Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1948)

Eagle Lion Sets European Deal BOOK REVIEW JOHNSTON TELLS HOW IT LOOKS FROM HERE WE ARE ALL IN IT — announced as "a challenge to Americans to take up their rightful leadership in the complex world of today". 220 pages, cloth. No illustrations, no index, and does not need them. E. P. Dutton & Company, Inc., New York. $2.75. Here is an excitingly simple book, as simple as a Rotary club speech in its externals, and as intricate in its implications as the tangled world scene with which it essays to deal. It is engaging, suave, sometimes poignantly interesting. It is done with a full cognizance of what the newspaperman calls "human interest" and "feature appeal." Plainly enough it has been done as a career man's book for a career man's purpose. It may be that the timing of its publication on November 8 was calculated to have a relation to the anticipated events of November 2. That, however, is not important to the consideration of the book and its probable over-all relation to the Johnston design — young man going somewhere. There is temptation , to dally with the title, "We're All in It," in a certain order of sequel to the late Wendell Willkie's "One World." We are all in that one, too. Twentieth Century-Fox paid Mr. Willkie $100,000 for his and this one is certainly a better script. A lot of skill in a pungently simple and disarming face of candour appears in Mr. Johnston's new book. It is so easy to read that it may reach a considerable audience even among those whose literary interest commonly extends only to telegrams about business. Nearly anybody can read it and consider that they understand it. Even if they do not they will think they do and have fun. Naturally, automatically, the political scene into which it has been thrust leads this book to put accent on the Russian matter and scene. That aspect of the book puts it squarely in the arena of our greatest political concern, both at home and over there. That is where the author wants it. For sheer entertainment, and with it some sincere interpretation of the Russian mind, one must especially recommend Chapter V, entitled "The Commissar." That is the Arabian Nights story of Mike Kolagin and the affair of the hatful of emeralds. Of course there are serious, but not ponderously presented considerations under chapter titles like: "Peace Without War," "America Invincible," "Ambassadors from Labor," "Partnership Capitalism" and Lastly, meanfully, "No Holiday from Vigilance." The book is Mr. Johnston at his most engaging best in smiling, genial print on paper. — Terry Ram say e Eiseman Named District Manager for Warners Clarence Eiseman, New York branch manager for Warner Brothers for the past five years, has been promoted to metropolitan district manager, with headquarters in New York, it was announced last week by Ben Kalmenson, vice-president and general sales manager. Mr. Eiseman, who was branch manager of United Artists' New York, Pittsburgh and Atlanta offices before joining Warners, replaces Sam Lefkowitz, on temporary leave of absence due to ill health and to be given a new executive appointment when he returns to his duties. Mr. Kalmenson also announced the appointment of Ben Abner, former MGM New Jersey branch manager, to replace Mr. Eiseman as New York branch manager for Warners. Mr. Abner had been with MGM for 20 years, the last 10 in the New Jersey post. Matthews Sees Industrial Photography of Age Addressing the Photographic Society of America in Cincinnati, Glenn E. Matthews, technical editor of the Kodak Research Laboratories, last week declared that the age of industrial photography is here. Mr. Matthews spoke on "Photography in Business and Industry" and said that industrial and technical applications represent about 67 per cent of photography. He listed four broad uses of photography in industrial, scientific and engineering work : simple records of events ; multiple records for observing and measuring changes which occur with time ; records of fast and slow-moving events ; and records of invisible phenomena. Names Field Directors Michigan Allied is holding a series of elections to choose directors in the field. Thus far, at a meeting in Monroe, Rene Germani, owner of the Park theatre in that town, was elected, with A. D. Wolverton of Chelsea to serve as alternate. Wayne Pulsipher of Bellevue was elected in a meeting in Marshall, and the chosen alternate was Robert Penned of Bronson. Joseph T. Stiles Dies Joseph T. Stiles, 68, associated with the industry in the Philadelphia area for the past 45 years, died November 1, in Cooper Hospital, Camden, N. J. He formerly had been a salesman for several motion picture companies and managed several theatres in the Philadelphia area. A son and a daughter survive. Eagle Lion has announced the signing of a five-year agreement for distribution of its Hollywood product in six European countries. The deal was completed with Gamma Films of Lausanne, and Gestion et Participation Trust de Vaduz of Lichtenstein, the latter owner of Gamma films. Gestion, in turn, is controlled by the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of millions of Moslems and reputedly one of the three richest men in the world. In return for the production-distribution franchises, the Khan will invest an unspecified amount of cash in Eagle Lion. Any profits accruing to Eagle Lion as a result of the deal will be paid in New York in American dollars from the Aga Khan's resources there. No funds would be frozen abroad. It is reported that the Khan or his representative will become a member of the Eagle Lion board following completion of negotiations. Gamma and Gestion will distribute Eagle Lion's American-made films, starting with 1947-49 releases, in Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Spain. Within the next six months, Gamma Films has agreed to establish a distribution system of at least 20 exchanges in Italy, France and Switzerland, while distribution for the first year in Germany, Austria and Spain will be on a sub-license basis, after which 35 exchanges will be set up in those countries. Eagle Lion and Gamma will also, under the agreement, each make one picture per year in France and Austria. Eagle Lion was represented by its president, Arthur B. Krim; Robert S. Benjamin, president of J. Arthur Rank Organization ; Sam L. Seidelman, export manager ; William C. MacMillen, vice-president in charge of operations, and Robert R. Young. Representing Gamma Films and Gestion were Alfredo Zappelli, managing director of both companies, and George Barquet and Pierre Chavennes. Produces for Video Milton Stern, formerly director and general stage manager in New York, has returned from Italy, where he produced a series of films for television. Immediately available are four religious shorts, "St. Peter," "St. Paul," "St. Francis" and "Monte Cassino." Four additional musical films are en route from Italy and will be released not only for television but also in 16 and 35mm in English and Spanish. "Hills" to Music Hall "The Hills of Home" will follow the current attraction at the Radio City Music Hall, G. S. Eyssell, managing director of the Music Hall, announced last week after conclusion of booking arrangements with William F. Rodgers, vice-president and general sales manager for MGM. The picture stars Edmund Gwenn, Donald Crisp, Tom Drake, Janet Leigh and Lassie. 22 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, NOVEMBER 13, 1948