Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1945)

Soviet Delegates at Conference Like Films— For Reasons of Own THE MARQUEE and front of the United Nations theatre in San Francisco where the delegates to the Security Conference were entertained by special motion picture programs. 'War Comes ' Cites Aggression, Need for Bond Effort "War Comes to America", which at this halfway mark is orienting our troops anew, is being .made available to reorient the public if the exi |hibitor chooses. The War Department picture, 66 minutes in length, available through RKO Radio Pictures exchanges, released from the War ActiviI (ties Committee and through the Office of War ! information — was shown to trade and news writers Tuesday afternoon in New York. | It is ready for the exhibitor, without charge. He may use it with another feature, or, in special (patriotic effort, with two Army short subjects also synchronized with the Seventh War Loan, !"San Pietro" and "Fight for the Sky." j "War Comes to America" is the seventh of the 'Army orientation series, "Why We Fight", produced by Colonel Frank Capra. It has his series' 1 basterful montages, forceful and suitable narrators, graphic instrumental charts and maps, and dramatic scenes culled from the libraries of the entertainment and documentary film industries, or reenacted specially and integrated without flaw, j The picture is a recapitulation of American history ; a reminder of the message of that history ; a documentary of American life as lived in the (Twentieth Century without thought of war ; and a detailed, impressively, powerfully cumulative rejuation of the rise of modern, aggressive states. One of its major themes is the threat which faced Ithis country as Britain neared ruin. It is also an historic document — a sort of American foreign policy "paper", written as only the film can write it. It is a vigorous defense of that foreign policy as practiced by the State Department, under the guidance of the late President Roosevelt, who several times appears, and as backed by the late Wendell Willkie, who also appears several times. And it carries messages from State Department spokesmen, such as Cordell Hull, former Secretary of State, and A. A. Berle. The Hull outline of Japanese negotiations is vehement, detailed and probably important. It will cause comment. The picture's outline of early American history is pedestrian in tone, but owes what interest it possesses to entertainment films from which its scenes are culled. The middle portions, detailing rapid and transitory aspects of a wealthy and lurid American life, have genuine touches of comedy. The latter portion, which culminates with Pearl Harbor and the presidential war message, masses evidence and with it the emotion which will sell Bonds.— F. E. S. Kirsch Joins Jones in New Chicago Exchange Johnny Jones will be joined by Jack Kirsch as a partner in the Screen Guild exchange in Chicago, I it was revealed last week. Mr. Kirsch has been 'president of Allied Theatres of Illinois since July, 1938, and is also head of the Allied Booking combine. Mr. Jones, president of the Jones, Linick and Schaefer circuit, of Chicago, is also owner of the World Wide Pictures, independent exchange. Fox West Coast Cited for United Nations Theatre , Fox West Coast Theatres, Inc., has received a I commendation for "great public service" in a ! resolution adopted by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. The circuit was given the recognition for operation of the United Nations theatre, during the security conference which supplied entertainment to the world delegates. West Heads Memphis Club J. A. West, owner of the Hollywood theatre, Memphis, Tenn., and president of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners Association of Tennessee and Arkansas, has been elected president of the Memphis Civitan Club. By Special Correspondence From San Francisco There's a liberal education in film business for natives and outlanders alike in the operation by the industry of the United Nations Theatre here on O'Farrell Street. Probably the Russians are getting — and giving — the most enlightenment. Among the 80-odd persons in the threeSoviet delegations, probably no more than a dozen have ever before been outside the vast Stalin domain, and they are certainly learning about the strange outside world as reflected in the motion pictures shown at the theatre that used to be the Alcazar (not Alcatraz, as 'several letters have been misdirected.). For our friends from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics are the most consistent theatre-goers, and they are studying life and customs and casting and technique with an earnestness not evinced by any of the other delegations. While Foreign Commissar Molotov was here he looked at "From the Vistula to the Oder" and at his own newsreel appearances every Sunday, and since then the comrades he left behind him have been carrying on in their leader's tradition at the Russian programs every Sunday and at the English, Spanish, French and American features shown other evenings. Envious of Disney Technique Their film officer, an officer wounded at Stalingrad, has been to Hollywood several times to look into our production, and is especially interested in the Disney technique. It may be over-simplification to say that the Russian features shown here are fine for the Russians, since most of their action does not filter through the super-imposed titles, but one feature, "No Greater Love," amazed the Sunday audience by its excellent American — not English — dubbing. To hear all the merry moujiks giving out with our own lingo is quite an experience, once the initial shock has been overcome. But why not? Does Jennifer Jones speak Portuguese ? Last Wednesday the French celebrated our Memorial Day with a special two-hour show made available to France Forever by the committee operating the theatre for the industry. Orson Welles presided at a five o'clock program in which phonograph records were played of the joyful expressions of the French people during the liberation of Paris. This was followed at seven by a Conference Newsreel compiled by Claude Collins with extended French footage. Incidentally, this the only theatre in the world at present showing daily 20-minute coverage of Conference activities. All 49 delegations have been photographed, with remarks by their leaders, and as soon as this footage has been nursed through the Consolidated laboratory in Hollywood by Allyn Butterfield, it is flown back here and the delegations notified that they may be seen on the screen of their exclusive theatre. Sixteen millimeter prints are made of these recordings, and Claude Lee is working on a leather case to contain the film. Saw Many Short Subjects In addition to many shorts from the Office of Inter-American Affairs, the Latins have been attracted by Cantinflas in "Gran Hotel" (How did that title get by MGM?) and by Dolores Del Rio in "Maria Candelaria." Mervin Travis of the Society of the Americas returned to Hollywood Saturday after consulting with Francis Alstock and Nelson Rockefeller about entertainment in Hollywood for the South and Central Americans en route to the other hemisphere. Two special trains will take delegates to Hollywood after the conference, and last week saw some overnight infiltration of important visitors to the studios. Last week there were studio visits by about 60 Australians, New Zealanders, Iranians, South Africans, Norwegians, French and Indians, all expertly handled between trains by the Public Information Committee through Arch Reeve and Paul Harrison, with visits to two studios, luncheon and buffet supper, before their overnight return to San Francisco. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, JUNE 9, 1945 27