Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1941)

8 Motion Picture Daily Tuesday, October 21, 1941 Film Probe Scored By Newbold Morris At SMPE Meeting Declaring that freedom of speech and freedom of the screen are closely interrelated, Newbold Morris, president of the City Council of New York, scored the Senate investigation of the film industry in an address at the opening luncheon of the convention of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers at the Hotel Pennsylvania yesterday. Morris praised the industry for portraying conditions abroad as they are lived today, and characterized the probe of alleged film propaganda as "ill-considered." He saw in the probe grounds for fear of the survival of American institutions, and expressed the feeling that such investigations could lead to the destruction of democratic processes. Rosenblatt Demands Inquiry Sol A. Rosenblatt, administrator of the film industry NRA code and film industry attorney, another luncheon speaker, likewise attacked the Senate probe, calling it "the first Munich putsch against freedom of expression in the United States." He demanded an investigation of the investigation, so that the forces behind the attack might be exposed. Other speakers at the luncheon were Francis S. Harmon of the MPPDA, who described the manner in which the film industry is cooperating with the War Department in the production of training films for the Army, and Claude Lee, director of public relations for Paramount. Officers Re-elected At the elections which featured the opening day's business of the fourday convention, four officers were reelected as follows : D. E. Hyndman, engineering vice-president ; A. S. Dickinson, financial vice-president ; P. J. Larson, secretary, and George Friedl, Jr., treasurer. Their terms expire at the end of this year. The terms of other officers do not expire until next year. Members of the board of governors elected include Frank E. Carlson, E. M. Honan and J. A. Maurer, Dr. Alfred N. Goldsmith was elected chairman of the Atlantic Coast Section. The first of the convention's technical sessions opened yesterday, with a general session in the morning, a general and 16mm. session in the afternoon and another general session in the evening. The meeting was opened with a welcoming address by Emery Huse, president. Talks on Army Films The use of films in Army training was described by Lt. Col. M. E. Gillette, in charge of training film production at Fort Monmouth, N. J., and "Film Production for Education" was described by Floyde E. Brooker of the U. S. Office of Education. Dr. Goldsmith told the evening session of his "increased range" system of film photography. Other papers of the day included mobile television equipment, color television, the development of new photocell equipment, equipment problems of 16mm. photography and other technical phases of 16mm. Argentine Steaks Mean More Than Films— Disney Disney Foresees Hard Times Ahead "Film companies will be lucky to break even during the next four or five years, perhaps," Walt Disney declared in an opinion on world film conditions in an interview here yesterday. "But," he said, "they must keep going and they must stay on top." Odeon Link Seen In Deal for G. B. (Continued from page 1) expected to purchase the shares of the Ostrer Brothers in Metropolis & Bradford Trust, which controls Gaumont British. The acquisition would give the General Film group a controlling interest in the Gaumont circuit and a larger share in the Gaumont Studios, which currently are controlled by 20th Century-Fox. It is believed that Mark Ostrer and Woolf would be joint managing directors, while Maurice Ostrer is expected to remain in charge of the Gaumont Shepherd's Bush studio. The remaining 49 per cent of the shares of Metropolis & Bradford are held by 20th Century-Fox. Isidore Ostrer, chairman of Gaumont British, is expected to retire. It is understood General Film plans no further share interest in the company than is necessary to insure control. The Tatler Theatre, Gaumont house in the West End of London, which was damaged by bombs during the Nazi attacks of last Spring, will reopen next Monday, with a season of Russian films. Critic Quits, Charges Probe Copy Changed (Continued from page 1) to these accounts, Herold charges his copy was changed. His original copy as written read: "Wendell Willkie is counsel for the motion picture industry in the sessions. Nothing will come of the investigation." The copy, after being changed, according to Herold's charges, as reported, read: "Wendell Willkie, the biggest dud in modern political history, is properly cast as counsel for the motion picture industry in the session. There is a lot of interventionist stuff in the movies, especially in the newsreels, and something should be done about it." Herold, it is reported, does not believe that at all, and when he read those changed lines it came as a shock to him, particularly because Willkie is considered a close personal friend by him. Crosby Returns from S.A. Bing Crosby arrived yesterday on the Brazil from a seven-week visit to South America. He plans to leave for the Coast on Friday, with a stopover in Chicago. (Continued from page 1) can people and came away believing they are "pro-American." Disney's reactions to the South American nations were uniformly approving, but the penultimate in enthusiasm was released when he spoke of those slabs of beef as big as a table top. We could send them good pictures in return for the beef, and perhaps fewer "hams." It is better to send a genuinely good American picture without a Latin-American theme than to send one made especially for them which may not please them as well, in Disney's opinion. Nevertheless, he plans to utilize their folklore, dance and musical talent and many of their native animals in a series of about 12 shorts during next year. Some of the subjects will utilize the Spanish language but all will be made for general distribution, not for Latin America alone. His plans for new feature length films include "Bambi," "Wind in the Willows" and "Uncle Remus." Disney said there are "great stories" available in South America for films, but that they won't be obtained until Hollywood sends some one down there for them. They must be obtained "first hand," he believes. Party Marks Disney Return from S. A. About 200 persons attended a party for Walt Disney upon his return from South America given by RKO and the Disney office at the Waldorf-Astoria yesterday. Among those present were Ned E. Depinet, A. W. Smith, Cresson Smith, S. Barret McCormick, James Mulvey, Jack Alicoate, Sam Shain, Jack Pegler, James Finey, Glendon Allvine, Gus Eyssell, Roy Disney, Phil Reisman, Charles Koerner, Robert Mochrie, David Hopkins, L. E. Thompson, Harry Mandell, Ruth Morrow, Harlan Thompson, Toni Spitzer, Rutgers Neilson, Jack Level. Doubt Probe Group Inquiry on Radio (Continued from page 1) subcommittee concludes its inquiry. It is also asserted in authoritative quarters that it is the intention of subcommittee leaders not to extend its future sessions over more than a week's duration, following which a report is expected to be made to the full Committee on Interstate Commerce headed by Sen. Burton K. Wheeler. Sessions will begin on Oct. 27, should Sen. D. Worth Clark of Idaho be successful in obtaining a quorum of members. Otherwise another postponement will be taken. Eight New Pictures Approved by Legion The National Legion of Decency for the current week has approved for general patronage all eight of the new films reviewed. The new films follow, all in Class A-l, Unobjectionable for General Patronage: "Dumbo," "Jesse James at Bay," "Lone Rider Fights Back," "Never Give a Sucker an Even Break," "Smilin' Through," "Stick to Your Guns," "Twilight on the Trail," "Two Latins from Manhattan." 'Target' Opens Big OnBVay;'Yank' to Get 5th Roxy Week "Target for Tonight" is estimated to have taken $6,900 at the Globe Theatre on Broadway, Friday through Sunday, the opening engagement of the Warner feature on the R. A. F. in action. "A Yank in the R. A. F." M\ play a fifth week at the Roxy, ginning next Friday, the first to play more than four weeks at the house since "Alexander's Ragtime Band," in August, 1938. Business Holds Pace Broadway grosses held up well over the weekend, with excellent Fall weather. The weekend business at the Roxy led to the decision to hold the film, which with a stage show drew an estimated $30,000 Friday through Sunday of the fourth week. The theatre reported it played to 412,091 admissions in 24 days. "Belle Starr" is now scheduled to go in on Oct. 31. At the Radio City Music Hall, "All That Money Can Buy" and a stage show drew an estimated $59,000 Thursday through Sunday of the first week, and will be replaced Thursday by "You'll Never Get Rich." The Paramount reported an estimated $20,000 for Saturday and Sunday, with an expected $41,000 for the week ending tomorrow night, for "Hold Back the Dawn" and Xavier Cugat and his orchestra, which will complete its third week tomorrow. It will be followed by "Nothing But the Truth" and a stage show featuring Johnny Long and Larry Adler and their orchestra, and the Andrews Sisters. 'Soldier' Opens Oct. 31 "Sergeant York," playing at the Strand with Phil Spitalny and his orchestra featuring the stage show, took an estimated $26,000 Friday through Sunday. "This Woman Is Mine" at the Rivoli drew an estimated $16,000 for the week ending last Friday. "The Chocolate Soldier" will open at the Astor Theatre on Oct. 31 instead of Oct. 28, as originally scheduled. Closing Ascap-Nets Pacts Due Thursday Closing of the new Ascap license agreements with NBC and CBS ending the nearly 10 months old radiomusic war is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, radio officials indicated yesterday. Formal closing is contingent upon the receipt of a sufficient number of acceptances of the pact from independent affiliated station operators, but no difficulty in obtaining the required number is anticipated by officials in view of the endorsement given the new contract by the copyright committee of Independent Broadcasters, Inc., last Friday. Cut Chicago Prices Chicago, Oct. 20. — Warners have reduced the Saturday and Sunday matinee admissions at the Stratford Theatre. Saturday prices, previously 30 cents plus tax until 6 P. M. now are 25 cents plus tax. The Sunday admission was 40 cents plus tax all day. An early bird price of 30 cents plus tax is now in effect from 12 noon until 2:30 P. M.