Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1950)

Motion Picture Daily Tuesday, May 2, Jap Import Ban Lifted Yokohama, Japan (April 30). — General MacArthur's Supreme Command headquarters has rescinded the order prohibiting American and other outside motion picture companies from distributing films in Japan independently and now permits them to operate either individually or through the Motion Picture Export Association, as they have been. Henceforth, film companies of any country may bring into Japan in any one calendar year up to the maximum number of films imported from the country concerned on an average for a vear during the 10 years prior to Dec. 1941. Goldwyn, Disney, Selznick and Monogram, and at least two unnamed MPEA member firms are reportedly applying to operate individually. Carriers Pass Gas Tax to UK Theatres London, May 1. — Britain's Association of Film Carriers, representing 20 film haulage contractors, has voted a 25 per cent increase in rates in consequence of Sir Stafford Cripps' new increase on the tax on gasoline and the purchase tax on commercial vehicles. Exhibitors, who will have to shoulder the increase and whom Sir Stafford denied any entertainment tax relief, will meet with the Carriers soon to discuss the development. SIMPP Financing (Continued from page 1) dent of United Artists, who is here from New York. It is understood that the organization contemplated would be in the nature of a stock subscription setup. Arnall also will take up the matter of the forthcoming re-negotiation of the film and monetary agreement with England. TWA — TWA TWA = TWA | TWA offers the most flights weekly § direct to these cities in EUROPE PARIS ROME ATHENS _ MADRID GENEVA ZURICH travel agent or call TWA. ,J v/erseas. ■■ U// Reviews Caged' ( Warner Brothers) A RAW and frequently violent view of the inner-workings of a women's state prison is etched in this Jerry Wald production. The picture is a curious mixture of melodrama and documentation. It has an earnestness and authority that immediately set it apart from the routine prison drama, yet frequently these qualities are sacrificed to devised melodramatics. Except for small, passing roles, there are no men in the cast, which is headed by Eleanor Parker, Agnes Moorehead and Hope Emerson. Exploitation-minded showmen can find much in the theme for special merchandising. Miss Parker has the focal role of the young girl sent to prison when she is innocently involved in a gas station holdup. She is thrown in with hardened criminals, is callously treated, and in the end, instead of being reformed, is on her way to becoming a habitual criminal. Prison conditions as outlined in the screenplay by Virginia Kellogg and Bernard C. Schoenfeld, are deplorable and ridden with corruption. Miss Parker is put under the supervision of Miss Emerson, a sadistic matron who exacts her full measure of petty bribery from the inmates. Circumstances darken for Miss Parker, already a widow, when she learns that she is to have a baby. There is little change of mood as the picture goes on to its grim ending. Acting is on a high level all along the line, with Miss Moorehead turning in an outstanding performance as the enlightened prison superintendent who is constantly at odds with the brutal prison methods and conspiring politicians. John Cromwell directed. The screenplay is frequently outspoken in reference to vice. Running time, 96 minutes. Adult audience classification. Release date, June 10. Mandel Herbstman 'The Fighting Stallion' (Eagle-Lion) AN outdoor Western setting is used as a background for this drama about a young man, who upon his release from the Navy, learns that he is going blind. The picture has its moments of action and excitement, but generally it lacks sparkle and conviction. Bill Edwards plays the lead with Doris Merrick providing the feminine angle. Upon returning to his ranch in Wyoming, Edwards conceives the idea of training an obstreperous stallion named Starlight to be a sort of seeing-eye horse. Difficulties arise when Starlight is branded as a killer who can not be tamed. Edwards, however, accomplishes the feat just as blindness is about to overtake him. Another aspect of the story involves a wild black stallion that has been preying upon ranch horses. A battle royal takes place in the finale, with Starlight vanquishing the black raider. By this time, Edwards and Miss Merrick, who have been having some misunderstandings, are happily reconciled. A concluding note sees the promise of regained vision for Edwards. A Jack Schwarz production, Schwarz produced and Robert Taney directed, from a screenplay by Frances Kavanaugh which was based on an original by George P. Slavin. Running time, 63 minutes. General audience classification. Release date, not set. M. H. Court Rejects (Continued from page 1) for dissolution of Trenton-New Brunswick Theatres Co. He said that the stock legends specify that in the event one of the partners desires to sell the stock, the other partner has the right to purchase it at book value. He added that RKO had entered a consent decree in the industry anti-trust suit which, in effect, indicated a desire to sell its share of jointly-owned properties. Superior Court Judge Jayne found that the Reade claim was "infirm basically," that the consent decree which RKO had entered created an emergency situation which was not contemplated by the original partnership agreement. Thus, he refused to order RKO to sell its shares at book value. Judge Jayne also put off to June 13 the hearing on the RKO motion for a court-ordered dissolution of the circuit. The hearing had been scheduled for yesterday. 20th, Naify Split (Continued from page 1) operating head of the circuits, has been ill for the past three months and as a consequence there has yet to be a decision on the 20th-Fox proposals for separation of the interests. The controlling stockholders are Naify and Joseph Schenck. Wiley Cites Leaders (Continued from page 1) derful thing" that film industry officials should have come to Washington "in order to help find a solution to this problem" and that Senator Johnson had "displayed splendid judgment and good sense in his decision." Declaring that some of the very small firms in the industry have been particularly guilty of breaches of good taste, Wiley said he thought correction of the breaches would not be easy, but that this "does not alter the necessity for our faith in democratic consultation around the conference table." Para. Acquires Stock (Continued from page 1) shares of its common stock, such number of shares had been acquired. Accordingly the bid has been withdrawn. At a previously-announced purchase price of about $21 per share, the investment represents $10,500,000. Balaban stated that the corporation will continue to acquire its stock. Boyle Joins Rotondo James Boyle, formerly with the RKO Radio and Eagle-Lion publicity departments, has become sales representative for Peter J. Rotondo Construction Co., here, builders and designers of theatre and television sets. New TV God] Under Study Television Broadcasters Ass< tion has set up a new advisory < mittee to review program respons ties of telecasters to the publi< view of the growth of the me/1^i the last two years with a v^J possibly adding to the set of pr pies on good taste and decency w the organization adopted in 1948. Lawrence W. Lowman, vice-p dent of Columbia Broadcasting a member of the TBA board, was ra chairman of the committee. C members will be appointed shortb In its statement of "principles policy" issued in 1948, the associ; recommended to all operating sta that until TV had advanced to point where its own guide coul< drawn, the telecasters use the c developed by radio and the M( Picture Production Administrate far as applicable. _ It is the purpose of the new visory committee to review these \ ciples and, if necessary, implei them to meet the requirements of panded TV service, it was statec Phonevision Ads (Continued from page 1) can be viewed in the home, and, frequently a typical Chicago fa will choose to pay an 'admis charge] of $1.00 to see a feature tion picture in their own home their television screen — the kind won't get free." The ad also claims that the mci pictures to be provided will bej "kind of entertainment you now at only the best neighborhood rrj theatres." A coupon asking only! name, address and telephone nur of those interested in participatin the test is included. It pledges: operation of the applicant "at no to me for the loan of the receive my family is one (of the 300) sele for the test." Pass Revised 'Thief Baltimore, May 1. — The It;' film, "The Bicycle Thief," has revised to conform to Maryland sorship requirements and a licenst showings throughout the state i been issued, the Maryland Boar Censors announces. 11 ACRES — FILLED LAND On Belleville Turnpike Near Radio Station WMCA At Kearny, N. J. Opposite Koppers Coke Plant For Lease or will build Owner, L. N. Rosenbaum & Sc 565 Fifth Ave. New York 1 MITCHELL MAY, Ji CO., INC. INSURANCE Specializing in requirements of the Motion Picture In dust 75 Maiden Lane, New Yorl 510 W. 6th St., Los Angela