Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1946)

Selznick Plans 10 Key City Sales Offices to Start The framework around which David O. Selznick's Selznick Releasing Organization will be built began to evolve this week. It was learned that about 10 master exchange offices will be set up across the nation to handle SRO-released product. At the same time, it was reliably reported SRO will use the physical distribution facilities of an established company and that an agreement to that effect is near completion. The exchanges will be located in key cities. Headed by Neil Agnew, president, and supervised from New York, heads of these exchanges will devote themselves to closing contracts, concentrating on the major runs. Mr. Agnew is now on the coast setting up a sales staff. It is pointed out that, with only "Duel in the Sun" until "The Paradine Case" is ready for release, no elaborate distribution machinery is needed. According to Milton Kusell, domestic sales manager, several prints of "Duel" are available, and the picture will open in Los Angeles about December 31. "The Paradine Case" went into production early this week and is expected to be ready for distribution by June. "Intermezzo" will be reissued soon after. Mr. Kusell also said that, while SRO was setting up offices abroad, discussions were still going on as to whether foreign distribution will be handled by Selznick or through the facilities of an established distributor. To staff its divisional exchange system, Mr. Agnew is expected to announce several additions. Sidney G. Alexander, eastern advertising, publicity and exploitation head for Vanguard Films, handed in his resignation before the reorganization of the Selznick organization. Resigning with him was Jerry Pickman, his assistant. Mr. Pickman is slated to become publicity director for Eagle-Lion. He will assume his duties there December 23. San Antonio Starts Drive On Truants at Theatres A campaign to "clean up or close up" certain theatres has been begun in San Antonio by the Health Department and juvenile welfare authorities. Complaints of admission of truant youngsters during school hours also have brought about declarations by juvenile welfare officials that they will prosecute theatre managers who persist in harboring truants. Three in New MGM Posts Norman Linz, formerly in charge of MGM's "Show Builder," unit one, has been assigned as exploitation representative to Seattle and Portland. He succeeds Ted Galanter who has been transferred to the San Francisco territory. Richard L. Schuette replaces Mr. Linz. LATE REVIEW The Story of the Pope Chapel Films — Pastor Angelicus This is the American version of "Pastor Angelicus," produced in Italy in 1942 by the Centro Cattolico Cinematografico which had the privilege of photographing many scenes of the Pope and of the Vatican. "Pastor Angelicus" has been a popular subject in several European countries. Important additions made in the American editing are a splendid commentary by Monsignor Fulton J. Sheen, widely known Catholic speaker, a brief introduction by His Eminence Francis Cardinal Spellman, and a few newsreel shots of the Vatican Consistory, at which Archbishop Spellman was made a Cardinal. The subject has good music and choral singing by the world famous Sistine Choir. The great appeal of the film to Catholics and others interested in the Pope and the Vatican will transcend the technical limitations which include slow movement, inadequate editing, uneven sound recording and photography. "The Story of the Pope" outlines the life of Pius XII, especially showing the Pope receiving pilgrims at the Vatican and officiating at religious ceremonies. Other parts of the film show something of the beauty of St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican and a number of Raphael's artistic works. The American version was prepared by Bernard B. Brandt and written by John Meehan in collaboration with Rev. John O'Connor. Seen at a New York projection room. Reviewer's Rating : Good. — M. Q., Jr. Release date, December 19, 1946. Running time, 65 min. General audience classification. Court Rejects 2 Schine Appeals Washington Bureau The Supreme Court in Washington Monday rejected two appeals by Schine Chain Theatres against the Government's antitrust victory. The court refused to take jurisdiction to hear the case. The first appeal was filed shortly after the Buffalo Federal Court found the Schine circuit in violation of the anti-trust laws. This was dismissed on the ground that it had been filed before the judgment was final. The second appeal was dismissed because of failure to comply with rule No. 12 of the Supreme Court regulations governing appeals. There was no comment by Justice Department spokesmen, who have not yet studied the two rulings. However, it was pointed out that the Schine interests can petition for a rehearing. Meanwhile, the Government is preparing to file its appeal in the Griffith case with the Supreme Court. The appeal, prepared by Robert Wright, motion picture specialist of the Justice Department's anti-trust division, is now in the hands of the solicitor-general. It must be filed by Monday, the deadline. Favorite Files Charter Favorite Films Corporation of Texas has filed application for incorporation in Austin, Texas. The incorporators are John L. Franconi, president; W. J. Cammer, vice-president, and Edward V. Green, secretarytreasurer. United Artists To Show Films To Salesmen "As far as United Artists is concerned the old sales convention system, under which pictures were sold and discussed without anyone having seen them, is out," Gradwell L. Sears, UA vice-president in charge of distribution, said at midweek. "From now on our exchanges will not get pictures until a number of films are ready, then we shall screen them for all exchange personnel. District meetings will discuss sales policies only after everyone has previewed the product." The decision to revamp the UA policy was taken following the recent trip of company heads to the coast, where they reviewed parts of 11 pictures. United Artists has a $25,000,000 inventory on hand, Mr. Sears said. The company will ship 15 new films to branches by March 1. Plans call for the release of two top budget pictures every five weeks throughout 1947. Among them are "Carnegie Hall," "Arch of Triumph" and "A Miracle Can Happen," all of which will be very successful, Mr. Sears thought. Enterprise will deliver six pictures during the year. First to be released will be "Ramrod." "Arch" will be roadshown and is expected to gross in excess of $10,000,000. Special handling may be required for "Carnegie Hall," Mr. Sears said. Stressing that he could speak only for the United Artists management, Mr. Sears said the company's dispute with David O. Selznick was now in the hands of the lawyers, who were trying to decide whether Mr. Selznick had or had not breached a United Artists contract. UA is continuing to handle Selznick product for the present, he said. He also said the majority of the United Artists producers had agreed to go along with the Motion Picture Export Association. Pittsburgh Variety Club Elects Daniel Barker Cliff Daniel, manager of station WCAE, Pittsburgh, was named chief barker of the local Variety Club for 1947 at an election of 11 new board members, it was announced Monday. The other officers are: Sam Fineberg, first assistant chief barker; Bert Stearn, second assistant; Ben Steerman, treasurer, and George Eby, secretary. The directors are Ben Amdur, Pete Dana, William Finkel, Sam Speranza, Tom Troy and John Walsh. Chicago Classifies Two Two films, "The Strange Woman" and "How Green Was My Father," Mexican, were classified for adults only by Chicago's police censor board last month, it was announced last week. Of the 62 pictures reviewed only five cuts were made. 26 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 21, 1946