Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1945)

Award to Matlack JACK MATLACK, director of advertising and publicity for the J. J. Parker Theatres, Portland Ore., was named Portland's Junior First Citizen this week. In 1943, Mr. Matlack won the Quigley Silver Grand Award, and he won the Quigley War Showmanship Award for 1943 and 1942. Under his guidance, the Parker theatres sold $10,000,000 in War Bonds in 1943. A committee of civic leaders and the Junior Chamber of Commerce selected Mr. Matlack as the city's junior leading citizen. He will receive the award at the chamber's annual anniversary dinner January 19. Only 30 years of age, Mr. Matlack is a comparative newcomer to Portland, having lived there just two years. "Through theatre promotion, he has collected for the city and for Oregon an array of 'firsts' in war service drives," the Sunday Oregonian observed. Navy E APPRECIATION to the industry for its service to the Navy in 1944 was expressed by Secretary of the Navy Forrestal over the weekend. In a letter to Y. Frank Freeman, president of the Association of Motion Picture Producers, Secretary Forrestal declared: "I should like to express through you to the studio heads and producers the Navy's appreciation of the fourstar performance turned in by the industry during 1944. The Navy is not only thankful for the cooperation it received but also grateful for the entertainment, both in personal appearances and in pictures for overseas use, by the people of the motion picture world." Ready for Action KENTUCKY, Louisiana, Mississippi and Virginia are the only states in the U. S. whose state legislatures will not convene this year. Legislatures of 43 states will meet in January, Florida's in May. Last year only nine states convened. No special sessions are set for this year. In some of the states, it is indicated that new taxation on film admissions may be attempted and exhibitors, both independent and organized, are prepared to fight any attempts to add to their box office burdens. Postwar relief, help to veterans, old age pensions and other state needs may result in increased taxes. in Better Theatres ASSERTING that in recent years the functional basis of theatre design has found acceptance among exhibitors, Ben Schlanger, New York architect, advises wider adoption of this approach to auditorium decoration in the postwar theatre. "The design of the auditorium," he writes in Better Theatres, with this issue, "demands study which should lead to the creation of a decorative effect stemming from Its own functional aspects." This method, which he demonstrates in his article, also avoids, In his opinion, a treatment that Is likely to become outmoded In a relatively snort time, calling for remodeling sooner than mere physical deterioration would require. Toward Militancy A NEW Motion Picture Council of Protestant Women, sponsored by the Christian Herald, is announced in the February issue of that magazine. Mrs. Daniel A. Poling, wife of the Herald's editor-in-chief, is national chairman, and Mrs. Jesse M. Bader, wife of the secretary of the department of evangelism of the Federal Council of Churches, is editorial chairman. In its full-page announcement, the Christian Herald calls attention to the fact that with 80 million Americans paying to see a film at least once a week, and with much of our national character being shaped in the seats before the screen, "The movies have become as potent an educational force as church _ or school. . . . Christian Herald believes it is time for Protestantism to speak out on the movie question with a militant voice. "We believe that a people so great in numbers and so great in spirit must take off the blindfolds of indifference and make their influence felt in a demand for clean, wholesome, inspirational motion pictures that will elevate and not lower the character-standards of America." executives agree. Bad weather recently caused a few delays. A master positive and duplicate negatives of the British footage is made by the Pathe laboratories in London. Immediately after the film is approved by the Supreme Allied Command there, it is flown by bomber to Washington, with a cable dispatched to the organization noting the time of departure and expected arrival. After the film's second censorship is completed in Washington, notification of the carrying plane's arrival at La Guardia Field, New York, is wired, thus enabling the organization to inform the companies which then allocate the necessary space m their next release. While the footage is in the hands of the Wright organization, it is edited roughly as a time saver for the companies and a complete "dope sheet" is prepared. Taking Stock British Efficiency AMERICAN audiences are getting their British film coverage of the war faster than heretofore, through shipping and editing facilities set up by the Hamilton Wright Organization, New York, functioning under appointment of the British Information Services. As official editorial adviser and distributor of all British combat newsreel film flown here, and distributed in the United States, Canada and Latin America, the organization has speeded greatly the time formerly consumed in the London censorship, according to Richard W. Wright, treasurer. American newsreel Ohio Blizzard CINCINNATI Wednesday was digging itself out of its worst blizzard in more than 50 years. Northern Ohio was hardest hit, according to reports, with 10-foot drifts slowing transportation throughout the area. Theatre attendance dropped dismally and film deliveries were halted in some sections of the state, forcing theatres to close or to continue with the programs on hand. The Plymouth theatre, at Plymouth, was one of the many film houses thrown open to residents caught in the snowdrifts. A serious gasoline shortage threatened many of north Ohio's important war plants and many schools closed. Authorities expected the unprecedented snowfall to be followed later this week by flood tides of the Ohio River. THE counting begins. In the New York office of the War Activities Committee, tallying began this week on reports from the nation's 15,000-odd theatres, whose support of the Sixth War Loan ended December 31. First, and indicative, reports are that the theatre support was more vigorous than in the previous Fifth War Loan, the present campaign having been led mainly by independent exhibitors ; and that the harvest will be greater. For instance, the New York area WAC committee last week reported that up to December 24 its theatres sold $41,284,464 of "E" Bonds. This is an increase of $9,468,837 over the amount sold in the previous campaign. In the Loew circuit of that city, manager Gil Marbe and his American theatre have been leading in sale of "E" Bonds. Up through last week, Mr. Marbe had sold 9,004. 28th Term FOR MANY years, 27 of them to be exact, members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees' local in Boston have held election meetings to determine who shall serve under Thad C. Barrows. This week's meeting was no exception. Mr. Barrows walked away with the presidency for the 28th consecutive time, in this instance with more than four times the number of votes cast for his only opponent for the office. Other officers named for Local 182 were Joseph Nuzzolo, vice-president; Albert F. Moulton, financial secretary, and Joseph Rosen, treasurer. Members named to the executive board were Walter Diehl, Harold Kaitz, James O'Brien and Mr. Barrows. The union president has other distinctions. He has been chief projectionist at the Metropolitan theatre since that de luxe 4,400-seat house opened nearly 20 years ago. He is one of the best-known projectionists in the business and is a world traveler. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, published every Soturdoy by Quigley Publishing Company Rockefeller Center^^^^^^^ York." Mortin Quigley, President; Colvin Brown, Vice-President; Red Konn V,ce President Theo. J Sulh^^^^^^ • ^^.^^ Life Building, Hollywood, 28 WMIiann R. Field Editor; Ray Gallagher, Advertising Manager; Chicago Bureau, 624 South ^^^^^'S^" ,^^?"^«' Montreol Bureau 265 Vitre St., West, Montreal, Canada, Pat Donovan. Weaver, editor; Toronto Bureou, 242 Millwood Road, Toron o, Ontario, Canada, W. edHor cable Qu apubco London; Melbourne Bureau, The Regent Theatre, correspondent; London Bureau, 4 Golden Square, London W I, Hope Wiiliorris turnup ma ager P^*^;^^^ i^^^^' j",^^^^ Australia, Lin Endean, correspondent; Mexico. City Bureau, 191 Collins St., Melbourne, Australia, Cliff Holt, correspondent; Sydney Bureau, 17 Archbold Rd ^.^f^ f ' ,|r"R7^„o5 Aires Argentina, Natolio Bruski, correspondent; Rio de Janeiro Dr. Carmona y Voile 6, Mexico City, Luis Becerra Cells, correspondent Buenos Aires bureau J^ t ^V'X'J^^^ p. q Box 664, Montevideo, Uruguay, Paul Bodo, correspondent; Bureau, R. Sao Jose, 6i C. Postal 834, Rio de Janeiro, Braz I, Alfredo C Address all correspondence to the New York Office. Other cable Argus Montevideo. Member Audit Bureou of Circulations. All contents copyright ''''S bv Q"igley^"l=l'^"'"9 Quigley Publications: Better Theatres, Motion Picture Daily, International Motion Picture Almanac, and 1-ame. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, JANUARY 6. 1945 9