The Canadian Independent (Jan 15, 1938)

Page 6 ‘Hisses’ Rates Cheers Even the blase mot ion pic. critics have let loose with raves over ' Darryl Zanuck’s “Love and Hisses.” “Bigger and better than ‘Wake Up and Live’ and fast J. er and funnier too,’’ “they say. Hoflywood Extends Air Activities In spite o f exhibitor squawks and disturbing reports of recession in broadcasting in the East, MHollywood is extending itself in the radio entertainment ‘field. New shows for the early part of the New Year are Mickey Mouse Theatre of the Air, which is already ‘under way, Pond’s Dramatic Series called “Those We Love” and a resumption of the Rudy Valee hour. New York is showing some apprehension over the expansion of the West as a focal point for broadcasting. — 1a CANADIAN ISSUED FOR THE BENEFIT OF INDEPENDENT THEATRE OWNERS SE Sa ee eS “Panay” Newsreel in Great Demand The Universal Newsreel showing the bombing and sinking of the U.S.S Panay by Japanese air bombs, was featured on many New York marquees, during the week of my visit to that city. Back in Toronto, I find it showing at the Uptown and Eglinton theatres as a special feature. One print of this undeclared war Newsreel had been forwarded to official Washington, and it is understood that certain suggested cuts were made before the film was released. These cuts are said to have depicted the continued dropping of bombs after the boat had been seriously damaged and was in. evident distress. These alleged deletions were said to have been made to avoid the raising of war hysteria. The film as it stands runs. 21 minutes. Some protests have been made in the U.S. against the unofficial censoring of the film, as it is considered a valuable document in the troubled, international situation, the facts of which should be available to the people. Air Commentators Under Fire Darryl Zanuck recently issued a warning against air commentators. His contention was that much harm is done the industry and the reputation of motion picture personalities by these air gossipers. Harry M. Warner, President of Warner Bros. Pictures Inc., answered this at tack by stating that a certain executive of another .company who attacked commentators was not speaking on behalf of the Motion Picture Producers <Ass’n., nor for the Warner organization. Mr. Zanuck responded to the Warner quip by saying that he spoke for himself and for his organization, but ventured to suggest that he also voiced the _ senti PATRONIZE THE ADVERTISERS WHO MAINTAIN IT. Italy Finances Theatre Bldg. By $9,000,000 Loan Fund Italian exhibitors will be extended credit by the government in a building expansion plan to cover the remotest parts of the country with motion picture theatres playing Italian propaganda and_= entertainment product. This move is considered to be part of a plan to freeze out foreign films from the Italian market and to control the tone and tenor of Italian film fare. Recent unofficial pressure was exerted to prevent MGM from carrying out a plan for establishing a circuit in Italy for showing MGM features. ments of most producers and constructive thinking people when he declared against ‘‘destroyers of character and property” by “unwarranted attacks on Hollywood and its individuals.” Jimmy Fidler in a recent broadcast styled this protest as an attempt to feed to the public only the saccharine stuff concocted by paid press agents. He went on to say that the public has shown a very real interest in motion picture people and product and are entitled to the truth both in news and in criticism. That advertising plugs and icici stories ‘Jan. 15, 1938 Cagney’s Warner | Contract Validated By Court James Cagney will return to the Warner Bros. fold as a result of a decision by the California Supreme Court validating the contract between him and Warner Bros. This contract was voided in 1935 by the Los Angeles Superior Court, following which decision, Cagney worked with Grand National in two _ pictures and was set to begin work in “Angels With Dirty Faces” Januury 15 for a flat fee of $150,000. Cagney returns to the Warners on March 14, it is stated and will resume work © shortly thereafter. Warners have agreed to allow Cagney to do “Angels” for G.N. ~NEW CONTRACT Director William Thiele has been given a new longterm contract with MetroGoldwyn-Mayer. | would eventually turn the public interest away from the industry and_ therefore is a more damaging policy than honest forthright comment and criticism. He ended up by saying that as long as President Roosevelt and his family did not put themselves beyond reach of such comment, surely Hollywood shouldn’t hope to give the industry nor its people a greater protection than even the chief executive enjoys. TORONTO THEATRES FIRST RUN IMPERIAL—"“TRUE CONFESSION” —PARAMOUNT —Carole Lombard, Barrymore. Fred MacMurray, John , UPTOWN — “LOVE AND HISSES” — FOX — Ben Bernie, Walter Winchell, Simone Simon. LOEW’S — “NAVY BLUE AND GOLD” — REGAL— Robert Young, James Stewart, Florence Rice. “TIVE AND LEARN” — REGAL—Robert Montgomery, Rosalind Russel. | kh} RADIO CITY — “SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT — GRAND NATIONAL — James Cagney, Evelyn Daw. SHEA’S — “MANHATTAN MERRY-GO-ROUND” — EMPIRE—Phil Regan, Leo Carrillo, Ann Dvorak. “PORTIA ON TRIAL” — EMPIRE — Walter Abel, Frieda Inescort.