Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1936)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Monday, November 23, 1936 National Censorship Functions in Mexico By JAMES LOCKHART Mexico City, Nov. 20. — {Via Air Mail). — The new national film censor board in Mexico has begun to function. It is composed of three men appointed by the Ministry of the Interior. The Confederation of Mexican Workers has asked the ministry to permit a representative on the censor board. Film interests have requested President Lazaro Cardenas to take action to avoid the conflict which has arisen between the national censor board and the Mexico City censor. The film people say they have no objection to censorship, but point out the confusion which develops from the system of two boards. Both collect fees. The National board is favored. Penalties will be imposed for evasion of censorship. The country's first cooperative society of film workers, long in formation, finally has been organized. It is known as the Cooperative Society of Mexican M. P. Workers for Film Production and Exploitation. It is receiving Government assistance from the Ministry of National Economy and plans the production of several pictures. * * * Producers here are discovering that increased cost of films pays. The average cost of productions has risen in recent years from approximately $18,000 to $30,000. Censure Seattle Censors Seattle, Nov. 22. — Seattle's censors were themselves roundly censured here this week by the City Council. The rebuke came in connection with the recent showing of "Ecstasy" at John Danz's Winter Garden. A council investigation disclosed that the film was booked into the Winter Garden only after it had been given an official OK by the censor board. After a three-day run the council requested that it be discontinued because of protests. At its regular session yesterday, the council went on record as publicly censuring the board for passing the film, and advised it to be more discriminating in the future. "Claudius" Starts Today London, Nov. 12. — Following appointment of W. Cameron Menzies as associate producer of London Films, Josef Von Sternberg has been signed to direct "I, Claudius," to which Menzies was originally assigned. The picture, with Merle Oberon and Charles Laughton, goes on the floor at Denham Nov. 23. Ban Negro Show in Ala. Birmingham, Ala., Nov. 22. — Presentation of an all-Negro musical show at the Alabama at midnight Saturday was banned by Commission President Jones and Commissioners Downs and Robinson, who took the action as a matter of public policy. La Rocque to Hagen London, Nov. 22. — Rod La Rocque has been signed by Julius Hagen for the lead in "She Got What She Wanted," Albert de Courville directing. It is La Rocque's first British film. MOTION PICTURE DAILY* HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW "The Plainsman" ( D eMill eParamount) Hollywood, Nov. 22.— Grand entertainment for anybody, "The Plainsman" is finely done, martial, thrilling, action-loaded western drama and romance and is certain to be an impressive box-office attraction. Produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille, the film matches some of his other great pictures that have blended historical fact with emotion-touching fiction. Effectively merging the story content with worthy characterizations and spectacular production effects, the picture balances romance with drama and comedy, and combines the whole with nerve-tingling action. It is a blood-and-thunder saga of the west following the Civil War. The picture takes vivid chapters from the careers of "Wild Bill" Hickok Calamity Jane, Buffalo Bill, General Custer, Indian Chiefs Yellow Hand, and Painted Horse, against backgrounds of authentic history to tell in roaring terms how a vast domain was wrested from the red men and white renegades. It also tells a poignant story of a woman's love for a man denied to her during his life and who is lost to her when a traitor's bullet mows him down. It is meaty stuff, but not lacking in those compensating qualities that make desirable entertainment for all. Gary Cooper, as Hickok, gives one of his more telling performances. Jean Arthur is both a man's and a woman's Calamity Jane. DeMille's technique further enables James Ellison, as Buffalo Bill ; Helen Burgess, as his wife; John Miljan, as Custer; Paul Harvey, as Yellow Hand; Victor Varconi, as Painted Horse, and Frank Albertson, as a fearcrazed trooper, to check in with performances marking high spots in their careers. It is based on data from stories by Courtney Riley Cooper and Frank Wilstach concerning Hickok's part in winning early western frontiers, with liberal license taken in bringing in other historic figures and incidents. Jeanie MacPherson compiled the material and Waldemar Young, Harold Lamb and Lynn Riggs, scenarists, turned out an intelligent continuity. Vivid camera work has been done by Victor Milner and George Robinson. Farciot Edouart and Gordon Jennings collaborated on the spectacular production detail. It is dramatically effective. Similarly, George Antheil's original music, directed by Boris Morros, is a potent factor in intensifying the picture's moods. A potential natural in any competition in any season, showmen need have no fears that patrons will not enthuse over this stirring, human interest entertainment. Production Code Seal No. 2,597. Running time, 110 minutes. "G." "The Plainsman" is tentatively scheduled to open at the Paramount on Jan. 7. "Career Woman" (Wurtzel-Twentieth Century-Fox) Hollywood, Nov. 22. — An attempt is made here to combine tense drama with farce comedy and the result is a confused picture of doubtful entertainment value. The elements portrayed are small-town bigotry ; justice as doled out by metropolitan and rural courts, and two romances, one naive and the other sophisticated. Claire Trevor and Michael Whalen, as lawyers, dominate the cast. Whalen, supposedly a brainy trickster, resorts to theatricalism to win his verdicts. Miss Trevor, insistent on the strict ethics of the code, returns to the small town to practice. Whalen's romantic pursuit links the pair to try Miss Trevor's first case — the defense of Isabel Jewell, who is accused of murdering her father, Charles Middleton, in a misunderstanding over her romance with Eric Linden. The complications which they produce are treated first dramatically and then farcically, making the picture neither one nor the other. Lamar Trotti's screen play, based on a story by Gene Fowler, shows only a superficial knowledge of the social problems involved, and the direction of Lewis Seiler seems unable to make the situations clear. Supporting players include Edward Brophy, Gene Lockhart, Guinn Wrilliams and Virginia Field. Milton Feld is creditable as assistant producer. The nature of the story indicates doubtful reception by both metropolitan and rural audiences. Production Code Seal No. 2,802. Running time, 73 minutes. "G." Milwaukee License Is Asked for Games Milwaukee, Nov. 22. — Alderman John Schultz, chairman of the Common Council License Committee, has asked the city attorney to draft an ordinance licensing and regulating theatres and taverns which sponsor Bank Night, Hollywood and similar revenue producing schemes. The proposed annual fee is $100. Alderman Schultz declared that permitting theatres and taverns to hold Bank Nights is granting them a special privilege for which they should be made to pay a reasonable license fee. "Bank Nights at theatres and taverns require special police protection and in my opinion violate some of the fire ordinances," Alderman Schultz declared. Bank Night in Omaha Omaha, Nov. 22.— With all five downtown and all 23 suburban houses cooperating, weekly Bank Night will be started in Omaha in the near future, it has been learned. Although several other Nebraska towns have had Bank Night for some time, this is the first time all the locals were able to get together on the plan. The initial prize will be $1,000. Car giveaways will be discarded. Circuit Sued on Game Oklahoma City, Nov. 22. — Affiliated Enterprises, Inc., Denver, distributor of Bank Night, has brought suit in U. S. District Court here against Standard Theatres, asking an injunction and $10,000 damages. The plaintiff alleges that Standard's Bank Deposit Award Night plan is an infringement of the Bank Night patent. K. C. Operators Delay Kansas City, Nov. 22. — Local 71, I.A.T.S.E., will do nothing about contracts with first runs or with subsequents until these come up for renewal Aug. 31, 1937, according to Robert Dillon, business manager. First runs have been operating on the basis of contracts that expired Aug. 31, 1933, except for minor adjustments, and the subsequent^ using union labor are operating on the basis of contracts that expired in 1931. Subsequents changed the expiration date on agreements to Nov. 30 at that time, but the union will present both them and first runs contracts for renewal Aug. 31 next year. Saenger in Union Deal New Orleans, Nov. 22. — The Saenger Amusement Co. has reached an agreement with the stationary engineers for union men in the Saenger, Tudor and Globe. The engineers walked out of these houses some time during the past summer over a disagreement on conditions. Minneapolis Charity Set Minneapolis, Nov. 22.— Invitations to the Variety Club charity ball November 28 at the Hotel Radisson are out. One thousand showmen and friends are expected to attend the second annual major social event. Proceeds will go to the Glen Lake Sanitarium. W. H. Workman, chief barker, will be in charge of the program of dancing and entertainment to be climaxed with a supper at midnight.