Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1946)

THIS WEEK IN THE HEWS Bit Player HOLLYWOOD screen tests recently sent to Australia for viewing by Tedwell E. Pade, film executive, resulted in bids for the services of several American actors. One included an offer of $150 weekly salary, a 16-week guarantee and transportation for the unnamed comedian in a test numbered 19. The Australian company's local man, A. H. Silver, after diflSculty in identifying the actor in this numbered test, finally traced it to the RKO Radio studios and learned it was a makeup test of a man who had played an unimportant bit in the Mervyn LeRoy-directed film, "Without Reservations," co-starring Claudette Colbert and John Wayne. The international deal fell through. The actor in question could not be had for the $150. He is producer-director LeRoy. Red Tape Music WHEN the Czechs decreed that from here on out the film industry would be a Government monopoly that's just what they meant. Even theatre music now comes under Government supervision. It was reported from Prague last week that a decree had been issued establishing a special service to supply all theatres with victrola records to ensure that only "suitable" (the word wasn't defined) music is played in the theatres. The decree was issued by the Plenipotentiary of the Ministry of Information for the Administration of Theatres. That makes it official. Good Start THAT THEATRE which Universal opened last week in Brady, Texas, for Bob Shanks, World War II veteran, is still playing "Frontier Gal" to capacity business. Yvonne De Carlo, star of the picture, made an appearance twice during the theatre's opening day. Mr. Shanks is the first former service man to open a theatre in the southwest under Universal's plan for supplying veterans in the area with product. All — American Washington Bureau A SPECIAL "All-American Award" to be given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the best picture representing the highest ideals of American life to our own and other peoples was suggested in Washington last week by Senator Alexander Wiley of Wisconsin. He said that such an award would stimulate producers to an effort correcting misleading notions abroad about America and ALLIED and CIEA declare war on ATA at Chicago meefing Page 12 SKOURAS asks for spirit of fairness in industry relations Page 1 3 PHILADELPHIA passes increased admission tax despite protest Page 17 ON THE MARCH— Red Kann in light and serious vein Page 18 RODGERS insists 19-point plan to govern MSM customer dealings Page 20 REPUBLIC holds final regional sales meeting in New York Page 2! U. S. breaks down French barrier, films to be admitted Page 24 AGREEMENT reported reached for entry of U. S. films into Italy Page 24 GOVERNMENT charges Schine realign BRITISH industry moves to regulate all ment plan aims at delay Page 18 16mm operations Page 26 SERVICE DEPARTMENTS Hollywood Scene Page 34 What the Picture Did for Me Page 37 In the Newsreels Page 36 IN PRODUCT DIGEST SECTION Late Review Page 28 Showmen's Reviews Page 3017 Managers' Round Table Page 41 Short Subjects Page 3017 Obituaries Page 36 Service Data Page 3018 Picture Grosses Page 40 Short Subjects Chart Page 3020 Short Product at Rrst Runs Page 32 The Release Chart Page 3022 encouraging a better understanding of America in our own people. The Senator stressed that the award must be an "all-industry affair," with no interference by the Government. He said that films long ago had graduated from the level of mere entertainment to that of being an important weapon in the "worldwide battle between the forces of individualism and collectivism. . . . Many of the industry's worthy projects have been overlooked by those engaged in the rush to point out the industry's shortcomings," he said. Rent Control RALPH BELLAMY, who has been paying $750 a month for a seven-room New York apartment — without a swimming pool — was rescued by the Office of Price Administration last week. The OP A ordered his rent reduced to $400 a month. Mr. Bellamy, currently appearing on Broadway in "State of the Union," had to pay 10 months' rent in advance, $7,500, to get the apartment last year. Now he gets back some of that money. Wired for Sound WARNER BROTHERS, which 20 years ago produced the first sound picture, has begun experiments in the use of wire recording for motion pictures. Under the supervision of Col. Nathan Levinson, head of the Warner studio sound department, a practical method of using wire recording for sound effects for re-recording on film is being worked out. Although the new system is still in the experimental stage, a production crew has made successful tests of wire equipment, weighing only a small fraction of the usual apparatus, on sound effects in connection with "Life With Father" — a newfangled idea for an old-fashioned motion picture. Arkansas Awards C. C. MUNDO, recently relected president of the Independent Theatre Owners of Arkansas, has been presented the Outstanding Exhibitor Award for 1945 by his organization. ITOA also gave an Award of Appreciation to Tom Young, Twentieth Century-Fox representative in Arkansas. Facing the Music YOU CAN'T frighten James Caesar Petrillo, president of the American Federation of Musicians, even if you do dangle that recently passed "anti-Petrillo" bill (the Lea bill) over his head. Petrillo Tuesday called a strike against radio station WAAF of Chicago, charging the studio had failed to follow up the demand of the union and double the number of musicians it employs. When reminded that violation of the Lea bill means a possible $1,000 fine, one year in jail or both, Petrillo, according to the United Press, shouted: "I'm ready to face the music, gentlemen. And I don't mean amateur music or foreign music." 8 MOTION PICTURE HERALD. JUKIE I, 1946