The Film Daily (1946)

Tuesday, September 3, 1946 ^ DAILY MPEA Closes Interim East Indies Deal (Continued from Page 1) panics, will be released in the Netherlands East Indies between now and JMay 1, 1947, with distribution in the I" \ds of a special organization to be up for that purpose by the NEI ernment. The deal, Maas pointed out, grants JM'PEA the right to set up a distribujlion organization of its own on Jan. 1, 1947 with active release operajtions to commence May 1 of that I year. At that time the NEI governjjnent, in accordance with the agreei.ment, will discontinue distribution and return all outstanding prints to ilMPEA. I Due to Unsettled Conditions !i ' Decision to grant the NEI govern'ment distribution privileges for the jnext eight months, explained Maas, Ijwas prompted by the fact that i'private commercial operation in that ^country is now impractical because 'jof unsettled economic and internal li political conditions. By the time II MPEA operates on its own next May, jit is expected that conditions will Ihave normalized. ;j In concluding negotiations with JNEI government officials, MPEA was .represented by Leon Britton, RKO supervisor of the Straits Settlements, who made several trips to Batavia from his Singapore headiquarters. Films Are Tool oi Freedom Can Enlighten World, Says Johnston on Air (Continued from Page 1) Broadcasting Co. network as a guest commentator for Drew Pearson. "Today, the industry has stepped boldly across the threshold of a new, exciting and dramatic development which I think will help serve mankind's urgent need for new enlightenment and which I think will help broaden the minds of men. The tremendous capacities of the motion picture are opening a new road to enlightenment and understanding. Road to New Horizons "It's a road to a new horizon, almost a new frontier — a frontier fruitful in promise, rich in intellectual rewards, and pleasant to invade. "The road, the instrument or the tool — and we can call it what we will — is the new use of the motion picture to enlighten, to inform, to teach, to educate. The day is not far off when the film will be as common to the classroom as blackboard and chalk." "The motion picture," he said, "can dramatize human relations. It can dramatize the cures and evil of religious and racial intolerance. It can teach the virtues which make for good human relations — respect for the rights of the other fellow; respect for the dignity of the individual; respect for the right of a man to work; and respect for the right of a man to go into business. It can dramatize the duty and obligation of the citizen in a democracy to share in his government." A Leading Role for Pix Johnston said American films will play a leading role in the struggle for enlightenment at "home and abroad." "Our concept — the American concept— calls for the freedom of expression— the right to know. Reason, not force, must be the guiding star of a peaceful world. And that means the right to know. "If American concepts are to compete sucessfully for the minds of men, we must broaden our own enlightenment. There can't be any laggards in this drive ahead to a more enlightened country and a more enlightened world. ''For my own industry, I can say that we're dedicated to the proposition of making America the power house of freedom in all the world." SMPE Adds 430 Members iln Year's First 8 Mos. i In the first eight months of 1946, 'ithe Society of Motion Picture Engineers added 430 new members to its list, a bigger gain than in any full year in the Society's 30-year history, it was disclosed by Don E. Hyndman, president. These additions (bring the total SMPE memhership to a new all-time high of 2,359, while japplications are continuing to come in at an unprecedented rate from foreign countries as well as the domestic field, says Hyndman. A factor in stimulating the increase, Hyndman pointed out, was the series of monthly educational meetings held last season by the ■Society's Atlantic Coast Section under the chairmanship of Colonel Frank E. Cahill, Jr. These regular sessions are being resumed in the Fall, with the first meeting to be held before the Society's 60th semi-annual convention scheduled for Oct. 21-25 |a,t the Hollyv^rood Roosevelt Hotel, Hollywood, Calif. The foreign field, where motion picture activities are expanding rapidly, also is looking more and more to the SMPE for technical assistance, guidance on standards and other aids in placing their produc ition, distribution and exhibition on an efficient operating basis, according to Hyndman. Hollywood Continues Its Shows for Service Men (Continued from Page 1) in the past six months, according to the Hollywood co-ordinating committee's first semi-annual report. The co-ordinating committee, formally organized March 1, 1946, to succeed the Hollywood Victory Committee, received an average of 10 requests daily for stars to entertain the armed forces, appear at benefits, in screen trailers or on the radio, the report stated. Requests filled averaged 32 appearances each week. "Hollywood actors realize that the war is not over for thousands of GI's on duty overseas and other thousands in hospitals and that they have a responsibility to aid in solving the problems of peacetime," George Murphy, president of the committee, said. The report showed that 559 Hollywood stars appeared on 18 different Armed Forces Radio Service programs, led by "Command Performance" with 172. Stars made 126 appearances on 25 other radio broadcasts and transcriptions for such activities as American Red Cross, United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation and the Salvation Army. Hospital appearances through USO-Camp Shows were made by 58 stars. Local benefits, special events and rallies had appearances of 67 stars, and out-of-town appearances totaled 23. Max Tschouder Dies Springfield, 111. — Max Tschauder, 53, manager of Springfield's Roxy Theater for eight years, died last week at his residence, apparently of a heart attack. Columbia and Enterprise Linked in Deal Reports (Continued from Page 1) 10 the hook-up with Universal and that the talks may resume. Charles Einfeld and David Loew, Enterprise heads, remained silent on all rumors of future distribution arrangements, although it was said that several other companies were making bids for the product. Three "Henry" Openings Three openings of "Henry V" will be held next week in Buffalo, Toronto and Montreal for the sixth, seventh and eig'hth engagements, respectively, of the Laurence Olivier production. Tele Tliriiis lowans At 1st Presentation Des Moines, la. — Television took the Iowa state fair by storm with the RCA video demonstration unit turning out as one of the most popular features of the Iowa centennial fair, which in itself set a new all-time attendance record. Despite some mechanical difficulties, operating under a carnival atmosphere and handicapped b y Petrillo's ban on union musicians, the demonstration brought to the rural lowans their first glimpse of the new wonder of the air. The RCA unit was brought to the state fair by radio station KRNT, operated by the Cowles brothers, with the local station reported as laying out |5,00d to finance the exposition. Because of inability of getting space at the last minute the exhibit was set up in the International Harvester tent and the American Broadcasting Co. also came in for a free ride. Both Harvey Marlowe and Paul Mowrey, ABC executives, v.ere on hand as representatives for the network. Video unit was set on stage for pickup while a dozen receivers scattered around the huge tent for spectators to watch. Crowd was estimated at averaging close to 3,000 an hour with exhibit set up for eight hours daily. Video shows were put on every other 15-minute periods. Dave Rose Here to Set His Distribution Plans (Continued from Page 1) for production both in England and on the Coast. While in Hollywood, he will confer with Barney Balaban and other Paramount executives, which indicates that Rose may distribute through Paramount, although Rose would not commit himself on Friday. Rose plans to remain on the Coast from four to six weeks. 20TH CENTURYFOX TRADE SHOWING "THREE LITTLE GIRLS IN BLUE" in TECHNICOLOR TUESDAY SEPT. 3, 1946 — 3:00 P. M 20TH CENTURY-FOX SCREENING ROOM 302 North 13th St., Philadelphia 7, Pa.