Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1945)

Friday, March 2, 1945 Motion Picture daily 3 Story of Manila In All Newsreels First newsreel pictures of the battle of Manila were released to local theatres yesterday. The pictures show the general advance on the city through the shattered and riddled suburbs, the perilous crossings of the city's rivers, the arrival of General MacArthur on the battle scene and, the burning of large areas by the enemy. There are also scenes of the release of prisoners from Japanese concentration camps. The five major newsreels are all devoted entirely to the subject. Proposes Study of N. Y. Films, Arts Albany, N. Y., Mar. 1. — Sen. Frederick Coudert, Manhattan, Republican, has introduced a bill creating a temporary commission to study the cultural resources of the state, and to devise ways and means for the advancement and promotion of the theatre, music, drama and the fine arts in the post-war era. The commission ,would consist of seven members, five appointed by the Governor and one each by the president pro tem of the Senate and speaker of the Assembly. Its inventory of public and private institutions engaged in New York State in artistic and cultural activities would also include grand opera, symphony orchestras, operetta, drama, choral societies, ballet, painting, sculpture and allied arts and crafts. The bill, which has been strongly endorsed by leaders in the respective fields, is designed to put New York in the forefront of states encouraging native American culture. Mexico City Houses Adopt Uniform Wage Mexico City, Mar. 1— Exhibitors' operating costs have risen with acceptance of employee demands for a 'standardized wage' for the 75 houses in the city. The new daily wage scale, highest for workers to date, is Chief of employes, $5.40 ; two projectionists, $5.40 each; one box office girl, $3.75; two doormen, $3.30 each; one guard, $2.75; four porters, $2.10 each, and one bellhop, $1.80. To Broadcast Awards Hollywood, Mar. L — All presentations in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 17th Annual awards ceremony on March 15 will be broadcast coast-to-coast by the Blue Network over 196 stations. The program will run 9:30-10:30 p.m., PWT. 'Bernadette* Returns As part of the company's 30th anniversary, 20th Century-Fox has arranged for a return engagement, at popular prices, of "The Song of Bernadette," at the Rivoli Theatre, New York, on March 14, following "Keys of the Kingdom." Altec Renews Homan Chicago, March 1. — Altec Service, announces that Homan Photoplay Co., Chicago, has renewed agreements with Altec to service sound equipment Review "Hotel Berlin" (Warners) THE timeliness of this picture of the final, numbered days before the overthrow of Nazism and the collapse of Germany is its greatest asset and the item of most interest to exhibitors. The time of the action of the widely read Vicki Baum novel has been advanced in the screenplay from 1943, when the defeat of Germany was just beginning to become apparent to Germans, to the present time, when defeat is accepted as inevitable. The result is a picture which, if it is not quite out of today's newspapers, is not enough unlike them for the difference to be important. Added to its significant timeliness is action, suspense, romance and other tried and proven ingredients that make this exploitation picture a "natural" for the box office. Exhibitors should find it as easy to sell as the current newspapers whose headlines sell themselves. The Nazi capital's Hotel Berlin is the show window in this production for the assorted types that have made Germany what it is. There are Nazi party officials, Gestapo men, the military class, the civilians favored by either or both. And there are members of the Underground. One of the latter is played by Helmut Dantine, who finds himself trapped in the hotel by the Gestapo. Given refuge in her suite by a German actress, played by Andrea King, Dantine manages to elude his pursuers for 24 hours despite an ever tightening net and, once, only by killing a Gestapo leader who learned of Dantine's whereabouts through an informer, played by Faye Emerson. Even tually, by duping Kurt Kreuger, in the role of a Luftwaffe major, Dantine makes good his getaway and rejoins the Underground. Learning that the infatuated Nazi actress has betrayed him in order to save herself, Dantine shoots and kills her when she comes to Underground headquarters to plead her love for him. The two instances of cold-blooded, however desperate killings, make the picture unsuitable for children. Upon this framework of the hunted and the hunters is superimposed a miniature of the last hours of Nazism, replete with military plots against Hitler, Gestapo vengeance and cruelty, the attempted flight of doomed party officials, excoriations of the German people and suggestions of groundwork being laid for the next Germanic war. The Louis Edelman production, directed by Peter Godfrey, keeps the sidelights in perspective while concentrating on the adventures of the Underground fugitive. Supporting roles are ably handled by a cast which includes Raymond Massey, Peter Lorre, Alan Hale, George Coulouris, Henry Daniell and Helene Thimig. Running time, 98 minutes. Adult classification. Release, March 17. Sheewin Kane Missouri Legislature Opposes Petrillo St. Louis, Mar. L — The Missouri Legislature has joined with Congress in attempting to legislate against James Petrillo and the AFM. A bill introduced by State Senator H. R. Williams, of Cassville, would make it "nlawful for any person or group to interfere with the presentation, transmission or broadcast of any non-com-nercial, cultural or other program by a tax-exempt school or civic organization. Film, Radio Included In New N.Y. Libel Law Albany, N. Y., Mar. 1. — Representative Steingut has introduced a bill in the Assembly here, which has been referred to the committee on codes, seeking to amend the state penal law with respect to libel. A new phase of the law states that it is libelous to expose any person or persons to hatred, contempt, ridicule or obloquy, through press, radio or motion pictures. To Vote on Sunday Films Lebanon, Tenn., Mar. 1. — Sunday films in Lebanon, started at the request of military officials during the war _ maneuvers in this area, may be continued, but not until after the question is settled by an election. Push Sunday Shows Knoxville, Tenn., Mar. 1. — Defeated in its efforts to obtain Sunday films by election of the people, those who favor them plan to have a bill introduced in the Tennessee legislature, now in session. 1st OpenAir House in Maritime Provinces Halifax, N. S., Mar. 1. — First open-air theatre in the Maritime Provinces is being established in Fleming Park, suburban Halifax, by Mrs. Margaret Martin, who has been park concessionaire. City council has approved her application but will, however, retain supervision and control through the Park Commission. Mrs. Martin is now buying seats and equipment and expects to start operations about MidMay and continue through September. Friedman Volunteers To Aid Burma Films London, Mar. 1. — Joseph Friedman, Columbia's British managing director, and chairman of the Kinematograph Renters Society services committee, has volunteered to visit Burma in order to straighten out the muddled film supply to Britain's "forgotten 14th Army" but, as a consequence of speedy improvisation of a film supply here, the Army now feels that it can handle the situation. Theatre Competition Philadelphia, Mar. 1. — A bill which would permit churches, fire companies and servicemen's organizations to conduct bingo games, providing they meet certain State requirements, is before the Senate's Law and Order Committee. Hollywood New NSS Machine Star Manufacturing Co., St. Louis, will manufacture a special 'theatre model' popcorn machine for distribution by National Theatre Supply. By THALIA BELL Hollywood, March 1 COLUMBIA has borrowed Marjorie Reynolds from Paramount to star in a musical, "Song of Broadway." She will play the role originally announced for Marguerite Chapman. . . . Leon Errol and Edgar Kennedy have been signed to new contracts by RKO Radio calling for each to star in six comedy shorts during the coming year. • Phil Ford, nephew of director John Ford, has been promoted to full directorship. He will handle the reins on "The Tiger Lady" for Universal. . . . Walter Colmes has acquired screen rights to "The Web" from Phillip Yordan, and will produce and direct it. . . . George Macready, who scored in Columbia's "A Song to Remember," has been signed by that studio to a long-term contract. • Phil Karlstein's first directorial assignment under his new jour-picture contract with Monogram will be "Swing Parade," which Lindsley Parsons is set to produce. . . . Universal 'has signed designer Travis Banton to a long-term deal. . . . William Girard will produce, and Robert Webb will direct "The Black Mart" for 20th Century-Fox. • "Powder Room," story by Barry Shipman, has been purchased by Columbia as a vehicle for Charles Starrett and Smiley Burnette. Colbert Clark is set to produce under supervision of Jack Fier. . . . Universal has exercised its option on Peggy Ryan and Lon Chaney. . . . Barre Lyndon has been signed to write the screenplay for "The Verdict," which William Jacobs will produce for Warners, o Directors Frank MacDbnald and Lesley Selander have had' their contracts renewed by Republic. . . . Louis King has been named to direct "Command to Embezzle" for 20th Century-Fox. . . . Louise Allbritton and Rod Cameron will costar with Susannah Foster and Robert Paige in Universal's "Once Upon a Dream." • Beverly Johnson has been signed to a term deal by Paramount. She will make h^r first screen appearance in the Mitchell Leisen production, "Masquerade in Mexico." . . . Ruth Donnelly has been selected for a featured role in the initial Rainbow Production, "The Bells of St. Mary's,'1, to be released by RKO ivith Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman as' co-stars. • David O. Selznick has given Scott McKay an important part in "Duel in the Sun," which King Vidor is directing. . . . Dennis Morgan is set for one of the leading roles in "The Hasty Heart," recently acquired by Warners. . . . Brenda Joyce will play the feminine lead in Universal's "Pillow of Death." . . . Lindsley Parsons and James S. Burkett are leaving soon for Mexico City to secure background shots for future Monogram productions. . . . Fred Kohlmar, producer, will join 20th Century-Fox upon the conclusion of his present commitment.