Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1950)

6 Motion picture daily Thursday, August 17, 195 'IA' Meet (Continued from page 1) Review funds, said that a solution to the problem must be sought through top level governmental compromises. In addressing the "IA" convention today, Johnston lauded the General Motors-United Automobile Workers wage agreement but did not specifically recommend application of the plan to Hollywood studios and to American theatres. He said the GM-UAW "five-year plan" was like "cutting a ribbon in the dedication of a new avenue toward industrial harmony. First," he said, "it provides that as labor's productivity goes up, labor's share in the returns will jump proportionately. Second, it means union security. "Labor is guaranteed an annual increase in keeping with productivity; and that's incentive. The agreement further provides that the cost of living shall be reckoned as a factor in adjusting the weekly pay check; and that means confidence." Wants Labor Leaders in UN Johnston also told the convention he favored reenforcing the American delegation to the United Nations with labor leaders who have licked Communism in their own unions. "They are up on all the Communist techniques and know how to overcome them," he said. Referring to jurisdictional disputes with other AFL unions in the television field, Walsh told the delegates that IATSE is determined to get its share of representation in the TV studios. Walsh will be without opposition when he comes up for re-election at tomorrow's session. "The Fireball" (Thor Productions — 20th Century-Fox) NOVEL subj ect matter and brisk treatment are the standout qualities of this otherwise modest offering aimed primarily at sport fans and devotees of screen fare that is given more to action than sublety. It stars Mickey Rooney, and he justifies the nickname of the title as a roller derby star. The picture should draw heavily from among roller-derby enthusiasts. These are many, we understand, principally in consequence of the "play" television has given this more or less new sport. Mickey, cast as an undersized orphan with strong inferiority feelings, runs away from a Catholic school for boys headed by a kindly, understanding priest, as played by Pat O'Brien. The latter, while remaining in the background, traces the boy to a restaurant where he had obtained a job, and keeps in touch with Mickey's adventures through friends. Mickey becomes a frequenter of a rollerdrome where he is taught to skate by pretty champion Beverly Tyler. Before long he becomes a champ racer himself, but acquires a swelled head in the process. His flashy career is brought to a halt by an attack of polio, and when he fights his way back to health and roller fame he emerges a more modest but better-liked counterpart of his former self. No small credit for this goes to the influence of the priest, and Miss Tyler. The appealing cast also includes James Brown, Marilyn Monroe, Ralph Dumke, Bert Begley, Milburn Stone, Glenn Corbett, and others. Produced by Bert Friedlob, "The Fireball" was directed by Tay Garnett, from a screenplay by the latter and Horace McCoy. Running time, 84 minutes. General audience classification. October release. Charles L. Franke Improvements^ { (Continued from page 1) i DAV Subject (Continued from page 1) 54 Republic Features (Continued from page 1) 16 to National (Continued from page 1) partnerships which are to be dissolved. The company is now at work on splitting with the few remaining partnership houses on the West Coast. Among the 16 shifting to National in the break with Naify are these : Parkside, Noe and El Rey, San Francisco ; and the Chimes, Parkway, Palace and Eastmont in Oakland. W. E. Recorders to European Studios Four channels of Western Electric recording equipment have been shipped by Westrex Corp. to Munich, Germany, for the Office of the United States High Commissioner for Germany, according to E. S. Gregg, vicepresident. Prior to this shipment, 29 W. E. recorders had been shipped to studios in France, Italy, Switzerland, Bel Producers in behalf of the Disabled American Veterans. Well worth nine-and-a-half minutes of any exhibitor's playing time, because of the significantly humanitarian appeal it carries and because it contains some amazing bits of entertainment, "On Stage Everybody" will be available for September showings through an exchange manager in each key city whose assignment is to book the picture in his area. The film, which throughout moves at a lively pace, is introduced by Bob Hope who in turn introduces a revue staged and acted by wheelchair ridden veterans of World War II. Hope returns later to explain that the show comes under the classification of "recreation therapy" at such institutions as Halloran General Hospital and the U. S. Naval Hospital. He reasons then that it should be apparent to the public and to industry in general that disabled veterans can and must be given work — not only because of its therapeutic value but because the disabled are well able to serve industry in many types of jobs. The revue features songs, chorus girls, and some surprising feats of wheelchair skill. It will give audiences plenty to think about. Moreover, it is proof that the film industry is doing its part to see that the disabled veteran gets a break. C. L. F. gium, the Netherlands and Spain. In addition, 29 channels have been shipped to Great Britain. released, to be called the "Adventure Western Group," will comprise four pictures, and featuring two juveniles, 10-year-olds Michael Chapin and Eilene Janssen, as cowboy and cowgirl leads. This series will be linked to nationwide promotion among boys' and girls organizations and merchandising with department stores. The serials and six "Deluxe Travel Shorts," will be in Trucolor. It was decided that the new program should be flexible in production and release, and that the titles of pictures in all groups will not be announced until completed and scheduled for release. Already completed and set for fall release in the Deluxe group are: "Surrender," starring Vera Ralston, John Carroll and Walter Brennan, in September; "Hit Parade of 1951," John Carroll, Marie McDonald and Estelita, in October; John Ford's "Rio Grande," starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara in November; "The Golden Tide," in Trucolor, Rod Cameron. Forrest Tucker and Adrian Booth, in December. Deluxe productions which will be set for early release in 1951 include "California Passage," "Belle Le Grand" and "Torero." A second John Ford production and another John Wayne production will be released on the new program. The studio is now working on plans for two service productions : one on the Air Force campaign in the Pacific, the other a story of the Coast Guard. Both of these productions will be produced with the cooperation of the Defense and Treasury Departments. A story written by newspaper correspondent Bob Considine, to be filmed in New York and Miami, and a sea story in the character of "Wake of the Red Witch" will also be produced. said, "Despite competing attractions ii the entertainment field, more people are going and will go to pictures is' the immediate months ahead, whic j will provide the most prosperous pe I riod for motion pictures since 1945." j He urged his kmnch managers carry his o|LJr stic mes ' sage back to exnfuitors. He stated that the 1950-51 production program is geared to the j general upswing in business j and aimed at exhibitors who more than ever before are look j ing for money product to escape from the box-office dol 1 drums "of the past spring and summer." Yates further announced that Re public would launch the "finest cokn ever made." He reported that tb studio and laboratory had been work) ing for some time on the developmer of a third color for the company, Truecolor process, and after tests o equipment, make-up, and the process^ of printing, the studio is ready to stc all production of two-color Truecok and apply the new three-color proces: To 'Sell' New Process It is expected that the first Jud Canova picture, to go into productic about Sept. 1, would be filmed in tr new process. Yates said that a wel organized advertising and publicil campaign would be executed to se the new process to exhibitors and 1 the public. He stated that as soon ; new color equipment has been built i many more pictures in the "Deluj Group" would be made in color ar added to the company's schedule. "A policy of star-making" was a forth as an urgent need of the indu try. Yates cited the lack of attentk over the past few years to the buili ing of stars and said that all con panies must have an influx of ne talent as a reservoir for star mated; Reviews Year's Campaigns AMERICAN 1» LOS 'ANGELES THE MERCURYDC-6 5KYSLEEPER SERVICE Lv. Midnight EDT-Ar. 7:55 a.m. PDT He reviewed the campaigns sim the first of the year in which Republ sent its personalities into the field make first-hand contacts with theatr men, the press and the public. Su< campaigns will be continued for R( Allen, Forrest Tucker, Adrian Boot Adele Mara and others, he said. Sta building campaigns will also be insl tuted for Estelita and Muriel Lav rence. i Rocky Mt. Allied (Continued from page 1) because of the drop in production costs, more money being received from foreign countries, and on account of the newly-found revenue from drive-ins. The directors also demanded that salesmen and managers make more calls on exhibitors. If this latter request is not met the group says it will ask for an investigation into salesmen's and manager's expense accounts. John Wolfberg is the unit's president. The date for the next directors meeting was set for Nov. 15 in Denver. Await Transcript i\ 'Boundaries* Appeal Attorneys for Louis de Rochemo: plan to petition the U. S. Suprer, Court for a writ of certiorari in col nection with the contemplated appeal i the "Lost Boundaries" case as soon the Clerk of the U. S. Supreme Cov' provides the plaintiff with a print transcript of the action before the Ci cuit Court of Appeals in New Orleai. it was indicated here yesterday. T New Orleans trial followed a hearii, in U. S. District Court in Atlant which also resulted in a decision fa( orable to defendant Atlanta censoi whose banning of the picture is beii, challenged by producer de Rochemo all the way up to the high court. | If the law offices here of Sami I. Rosenman, de Rochemont's couns' are granted the writ, they will then_ in a postiion to file an appeal wij the Supreme Court.