Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1946)

South American Way THE GOVERNMENT'S program of educational pictures made for the Latin American countries should be continued at all costs in the opinion of Dr. Ryland Madison, Film Consultant for the Institute of InterAmerican Affairs. Recently returned to Hollywood from a tour of duty, Dr. Madison reported that "over 8,000,000 people in South America see these Government films. They have been shown in every community where it was possible to take a 16mm projector. By making our Latin-American neighbors picture conscious, the Institue has not only benefitted them from a cultural standpoint, but has opened up a huge potential market for entertainment films." The initial film program for the Institute called for 18 live-action subjects to be filmed in South America and 14 animated programs to be made in conjunction with the Walt Disney studios. Dr. Madison, on his return from Washington, will continue as consultant on these films until the program is completed. "Best Years 99 ONLY now and then does a motion picture by name and fame reach the erudite and conservative editorial page columns of the New York Times. This week "The Best Years of Our Lives" made it in an attention which includes the observation: "By observing the varied readjustments of three veterans returned from the war — their typical joys and bewilderments in relations with their loved ones and their friends, with society and, significantly, with each other — it throws into penetrating relief the stresses and strains of a drama which is still, as it were, in its third act. And that is immediately important. It is enriching. As a matter of fact, it's art." City View AS FAR as the city administration of New York is concerned, Howard Hughes' "The Outlaw" is lewd, indecent and immoral and its showing would constitute an offense against morality, decency and the public welfare ; also it is the duty and responsibility of the city license commissioner and police commissioner to guard against indecency and obscenity in the exhibition of motion pictures. All this was pointed out in the New York City Corporation Counsel answer, filed in the New York Supreme Court, to a Howard Hughes demand for declaratory judgment against city officials to restrain them from threatening exhibitors who show the picture with the revocation of their license. The brief, containing separate tes timony from Benjamin Fielding, License Commissioner, and Arthur W. Wallander, New York City Police Commissioner, points to a suit by United Artists against Amity Amusement Company and Midtown Theatres Corporation, now pending before the Supreme Court, in which UA seeks to force these theatres to show "The Outlaw" according to contract. It is pointed out that a decision in this case would weigh heavily. Japanese Poll JAPANESE motion picture fans go to the theatres on an average of more than once a week, prefer American and other foreign pictures to the native variety and would rather see a romantic picture than any other kind. All this according to a poll of 8,000 patrons of the Nikkatsu theatre chain made by the Motion Picture Export Association. A breakdown of the poll shows that 47 per cent of the audiences attend theatres more than once a week; 32 per cent once a week, and 21 per cent less than once a week. Verifying the results of a previous poll of the Toho circuit audience, the Nikkatsu questionnaire revealed that the Japanese are overwhelmingly in favor of the United Newsreel, which is American-made, as against the native newsreel. Dubbed Danny FRENCHMEN soon will be able to enjoy Danny Kaye's chatter and wisecracks without having to resort to the dictionary. RKO has dubbed the comedian's films into French and to do this was no mean task. Two actors had to be hired — one who could imitate Danny's speech with just the right inflection and another who could sing his songs with the same tongue-breaking rapidity that made him a favorite not only on the screen, but also on the air and on records. Those who've heard the dubbing job say it sounds just like Danny — doing one of his French imitations. Roosevelt Story A FEATURE-LENGTH picture on the life of the late President Roosevelt is in the process of being completed after nine months of work, according to an announcement last week from Tola Productions. Martin Levine and Oliver A. Unger produced the picture in association with Harry Brandt, compiling it from available footage. The picture follows the career of the president from the time he was a State Senator to within a few days of his death. PEOPLE Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association of America, currently in Washington, D. C, will spend Christmas in Spokane, Wash., and later will go to Arizona for several weeks' rest. Mr. Johnston was stricken with pneumonia during his recent trip to England. Herman F. Levy, for the past two years assistant advertising manager of Univej> sal Studios, Monday was appointed advertising manager for Universal-International studios, succeeding Clark Ramsey, who resigned last week to join the Monroe Greenthal Advertising Agency. James V. O'Gara, supervisor for Republic's South American branches, Monday was appointed executive assistant to James R. Grainger, Republic executive vice-president and general sales manager. Louis L. Lioni of RKO Radio's Far Eastern organization and his wife have arrived in New York from Holland for conferences with Phil Reisman, vicepresident of foreign operations. Samuel N. Burger, regional director of Latin America for Loew's International, left New York Saturday for Colombia for the opening of MGM's Cine Metro in Barranquilla. Richard Owen, 20th Century-Fox's exploitation representative in the southwestern district, resigned last Wednesday. He will take a vacation before announcing a new affiliation. T. D. Kemp, associated with the WilbyKincey theatre interests in Charlotte, N. C, has been appointed Mecklenburg County chairman for the North Carolina Good Health Association. Frank Schiendler has been appointed branch manager of the Los Angeles exchange of Screen Guild Productions, succeeding William Flemion, resigned. Aage Bremerholm, managing director for Gloria Films in Denmark, has been appointed manager of RKO Radio's newly organized office in Copenhagen, Denmark. M. J. Siegel, for the past three years an MGM executive in Hollywood, resigned Tuesday to form an independent producing company. Randy Rogers, assistant to Jesse Lasky, was elected secretary of Jesse Lasky Productions in Hollywood Tuesday. H. F. Kessler-Howes has beep appointed director of publicity for Columbia Pictures, Ltd., in London, succeeding Arthur Allighan. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, published every Saturday by Quigley Publishing Company, Rockefeller Center, New York City 20. Telephone Circle 7-3100; Cable address "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Qui-gley, President; Red Kann, Vice-President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Tneo. J. Sullivan, Treasurer; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Terry Ramsaye, Editor; Martin Quigtey, Jr., Associate Editor; James D. Ivers, News Editor; Charles S. Aaronson, Production Editor; Ray Gallagher, Advertising Manager; David Harris, Circulation Director; Bureaus: HoNywood, 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 Rocrd; 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. Avenrda Conde Valbom 116; Brussels, Louis Quievreux, 121 Rue Beeckpnan; Amsterdam, Philip de Schaap, 82 Jekerstraat; Copenhagen, Kris Winther, Bogehoi 25; Stockholm, Gosto Eckell, 15 Brantingsgaten; Basel, Carlo Fedier, Brunnmattstr. 2t; 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. Uciburi f26; 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 Puigley 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 14, 1946 9