Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1947)

Film Division of IN NEWSREELS Reports Office to Be Liaison Only Washington Bureau Departing gradually from its broadly planned program of film production and periodic film messages, the film division of the Office of Government Reports is now satisfied merely to act as the liaison agent between Government bureaus and the film industry's 12-man committee on film matters involving the Government. Commenting on the Government film office, Dr. John R. Steelman, former OWMR chief and presidential advisor, said the unit would not engage in commercial film production. "All we desire is to cooperate with the picture industry and in certain cases get important messages to the public attention by the use of trailers for exhibition in commercial houses,-' he said. He added that the Government had no desire to cram down the throats of exhibitors shorts which would be criticized by the patron. Approve Resolution The industry study committee met in New York Tuesday to hear Mr. Fabian report nine organizations had approved the committee resolution for the formation of a coordinating committee for cooperation with the Government through one agency representing all branches. Nominations to that committee, the meeting was advised, included Mr. Fabian, ATA; R. B. YVilby, Confederacy of Southern Associations ; Harry Brandt, Independent Theatre Owners ; Francis Harmon, Motion Picture Association; Herman Levy, MPTOA; Tom Connors, National Distribution Committee ; Michael Clofine, newsreels ; Donald Nelson, Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers, and Ben Shlyen, trade press. Mr. Fabian was requested to continue to serve as interim chairman and operating committees in each exchange area are to be named. Allied, the Pacific Coast Conference of Independent Exhibitors and the Conference of Independent Exhibitor Association have not accepted an invitation to join the study committee. Agrees with Johnston Dr. Steelmen said he agreed with Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association, who said the Government should stay away from production of any pictures for exhibition in commercial theatres. Provided the film unit does not engage in picture production, its budget for operation is only $50,000 a year. Dallas Halverstadt now is acting head of the section. The film functions were started last year by President Truman at the request of the American Theatres Association. The unit acts as clearing house for all Government film matters, thus saving the industry MOVIETONE NEWS— Vol. 29, No. 53— B-29 crew rescued in Greenland. . . . Buffalo teachers strike for higher pay. . . . Human tragedy and ruin in IndoChina war. . . . Washington: Eric Johnston presents plan for industrial peace. . . . Los Angeles golf tourney. . . . Motorcycling thrills. . . . Basketball: Notre Dame vs. NYU. MOVIETONE NEWS— Vol. 29, No. 54— Fighter plane flies 5,000 miles non-stop. . . . Chicago explosion. . . . South Africa gives ovation to British Royal Family. . . . President Truman asks help for Red Cross. . . . Sports: Pittsburgh Pirates, Bosto'.i Braves; Ski jumping; Santa Anita handicap. NEWS OF THE DAY— Vol. 18, No. 251— Buffalo: Nation's biggest teachers' strike. . . . Wartorn IndoChina. . . . Rescue of airmen in Arctic and Antarctic. . . . Eric Johnston urges labor plan. . . . Coyote hunt in Idaho. . . . Florida motor-bike races. . . . Water-skiing. NEWS OF THE DAY— Vol. 18, No. 252— Army plane in record hop from Hawaii to New York. . . . British Royal Family given welcome in South Africa. . . . President Truman appeals for aid to Red Cross. . . . Santa Anita handicap. . . . Greenberg joins Pirates. . . . National ski champs. PARAMOUNT NEWS— No. 54— King George meets King Neptune. . . . Teachers' unrest reaches climax in Buffalo. . . . Eric Johnston reports on industrial relations. . . . Indo-China war. . . . Sports: basketball, motorcycling, water-skiing. PARAMOUNT NEWS— No. 55— Flight record smashed. . . . President Truman backs Red Cross campaign. . . . South Africa hails British Royal Family. . . . Report from England. ... 15 to 1 shot wins $100,000 race. RKO PATHE NEWS— Vol. 18, No. 56— Strike shuts Buffalo schools. . . . French repel Indo-Chinese. . . . Eric Johnston asks for labor peace. . . . Chile dog club holds show. . . . Air rescue of lost Byrd fliers. . . . Riggs Budge tennis tourney. RKO PATHE NEWS— Vol. 18, No. 57— P-82 in record hop from Hawaii. . . . Luciano in Cuban controversy. . . . Blast rocks Chicago Loop. . . . President Truman opens Red Cross Drive. . . . South Africa greets Royal Family. . . . Ski champs. . . . Santa Anita handicap. UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL— Vol. 20, No. 17— French troops in Indo-China fighting. . . . Railroad head Robert R. Young urges reforms. . . . Eric Johnston urges plan for industrial labor peace. . . . Lion cub "quads" born. . . . Trained monkey goes through paces in Memphis. . . . World's golf championship in San Diego. UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL— Vol. 20, No. 18— Martial law declared in Palestine. . . . Royal Family greeted in South Africa. . . . Army fighter plane breaks longdistance record. . . . Long shot wins Santa Anita handicap. . . . National ski jumping tourney. . . . Ski champions in Canada. considerable confusion. ATA and MPA may be represented when the House Appropriations Committee holds closed hearings on appropriations for the Government office. Two other Government bureaus important to the film industry— the commercial policy division of the State Department and the Commerce Department's trade information unit — will not be affected by the current wave of economy sweeping Congress, Republican leaders indicated in Washington this week. Neither unit operates on a high budget nor do they engage in propaganda or jprivate business. Nathan D. Golden, who heads the Commerce Department section, runs his bureau on an appropriation of less than $25,000 a year. At the State Department George Canty is in charge. His total requirements for a year run around $30,000. No "Iceman" in Boston "The Iceman Cometh" — but not to Boston. That was the verdict of the city censors last week. The Eugene O'Neil play was scheduled to open in Boston March 17, but when the author refused to make deletions in the script the booking was cancelled. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MARCH 8, 1947 47