Variety (March 1944)

Wednesday, March 8, > 1944 PICTURES 11 SURVEY WPB Win Even Arrai^e Gov't Com For New Cinemas in War Cities Washington, March 7 War Production Board, anxious fo receive apphcations for new film houses for war-crowded sections, may even go to the extent ot arrang- ing government financing of tem- poiary projects in a pinch. This as- sumes that the theatre is really needed to provide recreation for war workers, and that an experienced operator wiU apply to manage the house. ■■ : One of the most troublesome spots in the country, at; presejit, is . the Saw Francisco Bay area, srammcd ■ with tens of thousands of shipyard _woEkeLs_who-r^f use-to-stajt-on-the- -Al J- Iilnlo -nild^-Of f job because of the lack of reciea- vlU lUUIa UUdlCU VII ■ tional faciliUes. George W. McMurphey, chief ol the recreation and amusement section of the WPB Office of Civilian Require- ments, has announced this list of communities in the area where new ■motion picture theatres are needed: -Alameda. Albany, Berkeley, Liver- more, Oakland, Pieasanton, ; Richr mond (four theatres);^ Napa, San Bruno, Venicia and Vallejo. 'New Faces' for Rep. Hollywood, Maich 7 Republic will make a film vcision of "New Fcices," Leonard SiUman's stage revue slated to open late this month m San Francisco. SiUman has reported on the Re- public lot to make arrangements for the screenplay. Stage cast is topped by four ferames, Joan Carroll, Joy Presser, Botsj Beaton and Patricia Van Clevo Lake FILM TASTES DisGoss Plans to Put More Fix On Market; M-G Mulls 40 Instead of 36 'Tell More About Show Biz's War Effort/ Says Biumberg; Sees Big B.O. Lauding the jfihii: }^ great work in the war effort, not only in the Fomth Wai Loan drive but In the recent ;March of Dimes campaign.' and current Red Cross drive, : Nate ; Biumberg, Universal piexy, last week forecast that if hostilities ceased tomorrow the in- dustry would continue as a great bu.siness for the riext five years. ' It took a war and various . drives to make folks of the industry really -know each other," Biumberg stated, hintnig that improved public rela- tions could even be heightened by telling the world more about show business' pait in the war effoit. He praised Joe Schoenfeld's "Soldiers m Greasepaint" article as being the fin- est thing along these lines ever written. Biumberg said-this article, by an ex-"Variety" mugg, is incorp- orated- into ."Follow the Boys," form- erly-known as :"Three Cheers for the Boys," which Universal is just com- pleting. This, he said, coveis all seg- ments of the show biz at war being *'show business' tribute to show business." He described the film as being based on the Victoiy Com- mittee's activities with stress on the vaudeville angle of show biz. Bium- berg felt that this picture, the most expensive U ever made, ''should be shown by every exhibitor if for no other reason than that it does the : industry proud." v , . Biumberg felt that actois both in four*a-day shows and legit are over-; looked excepting by show-business itself although they are unstinting in helping other benefits; Universal will deliver its promised 1943-44 program in full excepting three Abbott-Costello features, and tilumberg forecast that one of these may be computed in time for this season's schedule. The Abbott & Costello team start ; work again at U's studio June 12, for the first time . since Lou Costello's illness last years Rockett Returns to Films Via U After Decade Out Hollywood, March 7^ Al Rockett, former producer for First National and 20th-Fox, returns to active film work, after a lapse of 10 years, as associate producer on Charles Fcldman's picture, "Follow the Boys," at Univei'-al In recent months Rockett has boon associated- . .with; the Feidmah-Bluiri agency. ,}.^ 'j,.. For History-Maker Roles in 'Wilson' Pic Hollywood, March 7. Historj^ gets a two-way revival, politically and dramatically, m Dariyl F. Zanuck's 20th-Fox pi educ- tion, "Wilson," with a flock of dimly recalled statesmen of the World War i '^ra played by ■■fllm^wam^ lit up the nation's maiquees. lialf- forgotten ■ screen biggies - Of .bygone- days are CJst in bit roles and walk- 'dh' -Saiis -representhig-.-rugged ; i vidualists of the half-remembered past FiancH X Bushman, the Great Lover ot the films in your old man's time, IS playing Bernard Baruch, one ol our elder statesmen, still potent but not as young as he used to be Bushman's old stage directoi, Gus Glassmiro. enacts the lole of Thomas R Marshall, the v-p who achieved fame through his campaign lor a good nickel cigar. Malcolm St Clair, now a director and once a film comic, is cast as the Crown Prince of Germany. George Melford. ace director of mute pictures, is seen as Joshua Alexander secretaiy of com- merce In the Wilson regime Matt Moore, brother of Tom and Owen, who starred in the silents, is Albeit S Burleson, postmaster-general. Frank Mayo, hero of many an epi- sode in Griffith Park filming days, is James McReynolds, attorney-geneial George Anderson, Broadway star when Bushman was a juvenile, is David F. Houston, secretary of agri- culture * Among the U S senators of the Wilsonian administiation are Wil- liam Desmond, herman of the, early outdoor cycle, Stuart Holmes, heavy ill "The Four Horsemen'; Geoi go Lcssey, one ot the leading heart- thiobs when films flickered without: voice; and Gibson Gowland, who starred in Erich von Stioheim's; super-duper production, "Greed." SEVERAL POLITICAL SURPRISES IN H'WOOD 'Hollywood, March 7 Presidential and oveiseas \oling- having moved elections up this year. California nominations closed Tues- day (7) with several surpriseskrOn?- was the filing, of Hal Styles, radio commentator, for the ,15th Congrcs-, sional Distuct, which is an old Hoi- lywo.pd.'sectbiv i'opr;esen'te<J for yfcavS; by Congressman John Ccstello,. who bears no . particular ■ love 'for- show biz or piv ■ ■ Another up.sot was t!ie quittmg p£. Congressnia;-! WiU Rogers. Jr., ol .the, Beverly Hills district, in order to re- turn to the Arniy.. , , ^ ■ . Unity committee, having, Hattic McDaniel of the Scieen Actois Guild; Trixie Fiiganza, representing vaude; Norvall Crutcher of lATSU;; Sheridan Gihney of the Scrccit; Writers, and Philip M. Connelly, sec- retary of the state CIO, held a meet- ing Monday (6) in the Ambassador hotel for the purpose of getting the ■ industry support to. back Styles. Frank Scully, Democratic leader of the old 57th, also got in a pitch/ Bv JAMES S. POOLER '■j'-, Detroit, Maroi-. 7. ■ Some remarkable .pix-going haijits ,■ ot iho nation's kids,, particularly in' ■the' ',(}iffie)rencfes between - city , and country kids, have -been, uncovered by Edward Marquardt, of Fiec Soil, Mich , who has completed an ^xtenr sive survey of youth's film 'attend- ance and preference. ■ , . • ■'. The survey produced .such odd,' re,-; siilts ,as: that all: kids, like double- ■ feature's, until they start reaching: the^ senior year m high school, when they , are more'inclined to settle for one; j^hatuthe^bulltlof: .both farm' nnd-City kids like Technicolor films as com- pared to: ordinary ones; and that most kids are going to the pix houses pH. a weekly basis—sprrie asiofteh a.s three shows a week^to bulk impor- tantly as the nation's best, filmgoers; Marquardt'made the survey in eon-r- nection with the current interest in luvenile delinquency; and .as a basis lor pointing, out the vast importance of the.-motion pictures as.an educa- tional factor which he is inclined to place on an equal footing with the schools;' '';:'-;:';'!;;: ; . ' ■■■ While there are differences'among the lower grades he made important ■findings on how kids decide upon the sho-ws they I will attend, with "word- of-mouth" highly important and par- ents as a guide a minor factor. Here are his findings among :se-: mors an high school: ,-' .■ - : Why Di4 You Select the Picture Ton Saw? P.C. Fi tends said it was good 14 2 Parents urged-to attend....,.,.. 1.5 Read reviews in rnagazmes..... 9,5 Read ads in the newspapers... 12.2 Liked the previews 2.2: Nothing else to do..,........... 5.1 ■ Lured by posters,. ..,...5.9: Picture from book they liked.. 11.4 Heard picture was educationaL. : 7.5 Picture was about hobbies ,.,... 3:8 Favorite stars in picture;.;..... 6i9 The survey also produced some odd differences between city and; farm kids on the type of films they liked. These again are among senior students in high schools: . ' Farm City Pel cent 'Went Away'for Music Hall "Since You Went Away," David O Selzniok pioduction to be released by, Uhite.d. Artists; 'ig-slated^for ,a,-lat6- Af)fil'-or^ early May booking at'Radio- City Music Hall, N Y. ;' -Film,- With cist■ including Claudette Cqlberti: ' ,J,ennifer': Jotoes'i,, , Shirley Temple, is now going through final editing at Coast studio. . >■'.', ■'.. Show Biz Manpower "WoeTSeehTn Upbeatr Tighter Manning Tables Washington, March 7 Manpower situation in show busi- ness will get even tougher than most people now expect, 'in -ithe Opinion of Claude R. Gollins, War- Activities Committee new.sreel coordinator, who has been handhng . manpower cd<!es heie for the film business. ! Collins pointed out that several states have already started to wipe out current manning tables and sub- stitute new ones which wiU be much tighter. This means that temporary deferments guaranteed "under the present tables: m many instances Will be cancelled before they have run their full time. Several branch- es of'v showbiz are still operating under manning tables. ' - ; Another matter believed by Col-, lins to be slated for the discard is the local essential: rating., Many the- aties have saved their managers, asst. mgrs.', and projectionists under local essential classifications. . Hollywood should not be hit too hard, so far as its technicians are concerned. These men are generally older, and the Army wants men un- der 26 years if possible. . Metro: is reported ihiiTlihg plans to increase'.the .nitrnt5eij,pi^M-G p^ to .be released during the 1943-44 sea- son fiom the scheduled 36 to 40 pic- tures, , -Such a move,, if, followed ■ tHrQUgh,;:,::;WO'utd' 'ihdid'afe .'that'- ■,th'e\ mpfi'pn .■picture market.'is how .being ■ surveyed ::i',egard;ihg, :its position . to':., absorb more product. ■ There is a possibility that the proposal to put liiore film on the market is also linked ,\vith stabilixing inventories which, are at high levels with all ■ ninjn;' companies. '''" ■ ':, ' ■■';': ; v':-', ■ While no ;' decision has been' reached, it' :i.s reported that, Metro distribution toppers have discu.s.-:cti Mysteues 13.0 Westerns ... . .. 4.5 Musicals 11.5 Comedies . Historical . Romance - ; Advenure War . ... 20.0 35 19 5 11 2 35 14.1 7.0 19 4 25 6 35 116 62 35 35 48 Famous people...... 2.1 Sports ,....■.. ;.;..v..:. 8.9 Here were the comparative- find- ings between urban and country kids on their picture-going habits. 9th Grade Farm PC. One a week. .42.2 Two a week.. 4.7 One a month.28,1 Two a month.25 0 ■■„-'■: v.,Gity':'^ PC. , One a week. .29.0 Two a week. .15.4 Three a week 12 5 One a month 32 1 Two ?a mmith.i'l:n Clurman's RKO Pact ;•: ' ■ Hollywood, Mavdi 7. Harold, Clurman, signed a three- ply filni contract as producer, di- rector and writer at RKO, He's a founder of the Group The- atre, N.Y. DEL RUTH'S NEW DEAL Hollywood, Maich 7. ',. Metro handed Roy Del Rulh a new-- seven-year director's contract. Old pact under w'bich Del Ruth ha(J been woiking foi thiee years, was Scrapped Farm PC. One a week. .46.4 Two a week,. 7.3 Tiiree a week 5 3 One a month.18.0 Two a month 23 0 13th Grade '.'. :'■:'■'^-^:':;-':'"::City:::',■'-V:: PC £)he a week ; . 59.0.. Tvvo,:a: ■week.. 13.0 Three a'wcck.1'7.0 One a month.ll.p iTwra a month. , .',"' TliC' 'stirvey. pn' the ,do,ubJe', feafvires ■versti? ■,'the , Bihgle-;'showed kids ' are pretty much inclined to lalte as much ' as' they can got: .' '; :-' .-' 9th Grade ,'■■■:'■-'■,!!-,.',' Farm-',-; ' -City ■:..''':'!'!::■''..;:.'■;. "v;':','.- ^?erccnt. Double features 67 0 Single features 32.4 32.1 13th Grade Farm City Pel cent Double features.; . ; :',. .51:5 .' . ', 51;4 Single featuies . . 48 5 48 6 The similarity of tendency on double bills was tlie one place where, both country and city kids showed marked similarity in likes .On eolor films-the general opinion was; Farm ■■ ■City - : ; ■ Percent; Technicolor 64 0 56.0 Ordinary 36 0 44 0 WASH. LOOKS TO MORE BUILDING IN POST-WAR Washington, Maich 7. Today Washington is woefully un- derseated in the downtown area. Theie has been no new construction of amusement shrines for four years, Garfield Kass, who plans a chain, of at least 20 neighborhood an4 down- town theatres, is basing his hopes on the a.ssiimptioh that Washington has e'njpyPet a hprmal. 'grp'ivth in pbpula- tiph,; ahcl that this ' overstuffed' city will retain tile newcomers long .after the peace delegates sit around the conference table. :' .Certainly-,; -there ; will be., another 'legitimate theatre in the downtown area- -ft^heh tHp little and- big nations solve their problems at the peace table.; The Shuberts have:canvassed- the cityi even looked over the Atlas theatre in the northwest section, as a new playhouse site. In World War I Washington had four legitimate; stages. Poll's, the Belasco, the Shu- bept-Sarrick -and ^he -National, with one-half the population residing here at piesent. It also had Keith's pre- senting vaudeville to packed houses al all times.' Today it has one legit stage, : the National; ; with ,attractions fighting, to get a Week here and lll.Sh ■profits;;': '..' ', tne plan tp.bOQ'st the reiease;scneduie , althotigh - it may eventuaily :::'b6';; abandoned, ' Sho.tiid: the: proposal -b'fi:.' adopted the schedule would include, as one of the additional pictures, ^-'Tunisiah iyictbry,',': Which was ,:iiimecl by the British and .'Vmerican Army 'film itinits pyorseasi : .'"'the American ' Miracle,':' Which, has heeh: discussed', as a . possil^lo. special to be . offered singly;Avoiiild alsb'figure. in the.higher ; itotal.-;^:-.,',''';,'-,;,,, :'-; '>;;■:■■ ;-_: ,„■'■ '" ,,:;::,■ : -■Thei'P .is, n:p.,:ikdicatiOri:-^as',,yet, fipin pthiir'': iiiajprs , of: a move to, inci-eaSe', - the.: number of releases for :1943'44!', ,althoijgh Warners, which has iri ve.-^; , sei'Ve koing; 20 " pictures ..cOrhpleted ;or,/, in -.cutting: rooms; 'has all: along an.f.; houhced a .pceparedness:, pplicy sO'-as to oe in a :position-.to .sell -more pic-. - tures - as -soon as -the market-is cpn* - sidered ready to absorb more .prod'« uct. WB has so far released 12 pic-, tui-es, has two slated ior April, and,, ^r6^r^:acc0tjhts,;figtlres,,'pn^ releasing five ,or SIX more from. May through August. 20th^Fox has so far released 22, in- cluding four reissues, plans one more : in Mcirch, two m April, two or three in May, a similar number in June, and pos-ibl> thiee or four in July. Total of 32, exclusive of reissues and one British film, is scheduled. ■ ' ' ,. --.:"■ Paramount with around 30 pic- tures scheduled for release and., a backlog ot about 18, RKO with 40, Universal and Columbia with con^ siderably larger schedules^ have so far : given no intimation of uppinS their schedules United Artists plan.s. Of course, are dependent upon activi- ties of individual produceis. STUDIO COPS' BEEF AGAINST COLUMBIA Hollywood, March 7. Ted Camp, repiesentativo of the Studio Police & Firemen's Local 193, has filed a petition with Central La- bor Council asking that Columbia studio be placed on labor's unfair; list Camp charges the studio ha? .refused to deal: with the union, which IS baigaining agent toi moie than 90 Columbia: employ ees. National Labor Board election is now being sought by Camp at studio* . Loew's New Home-Office Pvt. Cinema, Commissary Loew-Metra in New York, in a couple Pf , "weeks, wiil, have- a- new projection, room, plus a •cpmmissaiy foi'.'.the .home-o(?ice.:; e;H.e.eutives;. L&t^ ■ter.is a departure. ■ .? •; Metro execs'' screen „- product:,' so -often at^/'nilcida)'; ■■.thal ^ainnbst ^ail. sufe sist,; on.. ;qoff-pe-fed-sandwi'ches': frorn' a ;dowhstairs; driigstpi'S., hehce-'the iieed; fo,r thp .new.eatihg faciiifies,, :' , Enlarged. jjrbieGtiort .rdptn Will -be where ;it IS now, on the 18th floor of the Loew's State Theatre bldg, but; iipped" froih ,25. tP - 67;,-sea't,s',-; with th'e: ;d:inlri;g. room rlibt.'/next', t&;,: iti; Heretplpre, oii'e .walked,'from the i7th floor' up to the 18th story, but the elevators also have been extended lip another Aoor. D. J. Readies Decree Demands; More Info Wa.shiimton. March 7. :; Assistant Attornej General Tom C. Clark IS getting ready to move again in the Big Five motion picture con- sent decree case. For some time, Claik has been gathering informa- tion from the various indie groups regarding the decree proposals made by the Big Five, and has heard from all-but two gioups of independent exhibitors. Clark said if their .suggestions were not m his hands within the next few days, he will go ahead without them. He hopes to be in a position to state the Justice Depart- ment's final demands within the next „ two weeks. " Case has now dragged out about two months longer than Ciark esti- mated last fall, and theie li little likelihood he will consent to further delays. PRANKLYN UPPED Hollywood, March 7. Leon Fiomkess production chief ot PRC, uppcd Iiwin Fianklyn fiora a wiitei to an associate pioducer.