Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1946)

16 Motion Picture Daily Monday, December 23, 1946 Goldwyn 'Fireworks' Missing in London London, Dec. 22. — The "fireworks" anticipated at Samuel Goldwyn's first press conference here did not materialize, with the American producer declining to discuss his recent criticism of Hollywood except to say that his view of British pictures' success will be an inspiration to Hollywood. Goldwyn denied vehemently that British films are not getting a fair distribution deal in the U. S. He declared that the Rank organization is following "the best policy" by securing extended runs in small theatres rather than in big-time restricted runs, and pointed to the success of his own films under that policy. Goldwyn said Molotov has seen his "Best Years of Our Lives" twice — once in New York and once aboard the Queen Elisabeth. Prime. Minister Attlee, Goldwyn said, isthe film's first customer in Britain, he having asked that the picture be shown him privately this weekend. Reviews The Samuel Goldwyn office, here, on Friday disclosed that Goldwyn told the British press that "speaking as a motion picture producer of rather long experience in Hollywood — and as one who loves Hollywood — " he welcomes the challenge which British pictures are making to Hollywood. Last month, on the eve of his departure from New York for London, Goldwyn blasted Hollywood with the charge that it has not changed in these changing times, and called for a sharp decrease in the amount of product made annually by American compa nies, with a corresponding increase in quality. Tax Threatening For Tulsa Houses Tulsa, Okla., Dec. 22. — Attorneys representing Tulsa theatre operators have presented an alternate revenue program to city commissioners who have been considering assessment of an admissions tax on local amuse ments. Ralph Talbot, Tulsa exhibitor, met with the commissioners last week and succeeded in delaying passage of the original tax ordinance which had been drafted in final form for passage. Smith of MP A i n Science Discussion Theodore Smith, assistant to Fran cis Harmon, New York vice-president of the Motion Picture Association will point up the knowledge of science which various films impart to the pub lie in i a round-table discussion of "Science and the Public" at the Hotel Bradford, Boston, Dec. 28. The dis cussion will be a part of the meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. New Warner House Opens Christmas 'A Diary for Timothy" (English Films) THE effects of the scourge of war on the future of a baby born in Britain during the dark days of 1944 is the problem pondered in this short-feature documentary, produced by the British Ministry of Information and imported by English Films. Timothy, the baby, born and reared in the vicinity of London amid war's privations and travail, is addressed by the narrator, Michael Redgrave, as the screen reviews disconnectedly sundry phases in the wartime lives of the "little people" of England — soldiers, workmen, home-guardsmen, miners. "Appraised" of what is going on about him, the infant is asked finally what kind of world he and all the other war babies will make out of the peace they have inherited. Essentially a kaleidoscopic revie ,v of the war from a British home-front standpoint, this film is quite good as such. However, the question remains : are such films too antedated? Only the box-office can answer that. However, the exhibitor who has his customers' tastes pretty well indexed already has the answer. Basil Wright is down as producer ; Humphrey Jennings directed. Running time, 40 minutes. General audience classification. . Charles L. Franke "Humoresque" (Warner Brothers) REQUESTS for more integrity in Hollywood films, heard recently from within the industry on both sides of the Atlantic, are fulfilled in large measure — perhaps much too large— by this distinguished Jerry Wald production starring John Garfield, Joan Crawford and Oscar Levant in a searing, true-ringing study of the rise and woes of a concert violinist and the pain, as well as the pleasure, he brings to those about him. That the result, on celluloid, will bring much extreme pleasure to discriminating audiences, especially through its symphonic backgrounds and foregrounds, is reasonably certain ; but chances are that smashing success, for the exhibitor, cannot be expected — because the picture inflicts, and reiterates, too much of the pain, rather than merely communicating it. (See running time recorded below). The story follows Garfield, as a self-centered musical genius, from the traditional East Side boyhood upsurge through to, and way beyond, his meeting with the equally traditional Park-Avenue talent dabbler, who is so magnificently portrayed by Miss Crawford that the editors apparently have refrained, to the film's detriment, from trimming her scenes to acceptable length. The lady drinks gallons, from boredom — of a sort never experienced in the simple home of her protege's parents (J. Carroll Naish and Ruth Nelson), who, incidentally, object to their son's falling in love with a married woman. This love has a brief season of beauty, but the violin soon emerges as its master's real mistress, and, in a soul-gripping, though too-protracted climax, the unfortunate socialite walks into the ocean — -to the orchestral strains of a triumphant performance of "Tristan and Isolde." The inspired touch of Clifford Odets, who, with Zachary Gold, turned out the screen play, is apparent through much of its length — especially in the dialogue given Oscar Levant, who almost steals the show as the hero's lifelong friend and accompanist. The film is based on a Fannie Hurst story, which in an earlier screen version was given a far more romantic and perhaps more popular treatment, stressing self-sacrifice rather than dipsomania and frustration. Students of the art of the motion picture will have just cause to rave over many telling effects obtained through Jean Negulesco's direction, while musiclovers will enjoy the numbers conducted by Franz Waxman and a brief appearance which Frita Leiber makes. Running time, 126 minutes. Adult audience classification. Release date, Jan. 25. Tom Loy ■J9 The Beast with Five Fingers (Warner Brothers) Hollywood, Dec. 22 tJ ERE is one for the followers of the chill-thrill-kill school of melo* -» drama, particularly as personified by Peter Lorre, who has in this picture complete freed on for the display of his special tajent. Others present are Robert Alda, Andrea King, Victor Francen, J. Carroll Naish, Charles Dingle and David Hoffman, to name the top half-dozen. It is a picture that lives up to the promise of the title and the repute of actor Lorre. The time is 1900 and the scene is a small town in Italy where a wealthy recluse, who has learned to play the piano with one hand after losing the other, is attended by an American nurse and a man-servant (Lorre), addicted to astrology. Alda plays a young composer who has made some special musical arrangements for the recluse (Francen) and makes his living by bilking tourists. He is in love with the nurse (Miss King) but not much is done about that until the picture ends. Prior to then there are a number of killings, seemingly done by an animated hand believed to have been amputated from the recluse (first to die). Suspense mounts steadily until the devices by which Lorre, in his dementia, has accomplished the killings are discovered. The production is by William Jacobs, from a screenplay by Curt Siodmak, based on a story by William Fryer Harvey ; Robert Florey directed. Running time, 90 minutes. General audience classification. Release date not set. William R. Weaver Washington, Dec. 22. — The newly-built MacArthur Theatre, on MacArthur Boulevard, will be opened by Warner Brothers on Christmas Day. Ken Davis will manage the house. "Never Say Goodbye" is the opening attraction. Bayless Transferred Detroit, Dec. 22. — A. E. Bayless, formerly of Altec's Detroit office, has been appointed credit manager of the Cincinnati district and has left for that city to take over his new duties. Universal Dividend The board of directors of Universal Pictures has declared a quarterly dividend of 50 cents a share on common stock, payable Jan. 31 to stockholders of record on Jan. 15. Century Proposes Edueational Plan A project of using motion pictures and theatres to augment classroom studies has been offered without cost to the New York City Board of Education by Century Theatres, according to an announcement from its vicepresident, Fred J. Schwartz. The plan was discussed at a mee^ here, which brought together Dr. y . E. Wade, superintendent of schools ; Maximilian Moss, member of the Board of Education, and other officials, as well as commissioner of licenses Benjamin J. Fielding; Roger Albright, director of visual education for the MPA. Schwartz, J. R. Springer and Edward Schreiber were present for the theatre group. The plan, as presented by the Century vice-president, called for a program of tapping regular entertainment pictures, with educational meaning, documentaries and strictly classroom films to be dove-tailed with school curricula. Shows would be given in Century theatres on regular school mornings, with the houses considered a part of the school. Century would absorb the entire cost, including film rentals and would make no admission charge. Plan received "unofficial" approval of those attending and will be brought before a meeting of the board of superintendents for final approval. Commissioner Fielding indicated administration sympathy for the plan and labeled it "a step in the right direction." Hinson Resigns As Monogram Manager Charlotte, Dec. 22. — Sam Hinson, manager of the Monogram exchange here, has resigned to accept a position with Colonial Theatres of Valdese. Hinson will supervise booking and buying for the nine theatres operated by the corporation. In addition, he will be in active charge of the theatres. The firm operates theatres in Valdese, Granite Falls, Madison, Conover, Mayodan, Shelby and Hickory. NY Group Against 'Dimes' Collections Cooperation in "every practicable way," but excluding theatre collections, for the March of Dimes drive next month, has been voted by the board of the Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatre Owners, headed by Fred Schwartz. The group's policy, it was said, favors one "hat-passing" drive a year for all charity funds. Heifetz to Federal Hollywood, Dec. 22. — William LeBaron and Boris Morros have taken an option on the services of Jascha Heifetz for "Carmen from Kenosha," a musical scheduled for next year. The violinist appears in the first LeBaron-Morros production for Federal Films, "Carnegie Hall." The producers also have options on the services of Lily Pons and Ezio Pinza for "Carmen from Kenosha," which will be filmed in New York, it was, said. Next on the LeBaron-Morros schedule will be "Babes in Toyland," to be made here.