Showmen's Trade Review (Jan-Mar 1947)

34 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, March 1, 1947 REGIONAL NEWSREEL LONDON OBSERVER IN NEW YORK Luncheon, Reception Honor DeMille, Carol Reed; Rockettes Vote on Film Candidates for Music Hall By JOCK MacGREGOR From Shinwell's shivering, slushy streets to Broadway's blazing brilliance in a working day is a definite shock to the constitution. Thanks to a record-breaking transatlantic flight, this was my recent experience; yet after years of cinegoing, it all seemed strangely familiar. My first New York appointment was Paramount's luncheon for Cecil B. DeMille, and I was greatly touched when, in welcoming the guests, the veteran producer-director personally named me. He hopes to visit England for the premiere of "Unconquered," his latest picture, and I certainly look forward to the press reception. While taking the utmost care of historical data, C. B. will always substitute fiction for fact if he feels it will improve entertainment values. New York writers challenged him on this, and his justification for his actions to Campbell Dixon, Caroline Lejeune, Dicky Winnington and other London critics should be enlightening fun. After the luncheon C. B. turned the tables on me by asking numerous questions ( n British audience and critical reactions to movies and the drawing power of current productions, Hollywood and otherwise. * * * An early engagement was the reception for Carol Reed, who was introduced to the New York City press after a successful preview of his "Odd Man Out" with James Mason and Irish players. Here I renewed acquaintances with Jock Lawrence, vicepresident of J. Arthur Rank, Inc., who introduced me to his president, Robert Benjamin and others enthusiastically engaged in putting over British films. The reception was followed by a private farewell party for Phyllis Calvert at the apartment of the Jock Lawrences, and it was strange to see so many English faces like George Archibald, Bill Sistrom and Clifford Jeapes, who were returning to England. Phyllis Calvert was captivated by Hollywood and is looking forward to returning. I know London will be moaning her loss, but the fact remains that the British producers have only themselves to blame. They have given her dreadful parts, have nothing lined up for her and have overlooked the fact that she has brains as well as talent. * * * My visit to Radio City Music Hall with Gus Eyssell, its managing director, was a unique experience. There is no denying that he is looking forward to showing "Great Expectations" and that he will show any British product which will satisfy his audience. Mr. Eyssell is a complete realist, so if a picture is rejected by the Music Hall, don't blame him. Blame the famous Rockettes! Film candidates for the huge theatre are shown to the girls between shows in Eyssell's projection room, and unless a picture gets a majority vote, it is not booked. Those girls must be the most glamorous trade viewers. Eyssell declares they comprise a representative audience. Much has been written about British films not getting screen time. Possibly this week is an exception, but they are being shown in 30 New York cinemas. "Bedelia," with an outstanding electric sign in a city of outstanding signs, plays Broadway; "Henry V," "Brief Encounter" and "Stairway to Heaven" continue their first runs and in the neighborhoods are "The Seventh Veil," "Caesar and Cleopatra," "Madonna of the Seven Moons" and oldies like "39 Steps." Indeed, there are too many prewar films, such as TURNS TABLES. Cecil B. DeMille, Paramount producer-director, turned from the interviewed to the interviewer and queried STR's Jock MacGregor (right) about current conditions in England's film world when the two met recently in New York. "I Met a Murderer" and "General Ling," which never were good examples of British picture-making. Incidentally, David Blum of Loew's International tells me that MGM has secured Herbert Wilcox's record-breaking "Piccadilly Incident" with Anna Neagle for the U. S. and Canada. A nice tribute to a successful picture which, on the ABC London circuit, beat "Gone With the Wind" figures. , Over lunch, Norton Ritchey told me that he sails for England with Steve Broidy on April 9, to finalize plans for a Monogram British production. This is significant, and you can read what you like into it, since Monogram has no quota problems because of the fact that Pathe handles its product. My guess is that they anticipate a cycle of British films and are not going to be left in the cold. Mr. Ritchey insisted on giving me a private screening of "It Happened on 5th Avenue," first film by Allied Artists, which is planning lavish offerings. Sir Alexander Korda has his office on the 83rd floor of the Empire State Building, and his representative, Maurice Helprin, does not anticipate that any of his pictures will be available before next fall. First will be Oscar Wilde's "The Ideal Husband" with Paulette Goddard. Possibly to stress the English background, the J. Arthur Rank Organization serves afternoon tea, and apparently the staff likes it. I am breaking my New York visit for a trip to Hollywood. Thus far, my greatest impression has been the importance of the press here, and the trade press in particular. (Continued from Page 33) MGM office where he formerly was office manager. Other visitors to film row include M. B. Landau, of the Madison Theatre, Madison, Kan.,, and Frank Weary, Farris Theatre, Richmond, Mo. The new fathers' club of show business has recently admitted Vernon Peterson, Ed Hartman and Albert Morris to membership. Mr. and Mrs. Hartman are the parents of a daughter, Claudia Jane, born Jan. 21. Hartman is with Motion Picture Booking Agency here. Mr. and Mrs. Morris are talking loudly about Sharon Kay, born Feb. 4. Morris is a booker in the Paramount exchange. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are the parents of a boy born Feb. 16, their first child. Peterson is the manager of the Circus Theatre. Members of the Business and Professional Women's Club were guests at breakfast and a screening of "Nora Prentiss" given by the Newman Theatre. Comments of the women following the picture were taken on a wire recording by Station KCMO. The comment was then dubbed on a platter and broadcast over the station last Tuesday evening. Granada Theatre is taking advantage of the current consumer goods shortages by staging auction night every Wednesday. Items such as white shirts, irons, toasters and others are auctioned for real money. The tie-up to provide the scarce goods has been made with Gorman's Store, next door to the theatre. MILWAUKEE The Gem Theatre at Platteville, Wis., has been sold to the Avalon Theatre Corporation, by the former owner, A. C. Berkholtz of West Bend, but possession is not to be taken by the new owners until Aug. 4. The building also houses a bakery. The Avalon Theatre Corporation is owned by John O'Connor and Carl Lunenschloss of Richland Center, Wis. The work on the new building in which the Muscoda Theatre, at Muscoda, Wis., is to be located has gotten to the point where the concrete for the floor is being poured. According to the contractor, it looks like June first for the opening of the theatre. When the new Manawa Theatre at Manawa, Wis., was opened to the public on Sunday, Jan. 26, 1,094 persons were in the audience. This is the theatre built by public subscription. Five shows were given on opening day, and manager Bob Squires announced that the house would be held open and shows put on until there was not a single person left in the audience, as he wanted all to see that first show. The Winneconne Theatre, at Winneconne, Wis., has been bought by Sanford Vincent after having managed it for five years. Manager Walter Holt of the Rialto Theatre at Kaukauna, Wis., announces that the house is in for improvements, which will include a new screen, new 350-lb. bases for the projection machines to insure steady pictures, and other added features for the comfort of patrons. Harry Perlewitz, business manager for the Independent Theatre Owners of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan is sojourning in Florida. He expects to return to his office early in March. At an election held in February by the Wonewoc Theatres, Inc., Wonewoc, Wis., V. O. Fuller was re-elected president. Other officers (Continued on Page 43)