at the MPA head last week thus: "Johnston wants to pitdi sU'aight balls and the boys want him to pitch curves." "I don't know how to pitch curves," Johnston declared. "Frank- ly, there have been plenty of times I've disagreed with industry execu- tives. But if they want a yes-man, they, don't need me. They can get someone for a couple hundred dol- lars a month." More Hollywood Visits Whatever unhappiness lingers on the Coast, after announcement of the foreign agreements during the past week, Johnston hopes to elim- inate during a visit to Hollywood oh which he'll leave next Monday (10). This is the first of regular fortnight jaunts he expects to make at least once every two months to keep re- lations with company toppers on the Coast running, smoothly and elim- inate their complaints of lack of 91- tcntion. MPA head admitted that his visits to Hollywood since he took the post last fall had been infrequent. He was on the Coast in October for three weeks, January for two weeks and March for two weeks. With other duties, particularly foreign and labor matters, taking up his time, he indicated he didn't see how he could have gotten to California any more often. One of the harder differences of opinion between Johnston and some industry execs, it is reported, is over , labor relations. MPA prexy is a student :of modern labor relations methods and he feels that "Holly- wood has not been living in the atomic age as far as labor relations are concerned." He said he would seek a reexamination of the labor :>ituation when he got to the Coast. L'AffaIre Pat C«8ey Among the things that Johnston has wanted is a labor relations ex- pert, . under his control, as a re- placement for Pat Casey, who has operated more or less independently for many years as "studio labor con- tact." Following out this idea, Johns- ton went so far as to make a more or less definite commitment to a former officer who handled labor re- lations for. the Navy. At the same time, it is reported, it was suggested to Casey that in view of his ad- vancing age he accept a. generous pension and step out. Casey, it is said, immediately went to the presi- dent of one of the majors and in- formed him he had no intention of quitting. Inasmuch as he was so familiar with the inside 6f many studio labor matters, he suggested, he thought .it would be a praor move for the industry to lose him. The prexy in question agreed and pres- sure was put on Johnston to call off his deal with the Navy man. That, of course, has left a sore point. Johnston, queried on the interpre- ation, was noncommittal. He said, however, that he had spoken to Casey concerning . the advisability of a younger man (Casey was 71 in November). The vet labor contact, Johnston indicated, was not entirely willing— but, on the other hand, not unwilling— to step out. Johnston, admitting he. had inter- viewed a number of candidates for the labor job, said he was seeking a man in his 405, and definitely no older than his early 50s, with a wide knowledge of every phase of modern labor relations techniques. Reexamine Hollywood Standards During his Coast stay, Johnston said, he will also call for a re- cxaihination of the type of pictures to be made by Hollywood. He de- clared that he felt the Production Code perfectly adequate and in need of no changes, but his talks would be along the line of the kind of pictures people want in this country an.d abroad. "I feel that one of my jobs," the former Chamber of Commerce head asserted, 'Is to call for conatant reexamination of all phases of the picture field. Leaders of the film in- dustry, like successful leaders of any other inidustry, have a natural tend- ency to stick to formulas that have led to their success. In the mean- time, the world may pass them by. It's necessary, therefore, that we reexamine ourselves constantly to make sure that we are keeping up with an atomic age." For years prior to Johnston's ac- cession to the MPA presidency, Hol- lywood royalty got along oh an easy basis with Will Hays, in large meas- ure, perhaps, : because of Hays' long experience as a professional politi- cian. He had unique ability to please everyone by not hitting too hard at anything. But Johnston is no Hays in that respect. He; has very defi- nite ideas and equal determination to put them over. If he finds himself stymied too often, nothing is more likely than that he'll tell the MPA members to get themselves another boy. Another point that can't be over- looked in regard to Johnston's fu- ture in the industry is that he is po- tential presidential timber for 1948. One of the things that bounced him high in that respect was his recent swansong speech at the U. S. Cham- ber of Commerce convention in At- lantic City. Taking the Viewpoint of enlightened capitalism, as against the tory dichardism of the National Association of Manufacturers, Johns- ton won himself backslapping from a wide variety of sources. INGENUITY USED lU Gyp DISTRIBS By IRA WIT Aftermath of the bldwoff on per- centage, picture Chiseling which pushed Ross Federal out of the the- atre checking business- and led to a string of lawsuits still popping up in the courts is a host of stories of just how it was done. Methods of gypping distribs turned up on inves- tigation show one thing— that the exhibitor who was out for more than the contract gave him didn't lack ingenuity, those in the know say. And it took more than one way to skim off an estimated $20,000,(>00 from the distributor's cut, they add. Classic story of how. far a con-- niving exhibitor will go to anare the extra dollar is that of the mayor of a small midwest town who also hap- pened to be the sole exhibitor of his domain. Hizzoner had a law passed which made it mandatory for. the checker to pay a $5 tax daily for the privilege of checking! What's more, the tax was to be paid directly to the mayor— this eliminated the pos- sibility of the distribs sneaking in a blind checker to keep tabs unbe- knownst to the exhib. Custom of using blind checkers first sprung up some 25 years ago when percentage clauses were ini- tiated in sales contracts. Idea which Ross Federal used widely was to check on the operator wifhout let- ting on to it. Point, of course, was to separate the goats from the sheep and then to keep ai real watch on the goats. Practice faded out re- cently 'when Confidential. Reports, Inc., which services for all ma- jors, except Metro and part of War- ners, took over. From Booze to Dame* 0ns of the standard gimmicks used until recently was one method or another of disposing of the check- er who was too conscientious. Favor- (Continued on page 29) Vast Fix Saving In New Brit. Pact Washington, June 4, New tax treaty with Great Brit- ain, which eliminates double-taxa- tion for actors but makes American players subject to the British tax rate .while working in England, might save the American film com- panies a potential $35,000,000 to $40,- 000,000 annually. Treaty was ratified by the Senate in a late , session Sat- urday (1) night. Under existing coriditions, before ratification of the new treaty, Brit- ain was not taxing American film distribs on remittances of their British take. U. S., however, had been taxing British companies on the money grossed by the latters' prod- uct in this country. Situation fomented considerable agitation in Parliament, with re- sultant demands for laws subject- ing American distribs to full taxa- tion. Under existing tax rates, this would have hit them for almost 9(1% of the present ;.$80,0O0,OOO take from the Britsh market. Since, under the new treaty, Amer- ican actors working in Britain less than six months will be subject to (Continued on page 29) Brenner Heads Metro's District Checkers in L.A. Los Angeles, June 4. William Brenner, head of Metro's checking department, is currently selling up a district checking office here to cover all theatres on the Coast. Checkers working out of the' new office will make their reports directly to the field office, instead oif to the homeoffice, as they'd been do- ing in the past. New offices, it's understood, will not be established in the exchange cities so as not to have anything to do with the exchange staffs. Check- ers will also work independently of the Willmark Agency checkers, with whom Metro has a contract for an- other year to check certain situations throughout the country. Gov. MiUiken Win Resign MPA When 70 Tiiis Year; Mayer or Vining to Succeed Cap-ahd-Gown Circuit With the cap-and-gown cir- cuit running at full blast this month,. Motion Picture Associ- ation, toppers will be kept busy on both coasts. Byron Price, MPA v.p., who heads the or-' ganization's Hollywood . activi- ties, gets an honorary master of arts degree from Harvard tomor- row (Thursday), while prexy Eric Johnston is slated to make the commencement address at University of Southern Cali- fornia June 15. Price, who headed U. S. cen- sorship during the war, also shuttled up to Harvard Monday (3) for Phi Beta Kappa honors. He's Slated to huddle with John- ston. UN Strain Nips Soviet Pix Buy With the U. S. and Russia locking horns at United Nations meets and elsewhere, latest repercussion in the low ebb of Russo -American relations is the indefinite shelving by the Soviets of previously announced plans to buy a minimum of 10 American films in the coming year. The films, all on the entertainment side, were to have been, forwarded to Moscow via Artkiho, U. S. distribu- tor of Russe pix, in a program for expanded use of American pictures in Russian theatres. Understood that Artkino has vainly awaited instruc- tions to ^tart selection of likely sub- jects for the past two months. The Russians, instead, will make no purchases whatever of U. S. pic- tures, it is reliably reported. Pro- jected trip to the U. S. of a represen- tative of the Soviet Union's film min- istry to cooperate with Artkino in choosing films, now long overdue, has been' apparently dropped. Soviet rep was supposed to journey here last month, and his failure to appear was coincidental with the open flare- up on Iran. Russian animus towards American film companies was heightened re- cently when one of the newsreel companies irreverently treated the recent Soviet elections. Dubbed in English commentary of . Russian- made reel distributed here ribbed the election as a one-sided match in which Josef Stalin was a sure win- ner. American films continue to be popular with the Russians and the two or three currently exhibited there pack the houses. Understood, however, that the official policy is to use tjie dropping of plans for U. S. pix as another expression of Russian displeasure oyer the claimed Anglo- American alignment against . the Soviets. ♦ Carl E. MiUiken, secretary of the ■ Motion , Picture Association since 192C, will resign "at the end of this year, MPA President Eric Johnston disclosed last week. At that time MiUiken will have reached thie age of 70 and' Will retire 3n pension, in keeping with Johnston's aim to in- fuse younger blood into all aspects of the Organization. Milliken's successor may be either Gerald Mayer or Robert E. Vining, both of whom have been named to the MPA staff within the past few weeks. They are relieving MiUiken of part of the load of handling the industry's export affairs, which have been an important part of his duties and which he has done in addition to his work as secretary of 'the as- sociation and for years head of the eastern Production Code Adniinistra- tion. Mayer and .Vining, said Johnston, will have every opportunity to prove themselves before MiUiken leaves. He hopes to make a choice of one of them for the post left vacant by the departing secretary, rather than bring someone else in from the but- side, the MPA topper stated. Mayer served the State dept. in western Europe during the war years. Vining was a captain in the Navy, handling intelligence. He was named to the MPA staff several weeks ago and last week was ap- pointed aide to the president. Both he and Mayer will specialize in. ex- port matters. Mllliken, in 20 years with the MPA and its predecessor, the Motion Picture Producers Sc Distributors of ' America, has become a prorhinent industry figure. He was a WiU Hays appointee. Popularly known as "The Governor," the title goes baclf to his two terms as governor of Maine, which he wound up in 1921. It was in that capacity that he first became interested in films, embark- ing on a series of pictures from out- door stories featuring Maine's scenery, . If Horne-Deutsch Make Infl Deal It's For One Film Only Deal being talked . by Hal Horns and Armahd Deutsch with Interna- tional is for one picture only. It calls for the William Goetz-Leo Spitz organization to provide studio space and release via United World for "This Side of Innocence," to be made from the Taylor Caldwell novel. Home, chairman of the board of Story. Productions, which wiU make "Innocence," said Monday (3) from the Coast that no deal with Inter- national has actually been set yet and that other possibilities for stu- dio space and release arc still being canvassed. Home was joined by Deutsch in Hollywood over, the weekend and Stanley Kramer, v.p. in charge of. production, planed out of . New York Monday (3). Don Ettlinger, who is screenplay- ing "Innocence," expects to leave for the Coast with the. finished product Friday (7). Lesb'e Ruling Baffles Studios Hollywood, June 4. The Joan Leslie court decision, freeing the actress from her Warner Bros.' contract, is expected to play havoc with chances of under-age femmes in seeking studio contracts. Superior Judge Alfred Paonessa. ruling on a demurrer filed against the injunction previously granted Warner Bros, preventing Miss Leslie from leaving its employ, made the decision which is keeping legal and talent heads in the studios here awake nights. The Los Angeles jurist ruled that while actress' original coiitract, signed while she was a minor, was duly approved by the superior court, studio did not obtain such approval when . succeeding options were lifted "and therefore, no contract existed between Miss Leslie and Warner Bros." Immediately follow- ing the ruling, Warners announced it will iippeal the decision. Although effect of the ruling will not go hard with men players, since most of them are 21 or over when they hit studio contract lists, most talent heads here believe that if the decision is upheld in the higher courts. It will deal a heavy tlow to chances of femme applicants for stardom. It is emphasized that most (Continued on page 29) YoDDg, Jewel to £-L Hollywood, June 4. Ray Young, studio general man- ager, and Edward C. Jewel, art di- rector, shifted from PRC to th« newly-formed Eagle-Lion organiza- tion. Three ' other PRC department heads turned in their resignations. They are Norman Cook, production manager, ■ Betty Pagel, casting di- rector, and Karl Hajos, musical director. 6 Wedneidajrt Jane 5, 1944i with CHARLES WINNINGER CARL ESMOND RAYMOND WALBURN ELISABETH RISDON LOUISE BEAVERS WALLACE FORD FRANKUN PANGBORN On.. J Screenplay Written and ProducftJ by Michael Fessier and Ernesi Pa^-ano Directed by WILLIAM A. SEITER Executive Producer: HOWARD BENEDICT A UNIVERSAL PICTURE Wednesday, June 5, 1946 PICTURES TIME TO RETURN TO BALLYHOO Rainy Weekends a Rreak for Film B O. But Sports' koads May Yet Be Felt stormy weather during the last* several weekends has temporarily' postponed' the usual boxofFice der cline in the key cities, but has done so at the expense of the outdoor , re- sorts and attractions. Despite the stall, however, record crowds at the seashore, ball games and other out- door spots over the Memorial Day weekend indicate that the. exhib will experience his usual summer slump this year. Persistent rains, while cutting into theatre grosses during the weekdays, bolstered biz ,on weekends, by keep- ing people in the cities. Full force of the seasonal dip in receipts, there- fore, has not yet been felt. With balmy weather over Memorial Day, however, several keys reported off- ish biz and grosses in others cities saw marked reflections. Rain has also caused a slowdown In the turnstiles at the ball parks but the baseball magnates are still looking forward to the biggest year in history. Total admissions in the big leagues, despite an abundance of rain, were 1,000,000 ahead of the first month of last year. More than 61,000 showed up for a night game at Yankee Stadium, N. Y., Friday (31), which was the first decent weather break for a game under the lights that Larry MacPhail's had since he installed the new lamp sys- tem. And this despite the fact that the Yankees were playing the last- place . Athletics. As film biz shapes up, the worst that can be said is that this sum- mer will be a normal hot weather period, in the opinion of exhibitors and distributors currently . trying to forecast trade trends. It's only a matter of getting back into the usual seasonal strides, since the industry has always looked for a sQmmer slump with a resultant upbeat in the fall. Abnormally high grosses have re- versed this usual pattern for the last several, years, being close to the biz enjoyed during the rest of the year. Fact that boxoflice take has been higher than ever before has given most houses somewhat of a cushion against the shock of ,the torrid months' dip. Giant attendance at competing outdoor attractions was expected but the early season trek, as illustrated by the Memorial Day crowds, was the surprise. It's viewed as a fair example of what film biz is in for when the real dog days arrive. Flocking of million; to the out- door entertainment field is looked on as a natural result of wartime re- strictions, when the public was forced to stay at. home. Restricted travel occasioned by gas-rationing and the shortages of tires and other goods, all contributed to .the better trade at film houses. Gene Kefly's liyiiig' Hollywood, June 4. " Gene Kelly's pic for Metro (Pan- dro Herman) has been renamed "Life's for the Living" and will be directed by . Gregory La Cava with June Allyson co-starring. This is the yarn for which. Harry Kurnitz recently went to New York to get Kelly to do this picture. Cen- tral character is a returned sailor who was previously a dancer. RRs Hurt Biz But Now Bounced Back L. A. to N. Y. Roy Bai-gy Hal Bock Murray Bolen Zelm'a Brookpv Pat Casey William Castle Phil Cohan • Buddy de Sylva Mary Edwards Florence Eldridge Dale Evans Harriet Frank Paul Jarrico Mitchell Kowal Ella Logan Jeanctte MacDonald Allan Meltzer Oscar Morgan F. T. Murray George Pal Elliot Paul John Paxton John D. Phillips Harry M. Popkin Byron Price Walter Ramsey Ruby Rosenberg Jack- Sayers Joe Schoenfeld Douglas Shearer Col. C. A. Shoop Harry H. Thomas Don Thornburgh Jean Trent Ann Triola Arthur Van Horn June Vincent William Watts Carey Wilson Business in the pictures theatres was affected by the rail strike, prin- cipally in the larger centers, and previously across the country by brownouts, but has already bounced back on a national average/to where it was before, accor^ling to operating sources. Legit hoiise^ were hurt some by the rail strike, especially through a drop in advance and mail orders, but cited that it's hard to tell just how much was. due to the strike since season is going into the stretch. Niteries in New York did. not exr perience particular damage from the railway tieup. Nightclubs had no complaint Saturday night (1) but were reported considerably below normal on Sun- day (2). plaint Saturday night (1) but were reported considerably beloyv normal on Sunday (2). The brownout, brought about by the soft coal strike, hurt the most in Chicago, where theatres were forced to close down for awhile and elsewhere in the face of curtailed op- rations while the walkout was in progress. Overall harm from the short-lived railroiad strike was less serious on the whole but'had' notice- able ' effect in large cities with tran- sient populations such as New York and Chicago. In addition to every- thing else, Los Angeles was injured during May by the tram strike which has since been settled, immediately pushing up grosses. Meantime, there are other strikes and threatened walkouts which may hurt, especially if prolonged. This includes the Hudson tubes strike in N.Y.., which interferes with travel by people living in New Jersey. LonK Decoration Day holiday Thursday (30) was not quite up to expectations in some localities but, on an average throughout the coun- try, proved satisfactory. In N. Y. several factors militated against a heavy pull on Decoration Day, headed 'by very balmy weather which kept people outdoors. Addi- tionally, large crowds went to ball games and races, while others viewed Memorial Day parades. Then also 50,000 people tried to visit a part of the fleet now in the Hudson river but only 25,000 were able to get on the boats. lEBlTO NEED HYPO SOON Exhibitors, throughout the, country, still coasting on war-born easy grosses, are failing to push local ex- ploitation of pictures. That's the current gripe of major company top flackinen, privately airing ihelr views. Pressbooks and other ex- ploitation material are piling up on the theatreman's desk with the lat- ter making no real effort to fully use the ammunition to ballyh«>o films slated for local showing, the pub- licists complain. The exhibs fell into the bad hab.lt during the war, it is claimed, when "all tiiey had to do was turn on the electric lights to do top business." Decline In showmanship became evident during the war, , one exec said,' when exhibitor purchases of display material sagged 40%. Slack has yet to be taken, up, he added. Point made by several' flackmen is that exhibs should mend their ways now when there's still velvet in the grosses.. By so doing, they say, the inevitable tapering . off of b.o. re- ceipts can be cushioned. Exhibitor practice ' of using local newspapermen to handle local ex- ploitation' diet down during, the "Arar, it is said. With their loss through the draft aiid otherwise, no replace-' ments \tFere made because th'e exhibs were satisfied to let well enough alone. The theatremen themselves, flacks say, were too busy then to (Continued on page 35) CPA Order Further Delays Show Biz Bldg. Washington, June 4. New show biz construction takes anothor temporary setback under orders Issued last week by the Ci- vilian Production Administration. Because the number of priority authorizations has been outrunning available building materials, CPA ordered its regional directors to re- duce their dollar value of authori- zations by two-thirds for at least 45 days. No authorizations already issued, will be affected, but the scramble for scarce building mate- rials will be cased. If this move fails to do what it was supposed to do, make more ma- terial available for home building, it fnay be followed up by another one. Veterans groups are currently raising the roof in. D. C. charging that the. vets home bt'ildin.i; is a flop because material is i ":'!-" chan- neled into commcrcral structures. British Story Mart Pkks Up British story market, which had sunk during thie war to almost noth- ing as. a potential source of Ameri- can screen material, has picked up in both quantity and quality diiring the past month or so, major com- pany story eds report. They say that quantitatively there's been an upturn of about 300% in the number of books, plays, and originals being received in this country over what was coming in six months ago. English film industry, which, pribr to the war, was negligible as com- petition to Hollywood^ for story material, is becoming an important factor In bidding against American companies. With the J. Arthur Rank apd Alexander Korda organizations offering real coin now, most British writers prefer to sell their wares at home, rather . than to Hollywood. One reason is patriotism and the other the - dual taxation they suffer by disposing of their properties in America. / New laws in England and United States which eliminate the necessity of a writer paying income tax in his homeland on a story he sells to a studio in the other country it ex- pected to materially help the situa- tion. Hollywood hopes it will aid in furthering the quantity of- mater- ial it receives for . Inspection from England. Among the stories coming In from abroad now are st'ill a good many about the war. American companies practically refuse even to consider them. English audiences are said not to be so down on war films as Americans are, but British com- panies, with their eyes on the U. S. rnarket,' have thus become as reti-. cent as Hollywood on the combat yarns. Eagle-Lion (Patlie Tag Out) Seeks Own Selling Org; Foys N.Y. Huddles CpL Renews Jack Cok Hollywood, June 4. Jack Cole has re-signed as dance director for Columbia Pictures at a substantial increase. Cole, prior to the new pact, had considered leav- ing the studio to' return to Broad- way, . but upped figure caused a change of mind. . Prior to film work, Cole did a dance act with the Kraft sisters. Distrib-Services Washington, June 4. Film distributors have worked out a more advantageous deal for them-, selves in their postwar arrangements with the armed forces, which are planning to continue extensive screenings to service personnel at all bases. Here is the deal with the Navy Dept., which is typical. Navy pays 40% of a fictitious door charge of 10c for each gob, based on an aver- age 20,000 men seeing each print. The new contracts are the first which require a per capita payment from the Navy and, from the Navy's viewpoint, are not a$ good as the pre-war deals, s Industry's attitude appears to be,j however, that It donated so much' for free tp the services during the war that It Is now entitled to make a little money. WMle the deal is a. better one than the 'commercial ex- hibitors get— considering the fact that Navy gets its pix early— Navy Motion Picture Exchange does all the handling out of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The distribs provide no service comparable to what they give the theatres. . The Navy figures it will pay the companies $1,781,670 for prints dur- ing the fiscal year beginning July 1. It expects to buy four features a week (15 prints of each) plus ac- companying newsreels and shorts, or a total of 208 features per year. Of these, 40% of the prints will be in 35in and the remaining 60% in 16m. Of the features, »0% (187 subjects) will be in blac]( and white, while the remaining 10% (21 pix) will be Technicolor. As -the Navy figures it out, each 35m 7'eehnicplor print will cost an average of $1,074, and $552 for the cheaper 16m. In black and white, the cost per 35m print will average $501, and the price of a 16m feature will be $352. Remainder of the total will be made up. from the reels and short subjects. ^ Eagle-Lion Co. has plenty of ccia available to back independent pro- duction and is currently shopping, around toMie up with fllmakers on productibnrdistrlbution deals. So says Bryan Foy, studio head of £SL. He's in New York, along with Au- brey Schenck, his assistant, ' for huddles with Robert S. Young, Pathe Industries' official, Robert Benjamin, general counsel for P-E, and Arthur Krim, Benjamin's legal associate. Chief business for the conferees will be the selection of a sales head for the new organization, Foy disclosed. In deals with indie producers, Foy said, E-L's studios, now under ex- tensive expansion, would be avail- able should shooting space be re- quired by the producer. . Addition- ally to putting coin into these pro- ductions, the company would also handle domestic and South Ameri- can distribution. Under an existing, pact, foreign distribution of all E-L pix would be the job of the J. Arthur Rank organization. Foy plans to stay in New York for 8-10 days but will extend the time if a sales chief Is not tagged within that period. While here, he'll be on the hunt, for story material and acting personnel. Despite re- ports, the company is not actively in quest of a president to head the outfit, Foy said. Pressing need Is for a sales force so that E-L can start releasing schedules in the fall, he added. 3 Beady By Scp(. 16 On this score, the company ex- pects to have three films in the can by Sept. 15, Foy stated. First two to go before the cameras in July will be "Repeat Performance" with. Franchot ToRe and "Its a Joke, Son" starring Ke'nnj^ Delmar (Senator Claghora). Studios rigged with eight stages has capacity output of 22 pix yearly. No figure for the first year's production will be set until the sales head is chosen, Foy said. ' Foy disclosed that the name Pathe- Eagle-Lion was chanjged back to Eagle-Lion because RKO squawked, claiming Pathe is its own label. Foy reiterated prievious statements that PRC, also controlled by Pathe Industries, would not be liquidated because of the formation of E-L. Latter company plans to use PRC physical distributing facilities but no merger further than tiiat are in the cards, Foy said, PRC, in turn, will sell its own product. . UBS. ACER'S FU FINCH-HIT Cecelia Ager, who was PM's first film critic when the sheet was founded six years ago, returned to that task Monday (3) . She's reliev ing John T. McManus while he takes a two-month vacation, during which time he'll also attend the American Newspaper Guild conven- tion. He's prexy of the New York chapter. . Mrs, Ager is wife of music pub lisher Milton Ager, and prior to joining PM in 1940, wroie for VARIEiy. Goldwyn-Mrs. Fairbanks Renew Lease on Studio Hollywood, June 4. Samuel Cloldwyn has concluded a 20-year leasing deal with Lady Syl- via Ashley, former wife of Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., for 50%, of the Gold wyn studio. Control of the other 50% is held by Mary Pickford. New lease begins November, 1948, when present one runs out. Lady Ashley, who is in London, was represented here , by her lawyers. lOOG Studio FaeelUt Hollywood, June 4. Reconstruction campaign at Eagle- Lion starts off with a $100,000 face- lift and more building to be done as soon as the Government green- lights material and equipment. James T. Vaughn, production man- ager, has programmed construction of a new wardrobe building, dining room, dubbing room and consolida- tion of two small sound stages into one big one, N. Y. to L. A. Ingrid Bergman N. J. Blumberg A. Pam Blumenthal Helen Colton Jack Davies Martin Field Mrs. Verbina Hibbard S, Barret McCormick Gradwell Sears Ben Selvin David O. Selznick Edward Sherman - Mike Todd J. J. Unger Seidelman's PRC Post Refutes E-L Merger Talk ' Appointment of Sam Seidelman to the PRC post of foreign manager is further refutation of any impending "merger" between PRC and Eagle- Lion. According to PRC's h,o. execs., PRC would not be projecting plans for expansion of its production and distribution facilities if the firm's liquidation wais in the works. Lloj^d L, Lind, .PRC veepee, also flatly de- nied reports that Sig Neufeld had or was pulling out of the company to organize a new producing-distribut- ing organization. Seidelman, who started work on Monday (3), was formerly managier of the Latin American division for United Artists and before joining UA in 1931 was with Paramount. Job at PRC will be to establish overseas ex- changes and equip them. with re- quired manpower. VIDOR GETS eOL 'HEART' Hollywood, June 4. Columbia assigned Charles Vldor to direct the Virginia Van Upp pro- duction, "My Empty Heart," starting, early in July. 8 Wednesday, June 5, 194^ Co, He cfalmeJ men mteDlfFemHL Till she went WOLF/t on the Town ! ill Universal Presents A FESSIER-PAGANO PRODUCTION GEORGE BREl lUCILLE BALI VERA ZORIl with CHARLES WINNINGER CiUHESMOND Raymond walburn elisabcth risdon LOUISE BEAVERS WALLACE FORD FRANKLIN PANGBORN Original. Screenplay Written and, Produced by Michael . Fessier and Ernest Pagano D'awt^d.ly WILLIAM. A. SEITER Executive. Producer: HOWARD BENEDICT UNIVERSAL PICTURE Wednesday, June 5, 1946 PICTURES 'LEASING' SCRIPTS OLD PK IDEA Screen Writers Guild's Licensing Proposal Bound to Curb 1^ Pix Sleadily increasing demands by the Screen Writers Guild for licens- ing their properties to film produc- er!!, instead of selling them outright, and for a separation of copyrights, are currently being viewed appre- hensively by those film connpanics a'i'eady in, or now planning, foreign Itim programs. At a recent open meeting of the SWG, the writers proposed that in any contract where a member of the Authors' League of America, parent body of the SWG, grants a producer the right to make a picture based on his story material, there 'should be granted "only the right to pro- duce and exhibit, within a stated period, a single motion picture on 3Sm Him' in the English language . . . Such rights shall be in the form of a license, limited as afore- said, which shall cease. on the ex- piration of a nxcd period of time." SWG prexy Emmet Lavery pointed out at the time that the minimum basic agreement, under which the SWG operates, applies only to em- ployment conditions and thus covers mostly only screen writers hired by studios to adapt the work of other writers for the screen. Because SWG desires the new formula to be ap- plied to all writers, it's petitioned the exec council of the league to arrange a joint committee among the member guilds to huddle on the subject. Member guilds, in addition lo SWG, include the Radio Writers' Guild, the Dramatists' Guild and the Authors' Guild. If the writers can force their pro- posal on the studios, it's felt that the foreign ICm programs will suffer especially. With the idea calling for an original contract to cover a 35m film, the studios would have to lay out additional money to obtain 16m rights lo Ihe same story. And, since most or the majors contemplating foreign 16m distribution plan to dub the picture in the language of the country for which it's intended, the "English language" clause will also hit hard. Other Effects Proposal's time limit period might also have deleterious effects. With their foreign markets practically cut off during the war, most majors now have a tremendous backlog of pix that they're priming to move into the foreign territories as soon as trade restrictions can be lifted. And, since no company will export a 16m version of a film until the 35m version has exhausted Its playing time in the same territory— because of the desire to protect their 35ni accounls — the exportation of 16m prints might be delayed In some In- (Continued on page 25) Doona Reed to Liberty Hollywood, June 4. Liberty borrowed Donna Reed from Melro- for two more, pictures, one to be produced in 1947 and an- other in 1948. Actress is currently working as femme lead opposite James Stewart in Ihe Frank Capra production, "It's a Wonderful Life." Dantine, Actor-Newsman Exiting WB, to FVeelance Helmut Dantine, just returned from a 10-week tour of Europe as a correspondent for' Look mag, said that he recently accumulated enough points to get out of his Warners con- tract and expects to return to Holly- wood next fall as a freelance actor and director. Dantine, who was Warners' favorite Nazi fanatic in atKiut a half-dozen pix, stated he was looking for a satisfactory part in a film that "says something." Dantine revealed that, prior to coming here as a refugee from Nazi persecution, he had been an anti- Nazi political leader in his native Austria. He was chairman of the Democratic Austrian Youth Move- ment in Vienna which supported Kurt Schuschnigg, Austria's last chancellor before Hitler took over. Dantine's first article on conditions in Europe is skedded to appear In Look next month. WALLIS' LIZ, NOT PAR'S Because Lizabeth Scott, who guested on the Kate Smith radio program Friday night (31), was in- troduced as a Paramount star, Joe Hazen, prez of Hal Wallis Produc- tions, registered an offlcial squawk with Par. Actress la under contract to Wallis. There have been prior complaints due to inadvertent montion of Miss Scott as a Par star. After Frisco Foldo (Police), The Outlaw' Reopens to Smash Biz Maintaining its tremendous b.o. power, "The Outlaw" smashed to all kinds of records in the three-theatre day-date engagement which opened in San Francisco last Wednesday (29). Playing the United Artists, Esquire and Tivoli, with a combined capacity of 3,300, "Outlaw" looks set for around $80,000 on the week. It had $58,656 in the till up to Sun- day (2) night. Accounting in part for the amaz- ing figures, of course, was the pub- licity resulting from the closing of "The Outlaw" by the police, April 23, and the arrest of the manager of the United Artists theatre, where it was playing. It ran for just one day. Case was taken to court and the right of the house to show the picture upheld. As soon as possible thereafter, Harry Gold, sales chief for producer Howard Hughes, ar- ranged the three-ply re-premiere. Another peculiar quirk to the higH grosses is the fact that this is actu- ally a repeat engagement. for "The Outlaw." San Francisco is the one town where it had a previous run, playing an eight-weeks' engagement at the Geary and Tivoli theatres in 1943. At that time it took $166,000 out of S. F. Opening day last Wedne.<;day at the UA was $592 bigger than the $4,238 pushed across the sill on the April 23 date— an added indication of the publicity power of police ac- tion. Figures for the first five days at the three houses were: Wednes- day, $12,495; .Thursday, $12,709; Fri- day, $10,607; Saturday, $12,379 and Sunday, $10,466. 'OUTLAW NO TRAILER FOR TONG WIDOW Anticipation that the second Jane Russell picture, 'JYoung Widow," would greatly profit by the publicity the star received in "The Outlaw," hasn't proved true. Film, produced by Hunt Stromberg for United Art- ists release, hasn't played any key cities yet, but grosses in a flock of other towns have been moderate, in no way reflecting the tremendous biz hit by the embattled Howard Hughes production. In practically all the- dates played by "Widow"— Dayton, Toledo, Salt Lake City, Wilmington, Reading and Harrisburg — the picture has pre- ceded "Outlaw." Ads stressed that this was the opportunity for the public to get Its -first gander at the heavily-plugged player, but theatre- goers were apparently interested only in her performance in the Hughes picture. "Widow's" initial key city date is Detroit this week. OTHER VALUES I Autiiors' Guild Presses Film, Tele E ji Rights, Pushes leasing' Scheme By JACOB WILK (Eastern Production Head of ' Warner Bros.) The article In recent 'VARiBrr concerning the "leasing" instead of buying of film rights to plays and other screen material was read in this precinct with a great deal of in- terest, not only because of its gen- eral subject matter, but chiefly be- cause Warners was marked as hav- ing already started the practice of "leasing." We are not entitled to thi.= credit. Picture deals with a time re- striction were common back in 1914 and. 1915, and proved i^eneraliy un- satisfactory to authors and producers alike. I think 'VARierr, by claiming the practice will probably become universal in a few years is sticking its neck out further than ao india- rubber giraffe. In the first place, 'Varieti- — and, presumably, the authors — forget one salient fact: restricting the sale, of rights to a limited number of years is the same as adding extra money to the asking price, because the film company is getting less value for its money, and taking a greater risk. Under an outright sale, the film company can pick the most favor- able period to produce and release the picture. The picture can run longer, with, a better chance of get- ting back the investment and a profit to keep us in the business of buying stories. There are always pictures that don't get back their negative cost — and a reissue, or a more successful remake, years later, may enable the company to recover its investment; Rule out these safeguards, with a "leasing" gimmick, and the film com- (Continued on page 39) Tetzlaffs IstatRKO Hollywood, June 4, Ted Tetzlaff's first director job under his RKO contract is "Riflf- ralT," ba:sed on the Martin L. Rack- in yarn, "The Big Angle." Nat llolt production will co-star Anne Jeffreys, Pat O'Brien and Wal- ter Slezak. 'Adult' Category Must Be Billed, Ontario Rules Toronto, June 4. As a result of the recent agitation by reform groups, the Ontario ex- hibitors will be required to bill fea- tures as "adult entertainment" when this classification Is made by the province's censor board. Govern- ment measure became effective on June 1, and the description' of type of pic must be prominently displayed in all ads. HUGHES' ODD 'OUTLAW ADS IN JULY NAT'L MAGS Unusual ad for "The Outlaw" has been set by producer Howard Hughes to break in July issues of a flock of national mags. It's a fuU- page cartoon, divided into seven blocks, flrst of which,states: "Here's why this thrilling new picture has been kept off the screen for two years." Second block is a drawing of a studio set, with Hughes sitting in the director's chair saying, "O.K. boys, that's it." Underneath is the explanation: "1944 — Hughes com- pletes The Outlaw'." Actually, It was completed in 1941.) Few blocks later is a drawing of a theatre, with the note: "June, 1944 —'Outlaw' World Premiere is held at San Francisco. Picture breaks every existing record. Held over for eight weeks. Plays to more than 300,000 people." (Original San Francisco engagement was in Feb- ruary, 1943.) Drawing of stars Jane Russell and Jack Beutel clinching in a pile of hay, with the word "Censored" across it, is captioned: "Then 'The Outlaw' is banned by the censors. But rather than cut a single scene from the film, Hughes withdraws it from the theatres of the world." Next picture Is of the producer standing in front of a theatre, tell- ing reporters: "I'm going to fight this battle to the finish and make sure that the public sees the pic- ture exactly as I made it." Final box is an enlarged drawing of Miss Russell and Beutel lying in the haypile with the caption: "Now, at last, exactly as filmed." Also- breaking In July magazines is a full-page ad in color, featuring a large, voluptuous pose of Miss Russell. It originally carried the line at the bottom: "How would you like to tussle with Russell." Most mags, however, have demanded that it be removed or changed before ac cepting the copy. F.L Harley Shifted To Paris by 20th; London For Art Silyerstone? Francis L. Harley, for the last 10 years 20th-Fox managing director in Great Britain, has been made man- aging director for Europe, Scandi- navia, the Middle East and all of Africa as far south as the equator, appointment being made this week by Murray Siverstone, 20th-Fox In- ternational prexy. No appointment has been made thus far to the post vacated in Britain by Harley. Arthur Silverstone, homeoffice representa- tive to the foreign division, is cur- rently in London, but the com- pany's N. Y. office would not admit that he would move into Harley's old position. Silverstone d'lsclosed that Harley, who has been in N. Y. for several weeks for homeoffice confabs, has been invited to become a 20th-Inter- national veepee. Also that Harley's unexpired contract has been ex- tended for seven years. A -veteran in the foreign ' field, Harley is one of the best-liked American foreign managers in England, having been able to straighten out several dis- putes over film terms there in re- cent years. Harley will headquarter in Paris. Silverstone said that Harley's new post is definitely one of the most prominent and significant ones in re- lation to the company's postwar op- erations abroad. BRACKEN TO STURGES, THEN POSSIBLY INDIE After more than five years with Paramount, Eddie Bracken Ifeaves that studio effective July 1 to make one picture for Preston Sturges, fol- lowing which he will begin pro- ducing on his own. Latest addition to the parade of independent pro- ducers is currently in New York, following a scries of theatre dates across the country. Due to return June 10, Bracken will make one more pic for Para- mount, a musical on loanout to An- drew Stone. Following termination of his Paramount ticket, comic will go into "Wizard of Whisperinjg Hol- low," to be produced and directed by Sturges. Plans are already in the hopper for Bracken to start his own "Hambletonian," a story of the sulky track at Goshen, N. Y. Dicker is on with Barry Fitzgerald to play the top supporting role in the nag flicker. Reason given by Brackc.i for the move is that his two top pictures. "Miracle of Morgan's Creek" and "Hail the Conquering Hero," were both made under the Sturges aegis, and following his "Whispering Hol- low" effort he will probably work under the advisement of that pro- ducer-director. While in New York Bracken will read a couple of plays and appear on the "Continental Celebrity Club," "Theatre of Romance" and "Stair- way lo the Stars." - Last show will feature Bracken's own composition, "Love Waltz," pl?ycd by ' Paul Whitcman. Exec council of the Authors' Guild, continuing to press the film, industry for the right to license story materials instead of selling them outright, and for separation of copy- rights for films and television, will, meet in N. Y. today (Wednes- day) for further huddles on the question. Another meeting has been scheduled for Los Angeles later this month. Both will be devoted to working out the best means of ob- taining the two rights. Acting under its basic assumption that no writer should ever, be forced to give up rights to his material to anyone not in a position to exploit it, the council is preparing to ask' for the retention of full tele rights in the hands of the author, separate and apart from his assignment of film rights. Since film companies are temporarily restrained by the; American Federation of Musicians from producing any pictures for tele- vision, the Guild feels that this is the propitious time to press its point in expectation of the major part that films are expected to play in video's future. Embraces Everything All guilds in the Authors' League, parent body of the Authors' Screen Writers', Radio Writers' and Drama- tists' Guilds, have already won their point with radio. Playwrights in the Dramatists' Guild, too, have settled with the television broadcasten. Guild recently signecl a deal with NBC television to try out plays ex- perimentally on video. DG has also won a split clause with the film companies, under which the playwrights reserve the right to live presentation of their works on television, with the film studio retaining the right, at pres- ent, for screen presentation of any play it's bought rights to. Guild is also expected to fight for full sepa- ration of copyrights in this instance sometime In the future. Film companies, in the opinion of League execs, are the only ones left who want to purchase rights to story materials that will last forever. Al- ready committed to selling too much, the various guild members are fac- ing increased pressure from film story buyers. Buyers are especially tough on new writers trying to break into the big time or on those seeking to make a comeback and it's these, especially, that the League wants to protect with its proposed copyright changes. Sears and Selznick West, Unger Follows Next Day David O. Selznick and Grad Sears left New York Monday (3) for Hol- lywood. Selznick. vacationing in the east for the past six weeks, origi- nally intended to leave for the Coast about 10 days ago, but was delayed by illne.ss. He spent most of the past week recuperating at the home of William .S. Paley, CBS topper, in Manhasset, L. I. Scars, distribution chief of United Artists, in which Selznick is a part- ner, will huddle with the company's owners preliminary to the annual meeting of UA stockholders in New York next Tuesday (11). Joe Unger, UA salesmanager, left New York yesterday (Tuesday) for the Coast to join Sears. They'll re- turn over the weekend, in tirne for the meeting next Tuesday. HODIAK BACK ON FAY Hollywood, June 4. John Hodiak, Metro star, is back on the payroll after a suspension of four weeks. Actor's layoff . was the result of his refusal to accept a picture assign- ment. LORD DRAWS 'SANDS' Hollywood, June 4. Metro handed production reins on "Mr. Sands" to Robert Lord, making a total of four features on his shoot- ing schedule. Others on the li.it are "Coquette," "The Forsythe Saga" and "Three O'clock Dinner." K.C. Books Special Shows Kansas City, June 4. Uptown, Fox-Midwest first run spot, will experiment this month with an "extra show" polcy. Two special shows have been booked for June 29. It they work out, they may become a oncc-a-month' regular stunt. For the first .show, a morning kid- die matinee, a big cartoon show will be used. » Cartoon show intact has been booked to follow in 10 other houses of the Fox city string. The Uptown also ' will combine vaudo iwith film in a play for the bobby SOX trade with a "Jive and Boogie Show" midnight, June 29. 10 Wgdneeday, June 5» 1946 They're gettinig their lips together (or the GAYEST KiSS OF THE YEAR! Universal Presents GEORGE BRENT IDCILLE BAIL VERA ZORIl A FESSIER PAGANO PRODUCTION 3m with CHARLES WINNINGER CARL ESMOND RAYMOND W ALBURN ELISABETH RISDON ( . . ... LOUIS^ BEAVERS WALLACE FORD FRANKLIN PANGBORN Original Screenplay Written and Produced by, Michael Fessier and Ernest Pagano Direeted By WILLIAM A. SEITER Executive Producer (HOWARD BENEDICT A UNIVERSAL PICTURE WiHlnesday, Jane 8, 1946 PICTVnES 11 United llieatres (lllinoB) Opens I "^^"^ Drive to Balk 10% Ikatre Tax Chicago, Juii* 4. + Viriorouii cnmpaign to defeat the pvnpo.secl 10% tax on thealie admis- sions in iiliriois, brought up as s means o( flnancing a 'sta(e soldiers bonus, was begun last week by United Tliealres of Illinois, with Ed Zoin. Pontiac, III., prez of the indie group, urging . upon membei's thai (lie indst eftective single thing they ciiM do to defeat the tax is Id enlist the cooperation of their palrons. ' lyieiely asking theatre patrons to write their representatives is iiol enouKli." Zdm wrote inci»bei's ar IJTOI. "because they'll forget it. You must put on n campaign in yoiir the- alie to flo and will have others in his territory later thi.s' month, while Hugh Owen tees olT his meetings in New Orleans to- morrow (Thursday). Earle Swei- garl, who started sessions in the middle east last week, will hold meetings later in the month in Philadelphia, Washington and Pitts- burgh. Hush Braly, district manager at Deliver, and Albert M. Kane, in similar post at Boston over New England, are co-caplRins or the Par sales campaign. SE€ INKS WITH INDIES, 1ST EXTRAS GUILD SHOP Hollywood,- June 4, Screen Extras Guild signed in- terim agreenients with the Society or Independent Motion Picture Pro- ducers and the Indcpendeiit Motion Picture Producers Assn., achieving ail industry-wide guild shop for al- ino.splicre players for the fir.'il time in Hollywood history. AtireenientS; are similar to that previously signed willi the major Kludio.s. James F. HaniiiK. SR(i ox- eciilive secretary, is negotiiilln.i; pcr- niancnl coiitracls covciinB waacs and w(n king conditions. SPG, MPSP Hearing Starls Thurs: (6) Hollywood, .liinc 4. Hearuif; on bargaining clcclion. of Screen Publicists Guild and. Motion Piciurc Studio Publicists starts Thiirsjlay (6) before the National Labor Relations Board. SPG seeks industry-wide balloting of worUiiiK praiseis, while lATSE local of MPSP want."! producers to hold election only ill nine major s'ludios. Connors Urges 20th Salesmen to Find 'Rich Harvest of Hidden $' Citing that there , is a rich har- vest of hiddi?n dollars at the dis- poMil of salesmen who have the will and 'determination to go after Iheni. Tom J; Connors, y. p. over, sales for 20lh-Fox. jias worked out an incen- tive bonus plan Tor the men who sell Him. ba.sed strictly upon individual peiformancc. This supplenienls Ihe one, two or three-week salary allot- ments paid all employees of branches on thice ronlhiuiiig sales diivcs each year. The overage payments on these drives,' however, will be eliminated, r" Under the Connors plan, based upon their personal eiroil. salesmen will receive a bonus of $100 for reachhi.sj their , Individual total quota' for the drive period, cur- rently being one which ends Aug. 24. For dollais in e.xcess of quota salesmen will receive a bonus of $150 or a fraction thereof, for each additional week's quota delivered during the drive peiiod. For example, if a salesman has a quota of $2,00() per. week in a 17- week drive, lie will receive $100 for- dellvering $34,000 of busine.ss. If he should deliver $36,000, his compen- sation would be an addiljonal $150 or a total of $250: or if he delivel-ed $:18.000, his total bonus . would be $400 and so on. Paymenls for frac- tions of a week over delivery will be calculated according lo the per- centage that these fractions repre- sent of a whole week's quota. In a letter to all salesmen inform- ing them of the bonus, Connors stated "the fate of this plan lies entirely in your hands.'' adding ••frankly I am not interested in any formula, good or bad. that does not pay off and when this drive is over, we shall see lo what extent it ful- fills this essential requirement. II may show up some bux.^ that will requhe modification or- correction but its continuance' depends entirel.v. upon your ability lo build your dis- tribution along the lines outlined in this letter." Connors pointed out that during the years in which 20lh'g three an- nual drives have been in operation, he has watched carefully the work- ing of the 20lh formula, especially as il ha.s alTected the earnings of the .-ialesmen. Slating that while it is yenei^ally rccognix.ed that Ihe.^e con- tests have paid off handsomely. 'iOlh's distribution head notes thai • there is ho doubt thai the payments, based as Ihey are on team perform- ance alone, have not accrued in proper proportion to the individual salesmen." Hollywood, June 4, Metro ha» three companies woik- ing on localioni \ylth .departure of Richard Thorpe - and troupe for Michigan to shoot the Esther Wil- liains starrer, "This Time for Keeps." Meanwliile, "High Barbaree" is in work at King City, Cal., and '•A Woman of My Own" at Monterey. Machinists Beef In Studios Goes To NLRB Appeal Hollywood, June 4. Members of International Assn. of Machinists, Lodge 1185, are filing un- fair labor charges with the National Labor Relations Board as a result-o'f the discharge of two mechanics. Elmer Johnson was dismissed by Warners and Willfam Zimmerman by Metro when American Federation of Labor members refiised to func- tion while these two non-AFL work- men were on the job. The non-co- operative idea went into effect last Wednesday by order of the Los An- geles Central Labor Council, which decreed that AFL machinists were not permitted to handle machinery proces.sed by members of the lAM. Schine Circuit hesses for Hearii^s As Need for Realignment Plan 13G PhiUy Robbery , Philadelphia, June 4. ■ Thieves broke into the home' of Frank Blum, locai indie, Sundar night (2>, and carted away^ a safe containing S2,o6o in cash, $6,000 in negotiable bonds, and $3,0(>0 worth of jewelry. The cash comprised re- ceipts from Blum's two theatres, the Slonehurst and the Sedgewii:k. . Robbers al.so forced the door of the Penn, South Philadelphia, and blew open a safe in the theatre of- fice and eiicaped with about $900. in receipts. They also got. away with a projection machine valued at $500. 2 Different Proposals Increasing Par Stock Offered Stockholders Proposals for increase of author- i-zed capital stock, establishment of a definite number of directors, and a change in the by-laws of the cor- poration wiping out the present manner of choosing board members, will be voted upon at the, annual which recently withdrew from the meeting of the stockholders of Para- AFL. ■ ■ ■ " " " " ■ - For a lime there was talk of pick- eting by iion-AFL workmen and a thi'cal of an industry-wide strike, but that procedure has been stalled; off by the appeal to the NLRB. It will be several days before the appeal is. decided. . Equal Availability Demanded by Twin Cities If Price Is Same niount lo be held in ^lew. York June 18. according to a notice and proxy slalement sent to stockholders last week. In an accompanying letter signed by_ Barney Balaban, president, it. is pointed out that; except lor the' pro- posal to .split the stock two for one, proposals are all in the way-of tid.v- ing up Par's capital structure. - He pointed out that the first and sec- ond preferred slocks were Originally aulhori/.ed and issued a numl>er o( yeais ago but have been redeemed, adding that '•iis there is no further need for- Ihe authorized and un- Minneapolis, June 4. shares of either class, I be- Twin City independents are de- "t is well to eliminate them. " manding equal availability with 1'here are 44,211 shares of first pre- Miiinesola Amus. Co. (Paramount) f«''''«^ P*'' '^'a'"e of $100 each and neighborhood houses when admis- ^-^^^ shares of second preferred at a sions are identical. Attention of di.s- P«'' of $10 each., iribulors has been caUed lo the lind- | If the stockholders vole ,the elim- ings in the Jackson Park (Chicago) i inalion of these: shares, the author- case. -- -ized capital stock -will be increat>ed Under present clearance, Minne-!lo »9.000.000 and 4,544,200 new sola Amus. neighborhood theatres shares 61 common is.sued. Should have seven days over corresponding stockholders not vote the elimina- independent houses with the same lion. Par proposes an increase of the admission scale. North Central Al- aulhori/.ed capital slock to $13,479.- lied. the independents' organization. .290 and issuance of 4,542,851 new acting in behalf of the Minneapolis shares of common, and St. Paul independent neighbor- Slockholders will be asked to au- hood exhibitors, now has served ah thori/e a permanent board of direc- ullimattim that "the unfair discrim- tors of 16. Up lo now the board has illation must dease." called for an indefinite number, be- The Twill City independent ex- , ing not less than IG nor more than hibilors' group also was to meet to ! jg However, Ihe board has con- discuss a proposed nickel till in ad- : sisliid of 16 rather than 17 or 18 mi.ssion ;prices all along the line, j since 1935. Leaders of the group have been try- Statements to stockholders list ing unsuccessfully to get the Minne- j the salaries of Par execs and direc- sola Amus. company to take the lead : tors, headed by the $189,083 paid in the scale boosting. - John J. ' Henry Ginsberg, v.p. and general Friedl. president of the Paramount I manager in charge of studio opera- circuit, however^ declares he is sat- lions, during the past fiscal year. isHed with present operations and. in the face of - the independents' pres- sure, is holding firm to maintain the present level unless intlali6;iary in- fluences become so great as to make action mandatory. Edna Ferber's 'Great Son' Mike Todd's First for U Joe Breen Will Rule On Rank's 'Bedelia' Froale Balaban received $156,000, plus pen sion trust liienefits of $24,250, while y. Frank Freeman, v.p. in charge ot production and a director, received SI 30.000. plus $10,797 in pension trust benelils. Adolph Zukor, chairman of board, who's not eligible to the pen.sion (rust, received $159,400. Larsesi stockholder among Par execs as of April 30 last was Stanton GrifTis. chairman of the executive conimillee. who then held 4.600. Buffalo, June 4. Schine Chain Theatres. Inc., moved before Judge John Knight iii federal court here last week for appoint- meni of a special master to hold' hearings and take ;le9limony a.s to the present method.s of operation of ; the Schine circuit. Arthur Garfield Hays of New 'Vork City, appearing as special counisel for Schine, argued to Judge Knight that such -B rehearing was a nece.s- sily in order to acquaint the court with present alleged legal methods and condition.s ot the Schine the- atres' operation as contrasted with methods and conditions previously e.Nisting and testified lo in the Gov- ernment's anlirtrusl suit. As a re- sult of the latter the Court held. Schine to be guilty of the violHliOns. of the Clay(on and Sherman anti- trust acts. It wa.s; claimed by Hays that .liuch a . re-e.\amination . of Ihe situation was a necessity because, unless the- court a.scerlained and was familiar' . with the presoni methods of opera- tion of the theatres, any plan of re- alignment or reorganization which might be imposed on the Schine chain by the.cOurt might turn out to be pointless and unfair, espei;ially in view of the claimed present rectifica- tion of the former practices and mat- ters complained of by the Govern- ment. Reserves Deolsloii Judge Knight re.'-erved decision in the molioni indicating, however, that, in his opinion, to do what Hays requested would mean a reopening and rehearing of praclically the en- tire case, which consumed several months of trial- la-iit summer. Robert Wright, special Government pvo^a- culor fur the Department of Justice, who conducted the .case originally, did hoi appear on the motion, his office bc;ng represented by George Globe,- BulTalp U. S. Attorney, who merely staled that the Government's position remained unchanged in spite of the motion or the mailers upon which it was based. Scblne Proposal Al the same lime .the Schine counler-proposal to the Govern- ments plan for realignment and re- organi/.ation of the Schine chain was officially . filed and made public in court records. Generally, its out- lines arc as reported in VAiiiin-if two weeks ago. Schine's counter-propo- .sal suggests several alternative plans, the outline of each being similar but dilTcring in various, operational de- tails and in the identity of the iKsner flcial ownership of the proposed con- trolling corporations. "They envi.sago one corporation for Schine's New York. Slate theatres, the ownership of which is lo be vested in J. Myer Schine: a Siccond corporation com- posed of Schine's Ohio theatres; to be controlled by Louis Schine; and a third corporation, including all Maryland. Kentucky and Ohio the- atres booked oul of Cincinnati, to be owned and controlled by Hildegard and Marlha Schinc (wives of J. Myer and Louis, respectively ^ The purpo.se of . the plans appears lo be that Ihcir adoption would ef- fect a siilit of the Schine chain of Iheatre.'i into three separate intra- ytate . groups, each doing business chiefly within stale lines, only there- by eliminRling the inicrstale feature, of their operation.s. Armed with alternate endings to ] Balaban is listed as then holding the John Corfield- J. Arthur Rank I 2.000 although . in addition owning film '- Bedelia," Isadorc Goldsmith, i S'^ OOO.OOO aggregate principal amount British producer, arrived, in New 1 of 2^j% convertible notes Of the cbr- York vesterday (4) oh his way to j poVaiion. I the Coast. Goldsmith w'ill ttnie/.- \ Leonard Goldenson, v.p. over thea- vou.s with Joseph Breen, head of the Hollywood. June 4. Production Code Administration, to Mike Todd's initial production for thrash out the question of which Universal release will be "Great ondin.si ; to "Bedelia" will . be Son.'' Edna Ferber story. Todd, i chosi-ii. B i con previously nixed a currently in the cast, paid $200,000 for pre-publication rights to the novel. Slory is now being scripted hy Florence Ryerson and Colin Clements. Two vets h;(ve also writ- ten a nnisical based on the life of Stephen Foster, tilled "Oh. Susanna." which is on Todd's future Broad-/ way production list. Al Jolsoii at one. time was mentioned for it. i On off in Chicago where his ••Up Central Park" is current at» the Slu'ibcrt. U recently bought right tie operations., held 1,600. while 1 Austin C. Keough, v.p. iarnd general I counk-l had 1.000. Charles M. Rea- gan, v.p. over distribution, was not listed as owning any Par Stock- as of April 30 last. suicide windup for the leading lady as contrary lo code provisos. j ~ Second curtain sequence which !... . \, T J the I'CA chief favors for ' Bedelia" | Miami, IN.Y., Lase lO.day has her turned over to the law.: Trial of Ben Brodie, operator of Goldsmith will argue that it de- the Miami theatre (N. -'Y.) for al- stroys Ihe slory effect in an effort ui'^etl violation of the obscenity to win Breen over to the suicide j laws is .slated for todciy (5) before molif. f-he Raiik organization ran | tliree judges in the coQrl of special BEN LYON TO TOP 20TH TALENT DEPARTMENT ■ Hollywood. June 4. Ben Lyon, currently in England, succeeds Rufus LeMairc as ex- ecutive taient director at 20lh-Fox. LeMail•(^ (ecently resigned to . join .International Pictures as Bill Goet-/.'s aide. iviaicella Kemp will function as Lyon's execulive assistant while Robert Palmer. William Mayberry and Jame.-i Ryan will remain on the 20lh-Fo.'c lot as casting directors. , into similar trouble last week when . his return east. Todd slopped , ' The Wicked Lady", a Universal re- in I lease in the U. S., was turned down I by trie PCA. IRei-ieic 0/ "Bedelia" ti'illi m ori(;iMnl suicide endiiip appenrs on sessions. Charges were preferred asainsi Brodie by N. Y.. License Commissioner Benjamin Fielding foJIowiiiK a raid on the house. ana suspension of Brodic's license. Raid allegedly disclo.scd that a to '•Park" for Deanna Diirbiii and ., . . , . . has assigned Felix Jackson lo pro- piige 13 o/ flie ciirreiil is.siie. j4ii ; mimbcr of ••hot shots ' had been add duce the film. Todd also sold llie oiiili",e niid ftpprolsal o/ llic .fiori/ 1 ed lo—Guilty Parents." a film pien screen rights of '•Mcsican Hayride" t/crc/opmeiil is ificluded i>i lire re- : beinc .<.cici,nc'l. after reyiew by the lo Univer.sal for Abbott A Co.stello. .UM'»rii'.] I board ot cciisoi's. 2«lh Adds N. Y. Scouts Anderson Lawlcr and Lee Strass- berg have been added to the talen* deparlinent of the 20th-Fox home- office, Joseph Piiicus. deparlmeiit chief, announced last week. Lawler recently produced "Some- where in the Night." a John Hodiak starrer. Strassberg, a former direc? lor ot the CIioup Theatre and The- aln- Guild, will act as coach, and test tlir.'ctor in conjunction with Burk SynKUi. 12 Weilnewlay, June 5, 1946 * A FESSIER-PAGANO PRODUCTION s with CHARLES WINNINGER CARL ESMOND RAYMOND WALBURN ELISABETH RISDON LOUISE BEAVERS WALLACE FORD FRANKLIN FANGBORN Original Screenplay Written and Produced by Michael Feeeler and Erocet Pagano Directed by WILLIAM A. SEITER Executive Producen HOWARD BENEDICT A UNIVERSAL PICTURE WeiliieMliif, June 5, 1946 Ah nil Hud King of Slam . Los" Angeles, June 1. ■juiii-I''uv ivlouiie of IiOuIh D. IjIiiIiioii ui'0> (liii'iluii. illnni ]r«ti» Dunne, Itex Hnn-lHun, l.iiiUu iMiiiell; feuturon I/W .1, Cobb, Unle HmiilPi-Kuni'd, Mlkhnll RuHun\ny. .DcnniH Jliiry, U'Ho ncnHlilo, Jlli'liiirJ l.yoii. ri-iU'il li.v Jolni I'loniwfll. Scrffniiluy, 'J'nl- hiK Jvnnhijj* and tinUy tienson; bltHrO uixih btiiRt'.tiiby' by' Marffor^t. l^nndon; riimei-ti, Arilmr Mlllor; muslr,' Hnrnnnl lli'i'iiniiiin lliiiiiioii .Ton^ onw m. l'i-<>il Sorwn. ' AiiRClrn,'- May .01, '40. WINS. I'riKli^Htiiuvn - In J.(iK ItuinthiH (IliK*. J'-IM Ami;i .'. 'I'll' Klilg. , *rN|illin. ki-jilHlnniif 'I'hlniiK...,. Aliil..;... ......... . .■sii. i>:(iwH,i ii . . . . . ... J»1 Itll-U' .IMS. II lllilMI I .iiiiin i i» riis. , . . . .Ar,iiiiiHlM>i^. . ; rii>ii cin iiiii . . . . . , Jiiii KlilrliM'. . • . J'l iiiiV l:iN. M b('ivK ll.Tl.r. , . . . riilii'tv.j< C'*ii-Ylnj:. l>;iiifV» IHrii-uir. . . Alii«K .MiM-l-'iiriiitio. Mi «, I yll lv. r;!;!!! . . j\lv. t':irlwriKl»l . . . I.':i|,|:,iii (iitttii I'll.. I I "11 III! . Ct.t I'l i.iiu'iil Clcil. .Sl.illo:^,- Cu.-inl .Irt'iie' IiiiiiiH. Itv\''lliii'rl!fi>ii . .-. . . . . .Miiilii Itiiriifll 1 .l.>'>- ,1. CiiM. . . .(!iili. 'S:inilpig:i(ivil . .. .'. .\Hkliiill 'l;ar;nnni,\ . i . . . . . ■. PrniiiK Hi,i.y .v 1.- ,M..i-ii.H Jnli.f II l;i\,'rt, ■.('ll.M \'iir:i\j|i( .\ iii;i'.'.t.|i i;iiiii'(1s. I iititilliy ('tlijnfr. .slitulion for romance eniirely sat- isriclory. ' The carefully Written !icreoni)lay by Talbot Jennings and .Sally Benson is packed with delight-, ful incidents, sly humor and intense! dramatic moments. John Cromwell's direetioir makes the most of the .solid script tMsis. skillfully playing with tears,, chuckles and drama, and get: ting the most from the potent cast. Irene Dunne does' a superb enact - hienf .of Anna, the woman who! in- fluenced Siamese history by being teai'hei: and coiUidantc to a kingly barbarian. Rex- Harrison shines par- ticularly in his American film debut, making a notable success' ol a dilTi- cult iole. It's a sustained character- ization ol the King of Siam that liiakes the role real. Linda Darnell. Ihii'd star, has tittle more tban a bit as one of Ihe king's wives, who in- curs )tis displeasure and is burned at the slake. She does well. . Standouts among , the featured, cast are Lee ,1. Cobb and Galo Sonder- .gaard. Former, as the king's minis- ter, and latter, as a cast-off 'vxirc sock over commanding performances. Mik- hairRasumny. Dennis Hoey, Tito Re- iialdo. Richard Lyon. Leonard SlroiiK. Mickey Roth and Addison Richards arc among the others who lend ex- cellent service to making this top- flight lllm entertainment. ' Lutiis D. Lightoh's productiu:> has Ijolish aiKl reflects wise budget ex- penditlne. Only 'thing th.'it could have iM-en added would have been color, the costumes andi sellings lend- ing themselves to tint ti"eatmen;. Ar- thur IVIi|lcr"s lensing complements the players and physical appurteni,nces- of lhc production, and Bern,".rd.Herv- inann's score is an elTcctive aid to the mood. Brofh FII3i REVIEWS serving a jail. term. In the conipanv of a feinmc sharper and a detective, the crook starts a gastronomical tour of the. country, determined to have an eating fling that will . last him through his time in jail. His two companions are interested in snaring $500,000 in 'government certificates he has concealed. Some suspense is developed, as is a romance between the crook and the confidence gal, but it's all a bit too smooth to register honestly. Windup has love convinc- ing them' it's time to go straight and start an honest life after th >li!ji|4>r Jim . Los Angeles. May 25, .^^|»l^(| ri'li'ii;.',' of Un-illr' tt. rtdll iinHhic- liiiii. l-'i'MiilH')' Jiii'kil- "lluli:))-' .liMikiliK, .l:illli-y CiiilK. I"l'.illi I H Cin'iil'ii; I.IKillll Tol- li-ii. SiiriiiK l:yiiii;l,iii. Chiiiffu-Hli l.«'i«. 1)1- 'n'Vli'il l-'i,.,l X(niii'iii:inii. ' S» ropniilji.v; iIi'Mi'j;,* llriifi-: liiiHOil .1111. 'ii(,vi'!, . "Ai-nly liiril," Ity 'I'liiiiiiiy Wiiili>luin: 'riiiiiora, . I,r>l.i''r Wliili-: iiiiinIi- sciiri'. (lotn-Kf! Hii'^HMuiii; ctilr I'll. l-'r:iiik ■ lliill. 'I'l-iHlfiilifivvn ii^' I,rtH An- Bi'lf". .Mii.i L'-J. '41;. UniMiini,' linir. US MINS, l.iiiir .lliii 'I'tikkri . . Jiij'kip "Ihiiili" .lonkliiH fain.. IliE .liiii Tiikkri-. .. ;..liiiiip. CuiiK Ihiiii 'CnMji'r .Mii«.»ioy - 'rhiiiini'v . All M. Sl.'ii'ivi'ir. . . srn..ii'n. '.Mrs. (ilrliHiiii. . . . c'li.-iiiliiln Ciiloiirl S|jii-\\f.|t \Usit Murilii .MIsli )l:lll.. .-; . . . KNi,. ' . I:.,iiiiiir I '+i i ;i • .Vlj.l-) ..... .. . Ty\n Kmnrl P^Mtpi*' -.(ONE SONCI Hollywood, .'iim 4. . .M,;li.> ii'li ;.»i- i,r U:il|ill Whlf l« ni;;ii I"". (Ill, liiili. .Slui> l.tli-llli'. Hull iinil .I'lliii lli?" . KUvl IIiII 'IiikI I.,*.-!!!. ('hiirii.rl>: .sliii-y/ Kiitiili W-lidflw i mlil Hi„l Alliiii Kcnwiiril; i;;iii)orii. Kiir) l-'rciiii.l . iKilhii- ^■tiri'. ( Jt'tilvi* lJ:isHIli:in :; 8*»iiH. K;iI|"Vl nl;ii.i*'., Ci'iii-iii. ItiiMHiliiin ;. OiLII'it-. ('I|i'.ili'r VV. Si.li:i|.|T»'r. -'I'rjiilesliiKv'U in l.i'K .\ iiu,*!'-.... M;i.> Jil. 'Hi Uuiiiiliii: linn-. »'! .'II.N"-. Itti'Ui \\ Uifl ; .-. . hili'ill,-. I'.:ill . . , ..1..1III ■ ll,.,'i.',l, , . . . . . Mi,\ .l .\iil;rii . . . ..■.Ihmii ll..:i,-. l.i'luir.' I'll I,- . i-:ii>iiii. I'l.H.i.. .ii. ...I,"li'\'il r'i>lriu';iii . \'l;i(li;tlii S.,K»>l,«n Ii.iiiii r ; . .Chll'-ii. I- Mil — . .'. . i''i-jini-c.H <;;ni,rii ..I.ll:iil:i r;u'||.n . , . . .Siiriii^; I'lyiii.eioii ...... .('lliliK\v:iIi r.f.*. . . ; . . I.:»iit;i I ji' l'l;,iiir. Ili-nii (i'.\'|.il| ..... .\li,'r,-l^ .\iiKi iiiii . . . . . .L'l'li.n Trav-cry ,'...' l:inli l;i;Hly . . . .Slliiri'ili .\lr,\l.'inny liny. nn<'-klA.\ ('.•(nil ^N'liifeiH .V:iir Von: A lea riei'ker. designed to .<.ho\vcase per.s'onalily. of Jackie —Biitcli"' Jenk- ins. "Lillie Mister Jim" servos its purpo.sc. It's inexpensively mounted and generally fulfills it.i program aims. Story is sentimental hokum in large doses. For what it. deals with, script is well written by George Bruce and handled equally well di- rectorially by Fred Zinnemann. Plot vohccrns youngster being raised by his mother and officer father at an Army base. It hews to a fairly straight line until the mother . dies. Then the father takes to dr;nk in his sorrow, the kid. i.s neglected and it takes a Chinese manservant to straighten things out again.Tliere's .some Chihe.'ie, philosophy tiirov/n in for good , measure, and "scenes be- tween young, Jenkins and Chingwah Lee. the servant, arc effective, made .so, by laltoi'"s performance. As adult leads. James Craig aiid Frances Cifford have little chance to sland Out. Luana Patten.. Spring I Byington. Laura La Plante. Henry j O'Neill. Morris Anki'iim and otiicis are adequate to what transpires. Orville O. Dull's production is okay tor expenditure. Lensing .u>d other technical credits measure up. Film is ovorlong. for its worth and could stand considerable tightening. Brog. Miniature Reviews "Anna and the Kins »t Slam" ' (20th). Ace biographical drama headed for lusty b;o. "Two Smart People" (M-G), Melodrama that tries too hard to be bright and gay. Cast names will aid selling. ••LlUle Mister Jlmr* (M-G ), . Sentimental hokum about Arm'y- rai.sed youngster; b k a y for family trade: "Janie Gets Married" (WB). , Mild marital niixupsVmild b.o V'Bedella": (GFD). B r i t i s h - made- murder thriller by -'Vera Caspary, wi.th Margaret Lock- wood. Ian Hunler: big for U.S. "Perilous Holiday" (Col ). P'at O'Brien in a nicely-paced com- edy meller, "The Bunarbund" (Ut. Light tomedy fluir -with Ella Raines. ."A Girl in a iviilllon" (British (Lion). Sydney Box production of light English comedy; mild American entry. : IS Pcrllwusi Holirfnv (Mirsic) Ciiluniblu ioli»:i!i« or J'lill J,. liuu rii-udnc lioil. Hlm-H I'al O'Brlrii, Kntii 'Wnri-icli ramiirox .Alxn lUlt, KiIkhp Ruc'ciiinn, An (Ji-oy long, pirecleil by Kdiranl ij, oiir. nib. Rcmnplay by Iloy CliHliidui-. b,-(i(.'(l nu muiy by Rub«rl Curaun: cikiii'ik, ('liHi-irii l,nivloii, .1r. ; (•(lllnv. vIiiIh l.nwrciiic. Al mallfi. .V. T.. .Mli.v ;nip; .Sptidj; AkiiIi'-i^. . . . Mi'H. I.HI liiiin, , . , . .\l;iiiiiel i.'4M-iv.. . . . . -I.illlfi. . . . . . I'cniiy l.(K-i,M,'i-. . , . I'c'iii Kiliiii. ,'.,,,'.. .I'll! (I'Ki'ii'ii .,,,;.Miilli -(Viin-Uk Alan Mill, ...Kiit(ii(- l»ii(.b:iliHii .AiiJrc> . l.dnK , ,;..WIII:itil .ni)l,i'i<(h't,n Kildui-ili, ( 'iiiiini'lll .' .\liiin;i lidiiilM'll Abirll'ii (ii'ii'i-jiliii;;i 1.1V .Ndt-i'lli, : . ., . .Al Hill I.'i^ili'o Jti^(;i>!( l.cM.-inid (h-i-lirxlni telling, IS an uninspired, ihe dialog being full of . cliches with rareiv a bright spot. The film has also been carelessly edited, in keeping with Ihe haphazard quality, of the rest of Jt In several scenes, the. peslv kid sis- ter appears with a prominent but unexplained shiner. In the final scene, the WAC leaves the house carrying in her- hand the hat of the newspaper magnate who has ju ,t ar- rived. Perhaps she's to brint" it bock in the sequel's sequel. Pic is paced in a slighilv frenzied tempo, which isn't necessarily a synonym for fun. Robert Hutton plays the young husband v-. ith. much appeal and some conviction; and the late Robed Benchley is :)musing in a smallish role as stepfather. Donald Meek, too; is a standout ih'.d sub role as newiipaper magnate. But most or the other' actors seem a litlle un- coinfortable in their roles, in the grip of a silly script. Joan. Leslie and "Edwiird Arnold appear particiilarly unhappy about it. Broii. . H<'dHia (BRITISII-MADCI London. May 24. i(>iii;nir l-'Ibii OiHU'ilididi-H' ri'li'.-iNc.nr .liilin .('•n-lb'lil. |ii-(i((ii|.1i,,i(. scii-i* -Miil-;:;i|-e1 U.i-k- (v,,i,.l. Aniie (.'l-;i\v.rdril. Idli lluiid'i-. K;(ri-y K. Ilurni*)'. l>j)-(H-(i'(l by l.|iiii'(» (*i,iiir'•'•!■ I',lilli<>.. Alitie Cbtirlr-K. (';itn,-r;i. .l-'i-»»(l,»r(ck A. ViiitiiK. llin-dbr.liilidK.. Al I.eti-cHtci' Sddiiro lbcji(i-c. Kniillilil; liinr. Wl .\IINS. '. Ri-iIoIIm Cbdi'llc (':i)'i-liii:ii,ii. Hell Cliddi'v- i:ilf» . . .Miiry Iltflllldll N'iii-)W( Ibiriis !•)-. M.'Af.c . , .Mr. It.Mint'l 1 illf. lien 11,-11' '.-J A lei- '.liilliiHli.d,.'. .^ylv-i:i' .liiliilKtiine. . ('ll|it:iin. .M(-Kelvy.. . .Miii'i::(i'el l.iH'-k»'iri,(1 .......... l:ill. JJuMel- . . . . I '.;i i-i > K . K,:i ^lle^ ..\iiii,. ('i:iv( riird Ite:il(-ii> \':(ilcy . . . . l.itdWe tl.-ilii|irdn . . .- Mil KMIIidll.l . . . . . ..Inlieu .\l-i.-h.-ll . . . K V icisldii- K(>e\-c^ ..... (>li;ii l.liiili. . ..l.ihi. S.-:le« . . . . . ., I!iiil.:ii,-i n!:iii I'l:iinle n.iilev •lani«' 4«4'fN >lari*i<*il. W;(i- - lli-i.j,. i'elei(.X(. (ir jVIe Ci.lllteb |i'i-Milli<-l iiiii;- Sl:it-H .Ididi l.i'..Mcl i.inii-l. I>iek l-;i'i,d:ilil >|t"'l> ..... M:ii l>:(i-;l . Il|-d\\ ii .'.\l:ii'-.:.-ii>d llddlllleii .Add,. Cilti;, Km b 'I'dlie* . . . WiMlKlii V'l dditil-.** Aft* . ( -,,11111. 1'N ........ .n,,i, S"i V, -. . , SI-ldM Ihuli'imiev...'. . .-. .s'l'itidii .M-,)i.i Vdi'-/... .I'll l-'eli'lll. -. I'i(\ iulil I 'fdiii,|\vlf;lil . ..i;,i ,idi-i4 l>driiiii'. . /, . . .Id"- J'lii jef "Twd Small People" is flipi>iinlly- Ircated niclodianVa. It's nev(>i' as hi'ighl as it trie.v to be and as a c()n- .se(nieh(:e overall results fail to st.".ck U|i 1(1 expectations. Name values rate it foi (ikiiy bookings, film hnviny Lu-- ('■''c Ball. John Hodiak and Lloyd N.i.iiiii. : . ' Si.-iipt ol ihe basically okay plol li;n t)ccn packf-d with awkuarj di i- li- Over-flircclion ;ind iinilei-fiill- iiii; arc (illici- handic'iji.-.- I'lol I'lni- ci'riis the days all"tt."l a conii- dciK-e mill) before 'he luc- to' slaii .III die . Illi-k,. .M I-. -. l,-dinviiy .Ml .4 ( 'idiw .1) . . , . Siddl Aid i1, , , .. . ...... Si-ddlier i;is ii .\li-. Sl,.i\-fi.«.., , . . .Ml-.". ' \'ii(i 111 dill . .Ml-M. Ani.'I,.>. . . . , I'ddlii . . . , ; n.i-i-d.-iiliiie .. . ...... tie;nl I'dii. . .- Warners" .veqiiel to ils s>';'een ver- sion of "JaDie."' the Broadway suc- cess or two sca.-ions ago aboiit adoles- cents. su/Tciis liom the same trouble or m/ii\ f()llowups. The id,t'.>. the well of inspiration, ran oiit with llic one shot, and all the king's men (:ouldn't put a .second-hand model together again. Lacking all around in script- ing; (lii'cclion and ai'ling. (his one is niiiinly fiir the nahps and sub.>.p- quenls. The plot is the l.v'pic-al slory or the first few nKinthS In a youn;< ("oiiplc's marriage, with servynt trouble, in- law trouble, job trpublc and. . best - rr lend trouble. Janie has. inavrieii her boy just returned from the war.- and has wangled a jot) for hini 'on her rathrr's news|)aper. A V/AC- friend iiri'ives to nioivopoli'/.e yiiui'.'i hubby. A newspaijcr miiiJMate sIkuvs up to buy the liical iicwspai)er. A lew more ,'i.-iMirled |)e(!|ilr anDCiir on flie .scene. l() iihiilve the voiiiiu |)C(i|)lc rurllier in a series iif trite situation';. •No| iiiil\ al'e Hie eii''"i'iisl!iii(-ps familial' and a little tired, but the No niatter how much this may differ from .Vera Caspar.v's iioxel. it coulct scarcely be improved on for adaptation and scripting for the .screen. If "The Wicked Lady" did well in the U. S.. this one' should achieve even bigger returns there, being penned by author of "Laura." Margaret Lockwood is more wicked than in her previo'is roles in a more subtle manner. Her portrayal or a woman who in greed Tor money poisons three husband wiih .an air of maidenly innocence, is Miss Lockwood at her best. She is only prevented from doing away with hubby No. 4 by the interv.'niion of an investigator who has been trying to catch up with her in 'jonii'.'clion with collection ot successive life in- siiianc'e policies, paid af'.er each death. Opens in Monie Carlo, with a youl\g painter scraping acqiiaiidance with a honeymoon coupl:'. . Latter learns the wife posse.sscs a. pricclc-is black pearl .which he csiensibly wislies to- buy. He persuades the hus- band to let him paint his bride. When, busine.'s-; compels their relui n honvc. the artist is invited there to complete the ))oili'ait. Only then does '[ be- come ; apparent that the pcr.-islent yoimg man is. trailing along, but not rrom amorous ' motives as . thi; girl imagined. The; husband's svdden ill- ness arter a; Christmas parly cause.-;, the sleuth to take the' docio;' in'o his confidence. Faced whh exposure; the trapped woman ends in taking poi.'-'on her.'ielf. : which the hu-band has left with her as a wav out. His graduiil realization or her giiili is. a drariVatic highlight. This is John COrlleld's fiisl piiiriiie- lion under the. J. Arthur' Rank banner and is conuhendable tidh) all angles.. Ian Hunter, as the :hu;t i.- ex- cellent. . Camera work i.- exception- ally good. Allhoiiijh story- i.-i iih'palatable. no aclJial inurder scenes are slunvn. The only victim visible is the Siamese cat who siiceumbs to Doisoned rood in- leiided lo dis|)(i.-i.e or the s|eiiili. Filiil should prove real lio.voffice (•sijecially in \ iew . (>r vogue fur this lyiie ;.scs in the .subsequent run hou.sc.s. Roy Chansloi'"s . screenplay, adapted rrom a Collier's mag scrinj bv Rob- ert Carson, is well taildied to the talents or Pat O'Brien, who rambles through the filnr in. his usual glib tashion. Repartee between him and Ruth Warrick is the brightest spot in the pictui'e. Course or action, how-^ ever, siduyh.s off the- story, resulting ill the- picture's buildup to ;i flat let- down. Jt comes out as another cops- and-robbers talc, transplanied to a Mexico City locale. O'Brien plays a T-maii. sent to Mexico to .break up a (.'oupterfeit ling run . by Alan Hale and Edgar Buchanan. Mi.ss Warri(;k turns up as a syndicated columnist w'h().«e father had been murdered by Halo back in the States;: She's already J'o'ced him to flee to Mexico City after bi-eakihg the sloi-j' of his rackets north of the border and has followed him for fur- ther revenge. . SubsequeiU events have O'Brien and Miss Warrick fall- ing for each othei'. although eacn dis- trusts the other's interest-in. Hale un- til the final reel, when they crack down on hifn together. O'Brien does good work as the treasury dept. sleuth, fast with both his fists and.; his wisecrack'!. Couple of Irish ditties he runs 'lirough.at a piano come off'- well. Film'gives Miss 'Warrick her first .good break since her film debut in "Citizen Kane." Bounteous wai'drobi?. reveals her as one of the screen's lop beau- ties and her acting is .ple-ily adept. Hale is sufficiently, sardonic as the counterfeit . leader and Buchanan turns in a nice perfoi'mance as his siderkick. ' Eddie LeBaron and his orch . get featured billing but' arc seen only New Foreign Films (Uifli/.-ciT/ for Anglo-U. SJ MarheO ";\(l I'elll >t(Hll(Piir" ("ll:ii.|.y i;.. I.iti-ky"i (l-KKNCII). I'allie Ciuhmi'IIiiii'i Cilii'lldi |-,..|„:di',' iirCtlH. ld-(Hl(ii-l idil. l;in','.|- ■ d by .Mill, el . I.;llcild,.|. Si.-Mx l>iiiil,-l|e l»iii-|-ieil.\. .Alidl-e. I.IIKIIel. l-'ril ld- b.\ M iir ':ill»-|-( S;id\':iJ>,li. S>-ri.ed|,|ii.\. |,'y .\ki'i r. ( iilbei-r S:lll- (-;ij»dl. I''i'i, iK-diKe Ciriddi; l;r-.j lew "d id I'liri.^. niidiiidi; iiiiie. IM.'t .XIIN."^. moifientarily in a night-club .se- quence. ■ Same sequeiice fea'tilrea Amelita Vargas, a lu.sh Lat.n dancer who oiitmaneuvcrs Diosa Costeilo in a fast samba. Supporting cast is okay. ' Producer .Phil L. Ryan nas lined the film with rich niouniings that emphasize the tourist's version of Meicico City. Director Edward H. Griffith keeps the ca.s't jumping through its paces and gels Ihe niost out of the film's good dialog. Charles Lawton's photography is oii the cred-' it side. . Sial. .The RunanHind i."nivei-s.il pcleuH* or ,kip i;cii.|:,tis.,!i . id»- dld'duM. iilani Itiid Ciidii'ndi. (■:lld i::iIi,(.K'; redlui-F» llrMlrrick ' Ci-iiw.rdiil. i"niiil, .Mi-- J/iiKl). Directed, by . C'liiirleM . Lddiinil. Si-neflnplay. Arihui .T. llei-niHii. S;idi Hell- ninli:. mnierit. atel.v put him on the wrong track, that hc"'s brought back the secretary, aivl he's in love. - Production and photography obvi- ously been done in a more painstak- ing manner than usual. Linutod use of prop scenery in favor of the real thing adds quality.. Versimilitude in the situations is neither a':ke'.l nor expected. Musical score ' by Frank Skinner provides creditable ouericr. Thcsping is convincing tor th£ most part, with the only exceptions those scenes wherein Miss Raine: tries to cry or laugh hard and evidently can't. A couple of the battles are' loo patently fakes. Brod Crawfoi-d and Rod . Cameron do well, and Fi'ank McHugh .puts in a top support Vole. A (liirr In Ji Million (BBmSH-MADEi London.. May 24. .In-llieb I,li')n n-l(^iii;e . or Syiliu-.v (lt,t in-o- lui-llnn. St^il-H KilKll Wlllliilid,; .l|-:<.ll ( li een. (KHl. HnhW Kddrdrd. Xdlinidii Wd.die. Iil- ■ei-lpd by- >"raneb( .^eoi'le. .^lin-y nnil w-t-feii-- pJny, liy -Afurfel nnd Sydney llnv. ( 'dj.iier;,, ■ KeKiddId H. Wyer. liei-l ..Mdnoi,. I',ei-dlfl U'wiN. A(' SUdlld Ode; ' lliiiiiiiii;: lliid-. H4t - .MINK. diiy Hy - rendei-KdKl ';....; (illu-rlnKbjiiii 'e;i iHMly 1.- Sdll'/tlliKd .Mdlly C l-:it r,iii(-rn)dii r;iviMiid .\bi(i.'(t;ei-. III. I'elei-K. . . . ; . Ilil;:li Wllli:,ii;.>i .liidii ( ireciiWMi (1 . . . I'.:isil Itiiiirid-il .N'dJiiilitn \\-n.\ dd . . W.\ he WdlSdll . . tliii ■ ly\ . I'diver' . . . Y v,iiiid, t men . . .1 i.i .Meiyli ...K.ludi-.r I.esy . ..I:|.|i,-y Iviilcbl . ..Idlidli |l .MIilH Marquee value of names for local I fun faVCs and witty dialog in an amusing , storv' will a.ssuie local gi-o.>i.ses. For America, the chiinces appear limited to spots with Flench palronaKC because director Marcel L'Herbiri'. in an attempt lo retain the dialo^i. has made the piciure look like a sla-jey filmization .it a legit. | turns in U. S Also caiiieia work not even. It i Concerns invehtor-hubby 'Hugh [shows Danielle Darrieux as the jeal- i WilhainiiV who is always annoyed by ous wife or Francois Peri'.'r making; . a. nagging wife. She finally gels a hei'solf the unwanted Kuest (if Andre 1 divorce, with the judge (on^-.ratii- Lugiiet who, hi'ving his own worries, ' lating hubby On his escape. "Theii the This is last picture Sydney Box will (do for outside companies before assuming control of Gainsborough Films for J; Arthur Rank thi;; fall. Story is light, but has many laughs. Chances not bright for any re-il re- was about to commit suicide. The cast is good and doe.s well- consider- ing. Afii.ri. "Dddile Mneren Ijis. I'lildlirm,'' i W„i-.1» l-'iiil"i (Sr.AMMI), AAA l.l,^ .\ I'U.-lil lli>.~ .\ MH;i;id,,>l |,M„lll.-i ii,ll I , 'I, -;!)...; l iirt-eied. by. 1 1 ill;,, l-'i '-^ ■ 'id*.-"- Kill iillie .M line.. -Wb.-I.- I l,\rti^ , I'll-, .ii-:( II,- r,-:ildi'-.4 li;)Ii,. lU-rli'li .M-d.|e'/.. I. id, I., I.,. ,\iiivli:, l-''-li.-i. U'di- .Mlilti.. I'.ilild .. .\l;iii{i 'llllil:r,'li,. .|..y,. V'.i-'.iini-/,, i-;i. l'°erl>ii,,.- .\lii, li>.|-,-,iK I .-< |di.\ . I,.\ , .M,-i i:.;.! , 'l:i . Ididi. "Id lid., l.;i 11,1 id:*.'' .M:,iii .\l ('.l-.-
  • . ( 'ditii .l.|d. II- Kii., did husband acccpLs War Office appoint- ment in an isolated town, 'when hei j learns that there are mo women nearby. I Things run smoothly till the ar- rival of an American coloii'-l. Hartley Power, with his niece. Joan .'Green- wood; Willianis soon falls victim and ' ' marries the gal. Couple i i e .sepa- i rated when she: starts the same rou- 1 tine as his first wife. RCuivion results 1 when hubby becomes father. ..Cast is adequate, with Mis'; Gicen- niiii- . \v()nd. in her llr.'.i starring role, ac- i quitting 'herself well. On the oiher !..,,, ^ , . ■ hand. Williams at limes appears too I Hailed by prodiiecrs and critic.-, as ; „|c) fo,- a juve lead. Basil Riid|ord I an -artistic effort, tins is vastly di.-;- ^ Naunton Wavnc plav Miei.r ni-ua! j appointing. Story . is weak aii'l En- , ^-nj^ Englishmen. Rcfre. I riqiic .Miiino. hampeic'd by inexpert, , . i direction and .-Kny. tails to mcaMue /ii ; mu^o*,.a Vl?U/.*i.;/. ■ up to hi.-. pie\ious screen work. This Llll Inealie EdeCll IC i,. Hugo Fre»;oi>(?.se's debut tis ,i pic- Awain nK- Pllll Blsi^it tiii-e dircelor. His stage experience | Agdin VnOth r llll Diani. (loeSii't help hi.- screen woik. .Juan Chicaiio. June 4 .lose C'a.-1 1(1. Ai';;cnlina's ac;' I'oiiduc- | Order permitting theatre miii'quee.s lor and ' comiiosei'. ha.- pi'ovided a ' air-conditioiiing systems to go -.real inusieal score iilthoiigh more j,^ f,||i fupce was, signed original sc oring «'<''il'< '^ave helped. ; ,j,, ,^ ; (jp, „ mi,,,,;., q,,,,. .Diii io C aizav.. a newcom'i'. is . the i '""'^""^^ " . ", , ,1, „r juve lead and has n(...;sibilil.e- He's ■ '''<--!'<-'5 Commis-sion. as esu It o^ an adole.x'em piani.st iii this. There i «;luch the light.-, were blazing as 'are no touches of humor tf< virljove formerly in the Loop, Cooling plants. ilie dreary .-lory. Ballet .';egue'iices .are too long although the most in- 'teresting part ol the picture, and ' iiuirels. if any. are due to '.Vliirgarila i Wallmaii . and Maria RiiiiiiovH. Al- i lliinigli made on an ambiliinis scJile. . tills i.s loo lugubrioiis to havi aiiy in- terest tor U. S. incidentally, got goiny ]\.ift iii lime for Chi's firsl real warm spell of the year, which started-Decciration Da.v. The rieiiriy . month-loim tliinout .saved 19i;.i00 tons of coi.il here:, ae- . cording -to the Coininonwealili Edi- son Co. WfJnestlay, June 5, 1946 P^^^iETy 1* 16 PICTURE GROSSES W«>4lueMla7, June 1946 L A. Revives; *In Night' Bright 52G, 3 Spots; 'Forward' Sturdy 45G in 2, 'Tomorrow' Hefty 41G for 3 on 2d Los Aneeles, June 4. ■♦ Fii.>.l-iiins are recovering from e(- feris of ihe- streetcar strike this Ktniv/ii. will) some holdovers doing bell*"!' ihaii on previous week; Hetty holidiiy li iidr hIso is « help., -The city' iHkes on 27 lirst-ciins and mpveovers within the next week. in addition to throe nvw day-date situations. Bel- mont joins- Ihe Los Angeles Egyptiap «nd Wil.-^hiie with the opening of "Two Sisici-.s From Boston" on June 4, wliile Orpheum goes straighl^flhTi on (iisi-i-im. June II, with the Vogue WMci Kl Roy. , ■■.SoMU'w here in. Night"' is slightly c\ t'r nvorHco at $&2,000 in rlu'ee the- uxn-f. "Fiont This Day Forward" .•■liii|)os .-luidy $45,000 in two hous^e.'s. "Ono Moio Tomorrow" looks stout J-II.OOO .-ocond frame in three. ■•Po,.-;\m;iM Rin^js Twice" will do~ pmooih s:i7.iiOO on Jourlh frame, three Jtu-nlions. - Outlaw" slill is potent at $;tl.nnn for ninth weiek in four spots. ■ Spiial Slairca.se" finales on fourth friinu- wiih healthy 125.000 for three house.-;! -Virginian" will do $28,500 in third week, two spots. Ksdmales (or This Week Rcvri-lv mils Moslc Hall iBlumen- fold-G&S) 1824: 85-$l )— • Outlaw" lUAi i9ih wkt. Steady $4,000. Last week, nnc $4,300. t'lirlhav Circle iFWC) <15|3; 50- $11— -Do You Love Me" i.20th) inio. I. Okay $U.5O0. LafI week. ••Madonn;( of 7 Moons ' 'U) '3d wk\ $o.aoo. Chinese i Grauman-WQ) >2.0i8: .nO- $1 I-— Sonicwhfie iii -Night" (20th) anri '-Efl injjhani's Raid" 1 20th). Good $15.00(1. La.st week. "Do Ycu Love" ^20lh I ■ 2d wk ). neat $11,700. Bownlown (WB) (1.800: 50-$l)— "One Mui-c Tomorrow" iWB J (2d w-k I. Neat $15,000. Last week, goo'd $21.H00. Ksyplian (FWC) (1..538; 50-$l)— '•Po.>itm;Mi Rings Twice" (M-G) (4th \\k). Finale.s at $8.500.. Last week, perky $10,200. Four .Star lUA-WC) <900: Ii0-$1)— "Dark Corner" i20lhl iBdwk) Cm.o.). Only S2.400 in 4 days. Last week, fine S5.«00. Guild >FWC) i96«: 50-$l)— "Spiral Slair<.-a.-e ■ (RKO» (4th vvk). Solid $6.SO0. I.a.-^t wo.ck. big $7,500. llawHii (G&S - Blumenfeld) C956; 6.=i-.sn— -Outlaw" cUA) (9th wk). Slill big at $6,000. Last week, sock $(i.000. Hollywood (WB) (2.756: SO-tl) - "One .More Tomorrow" (WB) I2d wk I. Ave rage $13,000. Last week, good $18,600. ■ .. Hollywood Music Hall fBlumen- fokli. 1475: 85)— "Outlaw" tUA) '9lh wk). Trim $4,000. Last week, $.1 HOO. I.oew's Slate (Loew-WC) (2,404: 50-$l I — "Somewhere in Night" '20th) and "Effingham's' Raid" i20lh). Average $27,000. Last week, •Do You Love" i20th) (.2d wk), $14,800. l.os .Anecles (D'town-WC) (2,097; 50-$l )— "Postman" (M-G) (4th wk). Fine $21,000. Last week, nifty $18,700. Orpheum I D'town) (2,000; 65-85) —"In Fa-sl Company" (.Mono) with Andy Ros.sell. A'aude acts on stage. Sock .M0..=)00. Last week. "Guy Could Charioe" (Rep) with Slim Gaillard Trio 1 2d wk) and Jimmie Lunceford orcl) on slage. .solid $28,400. PantaBcs (Pan) (2,812: 50-$l)— "This Day Forward" ^RKO) and "Man Alive" (RKO). Smooth $23. 000. La.-it week. "Goes My " Broadway Grosses Eatinaled Total Grem ThU Week ....... . .i:il,SM (Bo.ted on 16 Ilitalres) 'Total Gr*u Same Week I.«sl Year . . :$5JS;h« ■ iB(i,\ed OH 15 (lienlrfs). 'Postman' Smash 30G in Mfld Pitt Pilisburgh, June 4. ' Po.-ilman Rings T^wice" at Ihe Stanley, is blazing ahead this week. In fact it's the only big lioise of the holiday stanza, everything else be- ing jiist .'. Cri.v did okay, but patron.s did not. Will be. lucky to get $6,500. sad for a holiday week. Comes out tomorrow 'Wed.) fov "Dark Corner" . 1 20th). Last week. "Pinocchio" iRKO) irei.tsue) i2d wk 1. nice $6,500. Harris 'Harris) (2.200; 40-70)— "Do You Love Me" i20th) i2d wk). Holding up very well at good $12,- OQO. Last week. j{)'ea I $20,000. Penn iLoew's-U.^) (3..100; 40-70)— "One More Tomorrow'' (WB). Get- ting by but no great shakes for a holiday week. However, no com- plaint at $19,000 or over. Last week, "Devotion" (WB). $17,500. RUt (WB) '800: 40-70 )— "Tomor- row Is Forever" (RKO) (.m.o.). .^fter; fortnight at Stanley, over $4,000 mark, good, at this small- .seater. Last week, fifth downtown on "Saratoga Trunk' (WB), okay $3,000. Senator (Harris) 0.750: 40-'70)— "Gilda" (Col) (4th wk). Held over here. Moveover from Harris, should hit $4,500. excellent. Last week, bet- ter than $6,500. Stanley (WB)- f3.8O0: 40-70)— ; "Postman Rings; Twice'' (M-G). Be.st ■here in weeks with sock $30,000. Naturally hbld.^ at that figure. Last week. '"Tomoi-row Is Forever"' (RKO) (2d wk), big $14,000. Warner (WB) (2,000; 40-70)— '"De- votion" (WB) ^(m.o.). Doing bit over average biz at near $9,000, much better than okay. Last w"eek, "Zieg- feld Follies" (M-G) (m.o.), $7,000. 'Postman' Brisk 19G Leads Mildish Ballo Baltimore. Jutte 4. Biz lioro is generally otl with the lone exception "The Postman Always Rings Twice," at ix)ew"s Century. Some action also is repoi"ted for "Heartbeat," tiied to vaudc, at the combo Hippodrome. Estinatei r«r This Week Century (Loew's-UA) 1 3,006; 20- 60)— ""Postman Always Rings Twice".'. ( MtG ). Topping low"i-i .witi-i lotising $19,000. . Last week. ""Night iit Casa- blanca" (UA), $12,700. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2.240: 20-70)— "Heartbeat" (RKO) plus vaude. Attracting .some trade at $17.- 000. Last week, •"Badman"s Terri- tory'; I RKO) and vaude. $14,200. Kellh'i (.Sehanberger) (2,4«U: 20- 60)— "Night ih - Paradise" (Ul; Fair- ish respon.se at $11,000. La Orpbeum (RKO) (1.900; 45r65) — "'Badman".s Territory' (RKO) and "Partners in Time"' (RKQ)- I'lea.s'ant $14,000. Last woek. "City for Con- quest" I WB) and ".\o time for Com- edy" IWB) irei.ssues), inild $10,000. Tower iFox-Jo/fee) '2.100; .39-60) —"Spider Woman Strikes Back" 'U) and "Str.inge Conquest" t,U8.*M (Bated, on 24 citiei, 184 theotrei) Casablanca' Wow 20G in St Louis St. Loui.s. June 4. End of long rainy spell plus Me- morial Day bi:i, accelerated trade here. "Do You Love Me" Will grab the top money, but "One More To- morrow" and "Night in Casablanca" are comparatively as big, latter being especially strong. . EallniaUs for This Week Loew'a . (Loew) (3.1'72; 44-66)— "Night in Casablanca" (UA) and "Devil's Mask'' (Col). Solid $20,000. Last week. 'The Outlaw"' (UA) i3d \vk), $17,000. Orpheum (Loew) (2,000; 44-65) — 'The Outlaw" (UA). Neat' $9,000. Last week, "Rebecca"' (UA) (reiiss- ue). W.200. Ambaaiador (F&M) (3:000: 44-65) — ""Oite More Tomorrow'" rWB» and •"Blondie"s Alibi"' (U). Great $21,000 Last week. "Devotion."' (WB) and ""Blondie's Lucky Day"' (Col ), solid $19,000, Fox (FitM) (.5.000; 44-65)— "Do You Love Me" (20lh) and "Johnny Comes Fb'ing Home" (20th). Solid $25,000. Last week. "Deadline at Dawn" (RKO) and "Tarzan Leopard Woman ' (RKO). .$22 000. MIsiourl (F&M) (3.500: 44-65)— "Dark Corner" (20lh) and ""Rendez- vou.s"' (20th). Good $19,000. . Last week, 'Saratoga Trunk" (WB), $11,- 000. St. Louii (F&M) (4.000: 60-60)— "Masquerade In .Mexico"" (Par) and ""Miss Susie Slagle"s" iPar). Nice $8,000. Last week. "Gaixie of Death" (RKO) and "Spider Strikes Back" (Ul, $7,500. 'Postman' Rings Bell In Buffalojerrif $28,000; 'Heartbeat' Punchy 17G Buffalo. June 4. Biz i.s on upbeat currently. Leaders are "Postman Rings Twice"' and "Heartbeat." with former smash. Eilinatet (or This Week Buffalo (Shea) (3,500; 40-70)— "Postman Rings Twice" (M-G). Ter- rific $28,000 in 6 days or near Last week. "Devotioit" iWB) ani "Night Editor ' (CoD.-snug $14,500. Great Lakes (Shea) (3.000: 40-70) —'"Blue Dahlia" (Par) i2d wk) Strong $17,000 after lasl Week's great $23,000. Hipp (Shea) '2.100: 40-70)— "Devo- tion" (WBj and '"Night Editor" (Col) (m.o.). Hefty $10,000 for 6 days. Last week. "Diary of Chambermaid" (UA) and "Porlrait of Maria'" (M- G). lofty $12,000. Teck (Shea) (1.400 : 40-70)— "Diary of Chainbermald"" (UA) 'm.o.) and "•Red Dragon"" (Monoi. Dand<- $7 - 500 in 6 days, l^st week, "Dragon- wyck" (20lhi (m.o.), $4,000 for third downtown week. [^ifayelte (Basil) (3..300: 40-70)— "'Perilous Holiday" iCol) and "Meet Me on Broadwav" (Col). Firm $9 • • 000. Last week.'""Sevenlh A-'eil" (U) i and '"Tangier " (U). $10,000. '' 2«lli Century ,(20th Cejit.. Inc.) i3 - 000; 40:70 1 — "Heartbeat" (RKO) and "Swing Parade 1946"' iPRC) Punchy $17,000 or over. Laiil week "Murder in Music Hall" Tftep) and "In Fa.st Coinpaii.v" (Rep). $9..500. Boston, June 4; Memorial Day . holiday, though sunny and wann, tipped biz last week. "Badman's Territory" with vaude Is sock at the Boston. ■'•The .Postman Always Rings -Twice." at the State and Orpheum looks stand, out. "Devotion" is nice at Para- mount and Fenway. "Heartbeat" also shapes fancy $29,000 at Memorial, Estloiates fer TBI*- Week Bottan (RKO) (3,200; S0-$1.10) "Badman's Territory" (RKO) pUij Milt Herth Trio, laavry Stevens, others, on idage. Sotik $38,000. Last week, "Suspense" (Mono), Loui.i Armstrong orch, others, only $22,000. Eiqaira (M-P) (1,200; $2.40) — "Henry V" (UA) (9th wk). Steady $6,000 against last week's fairish $5,500. Fenway (M-P) (1,375: 40-:80) — "Devotion^' iciting Week" (Rep). $23,000. Orpheum (Loew) (2.900: 40-80) — ""Postn-ian Rings Twice"" iM-G).- Sturdy $28,000. Last week, "Gilda" (.Col). $20,000. Paramount (M-P) (1.700; 40-BOi — '"Devotion" (WB) and "One Exciting Week" (Rep). Nice $16,000. Last .week. "Kitty"' (Par) and Dark Alibf (Mono), $14,000. State (Loew) (3.200: .35-80) — "Postman Rings Twice"' (M-G). Solid • $19,000 or over. Last w^eek, "Tars and Spar.s" (Col) and "Phantom TivieC (Col). $12,000. Tranainz (Trans! ux) '900; 30-74) —""City for Conquest" (WB) and "No Time for Comedy"' (WB) 're- issues). Satisfactory- $5,000. La.st week. "'Cat Creeps" (Ui and 'Spi- der Woman Strikes Back' (U), $6,000. Tremont (Brand-Muge) ( 1.500; 40- 80)— "Whistle Stop"' (UA) and "Junior Prom" (Mono). Mild $12.- 000. Last week. " Breakfast Holly- wood" (UA) and "Stiangc V«>yage" (Mono), $12,500. I^irginian' 7G, Lmcoln Lincoln. Jiine 4, Uncs-pecled frost here is keeping a few seats unoccupied this .session but ";Vii-i(inian."' at the Lincoln, and, "Br.ide Wore BooU," at the Stuart I aie doing top biz. Kmlmatcii for This Week Mncoln iLTC) (1.500; 44-55)— " Vii-ginjan" (.Par). Stout $7,000 to lead city.. T..a»t week. "Two Sisteis From Boston'' (.M-(;i. $7200 .Sluart (I-TC) (1.800: 9-^55 1 -"Bride Wore Boots" (Pan. 'Near capacity „,,V«':«"y,', INTO I (1,100; ,"«5..50) ti'li!'*''"'" '-WB). Mwlest 'Ur »4!2^ S*"P", NthrMkm il/VC.) f|,l2fi; 9-43) ;,""",}"" A'""'''" ""f ""d "Oliver KikMii ' (/(„li<-| f)„|y || 7„(, j„ 4 (lay!- Lart ■■II,,,,.,. Ho,-,oi-s" 'I.I ;,/i/J ■Spid.., ,St,,k»,: 'U), dill,, I" 5 i\Ujt, J Auto Jubilee Ms Det. ^ But ^Week'-Prima Trhn 32G, 'Gilda' yid 35G Detroit. June 4. The Automotive Jubilee, wiih its accompanying parades and show.-;, combined with tlie Memorial Day weekend to slow pice here this .ses- sion. It particularly hit the Satur- day lake when the auto show staged a parade that had the main street lined with about 750,000 for four hours! Estimates for Tbli Week Fox (Fox-Michigan) (4.049; 60-85) —""Gilda"' (Col) and ""Night Eiiiiiiy"" (Par), $5,000 in 5 days. Wedneaday, June S, 1946 PICTITRE CBOSSES IT Weather Bops Chi Albeit Paradise' 35G; 'Saint'^Boswell 55G, 'Virginian' 26G Chicago,' June 4. -f Bulmy weather definitely is be- ginning to show its eflCccts at tlie Soxofftce, with only newcomers '•HoodJuni Saint," witli Cohnee Bos- well heading stage bill, at the Orien- tal; "Night in Paradise," at Die Pal- ace, and "Virginian," at the Rooiie- velt, .stacking up solid after the bclow-hopes holiday weekend. However, doing well are "Bad- man'.s Territory," with $12,000 at the Grand on moveovcr from the . P'al- ai-c. and longtermers "Dragon wyck" and "Saratoga Trunk." $19,000 and $23,000 respectively . at the Apollo and State-Lake, Estimates tor This Week Apollo (B&K) (1,200; Gn-Sal — "Drasonwyck" (20th) (7th \vk). Nilly $19,000. L^st week, $3O,.S00., Chltiaco (BitK) (3,900; 65-95) — 'Cinderella Jone.s" (WBi with Wogdy Herman orch (2d wk). Okay £ 13,000. Last week, excellent $55,000. Garrlck (BficK) (900; 65-95) — "Bai\dit Sherwood Forest" (Col) (6th wk). Tidy $17,000. Last week, $19,000, Grand (RKO) (1.150; 65-95) — "Badman's Territory" (RKO) and • Dicsscd to Kill" (U) (m.o.). Potent $12,000. La.st; week,. "No Time foi Comedy". (Wp) and "Torrid Zone" (WB>; (rcis.sues), only $9,000. Oriental (EssahessV (,3.2-tO; 65-95) —"Hoodlum Saint" (M-G) with Connec BoswtU heading stage bill Klashy $55,000. Lost week, "Nisht in Casablanca" (UA) (2d wk) with Cluick Foster orch. Bob Ebcrly. on .sta:fc. . fast $39,000. ' Palace' (RKO) (2.500; 65-95) — "Night in Paradise" (U) and "Truth About Murder" (RKOX Hot $35,000. Last week. "Badmaa",< Tc'riitory" I RKO) and "Dressed 16 Kill ' (U) (2(1 wk), lusty $29,000. Roosevelt (BiK) ( 1., 500: 65-9.5) — . "ViVKinian" (Par). Fine $28,000. Last' week, "Devotion" (WB'i t4lh wk), fair $19,000. SUtc-Lake (B&K) (2,T00; 55-95)— "Saratoga Trunk" (WB I 9lli wk) Solid $23,000. LasI week, muscular $20,000. llnllcd Artists (B&'K^ (1 700- 65 95>— "Ziegfcld Follies" (M-Gi (6lh "'I;''. Slick $20,000. Last week, husky 522,500. Wood* (Essancss) (1.200: 05-95) — "Tomorrow Is Forevej- ' (RKO) (7th wk». Thumping $20,00(). La.st week, tancy $21,000. Grossei Are Net Film grods estimates, as re> ported herewith from the vari- ous key cities, are net, i.e., with- out ihe ' 20% tax. Distributors share on net take,- when playing . percentage, hence the estimated figures are net income. The parenthetic admission prices, however, as indicated, in- clude the U.S. amusement tax. Pony Bally m ProY. Dps 'TerritoryMo Big 20G; Tosbnan' Record 29G Providence; .Tune 4. Solid is the word for biz here- abouts with Loew's Slate topper wilh "Postman Always Rings Twice" and RKO Albee also big with "Bad- man's Territory." Also .sock as holdovers are Strand's "Killy." and Majeslic's "Do You Love Me." Big openings surprising in view of lack of newspaper advertising which papers refused because of shorlages. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (2.200: 44-6.5)-^ "Badman's Territory" (RKOi ajid "Ding Dong William.s" (RKO). Opened to standees who wei-e -Iri-at- cri (o brief stage pre.sentalion of two pinto ponies to two Rhode Islaiid youngsters \v\\6 wrote be.st letters tnlling why they would like lo have llic.in. Headed for sock -S'in.OOO or near. Last week. "Rebecca" (UA) (rci.ssue) and "I'rulh About Murder" (RKO). only $9,000. Carlton (Fay-Loow) (1.400: 44-65) — "Gilda" (Con (3d downtown wk). Niflv $6,000. Last week. "Dragon- w.vc!;" (201h) (2d run), good $5,000. Fays (Fay) (1.400: 44-6.^ )— 'Moe Palonka, Champ" (Mono) and vaude on slage. Happy $7,000. Last week. "Swln.q- Parade" (Mono) and vaude on .sliieo. $6,000. Majestic (Fav)' (2.200: 44-05)— "Do You Love Mc" .i2nil>i (2d wk). SiP.irlv $10,000. Firsi sesh w;is nice SI" 000. Jlrli-npalltaii (Sim 'er) (3.100 : 65- fl5»— "(ianic of Dealli ' (Mojio) and ll.'l Mi'lnlyre orcli oit singe. On 4-r'.iy weekend riii\. Siiaoov $B.500. I.nsi week. ".\rizon:r' iCol). and '1.001 Ninht.-;'! (C(>1) i rris.-:Mc.<). $2,- Ollll in 3-d.TV weckoiid slmid. S(:iie (Loew) Ci.SOO: 44-6.=;)- "''oslman Rin)!.nd (Silvcrmnn) (2.''.nO: 44-fi3") r-' Kitlv" (Par) (2d wU). Wow .SIR,- nno. Hit 'the roof for Uniickoul $20.- lUiO' in first week, FERGUSON UPS AT COL. Rol)crt Ferguson itci).-; .into I lip lop s|)ol ill Columbia's ori'ssljonk dept. '"Ilowiiin the rcsigiiiilioii of Sylvia K'o.ssack (4). Ferguson, with llio cdnynany .since 1.14(1. currently lioUi- j posi in Die ad\ ertising coi)y (icpl. Tomorrow' 29G In Sloppy PhiUy Philadelphia, and "Walk in Son" (2011) I, ,$i;700. l.oew'» SUle (Loew'.s)" (3.300: 40- «0i— "Poslman Rings Twice" (M-G). With .six shows a day should deliver resoiindinB $10,500. Looks lo hold. ._. . .. La.-il week. "Breakfast Hollywood' Neai $12,000. i (UA) and "Hoodlum Saint" (M-G<, I WB > i .5)8.000. and ni.o. (Ui, ■ " Marv- Anderson (Peop'e'.s) (1,000; 40.(101— "Her Kind o( Man" (WB' 12(1 vl: '. Drc)i)i):ii;; lo poor St.OOO on ■o f'-.v. v.'cck. sturdy SS.OOd. NaliiMial. (.Sl;indardi (2.400; 40-60' , iConlinucd on page 25 1 Grosses in the downtown New York film houses remain variable despite fact that Decoration Day last Thursday (30) fell into tlie current week for most theatres. Rain from Saturday night (1) through most of Sunday afternoon hurt to some ex- tent. Also it's believed that the Hudson tube strike is .' causing loss of considerable New Jersey trade. Decoration Day itself, with various adverse boxoffice factors figuring, was under expectations: Only, three new pictures,. arrived on the Broadway front diiring the past week, headed "by "Badman's Territory" ■ at the little Victoria and "Cluny Brown," Rivoli's new tenant. Former is doing terrifically and should strike a new house high for the Vic of around $38,000. "Brown" is less potent at the Riv but looks to snare a good $43,000 or over. "Perilous Holiday." at the Rialto, -will get only about $7,500, slow, and won't hold. State has a n^w bill iti "Road to Utopia," here on second run from recent Paramount engagement, with Frank Parker and the Slate Bros, on stage. Outlook is for a good $28,000 or better. Taking the view that the weekend rain may have helped rather than hurt so far as the Music Hall is con- cerned. Gus Eyssell, managing direc- tor, estirnates the current (2d) frame for "To Each His Own" will mount to a massive $135,000 as against initial seven days' $126,000. Decora- tion Day holiday , had the effect of pushing this week's figures ahead of the prior roimd in sevei'al other theatres also. Best gain, among these, is the $75,00d the Capitol will do with "Postman Rings Twice" and GUy Lombardo's band on fifth week. Last week for this show was $70,600. Estimates for This Week Aslor (City Inv.) (l,.30b; 70-$1.40) —•'Kid From Brooklyn" (RKO) (7th wk). Holding up well, appearing about $37,000. while* last week rounde(i to $41,000. Capitol (Loew's) (4,820; 60-$1.10) —"Postman Ring.s Twice" (M-(i) and Guy Lombardo orch (5th-final wk). Pushing to strong $75,000 this week as contrasted with $70,600 for the fourth. 'Two Sisters From Boston" (M-G), with Ritz Bros., Gracie Barrie and Buddy Morrow orch open tomorrow (Thurs.). Criterion (Loew's) (1,700; 60-$1.25) —"Night in Paradise" (U). Opens here today (Wed.)'a£ter two moder- ate weeks with "Bad Bascomb" (M-G). second being $25,000, the first $21,000. Globe (Brandt) (1.416; 80-$1.50)— "Make Mine Music" (RKO) (7th wk). Good $20,000 sighted currently, near to $21,000 grossed on sixth week. Holds over. Goifham (Brandt) (900; 80-$1.50)— "O.S.S." (Par) (2d Wk). Retains fine strength at $25,000. Initial seven days went to $32,000, new house record. Continues further. Hollywood (WB) (1,490; 80-$1.10) —"Stolen Life" (WB) (6th wk). Finished fifth round last night (Tues.) at slout $32,000, beating pre- vious week's $28,800. Falaea (RKO) (1,700; 60-$1.20)— "Heartbeat" (RKO) (4th-flnal wk). Comes down to fairi.sh $17,000 on blowoff, while last week was okay $21,800. . "Without Reservations'' (RKO) moves in Friday (7). Paramount (Par) (3,684; 70-$l. 20) —"Bride Wore Boots" (Par) with Glen Gray orch and Louis Jordan's Tympany Five open here^ today (Wed.) following four weeks with "Blue Dahlia" (Par). Duke Ellington orch and Mills Bros. Finale tallied $74,000, the third week $'72,000. Radio City Music Hall (Rockefel- lers) (5,945: 70-$1.25J— "To Each His Own" (Par) and slageshow (2d wk). ting i $133,000, itial stanza's $126,000. Rialto (Mayer) (594; 35-85)— "Per- ilous Holiday" (Col). Slow at only about $7,500 and gels only one week. In ahead, "Dressed to Kill" (U) wag the same. Rivolt (UA -Par) (2,092; 80-$1.25) —•'Cluny Brown" (20th). Slower than recent pictures have been here but good at $43,000 or oyer. • Last week, ninth for "Killy ' (Par) was a suitable $20,000. Row (20lh) (.3,886; 90-$1.20)— "Do You Love Me'.'" (20lh) and Count BiL'io orch (2d wk). Looks to get a robust $83,000 following initial wpek'-s fancy $97,000 which included Decoration Day. Goes one more Wi!Ck. Stale (Loew's) (3.4.30: 43-$1.10)— "Road to Utopia' (Pan (2d run), with Frank Parker and Slate Bros, ill person. Pulling well, with good .$28,000 or ovci' sighted. Lasl week, ••Ziegfeld Follies" .(M-G> (2d run), witli Willie Howard and Larry Stevens on stage, was on disap- pointing side at only $23,000. Slrand (WBi (2.7.36; 73-$ 1.20)— •'One More Tomorrow'' (WB) and Tommy Tucker orch (2d.wk). Not pulling so well at only around $38,000 while first also was . disap- pointing at 144,000. Goes one more week. ; : VieKrla (Maiirer) (720; 70-il.20)— "Badman's Iferritory" (RKO). Opened big on Decoration Day and, retaining terrific pace, will hit $38,- 000 or over to establish new house record here. Last week, SMORd for "Well Groomed Bride" (Par) was slender $9,000. Winter Garden (UA) (1,312; 60- $1.50)— "Madonna of Seven Moons" (U) (2d-final wk). On final eight days ending tonight (Wed.) .will b« only about $14,000, Ught. Initial week was very (ilMppoinljng »t $lfl,500. "Tlie Junaround" (U) opens tomorrow Cfiiurs.). "Outlaw' Record SOG, Froco Ace San Francisco, June 4, Big neWs this week is the oolossal biz being registered by '"nie 0(it- law," playing day-date at the United Artists, Emi'uirc and 'Tivoli. Jaiia RusteU picture looks to hit a new all-time Frisco record in these three spots, doing around $70,000 the flnit five days and ex-pecting to hit $80,- ' 000 or belter qn the week.. It toared to huge $27,000 at the small United Artists. Town is generally stronger all around, with single house doing the biggest money being the Golden Gate with "Heartbeat" and vaude headed by Ciro Rimac's "Rhumba Revue." EstimaicH for This Week Golden Gate (RKO) (2,844; 60-95) —"Heartbeat". (RKO)- plus vaude . heailed by "Rhumba Revue" with Miquelilo Valdes and Ciro Rimac. Great $36,000. Last week, "Falcon's Alibi" (RKO) plus vaude headed by Andrews Sisters, husky $45,000. . Fox (FWC) (2.651; 95-85)— "Bride Wore Boots" (Par). Sock $31,000. Last week, "Kitty" (Par) (2d wk), $21,000. WarBeld (FWC) (2.858; 55-85)— "Do You Love Me ' (20th) (2d wk). Down to $16,000. Last week, nice $28,000. Paramount (FWC) (2,846: .55-85)— "Bad Bascomb" (M-G). Strong at $27,000. Last week, "Walk in the Sun" (20th), $18,000. < St. FrMieli (FWC) (1,400; 55-85)— "Kitty'' (Par) (m.o.). Nice $11,000 or neaf for third week downtown. I^st week;- "Ziegfeld Follies" (M-G) (4th wk) (m.o.), okay $8,500. State (FWC) (2,133; 59-89)— "No Time for Comedy" (WB) (reissue). Nice $19,000. Last week, '^Blue Dahlia" (Par) (4th wk), still good at $7,500. ^ Orpheum (Blumenfeld) (1,207; 53- 85)— "Renegades" (Col). Lofty $24,- 000. Last week, "So Goes My Love" fU) (2d wk), good $12,500. VniUd Artlita (Blumenfeld) (1,- 207; 55-85)- "Outlaw" (UA). Colossal $27,000 or near, unheard of at this small spot. Last week. "Perilous Holiday" (Col), satisfactory $11,000. 'POSTMAN'-VAUDE WHAM $39,000, WASH. Washington, June 4. Business If uniformly good Uiii week, with, all but one house offer- ing a .new pic and the city govern- ment living the theatres the nod to aiart usiiig air-conditioning sp'stems , again. "Postman Rings Twice" is a s'i'/.eable jump over in- j Jeader .with sock . session, highest ' racked up here in a long tihie. 'Mad- man's Territory" also is big. Eiilmatei for This. Week Earle (WB) (2,154; 44-85)— "One More Tomoi-fow" (WB). Good $22,- SCtO. Last week. "Her Kind of Man" (WB). thin $17,900. ■•Ilh's (RKO) (1,838; 44-80)— "From This Day Forward" (RKO). Solid $17,900, and holds. Last week, "So Goes My Love" (U). $19,900. Metropoliton (WB) (1.503; 44-70) —"Badman's Territory'' (RKO). Strong $13,000 or near. Last week, "Rebecca^' (UA) (reissue), $15,500 in 8 days. Capitol (Loew) (3.434; 44-80)— "Postman Rings Twice" (M-G) with vaude. Ringiiie . bell for great $39,000. Last week. "Breakfast in Hollywood" (UAi, $23,000. • Palace (Lncw) (2.370; 44-70)— "Do You Love Me" ('20(h). Fine $24,000. Lasl week. '•Killy" (Par) (3d Avk), big $16.000.. Columbia (Loew) (1,263; 44-70)— ' Di-agoiiwyck" (20ih) (in.o.). Pleas- ipj $9,500. Last week. "Ziegfeld Fnllie.s"; (ll-G) (2d wk), $5,500 in 5 days. f>^i^kiETf W€J«»iJ«y, June 5, 1946 Wednesday, June 5, 1946 P^RtEfr 19 smashed every house in the Gotham Theatre's 13-year history-by thousands and thousands of dollars-in the first weekend^of its Broadway world premiere! PARAMOUNT scoops the field with "the first picture of a new cycle"! 20 INTBRNATIO^TAL Inflation in China and Frozen Funds Complicate Already Chaotic Pic Biz Shanghai. May 22. With most of China currently in { pj^j^^^^ g^^ . >Jeine made this week after a- series of talks between Harry M, Warner, Jack L. Warner and Wolfe Cohen, Warner International veepee, following the return of Cohen from a four-month tour of the Orient. Previously, he had made an inspection tour of. Latin America. To make 16m service available in as many of these countries as pos- sible during the celebration of WB's 20th anniversary of talking pictures work. on small-gauge prints has-been started at once. . Productions will be picked with an eye to particular suitability to the different markets. All markets involved will get the special anniversary^ release, "Night and Day." Every exhibitor using 35m prod- uct will be protected to the extent that no lem prints, win be sold for exhibition in opposition to' 35m accounts. While many 16m projectors have been installed already in the Philip- pines, other markets need this equip- ment badly. Cohen reported to Harry and JBck Warner after his South American trip that 16m ap- paratus is «till comparatively scarce in all' countries down there. India requires at least 1,000 projectors while Ceylon needs more than 100. 'Red Roses' Limited In Appeal; Wynyard Play Unlikely m London London, June 4. "Red Roses For Me," which caiAe into the New theatre on May 28 after a tryout at the Embassy, was well received. However, it has only a limited appeal. "Portrait in Black," which opened May- 30 at the Piccadilly, was indif- ferently received, and looks like un- likely. .Crix ' gave this American thriller a razzing for the most part. Diana Wynyard is starred. NEW VARNA REVUE NSG IN PARIS BOW Paris, June 4. Despite no imported or outstand- ing taleiit, nice costumes and much nudity may put across the new Ca- sino revue, "Extra Dry," produced by Henri 'Varna. Music isn't outstanding. Metro Buys Melbourne's SL James From Fullers Melbourne, May 24. Fullers Interests have sold St. James theatre here to Metro after long powwows. M-G-M rented the house for years from Fullers, finally deciding to buy the theatre. St. James once was second-run, but now is flrstrun. Deal gives Metro a stronger position in the setup here. John Fuller, brother of Sir Ben, sold Metro the big St. James, Syd- ney, when brothers decided to break partnership many years ago. Irisli Pix Censor Bans 34 Dublin, May 28. Reviewing 1,390 films last year, Irish film, censor Dr. Riohard Hayes has banned 34 and ordered cuts in 314 others. Of the .pictures trim- med, objections were '. under the wartime censorship orders in 66 and not under morals censorship code. War-time censoring since has been dropped, No comment was made on 1,042 films passed. Some exhibitors carried objec- tions to Hayes'* decisions to the Appeal Board which confirmed his decision in 10 cases, passed eight with cuts and overruled his objec- tions on nine others. KEBRIDOE BACK TO SYDNEY Sydney, May 24. Robert Kerridge, head of the powerful Kerridge circuit in New Zealand, who's been in London on a deal with J. Arthur Rank for 50% takeover of chain, boats in soon "from a brief U. S. looksee. On same boat is Here Mclntyre, Universal's local chief, who also has been in N. Y. Prep 2 Viemia Fdms Vienna, Mby 28. Two new companies have started work here. Vindbbona Film Co. accepted the scenario of Hugo M. Kritz and Dr. E. Strzygowski. Pic-, ture is about the Vienna Singing Boys and will be called "Prater- biiben." Music will be by Willi Schmide Centner^ ' Donau Film Co. sighed contracts with Maria Andergast, Ridolf Prack, Hans Holt, Theo Weiss, Willy Da- nek and Karl Skraup for "Weite Weg." Eduard Hoesch will direct. French ^ow Biz As It Is Today Paris, May 28. French exhibitors are awaitihg return to near-normalcy' , before starting full-scale operations. ' Show- men here expect that despite all agreements executed by Leon Blum, the least that may be expected is covert, if not open, opposition from trade unions and' politicians. Same is true in other fields. Le- git has lost virtually all of the old- school producers, and newcomers consist mainly of strawmen for wildcatters . or shoestringers willing to take long chances on procuring angels. Many actors are reported working for virtually nothing, just to get their name on the marquee. In the music fields, the French public will take American music, but do not want foreign performers, except name concert artists. But payoff here must be in francs and consequently not attractive to Amer- ican topnotchers. . Radio activity is subnormal be- cause of quality of broadcasts. This field has always t>een a gold mine for politlcos, because of political plums connected with it. Once con- ditions resume normalcy, the boys are expected to dip heavily into ra- dio budgets. Nlteries, however, are going full blast because of plenitude of black market money. Arthur Loew Outlines Big M-G Bally Plans For Latin-Am. Market Keynoting Metro's first postwar sales conference of foreign mana- gers, Arthur M. Loew, prexy of Loew's Innternational, . told Latin- American supervisors' at the first session at the Hotel Astor, N. Y., yesterday (Tuesday) that the , Latin market would be given the same selling and exploitation features given to Metro pictures in the U. S. Sam N. Burger, regional director for L. A., warned the foreign man- agers that, even though Metro pic- tures dublied in*Spanish had taken in heavy grosses in the South and Central American market, "we must not regard the initial response - with complacency and hope that it will roll alon^ of Its own volition." Managers must continue to offer ex- hibs every possible advertising aid. Burger said. Loew, Bilrger and Morton A. Spring, veepee of Metro Interna- tional, outlined Metro's selling and exploitation features in the U. S. and their application throughout L. A. to the delegates, who were awarded the trip to the h.o. for sales-promotion in their zones. Fol- lowing a week in N. Y., the dele- gates will fly to the Coast for addi- tional confabs with Metro studio chiefs. U Signs Aboaf Americo Aboaf was named to an executive post at the homeoffice of Universal International yesterday (Tues.) by Joseph H. Seidelman, company prexy. Managing director in Italy for Paramount for 14- years, he supervised Par's biz in Turkey, Greece and Bulgaria during that time. From 1039 to 1940, Aboaf was special rep for U in Italy, Spain and Portugal. London, June 4. "Araenio ft Old Lace," Strand. "Better Late," Garrlck. •Can Can," Adelphi. •Flfty-Flfiy," Strand. "Fine Feathers," Wales. "First Gentleman," Savoy. "Follow the Girls," Majesty's. "Frieda," Embassy. "Gang Show," StoU. "Guinea Pig." Criterion. "Hasty Heart," Aldwych. "Here Come the Boys," Savllle. "High Time," Palladium. "Honeymoon," York's. "Lady Edlnbnrgh," Playhousi. "Make It a Date," Duchess. "Merrle England," Princes. "Nlfht.and Mnsle," Coliseum. "No medals," Vaudeville. "No Boom At Inn," Winter Garden. "Perohance to Dream,? Hipp. "Portrait In Black," Piccadilly. "Private Lives," Apollo. ."Bed Boses For Me," New. "Shop Sly Comer," St. Martini. "Song of Norway," Palace. "Sweetest and Lowest," Ambass. "The Kingmaker," St. James. "Under (he Connter," Phoenix. "While Snn Shines," Globe. "Wind Is Ninety," ApoUo. "Windermere's Fan," Hay market "Wlnsiow Boy," Lyric. "Worm's View," WhitehaU. Bernstein Ffflds Czech Musk On Upbeat; Paris NG A picture of a culturally thriving Prague, and a correspondingly apathetic Paris, was presented by Leonard Bernstein recently on his return to N.. Y. from a European trip. The young conductor flew back to. conduct the last two concerts of the NBC* Symphony Orchestra in N. Y., and left again by plane yes- terday (Tues.) to direct several concerts with the London Philhar- monic. Bernstein, who rapresented Amer- ica at the International Festival of Music at Prague, fduhd the Czechs "the most intensely musical people I ever saw." Concerts and opera were going on day and night. The city has fiiUy recovered culturally from the Nazi occupation. . The Germans let the Czech Phil- harmonic continue under its' bril- liant young conductor Rafael Kube- lik, but for the last six years the orchestra couldn't perform any works by Russian, French, British or American composers, especially those by Jewish composers. Result was that in the past season, said Bernstein, the orchestra played no Bach, Beethoven, Brahms or Mozart whatever. Bernstein, who found the Czech Philharmonic one of the finest or- chestras he had heard, directed it in two concerts of modern American works— Gershwin's Rhapsody, with Eugent List; Copeland, Barber,. Har- ris, Schuman, and Bernstein's own "Jeremiah" Symphony. As for Paris, where he spent, a week, Bernstein said he found an all-time low in music. Music stand- ards are lo^, performances of opera were shoddy, the orchestras bad. Bernstein will be back in the U. S. in a month to spend the summer at Tanglewood with Serge Kousse- vitzky, teaching conducting, and setting up the U. S. premiere of Benjamin Britten's highly-touted opera, "Peter Grimes,"" which he will conduct for /our performances. Bernstein may also do Biltzstein's "Airborne" Symphony there. U. S. Distribs' Solidari^ Pointed Up By Enactment of Frencb Fdm Pact Metro's Lartigue Honored Paris, Ma:; 28. Henry Lartlgue, Metro chieftain for France, has been awstrded the Croix de la Liberation, the new French order for distinguished ser vices during the war. .General LC' clerc and Admiral Thierry d'Atgeh' lieu received the same honor. La'rtigue spent part of' the occu- pation period in jail becaiise of his underground activities. He never- theless contrived to save about 800 prints for Metro which put them in ia favorable position here when busi- ness resumed. Italo Film Plan Lacks Any Quota Washngton, June 4. Latest word here is that the Italian government has officially agreed to modify restrictions which the American film Industry had previously found imacceptable. Most recent offer by the Italian govern- ment, according to George Canty, film specialist for State Depart- ment's commercial policy division, has been accepted by U. S. Embassy in Rome. New proposal eliminates the sec- tion requiring that film revenue be spent within six months aftei: de-. posit in Italy. Also expands the number of- uses to which the money can. be put Agreement, to be put into effect shortly, places no re- strictions on import of Hollywood films. The 16-picture quota per company plan, in original Italian proposals, is now missing. It ap- pears likely that American com- panies will agree voluntarily to some sort of liinitation. GREATER UNION NABS MORE NABE HOUSES Sydney, May 24. Greater Union Theatres will take over three more nabe picture houses this month with other spots likely to come in soon. Norman B. Rydge, circuit chief, just back from London talks, expects his chain to expand in the .nabes in next few months. Circuit may have some .80 nabes when new deals finally are com- pleted. •♦■ Recently-enacted French-Amer- ican film pact, giving American dis> tribs free rein to bid for ! at least 68% of French playing time, has proved, according .to industry offi- cials, that U. S. film companies could stand together, since all distribs re- fused to export a single new filni Into France.while the loan was under ne< gotiation. Pact, also pointed up the increased backing, being offered the industry by the State Dept. Under the deal, it's believed that about 7S% of French screen time might be open- for bidding in the free market to American distribs, depending o:^ how niuch demand there is for French product during the first two years. France, while not a comparatively big market, has always meant much to American companies since the cost of all European operations is charged off against the French setup. French governrheiit argued 'against any numerical quota from the cut- set, fearing -that Riissia might de- mand the same number of releases as granted to the U. S. American dis- tribs also opposed the institution of a numerical quota, fearin'g that a spec- ified number of imports might Iiave resulted in the smaller companies, non-members of the Motion 'Picturef Assn., demanding an equal break for French playing time; French government. It's disclosed, originally wanted seven of every 13 weeks for French product. This would have meant a ; worse repren- tation for American product tlian before tlie war, when the French had about 40 percent of playing time, U. S. government and MPA offi- cials, in arguing for the 68% figure, lacked the usual support of French exhibs, result of the terrific business currently being enjoyed by French . theatres. Almost any picture has done capacity and, cpn.<;equenlly, French exhibs felt they didn't need fresh American product. New pact, it's believed, will aid considerably in building up the French industry. Current batch of extremely weak French films result- ed from the monopoly established by French producers during the war. Agreement will now give these pro- ducers a chance to build up their usually high production standards during the next two to four years, G.U.T. Atso Into Melbourne- Melbourne, May 24. Reported that it won't be long be- fore G,U-T. grabs some Victoria habes. Deal reported on with the Frank O'ColIins loop for more spots. Rydge recently got thing's theatre here from O'ColIins. Tibbett's Paris Talent Hunt Dublin, May 28. Lawrence Tibbett, during a stop- over at Shannon A'rport, Ireland, on his way to Paris, said he and Grace Moore will conduct Paris auditions for opera talent in July at the conclusion of his concert tour of Italy and Germany. Auditions will be financed via a fund raised by Miss Moore in New York last March. Displaced Foreign Acts Hock To Argent As Brazil Bans Gambling Buenos Aires, May. 21, Folding of the gaming tables at Rio de Janeiro casinos has brought an avalanche of cables here from acts ' now in Brazil's city casinos, the^res and niteries, all seeking Buenos Aires contracts. Demand for dates caught Argentine bonifaces fiat-footed, with so much talent al- ready booked they can't take ad- vantage of the Brazilian overflow. Buenos Aires previously has been at a disadvantage in respect to Rio or Sao Paolo because they could pay higher coin for acts, in view of the take at gaming tables. Argentine immigration authorities may have foreseen the Brazilian anti-gambling' act, and resulting dis- placement of foreign acts. At any event, they were about to decree re- strictions on the entry of what they term "Afro-Cuban" musicians or interpreters of Afro-Cuban music. This attempt was stalled by repre- sentations made via the Broadcasters Assn., which pointed out th&t re- prisals might result from Latin- American countries where Argentine talent is allowed to work without any restriction. Plans are being made to step up immigration to Argentina until the population has been built up from the current 14,000,000 to 40,000,000. Smafl Mex Exhibs See Union Pay Demands As Tiireat To Take Houses Mexico City, June 4, Lesse^ exhibitors here are viewing . with alarm what they regard as a move by the National Cineinato- graphic Industry Workers Union (STIC) to gobble up their houses. STIC has filed with the Federal Board of Conciliation and Arbitra- tion a demand that, the Cine Bravo, a small second-run, pays its help $5,986 (Mex), which STIC avers is due them for the day off per week they have had for six yeai's or ever since the theatre opened. Also that the . house hike the daily wages of employees to the high level obtain- ing here for first-run film theatre employees. Cine Bravo operators told the board that STIC's demand is pre- posperous, contending that employee pay is on a seven-day footing. Also that it's impossible for them to boost wages to a level with those of first- runs, STIC said if its demand is not granted pronto it will call a strike against the Bravo. Little exhilis fear that STIC will make similar de- mands against them and call strikes .against their cinemas. They fear that STIC will win these and take away their houses. STIC asserts that all it is doing is getting better pay for its members. Cold Keeps Grace Moore From London Concert London, June 4. Thousands were disappointed when Grace Moore was uiiable to appear at Albert Hall for a special concert, Monday (3). Star, halted by bad cold and overwork, was present long enough to Intro Marjorle Lawrence as a sub. Miss Moore announced she would fly to U. S. Wednesday (5) and re- turn to Europe in October for. a European concert tour. 22 Wednesday, June 5, 1946 WORLD LED OFF BY Flags will fly! Civic salvos will salute Stars will be there! Boxoffice history I Celebration followed by immediate milAyAiE BAXTER BRUCE CABOT • ESTHER DALE • ROY ROBERTS • J. FARRELL MacDONALD • screen ! Century -Fox gives you a new outdoor Technicolor triumph in the greot| Wednesday, June 5, 1946 2S ^^^^^^^^ & greatest outdoor picture of them all! ^ill be made — in the headline 2-Gity /dates throughout the west it glorifies! i m ^^^^^^^^^ i lioxoffice fraditioiiBMef "My Friend Flick«" and "Thunderhead, Sen of Flieka"! 24 nCTOIIBS Wednesday, June 5, 1946 House Reviews state, N.V. Frank Parker, Slate BTOs.Moxth Jay Carroll (4), D'lvons, Joe Phillips & Patricio Flviin, Miller Bros. & Lois, Crosby Sisters (2) ; "flood to Ufopio" (,Par). Stale's show is on the spotty side,, but e shown under manage- ment of John Arthur -Productions. No Details Missing Painstaking care was taken to present a faithful picture- of the different siibjecta. Buildings are constructed to scale, and are their minute replica; Chinese theatre forecourt, for instance, has the foot- prints of the stars, just as they actually appear. Facade of the theatre is a museum piece in itself, being made of exquisite hund-carved ivory, and copper. Malibu Beach ininiature shows the homes of the stars and the million- dollar Rindge "castle." now a relig- ious' retreat. HIM avers that this latter building alone in miniature costs $6,500. Brown Derby restaurant shows the original structure, on Wilshire Blvd. Hollywood Bowl, which seats 21,000 .persons, is reproduced at ex- act scale, with every seat and box just as it appears on actual scene. Motion picture studio, a composite of all the studios in Hollywood, has every physical feature which the average studio boasts. Fall Day to Scale Surpassing all these, though, both In size and impressive vista, is City of Hollywood miniature. Hollywood is revealed In this from full day- light to darkness, process covering two minutes and -half. Each of the 450 buildings is built to .exact scale bf original, with same number of 'tylndows, and iden- tical elevations and architecture. It is the. same panorama which might unfold Itself were the observer to fly over Hollywood in a low-flying plane. Plan Is to . present these minia- tures in a motion picture exhibit, vvhlch will include costumes, props, life-sized panel paintings of stars. Corporation presently is negbtl- atlng for several spots in New York, and plan is to keep it open there for at least a year, before taking exhibit out on the road. Korda's Deal — CoBttnned from page 3 tail an ouUay of at least $10.000,- 000. which should not be difficult, as Hambros Bank, Ltd., prominent merchant bankers, who helped fi- nance the BLF deal, are willing to advance coin for any picture thea- tre proposition that Korda may hava In mind. Fact that the Shipman & King ajid Southan Morris circuits are at ■present undergoing valuation by Harris Sc GlIIow, theatre valuers and agents, adds color to the story that some' deal inay be set shortly. -As to product,. Korda is eyeing a. few of Rank's producers; He has already weaned some away, with others ready to talk as soon as their Rank commttmenU are wound up. His American contacts with Cary Grant. Paulette Goddard, Burgess Meredith, etc., ar$ also a sigh that he is after big business. Forecast is that before long, Korda will have quite a circuit of around 135 theatres In which to play his product. BESrs PBOMOTION George L. Best, who has been as- sistant veepee of American Tele- phone & Telegraph Co., was named veepee of ^Western Electric last week. Best' rose through various engineering assignments and iihally* was made commercial engineer in 1940 and two years later was ap-' pointed assistant veepee. In his new spot. Best will have charge of obtaining necessary li- censes' under patents of others' for use by the Bell System, and H-- censing others to use Bell System inventions. WcilneBtlay, June 5, 1»46 PICTURES 2S French-Italian Stage Shows for Foreign Film Theatre on Broadway Foreign pictures, mostly Frencli, aitd accompanying stageshows suited to each attraction, will constilule the policy to be placed in eflfecl the flrsl weelc in September at the Ambassa- dor, New York, by Lebiv Sirit/.ky a.nd his two sons, Joseph and Sam, who have the old legit house on a lease running to the fall of IBSO. At pres- ent the theatre is playing old re- issues on double bills. Meantime, the Siritzkys are look- ing lor houses in other parts of the country for playing oJt llie same policy that will be instituted at the Ambassador, : Opening pictui-e at the Ambassa- dor will be Marcel Pagnol's "The Well - Digger's Daughter," Prendi- made. Siritzkys will seek French talent. from here and abroad to go Avith this one, whereas if- an Iliilian picture is played, talent ot that . na- tionality or perhaps a coiicteosed opei a will be presented. WB'NightandDay Warneri, latest ot tha majors to jump on tht 16m foreign band- wagon, wiU' b« th* first to release one of its new, top , A pix in the iiarrow-gauge size at tha same time it's released oii 39m stock domes tically. Film is "Niglit and Day,' Cole Porter biog which Warners has earmarked as ■ special reieas* in conjunction with Its celebration of the 2.0th anni of talking pix. Company plans to eiiler the nar- row-gauge theatrical fihn field as ■oun as possible in Latin America and the Orient Announcement of the new program was made follow- ing' the return to the homeoffice of Wolfe Cohen, WB International ■ veepee, from an inspection tour ol the Far East. Work of reducing its regular features and shorts to 16m size is being started immediately in order to get the program rolling in as many territories as possible before the 20lh Wini celebration. Pix are to be selected accordii\g to their suitability and will be distributed by regular WB foreign nales per- sonnel. Following the pattern already established by other majors in the field, WB wiU not seU 16in prints in any locality where they might in- terfere with established 35m exliib.^. Company has not yet announced whether it will make all new features and shorts available to the . narrow-gauge market or will con- centrate, as other companies are doing, on those older pix that haven't yet been shown overseas. Cohen, who made a thorough sur- vey of South America before his Far East tripi reported that 16m equipment is still comparatively •carca in all these countries. WB will probably try to supply foreign exhibs with projectors itself. Bill Bennett of D.C. And Shnff of Akron To Oppose lAVWakh William' Bennett, business repre- aeiitativ* of Local 22, Washington . Marquee strength is boosting this to solid $19,000. Last week. "This Day For- ward" RKO) and "Ding Dong Wil- liam" (RKO), $12,000. Strand (Fourth Avenue) U.400: 40-00)— "House ot Honors" lU; and "Spider Woman Strikes Back ' (Uj. Strong $7,000. Last week. "ScvcMith Veil'' (U) and "Strani-e Conquest'' (U) (2d wk), lair $3,500. 100 Texas Exhibitors Vott ATA Membership Dallas, June 4. Mora than 100 Texas exhibitors meeting here at the Adolphus hotel voted to set up a Texas unit of the American Theatra Assn. Henry Reeve. Menard, Sam Landrum. Dal- las, and Leon Lewis, Fort Worth, were elected directors to the national board. R. J. O'Donnell, vica-presldent and gei\eral manager of Interstate cir- cuit, presided at tha meet and intro- duced Si Fabian, prez of the national ATA, Ted Gamble, organization chairman, and Robert Coyne, e.xecu- tive director. 'territory' Strong ZOG, Denver; loYe Me' 2SiG Denver, June '4. "Badman's Territory" is copping top coin for a single theatre this week, and holds. Biggest total goes to "Do ■you Love Me." playiiig at three spots. "Blue Dahlia" is pack inj{ the small Denham. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Fox) (1.400: 35-74)— "Renegade.^"' (Col) and "Talk About a Lady" (Col), after week at Den- ver; Inquire. Webber. Fine $5,000. Last week. "Gilda" (Col) and "Just Before Dawn'' (Col) tm.o.), fair $3,500. Denham (Cockrill) (1,730: 35-70) "Blue Dahlia" (Par). Last week, "Kitty" (Par) (3d wk), fine $12,506. Big $17,000. Holds over. Denver (Fox) (2.525: 35-74)— "Do Vou Love Me" (20th) -and "Rende:£- vous 24" (20th), day-date with E.s quire, Webber. Strong $18,000. Last week, "Renegades' (Col) and "Talk About Lady" (Con, also E.squire, Webber, good $16,000. Esquire (Fox) (742: 35-74)— "Do You Love" (20th) and "Rendezvous 24" (20th), also Denver. Webber Nice $3,800. Last week. "Renegades' (Col) and 'Talk About Lady " (Col), good $3,500. Orpheum (RKQ) (2,600; 35-74)— 'Badman's Territory" (RKO) and •Partners in Time" (RKO). lofty $20,000. Last week, "Ziegfeld Fol lie.s" (M-G) (.2d wk), $12,000. Paramount (Fo:() (2,200; 35-74 V- "Cinderella Jones' (WB) and "Bo- hemian Girl" (fC). Good $10,000 Last week, "Shock " (20th) and "Gay Cavalier" (Mono), fair $9,000. Blallo (Fox) (878: 35-74 )— '"Spider Woman Strikes Back" (U) and "House of Horrors" (U ). Big $6,000, Last week, "Abilene Town"' '(UA) and "Madonna's Secret" (Rep), after week at Paramount, good $4,500, Webber (Foxi (750: 35-74)— "Do You Love" (20tli) and "Rendezvous 24" (20th), also Denv«r. Esquire. Good $3,'?00. Last week. "Renegades" (Col) and "Talk About Lady" (Col), good $3,3 00. SI FABIAN GIVEN MPA AWARD FOR SERVICE This year's annual beacon award for meritorious and patriotic ser- vice in the picl(n« Industry was scheduled to be presented last night (Tuesday) to Si Fabian, eastern cir- cuit operator. In recognition of his war activities woi'k. by Motion Pic- ture Associates at its dinner-dance at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. New York., Fabian won on secret bal- loting several weeks ago over Spy- ros Skouras, president of 20th-Fox; Arthur Mayer, operator of the Rlallo. N. y.. and Jame-i Stewart, actor. Results were kept a secret until last night, however, William F. Rodgers, v.p. over sales for Metro, made the. presentation of the award. lo Fabian. Understood that around $.60,000 has already bieeh raised among film companies and individuals toward the fiiiid goal of $102,000 recently .set up by the MPA and tliat Fred Schwartz, v.p. and general manager ot the Century Circuit, who".-" this year's MPA president, would repojt on that last night (Tuesday). Bob Weitman. managing director of the Paramount theatre. N. V.. who was. entertainment chairn)an, ar- ranged to bring over, the entire Par show which opeiis at his thealre today (Wedncsda.v). includinj! the Glen Gray orchestra. Louis Jordan's Tympany Five. E-iigenic Baird. Larry Storch, Four Evans and the Man- hattan Debs. Arl Shinle.v's band was obtained for the dancins. while .stars who promised to piit in an ap- pearance were Eddie Bracken. Li/,- abeth Scott and Jennifer Jones. It was estimated ye.-^KfJtliiy (Tues- dav) by Morris Sandeis. sulos sii|)cr- viior for 20lh-Fo.\ whn's MPA's lir.'it v.p., that aroinid 8,"Ul woulti altcnd. . PM Rips Flexible B way Pix Scales Habit of soma Broadway film houses raising and lowering admis- sion prices in proportion to the length ot the queue at the boxoffice won another blast last; week from PM. New York sheet had previously squawked at tha practice ot man- agers sticking their head out of the door and guessing that another 40c or so added to the tap wouldn't shoo too niariy people away. Newspaper's beef, in the column of critic John T. McMahus; con- sisted primarily of a letter from an- other newspaperman, a sports writer on the N.Y. Daily News. He staled: "Last Friday, PM's, fllni guide showed Danny Kaye it the Astor ("Kid from Brooklyn"), top pi-ice $1.40. The picture started at 9:40. My wi(e and I arrived at 10 p.m.. at which lirne the boxolTice showed $1.80 admission. "Since we wouldn't be bilked that way^ We went next door for colTee and doughnuts to talk it over. Came out at 11. It was still between picr lures, as the next feature wasn't to start until 11:40. But the price had dropped to $1.40. "Il'.s either up to the Astor to tell PM that it does charge $1.80 or up to PM to expose the Astor or drop it from its movie guide if it persists in posting a difTerent price, higher lhan the one it 'advertises.' " New Tint Pi'ocesses Shaping Up Fw I Showdown Battle With TechnicohNr Mrs. Dawson Succeeds As DeBra's Aide at MPA Mrs.: Marjorie Granger Dawson was named last week associate to Artiiur DeBra, director ot depart- ment of community relations of the Motion Picture Association. She succeeds to duties of Mrs. Jeanette Emrich, who died May 18. as liaison between the film . industry and vari- ous preview.ing committees of na- tional Women's organizations. Mrs. Dawson is widow of Dr. IVI. Hen)-j- Dawson, aissociate professor of Medicine at CoUnhbia U))iversity. For the past six years she has been assistant headii)istrcss at the River- dale (N. Y.) Country School and lias had wide public speaking exi>eri- i ence. U-Enterprise Contlnnei from page 3 from a number ot other major com panics. Predoet Lineyp First release under the new setup will probably be Harrj- Sherman's production of "Ramrijd," now shoot ing '. on location at "Zion National Park, Utah. It stars Joel McCrea and Veronica Lake. Set to go into production June 24 is "Arch of Tri umph." from the Erich Maria Re marque book. It will star Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer, with Lewis Milestone directing. Other stories on Enterprise's first v«ar slate include Remarque's next iiovel, "Tl\6 Other Love," which goes into production around Sept. 1, with Barbara Stanwyck in the top spot Others include "The Burning Jour- ney," starring John Garfield; "Maggi July," starring Ginger Rogers and pencilled In to start, Nov. 1: "Coup de Grace." from novel by Joseph kessel, with Aiiatole Lttvak as pro ducer-director and British .star James Mason in a major role. Still other stories on the Enter- prise schedule are "Wild Calendar.' from the novel by Libbie Block, with Ginger Rogers heading the cast "They Passed This Way," Satevepost serial and published novel, starring Joel McCrea, and "The Snake Pit April Book-of-the-Month Club se lection, which may be Litvak's sec- ond picture. Blumberg is scheduled to leave New York for the Coast Friday (7 to tie up loose ends of the deal. A Pan) Blumenthal, New "York fman cier and Enterprise v.p.. flew to the Coast Monday to be on hand for the announcement of the pact with U. Blumberg is due back in New York June 24 for U"s sales conven tion, Mrs. Blumberg is remaining east until he returns. MPTOA Resents ATA s Expansion Fear on the part of officials o£ the Motion Picture Theatre Owners Assn. that creation of the American Theatres Assn. forebodes the with- rawal ot affiliate flnoncisl backing of MPTOA has motivated the iccont open rivalrj' between the two tl:eii- ' Ire' groups, it is understood. ' Antat;- onisin of some MPTOA toppers, on the upgrade in the past few weeks, has 'tween fed on unofficial indica- tions that affiliated circuits are in- Itned to drop their membership in- the organization, unless it merges with ATA. Affiliates, it is said, see no reason for paying double dues nd currently favoring ATA as the more promising of the two units. Question of mi^rger has split MPTOA directorship.' ■ W.'iile one faction is holding out for a revitali- zation of the organization and a fight for leadership with ATA, (he. other faction is maintaining that affiliate withdra\val is inevitable and that . the merger is the only practica- ble solution. On ' this score, latter group has pointed oufthat the loss of affiliate coin ' and membership would spell the collapse of the organization. Controversy Is expected to come put in the open at tlie hoai'd of directors meet slated for Columbus. Miss. ne.\t week. Proposal of prexy Ed Kuykendall, recently made, for membership drive and renewed activity for MPTOA, will probably collide with a counterproposal that the group disband and Its members join ATA. Latter move, according to reports, will be supported by a number of the affiliated circuit reps. SWG Licensing — Conllnucd from page 9 stances ' for as much ot Hollywood, Jiine 4. The spectrum is taking a . heavr beating in Hpll.vwood now with various color processes trying t» knock "Technicolor for a ro\v of rain- bows. Producers are convinced that (x>lor is set to become as important to picture-making as sound. In fact, it has reached the point, 'where .they're virtually apologiung to re- viewers because a picture is niade in black and white, And probably the only reasons why any of the current studio product lacks the flajnboyance of a neon sign are: 1. Color costs too much for any- thing bill the highest budgeter:;. 2. There isn't enough of it to go around. • Result is that technicians are . working overtime on color photogra- phy experiments, and some of them, at lea.^il, are making satisfactory progiess. Agta Blurbed The new Agfa process, which Was widely publicizeil through the cir- .. cumstances of it having been brought over from occupied Germany through government agencies, has so far had more ballyhoo than use. "The real competition to Technicolor is developing from the older processes that up to now have been sort of dimmed out by the glory of Tech- nicolor. So long as most producers were content to go on making black and white pictures and there was Tech- nicolor for everyone who wanted to put the dough into a tinter, the olliev methods were simply dismissed as something not quite adequate. But. now that Hollywood has suddenly' become color-conscip^is the alinast- (orgotten processes are being worked over and improved. Cinecoloi — which has been more or less scorned as a two-color process that didn't approach the gorgeous- ness ot Technicolor — is really com- ing into its own. Companies that couldn't gel Technicolor commit- ments for one reason or another have been experimenting with it and it has now hit the big time, with Metro preparing to use it for more features. The studio gave the process a try- out in one picture, "Lucky Star," ~ ^hich has not yet been released, but which has turned out so well rn studio screenings that Cinecolor films are promised as regular Metro prod- uct. Improvements in the method were worked out in the filming of "Lucky Star'" and since that picture was produced the Cine<:olor com- pany ha.s announced that it has lick- ed still more bugs and is now ready with a three-color process. Initial Break-lD Cinecolor got its first break in the new color parade when PRS started its series ot Eddie Dean westerns. First of these went over nicely with tlie audiences, was ea-sy on the eyes and even more naturiil in soft . shadings than some of the Technicolor films. There was an evident tendency, to blur, however, — fault tlmt has been pretty well corrected in the latest of the series to be screened for reviewers. Uni- versal is reporting good success with Cinecolor in "The Michigan Kid," now filming. Meanwhile, Herbert J. Yates, Re- public prexy. recalled that the Con- solidated Laboratories, one ol his companies, had a long discarded coloi- process, called Magnacolpi'. He got it out. dusted it off and stai-ted using it in a new singing-cowboy, series, starring Monte. Hale. The first picture was a pi'etty- sorry job in the matter oi color, the vaiious tints blurring badly and suddenly blacking out completely in spots. Alt Hale and his horse had to do to disappear completely from the picture momentarily was to get into the shadow of a tree. Bui the next one was better, and the last of the series. "Out California Way" is claimed by studio technicians to be a lop color job. Process, as worked out and improved by the Consolr idiitcd. exjicrts has been renamed ? 100,000 Fire Destroys RKO Theatre in Iowa Des Moines. June 4. . Fire destroyed Capitol theatre. .Marshal llown. la., last week. Cause (if bl:ize has not' been dcterrnihed. as much as seven eight years. SWG has already indicated that the period for w-hich writers will lease rights to a company will de- pend, at Rr.st, on individual nego- tiations, but that they're aiming eventually for a seven-year period. If the exhibition of a picture on narrow-guage stock is delayed for more than that length of time, con- sequently, it again means that the studios will have to negotiate a new contract calling for the payment of more money to the author. Radio Writers' Guild, meanwhile, has already okayed the leasing pro- po.sal. leaving only the Dramatists and Authors to act on it. Lavery has admitted that adoption of such a propo.~ar would require the work - in(; out pt methodolog.v, but insisted thai if the two dominant principals —licensing and separation of copy- rights— were adopted, alt subsidiar>- principles would fall into place "at the right lime." "One realistic word of warning.! of. course, may be in order at this point." Lavery said. "The program thai we are discussing cannot be- . won without a struggle. It will be ; ^ ''"•=':°"»' ' vijjoroiislv oppo.sed.at cverv turn by ■ Technicolor, ncverlheles.s. is some producers aiid some studios. | the yardstick, and producers grade who will offer everything e.xcept the ■ the tinteis made ' thing we are asking for. But the still limes are changing—witness thie in- creasing nuiiibcr of independent film producers — and inevitably the studio.'^ will change with the times. Only question, he clouniowii house, il is operated ] wlicll.er the Aulli(ir> by other methods as "gooquad working on. the probe was in- Airuolcd to (]W7. the. bookies and gamblers on police bribery. Meanwhile, Sullivan refused to ciiiiiment on his scoop, par excel- lence or reveal Ihc .-iources. of his ill format ion. Mayor O'Dwyer skicv that he would make no attempt t6 '■finbarras.s' the columnist by press- i»K an inquiry. royalty iiow Kocs to the original pub- lishers. Authors are- presently de- mnnding the entire Ic, maintaining there's no reason for the- original publisher to share In these profits. ..lanncy Novel Sets Record "Miracle of the Bells," first novel of Kus."!cll janney,. erstwhile theatri- cal press agent, and producer, is ."ifrtting some kind of a pre-publica- tion record for a . book that has>)'t yet been scliectcd as a book club choice. Publi.shers Prentice-Hall last week upped the pre-publication pj lnting order, from 2.'j,000 to 125,000 copies on the basis of advance .or- ders for the book, slated to appear Sept. 13. . Several, film companies are rcr porlccl (Icfinilely. Interested in the no.ycU but .lanney.'s asking price of $100,000 advance, plus W;;- oC the film's gro.ss, has held Ihiiigs up ao far; Author was advance man for Otis Skhmer and other stars before .World W;u- I and was co-author and producer ©["Vagabond King." His af;ent,' 'br.- Ediiiiind Pa'uker. is han- dling negolUition.s with the liim com- panies: by running a "Bulletin-Journal" edt ,tion. The printers walked ottt in protest, and it's not known ytt if they'll return. Managements of the Edmonton papers claim they plan to continue joint publication by use of photo-engraving. Whole pages are typed oh layout sheets and then pho togi'aphed and engraved. Ofllc\ally, strikefs give as reason i;br dispute fact that Southam com- pany will not,- sign blanket agree- ment with its live papers. Other two Southain , sheets. Vancouver Prov- ince & Calgary Herald, are' not yet afl'ected. biit . notice has been given by International T)-pographers Un- ion. in Vancouver .that the contract is c,\pirinig Ihi.-i t^'iE.tl?. . : :lii Ottawa, Citizen is li.'ing radio to all' news and fcaturc.s (includiiig x;oi'iiic.<) every' 15 minutes. Philly News Drivers End Strike The 15-day strike of the. Philadel- phia newspaper delivery truck driv- ns ended Thursday (30) following a nrguiiating meeting Whieh lasted for more than 11 hours. Under the settlement, the drivers obtained a two-.vear contract with the Record, Inquirer and Bulletin, with the same raises, vacation periods and other concessions offered liie drivers before they went out on hlrike. However, the drivers will Ket an additional $3.30 a week raise ne.M March 2. Present raises are from $46 to $52.30 for night work on the Record and Inquirer, and from $42.50 to $50 a ;we.ok for day workers on the Bulletin, an evcnmg paper. The paid lunch period, basic issue on which the strike "was called, was not granted the drivers. ' In addi- lion the drivers union signed a no- >i) ike pledge for the life of the con- tract. PM's EKpaiided Sports - Starting ne.\t Monday (10), PM ,ic royally for each copy of hLs book sold in the 25c pocket- book' reprint, with lO'i of this money going to his agent. Another Vsc nunrerEncyciopedIa Set - Aiiatole Chujoy has signed a coii- tracl to compile, and edit a Dance En'cyclopcdia for A. S. Barnes Co., N. Y. Volume, of 800 pages, and fi>;st of it.s kind, will cqotaih li.'ting of dancers, cojnpo.-icr.*, choreographers, director;;, musicians and anyone con- .iicctcd with the dance, together wilh thumbnail .'•ketches; list bt steps, tci minology ,oC modern -dance, ballet, etc.: listing of ballet productions; with |)lot, decor and dancers of first pn'rormanees: -history of the dance, in all rorni.<. modern; ballroom; ijal- Ict. cic. Book is set for May 1, "47. deUver:^. Chujo.v.' editor of Dance News, has been writing :ibo;it. the dance since 1920. •Who's Who* For H'wood Sclincidor-Fisher, new Chi pub- lishing oiilfit, is prepping a ."Who's Who in Hollywood.'.' first section '.of which will deal with the way stu- dios are set up, with latter half made up of thumbnail biographies of stars, producers, directors and writers. Planned' to issue it annual- ly, ciothbound, with first edition out eaiiy in 1947. Publishers Everett Schneider and R.- C. Fisher, recehlly out of the Army, are from St. Lbuis and Min- neapolis, respectively, and are com- piling the material themselves. Also publishing "Blitz Children," story of British kids by Fisher and -Bernard W. King, London writer, plus a na- tional mag. National Sports Week- ly, first issue of which will be out in July. McAllister Atom Fix Head Maj. Henry W. McAllister, photog on military leave from the N. Y. Journal-Americiin, has . been named supervising chief for the photo- graphic newsreel and television set- up for Operation Crossroads, atomic bomb tests slated for Bikini Atoll in the Mar.shall Islancis sometime in July. Project will be covered by all the major photographic groups, as well as hundreds of service photogs op- erating from ships, planes and heli- copters. From the pool of material some to be made by automatic cam- .cras, Hr.st pictures of the blasts will be relayed by i'adip-photo back, to the U..S. for immeiiiate publication. Maj. McAllister, formerly headed up- still picture operations tor the Army Pictorial Services iu the Eu- ropean theatre, where he supervised the work of some 500 Signal Corps photogs during the. Normandy, {nr yasion and the Battle of the Bulge. Walkout On Canadian Chain. Po.'-t-war hcaclBches in Canadian newspaper eonipo.sing rooms reached a clin-ia.K last week, wlien lino ops on three papers of the Southam chain walked as a result of monlhs- long - tiff with another Southam .^heet. Winnipeg Tribune. Papers af- fected are Hamilton Spectator.' Ot-? tawa Citizen: and Fdmoriion Jour- nal. The ops walked out Thui-sday (30) in .sympathy with colleagues in Win- nipeg, where an open shop is oper- ated by' the Tribune .and a Sifton paper,. Winnipeg Free Press. 'Viriii- nipcg strike has been going on for nionths with sli-ike finally ' being broken i though .op.s won't -admit it) ijy the papiirs' hiring of non-union labor. Sheets are .still being picketed. .^nothcr Edmonton sheet, the. Bul- letin, is now lhrcalenen'. the Bulletin aided its; struck colleague ciiA'rrER Freeman Lewi.s; elected exec vee- pee of Pocket. Books. . Ernie Anderson : named editor of Esquire Year Book, set for publica- tion in December. Joey Adams' autobiography, ''Prom Gags to Riches," is .set. for SeiJtem- ber publication by Fi'<;deri(:k Fell; botlgl.ls G. WooUi former editor of Textile World, boiight the Lamand.T Park' . (Cal. ) Herald from Ralph E. Perkins. Roy C. Holli.ss. gen. mgr.' N. Y. Daily News, a breezy book. "Nibbles arid Me'' (Duell: $2). Nibbles being her pet (^hipmuiik. "Pos.se.«s Me Not.'' new Fan Nichols novel, .was singled out by the Book Clinic of American Insti- tute of Graphic Arts for its typo- graphic format, planned by Stefan Salter. Joe Blair returned from, a -flve- moiUh motor lour of Mexico, w-hcr.c he practically completed a hovel. Three Rings.'' slated for publica- tion in autumn. King Features .syndicate is ready to close a deal- with Appletbn-Cent- ury. Publishers of "Arch of Tri- umph," to run the novel as. an illus- trated, serial strip. Krishnalal Shridharani. author of 'My India, My America" and "Ma- hatma and the World," will return, to India July 16 after 12 years in U. S., to make a six-months survey. Edith Jackson, (laughter of Billy Jackson, the bid-line vaude booker, who was formerly with, the N. Y. World-Telegram and- UP. now re- porter for the Southwest 'Times, Pu- laski, Va. - The Marquess of Queensberry's. book "The Sporting QueensberVys" will be rcwriltrn and reprinted, for the U. S. trade, with the Hear.st syndicate likely . to take on certain of its features. Jo.seph T. Shaw, once editor Black. Mask, where he di.<:covered and brought forward Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, now a.s.so- ciated with Sydney A. Sanders agency. John Wilstach new client. . Frederick Fell po.stpohing publica- tion dates of two titles because of production difficulties. .''P-sycholpgy for the Millions" set back to .July 18 and "A Treasury of Doctor Stories by the World's Greatest Authors" now slated for Aug. 15. Bill Trcadwell; has edited a fully illustrated "Big Book of Swing" (■Cambridge; $1), dedicated to the late Capt. Glenn Miller. Includes about everything in pop music from jive to corny music, rhythm groups to dick jockeys, etc. ' First edition 100.000 copies. . ' Mrs. beWitt Wallace, co-editor and ep-owrier of .Readers' Digest, re- ceived, honorary degree of doctor of litieratiire from Russell Sage "Women's College, Troy, N. Y., June .2. Mrs. Thomas C. Desmond, Wife of a N. Y. slale senator and' author of children;s and travel books, was similarly hbno'-(»d. Evelyn Lawsori 'Vorse. former public relations director for King Fcature.s, has opened her own flaekery in partnership with Ton i Mendez. former nilery producer; and Irving Mo.scs. Latter was recently discharged from the Army where he organized a recruiting and publicity section on the Coast. ' Chaim Newman, whose anthology on "Gentile and Jew" has been pub- lished in England by Alliaihce Pre.ss, has set. an American iediiipn via Si- mon & Schuster. More than half the "U.S, edition will include new text by American well-knowns discours- ing on ihe "problem", just as a large number of Brili.sh by-liners did in the original English eclitibil. ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦^♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦*« >♦♦♦ SCULLY'S SCRAPBOOK ;; ♦^♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦t«t»»» By Frank Scully * » m ♦ t < ♦ m m « > « ♦■ . ; Playpenn, Gal., May 29. "fill ''"rhe Skirf feels, that .slacks have gone f(>rever I'm afraid Scully'is Scrapbbok will have to double in this domestic field now and then lest Vakibtv freeze oiit its feinmiB readers. ■ ■That Metro's sub-deb delivery girls may now xv^ai: skirts instead of .slacks inili(;ates a' hopeful trend, but when Betty- Hutlon hires Edith Hcad to design ballet skirts for maternity dre.sses, the Schiitparelli in mc'.bcgins fo develop a hcjmstitchccl pAychosis. Molly Castle Cauthor of "Around the World With An Embryo") and Mine; Scully (author of "My: Four Fleas from Heaven And How They. Grew") and I (author of "Babies, Just Babies") worked but the perfect maternity dl'oss y.ears ago. , It. wasn't ba'sed on high waists and' flaring skirls, wild cblor schomos, .sniocks or aiiy .such give-away.s. It was. based, on the- birdie. You' focus curious eyes a foot above where they feel iinpelled to look. You do it iii all sorts of way.s— dashing hats, : big satin bows ,'aroUnd the thro.-it,. diamond' rimmed -glasses— any sort of attention caller to your matronly face. -As to dresses, the job is to keep the bust, and the hips in proportion. . And iiow can yoil do that when nature is -working only one side of the street'.' For heaven's sakes, must only stars be allowod to build up a part? ' Of course. That's the idea. Build up your che.st until it's as large as your hips. That way you will be a large woman for a few months, biit yoii will have a balaiiecd figure:. If normally you measure 30 bust, 26' wai.>it aiid 36 hips and you discover that you're now 36 bust, 36 waist and 46 hips, Ihcin build ybur bust, up to 46,. . ; As for clothe.s. wear stitfish material. Wear, starched capes with wide shoulders that diire away from the hips; Wear dark blue or black. Lay. off loud colors except aroiind the neck or. in. hal.s. This way nobody will knbw .you're having a baby until at last, of course; it's, no secret. By Ihoh even Winchell will know it. Lest you think tin's lcads:;nOwhere, let me as.siire you that Mme. Seully how ha.s four babies and her figure at this moment is: bust 35,.waist 26, hips 35. As so(in as .life levels off a bit niy advice to .stars having babies i.s tb .go throuKh retirement hi Friinee. There they will find a most touching sohcila- tibn for their maternal welfare. Many Aine'rican. expatribts will testify they owe their lives to expectant. Frenth mothers. .George Cantyi U. S. Trade Cohiini.^sioiier abroad, often told nie that he iKiver cr0.s.sed a Paris street alone. .Taxis. Used to lie in wait for him if he tried. But he oul- gue.-ised them. -He would' wait till an expectant mother wanted to croK.Si Then he would walk at her side^ The calis would start after hini, .";e(D. ihe expectant mother, stop dead, and not eyeii dare to honk lest they clislurb her. Grinning, Canty got a<5i'o« every bpiilevard alive. ' 1 recall so many things about-Frenchmcn and motherhood. I recall young wolves at street Corners 'about to Rive their cry and say '"Bon jpur mix petite chou-chou." only to ob.servc .sign.s of liberie, cgalite and mUternitc. The.v would immediately lower tiicir voices and change to "Bcjn jour jha' petite ma.man.'' . Breaking the' News to Mother I remember a waiter. who never stopped saying, "Yes, Mademoiselle" while serving, but when the madenibisclle finally got up to leave and he. saw her proKle in full he would bow and say,"Au rcvoir,' Madame." . •But I -especially remember -my own bewildered Mama Scully being cauKht far. off base at feeding time. She -was at the Place de la Concorde and her fir.st born, the Skipper, was in a. hotel far beyond the Arche de Triumphe. All; the' cabs were congregated at the Place for the start of the Tour de France, a bike. race that inarathoned all' over France. She could get no cab to lake her home. She appealed' to gendarmes. Thi y shrugged their shoulders, "in an hour. Madcmbi.sellc. After the tour has started., maybe,"..one gendainie con.-;ol("d her. "But I have a baby at hoine crying right now for his milk," she pleaded. VYou have a baby?" "Ye.s." . "You, ". ordered the cop of Ihe first cab, —take the woman home." The cab driver screamed, "i want to see Ihe Mai t of the inceV "This is' a mother." explained Ihe cop quiety. . "She has a baby at home awaiting its nburrilure. Allcz!" The cab driver honked, threw tip his hands, claimed his starter wouldn't work and cried, "Quelle idiote! ' The cop ci-anked the car and ordered him to proceed. At every slop .signal the cab driver le.n.hed out to tell the world what an indignity had been heaped upon iiim by an imbecile who didn't know enpirgh to stay near her baby at feeding time, "Americain!" he added, to make the imbecility clearer. At the hotel he di^pped the little Mama, turned on a franc and .sped back to the .start: of the Tour de France. I still hope he got there in lime. The,.Bell In l.a Belle France .Vnd in that .«aine Iwlel I recall a resident who had lived there 12 vcar.s. Maria Korda may remember this, incident as she also Jived there at the time. The oldest living resident complained the fir.st night because the brtbv had cried 20 minutes. He iriade such an issue of it the proprietor sjiiri, "Lislen. didn'l you ever cry as a baby? That, baby will be here 12 day."--. If you dont like it you can leave for 12 day.s. but if you go. don't ever come back." "But can't .vou put a mattress or something against the door to les.sen the sound?" begged the o.l.r "Sure, ' said the proprietor, "but on your side. It's an ugly sfght. It , .1^ outlook. Yours is already spoiled.'.'. Was it worth all that? Well, the guy is now 14 and graduating wilh an A minus average. He also wants to be a radio commentator and, A'.s.or not, is ready right now to spiel fpv It Pays to Be Ignorant." He made a pitch the other day lo .''M' it's on. the condemned list at his school. "Jack Ford, I. said, more to coiisoleMiim, "is making a picture in Ariionu., You can sec that when It's released." "What's it called?" "My Darling Clemenline," I- .said. "Not for me," he said, "I , hale musicals," _Arrd that's, why picture eompahies have to have publicity men. advev- tising copy-writers and salesmen. No-Admirals for Ford Ford, incidenlally, -was pursued 150 miles beybild Flagstaff, : Ariz., fo get his reaction to directing "Johii Paul Jones"-a picture already assured a piolog by Pi-esident -Truman and tiie cpoperafton of bur own Navy, as well 2'?,"]°^* ^'•"a'"' France and Riis.sla. 1 did the pursuing. But I didn t gbt my man. . , . : Himself a naval man. Ford seemingly doesn't like the sea enough io ^^T^li"^* '"''u f°!' costumes. He's the sailor home from the sea and |Jad of it. For wh4t lis worth to e.yele-luinlcrs. the direelbr of "They Weie. Expendable," -Men Without Women," -Up the River," etc., prereiS. . to, direct westerns. ;Well, he can close "The Outlaw" discussion with a ve- majce of one of hi.s pet picture.s. It's called "the Last Outlaw" and liives me a lift every time It s made. _ Nearly 20 years ago the high commahd of our Mediterranean Fieei> Rtx Ingram and I were punching the bag in Nice and these officers suggc.-ted to Ingram, who had just ijiade "Mare Nostrurn." that ihey thought the ?.f-L^' ''^e of Ihis same Joha Paul Jono. Ingram preferred to make "The Garden of Allah." ^ So this is the second time history's adventurous admiral and a fine diiec- . to» have refused to collaborate. Who'll make it three'; Wer of the Appeals Board for Censor- ship of Films in Irelan^ First major orchestras- to tour Ireland since 1929— the Halle under conductor John Barbirolli and Lon- don Philharmonic — have been booked for two-day performances in Dublin's 3,000-seater Theatre Royal, July and August. Minneapolis By' Les Rees Sharon Rogers and h'er girl band Into Happy Hour nitery. Hotel Radisson Flame Room has "Professor" Irwin Corey. John C; Wilson returned Sunday (2) irom west coast and opening h' country home John Davis Lgd^e turned down offer to make film in France, ^ Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Roodner ob ierved golden wedding anniversary 1 2). He is oionecr theatre builder. Grace Filkins, veteran actress, how retired, celebrated, birthday (2) at home of daughter, I,.yda So- koloff. Westport Inn, closed during war, has been done over and opened last week as.' Westover. Ino. -J Pat Pov/crs "sold his Longshore Club to San Francisco Harold Wise, head Paramount I takes over next December booker, vacationing in Chicago. John Hassctt has succeeded late Irving Mills, 20th-Fox office man- Allie Hamilton as manager of the ager, to New York to spend vaca tion with his two small children. Masquers of University of MinnC' sota offering "My Sister Eileen Dorothy Lev/is' annual ice show "Voice of the Turtle Jnto Hotel Nicollet Minnesota Ter- race for. summer run. Fred Finnegah, RKO booker, rep- few days before completinj; la.»♦»♦♦»>>>♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦ . . . ■ ■ .1 , ; iThumbnose Sietch-Jimmy Durantel : ♦♦<>< > n > M «» M By Joe Laurie, Jr»», n ><♦♦>♦( Oh Catherine street, ia New York City's Lower East side, on Feb. 10, 1893, a very busy stork knocked on the door of Rose and- Barthelmeo Durante and yelled, "Come and get it; I got millions of "em!" Then In sotto voice, "But not so ugly!" Papa and Mama Durante took hold of the bundle by what they thought was the handle, but the baby yelled, "I'm mortified!" And they found that they were holding the nose of the future Jimmy Durante. After looking at their other three kids. Papa Durante was heard to murmur, "everybody wants to get into the act!" They named the baby Jimmy because the boys on the block would \ise him to open doors, windows and safes. Catherine street was known as the "Kiiow Nothing DisUlct!" Little Jimmy grew to be a very mischievous kid.. He would tie the neighbor's spaghetti in knots and hide in his father's razor tase.. He Was a little shaver at the time. His father would tie up the dog nights and let Jimmy roam the streets to learn' the secrets of life. There are no flowers or bees on the east side, ' His childhood consisted of just plain measles and eating the raisins out of the cake. Shows he was not looking for the worst of it. He played garnes like one o'cat, prisoner's base and 2c back on the boltle. It was a tougti neighborhood where bonds just meant bail! He didn't get much schooling and can prove it. Only went to the . "seventh grade and majored in deprisciation^ He claims his primary education was the palmiest dnys of his ignorance. He was called the grand old man of Public School No. 1. He helped in his father's barrber shop lathering the customers, but he didn't s'have anybody as he hated the sight of blo6d. After school hours he ran errands, washed glassware, took a screen test in a photo-engraving shop and auditioned in the Fulton Fish Ma.rket. He was in the second-hand fish business and was known as the Lucius Becbe of the Fulton Fi-sh Market. He knew his P's and Q's but didn't know the rest of the alpliabct. At 13 he smoked his first cigar and realized he was a man— a sick man! He was now'the oldest adolescent in the neighborhood. He had a mu.sical background as his old man used to spank him with, a guitar. He played on a comb with tissue paper over it. In those days he and the comb both' had teeth! People in the neighborhood would get up parties just not to' have him. He was welcome at the Irish parties because ' his. nose looked like a shillelagh. He developed a falsetto burp, .sort of a pink-pajama soprano. His voice changed but hot enough. He decided to go on the stage to look for the pot of' gold, and at first, he ended up without the gold! He took a. few piano les.sons and put his heart and soul in it. In fact he put everythiii},' in it except music. At 17 he got his first professional job as pianist at Diamond Tony's saloon in Coney Island, where he played for Eddie Cantor, George 'Whiting, Julia Geraghty and other greats. He then played in Chinatown at the Chatham Club where most. of the customers were used to wearing government jewelry (handcuffs to you) and the beer was the only thing in the jernt with a collar on it! ' In 1916 Jimmy or- ganized a five-piece Dixieland combination and played at the Club Alamo in Harlem, where he met Eddie Jackson. In 1917 he played with the band at Broadway's Club Nightingale. He. was in and out, playing in dram shops with pianos. It was in 1923 when he opened the famous Club Durante on SBth street, just off Broadway. I A Trio Is Born Lou Clayton (just split with his vaudeville partner .Ukulele Ike Ed-, 'wards) bought in with Jimmy and the greatest trio of clowns was sparked into being. Eddie Jackson 'strutted, Lou Clayton danced and Jimmy sang, talked and became one of the greatest comic personalities on the stage. It was here that Siihe discovered Jimmy and shouted his praise in 'Variety. The trio was the unhandsomest three guys in the show business. Lou con- sidered himself a beauty of the old school, but unfortunately school had been out a good many yearg. Jackson's face looked, like it was going to run down his clothes, and his mouth furniture looked like a dentist's sho\y- case, while jimmy looked like a floorwalker in a! junk shop. It was here that the song classics were first sung, "Jimmy the Well Dressed Man," "Who Will Be With You When I'm Far Away, Out in Rockaway?", "Ever Have the Feeling That You Wanba Go, Still You Have the Feelin' That You Wanted To Stay?", "Tumarounda." And the greatest song ot all— "WOOD!" And many, many more of Jimmy's songs that have since become classics. They worked in the Dover and in The Parody clubs, it looked, like success was in, the cards but they got lost in the shuffle. They played vaudeville, were in Ziegfeld's "Show Girl" and "Tlie New Yorkers." and they played everything including horses, . uiliich made them play every- thing! ' Jimmy got a picture offer as a single in 1929. This broke up the trio, but not their friendship, Jimmy took Lou Clayton as his manager. Clay- ton said, "No contracts Jimmy, let's make this a gentleman's agreement." And Jimmy said, "No use draggin' in a thoid party!" You can always dis- tinguish Clayton, the manager, and Durante, the actor. Clayton wears $29 . M vari- ous parts of the nation ana pre- dicted they would be able to pay their own way. *" WB'S SUNDRY STUNTS FOR SOUND'S 20TH ANNI Special events arranged by War- ner Bros, in connection with this summer's 20th anniversary of sound celebration include a screening at the homeoffice today (Wednesday) for sports writers of early talker newsrecls, a display of costumes by models from various Warner pic- tures since the advent of sound and featuring of music from WB talkers for a full week starting July 31 by Muzak. RCA- Victor, co-sponsor with WB on the sound anniversary affair, will put on a special contest on window displays in connection, with albums of . Cole Porter mUsic from the WB film, "Night and Day." Album will carry with it a four-page insert de- voted entirely to the anniversary event. In addition to other stunts, a highlight of Victor s campaign will be featuring Cole Porter music on the RCA hoiir Sunday, Aug, 4. ' In connection with the sound, an- niversary, WB plans spotting insti- tutional full-page ads in 21 national publications with an aggregate reader circulation of 150,495,960. Ads will mention co-sponsors of the sound celebration. LaRue, Hudson Plane To Toronto for Can. Pic Hollywood, June 4. Jack LaRue and Rochelle Hudson planed to Toronto to play in "Flying North," to be filmed by Dominion Productions, Inc., a Canadian com- pany. LaRue will, play the heavy and Miss Hudson the femme lead. Male topper will be selected from Cana- dion radio talent. Par Borrows W]finan Hollywood, June 4. Paramount borrowed Jane Wyman from Warners to co-star with Wil- liam Holden in "Gary Ambler." Picture will be Richard Blumen- t.hal's first producer chore since rer t'urhiixg to the Paramount, lot. PAIR JOIN JUNEAU Hollywood,. June 4. Clarence B. Juneau Enterprises maker of ; educational, religious and commercial films, sighed Nate Watt as executive director and Henry Donovan as production director. Watt and Donovan made training films for the Army aod Navy dur ing the war. * Caught between steadily rising production costs and a market that won't budge a cent upwards from its unprofitable price level, short sub- ject departments of the majors are in a dilemma on how to; get but from behind the accountant's eight- balL Oyer , the past 15 years, in contradistinction to all other phases of the. film industry and the ecbnomy as a whole, no overall ot substantial Increase has been made in rental charges on shorts. Costs, on the , other hand, have skyrocketed during this period from a low of f G,000 to the current ceiling of $30,000 plus $20,000 for printing and distribution. Few subjects these days can , hope to net back this basic charge averag- ing around $50,000. Despite the fact that only three of the majors have shorts departments able to break even or to show a trivial annual profit, there's no danger of these units folding. Firstly, because exhibs insist upon a con- tinuous supply of two-reelers al- though ' unwilling to foot increased tabs; and secondly; because the ma- jors find shorts to be a valuable ad- junct in merchandising their feature productions. Disney shorts, also produced at about $.iO,000 each, lay outside the typical iridusti"y picture since they manage to gross about $tS,000, the highest return in the field. "Springfield" Loss In an effort to cut down on the fiow of red. ink, two-reeler producers are backing into a less expensive product while trying to hypo exhibi- tor acceptance of shorts. Shorts, such. as orchestra and musicaV revues or elaborate color jobs requiring a large number of technicians, and performers, are out for the next period. Warners, as a case in point,' doesn't intend to duplicate its ex- perience with a noteworthy short produced under its banner last year. Costing $135,000, and unanimously hailed by the critics as a heavy contribution to the fight against ra- cial intolerance, "It Happened in Springfield," , was brushed off by .ex- hibs and wound up as a $40,000 clip on. the chin. Prominent on producr tion agendas will be travel and ad- venture, series needing, only a roving camera crew and cuffo wild animal actors. in their natural scenic habitat. Majors'are also planning to reissue a flock of their best shorts of the past few years as a method of recouping some ot the coin expended on them. Sell Shorts in Package Deals Latest selling technique to break down exhib resistance against giving additional playing time to the. brief- ies is the presentation of a film pack- age including a full program of car- toon, newsrecls, documentaries and related subjects at a wrupped-up rental fee. Film Classics, a reissue outfit, Innovated this policy nine months ago in connection with an 85-minute program of comedy shorts titled "Funsa' Poppin' " and the ma- jors arc following suit after FC's bookings hit a record figure for this type of program. With a minimum of 65% ot Amer- ica's fllckeries in the double feature category, and absolutely no Indica- tion ot any reduction taking place in this figure, basic problem of the shorts distributors remains to un- cover enough exhibs willing to play their product. The package program idea is in its initial wedge into modi- tying the double feature practice In favor of short subjects without shortening screen program time. At-. cording to exhibs, more shorts would be shown if the majors displayed . more showmanship in selling their two-reelers to the public. Demand could be developed, they claim, but it would take a nationwide publicity and adverli.''"iT c'mpaign on the part of the producers Morgan Cites Rising Costs At the recently concluded regional meeting of Paramount's shorts sub- jects department in San Francisco, Oscar A.. Morgan, sales manager, fbr cused attention on the rising costs ot two-reeler production and said, "It is apparent that the situation offends every principle of sound economics and could not continue indefinitely. Therefore, it becomes essential that we increase our rentals in propor- tion to the increase ot our costs,". Other execs in the industry believa that higher rentals would serve only to shrink the number ot buyers without affecting the total gross. Cure for the two-reeler financial headache has apparently not been, patented as yet. 84 Wednesday, June 5, 1946 IT SHOULD HAPPEN TO A DOGI The Trade Press is raving about M-G-M's NEW Technicolor Hit! How about ah Academy Award for Lassie! \ COURAGE OF LASSIE This review from M. P. Daily is typical: ^The picture is the best of the Lassie jobs to date. Again in Technicolor and a supporting cast of strong names. Better than ^Son of Lassie'/^ ★ M-G-M Presents LASSIE in A New Adventure "COURAGE OF LASSIE" • In Technicolor • Elizabeth Taylor v Frank Morgan • Tom Drake * Original Screen Play by Lionel Houser * Directed by Frank M. Wilcox • Produced by Robert Sisk Wedpeflda^t June 5, 1946 PICTURES S5 Inside Stuff-Pictures Second annual survey by Woman's Home Companion on motion' picture preTcrence among its readers shows a slight falling oft in fllmgoing during 194G (or this group as compared with 1945. Whereas 39% ot those polled last year said they attended films at least once a wceic, this year the figure declined to 35%. Biggest factors in preventing more frequent attendance arc lacic of preferred features, lack of time, and high admission prices. Most influential factors in lining up customers.at the wiclcets are listed M mag and newspaper reviews, marquee .names, and trailers, In the ranking o£, favorite screen stars, voting revealed heavy concentration in favor of the top three femme performers, Greer Garson, Ingrid Bergman Biid Belte Davis, with 76% polling for one of the three. Among the males, Binn Crosby, Walter Pldgeon and Clark Gable garnered only 41% of the tolal ballots. Repoblic Bastin' Out Hollywood, June 4, June is a heavy production month at Republic. Newcomers are "Last Frontier," Home in Oklahoma," " Z o r r p Strikes Again," "Sioux City Sue" and "Rio Grande Raiders." Still shooting from last month are "The Mysterious Mr. Valentine," "That Brennan Girl" and "The Angel and the Outlaw." ' Rail strike really took a cut out of the Metro sales convention, held in Chicago last week. Meet was delayed one day because of the train cancellations and the consequent slice in time forced William P. Rodgers, Metro .sales chief, to wrap things up much faster than originally planned. Several execs, including William Brenner, head of the checking depart- ment, didn't even get a chance to speak to the 70-odd delegates. Most milt'cd of the execs was H. M. Richey, in charge of exhibitor relations, who'd planned to spend at least an hour and- a halt outlining the new eNp!oit»lion, pamphlets. After much dickering, Richey was finally per- milled 15. minutes. F.xlub.-; are making fresh plea to Hollywood studios to settle question of piclLU'e titles before any publicity is sent out on film, or at least before publicity campaign rolls. ^ Prevalent practice of picture companies publicizing a film under one ta^. then changing title as many as six times, is upsetting to public, exhibs aver, a.s well as themselves. Result is, fans wait for productions made under certain names, sometimes missing the.se pictures because by time they, are released new tags have been attached to them. On conservative estimate, at least S0% ot pictures made are hot released- under title they held when filmed. • Earnings of boxing champions are often split in various ways, and the Warners production, "Life With Father," Is getting . similar treatment. Howard Lindsay and Russel Croiise, who staged the legit version, are get- ting 35% of the profits. Understood Irene Dunne, film's star, and Mike Curtiz, director, are also cutting percentages. Picture is Curtiz's last job inider his bid contract, which called for a straight salary. His new pact provides for a cut in the profits, and the report is that the studio agreed to give him a slice of "Father" before he signed the new document. Gener,\l John Fremont's wife, hitherto neglected by Hollywood pro- ducers, will be the central figure In two forthcoming film biographies. Paramount recently bought "Immortal Wife," dealing with California pi- oneer days, and now Walter Wanger is breaking out with "So Gallantly Gleaming," based oh the adventures of the same gai in the same period. Wanger aims to get his version started In September, beating Paramount to the punch. Motion picture industry is far behind the times in methods and ma-, terials for set construction, according to Loreh L. Ryder, Paramount tech- i\ical engineer. What the studios need, he says, is an entirely new ex- ppndablu material v/hich may be put together quickly and abandoned wlicn the scenes are completed. Other needs, he declares, are fast-drying paints, new carryalls for set handling and cranes or elevators for overhead rigging. ' James A. FitzPatrick, who makes Traveltalks for Metro, is competing against his home lot in a series ot musical shorts based on the careers ot noted composers. For a time it looked as if FitzPatrick would make the tuneful series tor Metro release, but the deal fell through. Now he has closed with Werner Janssen and his Los Angeles symphony orchestra for a string- of musical briefies in Technicolor. Meanwhile, Metro has assigned Jerry Breslcr to produce a series based on the same topics. David O. Selznick'S technicians have developed a new apparatus which synchronizes sound, dialog and action tracks and permits the editing of a film while it Is l>eing projected on a full-size screen. It is estimated that the use of the new contrivance reduced the editing time, on "Duel In the Sun" by oh« third. Machine was developed by Robert Hansard, chief projectionist, and James Stewart, chief engineer. • New kind ot blizzard, 'with chemical snow, was tried out at RKO and may be used in future pictures calling for winter scenes. Artificial flakes are pumped high in the air from a high-pressure hose and flutter down like the real article. Synthetic snow is odorless, lasting and docs not harm scenery or costumes. It can also be sprinkled on roofs and cliffs without the use of ladders. Three-year renewal deal was inked by Sol Lesser with RKO some weeks ago on distribution of the "tarzan" series. It was reported last week' (not in VAaiKTY) that the pix would go to United Artists, but that was appar- ently confusion over the fact that all Lesser films, except the "Tarzans," are released by UA. A three-year renewal of the UA deal was also signed recently. Jinx on "The Razor's Edge" at 20th-Fox has afflicted thr^e top players within the last 10 days. Gene Tierney was out for a week with an in jured eye, John Payne was hospitalized with a threat of pneumonia and Clifton Webb with acute bronchitis. Edmund Goulding, director, is still healthy but is getting dizzy trying to juggle the schedule to keep the picr ture in production. Federal Flms will shoot its first picture. ''Carnegie Hall," entirely in New York, according to Boris Morros, who will co-protfiice the picture with William LeBaron. Most ot the filming will be done in Carnegie Hall and the rest at Fox Movietone studio and a hew plant now under construction In New York by RKO. Filming starts July 15 under direction of Edgar Ulmer, who recently checked oiit ot PRC. Enterprise is cutting a hole ot 2,304 square feet In the roof of a sound stage to shoot the first sequence ot "Arch of Triumph/' Sicript calls for opening shots from the top of the Arc de Triomphe, in Paris. Scaffolding will be erected through the roof and 45 feet above, a total height of 94 feet above the ground. Meeting of Melro'production executives resulted in an order to cut down use of film on retakes. Understood Louis B. Mayer told the assembled producers that all scenes be limited to four takes. Later it was agreed that the matter of lakes would be left to individual producers, with fien eral idea that they will use film as economically as possible. Old Joe Stork is causing a lot of hesitation among the maslerminds of Metro, who are wondering what to d6 about "Jenny Was a Lady." Jan Clayton, slated for the "Jenny'' role, is expecting. Question Ls whether to rUsh the. picture into production ahead, cast another in the starring spot, or postpone shooting until next year. Male script clerks are gradually replacing fenimes on the Hollywood film . lots. Diiring the war the clerks were practically on the distaff side, but now the boys register about CO'!; , and the percentage is steadily rising, Metro Returning to Some of Its Pre-War Methods of BaUyhoo 'No Help Wanted' And UNRRA Pic Probably 1st Two Shorts Via ATA 'No Help Wanted," American Legion one-reeler, now shapes up as likely first documentary to be dis- tributed throughout the country via American Theatres Assn. machinery. Film, along with "Seeds of Destiny," two-reeler back by the United Na- tions Relief & Rehabilitation Ad- ministration, has been screened in two spots for ATA ciommittee ap- proval with nine more coming up. Action was taken in accord with uniform policy now set by ATA un- der which all films submitted by the Government and outside agencies will be previewed by committee members in 11 key cities for pre- liminary 0.0. Reaction to "Seeds of Destiny" in Boston and Atlanta where . screen- ings were held was unfavorable mainly because the members felt the horror sequences were too long. Film depicts starvation conditions in Europe as part of UNRRA's cam^ paign to ship more food overseas. Committee members suggested cut- ting the film to one reel prior to acceptance. Initial reception jf "No Help Wanted" is uniformly good. The short takes up the cudgels for dis- abled vets with a plea to employers to rhake room for them. It accepted, ATA will arrange tor its distribu- tion through one ot the major com- panies. SCHOOL BOOK COS. TO DISTRIB CLASSROOM PIX Major step towards solving the distribution problem of 16m educa- tional films, long considered one of the chief bars to more extensive use of such pix in the country's school systems, has t)een taken by Young' America Films through its recently-concluded contract with Transfilm, Inc. Under the contract, Transfilm will produce all Young America films. Latter, in turn, has signed exclusive deals with the leading school book depository, companies, which will handle distribution of the pix in the same way they distribute textbooks. This means that some 400 salesmen throughout the country will line up .sales and distribution for the new product. Contract calls for Trans- nim to produce 40 16m cound films and .100 slidefllms during the first ytear. Young America, under .the con- tract, pays all scripting and similar editorial costs, while Transfilm pays all production . costs. Following sale of the films, Young America first gets back Its original investment for distribution and print costs and Transfilm gets returns on ils pro duction costs. Anything remaining Is then split 50-50 between the two companies. Young America Is an outgrowth of Young America , mag. Its stock- holders include Walter Wanger, Wil liam Goetz and Sol Lesser, all of whom serve the company in a con- sultative capacity. Prexy Stuart Scheftel is a co-founder of Tele- news Theatres. Recently reorgan ized Transfllm, headed by William Micscgaes, produced many training films for the armed 'orces during the war. It currently produces com- mercially-sponsored pix for such manufacturers as Ford, Socbny- Vacuum, Lever Bros., Carstairs, Con- tinental Baking, etc. Young America recently obtained exclusive 16m distribution rights to RKO's "The House I Live In." Frank Sinatra short. Film is being sold outright for |27.50 to schools . and civic groups, with much of the pro- ceeds being turned over . to anti- discrimination organizations. Metro publicity-exploitation staff, with most wartime restrictions now gone by the boards, plans to hypo Its ballyhoo in the future and will blanket the country with its stunts. Under the joint supervision of How- ard Dietz, veepee over ad-publicity, and William R. Ferguson, director of exploitation, the company plans to revive many of. the stunts that plugged Metro pix in the past and also institute several new ones. Dietz is currently on the Coast, where he plans to set up an office at the Culver City studios in order to achieve fuller cooperation with the studio publicity staff. Although he'll continue to spend most of his time at the h.o., lie'll shuttle back and forth throughout the year. While visiting the studio just be- fore the recent sales tneet In Chi- cago, Dietz lined up a deal with the Douglas Leigh Sky Advertising Corp. to have an ex-Navy blimp ply the Pacific seaboard ; with messages on its sides plugging Metro pictures. Blimp will be. smaller than the one being used on the Atlantic coast, which is scheduled to begin opera- tions the first week in July. Dietz announced last week that Metro had tied up the blimp advertising with the Leigh company on an exclusive basis for the next three years. Metro ad chief has also lined up a unique ballyhoo' stunt tor the forthcoming . "Gallant Bess." Com- pany will take the equine star ot the film on a tour of the key cities, hitting, each town about a week Be- fore the opening date. Horse will go through a series of tricks for the public. Stunt, similar to the old traveling truck in which Metro toured the country with Leo, its lion tradeniark, is the first one of its kind since the. war's end. ' Ferguson is currently lining up a second "show-building" unit, which will cover the country from Indian- apolis to the Coast. Traveling unit to demonstrate to the public how Metro pictures are made has been functioning for . the last several years in the 'New Orleans district. Latter, under the supervision of Kert Prickett, will concentrate on the eastern half of the country, with the other one touring the western states under Norman Linz. Dietz is slated to return from the Coast about June 15 and will be followed about a week later by Howard Strickling, studio publicity chief. Duo will bring back to the . homeoffice reports of the campaigns they're now setting ujp. on forthcom- ing products, including 'The Year- ling." "Till the Clouds. Roll By," "Holiday in Mexico," "No Leave, No Love" and "Fiesta." Return to BaHy Contlnoed from pace 7 handle exploitation on a full-time basis. Consequently display adver- tising dipped, radio tieups at local stations fell off, and glamor contests and other drumbeatlng faded out. As matters now stand, according to the flackmen's wail, a substantial number of exhibs are depending on newspaper ads and work put in by major company field exploiteers. The majors' staffs cannot possibly do a complete job on local ballyhoo in the approximately 500 towns in which theatres are located, it is ar- gued. Exhibs rhust turn again to the habit of employing local expert.s, they aver. Switch to the pre-war policy should be easy, it is claimed, because there is currently available' a pool of public relations experts recently mustered out ot the armed services and Governmental ' agencies. These men learned their trade and fur- thered it by running service publi- cations and handling publicity for the Government. With newspapers now staffed to capacity, a good deal of talent is floating at>out ready to be put to work in the film marts, it . is said.- Neiv Yokr Theatres' AiK SHEKIDAN • DwMlt MORftAN Jack CARSON • Atoilt SMITH , Jam WYMAN In Warner Bros. Hit "ONE MORE TOMORROW" In Person TOMMY TUCKER AND HIS OBCHESTBA ' Pluii THE THREK ROSS SISTERS STEVE EVAN'S B'wqy at 47tli St. STRAND BETTE DAVIS In tVuriier lhni», llir ^'A STOLEN LIFE'* Wllh Gknn FORD • Dan* CLARK Wollar UENNAN • CharU* RU6GIES l>lrr<>t«l hr CnrtU H(rnli:irilt HOLLYWOOD Contlnu4iDH B'ini.v at SInI Htrrcl MayrMi Dick Harry O'HARE • HAYMES • JAMES "DO YOU LOVE ME'V I'l.fa ON' STACK COl'.NT B.l.mH 0K«'. 1'KTKB.S SIS. extra: liKNK SHELDON V ^ 1 60th S«. — : PANNY KMTE . — Itdmicolor DoortO^ ACTA* 1:30 ASTOR 4iih SI. Paramount Prcycnla Aliin Vrninlra Wllilnm I.ADO • LAKE - BKNUiX. "THE HUE DAHLIA" A George MnrHhall ' I'roduc.llon Id rrrHon DUKE ELLINGTON Anil HIa OrrliMlra .STJ .MP • STf MI'V Kttra— TIIK MILLS BROS. r.*lt.\MOl'NT, Tlmea Bqaarc DARE PLUCKS 'ROSEBUDS' Hollywood, June 4. Danial Dare draws production re- sponsibility on "Gather Ye Rose- buds," a musical to be filmed by Paramount. Tunefilm will be based on a tale of pioneer days in Indiana, "fUM, mmi. IttUTYl -Dailr Newi WALT DISMEY'S . coMtoY MuacM HATUtt ^ - y GLOBE I fICNNICOiei RKO CHARLKM BOYER JKNNfFEB JONES la ' ERNST LUBITSCH'S CLUNY BROWN SOlli C'eniury-Fox RIVOLI ll'wny * tOth St. Doora open aiM A.M. PALACE B WAY & 471M St GINGER ROGERS! "HEARTBEAT'' with l;l.gncd from the 20th-Fox i-xchansjo here lo go with UA in Cleveland as a salesman. , „,_^. Skellon to Inlcrsl.ite Houston. Al Lever, city manager for Inter- state here, named Howard Skellon manager of the Village. Ho was manager of the Alabama prior to service in the armed forces. Fimple New Ilousr WB Mgr. Fairmont, W. Va. Bee Fimple Is new manager of Warner Bros. Virginia theatre here. William Wyatt, who came here from, the Rialto at Charleston, has been ordered back to his position there. Family, Kirksville, III,, will go to the new liouse in Green Bay, Mo. Krnest Fox Joins I.oew'a Memphis, Ernest Fox. recently discharged from Army, rejoined Loew's South- ern circuit as relief manager. Has been In Memphis past two weeks pincli-hilting for Bill Kemp at Loew's State and Col. Cecil E. Vogel at Loew's Palace while they were away. R. E. Baulch elected president of Ihe Crescent Amusement Co., to succeed the late Tony Sudokuni. who died April 28. BaulcJ) has been an oTIicial of the company tor 20 years. Peterson Sells 2 Iowa Houses Des Moines, Charles Peterson, vet indie Iowa theatre owner, sold his two houses at Hampton, Iowa, to Garbett circuit. Walter Peterson, his son; back from the .service, will manage the houses for Garbett, Albany's Ist Drive-In Reopens Albany. The Auto-Vision, first drive-in in the Albany district, opens sixth sea- son. Debuting in 1940, it was a gas rationing casualty in 1943. Dave Willig, of the Rivoli in Schenectady, is the pre'sent lessee. Denver Takeovers Denver. E. G. Jeppe bought the Moon, StrattOn. Colo., from Mrs. Fred Flanagan. Fred Flanagan, died re- cently. James Mooney; Universal salesman in Salt Lake City, shifted to Denver exchange as head booker and office manager, succeeding Bruce Marshall, who left to join U. A. as salesman. Martin Butler opened new 775- seat Sandia, Albuquerque. Harold Johnson bought Elberta, Palisade. Colo., from C. J. Stephens. Jene H. Sombar, wife of William Sombar, Paramount booker, has bought the Isis, Victor, Colo., from M. W. Kessey. Carroll Robinson, recently check- mg supervisor for Warners, has jomed PRC as salesman. _ Bernard Gold, recently discharged from the Army, who has been tak- ing an extended vacation, is back at Metro as office manager. Hamer Hicks, former Rex. Brigh- ton Colo., operator, out of Army and back as operator at Granada, Monte Vista, Colo. Biitte Park Beopens Fox-Intermountain's Park reopen- ed recently for subsequent runs after three- week shutdown for new carpeting, seat recovering, lobby painting and cleaning. Harold Murrell is Columbia ship- per after stint with Ninth Service Command. Canadian Moves „ ,j „ Regina, Sask. Harold Gray, manager Orpheum, Fort William, Ont., switched to Metropolitan theatre, Regina suc- ceeding Charles Bahrynowaki, who goes to Orpheum. Princess theatre, Yorkton, Sask., will be remodeled and repaired. Roxy there also gets a facelift. Atlas Realty and Finance Corpo- ration Calgary, AlU.. took a four- year lease on the Garry, Calgary from owner Frank Sheppard, Van- couver. , T'ave purchased the majority stock Interest of Frank E [; 1? ' They now have 16 houses in 11 southern Illinois counties John Brown v.et. back in his post as^manager of the Ozark, Louisiana. K?c"''"k°"„u?PV,°^'"« Mission. «.as., boLight Monroe and Nolan p City. Mo., and closed rdtter! -u p'owell who recently pur- chased the Avalon, Avalon, 111., has changed tag to the Key. Bernard Sargent, war vet, has opened the Sargent, Forreston, III Basil Fogelson, former manager of Antone Interstate Changes San Antonio. Henry Bergman and Norman Schwartz have exchanged posts here. Bergman moves from Aztec to be manager of Empire, while Schwnrlz ' goes from that house to the Azlce. Both are Interstate thea- tres. English QuiU TrI-Stales Des Moines. Carter English, manager Majestic, Centerville, la., for TrI-States Thea- tre Corp. before he became a major in air corps resigned as manager of this house to be Oklahoma manager for Maytag Washing Machine. Sup- planted by Jack ShnglufT, who was at Zephyr, ' Burlington, la. Sling- lulT's spot will be taken by Paul Scholer. Bert Thomas, assistant booker for Central States Theatre Corp. since his return from service, resigned to rejoin Columbia exchange as a .salesman, a job he. held previously. Succeeded by Neil Adair, formerly Warners booker here. Mendelsson to Indpls. . T. L. Mendelsson appointed Indian- apolis branch manager for Universal, succeeding L. J. McGinley, assigned to company's bomeofflce on special duties. Mendelsson takes over new duties this week. He joined U as salesman In 1941. He was Detroit branch manager until he went into the service, and was special Chi rep on his discharge this year. Cooper Fdn. Gels Lincoln House Lincoln, Neb. • The Cooper Foundation, operators of the Lincoln, Stuart and Nebraska theatres in Lincoln, has announced the acquisition, effective June 1, of the formerly independent Capitol theatre from R. R. Livingston. Liv- ingston will be. associated with the Cooper Foundation. Brill New Man on WB Ann! Richard Brill, former field repre- sentative for Warner Bros, in the Denver and Salt Lake City terri- tories, transferred to Chicago, where he will work on special events in connection with WB's 20th anniver- sary of sound celebration. K. C. Fox Changes Kansas City. Leon Robertson, city manager Fox- Midwest, announced three managerial shifts, Pete Pekarek, recently dis- charged from service, going to the Vista as manager, H. W. Bills mov- ing from there to the Gladstone Charles Morrill, vet manager at the Gladstone, goes on a six month leave of absence. Waters Given Baieich, N. C, Spot _ , „ Raleigh, N. C. C. L. Waters of Charlotte appoint- ed manager of Colony theatre here succeeding N. C. Hilburn. Waters is out of the Army after three years. Before going Into the service he was manager of Charlotte theatre, Char- lotte. Frank Hensoii Back to Akron ■»T t , Akron, 0. New shift in Loew's managers here sends Walter Kessler to cir- cuit s raglonal olTipes at Cleveland, and returns Frank Henson to his olci post here. Henson went to Atlanta, Ga., last spring Kessler came her. from the Loow house in Canton. Don Geddes Back To Seattle Don Gcddos, vet theatre mlnjger IS back nv Seattle as Fifth Avenue house manager. He Was formcrlv manager of Orpheum for Mamrick. Evergreen, prior to being Wonatchce city manager. " Buys Findlsy, O., liouse Findlay O Waller Slouve, owner of three Findlay Ihoalrcs, has purchased the building occupied' by the Stale thea- tre here; . Frank Willis lo Winnipeg Rp.iiina, Can. W. J. Proudlove, manager of Gaiety thciilie, Winnipeg, moved lo S,':?,'."'' Capitol. Succeeds Frank Willis, who goes to Gaiety. Carlton Upped by NSS Richard Carlton, who has been do- voting most of his time to prepara- tion of Mister Showman, special trailer publication of National Screen Service, has been appointed assistant to Melvih L. Gold, director of ad- publicity NSS. Before going into the Army, Carlton was six years with Columbia publicity department. BUI Stein Leaving. K. C. Kansas City Following his return from the service, Bill Stein has given man- ager Barney Joffe« and the Tower theatre notice and expects to leave his position as stage manager and publicity man arouhd June 20. Slein planning h.q. in New York. Con's Film Fotos Sale Consolidated Film Industries which controls Republic Pictures' sold its Photo-Stills Division to Film Fotos, Inc.. a newly organized com- pany which is to continue operation of the -plant, . one of the biggest in the U. S, Harold Berla, for several years In charge of this Consolidated unit, is head of Film Fotos which will continue servicing Republic. Arthur J. Miller, Republic vecjwe and resident manager of Consoli- dated's Ft. Lee lab, and Joseph Mc- Mahon, Republic secretary, handled the deal along with Berla and Rob- ert Delson, general counsel for Film Fotos, W-K to Keep S. C. House Closed Spartanburg, S. C. ■ Wilby-Kincey will not immedi- ately replace Strand, oldest theatre of its local chain, shuttered recently after 30 years. Sabbath shows ban hit all Spar- tanburg houses starting June 1. Next August citizens will determine by referendum whether Sunday shows are okay, houses staying dark Sundays until settled. Many Portland Changes Portland, Many changes in the Portland Evergreen district of Albert J. Finke, with Liberty manager Russell F. Brown upped to post of ad director for _ Evergreen theatres, which in- cludes houses In Eugene, Oregon and Vancouver. Earl Hunt resigned ad post to head his own organiza- tion, an ad matrix service. Brown in 34 years in. the show biz, rose from usher to house manager in Eugene. PJher managerial changes in Port- land include th.e return from Navy of Zollie Volleheck, who checked in at the Paramount again, moving Frank Pratt to Orpheum. Pan! Stevens jumped over from latter to Oriental. Robert Anderson goes from Oriental to the Liberty. VIIW HOW FOR SAU. Charmini •iM-itery ■bovo tho iMp In Holly- wood. I bdrim., 1 ba. Cosy p«imM d*n. CmtptH, drmp^, (priithUn, u»ll hoot. ImiMCMlalo, poffoct con- ditUii. PsMramlc vImv rify and •CMii from keuM and pirtlo. $34,SM pMMttion. IMS Iwnul Ploia Drtvo. Ct. *4«44. FOR A MOTION PfCTUM STORY Gone to a Meeting off Iht # # SOCINMIDSOULS! I IN N^ y"; AMAZING PLACES UNITlb htil HOLLYWOOD »»OITBI_''!L'*;/" ' ' ' '" IR¥IN» HOFFMAN COOPM ., JfMMr tTiWAKI fMvr. loMd oa BIADIB't DiactT CobrWt Soc^o/yr A Stagefright Clinic, Conducted by on In- COBOMiT Penius Young Pianiit!" rii» Vorfc'i lattitr CHR. SCIENCI MONITOR. Mttendinfl a Session Is an Inttresling and pi^ ^^EiiHueniny Erperieiice.'" ■ ■'// You Want to Spend an Unusual Siindau CADI Uflicnu EDO. i4ttcnd the Society of Tfiitid Souls.'" ■nut. miU0N_ - "/T'S WONDERFUL / 1 ! .'" L.^m •<•«». 'rruo I'onfe.BlonH, Dally N.-«». W.., ).l • loTSu'^publtulo^/"^ ^' Tl."", JleraUl Tni.u„c.-o. over ^•S™''-?^*'" All Major Radio Networks ("WE. THE PEOPLE." MORTON DOWNEY SHOW. JANE COWL) ki^v» .i**t*J"9»— SUNDAY at 8:30 p m. NOW AT- 223 W. 46Hi ST. FEE FOR JOINING GROUP. $1 For dotails phono or writ* BERNARD GABRIEL. TR. 7-6700 ■ — _ leo w. iM si.-^~ Wedneeday, June 5, 1946 leasing' Idea Not New Continned from page 9 pany would have to base most of its pictures on original stories, and not even take a chance on borderline plays and novels at any price be- cause of the complications and risks. Certain properties that are in great demand, like "Life With Father" and "Saratoga Trunk"— can get special terms. If other such prop- erties come along, there's no doubt that either wc or another filni com- pany will talk, turkey. No Honorariums But to say that prices for all mate- rial can be automatically upped in ' that way is about the same as pass- ing a rule that, after a price has been negotiated, $50,000 must be auto- matically added as an honorarium. The net result would be to drive down the price on material — because it would discourage discussions of such material as the companies would have bought for less ' than $50,000. Such a condition might conceiv- ably been put across by the type- writer boys some three years ago, when we had a seller's market, and prices were zooming up. But not now. As Variety itself has correctly reported on numerous occasions re- cently, the market has switched; more and more it's getting to be a buyer's market; and I'll string along with you lads on your reports that the trend is due to get more marked as the days roll by. Prices have reached theiir peak and are on the downgrade. Emmet Lavery, No. 1 man of the studio pen-pushers, should have learned enough about New England horse-sense — and horse-trading- sense — while he was writing "The Magnificent Yankee" to realize the above facts. He should also have realized that pointing a finger at the brethren in France was a nod for the opposition rather than for his own boys. It's quite true that the "leasing" system has been In effect in France — but can Lavery or any- body else show that it's helped the French theatre, the French film in- dustry, or French writers? I doubt it, because the facts are that it hasn't helped them. The plight of the writers in France be- fore 1939 illustrates the dangers of such procedures. Helps the Elite The entire proposal— like so many proposals made by the writers' or- ganizations— tends to help the elite few, who don't need any extra help, at the expense of the great middle group, who need all the help they can get. Now or anytime, with or without new rulings by the Authors' League, the top few writers who've emitted material that's in great de- mand will be able to put top prices upon it — including in the price, if they're so inclined, a clause limiting the rights to a definite term of years. Without being a member of any authors' league, George Bernard Shaw has written terms thatT make the terms of any American author sound like something out of Wool- worth's basement. But the great host of writers, who want very badly to sell their stuff to films, and whose ability to do so depends on making a deal with -the companies as to price, will find those prices sharply lowered becav--; of the "leasing" gimmick. Ana ,i many cases, per- haps- the majority, they'll find that they can't get any picture action at all. Out of all the shows produced on Broadway in the last few yeai^, how many have been bought for films? Not a large percentage. , And that's partly due to the many restrictions that are imposed on any deal, even for flops. A baker's dozen or less would have been sold at almost any price. But the majority of the com- paratively few that were sold would have had a much tougher time col- lecting screen money under a "leas- ing" system, A good number of them wouldn't have collected anything at all. The whole plan strikes directly at freedom of opportunity — which is one of the bases of the American way of life. The more binding the rules the Authors' League puts on the sale of film rights, the tougher it becomes to sell material that doesn't happen to be in unusual de- mand, And, since that category in- cludes the bulk of all material sub- PICTIJRES 39 mitted, I feel that the Authors' League, in following out the pro- posal, is cutting sharply into the freedom of opportunity of its rank- and-file members. I am selfish in saying this, because we need material of as wide a range and variety As possible, and I am convinced we ^cannot get sufficient material from' name writers only. We do not want, to see artificial restrictions like a lease plan block- ing the channels through which there should be a free flow of story material from the writer to the market. MPAA's Educational Program of 7 Films Set by Arthur Mayer , The tedious task of picking out a full" program of ,seven ediicational pictures, which the Motion Picture Assn. of America majors will turn out, is nearing completion. Arthur Mayer, coordinator on the . project for the American Council of Educa- tion and the MPAA, estimated this week that production on the first major company educational might be started in two or three months. Major companies have appropriated $105,000, or $15,000 for each educa- tional picture. While RKO has been mentioned as likely to start on the first classroorn subject in this educational setup, no definite decision has been made on which company will handle the ini- tial- picture. But it now appears likely that an educational subject suitable for elementary schools cov- ering weather, seasons of the year and other elements of time will be the first of the subjects. Mayer explained how intricate the task of outlining this educational, program is because of many factors involved. One is that publishers of text books must be consulted s j that there will be no conflict between classroom school books and the screen subjects or no unnecessary duplication. Then the board of aca- demic advisers must be consulted in selection of an instructional film. Majors might farm out the pro- ductions if convinced that would be better than at own studio. Rawstock Dearth Forcing Some Labs In East to Shutter One Day Per Week Geo. Skouras' P.A. To Become Mrs. Joe Shea Janice Rentchler, in charge of ad- vertising-publicity for the Skouras circuit at headquarters In New York and with- the organization many years, has resigned effective Friday (7). She is retiring to become the bride. of Joe Shea, veteran publicist who has been on the road since last fall with the legit, "Harvey," which lays off during June. Reported Nick Matsoukas, head of the community service department with the Skouras . chain, of which George Skouras is president, will succeed Miss Rentchler. Leatherneck Minnie Indie Hollywood, June 4. Three former Marines, John Chad- wick, Keith Robinson and John Whitaker, organized a new 16m company, Cinemette Productions, to make narrow-gauge cartoons in color. Before they joined the Marines the trio worked for Walt Disney. Autry Preps 'Sue' Hollywood, June 4. Gene Autry checked in at Re- public for production huddles oh "Sioux City Sue,'' his first ' picture since leaving the Army Air Corps. Filming starts June^ 11, with Ar- mand Schaefer as producer. HEP HMS m*'-^ — • : : *■ ■ — - -f: • — ■■ — : ■ — Additional $10,000,000 Loss Seen Averted by End of Strike Crisis Make Mine Music The next two years in radio Is expected to see the return ot the musical show cycle. There hasn't been one in radio, of real trend pro- portions since the mid-'SO's, and they faded out of a dominant spot when the dramatic suspense show era bowed in. During the war years, of course, the accent was on top names which, in turn, cued the pat- tern for top-budgeted variety-formated shows with the comedic emcees ruling the roost. But with the return of loW -budgeted shows, it's viewed as more than likely that the 'musical-accented programs will circle the kilo- cycles much as they did 12 or IS years ago. It's anticipated that in lieu of "names," new vocalists, particularly, will be cropping up. For Mie musical shows are the ones that can be whipped together at mod- erately-scaled budgets; a $500 weeltly fee will be the "come on" for potentially good singers who may rate the top billing on tomorrow's shows. 'Rate Steakrs Sneaking Forward As Penny-Pinching Rules the Roost It looks like the "rating stealers" ♦ are coming out in full force. These are the low-budgeted mystery-crime- suspcnse shows that have been all oyer the kilocycles in increasing numbers in recent sea-sons and now appear, in the mad scramble of spon- sors to whittle down their program- ming costs, to be taking a firmer hold than ever. Decision of Wildroot to drop the Woody Herman Friday night pro- gram on ABC, and substitute the lower-budgeted Dashiel Hammctt crime series, is cited as but one illustration of the current thinking. While it's the feeling that over the next couple of years the musical- formated show will' come back Into its own, right now tlie boys are . thinking in terms of the "ratiiig stealers." For one thing,^ they can be wrapped up within the $3.000-$4.000 weekly bracket. For a long while they've noticed them solidly . en- trenched, particularly on ABG and Mutual, giving the top-name, heavy- budgeted opposition programs oh MBC and CBS a run for their. money. "The Shadow" on Mutual, "Inner Sanctum," etc., frequently pay off better than the opposition name shows,' both in terms ot comparative ratings vs. ' costs, and In moving merchandise off the counters. And today, with economy ttic walch'- . word, that's precisely what most of them are interested jn. 'Stairway' to Lhnbo Scheduled by Philco Philco's "Stiirway to the Stars'; Sunday evening ahow on ABC is checking oft on June 30, with some doubt existing at the moment as to whether or not sponsor will return in the fall. 'Stairway" went in several weeks ago as the summer replacement for "Hall of Fame," with original plan, to. segue back into "Hall" format in the fall. Philco production snafu^, however, has thrown the fall broad- casting plans into a state of flux. Like Cake But Wary of Eating It The .past couple of weeks has wit- nessed a reversal of thinking on the part of some of the top coin spenders in radio occupying choice time slots. These bankrollers, who usually stay en the air on a year-round basis, had served notice of intention to check off this summer for 13- week periods. Motive, of course, was to retrench on their billing,<;. The fact, however, that there are a flock of applicants for the desirable night-time segments, has cued the fear among the "hiatus-conscious" boys that they might be forced into ie.ss favorable niches when the fall rolls around. It particularly holds true at NBC, where the demand for good time hasn't diminished, despite the wholesale exodus of shows. Cancellations Catching Up With ABC Web Those "cancellation blues" appear now to be catching up with the ABC network, which up till now was per- haps more Immune from the si>on' sorship retrenchments than the other webs. On top of the current uncertainty as to whether the top-budgeted nighttime Philco "Hall of Fanie" and U. S. Sleel-"Theatre Guild of the Air" shows will return in the fall, the Prince Matchabelli-Stradivart show has cancelled Sunday after noon. Last show was Sunday (2). In addition, William H. Wise Co., the mail-order book outfit, is dropping sponsorship of the Galen Drake pro- gram effective July 7. Serutan has cancelled itself out as bankroUer of the Don Gardner early morning commentary, but ABC has grabbed a new sponsor, Seeman Bros., via the Weintrauli..a86ncy. Possibilit:^ of Armour bankrolling the Al Pea'rce layout and the new Swift contract for an additional 15 minutes of "Breakfast Club" had relped offset the "blues" dirge. Unrefreshiiig Hiatus Mulled by Coke Execs For MBS Band Program Coca-Cola Co. execs down in Atlanta, wrestling with the sugar situation, want to cancel out . the three. - times - a - week "Spotlight Bands" show on Mutual for an eight-week summer period. D'Arcy agency, which handles the coke ac- count, is reportedly trying to per- suade the outfit to stay on through the hot weather months. But, as of the moment, the feeling around Atlanta is to jump on the hiatus bandwagon since, coke production being what it is, the drink dIstriBs can siell jusl so much whether show stays on or; not. Apparently there'll be a decision within the next :fcw; days^ MBVaME Feel Economy Apparently the ad agencies weren't kidding when word got around that the payroll axe was be- ing sharpened as a result of the re cent nosedive in billings. Over the past week, in particular, the jitters became intensified at some of the key agencies, with .the chief topic around the trade concerning the lopping off of heads, and budget economics being effected. At Kenyon & Eckhardt agency, 10% pay slash has been inaugurated for all earning in excess of $5,200 a year, along with a promissory note that; if conditions return to normal in the fall, the coin will be restored. There's a lot of uneasiness around Benton & Bowles agency, with re- port*; that about 50 heads are going to roll. ■ Similarly, the economy axe swinging at Young & (Continued on page 54) LIS UP IT BLO(:VS.NBG By GEORGE ROSEN NBC's night-to-night overall su- premacy in pulling in the dial cus- tomers—a condition that's prevailed for so many years that the other webs would rather not count them — may come in for something approxi- mating a jolt when the new fall sea- son rolls around. Right now it's still a hazy picture as to how the reshuffling of top per- sonalities will finally crystallize. Pretty near anything can happen in the way of. new cancellations and the desire of sponsors to segue into low-budgeted programming. But as of the moment, there's been enough trading and checker-board maneu- vering to indicate that CBS is in a fair position of altering- the five- evenings-to-two ratio which in years past has put NBC far out in the lead. Taken night by night, here's how the drawing cards appear to stack up thus far: Sunday nifhl: With the Benny- Bergen-AUen parlay teeing off a new semester in September, it's NBC's night hands down. Not to mention the strengthened Fitch "in- betweener" spotting Phil Harris and Alice Faye. An indication as to how. tough it is to buck the Big Three is gleaned from the fact that CBS has the 8 p.m. (opposite Bergen) slot scant, with no takers. Monday nlchl: Despite the fact that Lever Bros, is yanking out the Joan Davis show in preference for low-budgeter, this still remains CBS' heavy audience night, with its back-to-back 90-minute "Lux Radio Theatre" and Screen Guild Players pix adaptation cycle. Both continue lb hit the bigtime via Top 15 Hoopi crating league. Add to this the fact that NBC's top Monday night draw- ing card, "Information Please" bows off for Socony. Tuesday niKhl: CBS and the others can close up shop. It's Fibber-Hope- Skeltoh on NBC and that takes care of the bulk of the listening audience. Wednesday nifht: The Bristol- Myers 60-minute showcasing of Ed- die Cantor and "Mr. District At- torney" has long given NBC the edge. But with Cantor exiting the B-M fold to work for Pabst; possibly in September, CBS is out to make a "kill" and Is trying to team up Dinah Shore and Frank Sinatra as the initial overture to woo new listeners. The "Gilderslecve" move- over from Sunday to Wednesday, however, may still clinch it for NBC. Thursday night: This was once NBC's strongest night, back in the days when Bing Crosby was sur- rounded by a flock of top talent that stretched over a two-hour period. But now der Bingle is gone. And. with the possible exception of Jack Haley, there isn't a show of top stature in the whole stretch. There's a possibility that General Foods may move "Aldrich" into the spot being vacated by Dinali Shore, but for the most part the NBC Thursday sked ha.s fallen on pretty lean days. Unfortunately for CBS, it, too, is lacking in sock Thursday night programming. Friday night: The switchover of Cantor to the Pabst spot held down this season by Danny Kaye, along with the . Jimmy Durante-Garry Moore show for Bexall, would indi cate that CBS will be getting the edge, despite the "Duffy Tavern"- "People Are Funny" pulling draw for NBC. Saturday night: This shapes up again as pretty much of a 50-50 di- vision of honors. It's CBS' "Hit Parade" vs. the Procter, i Gamble two-way bid for NBC audience at- traction with "Life Of Riley" and "Truth or Consequences." Fluff of the Month ■ There's been a lot of wonder- ing around the trade why the Book-of-the-Month Club, which sponsors "Author Meets the Critic," has bypassed what, it's conceded, would be the top drawing-card of the year— air- ing of its June selection, "The Hucksters." So far the BOM sponsors have been laying low toward inviting any overtures for the prize "inside radio" broadcast of the year. Pitting of George Washington Hill, supposedly the real-life counterpart of the novel's . Evan Llewelyn Evans, against Fred- eric Wakeman, the author, would pack Madison Sq. Garden, it's agreed. CBS Would Parlay Smatra & Shore For Wed. Payoff Although Dinah Shore, who is be- ing dropped by General Foods, has served notice that she wants top billing in a solo vocal spot on her new show, CBS is making a de- termined effort to bolster its Wednesday 9 p.m. segment via a teamup of Miss Shore and - Frank Sinatra on the Old Gold show. Feeling is that, with Eddie Cantor possibly checking but of the oppo- sition slot on NBC this fall, rather than waiting until September of 1847, the Sinatra-Shore combo could well be the opening wedge toward CBS Wednesday night supremacy on audience pull. The back-to-back Bristol-Myers parlay of Cantor and "Mr. District Attorney" has "for years, put NBC way out in front on Wednesday listener response. Right now it looks like Joan Davis will move into the NBC slot being vacated by Cantor (come- dienne is bowing out of her Monday night CBS Lever Bros. spot). And CBS is so convinced that the Shore- Sinatra teamup will take the draw away from NBC that it's \yilling to talk in terms of all kinds of conces- sions, such as the network itself paying for line charges in the event of out-of-town dates, etc. The ad agencies, already dras- tically affected by strikes, produc- tion snafues,' material shortages, etc., heaved a sigh of relief last week when the soft coal strike was finally terminated. A check of the top agencies reveals the consensus that, had the. strike . continued an- other 30 days, they were prepared for network programming cancella- tions to the tune of an additional $10,000,000. That's the amount that's already been written off the. agency books by previous retrenchments. Ihdiistrial accounts that would have received a staggering produc- tion blow by continuance of the strike had served notice on the agencies not to expect them back in the fall if they couldn't get rolling immediately. For one thing, it would have been the death blow for the last vestiges of institutional programming re- maining on the air. And, while the clouds of uncertainty have lifted to some degree, there's still some ele- ment of doubt, say the agencies, of some of the top-budgeted shows re- turning in the fall. 'Home' Fires Bum Bright $ Horizon When the Score is tallied on 1946 47 advertiser billings, it's more than likely that American Home Prod- ucts will be right up near the top of the heap, on the basis of the pro- gramming deals currently beiiig wrapped up. At a time when most of the radio spenders are tightening the pur.'.e strings, AHP has just sewed up the Bob Burns show and purchased two additional daytime half-hours on CBS for a new Coast show, "Sur- prise Party," which tees off July 2 in the 3-3:30 slot. Deal was pactcd through Ruthrauff & Ryan on be half of the George Washington Cof fee (Foods Division) account. Plan is to spot the audience partic ipatibn show two afternoons a week during the summer, and expand it on a cross-the-board basis in the fall 'MAKE IT A MILLIOIS' Trailerizing a slogan "Make It a KrendCutsCabes Gab; Drops Van Kreml, sponsor of Gabriel Heatter and the Lyle Van noontime iiews strip on Mutual, is revising its radio programming schedule. Hair tonic outfit is droppfng the Sunday night sponsorship of Heatter, picking up the tab henceforth for only one of the Heatter commentaries instead ot three, and is cancelling but the^an daytime program. The two-way re- trenchment adds up. to $75:',06(i loss in Mutual billings, both taking effect about July 1. Report is, however, that Kreml wants to return to radio in the fall with a couple of half-hour nighttime shows, preferably on NBC or CBS. Abolition of the old rate card struc- ture, effective July 1, by prexy Ed Kobak, was one of the factors cueing Kreml decision to lop off -the Mutual billings. Cost would have shot up considerably, but attitude of network was that any preferential treatment to one sponsor would occasion squawks from others. When Van moves out of noon spot. Mutual plans to put George Carson Putnam into spot on su-staining basis. Web feels he'll be saleable in spot Shift in Heatter schedule cues the following moves: Barbasol will> re- linquish the Sunday 8:45 p.m. slot, with Heatter dropping out com- pletely. Barbasol will sponsor gab- ber on Wednesdays, 9 p.m., instead. R. B. Semler (Kreml) is relin- quishing Wednesday-Friday,*9 p.m., slots .starting June 28, but is holding, on to the Monday spot. Lineiip will then be Monday, Kreml sponsoring; Tuesday and Thursday, Zonite Corp. (Forhan's); Wednesday, Barbasol, and Friday sustaining. Mutual hopes to get a new sponsor for the Friday spot^ Million," U. S. Army recruitment is investing heavily in a spot campaign during June on 746 stations across the country. Slogan is cued to fact been recorded .lince- la.st September, _ _ . . that 750,000 Army enlistments have jshortwave cars pickin« up fenimcs m Riibicam, l and the Army wants at least 250,000 markets and at homes. more before the tend of this month. I Dave Voung produces. < • It's Bums VkeGildy Wlto Goes in for H3dy In Genera] NBC Swkeh American Home Products acquisi- tion of the Bob Burns show, which Lever Bros, is dropping, ha$ cued further juggling of the NBC pro- gramming sked. Burns is moving out of the 7:30 Thursday night slot ihe had long been anxious to capture _ better time) and he goes into the emcees to* be selected 'giving gais 1 6:30 Sunday e\cr.m". spot currently going oyer for merchandise prizes. | occupied by "Gilderslecve." And Show Via Shortwave Hollywood, June 4 "Surprise Party" starts July 2 over basic network of 34 TBS sUlions on Tuesday and Thursday from Holly- wood for 3b-minute ride. It's an- other audience participation shovi with Stuart Wilson and two other Highlight will be two emcees- in Gildersleeve," in turn, moves into the 8:30 Wednesday nijht niche, be- ing vacated by the Piuleigh cigaret- Hildegarde program, 44 R/urao iiBvniws WcJnetdayt June 5, 1946 "THE FABULOUS DR. TWtiBDY" WItK frank M«rk«n. Nui» Brysnl, ■ EMI* Green; Elliot DMiel. miulcal direetor; Bud Helitand, aiinonncer 'VIrller: Robert Riley Crutcher rrodiicer: Z. Wayne Grilfln 3« Mfns.. Sun., 7 pjn. PALL MALL WEAF-NBC. N, Y. (.Rxithfauff It Ryan) American Tobacco Co. has pur- chuscd this new Frank Morgan pack- age as the summer replacement show for Jack Benny, with George Wash- ii>gton Hill cancelling out the Lucky Strike commercial in favor of a Pall Mall buildup. The 'Sunday evening slot is being used as a "trailer" for the Morgan-Pall Mall tieup. with the comedian slated to go into the last-half of the Kay Kyser Wednesday night hour on NBC in the fall. Scripter Robert , Riley Crutcher has tried to pattern "Fabulous Dr. Tweedy" to the blustering Morgan comedy delivery mannerism. Actu- ally, he's taken up where he left off a year ago on the "Eddie Bracken Story " though with somewhat loss successful results.' That "delayed punch" technique of commg-back- for-your-line was really overworked on Sunday's (2) opening stanza. But aside from the Crutcher stock-m- trade which paid off as more sock comedy when patterned for Bracken, the scripter seems to have gone overboard on the double-entendre businei^. There were times Sunday when it bordered too close to mdigo for comfort. If "Tweedy" is slanted for familv attention— and Benny.s been spending years developing uni- versal appeal for the Sunday at 7 •segment— Crutcher had better thmk in terras of juve appeal, as well. Basically, his story material Is okay. With Morgan as a college prof in a girl s school, addicted to say- ing and doing the wrong things at the wrong time and inadvertently emerging as Mr. Fixit (shades of Bracken), it lends itself to mod- erately amusing comedy. . . Morgan gets a good assist from Eddie Green (doubling from 'Duffy s Tavern") and Nana Bryant, with Elliot Daniel taking care of the or- che.stral bridges. • Pall Mall commercials are laid on with the same thickness as Luckies. with a reprise of the war- time "on the land— in the air— on the sea" sound effects and the trip- hammered "cooler, smoother plugs. You really know Morgan is out to sell Pall Mall. -THE COKE CLUB" With ^Morion Downey, Leah Ray, David Ross, Coke Club Quartet, Jimmy Lytell Oroh Prodnoer-Dlrector: Paul Lonb Wrifter: Hector Chevlfny IS Mins.; Mon.-Frl., 12:11 p.m. COCA-COLA WOR-MBS, N. T. (D'Arci/) Mutual has moved this show, long- time' aired over its network giinus New York, into its flagship with a format revision and a buttressing of Morton Downey with, the Coke Club (Quartet. Show's basic new feature is a twlce-a-week salute paid by Downey to a "big, little American" who has performed some notable public service. The tribute is de- livered through straight narration and on the new show's preem Downey gave the verbal palm to a Chicago citizen who arranged lor some recreational facilities to be opened for teen-agers on the south side. Show, emerges as a so-so melange of gab and music. Downey's thrush- bird warbling of "Everyone Is Say- ing Hello" and "Welcome to My Dreams" > might appeal to listeners deep in the snows of yesteryear but certainly lacks a modern note. Ap- pears, moreover, to be straining for the high register which was Downeyls trademark. Backing up with some fancy harmonizing, the quartet took over by themselves for one oldie, "Memories'' which they rendered with suitable mazola. Jimmy Lytell's orch has a pleasing accent on strings. Emceeing the show In Informal stylCi Leah Ray strikes an in- gratiating manner in her chattering with Downey and David Ross' handling of the Coca-Cola plugs is InoFfensive. Program is transcribed, ."OPERATION STATESIDE" With Ray Lewis, Jane Drennan, Henry Leff, Dick Ellers, Edwin MacDonald ' Wrltfcr'Producer: Dick Bertrandlas 3« MIns.; Thurs. (3t), 9:3* ajn. SuslainluK KPO-NBC, San Francisco This was an emotionally dramatic poetic prose narrative depicting the impressions of an unidentified (3.1. returning to his Jiome after serving in the armed forces. It related the tense reactions of a home-hurtgry boy, provoked by situations, voices. Bounds and evients as he progressed from his ship through Separation Center, tj home-town and discharge. The show superlatively highlighted facts and fears which face all re- turning war vets. It was excellently written and effectively produced by Dick Bertrandlas, recently, returned frbm service, and well siipported by competent cast with Ray Lewis turning in a . sensitive lead role por- trayal. -■ Show previously had been offered April 20 and was repeated as Memorial Day feature because of sodk listener reaction. Ted "OPERATION CROSSROADS" flflth Joseph E. Davles, Albert Bln- steln, Gen, Georc* C. Kenney, Sen. Rrlen McMahon, Harold Urey, Harold C- lokes, hep. Jerry Voor- hb, Mrs. Wendell Wlllkle, Vlce- Adm. W. H. P. Btendy, Dr. Lather Evans, Archibald MaoLelsh, Har- old E. $tas.ponsorship of ."The Shadow" on the 87 Mutual .staMoas on which it s now being bankrolled by Grove Labs, ii) the southwest and west, .starting Sept. 8. Carey Salt and Blue Coal will continue sponsoring it in the midwest and east respec- livelyi .Contract, for 52 weeks, is throush the Ajthur MeyerhofI Ascncy, Chi. In the 5-5:30 p.m. slot on the wc.'itern .stations, it s the first network .show Washington, June 4. * Application of CBS to purcha.se Staiioti KQW, ."SOOO-walt San Fran- cisco outlet owned by the BrUnton Bros., was nixed la.st Friday (31) by KCC. Sales ticket wa-s. $950,000. Vote was four lo two. with Cliffoi d J. Durr and Ray Wakefleld dissent- ii'.U. KCC statcjLIt did not believe net- works ..'tations is a pretty good ceiling for a web. CBS owns seven outright, of which six are 50,000-watt clear channel powerhouses. No other net owns more than five. There appears a strong possibility that CBS may take the matter to court to test the commission's aii- Ihorily to limit the number of sta- tions a single owner can control.- Actually there is no official lid on the liuiuber of standard outlets, and this is the first case in the standard field in which FCC has'said to. a sinjjle owner: "You've got enough." Commission has a limit of six on FM chaimcis: and flye on video. In that connection, CBS may also test the authority of the FCC to limit the number of FM stations. Web, which has FM outlets in New Yoi'k and Chicago, and applications in for Bu.ston, Los Angeles. St. Louis and Minnciipolis. lasi week filed -an application for a seventh FM chan- nel—in Washington. A release by CBS in Washington stated signifi- cantly: "It was pointed out that the appli- cation does not now raise any ques- tion under the FCC ruling limiting FM station owiUMship by any one licensee to six outlets, as .such a Hucstion would not arise until the FCC had granted six FM licenses to CBS:" Thrf.e Reasons In its application to purcha.se KQW, CBS laid down three rea.sons tConlinucd on page 52) General Food$ Shutters MBS 'House of Mystery' "House of. Mystery," the General Fobds-spoh.sored show on Mutual, recently awarded top network honors in the juve division at Ohio State lER Conference, bows oiil this Saturday t8). While Benton on account, still holds a six-week re- newal option for fall airing, move, coming in wake of whole.sale GF retrenchment, looks like "permanent rblderoo unless grain situation im- proves. Show was created by Bob Max- well, juve package specialist, follow- ing story preference survey made by Dr, Robert Thorndyke of Colum- bia University. Data compiled re- vealed that moppets of both sexes in wide-age range preferred supernat- ural mystery to any other format. Olga Druce, agency producer-di- rector of vhow, resigned this week and is weighing other offers, among thenx production of adult version of "House of Mystery." known, that manager James Gaines I lotio n company has sp onsored: and asst. manager, W. Burke Miller :, are heading ' the planning board, wliich expects to come up witiv .some big-scale public Service shows by fall. New AFRA Pact, Miller, who came out of the Army only on April' 1, after having been with OSS, u.sed to be in charge of the net's public service programming before he went into uniform. Qn his shoulders lies most of. the re- sponsibility for spending that cool million to show New York and the country that when NBC's flagship it Bowles, agency i goes in for shows-"in the public in- Spark Fireworks Six resolutions, some of them ex- pected to spark lively nppo.silion. are terest" it does so on a bigger and j coming before a meniber.ship meet- better scale than any ever seen be- ■ ing of AFRA's -New York local fore. . I Thursday night f6). Feeling among network execs is 1 At the same time, signs of on- Cragston Out Of ABC Co-op Setup coniing negotiations for i-enewal of the AFRA contraict with the .net- works were seen in the fact that the meeting was scheduled to elect a committee to- deal with wages and working conditions.' Two of ihe resolutions, which arc expected to be passed without much argument, deal witli condeinnation of the Lea •Anti-PetriUo" bill and ilio Ciise Bill. DL'II D J* M T* J ■'^ resolution that may cau.>;e a rnUly KaaiO-IieWS lie I dispute is one adopted by the Na understood to be that, NBC being the profitable operation that it is, can afford to invest that $1,000,006 in •■fancy'* programming as an example to the rest of the country. Daily News Dickering For WDAS, to Complete Philadelphia, June 4. I The Daily News, Philiy's only i tabloid, is reported dickeri'ig f-,r the j purchase of WDAS, 250 waiter which '. is independently owned. If the deal ' jells, it means that every local news- j paper will have a direct radio ticup. | The Inquirer owns WFIL. ABC out- ! let; the Evening Bulletin operates WPEN, non-network, and the Rcc- ! ord recently purchased WC,^U. CBS ' outlet. ! Neither Lee EUmaker, publisher I of the News, nor Alexander Dan-' nenbauni. WDAs prexy, would ciis- , tional Board of AFRA but about which the N. Y. chapter board has done nothing. This resolution con- demns opponents to OPA. The tra- ditional split between ''ivory tow- eritns" and their opponents is likely to develop over this resolution. Another resolution calls for tii-ht- ening the- constitutional provision.-^ for filling the unexpired term of ' a National Board member. This j re.solutioh cites the fail that Juano Hernandez has • resigned from tho | BIT ABEL GREEN When Jack Benny returns in the fall it will be his 15th year in radio. With the progression of time, the comedian has noticed , a number of things in radio trends and cycles, particularly as these concern com- edy shows. . First: I f i he llvst half-year is good, the audiciice will accept almost any- Ihiiig thereafter, he feels. Consi.stent listening, say until after the holi- days, and especially if audiences like the programs, conditions them, de- spite Ihcmsclves, to thinking- every- thing is great: The theory of "the greatest .show yoii ever did" is fallacious, says the vcter,-ih comedian, because . "ril prove it this way.- 1 think 'Born Yesterday,' which we just saw on Bioadway, is the greatest show 1 ever saw. Now, as I say it, I kno\y that's wiong because you and I have -said that dozens of tinics about -the greatest this and the greatest that. Ill other words, it's your best le- memborcd. meaning your most re- cent program, which is the deter- mining factor. In actuality Allen and ! have done other 'greatest' shows but )iow they're talking about ' Freds Mr. and Mrs. satire with Tal- Iiilah. or my appearance with hiih this p;!.st Sunday." Amateors Gel Leeway Di.spo.cing of that, Benny feels ."iii-onKly about some other things in radio. Mo.st recent is the trend for those .somewhat .screwball-participa- lion pro.^rams. chiefly of a daytime Jiature. wherein nervous audience candidates have been known lo com- mit ..some quite awkward faux p;;?. Bcniiy observes, without laboring the point, becau.sc his comedy .style doesn't depend on s.a. gags or leer- ing delivery that nonetheless it docs surpri.se all comedians how they are subjected to all sorts of censorship rcstrjcl ions, whereas these other programs gel; .so much latitude. While he- dismi.s.ses it a.s-. not being particularly a major concern, says Benny, let any of the topflight com- ics essay ad libbing which the day- lime quizmasters and interviewees of the. sundry bride-groom, honey- mooi'i, "queen'' and- kindred shows iiidulse in— and they'd hear fioin ,«poii.--or. network and public pronto. Rcfcjing to VARiE'fY's tabulation roctntly, indicating that fhe same ra- dio t<>|>notthers in lOie were on top 10 years aso. he thinks there's, no I Continued on page 52) Finally, there are two resolutions i 'Author Meets Critics* asking that a membership meeting be called for a report after AFRA's Seasonless Listening Stressed by KMBC In Ballyhoo Cured to DST Kansas, City, June 4. KMBC's promotion deparlmeht has rigged up a daily newspaper cam- paign as a kick-back against the loss -of iune-in due to daylight sav- ing lime, and the resultanl jumble ■it has caused in prograinming and lisleiier appeal here. Promotion director E. P. J- Shurick has a series of 12 to run in 12 dailies throughout the territory during ihe summer months when D. S.T. gunis up the work.s. Theme of the , series advi.scs listeners to gel their radios in shape now foi' the big programs ahead, and ads list those big progranis as appearijig right now. It's also calculated as a bulTer against the summer slump in listening, when some of the bigger shows clear the air waves. Tile total of 144 insertions will carry through June and July. Stressing such phra.ses as "Warm Weather Li,-.leniiig Hints," "No Va- cation for Big Programs," and "News Is Hot the Year 'Round." .sc- ries begins in consumer dailies ncvl •vveek. A. shakeup took place this week in the ABC's cooperative programming dept., and llie ihufTle found Bariiey Cragston (tepping out suddenly. Dope was that top leadership of the tuss the nrgolialions, but 't is 'uiown I national convention, to be held in net has been di.ssalisfled with co- j||,gt EUmaker has been' ai'xious to ' August, and tor quarterly niectin;;s | op department'.s lop-heavy organi'/a- I buy into a radio station, since the : of AFRAitcs to di.scuss matters of! lion as a separate entity. | other three Philly papers now have general concern, to mcmber.s. First : According to one soui'ce, the ABC 1 station affiliations. For s'i. with Ihe re- sult that, some of the ABC execs felt their co-op dept. was not doing as well as it should; Crag.slon's sudden bdw was laid to "conflicting opinions on polic.v mat- lei'.<." His place was taken tem- porarily by Muri-.iy Grabhorn, man- ager of Ihe web's .--talions sales dept. .^s .such, Grabhorn was responsible for the co-op setup anyway. While watching co-op. GiablVoni conliiuM-. also a.s coortliniilor of the network's O&O. stations as well :is head of the .spot .>iaJcs dcpl. Larry Suites reinaiiis sales man- ager lor .ABC c»-i>p, «mIi Lyi) Wil- .son heading the lu oiiiotiitn i.iid crc - alive (livi.'-ioii. iiiul Ludw i>; .Siinnitl as office niaimtCr. association with WDAS, scheduling regular news .shots and other pro- grams. The paper and ra-|R) station have al.so worked together i'. luiiner- Sccond bears the signatures of Casey Allen; Frank Butler. Malcolm Childs. I.Mary Hunleri Winston O'Kccfc. Doii^ na Keith. Emit Rcnan.. Alex Scoui by ' and Martin Wolfson. Trails CarlinSix Years; He Finally Succumbs "Airihor Mc< Is The Critics.' which swilclii-d recently from WTiN. .V. Y. lo WQXn, ;,l.so goes on Mutual Rtt- work June 12. MBS' N. Y. oi;tltt. ■ won. howovci'. won't carry show. WQXR's program will be .sponsoied, I as bcfoi-c. by Book of the Month Club. Mutual net program will- be Top 15 and the Opposition Willi Biiip Crosby e.viiiiig (lie Krw/t Mk.sIc Hrtll. slioir loolt n Ti.l iio.sedire i" I'le (nic.vt lAInii 3(it /fooper lallies. di.siippcni'nio jfroiii ilie Top |.S fankx and iriirriiiiy iip No. T.i on the l/.oopcr puriulc. lEihrard Ervrell Horlon iiioucs iiilo KA//1 Jimc 13, week earlier i/uiii oiiiyinrtdi/ SCI.) . Gull/ .vi.r o/ (lie .sliou's fnriiu; i/ie s(i/I" oppo.s-iiioii o/ lli« To|f 1.") suc- ceeded ill crushing l/ii-oii«/i irii/i ini H.O or liellt'r in llie IiiickI report. It, ti-d.s -ifope, Sl.cltoii. t'iblier in the One, 'I'n o, Three- sjiot, u il/i Al.leii moving iii/o No. 4 posilion. I'llOGRAM Bob Hop .... ......... 27..')~ Red Skcllon ... . ...... 24.2 Fibber &. Molly........... 2:t..') Fred Allen -. , Itl.H .Str(-en Guild Players . 111.7 "Lux Radio Thcairc" .. 10.0 Charlie McCarthy . !«.« "Mr.. Di.-trict Altoi ncy"! . . .. IH.-I Jark Benny : Walltr WirK'hcll 17.4 Kay Ky.-icr ... Ui'.i .lack ll.'ilcy :. Ii: :i "Take U-L(-ave Ii " . . .. \n.'> .•',ijb' \ 9.,T "T( li pliunc Iliiui". / (i.4 "Intiii niatictn PU a.^c" 8.2 Bi.ij Cro-by 10.0 ".M.-iiihatlMi .Mi.ii-.v-GorRi.-.iiHr (1.(1 "lliiur kI Chill in " ii.4 "Irmci Sanctum" .•uslainin.:;. Shows will not be the .amc. the ■ two iJio^rams calling for rlid'crcnt - books and critics, with John K. M. , McCrfFri V howe ver emco. in.f; b(ith ' programs. WQXR s is a Tluir.iOay I y:l{(l p.m. shu-.v. rtbroadcast by trnn-. '.-^ciiption Sund.-iys 2::)0 pjn. MiitiK.-rs • sluiw. a live one, will he heard I Wi (inc.sdays: lft::)0 p.ni. I Ownu-pr'oductr Martin Slon-.r aiul j Miilual'.-: ijiO'^ramming hc"d Phillips iCarlin )il;.-n e^■p.■.ndi^.^ J-iKS' .sh-.iw. pichinj; up authors outside N. Y, on rtmote sliu«,s, iran.sportin'; show^ a.": ;; r ,i.s Molly vvnod for tho piu'po.sc. I'-'ilm ra-,jiinl i.s lobked on .is p.M ilcu- • ily iiiviiin.':. because of authors ' fi\: in rc.'ii.. with .some, of a pic's stais lirrsMit ;is v.tll the author ; I'liiri still.; angle is that S'onc aii- ; ciliiined liis sliow^ for NBC rix yi-ars ; :.;;o, ' v.h( n Carlin, then .with NBC, .liniicd it dov.n. Four yi-ars :.;;o, ;v. -itii r.U'lMi had swilchv:'i t.) ttie ■ EImc i.ABCi, he turn(:d it eown ' ; tifiiv when -iibmiltcd lo liim. Since .jiiiiiiriv Mutual, he's eh.in;L'ed hi.s .Ml). 46 WeimMJmjf June 6, 194^ CBCs 'Confiscation Policy Is B> ( if AltLES J. LAZARlfS Montreal. .111116 i. Olio poicnl fac< can be gleaned fiiiii! tlie Cunadian Am;)!, of Bi-oad- CHsl<»is foiii-day •'cohvontion con- cliidoJ in Quebec City last Thiiis- d;iv ciO". Though the CAB., as a borU. lias dnimmcd up cnoujih cmiiauc u> piolest certain CSC. ac- lioiis.— i.e.. the taking over ol iiidic fri-qiitfiu-icp— the . individual indie nuMnbcrs are generall.v disnppoinletl ji: tl'.o rcsvfll.- of the parlc.v. and do. n.'i vo; r jls iin.'il\ diriicull to esliil)lish as y; ulmi tlic CAB intends to do of- iui;ill> Willi rosards to n.iihlins; the CBC oti ccilaiii issues. Bui for the ii-coiil. ilio c-oiucntion, in a rc- UM.-.cf! >l;i!cnicnt. protested CBC"s inlei ;crciiic with the fivciuoiicios or Viriv :;nlii.i stations, and proposed ihc si-i;lri;; up of "a new and inipar- \ -.tV b-'tiy to rcKulate oporatioii of ail Canadian broadeastiH!; stations. Tlio icU-a to set up an "imparliar liinl,\ to (Viotrol radio broadcasliiii; i« (-1 .i;rcater siijoiricance than in.vihi ; ppcar al first glance; siiiie i; is the lir.-it step taken by any or- U>ir.i/.rd Kioup of Canadians to siiii) CBC of some of il.^ p.t)\v(>r. CBC ii! its present setup has iit rolled radio system, and.i ' rr •;i:iii); as top authority over Ciiii- adian radio. Should the CAB pro- |)os:il be iinplemented at a. fiiluie date, il will nioaii simply that CBC'i; mil" as Canadian radio czar, will be doni- away with and a bpd.v similar 111 the FCC in U. S. would be formed. What llie C.^B can actually do: in soi-inu lh;M ils • idbas are put into piarlico. remains. to be seen. Meanwhile. Ihoujih many siibjecls were discui^scd at the confab it wat; e\ idem lh:ii the indie ops were pri- mal i'.i interested ill dcalinj; with their worry No. 1. The indies swprd-of-Damocles leeliiiji was heightened by CBCs move In lake over the frequencies of CFRB. Toronto and CFCN. Cal- vary. Where the axe will, fall nCxt. il"e- indies' main worry at piesi'iit. sieve it's iinknowii what the next imive on the part of CBC will be. -Vlrw Wit'ii Alarm" Ci'ii'f beef ii: the ofTicial CAB sMieinei!l was the "absurd" siliialion wlu'.ein llie CBC "while competiii.u will' ii'itependcnl stations, al the saire liie.e reuiilatcs and controls il>- C'liiM'el ito' s. " ■ So lon.« as the CBC occnpic.- the fie'fl 1)1 commercial broadcaslint. it sI'M- 1(1 be eonfined to it.- brcad- r.is il l; activity and should not in- teiiiMr with, or regulate its com- peM;iiis." the statement added! Tliou.nh not naniins the atleeled staliiiiis specifically 'why. il could no! In; learned i CAB adopled a reso- luiioii that • viewed with alarm" the CBC plan to move in on indie frv- queiicies. li was not in ihc public ' iiileiesi "that the CBC be permilled . til iiilei fere" with such tiequeiicies. tlio lesoUilior. said, meanwhile iii- siriuiiii;; ll-.c CAB directors and of- li.erv ••(„ oppcise the proposal as \ i'.;iiioo.-.|y as possible " Wlllc 111,. CAB . didn'i : iiidicjle viMI fiii-m ils 'vigoipus" oppiisilion til CBC plans would lake! and tliiii'!;!; il dosen't appear, on the sin -, face iii:.vw:iy. that there's vei y niuch il car till for the time beiiiK. it's iiiin e liuiM likely thai the . conslaiii bi-i ls a(;aii:.-i| ihe CBC On the pa; I ni li e Midie op^. members of por- liairei'i and the Canadian public, lia- leached ihe showdftwn stase. Il.iii.x Sednwick. CFRB op and ri'a r 11.111 of Ihe CAB board. >aid l e- ceMl.v ilu.i •If the CBC takes over oi'i wave leiifilh it wilt be ijiifii- imnii ; li)ei i.\ . . We intend to u.^e I'very lexitiip.dle inean.v. to pel.-iiHdr Ihe y.ivernmci:! Ihal it wmild be nil la i I'arliumenlary A.ssuranre r:.ii ;.er in titc week, the Hcru.'-e of- Civimifi's -ca., 'told that the !Fi-flera: Governmci'.t "l-as ho intehtion ol disposse..>i'-^" the op? of CFRB until all ii ie.e-ted partie.- have a chance, fo ap.je.ir before the. Parliaini'ntary ud'o con:rr.lttt'e. ir.'. not kr.ow ii as yel. nor wa.- .it dL-.closed at the convention, whether the CAB «as invited, or iriietids to «ubm:t it.s iecofr;mendalii.iii.-. to the (Continued on page ; Canada Also Exercised Over Freedom of Radiol I Ottawa. June 4v ! ', Next : session of Canada's parlirt- I menl will be presented with a "bill j of riijhl.s-' which will include "free.- 1 doins (if press and radio." according ■ to Progressive-Conservative n\einber ■ John biefenbaker. . . The MP. Nvho will pre.sent the new: bill. .said. "Freedom of radio is ; ol' niajor significance in view ot the (iovcrnnicni's decision to deny the provinces the ri^ht to operate radio stations. In ni.v opinion; it GoyernT ineni-cnnlrolled thouglit oyer pro- vinciaily-ow'ned • stations is danger- ou.s. it becomes immcasurnbl.v niore so if Ihe re.deral Govcrnmenl e.Ner-" cises like control over a nalioiial sysiem." . . ■ • B&B Preps /Our Town' For American Rail AssD. Benton Sc Bowlee has taken «ii opt tiou on Thornton Wilder's prize- winning legiter, "Our Town," for possible radiia show to introduce Assn. of American Kailroads, its clieni into .radio. BiiB has had a script done, but 1»o casliiiK or auditions as yet. WHl present 'Town" and other ideas to client in midsummer, for . fall setup. ■Rail assii.. . hitherto confining promo- iion efToi-Ls to magazinies, will likely curtail latter outlay fpi- new; i'adio. .sponsor.ship. t M > t 1 1 1 1 t t 1 1 1 1 **tt******1***** *t »ttt t n H M I MH- From the Production Centres 'Audition Playhouse' Ties Up the Loose Ends^ Giving Idea Man a Break Fresh idea in radio progi'amming, i.-; claimed for ' Audition Playhouse." new package show now making . a.i;i'ncy rounds. Show's chief fuhc- iion is to gfve a hearing to radio ideas which haven't got beyond the I sci jpi sl;i,s;c. Each week the show- spots one 'aiidilioh script" of a slunv idea. Format varies weekly— diamatie. variety. musical or coincdy. Admittedly ihe flock of package agencies have scripts, which tliey've ne\ er had a chance to produce-,-and which no one has bought. In addi- lioii. freelance writers, college radio work.shops and non-pros have ideas which agency and network prograni buyers have, bcch loo busy lo thumb Ihioiigh. Show will present idea in dramatized form taken o(T the air in- stead of a sciipt, aiding in ils prps- ptctive sale. New show will be a showcase for prospective sponsors, .ijivinj; them a new program idea each week at the same lime presenting an enlcrlainmenl program. At end of 13 wcek.s. best show in .series will be given a tryout by sta- tion or .spon.-ior. \vho will then share in Ihe program. Show, a half-hour, once- weekly., iy being produced by Jack Lloyd, through his Internation- al. Radio & Television Features. WMCA, N. Y.. is now considering it for a stistainer. but Lloyd is hopeful of picking up a sponsor promptly! ■ Hpll.vwbod, June 4. . . Likelihood: of a Radio Academy presenting awards for outstanding work at the. same time that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences does, becomes highly pos- sible- with Nat'l Assn. of Broadcast- ers'' board slating that plans for such aii - Academy "had been approved in j)rinciple." Action, it is understood. Will be pres.-ied ai the NAB board ineeling in I Ksle's Park. Colo.. Augii.sl. 7-9. Con- ctirreiii piesehtalions of film and radio. Academ.v awards i>exr year wovild -be' p(issible. provided Acad- em.v plans were pushed . before the close of this year. i Proposed plan calls for a wide nieinbership basis: divided into 12 branches: management; artists, musi- cians, writers, tlireclors! producers, lievv.s ediiors and commentators, ad- vertisinK aKencies. sponsors, public i'elation> pcrsoni\el. engineers, and the . public through radio listener cnunpils eslablished in every corn- inunily where there is one or more iadio transmitters. '" Under the plaii. awards would be made on both local and national levels, ijiversiiy of membership ii; to prevent control or domination by aiiy single interest. j St. Louis — Garlh Slaisbury has joined the news slafT at. KWK. He served three years as an artillery oflicer after his graduatioiT from the Missouri U School of Journalism. WPEN Juggles Sponsored Shows Around to Permit 2-Hr. Philly Dell Concerts Philadelphiii, June 4. WPEN last week Eigned for the broadcasting rights of Robin (loud Dell concerts, forcing several ad- vertisers lb shuffle their lime so that the entire two-hour programs niay be aired. . WPEN, which is owned by the Evening Bulletin, will broadcast the Monday aiid Wednesday programs al [ the Dell. Monday conccrLs regularly feature name soloists. Wednesday nights arc set aside for all sym- phonic concerts. Max deSchauensee, Bullet'in music editor, will annotalc the concerts. WTIC Develops On-Spot Coverage Of Major Events for Edited Shows Hartford. June 4. EITeclive method of radio new.s broadcasliim technique has been ■ developed by Leonard Patricelli. prograiii maiiager-,of WTIC. 50.000- watier here. Formal is a digest of the high- li.ijhls of a newsworthy affair on. a ma-ler record, with selections from imporlaiu speeches of individual- involved, with a commentary by a ' slali.on iiews: mikeman. Simple as 'it .■rounds, il tall~ for a great deal . of .piodiiction work, and the complete ■ utilization of a stalion'.-. facilities. I| i'- mil iniended for On the spo! broadcasting, but lor use in a iiev.^ broadcaslinj! period or othier tune set a.^itlc foi airing of th<- special evciil ,. Ifii-a wa- tested by Palricell, in covei aiie of tlie 47th annual nieei.n.ii' here of the Conneclicul Chambe.- ot ('•■iinini-rri' on May 22. Se.-. ioi, :>.„■ ai^ arici'ii jiiii ar;d evening alfa/: ari'i (■J.irien (ivcr six .':Olia ho ii.i. o; spef c'ii- by ■ 1 1 spijaker.-; ' :-evei a;! oi V. Iio'ii ail; iiationally (jn'.-.v; T'. liive. coii,pj<'ie CO- j.Tago WTtC fi.' 'wo ciimiieer.- and a rrikcrt-'-ri m tl,f iin i tin;;. Corripleie irari.sf.r LpliOr v.a. made of. il|i- doiibh' ■.'■h^iif In final broadcast forrr proni hir, wa.- eilu-ied a half-if.our lOo; A-!lh nieai; of 'orielavt »p>;;i!;e. aired, arid a roi-.Tuir^ tdu-.rrA-tt'ni : n Berna.fl .Mi ili.' h/vid ti.'.'i')i..'»".-i M'jMin.^. v.ai(:cd u^, aod tu eai 'i ' speaker by reviewing iniportant I newsworthy statements of each, and i then brought in speaker's voice I making direct statement. Editing ! was by Tom Eaton, news biireRii ■ chief. Willi .sci'iplihg by Mullins and Eaton. On In An Hour Program was aired by stalion less Ihiiii an hour after, final speaker of evonin.g jfot olf the podium. To cover Ihe affair, the station utilized the services of personnel from' eii- gineeriiig, produclion and. news de- pailrnents. in all a total of seven per.soiis wei e.ii'-cd lo gel the ma.Mei lecord into final form for airing. Whai.iriade job more difficult v,-as lack cif sc.rtpr-; by aomt of the .-pcakyi.v This mtani thai wrilleii rettird had i<> \,'- rnade! from f.ide> . 'lit, foi edilKiK purpose. Th» nnal iialf-hoiii <)iOi v,a., made fiorn IB ••iiij.n.i; Ki-iiifi. .<,de;, Froir [hi-^i- J'i dijbi>ifii{, J '.■>!■ !m\ logether iiiin II ciji. for ti,>- ai; finaie. S^aiioi I, pliinnirig l/j give ;■!■■■, f, It,- i-T-.i-^f [I, Irnporiani af- ,'a:i . KI ^.r'.!U' fa .)\\i>i, A''coladp r.-t- t- ■■i\ii-;>'l: t,t-i-, . f.if y b" WTIf; fof II-: ma-'crful ftoviage of if.e cof.f lA v--- 7 hicr ir,Mijd<'/| speal'- VII- .t, Cir. /;a-,vr.',rid Bald-/-;. Wi'.'lfiiht K^••'rlf>ff.'•rl. si'.'-f.ce M.. •'II ',t 'I'l y. Tiir.t--.: T):/- r Ul■.,:■ ■■'>'. 'U.tiiii^- \ir-,\i\ t'lt'f,'-,- i; S A.,j' .A"',; • /• f;i.r,-i, , ■ IN TSEir YORK CITY , Frank Stanton, CBS. prexy, back lron\ soiilh, where he got an honorary LLD degree IronV Birmingham Soiittiern. . , .He'll be dittoed this irionih bv Ohio Weslyen, . , .Oillelle is picking . up the U>1> to air the finals of the open champion.ship from Cleveland on June 15 and the amateur fii^uls Xroin New Jersey on Sept. 14. . . .Alfred M. Kallman. of CBS engiiieering stafi, wiliinarry Nan Coburn. as.sislant .to Jo Hanson, WHN press chief, the com - iiig weekend,.,. . .Brooklyn's SOQlh birthday will be obsei-ved with .several specials- over WHN on Jiine i2. Borough President John Cashinore and " Brooklyn Eagle executive ed Edwin B.. Wilson will be iii group of. Brook- Jynile.s pi!irlicipatint; iii round table on ^'whither Brooklyn." Red Barber will do special phm during his broadcast of t>odgcr game. . . , Lumberioii, N. C'.'s WTSB joins Mulual as full time affiliate Idday (fi.i. makitnj SKSili slHlioii in MBS net, Paul Moyle is manager , . : , . Rita Hurwick. WOV liack. engaged to Johnny Hynies. oj Blow aeency and. ex-ehief of station relations bureau in the OWI pomeslie selui>.... An Henley has wrapped up the righls to ■ the old Ballyhoo, for a half-hoiir comedy show based on the Norman Anthony -edited, iiiag. with Anthony also in on deal for an as.-^isl. '. . .Jeanne Cagney joins "Slellu ■Dallas" players . .. .Inge Adams and John Haby added to "Our. Gal Sunday "... .Doris Daitoiv new lo "Lora Lawton'"; Elaine Williams new additioii to "Baekslage Wife" cast ... .Marvin Youhg (& ShuberlV to Chicago last weekend on busi- ness! . ..Mulual's Fratik Ziizulo ab<;ent last week with strep throat recur- retice. .. .Wayne Murray and Marilyn Boshnick rneinbpr.s of CBS' expi-ri- mentallheisp group. .. .Elajne Kont and Jack Manning iiVto the cast of "Li);lit of the World". . . .Jilhnity Olson andjiis "JLadies Be Seated" back Mon. 13k from a personal a|)pearance lour in 'Erie and Cleveland ■!. .Charle.s Itarrell. ABC producer, huddling with Herniaiv Timberg. cbniedy writer, on a new Broadway legiter for fall production. Cliff Carpenter, bill of the service, is back in. hi.-: lead role , on ABC's "Terry and the Hirales." w'hich he lllled before he was in uniform. Oweii Jordan, who subbed for him, has resigned. .. .George Zachary oil for llic Coast to do linal shape-up of Kord Festival of Atne'ricBn, Miisic wliicU preems Juiie 30. . . .Scripter.s Hedda and Norman Roslen are parents now. ■ It's a girl Albert N. Williams, of Stale Depl.'s short wayery. has soltf a! yariT'to, Colliers. .. .WNEW's waltage-upping. license-renewal hearing before FCC. is expected to hit fron| pages when Aide Bulova. relOrns to Xace the music at N. Y. hearing June 18 Mulual's \y. Patrick. Burkbardt doubliiiK ill assi.slani production' spot on "Married For Life," while doing promolioti for show. ,! . Is Tide's new mag going lo have .something Id do with radio and television','. . . .With Bill Berns on vacation, his brother Sain is running his "Sunday In Hollywood" show on WNEW. ... .Art Ford's all- ni){hl"Milkman's Matinee'' on WNEW renewed oh long-lcrm basis, to June 1. 1949. .. .Jocko Maxwell, said to be only Negro sport.seasler in the conii- Iry (he's on WWRL). now also doing publicity for Newark. N. J;. Eagles. Manufaclurers Trust Co. of N. Y. bought WEAF's "Around the Town With John Cooper " for Mon.-Wed.-Fri.. 7:30-7:4S.p.in. slot, local N. y. onl.v, for .52 weeks. McCann-Erick.son is-agei\cy. Adverse criticism in Variktv last Week of Jane Hoffmai\'.s actiiig in "Angels Don't Marry." Du Mont television show, was slightly e.\ag(ceraled— : especially since the lady wasn't.' even there. Because of sudden illness. Miss Hoffman pulled out of the cast al the last minute, and. sinre the DuMont flackery didn't make an.v announcement to the coiUrary. it whs taken for granted that the actress in question was Mi.ss Hoffman Radio section of the U. S. Savings Bonds Division (formerly War Bonds Divi- sion i moves to New York June 15. operaliuK under Brent, O, Giinls. IK CHICAGO . . . James E. Brown, formerly promotion manager with John E. Pearson Co., joined WBBM sales staff . . . .Norman Blackburn, of the J. Waller Thompson' agency, in town for look-see. .. .Howard Kellihg to Coasl for conference,'! with Gene Aulry . . . .Paul McClijer, NBC central division sales maiiager, elected first veepce of the Chi Federated Ad Clubs Bill Eddy on loan to the Navy from WBKB as civilian consultant in connection with rebuild- ing Ihe Naval E-1 electronics television program. . . ."Top of the Morning" will replace ^'The Wishing Well" for Car.son Pirie Scolt. will' Mar.v .^gnes Schrdeder writing and directing and Bob Murphy and Kay Campbell head- ing the. cast ... . .A. W! Kany. NBC cenlraj division stalion relations "man- ager, off to South AIncrica on a 20-day tour with b."iJI being Tooled by own- ers of Ihe Merchandise. Marl for Kanys second prize in idea contest.... Carl Brissoii. of Mutuals "Voire in Ihe Night!" skeddcd for .several local airings of the show while in town for cafe engagement. . . .Vacationing NBC staffers include George E. Hallmaft. program department; Dorolliy Masler.s, pre.ss. and Henry L. Cavanah. Louis E. Heidcn, Wilfred C. Pralher, Russell B. Sturgis and Williain Hartgenbushof. engineering, Vivian Martin from the Crez Paree to the WBBM vocal slalT Fred- erick J. Lipp with NBC central division continuity department after hitch in Navy as a Thiid Fleet coriespoiident. . . .Swift and Co. taking another 13 minutes of "Breakfast Club" lime: they how sponsor the «:I.i-8:4.'> slot.... NBC affiliate station managers. T. F. Smith of KRS Corpus Chrisli. and Joseph Mackin, WMAN Marionette. Wis., in town for a visit. IN HOLLYWOOD ... The word got around lhal Mann Holiiier. al this late dale, wa.- slill sliopr ping around for a "Parky " midyear staitdb.v .so he had lo leave town to gel away from Ihe constant jangle of phones. . . ;Frances Langfordhas left Ken Dolaii after IS years for representation by Wiltiam Morri.s. Dolan look lier under his .wing when she was singing on a cheroot program in Florida al $;> per ditty and bi:Ought her along to $2,500. a week. At the time..Dolaii, was manager of Rudy Vallee....Whili9 most of the stars maktf with ga!v .tiine!s on their sabbatical! Judy Canova will be sweating ii out in a Coluinbia, picliire. .11 was Mrs. Henry Ford. Sr.. who picked kiio,v iManniiig for the" commentary on the Ford summer hour with Leigh Harline's music. Selec- tion xvas made from a baleh of lecorded yoices. , , .Hedda Hbpjjer will lei ell those fall deals simmer while she betakes herself lo Berlin and Paris. One liiopo.sal has her einCeeing in the DeMille maniier in a rormal takeoff ot "Lux Radio Theatre" in which the big :indie i)roducers would make available their players and pt:operlies. ... Myron Kirk back in town on tjie iiail of the elusive Cro.-by which tiiay lake him lo the bioad expanses ot Na\ada 'wherw der Bingle is re.-ting Riiss Jblinstoii in town lonjt eiioii.'ji l-. giam i^ Skiimay Ennis .... Bob Crosby renewed Ihroiigh October ai|d."Oale, With .Inoy" picked up for the .summer and fall thereby squelching a lol of . loo>e lalk ...Bob Redd gpl nipped on Ihe Ihigli bv a sqttirrerwhich scain- pei ed no his paii.tvleg. and had fo have medical Irealinent. . . , Jack Ruinon. called II b day v.jth MC'A and may package indcpondeiillv The gncssiis aic'iiov,- Kuesinig that Bing will restrict his radio movements next fait lo giie..il .slioU lAhon he'd in town making piclure.s or culling disks! Ile"ll come off htttei Hi,i>ii( ially Ihal way;.,. Lux Radio theatre move.s into il-s Mill .v*Di till- w-e»k.... Don Beldlng. scotching rumors of a rift in tbe agfocv, ae/. " i elalionshlp nmong the partners (Foole and Cone i was never o'-llci and the loiigei w- work together the better we like each other." .VTiirrav Bo.en ea.si to IhIIi abottl the Victor Borge-Bennv Goodman .sl»nv' v/hiM, Htak^M out here in September. ... ;Nils Gi'anlund "has cooked tip a . r,i-j -HI, art called ■'.^ITf; Talkiim" and CBS mav save il for the fall. H"-'- kfie-/-.)i,,f,.7 hen'" i.n,,. with ihe viM .showmun bringing on the stiirs ot •vf-i, - >.i, ' I'L! ooiienlilies wiien he look an itileresi in llieni and nursed tii'-Jii /*ti0,000 a suppprliny same. Lo.s Angeles, San ly,.;,,. to produce its own motion pic- Franciscii, San Bernardino and j ^„.g.; f,,^ i,.se in video. Syndicate Slpcklon. according to latest avail- , jj^^tcd ii.s a.ssets at $27,013,000, in- able dope, uill have aired pix In lauding $6,7.53,000 in -:ush, with cn- .Iheir allotted 'channols. Fresno, San I company surplus $18,891,000, Diego. Siicramcnlo aiid San Jose, al- j _ Chopin's "Minnie Wjillz" and "Diuice. of the Hours. ' From a l(i>( linic:il nniilc the show , :^^e,(en;;'';il:d S'lA^^^l^^ ihe .itunlion could, be cpr changes, lo bring out impoitant de- , r^-clcil very easily. ;dilions very .«oon. Video is too cosily ^ii piT.scnl, when compared with the mall rcluin,'-.. lo tool around \vilh ;Cs. lo Drill;, tails, were usid lo unod effect. Tim- ing and fast oace added lo the .suc- cess of. the ■2ir-miiuile show. '■ ••nUMONT BKKI'STAKiES" With Oeinils , lames, emcee; others rroduccr: Charles Stark Set: Rob Brielil 30 Mins.: iWed. i S!)), 9 p, m. Sustaining; ' " WABn-nuMonI, N, Y. It's gelliivi In a uoinl where any lime (flcvisi.m < >:<-;;s feel the Mccd (Conlinued oil page .')2) RCA PREEMS TELE COURSE RCA's f()ur \vecks course in tele- i-l.sion theory and operation, open tp all bi'o;:d.ciisling engineers from .sta- tions in li-c U. S; and Canada, opened Monday i3) at KCA Institutes, under Ihe supervision ot Gcorgi? F. Macdel, Jr.. chief in.slruclor. ' Similar courses in 1944. and last year had bccJi open only to enuiiicers from stations al- filialed with the ."^BC web. NBC Scores Another Beat With Detroit Jubilee Pix NBC television icorecl another ma- jor newsbcal by telecasting filiris of the .\ulomolive Gplden Jubilee in Detroit over WNBT, the web's N. Y. tele outlet. Sunday i2) night,- only .sp- permitted, have seen np takers to date. J. E. Rodman, Frcsnp. had already obtained "CP" when he withdrew. San Dici'o has had no applicant a>! wilh S.-in .lose and Sacramentp. In StocUlon. .). F,. Peffer is on applica- tion, and in San Bernardino Ihe I Brpadca.siing C»♦♦ »♦♦♦♦♦♦» . ♦♦ Tollow-up Comment: ♦ .♦■♦♦♦♦♦«♦♦ f . Hlldegarde and Buddy Clarke guested on NBC's Carnation show last Monday night (3) to pack this session tightly with music and noth- ing else but. Clark, a baritone crooner being added as a regular to the program starting next . week, made his preview debut in ausijicious style via 'IPenthouse Serenade." "The Gypsy," and a duet with Hil- dcgarde on "I- Told Every Little Star." Voice will probably not float the bobby-sockers but is virile, well- trained and unmnrred by any tricky mannerisms. Hlldegarde chansoned solo on "Full Moon and Empty Arms" with beaucoup so;il-sorrow. Backbone of. the show remains Percy Faith's orchestra with its quasi-sym- phonic depth aiid unusual instrumen- tation on pop tunes. .Program, how- ever, is a bit overweight musically and could effectively use some comic dabs. Literary Airer Case To Trial, Injunction Nixed Motion ot Martin Stone, producer ot "Author Meets the Critics," for an injunction to restrain WHN, N, Y. indie, from broadcasting "Books on. Trial," was denied In N. Y. supreme court Friday (31) by Justice Eder. Meanwhile, Court has set the trial date tor next -Monday (10). Stone^ had alleged that WHN had "appropriated" his idea, originally embodied in "Author," tor the new "Books'', show, and hiid- sought to confuse the listening public by broadcasting the latter show at 8 p.m. Mondays, same time as "Au- thor" had originally been broadcast over WHN, Stone's show moved lb WQXR, N. Y. indie, two weeks ago and Is being aired Thursday nights now. Noting that the defendants had '•unequivocally denied" all Stone's complaints, and had asserted they were not seeking to capitali/.c on his idea or to palni o(1t"Books" as the same show as "Author," Justice Edcr declared that "if this be the fact, there is then no basis whatever for thc'granting of an Injunction or for the maintenance of this suit." HART OFF WNEW, TO KFWB Maurice Hart, WNEW, N. Y. disk jockey of programs of his own plus understudying Martin Block, leaves that station the end ot this week. He heads, for Hollywood June 12, to start ' a daily half-hour disk, sports, news and weather show on CBS' Saturday night "Talks" show 1 ^^WB there, for Chesterfield cig- got hold of something hot when it aired Carroll Reece, chairman of the Republican National Committee, on May 18 with an attack that started from the FCC. Blue Book and ended with all the Hearst-McCormick stuff about the commission using radio for Government propaganda. For, as balance to Recce's rave, the net had to put Thurrnan Arnold on last Sat- urday night (1) as American Civil Liberties Union representative. And ACLU's viewpoint, as expressed by the former Asst. U. 'S. Attorney General and monopoly bustor, is anything but NAB-llke. Arnold struck hard at Recce's 'worn out cliches" and at Justin Miller's "shouting of the same kind of nonsense." He made one parallel between the FCC and the Post Of- fice Dept. which just about wraps up the anti-FCC arguments. He pointed out that the P.O. dept. does under the second class mailing regulations, control the balance between advertising and editorial matter on magazines — which Is no .more than the FCC proposes to do in radio. The dcfensn rests. arets. KFWB show, titled up," starts June 17, week. "ABC Round- six nights a On CBS, Saturday (1) the "re- sponsibility of the press, radio and motion pictures" to acquaint the people throughout the world with the activities of their representa- tives to the UN and its sub-groups, was stressed by Brooke Claxton, Canadian minister of health and wel- fare. Claxton had aririved in New York to participate in the work of the UN group dealing with the for- mulation of a world-wide health and social welfare program. He under- lined the necessity tor "a free ex- change of news" in speaking of the role played by public information media. CINEM ART Offers you- • On iI tiw Uriest stiin m Ntw Ywfc • Aksiliti flMty stiiii aN ilt the iir rteirlii{S • CiRfiiti i$c uri filR recariii fi^litin • ViHyliti Pressints-Jeljurjes 7-10 iay$, risl •Tiers in 4 • NigUi iiptriuni teduncal ftiH • Qwtrical traascriptieas If NM m4 OrlkacMStit StMtfarii • ISml Mtin ptetiris fir tibmiii fbiN M fir istinatis m< OPEN TIME : ruia 3-9172 niirMIPT lECBIDINB ' MOTION PICTURES • PiillC AODJESS tlllLnillnl III Park Afiaai Nan fath 1}, i. I. UN's Draw Continued from page ^2 C. A. B. Continued from page 42 ^ who's getting closest to settling the confused picture of radio research, will take" place Monday (10), when A. C, Nielsen plays host to Chi radio and ad execs at thn company plant. Nielsen meeting follows on the heels of the Chi invasion by C. B. Hooper, who appeared before the Chicago Radio Management Club last week arid later at a subscriber meeting at the Morrison hotel. The Nielsen affair will be the first in a .series of "NRI Open House" evening sessions, with CRMC members as guests for the Initial get-together. . Purpose of the conference, accord- ing to Nielsen, is to demonstrate to Chi radio and ad execs— through ac- tual inspection and explanation of key Nielsen Radio Index operation— that NRI service has developed a thorough marketing research service for radio. ... Nielsen will further attempt to .ihow that the NRI— through Ktatis- tical reoearch, technical research, production of electronic recording devices, pilot operation of radio re- search technlqued, etc^Ijas achieved the nearest exidting approach to an ideal radio re^iearch service In con- trast to the "program rating," upon which moirt radio rnxcsin-.h tm been largely concentrated. WNYC was most enthusiastic. In Siegel's opinion "that simply l>roves the falsity of the idea that the aver- age radio listener is a luiikhcad." To complete the picture, It must be noted that while WNYC asked listeners to let themselves be heard — WEAF, in accordance with a strict policy against such solicitation ot listener opinion about a specific show, did not ask listeners to speak up. ' WEAF actually rebated a total of $7,260 to commercial sponsors whose shows were cancelled on account of the UN broadcasts. W. Burke Miller, asst. manager ot the station, said that, in addition, chunks of- time were rescheduled so that no cash rebate was made, but there was time-cost involved as far as the sta- tion was concerned. WLIB's estimate of commercial costs involved were that 30% ot the time used by UN had been previously scheduled for sponsorship. WMCA's veepee, Chas. Stark, estimated that his station lost $9,400 througli UN coverage. WNYC, being non-commercial, had no re- bate problem, .ot course. in regards to the audience mail pull, the most eager speculation ranged around the tremendous 'gap as between WEAF on the one hand and the three indies on the other. The consensus by researchers was this: "If you're going to do a public service job, promote it. WEAF sim- ply failed to promote." B&B.Y&R — Continued from pagt ti where It's said that approximately 80 are exitliig. With the return of Ted Steele to Benton & Bowles radio dept. fol- lowing his wartime semester, Frank Barton checks out ot the agency. He has been with BScB since Oct. 1 as manager of the radio dept. Steele had been with the agency for six years prior to going into uniform. Barton soys his future plans are indefinite. His radio agency affilia- tions go back to 1930, but he's now mulling going into the building busi- ness. B&B-switchcs last week also found Bush Barnum's bowout as publicity topper, with Dick Bellamy taking over. Latter had been with Matlies agency. Barney Ross to Plug FeOow Pugs Over WHN Barney Ross, former lightweight and welterweight champ, will emcee a series of 10 sponsored shows over WHN. N. Y. indie, starting Sunday (9); as a publicity buildup for the Conn-Louis fight. Brass Rail, N. Y. eatery, is sponsoring the scries through* the . Milton Blackstone agency. Ross, \yith Bob Brumby, former war correspondent, as his aide, will interview both Louis and Conn at their training camps. Remarks will be transcribed on wire recorders and rushed back to WHN for airing from 10:30 to 10:45 p. m. nightly through June 19. Transcriptions are expected to be offered for sale throughout the countr.v. Ross recently joined the Blackstone agency as, an account exec. HERE'S CAROL ADAMS Carol'* altrt to fh* htnd of mwi riiat premptt CaMoa womM to nuM for "Htra'i Carol Adoni" . . . •vory woohdoy morala^ a» toa. Aad Carol lolli Hiom what Hity wont to hoar la a happy boH-bour of lator- vlawt with latoroiria^ poepla aad "|Bit-fcotw««a-at.anii;ed labor. !,*» Vs. 'Free Radio' In biting tones, he hit at Con- gress, thie Nalioiial A.ssn. of Broad- i casters, aiid the new.spapcrs. He \ declared the Lea bill, authored by { Rep. Clarence F. Lea (Cal.). was "dis- : criminatory, unconstitutional, un- | democratic and the first step against free radio." Pctrillo, without mentioning Presi- dent Trurnan, rapped the President when he said: "I would be Willing to bet every dollar I own today that President Roasevelt would not have signed that bill if it had come to him." Contract.s with the union.s in the three originating cities. Petrillo said, expire Jan, 1,^ 1947, due to an action during his (irst year as picsident of the AFM. It is on that dale he plans to issue his restraining order, if the Lea bill is declared consti- tutional. Insisting that he is a loyal citizen. BLAZES THE TRAIL! Here's marked progress In planned program- ining! By conslttently airing better local shows with top audience and sales appeal, WJW won 8 firsts out of 19 classifications with .47 points against the next station's 26 in the Cleveland Press Radio Poll . . . prov- ing again that WJW Is Cleveland's CHIEF Station I -J A ^^ B o Petrillo admitted he Is now waiting (or a U, S. marshal to arrest him because he intentionally violated the Lea bill In Chicago last week in calling the WAAF strike. He pref- aced his remarks on tlic Lea bill with an attack on the NAB. which he accused of spending millions of dollars for propaganda and haying more lobbying power than the Na- tional Assn. of Manufacturers. Never before in the history of the U. S., he declared, had one orghnization. "brought abpiit the passage of a law directed against one union and leav- ing all the others out." "Tlial's Foul" "I want lo tell you, that's foul," he shouteci::.-."But the NAP will sec the day when they will comc to us tor help. As sure as I am standing here, the next step will be against the broadcasters themselves. And I don't want to see it. I want to see free radio." He told of a meeting in Now A'ork between (he executive bo;>vd ol the AFM and niembcrs of NAB, at which he pointed out to the bioadc:islers thai they supplied only .$H,000.000 of the $25,000,000 received by nnisicltns annually in salaries. "All wc get from you Tcllows is propaganda," Petrillo . (lunlod him-, self as saying. "You arc an unscrup- ulous organization. 1 tell you. get that kni:e out of our hau'c or we won't do business with you -..uy more in the Xulure." "So now Ihoy won't be friend with us." he griinicd. Shrugging hi.v s^lu ul- ders. he added: "Wc arc i^ol going lo talk business like that. Tlic-ru is too much involved." Referring to the roconi railroad strike, he said he remembered a time when all labor laws were modeled after those made for the railroad unions. "Now. becaii.se two brave labor leaders are caught in th'.> middle, they are called the two mos' un- scrupulous labor leaders in . the. his- tory, of America. It look-; like Jim, Petrillo is beginning to h.Tve com- pany.'' He saw danger in the attempt to shackle labor implied in other laws recently introduced. "The Lea bill is bad enough." he said, "but the Case bill really does the job on ail labor." He was especially bitter in his de- nunciation or Congrc-s for the clr.im that it is fighting to keep up the standards of American labni by not permitting cheap labor to come into the count i-y. Congress, he asserted, had tried lo stop the AFM Jrom plac- ing a ban on foreign broadcasts which, he claimed, were "not only cheap labor, but labor for nothing. Congressmen are working against the American musician and for th.. for- eigii musiciaii." He singled out for spe'.-i:;l attack Congressmen who have s' .'ed with the N.^B a-iainst the AFM. only to have it revealed that they receive part of their income from ?\'AB con- nections. His most stin;'.i:!g barbs were directed af Rep. Eugeiu- Cox (Ga.), Who has called Petrillo a "racketeer." "if I am a racketeer." he snapped, •'why did you boys in Wiishingioii have to pass six laws to get ino'/- What's the matter with tiie present law'? The federal penitentiaries are full of people, and I am not smart enough to beat all the law.'--." Pelrillo said Cox was jhown in J941 to have received $2..V]0 from a Georgia radio station for fixing a case before the FCC. Laic-. Petrillo added. Cox sent the nioncy baei; and became a stockholder with the radio station's own money. He charged that Rep. Lea had sponsored the Lea bill in rKlurn for the NAB s .sanction in giving a-soi;i- ate Justin Miller the fat N.a'b prexy plum. Davis, Fly, Kl Al. Others criticized by Pelrillo for their aflilialion will) broadcasting companies which he. said had iiifiu- enced them in their performance of duty were former OWI Diiector Elmer Davis, two former chairmen of the FCC-OPA Adminiilrator Paul Porter and J. Lawrence Fly and Sen. Burton K. Wheeler, chair- man of the Senate Committee on Inlerslate Commerce, who.se son, Petrillo said. \f a member of NAB.' Petrillo also attacked the news- papers, which he accused of working );aiid-in-hi:iid with NAB to .shackle him. A.';.^'J;^ing that 300 of 900 radio stations in the U. S: are now cm;- li'olled by the pi-ess. he .waid this would s'oon include every station in America. "We're getting the wor.-^t of it^" he told, delegates. "Ai'd there's nothing v.-e can about it. I want you to know v.■h.^•. ^)l!;|•(•^^ a lot of talk about publir s.enLin cmI. But the l e-.v rjri.neis iMifle /lubMc .senl:- mcnl, and ihey'ie nol as po'/.cJJul as Negroes Barred, PetriDo Cancels St. Petersburg, Fla., June 4. "If our colored delegates are not good enough to go there, \vc flgiire we aren't cither." With these words, Jaihes C. Petrillo, AFM prexv today cancelled the AFiM convention's scheduled outing for its 801) delegates when two night clubs— Bill Williams', on Treasure bland and the Penguin Club at Sunset Beach— refused to admit Negro delegates. Greyhound had .set aside 20 chartered buses for llxc scheduled all day outing, and the two clubs had prepared $3,500 worth of foods and liquors. Petrillo ordered the food and polublcs given to charitable institutions. The 45 Negro delegates attending the convention are slaying in the homes o( local Negro residents, having, been refused rooms at the h q hotel, th^ Soreno. All 45 arc musii:ians, ot course, from various parts of the country. votes when it comes to influencing Congress." . Lauding the AFM for its democ- racy, Pctrillo declared; "There is more democracy; in this federation in one miiiute, and in the coming week in this convention, than in a lifetime of some of the Sciiators and Congressmen iii Washington." Commenting on Congress" . claim that it represents the people. Pe- trillo said, "It all depends oi\ who the public is, and what side of the fence the public is on." After Petrillo's fiery address Mon- day, convention delegates rcla.»:cd Tuesday during a day-long tour of St. Petersburg and the nearby gulf beaches. They were scheduled to get down to the serious business of Ihc con- vention Wednesday morning (5). Phil Spilalny's all-girl orchestra will entertain delegates between business sessions Wednesday. More, business sessions arc scheduled Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and will in- clude nomination and election of new officers. CBC Meet Conliniird from |>:>Ke 4S committee. The committee wilt be headed by Ralph Maybank, and from various sources it was learned tliat some indies will ask to appear, whether the C.\B sponsors tliem or not. Napier Moore, edilorial director of Maclean's Publications, addre.wd the parley and .hit out hard on the way the CBC conducts its business. In a veilt:d warning to the bps, he told them that the coming year would be of great significance to Canadian indies. He didn'l elabo- rate on his hinted warning, but there could be no mistiiking the tra- get for his remarks. J. N. Thivlcrge. general manager of CHRC, Quebec, was elected prexy, and Rolaiid Beaudry, Mon- treal, was named veepee. Treasurer is Paul Lepage, CKCV, Quebec; secretary, Joachim Grenier. Quebec. Directors are: G. R. A. Rice, CF- RN.. A. M. Cairns. CFAC. Lloyd Moll'att, CKBI., F. H. Elphike, CKWX.. Harry Sedgwick. CFRB., K. D. Soble, CHML.. Jack Beardall, CFCO.. A. GaiUhiei, CULT., Col. Keith Rogers, CFCY., and Maj. W. C. Bor.rett, CHNS. Van Horn East for CRP Hollywood, June 4 Arthur . Van Horn, newly-elected v-p of Command Radio Produc- tions, Inc., group of cx-slafl'ers of Armed Force.i Radio Service here left for New, York during week to open a branch office there to push sales of their package productions. Electioius were held immedialelv prior lo his departure. From among ;iO stockholder-workers Walter Schu- mann wa.s elertcd proxy and chair- man. Mike Mcshokow was named treasurer-secretary, and Elliott Lew- is got second v-p post. close hauled to the wind requiies a steady hand at the wheel. Like (lie ski|>|>cr of ihc yawl, radio time salc.'Sincn hiusl be experi- enced. Wcc(i and Company'] stuff of seventeen "old hands" daily covers the nation's iiiiporiaiii udio rchtei j with the skill and cficciivcness iliai come only from long exj)cricntc. ; ; Nil' lADia STATIIN lEPIESERTATIVES N(« Twk • IntN • ckieait • Adnia Ntnit • Sm Frucisct • Our c/i«/i/j or* >hos* vou read obout For effectivt Consult ART FRANKLIN A $ S O C I A T I S 460 Fourth AvoRue • New York 16, H. Y. Ctit MUtriy Hill 4-S47I f I I I 1 f f f i i 1 I f i I I Wt'tlncMlay, Jum« Sy 1946 ORCIIESTRAS-MUSIC 57 ASCAFs 'Country Club Set? The "country cUib set" is an intra-trade Tin Pan Alley opprobrium ror the inner-circle po)iticians allegedly dominnling in ASCAP, which faces some sharp debate Jn both the piibll.shers and writers' classiflca- iion committees. Since the Arthur Schwartz decision, when that songsmilh won his point for AA classification, the ASCAP records o( catalog size, per* formances, etc., must be kept wide-open Tor all members' eyes, and ooine songsmiths are pressing the issue for. better ratings; And ol course the Irving Berlin va. ASCAP fight has already been aired.- Fox Nixes Royalty Deal In Four-Star Record Switch Harry Fox, agent and trustee for various music publishers, has taken a stand in regard to the recent pur- chase of Four-Star Records, in Hollywood, by Cliff McDonald, backed by a syndicate of money men, McDonald took over the firm last week,- along with the little-used Gilt-Edge label put out by the same company, from Richard N. Nelson Byfield Latest ta Join Hotel 'Rebels ; Sherman to Nix High-Bracket Bands Louis Prima Changes Mind, Won't Buy Into Hub Spot Appeals Board in Pubs' Gangup Pubiisher-members OC the Amari-r can Soviety of Composers, Authors mid Publishers pu.shed aside official nominees for executive positions in the organizalion last week,, and for the first time deliberately elected men of their own choice. This un- tisuiil action re.-iulled in the election of Irving Caesar and Max Mayer to the board of appeals over W. C. Handy, Sidney Kornheiser, John Lister and Charles O'Flynii, regii- larly posted nonunees Uwo of the four to be tlcrled'. Election of CHC-ar and Mayer was the direct result of a concerted cam- paign among certain of the topmost publisiier-niembi'rS of the society. And, as far HS Caesar's election is ctmcerr\ed, the entire situation has started a trend of thought. Il'a based on the fact that Caesar was de- feated for re-election as a wriler- n\en)ber of ASCAPs board of direc- tors weeks back. 'I'his defeat was caused by a .ganging-up of writers against him.' Later, he was ap- pi'oached on the idea of being nomi- ■ iiated for the appeals board— but .as a publisher ih« owns Irving Caesar, Inc., Ilrnii . He at fti sl accepted, then rejected the bid. Thereafter, the cli(|Ue.of lop pubs went to work, and the M'eight of their votes put hin\ into office. That certain publishers went to bat for him, among them some who were known to have bit- ASCAP Board to Hear Classification Beefs Special meeting of the ■ director bngrd. of the .American Society of Coinposers. Authors and Publishers, has been called for June l.S to con- sider various beefs against cla.ssifl- cation by writers and publishers. Major item to be heard; Will be the Irving Berlin appeal which is ex- pected to consume iriost of the meet- ing. Others on tap are Jack Lawrence, wlio, after beiiig twice rejected for a boost in rating, has been con- ducting his own investigation into the merits of ratings held by con- temporary writers, and Ni(:k and Charles' Keimy. Lombardos Set Up L I. Airline ► . Chicago, June 4. Ernie ByAeld, band buyer for the Panther Room, Sherman hotel. Chi- cago,' last week joined the ranks of hotel men rebelling against the prices the top name bands ask. He ^....^ ...u.,-.. Louis Prima has dropped all plans jsdvised booking agencies that ill the who*fo"un'ded"it! Mcltonald ha^beeii I to buy into a Revere Beach, Boston, '^^^'ili'f t^^"^^ " ''.'l his engineer. It seems that Four-Star owes Fox some $15,000 in unpaid music roy- alties from its era under Nelson. McDonald and his. syndicate intend taking over this debt, but seek an arrangement whereby the coin . wiil be paid off in $1,000 installmenLs along with royalties fbr' new mate- rial. Fox has rejected the idea. He wants the $1.5.000 immediately since' a new regime is taking over the company and wants no part, of an installment plan. ballroom with a Hub syndicate. He '""^^'"^ situated and priced just ^ , ■ . , . ., , under those m the high-brackets, had been playmg with the idea for , Byfleld'-s attitude is due lb the fact several weeks and had gone so far that business is hot as Kood as it as to reserve some time for the spot ; «as la.st year this time, when hordes for his own band, in addition to •''erviccmen from local Army and talking with Music Corp. of Amer- ^avy in. • I. J . . , ' scys. cl al, high guaiantco.» plus Spot Prima had in mind mci- pe,eenti,ges of the gro.w. Th:,t s-o.it dentally was no the Crescent Gar- , f..^,,, „„X ^„ however, dens, a large ballroom that ha.s been , ,„ ^^^^ f^^^.^^ Byfield will take used for one-nighters frequently by i,,^ ^esl available, within reasonable Sy Shribman and other New England promoters. Pri'ma's baby was an- terms. He has Buddy Rich curieiil. I with ..Mvino Hey,. Tex Bcnpke and 'Blue Skies Score Tees Otf Berlin s New London Co. ■ Irving Berlin, Ltd., is being set up as a Wholly owned British subsidiary by the songsmith-publisher, releas- ing through Louis Dreyfus iChap- pell) ill England, It's in line with a glowing U. Si music piiblishing trend to. set up self-owned and operated .subsidiaries around the world. The differing copyright laws Hgure in this procedure, among other things, since British copyrights are valid during the life of the author, plus 30 years, as against the 28 years in the U. S., plus 28,yeai-s renewal. Berlin will piit a wealth of his old slandard works into Berlin, Ltd.. tee- ing off with the '■Blue Skie.s" score. That Paramount ITechnicolored) ftlmusical includes some 30 Berlin oldies, and the new London firm will I new airline which will go into op- j publish the score abroad. - Berlin ; eralion June l.'l. Called Long Island, plans a London trip end-J cunibeht on the appeals board and , Ai,.\vays. the line' will operate be- L pijut of the Par pic, which he will had asked not to. be nominated ' t^^-een terminals at 23d atreet and p,-eview to the Briti.sh radio-music again; lie' was forced back into his ' nie East River, N. Y.. and 'West, b^inch. (hair by the writc-ui votes for the , south, and East Hampton and Mon- Meantime the U S Berlin coin- simple re:.son thai the publishers , ,Bi,k Point. L. I. . It will use aix ' 3, ,,3, ^^^^^ , special staff to who e.xerled their influence m ; Qrumman 12-pas. John. SeuKstack. standard publLshei. 1 capitali/.ation is set at SitOO.OOO. Apparently the firm IS already a success. Us service is already 70"f subscribed, the limit Remain- other building nearby which cun ent- G,^,,„ „,„^^,j orchesUa. Charlie ■ a '° ; Spivak. Claude . Thornhill. Loui., drop the Idea i^ undisclosed. p,;,,,^ Gene Krupa, Frankic Carle. _ , .01 '<"'"' Ray , Anthony lined up in that Delay on Monroe s Spot , ^..^^^ 'sorrye. of the above are un- v..,.»h,, June 4. I (loubtedly drawing the term.s he how ,.=.M^H^.^h. M H u " : objects to and probably wont.rome ■ mrt„^ Vo *r """k unless they lower their sights. ^«miv ?Lr ,1 T A • "w* ! Along with, other hotel men. Bv- ^inni^J^l*?'J^ / fle"r« that while lower-priced and new bands .haw fewer patrons, the difference in the Music publisher Lester Sahtly, J... J , , , , . partner ■ in Sanlly-Joy; Guy Lom- terly re.vented his defeat for re-elec- Hj3,.j,„ g,,^, j,,, brothers. Carmen and tioi) as a writer lo the society's direc .Leibert:: aiid Royce Guinn. have lor board, is giving many People l^.'^j^^pj^lgj e.stablishment of a idear ' As for Mayer, he had been an in- j eralion June l.'l. Called Long Island.| plans a London trip end-July, with spot. Monroe will debut the opera- tion with his band. Club is situated in Framingham, not far from here. Form B Seen Slated for Axe At AFMMeet .salary saving makes up for Uie les.oer draw. Some booking agoncie.i feel (hat's a fallacy which is' at the. moment being brought liome to some hotel owners who have refused to boo.st their bids . for the very top name.s. They'll pay the latter only a few hundred dollars more in £uar> antees than a band with consider- ably less prestige. In . the days before the war. it's pointed Out, most hotels ran their band and entertainment roonis at a loss, charging the debit off to adver- tising. Since.the war's stjirt, all be- gan to make money. . Still, salaries for talent were not appreciably upped. Now thait grosses are going There have been so many cries of ''wolf" attendant to the long-,, , , contemplated ousting of the Form Blf^o^V^"- the tendency is to rediice costs contract blank by the American *»■ buying lower-priced talent That s Federation of Mu.sicians. that agen- '.''e things agency and band cies and bandsmen disregard .such . wrong with hotel band conversation. ■ However, this time i i"?'" K'-ossev currently. Few are it's felt that advance dope on the They need an occasional top name to stimulate interest. McFarland Twins Join Brigade of Nite Spot Owners With LI. Buy Buddy Morris Buys Up Magnetic Catalog (1 Song) Ending Row Hollywood. June 4. Morris Music last week bought ■ the pop song "Dreamland Rendez- 1 vous" from Magnetic Music Co.. AFM-exec feeling relative to Form B is on the level. They expect it to be knocked out during the cur- rent annual convention at St. Petersburg, Fla. For some time the AFM men and James C. Petrillo have wanted to discard Form B, it's known, but have not done s6. According to union execs themselve'.'!, the time is ripe, and it will be accomplished | xiavis Corp., stated ju.st prior to. during the convention— or so some heading back to New York hesd- of them hope. Form B. which cites I (n,arleis over weekend that - (o the a bandleader as an employee and best of niy knowledge* 20th-Fox is makes the buyer of a band the em- ; „ot trying to obtain corporafe con- ployer, hence liable for social se- | li-oi of J-T, or lU subsid. Mu.-icraft curity and unemployment taxes, has j Records... Thus are scotched .some- been a headache to the band busi- i ^^hat rumors which have per.sisled Musicraft, 20th Only Chummy But No Deal, SezPrez Irving Felt - Hollywood, June • 4. Irving Felt, prez of the Jefftrson- ness ever since its inception. both here and in New 'Vork. Bandsmen are also getting a kick | However, Felt admitted a "very out of Petrillo's ranting against the close relationship" between hi.s com- Lea Bill and his test case again.st pany .and 20th-Fox, and revealed WAAF, Chicago, inaugurated last ; that George Skouras has bcromv a week. Since Petrillo didn't step i large stockholder in Musicraft. It is out against the constitutionality oft i-e ^'r "•'-'iL'pe^-';;'^ s'Mne lhne: F'aur Gamie, Rene Salvyano. Jlcrl ^:^^Z^n Ln:'''''''^^^^ .Verdtm.Jac.ues Enoch, ctal. US ORCHESTRAS-MITSIC ir. Tlii.x is llie latcsl |>l;iin- ' tnoch Mfhl (vocal by Palsy. Oar- live liiniem by Herman 4: Co. Callcil roll, Daiiiiy Sullivan and Inampliglit- • SiM render." it affords ihc Hcrnu" evsl' '"Do You Do'.'.iDo You Dp? Do man an opportunity 10 wail ' well. ^ Vou Do'.'"-' U I Had You" (Coiitinen- Buc-liii'.p cliorus do line. Tliip side i.-- lal C 1185). "Do You Do?" is sunK reminiscent ot "Sorrento." it'll soil by Miss Cairctt. ll'.-ically. and lyrics arc corn. Disk recommended only for Miss Piper. Gent Krnpa (vocal by Anita O'Dayi ''Boogie Blues"-"Lover" iCo- lumbia .■)(i98Ci. This is America's top ppp drummer man at a rhythmic milestone. Replete with a Charley ^entura sax solo, Anita O'Day ' vocal and excellent tempo, it's a very mer: chandisablc item. Then too. in the final measures, it's remindful of. the "Hey-Bob-re-bop" craze. It'll sell. "Lover" is the vv.k. Rodgers-Hait tune. But try and recognize it. It becomes a bit -wild early in the sheet, and stays that way. Not com nieicial. .lii*-t proves in solo spots I Such piano! niore style for a' staiidotit job, but shows dcllnite promise. Very listeii- able disk, but even here band gets put of hand with engineer at times. Recommended. Buddy Morrow (vocal by Jimmy McAfee) "rd Be Lost Without You"- "Sinoke Gel.s in Your Ej-es'' (Mercu- ry Popular Series 3015). A compava- tively new band Morrow organized last year. Touted as an excellent Iromhonist, Morrow doesn't pi'ove it solidly on "I'd Be Lost." McAfee skats the tune adequately; .souiids like' any band singer. Band, when Morrow isn't playing sounds iiiiddle- cl.a.<-s. Recommended only as. an in- troduction to Morrow's work. 'The "B': side is tops for Morrow's sliding scales. "Smoke'' is sold by the young maestro. He shows a flne"hand" at the slide-horn, and the lung work to match. Good disk. Recommended. Walter Groy Orchestra (instru- mental album, eight sides). (Musi- craft 358 to 361 icl.) "Don't Ever Leave Me"-"Why Was I Boin," "Who"-';All The Things You Are," "Smoke Gets. In Your Eyes"-"The Touch of. Your Hand," "Why Do I Love You"-"Make Believe." This, a Jerome Kern tribute, is .th.e best ef- fort ye'l released by Miusicraft. Outllt is to be conffi-atulaled for excellent quality of waxing. Walter Gross" work and the timeline.ss of releases. On vinolyte. of the late Kern's best works. Gross, an excellent pianist, adds, if that's possible, to the beauty of the Kern compositions with his' clean-cut playing. It's pure nostalgia from "Showboat," "Very .Warm For May,'' "Sunny." "Roberta" and ■ Sweet Adeline." Not only Gross, but the sidesmen, from the barps and fiddles, to the rhythm and brass, play beautifully! Highly recommended! Be AFM Stinger Byrd amendment to the Case la- bor bill provides a real headache for future negotiations between Jap-ies C; Petrillo and recording companies. Amendment, by Senator Harry F. Byrd (D. y» ), provides that welfare funds for unions supplied partly or wholly froin cpmpany fijnds, may not be managed solely by unions; In the case of exisiting welfare funds, the change is to 'take place when the present contracts expire. Thus, the pre.sent AFM contracts with the I'ecprdinK companies which provide for the payment of royalties for. each disk sold, can. continue un- changed until their expiration. Af- ter thai, the companies must have 50% representation in controUing the resultant revenue to the AFM's wel- fare fund. While the House has not yet accepted this Senate provision, it is- expected to do so, ' Inside Orchestras-Music Some muslo men cannot understand, the attitude of the PuhlishciV Cla.ssiflvation .Committee of the Amarlean Society of Composers, Aiiihors- and Publishers, in regard to the battle with Irving Berlin over availability points. They feel that the issue between Berlin and the publishers on the ' ASCAP board who are bitterly opposing his bid for 5,500 points, which would make hi.s catalog equal in availability value with the Arms owned by hi!(. opponents; ultimately may generate a situation that W'on'l do Ihe Sol'lely any good. Tiiat Berlin will light the thing to a finish Is certain.; His attiludp in- dicate.s that he . may even include some sort of action outside the Socictv Hi.s reasoning on the 4.000 points, originally awarded his new IrviiiB Berlin Mu.sic Co. last ycai', after he split with Saul H. Bornslcin and broke ui) the old Irving Berlin, Inc. partnership with the latter; is as fol- lows: He pointy out that origihaily the bid Berlfn,: Inc. and Abc Music Corp. catalog.'! had a total value of 6,750 points— 5,500 for Berlin, Inc and L250 for ABC. When the split came, Berlin took all of his selt-\vvitten tunes froin bbth the Berlin Corp, and ABC catalogs. When ASCAP gave Berlin 4.000 points, Broiightein's Bourne, Inc.' flrrh received 2.750 points and AB(j:was ciit from 1.250 to 250 ;points. The i,000 taken frpm.HABfi. were, Berlin explains, given to his firm. Tlwt would indicate that ASCAP valued all of tbe top .songi< he had taken froni the old Irving Berlin onf.^ Hi at only 3.000 points, with another 1,000 for the ones lifted froin the ABC catalog. He feels it doesn't, add up. Having just recorded a 12-side Decca album of Irving Berlin'.s "Annie Get Your Gun, " proxy Jack Kapp is eyeing Orson Welles" "Around the World, " just-opened Mercury Production oh Broadway with a Cole Porter score, Kapp is uncertain about"Town,"'. in solo -or album form, but the DecoH head is reminded of an anecdote, cdnccrning Wellesi. I,atter has^ done some, distinguished, i'ecordinfis for Dccca in the past but not until KaiVp came into the actuat Waxing situation, personally, \\-as there a coliesion of thought and idea as regards the recording lechnique. Kapp; told WcUe.s," You renihid me of aii Oil wcll-^and no pini iiilcnded-^ which gushes forth, rich dividends, but unless harnessed and . chahnelod, this -natural spawning from within can be -diftu.sed into dlver.se and .some* times unproductive results.". Welle.i' acquiesced, especially as. recards the recording lechnique, and since then some of his Decca records have becli highly commercial. Music Corp. of America has bopked its'flrst attraction into Mi.ssion Beach, Saiv Diego, since. Larry Finle.y-opernted site fieured in trial in Los Aiigeles at \yhich booking outlet dropped $55,501) by coming oiit on losing end of aiiti-lrust suit. Since the trial, MCA h.is submitted bands to Mis-sion Beach at precisely same flgui-es and at same time (hey arc offered rival ballrooin. Pacific Square. MGA's only Coast booker, who was not caljcd as \vitness at trial. Bud pverbeck. wa.-s designated imn-icdlatcly after court closed to handle the ticklish Mission Beach situation and Ovcrbeck:has been cautious in that he has never phoned nor gone to s|jot personally, but always sub- mitted through the mail. Last weekend, MCA was astonished wluMV.Missioii . took Tiny Hill orchestra for two weeks, starting July 9.^ Bid was.ni.ide and taken via mail, rep.s of neither ballroom nor bpokory . having inet as yet since they glared al each other In courtroom. 10 Best Sellers on Coin- . ,„ ,, ,■ , ) Dinah Shore Columbia 1. Gyosy (6. (Leeds) Jink Spots Decca „ ■. , , ,„ , . , ( Perry Como Victor 2. Prisoner of Love (9 i (Mayfairi... | j,,^ g^^,^ ......Decca 3. Laughing On the Outside itii (BMl »; . . . . Dinah Shore ......Columbia 4. They Say It's Wonderful ("2. iBcrlinV.. \ b,*?'!",! " ' ' r^'*^-',"'," I Andy Rus.sell Capitol 5. All Through the Dav (8. i Williamson j . . VP"ry Como. Victor ( Frank Sinatra Columbia 6. Sioux City Sue (51 (Moi ris. ....;..,,.. . 1 Bing-. Gii-osby •',;..;. ..- Oecca ) Tony Pastor Cosino 7. Don'i Be a Baby. Babv (3 i iTrianele) ' . . Bros. ....'Decca - . I Tommy DPrsey Victor 8. Slioo-Flv Pie (U) (Critoi ioii' | Stan KeiUon . .Capitol ■) Dinah ahorc ...... .Columbia 9. I'm a Big Girl Now (6.i. (World >.,.... .. Sammy Kaye .. ;Victoi 10. Oh What It Seemed 16 Be . JLo^w's^ Inc., boai'd will foVmally ratify the 1673,000. purchase |^rice of J'ack Rob. bins' 26% iiiteiesV in the Metro- Robbihs-Feist' Miller muHtc publish- ing iiileiests. this ' gross sum In- cludes U. S. and sftatie taxes so as to pennil Robbins' a $$00,000 net proAt on ilie deal. Thus spelU finis to. a hectic Bssijcialibii since the enily talkers when ■ Hollywood turned to Tin Pan Alley fo\' the dual purpose of insui-ing itself witli' a baclUoR of . njusifal copyrights but, primarily, ss an exploitation medium for fllmusi- cal exceipls. As the industry developed and the hits slaiteci to pay off into some- times fabulous sums for nostalgic (ilmusicals, as ' wilntss the Cole Porter, Jerome Kei'n,' Irving Berlin, George Gershwin; Geoi-ge M. Cohan und kindred cavalcades and screen biosraphicals, the synchronization rights iissunicd hcretofoie unsuspect- ed values. • This, and other intra-lrade values, •ill add up to the general show busi- ness conclusion that I.oews got itself n good buy with Ihe $500,000 payoff for Robbins for his quarter owner- ship iir a i-ombinalioh of catalogs which, besides the venerable Feist firm, his own . Robbins Music Corp. and iVlillor Music,' also included copyright pools of Vincent "Xoumans' works, the old Shcrman-Clay catalog «nd olhers. On the olher hand. Robbins, phy.s- ienlly run down and told to take it; ■ easy, niiiy embark on a'S'ear's \yorId trip of "jusl following the sun" with liis wife. • Must i^tay Active None Ihe less, the hade, knowing the volatile Robbins. knows he is ju.st. just as apt to jump into immediate activity. He has countless offers and will probably wind up music pub- lishing be.iides lielping his son (Buddy) and nephew i Howard Rich- mond! with iheir American Artists Bureau. AAB'is an olVshoot of Ihe Robbins Arti.(alion and exer- cise, and thai in it.self gave. Robbins anri Mayer something 1o yet warm about. . . .rtobljin.s' extraordinary inlerosi in I.atin mu.sic. on the oilier hand., was among the major i.^-siies which Ihe N. Y. cxees in Loew's eouldn'l im- ''°»e ^^^^-^I^*^''*. olher for sound. A vodon is trying to 1 '^e"""* ''«"8er of miacarniage get rid of one of the men, and is o' J^st'ce .11. I i„ sonably good name, drew 64 people until last week to relam his director • u. i i » i uMiii JO. I r,. u„.., .,«.„„Ji Oil 8 one-uighter last week, cmur: He has already been named | = . secretary of the recently formed Slept Music Co.. owned by writer ■Sammy Slept and Chuck Greeii, and this was to have been u.sed to keep him on the boai'd. However; fear- ful of the explosion this would have created, plus the fact that Robbins lei his plans out, the idea has been dropped by those concerned. Another angle that is probably more responsible for billing the riiove m the fact that, the ternis of Robbins' deal' willi Metro, under wliielf^^he took $.SOO.d00 (plus $173,- 000 in taxes) for his Je^i slice of Robbins. Fcisl and Miller miisic companies, prohibits him from going into another publishing venture. Gamble Circularizes N.Y. Pubs on Price Equality In Music Rack Situation N. Y. music publi.shers recently received an "open letter" from the Gamble Hinged Music Co.. of Chi- cago, on the subject of music racks. Pubs, according to, their individual feelings on the matter, cheered the missive, or shrugged it. off. It seems that during the three and four years and longer . the leaders were in service, the rep Ihey made for themselves prior to the big scrap did not starid up. Which tends to bear out a VAitiETr prediction of two years ago that if these men stayed out of . circulation "long enough, a new audience would grow up, and they would find the task of resuming where they left off a dit- ficult one. One or two of the leaders not doing welt were, hardly started with their own bands before, don- nihg uniforms, so they, iii effect, are virtually completely hew names. One of file difficulties "agencies have encountered with bands macs- troed by returning vets is the price .situation. These leaders must u.se a better class of musician to play the arrangements laid out for them. As a result, their 1946 operating coals and the prices they musl ask, tend to overbalance the b.o. value of a 1941 or '42 reputation. CAP. EXEC AIMS AT mH DISTRIB TIEUP Hollywood, June 4. Glenn Walliclis, exec veupee ot willing to continue hiring only the lightman. Complaint has been made that soundman is incompetent. Discrimination charges also have been leveled, since to date only .the Avpdon and the Palladium have been saddled with union technicaiis, w'hile . othei' ballrooms in area haven't been forced lo take on card- carrying workers. lATSE, howe\'er, admits it has overlooked the oppor- tunity arid is now planning . entry, into whole field. IBEW was caught unawares, but plans to flex its mus- cles and reportedly will insist that ballroom jobs are in its province. Gist of Giimble Hinged's argu- ] Capitol Records, sallies' down l.lex- ico way end of this week to set up dislributiori outlet for firm's plat- Icrs. Accompaiiying him will be Car- los; Gaslel. personal manager iif Songwriter Sues AMP, Muzak for |105,000 On Infringement Claim Associated Music. Publishers and Muzak, are' named as defendants in N. 'Y. federal court by Leon De Costa, composer, in a suit for alleged infringement and mi.suse of his copy- righted song, "Valse Boheme." Ac- lion charges defendants used the lune without con.sent in public per- formance for profit via broadcasting arid electrical transcription, since 1929. According lo the complaint, the tune, originally assigned in 1917 to Breilkoff & Hartcis, music publish- ers, was acqiiited by AMP in' 1929. AMP, it is alleged, licensed to Muzak the broadca.slirig and e.t. rights., thought it did not have the right to do so. 'f'hese rights, were not included in Brcitkoff fit Hartels' original copyright assignment and could not have been given to AMP Jydfe Clark Oploes In his dissenting opinion in the Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Clark recognized the difficulties of a jury trial Iri such cases. He said;— "Now, as to the first, I am not one to condemn jury trials. . .since I - think it has a place among other quite finite methods of fact-finding. But I should not have thought it pre- eminently fitted to decide questions of musical values, certainly not .so much so that an advisory jury should be brought in if jio other in avail- able. And I should myself hesitate to utter .so clear an invlfation to ex- ploitation of slight musical analogies by clever musical tricks in the hope ot getting juries hereafter in this circuit 16 divide the wealth of Tin Pan Alley. This holding seems to me an invitation to the strike suit par e.xcclleDce." I think the tact of this jury trial even under the mast favorable ctr- ciimslances — a .strong case for de- fendant, a fine Judge and an inlclli- gent jury — raises the question whether the Copyright Law should riot be changed .so as to reduce the iricidence of jury trials in copyright infringement cases. The present law on the point seems to be about as follows: If all the plaintiff asks' is damages — whether actual damages or slatu- lory damages in lieu ot actual dam- ages — lie is entitled to a jury trial. If he ask.-y for an accounting ot dc- . fendanl s profits, thetfiiestion is more complicated. In the 4th Circuit, it is clear that he may stiU gel a jury trial in these circumstances. Pathe Exchange, Inc.. v. Dalke, 49 F. 2d, IHI. The 9lh Circuit which includes Culifornia has taken the rnost ex- treme position. It has held lhat where a plaintiff asks for damage.s. menls was not the rack sy.^iem it- self, but the practice of publishers in turning over to rack operators huge quantities Of nivisic. at 2c per Copy lower than jobbers are able.: King Cole. Stan Kenton. Peggy Lee. ' when the. copyright charged hand.s. to obtain the same copies, u Rack op- ctc„ and Ted dc Azevedo. whom | various limes, compiaint al- accounting of profits and an jn- perators pay 20c for music; jobbers. Capitol hired recently to chart its | cosia made demands for j j^mciion he may try the first ca»-e 2'2c). soutli-of-lhe-bordcr inva.^ion. Gas- i ,.o^.aj,y p;,ynneiils for u.sc of the tune . ',,, jj^jj^V ^ tel is financially mlqrc.;hipi'>( d from here; there are no laws, declares Ihe. complaint. De j y,„.,, j ,(,g point is not fcs nimodiate plans for opening a re- i Cosla is erilitlcd to damage.s of ^ilOO.- 1 ,.,gj„. Sheldon v. Moredall Realty I.eller al.-;o pointed out that due ! oordiiig studio or pi:es.-iiig planl ' 000 from the alleged infrinBeirients i ^.^ p .^j,^ - land misuses. He .<.eeks the addi- ' lo Ihe rack system of selecting only the lop 10 or I.*) limes for .sale an uiltried song is ^.ever. laken. U s in- I ferred thai jobbeis and reiail deal- ers, on the other hand, help plenly [(oward making a hit by displays. i lisliiiKS, etc. This angle of the letiei' aci'o. charges AMP failed to j.- ^j^^^^ circumstances, the Court; fully prosecute the application for copyright: failed lo protect his rights: failed to furnish a conti'act: Krid rclaihed lor its use and. control Iho modcrni'/.fcd version, which in iRi.v c'liinpnriy. will he li ken over by ! curporated portions of the ori J Ihc Dominion Rubber Co. I tune. may in its discretion, award Ihe pliiimitl treble damages. But it ihe plaintiff wants profits, or if; he wants statutory damages rather than . ac- giiial <'!""agtP, he cannot have a. jury ' (Continued on page 60) 60 fmCHESTUiiS-MIISIC V^diiewliiy, June 5, 19-16 Music Notes Harry "Paikyakarkiis". EiiisliMii sitJiieci by ARA |o do series ol cliildicn'!; disks. . . .Lee Savin named nationiil sales manager o( Miijicraft Becords. . . . ' Paul Weston, tiiusical clirecmr of Capilol Records, on his first vaciish in four years. .. .Morton Downey signed to disk exclusively for Miijcstir Records. .. .Wingy Maiione today iWod. ) cuts four side* for 4 Star Rec- ords... Kay Thomas, blues bawler recently signed by Black & White Records, cuts first four sides this week ... .Harry Warren and Ralph Blane clelfed 13 ditties for Aleiro's forlheoming "Summer Holiday". .. .Ma.x Sleiner starting his lenlh yeai as scorer and composer for Wlarner Bros.. . ... : Mel Torme and lyis Mel-Tone.- will cut foin' sides for Musieraft this week on Coast, backed by Soiniy Bnrke^s 6rch....Emil Coleman orchestra inked for two musical shoil.'-- for Embro Films.... Jan Savitl'. signed by Coliunbia for one pic..,:Pat Ballard has emerged from retirement and; again is songwriting. I^atesl is " Little Butterfly." on which he collabeil with Moe Jaflte and Clay Boland. .. .Frank Stacy out of promotion de- partment of Capitol Records. .. .Excelsior Records has split with Jack Cul- slialTs national distrib setup and is lining up indie distribs in keys across : coimtry. Ralph Isaacson has joined diskery to act as sales coordinator^ ... Bill Hay, Amos 'n Andy program announcer; this week will wa.\ album- or fable narrations (or Comet Records. . . .Siiiilcy Jim Ricli-iidson named ^ sales manager of Superior Records. j 10 Best Sheet SeHers c lVccl.- Eiidiilif Jiiiie 1» Gyps.\ .. Leeds Prisoner of Love . , .May fair All Through Day. . . , Williamson L:uighing on the Outside. .BMl Siou.N City Sue . ...... Morris I Don't Know Enough. .... .C-P Full Mpoh. Empty .^rms. Barton I'm Biq Girl' Now. . . , . World ln r.o\ e In Vain . . T. B. Harms NBC, CBS, ABC. Matual Plugs (Peatman System) fo/loiriiiff (ire Cie Afo.vf Ployed sotigs o/ file teeel,-. M(ij/ 24.;)o based on the I'lipi/risi'iled snrrry b\j Dr. John Peatman's Offii-e oj Bc^n-an l'i, „si„n the .Accurate Reporliiij; Rndio Log as basis oJ infonnation in N. y. All Through the Day— fCenlcnniiil Summer". Williamson ' .\s If I Didn't Have Enough Oiv My Mind... ,,. .Melrose i Coiiie Rain Come Shine— ♦"St. Louis Woman". ....Crawford ' Do You Love Me'.' — v"Do You lx>ve Me'.'". . . ...... . . .BVC Band Biz Bo(f in Gotham 'Sticks'; Surburban Spots Qutdraw N.Y. by Far Bands working roadhouses in sub- ui'ban areas surrounding N; Y. have made a much better bo. showing than the combos in the major spots within the city during the past week or two. N. Y. bi7. has not been good for the past momh or more and a forlnighl ago. when the railroads . wetil on strike, it melted away to a dribble. Last week it picked up slightly, but was far outstripped by suburban spots. No. 1 biz getter in the 'sticks" is Tex Beneke and the Gleivn Miller orchestra, which has been crowdin.ij Meadowbrook consistently. Nighl it opened (31 1 it played to 2.2.iO-odd patrons, a one-nighi record for ihe SIKlt. Lasi week. Claude ThoriihiU's new band went into Post Lodge, Ijrch- monl. N. v., and. though Tliornhill has been out of circulation . four years, he packed the 500-.. In a heavy downpour he played Vo almost 1.100 patrons and 400-odd re,-;erval ions weren't picked up. i Bel-Tone Glaims Pressing i Plant Sold Rejected Disks i Hollywood. June 4. i Bureau of Internal Revenue was •informed by Bel-Tone Records thai ! Zenilli Molding company of Fuller- • ton sold 5.000 Bel-Tone. disks witli- I out paying Federal Excise tax. Bel- ; Tone is al.sO preparing a civil suit I again.<:t the preying plant for pcd- [ dling waxes without permission, on ihe ground that the material is copy- righted and was sold by unauthor- ized agents. Zenith, according to. Dick El well, t Bel -Tone pre.xy. pressed disks but they were refused by his company for technical Haws. Elwell claims I they were sold rather than de- stroyed: he fust discovered that faci I when he-louied Oklahoma recently : and foimd a. dealer who had bought ! .some of the platters. Stales he lia.^ ' afHdavits and sales receipts proving : the claim. • Kenton Still Unable To Get Loose From East Dates, Stay West Stan Kenton has so far been un-. able to tear himself loose from eastern daie.'^ ho seeks to cancel in order lo remain oh the Coast closer lo his faiiiilv. Pennsylvania Hotel. N. Y., where he's due to open Sept. 2. flall.\ refuses to release him from the obliftation. So do the operators o I Eastwood Gardens. De- troit and Cedar Point. Sandusky. O. B(>oking at the Paramount Theatre. N. V.. for November is the only diite Konlon doesii't want ■ to get out 01. I Kver since. Kenton advised Cen- : era! Artists two weeks ago that he would rathei' slay on the Coast and i work one-nighlcrs. etc.. than come ! cast, the agency has Ijeen endcavor- I hie 10 salisfs him. So far, it has I had no luck. Doin' What Comes Naliir'lly— '"Annie Gel Your Gun " Don't Be a Baby, Baby , ., Full Moon and Empty Arms..,,.., ........ G.vpsy : I Didn't- Mean a Word I Said— t"Do You Love Me".. 1 Don'l Know Enough Aboul You. . . . .'. , .' I DonI knoNv Why...-..: I Fall In Love With You Ev'ry Day. | I'd Be lA)Sl Witl\ouc You. , . . ...... ........ ; . In Love In Vain— v"Centennial Sununei" In Ihe Moon MisI II Conldn l Be True Just A'sillin' and A roekin' Laughing On Ihe Outside...; , i.ove On a Greyhoimd Bus— t"No Leave. No Love".. More Than You Know .....<... Oh. What It Seemed to Be . ... Persoiuilily— -; "Road To Ulopia" ,'. Prisoner of Love Seems Like Old Times..... Shoo Fly Pie ] Sioux City Sue ,, ] ] ' ,' ! They Say U s Wond«rfiil— ♦"Annie Gel Your Gun"' ' We'll Gather Lilacs Where Did Lou Learn To Love. You Are Too Beautiful ■ ', Top Tunes for Your Books An All-Time Favorite I CAN'T GIVE YOU ANYTHING BUT LOVE, BABY Music by*. , JIMMY McHUGH Publishad by MILLS IPetrillo Would Never Stand for This Gimmick I Toledo, . June 4! ■ Special device which will do away ; with bands at Juneral services in South .^nlcrica will be manufnc- Uiicd in Toledo by the recently- formed Toledo Elect rocratt Co. Ii is a widespread cu.-lom thioughoul the Latin countries lo have funeral mu- . sic at grave services. New device will b11o\v the operator of a hear.-.e to nu n a switch as - the funei al cars I reach the grave, and appropriate i music Will come forth, i Incorporators of the hrm are Ray- { mond and Lorainc Nantais and Wil- ! liain J. Armhein. Firm, will also ' manufacture other speeia) radio and electronic devices. BLUE ROOM, N.Y., FOLDS I FOR REDECORATING .Blue Room. Lincoln Jiolel. N.Y.. j closed for alleralioiis !a-^t night j iTuesday i: after the exit ( f Buddy I Morrow s oichesti'a. There is no ideCuiite date for the reopening: il I will depend on the lenglh of time ! lonsunu'd in the redecorating Lee I Ca.'-lle will go in wlien that occurs; ; lie's currently at the Roosevell hotel, Washington. D.C.. anoth-r Maiia Kramer-owned spot. Morrow s, band goes inio :he Cap- itol theatre Thursday (Bi willi tlie Ril/. Bros. , .. Berlin Ti;KU!gle . . . /Barton , . , , Leeds . , , . Kobbins ..fC-P . . . . FeisI ...Slept . . . . Advanced . . . .T. B. Harms . . . .Shapiro . . . .Santly-.loy Robbins . . .SUM I ... Robbins ...Miller .. . .Sanlly-.Iov . .. .BurUc-VH . . .May fair FeisI , . . .Capilo: ; . . . i\lorris Berlin . . . .Chappc'll .. Morns . . . . llarnis t FilJHlisienl. ♦ Leoil Mi(.sirnl, t BM/ Liceiijted. EUGENE ORMANDY TO CONDUCT S. a; SERIES Philadelphia. June 4. Eugene Ormandy is signed lo cdn- ducl a series • of concerts in Latin American counlrie.i as soon as he nnishes his lour with Ihe Philadel- phia Orchestra. Tour, covering 37 concerts in 30 cities, will end June .9. Ormandy is scheduled lo fly to Rio deJaneiro oil June 17. Robbins-Meiro Contintird froni pact S9 MUSICWHIZ! □ Bagels wiHi spun 1. What T. Levis?* ^ Cowboy dun90r.es 2. How htq is a cow- bey's Stefson? Five gallons Ten gallons 3. What is the tiXe 2 Way Down Upon Hie Swanee song of Republic's River big, new Trucolor oi'.J what ,ts every- body singing???** WAY" •r JACK MEAKIN and FOSTER CARLINO **lacliidia9 ferry Coma, Hoogy Cormichael, King'* Mm, The Modtrn- oirM, Km Caraon, SoM of tht Plonttri, jMdy Cmovq, Menr* Holt, Rldari of the Purple Sog«, WnHnqhoiiit Chorai. utc, ete. CdMPOSERS MUSIC CO. 9120 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles 46, Cal. •Pronounced "Lee-viie" Latin counirics along the lines of Ralph Peer's Southern Music and Peer International — it was then that I^oews decided lo clean house ill with the Cuban .comjsany; (2i the Robbins Artists Bureau, and 13) h.vpo east -west accord. With Loew's adding the Robbins 26'> to its already owned 51'; con- trol, the remaining 23'; will prob- ably be bid for in order to attain 100'< ownership. Jack Bregman, now head of Bregmaii-Vocco-Conn, who left Robbins as business man- ager, has around 5"^ and the rest is owned by Dom'enico Savino, mu- sic editor of the firms; sales exec Bernard Prager; and production manager Stephen Levilz. Savino owns a larger chunk than the others, around IKr. Corwin, Sepia Musikers Ink Theatre Contract Los Angeles. June 4. Sherrill Corwin. only vaudlilm op- erator here, signed contract with Negro Musicians' Local 767 over weekend and will reopen the Lin-, coin, colored stage-show site, on ,ruly 8. Corwin. who has the Or- pheum and Million Dollar theatres here.Mecently acquired Hie Lincoln, j Pacling with union followed a monlli-long series of negotiations, during which the bone of coiitcnlion was whether or not the contraci would call for slaiid.-by musicians when travelling orcheslras are used. .As contraci lliially emeiged. Cor- win agreed to hiiv a 16-piece band composed of 767 members for one week's woik. followlni; playiin; of three consecutive traveling allrae- lioiis. Firsl show ijilo Lincoln will be topped by Ink Spot.s. and on opening night, receipts will be split among four Negro chariiios. Condon Jazz Co. Invited to Paris Eddie Condon and his jazz troupe have been invited by the French government to give two concerts in Paris during the first week in Octo- ber, Group will play in the Salle Pleyel and the Paris Opera House in a benefit for (lisplaeed per.sons. Upon his return from overseas, Condon has been booked for a .series' of one-iiighter eoneerls around the country for the two-week period, Oct. 13-29. Condon also commences his sixth sea.snn at Town Hall next fall when he will be Ihe only jazz group to appear in . the and. Copyright Cases Continued rroni pace S>i j trial. Patent Law. Section 70: Bella- vance v. Plastlc-Crafi Novelty Co., 30 F. Suppy! 37 (D.CD. Mass. 1939 >: I Tilghman v. Proctor. 12.t U. S, 136. , 31 L Kd. 604 (18671; Coupe v. Roger j l.'i.T Li. S. 56,1 M895i: Bro(vn v, Lan- :.voii. 148 Fed. 838 iC.C.A. 8lhi i 1 1900 I. The result is thai as a prac- I tical mailer, a plamlifT does iiot ask i foi- a jury trial in patent case.<. Hi> can orrly have the imporiani reme- ■ di(•.^ if he ha.-, the case tried before a ' judge without a jury. ' ir Ihe Copyright Lau wcieamend- I ed so a.~ lo make it parallel lo the PaUMil l.aw in this respect, the re- [ suit would be that a plaintin could not h;i\'- a jury n ial unlf'S.- lie were ■ willing lo limit himself to actual fiumages. a priic"lii;al matter. It IS very difficult lo prove aciual damages in a copyright case. If iplaidtift wam.-» statutory damages in lieu of actual damages, or if 'he wanU an accounting of defendant's profits, the case would be decided by an e.-

    ericnced judge rather than a jijry, I would sUggesl thal personi in- terested 10 the Held :. Still doing bia hi/, with' 5.700. AI.VINO KEY OKI II CU) Wilh Jo.Anii Byaii, Bob McReynolds, Robert I'oluccio, .Mrlliiers Hotel Astor Roof. N. Y. If one wasn't cerlaiii that the rail- road ban against the movement of i studio. circu.'ies had been lifted two weeks , . — ; . — ago. the whereabouts of the Ringliiis ' . . . » »• rwt li^'StxHl^i.^^ :rL:''^ZX[ Aquanum May .Use Two : was-occupying the^Astor Roof band. , Y\Ct Toppef That's the way the new Alvino , Aquarium Re.stauranl Rcy ouilit strikes you. lake one Los Angeles Krcddy Martiii I Aniba-'isador; 900; $l-$r.50i. nilly ;i.800 covers. Iliiss Morjran iBillmore; 900; Sl-li.SOV Climbing back, to warlimc levels -.'j.«»0 labs. Holiday crowds . eciualled - Location Jobs, Not in Hotels Up to, 2.900 bill slill below Al R«lh. recently discharged from the Army, has joined the cOcktail department of the Moe Gale agency. Pre-war he was with the WOR Artist Bureau. (CfltCQffO) Billy Bishop (Blackliawk:,.500: $2-f2.50 min.). pai'. ■ ~ Gay Clarldre (Choz Paree: iS50: $3-$3.50 min.). WalU-i bulging as Danny Thomas tbj's wilh new Che/. Paree record wilh 6.000. N. Y.. may jimmy Dorsey (Rainbo: $l-$l.2r)V : Ray Anlliony closed nuirsday (30), use two new bands later this | oor.sey in Friday (31 1 to up Week lo . fair 8.000. summer for one period in lieu. of. kddy Howard i.\ragon: 90c-$1.15i. Down lo 14.000 but still a tidy taVc. one lop name Negotialioiis arc now , Buddy Sliaw iLaliii Quarter: 700: $3-53,50 niin:.l. Martha Raye, Estelte SOing on to install the coi«parative- , Sloan, et al,. doing steady 4.200. ' ly new outfit under Budd.v Rii;h in. , Angeles) the spot: along wilh the band soon s»minv Kave iPalladinm. B, Hollywood, 5lli wk,V Heavy plav over to be built by Toddy Powell. ' ihe hohday; big 28.000 admishes, Jan Garber, Bobby Sherwood (Avbdon. B, Los '^iigeles. 3d .wk.1. No beefs, at 13,000 lickel.s. ■ Joe .Sanders (Trianon. B. Soiiih Gate, 3d wk.'t. Took a shellacking from If the pair goes into the spot, it would follow the run of .Count Ba.sie. On the Upbeat THi TALK OF THE TOWN GEORGE TOWNE CitrrtRtly ANSLIY HOTEI. ATLANTA, ftA. ■«oadeatti|i4 Pear Tlmai Wachly WOR-MirtMal, Ceail-to-Ceait * CURRINTLY PELHAM HEATH INN NIW YORK M91.: MUSIC CORP. OP AMiRICA Then the band goes into action. You hold on to your head to make sure il stays on while the six truih- pels. four' trombones, etc.. bla.sl away- would open pair on Aug, 22 in beautiful, precise fashion. Next. vou hold your sides howling al the "antics produced by the very clever Bob McReynolds and a.^sislanls do- ing a great arraiigement of the nov- . elly. "Sioux City Sue." a piece of] Columbia Records got out a disk business that will knock theatre au- : by Modernaires vocal group consisl- diences for a loop. That's bolstered j ;,^jr of songs they did while with by a half-dozen or more equally , p^.g.^.„,. ii,„os arc sli^ng ilenis. _ ' ones RCA-Victor has copies Of by oi^tT^fir^^l;d.*'li;s'l^;)y^^i.he Minor band wilh the saine sing- parent fault Is the 10 bra.s.s, which | ers — "Elmer's Tune. "Moonlight are needecl about as much as the Serenade" (vocalK "Don't Sit Under hole they try to bore in your head ,iie Apple I'rec." and "Chattanooga when you hear them. It has about (^|,„q.c|,oo-. packed onto one side, everything else one (:ould ask for, in . ..ji.uebo.x Saturdav Night ' on an orchestra bidding for big Onancial Z\. „.,,..,i. ,,..„.pA =ales returns. And it does everything >'everse ,.. .Bill Rauak named sales wilh spark and enthusiasm. Except , manager of Musicrafl Recoids.... Rey himself: half the time his kisser ; Les F.lgart band due into frank and demeanor remind you of^a Hag Dailev's Meadowbiook. July 23 at half-mast. , , ' Palomar ballroom. San Jose, near- Another fault, and one that should the variou.s strikes to drop to 3.850, Stan Mycri (Slapsy Maxie's. N. Lo.s A.ngeles. 8tli wk.). Hit about 3.500 for final .slau/^a before shuttering until .Inly. Eddy Oliver, fagc CavanaUfli Trio .'Trocadero. N. Hollywood. 3d wk,). Some good nights, .some dull nights, but average 3.000. Garwood Van iCiro's. N. Hollywood. 8th wk.). Nitery picked up to 3,1«0 covers for final frame before month of darkness, Benny Sirong i.Trianon: 90c-$l.r5.) Going up bul' slill olT th« pitch wilh 12.000. »j . o . . , .... ing completion. .. . Cniorge Pa.xlon be corrected, is Rey s loo-infrequent : * . J raniinf theatre N Y.. us» of the trick guitar he invented band into Capitol Ihcalie ^ J. himself. Connected to a throat mike July 5 .,. Chubby Jack.si. 01 or on •ither Louise King (Reyi. who 1 Woody Herman band ...GU *i.uiK- plays harp in th« band, or one otilin joined Frankie Carle band as the. musicians behind the bandstand. | vocalist . , Jerry Coloima' unil play.- MET OPERA SETS B O. MARK IN MEMPHIS Memphis. June 4. Metropolitan Opera's recent two- I night stand here, first such , in -45 I years, set new records for b.o. take I in Ihese part.-;. Soine 1 1 .776 per.sons I saw "Carmen" and ' Madaiiie But- I irrtly " on succeeding nights with I sross $57,859. I Previous gate high hereabouts was the scn.sational Billy Rose take wilh Ohio Liquor Board £u.s|)eiided night-club license of 'Hecuniseli Club, Toledo, for -30 days, after il was night-club licenst; of Tecumscli Club, i^i;^^rK'^.'^^b5;rtrR^iT°-;,.J^'^' va^Jl^i^l M^m.e'Tk^l -C.'-y.Qui.t'' back in 19;,. ,2,1.00 broadcasts. The obvious iritorest Her.shey, Pa.,, Saluidaj m nmht. created every time he uses the in- ,jan Garber. current at Avodon strument should indicate to him its . ballroom, L, A., into Aragon. Ocean value in his future. I Park. Calif., Sept. 9 to Jan. 13. Art in a single nighl. Chicago Civic Opera, last big-time troupe here, did $65,000 in three pertorniaiices in 1930. As for Vocalists, there are .so many it's not easy to keep track of them all. JoAnn Ryan does fenune solos. She sing.s well and looks better. Robert Coluccio knocks olT ballads Kasscl crew will follow Garber . . Charlie Spivok dated into Palladium. Hollywood, six weeks Dec. 26,... Garwood "Van band, cuncnl at Giro's. smartly as a soloist and also works j Hollywood, will play Arago". Ocean as part of tlie Air-Liners quartel for which Rey is seeking a new name. McReynolds, Chuck Peterson, et al.. chip in the novelties. This new Rey coibbo is a fine buv. Wood: HERBIE FIELDS AND HIS ORCHESTRA Faoturlng Pottl Pow«ri NOW— RUSTIC CABIN ENQiLeWOOD CUFFS. N. J. , Indefinltaly iraadaoiKag ' WOR-Mntuol, Ce«if>to-Ceait Park. Calif., June 8-27... Tex Be neke crew. Glenn Miller, following September stand al Palladiiim. Hollywood, will play Mi.ssion Beach. San Diego, on consecutive weekends. OiLt. 11-13 and 18-'20 . .Ike Carpen- ter flew from. N. Y. lo Coast to re- place Mollis Sulser as 8Bcr in Bobby Sherwood orch. .. Jimmy Dnrsey will c1(2but a new ballroom al R(lg< Ellison Exits Exclusive Disks After Tune Tiff Hollywood, June 4. Ben Ellison, general-manager and one of original organi/,ers of Exclu- sive Records, pulled out of company over weekend afler a tilT- with Leon Reiie, pre/ of plattery. Dispute oc- curred when Ellison gave his recent composition. "I Left My Heart In Mississippi" to Martin Block Music Co. for publication, whereas Rene (hoiight ilem should have been is water Beach, San Francisco, xvilli I "'"''! by one of the Iwo shcel-music Dal D:in- ! publishing subsids of E.>cck!Sivo. roui:-day .stand. 'July 3 ford band will open ; June 18 at Ellison had a contract wilh waxi 1'i ianon. San Diego, and .span sum- ] ery which did not c.s'pire iinlil end iiipr. . , Earle Spencer, has foi meir a ; of this month, but he ankled after j,iew band and put il |inlii rclieai sal i a iniilual agreement. He claims that ; ill Hollywood. . . his contracl^ specifically slaied ho i Band booking,'- al Bill Grcdn's. ''•'""''' P'ace any, songs he authored Pittsburgh, include Ted Wcein-. iw„ l anywhere ho wanted, nol neeiessarity weeks, June 14: Jan f ;ail)ei- fnr a ' ^^''"^ ""C of. Rene's ruins, fortnight, July 24 , . . Baron I'.llioll staff maestro at WCAE, I'iiKbuigli. I will spend statioil layoll this mui- j nier al p'Hcniy Ballrotjrn. Cliicago. I where he's spoiled foe 10 week- ■ . , . Fciur Blazes al the 'I'lopical Bar. Pitt., for four week- . . firay Gordon; Orchestra inlo Vocnc Tpi-.' race. Pitt., for two v.-eek- ./ime following Ina Ra.v IfiiLton ', Mei h Conrad, pianist ,nl Don Mel/' f 'iisino; Pill., for lv.o-an(l-a-liaif vi-in':..' has moved to new Sea llniiui Bai a' few (loorj av.'oy.' * • ■ -••■-•--» SHI'S WWW A (;h'»i Hit ntiiiaii ! ! DON'T SAY YOU'RE SORRY AGAIN By I.ee Pearl, Art Herman, Eujrcne West Itccnrdcd By Krsltin* Hawkins on Victor Records (20-1M2A) The VelveloiieN on Coronet Records (Cor-4A) r-With More Coming:!! KANES MUSIC PUILISHERS-^U19 IROADWAY. N. Y. fXClUSIVF MANAGEMENT mm Wedoeflday, June 8, 1946 VAITDEVILLB 6S BrazO Casino Ops in Move to Interior To Offset Metropolitan Gaming Bans Brazil's casino operators, whose' .activity was blacked out weeks back by a govt, ban against gambling, are attempting to get around the official Irown on the gaming tables by mov- ing their operations far from metro- politan centers. It seems that the cause of the recent stand against dice, roulette, etc., was numerous coinnplaints by churchmen that the tables were too convenient to the common man, who was losing his shirt and couldn't afford it. > Current plans via which operators hope to lift the ban, call for gam- bling activity to be transferred from metropolitan centers of Rio de Ja^ niero, Sao Paulu, etc., to locations inaccessible to all but the wealthy. In this way, it's hoped that the churchmen will be mollifled and the govt, will see its way clear to okay- ing resumption of green-felt activity. If the operators succeed along these lines, they will, of course, re- sume the buying of U. SI and Euro- pean talent. Since the clubs closed, last month, a lucrative source of revenue to acts, agencies, etc., has been cut off. . However, the plan to move gam- bling to remote localities is expected to draw bitter opposition from the Copacabana, Rio. Copa is the only casino which ;doesn't have a branch elsewhere. Rival Atlantico and Urea have such branches and they could easily make the switch. Urea own-, er, Joaquin Rolla, has the Casino de Icarehy, reached only by boat from Rio, while Alberto Bianchi, Atlantico cp,' owns the Casinos, de Guaruja, Saio. Paulo, Serra Negra and de Lyndoa. First would be closed un- der the plan, other two going Into operation. They, too, are remote from large centers of population. ' Brazil's largest Casino, the Quitan- dinha,' at Petropolis, although not af- filiated with any of the above, would be able to operate under the plan since it's located about 25 rnile^ from Rio. JEAN SABLON DICKERS WITH GIRO'S, MEX CITY Deal is on the Are for Jean Sablpn to' play Ciro's, Mexico City, some- time in July. Ciro's, in the Hotel Re- forma, run by A. C. Blumenthal, an American expatriate, has at various times used important name talent. If deal goes through, Sablbn will clear around $3,000 weekly. French singer, currently working in a Paris musical,* will return to this continent via of South America, where he'll visit his mother, now living in Brazil, and then go back south to Ciro's. He's already dated for the Mount Royal' hotel, Mon- treal, Aug. 19. Sophia Tucker signed for the Lookout House, Covington, Ky., for two weeks July 10. Chas. Trenet's Nitery Hit Booms Disk Sales, Reversing Usual Idea Charles Trenet's click at the Em- bassy club, N. Y., reverses the cur^ rent trend in record sales. In most cases, singers or bands click on p.a.'s only after making hit records, biit Trenet disk retailings have boomed considerably since his laud- able notices at the club. Trenet's oldies and .origihals have been . hitting boom sales since his importation to this country. One re- tail Arm,, Liberty Record shop, has taken four of Trenet's recordings and albumed them despite the fact that they were originally issued as single biscuits. They sell for $3.90 and go like hot cakes.' Boom of Trenet records is cueing another importation, by Columbia Records. Carlo Butti, whose disks have had a large sale among Italian speaking groups, is slated . to come to the U.S. under Columbia auspices for a concert. Pitt Terrace Folds Floor Shows for Summer Months Pittsburgh, June 4. William Penn hotel's Terrace Room, town's ace late spot, dropped floor shows for the summer over the week-end. Unlike past seasons, however, room will be kept open for daiicing only three nights a week, Thursday to Saturday. Dinner dancing will continue every night, but only until 9 p.m. early part of the week. Marty Gre- gor's band stays on. Gypsy Rose Exits Chi in Huff After Frolics Coin Row Chicago, June 4. Objections of the management to her playing a club date here, for which she received $600, resulted in Gypsy Rose liCe storming out of the Frolics last week oh the final night of. her six-week engagement at the spot. Nitery, coincidentally, folded the same night, after four months of red ink operation. . American Guild of Variety Artists reps here were called in when Miss Lee pointed out that other acts on the bill had played outside dates and that she was therefore entitled to accept them also, especially in view of the fact that she had taken a cut of $1,000 a week during the dimotit, woriiing for $3,000 instead of the contracted $4,000 because of dif- ficulties the spot was operating un- der. At any. rate, she settled for a $fi00 slice from her final week's pay — the amount . received for the club date — because of a clause in her pact with the Frolics forbidding such dates, and took off for an engage- ment at the Band Box, Portland, Ore,, leaving AGVA to handle any further negotiations. Jackie Gleason signed for Brad- ford roof, Boston, starting June 20. Art Tatiim, blind , Negro pianist, has served notice on the William Morris agency that he's leaving the office when his current contract ex- pires, June 16. Cavallaro s Par Date Puts MCA In Middle of NewRift; Now ItsWaniers WHitEMAN, WHITING TO CAPITOL THEATRE, N.Y. Paul Whiteman's orchestra and Margaret Whiting have been signed to play the Capitol theatre; N., Y,, starting around the beginning of August. Whiteman is playing a re- peat date at the house; Miss Whit- ing is playing her first N.Y. vbude date here. Miss Whiting comes up via her click on Capitol recordings. She rose to prominence with her disking of "It Might As Well Be Spring" and has been on the Philip Moiris Johnny Desmond radio show. Joe Hiller, Pitt Booker, Suggested Arbitrator Of AGYA-NCO Battles Pittsburgh, June 4. Matt Shelvey, head of AGVA, has suggested Joe Hiller, local booker, as arbitrator of any future differ- ences between Pittsburgh Night Club Owners Guild and performer's Un- ion here. Recent impasse over post- ing of cash band, which tossed floor shows out of Pittsburgh clubs for several week, ended when agents agreed to put up the dough for spots they service. ' Hiller, it's understood, Is agreeable to nitery men and he has stated his willingness to serve if called on. It was Hiller, incidentally, who first proposed that agents put up the se- curity bond after owners had flatly turned down AGVA demands. At that time, however, cafe men weren't willing either to post* it themselves or have anybody do It for them. It was the principle of the thing, they said. Allen Jenkliu and Ed Brophy are being teamed for vaiide appearances. Carmen Cavallaro's orchestra, which recently finished a run at the. Strand theatre, N. Y,, was sold by Music Corp, of America last week to the Paramount theatre, N. Y., thereby cementing newly-developed relations between MCA and the Par booking men and seemingly opening a rift between MCA and Harry Mayer, . booker of • Warner Bros, houses. Cavallaro goes into the Par . some time between eight and 10 months following the Strand date, or between next December and Febru- ary, 1947. He'll be drawing $12,500 weekly. For a couple of years at least, there wa§ bad blood between MCA and Paramount, caused by a succes- sion of disputes at the time the Gapitol theatre, N. Y„ opened a stage-show policy and MCA began pulling its bands away from the Par and putting them into tlie Cap, Even this was predicated on prior uneven relations between ' the two. Since that time MCA had "hot booked a band into the N. Y. flagship of the chain or any of its key city theatres until recently. Initial break in the attitudes of both was the placing of Bob Chester's band in the N. Y. house behind comic Danny Kaye and the later booking of Dick Stabile to accompany. Dinah Shore (they open , next month). . Whether the moving of Cavallaro to the^Par from the Strand is based on a dispute with WB or only method of healing the Par breach is uncertain. Despite its cause, Mayer is burning. MCA's theatre depart- ment, headed by Johnny Dugan, probably isn't forgetting, either, the fact that Par's booking division Is currently buying talent for a lot more time than the two weeks (N. Y. and Earle, Phila.) WB i« playing. Peter Hayes' Balto Job Peter Und Hayes, current at tha Copacabana, N. Y., has been Te< booked for the Club Charles, Balti* more, at an Indefinite date, for $2,000 weekly. NEWEST DANCING STAR "Sht's Hm Betr in H«r LIm"— Charii* Dawn. Chlcage Harald-Amarican DOUBLING NICKY BLAIR'S LOEW'S CARNIVAL ★ CAPITOL NEW YORK (Currently) NEW YORK (Opening June Gth) FOR THE RECORDS OPBNBO January, 1945, played 12 weeks BAL TABARIN,. San Francisco. OPENED April, 1945, played 16 weeks CHEZ PAREE, Chicago. OPENED September, 1945, played 10 weeks COPACABANA, New York OPENED November, 1945, CARNIVAL, New York, and HELD OVER. r INDEFINITELY MaM^Mnent: WILLIAM MORRIS AGENCr .. . 1 J JH ll ' ni I II . II M Jll > . J4 i J. U III J.l il I I i J .IMI H J .HI 64 VAVmKVWtlM Wcdnesdaj, June 5, 1946 Nitery Owners Put Cafes On Block I lymiwas joins mca While Market Is Hot; Fear Biz Dip Attempts to sell top New York nilertes have reached their highest point ill years. Many owners are trying to unload holdings now that values are up sky-high and the tax bite, under capital gain rules, is re- stricted to 25%. Current dip in nite- ry grosses partly accounts for will- inKness of many operators to unload, but many regard recession as tem- porary. , . Inspiration tor the boom market in cafes has been the recent sales of the Riviera, Ft. Lcc. N. J., to Bill Miller for a reported $750,000, and takeover of the Iceland. N. Y., from Mike Lar- sen at $160,000. Since then many major club own- ers have been sending out feeler.s. Two spots have so far been put on the market openly. Lou Walters is asking $250,000 for his 50^^ share of the N. Y. Latin Quarter, and Dario. of rival La Martinique, is willing to unload his share for a similar sum. One reason that some clubs aren't being peddled openly is the fear that solicitation would automatically low- er the asking price. Consequently owners all prefer being approached. This was the modus operandi of the near-sale of La Martinique two weeks, ago. Dario was approached by Frank Caspar through Frank Law, but price difference nixed that deal. Dario originally asked $250,000 then came down to $225,000, but Caspar's top price was $175,000. Other than Caspar, not too many nitery buyers are appearing. Some out-of-town boite owners are report- ed attempting to get a foothold in N. Y., but are being held back be- cause of inflated sale prices. Chi- cago syndicate is reported reac|y to step into th« N. Y. picture as soon as business recedes, so' that they would be in a more favorable bar- gaining position, • Nitery investment is still regard- ed as a good proposition inasmuch as many believe that the mass cafe trade is still an infant industry. It's the contention of many that when lower talent costs prevail, profitable operation can be achieved willj aver- age checks down to around $2.50. Currently the larger mass niteries run at a nice profit with checks av- eraging $4 per person. Hal Fisher "Laughingly Yowrs" CarrtaHy LATIN QUARTER, De«. Dir.: WILLI/^-" MOMIS AGENCY Shepp's in Fold; 35G Tax Bin Due Hollywood," June 4. Billy Berg, operator of local nitery bearing his name, has decided not to reopen Shepp's Playhouse, down- town black-and-tannery, which he had an eye on. Reportedly, Berg pulled out of project because the now-shrouded site owes $35,000 in back taxes to Uncle Sam. Meanwhile, Berg has on his hands two bands, CeePee Johnson . combo and Joe Liggins' Honeydri'ppers, both for concurrent periods. He had pacted Johnson for a stretch at his Hollywood spot, and had Liggins inked for Shepp's. Contracts with both.orchs have been deposited with Negro Musicians' Local 767, and un- less Harold Oxley agency, which handles Liggins, gets another date to All the void, matter will have to be adjusted by union. Liggins' pact is guarantee of six weeks with option for .six more. To clear his once-planned opera- tion of Shepp's, Berg is understood to have plunked down $1,800 with Local 767, which had blacklisted Shepp's for failure to pay last mu- sicians used in spot just before for- mer operators bowed out. Panama Nitery Biz Off, No Tourists; Casanova Folds Panama City, June 4. Club Casanova, playing name American acts, under direction of Cowes family, was the first folderoo in Panama's current night club depresh. Lack of tourists and usually heavy spending soldiers and sailors is being felt over entire Isthmus, and most of the bistros, are yelling panic, despite the fact their take of the past five years ran into the millions. - Club Happyland is importing Os- car Moreno's Cuban Follies, all Cu- ban show, featiiring Chino danseuse Lily May Wong. U. S. talent comes here at its own risk, American Guild of Variety Artists refusing protection since Panama spots won't sign AGVA minimum pacts and post salary bonds. $100 AND UP PER WEEK! 3«llliii alarm tloiki, po^kit knlvii, hose, ■l*v«t. mrtllt, ihlrtt, dnita, iMltanr goetft, e«rd»d ndie., tuti lapplln. HHdredi of ftthsr itimi it FACTORY PRICES. S«nd 3i itanp for blf mw Ottalof* MID-SOUTH SUPPLY CO. 219 E. MirilkM SI* W. Brud LIttIo RMk, Aik. TtuikiM. Tn. Phil Wrigley Has Big Plans for Catalina Is. Chicago, June 4. Longrange plan to subdivide Cata- lina Island, owned by Philip K. Wrigley, head of Wrigley Chewing Gum, Is being whipped together by Wrigley. He is currently on the is- land arranging for rebuilding the St. Catherine hotel. Plan calls for general renovation of all Catalina business sites, plane service, and highspeed boats to han- dle traffic from the mainland, plus a new sewage system, etc. Moving of Cliff Johnson, long- time CBS-WBBM announcer, to Catalina to do 11 broadcasts a week is seen as first step in Wrigley's applying for a license to broadcast from the island and an attempt to promote a large-scale real estate venture to make Catalina a second Malibu Beach. Tflakcus LOEW BOOKING AGENCY OtNttAl tXICUTIVI ofncts LOEW BUILDING ANNEX 1«0 W. 4«tt< It., N. Y. C. • MyanI 9-T»00 Lynn Luoas, brothar of bandleader Clyde Lucas, who until recently vo- caled with tha band, has given up singing chores for a piost In Music Corp, of America's club date depart- ment. Lucas will be in charge of music contracting on MCA-booked banquet dates. He succeeds Billy Sherr, who left MCA several weeks ago. AD Billy Rose Mairs Are Unusual Even Horseshoe, N. Y., Lease Troubles Ruth Barr to Open Miami Office to Rep. Agcys., Club Huth Barr, who recently gave up the agency business in New York, is opening a talent ofTice in Miami Beach, Fl'a. She will rep N. Y. agencies In talent deals with Florida nileries. While in N. Y. Miss Barr was ex- clusive booker for Imu Walters' Latin Quartisr. Youth Theatre Almnni Recitals Tip Source Of Vanguard, N.Y., Talent Secret of where the Village Van- guard, N. Y., gets its supply of fresh talent is out now that alumni of the Youth Theatres, a semi-pro group which has banged around the borscht-belt and in minor legit of- ferings in N. Y., completed a scries of recitals at the Barbizon-Plaza theatre. N. Y, Saturday. (25). Most of the cast read like a roster of past and present performers at the Village spot. Some members no- tably Betty Garrett, legit discovery in "Call Me Mister," and George Tyne, who appeared in "Walk in the Sun" (20th-Fox), have advanced considerably since they made their beginnings with this group. As intimate legit efTort, the group's revue, 'Tidbits of 1946," was often refreshing and well-gaited, but much of its novelty had been ex- pended by being previously seen at the aforementioned Vanguard. The Youth Theatre has a politi- cally liberal and socially conscious viewpoint which is all too evident in its comedy skits and songs. Comedy was well taken care of by Phil Leeds, current at the Vanguard, Bernie West, last at Cafe Society Downtown, and Sherle Harlt. with Buddy Jaroslow emceeing the first half of the show. Their efforts came off pretty well, especially a skit on Rep. Rankin and a satire on the flood of psychiatric films now very much in vogue. In the song department, Marais and Miranda, South African folk singers who recently gave a recital at Town Hall, N. Y., clicked .with folk ballads, and Mordecai Bauman, in studied and cultured voice gave out with a trio of songs of modern Russian composers. Eddy Manson ac- comped by Marjorie Welles at the piano, highlighted the musical ef- forts with smart harmonica solos, and Iva Kitchell burlesqued modern and cliassical ballet in a laugh pro- voking manner. Lou Cooper provid- ed piano aceompaniment. Jose. Race Track Near A.C. Perks Niteries Atlantic City will get a big-league nitery with the opening of a Board- walk room seating around 400. Cafe, still unnamed, will use names and will spend up to $6;500 weekly for talent. It will open around June 22; The room is located on top of a Howard Johnson restaurant and will be operated by Jimmy Krillow. Frank Gravatt, former owner of the Steel Pier, who still has extensive realty holdings in the resort, is in on the deal on a percentage basis because of the lease. Booking will be by Frank Elliott, who formerly booked the Steel Pier, and New York rep will be Joe Coopersmith of the Eddie Sherman office. Deals are already cooking for Sophie Tucker, Belle Baker and Jackie Miles, but inkings haven't been concluded. Inspiration for the room un- doubtedly comes from the opening of a race track IS miles outside of A. C. They're banking upon large numbers of spenders coming in from Phil- adelphia and Ni Y. for the bangtails. Other Atlantic City hotels,' be- cause of proximity of the track, are also going in for additional enter- tainment. Traymore and Shelburne will install dance outfits in their dining rooms. * Billy. Rose 's faced with one of the oddest situations a nitery owner ever ' had to contend with. It seems he had two separate leases on the site of his Diamond Horseshoe, N. Y.. a long-termer covering the club itself and a month-to-month hold on space housing dressing rooms and otficos. And the new owner of the Para- mount hotel, in which the club is locatecf, has cancelled Rose's grip on the dressing room and offices. Fortunately, i>art of the office . equipment and personnel was hoascd in the club proper. So, Rose has moved some of the former to his Ziegfeld theatre, which he owns, to make more room for the performers ousted from the dressing room space reclaimed by the hotel'.i owner, Jules Epstein. He also is dickering for floor space in brownstone houses across the street from the Horseshoe, into which he wants to move the remainder of the offices. Situation is a result of difficulties with Epstein. 'Rose's lease on the club space Itself is effective for ap- proximately another three years, at $18^000 per, which is cheao in com- parison to current real estate rates. Epstein would like to get Rose out or write a new lease, hence the heckling. Apparently, the strategy is proving successful. Rose Is now in the throes of negotiating a new lease on the entire club and dressing room space. It wilt, when completed, im- mediately replace the old one. That Rose is confident of working things out Is apparent in the fact that he's planning a new- show, to open around the iend of July. Bert Tucker, Soph's Son, Takes Over D.C. Cafe Bert Tucker, son of Sophie Tucker, has been named manager and booker of the Duet restaurant. Washington. Spot wa.s sold last week by Herb Sachs and names of new operators Weren't divulged. Sachs had been fcudin;? with the American Guild of Variety Artists oh the i.ssue of posting salary bond. It's likely new management will make peace with the Guild, inas- much as owners v/ill seek name tal- ent for the spot. Tucker, prior to assuming man- agement of the Duet, wis with the William Morris au(ency cafe depart- ment, was assistant manaf: "KiiilH KHTe iMrry ■ Slorch noUy ap- proval for hli*' rle%«r minilcr}'." Holly wuoil K r |i It r t e r : "Larry .Sliirl'irH tiilriilH ' drew NiHitiliinriMiK niipliiiiMi lonK Iwriirr \\t llnihiii'il IiIn art — (lir iiiimr rroivd rrally neat for hlh St., N«w York, N. Y. femme trade, where Ws unsophlstl- cBted and homey humor hit with telling effect. He shows some good bits in the maize vein, such as his takeoff on the "Lost Weekend" and satire on Hildegarde. ^ Comedy is also a vital part of Jor- dan and Parvis, ballroomers, al- though they aren't banking on it as the main portion of their routines. They have the knack of putting zany licks into their turn, which makes for pleasant reception here. Larry Funk's band has ft dance- able and smooth beat with.an Instru- mentation of four rhythm, three sa-x and a trumpet. Funk, . shades of Sleepy Hall, plays an electrified banjo, which he keeps In a muted state 50 that Its function is like that of a guitar. He's a capable show- backer and also keeps the floor nm- ,ply occupied. Femme chirper, billed as Our Girl Friday, is fairish on the vocals.. Marvelle Myler, songs and piano, does the lulls. Jose. Coloslmo's, €hl Chicago, May 29. Ada Leonord orch (16), Johnny Knapp, Virginia Wolfer, De leers (6), Mel Cole orch (6); $2.50-$3.50 niin. Rlltmore Rowl, A. Los Angeles, May 29. Russ Morgan Orch (22),. Ben Yost White Guards (6), St. Claire & Vilova, Tommy Trent, Lindsay, La Verne & Betty; cover $1-$1.50. ., , Russ Morgan has moved in on the Biltmore for what looks like an in- stitutional stand. "Music in the Mor- gan Manner," plus the Morgan man- ner itself, is what appeals to the family carriage trade at the Bowl. Old tunes and new tunes mixed into nifty medleys with plenty of em- phasis on rhythm and salable schmaltz is a natural for the Bowl patrons who like sweet dance music. Morgan's" emceeihg, with the right touch of ribbing, goes a long way to making him a solid commodity for hotel fans and especially so here. Joe Faber has assembled a show- manly package of entertainment that gives enough variety and is short enough to please, without bor- ing. Ben Yost's White Guards, vocal group, star in the show and have to beg off after - many well-deserved encores. Group goes from opera to musical * comedy with smash show- manship. St. Claire and Vilova, a ballroom terp team, warm up as they go, putting new life into stand- ard turns around the floor via smart stepping and intricate lifts. Tommy Trent, puppeteer, brings out Punch & Judy to the delight of youngsters as well as old folk. Trent gives his dolls some fresh dialog that smacks more of the nitery than the nursery, but the Crocodile- triumphs in the end over the upstart Punch. Lindsay, La Verne & Betty have been around town for some time with their acrobatic dancing but the customers never seem to tire of the endless cartwheels and muscle stretching. HufS; Plantation Room, N. Y. (DIXIE HOTEL) Larry Funk's Orch (8) uitth Girl Friday, Lou Seiler, Jordon & Parvis: $2mtn.. Itv Benjamin, taking over this nitery that was tops , in the Windy City during the "bang-bang"' days of the 20's, has spent $30,000 fur redec- orations and grade A' talent and comes up with one of the most ter- rific shows to hit town in a long time. The once drab' spot is now gay in new colorful dress but retains the old intimate atmosphere that made It fa- mous during Chi's more robust diiys. Heading the show Is the expertly produced ice revue, "Fantasy on Real Ice" plus an old' Chi favorite Ada Leonard, returning for her first cafe engagement -with her own fem orch. Staged by Truly McGee, the revue fei)tures one of the shapeliest lines in town. Handicapped by a small floor, cast nevertheless doesn't let the lack of room bother them in the least. Decked in beautiful costumes,, line opens with a snappy "Mademoiselle From Armentieres and is followed by Bruce Sheffe.r . doing a solo to Gershwin's "American in Paris." Vir- ginia Walter, star of the show, de- lighted the usually blase first-night aud with her grace in "Won't You Buy My Violet." Peggy Fahy adds a comedy touch with a clever num- ber, "Everything Stops for Tea." Johnny Knapp m.c.'s the show and gives iti strong vocal backing, piping most of the numbers that the skaters do. Sporting a pleasing personality and a voice remindful of Morton Downey, Knapp displays the talent that prompted Irving 'Berlin to choose him for one of the leads In "This Is the: Army." Besides doing a bang-up job of backing th^ ice revue, Ada Leonard and her girls receive a good share of the aud applause with their fine musical interpretations. One of the better fem orchs heard in these parts, the girls pleased with solid arrange- ments of, "Russian Lullaby" and "An- nie Laurie" followed by Miss Leon- ard chirping "Three Long Years" and "St. James Infirmary." Mel. Cole and his. band do a good job of providing dance music while the girls take a breather, and Colo- simo s "continuous" entertainment policy Is featured in the gentlemen's lounge where a trio provides appro- priate tunes foi* the stags. Foos. El Moroceo, M ont'l Montreal, June 4. Paul Gray, Jerry & Turk, Leslie & Carroll, Milroy Line (6) , Hal Hartley Orch (13); $1:50 min. Current parlay at El Morocco Is jamming them in like never before. It's a mad mixup from start to fin- ish, but the resiMt has the audience screaming for. more. To begin: with there's Paul Gray, who handles the m.c, spot. Gray Is a dignified looklM gent with a bald pate of which h«\not the least bit self-conscious. He's a sock story, teller with a riotous laugh that breaks In at the punchline to set the payees into gales of laughter. Be- sides that he's got a hefty pair of pipes thiit he uses to good advantage •in some takeoffs (Inkspots, Eddy & Macdohald, Ronald Colman). Leslie 8t CaroU make a pleasant singing duo that gets solid mitting in commercial items like Gay Nine- tics and Cohan medleys, as well as "Sweethearts" from "Maytlme." Eccentric terpers Jerry 8c Turk really bring the howls in some slap- stick jivery with Jerry seguing into throwing lines at the audience' for some good yocks. As finale Gray and Carroll come back to join Jerry & Turk in an opera takeoff. It's all boff entertainment except for the comedy slipping a little too low at times. This is one of best shows seen here in a long time. Hal Hartley's band does a fine showcutting job. Line is good-look- ing but routines still could be uerked up. Biz booming. , Laza. iVormandie Roof, Mont^l (FpLLOWUR) Montreal, June 4, There's a general letdown In cur- rent Normandie Roof . (Mount Royol hotel) bill, with all the acts trying hard but it just not adding up to the ientertainment the room had been getting. It's hard to figure out why MCA, which books the. roomi sent up four acts which In toto don't measure up. Jay Martin, tenor with a good set of pipes, does the best of the acts. He had to beg off after some smooth delivery of "Oh, What It Seems to Me" and the inevitable "Chasinj; Rainbows." Remainder of show- includes the Rossi Sisters, a tapster duo in the teeoff slot; Maxlmillian, with some solid pianistics offering three jive Items and a slower piece; and Don Cumitiings, who's billed as comic. Cummings does a little rope tricking and then segues into the radio an- nouncer who mixes up the product • gags. Much of his stuff is too rough for this room. However, Cummings knows how to sell a punchline and with some material switching should be able to register well in many Maximilllan's act needs: dress- spots. Ing up. Loza. WALLY BOAG ' OorreBtlr . WILLIAM PENH HOTEL PITTSIURttH. PA. MoMfMUMrti MARK J.-UDDY PAUL REGAN COMIC-SATIRIST Officially the Plantation room has siispended the corn-band policy In favor of the orthodox musicrew and small flobrshow type of proceedings. However, the net effect Is still the same; Zanyisms previously under- taken by the band are assumed by the performers hired for the pur- pose, and the predominantly tourist and hen-party patronage from the provinces take to this type show with Intense avidity. Consequently policy change is seen as no departure ia either presentation or audience re- ception. Chief comedy Item here Is Lou Seiler, who's been around as part of the Seiler . Bros, and lately as a sin- gle where he worked, among other spots, the Glass Hat of the Belmont Plaza hotel. He's topnotch with the predominantly unaccompanied JOE JACKSON, Jr CURRENTLY RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, NEW YORK VARIETY says: "It's a tribute to a performer on this mammoth stage, and in such a giant theatre, that a strictly sight comeclian can reach the innermost reaches lot a house for belly laughs. Which is what Jackson does. ... Jackson stands on his own. . . ."— KAHN. DANTON WALKER says: "If you wete sehtimental about Joe Jackson, famed vaudeville clown, you can see his same get-up on Joe Jackson, Jr., now in Radio City Music Hall revue." Monagtmaht LAWRENCE GOLDEN. INC. WednwiJay, June g, 194A 67 Variety Bills WEEK.OF JUNE 5 NamrraU la mmmt^fUom «Hb kill* UUm MImI* ttmlmt tmt 1 *Um. •hatlwr fmO «■ ipm «Mk. XKW YORK CITV Capitol («) nil'/ HrnH }lu BW \OHK CITV I'Hminoiiiit (0) ann . IKiiy. BnllarO Klleen OnrllHle DAVTOV r^tenlal «) Charlie Splvak- Ore Frank RadclKfe Coro, Steve & Bdrty SPBINOHELD Coart 8q («-») 3 ResiKW YORK CITV I (Hraml <7) -'I'oniniy Turker Ore Sieve iOvans S Ross Sis The Chords IITICA Rtanlejr <||.|3) Rrsklne Hawkins O Charioteers . hdependeBt NEW YORK CITY .Mask Hall (6) Beltlnii Dearborn 4'harlHs IM Helchert Joe Jiickson Jr Itockettes iilee Club Corps de Ballet Rosy (7) Count Biisle Ore May Rax Peters .Sis Genn .Sheldon Klnlbash (8-«) Ralph English Kelvin ft Lynn . <:ilRord ft Marlon 3 Welles CHICAGO OrieaUl (a) Connee Boswell Jackie Green LeRoy Bros The Alblns HARTFORn State (*-«) Tex RItter Pals of the Prairte Phil .Marks Joe Allison America's Leading Independent Agent EDDIE SMITH 1501 Irccdwoy. New York Tom O'Neal The Marcos l>n\vn Bros Al ft Jean Johnston .iamaica (6-S) Moke ft Doke Zlggy Lane ^ Radio Rnmblera Ksldl* Carol r McWIIIInms Co. (e-7) John Fredcrlrhs Bromley ft Barrett Gloria Davis Hal Menken AKRON Palace (8-») Spike Jones Ore Al.TANTIC CITY .Steel Pier («-ll) ..Tune T.orralne ^ Arnauts a Mandells (one to fill) HAT.TIMORK IIIPIHMlrome (A) a Kings .Mark Triplets I.t-o Trent Low lllle >t Slnnl y. Slate (A-N) Itoyal Whirlwinds Ted Martin rielder & Il.irrlet. J.iitashii ^' r.aur'ce (0-K) George T.yons Morey ft En Ion Roland Miirr6lll Co (one in fill) C'AMIIfCN Towers (7-9) P ft B Martin Minevltch Rasrals Johnny' HOLYOKB Valley Areiia <») Bob Chester Ore rrnckerjarks . Miller ft Gene KANSAS r.'TY ■ Tower (7) 2 LItlleJohns .lack Ktorrlson . Glenn I^rson Frances Urban NEW BEnFOHIIi Balls* Sq ((l-D) Milton Blakely .Alan Reno I.>anc ft Small Kay ft Carroll .Morris ft Ilyan l'AWTi:CKF.T Capitol (0) Don ft I'hil Klnir Helrnu ft Howard .Mlllon lllakely J ft K Hiiydcn Itny lllKKS riiii.Aitiii.riiiA Carmun (H) TerrI Iji' PriincunI •Mage ft Karr Harold lloyO ,i'o Gcoriro Frcnns . ■ PROVIDKXCE , Mf'iroirro <"-«) VluUHO of IfnriurM .' IIOCKFOKl) I'Hluro (7) Paul Walker Or.c Allan Kane fhrlslinc Foraylhc Splllcr'H Srnis Walter John Miriam Gwinn Miriam La Veil* Clnb IS Jerry Bergen Kloria Veslolt Candi Corle:^ Roy Si'dley Flora Drake O Andrews Ore CopacubMBB DesI Arnaz' Oro Julie Wilson Bob JoliDslon ■ Joey Gilbert r.ynue Iturrelt Krnle Hoist Bd Raul ft Eva Reyes Peter l.lnil HsyeH BlamOMd HonHrshec Joe B Howard r.lonel Knye Watson Sis Fritzl Schelt Ann PennlngloB Willie Solar Ja«iuellne Hurley MIctauel Edward Bill Acorn Emma Francis Jimmy Allison Bill Moore Four Rosebuds Vincent Travera Or Marty Reirt Ore 4IM Beslaaniiit Benny (inndinsn O G'wieh Village Ina •Ian Me>r)ll Ann I'Higb (,'arrle 'Kliinell n S Pully >1 S Gump Ruaa ;Cni-lvle Ore Havana-Mndrid Nestor ChdjTes Virginia .MrCruw Don (^'lIKAnOVK Jlarrin-t'lali'e- .slmnnun Hetel Ambassador I.ouls Dolanrourt O Jules l^ands Ore Hotel A star Alvinii ' Hey Ore Hotel BelmeBl I'Inu C.lairo Hoofe Jeann Isner Kranrls .Mah>ne Hob RusKrll Kathryn UufTy Dcr» Edille Stonii Ore Hotel Rlllmnr* Dick Stabile Oro l.aihrop ft iH-e Itnlph Fonl Orr. Hntel Conmoilure Ihil .Mrlnlyru Ore llolel niile f.iMTy Kiink Ore f.iiu Seller Jordan ft I'srvls Hoi el EtIIWB Blue Uatron Oro Essex nonse Pancho Oi-c Hotel l.rxlngloa MomI Kal- Tanu Kaue Tallma Malls .Moklhana J Pineapple Ore Hotel New Viirbci Jerry Wnid Ore Hotel Peiifistlviiiilt Geo Paxlon v ' - - OM BoBUBiaB l.ctlk- uroH .Marcellu ft Nich'I's Olga A>rlova Adrh^nne Parker Joe La Forte Or* Riviera Ted Lewis Ore Nuro Morales Ore Ralwn DIca ' Mervyn .Nelson Paul Vlllard GIna Janss Wallv Blanker Muriel Gaines Cedric Wallace Trie Has* KretcliBUi Blanks Itasll Fomeen .V Alexandroir f!arl Gorbf .Mlscha Uzdanoff Irene Feodora Dura BIrse Karuvncff . SplvT'* Root Spivy Daphne Hellman . Stork Cluk Morales Ore Vcraallle* Evelyn Knight Enill Peltl Ore Village Bara Billy Kelly (^arlnnds Allola Wallace Page Morton llert Stone I'atsy Lane Jimmy Nola Tex Fletcher Village Vantaard Eddy ^Conson Elerinnr Bower* Don Fry MHrhls ft Miranda Hank Duncan Trt» n'lvel nob Lee Gertrude Hlld .iu.m AInsll* FrnnclECO Bruce Norman Vivian NIckolsnn D'nivcro ft Belm'tc '.CaBBlbar Rocli cater King Cole 3 Tip. Tup ft To* Mario Ellington .Maurice Rocco Howell ft Bowser Pee Wee .Marquette Clauds Hopkins Or' Ted McRao Oro . /.Imroernian'* Gene KnrdoS Oro W ft J Brown . U'nyne Thompson ..\ilrie'nne Parker CHICAGO College IDB Hedela Carl Mars P Frank 4r Janyce Buddy Rich Oro Hotel Bteveaa Arleen LIndetrom Covsey ft Ayres Jeff Lane The i9hyrettoa Arlene LIndstorm •' Boulevardears Copsey ft Ayers Orrin Tucker Ore ' l4Ula Qoarter Martha Raye Three Rocketa Estelle Sloan Martin Kent B Tost Cavallct* L Q Lovelies Buddy Shaw Ore Falrner Houee Ted Straeter Ore Gil Lamb Bob Coffey Nip Nelson Stuart Morgan (!) Merrlell Abbott O Rio CabaBB Jan Murray The Bernards Manor ft MIgnon The Lovelies (10) Tine OardcB* Jessie Rosella Ken Walker Bobby' Hargent Young ft Lucky June Hart Doreen Winters OBITUARIES WILLIAM S. WILDER William S. Wilder, 55, owner and operator of the Wilder chain of theatres with houses in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News and Roanoke, Va., died at his home at Crystal Lake, Virginia Beach, Va. May 22. Wilder, who was quite proud of his : beginning in the theatrical biz as Usher, was a native of Ports- mouth. From Portsmouth he went to Norfolk as chief usher at the Col- onial. He won $50 for song on bill with Mclntyre and Heath and then declined bid to tour with them. . After managing houses in Rich- mond and Norfolk, Wilder got hl.<; big break in 1928 when he acquired the Newport theatre in Norfolk and pioneered the nabe spot biz in that area. Rapitlly expanding, theatres were opened in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News and Roanoke. ALEXANDER OLSHANETZKT Alexander Olshanetzky, 52, or- chestra leader ' anfl composer of Jewish songs, dropped dead of a heart attack while attending the an- nual convention of the Rotary In- ternational at Atlantic City, N. J., yesterday (4). Olshanetzky had written the scores for some 40 oper'ettes per- formed in the Yiddish theatre. Bom in Odessa, Russia, he was later violinist in the Imperial Opera House and. during the first World War toured Europe and Asia with his own military- band. After his ar- rival in the U. S. under manage- ment .of Sol Hurok, he joined the Yiddish Art Theatre, and turned to writing scores. Subsequently, Olshanetzky con- ducted the orcheistra at the Brook- Variety Artists for four years, and member for 28. For many years he toured vaude with his former wif« Mary Marble tmder the team name of Chip and Marble. Burial will be today (Wed.) at KensicOi N, Y. HAROLD KENNEDT Harold Kennedy, S(, vet vaude and minstrel perforiner, died June 1 in N. Y. He toured for many years with the George Primrose Minstrels, and played vaude houses throughout the country. Survived by wltJow, Emma Fran- cis, currently appearing in revue at Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe, N. Y. WILLA FOERSTER Willa Holt Wakefield Foerster, 76, old-time vauder, died in Ims Angeles June 3. A singer, Mrs. Foerster intruduced "Honey; Stay iri Your Own Back Yard." She w^ found in a small L. A. hotel by actor Charles Cobum, who provided for her hospitalization. ARNOLD GROSS Arnold Gross, 65, theatrical at- torney, died in New York May 28. Gross long- had. been interested in and. associated with summer' stock ventures at Brighton Beach, the production of "One Sunday After- noon,'', and Empire Productions. WILLIAM J. RRADFORD Williarh J. Bradford, 63, conductor of the old Keith Palace theatre or- chestra in Akron, d., and a com- lyn Paramount and later toured the | posei-, retiring ten years ago, died Publix and other theatre circuits, i jn that city May 26. BOBBY RROWM Bobby Brown, 48, radio producer. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ahearne, ' died May 31 in Hollywood, following a heart attack. Former uke player son, Hollywood, May 10. Mother's Maxine Garrison, Pittsburgh Press Hollywood correspondent. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Beler, son, New Brunswick, N. J., May 29. Father is a member of C'olunibia'; pressbook department. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Knittel, daughter. New York, June ^. Mother is Luise Rainer, Rim star. Mr. and Mrs. Winston Wade, son, Hollywood, May 30. Mother is the former Nedra Stafford, chief of Ac- tors Equity office in Los Angeles. Mr. and Mrs. Martin Ryerson, daughter. New York, May 20. Father is. radio scripter on "Grand Central Station" and other air shows. Mr. anti Mrs. Jan Bart, son. New York, June 2. Father is radio and nitery singer. Mr. and Mrs. George Preston Turner, Jr., son. New York, May 11. Father is a director for Pathe News. Mr. and Mrs. Janies Flavin, son, Hollywood, June 1. Parents are film players. , ' Mr. and Mrs. Dick Moreans, daughter, Los Angeles, June 2. Father is fllm publicist. Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Ettinger, daughter, Hollywood, June 1. Father is film p.a. JACK ALTFIELD Jack Altfleld, 21, HKO asiit. film editor, died in HoUywooi, sudt'ciily, June 1. Leaves widow, fornter Jei.y La- Varre of RKO publicity dept. and singer in vaudeville, Brown entered radio 18. years ago with his production of "The Nutty Club." Making bis headtjiiarters in Chi-, cago, he became executive producer for Wrigley and supervised produc- tion of all the gum company shows, and personally directed "Myrt and Marge," "Scattergood Baines" and "Gateway to Hollywood." i On . several occasions he was sent | Father of Georgie Kayc, vaude to Europe by Wrigley to round up nitery comic, died in Nc; York, new atmbsphere and material ■ for j^gy 3o_ radio shows. He moved to HoJIy- , TALBOT V. HENDERSON Talbot V. Henderson. .67. ch^i-uc- tsr actor on. staife and sciecn. died May 24 in Los. Aneeles after a lonii illness.. wood three months ago to take up residence. Surviving is his widow. Roy Acuff Continued from ' page 1 DAN DE BAUGH Dan De Baugh, 65, manager of the western office of Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey shows, died in Chi- cago,. June 3. He had been with the circus since 1902 as advance man, special agent, car manager, general excursitm agent and Anally western manager. De Baugh also was vice-president of the Barring Outdoor Advertising agency. Survived by widow, Florence, and son, Howard, who is assistant elec- trician at the Erianger theatre, Chi- cago. ject until Saturday when H. E. Mc- Lean, of Cookeville. Tenn., walked into Nashville headquarters of the Republican state executive commit- tee with a properly prepared peti- tion qualifyiiig Acuff for GOP cam- paign. Republican tihairman, W. I. Davjs, said Acuff is in the race of- ficially now, unless he withdraws. AcufC is on tour and was not avsil- able for comment, but McLean de- clared the • rustic minstrel had promised to accept the Republican nomination and make campaign if he should win it. Corn country crooner's tremen dous personal following had politics in a dithier at thought of his running two years ago, just on the heels of Jimmie Davis' victory in Louisiana AcufT's father was a General Ses- sions court • judge in Knoxville. Singer is under contract to- WSM, Nashville, and Republic Pictures in Hollywood. Mother of Jules Levey, Warner Bros, real estate exec at the home- office; died May 30 in New York. Burial was. in Rochester June 2.- Aunt, 64, of Ben Cammack, man- ager of RKO at Dallas, died in that city, May 26. She was also the aunt (Continued nn page 70) MARRIAGES Barbara Kline to I.iortimer J. Becker, Detroit, June t. Groom is N. Y. radio and legit attorney. Alice Goodno to George S. Taylor, Tijuana, May 28. Groom is a stage and screen actor. Ethel Rose Smith to William J. Healy in New York June 1. Groom i.<; executive assistant to Austin C. Keough, 'v.p. and general counsel [for Paramount. Mary Jean Copelahd to Anthony MARSHALL BURNS Marshall "Curly" Burns, 60, vet- eran vaude circuit trouper, died May 31 in Akron, Ohio, following a three-day illness. . . Early in hw carieer Burns did a i Ross, Stockton, N. J., June 2. Bride blackface single, touring with Rog- | is former assisUnt stage mgr. of ers Productions. He settled in Ohio j "Glass Menagerie"; groom is afipear- to produce his own musical com- , ing in "Glass Mcnager.e," Play- edics and staff the Colonial theatre during -the stock season. Following the war, during which he worked house, N. Y. Peggy Morrow Field to Louis Hay ward, Hollywood, May 29. in a factory, Burns and his wife, did Groom is film- actor. a double as Burns and Walker. Survived by widow, mother, and brother. JIMMIE SHANNON James Royce. 65, songwriter, died in Pontiac, Mich., May 20, after accir dentally falliiig in front of a freight train. Rpyce, known prpfe^ionoUy as Jimmie Shannon, achieved his first success in writing the music for Chauncey Olcott's "Shameen Dhu" In 1912 which contained the sciig, "Irish Lullaby." He also wrote the lyrics for "Missouri Waltz" and col Franclne Blum to Shep Chartoc, Chicago, May 22. Groom is Chi indie radio producer. Tahia Kerim to Lt Coil. Gilbert Levy, Los Angeles, May 31. Bride is an Egyptian film actress. Jane Read to William L. Satt, Jr., Narberth, Pa., June 1. Bride is commentator on WCAU, Philly; He's son of SKF proxy. Pierrette Alarie to Leopold Si- moneau. Montreal, Can., June 1. Both are classical, singers. Betty Laughton Kelley to Wes Hlncltluiwk mil.v lUshnii Ore .Mli-«t .Miinn Jiickle Kii'lils Nlok ft Vickie Ches Puree - D.'inny Thomas . Maurice ft .Maryea SonKS Pay Off I-a. Gov. Hollywood, June 4. Gov Jimmie Davis, of Louisiana, Southern Music Co.'s most prolific clefTei- of hillbilly tunes, has 1< nocked down apni'OMimatcly $34,000 In royal- tics In. " last yeir; His • .natorial salary is $12,000 per annum. '^^lont^^.Z;:^.r'^iU:;:^. ^^"^^^er Carmel^^^ June Including "Mother of Mine ' and "At Bride is legit actress, the Foot of the Cro.ss." Survived by daughter. WILLIAM MARBLE George W, Oglesby, 75, known prcfessionially as William Marble, died June 2 in N. Y, after a short illness. He was treasurer, of Nut'l Kalz, Chicago, Belita to Joel McGuinness, Holly- wood, May 2. Bride , is figure skat- ing star. Groom is actor'. Ida May Balaban to Shcrwin Howard Scully, Chicago, June 2. Eiide is daughter of John Balaban,. .secretary-treasurer of Erl'ban li 68 UMSTTIMATB Wednetd«7v Jan« S» 1946 Jersey Strawhat in Quick Foldo Before Season Officially B^n One summer stock has folded al- ready although the season has not yet offlcially begun. . Morristpwn, N. J., strawhat operated by jack Wasserman, a young newcomer, played a little more than a week, then ceased. Theatre management demanded the rent but the bankroll had already been depleted. Under- stood takings for the initial week were less than $1,000, and the first night ot the contemplated second week took in less than. $100. Players' salaries were protected by guarantee money on deposit with Equity. It seems that Wasserman had entered into contracts with isev- eral name players for' proposed sub- sequent appearances, without men- tioning it to Equity, and he will be required to pay them off if still aspiring to be a manager. . Dame ivhitty for Circuit Dame May Whitty has been booked Into a number of summer stocn spots, to appear in "Night Must Fall,' after Equity okayed . her appear- ances. Latter concession was , re- • quired because the English actress is a non-resident alien and the rules bar foreign players from stock. Rules were adopted by Equity many seasons ago, when there was agita- tion against aliens, principally Brit- ishers. At the time'stock was an im- portant engagement virtually the year around, whereas now nearly all such, stage activity is confined . to the barn theatres. Indications are that .not as many name players will appear in straw- hats as before the war, one notable exception being Gertrude Lawrence, dated to play in "Pygmalion" at the Cape Playhouse, Dennis, Mass., which win be operated by her hus- band, Richard Aldrlch. Not a few summer . stocks will again operate with apprentices who are required to pay the management from $100 to $300 for the season, sometimes in- cluding board and lo'dging. AU strawhats under Equity registry, however, must engage six Equityites at minimum scale or better for the duration of the season. Nichols Continued from pace 1 Maiden Bridge Season Maiden Bridge, N. Y.. Junb 4 The Maiden Bridge Playhouse, formerly the Nell Gwyn theatre, will open :an eight-week season of summer stock on July 12. Director ot the group is Eunice Osborne (Mrs. Walter Wood). For three years before the war, Miss Osborne was director for the Tamarack Playhouse, Lake Pleasant, N. Y. She was .a director on the staff of the Goodman theatre, Chi- cago, for six years. Sim, with a hefty .894. He covered one less show than Nichols and Kronenberger. Morehouse made the strongest bid : for honors since he has been reviewing first nights. He was running fifth at midseason, then cohsislcntly climbed. By Jan- uary the Sun aisle-sitter and col- umnist made four incorrect predic- tions but in the subsequent 25 no- tices missed only twice. Excellent, top. was Howard Barnes, Herald Tribune, who ran second at tlie halfway mark but finally placed, fourth, four points back of Morehouse. He, too, is do- ing 'double duty, being first-string film reviewer for the Trib. Pet- centages'of the four.lcaders are dif- ferent oiily by virtue of .orie or two wrong guesses. One of. those who didn't improve his midyear stand- ing was Robert Coleman of the Mirror. It was indicated this spring that there may be two new reviewers on Broadway next season. A re- placement for Burton Rascoc of the World Telegram is expected. He resigned when the Telly refused to run his strongly-worded pan re- view of Old Vic's "Henry IV", first part A new reviewer for the Post may be selected, too, its critic, Wilella Waldorf, having- died in January. Since then Vernon Rice has tirst-nighted and has done fairly well. When he quit Rascoe was in last place, again, having been wrong on. 19 shows Out of 53 covered. The final score shows that the cntics were more accurate than ever before, the. number of inac- curate predictions being nearly 50% fewer tliah in past seasons^ at least as far as the first four in the boxscore. Vauiety too reduced the numbei: of sour guesses to about the sanie extent over last year. Its percent- age was .901. . ■ Individually, Variety reviewers rated as follows: .1st Nat Kahn (Knhn), 1.000; 2d, Jack Pulaski (Ibee), .i933; 3d, Arthur Bronsoh (Bron), .889; George Rosen ue'' "Polonai.se" •'St. Louis Woman'' "Skydrifl"" "Strange Fruit"' "Swan Song ' 'The Day Before Spring" "The Duchi'.<.s Misbeh»ve.s" •'The French Touch"' "The Gill from Nantucket" ■'The Mermiiid.-i Singing"' "The Next Half Hour" "The Rich Full Life " "The Rugged Path" •"The Ryan Girl"' "The Secret Room"' "'The Song of Bernadette"' "The Wind Is 90" "The Would-Be Gentleman"" •Tlii.s. T.x). Shall Pb.ss"' "Truckline Cafe"' "Walk Hard" '"Woman Bites Dog" "You Touched Me" UOLBOVEBS FROif PREVIOUS SEASONS "Anna Liica.sta" "Life Wilh Father" ' Bloomer Girl'' i closed) "Oklahoma!' "Carousel" , "On the Town". 'closed) '"Dear Ruth" — - "Song «f Norw ay." "Follow the Girl.s"' i closed) "The Gla.-y> Menagerie"' '•Harvev'' '•Hats "Ofr to Ice" ii-losed) "I Remember Mama " I II Its) "Hamlet" "Hrnrv IV." P;iil 1 '"Henry IV;' Part i "Oedipivs""— "Critio" "Pygmalion" "Show Boat" "The Red Mill " "A Gir\ lor the Biirle"' '•A l\)rlrail in Black* ''A Young American'' "Between Covers " "Bigger 'Than Bariunn"' "By Appointnicnl Only " "Caviar to the Cicncral " "Cr.escenrio" "Dearl/ Beloved ' "Emily"" "Forever Is Now"' "Georgia Boy" "Judy 0"Connor"' "Lambs Will Gamble " "La.st House on Ihe Left"' '"Loye in the Siiow"" "Miss .Tones"' 'The Late George Apley" (closed) ••The Voice. of the Turtle"' ••Up in Central Park" .i'closed) REVIVALS " Uncle Vanya ' iMudefalcs) "De.'iert Sonn " . "The Winter's Tale"' ll'lsps) ".^s You Like II" "He Wlv) CU'ls Slapped" TRYOUT FLOPS "Mr. Co.ipt-r s Left Hand " •"Minder Without Crime " "Of .«lI1 People" •"One Shoe Otl " . "Questionable Ladies" "St. La/.;iie's Pharmacy"' " Siilule to Murder"' •ScciHul Gue.-^-;pr " "Shootiii" Slar " •"Spring in Briuil"' •■The Joyou.s' Sea.:..--t of |)ro- •(liiclion. In acldilion lo ".\nnic"' r.nii ".Mis- and. there ai'e plans to remodel th« Playhoiine. That cannot be done until after tbe run of '•Menagerie." Charles Stewart li retained as house manager. wa.s given the contract to Install cooling apparatus in the Cenlm'y and .\delphi theatres, lA's local 1 took the. position that an equal num- ber of . its members .should be '"em- ployed."' The Shuberts, who operate both houses, took exception to that demand, and when the locals! couldn't settle the argument It went lo the respective parent unions. At Ihe .settlement meeting Walsh declared IA"s stance and ordered that no standby men be used at cither theatre. Harry Van Ar.sdale, head o[' IBEW, responded by saying that his union .speciali'/.ed on new j . coiislructioii and inslallatioii!!, that: ereltas here this summer, was to it had no illasions of operating back- ; .'top oiil of the picture in favor of .-ta);e but that IBEW inen don t like | Arthur Krajn. of New Yojk, appar- the idea of No. I s men silting j em'.v has fallen through, yet drawing ! GRISMAN-KRAM DEAL FOR AX LEGIT POWDERS Atlantic City, June 4. A deal whereby Satn Grisman, who has a lease oii the ballroom of \\ie' huge Boardwalk Municipal hall, and. propo.sed to present .stock op- ; ter. Murdock Paces Chicago Critics : Chicag»>. luiv.; 4. ■ilenry Murd»K"k of the S/^ii U-d the Cliieago critics in the pa.st se,'St>n wilh .«()«. Clnudia CiKsiilv of the Tribune was ill last pliace. The News, ^"hich div ided up reviews. t«»lluv, iii,n | duriri . departure" of Lloyd Lewis, between • into the outcloor show field fm: the Bob Ca.sey, C. J. Biilliel a.ul S.\diiey [first tiine, its inetnber.s being EQUITY TAKES DIP INTO WATER SHOW Equity has assumed jiirisdiclion of | the .so-called Acquarclta. whicli was j the .^cquacade during New York's ^ World Fair mi Flushing Meadnws. That means thai players iii "Mr. Winkle".s. Holiday" iniist belonu I" >he legit union or its chorus branch. There were jin isdictio'ial (litlerences ' lite Fair, ^\ilh Fciuity soiiig . "SR " mean: Harris; finally .settling '"n Harris, holds foilith place, llieir comhined tt>tals being S.'i , shows reviewed: 2" right shots: eiglit wrong, and per- centage of ;771. Tlirir boxseore follows, iiig slio.w.s reviewed: "W," wrong, and ""!Vl.." SR. Murduek-iSiinl 3.S PalUk iTimes»' 31 Stevens I Her.- Amer. I 39 Caney-llartts-BHllicl, combined " I News).. 3.'5 Leonard '.Toui'ital of Commerce 1 ., 35 'if. < CaaaMy (Tribune)... 34 29 9 •.American Jubilee" and the rail- road show, but the vaude union hart the .^c((iiacadp. "Winkle" is a book show. E<|iiil.\'s: chance lo assume jitrisdiciion. .Soine. .scenes' will be upon a sta,!;e. with a "P."" right: I portion of the iiiimbeis in tlleA^aler. 01 rceniage; ■ lt"s h Rip Van Winkle sloi.y. huol; R. W. Pet. being b.v. Elliott Murphy, who i.> iiri)- ;',H 7 .KOO jdiicing it. and Norman Zeno. inu>ic ; i4 7 .774 I being by Herbert Kingsley, Sho'v is j dated to open June 'V2. w ilh Robert (josden and Ireiie Carroll plnyinK ihe I leads. Miirphy proposes Iransfen ni» the show to the Broadway sector in 1 the fall, a .special tank for swimming i "27 8 .771 I 743 . 735 I numbers being designed. other musicals rated as win nt'is are ""Three To Make Ready. "•.^l"e You Wilh It".'"" and " Billion . Dollar Baby, ' tde group. :n Icitn. not , tomiJarin.i; with last ycar'.v 'Cai- ou.scl." "Up In Ccnlral 'Piii k." "Bloomer Girl" and " Song of .Nor- way." plus "Oklahoma!" well in its fourth year. " Brazil" was eslinialed to have di:t liiuch behind,, if at all. Slanduut Revival.^ Standouts among the revivals are. the Old Vic repertory from London, ""Pygmalion"' nvhich w.i.s dated for a limited stay and made a run of. iU. "Show" Boat." "Hamlet." "The Red. Mill" and. ""Desert Song. I'lie Winter's Tale' could have scored, loo. bill was forced out in a bnokiiig iani. .Mlhoiigh '4.'S-46 slipped under the levels 111 la.sl .sea.son. it wa> .veil ahead of that of ■42-'43. when the total of S.'i new" shows ei)m|)ri.^e(l Broadways low production r<."or Menagerie." "Dream Girl." '"Life Willi Fallicr." "".^nna Luca.-ta. I'he Voic e of The Turtle,"' . "Oklahniiia." "CaroM.-el."" " Three to Make Ready,"". iC4iMtiiitied on page 70) ai'iiiiiid doing nothing pay. It was Ihc flrst clear slalcmenl of haiids-otr policy between the respec- tive unions. Work on the coolinn systems was i"esu!ne'm\\>^" t^'"^"'}- ^ell earlier said that again next fall for its 1 31 h road lour. 1 1" '^'"*" had requested the caiic. lla- starting Aug; in Schenectady. To- ;'">" :"' 'he tease beeaii..e illne.xs i.s romo. Detroit, -two weeksi and t''"''"^^ ^im to give up all bus.ness other towns will follow for a pros- pective 24-weck run. along eastern ■ 'Tobacco Road' to Tour For 13th Consec Season! seaboard and into " midwest. Same leirilory W"as covered this pn.^l .sea- .soli for 18 weeks' lour. Jack Kirklaiid. and Harry II. O.-h-' rin will again present ilie .-how. with .Michael . Goldreyci" doing ihe book- ing, .lohn Barton w ill play the li nd. with Lillian Nardell. Viniiie I'liil- lips and other, vets to resume lioup- ing. Irving Becker will ajiain be company manager. Barlfiil is iiiinv iilaying llic icad in a Coa.st version of "Road." stock ri>:lils having been lea.scd to Lo.ii.-- MacLoon. Coiiipany opened tw"o undertakings. Farlier in the year Kram foiiKht lo stage shows in the hall but lo.-rt when Bell threiiirncd to rc.sinn friim 'he Auditorium Commission unle.s.i Grisir.an was awarded Ihe lca.se. Un- less there is another sw itch of plan.s it is .-.till operettas lor the summer nionllis Jiere. They w"ill run In enm- pe:ilion to pier-vaudeville niiiirifr. Iiii'M /W^ilfs. Ailliui" Manr«i«i"i. lealy, .liillb 'WniTeii, l.aiiy l.aiiirni p. \ li - lovla Coixlovn. Waiiie!'.' NelMiii Hdi> lifi: ■(•Mings. Robt. Davison; lo.iljnifM, -M.m <'cili ; ( liTlifl, Bmbtllo; cniirtih loi . IMu y l.^iani: HiianKenieulH^ Uusnojl Wmi'i-i i.. T*(l ItovnI. In Iwo HCl» »nil 34. m-fni*)*. Oionfri -Viloliilit, N. Y., Ma> 8). 'm; ■»» 'iU loji; I'PxnlHr luP. ' R Coinifl'K Knavl.-...OiMin WVH-' > l.adv .(lenevlovr Smii-i'* Ml. I'l'iUfli!! KuKR Vllliin- .M:il-.iH.s..ir Ai.-rv .li'vllv Slfdin Sil.ii:il"M M.>n> IMiigeinii ....Inlii' Wiuil-n P.'*>l>aiiuIk- Botijiiniln (.'rnell-Sipew. >!i.(iiiciil Di.ir Itli. Kali'li linni il-l". . . l..ti'rt l'i»ilit<-li A .sei-vniKnnin ,M»illl(^r SiM'Vlii;;iii;iM. . M.'i-i:illlah. B Mnnrfi-. Hi'ill^h ('i>n.*)u1 In bue/. All .Sr.il> Spy A Si'i'ftiKl Arab Spy A ^Vjiii ii-c (irtWlpik. . . .\on.l:i * A n'lSb I'lirol . . . . ..c I..* 'i.iy (•iti-nx ArliMs: •I ho l-Viin .liigclovs. .Thp Tlii i>e K:nias:.w:i ■111.- jliillini: liliibi- l.inly...Ai|.;l:.l.ir I'ois 1,1 liny Sp.iiill BiTii.i il s..\as<' I.Billy liiiwi'll -.>ivllro(*iii*lwi:;xlH (.iveKuty .Mi'nclivall , . . . . . . noriub.- ISInl . , . . Bfi-niirtl i^avaise . . . .yief-Mi* Srlnialirl . . Ki ainriil Piirtif 1>I ...hiu-aH Aim Cny Sp.-.iill , Mary l|p;il> Vrllilli l i.lii'ii luiMe LV-zannt 'I'll- (■.■nliii lionlni . Th-' llanrt P.iiJaiir-' I'll.' Slidv foi iM«. CI. in M<.ili 1' • III I'liil.i l:i i.i.- ,. . . . Urtiinn ......... Mliii.>-M'i lNilii-i-iiian. . . ■ M. Mikity .M:i|. . . Niiiiiiiia .Mull. ln':iu(>ii A Bai IMiili'i . . .MlK.< l.u , lj«niU-t\va ; . .. r.ay iiiii'ii.v /Sicfan St' iialn l . . .Nndiiiii r.:.l.>-i . .KOril^c l';s;iiM. L . ..riiff Clialiiiiaii . .T.a'l iy I .ai:v.*ii|... , ...Aitlinr I'lih.-ii . . .'.il.U'K '(Visyiily ..K.l.lv <1i llPi.iiVa .. . ..Allan la.wdl ..nHiilivl P.'I'a'ilii .■fjdilv di ^;oiKi^« inolo-histi'ionics, to a globs-girdUiig shift of scene and selling. Welles' in- jfenuily in pacing t)it pi-ooecdirigs— and he miisl take the rap lOQf-i as the adaptor, impre.;'l(ni ),i,„lni-lion oT ruin^dy in Uir,»,.* a, -Is by .\. l:i, bai:J .N'a^Il. f'l'auir^'* ^11..*" t'lialli-i'Uni. Miiiiy Thonnion. Halpli Fi,|'!i*'*. IHcliard I>.\ 'I'-Bennf t. SIORfil by Mi^.s Cba.lfriiin and .Naah. Sflt m\uI rosi nini'i I >' M„npy. . \l. Barryliior?, K.. T., Jniie .'i. ' IH;- $;'..iLn top. nallad spiler. nicliaid 1>\ pr.Jll (iaril.«. I'Vniiv Itnlsbell T.nii I;... . . nn^ Hai1ta\va.\ I..*\vin i^OKKl ■ ■ ■ • s.|iiir.> t^linun l.iiini'nip. ■I'll,- n.Mdle. , will sinikcHpritl'e. . . . . . .Ma.vld- Vanow I'ariiiiM' T.pejrf.,.. .Mi. liaM . . Ilavollp Ben . KlixaM.'Ui l\nslta I'iMt»i' Biiyno . : Italiilr Cnliinan . Itiiili Cbatiprlnn llalpli iMiilirs . . I low ar.l l''ix,-licr .Max* Slainin ..Ha'ti 'rh.ninii'ii Ii.i.n .\I,-K,'P ..lrff"i>;,ii .riialP:! . .I*.al(,h ■S;nnin'*r . . . . lolin Cay WellM-a-Poppin Playgoer who read the notices on "Around the World' de- manded to know it Orson Welles was in the show or not, pointing out that he wasn't mentioned at all in tlie Mirror review hy Robert Goleman. However, he conceded that Welles' name ap- peared many ,time.<; in Robert Garland's review in the .Tonrnal- American. Hears! chah*, of which the Mirror and A., are key members, have long since tabued _Welles, because of the latter's "Citizen Kane" pic, ,al-. legedly about Hearst. J- A credited the younif .show- man as author, producer and actor in "World," one paragraph being lieaded "All's Vi'elles." Gag around town before the show opened described the musical as "Welles-a-Poppin." coined by humorist H. I. Phillips in the N.Y.Sun. This Wellcsapoppin mel-ing* of corny silent films, .circus, ab.' acada- bra, a round-the-world cha'so. inusi- cal exlravaganza and the old hokum bucket just misses Olson S: .Tuhnsioii '•Hcllzapoppin" proportions. Yet.it has enough good fun to appeal. Whether it will last long enouijh to amortize the production or offset a slaggeiing army of rostrum workers, in front' and behind the scenery, is doubtful, especially considering a crew of more than 50 who almost got into their own way opening night. The two act.'* require 34 scenes, not all d)fferet\ti of course, but the aprons open fiCT quentlv, panels right, left and down- stage rise and fall conslantly. and' when Welles,, as "Dick Fix. a cop- pers knark," isn't skulking aft-.'r the honorable Arthur Margetsnn he is making with the magic, shooting fowl from traps above the auditorium, and generally cavorting. . Whatever Welles does li good the- atre. If an illegitimate soVt of legit theatre, it is none the less diverting. A prime fault is when it docs go too legit; meaning, that when the Cole Porter ballads assert themselve.s in the few straight scenes. Welles' ab- sence is felt. It's when he is tlie in- sidious menace in Suez. India, oh the China Sea, when he is feeding ho«> to the trusty American manservant in a street of evil repute in Kong- Kong, when he's in a Mexican dive, plots dirty work at the cro.ssroads of an American railroad junction and back to Liverpool, and finally under the wire at the London Whist Club, that Welles is the complete trouper. In the Oka Saka circus scene in Yokohama he lets all his Big Top and Nat Leipzig libidos assert them selves aT> Oriental wirewalkers. bal ancer.s, magicos and the lil-e make for a ripsnorting flrst net finale (neatly staged by Barbette). The cast does its stiifl well, notably Margctson as the proper Mr. Philcas Fogg; Mary Hcaly as the graceful In dian princess; Julie Warren. ' the beauteous Irish nursemaid in love with Larry Laurence, th;; Yanken manservant to Mr. Fogg. Also foa tiired is Victoria Cordova v.'lio han- dles "If You Smile at Me." one pC the three top tunes, in the Mex cafe scene. Other Porter .song standouts are "Should I Tell You I Love You " and "Pipe Dreaming." allernaiely done by the Misses Healy and War rcii. and Laurence. Melson Barc-lifl has done a. tairly Imaginative, job with the lei'!) slaKing allliough there are scenes .whiclrprc sent greater opportunities. Ilpvevpi- the kaleidoscopic pace and the mulli shiftinji scenes (well done by Robe Davi.soiu forri-nd too much accent on aify one aspect. . The actioii rijnges from the yeslei year silent-niclter technique, wiih di— liberatel.v; corny titles and old^school ' Will Shakespeare woiildn"t like what playwright N. Richard Nash docs to him in the lallev'-; comedy about the marital mixups of the Bard and Anno Hathaway. Neither will Bi'oadway. For the first theatrical oPforiili,' of the new '46-'47. season slai-rng jiinc I is a lame, halting aflaii' which pre- tends to be several things f>.id is ac^ lually none. The play- is largely slock farce of trite situations, with a pedestrian performance. The dialog is. in the main; uninspired. Nash would have it that negligent husband Shakespeare returns from jOndon.after a three-year absence, which he has busily spent in staging is plays. Still enanVourcil of his. wife Anne, who Is aboul to divorce him and remarry, a local wight, he psets the town's routine, runs riot the household, and uproots the ffair between wife and v. ight. All this is accomplished in a va- iety of moods; sometimes rowdy, ometimes romantic, and several imes spilling over into caric.iture. The lines are noteworthily unfunny, occasionally of double meiining. and sometimes, when paraphrasing a. line from a Shakespeare play or uliliz- ng one outright, downriuht em- barrassing. Tlie whole affair is hur inorless and cheap. Performances don't help mailers. Ruth Chattertjn (who co-produced as well as co-duected) playing Anne loo archly; Ralph Forbes hamming the local lover, and Barry Thomson caricaturing the Bard. . Eli/.abeth Eustis lends some flavor to the role of a young sfriiinpet. Richard Dyer- Bennet, as a ballad seller, is a re- deeming feature with a charmipg rendition 61 several Blizabethan bal- lads, including one he wrote ('.'Would You Win the World's Acclaim";. Motley's costumes and the combi- nation indoor-oiitdoor set of Anne Halhaway's cottage are also com inendable. Broii. St. Loo Muny Opera Sets Impressive Summer List St. Louis. .Tune 4.. New fenime faces , scheduled for lop: roles in the forthcoming 12- week season of the Municipal Thea- tre Assn., sponsor of alfresco eiiter- lainment' in the Forest Park play- house, includes Wilina Bpence. Mar- ion Bellj Birala Rainoaka, Eleanore Lultoii. Gloria Hamilton, Leonore Rae and Peimy Edwards. Other newcomer.s will be Sid Mar- ion, John, Cortay, John Silver. Jean Greenwell. Pitlman Corry. F.arl Co- vert and Eric Brolherson. Faves of past seasons who also will returii in- clude Lee DiKon, Ross- Wy.se. Jr., Helen Raymond, Patricia Bowman. Ollie Franks. Leonard Elliott. Wil- liam Lynn, Jack Blair, Billie Worth, Natalie Hall and Edmund Dorsey. The season lees off June 6 for a ip-night stand of Siginund Rom- berg's '/Desert Song." "The other pieces will be limited to seven nights. . Hays Abroad Voile Be Deviae (Cracy Revuct Paris, May 21. Mllly (Ibldin proanciloii nC iwo.HvIn (If) A,'onini» i'tiivni} by bVrnuiul ]timvi'a,v.' IMcrrn VHi'«nii« unj Pleiro Usalalllpn. SUoh.-Iii-h by ;tlon?.v-Kon. MuDli: by Manily* 'Ynili). Willy Ooldlu «nrt Hcnu Miit li'i'. Dlii'ileil by Pasquall. Sola «nil ooaHinips by i'ves- Homiat nnd nnymond l.')ni)CM by .Mjy llOKCra. Stiii'a l.wlon Uiiiimx-. wliu Sl.lo-Tloipv, Roy I'osllanx,. Allro 'I'li'sot. Cliiiiile l)i!ll.v3, Habliio I'mdi-.s. I'bilsiiuiiu .iHcqiilei'. U1111K0I.V.S. Clalie .Maffpl, Kelly Dalan, Soledud, Ainlivc C'amna, l,«>ii'« Vnna. I.yiUe Vallc Viain'olao Foimon. J'a.si.'all. Ainainly, .IncanM Slorel. Xi>ilily Hlll.«. LleiRi'd lliuiiel, Uiiy C'lmiTlpr, .lean Diiaii), Ki'pd' ilpln; Jeud Albpil. Marc Itenanil, J. f/. Jnnbeil, lliibpvt Miinny, Jilas- Wnlban. .tn Vi'ai-hmi. HnbprI I.anci" lol ; Amy aiontia bullPt. I nnipaumms da d* Cbunanii . Hnd llie' JlotloyA. -Al ' A. B. 0. lUcHivi;. C Jersey Strawhat — Continued from pace .^^J Joseph Cortese for later shows in- clude Rosemarie Brancato, Lee Dixon, John Gurnay, Frank Horna- day, ' Martha Larrimore. George Rasely. Mary Lou Boyd. Edith Fel- lows, Frances Greer, Billy Sully, John' Cherry, Melton Moore and Detmar. Poppen. Shows' to follow "Blossom Time" are "Bohemian Girl." "Count of Luxembourg." "When Johnny Comes Marching Home." "Rosalie." "'Student Prince>" •'Counie.ss Marit?:a" aiid "Rose Marie." SUMMER THEATRE Vol "'I iMs waMll. Nrar C'liiH- ('ml; Niiiiiiiicr rcMirl. I.nii( cKlaldlnliiiil. .Snii) mil ri'rry iililii. I^numial upiHtr- • miH.v. I'rrirr KituUf CO ; M'lll run- .Mldrr Iioii-Kiiull.r. SrnMin rpiil 1-Srot. 1.1) onlv kRAn. Art fuVl. Wrilr BOX HH. .»I,\X<».>IKT. lioii« Slaaninfl St, . Hampion Playhouse Debut Bi'idgehampton. L. 1.. June 4. Hampton Playhouse. Bridgehamp- lon. L. I., will reopen after a Jive- year shutdown, under management of Richard Osborne and Call Hill- son. Ten-week .season will start June 25 with "Yes, My Darling Daughter." An Equity A class slock group will be directed by Lawrence Dobkin. Osborne, recently out of the Army 13 B*way Shows — Continued trom page C9 "Show. Boat"' and "The Red Mill." 3 More NMr-Hlls At least three more plays should have belonged among season's suc- cesses but ended in the red for varying reasons. "Lute Song'' was probably the most ambitious try. It Was more a spectacle than a drama, and undoubtedly tlia outstanding production novelty, but it cost too much to get on the boards and the operating nut was loo high. "Rugged Path" might have played into the spring but for the disaffection of its star. Spencer Tracy. With the en- gagement curtailed, it failed to earn back its investment by a consider- able, margin. "Home Of The Brave" won plenty of plaudits and might have lasted out the season but for the slop limit. It ftnaled with a gross of around $15,000. and would tiave been moved but the thealie shortage prevented .that. "Antigone" was among the plays' thai "had to be done" and brought new laurels to Katharine Cornell. When attendance to the tragedy started to taper. "Candida" was revived in repertory to bolster patronage. Not all the record number of at- tractions taken off during tryoul are believed to be total casualties. "Win- dy Hill" turned • a profll. touring most of the season, yet there are no definite plan.s for showing it on Broadway. Among the plays that may be among the '4B-47 crop are "Miss Jones," "A Portrait In Black" and "St. Lazare's Pharmaey.""Cre- scendo'' was among, the try out flops but turned up recently in revived form as "Swan Song." being current- ly bJi' the Broadway list. Chi's 8 of II QmII Of the 36 legit shows, tl-at bowed in Chicago during the se-ison just closed. I.'i ooeiied here pre-Broadv. ay — someihing of a record for the past 1,1 years of Chi legit history. ' Terrific total of cighl of these formerly operated the Greenwood shov/s— more, than half— folded beV Playhouse, Peak's Island. Me. SAMUEL FRENCH MNC£ IS3» Plaj .Broken and Aulliors* Represenlalives Zft Mr«rt 4Slh MrMt. Nair Vtirk ■II irmtt Kh Mnwl, !«■ Aa«alM Mae Can't Keep Date Lo.s Angeles. .June 4. Canadian railroad .strike pre- vented the Mae West legit starrer. "Fting Twice Tonight,'' from playing in Vanpouyer; B. C but the «how i.s on the }0b all this week in Portland, Ore. ' Following Portland, the company will move to Chicago for. an indef- inite run; starting in Ihiee v,eeks. . fore getting to. 1 he main sk^m. They were "Si. Lazare's Pharmacy," "Spring in Brazil." "Pas.iii'.g Show." "Joyous Sca.s," /Mluring Francii DeSttlei, June 24, With comparatively small produc- tion outlay and with only one mar- quee name, Mitty Goldin has. -pro- duced a revue that is likely to keep his A.B.C. vaude stand in clover this summer if permitted to carry on. ■Tliat is if after the forthcoming elec- tions, the politicians, who find them- selves safely intrenched, do not in- sist on scis.soring scenes where ftin is made at their expense. Consider- ing that half the scenes are political satire, this looks the main -risk. There is no nudity,, with only the Persian scene where the girls are more' undrapcd than :average. One sketch has familiar burlesque luies. Dansation by the Any Rogers ballet is cut down to a political scene where they impersonate German frauleins. Vaude act.s include the Compagnons de la Chanson, male choir of nine and a click, in their usual number. They also fill in on other sketches. Also Jacques Morel, who bc.lides being in many scenes, appears as a talenl impersonator, and the Hotleys. acrobatic jumping act. The Marcelle Turpin costumes are nice. Tliey Were made in Max Weldy's (ciu-rently in Hollywood) Paris workshop. Lucien Baroux, who stars, is popular on stage and screen her«^. He appears four times, three in political scenes, and once in the onu where the double-talk makes a strip tease look tame. This shows Claude Daltys as a girl who has applied to an official agency to help her have a eugenic baby. It rings in the photog. who is mistaken lor the gov- erhment operative. It's a familiar skit to U. S. biu-ley patrons. Barou.x is. good in the sentimental scene. He. is, also in a political skit showing how foreign totirisfs are given pref- erential treialmeiit over natives in French hotels. The be.sl political sketch shows Claude Daltys. as the sleeping beauty, awakened by three princes. Max Dalban, Jacques - Morel and Arnaudy, impersonating Communist Thorez. Socialist Blum and M.R.P. Schumann, with Pa.squali iinpersoii- ating Herriot as an interloper. It brings the house down. Most of the political sketches are funny, only a couple getting sentimental. One of these shows an aged couple, done by Arnaudy and Alice Tis.sot. in tronl of a war-destroyed village. . No attempt has been made to at- tract tourists. America is only men- tioned twice One sketch ha.s Claude Daltys as,a French GI bride, refus- ing to stay on his farm when she discovers that her hu.sband. Jacques Morel. 13 taking orders from his mother. Another shows the Any Rogers ballet as Nurnberg dolLs with American and French dolls trying to train them in their native dance. Apart from the American mother role.. Alice Tissot appears in the * rench .tourist sequence as Baroux's wife and in Persian scene, a skit on the closing of brothels and one on the local OPA. Last shows Pasquali as a tired sultan. Show has a fast tempo. Direction by Pasquall and Mitty Goldin. who ^'^tl'.t foi- it. makes the mo.sl of the small stage. Maxi. ii»ng Sh»w ,,. ■ , ,, London. May 11. -^r""''' """"""lalion uf iirljiinal riAl" "(JaPK S .,i«'' In i,v„ a,.,,. d,.,'W?d , ,• mVn Tv™,,"".':,",'"' ^'""']' "•'""<•■•■ ^ l... Ll^ iMol , Ij'ilcs jnd .inil!-l.-. J,V,i„i's» iui.,i, naKir. apj'iy Cole. Daily I'lj,--'. «„,,.,. HnnmleM. Donirlaa Rnlilnsini Ha,n- [jav,. wn. Cyi ll Plan, Ai'lhiii Undd. J>li k' Kii,n-> iiaii {'r";-'^^ l)l.yn. Nniinan KHloivri-: a-n and Hill At Xu.ll, l.nnaon. .Mav . Show has an excellent record hav- ing entertained tioopx for th;- lust three year.s in Burma. Italy. Malta. North Africa. Greece and Holland. J;ioin reports it has proved better cnlerlainmeni than most ENSA shows sent out by Basil Dean. ~ f«.". 1*^*^1 "^f.'i the provinces weeks to capacity biz W'tlial,,^it iH^nol a West End show! Seem.s lhat Ralph Reader, who years ago used to sUge the dancer in Clay- ton and Waller musicals, has mtder- taken too much in a one-man attempt to supp y Jyrtcs, : music and stage show. He should, have given others a.C'hance to collaborate with him, with much better reaulu, . But show In not without rededming featuren, ind also reveals ■ lew talented young men who should prove, with ■ little more exi)evience, worthy of joining the ranks of talent- hungrjr vaudc. Razzing the BBC is always a laugh, getter. This one, a takeoff of BBc'a ace featur», "In Town Tonight," just misses, and could have been made much funnier. Big tableaii depiclini some of Charles Dickens' characters made famous in hij books, proves one of the highlights of the evening Len and Bill Lowe, ex-RAF bovs" and former vaude standard, show ■up well in songs, dances and comedy gab. Closing first halt ts string of melodies of old Tivoll davs. inclndihg "Put on Your Tata," "Little Ciulio^' "I'll Be Your Sweetheart," "Iv. the Shade of the Old Apple Tiee." "I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside," and others of that vintage. Reg Dixoivi in well-written comedv proves clickn with audienco. Boy hiis personality and fine delivcrV which, with a little more pr;ictice, should prove an asset to any vaude bill. Show should serve as fill-in for house till something better betomes ' available. Beye. tM Satnle Famllle ('Holy Family') Paris. May ),'t. Mary. Moi'Knn and .Mi'H. i:.,r...i;n pnidni*- lloli iif lllvOi«-Bl't C'oini-dy by ;\iifl,-,v lU,iiH:iili. Siai'H .Mai'KuPvile riiM'i'y 'and It,..l,eri AViii- ZHan: ri-aliiif-K AUvoelle 'DHnibi'oniaind. J.,'uh NValllioi- ami ijn/.o(MaU. l.>iri,t-tod bv M'vl^r. Sel by WakilcVlli ll. .M SI. Cvausra. .M,niicr-iii-la\v .. •Mi.'ln-I IsalipllH 'I'bf Kii.'lol . . . . Til- Kailic'i' l^io-l,^ .\nKilsli-- Siiniino ,Ua>; Hi 111- . . . . . .Mh\ hi 'JP. . . . . . Ki^niai'd HL in. K<>rnai'd al 2". . r;lm>lli< I'll, If Minil Aniil '1*01,,..... .Vnni 'rill .\ ili*poi'10l'. . .. . . . . . . .\lai'piti>vil,\ Vii'ii- ....... Il-ibf n >j|ii<7.,.;in .Maii-olle P:ilnl>'.-iMii{,iit i"i:'H-0 l;,-sy l.i'.'H Wiililwr - - .'. r.oiirn s-iut . : Sii'/i'l Ma.'iK. Ihi'1. Cian-I.lon ..laan'v;:,! I 'la "lb- ( !>■(■ 'llB I.iiiiIh Vflln .NohIIh Konjcin'M 'llt*iii'i '.Vlahi't . i . .l{ri inMl,!,, (li abivat h*li,ri'ii,-t» Hrir)'A ........ Ilnln-i I Dtii'i'aii This comedy, conservatively pro- duced, gels quite a few laughs parlly diie to rLsque lines. .The fu;uiy bu.si- ness introduced by Jean Meyer's clnver direction-also helps. Tlu- cur- rent call for escapist material gives it a chance for a fair rliii. Andre Roussin. who wrote ' "Ains-Train- Gram" and "Grande Fillo Toule Simple." has obviously ?xpandcd what rales as a curlain raiser into three acts. Hollywood is not likely U» use a story tending to show lhat many sons are not really tho.se of the men" who legally call Iheniselves their father. -Most of the play takes place diir- ing-a dream of Ro.bcrt Mur/.eau. who is shown as a nervous youngman expecting the birth of his flrst child any mii,uite. He's made more nervous by news lhat his mbther-in-'aw won't arrive in lime for the hanpy event. Marcelle Dambremont. an alluring nurse, is with him. He is so tired that he goes to sleep before the doctor arrives. He dreams that the son he expocls in the fruit of his wife's indiscretion, and that his mother-in-law exolains shameles.sly that this is the reason she accepted his proposal so quickl.v. He dreams that-he makes love to. the nurse and has a son by h3r and an another son by his wife. The dream goes on and on with expected mix- ups. Murzcau wakes up I0 learn the doctor has delivered two twins. Murzeau. as the dreamer, is ex- cellent. Almo.st all of the lauglis 'are provided bv Marguerite Pierry as the mother-in-law, Robert SoIIim'. as the cra7,y uncle, and Leon Walll'-or, as the unbending father,. IjOU is Vcile i.s realistic as a 20-year-oicl .vonlh who is unable to decide for hunsolf. Marcelle Dambremont is tlie mii.se. and Su/.et Mais plays the wife "llie rest are only bits. flfn.vi. Obituaries isxs Continued from paict 67 of Mrs. Ned Depinet. wife of RKO piexy. • : . Mrs, Fdllh N. Beer. 68. niifitlier ot Robert M. Beer' gen. mgr. of WATG. A.shiand, O., died May 27. Her lalB husband was gen. mgr. of Hie A.sli- land Times-Gazette. Robert V. McFarlaitd, .IS, trans- portation exec for Colunibju Pic": tures. died March 2H at Veterans Hospital, Sawtelle. C^l. Mother, 85, of the late Sidney Howard, playwright: died in Nev/ York May 28. Stepdaughler and two stepsons sun'ive. Mrs. Molly Belrslaln. 77. rtotln*!' of Flo Browne, film agent, died 28 In Hollywood; Father ot Ted Perrine, Sand.v Lake, Pa., theatre owner, died 3 1 hii home there lust week. Mrs. J«s«le Lonise Dnnii, ^9, tnother of James Dunn, film died May JO In Beverly Hills, CM. WetlneBtlay, June S, 1946 LEGITIMATE 71 Inside Stuif-Legit Bui-iij! Mantle in Ihc N. Y. News Sunday (2) named his choice plays o£ the 1946-47 season and took his formei- critical colleaKues to tosk lot- re- fusing, to name a best play, as he did two seasons a^o. He wisherf to '•tell the Drama Criliuis Circle and the Piilil/.er Prize Committee to pro- ftjed with caution imtil. they come to the edge of the clifT and then take a 'long, running jump into the river." >l8 heiicls his list Avith "State o£ The tinion." the Piilit/.er winner. Memo to the critics: ' ••I am not one to. insist that every member ol the Circle should vote . tor tlie play lliat he docs not consider a perfect or even a 'best' play, .just ' because that is what he promi.sed to do when he joined the Circle. . But I do think he i.<: putting a silly and stubborn vanity ahead of a most helpful duly to the theatre, its writers and its boxofTice supporlera when he does refuse to vole. Especially when, by holding out; (four did) he defeats what, I was IplH, was the chief aim of the Circle when it .was organized: . 'To .select each season the best play written by. an American playwi iglit and pinctuced in New York.' "Howard Lindsay and Ru.ssel Crou.se's '•Stale" mi.. O lOperelln).., "Anna Liicasta," Mansfield (9'2d j week) iD-1.04l; $3.60 >. (Estimated i aiound $12.000' which was llow gross ; mark, but colored cast drama caii operate okay at lower levels. ! ".\nnie Get Your iCuny" Imperial ! (■3d week) I M-1. 427; $6.60). Even .■ilanding room lickcLs sold out in ad- vance for newest click; takings Hunt Sti'omberg. ,Ir.. plotting Broadway, re\ ival of next sea.-ion ot "The Front Page." .may find .soiiie encoui'agenient in Pitlsbui'gh' fi'om current Playhoiise production of the BeiV Heclil-Charles MacArthur newspaper (■omedy. It's the biggest thing at the boxoffiee in llie hi>lor.v of Smoky City coniiriunily theatre. Originally staled fur a four-week run, engage- ment was first extended another week and after that still anolhei-. In addi- tioii, pl;(y was covered by this Pilt flrst^.- Igaiet Wycherly replacicd I^ainette Taylor for month: has been slipping; : around $13,000 la.st week. I "The Alatnlficcnt Yimkce," Hoyaio iiCD-l.l)25: $4.80). Final and 20th week: drew excellent gro.sses up into spring. Ihcn tapei-ed: $10,000. "The Voice of the turtle,"' Moreseo '113th week) (C-93fl: $3.60). Btatrlce Peai-.-ion anad Alan Baxter replaced Martha Scot i and John Beal: ai'innid S12.000. , . "This, Too. Shalt Pass," Beiasro ( .ilh week ) i C- 1,077: $4.20 ). Another toleraiiace play doubtful of summer but operating in the In Jaiiuary Cdr. Sandnr Krciner bought two lickels for "Harvey;'' by jnail. but remilted $1.60 too niuch. and a check for that. amount was sent the Naval officer aboard the USS fjOs.Angele.«. Last week, it was letiirned to Brock Pcmberlon. the .sender, with a leiiuHst ilial lie use ihe money to buy him.self "a drink or two.' Check was ri-mi(led to ihe inanaiier from the New Yorker masazine.. Cdr. Kriuiier sending it in cafe of Ihe, maga- zine: he di.dn't know. Pembei'lon's addre.-o.-. The manager doesn't drink. , The dealh of Joseph M. Patterson, publisher of Ihe M. Y. Daily News, recalls that he was allegedly the lead chaiacler in a play written by Mabel McElway. first fitin crjlic for the tab: Drama was done in collaboration wilh Irving Kaye Davis but wa.sn't produced. Understood it was hardly eoniplinKjnlaiy lo Patterson. Miss McElway is married lo Richard Clarke, manauing editor of the News.' . quoted at $45,200. Esllmales for last Week I "A" "fou With It?" Shubert OOtli i .maj;" lauded Esllmates for Last week week) (1.382: $4.80). Since moving 'red. $3 .500 "Anna I.uCBSla," Civic (36. week) down from Century, busiue.ss not | "Three in Make Ready" Broad- ^*?.1?'.P''"'l; '^..V;""2.i°..*^''i*'"'- "P e-'^Pectation.s: oIT last week lo.||n„.st (i3lh week) (R- 1.160: $^.80). nnn" f?nS . "c- ■ " V ' "ound $20,000. Jane Kean- and , Gi'o.s.ses. not comparable to those at (1.000: $4.20); Six performance.-^ of fietly Allen replaced Joan Roberts Adelphi in early weck.s, buL.'^aid to "Antigone and two of "Candida and Jane Dulo. , be nrofilable- $21 500 brought terrific $23,000. ! "Around the World." Adelphi (1st "Merrv . Wives of Windsor," Er- j week I i M-1. 434: $6 ). Opened Friday OLD VIC langer i2nd week) 1 1400: $3.60 1; (31) as scheduled: drew mo.slly I •'llcriry IV.'' Parts I and II; • critical press but got $13,000. in first I ;'Unt,le Vanya," "Oedipus," and "Th» three times. : j Critic/' Century i4th week ) il.B70: "Billion Dollar Baby." Alyin S6). Import has another week In go: .(24th week) . (.M-1.331; $6). Aflcr i business great with takings neivrly very good start, attendance has been | $49,500: bigger than expected, tapering and la.st week's estimated REVIVALS gross was $23,000. Harold Gary re- I ".Show Boat," Ziegfeld i 21st week) placed Dave Burns. | iM-l.628: $6). Not so good at mid- "Born Tcsterday," Lyceum ( 18th j week matinee and one or Im'o nights week) (C-993; $4.80). Only play to; were offi.sh: business still big hiw- give an extra matinee last week: i ever; quoted over $44,500. that .sent, gross of smash over | "The Bed Mill," (46th .veek) (M- $21,500. . 1.319: $4;80). Making fine run of it "Call Me Mister," National (7lh and may plav throughout summer; week) iR-1.142; $6). Scale for week- ea.sed to $29,000 last wieek. day nights upped: .sock revue up lo | "iiamltl/' City Center (2.692; $29,500 which will be topped from $2.40). Opened two week return en- now on. I liagement Monday (3). "Carousel." Maje.slic i59lh week> j _^ — : .. — (' M-1. 667: $6). Last season smash is .still jnaking goodly profit and should span summer easily: figured arouiid $39,000. Betta Slriegler- replaced Bambi Linn. "Dear Ruth," Miller 77lh week) fC-940: $4.20). Lois Wheeler. Leona Powers and William Talman re- placed Augusta Dabhey. Helen. Mac- Kellar and Michael Road; buisiness slipped to $8,500. "Deep Are the Roots," Fulton i.35th week) iD-968: $3.60). ^Frances Waller. Theodore Newton and Rob- Disappointing $13,.500, second week. Skedded to close Saturday (81. "Slate of the Union,"' Blackstonc (6lh week) (1.360; $4.20): Climbing to a lusly $27,000. ••Dp In central-Park," Shuberl (7th week) I2.ie3;$4.80). Slipped but still strong with $44,000. VWIndy City," Great Northern '3rd week) 1,425; $4.80). Went up to $18,000. ,000 Philadelphia, June 4. Wilh no opposition, and aided also by favorable followups in local dailies, "The Dancer," George Ab- bott's melodramatic production, picked up slightly, getting $3,000 at the Walnut. With Locust. Shubert and Walnut definitely washed up now for the 1945-46 season, all further activity 'Bloomer' 35(], Current Road Shows 'Pei'iori Corviiiig Jiiiie 3-15) "Anna Liicasta" --ri\-ic. Chi iH-ISK "Aiillprone" - "(>ndlda" — Harris. Chi. >3-R). . '•Blackouts of Iftte" — El Capilan. llollywood (;l-l')). "RIoomcr Girl" t- Shubert,, Bost. (3-15). "Come on Up" l"Riii|r Twlee To- .nl»ht"l — Miiyfair. Portland. i3-8): Temple. Tacoina (9); Mel., Seatlle (10-151. ' ■ . "Cyrano de Beritfrac" — Forrest. Phila.; (3-151. : "noose for the Gamier" -Colonial. Bost. i3-l."pi.. "IIai'vey"---Met.. Seattle (3-8). "Luftlnir Room' Oiily" — Nal'l. Wash. (3-l,SV. ' "Laura"— Cass. Det. i3:-8); Harris. Chi. <10-|5i. "Meet Hie Wire"--Shiiberl-Lafay- .eltc. Del. c3-.l5i: "Merry Wives of Windsor," Erlan- ger, Chil (3781; Miisic Hall, Kaii.siis Cily VlO-l.-)!. "0bsessinn"--l,()he['O, Santa Bar- ^ bara 1 13-14 1. , "Oklahoma!" — Biltniore. L. .^. (3-15); . ".Slate of the Union"— Blackstone. Chi, (3-15). . "Up In Central Park" — Shuberl, Chi. r!»,15i. •Voice of the TiiTlle" — Geary, Fri.-ico (3-15). :'Voloe of the Turtle" (2d Co.)— Plymnulh, iJosl. i;i.-ir>;. • "Windy (:|ly"— Gt. .Norlherii, Chi. ;.i3-8). SlVMMER STOt'K ".An|{el .street"— Litchfield thealre. Litchfield, Coim.. 1 lO-iS'. "HlUhe Spirit" ■- Bucks County 'Playhou.se. New ^^ope.^Pa. (7-l.Sl. I :'Hay f-'ever" — Summer Garden. Unily Farm, -Kansas City, Mo. 13-8) . '; - "New Moon"— Royal Alexandra. , Toronto (4-8 "Rosalle^'--Papci' Mill Playhouse. Millburn, N. ';l-«>. ■'•Sailor Beware'' '— Cambridge. ; Mass. cll-a 1 . . ! ••The Male Animal" — Playhou.^'e. Wbicesler. Ma.-is. i4-Hi. centers about Forrest, which got 1 pj-t Emhardt replaced Baibara Bel Jose Ferrer's revival of "Cyrano de ; Qeddes, Llyod Gough and Harold Bergerac" last night (3) tor a two | Vermilyea; $8,500. wi'ek.-;' engageiTient. Fortnight's | "Dream Girl," Coronet . <25th engagement promises to be a good | week) (CD-i,037: $4.80).- Has been one even though season is late for leasing downward but still eypected a costume classic like this here. 1 to span summer: around $14,000 last Forrest then goes dark for a pe-. i v^ eek. riod. re-operiing July 1. with "Fol- . viurvev." 48th Street (83d week) low the Girls." with Gertrude Nie.-ien ! r'C-925: $4.20). One of the leading in her brigiiial stellar role. Musical lioldover prospects for next .sea.son: is figured by management to span ] again well over $19,000: Bert hot weather months. Forre.-il has a j wheeler • will sub for Frank Fay partial cooling system, not a: com- ' Boston, June 4. "Bloomer Girl" continues to be a smash hit at the Shubert, impervious to such events as labor troubles and, heat waves. However, it's definitely ulosing June 15, which marks end of the .sea.son for Boston's .Ive Shu- bert-operated houses, the Shubert, Wilbur, Plymouth, Opera House and Copley. •'Voice of the .Turtle." picked up a bit at the Plymouth and '.s destined to continue succe.sstully uiiiil June 15 for a 25-Avetk run here. Th-ere':i b<'en nothing like this since "Rose Marie" ran 29 weeks in 1925. "Cyrano .de Bergerac." at the Colonial, in its plete one. .Shuberl. Locust and Wiil- luil have none at all. who .goes on vacation- in Augii.-.t ly-econd stanza, dih now playinj; | ble $3.5.000. the leads: tlown around $7,000 but | ••Cvrano'~dc Bergerac," Coioii.al run leader will flick. ! 1 1 500: $4.20 ). About $12,000 .akam.st "Lute Song," Plymouth iD-1.0.6;i: : j,pp,.,j.,(imately 410,000 for :Wec!> be- $6): For. (in'al and 19th week. Dolly | (ore. ■ to the Philharmonic s i Haas has replaced Mary Martin.,: "voire of »he Turtle," . Plymouth which bowed to ifood lAtlractcd eorisiderabic attention and i , j ^ud-j;} 1. Good $15,000 against $14.- 'Laura' Bright 25iG, D C. ■ . Washington. June 4. I ' Laura" clicked here al the Na- tionyl. wilh a sUndy $2r)..S00 ' ruiiK ^ip lo its credit. Disappointing mati- nees kept week from beiiig virtual ' sell (lui. - j ProspeCls for Ol.^en and Johiifon's ' "Laffing Room Only." ope.iili.iu lieie 'last nighi (3 ( for forlniuhl, arc nwy. - Ba-ion conipan.v of "Voice cif, (lie , Turile " follows Jim'e 1-7. for 'liiniied '; eligageinent. " 'Roberta' Record 44i€, /Oklahomar 38G, in LA IjOS Angeles.June 4, I Combiitalion of holiday and strike's i-i\d tii'ouijht the jcfiit uross.es inio ', top .spot ihis pa.st wee.k. Mightiest coin went ' "Robert a.". 'notices and. $44..500 for ihe initial 'frame .. . record high -o far: fm' :lhc sea.'ion. "Oklahcmia." '. ilted an- other $38.(100 out of the (iistomers idiiring its fourth week at 'he Bilt- j nn'ire ami will remain at tliat SRO »,,,„,„,. ;,.-;„j .o* hnn ! figure for the remaining eight weeks I ^^^^^^ l^'^'^m-^s ■ I66th •or ineiun. ^ ' week ) iM-l..509v $4.80), Last year it Ken Murray s ■Blnckoufs of ll)4b ^^.^^ fiKured that this .sock muscial Kave an e.xli'a pcrform.i.ire cvvr, ^,„„if, ,„|,|a.st others and yaihe slfll ■ Memorial Day and brought, the bdlTo . .j,^^ -29,500. . take 10 $l«.0(in for Ihe -iOeth .•i!''etch . "^...q,, ^^y,,,^^j„ Avenue," Corl i4th should do well on four: around $1.3.- 500. •'O Mistress Mine," Empire I'IBth sveek) ■(CD-'I.082; $4.80). Advcrlisini; tickets for September and October •show laying off d.uring July and 000 for weather week before. aiid sli'ikc— be.«et al Kl wli.i<'!i sti-ike. M'(il'l' Capilan. "Tobacco Ro.id. Kol under way dnriii'! the c'limb'ed up :Mi('('ly for .SKI.Oini CHI Ihe .e 4. Harold J. Kennedy's "A Giio.sc for the Gander." .starring Gloria Swan- son. gros.«e(l a ialisfactory $8,000 at the ROval Alcxanon (20th ':week) (CD-I .057: $4.80). Should play through next -.season ' despite, road companies. Sells out all limes, with hei'e with the ; gro.ss lopping $24,500. Straluht play ' leader wilh exception o fOld Vic. I ••St. Louis Woman," Beck '!)lh 'LAFFING; offish 23G, CLOSES BAUrO SEASON Baltimore; June 4. "LafViiig Room Only," advkrli,'^ed_ with Olsen and John.son, but minus taller, who was reported ill. wound up the legit season at Foi'ds here last week on an off note. Garnei'ed ■a hi.rd-to-get 823.000 for the ;*fff.):t. I Season was most profitable in years for town's loniE. legit stand, in spile of pdori.sh list of attractions de- pendent mcstly on sUndbys of re- cent years and so-so prc-Broadway break-ins. . . , . "Maid in the Ozarks" has oeen spotted into the iiidie-booked Maiy- lshd,i currently showing pix. on a four-wall deal set to istort next Mon- day , >10). Strong campaign in ad- vance. 71 Dcmryl Zanuck oaid Henry Hathaway^ for the spot you gave me in your four-startler, "The Dark Cor- ner. ^UoHiUf Dave and Jack Kopp, for those Deccarative royalty checks for my new disc, "The Man I Love;" and thanlcs, Milton Gabler, for that first recording contract you $ave me with Conmiodore. ... ^JUohJu, Sherrill Korwin. for hav- ing me booked into your theatre, the Orpheum, in L A., twice within five weeks (they tell me I was the first to come back so soon). . . . *JUaHJu, Maurice Duke, for my first picture break, in Monogram's "Junior Prom,". . . . 7^s^^ Walter WincheU, Earl Wilson, Dorothy Kilgallen, Danton Walker, Ed Sullivan, Jimmy Starr and all the rest of the newspaper people who hiave been so generous with the kind words. . . . Bing. lor lotting m# cut those Decea records with you. They tell me "Who's Sonry Now" is aelting like oeiling price nylons. . > . "^UohIu, Kate Smith and Ted Col- lins, for inviting me to oppear on your radio show last month. ... *]UaHhli Tommy Rockwell and everybody else at GAC for working so hard in my behalf. . . . Carlos Gastel, for bring- ing me back to Hollywood. My Troeaderopening at the King Cole Room is set for June 10th. ... ^^, fioin daily and weekly newspapers. m:ii;a- zincs and radio network.^ will bo po.'ited nn Ihe USS App.ilacliian. griieral press headqtiarlors. and at Kwajalein. Included arc ncus rcl cameramen and nnotlicr million - tiire camcronian reprc.-iciilin.u the piwl of television broadcastci .• ujio V ill recorj Ihe event. Ap|)alacb.ian will carr\ fi'' nous- paper correspondents, as v vil a> 12 i,lijl cameramen, several lu v. - rl men. the tele newsreel plDli.;'. II v.i- (!lo broadir.sters, 15 wire sorvico ii - porters, and 27 magazine wii'ris. l.;.i~.d ccvuraye at Kwajalein u-.!l be J.andlod by three newspaper cim u - spondcnts. nine magazino \vril.~r>. tin ce wire service reporter^, four ra- dio correspondents and five new si eel (Continued on pa^e 40) Webb's 1st Pic Terping Hollywood, June 11. Clifton Webb and Gene Ticrncy arc praelieally set for Georgie Jes- scl's production of "The Band Wagon" upon Webb's return from Noel Coward's play. "Present Laugh- tor." next spring. Webb will dance for the first time on the screen in this pic. Howard Dictz and Artlun- Schwartz, who authored the staye original, will write several new souks for the film with the two oldies. "Dancinq in Iho Dark ' and "I Love Louisa. ' to be featured also. PM Needs 100,000 More Readers; Had Considered, Then Nixed Selling Ads PM, N. Y. daily tabloid, is ap- proaching its sixth anniversary next Tuesday tl8) with red ink sjiread all over its ledger. After soakinp auay a substantial reserve fimd dui ing the preceding year's opera- tions, the paper has been operating al a considerable loss for the last fiscal year because of the "raised cost of living." To make up this do- llcil. PM is i>lanning un open, con- certed plea to its readers to cam- paign lor 100,000 additional circula- tion. Plea will take the form of a 12- Pa^e prospectus, which the papei will use as an insert in next Tues- tlay's editions. It will also be mailed to a select list. Prospectus will slate that PM's editors had seriously con- sidered breaking away Ironi il^ unique basic principle by liiuilly akrecing to accept advert i.->iiiu. but were forced to forego the idea be- cause of the paper's own plant ca- pacity. "This was so lumted. ' ac- cordmg to the prospectus, -thai PM (Continued on page 30) Longhair Music s Biggest Boom Due Tlie longhair music business is in for another boom year ne\t season, perhaps the greatest year in its history. Right now, every !>ig arlisl is sold out for next sca.-on. The audience for serious music, aceoiding to Arthur Judson. pvvz of Columbia Concerts, world's largest rcncort bu- reau, has grown faster than the sup- ply. The saturation point in concert bookings, Judson sa.\s. has in no v ay been reached. Columbia Concerts iiscif has al- ready set 151 recitals for next !-cason in N. Y. alone, which is 10 concerts more than it handled for the enlire 194a-l(i N. Y. season, and a 20'; in- crease over bookings this time lasl year. Judson admits to a ccrt.iiii ii.fla- (Continucd oi\ pa;;e 34) T. SALES PRAGTIGE Major nim companies and the Government divided honors yes- terday when a 73-page opinion was handed down in the anti-trust suit. Decision barred theatre divorcement but drastically changed current selling prices. The three-judge fed- eral court in New York, in effect, or- dered a system of auction bidding for individual pictures and simultane- ously ruled price-fixing, block book- ing, pooling arrangements, formula deals, master agreements rnd (lan- chises to be, in the main, -nvalid. Clearance and run, as such, were held not to be violative of the Sher- man Act unless unrc&sonable in character. In determining the question of reasonableness, the court laid down seven factors on which to base judgmort The lengthy opinion al.-^o held joint own^ nership of theatres by the majors with each other or wilh indies, to (Continued on page 4) Musicians Jix Pix for Televi^on For One of Video's Worst Bio / Metro's Yoamans Biog Metro, which has a Jerome Kern filmusieal biography in work and the (Richard) Rodgers and CLorcnz) Hart story upcoming, will glorify an- other songsmith. He's Vincent You- mans, who died early this year. Metro's deal is said to cover $250.- 000 for the rights, outside of the .song clearances, which the studio must negotiate. Canada, Which Banned Eddie Cantor on Radio, Invites Him in Person Hollywood, June U. Only radio comic invitect to 'Van- couver'.'; Diamond Jubilee pageant, July 1 to 13, is Eddie Cantor. Irony of it is that several months ago Cantor's radio show was banned in Canada for reasons never fully ex- plained. Surprised at the invitation to play 12 nights in the pageant. Cantor was told by the promotional head of the project that he was the favorite comedian with Canadians and that (Continued on page 55) B way Biz Outlook On the Upgrade The present jammed occupancy of New York's hotels is a highly favor- able indication of Broadway's show biz chances this summer. In recent weeks managers were puzzled as to business possibilities, grosses moving up and down, except- for the newer legit standouts. Major midtown hotels are refusing to accept reservations for the bal- ance of the >month. Some limit ac- ceptances to weekends only, and the demand for help is known to have jumped recently. Influx 6f buyers and the start of vacations explain the hotel situation. Highest demand for hotel rooms is dated for next midweek, the Louis-Conn fight on Wednesday (19) being the factor. Most large hotels, especially those on the east side, are booked solidly until late August, and ticket agencies say that out-of-town mail orders are piling up daily. St. Petersburg, Fla,, June 11. Having -already barred live mu- sicians from appearing on television shows,' James C PetriUo and his American Federation of Musicians, have just dealt video a new blow, probably the toughest one to date. PetriUo has served notice on the film studios, it was learned at the AFM ccnivehtion here', that they are Other detailed AFM con- vention stories in ^iisic and Radio sections. forbidden to use product from their iiound- tracks for television. The pix' industry, having no other ; alterna- live, had to accede. In ef fecit, it pitts television in a position where - it (Continued on page '40) PetriUo Seen Making Bid as Maestro Of Overall Labor; AFM Backing Strong B.O.S HIT IN V-DAY LONDON CELEBRATION London. June 11 Inclement weather failed lo di.srupt y-Day celebration heic for 11.000,000 Londoners and visitors. Ciowd.s swarmed the streeLs. and show biz consequently was olT, since Pic- cadilly traffic was diverted. Those celebrating were not buvinc enter- •ainment, but going tor the free show. However, Sunday and banU-holi- biz soared with Ioiik lines for "im houses and other theatres. By GEORGE ROSEN St. Petersburg, Fla.. June 11. The manner in which James C. I'eli'illo was swept back into ;he presidency of the Amenean Fed- eration of Musicians by unanimous vole and thunderou.^ oval ion of the .''iFM delegates assci'nblea in con- vention here was only one oi a iinm- ber of significant events pointing uj) that the next 12 month.'; may well be Ihe most turbulent in the battle of Pelrillo vs. the entci lainmcnt in- dustry. What the convention served to il- lustrate, for one thint!. is tlK.I Pcf- rillo is more fiinily entrenched within the expanding rank.s of the AFM with its nearly 2«0.0f)0 mem- bciship. than ever before. Bui even heyoiid lhat. there cmcrgert a Pet- riUo whose power may even trans- cend that oi AFM prcxy ar.ci \.'ho may eventually step fort!: as llie key figure in the nation's overall labor picture. To the networks, the radio indus- try in general, the recording and film companies, plus others within the enterlainmenl industiy with w hom PetriUo & Co. do busincs.s. the implication was clear that the boss of the musician.s' union isn't likely to yield an inch, come what may. But further, hi.s drastic proposal (drastic in terms of AFL protocol), which won the unanimous backing (if the convention, that the AFL, CIO and the Railroad Brotherhoods merge their memberships and or- ganizations to fight the Lea Bill, the Case Act and other anti-union leg- islation, is viewed in some quarters as a bid for supremacy and as the dominant, key figure in the entire labor picture. To new.smeti covering the conven- tion (and, in view of the current Petrilln vs. the radio industry l.ibor crisis, it was given unprecedented coverage) the conduct of the con- clave as spearheaded by PetriUo be- lied Ihe far-flung allegations that the AFM prcxy wields a czaristic baton over the boys. For the first linie the reporlorial contingent seemed to find some meaning, understanding and democratic procedure behind what PetriUo was striving for. But so far as Pelrillo himself wa.s concerned, he made no bones that he was reconciled to Ihf fact that the pre.^s of America "v-as out to get hiin." If the convention had a theme at all, it was "let's go lo work lo combat the propaganda directed again.-^t the AFM and PetriUo as {> ezar." A flock of resolutions were introduced by various delegations recommending that AFM pour vast sums into a public relations-educa- tional campaign to take the .stigma ofl PetriUo &: Co. But the union pi-cz personally would have none of it and channelled the resolutions into (Continued on page 30) Fire-Hazardons Hotel Niteries Hit by Chi, Dnboqiie Disasters Possibility exists thiat many enter- tainment rooms, cocktail lounges and niteries located in hotels throughout the. country will shutter as hotels are. closied as a consequence of the two disastroits fires in the LaSalle Hotel, Chicago, and the Canflcld Hotel, Dubuque. First casualty is the Walton Hotel, Phila- delphia, which was condemned by city authorities, and suspended op- erations Saturday (8). [Ar detailed below, Chi authorities shuttered one Loop legiter, the Great Northern, and 5 niteries as result of llie La Salle catastrophe]. Dclails on the Walton Roof on page 52. Others arc expected as city au- thorities all over the country are oncc-overing aU inns in their juris- dictions. City authorities realize that fire- fighting equipment is substandttrtf^^ because of Inability to gct'fcifl&ce-'- ' rhents during the .war. ' Alsa the acute room shortage i.^ taxiiitC hotel staffs and facilities to the point (Continued on -page 52). ' NIGHT CLUBS PONDER FALL-OFF IN BUSINESS Question of whether the current 40% average drop in nitery busines.s , is only a temporary recession or ah indication that conditions are re- suming pre-war normalcy, is. being mulled by bonifa(:es throughout the country. Business during the pa.st^ two months has dwindled to . the point where grosses are up to 40% below, the wartime highs. Getting partial blame for this condition is the dislocation of in- dustry because of strikes aiid ma- terial shortages. Those following that school of thought believe that (Continued on page 52) We«1iieMlay, June 12, 1946 $25,000,000 Industrial Centre For Miami; Expo, Radio, Aquacade, Etc. Final plans for Ihe largest year- » roimd industrial exposition and trade centre iii the world, to be erected in Miami, Florida; were completed last week in New York by hotel magnate William Liebow. With more than a dozen buildings to be erected on a 112-acre site, the permanent trade fair will include a Radio City, complete with televi- sion studios, a 6,000-seat aquacade, a 2,000-seat auditorium, and a picr ture theatre, all at a cost of $25,- 000,000 or more. Purpose of the Pan-American In- dustrial Exposition, as the fair will be called, will be to provide a com- mon meeting ground for. commerce between the Americas, where inter- American trade can be carried on with 'a minimum of red tape and travel. Secondary result will probr ably be a permanent large draw to Miami and Miami Beach, affording niteries a year-round market I Liebow, who owns Braznell-Inter- national and Robert Clay Hotels in Miami, as well as recently finished Hotel Ihternacional in Panama, con- ceived the idea with his associate, Dr. D. F. Reeder, early in the war. Architecture will be done by L. Murray Dixon. Current plans call for the theme building to be com- pleted by September, 1947. Theme building, x-shaped, will bo four stories, topped by a 20-story tower, and will be a merchandise mart in which manufacturers from North and South America will have equal opportunity to display prod- ucts to buyers from both continents. Structure will cost 2V4 million, total investment in the project by Reeder and Liebow to satisfy Miami mu- nicipal government of good faith, (Continued on page 55) Theatre Wing Starts Vets Training Course In Show Biz Fields American Theatre Wing, is starting Its Veterans Training Program in N. Y., July 8, when it opens an eight- week summer course for professional vets in legit, radio, music and dance. Wing has leased building at 432 West 44th street where it will give instruc- tion in all fields except radio. Latter field will be handled by classes at various N. Y. radio station studios. Theatre courses will cover a wide range, with specialists in each field (Continued on page 6) Irish Cabinet to Sup With Jeanette MacDonald Dublin, June 6. Members of de Valera'.s cabinet ere to attend a dinner in honor of Jeanette' MacDonald here July 11 when the singer arrives in Ireland for the last of her six concerts in the British Isles. She will sing at the Theatre Royal, Dublin, July 13 and return direct to New York by air. following day. Miss MacDonald's fee, which Har- old Fielding says he cannot divulge under his agreement with the singer, is claimed to be highest ever paid to a concert artist visiting Ireland Fielding is to visit U.S. again shortly to negotiate for p. a.'s by other stars Ruth Gordon's 'Miss Jones' For the Freddie Marches Ruth Gordon's play, "Miss Jones," which closed earlier this season after being tried out by Max Gordon, is being rewritten for Fredric March and his wife, Florence Eldridge. Draft has already been approved by the Marches who were planning to go to London for Thornton Wilder's play, "Skin of Our Teeth." Latter project was to have been produced by Laurence Olivier, but will be postponed a season. Cleve. Goes Hollywood Cleveland, June 11. Even the drugstore chains here are getting showmanship-minded to the degree ot hiring Jimmy Durante and Gary Moore to niakc p. a.'s at the opening of a new super-drug- store last week. Schnozzola and Moore flew here to put on an afternoon clambake in the store, for autograph-huiiters, who caused traffic jams. . Sports Shorts Ticket sale for the Louis-Conn fight dated for next Wednesday night (19) at- the Yankee SU- dium perked up considerably during the past week with the ticket sale over the $2,000,000 mark. Out-of-towners will wit- ness the contest in droves. Che Pittsburgh party of three 12-car trains has, been . arranged for with the Pennsy R.,.R. alone. A deal for 150 Pullman rooms to bring fans from- a midwest burg was cancelled bepause of the promoter's demands, but the reservations will be used any- how. In addition there are many charter planes contracted for lo bring fight addicts from the hinterland. Over the weekend there- were varying opinions as to the win chances of the prin- cipals. Former champions Gene Tunney and Jim Braddock were quoted in favor of Conn. How-: ever,' it's S"iW?3iiH to judge cither man from training camp activi- ties and Louis is on .!he short end of the betting odds. . Fight ticket' situation was blasted open by. cops, who lapped the telephone wires of Jacobs' agency, four clerks being ar- rested and held under bail. Po- lice said they heard prices for $100 quoted as high as $175 by the brokers but they did not obtain possession of any tickets and it is questioned if a conviction can be" had without such evidence. Mike Jacobs who is prompting the flght said he has no interest in the agency.. Another arrest was made, when an a.gcncy clerk accepted $100 gratuity for sup- plying 10 tickets at $100 each. Plain clothes men then returned the tickets, also the marked C- note, which is claimed to have been thrust into the clerk's breast pocket by the "buyers." Where they got the $1,000 plus $9, which was the legal resale fee was not explained. Evidence in the hands of the police in that case is the marked $100 bill. Price of the fight tickets in- cludes the Federal and stale tax, so the net on the $100 tickets is approximately $77. N. Y. License Commissioner . Ben Fielding announced an in- vestigation of ticket brokers for alleged overcharging to deter- mine "whether there is a con- spiracy to violate the state law." Clerks in four agcniiics charged with gypping on Louis-Cionn fight tickets summoned. Agen- cies involved are Jacobs, New- man's, Miller's and Trosky's. Department licenses 80 agencies but there are 57 who subscribe to the legit theatre ticket code, indicating that the others do not handle theatre tickets but spe- cialize on sporting events. Death of Jack Johnson recalls the connection of several Bro.id- way showmen in the promotion of two of his spectacular fights. When the colored champ lost to Jess Willard in Havana in 1915, L. Lawrence Weber snd , H. H. Frazee werie partners of Jack Curley who fronted. Sam McVey, Negro heavyweight who was in Johnson's corner, was among those who averred that "Li'l Arthur" or "Tlie Big Smoke" as he was Ci(lle:-Conn fight. Jack Qakie, Met Allen and Dayc Siegjtl in from Coa.'jt, seeing the ball games. Tiie Berle-ing Point By Milton Berle 208th WEEK! KEN MURRAY'S "BLACKOUTS OF 1946" El Capitan Theatre, Hollywood, Cal. 'Keep 'em laughing Ken— you're doing a great Job. .BOB HOPE. Sample of '46 An idea of blacketeering.and dipsy- doodle bribery is exemplified by a man who bought two cases of rum, which he didn't need, in order to get a case of Scotch which he did need, to present it to a textile manufac- turer, in order to buy 1,000 yards of material This material would then be presented by the Scotch purchaser to a certain used car dealer who was also a manufacturer of infants wear oh the side, hence needed the lex- tiles. The ultimate, purpose was to influ- ence the used car dealer, who also has a new ear auto agency, lo sell the Scotch donor a nciv car. Discrimination Ends Vs. American Actors On Double Taxation Washington, Juhe 11; Discrimination against actors un- der the anti-double taxation treaty with Britain wais ended last Thurs- day (6). Secretary of State James F: Byrnes and J. Balfour, British Minister attached to the embassy here, sighed a supplementary pro- tocol piutting entertainers in the same class with all other Americans who work in England for six months or less. ■ This means that actors who go there will pay income tax to the U. S. and at the American rate, which is cheaper than, the British gouge. The original treaty, ratified by the Senate June 1, left actors in a position where they would have to pay income taxes at the British rale if they worked in England. Does Jack Benny Want To Improve Own Fiddling? Chicago, June 11. Jack Benny has just heard he may finally succeed in bringing over Czech violinist, Alex Vizvari, whoin he in met in Prague on his last sum mer's overseas USO junket. Benny was impressed with the fat fiddler, not so much for his virtuosity as his natural sense of comedy. A burly Czech ("unfortunately re- minding you of Goering in appear- ance"), Vizvari has a natural sense of cbmedy, despite inability to speak a word of English, which Benny thinks would make him a novelty in concert. "In fact I'll play tour with him a little myself," adds Benny, who frankly .admits he's stage-struck. Whilie in Nciv York the past few weeks, and now vacationing here with his father, Benny got a bang playing benefits, making charity drive appearances, etc. He .. adds, "I've been talking' about doing a season in New York with my pro- gram and maybe this next year I'll fool eyen myself and do it," because he misses Broadway a lot. For tlie /ir.s'l lime I'm a Daddv. Celebrotiiip Failiff!' Day And u'hot do lyou i/ii'ik I'm. getttno? The bills /voiii Mother's Doi/. . . dot a real bang out of Jimmy Duranlc's 3Dth Anniversary parly at the converted Golden Slipper last Wednesday night. Everyone who counted was there . . .PLUS A FEW WHO COULDN'T. .. .The place was~ full of "Who's Who," until Toots Shor walked in— then somebody yelled "What's that?"... .it was so crowded, the hecklers were working from the Men's Room.. /.Understand that while Jimmy was in New York, his no.se was making a personal appearance in Philadelphia — Jimmy's old partners were right on hand: Eddie Jackson and Lou Clayton (the Byron Nelson 6t show business). Clayton told me there was no truth to the rumor that Jimmy had been signed by M-G-M because Leo the Lion had developed laryngitis. ...But the whole affair was a great tribute to a real trouper. The only thing vi^as that the party broke up too early— the "TVvo Sisters" hud to go back to Boston. The Great Wli Way Know a comedian who is such a ham he's doubling between a llicalre and a sandwich at theThcatrical Pharmacy. Eddie Bracken says that when his baby grows up, he doesn't want Itim to be president. . . .just wants Kim to play Clarence Day in "Life With Father." . W. C. Fields spent a fruitless day at Grauman's Chinese theatre yester- day. He found oilt you can't preserve a hiccough in cement. What's needed at the UN meeting is Faith, Hope and Clarity. Got a lovely present from Leo Lindy for Father's Day .... a pocket watch with anchovies in place of hands and a chain made of braided noodles. Rodgers.& Hammerstein are all broken up;... they overslept one morn- ing and only turned, out five Broadway hits; Harold Gary says that in view ot Ihe fact that you can see the Melropple ; show from the sidewalk, that's the only corner. where aa agent can catch an act and a street ear at the same time. There's No Truth (o the Rnmor That in his next advertisement Billy Rose will mention the Diamond Horse.shoe that the favorite picture on the borscht circuit is "The Bride Wore Beeti" . . . . that Senator Claghorn has seen "The Virginian" 88 times that the columnist Mortimer is now spelling his name "Li".... that each new play starts an engagement at the Belasco theatre b>f adver- tising "positively last week": .. .that "Coax Me A Little Bit'' was written by John L; Lewis. Hangnail Descriptions Margaret O'Brien: Dyna-mite Orson Welles: "I" The People Cen- tral Park: Bad Man's Territory Marjorie Main: Dill Face. . . .Mayflower doughnut: Techni-cruUer. • Observa.llon Dept. Hollywood is the only place in the world where a guy can starve to death- among his friends. Lunched at the "21" last week. Food Is so expensive there they should give you 12 months to pay— — yoii get 6 months i£ you don't: Henny Youngman knows a iiiteclub that's so fashionable they serve two- tone mickeys. Ted Lewis has been in show business for 30 years and has said "Is Everybody Happy" 10 million times as yet, nobody has answered him. Otjerheord on vty raido: Announcer: You've got a fine set ot pipes. Singer: No so loud. This is supposed to be a cigaret program. Berled Eggs On Broadway there's 16 inches difference between a pat on the back and a kick in the pants. SCENE: Waiting room at the William Morris Agency: ACTOR: If I sit here any longer, I'll be old enough to be booked into the Diamond Horseshoe. Atttobiograph]/ of a bad aclor: ''Hssss-tOTy'." Caiight Peter Lind Hayes at the Copa... .was so impressed I compli- mented him by saying, "Peter, you're wonderful." Peter quipped, "What do you mean wonderful'? . . . .THERE'S NOBODY AROUND." There's » new Hollywood lunchroom that Just held a anack preview. Got the. surprise of my life. I read of an actress who made the front pages by taking an underdose of sleeping tablets. A comedian confided, it was bis ambition to live In California and die ia New York saggested he pUy the Roxy. Eavesdropped at the Copa: He reMiinds me of on Adler-eleuated shot ....... 99% heel. Len Stern reports that NBC is looking for a cummer replacement for a summer replacement. My brother (the one who books squirrels into parks) hasn't been feel- ing well lately. He absent-mindedly walked into an employment agency and still hasn't gotten over the shock. AFTERPIECE: All characters mentioned In this column arc purely flctUioas and have nothing to do. Authors' 'Honor' Held at Stake In Latin-Am^ 'R^ts' Provision Cheaper to Go Out? Television set owners who hope to, get the jump on Mike Jacobs by watching the Louis- Conn fight on their video re- ceivers may discover the fight wil] cost them at least the price of a ringside seat— $100— any- way. Most set owners plan to in- vite as many lookers as they can accommodate. With the cost of drinks, etc., the hospitality inay run high. N.Y.C.PUBUe SCHOOL'S COURSE FOR SHOW BIZ Increasing evidence pi stronger recognition of the entertainment field as a vocation, especially by educators, is being felt as the N. Y. City Board of Education takes un- der consideration a proposal for establishment of a four-year high school course for the performing arts, Tentatively planned lor loca- tion In what is now building hous- ing P. S. 67, near the heart of Broad- way's show biz district, school will be the first of its kind in this coun- try, and marks the longest forward step toward g^eneral vocational edu- cation pi youngsters for show busi- ness. Detailed plans for the school's curriculum are being worked put by a selected committee of leading names in entertainment, under chairmanship of Mrs, Samuel Lewi- sohn, member of the Public Educa- tion Assn. Included on the commit- tee roster pre Helen Hayes, Martha Graham, Brock Pemberton, Walter Damrpsch, Margaret Webster and (Continued on page 34) 4. Latin- punctilio which makes it prejudicial tp an author's honpr to permit any deviation from his pub- lished wprks may force radio broad- casters and film producers to dis- continue purchasing Latin-American story ' material pr music right.";. Adpplipn pf such "authors' moral rights" laws which recognizes crea- tor's inalienable paternity in his creation as currently being pushed by Mexico and Argentina at the In- ter-American Conference of Experts on Copyrights now meeting ia Washingtpn. Success on the. part of the law's proponents would freeze the use- of S. A. stories and music in the U. S., copyright lawyers say. Proposed revamping of iiiterna- tipnal regulations governing the li- censing pf musical -recordings and the use pf fpreign composilibii<: jn jukeboxes which wpuld basi.ally change current practices are al.so under consideration^ Draft of the system pf CPpyright laws, In \yhich the changes are embodied, was for- mulated a few months ago and are now being fprmally prescnled for the first time to member iialiops of . the Pan-American' Union. If ap- proved by the U. S., their ihcorpo- (Cpntinued pn page 55) WetlneHlay, June 12, 1946 PICTTITRIIS FILMS' $100,000,000 NET PROFIT Argentiiie-Soviet Mutual Reception Will Cut Further Into fix in S.A. Argentine recognition of the So- viet government last week, smooth- ing relations , between the two couii- ti ies to promote trade, is expected 'to slice anotlier segment of playing time from U. S. aims throughout Latin America. Russian pictures are only trickling into the sputh-of-the- bordcr countries now, but with the now Argentine agreement and the ■ gradually increasing production schedules of Soviet studios, Ameri- can companies are certain to experi- ence touKlicr, times ahead. In Aryentina itself, a quota law already rociuires that pictures made ill that country get 40% of the play- ing time. That means that the othir OOS'. must be shared by Hollywood prdcliict with Mexican and other for- ciiiii-made features. That's hurt plenty. o£ course, but biz has been so KQod in Argentina that total rentals have heldup to pre-war standards or better. . However, Brazil has replaced Argentina as the sonvee of the largest revenue from Latin America. . ■ Argentina's new hands-across-thc- sca policy with Russia is expected to maK-c the coimlry a gateway for in- roads of Soviet product into all the South American nations. That, pUis the fact that French pictures were always popular in Latin America and may soon be expected in large nuinbors, while Mexican product is already getting a very favorable proportion of playing time, is seen as foreboding less palmy days for Hollywood's output. In Argentina itself, in'addition to the mandatory 40% playing time for national product, latter often gets a break too in that owners of the two biggest circuits, Lauteret & Cavallo and Lococo, have a financial inter- est in many of the productions. Playing' both ends against the mid- ■ die. they not infrequently find it more profitable to hold over one of tlicir own pictures than put iii a now American film that might do better at (lie b.o. Carl Byoir to Play Down Hughes' S. A. Pix Flair, Build Him Up as Big Biz Switch in the basis of "Tlie but- law" publicity campaign from Jane Hu.ssoirs s.a. to Howard Hughes' qualities as a motion picture and industrial magnate i.s reported back of llie shift in flackcries made by the producer this week. Hughes jumped from the fla.shy Russell Birdwell ofTioe. which has handled ''Tlic Outlaw"' continuously since its conception seven years ago. to the con.scrvaiivc Carl Byoir 4: As.soci- atcs. Byoir outfit is a neophyte at film pulVory. It specialises in handling top industrial -execs, big business. foreiRii soveriiment.s, etc., many of whom arc willing to pay consider- ably more to keep their names out of print than get them in. That it will be willinc to associate itself with sucli stunts as Birdwell has used is considered doubtful. With '"The Outlaw" firmly estab- (Continued on page 18) Bernstein, Hitchcock, Bergman's Indie Setup Sidney L. Bern.steiii, British ther afre magnate, arrived in N. Y. Mon- day (10) night by air and plans to fly to the Coast tomorrow (Thursday) for huddle with Alfred Hitchcock and Ingiid Bergman on the trio's nidie production deal. Present plains call for the production of one film annually ill the U. S. and one in tiielaiKl. (Gary .Grant, originally repotted tied in on the deal, has withdiawn). Bernstein, upon arrival here, do- , nied reports Uiat he and his brother, Cecil, had discus.scd selling their Granada chain of deluxe hou.scs in England to Sir Alexander Korda. Keports had the duo ready to gi\'.! Korda and his confreres a big slice of their .holdinKs. amounting to almost S8,000,000. on consideration that they stay on actively. Hedy's New Indie Firm . Hollywood, June 11. Hedy Lamarr formed a new indie production outfit, Marlborough Films, in collaboration with Arnold Press- burger anad Douglas Sirk. First picture under the new setup will be "Last Year's Sno\*',"- with Miss Lamarr . starring. , Don Tracy wrote the novel on which the screen- play will be built. Goldwyn-Korda In Closer Tie Sir Alexander Korda, who wiU pro- duce a film in the United States la- ter this year, is understood to have a deal set to use space in Samuel Gpldwyn studios. This is seen as tightening the reported tieup of Korda with Gold wyn in latter 's plan to iset up his own distributing com- jjany. Possibility of the two produc- ers getting together is also figured as one of the rea.sons Korda has gone .so slowly on making a releasing ar- rangement for his product - in the U. S. Korda is due in' Hollywood from London at the end of July. He plans turning out top-budgeter there pend- ing rounding out of improvements on his British studio space. Mean- time, he has proceeded with plans to add' theatres to his holdings^ last \veek floating a $4,000,000 stock is- sue for his British Lion Film Corp., Ltd., distribution affiliate. Loan was reported oversubscribed eight times by the public within a few minutes of its announcement. It is believed that Mrs. Goldwyn, who returned to this tpuntry from England last Saturday (8), may have had discussions with the British producer while there. She was in London for about two weeks and heads from New York for Holly- wood' today (Wednesday). Goldwyn's renewal of his releas- ing deal with RKO oiv a one-picture ba^•is has no bearing on his intent to set up his own distribution sys- tem, other than that the scheme is being delayed a matter ot months. Goldwyn hopes to establish his set- up at (lie same time he is releasing his ne.\t one or two pix via RKO. METRO'S CAREY WILSON SCOUTS NEW'KILDARE' With Metro aiming to start the ' Dr. Kildai'c" series again, Carey Wilson, who produces Ihe pictures, is searching for a candidate for the role of the young medico. It was created by Lew Ayres and later played by Van Johii.son. Last pic- ture in the scries. "Between 'Two Women." in which Johnson was "Kildare," was released more than a year ago. There's now too high a priorily on Johnson's .services on the Metro lot to cast him in the pail. Wilson has a script for the next pic all ready for the day . he finds the player he wants. Yarn is by Jack' Andrews and Harry Ruskiii. Willis Goldbeck. . who used to write the Scries, has directed the last few and will probably repeat on the next. This is the first ' script by Andrews, who was formerly ai 20th- Fox, since he was discharged from the Marine Corps. At request of exhibs. Wilson said. Metro will continue the practice it adopted with the last few pictures of leaving the scries identification out of the title. Kxhibs complained that the "Dr. Kildare" liame in the label made patrons unceilain as lb whether or not they had seen the particular picture before, when they noticed it advertised, and this dis- couraged businc-s. Same is true of the "Hardy" series, which Will likcwi.se be resumed. .Wilson was also producer of these 'pi\, bill chore has been turned over ' lb Bob Sisk; yPi)[CEDENT[D IN BIZ'S HISIORY An unprecedented net profit, prob- ably in excess of $100,000,000 for the fiscal year of 1946, is in the cards for the major film companies. The stag> gering total, far and ahead of the $65,000,000 net for the heretofore peak year of '45, was presaged last week when Warner Bros., last of the ma- jors with the exception of United Artists to report for at least the first quarter of the current fiscal year, announced soaring profits of $9,- 123,1)00 for the six months ending March 2. Its gain, well in line with that of most other majors, was ap- proxiinately double the $4,605,000 for the comparative period of ' the pre- ceding year. Extra filip to majors' net profits, carried iipwards by an onrush of customers to theatre tills, is the re- duction in Federal taxes in effect for the current year. Droppihi; of excess surplus profits taxes and tijc slicing of the surplus profits bite has meant a greater share of the gross is converted to net Since the excess surplus tax was aimed at heavy profits, its elimination has ballooned the net take of good biz particulaiij'. First 12 weeks of '40 were phe- nomenally profitable. Execs . point out that there has been some b.o. slackening . following the close of a peak March business over and above the usual warm weather decline. Con.sequently, estimates which would indicate an even far greater total for the year have been scaled down- wards. In the absence of a sharp reversal in grosses, $100,000,000 fig- ure is considered a probable. In previous years, it is pointed out, net profits reported in the first frac- tion of the year have been a con- sistent basis for an accurate forecast (Continued on page 18) Ed Raftery, Trying to Bow-Out Again Looks to Remain UA Prez Joan Leslie Encores Win Hollywood, June 11. . Joan Leslie won another legal vic- tory over Warneirs in Superior Court, where Judge Alfred E. Paonessa refused a temporary injunction re- straining the actress from working elsewhere until the studio's appeal has been decided, Decision leaves her free to work wherever she pleases pending n higher court verdict on the voiding of her $1,500 weekly player contract. BOB TAPLINGER IN QUICK WANGER WALK Bob Taplinger. after 10 weeks as veepee of Walter Wanger Produc- tions, exited last week. Taplinger had advanced a plan to Wanger on landing the job and failed to exe- cute his plan. Until he can get anothei- connec- tion, Taplinger will retain, iiis of- fices in the Wanger quarters. He's curicnily laid. up with a cold at his home. Rep. Buys 'Mexico' Hollywood. June- 11. Republic purchased "Heart ot Old Mexico'' and assigned it to Roy Rogers. Picture is slated for a late summer .start with Edward J. While produc- ing. • Col. May Shift To Block Selling , Unexplained order from Colum- bia's general sales manager A. Mon- tague to the entire field force to slop sales on all 1946-47 product is harbinger of a move to funda- mentally revise method of selling the company's pictures. Although Co- lumbia's execs are keeping absolute- ly mum on the significance of the stoppage order, issued last Thursday I (6) from Chicago afteir a powwow of company bigwigs, indications are that a shift will take place from the present policy of selling the wiiole year's program at once in favor of a block system similar to that forced on the "big five" by the Govern- ment's consent decree in 1940, In addition,. Columbia will prob- ably amend its percentage requests and. rentals upwards on the 1948-47 product and dues not want to be tied up with any pacts made previously with exhibitors. Shift to the block sj stem sales method, which Colum- bia was not legally required to malvC in 1940 as a member of the film in- dustry's "little three," will follow upon almost six years of highly profitable operation . under this sysr tem by the majors. With Columbia's yearly release schedule showing a steady decline in line with the gen- eral industry trend towards longer playing time, the block system will offer bigger opportunities to cash in with higher percentages on the major productions. A second meeting is being held on June 17 in Chicago to clarify the new setup. Attendance will include h.o. execs, sales chiefs, district man- agers and all branch managers from Columbia ofllce throughout the country. Edward C. Raftery was assured of reelection as president of United Artists as result of action by reps of , the . stockholders at their annual meeting at the home office in New York yesterday (Tuesday). They took no direct vote on the question of Raftcry's continuance in the post, but, it has been learned, agreement was reached on reelecting all pres- ent officers. Actual balloting, a mere formal- ity, will take place at noon- tomor- i row (Thursday) in New York, when the hew board of directors elected at the stockholders meeting yester- day gets together for the purpose of organization. Only one change was made in the directorate. Sidney Chaplin, brother of UA partner Charles Chaplin, was replaced by ilerbert P. Jacoby, of Schwartz & Frohlich, la w firm which reps' Chap- lin.' Change was a mere matter of conve/iience, Sidney Chaplin being on the Coast and usually not avail- able for meetings in' New York. Repping the owners at yesterday's conclave was Charles Schwartz for Chaplin; Milton Kramer for David O. Selznick; and Isaac A. Pennypacker, vet Philadelphia attorney, for Mary Pickford. Directors they reelected were: for Chaplin— E. Claude Mills and Rex Dennant; for Selznick^ Neil Agnew, Leonard R. Case and Kramer; for Miss Pickford— Raftery, Pennypacker and Franklin Cole. Raftery who took over the UA presidency in 1941, has becii request- ing for several- years that he be .per- mitted to resign and return to his law practice. He's a member of the flrni of O'Brien, Driscoll llliliPil WwMy li.T VAKIKTV, llH'. Sifl Silvcriiinn. Prcfi|<1cnl 154 WcHl 1KIU Kl., New Ynrk I'J. N T SUDSCniPTION Forelcn .... »ll SIhkIq CoiWcil 2C CtT.-.! Vol.163 «^ No. 1 INDEX Bills . . 55 Chatter 63 Film Reviews 6 Foreign 14 House Reviews all Inside Lejit . . . 5!) Inside Music 44 In.sidc Pictures . . 22 In.side Orchestras 44 In.side Radio ' 40 Legitimate 57 Literati '. , 01 Milton Bcrle 2 Music 4a New Acts .................. 56 Nisht Club— Reviews 54 I bbiluar.v G2 . Orchestras . 43 ! Pictures . . . . .. , 3 Plays Abroad 14. Radio 2.) Radii) Reviews l;iJ Rccoinniendod Recurd.s .... . 44 Frank Scully 61 Television 31 Vaudeville 51 . IMII.V VAKIKTV (I'ubllsli'd In i;ollywo(i(; bj BnlH- Varlcl.v. Md,' *10 a Vcai' — tl'J l''orc!sn . FICnJIIES WedncMlay, June 12, 1946 Pro#»s To Be Incorporated h the Fmal Anti-Trust Deaee A decree is granted in accordance with the views expressed ^jn the foregoing opinion to be settled on 10 days notice. It should provide for the dismisMl 01 aU claims asserted by the plaintiff .against any of the defendaliuwhich act only as producers of motion pictures. anJ for the dismissal of claims against any other defendants based on their acts as producers, whether as individuals or in conjunction with others. Can't Fix Prices The granting of licenses by any of the defendant-distributors which fix minimum prices for admission to theatres should be enjoined in which such minimum admission prices are fixed by the parlies in writ- ing, or through a committee, or through arbitration, or upon the hap- . pening of any event, or in any other wise. Can't. Fix Clearance The defendants should be enjoined from concerted agreeing to main- tain a system of clearance as among themselves or with other cxhibi-. tors, and ho clearance should be granted against theatres m ^substan- tial competition with the theatre receiving a license for exhibition in excess of what is reasonably necessary to protect the licensee in the run granted. Existing clearance in excess of what is reasonably jiecessary to protect the licensees in the runs awarded to them shall be invalid . pro tanto. In determining what is a reasonably clearance the following factors should be taken into consideration: (1) ;rhe admission prices of the theatres involved, as set by the ex^ hibitor; (2) The character and location of the theatres involved, including •ize, type of entertainment, appointments, transit facilities, etc.; (3) The policy of operation of the theatres involved, such as the showing of double features, gift nights, giveaways, premiums, cut-rate tickets, lotteries, etc; ^ ■ (4) The rental terms and licen.te fees paid by^thc theatres involved and the revenues derived by the distributor-defendant from such thea- tres; (5) The extent to which the theatres involved compete with each other for patronage; (6) The fact that a fhealie involved is affiliated, with a defendant- distributor or with an indepeiident circuit of theatres should be dis- regarded; and (7) There should be no clearance between theatres not in substantial competition. No Franchises The further performance by any of the defendants of existing for- mula deals, master agreements to the exterit that we have previously found them invalid, or franchises should be enjoined, and the defend- ants should also be enjoined from entering into or carrying out any similar agreements in the future. Defendants owning a legal or equitable Interest in theatres of so*"!) or more either directly or through subsidiaries may exhibit pictures, of their own or of their wholly owned subsidiaries in such theatres upon such terms as to admission prices and clearances and oh such runs as they siee fit. 95% Owned Theatres . No defendant or its subsidiaries shall exhibit films other than on its own behalf or through wholly owned subsidiaries, or subsidiurics in which it has an interest of at least 95%, without offering the license at a minimum price for any run desired by the operators of each theatre ' within the competitive area. The license desired shall in such case be granted to the highest responsible bidder having a theatre of a size and equipment adequate to show the picture upon the terms offered^ The license shall be granted solely upon the merits and without dis- crimination in favor of affiliates, old customers, and any person what: ever. Kach license shall be offered and taken theatre by theatre and picture by picture. No Block Selling No contracts for exhibition shall be entered into, or if already out- standing shall be performed, in which the. license to exhibit one fea- ture, is conditioned upon an agreement of the license to take a license of one or more other features, but licenses to exhibit more than one feature may .be included in a single instrument provided the licensee shall have had the opportunity to bid for . each feature separately and shall have made the best bid for each picture so included. To the ^extent that any of the pictures have not been tradeshown prior to the granting of a' license for more than a single picture, the licensee shall be given by the licensor the right to reject a percentage of such pictures not tradeshown prior to the granting of the license to be fixed by the decree. But that right to reject any picture must be ex- erci.<:ed within 10 days after there has been an opportunity afforded to the licensee4o inspect it. \o Pooling The defendants shall be enjoined from entering into or continuing to perform existing pooling agreements whereby given theatres of two or more exhibitors, normally in competition, are operated as a unit or whereby the business policies of .such exhibitors are collectively determined by a joint committee, or by one of the exhibitors, or whereby profits of the "pooled" theatres are divided among the owners accord- ing to pre-agreed percentages. They shall also be enjoined from mak- ing or continuing to perform agreements that the parties may not ac- quire other theatres in the competitive area without first offering them for inclusion in the pool. The making or continuing of leases- of theatres under which defendants lease any of their theatres to an- other defendant or to an independent operating ,a theatre in the com- .petitive area in return for a share of the profits shall be enjoined. Each defendant. shall cease and desist from ownership of an interest in any theatre, whether in fee or in stock or otherwise, in conjunction with another defendant-exhibitor. Each defendant shall cease and de- sist from ownership, jointly with an independent, of an interest in any theatre, greater than 5% unless such defendant's interest is 95% or more; and where the interest of such defendant is. more than 5% arid less than 95%, such joint Interests shall be dissolved either by a sale to, or by a purchase from, such co-owner or co-owners. Rearrangement of such joint interests with an independent, if by purchase, shall, how- ever, be subject to the direction of this court so that their effectuation may promote competition in the exhibition of motion pictures. Where a defendant owns a 95% or greater percent interest in any theatre, such theatres may be considered as its own so far as this opinion and the decree to be entered hereon are concerned. ipan Add Theatres With Courts' OK Each of the defendants shall be enjoined from expanding iu theatre holdings except for tht purpose of acquiring a co-owner's interest in jointly owned theatres, and this only in cases where the court shall permit such acquisition, instead of requiring an outright sale of the un- divided interest of the defendant in question. The foregoing provision as tb divestiture of partial interests in theatres shall apply both to in- terests held in fee and beneficially and to those represented by shares of stock. But it shall not prevent a defendant from acquiring theatres or interests therein in order to protect its investments, or In ordSr to enter a competitive, field; if in the' latter case, this court or other com- petent, authority shall approve the acquisition after due application is made therefore. No Buying Pools Each defendant shall be enjoined from operating, booking, or film- buying through any agent who is also acting in such matters for any other exhibitor, independent or affiliated. The decree shall also provide for arbitration of disputes as to bids, clearances, runs, and other subjects appropriate for arbitration in respect to all partie.s who may consent to the creation of such tri- bunals for adjustment of such disputes. It shall also provide for an appeal board generally similar to the one created by the consent de- cree as to any parties consenting thereto. It shall make such disposition of the provisions of the existing consent decree signed Nov. 30, 1940, as may be necessary in view of . the foregoing opinion. In order' to secure compliance with the decree to be entered, duly authorized representatives, of the Department of Justice shall on the written request of the Attorney General or the Assistant Attorney General in charge of anti-trust natters, and on reasonable notice to Anti-Trust — Continued from page 1 be contrary to the anti-tr»st laws and directed divestiture where that interest exceeded, 5% and was less than 95%, Commenting on the crucial ques- tion of divestiture, the court said: We think that the opportunity of independents to compete under the bidding system for pictures and runs renders such a harsh remedy as com- plete divestiture unnecessary, at least until the efficiency of that sys- tem has been tried and found wanting.". ' . The "foot of the. difficulties," the court followed through, was not in ownership of theatres by producer- distributors but in the selling prac- tices which earlier in, the .opinion the court had nixed. As an added point, the court said that there would no longer be anything to prevent a new theatre from being built even in a territory, where affiliates, are strongly entrenched. It was also jwinted out that the majors owned only a little more than one-sixth of all the theatres in the U. S. which could not constitute a monopoly of the film biisiness that should subject it to the "drastic remedy of eornplete divestiture in order to effect a proper degree of free .competition." However, the court said, joint theatre ownership of more than 5'« was a restriction on competition and therefore . invalid. . Auction Selling " After delving into minirnum price fixing and clearance systems, the court concluded that the entire seliip' could only be rectified by auction block selling of pix. "The only, way th^t competition may be introduced into the present system of fixed prices, clearances, and runs is to re- quire a defendant, ■ when licensing its pictures to other exhibitors to make each, picture available at a minimum fixed or percentage, rental tif clearance is desired) to grant a reasonable clearance and run,*' the opinion declared. "When so offered," the court con- tinued, "the licensor shall grant the license for the desired rnr, to the highest bidder if such bidder is re- sponsible and has a theatre, of a size, location and equipment to pre- .sent the picture to advantage." Major companies were free, howevei:, to distribute their films to their own houses in any fashion they saw fit. Price-Fixing Out Price-fixing was thrown out be- cau,';e the judges felt that a uniform .system had been set up in tlie in- dustry! Study of a table of theatres and cities showed, according to the opinion, a similarity in minimum prices fixed for the sanie theatre in the licenses of all the defendants. "The Little Three joined in this sys- tem, it was said, because their licenses also maintained minimum prices. Erection of .a price structure and "conspiracy" in doing so was of itself an anti-trust offense, the court .said. Court was careful to say that the holding on price-fixing did hot pre- vent distribs, from continuing their present methods of determining film rentals. Devices , for measuring rentals and the fixing of a flat sum, a percentage or both, were perfectly legal, the opinion averred. Clearance Okay Clearance of itself is not viola- tive of the monpply laws despite the Government's contention, the judjges held. "It seems to us that, a grant of clearance, when not acconipanied by a fixing of minimum prices or not unduly extended as to area or dur- ation, affords a fair protection to the interest of the 'l'.;ensee without^ un- reasonable interference with, the in- terests of the public," the court said. The majors however had "ac- quiesced" in a uniform system and in a number of instances have main- tained it unreasonably, it continued. Location, type of house, prices charged, competitive situation and a number of other factors should be In Short-A Mexican Standoff? As matters stood late last (Tuesday) night in the anti-trust case, it was difficult to determine whether the Government or the film com< panics considered they'd won their Bght Both sides, it was felt, might decide to appeal the decision. Speaking tor the Motion Picture Assn. of America^ iatlorney Sidney Schrieber last night said that Columbia, Universal and United Artists had not yet heard the decision, and attorneys of the Big 5 (Metro, Paramount, 20th-Fox, Warners and RKO) had not yet had a chance to study the situation. Schreiber pointed oiit that any appeal will have to be filed within 60 days after the final, decree isr handed down, which might take another several months. • U. S. Attorney : Robert L. Wright, oii the other hand, has stressed many times in the past that the Government considered the problem of divorcement the crux of the entire situation and "would settle for nothing less." Three-judge panel intimated yesterday that it had not completely thrown out the idea of divorcement, declaring in its decision that complete divestiture was considered unnecessary, "at least until the efficiency of that system (of competitive bidding) has been tried and found wanting." . Schreiber also intimated that the majors were not completely satis- fied with the system of competitive bidding set up in the decision. Modification of the bidding system will have to be made through ' practice, not agreement, he said, adtding that the itse of sealed bids by exhibs might help ease matters. Referring to the court's bar of divorcement, Schreiber declaried it \yas still likely that any intentions of applications for construction of new houses by the Big 5 will have to be cleared by the court, at least , until the final decree is handed down. used to determine reasonableness of clearance, the court stated. As matters now stand, the opinion de- clared, the majors have been acting in concert to establish a uniform clearance systeni and this is violative of the Sherman Act. Decision of individual controversies on the sub- ject must be determined by local suits in the airea concerned or "even I rhoie appropriately, to litigation be- fore an arbitration board." Blockbooking Turning to blockbooking, tlic three judges banned the entire practice whether, the sale involved' two pix or 40: "Any form of blockbooking is ^illegal by which an exhibitor, in order to obtain a license for one of more films, must accept a license for one or more other films," the opinion flatly declared. The court, however, said that a distrib was not limited to the sale of one film at a time so long aS; the deal on one was not dependent on the terms of the others. Blind selling was not as obiection- able as blockbooking as far as mo- nopoly was concerned, the decision said. (Consequently, it would be enough it the decree included a pro- vision which would insure an ex- hibitor the right to reject a percent- age of the films which he bought blindly. Formula deals, master agreements and franchises have tended to re- strain trade, according to the court. The bidding .system would obviate or at least mitigate these restraints, it said. Franchises of more than one year, moveovers, overage. and under- age provisions in contracts as well as many types of master agreements and formula deals were found to be illegal. : Arbitration System Arbitration ' system in the in dustiy, initiated by the consent de- cree and now in force, cannot be continued ' without the consent of the niajois, the court held. Ruling was . made despite feeling of court that it was desirable that tfie system be continued to aid in carrying out the decree which the court would shortly put into effect. Acceptance of an arbitration .system ."for deter mining disputes on the bidditig sys tern" would facilitate adjustment of most diflfererices"with a large saving of time and money as compared with separate court actions," - the court said. Opinion wais a Joint one by Judges Augustus Hand, John Bright and Henry W. Goddard. ' Hearings before the court were concluded January lasti Suit itself has been pending in the courts for the past six years, GREATER NX FUND HAS m OF FILM BIZ QUOTA Film indu.stry ■ to date has con- tributed $58,950 to the Greater New! York Fund, approxinriating. 75% of its $78,600 quota, .'Spyros Skouras, committee chairman; announced th.it the sum practically assures that the industry will exceed its quota. Fund, similar to the Community Fund in most cities, provides flnan* cial support: for 415 -N. Y. hospitals, health and welfare agencies. This year the fund is seeking 'from busi- ness men in N.- Y. $5,900,000, .which is 25% more than was contributed in 1945. N. Y. to London John Mason Brown. Hedda Hopper. Lizabeth Scott. the defendant or defendants affects,, be permitted reasonable access to all books and papers of the defendants and reasonable opportunity to interview their officers or employees, as provided in Section XVIII of the Consent Decree. Proceedings under the decree to be entered shall be staved pend- ing appeal, or for the purpo.se of enabling the parties to adjust their business withoiit an unfair burden or as practice may require upon- such terms as the decree, shall provide. . Jurisdiction of this cause ..should be retained for the purpose of enabling any of the parties to the decree to apply to the court at. any. time for such orders or directions as may be necessary or appropriate tor the construction or carrying out Of the same; for the enforcement of compliance therewith, and for the punishment of violations thereof, or of other further relief. Fipdings should be proposed by the parties for the assistance of the court, but such proposed findings will form no part of the record. Dated June 11, 1946 AUGUSTUS N. HAND, U. S. Circuit Judge HENRY W. GODDARD JOHN BRIGHT » » » Lawson Now Also M'ging Director of Gen'l-Odeon ■■ Toronto, JuneM. J. Eai'l Lawson, prexy of General ■ Theatres Corp.. and Odeon Theatres of Canada, has been named to the additional pest of , managing direc- tor. Annual board meet which tapped Lawson also reelected all di- , rectors for another year. Board also approved several pro- motions for Odeon. George .Peter.s, Odeon secy., takes on the added job of exec assistant to Lawson. Frank Fisher was nanried as western division manager of theatre opera- tions. All other Odeon officers were reappointed. L. A. to N. Y. Brian Aherne. Fred Ahlert. C. BakalcinikofT. Saul H. Bornslcin. Nick Campbell. Roy Chansior. Harry Cohn. J. J. Cohn. Emil Coleman. Jerry Colonna. Perry Como. Emery Deutsch. Helen Deutsch. Jack Elliott. Walter Florell. Walter Gould. Karen Hale. Rex Harrison. Kurd Hatfield. Klaus Lahdsberg. B'rances Lahgford. Peter Lawford. Norman Millen. George Montgomery. OEugene O'Brien. Lilli Palmer; Ralph Peart. Al Porgie. Charles Ross. John Schulitian. Gradwell Sears. Vic Shapiro. . Dinah Shore. .Dave .Siegel. Frank Sinatra. Jonie Tapps. ■ T. C. Thackrey. ■Van Tonkins. Lewis Allen Weiss. Walter Winchell. N.Y.toL.A. Sidney L. Bernstein, liCe Bland. Michael Browne. Pat Casey. Norman Corwin. Xavier Cugat.' Judith Evans. ■ CJeorgia Gibb.i. Mrs. Saipuel Goldwyn. Joe Hazbn. r C. P. (Pete) Jaeger. Dore Schary. Robert Wolff. Wednesday, June 12, 1945 nCTIJIIBS INDIE STAGE SHORTAGE EASES MPTOA Takes Neutral Stand on ATA, Votes to Seek Checking Reforms Cplumbiis, Miss,, June 11. Suggestive of a neutral stand so. far as the American Theatres Ass'n is concerned was the resolution passed this afternoon (Tuesday) by the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America board, that "it will co- operate with any organization in the industry for the purpose of discuss- ing and acting upon problems and questions relating to the welfare of the business." Board voted to go along on bne-coUection in theatres yearly, however. Finding dissatisfaction with the present checking system particu- larly use of local checkers, MPTOA board decided to appoint^ commit- tee of three to meet with sales heads in an effort to formulate a mutually satisfactory checking system. For the first time the MPTOA will appoint . a paid general secretary to handle, executive duties relating to the organization. Any planned move to scuttle the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America and merge it with the American Theatre Assn. apparently was nipped in bud as MPTOA direc- iors yesterday (10) met with presi- dent Ed Kuykendall and laid plans for a stronger organization. Meeting -was held here because of inability of Kuykendall to travel on account of his health. AU discussions yester- day were referred to ^kecuUve com- mittee for action today, but any chance o( affiliation with ATA apr pears remote. Bob Wilby, of Wilby-Kincey cir- cuit, Atlanta, was the sole champion at ATA, but his remarks were made as an observer and not as an MPTOA representative. Because of ATA's •policy 6t steering clear of trade practices, consensus was that any (Continued on page 18) Metro Stalling Eng. Prod. Until Return Of Amalgamated Studios Metro is currently holding up plans for production in England, pending release of its Amalgamated Studios in London by the British government, according to 3. Robert Rubin, Metro veepee. Acuta short age of equipment in England is also ' stymieing ' any immediate plans for production, Rubin said. Ben Goetz, managing directgr of Metro's British production setup, re cently returned to London following a series of confabs with company execs both : at the h.o. and on the Coast. Definite plans will wait un til Goetz has had an opportunity to survey the situation in liglit of the huddles in this country and make his report to the h.o., according to Bubin. Possibility exists that Metro might decide to build a new studio in Eng- land to hypo its production there. Any such plans, of course, must await the availability of building materials, as well as studio equip- ment. Goetz is expected also to survey possible building sites and report on the feasibility of building ai this time. Sam Eckman, Jr., Metro exec in England, meanwhile, arrived in N. Y. yesterday (Tuesday) from his Coast vacalipn. He's slated to return to England in two weeks, following a series of confabs with h.o. execs. Romberg's 'Sunny River' Pic and Foster Musical Hollywood, June 11. Sigmund Romberg will write an entire new score for "Sunny River," Technicolor musical to be produced by Jack H. Skirball and Bruce Man- ning for Universal. Oscar Hammer- stein, 2d, who collaborated with Romberg on the original legit (flop) musical many years, ago, will arrive on the Coast from Australia in about two weeks to Awork with Romberg on the film's musical numbers. Romberg is also, planning a new stage musical with Herbert and Dor- othy Fields for next November. Subject will be a modern romantic story and aimed at U's operatic so- prano, Susanna Foster, for the lead. E-LEannarks $imOOOFor StudiaRevamp Hollywood, June 11. A million dollars have been al- located to revamp the old PRC stu- dio, now under control of Eagle- Lion, with a program of new con- struction designed to turn out a minimum of six features before the end of 1946 under general super- vision of Bryan Foy. A $100,000 facelifting operation was started last week while the stu- dio was bereft of production troupes, but that turned out to be only a start, in the general rehabilitation program. The new idea includes the purchase of new equipment and the modernization of the old plant to meet the demands of postwar production on an international scale. Reconversion program will be car- ried out, as soon as materials are available, under supervision of James T. Vaughn, studio production manager. ■ RENtllLS OPEN IIT Mayei Hollywood, June 11. Indie producer stage space situa- tion is easing up, despite fact that tour former rental studios virtually are no longer open to lessees. Other lots have thrown open their facili- ties to the indies; with the result that within the past two weeks nine commitments have been inked for space, with others expected to fol- low momentarily. Edward Small is latest to make ar- rangements, setting deal with Hal Roach'' for stages beginning iii Au- gust. Small for number of years has occupied , space at RKO-Pathe, but due td increase in RKO's usage of studio, plus David O. Selznick's heavier occupation, here, United Ar- tists producer had to look elsewhere. He partially solved this problem by making deal with International for "Bella Donna," and another with Co- lumbia for "The Return of Monte Cristo." Last week, too, saw Pine-Thomas move their base of operation from Eagle-Lion studios, where they had functioned since entering produc- tion field, to new Nassour studios. They will continue shboting on E-L lot for two more pictures, but fol- lowing windiip of second in August all product thereafter will be filmed at Nassour. Growing Firm Nassour is likely to become oiie of top rental studios of the future. Five stages are currently in con- struction, and Edward Nassour, own- er and operator of studio, is merely waiting until work has progressed a little farther before accepting at least half a dozen indie deals. Andrew Stone last week, also, switched from General Service stu- dios to Roach lot, which will be his new home after .more than four years it GS. He is due to put his new Eddie Bracken starrer, tenta- (Continued on page 6). Bogart's One-Day Sitdown Hollywood, June 11, . One-day one-man sitdown strike at Columbia was won by Humphrey Bogart, who refused to start work in "Dead Reckoning" until he knew what gal was going to be his co-star. Problern was solved when Colum- bia annpunced that Lizbeth Scott had been borrowed from Hal Wallis. CDKOE HIT BY FLU Hollywood, June 11. . George Cukor collapsed on the Metro set of the Greer Garson star- rer, "Sacred and Profane," and Vic- tor Seville stepped in as a pinch hitter. Cukor, ailing with flu, will resume when he recovers. HLM TERMS 'TOO STIFF/ BERNHARDT BIOG OFF Hollywood, June 11. Lysiane Bernhardt has gone back to Paris without closing a deal for film rights to the life story of her grandmother, Sarah Bernhardt. American film companies thought the terms were too stiff. Meanwhile, Leo Morrison, agent, is still negotiating with major lots for the filming of the French star's biography. Fitzgerald Back to Ireland Dublin, June 4. Back in Ireland for the first time in almost 10 years Barry Fitzgerald, who left Dublin's Abbey Theatre for Hollywood, said "they have, me played put in Hollywood; I'm going to have a good long rest." His vacation in Dublin likely will last three months. He returns to Hollywood for 'Rip Van Winkle' and to co-star with Bing Crosby in "Welcome Stranger." Abbey player says he will not break his holiday to appear in his old theatre — now .closed for one- month break. Rita's Rio Vacash Hollywood, June 11. Rita Hayworth, fulfilling a long desire, is set to take a two-month vacation in Rio de Janeiro. She'll leave from New York shortly before Labor Day. Star is currently working opposite Larry Parks in Columbia's "Down to Earth," Technicolor musical' being produced by Don Hartman. Another lOOG From M-G To Keep 'Hucksters' From Legit Prod. 1st Extra $100,000 which Metro last week handed Frederic Wakeman for screen rights to his best-seller, "The Hucksters," brings total price on the novel about the radio advertising business to $300,000 — a modern-day record for film rights to a book. Gimmick which gave Wakeman the extra lOOG was a stipulation in the orginal contract with Metro that he had the right, within 18 months, to stage a legit version of his book. Metro — possibly in a reflection of its recently-announced aversion to legit in general — bought out Wake- man's play privileges. Original pact, reported to be a seven-year leasing arrangement, is not that. It calls of payment of the $200,000 purchase in seven equal yearly installments. At the end of seven years, under the terms, M-G may acquire permanent rights by payment of $2,500. Cooper 's, Hedy's Flu Halt Respectiye Fix Hollywood, June 11. "Cloak and Dagger" and "Dishon- ored Lady" have iemporarily shut- tered due to illnesses of respective stars Gary Cooper and Hedy LaMarr. The United States, production at Warners won't resume for a week because Cooper is out with intestinal flu. Hupt- Stromberg's film was blackcd-out last Friday (7) when the actress came down with same plaint as Cooper'Si ;r Reaffirms M-G s Policy of Not 'Selling Shares' for Talent or Scripts Macgowan Ankles Par To Don Cap and Gowii Hollywood, June 11. Kenneth Macgowan, currently winding up his.producer contract at Paramount, is abandoning film pro- duction to become professor of the- atre arts at the .Los Angeles branch of the University of (California. Ap- pointment, announced by prexy Robert Gordon Sproul, goes into ef- fect Sept. 1. ■ Macgowan will head a faculty group in the formation of an en- larged curriculum of courses in mo- tion pictures, both entertainment and educational; radio, television and legit. Peck, Massey Sought By Rank for Boers Story Hollywood, June 11. Gregory Peck . and Raymond Massey are getting a pitch from J. Arthur Rank for top roles in "The Turning Wheel," story concerning the Boers of South Africa, which Rank has purchased for $75,000. Plan is to rnake film in South Africa, in Technicolor, starling 1947. Jobston toPut Stress on Code At Coast Meet Washington, June 11. Studios are going to get it hot and heavy on observing the letter ^and spirit of the motion picture code when Eric Johnston addresses the big industry dinner in Hollywood June 19. Johnston will lay down the law when he speaks at the affair before about 250 toppers, including presi- dents of all the major companies, studio executives, indie producers,' etc. Johnston feels that the code is strong enough as it stands now, and needs only proper enforcement to bring about the desired results. The MPA prexy, who flew to the Coast Saturday with Joyce . O'Hara, his aide, will spend most of his time, there' trying to work out a formula for the contract negotia- tions with the studio unions. He ex- pects to be back in Washington some time in July and will probably go to Europe in September. Film industry chiefs, representing the studios and the home olTices, will hold a series of meetings here, start- - ing June 17, to discuss postwar prob- lems of the motion picture business, including future trends in "produc- tion and distribution and labor and economic conditions. Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Assn., will preside over three days of discussions, climaxed by a dinner to be hosted by Louis B. Mayer June 19 at the Beverly Hills hotel. Execs coming in from the east In- clude Barney Balaban, Paramount prexy, accompanied by George Weltner, ' Charles . Reagan, David Rose, Claude Lee and Russel Hol- mah; Nicholas M, Schenck, prexy of Loew's and Metro; Spyros Skouras, head of 20lh-Fox, and Nate Blum- berg, chief of Universal, lihe last mentioned will stay in Hollywood for the summer. Company presi- dents currently in town and ready to attend the meetings are Harry War- ner, Warner Bros.; N. Peter Rathvon, RKO, and Harry Cohn, Colurribia. Independent producers preparing to enter the discussions are Hal Wal- lis, Cecil B. deMille, Hunt Strom- berg, William Cagney, Samuel (jold- wyn and Walt Disney. Scribs Win Selznick Agency Suit Decish Los Angeles, June 11. ■ Suit filed by the Myron Selznick agency against two writers, Dwight Mitchell Wiley and William Bowers, was won by the scripters in a deci- sion handed down by Judge Roy V. Rhodes in Siiperior Court. Court ruled that during the days of the attempted reorganization, of the agency it was in no position to serve the clients and that the writers were well within their legal and moral rights in leaving the agency and signing with Harold Rose, who handled them as a Selznick sub agent. Louis B. Mayer has reaffirmed to M-G execs the policy he set for the company that it will not "sell shares" in Metro via deals by which writers, producers, directors and players par- ticipate in profits of individual pic- tures. Mayer's aversion to"profil- sharing" was one of the major rea- sons, it has been learned, for the studio topper's decision a few weeks- ago to abolish the play department Growing practice of film compa- nies' offering a percentage of a pic- ture's net to attract top properties and talent is felt by Mayer to be entirely unnecessary for a company of Metro's standing. He figures that with the company's list of marquee names and enough story properties in its files lo keep it going for years without buying another, M-G doesn't have to "give away' the company" to continue turning out top product. Edict on profit-sharing will apply to best-selling books as well as to plays. Mayer has let it be known that he has no objection to legiters, per se, but is displeased about the present practice of other companies offering participation deals, which he figures would push Metro into the same, habit if it wanted to compete. No % Strings On the other hand, Mayer has In- dicated to producers and story execi in New York that he's willing to spend any amount within reason for ; either a play or a book— but jt must be a straight deal with hp per- centage strings attached. If a par- ticular Broadway hit is felt by studio heads to be a strong bet for a pic- ture and is wanted by a producer or star, Mayer has let it be known he has no objection whatsoever to (Continued on page 22) Mary Quite Contrary To Goldwyn Bulletin On Studio Ownerskip Hollywood, June 11. ' Late bulletins on the battle for control of the old celluloid rancho on Santa Monica blvd., across the street from the gas house, are as follows: Sam Goldwyn says he owns 60% of the Jand. Mary Pickford says she owns 50 1/10%. Goldwyn recently made a state- ment that he had acquired an even half ownership of < the terrain through a deal with Lady Sylvia Stanley, widow of Douglas Fair- banl(s. Sr., which gave him "full control of 50% of the property." Miss Pickford came' back with ■ communique as. follows: "I am certain that Mr. Goldwyn did not intentionally mean to be in- accurate, because as a matter of record I own 50 1/10% of the prop- erty!" The lot, once known as the United Artists Studio, was owned jointly by. Miss Pickford and the elder Fair- banks. When the actor died,- he left his estate in 40 parts, of which 20 went to his wife, the present Lady Stanley. Twelve parts went to Doug- las, Jr., and eight parts to relatives, including a brother and a half- brother, Norris Wilcox. Goldwyn, several years ago, ac- quired the 12 shares owned by Doug- las, Jr., and those owned by the brpther and other relatives, but Miss Pickford had meanwhile bought the Wilcox share, to add to her original half-ownership. That is' what MLss Pickford says, and everybody around Hollywood knows' that she'.s no slouch when it comes to business. Claims Winnie Sheeban Owes 20tb-Fox $13,200 Hollywood, June 11. Twentieth-Fox filed suit against the Bank of America Monday (10) seeking $13,200 from the estate of Winfleld P. Sheehan. Bank, which is. being sued as executor of estate, is asked for money on 10 promissory notes as- sertedly executed by Sheehan be- tween 1944 and 1945. Faithful In My Fashion Melio Mlctec of Lionel lloueer piwluctlon. KtHit Doniiu Heed. Tom Dr»k<; f»iituiv» K. K. Horton, SprlDK I» 'ng'«n. S f Kun.m . llmiy Dnvejiport. Wllllnm Phi"!}""' > "■• Kiirei Huinlllon. Hobivrl C^vaMUKM, Wurn- Orlglm.l KCMenplay. Lionel Housci : x«iiici-i>. Ch'rlcM Sjili-ino. Jr.; e.llior; Irvine « . i- .,V on; sc.*. .SMhimlel Shllkrcl Tir.. .■■ ,huwn X. Y.. Mny •-■7, 'in. HunnInK llil.f. ^^K^K^orick —•■'^r',;?:;;' Till the End •! Time )ll<0 rele;.«« oi uire ."(chury producilon. .ShuK Curalliy Sli-auliv. Guy MaillHin, JJolj- r I .Milchun.; Hill William.: reolur." Ion. ■lulh , WlUUtm Gurgan. Jean Porter, Johnny S;in. K Loren TIn.lall. «ulh Neleon. Selena toyle Harry Von Zell. Dlrerlod by Kil- vm I Un.ylryk. ^S«reenplHy, Allen Klvkln „M -.,..vcl Ky .NIven B.i«-I.: r|....ern. HurrA- Wil.l; fdlCT. ll»rry Gersljul; nssr (llreiiur, Hul>y riniienberK; ll:irline. l'r'vie«;"I^N"- V.. UonnliiK lime. '"'^ 8<-(tre. J-rlKh June 10. WU. l.sl Bnrlly. MIhh ApplCb'lllr. . Mr. Wllwin WiiUei .\W MkniHl Mr. Stuli- :jn(l Uiirny Ilnrry Duviniiv.i ..Win. -11111" l'lir.ru:» . ..Margnret Hanllllun Hnbnrt Ouv.iiuiuKh . ...Warner .Vnueisnii .Connie UllilirM . . ; . .Kretl' Ev!»lrr '".v. WIlBon W-iiil .Jack Oieiniiiii l»iil uu><'. her usual charm and elfin appeal, does a bahgup job as the war widow. She does manage to get across the sense of loss which blocks hier return to normal emotional responses. Her bff- again-on-again amorous entangle- rnents vvilh Madison are a little hard to take at times but here the script errs and not the actress. When Mad- ison sees the light and decides to stick it out rather than seek an im- possible Shangri-La, their cure is mutual. Robert Mitchum does well with the lesser role, of a buddy .«;ufferihg from a head injury. Actor lends the right touch of hard-i:ored grufliiess as he flght.llni-:cd l>y Wil- iiah) .Heaudlhe.. .'^i-i'eenplay. Jarh Townley and John K. Hutler: baar.d on uriKlnul story ■by' Dennis Murray; -i;:iiiirr'a.. John Alton; editor, VVIIIiom P. Tholnpsti.n; rnngf. Don. Kayeand ilughle l'rln,-e. .lolin I'eiilH, Billy Meyera and Elmer Schn^liet. Jack Law- rence; nrrhesli'Hl 'arrniigenienls. Dale l-ititla: music ilireclor. Morton Scull. I'reviewpd at KfA studios, llnllywoodi June .T, W. llunninK ilMie. m .MI.S'8. "Crime of the Century " has an at- tractive title but otherwise shapes up as a below-par melodrama. .Produc- tion values are unusually solid tor a low-budgcter but by ihemsclvcs can't surmount the weak plot structure. Over-close scissor- work, inorcover, has hickcti whatever story content there was to begin with, causing the film to unreel at stich^ a breakneck speed that essential details were either omitted or left dtmgUng. Col- lection of marquee unknowns add little to the overall quality and .slot this film as bottom-end program fare. Yarn is concerned with the ma- chinations of an industrial tycoon who attempts to suppress the news of his associate's death , for a few days in 'order to fix a board of direc- tors', election; When a newshound sniffs out the corpse, he's put out of the way by a kidnapping. The repor- ter's brother gets on the trail and en route falls in love with a femine fa- tale who's working for' the tycoon. Crime is un.snarled by the dead man's daughter who leads the brother to the corpus delicti. Picture contains one macabre sequence in v.hich the dead nrlan i!!. shown lying in a bath- ub encased up to his neck in ice cubes. ^ Michael Browne, as the :eporters brother, tries to dress up the part with a tough-guy style but the nian nerisms are too broadly conveyed to be convincing. Stephanie Baclielpr, playing the dangeroti:i lady, gets over a sultry air in credible fashion, while Paul Stanton, as the. masnale, and Martin Kosleck. as his aide, do their chores with custoinaiy polish C'oloruilo .ScronMile (50NGS— OOI.OK) ■PRP release- of Ht»l'Hi( Kiiiiiii-li .T:uw,'y prudtu-tioo. illrcfletl by 't';,ii...cy. .^lar:* Kmlic l>ean; fe;ilures l>iicid Sluiri.ie. Itos'coe Ales. Original M-reenplay. . Kraocea KaviiiiaoKh; songs. Rddic neon. H. 1 Armstrong, tTsrle Ihiellp; <:olor), Itoliei t Shacki'Ifoi-d Winn. Tradesliowii .\. Y. Running time. »M MINS. Bddle .Vevnilu Soupy .' Sherry Judge Hilton Duke Lola........ Dad Dillon W f *lliV'l fOiilera I'llluir: -June Sam (t^ine- Ihigh :, '40, .Mr. TrlniMr. fol. niaki-. RIngo. ; . . . Kddie Dran ..lJ:icid Shorite ...Itosi-iH- Ales , . .M:ii y Kenyiin . l''OM-e.sl Tayhii .'.Deoois .Mi:or .^IVKall Ael Taylor. . . Helen PIckeii... Jimmy ('nrtls. .. Oils Piper Charlie Plikelt. Mayor 'reeide. . . A I Pearce .I'lnkv l.ee Jerome Cuwon . . . ..Siifmp .Howard . . . .. . Arlt'Oe 'Harris '.Mary Trcrh . . I.io-ra'ine Krueger .Xhinry Dexter ..Will Wright Arthur Lott ...... .Chester Clute l,4»ver €ome Baeli lJnl\-ers;,l release of Howard Benedict pro- duclion. Siara George Brent, Liicllle Ball, Vera '/.oriim: feoturea t^harles Winninger, (':iil Ksm'ond. Raymond- Walburnc Dli-ecl- «d by William A. Seller. Origlhal screen- play. .Michael Fe^Fler and Krnest Pagano: camera. Joseph Valehtlne; editor.' Rny Sny- der: score, liana J. Sailer. -Tradesh'nwn N. v.. lune III. '4H. Running time. M SIINtl. Kill (Kreneh). Dispii release of Brrvin Films iirtMinclloii; dli-i'i-led by Daniel .N'orniun; hiais -llf-i;0:ii-d Jlller; features Jules Hcrry. Alme I'larione. Ales- .indre RIgnaull. Yvt.lle Lebtin. Iliiliy. An- d)-cu: story and dialog by Daniel N'oriran; camera,- Tnpbi-kiifr. Reviewed' In f'arls. Itiinning time. HH .^llN'S. "Tempo, diretlion. pholo'griiphy. an.tl sound are above the averafx of re- cent French pix.. Bernard Blicr,. In his. first starring role, is -the legit actor currently - in "Aupres dc. rha Blonde" here. His characterization of the insurance clerk iinwittjngl.v' corhpelled to become a tool of jewel thieves provides many gags. Com- edy stems mostly from funny dialog which would lose much in transla- tion. For French patronage, it looks •big; for ■V. S., lukewarm except in arty spots. Moxi. acting as chairmen to give . courses and to bring in guest instructors weekly. Legit subjects will include acting,, directing, managenicnt and production problems, publicity, voice and diction, makeup, play analy.sis,. playwriting, stage and costume de-; sign, and a theatre .symposium. Donald. Qenslager and Charles Elson - will chairman and teach de- sign; Kermit Bloomgarden and James Reilly will head up theatrical production; Sol Jacbbson, publicity problems; Jean Rosenthal, produc; tidn problems; Johri Ge.ssner, play analysis; .. Robert Anderson, play- wrighting; Edgar Stehll and - Eddie Sens, makeup.: Margaret Webster will start off the theatre symposium, with Brock Pembertpn discussing production, Agnes DeMille and Jerome Robbins the dance, etc. Above list is a partial one, with other names to be heard from. Six subjects will be offered in ra- dip, with Earl McGill handling pio- diictioh; Elwobd HbWman, ; writing; Teti Cott, station operation and map- agement; Luis Van Rootcn, dialect.s end various instructors on actinit' Summer term will be followed by more expanded courses in fall and winter, with terms repealctl every eight weeks. Winston O'kecfe is exec director of the Wing's vets project, with Mary Hunter, director, in charge of course planning, Byron McKenney acting as vets' adviser. Registration begins Juljr 1. > Wednesday, Jane 12, 1946 PICTURES SALES PINCH HITS DISTRIBS 'Bella Donna May Precede 'Mirror As UWFs First Release Xmas Week United World Pictures is now def- ♦ initely set to put Its initial release in ' theatres Christmas week. First pic was originally sked^ed to be "The bark Mirror," with Olivia DeHavil- land and Lew Ayres, which is al- ready in the cans. However, there's now a strong possibility that first will be "Bella Donna," with Merle Ob- eron, George Brent, Charles Korvin and Paul Lukas. "Bella Donna" title Is likely to be switched before release. Pic is now being shot, having been acquired by International, UWP producing affil- iate, from Edward Smiall. Enthusi- asm of UWP execs for the story and cast is responsible for the possible decision to shift initial release from "Mirror," which is likewise an In- ternational production. Plan is to make the second release a British picture and then alternate with one U. S. and one British. Lat- ter is product of J. Arthur Rank stu- dios, which share with Universal, a half-interest in UWP. William J. Heineman, UWP sales chief, is planning to put his eastern and western division manSigers on the payroll Sept. 1, his district man- agers on Oct. 1 and his salesmen on Nov. 15. With the tight construction situation making it impossible to erect the combination Universal- UWP exchange buildings that are eventually planned, Heineman is in- tending to set up in whatever space U can make available in its branches, such as converted poster or shipping room areas. Only in. St. Louis, Bos- ton and Indianapolis has U been able to obtain permission to do the com- plete remodeling job that is desired. Sph Lucky Strike's Big Ad large Puts Brake On Chesterfield's Pic Lucky Strike cigs' launching of a •major $4,300,000 newspaper advertis- ing campaign on June 17, has raised the stop-look-listen flag at . the ad agencies for the other tobacco com- : panics. Latter are viewing with considerable interest the possible re- sults of Lucky Strike's summer ad splurge, and one company, Chester- .flelds, has tabled plans for produc- ing another fllm on the style of its pre-war feature, "Tobacco Land," until the new competitive aspects are clarified. Lucky Strike's campaign, handled by Foote, Cone & Bclding, will ex- tend for 10 weeks and will hit every English daily newspaper in the coun- try with twice-weekly spreads. Campaign, which will feature the. "Lucky Strike Means Fin^ Tobacco" slogan, is to begin in the eastern dailies during the week of June 17 and ^ill travel cross-country into the midwest and Coast dailies in the following weeks. Simultaneous coast-to-coast launching was pre- vented by the acute newsprint short- age in the west. What If It's a Boy? Hollywood, June 11. Jerry Wald's success in mak- ing the top-grossing "Mildred Pierce" for. Warner Bros., with Joan Crawford's comebadc ap- pearance in the pic getting her an Academy Oscar, has him tell- ing friends that the baby his wife's expecting in the fall will be tagged "Mildred Joan." With good reports on his cur- rent production, "Humoresque," also starring Miss Crawford, his. pals are asking Wald if he's planning another baby to honor that film? . And how far can this thing can go? Dual Features StiD Fans Faves Homeoff ices Seen In Stiff Moves Vs. SPG Stifl opposition of film homeoffices is expected to demands of the Screen Publicists Guild, New York, when negotiating sessions are started. Thus far no date, has been set but, meantime, publicity-adver- tising heads are niuUing the mat- ter. C. J. (Pat) ScoUard, executive assistant to Charles M. Reagan, v.p. over sales for Paramount, will rep resent the film companies in the negotiations, SPG is demanding a minimum of $100 and an increase in scales of 30% plus increases in severance pay up to a total of $2,000 for 20 years of service.' The old SPG contract ran out last May '4, so that any new deal would be retroactive to that date. SPG wants a one rather than a two- . y^ar contract. Impatient over stalling on negotia- tions by the film companies, SPG Monday night (10) sent telegrams to each, signed by Roger Lewis; of 20th- Fox's advertising department, nsk- •ng for an immediate industry-wide meeting to negotiate a new contract," Most elements of the film, industry were frankly skeptical last week on results of a poll announced by Women's Home Companion showing that 79% of readers surveyed pre- ferred single features to duals, 18% preferred double bills and 3% didn't care. Overwhelming percentage in favor of the singles had a gimmick in it somewhere r/as. the general agreement as the issue of single vs. double bills, which has been more or less dormant in the past fiew years, again came to the fore in intra-in- dustry conversation. As usual, say those most familiar with film b.o. tastes, the public talks singles— but buys doubles. Invari- ably, questionnaires will reveal one feature ■ is preferred to two, but when it actually comes to shoving' those coins across the b.o. sill, Johnny Public and his bride show it is tite duals that get them. Lots of experiments on the double- feature issue were tried a few. years back and the results were almost always the same. One of the most noble of the experiments was at the Ziegfeid, N. Y., when Loew's at- tempted to replace duals with cream of feature releases quickly after first run. . Scheme flopped miserably, despite even a neighborhood clien- tele, that was figured a pushover for singles. Snobbishness is believed to be one of the reasons why the polls always show preference for one feature. Most people apparently have ah idea that it isn't smart to admit they like duals. They think it puts them in the same category as the guy who turns to the comics first in his newspaper. And just as he tells the Galluppers that it's the editorial page he's really turning to, so the average theatre patron thinks the thing to say is that double bills ai'e poison — if he wants to look like a reasonably sophisticated cit- izen. As for the b.o. fizz of singles after the public has been educated to duals, theatre men figure the reason is that patrons who prefer twin-bills won't go to a single-fea- ture house, while customers who like the one-picture idea will go to a dual house and try to time their ar- i-ivai to catch the picture they want —aside from the fact that they frequently then decide to sit through the second feature anyway. TOP EXECS WRITE 01 DEAL Enterprise productions' announce- ment last week that- it is seek- ing a salesmanager to supervise handling of. its product under the new Universal pact is typical of the reasons major cofnpanies are suffering a shortage of top- grade sales personnel. It's a shortage that not only is being felt in efforts of the big distribs to retain their homeoff ice executive help and divi- sion managers, but goes right through the ranks of district and branch managers and all the way down to student salesmen. With a large number of present branch managers and sialesmeri get- ting to be vets of such vintage that they'll be starting to think of re- tirement in a few years, the general shortage of sales help that faces the industry is likely to get worse rather than better if current conditions per- sist. That's why top - distrib execs feel that the problems of rebuilding their ranks is one of the most im- portant the industry faces at the moment. Enterprise's plan to have its own salesmanager is putting it right in competition with Eagle-Lion, which is likew,ise seeking a man for such a post and has made offers to a number of major company execs, but without success. Likewise, Eagle- Lion arid United World Pictures are both seeking sales help on all levels, which is sure to be a severe dirain on major company staffs that have already badly felt the recent build- ing up of staffs by David O. Selz- nick, Samuel Goldwyn, International and other indie companies. When Goldwyn goes ahead with his plan for his own distributing company, there will be still greater raids ar(8 competition for execs. Top Manpower Shifts Defections from major company sales forces in the past few years of such, men as Bill Heineman, Neil Agnew, Arthur Sachso'n, Harry Gold, and a flock of others have left holes (Continued on page 21) Joe Hazen West to Huddle Hal Wallis This Weekend Joseph H. Hazen. president of Hal Wallis Productions, plans leaving for the Coast either Saturday (15) or Sunday (1^6) to huddle with Wal- lis on production plans , and , other matters. Next Wallis release through Para- mount, "Strange Love of Martha. Ivers" will have its world premiere tomorrow (Thursday ) at the Carlton in London. Lizabeth ScOlt, star of picture, who will attend the open- ing there, flew out of New' York Monday afternoon (10)^ "Ivers" has its American' opening at the Para- mount, N. v., July 24.' United Newsreel Fold Puts Overseas Areas Back in Private Biz After six months of operation at a cost of $100,000 for the film indus- try, the United Newsreel is folding its distribution service abroad with the June 18 issue. United,, a com- bine of the five ma]of'|xewsreel pro- ducers in this country, was func- tioning as an . interim project to bridge the gap between OWI's over- seas newsreels and the resumption of commercial operation in foreign areas by RKO-Pathe, Universal Newsreel, Fox Movietone, Paria- mount News and M-G News of the Day. In countries where English lan- guage versions are not adequate, the Motion Picture Export Assn. will continue to distribute foreign lan- guage versions of the U. S. com- pany's clips. In Gerrhany, Japan, and Korea, military authorities will secure footage from the five news- reels for editing and showing in the occupied areas. Paris is being restored as hub of continental activity for newsreels distributed in the Near East and o.ther French-speaking regions. Lo- .cal production has already begun in Greece, and Italy is turning out an Italian-language reel for the Conti- nent and for some areas in Africa and the Near East. Production of a Chinese reel is being determined by John Begg, in charge of film ac- tivities for the State Dept. At a meeting last Friday (7) of the five newsreel editors, Michael D. Cloflne of News of the Day, .was elected chairman of the newsreel committee of the Motion . Picture Assn. During the war, newsreels functioned as a division of the War Activities Committee. DEANNA SURBIN'S NEXT Hollywood, June 11. Deanna Durbin's next Universal starrer, . "I'll Be Yours;" will be directed by William Scitcr. Felix Jackson will produce, start- ing late in July or early in August Rank-U (Enterprise) Setup Looms As Tops in Industry; U to 'Big 5' Class Ent's 16-20 for U Pact . entered into between Universal and Enterprise last week, is for a minimum of three years. Agreement calls for a mini* mum of 16 pictures and a maxi- mum of 20 during the period. Russia Eclipsing U.S. on Fix in Reich American film companies are be- ing left at the post in Germany with Russia racing down a straightway field in utilizing pix as a propaganda medium for their political philoso- phy. So says Frederc Ullman, Jr., prez of RKO Pathe, just returned from a five- week trip through Eng- land, France and Germany. While overseas, Ullman completed deals with the independently .owned Pathe companies of England and France for a worldwide newsreel network in which neutral areas are to be al- located among the three Pathe out- fits. Comparing American and Russian policy in the conquered territories, Ullman declared that U. S. military authorities have been assisting .a private German organization in get- ting out a weekly newsreel; but the company is under-financed, under- equipped and under-staffed with the result that America is taking respon- sibility for a "miserable attempt to piit out a newsreel with, a demo- cratic viewpoint." Russia, on the other hand, is producing a reel in Germany that is on par with the best shown in this country. As for feature films, Ullman stated that nothing but old American product was being screened and their con- tent had no relation whatsoever to the problem of reviving the beaten and desolated German people with a democratic spirit. Commenting upon France, Ullman said that country was rapidly re- covering from the exhaustion and devostation of the war. Despite con- trary reports, Ullman said that gov- ernmental interference in the film industry was on the wane with- the official newsreel company, France Actualites s'cheduled to fold around the first of next year. The RKO exec maintained that there was lit- tle chance for passage of the bill in- troduced last month in the Chamber of Deputies by Gaston Deferre, un- der-seeretary in the Ministry of In- formation^or the confiscation of a large se;c£or of France's film indus- try. The Socialists and the Mode- rate Republican Party won't go for it, he said. Ullman disclosed plans for over- seas production in the hear future of RKO Pathe's two-reel'er series, "This Is America," which goes un- der the title, "Today and Tomor- row," for European distribution. War Department Denies Withholding 'Atom' Pic Washington, June 11. War Department denies recent re- ports that it has withheld public release of the Signal Corps film, "The Atom Strikes", four-reeler made for Major General Leslie Groves, on ground the subject was too strong for the public to take. Department spokesman said "cer- tain legal restrictions not controlled by the Army'- prevented general distribution of what is. said to be the most forceful and most complete pictorial .record of the havoc wrought by the atom borhb on Hiro- shima, and Nagasaki. Army, accord- ing to the spokesman, turned over to the newsreels all the footage it controls on the bomb devastation. No details were given on what was meant by. "legal restrictions." Pic will be shown publicly at the first of the Government Film Work- ers evening screenings here tomor- row (12). With 3. Arthur Rank planning to push his theatre holdings from the present 1,280 to more than 2,000-^ including houses in vhe United States — and Universal's acquisition of En- terprise product last wee^, the U- Rank setup looms as the biggest in- ternational production-distributionr exhibition combine the industry has ever known. Universal itself, via aims of its affiliates *o obtain the U. S. houses, also jumps from the "Little Three" category domestically to a top spot among the "Big Five" — Metro, Paramount, Warner Bros., RKO and 20th-Fox. It portends a significant change in the. lineup of the U; S. industof. Through interlocking directorates and ownership, the combine now draws the product of Universal it- self, a flock of various Rank pro- duction subsids in England, the Spitz-Goetz International Pictures setup, the Loew-Einfeld Enterprise unit, the Walter Wanger and af-; filiated Diana setups, and the Bruce Manning-Jack Skirball, Mike Todd and Mark Hellinger indie organi- zations. In the field of distribution, more or less centrally controlled now. are U's own machinery, the parallel United World Pictures setup, and the British companies, General Film Distributors- and Eagle-Lion, In addition. Rank is tied up via a reciprocal international releasing ar- - rangement with American Eagle- Lion. Rank's theatre holdings now vir- tually circle the globe, although they are naturally more concentrated in Great Britain than elsewhere.. The plan in .the U. S. was originally for UWP to acquire control of houses where there were first-run booking problems, but greater expansion than that is now understood to be ' contemplated. Acquiring U S. thea- tres currently is admittedly no sim- ple problem, but the Rank-U com- bine will reportedly begin picking them up wherever possible in the near future. SOPEG $30 Minimom, 35-Hoar Week, 3-Wk. Vacation Sought Tonight A $10 raise, creating a minimum of $30 for the lowest of 27 different labor grades among whitecollarites working in New York homeoffices will be proposed at a membership meeting tonight (Wednesday) of the Screen Office & Professional Em- ployees Guild, CIO. A 35-hour week is sought, plus three weeks vacation after five years of service. Official schedule of demands, also covering 180 job classifications from messengers now getting $20 weekly, and lowest rung in clerical help, which receives $22 weekly, will be based upon voting of the members at tonight's meeting. The demands will be formally pre- sented to the film companies on June 15. Present contract expires July 27, Companies involved are RKO, Loew's, Paramount, Columbia, 20th- Fox, United Artists, Republic and National Screen Service. Warner Bros.' and Universal are . covered by AFL. whitecollar unions. Odium, Rathvon, Depinet, Others Reelected at RKO ■The present officers of RKO were reelected at the organizational meet- ing yesterday (Tues. ) of new board which had been named by the annual stockholders session last week at Wilmington, Del.' Floyd B. Odium was renamed chairman of the board, N. Peter Rathvon, president; Ned Depinet Was elected vrcc-chairmah of the board and executive veepee. Directorate also renamed Malcolm Kingsbprg, Gordon E. Youngman. and John M. Whitaker as. vice-presi- dents. Youngman is also general counsel. J. Miller Walker wa- re- elected secretary. Also re-elected were Garrett 'Van Wagner, comptrol- ler, and William H. Clark, treasurer. Among the assistant treasurers named is a new one, A. E. Roech. P^KlSSfr WedneMlay, June 12, 1946 BOYER ENNIFER HEfMAKE LOVE to Ernst Lubitsch' CLUNY BROWN from 20th Century CHARLES BpYBR . JBNNIPIR JONES in ERNST LUBITSCH'S Production of "CLUNY BROWN" with PETER LAWPORD > Helen Walker • Reginald Gardiner • Reginald Owen • Sir C. Aubrey Smith Richard Haydn r Margaret Bannerman • Sara Allgood • Ernest Cossart • Florence Bates • Una O'Connor f Produced and Directed by ERNST LUBITSCH • Screen Play by Samuel Hoffenstein ond Elizabeth Reinhardt t Based on the Novel by Margery Sharp 10 PICTURE GROSSES Wednesday, June 12, 1946 Outdoors Yen Sloughs L A. Albeit MS; Sturdy 53(1 2 Spots; 'Sisters OkeSSG in 5, 'Renegades' 21)1/26 in 3 Los Angeles, Tune 11. Fii'strun grosses are causing no sensation this week. Balmy weather end windup of school term both are figured holding theatre biz to aver- age levels in most theatres, although "O.S.S." looks very fine at $53,000 in two houses. "Two Sisters From Bos- ton" shapes fairly good $85,000 in five spoU. "Renegades" is barely okay with $26,500 in three locations. However, "The Outlaw" looks steady on its 10th frame in four houses at $28,500 or near. "This Day Forward" is okay $23,000 en second session in two operations. Third stanza of five days for "One More Tomorrow" appears steady $21.00u in three spots. Last five days of "Some- where in the Night" on its second week in four houses shapes up to so- so $23,000. Estimates lor This Week Belmont (FWO- (1,532; 50-$!)— "Two Sisters From Boston" (M-G). Good $10,000. House moves from neighborhood to deluxe flrst-run for .Metro product in a .four-house day- date string with this film. Beverly HIIU Music Hall (BUimen- feld-G&S) (824; 85-$l)— "Outlaw" t.UA) (10th wk). Steady $4,000 after $4,500 last week. Carthay Circle (FWC) (1.518; 50 $1)— "Do You Love Me" ^ "' wk-m.o.). Slow $4,000. Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week ....... . . .«634,000 (Based on 16 theatres) Total Gross Same Week Last Year .. ........ SMO.OOO (Based on 15 theatres) (20th) (2d Last week. $5,000. Chinese (Grauman-WC) (2,048; 50- $1)— "Somewhere in Night" (20th) and "Effingham's Raid" (20th) . (2d wk) (5 days). Just $7,500. Last week, average $13,400. ^ ■ Downtown (WB) (1,800; 50-$l)— "One More Tomorrow" (WB) (3d wk). Finales at $8,500 in 5 days. Last week, good $16,600. Downtown Music Hall iBlumen- leld) (872; 85-$1.20)— "Outlaw" (UA) (10th wk). Steady $15,500. Last week, stout $17,000. Egyptian (FWC) (1,538; 50-$i)— "Two Sisters" (M-G). Average $17,. 500. Last week, "Postman Rings Twice" (M-G) (4th wk), okay 300. Four Star (UA-WC) (900; 50-$l)— "Spiral . Staircase" (RKO) (m.o.). Good $5,500 in 8 days. I^st week, "Dark corner" (20th) (3d wk-4 days) (m.o.), good $2,400. Guild (FWC) (968; 50-$l)— "Rene gades" (Col) and "Talk About Lady" (Col). Fair $6,000. Last week. "Spi- ral Staircase" (HKO) (4th wk), nifty $6,000. Hawaii (G&S-BIumenfeld) (956 65-$! )— "Outlaw" (UA) (10th wk) Brisk $5,500. Last week, smooth $6,000. Hollywood (WB) (2,756; 50-$l)- "One More Tomorrow" (WB) (3d wk). Getting $6,500 in 5 days. Last week, healthy $14,300. Hollywood Moeic Hall (Blumen feld) (475; 85)— "Outlaw" (UA) (10th wk). Hitting $3,500. Last week, hefty $4,300. Loew Stat* (Loew-WC) (2,404; 50- $1)— "Somewhere in Night" (20th) and "Effingham's Raid" (20th) (2d wk-5 days). : Fair $10,500. Last week, below hopes at $23,200. Los Angeles (D'town-WC) (2,097; 50.$i)— "Two Sisters" (M-G). Solid $33,500. Last week, "Postman" (M-G) (4th wk), oke $20,400. Orpheum (D'town) (2,000; 65-85) —"Tugboat Annie" (Rep) and "Throw Saddle on Star" (Col) with vaude acts oh stage. Okay $20,000. Last week, "In Fast Company" (Mono) with Andy Russell on stage, socko $32,000. PanUges (Pan) (2,812; 50-$!)- "This Day Forward" (RKO) and "Man Alive" (RKO) (2d wk). Mod- est $11,500. Last week, average $19,100. Paramount (F&M) (3,398; 50-$l)— "O.S.S." (Par). Big $35,500. Last week, "Virginian" (Par) and "Tokyo Rose" (Par) (3d wk), nice $18,300. Paramount Hollywood (F&M) (1,- 451; .50-$l)— "O.S.S." (Par). , Hand- some $17,500. Last week, "Virgin- ian" (Par) (3d wk), bowed out with neat $10,300. RKO Hlllstreet (RKO) (2,890: 50- 80)—' This Day Forward" (RKO) and "Man Alive" (RKO) (2d wk); Off at $11,500. Last week, nice $20,100. Rltz (FWC) (1,370; 50-$l)— "Two Sisters" (M-G). Average $7,500. Last -week. "Postman" (M-G) (4th wk), oke $7,300 on blow-off. United Artists (UA-WC) (2.100; 50-$l)— "Renegades" (Col) and "Talk About Lady" (Col). (3ood $15,500. Last week, "Spiral Staircase" (RKO) (4th wk), hefty $10,500. Uptown (FWC) (1,790; 50-$l)— "Somewhere in Night" (20lh) and "Effingham's Raid" (20th) (2d wk). Just $5,000 in S days. Last week, good $9,900. Vogue (FWC) (885; 50-$l)— "Renegades" (Col) and "Talk About Lady" (Col). Neat $5,000. Last week, "Seventh Veil" (U) (5th wk- 4 days) (m.o.), eood $2,500. Wllshlre (FWC) (2:296; 50-$l)— "Two Sisters" (M-G). Average Pitt Biz Spotty But 'Kitty' Rousing $28,500; 'Comer' Droops to 6iG PitUburgh, June 11 Biz plenty spotty here, and latest alibi is that opening of eight-week summer opera season hurts. It gets about 8,000 nightly. Only one show- ing any strength at air among the new films is "Kitty" at the Penn. which is banging away lor a hold- over. Other first-run entries, 'Dark Corner" at Fulton and "Renegades at Harris, are just limping In. Sin- gle remainingi bright spot looks like second stanza of "Postman Rings Twice," at Stanley. Estimates for This Week Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 40-70)— Dark Corner" (20th). Will be lucky to slip over $6,500, very sad here. . Last week, "So Goes My Love" (U), also thin at $6,800. Harris (Harris) (2,200; 40-70)— "Renegades" (Col). Slow start and unlikely to go over $12,000, not too hot here. Last week, "Do You Love Me" (20th) (2d wk), good $11,000. penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 40-70)— Kitty" (Par). Only bright spot in town, solid $28,500. Should . hold. Last week, !'One More 'Tomorrow" (WB), $21,000, fair for holiday ses- sion. Blti (WB) (800; 40-70)— "Devo- tion" (WB) (m.o.) about par at $3,- 000. Last week. "Tomorrow Is Forever" (RKO ), okay $4,000. • Senator (Harris) (1,750; 40-70)— "Do You Love Me" (20th) (m.o.). Mild $3,506. Last week, "Gilda" (Col) (m.o.), exceptional $4,S0O for fourth week downtown. Stanley (WB) (3,800; 40-70)— "Postman Rings Twice" (M-G) (2d. wk). Rousing $19,000. Last week \)lazing $33,000. Warner (WB) (2,000; 40-70)— "One More Tomorrow" (WB) (m.o.) . fair $8,000. Last week, "Devotion" (WB) (m.o.), $7,000. CAVALLARO BOOSTS 'HOLIDAY' 44G, CLEYE. Cleveland, June 11. Carmen Cavallaro's band with "Perilous Holiday" caught on so quickly and is hitting such a fast pace that the Palace is sure of a smash session. Opening day and weekend biz was terrific. Nearly as hot is "Badman's Territory," which has been showing a flurry of two- gun action at the Hipp boxoffice and may rate a holdover. Second stanza of "Two Sisters From Boston" at State stood up well. Estimates for This Week Allen (RKO) (3,000; 44-65)— "One More Tomorrow". (WB) (m.o.). Cheerful $9,000. Last week, "Gilda" (Col) (5th wk), great $12,000. Hipp (Warners) (3,700; 44-65)— "Badman's Territory" (HKO ). Strong $21,000. Last week, "One More To- morrow" (WB), smart $19,500. Lake (Warners) (800; 44-65)— "Her Kind of Man" (WB) (m.o.). Okay $3,000. Last week, "Dark Corner" i20th) (2d wk), nice $3,600. Ohio (Loew's) (1,200; 44-65)— "In Old Sacramento" (Rep). Steady $6,- 600. Last week, "Kitty" (Par) (m.o.), big $8,500 on third downtown sesh. PaUce (RKO) (3,700; 55-$1.10)— "Perilous Holiday" (Col) with Car- men Cavallaro orch on stage. One of year's sockiest vaudefllm combos here, earning raves and great $44,- 000. Last week, "Her Kind of Man" fWB) at lower scale, fairly good $15,000. State (Loew's) (3,450; 44-65)— "Two Sisters From Boston" (M-G). Second chapter of Jimmy Durante tune-show hypoed by comedian's p.a. for new super drugstore tie-up with Metro. Solid at $18,000 or dose after sock $30,000 opening week. Stillman (Loew's) (2,700; 44-65)— "Diary of Chambermaid" (UA). Nice $14,000. Last week, "Whistle Stop" (UA) (2d wk), hearty $9,000 Territory' Big $8,500, L'ville; 'Tomorrow' 9G Louisville, June 11. Hot weather which arrived sud- denly here this session is putting a crimp in biz at most downtown houses. One exception is the Strand, where "Badman's Territory." well exploited, with tie-ins with local ra- dio .station and giveaways of live ponies, is piling up strong figure. •One More Tomorrow" did okiiy in nine days at another small-scater, the Mary Anderson. Estimates for Tills Week ^ Brown (4th Ave.-Loew's) (fO-60) —"Kilty" (Par) (m.o.). Fair $4,500. Last j/vpek,: "Breakfast.in HoHy wood ^UA) and "Hoodlum Saint' (M-G) (m.o.), about same. ... Kentucky (Switow) (1,200; 30-40) -"Adventure" (M-G) and "Idea Girl" (U). Fairish $1,700. T..ost^week. "Road to Utopia" (Par) and "Shock • (20th), $1,600. ,^ Loew's State (Loew's) (3,300; 40- 60)— "Postman Rings Twice' (M-G) (Zd wk). In this case he didnt ring twice, h.o. stanza being only meagre $8,000 after last week's terrif $20,000. Mary Anderson (People's) (1,000; 40-60) — "One More Tomorrow (WB). Okay $9,000 on .9 days: Last week, "Her Kind of Man" (WB) (3d wk), $4,000 on 5 days. - National (Standard) (2,400; 40-60) -"River Gang" (U) plus Jack Gwynne magic show three days split with "Gold Mine In Sky" (Rep) and "Suii Valley Cyclone" (Rep). Nevv policy landing neat $6,000. Last week, "Mask of Diijon" (PRC) and "Devil Bat's Daughter" (PRC) split with "Spellbound" (UA) and "Swing Out, Sister" (U), moderate $4,000. Rlttlto (Fourth Avenue) (3,400; 40 60)— "Do You Love Me" (20th). Catching medium $12,000. Last week, .''Kitty" (Par), strong $17,000, and moveover. ' Strand (Fourth Avenue) (1,400; 40- 60)— "Badman's Territory" (RKO)^ This actioher well exploited and should grab big $8,900. May, hold. Last week, "House of Horrors" (U) and "Spider Woman Strikes Back (U), strong $7,000. Del Slips M But 'Day Stout 24G: Tostman' Forte 34a 'Gilda' 28G, 2d Wash. Hits Skids; 'Forward' 12G, 2d Key City Grosses Estimated Total Gron This Week . . , I2,714,e«0 (Based on 21 cttie.s 177 thea- tres, chie/Iy /irst runs. Including N. Y.) Total Gross Same Week Last Keaf .12,M5,M» (Based on 24 cities, 191 theatres) $16,500. Last week, "Spiral Stair- case" (RKO) •(4th wk), sharp $7,500. Wlltern (WB) (2.300; 50-$l)— "One More Tomorrow" (WB) (3d wk). Only $6,000 in 5 days. Last week, fancy $14,500. Washington, June 11. With all six major mid-town houses playing either a holdover or a moveover. and the Ringling circus in town, the hottom fell out of biz on F Street this session. "Postman Rings Twice" at the Capitol, heads the parade with what would nor- mally be an excellent second week, but even this was below hopes after the terrific initial session. Others also slipped badly. Estimates for This Week Capitol (Loew) (3,434; 44-80)— "Postman Rings Twice" (M-G) with vaude (2d wk). Good $23,000 but competish cut it down. Last week, terrific $39,000. Columbia (Loew) (1,263; 44-70)— "Kitty" (Par) (m.o.). Okay 18,000. Last week, "Dragonwyck" (20th), $7,500. : Earle (WB) (2,154; 44-85)— "One More Tomorrow" (WB) (2d wk-4 days) and "GUda" (Col), 3 days Nice $20,500. Last week, below average $19,500 for "Tomorrow.' Keith's (RKO) (1,838; 44-80)— "This Day Forward" (RKO) (2d wk). Slipped to $12,000 after solid $17,500 opener. Metropolitan (WB) (1.503; 44-70)— "Devotion" (WB) (m.o.). Only $7, sod. Last week, "Badman's Terri. tovy" (RKO), fancy $12,500. Palace (Loew) (2,370; 44-70)— "Do You Love Me" (20th) (2d wk). Just passable at $14,000 after fine $21,000 opener. 'Gilda' Terrif $10,000 Standout in Omaha Omaha, June 11 "Gilda" Is doing standout biz and will hit a terrific total. Others are not so hot, with "Bride Wore Boots," at the Paramount, and "Dark Corner," at Orpheum, only moderate, Estimates for This Week Brandeis' (RKO) (1,500; 16-G5)— "Gilda" (Col) arid "Game of Death' (RKO). Terrific $10,000. one of best ever at this spot. Last week. "Bad-: man's Territory" (RKO) and "Ding Dong Williams" (RKO), okay $6,800. Paramount (Tristates) (3,000; 16- 65)— "Bride Wore Boots" (Par). Not too hot at $10,500. Last week, "Kitty" (Par), smash $16,300. Orpheum (Tristates) (3,000; 16-65) —"Dark Corner" (20th) and "One Way to Love" (Col). Modest $10, 000. Last week, "Three Strangers" (WB) plus Chuck Foster, Dinning Sisters, others on stage, sock $23,200 near all-time top at 20-80c scale Omaha (Tristates) (2,000; 16-65)— "Kitty" (Par) (m.o.) and "Mysterious Intruder" (Col) (1st run). Light $7,500 or over. Last week, "Dragon wyck'' (20th) (m.o.) and "Gay Blades" (Rep) (1st run), $8,300. Stale (Goldberg) (865; 15-50)— "Ziegfeld Follies" (M-G). Fine $3, 500. . Last week, "Up Goes Maisie' (M-G) (3d run) and "Gay Cavaljer" (Mono) (1st run) $2,200. Frisco Nosedives But 'Man' Passable at 26G/ 'Outlaw' Huge 70G, H.O. San Francisco, June' 11. Biz is off, being partly blamed on baseball competish and season of year. Still outstanding is "The Out- law," which will hit $70,000 or near on second week at the United Artists, Esquire and Tlvoli. Jane Russell starrer made picture history on first week with colossal $88,000 at the same three spots. EitimatM tor This Week Fox (FWC) (2,651; 55-85)— "One More Tomorrow" (WB). Mediocre $24,000. Last week, "Bride Wore Boots" (Par), sharp $31,000. Golden Gate (RKO) (2.844; 60-35) —"Heartbeat" (RKO/ plus vaude headed by "Hhumba Revue'' with (3iro ftimac (2d wk). Slipped to $21.- O'OO. but still good. Last week, strong $36,000. Orpheum (Bliynenfeld) (1,207; 55- 86)— "Renegades" (Col) (2d wk). Off badly to $11,500. Last week, smart ^fe4,000i , . Faramonnt (FWC) (2,646; 65-85)— Bad Bascomb" (M-G) (2d wk). Down to $19,000, but okay. Last week, okay $27,000. St. Francis (FWC) (1,400; 55-85)— Kitty" (Far) l4th wk) (m.o.). Oke at $8,000. Last week, nice $10,500. State (F*C) (2,133; 55-85)— "Bride Wore Boots" (Par) (m.o.) (2d wk). Npt so good at $14,000. Last week, "No 'time for Comedy" (WB) (reissuel, $15,000. . , United ArtlsU (Blumenfeld) (1,207; 1-85) — ■'Outlaw" (UA) (2d wk). 55-L . Still terrific with $24,000 or near list week, . sensational at record shattering 134,000. Warfleld (FWC) (2,656; 55-85)^ Her Kind of Man" (WB) ''Dark Cor. nef" (Mth): Medium $26,000. Last week. ''Do You Love Me" (2(5th) (2d wk), mild $16,000. Tomorrow' Okay 22iG In Slumping Denver Denver, June 11 "One More Tomorrow" looks okay to good at three spots to win top coin but not especially stout. "Blue Dahlia" is strong enough to win a third week at the Denham. Biz is very -spotty, witli take way off from last week in most houses. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 35-74)— "Do You Love Mfi" (20th) and "Rendez- vous 24" (20th), after week at Den- ver, Esquire, Webber. Good $4,000. Last week, "Renegades" (Col) and "Talk About a Lady" (Col) (m.o.), fine $5,000. Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 35-70) —"Blue Dahlia" (Par) (2d wk). Down to $12,000, but neat. Last •iveek, big $17,000. Denver (Fox) (2,525; 35-70)— "One More Tomorrow" (WB) and "Dark Alibi" (Mono), day-date with Es- quire, Webber. Good $16,000. Last week, "Do You Love Me" (20th ) and "Rendezvous 24" (20th), also Es- quire, Webber, big $18,000. Esquire (Fox) (742; 35-74)— "One More Tomorrow" (WB) and "Dark Alibi" (Mono), also Denver, Webber. Fair $3,000. Last week, "Do You Love Me" (20th) and "Rendezvous 24" (20th), also Denver, Webber, good $3,700. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 35-74)— "Badman's Territory" (RKO) and "Partners in Time" (RKO) (2d wk). Way off to about $9,000. Last week, big $20,000. Paramount (Fox) (2,200; 35-74)— "Perilous Holiday" (Col) and "Blondie's Lucky Day" (Col). Oke $9,000. Last week, "Cinderella Jones" (W6) and "Bohemian Girl" (FC), good $10,000. Rialto (Fox) (878: 35-70)— "Rene- gades" (Col) and 'Talk About a Lady" (Col), after week at Denver, Esquire, Webber, ' Aladdin. Fair $3,500. Last week. "Spider Woman Strikes Back" (U) and "House, of Horrors" (U), big $6,000. Webber' (Fox) (750: 35-74)— "One More Tomori-ow" (WB) and "Dark Alibi" (Mono), also Denver, Esquire. Okay $3,500. Last week. "Do You Love Me" (20th) and "Rendezvous 2*" (20th), good $3,700. : Detroit, June 11. "From This Day Forward" looks standout this week at the small- seater United Artists. "Postman Rings Twice" will get the top coin at the big Michigan where it is solid. Remainder of city is largely hold- over, with best showings being made by "Gilda" and "Badman's Terri- tory." . Estimates for This Week United Artiste (United Detroit) (1,841; 60-85)— 'This Day Forward" (RKO) and "Truth About Murder" (RKO). Stout $24,000. Last week. "Devotion" (WB) and "Live Wires" (Mono) (2d wk), strong $18,000. Broadway-Capitol (3,000; 60-85)— VBadman's Territory" (RKO) and "Strange Voyage" (Mono) (3d wk). Fine $14,000. Last week, good $17.- 000. Fox (Fox -Michigan) (4.049; 60-85) —"Gilda" (Col) and "Night Editor" (Col) (2d wk). Nice $28,000. Last week, solid $36,000. Palms-State (United Detroit) (2 - 976; 60-95)— "Saratoga Trunk" (WB) and "College Queen" (Par) (4th wk). Good $16,000. Last week, grand $20,000. Michigan (United Detroit) (4,034; 60-85) — "Postman Always Rings Twice" (M-G) and "The Gay Cava- lier" (Mono). Forte $34,000, Last week, "Road to Utopia" (Par) and "Shadow Returns" (Mono) (3d wk), fine $20,000 in 6 days. Downtown $18,000. Grand (RKO) (1,150; 65-95)— '•Badman's Territory" (RKO) and "Dressed to Kill" (U) /(m.o.). Pert $»..')00. Last week, .fine $11,000. Oriental (Essaness) (3,240; 65-95) —"Hoodlum Saint'' (M-G) with Coiinop BoswcU heading stage bill i2d wk >. Strong $35,000. Last week, so'-k $50,000, miBcc (RKO) (2,500; 65-95)— "N'iijht ill Paradise" .(U) and "Truth About Murder" (RKO). (2d wk). S'luiul $25,000. Last week, muscu- lar $35,000. Kunscvelt (B&K) (1,500; 65-95)— "Vir.niniah" (Par) (2d wk). Sharp $2i.rinn. Lasl week, healthy $20,000. Slate-Lake (B&K) (2.700; 65-95)— "Killy " (Par). Opulent $45,000. Last w(-U. "SaratoKa Triink" (WB) (9th (Inc $23,000. IJnilcd Artists (B&K) (1,700: 65- 951— "Cilda" (Col). Lush $30*000. I.asi week. "Ziegfeld Follies" (M-G) i(ilh wUi, tidy $20,000. Woods (Essaness) (1,200; 65-95)— 'Tomorrow !.<; Forever" (RKO) (8lh wki. Tolerable $10,000. Last week, not bad $18,000. Grosses Are Net Film gross estiiTiates, as re- ported herewith from the vari-' ous key cities, are net. I.e., with- out the 20,% tax. Distributors share on net take, when playing percentage, hence the estimated figures are net income. The parenthetic , admission price's, however, as iiidicated, in- . elude' the U.S. amusement tax. Indpls. Oif But Indianapolis, Jun^ 11. Film biz here has tumbled tfoih year's peak during the past week, 'holdovers and season's first heavy, draw of outdoor competish being felt. "Postman Rings Twice" at Loew's and "Kitty" at Indiana are tjelow average in second stanzas. "Badman's Territory" at Circle and "Murder in Music Hall" at Lyric, look barely fair as new entries; Estimates tor Tbb Week Circle (Katz-Dolle) (2,800; M-60) —VBadman's Territory" (RKO) and "One Exciting Week" (Rep). Week's best at $12,000. Last week, "Ding Dong Williams" (RKO) and Spike Jones orch oti stage. Terrific $31,500 at new .48-74c cbml>o scale. Indiana (Katz-Dolle) (3,300; 40-60) —"Kitty" (Par) (2d wk). Tepid $11,000 after sizzling $22,600 first week. Loew's "(Loew's) (2,450; 40-60) — "Postman Rings Twice" (M-G). Slow $10,000 on holdover after hefty $20,700. opener Lyric (Katz-Dolle) (1,600; 40-60) — "Murder in Music Hall" (Rep) and "Caiman of Paris" (Rep). Not bad $7,500 first-run.. , Last week, "Devotion" (WB), thin $5,000 on moveover. 'Heartbeat' 16G, Cincy Cincinnati, June 11. Trade is spotty for the ace houses, yet two hefty new bills "Badman's Territory" and "Heartbeat," are holding the overall count iti stride. Biz in first half had weather oppo- sish from season's first heat spell. Holdovers "Two Sisters From Bos- Ion" and "Do You Love .Me" are zippy. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,100; 44-70)— "Heartbeat" (RKO) Sturdy $16,OO0. Same last week for "One More To- morrow" (WB). Capitol (RKO) (2,000; 44-70)^ "Two Sifters From Boston" (M-C) (2d wk). Holding strong at $12,500 after wham $19,000 opening. Stays on. Grand (RKO) (1,430: 44-70)— "Do You Love Me" (20th) (m.o.). Hotcha $8,500. Ditto last week on "Dark Corner" (20th). Keith's (United) (1,500; 44-70)— "One Way to Love" (Col) and "Meet Me On Broadway" (Cbl). Slow $4,- 000. Last week, "Kitty" (Par), fourth downtown stanza, $5,0()0. Lyric (RKO) (1.400; 44-70)— "Dark Corner" (20th) (m.o.). Fairish $4,000. hast week, "Diary of Chambermaid" (UA) (rti.o.), limp $3,000. PaUoe (RKO) (2,600; 44-70)— "Badman's Territory" (RKO). Big $17,500. ' Juve interest aided by pony giveaways on stage to Times-Star carriers in subscription contest. Last week, "Do You Love Me" (20th), swell $16,500. Shnbert (RKO) (2,100; 44-70)— "One More Tomorrow" (WB) (m.o.). So-so $4,500. Last week, "Bride Wore Boots" (Par) (m.o.), slick $6,- 500. Summer Slump in Mpls.; Tomorrow' Oke at lOG, love Me' Mildish 13G Minneapoli.'i, June 11. Grosses continue to take on a sum? mcr coinplexion and head down- ward. No soaring figures are in siKhl. "Do You.Love Me" and "One More Tomorrow" ard the newcomer leaders, but "Hguse of Draeula" is givini{ sood boxoffice account of it- self; too. Holdovers include "Post- man Always Rings Twice" in 'its third downlown week, and "Dragon- wyck." "Heartbeat" and "Devotion" in their second. First-named is sIroiiHcst of lot. Kstimales for This Week A>tcr (Par) (900; 25-35)— "Texas Jamborop"' (Col) and "In Fast Com- I)any" (Mono). Good $2,000 for 4 days. Last week, "Phantom Thief" (Col) and "Johnny Comes Flying Home" (20th) split with "Man Who Dared" (Col) and "Strange Imper- salion" (Rep), okay $2,500 in 7 days. .Century (Par) (1.600;' 44-60)— "Dragonwyck" (20th) (m.o.). Fairly ?iiod .$7,000. Last week. "Blue Dah- lia" (Par) (2d wk), good $6,500. Gopher (Par) (1.000; 44)— "House or Draeula" (U). Strong $5,300. Last wc^k. "Black Market Babies" (Mono). $4,500. I..vrlc (Par) (1,100; 44-GO)— "Post- man Rings Twice" (M-G) (m.o.). Here afler two weeks at State. Fast asm. Last week, "Saratoga Trunk" •WB) (4lh wk), good $5,000 in 6 days. / Orpheum (RKO) (2,800; 44-00)— One More Tomorrow." (WB). Okay . $10,000 or over. Last week, "Heart- beat" (RKO). good $12,000. , Kadlo City . (Par) (4,000; 44-60)— ^Do You Love Me" (20th). Moderate Sl.3.000. Last week, "Dragonwyclt" (20th). fine $16,000, • RKO-Pan (RKO) (1,600; 44-60)-^ Mearlbeal" (RKO) (m.o.). Satisfac-. lory $5,000 after week at Orpheum; Lost week, "Devotion" (WB). $6,000. . Stale (Par) (2,300: 44-60)— "Bride .Wore Boots" (Par). Crix no like but looks trim $11,000. Last wcck,"Post- IV'tiiRinEs Twice" (M-G) (2d wk), hii: $11,500 after terrific $17,000 first week. . , Vn'own (Par) (1,100; 44-50)— ^.legfcld Follie.s" (M-G). FiVsl nabe HhowmB. eood $3,500. La.st week, Viiginian" (Par). $3,000. __World (Par-Stoffes) (350: 44-80) — Devotion" (WB) (m.o.). Here after mild first RKO-Pan stanza. Fair $2.- fS^ii.?'"^' week. "Yank In London" '20lh), light $1,500. St. Loo B.O. Feels Hot Weather Bot 'Gilda' TaU 20G; Torever' OK 18G St. Louis. June 11. Stiff opposish from the Municipal Theatre in Forest Park and other outdoor attractions plus hear midr summer temperature is reflected in reduced grosses at the big houses currently. "Gilda," running solo, is the best draw at Loew's. "Tomorrow Is Forever " dualcd with "Ding Dong Williams' is runnerup at the Am- bassador. Estimates for This Week I.oew'.s (Loew) (3,172; 44-65)— "Gilda" (Col). Great $20,000. Last week. "Nisht in Casablanca" (UA) and "Devil s Mask" (Col), sock $23,- 000. Orpheum (Loow) (2.000: 44-65)— 'Night in Casablahca" (UA) and 'Devil's Mask" (Col) (m.o.). Neat $10,500. Last week, "The Outlaw" (UA). $10,000. Ambassador (F&M) (3.000; 44-65) — "Tomorrow Is Forever" (RKO) and "Ding Dong Williams' (RKO). Solid $18,000. Lasl week. "One More Tomorrow" (WB) and "Blondie's Alibi" (U). $20,000. Kox (F&M) (5,000; 44-65)— "Her Kind of Man" (WB) and "Perilous. Holiday'' (Col). 3 days, and "You Love Me" (20th) and "Johnny Home" (20lh) (2d wk) 4 days. Nice $17,000. Last week. "Love Me" and "Johnny," sock $28,000. Missouri (F&M) (3.500; 44-65)— "One More Tomorrow" (WB) and "Dark CornerV (20lh). Fine $16,000. Last week. "Dark Corner" (20th) and "Rendezvous" (20lh). $15,000. St. Louis (F&M) (4,000; 50-60)— "My.slerious Intruder'" (Col) and •Glass Alibi"' (Rep). Nice $0,000. Last week, "Masquerade Mexico" (Par) and "Susie Slaglc's" (Par), $8,000.' • 'Love Me'^J7,300, Lincoln Lincoln, June 11. Torrid weather is sending people lo air-condilioncd theatres, with biz holding well. Kslimates for This Week Lincoln ILTO (1.500; 44-55) — "Do You Love Me" t20th). Strong $7,300. Last week, "Kitty" ' (Par), $7,500. . Stuart (LTO 0,800; 9-55) — ' Hearts Growing' Up" (Par). Not too good . $6,200. Last week, "Bride Woic Boots " (Par). $6,700. Varsity (NTC I (1.100; 35-50) — "P(:rilous Holiday" (Col). Sfilil week with "Diary of Chambermaid" (UA). Around $6,000. Last week, "Cinderella Jones" (WB) and "Tar- zaii Leopard Woman". (RKO) $5,000.. Nebraska (LTO (1.126;- 9-43) — "Kitly" (E^ar) (m.o.V and "Johnny Comes Flying" (20th). Good $2,200. La.st week. "nasg(id An.gels " (Film Classics) and '-Oliver the Eighth (Indie), sloul $2,.')00. . 'Her Man' Socko $17,000 in Prov. Providence, June' 11. . Majestic is riding high this week with "Her Kind- of Man," only new show in town. Others are. holdovers and fairly strong. Second week win- ners are Loew's State's "Postman Always Rings Twice" and RKO Al- bce's "Badman's Territory." Sudden rise- in weekend temperatures helped, if anything. Estimates for This Week Heat Bops B way But 'Sisters'-Ritz Bros., Barrie Huge 108G; '^de'-(iray 7iKj, 'Paradise' M, 'Runaround' 22G Warm weather, as against rpin which hurt before, is mainly re- sponsible for Broadway boxoffice doldrums this week.-.while. also, con- tinuance of the Hudson Tubes strike, affecting around 115,000 people, adds to the interference. However, a few shows are bucking the t>de remark- ably well; These include "Two Si.sters From Boston," with the Ritz Bros.. Gracie Barrie and Buddy Morrow band on stage, this combo carrying the Capitol into very high ground at a sensational $108,000, not far from all-time high of house. Other new bills are faring much less auspiciously. Paramount, which ended its first round last night (Tues.) with "Bride Wore Boots" and the Glen Gray band, plus Loui.s Jor- dan's Tympany Five, got away un- der average at $70,000 thoush still good profit for this time of year. "Tangier," on first run at the Stale, With Les Elgart orch and Pat Roohey in person, is slow-paced at only about $20,000. At the Criterion, "Night in Para- dise" finished its first roiind last night (Tues.) disappointingly at onlv $20,000 but remains over. "The Run- around," new tenant at the Winter Garden, is failing to draw well' at a moderate $22,000. "Without Reserva- tions." new entry at the Palace, is another that's running under hopes at an indicated $29,000. Little Rialto will grind out only $7,000 or. over with reissue of "Shadow of Doubt." . Among a few holdovers that show sustained strength tops is "To Each His Own,!' now in its . third week at the Music Hall, and heading for a big $125,000. New show today is Roxv's "Sorrie- where in the Night" and the Copa- «abana Revue, plus Peter Lind Hayes. . Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1.300: 70-$1.40) —"Kid From Brooklyn" (RKO) (8th wk). Still comfortably in the money at indicated $32,000. Last week was $38,000. Capitol (Loew's) (4,820: 60-$l.)0) T^^'Two Sisters From Boston" (M-G). with the Ritz Bros., Gracie Barrie Albee (RKO). (2,200; 44-65)— and Buddy Morrow orch on stage Badrrian's Territory" (RKO) and "Ding . Dong Williams" (RKO) (2d wk). Fairly heavy $12,000 for 6-day stand. First week, great $20,000. Carlton (Fay-Loew) (1,41)0; 44-65) —"Walk In Sun" (20th) and "Avia- lanche" (PRC). Fairly good $6,000. Last week, "Gilda" (Col) (3d down- town Wk), $5,000. Fay's (Fay) (1,400; 44-65)— ''Allot- ment Wives" (Mono) and vaude on stage. Steady $6,000. Last week. ':Joe Palooka. Champ" (Mono) and vaude, nice $7,000. Majestic (Fay) (2,200: 44-65)— "Her Kind of Man" (WB) and "Dressed to Kill" (U). Sock $17,000. Last week, "DO You Love Mc" (20th) (2d wk), good $10,000. Metropolitan (Snider) (3,100; 69- 85)— "Live Wires" (PRC) and Dr. Neff on stage. Three-day run very weak $3,500. Last week. "Game, of Death" (Mono) and Hal Mclntyre orch on stage, nice $8,500 in 4-day weekend stand. SUte tLoew) (3.200; 44-65)— "Postman Rings Twice" (M-G) (2d wk). Slowed up to fairly good $14,500 afler hitting knockout $27,- 500 in opener. Strand (Silverman) (2,200; 44-65) —"Kitty" (Par) (3d wk). Still good $10,000. Second week, nice $12,500. Socko from the gun and should hit terrific $108,000. not far from house record. Last week. "Postman' Rinf!s Twice". (M-G) and Guy Lombardo orch (5th wk) fell off sharply toward end to finish at $66,000, but okay. Criterion (Loew's) (1,700; 60-$1.25) —"Night in Paradise" (U) (2d wk). Not doing well at only $20,000 for initial seven days ended last night (Tues.). In ahead, "Bad Bascomb" (M-G) (2d wk). $25,000. Globe (Brandt) (1:416: 80-$1.50)— "Make Mine Music" (RKO) (8lh wk). Will get about $17,000. okay Glen Gray orch and Louis Jordan's Tympany Five oh stage (2d wk). Less than socktul at $70,000 on first week ended last night (Tues.) but substantial profit. The concluding (4th) round of "Blue Dahlia" .(Par), Duke Ellington orch and Mills Bros, was particularly fancy $74,000: Radio City Music Hall (Rocke- fellers) (5,945; 70-$1.25)-^"To Each His Own" (Par) and stageshow. (3d wk). Retains bigness at the bo., with excellent $125,000 sighted this week. Second registered a terrific $137,000. : Rialt« (Mayer9 (594; 35-85)— "Shadow of Doubt" (U) (reissiie). Won't be more than a mild $7,000 or over. Last week, "Perilous Holi- day" (Col) was $7,200. Slvoll (UA-Par) (2.092; 60-$1.2S) —"Cluny Brown" (20th) (2d wk). Dropping off to around $28,000, dis- appointing. Initial seven' days hit a good $43,000. Remains further. Boxy (20th) (5,886; 90-$1.20)— "Somewhere in Night" (20th), with Copacabaha Revue on stage, opens here' today (Wed.). Concluding, five days of "Do You Love Me?" (20th) and Count Basie orch was on slow side at $52,000, while second week was stout |83,000. SUte (Loew's) (3,450; 43-$1.10)— 'Tangier" (U) (1st run), with Les Elgart orch and Pat Rooney . in per- son. Going is anything but fast at probable $20,000. Last week, "Road to Utopia" (Par) (2d run), with Frank Parker and Slate Bros, in person, good $30,000. Strand (WB) (2,750: 75-$1.20)— "One More Tomorrow" (WB) and Tommy Tucker orch (3d-final wk). Dropping to a islcnder $31,000 or thereabouts on blowoff while second week didn't rate much better at $37,000. "Janie Gets Married" (WB) and .Erskine Hawkins orch open Friday (14). Victoria (Maurer) (720: 70-$r.20) —"Badman's Territory" (RKO) (2d wk). Off a tiood . deal f)'o>n s^^Vo opening pace but still s:ou: at $21.- 000. Initial seven days went la $30,- 600. new house high. Winter Garden (UA) (1.312; 00- $1.50)— "The Runaround" (U). Fail- ing to attract much trade at moder- ate $22,000 but holds. Final eight days on second week of "Madonna of Seven Moons" (U) slid to mild $14,000. ANDREWS SIS LIFT 'DAWN' 34G, SEAHLE Seattle, June 11. Biz is in the groove this week in Mn"i\nir* ^^^^ ""^^^ ^"'^^^ ' spots, with Maritime Interna- $20,000. , . , , . ... Golham (Brandt) (900: 80-$1.50)— ' conference opemng and the "O.S.S." (Par) (3d wk). Holding | Parade of Progress figured helping. vp stoutly, this week lookiii-.' $23,000 while second was fine $27,000. . | Hollywood (WB) (1,499; 80-$1.10) '■ —"Stolen Life" (WB) (7lh wk). Re- I mains very steady, sixth stanza I through last night (Tue.s.) reaching' $29,000, near to fifth's $32,000. "Night '■ and Day" (WB) is slated to open ] here near the end of July. I Palace (RKO) (1,700; 60-$1.20)— : "Without Reservations" (RKO).; Running under hope.s at $29,000 but holds. Last week,, fourth for "Heart- ! ibeat" (RKO) fairish $17,000. i Paramount (Par) (3.664: 70-$1.20) i -"Bride Wore Boots" (Par) Hub Badly Hit by Heat, Vacations; 'Jones' 19G,2Spots; 'Whistle' 20GJ^ Boston, June, 11. Harvard"s Commencement, occa- sional oiitbiirsts of good weather anci vacation preparations will combine this week to slough the boxofi'ice lake in nearly all spots. Even ''Bad- man"s. Territory" is sagging at the RKO Boston, despite a new stage layout for second stanza. Estimates for This Week Boston (RKO) (3.200; 50-$M0)— "Badman's Territory" (RKO) (2d wk) with Merry Macs, Berry Bros., others, on stage. Weak $24,000. Last week; with Milt Hei-th Trio, others, strong $36,000. Esquire (M-P) 0.200: $2.40)— "Henry V" lUA) (lOlh wk). Good $7.,500 against la.st "week's big $9,000. Fenway (.M-P) (1,.375: 40-80)— "Cinderella Jones" (WB) md-.I "In Old Sacramento'! (Rep). Only $7,000; Last week, "Devotion" (WB) arid "One Exciting Week" (Rep), $11,000. Majestic (Brand-Mage) (1,.500: 40- 80)— "Whistle Stop" (UA) and "Ju- nior Prom" (Mono) -(2d wk). Just $10,000. Last week. .$I2;0()0 for same. Memorial (RKOt (2,900; 40-80)- ' Heartbeat" (RK.O) and ; "Miin in Grey" (U) (2d wk). Mild $22,000. Last week, $31,000. Metropolitan (M-P) (3.467; 40-80) — ''Blue Dahlia" (Par) and "God's Country" (Indie) plus Dr. I. Q. on Monday nights for summer rui' (2d wk). Stout $24,000. Last woek, $30,- 000. Orpheum (Loew) (-2.900: 40-80)— "Postman Rings Twice'' i.M-Cj (2d wk). Off to $22,000. Last week, .stout $28,000. Paramount (M-P) (1.700: 40-80)— "Cinderella Jone.s" (WB) .and"In Old Sacramento" (Rep). Modest $)2.-' 000. Last week. "Devotion" (WB) and "One Exciting Week'' (Rep). $16,000. . State (Loew) (3.200: .35-80)— "Post- man Rin,(!s Twice'' (M-G I '2(1 wk). Fair $15,000. Last week. $20,000. Translux CTranslux) (900; 30-74)— "Valley, of Zombies" (Rep) and "Face of Marble" (Mono). Good $5,500. Lasl wrek,"Cily for Conque.-l" (WB) and "No Time for Comedy" (WB), (reissues) $5,000. Tremonl (Brand-Mage) (1.500: 40- 80)— "Whistle Slop" (UA) and "Ju- nior Prom" (Mono) (2d wk). Thin $10,000. L&i!l week, $12,000. Orpheum is stepping out with An- drews Sisters on stage plus "Dead- line at Dawn" to hit all-time vaude- film record. "Kitty" also js smash at the Paramount .to pace straight lilmers. Estimates for This Week Blue . Mouse (H-E) (800; 45-80)— "Bride Wore Boots" (Par) (4th wk). Okay -$4,500 or near. Last week, big $6,500.- Fifth Avenue (H-E) (2,349; 45-80) —"Hearts Growiiig Up" (Par) and "Rendezvous 24" (20th) (2d wk). with Fair $7,000 in 6 days. Last week, very nice $12,000. Liberty CJ & vH) (1.650; 45-80)— "Diary of Chambermaid" (UA) and "Gentleman Misbehaves" (Col) (3d wk). Oke $5,000 in 4 days after nice $9,700 last week. Music Box (H-E) (850; 45-80)— "Ziegfeld Follies" (M-G) (3d wk). Good' $6,500. Last week. "Blue Dahlia" (Par) (4th wk), oke $5,500. Music Hall (H-E) (2,200; 45-80)— "Do You Love Me" (20th) (2d wk). Modest $7,000 after big $13,800 last week. Orpheum (H-E) (2,000: 55-$n— "Deadline at . Dawn" (RKO) plus Andrews Sisters on stage. Stage song trio boosting this to gient $34,000', all-time vaude-film record. Last week. "So Goes My Love" (U) and "Dressed to Kill" (U), $12,300, okay. ralomar (Sterling) (1.3.50; 45-80)— "Seventh Veil" (U) and "Detour" (PRC). Good $6,000. Last week, ■'Murder in Music Hall" (Rep) and "Cat Man of Paris" (Rep), $5,200. Paramount (H-E) (3.039; 45-80)— "Kitly" (Par). Great $20,000. Last week, ,-VZiegfeld Follies'' (M-G), fancy $11,000. Roosevelt (Sterling) (800: 45-80)— "So Goes My Love'' (U) and "Drc.s.sed to Kill" (U) (rh.o.). Fair $5,000. Last week. '-Saratoga Trunk" (WB), oke $4,700 lor sixth week downlown. Winter Garden (Sterling)- (800: 25- 30)— "Bells, of St. Mary's" (RKO) and "Gav Blades" (Rep) (3d run). Bi.c $5,000: La.st week. "Masquerade in Mexico" (Par) and. "Pardon My Past" (Col) (3d run), nifty $4,400. 12 Wednesday, June 12, 1946 IT CAN'T BE JUST LUCK! There has never been a period in film annals when any company has delivered such a continuous flow of big pictures as M-G-M. One right after another: "Adventure," "Ziegfeld Follies of 1946" in Technicolor, "The Postman Always Rings Twice,'' "The Green Years," "Two Sisters from Boston"— and now "Three Wise Fools." ' When "Three Wise Fools" had its first Theatre Preview in Gilifomia, (continued) Wfednegday, Jnne 12, 1946 18 (conttnued) M-G:M was elated by the reports. The audience laughed and wept and sat enthralled. Hollywood acclaimed a new sensation. The picture had a heart, they said. They loved the story of the little Irish-girl-with-a-brogue (played by Margaret O'Brien) who brought sun- shine into the lives of three hard-bitten bachelors. They predicted that it was the sure-fire stuff to pour gold into the coffers of theatres. Now the print has come East. We previewed the picture in a typical neighborhood theatre, Loew's 72nd Street in New York City. Gentlemen, it was simply thrilling to watch those average folks enjoy our picture. Time will confirm what we tell you now, but mark this prophecy: ^^Three Wise Fools' will be one of the most beloved pictures of our time— beloved by you for the business it will do — beloved for the joy it will bring to millions of Americans in every comer of the land." MARGARET O'BRIEN, LIONEL BARRYMORE, LEWIS STONE, EDWARD ARNOLD, ray COLLINS. JANE DARWELL, CHARLES DINGLE, CYD CHARISiSE, HARRY DAVENPORT and THOMAS MITCHELL. Screen Play by John McDerraott and James O'Hanlon. Story by John McDermott. Based Upon the Play by Austin Strong. Staged by Winchell Smith. Presented by John Golden.. Directed bf EDWARiTbUZZELL. Produced bV WILLIAM^H. WRIGHT 14 INTEBNATIONAL •tahiett'II' i^ndom office St. Miiriln'* riavf , Tratolrir SqUN French Producers Denounce Pact On U. S. Pix Imports As Unequal u. Paris, . June As had been expcclcd lieie, | j qqq g^jjjgjj TJigatr^^^ Violated Quota in '45 French picture producers have. dC' nounccd the U. S.-French afiveei- ment on how new American films can be imported into France. Jac- ques F. Frogcrics, head of the Syn- dicate of French' Film Producers, hiis warned that the Ficiich ^Im industry could not survive the "unr equal" competition of increased film imports from the U. S. He described film production in. France as the country's second largest industry. . French producers have renewed the old plea that they be given six but of seven weeks playing time for each 13-wcck period. Under the pact tlicy get four out of 13 weeks, with the' remainder of the world market free to bid for the other nine weeks. They have not mentioned the sliding scale of the agreement, which would give French product a better break it the local industry does not stage the comeback expected. Entire pact was negotiated, it's understood here, so that the French picture business would be protected until it started making stronger product. Also there is an escape clause ' which would enable a re-review of the situation if i\ot working out as anticipated by either side; French public admittedly is anx- ious to see new American product, having been fed a diet of weak pic- tures, many made here while the French producers had a monopoly, fi-om French studios and oldie U. S. films. Frogeries admitted that Amer-. ican distributors would send oiily their best films .here although in producer quarters ah attempt was made to .sell the public that only weak Americans fare would be sent to France, London, June 4. More than 1.000 theatres in :1945 failed to comply with government quota regulation, which requires theni to show at least 17^4 per cent British films. Reason is shortage of British product, which consisted of 67 features in 1944-45, three less than in previous year. Film trade maintains • that short- age stems primarily from time takeh up in making such pictures as Caesar and Cleopatra'.' (two years). Men of Two Worlds," "Beware of Pity," "Carnival," and, "London Town" which took over . a year to complete. Knowing the difficulty of exhibit- ors, government is closing its eyes to violations. It's figured that since the films were noot "lade, the exhibs couldn't show- them. U.S. to Self-Impose Pix Quota in Selling France Washington, June 11 How the American film industry hopes to avoid ; flooding France with its 6-year backlog of product was outlined today by Gov. Carl Milli' ken. Motion Picture Assn. of Amer- ica foreign chief, He said that U. S distributors propose to work through the industry's Export Assn. to use a self-imposed quota on pictures re leased in France. Milliken traced the history of re cent complaints from French pro diicers over the recently made U. S- France import pac{, stressing that over-production in -France appar cntly is the big headache. He said that the unreistricted production dur ing the war had resulted in the nor mal number of French producer growing from 15 to 50. It was in cheated that this, of course, meant weak screen production and a sur pliLs of flbns that go begging for playdates. ; Milliken also outlined the prob lenis confronting U. S. distribs getting remittances out of Fi-ancc, biggest being when this coin can be obtained and at what rate. He Ex- plained that the money falls into four categories. First is that accu- mulated prior to the outbreak of war; .secondly, there is the. coin ob- tained In southern France; also that received from distribution of OWI pictures; and in the final category, the money received from rental of old films offered exhibitors after the war. Poland plans to send a representa- tive to N. Y. to talk with Amcricaii film officials regarding a distribu- tion deal in that country. At pres- ent, no U. S. films are released in Poland. Milliken also revealed that the public in that country wants to see Yank screen product. Can't Get Away With It Pari.s, June II. 'Two Army C.I.D. men entered the Trioniphe . Cinema when their car brnke down on Champs F.lysees'. Next patron to be ushered in was Matdiew.Spencc, of Baltimore, a GI who had twice broken Jail. Recognizing ihim by the flash of nil usherette's torch, they enlisted the help of a French gendarme and snapped handcuffs on him without dis- turbing the audience. Picture being .shown in the theatre was "You Canit Get Away,,.oj'ith Murder." Plays Abroad The Kln|(Hiaker London, June .4. .AsHOi-i:i|iMl l.lit.. i)i-r»4'ui.i' loir uf lifw iiliiv in ihiTi: H.MK Of' Hi-cnfs) l.y >f:M-- uiu-fi l,iu'i\ DiriH-uil l>y Jolin CUiiiriii.". -M SI. .I;iim".>i llicJlllf. Kli'liiiltl, Kiirl tif \V« in il k ; . .lolm Cli'lilfnl.s Ktlwnnl. Dukf lit Viirk IliilM rl Kililinni .l.ailv ulviTK Iniio ViiiiliriiKli KllziltiClil C:iil)- '!ll>>-. . . Kliy Iliimiiliillii .Miiixaicl WdiMlvllli". ItoHriii.ur IMvIs .\nllutt)y \\"io .iiiiiii r::iii'i>ii UVn-lil lvi-1 JIttiii.r Sill' lil.f I'll . . . I.'niiiri.s 'Itiiwr . . . ..M.iiiu l.i.sliT . . . .;^l:ivy Sdmc . . . . I^i'i:tn 1 liiyCH . . KUM.S0I1. .Niiploi' 'Abe Lincoln' Big (MMNips . Washington, June 11, The picture, "Abe Lincoln in Illi- nois," broke all Nip house records when it opened in Tokyo during April, bettering figures previously set by "Watch on the Rhine" and one beanna Durbin film. This is re- ported in the April summation of non-military activities in Japan is- sued Sunday (9) by the office of General Douglas : MacArthur,. Su- preme Commander for the Allied Powers. Report says nine Hollywood fea- tures, nine documentaries, and two shorts have been received in Japan and are being shown in titled ver- sions in leading houses there. The American-Japanese Motion Picture Assn., is using 12 mobile crews to tour small towns and villages, showed our documentaries in April to nearly 200,00Q people in Northern Honshu. Live pilays, newsreels, radio, entertainment and ddcumenr tary films are extensively used by MacArthur to show that democracy means responsibility as well as free- dom. Japan ha-s just produced a feature film, "Victory of Women," which em- bodies the concept of woman's equality with man. The play, "Watch on the Rhine," was produ- ced in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya, being presented by the Zen- shinza troupe which previously pre- sented Drinkwater's "Lincoln." The military government has fos- tered, the organizatiori of Sh'n- engekijin Kyokai,- the New Theatre People's Society, to further democ- racy in the theatre. It .started with 350 members, all theatrical artists. ShepardWillDo AnoAer Mimical '■ London, June 11. Firth Shepard having planned not to produce any more musicals has changed his mind.. He intends to do another edition of."Shepard's Pie," tentatively titled "More iShepard's Piei" with a cast headed, by Arthur Riscoe, Richard Rearne, Eddy Gray, and Douglas By ng. Wendy Toye, who directed Charles Cochran's "Big Ben," is to direct. Show replaces Jack Waller's . "Merrie England," at the Princes sometime in September. • Kenneth Home has written new play . "Fools Rush In," which is be- ing presented by Linnit & Dunfee,- and which stars Derek Farr, Elsie Gray, Jeissica Spencer, Joyce Bar- bour, and Bernard Lee, with Rich- ard Bird set to produce. Show toiirs the provinces for eight weeks be- fore coming to Londoi). .; . Emile Littler has a new play, by Clemence Dane, as yet untitled, with a cast headed by Sybil. Thorndike, Judy Campbell, Leon Quartermain, William. Fox and Marius Goring. Will tour provinces for several weeks before opening here. Fred Thompson's musical, which was to have been presented by Jack Hyltoh. as starring vehicle for: Bud Flanagan, will be done by Jack Wal- ler. - . David Rose, Par's British Mixup Over Remake Rights On le Jour' May Delay RKO Production Plans Paris. June 4. Difficulties loom over the sale of remake rights to Hakim Bros, on the French picture. "Le Jour Se Leve"' made "iy Sigma Productions. The .film, starring Jean Gabin; opened at the Madeleine here a few days before war broke out. A report from England is that re- make' ri'ghts were bought by RKO on the understanding that- all prints on' distribution outside of France and Belgium be ' destroyed. Sicma productions here claims knowing nothing about the RKO deal, .and say BOLLE GETS HARLEY'S 20TH SPOT IN BRITAIN Otto W. BoUe has been named managing director of 20th-Fox op- erations in Great Britain, succeed- ing Francis L. Harley, who was ap- pointed last week to head 20th op- erations in Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle Ea.st and Africa. .BoUe, for- merly 20th supervisor in Australasia, South Africa and the Far East, will headquarter in London. Bolle will also, bcconie. managing director of British Movietone News, Ltd. With 20th for the last. 10 years, he was named to the Far East post during his annual visit to', the h.o. about a year ago. He's eiu-renlly in N. Y., having arrived . here from Sydney' in May. Fir.st of the season'.s repertory, this is John Clements' ihitial elVort as actor-mnnager. Of its type, a satis- fying piece of stagecraft that will ap- peal , to lovers of historical subjects. Set in medieval England >.vith plot and counter-plot . of royal intrigue, story is of. nece.'sity episodic and runs loo loiig. It compares favorably with John Gielgud's production of "Richard of Bordcau.\" .several years ago.. Tlie tilting of .throiics, the giv- ing in marriage of young princesses as pawns in European politics and the topical "6ft' with his head" tend- ency give the story perpetual drama and suspeiise. Action is focused on the powerful Earl of, Warwick who, when one young kinsman on whom he bestows the crown proves unworthy, prompt- ly restores the one he suppl.anteui)lcll, >lii-h)>>ino nrv- liuiillhl, Col^lto Aniony. .Diins--Hinlion by Muuil Jliiiwrirlil, .Mniic l.tnme Diilipn. Chi-iHiinii Ai-iiHiir, Pierre I.ii Unn. Willy'llny anO' Annul.- I''crj;ir. Olrc(;leil Ijy llini-l Vai-na. SUclilirs l.y lli-iirl Vnixl :ii'ii .M.-(i: Call. .\UlKii- liy .ludft l';ulili-.i. Vlii' i-nl Srol In. Vul liiM'K. Ht^R'*!* I.lli-hrxi. BesrtiolCN. Sii-in. Xflly Coldly. .Mine ('o.mlioii\; vi.*.liMnfr-' l-y Itnymonil Ko(;t. TIriii-i I'lavei-i... Vv*---i .|;).n nal: -.vt.'lH bv nnynionil Ko.tl, I'liinilc P<^ri iiT YVOM Bonnal; Mui-iol ctfoi-l.". P. Conn. ."^Iv jpeti (fii'lK, J- niAdcI?:, fiKht men. At COKino tie rai-ij*. . i; TT f - /-I » V ' remake rights have been -sold to the l>niei, Here lOr LOntaDS Hakims, with the exception of France David Rose, managing director for and Belgium, where the picture is distributed in original version by Paramount in Great Britain, arrived in N. Y. from London yesterday (Tues.) for homeoffice confabs and huddles on production. His arrival is timed so that he -c^d attend the production conference ^ii the Coa.st this month. Rose also will report on the status of film production in Great Britain. Rose leaves for the Coast next Tuesday (18) along with George Weltner; Par . International prexy, and Fred Hutchinson, general sales manager in Britain, who arrived in the U. S. several weeks ago. Rose was last in the. U. S. about four months ago. Vog. Si.(;ma had sold some foreign distribution rights in original version to Paul Gr'aetz, "Ti-anscontineiitai preJty. Local RKO office knew nothing of the Hakim purchase, which likely was transacted in Hollywood. Paul Graetz; currently in Paris, says that he agreed to stop distribut- ing the original version and ordered all prints to be sent to Sigma here. So it looks as if there had been some misunderstanding on the remake pact. Graetz,' leaving soon for Scan- dinavia, will return shortly to Paris to start production. Irish Students Like American Films Best Dublin, May 28. First quiz among students at Uni- versity College here, on preference for U. S. or British pix, showed 62% want American films, 34% British and 4% giving no answer. Made by student body, mag, sur- vey revealed 62% of women faybred U. S. pix, against 56% for the men. Same poll also sought opinion on the State-owned radio station, and found 66% were listeners. BriL Producer to Aussie ■ Sydney, June 7. Michael Balcon, production chief at Ealing Studio.s, London, and Harry Walt, who was in. Aussie, last year directing "Overlanders" for Ealing, are due here in July. Balcoh is coming in for- premiere, of "Overlanders" and also to looksee the new production possibilities here. "Overlanders," Ealing's first Aussie pic, plays the Greater Union Thea- tres circuit GI Vaudery Folds Paris, June 11. . Olympia Music Hall is closing down June 16 as an Allied troop theatre after serving for 20 months as an entertainment centre for thou- sands of GI's stationed in Frahce. A vaude house staging 10 acts at each performance, the theatre played to. capacity houses until redeploy- ment cut down slzc-of audiences. Henri Varna, veteran Paris show man, currently reviving "No. No Nanette," has produced a revue of .strictly local caliber which 's sure of doing business since the only oilier revue in Paris is th6 Folios Bci'Kcrc. Opening was delayed several liii'C.s, and even now there is variaiico be- wccn the program and actual siii.w. ReVue's best points arc nn;eh niidiiy, nice costliincs and several ;.oi)(l .si ts. : The nanie bt the house also .is a lure. There is no American laknl m the c.Tst. Billy Hay,, annouiiecfl ;'s an American lap dancer, is a Hiiii;.,'arian. Varna had the same ur.ihlcni as Paul Derviil of the Folios Ber.u'oic in finding a femnic star since Pari'., is shy of any equivalent of Mislinguett. He brought in Yvonne parries who comes from the prpviriecs whore .-I'c was sin.King operettas. Sli'- 1 • i:\ o'y brunet with enough 'of a voice to be heiird above the chorus ev i ii tie .show has no music worthy i f inui- tion. In her several appeur.inci's. .she gives a good account of hi.'i'.seif in- eliidiiig the final curtain wIVen she discards her long dresses to appear in tights. For a night club secue she is a torch singer standin.:; on a huge champagne cup from which bubb'e.s, are blown justifying the "extra ury" name. This is produced by fast re- volving gadgets dipping in a liquid elastic solution and projerling what iobks like sbap bubbles. This u.se of plastic is the sole novelty of the show. > Opening scene shows the nianne-: quins each representing one iil' 'the revues formerly produced at this hou.sc. Ah important .sequence has Michel Dolmo, ns Bluebearil: hand- ing his keys to Michel Bcrnardini, his wife; before leaving- her in their bedroom. Set changes to the treasure room wliere nude girls coir.c out as jewels, each carrying stones of ap- propriate-color. The forbidden closet then is elevated into view, with more nudes ; representing the niurdercd wives. " Dolmo returns, strips Miss Bcrnardini and perforins s.mio sort of adagio with her. Other . sequences with o\ilslanding sets are the night club .scene where the bubble machine is eniployed. a gi'and opera ball under N;i;ji'leon HI. with nice costumes and sonic classical dancing by Marie Loui.sc .Oidion and Christian Arnaut. Also a .scene in ancient Greece, opening with iu;de mannequins . taking their places as ornaments in house portico. Later this is replaced by a stadium where a chariot race shows the -horses re- placed by nude girls. A rather sexy episode opens with the mannequins coming on stav.e one at a time, wearing garb appropriate to the period in which various paint- ers known ■ for their nudes lived. Each is stripped indivi Indicalions here are that the State Departnjent wlU not step in to im- prove the compUcated financial fiit- ualion in China for. film companies doing business there. Department feels that pictures have right to ex- pect more favored treatment than other types of U. S. business oper: ating there in the present highly in- tlHlcd market. Recent stories from Shanghai said SUte Dept. might be asUed to help the film dlstnbs get coin out of China. • Last year the U, S. official went to bat twice for picture companies and enabled them to bring substantial cash into this country. However, private trade was not properly es- tablished then. Now it has been re- established and the 1945 preferential treatment for Alms Is ended. All American business operating in China is in the same boat, The present remittance rate is $1 Amer- ican for $2,000 Chinese, and the U. S. distribs stand a good chance of get- ting all their money out this year. However, the overall net in Ameri- can currency will be smaller than in 1945 when the picture companies were permitted to bring into this country only 15% of their funds fronv the sale of films, but at the special preferential rate of 20 to 1. MARCUS SHOW TO DO SECOND AUSSIE TOUR •' Sydney, June 4. Dave Martin, head of the major Tivoli vaude-revue loop, is dicker- ing with A. B. Marcus for a second Aussie tour after his South African trek. Marcus show clicked here be- foie World War II . under the FuU- eis-Snidcr-Dean manngemenll still holding the all-time biz record for a stage combo from U; S. Martin is keen on getting big shows from U. S. and Great Britain to lift biz to same high level as pre- war. Believed here that the Chifley Labor government is getting ready to unbend on coin takeaway lor ■talent from overseas. Aussie Racing Hhs Pix Brisbane, May 28. Night trotting races on Saturday nights in this area are hurting biz at film theatres as 46,060 go to see the nags on the best night of the week for exhibUors. . Brisbane managers are now trying to figure out something to give hot opposition to the trotters. Main headache is that family parties are held in homes, hotels, and other spots Saturday nights with plenty of betting. Races are broadcast. Italo Loan Would Latinos' Coast Meet Following, a week of huddles with homeofflce execs, Metro's. Latin-American: managers' left for the Coast Sunday (0) for another two weeks of confabs with studio officials. Managers, from 10 L, A, countries, were awarded the trip for outstanding business rung up in their terri- tories! . On the Coast,, the territorial chiefs will o.o. forthcoming M^t- ro product and advise studio execs oh how best to fit in pro- duction plans with problems in their markets' by discussing problems faced in selling a pic- ture in their territories. Accompanying the managers were Sam Burger, Metro re- gional.' director for L. A.; Wil- liam Brenner, asst. regional di- rector, and Arthur Pihcus, chief of Metro International's 16m pubhcity staff. Burger and Brenner are slated to return to the h.o. following the end of the . confabs. Pincus will stay on for added work on- the 16m pro- gram. M-G s Upped Grosses in So. America Prove Dubbed Pix Top Titled Versions Robert Clarke Resigns As ABP^s Prod. Chief London, June II. Robert Clarke, director and head of production for Associated British Picture Corp., has resigned after being with , company since the 'John Maxwell days. Understood that he objected to Max MUder's suggestion to bring over an American to take charge of production when Elstree studios reopen shortly. Meanwhile Warwick Ward, former producer and studio manager at Welwyn studios, is in charge tem- porarily. U. S. distributors are looking for a boost in. Itahan trade as a result of proposal by former assistant Sec relary of State Adblph J. Berle for an export-import bank loan to Italy by the U. S: for the purpose of re financing postwar commerce. Plan wa.s submitted ' . at recent foreign trade meetings. It will be recalled that most distribs pulled out of Italy in 1938 as a. result of film monopoly laws passed by Mussolini's govern- ment. Biz has been on the upgrade since the war ended, but only in the last few weeks have U. S. distribs ob- tained a satisfactory pact for import- ing films into. Italy. Berle called for an interim ar- rangement under which commerce with Italy can begin on a peacetime basis, rather than have relations con- tinue under the present "state of war" conditions. He said that Italy should be given the fullest measure of responsibility with regard to her internal affairs and that travel and shipping restrictions between the two nulibhs should be lifted. Former New York's Lt.-Gov. Charles Por Ictli cited the millions of dollars held by the Treasury Department as funds ' appropriated by the U. S. Army for goods and Services re ceived from Italy. Picture company feelings on the subject were reflected by Carl E, Miiliken, foreign chief of Motion Picture Assn. of America, who said that such a loan undoubtedly would improve Italian film trade. Top Vaude Returns To Ireland After 6 Years Dublin, June 4. First big time vaudeville acts, since the travel ban was imposed by Great Britain in 1940 will reach Dublin late this month. Oscar Robin's band heads the pro- cession with a two-week session at 3,00l)-seat Theatre Royal. Harry Davis, Joy Conway, Bob Dale, Jackie Bonser and Eddie Palmer are listed as part of setup. Carroll Gibbons bas signed for a date late in August. Since 1940, Irish vaude houses have depended solely on local talent, usually using the a series of revues. same players in London Town' Folds London, June 4. Judging )jy the number ol letters received by Marc Connelly, quite a few Londoners deplored the closing pt "Our Town." These notes voted Jt one of the most intelligent plays sent over from America in years. Apparently the only people not sorry to see end of show were the Tennent outfit and Bronson Albery owner of the New theatre, where, the play ran. They decided the play was doomed to failure almost the nrst day. Three days after opening. It was suddenly canceled, with re- sult that no photos of show's scenes \vcre visible from outfront. were visible outfront CAPE TOWN THEATRE MGR. SUIN IN OFHCE Cape Town, May 28. Herman Michelsohn, manager . of Majestic Cinema here, was mur- dered in his office during the after- noon show on May 7, robbery being the motive. Although there was evi dence of terrific struggle, nobody in ilie audience or passing by the thea tre heyd anything. Afier an inten sive man hunt, Cape Town police arrested a European youth on mur der charge. Michelsohn was one of the most popular managers in Cape Town. During 20 years of service he at dif' ferent times became well known at every one of Cape Town's cinemas. He was a step-father of Sybil Jason who went to Hollywood and did imall parts in a few films. Dolores del Rid Plans Legits of Her Hit Pix Mexico City, June 11 The stage temporarily has away two of Mexico's leading screen players. Dolores del Rio and Liji Sandrini. Miss del Rio is organizing a stage company to stage versions of Mexi- can picture in which she scored her biggest hits. She plays the lead in all of the M. Sandrini will pre sent a series of four comedies. Both are dickering for the Palace of Fine Arts .(National Theatre) for a sum- mer season. Williamson-Tait Seen After Big B'way Shows; Hanunerstem in Aussie Sydney, June 4. Here for a three-weeks' visit,. Os- car Hanimerstein II, said that he hopes to do at least one Rodgers- Hammerstein show, probably "Okla- homa?' this year in Australia. It would play Melbourne; with top U.S. stars back by Aussie talent. He is here while his wife visit her parents. It's thought here that Hammer- stein will deal with Williamson-Tait, with whom he is huddling. Broadway showman said he was worried about the small scale for legit shows here. Aussie top is mainly less than $4 at opening night and $2 after, opening curtain. He in- ferred that admissions would have to be higher because of the overhead in setting shows of the calibre of "Okla- homa," "Carousel," and "Annie Get Your Gun." Legit people, here think the public would pay more to see new shows with new stars of the kind produced by Rodgers-Hammer- stein setup. ; Legiters aver that a bow-in' here by Rodgers-Hammerstein via Wil- liamson Tait would be just the tonic needed to boost legit biz into figures unheard of before World War II. W-T can route a major show into all Aussie keys, with repeats in most zones, plus many. New Zealand play dates as has been done before. Play- ing time from one to two years for a single show is rated likely, for big for a zone with about 7,000,000 popu- lation. It's a cinch that had the Fullers been ready to play legit now on pix switchover. Sir Ben Fuller would have signatured Hammerstein to a contract long ago. Austrian LegitersMOl Vienna, May 28. First annual report of Associa- tion of Dramatic Authors and Com- posers,, given recently at a meeting by Syndikus Dr. Fritz Stein, re- vealed strides taken in the past year. The association had been dissolved when Hitler occupied Austria, and was refounded early in 1945. Mana- gers of legit show in Austria agreed on 10% straight royalty for authors and composers- at the meeting. Canada Stepping Into Feature Prodnction Hollywood, June 11. Canada is readying a bid for the world film market, according to Paul L'Anglais, president of the newly or- ganized Canada Productions, Inc., of Montreal, Company will use site of a Canadian -army canip which has been converted into a film studio. First picture will be "Rendezvous at the Chateau Frontenac," slated to start in July. Prodiiction will be backed by Canadian banking inter- ests and government agencies. L'Anglais, currently in Hollywood, has signed Fedor Ozep as director, Rian James as screen writer, Eugene Shuftan as cameraman and Gilbert Mandclik as assistant, director. Aussie Govt. Seen Helping Pix Prod. Sydney, May 28. Return of Norman B. Rydge, top- per of Greater Union Theatres, co- partnered locally with J. Arthur Rank : in Cinesound and Pagewood studios, is seen as the signal for Aus- sie film production to be placed on a firm footing, something never at- tenipted beifore here on a big scale. Rydge indicated that new setup with Rank will see Aussie film produc- tion definitely going places in the near future. Plans call for importa- tion of some of world's best direc- tors, technicians, writers and talent. Understood that the J. B. Chifley Labor Government will: introduce special legislation soon to lower the terrific import' duty now prevailing on all technical equipment needed in film production. It's possible that the Chifley Government will come into the new production scheme financially, seeing in the Rank plans a ready-made spot for Aussie work- ers now out of war plants. One plan for talent, tentatively outlined, calls for British stars, to work in U. S. via the Universal deal, continuing on to Australia for a film or two: U. S. stars going to England and then on to Aussie for a picture. Reported here that Universal may become interested in Aussie film proiuction. Rydge declined to. talk about new production and distribu- tion in detail until he's told GUT stockholders about his huddles with Rank. Femoie Nudity Brings Mex Pix Censor Ban Mexico City, June 11. A lady in the nude was the grounds for censors to ban the first Mexican picture they have liixed in a long lime. Censors banned "To Love Is To Live." Barring of the film has drawn the ire of the film producers association which argues that the nudcness that irked, the censors is not the indecency they call it but high art. This "au nalurel" also has prompt- ed a lawsuit. Emilia Guiu, young and sightly Spanish actress who plays one of the leads in "Amar" has filed action against Javier Campos Ponce, press agent for pictures producer, Ftlmex, S. A., because she says pub- licity showed ^ a stark naked female statue tNat has her face. Actress claims that this display makes her the mark of public scorn and men- aces iver film and stage career. Upped grosses of Metro Inter- national's all-Spanish versions of M-G pix in Latin America indicate that, contrary to general opinion, dubbed versions do as well in first rutis in the key situations as they do in subsequent runs, All-Spanish versions, moreover, ■ have much longer playing time in the' subse-' quents and . first runs in .secondary cities. Figures brought back to the h.o. by Metro's Latin managers show that, during the last 17 months dur- ing which Metro field te.itcd the dubl>ed versions by dispensing com- pletely with titled films, grosses in at least two situations were up as high as 300% over grosses produced- by Metro films with English tracks and Spanish subtitles during the •preceding year and a half. Mana-. gers conceded that film business gen- erally in Latin America, had in- creased but said the rise waS? not sufficient to explain the tremendous increase in Metro grosses, which they attributed to . Metro's use of only dubbed pix. As a result, Metro. International will hencefortb distribute only films spoken entirely in. Spanish. As one manager said, the pictures Offer bet- ter entertainment because "now every nuance of dialog can be. fully appreciated and understood." Metro has been the only compSny in South America that stuck to a consistent policy. Other companies have switched back and forth from the dubt>ed to titled versions, offer- ing exhibs their choice which, ac- cording to Metro execs, isn't good for ' business. Exhibs who've seen their grosses go up with dubbed pix still complain that they'd rather have the titled versions. 'This is due, ac- cording to the Metro chiefs, to the fact that the exhibs have been con- ditioned by the policies' of other companies. It bad been the general consensus heretofore that, as in most countries in Europe, customers in the key cities preferred titled versions to dubbed films. Metro's dubbed ver- sions in Santiago, however, grossed 127,616 pesos during the 17-month ' period, as compared to the 90,772 - pesos grossed by titled versions dur- ing the preceding 17 months^ Other key cities showed sloiUar hypoed grosses with dubbed pix. Rest of the majors, Metro chiefs think, never- gave the dubbed versions a chance to prove themselves. Dubbed versions, according to Metro execs, will be the answer to the increased competition being offered American product in Latin America by local product. Technical level of production in such countries as Argentina and Mexico is certain . to go up and, when it reaches a point of real competion, American com- panies will have to have all-Spanish films to stay in the running. Unlike other companies who've dubbed some of their musicals but retained the lyrics in the original Engli:>h version, Metro has^ even dubbed in the songs. Spanish singer, for example, was found who could sound much like Judy Garland '-for the dubl)ed version of "Meet Me in St. Louis." Because of the difilculty in getting Technicolor prints, the picture has just opened south -of-the- border and is doing tremendous business. FRENCH NARRATOR KILLED Paris, June 4. Capl, Bravig Imbs. 40, was killed near Lyons, in a jeep accident. He was' well known in Frani'C as "Bob- by" of the French radio networks. Author of -the novel "The Profes- sor's Wifei" during the, war, he broadcast for American troops. His wifi- and three children lived in iN. Y. 'First GentlemanVSold For $80*000 to Brit. Pix London, June 11. Atlpf several offers ranging from 540,000 by Michael BalcOn to $60.- OOU by Marcel Hcllmon. Henry Shcrck has finally .dispo.--ed of filiii rights of "The First Genllcman." the Savoy ., theatre hit, to Fraiik Launder & Sidney Gilliatt (Iiulivid- ual Films). Robert Morlcy. who.i.s playing lead, is to duplicate hi;- I'ole in the film version. Understood the show brought $80,- 000. the price originally demanded by Shcrck. Col., 20th Honor Crack Salesmen in London London. June 4. .Toe Friedman, London head of Columbia Pictures and Chairman of War Activities Committee here, tossed a luncheon here for ^cvdn American managers responsible for having raised most money in U. S. Film Industry's Victory Loan Drive. Thirteen prize winners in Tom Connors Film Drive arc also visi- tors to London, and arc being feted by 20th-Fo.x, with Ben Lyon, com- I Ijyny's la'lcnt scout here, as host. lAflpi- four days, the visitors went to 1 Paris and then on to Rome. Campbell and Connelly Doing Scripts for Rank Alan Campbell, Hollywood scripfer, and Marc Connelly, author of "The Green Pastures," have signed, to write original screenplay for Sidney Box, producer for the J. Arthur Rank organization, Campbell's "Self-Made Man" earmarked as a starring vehicle for British actor Stewart Granger. Connelly, currently in London, went there to appear in the British legit version of "Our Town," which was a flop abroad. Rank organiza- tipn heralded the pacts as the first ."tep in a drive to recruit top Amer- ican aiid. iBritish wi-iters for expand- ing production plans. INFANTILE PARALYSIS IN MEX Mexico City. June H. Inianlile pari\lysi.« forced the dosinp ol all anuLsenicnt places in Oiizabii, Vera Cruz state in- duslriai center. Children also are h.Tinird from all such .spots in Puebla City, capital of Puebla state. CORDOBA BACK ON AIR Mexico City, June. 4. Arturo de Cordoba has been inked to' top a weekly program at local station XEW, Mexico's largest, by D'Arcy Advertising. De Cordoba was a star at this sta- tion and XEQ before he : went into films. 16 Wednesday, June 12, 1946 . is 4 in thrills and chills, "Class melodrama, tops with heavy box-office potential." .Variety .Robinson surpasses himself... Welles does best acting of career...Miss Young scores m „,ost difficult role . . • Excellent. ^ ^^^^^^ richly endowed to score "Tense, excitmg • • • '"^"'r ^ solidly in popularity and profits. ^^^^^^^^ .powerful dramatic entertainment delivered by superbly produced filn.. cast e«e.s^^^^^ IKTEN TO "THE STRANGJR inMrisT" ALLEN PRESCOTT l^rJlS P M. DAILY OVER WJZ good show, ond c, good sho« b.geu „«,„.produced>.eres..holding melodrama cuould do well at box-ofRce. . . Shooia u« Exhibitor ..T.p.bracke. draw on names, and can be into big amaCionwUhsma. exp.o.. _showmenVTrad.Re».ew -Tense. s-spense.u.me.od.an,a...wmknow high box-office returns. _j^^„y^,,j Reporter "Final scene i. sheer dramoHc «'Y"°";'" ;„,d show with high box-office expectancy.^ "Will have audiences gripping the edge of .u «ats Should insure lop business, their seats . . • anv .independent Movie Of The week in LIFE, wh|ch colls it "o thriller . . . ^iWed with suspense. Top selection in LOOK. WedncBday, June 12, 1946 NO. Archbishop CaBs 'Kilty 'm' mtiaw'thellnholy 3' of Current Pix New Orleians, June 11. ♦ Archbishop Joseph Pummel names | y» ^ ^2,576,405, 26 Wks. ConsoUdated net proflts of $2,576,405 for the 26 weeks end- ing May 4, '46 was announced by Universal this week, Figure rep- resents an advance over the $2,064,175 that U garnered for the corresponding period of the previous year. In part, the gain • was scored because of scaled- down federal taxes for the cur- rent year. «s Uie "unholy three" group of cur- i renr films which he condemned as iinnt for members of this Catholic diocese, "The Outlaw," "Gilda^ and "Kitty." He stated the worst of- fender was "The Outlaw," which opened Thursday (6) here at LoeW's Stale. \ Rodney Toups, Loew manager, clashed with Herve Racivitch, dis- trict attorney, two days before the film opened. The newly-elected d.a. of three weeks since the local Mor- rison reform ticket swept out Mayor Maestri, aricepted the complaint from the local Legion of Decency commit- tee. The d.a. cited the .Louisiana criminal code setting the maximUm penalty as a $300 fine and a year in jail for obscenity-immoral violations for each exhibition of the film. Racivitch demanded picture screen- , . „„„„ fng for the Legion and others but midtown. PhiUy. is skedded to open Toups nixed a preview except for the ,■ about the end of July, and every- Where WiU Goldman Get Product, Philly Theatre Circles Ask Philadelphia, June U. ■ W illiam Goldman's new $1,000,000 filmer, now under construction in mayor or chief of police. This com- promise was refused by the d.a. Opening .show Thursday found Le- gion members, police matrons, state bar members, reps' from the. d.a. of- fice and police dept. present. Later, after a huddle with the group, d.a. ofl'ice dropped idea of pushing crim- inal code violation. The Legion voted it "condemned." Newspapers were mum', airing neither side of the controversy. Only one Catholic church voted one year's boycott of the theatre. Picture holds at Loew's for. a second week starting Thursday (13) after smashing . all house record^ for the initial stanza. Hughes' New P. A. Continued from page 3 li.shed as far as publicity is con- cerned, Hughes is understood anx- ious to get himself out. from' under the layers of cheesecake that the Russell campaign has subjected him to. He wants to reestablish himself as the shy and sedate millionaire in- dustrialist and aircraft manufacturer. Getting his own way on "The Out- law's" censorship and advertising troubles has become something of a fetish with him, but the personal publicity which has attached itself to him as a result is something he doesn't relish. He's told intimates that he'd prefer to leave to the world a more fitting memorial than that of the man whp exploited Miss Rus- Fcll's charms. Change of pace in the type of publicity to build up a worthy reputation for Hughes is right up the Byoir alley. Birdwell .took no chance on Hughes' announcing that he was "fired" or had "resigned." He sent the press a wire frankly stating his office had been "replaced" by Byoir, adding, with no fear of being ac- cused of modesty: "It was Birdwell who made a national issue of "The Outlaw'." Other than that Birdwell refused to comment. body is wondering where Goldman will get the first-run product he. says the. house will feature. Goldman won't talk about it other than to- say that the product will be forthcoming. Which companies he has signed to deliver the pictures, he won't say, and neither will local disli-ibs. Goldman is currently engaged in a long-drawn out legal fight with all the majors,, whom he has ac- cused of a conspiracy to freeze him out of first run product for the Er- langer which he has under lease. The case has been adjudicated in Goldman's favor, but the amount of , actual damages to be awarded him is yet to be decided. Goldman sued the majors and the Warner chain for $1,350,000. Of the major companies, 20th Century-Fox is believed ' most friendly to Goldman (Goldman and the Skouras Bros, ^yere once asso- ciated iti St Louis) but 20th now opens its first run exclusively at the Fox, operated by a subsidiary of 20th-Fox. Warner product is put. This leaves Universal, Columbia, United Artists, Paramount and RKO as possibilities. The last three com- panies are considered the most likely prospects for Goldman, ac- cording lo industry observers: DUNN ELECTED PREZ OF NX MGRS. GUILD George Dunn, manager of RKO's 81st St. theatre. New York, who was chairman and organizer of the Mor. tion Picture Theatre Operating Man- agers & Assistant Managers (lUild, was imanimously elected president at an election held late Sunday night • 9). Other officers; all of whom will .•itrve for two years, include Leon Kclmer, manager 6t the Kenmore, Brooklyn, v.p.; Maxwell Levine, Or- pheum, Brooklyn, secretary-treas- urer; and Qeorge Baldwin, Colonial, N. manager, recording-secretary. A board of three trustees com- prises Harry Padva, manager of the Shore Road, Brooklyn; Jerry Grecn- bergcr, manager of the Prospect, Brooklyn, and Rudy Kramer, Ches- ter, N. Y. Delegates at large are John J. Thompson, manager of the Franklin, N. Y.; Arthur Pl.ifka, a.'^st. manager of the Kenmore, Brooklyn, and Joseph Aberncthy, assistant at the Colonial. At the Sunday night session mem- bership voted that all vets who re- turned to RKO managerial jobs but who received less than $200 net in retroactive pay iinder the contract recently signed, be brought up to the $200 through assessment of the memr bcrship. Some veterans were back on the job only long enough - to re- ceive $40. Jock Lawrence's Mission Jock Lawrence, top U. S. flaclc for the J. Arthur Rank organization, planes off for England tomorrow (13J for a month or two stay. Lawrence will huddle with Rank officials on plans for an elaborate campaign to push U. S. popularity of British stars on Rank's roster. MPTOA Meet Continued from page S s organization that sidetracked that all- important issue wa£ not doing right by its members. There also was the accusation that ATA was prodUcer-cdntroUed through mem- bership of affiliated theatres. r Kuykendall in' his address to the directors questioned the prepon- derance of independent exhibitors in ATA, and pointed oiit that ATA prexy Si Fabian also was in opposi- tion to Paramount in other situa- tions. Wilby said that affiliated theatres fought high percentage terms as actively as the indies, and that the affiliated circuits were the first to combat them. He said his circuit had refused to play several top pictures, indicating that . inde- pendents and circuits haivc same problem. Wilby took a potshot at commer- cial advertising finding its way into features and shorts. He recom- mended that effo'rU be made to curb the practice by producers. Products such a.<> Coca-Cola, Yellow Cabs, Willys jeeps and others set into pic- tures through influence of repre- sentatives in Hollywood. He said he cuts out all such footage in films playing his theatre.s,. and that if others would do same thing prac- tice may be halted , blOO Million Profit [ ^^S Continued from page 3 of the balance of the period. Singled out as examples are such companies as Loew's which reported $6,768,000 for its first half of "45, and a $12,- 913,369 total; RKO with a $1,141,044 first quarter and $6,031,085 total; 20thrFox with a $2,855,485 first quar- ter and $12,746,467 total; and War- ner Bros, with a $4,605,000 half-year and $9,901,563 full year. Par the Pacenukker Easily the pacemaker for fiscal '46, on the basis of first period reports, is Paramdunt. Company which chalked up a towering $17,821,000 for '45 announced first quarter proflts of $11,500,000 and stands fair to net around $40,000,000 for the year. Likely runnerup is 20th-Fox which now is heading for a banner $20,- 000,000 net as against $12,746,467 re- ported for the past year. Company's first-quarter figure stands at $0;- 241,953. Warners and Loew's .should wind up in close to a dead heat for thirds place money with the latter favored because its last reported period cut aero.s.s the lush first three months of '46 without taking full advantage of it. Loew's half-year garnering of $8,052,067 makes it probable that it will cross the tape at the $16,000,000 mark or more. Company's take for '45 with the fiscal year cndin.s; on Aug. 1 was $12,913,369. WB has a $16,000:000 profit foreshadowed by its half-year profit of $9,125,000. Company's net last year was a re- sounding $9,901,563 which is little more than what its current half-year brought in. Next in line with a probable profit Of $12,000,000 is RKO. Company scored a remarkable quarter net of $3,675,953, as compared With $1,141,- 044 for the comparative period of '45. Its profit for that year was $6,031,085: Both Universal and Columbia are likely to hit the $4,01)0,000 mark. U's first 13 weeks ending Feb. 2 brought in $934,506. Its fiscal ,'45 take, ending Oct. 1, was $3,910,928. Columbia's year which closed on June 1 netted the company $1,'945,-' 167. UA,. with no publicly owned stock, makes no report of proflts. Warner's half-year proflt is equi-r valent to $246 per .shai-e on the 3,- 701,090 shares of common outstand- ing as against $1.24 per share, after payment of $8,200,000 taxes and $170,000 contingencies, for the year before. Gross income for WB amounted to $79,456,000 compared with $68,228,000 for ^he correspond- ing period one year. ago.. Company's term bank loan was sliced to $23,865,000 by payment of a total of $6,364,000. Reduction was made meeting installment due May 1, 1946 and prepaying Nov. 1, 1946, Nov. 1, 1954 and May 1. 1955 install- ments. Warners also obtained a cut to 2% interest for the balance of the loan. Rate formerly was 2% per annum to Nov. 1,'1952'and 2V4% thereafter. Special stockholders meet to pass on proposals previously ' mad^ by the board of directors to split the common stock two for one, cancel li'easury stock and increase author- ized capital stock will be called for Aug. 1. Employee pension plan study by the board has not been com- pleted, the company said, and the plan will r.ot be submitted afthe coming stockholder's session. WB reports cash totaling $17,572, 300. Evaluation of productions com pletcd but not released', at cost is $23,384,605 while productions In the works figure at $8,869,084. Coinci dentally, the company , paid a semi- annual bonus averaging one week's pay to its employee? simultaneously with the issuance of the report. Kallets Super Drive-In Includes Dancing, Refreshments, Picnicking Wehrenberg Succeeds To MPTOA Presidency Columbus, Miss., June 11 . Fred Wehrenberg, veteran St. Louis exhibitor, who was chairman of the board of MPTOA, today (Tuesday) was elected president, succeeding Ed L. Kuykendall, who has held the post many years and hails from here. Kuykendall be- comes president emeritu.s. Vice presidents reelected are Frank G. Walker, head of Comerford chain M. A. Lightman, circuit operator ,ot Mcmphi.s; . Mitchell Wolfson, part- ner in Wometco circuit in Miami; and E. C. Beatty, general manager of the Butterfield circuit in Michigan J. J. O'Lcary. g.m. of the Comer . . (ord circuit, .succeeds Walter Vin- Bocause of his health, Kuykendall cent, Virginia chain owner, as treas was not a candidate for reclccilion a.s president a post Jie has held .since 1933. , Approximately 30 reprosenlativcs urrr, while LeWen Pizor, Philadel phia exhibitor, succeeds Wehrenberg as board chairman. Morris Locwen lien, ..of Oklahoma City, was re arc. here, including H. A. Cole.. Allied i elected secretary. Herman Levy is leader, who is here as an observer. rctiijne tainment spot for Syracusahs. Built by Kallet Theatres, Inc., of Oneida, at a reported $250,000, the drive-ih covers 25 acres at W. Genesee tnpk. - and Kasson rd., between Faiirihount ind Camillas — an easily accessible spot for central. N. Y. motorists. Theatre has an 800-car capacity in an . elaborate layout. Cars drive, direct onto ramps with no backing up. Films are projected on a huge central screen and each, car i.s fur- nished with an individual spcakei: for soiuid. Drive-in has a neat landscaping touch of an artificial waterfall at the back of the- screen at the entrance, A circular dance fiopr directly in front of the screen provides diver- sion for "early birds." There is a refreshment stand hear the bo.N'office and picnic facilities nearby. At present, theatre operates on a two-show nightly basis, Willi an ex- tra midnight screening Saturdays. Under this setup it is estimatcd"lhat 12,000 persons a week may be ac- commodated. Althought peak' has not yet been reached, weekend business already is way ovci: capacity, with waiting cap lines often extending a. niile into Fairmount, keepiiig state troopers busy with the ti'afflc. Current screen fare consists of single features of such vintage as "Mr. Lucky" and "Northwest Mounted Police." F. W, Donahue, veteran exhibitor who has been with the Kallet chain . 18 years, is managing the driyc-iii, a.ssisted by Burton Donovan, cx-GI who was with Kallet at Fulton and Cana.stota. Kallett is plannini; six more drive- ins upstate. Ground already has been broken for the first ot thcni near Utica, at Gary's Corners on the Rome-Utica road. LOEW'S MAY BOOST ITS DIVIDEND ANOTHER 50C With the possibility of net profit reaching $3.50 per share in the fiscal year ending next August, Loew's may boost its dividend rate to 5bc per share, according to reports in Wall Street. This showing would be equal to $10.50 a share, on basis, of the old stock previous to the three- for-one split in recent years. Stock at current prices represents a yield of around 4V4% as reflected in the present 37%c quarterly divvy. It the Loew dividend. was lifted to 50c, it would mean the old stock- holders prior to the split would be getting $6 per share annually. At present these shareholders, get $4.50 after giving credence to the splitup. PHILLY ALLIED NIXES AUGNING WITH ATA Philadelphia, June 11. Fight betvireen the American The- atres Assn. and National Allied States Exhibitors resulted here in exhibs nixing the formatiori -of a lo-. cal ATA chapter. Action which turned down the organization of a group followed a determination by an exhibs' committee that the move would be "inadvisable" unless Allied and A'TA first got together. A com- mittee comprising Jay Emanuel, Mor- ris Wax, Norman Lewis, J. Fred Osterstock, Ted Schlanger, Michael Felt and Lester Kricger, will study the situation. At a meeting held here last month, at which time Ted Gamble, ATA board chaitman, and Si . Fabian, prexy, explained the aims of the new theatre unit, conclusion reached was that .it would be requisite that a ma- jority of exhibs in the area should hold membership. Without enlist- ment of Allied members a majority could not. be obtained. Allied com- niitteemcn declared . that national Allicd's stand was such that they could not go along. Picture Grosses — Continued from page ID s KANSAS CITY Holding well at $13,000.- Last week, strong. $20,000; Mldhnd (Loew's) (1.500; 45-05)— "Po.stman Rings Twice" (M-G) (2d wk). Satisfactory $11,000. Last week, solid $18,()00. Newman (Paramount). (1,900; 4S-. 65)— "Blue Dahlia" (Par) (2d wk). Trim $10,000. Last week, sock $16,< 500. Orpheom (RKO) (1,900; 45-65)— "Badman's Territory" (RKO) and "Partners in Time" (RKO) (2d wk). Oke $9,000. First week, fancy $14,- 000. Tower (Fox-Joffee) (2,100; 39-60) —"God's Country" (Iftdie) and "Texas Jamboree" (Col) with stage, show headed by Glen Larson. Good $11,500. Last week, "Spider Woman Strikes Back" (U) and "Strange Conquest" (U) with vaude headed by Larry Collins, mild at $9,500. Illfell Groomed' Lnsty 1 7G in Mfldish Bof f. Buffalo, June. 11. "Well Groomed Bride" and "One More Tomorrow" look best bets of new entries here this week. ' Estimates for This M^eck Buffalo (Shea) (3,500; 40-70)— "Well Groomed Bride" (Par) and "Hot Cargo" (Par). Rosy $17,000. Last week, "Postman Rings Twice" (M-G), sock $28,000. Great Lakes (Shea) (3.000; 40-70) —"One More Tomorrow" (WB); Fancy $17,000. Last week, "Blue Dahlia'! (Par) (2d wk), great $15,000. Hipp (Shea') (2,100; 40-70)— "Her Kind of Man" (WB) and "Prison Ship" (Col). Choice $10,000. .Last week, "Devotion"^ (WB) and "Night Editor" (Col), $9,500. Teck (Shea) (1,400; 40-70)— "Post- man Rings Twice" (M-G) (m.o.). Good $7,500/ Last week, "Diary of Chambermaid" (UA) (m.o.) and "Red Dragon" (Mono), $6,000, fair. Lafayette (Basil) (3,300; JO-70)— "Renegades" (Col) and "falK About Lady" (Col), Dandy $13,500. Last week, "Perilous Holiday" (Col) and "Meet Me on Broadway" (Col), snug $9,000. , , 20ih Centnry (20th CciVt) (3,000: 40-70) — ''Heartbeiit" (RKO) and "Swing Parade of 1946" (PRC) (2d wk). Okay $8,000 or over. Last week, husky $15,000. Wednesday, June 12, 1946 nCTITRES 19 Stock Option Film Contracts Henceforth Subject to Taxes Industry habit of spreading com-" peiisation over over a period of years took a beating within th6 post few weeks when the U. S. Treasury Dept's, reversing a previous stand, clamped down on the practice of grantine stock options. Ukase, in short, holds that paper profits gar- nered by conversion of options into stock are to be charged up as ordi- nary Income for the year in which the option is exercised. Treasury's change in attitude, as indicated by the new ruling, may play hob with other industry eustoms Including newly initiated practice of leasing sloiy material instead of ah outright sale, film legalites opine. New ruling is retroactive to Feb. 20, 1045. Stock option habit sprung up under previous Treasury stand . which -permitted an exec, whose contract gave him that privilege to pick up stock under option and hold it indermitely without paying a penny in taxes. Department regula- tion went further and provided that • pi oflts made oh the sale of the stock would be charged as capital gain with the bite Hxcd at 2,5% rather thai) at the substantially higher in- come tax rate. Contracts such as that granted Ci'ad Scars by United Artists, in wliich part of coiinpensation is a form of life insurf^nce paid to the sales chiefs family in the event of his deatIV, may also be affected, lawyers say. Understood that several otiier CNccs have been considering pacts siniilar to that obtained by Sears. Tax problem is also posed by the leasing of story material, legalites aver. Actually/ it is said, there is little difference between licensing a story dr play for a fixed period in which a liimp sum is paid at once and leasing the same story for. a term of years. General rule enforced by tlic Treasury provides for the pay- ment of the tax as income of one year where the transaction is com- pleted within that fiscal year. « By leasing, the author or playwriglit spreads his compensation and there- by cuts his tax. Question which now crops up is whether tax offllcinis will regard leasing with jaiahdiccd eyes as a device to escape the bnc-ycar provision, attorneys say. Flays Newtreel Overlap Indianapolis, June 11. Duplication in newsreels is latest target of Theatre Facts, bulletin of Associated Theatre Owners of Indiana, put but by Don Rosslter, secretary. "A num- ber of Indiana exhibitors have stated that the amotmt of shots duplicated by the different com- panies' newsreels Is at an all- time high," Rosslter states in latest burn. "During the war ~the. iBlih coihpanles used the short- ness of : manpower, materials, diiTicultles of travel, etc., to ex- cuse duplication. That, condi- tion no more 'exists, and it's; high time the . newsreels stop interchange of shots which re- duces greatly the value of the ■ newsreel to the .exhibitor;" Jodge Throws the Book At 6th Ave. 'Hot Shot' Fixer Branding ol the Miami theatre (N. Y.) as a "public nuisance" by llic court of special sessions this week, a novel legal procedure heretofore un- precedented so. far as a N. Y. theatre is concerned, has Dept. of Licenses onioinls piizxlcd on tl>e lensth of t nic the house will be padlocked as a re- sult of the judicial label. New York corporation counsel is currently bc- in;; quizzed to answer that one. Court hearings on Monday (10 1 brought down the house when the thi'cc judges presiding, anccred over tlie addition of 401 feet of "hot shots" in "Guilty Parents/' fllm which v. as playing at the Miami, called that tlic- atre a "cesspool, a menace ind a dump on Sixth avenue." Maxiivurh fine of $500 wa.s slapped agaiii.'it B.-n- mir .Amusement Corp., operator .of the house. Benjamin Brodic. picz ■'of Benmir, who contrary to the cor- poration had pleaded not euilty. will Bassler's Busy Summer Hollywood, June 11. Busiest producer at 20th-Fox this summer will be Robert Basslier, who has four features slated to roll within six weeks, starting June 24 with "The Homestretch," a Techni- color .production co-starring Cornel Wilde and Maureen O'Hara. Others are "Tlie High Window" and "Bob, Son of Battle," starting simultaneously July 1, and "Party Line," taking oft Aug. 5. Army Show Savvy To Hypo Hitches Army showmanship, which reached i ne\y hiigh during World War II as the War Dept. sought to enlist the country behind its GIs, is again out' doing itself in current efforts to re' build the Army via voluntary en- listments. With Congressional dilly dallying . preventing conscription procedure from providing the 1,- 000,000 men the War Dept. wants, the Army is going all-out on an ad' vertising, publicity and exploitation campaign that has seldom been equalled. Major item is the "Army Ground Forces Caravan,'- which opened a five-day stand in Albany, N.."Y., yeS' tcrday (Tuesday). It takes 40 ve- hicles, requiring almost two miles of road, to move it, with, one of the truck-trailers, containing a taiik, weighing 60 tons. Personnel includes 110 men, eight officers and a dog trained to smell out the enemy. Ex- hibition moves frornl the Albany armory to Rochester and then pro- ceeds into New England. Another major exhibit Is slated to open at Steel Pier, Atlantic City; I June 22. Covering 11,000 square feet, ; It will include a Signal Corps' dem- ' unstration of radar reaching the moon, jet-propelled planes, every sort of air and ground forces train- ing gadget, airborne infantry equip- ment, etc., etc. Mucli of the exhibit is of an audience participation na- ture. In addition, the personnel, consisting of 60 men, all combat veterans, will give three special shows a day. Two Air Force traveling exhibits are already being operated in New York City and New Jersey. Each of them i