Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1946)

Meeting in Washington THE BOARD of directors of the Motion Picture Association will hold its quarterly meeting in Washington December 11, according to an announcement from Kenneth Clark, MPA public relations representative. This marks the first time that the meeting takes place in the capital. Eric Johnston, MPA president, who recently returned from England after illness had prevented his scheduled tour of the continent, is expected to preside. The agenda of the meeting is understood to include an informal report from Mr. Johnston. Also under discussion may be the surveys planned by MPA. The poll on foreign theatre equipment is well under way and an inconclusive report, based on initial returns, already has been issued. Two other surveys, one a census of theatres in the U. S., and another on advertising, are now being worked out. Long Premiere UNIVERSAL has thought up a new one and proudly announces that the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad will be the scene of "the first world premiere of a top motion picture aboard a regular passenger railroad train." The feature is the International picture "Temptation," and will be screened December 10 aboard the "George Washington" as it makes its regular run from Washington to Cincinnati. So that this premiere may be duly recorded, Universal has invited 35 film critics from various roadside cities to board the train. Blame THE PUBLIC is to blame for mediocrity in motion pictures. At least that's what was decided in Glen Ridge, N. J., November 26, at a round-table discussion of "Have the Movies Failed Us?" The occasion was a New York Times radio forum, "What's on Your Mind?" in which five participants agreed that the primary purpose of the motion picture should be to educate. Said Jan Struther, novelist and poet: Audiences must be educated to want better pictures. MacKinlay Kant or, the novelist, was of the opinion that the real hope for good pictures lay in the small independent producing companies. "The big studios," he remarked, "are so bogged down by mechanical restrictions, red tape and superficialities that even if an original or sincere idea comes along it is next to impossible to get it across. Mr. Kantor, however, did like the way his "Glory for Me" was adapted into "The Best Years of Our Lives." Theodore Smith, of the Motion Picture Association, was of the opinion that the industry turns out the type of pictures that audiences want. Arthur Rosenheimer, assistant to the curator of the Film Library of the Museum of Modern Art, and Mr. Smith were in agreement that film stories run in cycles — if a sample is liked then numerous similar stories are turned out. Bosley Crowther, motion picture critic for the Times, asked for more realism in motion pictures. Title Trouble THE STATE Department's Cultural Film Division is having difficulty choosing appropriate titles for its 16mm pictures for exhibition abroad. The primary difficulty is finding a title which can be translated into 20 languages and still keep its original meaning and not "be taken wrong" by foreign populations. As an illustration, the pending production on the independence of the Philippines has caused some trouble. The first title chosen was "Philippine Independence." But some soft-hearted diplomats have protested that the title might make those people unhappy who "also want independence." Therefore the title has been changed to "A Republic Is Born." Narrowgauge pictures are shown throughout the world by local U. S. embassys and legations. The political niceties of the films shown must be carefully judged. Italian Turmoil DELEGATES to the Italian Constitutional Assembly were somewhat dismayed recently when they were caught up in a mob of several hundred picture actors, extras, technicians, cameramen and hangers-on moving into the Assembly's home in Montecitorio Palace, Rome. The Hon. Saragat, president of the Italian Assembly, had given permission to the Italian Universalia film company to shoot some interiors for "Daniele Cortis," in which Sarah Churchill, daughter of Winston, is starring. Said Communist Leader Palmiro Togliatti, in greeting the mob: "What illicit trade is this they are making of Parliament?" And Professor Piero Calamandrie said it was a "lugubrious sight, having feigned deputies mingling with real ones." But the Hon. Saragat said he gave his permission as unhesitatingly as "I would have given it to a painter who would have asked me the permission to paint an interior of the Parliament Palace. In fact, the motion picture is an art like painting, music and sculpture." PEOPLE Clark Ramsay, formerly with Universal, has been appointed a vice-president of the Monroe Greenthal Co., and head of the advertising agency's Los Angeles office, it was announced Monday by Monroe Greenthal, president. Arthur Jolley, formerly with the Republic sales force in Montana and Utah, has been appointed PRC branch manager in Salt Lake City, while Sam Milner, PRC district manager in Dallas, has been named branch manager of the company's Los Angeles exchange, succeeding Syd Lehman, resigned. William Wyler, film director, received a citation from the New York film chapter of the American Veterans Committee for "The Best Years of Our Lives" at an organization meeting Wednesday night. Dr. T. H. James, Eastman Kodak chemist, was awarded the 1945 Henderson Award of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain, Wednesday, for his work on a photographic development process. Ralph Peckham, formerly Columbia branch manager in Omaha, Monday was named branch manager of the Film Classics' exchange in Indianapolis. Max Miller, for 12 years with the Philadelphia Public Ledger, joined PRC Monday as field exploiteer for the Philadelphia territory under exploitation manager Lige Brien. Captain Earle W. Gardner, vice-president of the Seven Seas Film Corp., New York, has been awarded the Secretary of the Navy's Letter of Commendation for his performance of duty as commanding officer of the Philadelphia Naval Personnel Separation Center. Joseph J. Oulahan, recently resigned Paramount branch manager in Cincinnati, was guest of honor at an industry dinner there last Wednesday before leaving for Baltimore, where he will be associated with the J. Arthur Rank organization. Max L. Raskoff, former Samuel Goldwyn and Technicolor counsel, has joined the Paramount studio legal department in Hollywood. George J. Bonwick, formerly an executive with Pathe Laboratories and PRC, has been elected vice-president and general manager of Pictorial Films. He succeeds Milton J. Salzburg and Harold Baumstone, who resigned recently. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, published every Saturday by Outgley Publishing Company, Rockefeller Center, New York City 20. Telephone Circle 7-3100; Cable address "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Red Kann, Vice-President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Treasurer; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Terry Ramsaye, Editor; Martin Quigley, Jr., Associate Editor; James D. Ivers, News Editor; Charles S. Aaronson, Production Editor; Ray Gallagher, Advertising Manager; David Harris, Circulation Director; Bureaus: Hollywood, William R. Weaver, editor, Postal Union Life Building; Chicago, 624 South Michigan Avenue; Washington, Jim H. Brady, 215 Atlantic Bldg., 930 F Street, N.W.; London, Hope Williams Burnup, manager, Peter Burnup, editor, 4 Golden Square, W. I; Montreal, Stan Cornthwaite, 265 Vitre St., West; Toronto, W. M. Gladish, 242 Millwood Road; Paris, Maurice Bessy, 2 Avenue Matignon; Dublin, T. J. M. Sheehy, 36 Upper Ormond Quay; Rome, Argeo Santucci, 10 Via Versilia; Lisbon, Joao De Moraes Palmeiro, Avenida Conde Valbom 116; Brussels, Louis Quievreux, 121 Rue Beeckman; Amsterdam, Philip de Schaap, 82 Jekerstraat; Copenhagen, Kris Winther, Bogehoi 25; Stockholm. Gosta Erkell, 15 Brantingsgaten; Basel, Carlo Fedier, Brunnmattstr. 21; Prague, Joseph B. Kanturek, U. Grebovsky No. I; Sydney, Cliff Holt, Box 2608 — G.P.O., Derwent House; Johannesburg, R. N. Barrett, 10, Blyth Road, Talboton; Mexico City, Luis Becerra Celis, Dr. Carmona y Valle 6; Havana, Charles B. Garrett, Refugio 168; Buenos Aires, Natalio Bruski, J. E. Uriburi 126; San Juan, Puerto Rico, Reuben D. Sanchez, San Sebastian Street No. 3; Montevideo, Paul Bodo, P.O. Box 664. Member Audit Bureau of Circulations. Other ?uigley Publications: Better Theatres, published every fourth week as a section of Motion Picture Herald, Motion Picture Daily, International Motion Picture Almanac and Fame. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 7, 1946 9