Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1946)

Bon Voyage on the New Queen THE luxury liner Queen Elizabeth, sailing October 25, carried several industry figures: Eric A. Johnston, MPA president; his assistants, Joyce O'Hara and Gerald Movius; Gerald Mayer, MPA international associate manager; Irving Maas, MPEA general manager; Adolph Zukor, Paramount board chairman; George Weltner, Paramount International president; James E. Perkins, Paramount British managing director; William J. Donovan, former RKO counsel, and a group of stars. Barney Balaban, leff, Paramount Pictures president, was one of many who bid fair voyage to Adolph Zukor, right. All photos by the Herald On the pier, newspapermen ply General William J. Donovan with questions. Actors who will appear at a Cinematograph Benevolent Fund performance at which the King and Queen will be present were lined up by newsreel cameramen. Left to right are Walter Wanger, Joan Bennett, Ray Milland I behind Miss Bennett), Reginald Gardner, Pat O'Brien, Mrs. O'Brien, Dorothy Malone. JOHNSTON SAILS AS AMBASSADOR Leaving instructions that he would be available on 24 hours' notice to return to the U. S. and advise on Hollywood's labor problems, Eric A. Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association, sailed on the Queen Elizabeth Friday for England and the continent. Thus both the specific and the general are in battle against trade practices harmful to the industry. The specific Mr. Johnston is acting as ambassador, reporter and salesman for many of the same problems being considered at the current London United Nations conference on trade. Agreements are expected from that conference which will result in the curtailment of many trade barriers against motion pictures, according to George Canty, Department of State film consultant. Barriers Prime Concern Trade barriers are of prime concern to Mr. Johnston, too, as are the new social and economic conditions abroad, which are often harmful to the industry. Mr.. Johnston' noted at a press conference before sailing that "in almost every country abroad we are having difficulties — difficulties with restrictions, exclusions and subsidies." In an attempt to straighten out some of these matters he plans a five-week tour of England, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Italy and possibly other countries. He is making the trip, he said, in spite of the west coast jurisdictional disputes. The employers, he reported, are hopeless and helpless ; the unions, themselves, must settle the strike." If they do not, he stated, Newsmen with Eric A. Johnston* right. "I think the American people will be interested in moving legislation" to force settlement. Assistant Secretary of State William Clayton believes that the MPA president "will accomplish much on his visit, and the presence of the leader of the U. S. film industry in areas where restrictions are imposed is bound to make an impression upon leaders who have devised them." Also bound to make an impression is the fact that representatives of 19 nations are attending the London UN conference and are making an effort to formulate an international trade charter which, Mr. Canty believes, may result in better regulations being established for all trade interests and help the motion picture industry considerably. Mr. Clayton asserted in Washington this week that the trade meeting, combined with the good which may result from Mr. Johnston's trip, will be a great help to the foreign departments of the picture companies. Mr. Johnson went abroad at the express suggestion of industry leaders. "I am making the trip," he said, "as a kind of reporter for the industry and business in general. I hope I can be a good reporter." 12 MOTION PICTURE HERALD. NOVEMBER 2, 1946