Variety (Sep 1942)

WAR ACTIVITIES Wednesdaj, SepteiiiBer~~9ri942 Daily Bond Sales $7,000P Unddr Industry's Goal But Hit Gov't QuQta Daily bond sales: are now running neck and neck with the U. S. Treas- ury's official quota of $775,000,000 for September, or about $7,000,000 a day under the $1,000,000,000 mark .<:et by the film indu.stry's War Activities Committee. Treasury Agures. how- ever, are made up only after cash is deposited in the Federal Reserve Bank and are nve days behind ac- tual sales. Bond drive olVicials hope that within the next few days the flgiires will bcpin to show the spurt inspired by the film industry's ac- tivities. Cumulative totals un bond sales reported to the Trt-asury to Sept. 5 for daily receipts arc: First day. $19,- 1«2,000; second day, $24,.'>58,000; third day. $27,702,000; fourth day. $28,482,000; fifth day, $29,8o0.000. On this basis sales are at the rate of $2(1,000,000 daily for an estimated monthly total of $780,000,000. instead of $33,000,000 daily required to hit the billion figure. Aim for the Billien With late reports on the film in- dustry's September $1,000,000,000 bond campaign continuing encour- aging, some circuits reporting sales ahead of expectations, Aeld work- ers have been advised to ignore the official U. S. Treasin-y goal of $775,- 000,000 and shoot for the billion. Si Fabian, campaign director, ■tated that local quotas, based on the lowered Treasury figure, are 25% (Continued on page 47) Commdr. John Ford's 'Battle of Midway' As Bond Sales Hypo Footage which John Ford shot during the engagement of U. S. and Jap naval forces at Midway has been edited for immediate release as • Technicolor Iwo-reeler, 'Battle of Midway," to provide theatres with additional material for selling war bonds during September and to Americans what actually happened. 20th-Fox is distributing, following arrangements between the War ac- tivities ComtQittee and U. S. Govern- ment officials. Commander Ford, who was on Midway Island when the Japs attacked, wa.<i wounded while making the picture. Commentary is by Donald Crisp, Jane Darwell and Henry Fonda. President Roosevelt intervened with 'the U. S. Navy to have the pictures taken by Ford of the actual lighting of the Midway engagement released. All 15,000 theatres allied with the WAC will be expected to show the two-rceler. r of War Information, motion enterta picture sect ion.~'<v&s •TiiTctTr'^iTiimW^jjffi*^ pressure from the newsreels for the release of the clips in their regular releases. The argument against the reels was that under a general WAC release, wider distribution could be achieved, with 50,000.000 people ex- pected to view the .'iOO prints before they are recalled for U. S. Navy Archives. Other arjumcnt was against the condensing necessary to include them In limited footage of newsreels. There are two sections of llic Ford footage. Orifiina! runs to more than 6.000 teet, That available for'lhc;>lres will run 40 minutes. PARAMOUNT CAPTURES JAP (MODEL) FLEET Hollywood. Sept. 8. Paramount rejiislcred a peaceful naval victory with the capture of •i\ Japanese deluxe pa.ssenser ships (ir. miniature) at a bankruptcy sale, beating Metro and other studios to the auction block in San Francisco. Models, cymplctc in every detail, had been on exhibition in variou.<i ticket agencies of the Nipponese WyK Line, now defunct in the U S. A. One of the models l.s that of the Talsuta Mnru. recently sunk by an American .•■■ubmarinc. Others rep- resent liners now being used by the Japs as troop transports and plane carriers. They were bought for a mcdcst sum but would cost i.bout $■■50,000 if duplicated in the studio. Paramount expects to cash in on the miniature fleet by renting .ships to other studios for sea pictures. Giving His All Detroit. Sept. 8. Speaking of 'big' contributions to the motion picture indu.stry's billion dollar bond drive you might consider Anthony Dubicl. Dubiel floored the theatre owners at their first sales cam- paign dinner here by investing $25,000, his family's life savings, in bonds for the current cam- paign. The next day Dubiel. who is manager of the Graystone theatre here, went into the Army. N. Y. CANTEEN THANKS DONORS IN PAID AD An extra space ad across three columns was inserted in the N. Y. Times Sundry (6) by the American Theatre Wing to publicly thank the many, persons and businesses who have been donating foodstuffs to the Stage Door Canteen. Purpose, too, was to correct any impression that their support was no longer needed because of the money the Wing is getting from radio and pic- tures. Broadcast brings in $2,500 weekly, while the advance on the Canteen picture was $25,000. Wing states that such money is be- ing used for its many other activities, including the upkeep of the Phil- adelphia Canteen, and will be needed for similar spots to l)e opened in Washington and Bo.ston. Thanks were extended to no less than 75 N. Y. iirms. restaurants, hotels and individuals who are con- stant donors. No listing is made of the professionals who are giving their time' and effort to the Wing, that being taken for granted, al- though the names of many wcll- knowns In .show business have been mentioned in the press. Detroll'a Canteen Detroit, Sept. 8. Plans for a Detroit play spot, pat- tei-ned after the Stage Door Canteen in New York, have l>een given im- petus here with the formation of the 'Soldiers and Sailors Canteen' spon- sored by the 'Variety Club of Michigan. In the first of a series of weekly canteens at the clubs' headquarters in the Hotel Book-Cadillac. 20 fliers from Selfridge Field were enter- tained by hostesses from the the- atres, exchanges and night clubs. Based on the success of the ventinc. the club has named Harry Gilbert as canteen chairman and is going ahead with a program to set up an StertainD3f"t£f"V'r fS'ir'ng that WILLIE HOWARD Twenty-Mventh successful wack, "Priorities of 1942" at th* 46th Street Theatre, New York, "... I would pay Kood money any liniu to lip.ti', l)tit mainly .see, him in ilv^' H<'.\trtto front I.ucia with all the hilarity of his pryinK anatomical in- vendKHlion. ... lie ha.s (Hken on, ti.s he li.ns Kruwn cildor, the bewildered wl.strnlni\sM tli.nt was (lie younger Ch.-iiilln'a without losing; the vol- caiili- vlolonce which has, oddly en.iiitrli, Mullilng to do with It." JOHN ANDERSON, Journal-American K.C. LoobTo Kg Show Biz At L^n Meet Kansas City, Sept. 8. Although attendance will be sharply curtailed because of war- time conditions, theatre, night club, hotel and restaurant grosses seem likely to be hypoed strongly during the three-day national convention of the American Legion, which will be in session here Sept. 19-21. Between 10,000 and 15,000 dele- gates, alternates and other officials and visitors are expected to attend the conclave, a total which ap- parently will be about twice that originally planned when the Ameri- can Legion first announced that the convention would be shifted from New Orleans to Kansas City because of the war. The customary parade which in other years has been one of the highlights of American Legion con- ventions will be omitted because of war-time regulations, and much of the other fanfare evident at past gatherings will be absent as the serious trend of world events is re- flected in the daily sessions. . Noted speakers who will be heard include Donald M. Nelson, War Pro- duction Board chief; Frank Knox Det/Gaims BrusM on Pix Glamor; 'Auction on Service Moi Hypos Sales Flag Over Foy'» Hollywood, Sept. 8. Charlie Foy, who is going info the Army, has offered to turn over his nitery in the Valley to one of the Service groups until he comes marching home. If the deal goes through, it will be the first time a nitery has ever been loaned out to a patriotic organization. PUBUCIST DAAB ON LIVE SHOWS IN CAMPS Hollywood, Sept. 5. Editor, 'Variety': One thing that has inpressed me, in my tours of the camps as a pub- licist, is the deep gratitude of the soldiers, top ratings down, for the entertainment any of the stars, stage, screen or radio, give them. The boys sure appreciate it. Nights are dreadfully long and dull sometimes, and Coast camps arc blacked out, of course, and you really get a load of gloom. Hence tlie visits of live talent are as wel- come as a letter from home. What they yearn for is a guy like Jolson or Cantor, Kyser or Whiteman, or the girls they've seen in the pictures. I didn't realize the depth of this yearning until I lived among them myself. Moreover, I don't think the public at large has the right slant on this matter of entertainment. I'm afraid that many of them think the enter- tainers are junketing for publicity. That, of course, is absurd. They are doing a great work and a vital work, and a new slant should be given the publicity so that credit should go to tho.se who really have given so much. How it is to be done, I, of course, have no idea at the moment. Hyatt Dual). Helen Claire, Junior hasless, re- ceived the fill Qt a rlnt made af a thrapenny ^ece fram three B.A.F. bey's. She and kcr kasbaBd)' Dr. MiUan Smith, af the Celambia [{taimnentcentpr flgMring that Secretary of the Naw Robert Pat- English Dept., had enlcrUlned them '-VS^trTK^if^ytt^j^^ .... American Theatre Wing stage Door Canteen Capers NEW TOBK Attendance continues to mount skyward at the Stage Door Canteen. The former Little Club, housing the canteen, under the 44th Street The- atre, should have accordion sides. the services of outstanding enter- tainers who will be coming in more plentifully for the duration. H'wood Canteen, Inc. Sacramento. Sept. 8. Papers were filed with the secre- tary of state for the incorporation of Hollywood Canteen, without is- sue of capital stock. Bette Davis. Florine Bale. Flor- ence C. Cadrez. Mci'vyn LeRoy and Carroll Holllstcr are li.'»ted as di- rector.'!. liam Green, president of AFL: Paul V. McNutt, director of the War Manpower Commission, and MaJ. Gen. James A. Ulio, adjutant gen- eral, who will accept for Gen. Douglas Mac Arthur the American l«gion Distinguished Service medal which the prganization has awarded to the hero of Bataan and Coregl- dor. Josephine Antoine. soprano with the Metropolitan and Chicago opera companies, has been chosen as the o/ficial .soloist for the convention. Uncle Sam s RoD Call Indpls. Recruits Indianapolis. Sept 8. Carl Lewis, assistant dramatic ed- itor of the Indianapolis Star. army. Rob Rigsbee, M-G booker, army. James Mathcny. director WFBM continuity department, officers' tiain- ing'at Kessler Field, Mi.ss. Dick Hoover, director Civic Thea- tre, now Corporal Hoover, director of theatre at Fort Harri.son. Ind.. re- ception center. Orville Crouch, ex-as-cistant man- ager of Loew's. air corps at Wright Field, Dayton. O. Mrs. Bill Bi^berts ■ WAAC Des Moines. Sept. R. Mrs. Eleanor F. Roberts of Che- shire, Mass., wife of Bill Roberts, as- soclated with Billy Rose as a techni- cal producer, is now listening for cues as an Officer Candidate with the WAAC at Ft. Dcs Moines army post Mrs. Roberts has spent more time backstage than the average house- wife docs in a kitchen, and has been everything from a prop man (wom- nn) in a Hollywood studio to hoofer in a Fanohon & Marco show—and, just to prove her versatility, was a ■fall in' as a swimmer in Billy Rose's Acquacade. Harry Weiss' Boy In Richard Weiss, son of Harry Weis.s, manager of the RKO Madison, Ridt'ewoo<l. N. Y, has been ap- pointed a Second Looey at Duncan Air Field. San Antonio, Texas. llvllywood's Latest Hollywood, Sept. 8. Sid Silvers, aclor-wrlter, army. Charlie Foy, nitery operator, army. Bill Smith, agent, army. Goldstein Twins. Bob was with Abe Lyman, now 20th-Fox talent ■Continued on page 21) Ceiiial Jim Sniiter, £ntertain>Mrii( Director of tht Canteen, protni.ved Fraiilc Piro. belter knotcii oj Killer Joe \he Sailor, $50 if- he u:on the Harcest Moon JilUrbug Contest for servicemen. As everyboiiy knows, Joe won. He requested Sauter to make the check pavoble (o the Coost Gunrd Relief Fund. The other .light a sailor, on being requested lo .^how his identification tags at the door of the Canteen, startled Dick Moon, the treasurer, by raising his leg. His tags were dangling around his ankle. Perhaps its considered old-fashioned to wear them around the neck. A gan crew ef It V. S. Navy boys, about to depart tor parts unknown, came Into the canteen to see Junior Hostess Peg LaCcnIra, who sings 'Love' In the canteen shew. They promised to write her name on the next shell they fired at a Nail snb. The eiKire cc^t of ptitfiiip on the Stnpe Door Canteen show, prior to rinpitig up the first ciirlaiii, has 4'el a record for all time. The producers sqimtidered the uajt amount of ex- ac(I|/ $8. Even this expense would have been anoided had the Canteen been amilnble for rehearsal night. The coin went lo the Rchrnrsnl halls. one Afolo Dwight Deere Wiman. over-scein-; producer of the Canteen Show, found the place .so crowded at its initial performance last Tuesday evening, that he had to pay $100 for the Angel's Table in order to .^ee the show himself. Detroit, Sept. 8. Why no glamour for Michigan? This area, whose feelings were bruised hard recently by the adverse Life article, 'Detroit Is Dynamite,' now Is letting off steam about being neglected by Hollywood's femme bond-bombers in the current $1,000.- 000,000 pix drive. Only film star scheduled into these parts is James Cagney, and, while the slate is glad to have him, film folk figure that a few of the glamor gals would make the state's quota a cinch. Theatre men here are all-out in their drive, with plenty of local sup- port, but wish they could get more from the other end of the industry, Hollywood. It a Hedy Lamarr would only come in and burgeon sales up four or Ave million. Michigan's $40,000,000 goal, with $28,000,000 to be collected in Detroit, would be passed in a hurry. Exhibitors point out that one-twenty-flflli of the na- tional goal should be worth at least one of the Hollywood pretties. |1,H«,««« Preem However, the theatres here prob- ably will pass the quota set. although they figure that the femme picture stars should be routed into key sec- tions where the levy is an important amount of bond sales. The Michigan theatre here seems likely to set a world record boxoffice with a $1.- 000,000 premiere set for 'Wake Island.' House is using (hat Life rib, "Detroit Is Dynamite' for a -slo- gan and by whipping up the local rage is selling seats scaled from $29 bonds (two balcony rows* lo $10,000 for mezzanine seats. The big downtown Fox also has come up with a dilly for bond sales. At the evening show it calls all sol- diers and sailors in the house up on the stage. They're there until the public buys them off with bond pledges. At the first 'sale.' with Frank N. Isbey, state director of bond sales, as the auctioneer, the house sold $98,000 worth of war bonds. The biggest price, $4,000, from two $2,000 pledgers, came for Dick LeClair, a <i«ilor who picked up 46 wounds at Pearl Harbor and three limes was given up" for dead, for the honor of escorting him off the stage. There was a $3,000 pledge for an R. A. F. man on the stage. Because of the surprising response lo the device, the theatre will continue it through September, and Manager David N. Idzal, who also heads (he theatre bond drive, is looking to adding somewhere between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000 to the drive. The Wisper ti Wetsman chain, whose quota for 19 houses was set at $50,000, now is upping it consider, ably. The manager of one house in the chain, Joe LaRose, at the Eas- town,. coUested tS^Spo in bonds and $2,000 in stamps on the opening day, and announced he was >et for at least $150,000 in the one house alone. Too Moch and Too Late Hollywood. Sept. 8. Republic shelved ''Vankee Girl' be- cause of the numerous pictures in preparation at other studios, based on the activities of American women in war. Instead, the studio will film "Thumbs Up,' a story of femme war organization.s in Englaiid. L.A. to N. Y. William Bendix. Frank Buck. Robin Coons. Michael Curtlz. Jean Dalrymple. Orry-Kelly. Stephen Longstrcet. Rouben Mamoulien. Al Margolies. Boris Morros. Ann Pennington. Jennings Pierce. Casey Robinson. Robert Rossen. Myron Selznick. Del Sharbutt Paul Small ■ Lob Smith. - Tom Tully. Hal Wallis. N. Y. to L. A. Tony Hart. Jean Holloway. Henry Jaffe. Stan Joseloff.