Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1940)

s Motion Picture daily Monday, November 11, 1940 Critics9 Quotes . . . "THE THIEF OF BAGDAD" (Korda-U. A.) The picture's too great length and occasional dramatic lapses are defects easily overbalanced by the striking handsomeness of it all . . . the supreme escapist film, an extraordinary treat for both the eye and the imagination. — Virginia Wright, Los Angeles News. The most beautiful picture of this or any other year ... a picture that everyone will want to see. . . . The direction of Ludwig Berger, Michael Powell and Tim Whelan is particularly noteworthy. . . . The scenario is credited to Lajos Biro, who can take a bow with everyone who had a part in this amazing spectacle. — Louellm O. Parsons, Los Angeles Examiner. The picture may have its dragging spots but it is veritably a revelation of the pictorial spirit and splendor of screen fantasy . . . really pictorial screen poetry ; it lacks some of the more essential cinematics. — Edzvin Schallert, Los Angeles Times. A lavish and exquisitely presented fantasy ; a highly imaginative thriller of "wonders" in which the creators of the scenic effects and the tricks shine above the stars of the film ... a rare and beautiful production, but necessarily long. — Jimmy Starr, Los Angeles Herald Express. "ESCAPE" (M-G-M) Just as readers found it impossible to put down Ethel Vance's "Escape" before turning the final page, so the audience sat spellbound or gave way to nervous laughter throughout the accurate and gripping picture M-G-M has made from this hair-raising novel. — Mildred Martin, Philadelphia Inquirer. An expert, adult and deeply stirring screen drama — one marked for a place among the year's best. . . . The film's success is threefold : A script that builds with tremendous suspense ; an international cast of superlative talent, and a production of intelligence and taste. — Elsie Finn, Philadelphia Record. Though we may feel that we have had a surfeit of Nazi propaganda pictures, when it comes to one so full of drama, excitement and suspense as "Escape," we may be glad that Hollywood decided to give us just one more. . . . Mervyn LeRoy keeps suspense and excitement at a high pitch. — Dorothy Guinan, Philadelphia Daily News. Not since he made the memorable "They Won't Forget" of a few seasons ago has LeRoy exhibited such capacity for sustained excitement, such ability to turn stars into performers. — Henry T. Murdoch, Philadelphia Ledger. While interest occasionally lags, "Escape" is outstanding for moments of gripping suspense. — Laura Lee, Philadelphia Bulletin. The screen version — excellently acted and comparing favorably with its source in the creation of an almost intolerable suspense — should prove as popular (as the book). — Newsweek. Hoblitzelle Gives Three Ambulances Dallas, Nov. 10.— Karl Hoblitzelle has given three ambulances for service in Great Britain. One was given in his own name, one in the name of Interstate Circuit and the other in the name of Texas Consolidated Theatres, which he also heads. Each ambulance cost $1,350. Century — 20th-Fox Action Is Settled The suit of 20th Century-Fox against Century Circuit for $70,000 damages for alleged violation of contracts to plav 20th Century-Fox films during the 1938-'39 and 1939-'40 seasons was settled and discontinued in N. Y. Supreme Court on Friday. Century had counter-claimed for $75,000, claiming breach of contract by the plaintiff. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed but attorneys stated that Century Circuit would continue doingbusiness with the plaintiff. La Crosse Action Is Delayed by Illness Milwaukee, Nov. 10. — The sudden illness of Robert A. Hess, counsel for the LaCrosse Theatres Co., has resulted in the indefinite postponement of the theatre company's $1,476,000 suit in the U. S. District Court at Madison against United Artists, Paramount, 20th Century-Fox, Welworth Theatre Co. and Alinnesota Amusement Co. The case, now in its second week, is being heard before Federal Judge Patrick T. Stone and a jury. Conn. Allied to Name Decree Hearing Unit New Haven, Nov, 10. — Allied Theatre Owners of Connecticut will meet here Tuesday at the Hof-Brau Haus Restaurant, with A. M. Schuman presiding after a long absence because of illness. The group will further discuss the consent decree, and name a committee to attend the hearing of exhibitors' complaints on the decree in New York on Thursday. RKO Party for Kyser Kay Kyser and members of his "College of Musical Knowledge" will be guests at a cocktail party given by RKO at the Starlight Roof of the Waldorf-Astoria at 5 P. M. today. Also as a guest will be Gilbert Wright, son of Harold Bell Wright, who has invented the Sonovox, a sound development, which, it is claimed, was used for the first time in Kyser's new film, "You'll Find Out." Henie Verdict Ordered A deadlocked jury in the commission suit of Richard Scanlan against Sonja Henie was instructed Friday by New York Supreme Court Justice Aron Steuer to hand up a sealed verdict tomorrow. Scanlan claims Miss Henie obtained her 20th Century-Fox contract through him. The trial lasted four days. S.P.G. Promised Support The American Newspaper Guild's support to the Screen Publicists Guild in its negotiations for recognition apd a contract with the major companies in New York was promised at a meeting of the S. P. G late last week by Jack Ryan, Newspaper Guild organizer. Mayo in S.A.G. Post Hollywood, Nov. 10. — Harry Mayo has been appointed chairman of the Screen Actors Guild Class B Council, which governs the affairs of extra players. W. B. Pittsburgh Fete Pittsburgh, Nov. 10. — Several hundred persons attended the Warner Club dinner and dance here tonight at the William Penn Hotel. James Totman, president, was chairman. RKO Buys Hatch Story "Unexpected Uncle," the Eric Hatch story recently serialized by Liberty Magazine, has been purchased by RKO. Joseph J. Krause Dies Milwaukee, Nov. 10. — Joseph J. Krause, 50, retired theatre manager, is dead here. For more than 25 years Krause was associated with the old Empress and Gayety theatres here. He is survived by a daughter, two sons, two sisters and two brothers. Mrs. Lena Cohen Dies Lewiston, Pa., Nov. 10. — Mrs. Lena Cohen, mother of Harold D. Cohen, manager of the Embassy Theatre here, died last week after a longillness. Si Rudnick Dies at 47 New Haven, Nov. 10. — Si Rudnick, 46, stagehand at the Loew-Poli here for the past 10 years, and prior to that at the old Hyperion and Bijou, died late last week of a heart attack. Grapewin as Jeeter Hollywood, Nov. 10. — Charley Grapewin has been assigned the role of Jeeter in "Tobacco Road" by 20th Century-Fox. Ruling Sought on Sunday Vote in Pa. Pittsburgh, Nov. 10.— Attorneys in several suburban cities have requested a legal ruling on the referendum on Sunday film shows last Tuesday on the ground that a number of voters wrote "Yes" on the ballot instead of marking an X. These ballots have been declared invalid by the election board. The official decision may decide the issue in at least three towns in Western Pennsylvania where the vote was close. Brooklyn Operators Vote on Bargaining A secret ballot to determine the collective bargaining agency for projectionists at the Venus, Graham and Radio Theatres, all in Brooklyn, has resulted in a vote of three for United Theatrical and M. P. Service Employes Union, two opposed and one vote challenged, the State Labor Relations Board announced Friday. The vote was held Thursday. The single challenge was made by the S.L.R.B. The challenged vote will not be counted until it is determined whether the challenge shall be upheld. Indiana Meeting Is Delayed to Nov. 25 Indianapolis, Nov. 10. — To avoid conflict with Armistice Day, the board of directors of the Associated Theatre Owners of Indianapolis has changed the date of their annual convention, which was to have been tomorrow and Tuesday. The new date is Nov. 25 and 26. The place is still the Hotel Antlers here and exhibitors from Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky are expected to attend. Producers Lab Sues 'U' Over 'Wife' Title Producers Laboratories, Inc., filed suit Friday in N. Y. Supreme Court to restrain Universal from distributing "Hired Wife." An accounting is also asked. Producers claims it owns a film titled "A Hired Wife" and contends that Universal's picture "violates its exclusive right" to that title. The Roxy, which showed the film, is also made a defendant. Warner Managers Leave After Meeting Warner district managers returned to their headquarters over the weekend following home office conferences Thursday and Friday with Gradwell L. Sears, general sales manager ; Carl Leserman, assistant, and Mort Blumenstock, advertising and publicity head in the East. Atlas Sues Mexican Firm Atlas Film Exchange, Inc., has filed suit in the New York Supreme Court for unstated damages against German Camus y Cia. Atlas claims that the defendant, a Mexican film company, violated an agreement to give the plaintiff U. S. distribution rights to the film "Cafe Concordia" for six years. Lauds British Film Aid to Morale London, Nov. 10. AT the annual licensing session of the London County Council, the legislative body of the municipality, held on Friday, Reginald Stamp, chairman of the Committee of Entertainment, paid tribute to the English film theatres and the industry. He lauded the trade's "splendid work" in helping materially to sustain public morale in the face of continued bombing attacks by Nazi air raiders.