Boxoffice-May.29.1948

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. . . Hyman
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. . Dennis
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Arizona Commission Dispufes Claim
It Prevents Filmmaking in State
PHOENIX—Statements that the State Industrial
commission's policy of limiting compensation
insurance on screen stars is keeping
motion picture companies out of Arizona,
were sharply challenged here last week. The
rebuttal was revealed in a letter by J. J. O'-
Neill, commission chairman, to state senate
president John G. Babbitt.
Babbitt referred specifically to statements
made by the chambers of commerce of Phoenix
and Flagstaff that Hollywood has written
off plans to make future films in Arizona because
of the cun-ent compensation act.
SEE PUBLICITY ANGLE
"The present furor seems to have been occasioned,"
O'Neill wrote, "by the fact that
there was a recent premiere of a picture
("Fort Apache"!, partially made in Arizona,
at which there was the usual press-agentry
of lights and cocktail parties, and at which
the press agents gave vent to their imaginations.
However, the records of the commission
do not substantiate many of the statements
that have been appearing in the press."
O'Neill added that there is a test suit pending
in the Arizona supreme court to determine
whether the commission has a right to
limit compensation coverage on film stars
"who come to Arizona for a few days and
whose death or injury while here might wreck
the compensation insurance fund."
"The commissions' first duty," wrote O'Neill,
"is to protect the fund from waste and dissipation."
The commission chairman also
made mention of the fact that there has been
some discussion of amending the industrial
insurance law. but pointed out that any
change would first require submission of the
amendment to the voters by initiative petition.
CLAIMS SUBSIDIZATION
"Our records," went on O'Neill, "concusively
show that the film indu.stry has been
subsidized by the regular industry of Arizona
for a number of years. This cannot be justified.
"Numerous unlawful expedients have been
used to authorize the companies to operate
at the hazard of the state fund for a nominal
premium. None of the companies have complied
with the incorporation laws of the state
of Arizona, so as to subject them to jurisdiction
of the courts of the state."
O'Neill said that his commission "is not
unmindful that the film industry has expended
substantial sums in the state, but our
audits indicated that the amounts claimed to
have been spent are grossly exaggerated."
He added, "the ultimate solution, if the
court decides against us, will not
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be an easy matter."
Confidential Ups Holland
NEW YORK—Tom Holland, Pittsburgh
office manager for Confidential Reports, has
been named west coast district manager.
He succeeds Barry Halbert, deceased.
Parents, Exhibitors Must
Cooperate. Says Levin
SAN FRANCISCO—The need for
In his concluding arguments, O'Neill wrote,
"We are satisfied that no employer in Arizona
wants to pay additional premium to subsidize
the moving picture industry—not even
those who benefit most from its activities."
developing
cooperative measures between parents
and exhibitors was stressed last week by
Irving M. Levin, division director of San
Francisco Theatres, Inc., in an address before
the Motion Picture Council of the Bay area.
Levin received conunendations from council
members for his active support to PTA
and Mothers club groups in altering Saturday
programs if scheduled picttires are not
suitable for children.
"The exhibitor cannot work alone in the
campaign to raise the standards of entertainment
for children," he said. Levin informed
the council that the first responsibility
must be assumed by the parents. Citing
examples of fathers and mothers who
send their children to theatres to shift their
task of maintaining discipline onto the theatre
manager, he indicated the problems are of
mutual consideration. "'We are most willing
to make conditions in the theatre suitable
for children, but we must have the full support
of parents to make it comipletely successful."
'Outlaw' Balmy in Denver;
Stays for Third Week
DENVER—The Freedom train,
the opening
of the fishing season, beautiful picnic
weather and the opening of amusement parks
were too much competition for most pictures.
"The Outlaw" earned a third week at the
Broadway. "Hazard" stays a second session
at the Denham.
(Average Is 100)
Aladdin—The Iron Curtain (20th-Fox),- 13 Lead
Soldiers (ZOth-Fox), 2nd d. t. wk 90
Broadway—The Outlaw (UA), 2nd wk 180
Denham—Hazard (Para) 100
Dsnver, Esquire and Webber Silver Hiver (WB);
Trapped by Boston Blackie (Col) 100
Orp'heum Alias a Gentleman (MGM); Tenth
Avenue Angel (MGM) 90
Paramount—To the Victor (WB); For You I Die
(FC) 65
Rialto Tarzan's Secret Treasure (MGM); Tarzon's
New York Advenure (MGM), reissues 85
Tabor—Strawberry Roan (Col); The 'Wreck of the
Hesperus (Col) 100
'State of Union' Holds Strong;
'Curtain' Opens Big in Seattle
SEATTLE — "The Iron Curtain" got off to
a nice start at the Paramount. The 20th-
Fox release opened without trouble from
leftists sympathizers. MGM's "State of the
Union," in its second week at the Palomar,
still led the town.
Blue Mouse The Adventures ol Robin Hood
(WB), reissue; Docks of New Orleans
(Mono), 2nd d, I wk 60
Filth Avenue Winter Meeting (WB); Let's Live
Again (20th-Fox) 60
Liberty—The Mating of Millie (Col); The
Woman From Tangier (Col), 3rd wk 110
Music Box—Bambi (MGM), reissue; Rocky
'?5
(Mono), 2nd d t. wk
Paramount—The Iron Curtain (20th-Fox);
Arthur Takes Over (20th-Fox) 125
Orcheum The Noose Hangs High (EL);
Devil Ship (Col) .- 85
Music Hall—The Bride Goes Wild (MGM);
Hal! Past Midnight (20th-Fox), 3rd wk 130
Palomar Stole of the Union (MGM). 2nd wk 175
Roosevelt The 'Sainted' Sisters (Para); Bowery
Buckaroos (Mono), 2nd wk 100
SAN FRANCISCO
O R. Claggett is managing the Motor Movies
first drive-in in Stockton, which was
opened May 14 by the Blumenfeld circuit.
It is a 712-car layout. Among those attending
the opening were Joseph Blumenfeld.
Nate Blumenfeld, D. J. McNerney. Joe
Huff. Hal Neides and Eric Wilson of the home
office.
Col. Fred Levy and his wife of Louisville,
owner of many theatres and associated with
Sol Lesser in motion picture production, are
making their annual visit. Mrs. Levy is a
cousin of Mrs. Carol A. Nathan. Incidentally,
the Carol Nathans, owners of the Marina and
El Presidio, flew south to spend their usual
summer weeks with their daughter, Alene
Carroll, in Beverly Hills. Just before he left.
Nathan's brother Myron suffered severe
shock and bruises in an auto accident. No
bones were broken but Myron will be confined
for some time.
William Bendix was in plugging the opening
of "The Time of "your Life" at the United
Artists May 27. Bernie Kamins, publicity
director for Cagney Productions, was with
Bendix, Also up from the UA exchange in
Los Angeles was Jack Willen.
Fay Reader, publicist for FWC, returned
from Los Angeles. The Golden Gate is having
its face lifted. The entire front of the
theatre is being torn down and will be completely
remodeled . Morgan was
scheduled to make an appearance with the
Hollywood Cathedral choir May 29 at the
Opera House.
.
. . . Jack
Abe Blumenfeld and wife returned from
New York Harvey is back from
Florida with a mighty nice tan
Hillman was in from his Granada Theatre
in Morgan Hill and Ray Harvey was a visitor
from his Grove Theatre in Walnut Grove
Levin of General Theatrical, went
to Richardson Springs for a short vacation.
The Downtown Theatre, because it is unable
to get sufficient major attractions for
its new vaudeville policy, will revert to its
original policy of subsequent run double bills.
Thus San Francisco, with the exception of
the President Follies Theatre, owned by Eddie
Skolak, is without a stage show and film
combination. ^.
•
Vince Karl, assistant manager at the Fox
Senator in Sacramento since January, resigned
from Fox West Coast Theatres to become
manager of the Porter in Woodland,
The Woodland theatres are operated by
George M, Mann, head of the Redwood
Theatres.
The builder of the new theatre in Stockton
was identified in the May 15 issue of BOX-
OFFICE as the Westside Theatres. The story
should have said Westland Theatres.
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62-D BOXOFFICE :: May 29, 1948
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