Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1941)

10 Motion Picture Daily Monday, December 1, 194 1 1 Opposition to Garbo Picture Is Spreading {Continued from page 1) open Thursday regardless of the Archbishop's action, because of booking commitments. Williams said that there would be a routine advertising campaign in advance of the opening. Letter to Priests Archbishop Glennon made known his action in a letter to the Catholic priests in which he pointed out the film has been condemned for its "immoral and un-Christian attitude toward marriage and its impudently suggestive scenes, dialogue and costumes." The Archbishop also recalled the pledge of parishioners on December 15, 1940, in which they promised to do all they could to strengthen public opinion against the production of indecent and immoral films and to unite with all who protest against them. "We wish you to make known to your people the condemnation of this film which offends not only the moral law but is an insult to the decent and fair minded citizens of our city," Archbishop Glennon asked the parish priests. Criticism in Press Criticism of the film appeared in the Catholic press. The Review, Catholic publication of Baltimore serving that city and Washington, in a front-page article referring to the Legion's condemnation of the picture, declared : It is unfit to be seen by persons, Catholic or non-Catholic, who depend on the National Legion of Decency as a guide to the movies. "The Review hereby notifies the owners and managers of theatres that the presentation of 'Two-Faced Woman' will be considered by the Catholic Archdioceses of Baltimore and Washington and others as a distinct lowering of standards and an affront to them and will be resented as such." 'Road' Cancellation By Warner Circuit Chicago, Nov. 30. — "We're in the business 52 weeks a year and we're not going to defy public opinion," Larry Stein, Warner Theatres district manager here, declared in connection with the circuit's cancellation of the road show of the play, "To bacco Road," in Hammond, Ind., last week. Warner officials here called off the engagement, scheduled for the Paramount Theatre in Hammond, at the request of Mayor Frank Martin and civic groups, although a Federal court order had been obtained to prevent the Mayor from closing the show on grounds of obscenity. Stein also commented : "We can just about tell when the pressure is enough to warrant a change in our policy." The cancellation is said to have cost the circuit $h,500. The company went from Hammond to St. Louis. "HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY" (20th Century-Fox) "How Green Was My Valley" has a quality and distinction inadequately described by calling it one of the year's best films. — Newsweek. This is a film conceived and executed with dignity, honesty, thoroughness and superlative competence. It is a full-bodied work. It has stature and completeness ; a maximum of cinematic skill, the minimum of movie trickery. — Cecelia Ager, PM {New York). A motion picture of great poetic charm and dignity, a picture rich in visual fabrication and in the vigor of its imagery, and one whch may truly be regarded as an outstandng film of the year. — Bosley Crowther, New York Times. One of the few films of which it can be said that you will be denying yourself a rich experience by missing it. — Howard Barnes, New York Herald Tribune. One of the outstanding film productions of the year ... an extraordinarily interesting picture, one that warms the cockles of the heart. — Kate Cameron, New York News. It is a perfect production. — Lee Mortimer, New York Daily Mirror. John Ford's masterpiece ... a ruefully tender, tragic, moving story ... a beautifully composed mosaic of photography, acting, directing, writing and music. — William Boehnel, New York World Telegram. "DUMBO" (Disney-RKO) Disney's fifth feature-length cartoon is as good as his best; technically, it is a good deal better. — Newsweek. Every minute of it is sheer delight . . . "Dumbo" has replaced "Fantasia" at the Broadway, and while the latter film represents greater accomplishment in the advancement of color, sound and light as applied to the screen, the former has more charm and entertainment value than its predecessor. — Kate Cameron, New York News. Once again Walt Disney has provided a delightful treat. . . . It's a succession of entertaining scenes. — Rose Pelswick, New York JournalAmerican. "Dumbo" is the nicest, kindest Disney yet. It has the most heart, taste, beauty, compassion, skill, restraint. — Cecelia Ager, PM (New York). A show which is so completely captivating that you will be making the mistake of your film-going life if you miss it ... a Disney masterpiece. — Hozvard Barnes, New York Herald Tribune. The most genial, the most endearing, the most completely precious cartoon feature film ever to emerge from the magical brushes of Walt Disney's wonder-working artists ... a film you will never forget. — Bosley Crowther, Neiv York Times. The color of the picture, its technical facility in sound and sight, and above all the directorial boldness and assurance of narrative are as good as anything the Disney organization has ever produced. Therefore it is with extreme regret that this reveiwer has to note a remarkable failure of the inventive imagination. — Archer Winsten, New York Post. "YOU'LL NEVER GET RICH" (Columbia) With Cole Porter music, sensible settings and a solid blend of comic nuances supplied by Guinn Williams, Donald McBride and Cliff Nazarro, "You'll Never Get Rich" is not only a triumphal return-piece for Astaire, but one of the brightest of the service pictures. — Robert W. Dana, New York Herald Tribune. The material is exceptionally good for a musical comedy and, for the most part, except when army life is exaggerated for a reason, it is believable. — Wanda Hale, New York News. A lightly diverting comedy with music has been fashioned around Fred Astaire. — New York JournalAmerican. The film does sag in places and it rarely matches the better of the Astaire musicals. But it keeps monotony at a reasonable minimum, and with Robert Benchley to strew the script with sheepish gags and with Mr. Astaire and Miss Hayworth out in front most of the time, "You'll Never Get Rich" makes for a gay, lively and fanciful show. — New York Times. A pleasant little musical . . . Fred Astaire dances at the peak of his form. Rita Hayworth is excellent as his latest dancing partner, and Robert Benchley amusing as the moneyed wretch in the romantic machinery. The Cole Porter score is merely adequate. — Newsweek. "ALL THAT MONEY CAN BUY" (RKO) A ticklish job for adaptation to the screen, it has been handled with skill and good humor by Producer-Director William Dieterle . . . definitely superior cinema. — Time. Whether or not it clicks at the box-office, this 1936 Saturday Evening Post short story that won the O. Henry award is certain to prove an unusual experience for the critical moviegoer and add to the prestige of both RKO and William Dieterle, producer-director. — Newsweek. A film so beguiling that the devil himself couldn't resist it. — Donald Kirkley, Baltimore Sun. One of the year's outstanding achievements. — Gilbert Kanour, Baltimore Evening Sun. A rare motion picture achievement ... an absorbing novel and generally entertaining work. — Howard Barnes, New York Herald Tribune. By all the signs and portents, it should be one of the best pictures of the year. — Bosley Crowther, New York Times. The picture, under William Dieterle's direction, is beautifully made and finely acted by a cast that gave its best to the production. But the story is weighted with doom and is likely to have a depressing effect on a motion picture audience. — Kate Cameron, New York News. Arbitration Cases Drop To 9 in Nov. (Continued from page 1) one at the Indianapolis tribunal, which was the first of record there. T\; boards, Des Moines and Seattle, s| have had no complaints. Of 59 awards made by arbitrators to date, 32 have been in favor of ex-3 hibitor complainants and 27 have beenin favor of distributor respondents. However, an appreciable number ofi cases which have been withdrawn prior to the making of awards in-i volved voluntary settlements whiclJ gave complaining exhibitors some relief. 10 Appeals Decided Of the 59 awards, 18 have been appealed and 10 decisions have been made by the appeals board. Of thel latter, eight were in favor of dis-< tributors and two for exhibitors. Only 20 of the 31 local boards have complaints pending. Of the 20, nine boards have only one case pending, leaving only 11 boards with more than one undisposed of. New York continues to lead in number of cases of record with a total of 27 ; Philadelphia is second with 14, and Washington third with 10. E. M. Loew Files On Boston Clearance Boston, Nov. 30. — The Boston arbitration boards' seventh complaint was filed yesterday by E. M. Loew's Strand, Boston, against Paramount, RKO, 20th Century-Fox and Warners. The complaint seeks elimination of the seven days clearance over the Strand now held by the Rialto and a reduction to seven days of the 14 days clearance now held by the Bayliss over the Strand. Crescent Decision Seen Before Xmas (Continued from page 1) won a dismissal from the case at the close of trial in September. Attorneys reported that Judge Davies had informed them that his decision would be ready before he left Nashville for a Christmas vacation. The final arguments today will present the unusual circumstance of a president of one company, Edward C. Raftery of United Artists, defending another company, Universal, in the action. Raftery was retained as counsel by Universal, as well as United Artists, long before his recent election to the presidency of the latter company. He will be the only New York counsel at today's hearing in Nashville as his associate, Benjamin Pepper of O'Brien, Driscoll & Raftery, will be engaged here in preparation of briefs for the coming trial of the Government action against the Schine Circuit and the Little Three at Federal court in Buffalo. Form Kentucky Firm Frankfort, Ky., Nov. 30. — The Brock Service Co., Louisville, has been incorporated here to operate theatres.