Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1945)

ESTA SEMANA COMEDIA, MUSICA y colorido, predominan en el variado programa de grandes pelfculas para estrenos de Verano; las pelfculas de guerra siguen en descenso. Pagina 13 PELICULA VIRGEN, muy escasa, dilata los estrenos de cortos; el paro forzado de muchos productores, por fal+a de copias, les dificulta a los exhibidores la programacion. Pagina 14 LA INDUSTRIA estadounidense celebra sanamente el Dfa V-E (Victoria en Europa) y reanuda sus labores; termina la oscuridad parcial pero otras restricciones de guerra siguen en pie. Pagina 16 JOHN GRIERSON, Comisionado Canadiense de Pelfculas, vislumbra un vasto horizonte; el ensanche de facilidades de produccion indican la extensi6n del campo de actividades a Sud America y Europa. Pagina 18 DEPARTAMENTOS FORANEOS alistan sus legiones para impulsar las ventas; sus avanzadas establecen contactos en los pafses europeos recientemente liberados. Pagina 19 EL EJERCITO y el Gobierno apelan a la pantalla para educar al pueblo sobre el verdadero significado del Dfa V-E. Pagina 16 For the Occupation ANSWERING an appeal from the Army not to relax its contribution to the morale of the armed forces, the Hollywood Victory Committee this week was recruiting film players to entertain servicemen in hospitals and rest centers in Europe. On the list so far are Amos and Andy, Joan Blondell, Bette Davis, Joan Fontaine, Victor Francen, Kathleen, June and Gene Lockhart, Rosita Moreno, Paul Muni, Joseph Cotten, Louise Allbritton, William Demarest, Jinx Falkenburg, Jane Frazee, Gabby Hayes, Charles Ruggles, Akim Tamiroff and Leonid Kinskey. No Screen Credit THE INDUSTRY'S War Activities Committee and the New York committee for the Seventh War Loan were to unveil a 50-foot monument, depicting the Iwo Jima flag raising, Friday of this week in Times Square. The monument is to keynote the industry's participation in the Bond drive as the giant cash register and the Statue of Liberty replica did in previous campaigns. The New York Times, in a story under a three-column cut of the monument, said the unveiling had been announced but did not mention by whom. Other papers credited the War Activities Committee of the motion picture industry. Hands Off Including the Chinese A CITATION signed by Mme. Chiang KaiShek on behalf of the Chinese people has been presented to Jack L. Warner, executive producer for Warner Bros, in recognition of his humanitarian activities for that nation. In addition to a framed scroll, the citation includes a lapel ribbon which may be worn by the re _^ . cipient. Awarding of the honor, a press re bcenttnst lease from the company 'says, was inspired partly by the satisfaction of Chinese leaders with the manner in which the story of their war efforts was depicted in "God Is My Co-Pilot." DOWN in Monterrey, south of the border, the patrons take their motion pictures seriously, and let anyone who tries to interfere beware. Reports from the Mexican city last week tell of police saving from a severe lynching two men who attempted to prevent the exhibition of a picture featuring Mexico's beloved "Cantinflas." The two are said to have cut some of the film in the projection booth, grappled with the projectionists, and attracted the attention of the audience, which joined the fray with blood in its collective eye. Still Want Bargains THE BARGAIN policy of twin bills is too firmly established at the RKO circuit's Palace and Grand in Chicago, at the circuit's houses in Champaign, 111., and in Kansas City, Mo., to be overturned by the poor turnover under the midnight curfew, according to Frank Smith, division manager for RKO theatres. Mr. Smith says that business holds up well, and that the public demands double features. In Chicago, the houses draw many patrons from the wealthy neighborhoods, who arrive at the doors in chauffeured limousines to view the bargain bills. VINCENTE Lombardo Toledano, for a long time secretary general of the powerful Confederation of Mexican Workers, and now president of the Federation of Latin American Workers, claiming a membership of 5,000,000, is a better labor leader than he is a scenarist. For five years he has been trying to induce a Mexican producer to produce his story, "Ha Caido una Estrella" ("A Star Has Fallen"), depicting the plight of the Mexican proletariat. Even his influence with producers was not enough. They considered the theme a bit too far to the left for Mexican audiences, and foresaw a box office tailspin. At last reports, Mr. Tolendano was still trying. Meanwhile, Mexican producers, seeking a comeback from the recent strike were attempting to secure raw film stock from the United States, which was itself seeking an answer to the question of how to get more footage for the domestic market. So Hollywood May See AN EXCURSION of Hollywood executives and producers to the horror camps of Germany is under organization by the War Department in Washington. At mid-week the list had not been completed, in fact was under animated discussion and consideration. The guests of the expedition will be flown from the United States to Germany and home again, presumably in the pattern of the previous expeditions for the same purpose for Congressmen and for editors and publishers. The projected program is to show the motion picture men not only the horror spots like Dachau and Buchenwald, but also the general German and European scene with its showings of the problems of food and employment. Pledge Washington Bureau THE same whole-hearted cooperation which the motion picture industry accorded President Roosevelt was proffered President Truman May 4 by Harry M. Warner in his first visit to the White House since the change in administration. Emerging from the President's office, Mr. Warner told newsmen that he had called to offer "any help that the picture industry could give." Mr. Warner said also that the President believed that motion pictures could be helpful "in developing human beings out of barbarians," indicating that the discussion had touched upon the possible use of films in enemy countries after the war. Still "Oomph" NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL in Philadelphia has a high award, the "Senate," previously given to Professor Albert Einstein, Governor Thomas E. Dewey, J. Edgar Hoover, former President Herbert Hoover and Babe Ruth. This week, Ann Sheridan holds the honor. She is the first Hollywood actress to do so. Her citation: "In recognition of the beauty, charm, and intelligence which have combined to make Ann Sheridan one of the first ladies of the screen, and as a sincere tribute to her patriotic contribution to USO entertainment, especially in the CBI field of war." Kudos THOSE treasured prizes for journalism, letters and music, the Pulitzer prizes, were awarded this week. They cover achievements of 1944, with, the exception of the photograph by Joseph Rosenthal of Marines raising our flag on Iwo Jima. This picture, the theme of the Mighty Showmen's Seventh War Loan, was made in February, 1945, but the awards board, by resolution, suspended its rules in this instance. In letters, author John Hersey won $500 for "A Bell for Adano," a book, a play and now a Twentieth Century-Fox picture. Mary Chase won $500 for the play, "Harvey." MOTION PICTURE HERALD, published every Saturday by Quigley Publishing Company, Rockefeller Center, New York City, 20. Telephone Circle 7-3100; Cable address "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Colvin Brown, Vice-President; Red Kann, Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Secretary; Terry Ramsaye, Editor; James D. Ivers, News Editor; William G. Formby, Field Editor; Ray Gallagher, Advertising Manager; Chicago Bureau, 624 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, 5; Hollywood Bureau, Postal Union Life Building, Hollywood, 28. William R. Weaver, editor; Toronto Bureau, 242 Millwood Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, W. M. Gladish, correspondent; Montreal Bureau, 265 Vitre St., West, Montreal, Canada, Pat Donovan, , correspondent; London Bureau, 4 Golden Square, London W I, Hope Williams Burnup, manager; Peter Burnup, editor; cable Quigpubco London; Melbourne Bureau, The Regent Theatre. L" Collins St., Melbourne, Australia, Cliff Holt, correspondent; Sydney Bureau, 17 Archbold Rd., Roseville, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia, Lin Endean, correspondent; Mexico City Bureau, Dr. Carmona y Valle 6, Mexico City, Luis Becerra Celis, correspondent; Buenos Aires Bureau, J. E. Uriburi 126, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Natalio Bruski, correspondent; Rio de Janeiro Bureau, R. Sao Jose, 61 C. Postal 834, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Alfredo C. Machado, correspondent; Montevideo Bureau, P. O. Box 664, Montevideo, Uruguay, Paul Bodo, correspondent; .cable Argus Montevideo. Member Audit Bureau of Circulations. All contents copyright 1945 by Quigley Publishing Company. Address all correspondence to the New York Office. Other Quigley Publications: Better Theatres, Motion Picture Daily, International Motion Picture Almanac, and Fame. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MAY 12, 1945