Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1949)

16 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, December 3, 1949 Camera Angles on Film Events SIGNS UP. Anatole de Grunwald puts his signature on a contract under which United Artists will distribute, world-wide, six or seven World Screenplays productions to be made in Britain. At left, UA Vice-President Arthur Kelly; right, Raymond Stress, Mr. de Grunwald's associate. HOME FOR FREDDIE. Annual turtle derby of the Variety Club of Texas, proceeds of which maintains the Variety Club Boys' Ranch at Bedford, Texas, paid off in D^las this year when the generous response of the public made it possible for Richard (Freddie) Fagan (left), 11-year-old Harlingen lad, to have a new home at the ranch and a college education. Shown here with Freddie is Lew Bray, Variety Club member and Interstate Theatres' district manager at Harlingen. Freddie was taken by airplane to his new home. BREAKFAST IN DALLAS. Interstate Circuit Vice-President R. J. O'Donnell, second from left, played host to Dallas civic leaders and bankers with MPAA President Eric Johnston as guest of honor at a breakfast held in Dallas Nov. 26. In group above: John O. Adams, Interstate's executive secretary; Mr. O'Donnell; Allied Past President Col. H. A. Cole; Mr. Johnston; Theatre Enterprises Vice-President R. I. Payne; Raymond Willie, of Interstate Circuit. LONDON observations by Jock MacGregor It is ironic that in all the song-and-dance over the crisis and closing of studios, the British producers have overlooked the excellence of their recent offerings. Of the last twenty I have seen, the majority have maintained a high standard and some are even world beaters. Properly handled they can help to clear the overdrafts. Carol Reed's "The Third Man" should be a top grosser in any country. In France, it won the Cannes Festival Award and is hanging up records in two Paris cinemas. At MacGregor home, it has missed in some spots, but its overall gross will be one of the year's largest. In Birmingham, it has been retained for a fifth week in a cinema which normally changes weekly. Despite having played the entire London suburbs, it continues in the West End playing to capacity, thereby making movie history. Though Joseph Cotten, Valli, Orson Welles and Trevor Howard are the stars, the artist to create the most interest is never seen. He is .\nton Karas, who provides the fascinating zither music accompaniment. His "Harry Lime" theme has swept the country through radio and dance band alike and his gramophone records are sold out. His playing was the hit of the Royal Film Performance and packs the exclusive Persian Room each night. Another worthy hit is "The Hasty Heart" which proves what the Associated British team can produce in their new studios and establishes Richard Todd as a major discovery. Rod Gieger and Edward Dymtryk have also turned out a quality offering in "Give Us This Day," which can be exported without fear. As neat a thriller as any country can provide is "The Spider and the Fly." Here Director Robert Hamer combines artistic integrity with honest-to-goodness entertainment values. On the lighter side, "Run for Your Money" tells of the pitfalls which beset a couple of young Welsh miners in London for a football match. It has the earmarks of being just right for the art house patrons who likes to see life as it is in other lands. "The Romantic Age" is another potential winner while "Under Capricorn," "Chiltern Hundreds," "Train of Events," "Obsession" and "Madness of the Heart" are others to prove at the box-office that Britain has ended the run of "indifferent films." New York-bound in December will be C. J. Latta cn his first visit home since his appointment as managing director of the vast Associated British Picture Corporation. NEW ALBANY CREW. The 1950 crew of Albany, N. Y., Variety Club Tent No. 9, in a group photo taken at the recent installation dinner honoring Charles A. Smakwitz, incoming Chief Barker, and other officers. Pictured with Smakwitz (seated center) are, standing: Dough Guy Nate Winig; Sylvan Leff, Ed Wall, Gerry Atkin, Eugene Vogel, Charles Dortic, Dr. Sam J. Kalison. Seated: First Assistant Chief Leo Rosen, Second Assistant Chief Joe Saperstein. In these days of dreary publicity, a dash of showmanship is most welcome and full marks go to Jack Dawe of Grand National for their latest batch of trade show invitations. Instead of the usual "Request the pleasure . .. admit two" cards he has sent a black eye mask with elastic band for "The Masked Pirate" ("Pirates of Capri"), a Pan American air ticket for "Miss Pilgrim's Progress" and an imitation juror's writ for "Matter of Murder."