Variety (Aug 1943)

PICTURES Wednesday, August 4, 1943 Film Industry Anxious to Get Some Key Jobs on WMC's 'Critical' List . Washington, Aug. 3. ilm industry is said to be. exert- ing, all possible pressure' to get some of il.s 'essential' production jobs on the now War Manpower Commission 'critical' list, due to be announced within; the next three weeks. In- dustry, people are not tod opti" istic, but they are. making all possible efforts on behalf- of cameramen, soundmen.--' cutlers oij'd -some- other technicians. If is;hoped by"some' of the picture people that. Government agencies such us OWI and the armed forces, for which the industry is making a lot of stuff, will put. in a good word with WMC Critical list as of today does not contain a single picture position/. . . The lists are for the advice.'iand (Swdaoce-jot local drAfiJioaris. Critik. cal list will have about 200 names - . against , more than 2,100 on the essential list. One real fear of the ictiire industry is that, when the critical list, comes but, the bars will' go down, on the essen.tial .list and that hundreds of new jobs will be added to it, to keep a lot of people 'happy. . ' If. this should be ..done, draft boards-T-'which are not bound'by the. lists but merely use.them for guid- ance—are liable to feel that the essential classifications are no longer of any value: then, such -protec- tion as the picture industry has now because of its . "essential' . listings would become . absolutely worthless in many, parts of the country. Deferred Theatre Men Needn't Get Defense Jobs; May Do Own Work Theatre employees deferred on legitimate grounds do not need to: transfer ' to work in war plants to retain their present classification, War Activities Committee reps have been informed by officials of the War Manpower Commission and the Reaffirmation of this vital fact was sought by Si Fabian and Harry Brandt, WAC theatre division reps, who returned from Washington last week, because several draft boards had instructed deferred theatre em- ployees to get : jobs jh war industries or lose their', status. 'Men we rnet. with declared of- ficially that there' is no basis for this type of ruling,' Fabian stated. 'If a theatre, man is deferred because of physical disability, dependency or over-age, it does not affect his status in the least if he keeps his present theatre, job.' He explained the theatre division does hot intend to secure .deferment for any employee if facts do not war- rant it. In. instances where a legiti- mately-deferred theatre employee is told to change his* job ■ by his board, it's advisable to notify the WAC at once, so it can notify, the Selective Service System (where officials have promised prompt ac- tion). Let's Pound Leather, Pals Hollywood, Aug. 3. Monogram , signed Bob Steele to co-star with Hoot Gibson and Ken Maynard in a new series of eight gallopers for the .1943-44 program. Currently Gibson and Maynard are washing up a scries which started last fall! ' Draft-Papas Move May Dent Show Biz ta.sliiuftLon._Aug._3., Announcement on. Monday'.'*2) of the 'father-' draft, heralded for Oc-. tpber, is expected to hit the enter- tainment ^nduslry smack in the face .unless the w • news continues to be very. encouraging.. Although num- ber of fathers to be drafted will probably not bulk very large—at least for this year—the War Man- power Commission has made it plain that dependency is not to be con.-, sidered good ^.enough yroupds for. deferment any longer, and pressure; to shift fathers into agriculture..war production'and other so called 'es- scntial' industries is to be looked for. Only about; 300,000. of the 6.500.Q.OO pre-Pearl Harbor fathers of draft age are expected to be called this year, and the number might not even go that High. - But that ill be enough to frighten many pnpas now working, in ..the entertainment field to start casting about for some jobs they think will be more impressive in the eyes of their local draft boards. The key to the whole thing 'is the hews from ■.the '.fighting fronts. If it continues to be hopeful, many fath- ers will elect to string along, and take their chances at their present jobs. If not, wholesale shifts are looked' for. , . . Although WMC Chairman Paul V. Coe to Blast at Anti-Pix Series by Marcia Winn Rochester, N, Y.,' Aug. 8. Charles Francis Coe, v.p. of the Motion Picture Producers it Dis- tributors Assn., who. spoke tonight here before Eastman Kodak execu- tives and workers, is expected to lash'out against the Chicago Tribune- Washington Times i Herald stories about Hollywood when he speaks in Chicago in the near future. The Marcia Winn' bylined. articles have aroused considerable 'comment in the film business, and a definite reply to the stories is figured to highlight Coe's Chi address. Coe cited that American, films help ■ explode anti-Democratic propaganda, and that no-propaganda-laden film' can stand up against American pic- lures. Coe went so far as to predict that third dimension pictures: (com- ing from great research institutions 1 like Easlnian) would become an ac- tuality. . .. -McNiitt thinks dependency merits no consid eration for deferment, draft boards have been instructed to take as few fathers as' possible, and before fa- thers are.called all available volun- teers, single men, men with- collat- eral dependents only and childless married inen are to be called. Map Anti-Campaign The anti-Hollywood attacks in the Marcia Winn stories carried by . the Chicago Tribune were discussed by the Public Relations. Committee : of major film companies at the session last Thursday (.29), being the main topic of meeting. Plans were laid for concerted ac- tion to counteract these articles, with the course of action gradually taking .shape . even at the. initial, huddle on the subject. Safety Campaign Said To Cause Theatre's Move To Pull Ads From Daily Fort Wayne, Ind., Aug. 3. In explaining why advertising of the Quirhby Theatrical Enterprises. Inc., does not appear in the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, except small daily announcements of its attrac- tions, that paper said that its: publi- cation of- a disagreement between the 'manager of a theatre'- arid fire- men last March vl9 resulted in the withdrawal . of advertising. Editors of the News-Sentinel said that after the Cocoanut Grove'fire lain—that—her -in—Bosto n last y e ar, th ey-wged al l I for f ut ure a dj>us<w«3 n t s , ■ H i*-con. REP HAS STAGE IDEA FOR ITS 'MEXICANA' Hollywood, Aug. 3. Current Hollywood custom of bankrolling a show on Broadway be- fore shooting it in the studio is be- ing mulled at Republic in. the case of 'Mexicana.' South-of-the-border musical by -Martin-. Martinez bought several weeks ago; is the subject of huddles between Herbert j. Yates and St ff." - Siegel, oh the theory of using, it for double duty on stage and screen. Arnold to Reprise Blind. Sleuth for M-G Hollywood, Aug. 3. Edward Arnold stars again in his second blind detective starrer at Metro in The Last' Express,' based on a novel by Bay'nard H. Kendrick. First' sightless crime-solving .role by Arnold was in 'Eyes of the Night/ by the same author at the same stu dio. WB'S 'DADDIES' BEMAZE 'Daddies,' which was a David Bclasco stage hit back in 1918, and which later became a silent film, will be remade by Warners. Hollywood Passive Hollywood, Aug. 3. New draft directive, affecting Pre- PeaTl Harbor fathers, will merely skim over Hollywood with rib great loss of key men anticipated. On technical side, most top meri are- over 38 years old. Hardest hit, unless exemptions are granted, will be cartoonists, film editors and other whitecollarites. 6 NEW PAR PIX IN AUG. START; NOW 12 IN WORK Hollywood, Aug. 3l Six new pictures going into work on the Paramount lot this month will make a total' of 12 before the cameras, with half a dozen continu- ing throughput August. Newies are 'Going My Way?' 'In- cendiary Blonde,' 'Our Hearts Were Young and Gay," 'Double Indemnity,' 'Henry Aldrich's Code of Honor' and 'The Navy Way.' Holdovers from July are/The Story of Dr. Wassell,' 'Frenchman's Creek,'. "Standing Room Only," 'Hail the Conquering Hero,' /Timber Queen' and "Ministry of Fear.'-. MacMurray, Stanwyck Team in J. M. Gain Yarn Hollywood, Aug.. 3. ' Paramount handed Fred MacMur- ray the co-starring spot with Bar- bara-Stanwyck in ,'Double Indem- nity,' based on the novel by James M. Cain'.: ■':.-.', Joseph Sistrpm is producer. Billy Wilder directs and Raymond Chand- ler.'is doing, the screenplay. Metro Anchors Donlevy Hollywood, Aug. 3. Brian Donlevy's. contract with Metro was renewed for three more starring roles, to follow his current chore in 'America.' ' , First job under the new agreement will be top spot in the aviation pic- ture, "30 Scc6nds Over Tokyo.' . public officials responsible for public safety to see to. it that all danger of similar disasters throughout the country be eliminated. . Early . in March of this year. Fire Chief Carter Bowser of Fort Wayne stopped the 'packing' of theatres by large num- ber of patrons standing in aisles, contrary to safety, laws. On March 19, the News-Sentinel printed, a siory to that effect and quoted Bowser, who said 'the man- ager of a downtown theatric' had disobeyed an order by. sending some 75 to 100 patrons into his theatre aisles to stand through a last show. The newspaper reported' the dis- agreement bet ween the manager and the firemen. After this .story was printed, Quimby withdrew . its advertising. Meetings between the News-Sentinel publisher and J. McNeal Wheatley, representing the theatre manage ment, held June 9, June 19, and July 6, have failed to result in. any agree- ment. Though the March 19 nows story and recent. (7-24) explanation did not mention the theatre involved, it was easily identified as the Palace, which is the only house here show- ing band revues and stage units. Quimby also operates the Emboyd, Jefferson and Paramount. Others Watching Educational fix One of the major studios is watching with something more than curjory Interest the developments In the moves already initiated by Henry R. Luce, the Life-Time-Fortune publisher, and DeWitt Wallace Reader"! Digest topper, aa -reported In last week's 'Variety,' looking toward the setting up of picture production units In the, post-war education icheme in schools, both here and abroad. Studio execs In question have been mulling the idea for some time and have already earmarked $5,000,000 toward getting the project rolling. Because of - the backlog, equipment requirements, etc., the company execs figure It's a full five-year, job before the post-war program can be put across with any real telling effect. Other studios are also keeping a watchful eye on the Luce-Wallace-deals currently under way: 15 Pix Crowd M-G Stages Hollywood, Aug.' . Month of August will be hot and crowded on the Metro lot,' with a total of IS pictures using up all available production space. Six new entries, will augment the nine now before the lenses. Newcomers are 'Kismet,' 'Gaslight,'. Cahlcrville Ghost,' "Meet. Me -In St. LouTsT" : DTagon : ' Seed""" anil ""Mr. "Co-" Ed.' Already in work are, 'White- Cliffs of Dover,' 'See Her*, Private Hargrove,! 'The Heavenly Body,' ,'Meet the People.' 'Broadway Rhythm,' 'A Guy Naiihed Joe,' "Ra- tioning,' 'America' and 'Andy Hardy V Blonde Trouble.' 10 TO 1 OK OF NEW PACTS FOR FOUR LOEW EXECS . New contracts running until Aug. 31, 1946, were voted Louis B. Mayer.-. J Robert Rubin, i David Bernstein and Lawrence A. Weingarlen by a special meeting of Loew's, Inc. stock- holders Thursday (29). Vote was overwhelming for new pacts, being about .10 to .1, biggest majority be- ing registered by Bernstein—1,006,- 698. shares being for the new con- tract as compared with 75,568 op- posed. Excepting in the case of Mayer, the newly approved contracts run from Jan. V next year to Aug. 31, 1946. Mayer's old contract expired last Dec. 31, continuing his employ- merit since the first of the year and leaving the- matter of compensation WALKER LOANOUT LEAD FOR GARLAND'S ST. LOO' Hollywood, Aug. 3. Judy. ..' Garland draws. Robert Walker as her male, lead in 'Meet Me in St. Louis,' rolling this week on the Metro lot. Others prominent in the, cast .arc James Craig and Margaret O'Brien, the moppet who will do a velocipede act between 'St. Louis' end "The Cantcrville Ghost' at the same studio. ' - Walker is on lbanout from David O. Selznick, who has him tied- up for a top role in 'Since You Went Away,' starting early in. September. A. S. Lyons Back West . Arthur S. Lyons, v.-p.' of the re- cently, organized. Producing Artists Co.. left for the Coast over the week-end after two weeks of : con- fabs in N. Y. Lyons was here after story ma- terial for features he will make in cooperation with David L. Locw, with United ArtiSts as distributor. tract, voted last week, covers from Jan. 1 this year to the August date in 1946, excepting that Mayer re- ceives nb weekly salary from the period from Jan. 1, 1943 to- May 1, this year. . Mayer's salary under new pact, is the same as the old one. $3,000 per week; plus 6.77% of combined an- nual net profits. New Rubin, con- tract as v.p. gives him the same sal- ary—$2,000 weekly plus l-4%- addi- tional compensation from combined annual net profits. Weingarten's new pact also is an extension'of; the old one, calling for $3,250' weekly pi us 35/100ths of 1% of annual net profits. He is listed as production supervisor. Bernstein's salary as v.p. and treas- urer, as voted, is a continuation of his did one.calling for $2,000 weekly plus Vk% of net profits. Slight opposition that developed at the meeting was oveT how addition- al compensation was to be figured. Extremely small group advocated that the contracts should permit per- centage sharing in net profits only after $4 per common share had been written oft". This proposal was speedily voted down by a huge ma- jority. - Under plan advocated by ..company, and adopted these executives do not figure in net profits until $2,745,744; representing $2 per share on com- mon, is deducted. It also provides for sharing only after deduction of dividends oh preferred shares of companies in which Loew's has a stock interest, taxes and other de- preciation. Caught in Maelstrom Hollywood, Aug. 3. Margaret O'Brien and Jackie Jen- kins, moppets, are slated as co-stars in 'Our Vines, Have Tender Grapes." a tale of floods, murder and other ructions j n . the midwest.' •Picture, based, on a novel • by George Victor' Martin, goes into work at Metro in October. . She'll Tag Along Hollywood, !!R. . Humphrey Bogart draws Michelc Morgan as romantic lead in .'Passacje- to Marseille,' wartime mystery ro- mance at Warners.; Michael Curtiz is producing and directing the film under genera) sup- ervision of Hal Wallis. Hollywood, Aug. .3. . Once scorned by old fashioned educators, the motion - picture has become-'the most-po tent m ethod for education' in the opinion of Dr. John W. Sludebaker, U. S. Commis- sioner of Education, speaking as a guest of the Academy of Motion. Picture. Arts and Sciences. ■ Solution of_the problems of today, and- tomorrow', Dr.. Studebaker de- clared, cannot be accomplished by the present method of education. He added: 'The motion picture" is the best medium. I hope to see text books supplementing film's, rather than films ' supplemenlin text books.' Studio Contracts Holly Wood, Aug. S. ' Alfred Drake inked player, pact at Columbia. • Robert Planck, cameraman, si ncd by Metro. Barbara Coleman drew ticket at RKO. Kay Wijliams handed player con- tract, at Metro. Jean Heatherington, college thesp, signed by Paramount. Margaret Kays inked player ticket at Metro., ' Stqyen Richards drew player., ticket at Warners,. . Mary McCarly's. minor contract with 20th-Fox approved by Superior- XferfT ~ r ~7~ — Neil Hamilton signed by David. O. Selznick. . Dickie Hall, moppet, inked by Metro. Sara Haden's player contract re- newed by. Metro. ; Peggy O'Neill's minor contract with Charles R. Rogers approved by superior court. Dobbie Larson signed to act In five pictures for Alexander Stern at PRC. ' Marjorie' Main renewed by Metro. Paramount picked up Hilary Brooke's player option. Roy Webb renewed by RKO a* composer' and music arranger. Harry Clay, former football star, drew q player contract at RKO. Marjorie Henshaw, recent college grad, signed by Warners. ' Cecil Kellaway's option lifted by Paramount. Heather Angel's option picked up by 20lh-Fox. Ray Eberle's actor option lifted by Universal. ' Perry Como, night club Singer, signed by 20th-Fox. Robert Stark inked player pact with David O. Selinick. L.A. to N.Y. Richard Arlen. Barney Balaban. Anne Baxter. Diana Bourbon. Sgt. Carl Fisher. • Robert Gillhanv Martin Gosch. Dean Jagger. Charles R. Jones. . Louis Krouse. .. Paul Lazarus, Jr. Charles Leonard. Frank : McDonald.. William Murray. James Nasser. James 1 Walsh. EfT.ic Young. N.Y. to L.A. Jimmy Durante. ',' ■ Charlie' Einfeld. Lady Hardwicke. Eddie Jackson.' . Arthur Lyons. Garry Moore- Charles Moss.. Frank Sinatra. H. Alien Smith: Mrs. Arthur Treacher. ' Jack L. Warner. Snag Werris.