Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1947)

THIS WEEK IN THE NEWS Type Casting? BING CROSBY proved conclusiveiy that a crooner can masquerade effectively as a priest. See "The Bells of St. Mary's." And now, with a bow to Hollywood's traditional type casting, another crooner has been cast as a priest. This time it's Frank Sinatra who will appear as a priest in the LaskyMacEwen production of "Miracle of the Bells," which will be released by RKO. But there is this important topper : Frank won't sing. Meanwhile, Crosby, getting far away from the candle, book and bell, has been announced for the lead in "Harvey," the story of a charming drunk who has as his companion an imaginary rabbit exactly six feet one and a half inches high. Can Sinatra top that? UN Film Council A FILM PANEL of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization passed a resolution during a meeting Tuesday in Philadelphia urging the creation of a commission to investigate the needs of rehabilitating the motion picture industry in war-devasted countries. The commission would check on the amount of equipment, raw film and technical personnel needed in these countries. The film panel was headed by Thomas Albright, representing the Motion Picture Association. Also urged was the establishment of a United Nations motion picture council which would act as a clearing house on the interchange of motion picture ideas and techniques. More than 1,000 delegates, representing more than 500 groups, including the motion picture industry, press and radio, are attending the first national conference on UNESCO. Waugh EVELYN WAUGH, the English novelist, has left Hollywood to return to England saying, according to an MGM release, that his departure was because of the "the unsuccessful effort by MGM to adapt his bestselling 'Brideshead Revisited' to meet the requirements of the Production Code without impairing the novel's dramatic value." ASCAP Studies EXHIBITORS may be faced with additional costs if a plan which the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers is preparing to study becomes effective. According to John G. Paine, general manager, in New York last week, the present theatre license fees have not been in MGM lists 42 features, 48 shorts for new season Page 12 MAJORS fighting to retain industry arbi: tration system Page 13 BIDDING criticism mounts; Myers charges abuses Page 13 ON THE MARCH— Red Kann in comment on industry affairs Page 14 TRADE follows the film, is Rank's new world thesis Page 19 SERVICE DEPARTMENTS Hollywood Scene Page 40 In the Newsreels Page 52 Managers' Round Table Page 53 IN PRODUCT DIGEST SECTION Showmen's Reviews Page 3549 Advance Synopses Page 3550 Short Subjects Page 3551 JOHNSTON finds support for Production Code during Coast visit Page 20 LUCE commission professors report on press and screen Page 21 BOX OFFICE Champions for the month of February Page 22 NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT— Notes on industry personnel across country Page 33 DISCUSS plans for exhibitor federation in Latin America Page 44 Picture Grosses Page 59 Short Product at First Runs Page 51 What the Picture Did for Me Page 47 Release Chart by Companies Page 3552 Service Data Page 3553 The Release Chart Page 3554 creased since 1933 and the present scale of payment is only 10 cents per seat annually for theatres with less than 800 seats; 15 cents for 800 to 1,500-seat theatres, and 20 cents for houses having more than 1,500 seats. "The basis of payment in unfair," Mr. Paine contended, in that some of the smaller theatres make a greater profit than some of the larger theatres. However, he said, before any new scales are put into effect, exhibitors would be consulted in the hope of achieving an "equitable formula." Plaque NEITHER the wall of an office, nor the library of an executive, nor the lobby of a theatre may be proper repositories for an item so big, and important, as the symbol of the Government's gratitude to an industry which aided the country's effort so mightily. That symbol is a large plaque, in bronze, 200 pounds of it. George Schaefer, who headed the industry's War Activities Committee, has been looking for a dignified repository. This week, he received a suggestion, from Robert Selig, Fox Intermountain Circuit executive, that the plaque be given to the University of Denver Library of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, endowed by the Rocky Mountain Screen Club, in whose behalf Mr. Selig wired Mr. Schaefer. Said Mr. Selig: "The plaque would be permanently exhibited in the Mary Reed Library of the University." Drive-In W. C. SMITH, of Camden, New Jersey, holder of patents on the "Drive-in" theatre, last week won a damage and royalty decision in Federal Court, Providence, against the Loew's Drive-In Theatres, Inc., operators of a group of such houses. The decision, with damages not yet awarded, will be appealed. It concertied the circuit's theatre in that city. Mr. Smith's Park-In Theatres, Inc., of Camden, holds the "Hollingshead Patent" of 1933 governing various technical aspects of drive-in theatres. "It is our policy to license as many drive-in theatres as we can, including such as have recently been built and operated in infringement of our patent, provided of course, that they pay for their past infringement," Mr. Smith said Tuesday. Planes for Films THE BRITISH Cabinet currently is mulling the problem of whether to buy or hire from the United States a fleet of 30 Constellation airliners. If the Cabinet decides to purchase, it was reported from London Tuesday, motion pictures, food and tobacco imports will have to be reduced because the aviation interests will want dollar payment and Britain's cash reserve is dwindling. Howard Hughes, sometime motion picture producer, has considerable financial interest in the Constellations. 8 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MARCH 29, 1947