Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1941)

6 Motion Picture Daily Tuesday, July 15, 194 New York Preview "Parachute Battalion" (RKO— 1941-'42 release) A S timely as tomorrow's headlines, keyed to the national concentration on defense of the moment, and centering about one of the most daring of the Army's units, the parachute battalions, this film should have its audience all ready and waiting. It is laden with the kind of thrill and suspense action which might be expected, and it all adds up to fast-moving entertainment with plenty of exploitation material at the finger ends of the alert showman. The names are not of top caliber for the marquee, but the ingredients and location are. Much of the film was taken at Fort Benning, Ga., headquarters of the Army's parachute troops, to which the nation has given considerable recent attention. Almost every newspaper headline, in any case, is a plug for the film. Romantic complications are provided by the rivalry of Robert Preston, ex-All American football hero, and Edmond O'Brien, son of the colonel, but "on his own," for Nancy Kelly. The latter is the daughter of Harry Carey, master sergeant, and veteran of parachute work in the Army. Good support is furnished by Buddy Ebsen, comic hillbilly ; Richard Cromwell, in a bit as a soldier who is afraid; Paul Kelly, as the sergeant, and Robert Barrat, as the colonel. The rivalry and O'Brien's early fear are worked out through thrill and action, culminating in a daring rescue of Preston by his rival, and O'Brien's capture of the girl. Leslie Goodwins, director, kept the pace fast and action uppermost. Howard Benedict produced. Running time, 75 minutes. "G."* Charles S. Aaronson Key Cities' Reaction to Trade Shows (.Continued from page 4) those in whose name the invitation was issued. Exchange heads said any exhibitor who wanted to see a picture before he played it "always had the opportunity." They pointed out that the neighborhood houses play pictures from 42 to 90 days after first run opening, and any exhibitor thus could see pictures weeks before he plays them. Moreover, exchangemen said, they could see no logic in running special screenings for $20 accounts. The exhibitors, by and large, never manifest real interest in trade showings they say, and the consent decree is not going to change lifelong buying habits. Albany Sixty persons were present for M-G-M's "Lady Be Good" trade show today. Out-of-towners included Andy Roy, Lou Stolz, Jack Breslin, Warners Theatres managers in Utica ; Frieder and Grossman, Community, Hudson ; Pete Varnaskis, Watertown ; George Thornton, Saugerties ; Viv Sweet, Star, Salem and Swan, Greenwich ; Frank Williams and Ed Burke, Benton Circuit, Saratoga. Fabian circuit managers attended en masse. New Orleans The first trade showings were held by RKO and M-G-M at opposite ends of the city but despite two screenings, officials were well satisfied with the attendance. Page M. Baker, RKO manager, said that although his showing was not as well attended as he hoped, representatives from the country as well as New Orleans were present. He believes that as time goes on more exhibitors will attend and expects a larger attendance at the showing of "Citizen Kane" Thursday. The M-G-M showing was also attended by both country and city exhibitors. Showings for M-G-M will be held each Monday, and for RKO each day this week. Pittsburgh Opinion varied among exhibitors on the trade showing policy today as 36 exhibitors attended the RKO showing at the Rialto Theatre and 52 attended the M-G-M screening at the same house. Most were independents. Manager Herbert Greenblatt handled the RKO showing and M-G-M Manager Byron Stoner handled his company's screening. Attendance included Western Pennsylvania Allied President Fred Beedle of Cannonsburg; former President M. A. Rosenberg, Pittsburgh; Russell Wehrle Braddock ; Samuel Hanauer, Beaver Falls ; Leon Reichblum, Charleroi ; Mrs. J. L. Keiser, Charleroi ; Dale Tysinger, McKees Rocks ; Robert Stahl, Homestead ; William Wheat, Sewickley ; Harry Walker, M. N. Shapero, Harry Brovvarsky of Pittsburgh ; William Thomas, Zelienople ; Steve Radonok, Oakmont ; Peg Blatt, East Brady ; no representatives of Warner Bros, or Harris circuits were present. RKO showings will be held every morning this week. Approximately 600 invitations have been sent. *"G" denotes general classification. Cleveland Sixty-five persons, including exhibitors, from Cleveland and surrounding cities attend RKO's first trade showing today at the Lake Theatre for "Parachute Battalion," which, officials said, was well received. The RKO showing continues the rest of the week. M-G-M showings start tomorrow. Dallas An attendance of 150, including exhibitors, was counted at the RKO showing this morning, and about the same number attended the M-G-M screening in the afternoon. Independent exhibitors were reported well pleased and the large circuits are cooperating to make the plan successful. One exhibitor said such screenings are advantageous to the exhibitor because he sees the product before buying instead of screening after purchase for booking purposes. Both RKO and M-G-M say no sales effort is being made at this time. Minneapolis About 170 persons, including many Minneapolis territory exhibitors, attended the initial block-of-five screening, of RKO's "Parachute Battalion" at the St. Louis Park Theatre today. Most exhibitors appeared to favor the new system of showing pictures before selling. M-G-M will have its first screening tomorrow. Indianapolis About 400 persons, including theatre men, attended RKO's first trade showing, held this morning at the St. Clair Theatre. Many of those attending were from circuits in cities a considerable distance from here and comment generally was favorable, M-G-M held its first showing this afternoon at the Talbott but declined to reveal details. Cincinnati Approximately 30 exhibitors attended the initial trade showings here today. Local leaders present at both included Arthur Frudenfeld, RKO, division manager ; Frank W. Huss, president, Associated Theatres, and Louis Wiethe, circuit operator. Reaction to both pictures was reported highly favorable. Exchange managers anticipate larger attendance at later showings as exhibitors become accustomed to the plan. Omaha Sixty-five exhibitors attended MG-M's first block-of-five screening and about 30 attended RKO's initial showing. Indications point to good attendance Mondays, the exhibitor's regular visiting day on Film Row, but little, if any, during the week, except by exhibitors very close Omaha. Reaction all around was lukewarm. New Haven Sixteen exhibitor representatives, including nine independents, attended the RKO screening. More are expected to attend tomorrow, the usual visiting day on Film Row. Some independents consider the first showings a test. They said they plan to attend daily this week. At today's screening were J. B. Fishman, Connecticut Allied president ; I. J. Hoffman, Warner Theatres zone manager, and five others from the circuit. Atlanta Attending the RKO trade showings at the exchange here were 22 representatives of circuits and major theatres. Among those present were Mike Smith and H. T. Beaudry of the Army camp theatres ; five from the Lucas & Jenkins circuit, and others representing groups and individual houses. Don Prince, RKO manager, said "Parachute Battalion" was well received. Testing Singles Columbus, O., July 14— The Riverside Auto Theatre, suburban drive-in, played double features two nights this weeks to determine audience preference on single or double bills. Court Admits Records In Crescent Tria Nashville, July 14. — The Crescen Amusement Co., on trial in Federa Court here on anti-trust charges, wit the "Little 3" received anothe^ tetn porary setback today wher' * M Elmer Davies permitted the ii/ir tion, as evidence against the defend ants, of correspondence between an in dependent Kentucky exhibitor an Paramount officials. This corre spondence was admitted subject to itbeing competent by Government proc of conspiracy. Earlier in the trial, the court ha ruled out inter-office communication of the distributor officials until thes officials can testify personally. Exteir sive argument preceded the rulin made today. E. Q. Dozier, former operator c the Roxy Theatre, Earlington, Ky1 testified that certain product which h had anticipated receiving from Para mount was canceled after Paramoun sold away to Crescent in the nearb) town of Madisonville. The corre spondence which was admitted re ferred to this situation. C. G. Lawing, of Charlotte, N. C. former operator of theatres in Brown ville, Paris, and other Tennesse towns, was another witness. M-G-M Policy Based On Receipts: Riche) (Continued from page 1) barometer of what theatre owners wil pay for product "Any sales formula is as good a: the reputation of the company making it," Richey said. Another principal address was made by Francis S. Harmon, co-ordinatoi of the Committee for National Defense of the motion picture industry He spoke on the activities of the committee. Julian Brylawski, Washington, D. C, exhibitor leader, told about his recent trip to army camps in connection with the showing of product at the cantonments. He revealed that one of the chief Army complaints was about the "dated" nature of the films shown. These camp showings were not direct competition with theatres. Mayor J. Biclcford of Hampton welcomed the convention delegates and William F. Crockett, president, presided. Pierce Boulogne, Norfolk exhibitor, was named to the board of directors. The convention closed with a banquet in the Hotel Chamberlin. The mid-Winter convention of the organization will be held in Richmond at the John Marshall Hotel, in February. Jersey House Files New York Complaint The Keyport Theatre Co. (Louis Snaper) which operates the Strand, Keyport, N. J., filed an arbitration complaint with the New York office yesterday asking that the 12-day clearance which the first run Asbury Park, N. J., houses have over the Strand be reduced.