The screen writer (June 1946-May 1947)

/ THE SCREEN WRITER of the late President through the war years. . . . The Bryant Foundation, Los Angeles (737 N. Edgemont St.), has brought out Peace Key, by John M. Weatherwax, a well-documented compen¬ dium of the basic documents of world history of the immediate past, with con¬ clusions that present a strong plea for Big 3 Unity as the key to world peace. Conclusions; definitely progressive; exe¬ cution: highly competent. . . SWG member David O. Selznick contributes to the August issue of The Negro Digest an article entitled Negro Lobby in Hollywood, expressing himself in favor of increased and better represen¬ tation of the Negro in films, with par¬ ticular emphasis on the constructive short subject which can present the accom¬ plishments of outstanding Negroes, and advocating the appointment of a leading Negro, “preferably a writer, a diplomat, and an open-minded man without preju¬ dice,” as a lobbyist in Hollywood, to pre¬ sent the case for the Negro, advise on subjects touching his minority group and “bit by bit secure the objectives” for which Negroes have “so long and valiantly strived”. . . . Orson Welles is attracting increasing attention with his weekly Sun¬ day night broadcasts (1:15 PM, Eastern Time, re-broadcast at 10:15 PM, PST, over ABC) , due to which his listeners are referrinf! to him as the “conscience of America.” His tale of Sunday night July 28, the story of the Negro ex-GI who was viciously blinded by a Southern po¬ liceman, and his promise to “Officer X” that he would hound him to the ends of the earth, will linger a long time with all those who heard it. . . . ★ SWG member Michael Blankfort has two books slated for publication with¬ in the coming year: The Widow Makers, a novel, will be brought out by Simon & Schuster in the fall, and a biography of Evans Carlson, tentatively titled Carlson and the Raiders, will come out under the imprint of Little, Brown in January. ★ Robert Stephen Erode has in recent weeks had two original radio plays. Three Times a Sinner and Bright Horizon, on The Whistler series over CBS, and Five Star Mysteries have accepted his detective novel. Murder Goes Calypso, for a papercover edition. He is doing final editing on the book now. ★ Milton M. Raison has been advised that Denis Archer, Ltd., of London, will bring out a British edition of his novel. The Gay Mortician, this fall; the Ameri¬ can edition was published by Murray & Gee, of Hollywood, who announce Raison’s next. No Weeds for the Widow, on their fall list. Also due to appear at the end of the summer is a French translation of one of Raison’s Tony Woolrich detective se¬ ries, Nobody Loves a Dead Man, to be published by Les editions Diderot. ★ The Gagnon Co., of Los Angeles, formerly known especially for its Plot Genie series, has launched a series of novels, to be selected, it is reported, from manuscripts written by writers developed within the motion picture industry. First of the books, out this month, is Sheila, by Robert St. Clair. Next announced is Next Year’s Harvest, by Donya Corleigh Kane. ★ SWG member Everett Wile has taken a management-lease on the El Patio Theatre (formerly the Hollywood Women’s Club), 7080 Hollyvvood Blvd., where he and his partner will produce their own theatrical ventures as well as making the house available to other pro¬ ducers interested in sub-leasing it. During the day, the El Patio is used as a radio broadcasting studio for audience shows. ★ James Roosevelt, whose article. From “Do It Now” to “Well Done,” appeared in our last issue, has been elected California State Chairman of the Democratic Party. To devote his full time to this position and his daily broadcasts, he has resigned from the position he held with the Independent Citizens’ Commit¬ tee of the Arts, Sciences Cr Professions. 42