Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1946)

Motion Picture Daily Wednesday, February 6, 1946 'Look ' Filled With Films The world of motion pictures commands most of the reading space in the Feb. 19 issue of Look magazine, now on sale. The issue leads off with the pictures and statements of Nate J. Blumberg, Harry Cohn, Henry Ginsberg, William Goetz, Samuel Goldwyn, the late Charles W. Koerner, David O. Selznick, Hunt Stromberg, Hal Wallis, Jack L. Warner, Herbert J. Yates and Darryl F. Zanuck on the subject "What Will Be the Outstanding Development in Films This Year?" (Zanuck predicts the establishment of production branches all over the world) . Johnston Featured The lead article is a five-page, illustrated story on Eric A. Johnston, MPAA president, followed by announcement of Look's annual selection of the best pictures of the year and its motion picture awards. Best pictures, including estimates of their grosses, are: 'Anchors Aweigh," "A Bell for Adano," "The Bells of St. Mary's," "The Corn Is Green," "The Lost Weekend," "Meet Me in St. Louis," "Mildred Pierce," "National Velvet," "Saratoga Trunk," "A Song to Remember" and "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn." Awards went to Ray Milland as outstanding actor ; Ingrid Bergman, outstanding actress; Joseph Pasternak, producer; Billy Wilder, director; John Seitz, cinematographer ; Barbara Hale, newcomer, and Louis B. Mayer, for industry-wide achievement. There follow special articles on "A Studio Tour with Van Johnson," Best Movie Stills, of the Year, How 12 Stars Would Cast Themselves ; Alfred Newman and Hollywood music ; Hollywood Designers ; Hollywood Health Routines, Prefabricated Theatres (estimated cost: $70,000 for 900 seats) and Look's regular Movie Guide. MPTOA Heads Meet On Peacetime Plans Plans for future activities of the MPTOA, including the convening of the organization's board of directors, were discussed by Fred Wehrenberg, chairman of the board, of St. Louis, and Ed Kuykendall, president, at the latter's Columbus, Miss., home recently, it was announced here yesterday. Kuykendall, who is recovering from a recent illness, announced that the necessity for exhibitor organization and planning was discussed at the meeting. MPTOA, he said, is in the strongest position in its history among exhibitors. George Arliss Dies London, Feb. 5. — George Arliss died of a bronchial ailment at his home here tonight, aged 77. His wife, Florence, was at the bedside. Arliss' acting career extended over 60 years, climaxed by 10 on the screen, to which Warner Bros, brought him in 1920. Personal Mention CHARLES D. PRUTZMAN, Universal vice-president and general counsel, is scheduled to return to New York from Bermuda tomorrow. • George J. Schaefer disclosed here yesterday that his son, Lt. James Gerard Schaefer, has been posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Heroic Conduct. He was killed in action in Normandy on DDay. • William Brumberg, manager of Warner Bros, field staff, and David Susskind of his staff are in Washington. • John Payne, 20th-Fox star and his wife, Gloria De Haven, have arvided in New York from California. • Russ Doyle, city editor of M-G-M publicity department, is confined to his home with yellow jaundice. • Norman El son, vice-president of Trans-Lux Theatres, left New York yesterday for Boston. • Julian Blaustein, story editor of Vanguard, is in New York from Hollywood. • George Fraser of PRC will leave New York for Rochester today. CILAS F. SEADLER, M-G-M ad^ vertising manager, is home ill with laryngitis. • Lynn Farnol left Hollywood by train yesterday for New York to take up his new duties as advertising-publicity director for Samuel Goldwyn here. • Manny Reiner, formerly of Paramount's publicity staff, is en route to the U. S. from Naples. He was with OWI for three years. • Charles Levy, Walt Disney publicity representative, has returned to New York following studio conferences in Hollywood. • Irving Wormser, Eastern general sales manager for Film Classics, is on his way to Florida for a two-week vacation. • Norman Freeman, assistant to N. Peter Rathvon, RKO president, is in Hollywood for studio conferences. • Frank Seltzer, general production manager for Hal Roach Studios, has left New York for Hollywood. • Fred Quimby, M-G-M short subject chief, returned to Hollywood yesterday from New York. N. J. Allied Objects To 'Heaven9 Policy Allied of New Jersey reported yesterday that at a meeting here it had adopted a resolution protesting 20th Century-Fox' "shifting policies in dealing with independent exhibitors of New Jersey" in selling "Leave Her to Heaven." The Allied unit charges that in four instances the company had withdrawn selling terms offered and accepted by theatremeh, each time with the contract amended to allow for higher percentage or preferred playing time. Thomas J. Connors, vice-president in charge of sales for 20th-Fox, said yesterday a Motion Picture Daily inquiry for his side was the first inkling he had of the Allied complaint. Allied had not made known its stand to him, he said. New England Film Men Fete Broidy Boston, Feb. 5. — The industry here extended felicitations to Steve Broidy, recently-appointed president of Monogram, by way of a testimonial dinner tonight at the Hotel Bradford. It was fostered by the local Variety Club, following a reception at which Herman Rifkin, Monogram franchise holder here, was host. The dinner was attended by some 500 film and theatre men from New York and New England. Col. Young Resigns Col. Marvin Young, chief of the entertainment branch of the War Department's Special Services Division, has relinquished his post and will be succeeded by Maj. John Shubert. Screenings to Aid 'Brotherhood' Work Lakeville, Conn., Feb. 5. — A new medium for the presentation of films with a special theme is announced by the Cedars Countrv Club, here, which will integrate, in its regular entertainment programs, shorts and featurettes pointing up the spirit of the interfaith and "Brotherhood" programs. The pictures will be of current topical character and will utilize both 16mm and 35mm films, according to Robert Oshman, of the resort. Among films set are : "The House I Live In," "Hitler Lives?" "The Vatican," "It Happened in Springfield" and "The Palestine Problem." Comm. Fairbanks Out Of Navy; To Produce Los Angeles, Feb. 5. — Comm. Douglas Fairbanks was placed on inactive status at the Naval Officer Separation Center here yesterday, and announced plans to return to the industry as a producer. Fairbanks was commissioned a junior grade lieutenant in March, 1941, after four years in the Naval Reserve, and was elevated from Lieutenant Commander to a full Commander late last year. Services for Weigel Cincinnati, Feb. 5. — Services will be held tomorrow for Charles Weigel, 57, veteran exhibitor, who died here yesterday at his home after a lengthy illness. Opening the Alhambra Theatre in 1918, he later had the NordlandPlaza and Park, here, then the Family at Milford and, finally, the Madison, here. His widow and a son survive. Newsreel Parade TDRITISH war brides arriving in the U. S., the record TWA crosscountry flight, the Wyoming plane tragedy, reports from the Orient, and Winston Churchill's vacation are featured in current newsreels, together with miscellaneous other subjects, including winter sports; contents jollom: MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 46 transport plane "Constellation." ChurcTVil in Florida and Cuba. Twenty-one killed in plane crash in Wyoming. Chinese 6th Army off to Manchuria. British wives of "GI's" arrive. Smokey, hero dog who saved master from drowning. Fashions for skiing. Sports: speed skating, snowshoe race, Millrose games. NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 244-"GI" war brides and babies arrive. Air liner with 52 aboard sets new trans-U. S. mark. A new Chinese Army. Winter sport fashions. Churchill at races, wins on a hunch. Millrose track classics. Wild West round-up in Florida. PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 47— Big I League try-outs for ex-"GFs". Chinese j take over. Air liner smashes record. ' Churchill's busy days. UNO names site. | Here come the war brides! RKO PATHE NEWS, No. 49 — "GI's" : English brides arrive in America. Transport in record flight across nation. Army of Occupation sails for Manchuria. Harry Hopkins dies at 55. New fabrics' walls resist stains. U. S. opens bridges across 1 Rhine. Herring fleet catches vital food. UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 474— English war brides join husbands in U. S. I Famous cruiser retired. U. S. moves Chinese troops. Houseless "vets" take over ! hotel. Florida shows prize cattle. Snow shoe carnival. Millrose games. Jarratt Joins Korda As Managing Director London, Feb. 5. — Commander Arthur Jarratt, booking manager of Associated British Picture Corp., and formerly^ booking controller of Gaumont-British, has been named deputy chairman and managing director of British Lion Films, control of which recently was acquired by London Film Prod., which Sir Alexander Korda heads. Jarratt becomes a director of the latter company. Throughout the war he was liaison officer of the Royal Navy Film Corp., the British Navy's booking organization. Edward Grainger Back at Republic Hollywood, Feb. 5. — Major Edward Grainger, discharged from the Army, will return to Republic studios in about a month, to fulfill his contract with the company. Grainger's last production prior to entering the service was "Flying Tigers." While in the East, Grainger took options on two stories, "Come One, Come All," by Francis J. Kane, and "King Copper," by Peter Morrison. Negotiations are also in progress for a novel. Republic Signs Autry Hollywood, Feb. 5. — Republic has signed Gene Autry to return for four pictures to be filmed before March 1, 1947. MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Martin Quigley, Jr., Associate Editor. Published daily except Saturday, Sunday and holidays, by Quigley Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Red Kann, Vice-President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Treasurer; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; David Harris, Circulation Director; Chicago Bureau, 624 South Michigan Avenue, Sam Honigberg, Representative; Hollywood Bureau, Postal Union Life Bldg., William R. Weaver, Editor; London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London Wl, Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald, Better Theatres, International Motion Picture Almanac, Fame. Entered as second class matter, Sept. 23, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under \he act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; Single copies, 10c.