Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1946)

Tuesday, January 15, 1946 Motion Picture Daily N.Y. Film Case (Continued from page 1 ) it will be appealed by either side to the U. S. Supreme Court. While general expectations are that the three judges will give their decision about the beginning of April, some observers point out that it might be forthcoming much before then, citing the speed with which the trial was expedited by the judges. The trial started Oct. 8 and concluded Nov. 20, after 20 days in court. The government's brief, filed on Dec. 15, claimed that the defendants, Paramount, Loew's, 20th Century-Fox, Warners, RKO, United Artists, Universal and Columbia, had failed to disprove the government's charges and suggested that if they could not continue to operate successfully if they are divorced from their theatres and enjoined from their alleged monopolistic practices and that if the public would be benefited by such action, the companies should seek special dispensation from Congress. Joint Briefs Filed The five defendants with affiliated circuits who were parties to the consent decree filed joint briefs on arbitration and the decree and on the legal aspects of clearance, run and admission prices. They claimed that the government did not establish separate monopolies and they hit at the charge of trying to establish a monopoly collectively. They declared also that the government was not entitled to any relief other than that which it had already secured in the consent decree. In their briefs, the "Little Three" asked for dismissal of the action against them, declaring that the government had not proven a case, against them. Goldwyn (Continued from page 1) James Thurber's "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty." Gwethalyn Graham's novel, "Earth and High Heaven", will go into production in July or August, and "The Bishop's Wife," Robert Nathan novel, starring Teresa Wright and David Niven, will follow. Last year Goldwyn produced "Wonder Man", already in release, and "The Kid from Brooklyn?" which will be released this year ; both starred Danny Kaye. Unfreeze US Money (Continued from page 1) derstood, in rebuilding her economic structure. The rate of the franc will henceforth be regulated by the International Bank, it was explained, and with a gold deposit by France in that bank, the country will then be advanced dollars, for legitimate business purposes, of 10 times the value of its gold deposit. As a result, it was predicted, the blocked film funds will be liquidated within the next six months. Stabilization of the franc also is seen significant here in foreshadowing devaluation of other currencies in a general European effort to stabilize an inflated monetary system. Italy and Belgium are believed to be the next countries, which have blocked film accounts, to stabilize currencies. Tomorrow Is Forever 9? (Continued from page 1 ) comfort vja George Brent. Their older child actually is Welles', a fact known to all concerned except the boy himself. The twistings of the narrative have Welles returning to the States after many years in Austria, and entering the employ of his wife's second husband. With him is a blonde child who knows him as her father when actually she is the daughter of the doctor who had befriended and treated Welles as a war casualty. Insofar as the characters are involved., the chain of events is entirely coincidental, of course, for it is made clear Welles never would have returned to Baltimore if he had reason to believe Miss Colbert was still there. He recognizes her, naturally. She is not certain of him at the outset, and, in fact, it becomes a matter of individual determination whether or not she finally does. Welles also recognizes his own dilemma after he learns the boy, Richard Long, is his son. He knows he should leave the situation untouched, but emotionally is stymied. Through a number of incidents, he discovers his final route by helping the boy to find himself and his position in relationship to the impending Second World War and by persuading Miss Colbert gradually to forget the past in favor of her current happiness. As he achieves this, his broken health gives way to death. It would have been an easy matter to slip into the maudlin and thereafter to have remained there. It does not happen in this case. The strong scenes between Welles and Miss Colbert are played in undertone and thereby gain in dramatic punch. This also is a general characteristic of Irving' s Pichel's direction ; he displayed a firm hand and a praiseworthy sense of values. Gwen Bristow provided the story base and Lenore Coffee the script, but it is Pichel who transferred the results onto the screen. Miss Colbert rarely has been better. Welles, this time, foregoes chewing the scenery for respectful and appreciative observance to the acting potential of his part ; thus, his undeniable talent meets its opportunity. Brent, as the third angle of the triangle, displays his accustomed competency while, supporting these three, are Lucile Watson, John Wengraf, Richard Long, Douglas Wood, Joyce MacKenzie and others. Natalie Wood, as the refugee child, is refreshing and wholly delightful. David Lewis produced. Running time, 105 min. General audience classification. Release date, not set. Red Kann Theatres Aided (Continued from page 1) working hours of minors between the ages of 16 and 18, generally used as ushers, now applies only to 16-yearolds or those younger. They are no longer restricted in the number of hours they may work after they attain their 17th birthday. The new State law limits the employment of minors under 16 to three hours a day during school days and to 23 hours a week ; an eight-hour day on non-school days ; and a six-day week. For those over 16 and now only those between 16 and 17 instead of 16 and 18, the limitation is four hours during a school day; 28 hours a week ; and the six-day and eighthour provisions. Older Class Favored Circuit representatives point out that the earning opportunities afforded this type of theatre help under the hour limitations would have made it difficult to retain help. The apparent solution is to employ those who are 17 and over where no limitation of hours is now expected to apply as a result of the State Labor Department's interpretation. Monogram Deal (Continued from page 1) ernment film monopoly was instituted. U. S. distributors have been firm in their refusal to deal with foreign government-fostered film monopolies, even through the industry's Motion Picture Export Association. However, George Janecek, a representative of the Czech film monopoly, has initiated overtures with the MPEA with a view to purchasing from 80 to 100 American films a year. Watson to Dartmouth Hartford, Jan. 14.— John B. Watson, Jr., of this city, a veteran of the Army's 12th Air Force, has been named director of Dartmouth College Films. Charles Skouras (Continued from page 1 ) from without, Skouras said. He is a member of the 21-man interim committee which has arranged for an organizational convention to be held early in April in St. Louis. Skouras disclosed that the company's pre-fabricated theatre, presently under construction in North Long Beach, Calif., will be finished by March 1. It will be under National Theatres' operation, he said. The theatre wjll seat 1,000 and will have a 135-foot radio tower for television reception when it is ready, he said. Further expansion in this direction will depend upon this first pre-fabricated house, which can be regarded as a test theatre, Skouras added. Cost of construction for the new theatre is about two-and-a-half times as much as present ones, the National Theatres' executive stated. Benefits Doubled Skouras reported that the board of directors of National has doubled the benefits under its old age and retirement plan, which presently covers over 800 employes, with additional personnel being added every month. National business now is better than a year ago, Skouras said. Rick Ricketson, president of National's Fox-Intermountain circuit, is in New York from Denver to book operatic talent for the Central Civic Opera Association of Denver, of which he is president. Ricketson is reported to be conferring with Republican party leaders here who are said to be considering him as a candidate for the gubernatorial nomination in Colorado. . A, ^ ft. \Nt»enY<>ubook" ANOTHER MONEY-HONEY FROM EDWARD SMALL AND U.A.!