Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1941)

ednesdav. October 22. 1941 Motion Picture Daily 13 orced to Be [Friendly with Bioff : Warner (Continued from page 1) ftcr the strike at the Columbia studio kXovember, 1937. Warner testified It he called in the studio police who ssigned two men to follow him in car for a period of two weeks. P^hen nothing happened during that mod, the men were withdrawn, Varner testified. Austin C. Keough, Paramount secretary and general counsel, is expected be the principal witness today, here is a possibility that the Government may complete its case today, al"luugh it was pointed out that lengthy (Toss-examination of Keough may |i re vent this. W. B. Executives Testify Besides Warner, Thomas J. Martin, ompany auditor, and Samuel Carlisle, Jontroller and assistant treasurer, |i»'ere the day's witnesses. Carlisle's |n>ss-examination is expected to end rarly this morning and the GovernJiunt is expected to round out its flaim of extortion from four major companies with a recital of alleged ocrurrences at Paramount. Carlisle described his first meeting Lvith Bioff in May, 1936, when he irtas introduced to Bioff by Albert Warner, vice-president and treasurer of Warner Bros. Warner disclosed that Bioff was seeking $15,000, Carlisle said, and Carlisle suggested a check. This offer was rejected by Bioff who insisted on cash, the witiness continued. Bioff said he needed the $15,000 as he was going to a labor convention and "had to dish it out to district leaders," Carlisle testified. Carlisle said he turned over $10,000 in cash to Warner about May 24, after receiving instructions that executives were to raise their vouchers. Similar sums were raised in August and December of that year and turned over to Warner, he said. Bioff Flushed In February, 1937, Warner instructed Carlisle to turn over $20,000 to Bioff on March 1, the witness said. An appointment was arranged and Bioff came in that afternoon, Carlisle continued. Bioff's face "flushed" when he saw Martin present. Carlisle said, but he was told that Martin was there for Carlisle's "protection," to prove to Carlisle's superiors that the payment was actually made. According to the witness, Bioff responded that nobody would know of the transaction if they did not mention it, as he would not. Carlisle said that he commented at the time that "this finishes the $50,000," but Bioff pointed out that an additional $50,000 would be due for the next year beginning in April. Carlisle continued with a recital of how he turned over $15,000 in currency to Warner in April and had W. Stewart McDonald, his assistant, turn over an additional $15,000 the next month. Just before Christmas of that year, he sent $5,000 "in cash to Harry M. Warner on the Coast pursuant to instructions from Albert Warner, he declared. On cross-examination, Carlisle said Reviews "Shadow of the Thin Man" (M-G-M) THE popular series of "Thin Man" films, featuring William Powell as Nick Charles, the nonchalant private detective, and Myrna Loy, as his charming and slightly erratic wife, has herein another highly entertaining chapter, which should do very well at almost any box-office. Full of amusing lines and numerous entertaining situations, the picture moves smoothly and swiftly, with a full share of suspense and occasional bits of excitement to keep audience attention held to the screen. W. S. Van Dyke II directed with skill, keeping the loose ends of his mystery well in hand until the final sequence. In support of the two stars are Barry Nelson, as a young crusading newspaper reporter out to smash the crooked racetrack gambling ring ; Donna Reed, as Nelson's sweetheart ; Sam Levene, as the police detective who gets the credit for Powell's success; Alan Baxter, as another reporter involved with the ring ; Lou Lubin, in an excellent character bit as a member of the gang ; Dickie Hall, as Powell's small son, and, of course, Asta, the family dog. Powell is persuaded to undertake to help smash the gambling ring when Nelson, a friend, is arrested for one of the two murders the police are working on. The trail leads into various entertaining bypaths until, logically and cleverly, Powell uncovers the killer. Running time, 97 minutes. "G."* Chares S. Aaronson "The Men in Her Life" ( Columbia) T ORETTA YOUNG stars in this picture, which shows the joys and sorrows in the life of a ballerina, and she gives a sympathetic and moving performance. But many audiences not familiar with the ballet will find that the story develops slowly and that the action tends to drag in places. Music and ballet lovers will find a number of finely staged numbers in the hour and a half of running time. Gregory Raton" was the producer and director and there are ample indications that careful attention was given to many details of the film. The story opens with Miss Young, a circus performer who has ambitions to be a dancer, being discovered by a ballet teacher who was once a great star, played by Conrad Veidt. The girl persuades the master to teach her and there begin years of hard work. Finally she makes her debut and is a success. She marries her teacher out of gratitude, although she loves John Shepperd, young Englishman. When her husband dies she marries Dean Jagger, an American, and tries to quit dancing. But she leaves her husband to return to her career. A child is born and the mother allows the husband to take the child to America. Finally some years later she is reunited with her family after her best days as a ballet dancer are over. Women may be expected to shed a few tears at several points in the human story of a woman trying unsuccessfully to give up her career to have a happy married life. The fine cast also includes Eugenie Leontovich, the maid; Otto Kruger, the manager; Paul Baratoff, Ann Todd, Billy Rayes, Ludmila Torerzka and Tom Ladd. Running time, 89 minutes. "G."* M. Q., Jr. *"G" denotes general classification. that he had been told by Albert Warner that the executives whose vouchers would be raised included A. W. Smith, Gradwell Sears and S. Charles Einfeld. Cross-examination by Bioff's counsel was concluded but Martin Conboy, Browne's lawyer, had just begun when the trial was adjourned for the day. Earlier, Martin had told how with Carlisle he had obtained the cash for Warner. Martin identified $91,634 in vouchers which had been used for this purpose and said that the additional $8,366 had been obtained from theatre company vouchers but that these could not be located. A notebook, kept by Martin, which recorded the individual vouchers was introduced in evidence by Judge John C. Knox, after both sides declined to offer it. Martin, too, told of a March, 1937 meeting with Bioff. He said the $20,000 in currency was counted by both himself and Carlisle. Bioff looked surprised when he saw him there, Martin testified, and merely thumbed through the money, without counting it when handed the envelope. Martin said he then walked away from the table and could not hear what was said between Bioff and Carlisle and that the former left the room. Both Martin and Carlisle said that a safe deposit box at the Manufacturers Trust Co. contained company cash, from which currency was obtained for the alleged payments. Carlisle also had an office safe in which cash was kept, it was testified. Martin said amounts up to thirty to fifty thousand dollars were kept in the bank vault and up to $5,000 in the office safe. Abandons Stock Plan Providence, Oct. 21. — Claiming inability to book enough suitable plays, Abe A. Spitz has announced temporary abandonment of his plan to start a season of stock at the Playhouse on Nov. 3. Unity, Taxes Major Issues, Myers States (Continued from page 1) they can help settle differences between distributors and exhibitors, if they can establish a permanent point of contact for coordinating efforts and for opposing attempts to discredit the industry as a whole. Our job is to see that films aren't classified like gasoline, liquor, tobacco and other whipping boys of taxation." Myers cited the efforts of Senators James Davis of Pennsylvania, Robert LaFollette of Wisconsin and David Walsh of Massachusetts in the industry's fight on the recent Federal tax proposals. Opposes Consent Decree Fred Beedle, AMPTO president, in his address, said he blamed the "increase of film prices" on the consent decree. "We started out in the Fall of 1940 with the consent decree on our minds, and we are finishing up the Fall of 1941 with the consent decree on our backs," he declared. "Who consented to what?" Beedle suggested revision of the national and regional Allied constitutions and that "all delegates be eligible to vote" in national conventions. He scored exhibitors' inactivity in organization affairs and reviewed the formation of the local defense investigation committee. Address by Richey Greater emphasis by exhibitors on the selling of their product and the selling of the theatre institutionally to the public was foreseen by H. M. Richey, director of exhibitor relations for M-G-M, in an address before the convention. "I believe the time is rapidly passing when the theatre owner will occupy the majority of his time buying and little of his time selling," Richey said. Constructive exhibitor organization is vital to the security of the business, he said, and attacks from outside have tended to drive all elements of the industry closer together. He stressed the importance of industry unity under present conditions. Richey reiterated M-G-M's policy of attempting to bring about better industry relations, and the company's intention to live up to the consent decree. The arbitration system is proving to be a "constructive force," he declared. More intensive selling is necessary today, Richey pointed out, with the competition for the working man's amusement dollar keener than ever. Reviews Legislation Fred Herrington, executive secretary, reviewed AMPTO activity in state legislative matters which resulted in the defeat of a two-men-in-a-booth bill, a bill to prohibit Sunday admission to children under 15 years, and other measures. Thornton Kelly of New York explained the acceptance of National Screen Service cooperative advertising film plan by the New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania units of Allied. M. A. Rosenberg, convention chairman, said although the AMPTO board had rejected the plan, he would ask its reconsideration if the membership so desired.