Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1948)

U. S. Overseas Program May Get $30,000,000 HONOR RUBIN AT ANNUAL BROTHERHOOD LUNCHEON Photos by the Herald Washington Bureau The State Department's overseas information program appears likely to get more than $30,000,000 during the corning fiscal year — almost three times its current appropriation— but there still is considerable doubt of just how much good this will do private film companies. The House Appropriations sub-committee has indicated that it will vote the program 530.000,000 of the $36,000,000 requested for operations during the fiscal year beginning July 1, and there's a possibility that the Senate may increase this total. "However, most of this appropriation has been committed for personnel services, equipment, expenses, exchange of students and similar "programmed" ideas. State Department officials admit there will be very little, if anything, left for paying out-ofpocket distribution expenses of motion picture companies and other information media. Despite the poor outlook for the film industry generally, the prospect for the Department's International Motion Picture Division is fairly bright. ' The Division asked for $2,500,000 and if the entire program gets $30,000,000, the film section seems certain to get more than $2,000,000, compared with $100,000 to $150,000 during the current year. If the appropriation is approved the State Department Film Section plans 60 films in 26 different languages, with slightly more than half these films to come from private companies, while the others will be produced by the Motion Picture Division itself. The Division has also asked for funds to operate 60 mobile film units overseas ; the acquisition of 170 new 16mm projectors, and the naming of special motion picture officers in key spots throughout the world. The division anticipates showing its films to more than 10,000,000 people a month. Massachusetts House Rejects Censor Plan Deciding that the state has enough laws to protect public morals, the Massachusetts House of Representatives last week rejected a proposal to establish a six-man board of censors for motion pictures, radio and stage productions. At a hearing held earlier in the month the New England Co-ordinating Committee opposed the measure. Form Major Productions Major Productions, Inc., has been formed by John S. Yuhasz, J. L. Nickerson and Ira Nickerson, Jr., to produce independently for release through a major distributor. The first feature, "Mr. Fate," from a story by Mr. Yuhasz, is to go into production in May and is budgeted at $500,000. GOODWILL among off creeds was the topic. Scenes at the eighth annual luncheon of the amusements division of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Tuesday, at the Hotel Astor, New York. Above, at the guest dais, Dr. Joshua Loth Liebman, noted rabbi and author, a guest speaker; J. Robert Rubin, vice-president of Loew's, Inc., the amusement division's national chairman; Dr. Daniel A. Poling, editor of The Christian Herald, and Jack Conn, vice-president of Columbia. At the right, Martin Quigley presents to Mr. Rubin, right, a citation for his work in the furthering of cooperation among America's creeds. At the annual Brotherhood Week Luncheon at the Hotel Astor in New York Tuesday, J. Robert Rubin, chairman of the amusement division, was presented a citation of distinguished merit from the National Conference of Christians and Jews. In the absence of Dr. Everett R. Clinchy, president of the Conference, Martin Quigley made the presentation to Mr. Rubin. The citation said: "The National Conference of Christians and Jews awards this citation of distinguished merit to J. Robert Rubin for his effective and constructive leadership of the Amusement Division of the National Conference of Christians and Jews in interpretation and support of its program, "For his profound faith in the power of education to keep the American Way free of prejudice, "For his helpful aid and friendly guidance of the National Conference in its ivork for the establishment of justice and brotherhood among men of good will." Principal speakers at the luncheon were Dr. Daniel A. Poling, editor of the Christian Herald, and Rabbi Joshua Loth Liebman, author of "Peace of Mind." David Weinstock, Brotherhood campaign chairman, cited the five newsreel companies through whom "90,000,000 will receive the message of brotherhood," and also Robert Mochrie, Harry Brandt and S. F. Seadler for their efforts in distribution, exhibition and publicity, respectively. The newsreels are including in this week's releases a special "Brotherhood Week" clip. In his speech Rabbi Liebman referred to "the tremendous power of the motion picture industry" in that "it could make the people understand that bigotry is a crippling disease." On the dais with Mr. Rubin and the speakers were : Robert Christenberry, Max A. Cohen, Jack Cohn, Robert W. Coyne, Emil Friedlander, William J. German, William J. Heineman, Edward Lachman, Arthur Mayer, Miss Lucy Monroe, Charles C. Moskowitz, John J. O'Connor, Walter Reade, Jr., Samuel Rosen, James E. Sauter, Sam Shain and Joseph R. Vogel. Spyros Skouras is national chairman of the film division's 'American Brotherhood Week," which started last Sunday and is to continue through this Sunday, and David O. Selznick is chairman of the production division. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, FEBRUARY 28, 1948 25