Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1941)

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34 MOTION PICTURE HERALD December 27, 1941 National Board Urges Attack On "Censorship" "Now that the Legion of Decency has approved the revised version of 'Two-Faced Woman,' " it becomes possible to draw some general conclusions about the whole episode," an open letter to the industry from Quincy Howe, president of the National Board of Review, declares. "In the first place, the Legion had every right to ask its members to boycott the film. Nor was it in any way obligated to approve of the revised version. Any group, large or small, should always be free in a democracy to urge members of that group and the general public, too, to boycott a film, a book, a play or any other artistic representation. This does not mean, however, that the public authorities, the motion picture industry, or the Hays organization has any obligation to follow the advice of the Legion of Decency or of any other group." "The public authorities have but one obligation— to enforce the law; if any public official believes that a film violates the laws of obscenity, he always has recourse to the courts, but any other interference on the part of public authorities constitutes censorship," continued the statement, added: "The motion picture industry and the Hays organization can, of course, go much further. They can censor their own products in the interests of good taste, public morals, popular approval, or anything else. This is a free country and the motion picture industry is free to produce or not to produce pictures as it sees fit. "But once a big company has issued a picture and once the Hays organization has passed that picture, it then becomes the duty of the industry and the organization to back up its own judgment, especially if a public official censors a picture as officials in Providence and Boston censored 'Two-Faced Woman.' In such instances the motion picture company, the motion picture exhibitor, and the Hays organization should challenge in the courts the right of public officials to overstep their proper functions. The National Board of Review urges that responsible leaders of the motion picture industry draw these conclusions from what happened to 'Two-Faced Woman,' " concluded Mr. Howe's statement. Schwa rz Leaves Agfa, Eckler Succeeds Him The board of directors of General Aniline and Film Corporation, in New York, on Tuesday, accepted the resignation of Ernst Schwartz as director and vice president of General and as general manager of the Agfa-Ansco Division. At the same time, President John E. Mack announced the appointment of Leopold Eckler, assistant vice-president of General, as acting general manager of AgfaAnsco Division. Mr. Eckler has been for many years director of production for Afga. Levy with Warners Ted Levy, formerly with the RKO exchange in Chicago, has been named chief booker at the Warner exchange there. National Decency Legion Classifies Fourteen Films Of the 14 motion pictures classified by the National Legion of Decency in this listing for the current week, eight were found unobjectionable for general patronage, five were approved for adults, and one, "TwoFaced Woman," was reclassified as objectionable in part. The pictures and their classifications follow: Class A-l, Unobjectionable for General Patronage: "Babes On Broadway," "Borrowed Hero," "Corsican Brothers," "Land of the Open Range," "Lone Star Law Men," "Red River Valley," "Remember the Day" and "The Vanishing Virginian." Class A-2, Unobjectionable for Adults : "All American Co-Ed," "Among the Living," "Ball of Fire," "Blue, White and Perfect" and "No Hands on the Clock." The Legion has also announced that MGM has made changes in "Two-Faced Woman." These changes have involved additions and eliminations. After reviewing the revised edition the Legion has removed the film from the condemned list and given it a B rating — Objectionable in Part. Callaway in United Artists West Coast Post W. E. Callaway was apointed West Coast district manager of United Artists, it was announced in New York on Tuesday, by Carl Leserman, general sales manager of the company. Mr. Callaway who assumes his new duties immediately, enters the post recently left vacant by Ben Fish, who resigned. For many years, Mr. Callaway was associated with Warner Brothers as both west coast district manager and Los Angeles branch manager. Prior to his Warner connection, he was western division manager for RKO. Texas Company Forms Incorporation papers have been filed at lobies or aisles, constituting fire hazards, the Texas capitol for a charter for Joy-Tex Theatres, Houston. Capital stock is placed at $9,000. Incorporators include Joy and Freddie Houck, of New Orleans, and A. P. Brashear, Houston. Central Promoted Wegener L. J. Wegener, manager of Central States Palace Theatre in Burlington, la., has been named district manager in that territory with supervision of ten of Central State's theatres. Two More for Bennett Joan Bennett will make two films in 1942 for Twentieth Century Fox. The company exercised its option on her services, following Miss Bennett's performance in its "Confirm or Deny." Kaufman in Defense Les Kaufman, director of advertising and publicity for the Fanchon & Marco circuit of St. Louis, has been given charge of the newspaper division of the city's Civilian Defense Committee. Buehrig in Cleveland Adolph Buehrig, Jr., formerly manager of Loew's theatres abroad, is the new manager of Loew's State in Cleveland. 10,000 Theatres for ''Dimes' Drive A goal of 10,000 theatres to cooperate in the industry's March of Dimes drive to aid infantile paralysis sufferers as part of President Roosevelt's birthday celebration has been set by Nicholas M. Schenck, chairman of the industry's drive committee, it was announced Friday, December 19th, in New York. Although the drive has only begun, more than 2,500 theatres have already agreed to participate. A message of appreciation from President Roosevelt to Mr. Schenck was received Monday in a letter from Keith Morgan, national chairman of the March of Dimes campaign. In a message to exhibitors Mr. Schenck said : "The motion picture industry has been called upon to help many worthy charity causes, but, in my opinion, none touches the heart more deeply than does the annual campaign to raise funds for the fight against infantile paralysis. "Really, not too much is asked of us," Mr. Schenck said. "We are merely asked to take collections in our theatre lobbies during the week of January 22nd to 28th. If we do that with the proper organization and enough enthusiasm, we can make a worthwhile industry contribution to the good cause." At the same time Mr. Schenck said he would appreciate hearing from every theatre as to the plans of each for the March of Dimes. On Monday, state chairmen of the drive started reporting to Harry Brandt, national cochairman, at the Hotel Astor in New York. Those who have reported include Harry C. Arthur, Jr., St. Louis ; W. F. Crockett, president of the MPTO of Virginia ; L. C. Griffith, Oklahoma City, Okla, and H. F. Kincy, Charlotte, N. C. Chicago Show Brings Quarter of a Million An audience estimated at 25,000 crowded into the Chicago Stadium on the night of December 17th to see and hear Mayor Kelly's annual "Night of Stars" show for the benefit of poor children. Ticket sales brought in $250,000 while program sales added another $25,000. From the proceeds at least 80,000 underprivileged youngsters will receive Christmas gifts of warm clothing and shoes. Conceived by Mayor Kelly in 1933, the extravaganza has always been the leading moneyraising event of Chicago's Own Christmas Benefit and is one of the biggest affairs of its kind held annually in the country. The Stadium was packed with customers who were entertained from 9 o'clock until early hours the next morning by a steady procession of Hollywood stars, name bands and performers from leading night spots, radio, the legitimate theatres and the opera and concert stages. James C. Petrillo, president of the American Federation of Musicians, led the orchestra in a selection. The Paulist Choir sang a group of Yule songs. Mayor Kelly spoke briefly. Among those from Hollywood who participated in the event were Joe E. Brown, Martha Raye, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, Humphrey Bogart, Mayo Methot and Jimmy Durante. Performers from "Louisiana Purchase," "Claudia" and "Native Son" were present besides numerous radio personalities. Harry Warner Heads Drive Harry M. Warner has been appointed head of the Motion Picture Committee on the Red Cross drive in Hollywood. Plans are being set for a thorough canvas of the industry.