The Film Daily (1941)

0*\ DAJLY Friday, August 15, 1941 Capra Ends Deal For Joining UA West Coast Bureau of THE FILM (DAILY Hollywood — Frank Capra yesterday put an end to the lengthy negotiations with United Artists to join that organization. His announcement to that effect stated that he had withdrawn because of delays on the part of UA. "I can't afford to deal forever," Capra was quoted as saying. It is understood that David 0. Selznick will continue his own negotiations for joining UA. He made no comment on Capra's withdrawal. Capra had bought three stories which he intended to produce for UA release — "The Flying Yorkshireman," "Tomorrow Never Comes" and an untitled story. Parachute Battalion Helps Celebrate Opening Atlanta, Ga. — Warmly welcomed by Governor Talmadge, Mayor LeCraw, and high army officers, the 500 men and officers of the 501st Parachute Battalion received a genuine Southern welcome as they came by special train from Fort Benning for the world premiere at the Fox Theater of RKO Radio's "Parachute Battalion." From Hollywood came Edmond O'Brien, co-starred in the picture with Robert Preston, Nancy Kelly and Harry Carey. Dorothy Comingore, signed to a long-term RKO Radio contract following her work in Orson Welles' Mercury Production "Citizen Kane" was also in the contingent. The participation of the 501st Parachute Battalion in the premiere of the first picture to depict the volunteers dedicated to the newest branch of Uncle Sam's fighting forces was particularly auspicious, since they took part in the making of the picture at Fort Benning. It was the battalion's first mass appearance off the reservation since its formation. Atlantans were curious to see the battalion as a group, while the parachutists were eager to see themselves in the RKO Radio picture. Navy planes from Camp Gordon flew overhead during the parade through downtown Atlanta to the Shrine Mosque, where the parachutists were entertained at a dinner. Then in a body they moved to the Fox Theater. The premiere was followed by the Parachute Battalion Ball in the municipal auditorium, proceeds going to the USO. TO THE COLORS! Portsmouth, N. H.— Bill Doheny, former Warner Bros, publicity man, is a private in the Army public relations department at Camp Langdon, near here. T T ▼ • • • NORTH of the border up Ottawa way folks will long remember Wednesday night's world premiere of the Warners' top-flight biographical opus "The Prime Minister" Canada's capital was a capital venue for the film's bow and it happened with all the glitter and glamour showmen and public officialdom could contrive Some 2,500 patrons of the inaugural performance packed into the massive Capitol Theater as solid a sell-out as any pic palace has e'er enjoyed The night was filled with music by the spectacular Royal Canadian Air Force band and the vocalizing of massed choirs The scene was resplendent with flags and color bearers Dominion "debbies" studded the auditorium and the presence of the Governor General — the Earl of Athlone — and Her Royal Highness Princess Alice gilded the lily The Queen's Canadian Fund which sponsored the event received all proceeds To give you an idea of what the premiere was like we quote our representative who was there in the flesh: "Frankly, my heart is too chocked to express fully tonight's success" T T T • • • THE play-offs of the Motion Picture Baseball League are now being held. . . . . .and tonight International Projector Corp.'s horsehide-heavers will scramble with the Skouras scions of swat to decide the possessor of second place in the official league standings over a full season's play This battle-royal gets under way as the clock strikes six at Van Courtland Park's Oval No. 2 Next week on an evening to be decided at a meetin' of the league on Monday IPC, winners of the second half, will meet Paramount winners of the first half ▼ ▼ T • • • M-G-M has awarded two of its famed "Honor Roll Buttons" to Charles Moss manager of Loew's Criterion on Ole Broadway and to that stand's publicity director go-gettin' Phil Laufer for their outstanding promotion of "The Stars Look Down" Highlight of the campaign was a dramatic water display over the box-office with torrents of aqua continuously rushing over crouched figures of miners Display was fashioned of shatter-proof glass seven feet wide at the top and four feet at the base Spotlights swept over the scene We took a gander at the display when it was first unveiled and averred to ourselves that Charley and Phil deserve our famous decoration — the Order of Applause (with two palms) So take it away, boys even if it ain't got the tangibility of Leo's bright buttons ▼ ■ .▼ T • • • THE local social season moved along yes-day with a prime party this time a Bar-B-Q in the lofty and snooty Ritz Tower The guest of honor was no other than comely Joan Leslie the lithe and lovely heroine of "Sergeant York" Sponsors of the indoor picnic were Ursula Parrot, Helen Worden, Gertrude Vanderbilt the Harry Scotts, Mrs. Nelson Burr, and Mrs. Alis Feigenspan — Joan's neighbors at the said Ritz Tower Among those present were Mrs. Agnes Brodell, Father Mathew Crosson, Jack Alicoate, George Jessel, Frank Shields William Randolph Hearst, Jr., John Erskine, Gertrude Vanderbilt, Helen Worden, Frank Farrell, Jo Ann Sayres, Mitchell Rawson Gil Golden, Sid Rechetnik, Ed Schreiber, Hollis Kennahan, A-Mike Vogel, Pete Harrison, Lionel Toll, Paul Mooney and others Brazil Using 90% Of American Films (Continued from Page 1) tailing five features for 1940. Finances are limited and the cost of a production is kept down J& $7,000 to $15,000 U. S. curre;* The Government does not subsi&,..<! native production. While there is no objection to dubbing in Portuguese, the native language, there is no demand for it. The European war has had little effect on the film situation except for the censoring of anything considered offensive to the warring nations. Total number of U. S. films rejected, including shorts and features, in 1940 was nine. One British film was rejected. Many films are reported to have had cuts ordered by the censor, but data on the number is not available. Numerous films were "restricted" to showing to adult audiences only. Some films are restricted as to children under 10; others to children under 14, still others to those under 18. Total investment in the motion picture industry in Brazil is now $5,000,000 U. S. currency. Of this amount $500,000 was in 1940 for equipment and production facilities. The country has 1,350 film theaters with a seating capacity between 650,000 and 750,000. Average weekly attendance is 1,950,000, with seats being filled approximately three times weekly. Estimates of yearly gross income from the picture theaters is $10,000,000 to $15,000,000 U. S. currency. At least 1,200 theaters are wired for sound. Average admission price is seven and a half cents, U. S. money (one and a half milreis). Admission to popular American films, first-run, is 8.8 milreis. Three New Defense Reels For Theaters Ready Soon (Continued from Page 1) in Defense" and "Homes for Defense" are the tentative titles of the three films. Carl Sandburg, American poet and Pulitzer prize-winner, will write the commentary for "Bombers." Photography on this picture has been completed. This film will pictorialize the mission and making of a leading American bomber which is being used by the Army Air Corps. After these films have completed their commercial runs, they will be made available to 16 mm. outlets. No Comment Dept. Franklin, N. H.— The Regal Theater here recently advertised a twin bill that raised eyebrows: "The Virgin Bride" "School for Husbands"