The Film Daily (1943)

TW DAILY Thursday, May 6, 1943 1 More Capra Army Pix Headed for Theaters Public showing of the second and third of the Army orientation series made by Lt. Col. Frank Capra seems virtually certain at this time. The films, entitled "The Nazis Strike" and "Divide and Conquer" have already been viewed by OWI officials, and although there has not yet been any decision to recommend them for public showing, Domestic Director Gardner Cowles, Jr., said yesterday that he thinks they're "swell" films and implied that when the question arises he will approve public showing. Initiative for the public release of the films technically rests with OWI, rather than with the Army, although it is likely that Army pressure — successful in the case of "Prelude to War" — will be applied again if there is a tendency to balk at showing other pix in the scries Lowell Mellett, OWI film director, discussed the films Tuesday in a closed session of the MPTOA here. Explaining his stand against public showing of "Prelude to War," he made it plain to the exhibitors that he was opposed as well to release of the full series, but he is apparently resigned to the probability that he will once again be overruled by Cowles and OWI Chief Elmer Davis. A good half of the two-hour MPTOA closed session is believed to have been concerned with the Capra pix. A good deal of the discussion dealt with the technic of release— who would show the films and how they would be distributed. The session also saw a discussion of the manpower situation. Heywood-Wakefield Net Up Net earnings for the first quarter of 1943, after all charges and tax provisions, of $98,519 is reported by Heywood-Wakefield Co. Comparable 1942 net was $72,703. Richard N. Greenwood, president, reported that sales for the quarter were 41 per cent ahead of 1942 and that 70 per cent of sales were war products. Harry Smith Dies Milwaukee, Wis. — Harry Smith, 54, projectionist at the Whitehouse Theater here for many years, is dead. Orson Welles Elsa Warncke John C. Flinn I. Airman Oliver H. P. Carrett T T T • • • THAT slogan of another war. "Remember the Maine," has a successor in that very State during World War II It's "Maine Remembers," — and what it remembers are its lads in the armed services, lighting the good fight overseas In the instance of Carl Beals, solon of the Strand Theater, Skowhegan, Me., remembrance of these native sons take the form of special weeks held at that house Names of all local boys in foreign service are placed in a box, and one is drawn each Wednesday evening Then the name is announced to the townfolk, and the latter pay homage to him during the ensuing week, which is held in his honor and christened after him His picture is displayed in the lobby, and his name goes out on the marquee At the week's end, Beals writes a personal letter to the lad in uniform, encloses the details of "his week," and the list of home cronies who purchased War Bonds and Stamps in his honor Patrons, too, write to each lad selected, and many of the honored service men pen letters back, telling of the tremendous thrill they get out of the doin's Aside from the morale factor involved, and the welding of the community into a hard-hitting "team" for the war effort, Beals has increased Bonds sales enormously, — and thus more of the sinews for war are provided than would be the case if the honoring weeks had not been instituted T ▼ T • • • AND now newspapers are helping themselves to those Harry Hershfield impressions on "Cabin in the Sky" for general use Milwaukee Journal used one in color last Sunday to illustrate a piece on Negroes in pix. ... • Warners has found a writer in the chorus at the Diamond Horseshoe, and so showgirl Mary Dowell, duly signed, heads for Burbank May 26. . . . • David Lowe wants Norman Corwin of films and radio to direct his stage play, "New Georgia." . . . • Jimmy Dorsey has volunteered for the Greek War Relief Show at Madison Square Garden May 18 Program for the benefit is emerging as "The Atlas of World War 11" with 40 pages of maps It'll sell for a buck and an edition of about 200,000 is planned Hearing on Today in Final Crescent Motions Nashville — At 10 o'clock today hearing on final motions in the Crescent anti-trust suit will begin before Judge Elmer D. Davies. To be heard for Crescent and the affiliated exhibitor defendants are George H. Armistead, Jr., and William Waller of Nashville and W. H. Mitchell of Florence, Ala., for Muscle Shoals Theaters, Inc. Robert L. Wright, chief counsel of the anti-trust division of the Department of Justice is here to defend the findings of fact and the decree in the suit which Judge Davies has said he will formally enter today. Exhibitor defendant counsel are asking for changes in the decree that would modify several provisions, principally the provision that Crescent and its chief officials divest themselves of all holdings in other of the defendant corporations. They are asking that an "experiment" for one year be made of a plan of joint operation of defendant corporations, exclusive of the "combined" licensing of films, and are offering a counter plan for the orderly "breaking up" of the alleged "combine" of circuits which Judge Davies has ruled is in violation of anti-trust laws. Both Crescent and United Artists are re Soviet's "Stalingrad" Will Be Para. Release Under the title of "Victory at Stalingrad" Paramount will handle the U. S. release of the official Russian pic, "Siege of Stalingrad." The picture, in six reels is now in Hollywood where it is being edited and an English narration is being recorded. Cohen Heads Film Bowlers Detroit— Milton Cohen, RKO office manager, was elected president of the Film Bowling League for 1943-44. Other new officers are: first vice-president, Emil Beck, independent booker; second vice-president, Del Ritter, manager, Rivola Theater; secretary, William Pasanen, Film Truck Service; and treasurer, Roy McDougall, Mobilgas. s sting (he payment of the cost except "clerk's fees" and the costs of their own witnesses. MPTOA Asks Full Season Selling Plan (.Continued from Page 1) lation." The board asserted that the present method of selling by five companies was in conflict with the country's war effort in conservation of men and materials and was mos; costly to the industry. f A committee was appointed V delve further into the prices and product situation and to set up a representative plan that might serve as a substitute for the present system. The committee is expected to act as a liaison between the distributors and the exhibitors on matters of prices and sales policies. A plan may be worked out before the board adjourns its sessions today. Col. Gillette to Capital; Lt. Col. Barrett Succeeds (Continued from Page 1) called to Washington where he will serve with the Army Pictorial Service. Col. Barrett has been assigned to the Signal Corps Photo Laboratories, in Anacostia, D. C. Two other members of the staff at Astoria have also left, with Col. F. W. Hoorn being assigned to the Signal Supply Services and Lt. Col. Charles S. Stodter coming to Washington to work with the Army Pictorial Service. Lt. Col. Robert Lord, former screen writer, who has been serving with the West Coast Photographic Center, has been ordered to Astoria to replace Sol Stodter. New Zealand to Remit 'Frozen' Pic Coin to Majors (Continued from Page 1) land which binds that country to fcliow the British example, but no such provision applies to Australia, one of the most profitable markets for American films in the Commonwealth. Chi. Debut of "Land Is Mine" Chicago — The Chicago debut of "This Land is Mine" will take place a week from today at the Palace Theater. Radio Station WGN will cover the premiere. Postpone Local 244 Hearing Newark, N. J. — Hearing of oral argument on the application for a receivership for Local 244, operators, yesterday was postponed to May 24 in Chancery Court. IN NEW POSTS office manager, PRC, FRED SCHEUERMAN, Cleveland. E. C. FITZGIBBON, field exploitation staff, Paramount, Chicago. J. C. GUNDERSON, exploitation representative, Paramount, Cincinnati and Indianapolis. M. D. COHN, exploitation staff, Paramount, Kansas City.