The Film Daily (1940)

WI DAILY Tuesday, January 16, 1940 FGG HEARS OPPOSING TELEVISION STANDS (Continued from Page 1) cialization of television were criticized by Weiss who said it did not go far enough. The Philco engineer, on the other hand, held that it went too far. For the 10 years that the industry has been nurturing television, Weiss told the Commission, it had had no substantial return and he asserted it was now time to take visual broadcasting out of the hothouse. Tele, he said, at present represents a good investment for pioneer advertisers who are willing to invest in it in order to receive the benefits of outside publicity which naturally accrues to a novelty. Program Technique Coming He said, however, that the advertisers would be able to develop program technique for the presentation of their product and would receive the benefits of such experimentation. In outlining the advantages of full commercialization, Weiss stirred Commissioner Frederick L. Thompson into questioning the relative merits of tele as compared to newspapers, magazines and aural broadcasting as advertising media. Thompson asked whether a magazine publisher would recommend illustrations with a screen of 60 lines in preference to a screen of 120 lines to a potential advertiser. Weiss admitted that he would not recommend the 60-screen, whereupon the Commissioner asked why he, as a broadcaster, was recommending the present definition of television images for advertising purposes. Harry R. Lubcke had previously stated that the Don Lee System was in sympathy with the television standards advocated by the Radio Manufacturers' Ass'n. Another suggestion made by the Don Lee System was a provision for use of present broadcast relay facilities for tele pick-ups. Lubcke declared that that use of the relay frequencies now used for aural broadcasting could accommodate visual relay also. Philco Changes View Brown, engineer for Philco, opposed the adoption by the FCC of the RMA standards for television despite the fact that Philco had aided in formulating the standards. The position of Philco was explained to the effect that the standards made were acceptable for experimental purposes but not if they were to be adopted as commercial standards. Unqualified opposition to limited sponsorship by Philco was expressed by Brown who told the Commissioners that any kind of commercialization, whether limited or complete, would tend to crystallize the standards as drawn. Commissioners T. A. M. Craven and Norman S. Case thereupon protested that there was nothing in the committee report about adoption of the RMA standards by the Commission, but Louis G. Caldwell, acting as Philco counsel, referred to Page Reviews of new films "Invisible Stripes" w.th George Raft, William Holden, Jane Bryan, Flora Robson, Humphrey Bogart Warners 82 Mins. STRONG MELLER HAS ACTION, PUNCH AND FINE CAST TO MAKE IT GOOD SCREENFARE. Prisons and convicts are a forte of Warner production, and this release is no exception, with picture good screenfare which audiences generally should like. The cast, further, has plenty of marquee power. George Raft is expert in his role, and William Holden is fine as his brother. Jane Bryan does a good job with what she has to do as Holden's sweetheart and Flora Robson is fine as the mother of the two boys. Humphrey Bogart fits neatly in the role of a case-hardened criminal. Paul Kelly, Lee Patrick, Henry O'Neil, Frankie Thomas, Moroni Olsen and Marc Lawrence are in the capable supporting cast. Lloyd Bacon directs the picture with a feeling for the story and his characters are true to life, with fine suspense built into a rousing climax. Raft is freed from prison, but jobs go sour, and finally when he is making good he is picked up on suspicion when the store where he works is robbed. Holden is hard to handle and wants to marry Jane, hinting he will turn crook to meet his ends. Raft decides he can at least start his brother out right in life and gets Bogart to take him into the gang he operates with. Raft makes all the money he needs to buy Holden a garage and quits the gang. However, he is again implicated with them when his brother gets caught accidentally in the meshes of the law through the gang. Raft is shot for his part in the business, but not until he has squared his brother with the police. CAST: George Raft, Jane Bryan, William Holden, Flora Robson, Humphrey Bogart, Paul Kelly, Moroni Olsen, Tully Marshall, Henry O'Neill, Lee Patrick, Frankie Thomas, Margot Stevenson, Marc Lawrence, Joseph Downing, Leo Gorcey, W. Haade. CREDITS: In Charge of Production, Jack L. Warner; Executive Producer, Hal B. Wallis; Associate Producer, Lou Edelman; Screenplay, Warren Duff; From a story by Jonathan Finn; Based on a book by Lewis E. Lawes; Cameraman, Ernie Haller; Editor, James Gibbon. DIRECTION, Expert. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. 16 of the FCC report which advanced the RMA standards as the only available ones at the time. Caldwell was supported by counsel for DuMont Laboratories who cited an FCC release which revealed tentative adoption of the standards outlined in the FCC report. Asked why Philco had reversed its views at yesterday's hearing, Brown stated that several of the RMA standards in various details were being questioned by the company and in one case in particular, the polarization of tele waves, the company now believed a vertical standard should be adopted instead of a horizontal one. Caldwell, counsel for Philco, had criticized the earlier testimony by General Electric officials who had suggested their own plan of fre "A Child Is Born" with Geraldine Fitzgerald, Jeffrey Lynn, Gladys George Warners 79 Mins. DRAMATIC STORY WITH CLINICAL BACKGROUND HAS EXCELLENT CHARACTERIZATIONS. If you remember the play and picture, "Life Begins," you will be familiar with the latest version of the story, but excellent characterizations by a fine cast and sympathetic direction make the film entirely new. Audiences generally should enjoy the picture as it paints a very human cross section of life familiar to everybody. After all, maternity is still the most fascinating and absorbing event that will ever enter into the life of any man or woman, and there is no man or woman, woman particularly, who is not interested in the subject. The story has been handled delicately, but without losing any of its dramatic punch. Miss Fitzgerald is splendid in the role of the convicted murderess, and fine supporting characterizations are contributed by Jeffrey Lynn, as her husband, Gladys George, Spring Byington, Gale Page, Johnnie Davis, Henry O'Neill and John Litel. Lloyd Bacon gets the most from his players, and maintains his drama. The script was contributed by Robert Rossen, with Sam Bischoff handling the associate producer reins. The hospital background is faithfully created with all its implications for the average person and all in all the film has a true ring to it. Principal drama of the film revolves around the plight Miss Fitzgerald and her husband find themselves in; with Lynn forced to make a choice between his wife and child. The cross section of people presented is almost as absorbing, showing the reactions of the wives and husbands to the blessed events which occur. A good sequence has been rung in with a psychopathic patient stealing a baby. The picture is well played and well made. CAST: Geraldine Fitzgerald, Jeffrey Lynn, Gladys George, Gale Page, Spring Byington, Johnnie Davis, Henry O'Neill, John Litel, Gloria Holden, Johnny Downs, Eve Arden, Fay Helm, Louis Jean Heydt, Nanette Faberes, Jean Sharon, Hobart Cavanaugh. CREDIT: In Charge of Production, Jack L. Warner; Executive Producer, Hal B. Wallis; Associate Producer, Sam Bischoff; Screenplay, Robert Rossen; Based on a play by Mary McDougal Axelson; Cameraman, Charles Rosher; Editor, Jack Killifer. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, quency allocation. Caldwell declared that the testimony of this station was not supposed to be introduced according to an agreement reached between him and Chairman James Lawrence Fly's assistant, Nathan David, and suggested that the Commission do nothing about frequency allocation so that this question could be settled at a later date after the broad policies for television were decided. DuMont opposed, while GE upheld adoption of the RMA standards. General Television of Boston and Metropolital Television, Inc., of New York were heard briefly and opposed the individual allocations in their respective cities. Major Edwin H. Armstrong was RUDY VALLEE MAY CLOSE REPUBLIC DEAL (Continued from Page 1) rade," would be ready to go before the cameras probably with Rudy Vallee as the producer. <;*> Latter is now making an intW'Qive technical study of film production on the Republic lot, and a multiple pix deal may be effectuated between Vallee and the company. Frances Langford is understood to be the only cast member signed for the proposed musical. Siegel asserts that the company is on the lookout for a new star for a series of westerns and tests are being conducted currently. Six pictures will be made in this series, the yet unobtained star to work under the name, "Bob Seton." Series will probably be ready for the 194041 season, and perhaps earlier if the lead player is found. Bank Night Legality Again Before N. M. Supreme Court (Continued from Page 1) when George L. Reese, Sr., assistant district attorney of Chaves county, appealed from the decision of District Judge James B. McGhee upholding a defense motion to quash the information filed against J. E. Jones and Wayne Patterson, operating Roswell's Yucca theater. In a split decision in 1937, the Supreme Court cleared Bank Night Of lottery charges. Jones and Fred Morley were defendants in the previous case. Then, Justice A. L. Zinn, supported by Justice Hudspeth and Bickley, upheld the "Bank Night" principle. Justice Brice did not participate and Justice Sadler wrote a sharply dissenting opinion. Since the 1937 decision, Justice Hudspeth has retired. Cincy Indie Unit Fights Drive-in Plans of Smith (Continued from Page 1) ery Road, and will seek means to preclude its opening, set for May 1, according to letters dispatched to all exchanges and members of the organization. The fact that children are to be admitted free and that the venture operated only part of the year is cited by Huss, as detrimental to established exhibitors. The new venture will consist of 11 semi-circular ramps for accommodations for 500 cars. Individual loud speakers for automobiles will take the place of sound amplifiers from the stage. The company, connected with a chain operated by Phil Smith, Boston, has acquired a sixteen-acre tract on Montgomery Pike. c scheduled to testify at yesterday's session, but instead he will be heard when the hearing resumes today.