The Film Daily (1947)

■riday, September 12, 1947 "d^ DAILY MPAA to Fight Back At Un-Amer. Smears (Continued from Page 1) chai ''s to an extent not seen here sin ^^he late Wendell Willkie defended the industry in 1941. Meanwhile, the House Committee has dropped its version of the "iron curtain" around any information as to a list of witnesses or the line of attack against Hollywood. Beyond the announcement that the Committee will first aim its fire at Hans Eisler, Hollywood song writer, there has been no indication of further developments. This strategy is new to the House Committee, which in the past has fought considerable part of its "case" against Hollywood in the press, prior to the actual opening of hearings. Members of the Committee staff would not even confirm that Charles Chaplin is still slated as a witness, an announcement made several weeks ago by Chairman Thomas. Since that time, however, MPAA President Eric A. Johnston obtained the services of James F. Byrnes, former Secretary of State, to help prepare the industry's case against unfounded charges of un-Americanism. Although Byrnes will not actually appear before the Committee, unless subpoenaed, every effort will be made to get the industry's record before the public. If Johnston recovers from his present illness in time, there is a good chance that the MPAA head will take the lead in presenting the industry's case to the public. If specific charges are made by the Committee, they will be answered point by point. If vague, "smear" charges are made, the industry will tag them as such. The industry, however, has decided not to resign itself to defensive action. On the contrary, MPAA will take the offensive as never before in its history. The industry will stress its great war and peace-time record but will not confine itself to generalities. A complete, factual report of what the industry is doing in this country and abroad will be presented to the people in what will amount to a vast public relations program. Johnston and other industry leaders have never denied that there are Communists in Hollywood. They have denied, however, that Communism has reached the screens. They also deny that an entire industry, with a great record for Americanism, should be indicted for the activities of a few persons. As one industry official here said, "Hollywood will be united as never before." This, however, is no indication that the hearing won't bring fireworks. On the contrary, the Committee is a past master at working up headlines. This time, though, the Committee will find some competition. HOUVUIOOD-VinE VflRD By RALPH WILK HOLLYWOOD f EDERAL FILMS, the Boris Morros-William Le Baron producing company, has signed Jean Renoir to direct "The Woman of a Hundred Faces" for UA release. This is the short novel by Thomas Mann, Louis Bromfield and Maxmilian llyin in which they hope to star Greta Garbo. ... -^ Jerome Robbins has contracted with Samuel Goldwyn to do the choreography on "Billion Dollar Baby," for which he did the same stint on B'way. . . ■^ Constance Bennett now has three leading men for her next indie production, "Smart Woman," which will be released through Allied Artists. They are Michael O'Shea, Brian Aherne and Barry Sullivan. . . .if William Lundigan and Jacqueline White will be co-starred by RKO in "Mystery in Mexico," to be filmed south of the border in semi-documentary style. ... -^ Joel McCrea is conferring with Eagle-Lion on playing a leading role in "Beggar'i Choice," their latest literary acquisition. ... -^^ Joseph Lewis has been named by Columbia as megaphoner on "The Return of October." Norman Panama and Melvin Frank have done the original screenplay. ... -^ Bobby Watson goes into "The Paleface" at Para. ... if Edith Head, of the same lot, has joined the teaching staff of UCLA's Dept. of Theater Arts training advanced students in costume design. . . . -A'Richard Brooks, Warner writer whose first novel "The Brick Fox Hole" was filmed under the title of "Crossfire," will have his second, "The Boiling Point" on the stands ii December. Canadian Action Called For in U. S. Dollar Shortage Ottawa — ^Hon, John Bracken, opposition leader in Canadian Parliament, called on Dominion Government to take action to meet crisis arising out of shortage of American dollars, declaring that unless crisis is headed off there would be a business stagnation and unemployment in Canada. Meanwhile from government quarters it is learned that Prime Minister King, just returned from a vacation trip, is seriously considering a special session of the Canadian Parliament without delay to deal v/ith the international monetary developments. Proposals to halt shrinkage of American dollars are considered too hot for government to handle without reference to emergency session of Parliament when elected representatives of people would sanction or defeat measures. Members of House of Commons may be summoned before October to deal with situation and pass upon motions to i-estrict imports from U. S. and other countries. Observers believe restrictions will also be imposed on trade with Bi-itain which no longer is able to pay in American dollars. Allied Theaters Service To Book for Distribs. Detroit — Allied Theaters Service will take on the booking service of a number of independent distributors, as well as handle physical distribution of prints, it is announced by Jack Stewart, general manager of Allied, who is also a principal stockholder in Michigan Film Distributors. Service has moved to new headquarters in the Film Bldg. with Lawrence Shubnell in charge of the office. Col. Gillette Dies at 54; Suffers Heart Attack (Continued from Page 1) 33-14 81st Street, Jackson Heights, complained of illness to his chauffeur as the car in which they were riding completed the trip across the Queensboro Bridge. Physicians announced Gillette dead at New York Hospital, to which his chauffeur had driven rapidly. A native of Berwick, Illinois, Col. Gillette was educated in Des Moines College and at Columbia University where he did post-graduate work in journalism. For a period of years from 1929 to 1932 he was the Army's representative on pictorial matters, headquartering in New York City. From 1932 to 1935 he was officer in chai'ge of the Signal Corps Photographic Laboratory in Washington after which he was assigned to Hollywood to study film production. He assumed charge of the Photographic division of the Signal Corps and two years later organized and directed the first training film production laboratory at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Subsequently he was named commanding officer of the Signal Corps Photographic Center established in the old Pai-amount studio in Long Island City. An assignment to the Army Pictorial Service early in the war took him to Washington and later he became Chief Signal Officer in the European theater and still later in Hawaii. Widely known in the film industry. Col. Gillette was a member of the SMPE. Oxford Films Moves Oxford Films, Inc., which is distributing "Torment," has moved to 1819 Broadway, it was announced yesterday by Edward L. Kingsley, vice-president. «REVIEUJS "Ride the Pink Horse with Robert Montgomery, Wanda Hendrix Univ.-lnt'l 101 Mins. THIS ONE WILL PROBABLY BE A SENSATION OF THE SEASON: VERY WELL DONE. "Ride the Pink Horse" is a soundly contrived, tough drama compiled, cooked up, directed and played by as fine an array of talent as has exhibited their work for some time. It is a yarn of a tough guy playing with tough guys. They know what they are about. It packs a load of emotional wallops ranging from boozy exuberance, to knifeplay, to the touching tenderness and budding love of a Mexican maiden who manages by dint of sheer perserverance to get herself involved in the proceedings which bode her no good to say the least. This is top grade entertainment. Robert Montgomery directed, plays the lead role. Ben Hecht and Charles Lederer, who can do the right job, turned in a potent script from Dorothy B. Hughes' novel. But for sheer show stealing Wanda Hendrix is the youngster for this reviewer's money. She plays a Mexican girl on the brink of adolescence. Naive, shy, questioning and always about Montgomery, her performance is a delight, one of the most affecting of recent date. Background of the yarn is San Pablo, New Mexican town, which is preparing to hold a fiesta. With a few other girls Miss Hendrix comes from a nearby village for the event. She meets up with Montgomery on the street shortly after he arrives. She senses he is doomed, gives him an Indian charm to ward off harm. Montgomery contacts his man in short order. An FBI operative. Art Smith, who is also after Fred Clark, contacts Montgomery, tries to influence him to release the incriminating evidence. Montgomery wants 30 grand. Smith wants Clark in the jug. It becomes a suspenseful contest between the trio and there's plenty in store for Montgomery who stands to be knocked off on delivery of a cancelled check, the crux of the matter. Montgomery arranges delivery to Clark. Shortly after he is assaulted, knifed but makes off, killing one of his assailants, damaging the other. They set out for her village but Montgomery strays up to Clark's hotel room in a fair daze. Miss Hendrix is right with him when Clark and mob take him. They try to get the check, slap Miss Hendrix about, are foiled when Smith barges in with a gat. Montgomery hands over the evidence to Smith. There is a final scene when Montgomery makes his farewells to Miss Hendrix. She doesn't know where she's at, what to do. Since she figured in all the excitement she has become a local figure among the children. Childhood excitement solves her problem. She narrates her version of the story in Spanish to the kids. CAST; Robert Montgomery, Wanda Hendrix, Ritz Conde, Iris Flores, Grandon Rhodes, Tito Renaldo, Richard Gaines, Andrea King, Art Smith, Martin Garralaga, Edward Earle, Harold Goodwin, Maria Cortez, Fred Clark, Thomas Gomez. CREDITS: Producer, Joan Harrison; Director, Robert Montgomery; Screenplay, Ben Hecht, Charles Lederer; Based on the novel by Dorothy B. Hughes; Art direction, Bernard Herzbrun, Robert Boyle; Film editor, Ralph Dawson; Sound, Leslie I. Carey; Set decorations, Russell A. Gausman; Oliver Emert; Orchestrotions, Dovid Tamkin; Photography, Russell Metty; Assistant director, John F. Sherwood; Music, Frank Skinner. DIRECTION, Fine. PHOTOGRAPHY, First Rate.