The Film Daily (1942)

Tuesday, November 24, 1942 <9fe Double Bill Edict Unnecessary— Arthur (Continued from Page 1) grams, at least for the duration. This business of crying out for a Governmental edict in order to make such a reversion possible is ridiculous." .•previous attempts to eliminate .Sable bills. Arthur said, didn't succeed because the 80,000,000 "dyed in the wool weekly movie fans have come to prefer double features. "Today a different picture is presented to us," Arthur continued. "The war effort finds reversion to single feature policy an immediate necessity. Vital war materials are being utilized by us in the manufacture of film raw stock. It has become a question now of unecessary film production causing a lack of certain vital material, and there is but one answer — elimination for the duration." Arthur brought out the fact that the entire industry is now geared toward a continuance of the double feature policy, that studio production today is continuing along these lines. That was the main reason, he pointed out, that the resolution adopted and signed by the representatives of some 95 per cent of the motion picture exhibitors in St. Louis area last Monday afforded a lapse of time before dual programs are to be eliminated in this territory, that is, on June 1, 1943. At a meeting of exhibitors held at Melbourne Hotel at noon yesterday, Arthur criticized the contention of some exhibitor leaders that theaters should wait until the Government issues an edict banning double features. He said that it is up to the exhibitors to do this job voluntarily without crowding from Washington. He has indicated that the Fanchon & Marco interests early in January will try out single bills at one of their first-run houses, probably the Fox, and later the same bill will be used at all of the circuit's second and subsequent-runs. One such single bill will be used at some Fanchon & Marco first-runs each week as a step toward educating the public to the advantages of single features and selected shorts as entertainment prior to June 1. CLTJJDE LOCKING IN Chi. Carriers Having Troubles Chicago — Chicago film truck distributors are having difficulties in obtaining new trucks to replace worn out equipment. Tires and gasoline needs are still sufficient for distributors handling Government war shorts within the state without charge, but interstate shipments are billed. Rep. Sets Texas Circuits Dallas — Republic has closed deals with the Interstate Theater Circuit and R. S. Griffith Texas theaters. Prexy James R. Grainger was here to close the contracts. "Hollywood's Letters From Home" Amid all. the discussion of Hollywood, its economics, its art — or lack of it — its social consciousness or unconsciousness, its moral and intellectual level, probably few of the general public have stopped to consider the American motion-picture industry as a link between the country's widely scattered armed forces and home. Nevertheless, Hollywood's service in this respect is of the highest value as many reports attest and as a little exercise of the imagination will confirm. Not long ago Mr. Howard Dietz, speaking before the National Board of Review, cited messages from American commanders in many different foreign areas praising the services of the films in maintaining morale. They came from Iceland, from Alaska, from Cairo, from India. One asserted that motion pictures "are as necessary to the men as rations." And General Eisenhower concisely indicates the particular service which the home-grown film performs for the soldier, sailor or marine overseas. "Newsreels are specially of tremendous value, providing for the soldiers the means of keeping up with their friends in other theaters of war and with their families at home," he cabled. "The stories and the sets in the feature productions bring their home country vividly to their memories." Any one who has been abroad long enough to grow homesick and has in that mood witnessed an American motion picture will appreciate what the general had in mind. The performance might not have been a j work of genius; perhaps it was the most routine of "B" pictures, batI tered by hard service on many a j screen, outmoded by the swift rush of film fashion and film technique. But it was American down to the last cliche, and it was heartwarming to look upon. This is not to suggest that the men in service overseas are getting their entertainment from the bottom of the Hollywood barrel. On the contrary, it is plain that official recognition of the value of the motion picture and the co-operation of the film industry have combined to supply the armed forces frequently and freely with the best. But the artistic merits of the films that reach the far-flung battle line are, so to speak, icing on the cake. Fundamentally, Hollywood is doing a fine job of sending letters from home to the fighting men. — NEW YORK HERALD-TRIBUNE. Hub Goes Dark But Biz Remains Tops (Continued from Page 1) would mean. If the week-end is to be accepted as a criterion, it will mean exactly nothing. In the Hub, biz in the deluxers was as large as that of the previous week. Many of the theaters had long lines of patrons waiting and this despite weather which Dizzy Dean only could describe. All Boston coastal and inland theaters are preparing for unusual heavy business from tomorrow night through the week for reservations at local hotels give undisputed indication that the influx of parents to visit sons in nearby camps will be largest in history over the holiday and the ensuing week-end. War Bond-Stamp Sales By Theaters Show Gain (Continued from Page 1) no extra promotional activity, the "heaters netted $2 000,000 less. October figure was computed on a basis of total returns from individual theaters received at WAC headquarters up to Friday. It is expected that when the tardy theaters have completed their statements and sent them in, the national aggregate will be in the neighborhood of $15,000 000. "If. in a month such as October, in which there was no organized effort to boost sales, a 35 per cent increase was registered (on the ba*is of only partial returns), it is not hard to see what can be done in December with the 'On To Victory' and Christmas campaigns. America has rea-'on to be proud of its showmen" Si Fabian commented yesterday. Pix Biz to Stop at 9 P.M., Opening Dec. 7 Bond Drive Thousands of theaters across the country have notified the WAC here that thev will join in the stoppage of film biz at 9 p.m. on Dec. 7, part of a week of intensified industry activity dedicated to boosting the sales of War Bonds and Stamps. Every Lopw. RKO and Warner housp, dIus hundreds of indies, has enrolled to put on special exercises on the first night of the national campaign, which has as its slogan, Avenge Dec 7th — On To Victory." Film Allocation Proposal Is Discussed in Capital (Continued from Page 1) substantial approval of the proposed system being indicated, with several rough spots ironed out. Announcement, of details is expected next month before the present freeze on film stock expires on December 18. The freeze was extended this week-end from Nov. 18, having been out of effect for three days through an oversight. Present at the meeting were Dr. J. Gevaert, Gevaert Co.: A. E. Marshal, Agfa Ansco; I. N. Hultman, Eastman Kodak: D. H. Kinlock, Dupont; L. D. Fields. Defender; J. C. Wilson. Kaloid; D. C. Dailey and G. S. Salzgeber, Hammer Dry Plate & Film Co. Start New War Dept. Series West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — William Morgan is directing "Keen It Clean," first of the Fighting Men series of the War Dept. training films, at Republic for the Academy's Research Council. Md. Censors Okay "Cargo" Baltimore — Metro's "White Cargo" has been passed by the Maryland censors following slight modification of one sequence, made voluntarily by the producer. Martin Smith's Mother Dies Toledo — Funeral services were held here Saturday for the mother of Martin G. Smith, local circuit owner and president of the ITO of Ohio. Partial Dimout to Affect Philly's Theater Marquees Philadelphia — This city and other towns in a radius of 25 miles face the prospect of a partial dimout, following a meeting of civilian defense leaders here Sunday night, with other confabs expected this week to formulate definite plans. The dimout, while not believed to be as strict as that in New York City and other spots, will undoubtedly affect theater signs. It is thought likely that at the beginning, at least, it will be on a volunteer basis. It is thought likely that Camden, N. J., which is under another Defense Command, will follow. The dimout, for the duration will start one-half hour after sundown, continuing until one-half hour before sunrise. Vancouver Island Dimout Extension Hurts Theaters Victoria, B. C— The Pacific Coast dimout is creeping northward, and new regulations governing lighting visible from the sea have been imposed on the shores of Southern Vancouver island. A cut of 25 to 50 per cent in theater attendance was the result of the dimout. Capital Group to Pass On Free Talent Weighed Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Creation of an organization similar to the Hollywood Victory Committee to pass on requests for free entertainment in the Washington area was proposed yesterday by Warner Bros. Zone Manager John J. Payette, local WAC leader, and Managing Director Harry Anger of the WB Earle. The plan is under consideration by the American Federation of Musicians. The organization would include union representatives, theater executives and civic leaders. Rites for R. D. Hamilton Des Moines, la. — Funeral services were held Saturday for Robert D. Hamilton, 36, employed at 20th Century-Fox Studios at Los Angeles.