The Film Daily (1945)

RAILY Thursday, September 13, 1945 Pix' Place in United Nations Organization (Continued from Page 1) Nations Educational and Cultural Organization. At a meeting yesterday of the Washington Visual War Workers, Kefauver, reported on the progress of organizational plans thus far. He will return to London on Sept. 24 for a sub-committee meeting, at which a proposed constitution will be formulated. Constitutional ratification is scheduled for a November meeting. As details of policy and procedure will only be discussed at this meeting insofar as they must be incorporated into the constitution, Kefauver said, it will be a year before the new organization can be expected to be really functioning. Now is the time, he said, for those concerned with the pix field to make known their opinions and suggestions as to the functions of an international organization and as to how best to implement those functions. A Stumbling Block One of the stumbling blocks in preparation of the proposed constitution has been the question of the extent to which representatives of the organization should be entirely appointees of and under the control of the respective governments, and to what extent independent educational, cultural and scientific interests should be represented. Comment on this point would be appreciated, said Kefauver. The Visual Workers responded with remarks from the floor and the promise of further suggestions by mail. There is no question, said Kefauver, but that this international group can serve as well as be served by the visual educational field. Some central clearing house for experimentation is needed, he said, and the organization will be used to stimulate, co-ordinate and establish standards for informational films for international showing. Pix will be of invaluable aid in promoting understanding between nations, he said. Sample Library of Films Asked if formation of an international film pool was contemplated, Kefauver said that this task was too staggering, but that some review of educational films from all countries, and a sample library of those approved might be maintained by the organization. Free dissemination of information will be the main purpose of the organization, rather than censorship of material, he said in answer to a question as to how propaganda will be distinguished from information. Asked if the organization contemplated production of any films on its own, Kefauver said, some original production might be done but that the principal objectives of the organization in the pix field would be the formulation of world needs and standards and the provision of international distribution facilities for informational pix products. Central Clearance Unit For Federal Pix Okayed Washiyigton Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Establishment of a centi-al clearance unit for Federal films has been approved by all the Departments concerned and referred to the Budget Bureau for the final OK, it was learned yesterday. A central distribution and information division for all Government films under the Library of Congress is recommended by the committee. This conclusion was reached after considering a number of proposals, which included one that an independent central film committee be empowered to set and maintain standards of production and presentation for Government films. A compromise on this proposal was effected by agreement that the proposed unit under the Library of Congress call \n industry technicians frequently to look over Federal productions, and suggest improvements in techniques and treatment. Senate Com. Approves Benton Nomination IVashington Bureau of THE FILM 'DAILY Washington — The Senate Foreign Relations Committee yesterday approved the nomination of William E. Benton to serve as Assistant Secretary of State in charge of culture relations and the international informaion program. Yesterday, too. President Ti'uman announced he has accepted the resignation of OWI chief, Elmer Davis, with domestic director Neil Dalton to take over Davis's post during the liquidation of the agency. No opposition to Benton's appointment is expected on the Senate side. Leading Editors Endorse "Free Screen" Resolution Washiiujton Bureau of THE FILM 'DAILY Washington — Rep. Gordon L. McDonough announced today that Wilbur Forrest, assistant editor of the New York Herald Tribune, and Ralph McGill, editor of the Atlanta Constitution, have endorsed his resolution urging that United Artists delegates at all future peace conferences advocate and urge the adoption of freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and the freedom of the press, by all nations with whom we deal. McDonough explained that "a free screen" is also included in the meaning of his resolution. Wainwright Filmed For NBC Television NBC Tele camera crews will film the arrival of Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright in New York City today and the pictures will be shown over station WNBT tonight at 8 p.m. under the sponsorship of Esso Marketers. Cameramen will be stationed at convenient vantage points throughout the city. Arguments Consume Day at Griffitii Trial (Continued from Page 1) trial in Western Oklahoma Federal Court. C. B. Cochrane, chief spokesman for the six-man defense legal staff, conducted a tiring, highly legalistic discussion with M. A. Kallus, a prosecution attorney, during most of the three hours devoted to the trial yesterday. Proceedings were interrupted in mid-afternoon while Judge Edgar S. Vaught swore in new citizens, and the Judge, his temper strained by the endless argumentation, adjourned court before Justice Department attorneys could announce that they were ready to rest. Gov't to Finish Today Kallus said the Government would end its testimony shortly after court reconvenes at 10 a.m. today. No witnesses were called yesterday, though Kallus had hoped to get some here. Much of the debate came over the wording of interrogatories submitted by the Griffith attorneys to Neal Agnew, former Paramount sales manager, in New York in August. From the wording, Kallus contended that the Government could not properly prepare cross-interrogatories until it had seen Agnew's answers to defense questions. He said the answers given by Agnew could cover several subjects because of the general wording of the questions made by Griffith. Judge Vaught finally overruled his objections, but later in the day issued another order which will give the Government a chance to view the defense papers before submitting crossinterrogatories. Defense Starts Today Cochrane, informed that the defense testimony would certainly get under way today, said he was prepared to introduce all Griffith executives accused by prosecution witnesses as having exercised undue coercion in their dealing with independent theater operators. At one time Cochrane offered to ask for a recess so that he and Henry Griffing, chief Griffith counsel, could return to New York to subpoena Agnew and Paul Lazarus, who were unable to be present to give depositions and were to be covered by the disputed interrogatories. It later turned out, however, that the problem could be worked out without this further delay in the eight-year-old Government prosecution. L. C. Griffith and H. J. Griffith, codefendant brothers, and executives of the four defendant circuits, were in steady attendance throughout the tedious arguing yesterday. "I'm not only having a hard time keeping up," said L. C. Griffith to sympathizing reporters, "but I'm I bored." >1 H g y I fF III ^ "The House on 92nd Street" with William Eythe, Lloyd Nolan, Sigm Hasso 20th -Fox 88 Mini FBI STORY, A MELODRAMATIC MAS TERPIECE, IS REMARKABLE FILM; B. 0 PROSPECTS BIG. The wartime activity of the FBI, witi emphasis placed on the bureau's work ii safeguarding a secret process ostensibi bearing en the atomic bomb, is relatei with gripping suspense, profound excite ment and amazing graphicness in an ex traordinary production that reaches nev heights in combining the techniques of th documentary and the entertainment film. For the first time applying his talent as a producer to a film that is not strictly documentary, Louis de Rochemont ha brought into being a union of the factui and the fictitious that constitutes a spell binding and inspiring document certain t be acclaimed without limitations by th, public. "The House on 92nd Street" is a filr that makes the exhibitor's job easy, ffl it offers limitless exploitation possibili ties. Its timeliness and the chance i presents to capitalize en the world-wid interest in the principle of the atom! bomb are factors that will reduce sale resistance to a minimum. As directed by Henry Hathaway from th masterful screenplay of Barre Lyndor Charles G. Booth and John Monks, Jr., th picture becomes a melodramatic master piece tightly knit, straightforwardly pro jected, impressive in its realism aand en dowed with unshakable conviction. Back grounds and settings add materially t the film's air of believability; so does th inclusion of scenes from the files of th FBI. William Eythe is the principal performeiH He appears as an American college yout of German extraction who, at the directio of the FBI, allows himself to be engage by German agents for espionage work i this country. How he helps to accumulat evidence against the Nazis that puts a hal: to their activities makes for absorbing an thrilling entertainment. Our hero almos loses his life when the espionage agent discover who he is. Eythe is but one of a group of playei who perform with distinction. Lloyd No Ian is effective as the FBI inspector undc whose supervision Eythe works. It is h who has the tough job of cracking th case against a group of foreign agent headed by Signe Hasso who are after in formation bearing on the atomic boml Gene Lockhart and Leo G. Carroll stan out as members of her force. CAST: William Eythe, Lloyd Nolan, Sign Hasso, Gene Lockhart, Leo G. Carroll, Lydia 5 Clair, William Post, )r., Harry Bellaver, Brun Wick, Harro Meller, Charles Wagenheim, Alfre Linder, Renee Carson, Rusty Lane, John McKe Edwin Jerome, Elisabeth Neumann, Salo Douda; Paul Ford, William Adams, Lew Eckles, Toi Brown, George Shelton, Alfred Ziesler. CREDITS: Producer, Louis de Rochemont: D rector, Henry Hathaway; Screenplay, Barre iyi don, Charles G. Booth, John Monks, Jr.; Base on story by Charles C. Booth; Cameraman, Nof bert Brodine; Art Directors, Lyie Wheeler, Lew Creber; Set Decorators, Thomas Little, Williai Sittel; Film Editor, Harmon Jones; Muscat Scor David Buttolph; Musical Director, Emit Nswmai Special Effects, Fred Sersen; Sound, W. D. Flie Roger Heman. DIRECTION, fine. PHOTOGRAPHY, Fine.