Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1944)

Jroadway^s Lamplighter JivKE STARR, known as the "Lamplighter Broadway," and head of Artkraft-Strauss, e company which has built more than 80 per jnt of electric spectaculars for Broadway eatres the past 40 years, recently had an iJ^pcrtunity to delve into the mysteries of . |ulpture. Mr. Starr designed, built and erected '•''■'je 55-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty at '^imes Square which served as the pivot for J,e industry's Sixth War Loan and which is pctured on page 10. ' * The statue is made of plaster, wood and steel. soars 70 feet above the street, atop a two.pcry building, houses two glass-enclosed stages pd'a War Bond booth and is equipped with igtatral heating, a public address system and , vtage lighting. It is illuminated with 30 giant f)Otlight5 supplying 150,000 candle power light, i liberty's sunburst crown also is lighted and ke upraised torch is made of red and white Iternating flash lights. Mr. Starr contributed his services for Miss , iibertj-, was paid only for labor and material \)sts, and this in War Bonds, and was the ; bcond Bond purchaser at the unveiling cere"j^^onies last Friday. . \i<^creenings for Shorts __MPRO\'ED quality of short subject product If the major companies has created a stir of merest among newspaper and magazine film llritics. Recently, the New York Herald Tribune Revoted its entire Sunday film feature section sicro shorts, drawing the attention of its readers mi) the better product and the increased prestige ^" ttained in this field. In response to this in;rest, Warner Bros, has inaugurated special i-creenings of shorts for newspaper and magaira^ine reviewers, Xorman H. Moray, short subW'''ect sales manager, announced last week. First •Ui'jhowing took place Monday at the home office ffiavith the following subjects screened: "I Am an -fJ^\.merican," "Jammin' the Blues," '"Proudly We "^ifperve" and 'T Won't Play." i3s\\ seekers. Wednesday, Paramount brought "And Now Tomorrow," starring Alan Ladd and Loretta Young, to the Paramount theatre, which, incidentally, celebrated its 18th birthday the same day. At the Radio City Music Hall, Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer were reunited Thursday in Columbia's "Together Again." "Dark Waters," Benedict Bogeaus' production for United Artists, starring Merle Oberon, opened Tuesday at the Globe. MGM's Technicolor film, "An American Romance," came to Loew's State Thursday. "Meet Me in St. Louis," Metro's Technicolor musical starring Judy Garland, will have its premiere at the Astor next Tuesdav. ^^xonerated sIAURICE CHEVALIER, French actor, inally has been cleared by his countrymen of ( -.harges of collaboration with the Nazis. As•ording to a British Broadcasting System re^'tuort Tuesday , a committee investigated his ■'"t'ictivities during Germany's occupation. A -''-statement issued in Paris by the committee ■r"j;aid, "Chevalier gave one entertainment only ■^%t a German prison camp, was not paid, and in -'t':xchange for his performance 10 prisoners ?'%-ere released." sd-c, News fiT'S been a long time since four new topjjriloracket productions opened on Broadway the iame week, the product jam in New York first i'nins preventing that happy event. This week, for the Thanksgiving Day weekend, four new lills were available to holiday entertainment Check Your Child? BOSTON'S Normandie theatre, now known as the Laff Movie, inaugurated a service to the community along with its new policy. Parents can check their children in the lobby of the theatre while they see the two-hour comedy show or go shopping. Tags have been numbered from one to 500, and children can be checked at the theatre whether or not the parents are patrons. A competent matron is on hand to supervise the youngsters. This is the first service of its kind in Boston, although several theatres in other cities established similar checking systems, but designed for their patrons only. Together Again THE publicity staff of Columbia Pictures has an entry which it considers a sure thing for "Best Stunt" of the year. Newspapers in New York and other key cities gave unusual coverage to the human interest story staged by the company this week for the opening of "Together Again" at Radio City Music Hall. Columbia arranged to bring six wounded veterans, home from overseas service after nearly a year, and their wives and sweethearts together again for a gala meeting which really was a surprise. The reunion was staged at the company's home office screening room, with a dinner celebration later at the Stork Club. Irene Dunne, who co-stars in the picture with Charles Boyer, was hostess. The New York Post, Sun, WorldTelegram, PM and Brooklyn Eagle devoted stories and pictures to the event as did the Washington Times Herald, Buffalo Courier Express and the Evening News, Pittsburgh Sun Telegraph and the Post Gazette. National coverage on the wire services was claimed by the Columbia home office as the most complete of any recent comparable event. The participants loved it. Returning to Activity ROBERT MONTGOMERY will return to films. MGM has the story for him, it announces, William L. White's "They Were Expendable," acquired shortly after publication, ernors. and held, in MGM's words, until "just the right player" could be found. Mr. Montgomery, jy ^ TT a Lieutenant Commander, has been put on the JjUmeCl inactive list, after three years' service. Commander John Ford will direct, according to MGM. Extending the Franchise THE Short Subjects branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has recommended to the Academy Rules Committee a change in procedure governing the selection of shorts for Annual Awards. It is proposed that the shorts be judged by the full Academy membership of 600 instead of, as formerly, by the Academv officers and the Board of Gov Therapy WOUNDED veterans, bedridden and too ill to sit upright, were the beneficiaries of a new technique of enjoying film fare last Sunday afternoon. Over a public address system Staff Sergeant William Walker described the action of "Going My Way" which was not covered by dialogue. The innovation was broadcast over WEAF in New York during the Army Hour from the Fitzsimmons General Hospital, Denver. WHEN William C. Hunt's Grand Theatre, Cape May Courthouse, N. J., was destroyed by fire November 5, the New Jersey circuit owner was left with only eight houses. Three others have burned during approximatly a year — -the Strand, Ocean Pier, and Nixon, in Wildwood, N. J. During the September hurricane Mr. Hunt's Regent and City Pier theatres in Wildwood and Cape May City were badly damaged. Mr. Hunt says all will be repaired, adding wistfully, "When and if priorities permit." More Hollywood WITH its acquisition by Publisher John S. Knight, the staid Chicago Daily News, formerly . owned by the late Frank Knox, has opened its doors to more news and gossip of the theatrical world. It picked up Leonard Lyons' column, added a local gossip column, written by Ward Caille of the staff, which allots generous space to filmdom, and has opened its columns to more Hollywood news stories. Extra for Extras DURING October, according to the Central Casting Corporation in Hollywood, the average daily wage of extra players was $13.39, the highest figure yet recorded. The reason for the high average is the fact that there were only 417 placements made in the $5.50 bracket, whereas placements in higher brackets — $10.50 and $16.50— totaled 21,669. There were 24,833 placements during the month, with a total dollar value of $332,574.62. While these figures represent an increase over the month of September, they are substantially below those recorded . for October, 1943. 5 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, published every Saturday by Quigley Publishing Company, Rock Ifork." Martin Quigley, President; Colvin Brown, Vice-President; Red Kann, Vice-President; T. Advertising Manager; Chicago Bureau, 624 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, 5; Hollywood Bu 242 Millwood Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, W. M. Glodish, correspondent; Montreal Bu 4 Golden Square, London W I, Hope Willianns Burnup, manager; Peter Burnup, editor; cable Q Cliff Holt, correspondent; Sydney Bureau, 17 Archbold Rd., Roseville, Sydney, N.S.W., Austro i.uis Becerra Celis, correspondent; Buenos Aires Bureau, J. E. Uriburi 126, Buenos Aires, Argen de Joneiro, Brazil, Alfredo C. Machado, correspondent; Montevideo Bureau, P. O. Box 664, M Df Circulations. All contents copyright 1944 by Quigley Publishing Company. Address all cor >aily. International Motion Picture Almanac, and Fame. efeller Center, New York City, 20. Telephone Circle 7-3100; Cable address "Quigpubco,"' New J. Sullivan, Secretary; Terry Ramsaye, Editor; James D. Ivers, News Editor; Ray Gallagher, reau. Postal Union Life Building, Hollywood, 28. William R. Weaver, editor; Toronto Bureau, reau, 265 Vitre St., West, Montreal, Canada, Pat Donovan, correspondent; London Bureau, uigpubco London; Melbourne Bureau, The Regent Theatre, 191 Collins St., Melbourne, Australia, lia, Lin Endean, correspondent; Mexico City Bureau, Dr. Carmona y Valle 6, Mexico City, tina, Natolio Bruski, correspondent; Rio de Janeiro Bureau, R. Sao Jose, 61, C. Postal 834, Rio ontevideo, Uruguay, Paul Bodo, correspondent; cable Argus Montevideo. Member Audit Bureau respondence to the New York Office. Other Quigley Publications: Better Theatres, Motion Picture «i4MOTION PICTURE HERALD, NOVEMBER 25, 1944 9'