The Exhibitor (Jun-Nov 1944)

8 THE EXHIBITOR WAC Record Presented NEW YORK — Representatives of the War Activities Committee last week presented three “scrap-books,” visual records of the work of the in¬ dustry in assisting recruiting for the Women’s Army Corps, to Major Gen¬ eral J. A. Ulio, Adjutant General. The presentation was made by cam¬ paign heads Edward L. Alperson and Harry Mandel, chairman and pub¬ licity director, respectively. Present were: S. H. Fabian, theatres division chairman: George J. Schaefer, chair¬ man War Activities Committee; Hardie Meakin, Washington War Activi¬ ties Committee representative, and Ed Schreiber. Lieutenant Colonel John Johns, head WAC recruiting, said that the industry’s campaign was an important part of increased enlistments. ROOSEVELT PRAISES TRADE'S DIMES RESULTS New York — Impressed with the results of the industry’s 1944 March of Dimes drive, President Roosevelt, pausing in his war problems before leaving for Quebec, wrote the following striking tribute to Nicholas M. Schenck and the motion picture com¬ mittee last fortnight: Before me ore the figures for the Motion Pic¬ ture Industry's 1944 March of Dimes Campaign. Cer¬ tainly no words from me are needed to tell you that you have done a truly magnificent job. But I do want you to know that I fully appreci¬ ate what great wholehearted effort such results represent. In the midst of a year of wor and death, you have paused to save lives, and bring hope to the stricken. And, because the motion picture theatre is so close to the lives end hearts of Americans, you have succeeded in interesting millions and millions in this crusade. My sincere personal congratulations and apprecia¬ tion for a success beyond all expectations. Exhibs Meet On Code 6w*tina NEW YORK... With MEL KONECOFF WHEN WE RECEIVED a wire last week from Vanguard Films’ publicists Leo Katcher and Joe Roberts advising that “Shirley Temple would like to see you at 4.30 P. M. in the North Lounge of the Rainbow Room atop the RCA Building in Radio City,” we were a little bit in doubt as to whether she really wanted to see us or whether the boys just worded the wire that way. Well, anyhow, we decided to ask Shirley whether or not it was true. Shooting up 65 stories above New York, we found the entrance to the room guarded by a blonde Amazon. Only after presenting the correct password, “Since You Went Away” or “Shirley Temple sent for me,” were we admitted. Pelieve it or not, we spoke to Shirley, who, by the way, has grown up into a loud whistle, for about five minutes, as well as her pa and ma, Mr. and Mrs. George Temple, for a spell, and we’ll be damned if we remembered to ask about the authenticity of the wire. Among other things, Shirley told us that this was her first visit to New York since 1938, 'hat she graduates from an all girls’ high school in June, that she would have liked to have seen Coney Island (not the film), and that she’ll be back in October. Her next film is UA producer Dore Schary’s “I’ll Be Seeing You,” in which she has a substantial part. The trades, fan mags, syndicates, radio, etc., were all well represented and of the crowd present we could pick out Dore Schary, James Dunn, Phil Laufer, Herb Berg, Ralph Ober, A1 Dayton, Tess Michaels, Guy McCrea, Rex Williams, Muriel Zola, Jack O’Brien, Alton Cook, Lou Biancolli, Dorothy Masters, John McManus, Eileen Creelman, etc., etc. PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT: Charles F. (Socker) Coe, former vice -presi¬ dent-general counsel, MPPDA, and at present special counsel, had us over to his office the other day, and made it known that gratifying interest has been exhibited in the industry's public relations program. Many independent exhibitors and circuits have invited him to participate in talks in communities and cities. According to Coe groups that until recently exhibited only a perfunctory interest in affairs outside their own province, but within the industry, have fully realized what a coordinated public relations program within a united industry would mean, and are more than willing to take an active interest in the fulfill¬ ment of this scheme. Over a period of the past two years, 22 cities have been covered by Coe. During that period, he has discussed with at least 15,000 community leaders, who have no interest in any part of the industry, selfregulation for the industry, its advertis¬ ing policies, etc. Further promotional tours will not be held until after the national elections. His only speaking engagement before election day was to address a dinner in Montreal for the Quebec Allied Theatrical Industries. Coe, who has never owned a share of motion picture stock, reported that the best job that can be done for and by the industry is to “diminish” its internal “bickering,” and he was firmly convinced that the public relations program should have nothing to do with trade practices although an active interest should be maintained in any internal self-regulation. The MPPDA counsel sincerely believed that one of the great single values within the industry during this period of strife has been the War Activities Committee, which, he estimated, could be a vital factor in establishing industry unity. He stated that it would be a “tragedy” to allow the disbanding of this unit inasmuch as he was of the belief that it could prove its weight and value in the post-war period and a definite asset to the industry. Shirley Konecoff New York — Exhibitors met with Indus¬ trial Commissioner Edward Corsi, New York State Labor Department head, last week to help him in rewriting the State Standard Building Code for theatres and other public places. On the theatre advisory group were Richard S. Hayes, Yonkers, IA; Louis Lazar, Schine Chain Theatres, Inc., Gloversville; Harry Moskowitz, Loew’s, Inc., New York; Henry Anderson, Paramount Pictures, Inc., New York, and M. J. Tracey, Century Circuit, New York. For Reliable Reports On What New Pictures Are Doing, Consult “The TipOff” Regularly In This Publication. Neal Moved Up By Republic New York — Prior to his departure last week end for Hollywood and studio con¬ ferences on Republic’s production set-up in Mexico with Herbert J. Yates, chair¬ man of the board, and James Fitzpatrick, Morris Goodman, vice-president in charge of foreign sales, announced the appoint¬ ment of Jack R. Neal as manager of the company’s branch in Puerto Rico. Neal succeeds Carl Ponedel, whose transfer to Republic’s office in Mexico City was re¬ cently announced. ART DEPT.: MGM got a chance to show some of its more “arty” product last week. At the same time MPPDA’s Arthur DeBra added over 150 more motion picture converts to his list of the conquered public. The place was the National Arts Club, and the occasion was a special preview of “Grandpa Called It Art,” a John Nesbitt Passing Parade short, which traces the changing trends in American art during the last few decades, and shows some of the nation’s foremost artists at work. DeBra, director of research at the Hays office, spoke on “A New Challenge To Art,” and take it from us those MPPDA people make with wonderful orations. Another speaker was John Abbott, director, Museum Of Modern Art. Films shown included “National Art Gallery,” “This Is Tomorrow,” and “Hobbies.” Present were: Herbert Morgan and Max Weinberg from the home office, the trade press, and leaders of the art world. HOST AND TOAST DEPT.: Peggy Ryan is in town and Universal thought that sufficient excuse to throw a luncheon last week at the Hampshire House, as to who of those present didn’t. Sharing to a lesser degree the limelight and honor spot was Lou Goldberg, producer of the radio show, “On Stage Everybody, and co-producer of the film of the same name, as well as Maurice Bergman, Universal ad and pub director. Present, besides delegates, from the trade press were: Don Rich, Marion Orford, A1 Horowitz, Walter Barber, Marie Slate, Jerry Halprin, Hank Linet, Morris Alin, Charles Simonelli, Andy Sharick, Bob Ungerfield, Wanda Ellis, Edward J. Eustace, Peggy Mahoney, Miriam Quirk, Mrs. Hazel Ryan (otherwise known as the mother), Richard Ney, Bob Wile, Charles Moss, etc., etc. THE METROPOLITAN SCENE: Monogram threw a cocktail party for Belita the other evening at the St. Regis, and the fan magazines, foreign press, the trades, and the Monogram executives turned out in full force. We had a slight letdown though when Belita. pasced through the suite of Louis XVI continuously without any skates on, ice or otherwise. . . . Photography and action shots in the new War Activities Committee, 21m. release, “The Battle For the Marianas,” being distributed by Warner Brothers, are of the best. . . . Bob Gilham, Paramount ad and publicity director, is responsible for that novel and effective advertising display in Grand Central Terminal. The display, seven and one-half feet high and nine feet wide, simulates a theatre screen on which a red curtain appears bearing the title of the film (“Frenchman’s Creek”). When this opens, a large and colorful scene from the film is presented. The animation is continuous and it takes about 17 seconds for the entire display to be revealed. . . . Irving Kersch, nephew ( Continued on page 26) September 20, 1944