Variety (Apr 1947)

m Cwcert Series Bool^ Ilea f&n Qass British Pix Mes In Pa. PJan for unorthodox distribution^, ef pix on special concert playdates •which called lor backing of women's organizations and civic groups has Men a bad tumble^ Following one trial run : backed l?y the Junior League of Reading, Pa., Prestige unit of Universal, innovator of the scheme aimed at non-regular film- goers, has shelved and probably dropped the idea entirely. With the plan now on ice, Blaine Wayne, who headed Prestige's concert promo- tionsi' has stepped out. Sad attendance showing In Read.> ing when the JL booked "Brief En- counter," J. Arthur Rank fllm, to* two shows in March scuttled hopes of extending the special bookings tc other chapters of that national organization, Pic, which is a sturdy moneymaker in its regular art house playdates, failed to pay off rental of the bouse and advertising expenses, Following booking of Prestige's ''I Know Where I'm Going," which the League planned to put on in April has been cancelled. The League's femmes, figured "Brdel" would pull patron- ege in similar fashion to concerts and shows. Consequently, aside from" initial announcements, members failed to drive for ticket sales with bally required by most pix. Prestige officials believej if they return to concert distribution in the fall, they'll lay out a regular buildup procedure to be followed by organi- iatioris seeking subscriptions. Meanwhile, eompahy's going to stick to orthodox liandling of product. Pix Cos. Inoculating Almost all film companies, concerned ovfr the t]ireat of * smalipoK opidemic in New Yorlj, have posted «igns urging theil ' employees to submit to vaccinao tion. Paramount let up facilities in lt« home office fnd ofiCered the needle gratis. Century cir- cuit did l^e same. Meanwhile/ exhi'b officials dis- cussed possibility of offering theatre lobbies to munidipal au- thorities as emergency vaccina- tion stations. ^ 'Certain I^' ^ sis Continued froin 4 sjs lore the iffpuset Committee on Un- American Affaiirs on- I^rch 26 and that filming would start in midsum- mer. The story will be based on dis- coveries made by the Royal Cana- jslian Commission last June, involv- ing various Soviet agents in eifotts to obtaitt swret iaformation about the «tom bomb. Tlie story idea, the Dnneiinceinent addecl, h«d iiot ^been dianissed with the W. S. Department ef State nor with the MPA, What trend tho Warners version will takie is still a mystery. With 15' montiiE of research already done, it is presumed that the Eurbank pic- ture will deal with phenagling in Hurope, as portrayea by |i|irtaston ehar«hill back in W46 Vfitm he called attention to Joe .StaUn's iron curtaiti. Zsmmk Rapgied by Ca«- Group on 'Iron Curtaisi' Toronto, April 15. Council for Canadian-Soviet Friendship yesterday (14) wired a protest- to Darryl F. Zanuck against his aiming of "The Iron Curtain," -which deals with Russian espionage; activities in the United States and Canada. Council understands that Z^nuc* plans to incorporate material from the Canadian spy trial of last June plus activities of a Royal Com- mission which investigated the handiijg over of confidential informa- tion to Russian agents. Telegram to Zanuck stated that the proposed spy picture "could only embitter needlessly relations with the U.S.S.B. and hinder the work qf the United Nations," and that the Canadian government's official report of the spy disclosures was "a dlseredited document" in the opinion of the Council; Continued from p%ge t contributions, Chaplin pointed out that ha had four children, two of ; whom had been on the beachheads of Europe. He said he had made , numerous speeches advocating the apparently, second Front and Allied unity. As for his failure to entertain vet- erans, the comic explained that he ••felt I had done what I could do best in giving .speeches. Giving floor shows is not my business and I'm not very good at it. I left that lor those who could do it" Asked about reports of a battle with Joe Breen's Production Code Administration on "'Verdoux," Chap- lin said there had not been one cut made and that Breen had "thanked me for my cooperation." However, he explained, when he first pre- sented the scenario it had been nixefi. H« made a fe* changes and weiit ahead without further consul- tattjSil with PCA until he presented the'finished film lor review, when it was- okayed in toto. He said also that the Legion of Decency liad asked no cuts. "I've got some ideas in mind and hope to have another production in work in. a y^r," Chaplin said con- cerningi hii plans. The "tramp" might toe- revised, he, stated, if an ■appr<^at» idea' presented itself, but h& made the prospect sound rather unlikely. ~ A bit of the edge was taken oft the- Monday interview by a session with foreign newsmen last Thursday (10). -Stanza was set up without knowledge ol the domestic press de- partment at ^United -Artists and came to its atteitition when ttie Associated Press put the dispiSftch, designed for consumption abiroad on. its Amer- ican trunk. It Was carried by papers throu^out the- country, including two in New Yorlc. The interview wa» ptfineipal^ confined to three questions at which Ed Sullivan, N. Y- News columnist, had been hammering. These were pretty much the same as those Fay pro- pounded at the- Monday interview- Sullivan was'not at the- interview. NSS' 2i Wl Comsli Op@ns in CM This Week With more than 100 staffers ex- pected to attend. National Screen Service's second annual internation- al convention gets under way to- morrow (Thursday) for a Hiree-day meet at Chicago's Drake hotel. Agenda will deal chiefly with stdes and service problems for the com- ing year. Reps from some 31 branches will be on hand as well as London co-managing directors J. R. Mcpherson and Arnold Williams. Heading the homeoffice contingent are prexy Herman Robbins, George F. Dembow, veepee in charge of sales; William B. Brenner, veepee iti charge of operations; Joseph A. Wolfe, newly named treasurer; and Harry A. Samwick, Burton K. Rob- bins, Melvin L. Gold, Lou F. Schwartz, Elias Drexler, Seymour Peyser, Donald L. Velde, Hal C. Young, Paul Mooney and Sam Gershwin, Non-profit Group To Screen Oldies Hollywood, April 15. Hollywood Film Society, a non- -proftt gtoup, headed by John House- man and Paul Schreibman, took over the Coronet theatre here for the showing of regular programs of outstanding features, documentaries and experimental subjects. First' dozen will be "Camille," "Love Parade," "Million Dollar Legs," "Mutiny on the Bounty," "The Cure," "Italian Straw Hat,'' "Variety," "'The Passion of Joan of Arc," "Carnival: in Ilsinders,'' "Kam- eradschaft," "Brotherhood of Man" and "'The Maltese- Falcon," Film Riviiws (Continued from p«K« S Continued from .page S ; he stated, Audio's *etion oan serve as the industry test case. Television can serve as an ex- cellent means of previewing films, says Fodor, bringing films directly into homes for unafllected reaction, instead of the usual theatre preview- He- adds that a trailer system might be devised by use ol five,. 10. or 15- minitfe exoierpts Irora films—and he intends bringing the matter to a- head before the IMPiPA to break the standing thumbs-down attitude' -that has reduced television to exclusive use of ancient films that hurt both media. Such a step would make costless program filler tm stations while serving a purpose for pictiires, he concluded. M Gtttdiee C«ntinuea, from page » ; ■tion haTe been making the rounds -of British film circles fpr several yesrs because of dtfferencesr within the Rank organization ovec the type of films which studios were turning «ut, Several months ago it was re- ported that del Guidice had won his Sght fer pix stressing quality rather than boxoffiee appeal. Walkout by del Guidice rai.ses the ^[Uestioji whether Rank has re- vamped production plans in favor of b.o. magnets such as "Wicked Lady" which racked lip record grosses in England last year. Argument of the del Guidice forces has been that films of the "Henry V" and "Great Expectations" genre were good lor eolid grosses and had the added value of enhancing British film prestige throughout the world. Continued from page 9 have. The point is that only after .publicity has made a film known to the public, do smash ads announc- ing the picture's opening carry any real weight," U'* conclave of bollj ft^bdmen and h. :0 staffers was a ibrum lor the announcement of a complete study of all key cities in relation .to news- papers and radio which the company would imdertake. within the next three- months. While the entire eastern' ad-pub departments would work on Btmk product handled by U, a j^iecialked unit would he de- vikopea to 'stress pro}ects for the ■fiteitish pix, Bergman told the con- feree*. ■ Continued from p<>se □ the apparent impossibility of getting the glamor names desired from the Coast. Most execs and stars queried were unable to attend for one rea son or another. Likewise, a contributory factor was proximity of a number of other industry events. Variety Clubs are holding thrif, national convention On the Coast May 15-18, while all Paramount execs and partners will be huddling at Lake Arrowhead May 5-9 and Metro is holding a sales meeting in New York that will prob- ably last through the date set for the dinner. s; Continued from page S „' sewed up the bulk of backstage legit workers and screen technicians in closed shop agreements. According to observers of the labar scene, forced liquidation of the closed shop will result in chaos with long, hard- lought renegotiations of present con- tracts in sight. Film labor leaders are generally neutral concerning the proposition to ban jurisdictional strikes but some ol them see such legislation as merely coyer for more deepgoing interference into union aiSairs; Rich- ard F. Walsh, lATSB prez, expressed the prevailing^ opinion necently When he stated that: "I am not opposed to legislation - banning jurisdictional strilces if it can be made to work and I don't think it can:" >• The Barber o>f Seville into his girl's house and woo her away from the pompous guardian who wants to marry her himself. Action is confined to the square in front of the house, and to two rooms inside, and what activity there is concerns itself with frantic runnings- around as soldiers, villagers and sun- dry kids bounce in and out of the house on the heels Of the Count. The real moments ol humor ai^e so few that they stand out like beacons—a cockatoo expressing surprise at a so- prano's aria, or the soprano flouncing behind a screen to change dress as she sings. Tl-ie opera's libretto shows up feebly under a camera's cruel light. Wooden acting- by most ot the par- ticipants, who are in reality opera singei's first and actors tiieoretically after, doesn't help matters. 'Taglia- vini is prettjr stiff and expression- less. In fact, in singing as well as in acting, he has the show stolen from him by Tito Gobbi, playing the bar- ber Figaro. Hand-some, with a flair for the role, Gobbi brings style and sparkle to his acting, while in his great "Largo al Factotum" air, gives a brilliant vocal performance. His singing (as is all the film's music) is marred by the sound track, which throu^out suffers from be- ing too shrill and grating. This piercing recorded quality is further affected by bad synchronization, it being too apparent from the indiffer- ent vocal em'otings that the singing had already been recorded before the filming. Photography at times is dark, and indistinct. On the credit side, in addition to CJobbi's acting and singing, are some choice vocal numbers b.y Tagliavini, and excellent presentation of the "Una voce poco fa" aria by Nelly Corradi. Latter is an unusually at- tractive Rosina, and one of the brightest figures in the film.. Other characters look grotesque on screen, although being faithful reproductions of their stage versions. Italo Tajo, as Don B_asilio, gives a rousing rendition of the Alumny Song. The cast in entirety, being star members of the Royal Opera. House in Rome, lives up to its standards for vocal excel- lence. Recording spoils the effect, though. Guiseppe Morelli, conduct- ing the Opera House's chorus and or- chestra, does yeoman work throu^- out, The well-known overturej' by the way, is noticeably cut Bron. B«Nr9t t« Rill Hollywood, April 14. RKO release of Kerlnan St-blom (Ski Ro- gell) production. Stars ClHlre 'I'revor. La-w- renie Tiera»}-, Walter Rleiak; fe»tiire« Phillip Tertjr, Auatsy tioitKi Directed by Robert Wis?, fiwiea on t>ov« by James Gunn; Bcreenpl*.y, Bve Green,* IMclwra Macaulay: camera, Robert de Cir»se.&t asst. dlreotor, .Sam Human; editor, Les Miilbrool<; .special eKecta. Ruseell A. <;ully; ma«lc, Paul Sawtell: music director, C. Batealeinl- iioff: dialog director. Anthony .Towitt. Pre- viewed April W, '47. Running time, »2 Sarti Lawrence Tierncy Hel«n ...ClaJre Trevor Afneit Walter Slezak .Phillip Tcrrr "eofsMa Audrey Long Marty BKsha Cank. Jr. I>.iury Palmep, ;,Isabel .Tewell Mrs. Kraft.....'.- Knther Howard <'i'ace Kitthryn f'ard Danny ; xonv Barrett ln.«pector Wilson ;.Grandon Rhodes Stars-lank Continued from page 3 ss power and the Rank organization, which holds control, is charged with acting prejudiciously against the company. What has UA execs and producers particularly incensed is the allegedly favored treatment being given HKO and other companies which hold no stock interest in Odeon. Rank is ex- pected in the U. S. May 7 and Sears may talk over the situation with him then, although it is understood tha British tycoon's trip is mainly in the nature of a vacation. Partiality charged by UA is part Of the larger situation ol British and American film rivalry in England. Also involved, however, are believed .to -be certsin personality idifficlilties between personnel of the American and British companies. Situation is very seriou.'. since UA producers are losing a heavy portion of their po tenlial revenue by not being able to play off their pictures in England. der executive supervision ol Sid Bo- fell givejh film excellent mounting, 'aid Sawtell's music score is good, as is lensbjg by Jlobert de Grasse. . • B'asifo- HoUywood, April ]?. . RKO release ot UUie Hajward pio»luc- tion. Stars .Sharyn Molttttj features j,ic- queiine While, Walter Reed, Una O'Connor Herbert Evans, Louise Beavers, JErneat Whitman, Banjo (Canine). Directed Viy Richard 0. Flei-soher. Original s<!reeni>lay, T.iUIle. Haywar*: camera, George E, X)\!i- kant; music, .Alexander X,aazIo; editor, i.tn MIHUiook. Tradeehown April 11, '4J. Run. ninB time, er MINS. pat., i. ..i.. ..Sharyn Moffelt Ellt^ftbeth Jacqueline White Dr. Bob Walter Hied Harriet Una O'Connor .leffrles Herbert Evu as Iiindy,......,.,,,,.,.......I.,ouise Beavei a .Tasper.Krnest 'W h11 man Ned.>......;......Usnny Hee» Exodus..;..... . .........,, .Theron J-ui-Hson Genesis.......... i.;Howard McKetly "Baiijo" Murder melodrama for thriller fans is okay boxoffiee in general situ- ations although not of top calibre. It presents Lawrence Tierney in another of his tough guy killer toles. Cast names surrounding Tierney also are stronger, with Claire Trevor and Walter Slez^ co-starred to aid its chances.. Film injects' psychiatric overtones and a lot of plot, which means character motivation is not al- ways clear. Otherwise it lives up to thriller intentions ol depicting ma- niacal killer who cooly bumps off anyone who incurs his displeasure. Hole played by Miss Trevor is equally unscrupulous, script having been based on the novel, "Deadlier Than the Male," by James Gunn. Both stars are equal to the demands of tljeir unsympathetic roles and get considerable out of them. Walter Slexak, shady private detective, is in keeping with unsavory mood of prin- cipals as developed by Robert 'Wise's direction. Story opens in Reno where Miss Trevor is getting divorce. She comes on double murder shortly after Tier- ney has fled the scene. Pair meet on train to San Francisco and recog- nize kindred souls. She's out to marry Phillip Terry lor 'his money, so Tierney marries her rich sister, Audrey Long. Slezak enters plot when he's hired privately to find the Reno murderer. Not too much sus- pense develops as he tracks down ■Tiemey, which is one of the factors' that keeps film from top clas.siflca- tion. Tierney commits another mur- der before MisS Trevor turns on him and there's a shoot-'em-up finale in which both get their just deserts. Script by Eve Greene and Richard Macauley loses ground by attempting to explain a little loo thoroughly what motivates the two leads' actions and several -other characters are on -the vague side. Terry and Miss Long do their best with colorle.ss spots Ehsha Cook, Jr., Isabel Jewel], Esther Howard and others try hard to make characterizations count. Production by Herman Schlom un- "Banjo" pulls all stops in living up to its tearjerker classilieaticn. Theme ol little orphan girl and her dog is fully exploited for the gen- eral family tradfc Lillie Hay ward produced from her own script and makes full use of weepy situations to show off de- cided talents ol little Sharyn Mof- fett. Plot is loaded with tried and true cliches necessary to ■ carry the story, along. Miss Moffett is or- phane'd when "her lather is killed in fall from horse. She's sent from the Georgia plantation to her aunt in Boston. The aunt doesn't under- stand her or her setter. Banjo. The dog is sent back to Georgia and the little girl runs away. The aunt sees the light, takes chase and there's a weepy reconciliatjon when the dog saves his mistress from a dangerous swamp cat. • Performances of younger set and the dog aid in carrying the picture along. Miss Moffett makes excellent use of her talent as the .young girl. Two Negro playmates come through cutely in the persons of Theron Jackson and Howard McNeely. Louise Beavers and Ernest Whitman are the intelligent, adult, true-to-life Negro servants on the old planta- tion. Script does a good job on these two roles, portraying therai without caricature. Jacqueline White, the aunt, and Walter Reed, her doctor - fiance, handle older romance. Una O'Connor and Her- bert Evans are caricature white servants on the Boston estate. Lanny Ross completes good credited cast. Richard O. Fleischer's direction keeps script on the move and does expertly by its standard ingredients. Brep. Twlll^rt: o«i Bio «rilnde (SONGS) Hollywood, April 12. Republic releaae tif Armand Schnefer tno- ductlon. ataM Gene Autry: features Ster- ling Holloivay, Adele Mara, Bof Stetle, Charle.'! Bvan.s. martin Gerrnliiea. (lass County Boys <»). Directed by Frank Mc. Donald. Original screenplay. Dorrell and .Stuart H. IWcGowan; camera, William Prail- toi-iT-; editor, Hurry Keller: aon((s. Chailes Tobias and Nat Simon. 'Smiley BurnHle, Uirry Marks and Dick Otiarlfts, .tack BIJkitt. PfP'-'l^wert April 10, '47, Running llm*. Gene Aulrj- . . , . iGerie AiUiy P"kie ..HtM'Ilnjt Moll.iwny Klena Del Bio Adele Mora 'Dusly" R!„|r, Steele Henry Blackstline.., Charles Kvimn ■JVIucho Pe«)e -Martin Garialana Jake fthart....... Howard .1. Nenley Captain Gonzales Oeoige J. Lewm Torres .Vacho Galindo Jm...... Ttx Teiry fe'asa County Boy»- ■ "Twilight on the Rio Grande" amounts to filler product -in the Gene Autry- group. Burdened with complicated story, saving spots are sight stunts that will please the kid- dies but tax adult credulity. Produc- tion crowds in six oatune.s. includ- ing "The Old Lamplighter" and title number, lor those who like guitar and vocals with outdoors heroics. Plot concerns Autry's efforts to find out whaj's behind the murder of his ranch partner. Seems there's a plot by a border attorney to mulct refugees of family jools and then smuggle them into the U. S. Irom Mexico. Plot is mostly laid south of the border and presents an okay picture of Latin sleuthing. Before Autry IS able to round up all the clues and bring justice to the wrong- doers he, and others, are target* Of knives and other weapons. Visual stunts used to help pick up pace include a number of running leaps- on horses, jumping a horse into the bed of a racing truck and such that will draw favorable nod from juves. Otherwise there's too much plot mixup for Frank McDon- ald's direction to overcome. Autry smgs title tune, "Lamplighter," "I Tipped My Hat and Slowly Rode Away" for his contributions t-o score. Cass County Boys (3) provide okay musical and vocal spots and Ariel* Mara does well by "Pretty Knife Grinder." Sterling Holloway works bard at comedy chores and helps. Martin Garralaga shows up nicely as an uii- dcrcover Latin Ingutance agent and George J. Le-wis is good ».«: Latin police Captain. Miss Mara dcei- as well as could be expected with her assignment as fiery singer but ha.* shown to better advantage in other. ' films. Brvg.