The Film Daily (1940)

Thursday, November 14, 1940 "Big 5," Gov't Unite In Decree Defense {Continued from Page 1) hibitors were discussed at the meeting, it was reported, and counter moves by the defenders of the decree were mapped. In addition, attorneys discussed the necessary formalities for presenting the signed decree to the Court. Government attorneys explained that it was important for all technical requirements to be complied with preliminary to the presentation of the decree. The decree has been circulating for the past few days among the ofofficers of the various negotiating companies for the purpose of obtaining the necessary signatures. Government attorneys attending yesterday's conference were James V. Hayes, Robert Sher, Seymour Simon and J. Stephen Doyle, all special assistants to the Attorney General. Three possible developments can result from today's hearings. The first and most likely result is that Judge Goddard will not allow those who are not parties to the suit to influence him, meaning that he will give the document his approval. Second possibility is that he will send the decree back with suggestions for further revisions, and last and least likely, he will reject the entire document. Opponents of the decree are expected to ask Judge Goddard to defer approval until the exhibitors can file formal objections. It is the contention of some that even if the decree is signed by the judge, relief can be sought in another court. Well-informed sources expressed the conviction yesterday that, in order to concentrate exclusively on the consent decree itself at today's hearing, no motion seeking permission of the Court to formally file the new amended complaint draft would be offered, but that such motion would be made at a later date. Ira H. Cohn Week In Drive Pittsburgh — In commemoration of the anniversary of his twelfth year as local branch manager, the 20th Century-Fox exchange has dedicated the last week of their national Drive, ending Dec. 14, as "Ira H. Cohn Week." THE FILM DAILY to Nicholas M. Schenck Eugene O'Brien Doris Anderson Betty Caldwell John Moynihan Garson Kanin T ▼ T • • • YES. "Fantasia" opened at the Broadway Theater las! night but something more than that namely, amazing new avenues oi screen entertainment of which the Disney opus is the courageous, colorful pioneer...... — courageous because it dared to blaze untried trails — colorful because, in addition to its glorious Technicolor hues, it possesses the characteristics which give life, vivacity and imaginative intensity to a work of art which "Fantasia" is decidedly Too. the picture is a work (and a big one) of science, melding as it does realistic and impressionistic animation unique advances in recording and reproduction employment of the newly evolved RCA Fantasound and Multiplane photographic technique at a new height of development to name a few factors T ▼ T • • • WHAT is "Fantasia"? Right off, it is the conversational topic which is the successor to the recent national election Certainly this is so in filmland's ranks as well as among all those segments of the public which have seen the attraction Everyone appears to differ as to the exact genus of "Fantasia" It strikes this corner as an unprecedented composite Fundamentally, it is a series of magnificent short subjects held firmly together by narrative introductions to each component by Deems Taylor These narrative introductions form some of the most impressive and delightful footage because Disney brings on The Philadelphia Orchestra and the renowned Leopold Stokowski via visual patterns ranging from silhouettes to life-like cameos of both the conductor and the instrumentalists Often, these cameos flash vibrant, hot-metallic colorvalues born of light flashing on the copper shells of tympanies the brass of trumpets, trombones and French horns or the rich and ruddy expanse of a bass violin Again, what is "Fantasia"? It's a pageant of pictures interpreting compositions of Bach, Tchaikowsky, Dukas, Stravinsky, Beethoven, Ponchielli, Moussorgsky and Schubert It is not being facetious to say that "Fantasia" is the attainment of paradise by the illustrated song T T T • • • ONCE more, what is "Fantasia"? It's Disney et al at their best It's the closest and finest joining to date of music and films It's seeing the former and hearing the latter (that's what the souvenir program says, and 'tis so) Other things the Disney production is: a champagne oasis for audiences celluloid catnip for music lovers ditto for Walt's grand Army of followers an emotional adventure a vehicle of beauty, humor, tragedy, romance, amazement and excitement a couple of industry milestones and — husky competition for all houses unable to play it T T T 9 • 9 NOTABLES of society, industry and public life thundered their approval of "Fantasia" at last nights opening Applause came from such distinguished hands as Mrs. Helen Huntington Astor, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Baker, Mrs. Hugh E. D. Auchincloss, Mrs. Henry Whigham, Mrs. Kermit Roosevelt, Mr. and Mrs. Winthrop Aldrich, John Hay Whitney, Mrs. Joseph Willard, Mr. and Mrs. George J. Schaefer, Major Edward Bowes, David O. Selznick, Elizabeth Arden, Mr. and Mrs. Walt Disney, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Disney Leopold Stokowski, Mr. and Mrs. Deems Taylor, Spyros Skouras, Phil Reisman, Jules Levey, Ned E. Depinet, Jules Brulatour, David A. Sarnoff, Arthur Loew .-. Just those few names will give an idea of the texture of the audience who purchased their seats to aid the British War Relief Society, Inc We can't recall any audience surpassing this in brilliance We bend the knee to Disney! 500 to Attend Meet Of Board of Review (Continued from Page 1) witness "Fantasia," and tonight the conferees gather at New York University's School of Education to view a film program consisting of the Joris Ivens-directed RKO Radio documentary, "Power and the Land"; "Valley Town," directed by Willard Van Dyke and made available to the NBR program through courtesy of Educational Film Instittue; and the Gaumont-British "The Face of Britain," directed by Paul Rotha. Evening program will be under the auspices of Dr. Frederic M. Thrasher, professor of education at NYU, and a member of the NBR board of directors. A highlight of the session tonight will be the address by Richard Griffith of the Museum of Modern Art Film Library. Tomorrow's setup calls for morning and afternoon meetings at the Hotel Pennsylvania. At former, Dr. Francis D. Tyson of NYU's department of economics and member of the Motion Picture Council of the National Board of Review will preside. Judge Stephen S. Jackson, Director of the Bureau of Juvenile Delinquency, will speak on "Movies and Juvenile Delinquency"; Mrs. Ralph T. Edwards, motion picture editor of Parents' Magazine, on "Children and Movies"; Oliver T. Griswold, representative of Rural Electrification Administration, on "Government Departmental Films"; and Vyvyan Donner of 20th-Fox Fashion Forecasts, on "Styles Are Serious." The afternoon session at 2:30 o'clock will find Dr. Walter W. Pettit, director of the New York School of Social Work, presiding. Speakers and their topics are: Ilka Chase, film and radio commentator, "Fashions Can Be Funny"; Mark Starr, educational director of International Ladies Garment Workers Union, "Adult Education Through Movies"; Virgil Thomson, music critic of the New York Herald Tribune and composer of the music for "The Plow That Broke the Plain" and "The River," will speak on "Composing for the Movies"; and Margaret Thorp, author of "America at the Movies," "The Audience Discovers the Director." Saturday morning will be given over to the 4-Star Clubs' activities, Dr. Frank Astor presiding, and the Conference will terminate with the 26th Annual Luncheon. "What's New About Sm el lies?", He Asks That Detroit "Smellies" Page 1 box in your favorite trade paper yesterday got a quick reaction, witness this wire, signed "Exhibitor," received during the afternoon: "What's new about 'smellies' in the theater and, furthermore, why do we need the Aromatic company to do the injecting for us? Aren't we satisfied with what the picture companies give us every now and again?"