The Exhibitor (May-Aug 1948)

Anglo-American Deal Selznick , Korda Announce Plans For Global Production Venture NEW YORK — David O. Selznick and Sir Alexander Korda announced last week the signing of a contract between their respective companies for a joint global, motion picture venture. Under the terms of the agreement, the two producers will collaborate in a series of films to be made in England employing the best talents of Hollywood and London. Plans have already been agreed upon for the filming of four stories during (he next 12 months, of which two will be in Technicolor. Production of the first will start next September and others thereafter at intervals of two to three months. The following stories have been tentatively agreed upon by Selznick and Korda: Joseph Conrad's “An Outcast of the Islands,” Charles Dickens’ “Tale of Two Cities,” Thomas Hardy’s “Tess of the D’Urbervilles,” “The Third Man,” a new unpublished novel by Graham Greene, and also under consideration are Daphne du Maurier’s “The King’s General,” Jules Verne’s “Around the World in Eighty Days,” Thomas Mann’s “The Magic Mountain,” and Aldous Huxley’s “Point Counterpoint.” The stars will be supplied for these pictures by Selznick, principally from those under contract to his companies, although it is agreed that wherever it is possible to further add to the film’s American boxoffice appeal by includ¬ ing two or three star names, Selznick may make available other stars as well. In addition, Korda will also supply from his contract artists the top names of the British film and theatre. The films will be produced and directed by Britain’s leading independent film-makers. 10 Children’s Library Gets 122 Features New York — The Motion Picture Asso¬ ciation of America announced last week a list of 112 features approved for chil¬ dren’s matinees, and available to 2500 theatres in America now subscribing to the Children’s Film Library of the Asso¬ ciation. Arthur DeBra, director, Depart¬ ment of Community Relations, and his associate, Mrs. Marjorie G. Dawson, chair¬ man, library committee, report that these films are the first to supplement those 50 productions permanently in the library. These supplementary motion pictures are available for children’s programs after they have completed regular local book¬ ings. Exhibitors applying for them must show they have played 80 per cent of the regular library subjects. The list follows: From Columbia — “Arizona,” “Bandit of Sherwood Forest,” “Desert Horseman,” “Fighting Frontiersman,” “Gallant Jour¬ ney,” “Galloping Thunder,” “The Jolson Story,” “Keeper of the Bees,” “The Last of the Redmen,” “My Dog Rusty,” “Person¬ ality Kid,” “The Prince of Thieves,” “Re¬ lentless,” “The Return of Monte Cristo,” “The Return of Rusty,” “Roaring Rangers,” “Roll on Texas Moon,” “The Swordsman,” “Two Fisted Stranger.” From Film Classics — “Spirit of West Point.” From MGM — “Bad Bascomb,” “Boys Ranch,” “Courage of Lassie,” “Cynthia,” “David Copperfield,” “Fiesta,” “Good News,” “The Green Years,” “Holiday in Mexico,” “It Happened in Brooklyn,” “Las¬ sie Come Home,” “Living in a Big Way,” “Music For Millions,” “My Brother Talks To Horses,” “National Velvet,” “On An Island With You,” “This Time For Keeps,” “Three Daring Daughters,” “Two Sisters From Boston,” “Treasure Island,” “Wizard Of Oz,” “The Yearling.” From Monogram — “The Dude Goes West,” “Gentleman Joe Palooka,” “Ginger,” “Haunted Mine.” From Paramount — '“Blaze Of Noon,” “Going My Way,” “O.S.S.,” “The Perils Of Pauline,” “The Plainsman,” “Road To Rio,” “Shaggy,” “Unconquered,” “Variety Girl,” “Welcome Stranger.” From J. Arthur Rank — “Bush Christ¬ mas.” From Republic — “Along The Oregon Trail,” “Bill and Coo,” “Home In Okla¬ homa,” “Man From Rainbow Valley,” “My Pal Trigger,” “Rustlers Of Devil’s Canyon,” “Twilight On Rio Grande,” “Under Nevada Skies,” “Wyoming.” From RKO — “The Bells Of St. Mary’s,” “The Bishop’s Wife,” “Fantasia,” “The Farmer’s Daughter,” “Fun and Fancy Free,” “I Remember Mama,” “The Kid From Brooklyn,” “Pinocchio,” “Secret Life Of Walter Mitty,” “Sinbaa The Sailor,” “Tarzan And The Mermaids,” “Tycoon,” “Wonder Man.” From 20th-Fox — “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “Anna And The King Of Siam,” “Black Beauty,” “Give My Regards To Broadway,” “Green Grass Of Wyoming,” “It Shouldn’t Happen To A Dog,” “Make Mine Music,” “Miracle On 34th Street,” “Margie,” “Mother Wore Tights,” “My Friend Flicka,” “Scudda-Hoo, ScuddaHay,” “Sitting Pretty,” “Smoky,” “State Fair,” “Three Girls In Blue,” “Thunderhead,” “Thunder In The Valley,” “Wake Up And Dream.” From U-I — “Buck Privates Come Home,” “Little Miss Big,” “One Hundred Men And A Girl,” “The Overlanders,” “The Pirates Of Monterey,” “So Goes My Love,” “Song Of Scheherazade,” “Tawny Pipit,” “The THE EXHIBITOR "Four Faces" In Big Bow Denver— The double premiere of UA’s “Four Faces West” at the Lensic and Burro Alley, Santa Fe, N. M., last week highlighted an historic day. With the U. S. Army and Governor Thomas J. Mabry affording full cooperation, festivities got under way in the morning with an army parade, replete with full-battle accoutre¬ ment, in honor of the 15th anniversary of the recruitment of the Rough Riders un¬ der the leadership of Teddy Roosevelt. Later, the State Capitol grounds were the scene of a gigantic barbeque sponsored by the American Legion, and attended by the governor and other visiting dignitaries. Other festivities included the reenactment of the original Rough Riders’ ceremonies and the swearing in of new recruits. Film stars Joel McCrea and Frances Dee were present. The Boy Scouts then took over the main streets in a huge jamboree of song and festivity. The Gilbralter and John Greer played host to the stars, exhibitors, and visiting dignitaries at a cocktail party and dinner at the LaFonda Hotel. The climax of the day’s ceremonies came when the world premiere of the film took place at the two theatres. Maas Touring Europe New York — Irving Maas, vice-president and general manager, Motion Picture Ex¬ port Association, departed on May 22 for a trip to MPEA Continental markets. Coun¬ tries on his itinerary include Holland, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, Yugo¬ slavia, Austria, and Germany. Visits to Rumania and Bulgaria are also contem¬ plated, but these are contingent on visa clearances. Time Of Our Lives,” “Wistful Widow Of Wagon Gap.” From Warners— “Cloak And Dagger,” “Life With Father,” “My Girl Tisa,” “My Wild Irish Rose.” Texas Case Motions Filed Wilmington, Del. — A motion to strike certain portions of the bill of complaint was filed in U. S. District Court last fort¬ night by attorneys for Interstate Circuit, Inc., Texas Consolidated Theatres, Inc., and 12 film producer-distributor com¬ panies in the suit against them by Tivoli Realty, Inc., owner-operator, Delman, Dallas, Tex. Notice was filed that certain depositions will be taken on June 2 in the Federal building, Dallas, for use in the Tivoli case, and on June 4 in a similar anti-trust action against the same defendants by I. B. Adelman, Dallas, owner-operator, Delman, and president, Tivoli. Schine Houses7 Sale Asked Washington— The Department of Justice last fortnight asked the U. S. Supreme Court to pass speedy judgment to force the sale of five Schine theatres which were to have been divested originally under the 1942 Schine consent decree. Schine had purchased the house subsequent to the filing of the government’s anti-trust action in 1939, and the recent high court decision did not concern itself specifically with these theatres. The original decree six years ago called for Schine to drop 16 houses, 11 of which have been disposed of. Warnerites To Vote New York — More than 700 Warner home office workers will vote on May 27 to de¬ cide whether the current union shop will continue. The election is called for by the Taft-Hartley law when a new contract is to be negotiated. The Warner contract dies on May 31. Paramount Star Honored Hollywood — Olivia de Havilland last week was presented with a gold medallion in recognition of her selection as the best actress in films released in Belgium dur¬ ing 1947. The award was made for her performance in “To Each His Own.” May 26, 1948