Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1945)

Television the Bridge Over Language Gaps SCHENECTADY — A picture of television as a medium which “bridges the barriers of language” and which “in the not too distant future” will enable the people of the U.S. to see on television screens “what is happening in the countries of our southern neighbors, and vice versa,” was drawn by Dr. Ernst F. W. Alexanderson, radio pioneer and consulting engineer of the General Electric Co. Alexanderson spoke to a delegation of Mexican government officials here to witness a special performance of television at WRGB, the GE station. He stressed the point that television will contribute to growing interAmerican friendship. Said Alexanderson: “Here in Schenectady we look upon television not just as local entertainment, but as a new medium of communication, which will eventually extend over the continent and the two continents of North and South America. The chain of television, which includes Schenectady, New York and Philadelphia, is a beginning of this. We foresee the development of a chain of relay stations touching every large community, and there is every reason why these relay chains should be extended into Latin America.” General Electric has worked out detailed plans for the construction and operation of relay television stations, but will not operate them. Large scale models of this setup were displayed by a General Electric engineer at a meeting of the American Television Society in New York several months ago. Plans for a network linking key and secondary cities in New York state which would enable more than 90 per cent of the populace to enjoy television at home, were sketched by the GE official at that gathering. The grouping of regional networks connecting the larger cities and eventually spanning the country was also outlined by the GE spokesman. Extension of the hookup to countries south of the Rio Grande is considered entirely feasible by General Electric. HONORS FOR FITZGERALD— Barry Fitzgerald, honored for the best performance by an actor in a supporting role as a result of his part in Paramount’s “Going My Way,” accepts his statuette from Charles Coburn, who last year was the recipient of the same accolade, as the crowd in the theatre gave both an ovation. TO ZANUCK FOR “WILSON”— Norma Shearer, widow of the late Irving Thalberg, just after she presented to Darryl F. Zanuck the statue which became his when designated the winner of the Irving Thalberg Memorial Award for outstanding achievement in motion picture production. Twentieth-Fox’s “Wilson” was the picture that brought the coveted recognition to Producer Zanuck. Halifax and LaGuardia On 'Blimp' Committee NEW YORK — The British ambassador and Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia have accepted invitations to serve on the honorary committee for the Society of Illustrators rehabilitation premiere of UA’s “Colonel Blimp” at the Gotham Theatre, March 29, according to Arthur William Brown, president of the society. The honorary committee as now composed includes, besides Lord Halifax and Mayor LaGuardia, the following: Joseph P. Kennedy, J. Arthur Rank, Joseph V. Connolly, John N. Wheeler, Howard Chandler Christy, James Montgomery Flagg, John Golden, Rear Admiral Monroe Kelly, USN; Charles B. McCabe, Frank Crowninshield, Wallace Morgan, William Randolph Hearst jr. and Major Edward Bowes. The “Colonel Blimp” premiere, believed the first event of its kind to be held to further a rehabilitation program, is expected to enable the Society of Illustrators to expand its present schedule of hospital sketching tours and eventually to provide expert teaching for wounded service men wishing to prepare for a career in the graphic arts. Based on the character created by worldfamous caricaturist David Low, “Colonel Blimp” is a Technicolor production by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Roger Livesey plays the title role; Deborah Kerr and Anton Walbrook are also starred. Technicolor Dividend HOLLYWOOD — Dr. Herbert T. Kalmus, president and general manager of Technicolor, Inc., announced the board of directors of Technicolor, Inc., at a meeting held in New York, declared a dividend of 25 cents a share payable April 10 to stockholders of record March 26. To Dance in "Yolanda and the Thief" Gloria Alvord, signed to a long-term pact with Metro, will have a dancing spot in “Yolanda and the Thief.” Schenck Urges Speed On ''Dimes" Reports NEW YORK — Because only eight states ho ve submitted complete reports on their 1945 March of Dimes collections, National Chairman Nicholas M. Schenck and Treasurer Walter W. Vincent are urging exhibitors to lose no time in making their final accountings to state chairmen. The eight complete reports disclose a total increase of nearly $150,000 over the 1944 collections as follows: West Virginia, $40,455 compared with $22,349, and increase of 81 per cent; north California, $122,080, boost of 27 per cent; Louisiana, $77,597, an increase of one per cent; Arizona, $20,859, 92 per cent; Alabama, $55,723, nine per cent; North Carolina, $90,852, 67 per cent; Florida, $111,996, 42 per cent; South Carolina, $32,055, 47 per cent. The MOD national committee also urges exhibitors to return the Greer Garson appeal trailer to National Screen Service exchanges as quickly as possible so that the film may be salvaged. No News Censoring, Says Head of Blue Network NEW YORK — A letter formulating and explaining the policy of the Blue Network concerning news broadcasts, written by Mark Woods, president of the network, has been sent to all managers of affiliated stations. Woods said that the Blue does not censor its newscasters, analysts or commentators. Under its public franchise, it does review all news scripts in advance of broadcast to cover such considerations as good taste, avoidance of obscene, indecent and profane language, avoidance of libel, compliance with the office of censorship’s voluntary code of wartime practices and competent news authority. U Declares Dividend NEW YORK — Universal Pictures Co., Inc., has declared a regular quarterly dividend of 50 cents per share on the stock of the company, payable Apr. 30, 1945, to stockholders of record Apr. 16, 1945. CROWN FILM CHAMP— Jane Withers, Republic star, crowns Bill Ontville, “king of the fans.” He is the boy from The Bronx who has seen 705 films in the past year at a cost of $121.35 in admissions. He is a student at the Metropolitan Vocational High School, New York. 48 BOXOFFICE :: March 24, 1945