The Film Daily (1941)

Aednesday, November 12, 1941 DAILY Screen As Radio's News Competitor (Continued from Page 1 ) riming Jan. 1, it was learned yesterday. As explained by Clifford Fowler, rtneral manager of the firm, the r:up employs the use of a Trans* iio special ticker which is placed in Ik projection booth. While the feaure is being shown, the ticker reords flash news on special DuPont ilm. At the conclusion of the feature, he roll of film with news bulletins •unning three minutes is flashed m the screen. According to Fowler, there will be hree advertisements of 20 seconds Juration flashed on the screen at the •nd of every minute of news. Ads »re sold to sponsors who will pay at he rate of so much per thousand •f paid admissions. Service, Fowler said, will be supdied free to the theaters for the ease of the screen for a period of 2 months. He pointed out theaters an advertise it is no longer necesary to stay home and listen to the adio for the latest news. Fowler said he had several naional advertisers lined up but at his time was not at liberty to di"ulge their names. j N. J. Skouras Theaters Test Radio Quiz Programs (Continued from Page 1 ) ?uesday and Friday nights at 8:45. -Jo commercial announcements, howver, are made from the theaters. Quiz programs are conducted in he form of a match between contestants in two theaters. For exmple, a team composed of emtloyees of the Colgate-Palmolive>eet Corp. in the State Theater, ersey City, last night matched their rits with Bakelite Co. team at the Srook Theater, Bound Brook. Prorams could be heard at both theaers. The sponsor gives cash prizes and o-operates in all advertising. Other ikouras houses in which the proTarns originate are the Teaneck, "eaneck; Regent, Kearney; Fulton, ersey City, and Rivoli, Rutherford, .ocal companies and organizations upply the teams. First program tarted Nov. 3. 4ischa Auer Released by "U" Hollywood — Mischa Auer has obained release from his Universal ontract. Three Wanger Story Properties for UA West Coast Bur.. THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — United Artists Prod, has acquired rights to three stories in the transfer of Walter Wanger assets. They include the Harvey Thew-Peter Ordway original, "So Gallantly Gleaming"; the Taylor Caldwell novel, "Dynasty of Death," and Vincent Sheean's "Personal History." REVIEWS Of SHORT SUBJECTS "Viva Mexico" (A Miniature) M-G-M 9 mins. Colorful Travelogue With interest in the Latin-American Republics high, Metro offers this well-made reel in color of our good neighbor just below the Rio Grande. Shots are varied and interesting, ranging from rural and scenic highlights; the remnants of the once proud Aztec civilization; and including sequences of romantic, modern Mexico's capital, Mexico City. Audiences are given an excellent and clear impression of the country's culture and beauty. Footage is capably narrated. This is one of the better travelogues of the current crop. "Road In India" Paramount 11 mins. Absorbing One-Reeler Camera traverses the famed Indian Road through the mysterious India, a strange mixture of the past tnd the present. Along the modern highway, the customs and the traditions of the past still exist. There vre sights of squatting Yogi, a snake -harmer, an animal trainer and numerous other threads that go into making an absorbing pattern of society. "Come Back Miss Pipps" (Our Gang Comedy) M-G-M 11 mins. Fairly Amusing It was inevitable that, following the wave of feature films which had the realm of education as their background (such as "Good-Bye, Mr. Chips" and "Cheers For Miss Bishop"), the tab reel kingdom would add its contribution. It is done via Our Gang. The yarn relates how a school teacher is fired from her job for holding a birthday party for one of her public on school time. The kids, to get her reinstated, stage a play for their parents, and through this channel is imparted the meanness of the school board's chairman. There are some amusing scenes and situations, but this chapter in the Gang's adventures lacks the zip which characterizes most of the sto "I'll Fix It" RKO 17 mins. Amusing Starring Edgar Kennedy, this two-reeler concerns Edgar's refusal to pay $100 for the installation of a new water heater, insisting that he can do it himself. The result can be imagined. His clumsiness causes the cost to rise well above $200, not counting damage to the house, law suits and other exnense. Short is good for some laughs. "Georgetown. Pride of Penang" (FitzPatrick Traveltalk) M-G-M 9 mins. Solid Subject On a picturesaue island on the West Coast of Malaya lies one of the key ports of Britain's Eastern empire. Here James FitzPatrick has turned his cameras on the busy city which combines beauty, modernity, and the native way of life. Georgetown's fine hai-bor facilities are shown, as are the native boats and activities ashore. The principal merchants of the port are Chinese, as the business section attests. Reel conVfys one of the reasons why Britain is concentrating her military might in this general area, — that reason being to preserve the sources of rubber and tin, both of which are products of the Straits Settlements. This subject, filmed in color, is an asset to any shorts program. "Popular Science" Paramount 11 mins. Good Subject A number of interesting subjects are crammed into this reel. It opens with a view of the new Pennsylvania Turnpike and a glimpse into its operation. Next is one of those modern "dream" kitchens that takes the work out of housework. One of the most amazing microscopes is shown with lens that can penetrate down to electrons. Sequences are interrupted by a wacky invention by Professor Oakes. Final footage is about the latest training technique developed by the U. S. Forest Service, "smoke jumping," for which a crew of parachutists are used to curb fires. "Fancy Answers" (Pete Smith Specialty) M-G-M 9 mins. Neat Quiz Reel With characteristic flare for originality and laughs, Pete Smith unleashes herewith a quiz reel which all audiences are bound to enjoy. While the subject is titled "Fancy Answers," the questions are just as fancy, each selected for its novelty as well as ability to keep fans interested and curiosity at high pitch. A clock ticks off the several seconds during which the onlooker may decide which of several suggested answers is the correct one. Leave it to Mr. Smith to make the interrogation session one of mirth. "Sucker List" (Crime Does Not Pay) M-G-M 21 mins. Dramatic and Revealing Current two-reeler unmasks the method whereby the innocent and trusting public is fleeced by race track touts. At first the victims are permitted to taste the thrill of winning from hot tips, but after the "come on," they are divested of their savings and sometimes led through fear to raise funds by "borrowing" money from their firms. The tragedy of this situation is symbolized in the picture by a young husband whose wife is about to have a baby. At the finale, the gang is stamped out because some of the victims have had the courage to co-operate with the police. This is a revealing and interesting short, and, like its predecessors, is bound to work much good in eradicating the evils perpetuated by the touts. (oast Pacts First Big Job, Says Walsh (Continued from Pane 1 ) contracts they wanted. He indicated he might either go to the Coast or summon the business delegates to New Yoi'k for a conference. Bars Personal Reps. When asked whether he would appoint a special West Coast representative the way his predecessor did, Walsh replied: "Nobody represents me but myself. Only international representatives and duly elected officers will carry out the duties assigned to them." Concerning the basic studio agreement, Walsh expressed doubt as to whether the IATSE would re-enter the pact. "I don't know whether we will reenter it or not. I don't want to take away the right of the locals to negotiate their own contracts. If we did come under the studio agreement, I, as president, would have to negotiate the contracts. That has to be considered. I want to help the locals as much as possible and am willing to let them continue to exercise their autonomy." The new IATSE prexy showed little concern when questioned over rumors that the studio unions were in danger of jurisdictional raids by other American Federation of Labor unions, namely the Teamsters and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Expects No "Raiding" "You will always hear stories like that at a time like this," he said smiling. "I don't expect any difficulty lrom that quarter." Only comment Walsh would make on the action of the Hollywood Local 683, Film Technicians, adopting a resolution demanding the resignation of all members of the IATSE executive board and the expulsion of George E. Browne and William Bioff from the IA is that the International office did not receive a copy from the local. He also pointed out that the action was probably taken before his election and might be considered in a different light by the Coast local today. Walsh, who on Monday pledged a "honest, efficient and clean administration," felt confident that the International would regain the full confidence of the public. "We ask the public to have the same faith in us that it has exercised in the 50 years of our existence. One black mark against us in all that time should not cause us to be condemned too strongly," Walsh asserted. iiershovn Agreement With FPC Is Renewed Renewal of an agreement with the Franklin Hershorn Theater Co., Ltd., was announced yesterday by J. J. Fitzgibbons, president of Famous Players Canadian Corp. Hershorn operates a group of theaters in the Canadian Maritime Provinces.