Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1945)

THIS WEEK IN THE NEW Academician on Coast INDUSTRY executives gathered at the Brown Derby in Hollywood last Thursday to meet Dr. James T. Shotwell, economist, historian, author and lecturer, who gave his views on "the thinking picture" of today and tomorrow. The luncheon was arranged by the War Activities Committee and the professor was introduced by Francis Harmon, executive vice-chairman of WAC. "The art of the motion picture is going to move the spirit of mankind far more than the radio or the printed word ever can do, once we really learn how to use it, and we are learning fast," Dr. Shotwell observed. "The motion picture, great as it is, is only at the beginning of its possibilities," he said. He will remain in Hollywood for a month, working as advisor on several Office of War Information films being produced by WAC for the OWL Dr. Shotwell has been a consultant to the State Department for several years on international and economic matters and recently was named consultant to the domestic film bureau of the OWI. He is Bryce Professor Emeritus, History of International Relations at Columbia University, and is director of the division of Economics and History of the Carnegie Endowment for Peace. Censors Warn PENNSYLVANIA'S Board of Censors this week notified all theatre owners and managers in the state to make certain all films exhibited in their houses have been approved by the board. According to Mrs. Edna R. Carroll, chairman of the board, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh exchanges have been complying with the law and have had all films passed by the board. Several out-of-state distributors, however, who have been serving Pennsylvania accounts have been booking pictures into theatres without censor board approval. Mrs. Carroll reported that theatre men have been fined because of these violations, the penalties starting at $25 and costs for each offense. DeMille Off Air THE NATION'S high court probably eventually will be called upon to decide whether a labor union has the power to deny employment to members who refuse to pay assessments for political activity with which they disagree. Cecil B. DeMille, motion picture and radio producer, cancelled his air show Monday night after announcing in Hollywood that he would appeal the Superior Court's ruling dissolving an order restraining the American Federation of Radio Artists from collecting a $1 political assessment. Lionel Barrymore will appear on the CBS Lux Radio Theatre program until the case is settled. Said Mr. DeMille, who declared that the union had suspended him and notified his sponsors he could not conduct the program any longer unless he paid the assessment: "While I respect the learning and integrity of our Superior Court, these matters seem to possess ingredients of freedom or tyranny, and I feel they should be submitted to our highest courts before we accept the principles of tyranny as part of our American citizenship. I shall INDUSTRY and WPB discuss raw stockfreezing in sight Page 13 SHORTS schedules hit by stock and color bottlenecks Page 13 GOLDWYN demands allocations of raw stock for independent producers Page 13 NEWS REELS give eighty per cent of footage to war news Page 14 FUEL crisis closes theatres as dimout dulls nnarquees again Page 27 SERVICE DEPARTMENT From Readers Page 39 Hollywood Scene Page 41 In the Newsreels Page 40 Managers' Round Table Page 47 IN PRODUCT DIGEST SECTION Showmen's Reviews Page 2297 Short Subjects Page 2298 Release Chart by Companies Page 2299 ALLIED criticizes activities of WAC an^ Fabian makes sharp retort Page 3| INDUSTRY making up its mind about films foj educational use Page 3; ARBITRATION cases for 1944 fall to new loJ 51 filed for year Page 31 WPB will permit no theatres to close for lac; of equipment Page 3 THEATRES outside scope of new rent contr|jj laws for New York Page 3 Obituaries Picture Grosses Shorts at First Runs What the Picture Did for Me Short Subjects Chart Service Data The Release Charf Page 5^ Page Page 4 Page Page 23Cjj( Page 23C Page 22^ consequently ask that the matter be considered by our Supreme Court. My conception of citizenship is more important than the large salary involved. If my efforts result in legislation for the protection of American citizens to correct this situation I shall feel more than repaid." Off the Ice Public Safety WHEN James C. Petrillo, head of the American Federation of Musicians, resigned as a member of the board of the Chicago Park Commissioner's office recently, he officially parted company with his two plain clothes bodyguards assigned by the Chicago police force and presented to him back in 1932 with the compliments of the City of Chicago. Mayor Edward Kelly explained that a citizen is entitled to police protection if he is in danger. Petrillo was kidnapped in the early '30s and ransomed for $50,000 which, the musicians' czar said at the time, he paid out of his own pocket. However, the bodyguards have remained in Petrillo's entourage for 13 years, following him step by step during his Chicago activities. It is estimated that the city paid $63,600 of its taxpayers' money to furnish Petrillo with the protective service. When the service was discontinued each of the bodyguards was a $3,000-ayear man. Their starting salary was at $2,500 per year. AMERICAN film companies are now able {' draw upon more than $3,000,000 of funi' blocked in North Africa and accrued frtf film rentals. In Washington Tuesday it wl learned the State Department had accomplish'' a transfer of the money to Paris. Distributol couldn't take the money out of North Afri because of the lack of dollar exchange i cilities. The funds will be used by the companies reestablishing their offices in France. Df tributors made application to the State Depai"!!" ment last November for the transfer and at th time $3,000,000 had accumulated. British d: tributors, however, were able to collect tb earnings in North Africa because there sufficient pound exchange available. All of the money obtained by the overse'. film division of the Office of War Infornj tion from the distribution of American featui, and money accumulated since the OWI tur back distribution to the majors in North Afr: was blocked. 1 1 1 Protest PROTESTING the apparent lack of democratic process in Argentine government, the Confederation of Mexican Workers on January 25 forced suspension of theatre and radio programs for 15 minutes. During that period, demonstrations of protest were held in principal centers of the country. r •i Masters Resigns HASKELL MASTERS has resigned as g| eral manag'er of Odeon Theatres of Canat the circuit announced Wednesday in Toro: He has also resigned as president of Emp: Universal Films, Ltd. He announced no pl^ but said he was leaving for the States for,; rest. It was indicated Wednesday his succf sor in Odeon might be an executive alreadyj' the organization. It was believed the announ* ment of the successor might await the arri| in the spring of J. Arthur Rank, British leadi who recently acquired a substantial interest? the Canadian circuit. ( 8 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, FEBRUARY 3, I