Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1942)

Motion Picture Daily Wednesday, January 7, 1942 OPM Calls Exhibitors to Priority Meet (Continued from page 1) shortages of needed critical materials. Invitations to attend the conference were sent to George Schaefer, president of RKO ; Sidney Samuelson, director of MPTO of New Jersey; Joseph Bernhard, vice-president of Warner Bros. ; Carter Barron, Eastern district manager for Loew's Theatres ; William Crockett, president of the MPTO of Virginia; Si Fabian, Fabian circuit; Abram F. Myers, general counsel for Allied ; Arthur Lockwood, MPTO of Connecticut; Frank Horning, MPTO of Maryland ; Charles A. Arrington, MPTO of North and South Carolina; Nathan Yamins, Fall River, Mass.; Knute Carskadon, Keyser, W. Va., and Kenneth Duke, Leonardtown, Md. Kirsch Reveals Letters On Unity Group's Work Chicago, Jan. 6.— Jack Kirsch, temporary chairman of the M. P. Industry Conference Committee, today made public letters from George J. Schaefer and Joseph Bernhard pertaining to activities of the subcommittees of which they are acting chairmen. Bernhard on Priorities Bernhard's letter for the subcommittee on industry priorities expressed the belief that it would be unnecessary to call a meeting of subcommittee members in view of the fact that he, C. W. Koerner, Si Fabian and Sam E. Morris have been functioning as a subcommittee of the War Activities Committee-M. P. Industry, on the same subject for some time. The letter stated that the appointment of A. Julian Brylawski by the Government to handle priorities for the industry already had been accomplished. This, it was stated, is the first step toward securing necessary materials and supplies for the operation of theatres and studios. Bernhard's letter was addressed to Schaefer, Sidney Samuelson, Carter Barron and William Crockett, members of the subcommittee of the MPICC. Schaefer's Letter Schaefer's letter to members of the subcommittee on protecting the good name and integrity of the industry as a whole reads in part : "It is needless for me to point out that this particular problem was one of the most important on the agenda of the above conference. I believe it is most important that the committee meet at an early date to select a permanent chairman and discuss the general approach so that our committee may be prepared to carry through its responsibility and make a report to the MPICC. Will you please advise me if Saturday, Jan. 10, will be convenient?" Kirsch pointed out that three of the five subcommittees probably will have held meetings and prepared reports prior to Jan. 21, when the main committee is scheduled to meet at the Warwick Hotel, New York. "Joan of Paris [R-K-O] {Continued from page 1) story of all free men who are willing to fight for the liberties they hold dear. The film has an unusual beginning. After the credits, the screen is blacked out and a voice simulates a radio announcement of British fliers who were downed. Henreid is cast as a squadron leader whose plane is forced down during a flight over -France. As a Frenchman now fighting with the Free French armies, he is liable to execution if caught, although his companions are liable only to imprisonment. Nevertheless, he feels responsible for their safety and attempts to contact British agents in Paris to arrange for the squadron's escape to England. The Gestapo discover his plans but releases him in the hope that he will lead them to the British espionage agents. Meanwhile, Henreid enlists the aid of a priest, Thomas Mitchell, and also is forced to call upon the aid of Miss Morgan, who is cast as a barmaid named after her patron Ste. Joan. After numerous efforts to shake off Gestapo agents who are trailing him, Henreid manages to effect a means of returning to England. The escape, however, is accomplished only with the aid of Miss Morgan who, like a modern Joan of Arc, goes to her death after aiding the Englishmen. There are many tender scenes between the two lovers and their final parting will bring tears to many in the audience. The performances are excellent throughout. Besides the three principal characters, Laird Cregar, as the polished but cruel Gestapo head ; May Robson, as the efficient British agent, and Alex Granach, as the relentless Gestapo agent, give distinguished portrayals. Robert Stevenson directed with a fine balance between the action shots and the romantic interludes and the pace never lags. David Hempstead produced. Running time, 90 minutes. "G."* Edward Greif "Sing Your Worries Away (RKO) CHILLED to the brim with good tunes and low comedy, "Sing Your *• Worries Away" is a merry, fast-paced musical which should mean good business in any town. Bert Lahr, as a song writer who has never had a number published, is always at ease with gag routines and he cues most of the laughs. One scene, in which he is aided by Buddy Ebsen, finds him alternating various kinds of drinks with gin under the impression that the gin is water. This episode, together with the consequent hangover scene, should take the minds of a lot of people off the war, as should an incident when Lahr dons a magician's coat by error. Besides Lahr and Ebsen, June Havoc, Patsy Kelly, Dorothy Lovett, Sam Levene, Margaret Dumont, Morgan Conway, Fortunio Bonanova and Don Barclay are on hand to help put over a song or play straight for Lahr. Alvino Rey and his orchestra provide the music and the King Sisters contribute the vocals. Mort Greene and Harry Revel wrote the music and lyrics. There is little to the plot, but what there is proceeds smoothly under the direction of A. Edward Sutherland and it helps to keep the whole thing together. Levene and Miss Havoc learn that Lahr and Miss Lovett are heirs to a $3,000,000 fortune, but don't know it. The idea is to have Lahr worry himself to death, thus leaving Miss Lovett as the sole heir and Levene plans to marry her to gain the inheritance. The plan doesn't work, of course, but the attempts to worry Lahr result in plenty of fun. Cliff Reid produced. Running time, 71 minutes. "G."* Edward Greif Right to the Heart (20th Century-Fox') AS the title suggests, the story of this film has to do with boxing and love. Men will like the "right" and women the "heart," and together they should find a fair share of amusement in this unpretentious offering. Knocked out in a night club brawl, Joseph Allen, Jr., as a society playboy, resolves to enter the best training camp available to prepare himself for a return engagement with his assailant, and thereby redeem himself in the eyes of his fiancee, Cobina Wright, Jr. However, he falls in love with Brenda Joyce, as the daughter of the training camp owner, but his wealthy aunt, Ethel Griffies, and Stanley Clements, as the prodigy of the camp, straighten out the tangled romances for Allen after he has taken care of the night club pugilist. Eugene Forde's direction has kept the film on a smooth, breezy course. Sol M. Wurtzel produced. Running time, 74 minutes. "G."* Sherwin A. Kane *"G" denotes general classification. Parley Bars Claims of LA. Jurisdiction (Continued from page 1) Cinematographers, is here from the Coast in an effort to win a separate charter for the ASC from the IATSE executive board, which would end/*" \\ jurisdictional dispute by establi(-: J I two IA locals in the cameramen s field. The negotiating meetings are scheduled to resume this morning at Casey's office. The general consideration of working conditions and terms is expected to be completed today, following which negotiations with individual locals will begin. 'Night of Dimes' in W.B. Circuit Jan. 23 (Continued from page 1) pet will be spread in front of the Strand on Broadway, and city officials and notables will walk the length of the carpet with tin cups soliciting contributions, it is planned. The carpet will remain for the rest of the week for contributions from passersby. More than 600 new pledges were received by national headquarters of the drive yesterday bringing the total to 5,000 theatres which have pledged to make lobby or auditorium collections during the week, the industry committee announced. Harry Shaw, New Haven chairman, reported 35 theatres signed in the first day of solicitation and George Peters, of Reading, Pa., said 20 theatres in that city have enrolled. H. S. Johnson, general manager of Pal Amusement Co., with houses in nine Georgia towns, offered cooperation of the circuit. Connors Sees Boom In Theatre Grosses (Continued from page 1) the trend in this country was progressing similarly as in Canada and England. He also ventured the opinion that as automobiles and tires were rationed or withdrawn from extreme popular use, the movement to theatres will become more pronounced. Connors was host to a number of exhibitors with whom he met in round-table conferences here on Monday. Today he held conferences with members of the local 20th CenturyFox branch sales force and with heads of exhibitor organizations. Ask Receiver for Pa. Theatre Firm Scranton, Pa., Jan. 6. — Stockholders of Victor Amusement Enterprises, Inc., of Shamokin, Pa., have petitioned the Federal court here for the appointment of a receiver. The action chiefly is based on allegations that L. J. Chamberlain, president of Amusements, Inc., Allentown, had obtained control of the Victoria concern and had jointly operated both companies to the benefit of Amusements, Inc., while the Victoria's affairs suffered. Ei