Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1946)

GUARD YOUR FREEDOM: PRICE TO PRESS, SCREEN, RADIO Industry Is Facing Barrage of Pleas far "Message" Film Time Warns AP Editors Media Must Combine to Fight Threatening Forces Hollywood Bureau Concerned about the future of the freedom of the press, screen and radio, Byron Price, board chairman of the Association of Motion Picture Producers, took the floor Thanksgiving Day in Los Angeles to tell the annual conference of the managing editors of the Associated Press member papers that the three media will "inevitably" be drawn closer together to combat those forces which threaten freedom of expression. The wartime director of the Office of Censorship declared that "no one can afford to feel smug and safe when he considers the long term lesson of history and the gradual curtailment of liberty as regimentation advances with every generation." Sees New Assaults Coming, Forcing Concerted Action Expecting the worst, he believes that "new assaults will come and they will be of such character" that press, screen and radio will have to take concerted action to defend each other. "Even a little censorship any where is dangerous to the press," he declared, "and even the more subtle gestures toward governmental guidance and official prompting are your concern whether they affect newspapers directly or come to you in the guise of restraints and interference in other field of communication." Mr. Price believes that newspapers should treat the motion picture in a more businesslike manner and urged the editors "not to be gullible about Hollywood" and not to believe the "old legends and cliches" Hollywood's "worn out tales of pioneer days" are often given too much pulicity, Mr. Price believes, obscuring Hollywood's "business efficiency, the meticulous planning and the hardboiled business judgment which go into the making of pictures. . . ." Cites Support of Industry By Conservative Banks Such elements are no surprise, however, to the banks, he asserted. "The largest, most substantial and conservative banks in this country . . . advance millions of dollars for the financing of motion pictures," he declared, "a thing they certainly would not do unless they had learned from experience that the money would be handled wisely." Mr. Price urged newspapers to encourage patronage of better pictures and said better pictures depended upon better story material. Because newsmen asked Mr. Price about Washington Bureau During the coming year six Government agencies, two political national committees and four international organizations will solicit the aid of the motion picture industry in an effort to get screen playing time for some 36 or more proposed "message'' films, inquiry here indicates. Along parallel lines, Jean Benoit-Levy, director of the film and visual information division of the United Nations, three weeks ago announced a film program which, if approved, would enlist the aid of all distribution and exhibition facilities. Committee Seeks Formula At the same time a 12-man motion picture coordinating committee was set up at the invitation of the Government to devise and submit for approval a formula for cooperation with the Government in film matters. The coordinating committee would make recommendations with regard to the films of both the Government and nationally organized philanthropies. This would be with the understanding that each of the exhibitor or other groups reserves complete freedom of action with regard to all such recommendations. In no instance will any recommendation be binding. The inquiry here indicates appeals for the use of the theatre for every type of picture message ranging from world trade problems to racial relations are forthcoming from more than a dozen different agencies and private organizations. Film messages would be sent to exhibitors at the rate of three monthly if plans formulated materialize. A majority of the Government agency the Hollywood strike, "he left the original text of his speech to remark that the strike was "not a local product" but had "originated in the higher reaches of the American Federation of Labor when two international unions fell out over who would do some 300 set construction jobs." "The union doing the job," he told the newsmen, "was notified that another union would take over. The producers were told that if this union was not allowed to do so not only would the studios be closed, but the theatres would be closed also. Our labor troubles have been called a lockout and have been called a wage and hour strike. But if there were ever a case where a strike requests for messages will be routed through the Office of Reconversion, to which overall Government film activities have been assigned by President Truman. Both the Republican and Democratic parties will want special party-progress reports sent out by the newsreels. The Federal agencies desiring films are: the Veterans Administration, State Department, Department of Agriculture, Justice Department, Commerce Department and the Office of Reconversion. General Omar Bradley of the Veterans Administration asserts there is a drastic need for a film which would outline insurance rights of veterans. At the State Department, two agencies desire industry cooperation. Under-Secretary William Claydon has several pictures on world trade, while John M. Begg, charged with State Department cultural films, wants films to show the American way of life. Departments Have Plans The story of getting food from the farm to the market place and then to the table would be the Agricultural Department's film choice. Opportunities for the small businessman would be the subject of a Commerce Department picture. Attorney General Tom C. Clark has a dual program outlined. He would like to see a series of "Crime Does Not Pay" films geared for both youth and adult consumption, and would like also to do a series which outlines to the American people their civil rights, the price of liberty and other similar matters. grew out of a jurisdictional quarrel of union leaders this is it." Last Friday the 300 editors attending the meeting toured the studios with Mr. Price. Contrary to the usual businessman's tour, this one concentrated on studio executives, rather than stars, and stressed the mechanics of making motion pictures rather than the customary feature type of publicity tour. The studios were explained as factories and as investments and, in line with Mr. Price's speech, Hollywood was pointed up as an important business. During their meetings the editors were told of a new camera which can take pictures in the dark. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 7, 194$ 13