Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1947)

REDS FAILED IN EFFORT TO TAKE STUDIOS: JOHNSTON Tells House Unit Films Are Attacked by Communists; Is Against Purge Washiugtoit Bureau Sharply attacking American Communists as "foreign conspirators who owe their allegiance to Russia/' Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association, in testimony before the House Committee on unAmerican Activities last week, said that if they had set as their goal to capture Hollywood, they had "suffered an overwhelming defeat." At the same time he rejected a suggestion from Representative John E. Rankin to the effect that subversive elements in the industry should be "purged" by saying: "I do not think that we are ready yet for concentration camps in America. A man has a right to make a living." Cites Attacks by Reds On American Films To support his statement that Communists were not in control of the film industry, Mr. Johnston cited the fact that American pictures are the object of bitter attacks by Communists all over the world. "The Communists hate and fear American motion pictures. It is their No. 1 hate," he said. Also he reminded the committee that there is an almost complete ban on U. S. films in most Communist-dominated countries. "This is so," he declared, "because American films give the lie by visual evidence to totalitarian propaganda. The old tale about the breakdown of capitalism in America becomes pretty flimsy stuff after people have had a chance to see our pictures and draw their own conclusions." As an example, he cited the FrancoAmerican film accord signed about a year ago. "Ever since that time French Communists have made bitter attacks against the agreement and they have waged a constant campaign of vituperation against American pictures," he said. "In countries behind the 'Iron Curtain' the Communists resist the showing of American films and use every possible bait to lure the people to houses showing Soviet films. They even offer free tickets and free transportation, but the bait is no good. The people want U. S. films." Makes Specific Suggestion For Fighting Communism Mr. Johnston had special praise for the work of the newsreels in presenting factual international programs to other nations and, in answer to questions, said the industry thought it wise to combat Communism by showing films which show the virtues of democracy and freedom. He then made three specific suggestions Press Ass'n Photo ERIC JOHNSTON for combating Communism in the United States. First, he said, conspiratorial activities of Communists should be handled through the treason and sedition laws which should be strengthened if inadequate. Second, Communists should not be allowed to hold office in a corporation, a cooperative or a union where they are in a position to pursue their disruptive tactics and, third, Communists should be labeled as such. Several times during his testimony, Mr. Johnston clashed with Rep. Rankin. Early this week, Mr. Rankin, who is the ranking minority member of the House Committee on un-American Activities, took the floor in the House to make a further comment on the MPA president's testimony. "Unless the people in control of the industry are willing to clean house of Communists," he said, "Congress will have to do it for them." He also charged that "many moving pictures that come out of Hollywood carry the Communist line." In Hollywood, meanwhile, Fred Pelton, for the past eight years Hollywood labor relations executive of the Association of Motion Picture Producers, will leave, his position in six months to engage in private enterprise. During that period he will instruct Charles F. Boren, his successor. MPA Directors, Reelected, Study Foreign and Domestic Problems Problems facing American motion pictures at home and abroad were discussed Monday when the board of directors of the Motion Picture Association met to hear the annual report of its president, Eric Johnston. All officers and directors of the organization were reelected at the meeting. Action taken by the board included approval of plans, submitted by Joseph R. Vogel of Loew's, chairman of the program committee, for the dinner in New York May 8 when the MPA will celebrate its 25th anniversary and also will welcome J. Arthur Rank. The group further approved proposals to send stars to participate in the Brussels Film Festival June 15, as well as the Second Command Performance in London next November. Principal Pictures notified the board of its resignation from the Association and a special membership meeting was decided on to pass on a proposal to increase to two the number of directors from each company. In his report Mr. Johnston made special mention of the constructive and cooperative Carl E. Milliken attitude of Hollywood, especially in matters pertaining to the Production Code. MPA officers elected by the board included Eric Johnston, president and chairman of the board; Joseph I. Breen, vice-president; Francis S. Harmon, vice-president; George Borthwick, secretary and treasurer ; Sidney Schreiber, assistant secretary; Fred W. DuVall, assistant treasurer ; James S. Howie, assistant secretary-treasurer. Directors reelected were : Mr. Johnston, Barney Balaban, Nate J. Blumberg, Mr. Borthwick, Jack Cohn, Cecil B. DeMille, Ned E. Depinet, E. W. Hammons, E. B. Hatrick, Joseph H. Hazen, Hal E. Roach, Herman Robbins, Nicholas M. Schenck, Spyros P. Skouras and Albert Warner. The board voted a resolution of appreciation for the services of Carl E. Milliken, who is retiring as an officer of the Association. Governor Milliken, who will be 70 next June, has been secretary for 21 years under its present name and when it was known as the Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America. After serving three terms in the Maine Senate he was elected Governor and served two terms. He was appointed secretary of the MPPDA January 1, 1926. In 1935 he represented that organization at the London conferences on Production Code Administration service to European producers. During the difficult war years, he headed the MPA's International Division and did State Department liaison. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, APRIL 5, 1947 2!