The Film Daily (1943)

*m DAILY Wednesday, June 30, 1943 Equipment Prospects Brighter— Green {Continued from Page 1) were much brighter. He indicated that although shortages existed, there was every reason to believe that theaters could remain open. Other speakers at the opening session of the three-day affair were Bernard Schultz, Eastern sales manager of RCA, who discussed priorities; Reverend Daniel Murphy, president of Seton Hall College, and Harry Murphy, deputy administrator of War Bond sales in New Jersey. Harry Murphy complimented Allied members for their Bond sales efforts, declaring that the theaters had put "glamor" into the campaigns. He said the exhibitors should prepare for another major drive in September. ",■ Harry Lowenstein, president of the New Jersey unit, presided at the meetings and quoted industry statistics from THE FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK to show the magnitude of the film business. A caravan committee meeting is scheduled for today. Speakers at the general session will include M. A. Rosenberg, president of national Allied, and Abram F. Myers, general counsel and chairman of the board. The nominating committee which will put up the names of prospective officers for the new year includes Irving Dollinger, chairman; Lou Gold, Herbert Hill, Harry Hecht, Sam Frank, Dave Snaper, Lee Newbury, Frank Henry, Morris Spewak and Ralph Wilkins. Republic's Rogers Starrer To Play NonWestern Spots Fifteen additional first-run bookings of Republic's "Song of Texas," big-budget Roy Rogers special, are announced by the company, as the current campaign on the King Of The Cowboys continues to garner exhibitor attention. Many of the 15 are houses which ordinarily do not play westerns, it was pointed out. Warners, I-I Circuit To Fight Bank Night Ban Chicago — Warner theaters will fight the Bank Night ban against their Hammond, Ind., theaters when the case comes to trial. The Indiana-Illinois theater circuit will also fight the ban, according to Jack Rose. The ... . FEMME TOUCH PATRICIA MANNING, assistant cashier, Universal, Seattle. CAROL ZIECLER, secretary to Mrs. J. J. Parker, president of Parker Theaters. reviews of new funis "The Constant Nymph" with Charles Boyer, Joan Fontaine, Alexis Smith Warner 112 Mins. EMOTIONAL MASTERPIECE STACKS UP AS SUPERB WOMAN'S PICTURE; FILM IS TOPS IN ACTING. Exhibitors could not have hoped for a finer woman's picture than the newest film version of "The Constant Nymph." The production brings all the tender emotions into play, affording women audiences a wealth of opportunity to indulge in tears and tigntenings of the heart. Despite its sad tone and tragic ending the production should be able to command the patronage that it deserves. The way the subject has been handled makes the difference between success and failure. Kathryn Scola, who did the screenplay from the novel of Margaret Kennedy and the play of Basil Dean and Miss Kennedy, gave the story the proper touch and brought to it the understanding it required for the sake of conviction. The picture is a triumph for its trio of stars, Charles Boyer, Joan Fontaine and Alexis Smith. All three have surpassed themselves in this exercise in sustained emotion. They have collaborated with Miss Scola and Edmund Goulding, the director, in making "The Constant Nymph" one of the most vendible offerings of its type. Miss Fontaine's performance as Tessa Sanger, whose adolescent adoration of Boyer, composer friend of her father, touches on worship, is something to make the hardest heart melt. The actress has brought amazing sensitiveness to the role. Miss Smith is a revelation as the daughter of British aristocracy who becomes the wife of Boyer, thereby shattering gentle and sickly Tessa's heart. The stars have received superb support all along the line, with Charles Coburn easily the standout as Miss Smith's father. Among the others note must be made of Peter Lorre, Brenda Marshall, Dame May Whitty, Joyce Reynolds, the late Montagu Love, Edward Cinannelli. They round out a superlative acting ensemble. The story is a supremely moving thing. It picks up moments of high drama as it moves to its unhappy ending at which we find Miss Fontaine dead of a heart attack, bringing to a close one of the tenderest romances ever to grace the screen. Tragedy results from Boyer's failure to realize until too late that he loves the child-like Tessa with the sort of love that the poets speak of. Goulding's direction wrings every bit of emotion from Miss Scola's screenplay.' It stands among his finest work. Henry Blanke produced with taste and dignity. Erich Wolfgang Korngold has supplied a glittering score that suits the mood of the film perfectly. The photography of Tony Gaudio and the art direction of Carl Jules Weyl are other important assets of the production. CAST: Charles Boyer, Joan Fontaine, Alexis Smith, Brenda Marshall, Charles Coburn, Dame May Whitty, Peter Lorre, Joyce Reynolds, Jean Muir, Montagu Love, Edward Ciannelli, Jeanine Crispin, Doris Lloyd, Joan Blair, Andre Chariot, Richard Ryan, Crauford Kent, Marcel Dalio, Clemence Groves . CREDITS: Producer, Henry Blanke; Director, Edmund Goulding; Screenplay, Kathryn Scola; Based on novel by Margaret Kennedy and play by Miss Kennedy and Basil Dean; Cameraman, Tony Gaudio; Film "Best Foot Forward" with Lucille Ball M-G-M 95 Mins. SURE-FIRE MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT WILL MARCH TO BULGING GROSSES. Metro has put its best foot forward in making this musical, a Technicolor treat. There's no question about it. "Best Foot Forward" will march to bulging grosses wherever it is shown. The response from the younger generation will be something to make the exhibitor deliriously happy. The spirit of the film is youthful and its material of the sort that sends young people into ecstatics. The presence of Harry James, who is given ample opportunity to send out with solid jive, is enough to assure the success of the production. Everything else about this film is so much added gravy. "Best Foot Forward" represents sheeer undiluted fun from first to last. It has been dispensed at a furious and never-lagging pace. Youthful talent has rarely been shown to finer advantage than in this gilt-edge piece of entertainment. Nancy Walker proves most adept at the scene stealing, making a terrific impression as a comedienne. Not far behind is Tommy Dix, who has the leading juvenile role and makes the most of the golden chance given him in the production to display his adolescent wares. Virginia Weidler, the best known of the young members of the cast, has a limited1 role. The picture is full of laughs and music and the brash doings of youth. The story, built along farcical lines, is all about a prom dance at a military academy. The excitement is provided when Miss Ball, playing herself, accepts the invitation of one of the boys to be his partner. The film has a honey of a cast. Beside those already mentioned other young members of the cast who merit attention are Gloria DeHaven, Kenny Bowers, Jack Jordan, June Allyson. Edward Buzzell has extended himself in the direction of the film. He has made "Best Foot Forward" extremely lively entertainment. Arthur Freed produced in a lavish manner. Irving Brecher and Fred Finklehoffe did the film version of the George Abbott stage attraction. Theirs proved a happy collaboration. The pleasant tunes of Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane have been retained. The color photography of Leonard Smith is something extra-special. CAST: Lucille Ball, William Gaxton, Virginia Weidler, Tommy Dix, Nancy Walker, Gloria DeHaven, Kenny Bowers, June Allyson, Jack Jordan, Beverly Tyler, Chill Wills, Henry O'Neill, Donald McBride, Sara Haden, Harry James and His Music Makers. CREDITS: Producer, Arthur Freed; Director, Edward Buzzell; Screenplay, Irving Brecher, Fred Finklehoffe; Book by John Cecil Holm; Songs, Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane; Cameraman, Leonard Smith; Musical Director, Lennie Hayton; Dance Director, Charles Walters; Art Director, Cedric Gibbons; Film Editor, Blanche Sewell. DIRECTION, Fine. PHOTOGRAPHY, Fine. Editor, David Weisbart; Art Director, Carl Jules Weyl; Musical Score, Erich Wolfgang Korngold; Musical Director, Leo F. Forbstein. DIRECTION, Aces. PHOTOGRAPHY, Fine. End of OWI Film's Bur. Recommended {Continued from Page 1) for the news bureau, the radio bu1 reau, the office of the program coordination, the special service division and the office of the director. | Dropping of the pix bureau, the ' lications section and the field \ vice was recommended to the full Senate. It is interesting to note that the only three media men who testified before the Senate committee consid; ering the bill Saturday were all primarily interested in the radio bureau, No representative of the motion picture industry was on hand to testify, even though the industry has pledged itself as solidly behind the Melletl . office. The Senators will be asked also i to vote $27,000,000 for the OWlj overseas operations — a substantia; i rise from the $22,500,000 voted b> j the House. It is probable that there will be some effort on the floor today to have the motion picture bureau restored, but most observers i agree that the action of the commit \ tee seals the fate of the bureau. Detroit Police, Exhibs. To Combat Hoodlumism Detroit — Conference between leading Detroit exhibitors and Police Commissioner Witherspoon resultec in the formulation of a series oJ measures to be taken on either side to curb juvenile hoodlumism. Measures decided upon were: 1. Four detectives were assignee to the Police Juvenile Division anc additional police women instructec to seek more thorough enforcemen' of present curfew ordinances, bj clearing youngsters out of th< houses at curfew hours — 7 p.m. foi 10 year olds, and 10:30 p.m. for 1( year olds, unless accompanied by ar adult. 2. Appeal to the public not t< take youngsters into a theater witlj them unless there is a "bona fidii £ relation." 3. Check by exhibitors of patron; bringing in children to determim whether such relationship existed. 4. Use of screen warnings by ex hibitors to seek enforcement. Witherspoon revealed that i considerable volume of purse snatch ing in theaters by juveniles has beei reported, in addition to the van dalism previously complained of b; exhibitors. BACK IN CIVVIES Honorably Discharged MOE FREEMAN, former N. Y. branch managsfle for Ross Federal Service, from the USAAI FRANK MACK, from the Army, to doormai Ace, Wilmington, Del. HARRY DRESSLER, from USMC to head shippe 20th-Fox branch, Philadelphia. ""