Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1948)

12 Motion Picture Daily Friday, July 2, 1948 Reviews "The Black Arrow" (Edward Small-Columbia) CLOAK-AND-SWORD melodrama is played for all it is worth in this Edward Small production based on the Robert Louis Stevenson novel. That means action without stint, heroics of the noblest order and villainy of the deepest hue. While the happenings are pretty obvious and not difficult to fathom in advance of their occurrence, the film does succeed in a fashion in recreating a medieval period with a fine display of excitement. The production provides the exhibitor with an attraction especially made to order for action fans, the young ones in particular. The picture makes some concession to the ladies with one of those genteel, quite romantic affairs between Louis Hay ward, the hero, and Janet Blair, the victim of an injustice righted by her knight in shining armor, literally speaking. Hayward is a warrior returned from the War of the Roses to find his father murdered by his uncle (George Macready) in a conspirary to seize his estate. He is told that Miss Blair's father killed his dad. When the truth strikes home, he defies his uncle and his henchmen, placing himself in peril of his life. In a trial by combat that gives the film a high-powered climax Hayward slays his uncle and claims Miss Blair as his lady. Capably produced by Grant Whytock, the film was vigorously directed by Gordon Douglas. Edgar Buchanan, Rhys Williams, Walter Kingsford, Lowell Gilmore and Paul Cavanaugh lend worthy support. Running time, 76 minutes. General audience classification. Release date not set. P.E.L. "The Timber Trail" {Republic) THIS Monty Hale Western, photographed in Trucolor, combines a variety of lively outdoor action scenes and a group of songs presented by the Riders of the Purple Sage. There are stagecoach holdups and fisticuffs with the hero, Monty Hale, triumphant. Lynne Roberts is the attractive heroine, who employs Hale as a stagecoach driver. The wagons are being attacked as well as the telegraph stations, which are operated by the girl's uncle. Her father and uncle are engaged in a feud and each suspects the other when their businesses are held up by gunmen. The scheming thieves and murderers plan to take over the coach and telegraph companies. Hale discovers the identity of the leader of the gang, played by Roy Barcroft, who is captured. James Burke as the girl's father adds a comic touch. Melville Tucker was associate producer. Philip Ford directed, from Bob Williams' original screenplay. Others in the cast are Roy Barcroft, Francis Ford, Robert Emmett Keane, Fred Graham, Wade Crosby, Eddie Acuff and Foy Willing. Running time, 67 minutes. General audience classification. Release date, June 15. Embargo (Continued from page 1) erated in London. Extension of MPEA's activities to Britain provides a control which could be exercised to the extent of withdrawing member companies from that market. Presumably, however, if the report is correct, the MPEA would not function as a sales organization but as a service organization, such as the role it will assume in Holland next fall. Participants in the meeting indicated that further study is to be given to the entire British situation and, meanwhile, British reaction to the State Department's expression of "concern" over the new 45 per cent British film quota will be awaited. It was pointed I OF COURSE I "TEXAS, I BROOKLYN and HEAVEN sent from UA out that immediate action is not vital as the new quota does not become effective until next October 1. Johnston Plans Visit To Coast in Mid-July Washington, July 1. — Eric Johnston, Motion Picture Association of America president, is planning to visit Hollywood during the latter part of July. He will go to Spokane from New York for a brief vacation with his family and will return here in midJuly for a meeting of the Public Advisory Board of the Economic Cooperation Administration. He hopes to be able to leave for the Coast after that meeting. Meanwhile, Edward • Cheyfitz, Johnston's assistant, left here today by auto for the Coast by way of Toledo. He is planning to arrive in Hollywood in time for the July 13 meeting on establishment of an industry council on public relations. Dallas Keys to Madison Guy Madison, who stars in United Artists' "Texas, Brooklyn and Heaven," will be the guest of the City of Dallas on July 19 when the Robert S. Golden production will have its world premiere. 100 Theatres Renew RCA Camden, July 1. — Renewal contracts for service to 100 theatres in the Southern region have been signed by RCA, including Southern Amusement, Paramount-Richards, United Theatres, and Dixie Theatres. Canada Rejects High Percentage from UK Washington, July 1. — Quebec censors last year rejected a higher percentage of British films than U. S., according to the U. S. Commerce Department, which cites three British films out of 52 submitted, being rejected in full, and five Hollywood features turned down out of a total of 293. Chief objection to U. S. films, the report says, are based on divorce scenes, infidelity, gangsterism, suicide and murder. Arthur Abeles (Continued from page 1) here by Warner Theatres from his district manager's post in Albany, N. Y., will join ABPC, overseeing theatre operations in view of Warner's substantial holdings in that company. Up to now Milder had also acted for WB in ABPC. Popkin Names Buchanan Buchanan and Co. has been engaged to handle Cardinal Pictures' advertising by Harry Popkin, Cardinal president and executive producer. Popkin, who is also a California circuit owner, is in town to shoot exteriors for "Impact," second of 10 pictures for United Artists. Warner Shuts Down Teddington Studios London, July 1— Warner Brothers has closed its Teddington studios here owing to its inability to find independent British producers who want to use the studios' facilities, according to Arthur Abeles, Jr., executive assistant to Max Milder, Warner managing director in Britain. Teddington will reopen as soon as any indenj^ nt producers seek to use it, he Pointing out that Warner originally planned to produce two or three topgrade pictures for distribution and exhibition in America, Abeles asserted that the new British quota indicates that "what is desired is not quality productions, but quickies." Warners own plans to produce at Associated British Pictures' Elstree studios when their reconditioning is completed remains unaffected by the Teddington shutdown. Mexican Strike (Continued from page 1) asserted that progressively poorer business actually demands a wage cut of 40 per cent and a considerable re duction in personnel. The truce is expected to yield permanent peace, with both sides making concessions. New Giles House in Mass. Boston, July 1. — Giles Circuit's new 1,000-seat theatre in Framingham will be opened shortly, according to John1 S. Giles, circuit operator. All America is discovering and loving LOIS BUTLER in "MICKEY," Eagle Lion's heartwarming kit in Cinecolor ! Paced by record day-and-date openings in Midwest, "MICKEY" is setting sensational grosses' every where ! HEARING IS BELIEVING! We'll send you, absolutely FREE, Lois Butler's latest Capitol recording, "Dreams in My Heart." Write, wire or phone Exploitation Dept., Eagle Lion Films, 165 W.46th St., New York 19, N.Y.