The Film Daily (1948)

^ DAILY Tuesday, August 31, 19' Nothing to Gain in Joint Tailcs— Sears Independent producers affiliated with UA refused to join the MPAA in the current talks with the British because they felt "they had nothing to gain by joint negotiation," Gradwell Sears, UA president, said yesterday. "The majors have the circuits tied up," he added. "It is pointless for independent producers here to sell to independent exhibitors there." In this connection he revealed that Arthur W. Kelly, UA executive vicepresident now in London, is discussing vdth Rank the possibilities for "Red River" playdates on the Odeon circuit. While on the subject of playing time for independents, Sears said that he stood ready to testify for the plaintiffs in the SIMPP suit filed against two Detroit theater groups last week. Such testimony, he pointed out, would be given as service to producers distributing through UA. Sears added that other anti-trust action of this kind were likely since "there are several situations as bad or worse than Detroit," UA has agreed to turn back to Howard Hughes the three pictures made by the latter for UA release, in consideration of which Hughes will "arrange to finance and cause to be delivered to UA" three pictures by producers acceptable to the company, Sears announced. Sears said that the three pictures, "The Outlaw," "Vendetta" and "Mad Wednesday", will be given to Hughes Tool Company when he is assured that the three films designated for their replacement will come up to UA standards. Although RKO did not enter into the negotiations leading to this settlement of the situation, that company will evenually distribute the Hughes product when the deal is finally consummated. Hughes will be responsible for all the financing necessary for the trio of pictures, Sears pointed out, and will receive an interest in the pictures as would any outside financing group. Sears estimated that upwards of $750,000 would be invested by Hughes. Although noncommittal regarding specific plans concerning the three pictures. Sears said that he would leave for the Coast this week for talks with several producers and hoped to close deals for one or two of the pictures vnthin ten days. The UA president was optimistic regarding the financing situation for qualified independent producers, declaring that several banks who had not previously made film investments had done so within recent months. He said that the Bank of America's present "exposure" in production ventures was about $100,000,000. Referring to second money, Sears said that funds for this purpose seemed plentiful. He cited as an example the fact that one Texas oil man had put up the entire bankroll for an indie film, bereft of a bank loan. REVIEUJS OF HEUJ flLfllS "An Innocent Affair" with Madeleine Carroll, Fred MacMurray. UA 90 Mins. LIVENED BY SLICK GAGS, TOP PERFORMING, FIRST RATE PRODUCTION, THIS ONE STANDS TO DO BETTER THAN AVERAGE BUSINESS. Enlivened considerably by the intrusion into the plot of a few slick gags, this comedy of marital complications makes the grade as light entertainment close enough to the forefront of its type to do better than average business. Madeleine Carroll returns after a lengthy absence. She gives her role what is required. She's aible and skillful in getting her lightweight part over to the customer. Fred MacMurray is completely at home as a misunderstood husband who, as events transpire, faces the wrath of a collection of women through no fault of his own. Original yarn by Lou Breslow and Joseph Hoffman is a workmanlike accomplished task of injecting a few new twists into a familiar set of themes. James Nasser produced. He gave the piece fine, luxurious mounting. The skill of Director Lloyd Bacon in capturing the comedy elements is prominently in evidence. MacMurray, when the yarn opens, has been chasing down an advertising account with a "Mr. Fraser." Miss Carroll doesn't like the late hours and their fifth anniversary is coming up. MacMurray, while he has been running around with Louise Allbritton, has also been attending strictly to business. MacMurray's duplicity is soon discovered by Miss Carroll and in cahoots with Rita Johnson, they attempt to teach the straying husband a lesson. They hire an actor to show more than friendly interest in the neglected wife. Celebrating their anniversary, MacMurray and Madeleine meet up with Charles "Buddy" Rogers, a cigarette tycoon who is mistaken for the hired ham. This, of course, leads to a good deal of confusion. From that point on the proceedings take on the aspect of a merry mixup which in due process leads to divorce proceedings on Miss Carroll's part. In time husband and wife get over the nonsense and there is a reasonable explanation. Basically, the theme derives from the thought — tell a woman the truth and she won't believe you. Tell her a lie and you stand a better chance. But don't involve too many females while you are at it, because something is likely to blow up in your face. CAST: Fred MocMurroy, Madeleine Carroll, Charles "Buddy" Rogers, Rita Johnson, Louise Allbritton, Alan Mowbray, Mike Romanoff, Pierre Watkin, William Tannen, James Seay, Matt Hugh, Marie Blake, Susan Miller, Anne Nagel, Eddie LeBaron, James Weeks. CREDITS: Producer, James Nasser; Director, Lloyd Bacon; Original screenplay, Lou Breslow, Joseph Hoffman; Photography, Edward Cronjager; Music, Hans J. Salter; Art, Ernst Fcgte; Editor, Fred W. Berger; Sets, Jacques Mapes; Sound, Mel Berns; Songs, Walter Kent, Kim Gannon. DIRECTION: Good. PHOTOGRAPHY: Good. 20th-Fox Hcmdling Tamilies First' "Families First," produced by RKO Pathe for the N. Y. State Youth Commission, is being distributed by 20th-Fox through its exchanges in this state. Free subject is included in the TOA program of films appropriate for Youth Month. Release date was yesterday. STORKS "This Way to Nursing" Emerson Yorke 20 Minutes Important For young women who are undecided about a career or who want to devote themselves to useful and ennobling work — nursing is the future for them. This short charts the fouryear course a fledgling would follow at most of America's leading hospital schools, from the time she enrolls to the time she graduates. Quality of this film can be gauged by the fact that "This Way To Nursing" has received the official endorsement of the U. S. Public Health Service, the National Committee on Careers in Nursing, and the Recruitment Committee of the American Hospital Association. No Objections Filed To Skouras Purchases (Continued from Page 1) Theater Building Corp. from the vot ing trustees, became certain at mid night Friday, deadline for the filing of objections. Final consummation of the purchases is anticipated by Sept. 10. Bonds of both corporations, due July 15, 1949, will be called in and retired, thus relieving Charles Skouras and Spyros P. Skouras, president of 20th-Fox, of their guarantee of the Missouri bonds. The Skourases will pay $11 for each $100 Missouri bond plus a share of stock. Ambassador offer involves payment of $7 per share of stock, while funds are to be advanced to retire all of the bonds at par, plus payment of accumulated and unpaid interest Through Ambassador, in addition to ownership of the Ambassador building and Grant Central property, the Skourases get control of the common stock of Ambassador Investment Co., which ovims 52 per cent of the stock in St. Louis Amusement Co. Latter owns eight and leases 20 theaters operated under a management contract with Fanchon & Marco, which expires Sept. 7. F & M owns 45 per cent of St. Louis Amusement, with the remaining three per cent widely scattered. It is anticipated that the Skourases will make long term agreements with F & M covering leases of the Ambassador and Missouri Theaters and the closed Grant Central, as well as a new agreement with F & M covering management of the St. Louis Amusement theaters. Clarence M. Turley will continue as manager of the Ambassador and Missouri building and exercise overall management of the other Skouras properties. Continental Buys "O Sole Mio" U. S. rights to the Italian "0 Sole Mio" have been acquired by Continental Motion Pictures. Zanuck Reveals Plan For 12 European Pix Paris (By Cable) — Plans to pri duce 12 features in Europe durinjl the next year, to be financed a utilizing $12,000,000 of frozen cii rency, supplemented by an ad4 tional $12,000,000 to cove^ '-.lari and other expenses, were i,jj^pfunc over the week-end by Darryl Zanuck, 20th-Fox vice-president charge of production. Zanuck pointed out that 20th-F normal schedule of 22 U. S. ma films would have to be curtailed I cause of the new plan. He add that the amount of the curtailme had not yet been decided upon With 20th-Fox already producii in England and Italy, Zanuck i vealed that films will be made France as soon as the new Franc American film agreement is put in effect. Company's European scenai headquarters will be based in Par Company's pictures, Zanuck clared, will be made in any "symp thetic" country where stories su; able to the locale are found. Techi cians, directors and actors for t foreign films, he said, will be chos from both the U. S. and Europe countries. FCC Rejects Para. Tele DuMont Stock Petition (Continued from Page 1) stations because the DuMont statibi would bring the total under its coi trol (or alleged control) above tl Commission's limit of five statior At the same time, the Commissic asked the participants in the contr versial San Francisco TV hearii to file proposed findings by the ei of September and directed DuMoi to file within ten days a list of tl ten largest stockholders of its cla "A" stock. AFRA Men Won't Work If DeMille Is at Mike IV est Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILV Los Angeles — Although Mutui announced Cecil B. DeMille will pr< duce and narrate a one-hour show o its network, AFRA officials ai nounced its members will not wor with DeMille if the latter goes nea the microphone. It is understood D Mille was placing reliance on th Taft-Hartley Act in this latest phas of his long fight with AFRA. Warners Undecided On Overseas Filming (Continued from Page 1) any other films is ridiculous . . T Whenever there's quality the public will respond ... I don't interfere with Johnston's job" (when Warner was queried about developments in the Anglo-American film talks). The Warners leave for the West Coast tomorrow.