Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1950)

Tuesday, August 15, 1950 Motion Picture Daily 5 Review "Tea for Two" {Warner Brothers) Hollywood, Aug. 14 PRODUCER William Jacobs and director David Butler, the superbly teamed talents responsible for "Look for the Silver Lining" and other rare entertainment, have made of the fondly remembered "No, No Nanette" a film trimly tailored to the known tastes of today's young and not so young. Rich in song, dance and humor, and shot in the best Technicolor tradition, the picture gives Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson, Patrice Wymore, Eve Arden, S. Z. Sakall and Billy De Wolfe precisely the things to do which each does best. They do it so well in this instance that the 101 minutes of running time seem like half that. The principal song numbers are from that yesteryear which, in these times, is providing the juke boxes and the disc jockeys with their best material. They include "Tea for Two," "I Know That You Know," "I Want to Be Happy," "Crazy Rhythm," "I Only Have Eyes for You," "The Charleston" and. "No, No Nanette," the first used recurrently as the love theme, the others in a firmly contrasted variety of treatment and styling. Any or all of them figure to pop up in the 1950 Hit Parade lists, fresher than most of today's tunes, as soon as the picture gets into circulation. The singing by Miss Day and MacRae is expert, under-stressed, totally effective. The dancing by Gene Nelson is no less than sensational, both en solo and with company. Miss Wymore gets the proceedings off to a flying start with a hot handling of "Crazy Rhythm," and Eve Arden contributes some dialogue lines of equivalent temperature. Sakall and De Wolfe, divide the comedy chores about evenly. There is, of course, a story, which is approximately the story of "No, No Nanette," in which an abruptly penniless young heiress who does not know her funds were lost in the market crash of 1929 makes a wager with her guardian that she can answer "no" to all questions for 48 hours. This has to do with the financing of a musical, which is the grand-daddy of all filmusical plots, but the story is as serviceable as it ever was for the purpose of tying good musical numbers together. Running time, 101 minutes. General audience classification. Release date, Sept. 2. William R. Weaver CEA Revolt Against Eady Tax Pool May Delay Plan's Start London, Aug. 14. — Open revolt against the present form of the Eady entertainment tax production pool within the ranks of the Cinematograph Exhibitors Association indicates the inauguration of the pool, scheduled for Sq'^I, may have to be postponed. J_ " The Leeds branch of the CEA has declared that it will withdraw from the industry machinery being created to implement the pool unless fairer representation on the pool's board is accorded CEA, and unless the tax formula is improved with respect to ticket prices so that a financial benefit is assured. In the latter regard, the Leeds branch feels that the proposed levy of a farthing a seat might induce patrons to buy cheaper seats, which would result in losses to the exhibitor. It claims that the levy should be based on a percentage of actual receipts, instead of the farthing per seat plan. Press Plans for New UK Children's Films London, Aug. 14. — The Association of Specialized Film Producers is making headway with its proposed Children's Entertainment Films Trust, following the shutdown of J. Arthur Rank's children's film department. The association suggests that financing of new children's films might come from the Eady entertainment tax production pool, based on estimated attendance of 1,500,000 children weekly at British theatres, at the tax pool basis of a farthing per seat. The association also suggests that the government might contribute a sum equal to that made available from the Eady pool. Rapper Setting 'Lord Johnny' in London London, Aug. 14. — Irving Rapper has arrived here to prepare for production of "Lord Johnny," to start early in September. To be filmed in Technicolor, it will star Cornel Wilde with an otherwise all-British cast. Rapper will direct. Negotiations for distribution and studio space are in progress. O'Brien to Be Honored London, Aug. 14.— Tom O'Brien, head of the National Association of Theatrical and Kine Employes union and Member of Parliament, will be honored by the industry here on the occasion of his 50th birthday, next Thursday. He entered the business in 1918. U. K. Grosses {Continued from page 1) the sound stages in producer-operated studios were idle at the end of the first quarter, and in other studios threequarters of the stages were idle, a sharp increase from the end of Dec, 1949. There was an accompanying further drop in studio employment. Says Theatres {Continued from page 1) always been top flight. They are quick to contribute in every drive, no matter how large or small. I cannot speak too highly of their cooperation." The state officials explained that plans of the State Defense Commission, headed by General Lucius Clay, are still in a formative stage. It is now molding the policy-making pattern. A meeting is scheduled in New York later this week. More definite word on plans will probably be available soon. So far no pamphlets have been issued. Announcement was made from Washington over the weekend that one was being distributed. The present emphasis in this state is being placed on the organization of a county defense setup. More than 40 have already been established; the number may be as high as 60. Mayor Erastus Corning is chairman for Albany county. It is believed he will seek the mobilization of local theatres through the appointment of an industry representative to his defense counsel. In the last conflict, each local defense counsel had a war mobilization group, in which theatres were represented. Warning setups then, director Ryan pointed out, included a signaling arrangement by which air raid wardens who happened to be in the house were notified to report promptly for duty if a blackout were scheduled. Theatres might be utilized this time, it is unofficially thought, for shelters. Screens also undoubtedly will be used for messages and instructional films. Their effectiveness in this area of education and propaganda is widely recognized, it was said. Nick Pierong, 70 Portland, Ore., Aug. 14. — Nick Pierong, 70, retired theatre executive fomerly connected with the Evergreen circuit, died at his home in Spokane, late last week of a heart attack, according to word received here today. Film Income Rise {Continued from page 1) first-run houses are said to be drawing stronger income but the increases percentage-wise have been varying. Leonard Goldenson, president of United Paramount Theatres, said it would be difficult to give any precise figures, but there is a "generally better tone to business," with a few exceptions. He said he based the observations on theatre income today as against previous months and other comparable periods. Goldenson agreed that the trend is upward and attributed it to the product which he described as "much better." The international crisis was given little credit for the better business. A. W. Smith, Jr., 20th Century-Fox distribution vice-president, said that the war scare might be proving helpful but it is the film output of recent weeks which is the main factor. Smith said he first noticed the income gains in July with the charts on "The Gunfighter." Others of similar caliber in release since have been following the pattern, he said. He added the upswing has been general, not limited to any certain areas and has reached "very substantial" proportions for 20th-Fox with such films as "Broken Arrow" and "My Blue Heaven." Of special interest, Smith said, was his experience with "Cheaper by the Dozen." The box-office performance of this has indicated that the possible top gross of a picture at present actually is greater than at the peak of the boom era during the last war, he said. Services for Bernerd Hollywood, Aug. 14. — Rites for Monogram-Allied Artists producer Jeffrey Bernerd, who died of a heart attack Thursday at his Beverly Hills home, were held today at the Wee Kirk o' the Heather, Forest Lawn. First Deal for Sdipercinecolor Hollywood, Aug. 14. — With an initial contract for five pictures, Columbia will be the first company to use Cinecolor's new three-color process, known as Supercinecolor, according to Karl Herzog, Cinecolor vice-president. Columbia's "When Redskins Rode," now shooting, will be the first in Supercinecolor. The new process made available at 5.2 cents per foot, uses Eastman's new color negative from which three separate negatives are made for processing under Cinecolor's own laboratory system. "Our ability to process both twocolor and three-color pictures is a decided trade advantage," Herzog stated. For Higher Budgets "With its two systems Cinecolor is the only laboratory equipped to meet the varying budget and production demands of all producers. The low cost of Cinecolor is the chief factor which has made it particularly popular with producers of low-budget outdoor action pictures. The use of Supercinecolor will be confined to producers in higher budget categories who are able to take advantage of the extra qualities which Supercinecolor has to offer." Herzog said that plant capacity will limit the use of Supercinecolor to two pictures per month for some time to come. /. Cooper, Manager Columbus, O., Aug. 14. — Jim Cooper, 63, former theatre manager in Springfield, Ohio, and Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, Michigan, died here after a long illness. In recent years he has been newscaster on WBNS and WELD. He managed Gus Sun's Springfield house and Butterfield houses in Michigan. William H. Heald, 73 Hartford, Aug. 14. — William H. Heald, 73, veteran New England theatre executive, died at his Haverhill, Mass., home. Heald had managed theatres in Boston, Lawrence and Fitchburg, Mass. Adam J. Paul, Pioneer Columbus, O., Aug. 14. — Adam J. Paul, 74, pioneer local Gabon showman, died at his home in Springfield, Ohio. He purchased the old Nickelodeon in 1907 and later owned the State. Trotti's Son Killed Lamar Trotti, Jr., son of 20th Century-Fox writer producer Lamar Trotti, died in an automobile accident last Thursday on the Coast, it was learned here yesterday. His brother, John, was seriously injured in the accident. Young Trotti was 18, his brother is 14. FOR QUALITY OF WORKMANSHIP Look For This Label PHOTOGRAPHED aJTIa M€MB€RS OF IXffip LOCAL 644 X^F