Boxoffice-December.25.1948

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Wx*^ ^KCC St^'CHt^^ New Ticket Tax Moves JJ'OT much is known in this industry about the political power of the American Municipal Ass'n which met in Washington last week. Apparently it has connections with Leagues of Municipalities and other state groups interested in tax problems and intends to engineer a national movement to get the federal government to give up admission taxes so they can be taken over by municipalities. There is sharply divided sentiment on the wisdom of this among exhibitor leaders. In many places local ticket taxes are ah-eady levied on top of federal taxes and there is no way of telling to what lengths some governing authorities might go. If the new association really goes to work, there will be a lot of agitation in exhibitor circles before 44 state legislatures adjourn three or four months hence. To Fight Checking Suits ^HE last two paragraphs of a resolution recently passed by the Iowa-Nebraska Allied unit read: "The employment of 'auditors' of a single firm of alleged 'copyright attorneys' by the seven or more film companies raises the extremely important question of possible exchange of properly secret theatre information as to rentals paid and business enjoyed by theatres audited by and between the several film companies. As American citizens, independent exhibitors have certain inalienable rights, and it is our opinion that this collective, if not collusive, action violates one or more of these fundamental rights. "Recent court decisions have held that the contracts the film companies are now attempting to audit are illegal, and that these contracts will not therefore be recognized by any court in the land." Tele Networks Possible fHE FCC ruling last week that Paramount controls the DuMont company and its theatre partnerships which, in effect, limited this group of companies to five television stations may be obsolete soon. If divorcement goes through with the approval of the Department of Justice, as it is expected to do within the next few weeks, any circuit will be entitled to file an application for a television station permit with the expectation that it will get one. This will apply to the other theatreowning majors whose circuits are cut adrift. RKO Report ^HE RKO report showing a net loss of $2,257,887.78 for the 13 weeks ending October 2 and a $356,024.04 net loss for the 39 weeks ending on that date came as a shock to many, but it may be the temporary effect of a reorganization brought on by a change in management. Production activities are sensitive to turnovers. When Howard Hughes acquired fly JAMES M. JERAULD control the company was in the middle of a studio slowdown, with one picture in work. Since Hughes took over, the company has made some moderate-budget films, including "The Clay Pigeon" and "Follow Me Quietly." Some larger-budget pictures were started recently, including "Sam Wynne" and "It's Only Money." Another slowdown is now in effect, but in January the company will start "The Big Steal," with George Raft. A turn for the better can be expected shortly, because it is not expected that the stock splitup scheduled as a result of the consent decree will have much effect on production and distribution. Arnall Talkative JF ELLIS G. ARNALL, president of the Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers, does only a small percentage of the things he is talking of doing he will stir up plenty of excitement in this business. Al Steffes and Bennie Berger in their palmiest days were never more positive in their expressions on all kinds of industry problems. Among other things he is in favor of more litigation, if he deems it necessary, and complete divorcement of all distributor-owned theatres. Apparently the SIMPP members are convinced that this is the way to get higher rentals for pictures. Rembusch Gets Data ^LL the regional Allied units are urging their members to submit suggestions to Trueman Rembusch on pictures and other problems for submission to the coast meeting of producers. He will have a full portfolio when he arrives in Hollywood. This probably will be the first time in many years that producers will come into face-to-face contact with a man representing their sharpest critics. It's a new approach and something constructive may come of it. This Man's a Producer, Not an Exhibitor DENVER— Cy Lee of Poppers Supply Co., theatre candy and popcorn broker, recently sold a 100-pound sack of popcorn to a very small town in Colorado. Lee said a farmer came into his office and asked the price. Lee asked where his town was. On being told Lee said, "Why, that town is too small for a popper, isn't it?" "Oh," replied the farmer, "it isn't for public consumption. I have 11 children, and my sister and brother each have nine children in their families. When we get together, the popcorn really disappears. Now it appears I will soon be a grandfather, so. I suppose that in a few years I'll be getting 200 pounds each year." Wants This Performance Without Sound Brownsville, Tex.—What's the legal amount of noise you can make in building a theatre? Builders of the new downtown Interstate circuit theatre here didn't know it was against the law to make noise in construction until they ran up against an irate federal court judge, Allan B. Hannay. H. F. Pettigrew, contractor for the $300,000 theatre, recently moved in a power saw to speed the work. Across the street, Judge Hannay was holding court. 'When the saw buzzed, the court held, it disturbed legal procedure. The judge also fined the job superintendent $100 and 10 days in jail, but suspended sentence when the noise abated. But it took Frank Strickland, Interstate lawyer, the contractor, and the coui-t to determine just how much noise a builder can legitimately make before he runs afoul of the law. The parties agreed to tone down the noise, and the court allowed the project to proceed. George Bonwick Elected To Pictorial Films Post NEW YORK—George J. Bonwick. who has been associated with various Robert R. Young entei-prises since 1930, has been elected president of Pictorial Films, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pathe Industries, Inc. Pictorial handles the 16mm distribution of all featui-es produced and distributed by Eagle Lion Films, also a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pathe. Before taking his new post, Bonwick has successively been: office manager. Young, Kolbe & Co., brokers; president, Atina Corp., security holding company; president, Jersey Management Corp., securities; assistant chairman, Alleghany Corp., railroad holding company; assistant chairman, Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Co.; executive vice-president and treasurer, Pathe Film Corp.; executive vice-president and treasurer, Pathe Laboratories, Inc.. and executive vice-president and treasurer, Pi-oducers Releasing Corp. Earle Hammons Gets ABC Tele Tieup for Lion NEW YORK—Earle Hammons, president of the newly organized Lion Television Pictures, has been appointed film television consultant of the American Broadcasting Co., according to Paul Mowrey, national television director of the network. Tlie appointment provides the new Lion company with an immediate outlet for the films which it is now accumulating for television use. Cowan Buys More Drive-Ins TORONTO—The Sunset Drive-In Theatres at Brantford and Peston have been taken over by A. C. Cowan of Toronto who acquired five units a short time ago from Park Drive-In Theatres operated by Herb J. Ochs of Cleveland. The latter includes Ottawa, Peterboro, Oshawa and two at Toronto. 16 BOXOFFICE December 25, 1948
"Top Entertainment" Daily Variety "Marquee Dynamite" <strong>Boxoffice</strong> "Certain <strong>Boxoffice</strong> Hit" Hollywood Reporter "One of 1 949's First Hits" Look Magazine "Higli-Grade IVIelodrama" Variety "Anotlier Wallis Click" Los Angeles Examiner "SM IMelodramatics" —Los Angeles Daily News "Grade A Tliriller" Los Angeles Herald-Express "One of Best IVIeJodramas" Seventeen
Page 1 and 2: hmnLawwA'namhu Ian. 1—Ne Feb. 12
Page 3 and 4: SOCK! The Biggest Musical is sensat
Page 6 and 7: THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY PDBLISHED
Page 8 and 9: Paramount, Fireman's, Lynn Strand,
Page 10 and 11: Antitrust Hearing (Cont) wholly-own
Page 12 and 13: ^ "Si'^^ê uef^ (^/^r I ^ \Ji ^ ^^^
Page 14 and 15: Unchanged, Says Rodgers Of MGM Sale
Page 18 and 19: '^âm ^BStspp^^'^^[\wms TfTRUST DEC
Page 20 and 21: J r National Board Picks Best Films
Page 22 and 23: LAND TO BE CONQUERED A LOVE TO BE W
Page 24 and 25: . . Warners . . . Roy . . Screen .
Page 26 and 27: . . . "Rimiors RKO RADIO PICTURES,
Page 28 and 29: ON U-ls $4500 UNITY DRIVE CAMPAIGN
Page 30 and 31: ^Vfi ow you ca THE RULES ^rm^fmrimm
Page 32 and 33: ilie u ABUNDANCE OF INGREDIENTS WHI
Page 34 and 35: REPUBLIC'S AGAIN NO. 1 KING OF Ie I
Page 36 and 37: BOXOFFICE NUGGETS A book tieup with
Page 38 and 39: Business Builders DANNY KAYL ^^«RG
Page 40 and 41: J fl $OCCESSWJ MA^ 022:1 Thrilling
Page 42 and 43: ' CLEARING HOUSE (Continaeil from I
Page 44 and 45: . . Howard . . William . , Paul . .
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Page 48 and 49: . . Rumors . . . Seymour zf PHILADE
Page 50 and 51: l Film Aid Abroad Ask By Bernard Kr
Page 52 and 53: : six-week , in original STUDIO PER
Page 54 and 55: iJIP WB g^ mMiÛUm ^^ r^ PREPARE FO
Page 56 and 57: . . . Also . . Arthur . . Benny . .
Page 58 and 59: New Colorado ATO Five-Point Program
Page 60 and 61: . . Jack . . Edward . . The . . . E
Page 62 and 63: . . . George . . Salesmen . . SPRIN
Page 64 and 65: . . . Morris . . . LawTence . . Mis
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. . Jerry . . The . . 21 1 that 18
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. . . John . . . Max . . Floyd . .
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w Detroit Variety Committees for '4
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. . . Tony . . Lawrence . . The . .
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. . . "Catherine," . . . Picture .
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. . Dave . . Plans EL) . . Walter .
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. . Judge Treasurer Confesses Fake
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DALLAS IJerbert Stroud got in one l
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. . . Dick . . . Ronnie . . Another
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Headquarters for . . . New or Rebui
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Shreveport Theatre Back to Don Geor
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. . Guy MIAMI The slogan, "Wometco
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. . The . . Rome, C H A R L O T T E
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MEMPHIS Tom Robertson has bought ou
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Colorful Ceremony Marks Opening at
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. . . Jack . . The MONTREAL Cold Wa
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. . Jack . . King . . Offices VANCO
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EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY ABOUT PICTURE
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' . ' ' I FEATURE CHART release dtr
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FEATURE CHART CHECK RUNNING TIME WI
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I FEATURE CHART I OCTOBER 2 (70) Sp
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REVIEW DIGEST and Alphabetical Pict
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- . ngiiiijii ' I SHORTS CHART Shor
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SHORTS REVIEWS Opinions on tlie Cur
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. . . Mad . . . Men . . She . . Une
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COLUMBIA'S TRIUMPH! Boo-k. Ot Mawi.
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Boxoffice-December.25.1948

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