FilmIndia (1939)

Baburao Patel Scores a Hit in Hollywood Film Journalists President Conveys Indian Protests Against anderous Pictures Entertained at all Studios By The Staff Correspondent, News Press Service Hollywood (By Air Mail). Confident in the knowledge that Hollywood at long last understands the true sentiments of the Indian people in regard to offensive film productions, Baburao Patel, President of the Indian Film Journalists' Association, is now on the high seas heading for home. During the fortnight he spent in this motion picture capital, Patel was the welcome guest of every studio. Most lavish in its welcome to the representative of India was Warner Brothers. This is logical in view of the high esteem in which its pictures like "Emile Zola" and "Juarez" are held by the Indian people, as well as the Indian exhibitors. Not as pretentious, but equally sincere in their efforts to please, where the greetings by other studios, including R. K. O., Paramount, Republic, M.G.M., 20th Century Fox, Universal and Columbia. Most of the studio executives did not understand what all the shouting was about in connection with so-called "anti-Indian" films. Only a few of them recognized the justice in the position of the Indian people against certain films. But all with whom Patel conferred expressed their pleasure in getting a clear picture of the Indian film situation for the first time and announced their willingness to cooperate with him in meeting the desires of his people. GREETED BY WARNER'S CHIEF Harry Warner, head of Warner Brothers, played host to Patel at a cocktail party given in his honor. The two film figures held an animated discussion for over a half hour in the spacious Green Room on the Warner lot. The host was keenly interested in the views ex pounded by Mr. Patel and suggested that he communicate with him after he returns home regarding possible stories for future productions containing themes suitable to the Indian people. Mr. Warner regretfully cancelled another appointment with Patel at his ranch because of illness. Mr. Patel's arrangements to sail compelled him to forego setting another date. However, his purpose was accomplished and he believes a good basis has been set for amicable relations in the very near future. Among the Warner stars and players called in to meet Mr. Patel at the cocktail party were Paul Muni, George Raft, Alan Hale. Frank McHugh, Henry O'Neil, Bette Davis, Lya Lys, Nanette Fabares. Jeffry Lynn, William Lundigan, Dennis Morgan, James Stephenson, Gloria Dickson, Ronald Reagan, Margot Stevenson, Wayne Morris, Pat O'Brien, and Humphrey Bogart. The next day Mr. Carl Schaefer, congenial and efficient head of Warner's foreign publicity department, informed this correspondent that the stars were greatly impressed by Mr. Patel. Several of them had expressed the hope that they could make a picture in India for Warner's. EXECUTIVES ON PARADE Other studio executives who met Mr. Patel to hear about his mission were the following: Colonel Jason S. Joy, 20th Century Fox, executive assistant to Darryl Zanuck, Joseph J. Nolan, R.K.O., Assistant to George Schaefer, president, who was out of town but who sent a telegram to Mr. Patel the day he was leaving in which he stated his regret that they could not meet. Also Mr. Luigi Luraschi, Paramount, head of the Foreign and Domestic Censorship Department; Mr. Bernard Hyman, M.G.M.; Mr. Milton Feld, Universal Mr. E. H. Goldstein, Republic; Mi Sam Briskin, Columbia, and severe others. The studios took "stills" of Mi Patel with stars appearing in cur rent productions. These include Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Jame Cagney, George Raft, Alan Hald/ Gene Autry, Mary Carlisle, BriaiB Aherne, and a host of others. H was also photographed with Direc tors William Dieterals and Williac Keighley, as well as the executives DINNER AT KEIGHLEY AND J DIETERLE On Sunday September 30, Mil Patel dined at the home of Directofl Keighley and his wife, the formeB Genevieve Tobin, whom he ha<fl met last year when they visiteaj India. And on October 3, he dined! with the Dieterle's and was givei a private showing of that filn masterpiece, "Juarez" which Mr Dieterle has directed. Mr. Pate was twice a guest of Mr. Dieterle or the set of "The Hunchback of Notn Dame," where he was introduced t< Charles Laughton. At each of the studios he visitee Patel reminded the executives 0 their film offences against th(i Indian people and won assurance; that there would be no repetition The Hays Office here was very heh> f ul to Mr. Patel as was the office ir I New York. Although the N.Y.K | steamship is bearing him fartherb and farther away from Hollywood* this film colony will long rememberji Baburao Patel. And most of thosa| he has left behind with pleasanli memories are hoping he will return! next year, as he hopes to. All wish! him bon voyage on his journey abroad the "Kamakura Maru," and a safe arrival in Bombay at the end j of December. lb II II