The Film Daily (1941)

CH\ DAILY Thursday, September 4, 1941 UA Weighs Two Easterners for Prexy (Continued from Page 1) former head of Famous Players Canadian Corp. If he joins the company, a new office, possibly chairman of the finance committee, will be created for him to fill. It is believed by some that Nathanson will be able to give considerable time to UA affairs inasmuch as he may not have to fill a Canadian Government position mentioned previously. While official confirmation was lacking yesterday, it is understood that the deal for the United Artists Theater in San Francisco has been completed, the board having cleared all last-minute details. Harry Buckley, UA vice-president, who has been the key man in the theater negotiations, said yesterday that the San Francisco house was the first in the contemplated UA circuit and that others would be announced as deals were completed. A company spokesman branded as unfounded a published report that with the closing of the David 0. Selznick deal the name of the organization might be changed to SelznickUnited Artists. First Quiz Kids Short Debuts to Big Chi. Bally Chicago — World premiere of Paramount's first short subject with the Quiz Kids was held here last night at the Chicago Theater. Headed by Mayor Kelly, the opening ceremonies were carried over 48 NBC Blue network stations with the youngsters broadcasting their regular weekly ha If -hour program. A pre-premiere ceremony was carried by WLS from a platform in front of the theater and leaders of education and civic organizations attended. A special edition of the Herald-American gave its entire first page to the premiere. Paramount was represented by Neil Agnew, Oscar Morgan, Richard Murray, Monroe Goodman, Leslie Roush, Allen Usher, J. J. Donohue and Manny Reiner. B & K executives present included John and Dave Balaban, Walter Immerman, J. J. Rubens, W. K. Hollander, Nate Piatt, Henry Sticklemeier, A. J. Piatt, J. J. Sampson, Harry Lustgarden, Pete Kallares, Guy Martin, Roy Rogan, Tom Ronan, M. M. Rubens and I. Weinshank. Landau as Breen's Aide West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Arthur Landau, veteran actor's agent, has joined RKO as an aide to Joseph I. Breen. STORKS! Edward B. Marks, Jr., son of the music publisher, is the father of a daughter, Katherine, born last week. reviews of new mms "Mexican Spitfire's Baby" with Lupe Velez, Leon Errol, Charles "Buddy" Rogers RKO 69 Mins. BROAD, SLAPSTICK FARCE THAT SHAPES UP AS FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL PROGRAM FEATURE. Film has one of those complicated plots with much confusion and lot of laughs. Customers should find antics of Leon Errol and Lupe Velez amusing. Although gag situations at times are drawn thin, Leslie Goodwins' direction keeps proceedings moving at a swift pace. Burden of film is carried by Errol who contributes a dual performance geared for guffaws. His portrayal of Lord Epping is a splendid piece of comedy work. Errol gets some good support from Miss Velez and other members of the cast, notably Fritz Feld as the Frenchman who desires to avenge the affront to his honor. All complications arise when Errol, as Uncle Matt, believes his nephew, Charles "Buddy'' Rogers, and the young man's wife, Miss Velez, need a child to solve their problems. He wires his friend Lord Epping, who is coming to America, to bring with him a French war orphan which Rogers and his wife can adopt. The yarn becomes involved when Lord Epping arrives with attractive blonde Marion Martin, an orphan from the last war. In order to hide her presence, Errol takes her to a country hotel as a hideaway. At that point everybody arrives on the scene, Errol is busy impersonating his other character, and there is no sense in trying to unravel what ensues. But it is enough to say, the situations are hilarious. Good performances are also registered by Rogers, ZaSu Pitts, Miss Martin and Elizabeth Risdon. CAST: Lupe Velez, Leon Errol, Charles "Buddy" Rogers, ZaSu Pitts, Elisabeth Risdon, Fritz Feld, Marion Martin, Lloyd Corrigan, Lydia Bilbrook, Jack Arnold. CREDITS: Producer, Cliff Reid; Director, Leslie Goodwins. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. Distribs. Crack Down On Preview Restoration (.Continued from Page 1) editor of the Los Angeles Times and Edwin S. Schallert, motion picture editor of the Times, that they had just received instructions from distribution heads to continue to abide by the preview regulations established recently. The committeemen had hoped to work out a plan whereby Hollywood correspondents could see pictures 10 day to two weeks in advance of general release date, but instructions were to give present setup a further trial. Hotchkiss stated his publication had no quarrel with the industry and wished to co-operate. General news breaks and other mutual problems were discussed. "Sign of the Wolf" with Michael Whalen, Grace Bradley, Mantan Moreland Monogram 69 Mins. OUTDOOR ACTION PICTURE WHOSE TWO CANINE STARS HELP MAKE IT A PROGRAM TREAT. Smoky and Shadow may not get top billing but these two intelligent and attractive German police dogs are responsible in good measure for a major share of the entertainment provided by this action picture. Considering limitations, film under Howard Bretherton's direction is absorbing and interesting. Leads are capably played by Michael Whalen and Grace Bradley but there is a colored comedian, Mantan Moreland, who virtually steals the film. An old hand at acting, Moreland has been featured in films with all-colored casts. He is the gifted type of comic who can make ordinary dialogue sound funny. When caught at the New York theater, audience appeared to enjoy him immensely. There is another good supporting performance by Louise Beavers. Dogs, who are descended from the Strongheart line, figure strongly in the story. They belong to Miss Bradley who shows them at exhibitions. Returning from a show in her plane, accompanied by Moreland, they all crash in the Canadian wilderness. Smoky runs into the wilderness but Shadow attracts attention of Whalen and his younger brother, Darryl Hickman, who rescue Miss Bradley and Moreland. While Miss Bradley is recuperating, Smoky is used by a couple of fox hijackers to raid farms in vicinity. They throw suspicion on Shadow but Whalen discovers who the real villains are and with Shadow's help downs them. In interim, romance has flowered between Whalen and Miss Bradley, Moreland and Miss Beavers, and it all ends on happy note, especially since kid can have the dogs. CAST: Michael Whalen, Grace Bradley, Mantan Moreland, Darryl Hickman, Louise Beavers, Wade Crosby, Tony Paton, Smoky, Shadow. CREDITS: Producer, Paul Malvern; Director, Howard Bretherton; Screenplay, Elizabeth Hopkins and Edmond Kelso. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Satisfactory. Selznick May Sign UA Contract Tomorrow (Continued from Page 1) 0. Selznick deal and presented to Selznick. _ Selznick and his attorneys are studying the proposed agreement and it is expected that Selznick will sign the contract tomorrow or Saturday. The agreement provides for Selznick to deliver 10 pictures with a minimum of four in the first two years. It is not for any specified period of years and by its terms Selznick will acquire member-ownership in UA and the $300,000 stock bought by UA from Douglas Fairbanks estate. Selznick will pay for this stock out of dividends on his future pictures. He has two pictures to deliver on his current contract At present UA stockholders have no plans to invite anyone else to become a member-owner. Clark to Subpoena Radio Commentators (Continued from Page 1) the sub-committee investigating war propaganda in films and radio. Senator Clark told The Film Daily that he also intends to have Walter Winchell, famous gossipjff«lumnist, radio commentator, ancf Mj tcr, appear before the committer. Dorothy Thompson, leading woman columnist who frequently has taken to the air with her views, also will be summoned, if she is in the country at the time the sub-committee gets ready to hear her, Senator Clark said. He said that Winchell and Miss Thompson would be summoned later on. as a part of the inquiry into war propaganda on the part of the radio industry, which will follow the subcommittee's probe into the motion picture industry. Senator Clark said that aside from these, and Jimmy Fidler, who he revealed Tuesday had been subpoenaed to appear, he does not think of any other columnists or radio commentators who might be called. The emphasis at the present time is all on the motion picture angle with the radio probe to come, he said. He said that Fidler and Fisher have been summoned now because much of their comment has been on the subject of motion pictures. Addition of the name of Fisher and revelation that Winchell and Miss Thompson will be called confirmed the impression prevalent here since the probe was first announced that the hearings will be a name show that will be widespread publicity to everything that is done and said before the sub-committee. And the fact that Wendell L. Willkie has been retained to represent the industry should assure an SRO sign at virtually every meeting, if only newspaper men are admitted to say nothing of the general public, which is as avid here as any place else to glimpse celebrities. The fact that these celebrities will bj appearing before a Senatorial committee on a subject as important as the international situation should be sufficient to bring headlines for the hearing in papers throughout the country. Capra Talking Another Warner Deal for One Pic (Continued from Page 1) "George Washington Slept Here." Capra, who leaves for the Coast Saturday, is signed to do "Arsenic and Old Lace," which goes before the cameras Oct. 10. Present contract with Warners is a one-picture deal, and it is understood, Capra prefers signing on picture-to-picture basis rather than a long-term contract.