The Film Daily (1948)

3i^ Friday, September 10, 19^ Johnston Expected To Tall( Witli Stalin (Continued from Page 1) sador, but it is accepted here that he will seek an audience with Premier Josef Stalen if indeed one already has not been arranged. Presumably, at such a conference Johnston would take up the question of the entry of American pix into the Soviet, with some attention paid as well to the general "Iron Curtain" country situation. Comparatively few Hollywood features have found their way into Russia in recent years, and those few which did were purchased outright by the Soviet Government film agency. The extent Johnston might improve the American film position behind the "Iron Curtain" should he see Stalin, is, of course, a matter of sheer speculation. However, Johnston is no stranger to the Russian Premier. The two had an exceedingly frank exchange of views on Russo-American business relations when Johnston visited Moscow four years ago while serving as president of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce. (Johnston's forthcoming book, "We're All In It," which E. P. Button Co., Inc., will publish on Nov. 8, includes a chapter in which the visit with Stalin is discussed, it is understood.) The length of time Johnston and O'Hara will remain in Moscow is undetermined, it was said yesterday. While they may return here from the Russian capital, it is possible that they may proceed directly to the capitals of some of the other "Iron Curtain" countries. New Rumors Hint Johnston To Get Commerce Sec'y Post Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Confirmation here by MPAA that President Eric A. Johnston will visit in Moscow, as well as in Belgrade, touched off new rumors that Johnston will step into a key post in the Government in the event of a Dewey victory in November. It is understood here that an interview with Marshal Tito is quite definitely arranged, and it is also believed that Johnston would not be going to Moscow without some reason to anticipate conversations with very topranking Soviet officials — possibly Stalin himself, with whom Johnston talked four years ago. Just where Johnston would fit into a Dewey administration is a question not yet answered, although there is no doubt that he would be considered more than acceptable as Secretary of Commerce. There are D6flTHS WILLIAM WOOLFENDEN, 60, former KAC booker in New York but more recently a Hollywood talent agent, from a heart attack on the Coast. HOLLVUIOOD-VinE VflRD By RALPH WILK HOLLYWOOD QAM WOOD, an old Philadelphia boy, is currently spending all his spare time wrestling with the Italian language. . . . What brings this on is that the director will leave for Rome with his production staff in mid-November to lay the groundwork for the filming there of "Quo Vadis," Arthur Hornblow, Jr., Production which Wood will direct for M-G-M. . . . Since he will spend somewhere between six and eight months in Italy, Wood wants to be able to speak the language. . . . The last time he went abroad to make a picture for M-G-M he came back from England with a classic. . . . The name of it was "Goodbye, Mr. Chips." Lot executives can expect a repeat performance on "Quo Vadis." . . . Wood and Hornblow have been viewing Technicolor tests made in Rome of prominent Italian players under consideration for supporting roles in the historic epic, and in addition have been scanning all the important foreign productions imported into this country during the past two years in the hopes of turning up some interesting faces to be introduced in "Quo Vadis." . . . Wood figures as long as he is going to shoot the picture in Europe he may as well use the opportunity to try to develop another "foreign invasion" of new Continental players. * • * I AMES NASSER develops a remarkable number of revolutionary ideas for one man, even though that one man does happen to be a lot chief, producer, and chain theater exhibitor. . . . Nasser's newest deal is aimed at enlivening movie programs, pre-selling new players, and determining the public preferences among the newcomers. He has tested six unknowns and will have the tests screened along with showings of "An innocent Affair," his new production for UA release, in key theaters across the country. . . . The audience will be invited to vote for their favorites by filling out reaction cards available in the lobby. . . . Nasser will cast two of the newcomers, based on a tabulation of votes cast, in important build-up roles in "You Made Me Love You," his next production which he is lining up as a Fred MacMurray-Madeleine Carroll co-starrer to follow "An Innocent Affair." * * * A NOTHER IDEA which Nasser is sponsoring is his conviction that the public likes to see its stars in romantic teams. . . . With his brothers he heads a chain of 136 Northern California theaters and he speaks with an exhibitor's experience when he maintains that repeated teaming of a popular stellar duo is good boxoffice. ... It is recalled that Fred and Madeleine made a very popular series of co-starrers for Paramount some years ago before Miss Carroll quit Hollywood to devote all her time to war charity. Nasser brought them back together in "An Innocent Affair" and early critical and trade responses to the picture now has him rushing a follow-up co-starring vehicle into production as soon as possible. ... To further add to Nasser's projects and activities, he has just launched an extensive expansion and modernization program at General Service Studios. . . . Which makes him one busy man. Broidy Predicts 4-Million Gross on "Babe Ruth Story" (Continued from Page 1) film's initial 63 playdates, exclusive of New York, where Allied Artists' share of film rental was $116,821, compared to $35,260 in the same number of situations for "It Happened on 5tJi Avenue," company's previous high grosser. reports of other strong commitments for that post, however, and Johnston's current tour has given rise to speculation that he might be in line for a post concerned more exclusively with the international scene. On the other hand, the power of the Secretary of Commerce over exports is great enough to make Johnston's current trip consistent with any possibility that the post may be profi'ered him. Clark Confers at State Dept. on UN Day Fete (Continued from Page 1) He heard both Secretary of State Marshall and President Truman ask for all-out aid from pix and other information media yesterday. MPAA's Affiliated Teaching Films Custodian has a list of 21 16 mm. offerings suitable for the observance, it was said here. Wood to Rome in November West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Production timetable set up for M-G-M Producer Arthur Hornblow, Jr.'s "Quo Vadis" calls for Sam Wood, who will direct, to leave for Rome with his production staff in mid-November to begin selecting location sites and other executive preliminaries for the filming in Italy of the historic epic. Rise in "U" Billings Aids Cash Position I (Continued from Page 1) pany's current William A. Scull Month Sales Drive has seen billing take a healthy weekly upswing anf two of the company's cur?"^*^^ r( leases, "Abbott and CosteI^'He( Frankenstein," and Walter 'V^'nger "Tap Roots," are among the leadei in the current national box offic surveys. The five pictures having their ii itial key city openings this mont are "One Touch of Venus," whic teed off this week in Baltimore an| Philadelphia; "The Saxon Charm which opens in Cleveland; "Lail ceny," playing Pittsburgh, New Yor and other keys; "For the Love Mary," which has had a few sea tered openings and follows "Ta Roots" into the Criterion in Ne York; and "An Act of Murder which opened impressively in Bait more two weeks back but whic might undergo a title change The nine pictures in the cuttin rooms are "Mexican Hayride," stai ring Abbott and Costello; the Ran part Production "You Gotta Sta is, Happy," starring James Stewai Jj and Joan Fontaine; "Family Honej j, moon," starring Claudette Colbe^ ^ and Fred MacMurray; "Kiss th Blood Off My Hands," the Norni Production starring Burt Lancast( and Joan Fontaine; "Criss Cross starring Burt Lancaster, Yvonne E ^ Carlo and Dan Duryea; "Red Cai yon," in Technicolor, starring Ar Blyth, Howard Duff and Georj! ^ Brent; "The O'Flynn," the FairbanP * Company production, starring Douj iP las Fairbanks, Jr.; the Westwood Pr< « duction, "The Countess of Men Cristo," starring Sonja HeniifJ "Rogues' Regiment," starring Die K Powell, Marta Toren and Vinceif* Price The U-I studios which have be^ ? closed for several weeks as far actual production is concerned, wi Id see a spurt of activity with the r( oi opening Oct. 4 with three picturd k "The Life of Riley," starring Wi ' Ham Bendix; "The Story of Sa Bass," in Technicolor, and "Tl Amboy Dukes," all starting to re the same day and "The Nigl Watch," starting two weeks lati|ffi on Oct. 18 new POSTS JOHN LEMKE, assistant manager, Ramona, C troit. H. RICHARD HORNING, assistant to Lo Orlove, M-G-M publicist, Minneapolis. HAROLD LUNDQUIST, 20th-Fox salesman, M neapolis. WILLIAM SCHWARTZ, M-G-M office manag Milwaukee. ALVIN GROSS, salesmen, M-G-M, Milwaukee. LARRY WICKER, former assistant manager, manager, Albermorle, Brooklyn. MURRAY BAKER, booker, Schlne Circuit, Ci cinnati. ROBERT SANDS, salesman, United Artists, Cf cinnati. LLOYD KRAUSE, RKO salesman, Cincinnati. 12