Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1946)

StateDepartment Asks Speed on MPSA Decision Film executives were asked for a speedy decision on the future of the Motion Picture Society of the Americas by John Begg, motion picture head of the State Department's new International Information Service, at a meeting of the Motion Picture Association of America in New York last Wednesday. Mr. Begg pointed out that statutory authority for the MPSA would lapse at the end of this month, unless a further extension is asked by the State Department. It is difficult for the Department to find the money to keep the MPSA going, however, he said, and urged the industry to take it over. The State Department's contribution to the upkeep of the MPSA amounts to about $50,000 a year. The formation of a new advisory group, including industry. Army and State Department members, to review the entire question of how films for occupied and liberated territories should be handled also was proposed by Mr. Begg. "I recommend we review and reconsider the arrangements for the film work done by the old Office of War Information in Germany, Austria, Japan and Korea," Mr. Begg said. This program calls for a new arrangement permitting the practical withdrawal from participation in distribution of entertainment films in these areas by the State Department, which has taken over the OWI duties. Mr. , Beg.g would have his part in the dealings purely advisory, with actual authority restricted to the Army, the industry, and the economic division of the State Department. Meanwhile, organization of affiliated circuits and large independent circuits for the distribution and screening of special subjects to aid in government campaigns has been proposed by Government film officials in Washington. It has been proposed that Francis S. Harmon, vice-president of the Motion Picture Associates, call together representatives of the major affiliated circuits to discuss with them the entire question of how Government subjects should be handled. Files Plagiarism Suit A suit alleging plagiarism of the film, "Gaslight Follies," and registered trade mark infringement has been filed in New York Supreme Court by Joseph E. Levine, distributor, against Ben Brodie of the Latin Film Company and owner of the Miami theatre, New York, which has presented a film called "Gaslight Cavalcade." Zanuck Writes on Films Darryl F. Zanuck, vice-president in charge of production for Twentieth Century-Fox, has written the section on "Free Speech in Films," which is included in "Treasury for the Free World," released for publication this week by Arco Publishing Company. FROM REAPER HAM BONE. SALT PORK AND FRESH CORN MEAL To THE Editor of the Herald: Your pea soup recipe stamps you as a man of wholesome tastes and a good upbringing. As to the choice of either a ham bone or salt pork, both are good. But, I prefer using a slab of hickory-cured bacon. This supplies that tang which puts pea soup served in a deep earthen crock 'way, 'way up on the list of great dishes. (None of your fancy china or silver tureens ; they seem to put a psychological damper on it.) How about favoring us with a treatise on corn bread? Are you a white or a yellow meal man ? And where can one buy water ground yellow corn meal (fresh!) — L. A. {"Charlie") Bonn, Brulatour, Inc., New York [The Herald's corn department reports that meal is ground from yellow grain by stone and sold at the Old Hook Mill, a windmill built in 1750 and now owned and operated by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Easthampton, Long Island. — The Editor] Chicago B'nai B'rith Will Install Officers April 28 The installation ceremonies of the officers of the newly-organized Chicago Cinema Lodge of B'nai B'rith will be held at the Congress Hotel April 28, in conjunction with a social program. At that time, the membership committee hopes to announce the completion of its drive for 1,000 members. The officers are Louis H. Harrison, honorary president; Jack Kirsch, president; Manny Smerling, Sam Levinsohn and E. L. Goldberg, vice-presidents ; Louis L. Abramson, recording secretary; I. J. Silverman, treasurer ; Harris Silverberg, chaplain ; Albert Bartelstein, warden, and Lester Simansky, guard. The following were elected to the board of directors : M. M. Gottlieb, Robert Hirsch, Edward Wolk, Benjamin Banowitz, Irving Mack, Henri Elman, Herman Busch, Sam Honigberg, Jack Irving, Ralph Berger, Ben Lourie, Charles Gross, Jack Shumow, J. J. Levinson, Al Simon, Arthur Davidson, Herbert Lustig, Harry Mandel, Morton Van Praag and Morrie Bers. PRC Opens Exchange Building in Albany The new PRC exchange building was opened in Albany Monday, with Harry Thomas, president, and others attending. The one-story building cost $50,000. The company's first Albany exchange was constructed almost 20 years ago. PRC will use the buildipg as its Albany and Buffalo exchange, with Joseph Miller as district manager, and as Cleveland and Cincinnati headquarters, with Jack Armm as local manager. Argentina Seen New Competitor In Uruguay by PAUL BODO in Montevideo The United States industry will meet with stronger competition in Uruguay from now on from Argentine films, since Argentina has found a solution to its serious raw stock problem. The Argentine is receiving shipments of raw stock from Belgium and enough has been received to ease the situation. Further shipments are expected to end the shortage entirely. The effect is already apparent here for local representatives of the Argentine companies have succeeded in obtaining more release dates in first run houses. The first contract closed with Cinematografica Glucksman, which has signed for the whole output of Estudios San Miguel of Buenos Aires. Bernardo Glucksman, president of Cinematografica and United Cinema, jointly operating 25 theatres in Montevideo and 15 houses in the interior, foresees excellent business for Argentine pictures in next season. V Employees of Uruguayan theatres, who won increases three years ago, again are demanding increased wages. If the demands are met admissions at all houses will be raised. V Twentieth Century-Fox del Uruguay S.A. has been organized and registered in Montevideo and, accordingly, the local branch of Fox Film de la Argentina, which formerly distributed 20th-Fox films here, has ceased to function. A MGM's "Bathing Beauty," titled here as "Escuela de Sirenas," is making long-run history. The picture, dubbed in Spanish, was first presented late in 1945 with outstanding success and held for eight weeks. In January it was brought back and was still running late in February. 20th-Fox Sets Dividends The board of directors of Twentieth Century-Fox last Thursday declared three dividends: $1.12>^ per share on the outstanding prior preferred stock, payable March 15; S7y2 cents per share on outstanding convertible preferred stock, payable March 29, and 75 cents per share on the outstanding common stock, payable March 29. UA Gets Crosby Film United Artists will distribute Crosby Productions' "Abie's Irish Rose," under terms worked out in Hollywood with Edward C. Raftery, UA president, and Gradwell L. Sears, distribution vice-president. The film will be produced and directed by Edward Sutherland from a script by Anne Nichols. 36 V MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MARCH 2, 1946