The Film Daily (1943)

Tuesday, August 31, 1943 nw DAILY U. S. Pix to Follow Flag to All Europe (Continued from Page 1) Bureau of the OWI, the film companies at the present time are rushing sub-titling of 40 features in all tongues dominant on the European ^mainland. Thus, whether the United Nations ect to strike next in the Balkans, in the Scandinavian peninsula, in the Low Countries or in France, the OWI, which is now charged with film distribution in the immediate wake of the armies of liberation, will be ready for the military's "go ahead" signal. 40 Films The list of 40 features now being sub-titled in the European languages is similar to, but not identical with, the 40 features selected for OWI handling in North Africa, in Sicily and in French possessions. Initial print order, as in the case of the Italian and French versions, stands at three for each feature, but already it is indicated that this number is far too low. For instance, information made available to the OWI by other Government sources shows approximately 160 film theaters in Sicily alone. The Italian market, according to estimates, represents a total of more than 4,000 theaters. Or did before the American and British aerial pounding began. The original 40 features selected for distribution in the liberated lands will, of course, require augmentation at an early date, and it is understood that the companies and the OWI are preparing accordingly. As each mile of territory is wrested from the Axis, the responsibility of the OWI's OMPB for adequate American film distribution in the reclaimed areas is increased, requiring expansion of its organization and its facilities. Set System in Each Market In essence, the OMPB, headed by Riskin, must set up a complete foreign distribution system in each market to function efficiently until the American companies can, with the military Government's okay, pick their own man to take over. Thus, the Bureau must provide storage vault, facilities, for instance, on the physical side as well as skilled branch operating personnel. In providing the latter, it has had in North Af WEDDING BELLS Detroit — Marie Tatu, daughter of John Tatu, owner of the Nortown and Casino Theaters, will be married Sept. 12 here to Lt. John Metes, M.C., USA., stationed at Tacoma, Wash. Santa Fe, N. M. — Sally Eilers was married here to Lt. Howard Barney, USN. HOLLYWOOD DIGEST SIGNED ANNE CARTER, RKO, for "The Curse of the Cat People." ROBERT LEWIS, Metro, as assistant director for "Dragon Seed." ALINE McMAHON, 20th-Fox, for "The Eve of St. Mark." ELMER CLIFTON, to direct "Return of the Texas Rangers," PRC. CORDON RICHARDS, to do commentary for montage sequences in "The Hour Before Dawn," Paramount. BARBARA BENTLEY, writing contract, Metro. CAY MacLAREN, technical adviser, Columbia. HARRIET PARSONS, producer, RKO. RICK VALLIN, star termer, Monogram. • ASSIGNMENTS ARTHUR LUBIN, director, "Hit Parade," Universal. JOSEPH MANKIEWiCZ, producer, "Keys of the Kingdom," 20th-Fox. EDWARD LUDWIC, director, "Fighting Seabees," Republic. i ROBERT SIODMAK, director, "Phantom Lady," Universal. WALLACE MacDONALD, producer, "America's Children," Columbia. FRANK TUTTLE, director, "Rainbow Island," Paramount. VICTOR YOUNC, to compose original film symphony for "Frenchmen's Creek," Paramount. WILLIAM NIGH, director, "Where Are My Children?", Hollywood Pictures Prod. CASTINGS JANE DARWELL, "Tender Comrade," RKO; MARTIN KOSLECK, "The Hitler Gang," Paramount; JOEL KU'PPERMAN, HELEN VINSON, HELEN BRODERICK, "The Third Glory," Uni versal; FAYE EMERSON, "Uncertain Glory," Warners; JAMES CRAIG, JOY PACE, "Kismet," Metro; ETHEL SMITH, "Mr. Co-ed,' Metro; LEWIS WILSON, "Hey Rookie," Columbia; ANNE BAXTER, TRUDY MARSHALL, "The Sullivans," 20th-Fox; JIMMY CLEASON, "My Client Curley," Columbia; KANE RICHMOND, BILLY YOUNC, "There's Something About a Soldier," Columbia; VI ATHENS, "Is Everybody Happy?", Columbia; JESS BARBER, "Cover Girl," Columbia; GORDON OLIVER, "Since You Went Away," Selznick; RAY MILLAND, "Tomorrow's Harvest," Paramount; JOE E. BROWN, JUNE HAVOC, "The Return of Casanova," Republic; DALE EVANS, "Three Little Sisters," Republic; WALLIS CLARK, "Jack London," Bronston; WARD BOND, "Home in Indiana," 20th-Fox; ANN CARTER, "Curse of the Cat People," RKO; MARJORIE MANNERS, "Trocadero," PRC; VAN JOHNSON, "Two Girls and a Sailor," Metro: JACK LAMBERT, "The Canterville Chosf," Metro; MARION MARTIN, "Sweethearts of the U. S. A.," Monogram. SPENCER TRACY, "Without Love," Metro; LEON AMES, "Meet Me in St. Louis," Metro; MINNA COMBEL, ARTHUR TREACHER, "The Third Glory," Universal; WANDA McKAY, JACK LaRUE, 'Big Brother," Monogram; JANE DARWELL, "Tender Comrade," RKO; NELL O'DAY, "Return of the Texas Rangers," PRC. LOANED TERESA WRIGHT, by Sam Goldwyn to RKO for "The Enchanted Cottage." STORY PURCHASES "Boarding House Kids," by HAROLD SMITH, Columbia. REOPTIONED JEAN BROOKS, RKO. Eastern Gas Ban To End Tomorrow (Continued from Page 1) have been "heavy" in the East this month OPA did relax its ban on pleasure boating and gas for service men on furlough last week. Relaxation of the pleasure driving prohibition would probably not mean any greatly increased drain on gasoline since it will not caryy increases in the value of the coupons. Increases are not in sight for holders of any type card. Rites Held for Kreisle Morgan City, La. — Funeral services were held here for William M. Kreisle, 73, theater owner, who died after a long illness. rica and elsewhere the assistance of the Army. Riskin, in discussing the OMPB's operations, pointed out that film biz was the only American industry doing a commercial trade in the North African theater of operations. "There is no lend-lease of movies," Riskin observed. It is of marked interest, too, that While the OWI handles distribution for the American companies, there is said to be no chargeoff for such service against the rentals which go to the distribs. With North African theaters as a rule reported doing land office business with American pix, distributor revenue from that territory already is described as "tremendous." MPTOA Relief After Other Efforts Fail (Continued from Page 1) ing the organization must be used. "We have never varied from the principle of individual negotiations by the exhibitor, himself, and any statement to the contrary is unfair to distributor and exhibitor," Kuykendall wrote. "The national organization, MPTOA, will attempt with all its strength to be of assistance, if and when individuals and state organizations have failed." Kuykendall said the MPTOA and its members were woiking with the committee on product, prices and policies on product, more unfortunate exhibitors may be given consideration because of the changing populations and the misunderstandings between producer-distributor interests and exhibitors generally. The MPTOA's views on the consent decree are on record with the Department of Justice, Kuykendall said, in the exact language as approved by the board of directors at the New York meeting. Dorothy May's Mother Dies Dorothy Quirk May, secretary to Bob Montgomery, of 20th CenturyFox, is mourning the loss of her mother. Surviving are Dorothy, her father, Joseph May, and a brother, Joseph Gregory May, at present in the IT. S. Army, as well as Mrs. John O. Trusler and William V. Kehoe, sister and brother of the deceased. Trust Cases Remain Under Clark's Wing (Continued from Page 1) said it is not unlikely that he will be consulted. Clark told The Film Daily Saturday as soon as the shift had been announced that Attorney General Biddle had asked him to continue with the motion picture cases, the New York consent decree, the Schine ease, the Griffith case, the Crescent case and any others of like nature. Robert L. Wright will continue to devote a major part of his time to these cases working under Clark's direction. Significance of Biddle's request that Clark not step down is not clear. It was believed in some quarters that the decision to keep Clark in the saddle meant the Department is reasonably certain to be as tough as is necessary to get what it wants — even to prosecuting the New York suit for divorcement. Clark is believed to be a tougher man to deal with than Berge. On the other hand Biddle might have asked Clark to keep on with these cases only because of his greater familiarity with them. It was believed in some quarters that if pressing of the New York suit was contemplated, shifting of Clark to the criminal division would have been postponed since prosecution would leave Berge as head of his division in name only for the period of the case which would be the most important action of the division while in progress. In the meantime, Clark will meet tomorrow afternoon with production heads from New York, outlining exhibitor complaints to them and hearing their suggestions. "Constructive Criticism" Only on Argentine Air Buenos Aires (By Air Mail — Passed by Censor) — The Argentine Government has instructed all broadeasting stations to cease gossip about film stars' lives and to restrict the discussion of pictures to "constructive criticism." J L & S Adding More Re-issues Chicago — Johnny Jones, returned from New York conferences, says Jones, Lenick & Schaefer is adding more re-issues to its film distribution program in the Chicago territory. STORKS Cleveland — A daughter, Jean Francis, was born last week to Pvt. and Mrs. Dorsey Brown. Brown, former M-G-M office manager, is stationed at Fort Sill, Okla. Richmond, Va. — A baby girl, Patricia Anne, was born to Mrs. John Rooney, wife of Loew's assistant manager, at Stuart Circle Hospital.