DECEMBER

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FCC to Thoroughly Study
UP!-ABC Merger Request
WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications
Commission has given noncommittal
answers to congressional urging on both sides
of the United Paramount Theatres and
American Broadcasting Co. merger fence, it
was learned in Washington Thursday (4i.
Senators William Langer (R., N. D.) and
Charles W. Tobey iR., N. H.) expressed opposition
to the merger in telegrams addressed
to FCC chairman Walker. Tobey expressed
himself as "disturbed and shocked" at the
initial decision permitting the merger issued
recently by hearing examiner Leo Resnick.
Langer also used the word "shock" in expressing
his reaction, in view of the antitrust
activities of United Paramount officials.
He also strenuously objected to the
Commission's own decision not to consider
antitrust violations before Aug. 7, 1948.
Langer held out an implied threat of reprisal
in the event the Commission finally
approves the merger when he said he hoped
the Commission would not take an action
calling for investigation of the FCC by the
Senate. Langer is slated to head the Senate
Judiciary Committee in the next session.
On the other hand. Senator A. Willis
Robertson (D., Va.) asked the Commission for
quick action on the merger. It was revealed
that FCC had received numerous communications
from senators and congressmen, some
asking for quick approval and others asking
that merger permission be denied.
To all, the Commission has been answering
that the initial decision was only one
step, and is not to be considered a final
decision. Commissioner Hyde, replying for
the absent Walker to the Langer telegram
said it would be inappropriate for the Commission
to make any comments or form any
judgments until the commissioners had a
chance to study the records in the case, but
promised a final decision in line with the
facts and with public interest.
Eastman Contends Retail
Prices Fair Under Law
WASHINGTON—Eastman Kodak has filed
an answer with the Federal Trade Commission
to the complaint filed last September
attacking the company's practice of fixing
fair trade retail prices on photographic products.
The company states that there are approximately
75,000 retail outlets in the United
States that handle the company's product
and Eastman operates only 39 of these.
There is "full and effective" competition,
the company states.
DuMont Sees One Million
Plus Net for 12 Weeks
NEW YORK—Allen B. DuMont Laboratories
has estimated gross income for the last
12 weeks of the year at about $24,000,000 and
earnings after taxes at more than $1,100,000.
Says P. R. Shorts Should
Be Distributed in Europe
HOLLYWOOD—Filmdom's series of public
relations shorts, produced approximately three
years ago to familiarize moviegoers with production,
distribution and exhibition techniques,
should have their distribution expanded
to include Europe, in the opinion
of 'Valentine Davies, veteran scenarist and
newly elected vice-president of the Screen
Writers Guild. Davies bases his conclusions
upon observations during a recent trip to
Europe, where he represented the industry
at a UNESCO conference in Venice.
Exhibition of the shorts abroad, 'Valentine
said, would serve to acquaint foreign film
fans with the "Hollywood story," which now
reaches them only through the perusal of
fan magazines. The screen writer declared
that not only movie audiences, but European
production executives as well, are in possession
of only sketchy information as concerns
the film capital, its personnel and picturemaking
techniques.
The series of public relations shorts is now
being assembled into a full-length feature
under supervision of Grant Leenhouts of the
U.S. Information Service.
PSI-TV Film Deals Signed
With European Producers
NEW YORK—Deals for production of a
number of television film shorts have been
signed by Paul White, president of PSI-TV,
Inc., and was in Mexico City hning up further
product.
White says the company now has 52 halfhour
films completed, or nearly so, in several
European countries, Hollywood and Mexico.
He has opened an office in the Hotel George
V. Paris which will be in charge of John
Nasht. The latter also is in charge of the
London office.
Two new series will be made by Pathe
Two new series
Cinema and by Paul Wagner.
also are to be made in Italy by Victor Pahlen
and Thetis Film.
Bell System TV Network
Links With Austin, Tex.
NEW YORK—Network television facilities
became available to Austin, Tex., Thanksgiving
day, bringing to 111 the total number of
stations to which Bell system network service
is available. The network interconnects 68
cities in the U.S. The Austin hookup was
made possible by connecting its new television
station to the Dallas-San Antonio radio-relay
route, which has been carrying live network
programs to San Antonio since July.
Alexander in New TV Post
NEW YORK—Clarence G. Alexander has
been named general manager of the Great
Plains Television Properties, Inc., stations by
Herbert Scheftcl, president. The stations are
TV units in Duluth, Little Rock, Springfield,
111., and Sioux City, Iowa.
Educational TV Will Cost
$35,000,000, Says Abrams
NEW YORK—Benjamin Abrams. president
of Emerson Radio & Phonograph Corp., estimates
that it will take $35,000,000 to put
educational television stations on the air all
over the country, with an annual budget of
$25,000,000 to keep them operating. Abrams
has recently resigned as chairman of the
Radio Television Manufacturers Ass'n educational
television committee.
Emerson has given the first two $10,000
grants of a series of ten to aid educational
stations to the Allen Hancock Foundation
at the University of Southern California and
to the University of Houston, which have
stations nearing completion.
The Federal Communications Commission
has granted nine construction permits for
educational stations and applications are in
for ten more.
Rebuilt Metro in Cairo
Opens With 'Quo Vadis'
NEW YORK—The Metro Theatre, Cairo,
Egypt, which was badly damaged during
political riots early in the year, reopened
Wednesday (3) with "Quo Vadis" with government
officials attending. Government
funds aided in its repair.
Morton A. Spring, first vice-president of
Loew's International Corp., said it seats 1,600,
has been air conditioned by Carrier and ha<
Simplex XL projectors, Fiberglas screen.
Westrex sound system and a new attractions
sign with Adler third-dimensional plastic letters.
The Metro will be managed by Gustave
Zelnick under the supervision of Maurice
Dassa, MGM manager for Egypt,
The opening marked the national release of
"Quo Vadis" m Egypt. It opened simultaneously
at the Metro in Alexandria.
Unger Is Named Executive
For TV Exploitation
NEW YORK—Oliver A, Unger has been
named as executive vice-president of Television
Exploitation, Inc., by Milton Gettinger.
president. The company intends to add feature
films and acquire half-hour and 15-
minute packages for TV use, Unger recently
resigned as vice-president of Snader Telescription
Sales. The company is negotiating
for production facilities and inventory of a
television producing and distributing firm ou
the coast.
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GE Ships UHF Transmitter
To WKAB-TV at Mobile
SYRACUSE—The General Electric Co, ha?
shipped its fir.t ultrahigh frequency television
transmitter to WKAB-TV, channel
48, Mobile, Ala.
Frank P, Barnes, G. E. broadcast equipment
sales manager, says the transmitter
will operate at 100 watts, but a special
antenna will boost the effective power to
2,500 watts. The antenna is undergoing final
tesU and will be shipped soon. The station
is expected to cover a 15-mile radius.
Decca Pays 17V2C Dividend
NEW YORK—Directors of Decca Records,
Inc, have voted a quarterly dividend of 17»4
cents per share on the capital stock, payable
December 30 to stockholders of record December
15,
The directors have declared a dividend from
current earnings on the class A and B common
stock of 25 cents a share, payable Dei-'Ti'hir
23 to stockholders of record DemH
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BOXOFFICE
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December
6, 1952 J*Illfn(j
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