Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1947)

Friday, April 25, 1947 Motion Picture Daily 5 Exhibitor -Producer Meet Seen on Coast Hollywood, April 24.— The selection of Los Angeles by Variety Clubs International for its annual convention, May 13-17, "provides an unparallelled chance for exhibitor members to discuss problems with producers," Samuel Goldwyn said here today. He added that it is "timely because , PL. img box-office returns have indies— i for some time now that the gold rush is over and that the gravy train has come to the end of the line. This," he continued, "does not necessarily mean that the industry is facing de-, pression. It does mean, however, that to maintain prosperity, both producers and exhibitors must reexamine their methods and work together more intelligently than ever before to prevent a recession that could be serious," he continued. Concluding, Goldwyn said : "It is once again a buyers' market, not a sellers', and people who buy tickets are now shopping for their entertainment." New Orleans" Paramount to Give Variety Luncheon Los Angeles, April 24. — Henry Ginsberg, Paramount studio head, will give a luncheon on May 16 for delegates attending the annual convention of Variety Clubs International, here. Paramount has invited several of its stars to be on hand. The luncheon will be at the Ambassador Hotel. Alperson in Deal With Joe E. Brown Chicago, April 24. — Joe E. Brown, now winding up his run in the stage play, "Harvey," here, has been signed by Edward L. Alperson, head of Alson Productions, to play the lead role of a minister in the film "Tender Years." This is one of two pictures to be made this year by Alperson, to be released through 20th Century-Fox. The second will be "The Big Curtain." Alperson flew here from the Coast to close the deal and then left by air for New York, where he will spend several days before returning to the Coast. Accompanying Alperson here was Jack Jungmeier, Jr., co-producer and writer of the original story of "Tender Years." Also here were Harold Schuster, who will direct, and Blake McVeigh, publicist. All flew back to Hollywood todav. US,CanadaRMAMeet Opens in New Jersey Absecox, X. J., April 24.— Radio manufacturers of the United States and Canada began discussion of mutual problems and interests today as directors of the Radio Manufacturers Associations of the two countries opened their fourth joint industry conference. The American manufacturers are hosts to the Canadians at the twoday meeting, which was highlighted tonight at a reception by U. S. RM A president R. C. Cosgrove, of Cincinnati, and a dinner at the Seaview Country Club. Vance King Named Hollywood, April 24. — Vance King, former trade journalist and publicist, has joined Four Leaf Clover Pictures as story editor, according to president Ed Scofield. King will also supervise publicity and advertising. {Continued from page 1) musical idiom it is dramatizing, first-class in its atmosphere and representative in the acting department. Arturo de Cordova and Dorothy Patrick are the estranged lover3, but it is Louis Armstrong, the widely-known and popular Negro jazz impresario who comes through as the individual standout. He has a personality to support his amazing horn and, of course, he has a band which backs his leadership to the complete hilt. He and they are thoroughly expert with their rhythms. TP HE time is 1917 when the new form of music, compounded out of the A hummmgs of the workers on the levees and the river boats, et al, was never admissible in polite society. De Cordova runs Basin Street where Armstrong holds forth. Miss Patrick, young heiress headed for the concert stage, falls in love with De Cordova and Armstrong's music. But her mother, Irene Rich, has different plans and succeeds in engineering Basin Street and its attractions out of business. De Cordova settles in Chicago, abandons gambling for the development of jazz while Miss Patrick nostalgically tours European concert halls. His respectability established, Miss Rich relents and serves to bring her daughter and De Cordova together, ^their reunion also symbolizing the blending of the new music form with its classical relation. Musically, "New Orleans" is a tinkling, toe-tapping affair from start to finish. Whereas Armstrong holds forth well into the second half, Woody Herman carries on the rest of the way with the expected combination of the staid and the "hot" in music at the finish. Incorporated is a second and minor romance between Armstrong and Billie Holiday, designed to give the latter an opportunity to do a series of vocals. It is a legitimate enough excuse and fits into the proceedings without jarring anyone's credulity. Key number "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans" by Eddie De Lange and Louis Alter, who also wrote "Blues Are Brewin' " and "Endie." Cliff Dixon and Bob Carleton co-authored "Where the Blues Are Born in New Orleans," the remaining two of the six principal songs being "Mahogany Hall Stomp" and "Farewell to Storyville." "MEW ORLEANS" looks like a field day for 'teen-agers and others ^ oldster-youngsters who insist, or prefer, that their "licks" be plenty hot. Generally, it is a solid show steeped in entertainment and one that ought to deliver a very good account of itself in all kinds of theatres. Biberman, part author of the original story, also served as associate producer. Running time, 89 minutes. General audience classification. Release date April 18. Red Kanx "Hit Parade of 1947" {Republic) ABIT of frolic and a diverting succession of tunes has been added to a familiar story of a quartet of entertainers trying to get to the top. The foursome in this instance is Eddie Albert, Constance Moore, Joan Edwards and Gil Lamb. To give added popularity to the merchandise, there are pleasant guest appearances from such Republic stalwarts as Roy Rogers and Trigger, Bob Nolan and the Sons of the Pioneers and also Woody Herman and his orchestra. The film flows along easily and is aimed at escape and relaxation. The team appears to be getting along well in a nightclub act when Albert, a songwriter, decides to introduce some ultra-sophisticated lines. Bounced from the job, hardships become their lot, until Miss Moore decides to accept an invitation to Hollywood and takes the group with her. The arrangement does not work out in this Alary Loos screenplay and Miss Moore remains in Hollywood while the others pursue diverse trails. As things happily eventuate, all make the grade, with Miss Moore finally united with Albert in a surprise finish that has Miss Edwards putting over Albert's song on the Hit Parade radio show. Gil Lamb as the comedian and romantic partner of Miss Edwards, endows his role with lavish vitality, helping the story' along in its moments of obvious development, while Miss Edwards sings several numbers with exciting voice. Several resplendent production numbers give the film an additional polish. Frank McDonald was associate producer and director. Running time, 90 minutes. General audience classification. Manny Herbstman AMG Moves to Aid German Pictures High Court Ruling For Lea Act Asked Washix-gtox, April 24. — The Justice Department today asked the Supreme Court to uphold the Lea Act, the so-called anti-Petrillo law. as Constitutional. A 172-page statement asked reversal of a District Court decision, claiming that the law was designed to curtail the alleged "monopoly power" of labor organizations interfering with effective use of broadcasting facilities. National Anthem Bill Philadelphia, April 24. — A bill introduced in the state legislature by Sen. Anthony J. DiSilvestro of this city would require the "Star-Spangled Banner" to be played before all performances in theatres. 3 Are Named to House Petrillo Committee Washixgtox, April 24. — Members of a three-man sub-committee of the House Education and Labor Committee have been appointed to investigate the activities of James C. Petrillo as head of the American Federation of Musicians. On the committee are Representatives Kearns, Barden and Nixon. No date has yet been set for the start of the inquiry. Orlob Here Next Week Harold Orlob, stage and screen producer-writer, is due here from the Coast next week to complete arrangements with Eve Wygod, Fifth Avenue hairdresser, for a picture based on her original story' idea about the beauty business. Washixgton, April 24.— Two steps to help rebuild the German film industry have been ordered by the American Military Government, according to a cable from Berlin received here this morning by the War Department. They are : To export appropriate German films in order to maximize export proceeds, and to import studio construction material or film production equipment and material even at the cost of foreign exchange where an advantageous export usuage can be demonstrated. The double-headed decision to revitalize German's motion picture industry was reached at a meeting between Major Gen. W. H. Draper, Jr., then director of the economic division of AMGUS, now economic adviser to the military governor; Sir Cecil Weir, president of the British economic subcommission ; and Brig. Gen. R. B. McClure, director of the information control division of AMGUS. New Theatre Code Loses in Missouri Jefferson City, Mo., April 24 — A modernized building code for new theatres, sponsored by State Senator Charles L. Madison of Kansas City, has been killed in the Missouri legislature. Madison said that its defeat kept in effect "a horse-and-buggy law" being violated by 95 per cent of existing theatres. An amendment to apply the modernized safety code to old as well as new theatres was voted down just before the defeat of the bill. A public hearing on a proposed state film censorship measure will be held in the state capital on April 30. Sennett Reissues May Go on S. R. Market With Universal-International still undecided about signing to distribute 26 Mack Sennett shorts for reissue, J. J. Balaber, local producer, who nolds the rights to approximately 150 Sennett two-reelers, indicated yesterday that he may go ahead with his own plans to distribute the comedies in state-right deals. Delay in U-I's decision, it is understood, arises from a delay in reports from the company's exchange in Dallas, where the Interstate Circuit is conducting audience tests of the shorts. Balaber, Parker Signed Grand International Pictures has assigned J. J. Balaber and B. R. Parker to handle the production and direction, respectively, of "Hidden Menace," the company's first feature release, to be made in the East. William R. Sheeky is executive director of the newly-formed producingdistributing organization. Odiums Get Tax Rebate Washixgtox, April 24— Floyd B. Odium, Atlas Corp. president, and his wife, Jacqueline Cochran Odium, received a $62,114.45 refund on 1945 taxes yesterday. Penna. Censor Quits Philadelphia, April 24. — Mrs. Lucy H. Love, secretary of the Pennsylvania Board of Censors, has resigned after serving eight years.