The Film Daily (1947)

w Monday, April 7, V DAILY May Switch AMG Film Policy in Germany (Continued from Page 1) MPEA vice-president and general manager, it was learned. American Military Government officials in Germany are now contemplating removal from their rolls all persons who have been citizens of the United States for less than 10 years. German-born Pommer, who was originally selected for his important task by the State Department, has been a United States citizen only since 1942. Two Critical Questions Two critical questions are posed by the strong possibility that Pommer will be removed from his job: 1. Will Pommer remain in Germany in a private capacity, financed by German funds and thus carrv on his task as a German operation? 2. Will the American film industry take a direct and active role in the rebirth of the German motion picture industry, a potentially powerful competitor of the United States? The American film industry, already concerned over the rapidity with which Pommer has brought the once-strong German industry back to life, believes that a major crisis may result from Pommer's removal. War Department officials here admitted that the American Militarv Government in Germany is contemplating removal of all American citizens of less than 10 years standing, but refused to comment on details. It was generally admitted, however, in certain circles that the Military Government expected to cut their rolls without fanfare and without a formal order. Cite War End Rule Following the end of the war, the State Department had a general rule against employment for service abroad of citizens of less than 10 years. In addition, there has been a general rule that no person would be sent to his native country unless he had been a citizen for more than 15 years. Pommer, although he has worked in several Hollywood studios, did not become an American citizen until about five years ago. At the time of his apoointment, Pommer was considered a "natural" for the job. While an American citizen, he had extensive knowledge of the German film industry, having served in Germany in various capacities, including many years with UFA. Although hampered by material shortages and shortage of trust DEUJ POSTS S. B. VAN DELDEN, general sales manager, Wil-Kin Theater Supply Co., Atlanta. BILL SCHLEIGER, manager. King Theater, Albia, la. ROYCE WINKELMAN, manager, Charles Theater, Charles City, la. FRANK NEIL, Warners' salesman, Charlotte. A 1947 Carrie Nation . . . uses verbal hatchet on pix (Continued from Page 1) they are impressed by what Mrs. Meyer has to say, and are prepared to quote her and parrot her array of vitriolic charges, you are on the naive side, to phrase it m.Wly. Mrs. Meyer's biographical sketch occupies about two and a half inches cf six point type in the latest Who's Who in America, and her interests and attainments are numerous. It follows naturally, that her expressed opinions carry the more weight for that fact. THUS, when Mrs. Meyer tells an audience— as she has several times— that "the radio and films are doing their best to make stereotypes of our people with synthetic ideas and emotions," that "the radio and film industries are anti-democratic,'' that "they are un-American in their contempt! for the public and their lack of faith in the American people " that "only the movies and radio think they can hand us with immunity, a product1 that grows steadilv worse," that "the film industry has just let loose til its flashlights to celebrate as its finest production a veritable piece of corn that sentimentalizes and cheapens Hie deep tragedy of the limbless veteran," that "the motion picture magnates send their spurious versions of American life abroad to dishonor rur people in the eyes of every foreign nation," that "the vulgarization of life conveyed by 90 per cent of the films are a handicap to the mental, moral and emotional development of American childhood," that "the largest combination of moving picture magnates deliberately modified their code against the use of narcotic themes "m order to exploit dope-peddlin<» and dope addiction for the benefit of our children," it is not just Mrs. Meyer speaking. It is a member of the American Academy of Political and Social Sciences. It is a member of the S'ciety of Women Geographers. It is a member of the committee that established maternity centers iff New York City. It is a trustee of Barnard College. It s the one-time chairman of the Westchester County Recreation Commission. It is a two-term member cf tho Library of Congress Trust Board. And it is a not infrequent contributor to periodicals. — o IT also is a one-time reporter for the New York Sun wtio, alas, on the evidence avalable, has forgotten the old City Editor's injunction against generalizing, aea'mst makn* undocumented and unsupported charges, against the indulgence in verbal hysteria, and against the cub's eternal blind spot that something's s-> Just because he says it is. Supio'e a Washington Post reporter, for example turned in a story in which it was ™>marked that. "Onlv recently the largest combination of moving picture magnates deliberately modified their own eot'e against the use of narcotic themes in order to exploii done-oeddling and dope-addiction for the benefit of Our children." Would it get past the desk? It would not. The reporter turning in such an unsupported statement as "fact" w~uld be "dressed down" in any city room in the United States, including that of Mrs. Meyer's own paper. Note the words used . . . "deliberately" . . . "in order to exploit dope-peddling ind don" addiction for tho bewfit of our children." Mrs. Mever can be thankful — and so can her legal advisers — that her present target is the film business. But, has not thr* time arrived wheff Mrs. Meyer and others of her ilk be required to "put up or shut up?" The hour is indeed later than some folks think. ftlber. Dahlman In New Video Venture "Duel" Into Capitol 37 More N. Y. Stands Alber-Dahlman Television Prod. ; has been formed by David 0. Alber and Louis J. Dahlman at 654 Madison Ave. Firm's first, "Television Talent Hunt." has been nlaced with WABD, DuMont outlet, May 1. worthy personnel Pommer, it is generally conceded, has rehabilitated the industry to a -oint where it is nearly ready to begin a prodigious production program. The American industry regards Germany the key to a vast, potentially lucrative European market, with Munich expected to be the center of [ dubbing pictures. And in this key market, Pommer is the key figure. MPEA, it is understood, will attempt to play an active role in the direction of the German film industry if Pommer is removed from his present job. Pommer is now a civilian employe of the American Military Government. If present plans work out, he may be removed from the rolls by the end of June. (Continued from Page 1> the New York metropolitan area on May 7, playing in all stands at advanced prices, it was announced at the week-end. Announcement confirmed a Film Daily story appearing Friday. "Duel" will play in all Loew circuit cities except Houston, Tex., where the picture has been acquired by the Interstate Circuit. Deal was closed late Friday by Joseph R. Vogel of Loew's and Milton Kusell of the Selznick organization. In its up-state openings, "Duel" will play at 90 cents-$1.25 and $1$1.50, it is understood. Film will also play simultaneously in the metropolitan area including Jersey City and Newark. For the initial engagement at the Capitol, in New York, the stage show will be cancelled. Thirty-six Loew houses from New York to Kansas City and from Toronto to New Orleans will figure in on the deal. X Released thru (©