The Film Daily (1948)

c^ DAILY: Wednesday, June 30, 194 I FCC Mulls Bar of Pix In Television Field (Continued from Page 1) studied carefully by the Commission's law department, with such stoppage in view. Industry lawyers believe, however, that the FCC may elect to close the door to pix applicants where they are faced with competitive applications on the basis of the first Port Huron decision, wherein the Commission held that in choosing between applicants it should favor those who do not already control other means of influencing public opinion. In other words, one of the points of interest in the Supreme Court decision in the Paramount case has been, for FCC lawyers, the clear statement that pix are to be classified along with press and radio. Beneath the surface at the current San Francisco television hearings there is a strong conviction on the part of some that Paramount and 20th Century-Fox will be left out in the cold no matter how good a case they present. That the FCC would openly adopt a policy of blocking pix firms from TV is out of the question in view of Congressional reaction to the erstwhile "anti-newspaper" policy. On the other hand, there is nothing in the law to stop the Commission from turning down applicants found guilty of anti-trust violations — and it is recalled that violations of Federal Trade Commission regulations were major in the turndown of the proposed sale of WOV, New York, to the Mester Brothers. CBS' Murphy Faces Barrage Of Questions from Fox, Para. Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Attorneys for Paramount and 20th Century-Fox yesterday questioned CBS vice president Adrian Murphy at great length on the plans of his network for television operation, with the drawn-out hearing on San Francisco TV going into a night session. The lawyers wanted to know from Murphy what CBS planned to do if it is turned down in its San Francisco bid. Ed Pauley's Television California is to take the stand today to tell of its proposed operation. DEW POSTS LLOYD KNIGHT, manager, Drive-ln, Lafayette Ind. WILLIAM GRAHAM, manager, President, Detroit. HARRY SCHIFFRIN, United Artists salesman, New Haven. EARL WRIGHT, Columbia salesman. New Haven. JOE DOLGIN, general manager, Pike Drive-ln, Newington, Conn. PHILIP C. CAHILL, assistant manager. Pike Drive-ln, Newington, Conn. MARSHALL NAPSHIM, assistant manager, Apollo, Chicago. TED KRAFT, manager, Alliance Drive-ln, Kokomo, Ind. REVIEWS Of DEW FILMS "The Black Arrow" with Louis Hayward, Janet Blair, George Macready, Edgar Buchanan Columbia-Small 76 mins. STIRRING TALE OF INTRIGUE AND DRAMA OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY WILL KEEP THE AUDIENCE ON EDGEPLENTY OF BOX OFFICE LURE. Producer Grant Whyrock has done a splendid job in bringing Edward Small's production of the Robert Louis Stevenson novel of medieval conniving to the screen under Gordon Douglas' capable direction. On arrival home, Louis Hayward learns from his uncle, George Macready, his father had been cowardly slain by Paul Cavanaugh, who forfeited his own life in retaliation. Janet Blair, as the Crown's ward, has been placed under Macready's guardianship. While Hayward and henchmen are escorting Miss Blair to the castle, they are ambushed. A black arrow kills Ray Teal with a warning message that three others, Rhys Williams, Walter Kingsford and Macready, are marked for the same fate. The message further charges that Hayward's uncle is responsible for his father's death. Hayward faces Macready but the accusation is denied. Confident her father is still alive, Miss Blair and Hayward try to escape from the castle where they are held. She is captured, but Hayward, wounded, makes his get-away. Edgar Buchanan finds Hayward and takes him to Cavanaugh's hiding place. Cavanaugh fully explains to Hayward how his father was slain and why Macready turned the blame on him. Off to rescue Miss Blair, Hayward, Cavanaugh and Buchanan are ambushed on the way to the castle. Cavanaugh is captured but Hayward manages to kill Williams. As friars, Hayward and Buchanan make for the castle to rescue daughter and father. Promising her father to escape to France, Macready forces Miss Blair's acceptance of marriage. While the ceremony is in progress, Hayward and Buchanan are captured. A trial by combat is agreed upon when Hayward publicly brands the uncle as his father's murderer. A furious battle ensues. Macready falls victim. Hayward and Miss Blair are together once more.' CAST: Louis Hayward, Janet Blair, George Macready, Edgar Buchanan, Rhys Williams, Walter Kingsford, Lowell Gilmore, Halliwell Hobbes, Paul Cavanaugh, Ray Teal, Russell Hicks, Leslie Denison, Betty Fairfax, William Bevan. CREDITS: An Edward Small Production; Producer, Grant Whytock; Director, Gordon Douglas; Screenplay, Richard Schayer, David P. Sheppard, Thomas Seller; from novel by Robert Louis Stevenson; Director of Photography, Charles Lawton, Jr.; Art, Stephen Goosson, A. Leslie Thomas; Asst. Director, Carl Hiecke; Editor, Jerome Thorns; Sets, Wilbur Menefee, James Crowe; Sound, Lambert Day. DIRECTION, Excellent. PHOTOGRAPHY, Very Good. "They Are Not Angels" (French) Siritrky 130 Mins. GOOD FRENCH WAR DRAMA HAS PUNCHY SITUATIONS, PLENTY ACTION TO DRAW ART PATRONS. Running to some considerable length, this French production by Pathe has to do with an airborne operation by French parachute troops who dropped into their homeland just prior to the Allied landings. Their mission was to sabotage the Wehrmacht at every possible turn. At length they prove themselves an important factor in ambushing and diverting a panzer division heading for the initial beach assault. It is a well documented, realistic scenario from the pen of Joseph Kessell that unfolds here. Produced partly in England where the paratroops trained, the first half of the narrative is concerned with preliminary exercises and the barrack life of the soldiers. Some, from far off colonies, have never seen France. Others are veterans of campaigns in Africa. This section of the story is richly developed with many fine touches bordering on the bawdy. After two years of rehearsals, the battalion takes off and drops in France where the immediate task is pursued and the combat plan developed as fully as possible. A good cross section of the precarious life of the branch of service is shown and while the objective is attained the script ends on a sombre note of death. CAST: Pierre Blanchar, Raymond Bussieres, Jean Wall, Rene LeFevre, Jeanne Crispin, Pierre Louis, Charles Moulin, Mouloudji, Daphne Courtney. CREDITS: A Pathe Film; Director, Alexandre Esway; Scenario, Joseph Kessel; Director of Photography, Nicolas Hayer; Music, Maurice Thiriet; Titles, Charles Clement. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. THEATER DEALS "Too Much Sex" in Pix, Says N. B. Censor Chief "Tap Roots" Players Trek To Phila. for Premiere Stars and featured players of Walter Wanger's "Tap Roots" will journey to Philadelphia for the picture's world premiere at the Goldman Theater Wednesday, July 14. Personal appearances will be made by Van Heflin, Julie London, Boris Karloff and Richard Long. Coincident with the Philadelphia opening, the Universal-International release will break in six other cities in the area. Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — The Chairman of the New Brunswick Board of Censors believes there is "too much sex" in Hollywood pix, as well as "a tendency to belittle marriage and to reflect the acceptability of divorce as an easy solution for most marital difficulties," the Department of Commerce reported today. Pic chieftain Nathan D. Golden said the chief censor also complained that there have recently been too many "colossal pictures when length is emphasized" and that parents find them too long for their children. Most criticism in the area comes, from church and parent groups, Golden reports, and the board of censors is pretty much under the thumb of these groups. At the same time, it will okay for adult showing films which it expects parents to keep their children away from rather than banning them entirely. Golden reported also on the Quebec Board of Censors, which reviewed 489 features last year — including 293 American, 144 French and 52 British. Of these, five American, three British and one French were rejected in full. r Rio, New Orleans, to Paul Gianosso fro Joy Theaters. Okotoka, Calgary, Can., to Mr. and Mr John Booth from Adam Kaminski. Dixie, Picayune, Miss., to W. T. MoseWj from Dixie Theaters Corp. Star, Parrish, Ala., to W. S. Thorntc from 6. L. Redfern. Houston, Dothan, Ala., to Housttf \ie ters. Inc. I Village, Big: Sandy, Tex., to S.* ... F4a from T. E. Crow. U City, University City, Mo., to Mrs. 1 Steinberg from Goldman and Tobin Circuit. Arly, Arlington, Ky., to D. B. Stout f ro & R. L. Harwood. Melrose, Waco, Tex., to W. H. McLemor Jr., from Annie Louise and Tom R. Colema Plains, Cross Plains, Tex., to Mr. and Mr Lee Welch from Joy Houck interests. Star, Rising Star, Tex., to Mr. and Mr Lee Welch from Joy Houck interests. State, Fairmount, N. D., to R. L. Hiatt. Family, North Branch, Minn., to Raymoi T. Reilly, Jr. Mark, Clarrissa, Minn., to Lloyd Ashpo from Mark Plaistad. Salem, West Salem, Wis., to Peter Vande hoof from Harold Saxlund. Gem, Waterville, Minn., to William Caret from W. B. Haswell. State, Hastings, Nebr., from C. P. Knudse State, Red Cloud, Nebr., to C. P. Knudse Howard Lake, Howard Lake, Minn., Steve Klem from Tremann Circuit. Plaza, Monona, la., to Glenn Partlow. Tyler, Pittsfleld, Mass., to Samuel Ros blatt from Mr. and Mrs. William Chase. Lane Court, Chicagro, 111., to Bartelste Circuit from N. Goodman Circuit. Howard, Indianapolis, Ind., to Settos Th aters from Earl Bell. Paramount, Toledo, O., to Carl H. Schwj from Ralaban and Katz. Pastime, Monroe, N. C, to W. W. PresscL and R. M. Dabney from Mrs. Earl Shute. ,p Star, Fremont, Ind., to Perry Gay fro' Jack Hirons Argonia, Argonia, Kan., to Dwight D. M. ler from J. L. Fleming . Park, Clayton, 111., to Mr. and Mrs. J. ."' Graham from L. C. Peterson Stacyville, Stacyville, la., to Mr. and Mi' Bill Adams. Pix (formerly New), Black Mountai N. C. to H. D. (Hank) Hearn from A. Terrell. Uptown, Youngstown, 0., to George Mane' Mahoning, Youngstown, O., to Geon y Manos. Rio, Edinburg, 111., to Al Vetter from Ca E. Pehlman. State, Nashville, III., to Harold Rixm; from C. H. Backs estate. Ritz, San Antonio, Tex., to Sylvan Hlf Barry. Royal, Park Rapids, Minn., to Home The.' ters circuit. Star, Fremont, 111., to Perry Gay from Ja«: Hirons. Auditorium, Fessenden, N. D„ to Got fried Olson from H. E. Ritter State, Mountain Lake, Minn., to Def-J Columbia's Pro Grid Story Hollywood — Sam Katzman will produce "Triple Threat," pro football story, for Columbia release. Schied from Roger Drury. Saturn, Pierpont, S. D., to B. A. Bengtssc and F. M. Dosch. Prom, Gary, S. D., to Merle Summers fro Paul Ronglien. Rialto, White, S. D„ to Wallace Goodlii from LeRoy Wehrkamp Family, North Branch, Minn., to Raymoi T. Reilly. Xegio, Gaylor, Minn., to Louis Voigt. Star, Rising Star, Tex., to Lee Welch fro Joy Houck Circuit. Plains, Cross Plains, Tex., to Lee Wel( from Joy Houck Circuit State, Red Cloud, Neb., to M. R. Jones fro'J| C. P. Knudsen. Castle, Williamsport, O., to Leslie Price. Edge, .Edgewood Tex., by Miss Ger Scruggs and associates from W. T. Ash. Star, Abilene, Tex., by E. French Gallagh from Fred I. Sauls and Paul Sharpe. Lincoln, Lincoln, Mich., to Jame's Ell from Mrs. Helen Kruttlin. State, Olivia, Minn., to George Moris fro Swope and Staack. Roxy, Bird Island, Minn., to Ben Hume ; ir. :>. DRIVE-INS East Lake Drive-ln, Russell Point, Jack Gutilla. O., 1