Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1940)

r Thursday, August 29, 1940 MOTION PICTURE DAILY 3 Not One Cent for Tribute — Gulfport, Miss., Aug. 28. — Characterizing the demands of the American Legion for 10 per cent of the proceeds from operation of Sunday films here as a tribute the theatres were being required to pay and challenging the patriotism of those who would stop Sunday shows in view of the national defense tax, Paramount Richards Theatres have refused to continue to pay this sum to the American Legion. During the last 11 years the Legion has realized thousands of dollars from a deal with the theatres, which paid the amount to avoid arrest for violation of the Mississippi blue laws. *$hort Subject Reviews "March of Time, No. 13" (RKO) [ With the trading of naval bases for destroyers capturing the leading stories in most newspapers these days, the latest March of Time reel, "Gateways to Panama" tells the story of the necessary defenses for the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal. Using maps to excellent advantage, the reel describes the nature of Caribbean zone and its importance to the Canal. The fact that French and Dutch possessions may be dominated by Germany in the near future is stressed. Highlighting the reel, however, are unusual shots of Devil's Island and Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana. Life in the penal colony is grimly portrayed and emphasis is laid on the possibility that the inhabitants of the island may form a "Fifth Column" group for Germany on this hemisphere. Running time, 20 mins. "Riding Into Society" (Warners) The somewhat incredible and corpulent Elsa Maxwell, about to leave on a boat trip, recounts to a group of reporters and assorted friends how she crashed English society years before. The flashback shows her accidental introduction to an English Lord and Lady, and her hectic experiences with a spirited animal at the Lord's country estate, where horses are apparently the main reason for anyone's existence. With Miss Maxwell screaming and falling, alternately, and between times indulging in witticisms, the subject is active, to say the least. Running time, 19 mins. "Malibu Beach Party" (Warners) A caricature cartoon in color of several of Hollywood's best known stars. Jack Benny gives a party, with the assistance of Rochester and Mary Livingstone, while in attendance are Claudette Colbert, Ned Sparks, Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, Fannie Brice and a number of others. Running time, 7 mins. "Service With the Colors" (Warners) One of the Warner series of patriotic subjects, this short, done in excellent color, pictures the training of the American soldier. With a dramatic story developed through the regeneration by an heroic act of a recalcitrant recruit, the picture shows the representative types who make up the army, and finally shows the men on parade at the San Francisco World's Fair. An excellent and inspiring subject, this should serve its purpose well. Running time, 20 mins. "Football Highlights" (Warners) Here is a vivid and, for the sports fan, a thrilling pictorial compilation of the highlight football plays of the past several years. The camera is focused almost exclusively on the Notre Dame team in action, with closeups of the late famous Knute Rockne. As a matter of fact, the subject becomes a highly entertaining "trailer" for the forthcoming Warner feature, "Knute Rockne, All American." Running time, 10 mins. "Dogs You Seldom See" (Warners) A boy walking along the banks of a stream with his dog meets a painter with a fine collie, and the two discuss dogs. That is the opportunity for picturing, in an interesting color subject, some of the little known breeds, such as the Saluki, Afghan, and two extremely rare species, the Chinese Crested and Mexican Medicine Dog. Running time, 10 mins. "Puttin' on the Act" (Paramount) When Olive Oyl tells Popeye that vaudeville is coming back, the pair start rehearsing their old routine. The result, with Popeye tossing Olive about in strictly cartoon fashion, makes for an average short of its kind. Running time, 7 mins. Grainger to Coast After Griffith Deal Oklahoma City, Aug. 28. — James R. Grainger, Republic president left for the Coast today to preside at a regional sales meeting at the studio tomorrow. While here he closed a deal with the Griffith Circuit for the new season's program, covering theatres in Oklahoma and Texas. Sol Davis, franchise owner, also represented Republic, with Horace Falls and O. H. Stark acting for the circuit. Christopher Drowned Federalsburg, Md., Aug.' 28. — Roger N. Christopher, 34, former manager and owner of the Federal Theatre here, was drowned when he fell from a yacht in the Choptank River during a cruise. The body has not been recovered. Sedif Pictures Formed Dover, Del., Aug. 28.— Sedif Pictures Corp. has been incorporated here with a capital of $10,000. The incorporators were M. S. Cook, A. L. Raughley and F. C. McGee of Dover. YES! WE HAVE