Boxoffice-March.06.1948

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: March Clearance Setup in Dallas Hit in $1200.000 Suit DALLAS—R. J. O'Donnell, general manager of Interstate Theatres, Inc., denied categorically that his company had ever entered into agreement with any film distributor for the fixing of admission prices when he appeared as a witness in the $1,200,000 antitrust suit brought by B. R. McLendon against Interstate, Robb & Rowley and a large number of major distributors. O'Donnell also denied that his circuit made special agreements with McLendon over the availability of films for the latter's Casa Linda and Beverly Hills theatres in Dallas. ON SAME BASIS AS OTHERS McLendon's theatres received films on the same basis that other operators received them. O'Donnell testified. The availability is based upon several factors, however, and the price charged is one of them, O'Donnell's denial came after a vigorous direct examination by McLendon's attorney, Dick Holt, who introduced a flood of contracts and agreements tending to show that both McLendon and the public suffered under the alleged monopolistic setup of distributing films in Dallas. J. B. Underwood, southwest division manager for Columbia Pictures, Inc., conceded that the admission price was one factor in the film rentals set by his company, but he denied that Columbia forced any operator to charge a certain price. The amount of the admission, he testified, was also one of the factors in arriving at the availability of films. The higher admission price in downtown first run theatres was protected, he said. "The purpose of the whole thing, then, is to get more people to come to the downtown theatres where you will get more from the showing of your films?" Underwood was asked by counsel for McLendon. "That's not our program, but that's the way it works out," he answered. OFFER NUMEROUS DOCUMENTS Interstate offered in evidence nimierous contracts between Columbia and exhibitors tending to show that the operators were not obligated to show more than a limited number of pictures What had been given first run in the downtown theatres. McLendon is seeking treble damages for a $400,000 loss incurred in the disposition of his Beverly Hills Theatre, which, he alleges, was forced to accept 45-day clearance on films after they were shown in downtown and some other neighborhood theatres. Dick Holt, counsel for McLendon, in a preliminary argument to Judge Atwell, said the alleged monopoly forced the public to attend the higher-priced downtown theatres or wait until the films were available to the neighborhood theatres, including that operated by McLendon, The plaintiffs announced they would present proof of discrimination in the clearance of the films. Delay 'Victor' Screenings NEW YORK—The national trade showing of Warners' "To the 'Victor," co-.staiTing Dennis Morgan and 'Viveca Lindfors, has been changed from March 15 to March 29. The national release date will be April 10. Sorrell Denies Charge He Is a Communist WASHINGTON—Herbert K. Sorrell, head of the Conference of Studio Unions, characterized an alleged membership card in the Communist party said to have been issued to him under the name "Herbert Stewart" as a "fake" at the He house hearing on studio labor strife. signed his name to prove the signatui-es differed. Meanwhile as Sorrell vented bitterness against rival studio labor leaders, Chairman Carroll D. Keams of the house labor and education subcommittee said he would ask Westbrook Pegler, tell columnist, to what he knows about Hollywood labor troubles. In his testimony, the CSU chief said that Disney helped make "Communists" by paying too Uttle. SorreU helped lead the strike against the Disney studios in 1941. He said that the AFL screen cartoonists guild and the lATSE helped scuttle the strike. The committee remained unconvinced, despite the flow of testimony from Matthew Levy, counsel for the lATSE, and Roy Brewer, lATSE representative in Hollywood, that Communism was a basic problem in settlement of studio labor troubles. Congressman Kearns pointed out that the discussions always return to the old AFL directive which was supposed to solve the jurisdictional strife. Quarrels over jurisdictional matters within the AFL seemed to be the basic problem, Congressman Thomas Owens 'Red River' Awarded to UA By Arbitration Board NEW YORK—Monterey Productions wiU have to deliver "Red River" to United Artists under the terms of an arbitration award made by a three-man panel at the headquarters of the American Arbitration Ass'n March 3. The decision of the three arbitrators was unanimous. The panel consisted of William Zimmerman, RKO sales executive, impartial arbitrator; Abe Bienstock, representing UA, and Charles Abramson, representing Monterey. The arbitration proceedings grew oat of dispute between UA and Monterey over the delivei-y of the Howard Hawks production. UA had claimed that Monterey was refusing to fulfill its contract obligations in failing to deliver the film. Monterey has claimed that the picture has not been reaxly for delivery. Meanwhile depositions in the scheduled counter suit filed by WUliam Cagney in California against UA were taken Thursday (4i. Oagney's counter-suit contests a suit filed by UA in New York supreme coiu-t to force delivery of "Time of Your Life." Cagney's counter-suit will be tried March 15. EL Seeks to Increase Accounts Per Film NEW YORK—Eagle Lion will work for a minimum of 12,000 domestic accounts on every American-made release and 10,000 on every British-made release, according to William J. Heineman, recently appointed vicepresident in charge of distribution. In the past the average number of accounts on EL U.S. product has been about 8,500, and "much less" for British-made J. Arthur Rank films, Heineman said. The average number of accounts reported by one of the five majors for its pictures is about 12,000, but top musicals go as high as 14,000 or 15,000 accounts. Eagle Lion branch managers and salesmen are being instructed to "poll" exhibitors in their territories as to what stories and stars wUl draw the most customers. These "polls" will be informal. The branch sales personnel will question the exhibitors on futm-e productions and possible casts being considered by Eagle Lion. The salesmen will pass on their information to the district managers who will forward the reports to the home office. There will then be consultations between production and sales executives as to future courses of action. Mochrie, Back From Coast, Sees a Record RKO Year NEW YORK — RKO anticipates a record sales year on the basis of its product lineup, according to Robert Mochrie, vice-president in charge of distribution. Mochrie made this statement during the week after his return from a studio visit. He said the spring and summer release lineup offers more quality pictures than the company has released to date in a similar period. "With such product, produced under the supervision of Dore Schary, plus weU organized selling effort, we expect to roll up business on a greater scale than ever before," he declared. Mochrie listed forthcoming pictures he reviewed during his coast stay, including "Joan of Arc," starring Ingrid Bergman; "Berlin Express;" "The 'Velvet Touch," produced by Independent Artists; "Melody Time," Walt Disney production. Mochrie said "I Remember Mama" will open at the Radio City Music Hall March 11. "The Miracle of the Bells" will open at the Rivoli March 16. Claim 66% Fan Magazine Readers Are in 83 Cities NEW YORK—Sixty-six per cent of the readers of 12 screen fan magazines is concentrated in 83 key cities, according to results of a survey made by the Ass'n of Screen Magazine Publishers. Inc., and released by the Monroe Greenthal Advertising Co. The 66 per cent figure indicates that 13,- 250,000 of a total of 20,000,000 readers is concentrated in the areas where film companies get most of their revenue. The 12 magazines represented in the survey are: Motion Picture, Movie Story, Modem Screen, Stories, Screen Photoplay, Movie Movie Stars' Pai'ade, Movieland, Screen Life, Guide, Screenland, Silver Screen and Movie Show. 14 BOXOFFICE : 6, 1948
The Leading Figure In The Industry Leads The Industry In Academy Award Nominations! est Motion Picture of tlie Year 'GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT" -"MIRACLE ON 34th STREET" Best performance by an Actor Best performance by an Actress Best performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role Best performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Best Achievement in Directing Best Written Screenplay Best Original Motion Picture Story Best Achievement in Film Editing Best Achievement in Black-and-White Art Direction Best Scoring of a Musical Picture Best Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture Best Original Song Best Cinematography, Black and White Best Cinematography, Color
Page 1 and 2: Im /'cauon ucuiAe. m YEAR'S PRODUCT
Page 3 and 4: A TERRIFIC TECHNICOLOR TRADE SHOW!
Page 5 and 6: ROBERT ALDA'S.Z.SML - Directed by P
Page 7 and 8: J I fl. S, '' ' ^^ , against ' Para
Page 9 and 10: COURT SEES VTTER DISREGARD' FOR TER
Page 11 and 12: : March UA Will Release Six The Tel
Page 13: URE EVER HADE w m** tractions From
Page 17 and 18: ; I while I population , its ' 85 o
Page 19 and 20: . Named : March . . . Such $61108,9
Page 21 and 22: THE MATTERl:>. HNESS THAT A COLUMBI
Page 23 and 24: , New I : March 1 3) Foreign Heads
Page 25 and 26: % Cleveland, Boston, Cincinnati, Ka
Page 27 and 28: : March 1 1 greater . . .2:30 Local
Page 29 and 30: UNIVERSAL- INTERNATIONAL presents ^
Page 31 and 32: DeVry Adapts 16mm For Big Theatres
Page 33 and 34: CHESTER FRIEDMAN EDITOR HUGH E. FRA
Page 35 and 36: I of f Safety Council Okays Placard
Page 37 and 38: . . Tom Mix Kiddy Parly And $300 in
Page 39 and 40: Pass Bill for Control Of Child Patr
Page 41 and 42: : March . . . Arthur . . Bernard .
Page 43 and 44: I some ! Crashers : March • , . T
Page 45 and 46: . . . The : March . . Ben . . Ray .
Page 47 and 48: m^LT^QW NEWS AND VIEWS OF THE PRODU
Page 49 and 50: I :OHN , Friedman : March and MANN,
Page 51 and 52: Fox Intermountain Powwow Next Week
Page 53 and 54: : March 'Northside' Scores 190 For
Page 55 and 56: . . Frank : March . . Bruce . . Ray
Page 57 and 58: . . . Jean , . Arthm- . . Amato's .
Page 59 and 60: V. U. Young Stricken Ai Home in Flo
Page 61 and 62: St. Louis Anticipates Surge by Tele
Page 63 and 64: . . Eugene : March . . in the 20th-
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: March . . Mrs. . . The . . Willia
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Co-Op Delivery Plan Formed by Allie
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. . Don . . Rodney : March . . Leo
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: March Cleveland Lays Plan To Curb
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: March Big Cleveland Coin Taken by
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: March . . Pour . . Robert head .
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. . The . . . Ike . . George . . Su
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: March Committeemen Named By Varie
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: March . . . Edwin . . Henry . . M
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: March !."!'A"*Ll".t.''!?" Sold by
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. . . Mary . . . The . . Screen the
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. . . . Big Amarillo Doings For 'Pa
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. . . Exhibitors . . Joy : March .
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: March Auburn Studies Tax; 750-Sea
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: March . . . Doris . . Mrs. . . Ho
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: March Power Shortage Eases In Sou
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. . . The : March OTT AW A The IGin
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BookinGuidc BOXOFFICE FIRST RUN REP
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: presume. ' RKO RADIO Banjo (RKO)
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( . ILY? l JULY 12 CHECK RUNNING TI
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CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHA
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'-1
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M 92 Mad Wednesday (94) UA 51 Magic
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II i'^ Opinions on Current Producti
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Opinions on Current Productions; Ex
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' 1 Cinespeclal reorder . I'ovvers.
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I What an entertainment! A big cast
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— idustry-wide. so could the impl
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: March BACKGROUND TO SETTLEMENT TH
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: March AMONG THE COUNTRY'S TOP EXH
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: March Fine of $1,000,000 Posed in
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' #n '/ yjjwrjffffy/ii y] JESSE L.
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[RADE SHOW OF THE YEAR! DON'T MISS
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! ^ 1^ OUTCROSSING LADD'S TWO PREVI
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"The Movingest Movie Pihe-Thomas Ha
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atre day and date booking in Los An
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DFMnnuii^ Screenplay by Charles Ben
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: March and Woolley as a distant co
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jentleman's j^reement Its record at
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CHESTER FRIEDMAN EDITOR HUGH E. FRA
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The Bally-Hooper Keeps Climbing
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The Bally-Mmfier Keeps Climbing **
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'. »f Kioloui ul force* .>ili./ it
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Co-Op Tieups Push 'Ends of Earth' P
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I Guild PITTSBURGH Milton Brauman ,
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THOUGHT OR TWO FROM HYGIENIC CORNER
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. per 1 new. .It. ^ 1 prospective m
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: March Move for Dismissal Of Ascap
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: March . . Ann . . Mi-s. Jersey So
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to Mr. and Mrs. Bert Gordon of Cali
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1 N. : March . . Gordon . . Tony .
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: March I Cd! HOLLYWOOD PRODUCTION
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f- l^."* : March head ol the sound
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. . "To ' Premiere of 'Rocky' In Sa
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: March . . . The . . . "Oklahoma"
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Fox Midwest Named In Antitrust Acti
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: March First Union of MPMO Marks 4
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. . Robert : March . . . Margaret .
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Fox Midwest Renews Du Quoin, III, G
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: March Sedalia Defies Blizzard to
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io.i.li : March . . John Lyric, Sal
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: March :- i 'Timberlane' Is Great
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I I I . . Wedding : March . . M. .
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: March SOME PENNSYLVANIA CITIES AB
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. . Douglas Dream Girl Promotion St
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. wk : March . . . Jerry . . Ben .
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. . . Fred . . Stanley : March . .
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: March 2nd ;'''..' . . The . . The
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. . . Samuel : March . . John . . B
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' ROSWELL, : March San Antonians Se
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. . Joe : March former home in Tuls
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Bob Warner Is Well Again; To Make T
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. Eddie : March had . . COME Dallas
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: March Columbia Transfers Roscoe t
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: March . . Dorothy . , Mr. Jenkins
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Warns of Deadline Preacher Finds Mo
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: March Tax Survey Shows Fall in Gr
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Canadians to Vote On Empire Oscars
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. . The . . Local : March . . Clayt
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Bookin(ruide BOXOFFICE FIRST RUN RE
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who really should see it. Business
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i t I COVER CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH
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I I FEATURE CHART I JANUARYS JANUAR
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I I cmd trade press reviews. The pl
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. 2-28 20th Century-Fox 'rod. No. T
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Opinions on Current Productions; Ex
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', lATES: 10c per word, minimum $1.
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Boxoffice-March.06.1948

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