The Film Daily (1945)

14 ^e? Thursday, September 20, 1945 Hat'l Film Library Wins MPPDA Favor Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington— The MPPDA, in informal discussions, has revealed an "enthusiastic and positive reaction" to the plan of the Library of Congress to maintain a complete file of both entertainment and non-commercial films, it was stated yesterday by Dr. John Bradley, Library of Congress film chief. Bradley was called upon to answer a question about the Hollywood attitude toward library plans by Dr. Luther Evans, Librarian of Congress, at the conclusion of Evans' address to the Washington visual war workers. Evans declared that although the pressure for a National Film Library has been building up over a score of years, the U. S. Government has actually "lagged behind" in giving institutional expression to this national interest. Support in Congress, he said, has been slow in forming— but appears to be gaining in strength. Using the archives as a film repository did not work out, he said, because the problem is "a library problem, not a record problem." Legislation Necessary Legislation is required for a film library building and for funds to operate, although the library can actually enter upon a film program without special congressional sanction. The operation he has in mind, he said, would call for the library to have prints of "any picture ever made anywhere in the world which might be needed for the national Government for its purposes or by any responsible private organization for research purposes." Exceptions would be made only in the case of entertainment films, he said. It might not be necessary to have the complete world production of entertainment films, although he does contemplate keeping copies of all Hollywood footage. At the same time, he said, copyright owners would be assured that their copyright will have complete protection. No Production Interest He is not interested in production, he said, aside from, possibly an occasional reel or two on the actual functions of the library. The library would not attempt to dictate production policies to other Government "agencies. Such a plan, he said, "would be as foolhardy as if we decided that hereafter every book published in the country must be published only by the Library of Congress." R. A. Frisz on Eastern Trip R. A. Frisz, chief buyer and booker for the Chakeres Circuit with headquarters in Springfield, 0., arrived in New York yesterday en route to Baltimore, where he will undergo a physical checkup at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. While here, Frisz conferred at Warners, who are partners with Chakeres in two Springfield houses, the State and Regent. Coast Executives Pay Tribute to Will Hays And Welcome Eric Johnston into the Industry West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Retirement of Will H. Hays as president of the MPPDA and the assumption of that cffice by Eric A. Johnston called forth tributes to both men by film executives on the Coast. EDWARD MANNIX, president of the Association of M. P. Producers: This industry which owes a lasting debt of gratitude to Will Hays for his own constructive leadership over so many years, is indeed fortunate to have him succeeded by a man as well ^^qualified as Eric Johnston. Mr. Johnston can make a great contribution to the industry. His record of service gives every indication that he will do so. SAMUEL GOLDWYN: Eric Johnston has a very great talent and an experience that makes him a welcome newcrmer to the industry. He has demonstrated vision, courage and a broad understanding of world affairs in ideas as well as in commerce. I know he will find in the motion picture industry a great field and a great future. HENRY GINSBERG: Eric Johnston's acceptance of a position cf leadership in motion pictures will, I am certain, prove to be a great stimulus to our industry. His personality and his great understanding of world affairs, his insight into management of all ether factors so important to the progress of motion pictures will unquestionably create an even greater respect for this industry among all those in and outside of our business. HAL B. WALLIS: It is a pleasure to welcome Eric Johnston to the motion picture industry. His great ability and internatirnal viewpoint will go far toward the development of our business throughout the world. 20th°Fox Letters Out Griffitli Suit Oklahoma City — Undaunted by repeated rulings of Judge Edgar S. Vaught, Government attorneys spent an entire four hours of yesterday's Griffith hearings attempting to place on record inter-office communications of 20th Century-Fox regarding the firm's dealing with the defendant circuits. W. J. Kupper, general sales manager for 20th-Fox, spent most of the day identifying the objectionable exhibits and answering preliminary questions concerning them. When P. T. Kime, Government counsel, attempted to offer them as evidence. Judge Vaught steadfastly refused on the grounds that they were hearsay insofar as the Griffiths . were concerned. Had 20th-Fox been a defendant, the exhibits undoubtedly would have been admitted. Judge Vaught did admit letters between Kupper and several Griffith buyers, but these apparently did not contain ammunition for the Government's cause as they were not gone into at length in susbequent questioning of Kupper. Kime said at the close of yesterday's testimony that in his judgment he would complete his crossexamination of Kupper by noon today. He said Tuesday he would likely be through yesterday noon. Deposition of Gradwell L. Sears, vice-president of United Artists in charge of distribution, Ned E. Depinet, president of RKO, Abraham Montague, general sales manager for Columbia, Frank J. A. McCarthy, Southern and Canadian sales manager for Universal, and William F. Rodgers, general sales manager for Loew's and M-G-M, will be read next. To answer one general Government question yesterday, Kupper launched into a long description of his company's current pi'omotion of "State Fair." itii Clarlc Today (Continued from Page 1) trust action scheduled to go to trial on Oct. 8. It was learned yesterday that an over-all argument against the Department of Justice's insistence on theater divorcement will be presented to Clark. It is understood that the argument will be based on the contention that a dissolution of circuits would be harmful for the entire industry at this time when fewer pictures are being made and efforts being put forth to re-open the world market. A plan, it was said, may be presented whereby all pools will be eliminated, paving the way for more open compettion by independent operators. In the past, the Attorney General has shown little interest in a compromise or settlement of the suit, but it is believed he will listen to any plausible suggestion. In some circles yesterday, it was said that today's meeting will "tell the tale" and that it represented the defendants' final move for a compromise. FitzPatrick Comedies Year's Travel Subjects Having completed his TravelTalk commitments for M-G-M, James A. FitzPatrick will devote the next 12 months to his deal with Republic whereby he will produce four features. FitzPatrick returned this week from England where he made several travel shorts and completed his entire shorts program for a year. He leaves today for the Coast. Frank Fritz Hospitalized Bloomsburg, Pa. — Frank Fritz, manager of the Columbia, . is a patient at the local hospital. Sees So. Calif. Tele Center of the World (Continued from Page 1) ing System. He stated that Californians in the. Southern part of the state have long been avid for television, even before sets were manufactured, many persons having built their own sets from blueprints. The new Don Lee building KHJ on Vine Street will be equipped for television. Tele transmitters atop Mt. Wilson will serve half of California's 4,000,000 residents, according to Klaus Landsberg, managing director of W6XYZ television production which is a subsidiary of Paramount. Landsberg believes this section will become the world center of television, having in the area a wealth of talent, directors, writers and technicians. "We will look to the East for special events involving sports, politics, etc., but I believe the greatest steady day-by-day entertainment for television fans will come from Hollywood," says Landsberg. "This is economically sound and tele appearances will be of value to Hollywood players." William B. Ryan, manager of KFI, which has already let a contract for the first of three buildings it will erect at its 160-acre transmitter site on Mt. Wilson, is very enthusiastic over the future of tele in Southern California. Don Lee's transmitter will also be located on Mt. Wilson, as will that of W6XYZ. Don Lee will soon place its mobile tele unit in use to televise football games, horse racing, prize fights and other athletic events, while W6XYZ, which has telemobiles, is planning more machines and is building an additional three tele cameras and will also televise special events. Walt Disney to Expand His Foreign Sales Staff (Continued from Page 1) Levy returned recently from England. Approximately 90 short subjects and eight features, produced since 1939, have never been shown in many European countries. Foreign revenue from these unplayed pictures, Levy said, should total between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000. "Snow White" played 37 weeks at the New Gallery Theater in London and "The Three Caballeros" is in its 16th week. "Pinocchio" opens in December. Levy said that the Disney Paris office was intact and that it oper-i ated throughout the Nazi occupa-| tion. Disney will make two features, yearly. Levy said. Next two will be "Make Mine Music" and "Uncle Remus." McCormack Requiem Monday A mass of requiem for John McCormack will be sung in St. Patrick's Cathedral on Monday morning. The singer died at his home outside of Dublin on Sunday. i