Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1944)

URGE LIBRARY f OR short Promoted U WAR FILM RECORD LL Commander Washington Officials Move to Prevent Loss Similar to First World War Washington Btireaii Pertinent questions as to tlie fate of the tremendous volume of motion pictures and stills through which the war has been recorded were raised this week in Washington, where it is remembered that much of the pictorial history of World War I was ruined by neglect. Invaluable to motion picture producers, historians, students and others, the millions of feet of film used to record the course of the war are today "homeless" and their future a subject of concern to Army and Navy officials, who recall the large sums of money and the many lives expended in its making. Motion picture and still cameras were used to very great extent in the last war. Some pictures were stored by the Army and, when it was established, the National Archives received a considerable volume. Film Deteriorated Rapidly The World War I pictures knocked around for years, little used except for an occasional call by studios. The film on which they were made deteriorated rapidly, but Government funds for its protection were not forthcoming and the industry itself made a substantial money contribution in the field of preservative work. Initiating a drive for a National Library in which the war pictures could be preserved for posterity, the Washington Post this week urged immediate action by Congress so that the talent and manpower now available might be used in compiling the pictorial record. The paper's proposal received immediate endorsement from high Army and Navy officials, who foresee that the pictures of this war might be of great value as the basis for the strategy of a possible future conflict. Had the pictures of World War I been preserved in their entirety, it was declared, they would have been invaluable when the plans for the current war were in the making. There is general agreement that the pictures of all the services should be housed under one roof, it being pointed out that the cost of separate vaults, air conditioning apparatus and other equipment, plus competent staffs to take care of them for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, would be disproportionately great. Davis and MacLeish Approve To drive its point home, the Post obtained interviews with Army and Navy officials concerned with the matter ana with other officials interested in films. Support of the proposal came from Information Director Elmer Davis and Archibald MacLeish, Librarian of the Library of Congress. "I am anxious that worthy pictures, both stills and movies, be preserved for the benefit of future generations," Mr. Davis said. "OWI shall take appropriate steps when the time comes to turn over films and pictures in our custody to whatever agency may be designated as a permanent repository." Mr. McLeish, too, declared that "there must be a central film depository and a central film service of these pictures in and for the Federal Government." Comment from other officials was as follows : Commander E. John Long, USNR, officer in charge of the Pictorial Section of the Navy's division of public relations : "There should definitely be a World War II library, and in Washington. The library should be dedicated to peace, with a 'lest we forget' angle. Films and pictures would be available for loan to teachers, writers, publishing houses, newspapers, movie producers and lecturers. The material could be card-indexed in other sections of the country — New York, Chicago, Los Angeles — for reference for those who wished to borrow the films. Officers Add Voices Commander Edward J. Steichen, USNR, head of the Naval Aviation Photographic Unit ; "We need a library for photography — a library without paintings, or flags or trophies — but one that would parallel our libraries for books. For photographs, both still and motion, are the only means by which those not present can see what happened." Brigadier General Robert L. Denig, director of public relations. Marine Corps : "It's a great idea. The library should contain a complete and competent selection of the best photography, still and motion ; the best books and other written documents, as well as a selection of recordings made during combat. This library should be specifically World War II, and I am in favor of a board of directors with representatives from each service." Lieutenant Colonel C. W. Williams, chief of the historical division. Army Air Forces: "I definitely think all worthwhile war pictures should be preserved. They are too priceless and valuable for them to be lost." Vested with the responsibility of taking care of the World War I pictures now in the National Archives and mindful of the great interest in World War II pictures which will be manifested throughout the years, John G. Bradley, chief of the division of motion pictures and sound recordings of the Archives, urged that a separate repository be provided for them. Asks National Film Library "I would like to see a National Film Library of Government World War II films," Mr. Bradley said. "There could be a changing exhibit of enlargements and a small reference library. Exhibits could be set up in conjunction with future shows — such as an Eisenhower exhibit on his birthday, etc. "I do think, however, that museum pieces, such as flags, should go to museums, and that books should go to the Library of Congress. But I am certainly in favor of a rich warehouse of Word War II Americana, with all film in a centralized place." In interested circles, it was declared the Post's proposals for a central film library should have great influence in swinging thought toward the question of preservation of the records of the war. So far, the Administration has been too busy winning the war to devote much time to consideration of its historical importance, but it is believed that a proposal for a permanent film library will receive the support of President Roosevelt. Promotion of Paul Short, a national figure Variety Club activities and in motion pictu circles, from Lieutenant to Lt. Commander in tl Navy's aviation servic was announced this wei by the Commanding 0 ficer of the U. S. Nav Air Station at New O leans. Captain Paul E. Gille pie, former commandii officer of the station ai now commandant of advanced Naval air ba i in the Pacific, prais' Commander Short f' "his extraordinary coi tributions to Naval flig training." Commander Short, ( special assignment Lt. Com. Paul Short New Orleans after ser ing in the Secretary of tl Navy's office, had been associated with the Inte state Theatre Circuit of Texas, and held an e ecutive position with National Screen Service b fore entering Government work as head of t War Production Board's motion picture theat division. From that position, he entered the Na\ received_ deck officer training at Harvard and th was assigned to Washington. Captain Gillespie said: "Paul Short is large responsible ' for the great strides in the aviati' training program. His services have been inval able in the successful development and operati' of the Flight Instructor School. He has constat ly influenced every phase of the school since : inception." Commander Hugh B. Jenkins, with whom Coi mander Short collaborated in the production flight training films, said "that the development the series had been stimulated and vastly improv because of Commander Short's rare talents a background in the motion picture industry." "Hoagy Carmichael Week" Proclaimed in Indiana As a tribute to a native son and songwrit' Hoagy Carmichaeal, the Sixth War Loan Coi mittee for Indiana has arranged for the govern to proclaim "Hoagy Carmichael Week" Dece ber 8, coincident with the premiere of "To Ha and Have Not," in which he makes his screen c but, at the Circle theatre in Indianapolis. The War Loan committee and Indiana Univ^ sity will present an award to Mr. Carmicha In Bloomington, Ind., the mayor is issuing a sj cial local proclamation for "Hoagy Carmich: Week." Alumni of Indiana University are cooperati with George Pappas, manager of the Circle tl atre, to give the event extensive publicity. Paramount Christmas Seal Trailer Being Shipped Prints of the 1944 Christmas Seal trailer, "Jinj Bells," starring Bob Hope, are being shipped fn New York for showing in theatres throughout 1 United States and Canada, Ellen Lovell of the ^ tional Tuberculosis Association, announced I week. The film was produced by Paramount a: gift of the company through the courtesy of Bart Balaban, president, as was last year's trailer. Gf Martel directed the trailer at the Movietone S dios in New York, with the script by Fred Hods The trailer is scheduled for showing November Prints will be available from local Tuberculosis 7 sociations. Buys Two Philadelphia Houses Robert Nisenson, associated with Philadelp theatres for the past 12 years, last week purcha the Roxy and Boro theatres, Roxborough, Ph' delphia, from Sam Stiefel. Mr. Nisenson \ take over the management of the two houses i retain the personnel in both. ] 22 MOTION PICTURE HERALD. NOVEMBER 18, I