Harrison's Reports (1948)

176 HARRISON'S REPORTS October 30, 1948 is highly gratified that Allied has taken the lead to bring such control about. Although Allied is withholding details of its proposal until a close study has been made of the problem, several reports state the the plan will call on the exhibitors to boycott pictures featuring erring stars in cases where the producers fail to take proper action against them for their misconduct. Presumably, no boycott will be declared against a picture in the case where a producer no longer has the star under contract, unless, of course, it is an old picture that is being reissued to cash in on the notoriety involving one of the players. Whatever the final form of the plan, this much is clear: Allied has put Hollywood on notice that the exhibitors will no longer tolerate inaction against those stars who are responsible for the ever-increasing press and public criticism of the industry. The producers had better heed that warning, for the exhibitors' boycott of an offending star's picture is bound to win the approval of the public. What is required is more rigid enforcement of the morality clauses in the players' contracts, with drastic action taken against those who misbehave. It is the only way to bring other .'tars to the realization that their jobs depend on their continued good behavior. Once that is accomplished, they will think twice before following in the footsteps of the Walkers, the Mitchums and the Tierncys. ERIC CAN'T BE THIS GULLIBLE Under the above heading, Pete Wood, secretary of the Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio, had this to say in a recent organizational bulletin: "According to the trade papers, Eric Johnston, President of the M.P.A.A., returned from Europe this week and broke the news to his members that he had sold some pictures to Russia and Yugoslavia. The Russian deal was on a flat rental basis, but the one to Yugoslavia was on percentage. Johnston did not say who would do the checking, but we hope, in order that they may enjoy a long life, that all of the checkers will be paid up card-carrying members of the Communist Party. "In explaining the deal he had made, Johnston assured the members of the M.P.A.A. that Russia had agreed and promised not to add anything to the films they had purchased. We don't know who made those promises to Eric and we can't believe that he is gullible enough to believe them, but if he thinks that any of the promises will be kept, or if any of his members think likewise, then two things should be done: (1) Mr. Johnston should be replaced as head of the M.P.A.A. and (2) the executives of the companies who think as Mr. Johnston does, should retire immediately in order not to be influenced any longer by the hypnotic eyes and voice of Mr. Johnston. "Notwithstanding the promises mentioned by Mr. Johnston, we are in favor of having the 'home office' — the United States Government — disapprove these deals on the basis that the purchasers are 'undesirable accounts.' " BOX-OFFICE PERFORMANCES The previous box-office performances were published in the issues of April 10 and 17. Columbia "Wreck of the Hesperus" : Fair-Poor "Adventures in Silverado": Fair "The Mating of Millie": Good-Fair "My Dog Rusty" : Fair-Poor "Port Said": Fair-Poor "The Lady from Shanghai" : Good-Fair "Trapped by Boston Blackie" : Fair-Poor "The Fuller Brush Man": Very Good-Good "Blondie's Reward": Fair "Coroner Creek" : Good "Thunderhooi" : Fair "The Black Arrow": Fair "Lulu Belle": Poor "Gentleman from Nowhere": Fair-Poor "Black Eagle ": Fair-Poor "Walk a Crooked Mile": Good-Fair "Triple Threat": Poor Seventeen pictures have been checked with the following results: Very Good-Good, 1; Good, 1; Good-Fair, 3; Fair, 4, Fair-Poor, 6; Poor, 2. Eagle-Lion "Take My Life" (British) ! Fair-Poor "The October Man" (British): Fair-Poor "Seven Sinners" (reissue): Fair-Poor "Sutter's Gold" (reissue): Fair "The Enchanted Valley": Fair-Poor "Ruthless": Fair "The Noose Hangs High": Fair "The Cobra Strikes" : Poor "Assigned to Danger": Fair-Poor "Raw Deal": Good-Fair "Sword of the Avenger": Fair-Poor "Close-Up": Fair "Mickey" : Fair "Canon City": Good-Fair "Shed No Tears" : Fair-Poor "The Spiritualist": Fair "Lady At Midnight": Poor "Olympic Games of 1948": Fair-Poor "In This Corner": Fair Nineteen pictures have been checked with the following results: Good-Fair, 2; Fair, 6; Fair-Poor, 8; Poor, 2. Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer "B. F.'s Daughter ": Good-Fair "Tarzan's Secret Adventure"* (reissue): Fair "State of the Union": Good "Tarzan's N. Y. Adventure" (reissue): Fair "Summer Holiday": Fair "Homecoming": Good-Fair "The Big City": Fair "The Pirate": Good "On an Island with You": Very Good-Good "Easter Parade" : Very Good "A Date with Judy" : Very Good-Good "The Search": Fair "Luxury Liner": Good "A Southern Yankee": Good-Fair Fourteen pictures have been checked with the following results: Very Good, 1; Very Good-Good, 2; Good, 3; FairGood, 3; Fair, 5. Paramount "Mr. Reckless": Fair-Poor "Unconquered" (general release): Fair "The Big Clock": Good-Fair "The Sainted Sisters": Fair "Hazard": Fair "Speed to Spare": Fair-Poor "Hatter's Castle" (British): Poor "Shaggy": Poor "Waterfront at Midnight" : FairPoor "Emperor Waltz": Very Good-Good '"Dream Girl": Fair-Poor "Big Town Scandal": Fair-Poor "So Evil My Love": Fair "A Foreign Affair": Good "Beyond Glory": Good "Sorry, Wrong Number": Good Sixteen pictures have been checked with the following results: Very Good-Good, 1; Good, 3; Good-Fair, 1; Fair, 4; Fair-Poor, 4; Poor, 3. 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