Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1942)

4 Motion Picture Daily Thursday, January 29, 1942 Uncle Sam Needs Your Help TREASURY DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON January 28, 1942 Tc the Moving Ploture Exhibitor Addressed Dear Sir: Very soon you will be offered a new Donald Duok ploture In teehnloolor entitled "The New Spirit* which le very entertaining. It wae made especially for the United States Treasury by Walt Disney as a contribution to the nation's war effort. It carries a patrlotlo Message to every American, showing through the medium of Donald Duok how eaoh oltlten oan do his or her bit by paying his Inoome tax promptly. This ploture will have widespread publicity, and I believe your patrons will be looking for It eagerly. It will be offered to you free and I hope that you will aleot to show It. Slnoe Its greatest effeotlveneee will be between now and March 16, I further hope that you will show It as soon as you oan get It, and then send It along without delay so that the next exhibitor may show It promptly. tlon. I shall appreciate very much your oooperaSmeerely yours, rC^yDFJENSE Above is a facsimile of a letter addressed by Secretary of the Treasury Morgenthau to exhibitors, urging them to show the Disney income tax subject, "The New Spirit." Special permission has been granted by Morgenthau for reproduction of the letter, with signature, by exhibitors for advertising purposes. A review of the subject will be found in the adjoining column at the right. Theatres, Studios Would Be Insured by U.S. Plan Independents Organize New Producer Ass'n (Continued from page 1) Producers. However, Allen said that no conflict with the AMPP is anticipated and that members of the Society are not expected to alter that status. The society issued a statement_ describing its purpose as the recognition of the contribution of the independent producer "to the development of the motion picture as an art and an industry." The organization, it said, assumes the three-fold responsibility of strengthening and protecting the role and function of the independent producer. Problems in Common "As producers who do not own or control theatres we have many common problems, artistic and economic, to which we can direct our collective, judgment," the statement said. "We recognize our share of responsibility for sound artistic and economic practices in motion pictures. In establishing this society we do not seek to create a minority or opposition group within the industry. With the country at war this society should provide means for effective cooperation with other industry groups in carrying out whatever the Government may expect of us." Army Takes Over Studios in Astoria (Continued from page 1) vide a general reservoir to meet the photographic needs of the Signal Corps. It was pointed out that the acquisition of stages will permit a better balanced program and assure maintenance of production activities when it is impossible to work outdoors. The studio will become the Eastern base photographic center for the Signal Corps but there will be no change in the laboratory for production of training films at Wright Field at Dayton, O., or in the utilization of West Coast facilities for the production of specialized films, it was said. No details were disclosed regarding the contract by which the property was acquired. Continue Unity Talks On Practices Today (Continued from page 1) Umpi chairman. Preliminary discussions on Points 1, 2 and 3 were completed and discussion of Point 4 was begun yesteday. Points 1 and 2 cover a substitute selling method for the block-of-five decree system and development of a preventive for forcing of snorts with features. Points 3 and 4 cover establishment of machinery for the investigation and conciliation of territorial and individual trade compaints. Krsch said that while the subcommittee's findings on the first three points are not yet ready for drafting, a definite report on the committee's views could be made at any time that a meeting of the Umpi was called. Browne Files Denial In Paramount Case George E. Browne, former president of the IATSE, yesterday filed a general denial in U. S. District Court here to the suit of Paramount Pictures which seeks to recover the $100,000 in extortion payments for which Browne and William BiofT were convicted. Browne, who is in Leavenworth, filed an appearance as his own attorney in the action. At the same time, N. Y. Supreme Court Justice Charles B. McLaughlin yesterday ordered the consolidation of the seven stockholders' action pending against 20th Century-Fox to compel an accounting of all sums allegedly paid to Browne and Bioff. Pending suits against Loew's, Paramount and Warners have already been consolidated. Alfred J. Talley was designated as attorney to represent the 20th Century-Fox stockholders. He also represents stockholders of the other three companies. Further actions by stockholders were enjoined I until the four suits are ended. (Continued from page 1) Reconstruction Finance Corporation with a temporary capital of $100,000,000. Plans have not been fully matured, Jones told the committee, but it is probable that insurance up to a certain amount yet to be fixed will be granted without charge and that additional insurance will be written at a reasonable rate. He told the committee that the Government has to enter this field because the insurance companies have indicated they could not afford to do so. Certain limitations will be put upon the property to be insured but it is believed all civilian-owned properties, industrial and commercial as well as private, will be covered. Testimonial for Blofson Philadelphia, Jan. 28.— Al Blofson, head of National Penn Printing Co., and former Star of the Showmen's Club, will be tendered a testimonial dinner by the club on Feb. 23. Meyer Adeltnan of the New Jersey Messenger is chairman of the sponsoring committee. Short Subject Reviews "The New Spirit" (Disney — Treasury Dep't.) DISTRIBUTED through National Screen Service, under the sponsorship of the War Activities Committee— Motion Picture Industry, this Donald Duck Technicolor cartoojfc produced by Walt Disney for Treasury Department, serves its purpose well. Done in traditional Disney style, it emphasizes the need for paying income taxes as early as possible. As Donald complies with speed, aided by pen, ink and blotter, the film dissolves into a colorful presentation of the mountains of coins, then the screeching factory whistles and the guns, planes, tanks and ships pouring out to beat the Axis. Color, music and entertainment combine to convey and idea with graphic effect. Running time, 8 mins. Release, immediate. "Historic Maryland" (Fitzpatrick Traveltalk) (M-G-M) Here's another visit to the U. S. Naval Academy and historic sites in Baltimore and Fort McHenry. At the last point named, the commentator tells about Francis Scott Key and the "Star Spangled Banner." Handled in the regulation Fitzpatrick manner, the film is about standard for the producer's travel subjects. In color. Running time, 9 mins. Release, Dec. 27, 1941. "The FieldWouse" (Cartoon) (M-G-M) Moderately entertaining cartoon fp.re, this is about a family of field n ce forced to abandon their home at harvest time. "Grandfather" and little "Herman" get mixed up in a threshing machine and after fairly amusing experiences return to the family. In color. Running time, 9 mins. Release, Dec. 27, 1941. ''Fighting Fish" (Sportscope) (RKO-Pathe) Here's another rod and reel adventure, this one with Kip Farrington, sportsman, and his wife off the coast of Chile. The fish are big and put up a good fight, but Farrington pulls in a swordfish and Mrs. Farrington conquers a marlin. The commentator, however, goes overboard in his excited description. Running time, 9 mins. Release, Dec. 26, 1941. "The Art of Self Defense" (Disney Cartoon) (RKO)_ This is a history of the art of self defense, done in burlesque fashion, of course, and leading up to the presentday fisticuffs as demonstrated by The Goof. The treatment is typical Disney. Running time, 8 mins. Release, Dec. 26, 1941. Charter Theatre Firm Sackamento, Jan. 28. — New Fillmore Theatre Co., has been incorporated here to operate a circuit with headquarters in San Francisco. Di-( rectors are R. J. Nasser, George Nasser, James Nasser, Elias Nasser and Maria B. Dolliver.