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Legal Bingo Rejected
In Jersey Assembly
TRENTON—The New Jersey assembly has
rejected a bill to legalize bingo for churches
and charity groups. Exhibitors, led by the
Allied Theatre Owners of New Jersey, have
been fighting the measure.
A bill was introduced about a month ago to
permit communities to license bingo if first
okayed in a statewide referendum. The bill
had been referred to the judiciary committee.
A move to get the bill out of committee
and onto the floor for a vote was turned
down Wednesday 29 to 14.
The legislature was scheduled to recess
Mav 15.
Para Stockholder Suit
Ready Soon for Trial
NEW YORK—The stockholder suit filed
against Paramount Pictures by Leah Schanfarber
last June is scheduled for trial in
the U.S. district court in the next few weeks.
Another stockholder suit filed at the same
time against Barney Balaban, Paramount
president, by Samuel Horwitz, probably will
be tried in the district court next fall. Both
cases also were filed with the New York
supreme court.
Abraham Pomerantz, attorney for the
plaintiffs, recently held the first of two
examinations of Balaban. The second will
take place soon.
In the suit against Paramount, the plaintiff
challenged the right of the corporation
to lend $3,000,000 to the Employes Investment
Co. which had been organized to help
top executives buy Paramount stock.
The Balaban suit was filed over $2,000,000
worth of stock options. The plaintiff charged
that the terms of the deal gave Balaban a
"free tax ride" at the expense of the corporation
and that the options were excessive.
Stars Help Rescue Victims
Of Wind Wreckage on Set
NEWARK—When heavy winds toppled a
350-ton steel scaffolding and several big reflectors
dui-ing the filming of "You Gotta
Stay Happy" at Newark airport, Jimmy
Stewart and Eddie Albert, film stars, became
real life heroes.
A scene showing Stewart climbing into a
jeep and leaving the airport, was about to be
retaken when the crash came. Stewart was
about 75 feet away. He and Albert rushed
to the rescue and worked furiously clearing
the WTeckage and giving first aid.
Nine persons were injured, three seriously.
Joan Fontaine, heroine of the film, was not
on the set at the time. Most seriously injui'ed
were Amelia Beaver, wardrobe assistant;
Charles R. Gaines. Albert's standin, and Jack
Rohan, wardrobe assistant. Miss Beaver was
reported to be in a serious condition. Lester
Laurance, another actor, was treated for
shock.
Eliminate Alvin Clearance
Over Astor, North Bergen
NEW YORK—The film arbitrator has
eliminated all clearances granted by the Big
Five in favor of the Alvin Theatre, Guttenberg,
N. J., over the Astor Theatre, North
Cagney Explains Independents Need
To Scatter Their Releasing Deals
NEW YORK—There is a growing trend
among independent producers to scatter their
pictures among several distributors, according
to William Cagney, president of William
Cagney Productions. He explained that an
independent must stay in production to survive,
and scattered deals assure him that he
won't have several properties tied up waiting
to get before the cameras.
Cagney arrived from Hollywood recently
to set release plans on "TTie Time of Your
Life," his latest UA release. His current contract
calls for one more picture to be delivered
to UA wathin the next two years.
He remarked that many independents are
wary of producing overseas because of "the
general confusion tJhat exists." He pointed out
that while a producer could cut costs 50 per
cent by filming overseas, this could be accomplished
only if he could maintain a rapid
shooting schedule. Cagney considers this unlikely.
He mentioned Britain as an example.
A picture that could be shot in Hollywood
in 40-60 days would take 100-110 days to film
in England, he said. Cagney also stressed
that Hollywood tecihnicians are far superior
to any overseas.
Cagney said he is free to sign a release
deal with any company. He may reopen talks
with Warners. There also is a possibility he
will
renew with UA on a nonexclusive basis.
A selection of stars may influence his choice
of distributors.
Cagney explained moves by some independents
to tie up with majors on long term
deals as a cautious way of doing business.
One drawback is that you spend 50 per cent
of your budget on overhead by producing on
a major's lot, he declared. Cagney wants
to remain as "independent as possible."
He believes production costs have reached
their peak, and pointed out producers are
Bergen. This award was made in a clearance
complaint filed by Norman Bialek and Martin
Fessler, operators of the Astor.
The arbitrator also denied a request by the
complainants that pictures should be made
available to the Astor not later than 24 days
after their rmi at Loew's Embassy, North
Bergen, and RKO's Capitol, Union City.
Monogram, British Pathe
Close Distribution Deal
LONDON—Norton V.
Ritchey, president of
Monogram International, has arrived to close
a reciprocal distribution agreement with
Pathe Pictures. Under the terms. Monogram
or Allied Artists will handle western hemisphere
distribution of three completed Associated
British films, "Temptation Harbour,"
starring Simone Simon," "Brighton
Rock," with Richard Attenborough and "My
Brother Jonathan."
Monogram will shortly begin production
in England of a series of films under the
auspices of Associated British Pictures. These
will be distributed in the British Isles by
Pathe Theatres.
Universal 30-Year Man
NEW YORK—George J. Epp, Universal
home office projectionist, has celebrated his
30th anniversary with the company.
Producer William Cagfney (right) is
greeted by Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt,
general chairman of the fund-raising
drive for the Wiltwyck School for Boys.
Cagney's "The Time of Your Life" will
premiere at the Mayfair in New York,
May 26, with all proceeds going to the
school. (More data on page 53.
spending less for story properties. There also
is a tendency to return to faster 1940 shooting
schedules, he declared. Production costs
now are triple the 1940 level, he added.
Cagney said independents have no difficulty
securing bank loans if they keep their budgets
under the $3,000,000 mark and guarantee
star value. On the other hand, he declared,
a too-low budget linuts chances for success.
Cagney has about five story properties lined
up, including "A Lion in the Streets," "Only
the Valiant," "The Stray Lamb" and "Too
Many Boats." "Lion" and "Valiant" probably
will be next on his shooting schedule.
United Artists has a $250,000 interest in
"The Time of Your Life." The picture stars
James Cagney.
Home Office Employes
Open Wage Hike Talks
NEW YORK—The Motion Picture Home
Office Employes Local H-63, lATSE. has
opened negotiations for pay increases of 12
and one-half per cent for white collar workers
in ten film company offices, according to
Russell Moss, business agent of H-63. A 35-
hour week and increased vacations will also
be asked. The companies include Warner
Bros., Ace Laboratories and Robbins Music
Corp., where present contracts expire May
31, and Universal, United World, Universal
Newsreel and Castle Films, where present
contracts expire June 30.
Local H-63 has signed a new contract with
News of the Day providing for $5 to $10
weekly pay increases for home office and
shipping room employes, plus three-week
vacations for workers with ten years service.
Representatives of H-63 and Warner Bros.
met with Arthm- Younger, National Relations
Board officer. May 13 to set a date for
the holding of a home office employes' election.
In accordance with the provisions of
the Taft-Hartley law, the election must be
held prior to negotiations on a new contract
to determine whether workers want a union
shop. Shop elections for Universal, Universal
Newsreel, United World and Castle Films will
be held before the end of May, Moss said.
BOXOFFICE :
: May 15, 1948 N 54A