MPAA

Warner Int'l Parley
In New York June 9
NEW YORK—Warner Bros, has scheduled
a three-day international sales convention at
the Waldorf-Astoria for June 9-11. It will
be the first big-scale annual meet in three
years, according to Ben Kalmenson. vicepresident
in charge of distribution. Company
representatives from all over the world wUl
attend.
Production plans will be discussed in detail
and those attending will be given an outline
of story properties lined up for stars
under contract.
Merchandising plans for the films scheduled
for the remainder of the season will be
discussed. Among these pictures are: "The
Pountainhead," starring Gary Cooper and
Patricia Neal, to be released July 2; "The
Girl From Jones Beach," starring Virginia
Mayo and Ronald Reagan. July 16; "Look
for the Silver Lining," starring June Haver,
Ray Bolger and Gordon MacRae, Technicolor,
July 30, and "The Lady Takes a Sailor,"
starring Jane Wyman and Joseph Gotten.
H. M. Warner, Jack L. Warner and Maj.
Albert Warner are expected to attend. Home
office executives who will attend will be;
Samuel Schneider. Mort Blumenstock, Harry
Kalmine, Norman Moray, Wolfe Cohen, Roy
Haines, Jules Lapidus, Norman Ayres. I. F.
Dolid, Ed Hinchy, Clayton Bond, Bernard
R. Goodman, Harry Goldberg. Howard Levinson,
Harold S. Bareford, R. A. McGuire and
Charles Bally.
Offers New 'Outlaw' Ads
But No Suit Compromise
NEW YORK—Reports that Howard Hughes
is willing to drop his three-year-old $2,500,000
triple damage antitrust suit against the
Motion Picture Ass'n of America if that organization
will okav a new set of ads for
"The Outlaw" were denied May 24 after
representatives of MPAA, Hughes and RKO
had previously declined to comment.
The denial was made by the office of Judge
Samuel Rosenman, retained by Eric Johnston,
MPAA president, as coimsel in the matter.
"Hughes has submitted a new set of ads
but he has not offered to call off the suit
if they are approved," the spokesman said.
"The MPAA has made no move as yet to
pass on the ads. That is all I can say."
The film was originally distributed by
United Artists which, not being a member
of MPAA, showed it without a production
code seal. When Hughes bought a controlling
interest in RKO, an MPAA member,
and made a deal with UA to have RKO handle
the film. MPAA found the advertising
objectionable and withheld its approval.
Majors File Pet. Suits
In Cleveland Court
CLEVELAND—Separate percentage fraud
suits have been filed, in U.S. district court
here by Columbia, Universal. RKO, Loew's,
20th Century-Pox and Paramount against
Mrs. Nazera Zeglob, operator of the Dreamland,
Elvira and Pearl Theatres at Loraine,
Ohio, and the Liberty at Vermilion. Ohio.
Thomas M. Harman of the Cleveland law
firm of Jones, Day, Cockley & Reavis is local
attorney for the film companies, and Sargoy
& Stein of New York are counsel.
42
Jules Levey to Europe
On Distribution Deals
NEW YORK—Jules Levey flew to Germany
May 23 to finalize negotiations for distribution
of two groups of his completed pictures
abroad and to contract for American distribution
of French, Italian and British product.
He will also see thi'ee foreign pictures In
which he has a substantial investment and
arrange for further Investment in foreign
production.
The distribution deal for Germany, Austria
and France covers his United Artists releases,
"Abilene Town," "New Orleans," "The Hairy
Ape" and "Jacare," as well as five of his Mayfair
Productions, which were released by Universal-International.
Levey will stay at the George V. hotel,
Paris; the Savoy, London, and the Excelsior,
ROme. He will also visit Holland, Belgium,
Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Denmark
and Israel.
Ascap-Telecasters Hope
For June 15 Agreement
NEW YORK—Ascap and the television networks
hope to reach an agreement on music
fees by June 15, the deadline for free use of
Ascap music for video. To protect themselves
in case the negotiations for a fee schedule
fall through, the station executives are continuing
to line up rights to non-Ascap music,
particularly from the Broadcast Music, Inc.
The presidents of the networks and Ascap
officials have been meeting regularly since
May 16. These meetings picked up where
earlier meetings between Ascap and the television
committee of the National Ass'n of
Broadcasters broke off May 6. when a deadlock
was reached.
Tlie first indication that the situation had
improved came May 19, when Ascap extended
the deadline for the free use of its
music from June 1 until June 15.
The Ascap board of directors met Thursday,
May 26, to discuss the latest offer of
the networks and to offer additional proposals.
Eastman Kodak Co. Moves
Its New York Branch
NEW YORK—Eastman Kodak Co. has
moved its New York branch distribution unit
from Hudson St. to new quarters at 1334 York
Ave., Manhattan, reconditioned at a cost of
over $500,000. The new home, a four-story
structure of reinforced concrete, has 160,000
square feet of floor space, 120,000 of which
are occupied by the 200 employes of the
branch, according to James E. McGhee, vicepresident
and general sales manager.
It is air conditioned both for the personnel
and for the storage of sensitized goods, has
facilities for the demonstration of professional
photo materials and provides rest and recreation
rooms. Thomas M. Connors, manager,
said there will be a formal opening later.
Neil Agnew to Distribute
Italian-Made 'Pagliacci'
NEW YORK—Neil Agnew, president of Motion
Picture Sales Corp., has sent word from
Italy that he has closed a deal for western
hemisphere distribution rights to "Pagliacci,"
Technicolor film made in Italy with the La
Scala Opera and the La Scala Orchestra.
Charles L. Casanave, MPSC vice-president,
says the film will be given special distribution
arrangements next fall.
Jap Theatremen Air
Plaints by Request
NEW YORK—Japanese exhibitors are beinT
invited to sit down with the distributors,
present their grievances and suggest improvements
in service, according to a message to
the Motion Picture Export Ass'n from Charles
Mayer, its managing director in Japan. The
first of a series of forums was held about
two weeks ago in Fukushima with 35 exhibitors
and five MPEA representatives attending.
Complaints ranged from occasional delays
in the routing of prints and dissatisfaction
with the dates of program changes to tardy
delivery of publicity materials. Cooperative
printing of theatre programs and continuation
of MPEA lectiu-es on management and
showmanship were suggested. Mayer feels
that the forums will result in better service
to the 800 theatres showing MPEA product.
U-I Names 'Illegal Entry'
As Bond Premiere Film
NEW YORK— "Illegal Entry" (U-I), which
will open June 8 in the RKO Keith Theatre,
Washington, has been designated as one of
the industry's bond premiere pictures in the
Treasury department's Opportunity Savings
Bond drive. The first bond premiere will be
at the Ritz, Los Angeles, June 9, according
to Mam-ice A. Bergman, industry chairman.
U-I also has designed "Take One False
Step" as a bond premiere picture.
"Calamity Jane and Sam Bass," also U-I,
will have a special bond premiere at the
Majestic, Dallas, June 8. This will be the first
bond premiere in the southwest. It is being
tied in with the personal appearances of a
group of Hollywood stars headed by Yvonne
DeCarlo and Howard Duff.
Christophers' Citation
Goes to 'Joan of Arc'
NEW YORK—"Joan of Arc" (RKO) has
received the first award given a film by the
Christophers, a group devoted to promoting
Christian principles in public life. A citation
on a parchment scroll was given Walter
Wanger, producer, by Father James Keller,
founder and director of the four-year-old
organization, at a luncheon May 25. Dated
"on the 418th anniversary of the martyrdom
of Joan of Arc," it called the film an "inspiring
demonstration that a motion picture
which stresses the spiritual ideal, goodness
and decency can be a popular success."
'Capricorn' Promotion
NEW YORK—Grosset & Dunlap will
publish
a special 100.000 printing of "Under
Capricorn " the novel by Helen Simpson on
which the Ti-ansatlantic Pictures film of the
same name is based. It was directed by
Alfred Hitchcock for Warner Bros, distribution.
The illustrations will be scenes of
Ingrid Bergman and Joseph Cotten taken
from the film.
Audrain Quits Prestige
NEW YORK—LawTcnce Audrain, who has
been director of publicity and advertising
for J. Arthur Rank Prestige unit of U-I since
its formation in July 1946. has left to become
managing director of the newly formed
British Book Centre on east 55th street.
Audrain's successor will be announced later.
BOXOFFICE
:; May 28, 1949