We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
Short Subjects
By BARN
PRETTY POTENT argument for the increased quality of pictures was offered in the MPAA analysis of a compilation of 21 lists of the year's outstanding films as selected and published by movie critics, reviewing groups and periodicals. Of all the 465 feature films shown in the nation's theatres last year, including foreign films, 66—50 of them American— won citations in the "best films" ratings. The total represents an increase in the number that made the "best" grade in 1949, when, from approximately the same number of releases, the composite "jury" placed 57 films — 48 from Hollywood— in the "best" category. In addition, a number of the critics and pollsters noted that they would have included others if they had not been limited to the traditional "ten best." Arthur H. DeBra, MPAA director of Community Relations, who is to be congratulated for making the survey, points out that the large num
LOEW & RODGERS
Thirty Year Tribute
ber of different films named "reflects in part the extensive difference in tastes even among the relatively few critics and groups whose selections were published."
increase in the number of "best" flni last year, he added, "would also indicate that American motion picture audiences are being treated to a constantly increasing variety of fine movies. According to the composite selections, there was at least one 'best' film for every week of the year — with 14 added for good measure."
•THIRTY YEARS ago, Arthur M. Loew joined his father's movie company. He was given a desk and a title which placed him in charge of a practically nonexistent "foreign" department. Today, under his direction, Loew's International has 51 main offices and 72 branches all over the world as well as a circuit of more than 40 showcase theatres in the most important foreign cities. To mark Arthur Loew's thirtieth year in the industry, M-G-M's domestic and international distribution departments will
join hands in the promotion and merchandising of "Teresa", which Loew produced in New York and Italy. There will be an overseas competition among the various branches for the best campaign on the film, according to Morton A. Spring, first vice-president of Loew's International. Here, sales chief Bill Rodgers has personally asked the field salesmen for a concrete show of appreciation to Loew through an intensified sales effort on behalf of the film.
J_JOW SOME theatre employes are cutting the industry's— and their ownthroat was pointed up in a letter by COMPO executive vice-president Arthur L. Mayer to the Council's executive committee. "Loose talk among theatre employes is contributing to the public's belief that there is something seriously wrong with the picture business and is thus hurting theatre attendance," Mayer stated. "Thoughtless remarks by ushers, cashiers and other theatre staff members, to the effect that business in their houses is bad, spread the impression the public; has already gained from newspapers that our business is on the downgrade. Since nobody likes to be associated with failure, ■rumors of this nature, which always grow as they are repeated, hurt our business." To correct this situation, Mayer advises theatre operators to point out to his staff that "their own welfare is bound up in the general welfare of this industry and that remarks damaging to the business can only be harmful to themselves." He cited New York City's Century chain which has inaugurated an educational program among its employees, acquainting them with the "real facts" of our business. The characteristic optimism of the industry must be revived, Mayer concludes. "Let s see to it that everyone in this business from top executives to the youngest ushers becomes an ardent booster for movies both in his working hours and in his personal life."
HTHE PINKERTONS of the movie inA dustry — Sargoy & Stein — are on the trail of a person, posing as a priest, who has been disappearing with 16mm prints of films. The report has it that the impersonator goes to established dealers for the claimed purpose of exhibiting the films before religious youth organizations and is never heard from again by the victimized distributor. Subsequent inquiry at a religious institution with which the youth organization was supposedly connected revealed the fraud. Sargoy & Stein have turned over the matter to the gendarmerie, noting that if any such films are exhibited or sold, the copyright infringements involved may make it a matter for the F. B. I.
TJ770NDERFUL NEWS from the Gold^* wyn girls will be back on the screen in the producer's forthcoming "That Great American Pastime." There will be no less than 14 of the lovelies in the film, a comedy about a girls' Softball team. Selection of the new Goldwyn Girls will be made via a publicized talent search in the 14 states where feminine softball
enjoys greatest popularity, thus giving j the film a fast start in preproduction publicity.
^NOTHER OF the entertaining booklets | Universal-International has been concocting to plug individual films has gone out to exhibitors, the press and columnU ists. This one is on "Up Front" andl cleverly combines the famous Bill Mauldin cartoons with scenes from the pic • ture. The U-I special pieces dreamed up by David Lipton's boys are the sort the! reader likes to take home and show to his friends or to talk about and is goodi for plenty of mentions in the columns.
QF MEN AND THINGS: A. E. Bollengier has been named treasurer off United Artists by president Arthur B.j Krim. He moves to UA from Hal Roach,
SAMUEL GOLDWYN
Brings Back the Girls
Studios where he was secretarytreasur1 er. Since the Roach studios are exclusive ly devoted to television film production this is a promising switch — moving from! TV to the movies . . . Also at UA, Jack Rothenberg has been appointed compj troller of advertising and business man' ager of Max Youngstein's ad-publicity exploitation department . . . Samuel Gold wyn has signed William Dozier, formei; Universal executive, as his assistant anc story editor for the company . . . Rarelj has the death of any member of th(] industry been received with greater shocland sorrow than the recent demise o:, Monogram's popular ad-publicity direct i or, Louis S. Lifton ... A "Grad Sean Drive" honoring the UA vice-president is set for nine weeks beginning April 1st ■ the U. S. and Canada. Ten thousand dol, lars in prizes will be distributed amonf the winners of the sales push . . . B. G Kranze, ELC distribution v.p., has apl pointed Joseph M. Sugar as his assistant| Kranze has also named Clayton Eastmai Eastern division manager for the com pany.
36
FILM BULLETIN