Variety (Sep 1942)

60 WAR ActmriES Wedaesdajt Sejptember 2, 1942 Newa'eelers Continue to Clamor For Actual Battle-Front War Gips Government propagandisU are passing up a potent weapon tor morale effect In not screening the actual battle shots In the various theatres of war, where the fighting Yanks are now active, according to newsreel heads. They claim Eng- land's lead should be followed in screening battle front shots. Impressed on Washington officials by newsreel companies is the added value of such propaganda in rush- ing action pictures of actual combat to South America for showing there. This would offset the heavy run of Axis films showing their forces in action to impress natives with their military might. Newsreelers figure that pictorial record of such engagements as those in the Picific would go a long way toward buoying the spirits of United Nations peoples and, additionally, prove a strong asset in pointing up our own victorious fighting quali- ties. Situation will be brought to the attention of President Roosevelt and Elmer Davis in an effort to raise the censorship on showing battle films as a morale booster. Newsreelers say all Pacific battles have been re- corded on celluloid but high Gov- ernment officials have ruled against screening them at this time. Perhaps typical of the entire situ- ation is the observation of a N. Y. exhibitor, after leaving a screening of 'Wake Island.' He said: 'What is contained in that feature we should have had to some extent in newsreels months ago. It is the type of screen material calculated to make the public fighting mad—and of inestimable value in bolstering public morale. Why haven't the newsreels had some of that?' Brasshatism The answer of the newsreels is that brasshat rules keep their ex- pensive camera crews from getting up to the fighting front. And even when a professional cameraman or man from the industry obtains foot- age, it is withheld from the reels for fear of divulging military secrets. On that score, one newsreel execu- tive, who asked that his name be withheld for obvious reasons, pointed to the millions of feet of newsreel material being ground out by the Russians, the Nazis and Japs, via camera crews attached to mili- tary units. Reaction of this official, while not put in so many words, is that these countries apparently do not feel any military secrets are being divulged. And in the case of the Nazi and Japanese clips, the footage is always doctored to give the public back home the impression that their troops are winning and with the minimum of bloodshed. 'From what I have been able to learn,' he said, 'the public wants coverage of the war where the fight ing Is going on. The average audi- ence feels that there should be ade- quate coverage of the' war from the American side—and we're not get ting it yet. Thus far, it seems that the brasshats fail to appreciate what this inspirational material means for the home front' Squawks directed 9t the newsreels claim the reels faked the Dieppe raid. However, most of them merely took old Commando raid material and frankly explained that this was the type of operation similar to the Dieppe attack. The part that annoys the newsreels in the U. S. is that thus far they have had no word that any motion picture material was photographed by American news- reel cameramen stationed in Britain. Even the 10-mlnute story of one of the l,600-plane raids on Germany was not done by U. S. newsreelers. American newsreel cameramen have been kept out of Iceland and Alaska. Even in Australia, to date, they have been stationed at out-of-the-way spots where news stories are infre- quent. And no comprehensive cover- age of many military establishments In this country has been photo- graphed by American newsreel crews although newsreels officials claim this would be good for home consumption. They aver it could be done without tipping any military secrets, too. Wartime Switch Hollywood, Sept. 1. Shortage of male thesps under war conditlans is the theme of '100 Girls and a Man,' to be pro- duced by Universal with Michele Morgan and Robert Cummings in the top roles. A few years ago the same studio filmed '100 Men and a Girl.' Picture, dealmg with an all- girl orchestra touring Army camps, will be Henry Koster's second producer-director job on the lot. Different' Warfare Blame By Kaltenbom for Toor' Reporting of World Warn H. V. Kaltenbom, whose 'Kalten- born Edits the News' newsreel clip is distributed by Newsreel Theatres (Embassy group), has indicated to 'Variety' that perhaps the dif- ferent type of warfare in the pres- ent struggle as compared to World War No. 1 might account partly for the dearth of first-hand accounts, in- cluding newsreels. of the war front today. He indicated that there was a steady loosening up on the part of military officials towards news men, but the fact that the present war is not like the static warfare of World War No. 1 naturally would ■preclude quite so large a coverage. The commentator is just back from a five-day visit to England. Exh, Mechamca] Age Chicago, Sept. 1. Rialto, cooperating with the war effort, is eliminating the lengthy film trailers it has always used to adver- tise coming stage attractions. Instead, a specially-trained, six- foot two-Inch chorine will walk across stage to music, bearing a huge placard advertising the new show, while copy is given over the loud- speaker. 13 PAR TECHNICIANS SOUNDING IN SERVICE Hollywood, Sept. 1. Sound department at Paramount has contributed 13 technicians in the last year to help Uncle Sam detect possible invaders in the air or under the sea. Latest is James Norton, sound operations superintendent, who has joined five of his old stu- dio colleagues at the Berkeley Ra- diation Laboratory, Berkeley, Calif. Others from Par in that lab, work- ing on the harnessing of atomic energy for aerial detection are Ralph Stotts, Harry Lindgren, Lloyd Rus- sell, E. E. Cristie and John Pond. Seven more from the same lot are working up technical schemes to de- tect the movements of submarines. They are Donald Ross, Charles His- serich, Henry Fracker, C. G. Mc- Proud, Homer Tasker, Raymond Crews and Floyd Campbell. ARMY RELIEF SHOW $75,000 IN THE m The Army Emergency Relief Show. 'We're All In It, Let's Win It,' which plays Madison Square Garden, N. Y., on Sept 30, has $75,- 000 in the till and as much again pledged and due for collection by the end of the week. Show has set Itself a $250,000 quota and wants to raise as much as possible before the Motion Picture Industry War Bond Drive, which started yester- day, gets a stranglehold on the pub- lic purse. The show's executive committee has named a top man In every in dustrial and mercantile field in New York City, from banking and building to jewelry and brewery, to organize his own sub-committee and sell ducats. Most of the dough to date stems from these commit' lees. The $1.10 and $2.20 pews have been set aside for distribution to the servicemen and, as fast as the donations arrive, the ducats are ear- marked for army distribution. To date all of the 2,848 buck-tens and half of the 3,004 two-twenties have been subscribed. Biggest problem at the moment is the publicity committee headed by Carl Erbe, doing a 14-hour dally shift because of lack of aides. Plenty of names on the letterhead, but few of them work on the show. New York radio stations are- hit- ting the line with spot announce- ments and on Sept 7 will start air- ing special shows being set by Jim Sauter. of the United Theatrical War Activities Committee. He is also endeavoring to have the four networks blanket the Sept. 30 per- formance, each airing a quarter of the program and, as they go off, mentioning the succeeding network by name. Idea behind the blanket network coverage is to have the listening audience show their . appreciation for the program by mailing in a contribution for Army Emergency Relief. Cartoons to Help Speed Up War Defense Work Hollywood, Sept 1. New unit is l>eing added to the Hugh Harman Productions cartoon plant at Metro to handle educational films on war Industries. Idea is to speed up defense production through a combination of live and cartoon reels showing the latest and most efficient methods. To date, two-thirds ol the Harman plant and personnel have been turned over to speed the war effort, Opens New Post Theatre Fort McCIellan, Ala., Sept 1, 'Going to TovrW unit of USO- Camp Shows, Inc., opened the Fort McCIellan amphitheatre here last weekend during a two-night stand. Unit, comprising Roy Smeck, Joe and Jane McKenna, "Three Sailors, 16 Roxyettes and capably emceed by Georgie Woods, scored sensationally with the entertainment-starved sol- dier audience, which packed the 20,- 000-seat concrete structure each evening. Flock of HollywoocUans At Quantico Marine Base Washington, Sept. 1. There's quite a Hollywood dele- gation at the U. S. Marine Corps base at Quantico, Va., and they all turned out for the 'Wake Island' premiere last week. Penny Singleton of 'Blondie* fame came here to see her husband, Capt. Robert Sparks, before her blessed event arrives. When she found that the Quantico medical detachment has some of the nation's finest obstetri- cians she decided to stay here until the stork arrives. These 'Devildogs' really go for 'Blondie' and it is a No. 1 favorite at the post theatre. Lt Edward Hundt Jr., who was film editor for Edward Small pro- ductions, is a hardy looking sea sol- dier and so is Lt. Barry Shipman, recently an MGM writer, whose wife, Beulah MacDonald, M-G feature player, is with him. Henry Freu lich, cameraman, arrived at Quan tlco at 12:10 one day as a private. At 12:45 p.m. he was promoted to master technical sergeant, a quick elevation because they had a special assignment for him. Capt. William Halpern of RKO be gins his day by reading 'Daily Va- riety' from Hollywood. Lt Julian Lesser, son of producer Sol Lesser, has charge of film administration, and the base photographic section is headed by Major Franklin Adreon another Hollywoodite. One of the quietest but most pop- ular officers at the post is Lt. Louis Hayward, who starred in Edward Small productions. The New York and Washington scribes found Lt. Hayward in the background and be fore they would release him he was the hero of the Officers club. Quantico turned it on for the vis Itors. They were given a filet mig non dinner at the Officers club and a party after the screening. Major General Harland M. Smith gave them the freedom of the post for an inspection trip which Jncluded the flying field and bomber base. As for 'Wake Island,' the con- sansus of the 1,200 Marines who viewed the feature at the Post the atre is that they can make the his- tory which takes this South Pacific base back. They want to avenge those valiant Marine defenders. Uncle Sam's JRoll Call ; Continued from page is draft deferment Aug. 1. His brother, George Lurle former owner of the Orpheum Buffalo, enlisted in the Air Corps. It'i Llent. DIek FIshell Dick Flshell, WHN sportscaster and 'Variety's' football oracle, checks Into Quantico, Va., Marine Base as a lieutenant Sept 20. He has applied for active duty. Coincidental with his enlistment. Col. E. E. (Swede) Larsen, erstwhile football coach, and now with the Pacific Fleet, has requested Fishell be assigned to him. Joe Betier's Spot Buffalo, Sept. 1, Joe Betzer, radio editor of the News here since 1930, has resigned to take a civilian scenario-writing job in the Training Film Production Laboratory of the Army Signal Corps, Wright Field, Dayton, O. He announced on WEBR, acted on WGR and did publicity work at WBEN, all local stations, from 1034.30. His permanent successor hasn't been named. Peggy Lindsey of the state desk is filling in. John Qoinn In Kansas City, Sept. 1. John Quinn, for the last four years 'Variety' correspondent here, U. S. Army, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Walter Bodine, KCKN announcer, Merchant Marine, assigned to pub- licity duty at office here. Canton Theatreman. Inducted Canton, O., Sept. 1. Benjamin Schwartz, manager of the Ohio theatre here for the last three and a half years, has reported to Ft. Hayes, Columbus, O., for in- duction and assignment He'd been as.ioclated with the Warner theatre chain for 12 years. Irving H. Solomon, manager of the Lincoln theatre in Massillon, O., has succeeded Schwartz as matiager of the Ohio. Broadway Hedloos In Capt. Edward Levy, Medical Corps, assigned to Station Hospital, Camp Forrest, Tenn. He's the Broadway doc known to the show biz bunch. Another Broadway medico. Dr. Irv- ing Somach, Just went to Camp Rucker, Ala. Errol Flynn Going In? Hollywood,' Sept. 1. Friends of Errol Flynn sense im- minent military service for the actor when disclosed his yacht, the Sir- rocco, has been tied up at Newport Harbor for the duration. Another factor figuring in that conclusion is the recent enlistment in the Navy of the ship's skipper, 'King' Kingsley. [Flyiw is 4-F, re- jected because of athletic heart] Frisco's Bonch San Francisco, Sept. 1. Ward D. Ingrim, commercial man- ager of KFRC, now 2d Lieut Ingrim of Army Air Corps, at Miami Beach, for training. Herb Caen, chatter columnist of the San Francisco Chronicle, Army. Herb Herzenberg, conductor of several KQW programs, captain in Army Ordnance Division. Sam Rosey, agent here, into Army Saturday (5). Robert Iietts Jones, publisher of the Evening News in nearby Vallejo, and former Frisco newspaperman, Marine Corps lieutenant From Phllly Philadelphia, Sept. 1. William Nace, WIP accounting- department. Army. Bill Peters, WIP mail and stock clerk, assistant pliarmacists mate, U. S. Navy. Hy Shapiro, press chief for Wil- liam Goldman circuit, U. S. Army Signal Corps. Federer's Berth Lincoln, Neb., Sept 1. Howard Federer, former manager of the Varsity theatre, assigned to Lincoln naval recruiting office after completing six weeks training. Federer has rank of chief petty of- ficer. Cleveland'a Newest Crop Cleveland, Sept 1. Phil Porter, news ed of Daily Plain Dealer, a captain. Army air- force intelligence. Ken Means, house manager RKO Palace, returned to old trade as Harris, theatre manager, steward on convoy ship sailing from West Coast Joey Gottlieb, m.c, known on nit- ery circuit as Joey Bishop, placed in the special service office of en- tertainment division at Camp Robin- son, Ark. Writing comedy for two camp shows to be preduced this month, and emceeing both. Andy Anderson, owner of Log Cabin club, won five cases of likker when he enlisted. Friends thought he was too. old to qualify but Andy, a sergeant in first war, passed every test. Jack Copland, partner, to handle club during absence. More Hollywood In I Hollywood, Sept. 1. Don Morgan, film press agent, Coast Guard. Milton Krims, screen writer. Army Air Force. Billy Halop, film player. Army. Glen Haviland, film exchange man. Army. HoUister Noble, radio p.a., Mot- rin es. Leif Erikson, screen actor. Navy. Jack Mass, music rep. Army. Robert Northmore, film exchange ai'ditor. Army. Wolfe Reade, film publicist Army. Bob Smith, publicity planter. Coast Guard. Kenny Stevens, vocalist. Army. Craig Stevens, screen player. Army. Ben Cohn, film press agent. Army. Frank Saputo, radio musician, Army. Irving Kumin, film caster, Army Air Force. Charles Minor, exhibitor. Army. Lee Bonell, film actor. Coast Guttrd. Homer Skillion, theatre manager. Navy. Glenn Ford, sci;een actor, Coast Guard. E. D. Marines. Fred Stryker, songwriter. Army. Earl Poggi, theatre manager. Army. Milton Sperling, producer, Ma- rines. Marvin Jones, screen player. Coast Guard. Irving Hedeen, studio technician. Army. Alex Hyde, orchestra manager and composer. Army. Grant Stone, cameraman. Army. Stanley Kramer, associate pro- ducer. Army Signal Corps. Desmond Marquette, film editor. Army. Sammy Shack, film stand-in, Coast Guard. Jerrold Barndt, producer, Naval Reserve. Sam Edwards, radio actor. Army. Byron Roberts, assistant film di- rector, Signal Corps. Hilton Kinless, film lawyer. Army. Jack Otterson, film art director. Army. Sid Lunt, laboratory technician. Signal Corps. ' Don Morgan, studio publicity, Coast Guard. William Baker, film research. Army. Stanley Kramer, production as- sistant. Army Signal Corps. Lawrence Bachman, screen writer. Navy. Edwin Bartlett, film player. Army. Guy Rennie, nltery performer, now Pvt. Herbert Lubart, Army. Les Forbes, film advertising. Marines. Edward P. Leonard, sound tech- nician. Army. Olaf Bolm, film research, Army. Murray Weintraub, talent agent, Marines. Gray Fiefleld, film caster. Coast Guard. John Cook, film agent,. Army. Joe Newman, film director. Signal Corps. Bob Lanlng, radio publicist. Coast Guard. William Baker, film research. Army. Frank Conners, film exchange. Army. Jack Zander, cartoon animator. Army. Charles Piercy, film booker. Army. Julius Engel, film cartoonist Army. Dan Karpan, cartoon animator. Navy. Harry Baldwin, Jack Benny's sec- retary. Navy. Bill Beggs, film agent, Army. Alan Hale, Jr., screen actor. Mer- chant Marine. Bruce Gear, film and radio busi- ness manager, Army. ' ~ Phil Berle (Milton's brother). Navy.