Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1945)

U. S. Takes to the Screen to Tell About Tomorrow On Thursday "Watchtower Over Tomorrow," the first motion picture ever made by the industry for the U. S. State Department, was to be released to theatres throughout the nation. It has been indicated that both the industry and the State Department intend to continue and extend the cooperation thus begun. "Watchtower," a 15-minute short subject dealing with the complex Dumbarton Oaks proposals for international security, is distributed by the War Activities Committee through WAC distributor chairmen in each of the 3 1 exchange areas. Release of the picrure coincides with the radio, newspaper and public platform campaign the State Department is conducting prior to the United Nations Conference in San Francisco April 25. The film attempts to show how the nations of the world failed to insure a lasting peace after World War I, the consequences of their failure and the responsibility facing the United Nations for durable international peace in the future. As treated on the screen, the proposals of Dumbarton Oaks are somewhat oversimplified, but for theatre audiences struggling to understand the machinery whereby Dumbarton Oaks' objectives could be implemented, "Watchtower Over Tomorrow" succeeds in its mission. As documentary cine-art, the picture is disappointing. The handling of newsreel materia! for background, the montage effects and the casting of Hollywood actors to impersonate Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Public leave a good deal to be desired, and also indicate that timeliness was above other considerations. As a short information on what Dumbarton Oaks hopes to achieve, the message will get across the screen to the audience. The introductory sequence featuring Edward R. Stettinius, Secretary of State, who emerges not only as an earnest public official but photogenic as well, was made in Mexico City EDWARD R. STETTINIUS in his first motion picture role, as Edward R. Stettinius, Secretary of State in "Watchtower Over Tomorrow," produced by Jerry Bresler, directed by John Cromwell from an original by Ben Hecht. during Mr. Stettinius's stay there for the Chapultepec Conference. In his introductory remarks, the Secretary of State pays tribute to the industry "for the patriotic effort it is making, through this picture, to bring you an idea of what a United Nations organization can mean for the men and women and children of our country." John Cromwell directed the film. Karl Kamb wrote the shooting script from a treatment by Ben Hecht. Jerry Bresler, head of MGM shorts subjects production, produced "Watchtower" and John Nesbitt, of MSM's "Passing Parade" series, was the narrator. Harold Kress was film director and Lester White photographer. — JES. PRC Buys Exchange from Kulick in New York PRC completed plans Monday whereby it will acquire the company's New York exchange on April 6. Arrangements for the purchase of the franchise, which was held by Bert Kulick, recently appointed general manager of distribution, were started by Leon Fromkess, PRC president, during his recent visit to the company's New York office. The new exchange will continue to be managed by Frances Kulick. Plans for the acquisition of additional exchanges in the near future now are under way, according to Mr. Fromkess. ductions. Barry Buchanan, director of advertising and publicity, discussed the company's forthcoming merchandising plans on new films. Among the Canadian branch managers in attendance at the meeting were Charles S. Chaplin and Sam Kunitzky. Montreal; J. H. Reid, Calgary; George Heiber, St. John; Douglas Rosen and Al Iscove, Toronto; Harry Woolfe, Vancouver; Abe Feinstein, Winnipeg. Herbert Berg of the home office publicity department accompanied Mr. Schnitzer and Mr. Buchanan. Schnitzer and Buchanan at Montreal UA Meeting A discussion of United Artists' new merchandising plan highlighted the opening session of the company's Canadian sales meeting at the Mount Royal Hotel, Montreal, Monday. Edward M. Schnitzer, home office executive, presided at the meeting, which was attended by the company's six Canadian branch managers. Mr. Schnitzer outlined policies to be followed in connection with both current and new pro PCCITO Urges Congress State Theatres Essential Motion picture theatres should be declared essential, the Pacific Coast Conference of Independent Theatre Owners urged, in a resolution directed this week to Congress and to Director of War Mobilization James Byrnes. The resolution was to be sent to Mr. Byrnes and to Senators and Representatives of seven Pacific area states. Taking note of an appeal for film theatres presented in the House by California Representative Gordon L. McDonough, the resolution stresses the manifold service of theatres in the war effort. Tax Revenue Uf To $26,298,412 Washington Bureau In sharp contrast to a year ago, the turn year brought a definite upsurge in amusem tendance, it was indicated Tuesday by the ] of Internal Revenue. The improvement was shown in the Fe collections (covering January business), rose to $26,298,412 from $24,345,560 the pre month, while a year ago receipts dropped $16,744,936 to $12,094,185 in the same perioe The special report for the Third New (Broadway) District, however, indicated ii improvement in business was in the smaller and rural districts rather than the metro; centers, receipts in the Broadway sector dr from $4,766,726 in January to $4,049,158 tl lowing month. The New York report showed that ri from box office admissions dropped from $ 825 in January to $3,450,643 in February, receipts from tickets sold by brokers dec from $51,054 to $32,913 ; tickets sold by prop: in excess of established prices dropped from to nothing, and admissions to roof garden cabarets fell from $630,833 to $565,602. The bureau reported that for the first months of the Government's fiscal year i lected $237,662,562 from admissions ,against 630,825 in the corresponding period a yeai an increase of $117,031,737. Technicolor Reports Net Of $859,156 for 1944 Technicolor, Inc., had a net profit of for the fiscal year ended December 31, 194 1 cording to the company's annual financial released Tuesday in New York by Dr. H ' T. Kalmus, president. The 1944 net corr with $1,103,704 for 1943. Federal excess profits' taxes increased $13,008 in 1943 to $535,450 in 1944, the subject to an anticipated post-war refur! $53,345. Total Federal taxes last year amc | to $1,048,288, compared with $812,250 the before. Total revenue in 1944 was $11,1' against $9,292,927 in 1943. Footage of Ml prints rose from 125,773,775 in 1943 to 161,97 1 An agreement recently was made between nicolor and the Bank of America National and Savings Association for a line of creo'j to $2,500,000 for the next 10 years, Dr. Kif reported. Twenty-nine American features were i!i graphed in Technicolor during 1944 and others were filmed by Technicolor, Ltd., B| affiliate, 39 features are being photographed I or are in preparation of filming for this I During the year the company also made fl on a wide range of subjects for the Governmd Canada Continues Royalty Fe< On Seating Capacity Basis There is no change in the schedule of rol fees for 1945 to be collected by the Can,? Performing Rights Society, Toronto, from th ji proprietors on a seating capacity basis. How f the organization has been authorized by Dominion Government to impose fees toti $141,672 from Canadian radio stations for the : of the repertoire of music compositions, comj !i with $138,310 in 1944. Pete Smith Short Wins Safety Council Award The National Safety Council's Award oflj' annually for the film contributing most to pf safety during the year has gone to the MGM Smith Specialty, "Safety Sleuth." The film selected as "the best motion picture on occji tional safety released in 1944 — also the best m< \> picture on any safety subject produced prim; W award went to another Pete Smith Speci |y>j "Seventh Column." This marks the fourth i»j an MGM short has won the award. 48 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MARCH 31, 15!