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Scanned  from  the  collections  of 
The  Library  of  Congress 


Packard  Campus 
for  Audio  Visual  Conservation 
www.  loc.gov/avconservation 


1 

it 


( 


MOTION  PICTURE 


REVIEWS 

(In  Product  Digest) 

L«dy  of  Bur!eiqu« 
Abovo  Suspkiom 
f»r«bd«  *e  Wait 
Follow  the  Band 
C.pt.vc  Wild  Woman 
Wild  Hone  %f»mpmc 
Ruiiiant  ef 
uii  H#v*  FutRi 

(/w  JVfWi  Section) 

Million  to  Montew, 


SENATE  COMMITTEE  to  Wfe^d  out  amateur 
meddlers'  in  U.S.  film  projects;  to  de- 
termine content  of  fact  and  fancy 


"WILL  IT  WIN  THE  WAR?'  standard  for 
draft  rulings;  boards  order  four  film 
employees  to  take  "essential  jo! 


MORE  ARBITRATION  indicated  in  consent 
decree  revision;  MPTOA  invites  Depart- 
ment of  Justice  to  its  board  meeting 


REPUBLIC  plans  68  to  cost  $16,000,000  for 
1943-'44  season;  Program  to  include 
32  features,  32  westerns,  4  serials 


ive  fw 


to  the  Th#«f  rir  Irt 


VOL  151,  NO.  5 


may  l  mi 


KHtrtd  >to  «c**irf<rW.tf  imMSfr,  j(   IM,  19311,  *S  *l 

had  wtekty  &J*  Qmiflty  Pmbll»rh#m$i  C«t»  Imt*,  •»  US 


GOING  UP 

all  over  America! 


Wil'lia 

m  Saroyan's 

"The  Human  Comedy"  starring  Mickey 

Rooney  with  Frank  Morgan,  Jc 

mes  Craig,  Marsha  Hunt,  Fay  Bainter,  Ray  Collins, 

Van  . 

ohnson,  Donn 

a  Reed,  Jack  Jenkins,  Dorothy  Morris, 

John  Craven,  Ann  Ayars,  Ma 

ry  Nash,  Henry  O'Neill     •     From  the  story  by 

Willia 

m  Saroyan  • 

Screen  Play  by  Howard  Estabrook  • 

A  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Pictt 

re    •    Produced  and  Directed  by  Clarence  Brown 

Fight.'  We're  all  soldiers  in  the  2nd  War  Loan  Drive! 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD 


COLVIN  BROWN,  Publisher 


Vol.  151,  No.  5 


MARTIN  QUIGLEY 
President  and  Editor-in-Chief 


OP 


TERRY  RAMSAY E,  Editor 


May  I.  1943 


THE  MACHINERY 

AS  the  demands  of  war  production  grow  and  grow,  the 
pressures  on  the  home  economy  increase.  Every 
industry  involving  technological  and  mechanical  ele- 
ments is  affected — conspicuously  the  industry  of  the  motion 
picture  in  its  far  flung  and  complex  equipment  of  exhibition. 

The  necessity  of  care  and  conservation,  as  it  has  never  before 
been  applied,  reaches  into  the  sixteen  thousand-and-odd  pro- 
jection rooms  of  the  theatre  of  the  United  States. 

Most  machines  can  be  repaired,  few  can  be  replaced. 

This  cause  of  conservation  is  now  getting  the  special  atten- 
tion of  the  International  Projector  Corporation  in  a  series  of 
discussions  beginning  in  the  advertising  pages  of  this  issue  of 
The  Herald.  It  begins  with  a  quotation  from  Mr.  Si  Fabian, 
speaking  from  the  viewpoint  of  exhibition. 

■  I  ■  ■ 

This  is  reminiscent  of  a  recent  conversation  with  Mr.  Barney 
Balaban  in  which  he  discussed  observations  and  the  special 
urgency  of  attention  to  the  maintenance  of  the  theatre  in 
these  prosperous  but  difficult  days. 

"The  great  crowds,  with  many  new  customers,  and  with  new 
staffs  of  less  experienced  people,  the  manager  of  the  theatre 
is  today  confronted  with  a  responsibility  even  greater  than 
ever,"  observed  Mr.  Balaban.  "We  are  in  a  situation,  too, 
these  days,  with  the  theatre  such  a  center  of  concentrated 
attendance,  where  even  one  mishap  might  be  a  disaster  of 
grave  importance  to  the  whole  industry.  This  is  a  time  for 
special  precaution. 

"I  have  observed,  too,"  Mr.  Balaban  continued,  "that,  while 
generally  the  standards  of  projection  and  sound  are  good, 
there  are  theatres,  too  many  of  them,  that  are  continuing  to 
be  content  with  the  standards  that  were  acceptable  maybe 
ten  years  ago,  but  which  are  inferior  today. 

"The  equipment  and  presentation  which  does  not  deliver 
a  full  measure  of  what  the  studios  put  into  the  film  represents 
both  waste  and  a  loss  to  the  standing  of  the  motion  picture. 
I  have  seen  too  many  theatres  presenting  our  best  photography 
under  the  handicap  of  dim  yellow  light  and  with  the  faulty 
acoustics  of  installations  made  the  year  that  sound  was  born. 
In  many  instances  improvement  can  be  had  by  the  investment 
of  nothing  more  than  attention  and  adjustment." 

AAA 

GROWING  PATTERN 

THE  shape  of  things  to  come  in  the  field  of  American 
industry  is  tracing  a  pattern  in  many  aspects  of  the  motion 
picture's  concerns  of  the  day.  Most  immediate  of  the  indi- 
cations appears  in  the  invitation  of  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre 
Owners  of  America  to  Robert  L.  Wright  of  the  Department 
of  Justice  to  attend  a  meeting  of  the  association's  board  of 
directors  next  week. 

This  is  an  incidental  aspect  of  the  progress  of  the  trend 


toward  an  inter-relation  between  Government  and  business 
new  to  this  land  of  independent  enterprise. 

Again,  out  in  Hollywood  the  motion  picture  is  concerning 
itself  with  another  aspect  of  the  developing  new  order,  which 
is  to  say  the  establishment  of  a  labour-management  commit- 
tee. At  the  moment,  this  project  is  concerned,  so  it  is  set 
forth,  only  with  problems  growing  out  of  the  manpower 
demands  of  war.  Once  established,  however,  extension  of 
scope  and  function  would  appear  almost  inevitable. 


WITH  the  contemplated  line  of  contact  between  the 
MPTOA  and  the  Department  of  Justice,  the  field  of 
organized  exhibition  is  considerably  covered.  There 
have  been  conferences,  communications  and  representations 
between  the  Allied  States  Association,  the  Independent  Theatre 
Owners  Association  of  New  York,  and  the  Pacific  Coast  Con- 
ference of  Independent  Theatre  Owners  and  the  Department 
of  Justice.  There  have  been  assorted  recommendations  for 
procedures  to  follow  the  expiration  of  the  trial  period  of  the 
Consent  Decree  in  November,  including  some  urging  from 
independents  that  the  Government  go  to  trial  on  the  theatre 
divorcement  elements  of  the  anti-trust  suit,  a  conspicuous  part 
of  the  action  when  filed. 

Meanwhile,  with  the  multiplication  of  contacts  and  con- 
ferences, the  motion  picture,  along  with  most  other  industries 
in  the  courts,  is  proceeding  by  negotiation  rather  than 
litigation. 

This  keeps  the  hand  of  Government  in  and  on  industry  and 
business.  As  a  consequence,  ultimate  controls  are  through  and 
by  lawyers  and  bureaus.   This  is  new,  and  growing. 

AAA 

INCIDENTALLY 

SAID  Mme.  Chiang-Kai-shek  at  a  press  conference  the 
other  day,  "Brains  have  no  sex."  And  she  might 
have  added,  "Vice  versa."  :  :  :  :  There's  a  boom  in 
the  snuff  market  because  so  many  war  workers  in  strictly  "no 
smoking"  plants  have  taken  to  dipping  and  sniffing.  :  :  :  : 
The  powder  making  industry,  which  is  right  busy  now,  is  turn- 
ing to  woodpulp  as  a  source  of  cellulose.  That  may  ease  the 
demand  for  cotton  linters  from  which  film  base  is  made.  The 
trend  is  not  reflected  in  rationing  allotments,  yet.  :  :  :  : 
Some  Victory  gardeners  have  been  intimidated  by  imported 
British  war-garden  pictures,  because  of  show  of  mighty  prepara- 
tions, including  double  trench  spading,  two  feet  deep.  We 
do  not  go  that  far  for  vegetables.  :  :  :  :  A  new  high  in 
motion  picture  promotion  is  reported  from  the  Army  in  Hawaii. 
The  encampment  on  the  island  of  Maui,  complete  with  theatre, 
is  in  the  crater  of  an  extinct — we  hope — volcano,  at  an  altitude 
of  10,000  feet.  ::  ::  The  trout  in  our  sparkling  Silvermine 
river  are  suckers  for  the  "Silver  Doctor"  fly  this  season.  Meat- 
less Tuesday  is  making  your  editor  a  twilight  fisherman.  When 
in  doubt,  try  a  worm — anything  is  fair  in  war. 

■  •  — Terry  Ramsaye 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


-M^  '  May 
— 


94  3 


THIS  WEEK  IN  THE  NEWS 


OWI  Controls  Film 

Washington  Bureau 

CONTROL  of  raw  stock  for  factual  pictures 
made  by  Government  agencies,  except  mili- 
tary, and  producers  of  factual  trailers,  has 
been  turned  over  to  the  Office  of  War  In- 
formation by  the  War  Production  Board,  to 
make  effective  an  agreement  reached  in 
March. 

Formerly  serving  only  in  a  consulting  ca- 
pacity in  the  allocation  of  film  for  such  pic- 
tures, OWI  now  will  have  control  over  the 
issuance  of  authorizations  for  the  making  of 
factuals  by  the  non-military  Government 
agencies,  a  system  which  is  expected  to  sim- 
plify and  expedite  the  production  of  films  re- 
lating to  the  war  program. 

The  agency  will  be  given  allotments  of 
film  from  the  25,150,000  feet  set  aside  for 
factual  pictures  for  the  quarter  ending  June 
30th.  Film  for  military  use  will  continue  to 
be  allotted  specifically  and  apart  from  the 
civilian  quotas  by  WPB,  which  also  will  re- 
tain the  power  to  issue  specific  authorization 
for  types  of  factual  pictures  not  subject  to 
OWI  control. 


Pola  Returns 

POLA  NEGRI,  who  was  discovered  tor  the 
American  screen  twenty  years  ago  in  "Pas- 
sion," is  now  to  emerge  from  ten  years  of 
retirement  in  "Hi  Diddle,  Diddle."  United 
Artists  announces  Miss  Negri  in  a  support- 
ing role  of  Andrew  Stone's  initial  release 
for  that  company.  Adolphe  Menjou  and  Mar- 
tha Scott  are  co-starred.  Miss  Negri  has 
the  role  of  an  opera  star  and  will  be  seen, 
not  as  the  slinking  siren  of  yesteryear  but 
in  the  full  trappings  of  "Brunhilde,"  and 
bearing  a  spear  and  shield. 

Miss  Negri  was  a  star  in  pretentious 
productions  made  in  Germany  by  Ufa  in  the 
early  1920's.  She  had  the  title  role  in  "Ma- 
dame Dubarry,"  imported  by  First  National 
Pictures  in  1923.  It  was  re-edited  for  the 
American  market  and  retitled  "Passion," 
which  was  more  familiar  to  the  audience 
than  "Dubarry."  The  striking  success  of 
this  picture  ordained  a  Hollywood  career  for 
Miss  Negri. 


Dies  Looks 

THE  Congressional  committee  headed  by 
Representative  Martin  Dies  of  Texas  last 
week  continued  its  investigation  into  un- 
American  activities  by  peering  into  the  huge 
New  York  offices  of  the  Office  of  War  In- 
formation. Members  of  this  organization 
previously  had  been  attacked  by  various 
groups  and  individuals  in  Congress,  who 
charge  it  has  been  used  as  a  propaganda 
agency  for  the  New  Deal. 

Meanwhile,  a  special  House  investigating 
sub-committee  has  pronounced  two  execu- 
tives of  the  Federal  Communication  Com- 
mission's   Foreign    Broadcast  Intelligence 


SENATE   committee   plans  to   weed  out 
meddlers  in  U.  S.  films  Page  13 

WMC  tightens   policy  on   manpower  of 
film  industry  Page  14 

DECREE  revision  may  add  to  scope  of 
arbitration  system  Page  I  7 

ON  THE  MARCH— Red  Kann  discusses 
Hollywood    manpower  Page  18 

U.  S.  admission  tax  receipts  chart  course 
of  theatre  grosses  Page  19 


FOUR  cities  in  Washington  levy  taxes  on 
theatre  admissions  Page  27 

THEATRES  of  nation  assist  in  final  spurt  of 
War  Loan  drive  Page  30 

REPUBLIC  plans  68  films  for  next  season  to 
cost  $16,000,000  Page  31 

BROADCASTING  for  American  troops  in 
England  is  revamped  Page  33 

COOPERATION    between    Mexican  and 
Cuban  industries  planned         Page  44 


SERVICE  DEPARTMENTS 


Hollywood  Scene 
In  British  Studios 
In  the  Newsreels 
Late  Review 


Page  41  Managers'  Round  Table 

Page  32  Picture  Grosses 

Page  67  Shorts  on  Broadway 

Page  34  What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me 


IN  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION 

Showmen's  Reviews  Page  1289     Short  Subjects  Chart 

Short  Subjects  Page  1291     The  Release  Chart 


Page  59 
Page  52 
Page  58 
Page  54 

Page  1292 
Page  1294 


Service,  "unfit."  They  are  Dr.  Goodwin  B. 
Watson,  chief  analyst,  and  Dr.  William  E. 
Dodd,  Jr.,  whose  alleged  association  with 
movements  termed  "subversive"  caused  the 
verdict.  The  evidence  against  Dr.  Frederick 
L.  Schuman,  analyst  in  the  Service's  Ger- 
man section,  was  found  insufficient.  The 
House  sub-committee  began  its  investigation 
two  months  ago  after  charges  by  the  Dies 
Committee  against  30  persons  in  Govern- 
ment offices. 


Autographs 


MITCHELL  bombers,  the  famed  two  engine 
B-25's,  shortly  will  carry  into  battle  micro- 
filmed scrolls  bearing  the  names  of  hundreds 
of  thousands  of  War  Bond  buyers,  as  a  re- 
sult of  a  new  theatre  drive  to  sell  the 
Treasury  war  issues.  The  campaign,  under 
the  auspices  of  the  War  Activities  Commit- 
tee, will  begin  May  27th  to  offset  any  slack 
in  buying  at  the  end  of  the  Second  War 
Loan  Drive. 

It  will  be  the  "Buy  a  Bond  to  Buy  a 
Bomber  and  Send  Your  Name  to  War"  cam- 
paign, and  will  continue  so  long  as  the  pub- 
lic likes  it.  Each  bond-buying  theatre 
patron  will  be  allowed  to  sign  his  name  on  a 
scroll  in  the  lobby.  The  scroll  will  be 
transcribed  to  film,  and  placed  in  the  bomber 
cabins. 

Participant  exhibitors  will  receive  from 
National  Screen  Service,  without  charge,  a 
free  100-foot  trailer.  They  also  may  re- 
ceive gratis  40  by  60  display  posters  to 
which  the  scrolls  are  attached. 


New  Company 

ACQUISITION  of  most  of  the  American 
assets  of  the  late  Arthur  Lee  by  Charles  L. 
Casanave,  former  vice-president  and  general 
manager  of  National  Screen  Accessories  and 
Advertising  Accessories,  Inc.,  was  an- 
nounced this  week  by  Mr.  Casanave  and 
Oscar  R.  Hanson,  of  Toronto,  president  of 
Artlee  Corporation. 

The  new  company  will  be  known  as  Casa- 
nave-Artlee  Pictures,  Inc.  Included  in  its 
properties  are  the  American  rights  to  a 
number  of  features  acquired  by  Mr.  Lee  be- 
fore his  death  in  a  Lisbon  aircraft  accident. 
The  company  will  occupy  the  Artlee  offices 
at  1600  Broadway,  New  York,  will  deal 
in  16mm.  film,  and  may  eventually  engage 
in  the  production  and  distribution  of  Ameri- 
can pictures. 

Charles  L.  Casanave  is  president  and  gen- 
eral manager,  and  Edward  P.  Casanave  vice- 
president  and  secretary. 


More  Gas 

FILM  salesmen  and  others  who  drive  "in 
the  course  of  work"  and  who  hold  "C"  gaso- 
line ration  books,  on  Monday  were  given  ad- 
ditional gasoline  by  the  Office  of  Price  Ad- 
ministration. The  17  severely  rationed  East- 
ern states  were  not  included.  The  amount 
now  allows  720  miles  of  driving  per  month 
instead  of  470.  OPA  spokesmen  said  the 
increase  stemmed  from  a  climb  in  tire 
quotas  from  Rubber  Director  William 
Jeffers. 


May    I  ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


9 


It's  Ladd,  Again 


WHEN  attendance  flooded  into  the  Para- 
mount Theatre  on  New  York's  booming 
Broadway  to  see  a  bill  including  "China" 
with  Loretta  Young  and  Alan  Ladd  and 
Harry  James  and  his  band,  the  strong  color- 
ation of  jiving  youth  in  the  box  office  lines 
led  a  deal  of  trade  opinion  to  the  notion  it 
was  the  music,  and  maybe  the  weather.  But 
now  come  reports  from  the  second  engage- 
ment, at  the  Paramount  in  Newark.  Over 
there  Ben  Griefer,  manager,  reports  that 
"China,"  playing  alone  without  the  benefit  of 
band,  in  its  first  three  days  did  40  percent 
more  than  "Road  to  Morocco,"  a  production 
of  comparable  calibre  and  highly  successful. 

Mr.  Ladd,  as  recorded  in  Motion  Picture 
Herald  of  April  3rd,  is  the  most  remarkable 
box  office  manifestation  since  the  rocket  rise 
of  Rudolph  Valentino.  None  of  the  experts 
can  say  what  he  has,  but  whatever  it  is  he 
has  lots  of  it.  Fans  ravish  lobby  frames  for 
his  photographs. 

Incidentally,  the  young  man  is  now  Pri- 
vate Ladd  of  the  Army  Air  Force.  Just  the 
other  day  he  became  the  father  of  a  daugh- 
ter, christened  Alana.  Mrs.  Ladd,  Alan's 
agent,  Alana's  mother,  is  Sue  Carol. 


Lily  Launches 

LILY  PONS  stepped  to  the  launching  plat- 
form in  the  yards  of  the  Greenport  Basin 
and  Construction  Company,  way  out  on  the 
end  of  Long  Island,  Tuesday,  and  sang  "The 
Star  Spangled  Banner"  to  three  hundred 
shipbuilders  and  guests.  Then  she  smacked 
a  minesweeper  on  the  nose  with  a  bottle  and 
christened  it,  as  it  started  down  the  ways. 

The  press  of  New  York  covered  the  func- 
tion carefully  but  the  reporter  was  too 
thrilled  to  make  note  of  the  name. 

Miss  Pons  is  rather  in  demand  for  christ- 
enings. Once  she  named  a  locomotive,  in 
the  presence  of  a  camera,  in  behalf  of  the 
Southern  Pacific. 


Film  but  no  Wood 

IT  is  a  piece  of  two  by  four  inch  lumber 
and  not  the  supply  of  raw  stock  film,  that  is 
responsible  for  the  new  crop  of  gray  hairs 
on  heads  of  Hollywood  producers,  Harold 
Hopper,  the  War  Production  Board  man 
said  in  the  film  capital  last  week  shortlv 
before  he  boarded  a  train  for  Washington. 

It  is  a  serious  problem,"  he  said.  "There 
simply  is  not  enough  lumber  in  this  country 
to  go  around  and  we  are  getting  the  studio's 
second  hand  lumber,  as  well  as  what  new 
supplies  we  can.  With  their  own  resources 
of  reclaimed  wood  and  what  we  get  them 
there  will  be  enough  lumber,  although  it  may 
not  be  all  they  would  like  to  have." 

No  further  curtailment  of  raw  film  stock 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD,  published 


is  expected,  Mr.  Hopper,  chief  of  the  Film 
Conservation  Division  of  the  WPB,  said. 
"It  will  get  better  before  it  gets  worse.  None 
of  the  major  producing  companies  is  using 
its  full  quota  now,  with  fewer  pictures 
in  release,  and  there  is  an  ample  supply  on 
hand." 

The  needs  of  the  armed  services  for  film 
have  been  systematized  and  they  now  are 
getting  only  what  they  actually  use,  and  the 
United  States  is  supplying  the  world  raw 
stock  market,  too,  with  its  actual  needs,  for- 
eign countries'  exchange  systems  now  func- 
tioning on  bases  similar  to  our  own.  The 
shipments  of  raw  film  to  other  parts  of  the 
world  have  been  stepped  up  200,000,000  to 
300,000,000  feet  a  year. 

Any  new,  independent  producer  planning 
a  film  venture  will  have  to  have  his  releas- 
ing arrangements  set  up  before  he  starts 
shooting,  Mr.  Hopper  said.  That  way  he 
can  get  his  film  supply  from  the  quota  of  the 
company  through  which  he  will  release. 
Otherwise,  he  can't  get  any. 


For  Absentees 

IT  IS  just  an  idea  on  paper  yet,  but  the 
Scott  Paper  Company,  makers  of  a  funda- 
mental product  of  wide  application,  is  pon- 
dering a  project  to  produce  a  picture  on  ab- 
senteeism in  munitions  work  in  behalf  of 
the  War  Manpower  Commission.  The  no- 
tion is  said  to  have  originated  with  the  J. 
Walter  Thompson  advertising  agency,  which 
operates  a  film  producing  department  for  its 
clients.  A  plan  for  a  film  program  is  said  to 
have  been  submitted  to  WMC,  but  it  remains 
for  the  while  "under  discussion." 


Mickey  Retires 

TWILIGHT  years  of  retirement  have  at 
last  settled  on  Mickey  Mouse.  As  with  some 
of  Hollywood's  brightest  stars  the  sprightly 
rodent  who  carried  Walt  Disney  to  fame 
and  fortune  has  stepped  aside  for  younger 
players  and  now  is  playing  character  roles 
Mickey's  successors  are  Donald  Duck,  Pluto 
Goofy  and  Joe  Carioca,  the  Brazilian'  parrot 
who  recently  made  his  Disney  debut  in 
"Saludos  Amigos." 

Mickey  last  appeared  in  a  lead  role  in 
Symphony  Hour,"  released  March  20  1942 
He  was  born  September  27,  1928,  and  won 
stardom  that  year  in  "Steamboat  Willie,"  the 
first  sound  cartoon.  Motion  Picture  Al- 
manac credits  him  with  over  100  screen  ap- 
pearances. Mickey  won  his  Oscar  in  "Fan- 
tasia." Last  year  he  appeared  for  the  Gov- 
ernment m  "Out  of  the  Frving  Pan  "  a  fat 
conservation  film,  and  he  was  seen  briefly 
as  a  South  American  visitor  in  "Pluto  and 
the  Armadillo."  He  is  busy  with  war  work- 
also,  as  mascot  and  emblem  for  many  U  S 
fighting  crews  and  in  official  training  films 
tor  the  armed  services. 


Jail  for  Hoodlums 

HOODLUMS  in  Newark  will  land  in  jail 
if  they  come  before  Police  Judge  Robert 
Buckly  on  charges  of  disorderly  conduct  in 
the  city's  theatres.  He  gave  stiff  sentences 
to  two  young  rowdies  this  week. 

One  boy  arrested  for  interrupting  the  per- 
formance at  Warners'  key  Branford  theatre 
was  sentenced  to  a  year  in  jail,  and  then 
placed  on  parole.  Harold  Weidenhorn,  as- 
sistant manager  of  the  theatre,  filed  the  com- 
plaint. Another  young  tough  who  slugged 
an  usher  when  warned  not  to  smoke  in 
RKO's  Proctor  went  to  jail  for  60  days 
The  manager  of  the  Newark  theatre  is  Ansel 
Weinstein. 

Judge  Buckly  insists  that  the  public  is 
entitled  to  peace  and  quiet  in  their  hours  of 
relaxation  from  war  activities.  "There  will 
be  no  more  paroles,  but  jail  sentences,  and 
no  foolin'  "  for  youths  arraigned  for  fighting 
with  ushers,  whistling,  shouting  or  otherwise 
making  themselves  objectionable  in  theatres, 
he  told  John  J.  Clancy,  lawyer  for  the  cir- 
cuits. Newark  managers  have  joined  in  a 
concerted  drive  to  protect  their  patrons  from 
rowdyism. 


Awards 

SOVIET  INFORMATION  BUREAU 

By  cable  from  Moscow 

RUSSIA'S  "Academy  Awards"— the  Stalin 
Prizes— have  been  given  to  the  full  length 
documentary,  "Leningrad  Fights  On,"  and 
to  producers  and  cameramen  of  that  picture 
and  two  other  documentaries  of  1942 
"Stalingrad"  and  "Men  of  the  Black  Sea,''' 
the  Soviet  Information  Bureau  announced 
this  week.  In  addition,  five  cameramen  re- 
ceived the  signal  award  for  documentary 
work.  They  are  Ivan  Belyakov,  Theodo'r 
Bunimovich,  Joseph  Veinerovich,  Victor 
Dobronitsky,  and  David  Ibragimov. 

"Leningrad  Fights  On"  was  directed  by 
Valerei  Solovzov,  and  photographed  by  An- 
selm  Bogorov,  Anatoli  Pogorely,  Vladimir 
Stradin,  and  Efrem  Uchital. 


She's  a  Longshot 

WARTIME  is  putting  women  into  all  man- 
ner of  manful  jobs.    Most  spectacular  of 
them  is  the  new  role  of  Victoria  Zacchini 
nineteen  years  old  and  a  member  of  the 
tamous  circus  family.    She  used  to  perform 
on  the  high  wire.    Now  her  brother  Egizio 
who  was  the  human  bullet  fired  from  a  can- 
non for  the  amazement  of  the  multitudes 
has  gone  into  the  Navy  and  Victoria  has 
taken  over  the  projectile  assignment.  The 
circus  publicity  has  it  that  she  has  proved 
the  best  cannonball  of  them  all,  with  an  ex- 
treme range  of  two  hundred  feet— a  record 
tor  the  shooting  Zacchinis. 


3CO, 

South 


Ouigley  Publico- 


10 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    I  ,  1943 


THIS  WEEK 


the  Camera  observes: 


■  TWENTIETH  CENTURY -FOX'S  new 
theatre  in  Cali,  Colombia,  the  Colon, 
was  opened  to  the  public  this  month. 
At  right:  the  theatre,  and  the  crowds  which 
attended.  Below:  J.  M.  Gomez,  manager; 
E.  F.  Lomba,  Twentieth  Century- Fox 
manager;  the  Bishop  of  Cali,  who  blessed 
the  house;  A.  Aristizabal,  Colombian 
businessman  and  builder  of  the  theatre, 
with  his  young  daughters.  The  open- 
ing feature  was  "Tales  of  Manhattan". 


"DIRECTOR"  of 
"Desert  Victory", 
Lieutenant  Colonel 
David  MacDonald, 
center,  is  greeted  at 
Chicago  by  Clyde 
Eckhardt,  right, 
Twentieth  Century- Fox 
branch  manager,  and 
Herman  Beiersdorf, 
its  Great  Lakes 
district  manager. 


■  AT  "EAGLES  OF  THE  NAVY" 
special  screening  in  the  Warner 
New  York  home  office,  left.  The 
officers  are  Lieutenant  Commanders 
Thomas  Morse,  E.  T.  Thomas,  and 
James  Boyd,  Lieutenant  James 
Taylor,  and  Lieutenant  Commanders 
Kenneth  Salisbury  and  Albert  Rice. 
The  Warner  executives  are  Leonard 
Schlesinger,  circuit  official;  Nor- 
man Moray,  short  subject  "sales 
manager;  Joseph  Bernhard,  vice- 
president;  Mort  Blumenstock,  eastern 
advertising-publicity  director;  Harry 
Kalmine,  assistant  circuit 
general  manager. 


By  Staff  Photographer 


May    I  ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


II 


CHECKS  totaling  $21,000  were 
handed  the  Hennepin  County, 
Minnesota,  Red  Cross,  last  week,  by 
Minneapolis  exhibitors.  At  right,  Mrs. 
Neil  Messick  receives  them  from 
William  Levy  and  Mike  Weinstock, 
kneeling;  Fred  Holsapfel,  Nate  Fisher, 
Sam  Zuckman,  Max  Torador,  William 
Maddy,  William  Secrest,  Harold 
Kaplan,  Paul  Mans,  Kenneth  Erickson, 
Vern  Zeesman,  Charles  Rogers,  W.  R. 
Stephens,  William  Klein,  standing; 
Ben  Friedman  and  W.  A.  Steffes, 
seated. 


■  COLUMBIA'S  "More  the  Merrier"  trade  screening  in  Albany 
brought,  among  many:  Joe  Miller,  branch  manager;  C.  J.  Latta, 
Warner  zone  manager;  E.  Van  O'Linda,  Times  Union  critic; 
Henry  Frieder,  John  Cooney,  and  Henry  Grossman,  exhibitors, 
and  the  letter's  daughter,  Shirley. 


PRESUMED  DEAD.  Sergeant  J.  M. 
Atkinson,  of  the  Canadian  army, 
and  former  employee  of  Associated 
Screen  News,  Montreal.  He  enlisted 
in  1940  and  went  overseas  in  1941. 


AT  MINNEAPOLIS  trade  screening  of  "More  the  Merrier":  ■  FROM  USHERETTE  to  assistant  managership 

Benjamin  Berger,  circuit  owner;  Joseph  Stern,  Mohawk,  St.  Paul;  at  the  Broadway  theatre,  Portland,  Oregon,. 

Don  Conley,  Columbia;  Al  Aved,  Columbia;  is  the  record  of  Mrs.  June  Revell,  who  entered 

Merle  Potter,  Berger  circuit.  ^ne  work  nine  years  ago.  Her  husband  is  in  service 


12 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    I  ,  1943 


ON  TOUR,  Twentieth  Century-Fox's  young  star  of  "My 
Friend  Flicka,"  Roddy  MacDowall,  meets  M.  M.  Rubens,  of 
the  Great  States  Theatre  circuit,  in  Chicago. 


■  A  DONATION  of  $1,700  from  the  Fall  River 
Junior  Red  Cross  to  the  senior  organization. 
Judy  Canova,  Republic  star,  watches  as  a 
war  fund  check  is  handed  William  Canning, 
Interstate  Empire  manager  and 
campaign  chairman. 


HONOR  for  35  years  in  the  industry,  and  20  with 
National  Screen  Service,  was  paid  recently  at 
a  Dallas  Variety  Club  luncheon,  to  Wallace 
Walthall,  center.  With  him  are  L  C.  Griffith,  of 
the  Griffith  Amusement  Company,  and  R.  J. 
O'Donnell,  vice-president  of  the  Texas  Interstate 
circuit,  and  national  Variety  Club  chief  barker. 


■  MGM'S  "The  Human  Comedy"  screening  at  Portland, 
Oregon,  brought  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bob  White,  below.  Mr. 
White  is  president  of  the  Oregon  Theatre  Owners 
Association. 


EXHIBITOR  IN  UNIFORM.  Lieutenant  Bentley  S.  Freeman,  above, 
with  Bill  "Hopalong  Cassidy"  Boyd  on  the  "False  Colors"  set, 
and  Daniel  Foley,  Los  Angeles  distributors'  representative. 
Lieutenant  Freeman  owns  the  Will  Rogers  Theatre,  St.  Louis,  and 
the  New  Vernon  Theatre,  Mount  Vernon. 


May    I  ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


13 


SENATE  UNIT  TO  WEED  OUT 
MEDDLERS  IN  U.S.  FILMS 


Senator  O'Mahoney  Says 
Government  Films  Must 
Be  Used  Wisely 

by  JOHN  STUART,  JR. 

in  Washington 

The  motion  picture  is  a  communication 
medium  which  must  be  used  wisely  and 
skillfully  by  the  Government,  without  ama- 
teur meddling  or  interference  by  groups 
with  special  interests,  in  the  opinion  of 
members  of  the  powerful  Senate  Judiciary 
Committee. 

It  is  now  looking  into  all  U.  S.  informa- 
tion and  propaganda  services.  So  are  sev- 
eral other  Congressional  committees. 

"We  are  dealing  with  a  new  method  of 
communication  in  the  motion  picture.  Old 
habits  of  thought  no  longer  apply.  It  is 
important  that  we  know  how  these  new 
techniques  of  film  and  radio  are  being 
used,"  Senator  Joseph  C.  O'Mahoney  of 
Wyoming,  a  Democratic  majority  leader  on 
the  Judiciary  Committee,  told  Motion  Pic- 
ture Herald  this  week. 

The  Judiciary  Committee  expects  to 
find  out  how  film  and  radio  are  being 
used  by  Government  agencies,  the  Sena- 
tor indicated.  The  motion  picture  pro- 
grams of  the  Office  of  War  Information, 
Coordinator  of  Inter- American  Affairs, 
Army,  Navy,  War  Manpower  Commis- 
sion and  other  agencies  are  definitely 
within  the  scope  of  the  Committee's  in- 
quiry into  official  information,  he  indi- 
cated.   They  are  to  be  examined  closely. 

The  Judiciary  Committee  is  not,  however, 
the  only  Congressional  group  currently  in- 
terested in  Government  motion  picture  ac- 
tivities. Senator  Robert  Taft  of  Ohio  has 
asked  for  a  special  investigation  of  film  ex- 
penditures. The  Truman  committee  investi- 
gating the  war  effort  has  examined  OWI, 
CIAA  and  Army  and  Navy  film  manage- 
ment and  hinted  at  continuing  investigation. 
The  budgets  of  the  OWI  and  CIAA  film 
units  for  the  next  fiscal  year  are  pending. 

Facts  and  opinion  should  be  clearly  dif- 
ferentiated in  the  motion  pictures,  press  re- 
leases and  radio  programs  prepared  and 
paid  for  by  Government  agencies,  according 
to  Senator  O'Mahoney.  He  discussed  this 
problem  of  keeping  fact  apart  from  message, 
of  using  the  Government's  information  ser- 
vices to  inform  the  people  rather  than  to 
"sell"  them  on  particular  viewpoints. 

Senator  Spoke  as  Onetime 
Newspaper  Man 

Mr.  O'Mahoney  leaned  back  in  an  old 
fashioned,  tufted  leather  chair  as  he  talked, 
in  the  green  carpeted,  lofty,  mahogany  pan- 
eled office  provided  for  Wyoming's  senior 
senator  in  the  Senate  Office  Building,  in 
Washington.  His  desk  was  crowded  with 
the  reports  and  pending  bills  of  a  busy  Con- 
gressman. 

But  he  spoke  as  a  onetime  working  news- 


paper man.  A  former  reporter  and  later 
editor  in  Boulder,  Colo.,  and  in  Cheyenne, 
Wyo.,  the  Senator  made  it  clear  that  he 
knew  well  the  sharp  division  between  fact 
and  fancy  which  is  made  by  the  conscien- 
tious newspaper  man. 

"Let  me  say  that  the  importance  of  pro- 
viding the  facts  for  the  people  cannot  be 
overestimated,"  the  Senator  said.  "The  dif- 
ference between  the  reporting  of  facts  and 
the  dissemination  of  opinion  must  be  clearly 
marked  out  so  that  the  people  when  they 
receive  information  from  any  Government 
press  relations  bureau  will  know  whether 
it  falls  into  one  or  the  other  category." 

This  holds  true  also  for  the  Government 
motion  picture,  in  his  opinion,  the  Senator 
indicated. 

Expressing  confidence  that  Elmer  Davis, 
head  of  the  Office  of  War  Information,  was 
endeavoring  to  provide  the  facts,  Mr. 
O'Mahoney  said  he  would  urge  that  the  Ju- 
diciary Committee  investigation  continue 
nevertheless  with  respect  to  all  of  the  agen- 
cies which  release  information  to  the  pub- 
lic. 

"The  relationship  between  the  OWI 
and  the  Coordinator  of  Inter-American 
Affairs  in  the  dissemination  of  facts  and 
opinions  abroad,  and  in  Latin  America, 
by  way  of  press  releases,  radio  and  mo- 
tion picture  films,"  particularly  interests 
the  Committee,  according  to  Mr.  O'Ma- 
honey. He  wants  to  find  out  where  the 
responsibility  for  decision  rests,  and  how 
well  the  contents  and  over-all  objective 
of  pictures,  publications  and  radio  are 
coordinated. 

"The  purpose  of  the  whole  information 
service  is  to  inform  the  people  of  the  facts 
and  not  to  promote  a  particular  point  of 
view  upon  which  division  of  opinion  may 
exist,"  the  Senator  declared.  "It  will  tend 
to  produce  more  effective  unity  among  all 
our  people  when  this  is  clearly  understood 
and  applied  by  Government  information  ser- 
vices, including  the  many  motion  picture 
agencies,"  he  added. 

"The  Senate  committee  seeks  to  make  sure 
by  a  constructive  and  not  critical  study, 
that  the  agencies  do  understand  this. 

"Great  care  should  be  taken  that  promo- 
tional material  and  opinionated  material 
should  not  be  distributed  in  the  guise  of 
facts  and  that  there  should  be  no  'phoney' 
morale-building,"  Mr.  O'Mahoney  remarked. 

"I  feel  that  the  information  service  of  the 
Government,  including  the  film  agencies, 
should  base  their  policy  and  technique  on 
a  comprehension  of  the  high  standard  of  in- 
telligence and  patrotism  that  exists  among 
our  people. 

"As  one  who  is  a  convinced  advocate  of 
collective  security  among  all  the  nations 
of  the  world,  I  would  hate  to  see  that  ob- 
jective fail  because  of  misunderstanding  of 
the  purposes  and  methods  of  information 
agencies,"  he  added. 

The  investigation  got  under  way  last 
week  when  the  Judiciary  Committee  mem- 
bers sat  in  on  Elmer  Davis'  weekly  press 


conference.  Monday  they  proposed  that  Sec- 
retary of  War  Stimson  and  Navy  Secretary 
Knox  permit  the  committee  to  watch  Army 
and  Navy  press  relations  at  first  hand. 

Continuing,  the  inquiry  will  lead  into  the 
motion  picture  and  radio  sections  of  the 
information,  armed  service  and  Inter-Amer- 
ican agencies.  Mr.  O'Mahoney,  and  other 
committee  members  indicated  that  it  was 
quite  probable  that  they  would  ask  to  see 
many  of  the  motion  pictures  prepared  by 
the  CIAA,  OWI  and  Army  and  Navy. 

Committee  Is  Interested 
In  Army,  Navy  Films 

The  Senator  said  he  had  not  yet  exam- 
ined personally  many  of  the  motion  pictures 
produced  by  war  agencies  or  by  Hollywood, 
through  the  cooperation  of  the  organized 
motion  picture  industry.  He  said  the  com- 
mittee undoubtedly  would  turn  its  atten- 
tion to  these  special  releases  prepared  under 
the  general  direction  and  advice  of  Lowell 
Mellett,  chief  of  the  motion  picture  bureau 
of  the  OWI,  and  for  Nelson  Rockefeller's 
Latin  American  film  programs.  Commit- 
tee members  have  also  expressed  interest  in 
the  pictures  which  the  War  and  Navy  De- 
partment have  issued  for  public  distribu- 
tion. 

The  investigation  will  study  the  degree 
of  cooperation  between  the  Government  and 
the  motion  picture  industry  and  commercial 
broadcasting  and  publishing  interests,  it  was 
indicated.  The  Senators  have  expressed 
particular  interest  in  the  manner  in  which 
radio  and  picture  scripts  are  prepared  and 
approved  in  cooperation  with  commercial 
companies  and  advertisers. 

Interest  was  expressed  also  in  the  main- 
tenance of  large  field  forces  by  information 
agencies  for  the  distribution  of  their  mate- 
rial. This  also  includes  the  Government's 
approach  to  motion  picture  distribution,  not 
only  through  the  regular  theatrical  channels 
but  also  through  the  establishment  of  exten- 
sive 16mm.  outlets  for  disseminating  pic- 
tures to  "educational"  groups,  a  Senator 
said. 

Grading  the  information  services  "as  one 
would  in  an  examination"  Senator  O'Ma- 
honey said  that  in  his  opinion  they  had  been 
90  per  cent  effective. 

"The  fact  that  deficiencies  are 
pointed  out  is  merely  because  we 
feel  that  the  American  people  are 
entitled  to  an  even  better  job,"  he 
added,  outlining  the  Judiciary  Com- 
mittee's program. 

Touching  again  on  the  particular  part  of 
the  motion  picture  the  Senator  remarked 
that  visual  education  had  proved  an  impor- 
tant advance  in  the  methods  of  communica- 
tion. But  he  repeated  his  warning  that  it 
must  be  used  with  knowledge  of  the  overall 
objective  and  without  influence  or  impair- 
ment by  unskilled  or  prejudiced  supervisors, 
in  or  out  of  the  Government. 

Senator  Frederick  Van  Nuys  of  Indiana 
is  chairman  of  the  Judiciary  Committee. 


14 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    I,  1943 


WMC  TIGHTENS  POLICY  ON 
INDUSTRY  MANPOWER 


New  Haven  Boards  Order 
4  Theatre  Men  to  Shift 
Jobs  or  Go  Into  1A 

"Will  it  win  the  war?"  is  the  guiding 
yardstick  by  which  the  War  Manpower 
Commission  measures  all  jobs  and  industries 
to  determine  the  degree  to  which  they  are 
essential,  according  to  Washington  officials 
associated  with  the  commission. 

This  rule,  they  said,  had  been  given  a 
strict  interpretation  by  Paul  V.  McNutt, 
chairman,  and  most  of  the  members  of  the 
commission.  It  probably  will  become  an 
even  narrower  gauge  in  the  next  few  months 
as  the  needs  of  the  armed  services  for  re- 
cruits and  of  war  production  plants  for 
labor  increases.  The  maintenance  of  farm 
production  also  will  be  an  important  deter- 
mining factor. 

The  first  interpretation  by  a  draft  board 
of  the  Manpower  Commission's  policy  as 
applied  to  distribution  and  exhibition 
came  from  New  Haven  this  week.  Two 
bookers  and  two  exhibitors  were  notified 
by  their  draft  boards  that  they  would 
have  to  shift  to  essential  jobs  within  30 
days  or  be  reclassified  in  1A  for  draft 
purposes. 

Applied  to  the  motion  picture  industry  by 
observers  in  the  Capitol  who  have  followed 
the  manpower  situation,  the  "win  the  war" 
rule  portends  few  deferments  in  production 
and  practically  none  in  exhibition  and  dis- 
tribution. Officials  will  not  go  on  record 
with  quotations  as  to  the  possible  draft 
chances  of  motion  picture  workers. 

It  is  pointed  out,  however,  that  even  in 
plants  directly  engaged  in  the  production  of 
war  materials,  including  munitions,  aircraft 
and  gun  factories,  essential  job  deferments 
are  growing  fewer.  Additionally,  interview- 
ers are  reminded  that  all  deferments  are  for 
a  limited  period,  usually  six  months,  and 
are  intended  to  enable  employers  to  find 
a  replacement  for  the  particular  worker  to 
whom  the  deferment  is  granted  by  a  local 
draft  board. 

Visits  to  Washington  by  industry  repre- 
sentatives are  likely  to  gain  little  relief  for 
either  studios  or  theatres,  observers  said. 
While  the  commissioners  are  reported  to  be- 
lieve that  the  motion  picture  is  indeed  a  vital 
war  time  morale  and  information  service, 
they  are  said  to  hold  that  it  is  dependent  on 
no  one  group  of  persons.  Star  talent,  ex- 
ecutives, technicians,  theatre  managers,  pro- 
jectionists and  distribution  employees  are 
all  held  to  be  eminently  draftable  by  the 
Government  manpower  agents. 

Status  of  Film  Workers 
Not  Clearly  Defined 

Persons  working  in  the  industry  stand 
slight  chance  of  an  essential  rating,  except 
for  the  dozen  technician  groups  already  list- 
ed specifically  by  the  WMC.  On  the  other 
hand,  film  jobs  have  not  yet  been  declared 
a  non-essential  activity. 

According  to  the  latest  Manpower  Com- 
mission and  Selective   Service  directives, 


the  film  industry  is  neither  essential  nor 
non-essential.  There  is  no  indication  of  an 
immediate  disposition  to  change  this  inter- 
mediate status,  however  much  some  groups 
advocate  a  positive  classification  one  way 
or  the  other. 

Observers,  in  fact,  warn  that  too  insist- 
ent a  plea  is  likely  to  place  the  industry  in  a 
worse  position  than  that  in  which  it  finds 
itself  today.  Numerous  examples  of  even 
more  drastically  hit  industries  are  cited. 

To  Reconsider  Essential 
Production  Jobs 

The  War  Manpower  Commission  this 
week  was  reported  engaged  in  a  reconsid- 
eration of  the  jobs  in  motion  picture  produc- 
tion which  it  previously  found  essential.  A 
decision  was  expected  within  a  few  days, 
accompanied  by  a  new  list  of  the  few  skilled 
jobs  that  are  entitled  to  deferment. 

The  list  is  not  expected  to  be  enlarged 
from  the  dozen-odd  key  studio  technicians 
jobs  now  listed  by  WMC  directives.  While 
spokesmen  in  the  press  division  of  the  WMC 
refused  to  comment,  it  was  reported  in  sev- 
eral reliable  quarters  that  the  Commission 
was  preparing  to  pare  down  the  present 
list  of  jobs.  It  was  said  to  be  applying  the 
"will  it  help  win  the  war"  criterion  very 
literally. 

On  Friday  a  committee  of  theatre  men 
from  the  War  Activities  Committee  visited 
the  WMC  offices.  They  conferred  with 
Bruce  Smith,  assistant  to  Mr.  McNutt,  and 
other  officers  on  the  problem  of  keeping  the- 
atres open.  But  they  emerged  with  no  defi- 
nite promises.  It  was  considered  doubtful 
that  they  would  get  any. 

In  the  group  that  visited  the  commission 
were  Si  Fabian,  chairman  of  the  WAC  the- 
atres division ;  Harry  Brandt,  New  York  in- 
dependent, and  Francis  Harmon,  executive 
vice-chairman  of  the  WAC. 

Representatives  of  exhibitor  associa- 
tions are  also  reported  to  have  been  in 
recent  conference  at  the  WMC.  They,  too, 
are  understood  to  have  received  no  as- 
surance of  theatre  deferments.  Officials 
with  whom  they  talked  are  reported  to 
have  said  that  theatres  must  get  along 
with  the  help  of  women,  and  the  avail- 
able supply  of  non-draftable  labor,  not 
needed  for  defense  work. 

Laboratory  executives  are  also  waiting  for 
action  on  their  request  for  the  deferment  of 
key  technicians.  The  film  processing  com- 
panies in  New  York  and  Hollywood  filed 
manning  and  replacement  tables  with  the 
commission  several  weeks  ago.  It  was  re- 
ported unlikely  that  a  decision  would  be 
made  on  them  for  a  month  or  more.  Sev- 
eral WMC  officials  were  said  to  have  ex- 
pressed annoyance  that  the  laboratory  studies 
were  not  filed  more  promptly. 

In  New  Haven  last  week  a  test  appeared 
developing  on  the  degree  to  which  local 
draft  boards  were  bound  by  the  fact  that  the 
War  Manpower  Commission  and  Selective 
Service  officials  have  not  classified  the  film 
industry  one  way  or  another. 

Two  exhibitors  and  two  bookers  in  the 


New  Haven  area  received  notices  from  their 
local  draft  boards  that  they  must  shift  from 
their  present  occupation  to  essential  jobs 
within  30  days.  They  included  Sam  Hadel- 
man,  operator  of  the  Colonial  and  Capitol 
theatres,  Bridgeport,  and  George  Miller, 
operating  the  Bailey,  New  Haven. 

Philip  Gravitz,  an  MGM  exchange  booker, 
and  Jack  Post,  booker  for  the  Fishman  cir- 
cuit, also  received  letters  directing  them  to 
find  essential  jobs  or  face  reclassification 
into  1-A. 

The  orders  appeared  unique  to  the  New 
Haven  area.  No  reports  of  similar  notifica- 
tion in  other  sections  of  the  country  have 
been  received.  Executives  were  apprehen- 
sive, however,  lest  the  New  Haven  cases 
be  taken  as  a  precedent  for  action  without 
specific  WMC  orders.  They  pointed  out 
that  WMC  had  previously  said  theatre  men 
were  not  required  to  immediately  change  to 
war  jobs. 

On  a  national  scale  the  WMC  moved  to 
clarify  the  application  of  President  Roose- 
velt's order  limiting  wage  increases  and 
job  transfers.  Tuesday  it  was  reported 
that  the  Labor-Management-Agriculture 
committee  of  the  WMC  tentatively  had 
approved  a  plan  to  put  a  national  employ- 
ment stabilization  program  into  effect.  It 
is  now  applicable  only  by  agreement  in 
specified  labor  shortage  areas. 

If  the  national  plan  were  set  up  it  would 
be  possible  to  shift  for  higher  wages  from 
one  essential  job  to  another,  and  would  facil- 
itate other  transfers  now  forbidden,  or  re- 
quiring special  approval,  WMC  agents  said. 

In  Louisville,  Ky.,  Sunday  the  WMC 
froze  all  male  civilian  workers  in  their  jobs, 
whether  they  were  essential  or  not. 

Coast  Labor-Studio 
Committee  Adjourns 

Studio,  guild  and  union  members  of  Hol- 
lywood's newly  organized  labor-manage- 
ment committee  met  for  the  second  time  last 
week  after  a  preliminary  session  devoted  to 
the  working  out  of  operational  routines. 
They  were  told  by  E.  C.  Rinehart,  assistant 
area  director  of  the  War  Manpower  Com- 
mission, that  progress  toward  the  objective 
of  fitting  the  motion  picture  industry's  man- 
power problems  to  the  governmental  re- 
quirements of  the  emergency  had  been 
brought  to  a  stop  by  President  Roosevelt's 
"hold-the-line"  order. 

The  Presidential  order,  Mr.  Rinehart  said, 
had  necessitated  revision  of  the  over-all  sta- 
bilization plan  for  Southern  California,  on 
which  preliminary  plans  for  meeting  the  mo- 
tion picture  industry's  problems  had  been 
predicated.  This  revision  could  not  be  com- 
pleted until  the  Los  Angeles  area  office  of 
the  WMC  had  received  further  clarification 
from  its  Washington  headquarters,  he  said. 

The  next  meeting  of  the  labor-manage- 
ment committee  will  be  called  by  Mr.  Rine- 
hart when  the  new  stabilization  plan  has 
been  set  up.  Meanwhile,  studios  and  labor 
groups  were  instructed  to  submit  their  prob- 
lems, in  writing,  to  Fred  Pelton,  the  Associ- 
ation of  Motion  Picture  Producers  represen- 
tative on  the  committee. 


STARTS  FORMING  AT  4  A.M.— GROWS  TO  4000  BY  OPENING     COMES  THE  DAWN-COME  THE  COPS!  POLICE  CALLED  AT  5:3 


(ESERVES  ARRIVE  AT  7  A.M.  TO  HANDLE  BLOCK-LONG  CROWD     OPENING  ADVANCED  TO  8:30  -  4000  SEATS  FILL  LIKE  MAGIC 


To  Stage  The 
Biggest,  Wildest  Premiere 
In  Broadway  History!. . . 


ALL  OPENING  RECORDS 
FALL  AT  N.  Y.  PARAMOUNT 

Frantic  Lines  4000- Long  Brave  Broadway  Storm  From  Dawn 
To  Midnight  To  Hail  "The  Most  Amazing  Star  Since  Valentino" 

SENSATIONAL  CROWDS  MAKE  HEADLINE  NEWS  IN  N.  Y.  PRESS  -  I 


<v1  a  y    I  ,    194  3 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


17 


DECREE  REVISION  MAY  ADD 
TO  ARBITRATION  SCOPE 


U.  S.  Attorneys  Seek  Ways 
to  Expand  System,  Put 
Teeth  in  Rules 

More  arbitration  is  in  the  offing,  if  revi- 
sions of  the  New  York  Consent  Decree  now 
reported  under  consideration  by  the  Depart- 
ment of  Justice  are  carried  through. 

The  Government's  attorneys,  it  is  report- 
ed in  Washington,  are  studying  carefully 
possible  avenues  of  expansion  for  the  mo- 
tion picture  arbitration  system.  They  are 
said  to  contemplate  widespread  additions  to 
the  arbitration  sections  of  the  Consent  De- 
cree and  to  have  in  mind  a  revision  of  the 
Rules  of  Arbitration  which  would  expedite 
hearings  and  place  "new  teeth"  in  the  pow- 
ers invested  in  arbitrators. 

Officially  there  is  no  word  from  the  De- 
partment of  Justice  as  to  the  direction  its 
course  will  take  next  November  20th  when 
the  three-year  trial  period  of  the  Consent 
Decree  terminates. 

"Wait  until  November,"  Robert  Wright, 
head  of  the  motion  picture  section  of  the 
Justice  Department,  has  cautioned.  "If 
the  case  calls  for  a  trial,  there  will  be  a 
trial,"  Tom  C.  Clark,  his  chief,  and  the 
new  Assistant  Attorney  General  in  charge 
of  anti-trust  matters,  also  has  indicated. 
But  there  is  evidence  they  are  not  idle. 

Department  attorneys  are  admittedly  en- 
gaged in  a  very  careful  analysis  of  the  first 
two  and  a  half  years  of  decree  operation. 
They  are  studiously  quiet  about  the  tack 
their  investigation  is  taking,  but  very  busy 
drawing  conclusions,  according  to  word  from 
the  marble  corridors  of  the  Department  of 
Justice. 

Recently  all  arbitrators  of  motion  picture 
cases  received  an  extensive  questionnaire 
from  the  Department  of  Justice.  They  were 
cautioned  to  keep  it  confidential.  The  an- 
swers now  are  being  compiled  in  Washing- 
ton, and  are  expected  to  weigh  heavily  in  the 
Government's  decisions  in  November. 

On  the  basis  of  the  replies  of  arbitrators, 
and  an  examination  of  the  records  of  nearly 
300  cases  filed  since  the  motion  picture  ar- 
bitration tribunals  began  operating  in  Febru- 
ary, 1940,  the  Government  are  reported  to 
be  preparing  its  demands  for  changes  in  the 
Rules  of  Arbitration. 

May  Seek  to  Simplify 
Action  on  Run 

It  will  seek  principally  to  enlarge  the 
clauses  under  which  exhibitors  may  file  de- 
mands against  the  distributors  for  changes 
in  run.  Simplification  of  the  clearance  pro- 
cedure may  also  be  sought.  Possibly  new 
grounds  for  arbitration  may  be  inserted  in 
the  decree,  according  to  observers  familiar 
with  the  developments  in  Washington. 

The  Government's  attorneys  are  said  to 
believe  that  the  conditions  which  must  be 
met  by  a  complainant  seeking  a  specific  run 
under  Section  X  of  the  Decree  are  entirely 
too  restrictive.  They  are  said  to  contem- 
plate a  clause  under  which  any  theatre  might 


come  to  arbitration  in  quest  of  a  change  in 
run  resulting  from  an  allegedly  unfair  circuit 
deal,  changes  in  competitive  conditions  or 
other  causes. 

Operation  of  Section  X  is  said  to  have 
proved  far  less  effective  to  date  than  the 
Government  originally  contemplated.  In- 
creased power  may  be  sought  also  for  arbi- 
trators in  defining  the  terms  under  which 
"some  run"  offers  must  be  made  to  comply 
with  Section  VI  of  the  decree. 

Clearance  provisions  are  understood  to 
have  operated  fairly  satisfactorily,  so  far  as 
the  Government  lawyers  are  concerned. 

The  attitude  that  the  Consent  Decree 
is  by  no  means  the  final  solution  either  to 
trade  problems  or  the  New  York  anti- 
trust suit  against  MGM,  Paramount, 
RKO,  Twentieth  Century-Fox  and  War- 
ner Brothers  is  reported  to  prevail  among 
Government  lawyers.  They  do  not  appear 
to  regard  the  war  as  a  bar  to  further  liti- 
gation in  the  case. 

One  official  also  is  reported  to  have  point- 
ed out  to  a  caller  recently  that  the  Govern- 
ment did  not  seek  the  Consent  Decree.  He 
took  the  attitude  that  the  settlement  was 
proposed  by  the  defendants.  As  such,  he 
contended,  it  is  open  to  review  and  change 
at  any  time,  if  the  Department  feels  it  has 
not  operated  in  the  most  satisfactory  manner. 

At  a  distance  of  seven  months  it  is  im- 
possible to  predict  which  way  discussions  of 
the  Decree,  and  arbitration  might  turn.  But 
distributors,  exhibitors,  and  the  Government 
all  are  showing  increasing  signs  of  this  con- 
cern. Several  distributors  have  advocated 
more  arbitration,  which  would  place  them  in 
agreement  with  the  latest  reports  from  the 
Government.  Exhibitor  associations  also  are 
said  to  be  in  accord  on  this  point,  and  are 
preparing  to  ask  the  Department  of  Justice 
to  consider  their  views  on  arbitration,  selling 
and  trade  practices. 

Wright  Asked  to  Address 
MPTOA  Meeting 

In  this  connection,  the  Motion  Picture 
Theatre  Owners  of  America  have  asked  Mr. 
Wright  to  speak  at  the  meeting  of  their 
board  of  directors  at  the  Hotel  Astor,  New 
York  on  Mav  4th  and  5th.  Tuesday  Mr. 
Wright  notified  the  MPTOA  that  it  was 
unlikely  that  he  could  attend  the  New  York 
meeting.  He  currently  is  engaged  in  a  war 
fraud  case  in  Chicago. 

Members  of  the  MPTOA  board,  including 
Ed.  Kuykendall,  president,  are  expected  to 
stop  off  in  Washington  en  route  to  New 
York  to'  discuss  the  decree,  arbitration  and 
other  problems  with  Government  officials. 
They  are  expected  to  meet  with  Depart- 
ment of  Justice,  War  Manpower  Commis- 
sion, War  Production  Board  and  Office  of 
War  Information  officials. 

The  New  York  meeting,  it  was  indicated 
by  an  MPTOA  spokesman,  would  be  con- 
cerned largely  with  wartime  problems  of 
exhibitors.  The  board  is  expected  to  con- 
sider the  elimination  of  double  features  as 
a  wartime  economv.  Fred  Wehrenberg, 
chairman  of  the  MPTOA  board  and  a  leader 


of  the  fight  against  duals  in  St.  Louis,  is  ex- 
pected to  introduce  a  resolution  calling  for 
national  action. 

Also,  for  the  first  time  in  years,  the 
MPTOA  board  may  consider  the  question  of 
film  rentals  and  percentage  demands.  It 
recently  has  received  a  number  of  requests 
from  rural  exhibitors  that  it  examine  cur- 
rent sales  practices. 

In  the  group  which  is  expected  to  meet  in 
Washington  and  later  in  New  York  are  Mr. 
Kuykendall,  Oscar  Lam,  of  Rome,  Ga. ;  Mit- 
chell Wolfson,  Miami;  Roy  Rowe,  North 
Carolina;  J.  C.  Shanklin,  West  Virginia;  A. 
Julian  Brylawski  and  Sidney  Lust,  Wash- 
ington; Benjamin  Pitts,  Virginia,  and  R. 
X.  Williams,  Jr.,  Oxford,  Miss. 

Jersey  Allied  To  Meet 
At  West  End  in  June 

Allied  Theatre  Owners  of  New  Jersey  will 
hold  their  24th  annual  meeting,  a  "show- 
man-at-war"  conference  at  the  Hollywood 
Hotel,  West  End,  N.  J.,  on  June  29,  30  and 
July  1st,  the  board  of  directors  decided  on 
Monday.  National  Allied  leaders  and  repre- 
sentatives from  other  branches  of  the  indus- 
try will  be  invited  to  attend. 

Irving  Dollinger  was  appointed  conven- 
tion committee  chairman,  and  E.  Thornton 
Kelly,  conference  manager,  by  Harry  Low- 
enstein,  president.  Other  members  are.  for 
North  Jersey,  Lee  Newbury,  George  Gold, 
Helen  Hildinger,  Dave  Snaper,  Harry  Hecht, 
Dr.  Henry  Brown,  Edward  Lachman,  Dave 
Mate.  South  Jersey  members  are  Sam 
Frank,  Ralph  Wilkins,  D.  R.  France,  and 
Simon  Myers. 

Grosses  Up  One-Third, 
Ohio  ITO  Estimates 

Contending  that  first  runs  in  the  metro- 
politan centers,  most  of  them  operated  by 
distributing  companes,  are  responsible  for  a 
30  per  cent  increase  in  Ohio  theatre  receipts 
for  the  first  three  months  of  1943,  the  Inde- 
pendent Theatre  Owners  of  Ohio  have  asked 
independents  to  check  their  records  for  com- 
parative increases  or  decreases.  The  figures 
will  be  used  for  discussion  at  the  Ohio  Allied 
convention  in  Columbus,  May  11th  and  12th. 

The  ITO,  comparing  censor  license  fees 
with  admission  taxes,  claimed  distributor 
revenue  increased  30  per  cent  while  the 
product  supply  dropped  20  per  cent  during 
the  first  quarter.  It  estimated  State  grosses 
at  $15,000,000  for  the  first  three  months  of 
1943  compared  with  $11,500,000  in  1942. 

Eastern  Pennsylvania  Allied  sent  a  ques- 
tionnaire to  its  membership  last  week  to  de- 
termine if  a  cut  in  the  use  of  newsreels 
would  help  to  relieve  the  shortage  of  prints. 
Allied  leaders  said  that  if  there  could  be  a 
reduction  in  the  number  of  newsreels,  a  vast 
amount  of  raw  stock  would  be  saved. 


"Dandy"  Has  12  Weeks  in  Boston 

Warners'  "Yankee  Doodle  Dandy"  has  had 
12  weeks  of  playing  time  in  Boston  downtown 
theatres,  the  company  announced  last  week,  and 
now  is  scheduled  to  be  shown  in  subsequent  run 
houses. 


18  MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

OA  THE  MARCH 


May    I  ,  1943 

by  RED  KANN 


HOLLYWOOD 

ON  the  Hollywood  drafting  board  currently  is  a  blueprint  of 
much  significance,  all  of  it  potential.  It  has  to  do  with 
labor-management,  an  accelerating  movement  which  al- 
ready has  established  its  workability  in  a  number  of  industries  in 
various  sections  of  the  nation. 

There  is  need  for  the  clearing  house  which  such  a  committee, 
already  appointed,  seeks  to  establish  here,  as  will  be  explained 
presently.  That  need  assumes  sharper  and  clearer  outline  these 
days  when  the  manpower  situation  grows  steadily  tighter  and  the 
rules  governing  its  disposal  more  confused  and  confusing. 

One  essential  segment  of  the  over-all  picture  is  the  requirement 
of  the  Army.  The  other,  equally  as  integral  a  part,  deals  with 
replacement  in  essential  industries  on  the  home  front.  Obviously, 
somewhere  in  the  middle  is  private  industry  and,  while  there  isn't 
much  of  it  left  nowadays,  the  film  business  is  extremely  lucky  to 
be  in  the  running. 

This  is  the  situation  which  precipitated  formation  of  a  labor- 
management  committee  for  production.  Six  individuals  represent 
management,  or  the  studios  and  their  producers.  Six  carry  the 
lances  for  labor,  which  means  the  actors',  directors'  and  writers' 
guilds  and  the  craft  unions.  Together,  these  groups  have  been 
meeting  with  representatives  of  the  War  Manpower  Commission 
for  the  Southern  California  area.  Jointly,  they  are  going  through 
preliminary  wrestling  with  the  ponderables  and  the  imponderables 
of  a  huge  problem  and  whipping  up  the  skeleton  outline  of  a 
formula  under  which  the  studios  may  keep  going  on  as  even  a 
keel  as  conditions  may  allow. 

All  of  this  has  nothing  to  do  with  pictures,  good  or  bad. 
Neither  does  it  bear  on  rentals,  high  or  low.  It  has  much  to  do, 
on  the  other  hand,  with  the  stream  of  manufacture  and  the  hope 
that  production  can  manage  to  flow  without  too  serious  disloca- 
tions. 

The  expectancy  of  the  moment  is  that  it  can,  and  will.  But 
nobody  within  the  roaming  range  of  our  probings  is  willing  to 
deliver  any  guarantees. 

The  Statistics,  They're  Overwhelming 

THE  knot  that  snarls  the  cord  is  the  manpower  need.  In 
meetings  here,  it  has  been  explained  that  approximately 
12,000,000  able-bodied  men  of  military  age  will  be  re- 
quired by  the  end  of  the  year.  This  total  covers  replacements  for 
casualties  and  discharges  for  injury,  as  well  as  attainment  of 
the  published  objective  of  a  fighting  force  of  10,800,000. 

Three  million  men  of  military  age  will  be  deferred  in  1942  for 
agriculture,  thereby  cutting  the  national  pool  out  of  which  new 
men  will  be  drawn  to  24,500,000.  Physical  disability  will  reduce 
ultimate  possibilities  by  about  40  per  cent.  This  leaves  a  net  of 
13,000,000  fit  men  of  military  age,  or  an  overage  of  1,000,000 
after  the  goal  figure  is  achieved. 

To  capture  the  staggering  canvas  in  proper  perspective,  it  has 
to  be  appreciated  that  this  residue  of  1,000,000  blankets  the  whole 
country.  To  remember  is  that  this  untapped  source  of  manpower 
— untapped,  by  present  plan,  until  the  end  of  this  year — is  being 
sought  by  the  thirty-five  groups  of  industries  classified  as  "activi- 
ties essential  to  the  support  of  the  war  effort."  But  ahead  of 
them  are  the  essential  industries — munitions,  aviation,  shipbuild- 
ing, lumber  included. 

Furthermore,  military  quotas  will  be  met  by  withdrawals  from 
essential  industries.  In  turn,  the  essential  industries  must  replace 
from  other  fields,  train  women  or  employ  men  over  military  age 
or  younger  men  of  military  age  who  are  unfit  physically  for  active 
service.  Quickly  enough  it  follows,  then,  that  the  manpower 
availabilities  for  industry  not  directly  linked  to  the  war  face 
severe  drainage.  Finally,  it  ought  to  be  self-evident  that  the  film 
industry,  not  alone  in  Hollywood,  but  throughout  its  length  and 
breadth,  is  confronted  with  what  may  be  a  total  loss  of  its  man- 
power of  military  age  and  physical  fitness  by  January  1. 

No  one  should  sink  his  final  teeth  into  the  idea  this  means 


studios  will  close  down,  exchanges  shutter  their  doors  and  ex- 
hibitors padlock  their  theatres.  Everyone,  however,  ought  to  ac- 
quire the  idea,  but  fast,  of  what  the  future  will  be  like,  how  tough 
the  prospects  loom  and  prepare  to  get  along  with  what  he  now 
has.   And,  probably,  less. 

To  bring  this  back  to  Hollywood  now.  Specifically  in  Los  An- 
geles, it  appears  to  be  recognized  that  Hollywood  embraces  a 
number  of  operational  phases  unique  unto  itself.  No  doubt,  this 
explains  why  management  representatives  on  the  joint  labor- 
management  committee  naturally  strike  out  for  the  elimination  of 
the  necessity  to  issue  certificates  of  employment  availability  for 
its  principals.  These  certificates  are  required  under  the  recently 
inaugurated  job-wage  regulations  of  War  Manpower  Commis- 
sioner Paul  V.  McNutt,  but  what  management  is  manoeuvering 
is  exemption  for  employees  who  deliver  artistic  and  creative  serv- 
ices. Reduced  to  its  simplest  definition,  this  is  a  move  in  the  di- 
rection of  special  consideration  for  actors  and  actresses,  produc- 
ers, directors,  writers,  and  musicians  on  the  pre-determined  stand 
they  are  unique.  The  outcome  is  in  very  great  doubt,  but  it's  a 
stab  anyway. 


The  Bewilderment,  It's  Magnificent 

HOWEVER  and  while  presumably  such  a  designation,  if 
ever  made,  would  keep  the  creative  branches  fluid  and 
permit  their  constituents  to  move  at  will  from  one  job  to 
another,  the  problem  becomes  more  complex  by  the  President's 
"hold  the  line"  directive.  This  froze  jobs  in  their  tracks,  but  was 
followed  almost  immediately  by  a  modification  stipulating  work- 
ers could  continue  to  move  from  one  post  to  another  under  certain 
defined  conditions.    It  sounds  like  confusion,  and  is. 

Another  element  in  this  magnificent  bewildermetn  is  the  uncer- 
tainty trailing  the  death  of  the  $25,000  expendible  income  ceiling. 
The  man  along  the  boulevards  at  once  figured  all's  right  in 
Heaven  now,  and  he  may  turn  out  to  be  correct.  Cautious  pro- 
duction executives,  however,  are  not  so  easily  convinced. 

There  are  points  they  want  clarified  before  they  take  to  the 
open  road  again.  They  want  to  know  how  new  salary  celings  in 
the  January-September  period  of  1942  are  to  be  calculated.  They're 
asking,  as  one  example,  if  an  actor  working  only  eight  weeks  at 
$3,000  per  week  in  that  period  has  established  his  ceiling  at  the 
weekly  figure  or  whether  it's  a  case  of  $24,000  divided  by  52 
weeks  and  a  ceiling,  therefore,  of  about  $450.  Because  no  one 
here  is  qualified  to  answer  this  with  assurance,  they  intend  having 
their  attorneys  find  out  through  clarification  sought  in  Wash- 
ington. 

If  you  are  nicely  mixed  up  by  this  time,  it  may  comfort  you  to 
be  assured  company  in  these  parts  is  plentiful.  If  the  mixup  hap- 
pens to  be  straightened  away  by  the  time  you  read  this,  don't 
think  your  observer  has  let  you  down.  Be  understanding  and  put 
the  blame  where  it  more  directly  belongs ;  in  Washington. 
Nothing  political  in  this.   Just  factual. 

The  sole  purpose  in  unfolding  this  tale  of  criss-crossing 
climaxes  is  to  draw  a  quick,  if  presently  inconclusive,  picture  of 
the  birth  pains  of  the  labor-management  potential  in  production. 

It  can  be,  perhaps  will  be  and  certainly  it  ought  to  be,  the  open- 
ing wedge  in  an  entirely  new  relationship  between  employer  and 
employee.  Out  of  it  can  be  chiseled  an  avenue  leading  to  greater 
mutuality  and  better  understanding  through  which  the  common 
purpose  may  be  more  strongly  welded. 

The  practical  results  can  be  many,  not  at  all  inconceivably 
among  them  better  pictures  reflective  of  happier  working  con- 
ditions born  of  greater  trust. 

Geared  to  the  war,  the  development,  if  it  should  flower,  can 
carry  over  into  the  postwar  period,  hopefully  it  will,  for  it  is  in 
that  period  of  unquestioned  wide  readjustment  when  the  urgency 
mav  be  far  keener  than  even  now. 


May    I  ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


19' 


U.  S.  Admission  Tax  Receipt 
Chart  Course  of  Grosses 


19    4  1 


UNITED  STATES  Treasury  receipts  from 
amusement  admission  taxes  for  March  in- 
creased more  than  half  a  million  dollars 
over  February,  according  to  figures  re- 
leased this  week  by  the  Bureau  of  Internal 
Revenue,  and  were  one  and  one-quarter 
million  dollars  over  the  total  for  March, 
1942. 

As  shown  graphically  above,  the  receipts 
thus  have  begun  the  climb  toward  the  peak 
reached  in  December,  1942,  when  the 
record-breaking  Christmas  week  theatre 
business  boosted  the  receipts  to  $15,922,- 
909,  the  highest  since  the  tax  became 
applicable  to  all  admissions. 

Collections  for  March  were  placed  by 


the  Bureau  at  $11,874,676,  against  $11,- 
317,101  in  the  preceding  month  and 
$10,592,455  last  year,  bringing  the  total 
for  the  first  quarter  to  $34,920,267,  as 
compared  with  $31,717,492  for  the  first 
quarter  of  1942. 

The  increase  over  February  was  about 
evenly  divided  between  New  York  and  the 
remainder  of  the  country,  the  special 
report  for  the  Third  New  York  (Broadway) 
District  showing  March  collections  of 
$2,368,546,  against  $2,093,948  the  pre- 
ceding month. 

All  and  more  than  the  net  increase  in 
the  New  York  area  was  confined  to  box- 
office  admissions,  taxes  on  which  jumped 


[Graph  by  Motion  Picture  Herald] 


from  $1,899,924  in  February  to  $2,220,022 
in  March. 

Motion  picture  theatre  admissions  are 
generally  estimated  to  constitute  all  but 
between  3.75  and  4.25  per  cent  of  the 
total  on  which  taxes  are  collected.  The  tax 
is  one  cent  on  each  unit  of  10  cents  but, 
calculating  it  at  10  per  cent,  a  total  motion 
picture  box-office  gross  of  $335,234,570  is 
indicated  for  the  first  quarter  of  1943, 
compared  to  $304,487,930  for  the  first 
quarter  of  1942. 

Collections  on  tickets  sold  by  brokers 
dropped  from  $16,433  to  $12,777,  and  on 
admissions  to  roof  gardens  and  cabarets 
from  $177,524  to  $135,594. 


20 

'Prelude  to  War ' 
To  Be  Released 
To  Theatres 

"Prelude  to  War,"  first  of  a  series  of  orienta- 
tion films  made  by  the  War  Department  to  in- 
struct U.  S.  troops,  will  be  released  to  theatres 
on  May  27th,  it  was  announced  Monday  by  El- 
mer Davis,  director  of  the  Office  of  War  In- 
formation, and  by  Francis  Harmon,  executive 
vice-chairman  of  the  War  Activities  Committee 
of  the  motion  picture  industry. 

No  rentals  will  be  charged  for  the  exhibi- 
tion of  the  52-minute  documentary  history  of 
Axis  aggression.  Distribution  costs  will  be 
borne  by  the  motion  picture  industry,  with  de- 
signated exchanges  handling  the  film  in  each 
release  territory  and  the  National  Film  Car- 
riers Association  transporting  prints  to  thea- 
tres without  charge. 

A  list  of  local  exchanges  handling  "Prelude 
to  War"  follows  a  review  of  the  picture  on 
Page  1290  of  the  Product  Digest  Section  of  this 
week's  Motion  Picture  Herald. 

One  hundred  and  fifty  prints,  from  the  allot- 
ment used  for  Army  theatres,  are  being  loaned 
by  the  War  Department  for  theatre  circulation. 

Arrangements  for  the  exhibition  of  the  pic- 
ture were  completed  at  conferences  in  Wash- 
ington last  week  among  Mr.  Harmon  and  WAC 
officials,  Mr.  Davis,  and  representatives  of  the 
Army  and  OWL 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Frank  Capra  produced 
and  edited  the  film  for  the  Special  Services 
Branch  of  the'  War  Department.  It  has  been 
shown  to  members  of  the  Army  and  Navy  to 
instruct  them  in  the  history  of  the  war  and  the 
principles  for  which  they  are  fighting. 

Mr.  Harmon  said  that  exhibition  of  the  pic- 
ture in  theatres  would  be  voluntary.  It  is  not 
one  of  the  WAC  pictures  which  exhibitors  are 
pledged  to  exhibit.  On  Wednesday,  Joseph 
Bernhard  said  it  would  be  shown  over  the  entire 
Warner  circuit. 

S.  H.  Fabian,  chairman  of  the  theatres  di- 
vision, is  writing  16,432  exhibitor  members  of 
the  War  Activities  Committee,  describing  the 
film  and  listing  the  exchanges  handling  it. 

"The  enthusiastic  reception  accorded  "Prelude 
to  War"  in  training  camps  and  Army  posts 
undoubtedly  will  whet  the  interests  of  the 
families  and  friends  of  our  soldiers,"  Mr.  Har- 
mon said.  "Undoubtedly  many  service  men 
already  have  written  home  about  this  motion 
picture." 

It  first  came  to  industry  attention  at  the  1942 
dinner  of  the  Motion  Picture  Pioneers  in  New 
York.  It  was  applauded  then,  Mr.  Harmon  re- 
called, "as  a  remarkably  edited  picture  which 
contrasts  dramatically  the  regimentation  of  the 
Axis  powers  and  the  freedom  for  which  we  are 
fighting." 

"The  Nazis  Strike,"  second  in  the  series  of 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Capra's  films,  will  have  its 
first  public  showing  to  industry  executives  on 
Tuesday  evening,  May  4th,  at  the  annual  in- 
augural meeting  of  the  Cinema  Lodge,  B'Nai 
B'Rith.  It  will  be  held  in  the  grand  ball  room 
of  the  Hotel  Commodore  in  New  York. 

At  this  meeting  Adolph  Schimel,  the  new 
president,  will  be  installed  in  office.  Rabbi 
Joseph  H.  Lookstein  will  deliver  the  invocation. 
Edward  F.  Gudtstadt,  executive  director  of  the 
Anti-Defamation  League,  will  speak. 


Annetta  Ward  Dead 

Annetta  Ferguson  Ward,  mother  of  Anna 
Bell  Ward  Olsen,  secretary,  treasurer  and  gen- 
eral manager  of  the  Elliott-Ward  Enterprises 
in  Lexington,  Ky.,  died  Wednesday,  April  28th. 
Funeral  services  were  held  at  the  Ward  home 
in  Lexington,  Ky.,  on  Friday,  April  29th. 


Release  "Redhead"  May  6th 

Columbia  Pictures  has  announced  that  it  will 
release  "Redhead  from  Manhattan"  on  May  6th. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


CHECKER  GAME  IS 
BOND  STUNT 

When  Edward  Arnold  represents 
the  industry  on  May  3rd  in  the 
Gary,  Ind.,  Bond  drive,  he  will  wit- 
ness the  world's  most  expensive 
checker  game.  The  first  24  merchants 
to  buy  $5,000  worth  of  Bonds  will 
enter  their  representatives,  who  will 
take  the  part  of  checkers,  and  the 
two  top  buyers  of  Bonds  will  play  the 
game  on  a  huge  checkerboard,  at  a 
downtown  location.  Emil  Ruberti, 
manager  of  the  State  theatre,  is  in 
charge  of  the  program. 


Operators  Deny 
WPB  Violation 

Not  guilty  pleas  were  entered  Tuesday  in 
Newark  before  Federal  Judge  Thomas  F. 
Meaney  by  Frank  V.  Merritt  and  N.  H.  Wat- 
ers, operators  of  the  Mosque  Theatre  Building 
there,  to  a  criminal  information  charging  viola- 
tions of  regulations  of  the  War  Production 
Board. 

The  Mosque  is  a  legitimate  theatre.  The 
criminal  information,  filed  April  20th,  charged 
that  the  operators,  who  live  in  Birmingham, 
Ala.,  on  November  19th  unlawfully  and  willfully 
began  remodeling  the  Terrace  Room,  in  the 
theatre's  basement.  This  construction,  it  was 
charged,  did  not  come  within  the  categories 
exempted  from  WPB  Conservation  Order  1-41. 

The  remodeling,  the  charge  stated,  included  a 
new  soundproof  ceiling  of  about  1,100  square 
feet,  a  new  maple  floor  of  about  1,500  square 
feet,  and  enlargement  of  the  stage  by  approxi- 
mately 250  square  feet.  The  cost  was  approxi- 
mately $4,000. 

The  defendants  may  file  a  demurrer.  Judge 
Meaney  set  May  18th  for  trial.  A  demurrer,  if 
filed,  will  be  heard  that  day,  and  the  trial  de- 
layed. 

The  Terrace  Room  opened  February  5th. 

Eastman  Reports  34  Per 
Cent  Increase  This  Year 

Eastman  Kodak  in  the  first  three  periods  of 
this  year  scored  a  34  per  cent  increase  in  busi- 
ness over  the  same  periods  of  last  year,  it  re- 
ported at  Rochester  Tuesday. 

The  report  was  in  a  statement  to  stockhold- 
ers, and  was  given  them  in  their  annual  meet- 
ing in  Jersey  City.  They  reelected  as  directors 
Frank  W.  Lovejoy,  board  chairman ;  William 
G.  Stuber,  honorary  chairman;  Perley  S.  Wil- 
cox, president  of  the  Tennessee  Eastman  Cor- 
poration ;  and  Raymond  N.  Ball. 

The  increase  in  business  was  attributed  to 
orders  from  the  Government  and  prime  con- 
tractors. 

National  Decency  Legion 
Classifies  Nine  Films 

The  National  Legion  of  Decency  reviewed 
nine  films  during  the  current  week,  classifying 
three  as  unobjectionable  for  general  patronage, 
three  as  unobjectionable  for  adults  and  three 
as  objectionable  in  part.    The  listing  follows : 

Class  A-l,  Unobjectionable  for  General 
Patronage:  "Gildersleeve's  Bad  Day,"  "Santa 
Fe  Scouts"  and  "Shantytown."  Class  A-2, 
Unobjectionable  for  Adults :  "Next  of  Kin," 
"Ox-Bow  Incident,"  and  "Presenting  Lily 
Mars."  Class  B,  Objectionable  in  Part:  "Fol- 
low the  Band,"  "The  More  the  Merrier"  and 
"White  Savage." 


May    I  ,  1943 

'Desert  Victory9 
Producer  Plans 
Tunis  Sequel 

Cameramen  of  the  British  Eighth  Army  who 
photographed  "Desert  Victory,"  which  20th 
Century-Fox  is  releasing,  are  now  filming  a 
sequel,  following  Rommel's  Afrika  Corps  to- 
wards Tunis  to  record  the  final  chapter  of  the 
Battle  of  North  Africa.  Lieut.  Colonel  David 
MacDonald,  commanding  the  British  Army 
Film  and  Photographic  Unit,  outlined  the  new 
feature  length  battle  film  to  the  press  in  an  in- 
terview at  the  20th  Century-Fox  home  office  in 
New  York  Tuesday.  Colonel  MacDonald  re- 
turned to  New  York  after  showing  "Desert 
Victory"  on  the  west  coast  and  now  is  awaiting 
transportation  to  Tunisia  via  England. 

Forty  cameramen  now  are  in  the  desert  with 
the  Eighth  Army  Corps  and  have  exposed  100,- 
000  feet  of  film  recording  the  drive  on  Tunis. 
Captain  Basil  Keys,  son  of  comedian  Nelson 
Keys,  who  played  in  many  Broadway  musical 
comedies,  is  in  charge  of  the  Cairo  headquar- 
ters, and  in  the  field  with  the  advance  camera- 
men is  Captain  Geoffrey  Keating,  formerly  of 
the  London  Daily  Sketch  and  business  manager 
for  several  British  film  companies.  Captain  Roy 
Boulting,  who  assisted  Colonel  MacDonald  in 
making  "'Desert  Victory,"  is  supervising  the 
laboratory  and  headquarters  in  London.  He  is 
a  well  known  British  film  director,  as  was 
Colonel  MacDonald,  and  his  most  recent  picture 
"Thunder  Rock,"  made  on  leave  from  the  Army 
after  the  desert  campaign,  will  be  released  in 
the  United  States  this  summer. 

Discussing  future  plans  of  Eighth  Army  Film 
Unit,  Colonel  MacDonald  said  they  planned  to 
record  the  film  history  of  World  War  II  in  a 
series  of  feature  length  pictures  with  each  one 
to  include  the  word  "Victory"  in  the  title.  Four 
pictures  are  scheduled  and  the  three  new  ones 
will  be,  he  said:  "Tunis  In  Victory,"  "Victory 
In  Italy"  and  "Victory  Over  Berlin." 

"Desert  Victory,"  which  is  having  a  success- 
ful run  at  the  Globe  theatre  on  Broadway,  is  be- 
ing shown  to  war  workers  throughout  the  middle 
west,  following  recommendations  by  the  War 
Production  Board  that  plant  managers  and  la- 
bor-management boards  arrange  for  workers  to 
see  the  picture  at  local  theatres.  WPB  officials 
pointed  out  that  the  film  showings  would  en- 
courage production  of  the  ordnance  materials 
which  played  such  a  large  part  in  the  success- 
ful rout  of  Rommel's  Afrika  Corps  by  General 
Montgomery's  British  Eighth  Army. 

Jules  Field,  Chicago  publicity  manager  for 
20th-Fox,  is  arranging  the  showings  in  14  mid- 
west cities,  in  cooperation  with  the  WPB. 

The  schedule  of  special  screenings  at  theatres 
included  *.  Aurora,  111.,  April  26th ;  Springfield, 
111.,  April  27th ;  Quincy,  111.,  April  28th  ;  Daven- 
port, Iowa,  April  29th;  Elgin,  111.,  May  3rd; 
Joliet,  111.,  May  4th ;  Waukegan,  111.,  May  5th ; 
South  Bend,  Ind.,  May  6th;  Madison,  Wis., 
May  7th,  and  Rockford,  111.,  May  8th. 

Showings  were  held  last  week  at  Peoria  De- 
catur, Bloomington  and  La  Salle,  all  in  Illinois. 

The  film  had  its  world  premiere  recently  at 
the  Erie  theatre,  Schenectady.  Round-the-clock 
shows  were  held  for  employees  at  the  American 
Locomotive  Works  on  the  opening  day. 

Rosselli  Bail  Continued; 
Trial  on  May  1 7th 

Federal  Judge  John  W.  Clancy  yesterday 
denied  an  application  by  John  Rosselli  in  the 
New  York  Federal  Court  for  a  substantial  re- 
duction of  the  $100,000  bail  fixed  when  he 
pleaded  not  guilty  to  the  charge  of  extorting 
more  than  $1,100,000  from  producing  companies. 

The  court  set  the  date  of  the  trial  for  May 
17th.  It  is  expected  that  Louis  Kaufman,  busi- 
ness agent  of  the  Newark  operators  union,  and 
six  others,  now  awaiting  removal  hearings  in 
Chicago,  will  appear  at  the  New  York  trial. 


Timed 

To  The  Split  Second 

ts  no  screen  debut  has  been  timed  before! . 


legend . . .  genius . . .  monster. . .  myth . 
sinister  superman  of  mystery  - 


0^  c&#7u>ty 


FRANCHOT  TONE  •  ANNE  BAXTER 
with  Akim  Tamiroff 
a„d  ERICH  VON  STROHEIM 

as  Field  Marshal  Rommel 

Directed  by  BILLY  WILDER 

Screen  Play  by  Charles  Bracket!  and  Billy  Wilder  .  Based  on  a  Play  by  Lajos  Biro 


Five  Secrets 
That  Rommel 
Couldn't  Keep- 
From  A  Woman ! 


Breathless  Desert  Drama 
Behind  the  Scenes  in  Africa! 


Pre-Release  Date  Advanced! 

Rushed  From  Lab  To  You 
For  Earliest  Possible  Bookings 
To  Catch  the  Flood-Tide  of  World  Attention 
On  the  Super-Timely  Topic  of 

"Five  Graves  to  Cairo 


May    I,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


27 


FOUR  CITIES  IN  WASHINGTON 
LEVY  ADMISSION  TAX 


Few  Other  Municipalities 
Assess  Tickets,  but  26 
States  Impose  Tax 

Municipal  taxes  on  theatre  admissions, 
enacted  by  four  cities  in  the  State  of  Wash- 
ington following  the  repeal  of  a  similar 
state  tax,  were  to  go  into  effect  this  Satur- 
day, May  1st.  In  another  Washington  city, 
Colfax,  exhibitors  this  week  were  vigorous- 
ly protesting  a  proposed  admission  tax. 

An  admission  tax  also  will  be  levied  by 
King  County,  Washington,  to  be  effective 
outside  the  limits  of  incorporated  cities, 
under  the  same  state  legislation  which  per- 
mits the  city  taxes,  according  to  the  April 
24th  issue  of  the  Seattle  Municipal  News. 
All  the  taxes  are  five  per  cent,  the  amount 
previously  levied  by  the  state. 

Only  a  few  other  United  States  cities 
have  municipal  admission  taxes  superim- 
posed on  the  Federal  tax,  but  there  are  26 
states  which  levy  annual  taxes  on  theatres 
based  on  total  receipts.  Philadelphia  has  a 
tax  of  one  cent  on  each  25  cents  of  admis- 
sion price  or  fraction  thereof,  approved  by 
the  state  legislature.  Bessemer,  Ala.,  has 
a  tax  of  one  cent  on  admissions  under  15 
cents  and  two  cents  on  prices  over  that 
amount. 

Effective  in  Four  Cities 
Of  State  May  1st 

The  Washington  cities  in  which  the  tax 
becomes  effective  May  1st  are  Seattle,  the 
first  to  consider  the  move,  Pullman,  Ellens- 
burg  and  Tacoma.  Colfax  this  week  was 
considering  the  enactment  of  a  similar  levy 
in  spite  of  violent  protests  by  exhibitors. 
F.  C.  Weskil,  objecting  chiefly  because  he 
said  the  tax  would  make  public  the  volume 
of  his  business,  offered  to  pay  a  $400  annual 
license  fee  instead  of  the  admission  tax. 

According  to  David  Levine,  finance 
chairman  of  Seattle's  City  Council,  the 
new  levy  "will  not  mean  an  additional 
burden  on  either  the  amusement  indus- 
try or  on  those  who  patronize  places  of 
amusement,  but  rather  a  shifting  from 
the  state  to  a  municipal  tax.  Municipal 
officials,"  he  said,  "recognized  that  after 
all  they  are  the  ones  that  were  perform- 
ing the  most  needed  services  for  motion 
picture  theatres,  such  as  police,  fire  pro- 
tection, maintenance  of  streets,  etc.  We 
in  Seattle  felt  that  that  type  of  a  tax 
was  fully  justified." 

In  repealing  the  state  law,  the  legislature 
pointed  out  that  although  municipal  meas- 
ures were  to  be  taken,  no  tax  could  exceed 
the  amount  which  previously  had  been  lev- 
ied by  the  state. 

Mr.  Levine  estimated  that  the  Seattle 
amusement  tax  would  raise  $400,000  for  the 
city  budget  and  said  it  was  but  a  part  of  the 
$1,000,000  program  of  state  aid.  The  tax 
is  one  cent  on  every  20  cents  of  admission 
charged,  or  for  any  fraction  thereof,  with 
admissions  of  10  cents  and  under  not  in- 
cluded in  the  bill. 

In  a  letter  to  Motion  Picture  Herald 


this  week  B.  F.  Shearer,  president  of  the 
B.  F.  Shearer  equipment  and  supply  com- 
pany, gave  full  credit  to  James  Hone,  secre- 
tary of  the  Independent  Theatre  Owners 
Association  of  Washington,  for  effectively 
presenting  exhibitor  opposition  to  extension 
of  the  taxes  beyond  the  limits  already 
enacted.  The  original  plan  of  the  Seattle 
Council  had  been  to  superimpose  a  city  tax 
upon  the  state  tax  but  exhibitor  protests  re- 
sulted in  the  repeal  of  the  state  tax. 

When  the  measure  was  under  discussion, 
Seattle  exhibitors  indicated  that  once  it 
became  law,  it  would  help  to  put  many  sub- 
urban theatres  out  of  business. 

Would  Tax  All  Types 
Of  Entertainment 

According  to  provisions  of  the  measure 
proposed  in  Pullman,  all  theatrical  enter- 
tainments, dances  and  athletic  contests  with- 
in the  corporate  limits  of  the  city  could  be 
taxed.  The  new  impost  also  would  be  one 
cent  on  each  20-cent  admission,  replacing 
the  state  tax,  the  repeal  of  which  was  ef- 
fective April  30th. 

Ellensburg  was  the  third  city  to  move  to- 
ward enacting  a  theatre  admission  tax.  In 
Tacoma,  amusement  taxes  formerly  levied 
throughout  Washington  by  the  state  will  be- 
gin going  to  the  Tacoma  county  treasury 
May  1st.  Also,  all  persons  collecting  the 
tax  must  obtain  a  certificate  of  registration 
from  the  county.  The  fee  will  be  $1  a  year. 
Revenues  for  the  state  last  year  were  about 
$500,000,  it  was  reported. 

In  Port  St.  Joe,  Fla.,  the  Board  of  City 
Commissioners  recently  eliminated  the  city 
tax  on  theatre  admissions  to  all  men  in  uni- 
form. This  is  another  municipality  which 
levies  an  impost  on  admissions. 

To  make  up  for  the  loss  of  revenue  due 
to  the  closing  of  the  horse-racing  tracks, 
a  bill  was  introduced  in  the  Florida  Sen- 
ate last  week  by  Senator  Adams  which 
would  add  a  tax  of  five  cents  on  every  ad- 
mission ticket  sold  by  a  theatre  or  other 
place  of  amusement  in  the  state.  In  the 
Florida  House,  Representative  Beasley 
of  Walton  County  introduced  a  bill  to 
place  a  tax  of  one  cent  on  all  amusement 
tickets  and  use  the  funds  thereby  col- 
lected to  build  farmers'  curb  markets  in 
each  Florida  county. 

A  third  proposal  for  an  amusement  tax  in 
Florida  came  from  Representative  Andrews 
of  Union  County.  He  urged  a  bill  to  levy 
a  tax  of  10  per  cent  on  all  admission  charges 
to  theatres  and  other  places  of  amusement. 
The  revenue  to  be  derived  from  this  source 
he  estimated  at  $650,000  annually,  and  this 
money  would  be  used  to  increase  old  age 
pensions,  he  said. 

Another  tax  bill  was  suggested  recently  in 
the  Florida  legislature  when  Senator  John- 
son of  Brooksville  recommended  a  "chain 
theatre"  tax.  He  estimated  that  this  tax 
would  bring  in  approximately  $350,000  in 
sew  revenue  to  the  state  annually.  He  pro- 
posed that  the  annual  license  tax  on  a  single 
theatre  be  $150.  Then  circuits  of  five  or  more 
theatres  would  have  to  pay  an  annual  tax 
of  $300  on  each  theatre. 


"Land  Is  Mine" 
Premiere  Set  in 
50  Situations 

RKO's  "This  Land  Is  Mine"  will  have  its 
world  premiere  on  May  7th  in  50  mid-west 
cities  simultaneously.  Radio  Station  WLW, 
Cincinnati,  will  sponsor  the  opening  with  spot 
announcements  in  advance,  and  on  the  evening 
of  May  6th,  a  special  broadcast  will  include 
station  talent  and  the  personal  appearances  of 
Charles  Laughton,  Maureen  O'Hara,  Nancy 
Gates,  Walter  Slezak,  and  Dudley  Nichols,  the 
latter  the  author  of  the  story. 

Cities  and  theatres  which  will  participate  in 
the  premiere  are :  Albee,  Cincinnati ;  Keiths's, 
Dayton ;  Palace,  Columbus ;  Keith-Albee, 
Huntington,  W.  Va. ;  Capitol,  Charleston,  W. 
Va. ;  Columbia,  Portsmouth,  O. ;  Ohio,  Lima, 
O. ;  Fayette,  Washington  Court  House,  O. ; 
Palace,  Lancaster,  W.  Va. ;  Colonial,  Blue- 
field,  W.  Va. ;  Wayne,  Greenville,  O. ;  Leeds, 
Winchester,  W.  Va. ;  Capitol,  Frankfort,  O. ; 
Midland,  Newark,  O. ;  Liberty,  Zanesville,  O. ; 
State,  Cambridge,  O. ;  Hippodrome,  Marietta, 
O. ;  Palace,  Marion,  O. ;  New  LaMax,  Wil- 
mington, O. ;  Town  Hall,  Lebanon,  O. 

Circle,  Indianapolis  ;  Rialto,  Louisville ;  State 
Anderson;  Orpheum,  Terre  Haute;  Clinton, 
Frankfort,  Ind. ;  Indiana,  Kokomo ;  State,  Lo- 
gansport ;  Roxy,  Peru,  Ind. ;  Fort  Sackville, 
Vincennes ;  Rivoli,  Muncie ;  Princess,  Bloom- 
ington  ;  Indiana,  Bedford ;  Castle,  Newcastle  ; 
Ohio,  Madison ;  State,  Richmond,  Ind. ;  Para- 
mount Fort  Wayne ;  Indiana,  Marion ;  Main, 
Lafayette ;  Auditorium,  Connersville ;  Grand, 
Evansville ;  Vendee,  Seymour. 


Monogram  Gets 
New  Bank  Credit 

Monogram  has  arranged  to  obtain  a  new 
revolving  bank  credit,  from  which  borrowings 
will  in  the  aggregate  "substantially  exceed 
$1,000,000."  # 

The  credit  will  be  from  the  Security  First 
National  Bank  and  the  California  Bank  of  Los 
Angeles,  and  from  the  Guaranty  Trust  Com- 
pany of  New  York.  It  will  be  used  for  Mono- 
gram's 1943-44  schedule,  described  by  com- 
pany spokesmen  as  its  "most  ambitious  pro- 
duction schedule." 

Four  features  will  be  released  by  Monogram 
during  May.  Three  are  outdoor  films,  and  one 
is  straight  drama.  May  2nd  is  the  release  date 
of  "Ghost  Rider,"  first  of  the  new  Western 
series  starring  Johnny  Mack  Brown  with  Ray- 
mond Hatton,  and  produced  by  Scott  R.  Dun- 
lap,  with  Wallace  Fox  as  director.  "Wild 
Horse_  Stampede,"  to  be  released  May  16th,  is 
the  initial  film  in  another  new  Western  series, 
the  "Trail  Blazers,"  co-starring  Hoot  Gibson 
and  Ken  Maynard. 

The  third  picture  of  the  month,  set  for  May 
23rd  is  "I  Escaped  from  the  Gestapo,"  featur- 
ing Dean  Jagger,  John  Carradine  and  Mary 
Brian.  King  Bros,  produced,  and  Harold 
Young  directed.  "Cowboy  Commandos,"  fea- 
turing Ray  Corrigan,  Dennis  Moore  and  Max 
Terhune,  will  be  released  on  May  30th.  This 
is  the  sixth  in  the  "Range  Busters"  series. 


BOUND  TO  DO  WEL 


ONE  OF  THE  BEST  MEM 


FAST  MOVING,  ENGROSSING 


WILL  BE  A  HEALTHY  MONEY 


"Records  at  12  O'clock'! 


99* 


ONE  OF  THE  SCREEN'S  GREAT  AIR- 
ACTION  SHOWS  TAKES  OFF  MAY  8th 
IN  GOLD-BRAID  PREMIERE  AT  FAMOUS 
HARLINGEN  AERIAL  GUNNERY  SCHOOL 

A  Two- Day  Celebration  Including  Full 
Dress  Reviews,  Dancing  in  the  Streets, 
and  Broadcast  on  Interstate  Theatres' 
"Showtime"  Program  .  .  .  with  High 
Officials,  Hollywood  Stars  and  the  Press 
Saluting  this  Sky-Scorching  Sensation 

FILMED  ON  THE  SPOT  AT  HARLINGEN 
WITH  COOPERATION  OF  U.  S.  ARMY 


And  May  18th— The  Western 
Premiere  at  Las  Vegas  Army 
Gunnery  School,  with  Philip 
Morris  Broadcast  Spreading 
the  News  on  N.  B.  C.  Network! 


CHESTER  MORRIS 

Directe 

A  Pine-Thomas  Productio 

*Air  Force  Cod 


It  the  box-office,  every  American  will  want  to  see  it. 


99 


—  Showmen's  Trade  Review 


« 


A  MAS  OF  PRE  COMBAT  TRAINING  TO  BE  WHEELED  OUT  OF  ANY  STUDIO." 

— Variety 


CTION,  SUSPENSE,  PRODUCTION  VALUES. 


—  Boxoffice 


MAKER.;.*  BANG-UP  JOB...  A  HIT! 

—  Hollywood  Reporter 


99 


Starring 

jCHARD  ARLEN  •  JIMMY  LYDON 

WILLIAM  H.  PINE 

Screen  Play  by  Maxwell  Shane 

3r  "Directly  Ahead" 


J°«2lS'1'  '"8  a 

f/c'*i  »,1Noli>'s 


30 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    I  ,  1943 


Theatres  Aid  Final 
War  Loan  Spurt 


Loew  Exceeds  Bond  Sale 
Quota;  Paramount  Will 
Purchase  Bombers 

Exhibition  and  production  continue  to 
bear  a  major  responsibility  and  to  give  full 
cooperation  to  the  nation's  war  effort,  as  the 
Treasury's  Second  War  Loan  drew  to  a 
close  Friday  night. 

Collections  continued  in  theatres,  enliv- 
ened by  extra  stunts  for  the  drive,  and  the 
studios  and  home  office  sales  departments 
continued  enlisting  employees  for  War  Bond 
pledges. 

Loew-MGM  exceeded  its  quota  of  $5,275,- 
000  in  Second  War  Loan  Bond  sales  to  the 
company,  executives  and  employees,  accord- 
ing to  David  Bernstein,  vice-president  and 
treasurer.  Indications  were  that  between 
90  per  cent  and  95  per  cent  of  the  com- 
pany's New  York  home  office  employees 
would  have  signed  pledges  for  additional 
Bond  purchases.  The  company  is  buying 
the  Bonds  immediately  in  the  employees' 
names,  putting  them  in  escrow,  and  deduct- 
ing the  cost  from  pay  checks  over  a  period 
of  one  year. 

The  Loew-MGM  campaign  was  climaxed 
Friday  morning  with  a  rally  at  the  Loew's 
New  York  exchange.  Speakers  included 
George  Hamilton  Coombs,  WHN  news 
analyst;  Ernest  Emerling,  campaign  man- 
ager, and  Ray  E.  Cole  and  H.  C.  Daytch 
of  the  New  York  War  Savings  Staff. 

Purchase  of  a  B-25  bomber,  of  the  type 
in  which  Major  General  James  Doolittle 
led  the  air  attack  on  Tokyo  a  year  ago, 
was  pledged  by  Paramount  New  York 
home  office  employees  and  executives  at  a 
rally  under  the  auspices  of  the  Paramount 
Pep  Club  last  week.  This  is  in  addition 
to  the  Flying  Fortress  the  company  will 
buy. 

With  the  slogan,  "buy  a  Bond  for  each 
of  the  200  Paramount  home  office  boys  and 
girls  in  the  fighting  forces,"  John  W.  Hicks, 
Jr.,  vice-president  in  charge  of  the  foreign 
department,  keynoted  the  rally. 

It  was  reported  at  the  meeting  that  pur- 
chases of  small  denomination  Bonds  by  em- 
ployes in  the  low-salary  brackets  rose  to 
a  new  level  during  the  April  drive  and  that 
the  campaign  among  all  Paramount  em- 
ployees had  met  with  such  response  that  the 
quota  had  been  nearly  doubled. 

Theatre  Copper  Drive 
Is  Continuing 

The  War  Activities  Committee  reported  last 
week  to  the  War  Production  Board  that  since 
January,  the  theatres'  special  campaign  to  col- 
lect copper,  brass  and  bronze,  had  yielded  1,- 
164,727  pounds.  This  includes  copper  drippings 
and  strippings  from  projection  machines. 

The  campaign,  which  began  in  January  when 
the  WPB  said  the  Government's  store  of  these 
materials  was  dangerously  low,  placed  the  ex- 
hibitors in  the  vanguard  of  an  effort  currently 
being  sponsored  by  the  WPB. 

On  the  basis  of  field  reports,  it  was  estimated 
by  Arthur  Mayer,  WAC  national  salvage  chair- 
man, that  more  than  4,000  theatres  staged  "cop- 


WAR  WORK  HAILED 
BY  GOVERNOR 

The  cooperation  of  the  film  indus- 
try in  the  promotion  of  the  causes 
necessary  to  victory  was  praised  last 
week  by  Governor  Homer  M.  Adkins 
of  Arkansas.  He  wrote  the  War 
Activities  Committee  in  New  York 
that  "when  the  ultimate  triumph  has 
been  achieved,  the  motion  picture 
industry  must  rightfully  be  recognized 
for  a  great  and  priceless  contribu- 
tion". 


per,  brass  and  bronze  matinees,"  playing  host 
to  more  than  half  a  million  youngsters  whose 
bundles  of  scrap  entitled  them  to  free  tickets. 

Paul  C.  Cabot,  director  of  the  salvage  divi- 
sion for  the  WPB,  wrote: 

"I  want  to  thank  the  War  Activities  Com- 
mittee, the  theatre  exhibitors  and  their  em- 
ployees for  their  whole-hearted  cooperation  in 
making  this  copper  matinee  drive  a  success." 

Mr.  Mayer  paid  tribute  this  week  to  the  pro- 
ducers for  supplying  films  for  the  matinees  free 
of  charge,  to  the  labor  unions  for  waiving  over- 
time, to  the  WAC's  public  relations  division, 
which  cooperated  on  promotion  for  the  specific 
campaigns,  and  to  the  exhibitors,  who  gave  free- 
ly of  time  and  facilities. 

Pamphlet  To  Illustrate 
Bond  Selling  Ads 

Vincent  F.  Callahan,  director  of  radio,  press 
and  advertising  for  the  War  Savings  Staff, 
Treasury  Department,  Washington,  will  publish 
a  special  pamphlet  illustrating  how  motion  pic- 
ture theatres  are  aiding  in  Bond  sales  by  using 
"hitch-hike"  copy  in  their  newspaper  advertis- 
ing. The  public  relations  division  of  War  Ac- 
tivities Committee  was  requested  to  collect  tear 
sheets,  clippings  and  proofs  of  theatre  ads  car- 
rying Bond  promotions.  These  will  be  repro- 
duced in  the  pamphlet  as  examples  of  the  con- 
stant promotion  of  Bond  sales  by  theatres. 

All  theatres  are  asked  to  rush  their  examples 
of  Bond  advertising  to  the  War  Activities  Com- 
mittee, 1501  Broadway,  New  York. 

Under  the  theme,  "Cooking  Goes  to  War," 
five  New  York  exhibitors,  one  in  each  of  four 
boroughs,  and  one  in  Jamaica,  have  offered  their 
facilities  to  the  CDVO  for  a  special  series  of 
wartime  courses.  The  first  of  these  classes,  to 
which  admission  is  free,  will  be  held  on  May 
4th,  from  10  to  11  A.  M. 

The  Fox  Wisconsin  Circuit  has  paid  tribute 
to  its  former  employees  now  in  the  service  in 
newspaper  advertisements  in  the  Milwaukee 
press.  They  promoted  the  Second  War  Loan 
drive. 

Edward  Alperson,  general  manager  of  the 
RKO  circuit,  left  New  York  for  the  coast  this 
week  to  obtain  picture  stars  for  the  Greek 
War  Relief  Show  at  Madison  Square  Garden 
May  18th.  Mr.  Alperson  is  chairman  of  the 
entertainment  committee,  and  the  show  is  spon- 
sored by  the  industry  to  raise  $100,000  for  an 
immediate  food  shipment  to  Greece. 


MGM  Promotes  Carmlchael 

Ralph  W.  Carmichael,  associated  with  MGM 
since  1919,  has  been  appointed  sales  manager 
of  the  company's  Los  Angeles  branch,  it  was 
announced  last  week  by  J.  E.  Flynn,  MGM 
Western  sales  manager. 


Leading  Role  for 
Films  After  War 
Seen  by  Coe 

Charles  Francis  Coe,  vice-president  and  gen- 
eral counsel  of  the  Motion  Picture  Producers 
and  Distributors  of  America,  speaking  before 
the  Kiwanis  Club  of  Atlanta  on  Tuesday,  pre- 
dicted that  the  motion  picture  would  play  a 
dominant  role  in  the  education  of  the  peoples 
of  the  world  when  victory  is  achieved. 

"I  believe  this,"  Mr.  Coe  said,  "because  it 
speaks  the  universal  language  of  oral-visual- 
color  expression,  already  entrenched  in  the 
hearts  of  men  the  world  over.  Pedagogic  films 
will  teach  what  freedom  really  means.  They 
will  dispel  the  evil  roots  of  'kultur'  more 
quickly  than  any  other  force.  I  imagine  mo- 
tion pictures  will  stand  as  an  imperishable  bar- 
rier of  contact  against  marauders  of  the  fu- 
ture." 

Mr.  Coe  described  the  inspiration  which 
American  films  provide  in  other  countries,  cit- 
ing an  instance  when,  according  to  U.  S. 
commentators  in  Russia,  men,  women  and  chil- 
dren in  that  country  formed  long  lines  at  6 
A.M.  in  order  to  be  sure  of  admission  to  the 
theatre.  "And  the  story  could  be  repeated  for 
the  remotest  village  in  the  remotest  land  in 
the  world  where  freedom  still  reigns,"  he 
added. 

Besides  Kiwanis  Club  members,  representa- 
tives of  Government  units,  civic  organizations 
and  the  Army  gathered  to  hear  Mr.  Coe  pledge 
the  industry's  complete  cooperation.  He  de- 
clared that  the  motion  picture  theatres  and 
studios  which  had  enlisted  for  the  duration  to 
help  win  the  war  would  continue  to  aid  to  help 
win  the  peace. 


O'Donnell  Aids 
Copper  Drive 

R.  J.  O'Donnell,  national  chief  barker  of 
the  Variety  Clubs  of  America,  prepared  this 
week  for  a  tour  of  the  country  in  behalf  of 
the  drive  for  copper  salvage,  conducted  for 
the  industry  by  the  War  Activities  Committee 
and  its  representatives,  who  are  leading  in- 
dustry executives.  Mr.  O'Donnell  is  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  Interstate  Circuit  of  Texas,  south- 
western chairman  for  the  WAC. 

He  is  visiting  the  Variety  Club  tents,  and 
last  week  was  honored  at  his  first  stop,  Los 
Angeles.  Mr.  O'Donnell  was  to  address  the 
clubs,  and  be  honored  guest,  in  the  following 
cities:  Minneapolis,  May  4th;  Chicago,  May 
5th ;  Indianapolis,  May  7th ;  Cincinnati  and 
Dayton,  May  8th ;  Cleveland,  May  9th ;  Albany, 
May  10th;  Columbus,  May  11th;  Washington 
and  Baltimore,  May  12th ;  Philadelphia,  May 
13th ;  Boston,  May  14th ;  New  York,  May  15th 
and  16th;  Pittsburgh,  May  17th;  Buffalo,  May 
24th ;  Detroit,  May  25th ;  St.  Louis,  May  26th. 

Chicago  Union  Buys 
$2,000  War  Bonds 

Sam  Lamasky,  business  agent,  announced  that 
Local  B45,  Chicago  shippers'  union,  had  pur- 
chased $2,000  worth  of  War  Bonds.  The  union 
also  made  a  donation  of  $100  to  the  Chicago 
Service  Men's  Center  and  has  decided  to  cur- 
tail social  activities  for  the  duration.  A  pro- 
posed dance  for  members  has  been  cancelled 
but  the  advisability  of  holding  a  picnic  this 
summer  is  still  being  debated. 

Military  membership  cards  have  been  issued 
to  62  members  who  are  now  in  the  service  and 
privileges  are  reported  to  have  been  given  them 
by  theatre  managers. 


May    I  ,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


3! 


REPUBLIC  PLANS  68  FILMS 
TO  COST  $16,000,000 


New  Season  Schedule  to 
Include  32  Features,  32 
Westerns,  4  Serials 

Republic's  production  plans  for  the  new 
season  were  announced  Tuesday  in  New 
York  by  its  president,  James  R.  Grainger, 
following  his  return  from  conferences  with 
leading  exhibitors  in  key  centers.  He  had 
submitted  the  program  to  them  for  "show- 
manship approval,"  he  said. 

The  company  will  produce  32  features, 
eight  Roy  Rogers  Premiere  Productions,  24 
Westerns  and  four  serials.  The  budget  has 
been  set  at  $16,000,000.  The  company's 
spokesmen  said  this  week  that  the  sum  was 
warranted  by  reception  by  the  public  of  re- 
cent "big"  pictures.  The  company  last  year 
had  the  biggest  gross  in  its  seven  years. 

The  following  amounts  have  been  ap- 
propriated for  the  various  groups :  $9,750,- 
000  for  the  32  features ;  $2,800,000  for  the 
eight  Roy  Rogers  Premiere  Productions; 
$600,000  for  the  eight  Westerns  in  the 
Star  Series,  based  on  stories  by  such  au- 
thors as  Rex  Beach  and  Zane  Grey ;  $600,- 
000  for  the  eight  Action  Westerns  star- 
ring Don  "Red"  Barry;  $800,000  for  eight 
Bill  Elliott  Westerns,  several  of  which 
are  currently  in  production  and  release, 
and  $1,450,000  for  the  four  serials. 

Feature  productions  are  divided  into  the 
following  classifications :  eight  Deluxe  Pro- 
ductions, 14  Anniversary  Productions  and 
10  Jubilee  Productions. 

The  DeLuxe  pictures,  headed  by  "The 
Fighting  Seabees,"  "Convoy  to  Malta," 
"Brazil,"  and  "Hit  Parade  of  1944,"  in- 
clude "Gay  Blades,"  "Someone  to  Remem- 
ber," "War  Time  Brides"  and  "Man  from 
Frisco."  Background  material  for  "The 
Fighting  Seabees,"  which  is  being  produced 
with  the  full  cooperation  of  the  Bureau  of 
Yards  and  Docks,  is  now  being  shot  at  con- 
struction bases. 

Maritime  Commission  to 
Cooperate  on  Film 

"Convoy  to  Malta"  is  to  be  produced  with 
the  full  cooperation  of  the  U.  S.  Maritime 
Commission.  "Brazil"  is  to  be  an  adventure 
story,  set  to  music  .  "Hit  Parade  of  1944" 
is  slated  as  another  in  the  studio's  series 
of  musical  productions.  "Gay  Blades"  is  an 
ice  show  to  be  produced  on  an  elaborate 
scale.  "Someone  to  Remember"  is  an  avia- 
tion picture;  "War  Time  Brides,"  a  drama 
about  the  problems  of  women  whose  loved 
ones  are  in  service  and  "Man  from  Frisco" 
an  account  of  the  life  and  production  accom- 
plishments of  a  captain  of  industry. 

The  14  Anniversary  and  10  Jubilee  Pro- 
ductions include  the  following  story  titles : 

"Three  Little  Sisters,"  a  musical  built 
around  the  hit  song  of  the  same  title ;  "Here 
Comes  Elmer,"  a  tune-title  musical  featuring 
radio  performers ;  "Hitler's  Hatchet  Men," 
a  story  of  the  Gestapo  executioners ;  "Rosie 
the  Riveter,"  a  musical  about  the  thousands 
of  "Rosies"  in  defense  plants,  titled  from 
the  popular  song;  "Hoosier  Holiday,"  a 


story  of  homespun  philosophy  and  romance, 
and  including  folk  songs;  "Navy  Blue 
Eyes,"  a  film  set  against  a  background  of 
music  and  song;  "Northwest  Frontier,"  a 
story  based  on  Japanese  aggression  and  the 
bombing  of  Dutch  Harbor;  "The  Deerslay- 
er,"  a  picturization  of  the  famous  James 
Fenimore  Cooper  novel ;  "O,  My  Darling 
Clementine,"  a  musical  built  around  the  pop- 
ular song. 

Pictures  of  Varied  Types 
Included  in  List 

Also,  "Under  Alaskan  Stars,"  a  romance 
of  the  Klondike  in  the  days  of  the  Gold 
Rush;  "Nobody's  Darling,"  a  musical  based 
on  the  song;  "The  Saint  Meets  the  Tiger," 
based  upon  one  of  the  stories  in  the  series 
of  Leslie  Charteris;  "Gone  With  the  Draft," 
based  on  the  current  best-seller  by  Park 
Kendall ;  "The  Return  of  Casanova,"  a  com- 
edy with  music;  "Blood  on  Her  Shoe,"  a 
mystery  story  by  Medora  Field;  "Port  of 
Forty  Thieves,"  a  melodrama  of  the  Port 
Said  waterfront. 

Included  also  are :  "Under  Sealed  Orders," 
the  story  of  our  attack  upon  Tokyo ;  "Mys- 
tery Broadcast,"  the  story  of  the  under- 
ground radio  in  Germany;  "Vampire's 
Ghost,"  based  on  "Donovan's  Brain,"  the 
current  novel  by  Curt  Siodmak;  "Queen  of 
the  Spies,"  a  melodrama  of  espionage;  "Si- 
lent Partner,"  a  story  of  a  super-sleuth; 
"Whispering  Footsteps,"  melodrama  of  po- 
litical intrigue  and  Fifth  Columnists;  "Se- 
crets of  the  New  York  Police,"  a  tribute  to 
the  city's  police,  and  "Fu  Manchu,"  based  on 
one  of  the  popular  Sax  Rohmer  mystery 
stories. 

Western  Pictures  Are 
In  Four  Groups 

The  titles  of  the  eight  Roy  Rogers  Pre- 
miere Productions  are :  "Cowboy  and  the 
Senorita,"  "Yellow  Rose  of  Texas,"  "Texas 
Boys  Ranch,"  "Heart  of  Old  Mexico," 
"Jesse  James'  Last  Ride,"  "Code  of  Billy 
the  Kid,"  "Song  of  Nevada"  and  "Wells 
Fargo  Stagecoach." 

The  eight  Star  Productions  include:  "Be- 
neath Western  Skies,"  "Call  of  the  Rockies," 
"Beyond  the  Last  Frontier,"  "Hills  of 
Idaho,"  "Raiders  of  Sunset  Pass,"  "Pride 
of  the  Plains,"  "The  Laramie  Trail"  and 
"In  Old  Wyomin'." 

The  eight  Action  Westerns,  starring  Don 
"Red"  Barry,  are  titled:  "California  Joe," 
"The  Man  from  the  Rio  Grande,"  "South 
of  Cimarron,"  "Fugitive  from  Sonora," 
"Stage  to  Tombstone,"  "Canyon  City,"  "Out- 
laws of  Santa  Fe"  and  "The  Fargo  Ex- 
press." 

The  eight  Bill  Elliott  Westerns,  several 
of  which  are  in  production  and  release,  are: 
"Calling  Wild  Bill  Elliott,"  "Man  from 
Thunder  River,"  "Bordertown  Gun  Fight- 
ers," "Overland  Mail  Robbery,"  "Death 
Valley  Manhunt,"  "Wagon  Tracks  West," 
"Mojave  Firebrand"  and  "The  Outlaw 
Buster."  _ 

"Captain  America"  and  "Twenty  Thous- 
and Leagues  Under  the  Sea"  are  the  two 
15-chapter  Super-Serials,  and  "Tiger  Wo- 


man of  the  Amazon"  and  "The  Masked  Mar- 
vel" the  two  12-chapter  Streamline  Serials. 

Republic  will  complete  its  1942-43  pro- 
gram by  July  1st,  and  two  of  the  Super 
DeLuxe  productions  on  the  1943-44  pro- 
gram, "The  Fighting  Seabees"  and  "Con- 
voy to  Malta,"  will  be  ready  for  release 
during  the  month  of  August. 

Advertising  budgets  will  reach  a  new  high 
during  the  coming  season,  the  company  an- 
nounced, with  cooperative  campaigns  sched- 
uled for  the  Deluxe  Productions  and  the 
Roy  Rogers  Premiere  Productions,  and  a 
national  outdoor  billboard  campaign  on  the 
latter  group  of  pictures. 

K-A-O  1942  Net 
Is  $2,017,433 

The  Keith-Albee-Orpheum  Corporation  last 
week  reported  a  net  profit  of  $2,017,433  for 
1942.  The  figure  represented  an  increase  over 
the  previous  year  of  $1,279,338.  The  net  profit 
was  after  income  taxes,  but  not  Federal  excess 
profits  taxes,  since  the  companies  are  not  liable 
in  this  respect. 

Theatre  admissions  accounted  largely  for  the 
sharp  profit  rise,  the  1942  statement  showing 
total  collections  of  $15,847,304,  compared  with 
$13,402,477,  an  increase  of  $2,444,827.  Provi- 
sion for  income  taxes  in  1942  was  $426,837,  an 
increase  of  $165,897  over  the  previous  year's 
$260,940. 

Preferred  stockholders  were  paid  1942  divi- 
dends of  $102,550,  compared  with  $426,275  in 
1941.  Common  stockholders  received  $603,190 
in  1942  against  $301,595  in  1941.  Current  as- 
sets at  the  end  of  1942  were  $2,900,056  com- 
pared with  $2,589,812  the  year  before.  Cur- 
rent liabilities  decreased  from  $1,331,826  in 
1941  to  $942,853  in  1942.  The  company  ac- 
quired $300,000  in  Treasury  Notes— Tax  Series 
C  in  1942  and  $99,900  in  War  Savings  Bonds- 
Series  F. 

At  the  end  of  1942,  operating  surplus 
amounted  to  $2,814,824;  in  1941,  $1,462,488. 
Capital  surplus  totaled  $9,655,884  in  1942  and 
$9,652,266  the  previous  year. 


GPE  Net  $293,082 

General  Precision  Equipment  Corporation 
and  subsidiaries  this  week  reported  for  the 
three  months  ended  March  31,  1943,  consoli- 
dated net  profit  of  $293,082  after  provision  for 
depreciation  and  for  estimated  Federal  income 
tax  and  excess  profits  tax.  These  earnings, 
subject  to  renegotiation  of  war  contracts  and 
to  year-end  adjustments,  compare  with  net 
profit  of  $284,568  for  the  corresponding  period 
of  last  year. 


Goldenson  Russeks  Director 

Leonard  H.  Goldenson,  vice-president  of 
Paramount  in  charge  of  theatre  operations,  has 
been  elected  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors 
of  Russeks,  retail  fur  establishment  in  New  York. 


Complete  Brooklyn  Scenes 

The  Hollywood  unit  filming  scenes  at  Ebbetts 
Field  in  New  York  for  "Whistling  in  Brook- 
lyn," MGM  picture  starring  Red  Skelton,  left 
for  the  coast  this  week. 


32  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  May    I,  1943 

in  BRITISH  STUDIOS 


By  AUBREY    FLANAGAN,   m  London 


The  shortage  of  manpower  consequent 
upon  the  continued  calling  of  men  to  the 
armed  forces  has  made  itself  felt  in  no 
industry  section  more  keenly  than  in  that 
of  production.  Not  only  in  the  field  of 
technicians  and  studio  labour  generally, 
but  no  less  among  the  specialist  directors, 
writers,  artists  and  production  executives 
has  the  continued  drainage  stimulated 
new  faces  and  even  new  methods  to  main- 
tain the  structure  of  the  industry. 

Thus  it  is  not  surprising  that  new  names 
and  new  faces  have  found  their  way  into  the 
limelight  and  on  to  the  front  pages  in  the 
course  of  the  last  two  war  years.  The  grad- 
ual but  emphatic  appreciation  of  the  pro- 
duction quality  and  entertainment  value  of 
the  British  film  would  seem  superficially  to 
suggest  that  the  process  has  not  been  un- 
fruitful. 

A  casual  glance  at  the  films  in  production 
at  the  moment  of  writing,  and  others  due  to 
take  the  studio  floor  within  the  immediate 
future,  brings  new  names  to  the  front  and 
transfers  others  from  one  section  to  another. 
Not  least  of  the  companies  currently  foster- 
ing talent,  which  if  not  new  is  at  least  new 
to  its  mission,  is  the  Two  Cities  organiza- 
tion, whose  Filippo  Del  Giudice  has  an  em- 
phatic point  of  view  in  that  direction. 

Writers  Are  Directing 
Own  Pictures 

The  handing  to  David  Lean  of  the  joint 
directorial  reins  on  Noel  Coward's  "In 
Which  We  Serve"  was  no  ill-taken  step. 
Mr.  Lean  now  is  to  direct  Mr.  Coward's 
"This  Happy  Breed"  for  the  company.  Jef- 
frey Dell,  author,  was  transplanted  from 
that  solo  category  to  that  of  director  of  his 
own  "Flemish  Farm."  Bernard  Miles,  ac- 
tor and  author,  is  to  direct  his  own  "Tawny 
Pipit"  and  will  emulate  his  distinguished 
confrere,  Mr.  Coward,  by  taking  the  leading 
role  therein. 

In  the  forthcoming  "Red  Horizon"  similar 
opportunities  will  be  offered. 

George  Formby  Has  Tried 
Hand  at  Producing 

Two  Cities,  however,  have  no  monopoly 
of  the  gentle  art  of  chance  taking.  Gains- 
borough's writers,  Launder  and  Gilliatt,  and 
Val  Guest  all  have  turned  directors  lately, 
with  the  former  two  making  their  own  "Mil- 
lions Like  Us"  and  Guest  currently  directing 
his  second  Askey  musical,  "Bees  in  Para- 
dise." 

George  Formby,  comedian,  has  tried  his 
hand  at  producing,  while  Will  Hay  continues 
in  the  craft  of  directing.  Gordon  Wellesley, 
who  made  a  marked  directorial  hit — jointly 
with  Gordon  Sewell,  his  fellow  writer — on 
"Silver  Fleet"  again  is  directing,  this  time 
Vera  Lynn  in  "I  Love  to  Sing."  There  are 
others  in  the  same  category. 

The  essential  values  of  many  of  these 
newly  tried  has  yet  to  be  proved,  their  films 
still  awaiting  presentation.  None  the  less, 
the  second  chance  given  some  of  them  would 


seem  to  suggest  that  at  least  the  production 
executives  are  unsatisfied — or  that  there 
just  isn't  anybody  else  to  whom  the  reins 
can  be  handed. 

Val  Guest's  Askey-Gainsborough  come- 
dy, "Miss  London,  Limited,"  yet  awaits  the 
critical  onceover,  but  Mr.  Guest  has  been 
given  another  to  make,  and  is  currently  at 
work.  Titled  "Bees  in  Paradise,"  it  is  a 
Guest  conception  and  creation,  although 
Marriott  Edgar,  long  standing  teammate  of 
writer  Guest,  was  jointly  responsible  for 
the  script. 

Beauty  Is  Rated  High 
In  Askey  Film 

Like  the  other  Guest  picture,  beauty  is  rat- 
ed high  as  an  attraction,  and  more  than  40 
hand-picked  girls,  including  "the  perfect 
screen  blonde,"  will  offer  ocular  assistance 
to  Arthur  Askey,  star,  and  his  immediate 
support,  Anne  Sheltoh,  Joan  Kent,  Antoin- 
ette Cellier  and  Joy  Shelton,  and  Ronald 
Shiner,  Peter  Graves,  Max  Bacon  and  Terry 
Randal.  Not  content  with  directing  and  writ- 
ing the  show,  Mr.  Guest  also  wrote  music 
and  lyric  for  the  film,  which  is  a  fantasy  set 
on  a  South  Atlantic  island  where  exists  a 
colony  all  feminine,  and  whither  an  aero- 
plane crash  dumps  Askey.  Ted  Black  pro- 
duces with  Maurice  Ostrer  in  charge. 

Gordon  Wellesley's  attention  currently  is 
being  devoted  to  the  direction  of  Vera  Lynn, 
"sweetheart  of  the  forces,"  in  her  second 
film,  also  a  musical,  "I  Love  to  Sing."  The 
subject  is  described  as  both  intimate  and 
romantic.  Ben  Henry,  initially  a  distribu- 
tor, is  producer,  with  George  Formby  as  his 
collaborator. 

In  no  field  has  there  been  greater  need  of 
new  talent  than  in  that  of  scenario  writing. 
Many  of  the  scenarists  have  become  direc- 
tors— whilst  remaining  writers.  New  writers 
have  been  given  a  chance  and  have  taken 
it.  Moe  Charles,  author  of  Two  Cities'  "The 
Gentle  Sex,"  also  is  author  of  "The  Moun- 
tains Clap  Their  Hands"  which  Two  Cities 
will  make  later.  Elizabeth  Baron,  young 
writer  whose  "John  Citizen"  attracted  the 
atention  of  the  discerning,  has  written  "The 
Lamp  Still  Burns" — which  was  born  as 
Monica  Dickens'  "One  Pair  of  Feet" — but 
apparently  has  marched  some  way  from  its 
parent. 

Established  Names  Linked 
With  Other  Product 

Older  and  established  names,  however, 
are  associated  with  such  productions  as  the 
Tommy  Handley  comedy,  "Time  Flies." 
Here  Walter  Forde  directs  the  erstwhile 
"Mer"  of  "Foaming  at  the  Mouth,"  and 
hero  of  "ITMA,"  in  a  fantastic  comedy  in 
which  he  has  the  collaboration  of  Evelyn 
Dall,  George  Moon  and  Felix  Aylmer. 

No  newcomer,  either,  is  Joseph  Somlo, 
who  will  produce  for  Gainsborough,  "Wom- 
an of  France,"  a  drama  in  which  Pierre 
Laval  will  be  portrayed  by  James  Mason. 
R.  J.  Minney,  English  author  and  journal- 
ist, wrote  the  story,  which  covers  France 


from  1914  to  the  total  occupation  by  Ger- 
many last  year. 

Both  these — like  Val  Guest's  Askey  sub- 
ject— are  Gainsborough  Pictures. 

Hardly  new  to  the  limelight,  either,  is 
Herbert  Wilcox,  currently  making  the  latest 
Anna  Neagle  picture,  "Yellow  Canary,"  at 
Denham  for  RKO  Radio  release.  The  role 
handed  to  Miss  Neagle  in  this  picture  is 
claimed  to  be  entirely  off  the  usual  road 
on  which  the  re-creator  of  Queen  Victoria, 
Nell  Gwyn  and  Peg  Woffington  has  been 
wont  to  travel. 

While  shooting  has  been  finished  right  up 
to  schedule  on  Two  Cities'  Anatole  De 
Grunwald  production  "The  Demi  Paradise," 
the  satirical  comedy  with  a  serious  under- 
current, in  which  Laurence  Olivier  was  di- 
rected by  Anthony  Asquith,  it  continues  in 
full  swing  at  Denham  on  "The  Lamp  Still 
Burns." 

Work  of  Nurses  Theme 
Of  "Lamp  Still  Burns" 

Iodoform,  starched  uniforms  and  surgeons' 
scalpels  are  still  de  rigeur  in  the  studio, 
where  Maurice  Elvey  has  been  and  is  still 
directing  Rosamund  John,  Sophie  Stewart, 
Joan  Maude,  Ann  Bennett,  Godfrey  Tearle, 
and  some  live,  dyed  in  the  blue  professional 
nurses,  in  a  picture  which  is  said  to  be  as 
medically  authentic  as  rubber  gloves  or  M. 
and  B.  693. 

The  nursing  profession  have  been  coach- 
ing the  grease  paint  and  crepe  hair  variety 
in  clinical  and  hospital  detail,  with  producer 
Leslie  Howard — who  will  appear  in  a  small 
and  incognito  role  in  the  film — keeping  a 
critical  and  therapeutic  eye  on  the  proceed- 
ings. 

Busy  as  capacity  will  permit  are  the  Na- 
tional Studios  at  Elstree  where  under  the 
British  National  and  Strand  Film  banners 
work  is  at  full  pelt  on  various  films  with  a 
batch  to  follow. 

Taylor  Film  Includes 
Noted  Virtuosi 

Not  least  interesting  is  Strand's  "Battle 
for  Music"  which  Donald  Taylor  is  produc- 
ing and  into  which  he  has  persuaded  such 
celebrities  as  J.  B.  Priestley  and  Jack  Hyl- 
ton,  Sir  Adrian  Boult,  Malcolm  Sargent, 
Warwick-Braithwaite,  Benno  Moseiwitsch, 
and  a  host  of  virtuosi  and  vocalists. 

Elsewhere  in  the  studios  British  National 
are  at  work  on  preparations  for  "The  Ship- 
builders" which  John  Baxter  will  direct  and 
produce.  Leslie  Hiscott  and  his  wife  Eliza- 
beth are  completing  their  film,  "A  Touch 
of  Nature."  Oswald  Mitchel  is  to  make  a 
comedy  for  Strand  with  Hay  Petrie  in  the 
lead.  Strand  also  will  make  a  feature  length 
documentary  on  tanks. 


Rice  Joins  Biow  Agency 

Harry  Rice,  veteran  exploitation  representa- 
tive, has  joined  the  staff  of  the  Biow  agency 
and  is  now  en  route  to  Hollywood.  Prior  to 
joining  Biow,  Mr.  Rice  was  associated  with  the 
exploitation  departments  of  Universal,  United 
Artists  and  RKO. 


May    I  ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


33 


REVAMP  BROADCASTING  FOR 
U.  S.  TROOPS  IN  BRITAIN 


Expect  Army  to  Set  Up 
Own  Radio  Outlets  to 
Serve  American  Forces 

by  AUBREY  FLANAGAN 

in  London 

Few  problems  have  concerned  the  U.  S. 
governmental  authorities  in  Britain  more 
keenly  than  that  of  providing  information 
and  entertainment  for  the  armed  forces 
quartered  here  and  throughout  the  whole 
European  theatre  of  operations.  Much  has 
been  done  to  improve  conditons  with  regard 
particularly  to  motion  pictures,  stage  shows 
and,  in  a  more  limited  degree,  radio. 

There  remains  none  the  less  some  preoc- 
cupation in  regard  to  the  medium  of  radio, 
which  is  a  more  complex  problem  than  might 
seem  on  the  surface.  It  now  is  firmly  es- 
tablished that  this  spring  will  see  vital  and 
far  reaching  developments  which  will  go  far 
toward  stabilizing  the  whole  position  and 
providing  the  troops  quartered  here  with  as 
much  news,  information  and  entertainment 
as  reasonably  can  be  provided  through  the 
ether. 

Just  what  these  developments  are  to  be 
remains  a  military  secret,  although  there 
should  be  a  formal  announcement  some  time 
this  month. 

It  can  be  recorded  that  the  whole 
process  of  radio  broadcasting  for  the 
U.  S.  forces  here  will  be  put  on  a  solid 
and  ail-American  basis  and  that  news, 
cultural  and  information  programs, 
music  and  entertainment  will  be  provided 
direct  in  a  way  which  should  leave  little 
ground  for  criticism  from  any  point  of 
the  radio  compass. 

Since  the  U.  S.  Army  plans  remain  a 
secret  it  has  been  left  to  speculation  as  to 
how  the  process  will  be  operated.  Attentive 
students  of  the  situation  believe  that  nothing 
short  of  a  separate  broadcasting  machine, 
operating  exclusively  to  the  U.  S.  forces, 
with  American  programs,  news  and  subject 
matter,  speaking  in  an  American  idiom,  will 
solve  the  problem.  Such  consideration  can- 
not be  lost  from  the  minds  of  the  U.  S.  Army 
and  the  Office  of  War  Information  here. 

Providing  Material  Is 
Big  Problem 

There  have  been  problems  facing  the  OWI 
and  the  Army,  the  problem  of  providing  the 
material  without  monopolizing  the  medium, 
for  instance.  The  boys  in  the  Army  and  Air 
Force  long  for  news  from  home,  a  longing 
which  is  not  answered  in  the  British  news- 
papers or  on  the  British  radio.  Nobody, 
least  of  all  the  OWI,  expects  newspapers 
here  to  devote  much  space  to  matter  which 
would  be  of  scant  interest  to  their  millions 
of  readers. 

Nor  do  they  believe  the  British  Broad- 
casting Company  should  be  expected  to  de- 
vote much  of  its  time  to  such  matters.  The 
same  applies  to  entertainment — although  in 


a  lesser  degree,  for  U.  S.  programs  rebroad- 
cast  here  are  tops  with  both  forces  and 
civilian  listeners — for  which  the  troops  de- 
pend in  the  main  on  the  BBC  transmitters. 
BBC  time  cannot  be  increased.  It  is  im- 
practicable to  increase  the  size  of  newspa- 
pers or  to  print  new  ones.  The  shifting  of 
Stars  and  Stripes  from  a  daily  to  a  weekly 
only  partially  solved  the  problem.  None  the 
less  the  BBC's  programs,  for  reasons  which 
are  involved  with  the  idiom  and  the  presen- 
tation, with  quality  and  scope  of  material, 
are  hardly  of  adequate  appeal  to  the  Ameri- 
cans here.  For  that  matter,  they  are  hardly 
of  adequate  appeal  to  the  Britishers  in  uni- 
form. 

The  greatest  tact  and  delicacy  has  been 
called  for  in  considering  and  solving  the 
problem  but  Brewster  Morgan,  who  sits  in  at 
the  OWI  office  here,  with  the  careful  aid 
and  guidance  of  the  Army  authorities,  has 
done  a  magnificent  job  in  which  both  di- 
plomacy and  showmanship  have  been  mani- 
fest, in  the  opinion  of  many  observers. 

Americans  Relying  on 
BBC  Programs 

At  present  the  Americans  here  rely  for 
radio  entertainment  upon  the  BBC's  pro- 
grams— mainly  those  broadcast  over  the 
forces  wave  length.  Thanks  to  the  OWI 
there  have  been  of  late  some  contributions  to 
the  forces  program  which  have  helped  ease 
the  burden  of  watching  and  waiting.  Such 
programs  as  "Mail  Call,"  "Command  Per- 
formance" and  the  Bob  Hope  aiad  Jack  Ben- 
ny show  are  rebroadcast  from  records  week- 
ly. It  has  been  suggested  by  critics,  con- 
sidering their  editorial  treatment  here,  that 
the  word  should  be  spelled  "weakly." 

A  brief  sports  flash  of  five  minutes  each 
night  gives  the  ball  game  results,  snippets  on 
ice  hockey,  racing  news,  etcetera.  It  is  in 
the  American  idiom  and  by  Americans. 
"Transatlantic  Call,"  an  interchange  pro- 
gram alternately  broadcast  from  New  York 
and  London,  is  another  transatlantic  gesture. 
Each  Saturday  such  commentators  as  Ernest 
K.  Lindley  or  Raymond  Gram  Swing  pro- 
vide an  American  angle  on  the  week's  news. 

Apart  from  these  occasional  spots  the 
U.  S.  boys  in  uniform  here  must  depend 
upon  the  BBC's  all-British  idea  of  what 
makes  up  radio  entertainment  and  infor- 
mation, an  idea  which,  while  it  does 
manifest  itself  superlatively  at  times,  and 
probably  pleases  some  of  the  people  all 
of  the  time,  has  been  and  is  the  objective 
of  unceasing  and  acid  criticism  from  all 
sections  of  the  public  and  the  services. 

While  the  OWI  has  been  of  considerable 
help  to  the  BBC  and  consistently  has  com- 
manded the  open  and  unqualified  apprecia- 
tion and  gratitude  of  Broadcasting  House, 
the  administrators  and  officials  situate  with- 
in that  cultural  temple  nevertheless  admit 
their  own  perplexities.  Programs  have  been 
passed  on  to  the  BBC.  A  topline  American 
radio  writer  has  been  brought  over  and  is 
employed  at  Broadcasting  House  to  infuse 


the  American  idiom  and  American  appeal 
and  American  authenticity  into  appropriate 
places. 

Advice  and  assistance  have  been  and  still 
are  rendered  on  matters  of  policy  or  on  pro- 
grams for  the  U.  S.  An  OWI  official, 
Morris  Gilbert,  sits  in  permanently  at  the 
BBC  to  advise  on  the  short  wave  North 
American  programs.  Any  artists  or  pro- 
grams which  are  brought  over  here  under 
the  new  scheme  will  be  offered  to  the  BBC 
at  once  without  reservation. 

British  Anxious  Not  to 
Offend  Americans 

None  the  less  the  BBC,  while  zealous 
and  enthusiastic  in  their  desire  to  assist  the 
U.  S.  Army  and  the  U.  S.  Government,  keep 
in  the  forefront  of  their  mind  that  they  have 
40,000,000  British  listeners  whose  claims 
must  come  first.  The  numbers  of  Americans 
here  cannot  of  course  be  disclosed  but  it  is 
obviously  an  atom  compared  to  the  British 
listening  public. 

So,  while  on  the  one  hand  the  Americans 
here  are  nervously  anxious  not  to  tread  on 
the  corns  of  the  British  authorities,  the  Brit- 
ishers are  no  less  determined  not  to  offend 
the  Americans,  and  not  to  be  misunderstood 
or  neglected  or  indifferent. 

Some  indication  of  the  BBC's  concep- 
tion of  what  appeals  to  Americans  is 
found  in  their  North  American  (short 
wave)  transmissions.  There,  although 
there  would  seem  to  be  a  preponderance 
of  talks  and  magazine  subjects,  and 
although  music  and  variety  do  find  a 
place,  there  is  a  definite  attempt  to  inter- 
pret Britain  in  a  way  and  in  an  idiom 
which  Americans  will  understand.  These 
programs,  of  course,  are  intended  for 
the  States  and  Canada  but  can  be  picked 
up  here  by  short  wave  radios  in  camps. 

Some  of  the  purely  British  programs  are 
greatly  appreciated  by  the  U.  S.  boys  here. 
Despite  the  strangeness  of  presentation, 
comedians  of  the  type  of  Tommy  Handley, 
Gillie  Potter,  Cyril  Fletcher  and  of  course 
Ben  Lyon,  are  favorites  with  the  Americans 
no  less  than  with  the  Britishers.  Some  of 
the  dance  bands  are  liked,  and  the  Symphony 
Orchestra  has  its  followers.  Plays  in  gen- 
eral seem  to  be  shunned. 

Recently  machinery  was  set  in  motion  un- 
der which  the  OWI  would  broadcast  di- 
rectly through  the  BBC  transmitters  100 
American  programs  a  week,  on  all  wave 
lengths.  They  will  originate  in  New  York, 
and  be  rebroadcast  through  the  BBC  all 
over  Europe.  There  has  been  commendable 
collaboration  here  between  the  U.  S.  authori- 
ties and  the  BBC  technicians. 

Even  to  the  U.  S.  radio  corporations  the 
BBC  have  ever  extended  a  welcoming  hand. 
Their  studios  are  open  to  Columbia's  Bob 
Trout,  Mutual's  John  Steele,  and  NBC's 
Stanley  Richardson  and  Ed  Murrow  for 
their  broadcasts  home.  Programs  are  ex- 
changed by  American  radio  groups  and  our 
own  BBC. 


I 


34 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


LATE  REVIEW 

For  other  reviews  see  Product  Digest  Section, 
starting  on  page  1289. 


Mission  to  Moscow 

(Warners) 

Message  to  the  World 

In  "Mission  to  Moscow,"  wherein  Warner  Brothers  has  translated  into  terms  of 

the  screen  the  book  by  Joseph  E.  Davies,  former  Ambassador  to  Russia,  the  exhibitor 
has  a  unique  and  notable  experiment  in  showmanship.  Told  most  convincingly,  the 
picture  carries  a  message  to  the  free  peoples  of  the  world,  a  message  calling  for  unity, 
mutual  understanding  and  confidence  in  each  other  among  the  three  great  nations,  the 
United  States,  Great  Britain  and  the  Soviet  Union. 

It  is  absorbing  drama,  but  being  history  Manhart  Kippen,  as  Stalin,  and  Dudley  Malone, 

as  told  by  those  who  made  it,  sharp  debate  as  Churchill,  offer  a  few  of  the  more  important 

inevitably  must  follow  its  exhibition.     At  roles>  brilliantly  played.    Michael  Curtiz  rates 

the  same  time,  the  veracity  of  the  facts  set  high  praise  for  his  direction     The  screenplay 

r..      r  •    •  i    .                             •       u-  t,  was  by  Howard  Koch,  and  Bert  Glennon  was 

forth,  of  incidents  and  the  manner  in  which  j^™  photographer 

the  forecasts  have  come  to  pass,  should  mean  „     .      ,  , , "             ,.  , 

,           .  ,           -i,  ,     ,  ,.      i      ,  •  ,    •  Previewed  before  an  audience  of  newspaper 

that  the  picture  will  be  believed  which  m  mm  af  ^  £Je  Theatre  {n  Wash\ngtonF  £_ 

itself  is  translatable  into  terms  of  box  office  viewer-s  Rating .  Excellent. 

dollars.                 .....                 ,  Release  date,  not  set.    Running  time,  123  min.  Gen- 

A  cast  of  hundreds,  giving  Sincere  perform-  eral  audience  classification. 

ances,  lends  weight  to  the  film's  story,  which  J?sepIkE-  Davies Walter  Huston 

adheres  closely  to  the  pattern  of  the  original.  j^i^ff.  777.7.7.7.777.7.7.777.CW  Ska 

It  is  told  in  simple  terms.    In  a  prologue,  nar-      Molotov   Gene  Lockhart 

rated  by  Mr.  Davies,  the  diplomat  gives  his     ]^a^me  Mo,otov   Frieda  Inescort 

reasons  for  writing  the  book,  and  for  permitting  E£an£  ■           '  -Richard  '  Trav'is", ' '  HtatoiS 
it  to  be  screened.    In  a  brief  outline  of  his  own  Victor  Francen,  Henry  Daniel!,  Barbara  Everest,  Dud- 
life,  he  sets  the  scene  for  the  film.  ]ev    Fie'd    Malone,    Roman    Bohnen,    Moroni  Olsen, 
Ac  thv  ctr»rv  nnfr.1H«   Fmnprnr  Hailp  ^plassip  Minor    Watson,    Vladimir    Sokoloff,    Jerome  Cowan, 
As  the  story  unlolds  tmperor  riaiie  Selassie  Frank  Publia>  Maria  paimer,  Maurice  Schwartz,  Kon- 

of  Ethiopia  pleads  With  the  League  of  Nations  stantin  Shane,  Mannart  Kippen,  Kathleen  Lockhart, 

at  Geneva  to  halt  Italy's  grab  in  1936.  Litvinov,  Kurt  Katch,  Felix  Basch,  John  Abbott,  Charles  Trow 

played  by  Oscar  Homolka,  pleads  in  support  of  bndge>  Capta,n  Jack  Young- 

the  Emperor,  for  "in  collective  security  there   

is  peace."    But  German,  Japanese  and  Italian  6  1t/M~*        •           9  jf~\ 

delegates  walk  out.  Vgt^^lfhWI      f  SilOtl  S* 

From  this  point  Europe  seethes,  and  Presi-  irifOOWII  X^TJJKZIlCf 
dent  Roosevelt  calls  on  his  friend,  Mr.  Davies, 

to  go  to  Russia  as  Ambassador,  to  learn  Stalin's  l\l »  f\V*l? 

feelings  toward  the  Axis.   Walter  Huston  is  ex-  J.  11  1                   J.  \Jm  m\ 

cellent  as  the  Ambassador.    Mr.  Davies  is  told 

to  stop  in  Berlin,  to  advise  Hitler  that  the  The  Warner  picture  based  on  the  book  of 
United  States  would  agree  to  part  of  his  de-  former  Ambassador  to  Russia  Joseph  E.  Davies, 
mands,  if  then,  he  would  agree  to  disarm  almost  Mission  to  Moscow,"  opened  at  the  Hollywood 
completely.  The  United  States,  Great  Britain,  theatre,  New  York  on  Thursday.  It  had  re- 
France  and  possibly  Russia  would  do  likewise.  c,eived  Press,  previews  the  night  before  at  that 
But  the  Ambassador  is  denied  access  to  Hitler,  theatre,  and  at  the  Earle  Theatre  in  Wash- 
and  goes  on  to  Russia,  there  to  be  impressed  by  Jngton.  To  the  latter  preview,  the  country  s 
the  morale  of  the  people,  and  the  preparations  !eadl"g  newspaper  men  and  prominent  Wash- 
Russia  is  making  for  the  war  it  knows  to  be  lnSton  officials  were  invited^,  as  well  as  a  dele- 
inevitable  gaton  of  film  trade  paper  editors.    It  was  spon- 

But  some  plotted  against  the  regime,  and  sorrf  h?  th.e  National  Press  Club  _ 

their  apprehension  and  trial  in  a  Soviet  court  is  Mn  Dawes  on  Monday  issued  his  personal 

a  highlight  of  the  film  approval  of  the  picture  from  his  Washington 

The  Ambassador  returns  home,  his  job  finish-  J1.01"?-   He  sajd :  "w,hile.  tthere  .are  a  few  drama" 

ed,  but  he  tells  the  President,  "the  nations  that  tlc  hcenses  taken,  the  picture  is  a  true  and  cor- 

win  the  war  must  be  in  accord  to  win  the  peace."  Fect  factual  representation  of  history  as  I  saw 

and  that  "there  will  be  no  separate  peace."  1  \<s   f    ag  hfi             .  j        concerned,  the 

Throughout  the  picture   but  particularly  ,n  fi,     di   ,       thewordS  spoken  by  the  accused 

the  climactic  purge  trials  and  n  a  final  interview  as  contained  ;n  the  offidaf  stenog;aphic  record 

between  Mr  Davies  and  Stalin,  there  runs  the  of  the  tria,     These  stenogr    hic8  rePports  were 

thread  of  Mr  Davies  conviction  of  the  Soviet  checked  at  the  time    t     «  r^         £  Ameri- 

Umons  honesty  of  purpose.   The  narrative  ex-  can  observers  and  interpreters  and  were  found 

plains  carefully  through  the  Ambassador  s  eyes,  t0  conform  to  what  we  actuall    heard  ;„  these 

reasons  for  and  the  motives  behind  Russian  proceedings " 

diplomatic  moves.    High  praise  for  the  Roose-  Meanwhile,  Daniel  Bell,  managing  editor  of 

velt  Administration  s  foreign  policy  while  the  the  Hberal  weekly,  The  New  Leader,  this  week 

war  clouds  were  gathering,  is  prominent.  protested  against  the  film's  probable  treatment 

Bits  of  humor  and  human  sidelights  on  the  o{  the  trials.    Mr.  Bell  called  attention  to  the 

assimilation  of  Russian  life  by  Mr.  Davies'  wife  book's  treatment  and  said  ■ 

and  family  relieve  the  historical  document.  "Mr.  Davies'  published'  state  documents  do 

Ann  Harding,  as  Mrs.  Davies  ;  Gene  Lock-  not  support  the  official  judgment  of  the  courts 

hart,  as  Molotov;  Helmut  Dantine,  as  Major  in  the  trials.    His  documents,  on  the  contrary 

Kamanev;    Victor    Francen,    as    Vyshinsky;  were  critical  of  the  proceedings." 


May    I  ,  1943 

Find  21  Days 
Fair  Boston 
Area  Clearance 

First  run  Boston  theatres  are  entitled  to  at 
least  21  days'  clearance  over  key  theatres  in 
neighboring  towns,  the  Appeal  Board  of  the 
motion  picture  arbitration  system  ruled  this 
week. 

In  decision  No.  66  the  Appeal  Board  found 
that  arbitrator  Arthur  P.  Hardy  had  granted 
the  Strand  theatre,  Quincy,  an  excessive  re- 
duction when  he  awarded  it  a  14-day  maxi- 
mum after  Boston  in  the  13th  Boston  case. 
The  board  modified  his  award  to  conform  to 
the  21  days  granted  to  theatres  in  comparable 
situations  on  the  fringe  of  Boston's  metropoli- 
tan area. 

Paramount,  MGM,  20th  Century-Fox,  RKO 
and  Warners,  the  defendant  distributors,  were 
excepted  in  respect  to  their  own  pictures  played 
in  affiliated  theatres. 

Hancock  Theatre  Company,  of  Quincy,  filed 
the  complaint  for  the  Strand,  and  Quincy 
theater.  The  appeal  ruling  found  they  were  en- 
titled to  the  21-day  margin  enjoyed  by  Lynn 
and  other  cities  of  like  size  and  distance  from 
the  Hub.  The  size  and  importance  of  Quincy 
as  a  business  center,  transportation  between 
Boston,  and  the  fact  that  it  is  nine  miles  distant 
make  the  current  28-day  margin  unreasonable, 
the  board  said. 

Intervenors  in  the  case  included  most  key 
theatres  adjacent  to  Boston.  The  majority 
merely  asked  that  any  reduction  to  Quincy  be 
applied  equally  to  them.  Dismissal  of  these  re- 
quests was  upheld  by  the  Appeal  Board  on 
the  ground  that  intervenors  must  enter  a  rec- 
ord and  participate  in  proceedings  if  they  are 
to  secure  relief  along  with  the  complainant. 

The  affiliated  theatres  for  whom  exceptions 
were  made  under  Section  17  of  the  consent 
decree  are  Loew's  Orpheum  and  State ;  Para- 
mount's  Metropolitan,  Fenway,  Paramount, 
Modern,  and  Scollay ;  RKO's  Boston  and  Keith 
Memorial.    Costs  were  divided  equally. 

Los  Angeles 

The  Southgate  theatre,  Los  Angeles,  opera- 
ted by  L.  W.  Allen  won  a  partial  clearance  re- 
duction Friday  from  the  five  consenting  firms. 
W.  W.  Wallace,  arbitrator,  set  clearance  of 
the  Vogue  over  the  Southgate  at  42  days  when 
the  latter  charges  25  cents  admission,  plus  tax, 
or  70  days  at  a  20-cent  admission. 

San  Francisco 

The  sixth  San  Francisco  case  was  withdrawn 
Friday  when  Robert  L.  Lippert  notified  the 
arbitration  tribunal  that  RKO,  Paramount  and 
Warners  had  granted  him  the  clearance  relief 
which  he  sought  for  his  liberty  theatre,  Sacra- 
mento. 


Rockefeller  Office  To  Show 
Latin-American  Films 

The  motion  picture  division  of  the  coordinator 
of  Inter-American  Affairs  will  show  regularly 
to  the  trade  press  at  New  York  the  films  pre- 
pared by  the  Government  for  distribution  in 
Latin  America,  Francis  Al  stock,  director,  said 
on  Monday.  The  agency  will  screen  its  16mm. 
non-theatrical  releases  to  South  America  which 
it  is  distributing  in  this  country,  and  newsreels 
and  theatrical  product  distributed  in  South 
America  with  industry  cooperation. 

More  than  130  titles  have  been  prepared  for 
Latin  American  distribution,  Mr.  Alstock  said. 
An  average  of  three  16mm.  prog'rams  a  week 
is  being  shipped  and  he  estimated  the  Co- 
ordinator's audiences  in  Latin  America  at  300,- 
000  persons  weekly.  He  promised  to  disclose 
full  details  of  the  Coordinator's  16mm.  theatri- 
cal, newsreel  and  Mexican  projects  at  an  early 
date. 


] 


^Mfflttsmmsm*  ™E  hitlers 

DREN  MANNER  ...  FOR  THE  SCREEN  S 
WlRRING  DRAMA  OF  TODAYS  SECRET  HEROES! 

Jm  50 -City  World  Premiere  May  7th  in  the  Ohio  -  Indiana  -  Kentucky  -  West  Virginia  area,  with  WLW 
blanketing  the  territory  with  the  most  intensive  radio  coverage  ever  given  a  motion  picture! 


Other  big  radio  net- 
works already  set 
and  more  being 
added  every  day 
to  give  an  elo- 
quent picture  the 
most  wide- spread 
promotion  any  ex- 
hibitor could  even 
dream  about! .  .  . 
Just  one  more 
example  of  the 
RKO  Radio  brand 
of  showmanship 
that's  going  places 
-FAST! 


SOME  OF  THE  TOWNS  AND  THEATRES  PARTIC 
IN  THE  GREAT  WLW  SPONSORED  PREMIERE 

CINCINNATI,  A/bee    DAYTON,  Keith's    COLUMBUS,  Pa/oce    HUNTINGTON,  Keith -A/be     CHARLESTON,  J 

Capitol  SPRINGFIELD,  State  BECKLEY,  Beckley  .  .  MARION,  Palace  . .  NEWARK,  Midland.. It  Jl  SVILLE,  liberty.. 
CAMBRIDGE,  Slate.  MARIETTA,  Hippodrome  . .  LIMA,  Ohio . .  PORTSMOUTH,  Columbia  .  CHIP  iCOTHE,  Sherman.. 
BLUEFIELD,  Colonial    GREENVILLE,  Wayne    LANCASTER,  Pa/ace . .  WILMINGTON,  New  La  Mali  .  WASHINGH 

COURT  HOUSE,  Fayette   WINCHESTER,  Leeds   FRANKFORT,  Capitol . .  WAPAKONCTA,  Wapa.j  LEBANON, 
Hall  .  INDIANAPOLIS,  Circle   LOUISVILLE,  Ridfo   ANDERSON,  Stale 
TERRE  HAUTE,  Orphewn   VINCENNES,  Fort  Sactville.  FRANKr" 

■BLQflfflTNGTON,  Princess    NEWCASTLE,  Castle    MUNCIE,  Rival 


Town 
State 


FRANKFORT,  Clinton..  PERU,  Poxy. .  TMORD,  Indiana 

;..  MADISON,  Ohio. .  CONNEIiSVIi.LE,  Audita,, 


is  what  the  trade  press  says: 


LOOKS  LIKE  A  SURE  BET  FOR  TOP  GROSSES/' 

—  Box  Office 


IS  BOUND  TO  BE  A  HIT  AT  THE  BOX  OFFICES  OF 
THE  NATION  .  .  .  PLENTY  OF  ENTERTAINMENT  FOR 
THE  ENTIRE  FAMILY."  —  Showmen's  Trade  Review 


PROMISES  AMPLE  REWARD  AT  THE  BOX  OFFICE 
.  . .  HOLDS  APPEAL  FOR  MOST  AUDIENCES." 


—  Motion  Picture  Herald 


WILL  STIR  ANY  AUDIENCE  TO  THE  DEPTHS  ...  AN 

IMPORTANT  AND  STIRRING   PICTURE."       -Daily  Variety 


IS  TOP  FLIGHT  ENTERTAINMENT. ..  SHOULD  HAVE  A 
LUSTY  AND  PROFITABLE  LIFE  . .  .  MERITS  A  PLACE 

WITH  THE  BEST."  -Independent 


^fijf/C  SHOULD  DO  PROFITABLE  BUSINESS  ...  SINCERE, 
7ff/^,  DIGNIFIED,  ELOQUENT  AND  STEADILY  ENGROSS- 
ING FILM."  -Variety 


IS  CERTAIN  TO  BENEFIT  THE  BOX  OFFICE."  -Exhibitor 


CHARLES 


MAUREEN 


LAUGHTON  •  O'HARA 


tAti»  u  mm*  * 

ji$       GEORGE  SANDERS  •  WALTER  SLEZAK  % 
r  KENT  SMITH  -  UNA  O'CONNOR  BOH 


Directed  by  Jean  Renoir 
Screen  Play  by  Dudley  Nichols 


KENT  SMITH  •  UNA  O'CONNOR 

A  JEAN  RENOIR' DUDLEY  NICHOLS 


Production 


MaY    1  •    19  4  3  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  41 

THE  HOLLYWOOD  SCENE 


From  HOLLYWOOD  BUREAU 


Preparations  for  the  production  of  "The 
Life  of  Eddie  Rickenbacker"  on  the  Twenti- 
eth Century-Fox  lot  started  this  week  when 
producer  Winfield  R.  Sheehan  moved  his 
staff  to  the  studio.  Twentieth  Century-Fox 
also  announced  the  signing  of  Christy 
Walsh,  head  of  the  newspaper  syndicate 
bearing  his  name,  and  close  friend  of  Cap- 
tain Rickenbacker,  as  associate  producer. 

Academy  Award  winner  Edwin  Burke  and 
playwright  Paul  Green  have  been  signed  to 
prepare  the  screenplay.  Six  writers  have 
been  collecting  data  about  Captain  Ricken- 
backer's  early  life  from  relatives,  friends, 
business  and  military  associates  and  boyhood 
chums  in  Detroit,  New  York  and  other 
cities.  Research  and  story  contributions  will 
be  directed  by  Alva  Johnston,  John  Larkin, 
Isobel  Leighton,  Bill  Henry,  Lee  Loeb  and 
John  Kobler. 

Newspaper  Serial  on 
Universal  Agenda 

Universal  led  the  field  in  the  week's  an- 
nouncements of  pictures-to-come,  naming 
three  of  the  11  new  projects  disclosed  dur- 
ing the  period. 

"The  Strange  Guest  of  Adolph  Hitler," 
which  has  been  running  serially  in  the  New 
York  Post,  has  been  added  to  the  Universal 
agenda  and  assigned  to  Ben  Pivar  for  pro- 
duction from  a  script  by  Fritz  Kortner. 

"His  Butler's  Sister"  is  announced  as  the 
next  vehicle  for  Deanna  Durbin  and  pro- 
ducer Felix  Jackson  has  assigned  Frank 
Borzage  to  direct  it. 

"Her  Primitive  Man,"  by  Dick  Hyland, 
is  announced  as  the  studio's  next  vehicle  for 
Louise  Allbritton,  now  rated  a  star  of  first 
rank,  with  Alex  Gottlieb  giving  the  property 
a  top-budget  production. 

Warner  Brothers  has  announced  "The 
Conspirators"  as  a  reassociation  of  Hum- 
phrey Bogart,  Paul  Henried,  Claude  Rains, 
Sydney  Greenstreet  and  S.  Z.  Sakall,  from 
the  "Casablanca"  cast,  with  Ann  Sheridan 
supplanting  Ingrid  Bergman,  and  has  named 
"Brazaville"  as  a  picture  in  kind  to  follow 
that  one,  with  the  same  talent. 

Berman  Will  Produce 
Elaborate  Metro  Film 

Columbia  added  "This  Is  a  Free  Coun- 
try," meaning  America,  by  Harry  Trivers, 
to  P.  J.  Wolfson's  production  schedule. 

"Gone  Are  the  Days,"  having  to  do  with 
Chautauqua,  is  a  Columbia  project  of  di- 
mensions with  Cary  Grant,  Rita  Hayworth 
and  Charles  Coburn  heading  the  cast. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  whispered  about, 
rather  than  announced,  a  new  and  elaborate 
property,  to  be  produced  by  Pandro  Ber- 
man, who  has  gone  east  to  attend  to  some 
researching  in  person. 

Paramount-  announced  "The  Well 
Groomed  Bride,"  not  a  war  picture,  as  a 
vehicle  for  Betty  Hutton  and  Diana  Lynn. 

RKO  Radio  announced  "Tempest"  as  the 
property  with  which  Dudley  Nichols,  Jean 
Renoir  and  Jean  Gabin  will  be  identified, 
and  "Show  Business"  as  the  Eddie  Cantor 
film,  to  be  produced  as  well  as  starred  in  by 


Statistics  Upset  Rumors 


Rumors  about  the  curtailment  of  produc- 
tion for  a  variety  of  reasons,  circulated  dur- 
ing recent  weeks,  are  dispelled  by  statistics 
covering  the  first  16  weeks  of  1943  as 
chronicled  weekly  in  this  space. 

In  that  period  the  studios  of  the  area 
have  maintained  an  average  of  36.875 
features  in  shooting  stage  per  week.  And 
the  weekly  figures  from  which  the  average 
is  compiled  range  from  a  low  of  33  to  a 
high  of  41 ,  indicating  consistency  of  manu- 
facture in  the  face  of  obstacles,  real  as 
well  as  rumored,  which  have  occasioned 
much  worrying  and  considerable  overcom- 
ing but  no  tangible  abatement  of  activity. 

Seven  pictures  were  started  and  six  com- 
pleted in  the  week  charted  below,  bringing 
the  shooting  figure  to  38. 

Andrew  Stone  started  "Hi  Diddle  Did- 
dle", his  first  production  for  United  Artists, 
with  Adolphe  Menjou,  Martha  Scott,  Pola 
Negri,  Billie  Burke,  Dennis  O'Keefe,  June 
Havoc  and  Walter  Kingsford. 

Twentieth   Century- Fox   launched  "The 


COMPLETED 

Columbia 

What's  Buzzin', 

Cousin 
Right  Guy 

Somewhere  in  Sahara 

Paramount 

Let's  Face  It 

Republic 

West  Side  Kid 

20th  Century- Fox 

Jane  Eyre 


STARTED 

Columbia 

Without  Notice 

Monogram 

Law  Rides  Again 

Republic 

Bordertown 
Gunfighters 


20th  Century- Fox 

Girls  He  Left  Behind 
UA 

Hi  Diddle  Diddle 
(Stone) 

Universal 

Fired  Wife 
Cobra  Woman 

SHOOTING 

Columbia 

Attack  by  Night 
Goldwyn 
North  Star 
MGM 

Lost  Angel 
America 
Russia 
Man  from 

Down  Under 


Girls  He  Left  Behind",  a  Technicolor  musi- 
cal, with  Alice  Faye,  Carmen  Miranda, 
James  Ellison,  Phil  Baker,  Edward  Everett 
Horton,  Charlotte  Greenwood  and  Eugene 
Pallette. 

Universal  put  the  Technicolor  camera  on 
"Cobra  Woman",  third  of  its  presentations 
of  the  Jon  Hall-Maria  Montez-Sabu  trio, 
and  started  "Fired  Wife",  in  black  and 
white,  with  Robert  Paige,  Diana  Barrymore, 
Louise  Allbritton,  Walter  Abel  and  Bobby 
Brooks. 

Columbia  began  filming  "Without  No- 
tice", offering  Charles  Coburn,  Marguerite 
Chapman,  Bill  Cater  and  Melville  Cooper. 

Republic  started  "Bordertown  Gunfight- 
ers", a  Wild  Bill  Elliott  number  with  George 
"Gabby"  Hayes,  Anne  Jeffreys  and  Henry 
Woods. 

Monogram  started  "The  Law  Rides 
Again",  with  Hoot  Gibson,  Ken  Maynard, 
Betty  Miles  and  Jack  LaRue. 

The  scene  by  status,  studio  and  title: 


Madame  Curie 
Guy  Named  Joe 
Whistling  in 
Brooklyn 

Monogram 

Melody  Parade 

Paramount 

Henry  Aldrich 

Haunts  a  House 
Uninvited 

PRC 

Billy  the  Kid,  No.  6 
Isle  of  Forgotten  Sins 

RKO  Radio 

Falcon  in  Danger 
Tarzan  and  the  Sheik 

Republic 

Headin'  for 

God's  Country 


20th  Century- Fox 

Winter  Time 
Holy  Matrimony 
Roger  Touhy,  Last 

of  the  Gangsters 
Song  of  Bernadette 

UA 

McLeod's  Folly 
(Cagney) 

Riders  of  the  Dead- 
line (Sherman) 

Universal 

Sherlock  Holmes 
Faces  Death 

Two  Tickets 
to  London 

Hers  to  Hold 

Corvettes  In  Action 

Warners 

To  the  Last  Man 
Saratoga  Trunk 
This  Is  the  Army 
Animal  Kingdom 


the  comedian,  which  will  trace  the  highlights 
of  the  Cantor  career. 

What  with  WAACS,  WAVES,  SPARS 
and  such  monopolizing  public  interest  in 
feminine  groupings,  Pete  Smith,  has  decided 
to  make  one  of  his  shorts  glorifying  and 
entitled  "WIVES"  (written  that  way). 
Alfred  E.  Green  is  to  direct  Columbia's  "Of- 
ficers Candidate  School." 

Walt  Disney,  whose  studio  has  been  de- 
voted to  training  films  and  kindred  efforts 
to  such  an  extent  that  it's  been  classified  a 
war  plant,  is  not  going  to  revert  entirely  to 


films  of  comedic  interest  when  the  conflict 
is  over,  according  to  a  message  conveyed  to 
former  Disney  workers  now  in  service  via  a 
booklet  prepared  for  transmission  to  them. 
Addressing  them  as  a  group,  he  says  in  part, 
"Making  training  films,  we  are  learning 
techniques  for  tackling  our  share  of  the  re- 
construction problems  ahead.  Making  films 
for  development  of  a  better  understanding 
between  North  and  South  America,  we  look 
forward  to  similar  work  on  a  worldwide 
scale.  That  is  the  work  to  which  you  will 
return  with  the  ending  of  war." 


THE  CROSc^y  CohpORation 

CI"CINNATI 

WLW 

Tie  Nation's  Station 

Mar°h  9,  1943. 


RKO  S.d  „„ 

„       76t»i  Avenue, 
Sow  York,  il.  y 

Dear  Hr.  Doplnet. 

£Z  tolSU*^?"  ■»«•«  Ploture.,  i  «, 
^  Picture  -JhrC*!^"  ?*  W° 
^^^^ 

Please  advise  ,.„  «. 


v«ry  sincerely 


Shouee 


SPONSORSHIP  BY 


— » 


9 


"Money  in  the  bank  for 
any  and  all  exhibitors. 
It  is  BIG  BOXOFFICE!" 

— Motion  Picture  Daily 

"Packs  terrific  wallop. 
Geared  to  exceptional 
b.o.  grosses  in  all  situa- 
tions!" -Variety 

"Here's  a  boxoffice  baby 
that  should  pull  in  plenty 
of  dough!  A  film  of 
great  boxoffice  power!" 

— Film  Daily 

"A  knockout  to  the  eye, 
tingling  to  the  senses,  a 
tip-top,  first  class  show 
destined  to  roll  up  top- 
flight grosses...  highly 
important  and  lusty 
boxoffice  dollars!" 

— Red  Kann,  Motion  Picture  Herald 


9  SfB 


iff 


44 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May     I  ,  1943 


Plan  Mexican,  Cuban  committees 
Film  Cooperation 


Mexican  Producer  Visits 
Cuba;  Grovas  Defends 
Industry  Chamber 

by  LUIS  BECERRA  CELIS 

in  Mexico  City 

Closer  cooperation  of  Mexican  and  Cuban 
film  producers,  distributors  and  exhibitors 
is  expected  to  result  from  the  visit  to  Ha- 
vana of  Santiago  Reachi,  president  of  the 
Association  of  Mexican  Producers  and  Dis- 
tributors of  Motion  Pictures,  who  is  also 
president  of  Posa  Films,  S.A.,  an  important 
Mexican  producer,  and  Carlos  Carriedo  Gal- 
van,  president  of  the  Banco  Cinematografica, 
the  film  industry's  own  bank.  They  both 
flew  to  Havana  where  they  expect  to  be  for 
several  weeks. 

Labor  troubles  of  the  Principal,  Roxy, 
Estrella  and  Alhambra,  leading  local  subse- 
quent run  theatres,  were  smoothed  over  for 
the  duration,  at  least,  with  the  granting  of  a 
40  per  cent  pay  increase  that  allows  the  pro- 
jectionists, for  example,  the  record  high  pay 
for  their  work  here  of  $4.75  a  shift  ordinary 
days  and  double  that  amount  Sundays  and 
holidays. 

The  National  Supreme  Court  has 
erased  one  of  the  industry's  problems  oc- 
casioned by  the  amendment  to  the  Fed- 
eral Labor  Law  enacted  in  February, 
1942,  which  gave  all  industries  operating 
under  Federal  concession  six  months  to 
build  homes  for  their  workers.  The  high 
court  unanimously  held  that  the  amend- 
ment was  unconstitutional,  and  granted 
several  industrialists  injunctions  restrain- 
ing the  Ministry  of  Labor  from  enforc- 
ing the  measure.  The  tribunal  interpret- 
ed the  labor  law  as  demanding  that  fed- 
eralized industries  need  only  provide 
homes  for  their  workers  when  their  work 
centers  are  too  far  from  population 
centers. 

Jesus  Grovas,  president  of  the  National 
Cinematographic  Industry  Chamber,  issued 
a  public  statement  last  week  refuting  charges 
by  Pedro  Tellez  Vargas,  secretary  general 
of  the  National  Cinematographic  Industry 
Workers,  that  the  Chamber  provoked  con- 
flicts in  the  industry. 

The  union  official's  remarks  were  con- 
tained in  a  speech  to  members  of  his  organ- 
ization at  the  group's  second  convention  held 
recently  in  the  Cine  Regis  theatre  in  Mexico 
City.  Mr.  Vargas  denied  the  implications 
by  outlining  the  Chamber's  unification  pol- 
icy, which,  he  said,  was  successful  in  har- 
monizing industry  groups  after  all  other  ef- 
forts collapsed. 

Disney  Unit  Working 
At  CLASA  Studio 

Walt  Disney  is  completing  in  the  CLASA 
studios  here  "La  Pifiata"  (the  colorful  clay  jar 
that  is  smashed  by  young  and  old  as  the  high- 
light of  the  true  Mexican  Christmas)  that  will 
be  a  part  of  his  "Surprise  Party,"  a  Latin 
American  extravaganza.     Mr.  Disney  sent  a 


MISS  DEL  RIO  IS 
SOLDIERS'  HOST 

Dolores  Del  Rio  celebrated  her 
saint's  day,  April  16th,  in  Mexico 
City,  by  giving  a  banquet  at  the  Mili- 
tary Casino  for  1 ,000  young  Mexican 
soldiers  just  called  to  the  colors,  and 
200  screen  personalities.  The  dinner 
is  said  to  have  cost  Miss  Del  Rio 
$1,750,  and  the  guests  consumed, 
among  other  things,  2,500  bottles  of 
beer  and  3,000  main  dishes. 


crew  here  to  handle  the  Mexican  phase  of  the 
film.    The  crew  is  composed  of : 

Norman  Ferguson,  producer  and  director; 
Jack  Dunham,  production  manager ;  Charles 
Wolcott,  musical  director ;  Sam  Slyfield,  sound 
engineer;  Homer  Brightman  and  Ernesto  Ter- 
raza,  writers  and  cartoonists ;  Edmundo  Santos, 
technical  expert,  and  Miss  Dorothy  Hughes, 
secretary.  Shots  of  typically  Mexican  locale 
are  being  made  for  the  production  by  Luis 
Osorno  Barona,  cameraman  of  the  Govern- 
ment's tourist  department.  Musical  sequences, 
featuring  true  Mexican  songs,  old  and  new, 
rendered  by  leading  native  artists,  were  ar- 
ranged by  Manuel  "Esperon. 

"Les  Miserables"  to  Be 
Made  in  Mexico 

Production  of  two  pictures  of  unusual  in- 
terest is  in  the  offing.  One  is  the  first  pro- 
duction in  Mexico  of  "Les  Miserables."  This 
is  to  be  what  is  called  an  unabridged  screen 
presentation,  in  Spanish,  of  course,  of  Hugo's 
classic.  It  is  now  being  shot  here  by  Fernando 
Rivero.  The  cast  features  Domingo  Soler  and 
Manolita  Savel. 

The  other  novelty  is  "Michael  Strogoff,  or 
the  Czar's  Courier."  Film  rights  for  produc- 
tion in  Mexico  of  this  Jules  Verne  classic  have 
been  bought  by  Cimesa  which  is  now  select- 
ing a  director  and  cast.  Start  of  this  picture 
is  expected  for  immediately  after  Easter. 
V 

Fire  resulting  from  a  short  circuit  in 
the  projection  room  destroyed  the  only  the- 
atre in  Aquiles  Serdan,  important  Chihuahua 
State  mining  camp.  The  blaze  got  beyond 
control,  it  was  said,  because  the  town  fire 
brigade  lacked  sufficient  equipment,  and  even 
that  voluntarily  rushed  to  the  fire  by  the  two 
big  American  mining  companies  operating  in 
the  region,  the  Assarco  (American  Smelting 
&  Refining)  and  the  Potosi  was  not  enough  to 
save  the  theatre.     There  were  no  casualties. 

Lent  Business  Unusually 
Good  This  Year 

Lent,  usually  a  dull  time  for  exhibitors  in 
Mexico,  is  surprisingly  different  this  year. 
Business  is  very  good  for  the  theatres.  Some 
of  them  are  enjoying  record  business.  The 
Cine  Alameda,  leading  first  run  theatre,  did 
extremely  well  with  "El  Circo"  (The  Circus"), 
a  Mexican  comedy,  starring  "Cantinflas,"  lead- 
ing bum  comedian,  who  in  private  life  is  Mario 
Moreno,  vice-president  of  Posa  Films,  S.A. 
The  Cines  Magerit  and  Lido,  also  select  first 
run  theatres,  did  excellently  with  RKO's 
"Bambi."  Mr.  Moreno  plans  "Romeo,"  from 
the  Shakespearian  classic;  as  the  most  ambi- 
tious film  of  his  career. 


For  Jewish 
Appeal  Drive 

Committees  for  the  amusement  industry's 
part  in  the  United  Jewish  Appeal  campaign 
were  announced  last  week  by  David  Bernstein, 
Barney  Balaban  and  Albert  Warner,  co-chair- 
men of  the  drive.  The  campaign  will  be 
launched  on  May  11th  with  the  fifth  annual 
luncheon  of  the  entertainment  division  at  the 
Hotel  Astor,  New  York.  Dr.  Abba  Hillel 
Silver  again  will  be  guest  speaker,  and  B.  S. 
Moss,  chairman  of  the  luncheon  committee, 
will  preside. 

Members  of  the  amusement  division's  cam- 
paign committees  are  as  follows : 

Columbia  Pictures:  Jack  Cohn,  Leo  Jaffe,  Abraham 
Schneider,  Max  Seligman,  Nathan  B.  Spingold. 

Loews,  Inc.:  Howard  Dietz,  Oscar  A.  Doob,  Leopold 
Friedman,  Irving  H.  Greenfield,  Jesse  Kaye,  Arthur 
M.  Loew,  Wm.  Melniker,  Charles  C.  Moskowitz,  Mor- 
ton Spring,  Charles  Sonin,  Joseph  R.  Vogel. 

Monogram  Pictures:  Harry  Thomas. 

National  Screen  Service:  Herman  Robbins,  Toby 
Gruen,  William  Sussman. 

RKO:  Leon  Goldberg,  Malcolm  Kingsberg,  Harry  J. 
Michaelson,  Phil  H.  Reisman. 

Paramount:  Joseph  H.  Cooper,  Harold  L.  Danson. 
Leonard  H.  Goldenson,  Arthur  Israel,  Jr.,  Robert 
Weitman. 

Republic  Pictures:  Morris  Epstein,  Max  Gillis,  Mil- 
ton Green,  Sidney  Picker,  Ralph  I.  Poucher,  Walter 
L.  Titus,  Jr. 

20th  Century-Fox:  Jack  Bloom,  William  Freedman, 
Dan  Michalove,  Joseph  H.  Moskowitz,  Aubrey 
Schenck, 

Pathe:  Fred  Ullman,  Jr. 

United  Artists:  Samuel  Cohen.  Miss  Ida  Garretson. 
Harry  L.  Gold,  Monroe  W.  Greenthal,  Paul  N. 
Lazarus. 

Universal:  Walter  J.  Barber,  Nate  J.  Blumberg, 
Samuel  Machnovitch,  John  O'Connor,  Joseph  H.  Sei- 
delman. 

Warner  Bros. :  Max  B.  Blackman,  Harold  Rodner. 
Samuel  Schneider. 

Motion  Picture  Exchanges:  Harry  L.  Buxbaum,  Nat 
Cohn,  Morris  Epstein,  Joe  Felder,  Joseph  J.  Lee, 
Herman  B.  Gluckman,  Dave  Levy,  Myron  Sattler, 
Ed  Schnitzer,  Bob  Wolff. 

Independent  Theatre  Owners:  Bernard  B.  Brandt, 
Harry  Brandt,  William  Brandt,  Leo  Brecher,  Jules 
Catsiff,  Max  A.  Cohen,  Simon  H.  Fabian,  Louis 
Frisch,  Edward  A.  Golden,  Sam  Goodman,  Arthur  L. 
Mayer,  Charles  H.  Moses,  B.  S.  Moss,  Louis  M.  Nel- 
son, Hyman  Rachmill,  Arthur  M.  Rapf,  Walter  Reade. 
Samuel  Rinzler,  Samuel  Rosen,  Edward  N.  Rugoff, 
Rudolph  Sanders.  F'red  J.  Schwartz,  Jr.,  Edward 
Seider,  Joseph  Seider,  Spyros  Skouras,  Joe  Springer, 
Samuel  Strausberg,  David  Weinstock. 

Motion  Picture  Accessories:  B.  S.  Moss,  Chairman: 
Max  A.  Cohen,  George  Feinberg,  Marcus  J.  Fessler. 
William  Freedman,  Emil  Friedlander,  Emanuel  Frisch. 
Miss  Ida  Garretson,  Joseph  Hornstein,  Stanley  Kol- 
bert,  Jerome  M.  Loeb,  Milton  Maier,  Harry  Mandel. 
Harry  A.  Nadel,  Eupene  Picker,  Sam  Rosen,  Fred 
Schwartz,  Edward  Seider,  Max  Seligman,  Charles 
Sonin,  Monroe  F.  Stein,  James  EL  Stroock,  Max  Wolff. 

Publications:  Jack  Alicoate,  George  Morris,  Martin 
Quigley,  Sam  Shain,  Sid  Silverman,  Louis  Sobol. 

Film  Importers:  Budd  Rogers,  Max  A.  Schlesinger. 

General:  Lawrence  Bolognino,  Louis  J.  Brecker, 
Jules  E.  Brulatour,  Alan  E.  Freedman,  Ted  Friend, 
Hy  Gardner,  Harry  M.  Goetz,  Jack  Goetz,  Reuben 
Guskin,  Joe  Katch,  A.  L.  Kirwin,  Fred  Lakeman, 
Meyer  H.  Lavenstein,  John  Manheimer,  Arthur  Mur- 
ray, Isroy  M.  Norr,  H.  J.  Yates,  Jr. 

Division  Secretary:  Leo  Rutstein. 


Sh  umow  Is  Named  MGM 
Milwaukee  Manager 

Harry  J.  Shumow,  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
branch  manager  at  Omaha  for  the  past  13 
years,  has  been  appointed  branch  manager  at 
Milwaukee,  succeeding  the  late  Sam  Shurman, 
it  was  announced  this  week.  Mr.  Shumow  will 
assume  his  new  duties  on  Monday. 

Succeeding  Mr.  Shumow  at  Omaha  will  be 
John  G.  Kemptgen,  sales  manager  at  Chicago 
for  several  years.  Henry  Kahn,  salesman  at 
Chicago,  succeeds  Mr.  Kemptgen. 

Six  Killed  in  Mexican  Panic 

_  Three  men  and  three  women  were  killed,  and 
six  children  and  three  adults  were  injured  on 
Tuesday  as  panic  swept  the  Cine  Isabel,  im- 
portant theatre  in  Leon  Guanajuato  State,  Mex- 
ico. The  panic  followed  a  hurricane,  which 
ripped  the  roof  of  the  theatre. 


May     I  ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


45 


Koerner  Gets 
New  7- Year 
RKO  Contract 


Charles  Koerner,  vice-president  in  charge  of 
production  for  RKO  Radio  Pictures,  has  been 
given  a  new  seven-year  contract  by  the  board  of 
directors,  which  met  Mon- 
day in  New  York.  The 
announcement  was  made 
by  N.  Peter  Rathvon, 
president  of  the  Radio- 
Keith-Orpheum  Corpora- 
tion. Mr.  Rathvon  re- 
turned from  a  long  visit 
at  the  studio. 

Mr.  Koerner  assumed 
his  present  post  in  May 
of  last  year.  Previously, 
he  had  been  general  man- 
ager of  the  RKO  circuit. 
He  has  been  with  the 
company  since  1931,  and 
had  been  successively,  in 
the  circuit,  southwest, 
northeast   and   west   coast   division  manager. 

Under  his  studio  regime,  RKO  has  produced 
such  pictures  as  "Once  Upon  a  Honeymoon," 
"Flight  for  Freedom,"  "Mr.  Lucky"  and  "The 
Navy  Comes  Through." 


Charles  Koerner 


Civic  Leaders  in  Picture 
To  Aid  New  York  Fund 

"Mayor  F.  H.  LaGuardia,  Wendell  L.  Willkie 
and  former  Governor  Alfred  E.  Smith  faced 
the  camera  in  the  March  of  Time  studios  in 
New  York  last  week  for  appearances  in  the 
film,  "In  War  and  Peace — New  York  Must 
Care  for  Its  Own." 

The  film  will  be  shown  for  the  benefit  of  the 
annual  Greater  New  York  Fund,  which  is  seek- 
ing to  raise  $4,500,000  for  406  welfare  and 
health  agencies  and  hospitals.  W.  Randolph 
Burgess,  general  chairman  of  the  campaign,  is- 
sued a  statement  thanking  those  who  took  part 
in  the  making  of  the  film,  among  whom  were 
Eddie  Cantor  and  Sergeant  Robert  Sisson,  U.  S. 
Army.  Starting  May  3rd,  the  film  will  be 
shown  in  New  York  theatres. 


Charles  Jackson  To  Head 
OWI  in  North  Africa 

Charles  Douglas  Jackson,  vice-president  of 
Time,  Inc.,  publishers  of  Time,  Life  and  For- 
tune, has  been  appointed  chief  of  all  operations 
of  the  Office  of  War  Information  in  North 
Africa,  it  was  announced  last  week  by  OWI 
officials. 

Mr.  Jackson  is  expected  to  make  his  head- 
quarters in  North  Africa  after  conferences  with 
Elmer  Davis,  OWI  director,  and  Robert  D. 
Sherwood,  director  of  overseas  operations.  Mr. 
Jackson  recently  returned  from  Turkey  after  a 
six -month  misssion  for  the  State  Department. 


Stromberg  Present  at 
"Lady"  Trade  Show 

Hunt  Stromberg,  producer  of  "Ladies  of 
Burlesque"  for  United  Artists  release,  attended 
the  trade  showing  of  the  film  at  the  Norman- 
die  theatre  in  New  York  on  Tuesday  for 
circuit  and  independent  exhibitors  in  the  metro- 
politan area.  Also  present  was  Michael  O'Shea, 
who  has  the  leading  male  role  in  the  picture. 

Home  office  representatives  of  United  Artists 
who  attended  the  showing  were  Carl  Leserman, 
Lowell  Calvert,  Harry  Gold,  Edward  Schnitzer, 
Emanuel  Silverstone,  Sam  Lefkowitz,  Dave 
Burkan,  Abe  Dickstein  and  Paul  Lazarus,  Jr., 
among  others. 


Herewith  my  annual  subscrip- 
tion of  $10  for  one  year  for 
Motion  Picture  Herald — per  en- 
closed bank  draft.  I  hope  you 
keep  on  sending  the  Herald, 
even  though  my  sub  is  late 
arriving.  I  have  been  getting  it 
now  for  well  over  20  years,  and 
would  not  be  without  it.  I  am 
a  theatre  owner  and  manager. 
—GEORGE  C ALDER,  general 
manager,  Lyceum  Talkie  Cir- 
cuit, Auckland,  New  Zealand. 


Selznick,  RKO 
In  Talent  Pool 


David  O.  Selznick,  producer,  and  RKO  Radio 
Pictures  will  "pool"  the  stars  under  contract 
to  their  respective  organizations,  the  latter 
company  announced  this  week.  The  agreement 
provides  for  sharing  the  services  of  four  per- 
sonalities. 

They  are  Gordon  Oliver,  leading  man  from 
the  New  York  stage,  recently  signed  bv  Mr. 
Selznick  to  an  actor-director  contract;  Robert 
Anderson,  radio  player  signed  by  RKO  Radio 
to  a  long  term  contract;  Kim  Hunter,  actress 
discovered  by  Mr.  Selznick  at  the  Pasadena 
Community  Playhouse,  and  Gregory  Peck, 
Broadway  actor  whose  work  in  Guthrie  Mc- 
Clintock's  "Morning  Star"  led  to  his  RKO 
Radio  contract. 

"The  agreement  has  been  made  in  the  spirit 
of  cooperation  which  is  so  essential  to  the  in- 
dustry at  this  time,"  said  Charles  Koerner,  RKO 
Radio's  vice-president  in  charge  of  production. 
"Here  at  RKO  Radio  we  feel  fortunate  in  join- 
ing with  Mr.  Selznick,  long  recognized  as  one 
of  the  screen's  foremost  discoverers  of  star 
talent,  in  a  deal  which  makes  available  to  both 
organizations  the  services  of  four  newcomers, 
all  striking  screen  personalities." 


May  Reconsider  Chicago 
Union  Contracts 

The  wage  increases  which  were  agreed  upon 
between  Chicago  exhibitors  and  the  operators, 
stage  hands  and  janitors'  unions  may  have  to 
be  reconsidered  because  of  the  presidential 
proclamation  which  limits  pay  raises  to  the  cor- 
rection of  substandard  living  conditions  and 
those  that  conform  to  the  "Little  Steel"  formula, 
according  to  spokesmen  for  the  exhibitor  in- 
terests. 

It  has  been  learned  that  the  new  contracts 
have  not  been  submitted  to  the  War  Labor 
Board  for  approval  because  of  minor  technicali- 
ties needed  to  reconcile  the  various  interests. 
The  old  contracts  for  the  operators  and  stage- 
hands expired  on  September  1,  1942,  and  the 
contract  for  the  janitors  on  March  1st.  Any 
new  scale  agreed  upon  will  be  retroactive  to 
those  dates. 


Edward  Peskay  Named 
Ealing  Representative 

Edward  J.  Peskay  has  been  appointed  repre- 
sentative of  Ealing  Studios,  British  company,  in 
North  and  South  America,  it  was  announced 
this  week  by  Reginald  Baker  and  Michael  Bal- 
con,  joint  managing  directors  of  Ealing. 

Mr.  Peskay  succeeds  the  late  Arthur  Lee, 
who  died  in  the  Yankee  Clipper  crash  near  Lis- 
bon last  February.  The  new  officers  will  be 
located  at  729  Seventh  Avenue  in  New  York. 


Goetz  Resigns 
20th-Fox  Post; 
Plans  Uncertain 


William  Goetz  has  resigned  as  vice-president 
in  charge  of  production  for  Twentieth  Century- 
Fox,  that  company's  president,  Spyros  Skouras, 
announced  Monday  at  the  New  York  home 
office.  The  resignation  is  effective  at  the  end 
of  his  current  production  schedule.  Mr.  Skou- 
ras commented :  "The  resignation  was  accepted 
with  deep  regret." 

Mr.  Goetz'  contract  had  about  nine  years  to 
run. 

"I  was  given  the  post  on  a  temporary  basis, 
but  had  reached  the  point  where  I  wanted  to 
have  clarified  what  was  in  store  for  the  future. 
There  is  no  contract  settlement  involved  be- 
cause I  sought  nothing  beyond  my  release. 
Naturally,  as  a  heavy  stockholder,  I  am  inter- 
ested in  the  future  of  the  company." 

The  producer  also  denied  rumors  linking  him 
to  United  Artists,  to  David  Selznick,  and  to 
MGM,  insisting  that  he  had  made  no  plans  for 
the  future. 

Mr.  Goetz  owns  44,588  shares  of  Twentieth 
Century-Fox  common  stock,  and  he  holds  113,- 
755  shares  through  the  Louis  B.  Mayer  family 
trust,  as  well  as  6,912  shares  of  preferred,  ac- 
cording to  an  SEC  listing  of  his  holdings  as  of 
January  1,  1943. 

Mr.  Mayer,  vice-president  of  MGM-Loew's, 
in  charge  of  production,  was  in  New  York  this 
week.  At  the  same  time,  Joseph  M.  Schenck 
conferred  at  the  New  York  home  office  of 
Twentieth  Century-Fox  with  Mr.  Skouras  and 
other  executives. 

Whether  Colonel  Darryl  Zanuck,  now  on 
leave  of  absence,  will  be  placed  on  the  Army  in- 
active list,  and  will  return  thereafter  to  the 
studio,  where  he  was  in  charge  of  production, 
was  not  known  at  midweek.  But  the  possi- 
bility remained  a  strong  factor  in  the  eyes  of 
Hollywood  observers.  It  was  understood  the 
resignation  of  Mr.  Goetz  was  not  in  any  way 
under  pressure  from  Mr.  Zanuck. 

Mr.  Goetz's  stock  holdings  were  estimated  in 
Hollywood  to  be  worth  more  than  $4,000,000. 


In  Motion  Picture  Daily,  Sam  Shain's  col- 
umn recorded  : 

"The  situation  is  conditioned  by  the  terms  of 
Col.  Darryl  Zanuck's  contract  with  20th  Cen- 
tury-Fox Film  Corporation  as  the  head  of  pro- 
duction, subject  only  to  the  president  and  the 
board  of  directors.  Thus,  because  of  the  possi- 
bility that  Zanuck  might  return  to  active  Holly- 
wood production,  were  his  application  to  be 
placed  on  the  inactive  reserve  list  by  the  Army 
to  be  granted,  the  question  arose  as  to  the 
future  status  of  William  Goetz,  acting  chief  of 
production.  It  was  suggested  that  the  over-all 
production  duties  of  the  studio  be  divided  be- 
tween the  two.  Goetz  was  agreeable  on  condition 
that  his  authority  over  his  division  be  co-equal 
with  Zanuck's.  The  company  heads,  however, 
decided  divided  authority  was  impractical — and 
offered  Goetz  his  own  unit,  but  reserving  the 
authority  on  stories  and  picture  costs  to  Zanuck, 
which  suggestion  Goetz  turned  down.  He  re- 
signed a  week  ago  last  Saturday.  His  resigna- 
tion was  accepted  by  the  board  of  directors  in 
New  York  Friday,  April  23rd — the  resignation 
having  been  offered  during  Spyros  Skouras' 
recent  visit  to  the  studio." 


20th  Century- Fox  Releases  Set 

The  national  release  date  of  "They  Came  to 
Blow  Up  America"  has  been  set  for  May  7th, 
Twentieth  Century-Fox  announced  last  week. 
The  date  for  "Crash  Dive"  is  May  14th.  "My 
Friend  Flicka"  was  released  on  April  23rd,  fol- 
lowed by  "Tonight  We  Raid  Calais"  on  April 
30th.  All  the  films  are  in  the  company's  ninth 
block. 





48 

NSS  Holds  2nd 
Sales  Meeting 

More  intensive  use  of  advertising  accessories 
during  wartime,  when  fewer  pictures  are  being 
made  and  exhibitors  are  giving  them  longer 
runs,  was  advocated  at  the  National  Screen 
Service  regional  sales  meeting  in  Chicago  on 
Sunday  by  George  Dembow,  vice-president  in 
charge  of  sales.  It  was  the  second  of  two 
meetings  held  by  the  company. 

Observing  that  product  could  not  be  "over- 
sold," Mr.  Dembow  added  that  excellent  busi- 
ness throughout  the  country  had  not  been  ac- 
companied in  proportion  by  advertising  appro- 
priations, and,  hence,  that  greater  use  of  avail- 
able material  is  necessary. 

Don  Velde,  accessories  executive  in  the  New 
York  home  office,  outlined  processes  of  their 
manufacture  and  distribution.  Other  speakers 
were  William  Brenner,  vice-president  in  charge 
of  operations ;  William  Sussman,  southern  and 
western  division  manager ;  Jack  Cohen,  east- 
ern division  manager ;  William  Bein,  central 
division. 

Congratulations  on  the  company's  23rd  anni- 
versary were  received  from  circuit  executives 
Leonard  Goldenson,  Harry  Kalmine,  Edward 
Alperson,  Charles  Moskowitz,  Joseph  Vogel 
and  Robert  O'Donnell. 

The  Sunday  sessions  ended  a  three-day  meet- 
ing. 

Among  those  attending  were :  branch  man- 
agers Louis  Boyer,  New  Orleans ;  Gilbert 
Clark,  Oklahoma  City;  Robert  Conway,  Mem- 
phis ;  H.  Ted  Liebtag,  Indianapolis ;  H.  R.  Mac- 
Pherson,  Detroit ;  John  Mednikow,  Milwaukee  ; 
Louis  Patz,  Des  Moines ;  L.  George  Ross, 
Kansas  City ;  Harris  Silverberg,  Chicago ;  Wal- 
lace Walthall,  Dallas,  and  Herb  Washburn,  St. 
Louis. 

Others  who  attended  were:  Michael  Kauff- 
man,  F.  W.  Allen,  Roy  Alexander,  Frank  Ber- 
glas,  Herman  Booth,  Ivan  Clavet,  Bernard 
Cobb,  Albert  Cohen,  E.  J.  Detwiler,  Oscar  Dix- 
on, Frank  Fischer,  Charles  Gregory,  Harry 
Harris,  Tom  Harris,  Arvid  Kantor,  Ben  Lass, 
Cyril  B.  Lee,  Jay  W.  MacFarland,  A.  P.  Madi- 
son, Doyle  Maynard,  Joseph  Powers,  Tobey 
Roe,  Leo  Smith,  Carl  Sokolof,  I.  Sokolof,  Paul 
Mooney,  Henry  Porter,  Wallace  Nass  and  Jack 
Baker. 

Ask  Film  Be  Made  to  Curb 
Property  Destruction 

The  Allied  Theatre  Owners  of  Illinois  at  its 
meeting  last  week  authorized  Jack  Kirsch, 
president,  to  propose  at  the  meeting  of  national 
Allied  that  a  short  subject  be  produced  showing 
that  destruction  of  property  is  unpatriotic  at 
this  time  as  a  measure  to  curtail  increasing 
juvenile  delinquency. 

The  film  would  be  undertaken  either  by  the 
Government  or  the  War  Activities  Commit- 
tee, according  to  a  report  of  the  meeting.  The 
Allied  group  also  authorized  the  signing  of  a 
new  operators'  contract. 


Pizor  Named  Director 

Lewen  Pizor,  president  of  the  United  MPTO 
in  Philadelphia  and  owner  of  a  circuit  of  inde- 
pendent theatres  in  the  territory,  was  elected  a 
director  of  the  Arcadia  Theatre  Company, 
which  operates  the  Arcadia  theatre  in  downtown 
Philadelphia.  The  theatre  is  owned  by  a  group 
of  independent  exhibitors  headed  by  Abe  Sab- 
losky.  Mr.  Pizor  succeeds  Charles  Segall,  his 
former  exhibitor  partner,  on  the  theatre  board. 


Zanuck  in  Hollywood 

Col.  Darryl  Zanuck  recently  arrived  in  Hol- 
lywood on  an  assignment  for  the  U.  S.  Army 
Signal  Corps.  He  will  edit  films  of  the  Aleu- 
tian Islands  warfare,  later  returning  to  Wash- 
ington. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

Seek  to  Legalize  Games 
For  Charity  in  Ohio 

With  chance  games  definitely  banned  in  Cin- 
cinnati by  City  Manager  C.  O.  Sherrill,  who 
previously  issued  playing  permits,  a  move  now 
is  under  way  by  members  of  the  City  Council 
and  others  to  introduce  a  resolution  in  the  Ohio 
Senate  to  exempt  the  games  from  constitutional 
provision  against  lotteries  when  conducted  for 
religious,  cnaritable  or  educational  purposes. 
If  the  resolution  is  passed,  considered  doubtful 
during  the  current  session,  which  is  due  to  ad- 
journ in  the  next  few  weeks,  a  referendum  will 
be  submitted  to  the  voters  at  the  next  Novem- 
ber election  to  legalize  the  games. 

The  Westfahl  bill  to  legalize  slot  machines 
and  the  Gettelman  bill  to  legalize  bingo  games 
wh°n  played  "for  charity"  in  churches,  Ameri- 
can Legion  posts  and  fraternal  clubs  has  been 
introduced  in  the  Wisconsin  legislature  as  the 
result  of  a  drive  by  District  Attorney  James  J. 
Kerwin  against  slot  machines  and  bingo  in 
Milwaukee  County.  The  slot  machines  were 
banned  in  the  county  by  Mr.  Kerwin's  order 
effective  April  22nd  and  he  indicated  that  he 
would  also  order  the  discontinuance  of  bingo 
games  if  the  legislative  measure  to  legalize  the 
game  failed  to  pass. 

Labor  Group  Praises  Equity 
In  Defeat  of  Condon  Bill 

The  New  York  State  Federation  of  Labor 
has  praised  the  successful  effort  of  Actors 
Equity  Association  to  defeat  the  Condon  bill 
granting  authority  to  the  License  Commissioner 
to  fix  fees  charged  by  theatrical  employment 
agencies  in  New  York  City.  The  present  ceil- 
ing on  such  fees  is  five  per  cent.  The  measure 
died  recently  in  the  Assembly  Rules  Committee 
after  having  been  passed  by  the  Senate. 

On  the  last  day  of  the  1943  session,  Actors 
Equity  and  the  New  York  City  Central  Trades 
and  Labor  Council  wired  all  members  of  the 
Assembly  asking  them  to  vote  against  the  bill. 
The  wire  said  the  bill  "opens  the  way  for  heavy 
increases  which  20,000  entertainers  must  pay  to 
get  jobs." 

Anti-Checking  Bill  Dies 
In  New  Jersey  Legislature 

An  anti-checking  bill  introduced  in  the  New 
Jersey  legislature  failed  to  come  out  of  commit- 
tee and  has  died  with  the  adjournment  of  the 
legislature.  The  measure,  known  as  the  Dore- 
mus  bill,  was  designed  to  prohibit  checking  on 
motion  picture  houses  to  ascertain  the  amount  of 
business  done  in  showing  flat  rental  pictures. 
The  measure  was  not  reported  for  an  open  vote 
of  the  House  members  because  of  strong  opposi- 
tion of  organized  labor. 

The  bill  had  the  support  of  New  Jersey 
Allied,  and  producers  and  distributors,  while  not 
filing  a  protest,  watched  the  progress  of  the 
measure.  The  New  Jersey  State  Federation 
of  Labor  opposed  enactment  of  the  bill,  term- 
ing it  "a  direct  thread  to  organized  labor," 
pointing  out  it  would  inadvertently  deprive 
unions  of  the  strongest  weapon  in  their  posses- 
sion by  prohibiting  efforts  to  seek  cooperation 
from  customers  of  a  company  in  case  of  a  labor 
dispute. 

Clarence  Brown  Seeking 
To  Purchase  Pantages 

Clarence  Brown,  MGM  director,  has  started 
negotiations  for  the  purchase  of  the  Pantages 
theatre,  it  was  reported  in  Hollywood  last  week. 
The  theatre  and  adjoining  building  are  owned 
by  the  Bank  of  America.  A  down  payment  of 
$75,000  is  reportedly  the  sum  required  for 
acquisition  of  the  house,  with  the  remainder  of 
a  total  of  $600,000  to  be  paid  over  a  period  of 
10  years.  The  transaction,  it  is  said,  would  not 
affect  the  operation  or  present  policies  of  the 
theatre,  which  is  under  the  supervision  of  Rod- 
ney Pantages. 


May     I  ,  1943 

NAB  Head  Hits 
Petrillo  Ban 

Approximately  800  delegates  attended  the 
21st  annual  meeting  of  the  National  Associa- 
tion of  Broadcasters  in  Chicago,  April  26th  to 
28th. 

Neville  Miller,  president  of  the  NAB,  pre- 
sided at  all  the  sessions  of  the  three-day  meet- 
ing, which  dealt  largely  with  the  broadening 
of  activities  of  the  association  in  the  past  year 
in  war  effort  cooperation.  It  was  reported  that 
the  industry  had  been  kept  in  good  condition 
despite  the  drain  on  manpower  and  materials. 

Mr.  Miller's  opening  speech  deplored  the 
position  taken  by  the  American  Federation  of 
Musicians,  of  which  James  Ceasar  Petrillo  is 
president,  on  the  music  recording  ban  by  the 
union.  He  said  the  morale  of  the  fighting  forces 
was  sustained  by  music  that  went  out  over 
the  radio  and  juke  boxes  and  predicted  that  the 
battle  against  the  union  would  be  successful. 
He  indicated  that  the  problem  might  be  laid 
before  the  War  Labor  Board. 

Broadcasters  must  expect  even  more  of  their 
male  technicians  to  be  taken  by  an  Army  which 
needs  them,  General  E.  F.  Stoner,  assistant 
chief  of  the  U.  S.  Signal  Corps,  told  the  meet- 
ing. Lawrence  Appley,  executive  director  of 
the  War  Manpower  Commission,  also  pointed 
up  the  manpower  shortage,  noting  the  armed 
services'  need  for  11,000,000  men  by  the  year's 
end.  Colonel  E.  J.  F.  Glavin,  Eastern  Defense 
Command,  New  York,  told  the  Association  ra- 
dio stations  would  be  silenced  only  if  needed. 

Other  speakers  were  Lieutenant  Commander 
Patrick  H.  Winston,  Selective  Service  execu- 
tive ;  Lindsey  Wellington,  North  American 
manager  for  the  British  Broadcasting  Cor- 
poration ;  Frank  Mcintosh,  WPB ;  Elmer 
Davis,  Office  of  War  Information  head. 


Second  British 
Payment  Made 

Great  Britain  last  week  remitted  $5,000,000  of 
frozen  revenue  of  U.  S.  motion  picture  interests 
in  that  country,  an  estimated  $20,000,000  still 
remaining  in  London.  The  first  $5, 000,000  re- 
mittance was  made  on  November  28,  1942. 

The  release  of  the  revenue  to  home  offices  in 
this  country  is  in  accordance  with  the  quarterly 
payments  which  are  to  amount  to  $20,000,000 
annually  as  authorized  by  the  British  Treasury 
under  the  third  Embassy  agreement.  No  new 
agreement  has  been  concluded  covering  the 
withdrawal  of  American  distributors'  British 
revenue  in  any  other  form,  although  negotia- 
tions are  being  conducted  by  the  U.  S.  State 
Department  through  the  Embassy  in  London 
with  Treasury  and  Board  of  Trade  officials. 

The  agreement  proposed  by  the  companies 
asks  for  the  total  elimination  of  restrictions  on 
remittance  of  their  British  earnings.  Approxi- 
mately $60,000,000  annually  has  been  the  esti- 
mated rate  of  American  companies'  business  in 
Great  Britain.  The  companies  based  their  con- 
tention on  the  fact  that  this  country's  dollar 
position  was  improved. 

The  payment  was  accepted  by  the  distribu- 
tors on  condition  that  their  acceptance  would 
not  prejudice  the  negotiations  for  revision  of 
the  agreement. 


February  Film  Wage  $60.48 

The  State  Labor  Statistical  Bureau  of  Cali- 
fornia has  reported  that  average  weekly  earn- 
ings of  film  workers  in  the  state  for  February 
fell  slightly  behind  January,  but  were  higher 
than  February  of  last  year.  The  weekly  check 
came  to  $60.48.  Last  month  the  figure  was 
$62.15,  while  for  the  same  month  last  year, 
the  figure  was  $45.46. 


E  MAMMOTH  MUSICAL  JAMBOREE  OF  ALL 


v 


11  }M0mm  JW 

.  — ;  nlP^  ifc  m  'w 

^.^-u-  -»' 


GAIL  PATRICK 
EVE  ARDEN 

Melville  Cooper  •  Walter  Catlett 
Mary  Treen  and  Jack  Williams,  the 
Harlem  Sandman 
Dorothy  Dandridge  •  Pops  and  Louie 
The  Music  Maids  •  The  Three  Cheers 
Chinita  •  The  Golden  Gate  Quartette  and 

FREDDY  MARTIN 
AND  HIS  ORCHESTRA 

COUNT  BASIE  AND  HIS  ORCHESTRA 
RAY  McKINLEY  AND  HIS  ORCHESTRA 

ALBERT  S  ROGELL,  Director 


50 

SMPE  Meeting  to 
Study  War  Use 
Of  Screen 

War  time  applications  of  the  motion  picture  will 
be  discussed  and  analyzed  in  detail  in  many  pa- 
pers to  be  read  at  the  53rd  semi-annual  meeting 
of  the  Society  of  Motion  Picture  Engineers  next 
Tuesday,  Wednesday  and  Thursday  at  the  Hotel 
Pennsylvania,  New  York.  The  meeting  will  be 
held  this  year  in  conjunction  with  the  annual 
board  meeting  of  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre 
Owners  of  America,  and  Edward  Kuykendall, 
president  of  the  latter,  will  be  a  principal  speak- 
er at  a  "get  together"  luncheon  the  opening  day. 

The  meeting  will  open  with  a  business  and 
technical  session  at  which  some  of  the  papers 
will  be  by  Navy  and  Air  Corps  officei  s,  and  at 
which  reports  will  be  read  by  W.  C.  Kunz- 
mann,  Arthur  S.  Dickinson,  Donald  E.  Hynd- 
man  and  Robert  Linderman.  After  the  luncheon, 
an  exhibitors'  session  will  feature  papers  by 
Henry  Anderson,  Mr.  Hyndman  and  Walter 
Cutter.  An  invited  speaker  is  Terry  Ram- 
saye,  editor  of  the  Motion  Picture  Herald.  A 
visit  to  the  Museum  of  Modern  Art  Film  Li- 
brary will  occupy  the  evening. 

On  Wednesday,  the  morning  technical  ses- 
sion will  feature  papers  by  Gordon  Sawyer, 
John  Boyle,  John  Maurer,  Lloyd  Thompson  and 
William  Offenhauser,  and  the  afternoon,  papers 
by  John  Bradley,  Howard  Walls,  Carl  Gregory, 
Allan  Haines  and  Harris  Turtle.  The  semi-an- 
nual dinner  dance  and  banquet  will  be  held  that 
evening. 

Thursday  morning's  technical  session  will 
hear  papers  by  Charles  Oughton,  Mr.  Maurer 
and  Mr.  Offner,  O.  W.  Hungerford,  Major 
Ralph  Jester  and  Captain  Michael  Bruno ;  the 
afternoon  will  feature  a  symposium  on  the  Sig- 
nal Corps'  training  film  production  and  use. 
Ralph  Evans  will  lecture  that  evening  on 
"Visual  Processes  and  Color  Photography." 

The  Atlantic  Coast  Section  of  the  SMPE 
met  Thursday  evening  at  the  Signal  Corps 
Photographic  Center,  Astoria,  Long  Island. 
They  heard  Colonel  Melvin  E.  Gillette,  com- 
manding officer,  and  were  shown  the  Army  post. 

Warners  Win  Dismissal 
Of  Pacent  Action 

The  Appellate  Division  of  the  New  York 
Supreme  Court  last  week  granted  Warner 
Brothers  Pictures,  Inc.,  Vitaphone  Corpora- 
tion, Stanley  Company  of  America  and  Warner 
Brothers  Theatres,  Inc.,  a  dismissal  of  a  $225,- 
000  damage  action  brought  by  Louis  Gerard 
Pacent,  as  assignee  of  the  Pacent  Electric 
Company,  Inc.  The  court  dismissed  the  action 
for  lack  of  prosecution,  thus  reversing  two 
lower  courts  decisions,  which  had  rejected  the 
motion  for  dismissal. 

The  action  involved  a  contract,  entered  into 
in  September,  1929,  under  which  Pacent  agreed 
to  engage  in  research,  develop,  manufacture  and 
install  a  superior  sound  reproducer.  The  de- 
fendants agreed  to  order  100  of  the  reproducers, 
according  to  the  complaint.  The  defendants,  it 
was  charged,  breached  the  contract  when  after 
ordering  one  of  the  sound  reproducers  they 
refused  the  remainder,  resulting  in  a  loss  to 
Pacent  of  the  amount  sought.  Morris  Gottlieb, 
attorney  for  Pacent,  expects  to  appeal  the  de- 
cision to  the  Court  of  Appeals,  highest  court 
in  the  state. 


Elevated  to  Monsignor 

The  Reverend  John  J.  McClafferty,  executive 
secretary  of  the  National  Legion  of  Decency, 
has  been  elevated  to  a  domestic  prelate  with 
the  title  of  Right  Rev.  Monsignor.  The  ap- 
pointment was  announced  by  Archbishop 
Francis  J.  Spellman  of  New  York  upon  the 
authority  of  Pope  Pius  XII. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


WARNERS  PLAN  TEN 
MUSICAL  FILMS 

With  three  musicals  completed, 
another  in  work  and  six  more  in 
preparation,  Warners  contemplates 
film  fare  in  a  lighter  vein  for  the 
coming  season.  "The  Desert  Song", 
"The  Constant  Nymph"  and  "Thank 
Your  Lucky  Stars"  have  been  finished. 
"This  Is  the  Army"  is  in  production. 
Then,  for  the  future,  biographies  will 
occupy  the  attention  of  Jack  L.  War- 
ner, who  will  supervise  films  on  the 
lives  of  Norah  Bayes,  George  Gersh- 
win, Helen  Morgan  and  Marilyn  Mil- 
ler. Add  "Mississippi  Belle"  and 
"Gay  Nineties"  to  the  roster,  and 
the  sum  total  adds  up  to  10  subjects 
with  a  musical  theme. 


Simplify  Use  of 
Enemy  Patents 

The  United  States  Alien  Property  Custodian 
has  issued  a  new  formula  on  the  use  of  enemy- 
owned  patents  which  is  said  to  overcome  many 
of  the  restrictions  embodied  in  the  law  as  it 
formerly  stood.  The  new  agreement  eliminates 
a  provision  requiring  licenses  to  cross-license, 
and  defends  the  Government's  licensees  against 
future  claims  by  enemy  aliens.  Also,  there  are 
to  be  annual  instead  of  quarterly  reports. 

Holders  of  these  patents  will  not  be  required 
to  put  them  into  actual  use  immediately,  but 
may  retain  them  in  their  possession  pending  the 
return  of  more  normal  conditions.  This  sim- 
plifies many  of  the  obstacles  first  encountered 
when  American  companies  obtained  enemy- 
owned  motion  picture,  radio  and  other  patents 
offered  by  the  alien  property  custodian.  Pri- 
orities on  necessary  materials  dissuaded  many 
companies  from  applying  for  patents,  since  their 
use  of  them  would  be  negligible  under  the 
present  shortage  of  materials.  The  latest  APC 
ruling,  however,  has  modified  complications  to 
the  point  where  post-war  production  by  Ameri- 
can companies  can  be  planned  with  benefit  of 
the  alien  patents. 

New  York  Theatre  Now 
Newsreel  House 

The  City  Hall  theatre  last  Thursday  inau- 
gurated a  policy  of  showing  only  newsreels  and 
short  subjects.  The  theatre,  located  in  the 
financial  district  in  downtown  New  York, 
will  have  a  complete  change  of  program  twice 
weekly,  on  Tuesdays  and  Thursdays,  with  a 
standard  admission  price  of  25  cents.  The 
theatre  will  remain  open  between  the  hours 
of  9  A.M.  and  6  P.M. 

Brief  ceremonies  were  held  on  opening  day 
with  local  business  men  participating  in  the 
dedication.  The  March  of  Time  film,  "One 
Day  of  War  in  the  U.S.S.R.,"  was  shown  in 
addition  to  various  newsreel  releases,  cartoons 
and  travelogues. 

UA  Film  Booked  by  Loew's 
In  2 1  Key  Cities 

"Lady  of  Burlesque,"  United  Artists  film  pro- 
duced by  Hunt  Stromberg,  has  been  booked  by 
Loew  theatres  in  21  cities  for  early  May  en- 
gagements, the  company  announced  last  week. 
On  May  6th  it  will  be  shown  in  Loew's  first 
runs  in  14  cities.  Loew's  theatres  in  seven  other 
cities  will  exhibit  the  film  during  the  three 
weeks  following  that  date. 


May    I,  1943 

Ask  Free  Trade 
In  Australia 
For  Pictures 

A  brief  by  distributors  was  approved  by  the 
foreign  distribution  managers  at  a  meeting  at 
the  offices  of  the  Motion  Picture  Producers  and 
Distributors  of  America  last  week,  calling  for 
the  right  of  free  bargaining  and  trade  in  Aus- 
tralia. The  brief  sets  forth  the  distributors' 
position  with  respect  to  applications  of  the  war- 
time price  ceiling  regulations  of  that  country 
to  films. 

The  brief  will  be  forwarded  to  Australia  for 
consideration  by  the  Governmental  agency  in 
charge  of  the  price  regulations  at  a  hearing  to 
be  held  sometime  in  May.  It  was  re-drafted 
on  Monday  after  only  minor  revisions  follow- 
ing its  submission  to  the  managers  by  a  legal 
committee  for  the  foreign  departments. 

The  distributors  pointed  out  that  the  war- 
time population  shifts  in  Australia  had  caused 
price  ceilings  inequitable  in  many  localities, 
and  that  unhampered  bargaining  of  seller  and 
customer  would  result  in  fair  price  levels.  An- 
other argument  favoring  the  right  of  free 
negotiation  of  contracts  was  cited  in  the  dis- 
tributors' claims  that  equitable  film  prices  would 
be  below  the  ceiling  which  would  be  established 
if  the  price  regulations  were  applied  to  films. 
Where  they  to  rise  above  it,  the  prices  would 
reflect  intrinsic  values  of  individual  films  and 
ability  of  theatres  to  pay,  it  was  stated. 

Principal  points  in  the  brief  concerned  au- 
thorization for  an  increased  number  of  per- 
centage deals  and  higher  percentage  on  the 
more  costly  productions.  The  Australian  price 
control  authorities  recently  postponed  hearings 
on  the  question  in  order  to  allow  American 
distributors  to  submit  a  complete  brief. 

Ad  Campaign  Set 
By  DuMont  Lab 

The  Allen  B.  DuMont  Laboratories  of  Pas- 
saic has  launched  an  institutional  advertising 
campaign  to  run  over  a  period  of  12  months, 
stressing  the  commercial  application  of  the 
company's  devices  in  the  post-war  television 
plans. 

The  secret  electronic  devices  are  now  being 
used  in  the  war  effort.  The  first  insertion, 
which  appeared  last  week,  says,  however, 
when  we  return  to  peace,  the  accuracy,  the 
precision,  the  search  for  perfection  which  has 
made  Allen  B.  DuMont  able  to  divide  a  second 
into  three-hundred  million  parts,  will  work 
again  for  our  pleasure  and  profit  as  well  as 
our  safety." 

Full  page  insertions  monthly  in  The  Atlantic, 
Harper's  Magazine,  Barron's  National  and 
Financial  Weekly,  and  the  Sunday  magazine 
sections  of  the  New  York  Times  and  Christian 
Science  Monitor  are  on  the  company's  schedule. 
The  campaign,  prepared  by  Buchanan  and 
Company,  is  the  first  of  such  proportions  under- 
taken by  the  Dumont  Laboratories. 

No  Further  Progress  Made 
In  Schine  Divestiture 

A  report  filed  in  Federal  Court  in  Buffalo  by 
the  Schine  Circuit  Theatres  on  its  divestiture 
proceedings  disclosed  that  no  further  progress 
had  been  made  since  the  filing  of  its  last  report 
on  March  19th. 

It  was  the  fourth  consecutive  30-day  report 
in  which  the  consenting  circuit  disclosed  no 
progress  had  been  made  in  divesting  itself  of  the 
remaining  theatres  named  in  the  court's  tem- 
porary order  of  11  months  ago. 


ONCE  ONLY 


EASTMAN  Negative  Films,  with  their  high 
degree  of  uniformity,  make  it  easy  to 
confine  the  "takes"  to  one  to  each  scene 
...helping  to  close  the  gap  between  foot- 
age exposed  and  footage  used.  Eastman 
Kodak  Company,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

J.  E.  BRULATOUR,  INC.,  Distributors 
Fort  Lee  Chicago  Hollywood 


PLIJS-X  SIJPER-XX 

for  general  studio  use  when  little  light  is  available 

BACKGROUND-X 

for  background's  and  general  exterior  work 


EASTMAN  NEGATIVE  FILMS 


PICTUREHERALD  May    I,  1943 

A  statistical  compilation  and 
comparison  of  Box-Office  Per- 
formance in  first-run  theatres 

Figures  directly  below  picture  title  compare  dollar  gross  with  average  gross  and  show  relative  percentage  of  all  engagements  tabulated. 

Figures  opposite  theatre  names  represent  percentage  of  tabulated  grosses  to  average  weekly  business  based  on  the  six  months'  period 
ending  December  31,  1942. 

SYMBOLS:  (DB)  Double  Bill — associate  feature  title;  (SA)  Stage  Attraction;  (MO)  Move-Over  Run;  (AA)  Advance  Admission. 


52  MOTION 

PICTURE 
CROSSES 


SOMETHING  TO  SHOUT  ABOUT 

(Col) 

Final  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated 
Comparative  Average  Gross 
Over-all  Performance 


$248,000 
209,450 
118.4% 


BALTIMORE — Hippodrome   142.8% 

(SA)  Barry  Wood,  Hollywood  Blondes  and  others 

BUFFALO— Lafayette   100.0% 

(DB)  Parachute  Nurse  (Para.) 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Palace   87.5% 

CLEVELAND— RKO  Palace   161.7% 

(SA)  Joe  Venuti's  Orchestra  and  Connee  Boswell 

INDIANAPOLIS— Loew's    106.2% 

(DB)  Reveille  With  Beverly  (Col) 

LOS  ANGELES— Pantages   112.0% 

(DB)  City  Without  Men  (Col) 

LOS  ANGELES— RKO  Hillstreet   105.6% 

(DB)  City  Without  Men  (Col) 

MILWAUKEE— Palace   146.6% 

(DB)  City  Without  Men  (Col) 

MILWAUKEE— STRAND,  MO,  1st  week    .    .  100.0% 

(DB)  Star  Spangled  Rhythm  (Para) 

NEW  HAVEN— Roger  Sherman   80.6% 

(DB)  At  the  Front  (Warner  Bros) 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  1st  week   150.0% 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  2nd  week   75.0% 

OMAHA— Brandeis   113.3% 

(DB)  At  the  Front  (Warner  Bros) 

PHILADELPHIA— Fox    140.7% 

PITTSBURGH— Harris   100.0% 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Orpheum,  1st  week  .  .   .  128.5% 

(DB)  One  Dangerous  Night  (Col) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Orpheum,  2nd  week  .    .   .  104.7% 

(DB)  One  Dangerous  Night  (Col) 

SEATTLE— Liberty    125.3% 

(DB)  Power  of  the  Press  (Col) 

ST.   LOUIS— Loew's   State    96.6% 

(DB)  Tennessee  Johnson  (MGM) 

WASHINGTON— Earle    129.0% 

(SA)  Ina  Ray  Hutton  &  Orchestra 


HAPPY-GO-LUCKY  (Para) 

Final  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated 
Comparative  Average  Gross 
Over-all  Performance 


$280,200 
$251,700 
1 1  1.3% 


BALTIMORE — Keith's   150.0% 

BOSTON— Metropolitan   108.3% 

(DB)  Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour  (Para) 

BOSTON— Paramount,  MO,  1st  week   ....  125.0% 

(DB)  Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour  (Para) 

BOSTON— Fenway,  MO,  1st  week   100.0% 

(DB)  Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour  (Para) 

BOSTON— Modern,  MO,  2nd  week   87.5% 

(DB)  Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour  (Para) 

BOSTON— Scollay,  MO,  2nd  week   75.0% 

(DB)  Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour  (Para) 

BUFFALO — Buffalo,  1st  week   94.6% 

(DB)  He  Hired  the  Boss  (20th -Fox) 

BUFFALO— Buffalo,  2nd  week   82.6% 

(DB)  He  Hired  the  Boss  (20th-Fox) 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Palace   100.0% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Shubert,  MO1,  1st  week    .  122.2% 

CINCINNATI — Lyric,  MO,  2nd  week   ....  87.5% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  State   117.8% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  Stillman,  MO,  1st  week  114.2% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Indiana    96.1% 

(DB)  Quiet  Please,  Murder  (20th -Fox) 

INDIANAPOLIS— Lyric,  MO,  1st  week   .   .    .  100.0% 

(DB)  Quiet  Please,  Murder  (20th-Fox) 

MILWAUKEE— Palace    150.0% 

(DB)  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  (Para) 

NEW  HAVEN— Paramount,  1st  week  ....  127.2% 

(DB)  At  the  Front  (Warner  Bros.) 


NEW  HAVEN— Paramount,  2nd  week  ....  94.5% 

(DB)  Wrecking  Crew  (Para) 

OMAHA— Paramount    142.0% 

(DB)  Sherlock  Holmes  &  Secret  Weapon 
(Univ) 

PHILADELPHIA— Boyd    125.0% 

PROVIDENCE— Strand,  1st  week   225.0% 

(DB)  Avengers  (Para) 

PROVIDENCE— Strand,  2nd  week   112.5% 

(DB)  Avengers  (Para) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Fox   100.0% 

(DB)  Street  of  Chance  (Para) 

SAN  FRANCISCO — St.  Francis,  MO,  1st  week  115.3% 

(DB)  Tennessee  Johnson  (MGM) 

ST.  LOUIS— Ambassador,  1st  week   117.3% 

(DB)  Amazing  Mrs.  Holliday  (Univ) 

ST.  LOUIS— Ambassador,  2nd  week   78.2% 

(DB)  Amazing  Mrs.  Holliday  (Univ) 

ST.  LOUIS— Missouri,  MO,  1st  week     ..   .   .  100.0% 

(DB)  Amazing  Mrs.  Holliday  (U) 


THE  POWERS  GIRL  (UA) 

Final  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated 
Comparative  Average  Gross 
Over-all  Performance 


$270,150 
236,000 
1 14.8% 


BALTIMORE— Loew's  Century   104.1% 

BOSTON— Loew's  State   85.7% 

(DB)  Boston  Blackie  Goes  Hollywood  (Col) 

BOSTON— Loew's  Orpheum    112.8% 

(DB)  Boston  Blackie  Goes  Hollywood  (Col) 

BUFFALO— Great   Lakes    106.4% 

CINCINNATI-RKO  Palace   108.3% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Grand,  MO.  1st  week  .  110.0% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  State   78.5% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Loew's   128.5% 

(DB)  At  the  Front  (Warners  Bros.) 

KANSAS  CITY— Midland   100.0% 

MILWAUKEE— Riverside    111.6% 

(SA)  Glen  Gray  &  Orchestra 

NEW  HAVEN— Loew's  Poli   103.3% 

(DB)  After  Midnight  with  Boston  Blackie  (Col) 

PHILADELPHIA— Fox   120.0% 

PHILADELPHIA— Karlton,  MO,  1st  week     .  148.5% 

PROVIDENCE— Loew's  State   170.0% 

(DB)  A  Night  to  Remember  (Col) 

PROVIDENCE— Carlton,  MO,  1st  week   .   .   .  100.0% 

(DB)  A  Night  to  Remember  (Col) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— United  Artists,  1st  week  171.2% 

SAN  FRANCISCO— United  Artists,  2nd  week  121.2% 

SEATTLE— Liberty   116.6% 

(DB)  McGuerins  from  Brooklyn  (UA) 

ST.  LOUIS— Loew's   113.3% 

(DB)  At  the  Front  (Warners  Bros.) 

ST.  LOUIS— Orpheum,  MO,  1st  week     .    .    .  116.6% 

(DB)  One  Dangerous  Night  (Col) 

TORONTO— Uptown   105.2% 

(DB)  Sherlock  Holmes  Silent  Weapon  (Univ) 

WASHINGTON— Loew's  Capitol   120.8% 

(SA)  Hal  Sherman  and  others 

WASHINGTON— Columbia,  MO,  1st  week   .   .  125.0% 


YOUNG  MR.  PITT  (20rh-Fox) 


Intermediate  Reports  : 
Total  Gross  Tabulated 
Comparative  Average  Gross 
Over-all  Performance 


$290,400 
252,423 
M5% 


BALTIMORE— New   131.2% 

BOSTON— Paramount    125.0% 

(DB)  Night  Plane  from  Chungking  (Para) 

BOSTON— Fenway    125.0% 

(DB)  Night  Plane  from  Chungking  (Para) 

CLEVELAND— RKO  Allen   150.0% 


LOS  ANGELES— Chinese   96.2% 

(DB)  Tonight  We  Raid  Calais  (20th-Fox) 

LOS  ANGELES— Loew's   State   94.7% 

(DB)  Tonight  We  Raid  Calais  (20th- Fox) 

LOS  ANQELES — Ritz   111.7% 

(DB)  Tonight  We  Raid  Calais  (20th-Fox) 

NEW  YORK— Roxy,  1st  week   136.0% 

(SA)  Grace  Moore  and  others 

NEW  YORK— Roxy,  2nd  week   106.0% 

(SA)  Grace  Moore  and  others 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine   110.0% 

PITTSBURGH— Fulton   100.0% 

PROVLDENCE — Majestic   147.3% 

(DB)  He  Hired  the  Boss  (20th-Fox) 

SAN   FRANCISCO— Paramount   138.4% 

(DB)  Tonight  We  Raid  Calais  (20th-Fox) 

SEATTLE— Paramount   97.2% 

(DB)  Tonight  We  Raid  Calais  (20th-Fox) 

SEATTLE— Music  Box,  MO,  1st  week    .   .    .  92.2% 

(DB)  Tonight  We  Raid  Calais  (20th-Fox) 

ST.  LOUIS— Ambassador   91.3% 

(DB)  Saludos  Amigos  (RKO) 

WASHINGTON— Capitol    100.0% 

(SA)  vaudeville 


TENNESSEE  JOHNSON  (M-G-M) 

Intermediate  Reports: 

Total  Gross  Tabulated  $179,800 

Comparative  Average  Gross  155,200 

Over-all  Performance  115.6% 


BALTIMORE— Century    136.3% 

CINCINNATI— Keith's    106.0% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  State   84.6% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Loew's    121.4% 

(DB)  Three  Hearts  for  Julia  (MGM) 

KANSAS  CITY— Midland   100.0% 

(DB)  Three  Hearts  for  Julia  (M-G-M) 

MILWAUKEE— Palace   116.6% 

(DB)  Whistling  in  Dixie  (M-G-M) 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  1st  week   ....  122.2% 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  2nd  week  ....  77.7% 

PITTSBURGH— Stanley   110.0% 

(SA)  Earl  Carroll's  Vanities 

PROVIDENCE— State    130.0% 

(DB)  Three  Hearts  for  Julia  (MGM) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Warfiield    160.7% 

ST.  LOUIS— State    96.6% 

(DB)  Something  to  Shout  About  (Col) 

WASHINGTON— Capitol   131.5% 

(SA)  Vaudeville 

WASHINGTON— Columbia,  MO,  1st  week     .  115.3% 


IT  AIN'T  HAY  (Univ.) 

First  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated 
Comparative  Average  Gross 
Over-all  Performance 


$178,000 
145,200 
121.8% 


BOSTON— Boston    129.6% 

(SA)  Sonny  Dunham  Orchestra  and  others 

CINCINNATI— RKO   Palace   91.6% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Shubert,  MO,  1st  week  .  106.6% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Indiana   100.0% 

(DB)  How's  About  it?  (Univ) 

KANSAS  CITY— Esquire    155.5% 

KANSAS  CITY— Uptown    100.0% 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  1st  week   200.0% 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  2nd  week      ....  158.3% 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  3rd  week   116.6% 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  4th  week   100.0% 

PITTSBURGH— Fulton,  1st  week   133.3% 

PITTSBURGH— Fulton,  2nd  week   80.0% 

ST.  LOUIS— Fox   106.6% 

(DB)  Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington  (Univ) 


IT'S  THE  TOPS 

For  thrills  . for 
songs. ..for  laughs 
.  .  .  for  romance 
.  .  .  for  outdoor 
spectacle. 


Jji'ir 


Hi 


E  WORLD'S 
SMARTEST  HORSE 


ROy  ROGERS 

triggers: 

„i<  SMILEY  BURNETTE 

KING  OF  THE 

CJ  HL  B  0  V  S 


^BOB  NOLAN  wTHE  SONS 
^PIONEERS-PEGGY  MORAN 

GERALD  MOHR.DOROTHEA  KENT 
*         LLOYD  CORRIGAN 


*  JOSEPH  KANE-ZW&*  * 

Scnee*  PI*?      OLIVE  COOPER  -  J.  BENTON  CHENEY 
O-UfutcU  Stony      HAL  LONG 


SAVINGS  BONDS 


54  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  May    I  ,  1943 

/7WBAT  THE 
PICTURE  DID  FOR  ME 


.  .  .  the  original  exhibitors'  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 
In  it  theatremen  serve  one  another  with  information  about  the  box-office  per* 
formance  of  product — providing  a  service  of  the  exhibitor  for  the  exhibitor. 
ADDRESS  REPORTS:  What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me.  Motion  Picture  Herald. 
Rockefeller  Center,  New  York,  N.  Y. 


Columbia 

GO  WEST,  YOUNG  LADY:  Penny  Singleton,  Glenn 
Ford — Well  received.  Everybody  seemed  happy.  Com- 
ments favorable,  no  refunds. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza 
Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 

JUNIOR  ARMY:  Freddie  Bartholomew,  Billy  Halop 
—Fairly  good  program  picture.  Everyone  seemed  sat- 
isfied, so  why  shouldn't  I  be? — H.  T.  Nokes,  Ozark 
Theatre,  Ozark,  Mo.    Rural  patronage. 

LADIES  IN  RETIREMENT:  Ida  Lupino,  Louis 
Hayward — Morbid  is  the  word  for  the  film  and  re- 
ceipts. The  less  said  about  this  one  the  better.  Drop 
it  if  you  can.  Played  Monday,  Tuesday,  March  8,  9.— 
F.  G.  Pointers,  Capitol  Theatre,  Duncan,  B.  C. 

MEN  IN  HER  LIFE,  THE:  Loretta  Young— Al- 
though the  picture  was  old  we  got  a  good  print  and 
the  picture  itself  was,  in  my  opinion,  good,  but  the 
crowd  was  very  small.  Among  those  who  saw  it  there 
were  very  few  who  did  not  like  it.  Played  Sunday, 
Monday,  April  4,  S. — V.  C.  Kinchen,  Avon  Theatre, 
Potect,  Texas.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

RIDING  THROUGH  NEVADA:  Charles  Starrett, 
Jim  Davis — Here  is  what  Western  fans  want.  Good 
action,  nice  music  and  excellent  singing  by  Jimmy 
Davis,  who  I  consider  as  good  as  the  best  cowboy  sing- 
ers. I  recommend  this  particular  Western.  Played 
Friday,  Saturday,  April  9,  10. — M.  L.  London,  Gem 
Theatre,  East  Boston,  Mass.    General  patronage. 

YOU  WERE  NEVER  LOVELIER:  Fred  Astaire, 
Rita  Hay  worth — Very  good.  Title  did  not  mean  any- 
thing, but  word-of-mouth  advertising  brought  them  in 
on  second  night.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  March  11, 
12.— H.  T.  Nokes,  Ozark  Theatre,  Ozark,  Mo.  Rural 
patronage. 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

AFFAIRS  OF  MARTHA:  Marsha  Hunt— There  were 
plenty  of  laughs  throughout  this  picture  but  it  was 
strictly  double  feature  class.  Played  Friday,  Saturday, 
April  9,  10.— A.  C.  Edwards,  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia, 
Cal.    Small  labor  town  patronage. 

CROSSROADS:  William  Powell,  Hedy  Lamarr,  Basil 
Rathbone,  Claire  Trevor — No  complaints  except  my- 
self. It  just  did  not  draw.  Did  not  hold  up  on  second 
night.  Maybe  I  expected  it  to  come  up  to  the  rental. 
— H.  T.  Nokes,  Ozark  Theatre,  Ozark,  Mo.  Rural 
patronage. 

JOHNNY  EAGER:  Robert  Taylor— Good  picture  but 
not  for  kids.  Adults  only.  Enjoyed  by  men,  women 
and  the  older  girls.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  April  11, 
12. — M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  East  Boston,  Mass. 
General  patronage. 

JOURNEY  FOR  MARGARET:  Robert  Young,  Lar- 
raine  Day — Little  Marge  received  with  big  ovation. 
Customers  raved  about  this  one.  Word  of  mouth  will 
build  this  one  into  a  top  ranking  Sunday  hit. — Alice 
Schwartz,  Parkway  Theatre,  Bridgeport,  Conn. 

MRS.  MINIVER:  Greer  Garson,  Walter  Pidgeon— A 
wonderful  box  office  picture  that  clicked  even  in  a  big 
storm.  Played  Thursday,  April  15.— M.  Bailey,  Strand 
Theatre,  Dryden,  Ont.    Small  town  patronage. 

RANDOM  HARVEST:  Greer  Garson,  Ronald  Col- 
man — Biggest  business  since  "Mrs.  Miniver,"  which 
we  played  in  September.  Our  only  regret  that  we  were 
unable,  due  to  circumstances  beyond  our  control,  to 
run  it  longer.  A  great  audience  picture,  which  made 
its  own  way  into  the  hearts  of  the  people,  and  one 
we'll  always  recall  as  the  money  picture  of  the  year. 
Played  Sunday,  Monday,  March  28,  29.— Thomas  Di- 
Lorenzo,  New  Paltz  Theatre,  New  Paltz,  N.  Y.  Small 
town  patronage. 

SOMEWHERE  I'LL  FIND  YOU:  Clark  Gable,  Lana 
Turner— It  takes  Gable  and  Turner  to  make  the  old 
box  office  smile.  Even  the  old  folks  came  out  to  see 
Mr.  Gable.  They  all  know  he's  in  the  Army  now,  and 
possibly  they  appreciate  his  pictures  more  than  ever. 
Anyway,  when  Mr.  Gable  is  in  town  our  crowd  gets 
the  urge  to  go  to  the  movies.  Opened  Sunday,  April  4. 
—Tom  McCormick,  Rock  Theatre,  Rockford,  Iowa. 
Rural  patronage. 

TENNESSEE,  JOHNSON:  Van  Heflin,  Ruth  Hussey 
—You  can  recommend  this  picture  to  your  patrons, 
and  you  should  tie  up  with  your  schools  as  we  did. 
It's  a  good  historical  picture.  Van  Heflin  does  splen- 
did acting,  as  do  Ruth  Hussey  and  Lionel  Barrymore. 
Played  Thursday,  Friday,  April  8,  9.— Morris  Littman, 


Sylvan  Theatre,  Rutherfordton,  N.  C.  Small  town 
patronage. 

WAR  AGAINST  MRS.  HADLEY,  THE:  Fay  Bain- 
ter,  Edward  Arnold — Ran  this  with  "The  Forest  Ran- 
gers" to  good  box  office,  but  the  draw  was  not  due  to 
this  picture.  This  has  some  good  moments,  but  some 
of  the  sentiment  is  badly  overdone  and  very  corny. 
My  audience  picks  that  kind  of  stuff  out  right  away. 
I  probably  would  have  hurt  nobody's  feelings  but 
M'GM's  if  I  had  omitted  it.— W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred 
Co-Op,  Alfred,  N.  Y.    Small  college  town  patronage. 

WHISTLING  IN  DIXIE:  Red  Skelton,  Ann  Ruther- 
ford— Teamed  this  with  "We  Are  the  Marines"  to 
smash  business  on  Friday  and  Saturday.  A  very 
pleasing  show.  Red  Skelton  is  getting  stronger  at  our 
box  office  and  we  hope  Leo  keeps  his  pictures  as  good 
as  this  one.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  2,  3. — 
Thomas  DiLorenzo,  New  Paltz  Theatre,  New  Paltz, 
N.  Y.    Small  town  patronage. 


Monogram 

LETS  GET  TOUGH:  East  Side  Kids— This  is  one 
of  their  best,  a  little  old,  but  enjoyed  by  all.  Very 
good  cast.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  16,  17.— 
M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  East  Boston,  Mass.  Gen- 
eral patronage. 


Paramount 

AVENGERS,  THE:  Ralph  Richardson,  Deborah 
Kerr — Very  thrilling  and  interesting,  but_  a  little  hard 
to  understand  owing  to  accent.  Some  did  not  like  it 
and  did  not  stay  long  enough  to  become  interested. 
Those  that  did  registered  no  complaint.  Business  fair. 
Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  April  7.  8.— A.  E.  An- 
drews, Emporium  Theatre,  Emporium,  Pa.  General 
patronage. 

FOREST  RANGERS,  THE:  Fred  MacMurray,  Paul- 
ette  Goddard — This  is  just  right  for  every  audience. 
Beautiful  color,  lots  of  excitement  and  some  excellent 
comedy.  The  fire  scenes  are  superb.  It  comes  very 
close  to  being  the  perfect  audience  picture  of  the  year. 
Ran  it  with  "The  War  Against  Mrs.  Hadley"  to  good 
box  office.  Play  this  by  all  means. — W.  V.  Nevins, 
III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y.  Small  col- 
lege town  patronage. 

FOREST  RANGERS,  THE:  Fred  MacMurray,  Paul- 
ette  Goddard — Here  is  a  real  action  picture  in  Techni- 
color that  packs  a  wallop,  both  in  performance  and 
entertainment.  Business  above  normal  with  weather 
conditions  very  bad.  You  will  make  no  mistake  in 
giving  this  your  best  playing  time.  Played  Sunday, 
Monday,  April  4,  5. — A.  E.  Andrews,  Emporium  Thea- 
tre, Emporium,  Pa.    General  patronage. 

FOREST  RANGERS,  THE:  Fred  MacMurray,  Susan 
Hayward,  Paulette  Goddard — Swell  color,  photography 
and  business.  Some  of  the  funniest  scenes  I  have 
seen.  Play  it.  Played  Monday- Wednesday,  March 
15-17.— F.  G.  Poulters,  Capitol  Theatre,  Duncan,  B.  C. 

MAJOR  AND  THE  MINOR,  THE:  Ginger  Rogers- 
Business  was  much  above  midweek  average  on  this 
very  enjoyable  picture.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday. 
April  14,  15.— A.  C.  Edwards,  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia, 
Cal. 

LUCKY  JORDAN:  Alan  Ladd— Some  Ladd,  believe 
me.  Very  well  liked.  Picture  suited  him  like  a  well- 
fitted  overcoat.  Business  fair.  Played  a  bit  too  late 
to  collect  chips.— Phil  Schwartz,  Parkway  Theatre. 
Bridgeport,  Conn. 

LADY  BODYGUARD:  Eddie  Albert,  Anne  Shirley 
—This  comedy  gangster  picture  pleased  average  busi- 
ness on  Family  Night.  Played  Tuesday,  April  13. — E. 
M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 
Small  town  patronage. 

PRIORITIES  ON  PARADE:  Ann  Miller,  Jerry  Co- 

lonna — A  good  picture  that  was  enjoyed  by  all.  Busi- 


ness onlv  fair.  Played  Sunday,  March  21. — Miss  Cleo 
Manry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena  Vista,  Ga.  Small 
town  and  rural  patronage. 

REAP  THE  WILD  WIND:  Ray  Milland,  Paulette 
Goddard — Excellent  cast,  story  and  color  photography 
make  this  one  of  the  best  we  have  run  for  some  time. 
My  patrons  liked  it  and  said  so.  I  liked  it  and  say  so. 
You'll  like  it  for  the  business  it  will  bring  you  as  it 
did  me.  By  all  means  don't  pass  it  up. — Played  Thurs- 
day-Saturday, March  4-6. — F.  G.  Poulters,  Capitol 
Theatre,  Duncan,  B.  C. 

RIDERS  OF  THE  TIMB  ERLINE :  William  Boyd- 
This  was  crude  and  amateurish.  Very  inferior  to  Cas- 
sidy  pictures  of  the  past.  Played  Friday,  Saturday, 
April  9,  10.— A.  C.  Edwards,  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia, 
Cal.    Small  labor  town  patronage. 

STAR  SPANGLED  RHYTHM:  Bob  Hope,  Dorothy 
Lamour — This  musical  comedy  packed  them  in  and 
pleased  100  per  cent.  Biggest  business  I  have  had 
this  year.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  April  14,  15. 
— E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 
Small  town  patronage. 

SWEATER  GIRL:  June  Preisser— Just  another  su- 
perfluous double  feature.  Very  well  received  by  high 
school  element — practically  all  40  of  them  attended. 
Played  Friday,  Saturday,  Anril  2,  3.— A.  C.  Edwards. 
Winema  Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal.  Small  lumber  town 
patronage. 

TOMBSTONE:  Richard  Dix,  Frances  Gifford— Just 
like  all  Westerns,  so  impossible,  but  the  fans  like  it 
and  attend,  so  why  should  we  worry?  Seems  a 
crime,  though,  to  see  them  take  in  pictures  like  this 
and  pass  up  others  so  far  superior  that  there  is  no 
comparison.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  March  26,  27. — 
Horn  &  Morgan,  Inc.,  Star  Theatre,  Hay  Springs, 
Nebr. 


Producers  Releasing  Corp. 

BILLY  THE  KID,  SHERIFF  OF  SAGE  VALLEY: 

Buster  Crabbe,  Al  St.  John — Very,  very  weak.  Pro- 
ducer does  not  seem  to  be  able  to  make  a  good 
Western.  Sound  and  general  photography  not  up  to 
standard.  They  are  making  a  mistake  in  not  giving 
more  attention  to  their  Westerns.  Played  Thursday - 
Saturday.  March  18-20.— Ed  Mansfield,  Regent  Theatre, 
Kansas  City,  Mo.    Transient  and  family  patronage. 


RKO  Radio 

FALCON  TAKES  OVER,  THE:  George  Sanders, 
Lynn  Bari — Here's  an  inexpensive  little  number  from 
RKO  that  clicked  very  well  indeed.  It's  fun  to  run  a 
picture  that  turns  out  a  lot  better  than  you  expect. 
This  is  that  kind  of  picture.  It  not  only  brings  in  the 
money,  but  this  one  sends  the  customers  away  satis- 
fied. Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  9,  10. — Tom 
McCormick,  Rock  Theatre,  Rockford,  Iowa.  Rural 
patronage. 

FOREVER  AND  A  DAY:  Ray  Milland,  Ida  Lupino 
— This  cavalcade  of  English  history  with  its  star- 
studded  cast  is  not  a  small  town  picture.  Business  was 
poor.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  April  11,  12. — E.  M. 
Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla.  Small 
town  patronage. 

HERE  WE  GO  AGAIN:  Fibber  McGee  &  Molly— A 
field  day  for  the  kids.  Adults  must  have  thought  the 
theatre  was  under  quarantine.  Seems  to  be  a  small 
town  picture. — Alice  Schwartz,  Parkway  Theatre, 
Bridgeport,  Conn. 

SCATTERGOOD  BAINS  SURVIVES  A  MURDER: 

Guy  Kibbee,  Margaret  Hayes — Very  well  knit  murder 
mystery.  Will  hold  up  on  lower  half  of  a  dual  bill. 
Radio  popularity  should  help. — Alice  Schwartz,  Park- 
way Theatre,  Bridgeport,  Conn. 

SEVEN  DAYS  LEAVE:  Victor  Maturo,  Lucille  Ball 

(Continued  on  page  56) 


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MORE  THAN 
12,000  BIOGRAPHIES 


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Picture  Almanac. 

The  1943-44  edition,  now  in  prepara- 
tion, will  contain  more  than  12,000 
biographies  of  players,  directors, 
writers,  technicians  and  executives. 

In  addition  it  will  include  more  than 
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56 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    I  ,  1943 


{Continued  from  page  54) 

— Had  exceptional  mid-week  business.  Was  a  small 
town  natural  for  us. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre. 
Tilbury,  Ont. 

SING  YOUR  WORRIES  AWAY:  Bert  Lahr— Good 
slapstick  musical,  very  entertaining.  That  is  what  the 
public  wants — entertainment,  not  sermons,  nor  sad  war 
pictures.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  March  12,  13.— 
M'.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  East  Boston,  Mass.  Gen- 
eral patronage. 

Republic 

BELLS  OF  CAPISTRANO:  Gene  Autry— Not  the 
Gene  Autry  production  it  is  cracked  up  to  be.  It  seems 
they  have  left  out  one  of  the  popular  favorites — Smiley 
Burnette — who  had  a  very  small  part  in  this  one.  The 
Autry  songs  were  not  the  favorites  that  he  generally 
sings.  We  really  looked  for  something  outstanding  on 
this  one  as  it  was  to  be  his  last  picture  before  joining 


the  Army.  However,  still  a  leading  drawing  card  to 
any  small  town  theatre.  Would  recommend  it.  Played 
Friday,  April  9. — A.  L.  Dove,  Bengough  Theatre,  Ben- 
gough,  Sask.    Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 

FLYING  TIGERS:  John  Wayne,  Anna  Lee— Had 
extra  good  business  on  this.  Customers  praised  it 
highly.  Played  Tuesday -Thursday,  March  30- April  1. 
— E.  K.  Menagh,  Star  Theatre,  Ft.  Lupton,  Colo. 

FLYING  TIGERS:  John  Wayne,  Anna  Lee— To  my 
box  office,  this  was  one  of  the  best  pictures  Republic 
has  put  out  in  a  long  time.  Everyone  seemed  to  like 
it  and  I  had  far  above  normal  business.  Take  it  from 
me,  you  showmen  who  have  not  played  it,  play  it  now 
and  you  will  not  regret  it.  Played  Friday,  Saturday. 
April  9,  10.— V.  C.  Kinchen,  Avon  Theatre,  Poteet. 
Texas.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

HEART  OF  THE  GOLDEN  WEST:  Roy  Rogers. 
Smiley  Burnett — This  was  a  good  Western,  but  I  am 
afraid  Roy  Rogers  will  never  take  the  place  of  Gene 
Autry  in  the  rural  town.    Played  Friday,  Saturday, 


March  19,  20. — Miss  Cleo  Manry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre, 
Buena  Vista,  Ga.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

ICE  CAPADES  REVUE:  Richard  Denning— Musical 
extravaganza  on  ice.  Majors  couldn't  put  out  anything 
better.  Very  well  received.  Colona  and  Vera  Vague 
excellent.  Watched  it  twice  myself. — Phil  Schwartz, 
Parkway  Theatre,  Bridgeport,  Conn. 

IDAHO:  Roy  Rogers — Very  good  Western  which 
pleased  Friday  and  Saturday  crowd.  Rogers  is  gaining 
in  popularity.  Played  Friday.  Saturday,  April  16,  17. — 
E  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 
Small  town  patronage, 

JOHNNY  DOUGHBOY:  Jane  Withers— Can't  say 
too  much  for  this  one.  Business  held.  I  think  the  title 
brought  in  customers. — Alice  Schwartz,  Parkway  Thea- 
tre, Bridgeport,  Conn. 

SUNSET  ON  THE  DESERT:  Roy  Rogers— Fair 
Western  and  did  average  business.  Our  farm  lads  sure 
went  for  it.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  2,  3. — 
V.  C.  Kinchen,  Avon  Theatre,  Poteet.  Texas.  Small 
town  and  rural  patronage. 

TUXEDO  JUNCTION :  Frankie  Darro— Good  family 
picture,  very  entertaining.  Action  good,  music  good, 
acting  good  and  excellent  direction.  Not  a  big  picture, 
but  a  good  little  picture.  Played  Friday,  Saturday, 
April  16,  17. — M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  East  Bos- 
ton. M»«« 


Twentieth  Century- Fox 

BERLIN  CORRESPONDENT:  Dana  Andrews,  Vir- 
ginia Gilmore — A  pleasing  action  story  with  some  com- 
edy; its  title  either  will  bring  them  in  or  keep  them 
away,  depending  on  your  town.  We  played  it  with 
"Shadow  of  a  Doubt"  from  Universal  to  fair  business. 
Played  Sunday,  Monday,  April  4,  5. — Thomas  DiLo- 
renzo,  New  Paltz  Theatre,  New  Paltz,  N.  Y.  Small 
town  patronage. 

MARGIN  FOR  ERROR:  Milton  Berle,  Joan  Bennett 

— Program  comedy  which  drew  average  business  and 
pleased  only  some  of  those  who  saw  it.  Played  Friday, 
Saturday,  April  2,  3. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount 
Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

MARK  OF  ZORRO:  Tyrone  Power— This  is  a  re- 
peat. It  held  up  fairly  well.  Enjoyed  by  everybody 
who  came  even  after  seeing  it  nearly  two  years  ago.  I 
was  disappointed  on  the  business,  expecting  to  do  bet- 
ter on  this  picture.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  April  18, 
19— M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  East  Boston,  Mass. 
General  patronage. 

MY  GAL  SAL:  Victor  Mature,  Rita  Hay  worth— Good 
picture,  good  draw — and  so  everyone  was  pleased. 
Played  Sunday,  Monday,  March  28,  29.— H.  T.  Nokes, 
Ozark  Theatre,  Ozark,  Mo.    Rural  patronage. 

ONCE  UPON  A  HONEYMOON:  Cary  Grant,  Gin- 
ger Rogers — Didn't  do  business  expected.  Title  a  little 
deceiving.  Farmers  thought  it  might  have  too  much 
love. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 

ORCHESTRA  WIVES:  George  Montgomery.  Ann 
Rutherford — Surprisingly  good  business  for  these  days. 
Of  course,  this  is  just  right  for  college  students.  The 
rest  of  you  may  not  do  so  well  unless  your  town  is 
orchestra  conscious.  Some  good  comedy  in  addition  to 
lots  of  music. — W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-op  Thea- 
tre, Alfred,  N.  Y.    Small  college  town  patronage. 

PIED  PIPER,  THE:  Monty  Woolley,  Roddy  McDow- 
all — Not  big,  but  satisfactory.  It  is  something  differ- 
ent, and  is  a  worth-while  war  story.  Why  didn't  they 
have  those  kids  sing  "White  Cliffs  of  Dover"  _  when 
they  had  such  a  good  chance?  What  little  singing 
they  did  was  fine  and  helped  the  whole  picture.  Opened 
Sunday,  March  28.— Tom  M'cCormick,  Rock  Theatre. 
Rockford,  Iowa.    Rural  patronage. 

TALES  OF  MANHATTAN:  Charles  Boyer,  Charles 
Laughton — Business  only  fair.  This  was  a  very  dif- 
ferent type  of  picture  from  our  regular  run.  Person- 
ally I  liked  it.  Those  who  liked  it  thought  it  was 
"grand"  —  others  were  "sorry." — Miss  Cleo  Manry, 
Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena  Vista,  Ga.  Small  town 
and  rural  patronage. 

WE  ARE  THE  MARINES:  March  of  Time  Feature 
— An  excellent  subject  for  the  screen  and  well  done. 
Under  present  conditions,  the  picture  is  almost  a 
"must"  for  people  to  see.  We  teamed  it  with  MGM's 
"Whistling  in  Dixie"  to  excellent  Friday -Saturday 
business.  Played  April  2,  3. — Thomas  DiLorenzo,  New 
Paltz  Theatre  New  Paltz,  N.  Y.  Small  town  patron- 
age. 


United  Artists 

AMERICAN  EMPIRE:  Richard  Dix,  Leo  Carrillo— 

Nice  picture.  Lots  of  action  for  a  small  town.— Harland 
Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 

FLYING  WITH  MUSIC:  Marjorie  Woodworth— 
Well  received  on  a  dual  bill  with  a  Western.  Every- 
body happy. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre,  Tilbury, 
Ont. 

MISS  ANNIE  ROO'NEY:  Shirley  Temple— I  would 
not  recommend  this  picture  except  to  women  and  chil- 
dren only,  as  the  men  and  boys  walked  out  on  it.  Per- 
sonally, I  liked  it.  Played  Tuesday-Thursday,  April 
13-15.— M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  East  Boston, 
Mass.    General  patronage. 

TWIN   BEDS:   George  Brent,  Joan  Bennett— This 
was  played  late,  moved  out  of  February  dates  to  make 
room  for  a  four-day  booking.    It  did  a  fair  business 
(Continued  on  following  page) 


KEN 


HOOT 


MAYNARD  GIBSON 


CO-STARRED  FOR  THE  FIRST 
TIME  IN  A  BANG  UP  SERIES 
OF  FAST  ACTION  WESTERNS 

from 


WHD  HOUSE 
STAMPiPC 

Produced  by  ROBERT  TANSEY  -  Directed  by  ALAN  JAMES 


May    I  ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


57 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 
with  general  satisfaction,  but  lost  some  of  its  power 
at  the  box  office.    Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  2,  3. 
— A.  E.  Andrews,  Emporium  Theatre,  Emporium,  Pa. 
General  patronage. 


Universal 

AMAZING  MRS.  HOLLIDAY,  THE:  Deanna  Dur- 
bin,  Edmund  O'Brien— The  best  Durbin  so  far — we  had 
good  business  on  this  picture  and  would  have  done 
better,  but  the  trailer  was  misleading.  All  of  your 
audience  will  enjoy  this  picture,  including  the  children. 
Don't  be  afraid  to  put  pressure  on  this  picture.  Played 
Thursday,  Friday,  March  25,  26. — Morris  Littman, 
Sylvan  Theatre,  Rutherfordton,  N.  C.  Small  town 
patronage. 

ARABIAN  NIGHTS:  Sabu,  Maria  M'ontez,  Jon  Hall 
—Good  action  picture  in  beautiful  Technicolor.  Busi- 
ness was  above  average,  and  all  were  well  pleased. 
Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  March  31,  April  1. — E. 
M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 
Small  town  patronage. 

HE'S  MY  GUY:  Joan  Davis,  Mills  Bros.— Good  little 
musical  show  which  pleased.  Joan  Davis  clowned  all 
through  the  show  and  the  Mills  Brothers  sang  two 
numbers,  which  pleased  greatly.  Previewed  Saturday, 
April  17. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre. 
Dewey,  Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

HOWS  ABOUT  IT?  Andrews  Sisters  —  Pleasant 
pick.  Can  be  played  usual  billing  with  a  doubtful  "A." 
Although  a  low  budget  picture,  popularity  of  the  sis- 
ters will  hold  up  gross. — Phil  Schwartz,  Parkway  Thea- 
tre, Bridgeport,  Conn. 

PITTSBURGH:  Randolph  Scott,  John  Wayne,  Mar- 
lene  Dietrich — This  is  a  good  picture  and  should  be  well 
exploited  on  account  of  the  title.  Your  patrons  will  be 
well  pleased  and  the  picture  is  good  entertainment  for 
any  kind  of  audience.  Scott,  Miss  Dietrich  and  Wayne 
all  do  good  jobs.  Played  Monday,  Tuesday,  April  12, 
13. — Morris  Littman,  Sylvan  Theatre,  Rutherfordton, 
N.  C.    Small  town  patronage. 

RIDE  'EM  COWBOY:  Abbott  &  Costello— A  very 
funny  picture,  pleasing  even  the  grouchy  ones,  and  did 
average  business.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  April  11, 
12. — V.  C.  Kinchen,  Avon,  Poteet,  Texas.  Small  towp 
and  rural  patronage. 

SHADOW  OF  A  DOUBT:  Joseph  Cotten,  Teresa 
Wright — A  mystery  drama  which  is  not  up  to  Hitch- 
cock's standard.  Business  was  fair.  Played  Sunday, 
Monday,  March  28,  29. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount 
Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

WHO  DONE  IT?:  Abbott  and  Costello— This  com- 
bination spells  box  office,  but  it  didn't  do  as  well  as 
some  of  their  previous  pictures.  Weather  bad.  Played 
Monday -Sunday,  April  12-17. — Harland  Rankin,  Centre 
Theatre,  Chatham,  Ontario. 


Warner  Bros. 

ALWAYS  IN  MY  HEART:  Kay  Francis.  Walter 
Huston — This  was  a  good  little  picture,  and  all  who 
saw  it  said  it  was  good.  However,  the  trailer  on  this 
picture  was  very  misleading  and  caused  lots  of  patrons 
not  to  come  to  see  it.  Played  Sunday,  March  14. — Miss 
Cleo  Manry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena  Vista,  Ga. 
Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

BIG  SHOT,  THE:  Humphrey  Bogart,  Irene  Man- 
ning— Many  good  comments.  Played  to  fair  business. 
Played  Monday,  Tuesday,  March  IS,  16. — Miss  Cleo 
Manry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena  Vista,  Ga.  Small 
town  and  rural  patronage. 

DESPERATE  JOURNEY:  Errol  Flynn— Better  than 
average  business.  Pleased  majority  but  a  few  com- 
plained that  it  was  too  far-fetched.  Played  Sunday, 
Monday,  April  11,  12.— A.  C.  Edwards,  Winema  Thea- 
tre, Scotia,  Cal.    Small  labor  town  patronage. 

GAY  SISTERS,  THE:  Barbara  Stanwyck,  George 
Brent — I  did  not  see  this  myself  but  from  the  box  office 
something  was  wrong.  The  few  who  commented  said 
it  was  "fair."  Played  Monday,  Tuesday,  March  22, 
23. — Miss  Cleo  Manry  Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena 
Vista,  Ga.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

GENTLEMAN  JIM:  Errol  Flynn,  Alexis  Smith- 
Here  is  a  swell  slam-bang  picture  that  Warner  can 
make  so  well.  It  drew  an  enthusiastic  crowd  and  the 
box  office  was  one  of  the  best  in  quite  a  long  time. 
You  do  not  have  to  like  boxing  to  appreciate  this  one. 
It's  a  honey.  Played  Friday,  Saturday. — W.  V.  Nevins, 
III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y.  Small  college 
town  patronage. 

GORILLA  MAN,  THE:  John  Loder,  Paul  Cavanagh 
— A  Commando  melodrama  which  pleased.  Average 
business.  Played  Tuesday,  March  20. — E.  M.  Frei- 
burger, Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla.  Small  town 
patronage. 

HARD  WAY,  THE:  Ida  Lupino,  Dennis  Morgan— 
A  good  "B"  picture,  but  not  an  "A"  picture,  as 
classified.  Did  not  please  our  construction  workers 
too  well  but  no  complaints  generally.  Hardly  strong 
enough  for  Sunday.  Played  Sunday-Tuesday,  April 
4-6. — S.  L.  George,  Mountain  Home  Theatre,  Mountain 
Home,  Idaho.    Small  town  patronage. 

HARD  WAY,  THE:  Ida  Lupino,  Dennis  Morgan— I 
couldn't  figure  this  one.  Two  good  stars — no  business. 
Word  of  mouth  hurt  me.  My  customers  don't  like 
them  as  depressing  as  this.   Spot  in  very  light  comedy 


to  help.— Phil  Schwartz,  Parkway  Theatre,  Bridgeport, 
Conn. 

JUKE  GIRL:  Ann  Sheridan— Excellent  picture  en- 
joyed by  everybody.  Good  comment  by  every  customer 
who  came.  Good  action  and  thrilling  all  the  way 
through.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  March  14,  15. — 
M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  East  Boston,  Mass.  Gen- 
eral patronage. 

JUKE  GIRL:  Ann  Sheridan,  Ronald  Reagan— Pleas- 
ing picture  but  expected  more  than  the  average  busi- 
ness we  did  on  it.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday, 
March  10,  11.— F.  G.  Poulters,  Capitol  Theatre,  Dun- 
can, B.  C. 

SERGEANT  YORK:  Gary  Cooper,  Joan  Leslie— I 
believe  every  theatre  could  play  this  picture  every 
year  and  the  patrons  would  still  say  it  was  the  best 
yet.  Played  second  time  to  good  business.  Played 
Wednesday,  Thursday,  March  24,  25. — Miss  Cleo  Manry, 
Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena  Vista,  Ga.  Small  town 
and  rural  patronage. 

WINGS  FOR  THE  EAGLE:  Ann  Sheridan,  Dennis 
Morgan — Just  another  airplane  picture.  We  are  hav- 
ing too  many. — H.  T.  Nokes,  Ozark  Theatre,  Ozark, 
Mo.    Rural  patronage. 


Short  Features 
Columbia 

BROKEN  TREATIES:  This  Changing  World— In- 
formative.— V.  C.  Kinchen,  Avon  Theatre,  Poteet, 
Texas. 

COMMUNITY  SING,  No.  S:  Some  good  songs.— V. 
C.  Kinchen,  Avon  Theatre,  Poteet,  Texas. 

TOLL  BRIDGE  TROUBLES:  Color  Rhapsodies— 
Not  as  good  as  earlier  Fox  and  Crow  cartoons  but  full 
of  good  gags  anyway.  This  pair  is  beginning  to  get 
notice  around  here. — W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-Op 
Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

WIZARD  OF  THE  FAIRWAY:  World  of  Sport- 
Good  golf  short. — V.  C.  Kinchen,  Avon  Theatre,  Poteet, 
Texas. 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

CALLING  ALL  PAS:  Pete  Smith  Specialty— Good 
little  short  concerning  baby  care  by  daddy.  It  got  the 
laughs.— W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre, 
Alfred,  N.  Y. 

KEEP  'EM  SAILING:  Two-Reel  Special— Another 
good  entry  in  this  series.  Well  worth  playing. — W. 
Varick  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatres,  Alfred. 
N.  Y. 

LISTEN  BOYS:  Miniature — If  you  want  your  men 
folks  to  do  some  whistling,  show  this  reel  taken  inside 
a  beauty  parlor.  It  shows  all  the  angles  and  plenty 
of  curves.— W.  V.  Nevins,  HI,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre, 
Alfred,  N.  Y. 

MIGHTY  NIAGARA:  Fitzpatrick  Traveltalks— Just 


what  the  title  says  and  the  color  is  dandy.  Everyone 
is  interested  in  this  scenic  spot.  I  am  very  near  it  so 
I  had  extra  special  interest. — W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred 
Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

PICTURESQUE  MASSACHUSETTS:  Fitzpatrick 
Traveltalks — Very  good  color  scenic  of  part  of  our  own 
country.  Of  course,  if  it  is  near  you,  it  should  be  well 
advertised.— W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre, 
Alfred,  N.  Y. 

PORTRAIT  OF  A  GENIUS:  Miniatures— It  may  be 
above  the  heads  of  many  audiences,  but  is  very  inter- 
esting. It  shows  how  a  lot  of  modern  inventions  were 
discovered  and  lost  many  years  ago. — W.  Varick  Nev- 
ins, III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 


Paramount 

HULL  OF  A  MESS,  A:  Popeye  the  Sailor— Have 
not  played  a  Popeye  in  quite  a  while.  This  one  seemed 
to  be  quite  funny  and  well  liked. — W.  V.  Nevins,  III, 
Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

IN  THE  ZOO:  Speaking  of  Animals— A  swell  reel 
with  the  various  animals  making  the  patrons  roll  in 
the  aisles  with  their  wisecracks. — F.  G.  Poulters,  Capi- 
tol Theatre,  Duncan,  B.  C. 

JASPER  AND  THE  CHOO-CHOO:  Madcap  Models 
— A  good  Mapcap  Model  which  was  just  too  fantastic 
for  some  of  my  patrons.  However,  many  praised  it, 
too— W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred, 
N  .  Y. 

PARACHUTE  ATHLETES:  Sportlights— With  Ted 
Husing's  pleasant  voice,  this  is  an  entertaining  short 
with  military  touches.  It  made  an  entertaining  contri- 
bution to  our  program. — Thomas  DiLorenzo,  New  Paltz 
Theatre,  New  Paltz,  N.  Y. 

SPORTS  I.  Q.:  Sportlights— A  sports  quiz  reel  that 
was  good  enough. — W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-Op 
Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

SUPERMAN  IN  JUNGLE  DRUMS:  Superman 
Color  Cartoons — Average  Superman  cartoon. — E.  M. 
Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

TOO  WEAK  TO  WORK:  Popeye  the  Sailor— Good 
Popeye  comedy. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Thea- 
tre, Dewey,  Okla. 


RKO  Radio 

DER  FUEHRER'S  FACE:  Walt  Disney  Cartoons— 
The  popularity  of  the  song  and  the  novelty  of  this  car- 
toon help  to  make  it  one  of  the  best  of  the  year.  Of 
course,  it  is  propaganda  but  it  is  plenty  funny,  too. — 
W.  Varick  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre.  Alfred. 
N.  Y. 

EDUCATION  FOR  DEATH:  Walt  Disney  Cartoons 
— Very  well  done  but  it  is  not  supposed  to  be  funny 
for  the  most  part.  That  makes  it  hard  to  evaluate  it. 
Don't  use  it  if  you  are  looking  for  humor.  Save  it  for 
a  comedy  feature. — W.  Varick  Nevins,  III,  Alfred 
Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

(Continued  on  following  page) 


5y 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    I,    I  943 


(.Continued  from  preceding  page) 

FIRED  MAN,  THE:  Leon  Errol  Comedy— Good  two- 
reel  comedy. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre. 
Dewey,  Okla. 

OLYMPIC  CHAMP:  Walt  Disney  Cartoons— Good 
color  cartoon  in  the  Disney  style. — W.  Varick  Nevins. 
III.  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre.  Alfred.  N.  Y. 

TRAILER  TRAGEDY:  Edgar  Kennedy  Comedy- 
Very  good  two-reel  comedy.— E.  M.  Freiburger,  Para- 
mount Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

WOMEN  AT  ARMS:  This  Is  America— It's  supposed 
to  be  as  good  as  "March  of  Time,"  but  my  opinion  is 
that  it  is  not  nearly  as  good.  However,  I've  only  seen 
this  one  of  this  series.— E.  K.  Menagh,  Star  Theatre, 
Ft.  Lupton,  Colo. 


Twentieth  Century- Fox 

BARNYARD  BLACKOUT:  Terrytcons— Good  color 
cartoon.  —  E.  Ml.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre, 
Dewey,  Okla. 

NEW  CANADA,  THE:  March  of  Time— Just  an 
overgrown  travel  talk.  Lacks  entertainment. — E.  M. 
Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 


Universal 

AIR  RAID  WARDEN:  Color  Cartune— Andy  Panda 
in  another  good  cartoon  which  the  kiddies  applauded. 
—Thomas  DiLorenzo,  New  Paltz  Theatre,  New  Paltz, 
N.  Y. 

DOUBLE  TALK  GIRL:  Person-Oddities— Entertain- 
ing reel.— E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre, 
Dewey,  Okla. 

LET  HUEY  DO  IT:  Person -Oddities— Entertaining 
reel  from  "Stranger  Than  Fiction"  series. — E.  M.  Frei- 
burger, Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

LOAN  STRANGER,  THE:  Color  Cartune— Fairly 
good  color  cartoon. — W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-Op 
Theatre,  Alfred,  M.  Y. 


Victory  Films 

FUEL  CONSERVATION:  It  is  very  short  and  does 
its  job,  so  it  is  OK.  Save  it  for  next  winter  if  you 
have  not  already  played  it. — W.  Varick  Nevins,  III, 
Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 


Vitaphone 

BEYOND  THE  LINE  OF  DUTY:  Broadway  Brev- 
ity— A  true  episode  of  the  flying  exploits  of  an  Ameri- 
can airman,  interesting  to  those  who  have  sons  or 
sweethearts  in  our  Air  Forces.  A  very  good  reel. — 
A.  L.  Dove,  Bengough  Theatre,  Bengough,  Sask. 

CALIFORNIA  JUNIOR  SYMPHONY:  Broadway 
Brevity — Boost  this  grand  subject  in  your  advertising 
and  it  will  net  you  larger  receipts  and  very  favorable 
comments  from  your  patrons. — F.  G.  Poulters,  Capitol 
Theatre,  Duncan,  B.  C 

DOVER  BOYS,  THE:  Merrie  Melodies  Cartoons— 
This  is  college  satire  in  a  big  way  and  definitely  should 
get  its  share  of  laughs  from  your  audience  as  it  did 
from  ours. — Thomas  DiLorenzo,  New  Paltz  Theatre, 
New  Paltz,  N.  Y. 

FIGHTING  ENGINEERS:  Technicolor  Special— An- 
other of  Warners'  Technicolor  shorts  that  is  extremely 
outstanding.  You  can't  go  wrong  on  this  one  for  color, 
entertainment  and  instruction. — W.  V.  Nevins.  III.  Al- 
fred Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

HUNTER'S  PARADISE:  The  Sports  Parade— A 
color  reel  about  South  America  which  ought  to  please. 
We  liked  it  here. — Thomas  DiLorenzo,  New  Paltz  Thea- 
tre, New  Paltz,  N.  Y. 

OZZIE  NELSON  AND  ORCHESTRA:  Melody  Mas- 
ter Bands — Good  musical  reel. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Par- 
amount Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

PIGS  IN  A  POLKA:  Merrie  Melodies  Cartoons— 
The  Three  Little  Pigs  are  around  again  in  a  very 
clever  rendition  of  the  story,  played  to  exact  timing  to 
Hungarian  dances.  Outstanding. — W.  V.  Nevins,  III, 
Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre.  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

RICHARD  HIMBER  AND  ORCHESTRA:  Melody 
Masters  Band — First  class  entertainment. — A.  L.  Dove, 
Bengough  Theatre,  Bengough,  Sask. 

SPORTING  DOGS:  The  Sports  Parade— Good  sport 
reel  in  color. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre, 
Dewey,  Okla. 

STARS  ON  HORSEBACK:  Hollywood  Novelties- 
Entertaining  Hollywood  reel. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Para- 
mount Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

TO  DUCK  OR  NOT  TO  DUCK:  Merrie  Melody- 
Good  color  cartoon. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount 
Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

YOUNG  AND  BEAUTIFUL:  Technicolor  Special— 
If  you  like  beautiful  women,  you're  sure  to  like  this. 
Gracie  Fields  does  three  numbers.  A  very  good 
featurette. — Ray  E.  Salisbury,  Opera  House  Theatre, 
Presque  Isle,  Me. 


Film  to  Explain  Assistance 
Of  Screen  in  War  Effort 

The  May  issue  of  March  of  Time  which  is  to 
be  released  in  approximately  four  weeks,  will  be 
titled  "Show  Business  at  War,"  a  company 
spokesman  said  last  week.  It  is  designed  to 
show  the  American  public  how  entertainers 
have  assisted  in  the  sale  of  War  Bonds  and  in 
maintaining  morale  among  service  men.  The 
film  is  being  produced  by  Richard  de  Roche- 
mont,  with  direction  by  Jack  Glenn,  who  direct- 
ed "We  Are  the  Marines." 

Informal  scenes  showing  prominent  Holly- 
wood stars  on  Bond-selling  tours  will  be  shown, 
USO  and  canteen  activities  and  the  efforts  of 
the  War  Activities  Committee's  entertainment 
branch  also  will  be  featured.  It  is  expected,  the 
company  spokesman  added,  that  live  battle 
scenes  taken  by  former  students  of  the  March 
of  Time's  school  of  pictorial  journalism  will  be, 
included.  Numerous  graduates  of  the  school, 
started  in  1940  by  Louis  de  Rochemont,  have 
been  in  outposts  throughout  the  world  as  mem- 
bers of  the  armed  forces.  Censorship  rules  al- 
lowing, the  footage  filmed  by  them  has  been 
forwarded  to  the  March  of  Time  offices. 

CBS  Profit  in  Quarter 
Totaled  $1,031,671 

Net  income  of  the  Columbia  Broadcasting 
System  was  $1,031,671  for  the  quarter  ending 
April  3rd,  Frank  K.  White,  vice-president  and 
treasurer,  disclosed  at  the  annual  meeting  of 
stockholders  last  Wednesday.  The  earnings 
compared  with  $987,362  for  the  first  quarter  of 
1942  and  were  equivalent  to  60  cents  per  share 
of  common  stock,  compared  with  58  cents. 

Gross  income  during  the  quarter  from  the  sale 
of  facilities,  talent,  lines,  records  and  other  items 
by  the  network  and  subsidiaries  amounted  to 
$16,833,772,  compared  with  $15,874,362  in  the 
1942  period.  The  stockholders  elected  Frederick 
P.  Keppel  a  director  and  reelected  all  other 
members  of  the  board. 

Chicago  Films  Council 
Reelects  Mrs.  Holton 

Mrs.  Nina  Y.  Holton  was  reelected  president 
of  the  Better  Films  Council  of  Chicago  at  the 
last  meeting  of  the  year,  held  April  19th,  in  the 
Republic  Building  Restaurant,  Chicago.  Jessie 
Binford,  a  director  of  the  juvenile  court,  spoke 
at  the  morning  session  on  juvenile  delinquency 
and  the  council  plans  to  cooperate  with  exhibi- 
tors in  a  campaign  to  combat  vandalism. 

Mrs.  L.  S.  Van  Schoyck  was  elected  first 
vice-president ;  Mrs.  David  Slagle,  second  vice- 
president;  Mrs.  Joseph  R.  Chesser,  third  vice- 
president  ;  Mrs.  Frank  Buttsback,  secretary,  and 
Mrs.  Raymond  S.  Harpe,  treasurer.  The  Better 
Films  Council  is  composed  of  about  250  delegate 
members  from  various  women's  organizations 
throughout  the  Chicago  area. 


Club  Hears  O'Donnell 

Robert  O'Donnell,  Interstate  circuit  executive 
and  chief  barker  of  the  National  Variety  Club, 
spoke  at  a  luncheon  meeting  of  Tent  No.  4  in 
St.  Louis  on  Monday.  He  was  introduced  by 
Harry  Crawford,  of  Fanchon  and  Marco,  chief 
barker  of  the  St.  Louis  club.  He  also  will  ad- 
dress the  Chicago  club  on  May  6th  at  a  testi- 
monial dinner  in  his  honor. 


Sargent  in  Naval  Reserve 

Thornton  Sargent,  formerly  War  Activities 
Committee  public  relations  chairman  for  the 
Los  Angeles  exchange  territory,  has  enlisted  in 
the  U.  S.  Naval  Reserve.  He  is  to  be  suc- 
ceeded by  Seymour  Peiser,  formerly  Los  An- 
geles city  chairman  of  the  WAC. 


Arthur  Joins  Army 

Edward  B.  Arthur,  assistant  general  manager 
of  the  Fanchon  and  Marco  theatres  in  St.  Louis, 
has  been  inducted  into  the  Army.  He  was  to 
have  reported  to  Officers  Candidate  School  on 
Thursday  for  training  in  the  armored  division. 


SHORT  PRODUCT 
PLAYING  BROADWAY 

Week  of  April  26th 

ASTOR 

Sufferin1  Cats   MGM 

The  Aldrich  Family  Gets  in 

the  Scrap   Paramount 

Feature:  The  Human  Comedy.MGM 

CRITERION 

Dumb  Hounded   MGM 

The  Aldrich  Family  Gets  in 

the  Scrap   Paramount 

Feature:  Assignment  in  Brit- 
tany    MGM 

GLOBE 

Tortoise  Wins  by  a  Hare.  ..Vitaphone 
Ozzie  Nelson  and  Orchestra.Vitaphone 
Feature:  Desert  Victory  20th  Cent.-Fox 

HOLLYWOOD 

Women  in  Sports  Vitaphone 

Flop  Goes  the  Weasel  Vitaphone 

The  Aldrich  Family  Gets  in 

the  Scrap   Paramount 

Feature:  Air  Force  Warner  Bros. 

MUSIC  HALL 

Fala  MGM 

The  Aldrich  Family  Gets  in 

the  Scrap   Paramount 

Feature:  Flight  for  Freedom.  .  RKO 

.  PARAMOUNT 

The  Aldrich  Family  Gets  in 

the  Scrap   Paramount 

Feature:  China   Paramount 

RIALTO 

The  Aldrich  Family  Gets  in 

the  Scrap   Paramount 

Superman  in  the  Japoteurs.  Paramount 

Feature:  I  Walked  With  a 
Zombie   R  KO 

RIVOLI 

T-Bone  for  Two  RKO 

The  Aldrich  Family  Gets  in 

the  Scrap   Paramount 

Feature:  White  Savage  Universal 

ROXY 
The  Aldrich  Family  Gets  in 

the  Scrap   Paramount 

Feature:  Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello  20th  Cent.-Fox 

STRAND 

The  Aldrich  Family  Gets  in 

the  Scrap   Paramount 

Young  and  Beautiful  Vitaphone 

Riding  with  the  Stars  Vitaphone 

Feature:  Edge  of  Darkness.  .  .Warner  Bros. 


Altec  Discloses  Increase 
In  Theatre  Service 

Nearly  100  theatres  recently  have  signed  con- 
tracts with  Altec  Service  for  repair-replace- 
ment parts  service  covering  both  projection  and 
sound,  according  to  L.  W.  Conrow,  president  of 
the  company.  Altec  made  the  disclosure  last 
week  in  emphasizing  the  fact  that  "a  serious 
and  whole-hearted  effort  is  being  made  by  ex- 
hibitors throughout  the  nation  to  do  a  100  per 
cent  effective  job  of  conservation  of  war-needed 
materials." 

Included  among  the  contracts  was  one  from 
the  Vought-Sikorsky  Aircraft  Company  in 
Stratford,  Conn.,  and  another  from  the  Navy  for 
service  of  two  buildings  at  the  Naval  Air  Tech. 
Training  Center  in  Norman,  Okla. 

Margolies  Moves  Office 

Albert  Margolies  has  moved  his  publicity 
offices  in  the  Paramount  Building,  New  York, 
to  30  Rockefeller  Plaza. 


May    I,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


59 


MANAGERS4 


ROUND  TABLE 


>An  international  association  of  showmen  meeting  weekly 
tn  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD  for  mutual  aid  and  progress 

BOB  WILE,  Editor  GERTRUDE  MERRIAM,  Associate  Editor 


OP 


Local  Boys  Make  Good 


Des  Moines,  Iowa. — Eddie  Forester,  manager  of  the 
Des  Moines  theatre,  was  interested  in  the  notices  put  up  by 
the  Nazi  Colonel  in  the  Norwegian  town  which  was  the  setting 
of  "The  Moon  Is  Down".  "What  would  the  Nazis  do  if  they 
were  here?"  he  wondered.  Accordingly,  he  put  out  a  notice 
of  his  own,  signed  with  the  Colonel's  name  and  on  the  letter- 
head of  the  Military  Occupation  Authority  of  the  German 
Reich.  At  the  bottom,  copy  said:  "This  will  never  happen  here 
if  American  citizens  support  their  armed  forces  by  the  pur- 
chase of  War  Bonds",  and  then  followed  the  playdates. 


Fort  William,  Ontario. — Gordon  Carson,  manager  of  the 
Royal  theatre,  had  been  having  some  trouble  over  the  shortage 
of  product.  Revival  programs,  popular  demand  programs  and 
second  run  showings  had  all  been  tried  and  found  wanting. 
Then  he  set  aside  Wednesday  and  Thursday  of  each  week  as 
Request  Program  Days.  And  he  got  the  people  really  to  make 
their  choices  by  having  the  chief  usher  at  a  table  with  blanks 
for  patrons  to  fill  out  for  three  weeks  in  advance.  Besides  that, 
Mr.  Carson  planned  and  executed  a  thorough  campaign  in 
support  of  the  idea.  Special  ad  slugs  were  devised.  A  special 
trailer  was  used,  with  part  of  the  copy  changed  each  week  so 
that  it  did  not  seem  too  repetitious.  A  lobby  display  was  used 
and,  on  the  whole,  each  move  was  carefully  planned  and 
thought  out  in  advance. 


Holdenville,  Okla. — Boyd  F.  Scott,  city  manager  for  the 
Griffith  theatres,  like  many  other  managers,  finds  it  hard  to 
keep  employees  these  days.  Therefore,  he  considers  it  one  of 
his  jobs  to  keep  the  boys  and  girls  interested.  Here's  his  own 
story  of  how  he  does  it:  "We  use  mostly  high  school  boys  and 
girls.  When  I  see  one  doing  a  particularly  good  job,  I  record 
it.  Each  week- an  award  of  $1.00  in  War  Stamps  is  made  for 
the  'extra  something'  the  employee  put  into  his  job  .  .  .  and 
they  seem  to  like  it." 


Chicago,  III. — Ralph  Armstrong,  recently  appointed  manager 
of  the  Melrose,  sends  us  details  of  an  idea  he  carried  through 
while  at  the  Four  Star  theatre.  Ralph  is  pretty  good  at  break- 


ing into  the  Chicago  papers,  a  difficult  feat  for  a  neighborhood 
showman.  In  the  Daily  Times  Inquiring  Photographer  column, 
a  little  girl  answered  the  question,  "What  do  you  want  to  be 
when  you  grow  up",  with  "I  want  to  work  in  a  show  .  .  .  sell 
tickets  at  the  outer  window  or  maybe  sell  candy  inside  the 
lobby.  I  like  candy  a  lot  but  I  wouldn't  eat  any  if  I  weren't 
supposed  to.  It  would  be  nice  to  see  so  many  people  every 
day,  and  once  in  a  while  I  might  be  able  to  see  the  movie 
after  I  finished  work."  So  Ralph  decided  to  gratify  her  ambi- 
tion, hie  called  up  The  Times',  a  reporter  and  a  photographer 
were  sent  out,  and  he  garnered  a  page  of  pictures  and  a 
column  of  publicity  about  it.  The  child  was  photographed, 
achieving  her  heart's  desire,  and  the  theatre  got  plenty  of 
mention  in  the  accounts. 


Portsmouth,  N.  H. — Being  a  theatre  manager  is  a  24-hour-a- 
day  job  with  John  Howe,  who  handles  the  Colonial  theatre. 
Recently,  the  senior  class  of  the  Kittery  (Me.)  Academy,  which 
is  across  the  river  from  Portsmouth,  told  John  that  they  would 
be  unable  to  make  their  annual  trip  to  New  York,  since  they 
could  get  no  one  to  accompany  them.  But  John  asked  for  a 
week  of  his  vacation  at  this  time,  and  last  week  he  and 
Mrs.  Howe  brought  the  class  to  New  York.  Besides  the  very 
obvious  goodwill  angle,  it  is  certain  that  the  students  of  the 
Kittery  Academy  will  be  more  likely  than  ever  to  attend  the 
Colonial. 


Holyoke,  Mass. — Here's  a  goodwill  gesture  we  found  out 
about  quite  by  accident,  although  its  author  is  no  stranger  to 
these  columns  and  frequently  informs  us  of  his  doings.  A 
patient  in  the  Providence  Hospital,  a  refugee  without  family 
or  close  friends  in  the  city,  was  in  need  of  a  blood  transfusion. 
Without  hesitation,  Lewis  Breyer,  manager  of  the  Strand, 
offered  his  services.  Doctors  report  that  the  transfusion  aided 
the  patient's  recovery  considerably.  While  many  theatre  man- 
agers have  given  blood  for  the  blood  banks,  this  was  an  addi- 
tional service  without  even  the  small  recognition  of  a  pin,  given 
to  Red  Cross  donors. 

—BOB  WILE 


60 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


May    I  ,  1943 


GOOD  EXPLOITATION  IDEAS 


Max  Phillips  of  the  Regent,  Sudbury,  Ont.,  was  so  enthusiastic 
about  the  possibilities  of  "Commandos  Strike  at  Dawn" 
he  arranged  a  parade  and  decorated  his  front  and  lobby 
in  fine  style.  Here  is  the  lobby  sandbagged  and  placarded. 


R.A.F.  headquarters  sent  a  Messerschmitt,  downed  in 
combat,  to  the  Cinema  Studio  Misr  in  Cairo,  Egypt. 
It  was  placed  atop  the  marquee  and  attracted  much 
attention  in  that  city,  now  far  removed  from  the  war  zone 

but  recently  right  in  it. 


A  Powers  model  contest  was  held  at  Loew's,  Rochester,  N.  Y., 
by  Lester  Pollock,  manager  of  the  theatre.  Above  are 
some  of  the  contestants.  The  winner  received  $50 
and  a  Powers  make-up  kit. 


By  Clarence  M.  Bunting 

Bill  Reisinger,  Loew's,  Dayton,  O., 
planted  an  attractive  window  display 
in  a  book  store.  Its  simplicity  distinguished 
the  window. 


Left  to  right,  a  soldier,  an  Army  nurse,  a  WAAC,  a  Red  Cross  nurse,  a  WAVE, 
a  Navy  nurse  and  a  sailor,  all  part  of  a  tableau  staged  in  connection  with 
Red  Cross  week  at  the  Palace,  Cleveland,  by  Louis  E.  Mayer,  manager. 


i 


May    I,  1943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


61 


Beautiful  Legs 
Contest  Held  by 
RKO  Theatres 

Through  a  tieup  made  with  the  Venida 
Liquid  Hosiery  Co.,  Harry  Mandel,  RKO 
Theatres  director  of  advertising  and  pub- 
licity, has  arranged  a  Beautiful  Legs  Con- 
test in  which  the  22  theatres  in  the  metro- 
politan area  are  offering  $3,600  in  War 
Bonds  as  prizes.  The  prizes  will  be  dis- 
tributed as  follows :  One  grand  prize,  $500 
War  Bond;  12  district  prizes— six  $100 
Bonds  to  the  first  prize  winner  in  each  dis- 
trict, six  $50  Bonds  to  the  second  prize 
winner  in  each  district.  In  addition  there 
are  66  neighborhood  prizes,  three  in  each 
theatre.  In  this  connection,  a  $50  Bond  goes 
to  the  first  prize  winner  in  each  theatre;  a 
$25  Bond  goes  to  the  second  and  third  prize 
winners  in  each  theatre. 

The  preliminary  contests  will  take  place 
simultaneously  on  May  19th  in  the  22  the- 
atres, with  the  grand  finale  consisting  of 
two  winners  from  each  theatre  being  judged 
on  the  stage  of  the  RKO  86th  Street  theatre 
on  the  evening  of  June  2nd. 

Applause  Decides  Winners 

The  Beautiful  Legs  Contest  is  open  to 
every  girl  sixteen  years  or  over  and  the 
judging  will  be  by  audience  applause.  Each 
theatre  will  be  supplied  with  a  combination 
herald  which  contains  the  rules  and  an  entry 
blank  to  be  filled  out  by  the  applicant.  Every 
applicant  must  sign  an  agreement,  which 
serves  as  a  release  to  use  her  name  and 
photo.  The  name  Venida  does  not  appear 
on  the  trailer,  but  everywhere  else  in  the  ad- 
vertising the  contest  will  be  known  as  the 
"RKO  Theatres- Venida  Beautiful  Legs 
Contest." 

Exploitation  hints  included  in  the  manual 
prepared  by  RKO  include  suggestions  for 
tieups  with  local  five  and  dime  stores  and 
department  stores  on  the  idea  of  holding 
their  own  contest  to  pick  the  girl  with  the 
most  shapely  legs.  For  additional  applicants 
and  as  a  means  of  spreading  the  news  of  the 
contest,  dancing  schools,  business  houses,  in- 
door swimming  pools  and  high  schools  might 
be  contacted,  leaving  application  blanks  at 
each. 

Also  included  in  the  bulletin  are  sugges- 
tions for  programs  and  radio  blurbs  as  well 
as  a  story  for  the  local  papers. 

Name  Judges  in  the  contest  are  Arthur 
Murray,  Harry  Conover  and  James  Mont- 
gomery Flagg. 


On  the  Home  Fighting  Front 

These  showmen,  men  and  women  alike,  are  actively  aiding  the  war  effort  through  their 
positions  in  theatres.  They  are  all  eligible  for  consideration  for  the  1943  Quigley  War 
Showmanship  Award. 


ELMER  ADAMS,  JR. 
Yucca,  Midland,  Tex. 

A.  DON  ALLEN 
Capitol,  Davenport,  la. 

HAROLD  BISHOP 
Capitol,  Winnipeg,  Man. 

JOSEPH  S.  BOYLE 
Broadway,  Norwich,  Conn. 

GERTRUDE  BUNCHEZ 
Century,  Baltimore,  Md. 

CLAYTON  CORNELL 
Pontiac,  Saranac  Lake,  N.  Y. 

ROBERT  COX 
Kentucky,  Lexington,  Ky. 

FRED  DANICO 
Esquire,  Davenport,  la. 

PHILIP  DE  PETRO 

Jamaica,  Jamaica  Plains,  Mass. 

D.  M.  DILLENBECK 
Rialto,  Bushnell,  III. 

BILL  ELDER 

Loew's,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

DEANE  H.  EMLEY 
Capitol,  Dunkirk,  N.  Y. 


Signal  Corps  Depot  Officer 
Aids  on  "At  the  Front" 

Calling  on  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the 
Lexington  Signal  Depot,  Lew  Hensler  at 
the  Ben  Ali,  in  Lexington,  Ky.,  secured  his 
cooperation  to  the  extent  of  all  men  being 
urged  to  see  "At  the  Front"  at  the  theatre. 
Every  bulletin  board  carried  a  copy  of  a  spe- 
cial herald  issued  by  the  officer.  Enlisted 
men  at  the  depot  were  theatre  guests  at  a 
special  preview  and  special  mention  was 
made  of  the  show  in  the  Post  paper.  A 
story  and  picture  break  was  obtained  in  the 
newspaper  regarding  the  invitation  extended 
to  the  soldiers. 


ED  ENKE 

Rivoli,  Hempstead,  N.  Y. 

OPAL  ESPY 

Arlyne,  Longview,  Tex. 

ED  J.  FISHER 

Loew's,  Cleveland,  Ohio 

MAX  FREED 

Corcoran,  Corcoran,  Cal. 

WILLIAM  GALL1GAN 
Commercial,  Chicago,  III. 

CHARLES  GRACE 
Embassy,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

HAROLD  GROTT 
Met,  Baltimore,  Md. 

STEWART  GILLESPIE 
Elgin,  Ottawa,  Can. 

MEL  JOLLEY 
Century,  Trenton,  Ont. 

A.  J.  KALBERER 
Switow's  Indiana 
Washington,  Ind. 

JAMES  KING 
RKO,  Boston,  Mass. 

JULIUS  LAMM 

Uptown,  Cleveland,  Ohio 


JACK  MATLACK 
Broadway,  Portland,  Ore. 

HARRY  L.  MOLLER 
Globe,  Berlin,  Md. 

FRED  PERRY 

Olympic,  Watertown,  N.  Y. 

SYDNEY  J.  POPPAY 
Majestic,  Gettysburg,  Pa. 

EARL  RICE 

Glendale,  Glendale,  Cal. 

KEN  ROCKWELL 
Palace,  Jamestown,  N.  Y. 

JOSEPH  SAMARTANO 
Palace,  Meriden,  Conn. 

BOYD  F.  SCOn 

Grand,  Holdenville,  Okla. 

MARY  A.  SMITH 
Winchester,  Winchester,  Mass. 

EVAN  THOMPSON 
Playhouse,  Hicksville,  L.  I. 

GERTRUDE  L.  TRACY 

Elm  Street,  Worcester,  Mass. 

LEONARD  TUTTLE 
Indiana,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

BURGESS  WALTMON 
Princess,  Columbus,  Miss. 


Matlack  Appointed  Chairman 
Of  Local  Scrap  Drive 

To  get  the  copper  drive  started  in  their 
vicinity,  the  major  downtown  theatres  of 
Portland,  Ore.,  had  a  meeting  to  get  things 
organized  and  elected  Jack  Matlack  of  the 
J.  J.  Parker  Theatres,  Chairman  of  the 
Committee.  A  special  9.30  a.m.  matinee  was 
held  at  the  Parker  and  Hamrick-Evergreen 
theatres  at  which  a  pound  of  scrap  metal 
was  the  price  of  admission.  The  show  con- 
sisted of  a  first-run  feature  together  with 
selected  shorts  of  interest  to  the  kids. 

In  an  effort  to  aid  the  Drive,  one  of  the 
leading  department  stores  came  through 
with  a  large  ad  urging  kids'  attendance  and 
plugging  the  event.  The  Superintendent  of 
Schools  came  through  with  permission  for 
the  placing  of  notices  on  all  bulletin  boards, 
radio  stations  aided  and  the  cooperating 
newspapers  came  through  with  stories  in  ad- 
vance. 


them  a  big  send  off  with  an  interesting  pro- 
gram of  local  speakers  including  rabbis, 
priests,  ministers,  etc. 

Other  theatres  of  the  Randforce  Circuit 
took  up  the  idea  and  practically  all  of  them 
are  now  doing  the  same  sort  of  thing.  Office 
space  at  most  of  the  Boards'  headquarters  is 
too  small  for  the  proper  kind  of  ceremony. 
A  tieup  is  made  in  most  cases  with  the 
American  Women's  Voluntary  Services  to 
serve  the  coffee  and  doughnuts.  The  idea 
has  taken  hold  and  the  boys  and  their  par- 
ents seem  to  enjoy  the  send  off  they  get  in 
these  gala  surroundings. 


Draft  Chief  Urges  Boards 
Use  Theatres  for  Sendoffs 

Believing  that  no  place  is  better  fitted  for 
a  ceremonial  send  off  for  inductees  than  the 
motion  picture  theatre,  Col.  Arthur  V.  Mc- 
Dermott,  Selective  Service  chief  in  the  New 
York  area,  has  asked  all  local  draft  boards 
within  his  jurisdiction  to  contact  their  near- 
est theatre  with  a  view  to  staging  such  cere- 
monies there. 

The  idea  was  started  several  months  ago 
by  Charles  E.  Grace,  manager  of  the  Em- 
bassy theatre  in  Brooklyn.  He  arranged  for 
coffee  and  doughnuts  for  the  boys  and  gave 


Cornell  Cooperates  On 
WAAC  Enlistments 

Through  the  cooperation  of  the  local 
publicity  chairman  of  the  WAACs,  Clay- 
ton Cornell  at  Schine's  Pontiac,  in  Sara- 
nac Lake,  N.  Y.,  posted  suitable  one-sheets 
in  his  lobby.  Attached  to  these  was  a  card 
giving  data  regarding  the  enlistment  into 
this  branch  of  the  service.  On  three  of  his 
radio  shows,  Clay  added  copy  pertaining  to 
this  subject,  advising  listeners,  if  interested, 
to  consult  the  literature  found  in  the  lobby 
of  the  theatre. 


Rockwell's  Scrap  Show 

To  aid  in  the  scrap  collection,  Ken  Rock- 
well at  the  Palace  theatre,  in  Jamestown, 
N.  Y.,  held  a  scrap  matinee  for  children 
at  which  they  were  admitted  for  one  pound 
or  more  of  copper,  bronze  or  brass  scrap. 
The  local  newspapers  came  through  with 
appropriate  stories  ahead  of  the  event. 


62 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


Selling  Points 

ON  THE  NEW  PRODUCT 

[The  material  below  reflects  press  books  now  in  preparation  and  represents  the  point  of 
view  of  the  distributors'  exploiteers  about  the  selling  points  and  special  merit  of  these  pictures.] 


CHINA  (Paramount):  The  title  suggests  tie- 
ing  up  with  anything  Chinese.  Laundries, 
for  example,  might  imprint  shirt  wrappers; 
restaurants  could  use  imprinted  menus  and 
napkins  as  well  as  placards;  art  shops  could 
display  cards  in  the  window.  Women's 
stores  could  display  gowns  of  Chinese  red 
or  Chinese  blue  and  tieups  can  be  arranged 
to  show  the  influence  of  the  Chinese  motif 
in  current  fashions.  In  the  picture,  Alan 
Ladd  blows  up  a  lot  of  Japs.  With  the 
recent  revelation  of  what  the  Japs  did  to 
American  aviators,  these  scenes  might  be 
played  up  more  than  otherwise.  There  is  an 
informative  column  available  which  tells 
some  things  that  the  public  ought  to  know 
about  China.  This  can  be  used  in  a  news- 
paper, or  over  the  radio  or  in  programs. 
Grouping  all  the  war  news  about  China 
under  one  head  with  a  credit  line  for  the 
picture  is  a  suggested  stunt.  There  is  a 
specially  devised  post  card  idea  available 
with  type  which  resembles  Chinese  but  on 
closer  inspection  is  a  message  in  English 
about  the  picture.  Tieups  can  be  made 
with  Chinese  groups  to  sell  the  picture  by 
sniping  their  posters,  obtaining  lobby  mate- 
rial from  them,  inserting  a  herald  in  their 
mailing  pieces,  etc.  The  press  book  sug- 
gests an  arrow  with  type  reading  "This  way 
to  'China'  "  which  ties  in  with  the  picture. 
There  is  a  four-day  contest  suggested  in 
which  newspaper  readers  would  identify 
pictures  in  which  Alan  Ladd  and  William 
Bendix  previously  appeared.  A  special 
poster  is  available  announcing  the  fact  that 
this  is  Alan  Ladd's  last  picture  for  the  dura- 
tion of  the  war.  There  is  a  special  set  of 
teaser  ads  selling  each  of  the  three  prin- 
cipal members  of  the  cast  of  the  picture. 
NEXT  OF  KIN  (Universal):  The  Mayor's 


proclamation  might  start  off  the  campaign 
with  such  copy  as:  Recognizing  the  fact 
that  loose  talk  can  sink  ships  and  careless 
gossip  aids  our  enemies,  the  City  of  Blank 
hereby  appeals  to  the  Next  of  Kin  of  all 
men  in  the  service,  as  well  as  citizens  at 
large,  to  guard  your  lips  and  appeal  to 
others  to  do  likewise.  And  to  this  end  and 
for  the  purpose  of  bringing  more  forcibly 
to  the  attention  of  everyone  the  danger  of 
careless  words  thoughtlessly  spoken,  I,  as 
Mayor  of  Blank  City,  do  hereby  designate 

the  week  of  to  be  known 

and  observed  as  Guard  Your  Lips  Week 
as  a  service  to  your  country  and  your  Next 
of  Kin  who  may  be  in  the  Service."  For  a 
newspaper  contest,  tickets  could  be  offered 
to  those  submitting  the  best  list  of  "Don'ts" 
that  could  apply  to  the  spread  of  gossip. 
Tieup  with  local  postoffices  by  offering  to 
distribute  a  quantity  of  V-Mail  at  the  the- 
atre. To  aid  the  Red  Cross  blood  donor 
campaign,  a  three-color  one-sheet  and 
window  card  is  available  for  a  Red  Cross 
tieup,  copy  on  the  cards  reading:  "Your 
blood  may  save  your  Next  of  Kin."  For 
school  attention,  children  could  be  invited 
to  compete  in  a  prize  essay  contest,  offer- 
ing suitable  prizes  for  the  best  on  "Why  I 
Should  Never  Discuss  Any  Military  Informa- 
tion." Outside  ballyhoo  could  include  past- 
ing a  six-sheet  on  beaverboard,  cutting  it 
up  in  jigsaw  fashion  and  having  a  man 
assemble  the  puzzle  on  busy  street  corners. 
Another  effective  street  stunt  would  be  to 
mount  the  24-sheet  on  beaverboard  and 
cut  it  into  six  sections,  as  many  boys  carry- 
ing the  separate  pieces  could  tour  the 
streets  and  at  given  signals  correctly  as- 
semble the  pieces,  so  that  the  face  of  the 
24-sheet  will  resemble  the  original  sketch. 


Co-op  Page  Sold  on 
"Boom  Town"  Date 

The  first  big  item  in  Mollie  Stickles' 
"Boom  Town"  and  "Little  Nellie  Kelly" 
campaign  at  the  Poli  Strand,  in  Waterbury, 
Conn.,  was  the  selling  of  a  full  page  of  co- 
operative ads  on  these  two  attractions.  The 
entire  page  was  sold  without  help  from  the 
newspapers,  as  they  don't  go  for  promotions, 
the  page  featured  an  eight-column  streamer 
and  a  theatre  plug  in  almost  every  ad.  An 
interesting  pictorial  layout  in  a  prominent 
weekly  was  also  landed. 

Heralds  plugging  both  the  attractions 
were  distributed  at  factory  gates  and  around 
the  downtown  area  a  week  in  advance  and 
1,000  postcards  done  in  printers  green  ink 
and  addressed  in  green  ink  were  sent  to  lead- 
ing Irish  citizens  a  week  ahead  of  the  open- 
ing on  "Kelly."  A  loudspeaker  was  hooked 


up  over  the  boxoffice  and  recordings  from 
the  picture  were  played  with  the  cashier 
making  all  the  playdate  announcements. 
Through  a  tieup  with  the  five  and  dime  a 
window  of  shamrocks  was  promoted  with 
appropriate  tiein  copy. 


Give  Passes  to  Blood  Donors 

Elmer  Pickard,  manager  of  Warners'  Fox 
theatre,  Philadelphia,  tied  in  with  the  Red 
Cross  Blood  Bank  in  the  interests  of  'Some- 
thing to  Shout  About."  He  donated  100 
free  passes  to  the  openings  to  as  many  new 
blood  donors.  In  addition  to  a  Red  Cross 
display  in  the  theatre  lobby,  a  large  banner 
was  placed  in  front  of  the  Red  Cross  head- 
quarters advising  of  the  free  movie  offer, 
with  a  streamer  line  fairly  screaming :  "Give 
a  Pint  and  Get  a  Barrel  of  Entertainment." 


May    I  ,  1943 

"Harry  James"  Short 
Gets  Feature  Buildup 

A  major  promotional  campaign  for  a  short 
was  conducted  by  Herman  Comer,  manager 
of  Warners'  Capitol  theatre,  Philadelphia, 
for  "Harry  James  Serenade."  A  special 
program  of  short  subjects  was  arranged  for 
a  group  of  service  men  stationed  in  the  city, 
who  voted  the  "Harry  James  Serenade''  as 
the  best  short  of  the  evening.  Tieups  were 
made  with  central  city  music  stores,  which 
resulted  in  Comer  getting  many  window  dis- 
plays linking  Harry  James  recordings  with 
the  band's  short  subject. 

Plugs  for  the  short  were  also  planted  at 
the  radio  stations,  the  disk  jockeys  giving 
the  picture  a  heavy  send-off  in  connection 
with  their  playing  of  Harry  James  record- 
ings. In  addition,  much  talk  was  created  in 
favor  of  the  short  subject  as  a  result  of  a 
direct  mail  stunt.  Postal  cards  were  mailed 
to  all  those  with  the  family  name  of  James 
listed  in  the  telephone  directory,  reminding 
them  to  come  down  to  the  theatre  and  see 
another  member  of  the  James  clan  on  the 
screen.  Those  having  the  exact  name  were 
admitted  free. 


Mayor  Presents  Plaque 
On  Behalf  of  "Chetniks" 

In  advance  of  his  date  "The  Chetniks"  at 
the  Majestic,  in  Bridgeport,  Morris  Rosen- 
thal arranged  for  Mayor  McLevy  to  have  the 
city  award  a  Plaque  to  Gen.  Mikhailovitch. 
The  Plaque  was  then  delivered  in  person  to 
Rev.  Golob,  representing  the  Slovenian 
Church,  who  accepted  it  and  arranged  to 
have  it  delivered  to  the  Washington  Em- 
bassy for  forwarding  to  the  General.  This 
was  good  for  a  three  column  break  in  art 
and  story. 

Through  the  Rev.  Golob,  arrangements 
were  made  to  have  the  priests  deliver  a  ser- 
mon on  the  Chetniks  the  Sunday  before  the 
opening  of  the  picture.  Heralds  were  dis- 
tributed in  foreign  spots  by  members  of 
various  church  organizations,  an  animated 
display  was  used  in  the  lobby  and  breaks 
were  landed  over  the  radio. 


Coulter  issues  Route  Maps 

A  three-fold  circular  was  distributed  by 
Robert  Coulter,  manager  of  the  Byrd  thea- 
tre, Richmond,  Va.  Opened  up  it  provided 
a  map  of  the  section  of  Richmond  in  which 
the  theatre  was  located,  together  with  the 
routes  of  the  bus  and  car  lines  which  ap- 
proached it.  The  inside  spread  was  devoted 
to  copy  which  started  out  by  saying,  "You 
probably  never  realized  it  but  you  live  within 
a  fraction  of  a  mile  of  the  comfortable  Byrd 
theatre."  Then  it  went  on  to  extol  the  ad- 
vantages of  walking.  In  each  corner  was  a 
photo  of  a  picture  star  and  the  outside  of  Sj 
the  folder  was  devoted  to  copy  about  coming 
attractions. 


Pendleton's  Teaser  Herald 

As  a  teaser  slant  ahead  of  "Who  Done 
It"  at  the  State  theatre,  in  Lake  Wales,  Fla., 
Leslie  Pendleton  distributed  herald  "health 
testers."  A  red  spot  was  featured  at  the  top 
of  the  herald  with  advice  to  holders  to  blow 
on  it.  If  it  turned  green,  a  doctor  should  be 
seen;  if  it  remained  red,  the  holder  was  "in 
the  pink  of  condition  and  should  make  a  date 
to  see,"  etc.,  etc. 


May    I  ,  1943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


63 


Not  only  did  he  have  a  speedboat  in  the  lobby  to  push  his  engagement  of  "Stand  By  For 
Action",  but  Lige  Brien,  manager  of  the  Kenyon,  Pittsburgh,  had  the  kids  bring  in 
safety  pins,  badly  needed  by  Pittsburgh  hospitals.  Thousands  of  pins  -were  obtained.  Lige  is 
the  man  on  the  left. 


Pedestrians  Photographed 
For  "Stand  By  For  Action" 

Four  attractive  young  girls  equipped  with 
empty  cameras  ostensibly  took  pictures  of 
individuals  on  the  crowded  downtown  streets 
as  part  of  the  advance  publicity  arranged 
on  "Stand  By  for  Action"  by  Tom  Del- 
bridge,  manager,  and  Wally  Heim,  U.A.  ex- 
ploiteer,  for  the  picture's  opening  at  Loew's 
in  Nashville.  The  girls  would  hand  folks 
cards  reading,  "Ten  persons'  photos  will  be 
picked  at  random  from  those  taken  and  dis- 
played in  front  of  the  theatre  two  days  be- 
fore the  opening  of  'Stand  By  for  Action.' 
Anyone  who  finds  his  photo  displayed  will 
receive  a  pair  of  guest  tickets."  The  boys 
actually  had  a  fellow  take  photos  of  10  per- 
sons and  these  pictures  were  displayed. 

Rollins'  Calendar  Program 

Pocket  size  and  handy  is  the  calendar  pro- 
gram issued  by  J.  A.  Rollins,  at  the  Village 
theatre,  in  Toronto,  each  month.  Printed  in 
black  and  white,  one  side  carries  a  calendar 
of  the  current  month,  while  the  other  lists 
the  screen  fare  to  be  seen  at  the  theatre  dur- 
ing that  month. 


Greenway  Hosts  Cadets 
At  "Random  Harvest" 

Fred  R.  Greenway  of  Loew's  Palace,  in 
Hartfrod,  played  host  to  200  Hartford  naval 
aviation  cadets  at  a  screening  "Random 
Harvest"  and  the  short,  "The  Winning 
Spirit,"  which  shows  the  activities  at  Chapel 
Hill,  S.  C,  where  cadets  spend  three  months 
of  their  18-months  training. 

Prior  to  the  screening,  however,  the 
cadets  attended  a  dinner  at  the  Hotel  Bond, 
Hartford.  Harry  F.  Shaw,  division  man- 
ager for  Loew's  Poli  Theatres,  discussed  the 
Red  Cross  Drive.  He  was  introduced  by 
Mr.  Greenway. 


Forry's  Fuel  Flyers 

Fred  Forry,  manager  of  the  Colonial  thea- 
tre, Lancaster,  Pa.,  put  out  attention-getting 
flyers  for  "Keeper  of  the  Flame."  The  fly- 
ers carried  the  following  copy:  "Fuel  Ra- 
tioning Problem  Solved — Keep  Warm  with 
'Keeper  of  the  Flame'." 


Matlack  Made  City  Chairman 
Of  Local  Red  Cross  Drive 

Since  Jack  Matlack,  publicity  director  of 
the  J.  J.  Parker  Theatres,  in  Portland,  Ore., 
was  appointed  City  Chairman  of  the  Amuse- 
ment Industry  to  help  the  Red  Cross  War 
Fund,  to  give  impetus  to  the  campaign  he 
created  a  little  cartoon  figure  known  as 
"Broadway  Betty"  and  introduced  her  to  the 
public  through  newspaper  ads  and  the  figure 
itself  which  was  set  up  on  a  table  in  the 
lobby  of  the  Broadway  theatre.  The  little 
character  made  her  debut  in  teaser  ads  which 
read:  "Howdy,  Folks.  I'm  Broadway  Betty 
and  I'm  all  out  for  the  Red  Cross  Fund 
Drive  this  Month.  You'll  be  seein'  a  lot  of 
me  from  time  to  time.  I'm  headquartering 
at  the  Broadway  theatre."  From  that  point 
on  "Betty"  was  included  in  all  ads,  asking 
for  blood,  donations,  etc. 

The  entire  staff  of  the  Park  theatres  con- 
cluded telephone  conversations  with  "Give 
to  the  Red  Cross."  Each  theatre  also  ran 
special  War  Activities  Red  Cross  subjects 
and  the  newspapers  came  through  with  pho- 
tos of  the  theatres'  staffs  signing  up  to  give 
blood. 

Capt.  Rickenbacker's  Red  Cross  Trailer 
was  screened  five  times  a  day  for  a  week, 
usherettes,  cashiers  and  doormen  all  wore 
Red  Cross  bands,  speakers  boosted  the  Red 
Cross  from  the  stage  of  the  theatre  during 
collections,  all  theatre  lobbies  were  decorated 
with  Red  Cross  and  American  Flags  and  the 
newspapers  came  through  with  stories  and 
art  on  the  entire  affair. 

So  popular  has  "Broadway  Betty"  become 
locally,  that  Matlack  says  she  will  be  with 
them  for  the  duration  to  aid  in  future  drives, 
etc. 


High  School  Band  Benefit 
Staged  by  Kalberer 

In  connection  with  his  showing  of  "Ice- 
capades"  at  Switow's  Indiana,  in  Washing- 
ton, Ind.,  A.  J.  Kalberer  tied  the  event  into 
the  local  Band  Boosters'  Benefit  Show.  A 
full  page  of  ads  was  promoted  in  the  local 
paper,  each  merchant  plugging  the  show  and 
urging  all  to  buy  tickets  to  aid  the  benefit. 

The  band  played  on  the  stage  and  the  Club 
sold  tickets  outside  the  theatre  and  received 
a  percentage  of  what  they  sold.  Kal  reports 
the  show  as  being  highly  successful. 


Redmond's  Dictionary  Gag 

As  a  novelty  stunt  ahead  of  "The  Mean- 
est Man  in  the  World,"  Jimmy  Redmond,  at 
the  Rivoli  theatre,  in  Falls  City,  Neb.,  pur- 
chased several  inexpensive  dictionaries  and 
ripped  them  apart.  A  page  was  then  pasted 
onto  a  herald  with  copy  reading  "We  have 
been  tearing  the  dictionary  apart  trying  to 
find  words  to  tell  you  about  our  next  at- 
traction." etc.  etc.  Redmond  reports  the  en- 
tire stunt  costing  but  $1.65. 


Gillespie  Lands  Editorial 

In  the  interests  of  "In  Which  We  Serve" 
at  the  Elgin  theatre,  in  Ottawa,  Stewart 
Gillespie  landed  an  editorial  on  the  picture 
in  one  of  the  local  dailies.  In  addition,  the 
Round  Tabler  secured  mention  in  bulletins 
published  by  different  organizations. 


Sam  Gilman  erected  a  sensational  front  at  Loew's,  Harrisburg,  Penna.,  for  "Hangmen 
Also  Die".  The  stones  are  not  just  painted  but  are  a  raised  plaster  product  to  make 
it  look  more  realistic.   Note  scaffold  on  each  end. 


64 


MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  May    I,  1943 


The  truck  shown  in  this  picture  was  seen  by  the  250,000  spectators  of  the  famous 
Boston  marathon.  James  King,  RKO  Boston  publicist,  sent  it  just  ahead  of  the 
racers  along  the  26-mile  route. 


Screening  Comments  Used  for 
"Mrs.  Holliday"  Opening  Ads 

In  connection  with  his  opening  elate  on 
"Mrs.  Holliday"  at  Keith's,  in  Syracuse, 
N.  Y.,  Jack  Flex  held  a  special  screening  to 
which  buyers  from  department  stores  of 
women's  departments  only,  female  heads  of 
the  Public  School  system,  the  Public  Library, 
Red  Cross  and  Welfare  groups  of  the  city, 
were  invited.  Following  the  screening,  they 
tilled  out  comment  cards  and  these,  along 
with  pictures  of  themselves  were  the  nucleus 
of  a  special  ad  for  the  opening  day. 

A  quiz  contest,  asking  readers  to  name 
leading  male  stars  who  appeared  with  Miss 
Durbin  in  previous  pictures,  was  held  as  was 
another  contest  asking  folks  to  name  the 
titles  of  previous  Durbin  pictures.  Numer- 
ous merchants  came  through  with  effective 
window  displays  in  all  of  which  the  title  was 
prominently  mentioned. 

Taking  advantage  of  magazine  advertis- 
ing, Flex  promoted  the  bannering  of  the 
News  Agency's  fleet  of  17  trucks  with 
"Flight  for  Freedom"  copy.  Special  cards 
made  from  enlarged  mats  were  used  at  all 
newsstands  throughout  the  county  and  for 
newspaper  coverage,  a  contest  was  held  in 
which  readers  were  invited  to  draw  lines 
indicating  localities  where  action  in  the  cur- 
rent war  has  already  taken  place. 


Atmospheric  Lobby  Arranged 
For  "Palm  Beach  Story" 

At  each  entrance  leading  into  the  Indiana 
theatre,  in  Indianapolis,  Leonard  Tuttle  and 
his  assistant,  Moe  Esserman,  planted  a  palm 
tree  with  a  blowup  of  the  characters  in  the 
picture.  Alongside  was  placed  a  card  with 
copy  "Come  with  me  to  see  'The  Palm 
Beach  Story'  at  the  theatre,  starting,"  etc. 
The  boys  also  effected  a  tieup  with  Railroad 
and  Pullman  advertising  the  picture  and  for 
further  atmosphere,  cocoanuts  were  lined 
up  on  the  mezzanine  with  letters  spelling 
out  the  picture's  title. 

In  connection  with  "They  Got  Me  Cov- 
ered," a  canvass  covering  was  placed  across 
the  orchestra  pit  and  on  it  were  painted  the 
title  letters,  discernible  from  any  part  of 
the  theatre.  From  a  chandelier  in  the  lobby 
the  boys  hung  an  umbrella  without  a  top, 
from  the  spokes,  blowups  of  Hope  and 
Lamour  dangled. 


Laby  Recruits  in  Lobby 
For  Women's  Marine  Corps 

To  usher  in  his  date  on  "We  Are  the 
Marines,"  George  Laby  at  the  Palace  thea- 
tre, in  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  opened  a  recruiting 
booth  in  his  lobby  and  thus  secured  the  first 
Pittsfield  recruit  in  the  city  from  his  lobby. 
The  newspapers  came  through  with  three 
columns  of  art  and  a  story  on  the  event. 
Needless  to  say,  the  enterprising  theatreman 
also  got  in  the  picture  title  and  playdates. 


Historical  Weapon  Display  Sells 
"Commandos  Strike  at  Dawn" 

As  a  teaser  in  advance  of  "Commandos 
Strike  at  Dawn"  at  Loew's  State,  in  St. 
Louis,  an  arresting  window  display  adja- 
cent to  the  theatre  was  arranged,  featuring 
an  exhibit  of  weapons  used  by  the  "com- 
mandos" of  all  periods  of  history.  One  of 
the  weapons  on  display  was  a  Hindu  battle 
axe  said  to  be  1,000  years  old.  There  were 


in  addition,  Indian  war  clubs,  bows  and  ar- 
rows, ancient  flintlocks,  weapons  of  primi 
tive  peoples  and  a  display  of  weapons  of  this 
war.  The  historical  weapons  were  borrowed 
from  the  Missouri  Historical  Society  and 
the  modern  items  were  loaned  by  the  Ordi- 
nance Department  of  the  United  States 
Army. 

Photos  of  Local  Servicemen 
Used  in  "Air  Force"  Truck 

For  his  advance  on  "Air  Force"  at  the 
Sherman  theatre,  in  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  Don 
Jacobs  promoted  a  double  truck  of  ads,  each 
of  which  featured  the  thumbnail  photo  of 
some  local  boy  now  in  the  air  service.  In 
addition,  the  paper  came  through  with  a 
front  page  story  to  the  effect  that  the  parents 
of  19  members  of  the  Air  Force  would  be 
present  at  the  picture's  opening.  Special  in- 
vitations were  sent  by  Jacobs  to  the  parents 
of  the  boys  whose  pictures  were  included  in 
the  ad  pages. 

WAAC  Recruiting  Booth 
In  Lobby  for  "Air  Force" 

To  launch  his  campaign  on  "Air  Force" 
at  the  Indiana  theatre,  in  Indianapolis,  Len 
Tuttle  secured  the  cooperation  of  Mayor 
Robert  Tyndall,  who  proclaimed  an  "Air 
Force  Week"  and  paid  tribute  to  the  arcraft 
workers,  as  well  as  the  men  in  the  Air  Force. 
A  WAAC  recruiting  booth  was  set  up  in  the 
lobby  of  the  theatre  and  a  photo  of  the 
Mayor  together  with  the  WAACs  taken  in 
the  lobby  was  used  for  newspaper  breaks, 
together  with  a  story  on  the  recruiting  angle. 


Open  Letter  to  Axis  Heads 

In  advance  of  "Air  Force"  at  the  Capitol 
theatre,  in  Steubenville,  Ohio,  Max  Felder 
planted  a  three  column  ad  in  his  local  paper 
addressed  to  "Adolph,  Mussy  and  Tojo." 
The  sum  and  substance  of  the  letter  was  to 
the  effect  that  the  picture  would  remain  on 
the  screen  until  every  man,  woman  and  child 
in  the  city  had  witnessed  what  our  heroic 
flying  soldiers  were  dishing  out  to  the  Axis. 


The  New  York  Tree  Trench  Committee  was  interested  in  the  engagement  of  "Casa- 
blanca" at  the  Park  theatre,  Brooklyn,  by  Manager  Clifford  Loth.  Lobby  display,  above, 
includes  some  materials  furnished  by  the  committee. 


May    I  ,  1943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


65 


SOME  ADS  WITH  GOOD  IDEAS 


St«*U  TOMORROW, 


fc  .WARNER S 

Stan 


HUM  ■:■ 


Amazing? 

-Sure  She's  Amazing/ 

She's  in  Love  with  Her 
.Own  Grandson! 

'hem  Chii 


e  8, 


"'nese! 


TheJmazing 


mm  EDMOND  O'BRIEN 
BARRY  FITZGERALD 
ARTHUR  TREACHER 


IT  WILL  GIVE  YOU  CHI1LS  OF 
/  T,.,         FEAR  .  .  .  AND  A  FEVER 


OF  EXCITEMENT! 


"JOHN  LODER  2 
ELEANOR  PARKER  gX 


daaV  ■  iupino  •  morgan  •  usui  *The  Hard  Way  "•'«■ "S 


Ben  Adler's  ad,  created  for  Bob  Paskow, 
advertising  director  of  Warners'  Newark 
zone,  has  a  dual  appeal — romance  in 
the  one  feature  and  to  the  horror  fans 
in  the  other. 


A  combination  of  reverse 
and  Benday  made  an 
effective  ad  for  Woody 
Barritt,  director  of  advertis- 
ing for  the  Fox  theatres 
in  Wichita,  Kansas. 


If  you've  ever  been 
hit  by  that  'mid- 
week slump'  here's 
a  sure  cure  for 
what  ails  you! 

..Go  to  RKO 
..TODAY 


•rte  Monday,  Tuesday,  or  Wednesday  your  lime  for  the  Movie  Front. 


RKO  |S  THE  PLA«  to  go  TODAY 


Above  and  below  are  institutional  ads 
used  by  RKO  theatres  in  New  York. 
Prepared  by  Harry  Mandel,  RKO  Theatres' 
director  of  advertising  and  publicity, 
their  aim  was  partly  to  encourage 
attendance  on  the  early  days  of  the  week. 


RKO  IS  THE  PLACE  TO  GO  TODAY 


©00© 


PLEASE  NOTE! 


THIS  IS  A  PICTURE  THAT  WILL 
1  PROVOKE  THOSE  LONG  LOW 
I  WHISTLES. 


The  Roxy  theatre,  Cornwall,  Ont., 
plays  pictures  very  late.  However, 
Murray  Keillor,  manager,  uses 
footnotes  and  teaser  lines  to  appeal 
to  French  Canadians,  who  are 
real  fans,  he  says. 


YUCCA 

TODAY  •  SATURDAY 

YOU  MUST  SEE  IT  FROM 
THE  BEGINNING 


JOURNEY 
MARGARET 

ROBT.  YOUNG  ■  LARAINE  DAY 
FAY  BAINTER 
1     NIGEL  BRUCE 

AND  PRESENTING 

MARGARET  O'BRIEN 


Elmer  Adams  at  the 
Yucca,  Midland,  Texas, 
combines  mats  with 
his  own  copy. 


66 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    I,  1943 


JUNE  HAS  SOME 
DAYS  FOR  TIEUPS 

1st — Kentucky  Admitted  to  Union 
1792 

Tennessee  Admitted  to  Union 
1796 

9th— John  Howard  Payne  Born  1791 
(Author  of  Home,  Sweet 
Home) 

I  Oth — Franklin  Drew  Lightning  from 
Clouds  1752 

14th— Flag  Day 

15th — Pioneer  Day  in  Idaho 

Charter   of    Boy    Scouts  of 
America    Granted  1916 
Arkansas  Admitted  to  Union 
1836 

17th— Battle  of  Bunker  Hill 

20th— West   Virginia   Admitted  to 
Union  1863 

21st — First  Day  of  Summer 

25th — General   Custer's   Defeat  by 
Indians  1876 


JOSEPH  FELDHUN  is  the  new  manager 
of  Warner's  Levoy  and  Peoples  theatres,  in 
Millville,  N.  J.,  succeeding  James  Ricci,  who 
is  manager  of  the  circuit's  Virginia  theatre, 
Atlantic  City,  N.  J.  Other  changes  in  the 
circuit  include  Otis  Kyder  moving  from  the 
Rialto  the  Capitol,  in  York,  Pa.,  with  Lloyd 
M.  Gibble  becoming  manager  of  the  Rialto 
theater  with  Sid  Munter  in  the  hospital. 
Helen  Tindall,  assistant  manager,  has  been 
named  temporary  manager  of  the  Ritz  the- 
atre, Wilmington,  Del. 

JOE  A.  FAZIO,  formerly  with  the  Harvey 
Amusement  Company,  in  San  Francisco,  is 
now  a  private  in  the  362nd  Infantry,  Com- 
pany B,  Camp  White,  Ore. 

BEN  KANE,  manager  of  the  Strand  the- 
atre, in  Pottstown,  Pa.,  becomes  manager  of 
the  Keith  theatre,  in  Philadelphia.  Bob 
Suits,  manager  of  the  Hippodrome,  in  Potts- 
town, takes  over  the  Strand  and  Clem  Reck, 
who  has  been  managing  the  Victoria  in 
Shamokin,  Pa.,  will  manager  the  Hippo- 
drome, in  Pottstown.  J.  Stewart  Silver, 
assistant  manager  of  the  Studio  theatre,  in 
Philadelphia,  becomes  night  manager  of  the 
News  theatre,  Philadelphia. 

ANTHONY  CIRASCTO  has  been  pro- 
moted to  manager  of  Warner's  Plaza,  Phila- 
delphia, succeeding  Nat  Watkins,  who  left 
to  join  the  Army. 


Local  Girl  Angle  Played 
Up  for  "Powers  Girl" 

Since  Kay  Aldridge  appearing  in  "The 
Powers  Girl"  is  a  Baltimorian,  Gertrude 
Bunchez  when  playing  that  picture  at  the 
Century  theatre  there  succeeded  in  promot- 
ing a  full  column  story  on  the  girl  together 
with  art  in  one  of  the  local  papers.  In  addi- 
tion, the  story  plugged  the  picture.  All  night 
clubs  had  orchestrations,  special  cards  were 
placed  in  hotels  for  distribution  and  a  screen- 
ing was  held  for  critics  and  radio  contacts  in 
advance. 

Radio  coverage  included  a  Monday  through 
Sunday  program  called  "Name  the  Band," 
which  ran  one  week  before  the  opening  of 
the  picture  and  included  plenty  of  plugs  for 
the  date.  WITH  on  their  "Swing  Class" 
program  for  a  full  week  before  opening  also 
played  Benny  Goodman  recordings  with  pic- 
ture plugs  interspersed.  The  station  also 
played  the  special  transcription  supplied  by 
United  Artists  and  WCAO,  which  goes  on 
the  air  at  7.15  p.  m.  with  Hollywood  gossip 
included  a  radio  script  prepared  by  the 
theatre. 


HAPPY  BIRTHDAY 


Rock  Island  Boys  in 
"Stand  by  for  Action" 

Since  some  local  Rock  Island  boys  are 
members  of  the  crew  of  the  U.S.S.  Kilty,  a 
destroyer,  aboard  which  many  of  the  scenes 
of  the  picture  were  filmed,  A.  Don  Allen 
at  the  Capitol  theatre,  in  Davenport,  la., 
secured  some  nice  newspaper  breaks  in  ad- 
vance of  his  opening.  The  parents  of  the 
lads  were  invited  to  attend  the  opening  per- 
formance, with  their  photos  appearing  in  the 
local  dailies. 


Dawn  Premiere  Shows 
Prove  Effective 

Fox  Wisconsin  Amusement  Corp.  has  tak- 
en to  enlivening  its  Saturday  midnight 
Dawn  Premiere  shows  at  its  first  run  Wis- 
consin and  Palace  in  Milwaukee  with  flesh 
antics  in  the  lobby  and  on  the  stage. 

Magicians  or  clowns  work  in  the  lobbies 
of  the  two  houses  while  a  "Servicemen's 
Leg  Contest"  graced  the  stages  of  the  two 
houses  in  connection  with  the  dawn  pre- 
miere of  "Star-Spangled  Rhythm."  Fre- 
quently members  of  the  audience  were  called 
to  the  stage  to  take  part  in  the  show,  either 
as  judges  for  some  contest,  or  as  contest- 
ants in  a  singing  or  dancing  bout. 


Rollins'  "Thunderbirds"  Planes 

The  opening  of  "Thunderbirds"  at  the 
Apex  theatre,  in  Washington,  gave  Lloyd 
Rollins  a  chance  to  use  several  hundred 
cardboard  planes  with  imprinted  copy  on 
each  wing.  These  were  distributed  to  the 
kids  at  his  Saturday  matinee  one  week  in  ad- 
vance of  the  showing. 


May  2nd 

John  Shively 
Leonard  Grossman 
Fred  Sourbeck,  Jr. 
J.  W.  Gladfelter 
Ray  B.  Martin 
A.  B.  Jeffris 
Truman  Moulder 
Arthur  S.  Murch 
Ernest  G.  Paschoal 

3rd 

Frank  C.  Foresman 
William  H.  Whyte 
Clayton  Jones 
Fred  C.  Souttar 
W.J.  Fawcett 
Herbert  Fults 
Carlo  Griletto,  Jr. 
T.  O.  Tabor,  Jr. 

4th 

William  E.  Nye 
Jack  D.  Harris 
Carl  Hughes 
Theodore  E.  Ruth 
Merton  Harrington 
Ray  Baker 
Marshall  Jones 
Fred  C.  Heniser 

5th 

Charlie  Holtz 
Harry  N.  Witty 
P.  A.  Boone 
Kenneth  O.  Sweet 
Charles  Winchell 


An  attractive  lobby  display  was  used  by 
Harry  Watts,  manager  of  the  Capitol, 
Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  to  exploit  "Powers 
Girl".  It's  an  original  painting,  utilizing 
the  art  work  from  the  ads  on  the  picture. 


May  5th 

James  E.  Ayres 
Edward  W.  Krapf 
Don  Glover 
Russell  Payne 
Sherman  Hart 
Clarence  Steppe 

6th 

David  Goerlitz 
Harry  Sweet 
George  Mackenna 
Carter  S.  Troyer 
L  V.  Collins 
Doris  L.  Rex 
James  T.  Willis 
Noyes  C.  Starr 
Al  Weiss,  Jr. 
George  Van  Buskirk 
H.  D.Twedt 
Bob  Rosen 


7th 


Nat  Salander 
C.  T.  Kraegel 
William  Kays 
Edward  Rogers 
Andrew  J.  McGolderick 
M.  S.  Joiner 
Fred  L.  Danico 
James  R.  Cattell 


8th 


Jack  Suckstorff 
Weldon  Parsons 
W.  Lee  Johnson 


niii:ii:#i 


LYNDA  FAYE,  on  April  20th,  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Roy  Gamel.  The  father  is  city  man- 
ager for  the  Martin  Theatres,  in  Anda- 
lusia, Ala. 


Roving  Photographer  Slant 
Used  on  "Random  Harvest" 

An  attractive  girl  was  used  in  connection 
with  a  roving  photographer  stunt  on  the 
streets  of  Salina,  Kansas,  as  part  of  Don 
Alldritt's  campaign  on  "Random  Harvest"  at 
the  Fox  theatre.  As  passers-by  approached, 
the  girl  would  take  candid  shots  of  them, 
at  the  same  time  handing  them  a  small  card 
reading:  "This  is  the  picture  you've  been 
waiting  to  see."  The  pictures  were  printed 
and  later  displayed  in  the  lobby  of  the  thea- 
tre. 

Two  weeks  ahead  of  opening,  special  lobby 
art  pieces  were  used  with  airbrush  portraits 
of  Garson  and  Colman  and  a  large  40x60  A 
board  featuring  the  national  magazine  ads. 
Ten  days  prior  to  the  engagement,  a  screen- 
ing was  held  for  a  select  group,  which  in- 
cluded the  Mayor  and  civic  leaders.  At  this 
time  comment  cards  were  distributed  and 
used  later  for  lobby  purposes. 


House  Programs  Feature  Drives 

Mary  A.  Smith  of  the  Winchester  theatre, 
in  Winchester,  Mass.,  devotes  the  front  page 
of  her  programs  to  a  different  drive  each 
week.  Samples  of  her  recent  issues  at  hand 
include  plugs  for  the  Red  Cross  War  Fund, 
Victory  Garden,  United  Nations  Fund  and 
Air  Raid  Signals. 


May    I,  1943 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


67 


Easter  Week 
Records  Set 
On  Broadway 

The  "biggest  Easter  weekend  on  Broadway," 
was  the  concensus  of  the  area's  theatre  mana- 
gers on  Tuesday,  as  they  examined  record- 
breaking  figures  on  their  books. 

The  Radio  City  Music  Hall  was  expected  to 
gross  $112,000  in  the  second  week  of  "Flight 
for  Freedom."  The  week,  which  ended 
Wednesday  included  the  Easter  holiday.  The 
Paramount,  which  in  contrast  to  the  Music 
Hall's  annual  Easter  pageant  on  the  stage, 
featured  Harry  James  and  his  band,  with 
"China"  on  the  screen,  reported  $107,000  for 
the  week,  which  ended  Tuesday  night.  The 
house  record  is  held  by  "Star  Spangled 
Rhythm,"  which  drew  $115,000  New  Year's 
week. 

The  Roxy  Theatre,  with  "Hello,  Frisco, 
Hello"  in  its  fifth  week,  was  expected  to  gross 
$60,000.  On  the  stage  were  Victor  Borge, 
comedian,  and  Tommy  Tucker  and  his  orches- 
tra. A  new  show,  "Crash  Dive"  on  the  screen 
and  Jimmy  Dorsey  and  his  orchestra  on  the 
stage  began  Wednesday. 

In  the  first  four  days  of  its  second  week, 
"Hangmen  Also  Die"  took  in  approximately 
$30,000  at  the  Capitol.  At  the  Strand,  "Edge 
of  Darkness"  with  Jan  Savitt  and  his  band 
on  the  stage,  brought  $26,000  into  the  box  office 
in  three  days  of  the  third  week.  "Air  Force," 
which  left  the  Hollywood  theatre  Tuesday, 
drew  about  $8,900  in  five  days  of  its  13th 
week. 

The  Globe,  with  "Desert  Victory,"  reported 
$21,000  in  the  third  week.  The  Criterion  drew 
$24,100  in  one  week  of  "Assignment  in  Brit- 
tany." "White  Savage"  in  three  days  at  the 
Rivoli  recorded  $20,000.  "The  Human  Comedy" 
at  the  Astor  grossed  $22,800  in  the  ninth  week. 


IN  NEWSREELS  RKO  Stock  Sale 

By  Radio  City 


Jurow  To  Start  Talent 
Hunt  for  Warners 

Martin  Jurow,  head  of  the  Warner  talent 
bureau  in  the  east,  has  scheduled  a  tour,  start- 
ing May  3rd,  which  will  take  in  large  areas  in 
the  midwest  in  search  of  promising  screen 
material. 

It  is  expected  that  he  will  cover  Pittsburgh, 
Cleveland,  Chicago,  Des  Moines,  St.  Louis  and 
Indianapolis.  Little  theatre  performances  and 
radio  programs  will  be  scouted  for  newcomers 
who  later  will  be  given  screen  tests. 


Col.  Mulhall  Wounded 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Lawrence  M.  Mulhall, 
district  manager  for  the  Warner  circuit  in  Phil- 
adelphia before  reentering  the  Army  in  1940, 
was  wounded  in  North  Africa  on  March  23rd 
while  serving  with  a  field  artillery  unit.  A  tele- 
gram from  the  War  Department  to  his  wife 
last  week  brought  the  news.  Before  joining 
the  Warner  circuit,  he  was  a  member  of  the 
faculty  of  the  Pennsylvania  Military  College  at 
Chester,  Pa. 


"America's  Children"  for  OWI 

RKO  Radio  has  announced  that  the  company 
will  produce  an  Office  of  War  Information 
short,_  titled  "America's  Children,"  for  distribu- 
tion in  foreign  countries.  The  theme  of  the 
two-reel  picture  is  the  converse  of  "Hitler's 
Children,"  and  Edward  Dmytryk  and  Emmet 
Lavery,  director  and  writer  assigned  to  the  lat- 
er film,  have  been  assigned  to  the  subject. 


Dember  Joins  Army 

Lester  Dember,  member  of  the  Warner  home 
office  advertising  staff  for  the  past  six  years, 
entered  the  Army  last  Thursday  and  was  pre- 
sented a  wrist  watch  by  his  associates. 


MOVIETONE  NEWS— VoL  25,  No.  67— Roosevelt  in 
Mexico.  .  .  .  Allies  crush  Rommel.  .  .  .  Doolittle's 
Tokyo  raid.  .  .  .  Jap  murder  of  U.  S.  airmen.  .  .  . 
Captains  in  raid  swear  vengeance  for  death  of  exe- 
cuted fliers. 

MOVIETONE  NEWS— VoL  25,  No.  68— Fifth  Avenue 
Easter  parade.  .  .  .  Easter  in  Army.  .  .  .  Easter 
sunrise  at  Hollywood  Bowl.  .  .  .  Marriage  by  proxy. 
.  .  .  Storms  over  Iceland.  .  .  .  Marines  toughen  up. 
.  .  .  Women  ferry  pilots.  .  .  .  U.  S.  trains  Greek 
soldiers.  .  .  .  Wallace  in  Peru.  .  .  .  Surf  boat  race9 
off  Australia. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY— Vol.  25,  No.  265— Doolittle's 
Tokyo  raid.  .  .  .  Bombs  fall  on  Jap  capital.  .  .  . 
Execution  of  Tokyo  raiders  stirs  Americans.  .  .  . 
F.D.R.  in  Mexico.  .  .  .  President  tours  war  camps. 
.  .  .  Pledges  mutual  understanding  in  Mexico. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY— Vol.  25,  No.  266-U.  S.  troops 
battle  Iceland  blizzard.  .  .  .  Capt.  Joseph  Foss  home. 
.  .  .  Mexican  President  in  U.  S.  .  .  .  Women  Marines 
ready  for  duty.  .  .  .  Bride  by  proxy.  .  .  .Feminine 
ferry  pilots.  .  .  .  Service  men  in  Penn  Relays.  .  .  . 
Wallace  in  South  America. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS— No.  70— Mexico  hails  U.  S. 
President.  .  .  .  Roosevelt  sees  WAACS  on  review. 
.  .  .  Doolittle's  bombing  raid  of  Tokyo.  .  .  .  Shangri- 
la  was  aircraft  carrier  Hornet. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS— No.  71— Marines  toughen  up. 
.  .  .  Drake  and  Penn  track  relays.  .  .  .  Wallace 
in  Peru.  .  .  .  Women  join  Marines.  .  .  .  Army  women 
pilots.  .  .  .  Greek  battalion  trains  in  Colorado.  .  .  . 
Allies  in  Africa  move  up  against  Rommel. 

RKO  PATHE  NEWS— Vol.  14.  No.  70-Doolittle's 
Tokyo  raid.  .  .  .  President  Roosevelt  honors  fliers 
who  raided  Jap  capital.  .  .  .  General  Arnold  vows 
Tokyo  execution  of  U.  S.  fliers  will  be  avenged.  .  .  . 
Roosevelt  visits  Mexico,  reviews  Mexican  troops. 

RKO  PATHE  NEWS— Vol.  14,  No.  71— Wallace  in 
Bolivia  and  Peru.  .  .  .  Yanks  close  in  on  El  Guitar. 
.  .  Bride  by  proxy.  .  .  .  Capt.  Joe  Foss  home.  .  .  . 
U.  S.  troops  winter  in  Iceland.  .  .  .  Easter  services 
in  Rockies.  .  .     Roosevelt  and  Camacho  in  U.  S. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWSREEI  VoL   16,  No.  183-Doo- 

little's  Tokyo  raid.  .  .  .  Roosevelt  visits  Camacho 
in  Mexico.  .  .  .  President  reviews  WAACS.  .  .  . 
British  hold  rehearsals  for  invasion  of  Burma 
McNutt  tosses  out  first  ball. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWSREEL— Vol.  16,  No.  184-President 
Roosevelt  and  President  Camacho  in  Texas.  .  . 
Easter  worship  in  New  York.  .  .  .  Capt.  Joe  Foss 
home.  .  .  .  Marriage  by  proxy.  .  .  .  Surf  boat 
races  in  Australia.  .  .  .  Yanks  in  Iceland.  .  .  .  Penn 
track  relays.  .  .  .  Women  ferry  pilots. 

ALL  AMERICAN  NEWS— Vol.  2,  No.  27— "Shangri- 
La"  revealed;  the  bombing  of  Tokyo. ..  .President 
Roosevelt  visits  the  home  front;  his  inspection 
tour.... Monterey,  Mexico,  hails  the  President,  who 
meets  Mexican  President. ..  .U.  S.  Rangers  train 
the  hard  way:  Commando  tactics  practiced  by 
Negroes  in  the  U.  S.  Rangers. 


Bernhard  Holds 
Circuit  Meeting 

Warner  circuit  zone  managers,  film  buyers 
and  bookers  met  at  the  New  York  home  office 
Tuesday.  The  meeting  was  presided  over  by 
Joseph  Bernhard,  vice-president  and  general 
manager,  who  returned  recently  from  special 
Navy  work  and  for  whom  the  meeting  was  the 
first  with  his  personnel  since  his  tour  of  duty. 

Among  the  subjects  discussed  was  the  ad- 
visability of  extending  the  "round  the  clock" 
premiere  idea.  These  have  been  tried  in  Cleve- 
land, Hartford,  Philadelphia  and  other  cities. 

Present  at  the  meeting  were :  Alex.  Halperin, 
Chicago;  Nat  Fellman,  Cleveland;  Max  Fried- 
man, Albany ;  Bert  Jacocks,  Boston ;  Max  Hoff- 
man, New  Haven ;  Frank  Damis,  Newark ; 
John  Turner,  Philadelphia;  George  Crouch, 
Washington;  Harry  Feinstein,  Pittsburgh. 

"For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls" 
To  Run  166  Minutes 

"For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls,"  Paramount  film, 
will  run  166  minutes  in  15,000  feet,  according  to 
B.  G.  DeSylva,  in  charge  of  studio  production. 
Approximately  1,900  feet,  mostly  of  a  battle  se- 
quence, was  eliminated,  the  producer  disclosed. 
He  said  the  problem  of  an  intermission  had  not 
been  discussed  thus  far.  The  company  is  con- 
templating a  July  premiere  in  New  York. 


Is  Reported 

Transactions  involving  large  blocks  of  stock 
in  three  motion  picture  companies  in  February 
were  disclosed  last  week  by  the  Securities 
and  Exchange  Commission  in  its  monthly  sum- 
mary of  transactions  of  officers,  directors  and 
principal  stockholders  in  the  securities  of  their 
corporations. 

The  largest  deal  reported  was  the  sale  of 
18,200  shares  of  RKO  common  stock  by  Rocke- 
feller Center,  New  York,  which  still  retained 
544,229  shares  at  the  close  of  the  month. 

In  Warner  Bros.,  Albert  Warner  purchased 
5,800  shares  of  common  and  33  shares  of  pre- 
ferred, giving  him  a  total  of  205,450  shares  of 
common  and  22,280  shares  of  preferred ;  and 
Harry  M.  Warner  purchased  6,600  shares  of 
common  and  sold  28  shares  of  preferred,  leav- 
ing him  with  147,660  shares  of  the  former  and 
19,395  of  the  latter. 

The  third  company  involved  in  large  trans- 
actions was  Twentieth  Century-Fox,  with  the 
Chase  National  Bank  selling  5,700  shares  of 
common  and  800  of  preferred,  reducing  its  port- 
folio to  192,158  shares  of  common  and  671,116 
shares  of  preferred. 

The  Rockefeller  Center  sale  was  not  the  only 
transaction  in  RKO,  Frederick  L.  Ehrman, 
director,  having  been  reported  as  the  purchaser 
of  1,150  shares  of  common,  increasing  his  hold- 
ings to  1,850  shares,  while  L.  Lawrence  Green, 
director,  purchased  1,000  shares,  giving  him 
a  total  of  1,050  shares,  and  J.  Miller  Walker 
purchased  1,345  warrants  for  common,  giving 
him  1,500,  and  50  shares  of  preferred,  giving 
him  100.  A  delayed  January  report  showed  the 
purchase  of  1,700  shares  of  common  stock  by 
the  American  Company,  Jersey  City,  giving 
it  a  total  of  345,230  shares. 

In  Paramount  Pictures,  Stanton  Griffis 
through  the  N.  Griffis  Trust,  exchanged  100 
shares  of  first  preferred  for  700  shares  of 
common  stock,  for  a  total  of  4,700  shares  of 
the  latter,  and  in  Universal  Corporation,  Pres- 
ton Davie  sold  600  common  voting  trust  certifi- 
cates, leaving  him  with  4,400. 

A  final  1942  report  from  Monogram  Pictures 
showed  that  a  number  of  options  for  common 
stock  expired  December  28th  without  having 
been  exercised,  as  follows:  Samuel  Broidy,  11,- 
129  shares ;  William  B.  Hurlbut,  through  Mono- 
gram Pictures  of  Detroit,  7,141  shares ;  John 
W.  Mangham,  1,474  shares  held  direct  and 
4,996  shares  held  through  Monogram  South- 
ern; Norton  V.  Ritchey,  9,768  shares,  and 
Charles  W.  Trampe,  Milwaukee,  523  shares. 

A  January  report  from  Columbia  Broadcast- 
ing System  showed  that  Paul  W.  Kesten  sold 
200  shares  of  Class  A  common  and  300  shares 
of  Class  B  common,  leaving  him  with  544 
shares  of  Class  A  and  500  shares  of  Class  B. 


Maas  on  South  American 
Trip  for  20th-Fox 

Irving  A.  Maas,  assistant  to  Murray  Silver- 
stone,  vice-president  in  charge  of  foreign  dis- 
tribution for  Twentieth  Century-Fox,  left  New 
York  last  Friday  for  a  tour  of  the  company's 
branch  offices  in  Central  and  South  America. 

He  will  confer  with  salesmen  and  managers 
in  branches  in  Puerto  Rico,  Trinidad,  Brazil 
and  Argentina.  On  his  return  trip,  he  will 
visit  branches  in  Chile,  Peru,  Ecuador  and 
Panama. 


Release  Subject  May  7th 

"Merchant  Seaman,"  seventh  in  the  "This  Is 
America"  series,  will  be  released  on  May  7th, 
it  was  announced  this- week  by  Harry  Michal- 
son,  RKO  Radio  short  subjects  sales  manager. 
The  series  is  produced  by  RKO  Pathe. 


68 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISING 

Ten  cents  per  word,  money-order  or  check  with  copy.  Count  initials,  box  number  and  ad- 
dress. Minimum  insertion,  $  I .  Four  insertions,  for  the  price  of  three.  Contract  rates  on 
application.  No  borders  or  cuts.  Forms  close  Mondays  at  5  P.  M.  Publisher  reserves 
the  right  to  reject  any  copy.  Film  and  trailer  advertising  not  accepted.  Clas- 
sified advertising  not  subject  to  agency  commission.  Address  copy  and  checks: 
MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD,  Classified  Dept.,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York 


HELP  WANTED 


WANTED— MAN  AND  WIFE.  EXCELLENT 
permanent  opportunity  for  right  people.  Man  capable 
part-time  operator,  house  maintenance,  general  theatre 
work.  Wife — tickets.  Both  must  be  experienced,  re- 
liable, good  character,  r.o  drinking.  Southern  town 
5,(00.  Good  living  conditions.  State  salary  expected. 
Full  details  first  letter.  BOX  1627,  MOTION  PIC- 
TURE HERALD. 


WANTED  TO  BUY 


THEATRE  CHAIRS  WANTED.  WILL  BUY  FOR 
cash  any  quantity.  Give  details,  upholstered,  make, 
size,  level  or  slope,  or  veneer.  CHICAGO  USED 
CHAIR  MART,  844  S.  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago. 


LOOKING  FOR  ANY  MAKE  16MM.  OR  3SMM. 
sound  protector,  rectifiers,  generators,  sound  equip- 
ment.   BOX  1626,  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


POSITION  WANTED 


MANAGER  AT  LIBERTY,  WILL  APPRECIATE 
a  position  as  manager  for  theatre.  Prefer  western 
locality.  Want  charge  of  booking  and  managing  con- 
trol. Experienced  from  A  to  Z,  age  52,  no  habits.  BOX 
1628,  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


OPPORTUNITIES 


WANTED:  FORMER  FILM  AND  PREMIUM 
salesmen  in  key  film  centers  to  sell  direct  to  theatres 
new  unusual  patriotic  item  for  salvage  and  promotion 
drives.  Commission  only.  Will  allot  territory  to  quali- 
fied men.  Supply  complete  details  in  first  letter.  BOX 
1584A  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


BUSINESS  BOOSTERS 


BINGO  CARDS,  DIE  CUT,  1  TO  100  OR  1  TO  75, 
$2.00  per  thousand.  $17.50  for  10,000.  S.  Klous,  care 
of  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


PRINTING 


THEATRE  PROGRAMS,  HERALD  GIVEAWAYS 
and  ether  show  printing  at  special  rate.  Supply  copy 
and  layout  for  estimate.  BOX  1207A,  MOTION  PIC- 
TURE HERALD. 


TRAINING  SCHOOLS 


THEATRE  EMPLOYEES:  TRAIN  FOR  BETTER 
positions.  Learn  modern  theatre  management  and  ad- 
vertising. Big  opportunities  for  trained  men.  Estab- 
lished since  1927.  Write  now  for  free  catalog.  THE- 
ATRE MANAGERS  SCHOOL.  Elmira,  N.  Y. 


USED  EQUIPMENT 


YOU  CAN  STILL  BUY  PLENTY  OF  GOOD 
items  here — Stereo  slide  carriers,  19t;  dimmers,  500 
watt,  $11.95;  Monitor  speakers,  $2.75;  hand  carbon 
microphones,  $1.95;  RCA  portable  sound  projectors, 
$79.50;  Peerless  low-intensity  arcs,  $62.50;  Wagner  10" 
letters,  $1.35;  coin  changers,  $29.50.  Big  Jubilee  Sale 
Bulletin  now  ready.  S.  O.  S.  CINEMA  SUPPLY 
CORP.,  New  York. 


ASHCRAFT  SUPREX  RECTIFIER  DOUBLE  50 
ampere,  $250.    TOWN  HALL,  Cazenovia,  N.  Y. 


NEW  EQUIPMENT 


HAIL  THE  JUBILEE  SALE— OUR  SIXTEENTH 
Anniversary — Safety  steel  film  cabinets,  $2.93  section; 
Strong  Mogul  positive  jaws,  $10.50;  Forest  60  ampere 
rectifier,  four  bulbs,  $211.75;  Weston  o/50  ammeters, 
$3.60;  Luxlite  Series  I  lenses,  $4.95;  latest  Superior 
Atlas  projector  mechanisms,  $595;  Simplex  18"  maga- 
zines, pair  $49.50;  sound  screens,  beaded  39J40;  Chrome 
(Suprex)  235-40;  Flextone  washable,  small  thea- 

tre vacuum  cleaners,  $89.50.  Get  our  Jubilee  Bargain 
Bulletin.  S.  O.  S.  CINEMA  SUPPLY  CORP.,  New 
York. 


BOOKS 


NOW  READY,  COMPLETELY  REVISED  7TH 
Edition  of  Richardson's  Bluebook  of  Projection  with 
treatise  on  Television  and  complete  Sound  Trouble- 
Shooting  Charts,  as  well  as  a  host  of  additional  up-to- 
the-minute  text  on  sound  and  projection  equipment. 
Order  Nowl  $7.25  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP, 
Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  City. 


SOUND  TROUBLE  SHOOTING  CHARTS.  A 
handy  tool  in  the  booth.  Gives  the  answers  to  all 
questions  regarding  trouble  shooting  on  every  type  of 
sound  equipment.  $1.00  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOK- 
SHOP, Rockefeller  Center,  New  York. 


MOTION  PICTURE  SOUND  ENGINEERING— 
547  pages;  illustrated;  covers  every  practical  method 
and  process  in  present-day  sound  engineering.  Leading 
engineers  explain  every  detail  of  apparatus  and  its  ar- 
rangement, with  diagrams,  tables,  charts  and  graphs. 
This  manual  comes  straight  from  the  workshops  of  the 
studios  in  Hollywood.  It  is  indispensable  to  everyone 
working  with  sound  equipment.  Price  $6.50  postpaid. 
QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York. 


NEW  567  PAGE  BOOK  ON  AIR  CONDITIONING, 
by  Charles  A.  Fuller,  authority  on  the  subject.  Avail- 
able for  theatre  owners  contemplating  engineering 
changes.  Book  is  cloth  bound  with  index  and  charts 
and  covers  every  branch  of  the  industry  as  well  as 
codes  and  ordinances  regulating  installation.  Order 
now  at  $4.00  a  copy  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP. 
Rockefeller  Center,  New  York. 


BOOKKEEPING  SYSTEM 


THEATRE  MANAGEMENT  RECORD  AND  TAX 
Register.  This  new  accounting  system  is  the  finest 
book  of  its  kind  ever  made  available  to  an  exhibitor. 
In  addition  to  being  complete  in  every  respect,  it  is 
simple — so  much  so  that  it  is  not  necessary  to  have 
had  bookkeeping  experience  in  order  to  keep  an  ac- 
curate, complete  and  up-to-minute  record  of  the 
business  of  your  theatre.  Price  is  only  $2.00  postpaid. 
QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller  Center.  New 
York. 


May    I  ,    I  943 

OBITUARIES 


David  L.  Schumann  Dies 
In  Cleveland  at  65 

David  L.  Schumann,  65,  owner  of  the  Marvel 
theatre  in  Cleveland,  died  in  that  city  on  April 
21st.  He  had  been  in  ill  health  for  two  years. 
Mr.  Schumann  opened  the  first  West  Side  thea- 
tre in  Cleveland  more  than  30  years  ago  using 
slides. 

Burial  was  at  the  Mayfield  Cemetery  in 
Cleveland.  He  is  survived  by  his  widow,  a  son, 
Sol,  Los  Angeles  field  director  for  the  Red 
Cross ;  two  sisters,  and  a  granddaughter. 

Former  RKO  Employee 
Dies  in  Plane  Crash 

Ensign  Frank  Bonyszewski,  formerly  em- 
ployed at  the  RKO  Strand  theatre  in  Yonkers, 
was  killed  in  an  air  crash  at  San  Diego,  Calif. 
In  the  April  issue  of  RKO's  bulletin,  Salute, 
two  other  former  employees  were  listed  as 
wounded  in  action. 

Samuel  Waxman,  former  studio  athletic  di- 
rector, received  injuries  in  the  North  Pacific, 
while  Albert  de  Vuyst,  now  in  the  Navy,  was 
wounded  in  the  Pacific  area.  He  formerly  was 
employed  in  the  studio's  maintenance  depart- 
ment. The  total  casualties  in  the  RKO  ranks 
to  date  are  five  killed  and  seven  wounded,  the 
publication  reported. 


George  Blaisdell 

George  Blaisdell,  75,  one  of  the  earliest  trade 
paper  journalists,  died  of  a  heart  attack  in  Hol- 
lywood on  April  22nd.  Mr.  Blaisdell  was  a 
former  editor  of  the  Moving  Picture  World, 
and  had  worked  for  many  allied  publications  in 
the  motion  picture  field.  He  is  survived  by  his 
wife.  Burial  was  in  Forest  Lawn  following 
services  at  the  Little  Church  of  the  Flowers. 


James  Gushing 

James  Cushing,  theatre  man  of  Holyoke, 
Mass.,  for  the  past  40  years,  died  in  that  city  on 
April  17th.  He  had  been  assistant  manager  of 
the  old  Empire  theatre  for  many  years,  later 
transferring  to  the  Suffolk.  He  most  recently 
was  associated  with  the  New  Holyoke  theatre. 
Two  sisters  and  two  brothers  survive. 


Alfred  Henry  Hall 

Alfred  Henry  Hall,  63,  for  many  years  a 
character  actor  in  Hollywood,  died  on  April 
22nd,  while  on  the  set  of  "McLeod's  Folly," 
Cagney  Productions  film.  Burial  was  in  For- 
est Lawn.  Surviving  are  his  widow,  Mrs. 
Frances  Hall,  and  a  daughter,  Harriet. 


George  A.  Tompras 

George  A.  Tompras,  formerly  associated  with 
Skouras  enterprises  in  St.  Louis,  died  in  that 
city  on  April  17th.  In  1904,  after  coming  to 
this  country  from  Greece,  he  opened  the  old 
Olympia  theatre  in  St.  Louis. 


Warners  Win  Dismissal 

Warner  Brothers  Pictures,  Inc.,  won  a  dis- 
missal of  a  copyright  infringement  action 
brought  aganst  them  by  Lamar  Stringfield  last 
week  in  New  York  Federal  Court.  Judge  Mur- 
ray Hulbert  dimissed  the  action  on  the  grounds 
that  it  failed  to  state  sufficient  facts  to  consti- 
tute a  valid  cause  of  action. 


MGM  Sets  Trade  Show  Dates 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  has  announced  that 
"Du  Barry  Was  a  Lady"  will  be  trade  shown 
in  exchange  centers  on  May  6th.  Earlier  screen- 
ings will  be  held  in  Kansas  City  and  Oklahoma 
City  on  May  3rd.  Trade  showings  of  "Bataan," 
originally  scheduled  for  those  dates,  have  been 
postponed. 


QUIPMENT  •  FURNISHINGS  •  DESIGN  •  PHYSICAL  OPERATIC* 


III 


Paint  to  Give  the 
Theatre  New  Life 


Blind"  Focusing 


in  The  Light  on  Your  Screen,  PACE  78 


22-35  Row  Floor  Slope 


MAY    1,  1943 


THE  3  C'S  MAKE  IT  HOT  FOR  HITLER! 


Copper,  Carbon,  and  Current  are  Needed 
for  United  Nations'  Raids  on  the  Enemy 


Into  the  production  of  big  bombers  and  fighter  planes 
go  many  parts  that  require  copper  and  carbon.  And 
every  war  plant  needs  to  have  plenty  of  current  on  tap. 
That's  why  you  help  make  it  hot  for  Hitler  when  you 
save  Copper,  Carbon,  and  Current  in  your  theatre. 
Here's  how  to  do  it : 


GIVE  YOUR  PROJECTOR  A  THOROUGH 
OVERHAULING 

It's  better  to  prevent  breakdowns  than  to  repair  them. 
Your  RCA  Theatre  Supply  Dealer  is  equipped  and 
qualified  to  inspect  your  projector  regularly,  helping 
you  to  save  current  and  prevent  breakdowns  by  keep- 
ing it  in  perfect  condition. 


SAVE  ON  LIGHT  WITH  RCA  SNOWHITE  SCREEN 

When  you  use  the  maximum  amount  of  projected  light 
—you  save  on  light.  RCA  Snowhite  Screen  is  really 
white.  It  uses  all  the  light  and  gives  you  superior  projec- 
tion results  at  the  same  time! 


You  make  a  very  real  contribution  to  Victory  when  you 
use  less  Copper,  Carbon,  and  Current.  To  do 
a  better  job  on  saving  the  3  C's,  see  your 
RCA  Theatre  Supply  Dealer.  Or  write 
Photophone  Division,  Radio  Corporation  of 
America,  Camden,  N.  J. 


FO^VICTORY 
Mi  BUY 

^1 


WAR 

BONDS 


RCA  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT 

RCA  Photophone  •  RCA  Magicote  Lens  Service  •  RCA  Screens  •  RCA  Theatre  Service 
RCA  Hearing  Aids  •  Westinghouse  Lamps  •  Brenkert  Projectors  and  Accessories  •  Benwood  Linze  Rectifiers 

Photophone  Division,  RADIO  CORPORATION  OF  AMERICA,  Camden,  N.  J. 


y    I,  1943 


BETTER  THEATRES 


1*S 


wTORl 


RECOMMENDED  TRIM  AND  RANGE  OF  ARC  CURRENT  FOR  LAMPS 
USING     COPPER     COATED,     HIGH     INTENSITY,     PROJECTOR  CARBONS 


1 


Ti/pc  0/  /Ire 


j4re  Curraif  —  Amperes         New  Victory  Carbons  —  Size  and  Type 


"1  Kw"  High  Intensity,  A.C. 
"1  Kw"  High  Intensity,  D.C. 

Simplified  High  Intensity,  D.C. 

with  adjustable  feed  ratio 
Simplified  High  Intensity,  D.C. 

with  fixed  feed  ratio 
Simplified  High  Intensity,  D.C. 


52-66 
40-42 


42-45 


42-45 


56-65 


7  mm  x  9  inch  H.I.,  A.C.  Carbons  in  both  holders 
7  mm  x  12  inch  or  14  inch  "Suprex"  Positive 

6  mm  x  9  inch  "Orotip"  C  Negative 

7  mm  x  12  inch  or  14  inch  "Suprex"  Positive 

6  mm  x  9  inch  "Orotip"  C  Negative 

7  mm  x  12  inch  or  14  inch  "Suprex"  Positive 

7  mm  x  9  inch  "Orotip"  C  Negative 

8  mm  x  12  inch  or  14  inch  "Suprex"  Positive 
7  mm  x  9  inch  "Orotip"  C  Negative 


I 

! 

'  i 


You  can  obtain  maximum  efficiency  and  economy  from 
your  Victory  Carbons  by  observing  the  following  simple 
rules. 

USE  CARBON  TRIM  RECOMMENDED  FOR  YOUR  PROJECTION  EQUIPMENT. 

The  Victory  Carbon  trims  indicated  in  the  above  table 
were  established  by  comprehensive  laboratory  and  field 
tests  to  ascertain  the  best  results  obtainable  in  all  types 
of  equipment. 

OPERATE  CARBONS  AT  SPECIFIED  ARC  CURRENT. 

Better  projection  and  greater  economy  are  obtained 
when  recommended  arc  currents  are  maintained.  The 
maximum  allowable  arc  current  is  stamped  on  each 
Victory  Carbon  at  the  left  of  the  trade -mark. 

CHECK  FEED  RATIO  CAREFULLY. 

Changes  of  arc  current  alter  the  ratio  of  burning  rate  be- 


tween positive  and  negative  carbons.  On  lamps  equipped 
with  adjustable  feed  and  formerly  operated  above  45 
amperes  arc  current,  this  ratio  should  be  adjusted  to 
meet  the  new  current  conditions. 

A  bulletin  describing  operation  of  the  new  Victory  High 
Intensity  Carbons  is  available  for  distribution  and  will 
be  sent  promptly  upon  request. 


SAVE 


T   H  E 


COPPER 


Most  of  the  copper  used  for  plating  copper  coated 
projector  carbons  drops  to  the  floor  of  the  lamp  house 
when  the  carbons  are  burned.  Continue  to  save  these 
copper  drippings  and  turn  them  over  to  your  supply 
dealer  as  designated  by  our  government. 


FWICTORY 


AND 

^STAMPS 


NATIONAL  CARBON  COMPANY,  INC 

Unit  of  Union  Carbide  and  Carbon  Corporation 

LTEH 


Carbon  Sales  Division,  Cleveland,  Ohio 

GENERAL  OFFICES 
30  East  42nd  Street,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

BRANCH  SALES  OFFICES 
New  York,  Pittsburgh,  Chicago,  St.  Louis,  San  Francisco 


72 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    I,    I  943 


'OHMfCA 
/ 


:a  has 
rmy-N 
for  E 


received 
avy  "E" 
xcelfence 
on. 


ORMira 


LT'S  hard  to  get  now!  But  the  table  tops  and  counters  you 
have  will  remain  beautiful  and  attractive  until  the  war  is 
over  if  you  see  that  they  are  properly  cared  for. 

Clean  the  top  with  a  damp  cloth  and  wipe  it  dry.  Naphtha, 
benzol  or  alcohol  can  be  used  for  removing  any  spots  which 
cannot  be  removed  with  soap  and  water. 

Don't  scrub  the  top  with  gritty  or  abrasive  cleaning  powders. 

An  occasional  waxing  with  either  liquid  or  paste  wax  will 
protect  the  surface  and  assist  you  in  maintaining  the  original 
finish  of  the  top  throughout  the  years. 

Do  not  place  hot  vessels  directly  from  the  stove  or  heating 
unit  on  the  top.  Do  not  use  electric  toasters,  grills  or  other 
devices  with  electrical  heating  elements  directly  on  the  top 
without  a  protective  pad  beneath  it. 


THE  FORMICA  INSULATION  CO.,  4654  SPRING   GROVE  AVE.,  CINCINNATI,  O- 


Localizing  the  Task 
Of  Post- War  Planning 

a  timely  reminder  of  ex- 
ecutive responsibilities  that  are  becoming 
daily  more  urgent  in  this  second  year  of 
the  war,  was  that  offered  the  other  day  by 
Nathan  D.  Golden,  chief  of  the  motion 
picture  unit  of  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  For- 
eign and  Domestic  Commerce,  when  he 
urged  the  film  industry  to  join  other  busi- 
nesses in  collaborating  with  Government 
agencies  on  plans  for  post-war  operations. 

The  current  military  situation  is  not 
such  as  to  suggest  any  urgency;  but  it  is 
to  be  remembered  that  the  impact  of  peace 
will  be  proportionate  to  that  of  this  global 
war,  in  which  the  issues  reach  infinitely  be- 
yond those  that  have  set  nations  against 
each  other  in  the  past.  It  will  be  a  peace 
for  which,  if  we  have  learned  the  lessons 
of  war,  we  will  want  to  be  well  prepared. 

Mr.  Golden  suggested  the  formation  of 
an  all-industry  committee  to  study  post- 
war problems.  These,  one  assumes,  would 
concern  international  corporate  structures, 
world  distribution  facilities  including  mon- 
etary machinery,  competition  with  foreign 
product,  etc.,  plus  domestic  issues  more  or 
less  familiar.  But  among  the  thousands  of 


men  who  operate  motion  picture  theatres 
in  the  United  States  and  Canada,  there  is 
the  individual  job  of  planning  for  the 
restoration  of  run-down  property  and  for 
meeting  local  competition  under  conditions 
that  may  be  quite  changed. 

As  Leonard  Goldenson,  Paramount  ex- 
ecutive, pointed  out  some  weeks  ago,  the 
war  is  extending  the  motion  picture  audi- 
ence, and  we  see  this  as  improving  the  op- 
portunities of  small-toAvn  exhibitors  fully 
as  much  as,  if  not  more  than,  those  of  met- 
ropolitan operators,  since  it  has  been  in  the 
rural  sections  that  the  habit  of  theatrego- 
ing  has  been  less  developed.  The  task  of 
holding  the  motion  picture  audience,  new 
and  old,  will  not  be  that  of  Hollywood 
alone ;  the  physical  plant  of  exhibition  will 
have  to  reach  all  of  these  people  conve- 
niently, to  perform  with  full  effect  its  part 
of  the  mechanical  process,  and  to  strength- 
en, environmentally,  the  prestige  of  this 
form  of  recreation 

In  these  smaller,  but  for  each  exhibitor 
and  circuit,  just  as  critical  matters,  there 
is  the  need  now  to  begin  individual,  pri- 
vate, local  preparation  for  post-war  theatre 
operation.  And  the  greater  part  of  the  next 
issue  of  Better  Theatres  will  be  de- 
voted to  the  materials  of  that  kind  of 
planning. 


Dealing  with  Wartime 
Vandals  and  Rowdies 

Vandalism  is  a  growing  problem  of  the- 
atre management — but  a  greater  one  is 
rowdyism.  A  current  increase  of  both  is 
attributable  to  the  war.  One  can  go  to 
some  length  in  describing  the  psychological 
reasons  for  this  effect  of  war,  but  perhaps 
it  is  sufficient  here  merely  to  observe  that 
violence  breeds  violence. 

Vandalism  costs  theatre  management 
money  immediately  for  repairs  and  replace- 
ment. Rowdyism  takes  its  toll  over  a 
longer  period,  in  decreasing  patronage  and 
prestige.  The  early  "moving  picture  show" 
was  characterized  by  an  atmosphere  that 
we  now  should  call  rowdy,  and  a  good 
many  millions  of  dollars  were  spent  for 
thick  carpets  and  plush,  gilt  and  crystal, 
to  gain  social  acceptance  among  the  refined. 
Since  then,  purely  as  an  art,  the  motion 
picture  has  come  a  long  way,  but  not  far 
enough  as  a  frequent  necessity  to  make 
rowdyism  less  than  a  menace. 

It  is  curious  to  find  managers  who  re- 
gard rowdyism  as  less  of  a  threat  to  busi- 
ness than  its  toleration.  '  It  isn't  clear 
whether  the  attitude  is  based  on  fear  of 
a  greater  disturbance  that  may  be  caused 


Wartime  theatre  construction  news — from  other  lands.  The  foyer 
is  that  of  the  Rigoletto,  newest  unit  in  the  group  operated  by 
Rl  Theatres  in  Sweden.  The  Rigoletto,  in  Stockholm,  seats  1,201 
and  its  auditorium  has  walls  finished  in  Oregon  pine.  The  foyer 


has  plasrer  walls  and  ceiling,  and  a  marble  floor.  The  auditorium 
pictured  is  that  of  the  Teatro  Ancon  in  Panama  City,  operated  by 
Gambotti  &  Perez.  It  seats  2,579  on  one  floor  (balconies  are 
not  feasible  because  patrons  throw  things  onto  the  main  floor). 


73 


74 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    I  ,  1943 


by  attempts  to  discipline  a  group  of  row- 
dies, or  on  a  fear  of  lawsuits.  Manage- 
ment derives  its  real  protection,  however, 
from  its  own  protection  of  the  reasonably 
well  behaved  people  who  form  the  vast  ma- 
jority of  its  public. 

Annoyances  occasionally  from  a  few 
young  hell-raisers  are  to  be  expected  even 
in  normal  times,  especially  in  certain  sec- 
tions of  the  larger  cities ;  but  in  a  survey 
we  made  a  few  years  ago,  representative 
circuits  in  various  parts  of  the  country  testi- 
fied that  with  rare  exception  they  consti- 
tuted no  problem.  One  may  therefore  be 
justified  in  regarding  the  current  wave  as 
something  that  will  pass  with  the  war. 
But  how  long  will  that  take?  And  in  the 
meantime  the  motion  picture's  real  pub- 
lic is  repeatedly  irritated,  shocked,  in  some 
individual  instances  frightened ;  and  where 
toleration  persists  (except  in  those  back- 
street  theatres  where  the  patronage  itself 
accepts  such  things),  an  impression  is  spread 
reminiscent  of  the  motion  picture's  humble 
beginnings. 

Vandalism  has  been  dealt  with  rather 
successfully  by  means  of  matinee  talks  by 
the  manager,  and  even  passes  for  good  be- 
havior. Some  managements  view  appeals 
on  the  screen  as  intrusions  and  as  unde- 
sirable publicization  of  the  theatre's  own 
troubles.  Still,  since  the  war  is  to  blame 
for  the  increase  of  vandalism,  a  trailer 
pointing  out,  for  example,  inability  to  get 
replacements  without  taking  materials  from 
the  armed  forces,  would  seem  to  be  justi- 
fied. 

As  for  rowdyism,  knowledge  among  the 
kids  that  the  management  is  tough — and 
a  few  actual  arrests — are  probably  the  only 
effective  remedies.  If  they  are,  it's  better 
business  to  use  them  than  not  to. 


Aids  to  Selling 
Bonds  and  Popcorn 

About  a  year  ago  H.  &  E.  Balaban  The- 
atres in  Chicago  remodeled  their  Commer- 
cial theatre  in  South  Chicago,  and  Bill 
Galligan,  manager  of  the  house,  sent  us 
a  photograph  of  the  lobby,  which  had  been 
redone  in  wood  paneling,  with  a  "poster- 
mural,"  as  Bill  calls  it,  on  one  wall.  He 
now  has  sent  in  a  snapshot  showing  how 


Patriotic  posters  in  Commercial  theatre  lobby. 

he  has  redone  this  display  with  a  variety 
of  patriotic  posters. 

"The  title,"  he  explains,  "is  'This  is 
War.'  It  is  very  colorful  and  is  decorated 
with  red,  white  and  blue  cord  trim.  Two 
150-watt  spots  hit  it  from  above.  I  think 
it  helps  sell  bonds." 

And  dav  and  date  with  this  contribution 


Presentation  of  the  Navy  "E"  Flag  to  the  DeVry  Corporation,  Chicago  for  produc- 
tion of  sound  equipment  for  the  Navy.  The  ceremony,  held  at  the  Medinah  Temple 
in  Chicago,  also  included  awarding  of  "E"  buttons  to  DeVry  employes,  and  presenta- 
tion of  their  contribution  to  the  Red  Cross,  which  was  received  by  John  Balaban,  chair- 
man of  the  Amusement  Division  of  the  Red  Cross  Drive.  Shown  are  W.  C.  DeVry,  John 
Lang,  DeVry  craftsman;  Lt.  Col.  Gerald  H.  Reynalds,  Capt.  Frank  Loftin. 


Mr.  Galligan  sent  a  snapshot  of  his  confec- 
tionery display  and  told  us  how  he  has 
hiked  popcorn  sales. 

"Some  time  ago  we  introduced  the  25c 
box  of  corn  to  South  Chicago  by  means  of 
a  screen  trailer  and  a  poster  beside  the  ma- 
chine. The  trailer  copy  said :  'Our  pop- 
corn is  not  only  delicious.  It  is  good  for 
you.  Get  some  now,  then  take  a  Jumbo 
25c  box  home  for  the  folks  to  enjoy.'  Now 
we  have  dozens  of  citizens  coming  in  off 
the  sidewalk  daily  just  to  pick  up  corn  for 


Confectionery  unit  in  Commercial  theatre  lobby. 

home  use.  In  addition  we  have  several 
dozen  more  who  would  never  think  of 
leaving  the  theatre  without  a  Jumbo  to  eat 
on  the  way  home." 

The  snapshot  shows  how  the  popcorn 
machine  and  candy  case  form  a  unit;  also 
how  coming  attraction  advertising  has  been 
placed  where  it  can't  be  missed  by  patrons 
waiting  to  be  served  confectionery. 


Paragraphs 


An  OWI  release  has  warned  that  appli- 
cations for  priority  assistance  on  Form 
PD-1A  (the  kind  used  by  exhibitors,  but 
not  dealers)  must  now  be  on  the  revised 
version  of  that  form.  For  domestic  use, 
the  form  is  white.  Application  for  them 
should  be  made  to  the  nearest  WPB  field 
office. 


Carl  F.  Boester,  who  has  addressed 
Better  Theatres  readers  on  many  an 
occasion  concerning  air-conditioning  (and 
who  will  do  so  again  in  the  May  29th 
issue) ,  has  received  this  year's  "distin- 
guished service  awaxd"  of  the  Indiana 
Junior  Chamber  of  Commerce,  given  an- 
nually to  the  man  under  35  who  is  con- 
sidered to  have  contributed  most  to  the 
welfare  of  the  state  during  the  previous 
year.  Mr.  Boester  came  to  Indiana  only 
three  years  ago,  to  be  director  of  housing 
research  at  Purdue  University,  Lafavette. 


Our  proof-reader  had  John  Sefing  call- 
ing a  circuit  resistance  tester  a  "nigger" 
in  his  article  in  the  April  3rd  issue.  Should 
have  been  "megger,"  of  course — referring 
to  megohm.   G.  S. 


May    I  ,    I  943 


BETTER  THEATRES 


75 


To  Give  the  Theatre 
New  Life  in  Wartime 


CI  But  for  good  appearance  and  to  reduce 
deterioration  as  much  as  possible,  do  the 
job  right.  Here  are  good  practices  to  follow 


By  JOHN  J.  SEFING 


the  annual  spring  re- 
furbishing job  has  a  different  meaning  from 
the  usual  one  in  this  second  war  year.  Re- 
modeling and  re-equipping  are  "out;"  so 
theatre  operators  must  depend  more  than 
they  normally  have  on  structural  repairs, 
cleaning,  polishing  and  painting.  These 
this  spring  not  only  mean  fresh, .  brighter 
appearance — they  are  of  critical  signifi- 
cance at  this  time  as  means  of  reducing  de- 
terioration, which  every  day  of  the  war  is 
challenging  continued  operation. 

For  both  renewal  of  appearance  and  re- 
duction of  deterioration  we  can  do  a  great 
deal  with  paint.  Each  theatre  should  be 
thoroughly  inspected  now,  inside  and  out, 
in  service  as  well  as  public  areas,  with  re- 
spect to  structure  and  decoration,  for  shab- 
biness  and  other  defects  which  can  be  cor- 
rected or  reduced  by  the  use  of  paint  dur- 
ing the  next  few  months. 

Much  can  be  done  with  the  scientifically 
developed  paints  available ;  however,  the 
result  depends  also  on  the  type  (not  only 
the  brand)  selected  for  the  purpose,  and 
on  the  knowledge  and  care  with  which  it 
is  applied. 

Theatre  owners  and  managers  are  not 
expected  to  be  experts  in  painting,  but  as 
in  so  many  of  the  mechanical  and  decor- 
ative arts  found  in  a  motion  picture  theatre, 
the  more  they  know  about  it,  the  better 
they  are  able  to  distinguish  between  a  good 
job  and  a  poor  one,  and  to  order  and  di- 
rect the  work. 

AUDITORIUM  DECORATION 

In  contemplating  a  painting  job,  the 
first  thing  to  be  made  is  a  thorough  and 
careful  study  of  the  size  and  shape  of  the 
auditorium  as  well  as  its  condition.  If  a 
reliable  and  experienced  theatre  painting 
contractor  is  employed,  this  survey  will  be 


made  by  him  as  the  proper  first  step;  but 
if  a  local  house  painter  is  used,  such  pre- 
liminary study  may  be  overlooked  or  inade- 
quately carried  out. 

I  have  found  that  with  not  more  than 
five  different  colors  of  paint  one  can  deco- 
rate an  auditorium  in  a  warm  decorative 
style.  The  trick,  of  course,  is  to  select  the 
colors  for  a  harmonious  scheme,  avoiding 
a  conglomeration  of  all  the  colors  of  the 
rainbow.  We  all  have  heard  people  refer 
to  some  certain  theatre  as  a  "chop  suey 
joint"  because  of  the  riot  of  colors  in  its 
decorations.  Make  sure  that  the  interior 
is  not  ov er-decorated ;  that  not  only  is  ex- 
pensive in  paint  and  labor,  but  distracting 
to  most  patrons. 

When  the  auditorium  is  very  long  and 
quite  narrow,  the  decorative  scheme  should 
have  a  vertical  effect- — direction  run  up 
and  down,  with  several  uniform  panels  or 
equivalent  pattern  worked  in  to  break  up 
the  "feeling"  of  depth.  Such  decorative 
devices,  be  they  of  paint  or  fabric,  should 
be  of  light  or  medium  color  to  give  the  il- 
lusion of  greater  width  to  the  auditorium ; 
a  dark  scheme  is  "heavy"  and  tends  to  bring 
the  side  walls  closer  together  in  optical 
effect.  The  space  between  panels  or  bands 
on  the  side  walls  should  be  of  a  darker  col- 
or, thus  to  break  up  further  the  depth  of 
the  auditorium. 

Where  there  are  pilasters  along  the  side 
walls,  they  should  be  painted  or  treated  in 
a  still  darker  shade ;  the  area  between  can 
then  be  effectively  done  in  a  light  decora- 
tive scheme  having  vertical  lines. 

Where  the  auditorium  shape  is  nearly 
square,  the  decorative  scheme  should  take 
a  horizontal  direction  along  the  side  walls. 
In  this  case,  if  any  panels  are  laid  out  on 
the  walls,  they  should  be  of  a  larger  size, 
with  the  space,  or  the  pilasters,  between 
them  treated  in  only  a  slightly  darker  shade 
than  the  paneling  treatment. 

If  the  ceiling  is  very  low,  it  should  be 
painted  in  a  light  shade  over  the  entire  area, 
including  the  ceiling  beams,  if  any,  in  or- 


der to  help  reduce  the  prominence  of  the 
beams  and  give  the  feeling  of  height.  If 
any  straight  lines  are  to  be  used  in  the 
decorative  treatment  of  the  ceiling,  they 
should  run  as  nearly  as  possible  from  front 
to  back,  depending,  of  course,  in  what  di- 
rection the  illusion  of  greater  depth  is  de- 
sired. 

But  when  the  ceiling  is  quite  high,  rela- 
tively, it  should  be  treated  in  a  medium 
dark  shade,  with  the  beams,  if  any,  painted 
still  darker  so  as  to  help  decrease,  as  it 
were,  the  ceiling  height. 

In  the  case  of  a  low  ceiling,  the  color 
scheme  on  the  walls  could  consist  in  a 
series  of  painted  bands  with  a  dark  shade 
beginning  at  the  chair  rail  line  and  pro- 
gressing upwards  in  successive  steps  of 
lighter  shades  with  the  lightest  color  at  the 
ceiling.  Where  there  is  a  large  beaded  or 
half-rounded  moulding  at  the  junction  of 
the  ceiling  and  wall  it  should  be  taken  into 
the  color  scheme  of  the  walls  to  gain  more 
height. 

In  the  case  of  a  ceiling  that  is  too  high, 
however,  this  ceiling  moulding  should  be 
painted  a  prominent,  heavy  shade  in  order 
to  have  a  definite  break  between  wall  and 
ceiling. 

The  treatment  of  the  area  between  the 
chair  rail  line  and  the  floor  in  nearly  every 
case  should  be  of  a  dark  shade;  however, 
a  dark  red  or  maroon  color  will  show 
hand  marks  and  stains  more  readily  than 
grey  (this  fact  should  be  considered  as 
well  when  painting  the  auditorium  floor). 
The  color  of  the  chair  rail  area  and  the 
floor  should  of  course  harmonize  with  the 
decorative  scheme  of  the  upper  walls  and 
ceiling. 

WHAT  PAINT  TO  USE? 

There  are  a  number  of  things  that  thea- 
tre management  should  be  aware  of  when 
the  painting  contract  is  let 
and  while  the  work  is  in 
progress.  Painting  is  not  just 


76 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May     I  ,  1943 


after  »'»  be?*,?  - 

■  PproclaIio  "  ««  o>n«utu™''  which 

"*«»■■■  of  Co '""""and 

'«  notify   "a»»l  vess<,ls  >ommand 

*~  «ernC(,  "b'ch 


They're  in  the  Navy  Now 

Somewhere  on  the  high  seas,  with  engines  throbbing 
in  the  urgency  of  their  mission,  grim  gray  ships  press 
forward  in  spite  of  the  deadly  perils  of  sea  and  sky. 

On  the  bridges  and  look-out  stations  of  such  ships, 
brave  men  stand  alert,  searching  the  horizon  —  on 
guard  against  enemy  attack.  These  are  the  men  whose 
task  it  is  to  fight  our  sea  battles  and  protect  the  ships 
which  feed  your  sons  and  your  brothers,  your  friends 
and  fellow  workers  —  clothe  and  arm  America's  expedi- 
tionary forces  —  strengthen  and  aid  our  allies. 

You  can  help  these  men,  and  thus  help  to  hasten  the 
day  of  Victory,  by  sending  them  your  binoculars  for 
the  duration. 

Binoculars  are  among  the  many  optical  instruments 
of  war  that  Bausch  &  Lomb  is  producing  and  helping 
others  to  produce.  Today,  Bausch  &  Lomb  is  working 
a  full  twenty-four  hours  a  day,  but  even  with  its  vastly 
expanded  production  program  there  is  not  room  enough, 
nor  time  enough,  to  turn  out  all  of  the  binoculars  the 
Navy  needs. 

That  is  the  problem  you  can  solve  —  you  and  all 
the  thousands  of  other  owners  of  Bausch  &  Lomb 
6  x  30  or  7  x  SO  Binoculars.  Your  Binoculars  can  help 
save  American  lives  and  American  ships. 

BAUSCH  &  LOMB 

OPTICAL  COMPANY  •  ESTABLISHED  1853 


AN    AM  ESI  CAS    SCIENTIFIC    INSTITUTION  PRODUCING  OP- 
TICAL    GLASS     AND     INSTRUMENTS     FOR  MILITARY  USE, 
EDUCATION,     RESEARCH,     INDUSTRY     AND  EYESIGHT  COR- 
RECTION 


omits 


SAFE  THAT  CARBON- 
turn  it  in! 


a  question  of  buying  a  good  grade  of  paint 
and  applying  it  to  the  surfaces;  but  the 
quality  and  type  of  paint  for  the  purpose 
are  nevertheless  critical  matters. 

The  most  common  paints  on  the  market 
today  are  oil  paints,  enamel  paints,  cal- 
cimine and  other  cold  water  paints.  Enam- 
el paint  is  the  more  expensive  but  it  is 
hardier  and  makes  a  finer  and  better  finish 
than  oil  paint,  and  far  better  than  any  of 
the  cold  water  paints.  Enamel  paint  con- 
sists of  coloring  matter  with  varnish  as  a 
base.  The  base  or  "binder"  for  the  cold 
water  paints  is  a  solution  of  glue,  casein 
and  albumen.  A  new  patented  paint  and 
one  used  quite  extensively  for  interior  work 
is  Texolite.  This  particular  paint,  if  han- 
dled according  to  directions,  gives  reason- 
ably good  results. 

The  base  for  the  oil  paints  is  white  lead 
and  white  zinc.  The  oil  paints  are  used 
commonly  for  priming  coats  with  the  enam- 
el paints  as  a  finish,  both  in  glossy  or  flat 
surface,  as  desired.  From  experience  it  has 
been  found  that  if  white  lead  is  used  alone 
and  applied  to  areas  always  relatively  dark, 
as  in  the  rear  of  the  auditorium,  it  tends 
to  turn  yellow  in  time ;  however,  when 
white  lead  is  mixed  with  white  zinc,  or 
with  other  mixed  paints,  one  can  achieve 
satisfactory  results. 

Make  sure  that  only  boiled  linseed  oil 
is  used  for  mixing  the  paint  if  a  quick  dry- 
ing job  is  wanted.  Raw  linseed  oil  is  yel- 
low, sometimes  greenish  yellow,  in  color 
and  when  exposed  to  the  air  will  form  a 
tough  leathery  film  in  about  five  days. 
Boiled  oil  is  somewhat  darker  in  color  than 
raw  oil.  One  must  be  very  careful  that  it 
be  always  covered,  for  when  exposed  to  the 
air  it  forms  this  leathery  film  in  about  a 
day,  due  to  its  quick-drying  properties. 
When  special  driers  are  to  be  used,  such  as 
lead  and  manganese  dissolved  in  oil,  they 
should  be  thinned  properly  with  turpen- 
tine or  benzine.  Driers  should  not  be  add- 
ed to  the  oil  in  an  amount  more  than  about 
10%  by  volume.  Too  much  of  the  drier 
in  the  paint  will  cause  it  to  lose  its  durabil- 
ity. And  no  drier  should  be  used  that 
contains  rosin,  even  if  it  can  be  bought  at 
a  cheap  price,  as  the  paint  job  will  be  ad- 
versely affected  (by  rosin  is  not  meant  resin, 
as  varnish-resins  are  mixed  in  some  of  the 
best  driers). 

PREPARATION  FOR  PAINTING 

Before  applying  the  paint  on  any  sur- 
face always  make  sure  that  it  is  thoroughly 
clean  and  solid,  and  that  all  scales  or  peel- 
ings are  removed  by  the  use  of  a  stiff  steel 
wire  brush. 

Extreme  care  must  be  taken  whenever 
it  is  necessary  to  burn  off  old  paint  by  the 
use  of  a  painter's  torch.  This  torch  is  a 
lamp  which  burns  either  kerosene,  alcohol 
or  naptha  and  which  gives  out  a  flaring 
blast  of  flame  against  the  painted  surface 
just  long  enough  to  soften  the  paint,  which 
is  immediately  removed  by  using  a  scraper, 
or  applied  so  as  to  burn  off  the  old  paint 
entirely. 

Another  way  to  remove  or  clean  old 
paint  or  varnish  is  to  use  a  good  varnish 


remover.  Such  remover  has  solvent  liquids 
that  penetrate  the  old  paint  or  varnish  and 
soften  it  so  that  it  can  be  removed  with 
scrapers  or  brushes.  There  is  less  danger 
of  fire  in  using  paint  remover  than  a  torch, 
but  is  is  slower  and  costs  more,  especially 
if  large  areas  are  involved.  At  the  same 
time  it  must  be  remembered  that  these  re- 
movers are  volatile  and  highly  inflammable 
and  should  be  kept  away  from  an  open 
flame.  They  are  especially  handy  in  clean- 
ing out  mouldings  and  any  irregular  areas 
where  it  is  not  convenient  to  use  steel 
scrapers 

When  wood  floors  are  to  be  treated  and 
they  have  old  floor  wax  on  them,  this  wax 
can  be  removed  by  using  about  a  10% 
solution  of  carbonate  of  soda  (commonly 
called  sal-soda)  mixed  in  hot  water.  All 
plastered  walls  should  first  be  carefully 
examined  before  applying  paint,  for  cracks, 
scales  or  peelings.  Bad  or  large  cracks 
should  be  filled  in  with  new  plaster,  then 
left  to  dry  for  several  days.  In  case  rain 
stains  are  noticed  on  the  walls  or  ceiling, 
the  leaks  should  of  course  be  remedied  first. 

In  places  where  the  lime  in  the  plaster 
has  attacked  the  old  paint,  these  spots 
should  be  thoroughly  cleaned  with  steel 
scrapers  or  stiff  steel  wire  brushes,  then 
these  surfaces  should  be  washed  with  a 
solution  of  yellow  soap  and  then  with  a 
solution  of  alum.  When  this  is  dry  it 
should  be  sponged  off  with  cold  water,  al- 
lowed to  dry  again  and  then  oiled  before 
painting. 

Prior  to  painting,  especially  of  wood- 
work, a  priming  coat  should  be  first  applied 
and  any  resinous  knots  varnished  with 
shellac ;  then  putty  should  be  applied  where 
necessary  by  using  a  wooden  spatula  so  as 
not  to  mar  or  scratch  the  surface. 

ADDED  COATS  AND  FINISHES 

The  second  coat  should  have  a  half 
and  half  mixture  of  oil  and  turpentine 
mixed  in  with  the  paint ;  this  will  give  a 
flat  surface  to  the  areas  painted.  The  next 
coat  should  be  a  regular  oil  paint,  and  if 
certain  areas  show  a  high  gloss  they  may 
be  dulled  by  lightly  rubbing  them  with 
pumice  and  water. 

In  case  a  harder  and  finer  finish  is  de- 
sired, a  good  grade  of  enamel  paint  should 
be  used,  but  before  applying  it  make  sure 
the  oil  paint  coat  is  lightly  sandpapered 
when  hard  and  perfectly  dry.  A  good 
enamel  finish  can  be  made  by  adding  var- 
nish to  the  white  lead  or  white  zinc,  but 
with  very  little  linseed  oil  used ;  however, 
use  only  a  spar  varnish  from  a  reliable 
manufacturer  as  the  quicker  drying  var- 
nishes will  nearly  always  crack  and  scale 
in  a  short  time.  When  the  final  enamel 
paint  coat  is  put  on  and  quite  dry,  it  can 
be  sandpapered  or  rubbed  with  curled  hair 
for  a  flat  finish  or  left  in  its  "glossy  finish." 
The  choice  of  either  a  flat  or  glossy  finish 
is  of  course  up  to  the  theatre  management. 

The  selection  of  colors  is  such  a  matter 
of  taste  that  little  can  be  said  about  it  from 
a  purely  aesthetic  point  of  view.  Practic- 
ally, however,  it  has  been  found  from  ex- 
perience that  white,  light  blue  and  light 


May    I  ,  1943 


BETTER  THEATRES 


77 


green  are  less  durable  colors  than  yellow, 
grey  or  the  dark  colors  in  general.  This 
is  due  to  the  fact  that  rays  of  light  pene- 
trate the  lighter  colors  more  easily  and 
have  a  tendency  to  break  them  down  more 
readily.  (Incidentally,  it  has  also  been 
found  that  the  application  of  black  or 
very  dark  paint  to  exposed  radiators  and 
heating  pipes  helps  to  transmit  the  heat.) 

WOOD  FINISH 

Where  varnish  is  to  be  used  on  open- 
grained  wood,  such  as  oak,  maple,  chestnut 
or  ash,  it  should  first  receive  a  good  coat 
of  paste  filler.  In  some  theatres  the  standee 
rails,  toilet  rooms  and  even  lobbies  have  a 
wainscoting  of  such  wood.  The  paste  filler 
paint  should  consist  of  a  pigment  such  as 
silex  or  ground  quartz,  mixed  with  a  quick 
drying  varnish  and  turpentine  or  benzine. 
The  filler  should  be  rubbed  strongly  into 
the  grain  of  the  wood  with  a  short  stiff 
brush,  and  when  set  and  dry,  rubbed  off 
with  a  coarse  cloth  or  a  handful  of  excel- 
sior, the  rubbing  done  across  the  grain. 

For  staining  the  wood  an  oil  stain  may 
be  mixed  with  this  paste  filler ;  however, 
if  a  close  grained  wood  is  to  be  covered, 
the  oil  stain  can  be  thinned  to  the  desired 
color  with  turpentine  or  benzine  and  then 
applied  to  the  surface  as  a  wash. 

Puttying  of  any  cracks,  scratches  and 
other  marrings  should  be  done  next ;  then 
in  about  two  days  the  first  coat  of  varnish 
should  be  applied.  About  five  days  later 
the  surface  should  be  rubbed  with  curled 
hair  or  very  fine  sandpaper  to  remove  the 
gloss  and  make  a  good  base  for  the  next 
coat.  For  a  first-class  job  three  such  coats 
of  varnish  should  be  applied  about  five 
days  apart,  each  coat  being  rubbed  as  de- 
scribed and  the  final  coat  left  flat  or  with 
a  natural  glossy  finish.  In  case  shellac 
varnish  is  used  for  the  finish,  at  least  six 
coats  should  be  applied  in  the  same  way 
explained  above. 

PAINTING  FLOORS 

Where  wood  floors  are  to  be  varnished, 
they  should  receive  two  coats  of  shellac 
varnish,  then  five  or  six  coats  of  wax  a 
week  apart,  each  coat  being  polished  with  a 
special  waxing  brush.  Shellac  has  been 
found  to  be  a  very  good  floor  varnish  as  it 
has  long  life,  discolors  the  wood  very  little, 
and  dries  very  quickly. 

Cement  and  concrete  are  very  difficult 
to  paint  for  lasting  results.  This  is  due 
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gallons  linseed-oil,  1  pint  turpentine,  and 

{Continued  on  page  83) 


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78 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May     I  ,  1943 


Your  aim  NOW— and  our  aim  —  is  to 
Win  the  War.'  Your  projector  parts 
shipments  may  sometimes  be  delayed 
while  we  help  fill  America's  war  needs. 


LaVfezzi  Machine  Works 

180  North  Wacker  Drive        Chicago,  Illinois 


a u tod  rape 

CURTAIN  MACHINES 
Were  Constructed  to  Give 
EXTRA  YEARS 
OF  SERVICE 


You  can  do  your  extra  bit  in  our 
country's  conservation  program  by 
giving  your  AUTODRAPE  Curtain  Ma- 
chines regular  and  careful  attention. 

AUTOMATIC  DEVICES  CO. 

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Export  Office:  220  West  42nd  Street,  New  York  City 

Also  Manufacturers  of  Steel  Curtain  Track  and 
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FOREST  a^UqUt  PRODUCTS 


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TUBES 

SCREENS 


The 


LIGHT  on  your 

SCREEN 


By  CHARLES  E.  SHULTZ 

Member  SMPE  .  .  .  Honorary  Life  Member  LOCAL  365,  IATSE  &  MPMO 


Causes  and  Correction 
Of  Excessive  Pitting 

A  QUESTION  THAT  has 
been  directed  to  my  attention,  from  Calvin 
Ray,  owner  and  manager  of  a  theatre  in  a 
Texas  town  whose  name  I  cannot  quite 
make  out,  raises  a  number  of  interesting 
points.    He  writes: 

"I  have  been  having  trouble  with  my 
lenses  which  seem  to  pit  in  a  very  short 
time.  I  thought  I  knew  a  bit  about  lenses, 
but  maybe  I  am  missing  up  on  something. 
If  ill  you  be  good  enough  to  tell  me  what 
causes  pitting  and  maybe  I  can  check  what 
I  know  against  what  you  know  and  arrive 
at  the  right  conclusion. 

"I  am  buying  a  complete  new  set  of 
lenses  and  no  not  want  the  same  thing  to 
happen  to  them.  I  would  appreciate  it,  too, 
if  you  would  tell  me  just  hoiv  to  test  my 
lens  so  I  can  make  sure  of  a  sharp  definition 
all  over  the  screen  area." 

This  question  is  one  which  must,  of 
necessity,  require  many  assumptions  on  my 
part  as  to  type  of  arc,  kind  of  lamp,  arc 
power ;  these  are  not  given,  while  the  defini- 
tion of  the  word  lens  is  very  vague. 

If  the  word  "lens'''  (in  reference  to  the 
pitting  problem)  refers  to  a  condenser  lens, 
you  may  be  using  an  old  style  condenser, 
low-intensity  arc,  or  a  reflector  condenser 
arc  such  as  Peerless  low-intensity,  or  a 
straight  high-intensity  arc  such  as  Hall  & 
Connolly  or  Peerless  Hy-Candescent. 

If  the  word  "lens"  refers  to  reflecting 
mirrors  you  may  be  using  a  suprex  arc,  a 
one-kilowatt  arc,  a  low-intensity  reflector 
arc,  or  any  other  type  of  equipment  except 
straight  high-intensity  or  old-style  low- 
intensity  condenser  equipment. 

Let's  consider  the  question,  therefore,  in 
a  general  sense :  Pitting  is  caused  when 
white  hot  particles  thrown  from  the  arc 
strike  a  glass  surface,  such  as  a  condenser 
lens  or  glass  reflector,  and  fuse  to  that  sur- 
face. Such  a  white  hot  particle  not  only 
fuses  to  the  glass  surface,  but  in  some  in- 
stances, through  a  chemical  action,  it  etches 
out  a  shallow  crater  around  the  particle. 

The  greatest  "shower"  of  particles, 
which  cause  pitting,  are  created  at  the 
time  the  arc  is  struck.  For  this  reason  some 
type  lamps  have  a  shield  which  may  be 
lowered  between  the  arc  and  reflector  at 
the  time  the  arc  is  struck.     Older  style 


lamps  have  no  such  shield,  and  if  this  is 
true  in  your  case,  it  would  be  well  worth 
while  for  you  and  your  projectionist  to 
design  such  a  shield  from  asbestos  board,  so 
arranged  that  it  can  be  lowered  in  front 
of  the  reflector  or  condenser  from  the  out- 
side of  the  lamphouse. 

If  you  are  using  a  Peerless  low-intensity 
reflector-condenser  arc  you  might  construct 
two  shields  so  that  one  will  protect  the 
reflector  and  the  other  the  condenser  lens. 
Both  shields  could  be  raised  and  lowered  by 
the  same  handle. 

Be  sure  such  shields  do  not  touch  the 
reflector  or  condenser  because  they  would 
conduct  off  the  heat  at  point  of  contact  and 
cause  them  to  crack. 

If  you  are  using  a  suprex  arc,  which 
already  has  such  shields,  other  conditions 
which  accelerate  pitting  should  be  checked. 


Obtain  a  voltmeter  and  check  the  voltage 
across  the  arc  while  it  is  burning.  If  you 
find  the  voltage  is  somewhat  lower  than  32 
volts,  have  your  generator  or  rectifier 
checked  up  and  repaired  to  obtain  32  volts. 
This  is  very  important  because  a  Suprex 
arc  operated  below  the  proper  voltage  is 
hard  to  strike.  A  hard  striking  arc  will 
always  cause  more  pitting  than  an  easy 
starting  arc. 

Be  sure  that  the  drip  tray  at  the  bottom 
of  the  lamp  is  filled  with  sand  or  steel  wool 
so  that  the  arc  drippings  will  not  bounce 
from  the  tray  to  the  face  of  the  reflector. 

Damp  carbons  are  responsible  for  both 


May    I  ,  1943 

uneven  light  and  excessive  pitting  because 
the  dampness  forms  steam  within  the  core 
causing  the  arc  to  "spit."  This  "spitting" 
throws  a  shower  of  particles  against  the 
reflector.  It  is  a  good  idea  to  lay  a  day's 
supply  of  carbons  in  each  lamp  one  day 
before  you  use  them  so  that  the  dry  heat 
of  the  interior  of  the  lamp  will  dry  out 
any  moisture  that  they  may  have  absorbed. 

Be  sure  your  lamphouse  is  properly  ven- 
tilated ;  poor  ventilation  speeds  up  pitting 
and  causes  condenser  and  reflector  deprecia- 
tion from  the  ash  which  settles  on  their 
glass  surfaces. 

Now  to  your  question  about  how  to  test 
your  projection  lenses  for  definition  at  the 
sides  of  your  screen.  To  test  for  marginal 
definition,  make  up  a  simple  mask  (as 
shown  in  the  accompanying  drawing)  with 
three  slots  so  arranged  that  the  projected 
picture  will  appear  in  the  form  of  three 
separate  images  on  your  screen.  One  of 
these  images  should  be  at  the  center,  the 
other  two  at  each  side,  with  spaces  between 
them  equal  to  the  size  of  each  image. 

Run  a  film  which  you  know  to  have 
sharp  photographic  detail  all  over  its  area, 
such  as  a  feature  title  or  cast,  and  focus 
the  center  area  sharply.  Now  note  the  side 
areas.  If  either  one,  or  both,  are  not  sharp 
try  to  make  a  compromise  focus  for  all 
three. 

The  reason  for  dividing  the  picture  into 
three  small  areas  is  that  the  eye  can  readily 
compare  the  sharpness  of  three  separate 
images  but  has  difficultly  in  seeing  the 
gradual  fading  away  of  definition  at  the 
edges  of  a  single  image. 

If  your  projector  has  a  removable  aper- 
ture, the  mask  for  testing  marginal  focus 
may  be  made  up  from  light  sheet  metal, 
also  as  shown  in  the  accompanying  drawing. 

A  Device  for  Blind 
Focusing  of  Varied  Prints 

FROM  time  to  time  I  have 
an  opportunity  to  examine  ideas  which  are 
born  in  the  minds  of  working  projectionists 
at  their  jobs.  Some  of  these  ideas  are  ex- 
cellent examples  of  the  sincere  desire 
among  members  of  our  craft  to  do  the 
best  job  possible  with  the  equipment  made 
available  to  them.  At  the  invitation  of 
projectionists  George  Miller  and  Reed  Van 
Gorder  I  recently  witnessed  a  demonstra- 
tion of  an  extremely  simple  but  highly 
efficient  little  device  which  will,  I  am  sure, 
interest  other  working  projectionists. 

The  device  consists  essentially  of  a  gauge 
micrometer  attached  to  the  front  casing  of 
the  projector  in  such  manner  that  the  move- 
ment of  the  lens,  while  focusing,  causes  a 
needle  to  move  upon  a  scale  (see  photo) . 

The  scale  is  not  graduated,  however,  into 
parts  of  an  inch,  as  might  be  supposed,  but 
various  points  are  marked  with  numbers. 
Some  of  these  points  are  widely  separated, 
while  others  are  close  together.  Brothers 
Miller  and  Van  Gorder  point  out  that  each 
of  these  points  represent  a  focal  position  for 
some  specific  type  of  print. 

For  instance,  No.  1  may  represent  the 
position  of  the  lens  for  proper  focus  on 


BETTER  THEATRES 


#  War  tolerates  failures  of  neither 
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postwar  planning,  keep  your  eye  on 
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80 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    I  ,  1943 


Po  wer  House 


More  lhan  ever  today  your  National 
branch  is  like  a  "Power  House",  feed- 
ing energy  in  the  shape  of  supplies 
that  help  you  in  maintaining  the  stand- 
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you  need,  the  nearby  National  branch 
is  a  dynamo  of  assistance  and  coop- 
eration, ready  to  serve  you  day  or  night 
by  men  who  know  best  what  your 
theatre  requires.  You  can  count  on 
National's  16  years  of  experience  to 
help  see  you  through. 


MTIOIAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  COMPMY 


There  has  been  no  rationing  of  National's  readiness  to  serve. 


J 


PROJECTOR  REPLACEMENT 

PARTS  L  WENZEL 


This  Is  Everybody's  War 
Our  War  and  your  War 


That  is  why  orders  for 
government  precision 
parts  come  first.  How- 
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Prices,  Cash,  Taxes,  Costs  of  Features. 
Shorts)  •  Payroll  and  Check  Record,  Bank 
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Technicolor  prints,  while  No.  5  may  be  the 
proper  point  for  newsreel  prints.  The  code 
sheet  for  these  numbers  is  posted  beside 
each  projector. 

Between  these  positions  lie  other  numbers 
representing  the  proper  lens  positions  for 
focus  of  standard  release  prints  of  features 
from  various  companies.    I  noted  that  these 


"Blind"    focusing    device    mounted    on  projector. 

numbers  were  rather  close  together  in  com- 
parison to  the  distances  between  Techni- 
color and  newsreel  positions. 

How  is  the  device  used  ?  Let  me  review 
the  demonstration  I  received  and  I  think 
you  will  understand  both  the  purpose  and 
the  method. 

Brothers  Miller  and  Van  Gorder  had 
assembled  a  representative  sort  of  test  reel 
with  short  lengths  from  titles  of  a  Techni- 
color cartoon,  a  newsreel,  a  Metro  trailer, 
and  a  Paramount  feature.  They  first  pro- 
jected this  test  reel  for  me  without  the  use 
of  their  device.  In  this  test  they  focused 
sharply  on  the  first  title  then  let  the  others 
go  through  without  refocusing.  It  was  very 
noticeable  that  each  of  the  successive  titles 
were  distinctly  out  of  focus  with  the  short 
focal  length  lens  that  they  were  using,  in 
spite  of  the  fact  that  the  first  title  had  been 
perfectly  focused. 

Next  came  a  very  convincing  demonstra- 
tion of  their  device.  They  rethreaded  the 
same  test  reel  and  closed  all  of  the  ob- 
servation ports  except  the  one  through 
which  I  was  looking.  I  was  asked  to  throw 
the  lens  completely  out  of  focus  and  then 
as  the  only  observer  "call  the  shots"  by 
merely  telling  them  the  name  of  the  title 
appearing  at  any  given  moment  on  the 
screen. 

The  reel  was  projected,  and  as  I  called 
out  the  name  of  each  title  they  focused 
"blind"  by  the  use  of  the  device,  bringing 
each  to  perfect  focus  without  even  being 
able  to  see  the  screen ! 

This  was  a  most  interesting  and  convinc- 
ing demonstration.  The  value  of  such  a 
device  lies  in  the  fact  that  the  lens  may  be 
brought  to  a  point  of  perfect  focus  before 
the  picture  is  projected.  This  eliminates 
the  practice  of  bringing  a  subject  in  out  of 
focus,  then  correcting  this  focus  after  it  is 
on  the  screen. 


UIENZEL 

PROJECTOR 


COMPANY 


250  5-19  S.  STATE  STREET 
CHICAGO,  ILLINOIS 


May    I  ,  1943 


BETTER    TH  EATRES 


81 


I  think  that  Brothers  Miller  and  Van 
Gorder  have  shown  real  ingenuity  in  their 
efforts  to  improve  the  excellence  of  their 
work.  It  should  be  noted,  however,  that 
this  device  has  some  limitations.  For  in- 
stance, there  is  a  difference  in  the  focal 
point  of  the  lens  for  subjects  produced  by 
the  same  company  from  one  release  print 
to  another,  depending  to  some  extent  upon 
the  age  of  the  print.  For  this  reason  allow- 
ances have  to  be  made  in  the  lens  position 
standardized  from  the  setting  found  most 
satisfactory  by  observation  during  the  first 
screening,  while  the  position  of  the  pointer 
on  the  gauge,  which  differs  from  the  stand- 
ard setting,  must  be  noted  down. 

It  has  also  been  found  that  slight  differ- 
ences occur  from  changes  in  arc  current, 
length  of  arc,  and  the  position  of  the  posi- 
tive carbon  in  relationship  to  the  reflector. 

I  feel  free  to  explain  this  efficient  little 
device  as  Brothers  Miller  and  Van  Gorder 
assure  me  that  they  have  taken  steps  to  pro- 
tect their  idea. 


Sudden  Current  Rise 
With  Victory  Carbons 

Walter  hill,  projection- 
ist of  the  Court  Square  theatre,  Newton, 
N.  J.,  writes  the  following: 

"W e  have  been  using  the  new  Victory 
carbons  for  the  past  six  months  and  at 
about  the  time  we  began  their  use  a  strange 
condition  started  to  occur.  A t  various 
times  the  arc  current  rises  from  the  normal 
of  45  amperes,  for  which  we  have  set  the 
rectifiers,  to  55  or  60  amperes  and  remains 
there  for  several  minutes  before  returning 
to  normal.  When  this  occurs  the  screen 
light  is  very  poor  and  blue  in  color,  par- 
ticularly at  the  corners.  This  condition 
occurs  at  irregular  intervals  during  both 
the  matinee  and  evening  shows. 

"Our  lamps  are  Peerless  Magnarc  with 
Brenkert  copper  oxide  rectifiers.  I  cannot 
decide  whether  this  condition  arises  from  a 
change  in  line  voltage  or  from  something 
within  the  rectifier  itself.  I  really  don't 
think  the  trouble  is  in  the  line  voltage  be- 
cause when  this  trouble  happens  our  sound 
does  not  get  any  louder,  as  I  think  it  would 
if  this  change  occurred  from  an  increase 
in  line  voltage. 

"Have  you  ever  heard  of  such  a  condi- 
tion? If  you  have  maybe  you  will  be  able 
to  help  me  track  down  the  cause." 

Yes,  I  have  heard  of  the  condition  you 
mention  several  times  and  it  will  surprise 
you  to  know  that  in  all  of  the  cases  which 
I  have  examined  the  trouble  did  not  orig- 
inate from  either  line  power  variations  or 
trouble  in  the  rectifiers.  The  usual  cause 
of  the  symptoms  you  describe  are  the  result 
of  a  carbon  which  has  been  cracked  from 
pitted  or  dirty  jaws,  or  from  being  gripped 
too  tightly  in  the  holder.  Of  course,  this 
crack  does  not  reach  the  arc  until  the  next 
reel  or  two  after  the  carbon  has  been 
crushed. 

Let's   go   over   exactly   what  happens 
under  these  conditions  and  how  and  why 
{Continued  on  page  86) 


Tips  on  Wartime  Operation 
of  Projection  Lamps 


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^  l  fee  reflected 

by  *e  m.rror,  the  ^  sUr{ace  «rf 

5n  efficiency.  scum  wMeh  „gM  as  much  as 

The  *M"  co.«n*  °*  ,amp  can  cut  down  the    9  ^re 

25%.    Tne  annua  «*J  ^ore,                   ^  ,op  AW  — 

amounts  to  about  %  £  rf  eVery  pro^ct                 ^  ^  ^ 

a  year.    W  U  *•  P«*r,°*  can  be  Vep*  as  br,gh,  b,  cleaning  we 

"  The  suHace  o*  .  %  ^  -"-"^l  ^  ^ 

don't  mean  ,«*     P         gREASE!  .  •  ■  ^  s,nce  tne  fly 
or  Bon  Am.  and  ELB          ^  ^  a5  d  d.rtY 

do  not  PH  as  re.d-W              We  to  the  clea  ft  ^ 

parses  ordmanly  do  no                   reflector  ^  g, 
P     PHfm,  of  tne  *«- parV,c»es  ^ ^  the 

a  cloth  catches  on                  scraped  trom  fe  and 


Don't  forget  to 
»ove  all  copper 
drippings  and 
strippings  from 
carbons. 


#  The  best  projection 
lamps  of  tomorrow... 
like  those  serving  so 
well  today,  will  carry 
the  name  STRONG. 


STRONG 

ELECTRIC  GoAsfzoteMosi 


87  City  Park  Ave. 


Toledo,  Ohio 


Keep  Posted  for 
Post-War  Preparedness 

#|[  Conservation  is  the  keynote  of  oper- 
■H'  ating  policy  for  the  duration.  .  .  .  But 
parallel  with  it  is  preparation  for  the 
return  to  normal  operation  after  the  war. 
You  can  learn  now  what  manufacturers 
and  products  will  be  on  hand  to  serve 
you  then,  by  reading  the  current  ad- 
vertising messages.  They  report  develop- 
ments, and  give  assurances  that  help  in 
planning.  They  keep  you  advised  on 
what  you  will  be  able  to  get,  promptly — 
and  where. 


SUPER-LITE  LENSES 
PRO-JEX  SOUND  UNITS 

o  install  the  best- 


A  TRY-OUT  WILL 


CONVINCE  YOU 


Projection  Optics  i 

330  LYELL  AVE.,      ROCHESTER,  N.Y.,  U.S.A. 


82 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May 


94  3 


-to  t**0* 


By 

BEN  SCHLANGER 


continuing  the  pres- 
entation of  actual  floor  slopes  adapted  to 
basic  types  of  auditoriums,  one  is  offered  in 
this  article  for  that  designated,  in  the 
March  6th  issue,  Type  IB.  (In  the  last 
issue  of  Better  Theatres  a  slope  for 
Type  1A  was  submitted.) 

In  describing  basic  types  of  auditoriums 
for  purposes  of  planning  floor  slopes  of 
general  application,  the  type  dealt  with  in 
this  article  was  given  as  that  in  a  theatre 
built  on  ground  sloping  3  feet  or  more 
downward  toward  the  proposed  screen  po- 
sition, and  having  a  depth  of  seating 
amounting  to  more  than  22  rows.  The 
plan  submitted  in  the  drawing  is  laid  out 
for  35  rows,  which  is  a  depth  closely  ap- 
proximating the  recommended  maximum 
depth  for  viewing  motion  pictures.  If  a 
still  greater  depth  is  desired,  for  special 
reasons,  it  would  be  advisable  to  modify 
the  design  of  the  present  floor  slope,  be- 
cause of  factors  that  will  appear  in  our 
discussion. 

The  floor  slope  shown  in  the  accom- 
panying drawing  employs  a  comparatively 


Floor  Slope  for  a  Seating 
Plan  of  Over  22  Rows 


small  "reverse"  floor  slope  at  the  screen 
end.  It  is  necessary  to  use  the  reverse 
portion  in  this  instance  to  minimize  the 
pitch  of  the  remainder  of  the  floor  so  that 
the  greatest  pitch  per  row  would  be  under 
2>Y2  inches.  A  greater  pitch  per  row  would 
introduce  the  need  for  stepped  patforms, 
a  condition  which  should  always  be  avoided 
on  main  floor  seating. 

The  total  downward  pitch  is  about  6 
feet.  If  the  natural  ground  upon  which 
the  auditorium  is  to  be  built  slopes  down- 
ward toward  the  screen  for  an  amount 
closer  to  3  feet  than  to  6  feet,  it  would  be 
advisable  to  increase  the  depth  of  the  re- 
verse portion  2  more  rows  so  that  the 
downward  slope  portion  would  be  de- 
creased to  conform  more  to  the  ground 
contour  and  keep  the  screen  end  exit  door 
sill  levels  as  close  as  possible  to  the  ground. 

If  it  is  desirable  to  increase  the  depth 
of  the  reverse  portion  of  the  floor  for  the 
aforesaid  reason,  or  because  a  few  more 
rows  of  seating  depth  is  to  be  added ;  or 
for  both  reasons  it  will  be  necessary  to 
raise  the  screen  about  6  inches,  so  that  the 
total  reverse  pitch  would  be  about  11 
inches  instead  of  the  7  inches  shown. 

While  it  is  true  that  the  higher  the 
screen  is  placed  for  the  purposes  of  in- 
creasing the  depth  of  the  reverse  portion 
of  the  floor,  the  greater  the  angles  of 
vision  become  in  looking  upward  at  the 
picture ;  however,  the  benefits  derived  for 
the  greater  part  of  the  seating  farther 
from  the  screen  far  outweigh  the  slight 
disadvantage  in  viewing  from  the  front 


seats.  It  should  be  noted  also  that  the 
seating  in  the  front  rows  is  and  should  be 
much  narrower  than  the  remainder  of  the 
seating,  therefore  it  represents  a  very  small 
proportion  of  the  seating  (see  articles  in 
the  November  14th  and  December  12th 
issues  of  Better  Theatres,  dealing  with 
vertical  angles  of  vision). 

CALCULATING  ROW  PITCHES 

With  the  exception  of  the  design  of  the 
reverse  portion,  the  accompanying  floor 
slope  was  calculated  in  the  same  manner 
described  in  the  February  6th  issue.  There 
is  also  one  further  exception,  in  that  the 
key  figure  designated  as  "C,"  or  .014,  in  the 
February  6th  issue,  applies  only  to  the  cal- 
culations from  the  6th  to  the  22nd  rows ; 
the  key  figure  to  be  used  in  the  remaining 
rows  is  .002  instead  of  .014.  Actually 
these  key  figures  are  a  series  starting  from 
the  rows  nearest  to  the  screen,  to  the  rows 
farthest  from  the  screen;  they  vary  from 
about  .06  to  about  .001,  with  a  different 
key  figure  for  the  calculation  of  each  row. 

Observation  has  proved  though  that  the 
two  key  figures  given  for  the  entire  seating 
depth,  strike  averages  which  result  in 
sightline  arrival  points  at  the  screen  which 
are  accurate  within  a  few  inches  up  or 
down  for  all  the  calculatons  of  all  the 
rows.  The  use  of  only  two  key  figures 
greatly  minimizes  the  arithmetical  proce- 
dure and  gives  sufficiently  accurate  results. 

The  reverse  portion  of  the  floor  was 
calculated  on  the  basis  of  non-staggered 


KOW  LEVELS  FLOOR  A 


T-RtSE  PER.  ROW 

FLOOR.  A 


    y*> 


5 


00 


H  336  33J  327  322  317  112  307  302  297  251    Z8S  281    276  2-69   262  255  246  237  227   2.17   2  06 


LSI    1.68    1.54    139   1.24   107    625  .87S  1.375  1875  2.25  ■ 


USING 


FL^OR.   A  RECOMMENCED 


STAGGERED  SEAT/NG 


FL00K  B 

'HOl'T  SrAG$EEElO  SEATMG 


Wl 


ONE  MOW 


/IS/ON 


79'  INCHES  / 
ABOVE  DATUM-' 


^DATUM 


35    34    33    32  31    30    21    28    Z7    26    25    24   23    22    21    20    11     16    17     16    IS     14-   &     \l  II 


7     6     5     4  3 


I     ROW  WMBERS 


AUDITORIUM  FLOOR  SLOPE  NO.  2:  For  Auditorium  Type  IB  (see  text) 

The  levels  and  rise  per  row  are  noted  in  inches  and  decimal  parts  of  an  inch  (up  to  one-hundredth  of  an  inch).  For  practical  construction  purposes 
five  hundredths  of  an  inch  would  be  sufficiently  accurate.    In  forming  floors  an  accurate  template  taking  in  three  rows  at  a  time  should  be  used. 


May    I  ,    194  3 


BETTER  THEATRES 


83 


seating.  Staggered  seating  in  this  portion 
of  the  floor  does  not  allow  clear  view  of 
the  entire  width  of  the  picture.  As  in  the 
floor  slope  for  Type  1A  (April  3rd  issue), 
not  more  than  5%  of  the  total  picture 
area  is  obstructed  from  view  in  the  first 
six  rows.  While  the  bottom  of  the  picture 
is  79  inches  above  datum  (datum  here  be- 
ing the  level  of  the  floor  at  the  6th  row, 
where  direction  of  the  slope  changes,  the 
bottom  of  the  picture  is  only  72  inches 
above  the  level  of  the  floor  at  the  first 
row. 

The  rise-per-row  figures  shown  in  the 
drawing  are  exactly  half  the  rise-per-row 
as  calculated  for  Floor  B,  for  one-row 
vision.  Only  the  recommended  floor  (A) 
figures  are  shown.  It  would  not  be  prac- 
tical to  use  Floor  B,  due  to  the  excessive 
pitch  and  the  need  for  stepped  platforms. 

The  picture  size  would  have  an  approx- 
imate maximum  width  of  21  feet  for  35- 
row  seating  depth.  The  first  row  of  seats 
is  placed  21  feet,  4  inches  from  the  pic- 
ture. 

As  in  the  case  of  Floor  Slope  No.  1 
(April  3rd  issue),  Floor  A  of  Floor 
Slope  No.  2  is  best  when  used  in  conjunc- 
tion with  a  staggered  seating  plan.  If, 
however,  this  slope  is  used  without  stag- 
gered seating,  it  provides  second-row  vision 
(requiring  looking  between  heads  in  the 
row  immediately  in  front). 

Paint  to  Give  the 
Theatre  New  Life 

(Continued  from  page  77) 

1  pint  drier,  with  the  coloring  added  as 
desired.  Even  white  lead  paint  will  tend 
to  crack  in  about  a  year  when  exposed  to 
the  elements;  but  this  does  not  mean  that 
it  is  no  good,  for  it  makes  a  very  good  sur- 
face for  repainting. 

The  new  paint  should  never  be  applied 
in  wet  or  very  cold  weather  nor  over  wet 
or  damp  surfaces.  At  least  three  coats 
should  be  applied  and  a  week  or  more 
should  elapse  between  successive  coats.  One 
gallon  of  paint  should  cover  about  400 
square  feet  of  brick  if  the  surface  is  cov- 
ered with  old  paint;  and  about  600  square 
feet  of  previously  painted  woodwork. 

Where  roof  extension,  such  as  marquee 
and  parapet  walls,  are  to  be  painted,  the 
paint  should  contain  a  larger  proportion  of 
oil  and  a  smaller  amount  of  drier — or  bet- 
ter, none  at  all.  At  least  three  coats  should 
be  applied  to  these  roofs.  Tin  roofs  and 
galvanized  iron  work  should  be  thoroughly 
cleaned,  scrubbed  and  then  dried  before 
painting.  To  help  preserve  shingles,  espe- 
cially if  of  wood,  that  may  be  on  an  exten- 
sion roof  over  entrance  and  exit  doors,  etc., 
it  is  a  good  idea  to  apply  a  creosote  stain 
before  painting.  Also  outside  doors,  win- 
dow sills,  jambs,  display  frames,  and  other 
such  surfaces  exposed  to  the  direct  rays 
of  the  sun  and  to  rain  and  snow,  should  be 
varnished  with  a  good  grade  of  spar  varnish 
and  left  in  a  glossy  finish. 

For  structural  steel  painting,  red  lead 
should  be  used  for  the  priming  coat.  It 


should  not  be  thinned  with  oil.  It  is  a 
good  idea  when  the  interior  painting  is 
done  in  the  auditorium,  to  check  all  struc- 
tural steel  and  to  paint  it  both  inside  and 
outside  the  theatre. 

The  ceiling  hangers,  braces,  etc.,  as  well 
as  the  roof  beams,  girders,  trusses,  etc., 
should  be  scraped  clean  of  corrosion  and 
then  painted.  This  should  also  apply  to 
all  turnbuckles,  hanger  rods,  chains,  struts, 
beams  and  holding  bolts  of  the  marquee. 

As  a  rule  steel  is  more  perishable  than 
wood,  and  more  expensive ;  it  is  used  where 
its  strength  is  essential  to  the  stability  of 
the  structure  and  consequent  safety  of  pa- 
trons; therefore  its  protection  from  corro- 
sion by  painting  is  of  much  importance. 

The  same  precautions  exercised  in  paint- 


ing wood,  plaster,  etc.,  should  be  taken  in 
painting  steel.  Mud  and  dirt  should  be 
entirely  removed,  then  the  surfaces  should 
be  examined  for  rust ;  loose  scale  should  be 
removed  with  steel  scrapers,  or  if  in  tough 
adhering  chunks,  by  the  use  of  a  cold  chisel 
and  hammer.  The  paint  for  structural 
steel  should  be  tough  and  elastic  as  well 
as  waterproof.  At  least  three  coats  should 
be  applied  and  a  week  or  more  should  elapse 
between  these  successive  coats.  For  a  red 
lead  paint,  mix  about  33  pounds  red  lead 
to  1  gallon  of  linseed  oil. 

Another  common  steel  paint  is  made  of 
finely  ground  graphite  mixed  in  lampblack 
and  linseed  oil ;  if  well  made  it  flows 
smoothly,  is  easily  applied  and  gives  very 
good  results.    Boneblack  can  also  be  used. 


Are  You  Having  Trouble 
About  Priorities? 

If  you're  really  entitled  to  purchase  equipment  or  parts,  and  confused 
as  to  the  correct  procedure  for  securing  preference  ratings,  here's  a  tip: 

Go  to  your  Motiograph  Dealer  with  your  troubles.  He'll  be  glad  to 
help  you  in  every  way  possible.  This  doesn't  necessarily  mean  that  he 
can  assure  you  that  the  equipment  or  parts  will  be  forthcoming,  for  only 
in  exceptional  instances  will  some  items  be  available.  He  will,  however, 
advise  you  as  to  the  best  solution  of  your  problems.  Perhaps  he  can 
so  service  your  present  equipment  that  you  can  continue  to  use  it. 

He  will  do  his  best  for  he  has  accepted  the  patriotic  job  of  helping 
keep  pictures  on  America's  screens,  despite  difficulties  arising  from  pres- 
ent restrictions. 

Specializing  in  service,  he  is  equipped  with  latest  tools  and  machinery 
for  doing  every  job  quickly  and  with  precision  and  efficiency.  By  actual 
personal  experience  he  has  become  expert  in  the  repair  of  all  makes  of 
equipment  and  has  access  to  the  repair  departments  of  all  leading  manu- 
facturers. 

Do  not  hesitate  to  call  him  at  any  hour  of  the  day  or  night. 

MOTIOGRAPH 

ESTABLISHED    18  9  6 


4431  West  Lake  Street 


Chicago,  Illinois 


J 


84 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    I,  1943 


F.  H.  RICHARDSON'S 

COMMENT  on  PROJECTION 


Exhibitors  of  America  have  many  du- 
ties to  perform  these  war  days.  You 
build  unity  and  morale  through  motion 
picture  presentations— and  you  promote 
and  support  the  various  government 
drives  that  are  initiated  to  spur  war 
production  and  civilian  defense. 

RCA  Service,  like  exhibitors,  is  carry- 
ing on  important  war  duties:  RCA  en- 
gineers are  rendering  scheduled  service 
to  projection  room  equipment  in  thou- 
sands of  theatres  to  "Keep  'em  Run- 
ning"—and  other  RCA  Service  groups 
are  installing  military  equipment  and 
instructing  personnel,  in  this  country 
and  at  the  battlefronts. 

The  RCA  Service  organization  is  to- 
day more  than  nation-wide 
...  it  is  world-wide  . . .  serv- 
ing the  home  front  and 
battlefronts  too! 


CTORY 
BUY 


RCA  SERVICE  CO.,  INC. 

RADIO  CORPORATION  OF  AMERICA 

Subsidiary 

Camden,  N.  J. 


DENVER,  COLO. 


F.  H.  R. 


READ  THE  ADS — they're  news 


How  Sharing  Your 
Experiences  Helps  You 

H.  G.  stettmund,  man- 
ager of  H.  &  S.  Theatres'  Dixie  at  Chand- 
ler, Okla.,  writes,  "I  read  your  articles  in 
Better  Theatres  and  secure  consider- 
able benefit  from  them.  I  especially  en- 
joy the  articles  lead- 
ing with  trouble 
and  the  boys'  solu- 
tions for  same." 

Those  last  words, 
which  Ave  have  ital- 
icized, sound  the 
keynote  of  these  col- 
umns and  we  em- 
phasize them  to  re- 
mind you  fellows 
of  the  service  you 
can  give  yourselves 
by  using  this  de- 
partment as  a  clearing  house  of  practical 
ideas.  A  lot  of  troubles  with  equipment 
arise  from  time  to  time,  some  minor,  some 
major,  and  many  very  curious  little  quirks 
in  the  nature  of  certain  pieces  of  appara- 
tus for  which  there  seems  to  be  no  ac- 
counting except  through  personal  investi- 
gation and  tinkering  with  that  particular 
equipment.  Experience  of  that  sort  is  too 
valuable  to  keep  to  yourself  when  it  is  a 
matter,  as  it  usually  is,  that  could  apply 
to  equipment  used  by  other  projectionists. 
And  if  you  are  helped  by  the  solution  to 
a  problem  sent  in  by  one  man,  he  may  be 
helped  by  yours. 

Brother  Stettmund  well  exemplifies  the 
spirit  of  this  help-each-other  process  by 
writing  in  what  he  thinks  may  be  the  cure 
for  a  case  of  sparking  described  in  a  previ- 
ous issue.    He  says: 

"In  a  recent  edition  I  read  about  the 
manager  who  discovered  the  sparking  from 
the  generator.  We  used  to  have  this 
trouble.  In  fact  the  brushes  sparked  al- 
most continuously  and  the  commutator 
would  get  badly  burned  places  in  it  and 
then  we  would  turn  it  down  on  a  lathe. 
This  worked  fine  for  about  three  months, 
but  then  the  sparking  started  in  again  and 
soon  the  commutator  was  again  pitted  and 
the  job  had  to  be  done  all  over  again. 

"We  finally  corrected  this  condition  by 
running  a  No.  4  wire  from  the  generator 
to  each  machine.  Our  sparking  stopped 
and  there  was  not  a  spark  even  when  both 
projectors  were  being  used.  The  com- 
mutator now  has  a  nice  glazed  brown 
color  and  thet  brushes  are  not  wearing 
out.  The  generator  is  functioning  per- 
fectly. 

"I  would  imagine  the  manager  who  was 
having  the  trouble  with  sparking  had  too 
small  a  wire  from  the  generator  to  the 
projectors.  If  he  will  install  not  smaller 
than  a  No.  4  wire,  have  his  commutator 


turned  down,  and  put  in  new  brushes,  his 
troubles  will  be  overcome — that  is,  unless 
one  of  the  coils  is  burned  out,  or  there  is 
a  short  between  commutator  segments. 


Increased  Magnetic  Field 
Called  Arc's  Trouble  Cure 

IN  THE  SAME  spirit 
comes  a  letter  from  L.  A.  Pierre  of  Port- 
land, Ore.,  who  also  seems  to  have  learned 
at  first-hand  the  value  of  the  exchange  of 
experiences  among  projectionists.  He  for- 
wards a  letter  printed  in  the  IATSE 
Bulletin  on  the  use  of  Victory  carbons, 
accompanying  it  with  a  letter  making 
these  very  worthwhile  observations  about 
the  responsibilities  of  projectionists: 

"For  many  years  it  has  been  my  belief 
projection  was  a  subject  which  required 
some  study.  In  this  you  might  take  some 
credit  as  I  have  your  book  from  the  third 
edition  to  the  sixth  and  expect  to  acquire 
your  latest  promptly.  It  has  also  been  my 
thought  that  difficulties  encountered  by  one 
are  apt  to  be  met  by  others  and  that  the 
circulation  of  information  relative  to  cor- 
rection of  such  troubles  would  be  of  gen- 
eral benefit.  Little  aids  in  one  projection 
room  might  be  of  assistance  to  others  using 
similar  equipment. 

"The  importance  of  the  matter  relative 
to  Victory  carbon  use  prompted  the  en- 
closed attempt.  The  article  enclosed  is 
self-explanatory  and  I  am  sending  it  to 
you  in  the  thought  that  through  your  ef- 
forts others  experiencing  similar  difficulties 
may  be  assisted." 

The  article  reads  as  follows : 

"In  exchange  for  the  meager  pittance 
extracted  with  great  effort,  and  over  occa- 
sional protests  from  the  manager,  the 
members  of  our  craft  have  but  one  com- 
modity to  offer:  Good  projection.  While 
some  of  the  union  members  are  content  to 
allow  their  card  to  earn  their  money,  a 
much  larger  portion  are  eager  to  better 
their  product. 

"Manpower  problems  are  solved  by  in- 
dividuals and  there  the  matter  usually 
rests  without  consideration  of  the  many- 
others  who  may  be  experiencing  the  same 
trouble.  While  our  trade  is  past  its  in- 
fancy and  many  of  our  problems  have  been 
solved,  a  large  portion  of  the  little  inci- 
dents are  without  precedence  and  require 
special  attention,  usually  through  trial  and 
error  methods. 

"As  correspondent  for  the  Astoria  Local, 
the  idea  for  a  problem  exchange  column  in 
the  Bulletin  was  frequently  advanced, 
without  success.  Since  moving  here  to 
Portland,  the  need  of  such  an  exchange 
is  even  more  apparent. 

"The  Victory  carbon  situation,  for  in- 
stance, has  caused  many  headaches,"  the 


May     I  ,  1943 


BETTER  THEATRES 


85 


article  goes  on  to  say.  The  projectionists 
at  the  Broadway — C.  F.  Conant,  W.  A. 
Whitten,  W.  A.  Shafelt,  C.  W.  Christ- 
enses  and  W.  H.  Cassidy — in  Portland 
were  experiencing  trouble  until,  by  the 
trial  and  error  method,  they  discovered 
the  addition  of  a  second  magnetic  pole  at 
at  the  other  end  of  the  magnet  was  the 
answer  to  their  problem.  Their  lamps  are 
Brenkert  Enarc.  The  article  continues: 

"Corrective  procedure  consists  merely 
of  removing  the  short  pole,  factory  in- 
stalled, and  adding  a  pole  to  match  the 
long  one  at  the  other  end  of  the  magnet. 
No  great  mechanical  skill  is  required  to 
make  this  alternation,  but  care  should  be 
used  in  bending  and  installing  the  new 
pole  to  be  sure  it  clears  the  negative  car- 
bon carriage  and  reflector. 

"The  staff  at  the  Broadway  will  ar- 
range to  have  the  necessary  exchange  part 
made  and  forwarded  to  any  persons  re- 
questing it,  at  a  nominal  cost.  Others  may 
draw  from  this  solution  to  answer  their 
particular  conditions  with  such  lamps  as 
they  may  have.  Increased  magnetic  field 
appears  to  be  the  answer  to  the  Victory 
carbon  problem. 

"Other  aids  of  importance,  in  any  event, 
but  of  particular  value  in  the  use  of  Vic- 
tory carbons,  include  being  sure  that  all 
electrical  equipment  is  in  order;  that  all 
contacts  are  clean  and  proper  carbon  align- 
ment is  maintained ;  that  proper  carbon 
alignment  consists  of  keeping  true  vertical 
line,  with  negative  carbon  sufficiently 
above  the  horizontal  line  to  allow  flame 
escape  at  top  of  arc  (this  will  result  in  a 
slightly  angular  crater,  with  bottom  of 
crater  nearer  the  reflector  than  the  top). 

"Such  experiences  as  the  one  solved 
by  the  Broadway  crew  are  of  inestimable 
value  to  others  working  under  similar 
conditions,  and  persons  having  such  infor- 
mation are  retarding  the  advance  of  their 
craft  if  they  fail  to  pass  it  on  to  their  fel- 
low workers. 

"Many  simple,  and  oft-times  old  ideas, 
are  of  value  also.  For  instance,  Chet  La- 
mont  of  Local  446,  says  that  if  you  have 
trouble  setting  the  movement  for  thread- 
ing on  blind  shutter  jobs,  mark  a  cross  on 
the  upper  sprocket  to  set  square  with  the 
head  when  the  movement  is  in  threading 
position.  Chet  also  suggests  that  if  reflec- 
tion from  the  rear  shutter  shield  glass 
troubles  you,  a  metal  collar  over  the  light 
tube,  of  sufficient  size  to  shield  the  glass, 
will  help. 

"The  presence  of  a  beer  can  opener  in 
the  projection  room  may  not  imply  that 
the  operator  is  a  drunkard.  He  may  use  it 
to  extract  tight  reels  from  single  cans! 
Try  it  sometime." 

Procedure  for  Assuring 
Steadier  Current  Flow 

WALTER  DUNKELBERGER 

of  Fargo,  N.  D.,  takes  time  out,  though 
where  he  found  it  I  don't  know,  to  give 
us  a  bit  of  news  and  send  in  a  tip  which 
will  be  of  interest  to  many.  He  writes,  in 
part,  as  follows: 


"Whoever  said  this  is  a  dry  State? 
About  a  month  ago  we  had  a  lulu  of  a 
blizzard.  Snow  was  packed  tight  and  was 
waist  deep  in  town,  on  the  level,  and  drifts 
were  frequently  over  bus  and  car  tops.  We 
were  playing  'Gone  With  the  Wind' 
(fifth  showing) — and  believe  me  that's 
how  things  were.  Later  on  the  thaw  came 
and  soon  we  were  very  much  under  water. 

"One  of  our  projectionists,  William 
Smith,  was  hit  by  a  truck  over  a  year  ago 
and  sustained  a  broken  back.  Now,  fifteen 
months  later  the  paralysis  has  not  left  his 
legs,  so  he  has  gone  to  California  to  soak 
up  some  sunshine.  Besides  Bill  we  have 
lost  several  men  to  the  Army.  We  have 
iust  enoueh  men  to  work  our  out-of-town 


houses  (no  allowance  for  relief  in  case  of 
emergency),  and  two  for  the  first-runs, 
and  the  neighborhood  houses  have  a  man 
apiece  and  he  grabs  relief  when  he  can 
get  it.  I've  got  a  work  week  of  60 Yz 
hours — my  relief  works  12  hours  more. 
We  are  all  doubling  up.  I  think  the 
shortest  working  week,  now,  for  any  of 
the  boys  is  47  hours. 

"Clint  Phare,  Cleveland,  Ohio,  had  an 
article  printed  recently  in  which  he  sug- 
gested that  a  jumper  be  run  from  the  arc 
lead-in  wire  to  the  positive  carbon  guide- 
rest  to  insure  a  steadier  flow  of  current. 
As  most  of  the  fellows  have  noticed  the 
thinner  coating  of  these  new  Victory  car- 
bons is  apt  to  cause  frequent  variations  in 


A  GOOD  NAME  TO  REMEMBER 


Theatremen  know  that  it  stands  for  the  utmost  in 
projection  lighting. 

Those  who  bought  Simplex  High  Lamps  know  today 
that  their  confidence  was  not  misplaced.  They're  "sit- 
ting pretty,"  unworried,  although  production  of  new  lamps 
has  been  discontinued  for  the  duration.  It's  a  good  thing 
to  remember. 

THE  BIG  CONSERVATION  DRIVE 

IS  ON! 

America  needs  as  much  copper  for  producing  ammu- 
nition today  as  we  used  for  all  purposes  in  peacetime. 
Wasting  even  a  small  part  is  the  equivalent  of  withhold- 
ing bullets  for  the  guns  of  our  fighting  men.  And  you 
wouldn't  do  that! 

Accordingly,  we  must  save  all  the  copper  drippings 
and  strippings  from  carbons,  for  without  it  production  of 
theatre  supplies  could  not  be  continued. 

It  may  seem  like  a  small  thing,  this  salvage,  but  in 
the  aggregate  it's  an  important  "trifle." 

Remember — copper  today  is  in  many  respects  more 
valuable  than  gold. 

Do  not  hesitate  to  call  us  when  in  need  of  parts  or 
service  on  any  type  of  equipment. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  COMPANY 

THERE'S  A  BRANCH  NEAR  YOU 


86 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    I  1943 


Projection  room  of  the  Grand,  famous  Chicago  stage  theatre,  recently  modernized  for  pictures.  Equip- 
ment, supplied  by  Abbott,  Chicago,  includes  Motiograph  projectors  and  sound  system,  Ashcraft  suprex 
lamps  and  rectifiers,  and  Essanay  changeovers. 


the  burning  rate  of  the  carbons.  Applica- 
tion of  the  current  as  close  to  the  arc 
crater  as  possible  tends  to  smooth  out  any 
irregularities. 

"Clint  tried  the  jumper  on  a  full 
fledged  high-intensity  lamp.  I  tried  it  on 
a  one-kilowatt  job,  Simplex  High.  It  works 
very  satisfactorily.  It  will  probably  work 
in  all  suprex  carbon  burning  lamps.  In- 
stead of  taking  a  jumper  from  the  lead  I 
took  a  jumper  from  the  positive  carbon 
clamp  connection  and  connected  it  to  the 
positive  carbon  guide-rest.  There  are  a 
couple  of  things  that  a  fellow  should  re- 
member when  he  tries  this.   Here  they  are : 

"1.  Use  full  size  flexible  asbestos  cov- 
ered wire  for  the  jumper  ( No.  8  for  one- 
kilowatt  lamps). 

"2.  Use  solderless  lugs  for  connections 
to  bolts.  Under  screw  clamps  lugs  are  not 
needed,  of  course. 

"3.  Be  sure  that  the  guide-rest  connec- 
tion is  insulated  from  the  arc  housing  and 
frame.  A  connection  to  the  bolts  holding 
the  'rest'  to  the  upright  should  be  O.K. 

"4.  Be  sure  to  allow  enough  slack  to 
prevent  binding,  but  do  not  allow  so  much 
that  it  gets  in  the  way.  I  used  about  16 
inches  in  the  Simplex  High. 

"5.  Do  not  disconnect  the  regular  con- 
nection to  the  carbon  clamp.  The  contact 
at  the  rest  is  not  secure  enough  to  do  all 
of  the  arc  feeding. 

"Note:  Running  the  jumper  from  the 
machine's  table  switch  will  work  very  well, 
but  be  sure  that  you  run  the  proper 
side  to  the  'rest.'  I  ran  from  the  carbon 
clamp  connection  because  I  felt  that  it  was 
easier,  also  it  took  less  wire. 

"I  hope  this  will  help  some  of  the  boys 
eliminate  those  'rainbow'  screens  that  have 
been  so  noticeable  in  many  houses  lately." 

One  of  the  many  good  things  about 
"Dunk":  First,  he  tells  what  to  do,  then 
what  not  to  do,  which  is  just  as  important. 


The  Light  on  Your  Screen 

{Continued  from  page  81) 

the  results  you  describe  come  about.  A  posi- 
tive carbon  is  gripped  in  the  jaw  and  tight- 
ened until  the  pressure  reaches  a  point 
greater  than  the  crush  strength  of  the  car 
bon  shell.  A  break  or  crack  then  occurs  in 
this  shell.  Such  a  crack  is  between  the 
copper  coating  and  inner  core  of  the  carbon 
and  cannot  be  seen. 

The  conductivity  or  current  carrying 
capacity  of  the  carbon  is  unchanged  because 
the  copper  coating  is  the  conductor ;  event- 
ually, however,  the  cracked  part  of  the  car- 
bon reaches  the  arc,  the  copper  melts  away 
around  the  carbon,  and  the  cracked  carbon 
shell  becomes  the  conductor.  The  resist- 
ance of  the  arc  circuit  changes  as  indicated 
by  the  ampere  meter  in  showing  a  higher 
current. 

At  the  same  time  the  gaseous  mass  just 
in  front  of  the  crater  (which  forms  the 
white  light  source  focused  by  the  mirror) 
changes  in  characteristic  because  the  broken 
shell  allows  the  gas  to  escape  through  the 

Index     of  ADVERTISERS 


American  Pop  Corn  Co   79 

Artkraft  Sign  Co.,  The    79 

Automatic  Devices  Co.  ...  78 

Bausch  &  Lomb  Optical  Co   76 

Celotex  Corp.,  The   77 

Chicago  Expansion  Bolt  Co..  ........  79 

Dayton  Safety  Ladder  Co   77 

DeVry  Corp   79 

Forest  Mfg.  Corp   78 

Formica  Insulation  Co.,  The   72 

Goldberg  Bros   76 

LaVezzi  Machine  Works   78 


sides.  This  causes  the  crater  to  creep  back 
into  the  shell  and  the  gases  are  confined 
within  the  shell.  The  expended  gases  can 
no  longer  sweep  up  into  the  tail  flame  but 
are  choked  within  the  shell  escaping  from 
the  sides  and  face  of  the  carbon  in  irregular 
manner. 

If  you  look  into  the  observation  window 
on  either  side  of  the  lamp  you  will  see  that 
the  entire  shape  of  the  tail  flame  has 
changed  and  that  the  gases  seem  to  be 
coming  from  a  point  a  quarter  of  an  inch 
or  so  back  of  the  crater.  You  will  also 
see  bright  slits  of  light  in  the  sides  of  the 
carbon  from  which  the  tail  flame  is  pouring. 
This  condition  will  continue  until  the 
length  of  the  cracked  section  has  burned 
away;  then  the  arc  will  again  assume 
normal  operation  and  the  arc  current  will 
also  return  to  normal. 

The  reason  for  the  blue  appearance  on 
the  screen  and  bad  light  distribution  is  that 
the  gaseous  mass  becomes  smaller  in 
diameter,  and  as  it  creeps  back  into  the  shell 
it  moves  away  from  the  face  of  the  re- 
flector, thus  lengthening  the  focus  distance, 
which  always  results  in  a  blue  color. 

To  add  to  this,  there  is  a  far  higher  blue 
content  to  a  suprex  arc  under  these  condi- 
tions and  no  change  in  focus  will  bring 
about  white  light,  as  the  gaseous  mass  is 
itself  no  longer  white  in  color. 

To  make  a  simple  test,  take  a  new  carbon 
which  has  never  been  gripped  in  a  holder 
and  select  a  given  point,  which  may  be 
marked  for  reference.  At  this  marked 
point,  grip  the  positive  carbon  in  the  jaw 
and  tighten  until  you  hear  an  almost  in- 
audible snap.  You  have  crushed  the  shell 
at  this  point  and  created  a  break.  Now 
burn  the  carbon  and  note  exactly  when  this 
marked  point  reaches  the  arc.  You  will 
have  a  duplication  of  the  condition  de- 
scribed above. 

The  reason  your  trouble  began  with  the 
use  of  the  Victory  carbons  probably  lies  in 
the  fact  that  the  lighter  copper  coating  on 
these  carbons  reduces  their  crush  strength 
and  the  same  jaw  pressure  that  was  satis- 
factory with  the  older  carbons  is  now  crush- 
ing your  Victory  carbons  from  time  to  time. 

Be  sure  your  jaws  are  perfectly  clean  and 
smooth  and  that  there  is  no  pitting  on  any 
of  the  faces  which  contact  the  carbon.  If 
you  do  this  and  tighten  the  jaw  only  snugly 
in  the  future,  I  am  sure  your  trouble  will 
be  solved. 

IN     BETTER  THEATRES 


Motiograph    83 

National  Carbon  Co.,  Inc.   71 

National  Theatre  Supply  Co.     .  80-85 

Projection  Optics  Co.,  Inc   81 

Radio  Corp.  of  America,  Photophone 

Division    70 

RCA  Theatres  Service,  Inc   84 

S.  O.  S.  Cinema  Supply  Corp.   77 

Strong  Electric  Corp   81 

Union  Carbide  &  Carbon  Corp   71 

Wagner  Sign  Service,  Inc   79 

Wenzel  Projector  Co.   80 


May    I  ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


In  This  Week: 
SHOWMEN'S  REVIEWS 
SHORT  SUBJECTS  CHART 
SHORT  SUBJECTS 
THE  RELEASE  CHART 


Presenting  Lily  Mars 

(  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) 
Love,  Music,  Dancing,  Comedy 

"Lily  Mars"  is  brilliant  entertainment  with 
lilting  music,  both  sweet  and  hot,  a  charming 
love  interest  and  co-stars  Judy  Garland  and 
Van  Heflin,  supported  by  a  nearly  flawless  cast. 
Smart  direction,  dialogue  and  costuming,  against 
a  background  of  lavish  production,  are  blended 
harmoniously  in  this  box  office  bellringer. 

Judy  grows  better  and  better,  and  this  picture 
registers  a  new  high  in  performance  and  charm. 
It  is  the  story  of  a  stage-struck  girl  from  In- 
diana who  achieves  New  York  only  to  flop  and 
then,  later,  to  reach  real  success. 

Lily  Mars  (Judy  Garland)  contrives  to  pur- 
sue and  pester  Mr.  Heflin,  a  young  and  hand- 
some stage  producer,  who  tries  to  discourage 
her  very  durable  ambition  for  the  footlights. 
A  sequence  of  most  amusing  scenes  takes  both 
of  them  to  New  York,  Heflin  by  train  and  Lily 
by  the  road  rule  of  thumb.  Heflin's  production 
is  in  rehearsal,  but  Lily's  chances  are  slim  un- 
til he  has  mercy  on  her — he's  falling,  of  course 
— and  she  draws  a  three-line  part.  Her  carica- 
tured imitations  of  the  star  (played  by  the  tal- 
ented Marta  Eggerth)  cause  a  temperamental 
outburst,  and  the  star  quits  the  show. 

The  love-smitten  producer  gives  the  big  role 
to  Lily,  whose  inadequacy  is  manifest.  Demoted 
to  the  minor  part  once  more,  she  proves  herself 
a  thoroughbred  trouper,  with  ultimate  success 
in  love  and  show  business  assured. 

In  the  final  sequences  Judy  exhibits  a  danc- 
ing talent  that  is  delightful  in  its  grace,  poise 
and  charm.  Heflin  gives  a  splendid  and  sure 
performance,  and  Miss  Eggerth  is  outstanding 
as  the  star  who  could  sing  the  customers  into 
heavy  waves  of  applause.  Tommy  Dorsey's 
and  Bob  Crosby's  orchestras  are  woven  nicely 
into  the  gay  tapestry. 

Joseph  Pasternack  ably  produced  the  screen- 
play by  Richard  Connell  and  Gladys  Lehman, 
based  on  the  novel  by  Booth  Tarkington.  Pleas- 
ing songs  were  provided  by  Walter  Jurman, 
Paul  Francis  Webster,  E.  Y.  Harburg,  Burton 
Lane  and  Roger  Edens.  The  light  but  sure 
touch  of  director  Norman  Taurog  is  evident. 

Viewed  in  the  exchange  projection  room.  Re- 
viewer's Rating:  Excellent. — A.  J. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  104  min.  Gen- 
eral audience  classification. 

Lily  Mars   Judy  Garland 

John   Thornway   Van  Heflin 

Isobel  Rekay   M'arta  Eggerth 

Mrs.  Thornway   Fay  Bainter 

Richard  Carlson,  Spring  Byington,  Connie  Gilchrist, 
Leonid  Kinskey,  Patricia  Barker,  Janet  Chapman, 
Annabelle  Logan,  Douglas  Croft,  Ray  McDonald. 

Lady  of  Burlesque 

(United  Artists) 
Murder  Backstage 

The  broad  good  humor  of  burlesque  and  the 
effective  staging  of  this  Hunt  Stromberg  pro- 
duction give  a  distinctive  flavor  to  the  tale  of 


Reviews 

This  department  deals  with 
new  product  from  the  point  of 
view  of  the  exhibitor  who  is 
to  purvey  it  to  his  own  public. 


backstage  murder  and  mystery  based  on  Gypsy 
Rose  Lee's  novel  entitled  "G-String  Murders." 
Barbara  Stanwyck  paces  an  engaging  cast  of 
performers  with  brisk  charm,  and  Michael 
O'Shea,  in  his  first  featured  role,  steps  right 
along  with  her.  The  entertainment  offered  va- 
ries from  "bumps"  and  comic  blackouts  to  death 
and  suicide  in  a  darkened  opera  house,  and  au- 
diences should  chuckle  and  shiver  in  turn  for 
91  minutes  of  amusement. 

The  emphasis  is  about  equally  divided  be- 
tween show  business,  before  and  behind  the  cur- 
tain, and  murder — with  two  victims  and  the 
threat  of  a  third.  While  the  latter  gives  the 
film  its  form  and  plot,-  it  is  the  former  which 
should  sell  it  to  the  customers.  The  lusty, 
wrangling  atmosphere  of  the  dressing-rooms, 
the  personal  antagonisms  and  rivalries  and  the 
hard-boiled  comedy  of  old  hands  is  repro- 
duced with  both  affection  and  bite. 

Miss  Stanwyck,  as  star  performer,  takes 
comedy,  horror  and  romance  in  stride,  display- 
ing a  delightful  relish  for  the  proceedings  along 
with  her  usual  dramatic  resourcefulness.  The 
newcomer,  O'Shea,  the  burlesque  comic,  is  one 
of  those  slightly  wistful  buffoons  whose  youth- 
ful appeal  immediately  will  endear  him.  J. 
Edward  Bromberg  fathers  the  show  with  the 
right  amount  of  aplomb,  while  Iris  Adrian, 
Gloria  Dickson,  Victoria  Faust,  Charles  Dingle, 
Marion  Martin  and  Gerald  Mohr  give  note- 
worthy characterizations  among  the  performing 
troupe. 

Direction  by  William  Wellman  is  steady  and 
swift.  James  Gunn's  screenplay  gives  full  play 
to  the  hurly-burly  of  the  show  and  performers, 
rushing  mystery  to  the  fore  for  the  climax. 
Music  and  lyrics  in  the  style  of  burlesque's  hey- 
day were  provided  by  Sammy  Cahn  and  Harry 
Akst. 

Previewed  at  the  N ormandie  theatre  in  New 
York  where  the  audience  chuckled  appreci- 
atively. Reviezver's  Rating  :  Good. — E.  A.  Cun- 
ningham 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  91  min.  PCA 
No.  9118.     Adult  audience  classification. 

Dixie  Daisy  Barbara  Stanwyck 

Biff  Brannigan  Michael  O'Shea 

S.  B.  Foss  J.  Edward  Bromberg 

Gee- Gee   Iris  Adrian 

Dolly  Baxter   Gloria  Dickson 

Victoria  Faust,  Stephanie  Bachelor.  Charles  Dingle, 
Marion  Martin.  Eddie  Gordon.  Frank  Fenton.  Pinky 
Lee.  Frank  Conroy,  Lew  Kelly,  Claire  Carleton, 
Janis  Carter,  Gerald  Mohr. 


Above  Suspicion 

(  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  ) 
Spy  Stuff  in  Germany 

World  events,  with  their  habit  of  moving  so 
rapidly  these  days,  stamp  this  minor  M-G-M  at- 
traction with  a  mark  it  never  succeeds  in  escap- 
ing. 

The  melodramatic  premise  here  is  the  ambi- 
tion of  the  British  Foreign  Office  to  get  the  se- 
cret of  the  magnetic  mine  invented  by  the  Ger- 
mans as  one  means  of  luring  Allied  shipping  to 
its  destruction.  It's  an  ambition  which  contem- 
porary history  has  established  the  British  ful- 
filled quite  some  time  ago,  thereby  kicking  out 
the  main  prop  on  which  the  story  rested.  The 
truth  is,  the  story,  chiefly  of  Germany  in  the 
year  before  the  war,  is  outdated  to  a  degree 
which  makes  it  highly  questionable  if  rank-and- 
file  audiences  will  display  much  interest  in  what 
it  undertakes  to  unfold. 

Additionally,  the  development  is  theatrically 
routine  and  distinguished  by  little  resemblance 
to  plausibility  along  with  its  handicaps  of  pre- 
war Naziland  and  tourists  wandering  at  will  and 
aimlessly,  through  old  towns  and  up  mountain 
sides. 

The  yarn  concerns  itself  with  the  honeymoon 
of  Joan  Crawford  and  Fred  MacMurray  con- 
verted into  a  fumbling  and  hazy  search  for  a 
British  agent  who,  without  explanation,  has  cap- 
tured the  magnetic  mine  formula.  Clues  include 
a  hat  with  a  bright  red  rose,  a  map  with  dots 
that  trace  into  a  musical  clef  and  the  bars  of  a 
Liszt  song,  a  concerto  by  the  same  composer 
and  a  hodgepodge  of  incident  designed  to  un- 
ravel the  narrative  thread  into  a  semblance  of 
reasonable  deduction  and  conclusion.  It  un- 
ravels, thanks  to  plenty  of  dramatic  license  and 
the  script  writers'  detail  conveniently  arranged 
to  avoid  making  suckers  out  of  the  leads  and  the 
British  intelligence  service.  For  atmosphere, 
and  presumably  for  fun,  there  is  an  airiness 
introduced  into  characterizations  and  situations 
which  make  strange  bed  fellows  alongside-  the 
international  importance  attached  to  the  original 
premise  of  the  story.  Therefore,  'Above  Sus- 
picion" won't  be  above  that  as  a  drawing  card, 
in  this  opinion. 

The  leads  are  satisfactory  in  unhappy  circum- 
stances. That  goes  for  the  support,  which  in- 
cludes the  late  Conrad  Veidt  who,  this  time,  is 
not  the  heavy,  which  Basil  Rathbone  is,  Regi- 
nald Owen  and  Bruce  Lester. 

Victor  Saville  produced  with  Leon  Gordon  as 
associate.    Richard  Thorpe  directed. 

Previewed  at  the  Fairfax  theatre,  Hollywood, 
zvhere  the  audience  occasionally  applauded  in 
places  not  intended  by  the  producer.  Reviewer' s 
Ra  ting  :  Fair — Red  Kann 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time.  91  min.  PCA 
No.  9144.     General  audience  classification. 

Frances  Myles  Joan  Crawford 

Richard  M'yles  Fred  MacMurray 

Hassert  Seidel  Conrad  Veidt 

Reginald  Owen,  Richard  Ainley,  Cecil  Cunningham. 
Ann  Shoemaker,  Sara  Haden,  Felix  Bressart,  Bruce 
Lester,  Johanna  Hofer,  Lotta  Palfi. 


Product  Digest  Section  1289 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    I  ,  1943 


Prelude  to  War 

(OWI  -U.  S.  Army) 

Education  for  War 

This  film  was  produced  under  the  direction 
of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Frank  Capra  of  the  Spe- 
cial Services  branch  of  the  Army,  last  year,  as 
the  first  of  a  series  to  instruct  U.  S.  soldiers 
and  sailors  in  the  causes  for  which  they  fight. 
It  is  now  being  released  for  theatrical  exhibi- 
tion. 

With  grimness,  it  presents  for  52  minutes  the 
events  leading  to  the  current  world  conflict. 
Contrasted  are  the  two  worlds,  of  freedom  and 
of  force.  The  world  of  force  is  shown  in  Its 
regalia  of  parades,  manouevers,  and  military 
song.  Our  own  world  of  peace,  and  work,  and 
plenty,  is  contrasted.  Forcibly,  the  argument 
is  presented  that  when  the  showdown  came, 
the  so-called  "have-nots"  had  the  weapons — and 
the  so-called  "haves"  were  almost  defenseless. 

Impressive  are  the  reiterated  scenes  of  mass 
marching  by  the  men  and  youth  of  Germany, 
Japan  and  Italy.  The  audience  is  reminded  that 
the  war  really  began  September  18th,  1931 
when  Japan  attacked  and  occupied  Manchuria, 
renamed  it  Manchukuo,  established  a  puppet 
government,  and  set  a  pattern  for  all  the  con- 
quests to  follow.  Glimpsed  are  scenes  from 
these  others,  in  Ethiopia,  Spain,  Poland,  Nor- 
way and  France.  This  "prelude  to  war"  fol- 
lows and  contrasts  with  an  exposition  of  the 
better  world  the  democracies  have  had. 

Walter  Huston's  narration  is  restrained,  but 
positive,  as  is  the  presentation.  The  music  is 
woven  superbly.  At  times  it  is  fine  caricature, 
as,  for  instance,  the  rendition  of  the  Fascist 
hymn,  "Giovanezza."  The  presidential  march, 
"Hail  to  the  Chief"  accompanies  some  of  the 
domestic  scenes. 

"Prelude  to  War"  is  a  masterful  editing  of 
newsreels,  travel  and  dramatic  pictures.  It 
covers  the  same  ground  as  OWI's  earlier 
"World  at  War,"  but  more  skillfully.  It  ful- 
fills a  mission  of  education. 

Reviewed  at  the  Museum  of  Modem  Art, 
New  York.    Reviewer's  Rating  :  Fair. 

Release  date,  May  27,  1943.  Running  time,  52  min. 
Adult  audience  classification. 

The  following  exchanges  will  distribute  the  film, 
rental  free,  for  the  War  Activities  Committee:  Al- 
bany, Paramount;  Atlanta,  Warner;  Boston,  Colum- 
bia; Buffalo,  20thFox;  Charlotte,  Republic;  Chicago, 
Fox;  Cincinnati,  Paramount;  Cleveland,  Fox;  Dallas, 
RKO;  Denver,  Paramount;  Des  Moines,  Columbia; 
Detroit,  M'GM;  Indianapolis,  United  Artists;  Kansas 
City,  United  Artists;  Los  Angeles,  Columbia;  Mem- 
phis, MGM;  Milwaukee,  Fox;,  Minneapolis,  Univer- 
sal; New  Haven,  Warner;  New  Orleans,  MGM;  New 
York,  RKO;  Oklahoma  City,  Paramount;  Omaha, 
Warner;  Philadelphia,  MGM;  Pittsburgh,  MGM; 
Portland,  Ore.,  Universal;  St.  Louis,  Warner;  Salt 
Lake  City,  Warner;  San  Francisco,  Paramount;  Se- 
attle,  RKO;   Washington,  Fox. 

Follow  the  Band 

(  U  niversal ) 
Melodic  Merriment 

Into  this  hour  of  running  time  are  packed 
nine  musical  numbers,  familiars  of  yesterday 
and  today,  and  to  the  cast  performing  the 
screenplay  is  added  a  guest-cast,  so  to  speak, 
which  runs  the  list  of  exploitable  names  to  a 
total  surpassing  that  made  available  in  behalf 
of  many  a  musical  costing  a  lot  more.  The  re- 
sult is  a  light  and  useful  little  picture  with 
which  to  counter-point  a  weightier  offering  on 
a  double  bill. 

In  addition  to  the  cast  listed  below,  which 
plays  out  the  Warren  Wilson-Dorothy  Bennett 
screenplay  about  a  farm  boy  addicted  to  the 
trombone  who  comes  to  the  city  and  becomes 
a  hot-band  sensation,  the  film  presents — as 
themselves,  contributing  entertainment  in  a  night 
club  they  happen  to  attend— Frances  Langford, 
Leo  Carrillo,  Alvino  Rey,  Hilo  Hattie,  Ray 
Eberle,  the  King  Sisters,  the  Bombardiers  and 
the  King's  Men. 

The  musical  material  purveyed  vocally  and 
instrumentally  is  from  a  variety  of  sources  and 
includes  such  cherished  oldies  as  "Melancholy 
Baby"  and  "What  Do  You  Want  to  Make 


Those  Eyes  at  Me  For"  plus  such  current  num- 
bers as  "Rosie  the  Riveter,"  "My  Devotion" 
and  the  Army  Air  Corps  song.  Virtually  every- 
body in  the  cast  participates  in  the  purveying. 

Production  by  Paul  Malvern  and  direction 
by  Jean  Yarbrough  take  the  subject  matter  in 
stride  and  yield  a  maximum  of  amusement  in  a 
minimum  of  footage. 

Previewed  at  the  Fairfax  theatre,  Hollywood, 
where  a  midweek  audience  appeared  to  enjoy  the 
proceedings.  Reviewer' s  Rating  :  Good. — Wil- 
liam R.  Weaver 

Release  date,  May  14,  1943.  Running  time,  61  min. 
PCA  No.  9136.     General  audience  classification. 

Marvin  Howe  Eddie  Quillan 

Dolly  O'Brien  Mary  Beth  Hughes 

Leon  Errol,  Anne  Rooney,  Samuel  S.  Hinds,  Bob 
Nitchum,  Russell  Hicks,  Bannie  Bartless,  Frank 
Voghlan,  Jr.,  Jean  Ames,  Skinnay  Ennis  and  the 
Groove  Boys. 

Let's  Have  Fun 

(  Columbia) 

Show  Business  Comedy 

You've  seen  this  story  in  its  various  disguises 
before.  Columbia  itself,  in  fact,  evidently  hav- 
ing found  it  box  office  worthy,  has  used  it  as  a 
framework  for  vehicles  for  several  of  its  con- 
tract players  over  a  period  of  years.  Except 
for  the  names  of  Bert  Gordon,  John  Beal  and 
Margaret  Lindsay,  there  is  little  to  advertise. 
Customers  should  get  from  the  production  a  few 
laughs  here  and  there,  but  the  story  outcome 
won't  give  them  any  palpitations  waiting  for 
the  denouement  and  very  little  excitement  en 
route. 

Bert  Gordon,  known  to  his  radio  fans  as 
"The  Mad  Russian,"  appears  as  a  dancing  mas- 
ter in  this,  his  second  Columbia  appearance.  He 
also  has  written  a  play  called  "The  Road  to 
Siberia."  John  Beal  does  a  struggling  actor 
given  a  chance  in  a  show  by  the  pretty  agent, 
played  by  Margaret  Lindsay.  The  leading  lady 
of  the  show,  which  is  angeled  by  her  boy  friend, 
takes  a  look — and  then  another — at  her  new 
romantic  lead.  Naturally,  Gordon  is  called  in  to 
break  up  the  romance  by  the  agent  and  that's 
most  of  the  plot,  except  that,  of  course,  the 
show  turns  out  to  be  a  terrific  hit. 

The  Jack  Fier  production  has  little  freshness 
and  direction  by  Charles  Barton  doesn't  give  the 
film  much  sparkle.  Beal  and  Miss  Lindsay  are 
competent  players  even  in  this  desert  of  mate- 
rial and  Gordon's  routines  get  laughs  now  and 
again. 

Seen  at  the  Orpheum  theatre,  Los  Angeles, 
where  an  audience  waiting  for  the  vaudeville  bill 
took  the  picture  good-naturedly  but  without 
audible  enthusiasm.    Reviewer's  Rating :  Fair. 

Release  date,  March  4,  1943.  Running  time,  63  min. 
PCA  No.  8636.     General  audience  classification. 

Boris   Bert  Gordon 

Florence  Blake  Margaret  Lindsay 

Richard  Gilbert  John  Beal 

Constance  Worth.  Dorothy  Ann  Seese,  Leonid  Kin- 
skey,  Sig  Artio,  Edward  Keane,  Ernie  Hilliard,  John 
Tyrrell. 

Russians  at  War 

(Art  kino) 
Russians  At  War 

This  is  a  compilation  of  Russian  newsreels 
and  documentaries  examining  every  aspect  of 
Russia's  war  effort.  It  is  exhaustive,  and  be- 
cause of  its  grimness,  seems  long.  Because  it  is 
not  a  unified  effort,  it  is  spotty  in  technic ;  and 
many  of  the  scenes,  combining  depiction  of  win- 
ter war  and  bad  film  stock,  are  hard  on  the 
eyes.  It  should  please  followers  of  Russian 
cinema,  in  the  "art"  houses,  but  will  be  limited 
in  general  circulation. 

An  asset  is  the  commentary,  by  Arnold  Reid, 
which  weaves  a  pattern,  and  is  at  times  inspira- 
tional. Helen  Van  Dongen,  long  in  the  docu- 
mentary field  here,  has  assembled  the  newsreel 
clips  competently. 

The  Russians  are  shown  in  factory,  field,  hos- 
pital, staff  headquarters  and  trenches,  in  war- 
planes  and  tanks,  drilling,  eating,  playing,  suffer- 
ing, and  celebrating  their  victories — in  short,  in 


virtually  every  important  phase  of  their  struggle. 

The  film  was  produced  by  Helen  Van  Dongen 
from  footage  exposed  by  official  Soviet  camera- 
men of  the  Central  Newsreel  Studios  of  the 
U.S.S.R.,  and  released  in  this  country  by  Art- 
kino. 

Seen  at  the  Stanley  Theatre,  New  York  So- 
viet film  "show  window"  at  a  Saturday  mati- 
nee, with  an  audience  of  quiet  enthusiasm.  Re- 
viewer's Rating :  Good.- — Floyd  Elbert  Stone. 

Release  date,  April  23,  1943.  Running  time,  61  min. 
Adult  audience  classification. 

Wild  Horse  Stampede 

(  Monogram  ) 
Start  of  New  Series 

"Wild  Horse  Stampede"  is  the  picture  that 
starts  a  new  Monogram  series  starring  Ken 
Maynard  and  Hoot  Gibson  and  designed  to  re- 
place the  series  starring  the  late  Buck  Jones 
and  Tim  McCoy.  At  the  start,  it  is  a  slight 
effort  and,  were  it  not  for  the  recognized  box 
office  names  of  Maynard  and  Gibson,  the  entire 
project  might  be  written  off  here  at  the  onset. 
But  Maynard  and  Gibson  still  are  good,  still 
are  the  attractive  performers  their  fans  will  re- 
member from  earlier  days  and,  as  such,  there  is 
probably  room  for  another  try  in  the  series  that 
Monogram  is  labeling  "The  Trail  Blazers." 

"Wild  Horse  Stampede"  is  badly  produced 
and  directed.  Nor  is  any  boost  given  it  in  the 
way  of  acting  or  writing.  Briefly :  The  time  is 
the  early  Western  days  when  railroad  tracks 
were  being  laid  and  Indians  and  renegade  whites 
were  impeding  the  progress  of  such  work.  The 
railroad  men  needed  horses  on  which  their  ranks 
could  give  chase  to  outlawry.  A  deal  was 
made  with  a  girl  rancher,  but  her  horses  later 
are  stolen  by  her  foreman  and  his  crew  before 
their  delivery  to  the  railroad.  Maynard  and 
Gibson  enter  the  scene,  give  aid  and  comfort  to 
a  young,  book-learned  Marshal,  and  by  various 
devices  and  tricks  bring  to  justice  a  gang  of 
some  20  corrupt  men. 

As  it  stands,  the  Maynard-Gibson  names  alone 
will  have  to  carry  it.  Betty  Miles,  Ian  Keith, 
Don  Stewart,  Bob  Baker  and  Si  jenks  are  in 
the  supporting  cast  of  the  Robert  Tansey  pro- 
duction, which  Alan  James  directed. 

Screened  at  the  Monogram  Studio  for  a  trade 
audience  on  which  the  picture  seemed  to  make 
little  impression.  Reviewer's  Rating:  Mediocre. 

Release  date,  April  16,  1943.  Running  time,  59 
min.     PCA  No.  9243.     General  audience  classification. 

Ken  Maynard  Ken  Maynard 

Hoot  Gibson  Hoot  Gibson 

Betty  Wallace  Betty  Miles 

Ian  Keith,  Bob  Baker,  Don  Stewart,  Si  Jenks,  Ken- 
neth Harlan,  John  Bridges,  Glen  Strange,  Tom  Lon- 
don, Reed  Howes. 

Captive  Wild  Woman 

(Universal) 
Spine  Tingler 

Producer  Ben  Pivar  lifts  the  level  of  chiller- 
thrillers  with  this  entry  by  stitching  into  the 
fabric  the  fantasy  which  gives  the  film  its  title, 
and  a  flow  of  legitimate  excitement  generated 
by  circus  sequences  depicting  jungle  animal 
taming  supervised  by  Clyde  Beatty.  These  im- 
part to  an  imaginative  background  story  a 
measure  of  realism  seldom  achieved  in  horror 
pictures. 

Carradine  plays  a  doctor  specializing  in  en- 
docrinology, who  transforms  an  ape  into  a 
woman,  giving  her  human  form  which  deceives 
human  associates  but  doesn't  fool  the  lions  and 
tigers  which  she  continues  to  dominate  until 
seized  by  jealousy  when  the  trainer  she  loves 
embraces  his  fiancee.  She  then  reverts  to  ape 
form  and,  after  the  doctor  and  some  others 
have  met  death,  rescues  the  trainer  from  jungle 
beasts ;  but  is  killed  in  doing  so. 

Direction  by  Edward  Dmytryk  keeps  the  ac- 
tion swift  and  the"  Henry  Sucher-Griffin  Jay 
script  makes  the  story  seem  plausible. 

Previeived  at  the  studio.  Reviewer's  Rating  : 
Good. 

Release  date,  June  11,  1943.     Running  time,  61  min. 
PCA  No.  9126.     General  audience  classification. 
John   Carradine,   Evelyn   Ankers,   Acquanetta,  Lloyd 
Corrigan,  Milburn  Stone,  Vince  Barnett,  Grant  Withers. 


1 290  Product  Digest  Section 


May    I,    19  4  3  MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

SHORT  SUBJECTS 

reviews  and  synopses 


DAREDEVILS  OF  THE  WEST  (Rep.) 

Serial  (283) 

Allan  Lane  and  Kay  Aldridge,  billed  as  the 
"king  and  queen  of  serials,"  are  featured  in  the 
latest  Republic  chapter  play  of  derring-do  in 
the  Old  West.  The  plot  concerns  rivalry  over 
a  stage  franchise,  and  the  perils  include  hostile 
Indians  in  addition  to  the  outlaws  in  the  pay 
of  the  ruthless  competitor. 

Kay  Aldridge  is  the  daughter  of  the  Foster 
Stage  Line,  left  in  her  hands  after  her  father 
is  killed  in  an  Indian  attack.  Allan  Lane  is  a 
cavalry  captain  on  leave  from  the  Army  to 
help  put  the  new  road  through.  They  are 
opposed  by  a  wealthy  promoter  who  hopes  to 
buy  up  the  land  and  control  the  line.  For  this 
he  resorts  to  stampeding  and  poisoning  the 
horses,  arousing  the  Indian  tribes  and  imperson- 
ating federal  officers.  A  last  desperate  attempt 
is  made  to  attack  the  stage  during  the  trial 
run  which  will  gain  the  franchise,  but  it  is 
stopped  by  the  appearance  of  the  cavalry  for 
a  pitched  battle. 

Eddie  Acuff,  William  Haade,  Robert  Frazer, 
Ted  Adams,  George  Lewis,  Kenneth  Harlan, 
Rex  Lease  and  Chief  Thundercloud  are  among 
the  supporting  players. 

W.  J.  O'Sullivan  was  in  charge  of  production 
and  John  English  directed.  The  original  screen- 
play was  the  product  of  collaboration  by  Ronald 
Davidson,  Basil  Dickey,  William  Lively,  Joseph 
O'Donnell  and  Joseph  Poland.  Running  time 
of  the  first  chapter  is  24  minutes ;  succeeding 
chapters  run  16  minutes. 

Release  date,  April  17,  1943         12  episodes 

ROMANTIC  NEVADA  (MGM) 

Travel  talk  (T-418) 

Nevada  has,  by  way  of  Reno,  acquired  a  new 
reputation  for  itself  rather  recently.  Stories 
of  quick  divorces  and  crowded  gambling  tables 
have  almost  obscured  the  romance  of  the  state, 
the  beauty  of  its  mountains  and  the  heritage  of 
the  old  west  of  gun-toting  and  cattle-rustling. 
James  FitzPatrick  devotes  himself  to  the  latter 
side  in  this  travel  reel. 

Release  date,  April  24,  1943         9  minutes 

UNUSUAL  OCCUPATIONS,  NO.  4  (Para.) 

(L2-4) 

The  preparations  at  Sarasota,  Fla.,  for  an- 
other season  of  the  "Greatest  Show  on  Earth" 
highlight  this  variety  feature.  Performers  are 
busy  practicing  their  acts  and  all  hands  are  ap- 
plying bright  paint  and  glitter.  Other  side- 
lights are  of  a  man  in  Ottawa  who  marks  the 
day's  meridian  with  a  blast  from  an  old  cannon ; 
Indians  who  peddle  home  made  brushes  in  Rio 
de  Janeiro  and  George  R.  Vincent,  who  pre- 
serves the  voices  of  the  great  by  restoring  old 
records. 

Release  date,  April  30,  1943       11  minutes 

WHO'S  SUPERSTITIOUS?  (MGM) 

Passing  Parade  (K-482) 

John  Nesbitt  goes  into  the  matter  of  familiar 
superstitions,  paying  particular  attention  to  the 
fascinating  sea  stories  wnich  have  given  sailors 
a  reputation  for  gullibility.  One  of  these,  the 
story  of  the  Flying  Dutchman,  made  an  inno- 
cent contribution  to  the  cause  of  science,  when 
Mathew  Maury  charted  the  ocean  currents  in 
his  attempt  to  disprove  the  old  legend. 

Release  date,  May  1,  1943        10  minutes 


Reviews  and  synopses  of  short 
subjects  printed  in  Product  Digest 
are  indexed  in  the  Short  Subjects 
Chart,  Product  Digest  Section, 
pages  1292-1293. 


THE  UNBEARABLE  BEAR  (WB) 

Merrie  Melodies  (8713) 

Fox  Burglar  has  picked  his  next  victim  with 
care,  and  enters  the  Bear  house  with  the  pros- 
pect of  a  quiet,  profitable  evening.  But  he  has 
reckoned  without  Sniffles,  the  Mouse,  who  mis- 
takes him  for  Robin  Hood;  or  Father  Bear's 
late  and  stealthy  home-coming,  or  Mother 
Bear's  sleep-walking.  In  the  end  he  is  well 
pleased  to  make  his  exit,  although  not  quite  so 
much  as  the  Bear  family  is  to  have  him  go. 

Release  date,  April  17,  1943         7  minutes 

WILD  HORSES  (MGM) 

Pete  Smith  (S-464) 

In  the  mad  days  of  the  gold  rush,  when 
miners  abandoned  their  horses  for  the  pick  and 
shovel,  the  animals  ran  wild  through  the  West. 
Pete  Smith  describes  the  effect  of  the  wide  open 
spaces  on  a  typical  equine  family,  with  Papa 
taking  to  drink,  Mama  to  romance,  and  Baby 
just  taking  everything. 

Release  date,  April  17,  1943         8  minutes 


CALLING  ALL  KIDS  (MGM) 

Our  Gang  (C-494) 

Our  Gang  puts  on  a  Victory  Show  for  the 
men  in  the  armed  forces.  There  are  burlesques 
of  Army  life,  a  bit  of  old-fashioned  minstrel 
show,  imitations  of  Judy  Garland,  Eleanor  Pow- 
ell, Carmen  Miranda  and  Jack  Benny's 
"Rochester,"  all  performed  by  talented  young- 
sters. The  finale  is  a  tribute  to  the  fighting 
men. 

Release  date,  April  24,  1943         9  minutes 


THE  WISE-QUACKING  DUCK  (WB) 

Looney  Tune  (8607) 

Daffy  Duck  almost  meets  his  master,  and  in 
the  highly  improbable  person  of  Mr.  Meek. 
Meek  has  been  instructed  to  prepare  the  Duck 
for  dinner — the  Meek's  dinner — but  has  no  joy 
in  the  job.  Daffy,  however,  has  a  fine  time 
leading  the  chase,  until  the  Meek's  temper 
rises.  Then  the  duck  has  a  time  escaping  with 
his  life. 

Release  date,  May  1,  1943  7  minutes 


EAGLES  OF  THE  NAVY  (WB) 

Technicolor  Special  (8004) 

The  training  of  men  for  the  Fleet  Air  Arm 
is  depicted  here  through  the  experiences  of  a 
young  cadet.  The  subject  starts  with  his  early 
schooling  and  follows  the  young  man  into  action 
against  the  Japanese.  The  flier's  personal  stake 
is  strengthened  by  the  loss  of  a  friend  on  a  tank- 
er through  submarine  action.  The  release  was 
filmed  with  the  cooperation  of  the  Naval  Bureau 
of  Aeronautics. 

Release  date,  April  24,  1943       18  minutes 


HEAVENLY  MUSIC  (MGM) 

Special  (A-402) 

The  latest  MGM  Special  is  a  musical  sub- 
ject concerning  the  heavenly  adventures  of  a 
boogie-woogie  player.  His  application  for  mem- 
bership in  the  Musicians  Local  is  heard  by  a 
committee  composed  of  Wagner,  Tchaikowsky, 
Brahms  and  Beethoven.  There  are  suggestions 
of  plagiarism  from  all  sides,  but  a  final  demon- 
stration proves  that  swing,  too,  is  music  of  a 
contagious  sort.  Eric  Blore,  Fred  Brady  and 
Mary  Elliott  are  featured,  with  music  by  Sam 
Coslow,  Nathaniel  Shilkret  and  Max  Terr. 

Release  date,  May  1,  1943        22  minutes 

DANCING  ON  THE  STARS  (Univ.) 

Musical  (7129) 

The  band  featured  is  that  of  Al  Donahue. 
The  assisting  vocalists  are  Dick  Todd  and  Lil- 
lian Cornell.  The  songs  include  the  popular 
"Brazil,"  another  Latin  American  tune  "Si- 
boney,"  as  well  as  "Street  of  Dreams,"  "Love 
Is  All"  and  "Sorta  of  a  Kinda." 

Release  date,  May  26,  1943         15  minutes 


THE  BOY  AND  THE  WOLF  (MGM) 

Cartoon  (W-445) 

This  is  an  animated  version  of  the  story  of 
the  boy  who  cried  "Wolf"  too  often.  The  ob- 
ject, in  this  case,  was  to  fool  the  dog,  who  tired 
of  the  play  after  a  time.  Then,  of  course,  the 
wolf  came.  But  the  dog  was  not  entirely  off 
guard,  and  proved  to  be  master  of  the  situation 
at  the  end. 

Release  date,  April  24,  1943         9  minutes 


MR.  CHIMP  GOES  TO  TOWN  (Univ.) 

Variety  View  (73  59) 

Mr.  Chimp  tires  of  the  backward  life  in  the 
jungle  and  makes  his  escape  to  civilization.  His 
passage  across  the  ocean  is  as  a  stowaway  and 
his  destination  is  Brooklyn.  Here  he  is  taken 
in  by  a  young  lady  who  endeavors  to  teach  him 
the  ways  of  the  urban  world. 

Release  date,  April  12,  1943         9  minutes 

THE  500  HATS  OF 
BARTHOLOMEW  CUBBINS  (Para.) 

Madcap  Models  (172-4) 

George  Pal  adopts  for  his  latest  Puppetoon 
the  popular  children's  story  by  Dr.  Seuss.  It 
concerns  a  mighty  king  who  rode  through  the 
town  with  solemnity  and  a  boy  who  couldn't 
manage  to  take  off  his  hat.  Another  one  ap- 
peared in  its  place  each  time.  The  king  was 
angered  at  first  but  became  envious  of  the  magic 
hat  and  finally  exchanged  his  crown  for  it. 

Release  date,  April  30,  1943         9  minutes 

WHAT  WE  ARE  FIGHTING  FOR  (Univ.) 

Victory  Featurette  (0997) 

_  The  stark  contrasts  between  two  ways  of 
life— the  Nazi  reign  of  terror  and  freedoms  of 
the  Allied  Nations — are  the  subject  of  this 
patriotic  short.  Lon  Chaney,  Osa  Massen,  Rob- 
ert Paige,  and  Samuel  Hinds  are  among  the 
featured  players  taking  part. 

Release  date,  May  24,  1943        10  minutes 


Product  Digest  Section  1291 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    I  ,  1943 


SHORT 

index  to 


SUBJECTS  CHART 

reviews,  synopses 


COLUMBIA 

"rod.  Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title  Date  Page 

ALL  STAR  COMEDIES 
(Average  17  Min.) 

4421  Phony  Cronies   8-27-42  890 

(Brendel) 

4422  Carry  Harry   9-3-42  B28 

(Langdon) 

4401  Even  At  IOU  9-18-42  950 

(Stooge*) 

4423  Klsa  and  Wake  Up  10-2-42  974 

(Downs) 

4409  College  Belles   10-16-42  998 

(Glovesllngor) 

4424  Sappy  Pappy   10-30-42  1010 

(Clyde) 

4402  Sock-a-bye  Baby   11-13-42  1048 

(Stooges) 

4425  Ham  and  Yeggs  11-27-42  1046 

(Brendel) 

4426  Piano  Mooner   12-11-42  1094 

(Langdon) 

4410  The   Great  Glover  12-25-42  1171 

(Gloved  Inger) 

4403  They  Stooge  to  Conga  1-1-43  1094 

(Stooges) 

4427  His  Wedding  Scare  1-15-43  1138 

(Brendel) 

4428  A  Blitz  on  the  Fritz. ...  1-22-43  1171 

(Langdon) 

4404  Dizzy  Detectives   2-5-43  1251 

(Stooges) 

4429  Wolf  In  Thief's  Clothing.  .2-12-43  1171 

(Clyde) 

4411  Socks  Appeal   2-19-43  1251 

(Glovesllngers) 

4430  Two  Saplings   3-5-43  1281 

(Glvot  and  Nazzarro) 

4431  A  Maid  Made  Mad  3-19-43  1281 

(Clyde) 

4405  Spook  Louder   4-2-43  1251 

(Stooges) 

4432  Blonde  and  Groom  4-16-43  1281 

4433  I  Spied  for  You  4-30-43  1281 

(Brendel) 

4412  His  Girl's  Worst  Friend.  .5-14-43 

(Gloveslinger) 

4406  Back  from  the  Front  5-28-43 

(Stooges) 

4434  Farmer  for  a  Day  6-11-43 

(Clyde) 

4435  Boobs  in  the  Night  6-25-43 

(Brendel) 

4407  Three  Little  Twirps  7-9-43 

(Stooges) 

COLOR  RHAPSODIES 
(7  Minute*) 

4501  Song  of  Victory  0-4-42  926 

4502  Tito'*   Guitar   10-30-42  1010 

4503  Toll  Bridge  Trouble*. ...  1 1-27-42  1046 

4504  King    Mlda*  Junior  12-2542  1148 

4505  Slay  It  with  Flower*  1-29-43  1138 

4506  There'*  Something  About  a 

Soldier   2-26-43  1251 

4507  Professor  Small  and 

Mr.  Tall   3-26-43  1263 

4508  Plenty  Below  Zero  5-14-43 

4509  He  Can't  Make  It  Stick.  .6-1 1-43 

PHANTASIES  CARTOONS 
(Average  0  Mln.) 

4701  The  Gullible  Canary  0-18-42  930 

4702  The  Dumb  Conseloua  Mind. 1 0-23-42  1010 

4703  Malice  In  Slumberland. ..  1 1-20-42  1048 

4704  Cholly  Polly   12-31-42  1171 

4705  The  Vitamin  G  Man  2-5-43  1251 

4706  Kindly   Scram  3-5-43  1227 

4707  Willoughy's  Magic  Hat  4-30-43  1263 

4708  Duty  and  the  Beast  5-28-43 

COMMUNITY  8ING  (8erle*  7) 
(9  Minutes) 

4651  No.  I — Rhumbs  and  Conga 

Hit*   8-15-42  859 

4652  No.  2— "Yankee  Doodler".9-l7-42  050 

4653  No.  3— College  Song*. ...  10-15-42  1010 

4654  No.  4— Service  Songs. ...  1 1-12-42  1007 

4655  No  5— 

Songs  of  the  States. .  . .12-11-42  1094 


For  information  on  short  subjects  turn  to  the  Product 
Digest  Section  pages  indicated  by  the  numbers  which 
follow  the  titles  and  release  dates  in  the  listing.  Product 
Digest  pages  are  numbered  consecutively  and  are  sepa- 
rate from  Motion  Picture  Herald  page  numbers.  All 
releases  are  1942-43  product  unless  otherwise  noted. 


Prod.  Rel.  P.D. 

No.        Title  Date  Page 

4656  No.  6— MaeDonald's  Son...  1-1-43  1148 

4657  No.  7— Crosby  Songs  2-18-43  1171 

4658  No.  8— McNamara's  Band.  .3-26-43  1251 

4659  No  9—  Rosie  the  Riveter.  .5-14-43  1281 

QUIZ  REELS 
(Average  10  Mln.) 
4601    Kitchen  Quiz  No.  1  8-21-42  899 

PANORAMICS 
(10  Minute*) 

4901  Cajuna  of  the  Teche  8-13-42  836 

(Quaint  Folks  No.  I) 

4902  Oddities  (La  Varre)  10-8-42  808 

4903  Our  Second  Front  12-18-42  1078 

4904  Merchant  Seamen   5-28-43 

TOURS 
(10  Minutes) 

4551  Journey  to  Denall  (La  Varre) 

8-5-42  877 

4552  Old  and  Modem  New 

Orleans   10-2-42  974 

SCREEN  SNAPSHOTS  (Series  22) 
(10  Minute*) 

4851  No.  I   8-7-42  850 

4852  No.  2   9-11-42  926 

4853  No.  3   10-23-42  898 

4854  No.  4   11-28-42  1046 

4855  No.  »   12-25-42  1094 

4856  No.  6   '.I -29-43  1138 

4857  No  7   2-26-43  1281 

4858  No.  8   3-31-43  1251 

4859  No  9   5-21-43 

WORLD   OF  SPORTS 
(10  Minutes) 

4801  Trotting   Kings   0-25-42  974 

4802  Wizard  of  the  Fairway.. . 1 1-6-42  1010 

4803  Winter  Paradise   12-8-42  1094 

4804  Ladles'  Day  In  Sports. ...  1-22-43  1171 

4805  Diving  Daredevils  2-26-43  1251 

4806  Ski  Soldiers   3-26-43  1251 

4807  Water  Sports   5-28-43 

KATE  8MITH 
(10  Minute*) 
4751    America  Sings  with 

Kato  Smith   8-21-42  80S 

FAMOUS  BANDS 
(10  Minute*) 

4951  Ted  Powell  (1280  Club) .  .8-27-42  809 

4952  Hal  Melntyr*   10-23-42  198 

»953    Shep  Fields   12-23-42  1094 

AMERICA  SPEAKS 
4961    Wings  for  the  Fledgling. 12-31-42  1094 
4963    Mr.  Smug   1-28-43  1171 


M-G-M 


TWO   REEL  SPECIALS 
(Average  20  Minutes) 

1941-  42 

A-306    Plan  for  Destruction  4-29-43  1263 

1942-  43 

A-401    Keep  'Em  Sailing  11-28-42  1022 

A-402    Heavenly  Music   5-1-43  1291 

FITZPATRICK  TRAVELTALKS  (Color) 
(9  Minutes) 
T-4II  Picturesque 

Massachusetts   10-3-42  098 

T-412    Modern  Mexico  City  11-8-42  1010 

T-413    Glimpses  of  Ontario  12-5-42  1118 

T-414    Land  of  Orizaba  1-2-43  1148 

T-415    Mighty  Niagara  1-30-43  1227 

T-416    Mexican  Police  on  Parade.2-27-43  1227 


Prod. 
No. 


Title 


Rel.  P.D. 
Date  Page 


T-417  On  the  Road  to  Monterey. 3-27-43  1281 
T-418    Romantic  Nevada  4-24-43  1291 

PETE  SMITH  SPECIALTIES 
(10  Minutes) 

S-461    First  Aid   1-2-43  1 1 18 

S-462    Marines  In  the  Making.  12-26-42  1118 

S-463    Hollywood  Daredevils  ...3-20-43  1263 

S-464    Wild   Horses   4-17-43  1291 

S-465    Fala   4-10-43  1275 

PASSING  PARADE 
(10  Minutes) 
K-481    Madero  of  Mexico  11-28-42  1022 

K-482    Who's  Superstitious   5-1-43  1291 

MINIATURES 
(10  Minutes) 

M-431    The  Last   Lesson  12-19-42  1118 

M-432    People  of  Russia  12-26-42  1118 

M-433    Brief  Interval   11-28-42  1022 

M-434    Portrait  of  a  Genius. ...  1-23-43  1227 

M-435    Inca  Gold   4-24-43 

M-436    Wood  Goes  to  War  5-8-43  .. 

OUR  GANG  COMEDIES 
(Average  II  Mln.) 
C-491    Unexpected   Rlehes  ....11-28-42  I0«7 
C-492    Benjamin  Franklin.  Jr. ..2-30-43  1263 

C-493    Family  Troubles   4-3-43dl263 

C-494    Calling  All  Kids  4-24-43  1291 

TECHNICOLOR  CARTOONS 
(8  Minutes) 
W-441    Barney  Bear's  Victory 

Garden   12-28-42  1118 

W-442   Sufferln'  Cats   1-16-43  1227 

W-443    Bah  Wilderness   2-13-43  1227 

W-444    Dumb  Hounded   3-20-43  1251 

W-445   The  Boy  and  the  Wolf.  .4-24-43  1291 


PARAMOUNT 

UNUSUAL  OCCUPATIONS  (Color) 
(Average  10  Minutes) 

L2-I    No.   I   10-0-42  974 

L2-2    No.  2   12-4-42  1070 

L2-3    No.  3   2-12-43  1206 

L2-4    No.  4   4-30-43  1291 

SUPERMAN  COLOR  CARTOONS 
(Average  8  Minutes) 
W2-I    Superman  In  Destruction,  Inc. 

12-25-42  1118 
W2-2    Superman  In  the  Mummy 

Strikes   2-19-43  1206 

W2-3   Superman  In  Jungle 

Drums   3-26-43  1281 

W2-4   Superman  in  the 

Underground  World   5-21-43 

HEAD  LINERS 
(Average  10  Minutes) 
A2-I    The  McFarland  Twin*  & 

Orchestra   10-2-42  998 

A2-2   Johnny  "Scat"  Davis 

&  Orchestra   11-6-42  1010 

A2-3    Hands  of  Women  12-11-42  1070 

A2-4  Mitchell  Ayres  &  Orch. . .  I- 15-43  1138 
A2-5  Ina  Ray  Hutton  &  Orch.  .3- 12-43  1251 
A2-6    Moments  of  Charm  4-16-43  1281 

(Re-issue) 

A2-7    Letter  from  Ireland  5-14-43 

MADCAP  MODELS  (Color) 
(Average  8  Minutes) 
U2-I    Jasper  and  the  Haunted 

House   10-23-42  1010 

U2-2    Jasper  and  the  Choo-Choo.  1-1-43  1138 


Prod.  Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title  Date  Page 

U2-3    Brave  Mr.  Strauss  2-26-43  1251 

U2-4   The  500  Hats  of 

Bartholomew   Cubbins. .  .4-30-43  1291 
U2-5   Jasper's  Music  Lesson  6-18-43 

POPEYE  THE  SAILOR 

(Average  6  Minutes) 

E2-I  A  Hull  of  •  Mess  10-16-42  074 

E2-2  Scrap  the  Japs  11-20-42  1007 

E2-3  Me  Musical  Nephew*. ...  12-25-42  1070 

E2-4  Spinach  for  Britain  1-22-43  1148 

E2-5  Seeln'  Red,  White 

•n  Blue   .2-19-43  1206 

E2-6  Too  Weak  to  Work  3-19-43  1281 

E2-7  A  Jolly  Good  Furlough. .  .4-23-43  .. 

E2-8  Ration  for  the  Duration... 5-28-43 

E2-9  Cartoons  Ain't   Human. .  .6-25-43 

POPULAR  SCIENCE  (Color) 

(10  Minutes) 

J2-I  No.    I   10-2-42  974 

J2-2  No.   2   11-27-42  1010 

J2-3  No.   3   2-5-43  1138 

J2-4  No  4   4-2-43  1281 

J2-5  No  5   6-1 1-43 

SPEAKING  OF  ANIMALS 
(Average  9  Minutes) 

Y2-I    Speaking  of  Animals  and 

Their  Families   12-18-42  1070 

Y2-2    At  the  Bird  Farm  3-19-43  1281 

Y2-3   Speaking  of  Animals  in 

Current  Events   5-7-43 

SPORTLIG  HTS 
(Average  10  Minutes) 

R2-I  Sports  I.Q  10-9-42  974 

R2-2  The  Fighting  Spirit  11-13-42  1007 

R2-3  Modern  Vikings   1-8-43  1136 

R2-4  Trading  Blows   2-12-43  1206 

R2-5  Hike  or  Bike  3-5-43  1251 

R2-6  The  Beach  Command  4-9-43  1281 

R2-7  Tumble  Bugs   5-14-43 

VICTORY  SHORTS 
(Average  14  Minutes) 

T2-I    A  Letter  from  Bataan. ..  .9-15-42  948 

T2-2    We  Refuse  to  Die  10-22-42  946 

T2-3   The  Price  of  Victory  12-3-42  1018 

T2-4   The  Aldrleh  Family  Gets 

in  the  Scrap  3-25-43  1251 


RKO 

WALT  DISNEY  CARTOONS  (Color) 
(7  Minutes) 

1941-  42 

24.113  Sky  Trooper   11-6-42  1022 

24.114  Pluto  at  the  Zoo  11-20-42  1070 

24.115  How  to   Fish  12-4-42  1094 

24.116  Bellboy  Donald   12-18-42  1118 

24.117  Der  Fuehrer's  Face. ...  12-18-42  1067 

24.118  Education  for  Death  1-5-42  1087 

1942-  43 

34.101  Donald's  Tire  Trouble. .  1-29-43  1206 

34.102  Pluto  and  the  Armadillo. 2-19-43  1206 

34.103  Flying  Jalopy   3-12-43  1227 

39.104  Private  Pluto   4-2-43  1251 

SPORTSCOPE 
(Average  8  Mln.) 

34.301  Show  Horse   9-11-42  974 

34.302  Touchdown  Tars   10-9-42  998 

34.303  Winter  Setting   11-6-42  1022 

34.304  Q-Men   12-4-42  1094 

34.305  Basketeers   1-1-43  1118 

34.306  Ski  Trail*   1-29-43  1171 

34.307  Trout   2-26-43  1227 

34.308  Aqua  Aces   3-26-43  1263 

EDGAR  KENNEDY 
(Average  17  Mln.) 

33.401  Two  for  the  Money  8-14-42  926 

33.402  Rough  on  Rents  10-30-42  1010 

33.403  Duck  Soup   12-18-42  1118 

33.404  Hold  Your  Temper  2-5-43  1227 

33.405  Indian  Signs   3-26-43  1263 


1 292  Product  Digest  Section 


May     I,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


Prod. 
No. 


33.701 
33,702 
33,703 
33,704 

33,705 


34,401 
34,402 
34,403 
34,404 
34,405 


Title 


Rel.  PS). 
Doit  Pag* 


LEON  ERROL 
(Average  18  Mln.) 

Mail   Trouble  9-4-42  926 

Deer,  Deer   10-23-42  1010 

Pretty  Dolly   12-11-42  1094 

Double  Up   1-29-43  1206 

Gem-Jams   3-19-43  1263 

JAMBOREES 
(Average  S  Mln.) 

Jerry  Wald  &  Orch  9-11-42  980 

Johnny  Long  &  Orch. .. 10-2-42  998 

Ray  MeKlnley  &  Orch. .  10-30-42  1022 

Dick  Stabile  &  Orch. ..II -27-42  1070 
Enrle  Madrlguera  & 

Orch  12-28-42  1094 


VICTORY  SPECIALS 

34.201  Conquer  by  the  Clock. ..  10-27-42  1114 

34.202  City  of  Courage  2-11-43  1206 

FAMOUS  JURY  TRIALS 
(Average  18  Mln.) 

33.201  The  State  vs.  Glen 

Wlllot   9-18-42  974 

33.202  The  State  vs. 

Thomas  Crosby   11-13-42  1070 

THIS   IS  AMERICA 
(Average  19  Mln.) 

33.101  Private  Smith  of  the 

U.  8.  A  10-2-42  971 

33.102  Women  at  Arms  10-30-42  1031 

33.103  Army  Chaplain   12-18-42  1102 

33.104  Boomton,  D.  C  2-12-43  1159 

33.105  Air  Crew   3-12-43  1215 

33.106  Medicine  on  Guard  4-9-43  1263 


20TH  CENTURY-FOX 

ADVENTURES   NEWSCAM  ERAMAN 
(Average  9  Mln.) 

3201    Along  the  Texas  Range. .  10-9-42  974 

3203    Climbing  the  Peaks  4-16-43  1281 


MAGIC  CARPET  (Color) 
(9  Minutes) 

Desert  Wonderland   8-1-42  856 

Wedding   In    Blkaner. ...  .8-28-42  899 

Valley  of  Blossoms  9-25-42  950 

Royal  Araby   10-23-42  998 

Gay   Rio   2-19-43  1022 

Strange   Empire   1-15-43  1138 

Land  Where  Time  Stood 

Still   4-2-43  1263 

SPORTS  REVIEWS 
(Average  9  Mln.) 

Well-Rowed    Harvard  8-14-42  899 

Neptune's  Daughters   11-20-42  1022 

When   Winter  Calls  12-25-42  1138 

Steelhead  Fighters   2-12-43  1148 

Back  to  Bikes  3-12-43  1227 


3151 
3152 
3153 
3154 
3155 
3158 
3157 


3301 
3351 
3302 
3303 
3304 


3551 
3552 
3553 
3554 
3555 
3556 
3557 
3558 
3559 
3560 
3561 
3562 


3567 
3568 


3501 

3502 


3401 


V9-I 
V9-2 
V9-3 
V9-4 


TERRYTOONS  (TECHNICOLOR) 
(7  Minutes) 

All   Out  for  "V"  8-7-42  928 

Life  with  Fide  8-21-42  92S 

School  Daze   9-18-42  950 

Night  Life  Id  the  Army.  .10-2-42  974 
The  Mouse  of  Tomorrow.  10- 16-42 
Nancy  In  Doing  Their  Bit  10-30-42 

Frankenstein's  Cat   11-27-42 

Barnyard  WAAC   12-18-43  1138 

Scrap  for  Victory  1-22-43  1171 

Barnyard   Blackout   3-5-43  1281 

Shipyard  Symphony   3-19-43 

Patriotic  Pooches   4-9-43 

SPECIAL 

Somewhere  In  the  Pacific. .  1-8-43  1171 
Ho  Dood  It  Again  2-5-43  1227 

TERRYTOONS  (Black  &  White) 
(7  Minutes) 

The  Big  Bulld-Up   9-4-42  926 

Ickle   Meets  Pickle  11-13-42  1048 

THE  WORLD  TODAY 
(9  Minutes) 
W.  A.  V.  E.  S  4-30-43  .. 

MARCH  OF  TIME 
(Average  20  Minutes) 

The  F.B.I.   Front  9-11-42  III 

The  Fighting  French  10-9-42  946 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  America. .  1 1-6-42  1007 
Africa  Prelude  to  Victory .  12-4-42  1055 


Prod. 
No. 

V9-5 
V9-6 

V9-7 
V9-8 
V9-9 


Title 


Rel.  PJ). 
Date  Page 


Prod. 
No. 


Title 


Rel. 
Date 


P.D. 
Page 


3901 


3801 


3851 


The  Navy  and  the  Nation ..  I  - 1 -43  1102 
One  Day  of  War — Russia 

1943   1-29-43  1127 

The  New  Canada  2-26-43  1171 

America's  Food  Crisis. ..  .3-26-43  1215 
Inside  Fascist  Spain  4-23-43  1263 

DRIBBLE   PUSS  PARADE 
(9  Minutes) 
Menkey  Doodle  Dandles. .  12-1 1-42  1048 

VICTORY  FILM 
It's    Everybody's   War  11-6-42  1091 

AMERICA  SPEAKS 
Weapons  for  Victory  5-6-43 


UNITED  ARTISTS 


WORLD  IN  ACTION 
(Two  Reels) 

New  Soldiers  Are  Tough. .  .7-3-42 

Our  Russian  Ally  8-14-42 

Hitler's  Plan   9-4-42 

Inside  Fighting  China  10-2-42 

Mask  of  Nippon  11-6-42 

Fighting  Freighters   1-9-43 

Invasion  of  North  Africa.  .2-12-43  1148 
Road  to  Tokyo  4-16-43  1281 


699 
784 
854 
896 
971 
1055 


SPECIAL 

  Don't  Hook  Now  4-30-43  1171 

UNIVERSAL 

COLOR  CARTUNE 
(Average  7  Mln.) 

7241  Andy  Panda's  Victory 

Garden  9-7-42  926 

7242  The  Loan  Stranger  10-19-42  998 

7243  Air  Raid  Warden  12-21-42  1 1 18 

7244  The  Screwball   2-15-43  1148 

7245  Swing  Your  Partner  4-26-43 

7246  The   Dizzy  Acrobat  5-31-43 

SWING  SYMPHONIES 
(Average  7  Mln.) 
7231    Yankee  Doodle  Swing 

Shift   9-21-42  899 

7332    Boogie  Woogle  Sioux. ...  11-30-42  1046 

7233  "Cow-Cow    Boogie"   1-4-42  1171 

7234  Egg  Cracker  Suite  3-22-43  1239 

PERSON— ODDITIES 
(Average  9  Mln.) 

7371  Human  Sailboat   9-14-42  926 

7372  Jail   Hostess   9-28-42  850 

7373  King  of  the  49-ers  10-12-42  1046 

7374  Double  Talk  Girl  11-16-42  1007 

7375  Designed  by 

Fannie  Hurst   12-14-42  1118 

7376  Let  Huey  Do  It  1-25-43  1171 

7377  She's  A-l  In  the  Navy  2-8-43  1148 

7378  Little  Clayton  Farmfront 

Wonder   3-8-43  1227 

7379  Shepherd  of  the 

Roundhouse   4-19-43 

7380  Tom  Thumb  in  Person  5-24-43 

VARIETY  VIEWS 
(9  Minutes) 

7351  Trouble  Spot  of  the  East.. 9-7-42  899 

7352  Canadian  Patrol   9-21-42  928 

7353  Spirit  of  Democracy  10-5-42  974 

7354  New  Era  In  India  11-2-42  1010 

7355  Western    Whoopee  12-28-42  899 

7356  Winter  Sports  Jamboree  1-8-43  1171 

7357  Mother  of  Presidents  2-1-43  1148 

7358  Hungry  India  3-1-43  1206 

7359  Mr.  Chimp  Goes  to  Town. 4-12-13  1291 

7360  Mirror  of  Sub-marine  Life. 5-31-43 

MUSICALS 
(Average  15  Mln.) 

7121  Trumpet  Serenade   9-9-42  899 

7122  Serenade  In  Swing  10-14-42  899 

7123  Jivln'    Jam    Session  M-ll-42  899 

7124  Swing's  the  Thing  12-2-42  1007 

7125  Chasln'  the  Blues  1-13-43  1046 

7128    Hit  Tune  Jamboree  2-10-43  1148 

7127  Swlngtime  Blues   3-3-43  1190 

7128  Swing    That    Band  4-7-43  1263 

7129  Dancing  on  the  Stars  5-26-43 

VICTORY  FEATURETTES 

0995  Keeping   Fit   10-26-42  998 

0996  Arsenal  of   Might  2-22-43  1148 

0997  What  We  Are  Fighting 

For   5-24-43  .. 


2-REEL  SPECIAL 

7111    Roar.  Navy  Roar   11-25-42  1046 

7110  "Eagle  Vs.  Dragon"   


VITAPHONE 

TECHNICOLOR  SPECIALS 
(Average  20  Mln.) 

8001  A  Ship  Is  Born  10-10-42  1010 

8002  Fighting   Engineers   1-2-43  1118 

8003  Young  and  Beautiful  3-13-43  1227 

8004  Eagles  of  the  Navy  4-24-43  1291 

8005  Mountain  Fighters   

8006  Champions  Training 

Champions   5-22-43 


BROADWAY  BREVITIES 
(20  Minutes) 

The  Spirit  of  Annapolis. .  .9-5-42  926 

The   Nation    Dances  9-26-42  974 

The  Spirit  of  West  Point.  1 1-20-42  1007 

Beyond  the  Line  of  Duty.  1 1-7-42  1010 

Vaudeville  Days   12-19-42  1070 

The  Man  Killers   

Little  Isles  of  Freedom. ..  1-30-43  1078 

Our  African  Frontiers  2-13-43  1206 

Army  Show   2-27-43  1227 

Rear  Gunner   4-10-43  1281 

Three  Cheers  for  the  Girls  5-8-43 


8101 
8102 
8103 
8104 
8105 
8106 
8107 
8108 
8109 
81 10 
8111 


8301 
8302 


8303 
3304 


B305 
8306 


8401 
8402 
8403 
8404 

8405 

8406 

8407 
8408 

8409 

8410 
841 1 


i50l 
8502 
8503 
8504 

8505 

8506 
8507 
8508 
8509 


HOLLYWOOD  NOVELTIES 
(10  Minutes) 

Sweeney   Steps   Out  9-12-42  950 

You  Want  to  Give  Up 
Smoking   11-14-42  1022 

Stars  on  Horseback  4-3-43  1251 

So  You  Think  You  Need 

Glasses   12-26-42  1118 

This  Is  Your  Enemy  1-23-43  1206 

King  of  the  Archers  2-6-43  1206 

THE  SPORTS  PARADE 
(10  Minutes) 

Sniffer  Soldiers   9-12-42  950 

South  American  Sports. .  10-17-42  1007 

The    Right   Timing  10-31-42  1022 

Cuba,  Land  of  Adventure 

and  Sport   1-9-43  1070 

America's  Battle  of 

Beauty   11-21-42  1070 

Horses!  Horses!  Horses!. .  12-12-42  1070 

Sporting   Dogs   3-20-43  1239 

Women  In  Sports  .2-20-43  1206 

With  Rod  and  Reel  on 

Anticosti   Island   5-1-43 

Rover's  Rangers   5-29-43 

Gray,  White  &  Blue  6-19-43 

MELODY    MASTER  BANDS 
(10  Minutes) 

Army  Air  Force  Band  9-19-42  950 

Six  Hits  and  a  Miss. ..  .10-24-42  1007 

U.  S.  Marin*  Band  11-14-42  1007 

Borrah  Minevltcn  and  his 

Harmonica  School   12-26-42  1118 

U.  S.  Navy  Band  1-16-43  1138 

Ozzie  Nelson  &  Orch  3-27-43  1251 

U.  S.  Army  Band  4-17-43 

All  American  Band  6-5-43 

Childhood  Days   6-26-43 


LOONEY  TUNES  CARTOONS 
(7  Minutes) 

8601  The  Hep  Cat   10-3-42  950 

8602  The  Daffy  Duekaroo  10-24-42  1022 

8603  My  Favorite   Duck  12-5-42  1007 

8604  Confusions  of  a  Nutzy  Spy 

1-23-43  1007 

8605  To  Duck  or  Not  to  Duck. . .3-6-43  1227 

8606  Hop  and  Go  3-27-43  1263 

8607  The  Wise  Quacking  Duck.. 5-1-43  1291 

8608  Tokio  Jokio   5-15-43 

8609  Yankee  Doodle  Daffy  6-5-43 

8610  Scrap  Happy  Daffy  6-19-43 

MERRIE  MELODIES  CARTOONS  (Color) 
(7  Minutes) 

8701  The    Dover   Boys  9-19-42  950 

8702  The  Sheepish  Wolf  10-17-42  950 

8703  The  Hare  Brained 

Hypnotist   10-31-42  1007 

8704  A  Tale  of  Two  Kittles. ..  1 1-21-42  1007 
8703    Ding  Dog  Daddy  12-5-42  1007 

8706  Case  of  the  Missing 

Hare   12-12-42  1007 

8707  Coal  Black  and  da  Sebben 

Dwarfs   1-16-43  1007 

8708  Pigs  In  a  Polka  2-6-43.1070 


Prod.  Rel.  P-D. 

No.         Title  Date  Page 

8709  Tortoise  Wins  by  a  Hare. .2-20-43  1206 

8710  Fifth  Column  Mouse  3-6-43  1251 

8711  Flop  Goes  the  Weasel  3-20-43  1251 

8712  Super  Rabbit   4-3-43  1263 

8713  The  Unbearable  Bear  4-17-43  1291 

8714  Greetings  Bait   5-15-43 

S7I5  Jack  Rabbit  and  Beanstalk. 5-29-43 

8716  The  Aristo  Cat  6-12-43 

8717  Tin  Pan  Alley  Cats  6-26-43 

OFFICIAL  U.  S.  VICTORY  FILMS 
(Distributed  by  Various  Major  Exchanges) 

Pots  to  Planes    509 

Bomber    509 

Food   for   Freedom   509 

Red   Cross  Trailer   509 

Women  In  Defense   509 

Safeguarding    Military    Information   509 

Tanks    509 

Any  Bonds  Today    609 

Ring  of  Steel    587 

Fighting  Fire  Bombs   587 

Lake  Carrier    715 

United  China  Relief  

Winning  Your  Wings   674 

Keep  'Em   Rolling   674 

Mr.  Gardenia  Jones   674 

Your  Air  Raid  Warden   770 

Vigilance    771 

Out  of  the  Frying  Pan   926 

Salvage    846 

Manpower   971 

Japanese  Relocation    671 

Dover    1018 

Fuel  Conservation    1048 

Colleges  at  War   1078 

Community  Transportation    1102 

Paratroops   1114 

You,  John  Jones   1138 

Night  Shift    1148 

Troop  Train    1171 

Point  Rationing  of  Foods   1182 

Since  Pearl   Harbor   1206 

Farmer  at  War   1206 

Right  of  Way   1239 

Food  for  Fighters   1239 

U.  S.  TREASURY  DEPT. 
The  Spirit  of  '43   1138 

WAR  ACTIVITIES  COMMITTEE 
(Released  Through  20th- Fox) 
Battle  of  Midway   912 

(Released  Through  Warner  Bros.) 
At  the   Front   1190 

BRITISH   MINISTRY  OF  INFORMATION 

21   Miles    971 

Control  Room   1018 

C.  E.  M.  A   1018 

Fighting  French  Navy   1070 

Lift  Your  Head  Comrade   1094 

Letter  from  Ulster   1094 

Speed  Up  on  Stirllngs   1114 

MISCELLANEOUS 

Quebec  (Canadian  Film  Beard)   1070 

Kokoda  Battle  Front   1070 

(Australian  Dept.  of  Information) 
Sword  of  the  Spirit   1055 

(Verity  Film) 

SERIALS 
COLUMBIA 

4120   The  Secret  Code  9-4-42  899 

(15  Episodes) 
4140   The  Valley  of  Vanishing  Men 

(15  episodes)   12-17-42  1138 


REPUBLIC 


281  King  of  the  Mounties  10-10-42  998 

(12  episodes) 

282  G-Men  vs.  the  Black  Dragon 

(15  Episodes)  1-2-43  1022 

283    Daredevils  of  the  West  4-17-43  1291 

(12  episodes) 
284   Secret  Service  in  Darkest 

Africa  

(15  episodes) 


UNIVERSAL 


.6-30-42  784 


7881-92   Junior  G-Men  of  the 

Air   

(12  episodes) 

7781-95    Overland    Mall   9-22-42  959 

(15  episodes) 
7681-93    Adventures  of  Smilin'  Jack 

(13  episodes)  1-5-43  894 

8681-92    Don  Winslow  of  the 

Coast  Guard   3-30-43  1227 

(13  episodes) 


Product  Digest  Section  1293 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    I  ,  1943 


THE  RELEASE  CHART 

Index  to  Reviews,  Advance  Synopses  and 
Service  Data  in  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION 


Release  dates  and  running  time  are  furnished  as  soon  as  avail- 
able. Advance  dates  are  tentative  and  subject  to  change. 
Consult  Service  Data  in  the  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION  for 


All   page  numbers  on  this  chart  refer  to  pages  in  the 
PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION  of  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 

Short  Subjects  Chart  with  Synopsis  Index  can  be  found  on 
pages  1292-1293. 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating,  Audience  Classification  and  Managers'  Feature  Product  Including  Coming  Attractions,  listed  by  Corn- 
Round  Table  Exploitation.  PanYi  m  order  of  release,  on  pages  1278-1279. 

Servict 
Data 
Page 


M.  P. 

Product 

/Lit  Vmwmlt  C 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Prod. 

Release 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Title 

Company 

Number 

Stan 

Dale 

<—  REVIEWED 

ABOVE  Suspicion 

MGM 

Joan  Crawford-Fred  MacMurray 

Not  Set 

91m 

May  1/43 

1289 

1001 

Across  the  Pacific 

WB 

202 

Humphrey  Bogart-Mary  Astor 

Sept.  5,'42 

98m 

Aug.  22/42 

927 

726 

Action  in  the  North  Atlantic 

WB 

Humphrey  Bogart-Raymond  Massey 

Not  Set 

983 

Adventures  of  Mark  Twain 

WB 

Fredric  March-Alexis  Smith 

Not  Set 

936 

Aerial  Gunner 

Para. 

Chester  Morris-Richard  Arlen 

Not  Set 

78m 

Mar.  20/43 

1226 

1091 

After  Midnight  with  Boston  Bl 

ackie  Col. 

4031 

Chester  Morris-Ann  Savage 

Mar.  (8/43 

64m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1192 

Air  Force 

WB 

217 

John  Garfield-Gig  Young 

Mar.  20, '43 

124m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 145 

936 

Air  Raid  Wardens,  The 

MGM 

Laurel  and  Hardy 

Apr.,'43 

67m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

1091 

A-Haunting  We  Will  Go 

20th-Fox 

302 

Laurel  and  Hardy 

Aug.  7,'42 

67m 

July  11/42 

927 

Alibi 

Rep. 

214 

Margaret  Lockwood-Hugh  Sinclair 

Mar.  24,'43 

66m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

Alaska  Highway 

Para. 

Richard  Arlen-Jean  Parker 

Not  Set 

1192 

All  by  Myself 

Univ. 

Patric  Knowles-Evelyn  Ankers 

June  18/43 

1275 

Always  a  Bridesmaid 

Univ., 

Andrews  Sisters-Patric  Knowles 

Not  Set 

1192 

Amazing  Mrs.  Holliday,  The 

Univ. 

7005 

Deanna  Durbin-Edmond  O'Brien 

Feb.  19/43 

98m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 145 

936 

American  Empire 

UA 

Richard  Dix-Leo  Carrillo 

Dec.  11/42 

81m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

871 

Andy  Hardy's  Double  Life 

MGM 

318 

Mickey  Rooney-Lewis  Stone 

Dec.-Feb..'43 

92m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

796 

Apache  Trail 

MGM 

304 

Lloyd  Nolan-Donna  Reed 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

66m 

June  27/42 

938 

726 

Ape  Man,  The 

Mono. 

Bela  Lugosi-Wallace  Ford 

Mar.  19/43 

64m 

Feb.  27/43 

1181 

1104 

Arabian  Nights 

Univ. 

7063 

Sabu-Maria  Montez-Jon  Hall 

Dec.  25/42 

87m 

Dec.  26/42 

1090 

872 

Arizona  Stagecoach 

Mono. 

The  Range  Busters 

Sept.  4/42 

58m 

Army  Surgeon 

RKO 

312 

James  Ellison-Jane  Wyatt 

Dec.  4/42 

63  m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

7oi 

Assignment  in  Brittany 

MGM 

Pierre  Aumont-Susan  Peters 

Apr.,'43 

98m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

1019 

At  Dawn  We  Die  (British) 

Rep. 

778 

John  Clements-Godfrey  Tearle 

Mar.  20/43 

85m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

(formerly  Tomorrow  We  Live) 

Avengers,  The  (British) 

Para. 

4213 

Ralph  Richardson-Deborah  Kerr 

Block  3 

88m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

Avenging  Rider,  The 

RKO 

Tim  Holt 

Not  Set 

55m 

Feb. 13/43 

1158 

1280 


1 174 


1174 


1280 


B/  B I  Face  Morgan  PRC 
Background  to  Danger 
Bad  Company  Univ. 
Bad  Men  of  Thunder  Gap  PRC 
Bambi  (color)  RKO 
Bandit  Ranger  RKO 
Bataan  MGM 

(formerly  Bataan  Patrol) 
Behind  Prison  Walls  PRC 
Behind  the  Eight  Ball  Univ. 
Berlin  Correspondent  20th-Fox 
Best  Foot  Forward  MGM 
Between  Us  Girls  Univ. 
Big  Street,  The  RKO 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Fugitive  of  Plains  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Kid  Rides  Again  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Mysterious  Rider  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Western  Cyclone  PRC 
Black  Raven,  The  PRC 
Black  Swan,  The  (color)  20th-Fox 
Blocked  Trail,  The  Rep. 
Blondie  Buys  a  Horse  Col. 
Bombardier  RKO 
Boogie  Man  Will  Get  You,  The  Col. 
Boots  and  Saddles  (Re-release)  Rep. 
Border  Buckaroos  PRC 
Border  Patrol  UA 
Boss  of  Big  Town  PRC 
Boston  Blackie  Goes  Hollywood  Col. 
Bowery  at  Midnight  Mono. 
Boy  From  Stalingrad  Col. 
Brains  Trust,  The  (British)  Strand-Anglo 
Buckskin  Frontier  UA 
Busses  Roar  WB 


317  Mary  Carlisle-Richard  Cromwell  Sept.  15/42 

....  George  Raft-Brenda  Marshall  Not  Set 

Dead  End  Kids  Not  Set 

352  Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill  Mar.  5/43 

391  Disney  Feature  Cartoon  Aug.  21/42 

381  Tim  Holt  Sept.  25/42 

....  Robert  Taylor-Thomas  Mitchell  Not  Set 

313  Alan  Baxter-Gertrude  Michael  Mar.  22/43 

7029  Ritz  Bros.-Carol  Bruce  Dec.  4/42 

311  Dana  Andrews-Virginia  Gilmore  Sept.  11/42 

  Lucille  Ball-William  Gaxton  Not  Set 

7010  Diana  Barrymore-Robert  Cummings  Sept.  4/42 

301  Henry  Fonda-Lucille  Ball  Sept.  4/42 

359  Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Mar.  12/43 
358  Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Jan.  27/43 
357  Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Nov.  20/42 

360  Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  May  14/43 
321  George  Zucco-Wanda  MacKay  May  3 1  ,'43 
320  Tyrone  Power-Maureen  O'Hara  Dec.  4/42 
274  Three  Mesquiteers  Mar.  12/43 

Penny  Singleton-Arthur  Lake  Not  Set 
Pat  O'Brien-Randolph  Scott-Anne  Shirley  May  14/43 

4026  Boris  Karloff-Peter  Lorre  Oct.  22/42 

2301  Gene  Autry-Smiley  Burnette  Jan.  15/43 

354  Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill  June  15/43 

William  Boyd  Apr.  2/43 

310  John  Litel-Florence  Rice  Dec.  7/42 

4030  Chester  Morris-Richard  Lane  Nov.  5/42 

  Bela  Lugosi-John  Archer  Oct.  30/42 

....  Bobby  Samarzich-Conrad  Binyon  May  20/43 

....  Quiz  Experts  Not  Set 

  Richard  Dix-Jane  Wyatt  May  14/43 

203  Richard  Travis-Julie  Bishop  Sept.  19/42 


62m       July  25/42  903 


1058 
1055 


70m 

May  30/42 

685 

56m 

1127 

64m 

Feb.  6/43 

1146 

1078 

60m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

794 

70m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

797 

1191 

89  m 

Aug.  29/42 

890 

772 

87m 

Aug.  8/42 

902 

701 

56m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

60m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

1104 

55m 

Jan.  30/43 

1 137 

1033 

1276 

61m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

85m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

855 

55m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

1241 

912 

66m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

58m 

Nov.  13/37 

1114 

1276 

67m 

Jan.  30/43 

i  137 

64m 

Oct.  17/42 

959 

68m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 181 

794 

63m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

1191 

34m 

Feb.  6/43 

i  147 

76m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

983 

61m 

Aug.  22/42 

903 

1 294  Product  Digest  Section 


May    I  ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


REVIEWED 


M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Servict 

fiud. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Title 

Company 

Number 

Stan 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

CABIN  in  the  Slty 

MGM 

"Rorhp<L+fir"-F+hAl  Wa+ai-c 

IMJUilcbloi     -CTliei     VV  dlcl  b 

Apr.,'43 

98m 

Fab  13  '43 

1  157 

1019 

Cairo 

MGM 

307 

1  a  a  n  At  t  a        Af~rJonAlri-.Ro  hnrf  Yniinn 

SeDt  -Nov  '42 

101m 

Aua  15 '42 

915 

1034 

Calaboose  UA-Roach 

1 1  m  m  v    RnnA  pt.  N/\>h    Roafu      1  r 

Jan  29  '43 

45  m 

1241 

Call  of  the  Canyon 

Rep. 

131 

\j  a  tic  nui  i  y*  jrninjy  ournoTio 

Aua     5  '42 

7 1  m 

Aua  22  '42 

938 

800 

Calling  Wild  Bill  Elliott 

Rep. 

73  1  1 

Rill    FllinH-fe^nhv  H^vac 

Aor  30  '43 

54m 

Ar>r  24  '43 

1274 

Captive  Wild  Woman 

Univ. 

r^v/iolwn     A  nrarc.  l/trtn  Parranino 

tvciyii         itt?r i"JUii(i  varraQino 

lunn  1  1  '43 

JUIIo    1  1  |  » 

61m 

May   I  ,'43 

1290 

1 127 

Careful,  Soft  Shoulder 

20th-Fox 

312 

V  irnini  a   RrnrA.  I  a  m  ac  Fl  1  i  con 
v  1 1  y i  n i a  ui  ulo"J a 1 1 1 w b  1 1 1 1 b(j n 

SeDt   18  '42 

69  m 

Aua  15  '42 

915 

Carson  City  Cyclone 

Rep. 

275 

llrtrl    Rj*rru_l  \j  n  n  nAiami^V 
<J  11    DOIIyLyilll    IVI  til  nth 

Mar  23  "43 

IV!  al.  £J,    i  J 

57m 

Ann  24  '43 

1275 

Casablanca 

WB 

214 

HumDnPAw  RnnArf-lnnrtrl  R»rnm*n 
i  luiiiwiii  oy    uuuai  i   miui  iu    uoi  Hiiiaii 

Jan  23  '43 

wan*  inf| 

102m 

Nov  28  '42 

1029 

936 

1218 

Cat  People 

RKO 

313 

Jimune  oimwn- 1  om  vonway 

Doe  25  '42 

73m 

Nov.  I4,'42 

1005 

962 

1280 

Chatterbox 

Rep. 

219 

1  /-> ft    P     Rrcivvn*  liifiu   I.* n nvx 
Jwo   Ids   uiuw  ii~ \J  uuy  v-*o  nova 

Apr.  27,'43 

76m 

Aor  10 '43 

1250 

1 127 

Chetniks,  Fighting  Guerrillas 

20th-Fox 

328 

Pnilm    Dnrn-Vi  m  iniji        1 1  m  ato 
r  1 1 1 1 1  p    UUI  !  1    T  !  I  yiitiG    »^  1 1  r  no  r© 

Feb.  5, '43 

73  m 

Jan    9  '43 

WUlla        If     « w 

1 1 15 

995 

1280 

Cheyenne  Roundup 

Univ. 

276 

Innnnu    nA  Ark    Rrown.Tpv    R  ii-f<ar 
w  U  1 1 1 1 1 1  y    IVI  aw  K    ui  own*  1  CA    i\it  l  or 

ADr  29  '43 

#\  pi   I    Am  /  |    T  J 

59m 

Anr  17 '43 

1261 

China 

Para. 

LrtrpttA    Y  n  nn  n- A 1  a  n    f  Aflrl 
bui  v  1 1  a    i  uuii y  /  a i a 1 1    uau  vj 

Block  4 

78m 

Mar  20  '43 

IVI  Ul  «    fcV|  # 

1226 

1091 

China  Girl 

20th-Fox 

AO  m  a     nil  o  H  TO  o  m  a  pi/.iva  ha     Tiaita  a\j 

ccor ivioni^umory~v7on8    i  i©rn©y 

Un      1  '43 
Jail,     i , 

95  m 

Doe    5  '42 

1041 

872 

1218 

Cinderella  Swings  It 

RKO 

318 

Guy  Kibboe-Gloria  V^arr-sn 

Jan  22  '43 

69  m 

Jan.  23, '43 

1 125 

City  of  Silent  Men 

PRC 

308 

PrAnr   AlriArtcon-  Iuha   1  Ann 
i  i  aim   /* i P— ' c j  isui i  o u  1 1  o    uau u 

Oct  1  2  '42 

64m 

SeDt  12  '42 

898 

City  Without  Men 

Col. 

4013 

LinnA  Da rn aII-Do rlc  QliHIav 

^iiiua     a—'  a  I  hoi  11^  VI  1)    w'  u  u  Ivy 

Jan  14 '43 

75m 

Feb.  27,'43 

1 181 

1009 

Clancy  Street  Boys 

Mono. 

East  Side  Kid* 

LQOI      vlUO  IMU] 

Arjr  23  '43 

ooffl 

Aor    3  '43 

1238 

Coastal  Command  (British)  Pa 

ra.-Crown 

\A/at  DoriimAnt* ru 
t  v  a i    vvv>u ii io ii  i  ai  y 

Not  Set 

1  ivl    *J9  1 

73  m 

Nov  14 '42 

1005 

Commandos  Strike  at  Dawn 

Col. 

4004 

Paul  Muni- LI  Hi  an  (7ish 

Jan    7  '43 

wails     #|    i  w 

98m 

Dec.  I9,'42 

1078 

962 

1280 

Coney  Island 

20th-Fox 

Betty  Gra bls-Ooorcj©  Montgomery 

Not  Set 

995 

Corregidor 

PRC 

31 

Otto  Kruger-Elissfl  Landi 

Mar  29  '43 

74m 

Mar.  27,'43 

1226 

1 104 

1280 

Corvettes  in  Action 

Univ. 

Ranao  on  Srott-Anav  Dpvln a 

iwiiuv/iuii    *mJ i  i  / » iiu  y  i— *  wtiiio 

June  25  '43 

1240 

Cosmo  Jones,  Crime  Smashe 

Mono. 

Ednar  Kft nnfld v- Fr a n \t  brAnAm 

uui      ixoiniv  v  Y    1  I  qiik          I  aiiulli 

Jan  29  "43 

wall*  »■  #  c     8  — ' 

62m 

Feb  20  '43 

1 1 70 

1055 

Counter  Espionage 

Col. 

4027 

Warren  William-Eric  Blore 

Sept.  3/42 

72m 

Oct.  10, '42 

945 

871 

Cowboy  Commandos 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

June  4, '43 

1277 

Cowboy  in  Manhattan 

Univ. 

Robert  Paige-Frances  Langford 

May  21, '43 

60m 

Apr.  I0,'43 

1250 

1240 

Crash  Dive  (color) 

20th-Fox 

Tyrone  Power-Anne  Baxter 

Not  Set 

105m 

Apr.  24,'43 

962 

Crime  by  Night 

WB 

Jane  Wyman-Jerome  Cowan 

Not  Set 

1091 

Criminal  Investigator 

Mono. 

Robert  Lowery-Jan  Wiley 

Oct.  23,'42 

61m 

Dec.  I2,'42 

1054 

1033 

Crystal  Ball,  The 

UA 

Paulette  Goddard-Ray  Milland 

Jan.  22,'43 

81m 

Jan.  23, '43 

1125 

960 

1280 

DARING  Young  Man.  The  Col. 

Dawn  on  the  Great  Divide  Mono. 

Days  of  Old  Cheyenne  Rep. 

Deadline  Guns  Col. 

Dead  Man's  Gulch  Rep. 

Dead  Men  Walk  PRC 

Deep  in  the  Heart  of  Texas  Univ. 

Desert  Song,  The  (color)  WB 

Desert  Victory  (British)  20th-Fox 

Desperadoes,  The  (color)  Col. 

Desperate  Journey  WB 

Destination  Unknown  Univ. 

Destroyer  C*l. 
Devil  with  Hitler,  The  UA-Roach 

Diary  of  a  Nazi  (Russian)  Artkino 

Dixie  Para. 

Dixie  Dugan  20th-Fox 

Dr.  Gillespie's  Criminal  Case  MGM 

Dr.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant  MGM 

Dr.  Renault's  Secret  20th-Fox 

DuBarry  Was  a  Lady  MGM 


4021 

276 

274 
320 
7071 

341 
4005 

204 
7030 


332 

317 
321 


Joe  E.  Brown-Marguerite  Chapman 

Oct.  8,'42 

73m 

Dec.  I9,'42 

1067 

871 

Buck  Jones-Rex  Bell 

Dec.  18/42 

66m 

Dec.  I9,'42 

1066 

1031 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

May  I5,'43 

55m 

Apr.  24,'43 

1274 

1241 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Not  Set 

1081 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Feb.  I2,"43 

56  m 

Feb.  20,"43 

1170 

1127 

George  Zucco-Mary  Carlisle 

Feb.  I0,'43 

63  m 

Feb.  20,"43 

1170 

1031 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Sept.  25.'42 

62m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

Dennis  Morgan-Irene  Manning 

Not  Set 

872 

War  in  Africa  Feature 

Apr.  I6,'43 

60m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

Randolph  Scott-Glenn  Ford 

May  25,'43 

85m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

871 

Errol  Flynn-Ronald  Reagan 

Sept.  26,'42 

107m 

Aug.  22/42 

915 

Irene  Hervey-William  Gargan 

Oct.  9,"42 

61m 

Oct.  3/42 

946 

912 

Edward  G.  Robinson-Marguerite  Chapman   Not  Set 

1 162 

Alan  Mowbray-M.  Woodworth 

Nov.  20,'42 

45  m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

War  Documentary 

Mar.  24, '43 

68m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

Bing  Crosby-Dorothy  Lamour 

Not  Set 

1091 

James  Ellison-Lois  Andrews 

Mar.  I2,'43 

67  m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1082 

Lionel  Barrymore-Van  Johnson 

Not  Set 

1192 

Lionel  Barrymore-Van  Johnson 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

86m 

Nov.  15/42 

1005 

Lynn  Roberts-John  Shepperd 

Dec.  II, '42 

58m 

Dec.  17/42 

959 

936 

Lucille  Ball-Red  Skelton 

Not  Set 

1019 

EDGE  of  Darkness  WB  219 

En  Enda  Natt  (Swedish)  Scandia  .... 

Eyes  in  the  Night  MGM  309 

Eyes  of  the  Underworld  Univ.  7037 


Errol  Flynn-Ann  Sheridan  Apr.  24/43  1 18m  Mar.27,'43  1225 

Ingrid  Bergman-Olof  Sandborg  Not  Set  89m  Dec.  26/42  1077 

Edward  Arnold-Ann  Harding  Sept.-Nov.,'42  79m  Sept.  12/42  898 

Richard  Dix-Lon  Cheney  Jan.  8/43  61m  Oct.  17/42  960 


982 


797 


1 130 


FACULTY  Row 

MGM 

Mary  Astor-Herbert  Marshall 

Not  Set 

1240 

Falcon's  Brother,  The 

RKO 

309 

George  Sanders-Jane  Randolph 

Nov.  6/42 

63m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

871 

Falcon  Strikes  Back,  The 

RKO 

325 

Tom  Conway-Harriet  Hilliard 

May  7/43 

65  m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

Fallen  Sparrow,  The 

RKO 

Maureen  O'Hara-John  Garfield 

Not  Set 

1182 

Fall  In  UA-Roach 

William  Tracy-Jean  Porter 

Mar.  5/43 

48  m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

796 

False  Faces 

Rep. 

Rex  Williams-Bill  Henry 

May  26/43 

1277 

Fighting  Buckaroo,  The 

Col. 

4203 

Charles  Starrett-Kay  Harris 

Feb.  1/43 

58m 

Apr.  17/43 

i262 

Rghting  Devil  Dogs 

Rep. 

21 1 

Lee  Powell-Herman  Brix 

Jan.  29/43 

69m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

Fighting  Frontier 

RKO 

383 

Tim  Holt 

Jan.  15/43 

57m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 158 

Fighting  Sea  Monsters 

Times 

Marine  Animal  Feature 

Mar.  9/43 

61m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

Find,  Fix  and  Strike  (British) 

ABFD 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

37m 

S*pt.  12/42 

898 

Fires  Were  Started  (British) 

Crown 

British  Documentary 

Not  Set 

63  m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

First  of  the  Few,  The  (British) 

Howard 

Leslie  Howard-David  Niven 

Not  Set 

1 18m 

Sept.  5/42 

889 

Five  Graves  to  Cairo 

Para. 

Franchot  Tone-Anne  Baxter 

Not  Set 

1192 

Flight  for  Freedom 

RKO 

321 

Rosalind  Russell-Fred  MacMurray 

Apr.  2/43 

101m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 145 

983 

Flying  Fortress  (British) 

WB 

21 1 

Richard  Green-Carla  Lehmann 

Dec.  5/42 

68m 

June  27/42 

914 

Follies  Girl 

PRC 

30 

Wendy  Barrie-Gordon  Oliver 

Not  Set 

1104 

Follow  the  Band 

Univ. 

Leon  Errol-Mary  Beth  Hughes 

May  14/43 

61m 

May  1/43 

1290 

1241 

1218 
1 174 


Product  Digest  Section    1 295 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    I,  1943 


REVIEWED 


Title 


Prod. 

Company  NumDer 


Footlight  Serenade  20th-Fox 
Foreign  Agent  Mono. 
Forest  Rangers,  The  (color)  Para. 
Forever  and  a  Day  RKO 
For  All  We  Know  Univ. 

(formerly  Flesh  and  Fantasy) 
For  Me  and  My  Gal  MGM 
Fortress  on  Volga  (Russian)  Artkino 
For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls  (color)  Para. 
Frankenstein  Meets  Wolf  Man  Univ. 


301 

4206 
320 


312 


7012 


Start 

John  Payne-Betty  Grable 

John  Shelton-Gail  Storm 

Fred  MacMurray-Paulette  Goddard 

British  and  American  Stars 

Charles  Boyer-Barbara  Stanwyck 

Judy  Garland-George  Murphy 
Mikhail  Gelovani-Nikolai  Bogoliubov 
Gary  Cooper-lngrid  Bergman 
Lon  Chaney-Bela  Lugosi 


M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Servtc 

Releate 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Date 

Time 

Pave 

Pave 

Pave 

Aim      1  'AO 

Rflm 

ouin 

lulu  1  1  '4? 
Juiy  i  1 1  *ti 

7  13 

0/ J 

\JCt.     7,  "TZ 

onm 

C  _  _  A     I  Q  %A*) 

oepT.  I  y,  *\l 

01  1 
7  1  1 

DlOCK  L 

oi_ 
o  /  m 

7J  J 

OIL 

1  O  1  O 

1  I  1  0 

Mar  26  '43 

104m 

Jan  23  '43 

1 125 

Not  Set 

1058 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

104m 

Sept.  12/42 

897 

751 

1218 

Not  Set 

77m 

Jan.  9.'43 

1 101 

Not  Set 

855 

Mar.  I2,'43 

73m 

Feb.  27,'43 

1181 

1055 

1280 

GAUCHO  Serenade  (Reissue)  Rep. 

Gentle  Gangster,  A  Rep. 

Gentleman  Jim  WB 

George  Washington  Slept  Here  WB 

Get  Hep  to  Love  Univ. 

Ghost  and  the  Guest,  The  PRC 

Ghost  Rider  Mono. 

Gildersleeve's  Bad  Day  RKO 

Girl  Crazy  MGM 

Girl  Trouble  20th-Fox 

Girls  in  Chains  PRC 

Give  Out,  Sisters  Univ. 

Glass  Key,  The  Para. 

Good  Fellows,  The  Para. 

Good  Morning,  Judge  Univ. 

Gorilla  Man,  The  WB 

Great  Gildersleeve,  The  RKO 

Great  Impersonation,  The  Univ. 

Great  Without  Glory  Para. 

Gyandev  of  India  Ram  Bangai 


2303 

212 
210 
7022 
314 


309 
305 
7021 
4203 


216 
314 
7032 


Gene  Autry 

Barton  MacLane-Molly  Lamont 
Errol  Flynn-Alexis  Smith 
Jack  Benny-Ann  Sheridan 
Gloria  Jean-Robert  Paige 
Florence  Rice-Jimmie  Dunn 
Johnny  Mack  Brown 
Harold  Peary-Jane  Darwell 
Mickey  Rooney-Judy  Garland 
Don  Ameche-Joan  Bennett 
Arline  Judge-Roger  Clark 
Andrews  Sisters-Richard  Davies 
Brian  Donlevy-Veronica  Lake-Alan 
Cecil  Kellaway-Helen  Walker 
Dennis  O'Keefe-Louise  Allbritton 
John  Loder-Paul  Cavanagh 
Harold  Peary-Freddy  Mercer 
Ralph  Bellamy-Evelyn  Ankers 
Joel  McCrea-Betty  Field 
Indian  Feature 


Ladd 


Apr.  I5.'43 

66m 

May  I0,'43 

Nov.  I4,"42 

104m 

Nov.  28,'42 

93  m 

Oct.  2/42 

77m 

Apr.  19/43 

Apr.  2/43 

Not  Set 

Not  Set 

Oct.  9/42 

82m 

May  17/43 

71m 

Sept.  11/42 

65  m 

Block  1 

65m 

Not  Set 

May  7/43 

67m 

Jan.  16/43 

64m 

Jan.  1/43 

62m 

Dec.  18/42 

71m 

Not  Set 

Apr.  9/43 

63m 

May  18/40  1262 


Oct.  3 1/42 
Sept.  19/42 
Oct.  3/42 


Sept.  19/42 
Apr.  10/43 
Sept.  5/42 
Aug.  29/42 

Apr.  24/43 
Dec.  12/42 
Nov.  15/42 
Dec.  19/42 


981 
909 
934 


923 
1250 
889 
914 

1274 
1054 
1006 
1066 


1276 
936 
871 

1241 
1241 
1241 
1191 
855 


1191 

1240 

995 
912 
912 


Apr.  24/43  1275 


HAIL  to  the  Rangers 

Col. 

Charles  Starrett 

Not  Set 

1055 

Half  Way  to  Shanghai 

Univ. 

7035 

Irene  Hervey-Kent  Taylor 

Sept.  18/42 

62m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

1082 

Hangmen  Also  Die 

UA 

Brian  Donlevy-Walter  Brennan 

Mar.  26/43 

I3!m 

Mar.  27/43 

1225 

ii9i 

1280 

Happy  Go  Lucky  [color) 

Para. 

Mary  Martin-Dick  Powell-Rudy  Vallee 

Block  4 

81m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

797 

1218 

Hard  Way,  The 
Harrigan's  Kid 

WB 

209 

Ida  Lupino-Dennis  Morgan 

Feb.  20/43 

109m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

796 

1280 

MGM 

Bobby  Readick-William  Gargan 

Not  Set 

80m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1 191 

Haunted  Ranch 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Feb.  19/43 

57m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 190 

1019 

Heart  of  a  Nation  (French) 

Graetz 

Raimu-Michele  Morgan 

Not  Set 

1  Mm 

Mar.  27/43 

1239 

Heart  of  the  Golden  West 

Rep. 

251 

Roy  Rogers-Gabby  Hayes 

Dec.  11/42 

65m 

Nov.  2 1/42 

1017 

Heaven  Can  Wait 

20th-Fox 

Don  Ameche-Gene  Tierney 

Not  Set 

1240 

He  Hired  the  Boss 

20th-Fox 

334 

Stuart  Erwin-Evelyn  Venable 

Apr.  2/43 

73m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1127 

He's  My  Guy 

Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello  (color) 

Univ. 

7041 

Dick  Foran-lrene  Hervey 

Mar.  26/43 

65m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

1 127 

20th-Fox 

333 

Alice  Faye-John  Payne 

Mar.  26/43 

98m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1127 

1280 

Henry  Aldrich,  Editor 

Para. 

4209 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Block  2 

72m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

663 

1130 

Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour 

Para. 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Block  4 

72m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

986 

Henry  Aldrich  Swings  It 

Para. 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Not  Set 

1104 

Here  We  Go  Again 

RKO 

305 

Fibber  McGee-Edgar  Bergen-"Charlie" 

Oct.  9/42 

76  m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

1082 

Hi,  Buddy 

Univ. 

7031 

Dick  Foran-Harriet  Hilliard 

Feb.  26/43 

68m 

Feb.  20/43 

1170 

1079 

Hidden  Hand,  The 

WB 

208 

Craig  Stevens-Elizabeth  Fraser 

Nov.  7/42 

67m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

1082 

High  Explosive 

Para. 

Chester  Morris-Jean  Parker 

Not  Set 

62m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

983 

Highways  by  Night 

RKO 

304 

Richard  Carlson-Jane  Randolph 

Oct.  2/42 

63  m 

Aug.  8/42 

938 

715 

Hil  Neighbor 

Rep. 

201 

Lulubelle  &  Scotty-Jean  Parker 

July  27/42 
Mar.  26/43 

72m 

July  25/42 

927 

772 

1218 

Hit  Parade  of  1943 

Rep. 

215 

John  Carroll-Susan  Hayward 

82m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1043 

1280 

Hitler,  Dead  or  Alive 

House 

Ward  Bond-Dorothy  Tree 

Not  Set 

70m 

Nov.  2 1/42 

1018 

1082 

Hitler's  Children 

RKO 

316 

Tim  Holt-Bonita  Granville 

Mar.  19/43 

83m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

986 

1280 

Hi'Ya,  Chum 

Univ. 

7039 

Jane  Frazee-Ritz  Brothers 

Mar.  5/43 

61m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

1127 

Hoppy  Serves  a  Writ 

UA 

William  Boyd-Andy  Clyde 

Mar.  12/43 

•  67m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

Hostages 

How's  About  It? 

Para. 

Luise  Rainer-Paul  Lukas 

Not  Set 

i277 

Univ. 

7025 

Andrews  Sisters-Robert  Paige 

Feb.  5/43 

61m 

Feb.  6/43 

il47 

Human  Comedy,  The 

MGM 

Mickey  Rooney-Frank  Morgan 

Not  Set 

1 15m 

Feb.  27/43 

1190 

1019 

ICE-CAPADES  Revue 

Rep. 

206 

Ellen  Drew-Richard  Denning 

Dec.  24/42 

79m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

797 

1130 

Iceland 

20th-Fox 

306 

Sonja  Henie-John  Payne 

Oct.  2/42 

79m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

797 

t082 

Idaho 

Rep. 

252 

Roy  Rogers-Virginia  Grey 

Mar.  10/43 

70m 

Feb.  20/43 

1169 

1162 

1218 

1  Dood  It 

MGM 

Red  Skelton-Eleanor  Powell 

Not  Set 

1 192 

1  Escaped  from  the  Gestapo 

Mono. 

Dean  Jagger-John  Carradine 

May  14/43 

75  m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

1 162 

1  Married  a  Witch 

UA 

Fredric  March-Veronica  Lake 

Oct.  30/42 

78m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

797 

1218 

Immortal  Sergeant,  The 

20th-Fox 

327 

Henry  Fonda-Maureen  O'Hara 

Jan.  29/43 

91m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

995 

1280 

In  the  Rear  of  Enemy  (Russian) 

Artkino 

War  Documentary 

Oct.  9/42 

59m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

In  Which  We  Serve  (British) 

UA 

Noel  Coward-Bernard  Miles 

Feb.  12/43 

1  13m 

Oct.  17/42 

957 

1280 

Isle  of  Missing  Men 

Mono. 

John  Howard-Gilbert  Roland 

Sept.  18/42 

67m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

772 

It  Ain't  Hay 

Univ. 

7001 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Mar.  19/43 

81m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

1058 

1280 

It  Comes  Up  Love 

Univ. 

7023 

Gloria  Jean-Ian  Hunter 

Apr.  9/43 

65m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 146 

986 

It's  That  Man  Again  (British) 

Gains. 

Tommy  Handley 

Not  Set 

84m 

Feb.  27/43 

1182 

1  Walked  with  a  Zombie 

RKO 

324 

Frances  Dee-Tom  Conway 

Apr.  30/43 

68m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

1057 

1 296  Product  Digest  Section 


May    I  ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


REVIEWED 


M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Service 

Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synoptit 

Data 

fitlt 

Company 

Number 

Start 

Date 

Time 

hsue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

1  A  ADC 

JACARc 

UA 

Animal  feature 

Nov.  27,'42 

65m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

1218 

Jane  Eyre 

20th-Fox 

Orson  Welles-Joan  Fontaine 

Not  Set 

1240 

Johnny  Doughboy 

Rep. 

205 

Jane  Withers-Patrick  Brook 

Dec.  31, "42 

63  m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

971 

1218 

Journey  for  Margaret 

MGM 

314 

Robert  Young-Laraine  Day 

Dec.-Feb.,'43 

79m 

Oct.  3 1/42 

981 

912 

1 174 

Journey  Into  Fear 

RKO 

307 

Joseph  Cotten-Dolores  Del  Rio 

Feb.  12/43 

71m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 146 

796 

1218 

Junior  Army 

Col. 

4038 

Freddie  Bartholomew-Billy  Halop 

Nov.  26,'42 

71m 

Feb. 20/43 

1 170 

1009 

Just  Off  Broadway 

20th-Fox 

310 

Lloyd  Nolan-Marjorie  Weaver 

Sept.  25,'42 

65m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

797 

KEEP  'Em  Slugging 

Univ. 

7040 

Dead  End  Kids 

Apr.  2,'43 

61m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

Keeper  of  the  Flame 

MGM 

320 

Spencer  Tracy-Katharine  Hepburn 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

100m 

Dec.  19/42 

1065 

936 

1280 

Kid  Dynamite 

Mono. 

E~.r  C:J_  i/*J 
bast  bide  Kids 

reb.  a, 

66m 

OO  'AO 

Jan.  £S,  ts 

1  1  9A 

King  Arthur  Was  a  Gentle- 

man (British) 

Gains. 

Arthur  Askey-Evelyn  Dall 

Not  Set 

98m 

Jan.  16/43 

1114 

Mny  or  ine  vonuoyi 

Rep. 

254 

Raw  Rnnprt 

Apr.  9,'43 

67  m 

Aor  10 '43 

1249 

1241 

i  a  r\iec»  n 
LADIES  Day 

RKO 

322 

Lupe  Velez-Eddie  Albert-Max  Baer 

Apr.  9,'43 

62m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

962 

Lady  Bodyguard 

Para. 

Eddie  Albert-Anne  Shirley 

Block  4 

70m 

Jan.  2/43 

1090 

946 

Lady  from  Chungking 

PRC 

302 

Anna  May  Wong-Harold  Huber 

Dec.  21/42 

70m 

Nov.  7/42 

1006 

574 

1 174 

Lady  in  the  Dark 

Para. 

Ginger  Rogers-Ray  Milland 

Not  Set 

1091 

Lady  of  Burlesque 

UA 

Barbara  Stanwyck-Michael  O'Shea 

Not  Set 

91m 

May  1/43 

1289 

1  182 

Lady  Takes  a  Chance,  A 

RKO 

Jean  Arthur-John  Wayne 

Not  Set 

1240 

Land  of  Hunted  Men 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Mar.  26,'43 

58m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

Lassie  Comes  Home 

MGM 

Roddy  McDowall-Edmund  Gwenn 

Not  Set 

1240 

Last  Ride,  The 

WB 

Richard  Travis-Eleanor  Parker 

Not  Set 

1115 

Last  Will  of  Dr.  Mabuse  (Fr.)  Krellberg 

Jim  Gerald-Thorny  Bourdelle 

Mar.  I9,'43 

94m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

Laugh  Your  Blues  Away 

Col. 

4033 

Bert  Gordon-Jinx  Falkenburg 

Nov.  12. '42 

70m 

Feb. 13/43 

1 159 

986 

Law  of  the  Northwest 

Col. 

Charles  Starrett-Shirley  Patterson 

May  27, '43 

1018 

Leather  Burners,  The 

UA 

William  Boyd 

May  28,'43 

58m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

Leopard  Man,  The 

RKO 

Dennis  O'Keefe-Margo 

Not  Set 

1241 

Let's  Face  It 

Para. 

Bob  Hope-Betty  Hutton 

Not  Set 

1277 

Let's  Have  Fun 

Col. 

4040 

Bert  Gordon-Margaret  Lindsay 

Mar.  4, "43 

63m 

May  1/43 

1290 

Life  Begins  at  Eight-thirty 

20th-Fox 

322 

Monty  Woolley-lda  Lupino 

Dec.  25,'42 

85m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

962 

1218 

Little  Joe,  the  Wrangler 

Univ. 

7072 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Nov.  I3,'42 

64m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

Little  Tokyo,  U.S.A. 

20th-Fox 

303 

Preston  Foster-Brenda  Joyce 

Aug.  I4,"42 

64m 

July  1 1  ,'42 

938 

Living  Ghost,  The 

Mono. 

James  Dunn-Joan  Woodbury 

Nov.  27,'42 

61m 

Oct.  3 1  ,'42 

982 

London  Blackout  Murders 

Rep. 

210 

John  Abbott-MaryMcLeod 

Jan.  I5,'43 

59m 

Dec.  12/42 

1067 

Lone  Prairie,  The 

Col. 

4209 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Oct.  I5,'42 

58m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

1058 

Lone  Rider  in  Death  Rides  P 

ains  PRC 

365 

Bob  Livingston-Al  St.  John 

Apr.  30, "43 

1277 

Lone  Rider  in  Wild  Horse  Rustlers  PRC 

364 

Bob  Livingston-Al  St.  John 

Feb.  I2,'43 

55m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

Lone  Rider,  Overland  Stagecoach  PRC 

363 

Bob  Livingston-Al  St.  John 

Dec.  II. '42 

58m 

Jan.  23/43 

1126 

1018 

Lone  Star  Trail,  The 

Univ. 

7077 

Johnny  Mack  Brown-Tex  Ritter 

Not  Set 

1019 

Lost  Canyon 

UA 

wiinam  Doyo 

Dan   1  8  '47 

Ojm 

Ian   91  '43 

Jan.  xj,  tj 

1  1  iO 

Loves  of  Edgar  Allan  Poe,  The  20th-Fox 

305 

John  Shepperd-Linda  Darnell 

Aug.  28,'42 

67m 

July  1 1/42 

914 

751 

Lucky  Jordan 

Para. 

4215 

Alan  Ladd-Helen  Walker 

Block  3 

84m 

Nov.  2 1/42 

1017 

986 

1082 

Lucky  Legs 

Col. 

4032 

Jinx  Falkenburg-Kay  Harris 

Oct.  1/42 

64m 

Feb.  13/43 

1158 

797 

MADAME  Spy 

Univ. 

7034 

Constance  Bennett-Don  Porter 

Dec.  1 1  ,'42 

63  m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

Magnificent  Ambersons,  The 

RKO 

371 

Joseph  Cotten-Dolores  Costello 

July  10/42 

88m 

July  4/42 

938 

507 

947 

Major  and  the  Minor,  The 

Para. 

4202 

Ginger  Rogers-Ray  Milland 

Block  1 

100m 

Aug.  29/42 

927 

1 174 

Man  in  the  Trunk,  The 

20th-Fox 

315 

Lynne  Roberts-George  Holmes 

Oct.  23/42 

71m 

Sept.  19/42 

911 

855 

Manila  Calling 

20th-Fox 

314 

Lloyd  Nolan-Carole  Landis 

Oct.  16/42 

81m 

Sept.  19/42 

911 

871 

Man  from  Thunder  River 

Rep. 

Bill  Elliott-George  Hayes 

June  1 1  ,'43 

1277 

Man  of  Courage 

PRC 

319 

Barton  MacLane-Charlotte  Wynters 

Jan.  4/43 

67m 

Jan.  30/43 

1 137 

1031 

Mantrap,  The 

Rep. 

217 

Lloyd  Corrigan-Dorofhy  Lovett 

Apr.  13/43 

58m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

1 191 

Man's  World,  A 

Col. 

4044 

M.  Chapman-Wm.  Wright 

Sept.  17/42 

60m 

Dec.  12/42 

1055 

Margin  for  Error 

20th-Fox 

330 

Joan  Bennett-Milton  Berle 

Feb.  19/43 

74m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

995 

Mashenka  (Russian) 

Artkino 

V.  Karavayeva-M.  Kuznetzov 

Nov.  20/42 

67m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

McGuerins  from  Brooklyn 

UA-Roach 

Max  Baer-William  Bendix 

Dec.  3 1  ,'42 

46m 

Feb.  6/43 

1  147 

Meanest  Man  in  the  World 

20th-Fox 

329 

Jack  Benny-Priscilla  Lane 

Feb.  12/43 

57m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 115 

962 

1280 

Meet  John  Bonniwell 

UA 

Richard  Dix-Jane  Wyatt 

Not  Set 

1 182 

Mexican  Spitfire's  Elephant 

RKO 

302 

Lupe  Velez-Leon  Errol 

Sept.  1 1  ,'42 

64m 

Aug.  8/42 

9  i  5 

Miracle  of  Morgan's  Creek,  The  Para. 

Eddie  Bracken-Betty  Hutton 

Not  Set 

1079 

Mission  to  Moscow 

WB 

Walter  Huston-Ann  Harding 

Not  Set 

1058 

Miss  V  from  Moscow 

PRC 

318 

Lola  Lane-Noel  Madison 

Nov.  23/42 

71m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

1031 

Moonlight  in  Havana 

Univ. 

7026 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Oct.  16/42 

62m 

Oct.  17/42 

959 

Moon  and  Sixpence,  The 

UA 

George  Sanders-Herbert  Marshall 

Oct.  2/42 

89m 

Sept.  12/42 

912 

1 130 

Moon  Is  Down,  The 

20th-Fox 

335 

Cedric  Hardwicke-Henry  Travers 

Apr.  9/43 

90m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

i  09  i 

1280 

More  the  Merrier,  The 

Col. 

Jean  Arthur-Joel  McCrea 

May  13/43 

104m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

1 182 

Moscow  Strikes  Back  (Russian)  Rep. 

Documentary 

Aug.  15/42 

55m 

Aug.  15/42 

840 

1 130 

Mountain  Rhythm 

Rep. 

209 

Weaver  Bros.  &  Elviry 

Jan.  8/43 

70m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

1009 

Mr.  Lucky 

RKO 

Cary  Grant-Laraine  Day 

May  28/43 

1081 

(formerly  From  Here  to  Victory) 

Mrs.  Wiggs  of  the  Cabbage 

Patch  Para. 

4208 

Fay  Bainter-Carolyn  Lee 

Block  2 

80m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

663 

1218 

Mug  Town 

Univ. 

7027 

Dead  End  Kids 

Dec.  18/42 

60m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

Mummy's  Tomb,  The 

Univ. 

7019 

Dick  Foran-Elyse  Knox 

Oct.  23/42 

61m 

Oct.  17/42 

970 

1130 

Murder  in  Times  Square 

Col. 

4034 

Edmund  Lowe-Marguerite  Chapman 

Apr.  1/43 

1079 

My  Friend  Flicka  (color) 

20th-Fox 

Roddy  McDowall-Preston  Foster 

Not  Set 

90m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

962 

Product  Digest  Section   1 297 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    I  ,  1943 


-  REVIEWED  — 

M.  P.        Product     Advance  iervti 


Prod. 

Releaie 

Running 

Herald 

Digett 

Synopiii 

Data 

Title 

N 'utttht*t 

JIT                C  » 

Date 

Time 

Isstit 

Pate 

Pare 

Paet 

My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy 

Para. 

4214 

Richard  Carlson-M.  O'Driscoll 

Block  3 

75m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

871 

My  Son,  the  Hero 

PRC 

311 

Patsy  Kelly-Roscoe  Karns 

Apr.  5/43 

68m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

Mysterious  Doctor,  The 

WB 

218 

Eleanor  Parker-John  Loder 

Mar.  6,'43 

57m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 181 

1091 

.... 

NAVY  o«m«c  Ti,r/.i,/,i,  tl„ 
iNy\T  1  Worries  through,  l  he 

rat  \J  Dnen-toeorge  Murphy 

L/CT.  JU,  nZ 

fi  1  m 

0 1  m 

vJCT.  1  /,  nZ 

OK7 
TO  / 

7  1  R 
/  1  O 

1  nn 

1  1  3U 

'Neath  Brooklyn  Bridge 

Mono. 

c:J«  ViJ* 
cast  oiae  Mas 

kl OA  *A*) 

INOV.  Zu,  nZ 

Al  m 

0 1  m 

0<-+   17  '47 
V-JCT.  1  /  ,  *rZ 

YOU 

Next  of  Kin,  The  (British) 

Univ. 

Basil  Sydney-Nova  Pilbeam 

VA  my,    7  '47 

May  /, 

Ortm 

a  —  -  in  '47 
Apr.  1  u,  *tj 

1  9A? 
1  ZOZ 

Nightmare 

Univ. 

/  U  1  3 

Diana  Barrymore-Bnan  Donlevy 

Klrtv   1  7  '49 
IN  OV.  1  -3,  *tZ 

fi  1  m 

0 1  m 

Klnv    14  '4? 

INOV.    1  *?|  "Ti 

imp, 
1  u  1 0 

1  174 

1  1  /  H 

Night  for  Crime,  A 

PRC 

OU*r 

trlenaa  rarrell-Lyle  lalDot 

r©D.  lo,  no 

/  om 

Ann       1  '49 
Aug.     1 ,  *tZ 

Qfl7 

7UJ 

Night  Monster 

Univ. 

7038 

Irene  Hervey-Bela  Lugosi 

Oct.  23,'42 

73m 

Oct.  24/42 

970 

1130 

Night  Plane  from  Chungking 

Para. 

Robert  Preston-Ellen  Drew 

Block  4 

68m 

Jan.  2/43 

1 102 

983 

Night  to  Remember,  A 

Col. 

4009 

Loretta  Young-Brian  Aherne 

Dec.  I0,'42 

90m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

986 

1130 

Nine  Men  (British)  Ealing-UA 

Jack  Lambert-Richard  Wilkinson 

Not  Set 

67m 

Feb.  13/43 

1158 

Northwest  Rangers 

MSM 

319 

James  Craig-Patricia  Dane 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

64m 

Oct.  31/42 

981 

960 

1218 

No  Place  for  a  Lady 

Col. 

4036 

William  Sargan-Margaret  Lindsay 

Feb.  11:43 

67m 

1057 

No  Time  for  Love 

Para. 

Claudette  Colbert-Fred  MacMurray 

Not  Set 

855 

Now,  Voyager 

WB 

206 

Bette  Davis-Paul  Henreid 

Oct.  31, '42 

1 17  m 

Aug.  22/42 

902 

1174 

OLD  Acquaintance 

WB 

bette  Uavis-Jonn  Loder 

Not  iet 

1  109 
1  1  7  Z 

.... 

Old  Chisholm  Trail,  The 

Univ. 

7rt77 
/U/ J 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Dec.  1  1 ,  hz 

oum 

l.n     1  A  "41 

Jan.  1 0,  *tj 

1 1 11 

1113 

Old  Homestead,  The 

Rep. 

707 

zuz 

Weaver  Bros,  and  Elviry 

Aug.  1  /,  hz 

0  /  m 

Ann  90  '49 
/\ug.  l 7,  hz 

730 

pec 

Old  Mother  Riley,  Detective 

(British)                    Br.  Nat'l-Anglo 

Arthur  Lucan 

Not  Set 

oum 

reD.  1  3,  H3 

1  1  97 

Omaha  Trail 

MSM 

7  1  1 

James  Craig-Dean  Jagger 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

A  1  m 

0 1  m 

C.-l     ig  'A") 

3epr.  1 7,  hz 

091 

7Z3 

70A 

#70 

1  AOU 

Once  Upon  a  Honeymoon 

RKO 

"5  1  1 

3  1  1 

Singer  Rogers-Cary  Srant 

Nov.  27,'42 

1  1  Am 

1  1  om 

►J_„       7  'Af 
INOV.     /,  HZ 

1  nnA 

1  UUO 

0  00 

1 9Rn 

One  Dangerous  Night 

Col. 

4A90 

Warren  William-Eric  Blore 

Jan.  21, '43 

/  /  m 

A       94  '41 
/\pr.  ZH,  *ro 

1 974 

1  Z  /  H 

0R1 
703 

One  of  Our  Aircraft  Is  Missing 

(British) 

UA 

Sodfrey  Tearle-Eric  Portman 

Oct.  I6.'42 

86m 

Apr.  11/42 

903 

1174 

One  Thrilling  Night 

Mono. 

John  Beal-Wanda  McKay 

June  5/42 

69  m 

July  4/42 

914 

662 

Orchestra  Wives 

20th-Fox 

308 

Seorge  Montgomery-Ann  Rutherford    Sept.  4,'42 

97m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

797 

1130 

Our  Lady  of  Paris  (French) 

Hirliman 

Catholic  Art  Documentary 

Mar.  12/43 

56m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

Outlaw,  The 

Hughes 

Jack  Buetel-Jane  Russell 

Not  Set 

I2lm 

Feb.  13/43 

1 157 

Outlaws  of  Pine  Ridge 

Rep. 

272 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Oct.  27/42 

57m 

Nov.  21/42 

1017 

Over  My  Dead  Body 

20th-Fox 

325 

Milton  Berle-Mary  Beth  Hughes 

Jan.  15/43 

68m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

995 

Ox-Bow  Incident,  The 

20th-Fox 

Henry  Fonda-Mary  Beth  Hughes 

Not  Set 

872 

PALM    Beach  Story,  The 

Para. 

47  1  1 

Claudette  Colbert-Joel  McCrea 

Block  3 

7um 

k|-„       7  'A") 
INOV.     /,  tJL 

001 
773 

AAl 
003 

1  1  74 

1  1  /  H 

Panama  Hattie 

MSM 

7fi7 

Ann  Sothern-Red  Skelton 

Sept.-Nov./42 

70m 

/  7  m 

July  zo,  tz 

7  1  0 

1QA 
3  70 

1  ni4 

Pardon  My  Sun 

Col. 

47A7 
^ZUZ 

Charles  Starrett-Alma  Carroll 

Dec.  1/42 

C7m 

o/m 

1  ncQ 

1  UDo 

Pardon  My  Ski 

Univ. 

.... 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Not  Set 

.... 

1  1 A9 
1  1  oz 

(formerly  Oh,  Doctor) 

Payoff,  The 

PRC 

7A7 

Lee  Tracy-Tina  Thayer 

Jan.  21/43 

/  *tm 

Kl^u  9f»  '49 
INOV.  Zo,  *rZ 

1  nin 

1  U3U 

Petticoat  Larceny 

RKO 

Ruth  Warrick-Walter  Reed 

Not  Set 

1940 

1  I7U 

Phantom  of  the  Opera 

Univ. 

Nelson  Eddy-Susanna  Foster 

Not  Set 

1 109 
1  1 71 

Pied  Piper,  The 

20th-Fox 

Monty  Woolley-Roddy  McDowell 

Aug.  21/42 

07- 

o/m 

lulu  1  1  '49 
July  1  1 ,  hi 

1082 

Pilot  No.  5 

MSM 

Franchot  Tone-Marsha  Hunt 

Not  Set 

7flm 

/urn 

A  r>r    Ifl  '41 

1 9nn 
1 13VJ 

071 
7/1 

Pirates  of  the  Prairie 

RKO 

Tim  Holt 

Nov.  20/42 

C7_ 

o/m 

Ar>r      1  '41 

1 137 

1011 

Pittsburgh 

Univ. 

7ftAQ 

Marlene  Dietrich-John  Wayne 

Dec.  1 1/42 

07m 

Dar-       R  '49 
UQC,    O,  tZ 

in49 

.... 

1 7 1  fi 

Power  of  Sod,  The 

St.  Rts. 

John  Barclay-Thomas  Louden 

Not  Set 

Cfim 

Dom 

O/.+  94  '49 
UCT.  Z*t,  nZ 

07n 

7/U 

Powers  Sirl,  The 

UA 

Anne  Shirley-Seorge  Murphy 

Jan.  15/43 

07m 

n«/-   10  '49 
UeC.  1  7,  *rZ 

1  u/o 

1  1 74 

1  1  #  H 

Power  of  the  Press 

Col. 

AM  7 

Suy  Kibbee-Lee  Tracy 

Jan.  28/43 

A4m 

OT'm 

A^r      1  '41 

I91R 
1 130 

lORR 

1  yjj 

Prairie  Chicken  UA-Roach 

Jimmy  Rogers-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

Not  Set 

OflA 

700 

Prelude  to  War 

WAC 

Documentary 

May  27/43 

C7m 

^A**,    1  '41 
may    1 ,  ho 

1 9on 

1  Z  7U 

Presenting  Lily  Mars 

MSM 

Judy  Sarland-Van  Heflin 

Not  Set 

1  u^m 

U31.      1  'A? 

May    1 ,  *rj 

1  789 

1  £07 

0A9 

70I 

Pride  of  the  Army 

Mono. 

.... 

Billy  Lee-Addison  Richards 

Nov.  13/42 

A7m 

<"V+  in  '49 

94A 

7H0 

(also  called  War  Dogs) 

Pride  of  the  Yankees,  The 

RKO 

351 

Sary  Cooper-Teresa  Wright 

Mar.  5/43 

I28m 

July  18/42 

915 

1082 

Princess  O'Rourke 

WB 

Olivia  de  Havilland-Robert  Cummings         Not  Set 

962 

Priorities  on  Parade 

Para. 

4201 

Ainn  Miller-Jerry  Colonna 

Block  1 

79  m 

Aug.  1/42 

914 

Prison  Mutiny 

Mono. 

Edward  Norris-Joan  Woodbury 

Feb.  12/43 

61m 

Jan.  30/43 

1137 

1081 

(formerly  You  Can't  Beat  the  Law) 

Private  Miss  Jones 

MSM 

Kathryn  Srayson-Sene  Kelly 

Not  Set 

1079 

Prodigal's  Mother 

Rep. 

Mabel  Paige-John  Craven 

June  4/43 

1276 

Purple  V,  The 

Rep. 

212 

John  Archer-Mary  McLeod 

Mar.  12/43 

58m 

A  ~.      7  '47 

Apr.   o,  4J 

1  77fi 

I  Zoo 

1  1  A  7 
1  1  OZ 

QUEEN    of  Broadway 

PRC 

312 

Rochelle  Hudson-Buster  Crabbe 

Mar.  8/43 

62m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

1018 

Queen  Viatoria  (British) 

Renown 

Anna  Neagle-Anton  Walbrook 

Not  Set 

84m 

Jan.  16/43 

1113 

Quiet  Please,  Murder 

20th-Fox 

331 

Sail  Patrick-Seorge  Sanders 

Mar.  19/43 

70m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

983 

RAIDERS  of  San  Joaquin 

Univ. 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Not  Set 

1  nno 

(  UU7 

Random  Harvest 

MSM 

Ronald  Colman-Sreer  Sarson 

Not  Set 

1  Zom 

KJ«w  70  *49 
INOV.  Z0,  *tZ 

in90 

1  UI 7 

79A 

1280 

Rangers  Take  Over,  The 

PRC 

IE  1 

3b  1 

Tex  O'Brien-Jim  Newill 

Dec.  25/42 

oum 

1  -  _  It 

Jan.  io,  to 

1  1  14 

1  1  1  H 

1  n^c. 

Ravaged  Earth 

Crystal 

Documentary  on  China 

Not  Set 

00m 

c  '47 

USC.     O,  *rZ 

in4i 

1  UH3 

Reap  the  Wild  Wind  (color) 

Para. 

Ray  Milland-Paulette  Soddard 

1941-42 

124m 

Mar.  2 1/42 

1250 

408 

795 

Redhead  from  Manhattan 

Col. 

Lupe  Velez-Michael  Duane 

May  6/43 

1241 

Red  River  Robin  Hood 

RKO 

Tim  Holt 

Not  Set 

57  m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

Reunion  in  France 

MSM 

315 

Joan  Crawford-Philip  Dorn- 

(formerly  Reunion) 

John  Wayne 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

102m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

872 

1218 

Reveille  with  Beverly 

Col. 

4014 

Ann  Miller-William  Wright 

Feb.  4/43 

78m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1  162 

1280 

Rhythm  of  the  Islands 

Univ. 

7042 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Apr.  16/43 

60  m 

Mar.  13,43 

1203 

1 127 

Rhythm  Parade 

Mono. 

Sale  Storm-Robert  Lowery 

Dec.  11/42 

70m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

983 

I  298  Product  Digest  Section 


M 


ay 


I  ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


REVIEWED 


Title  Company 

Ride,  Tenderfoot,  Ride  (Reissue)  Rep. 
Riders  of  the  Northwest  Mounted  Cot. 
Riders  of  the  Rio  Grande  Rep. 
Ridin'  Down  the  Canyon  Rep. 
Riding  Through  Nevada  Col. 
Right  About  Face  MSM 
Road  to  Morocco  Para. 
Robin  Hood  of  the  Range  Col. 
Russians  At  War  (Russian)  Artkino 


M  P 
xvi.  r ■ 

x\UV07Hr  V 

Sttvtct 

Prod- 

tyeteast 

t\  unmng 

Digest 

Data 

HTTi  UZ< 

otan 

uaie 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

rage 

Gene  Autry 

June    1  ,'43 

65m 

Aug.  24,'40 

1274 

4211 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Feb.  15/43 

57m 

Feb.27,'43 

1 182 

ioi9 

.... 

Three  Mesquiteers 

May  I9,"43 

1276 

253 

Roy  Rogers-Gabby  Hayes 

Dec.  30,42 

55m 

Dec.  !2,'42 

1054 

1019 

4201 

Charles  Starrett-Shirley  Patterson 

Oct.  1/42 

61m 

Feb.  20,43 

1 169 

1058 

Kay  Kyser-Lena  Home 

Not  Set 

1241 

4207 

Bob  Hope-Bing  Crosby-Dorothy  Lamour 

Block  2 

83  m 

Oct.  3,'42 

933 

872 

1  130 

Charles  Starrett-Kay  Harris 

Not  Set 

1057 

Documentary 

Not  Set 

61m 

May  l,'43 

1290 

SADDLES  and  Sag  ebrush 
Sagebrush  Law 
Saludos  Amigos  (color) 
Salute  for  Three 
Salute  to  the  Marines 
Santa  Fe  Scouts 
Sarong  Girl 

Scattergood  Survives  a  Murder 
School  for  Jive 
Secret  Enemies 

Secret  Mission  (British)  Hellman-GenJ 
Secrets  of  a  Co-Ed 
Secrets  of  the  Underground 
Seven  Days  Leave 
Seven  Miles  from  Alcatraz 
Seven  Sweethearts 
Shadow  of  a  Doubt 
Shadows  on  the  Sage 
Shantytown 

She  Has  What  It  Takes 
Sherlock  Holmes,  Voice  of  Terror 
Sherlock  Holmes,  Secret  Weapon 
Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington 
Siege  of  Leningrad 
Silent  Witness 

Silk,  Blood  and  Sun  (Mexican) 
Silver  Queen 
Silver  Fleet  (British) 
Silver  Skates 
Sin  Town 

Sky's  the  Limit,  The 
Slightly  Dangerous 
Smith  of  Minnesota 
Soliga  Solberg  (Swedish) 
Sombrero  Kid,  The 

Something  to  Shout  About  Col. 
Somewhere  I'll  Find  You  MGM 
Somewhere  in  France  UA 
So  Proudly  We  Hail  Para. 
Son  of  Dracula  Univ. 
South  of  the  Border  (Re-release)  Rep. 
Spirit  of  Stanford,  The  Col. 
Spitfire  (British)  RKO 
Spring  Song  (Russian)  Artkino 
Springtime  in  Rockies  (color)  20th-Fox 
Squadron  Leader  X  (British)  RKO 
Stage  Door  Canteen  UA 
Stand  By,  All  Networks  Col. 
Stand  By  for  Action  MGM 
Star  Spangled  Rhythm  Para. 
Stormy  Weather  20th-Fox 
Stranger  from  Pecos  Mono. 
Stranger  in  Town,  A  MGM 
Street  of  Chance  Para. 
Strictly  in  the  Groove  Univ. 
Submarine  Alert  Para. 
Sundown  Kid  Rep. 
Swing  Shift  Maisie  MGM 
Swing  Your  Partner  Rep. 


Col. 

4212 

RKO 

384 

RKO 

392 

Para. 

MGM 

Rep. 

265 

Mono. 

RKO 

306 

Univ. 

WB 

205 

-Gen'l 

PRC 

309 

Rep. 

208 

RKO 

310 

RKO 

315 

MGM 

308 

Univ. 

7065 

Rep. 

261 

Rep. 

218 

Col. 

4029 

Univ. 

7020 

Univ. 

7024 

Univ. 
Artkino 
Mono, 
xican)  Maya 
UA 

Archers-Gen'l 
Mono. 
Univ. 
RKO 
MGM 
Col. 
Scandia 
Rep. 


7017 


4035 

271 
4006 
301 


2302 
4022 


317 


4042 
316 
4231 


4210 

7028 

273 


Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills  Apr.  22,'43 

Tim  Holt  Apr.  2,'43 

Disney  South  American  feature  Feb.  I9,'43 

Macdonald  Carey-Betty  Rhodes  Not  Set 

Wallace  Beery-Fay  Bainter  Not  Set 

Three  Mesquiteers  Apr.  I6,'43 

Ann  Corio-Tim  and  Irene  May  28, '43 

Guy  Kibbee-Margaret  Hayes  Oct.  1 6, '42 

Gloria  Jean-Donald  O'Connor  June  4,'43 

Craig  Stevens-Faye  Emerson  Oct.  I7,'42 

Hugh  Williams-Carla  Lehmann  Not  Set 

Otto  Kruger-Tina  Thayer  Oct.  26,'42 

John  Hubbard-Virginia  Grey  Dec.  1 8, '42 

Lucille  Ball-Victor  Mature  Nov.  1 3, "42 

James  Craig-Bonita  Granville  Jan.  8, '43 

Van  Heflin-Kathryn  Grayson  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

Teresa  Wright-Joseph  Cotten  Jan.  I5,'43 

Three  Mesquiteers  Aug.  24, '42 

Mary  Lee-John  Archer  Apr.  20,'43 

Jinx  Falkenberg-Tom  Neal  Apr.  1 5, '43 

Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce  Sept.  1 8, '42 

Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce  Feb.  1 2, '43 

Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce  Apr.  30,'43 

Soviet  Documentary  Feb.  1 1, '43 

Frank  Albertson-Maris  Wrixon  Jan.  I5,'43 

Jorge  Negrete-Gloria  Marin  Not  Set 

George  Brent-Priscilla  Lane  Nov.  1 3 , '42 

Ralph  Richardson-Googie  Withers  Not  Set 

Patricia  Morison-Kenny  Baker  Feb.  26, '43 

Constance  Bennett-Brod  Crawford  Sept.  25, '42 

Fred  Astaire-Joan  Leslie  Not  Set 

Lana  Turner-Robert  Young  Apr.,'43 

Bruce  Smith-Arline  Judge  Oct.  I5,'42 

Edvard  Persson  Sept.  1 2, '42 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick  July  3 1, '42 
Don  Ameche-Jack  Oakie-Janet  Blair       Feb.  25, '43 

Clark  Gable-Lana  Turner  Sept.-Nov.,'42 
Constance  Cumming-Tommy  Trinder       May  7,'43 

Claudette  Colbert-Paulette  Goddard  Not  Set 

Alan  Curtis-Lon  Chaney  Not  Set 

Gene  Autry  Mar.  I, '43 
Frankie  Albert-Marguerite  Chapman      Sept.  1 0,42 

Leslie  Howard-Rosamund  John  Not  Set 
Nikolai  Kunovalov-Ludmila  Tzelikovskaya  Sept.  1 1, '42 

Betty  Grable-John  Payne  Nov.  6,'42 

Eric  Portman-Beatrice  Varley  May  2 1, '43 

Stage  and  Screen  Stars  Not  Set 

John  Beal-Florence  Rice  Oct.  29,42 

Charles  Laughton-Robert  Taylor  Dec-Feb.,43 
Betty  Hutton-Eddie  Bracken-Victor  Moore  Special 

Bill  Robinson-Lena  Home  Not  Set 

Johnny  Mack  Brown  June  25,43 

Frank  Morgan-Jean  Rogers  Apr., 43 

Burgess  Meredith-Claire  Trevor  Block  2 

Leon  Errol-Mary  Healy  Nov.  20,42 

Richard  Arlen-Wendy  Barrie  Not  Set 

Don  Barry-Linda  Johnson  Dec.  28,42 

Ann  Sothern-James  Craig  Not  Set 

Lulubelle  and  Scotty-Vera  Vague  May  12,43 


56m 
43m 
75m 


Apr.  24,43 
Dec.  19,42 
Mar.  27,43 


66m       Oct.  17,42 


59m 
94m 
67m 
69m 
87m 
62  m 
98m 
108m 
57m 
65m 

65m 
68m 
71m 
62m 
62m 
86m 
80m 
88m 
76m 
73  m 

94  m 
66m 
89m 
56m 
90m 
107m 
83m 


Aug. 
Sept. 
Sept. 
Feb, 
Oct. 
Nov. 
Aug. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Apr. 


22,42 
26.42 
19,42 
13,43 
17,42 
14,42 
15,42 
9,43 
2,43 
24,43 


Sept. 
Jan. 
Apr. 
Feb. 
Dec. 
Feb. 
Nov. 
Mar. 
Jan. 
Oct. 


12,42 
2,43 
3,43 
20,43 
19,42 
6,43 
14,42 
20,43 
16,42 
3742 


Mar.  6.43 
Oct.  17.42 
Sept.  19.42 
Oct.  3.42 
Feb.  13,43 
Aug.  8,42' 
Feb.  20,43 


1275 
1065 
1226 


959 

914 

922 

910 
1 159 

958 
1006 

902 
1 1 14 
1090 
1273 

897 
1090 
1237 
1 169 
1066 
1 146 
1005 
1214 
1113 

934 

i  i  89 

959 
910 
935 
1157 
902 
1169 


1240 


1091 
1057 
1276 
1277 
912 
1277 


1009 
872 
962 

936 

i  191 
1192 


983 
1033 
936 


898 
1162 
1057 

797 

796 
1043 
726 

1 104 


71m 

Dec.  I6,'39 

1158 

73m 

Oct.  3 1,42 

982 

796 

1082 

90m 

Apr.  17,43 

1275 

74m 

Sept.  19,42 

910 

91m 

Sept.  26,42 

921 

855 

1 174 

100m 

Nov.  28,42 

1030 

■  its 

64  m 

Mar.  6,43 

1189 

797 

109m 

Dec.  12,42 

1053 

871 

1174 

100m 

Jan.  3,43 

1102 

855 
1192 
1277 

1280 

67  m 

Feb.  13,43 

II 58 

1079 

74m 

Oct.  3,42 

933 

871 

1082 

60m 

July  4,42 

914 

772 

55m 

Jan.  16,43 

1113 

1191 

1276 


TAHITI  Honey 

Rep. 

216 

Simons  Simon-Dennis  O'Keefe 

Apr.  6,43 

69m 

Apr.  3,43 

1238 

1 191 

Tales  of  Manhattan 

20th-Fox 

313 

C.  Boyer-R.  Hayworth-G.  Rogers 

Oct.  30,42 

1 18m 

Aug.  8.42 

927 

706 

1130 

Tarzan  Triumphs 

RKO 

319 

Johnny  Weissmuller-Frances  Gifford 

Feb.  19,43 

77m 

Jan.  23,43 

1 125 

983 

1174 

Taxi  Mister 

UA-Roach 

William  Bendix-Grace  Bradley 

Apr.  16.43 

46m 

Mar.  13,43 

1203 

986 

Tennessee  Johnson 

MGM 

322 

Van  Heflin-Ruth  Hussey 

Dec-Feb.,43 

100m 

Dec.  19,42 

1065 

946 

1280 

Tenting  Tonight  on  the 

Old  Camp  Ground 

Univ. 

7074 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Feb.  5,43 

61m 

Mar.  6.43 

1189 

1018 

Terror  House 

PRC 

322 

Wilfred  Lawson-James  Mason 

Apr.  19.43 

1276 

Texas  to  Bataan 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Oct.  16,42 

56m 

Sept.  26,42 

922 

Thank  Your  Lucky  Stars 

WB 

All  Warner  Contract  Players 

Not  Set 

1058 

That  Nazty  Nuisance 

UA-Roach 

William  Tracy-Joe  Sawyer 

Not  Set 

1019 

fhat  Other  Woman 

20th-Fox 

318 

Virginia  Gilmore-James  Ellison 

Nov.  13,42 

75  m 

Oct.  17,42 

960 

936 

Product  Digest  Section    I  299 


MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  May    I,  1943 


r-  REVIEWED  — > 


M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Service 

trroa. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Title 

Company 

N  urn  bet 

Srar: 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

They  Came  to  Blow  Up  America 

20th-Fox 

George  Sanders-Anna  Sten 

Not  Set 

73m 

Apr.  24/43 

1273 

1 162 

They  Got  Me  Covered 

RKO 

352 

Bob  Hope-Dorothy  Lamour 

Feb.  5,'43 

96m 

Jan.  2/43 

1 102 

872 

1 174 

This  Is  the  Army 

WB 

Joan  Leslie-George  Murphy-Stage  Cast      Not  Set 

1276 

This  Land  Is  Mine 

RKO 

323 

Charles  Laughton-Maureen  O'Hara 

Apr.  23,'43 

103  m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

1 162 

Those  Kids  from  Town  (British)  Anglo 

Percy  Marmont-Marie  O'Neill 

Not  Set 

75m 

May  2/42 

633 

Three  Hearts  for  Julia 

MGM 

321 

Ann  Sothern-Melvyn  Douglas 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

90m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

1009 

Thunder  Birds  (color) 

20th-Fox 

307 

John  Sutton-Gene  Tierney 

Nov.  20/42 

78m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

796 

1 130 

Thunder  Rock  (British)  Charter-Metro 

Michrel  Redgrave-Barbara  Mullen 

Not  Set 

1 1  Im 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

Thundering  Trails 

Rep. 

263 

Three  Mesquiteers 

Jan.  25/43 

56m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 159 

i  115 

Time  Bomb 

Mono. 

Richard  Travis-Catherine  Craig 

June  l  o,  Hi 

1277 

Time  to  Kill 

20th-Fox 

326 

Lloyd  Nolan-Heather  Angel 

Jan.  22/43 

61m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

995 

Tish 

MGM 

302 

Marjorie  Main-Lee  Bowman 

Sept.-Nov./42 

83m 

July  25/42 

938 

772 

1034 

Tomorrow  We  Live 

PRC 

307 

Jean  Parker-Ricardo  Cortez 

Sept.  29/42 

64m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

Tomorrow  We  Live  (British) 

Brit.  Lion 

John  Clements-Godfrey  Tearle 

Not  Set 

85m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

Tonight  We  Raid  Calais 

20th-Fox 

Annabella-John  Sutton 

Not  Set 

70m 

Apr.  3/43 

1239 

1192 

Tornado  in  the  Saddle 

Col. 

4210 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Dec.  15/42 

59m 

1058 

Iran  Kiders 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Dec.  4/42 

55m 

1018 

Traitor  Within,  The 

Rep. 

207 

Don  Barry-Jean  Parker 

Dec.  16/42 

62m 

Dec.  5/42 

1043 

983 

M74 

Tnif  p    Rl  let  Arc 

WB 

£  i  j 

Richard  Travis-Ruth  Ford 

Feb.  6,  43 

co_ 
3  o  m 

1..  '47 
Jan.  L3%  f3 

I  1  Ok 

True  to  Life 

Para. 

Mary  Martin-Franchot  Tone 

Not  Set 

i  rt70 

Two  Fisted  Justice 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Jan.  8/43 

Aim 

oi  m 

Jan.  ij,  *t3 

Mi/ 

1  M  1 

Two  Weeks  to  Live 

RKO 

317 

Lum  n  Abner 

rQD.  AO, 

75m 

Feb.  6/43 

1147 

UNDERCOVER  Man 

UA 

William  Boyd-Andy  Clyde 

Oct.  23/42 

68m 

May  9/42 

647 

Underground  Agent 

Col. 

4039 

Bruce  Bennett-Leslie  Brooks 

Dec.  3/42 

68m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 148 

1009 

Undying  Monster,  The 

20th-Fox 

319 

James  Ellison-Heather  Angel 

Nov.  27/42 

60m 

Oct.  17/42 

970 

936 

1082 

Unpublished  Story  (British) 

Col. 

Richard  Greene-Miles  Malleson 

Not  Set 

91m 

Apr.  1 1 ,  42 

598 

VALLEY  of  Hunted  Men 

Rep. 

262 

Three  Mesquiteers 

Nov.  I  J,  tl 

60  m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 190 

1031 

Varsity  Show  (Reissue) 

WB 

215 

Dick  Powell-Fred  Waring 

p\„.    in  li« 

Dec.  It,  4/ 

81m 

Aug.  21/37 

1043 

Vengeance  of  the  West 

Col. 

3216 

Dill  tlliOTt-lex  Kitter 

sept.    3,  4/ 

60m 





.... 

WAKE  Island 

Para. 

4205 

Brian  Donlevy-Robert  Preston 

Block  1 

87m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

772 

1130 

War  Against  Mrs.  Hadley,  The  MGM 

306 

Fay  Bainter-Edward  Arnold 

Sept.-Nov./42 

86m 

Aug.  8/42 

902 

797 

1 174 

War  Dogs 

Mono. 

Billy  Lee-Addison  Richards 

Nov.  13/42 

63m 

Oct.  10/42 

946 

Watch  on  the  Rhine 

WB 

Bette  Davis-Paul  Lucas 

Not  Set 

986 

We  Are  the  Marines 

20th-Fox 

324 

Marine  Feature 

Jan.  8/43 

70  m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

We'll  Smile  Again  (Brit.)  Na 

t'l-Anglo 

Bud  Flanagan-Chesney  Allen 

Not  Set 

93m 

Oct.  3 1/42 

982 

Went  the  Day  Well?  (British)  Ealing-UA 

Leslie  Banks-Basil  Sydney 

Not  Set 

92m 

Nov.  14/42 

1006 

We  Sail  at  Midnight  (British 

Crown 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

27m 

Nov.  2 1/42 

1017 

West  of  the  Law 

Mono. 

Buck  Jones-Tim  McCoy 

Nov.  2/42 

55m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

West  of  Texas 

PRC 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill 

May  1/43 

1277 

We've  Never  Been  Licked 

Univ. 

Richard  Quine-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

May  28/43 

1 1 15 

When  Johnny  Comes  March- 

ing Home 

Univ. 

7016 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Jan.  1/43 

74m 

Dec.  26/42 

1090 

1218 

Whistling  in  Dixie 

MGM 

313 

Red  Skelton-Ann  Rutherford 

Dec.-Feb./43 

74m 

Oct.  3 1/42 

981 

946 

1174 

White  Cargo 

MGM 

310 

Hedy  Lamarr-Walter  Pidgeon 

Sept.-Nov..'42 

89m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

871 

1174 

White  Savage  (color) 

Univ. 

Maria  Montez-Jon  Hall 

76m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

1079 

Who  Done  It? 

Univ. 

7002 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Nov.  6/42 

75m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

971 

1082 

Wildcat 

Para. 

4204 

Richard  Arlen-Arline  Judge 

Block  1 

73  m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

Wild  Horse  Stampede 

Mono. 

Ken  M vn rfi-Hoot  GIn<on 

IWll        KIOtMOlU      1     1  W  1                  1  UJU  I  1 

Aor  16 '43 

59m 

May  1/43 

1290 

1276 

Wings  and  the  Woman  (British)  RKO 

303 

AnrtA   hJoAnla-R  Nflw+rtn 

t  \                 l^wO  \J  1  C    l\  .     1  1      TT  ,  VII 

SeDt  1 8  '42 

94m 

May  2/42 

903 

1082 

(formerly  They  Flew  Alone 

Wings  Over  the  Pacific 

Mono. 

Inp7  C.nrt  r&pr-Pci      rn  Nrtrris 

IIICl  v —     UUtl     LU  IfOI  U     I1UI  1  19 

June  1 1  '43 

1276 

World  at  War 

WAC 

DnrtimAntArv 

i/uvuiiioiiiai  y 

S«Dt  18  '42 

66  m 

Sept.  5/42 

890 

Wrecking  Crew 

Para. 

4212 

RicnArH  A  rl  An-Gn  Aefur  K^nrric 
iMLiiaiu   rvi  I0N  wiivsioi    ivivi  i  it 

Block  3 

73m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

986 

Wyoming  Hurricane 

Col. 

Rutcnll   Hflvdfin-Bot)  Wills 
ixusaCJii    i  layuun  uuu  wins 

Not  Set 

1079 

X  MARKS  the  Spot 

Rep. 

204 

Damian  O'Flynn-Helen  Parrish 

Nov.  4/42 

56m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

986 

YANK    at  Eton,  A 

MGM 

305 

Mickey  Rooney-Edmund  Gwenn 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

87m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

726 

1 130 

Yankee  Doodle  Dandy 

WB 

201 

James  Cagney-Joan  Leslie 

Jan.  2/43 

126m 

June  6/42 

903 

674 

1082 

Yanks  Ahoy  UA-Roach 

Joe  Sawyer-William  Tracy 

Not  Set 

47m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1019 

Yanks  Are  Coming,  The 

PRC 

301 

Maxie  Rosenbloom-Mary  Healy 

Nov.  9/42 

65m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

1 130 

You  Can't  Beat  the  Law 

Mono. 

Edward  Norris-Jean  Woodbury 

Feb.  12/43 

61m 

Jan.  30/43 

1137 

f  08 1 

You  Can't  Escape  Forever 

WB 

207 

George  Brent-Brenda  Marshall 

Oct.  10/42 

77m 

Sept.  26/42 

921 

898 

1034 

You  Love  Me,  1  Love  You  (It.) 

Hoffberg 

Aleda  Valli-Amedeo  Nazzari 

Apr.  3/43 

95m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

You  Were  Never  Lovelier 

Col. 

4002 

Fred  Astaire-Rita  Hayworth 

Nov.  19/42 

97m 

Oct.  10/42 

945 

796 

i  174 

Young  and  Willing 

UA 

William  Holden-Susan  Hayworth 

Feb.  5/43 

82m 

Feb.  13/43 

1170 

663 

Youngest  Profession,  The 

MGM 

Virginia  Weidler-Edward  Arnold  &  Guests   Not  Set 

81m 

Mar.  6/43 

1189 

1081 

Young  Mr.  Pitt  (British) 

20th-Fox 

316 

Robert  Morley-Robert  Donat 

Feb.  26/43 

103m 

July  4/42 

914 

Youth  on  Parade 

Rep. 

203 

John  Hubbard-Martha  O'Driscoll 

Oct.  24/42 

75m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

Feature  Product  including  Coming  Attractions,  listed  Company  by  Company, 

in  Order  of  Release  on  Page  1278. 


I  300  Product  Digest  Section 


THIS  IS  NUMBER  |  OF  A  SERIES  OF  ADVERTISEMENTS  SPONSORED  BY  THE  INTERNATIONAL  PROJECTOR  CORPORATION 
MANUFACTURERS  OF    jg5*ftffC  EQUIPMENT  IN  COOPERATION   WITH  THE  NATIONAL  CONSERVATION  PROGRAM 


To  Conserve  Our  Equipment 
Helps  the  War  Effort" 


S.  H.  FABIAN 


S.  H.  FABIAN 

Chairman  Theatre  Division, 
War  Activities  Committee 


TN  the  total  all-out  war  in  which  we  Americans  are  engaged  the  theatre 
-■■  has  an  important  place  and  definite  missions  to  perform. 

These  missions  are— (1)  to  entertain  the  great  American  public  and 
the  men  in  our  armed  forces  so  that  from  the  relaxation  they  obtain  in 
our  theatres  they  can  renew  their  strength  to  fight  the  battle,  either  on 
the  firing  line  or  on  the  home  front;  (2)  to  inform  the  public  of  what  is 
going  on  and  to  give  the  messages  of  our  Government  on  the  screen; 
and  (3)  to  make  the  theatre  the  center  of  all  community  activities  so 
that  the  various  war  relief,  as  well  as  patriotic  civic  groups  can  func- 
tion with  maximum  efficiency. 

In  order  that  the  theatre  may  accomplish  these  all  important  mis- 
sions we,  as  showmen,  must  keep  our  equipment  and  our  plants  in  per- 
fect order.  Every  performance  that  we  give  at  this  time  must  equal  or 
exceed  in  quality  any  that  we  have  ever  given.  Everything  we  do  to 
conserve  our  equipment  helps  the  war  effort.  Everything  we  fail  to  do 
in  conserving  supplies  and  materials  is  helping  our  enemies!" 


U 


And  Still  Champ.* 

Still  meeting  and  beating  all  comers  ...  at  his  weight . . .  any  weight . . .  under 
any  conditions  ...  no  conditions  .  .  .  Queensbury  rules  ...  no  rules  . 
BUT  ALWAYS  FOR  A  BIG  PURSE . . .  that's  why  the  smartest  showmen  all 
have  a  bet  down  on  him  .  .  .  his  advertising  wallops  always  connect  ...  his 
trailer  attack  is  terrific  ...  his  lobby  strategy  is  immense  ...  his  marquee  up- 
percuts  are  right  on  the  button  ...  he  deals  mighty  jabs  at  the  prospect's  bank- 
roll .  .  and  soon  has  sales  resistance  on  the  ropes  ...  on  the  canvas  ...  on 
the  way  out  .  .  .  then  up  again  ...  and  bleeding  freely  at  the  pocketbook 
He's  the  fastest,  surest,  most  economical  little  fighter  for  big  jack  that 
there  is  in  show  business  ...  Get  a  bet  down  on  him  .  .  .  and  collect  pretty. 

naTionfu  Qffteen  service 

{^y  PRIZE  BUSY  OF  THE  IttOUSTRY 


CTA  Kin  A  Pn 


>rft»n»lF5   •   SPECIALTY   ACCESSORIES   «  TRAILEI 


Jfii 

IB  ' 


Ki  O  *s 


MR.   WILL  HAYS , 
23  W.    44TH  ST. * 
NEW  YORK, 
N.  Y. 


TURE 


HERALD 


REVIEWS 

(In  Product  Digest) 

DuBarry  Was  a  Lady 
Mr.  Lucky 

Five  Graves  to  Cairo 

Dr.  Gillespie's 

Criminal  Case 

The  Ox-Bow  Incident 

Swing  Shift  Maisie 

Swing  Your  Partner 

Saddles  and  Sagebrush 

The  Leopard  Man 

Gildersleeve's  Bad  Day 

Song  to  the  Wind 

The  Gentle  Sex 

The  Ghost  Rider 


OP 


EXHIBITORS    PROTEST  AT 
FLOOD  OF  WAR  FILMS, 
ASK  ENTERTAINMENT 


RED  KANN  in  ON  THE  MARCH" 
WRITES  of  WAR  and  HOLLYWOOD 


Showmen 

SELECT  BEST  WAR  SHORTS 


11 


VOL  151,  NO.  6 


MAY  8,  1943 


Entered  as  second'Class  matter,  January  12,   1931,  at  the  Post   Office,  at  New  York  City,  U.S.A.,  under  the  act  of  Marci 
tisked  weekly  by  Quigley  Publishing  Co.,  Inc..  at  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York.    Subscription  prices: 
the  Americas,  $10.00  a  year  Foreign.    Single  copy,  25  cents.    All  contents  copyright  1943  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 


As  predicted!  First  12  cities  tremendous 
nationwide!  Climb  on  board!  (Mickey 
Rooney,  Frank  Morgan.) 


Just  what  the  lads  and  lasses  want  in  springtime 
— summer  too!  (Lana  Turner,  Robert  Young.) 


3rd  Big  Week  at  Criterion,  N.Y.  (Watch 
new  star  Pierre  Aumont;  with  Susan  Peters.) 


Breaks  Capitol  N.  Y.  record  in  sensational 
'World  Premiere.  Another  "For  Me  and  My 
Gal"!  (Judy  Garland,  Van  Heflin.) 


As  Big  as  its  name!  First 
Coast  Preview  confirms  all 
predictions,  (Robert  Taylor.) 


Greatest  musical  novelty  in  years  sweeps  America! 
(Ethel  Waters,  Rochester,  Lena  Home,  Duke  Ellington.) 


Previewed  East  and  ^est !  The  Biggest  Eyeful 
of  Technicolor  Musical  Show  your  box-office  has 
ever  seen!  (Red  Skelton,  Ducille  Ball,  Gene  Kelly.) 


It  doesn't  have  to  be  printed  big  to 
tell  where  the  big  ones  come  from. 


On  every  screen!  "PreludeiTo  War" 
America's  fighting  film./  Rental  free! 

Let's  Keep  Selling  Bonds ! 


Jack  L.  Warner,  Executive  Producer 


6 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    8,  1943 


THE  OX-BOW  INCIDENT  star- 
ing HENRY  FONDA  is  destined 
to  create  more  controversy  than 
any  picture  released  in  recent 
years!  In  the  above  scene  three 
men  accused  of  a  crime  are  cap- 
tured by  a  mob  and  tied  to  the 
tree  that  is  to  be  their  end. 


Deaf  to  the  condemned  men's 
pleas  of  innocence,  the  blood- 
thirsty horde,  urged  on  by  a 
woman's  mocking  laugh,  prepare 
the  victims  for  their  doom!  This 
scene  in  OX-BOW  INCIDENT  is 
said  to  be  the  most  dramatic 
ever  filmed! 


it's  all  over  .  .  .  out  of  nowhere  comes  proof  that  three  innocent 
men  had  been  hanged.  Damon  Runyon  voices  the  unanimous  ex- 
pression of  all  who  have  seen  it  when  he  calls  this  20th  Century- 
Fox  picture  "one  of  the  finest  ever  made!*' 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD 


COLVIN  BROWN,  Publisher 

MARTIN  QUIGLEY 
President  and  Editor-in-Chief 

TERRY  RAMSAYE,  Editor 

Vol.  151,  No.  6 

OP 

May  8,  1943 

Pictures  and  The  War 


WHAT  the  exhibitor  really  thinks  about  the  product 
is  presented  most  emphatically  in  this  issue  of 
The  Herald,  with  names  and  absolutely  nothing 
"off  the  record".  The  editor  wrote  to  one  hundred 
and  one  theatre  showmen  last  weekend,  and  by  Monday  morn- 
ing had  thirty-and-odd  replies  that  were  replies. 

The  exhibitor  and  his  customers  are  fed  up  on  war  pictures, 
and  say  so. 

The  dissenters  who  like  the  flow  of  product  as  it  runs  are  in 
a  tiny  minority — and  some  of  them  in  special  positions. 

Examination  of  the  presentation  will  reveal  that  the  reaction 
to  war  pictures  is  national,  geographically,  and  that  it  is  held 
in  all  classes  of  exhibition,  from  the  smallest  village,  including 
Eastport,  Maine,  to  such  broad  operations  as  those  presided 
over  by  Mr.  A.  H.  Blank  in  the  Midwest,  Mr.  R.  J.  O'Donnell 
in  the  Southwest,  and  many  another  in  the  East  and  Southeast. 

The  sum  total  of  the  frank  responses  is  that  these  showmen 
and  their  customers  want  entertainment — and,  if  you  please, 
mainly  "escapist"  entertainment.  As  for  the  rest  of  it,  the 
customers  want  facts  about  the  war,  in  the  "war  shorts"  and 
in  the  newsreels — of  which,  it  would  appear,  they  are  not  get- 
ting as  much  as  they  could  take. 

THIS  brings  this  observer  to  the  observation  that  the  news- 
reel  aspect  of  the  war  film  service,  if  it  is  to  be  called  that, 
represents  a  neglected  opportunity,  somewhat  more  cir- 
cumscribed than  in  World  War  I.  The  fundamental  difficulty 
seems  to  be  that  those  representatives  of  Government  who 
might  contribute  are  too  much  concerned  with  "production" 
and  the  multiplication  of  "releases"  which  would  reach  more 
people,  and  more  quickly,  as  components  of  the  newsreels.  A 
considerable  number  of  the  "war  shorts"  could  be  readily  and 
effectively  edited  into  screen  items  of  two  or  three  hundred 
feet,  with  great  gain  in  impact  and  more  effective  circulation. 

This  issue  of  The  Herald  also  presents  in  its  news  pages  the 
judgment  of  the  exhibitors  of  the  land  on  the  relative  merits  of 
the  "war  shorts"  released  in  1942.  It  will  be  observed  that  the 
topmost  products  came  from  the  professional  hands  of  persons 
integrated  with  the  established  and  experienced  motion  picture 
industry.  The  first  ten,  measured  by  the  judgment  of  the  show- 
men who  preside  at  the  box  offices,  bear  the  impress  of  the 
production  authority  and  competence  of  Hollywood  and 
New  York.  The  "documentarians"  and  other  amateurs,  do  not 
appear. 

It  is  to  be  observed,  too,  in  exhibitors'  reports,  that  the  flow 
of  war  screen  material,  dramatic  and  factual,  tends  to  get  in 
its  own  way,  with  embarassment  to  exhibitors  who  try  to  be 
good  showmen  and  still  meet  the  seemingly  official  require- 
ments of  patriotism. 

Also,  with  great  emphasis,  the  exhibitors  stand  in  support 
of  the  contention  that  the  customers  come  to  the  theatres  to 
see  a  show  and  forget,  for  the  while,  the  cares  of  a  world 
beset  by  war  and  its  travails. 


This  is,  the  exhibitors  insist,  no  time  for  shudders 
and  the  grim  and  ghastly  facts  and  fancies  of  the 
dramatists.  With  millions  in  the  Army,  and  some  in 
prison  camps,  too,  their  stay-at-home  relatives  do  not 
go  to  the  theatre  to  have  their  anxieties  intensified 
or  their  griefs  renewed. 

It  is  relevant  to  recall  here  a  paragraph  from  a  brochure 
written  by  Mr.  Charles  Francis  Coe  of  the  Motion  Picture  Pro- 
ducers and  Distributors  of  America  last  year,  in  which  he 
remarked:  "Eagerness  to  win  the  war,  coupled  with  recognition 
of  the  power  of  motion  pictures,  is  apt  to  impel  the  unknowing 
to  excessive  demands  on  motion  pictures.  Two  dire  things 
would  result  from  excesses.  Instead  of  apprising  the  people, 
we  might  begin  to  instruct  them.  That  would  empty  the  the- 
atres. The  greatest  public  contact  would  be  so  lost  for  all 
purposes." 

The  best  of  all  the  answers  to  our  inquiry  came  from 
Mr.  Floyd  E.  Hill,  who  conducts  the  Drexel  Theatre  in  the  village 
of  Drexel,  Missouri.  He  wrote: 

"War  pictures?  I'm  getting  plenty — closing  this  week  and 
going  into  the  Army." 


THE  PRESS  SAYS 

POINTED  reflection  of  its  measure  of  the  state  of  the  pub- 
lic mind  on  war  pictures  is  given  by  the  Washington 
Times-Herald,  which  is  classifying  the  product  for  its 
readers.  In  its  "show  time  table"  box  it  lists  the  theatre,  the 
title  of  the  picture  and  starting  times.  Following  the  title  of 
the  film,  appear  code  abbreviations,  thus:  WA  for  war  action, 
WB  for  war  background,  and  NW  for  no  war  content. 

There  is  no  warrant  for  an  assumption  that  the  Times- 
Herald  thinks  the  customers  are  trying  to  find  war  pictures. 

Out  in  Kansas  City  The  Star,  dominant  paper  of  the  region, 
on  May  2,  forecast  "a  Truce  in  the  War  Movies,  so  Patrons 
may  Relax",  in  a  piece  discussing  the  coming  of  other  product. 
Said  the  Star: 

"Kansas  City  movie  patrons  have  just  gone  through  a  siege 
of  war  pictures — the  war  boom-boom  variety — wherein  Nazi 
cruelty  has  been  a  dominant  theme.  Theater  managers  say  they 
have  overheard  conversations  in  the  lobbies,  and  that  the 
patrons,  departing  after  battle  scenes,  assassinations,  Gestapo 
cruelties  and  various  forms  of  Nazi  brutalities,  have  expressed 
their  longing  for  an  armistice. 

"  'It  was  a  natural  reaction,'  one  observer  said,  'simply 
because  the  patrons  had  undergone  so  much  of  the  Gestapo 
barbarism  and  the  realities  of  war.  The  patrons  will  be  ready 
and  willing  to  take  on  more  war  pictures  at  a  later  date,  after 
they  have  been  permitted  to  catch  their  breath  and  steady 
their  nerves. 

— Terry  Ramsaye 


8 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    8,  1943 


THIS  WEEK  IN  THE  NEWS 


War  Weary  Joan 

JOAN  CRAWFORD,  under  contract  to 
MGM  since  1925,  has  been  given  a  leave  of 
absence  for  six  months,  in  peaceful  adjust- 
ment of  her  objection  to  being  cast  in  "Cry 
Havoc,"  which  would  have  been  her  third 
successive  war  picture  appearance.  Miss 
Crawford  thus  escapes  suspension  and  is  left 
free  to  work  for  another  company  in  the 
interim.  Meanwhile,  it  has  been  agreed 
that  on  her  return  she  will  be  starred  in  a 
non-war  dramatic  production  for  next  year 
and  her  contract  will  be  extended  for  six 
months. 


Jap  War  Pictures 

HOW  Pearl  Harbor,  Bataan,  and  Corregi- 
dor  appeared  to  Japanese  film  audiences 
was  this  week  being  disclosed  to  Americans 
through  four  minutes  of  Japanese  newsreel 
footage  distributed  to  our  newsreels  by  the 
Office  of  War  Information.  That  organi- 
zation obtained  them  from  the  War  Depart- 
ment. Where  the  War  Department  got 
them  was  not  disclosed. 

Shown  are  the  wardrooms  and  flight 
decks  of  the  Jap  carriers  as  they  approached 
Pearl  Harbor ;  the  "briefing"  of  the  fliers ; 
the  take-off ;  bombers  in  air ;  some  of  their 
work ;  American  prisoners  at  Corregidor ; 
their  commander,  Lieutenant  General  Jona- 
than Wainwright. 

The  American  newsreel  issued  the  footage 
as  a  "special"  Tuesday.  This  gave  simul- 
taneous distribution  with  the  newsreel  cov- 
erage of  the  coal  strike,  featured  in  the 
regular  releases. 


Positively  Close-up 

CAMERAMEN  assigned  to  Lieutenant 
Colonel  David  MacDonald's  British  Army 
photographic  unit  in  Africa  have  simple  gen- 
eral orders.  This  was  divulged  when  the 
officer  appeared  on  the  Adrienne  Ames  pro- 
gram over  WHN  in  New  York  last  Satur- 
day evening.  Near  the  close  of  the  inter- 
view, Miss  Ames  asked  the  Colonel  what 
advice  he  offered  his  men  as  they  moved 
toward  El  Alamein.  He  answered:  "I  in- 
structed my  crew  that  if  they  ever  got  close 
enough  to  use  their  revolvers  on  the  enemy, 
that  was  the  time  to  start  using  their 
cameras." 


Blare  Blasts  Records 

TRUMPET  virtuoso  Harry  (Jivey)  James 
at  the  Paramount,  and  Jimmy  Dorsey  and 
his  sax  terrifico  at  the  Roxy,  shoved  Broad- 
way highs  up  several  notches  for  attendance 
grosses  and  peace  breaching  during  the  non- 
holiday  New  York  week.  Admissions 
reached  165,000  at  the  Paramount  and  the 
box  office  showed  a  gross  of  $105,000  in  43 
performances. 

The  jitterbug  draw  included  the  young 
and  unbearded  youth  in  high  percentages,  as 


EXHIBITORS  protest  flood  of  war  films;  ask 
for  entertainment  Page  12 

BEST  WAR  SHORTS  of  year  selected  by 
showmen  in  poll  Page  15 

ON  THE  MARCH— Red  Kann  discusses 
Hollywood  and  the  war  Page  16 

MPTOA  board  condemns  consent  decree 
selling  methods  Page  27 

BRITISH   trade   turns   eyes   to  post-war 
market  Page  29 


well  as  the  equally  youthful  petticoat  bri- 
gade. The  5,800-seat  Roxy  beat  its  own  at- 
tendance mark  and  the  aisles  were  filled 
with  dancing  couples — rules  or  no  rules. 
Policemen  wavered  in  weariness. 

The  James  bandsmen,  25  of  them,  are 
credited  by  their  press  agent  with  the  loss 
of  six  pounds  per  man.  The  check  room 
reported  lost  and  found  items  including  84 
pairs  of  rubbers,  24  raincoats,  65  fountain 
pens,  27  pipes  and  93  pork  pie  hats. 

The  New  York  Times,  thrilled  no  end  by 
the  manifestation,  has  had  special  articles  by 
Meyer  Berger,  star  reporter ;  Olin  Downes, 
music  critic,  and  Bosley  Crowther,  motion 
picture  editor.  It's  Arthur  Krock's  turn 
next. 


Jolson  May  Play  'AV 

THE  LIFE  story  of  Al  Jolson  is  to  be 
filmed  by  Columbia  Pictures  with  Al  as  the 
producer  under  the  supervision  of  Sidney 
Buchman.  Sidney  Skolsky,  who  writes  a 
syndicated  motion  picture  column,  has  been 
six  weeks  at  work  in  Hollywood  on  the 
script. 

Mr.  Jolson  is  expected  to  play  himself  if 
the  Skolsky  treatment  makes  it  possible.  The 
still  untitled  story  will  embrace  all  elements 
of  the  amusement  enterprise.  Other  players 
are  to  show  him  as  a  child  and  a  young 
man  who  rose  from  poverty  to  wealth. 
Minstrelsy,  vaudeville,  Winter  Garden  re- 
vues and  the  first  talking  picture,  "The  Jazz 
Singer,"  will  be  included  in  the  piece. 

Unconfirmed  reports  of  Mr.  Jolson's  take 
in  cash  and  profit  sharing  mention  $350,000 
— which  may  be  tops  for  a  life  story  on 
screen  or  stage. 


ENGINEERS  hear  about  Army,  Navy  de- 
velopments Page  36 

PLAN  special  promotions  for  30  summer 
releases  Page  38 

ACADEMY  says  Army  asked  for  recom- 
mendations on  officers  Page  42 

RESORT  THEATRE  business  facing  black- 
out for  season  Page  43 

THEATRE  OPERATORS  extend  Bond  sales 
campaigns  Page  46 


'Pop 9  Dibble  Passes 

CORRESPONDENCE  between  New  York 
and  Connecticut  being  what  it  is  these  war- 
time days,  word  has  just  come  to  Broadway 
of  the  death  of  John  Pierce  Dibble,  famed 
exhibitor  from  the  days  of  '96,  in  his  nineti- 
eth year  at  his  home  in  Branford,  Febru- 
ary 14. 

"Pop"  Dibble,  as  he  was  long  known  in 
the  industry,  was  born  near  Branford,  Au- 
gust 22,  1853.  When  he  was  nineteen  he 
started  in  the  stereopticon  show  business, 
touring  the  East  and  Canada.  When  film 
arrived  on  the  screen  in  1896  he  acquired 
an  Edison  Projecting  Kinetoscope  and  add- 
ed moving  pictures  to  his  roadshow.  He 
stuck  to  the  road  for  sixty  years.  In  1922 
Universal  Pictures  made  a  short  subject  on 
Mr.  Dibble  and  his  career,  including  ex- 
cerpts from  his  historic  library  of  old  films. 

Mr.  Dibble  is  survived  by  his  widow.  He 
is  buried  among  his  ancestors  of  that  old 
Mayflower  Yankee  line,  in  Damascus  Ceme- 
tery, Branford. 


Out  in  Missouri 

A  BILL  in  the  Missouri  State  Legislature 
would  prohibit  the  showing  of  any  motion 
picture  with  a  plot  involving  divorce,  depict- 
ing divorce  or  whose  players  have  been  di- 
vorced.   It's  called  H.B.  635. 

Another  Missouri  legislative  offering  is 
one  introduced  by  a  Negro,  which  makes  it 
mandatory  for  theatres,  restaurants,  places 
of  amusement  and  barber  shops  to  accord 
Negroes  equal  privileges  and  accommoda- 
tions now  accorded  to  whites. 


SERVICE  DEPARTMENTS 

Hollywood  Scene  Page  33     Picture  Grosses 

In  the  Newsreels  Page  52 

Managers'  Round  Table  Page  59 

IN  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION 

Showmen's  Reviews  Page  1301 

Advance  Synopses  Page  1305 


Shorts  on  Broadway 
What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me 


Short  Subjects 
The  Release  Chart 


Page  58 
Page  54 
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May    8,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


9 


Gable  Stars  for  OWI 

"WINGS  UP,"  a  motion  picture  about  the 
Army  Air  Force  officers  candidate  school  in 
Miami,  with  a  narration  by  Captain  Clark 
Gable,  will  be  released  to  theatres  through 
the  War  Activities  Committee  and  Office 
of  War  Information  bureau  of  motion  pic- 
tures on  May  27th.  The  film  is  a  look  into 
the  intensive  twelve-week  training  course 
at  the  southern  school  and  was  made  by  the 
First  Motion  Picture  Unit  of  the  Army  Air 
Force.  Captain  Gable  also  makes  one  brief 
appearance  in  the  picture.  The  two-reel 
subject  will  be  distributed  to  theatres  free 
by  the  WAC  through  MGM  exchanges. 


Week-Ends  Only 

NEW  YORK'S  first  "week-end"  motion 
picture  theatre  was  opened  last  Saturday  by 
the  Cinema  Circuit.  It  is  called  the  Roof 
theatre  and  is  situated  atop  the  old  New 
Amsterdam  theatre,  now  a  film  house. 
"Gone  With  the  Wind"  was  the  first  attrac- 
tion and  it  is  to  be  shown  continuously  on 
Saturdays  and  Sundays  for  an  indefinite 
run.  Admission  prices  are  40  cents  in  the 
daytime  and  50  cents  evenings. 

According  to  the  management,  the  740- 
seat  house  did  "very  well"  for  its  initial 
weekend.  The  circuit,  headed  by  Max  A. 
Cohen,  will  keep  the  theatre  dark  the  rest 
of  the  week.  Because  of  the  influx  of  serv- 
icemen on  furlough  and  increasing  numbers 
of  visitors  to  New  York  during  the  spring 
and  forthcoming  summer  months,  it  was  felt 
that  enough  business  could  be  obtained  on 
Saturdays  and  Sundays  to  maintain  success- 
ful operation. 

This  is  the  first  time  the  New  Amster- 
dam roof  has  been  used  for  screen  showings. 
Originally,  it  was  a  legitimate  theatre.  In 
the  1920's,  the  roof  was  one  of  Broadway's 
most  popular  supper  clubs,  featuring  many 
Ziegfeld  stars,  including  the  late  Will  Rog- 
ers, Eddie  Cantor,  Ruth  Ettinger  and  Harry 
Richman. 


Saga  of  a  Song 

THE  biggest  song  revival  since  "Oh  John- 
ny" to  reach  hit  proportions  on  the  radio,  in 
sheet  music  and  record  sales,  is  "As  Time 
Goes  By,"  the  song  which  Dooley  Wilson 
sings  in  Warner  Bros.  "Casablanca."  Writ- 
ten in  1931  by  Herman  Hupfeld  and  pub- 
lished by  Harms,  Inc.,  now  a  Warner  af- 
filiate, the  tune  sold  only  about  40,000  copies 
when  it  was  first  published.  Since  the  re- 
lease of  "Casablanca"  its  popularity  has 
been  phenomenal. 

Sheet  music  printing  has  passed  the  300,- 
000  mark  and  is  expected  to  reach  500,000. 
During  the  week  of  April  26th,  it  was 
played  on  the  radio  more  than  any  other 


tune,  according  to  the  Audience  Coverage 
Index.  It  has  been  a  consistent  feature  on 
the  Lucky  Strike  "Hit  Parade"  and  for  the 
week  ending  May  1st,  it  was  number  one 
of  national  and  regional  sheet  music  best 
sellers. 

Although  no  new  records  of  the  song  are 
being  produced  because  of  the  AFM  ban, 
discs  made  by  Brunswick,  with  Jacques  Re- 
nard,  and  by  Victor,  featuring  Rudy  Vallee, 
are  being  turned  out  by  the  thousands. 


Industry  Buying 

WITH  Loew's,  Inc.,  leading  the  list  in  the 
film  industry  with  a  purchase  of  $5,275,000 
in  the  bonds  of  War  Loan  No.  2,  Warner 
Brothers  closely  followed  this  week  with  a 
subscription  of  $5,000,000,  one  million  of 
which  was  taken  in  the  name  of  the  Warner 
Studios.  Home  office  executives  pledged 
purchases  of  $125,000,000  and  the  subscrip- 
tions of  other  employes  total  $405,000. 

Twentieth  Century-Fox  is  reported  pur- 
chasing $1,250,000  with  additional  purchases 
from  the  National  Theatres  circuit. 

Paramount  will  underwrite  a  Flying 
Fortress  at  a  cost  of  $500,000  and  employees 
are  pledged  to  raise  $175,000  for  a  B-25 
bomber.  These  are  in  addition  to  bond  pur- 
chases by  the  studios  and  exchange  person- 
nel. 


Alphabet  Guide 

A  "KEY"  to  Wartime  Washington  and  the 
United  Nations,  has  been  issued  by  the  Of- 
fice of  War  Information  to  guide  magazine 
writers  through  the  alphabetic  bureau  soup. 
"Magazine  writers  and  editors  need  not  be 
discouraged  by  the  maze-like  qualities  of 
war-time  Washington,"  the  OVVT's  maga- 
zine division  says  in  the  introduction  to  the 
21 -page  booklet.  "The  facts  which  the  mag- 
azines want  are  not  too  hard  to  find.  With 
the  help  of  information  officers  who  know 
their  fields,  the  apparentely  confused  mass 
soon  settles  into  solid  subject  matter."  The 
booklet  is  addressed  solely  to  magazine  writ- 
ers, the  OWI  apparently  assuming  that 
newspapermen,  film  people  and  other  seek- 
ers after  information  can  find  their  own 
way. 


Bombs  Away 

MEXICO'S  military  air  force  last  week 
staged  a  first  class  bombing  of  a  set  for  Cecil 
De  Mille's  "The  Story  of  Dr.  Wassell,"  now 
being  filmed  on  location  near  Tapachula,  in 
southern  Mexico.  Ever  a  stickler  for  real- 
ism, Mr.  De  Mille  wanted  live  bombs  for  the 
air  demolition  of  a  cluster  of  huts  built  as  a 
replica  of  a  village  in  Java.  The  Mexican 
flyers  at  a  nearby  field  wanted  bombing  prac- 
tice and  obliged.  It  was  all  part  of  the  good 
neighbor  policy  in  action,  according  to 
Paramount's  publicity  release. 


Lost  Trove  Found 

A  CLERK  poking  into  dusty  files  of  the 
Library  of  Congress  unearthed  the  archive 
relics  of  the  motion  picture  for  1897-1913, 
copyright  prints  on  paper  rolls  of  the  out- 
put of  the  American  industry  through  those 
years. 

This  has  been  a  bit  of  a  secret  in  Wash- 
ington for  two  years.  This  week  it  was  re- 
vealed in  a  paper  by  Howard  L.  Walls,  of 
the  Library  of  Congress,  presented  at  a 
Wednesday  session  of  the  spring  meeting  of 
the  Society  of  Motion  Picture  Engineers  in 
New  York. 

The  discovery  reveals  a  long  forgotten 
method  of  film  copyright,  in  the  days  when 
the  film  as  film  had  no  official  status.  The 
Library  of  Congress  was  accustomed  to  deal 
with  things  on  paper.  So  the  motion  pic- 
tures were  put  on  paper. 

The  treasure  trove  thus  uncovered  con- 
tains such  gems  of  historic  importance  as 
the  early  Melies  "magic"  pictures,  which 
pioneered  many  camera  expedients  now  em- 
bedded in  the  syntax  of  the  screen,  and  such 
items  as  a  sketchy  version  of  "Uncle  Tom's 
Cabin,"  and  Edwin  S.  Porter's  "Life  of  an 
American  Fireman,"  the  story  picture  which 
led  to  his  famous  "The  Great  Train  Rob- 
bery." 

Carl  Louis  Gregory  of  the  National 
Archives,  in  Washington,  famed  technician, 
told  the  assembled  Engineers  in  New  York 
how  the  old  paper  prints  were  being  con- 
verted into  film  again.  Also  John  G.  Brad- 
ley, chief  of  the  Division  of  Motion  Pic- 
tures, the  National  Archives,  was  heard 
with  a  paper  on  "Wartime  Cataloguing  of 
Films." 


Cuban  Capers 

PROTRACTED  negotiations  for  Ameri- 
can product  with  Havana  exhibitors,  which 
reached  an  impasse  this  winter,  caused  con- 
siderable comment  this  week  with  the  report 
from  the  Cuban  capital  that  MGM  was  con- 
templating the  construction  of  a  first  run 
theatre  there.  A  home  office  foreign 
executive  of  Metro,  however,  flatly  denied 
the  report,  and  said  it  was  entirely  "ridicu- 
lous." 

Early  last  winter,  a  number  of  major  dis- 
tributors refused  to  sell  product  to  Ernesto 
P.  Smith  and  Jose  Valcarce,  owners  of 
Havana's  important  first  run  outlets,  be- 
cause of  the  terms  set  by  the  exhibitors. 
Shortly  after  Spyros  Skouras'  recent  trip  to 
Havana,  it  was  learned  that  Twentieth-Fox 
had  completed  a  distribution  deal  with  both 
circuits  for  their  first  run  theatres  in  that 
city.  MGM,  Paramount,  RKO  and  United 
Artists,  however,  reportedly  stood  pat,  re- 
fusing to  meet  the  Cuban  exhibitors'  terms. 

The  3,000-seat  America  theatre  in  Havana 
is  owned  by  Mr.  Valcarce.  Mr.  Smith  op- 
erates the  1,150-seat  Encanto  and  the  1,640- 
seat  Fausto. 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD,  published  every  Saturday  by  Ou'3'ey  Publishing  Company,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  City.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address  "Ouigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Colvin  Brown,  Vice-President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Terry  Ramsaye,  Editor;  James  D.  Ivers,  News  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  624  South' 
Michigan  Avenue,  Oscar  Lundy,  correspondent;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Postal  Union  Life  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  editor;  Toronto  Bureau,  242  Millwood  Road,  Toronto,  Ontario, 
Canada,  W.  M.  Gladish,  correspondent;  Montreal  Bureau,  265  Vitre  St.,  West,  Montreal,  Canada,  Pat  Donovan,  correspondent;  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Square,  London  W  ij 
Hope  Williams  Burnup,  manager;  Aubrey  Flanagan,  editor;  cable  Ouigpubco  London;  Melbourne  Bureau,  The  Regent  Theatre,  191  Collins  St.,  Melbourne,  Australia,  Cliff  Holt) 
correspondent;  Sydney  Bureau,  17  Archbold  Rd.,  Roseville,  Sydney,  N.S.W.,  Australia,  Lin  Endean,  correspondent;  Mexico  City  Bureau,  Dr.  Carmona  y  Valle  6,  Mexico  City, 
Luis  Becerra  Celis,  correspondent;  Buenos  Aires  Bureau,  J.  E.  Uriburi  126,  buenos  Aires,  Argentina,  Natalio  Bruski,  correspondent;  Rio  de  Janeiro  Bureau,  Caixa  Postal  1090, 
Rio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil,  Alfredo  C.  Machado,  correspondent;  Montevideo  Bureau,  P.  O.  Box  664,  Montevideo,  Uruguay,  Paul  Bodo,  correspondent;  cable  Argus  Montevideo. 
Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations.  All  contents  copyright  1943  by  Ouigley  Publishing  Company.  Address  all  correspondence  to  the  New  York  Office.  Other  Ouigley  Publica- 
tions: Better  Theatres,  Motion  Picture  Daily,  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  and  Fame. 


fO 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


May    8,  1943 


THIS  IVEEK 


the  Camera  observes: 


POLA  NEGRI,  although  cast  as  the  husky 
"Brunnehilde"  in  United  Artists'  "Hi  Diddle 
Diddle,"  will  return  to  the  screen  as 
siren-slim  as  ever. 


■  THE  UNITED  NATIONS 
War  Relief  Fund  recently 
received  a  $106,282  check 
representing  collections  in 
Fox  West  Coast  and 
independent  theatres.  At 
the  Hollywood  presentation, 
right,  are  Robert  H.  Poole, 
independent  exhibitors' 
representative;  George  J. 
O'Brien,  and  Robert  Bolman, 
United  Nations  Council; 
and  Charles  Skouras,  presi- 
dent of  Fox  West  Coast. 


AT  SMPE's  53rd  semi-annual  convention, 
in  New  York  this  week:  Left,  Donald 
Hyndman,  of  Eastman  Kodak,  and 
SMPE  vice-president;  below,  J.  A.  Ham- 
mond, National  Carbon  Company; 
Peter  Mole,  Mole-Richardson,  Hollywood; 
E.  A.  Williford,  National  Carbon  Company. 


By  Staff  Photographer 


4 


■  AT  UNITED  ARTISTS  sales 
executives'  meeting  in  New  York: 
Standing,  Rud  Lohrenz,  W.  E.  Callo- 
way, Harry  L.  Gold,  Paul  Lazarus,  Sr., 
Carl  Leserman,  Edward  Schnitzer, 
James  Winn,  Fred  M.  Jack,  Paul 
Lazarus,  Jr.,  Jack  Goldhar;  seated, 
David  H.  Coplan,  Bert  M.  Stearn, 
and  T.  R.  Thompson,  Jr.  Mr.  Leser- 
man, general  sales  manager,  presided. 


May    8,  1943 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


HONOR  to  R.  J.  O'Donnell,  the  Variety  Club  national 
chief  barker,  and  to  John  Harris,  its  life-time  Big  Boss, 
was  paid  last  week  by  Los  Angeles  tent  25.  Seated  next 
to  Mr.  Harris  is  Lieutenant  Commander  Benjamin 
Finegold;  standing  are  Eddie  Cantor,  George  Schaefer, 
and  Mr.  O'Donnell. 


■  JENNIFER  JONES,  daughter  of  Texas  exhibitor  Phil  Isley, 
in  a  scene  from  Twentieth  Century  Fox's  "Song  of  Bernadette," 
now  in  production  from  Franz  Werfel's  book. 


A  VISITOR  to  MGM's  "America"  set  was  Harvey 
Buchanan,  of  the  Minnesota  Amusement  Company, 
Superior,  Wisconsin,  in  center  with  wife,  and  with  Brian 
Donlevy  and  King  Vidor.  The  picture's  locale  is  Mr. 
Buchanan's  territory. 


AT  THE  "MISSION  TO  MOSCOW"  New  York 
opening:  Below,  Arthur  Sachson,  Warners;  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  J.  Real  Neth,  Columbus,  Ohio;  Jules  Lapidus, 
Warners. 


WAVE.  Vivian  Mary  Wallant,  of  Paramount's 
Boston  exchange  booking  department, 
enlisted  last  week,  rejecting  a  Hollywood 
screen  test  proffered  by  a  visiting  talent  scout. 


■  HOLYOKE,  Massachusetts,  theatre  managers  handed  checks  to  local 
Red  Cross  officials  in  special  ceremonies  recently.  Below,  Rene  Joyal,  Suffolk 
Theatre;  Albert  Desautels,  Majestic;  Dr.  Howard  Conant,  chairman  of 
drive;  Joseph  Skinner,  honorary  chairman;  Edward  Dowilng,  Victory 
Theatre,  and  regional  drive  director;  Mrs.  Francis  Heywood,  theatre  chair- 
man; Lewis  Brayer,  Strand;  Guy  Palmerton,  Holyoke;  Francis  Beaupre,  Bijou. 


12 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    8  ,  1943 


EXHIBITORS  PROTEST  AT 
FLOOD  OF  WAR  FILM, 
ASK  ENTERTAINMENT 


Overwhelmingly  preponderant  exhibitor  opinion  holds  that  the  the- 
atre is  vastly  overfed  with  war  pictures  and  themes  of  stress  and 
strife.  The  preponderant  demand  is  for  entertainment,  and  entertain- 
ment of  the  sort  that  puts  aside  the  cares  of  these  war  worn  days,  when 
every  day  fills  the  lives  of  the  millions  with  intense  emotional  concerns. 

This  expression  comes  in  a  tide  of  letters  of  response  to  an  inquiry 
from  the  editor  of  The  Herald  addressed  to  a  list  of  representative 
exhibitors,  covering  the  whole  scale  of  theatre  operations,  and  widely 
distributed  geographically.  The  rate  of  response  is  high  and  the 
expressions  are  vigorous. 

CJ  "Our  box  office  and  our  telephone  information  indicates  that  the 
people  are  fed  up,"  observes  A.  H.  Blank.  "Escapist  pictures  are  the 
outstanding  box-office  pictures  of  the  war. 

4*  "The  factual  pictures  .  .  .  the  documentary  shorts  are  acceptable 
and  desired  because  of  their  brevity  and  the  information  they  carry." 

C|  Pertaining  to  those  pictures  of  fact,  which  of  course  include  the  "war 
shorts"  and  pictures  of  government  message,  released  through  the  War 
Activities  Committee,  comes  the  interesting  observation  of  Irwin 
Wheeler,  of  the  Prudential  Circuit,  that  "the  flood  of  war  drama  is 
making  it  difficult  to  find  places  on  the  screen  for  the  propaganda,  and 
the  news." 

Cg  Out  in  Kansas  City,  Elmer  C.  Rhoden  observes:  "We  get  walk- 
outs on  the  depressing  type  of  war  films.  ...  It  seems  to  me  the  pub- 
lic still  wants  war  pictures,  providing  there  is  a  good  portion  of  enter- 
tainment, and  they  want  all  the  news  shots  that  can  be  had,  prefer- 
ring, of  course,  news  of  victories." 

Cf  R.  J.  O'Donnell  of  the  Interstate  Circuit  and  affiliated  enterprises 
in  the  Southwest,  says:  "...  With  a  knowledge  of  the  coming 
releases,  I  am  afraid  we  are  going  to  be  surfeited  .  .  .  the  situation 
worries  me." 


HARRY  C.  ARTHUR,  JR. 

Fanchon  and  Marco  Service  Corporation, 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 

The  question  of  whether  or  not  we  have  too 
many  war  pictures  is  not  a  question  at  all.  It 
is  a  fact,  for  which  a  solution  should  be  found 
immediately. 

My  personal  opinion  is  that  we  have  far  too 
many  war  films,  that  the  great  majority  of  them 
are  of  mediocre  or  poor  quality  and  that  most 
of  them  follow  identical  patterns,  which  latter 
is  the  worst  sin  of  all. 

Hollywood  and  the  entire  film  industry  is  to 
be  congratulated  upon  the  excellent  work  it  is 
doing  for  the  war  effort ;  no  other  industry  in 
America,  as  an  industry,  has  done  so  much. 


But  Hollywood  should  not  lose  itself  in  the 
Great  Drama  to  the  absolute  exclusion  of 
everything  else.  It  is  enough  that  America 
does  know  about  the  war,  that  we  live  it,  give 
our  sons  to  it,  read  about  it  and  hear  about  it. 
But  the  mere  fact  that  a  story  is  given  a  war 
twist,  or  that  a  film  is  given  a  phoney  war- 
finale,  does  not  justify  its  consideration  as  be- 
ing a  worthy  vehicle. 

We  should  remember  that  our  essentiality  to 
our  government  will  continue  only  so  long  as 
we  are  able  to  provide  entertainment  for  the 
mass  citizenry  of  our  nation.  When  we  have 
ceased  to  entertain  the  nation,  we  shall  have 
lost  our  value  as  propagandists  in  the  drive  to 
Victory. 

We  must  remain  keenly  alert  to  story  possi- 


bilities, regardless  of  whether  it  be  a  war  story 
or  not.  The  public  today,  more  than  ever  be- 
fore, is  virtually  begging  for  good,  wholesome 
escapist  entertainment.  And  it  is  up  to  us  to 
give  it  to  them.  If  we  do  not,  we  shall  have 
failed  them  and  our  government.  And  we  are 
beginning  to  fail  because  so  many  studios  have 
become  so  thoroughly  engrossed  in  the  War, 
they  have  temporarily  lost  sight  of  what  con- 
stitutes Entertainment. 

Let's  switch  over  to  a  practice  of  providing 
Entertainment— be  it  war  plot,  musical  comedy, 
western  adventure  or  what  have  you.  So  long 
as  it  is  a  good  picture !  And  if  it  MUST  be  a 
war  film,  let's  change  the  plot! 

F.  C.  COLEMAN 

East  Point  Amusement  Company, 

East  Point,  Ga. 

I've  had  many  complaints  lately  from  my 
patrons  about  the  large  number  of  war  pictures 
that  we  are  running.  As  you  know,  in  operat- 
ing suburban  theatres,  we  make  some  three  to 
six  changes  a  week. 

It's  now  impossible  to  do  your  booking  with- 
out having  one  or  two  war  pictures  in  every 
week,  sometimes  as  many  as  three  at  once  in 
competing  theatres. 

I  feel  that  we  are  getting  an  overdose  of  war 
pictures  and  pictures  that  are  mostly  heavy 
dramas.  I  believe  we  would  do  better  to  get 
more  pictures  along  the  escape  and  light  line, 
such  as  "Hello  Frisco"  and  "Star  Spangled 
Rhythm." 

FRANCES  B.  FINEMAN 
Little  Theatre,  Haddonfield,  N.  I. 

Frankly  I  think  our  customers  come  to  the 
theatre  to  try  escape  from  realities  for  a  few 
hours.  Therefore,  we  have  too  many  war  pic- 
tures. 

E.  V.  RICHARDS,  Jr. 
Paramount-Richards  Theatres 
Ar ew  Orleans,  La. 

It  is  my  opinion  that  customers  are  fed  up 
on  war  pictures — not  the  news  type,  nor  the 
war  trailers— but  the  actor  type,  and  the  so- 
called  war  drama. 

The  public  these  days  wants  a  picture  for 
amusement,  one  that  while  they  are  viewing  it, 
they  can  forget  the  war  and  pretend  to  be 
happy. 

DONALD  JACOCKS 
Warner  Theatre,  Newark,  N.  J. 

Too  many  war  films  and  too  many  govern- 
ment films. 

F.  E.  BARNES 

Strand  Theatre,  Car  mi,  III. 

We  are  decidedly  getting  too  many  war  pic- 
tures.   Give  us  more  comedy  and  music. 

H.  P.  JONES 

Colonial  Theatre,  Anderson,  Ind. 

Definitely  too  much  war.  We  need  more 
entertainment. 

HOWARD  COLON 

Colonial  Theatre,  Hamburg,  Iowa 

I  think  the  situation  just  about  O.K.  on  war 
films.  People  seem  to  like  action.  I  try  not  to 
have  them  too  close  together,  but  as  a  whole  I 
think  everything  is  O.K. 


May    8 ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


13 


"  When  we  have  ceased  to  entertain  .  .  .  we  shall  have  last  our  value 
as  propagandist?  .  .  .  for  Victory  99 


HARRY  C.  ARTHUR,  JR. 


H.  H.  EVERETT 

Everett  Enterprises,  Inc., 
Charlotte,  N.  C. 

Too  many !  For  example,  "Edge  of  Dark- 
ness," "This  Land  Is  Mine,"  "Moon  Is  Down," 
"Assignment  to  Brittany"  and  numerous  smaller 
productions,  all   duplications  of   same  theme. 

Also  "China  Girl,"  "China,"  "Amazing  Mrs. 
Holliday."  People  are  growing  tired  of  de- 
pressing poor  themes. 

Still  another  cycle  looms — "Hangmen  Also 
Die,"  "Hitler's  Hangman,"  plus  others  planned. 
And  goodness  knows  how  many  Gestapo  films. 

CLARK  M.  DAVIS 

Lichtman  Theatres,  Washington,  D.  C. 

If  the  producers  continue  to  make  the  same 
ratio  of  pictures  with  war  themes  as  they  are 
producing  at  the  present  time  I  feel  we  can 
manage  adequately  by  mixing  them  up  with 
musicals  and  other  light  escapist  fare. 

We  feel  that  even  if  the  ratio  of  war  pictures 
becomes  one  out  of  every  three  produced  we 
could  still  space  our  bookings  and  programs 
in  such  a  way  as  to  keep  the  public  satisfied 
from  an  entertainment  standpoint. 

M.  R.  BLAIR 

Regent  Theatre,  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa 

We  are  getting  far  too  many  war  pictures, 
carelessly  made.  The  people  hear  war  every 
waking  moment.  It  is  only  good  common  sense 
to  guess  or  know  that  for  amusement  they 
would  like  something  else. 

Good  comedy — pleasing  music  are  the  two 
main  types  of  pictures  the  rank  and  file  of  our 
people  want.  A  mother  with  sons  in  the  ser- 
vice gets  damn  tired  and  sick  at  heart,  when 
she  comes  to  a  theatre  and  has  to  sit  through 
two  or  three  hours  of  Nazi  tripe  and  brutality. 
What  the  hell  is  wrong  with  some  of  our 
money  mad  producers? 

E.  J.  HUDSON 

United  Detroit  Theatres  Corporation 

The  answer  as  to  our  twenty  theatres  in 
Detroit  and  vicinity,  is  that  we  are  not  getting 
too  many  war  pictures. 

To  date  we  have  been  successful  in  booking 
our  four  first  run  theatres  and  our  subsequent 
run  neighborhood  and  suburban  houses  with  at 
least  two  and  sometimes  three  changes  of  pro- 
gram following  each  war  picture  with  subjects 
of  an  entirely  different  character. 

This  variation  of  theme  has  seemed  to  us 
extremely  important  to  avoid  surfeiting  the  pub- 
lic with  an  uninterrupted  sequence  of  war  pic- 
tures. 

ELMER  C.  RHODEN 

Fox  Midwest  Amusement  Corp., 

Kansas  City,  Mo. 

The  public  is  interested  in  war  news  events 
and  still  wants  to  see  good  war  pictures.  It 
doesn't  want  war  pictures  that  are  too  depress- 
ing and  too  brutal ;  neither  does  it  want  too 
much  propaganda  film. 

Now  to  elaborate  upon  <  lis  general  state- 
ment. We  get  walk  outs  on  the  depressing 
type  of  war  films.  Women  especially  complain 
about  the  brutality  in  many  war  pictures.  Per- 
haps they  have  sons  in  the  service,  and  nat- 
urally, it  brings  to  their  mind  the  welfare  of 
their  own  flesh  and  blood. 

The  fact  that  good  war  pictures,  with  some 
comedy  relief,  are  still  great  box  office  drawing 
cards,  indicates  that  the  public  still  wants  to  see 
them.  The  public  is  eager  to  see  news  shots. 
There  was  a  great  deal  of  interest  in  the  Tokyo 
raids. 

It  seems  to  me  as  if  the  public  still  wants 


EDITORIAL  FROM 
WATERLOO 

The  state  of  public  and  ex- 
hibitor opinion  on  the  flow  of 
war  pictures  has  been  com- 
municated to  the  press,  which 
is  becoming  vocal  about  it. 
Here  are  excerpts  from  the 
editorial  page  of  The  Courier 
of  the  highly  typical  little  city 
of  Waterloo,  out  in  Iowa: 

"War,  because  it  involves  heroism 
and  tragedy  and  swift  action  and 
powerful  emotion,  Is  a  good  dramatic 
subject.  Hollywood  seized  upon  it 
avidly  and  for  the  past  year  has 
swamped  the  public  with  pictures  in 
which  the  conflict  was  the  principal 
theme. 

"But,  like  a  single  note  that  be- 
comes monotonous  when  constantly 
repeated,  the  war  theme  has  been 
over-played.  The  public  is  confronted 
with  war  subjects  in  the  newspapers, 
the  radio,  the  magazines  and  in  or- 
dinary conversation.  The  movie  fan 
wants  relief  from  the  subject  when  he 
enters  the  theatre. 

"Therefore,  the  demand  for  'light' 
entertainment  is  certain  to  increase 
in  wartime.  Everybody  then  wants 
escapist  drama  and  needs  to  forget 
the  war  in  order  to  relax.  Surprisingly 
enough,  people  sometimes  know  what 
is  good  for  them,  and  that  is  true  in 
this  case.  The  demand  for  'light' 
drama,  far  from  being  interpreted  as 
a  sign  of  shallow  levity,  should  be  en- 
couraged as  a  psychological  relief. 
We  think  the  nation's  morale  will  be 
all  the  better  for  it." 


war  pictures,  providing  there  is  a  good  portion 
of  entertainment  involved,  and  they  want  all 
the  news  shots  that  can  be  had,  preferring  of 
course,  news  shots  of  victories. 

FRANK  W.  LESS 

Cascade  Theatre,  Cascade,  Iowa 

Too  many  war  pictures  absolutely.  People 
hear  plenty  about  war  without  seeing  picture 
after  picture.    It  is  not  entertainment. 

CARL  NIESSE 

Vogue  Theatre  Company, 

Indianapolis,  Ind. 

My  Vogue  theatre  in  Indianapolis  represents 
a  patronage  of  typical  American  citizens,  and 
frankly,  they  are  tired  of  war  dramas.  They, 
and  mostly  women,  do  not  hesitate  to  express 
themselves,  and  furthermore  prove  their  sin- 
cerity by  passing  up  such  attractions.  Believe 
it  or  not,  "China  Girl"  and  "Hitler's  Children" 
registered  the  lowest  grosses  in  many  a  month. 


Likewise  "War  Against  Mrs.  Hadley,"  "Wake 
Island,"  and  this  type  also  failed  to  click  in  this 
theatre. 

I  find  my  patrons  are  unanimous  in  praises 
and  attendance  with  such  pictures  as  "Star 
Spangled  Rhythm,"  "Yankee  Doodle  Dandy," 
"George  Washington  Slept  Here,"  etc. 

I  have  been  in  this  business  twenty-five  years 
and  like  old  Tom  Marshall  believe  "what  this 
country  needs  right  now  is  plenty  of  laughs." 

R.  J.  O'DONNELL 
Interstate  Circuit,  Dallas,  Texas 

Frankly,  this  question  is  one  that  has  been 
puzzling  us  for  some  time — and  when  you  ask 
the  question  "are  you  getting  enough  war  pic- 
tures— or  too  many  war  pictures"  .  .  .  we  feel 
it  can  not  be  treated  nor  answered  lightly. 

If  our  patrons'  opinion  is  an  indication — they 
apparently  want  them,  as  present  day  war  type 
pictures  dominate  the  top  grosses.  However, 
it  is  constantly  becoming  a  problem  to  try  to 
stagger  them — and  in  towns  where  there  are 
two  "A"  theatres  it  is  difficult  to  avoid  having 
a  war  picture  in  each  house. 

At  the  same  time,  when  a  lovely  change  of 
pace  picture  like  "My  Friend  Flicka"  comes 
along — the  audience  does  not  seem  to  react  any 
too  favorably  to  the  change  of  pace. 

A  musical  comedy,  such  as  "Happy  Go 
Lucky"  seems  to  be  in  high  favor. 

There  is  no  doubt  in  my  mind  but  that  we 
can  overdo  the  war  type  picture— and  with  a 
knowledge  of  the  coming  releases  I'm  afraid  we 
are  going  to  become  surfeited. 

Of  course,  this  is  only  a  curbstone  opinion — 
and  it  seems  to  blow  hot  and  cold — but  I  do 
not  know  how  else  to  answer  you. 

I  might  add  that  the  situation  worries  me. 

HARRY  BRANDT 

Circuit  Executive,  New  York 

There  are  altogether  too  many  war  pictures 
being  made.  Our  theatres  should  have  the  op- 
portunity of  giving  the  American  public  who 
are  putting  a  real  effort  behind  the  Army  and 
Navy  a  chance  to  get  some  relief  in  the  enter- 
tainment our  industry  can  give  to  them. 

We  are  doing  ourselves  and  the  nation  a  dis- 
service by  producing  all  the  war  pictures  that 
we  do. 

A.  H.  BLANK 

Tri-States  Theatre  Corp., 
Des  Moines,  Iowa 

We  are  already  on  record  with  every  dis- 
tribution and  production  department  with  whom 
we  do  business  that  there  are  far  too  many  war 
pictures  being  released,  and  far  too  many  con- 
templated. 

Our  box  offices  and  our  telephone  informa- 
tion indicates  that  the  people  are  fed  up  with 
too  many  war  pictures  in  the  theatres  of 
America. 

I  enclose  herewith  an  editorial  from  the 
Waterloo  Courier,  which  is  an  unsolicited  an- 
swer to  your  discussion.  Waterloo  is  a  typical 
American  town  of  around  50,000  population. 

Our  reaction,  which  comes  from  our  cus- 
tomers, is  as  follows :  The  factual  pictures,  such 
as  "Desert  Victory,"  are  very  acceptable  and 
desired.  The  documentary  shorts  are  acceptable 
and  desired  because  of  their  brevity  and  the  in- 
formation which  they  carry. 

The  customers  expect  motion  pictures  to  re- 
lieve the  strain  of  the  war,  not  to  emphasize  it. 
Now  every  mother,  every  father  and  every  girl 
has  someone  close  and  dear  to  them  in  the 
armed  forces,  and  some  of  the  picturizations  of 
the  tragedy,  or  possible  tragedy,  to  their  loved 
ones  is  keeping  them  away  from  theatres. 

The  best  answer  to  your  whole  discussion  or 
(.Continued  on  following  page) 


14 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    8 ,  1943 


"Idea  is  still  'Boy  meets  Girl. 


9  1? 


J-ACk  VAN  LLOYD 


(.Continued  from  preceding  page) 
question  is  that  such  escapist  pictures  as  "Star 
Spangled  Rhythm,"  "Hello  Frisco,"  "For  Me 
and  My  Gal"  are  the  outstanding  boxofhce  pic- 
tures of  the  year.  Their  formulas  are  not  new 
and  there  is  nothing  sensationally  great  about 
them  except  that  the  people  want  to  be  re- 
lieved from  war  strain.  The  exception  could 
be  a  "Random  Harvest,"  which  is  not  a  war 
picture  but  a  very  profound  love  story  based  on 
an  incident  of  the  last  war. 

The  true  value  of  war  pictures  will  be  when 
final  victory  is  achieved  that  the  true  and  great 
incidents  of  the  war  can  be  told  after  the  loved 
ones  are  at  home  and  safe.  This  is  our  reac- 
tion because  the  customers  have  told  us  so. 

F.  E.  LIEBERMAN 

Proven  Pictures  Corporations, 
Boston,  Mass. 

I  think  there  are  too  many  war  pictures. 

J.  C.  WEBB 

Bantex  Theatre,  Bandera,  Texas 

My  people  like  war  pictures.  We  are  getting 
just  about  the  right  amount  of  them  if  they  are 
interspersed  with  comedies. 

E.  F:  INGRAM 

Ingram  Theatres,  Ashland,  Ala. 

We  are  having  much  complaint  from  our  pa- 
trons regarding  war  pictures.  Also  every  family 
in  our  territory  has  either  a  son,  brother  or 
father  in  the  armed  forces,  and  other  members 
of  these  families  tell  us  emphatically  they  do 
not  want  to  see  war  pictures,  and  that  they  like 
to  visit  our  theatres  to  forget  about  the  war 
for  a  short  time. 

We  are  having  complaints  about  too  many 
war  scenes  in  the  newsreels,  and  as  a  result  we 
are  deleting  practically  all  war  scenes  from 
them. 

Our  patrons  seem  to  like  any  kind  of  pic- 
tures now,  except  war  pictures,  with  light  mu- 
sicals and  the  better  comedy  features  heading 
the  list. 

H.  V.  MANNING 

Gem  Theatre,  Etowah,  Tenn. 

We  have  so  many  patrons  that  have  asked 
the  question,  why  we  have  to  run  so  many  war 
pictures  and  as  we  have  just  finished  "Hello 
Frisco  Hello"  several  patrons  remarked  why 
we  could  not  get  more  picture  of  that  type, 
as  they  seemed  to  be  fed  up  on  war  pictures  in 
our  territory. 

It  seems  that  our  producers  haven't  left  any 
stone  unturned  in  getting  war  scenes  in  pic- 
tures. As  of  late  our  "horse  operas"  and  west- 
erns are  full  of  same.  Here's  hoping  we  will 
get  some  relief. 

MISS  EMMA  COX 

Gem  Theatre,  Osceola,  Arkansas 

There  is  plenty  of  discussion  about  the  place 
of  the  war  on  the  screen  and  the  most  of  that 
discussion  that  I  am  getting  is  of  course  my 
customers — the  cash  customers.  Mine  are 
threatening  a  stay-away  strike— and  in  one  in- 
stance did  pull  a  John  L.  Lewis  on  me.  I  am 
speaking  of  a  certain  air  drama — a  good  picture 
— topical  and  so  on— and  one  that  could  not  be 
placed  before  the  rank  and  file  on  the  home 
front  to  a  better  advantage  except  on  the  screen 
in  a  small — really  tank — town.  When  I  made 
it  my  business  to  contact  some  business  and  pro- 
fessional friends  as  to  why  the  customers  stayed 
away — was  told  in  each  instance  that  someone 
they  knew  would  not  come  because  they  had 
either  a  husband,  a  son  or  a  brother  on  the 
fighting  fronts  and  was  afraid  they  couldn't  take 


it — and  they  did  not  want  to  be  made  feel  worse 
than  they  did.  Up  to  the  week  of  April  18-24 
I  was  playing  a  Victory  short  on  Sun.,  Mon. 
and  another  on  Friday  night.  In  addition  had 
at  least  two  features  that  had  either  actual  bat- 
tle scenes  or  dealt  with  some  war  situation — 
then  had  two  news  reels  that  the  entire  footage 
was  actual  and  forbidding  war  in  the  rough. 
Then  to  add  a  little  spice  to  the  week's  menu  I 
would  play  either  "At  The  Front"  or  "Desert 
Victory"  or  "March  of  Time"  or  one  of  the 
"This  Is  America"  series.  One  of  my  best 
customers — a  woman — said  "Miss  Emma  I  saw 
that  air  picture  Sunday — it  was  certainly  a 
grand  picture — but  I'll  have  you  know  I  was 
totally  exhausted  when  I  got  home." 

Everyone  knows  that  an  overdose  of  anything 
is  sickening — whether  that  overdose  be  food, 
drink  or  emotion.  My  own  personal  complaint 
is  that  the  same  story  has  to  be  done  by  each 
of  the  studios — so  by  the  time  I  get  around  to 
playing  all  of  the  features  dealing  with  the  same 
episode,  both  me  and  my  customers  are  so 
damn  tired  of  seeing  it  that  we  don't  even  feel 
patriotic  or  exalted  by  it.  I  still  say  that  the 
small  town  screen  is  the  biggest  and  best  agent 
of  the  government  to  sell  this  war  to  the  rank 
and  file  that  are  still  out  of  uniform.  So  what's 
the  use?    I  don't  know  the  answer. 

P.  S. — One  of  the  reasons  you  didn't  get  an 
air  mail  return  immediately  is  another  war 
situation  with  me — I  lost  my  6th  janitor  since 
January  1st  to  defense  work  this  week  and  I 
had  to  do  my  own  cleaning  up  besides  all  the 
rest  of  the  work.  I  am  .  one  of  those  small  in- 
dependents that  are  trying  to  keep  open  on  just 
old  pre-war  customers  that  are  all  leaving  for 
bigger  towns  and  bigger  money.  My  town  used 
to  be  3,500.  Maybe  we  could  clear  up  this 
muddy  water  if  the  government  would  ration 
the  war  film  footage  to  so  many  points  a  week. 

PHIL  SCHWARTZ 

Parkway  Theatre,  Bridgeport,  Conn. 

Too  many  war  pictures — but  definitely ! 

It  seems  in  the  effort  to  promote  effective 
propaganda  for  our  government  the  film  com- 
panies become  too  overzealous. 

The  trouble  lays  in  the  fact  that  the  world's 
biggest  "copy  cats"  are  not  in  school  but  in 
Hollywood.  A  company  comes  out  with  one 
and  then  the  others  from  top  to  bottom  follow 
through  with  a  picture  with  the  same  story  and 
new  finish. 

It  hurts  us  Co-runs  more  than  firsts  because 
we  play  three  to  four  changes  a  week.  It  is  not 
uncommon  for  me  to  book  two  war  pictures  on 
same  show.  It  seems  almost  everything  on 
screen  has  a  tinge  of  war. 

After  all,  a  mother  who  has  her  son  in  the 
fighting  front  doesn't  care  to  see  another 
youngster  killed  or  mutilated  no  matter  on 
whose  side  he  is  on.  A  mother  knows  the 
horror  of  war  without  being  subjected  to  it 
every  time  she  sets  foot  in  a  theatre. 

IRWIN  WHEELER 

Prudential  Circuit,  New  York,  New 
Jersey  and  Connecticut 

The  present  and  promised  flow  of  war  pic- 
tures is  overwhelming  both  the  showman  and 
his  audience.  The  theatre  is  a  place  of  enter- 
tainment and  it  requires  program  attention,  with 
some  latitude  of  selection.  With  the  flood  of 
war  dramas,  and  the  flow  of  "war  shorts"  the 
exhibitor  is  continually  confronted  with  con- 
flicts and  problems.  All  too  often  there  is  an 
embarrassing  situation  where  the  service  of  the 
national  cause,  and  our  commitments,  demand 
that  we  show  "war  shorts"  in  a  program  which 
has  been  inevitably  already  overloaded  with 


war,  and  sometimes  for  weeks.  The  quality  of 
the  "war  shorts"  might  also  do  with  some  atten- 
tion. 

CHARLES  MORSE 

Charles  Morse  Circuit,  Boston,  Mass. 

Many  war  pictures  are  well  received  by  the 
majority  of  patrons,  and  do  above  average  busi- 
ness at  the  box  office.  However,  the  consensus 
of  opinion  of  exhibitors  and  patrons  alike  is 
that  Hollywood  is  overdoing  the  production  of 
war  pictures  to  the  extent  that  a  great  part  of 
the  public  is  already  getting  fed  up  on  them, 
and  they  are  bound  to  lose  their  effectiveness 
and  box  office  appeal  if  more  reason  and  re- 
straint is  not  exercised. 

K.  LEE  WILLIAMS 

K.  Lee  Williams  Theatres,  Inc., 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 

We  are  on  the  verge  of  having  too  many  war 
pictures. 

NEWELL  B.  KURZON 

Graphic  Theatres  Circuit,  Boston,  Mass. 

We  are  having  an  avalanche  of  war  pictures. 
The  booking  problem  offers  no  relief  from  war 
stories.  The  public  is  desirous  of  escaping  war 
themes  and  want  entertainment  of  a  lighter 
nature. 

MRS.  W.  A.  SHEA 

Wilbor  Theatre,  Eastport,  Maine 

We  have  had  many  complaints  regarding  too 
many  war  pictures.  The  great  number  of  war 
films  being  released  for  features  together  with 
the  short  defense  reels  to  be  shown  with  prac- 
tically every  change  in  program  seems  to  be  a 
little  more  war  propaganda  than  the  patrons 
wish. 

JACK  VAN  LLOYD 
Bibb  Theatre,  Macon,  Ga. 

War  pictures  do  O.K.  if  not  too  tragic. 
Patrons  prefer  the  comic  treatment.  Dramatic 
war  pictures  are  O.K.  if  romantic  and  hero 
lives  for  final  clinch. 

It's  still  "Boy  Meets  Girl." 

H.  K.  KLUTH 

Orpheum  Theatre,  Shelby,  Montana 

We  are  receiving  too  many  war  films,  more 
particularly  too  many  mediocre  ones,  and  ones 
that  tend  to  cause  complacency  among  our  pa- 
trons by  displaying  tremendous  quantities  of 
war  material  that  we  are  building. 

We  feel  that  if  we  had  fewer  films  of  this 
type  which  were  of  a  higher  quality  and  which 
outlined  the  problems  that  we  face  in  our  war 
effort,  they  would  be  of  greater  benefit  than  the 
great  numbers  of  war  films  and  films  with  the 
war  theme  that  we  are  now  running. 

H.  H.  MATTHEWS 

Roxy  Theatre,  ,  Inridan,  Idaho 

We  have  been  cut  of  the  theatre  business  since 
February  15th  as  our  theatre  burned  on  that 
date.  At  that  time  wt>.  were  having  a  great  deal 
of  complaint  about  war  pictures  especially  from 
mothers.  On  the  shorts  of  war  pictures  put  out 
by  war  activities  a  great  many  would  walk 
out  in  the  lobby  and  stay  till  they  were  over. 

We  hope  to  be  back  in  business  about  June 
16th  as  we  will  have  a  new  place  from  A  to 
izzard  at  that  time,  we  hope. 

FLOYD  E.  HILL 

Drexel  Theatre,  Drexel,  Mo. 
Closing — going  to  army. 


May    8  ,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


15 


Best  War  Shorts 

THE  EXHIBITORS'  VOTE  ON  1942  OFFERINGS 


1.  Battle  of  Midway,  U.  S.  Navy 

2.  The  Blitz  Wolf,  MGM  color  car- 

toon 

3.  Private  Smith  of  the  U.  S.  A., 

This  Is  America  (RKO) 

4.  Beyond  the  Line  of  Duty,  Broad- 

way Brevity  (WB) 

5.  Army  Chaplain,  This  Is  America 

(RKO) 

6.  Further  Prophecies  of  Nostra- 

damus, Miniature  (MGM) 

7.  Marines   in  the   Making,  Pete 

Smith  Specialty  (MGM) 

8.  America  Sings  with  Kate  Smith 

(Col.) 

9.  Don"t  Talk  (MGM) 

10.  F.B.I.   Front,   March   of  Time 
(20th-Fox) 


URGING  greater  realism  in  the  material 
and  treatment  of  war  films,  the  nation's 
exhibitors,  polled  by  Motion  Picture 
Herald,  voted  "Battle  of  Midway"  the 
outstanding  war  short  released  last  year. 
This  product  of  U.  S.  Navy  cameramen, 
under  the  direction  of  Lieutenant  Com- 
mander John  Ford,  was  the  only  Govern- 
ment release  high  on  the  list  of  favorites. 
In  second  and  third  place  were  "The  Blitz 
Wolf,"  an  MGM  Technicolor  cartoon, 
and  "Private  Smith  of  the  U.S.A.,"  first 

of  RKO's  "This  Is  America"  series. 
• 

"Battle  of  Midway,"  a  two-reel  presenta- 
tion of  actual  battle  scenes  filmed  in  color, 
was  selected  by  more  than  three-fourths  of 
the  voters.  Combining  some  of  the  impact 
of  a  newsreel  with  the  development  of  a  doc- 
umentary, it  satisfied  the  audience  demand 
for  drama,  spectacle  and  reality  all  in  one. 
Many  exhibitors  conceded  it  as  much  draw- 
ing power  as  the  accompanying  feature. 

A  gift  of  the  Government  to  the  industry, 
distributed  without  charge  to  exhibitors 
through  the  War  Activities  Committee,  the 
film  was  in  no  small  way  a  contribution  of 
the  industry  to  the  Government.  Command- 
er Ford  is  a  three-time  winner  of  the  award 
for  direction,  presented  each  year  by  the 
Academy  of  Motion  Picture  Arts  and  Sci- 
ences, for  his  achievements  in  "The  Inform- 
er," "The  Grapes  of  Wrath"  and  "How 
Green  Was  My  Valley." 

The  unique  appeal  of  this  subject  could 
not,  of  course,  be  duplicated  in  the  studios, 
but  their  contributions  were  warmly  com- 
mended for  entertainment  values.  "The 
Blitz  Wolf"  was  commonly  cited  as  an  ex- 
ample of  the  advantage  of  humor  in  treating 


COMMANDER  JOHN  FORD,  U.S.N., 
who  produced  "The  Battle  of  Midway". 

subjects  that  are  too  often  buried  under 
heavy  talk. 

Fred  Quimby,  organizer  and  director  of 
the  MGM  Cartoon  Department,  has  a  long 
record  of  achievement  in  the  short  subject 
field,  including  an  Academy  award  for  the 
best  cartoon  in  1940.  His  humorous  con- 
ception of  the  dictator  theme  made  this  one- 
reel  comedy,  the  shortest  of  the  favored  re- 
leases, stand  out  from  a  fairly  large  group. 

The  third  winner,  "Private  Smith  of  the 
U.S.A.,"  was  hard  pressed  by  another  is- 
sue, "Army  Chaplain,"  for  the  honor  of 
representing  the  popular  "This  Is  America" 
releases.  Exhibitors  expressed  their  satis- 
faction with  this  new  series  produced  by 
Frederic  Ullman,  Jr.,  vice  president  of 
Pathe  News,  reporting  it  had  become  a  defi- 
nite box  Office  factor. 

Voters  Ask  More  Comedy, 
Less  Propaganda 

In  the  matter  of  treatment,  the  call  was 
for  more  comedy  and  less  propaganda.  A 
fairly  strong  minority  of  exhibitors,  how- 
ever, took  the  stand  that  the  public  should 
be  awakened  to  the  vital  issues  at  stake  and 
the  danger  of  defeat.  They  wanted  less 
"glamorizing"  in  films  and'  more  "plain 
talk."  One  observed  that  films  were  the 
newspapers  of  the  picture-going  public  and 
should  supply  editorial  opinion  as  well  as 
fact;  another  wrote  that  fear  would  create 
unity  and  stimulate  bond  sales.  But  even 
in  this  group  the  majority  seemed  to  believe 
that  facts,  timely  and  dramatic  in  presenta- 
tion, were  all  that  was  needed. 

One  proposal  cropped  up  several  times. 
It  was  that  more  and  better  short  subjects 


FRED  C.  QUIMBY,  head  of  MGM  car- 
toon unit  which  produced  "The  Blitz  Wolf". 


FREDERIC  ULLMAN,  JR.,  producer 
of  the  RKO-Pathe  "This  Is  America"  series. 

should  carry  the  war  messages,  while  fewer 
feature  films  with  war  backgrounds  should 
be  made. 

On  the  whole,  the  sentiment  in  favor  of 
war  shorts,  both  Government  films  and  the 
product  of  the  major  studios,  was  about 
four  to  one.  A  few  quarrelled  with  rentals 
which  were  fixed  for  all  situations,  and  some 
objected  that  customers  had  to  sit  through 
the  same  film  again  in  different  theatres. 
But  the  consensus  seemed  to  be  that  a  dif- 
ficult job  was  being  done  well. 


16 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


ON  THE  MARCH 


May    8  ,  1943 

by  RED  KANN 


HOLLYWOOD 

SURROUNDED  by  war,  the  observation  is  like  the  nose  on 
the  face :  There  can  be  no  completely  successful  escape  from 
it.  There  are  no  new  autos,  no  new  radios.  Everyone  is 
mathematical  now,  trying  to  figure  how  often  a  steak  is  possible 
or  whether  a  program  of  hamburgers  isn't  smarter  on  account  of 
points. 

Because  the  war  is  the  biggest  show  on  earth,  it  furrows  tired 
ground  again  to  remark  Hollywood  at  once  saw  the  possibility 
and  then  leaped.  It  was  normal  as  a  commercial  policy  and  it  was 
proper  as  a  contribution  hastening  ultimate  victory.  Everyone 
certainly  must  know  this. 

Everyone,  too,  ought  to  recognize  a  world's  insides  cannot  be 
turned  out  without  the  tremors  taking  substantial  hold  of  Holly- 
wood's thinking  and  action.  Therefore,  war  films,  by  which  is 
meant  those  dealing  with  the  battle  fronts,  the  home  front  and 
morale,  will  continue.    They  should  if  they  are  important. 

But  tlie  problem,  so  serious  a  one,  unfortunately  does  not  re- 
duce itself  to  such  easy  disposal.  In  a  competitive  market,  one 
producer's  success  becomes  another  producer's  envy.  It  was  so 
with  the  gangster  cycle,  the  nostalgie  cycle  and  any  other  cycle 
you  may  care  to  name.  It  prevails  now  with  the  war  cycle  and 
it  looks  mightily  as  if  it  will  return  once  more  with  musicals. 

Very  belatedly,  Hollywood  is  becoming  aware  of  the  situation 
on  war  films.  Yet  even  now  it  is  an  awareness  accepted,  where 
it  is,  with  a  caution  suggesting  lack  of  conviction  and  an  occa- 
sional highlight  of  suspicion.    The  unbelievers  are  many. 

An  Oldie  Revived— and  Why 

WE  are  off  on  an  old  subject  again  for  a  more  specific  rea- 
son than  all  of  this,  however.  The  trail  begins  on  the 
other  coast  and  deals  with  the  experience  of  the  two  larg- 
est circuits  in  the  largest  city  in  the  land.  The  circuits,  of  course, 
are  Loew's  and  RKO.    The  city,  you  guessed  it. 

In  the  twenty-four  weeks  up  to  and  including  May  13,  both 
New  York  chains  will  have  played  forty-seven  pictures.  In  most 
instances,  the  bills  were  double  features.  Occasionally,  the  pro- 
grams were  single.  Otherwise,  the  booking  chart  reflects  five- 
day  runs,  discarding  the  two-day  dates  for  purposes  of  keeping 
this  simple. 

Of  the  forty-seven  which  will  have  played  the  Loew  string, 
sixteen  are  about  the  war  in  one  phase  or  another,  and  there  are 
a  lot  of  phases,  of  course.  RKO's  total  will  be  twenty-three. 
The  chronology  shows  there  were  several  weeks  when  relief  set 
in.  This  was  the  fact  more  so  in  the  case  of  Loew's.  But,  re- 
membering as  it  has  to  be,  that  the  circuits  play  off  product  in 
order  of  the  distributor's  release,  the  following  chart  we  submit 
as  well  worth  studying  for  a  revealing,  all-in-a-bunch  look  at 
what  is  happening  in  New  York.  The  date  indicates  when  the 
attraction  started  running,  or  will.  The  italicized  titles  indicate 
some  form  of  war  or  morale  content : 


Loew's 

December  4 
Nightmare 

War  Against  Mrs.  Hadley 

December  11 

Flying  Tigers 
Street  of  Chance 

December  18 
The  Glass  Key 
Forest  Rangers 

December  25 
My  Sister  Eileen 
Counter  Espionage 

December  31 
Who  Done  It? 
Behind  the  8  Ball 

January  7 
White  Cargo 
About  Face 


RKO 


George  Washington  Slept  Here 
Wings  and  the  Woman 

Thunder  Birds 
Devil  with  Hitler 

Navy  Comes  Through 
You  Can't  Escape  Forever 

Now,  Voyager 
Great  Gildersleeve 

Once  Upon  a  Honeymoon 
Time  to  Kill 


Springtime  in  Rockies 
Cat  People 


Loew's 

January  14 

I  Married  Witch 

One  of  Our  Aircraft  Is  Missing 

January  21 

Road  to  Morocco 

Henry  Aldrich,  Editor 

January  28 

You  Were  Never  Lovelier 

Night  to  Remember 

February  4 

For  Me  and  My  Gal 

Tish 

February  11 
Whistling  in  Dixie 
Journey  for  Margaret 
February  18 

Andy  Hardy's  Double  Life 
Dr.  Gillespie's  Assistant 
February  25 
In  Which  We  Serve 
McGuerins  From  Brooklyn 
March  4 

Star  Spangled  Rhythm 

Mrs.  Wiggs  of  Cabbage  Patch 

March  11 

Commandos  Strike  at  Dazvn 

Laugh  Your  Blues  Away 

March  18 

Palm  Beach  Story 

Pittsburgh 

March  25 

Random  Harvest 

April  1 
Crystal  Ball 
Silver  Queen 
April  8 
Powers  Girl 
Tennessee  Johnson 
April  15 

Stand  By  for  Action 
IceCapades 
April  22  _ 
Reunion  in  France 
Hit  Parade 
April  29 

Slightly  Dangerous 
Frankenstein  Meets  Wolf  Man 
May  6 

Happy-Go-Lucky 
Lucky  Jordan 

May  13 

Keeper  of  the  Flame 
Tish 


RKO 


Gentleman  Jim 
Flying  Fortress 

Seven  Days  Leave 
Quiet,  Please — Murder 

Black  Swan 

Over  My  Dead  Body 

Arabian  Nights 

Sherlock   Holmes  and  Secret 
Weapon 

Life  Begins  at  8 :30 
Tarsan's  Triumph 


Yankee  Doodle  Dandy 

China  Girl 
Margin  for  Error 

Shadow  of  a  Doubt 

Johnny  Comes  Marching  Home 

Immortal  Sergeant 
It  Comes  Up  Love 

Journey  Into  Fear 
Saludos  Amigos 

Casablanca 
At  the  Front 

Amazing  Mrs.  Holliday 
Falcon  Strikes  Back 

They  Got  Me  Covered 
Silver  Skates 

Meanest  Man  in  World 
Chetniks 

Hitler's  Children 
Ladies  Day 

It  Ain't  Hay 
Mr.  Pitt 

The  Hard  Way 
Tonight  We  Raid  Calais 

Hello,  Frisco,  Hello 
Johnny  Doughboy 


Of  course,  the  circuit  setup  in  New  York  is  peculiar  in  many 
respects,  chiefly  in  its  collective  domination  of  the  situation,  ex- 
clusive of  Broadway.  The  two-day  bookings,  burning  up  releases 
faster,  naturally  telescope  war  films  into  less  time  and  thereby 
give  the  public  more  of  the  same  thing  faster.  In  fact,  E.  L.  Al- 
person,  vice-president  of  RKO  Theatres,  who  is  here,  estimates 
it  works  out  to  eighty  per  cent  of  all  screen  time  banging  away 
on  the  one-note  theme  in  the  subsequent  runs. 

It  is  common  experience  in  New  York  these  days,  for  instance, 
to  get  this  over  theatre  telephones: 

"What  are  you  playing?   Are  they  about  the  war?" 

And  this,  in  lobbies  and  the  aisles : 

"If  I  had  known  the  picture  was  about  the  war,  I  would  have 
stood  in  bed." 
Or  its  equivalent. 

On  the  other  hand  and  regardless  of  how  theatre  competition 
may  split  the  product,  the  situation  is  similar  around  the  country, 

[Continued  on  page  18] 


If  he  could  speak,  he'd  ask  you 
to  book  "Prelude  To  War.'1 

He'd  want  the  folks  back  home 
to  get  fighting  mad  too! 

"Prelude  To  War"  will  do  it  -  and 
will  help  win  this  war. 

It's  as  thrilling  as  a  gangster  picture 
because  it  is  a  gangster  picture. 

He  gave  a  lifetime. 

Mister,  can  you  spare  55  minutes  of  screen  time? 


The  U.  S.  Government  presents  "Prelude 
To  War."  Release  May  27th.  War  Dept. 
prints  gratis.  Exciting  accessories  from 
National  Screen  Service.  Sponsored  by 
the  War  Activities  Committee  of  the 
i  Motion  Picture  Industry;  1501  Broad- 
way N.  Y.  C. 


Where  to  book  it:  Columbia — Boston,  Des  Moines,  Los  Angeles.  M-G-M 
— Detroit,  Memphis,  New  Orleans,  Philadelphia,  Pittsburgh.  Paramount — 
Albany,  Cincinnati,  Denver,  Oklahoma  City,  San  Francisco.  RKO — 
Dallas,  New  York,  Seattle.  Republic — Charlotte.  20th  Century-Fox — 
Buffalo,  Chicago,  Cleveland,  Milwaukee,  Washington.  UA — Indian- 
apolis, Kansas  City.  Universal — Minneapolis,  Portland.  Warner  Bros. — 
Atlanta,  New  Haven,  Omaha,  St.  Louis,  Salt  Lake  City. 


18 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    8,  1943 


ON  THE  MARCH 


[Continued  from  page  16] 
for  it  is  the  same  product  to  the  same  total.   The  public  will  see 
it  in  one  theatre  or  another  and  perhaps  in  both. 

At  any  rate,  with  this  disturbing,  but  not  surprising,  re-affirm- 
ation of  a  conclusion  reached  some  time  ago,  your  observer  then 
turned  to  the  local  scenery.  Purpose:  Another  dip  into  matters 
as  the  studios  find  them.    Question:  What  about  war  pictures? 

Already  in  action,  about  to  be  released  or  ready  for  the  market 
whenever  they  may  be  sent  aloft  are — hold  on  to  your  hats — 
these : 

COLUMBIA — "Appointment  in  Berlin,"  "The  Boy  from  Stalin- 
grad," "Destroyer,"  "The  More  the  Merrier"  and  "Somewhere  in 
Sahara." 

METR 0 -GOLDWYN-MA YER — "Above  Suspicion,"  "Air  Raid 
Wardens,"  "Assignment  in  Brittany,"  "As  Thousands  Cheer,"  "Ba- 
taan,"  "The  Human  Comedy,"  "Pilot  No.  5,"  "Right  About  Face," 
"Salute  to  the  Marines"  and  "Swing  Shift  Maisie." 

MONOGRAM— "I  Escaped  from  the  Gestapo"  and  "Right  About 
Face." 

PARAMOUNT— "Aerial  Gunner,"  "Alaska  Highway,"  "China," 
"Five  Graves  to  Cairo,"  "For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls,"  "High  Ex- 
plosive," "Hostages,"  "Night  Plane  to  Chungking,"  "Salute  for  Three" 
and  "So  Proudly  We  Hail." 

PRODUCERS  RELEASING— "Corregidor,"  "My  Son,  the  Hero" 
and  "Submarine  Base." 

RKO— "Bombardier,"  "The  Fallen  Sparrow,"  "Flight  for  Free- 
dom," "Forever  and  a  Day,"  "Mr.  Lucky,"  "The  Sky's  the  Limit," 
"Tarzan  Triumphs"  and  "This  Land  Is  Mine." 

REPUBLIC— "The  Purple  V." 

TWENTIETH  CENTURY-FOX  —  "Bomber's  Moon,"  "Crash 
Dive,"  "Immortal  Sergeant,"  "Margin  for  Error,"  "The  Moon  Is 
Down,"  "They  Came  to  Blow  Up  America,"  and  "Tonight  We  Raid 
Calais." 

UNITED  ARTISTS— "Fall  In,"  "Hangmen  Also  Die,"  "That 
Natzy  Nuisance,"  "Stage  Door  Canteen,"  "Victory  Through  Air 
Power"  and  "Yanks  Ahoy." 

UNIVERSAL— "Amazing  Mrs.  Holliday,"  "Hi,  Buddy,"  "Sher- 
lock Holmes  in  Washington"  and  "We've  Never  Been  Licked." 

WARNER— "Action  in  the  North  Atlantic,"  "Air  Force,"  "Back- 
ground to  Danger,"  "The  Desert  Song,"  "Edge  of  Darkness,"  "Mis- 
sion to  Moscow"  and  "Watch  on  the  Rhine." 

A  handsome  total  of  63  here  from  11  producers  with  Metro  and 
Paramount  in  first  place  with  ten  each.  There's  much  more  to 
this,  for  on  Wednesday  of  this  week  this  was  in  progress : 

"Attack  by  Night"  and  "The  Clock  Strikes  Twelve"  were  in 
production  at  Columbia,  "A  Guy  Named  Joe"  and  "Russia"  at 
Metro,  "The  Hour  Before  the  Dawn"  and  "Minesweeper"  at 
Paramount,  "Behind  the  Rising  Sun"  and  "The  Iron  Major"  at 
RKO,  "The  Girls  He  Left  Behind"  at  20th-Fox,  "Corvettes  in 
Action"  at  Universal  and  "To  the  Last  Man"  and  "This  Is  the 
Army"  at  Warner.   The  adding  machine  now  rests  at  75. 

Not  Speculations,  Not  Promises 

YOUR  attention,  please,  to  this:  These  are  not  speculations. 
They  are  not  promises.  Neither  are  they  intentions.  Those 
not  finished  and  already  in  early  release  are  about  to  go, 
or  finally  to  go.   The  others  are  shooting. 

The  probables,  of  course,  turn  out  to  be  the  most  fantastic  por- 
tion of  this  statistical  gallop  over  Hollywood's  hills  and  through 
its  dales.  Naturally,  there  is  often  a  long  road  between  declaring 
a  property,  or  an  idea,  and  emerging  at  the  end  of  the  assembly 
line  with  a  print.  But  many  in  the  immediately  ensuing  flood  are 
moving  along  right  merrily,  in  script  form  and  appear  destined 
for  celluloid  at  this  writing  juncture. 

With  that  briefest  sort  of  introduction,  this  conveys  you  to 
the  borderline  of  the  announced  war  films.  You  may  not  read 
them,  but  you  ought  to  be  impressed  by  their  bulk. 

Columbia  is  serious  about  these:  "Constantinople"  "Doughboys  in 
Ireland,"  "Mr.  Winkle  Goes  to  War,"  "Men  of  the  Coast  Guard," 
"Officers'  Candidate  School,"  "Sub  Busters,"  "This  Is  a  Free  Coun- 
try," "Victory  Caravan,"  "Washington,  I  Love  You,"  "Women  at  War" 
and  "Vampires  of  London."    That  makes  eleven. 

In  the  handsome  manner.  Metro  flourishes  these:  "Anchors 
Aweigh,"  "Blue  Print  for  a  Miracle,"  "Cry  Havoc,"  "Dragon  Seed," 


"Ferry  Command,"  "Ladies  in  Gray,"  "Malta,"  "Mary  Smith, 
U.  S.  A.,"  "Memo  to  a  Firing  Squad,"  "Nine  JVIarines,"  "See  Here, 
Private  Hargrove,"  "Southern  Cross,"  "Suzy  Q,"  "They  Were  Ex- 
pendable," "30  Seconds  Over  Tokyo,"  "Time  of  Peace,"  "A  Thousand 
Shall  Fall,"  "The  Wookey,"  "War  and  Peace,"  "White  Cliffs  of 
Dover,"  "Yesterday's  Children"  and  'You  Can't  Fool  a  Marine." 
Add  22. 

Monogram  talks  of  a  highly  modest  quintet  made  up  of  "Canteen 
Girl."  "Hitler's  Women,"  "Sweetheart  of  the  Marines,"  "Fighting 
Quartermaster"  and  "Ground  Crew."    Thirty-eight  now. 

If  Paramount's  delivered  performance,  by  chance,  should  happen  to 
square  away  with  its  thinking,  that  studio  will  make  all  of  these  10 : 
"Adopt  a  Pilot,"  "Dateline— Istanbul,"  "Girl's  Town,"  "The  Hitler 
Gang,"  "Marseilles,"  "A  Medal  for  Benny,"  "Standing  Room  Only," 
"The  Story  of  Dr.  Wassell,"  "Tomorrow's  Harvest"  and  a  Bing 
Crosby  picture  in  which  he  will  play  a  singing  priest  who  becomes  an 
Army  chaplain.  At  the  48-yard  line  now. 

RKO's  futures  encompass  this  list :  "China  Sky,"  "The  Fanatic  of 
Fez,"  "Government  Girl,"  "Marine  Raiders,"  "A  Rookie  in  Burma" 
and  "This  Is  Russia."    Half  way  to  100,  plus  four. 

Hovering  over  Republic  are  plots  and  plans,  as  of  now,  for  these : 
"Berlin  Papers,  Please  Copy,"  "The  Fighting  Seabees,"  "Gone  With 
the  Draft,"  "Merchant  Marine,"  "Rosie,  the  Riveter,"  "Victory  Fleet," 
"Convoy  of  Malta,"  "Fu  Manchu,"  "Hitler's  Hatchet  Men,"  "Queen 
of  Spies,"  "Under  Sealed  Orders"  and  "War  Time  Brides."  It's  66 
already. 

Record  is  27 

OF  them  all,  however,  Twentieth  Century-Fox  stands  in  solitary 
numerical  splendor  with  27.  There  will  be  casualties,  quite 
naturally,  but  in  discussion,  in  script  or  further  along  are  these : 
"Battle  Stations,"  "Beach  Head,"  "Convoy  to  Murmansk,"  "Coast 
Guard,"  "The  Eve  of  St.  Mark,"  "Flare  Path,"  "Four  Jills  and  a 
Jeep,"  'Guadalcanal  Diary,"  "Ground  Pilots,"  "A  Highland  Fling," 
"I  Escaped  from  Hongkong,"  "The  Incredible  Earl  of  Suffolk,"  "In 
Time  to  Come,"  "Last  Train  from  Berlin,"  "Life  Boat,"  "The  Night 
Is  Ending,"  "Paris,  Tenn.,"  "Private  Confusion,"  "Signal  Corps," 
"The  Snow  Is  Red,"  "The  Story  of  China,"  "Through  Embassy 
Eyes,"  "Torpedo  Squadron,"  "Truth  in  Demand,"  "War  Correspond- 
ent," the  Eddie  Rickenbacker  film,  and  "Salute  to  a  Lady."  Total 
tally  thus  far : 

Edward  Small  probably  will  make  "Winter  Soldiers"  and  "The 
Raft"  and  Charles  R.  Rogers  "The  Gaunt  Woman"  for  United  Artists. 
That  makes  96  potentials. 

Universal,  evidently  in  keeping  with  a  clear-cut  assertion  made  by 
Nate  Blumberg  to  your  staggered  observer  recently  intends  treading 
gingerly.  Only  four  on  war  and  its  offshoots  show  up  there.  Walter 
Wanger  is  contemplating  "The  WAAFS"  and  "Looking  for  Trouble," 
an  umbrella-like  title  which  sounds  impressively  prophetic,  and  the 
studio  two  others.  These  are  "The  Strange  Death  of  Adolf  Hitler" 
and  "Christmas  Holiday."  A  neat  100  now. 

The  avowed  all-out-for-war  champion — in  1943  anyway — of  course 
is  Warner.  Impending  plans  there  embrace  these :  "Al  Schmid,  War 
Hero,"  "Baby  Marine,"  "Battle  Cry,"  "Brazzaville,"  "The  Conspira- 
tors," "Destination,  Tokyo,"  "Equator,"  "God  Is  My  Co-Pilot,"  "In 
Our  Time,"  "The  Liberator,"  "Passage  to  Marseilles,"  and  "Time 
Between."    One  hundred,  plus  12,  equals  112. 

Presumably  for  RKO  is  a  remake  of  "The  Dark  Angel"  by  Sam 
Goldwyn. 

Finally  come  four  independent  intentions  to  make  up  the  closing 
bracket.  W.  R.  Frank,  Minneapolis  exhibitor  who  decorated  the 
financial  background  of  "Syncopation,"  made  by  William  Dieterle  for 
RKO,  is  proceeding  with  "Dr.  Paul  Joseph  Goebbels,  His  Life  and 
Loves"  and  with  a  follow-up  about  Heinrich  Himmler.  Erich  Pom- 
mer  is  the  father  of  one  called  "The  Man  Who  Killed  Hitler."  Be- 
hind the  projected  "U.  S.  S.,  The  Sullivans"  are  Lloyd  Bacon  and 
Sam  Jaffe. 

One  hundred  and  seventeen  on  a  finger  count. 

The  Conclusion  Is  Yours 

ALL  of  this  could  remind  of  many  things.    One,  what  the 
r\    Office  of  War  Information  means  when  it  deplores  the 
deluge  of  war  films  with  little  regard  to  their  significance. 
Two,  as  a  demonstration  of  Hollywood's  current  thinking,  that 
the  circumstance  indicates  an  overhauling  would  be  a  good  idea. 

Someone  by  now  may  be  saying  this  column  ought  to  be  suffi- 
ciently show-wise  to  know  many  of  these  will  never  be  made. 
The  reply  is  simple.  We  hope  so.  We  most  fervently  hope  so. 


ONE-MAN  MISSION 


SWC£  PAUL  BMRR 


HUSTON-HARDING 

Geo. Tobias -Oscar  Homolka -Gene  Lockhart- Helmut  Dantine 

""MICHAEL  CURTIZ 

Screen  Flav  by  Howard  Koch  •  From  Ihe  Book  by  Joseph  E.  Davies  •  Music  by  Max  Sterner 


BUY  MORE  WAR  BONDS! 


MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD     May  8th,  1943 


May    8  ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


27 


MPTOA  BOARD  CONDEMNS 
DECREE  SALES  METHODS 


Mellett,  Harmon,  Smith 
Speakers  at  Directors 
Meeting  in  New  York 

Directors  of  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre 
Owners  of  America  at  New  York  Wednes- 
day condemned  the  Consent  Decree  method 
of  selling  "especially  in  small  non-cancell- 
able blocks,"  and  demanded  the  return  to  full 
season  contracts  with  cancellations. 

"The  correct  method  and  fair  approach  to 
community  selection,"  the  MPTOA  said  in 
a  resolution  proposed  by  Mitchell  Wolf  son, 
of  Miami,  "is  by  selling  a  season's  supply 
with  reasonable  cancellation. 

"The  present  method  is  in  conflict  with 
the  war  effort  and  the  conservation  of  men 
and  materials,"  the  resolution  said. 

The  MPTOA  met  at  the  Hotel  Astor  on 
Tuesday,  Wednesday  and  Thursday  to  as- 
sess the  position  of  the  independent  exhibitor 
in  wartime.  Manpower  and  equipment  prob- 
lems, cooperation  with  the  Government,  re- 
vision of  the  Consent  Decree,  rentals,  double 
features,  arbitration  and  trade  practices  were 
discussed. 

All  officers  were  reelected.  Herman  Levy, 
of  New  Haven,  was  elected  general  counsel. 
George  Aarons,  of  Philadelphia,  remains 
as  assistant  counsel.  A  committee  will  be 
appointed  to  study  the  film  sales  problem, 
it  was  reported.  Another  group  also  is  ex- 
pected to  prepare  recommendations  for 
changes  in  the  decree. 

No  date  was  set  for  a  national  conven- 
tion. 

Speakers  from  the  Government,  War  Ac- 
tivities Committee,  and  the  Society  of  Mo- 
tion Picture  Engineers  told  the  directors 
what  consequences  the  agenda  of  war  might 
have  on  theatre  operation. 

Among  the  speakers  at  the  general  ses- 
sions on  Tuesday  were  Lowell  Mellett,  chief 
of  the  bureau  of  motion  pictures  of  the  Of- 
fice of  War  Information ;  Allen  G.  Smith, 
head  of  the  War  Production  Board's  amuse- 
ments division;  Francis  Harmon,  executive 
vice  chairman,  and  Si  Fabian,  chairman  of 
the  theatres  division,  of  the  War  Activities 
Committee. 

Tuesday,  the  MPTOA  members  met  with  the 
Society  of  Motion  Picture  Engineers  at  a  joint 
session  devoted  to  technical  problems  in  war- 
time. 

Mellett  Asks  Closer 
Cooperation  with  OWI 

Mr.  Mellett,  after  asking  reporters  to  leave, 
explained  the  operation  and  objectives  of  the 
Government's  motion  picture  information  serv- 
ice and  asked  closer  cooperation  and  intensified 
effort  by  theatre  men  in  carrying  official  war 
messages  to  the  public  via  the  screen.  He  said 
that  Government  calls  for  screen  time  were  al- 
ways made  with  the  conviction  that  the  motion 
picture  was  entitled  to  all  the  freedom  of  dis- 
cussion and  immunity  from  official  control 
guaranteed  to  the  press.  The  Government,  he 
added,  welcomes  exhibitor  suggestions. 

Mr.  Harmon,  explaining  the  dependence  of 
the  War  Activities  Committee  on  the  autonomy 
of  local  committees,  asked  the  exhibitors  to 
carry  back  a  plea  for  cooperation  by  all  thea- 
tres.   The  WAC,  he  said,  is  both  a  means  to 

(Continued  on  following  page,  column  1) 


Exhibitor  Leaders  Confer 
On  Wartime  Problems 


Allen  G.  Smith,  WPB;  Edward  Kuykendall,  MPTOA  president;  Morris  Loeivenstein, 
secretary;   Fred   W  ehrenberg,   chairman    of  the  board. 


Pictures  by  Staff  Photographer 


Joseph  Denniston,  Monroe,  Michigan;  J.  M.  Hone,  secretary  of  the  1TO  of  Wash- 
ington, Idaho,  and  Alaska;  R.  R.  Biechele,  Kansas-Missouri  Theatres  Association. 


Walter  Vincent,  treasurer;  James  Shanklin,  Lowell  Mellett,  director  of  the  film  division 
director.  of  the  OWL 


28 

MPTOA  Presses 
Block  Selling, 
Cancellation 

{Continued  from  preceding  page) 

industry  war  service  and  harmonious  coopera- 
tion by  all  branches  of  the  industry. 

Talking  off  the  record,  he  then  detailed 
WAC  work  this  year  in  organizing  collections, 
distributing  short  subjects  for  Government  and 
industry,  securing  critical  supplies  and  repre- 
senting theatremen  on  manpower  and  other 
problems  in  Washington.  He  explained  ar- 
rangements for  the  distribution  of  the  Army 
orientation  film,  "Prelude  to  War,"  and  plans 
to  revise  war  short  subject  distribution  next 
season. 

The  status  of  theatre  employees  under  the 
manpower  and  selective  service  regulations  was 
explained  by  Mr.  Fabian.  The  WAC,  he  said, 
will  not  seek  deferment  for  any  theatre  man 
properly  classed  in  1A,  who  is  fit  to  fight. 
Theatre  operation,  however,  is  not  a  non-essen- 
tial occupation,  he  said,  and  reported  pledges 
from  Paul  V.  McNutt,  manpower  chief,  to  see 
that  local  draft  boards  did  not  incorrectly  force 
theatre  workers  into  other  jobs. 

Manpower  Problems 
Are  Discussed 

Only  ushers,  porters,  doormen  and  cleaners 
are  specifically  classed  as  non-essential,  he  said. 
Theatre  men  were  advised  to  communicate  with 
the  WAC  if  other  employees  were  told  that  they 
must  shift  from  theatre  operation  to  war  plants. 

Bond  sales  in  theatres  during  nine  months, 
Mr.  Fabian  told  the  MPTOA,  amounted  to 
$165,000,000,  as  of  February  28th,  on  the  basis 
of  reports  from  3,700  theatres.  Expressing 
the  belief  that  this  figure  was  barely  a  third  of 
the  actual  total,  he  said  a  new  system  was  being 
devised  to  report  all  sales  to  local  WAC  com- 
mittees. 

Disclosing  that  the  theatre  assessment  in  the 
WAC  budget  amounted  to  $60,000  this  year, 
Mr.  Fabian  reported  that  $50,000  had  already 
been  paid.  More  than  half  was  contributed  by 
independent  operators. 

Mr.  Smith,  in  a  discussion  of  the  equipment 
situation,  repeated  his  previous  pleas  for  con- 
servation and  warned  against  fire  losses.  He 
expressed  hope  that  the  WPB  would  be  able 
to  grant  priority  for  all  essential  maintenance. 

MPTOA  Directors 
Attend  Meeting 

Edward  Kuykendall,  president,  of  Columbus, 
Miss.,  presided'  at  the  meetings.  Directors 
present  included  Fred  Wehrenberg,  St.  Louis, 
chairman ;  R.  R.  Beichele,  Kansas  City ;  Max 
A.  Cohen,  New  York ;  E.  M.  Fay,  Providence ; 
Leonard  Goldensen,  Paramount  circuit;  Rotus 
Harvey,  San  Francisco;  A.  C.  Hayman,  Buf- 
falo; J.  M.  Hone,  Seattle;  O.  C.  Lam,  Rome, 
Ga. ;  Morris  Leonard,  Chicago ;  Arthur  Lock- 
wood,  Boston  ;  Sidney  Lust,  Washington  ;  Sam- 
uel Pinanski,  Boston;  Lewen  Pizor,  Philadel- 
phia ;  Roy  Rowe,  North  Carolina ;  James 
Shanklin,  West  Virginia;  and  L.  E.  Thompson, 
RKO  circuit. 

Also  Morris  Loewenstein,  Oklahoma  City, 
secretary;  Walter  Vincent,  New  York,  treasur- 
er; and  A.  J.  Brylawski,  Washington,  vice 
president,  were  present. 


Krellberg  Buys  "Hitler  Trial' 

"Hitler's  Trial:  The  People  vs.  Hitler,"  an 
original  story  by  Michael  Young,  has  been 
bought^  by  S.  S.  Krellberg  for  production  by 
Goodwill  Pictures.  Fritz  Lang  will  direct  the 
picture,  on  which  shooting  is  to  start  within  a 
few  weeks  at  the  General  Service  Studios  in 
Hollywood. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

Florida  Bills  Would  Tax 
Motion  Picture  Houses 

Two  bills  were  introduced  in  the  Florida 
legislature  last  week,  one  calling  for  an  assess- 
ment of  one  dollar  per  seat  in  theatres,  and 
another  asking  for  a  charge  of  five  cents  on 
each  admission  ticket  sold.  The  measures  were 
believed  to  have  been  introduced  in  the  hopes 
of  providing  revenue  lost  through  the  closing 
of  Florida  race  tracks. 

In  Wisconsin,  opposition  to  the  bingo  bill 
proposing  the  legalization  of  the  game  for  char- 
itable purposes,  indicated  that  there  was  little 
chance  for  its  passage,  while  the  Wisconsin 
Tavernkeepers  Associaiton  also  raised  protests 
against  another  bill  which  would  reduce  the  tax 
of  receipts  from  the  sale  of  performing  rights 
of  copyrighted  music  in  the  state  from  25  per 
cent  to  three  per  cent.  The  measure  recently 
passed  both  houses  of  the  legislature  and  is 
now  before  Governer  Walter  S.  Goodland. 

B.  &  K.  Adds  Fifteen  New 
Assistant  Managers 

As  evidence  of  the  rapid  turnover  in  theatre 
employees  because  of  Army  induction  and  trans- 
fers to  war  work,  Balaban  &  Katz  has  been 
forced  to  add  15  new  assistant  managers  to  the 
force  which  operates  theatres  in  the  Chicago 
area. 

The  new  men  are :  Russell  Elmquist,  Richard 
Freeman,  Seymour  Odens,  John  Gillespie,  Earl 
Allen,  Gustave  Bjelke,  Vincent  Gayer,  Jack 
Shevnan,  Alfred  Haines,  William  Jewell,  Rob- 
ert Mangels,  Fred  Kauffman,  Leonard  Utecht, 
Herbert  Walsh  and  Marvin  Salter.  Joseph 
Kearns  has  been  named  B  &  K  film  auditor, 
succeeding  William  Gardner,  who  resigned. 

David  Loew  Has  Option  on 
General  Service  Studios 

David  Loew  and  associates  have  acquired  an 
option  to  purchase  control  of  the  General  Ser- 
vice Studios  in  Hollywood,  where  many  of  the 
films  for  United  Artists  distribution  are  pro- 
duced. The  option  was  obtained  from  Benedict 
Bogeaus,  who  purchased  the  studios  from  Elec- 
trical Research  Products  approximately  a  year 
ago.  The  reported  price  of  the  option  was 
$100,000  and  is  exercisable  on  July  2nd,  although 
attached  to  the  transaction  are  certain  undis- 
closed conditions.  Andrew  Stone,  UA  producer, 
is  presently  making  use  of  the  studios. 


Song  Suit  Dismissed 

Universal  Pictures  Co.,  Inc.,  Universal  Music 
Corp.,  Aldo  Franchetti  and  Robbins  Music 
Corp.,  won  a  dismissal  of  a  copyright  infringe- 
ment action  brought  against  them  by  Emery 
Heim  in  N.  Y.  Federal  court,  last  week.  Judge 
James  Alger  Fee  dismissed  the  suit  and  ruled 
that  in  order  to  recover  the  plaintiff  must  prove 
the  identity  of  his  composition  and  access  by  the 
alleged  infringers.  Mr.  Heim  had  alleged  that 
his  Hungarian  song  "Ma  Este  Meg  Boldog 
Vagyok,"  was  pirated  by  Mr.  Franchetti  for 
his  song  "Perhaps,"  used  in  Universal's  film, 
"Nice  Girl."  Robbins  published  the  alleged 
infringed  song. 


From  Way  Out  Yonder 

Dick  Wanklyn,  former  assistant  manager  for 
the  Wometco  chain,  Miami,  is  now  in  the  navy 
and  the  Southwest  Pacific.  In  April  he  received 
his  Christmas  bonus  check  from  the  company, 
which  was  mailed  to  him  December  11.  The 
check  was  recently  returned  to  Sidney  Meyer, 
general  manager,  endorsed,  and  with  instruc- 
tions to  turn  it  over  to  the  local  Community 
Fund,  as  "it  would  be  hard  for  me  to  cash  at 
present." 


Becomes  Key-Run  House 

Warner's  Allegheny  theatre  in  Philadelphia 
has  been  made  a  key-run  house  in  the  North 
Philadelphia  sector.  It  is  believed  that  the  sale 
of  the  Carman  theatre,  independent  house  op- 
erating in  the  same  zone,  prompted  the  move. 


May    8  ,  1943 

Allied  Board 
Studies  Action 
On  Decree 

With  a  42-page  report  on  the  Consent  De- 
cree by  Abram  Myers,  general  counsel,  and 
the  question  of  film  rentals  as  their  principal 
topics  the  Allied  States  Association  of  Motion 
Picture  Exhibitors  met  at  Detroit  on  Wednes- 
day and  Thursday. 

In  addition  to  formulating  a  stand  on  revision 
or  change  in  the  Consent  Decree  when  its  trial 
term  expires  in  November,  the  board  expected 
to  discuss  all  aspects  of  prices,  terms,  and  the 
supply  of  feature  product.  M.  A.  Rosenberg, 
president  and  chairman  of  the  Allied  caravan, 
submitted  a  report  on  sales  practices  compiled 
during  the  committee's  visit  to  member  asso- 
ciations. 

Mr.  Myers'  report  was  understood  to  deal 
largely  with  revision  of  the  selling  and  arbitra- 
tion aspects  of  the  Consent  Decree.  He  was 
also  expected  to  ask  the  board  to  decide  wheth- 
er to  advocate  decree  revision  or  renewal  of 
the  Government's  suit  for  divorcement.  It 
was  expected  that  a  committee  would  be  named 
to  draw  up  a  proposal  for  submission  by  Allied 
to  the  U.  S.  Attorney  General. 

Manpower,  equipment,  and  fuel  shortage  and 
conservation  were  on  the  program.  Also  the 
directors  examined  the  distribution  of  official 
war  films.  Competition  from  16mm  and  non- 
theatrical  exhibitions  in  Allied  territories  were 
also  debated. 

Organization  of  new  Allied  units,  revised 
quotas  for  the  national  organization  and  fur- 
ther cooperation  between  units  was  examined. 

At  Detroit  were  Mr.  Myers,  Mr.  Rosenberg, 
Martin  O.  Smith,  treasurer,  Maxwell  Alder- 
man, Harry  Lowenstein,  Irving  Dollinger,  Lee 
Newbury,  Meyer  Leventhal,  Sidney  Samuel- 
son,  Harry  Chertcoff,  Morris  Wax,  William 
Walker,  Jack  Kirsch,  W.  L.  Ainsworth,  H.  A. 
Cole,  Roy  Harrold,  H.  V.  Harvey,  Hugh  W. 
Bruen. 

Ohio  ITO  Meets 
In  Oolumbus 

A  report  of  the  National  Allied  board  meet- 
ing in  Detroit  will  be  given  at  the  Independent 
Theatre  Owners  of  Ohio  convention  at  the 
Deshler  Wallick  Hotel,  in  Columbus,  May  11 
and  12.  M.  A.  Rosenberg,  president  and 
Abram  F.  Myers,  general  counsel  of  national 
Allied,  and  H.  M.  Richey,  MGM  exhibitor  re- 
lations director,  will  speak. 

A  banquet  will  be  held  Wednesday  evening 
in  the  ballroom  of  the  hotel  for  delegates  and 
members  of  Ohio  Variety  Clubs.  An  unre- 
leased  feature  will  be  screened  after  the  ban- 
quet, to  be  followed  by  entertainment  at  the 
Columbus  Variety  Club. 

Strand  in  Holyoke  Wins 
Minute  Man  Flag 

Employees  of  the  Strand  Theatre  in  Holyoke, 
Mass.,  were  recently  awarded  the  Minute  Man 
Flag  by  Edward  M.  Powell,  representing  the 
U.  S.  Treasury  Department.  Lew  Breyer,  man- 
ager of  the  theatre,  accepted  the  flag  on  behalf 
of  the  personnel  which  participated  100  per  cent 
in  the  payroll  savings  plan  for  the  purchase  of 
War  Bonds. 

The  ceremonies  were  broadcast  over  the  lo- 
cal radio  station,  and  Mayor  Henry  J.  Toepfert 
made  the  opening  speech,  welcoming  Mr.  Pow- 
ell and  lauding  the  patriotism  displayed  by  the 
Strand  employees.  The  Strand  is  operated  by 
the  Western  Massachusetts  Theatres  of  which 
Nathan  E.  Goldstein  is  president.  More  than 
2,000  persons  were  present  at  the  ceremonies, 
which  saw  39  other  Holyoke  firms  rewarded 
with  Minute  Man  Flags. 


May    8  ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  29 


BRITISH  TRADE  TURNS  EYES 
TO  POST-WAR  MARKET 


Industry  Units  Also  Raise 
Monopoly  Cry  at  Plans 
Connected  with  Quota 

by  AUBREY  FLANAGAN 

in  London 

Britain's  Treasury  has  approved  the  es- 
tablishment of  an  appropriate  department 
within  the  Ministry  of  Information  to  co- 
operate with  British  producers'  plans  to  en- 
ter the  post-war  film  market  on  a  world- 
wide scale,  it  was  reported  on  good  authority 
in  London  Wednesday. 

Immediate  efforts  will  be  made  to  break 
into  the  Soviet  market,  as  a  result  of  MOI 
suggestions  concerning  the  propaganda  pos- 
sibilities of  British  films  in  Russia.  Already 
"Desert  Victory"  has  been  widely  distributed 
there.  British  producers  have  been  very  in- 
terested recently  in  reports  of  sales  by  U.  S. 
producers  to  the  Soviet  film  agency. 

Producers'  Unit  Studies 
Foreign  Sales 

The  whole  question  of  foreign  sales  was 
discussed  by  the  British  Film  Producers' 
Association  at  a  meeting  Wednesday.  Mem- 
bers expressed  considerable  dissatisfaction 
with  the  prices  received  abroad. 

Allocation  within  the  United  States  of  a 
specific  minimum  of  raw  stock  for  British 
pictures  distributed  in  America  will  also  be 
sought  through  "appropriate  diplomatic 
channels,"  it  was  learned  following  this  meet- 
ing. The  producers  expressed  anxiety  lest 
sales  and  distribution  of  their  films  be 
hindered  unfairly  by  wartime  raw  stock 
shortages  or  that  the  reciprocity  clauses  of 
the  Film  Act  be  evaded. 

The  Ministry  of  Information  has  set  aside 
7,500,000  feet  of  positive  film  for  the  dis- 
tribution of  its  pictures  in  America,  it  was 
learned  unofficially. 

It  is  well  known  here  that  the  American 
companies  already  have  made  their  appro- 
priate contacts  with  foreign  Governments, 
with  a  view  to  entry  into  the  post-war  mar- 
kets of  Europe.  The  British  producers  are 
determined  not  to  be  left  behind. 

Contacts  Established 
With  United  Nations 

A  committee,  composed  of  producers  Michael 
Balcon,  Sam  Smith  and  A.  W.  Watkins,  Mem- 
ber of  Parliament  W.  G.  Hall,  and  Thomas 
Gaitskill  of  the  Board  of  Trade  and  J.  L.  Bed- 
dington  and  A.  Calder-Marshall  of  the  MOI, 
has  gone  into  the  matter.  The  net  result  of  the 
deliberations  of  the  committee  is  the  decision  to 
form  a  special  department  of  the  producer  asso- 
ciation and  a  joint  marketing  board.  Whether 
Government  men  will  sit  formally  therein  is  as 
yet  uncertain.  It  is  probable  they  at  least  will 
act  as  advisers. 

Contacts  have  been  established  with  the  ap- 
propriate United  Nations  governments  quar- 
tered in  Britain.  When  hostilities  cease,  how- 
ever, officers  will  be  established  in  the  appro- 


62  BRITISH  FEATURES 
REGISTERED  IN  YEAR 

Official  British  Board  of  Trade 
figures  released  in  London  Tuesday 
showed  62  British  features  registered 
in  the  quota  year  ended  March  31st. 
Of  these,  17  were  single  quota;  20, 
double,  and  8,  treble.  Foreign  fea- 
tures totaled  453.  Footage  of  British 
films  was  668,527,  compared  to 
3,046,225  of  foreign  pictures.  Per- 
centage for  purposes  of  the  quota 
was  20  per  cent  of  the  British  films 
shown,  but  footage  registered  was 
only  18.03  per  cent.  Short  films  per- 
centage was  15  and  footage  shown 
was  25.11  or  637,821  feet  of  British 
pictures,  compared  to  3,707,752 
foreign. 


priate  territories.  Whether  these  officers  will 
be  under  the  control  of  the  BFPA  or  the  MOI 
is  as  yet  problematical. 

From  the  various  territories  experts  would 
be  gathered  to  aid  in  the  processes  of  dubbing 
and  subtitling,  to  offer  advice  an  opinion  on  the 
more  specialized  problems  which  such  markets 
would  present. 

It  is  an  ambitious  plan,  but  its  significance 
would  appear  to  be  the  seal  of  Government  ap- 
proval which  has  been  set  on  it  already. 

The  problem,  it  would  seem,  has  been  tackled 
with  some  foresight  and  care.  The  sponsors  of 
the  scheme  foresee  a  great  demand,  in  the  coun- 
tries of  Europe  particularly,  for  films  of  all 
kinds,  entertainment  and  documentary.  They 
are  bent  on  seizing  the  opportunity  presented, 
but  are  aware  of  the  complexities  of  the  mar- 
ket,  the  varieties  of  language,  outlook,  educa- 
tion, habits,  and  the  like.  Hence  the  decision 
to  study  the  problem  right  now. 

South  America  Seen  as 
Sales  Possibility 

Surveying  the  potential  conditions  of  post- 
war Europe,  they  foresee  a  long  period  during 
which  there  will  be  occupation  by  troops,  maybe 
civil  administration  by  Allied  Governments.  If 
their  belief  has  any  basis  in  fact,  then  Govern- 
mental goodwill  and  material  aid,  they  believe, 
are  necessary.  Both,  it  would  seem,  have  been 
and  will  be  forthcoming.  Obviously  any  Gov- 
ernment interest  would  lie  mainly  in  the  direc- 
tion of  propaganda  and  democratic  ideals.  The 
interest  of  British  producers  would  not  lie  en- 
tirely there. 

Although  the  scheme  is  aimed  directly  at 
post-war  Europe,  mention  is  made  of  South 
America  as  a  sales  possibility.  This,  however, 
need  not  exhaust  the  possibilities,  for  the  man- 
date of  the  BFPA  committee  is  to  "consider  the 
extent  to  which  British  films  can  be  distributed 
abroad." 

Critics  who  need  not  necessarily  be  other  than 
friends  do  not  foresee  any  considerable  capture 
of  trade  from  the  American  companies,  for  the 
elementary  reason  that  there  are  not  as  yet  suf- 
ficient Grade  A  British  films  available.  It  is 
agreed  generally  that  the  time  is  long  overdue 
for  something  concrete  to  be  done  in  assisting 


British  films  to  be  distributed  outside  exclu- 
sively British  territory.  The  scheme  goes  some 
considerable  way  to  aiding  that  end. 

Whether  bees  or  hornets,  there  is  a  great  deal 
of  buzzing  within  the  fold,  in  which  the  word 
"monopoly"  has  been  bandied  about.  Obvious 
provocation  of  the  buzzing  is  the  Rank-Two 
Cities  schemes,  already  recorded  in  Motion 
Picture  Herald,  under  which  these  interests,  it 
is  proposed,  would  take  over  the  production  of 
films  for  the  American  companies'  quota  pur- 
poses, and,  in  a  lesser  degree,  the  proposed 
Scenario  Institute. 

So  incensed  have  been  certain  British 
production  interests,  and  the  Association 
of  Cine  Technicians,  at  the  menace  they 
read  into  the  suggestion,  that  not  only 
have  the  latter  issued  a  challenging  mani- 
festo denouncing  the  proposal,  but  a 
future  Films  Council  meeting  has  been 
called  mainly  to  discuss  monopolies. 

Not  everybody  here,  even  those  who  have  the 
interests  of  British  production  at  heart,  takes 
the  same  view.  The  Del  Giudice  proposal — fully 
examined  in  Motion  Picture  Herald  for  Janu- 
ary 9th — is  based  on  a  reciprocity  principle.  It 
provides  that  by  agreement  between  the  U.  S. 
companies  and  the  Rank-Two  Cities  interests, 
with  Governmental  approval,  the  latter  would 
take  over  the  production  of  the  one  film  mini- 
mum called  for  under  the  recently  amended 
Financial  Quota  Order,  in  return  for  certain 
guarantees  on  distribution  and  finance,  the  pro- 
vision of  stars,  writers,  etcetera,  so  as  to  ensure 
the  films  be  of  100  per  cent  international  market 
quality. 

The  ACT,  which  alone  has  castigated  the 
scheme  publicly,  suggests  that  it  would  allow 
the  American  companies  to  contract  out  of  their 
quota  obligations,  that  it  would  mean  a  monop- 
oly of  first  class  films,  leaving  other  producers 
only  second  class  subjects  to  make,  that  it  would 
put  British  technicians  and  artists  out  of  work, 
and  that  it  would  reduce  the  available  facilities 
for  British  production. 

To  this  the  sponsors  of  the  scheme  reply  that 
there  is  nothing  in  the  Financial  Quota  Order 
to  prohibit  the  Americans  from  contracting  out 
already,  that  they  would  still  have  to  acquire 
British  films  for  distribution  abroad,  according 
to  the  same  Order,  that  there  is  already  a  short- 
age of  writers,  stars,  etcetera,  with,  conse- 
quently, ill  effects  to  British  film  prestige,  and 
that  far  from  reducing  the  available  facilities  it 
would  release  studios  and  material,  the  present 
restrictions  of  which  both  the  unions  and  the 
producers  have  constantly  deplored. 

Many  Loopholes  in 
Quota  Order 

It  is  likely  that  if  the  Americans  wish  to 
sponsor  or  acquire  the  best  available  films  for 
their  quota  purposes,  or  for  the  world  market, 
they  will  set  about  doing  so  irrespective  of  who 
made  them  or  under  what  circumstances.  The 
Order  in  Council  calls  for  the  production  or 
acquisition  of  at  least  one  expensive  film — at  a 
labor  cost  of  roughly  £40,000  ($160,000)  and 
the  acquisition  for  distribution  abroad  of  other 
films  up  to  the  appropriate  quota  expenditure 
figure. 

It  is  true  that  the  Order  is  more  than  elastic 
in  its  provision  of  loopholes  under  which,  if 
production  or  acquisition  is  not  practicable  in 
the  current  period,  the  obligation  can  be  trans- 
ferred until  such  future  time  as  it  is.  This,  how- 
ever, is  the  Board  of  Trade's  doing,  and  it  is 
left  to  them  and  the  American  companies  how 
it  is  operated. 


It 


15  i^t 


roist 


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32 


'Mission 9  Breaks 
Five-Day  Record; 
Grosses  Up 

Following  the  premiere  of  "Mission  to  Mos- 
cow" at  the  Hollywood  theatre  in  New  York 
last  week,  Warner  Bros,  let  loose  a  barrage  of 
newspaper  and  radio  advertising  and  exploitation 
tie-ups  calculated  to  sustain  the  box  office  record 
set  by  the  film  in  first  five  days  of  its  engage- 
ment. During  that  period,  the  screen  version  of 
former  Ambassador  Joseph  E.  Davies'  book  on 
Russia,  played  to  more  than  45,000  paid  admis- 
sions, several  thousand  more  than  did  "Casa- 
blanca" which  set  the  previous  record  in  a  holi- 
day period,  according  to  the  company.  "Mission" 
also  broke  the  opening  record  at  the  Holly- 
wood, topping  "Casablanca"  and  "Air  Force."  It 
played  to  11,000  for  the  day. 

Local  radio  stations  in  New  York  continued 
carrying  spot  announcements  urging  attendance 
at  the  Hollywood  theatre.  Simon  and  Schuster, 
publishers  of  the  book,  took  a  full  seven-column 
advertisement  in  the  New  York  Times  on  Mon- 
day "saluting"  Mr.  Davies,  and  "congratula- 
ting" Warner  Bros,  for  the  film  production.  The 
ad  said:  'Don't  miss  Mission  to  Moscow — the 
picture  the  New  York  Herald  Tribune  calls 
'one  of  the  most  memorable  documents  of  our 
time.'  " 

The  picture  will  be  tradeshown  nationally  on 
Monday,  May  17th,  according  to  Ben  Kalmen- 
son,  general  sales  manager.  General  release  is 
planned  for  the  latter  part  of  this  month.  First 
out-of-town  opening  for  the  film  will  take  place 
May  12th  in  Los  Angeles  where  it  will  play 
day-and-date  in  three  Warner  first  run  houses, 
the  Downtown,  Hollywood  and  Wilshire.  It  will 
open  May  14th  at  the  Mastbaum,  Philadelphia, 
followed  by  openings  in  about  150  Warner  cir- 
cuit houses  within  the  subsequent  week.  An 
equal  number  of  nationwide  openings  will  take 
place  the  week  of  May  20th.  The  company  has 
set  May  28th  for  the  Washington,  D.  C. 
premiere. 

Warner  Bros,  announced  this  week  that  for- 
mer Governor  Alfred  E.  Smith  had  endorsed 
the  production  in  a  telegram  to  company  of- 
ficials. He  said:  "Greatly  enjoyed  'Mission  to 
Moscow.'  Congratulations  on  your  courage  in 
,  bringing  to  the  screen  a  document  which  should 
contribute  very  greatly  to  better  understanding 
with  our  Russian  allies  and  help  to  establish 
the  principle  of  freedom  of  the  screen." 


New  York  ITOA 
Elects  Officers 

The  Independent  Theatre  Owners  of  Amer- 
ica in  New  York  last  week  reelected  Harry 
Brandt  president.  Also  elected  were  David 
Weinstock,  first  vice-president;  Stanley  Law- 
ton,  second  vice-president;  Leon  Rosenblatt, 
treasurer;  Abraham  Leff,  secretary,  and  John 
Bolte,  sergeant-at-arms. 

The  new  board  of  directors  includes  Isadore 
Gottlieb,  Hyman  Rachmil,  Abraham  Shenk,  A. 
H.  Eisenstadt,  J.  Joshua  Goldberg,  Gilbert  Jo- 
sephson,  Charles  Steiner,  Jack  Hattem,  Ru- 
dolph Sanders,  Emanuel  Hertzig,  Samuel 
Freedman,  Leo  Brecher,  Samuel  Seelen,  Ray 
Rhonheimer,  A.  D.  Erickson,  Max  A.  Cohen 
and  Irving  Renner. 


Harley  in  London 

Francis  L.  Harley,  managing  director  for 
20th  Century-Fox  in  Great  Britain,  has  arrived 
in  London,  according  to  reports  received  by  the 
home  office  in  New  York. 


RKO  Sets  "Spitfire"  Showings 

The  Samuel  Goldwyn  production,  "Spitfire," 
which  is  to  be  distributed  by  RKO  Radio,  will 
have  national  trade  showings  on  May  24th  in 
key  cities  with  the  exception  of  St.  Louis,  where 
it  will  be  shown  the  following  day. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

Harmon  To  Address  Groups 
In  Southwestern  Area 

Francis  S.  Harmon,  executive  vice-chairman 
of  the  War  Activities  Committee,  will  address 
the  Rotary  Club  of  New  Orleans  on  May  19th, 
it  was  announced  by  the  WAC  office  this 
week.  E.  V.  Richards,  chairman  of  the  Ex- 
hibitors committee  of  the  War  Activities  Com- 
mittee for  the  New  Orleans  area,  tendered  the 
invitation. 

Mr.  Harmon  is  also  scheduled  to  address  a 
joint  meeting  of  the  Variety  Clubs  of  Texas 
and  the  Texas  Theatre  Owners  on  June  8th  in 
Dallas.  While  Mr.  Harmon  is  in  that  territory, 
it  was  reported  that  L.  C.  Griffith,  WAC  chair- 
man in  Oklahoma  would  also  arrange  a  meet- 
ing so  that  exhibitors  in  the  area  might  hear 
Mr.  Harmon. 

U.  S.  Films  Approved 
By  Australian  Censors 

The  Film  Censorship  Board  of  Australia,  in 
its  annual  report  for  1942,  said  less  than  one 
per  cent  of  American  feature  films  were  re- 
jected. The  figure  was  .8  per  cent,  the  lowest 
in  the  history  of  the  Board.  Of  355  pictures  im- 
ported last  year,  only  three  were  finally  rejected. 
Thirty  were  passed  with  eliminations,  a  com- 
paratively low  figure. 

The  total  number  of  pictures  imported  by 
Australia  aggregated  1,485,  and  included  all 
classes  of  standard  films.  United  States  led  with 
976,  England  followed  with  385,  while  the  total 
from  all  other  countries  amounted  to  124.  The 
number  of  films  imported  was  less  in  1942  than 
for  any  of  the  previous  three  years.  According 
to  J.  O.  Alexander,  chief  censor,  two  factors 
contributed  to  the  decrease.  Shipping  facilities 
for  the  first  two  months  of  1942  were  at  a 
premium,  and  the  report  indicated  that  American 
production  schedules  had  been  reduced  slightly 
accounting  for  less  product  from  the  United 
States. 

Australia  exported  a  total  of  785  films  during 
the  year,  547  being  sent  to  the  British  Empire, 
135  to  the  United  States,  and  103  to  other 
foreign  countries.  Of  the  seven  appeals  lodged 
by  the  importers  in  regard  to  the  rejections 
ordered  by  the  censor  board,  alterations  or 
eliminations  were  upheld  in  two  instances,  and 
one  was  dismissed.  Four  complaints  on  rejec- 
tions were  also  dismissed  bv  the  board. 

20th-Fox  Sets  Two 
Technicolor  Shorts 

Twentieth  Century-Fox  will  release  two 
Terrytoons  in  Technicolor  and  a  black  and 
white  reel  in  the  "America  Speaks"  series,  in 
addition  to  the  March  of  Time  subject  "Show 
Business  at  War,"  previously  announced,  ac- 
cording to  William  J.  Clark,  short  subjects 
sales  manager  for  the  company.  "Weapon  for 
Victory"  is  scheduled  for  Mav  7th ;  "The  Last 
Round-Up'  for  May  14th.  Another  Terry  toon 
short,  "Keep  'Em  Growing,"  is  scheduled  for 
May  28th  release.  "Show  Business  at  War" 
will  be  released  on  May  21st. 

Honor  50th  Cassidy  Film 
With  Hollywood  Party 

Harry  Sherman  gave  a  party  in  Hollywood 
last  week  on  the  occasion  of  the  50th  Hopalong 
Cassidy  film,  which  was  recently  completed. 
More  than  700  persons  were  present,  including 
all  leading  ladies  who  appeared  in  the  series. 
The  local  Chamber  of  Commerce  honored  the 
producer  by  presenting  him  with  a  scroll. 


Heads  Philadelphia  AGVA 

Joseph  Hough  has  been  elected  president  of 
the  Philadelphia  chapter  of  the  American 
Guild  of  Variety  Artists  for  the  1943-44  term. 
Other  officers  elected  were  Larry  Kramer, 
Joseph  Campo,  John  Guilfoyle,  Cecil  Williams 
and  Donna  Lee,  vice-presidents ;  Sunny  Mars- 
ton,  treasurer ;  Joanne  Arlen,  recording  secre- 
tary, and  Richard  C.  Mayo,  executive  secretary. 


May    8  ,  1943 

W.  J.  Heineman 
Named  Goldwyn 
Sales  Manager 

William  J.  Heineman,  assistant  general  sales 
manager  of  Universal  Pictures  has  resigned  to 
join  Samuel  Goldwyn  as  general  sales  manager. 

Mr.  Heineman  will  assume  his  new  post  under 
James  Mulvey  at  the  New  York  Goldwyn  of- 
fice on  Monday,  May  10th.  Mr.  Heineman  will 
have  general  charge  of  all  sales  campaigns  for 
Mr.  Goldwyn,  working  with  RKO  Radio,  dis- 
tributing agent  for  the  Goldwyn  pictures. 
Spokesmen  for  the  company  denied  reports  that 
a  change  in  distribution  outlets  was  in  prospect. 

Mr.  Heineman  has  been  in  the  motion  pic- 
ture industry  since  1918  when  he  began  as  a 
poster  clerk  for  Pathe.  In  1922  he  went  to 
Seattle  for  First  National,  from  the  Pathe  sales 
office  at  Butte,  Mont.  Later  he  was  associated 
with  L.  K.  Brin  and  the  Vitagraph  interests 
in  Montana  and  Idaho. 

In  1925  Hr.  Heineman  joined  Universal.  He 
was  Salt  Lake  and  San  Francisco  manager, 
district  manager  for  the  Pacific  coast,  and 
western  division  manager  before  appointment 
in  1941  as  assistant  to  William  A.  Scully, 
general  sales  manager  of  Universal. 

No  successor  has  been  designated  by  Mr. 
Scully  and  it  is  reported  that  Mr.  Heineman's 
assignments  will  be  divided  among  Fred 
Meyers,  eastern,  E.  T.  Gomersall  western  and 
F.  J.  A.  McCarthy,  southern  and  Canadian  sales 
managers. 


RKO  Golf  Tourney  Set 
For  May  25th 

The  eighth  annual  RKO  Radio  golf  tourna- 
ment will  be  held  on  May  25th  at  the  West- 
chester Country  Club,  the  company  announced 
this  week.  The  tournament  will  be  known  of- 
ficially as  the  War  Bonds  and  Stamps  Tourna- 
ment, as  prizes  will  be  awarded  with  Bonds  and 
Stamps.  The  Prize  Award  Committee  includes 
Senator  J.  Henry  Walters,  John  Farmer,  Dick 
Gavin  and  Lou  Gaudreau.  Other  committees 
are :  tournament,  N.  Peter  Rathvon,  Ned  E. 
Depinet,  R.  C.  Patterson,  Jr.,  Malcolm  Kings- 
berg,  Mr.  Walters,  Gordon  Youngman,  Leon 
Goldberg,  Major  L.  E.  Thompson,  Garrett  Van 
Wagner ;  publicity,  S.  Barret  McCormick,  Rut- 
gers Neilson,  Harry  Mandel,  Arthur  M.  Brilant, 
Jack  Level,  John  Cassidy,  Al  Adams,  Edward 
Sniderman. 

McCarthy  in  New  Post 
For  Donald  Voorhees 

Charles  E.  McCarthy,  who  recently  resigned 
from  the  motion  picture  division  of  the  Office 
of  the  Coordinator  of  Inter-American  Affairs, 
is  now  general  representative  for  Donald  Voor- 
hees, conductor  of  the  symphony  orchestra  for 
the  Bell  Telephone  Hour  and  Cavalcade  of 
America  radio  programs  heard  over  NBC.  Mr. 
McCarthy  formerly  was  advertising  and  pub- 
licity head  for  Twentieth  Century-Fox. 


Soviet  Praises  Korda  Film 

Ivan  Bolshakov,  chairman  of  the  Ail-Union 
Cinema  Committee  of  the  Soviet  Union,  wired 
Alexander  Korda  last  week,  complimenting  the 
producer  on  his  film,  "That  Hamilton  Wom- 
an," which  was  well  received  in  13  Moscow 
theatres  recently. 

Enlist  for  Camp  Shows  Tour 

Harpo  Marx  and  Lou  Holtz  last  week  ap- 
peared at  the  San  Diego  Naval  Center  as  their 
first  stop  on  a  two-week  tour  of  military  posts 
for  the  USO-Camp  Shows. 


May    8,    1943  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  33 

THE  HOLLYWOOD  SCENE 


From  HOLLYWOOD  BUREAU 


Time  was,  and  not  so  long  ago,  as  the  cal- 
endar or  the  clock  on  the  wall  measures  it, 
when  a  man  with  a  camera  or  access  to  one 
could  dream  himself  up  a  story  and — after 
getting  some  actors  and  technicians  to  im- 
plement his  imagination — shoot  it  at  the 
wide  world  on  its  collective  screen  without 
caring  much  whether  it  told  the  truth  about 
things  or  people  so  long  as  it  entertained 
them  to  a  degree  netting  a  profit. 

Oldsters  in  this  land  of  sunshine,  most  of 
them  with  nothing  to  do  nowadays,  but  sit 
around  and  bask  in  it,  call  the  time  referred 
to  in  the  foregoing  paragraph  "the  good  old 
days/; 

Things  are  different  now,  as  indicated 
ever  so  lightly  in  the  first  and  routine  re- 
port of  Columbia's  undertaking  to  produce  a 
picture  to  be  entitled  "Sub  Busters."  The 
announcement  says  the  picture  "glorifies  the 
indispensable  operation  of  the  Coast  Guard" 
and  mentions  that  Lieutenant  Alexander 
Stewart  and  Hal  Hode  were  here  to  confer 
with  Malcolm  Boylan,  who  wrote  the  script. 
It  adds  that,  somewhat  later  on,  there  are  to 
be  conferences  in  Washington  with  Admiral 
Waesche,  U.S.C.G.,  with  whose  cooperation 
the  film  is  to  be  produced. 

The  routine  announcement  does  not  men- 
tion many  and  many  another  conference  and 
checkup  which,  for  reasons  of  necessity  as 
well  as  accuracy  and  economics,  must  inter- 
vene between  the  inception  and  emergence 
of  this  or  any  picture. 

The  oldsters  basking  in  the  sun  wag  their 
heads  and  dub  this  a  sad  state  of  affairs. 

The  youngsters  busy  at  making  pictures 
which  make  more  money  than  pictures  ever 
made  before  take  conditions  in  their  stride. 

Lewis  To  Produce 
"Tomorrow's  Harvesf 

Paramount  has  assigned  David  Lewis  to 
production  of  "Tomorrow's  Harvest,"  a  love 
story  with  war  background  by  Alfred 
Maury,  and  Ray  Milland  to  star  in  it  op- 
posite Ingrid  Bergman  if  that  player's  serv- 
ice can  be  borrowed  from  David  O.  Selz- 
nick. 

Columbia's  collection  of  bands  for  its 
"Jam  Session"  now  numbers  ten,  Charles 
Barnett's  and  Jan  Savitt's  having  been  add- 
ed to  the  first  eight  within  the  week. 

Twentieth  Century-Fox  has  borrowed 
Philip  Dorn  from  MGM  for  a  principal  role 
in  "The  Night  Is  Ending,"  co-starring 
George  Sanders  and  Brenda  Marshall. 

Roy  Del  Ruth  is  to  direct  "Up  and  Down 
Broadway,"  one  of  MGM's  top  bracket  mu- 
sicals, for  producer  Jack  Cummings. 

John  Houseman,  who  left  a  Paramount 
production  contract  in  abeyance  to  join  O WI 
for  the  period  of  need,  has  relinquished 
his  post  with  that  agency  and  is  to  return  to 
the  studio  on  July  1st. 

"As  Thousands  Cheer"  is  announced  as 
the  new  title  for  MGM's  "Private  Miss 
Jones"  and  the  Cagney  production  of  "Mc- 
Leod's  Folly"  is  now  known  as  "Johnny 
Come  Lately." 

"Yesterday's  Children,"  a  story  about  a 
young  man  whose  character  is  remolded  for 


Production  Stop  and  Go 

Completion  of  eight  pictures  and  commencement  of  shooting  on  six  brought  the 
production  index  to  37  at  close  of  a  week  unmarked  by  circumstances  of  moment. 

Paramount  started  "The  Hour  Before  Dawn",  from  the  Somerset  Maugham  novel,  co- 
starring  Veronica  Lake  and  Franchot  Tone,  with  Binnie  Barnes,  John  Sutton  and  Henry 
Stephenson. 

Twentieth  Century- Fox  turned  the  cameras  upon  "Claudia",  one  of  the  properties 
acquired  from  David  O.  Selznick,  introducing  Dorothy  McGuire  to  the  screen,  with  Robert 
Young,  Ina  Claire,  Reginald  Gardiner  and  Olga  Baclanova  in  association. 

Columbia  began  shooting  "The  Clock  Struck  Twelve",  with  Warren  William,  Ann 
Savage,  Eric  Blore  and  Robert  Stanford. 

Monogram  launched  its  Frank  Fay-Billy  Gilbert  series  of  comedies  with  "Spotlight 
Revue",  in  which  Bonnie  Baker,  Butch  and  Buddy  and  Iris  Adrian  are  also  to  be  seen. 

RKO  Radio  got  going  on  "Behind  the  Rising  Sun",  self-descriptive,  with  Margo, 
Robert  Ryan,  Tom  Neal  and  Nancy  Gates. 

Republic  started  the  Roy  Rogers  special,  "Silver  Spurs",  with  Smiley  Burnette, 
Phyllis  Brooks,  John  Carradine,  Jerome  Cowan  and  the  Sons  of  the  Pioneers  in  support. 

The  scene  as  of  weekend: 


COMPLETED 

Monogram 

Melody  Parade 

Paramount 

Henry  Aldrich 

Haunts  a  House 

PRC 

Billy  the  Kid  No.  6 
Isle  of  Forgotten  Sins 

Republic 

Bordertown 
Gunfighters 

UA 

Riders  of  the  Deadline 
(Sherman) 

Universal 

Two  Tickets  to 

London 
Corvettes  In  Action 


STARTED 

Columbia 

Clock  Struck  Twelve 

Monogram 

Spotlight  Revue 

Paramount 

Hour  Before  Dawn 
RKO  Radio 

Behind  the  Rising  Sun 

Republic 

Silver  Spurs 

20th  Century- Fox 

Claudia 

SHOOTING 

Columbia 

Attack  by  Night 
Without  Notice 

Goldwyn 

North  Star 


MGM 

Whistling  in  Dixie 

Lost  Angel 

America 

Russia 

Man  from 

Down  Under 
Madame  Curie 
Guy  Named  Joe 

Monogram 

Law  Rides  Again 

Paramount 

Uninvited 

RKO  Radio 

Falcon  In  Danger 
Tarzan  and  the  Sheik 

Republic 

Headin'  for 

God's  Country 
20th  Century- Fox 
Song  of  Bernadette 


Winter  Time 
Holy  Matrimony 
Roger  Touhy,  Last  of 

the  Gangsters 
Girls  He  Left  Behind 

UA 

Hi  Diddle  Diddle 

(Stone) 
Johnny  Come  Lately* 

(Cagney) 

Universal 

Sherlock  Holmes 
Faces  Death 
Hers  to  Hold 
Fired  Wife 
Cobra  Woman 

Warner 

To  the  Last  Man 
Saratoga  Trunk 
This  Is  the  Army 
Animal  Kingdom 


*  Formerly  "McLeod's  Folly". 


service  in  the  Air  Force,  is  an  addition  to 
the  MGM  list  of  pictures-to-come  concern- 
ing the  war. 

'Latin  Quarter'  for 
Entertainment 

Lou  Walters,  whose  Latin  Quarter  cafe 
in  Boston  led  to  establishment  of  equivalent 
caravansaries  in  Miami  and  New  York,  has 
been  engaged  by  Monogram  to  produce  two 
musical  spectacles.  The  first,  to  be  patterned 
after  the  type  of  entertainment  the  night 
club  impresario  has  developed  for  the  din- 
ner trade,  is  to  be  entitled  "Latin  Quarter." 

Bing  Crosby  will  appear  in  a  film  for 
RKO  in  1944  under  the  terms  of  an  ex- 
change agreement  whereby  the  company 
loaned  Leo  McCarey  to  Paramount  where 
he  is  to  direct  Crosby's  next  film  about  a 
singing  priest  who  becomes  an  Army 
chaplain. 

Luise  Rainer,  Academician,  is  to  co-star 


with  Jean  Gabin,  import,  in  RKO-Radio's 
"A  Thief  in  the  House." 

Fay  Bainter  and  Spring  Byington  are  ad- 
ditions to  the  cast  of  "Heavenly  Bodies," 
MGM's  William  Powell-Hedy  Lamarr  ve- 
hicle. 

Republic,  engaged  in  promoting  the  popu- 
larity of  the  junior  miss,  Mary  Lee,  have  as- 
signed Gladys  George,  Jackie  Moran  and 
Louis  Calhern  to  her  support  in  "Dancing- 
Debs."  S 

Howard  Hawks  has  completed  "Corvettes 
in  Action"  for  Universal  and  moved  to 
Warners  for  preparation  of  "Battle  Cry," 
planned  as  the  biggest  of  the  studio's  war 
endeavors  with  22  stars  expected  to  par- 
ticipate. 

Interpreting  grosses  registered  in  early 
showings  of  "Corregidor"  as  proof  of  its 
policy  for  increasing  budgets,  Producers  Re- 
leasing Corporation  has  increased  the  scale 
of  its  "Tidal  Wave,"  "Strange  Music"  and 
"Talent  School"  commitments. 


iQfflf     musical  <**tf  Compaq 

hoA  Jb&i  $*&t  you  including 


36 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    8  ,  1943 


Engineers  Hear  How 
Army  Uses  Films 


Government  Interests  in 
Industry  also  Get  Atten- 
tion at  SMPE  Meeting 

Use  of  the  motion  picture  by  the  nation's 
armed  forces  dominated  the  attention  of  the 
Society  of  Motion  Picture  Engineers  this 
week  as  it  met  at  the  Hotel  Pennsylvania  in 
New  York  for  its  usual  spring  convention. 
Reinstated  after  having  been  eliminated 
from  this  year's  activities,  the  meeting,  lim- 
ited to  three  days,  was  altogether  directed 
toward  the  special  functions  and  problems 
of  the  motion  picture  and  its  theatre  in  war- 
time. Of  the  30  scheduled  papers,  16  were 
prepared  by  Army  and  Navy  men,  who  lib- 
erally contributed  to  an  attendance  of  about 
200  persons. 

Held  concurrently  with  the  convention  of 
the  Motion  Picture  Theatre  Owners  of 
America  at  the  Hotel  Astor,  the  SMPE 
meeting,  at  its  opening  luncheon  on  Tuesday, 
heard  Ed  Kuykendall,  president  of  the 
MPTOA,  describe  the  wartime  problems  of 
the  motion  picture  business  as  critical  ones 
calling  for  the  full  collaboration  of  engineer 
and  exhibitor. 

Sees  Theatres  Learning 
From  War  Problems 

"You  of  the  engineers,"  he  said,  "and  we  of 
the  theatre  must  use  our  ingenuity  to  continue 
operation  of  our  theatres.  Do  it  we  will,  and 
in  the  doing  we  are  learning  many  things  that 
will  stay  with  us  long  after  we  have  knocked 
hell  out  of  the  Axis. 

"The  all-out  war  in  which  we  are  engaged," 
asserted  the  MPTOA  head,  "has  had  its  hard 
touch  on  the  motion  picture.  Many  of  us  are 
not  too  happy  with  the  results  of  Government 
regulation.  Many  times  I  am  confused  and 
wonder  what  it  will  lead  to,  but  as  I  take  in- 
ventory it  seems  to  me  that  we,  as  an  industry, 
have  suffered  less  than  most  other  businesses." 

While  not  officially  regarded  as  "essential," 
the  motion  picture  theatre  is  playing  an  im- 
portant part  in  the  war  effort  as  a  means  of 
maintaining  a  fighting  morale  on  the  home 
front,  declared  Mr.  Kuykendall,  adding  that  this 
should  be  recognized  by  the  Government  in  its 
dealings  with  the  industry. 

"I  do  not  believe  in  using  what  we  have 
done,"  he  said,  "in  an  effort  to  get  Govern- 
mental consideration,  but  I  am  all-out  in  mak- 
ing every  possible  fight  to  get  what  justly  be- 
longs to  us  in  this  confused  and  hurried  world. 
We  should  fight  to  the  limit  any  attempt  to 
pass  us  by.  We  owe  that  to  those  who  have  all 
they  possess  invested  in  our  industry.  We  will 
fight  for  our  rights,  nothing  more,  nothing 
less." 

Asks  Further  Research 
By  Film  Engineers 

The  speaker  urged  continued  technslogical 
investigation  of  the  full  possibilities  of  the  mo- 
tion picture,  assuring  the  engineers  that  their 
efforts  were  ultimately  appreciated  by  the  pub- 
lic in  the  practical  terms  of  the  box-office.  At 
the  same  time,  he  deplored  a  tendency  to  set  the 
dollar  up  as  a  complete  measure  of  success. 

"It  is  regrettable,"  he  said,  "that  there  are 
quite  a  few  among  us  who  have  allowed  the 
dollar  mark  to  obscure  our  vision  of  the  future, 
our  obligation  to  America.    They  are  prone  to 


allow  themselves  to  see  only  the  monetary  gains 
of  immediate  days.  I  warn  them  that  stormy 
days  are  ahead  for  such  minds.  Fairness  will 
be  forced  upon  them  whether  they  like  it  or 
not.  They  may  find  that  immediate  financial 
advantages  are  snatched  away  from  them.  There 
can  be  only  one  way  for  us  to  conduct  our- 
selves— with  fairness  in  our  relations  with  each 
other,  and  in  patriotic  effort  for  our  Govern- 
ment." 

Thus  invading  Mr.  Kuykendall's  luncheon 
address,  the  subject  of  Government-motion  pic- 
ture industry  relations  again  got  notice  when 
Terry  Ramsaye,  editor  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald,  briefly  addressed  a  joint  SMPE- 
MPTOA  session  Tuesday  afternoon.  Declar- 
ing that  the  exhibitor  is  confronted  most  im- 
mediately by  trade  practice  problems,  he  pre- 
dicted that  there  would  be  debate  on  trade 
practices  "so  long  as  there  is  a  buyer  and  a 
seller." 

"The  best  plan,"  he  continued,  "is  to  let 
nature  take  its  course.  That  process  was  re- 
ported upon  by  the  late  Mark  Twain  a  number 
of  years  ago.  He  observed  that  when  he  was 
young  and  living  in  boarding  houses,  the  noises 
from  the  back  fence  made  him  think  the  entire 
feline  race  was  about  to  be  destroyed  in  interne- 
cine strife.  However,  he  observed  later,  when 
he  had  widened  his  observations,  that  the  only 
result  seemed  to  be  just  more  cats." 

Technological  advancement,  as  well  as  civil- 
ian restrictions  of  war,  were  said  by  Mr.  Ram- 
saye to  be  of  such  effect  as  to  make  the  whole 
exhibition  plant  after  the  war  not  only  worn 
out  but  also  obsolete.  He  said  that  television 
was  certain  to  be  a  factor  and  cited  one  device 
now  in  development  that  eventually  should  be 
capable  of  photographing  televised  action  on 
motion  picture  film  for  screening  within  three 
minutes  after  the  action  has  been  transmitted. 
He  observed  this  would  probably  revolutionize 
newsreel  technique  and  might  be  used  for  the 
distribution  of  other  screen  material. 

Theatre  Protection 
Group  Reports 

Of  the  regular  committee  reports,  the  only 
one  not  representing  wartime  curtailment  of  the 
society's  technical  activities  was  that  of  the  sub- 
committee on  theatre  protection.  Headed  by 
Henry  Anderson  of  Paramount,  this  group  was 
appointed  last  fall  specifically  for  investigation 
of  air-raid  precautions  effective  for  theatres. 
The  results  of  this  work  to  date  were  reported 
as  substantially  those  announced  at  the  Febru- 
ary meeting  of  the  Atlantic  Section  of  the 
SMPE  and  summarized  in  Better  Theatres 
of  March  9th.  _ 

The  social  highlight  of  the  convention  was 
the  traditional  though,  in  recognition  of  the 
times,  more  or  less  informal  dinner-dance 
Wednesday  evening. 

In  the  absence  of  Herbert  Griffin,  president 
of  the  society,  who  is  engaged  in  war  work  in 
Los  Angeles,  the  presiding  officer  of  the  meet- 
ing was  Donald  E.  Hyndman,  engineering  vice- 
president,  who  was  assisted  by  Sylvan  Harris, 
editor  of  the  SMPE  Journal.  Convention  ar- 
rangements were  in  charge  of  W.  C.  Kunz- 
mann. 

Approximately  three  hundred  members  and 
guests  of  the  Atlantic  Coast  section  of  the 
Society  of  Motion  Picture  Engineers  on  Thurs- 
day evening,  April  29th,  toured  the  Army  Signal 
Corps  Photographic  Center,  Astoria,  New  York, 
and  heard  an  exposition  of  its  methods  from 
Colonel  Melvin  C.  Gillette,  commanding  of- 
ficer. 

The  Center  produces  films  for  instruction  of 
the  armed  forces,  and  includes  a  photographic 
school. 


Theatre  Receipts 
Show  Increase 
In  Canada 

Motion  picture  theatre  admissions  in  Canada 
exceeded  162,000,000  in  1941  while  box  office 
receipts,  exclusive  of  amusement  taxes,  reached 
a  total  of  $41,569,000,  according  to  final  results 
of  the  annual  film  theatre  survey  made  by  the 
internal  trade  branch  of  the  Dominion  Bureau 
of  Statistics  and  released  in  Ottawa  recently. 
Per  capita  expenditure  at  film  houses  stood  at 
$3.63  for  1941  compared  with  $3.35  for  1940, 
$3.03  for  1939.  There  were  1,244  film  theatres 
in  operation  in  Canada  in  1941.  Admissions  in- 
creased 6.9  per  cent  and  receipts  9.8  per  cent  in 
1941  over  the  preceding  year.  Total  box  office 
receipts  for  1940  were  $37,858,955. 

The  survey  showed  a  slight  increase  in  the 
proportion  of  single  feature  programs  shown 
during  1941  compared  with  1940.  Single  bills 
formed  38.5  per  cent  of  the  total  number  while 
double  feature  shows  made  up  the  remaining 
61.5  per  cent. 

All  provinces  reported  gains  in  admissions 
and  receipts  over  1940,  a  marked  increase  in 
the  city  of  Halifax  producing  a  gain  for  the 
province  of  Nova  Scotia  considerably  in  excess 
of  those  recorded  for  other  provinces,  it  was 
reported.  Potential  admissions  to  film  theatres 
in  1941  totaled  531,281,074.  This  figure  repre- 
sents the  number  of  admissions  possible  with  a 
full  house  in  every  theatre  at  every  perform- 
ance. Comparison  with  the  actual  number  of 
admissions,  or  162,646,690,  indicates  that  31 
per  cent  of  the  seating  capacity  was  utilized 
on  the  average  at  each  performance. 


Confirm  Removal  of 
British  Money  Curbs 

Removal  of  all  special  restrictions  on  the 
withdrawal  of  money  from  Great  Britain  by 
American  film  producers  as  of  last  October 
25th  was  confirmed  Tuesday  in  a  statement  by 
Will  H.  Hays,  president  of  the  Motion  Picture 
Producers  and  Distributors  of  America.  It 
supported  November  reports  from  the  London 
Bureau  of  Motion  Picture  Herald. 

The  effect  of  the  new  arrangement  "will  be 
that  transfers  by  the  film  companies  will  be 
subject  to  the  Exchange  Control  Regulations  in 
the  ordinary  way  and  will  be  handled  through 
the  same  machinery  as  other  remittances  from 
England  of  other  British  subsidiaries  of  U.  S. 
companies,"  Mr.  Hays  said. 

New  York  observers  saw  the  way  opened  by 
the  British  ruling  for  similar  arrangements 
with  Australia,  New  Zealand  and  India. 


Catholic  Charities 
Thank  Newsreels 

For  cooperation  by  the  newsreels,  theatres 
and  other  publicising  agencies,  in  aiding  the 
24th  annual  appeal  of  the  Catholic  Charities  of 
the  New  Yrok  Archdiocese,  the  Archbishop's 
Committee  of  the  Laity  this  week  passed  a  com- 
mendatory resolution  expressing  its  gratitude 
and  appreciation. 

Alfred  E.  Smith  is  the  committee  chairman. 
Frank  C.  Walker  is  treasurer  and  George  J. 
Schaefer  is  assistant  treasurer  of  the  committee. 


Circuits  Boole  "Silver  Skates" 

"Silver  Skates,'"  Monogram  ice  skating  pic- 
ture, has  been  booked  for  15  first-run  houses 
in  the  Paramount-Richards  Circuit,  through  the 
company's  New  Orleans  office.  The  picture  has 
also  been  sold  to  the  Fox  Circuit  and  Danz  Cir- 
cuit in  the  Northwest. 


Siegel  RKO  Theatre  Manager 

Carl  Siegel  has  been  appointed  manager  of 
the  RKO  Grand  theatre  in  Columbus. 


Oh  give  me 


a  Short  Subject 
fills  the  bill." 


THE  ANSWER  TO  A 


FEATURE'S  PRAYER! 


With  Fred  Brady, 
Mary  Elliott,  Eric  Blore, 
Steven  Geray  •  Directed 
by  Josef  Berne 


a 


Tar 


it 


■Prelude  To  War 

America's 
Fighting  Film! 


HEAVENiy  MUSIC 

"SSI! 


a  entertamment... 
oatKv..Class  and  etite  o.ly 

exception  sWing  and 

Totally  different  ^fL-aPP^Motion  Picture  Doily 

classic  advocates  alike. 

Real  gem  in  shorts.. .it's  tops."— The  Exhibitor 


•All  this  and 
a  song  hit  tool 


38  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  May    8,  1943 

PLAN  SPECIAL  PROMOTION 
FOR  30  SUMMER  RELEASES 


RKO  Adopts  Territorial 
Releases  on  "A"  Pictures 

Territorial  releases  with  simultaneous  openings  in  as  many  as  50  first  run  situations 
proved  so  successful  with  "Hitler's  Children"  that  RKO  will  extend  the  plan  to  other 
top  ranking  pictures,  it  was  indicated  by  the  company's  sales  and  advertising  depart- 
ments this  week.  The  day  and  date  releases,  keyed  to  extensive  radio  campaigns,  have 
proved  an  important  advance  in  both  exploitation  and  sales  practice,  it  was  reported. 

The  plan  includes  the  abandonment  of  definite  release  date  announcements  and 
the  listing  of  each  picture  only  according  to  the  block  in  which  it  is  included,  as  is  now 
done  by  Paramount.  National  release  dates  will  no  longer  be  announced  for  pictures 
released  after  March  31,  1943. 

RKO  opens  "This  Land  Is  Mine"  on  Friday  in  50  cities  in  the  Cincinnati,  Indianapolis 
and  Cleveland  exchange  area  covered  by  radio  promotion  from  station  WLW  in  Cincin- 
nati. "Bombardier"  opens  May  20th  in  36  Texas  cities  with  a  similar  radio  promotion 
campaign  over  the  Texas  network. 

These  pictures,  as  with  "Hitler's  Children",  will  be  given  similar  regional  first  run 
releases  in  other  territories,  using  an  extensive  radio  campaign  and  personal  appearances 
by  stars.   Comparable  plans  are  being  studied  for  other  forthcoming  releases. 

RKO  spokesmen  said  the  new  release  system  revolutionized  distribution  practice.  In 
addition  to  building  up  unusual  public  interest  in  the  early  runs,  the  broadcasts  and 
publicity  attendant  on  the  day  and  date  openings  are  credited  with  materially  aid- 
ing subsequent  run  business.  Fifty  or  more  prints  are  concentrated  in  the  selected  area 
for  the  opening,  then  are  moved  to  other  day  and  date  territories.  The  customary  num- 
ber of  prints  is  left  in  the  exchanges  to  service  subsequent  accounts,  it  was  said. 


Salesmen  Start  Wind-up 
Drive  to  Clear  Slate 
for    1942-43  Season 

The  film  salesmen  are  on  their  way  to 
theatres  to  start  the  windup  drive  for  the 
last  quarter  of  the  1942-'43  season.  They 
will  be  offering'  approximately  100  features 
during  June,  July  and  August  on  the  basis 
of  current  product  information  from  the 
major  producers. 

General  sales  managers  and  their  execu- 
tive assistants  are  meeting  now  with  divi- 
sion and  branch  managers  and  salesmen  in 
New  York  and  the  field  to  plot  general  stra- 
tegy for  the  summer  push.  Salesmen  are 
checking  their  ration  coupons  and  timetables 
to  prepare  itineraries  which  will  help  them 
to  top  quotas. 

At  least  30  of  the  pictures  tentatively  set 
for  summer  release  will  receive  special  at- 
tention, a  canvass  of  home  offices  indicates. 
Pens  filled,  and  new  contracts  in  their 
pockets,  salesmen  will  be  calling  on  exhibi- 
tors for  the  next  ten  to  a  dozen  weeks  with 
extra  praise  and  argument  in  behalf  of  these 
pictures.  It  appears  likely  too,  that  they 
will  give  unusual  summer  attention  to  run- 
of-the-mine  product  in  order  to  clear  the 
way  for  any  changes  in  selling  that  may 
evolve  with  the  new  season. 

At  least  four  companies  have  called  meet- 
ings during  May  of  branch  and  division 
managers  to  discuss  selling  plans  for  the 
summer  and,  in  one  instance,  prospects  for 
next  year. 

Regional  Sales  Meetings 
Replace  Conventions 

These  regional  meetings  mark  the  end  of 
the  national  film  convention  which  wound 
up  the  season  in  other  years.  The  war, 
with  restrictions  on  travel  and  long  range 
production  planning,  and  the  Consent  De- 
cree with  its  system  of  selling  in  small,  trade 
shown,  groups  ended  the  traditional  sales 
department  jamboree.  The  Office  of  De- 
fense Transportation  asked  that  no  conven- 
tions be  held. 

Columbia  will  combine  discussions  of  this 
season's  windup  with  prospects  for  the  1943- 
44  film  year  at  three  regional  sessions,  it 
was  announced  Tuesday  by  A.  Montague, 
sales  manager.  They  will  take  place  at 
Chicago  on  May  11,  12  and  13;  New  York, 
May  26,  27  and  28;  and  San  Francisco, 
June  5  and  6.    (See  page  39.) 

Warner  Bros,  several  weeks  ago  called 
division  and  branch  managers  to  New  York 
to  discuss  sales  plans  for  "Mission  to  Mos- 
cow," and  other  summer  releases.  This 
week  advertising  men  were  called  in  from 
the  field  by  Mort  Blumenstock,  in  charge 
of  advertising  and  publicity  in  the  east. 
With  Charles  Einfeld,  director  of  advertis- 
ing and  publicity,  Mr  Blumenstock  discussed 
plans  for  handling  forthcoming  releases. 

The  field  men  include  Ted  Tod  and  Nor- 
man E.  Kassel,  Chicago;  Glen  Ireton,  To- 
ronto ;  Bill  Brumberg,  Cincinnati ;  Phil  En- 
gel,  Boston ;  Marty  Weiser,  Los  Angeles ; 


Tom,  Baldridge,  Memphis ;  Don  Walker, 
Kansas  City;  Frank  Brunner,  Dallas,  and 
Herbert  Pickman,  Atlanta. 

United  Artists  held  a  two  day  sales  ses- 
sion this  week  in  New  York,  with  Carl  Les- 
erman,  general  sales  manager,  presiding. 
(See  page  39.) 

He  discussed  summer  sales  plans  for  Hunt 
Stromberg's  "Lady  of  Burlesque" ;  Sol 
Lesser's  "Stage  Door  Canteen";  Walt  Dis- 
ney's "Victory  Through  Air  Power";  An- 
drew Stone's  "Hi  Diddle  Diddle,"  and 
"Johnny  Come  Lately,"  the  first  James  Cag- 
ney  release  through  UA. 

Among  the  district  managers  attending 
were  Edward  Schnitzer,  New  York ;  Jack 
D.  Goldhar,  Detroit ;  Fred  M.  Jack,  Dallas ; 
T.  R.  Thompson,  Jr.,  Kansas  City;  Rud 
Lohrenz,  Chicago ;  W.  E.  Callaway,  Los 
Angeles,  and  Dave  H  Coplan,  Toronto. 

20th-Fox  Conference 
Sets  Policies 

At  Twentieth  Century-Fox  this  week 
Herman  Wobber,  coast  division  sales  man- 
ager, arrived  in  New  York  for  sales  con- 
ferences with  Tom  Connors,  vice  president 
in  charge  of  distribution,  and  William  C. 
Gehring,  western  sales  manager.  Other  di- 
vision managers  have  also  been  conferring 
with  home  office  chiefs  on  summer  releases. 

20th  Century-Fox,  it  is  indicated,  has  at 
least  five  important  releases  on  the  way  for 
summer  selling.  These  include  "Coney  Is- 
land," a  Betty  Grable  musical  in  color ; 
"Stormy  Weather,"  with  an  all-Negro  cast; 
"Bomber's  Moon"  with  Annabella;  Ernst 


Lubitsch's  "Heaven  Can  Wait,"  with  Gene 
Tierney  and  Don  Ameche ;  and  possibly 
Sonja  Henie  in  "Wintertime." 

At  Paramount  it  is  reported  that  the  com- 
pany probably  will  release  one  more  block, 
bringing  its  total  up  to  six  groups  of  five, 
plus  several  specials. 

Bing  Crosby  Musical 
On  Paramount  List 

Among  the  summer  releases  which  will 
get  special  attention  from  the  salesmen  are 
"Five  Graves  to  Cairo,"  with  Franchot 
Tone  and  Anne  Baxter  in  a  story  based  on 
Rommel's  retreat ;  "Dixie,"  a  Bing  Crosby, 
Dorothy  Lamour,  musical;  and  "So  Proud- 
ly We  Hail,"  a  drama  of  the  siege  of  Ba- 
taan.  Also  set  for  special  sales  and  exploi- 
tation handling  is  "Aerial  Gunner,"  made  in 
cooperation  with  the  Army  Air  Forces.  It 
is  also  possible  that  "For  Whom  the  Bell 
Tolls"  may  be  ready  for  pre-release  road- 
show exhibition  before  the  summer  ends. 

MGM,  now  engaged  on  its  third  block 
will  sell,  probably,  one  more  group  during 
the  summer.  Like  the  current  block,  it  is 
expected  to  include  five  titles.  These  have 
been  tentatively  identified  as  "Presenting 
Lily  Mars,"  with  Judy  Garland  and  Ban 
Heflin;  "Pilot  No.  5,"  with  Franchot  Tone 
and  Marsha  Hunt ;  "Harrigan's  Kid,"  with 
William  Gargan;  and  the  musical,  "DuBar- 
ry  Was  a  Lady."  The  last,  along  with  the 
special,  "Human  Comedy,"  will  probably  re- 
ceive the  most  important  sales  and  advertis- 
ing attention. 

RKO  will  have  approximately  six  top  pic- 
(Continued  on  opposite  page,  column  1) 


May    8,    1  943 

Extra  Campaigns 
To  Conclude 
Sales  Season 

(Continued  from  opposite  page) 

tures  to  keep  its  sales  force  busy  until  Sep- 
tember. They  include  "Bombardier,"  with 
Pat  O'Brien,  and  Anne  Shirley;  "This  Land 
Is  Mine,"  a  Jean  Renoir-Dudley  Nichols 
production  with  Charles  Laughton  and 
Maureen  O'Hara;  "Mr.  Lucky,"  with  Cary 
Grant;  "Lady  Takes  a  Chance,"  with  Jean 
Arthur;  perhaps  the  new  Fred  Astaire  mu- 
sical, "The  Sky's  the  Limit";  and  Samuel 
Goldwyn's  "Spitfire,"  an  English  import, 
with  Leslie  Howard  . 

RKO  officials  disclosed  this  week  that 
the  company  will  use  the  regional  release 
system  inaugurated  with  "Hitler's  Children" 
on  other  important  pictures.  "This  Land 
Is  Mine"  opened  this  week  in  50  situations 
in  the  Cincinnati,  Cleveland  and  Indianapo- 
lis area,  and  will  follow  with  similar  day 
and  date  breaks  in  other  sections.  A  similar 
system  is  being  set  up  for  "Bombardier"  and 
also  will  be  used  in  the  later  releases. 

Universal  Has 
Fifteen  Coming 

Universal,  with  about  15  pictures  coming, 
will  give  special  sales  attention  to  Walter 
Wanger's  "We've  Never  Been  Licked" ; 
"Corvettes  in  Action,"  produced  by  Howard 
Hawks;  "Next  of  Kin,"  a  British  war  mes- 
sage; the  musical,  "Mr.  Big,"  with  Gloria 
Jean ;  and  "Phantom  of  the  Opera,"  in  color, 
with  Nelson  Eddy. 

Columbia  leaders,  which  will  be  discussed 
at  the  sales  meeting,  will  probably  include 
"The  More  the  Merrier,"  with  Joel  Mc- 
Crea  and  Jean  Arthur;  "Destroyer,"  with 
Edward  G.  Robinson ;  "Appointment  in 
Berlin,"  with  George  Sanders;  and  "Some- 
where in  Sahara,"  with  Humphrey  Bogart. 

Republic's  top  offerings  to  exhibitors  and 
special  assignments  for  salesmen  include 
"The  Fighting  Sea  Bees,"  a  story  of  the 
Navy  construction  battalions,  for  July ; 
"Gay  Blades,"  a  skating  spectacle  for  the 
hot  months,  with  Vera  Hruba ;  "Convoy  to 
Malta,"  a  merchant  marine  story;  and 
"Prodigal's  Mother,"  a  high  budget  human 
interest  story.  Two  Roy  Rogers  musicals, 
"Song  of  Texas"  and  "Silver  Spurs,"  will 
be  pushed. 

Producers  Releasing  Corporation  will 
make  six  musicals  during  the  next  four 
months.  None  will  have  a  war  theme.  The 
pictures  are:  "Oh,  Say  Can  You  Sing?"  to 
be  produced  by  Jack  Schwarz;  "Oh,  Baby," 
a  Ripley-Monter  production,  starring  Fifi 
D'Orsay;  "I'm  from  Arkansas,"  a  hill-billy 
picture  to  be  made  by  Alexander  Stern ; 
"Talent  School,"  a  Jack  Schwarz  produc- 
tion; "Minstrel  Man"  and  an  untitled  story. 


PRC  Names  Representatives 

Lloyd  Lamb,  branch  manager  for  Producers 
Releasing  Corporation,  has  appointed  Bob 
White  representative  in  Oregon,  with  head- 
quarters in  Portland,  Ore.,  and  L.  W.  Mont- 
gomery representatives  in  Eastern  Washington, 
with  headquarters  in  Spokane.  Mr.  White 
operates  the  Bob  White  and  other  theatres  in 
Portland,  and  is  president  of  Oregon  Indepen- 
dent Theatre  Owners  Association. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

Sheehan  Named  Business 
Manager  of  Republic 

Howard  J.  Sheehan,  assistant  to  M.  J.  Siegel, 
president  of  Republic  Productions,  Inc.,  for  the 
past  several  months,  has  been  appointed  busi- 
ness manager  of  the  company,  succeeding 
Emanuel  H.  Goldstein.  He  will  have  quarters 
at  the  studio  offices. 

Mr.  Sheehan  was  a  former  independent  thea- 
tre operator  in  San  Francisco,  later  joining 
Fox  Film  Corporation  as  Pacific  Coast  division 
manager.  In  1928,  he  became  vice-president  of 
the  West  Coast  Theatres,  Inc.,  which  later  be- 
came the  Fox  West  Coast  Theatres,  Inc.  Prior 
to  his  association  with  Republic,  he  operated 
theatres  in  Hollywood. 


Regular  Scales 
On  'Stage  Door 9 

United  Artists  will  offer  Sol  Lesser's  forth- 
coming production,  "Stage  Door  Canteen"  to 
the  public  within  the  next  month  at  regular 
admission  prices,  it  was  announced  by  Carl 
Leserman,  UA  general  sales  manager,  Tuesday, 
at  the  second  session  of  the  company's  district 
managers  meeting  in  New  York.  Mr.  Leser- 
man said  the  policy  was  set  following  consid- 
erable discussion  on  the  part  of  the  sales  staff 
and  expressions  from  many  major  and  inde- 
pendent circuit  operators. 

In  outlining  the  company's  campaign  on  the 
picture,  he  stressed  its  importance  to  "home- 
front  entertainment,"  due  to  its  outstanding- 
patriotic  theme.  "The  motion  picture  industry 
as  much  as  any  other  has  a  wartime  respon- 
sibility," Mr.  Leserman  said. 

"The  custom  has  arisen  in  recent  years  of 
making  the  public  pay  an  extra  premium  for 
quality  picture  entertainment.  This  practice 
should  be  discouraged  and  discontinued,"  he 
urged,  "at  least  for  the  duration." 

The  UA  sales  manager  also  pointed  out: 

"To  increase  admission  prices  at  this  time 
would  definitely  be  an  inflationary  measure. 
Now,  with  living  costs  on  the  rise,  our  Govern- 
ment is  all-out  to  prevent  this  inflation.  We 
of  the  motion  picture  industry  will  do  our 
part." 

Commenting  on  United  Artists'  decision,  Mr. 
Lesser  said  that  by  making  the  film  available  on 
a  general  run  policy,  the  industry  would  "defi- 
nitely build  a  richer,  more  enduring  relation- 
ship with  the  public  everywhere.  "Our  major 
object,"  he  said,  "is  to  make  every  exhibitor 
who  books  the  picture  realize  that  he  is  playing 
a  vital  part  in  the  industry's  war  efforts  and 
fulfilling  a  patriotic  service." 

Carl  Leserman,  United  Artists  general  sales 
manager,  on  Wednesday  announced  the  appoint- 
ment of  Edward  Schnitzer  as  western  division 
manager,  succeeding  Bert  M.  Stearn,  resigned. 
Mr.  Schnitzer,  well  known  in  the  distribution 
field,  has  been  associated  with  Warner  Bros., 
Twentieth  Century-Fox  and  Columbia  in  sales 
posts.  • 

Sam  Lefkowitz,  New  York  branch  manager, 
replaces  Mr.  Schnitzer  as  supervisor  of  district 
one,  which  includes  New  York,  Philadelphia  and 
Washington ;  James  Winn  becomes  manager  for 
district  two,  which  includes  Boston,  Buffalo  and 
New  Haven. 

Girls  Club  in  Capital 
Previews  "Merrier" 

Mrs.  Henry  A.  Wallace  and  Mrs.  Jimmy 
Doolittle,  wife  of  Brig.  Gen.  Doolittle,  headed  a 
group  of  distinguished  sruests  who  attended  the 
special  screening  of  Columbia's  new  comedy, 
"The  More  the  Merrier,"  in  the  Governmental 
Auditorium  Tuesdav  night  in  Washington  for 
members  of  the  "Eight  Girls-to-Every  Man" 
Club.  Others  expected  to  attend  included :  Byron 
Price,  Prentiss  Brown  and  Elmer  Davis. 


39 

ColumbiaAnnual 
Meetings  Set  in 
Three  Cities 

Columbia  Pictures  will  hold  its  annual  sales 
convention  in  three  sessions  this  season,  it  was 
announced  this  week  by  Abe  Montague,  general 
sales  manager.  The  meetings  have  been  set 
for  Chicago  on  May  11,  12  and  13;  New  York, 
May  26,  27  and  28;  and  San  Francisco  on  June 
5  and  6. 

Home  office  executives  headed  by  Jack  Cohn, 
executive  vice-president,  will  be  present  at 
the  Chicago  and  New  York  sessions,  while 
branch  managers  and  the  entire  sales  force 
in  the  respective  territories  will  attend  the 
regional  meetings.  At  the  New  York  and  Chi- 
cago sessions,  a  delegation  of  sales  executives 
from  the  home  office  will  attend.  They  include 
Rube  Jackter,  Louis  Astor,  Louis  Weinberg 
and  Max  Weisfeldt. 

Present  at  the  Chicago  session  will  be  Phil 
Dunas,  mid-west  division  manager,  and  Carl 
Shalit,  central  division  manager.  The  New 
York  meeting  will  be  attended  by  Nat  Cohn, 
New  York  division  manager,  and  Sam  Galanty, 
mideast  division  manager.  Jerome  Safron, 
western  division  manager,  will  head  the  dele- 
gation at  the  coast  meeting.  All  sessions  will 
be  presided  over  by  Mr.  Montague. 

The  grouping  of  branches  assigned  to  the 
respective  meetings  are  Midwest :  Chicago,  Des 
Moines,  Milwaukee,  Minneapolis,  Omaha,  De- 
troit, Indianapolis,  Kansas  City,  St.  Louis,  At- 
lanta, Charlotte,  Dallas,  Memphis  and  Okla- 
homa City.  East :  New  York,  Albany,  Boston/, 
Buffalo,  New  Haven,  Philadelphia,  Cincinnati/ 
Cleveland,  Pittsburgh  and  Washington.  West : 
Denver,  Los  Angeles,  Portland,  Salt  Lake  City, 
San  Francisco  and  Seattle. 

United  Jewish  Appeal 
Extends  Overseas  Aid 

Rommel's  retreat  to  the  sea,  forced  by  the 
Allied  Armies  successes  in  North  Africa,  has 
made  it  possible  for  the  United  Jewish  Appeal 
relief  agency  to  extend  aid  to  some  300,000  Jews 
in  the  territory,  thus  increasing  the  immediate 
requirements  of  the  1943  fund  drive,  David 
Bernstein,  Barney  Balaban  and  Albert  War- 
ner, co-chairman  of  the  amusement  division  for 
the  campaign,  pointed  out  this1  week.  "Already, 
desperate  appeals  for  help  have  come  from  many 
refugees  still  in  internment  camps,  from  those 
recently  liberated  and  from  others  freed  from 
slave-labor  on  the  Trans-Saharan  railways.  The 
UJA  is  faced  with  the  immediate  problem  of 
providing  food,  clothing',  shelter,  or  medical  aid 
to  at  least  10,000  to  12,000  refugees  in  North 
Africa,"  they  said. 

Highlight  of  the  amusement  division's  drive 
will  be  the  fifth  annual  luncheon  May  11th  at 
the  Hotel  Astor,  New  York,  of  which  B.  S. 
Moss  is  chairman.  Dr.  Abba  Hillel  Silver, 
national  chairman  of  the  United  Palestine  Ap- 
peal and  national  co-chairman  of  the  United 
Jewish  Appeal  will  be  the  guest  speaker.  Mem- 
bers of  the  committee  met  at  the  Hotel  Astor 
on  Tuesday  to  discuss  plans  in  connection  with 
the  luncheon. 


Warner  Theatreman  Wounded 

Robert  Gorley,  formerly  at  the  Warner  Lenox, 
Hartford,  has  been  given  an  honorable  dis- 
charge from  the  Army,  and  has  returned  to 
Hartford.  He  received  injuries  in  action  in  the 
Southwest  Pacific  some  time  ago. 


Schenclc  Returns  to  Coast 

Joseph  M.  Schenck,  recently  in  New  York 
for  conferences  with  Spyros  Skouras,  president 
of  Twentieth  Century-Fox,  was  to  have  re- 
turned to  the  coast  early  this  week. 


MAKE  EVERY  DAY 
WAR  BOND  DAY! 


The  made-in-Hollywood  Epic 
of  the  Epic  of  this  War/ 


42 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    8,  1943 


Academy 
Asked  for 

U.  S.  Signal  Corps  Request- 
ed Recommendations, 
Council  Report  Stresses 

Hollywood  Bureau 

Speaking  up  in  its  own  defense  for  the 
first  time  since  attacks  were  made  upon 
"Hollywood  commissions"  at  Congressional 
hearings,  the  Academy  of  Motion  Picture 
Arts  and  Sciences  this  week  said  the  War 
Department  specifically  had  asked  its  Re- 
search Council  to  examine  and  recommend 
men  for  officer  and  enlisted  personnel  in 
the  Signal  Corps.  For  this  purpose,  the 
Research  Council  organized  a  special  com- 
mittee, examined  1,525  applicants,  recom- 
mended 105  for  commissions  and  610  for 
enlistment.  'Almost  all  are  now  in  the  ser- 
vice," the  Academy  said  in  a  special  report 
which  it  titled  "The  Academy  in  War- 
time." 

Indicating  official  approval  of  the  task 
undertaken  on  behalf  of  the  Signal  Corps, 
the  Academy  further  points  out  the  Marine 
Corps  has  asked  "for  similar  help"  and 
the  council  is  now  preparing  50  men  for  en- 
listment in  the  Marine  Photographic  School. 

Further  unfolding  its  role  in  the  war  ef- 
fort, the  report  discloses  the  Research  Coun- 
cil, in  its  special  photographic  school,  has 
trained  187  motion  picture  cameramen  and 
212  "still"  photographers  for  the  Signal 
Corps  "at  no  cost  to  either  the  men  or  the 
Signal  Corps"  and  that,  during  this  proc- 
ess, 59  instructors  held  726  separate  instruc- 
tion sessions. 

236  Army  Training 
Films  Delivered 

Additional  statistics  are  these : 
The  Council,  which  had  made  and  deliv- 
ered 88  reels  of  Army  training  films  to  the 
War  Department  before  Pearl  Harbor,  has 
delivered  236  more  since  then  to  a  total  of 
324. 

Membership  in  the  Academy  has  increased 
by  131  members  since  January  1,  1942  to 
a  new  total  of  626.  Forty-seven  are  in  the 
armed  services.  Here  is  the  breakdown  of 
membership:  .....  r  , 


Classification  yrffo 

nuary  1,  1942 

April  1  5, 

Actors  

60 

1 10 

Writers   

28 

57 

Directors   

55 

61 

Producers,  Executives 

97 

1 10 

Musicians   . 

51 

65 

Short  subjects  

24 

32 

Public  relations  .... 

1 1 

18 

Art  directors   

37 

38 

Photographers   

47 

46 

Sound   

34 

33 

10 

1 1 

Equipment   

29 

31 

Special   

12 

14 

Totals  

495 

626 

"At  the  request  of  the  Signal  Corps,"  the 
Council  has  a  committee  of  20  technicians 
at  work  on  problems  dealing  with  increasing 
the  ease  of  operations  of  mobile  photo- 
graphic, sound,  projection  and  laboratory 
equipment. 


Says  Army 
Officers 

The  committee  has  designed  a  new  type 
of  portable  sound  recording  equipment 
which  will  weigh  about  500  pounds  less  than 
the  lightest  now  in  army  field  use. 

The  Academy  cites  establishment  of  a  li- 
brary of  war  films  which  makes  available 
to  the  studios,  the  War  Department  and 
other  agencies  screenings  of  war  films  from 
England,  Canada,  Russia,  Mexico  and  this 
country.  Advance  information  supplied  the 
Academy  before  each  film's  release  is  passed 
to  the  studios  with  details  on  available  foot- 
age. Thus,  it  is  explained,  the  war  library 
becomes  a  clearing  house  where  studios  may 
obtain  prints  either  as  a  guide  to  current 
production  or  for  inclusion  in  stock  footage 
for  future  use. 

Similarly,  the  Academy's  reference  li- 
brary, now  declared  one  of  the  largest  in 
the  world,  has  established  a  clipping  file 
dealing  with  effects  of  war  on  the  industry, 
wartime  tastes  of  theatre  audiences  and  at- 
tendant matters  viewed  as  important  not 
alone  to  the  industry  but  to  various  govern- 
mental agencies. 

"Mission  Accomplished", 
OWI  Film,  Released 

The  Office  of  War  Information  film,  "Mis- 
sion Accomplished,"  for  distribution  by  the  War 
Activities  Committee  was  released  nationally 
on  April  29th.  The  New  York  release  date  was 
May  6th.  The  film  is  expected  to  be  played  in 
15,000  theatres,  exhibitors  receiving-  it  at  no 
charge. 

The  one  reel  picture  describes  a  raid  by 
American  Flying  Fortress  over  Europe,  the 
planes  leaving  from  their  bases  in  England  on 
long-range  bombing  forays.  Captain  William  J. 
Crumm  delivers  an  appeal  at  the  film's  conclu- 
sion urging  the  purchase  of  War  Bonds. 

One  WAC  Short  Released, 
Three  Others  for  May 

The  motion  picture  division  of  the  War:  Ac- 
tivities Committee  has  announced  that  three 
additional,  films  will  be  distributed  for  May 
release,  one  in  the  "America  Speaks"  series  and 
two  Victory  Films.  'Weapons  for  Victory,"  an 
"America  Speaks"  subject,  was  released  on 
Thursday.  The  other  picture  in  this  series, 
"What  We  Are  Fighting  For,"  is  scheduled  for 
May  20th  release. 

The  two  Victory  Films,  "Doctors  At  War" 
and  "Wings  Up,"  will  be  released  on  May  13th 
and  20th,  respectively.  Universal  exchanges  will 
handle  the  first  picture,  with  MGM  distributing 
the  second. 


Kanin  Aids  Washington  Play 

Sergeant  Garson  Kanin,  former  film  director 
now  in  the  Army  Signal  Corps,  heads  the  ad- 
visory board  of  the  Washington  Workshop,  an 
amateur  theatre  group  comprised  of  Govern- 
ment workers  in  Washington,  D.  C.  He  is  aid- 
ed on  the  board  by  Stanley  McChandless,  Ben 
Jones  and  John  McGhee.  The  Washington 
Workshop  will  present,  as  its  first  production, 
"It's  Up  to  You,"  the  Department  of  Agri- 
culture-Arthur Arent-Earl  Robinson  "Living 
Newspaper"  revue  which  has  been  appearing  in 
Skouras  and  other  theatres  under  the  sponsor- 
ship of  the  American  Theatre  Wing,  the  De- 
partment of  Agriculture,  and  food  industry  and 
the  Office  of  War  Information. 


New  Capra  Films 
For  Army  Use 
Shown  to  Press 

A  special  screening  of  the  Army's  orientation 
films,  "The  Nazis  Strike"  and  "Divide  and 
Conquer,"  was  held  for  the  press  in  New  York 
last  Thursday  by  the  Special  Services  Division 
of  the  War  Department.  These  feature  pictures 
are  the  second  and  third  in  the  "Why  We 
Fight"  series  which  were  produced  by  the 
Army,  under  direction  of  Lt.  Col.  Frank  Capra. 
"Prelude  to  War,"  first  of  the  series,  will  be 
released  to  theatres  May  27th  by  the  War 
Activities  Committee. 

Prior  to  the  press  showing  which  was  held 
at  the  home  office  projection  room  of  Twentieth 
Century-Fox,  Colonel  William  Slater,  of  the 
Special  Services  Division,  told  newspaper,  mag- 
azine and  trade  press  representatives  that  theatre 
exhibition  of  these  two  pictures  would  depend 
largely  on  the  reception  which  film-goers  give 
to  "Prelude." 

Skillful  use  is  made  of  newsreels  and  captured 
Nazi  propaganda  films  in  both  features.  "The 
Nazis  Strike"  shows  Germany's  attempt  to 
destroy  the  Versailles  treaty ;  Hitler's  building 
of  the  Nazi  party  and  the  geopolitical  bureau 
and  his  development  of  a  war  ecenomy.  The 
picture  traces  Germany's  dream  of  world  con- 
quest from  the  time  of  Otto  von  Bismarck  to 
Schickelgruber's  march  into  the  Ruhr  valley. 
The  entire  grim  spectacle  of  a  nation  gearing 
its  manpower  for  war  upon  its  neighbors  is 
forcefully  projected.  The  45-minute  feature  ends 
with  the  world  waiting  for  Hitler's  next  move 
after  the  Munich  pact. 

"Divide  and  Conquer"  takes  up  where  the 
second  in  the  series  left  off.  Explanation  is 
attempted  of  the  military  and  political  factors 
which  preceded  Hitler's  grab  of  Austria, 
Czechoslovakia  and  Poland  and  was  followed 
by  invasion  of  the  low  countries,  Norway  and 
Sweden ;  the  collapse  of  France  and  the  blitz 
against  England.  A  good  portion  of  the  picture 
is  devoted  to  analysis,  from  a  military  stand- 
point, of  France's  capitulation  to  the  Nazi 
armies.  For  servicemen  preparing  to  meet  the 
enemy  on  the  battlefield,  both  films,  are  particu- 
larly hard-hitting  and  forceful  in  presentation 
of  the  Nazi  technique  on  the  front  and  behind 
the  lines. 

Fourth  in  the  series,  "Battle  of  Britain,"  is 
scheduled  for  release  to  Army  camps  within  the 
next  two  weeks.  The  last  three  pictures,  "Battle 
of  Russia,"  "Battle  of  China"  and  "America 
Goes  to  War"  are  now  in  production. 

20th-Fox  Transfers  Gill 
To  Western  Exploitation 

Clifford  Gill,  20th  Century-Fox  exploitation 
man,  has  been  transferred  from  the  Minneapolis 
territory  to  the  west  coast  area  where  he  will 
cover  San  Francisco,  Denver  and  Salt  Lake 
City.  Gabe  Yorke,  whom  Mr.  Gill  succeeds, 
has  been  placed  in  charge  of  the  studio's  trailer 
department.  The  company  has  appointed  Wal- 
ter Hoffman  to  act  as  exploitation  representa- 
tive in  Minneapolis,  Des  Moines  and  Omaha. 


Hollywood  OSS  Office  Closed 

The  Hollywood  branch  of  the  Office  of  Stra- 
tegic Services,  attached  to  the  War  Depart- 
ment, has  been  closed  following  the  completion 
of  its  task  of  analyzing  films  for  military  intel- 
ligence. Arthur  Woodward,  Martin  J.  Cohen 
and  John  McGrail  had  been  assigned  to  the 
office. 


Grainger  on  Sales  Trip 

J.  R.  Grainger,  president  of  Republic  Pic- 
tures, left  New  York  this  week  for  a  three- 
week  tour  of  the  company's  western  sales  of- 
fices. 


May    8,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


43 


RESORT  THEATRE  BUSINESS 
IS  FACING  BLACKOUT 


Few  Summer  Houses  To  Be 
Open  Except  in  Areas  of 
War  Industries 

The  normal  spurt  of  theatre  business  and 
amusement  enterprises  during  the  summer 
months,  which  annually  is  concentrated  at 
and  near  summer  hotels  and  resorts,  this 
year  will  be  shifted  to  other  scenes. 

Motion  picture  theatres,  "straw-hat"  legit- 
imate houses  and  film  "drive-ins"  in  resort 
regions,  which  last  year  suffered  consider- 
ably as  a  result  of  gasoline  and  tire  restric- 
tions, this  year  will  be  dealt  a  death  blow, 
observers  believe.  Only  a  small  percentage 
of  film  houses  which  regularly  open  for  sum- 
mer business  will  be  open  this  year,  except 
those  theatres  located  at  or  near  war  plant 
areas  or  in  large  cities  where  transportation 
facilities  are  more  favorable. 

Of  the  40-odd  "straw-hat"  theatres  in  op- 
eration last  summer,  compared  to  70  which 
operated  the  year  before,  only  about  a  dozen 
will  open  this  season,  according  to  reports. 

Exhibitors  who  operate  theatres  at 
summer  resorts,  hard  hit  by  orders  of  the 
Office  of  Price  Administration  denying 
additional  gasoline  to  summer  residents 
to  drive  to  their  places  of  employment, 
were  struck  another  blow  last  week  when 
the  Office  of  Defense  Transportation 
turned  down  all  railroad  requests  for 
authority  to  furnish  additional  summer 
services  with  sleeping-car  equipment  and 
limited  additional  services  for  weekend 
periods. 

Joseph  B.  Eastman,  ODT  director,  an- 
nounced that  strictly  non-essential  travel  on 
trains  and  inter-city  buses  must  be  elim- 
inated, and  he  pointed  out  that  the  ability  of 
carriers  to  handle  vacation  traffic  would  de- 
pend upon  the  extent  to  which  this  was  ac- 
complished. He  urged  that  vacations,  espe- 
cially for  war  workers,  be  spaced  throughout 
the  year  and  start  and  end  on  Tuesdays, 
Wednesdays  or  Thursdays.  He  recom- 
mended that  civilians  plan  to  spend  their 
vacations  at  home  or  as  near  home  as  pos- 
sible. 

The  easing  of  gasoline  restrictions  by  the 
OPA,  which  exhibitors  and  others  have 
looked  forward  to  hopefully  for  this  spring 
and  summer,  is  not  likely,  from  present  in- 
dications. 

Talent  Agencies  See 
Poor  Season 

According  to  the  Office  of  War  Informa- 
tion, which  last  week  issued  a  bulletin  on 
the  problem  of  transportation,  no  relaxing 
of  OPA  or  ODT  orders  is  expected  and  if 
anything,  they  may  become  harsher  in  order 
to  achieve  maximum  efficiency  and  time- 
saving  for  troop  and  equipment  transporta- 
tion for  the  duration. 

Talent  agents  of  large  theatrical  offices  in 
New  York  reported  this  week  that  the  resort 
business  in  New  York,  New  England,  the 
middlewest  and  other  sections  of  the  country 
this  summer  probably  would  be  at  the  lowest 


PHILADELPHIA  CONCERT 
SERIES  TO  OPEN 

Competition  for  Philadelphia  film 
theatres  during  the  Summer,  Robin 
Hood  Dell,  outdoor  concert  series, 
will  open  its  14th  season  on  June  21st, 
continuing  for  seven  weeks.  Among 
the  stars  booked  for  the  nightly  con- 
certs are  Jose  Iturbi,  Lily  Pons,  Yehudi 
Menuhin,  Marian  Anderson,  Gladys 
Swarthout,  Jan  Peerce  and  Oscar 
Levant.  Todd  Duncan,  Andre  Koste- 
lanetz  and  Robert  Stolz  will  be  guest 
conductors. 


point  in  many  years.  Amusement  venders, 
it  was  pointed  out,  "are  following  the  war 
workers,  the  people  who  are  making  and 
spending  money,  the  men  and  women  who 
feel  the  greatest  need  for  entertainment  and 
recreation." 

Approximately  20  independent  theatres  in 
Minnesota  and  the  Dakotas,  which  were 
closed  during  the  winter,  reopened  during 
the  past  two  weeks,  it  was  disclosed  re- 
cently by  Allen  Usher,  Paramount  district 
manager,  on  his  return  to  New  York  from  a 
tour  of  the  territory.  Severe  winter  weather 
caused  more  than  the  usual  number  of  clos- 
ings this  year,  he  said. 

The  out-door  motion  picture  theatre  busi- 
ness, despite  gas  and  tire  restrictions,  got  off 
to  a  good  start  within  the  past  two  weeks, 
but  it  was  noted  that  operations,  for  the  most 
part,  were  confined  to  areas  near  war  plants. 

Drive-In  Theatres  Open 
Despite  Gas  Shortage 

The  Riverside  Park-In,  at  Springfield, 
Mass.,  was  the  first  drive-in  theatre  to  re- 
open in  that  section.  According  to  Edward 
J.  Carroll,  owner-manager,  patronage  com- 
pares very  favorably  with  last  year,  despite 
an  increase  in  price  from  40  to  50  cents,  un- 
seasonable weather  and  motoring  difficulties. 

Neil  Hellman's  drive-in  on  the  Albany- 
Saratoga  Road  is  scheduled  to  reopen  early 
in  May  and  the  Benton  Circuit's  Community 
at  Saratoga  is  ready  for  opening  should  that 
town  be  permitted  its  customary  summer 
racing  schedule.  Harry  Savett,  up-state  op- 
erator, opened  a  new  theatre  this  week  in 
Tawahus,  N.  Y.,  the  iron  ore  center  in  the 
Adirondacks. 

The  drive-in  theatre  at  Montgomery,  near 
Cincinnati,  also  opened  for  the  season.  A 
"war  workers"  show  will  be  given  at  1:15 
A.M.  on  Saturdays. 

The  first  drive-in  to  open  in  the  Cleveland 
area  was  the  Lima,  operated  by  Horace 
Shock.  Boyer's  Auto  theatre  in  Strassburg 
and  the  Starlight  drive-in  at  Akron,  also 
were  opened.  The  Northwest  Motor-in,  be- 
tween Seattle  and  Tacoma,  Wash.,  reopened 
for  the  1943  season  last  week.  The  theatre 
will  operate  three-day  weekends  only,  and 
last  year's  double  feature  policy  has  been 


changed  to  singles  with  shorts  and  news- 
reels,  two  shows  nightly. 

Reopening  of  the  Dartmouth  Auto  thea- 
tre, located  half  way  between  Fall  River  and 
New  Bedford  on  the  Grand  Army  Highway, 
is  under  consideration.  The  Illinois  Drive- 
in  Theatre  Corporation  this  week  announced 
the  reopening  of  the  drive-in  at  Waukegan 
and  Golf  Roads,  Morton  Grove,  111. 

Only  One  Outdoor 
House  in  St.  Louis 

St.  Louis'  only  outdoor  film  theatre  for 
motorists,  the  Drive-In,  opened  for  the  sea- 
son on  April  24th.  Attendance  the  first  night 
was  approximately  half  of  last  year's  open- 
ing night  total.  S.  M.  Taft,  manager  of  the 
theatre,  estimates  that  gasoline  rationing 
will  cut  attendance  at  about  the  same  pro- 
portion all  summer.  The  theatre  will  con- 
tinue to  operate,  however,  as  long  as  pleasure 
driving  is  allowed. 

The  Drive-in  on  Highway  40,  near  Kan- 
sas City,  opened  last  week,  with  Michael 
Roth  as  manager. 

It  is  one  of  the  Midwest  Drive-in  Theatres 
group.  Patronage  is  expected  from  among 
war  workers  driving"  from  plants  in  Kansas 
City,  en  route  to  home  or  factory.  Admis- 
sion prices  were  increased  from  35  to  40 
cents,  including  tax. 

Round-the-clock  operation  of  a  first  run 
house  is  being  tried  by  the  Woods  theatre, 
Chicago,  to  attract  war  workers  who  seek 
relaxation. 

For  summer  stock  in  the  "straw-hat"  cir- 
cuit, the  outlook  this  year  is  the  blackest  in 
many  years,  according  to  observers.  Only 
about  10  or  12  theatres  are  expected  to  open. 
It  was  indicated,  however,  that  summer  stock 
operators  may  bring  the  "straw-hat"  into 
city  hotels.  Last  summer,  Theron  Bam- 
berger, who  operated  the  Bucks  County 
Playhouse  in  New  Hope,  Pa.,  moved  into 
the  ballroom  of  the  Bellevue-Stratford  Hotel 
in  Philadelphia.  A  stock  unit  also  operated 
at  the  Willard  Hotel  in  Washington  last 
year.  The  Bucks  County  group  again  will 
present  shows  at  the  Bellevue-Stratford. 

Two  Theatres  Added 
To  Subway  Circuit 

Thus  far,  the  legitimate  summer  circuit  is 
as  follows:  Jasper  Deeter's  Hedgerow  thea- 
tre at  Moylan  Rose  Valley,  Pa.,  will  con- 
tinue this  year,  as  will  the  Cape  theatre, 
Cape  May,  N.  J.,  and  the  Berkshire  Country 
Club  Players,  in  Massachusetts.  Prospects 
for  a  good  season  are  expected  by  J.  J.  Lev- 
enthal,  who  operate  the  "subway"  circuit  out 
of  New  York.  In  addition  to  the  Windsor 
theatre  in  the  Bronx,  Flatbush  in  Brooklyn 
and  Central  in  Passaic,  he  will  bring  stock 
companies  to  two  new  theatres  in  his  circuit, 
the  Audubon,  in  Manhattan,  and  the  Mosque, 
in  Newark.  Mr.  Leventhal  also  is  negoti- 
ating to  lease  the  Forrest  theatre,  Philadel- 
phia, for  the  summer. 

One  or  two  companies  of  stock  are  ex- 
pected to  operate  in  Detroit,  Chicago,  St. 
Louis  and  Cambridge,  Mass. 


THE  NEW  YORK  TIMES,  TUESDAY,  APRIL  27,  It 


h«*y  Mark  With  1 

,  °  through  ~  Music  tr  a 
th*  tntt**  ye**%  *  A? 


46 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


May    8,  1943 


Theatres  Extend  Bond  v™ety  Cluh 

Gives  'C  Award 


Sales  Campaigns 


Premieres,  Rallies  Staged 
by  Theatre  Operators  to 
Boost  Drive  Totals 

Despite  official  termination  of  the  Treas- 
ury's Second  War  Loan  drive  last  Friday 
night,  exhibitors  this  week  continued  to  ex- 
ert every  effort  to  raise  War  Bond  totals  in 
their  territories  and  to  participate  in  current 
campaigns  being  executed  in  behalf  of  war 
relief  agencies. 

A  total  of  $1,100,000  was  raised  last  week 
at  the  million  dollar  War  Bond  premiere 
which  introduced  the  new  first  run  policy 
of  the  Loew-Poli  Bijou  theatre  in  New 
Haven.  Although  the  house  seats  only 
1,500,  many  patrons  bought  large  quantities 
of  bonds  but  accepted  only  one  or  two  seats, 
the  circuit  reported.  Red  Skelton,  MGM 
star,  made  a  personal  appearance  for  the 
event  and  other  talent  included  Charles 
Kullman,  opera  star,  and  Bea  Wain,  radio 
singer.  Harry  F.  Shaw,  division  manager 
of  Loew-Poli  in  New  England,  was  master 
of  ceremonies. 

Stars  To  Appear  at 
Greek  Relief  Show 

Every  major  film  company  will  contribute 
talent  to  the  Greek  War  Relief  benefit  show 
scheduled  for  May  18th  at  Madison  Square 
Garden,  Edward  L.  Alperson,  chairman  of 
the  entertainment  committee,  wired  New 
York  headquarters  from  Hollywood  last 
Friday.  Mr.  Alperson  was  scheduled  to  re- 
turn to  New  York  this  week  with  a  partial 
list  of  the  stars  who  will  travel  east  for 
the  show.  The  Paramount,  Roxy  and  Radio 
City  Music  Hall  each  will  stage  one  pro- 
duction number  at  the  benefit.  Outstanding 
radio  and  night  club  singers  and  dancers  also 
are  scheduled  to  appear. 

The  Variety  Clubs  of  Washington  and 
Pittsburgh  will  be  honored  by  the  Treasury 
Department  in  recognition  of  their  War 
Bond  sales  efforts,  it  was  announced  by 
Carlton  Duffus,  Treasury  official  in  Wash- 
ington this  week.  Two  Flying  Fortresses 
will  be  named,  respectively,  "Variety  Club 
of  Washington,  D.  C."  and  "Variety  Club 
of  Pittsburgh."  Mr.  Duffus  said  that  both 
clubs,  through  their  sponsorship  of  War 
Bond  premieres  of  "Ice-Capades  of  1943" 
had  sold  more  than  $4,000,000  in  bonds. 

$300,000  Quota 
Set  for  Rally 

A  quota  of  $300,000  in  War  Bonds  has 
been  set  by  William  S.  Canning,  manager 
of  the  Empire  theatre,  Fall  River,  of  the 
Interstate  Theatre  Corporation,  for  the  May 
18th  visit  to  that  city  of  the  Japanese  sub- 
marine seized  at  Pearl  Harbor.  Mr.  Can- 
ning was  appointed  chairman  of  proceedings 
for  the  day  in  recognition  of  his  work  as 
regional  Bond  sales  director.  He  has 
adopted  the  slogan,  "$1,000  a  minute"  for 
Bond  sales  during  the  undersea  craft's  visit. 
Two  prominent  residents  of  the  city  already 
have  purchased  $25,000  in  War  Bonds,  he 
announced,  and  a  third  has  bought  $15,000 


worth.  Mr.  Canning  reported  that  within 
the  past  six  months,  $500,000  in  Bonds  and 
Stamps  were  sold  by  the  Empire  theatre. 

Enough  Bonds  to  buy  five  jeeps  have  been 
sold  by  83  employees  of  the  Schine  circuit's 
home  office  in  Gloversville,  N.  Y.,  it  was 
announced  this  week.  The  total  amount  led 
all  sales  in  war  plants  in  the  city. 

Century  Circuit's  Patio  theatre  in  Brook- 
lyn, N.  Y.,  staged  a  Bond  rally  last  Thurs- 
day night  at  which  a  total  of  $850,000  in 
Bond^  was  sold.  Nearly  2,000  patrons  pur- 
chased a  Bond  as  their  price  of  admission 
and  it  was  estimated  that  the  amount  raised 
was  sufficient  to  buy  two  submarine  chasers. 

Red  Cross  Collections 
Hit  Record  Marks 

The  motion  picture  industry  in  the  Phila- 
delphia area  contributed  a  total  of  $97,456 
to  the  American  Red  Cross,  it  was  reported 
this  week.  The  total  includes  collections  of 
$86,319  made  during  the  week  of  April  1st 
at  more  than  200  theatres  in  the  area,  with 
$11,136  in  contributions  from  theatre  corpo- 
rations, executives  and  employees. 

Warner's  Ohio,  Madison  and  Majestic 
theatres,  in  addition  to  the  Park  and  Ritz, 
in  Mansfield,  Ohio,  collected  a  total  of  $1,- 
431.27  in  the  Red  Cross  drive  for  the  week 
of  April  1  to  7,  it  has  been  reported  by 
Grattan  Johnson,  Warner  city  manager.  Mr. 
Johnson  is  county  chairman  of  the  War 
Activities  Committee  for  that  district. 

Wilkes-Barre's  theatre  division  of  the  Red 
Cross  war  fund  drive  raised  $5,316  in  film 
house  collections.  A  full  week's  receipts  at 
three  Sablosky  theatres  in  Norristown,  Pa., 
were  turned  into  War  Bonds.  The  contribu- 
tions covered  receipts  for  the  week  ended 
May  1st  at  the  circuit's  Norris,  Grand  and 
Garrick  houses. 

Fred  Schwartz,  War  Activities  Commit- 
tee co-chairman,  announced  in  New  York 
last  Friday  that  the  current  Red  Cross  cam- 
paign to  recruit  Army  and  Navy  nurses 
would  receive  help  from  exhibitors  in  New 
York  City  and  the  Bronx.  Aid  will  be  given 
in  the  form  of  window  cards  asking  for  re- 
cruits from  film  patrons. 

Exhibitors  Aid  Red 
Cross  Blood  Bank 

War  Activities  Committee  headquarters  re- 
ported this  week  that  exhibitors  in  the  New 
York  exchange  area  had  sent  more  than  15,000 
blood  donors  to  the  American  Red  Cross  blood 
banks  since  the  start  of  the  theatres  drive  on 
February  8th.  The  campaign,  which  each  week 
encompasses  a  different  group  of  film  houses 
in  order  to  tap  the  complete  resources  of  the 
city,  secured  1,625  donations  for  the  week  end- 
ing April  19th,  bringing  the  total  to  15,830.  The- 
atres reporting  for  that  week  were  :  Loew's  Lin- 
coln Square,  RKO  81st  Street,  the  Academy  of 
Music,  Loew's  72nd  Street,  the  RKO  23rd 
Street  and  the  Globe. 

Reports  have  been  received  at  local  War 
Activities  Committee  headquarters  from  310  of 
the  397  theatres  in  the  Kanss  City  exchange  area 
that  had  pledged  support  for  the  Red  Cross 
Drive.  The  total  collected  at  these  theatres  is 
$52,026.28.    Returns  are  still  coming  in. 


for  War  Effort 

Ten  Minneapolis  territory  exhibitors  were 
presented  "C"  awards  certificates  on  Tuesday  by 
the  Variety  Club  of  the  Twin  Cities,  designat- 
ing consistent  and  wholehearted  cooperation 
with  the  theatres'  war  effort.  Robert  J.  O'Don- 
nell,  National  Variety  head,  presented  the 
awards  at  a  dinner  in  the  Nicollet  Hotel,  Min- 
neapolis. 

Three  other  showmen  were  awarded  gold 
watches  by  Variety  for  exceeding  quotas  in 
their  respective  divisions  in  the  Red  Cross  fund 
drive.  They  are  Len  F.  Roberts,  Faulkton, 
S.  D. ;  George  Rauerhorst,  Fulda,  Minn.,  and 
John  B.  Cliplef,  Montevideo,  Minn. 

John  J.  Friedl,  Northwest  Theatres  War 
Activities  Chairman,  announced  that  Red  Cross 
collections  had  climbed  to  $110,000,  with  601  of 
709  theatres  reporting.  The  figure  already  is 
double  that  of  the  biggest  similar  drive  ever 
staged.  Recipients  of  "C  awards  were  Otis 
Engen,  Rugby,  N.  D. ;  John  B.  Cliplef,  Monte- 
video, Minn. ;  George  Grandstrom,  Grandview 
theatre,  St.  Paul ;  R.  G.  Rich,  Appleton,  Minn. ; 
E.  L.  Peaslee,  Stillwater,  Minn. ;  Frank  Steffy, 
State  Theatre,  Minneapolis ;  William  Clifford, 
Albertlea,  Minn. ;  E.  A.  Koeniguer,  Albertlea, 
Minn. ;  Joseph  Eschelman,  Paramount  theatre, 
St.  Paul,  and  Don  Buckley,  Redwood  Falls. 

Mr.  Friedl  sketched  Mr.  Engen's  accomplish- 
ments as  typical.  In  a  town  of  2,215,  he  col- 
lected $190  for  Army-Navy  relief,  sold  $31,100 
in  bonds,  collected  $789  during  United  Nations 
Week,  salvaged  1,096  pounds  of  copper  and  col- 
lected $452  for  the  Red  Cross,  besides  showing 
all  government  shorts. 

Mr.  O'Donnell  announced  the  Minneapolis 
territory  had  salvaged  387,000  pounds  of  copper, 
leading  the  nation.  This  record  was  instru- 
mental in  securing  replacements  from  the  War 
Production  Board,  it  was  reported. 


Connecticut  Exhibitors  on 
Governor's  War  Council 

Herman  M.  Levy,  New  Haven  exhibitor,  was 
named  theatre  industry  representative  on  the 
Connecticut  War  Council  last  week  by  Gov- 
ernor Raymond  E.  Baldwin. 

Mr.  Levy,  who  is  secretary  of  the  MPTO  of 
Connecticut,  is  chairman  of  the  governor's 
theatre  advisory  committee. 

Exhibitors  named  to  the  committee  by  Gov- 
ernor Baldwin  are  Dr.  Jacob  Fishman,  Louis 
A.  Schaefer  and  Daniel  Pouzzner  of  New 
Haven ;  Henry  A.  Johnson,  Danielson ;  Mat- 
thew L.  Saunders,  Bridgeport;  Irwin  Wheeler, 
New  Canaan;  John  J.  Scanlon,  Torrington,  and 
state  representative  Irving  C.  Jacocks,  Jr.,  of 
Branford. 


Get  Distribution  Rights 

The  Modern  Film  Corporation  and  Leo  Se- 
ligman  have  acquired  the  joint  distribution 
rights  of  the  film,  "Gyandev  of  India,"  for  the 
United  States  and  Canada.  The  picture  re- 
cently had  its  premiere  at  the  Little  Carnegie 
theatre  in  New  York. 


Exchange  Incorporated 

The  Philadelphia  exchange  of  Republic  Pic- 
tures assumed  a  corporate  status  recently  when 
Republic,  a  Delaware  corporation,  filed  appli- 
cation with  the  -Pennsylvania  State  Depart- 
ment for  a  certificate  of  authority  to  do  busi- 
ness in  the  state  as  a  corporation. 


Offices  to  Salt  Lake  City 

J.  T.  Sheffield,  of  Sheffield-Republic  Pictures, 
has  transferred  the  exchange  offices  in  Butte, 
Mont.,  to  Salt  Lake  City.  The  shipping  de- 
partment, however,  remains  in  Butte. 


RKO  RADIO  PICTURES,  Inc. 

TRADE  SHOWINGS 

SPITFIRE 

Presented  by  SAMUEL  GOLDWYN 


BRANCH 

PLACE  OF  SHOWING 

ADDRESS 

DAY  AND  DATE 

TIME 

Albany 

Fox  Projection  Rm. 

1052  Broadway 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Atlanta 

RKO  Proiection  Rm 

191  Walton  St 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Boston 

RKO  Proiection  Rm 

1 22  Arlinaton  St 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Charlotte 

Fox  Projection  Rm. 

308  So.  Church  St 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Chicago 

RKO  Projection  Rm. 

1 300  So.  Wabash  Ave. 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Cincinnati 

RKO  Theatre  Proj.  Rm. 

1 2  E.  6th  St. 

Mon. 

5/24 

8:30  P.M. 

Cleveland 

Fox  Projection  Rm. 

2219  Payne  Ave. 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Dallas 

Fox  Projection  Rm. 

1801  Wood  St. 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Denver 

Pnmmount  Proi  Rm 

2100  Stout  St 

mm  1  w  w    \^  1  w  W  1         1  * 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Des  Moines 

Fox  Proiection  Rm 

1300  High  St. 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Detroit 

Max  Blumenthal  Proj.  Rm. 

2310  Cass  Ave. 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Indianapolis 

Fox  Proiection  Rm. 

326  No.  Illinois  Ave. 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Kansas  City 

Pnmmount  Proi  Rm 

1    VI  1  \A  1  1  1  \s  Ul  1  1    1    1  Vl  •    1  \  1  1  r  , 

1802  Wyandote 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Los  Angeles 

RKO  Proiprtion  Rm 

1980  So.  Vermont  Ave 

1  *  w  \^    \J  \J  ■      T  w  1  I  1  1  \^  III    '    *  *  • 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Memphis 

* 

Fox  Projection  Rm. 

151  Vance  Ave. 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Milwaukee 

Warner  Projection  Rm. 

212  W.  Wisconsin  Ave. 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Minneapolis 

Fox  Projection  Rm. 

1015  Currie  Ave. 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

New  Haven 

Fox  Projection  Rm. 

40  Whiting  St. 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

New  Orleans 

Fox  Projection  Rm. 

200  So.  Liberty  St. 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

New  York 

RKO  Projection  Rm. 

630  Ninth  Ave. 

Mon. 

5/24 

1 1 :00  A.M.  &  2:30  P.M. 

Oklahoma  City 

Fox  Projection  Rm. 

10  No.  Lee  St. 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Omaha 

Fox  Projection  Rm. 

1 502  Davenport  St. 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Philadelphia 

RKO  Projection  Rm. 

250  No.  13th  St. 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Pittsburgh 

RKO  Projection  Rm. 

1623  Blvd.  of  Allies 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Portland 

Star  Preview  Rm. 

925  N.W.  19th  St. 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

St.  Louis 

S'Renco  Projection  Rm. 

3143  Olive  St. 

Tues. 

5/25 

2:30  P.M. 

Salt  Lake  City 

Fox  Projection  Rm. 

216  E.  1st  St.  So. 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

San  Francisco 

RKO  Projection  Rm. 

251  Hyde  St. 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Seattle 

Jewel  Box  Projection  Rm. 

2318-2nd  Ave. 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

Sioux  Falls 

Hollywood  Theatre 

212  No.  Philips  Ave. 

Mon. 

5/24 

10:30  A.M. 

Washington 

Fox  Projection  Rm. 

932  New  Jersey  Ave. 

Mon. 

5/24 

2:30  P.M. 

48 

Paramount  Net 
Profit  for  1942 
$13,125,436 

Paramount  Pictures  showed  a  net  profit  of 
$13,125,436  for  1942  in  its  annual  report  issued 
last  Saturday.  The  figure  was  after  all  charges 
including  interest,  taxes,  depreciation  and 
$3,000,000  reserve  for  contingencies.  In  addi- 
tion, Paramount's  net  interest  as  a  stockholder 
in  partially-owned  companies  amounted  to 
$1,506,214. 

The  company's  combined  consolidated  earn- 
ings and  share  of  undistributed  profits  for  the 
year  totaled  $14,631,650,  compared  with  $10,- 
251,242  for  1941.  The  amount  earned  per  com- 
mon share  for  the  year  was  $4.74  after  deduct- 
ing preferred  dividend  requirements,  as  com- 
pared with  $3.41  in  the  preceding  year. 

The  company's  balance  sheet  showed  cash  of 
$25,539,300  on  Jan.  2,  1943,  of  which  $3,360,596 
is  held  by  foreign  subsidiaries.  Current  assets 
were  $57,836,953,  and  current  liabilities  $17,219,- 
018,  leaving  $40,617,935  as  working  capital. 
During  the  year  dividends  were  paid  aggregat- 
ing $3,811,198,  representing  dividends  at  the 
rate  of  6  per  cent  per  annum  on  the  first  pre- 
lerred  stock,  6  per  cent  per  annum  on  the  sec- 
ond preferred  stock  to  date  of  redemption  on 
February  3rd,  1942,  and  $1.05  per  share  on  the 
common  stock.  The  regular  quarterly  dividend 
of  $1.50  per  share  on  the  first  preferred  stock 
and  30  cents  per  share  on  the  common  stock 
were  paid  on  April  1st,  1943. 

Purchases  for  the  sinking  fund  during  the 
year  aggregated  $4,191,000  principal  amount. 
The  company's  total  1942  income  amounted  to 
$126,989,168.  Expenses  were  $90,077,139.  Dur- 
ing the  year,  $6,905,000  principal  amount  of  4 
per  cent  debentures  were  issued  of  which 
$5,700,000  were  issued  in  exchange  for  notes 
payable  to  banks  representing  the  unpaid  bal- 
ance of  funds  borrowed  in  January,  1942,  and 
$1,205,000  were  issued  in  exchange  for  corporate 
notes  and  other  obligations. 

RCA  1st  Quarter 
Net  $2,595,000 

The  Radio  Corporation  of  America  on  Tues- 
day reported  a  net  profit,  after  taxes,  of  $2,595,- 
000  for  the  first  quarter  of  1943.  The  figure  rep- 
resents a  three  per  cent  decrease  from  the 
quarterly  profit  of  $2,667,000  for  the  same  period 
last  year. 

The  earnings  for  the  quarter  ended  March 
31st,  totaled  $8,936,000,  before  taxes,  an  increase 
of  18  per  cent  over  the  same  quarter  in  1942. 
Federal  income  taxes,  however,  amounted  to 
$6,341,000.  Earnings  per  common  share  were 
12.9  cents  as  compared  with  13.4  in  1942. 

David  Sarnoff,  president  of  RCA,  in  review- 
ing the  second  year  of  America's  radio  partici- 
pation in  the  war,  told  stockholders  attending 
the  company's  24th  annual  meeting  that  every 
effort  of  RCA  was  concentrated  on  the  country's 
goal  for  victory.  Mr.  Sarnoff  said  RCA  per- 
sonnel numbered  38,027  as  of  May  1st,  an  in- 
crease of  7,566  since  the  beginning  of  last  year. 
He  described  absenteeism  in  RCA  as  being  the 
lowest  in  any  company  studied  thus  far. 

Consolidated  gross  business  of  RCA  during  the 
first  quarter  of  1943  was  announced  by  Mr. 
Sarnoff  as  aggregating  $67,283_.000  an  increase 
of  52  per  cent  over  last  year's  quarter  of 
$44,141,000. 


Levin  Joins  National  Screen 

Ed  Levin,  film  salesman  in  Philadelphia  for 
many  years,  has  joined  National  Screen  Service 
as  a  salesman  in  the  Pittsburgh  territory. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

$33,340.84  Net  in  1942 
For  Canadian  Company 

Confederation  Amusements  Limited  of  Mon- 
treal, in  its  15th  annual  report  to  stockholders, 
showed  net  earnings  after  operating  charges 
and  tax  provisions,  of  $33,340.84  for  1942.  The 
company  paid  two  dividends  of  $3.00  each  dur- 
ing the  year  to  holders  of  preferred  shares. 

Theatre  revenue  amounted  to  $821,852.35  dur- 
ing 1942  exclusive  of  income  derived  from  the 
half  ownership  in  the  Savoy  theatre,  operations 
of  which  brought  $24,622.50. 

20th-Fox  Profit 
$10,609,784; 
Twice  1941 

The  annual  report  of  Twentieth  Century- 
Fox,  issued  on  Monday,  showed  that  the  com- 
pany had  net  profits  of  $10,609,784  for  the  year 
ended  December  26,  1942.  The  consolidated 
net  profit  for  the  preceding  year  was  $4,921,926. 

The  company  estimated  1942  federal  income 
taxes  at  $7,460,000,  included  in  which  was  $2,- 
610,000  of  excess  profits  tax  less  the  post  war 
credit.  The  consolidated  net  income  of  Nation- 
al Theatres  Corporation  amounted  to  $3,382,- 
015  for  1942,  almost  $1,000,000  more  than  the 
1941  net  of  $2,397,246.  Twentieth  Century- 
Fox  owns  42  per  cent  of  the  outstanding  capi- 
tal stock  of  National  Theatres  and  its  interest 
in  the  year's  earnings  amounted  to  $1,420,- 
446,  of  which  it  received  $756,000  in  dividends 
in  1942.  The  report  also  showed  net  profit  of 
$109,355  for  the  Roxy  Theatre,  Inc. 

Current  assets  of  $50,441,959  are  shewn  in 
the  company's  consolidated  balance  sheet,  while 
liabilities  totaled  $13,460,904.  Foreign  curren- 
cies amounted  to  $3,500,000  and  were  derived 
from  the  release  of  frozen  fund's.  Total  1942 
income  amounted  to  $69,051,950  during  the 
year,  and  expenses  were  $53,110,480. 

PRC  Sets  Larger  Budgets 
For  Future  Productions 

Future  productions  of  the  Producers  Re- 
leasing Corporation  will  be  allotted  larger  bud- 
gets, according  to  Arthur  Greenblatt,  vice-presi- 
dent in  charge  of  sales.  The  success  of  "Cor- 
regidor"  has  prompted  company  officials  to 
approve  the  new  policy,  it  was  reported. 

Mr.  Greenblatt  disclosed  that  eight  pictures 
are  currently  in  the  cutting  room  and  all  will 
be  available  for  release  during  the  next  five 
months.  Leon  Fromkess,  studio  production  head, 
is  expected  to  bring  prints  of  "Submarine  Base" 
to  New  York  so  that  O.  Henry  Briggs,  PRC 
president  may  view  them  sometime  during  this 
month. 

Film  Stocks  Reach  New 
Highs  on  N.  Y.  Exchange 

Paramount,  RKO  and  Warner  Brothers 
stocks  at  Monday's  closing  achieved  new  highs 
following  the  day's  trading  on  the  New  York 
Stock  Exchange.  Other  film  stocks  also  were 
up.  Paramount  common  closed  at  26,  fractionally 
over  its  previous  high  of  25^.  RKO  common 
was  up  one  point  to  nine,  its  previous  high 
having  been  8^,  while  its  preferred  stock  rose 
to  86^4,  a  gain  of  1%.  Warners  common  went 
to  14. 


Saville  Plans  Own  Unit 

Victor  Saville,  British  producer  and  director, 
has  received  his  release  from  a  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer  contract  in  order  to  form  his  own 
production  unit.  He  had  been  with  the  com- 
pany for  the  past  six  years.  His  last  film  for 
MGM  was  "Above  Suspicion." 


May    8  ,  1943 

Universal  Files 
Merger  Plan;  New 
Bank  Loan  Set 

Consummation  of  a  new  $4,000,000  bank  loan 
is  one  of  the  features  proposed  by  Universal  in 
its  plan  outlined  this  week  to  merge  Universal 
Pictures  Co.,  Inc.,  and  Universal  Corporation. 
The  plan  was  presented  Monday  by  the  two 
companies  to  the  New  York  state  supreme  court 
which  was  asked  to  rule  on  its  fairness.  The 
merger  would  terminate  the  minority  stockhold- 
ers' action  instituted  under  the  title,  Posen  vs. 
Universal  Pictures,  et  al. 

New  York  Supreme  Court  Justice  William 
T.  Collins  on  Monday  set  the  date  for  hearing 
on  objections  for  May  19th.  The  filing  of  the 
merger  application  was  made  just  before  the 
trial  of  the  stockholders  action  was  to  begin. 
The  court  ordered  that  all  stockholders  be  noti- 
fied of  the  date  set. 

Under  the  plan,  Universal  Corp.  is  to  acquire 
the  business  and  assets  and  to  assume  the  lia- 
bilities of  Universal  Pictures,  and  its  name  is  to 
become  "Universal  Pictures  Company,  Inc." 
According  to  a  company  announcement,  the 
purpose  of  the  project,  as  stated  in  the  petitions 
to  the  court,  "Is  to  increase  the  efficiency  of 
operations  and  to  reduce  expenses  through  the 
simplification  of  corporate  organization  which 
will  eliminate  duplicating  and  overlapping  ac- 
tivities and  also  to  make  the  companies'  earn- 
ings more  readily  available  to  its  stockholders 
by  the  elimination  of  large  accumulated  arrears 
on  the  outstanding  preferred  and  other  restric- 
tions." 

To  Exchange  Old 
Stock  Issues 

The  plan  provides  among  other  things  that : 

The  $2,000,000  par  value  7%  second  pre- 
ferred stock  of  the  Pictures  Company  owned 
by  Universal  Corporation  (with  approximately 
$2,216,000  accrued  unpaid  dividends  thereon  at 
October  31,  1942)  will  be  cancelled; 

The  231,327  shares  of  the  Pictures  Company 
Common  Stock  owned  by  Universal  Corpora- 
tion, constituting  92.531%  of  the  total  outstand- 
ing shares  thereof,  will  be  cancelled  ; 

Universal  Corporation  will  issue  56,016 
shares  of  its  Common  Stock  to  the  holders  of 
common  stock  of  the  Pictures  Company  not 
owned  by  Universal  Corporation ; 

Execution  of  a  new  bank  loan  agreement 
which,  in  effect,  will  increase  term  borrow- 
ings by  $4,000,000; 

Retirement  by  Universal  Corporation  of  $2,- 
000,000  Ten- Year  5%  Convertible  Debentures, 
due  April  1,  1946,  and  extension  of  the  matur- 
ity to  April  1,  1950,  of  the  remaining  $2,000,000 
principal  amount; 

Redemption  of  the  presently  outstanding 
shares  of  the  Pictures  Company  8%  first  pre- 
ferred stock  at  a  cost  of  approximately  $1,- 
444,000;  and 

Cancellation  of  $2,000,000  notes  payable  of 
the  Pictures  Company  held  by  Universal  Cor- 
poration. 

Stockholders  Will 
Vote  on  Plan 

The  two  companies  plan  to  submit  the  agree- 
ment of  merger  to  the  stockholders  of  the  Pic- 
tures Company  and  stockholders  of  Universal 
Corporation  at  meetings  called  for  this  purpose 
at  such  time  as  a  ruling  has  been  obtained  from 
the  courts  on  the  fairness  of  the  plan  and  other 
formalities  have  been  completed. 

Consummation  of  the  plan  will  require  ap- 
proval by  at  least  66%  per  cent  of  the  outstand- 
ing common  stock  of  the  two  companies.  The 
proposal  has  been  approved  by  the  directors  of 
both  companies  but  may  be  abandoned  by  either 
board  at  any  time  prior  to  the  effective  date  of 
the  merger. 


ROY  ROGERS 

TRIGGER  SM 


E  WORLD'S 
SMARTEST  HORSE 


KING  OF  THE 


COWBOYS 

wah  SMILEY.  BURNETTE 


^BOB  NOLAN wTHE  SONS 
^  PIONEERS-PEGGY  MORAN 

GERALD  MOHR-DOROTHEA  KENT 
LLOYD  CORRIGAN  * 

JOSEPH  KANE-ZWan  # 

Sciee*.  Pi*?     OLIVE  COOPER  —  J.  BENTON  CHENEY 
Oxi<tc*tal  Sta-uf       HAL  LONG 

bu v  u.  s.  ujrr  snuincs  Bonos 


50 

New  Army  Film 
Series  Ready 
For  Services 

First  of  a  new  series  of  Army  orientation 
films,  titled  "The  War,"  will  be  released  to 
men  in  the  Army,  Navy  and  Marine  Corps 
this  Saturday,  May  8th.  Major  Leonard  Spi- 
gelass,  in  charge  of  the  New  York  film  produc- 
tion unit  of  the  Army  Special  Services  Divi- 
sion, characterized  the  pictures  as  a  "screen 
magazine."  It  will  be  a  continuing  series.  Each 
will  be  two  reels  in  length,  with  two  editions 
to  be  released  each  month.  The  first  two  edi- 
tions already  are  completed.  The  pictures  are 
being  produced  by  Special  Services  in  coopera- 
tion with  the  Signal  Corps  and  will  be  dis- 
tributed to  domestic  and  overseas  camps  and 
bases  by  the  overseas  motion  picture  division 
of  the  War  Department. 

The  purpose  of  the  series  is  to  inform  each 
branch  of  the  armed  forces  of  the  activities  of 
the  other  so  that  all  servicemen  will  be  ac- 
quainted with  military  news  at  hotne  and 
abroad.  A  large  part  of  the  footage  reportedly 
will  be  of  a  restricted  military  nature.  The 
series  in  no  way  can  be  construed  as  a  "news- 
reel,"  it  was  pointed  out  at  the  New  York  head- 
quarters of  Special  Services.  No  public  show- 
ing of  the  films  is  contemplated,  it  was  said, 
and  regular  use  of  the  five  newsreels  will  con- 
tinue in  Army  theatres  in  the  U.  S.  and  in 
overseas  bases. 

Master  prints  will  be  furnished  of  each 
"screen  magazine"  edition  to  the  Navy  and 
Marine  Corps  from  which  they  will  make  prints 
to  fill  their  own  needs.  Assembling  of  material 
is  being  handled  by  Lt.  Col.  Frank  Capra  and 
Lt.  Col.  Emanuel  Cohen  from  footage  submit- 
1  ted  regularly  by  various  divisions  of  the  Army, 
Navy  and  Marine  Corps. 

Court  Dismisses 
Petrillo  Case 

The  Federal  Government's  second  anti-trust 
suit  against  James  C.  Petrillo  and  the  Ameri- 
can Federation  of  Musicians,  was  dismissed  by 
Judge  John  P.  Barnes  in  the  Chicago  federal 
district  court  last  wek.  The  amended  complaint 
sought  to  break  the  ban  on  the  making  of  musi- 
cal recordings  on  the  ground  that  the  purpose 
was  to  drive  out  of  business  the  small  inde- 
pendent stations  which  depend  on  the  record- 
ings. 

The  difficulty  of  proving  such  purpose  was 
thought  to  be  too  great  under  recent  Supreme 
Court  decisions,  but  a  third  suit  is  expected  on 
other  grounds. 

Under  war  time  regulations,  the  Government 
has  until  1945  to  prosecute  cases  of  this  kind, 
according  to  Daniel  B.  Britt,  assistant  United 
States  attorney  in  charge  of  the  Chicago  anti- 
trust office  of  the  Department  of  Justice,  who 
added  that  the  Government  did  not  intend  to 
abandon  the  Petrillo  case. 

Interboro  Circuit  Leases 
Uptown  Theatre  in  New  York 

The  Interboro  circuit  has  obtained  a  long- 
term  lease  on  the  Uptown  theatre  in  New  York 
through  a  transaction  with  the  owners,  the 
Northern  Metropolis  Corporation.  Berk  and 
Krumbold  represented  the  lessee.  The  thea- 
tre, formerly  operated  by  RKO  and  seating 
1,500,  was  erected  approximately  17  years  ago. 
It  was  the  second  theatre  acquired  by  the  In- 
terboro circuit  in  the  past  two  weeks. 


WPB  Sponsors  Film 

The  War  Production  Board  has  arranged  for 
the  showing  of  "Desert  Victory"  to  war  work- 
ers in  13  midwestern  cities  as  an  incentive  to 
both  labor  and  management. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


LIGHTS  GO  OUT; 
SHOW  CONTINUES 

Lights  went  off  but  the  show  went 
on  at  the  Globe  theatre,  San  Pedro, 
Calif.,  when  power  failed  during  an 
emergency  two-hour  blackout  of  the 
Los  Angeles  area  last  week.  "The 
house  was  a  sellout.  So  I  called  over 
the  mike  for  those  who  had  flashlights 
to  come  forward  and  act  as  foot- 
lights," Lew  M.  Goldberg,  the  man- 
ager, reported. 

"We  put  on  the  stage  show  with 
their  help  and  our  battery  lighting 
system.  Community  singing,  led  by 
singer,  Lillian  Gilbert,  and  impromptu 
entertainment  by  patrons  and  acts 
kept  the  audience  interested  and 
entertained  until  the  lights  came  on. 
No  refunds  were  requested,  and 
comments  by  the  press  and  public 
were  OK,"  he  said. 

Mr.  Goldberg  started  in  show  busi- 
ness as  a  vaudeville  agent  for  Keith- 
Orpheum  out  of  Chicago.  With  his 
father,  the  late  Colonel  Max  Gold- 
berg, he  operated  a  circuit  in  the 
midwest  before  moving  to  the  Cali- 
fornia seaport. 

NTS-Bludworth 
Form  New  Unit 

Merging  of  the  National  Theatre  Supply 
Company  with  Bludworth,  Inc.,  both  subsidiaries 
of  the  General  Precision  Equipment  Corpora- 
tion, to  form  National-Simplex-Bludworth,  Inc., 
was  announced  this  week  by  Walter  E.  Green, 
until  this  action  president  of  NTS  and  now 
head  of  the  new  company.  With  the  consolida- 
tion, which  was  effected  April  30th,  NTS  was 
given  the  status  of  a  division  of  National-Sim- 
plex-Bludworth. 

Bludworth  was  formed  about  two  years  ago 
for  the  manufacture  of  newly  developed  marine 
instruments.  In  combining  it  with  NTS,  which 
was  organized  in  1926  for  the  distribution  of 
theatre  equipment,  the  latter  acquires,  said  Mr. 
Green,  "a  smooth-functioning  group  of  installa- 
tion and  service  engineers  on  mechanical  and 
electronic  marine  instruments." 

Inquiry  concerning  this  statement  brought  the 
response  at  the  NTS  offices  in  New  York  that 
the  merger  was  for  the  purpose  of  pooling 
technical  and  sales  resources  for  the  benefit  of 
each  of  the  consolidated  organizations  and  did 
not  contemplate  any  expansion  of  National's 
installation  and  maintenance  services. 

The  change  of  NTS  from  a  corporation  to  a 
division  of  another  subsidiary  of  General  Pre- 
cision Equipment,  in  no  way  affects  its  physical 
operations  or  executive  management,  Mr.  Green 
pointed  out. 

George  Friedl,  who  has  been  president  of 
Bludworth  since  its  formation,  was  named  vice- 
president  of  the  new  corporation. 


Unions  Ask  Weekly  Shows 

Local  CIO  unions  in  Baltimore  are  asking 
for  weekly  round-the-clock  performances  fol- 
lowing the  premiere  of  Warner's  "Air  Force" 
at  the  Stanley  theatre  in  Baltimore,  according 
to  a  report  by  Warners.  In  a  feature  story, 
the  Baltimore  Sun  commented  on  the  unusual 
orderliness  of  the  war  workers  who  attended 
the  midnight  performance. 


May    8  ,  1943 

Paramount  Gets 
Russian  Film 

Distribution  of  the  Russian  feature,  "Siege 
of  Stalingrad,"  to  be  released  in  the  U.  S.  as 
"Victory  at  Stalingrad,"  will  be  handled  by 
Paramount,  it  was  announced  in  New  York 
Monday  by  Neil  Agnew,  general  sales  manager 
of  the  company.  The  six-reel  picture  depicts  the 
defense  of  the  city  and  was  filmed  by  a  corps 
of  Soviet  Army  photographers.  The  film  is  now 
in  Hollywood  where  it  is  being  edited  and  an 
English  narration  is  being  recorded. 

Motion  Picture  Herald  on  April  3rd,  re- 
ported that  following  the  return  to  New  York 
from  his  Hollywood  visit,  Leonid  Antonov, 
special  representative  of  the  Soviet  Cinema 
Committee,  would  negotiate  with  Artkino  Pic- 
tures, distributors  of  USSR  films  in  the  U.  S., 
and  a  major  film  company  for  distribution  of  a 
Russian  feature-length  picture.  Mr.  Antonov, 
Nicola  Napoli,  head  of  Artkino,  and  Paramount 
concluded  the  deal  on  "Victory  at  Stalingrad" 
since  the  Soviet  film  envoy's  return  to  New 
York  10  days  ago.  The  picture  is  now  being 
distributed  in  England  by  Paramount. 

This  is  the  second  Russian  War  feature  which 
has  received  a  major  company  release.  Last 
autumn  Republic  distributed  "Moscow  Strikes 
Back,"  following  its  New  York  opening  at  the 
Globe  theatre. 

SOPEG  Letter  Salutes 
British  Film  Workers 

The  Screen  Office  and  Professional  Em- 
ployees Guild,  local  109,  United  Office  and  Pro- 
fessional Workers  of  America,  recently  sent  a 
letter  of  congratulation  to  the  National  Asso- 
ciation of  Theatrical  and  Kine  Employees  of 
England  complimenting  the  organization  on  its 
drive  to  unify  the  workers  in  the  British  film 
field. 

The  letter,  addressed  to  the  group's  general 
secretary,  said  in  part : 

"Our  members  are  both  happy  and  proud  to 
learn  that  workers  in  like  fields  abroad  have 
recognized,  as  we  have,  the  necessity  for  union 
organization  in  order  to  aid  more  fully  in 
the  successful  prosecution  of  this  war  of  the 
freedom-loving  peoples  of  the  world  against 
Fascist  barbarism." 

The  Silver  Screen  Canteen,  sponsored  by 
the  Screen  Office  and  Professional  Employees 
Guild  and  the  Screen  Publicists  Guild,  New 
York  chapters,  has  been  moved  to  larger  quar- 
ters at  the  Fraternal  Clubhouse  because  of  its 
popularity  with  service  men. 

The  Canteen  is  staffed  by  volunteers  from 
film  company  home  offices  and  is  open  one  night 
a  week,  on  Wednesdays. 

Exhibition  of  Jap  Sub 
Stimulates  Bond  Sales 

The  Japanese  submarine,  captured  at  Pearl 
Harbor,  and  transported  to  this  country,  is  now 
on  exhibition  in  Westchester  in  connection  with 
the  sale  of  War  Bonds  and  Stamps.  Through- 
out the  past  week,  the  submarine  was  on  view 
at  Times  Square  in  New  York,  and  later  in 
Brooklyn  and  the  Bronx. 

Under  the  auspices  of  the  War  Activities 
Committee,  many  stage  and  screen  stars  ap- 
peared in  person  to  participate  in  the  rallies. 
Exhibitors  displayed  22x28  lobby  cards  adver- 
tising the  submarine's  appearance  in  the  city. 
Retail  stores  cooperated  by  issuing  admission 
tickets  to  Bond  buyers  permitting  them  to  view 
the  inside  of  the  sub.  Purchasers  of  $1,000 
Bonds  were  permitted  to  autograph  the  steel 
hull. 


"Crash  Dive"  for  May  Release 

The  Twentieth  Century-Fox  film,  "Crash 
Dive,"  has  been  booked  in  approximately  50 
first  run  theatres  to  be  shown  sometime  during 
May,  the  company  announced  last  week. 


re  aetti 


MIST** 

big 


great  array  o 


mm  mp 

sad]  £o/d 


U 


S 


*  ACT'oN 


opt** 


SEU  MORE  WAR  BONDS! 


GOMES  to  come  i 


i 


52 

Appeal  Board 
Modifies  Schine 
Clearance  Cut 

Partial  reinstatement  of  clearance  for  its 
Glove  and  Hippodrome  theatres  at  Gloversville, 
N.  Y.,  over  the  Smalley  in  Johnstown,  N.  Y., 
was  won  by  the  Schine  circuit  this  week  in  the 
67th  decision  of  the  Appeal  Board  of  the  mo- 
tion picture  arbitration  system. 

The  board  decided  that  since  the  two  towns 
were  only  three  miles  apart;  that  residents 
from  each  town  visited  the  theatres;  "that  the 
combined  population  is  only  35,000  and  the 
other  communities  in  the  surrounding  area 
whose  inhabitants  go  to  both  towns  for  shop- 
ping or  amusement  are  all  comparatively 
small,"  the  original  award  by  the  Albany  ar- 
bitrator was  excessive. 

The  arbitrator,  in  Albany's  67th  case,  had 
reduced  the  clearance  of  the  Schine  theatres 
over  the  Smalley  from  30  to  12  days.  The 
award  was  appealed  by  the  Schine  circuit.  The 
board  agreed  with  the  arbitrator  that  the  ex- 
isting clearance  was  excessive  but  held  that  the 
reduction  had  been  too  great  in  view  of  the 
high  operating  standards  of  the  Glove  and  Hip- 
podrome, the  amount  of  revenue  they  returned 
to  the  distributors  and  the  extent  of  the  compe- 
tition between  Gloversville  and  Johnstown. 

Accordingly,  it  increased  the  clearance  of 
the  Glove  from  12  to  21  days  over  the  Smalley 
and  that  of  the  Hippodrome  from  12  to  14  days. 
With  respect  to  pictures  played  first  run  at  the 
Glove  and  second  run  at  the  Hippodrome,  the 
board  directed  that  the  latter's  maximum  clear- 
ance over  the  Smalley  "shall  be  sufficiently 
short  in  point  of  time  so  as  not  to  interfere 
with  the  exhibition  of  such  pictures  at  the 
Smalley  21  days  after  the  last  play  date  at  the 
Glove."  The  case  involved  Paramount,  MGM, 
RKO,  Twentieth  Century-Fox  and  Warners. 
Costs  were  divided  equally. 

New  Haven 

The  first  complaint  in  more  than  a  year 
was  filed  April  23rd  at  New  Haven.  In  a 
clearance  demand  against  MGM,  Paramount, 
RKO,  Warners,  and  Twentieth  Century-Fox, 
Ralph  Civitello,  operator  of  the  414-seat  De- 
von theatre,  in  Devon,  asked  a  reduction  from 
21  to  seven  days  of  the  clearances  of  the  Capi- 
tol theatre,  Milford,  and  the  Colonial,  Walnut 
Beach.  Mr.  Civitello  asserted  that  the  present 
clearance  is  unreasonable  and  has  injured  his 
business  over  a  period  of  three  and  a  half  years. 
He  also  named  the  Stratford  theatre,  Strat- 
ford, as  an  interested  party. 

The  clearance  complaint  of  T.  E.  Ayers, 
operator  of  the  Palace  and  Layton  theatres  at 
Seaford.  Del.,  Philadelphia's  23rd  case,  against 
Paramount,  MGM  and  Warner  Bros.,  was 
withdrawn  last  week. 

Cincinnati 

The  Belpik  Theatre  Corporation  of  Piqua, 
O.,  filed  the  11th  Cincinnati  complaint  last  week 
for  its  Piqua  and  Miami  theatres.  It  named 
MGM,  Paramount,  RKO,  Warners  and  20th 
Century-Fox  in  a  combiaed  clearance  and 
specific  run  demand.  It  asserted  clearances 
granted  in  Dayton  30  miles  distant  were  un- 
reasonable. Territorial  release  date  and  elim- 
ination  of   clearance   were   asked  for  Piqua. 

Cleveland 

Clearances  held  by  Sandusky,  Ohio,  theatres 
over  Norwalk  were  attacked  last  week  in  the 
9th  Cleveland  complaint.  The  Norwalk  Theatre 
Corporation  named  MGM,  Paramount  and 
Warners  for  its  Moose  and  Norwalk  theatres. 
It  asserted  clearance  held  by  Warners'  Ohio- 
theatre  in  Sandusky,  20  miles  distant  were  un- 
reasonable and  asked  that  they  be  eliminated 
and  Norwalk  granted  availability  on  territorial 
release  date  without  regard  to  Sandusky. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


IN  NEWSREELS 


MOVIETONE  NEWS — Vol.    25,  No.    69— President 

ends  tour  of  military  camps.   .  .  .   China's  Lidice. 

.  .  .  Production  of  arms  in  U.  S.  grows.  .  .  .  Lt. 

Mae  Oleson,  flying  nurse  who  nursed  Guadalcanal 

heroes.  .  .  .  Australian  cattle  for  Amerian  Army. 
.  .  .  Wounded  service  men  go  fishing.  .  .  .  Lew 
Lehr  newsette. 

MOVIETONE  NEWS— Vol.  25,  No.  70— Captured 
films  of  Pearl  Harbor  raid.  .  .  .  The  coal  strike 
crisis. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY— Vol.  25,  No.  267— Allies  in 
Tunisia  close  in  on  Axis.  .  .  .  U.  S.  convoy  to  Rus- 
sia fights  off  U-boats.  .  .  .  President  ends  camp 
tour.  .  .  .  Joe  E.  Brown  keeps  them  smiling.  .  .  . 
Army  nurse  at  Guadalcanal.  .  .  .  Capital  alert  for 
air  raiders.  .  .  .  Invasion  peril  stirs  Australia. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY— Vol.  25,  No.  268.— Captured 

films  of  Pearl  Harbor  raid.  .  .  .  The  coal  strike 
crisis. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS— No.  72— F.  D.  R.  acts  in 
coal  crisis.  .  .  .  Tornado  hits  Cleveland.  .  .  .  Guadal- 
canal air  ambulance.  .  .  .  Joe  E.  Brown  visits  Aus- 
tralia. .  .  .  King  George  VI  inspects  fleet.  .  .  . 
Australia  cattle  for  U.  S.  .  .  .  Woman  returns  to 
Army  shirt  factory  after  WMC  order.  .  .  .  Cart- 
wheels go  to  war. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS— No.  73.— Captured  films  of 
Pearl  Harbor  raid.  .  .  .  The  coal  strike  crisis. 

RKO  PATHE  NEWS— Vol.  14,  No.  72— Nazis  bomb 
convoy  to  Archangel.  .  .  .  King  George  visits  fleet. 
.  .  .  President  ends  war  camp  tour.  .  .  .  Joe  E. 
Brown  entertains  troops.  .  .  .  Army  tests  captured 
enemy  guns.  .  .  .  Treating  Guadalcanal  wounded. 
.  .  .  Youngest  WAAC  is  only  four  years  old. 

RKO  PATHE  NEWS— Vol.  14,  No.  73— Captured 
films  of  Pearl  Harbor  raid.  .  .  .  The  coal  strike 
crisis. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWSREEL— Vol.  16,  No.  185 — F.  D. 

R.  ends  camp  tour.  .  .  .  Allies  press  on  in  Africa. 
.  .  .  Enemy  weapons  studied.  .  .  .  Soldiers  drill  to 
head  for  Tokyo.  .  .  Jeeps  boost  bond  sales.  .  .  . 
Fliers  saved  from  jungle.  .  .  .  Joe  E.  Brown  enter- 
tains troops.  .  .  .  Angels  of  mercy  in  Solomons. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWSREEI  Vol.  16,  No.  186— Cap- 
tured films  of  Pearl  Harbor  raid.  .  .  .  The  coal 
strike  crisis. 

ALL  AMERICAN  NEWS— Vol.  2,  No.  28— Bluejackets 
carry  planes  across  sea.  .  .  .  Chandler  Owen  con- 
gratulates Willkie  on  new  book.  .  .  .  Urban  League 
conducts  drive  against  absenteeism.  .  .  .  Negro  in- 
surance men  buy  one  million  dollars  in  bonds. 


New  Publicity  Mat  Service 
Inaugurated  by  RKO 

A  new  publicity  mat  service  for  key  city 
newspapers  was  inaugurated  by  RKO  Radio 
last  week  to  prevent  local  competition  among 
the  newspapers  serviced.  S.  Barret  McCor- 
mick,  director  of  advertising  and  publicity,  an- 
nounced that  "Flight  to  Freedom"  was  the  first 
subject  to  receive  the  benefits  of  the  new  sys- 
tem. The  preparation  of  mat  material  is  to  be 
handled  by  Charles  Levy,  head  of  the  special 
newspaper  features  department,  while  the  com- 
pany's standard  publicity  mat  mailings  will  be 
continued  under  the  direction  of  Fred  Schaefer. 


Exhibitor's  Son  On  Air 

Phil  Carlin,  Jr.  9-year  old  son  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Phil  Carlin,  who  operate  the  Taylor  Street 
and  Lincoln  Theatres  in  Portland,  Ore.,  has 
signed  a  long  term  contract  with  Radio  Station 
KXL  to  give  weekly  organ  concerts  on  the 
.  Wurlitzer  organ  at  the  Paramount  Theatre, 
Portland. 


Release  Fox  on  Parole 

William  Fox,  former  motion  picture  produc- 
er, has  been  released  on  parole  from  the  North- 
eastern Penitentiary  at  Lewisburg,  Pa.,  after 
serving  five  months  and  17  days  of  a  year  and  a 
day  sentence  on  charges  of  conspiring  to  ob- 
struct justice  and  fraud. 


WAAC  Recruiting  Film 

A  Warner  Brothers'  unit  is  in  Des  Moines 
to  shoot  a  two-reel  short  subject  in  Technicolor 
at  the  Women's  Army  Auxiliary  Corps  training 
center. 


May    8  1943- 

Mexican  Labor's 
May  Day  Fiesta 
Hurts  Theatres 

by  LUIS  BECERRA  CELIS 

in    Mexico  City 

The  observance  of  Labor  Day  on  May  1st  in 
Mexico  which  resulted  in  the  closing  of  all 
theatres  brought  an  estimated  loss  of  $100,000 
in  revenue  to  exhibitors.  Usually,  theatres  are 
closed  throughout  the  day,  but  the  Government 
allowed  them  to  reopen  in  the  evening,  compen- 
sating in  some  measure  for  the  loss  of  business. 
This  year,  however,  the  strictest  regulations  in 
many  years  were  enforced. 

V 

Distributors  and  exhibitors  have  asked  the 
Ministry  of  National  Economy  for  a  ruling  on 
their  status  with  regard  to  the  recently  enacted 
law  compelling  industrialists  to  join  the  respec- 
tive trade  chambers  in  their  field.  The  film 
groups  contend  that  the  law  is  not  applicable 
in  their  case  since  the  term  industrialists  falls 
in  the  same  category  as  manufacturers.  They 
add  that  the  industry  is  not  manufacturing  film, 
but  instead  they  are  in  the  business  of  producing 
and  exhibiting  pictures. 

Alberto  J.  Pani  and  his  son  Ricardo,  owners 
of  Clasa  Films,  are  now  to  devote  all  of  their 
time  to  the  picture  industry.  They  formerly 
owned  the  Hotel  Reforma  in  Mexico  City,  and 
after  operating  it  for  the  past  eight  years, 
only  recently  relinquished  control.  The  property 
was  bought  by  A.  C.  Blumenthal,  New  York 
business  man  who  for  the  past  year  has  been 
operating  the  hotel's  night  club,  Ciro's.  He 
will  take  possession  of  the  Reforma  on  June 
1st. 

V 

The  Hollywood  Victory  Committee  is  soon  to 
be  presented  with  a  print  of  "Yolandi,"  the 
first  film  produced  by  Manuel  Reachi's  com- 
pany, Promesa  Films,  S.  A.  The  picture  was 
recently  released  in  Mexico  and  New  York,  and 
it  is  scheduled  to  be  shown  in  Army  camps 
throughout  the  United  States. 

Warners  Creates  Special 
Events  Department 

Mort  Blumenstock  Warner  Brothers'  eastern 
advertising  and  publicity  director,  has  created 
a  special  events  department  to  coordinate  ac- 
tivities on  the  company's  special  films.  The 
department  is  under  the  supervision  of  Will 
Yolen,  who  will  be  assisted  by  Frank  Arm- 
strong, Irving  Yergin  and  Abe  Kronenberg. 

Currently  assigned  to  this  department  is  the 
company's  "Mission  to  Moscow"  and  the  unit's 
next  task  will  be  "Action  in  the  North  Atlan- 
tic." The  planning  of  the  department's  activi- 
ties is  under  the  direction  of  Mitchell  Rawson, 
eastern  publicity  manager. 


Barnes  Weds  Katherine  Vincent 

Miss  Katherine  Vincent,  fashion  editor  of  the 
New  York  Herald  Tribune,  was  married  on 
Sunday  afternoon  to  Howard  Barnes,  drama 
and  motion  picture  critic  of  the  same  paper,  at 
White  Plains.  After  the  ceremony,  the  couple 
went  to  Hot  Springs  for  their  honeymoon. 


Howard  on  Spanish  Mission 

Leslie  Howard  has  left  for  Spain  on  a  mis- 
sion for  the  British  government.  The  purpose 
of  his  visit  was  not  disclosed,  although  it  was 
reported  that  it  would  not  have  to  do  with  mo- 
tion pictures. 


Allen  to  20th-Fox 

Leonard  Allen,  former  manager  of  Wometco's 
Lincoln  theatre,  Miami  Beach,  is  now  with  20th 
Century-Fox  in  Atlanta,  Ga. 


SIMONE  SIMON 
DENNIS  O'KEEFE 

wnh  MICHAEL  WHALEN  •  LIONEL  STANDER 
WALLY  VERNON  •  TOMMYE  ADAMS 

JOHN  H.  AUER  —  Director 

Screen  play  by  Lawrence  Kimble  •  Frederick  Kohner  •  H.  W.  Hanemann 
Original  Story  by  Frederick  Kohner 

BUY  U.  S. 

REPUBLIC  WAR  SAVINGS 


PICTURE 


BONDS 


54 

NAB  Hears  Paley 
Review  Radio 's 
Wartime  Role 

The  three-day  session  of  the  annual  meeting 
of  the  National  Association  of  Broadcasters  in 
Chicago  was  concluded  last  Thursday.  During 
the  sessions  such  industry  figures  as  James  L. 
Fly,  chairman  of  the  Federal  Communications 
Commission,  William  S.  Paley,  president  of  the 
Columbia  Broadcasting  System  and  Byron 
Price,  director  of  the  Office  of  Censorship  were 
heard  by  approximately  1,000  members  present. 
Mr.  Paley  reviewed  briefly  the  wartime  accom- 
plishments of  American  broadcasting  during  the 
past  year  and  said,  "Thousands  of  individual 
broadcasts  and  scores  of  networks  and  local 
stations  have  been  of  incalculable  assistance  to 
the  better  understanding  and  prosecution  of  the 
war."  He  urged  that  the  industry  cooperate  to 
discharge  the  great  obligations  of  radio  to  the 
American  public  so  that  they  might  serve  the 
hest  interests  of  the  nation. 

Mr.  Fly  said  the  industry  was  organizing  its 
plans  so  that  its  fullest  forces  would  come  into 
play  in  the  post-war  technical  developments. 
Speaking  of  a  planning  board  he  said,  "It  will 
be  drawn  from  the  ranks  of  the  scientists  and 
technicians  best  qualified  in  the  various  radio 
and  related  fields.  One  of  the  avowed  purposes 
of  the  proposed  radio  technical  planning  board 
is  to  assist  in  the  utilization  of  excess  radio 
and  electronic  equipment  remaining  from  the 
war  effort  .  .  .  from  this  undertaking  should 
flow  results  of  great  interest  and  benefit  to  the 
public." 

The  voluntary  censorship  which  radio  stations 
have  taken  upon  themselves  was  praised  by  Mr. 
Price.  The  censorship  director  warned  that  it 
was  a  mistake  to  assume  that  the  present  pro- 
cedure was  a  definite  and  final  success.  He  told 
the  NAB  that  there  would  be  no  lessening  of 
censorship  in  either  press  or  radio,  at  the  same 
time  complimenting  the  complete  cooperation 
given  his  office  by  radio  in  the  past. 

A  report  by  a  special  industry  committee 
which  rejected  plans  for  Government  subsidies 
in  the  form  of  paid  advertisements  was  unani- 
mously indorsed,  the  members  hailing  the  com- 
mittee's action  in  opposing  any  form  of  sub- 
sidies. The  matter  was  first  brought  up  by 
smaller  stations  which  are  facing  reduced  income 
under  war-time  restrictions.  But  the  majority 
of  representatives  from  this  faction  attending 
the  convention,  showed  opposition  towards  any 
proposals  leaning  towards  Government  sub- 
sidies. 

A  resolution  urging  the  radio  transcription 
manufacturers  to  institute  legal  action  against 
James  C.  Petrillo,  president  of  the  American 
Federation  of  Musicians,  in  order  that  the  re- 
cording ban  might  be  lifted,  was  also  adopted. 

National  Decency  Legion 
Classifies  Eight  Films 

The  National  Legion  of  Decency  reviewed 
eight  films  during  the  current  week,  classifying 
five  as  unobjectionable  for  general  patronage 
and  three  as  unobjectionable  for  adults.  The 
listing  follows: 

Class  A-l,  Unobjectionable  for  General  Pat- 
ronage: "Calling  Wild  Bill  Elliott,"  "Days  of 
Old  Cheyenne,"  "Death  Rides  the  Plains,"  "Gen- 
tle Gangster,"  "West  of  Texas."  Class  A-2, 
Unobjectionable  for  Adults :  "Mr.  Lucky," 
"Redhead  from  Manhattan,"  "Mission  to  Mos- 
cow." 


Blank  Donates  to  Hospital 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  H.  Blank  have  donated 
$1,000  to  the  Mercy  Hospital  in  Des  Moines 
in  memory  of  their  son,  Raymond,  who  died 
recently.  The  gift  is  to  be  used  for  hospital 
improvements. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


SHORT  PRODUCT 
PLAYING  BROADWAY 


Week  of  May  Ird 
ASTOR 

Sufferin'  Cats   MGM 

Plan  for  Destruction  MGM 

Feature:  The  Human  Comedy.  MGM 

CAPITOL 

Plan  for  Destruction  MGM 

Feature:  Presenting  Lily  Mars.  MGM 

CRITERION 

Plan  for  Destruction  MGM 

Dumb  Hounded  .  .  .   MGM 

Feature:  Assignment  in  Brit- 
tany  MGM 

GLOBE 

Ozzie   Nelson  and   His  Or- 
chestra Vitaphone 

Tortoise  Wins  by  a  Hare.  .  .  Vitaphone 
Feature:  Desert  Victory  20th  Cent.-Fox 

HOLLYWOOD 

The  Wise  Quacking  Duck.  .  .  Warner  Bros. 
Feature:  Mission  to  Moscow.  .  Warner  Bros. 

MUSIC  HALL 

Fala  MGM 

Plan  for  Destruction  MGM 

Feature:  Flight  for  Freedom  RKO 

PARAMOUNT 

Plan  for  Destruction  MGM 

Feature:  China   Paramount 

R I  ALTO 

Plan  for  Destruction   MGM 

Superman  in  the  Japoteurs.  Paramount 
Feature:   I   Walked   With  a 
Zombie  RKO 

RIVOLI 

Plan  for  Destruction  MGM 

T-Bone  for  Two  RKO 

Feature:  White  Savage  Universal 

ROXY 

Barnyard  Blackout   20th  Cent.-Fox 

Climbing  the  Peak  20th  Cent.-Fox 

Plan  for  Destruction  MGM 

Feature:  Crash  Dive  20th  Cent.-Fox 

STRAND 

Young  and  Beautiful  Vitaphone 

Riding  with  the  Stars  Vitaphone 

Plan  for  Destruction  MGM 

Feature:  Edge  of  Darkness ..  Warner  Bros. 


Play  Backed  by  MGM 
Opens  on  Broadway 

Irwin  Shaw's  play,  "Sons  and  Soldiers," 
which  is  the  first  stage  production  of  the  1942-43 
Broadway  season  to  receive  backing  by  MGM, 
opened  Tuesday  night  at  the  Morosco  theatre. 
Max  Reinhardt,  Norman  Bel  Geddes  and  Rich- 
ard Myers  are  the  producers.  Geraldine  Fitz- 
gerald, screen  star,  heads  the  cast.  The  program 
credits  Lili  Darvas,  Ferenc  Molnar's  wife  and 
former  European  star,  as  Mr.  Reinhardt's  aide. 

The  Theatre  Guild  and  its  associates  have 
made  unusual  stipulations  for  the  screen  rights 
to  "Oklahoma !",  the  hit  musical  comedy.  The 
producers  are  asking  $500,000  spread  over  a 
series  of  payments.  The  total  amount  is  to  be 
applied  against  25  per  cent  of  the  film's  gross, 
and  the  rights  will  be  leased  for  seven  years 
only.  The  period  of  the  lease  will  start  from 
the  date  the  picture  is  released,  not  earlier  than 
five  vears  hence.  After  seven  years  the  rights 
are  to  revert  to  the  Theatre  Guild. 


Ensign  Thomas  Walker  Weds 

Miss  Ruth  Anne  Shelare  of  Brooklyn  became 
the  bride  of  Ensign  Thomas  J.  Walker, 
U.S.N.R.,  at  a  ceremony  in  the  Lady  Chapel 
of  St.  Patrick's  Cathedral,  New  York,  on 
Saturday.  Ensign  Walker  is  the  son  of  Post- 
master General  Frank  C.  Walker. 


May    8  ,  1943 

Wilder  Play  Wins 
Pulitzer  Prize 
For  1942 

The  Pulitzer  Prize  for  the  best  play  of  1942 
was  given  to  Thornton  Wilder's  "The  Skin  of 
Our  Teeth."  The  announcement  was  made  on 
May  3rd  by  the  trustees  of  Columbia  Univer- 
sity. The  prizes  were  established  under  the 
will  of  the  late  Joseph  Pulitzer,  publisher  of  the 
old  New  York  World. 

The  winning  play  opened  at  the  Plymouth 
theatre  on  November  18th,  and  is  still  having  a 
successful  run.  The  play  stars  Tallulah  Bank- 
head,  Frederic  March,  Florence  Eldredge  and 
Florence  Reed.  It  was  produced  by  Michael 
Myerberg,  and  is  a  satirical  survey  of  the 
history  of  mankind,  starting  with  the  ice  age. 

"Dragon's  Teeth,"  written  by  Upton  Sinclair, 
was  chosen  as  the  best  novel  of  the  year,  Esther 
Forbes'  "Paul  Revere  and  the  World  He  Lived 
In,"  won  first  prize  as  the  best  book  on 
American  history  and  "Admiral  of  the  Ocean 
Sea"  by  Samuel  Eliot  Morison  was  recognized 
as  the  best  biography.  The  award  for  the 
best  musical  composition  went  to  William  Schu- 
mann for  his  "Secular  Cantata  No.  2,  a  Free 
Song."  The  winners  were  rewarded  with  prizes 
of  $500  each. 

Academy  to  Hear  Address 
By  British  Author 

The  Academy  of  Motion  Picture  Arts  and 
Sciences  will  hear  Hilary  A.  St.  George  Saun- 
ders, author  of  war  books  on  Britain.  He  will 
visit  Hollywood  in  order  to  discuss  the  use  of 
the  motion  picture  as  a  medium  of  public  infor- 
mation during  the  war  and  in  the  post-war 
period. 

Mr.  Saunders  wrote  such  novels  as  "The 
Battle  of  Britain,"  "Bomber  Command"  and 
"Front  Line." 

Columbia  Issues  Bulletin 
To  Aid  Exploitation 

The  home  office  exploitation  department  of 
Columbia  Pictures  last  week  inaugurated  a  new 
service  to  exhibitors  with  the  publication  of  a 
bulletin  titled  "The  Big  Idea."  The  bulletin  car- 
ries suggestions  from  showmen  playing  the  com- 
pany's product  on  publicity  campaigns  under- 
taken by  their  theatres.  The  first  issue  was  de- 
voted to  "The  More  the  Merrier,"  and  offered 
information  concerning  national  tieups,  radio 
campaigns  and  other  suggestions  calculated  to 
benefit  showmen. 

Cinema  Lodge  Installs 
Schimel  as  President 

The  Cinema  lodge  of  B'nai  B'rith  installed 
Adolph  Schimel,  Universal  attorney,  as  presi- 
dent of  the  organization  at  a  meeting  of  its 
membership  at  the  Commodore  Hotel  in  New 
York  on  Tuesday.  The  Army  film,  "The  Nazis 
Strike,"  one  of  the  pictures  in  the  "Prelude  to 
War"  series,  photographed  by  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Frank  Capra's  unit,  was  shown  as  part 
of  the  evening's  activities. 


Breen  Advises  CIAA 

Joseph  I.  Breen,  chairman  of  the  Production 
Code  Administration  has  been  appointed  an  ad- 
visor to  the  motion  picture  division  of  the  Co- 
ordinator of  Inter-American  Affairs.  He  will 
serve  as  a  consultant  without  salary  to  Fran- 
cis Alstock,  director  of  the  motion  nicture  di- 
vision. His  association  with  the  Production 
Code  Administration  is  not  affected. 


THAT  HE  WHO 
S   MAY  READ! 


.ft"*'1 


International  Motion  Picture 
Almanac  is  designed  for  speedy  refer- 
ence —  to  provide  authentic,  up-to-the 
minute  finger-tip  information  on  any  and 
every  phase  of  the  motion  picture  busi- 
ness. 

Look  at  any  issue  of  the  Almanac  and 
you  will  not  only  find  it  well  thumbed 
from  use  but  always  within  easy  reach  of 
its  owner,  for  the  Almanac  is  a  treasure 
trove  of  statistical  industry  information 
that  is  exhaustive  in  its  scope  and  unim- 
peachable in  its  authority. 

The  new  1943-44  International  Motion 
Picture  Almanac  is  now  in  preparation 
and  in  keeping  with  these  changing  times 
it  will  present  a  greater  compilation  of 
facts  and  figures  than  ever  before  — 
everything  with  which  to  check  the  past 
and  chart  the  future. 

Edited  by  TERRY  RAMSAYE 


RESERVE  YOUR  1943-44 
MOTION  PICTURE  ALMANAC  NOW! 

$3.25  Postpaid  in  U.  S.  A.,  $5  Elsewhere 


EY  PUBLICATIONS 


LER  CENTER 


NEW  YORK 


56 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    8  ,  1943 


// 


WHAT  THE 

PICTURE  Dili  FOR  ME 


\\ 


Columbia 


COMMANDOS  STRIKE  AT  DAWN:  Paul  Muni, 
Lillian  Gish — An  excellent  boxoffice  picture  and  every- 
one seemed  pleased.  The  first  picture  from  Columbia 
in  years  that  did  any  business.  Played  Sunday,  March 
7,  8.— Warren  L.  Weber,  Plaza  Theatre,  Burlington, 
Kan.    General  patronage. 

LUCKY  LEGS:  Jinx  Falkenburg,  Kay  Harris— Good 
title,  but  very  weak  picture.  Played  Sunday,  April  4. 
—Miss  Cleo  Manry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena 
Vista.  Ga.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

LUCKY  LEGS:  jinx  Falkenburg,  Kathleen  Harris— 
A  nice  program  picture,  that  covers  many  exploitation 
angles.  Played  Thursday -Saturday,  April  22-24. — Har- 
land  Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 

REVEILLE  WITH  BEVERLY:  Ann  Miller,  Wil- 
liam Wright — A  good  picture  especially  for  those  who 
like  music  with  their  screen  fare.  Many  outstanding 
radio  names  appear  and  provide  plenty  of  entertain- 
ment. We  used  it  on  Saturday,  which  was  a  mistake 
here.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  16,  17. — Horn  & 
Morgan,  Inc.,  Star  Theatre,  Hay  Springs,  Nebr. 


Metro-Gold  wyn-Mayer 


ANDY  HARDY'S  DOUBLE  LIFE:  Mickey  Rooney 
— Those  who  came  seemed  pleased  at  this  but  this 
series  has  lost  its  punch.  There  will  have  to  be  some 
changes  made  if  Rooney  is  to  stay  on  the  list  of  box- 
office  stars.  Played  Wednesday-Friday,  March  24-26. — 
Warren  L.  Weber,  Pix  Theatre,  St.  John,  Kan. 

I  MARRIED  AN  ANGEL:  Nelson  Eddy,  Jeannette 
MacDonald — Received  with  mixed  feeling.  This  type 
of  picture  has  very  little  appeal.  Played  Saturday, 
Sunday,  April  3,  4. — A.  W.  Bates,  Librarian,  Florida 
State  Prison  Auditorium  Raiford,  Fla.  Prison  patron- 
age. 

JOURNEY  FOR  MARGARET:  Robert  Young,  Lar- 
aine  Day — Had  many  good  comments  on  this  and 
business  wasn't  bad,  but  we  are  sure  getting  fed  up 
on  war  pictures.  People  ask  for  comedies;  not  musi- 
cals, just  good  old  slapstick,  so  that  they  can  forget 
everything.  Far  too  much  war  in  this  one  to  attract 
the  older  people  who  would  enjoy  it  most. — A.  E. 
Eliasen,  Koronis  Theatre,  Paynesville,  Minn. 

KEEPER  OF  THE  FLAME:  Spencer  Tracy,  Katha- 
rine Hepburn— Although  it  drew  above  average  busi- 
ness the  people  were  not  pleased.  It's  a  long  drawn 
out  windy  affair  but  will  do  some  extra  business. 
Certainly  not  worthy  of  the  top  spot  it  was  allocated 
in.  Played  Sunday -Tuesday,  April  18-20. — Warren  L. 
Weber,  Pix  Theatre,  St.  John,  Kan. 

PANAMA  HATTIE:  Ann  Sothern,  Red  Skelton— 
Pleasing  production  and  good  business. — A.  E.  Eliasen, 
Koronis  Theatre,  Paynesville,  Minn. 

RANDOM  HARVEST:  Ronald  Colman,  Greer  Gar- 
son — Swell  picture,  should  be  an  award  winner.  Packed 
the  house  for  four  days,  and  am  bringing  it  back  in 
July  for  two  days.  More  pictures  like  this  one  and 
theatres  will  be  back  on  their  own.  Played  Sunday - 
Wednesday,  April  11-14.  —  H.  R.  Cantwell,  Meyer 
Theatre,  Biloxi,  Miss. 

SOMEWHERE  I'LL  FIND  YOU:  Clark  Gable, 
Lana  Turner — Only  a  fair  programmer  that  did  less 
business  in  three  nights  than  Bob  Wills  did  in  one 
night  following.  Yet  this  had  a  high  guarantee  and 
percentage  and  failed  to  hit  the  split  figure  by  a  wide 
margin. — Warren  L.  Weber,  Plaza  Theatre,  Burling- 
ton, Kan.   General  patronage. 

WAR    AGAINST    MRS.    HADLEY,    THE:  Fay 

Bainter,  Edward  Arnold — This  is  a  grand  picture. 
Don't  miss  it.  Good  entertainment.  I  did  not  have  to 
ask  my  patrons  if  they  enjoyed  it.  Their  comment 
was,  "a  grand  picture."  Played  Monday,  Tuesday, 
March  29,  30.— Miss  Cleo  Manry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre, 
Buena  Vista,  Ga.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

YANK  AT  ETON,  A:  Mickey  Rooney— No  dice  on 
this  one.  Played  on  a  double  bill  to  only  average 
business. — Warren  L.  Weber,  Plaza  Theatre,  Burling- 
ton, Kan.    General  patronage. 

YANK  AT  ETON,  A:  Mickey  Rooney— Nice  busi- 
ness but  only  fair  picture. — A.  E.  Eliasen,  Koronis 
Theatre,  Paynesville,  Minn.  Rural  and  small  town 
patronage. 


.  .  .  the  original  exhibitors'  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 
In  it  theatremen  serve  one  another  with  information  about  the  box-office  per- 
formance of  product — providing  a  service  of  the  exhibitor  for  the  exhibitor. 
ADDRESS  REPORTS:  What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,  Motion  Picture  Herald. 
Rockefeller  Center,  New  York,  N.  Y. 


Paramount 


HENRY  AND  DIZZY:  Jimmy  Lydon,  Charlie  Smith 
— A  Henry  Aldrich  picture  is  always  good  here.  Played 
Saturday,  Sunday,  April  3,  4. — William  B.  Warde, 
Royal  Theatre,  Strandquist,  Minn.  Small  town  patron- 
age. 

PALM  BEACH  STORY,  THE:  Claudette  Colbert, 

Joel  McCrea — The  poorest  business  I  have  ever  done 
on  a  preferred  time.  Positively  no  excuse  for  this  one. 
—Warren  L.  Weber,  Pix  Theatre,  St.  John,  Kan. 

ROAD  TO  MOROCCO:  Bob  Hope,  Bing  Crosby, 
Dorothy  Lamour — A  small  town  natural,  with  two  top 
ranking  stars.  Business  good.  Played  Monday,  Tues- 
day, April  19,  20.— Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre,  Til- 
bury, Ont. 

ROAD  TO  MOROCCO:  Bing  Crosby,  Dorothy  La- 
mour, Bob  Hope  —  First  "Road"  picture  that  has 
clicked  for  me.  This  one  was  terriffic. — Warren  L. 
Weber,  Pix  Theatre,  St.  John,  Kan. 

STICK  TO  YOUR  GUNS:  William  Boyd  —  This 
series  of  Cassidy  pictures  is  quite  definitely  below 
standard,  judging  them  by  preceding  ones.  Played 
Friday,  Saturday,  April  16,  17.  —  A.  C.  Edwards, 
Winema  Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal. 

TAKE  A  LETTER,  DARLING:  Rosalind  Russell, 
Fred  MacMurray — This  made  the  customers  laugh  and 
the  manager  smile.  Can't  go  wrong  on  this  one. 
Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  April  17,  18.— William  B. 
Warde,  Royal  Theatre,  Strandquist,  Minn.  Small  town 
patronage. 

THIS  GUN  FOR  HIRE:  Veronica  Lake,  Robert 
Preston — Did  fair  business  on  this  one  but  nothing 
extra.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  March  20,  21.— Wil- 
liam B.  Warde,  Royal  Theatre,  Strandquist,  Minn. 
Small  town  patronage. 

WAKE  ISLAND:  Brian  Donlevy,  Robert  Preston— 
This  is  a  picture  everyone  should  see  whether  they  can 
take  it  or  not.  One  of  my  patrons  said,  "Yes,  it  is 
horrible  but  if  my  husband  can  take  it  surely  I  can 
see  it."  It  is  really  history.  Played  Wednesday, 
Thursday,  March  31,  April  1.— Miss  Cleo  Manry,  Buena 
Vista  Theatre,  Buena  Vista,  Ga.  Small  town  and  rural 
patronage. 


RKO  Radio 


HIGHWAY  BY  NIGHT:  Richard  Carlson,  Jane 
Randolph — RKO  sure  ruined  one  dandy  story  when  it 
did  this  half-baked  job.  No  business  and  nobody  liked 
it,  either. — A.  E.  Eliasen,  Koronis  Theatre,  Paynes- 
ville, Minn. 

LOOK  WHO'S  LAUGHING:  Edgar  Bergen,  Charlie 

McCarthy — This  clean  and  wholesome  picture  was  well 
received  by  both  the  white  and  colored  inmates.  Well 
acted  and  well  produced.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday, 
April  17,  18.— A.  W.  Bates,  Librarian,  Florida  State 
Prison  Auditorium,  Raiford,  Fla. 

NAVY  COMES  THROUGH,  THE:  Pat  O'Brien, 
George  Murphy — Doubled  with  "Johnny  Doughboy"  on 
Sunday  to  excellent  results.  A  program  that  seemed 
to  please  everyone,  and  drew  far  above  average. — 
Warren  L.  Weber,  Plaza  Theatre,  Burlington,  Kan. 

NAVY  COMES  THROUGH,  THE:  Pat  O'Brien, 
George  Murphy — Pat  O'Brien  has  a  following  here  that 
enjoys  any  and  all  of  his  pictures.  This  one  did  fair 
business  on  Bank  Night.  —  A.  E.  Eliasen,  Koronis 
Theatre,  Paynesville,  Minn. 

ONCE  UPON  A  HONEYMOON:  Ginger  Rogers, 
Cary  Grant — Absolutely  a  flop  at  the  boxoffice  here. 
Nobody  liked  it  and  they  didn't  hesitate  to  say  so, 
either.  Too  much  war.  —  A.  E.  Eliasen,  Koronis 
Theatre,  Paynesville,  Minn. 

UNEXPECTED  UNCLE:  Charles  Coburn,  Anne 
Shirley — Well  received — clean  and  wholesome — a  better 


"B"  picture.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  March  27,  28. 
—A.  W.  Bates,  Librarian,  Florida  State  Prison  Audi- 
torium, Raiford,  Fla.    Prison  patronage. 


Republic 


CARSON  CITY  CYCLONE:  Don  Red  Barry— Good 
Western  drama.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  23, 
24. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey, 
Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

FLYING  TIGERS:  John  Wayne,  Anna  Lee— Lots  of 
action.  Played  it  on  a  weekend  without  our  usual 
Western  to  much  satisfaction.  Played  Friday,  Satur- 
day, April  23  ,  24.— Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre, 
Tilbury,  Ont. 

ICE-CAP ADES  REVUE:  Ellen  DTew,  Richard  Den- 
ning— Good  little  picture  with  swell  skating,  lots  of 
everything  in  it,  but  made  the  mistake  of  playing  it,  a 
subsequent  run,  on  Sunday  and  Monday.  Played  to 
half  a  house  or  less  every  show.  Played  Sunday, 
Monday,  April  18,  19.— H.  R.  Cantwell,  Meyer  Theatre, 
Biloxi,  Miss. 

LONDON  BLACKOUT  MURDERS:  John  Abbott. 
Mary  McLeod — A  good  program  picture,  double  billed 
with  "Sombrero  Kid."  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  March 
26,  27.— Miss  Cleo  Manry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena 
Vista,  Ga.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

SOUTH  OF  THE  BORDER:  Gene  Autry— Played 
second  run  to  fair  business.  Played  Friday,  Saturday, 
April  9,  10— Miss  Cleo  Manry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre. 
Buena  Vista,  Ga.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 


Twentieth  Century-Fox 

GIRL  TROUBLE:  Don  Ameche,  Joan  Bennett- 
Good  program  picture,  which  satisfied  our  midweek 
patrons.  Played  Tuesday,  Wednesday,  April  14,  15— 
Horn  &  Morgan,  Inc.,  Star  Theatre,,  Hay  Springs, 
Nebr. 

IMMORTAL  SERGEANT:  Henry  Fonda,  Maureen 
O'Hara— Another  war  picture  that  did  not  register  too 
well  with  our  customers.  Did  well  Sunday  night  but 
dropped  off  Monday  and  Tuesday.  We  look  with  dis- 
may on  the  many  war  pictures  being  made.  Para- 
mount helps  the  cause  along  by  releasing  four  war 
pictures  in  one  block.— S.  L.  George,  Mountain  Home 
Theatre.  Mountain  Home,  Idaho. 

POSTMAN  DIDN'T  RING:  Richard  Travis,  Brenda 
Joyce — This  was  not  in  any  sense  a  big  picture  but  it 
contained  a  surprising  amount  of  good  entertainment. 
Comment  all  favorable.  Played  Friday,  Saturday, 
April  16,  17.— A.  C.  Edwards,  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia, 
Cal. 


United  Artists 


AMERICAN  EMPIRE:  Richard  Dix,  Leo  Carrillo— 
Just  fair.  Should  have  some  kind  of  an  award  for  the 
amount  of  powder  burned.  It  went  'way  overboard  in 
this  respect.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  16,  17.— 
S.  L.  George,  Mountain  Home  Theatre,  Mountain 
Home,  Idaho.    Small  town  patronage. 

HAYFOOT:  James  Gleason,  William  Tracy— Good 
little  comedy.  Our  patrons  enjoyed  it  very  much. 
Played  Monday -Wednesday,  April  12-14.— M.  Bailey, 
Strand  Theatre,  Dryden,  Ont.    Small  town  patronage. 

HOPPY  SERVES  A  WRIT:  William  Boyd,  Andy 
Clyde — Hoppy  always  pleases  the  weekend  patrons. 
Good  show.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  2,  3.— 
Miss  Cleo  Manry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena  Vista, 
Ga.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

I  MARRIED  A  WITCH:  Fredric  March,  Veronica 
Lake — Just  a  fair  picture  but  many  mentioned  enjoy- 
(Continued  on  opposite  page) 


May    8  ,     19  4  3 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


57 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 
ing  it  because  it  was  such  a  relief  from  the  many  war 
pictures.     Business    fair.     Played    Sunday,  Monday, 
April  14,  15.— S.  L.  George,  Mountain  Home  Theatre, 
Mountain  Home,  Idaho.    Small  town  patronage. 

J  AC  ARE:  Frank  Buck— Probably  the  mildest  of  the 
Buck  pictures  but  still  interesting  and  liked  by  our 
patrons.  We  double  billed  this  with  "Devil  With 
Hitler"  and  did  exceptionally  well  at  the  boxoffice.  It 
makes  a  fine  program.  Played  Friday,  Saturday, 
April  9,  10.— S.  L.  George,  Mountain  Home  Theatre, 
Mountain  Home,  Idaho.  Small  town  and  rural  patron- 
age. 

LEATHER  BURNERS:  William  Boyd— A  typical 
Boyd  Western,  never  kisses  the  girls,  always  moves 
■on,  but  satisfies  the  Western  lovers.  Business  fair. 
Played  Thursday-Saturday,  April  22-24.— Harland  Ran- 
kin, Centre  Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 

ONE  OF  OUR  AIRCRAFT  IS  MISSING:  If  we 

■ever  played  a  poorer  picture  than  this  we  cannot  re- 
member it.  Not  a  particle  of  entertainment  in  it.  If 
you  can  understand  half  of  it  you're  a  wonder.  It's  no 
good.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  April  7,  8. — S.  L. 
George,  Mountain  Home  Theatre,  Mountain  Home, 
Idaho.    Small  town  patronage. 

TWIN  BEDS:  Joan  Bennett— Mildly  entertaining;. 
Not  bad  for  small  localities.  Business  normal.  Played 
Friday,  Saturday,  April  23,  24.  —  A.  C.  Edwards, 
Winema  Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal. 


Universal 

AMAZING  MRS.  HOLLIDAY:  Deanna  Durbin,  Ed- 
mund O'Brien — Good  show  which  pleased  all.  Played 
Sunday,  Monday,  April  18,  19.— E.  M'.  Freiburger, 
Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla.  Small  town  patron- 
age. 

CHEYENNE  ROUNDUP:  Johnny  Mack  Brown- 
Good  Western  that  pleased.  Business  just  fair. — A.  E. 
Eliasen,  Koronis  Theatre,  Paynesville,  Minn. 

FRANKENSTEIN    MEETS    WOLF    MAN:  Lon 

Chaney,  Befa  Lugosi — Pleased  average  business.  Negro 
trade  ate  it  up.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  April 
21,  22— E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey, 
Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

GET  HEP  TO  LOVE:  Jane  Frazee,  Robert  Paige, 
Gloria  Jean — A  nice  little  musical  liked  by  most  of  my 
crowd.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  April  24,  25.— Wil- 
liam B.  Warde,  Royal  Theatre,  Strandquist,  Minn. 
Small  town  patronage. 

GIVE  OUT,  SISTERS:  Andrew  Sisters— Did  not 
take  so  well  here.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  March 
28,  29— William  B.  Warde,  Royal  Theatre,  Strand- 
quist, Minn.    Small  town  patronage. 

INVISIBLE  AGENT:  Jon  Hall,  Ilona  Massey— 
Horror  pictures  not  as  popular  in  this  small  town  as 
in  Chatham;  guess  they  have  farther  to  go  home  and 
burn  oil  lamps.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  April 
21,  22.— Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 

MOONLIGHT  IN  HAVANA:  Allan  Jones,  Jane 
Frazee — More  walkouts  than  on  anything  I've  played 
yet. — A.  E.  Eliasen,  Koronis  Theatre,  Paynesville, 
Minn. 

PITTSBURGH:  Marlene  Dietrich,  John  Wayne, 
Randolph  Scott — Good  picture.  Played  it  Easter  Sun- 
day, but  had  fair  business.  Patrons  liked  it.  I  had 
lots  of  good  comment  on  it.  Played  Sunday,  Monday, 
April  25,  26.— H.  R.  Cantwell,  Mever  Theatre,  Biloxi, 
Miss. 

RHYTHM  OF  THE  ISLAND:  Allan  Jones,  Jane 
Frazee — Did  not  please  as  well  as  former  musical 
shows  from  Universal.  Business  was  light.  Previewed 
April  24.  —  E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre, 
Dewey,  Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

SIN  TOWN:  Constance  Bennett,  Brod  Crawford- 
Good  action  picture.  I  had  nice  compliments  on  this 
one.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  April  10,  11.— William 
B.  Warde,  Royal  Theatre,  Strandquist,  Minn.  Small 
town  patronage. 


Warner  Bros. 

ACROSS  THE  PACIFIC:  Humphrey  Bogart,  Mary 
Astor— Exceptionally  fine  picture,  but  didn't  set  the 
world  on  fire  at  the  boxoffice.  Weather  was  bad. 
Played  Monday- Wednesday,  April  19-21.  —  Harland 
Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 

ACROSS  THE  PACIFIC:  Humphrey  Bogart,  Mary 
Astor— Real  good  action  picture  for  patrons  who  love 
action.  Many  good  comments.  Business  fair.  Played 
Monday,  Tuesday,  April  5,  6.— Miss  Cleo  Manry,  Buena 
Vista  Theatre,  Buena  Vista,  Ga.  Small  town  and 
rural  patronage. 

CASABLANCA:  Humphrey  Bogart,  Ingrid  Berg- 
man—This came  here  highly  recommended  and  in 
every  way  lived  up  to  advance  notices.  It  was  excel- 
lent^ throughout.  Claude  Rains  almost  stole  the  show. 
Business  above  normal.  Comment  very  good.  Played 
Sunday,  Monday,  April  18,  19.  —  A.  C.  Edwards, 
Winema  Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal. 

CASABLANCA:  Humphrey  Bogart— All  right  but 
not  near  as  good  as  we  expected  it  to  be.  Bogart's 
pictures  take  too  long  to  unwind  to  suit  me.  Never- 
theless it  did  good  business  and  was  enjoyed  by  most 
of  our  patrons.    Played  Friday-Sunday,  April  11-13.— 


S.  L.  George,  Mountain  Home  Theatre,  Mountain 
Home,  Idaho.    Small  town  patronage. 

DANGEROUSLY  THEY  LIVE:  John  Garfield,  Ray- 
mond Massey— Real  good  picture  that  pleased  my  pat- 
rons. Business  fair.  Played  Sunday,  March  28. — Miss 
Cleo  Manry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena  Vista,  Ga. 
Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

DESPERATE  JOURNEY:  Errol  Flynn,  Ronald 
Reagan — Better  at  the  boxoffice  than  we  expected. 
The  only  thing  we  lacked  was  a  Superman  cartoon. 
Feature  was  most  entertaining  and  thrilling  but  Super- 
man couldn't  have  done  any  more  impossible  things. 
Played  Sunday,  Monday,  April  18,  19.  —  Horn  & 
Morgan,  Inc.,  Star  Theatre,,  Hay  Springs,  Nebr. 

IN  THIS  OUR  LIFE:  Bette  Davis,  Olivia  de  Havil- 
land — Somehow  Bette  Davis  just  doesn't  click  with  my 
patrons.  The  main  comment  was,  "She  is  so  mean 
and  Olivia  is  so  sweet."  Played  Wednesday,  Thurs- 
day, April  7,  8.  —  Miss  Cleo  Manry,  Buena  Vista 
Theatre,  Buena  Vista,  Ga.  Small  town  and  rural 
patronage. 

KINGS  ROW:  Ann  Sheridan,  Robert  Cummings— 
This  picture  was  the  best  that  we  have  had  this  year. 
Was  well  received  by  a  most  attentive  audience.  This 
picture  has  had  such  a  favorable  reaction  on  the  entire 
prison  personnel,  as  well  as  inmates,  that  our  Town 
Hall  and  Forum  of  Faith  have  asked  if  we  could  get 
it  to  show  again.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  April  10, 
11. — A.  W.  Bates,  Librarian,  Florida  State  Prison 
Auditorium,  Raiford,  Fla. 

MYSTERIOUS  DOCTOR:  John  Loder,  Eleanor 
Parker — Small  picture  which  got  by  on  Bargain  Night. 
Played  Tuesday,  April  20. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Para- 
mount Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

NOW,  VOYAGER:  Bette  Davis,  Paul  Henreid— 
Nothing  but  praise  for  the  grand  performance  of  this 
star  and  the  whole  cast.  Warner  Bros,  are  sure  keep- 
ing up  the  good  product  and  this  season's  is  excellent. 
Could  recommend  this  release  as  one  of  the  best  for 
an  evening's  entertainment.  Played  Saturday,  April 
17. — A.  L.  Dove,  Bengough  Theatre,  Bengough,  Sask. 


Short  Features 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

COME  BACK,  MISS  PIPPS:  Our  Gang  Comedy- 
Very  good. — A.  W.  Bates,  Librarian,  Florida  State 
Auditorium,  Raiford,  Fla. 

BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN,  JR.:  Our  Gang  Comedy— 
My  patrons  don't  think  the  Our  Gang  Comedies  are 
as  good  as  they  were.  Just  fair. — Miss  Cleo  Manry, 
Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena  Vista,  Ga. 

DUMB  HOUNDED:  Technicolor  Cartoon— Good 
color  cartoon. — Miss  Cleo  Manry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre, 
Buena  Vista,  Ga. 


Paramount 

BEACH  COMMAND,  THE:  Sportlight— Entertain- 


ing commando  reel.— E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount 
Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

MANY  TANKS:  Popeye  the  Sailor— Popeye  always 
pleases  the  kids  over  the  weekend.  Very  good. — Miss 
Cleo  M'anry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena  Vista,  Ga. 


Pathe 

PATHE  NEWS:— Very  good.— A.  W.  Bates,  Librar- 
ian, Florida  State  Prison  Auditorium,  Raiford,  Fla. 


RKO 

FIRED  MAN,  THE:  Leon  Errol— One  of  Errol's 
best. — A.  W.  Bates,  Librarian,  Florida  State  Prison 
Auditorium,  Raiford,  Fla. 

TATTLE  TELEVISION:  Leon  Errol— Good  two- 
reel  comedy. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre, 
Dewey,  Okla. 


Twentieth  Century-Fox 

MOVIETONE  NEWS:— Very  good.— A.  W.  Bates, 
Librarian,  Florida  State  Prison  Auditorium,  Raiford, 
Fla. 


Universal 

JIVIN*  JAM  SESSION:  Musical— Good  two-reel 
musical. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre, 
Dewey,  Okla. 

MOTHER  GOOSE  ON  THE  LOOSE:  Color  Cartune 
— Good  color  cartoon. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount 
Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

SWING'S  THE  THING:  Musical— Average  black 
and  white  cartoon. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount 
Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 


Vitaphone 

FIFTH  COLUMN  MOUSE:  Merry  Melody  Cartoon 
— Good  color  cartoon. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount 
Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

FORTY  BOYS  AND  A  SONG:  Melody  Masters 
Band — Played  this  late  and  recording  was  worn  and 
very  poor.  I  believe  that  it  would  be  good  with  a 
new  print — something  different. — A.  L.  Dove,  Ben- 
gough Theatre,  Bengough,  Sask. 

GLENN  GRAY  AND  BAND:  Melody  Masters  Band 
— Very  good. — A.  W.  Bates,  Librarian,  Florida  State 
Prison  Auditorium,  Raiford,  Fla. 

HOP  AND  GO:  Looney  Tunes  Cartoon — Average 
black  and  white  cartoon. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Para- 
mount Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 


PICTURE    HERALD  May    8,  1943 

A  statistical  compilation  and 
comparison  of  Box-Office  Per- 
formance in  first-run  theatres 

Figures  directly  below  picture  title  compare  dollar  gross  with  average  gross  and  show  relative  percentage  of  all  engagements  tabulated. 

Figures  opposite  theatre  names  represent  percentage  of  tabulated  grosses  to  average  weekly  business  based  on  the  six  months'  period 
ending  December  31,  1942. 

SYMBOLS:  (DB)  Double  Bill — associate  feature  title;  (SA)  Stage  Attraction;  (MO)  Move-Over  Run;  (AA)  Advance  Admission. 


58  •  MOTION 

PICTURE 
CROSSES 


HELLO,  FRISCO,  HELLO 
(20th-Fox) 

Final  Reports: 


Total  Gross  Tabulated  $978,300 
Comparative  Average  Gross  768,223 
Over-All  Performance  127.3% 


BALTIMORE — New,  1st  week   150.0% 

BALTIMORE — New,  2nd  week   125.0% 

BALTIMORE— New,  3rd  week   106.2% 

BOSTON — Metropolitan   125.0% 

(DB)  Desert  Victory  (20th-Fox) 

BUFFALO— Great  Lakes   187.0% 

(DB)  Desert  Victory  (20th-Fox) 

CHICAGO— Chicago,  1st  week   111.9% 

(SA)  Tito  Guizar  &  Joe  Richman  Orchestra 

CHICAGO— Chicago,  2nd  week   97.6<% 

(SA)  Tito  Guizar  &  Joe  Richman  Orchestra 

CHICAGO— Garrick,  MO,  1st  week   171.4% 

(DB)  Desert  Victory  (20th-Fox) 

CHICAGO— Garrick,  MO,  2nd  week   142.8% 

(DB)  Desert  Victory  (20th -Fox) 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Palace,  1st  week   .   .   .  107.1% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Palace,  2nd  week   .   .   .  96.0% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Shubert,  MO,  1st  week  111.1% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Shubert,  MO,  2nd  week  88.8% 

CINCINNATI — RKO  Lyric,  MO,  3rd  week  .    .  70.0% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Indiana    100.0% 

(DB)  Dixie  Dugan  (20th-Fox) 

INDIANAPOLIS— Lyric,  MO,  1st  week  .   .   .  137.0% 

(DB)  Dixie  Dugan  (20th-Fox) 

KANSAS  CITY— Esquire,  1st  week   162.5% 

KANSAS  CITY— Esquire,  2nd  week   ....  125.0% 

KANSAS  CITY— Uptown,  1st  week   ....  190.0% 

KANSAS  CITY— Uptown,  2nd  week   ....  110.0% 

LOS  ANGELES— Chinese   118.5% 

LOS  ANGELES— Loew's  State   135.6% 

LOS  ANGELES— Ritz   117.0% 

MILWAUKEE— Wisconsin   139.7% 

(DB)  Desert  Victory  (20th-Fox) 

MINNEAPOLIS— State,  1st  week   140.0% 

MINNEAPOLIS— State,  2nd  week   90.0% 

MINNEAPOLIS— Lyric,  MO,  1st  week   .   .    .  112.5% 

NEW  HAVEN— Loew's   Poli   116.6% 

(DB)  Quiet  Please,  Murder  (20th -Fox) 

NEW  YORK— Roxy,  1st  week   176.0% 

(SA)  Chico  Marx  Orchestra 

NEW  YORK— Roxy,  2nd  week   148.0% 

(SA)  Chico  Marx  Orchestra 

NEW  YORK— Roxy,  3rd  week   120.0% 

(SA.)  Chico  Marx  Orchestra 

NEW  YORK— Roxy,  4th  week   108.0% 

(SA.)  Chico  Marx  Orchestra 

NEW  YORK— Roxy.  5th  week   130.0% 

(SA.)  Tommy  Tucker  Orchestra,  Victor  Borge 

OMAHA— Orpheum   116.2% 

(DB1  Time  to  Kill  (20th-Fox) 

OMAHA— Omaha.  MO,  1st  week   110.6% 

(DB)  Desert  Victory  (20th -Fox) 

PHILADELPHIA— Stanley,  1st  week   ....  178.5% 

PHILADELPHIA— Stanley.  2nd  week  ....  142.8% 

PHILADELPHIA— Stanley,    3rd    week    .    .   .  127.1% 

PHILADELPHIA— Stanley,    4th    week   .   .   .  107.1% 

PHILADELPHIA— Keith's.  MO,  1st  week.    .  166.6<^ 

PITTSBURGH— Harris.  1st  week   163.0% 

PITTSBURGH— Harris   141.3% 

PITTSBURGH— Senator,  MO,  1st  week   .    .    .  147.0% 

PITTSBURGH— Senator.  MO,  2nd  week   .    .  110.7% 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Fox,  1st  week   158.3% 

(DB  Time  to  Kill  (20th -Fox) 

SAN  FRANCISCO — Fox,  2nd  week   113.8% 

(DB  Time  to  Kill  (20th -Fox) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Fox,  3rd  week   105.5% 

(DB  Time  to  Kill  (20th -Fox) 


SAN  FRANCISCO— St.  Francis,  MO,  1st  week  161.5% 

(DB  Time  to  Kill  (20th -Foxl 
SAN  FRANCISCO— St.  Francis,  MO,  2nd  week  146.1% 


(DB)  Time  to  Kill  (20th -Fox) 

ST.  LOUIS— Fox,  1st  week   113.3% 

(DB)  Quiet,  Please,  Murder  (20th -Fox) 

ST.  LOUIS— Fox,  2nd  week   ........  90.0% 

(DB)  Quiet  Please  Murder  (20th-Fox) 

ST.    LOUIS— Missouri,    MO,    1st    week   .    .  92.8% 

(DB)  Forever  &  A  Day  (RKO) 


IT  AIN'T  HAY  (Univ.) 

Intermediate  Reports: 


Total  Gross  Tabulated  $323,700 
Comparative  Average  Gross  256,700 
Over-All  Performance  126.1% 


BALTIMORE— Keith's,    1st   week   160.0% 

BOSTON— Boston,  1st  week  129.6% 

(SA)  Sonny  Dunham  Orchestra  and  others 

BOSTON— Boston,  2nd  week   100.0% 

(SA)  Chico  Marx  Orchestra 

BUFFALO^Lafayette   180.0% 

(DB)  Destination  Unknown  (Univ) 

CHICAGO— Palace   146.6% 

(DB)  Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington  (Univ) 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Palace   91.6% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Shubert,  MO,  1st  week  .  106.6% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Indiana   100.0% 

(DB)  How's  About  it?  (Univ) 

INDIANAPOLIS— Lyric,  MO,  1st  week     .    .  125.0% 

(DB)  How's  About  It?  (Univ) 

KANSAS  CITY— Esquire    155.5% 

KANSAS  CITY— Uptown    100.0% 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  1st  week   200.0% 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  2nd  week      ....  158.3% 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  3rd  week   116.6% 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  4th  week   100.0% 

PHILADELPHIA— Fox    137.1% 

PITTSBURGH— Fulton,  1st  week   133.3% 

PITTSBURGH— Fulton,  2nd  week   80.0% 

PROVIDENCE— Majestic    178.9% 

(DB)  He's  My  Guy  (Univ) 

ST.  LOUIS— Fox,  1st  week   106.6% 

(DB)  Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington  (Univ) 

ST.  LOUIS— Fox,  2nd  week   86.6% 

(DB)  Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington  (Univ) 

TORONTO-Uptown    136.8% 


THE  MOON  IS  DOWN  (20th-Fox) 

Intermediate  Reports: 

Total  Gross  Tabulated  $359,000 
Comparative  Average  Gross  296,123 
Over-All  Performance  121.2% 


BALTIMORE— New,  1st  week   156.2% 

BALTIMORE— New,  2nd  week   118.7% 

CHICAGO— Roosevelt,  1st  week   134.3% 

CHICAGO— Roosevelt,  2nd  week    112.5% 

CHICAGO— Roosevelt,  3rd  week    100.0% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Albee   135.7% 

CINCINNATI— Keith's,  MO,  1st  week   .    .    .  100.0% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Circle   70.0% 

(DB)  He  Hired  the  Boss  (20th-Fox) 

KANSAS  CITY — Esquire   150.0% 

KANSAS  CITY— Uptown   150.0% 

LOS  ANGELES— Chinese    96.2% 

(DB)  Dixie  Dugan  (20th-Fox) 

LOS  ANGELES— Loew's  State   97.3% 

(DB)  Dixie  Dugan  (20th -Fox) 

LOS  ANGELESS— Ritz    95.7% 

(DB)  Dixie  Dugan  (20th-Fox) 

NEW  HAVEN— Loew's  Poli   92.2% 

(DB)  He  Hired  the  Boss  (20th -Fox) 

NEW  HAVEN— College,  MO,  1st  week    .    .    .  106.6% 

(DB)  He  Hired  the  Boss  (20th -Fox) 

NEW  YORK— Rivoli,  1st  week   205.0% 

NEW  YORK— Rivoli,  2nd  week   166.6% 

NEW  YORK— Rivoli,  3rd  week   116.6% 

NEW  YORK— Rivoli,  4th  week   94.4% 

PHILADELPHIA— Stanley,  4th  week  ....  107.1% 

PHILADELPHIA— Keith's,  MO,  1st  week    .    .  144.4% 

PITTSBURGH— Harris   141.3% 

SEATTLE— Fifth   Ave   97.7% 

(DB)  Dixie  Dugan  (20th -Fox) 

ST.  LOUIS— Missouri   121.4% 

(DB)  Reap  the  Wild  Wind  (Para) 

WASHINGTON— Loew's  Capitol    121.0% 

(SA)  Dave  Elman's  Hobby  Lobby 


SLIGHTLY  DANGEROUS  (M-G-M) 

Intermediate  Reports: 


Total  Gross  Tabulated  $2 1 7,400 

Comparative  Average  Gross  179,423 
Over-All  Performance  121.1% 


BALTIMORE— Century  163.6% 

BUFFALO^-Buffalo    113.3% 

(DB)  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  (Para) 

CINCINNATI— RKO   Albee                            .  107.1% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  State   100.0% 

KANSAS  CITY — Midland   150.0% 

(DB)  American  Empire  (UA) 
LOS  ANGELES— Chinese  100.0% 

(DB)  Tennessee  Johnson  (M-G-M) 
LOS  ANGELES— Loew's  State  97.3% 

(DB)  Tennessee  Johnson  (M-G-M) 

LOS  ANGELES— Ritz   90.4% 

(DB)  Tennessee  Johnson  (M-G-M) 

PHILADELPHIA— Boyd,  1st  week     ....  140.7% 

PHILADELPHIA— Boyd,  2nd  week     ....  113.5% 

SAN   FRANCISCO— Fox    127.7% 

(DB)  Mysterious  Doctor  (Warner  Bros) 

ST.  LOUIS— Loew's  State   133.3% 

(DB)  Murder  in  Times  Square  (Col) 

PROVIDENCE— State   150.0% 

(DB)  Air  Raid  Wardens  (M-G-M) 


FLIGHT  FOR  FREEDOM  (RKO) 

First  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  1 66, 1 00 

Comparative  Average  Gross  131,942 
Over-All  Performance  125.8% 


BALTIMORE— Hippodrome   135.7% 

(SA)  Jack  Marshall,  Radio  Aces  and  others 

BUFFALO— 20th  Century    174.1% 

(DB)  Cinderella  Swings  It  (RKO) 

CINCINNATI— RKO1  Palace    91.6% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Capitol,  MO.  1st  week    .  100.0% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Indiana   100.0% 

(DB)  Cinderella  Swings  It  (RKO) 

KANSAS  CITY— Orpheum   200.0% 

(DB)  Falcon  Strikes  Back  (RKO) 

LOS  ANGELES— Hillstreet    120.2% 

(DB)  Falcon  Strikes  Back  (RKO) 

LOS  ANGELES— Fantages                            .  134.9% 

(DB)  Falcon  Strikes  Back  (RKO) 

OMAHA— Brandeis   106.6% 

(DB)  One  Dangerous  Night  (Col) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Golden  Gate,  1st  week    .  125.6% 

(SA)  Vaudeville 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Golden  Gate.  2nd  week    .  123.0% 

(SA)  Vaudeville 


THE  DESPERADOES  (Col.) 

First  Reports: 


Total  Gross  Tabulated  $145,500 
Comparative  Average  Gross  .  1 17,800 
Over-All  Performance  123.5% 


BOSTON— Loew's  Orpheum    143.5% 

(DB)  She  Has  What  It  Takes  (Col) 

BOSTON— Loew's  State   121.4% 

(DB)  She  Has  What  It  Takes  (Col) 

BUFFALO— Lafayette,  1st  week    193.3% 

(DB)  Lucky  Legs  (Col) 

BUFFALO— Lafayette,  2nd  week    122.6% 

(DB)  Junior  Army  (Col) 

CINCINNATI — RKO  Albee    96.4% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Shubert.  MO.  1st  week  77.7% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Loew's    94.1% 

(DB)  She  Has  What  It  Takes  (Col) 

KANSAS  CITY— Midland    154.1% 

(DB)  Reveille  With  Beverlv  (Col) 

MINNEAPOLIS— Orpheum    117.6% 

PITTSBURGH— Harris,  1st  week   130.4% 

PITTSBURGH— Harris,  2nd  week   92.3% 

PITTSBURGH— Senator,  MO,  1st  week     .    .  82.3% 


May    8,     I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


39 


MANAGERS* 

ROUND  TABLE 


lAu  international  association  of  shozvmen  meeting  zveekly 
in  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD  for  mutual  aid  and  progress 


BOB  WILE,  Editor 


GERTRUDE  MERRIAM,  Associate  Editor 


OP 


Information  or  Cajolery 

There  are  two  distinct  approaches  to  selling  a  picture.  Some 
showmen  employ  the  method  of  informing  the  public  on  the 
nature  of  their  attractions  by  every  means  at  their  disposal, 
appealing  to  every  group  to  whom  these  attractions  have  any 
interest.  They  simply  inform  in  contrast  to  the  other  school  of 
thought  represented  by  those  showmen  who  use  cajolery,  tricks 
and  clever  ideas  to  inveigle  the  public  into  their  theatres. 

Both  methods  apparently  have  their  proponents  who  de- 
fend them  against  those  who  espouse  the  other  approach. 
One  may  place  each  piece  of  advertising  copy,  each  publicity 
story  and  each  exploitation  stunt  in  one  or  the  other  of  these 
two  categories  of  selling. 

Some  showmen  who  are  real  masters  of  their  art  employ 
both  of  these  well  known  promotion  methods,  depending  on 
the  type  of  attraction.  The  indirect  method,  using  stunts  is 
considered  necessary  in  some  theatres  to  sell  any  picture  at 
all.    In  others,  it  would  not  be  employed  in  any  circumstance. 

The  inveigling  method  is  illustrated  in  an  advertisement 
showing  a  couple  in  deep  embrace  when  there  is  no  romance 
of  any  kind  in  the  picture.  There  are  some  showmen  who 
think  the  public  won't  go  for  a  picture  unless  it  has  romance 
in  it. 

But  the  direct  method  of  approach  has  always  appealed 
to  us  more.  There  are  interesting  ways  of  informing  the 
public  on  the  nature  of  an  attraction.  It  is  better  to  inform  the 
public  fully  and  truthfully  if  one  expects  to  serve  these  same 
people  again.  If  a  patron  is  looking  for  romance,  and  is  led 
to  believe  from  advertising  that  it  exists  in  a  certain  picture, 
when  that  is  not  true,  he  will  soon  lose  faith  in  the  advertiser 
as  well  as  the  products  advertised,  in  this  case  all  motion 
pictures.  Another  example  of  what  to  us  is  an  unwarranted 
deception  of  the  public  is  the  practice  of  billing  a  feature  and 
a  short  subject  as  a  double  bill,  conveying  the  impression  that 
the  short  subject  is  a  second  feature.  The  short  subject  often 
deserves  feature  billing,  but  the  prudent  showman  will  take 
care  not  to  deceive  the  public  into  thinking  it  is  getting  two 
features  or  possibly  three  when  one  of  them  is  a  short  subject. 

Nothing  we  have  said  in  any  way  disapproves  of  the  show- 
man who  indulges  in  circus  stunts  to  attract  the  public.  The 
man  who  puts  a  cageful  of  wild  animals  outside  his  theatre  or 
in  the  lobby  to  advertise  a  jungle  picture  is  above  reproach 
on  this  score,  provided  those  animals  are  represented  in  the 
picture. 

It  is  true  that  the  screen  creates  an  illusion.    We  do  not 


continually  divulge  how  these  illusions  are  conceived  or  exe- 
cuted. But  neither  should  we  seek  to  create  the  illusion  in 
the  mind  of  the  public  that  there  are  in  any  pictures,  illusions 
which  are  not  in  fact  there. 


From  the  Editor's  Mail 

Nashville,  Tenn. — The  Fire  Department  mans  the  Bond  booth 
at  Loew's  for  Tommy  Delbridge  and  Bonds  are  delivered  by 
firemen  riding  in  the  Fire  Chief's  car.  A  pile  of  bricks  was 
brought  to  the  booth  when  the  Second  War  Loan  drive  started 
and  a  brick  added  to  Hitler's  tomb  erected  across  from  the 
theatre,  with  every  Bond  purchase. 

*  *  * 

Bushnell,  III. — D.  M.  Dillenbeck  of  the  Rialto  theatre  com- 
plains that  he  has  been  getting  the  raspberry  from  his  local 
editor  who  discovered  from  the  Round  Table  pages  that  a 
member  of  the  so-called  weaker  sex  won  the  First  Quarter 
Quigley  Award.  He  reports  the  local  editor  is  especially 
interested  in  the  Round  Table  pages  and  the  Quigley  Awards 
competition,  making  it  a  point  to  come  to  his  office  weekly 
to  read  Motion  Picture  Herald.  "Guess  I'll  have  to  try 
harder  so  that  I  may  live  down  this  ribbing,"  says  Dillenbeck. 

*  *  * 

Hicksville,  N.  Y. — The  local  plant  of  Press  Wireless,  Inc., 
was  awarded  the  Army-Navy  "E"  for  excellence  in  war  pro- 
duction recently  and  Manager  Evan  Thompson  of  the  Play- 
house theatre,  arranged  to  have  the  ceremonies  on  the  stage 
of  the  theatre  at  a  time  when  there  was  no  regular  performance. 
Nationally  prominent  citizens  as  well  as  all  the  local  bigwigs 
were  present.  While  there  was  no  financial  return  to  the 
theatre  from  this  gesture  of  good  will,  the  publicity  value  re- 
ceived was  important. 


Brattleboro,  Vt. — Vincent  Aldert,  manager  of  the  Paramount 
theatre,  saw  a  Brattleboro  boy  in  a  March  of  Time  issue  and 
asked  his  sister  to  come  down  to  the  theatre  to  identify  him. 
The  lad  had  been  with  the  R.A.F.  and  after  the  picture  had 
been  made  he  was  reported  killed  in  action.  The  second  day 
of  the  run  of  the  March  of  Time,  Vincent  got  the  Brattleboro 
Daily  Reformer  to  run  a  story  about  it.  The  paper  thought  it 
was  front  page  news. 

—BOB  WILE 


60 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    8,  1943 


BALLYHOOS  STILL  POPULAR 


A  Wells  Fargo  stage  coach  toured  Boston  recently. 
The  fellows  nearest  the  ground  are  the  showmen- 
instigators — left,  Joe  Longo  of  Loew's  theatres;  right, 
Abe  Bernstein,  Columbia  exploiteer. 


By  Photo  Art 


By  Fay  Foto  Service 

Fifty  members  of  the  Veteran's  Guard  and  Patrol,  a  civil  defense 
organization  of  Portland,  Ore.,  were  sworn  in  on  the  stage  of  the 
Paramount  theatre  in  a  ceremony  arranged  by  Manager 
Zollie  M.  Volchok. 


A  flash  front  featuring  the  flag  of  the  Fighting 
French  in  rows  of  pennants  was  used  by  Barnes 
Perdue  and  Arthur  Turner  in  Parsons,  Kansas. 
The  newspapers  gave  the  flag  display  front 
page  mention. 


This  fearsome  face  either  scared  the  customers 
or  made  them  laugh.  It  was  all  done  in  the 
interest  of  "Gorilla  Man"  at  the  Capitol,  Dallas, 
by  Louis  Charninsky.  The  wearer  of  the  mask 
was  "caged"  outside  the  house. 


Hitler's  tomb  was  built  on  the  street  across  from  Loew's  Vendome 
theatre,  Nashville,  by  Bond  buyers.  Tom  Delbridge,  manager,  arranged  to 
have  Bonds  delivered  in  the  fire  chief's  car. 


May    8,  1943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


61 


They're  In  the  Running 

The  following  showmen,  who  have  submitted  campaigns  to  the  Round  Table  in  the 
past  few  weeks,  are  eligible  for  consideration  for  Second  Quarter  Quigley  Awards.  To 
maintain  eligibility,  they'll  have  to  continue  contributing. 


ELMER  ADAMS,  JR. 
Yucca,  Midland,  Tex. 

VINCENT  J.  ALDERT 
Paramount,  Brattleboro,  Vt. 

EARLE  H.  BAILEY 
Warren,  Warren,  Pa. 

RUSSELL  BOVIM 
Ohio,  Columbus,  Ohio 

E.  R.  BRENNAN 
Bay,  Green  Bay,  Wis. 

LIGE  BRIEN 

Kenyon,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

GERTRUDE  BUNCHEZ 
Century,  Baltimore,  Md. 

JAMES  CAREY 
Majestic,  Evansville,  Ind. 

GORDON  CARSON 

Royal,  R.  William,  Ont.,  Canada 

LOUIS  CHARNINSKY 
Capitol,  Dallas,  Tex. 

MARLOWE  CONNER 
Capitol,  Madison,  Wis. 

CLAYTON  CORNELL 
Pontiac,  Saranac  Lake,  N.  Y. 

ROBERT  COX 
Kentucky,  Lexington,  Ky. 


DAVID  DALLAS 

Griffith,  Manhattan,  Kans. 

FRANCIS  DEERING 
State,  Houston,  Tex. 

D.  M.  DILLENBECK 
Rialto,  Bushnell,  III. 

HOWARD  EISENBERG 

Proven  Picture,  Hartford,  Conn. 

BILL  ELDER 

Loew's,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

DICK  FELDMAN 
Paramount,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

JACK  FLEX 

Keith,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

EDDIE  FORESTER 

Des  Moines,  Des  Moines,  la. 

WILLIAM  GALLIGAN 
Commercial,  Chicago,  III. 

STEWART  GILLESPIE 
Elgin,  Ottawa,  Ont.,  Canada 

SAM  GILMAN 
Loew's,  Harrisburg,  Pa. 

EDGAR  GOTH 

St.  George,  Staten  Island,  N.  Y. 

HERB  JENNINGS 

Holland,  Bellefontaine,  Ohio 


MURRAY  KEILLOR 

Roxy,  Cornwall,  Ont.,  Canada 

JAMES  KING 

RKO  Boston,  Boston,  Mass. 

CHUCK  LARNARD 
Appalachian,  Appalachia,  Va. 

JOSEPH  LONGO 
Loew's,  Boston,  Mass. 

JACK  MATLACK 
Broadway,  Portland,  Ore. 

LOUIS  E.  MAYER 
Palace,  Cleveland,  Ohio 

ROY  METCALFE 
Rapids,  Rock  Rapids,  la. 

J.  G.  OPPENHEIM,  JR. 
Parkway,  Chicago,  III. 

BARNES  PERDUE 
Parsons,  Parsons,  Kans. 

LESTER  POLLOCK 
Loew's,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

HARRY  ROSE 

Globe,  Bridgeport,  Conn. 

MOLLIE  STICKLES 
Strand,  Waterbury,  Conn. 

OTTO  WHITTAKER 
Grandin,  Roanoke,  Va. 


Powers  Girls  Appear  at 
"Powers  Girl"  Opening 

When  "The  Powers  Girl,"  opened  first 
run  at  Loew's  State  theatre,  New  York, 
John  Robert  Powers  and  16  of  his  models 
appeared  in  person  on  the  stage,  headlining 
the  stage  show  in  an  Easter  Fashion  Parade. 
In  addition  to  this  set-up,  Powers  appeared 
in  a  skit  with  Alan  Mowbray,  well-known 
stage  and  screen  star,  who  portrays  Powers 
in  the  picture. 

The  lobby  was  made  over  to  resemble  the 
office  of  Powers  with  displays  and  art  work 
as  well  as  11x14  photographs  of  the  girls 
mounted  on  the  boards,  in  gold  cardboard 
frames.  Color  scheme  of  the  display  was 
□rchid,  white  and  yellow  (Easter  colors).  A 
"T"  board  over  the  box  office,  also  resem- 
bling a  photograph  gallery,  with  pictures  of 
the  models,  was  equally  effective. 

A  tie-up  was  effected  with  Arnold  Con- 
stable, to  dress  the  models  and  supply  all 
clothes  for  the  Easter  Fashion  show,  gratis. 
One  of  the  highlights  of  the  deal  was  a  co- 
operative advertising  tie-up,  whereby  Ar- 
nold Constable  advertised  the  Powers  Girls 
for  three  weeks,  one  week  in  advance  of 
show  and  two  weeks  while  show  was  at  the- 
atre, in  all  their  display  advertising  in  all 
New  York  newspapers.  Loew's  State  in  turn 
gave  the  store  credit  in  their  ads. 

An  entire  window  at  Arnold  Constable's 
was  given  over  to  the  Powers'  tie-up  with 
a  display  of  the  gowns  in  the  show  with  ap- 
propriate posters,  etc.  They  also  had  post- 
ers placed  in  strategic  positions  in  the  shop 
in  all  the  women's  departments  for  three 
weeks. 


Women  Invited  to  Enter 
"Friend  Flicka"  Contest 

Morris  Mechanic,  of  the  New  theatre, 
Baltimore,  joined  with  the  Baltimore  News 
Post  in  sponsoring  a  contest  honoring  home 
front  workers  in  conjunction  with  the  Easter 
engagement  of  "My  Friend  Flicka." 

The  newspaper  published  the  contest  for 
six  days,  idea  being  aimed  at  women  on  the 
home  front.  The  distaff  side  was  invited  to 
^end  in  letters  telling  what  they  were  doing 
in  the  Help-Win-the-War  program.  Best 
letters  were  offered  war  bond  prizes  or  an 
alternate  which  was  unusual  and  novel — this 
being  free  long  distance  telephone  call  to  a 
?on,  husband  or  sweetheart  in  service  any- 
where in  the  United  States. 


Scott  Aids  Scrap  Drive 

To  aid  his  local  scrap  collection,  Boyd 
Scott,  at  the  Grand,  in  Holdenville,  Okla., 
gave  prominent  space  on  his  3,500  calendars 
to  the  Copper  Victory  show  held  at  his  the- 
atre. Heralds  were  distributed  in  the  schools. 
Daily  newspaper  ads  carried  plugs  a  week  in 
advance  and  all  school  principals  announced 
the  show.  In  addition,  Scott  appeared  be- 
fore the  students  of  two  of  the  largest  city 
schools  and  urged  all  children  to  attend. 


Elder  Publicizes  Local  Girl 

When  Cleo  Coffman,  who  appears  in 
"DuBarry  Was  a  Lady,"  visited  her  mother, 
a  resident  of  Indianapolis,  Bill  Elder  at 
Loew's  theatre  there  immediately  promoted 
the  local  columnists  for  stories  and  art  along 
the  "local  girl  makes  good  angle."  In  each 
break  the  title  was  prominently  mentioned. 


Radio  Station  Honors 
Immortal  Sergeants 

To  help  exploit  "Immortal  Sergeant"  at 
the  Laroy  theatre,  in  Portsmouth,  Ohio,  Bill 
Harwell  promoted  his  radio  station  on  a 
plan  whereby  all  local  soldiers  were  honored 
for  two  weeks  in  advance  of  the  picture's 
opening.  To  build  the  stunt,  Harwell  dis- 
tributed cards  at  the  theatre  on  which  pa- 
trons were  invited  to  fill  in  the  name  of  a 
friend  or  relation  in  the  Armed  Forces  and 
give  the  branch  of  service. 

The  station,  gratis,  devoted  fifteen  min- 
utes a  day  for  a  full  week  to  honoring  these 
men.  A  suitable  selection  of  music  was 
played  and  dedicated  to  the  boys  with  a 
direct  plug  for  the  picture  after  each  pro- 
gram. Harwell  reports  that  the  stunt  went 
over  so  well  it  can  be  used  on  any  war  pic- 
ture. 

Newspaper  Coverage  Landed 
By  Cornell  on  'Random  Harvest' 

In  addition  to  the  national  ad  campaign 
beginning  four  days  in  advance  of  the  open- 
ing on  "Random  Harvest"  at  the  Pontiac 
theatre,  in  Saranac  Lake,  N.  Y.,  Clayton 
Cornell  secured  the  cooperation  of  both  local 
papers  with  extra  readers  and  scene  cuts. 
This  media  gave  him  excellent  coverage  in 
both  towns  and  rural  area.  In  addition  to 
the  foregoing,  Clay  sold  a  full  cooperative 
page  to  local  merchants  the  day  before  the 
opening. 

Beside  the  regular  spot  announcements  on 


the  radio,  the  Hollywood  Gossip  program 
plugged  the  feature  gratis  with  a  reading  of 
the  pressbook  story  on  the  same.  The  Pon- 
tiac Theatre  of  the  Air  program  devoted  a 
quarter  hour  to  the  picture  the  day  before. 
Cornell  started  with  advance  teaser  slides 
two  weeks  before  the  opening  with  coming 
copy,  changing  this  when  the  Academy 
Award  was  announced.  The  Awards  copy 
was  also  used  in  lobby  displays. 


War  Workers  Urged  to 
See  "Human  Comedy" 

Personal  letters  sent  by  club  officers  to  the 
members  of  the  Federation  of  Women's 
Clubs  and  the  Motion  Picture  Forum  en- 
dorsing "The  Human  Comedy"  were  the 
highlight  of  the  campaign  by  Irving  Blum- 
berg,  publicity  director  of  the  Warner  thea- 
tre circuit  in  Philadelphia,  for  the  opening 
of  the  picture  at  Warners'  Boyd.  Working 
mostly  through  the  various  women's  organi- 
zations, officers  were  invited  to  the  premiere 
trade  screening.  In  addition,  special  screen- 
ings were  held  later  for  the  officers  of  the 
Federation  of  Women's  Club,  the  Motion 
Picture  Forum  and  the  Motion  Picture  Pre- 
view Study  Group. 

Blumberg  also  sold  the  picture  to  the  war 
workers  with  special  offset  bulletin  board 
cards  placed  at  the  war  plants  in  the  Phila- 
delphia area  calling  attention  to  the  special 
midnight  performances  on  the  day  after 
opening  for  the  convenience  of  the  swing 
shift  war  workers. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    8,  1943 


Selling  Points 

ON  THE  NEW  PRODUCT 

[The  material  below  reflects  press  books  now  in  preparation  and  represents  the  point  of 
view  of  the  distributors'  exploiteers  about  the  selling  points  and  special  merit  of  these  pictures.] 


CRASH    DIVE    (Twentieth  Century-Fox): 

Although  there  is  plenty  of  romance  in  this 
picture  and  it  may  well  be  sold  from  that 
angle,  there  is  also  action  aplenty,  on  and 
under  the  sea  and  this,  too,  will  provide 
plenty  of  selling  material.  The  Navy  angle 
can  be  emphasized  in  a  number  of  ways. 
For  instance,  the  front  and  lobby  can  be 
decorated  like  a  ship.  Torpedoes  and  depth 
bombs  of  cardboard  can  be  placed  in 
the  lobby  and  out  front.  Navy  recruiting 
posters,  a  blow-up  of  the  list  of  nautical 
terms  given  in  the  press  book  and  news- 
paper clippings  telling  of  the  role  of  sub- 
marines in  the  present  combat  are  all 
good  subjects  for  lobby  display.  The 
dummy  torpedo  idea  can  be  tied  up  to 
a  Bond  drive  to  buy  a  real  one — cost 
$10,000.  Any  local  men  in  submarine 
service  home  on  leave  would  be  good 
attractions  at  the  theatre.  Also  link  their 
names  with  the  picture.  A  contest  to 
identify  various  types  of  naval  vessels  from 
their  silhouettes  is  appropriate.  There  is 
a  special  flag  described  in  the  press  book 
which  indicates  "Submarine  near."  This 
could  be  used  as  a  teaser  outside  as  well 
as  in  newspaper  ads.  The  title  fits  in  with 
a  cooperative  ad  stressing  special  bar- 
gains, "Prices  have  done  a  'Crash  Dive' 

at  "    Since  "Crash  Dive"  is  Tyrone 

Power's  last  picture  for  the  duration,  a 
contest  in  which  fans  name  their  favorite 
Power  picture  appears  to  be  appropriate. 
Now  that  he  is  in  the  Marine  Corps,  a 
post  card  could  be  sent  to  him  signed  by 
all  the  local  fans.  This  would  have  to  be 
a  giant  affair  and  could  be  set  up  in  the 
lobby  in  advance.  Put  photographs  of  all 
local  Navy  men  in  your  lobby.  A  story 
about  how  their  wives  are  spending  their 
time  would  be  a  good  one  for  the  news- 
paper and  would  tie  in  with  the  picture. 
A  prize  might  be  offered  for  the  best 
letter  on  this  subject.    The  food  columns 


Freed  Holds  Benefit 
For  Red  Cross  Drive 

To  aid  the  local  Red  Cross  Drive,  Matt 
Freed  at  the  Lake  theatre,  in  Corcoran,  Cal., 
advertised  a  "Major  Studio  Feature  Prevue" 
(not  divulging  the  title  of  the  picture),  with 
the  entire  proceeds  being  donated  to  the 
Fund.  The  special  show  consisted  of  "Re- 
veille With  Beverly,"  Disney's  "Private 
Pluto";  "Flag  of  Humanity";  Metro's  "John 
Jones"  and  the  Warner  technicolor  two- 
reeler  about  the  Red  Cross. 

The  tickets  and  window  cards  were  printed 
free  of  charge,  all  newspaper  advertising  in 
both  local  papers  and  the  Hanford  paper,  20 
miles  aw*y,  were  donated.  The  services  of 
the  theatre  staff  were  volunteered.  Tickets 


of  your  newspaper,  increasingly  impor- 
tant in  these  days  of  rationing  should  be 
easy  to  crash  on  this  picture  because  of  the 
scene  showing  the  favorite  foods  of  sub- 
marine men  when  they  return  from  a  voy- 
age. There's  a  special  pictorial  feature 
on  the  picture  especially  adaptable  for 
newspaper  planting. 

THE  YOUNGEST  PROFESSION  (MGM): 

The  youngest  profession  is  that  of  collect- 
ing autographs  from  famous  movie  stars. 
This  phenomenon  is  more  fully  explained 
in  the  current  issue  of  Screenland  Maga- 
zine which  offers  a  series  of  prizes  and 
names  the  contest  after  Virginia  Weidler, 
star  of  this  picture.  The  picture  can  there- 
fore be  plugged  on  newsstands  on  the 
trucks  of  the  distributors,  in  statonery 
store  windows,  etc.  There  are  a  number 
of  guest  stars  in  the  picture,  whose 
presence  can  be  capitalized  on.  Among 
them  is  Greer  Garson,  who  won  the 
Academy  Award.  Others  are  Walter 
Pidgeon,  Lana  Turner,  William  Powell  and 
Robert  Taylor.  There  is  an  illustration  of 
many  of  the  leading  stars'  signatures, 
which  can  be  used  as  the  basis  for  a 
throwaway  with  a  place  on  it  for  recipients 
to  write  their  own  names  and  compare 
them  with  the  stars'  handwriting.  Have 
huge  board  in  the  lobby  on  which  people 
can  sign  their  names  and  offer  a  prize  for 
the  most  legible,  most  distinctive  and  most 
unusual  signatures,  the  judging  to  be  done 
by  a  local  graphologist.  The  graphologist 
might  also  analyze  handwriting  in  your 
lobby.  There  is  a  contest  suggested  in 
the  press  book  in  which  newspaper  read- 
ers are  asked  to  write  what  they  would 
say  if  each  of  the  stars  portrayed  were 
to  give  them  their  autographs.  Virginia 
Weidler,  a  sub-deb,  has  posed  in  some 
interesting  fashions  which  can  be  used  for 
tieups  with  local  stores. 


were  sold  by  Red  Cross  workers  and  adver- 
tised on  the  screen.  The  show  was  held  on 
a  Monday  evening,  the  Lake  ordinarily  clos- 
ing on  that  night  and  running  but  six  days 
a  week.  Freed  reports  raising  a  total  of 
$359.74,  which  brought  the  quota  just  over 
the  top. 


Poppay  Lands  Co-op  Ad 

Syd  Poppay,  manager  of  Warners'  Ma- 
jestic theatre,  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  sold  a  full 
page  co-operative  advertisement  among  local 
merchants  to  plug  "Keeper  of  the  Flame." 
He  cut  up  a  hand  and  torch,  inserted  a  piece 
of  it  in  each  advertisement,  and  then  offered 
free  tickets  to  the  opening  to  those  as- 
sembling it. 


Carey  Holds  Midnight 
Double  Horror  Show 

To  put  across  his  double  horror  midnight 
show  of  "The  Mummy's  Tomb"  and  "Night 
Monster,"  Jim  Carey  at  the  Majestic  thea- 
tre, in  Evansville,  111.,  contacted  every  de- 
fense plant  in  town  and  landed  announce- 
ments over  their  public  address  systems  or 
cards  on  the  bulletin  boards.  Two  days  be- 
for  the  special  show,  Jim  got  in  touch  with 
the  authorities  at  nearby  Camp  Brecken- 
ridge,  explained  that  he  was  having  the  only 
midnight  show  in  town.  This  brought  an- 
nouncements in  the  gym  activities  room  in- 
forming soldiers  on  leave  of  the  show. 

For  a  street  ballyhoo,  a  boy  in  a  skeleton 
outfit  roamed  the  streets  with  copy  on  his 
back  reading  "If  you  think  I'm  horrifying, 
wait  till  you  see,"  etc.  The  lad  handed  out 
envelopes  to  passersby  with  copy  inside  read- 
ing "Fill  up  this  envelope  with  first  aid  ma- 
terials. You'll  need  them  when  you  see." 
Cocktail  lounges  in  town  were  supplied  with 
11  by  14  cards  reading  "Try  a  Mummy's 
Tomb.  Three  drinks  and  you  are  a  Night 
Monster." 

On  "Meanest  Man  in  the  World,"  Carey 
ran  a  newspaper  contest  in  which  cash  prizes 
and  guest  tickets  were  awarded  to  those 
writing  the  best  letters  on  what  readers 
though  a  character  would  have  to  do  to  de- 
serve such  a  title. 


Mayor  Norman  Broadcasts 
On  "Hitler's  Children" 

Of  inestimable  value  to  the  picture  was  the 
broadcast  that  Mayor  Norman,  of  Norwich, 
Conn.,  made  recently  in  connection  with 
Joseph  Boyle's  opening  of  "Hitler's  Chil- 
dren" at  the  Poli  Broadway,  wherein  His 
Honor  gave  the  highlights  of  the  film  and 
compared  the  system  in  Germany  with  the 
way  of  life  in  America.  Charles  Morgan, 
local  commander  of  the  American  Legion, 
handled  the  spot,  stressing  the  outcome  of 
the  present  conflict  and  commenting  on  the 
plot  of  the  film.  George  Shattuck,  a  local 
educator,  took  over  another  broadcast  dis- 
cussing the  film  from  the  viewpoint  of  a 
public  educator. 

A  cut  of  Bonita  Granville  and  H.  B. 
Warner  perusing  a  copy  of  the  local  paper 
was  also  good  for  a  break,  one  sheets  noting 
the  radio  cooperation  were  used  in  the  lobby 
in  advance  and  numerous  window  displays 
were  promoted. 


Andrews  Sisters  Adopt 
WAVES  for  a  Day 

The  plan  of  "adopting"  a  serviceman  for  a 
day  as  originated  recently  by  a  Cleveland 
woman  was  used  to  advantage  by  Louis  E. 
Mayer  at  the  RKO  Palace  there.  The  An- 
drews Sisters  playing  currently  at  the  the- 
atre adopted  three  WAVES  who  visited  the 
stars  backstage  and  were  guests  of  the  sis- 
ters at  dinner  and  were  entertained  after 
the  last  performance  at  the  theatre.  Local 
dailies  came  through  with  three  columns  of 
art  and  story  on  the  stunt. 

When  Connie  Boswell,  radio  blues  singer, 
appeared  at  the  house,  Mayer  landed  a  story 
and  photo  of  the  star  together  with  Tris 
Speaker,  former  Cleveland  baseball  star, 
urging  the  purchase  of  Easter  seals.  This 
was  in  connection  with  a  program  over  Sta- 
tion WGAR,  opening  the  campaign  spon- 
sored by  the  Society  for  Crippled  Children. 


May    8  ,  1943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


63 


5  EXAMPLES  OF  GOOD  ADS 


Simplicity  is  the  keynote  of  Clare  Appel's  ad  for  the  Palace,  Hamilton.  He 
director  of  advertising  and  publicity  for  Odeon  Theatres  of  Canada. 


SUN.  -  MON.  -  TUES. 
APRIL  18*  19  -20 


SSSK    "AT  THE  FRONT" 

IN  TECHNICOLOR  —  THE  BATTLE  OF  NORTH  AFRICA  cameramen 


u.  sH 

EN  9 


NOW  THRU  MONDAY 

35c  Till  2:31)  Today  Then  50c 
Children  15c  Inc.  U.  S.  Tax 


RIALTO 


"AT  THE  FRONT"  TODAY 
At  1:45 — 1—6:30—4:50 
"HIT  PARADE"  TODAY 

At  2 :45— 5 — 7 :30— 9 :40 


RAY  TURNER  ORGANLOGUE 
LATE  PARAMOUNT  NEWS 


TUES.:   "HAPPY  GO  LUCKY" 

•  IN  TECHNICOLOR  • 


Champaign,  III.,  is  the 
seat  of  the  University 
of  Illinois.  So  theatres 
advertise  in  the  Daily 
Illini,  college  paper. 
Here's  an  example. 


Stickers  like  this  were  put  on  the 
outside  of  every  newspaper  in 
Appalachia,  Virginia,  by  Chuck 
Larnard,  manager  of  the 
Appalachian.  Of  course,  there  was 
an  ad  inside,  too. 


STANLEY- 
WARNER 


STANTON  TOMORROW 


«««  of  warts  to  am  emu,, 


 in  TECHNICOLOR  — ^>JSr- 

miowsmuo 

*  ^FAY£»>««  PAYNE  •/^OAKIE  .^BARI 

HELD  OVER*  2nd  WEEK!, 

ft      FOR  VOUX  CA££.  II 
N,w!  J.P.HARRIS  27c 


GEORGE 

BRENT 
UNE 

BRUCE 

CABOT 


SIXTH  STREET 


•Til 
f  P.  M 


A  forceful  and 
unusual  holdover 
ad  was  run  by 
Kenneth  Hoel, 
director  of 
advertising  and 
publicity  for  the 
Harris  theatres 
in  Pittsburgh. 
It's  a  marked 
departure  from 
the  usual  type 
of  holdover  ad. 


Irving  Blumberg,  Warners'  Philadelphia 
advertising  and  publicity  chief,  used  plenty 
of  illustration  and  a  minimum  of  copy 
to  sell  "Silver  Queen." 


64 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    8  1943 


Bill  Drace's  "Air  Force  Week" 
Sells  $200,000  in  Bonds 


In  order  to  do  his  part  in  the  Second 
War  Loan  and  at  the  same  time  exploit 
"Air  Force,"  Bill  Drace,  operator  of  the 
Grand  theatre,  Greer,  S.  C,  a  town  of  2,- 
940  people,  staged  an  Air  Force  Week, 
bringing  the  Governor  of  South  Carolina 
to  the  ceremonies  to  climax  his  War  Bond 
Drive.  In  preparation  for  the  event,  Bill 
put  out  a  special  edition  of  the  Grand 
Screenews,  a  16-page  newspaper  size  pub- 
lication which  was  printed  by  the  local 
newspaper  and  called  the  "Greer  Citizen 
section  of  Grand  Screenews." 

It  was  an  extensive  promotion,  started 
off  as  all  good  promotions  are,  with  a 
proclamation  by  the  Mayor.  Heroes  of  the 
fighting   in   Africa   and   on  Guadalcanal 


Personal  Endorsement  Record 
Sells  "Reveille  with  Beverly" 

An  ingenious  stunt  was  used  by  George 
West  at  the  Grove  theatre,  in  Miami,  Fla., 
ahead  of  "Reveille  with  Beverlv"  in  the 
form  of  a  record  personal  endorsement  which 
which  he  had  made  up.  The  message  read  as 
follows : 

"Hello  Folks :  This  is  George  West,  your 
Grove  theatre  manager.  This  is  the  first  time 
I  have  gone  on  record  to  urge  you  to  see  a 
swell  musical  picture.  And  just  listen  to  this 
cast.  .  .  .  All  these  talented  stars  in  one 
gigantic  picture  (the  title  of  picture  here). 
A  picture  you  will  enjoy  every  musical  min- 
ute." This  was  followed  with  the  playdates, 
ending  with  "Listen  to  some  of  these  tune 
hits." 

The  record  was  played  at  the  beginning  of 
each  show  from  the  stagre  and  also  in  the 
lobby  a  full  week  before  the  playdate. 


Island  were  present  to  talk  of  their  ex- 
periences and  urge  the  purchase  of  War 
Bonds.  The  military  band  from  Camp 
Croft  paraded  down  the  street  on  the  day 
of  the  Bond  rally,  which  was  held  in  the 
square  in  front  of  the  theatre. 

Governor  Olin  D.  Johnson  of  South 
Carolina  was  the  principal  speaker  at  the 
Bond  rally  which  brought  about  the  sale 
of  more  than  $200,000  worth  of  War 
Bonds.  There  were  7,000  people  present, 
more  than  twice  the  population  of  Greer. 

An  unexpected  development  of  the  af- 
fair was  the  maneuvring  of  a  squadron  of 
five  bombers  from  the  Greenville,  S.  C, 
air  base,  which  flew  over  the  rally  eight 
different  times  while  it  was  in  progress. 


Williams  Uses  Animation 
For  "Powers  Girl"  Date 

As  an  attractor  ahead  of  "Powers  Girl"  at 
Loew's,  in  St.  Louis,  Rex  Williams  con- 
structed a  huge  animated  lobby  display  with 
life  size  blowups  of  the  Powers  Girls  rotat- 
ing around  a  centerpiece  carrying  copy  with 
the  title  and  cast.  The  value  of  the  display 
was  increased  by  the  use  of  Benny  Goodman 
music  amplified  from  a  speaker  hidden  in  the 
display. 

Local  models  devoted  the  week  of  the  at- 
traction to  assist  in  the  Red  Cross  Drive, 
contributing  one  day's  pay  to  the  Fund  and 
visited  the  Blood  Bank.  The  newspapers 
used  art  and  feature  stories  on  this  mention- 
ing the  picture.  Special  table  tents  were 
used  in  restaurants  and  hotel  dining  rooms, 
coasters  with  appropriate  copy  were  also 
supplied  and  stuffers  were  inserted  in  pack- 
ages from  music  and  record  shops. 


"Miss  Charm"  Talent  Contest 
Held  for  Spitalny  Girls 

A  "Miss  Charm"  beauty  and  talent  con- 
test was  promoted  by  Bill  Israel,  manager 
of  Warners'  Earle  theatre,  Philadelphia,  in 
connection  with  the  stage  appearance  of  Phil 
Spitalny  and  his  "Hour  of  Charm"  all-girl 
orchestra.  Tieing  in  with  the  Philadelphia 
Daily  News,  three  local  girls  who  can  play 
an  instrument  expertly  or  sing  were  selected 
to  appear  with  Spitalny's  orchestra  and  also 
receive  war  bonds  as  prizes,  with  the  grand 
winner  crowned  "Miss  Charm  of  Philadel- 
phia." 

Contestants,  registering  through  the 
newspaper,  were  auditioned  at  the  theatre 
during  the  regular  performances  with  the 
audience  selecting  the  most  promising.  The 
grand  prize  winner  received  a  $75  bond,  the 
second  winner  a  $50  bond  and  a  $25  bond 
to  the  third  choice. 


War  Plants  Cooperate 
On  "Desert  Victory" 

Irv  Blumberg,  Warners'  Philadelphia  Ad 
Chief,  spearheaded  his  engagement  of 
"Desert  Victory,"  released  by  20th  Century- 
Fox,  at  the  Aldine  theatre  with  war  plant 
cooperation.  Posters  were  supplied  to  over 
300  war  plants,  together  with  bulletin  board 
postings  recommending  the  picture,  which 
were  signed  by  Management  and  Labor. 
Picture  here  received  excellent  press  recep- 
tion, headed  by  full  page  editorial  in  the 
News  and  feature  stories  in  all  Sunday  pa- 
pers following  the  opening  of  the  picture. 


Dillenbeck's  Surong  Gag 

For  his  teaser  ahead  of  "White  Cargo"  at 
the  Rialto  Theatre,  in  Bushnell,  111.,  D.  M. 
Dillenbeck  distributed  tinted  imprinted 
cards  to  which  were  attached  sample  of  cre- 
tonne. Copy  informed  holders  that  the 
swatch  was  a  piece  of  Hedy  Lamarr's  surong 
that  she  wore  in  the  picture. 


the  mirror.  It  was  Russell  Bavim's  idea 
and  put  into  execution  at  Loew's  Ohio, 
Columbus. 


May 


19  4  3 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


65 


CONGRATULATIONS 


May  9th 

Benjamin  Gold 
Jack  Howe 
Fred  Conrad 
Harold  Simons 
Walter  Helm 

I  Oth 

David  Silverman 
O.  James  Maoris 
R.  P.  Couger 
Frank  V.  King 
A.  H.  Lawter 
J.  R.  Long 
Harry  R.  Hines 
Dave  L.  Cantor 
John  J.  Baker 
Nicholas  Feenan 
Saul  Korman 
Nelson  McCollom 
Jim  Simmons 
J.  D.  Ensminger 
Melvin  Sparks 

llth 

Robert  Cannom 
William  Dabb 

12th 

Germain  Germain 
David  R.  Sablosky 
Maurice  E.  Sperling 
Willard  W.  Sides 
E.  R.  Millican 
C.  W.  Burrus 


May  12th 

Barnes  Perdue 
Leslie  Campbell 
Roger  Burby 
George  E.  Yost 
Richard  Schacht 
Roger  J.  Berube 
Edward  Allen 

13th 

Lawrence  Weaver 
Burton  J.  Coughlan 
Albert  R.  Myers 
E.  A.  Rambonnet 
Paul  S.  Purdy 
Michael  Lombardi 
Max  Cadwalader 
Bernard  Zelenko 

14th 

Sidney  A.  Falk 
Jack  C.  Day 
Eddie  Williams 
Francis  Gillon 

15th 

R.  E.Archibald 
Nat  Holt 
Elmer  W.  Johnson 
Ed  Siegal 
Cary  A.  Reeves 
Meyer  Phillips 
Jack  Goldman 
Miguel  R.Ortiz 
David  Saifer 
Jack  Cooper 


By  Staff  Photographer 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  R.  D.  Stallings  visited  the  Round  Table  last  week.  He  is  manager  of  the 
Imperial  theatre,  Charlotte,  N.  C.  Mrs.  Stallings  was,  until  her  marriage  in  1942, 
cashier  in  the  theatre. 


DENNIS  JEFFERSON,  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Boyd  Scott.  The  proud  father 
is  city  manager  for  the  Griffith  Cir- 
cuit in  Holdenville,  Okla. 


Arthur  Groom  Has  Been  With 
Loew's  Since  High  School 

Arthur  Groom  re- 
c  e  n  1 1  y  appointed 
manager  of  Loew's 
State,  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  is  a  native  of 
that  city.  He  has 
lived  there  all  of  his 
29  years.  While 
still  attending  school 
he  worked  as  an 
usher  at  a  neighbor- 
h  o  o  d  theatre  in 
Memphis.  In  1928. 
he  started  with 
Loew's  as  an  usher. 
From  that  he  rose  to  doorman  and  then  was 


made  student  assistant.  Later  he  was  ap- 
pointed assistant  manager,  a  post  he  held 
for  several  years  until  he  was  recently  pro- 
moted to  the  managership  left  vacant  by 
the  induction  of  Maurice  Druker  into  the 
Army.  He  served  as  assistant  at  both 
Loew  theatres  in  Memphis  and  was  usher 
and  doorman  at  the  Strand  when  it  was 
under  Loew  management. 


Gertrude  Bunchez  Has  Fine 
Background  of  Promotion 

One  of  the  newest 
publicists  to  join  the 
Round  Table,  and 
one  who  has  been 
active  is  Gertrude 
Bunchez,  who  pro- 
motes the  attrac- 
tions at  the  Loew 
theatres  in  Balti- 
more. She's  a  na- 
t  i  v  e  Baltiniorean, 
having  come  upon 
this  world  June  25, 
1917.  For  seven 
years    she    was  an 

advertising  solicitor  for  the  Baltimore 
News  Post.  She  has  also  been  active  in 
publicity  locally.  For  example,  she  did 
publicity  work  for  the  War  Savings  Staff  of 
Maryland  last  year.  She  had  her  own  15 
minute  radio  show  in  1941 — a  15  minute 
tri-weekly  program  on  shopping  sponsored 
by  a  Baltimore  department  store.  She  has 
also  done  publicity  work  for  a  local  political 
organization  but  since  she  is  now  a  show- 
man, she  scrupulously  refrains  from  divulg- 
ing which  one. 


Secretary  of  the  Treasury  Henry  Morgenthau,  center,  had  a  talk  with  Orville  Rennie, 
left,  manager  of  the  Paramount,  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  and  B.  T.  Perrine,  county  War 
Bond  chairman,  when  the  Cabinet  member  visited  Cedar  Rapids.  Rennie  staged  a  War 
Bond  rally  which  Secretary  Morgenthau  attended. 


WILLIAM  WOLFF,  manager  of  Warners' 
Diamond,  in  Philadelphia,  has  been  pro- 
moted to  manager  of  the  circuit's  Colney, 
succeeding  Marty  Rosenbluth. 

JACK  WEISS  has  been  named  assistant 
manager  of  the  Studio  theatre,  Philadelphia, 
succeeding  J.  Stewart  Silver,  who  switched 
to  the  William  Goldman  circuit  in  Phila- 
delphia as  night  manager  at  the  News 
theatre. 


66 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


May    8,  1943 


CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISING 


Ten  cents  per  word,  money-order  or  check  with  copy.  Count  initials,  box  number  and  ad- 
dress. Minimum  insertion,  $1.  Four  insertions,  for  the  price  of  three.  Contract  rates  on 
application.  No  borders  or  cuts.  Forms  close  Mondays  at  5  P.  M.  Publisher  reserves 
the  right  to  reject  any  copy.  Film  and  trailer  advertising  not  accepted.  Classi- 
fied  advertising  not  subject  to  agency  commission.  Address  copy  and  checks:  |[Sjtil 
MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD,  Classified  Dept.,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  W*M 


OBITUARIES 

Sgt.  W.  L.  Bevan  Reported 
Missing  in  Action 

Staff  Sergeant  Donald  J.  Bevan,  formerly  on 
the  staff  of  the  Paramount  theatre  in  Spring- 
field, Mass.  and  the  nephew  of  Harry  Smith, 
general  manager  of  the  Western  Massachusetts 
Theatres,  has  been  reported  missing  in  action 
in  the  European  area  since  April  17th.  He  won 
many  citations  for  bravery. 

A  dispatch  by  the  Associated  Press,  describ- 
ing the  action  of  American  bombers  on  a  raid 
over  Bremen  on  the  night  of  April  17th,  re- 
ported that  16  American  aircraft  were  lost.  It 
is  believed  that  Sergeant  Bevan,  a  crew  mem- 
ber of  one  of  the  bombers,  was  shot  down 
during  the  action.  Mr.  Bevan  has  two  brothers 
in  service.  He  enlisted  in  the  Air  Corps  in  1941. 


Clark  Thomas 

Clark  Thomas,  who  died  April  29th  in  Hol- 
lywood, aged  59,  began  a  career  that  followed 
the  industry  in  its  development  as  general  man- 
ager of  the  Whitney  theatres  in  Detroit.  As 
the  film  found  its  place,  in  the  affairs  of  men  he 
joined  the  Packard  Motor  Company  in  charge 
of  the  film  department,  returning  to  the  indus- 
try proper  a  short  time  later  to  take  charge  of 
the  New  York  production  activities  of  the 
Metro  Pictures  corporation  in  New  York. 

He  was  vice-president  and  general  manager 
of  the  Thomas  H.  Ince  corporation  and  left  that 
post  to  become  vice-president  and  general  man- 
ager of  the  Cinema  Mercantile  corporation  on 
its  establishment  as  a  source  of  supplies  to  the 
production  branch  of  the  industry  in  Holly- 
wood. 

In  recent  years  he  was  associated  in  execu- 
tive capacities  with  the  Los  Angeles  Athletic 
Club,  the  Federal  Theatre  Authority  and  the 
WPA  music  project.  He  returned  to  active  par- 
ticipation in  industry  affairs  upon  installation 
of  the  Office  of  Censorship  in  Hollywood  under 
chairmanship  of  Watterson  R.  Rothacker  and 
served  as  a  member  of  that  organization  until 
his  death. 

He  is  survived  by  two  daughters,  Beverly 
Thomas  and  Barbara  Thomas  Greatrake,  both 
residents  of  Los  Angeles. 


David  Davis 

David  Davis,  65,  partner  in  the  Goldbaum 
and  Davis  Theatres,  died  in  Brooklyn  on  April 
28th.  He  had  been  in  retirement  for  several 
years.  Funeral  services  were  held  last  Friday 
at  Gutterman's  Funeral  Chapel  in  Brooklyn.  He 
is  survived  by  his  wife,  Ethel,  four  daughters, 
Mrs.  Molly  Schulman,  Mrs.  Florence  Kurent, 
Rose  and  Marion  Davis  and  a  son,  Harold. 


John  E.  Nutter 

John  E.  Nutter,  32,  assistant  stage  manager 
of  the  Radio  City  Music  Hall,  died  on  April 
29th  of  coronary  thrombosis  at  the  Hotel  Mary- 
land in  New  York.  He  joined  the  Music  Hall 
chorus  in  1932,  assuming  the  position  of  assis- 
tant stage  manager  a  year  later.  He  is  survived 
by  his  mother  and  two  brothers. 


John  O'Keefe 

John  O'Keefe,  48,  formerly  on  the  staff  of 
Warners  Embassy  theatre  in  New  Britain,  died 
in  that  city  on  April  30th.  Burial  was  in  the 
family  plot  at  St.  Marys  Cemetery  in  New 
Britain. 


Mary  Rudin 

Mrs.  Mary  Rudin,  77,  mother-in-law  of 
Maurice  White,  head  of  the  Lisbon-White  thea- 
tre circuit  with  headquarters  in  Cincinnati,  died 
in  that  city  on  May  1st. 


Anna  Mack 

Mrs.  Anna  Mack,  69,  mother  of  Irving  Mack, 
head  of  the  Filmack  Trailer  Company,  died  in 
Chicago  on  April  24th. 


NEW  EQUIPMENT 


HAIL  THE  JUBILEE  SALE — OUR  SIXTEENTH 
Anniversary — Safety  steel  film  oabinets,  $2.93  section; 
Strong  Mogul  positive  jaws,  $10.50;  Forest  60  ampere 
rectifier,  four  bulbs,  $211.75;  Weston  o/50  ammeters, 
$3.60;  Luxlite  Series  I  lenses,  $4.95;  latest  Superior 
Atlas  projector  mechanisms,  $595;  Simplex  18"  maga- 
zines, pair  $49.50;  sound  screen,  beaded  39^c;  Chrome 
(Suprex)  23yic;  Flextone  washable,  30^4c;  small  thea- 
tre vacuum  cleaners,  $89.50.  Get  our  Jubilee  Bargain 
Bulletin.  S.  O.  S.  CINEMA  SUPPLY  CORP.,  New 
York. 


HELP  WANTED 


WANTED  —  MAN  AND  WIFE.  EXCELLENT 
permanent  opportunity  for  right  people.  Man  capable 
part-time  operator,  house  maintenance,  general  theatre 
work.  Wife — tickets.  Both  must  be  experienced,  re- 
liable, good  character,  no  drinking.  Southern  town 
5,000.  Good  living  conditions.  State  salary  expected. 
Full  details  first  letter.  BOX  1627,  MOTION  PIC- 
TURE HERALD. 


WANTED  TO  BUY 


THEATRE  CHAIRS  WANTED.  WILL  BUY  FOR 
cash  any  quantity.  Give  details,  upholstered,  make, 
size,  level  or  slope,  or  veneer.  CHICAGO  USED 
CHAIR  MART,  844  S.  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago. 


LOOKING  FOR  ANY  MAKE  16MM.  OR  35MM. 
sound  projector,  rectifiers,  generators,  sound  equip- 
ment.   BOX  1626,  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


POSITION  WANTED 


AMERICAN  45  YEARS  OLD,  EXPERIENCED 
accountant  with  perfect  command  of  Spanish  and 
fifteen  years'  experience  selling  and  distributing  motion 
pictures  in  Latin  America,  desires  worthwhile  connec- 
tion with  reliable  producing  concern.  Will  consider 
position  in  any  territory.  Can  furnish  first  class  refer- 
ences. H.  SULSONA,  Apartado  Aereo,  4492,  Bogota, 
Colombia. 


THEATRE  MANAGER  DESIRES  CHANGE. 
Now  employed.  7  years'  background.  Draft  exempt. 
References.  Go  anywhere.  BOX  1629,  MOTION  PIC- 
TURE HERALD. 


BUSINESS  BOOSTERS 


BINGO  CARDS,  DIE  CUT,  1  TO  100  OR  1  TO  75, 
$2.00  per  thousand.  $17.50  for  10,000.  S.  Klous,  care 
of  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


TRAINING  SCHOOLS 


THEATRE  EMPLOYEES:  TRAIN  FOR  BETTER 
positions.  Learn  modern  theatre  management  and  ad- 
vertising. Big  opportunities  for  trained  men.  Estab- 
lished since  1927.  Write  now  for  free  catalog.  THE- 
ATRE MANAGERS  SCHOOL,  Elmira,  N.  Y. 


BOOKKEEPING  SYSTEM 


THEATRE  MANAGEMENT  RECORD  AND  TAX 
Register.  This  new  accounting  system  is  the  finest 
book  of  its  kind  ever  made  available  to  an  exhibitor. 
In  addition  to  being  complete  in  every  respect,  it  is 
simple — so  much  so  that  it  is  not  necessary  to  have 
had  bookkeeping  experience  in  order  to  keep  an  ac- 
curate, complete  and  up-to-rainute  record  of  the 
business  of  your  theatre.  Price  is  only  $2.00  postpaid. 
QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller  Center,  New 
York. 


USED  EQUIPMENT 


YOU  CAN  STILL  BUY  PLENTY  OF  GOOD 
items  here — Stereo  slide  carriers,  19c;  dimmers,  500 
watt,  $11.95;  Monitor  speakers,  $2.75;  hand  carbon 
microphones,  $1.95;  RCA  portable  sound  projectors, 
$79.50;  Peerless  low-intensity  arcs,  $62.50;  Wagner  10" 
letters,  $1.35;  coin  changers,  $29.50.  Big  Jubilee  Sale 
Bulletin  now  ready.  S.  O.  S.  CINEMA  SUPPLY 
CORP.,  New  York. 


TWO  SIMPLEX  SEMI-PROFESSIONAL  35MM. 
projectors,  Nos.  SP2439,  SP2881,  complete  with  sound 
system,  automatic  changeovers  with  rewind  bench  and 
motor  rewind,  Strong  Junior  intensive  arc  lamps  and 
extra  set  mazda  lamps,  microphone,  record  turntable. 
Purchased  new  and  used  very  little,  Al  working  con- 
dition. Write  EARL  MANBECK,  1312  Locust,  Des 
Moines,  la. 


GENERAL  EQUIPMENT 


90  DOZEN  CASES  GORDOS  BRAND  NEW  15 
ampere  rectifier  bulbs  for  low-intensity  lamps,  list 
price  $12  each,  grab  them  while  they  last  at  our 
bargain  price  $6.95  each,  only  4  to  a  customer;  9  pairs 
used  low-intensity  reflector  arc  lamps  as  low  as  $72 
per  pair;  7  pairs  used  Powers  6B  projectors  with 
Weber  soundheads  and  motors,  good  condition,  2000- 
foot  magazines,  $350  per  pair.  We  are  loaded  with 
used  show  property,  10  barrels  full  of  new  and  used 
Powers  and  Simplsx  parts,  everything  at  bargain 
prices.  What  do  you  need?  OAK  STORAGE, 
Armitage  &  Western,  Chicago. 


BOOKS 


THE  1943-44  INTERNATIONAL  MOTION  PIC- 
TURE ALMANAC  is  now  in  preparation.  Will  contain 
more  than  12,000  biographies  of  players,  directors, 
writers,  technicians  and  executives.  The  biographical 
section  if  an  exclusive  feature.  In  addition  it  will  in- 
clude more  than  1,250  pages  crammed  with  motion 
picture  facts  and  figures  covering  every  phase  of  the 
business.  Supply  will  be  lijaited.  Be  sure  to  get  your 
copy.  Order  it  today!  Price  $3.25  prepaid  in  U.  S.  A. 
$5  elsewhere.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller 
Center,  New  York. 


COMPLETELY  REVISED  7TH  EDITION  OF 
Richardson's  Bluebook  of  Projection  with  treatise  on 
Television  and  complete  Sound  Trouble -Shooting 
Charts,  as  well  as  a  host  of  additional  up-to-the-minute 
text  on  sound  and  projection  equipment.  Order  Now! 
$7.25  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller 
Center,  New  York  City. 


SOUND  TROUBLE  SHOOTING  CHARTS.  A 
handy  tool  in  the  booth.  Gives  the  answers  to  all 
questions  regarding  truoble  shooting  on  every  type  of 
sound  equipment.  $1.00  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOK- 
SHOP, Rockefeller  Center,  New  York. 


MOTION  PICTURE  SOUND  ENGINEERING- 
547  pages;  illustrated;  covers  every  practical  method 
and  process  in  present-day  sound  engineering.  Leading 
engineers  explain  every  detail  of  apparatus  and  its  ar- 
rangement, with  diagrams,  tables,  charts  and  graphs. 
This  manual  comes  straight  from  the  workshops  of  the 
studios  in  Hollywood.  It  is  indispensable  to  everyone 
working  with  sound  equipment.  Price  $6.50  postpaid. 
QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York. 


NEW  567  PAGE  BOOK  ON  AIR  CONDITIONING, 
by  Charles  A.  Fuller,  authority  on  the  subject.  Avail- 
able for  theatre  owners  contemplating  engineering 
changes.  Book  is  cloth  bound  with  index  and  charts 
and  covers  every  branch  of  the  industry  as  well  as 
codes  and  ordinances  regulating  installation.  Order 
now  at  $4.00  a  copy  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP, 
Rockefeller  Center,  New  York. 


May    8,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


In  This  Week: 
SHOWMEN'S  REVIEWS 
ADVANCE  SYNOPSES 
SHORT  SUBJECTS 
THE  RELEASE  CHART 


Du  Barry  Was  a  Lady 

( Metro-Goldwyn  Mayer) 
Gorgeous  Fun  and  Music 

Here's  a  box  office  comedy  with  trappings 
lavishly  elegant,  with  supreme  music  and  lovely 
women.  To  these  are  added  good  dancing  and 
Cole  Porter  melodies  that  linger. 

Red  Skelton  rises  to  new  heights  as  the  come- 
dian of  today  and  tomorrow.  He  sings,  dances 
and  talks  for  the  entire  run  of  the  piece,  as 
hatcheck  boy  in  a  night  club,  sweepstakes  win- 
ner, King  Louis  XV  of  France,  and  back  to  the 
starting  point.  His  support  includes  Lucille 
Ball  in  the  dual  role  of  a  night-club  singer  and 
Madame  Du  Barry,  who  is  more  beautiful  than 
ever  in  costumes  that  will  stir  the  feminine  soul 
to  deeds  of  valor  in  efforts  at  imitation. 

Zero  Mostel,  as  a  swami,  enhances  the  fun. 
Gene  Kelly  in  a  dual  role  sings  and  dances  ex- 
cellently. Donald  Meek  as  a  tax  collector  and 
French  Due,  suppies  additional  quick  comedy. 
Louise  Beavers  as  "Niagara"  makes  an  out- 
standing contribution  to  the  general  merriment. 

The  story  begins  with  the  dilemma  of  Lucille 
Ball  who  is  in  love  with  a  poor  man  and  who 
yearns  for  a  rich  man.  One  suitor  is  in  the 
millions ;  another  is  Red  Skelton,  the  hatcheck 
boy  who  wins  $200,000  in  the  Irish  sweepstakes. 
Skelton  _  is  about  to  marry  Lucille,  and  his 
friend,  in  order  to  get  rid  of  the  poor  suitor, 
serves  drinks — one  of  them  a  super-duper 
Michael  Finn  intended  for  the  excess  gentleman. 
Red  gets  it  by  mistake,  and  the  most  amusing- 
jag  scene  ensues.  It  rivals  the  skill  of  Leon 
Errol  in  his  balmiest  days.  When  Red  awakes, 
he's  King  Louis  of  France  and  Lucille  Ball  is 
Du  Barry. 

The  entire  picture  is  in  Technicolor  and  the 
scenes  at  the  French  court  are  as  beautifully 
dressed  as  the  comedy  is  amusing.  Skelton  is  in 
his  best  mood  of  rare  drollery.  His  second 
awakening  brings  the  background  back  to  the 
night  club  with  all  the  characters  where  they 
started.  All  the  loose  ends  are  picked  up,  and 
the  piece  ends  with  a  song  to  "Friendship"  and 
an  interpolated  dance.  "Du  Barry  Was  a  Lady" 
is  dressed  as  few  films  have  been  dressed  re- 
cently.   Its  music  is  brilliant  and  its  fun  superb. 

Tommy  Dorsey  and  his  orchestra  give  a  fine 
interpretation  of  the  modern  and  the  less  bla- 
tant numbers.  Irving  Brecher  wrote  the  screen- 
play, Nancy  Hamilton  adapted  it  and  Wilkie 
Mahoney  provided  additional  dialogue.  The 
piece  was  based  on  the  play  by  Herbert  Fields 
and  B.  G.  DeSylva.  Arthur  Freed  produced  it 
and  Roy  Del  Ruth  directed  it  with  taste  and 
full  competence. 

Reviewed  at  the  Lexington  Theatre,  New 
York,  with  a  full  house  that  heartily  applauded. 
Reviewer's  Rating:  Excellent. — A.  J. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time.  101  min.  PCA 
No.  9019.    General  audience  classification. 

Louis  Blore  Red  Skelton 

May  Daly  Lucille  Ball 

Alec  Howe  Gene  Kelly 

Virginia  O'Brien,  "Rags"  Ragland.  Zero  Mostel, 
Donald  Meek,  Douglass  Dumbrille,  George  Givot. 


Reviews 

This  department  deals  with 
new  product  from  the  point  of 
view  of  the  exhibitor  who  is 
to  purvey  it  to  his  own  public. 


Five  Craves  to  Cairo 

(  Paramount) 
Drama  in  the  Desert 

Five  persons  enact  a  tense  drama  in  a  mud 
village  of  Egypt,  occupied  by  German  troops 
following  on  the  heels  of  the  retreating  Brit- 
ish Army.  Except  for  Field  Marshal  General 
Erwin  Rommel,  they  are  unimportant  persons 
— a  British  corporal,  an  Egyptian  innkeeper,  a 
French  chambermaid,  and  a  German  aide-de- 
camp— but  the  stakes  are  all  of  Africa.  Their 
conflicting  motives  are  woven,  with  skillful  di- 
rection and  fine  performances,  into  a  drama  that 
audiences  will  watch  with  interest  and  remem- 
ber with  satisfaction. 

Basically  it  is  the  story  of  a  desperate  im- 
personation and  the  tremendous  prize  for  its 
success.  The  "five  graves"  of  the  title  are  mu- 
nition caches  prepared  by  archaeologist  Rom- 
mel before  the  war  for  use  in  his  next  Egyp- 
tian tour.  This  secret  is  finally  discerned  by 
a  British  corporal  who,  reaching  the  village 
half-crazed  as  the  Germans  are  expected,  is 
passed  off  as  a  waiter  over  the  protests  of  the 
embittered  French  servant  girl. 

The  fact  that  the  hotel's  waiter  was  a  Ger- 
man agent  provides  the  soldier's  precarious 
passport  to  British  lines ;  but  the  fact  that  the 
waiter  is  also  dead  and  buried  under  a  mound 
of  rubble  in  the  cellar,  necessitates  the  shooting 
of  the  Nazi  lieutenant  before  an  escape  is  made. 
Here  the  girl,  who  has  constantly  threatened  to 
expose  the  corporal  for  her  own  ends — her 
brother  was  taken  prisoner  at  Dunkirk — per- 
forms the  real  act  of  courage.  She  accepts  re- 
sponsibility for  the  murder  until  he  is  safely 
away,  shouting  her  hatred  of  the  German  who 
had  bargained  with  her  brother's  freedom  and 
had  deceived  her. 

Erich  von  Stroheim  has  the  colorful  role 
of  the  German  Field  Marshal  and  handles  it 
impressively.  He  is  brusk,  expansive  and  prac- 
tical in  turn  as  he  disdains  the  maid,  entertains 
captive  officers  with  lectures  on  military  stra- 
tegy or  dominates  staff  meetings.  But  the  rest 
of  the  cast  is  not  overshadowed.  Franchot 
Tone  acts  the  British  soldier  with  a  quiet  sin- 
cerity and  a  lightness  that  pleases.  Anne  Bax- 
ter, the  only  women  in  the  cast,  takes  full  ad- 
vantage of  a  taxing  assignment.  Akim  Ta- 
miroff  as  the  Egyptian,  Peter  Van  Eyck  as  the 


Lieutenant  and  Fortunio  Bonanova  as  the  ill- 
used  but  operatic  Italian  general  give  good  per- 
formances. 

The  screenplay  by  Producer  Charles  Brackett 
and  Director  Billy  Wilder,  whose  previous  col- 
laboration produced  "The  Major  and  the  Min- 
or," is  an  achievement  of  distinction,  avoiding 
the  fantastic  or  the  trite  and  relying  upon  the 
interplay  of  believable  characters  for  its  emo- 
tional appeal.  This  does  not  produce  strong 
dramatic  climaxes,  and  allows  audience  atten- 
tion to  break  as  soon  as  the  situation  is  dis- 
solved and  before  the  final  frames,  but  it  pro- 
vides something  novel  in  war  films  which  is  suc- 
cessful entertainment. 

Previewed  in  the  home  office  projection  room. 
Reviewer's  Rating :  Good. — E.  A.  Cunningham. 

Release  date,  Block  5.  Running  time,  96  min.  PCA 
No.  9090.    General  audience  classification. 

Bramble   Franchot  Tone 

Farid   Akim  Tamiroff 

Rommel   Erich  von  Stroheim 

Mouche   Anne  Baxter 

Lieut.  Schwegler  Peter  van  Eyck 

Miles  Mander,  Fortunio  Bonanova,  Fred  Nurney,  Kon- 
stantin  Shayne,  Leslie  Denison,  Ian  Keith. 

Mr.  Lucky 

(RKO  Radio) 
Excellent  Melodrama 

This  tense  and  well  acted  box  office  number 
gives  Cary  Grant  the  chance  to  do  the  acting 
of  his  life,  and  he  does  it.  His  happily  cast, 
featured  actress,  Laraine  Day,  shares  honors 
with  him  in  as  entertaining,  exciting  and  sus- 
penseful  a  presentation  as  has  come  to  the 
screen  in  many  a  day. 

Grant,  as  a  handsome  gambler,  is  owner  of 
the  big  gambling"  ship,  Fortuna.  He  and  his 
smooth  and  tough  group  are  seeking  money  to 
bankroll  operations  in  the  South  Atlantic  when 
the  draft  board  nails  three  of  them.  Grant  as- 
sumes the  identity  of  a  dead  crony  to  escape  the 
draft  and  pursue  his  profession,  and  wheedles 
his  way  into  a  War  Relief  outfit  that  is  in  need 
of  money.  With  considerable  difficulty  he  per- 
suades them  to  let  him  run  a  gambling  con- 
cession at  a  ball,  but  learns  that  his  dead  friend 
was  an  ex-convict  needing  but  one  more  con- 
viction for  a  life  term.  When  an  heiress  falls 
for  him  the  real  complications  begin  and  sus- 
pense gathers  intensity. 

The  element  of  surprise  is  handled  with 
plausibility  and  skill  and  the  comedy  is  definite- 
ly good.  Charles  Bickford  is  well  cast  as  a 
sea  captain.  Henry  Stephenson,  as  the  girl's 
grandfather,  and  Vladimir  Sokoloff  are  deserv- 
ing of  praise.  Grant's  performance  is  possibly 
the  best  work  of  his  entire  career  and  should 
add  materially  to  his  already  considerable  fol- 
lowing. Miss  Day  is  delightfully  adequate  to 
her  exacting  role,  in  drama  or  comedy. 

David  Hempstead  produced,  and  H.  C.  Pot- 
ter directed  the  screenplay  by  Milton  Holmes 
and  Adrian  Scott,  from  Mr.  Holmes'  original 
story. 

Viewed  before  a  large  and  enthusiastic  group 


Product  Digest  Section  1301 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    8 ,  1943 


in  the  home  office  projection  room.  Reviewer" s 

Rating:  Excellent. — A.  J. 

Release  date.  Block  6.  Running  time,  100  min.  PCA 
No.  8950.     General  audience  classification. 

Joe   Cary  Grant 

Dorothy   Laraine  Day 

Hard  Swede   Charles  Bickford 

Gladys  Cooper,  Alan  Carney,  Henry  Stephenson,  Paul 
Stewart,  Kay  Johnson,  Vladimir  Sokoloff,  Walter 
Kingsford,  Erford  Gage,  J.  M.  Kerrigan,  Edward 
Fielding. 

Dr.  Gillespie's  Criminal 
Casd 

(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) 
Top  of  the  Series 

If  this  isn't  tops  for  the  Dr.  Gillespie  series 
it'll  do  until  a  topper  comes  along.  This  is  a 
four-edged  tool  of  entertainment  and  all  the 
edges  count. 

One  strand  of  the  story  concerns  Dr.  Gilles- 
pie's successful  effort  to  prove  that  a  murderer 
confined  in  a  penetentiary  is  in  fact  a  victim 
of  dementia  praecox  and  belongs  in  an  asylum, 
this  strand  spreading  out  to  include  a  jail  break, 
an  abduction  and  much  shooting,  some  of  it 
fatal. 

Another  strand  concerns  an  epidemic  in  the 
hospital,  this  one  dramatizing  skillfully  the 
service  rendered  humanity  by  nurses  and  doc- 
tors. 

A  third  strand  presents  the  case  of  a  Pearl 
Harbor  veteran  whose  deep  despair  in  the  loss 
of  his  legs  is  dealt  with  psychologically  and 
physically  in  such  wise  as  to  effect  the  rehabili- 
tation which,  the  dialogue  makes  effectively 
clear,  it  will  be  the  nation's  responsibility  to 
duplicate  for  many. 

The  fourth  strand  concerns  the  continuing 
rivalry  of  the  internes  for  the  post  of  Dr.  Gil- 
lespie's assistant  and  this  is  the  strand  that 
provides  the  humor  that  offsets  and  enhances 
the  serious  aspects  of  the  picture. 

Direction  is  by  Willis  Goldbeck,  from  a  script 
by  Martin  Berkeley,  Harry  Ruskin  and  Law- 
rence P.  Bachman,  and  although  no  producer  is 
given  screen  credit  it  is  not  a  secret  that  Carey 
Wilson  functions  in  that  capacity  with  a  stead- 
fastness and  success  that  does  not  go  unnoted 
merely  because  it  is  unbilled. 

Previewed  at  the  studio.  Reviewer's  Rating : 
Excellent. — William  R.  Weaver. 

Release  date,  not  set.    Running  time,  89  min.  PCA 
No.  9140.     General  audience  classification. 
Dr.   Gillespie   Lionel  Barry  more 

Van  Johnson,  Keye  Luke,  Alma  Kruger,  Nat  Pen- 
dleton, Margaret  O'Brien,  Donna  Reed,  John  Craven, 
Michael  Duane,  William  Lundigan,  Walter  Kingsford, 
Marily  Maxwell,  Henry  O'Neill,  Marie  Blake,  Frances 
Rafferty. 

The  Ox-Bow  Incident5 

(Twentieth  Century-Fox) 
A  Drama  of  Lynch  Law 

This  is  a  well  produced  and  well  acted  film 
which  may  present  a  rather  special  selling 
problem.  Set  in  Nevada  in  1885,  it  is  not  a 
Western.  It  is  the  slow,  stark  story  of  a  lynch- 
ing, a  tale  of  cumulative  horror  which  is  not 
quickly  forgotten. 

It  shows  the  men  of  the  western  frontier  not 
as  heroes  upholding  the  law  against  evil-doers, 
but  rather  as  weak,  cowardly,  shiftless  and  cruel. 

An  indication  of  the  somber  nature  of  this 
material  is  afforded  in  the  initial  advertising  in 
the  New  York  papers  announcing  a  week-end 
opening  at  the  Rivoli  in  Broadway,  illustrated  by 
a  hangman's  noose  in  the  foreground  and  three 
bodies  swaying  from  a  tree.  The  text  includes : 
"Tough !  True !  Terrifying !"  And  observes : 
"It  took  nerve  to  make  it !  You'll  need  nerve 
to  take  it !" 

A  group  of  townsmen,  hearing  of  a  crime, 
forms  a  posse,  closes  in  on  three  men  in  the 
dark  and  hangs  them  before  the  sheriff  arrives 
to  say  the  deed  was  never  done.  The  few  who 
oppose  the  hanging  are  too  weak  to  make  their 
words  felt  or  too  cowardly  to  say  them.  The 
mob  which  is  neither  incensed  nor  sure  of  its 
ground,  follows  a  few  who  recognize  no  doubts 


Reviews  received  too  late  for 
this  Section  are  printed  in  the 
regular  news  pages  of  the 
Herald  and  are  reprinted  the 
following  week  in  Product 
Digest  for  their  reference  value. 


— the  brutal  rancher  who  allays  his  own  sense 
of  guilt  by  vindictiveness  toward  others ;  the 
woman  who  does  the  work  of  a  man  and  allows 
herself  no  softness ;  the  bullying  deputy  sheriff, 
heady  with  power,  and  the  avenging  friend  of 
the  man  thought  to  have  been  killed,  blinded 
with  rage. 

No  one  character  carries  the  story,  but  many 
performances  are  memorable.  Henry  Fonda, 
who  heads  the  cast,  is  excellent  as  an  onlooker 
who  joins  the  group  to  strengthen  his  own  posi- 
tion and  acts  on  his  mounting  doubts  too  late  to 
prevent  the  hanging.  Dana  Andrews  as  the 
chief  of  three  victims  is  a  moving  figure,  far 
finer  than  the  men  who  have  judged  him  and 
alive  to  the  implications  of  the  deed.  It  is  he 
who  indicts  this  crude  frontier  justice  as  a 
travesty  on  the  greatest  of  man's  social  achieve- 
ments— the  law.  Others  stand  out,  including 
William  Eythe  as  the  youngster  whose  father 
forces  him  to  participate;  Jane  Darwell  as  the 
militant  woman,  Harry  Davenport  as  the  store- 
keeper who  tries  desperately  to  uphold  the  law 
and  Leigh  Whipper  as  the  Negro  preacher. 

Lamar  Trotti  as  screen  playwright  and  pro- 
ducer has  preserved  the  essence  of  the  Walter 
Van  Tilburg  Clark  novel,  which  gained  wide 
critical  acclaim.  William  A.  Welman  directed 
it  with  strength  and  sincerity  if  a  bit  slowly  in 
the  earlier  scenes.  But  the  film  is  considerably 
intellectual  in  appeal. 

Seen  in  the  home  office  projection  room.  Re- 
viewer's Rating:  Good. — E.  A.  C. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  75  min.  PCA 
No.  8590.'  Adult  audience  classification. 

Gil  Carter   Henry  Fonda 

Martin   Dana  Andrews 

Anthony  Quinn,  Mary  Beth  Hughes,  Anthony  Quinn, 
William  Eythe,  Henry  Morgan,  Jane  Darwell,  Matt 
Briggs,  Harry  Davenport,  Frank  Conroy,  Marc  Law- 
rence, Chris-Pin  Martin,  Dick  Rich,  Francis  Ford, 
Leigh  Whipper,  Stanley  Andrews. 


Swing  Shift  Maisie 

(  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) 
Maisie  In  the  War  Effort 

"Swing  Shift  Maisie"  carries  a  solid  load  of 
entertainment  in  its  87  minutes.  Holding  it 
back  from  excellence  on  all  counts  is  a  screen- 
play that  becomes  routine  in  between  passages 
of  pungent  dialogue  and  clever  situations.  This 
telegraphs  its  punches  ahead.  With  so  many 
characters  on  the  scene  a  necessary  sense  of 
intimate  drama  is  lacking  when  a  key  scene 
needs  to  be  put  over.  But  it  has  been  directed 
by  Norman  McLeod  with  a  shrewd  eye  to  what 
audiences  like  best  and  there  should  be  enough 
comedy  and  thrills  to  make  it  popular. 

Maisie  is  in  a  night  club  when  the  yarn  be- 
gins, but  a  test  pilot  unwittingly  spoils  her  act 
and  lands  her  in  the  clink.  When  he  finds  out 
she  and  her  partner  want  to  aid  the  war  by  de- 
fense plant  work,  he  helps  them  get  into  the 
factory  whose  planes  he  tests.  Maisie  and  the 
pilot  are  beginning  to  fall  in  love  when  a  lonely 
girl  whom  Maisie  has  befriended  steals  the  pilot 
on  a  date  Maisie  has  arranged  to  share  with  her 
to  cheer  her  up.  Failing  to  follow  the  rules  at 
the  plant,  the  girl's  hair  is  caught  in  a  machine 
and,  after  other  instances  of  insubordination,  she 
is  fired.  Meanwhile  she  has  become  engaged  to 
the  pilot,  now  away  in  training  for  combat  duty. 
She  doesn't  remain  true  to  him,  but  Maisie 
keeps  mum  about  it  to  protect  her.  However, 
after  she  steals  away  in  the  night  with  Maisie's 
grip,  money  and  clothing,  Maisie  realizes  she 
must  expose  the  selfish  girl.  The  latter,  know- 
ing what  is  coming,  turns  Maisie  over  to  de- 


tectives on  a  trumped-up  charge.  But  she  cheats 
the  cheater  and  all  ends  well. 

Ann  Southern  here  does  one  of  the  best  of 
her  clever  "Maisie"  delineations  and  has  a  lot 
to  do  with  making  this  number  the  show  it  is. 
James  Craig  is  in  for  another  likeable  job  on 
his  way  up  to  M-G-M  star  billing.  Among  the 
many  familiar  people  in  the  supporting  cast  con- 
tributing good  performances  are  John  Qualen, 
Jean  Rogers,  Connie  Gilchrist,  Kay  Medford, 
Marta  Linden,  Russell  Gleason,  Rose  Hobart 
and  the  Weire  Brothers.  There's  a  particular 
standout  from  the  new  M-G-M  player,  Fred 
Brady,  who  will  be  seen  later,  too,  in  "Stage 
Door  Canteen."  George  Haight  produced  the 
Mary  McCall,  Jr.,  and  Robert  Halff  screenplay. 
Harry  Stradling's  photography  is  excellent. 

Tradeshown  at  a  neighborhood  Hollywood 
theatre,  the  picture  garnered  a  goodly  amount  of 
chuckles  and  managed  to  get  the  audience  on 
some  pins  and  needles  as  "Maisie"  extricated 
herself  from  a  jam  at  the  climax.  Reviewer's 
Rating:  Good. — Reed  Porter. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  87  min.  PCA 
No.  9150.    General  audience  classification. 

Maisie   Ann  Southern 

Breezy  McLaughlin  James  Craig 

Iris  Reed  Jean  Rogers 

Connie  Gilchrist,  John  Qualen,  Kay  Medford,  Weire 
Brothers,  Jacqueline  White,  Betty  Jaynes,  Fred  Brady, 
Marta  Linden,  Celia  Travers,  Donald  Curtis,  Pierre 
Watkin,  Lillian  Yarbo,  Pamela  Blake,  Katharine 
Booth,  Russell  Gleason,  Rose  Hobart. 

Swing  Your  Partner 

(Republic) 
Sprightly  Dance  Show 

When  you  can  extract  fun  from  dancing 
cheese  doughnuts,  you  have  gone  some  distance 
into  the  realms  of  novelty,  and  that's  what 
happens  in  this  fast-moving,  singing,  dancing 
entertainment  in  a  cheese  factory.  Romance, 
mystery  and  merry  nonsense  are  blended  into 
an  attractive  dish  for  the  customers. 

In  this  piece  Radio  goes  Hollywood  as  fea- 
tured players  are  all  air  entertainers  of  merit 
who  demonstrate  how  much  jitter,  swing,  hot 
and  sweet  melody  and  dance  goes  into  the  mak- 
ing of  cheese  in  the  modern  manner.  There  is 
a  preponderance  of  whoopee  and  a  minimum 
of  cheese.  Four  romances  from  youth  to  the 
middle  years  give  a  wide  range  for  audience 
appreciation.  Esther  Dale  in  the  role  of  a 
cheese  factory  president  is  mysteriously  fried 
to  a  frizzle  on  a  broadcast  birthday  celebration. 
She  sets  out  to  find  the  guilty  employees,  dis- 
guising herself  and  her  secretary  and  taking 
a  job  in  the  factory.  In  the  complications  that 
ensue,  she  finds  out  many  things  to  her  benefit 
and  to  that  of  the  workers.  Romance  flourishes 
all  over  the  place  and  spectators  are  treated 
to  a  dancing  show  that  is  novel  and  unpreten- 
tious fun. 

Dale '  Evans  shines  in  beauty  and  singing 
talent  as  the  secretary.  Roger  Clark  is  a 
handsome  hero,  and  the  entire  cast  is  well 
chosen.  "Pappy"  Cheshire  as  a  kindly  soul, 
and  Lulubelle,  Scotty  and  Vera  Vague  sing, 
dance  and  make  fun  in  plenty. 

The  show  has  good  direction  and  production. 
Armand  Shaefer  is  the  associate  producer  and 
Frank  McDonald  directed.  Eight  new  songs 
by  Jule  Styne,  Frank  Loesser  and  Charles 
Henderson  brighten  the  offering.  Dorrell  and 
Stuart  McGowan  wrote  the  screenplay. 

Viewed  at  the  home  office  projection  room. 
Reviewer's  Rating  :  Good. — A.  J. 

Release  date,  May  20,  1943.  Running  time,  72 
min.    PCA  No.  9207.    General  audience  classification. 

Lulubelle  &  Scotty,  Vera  Vague,  Dale  Evans,  Ran- 
som Sherman,  "Pappy"  Cheshire,  Richard  Lane, 
George  "Shug"  Fisher,  Roger  Clark,  Esther  Dale, 
Judy  Clark,  Charles  Judels,  Rosemary  LaPlanche, 
Sam  Flint,  Forbes  Murray,  Elmer  Jerome,  Peppy  & 
Peanuts  and  the  Tennessee  Ramblers. 

Saddles  and  Sagebrush 

(Columbia) 

Lightning-fast  Western 

It's  been  a  long  time  since  any  studio  has 
brought  forth  a  Western  drama  as  fast,  crisp 


I  302   Product  Digest  Section 


May    8,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


and  compact  as  Columbia's  "Saddles  and  Sage- 
brush." This  is  due  in  large  part  to  sharp  direc- 
tion by  William  Berke,  excellent  acting  by  a 
competent  cast  and  zoot  suit  trimmings  to  the 
usual  cowboy  story  duds  in  the  screenplay  by 
Ed  Earl  Repp.  It's  a  solid  attraction  that  makes 
spectator  eyes  stay  glued  to  the  screen  for  fear 
they'll  miss  something  if  they  blink. 

"Lucky  Randall"  and  "Cannonball"  are  of- 
fered top  wages  as  gunmen  if  they'll  leave  their 
ranch  riding  to  work  for  "Krag  Sabine."  They 
get  into  town  just  as  a  harmless  old  rancher  is 
shot  down  by  one  of  Sabine's  hired  thugs. 
Smelling  a  miscarriage  of  justice  somewhere, 
"Lucky"  and  "Cannonball"  join  the  settlers  and 
find  a  mess  of  wrongs  that  need  righting.  Sel- 
dom have  slugging  matches  been  as  well  con- 
ceived and  executed  as  Berke  directs  them  here 
and  seldom  has  the  riding  been  as  fast  and  fu- 
rious and  the  bullets  so  sure  in  hitting  their 
marks.  Bob  Wills  and  his  Texas  Playboys  not 
only  sing  and  play  in  the  manner  that  made 
them  popular  but  they  join  right  in  acting  with 
the  best  of  'em. 

Russell  Hayden  is  a  sure-'nuff  hero  and  his 
slow  smile  and  keen  eyes  help  punctuate  his 
lightning  draw.  It's  easy  to  see  why  Hay- 
den's  performances  put  this  Columbia  series  up 
near  the  top  in  a  hurry.  Dub  Taylor  is  perfect 
as  the  Cannonball  and  there's  a  good-looking 
heroine  in  Ann  Savage.  It's  a  slick  villain  that 
William  Wright  makes  of  Sabine,  too.  Leon 
Barsha  is  responsible  for  the  excellent  produc- 
tion. Benjamin  Kline  did  the  noteworthy  pho- 
tography. 

Seen  at  the  Hitching  Post  theatre,  Hollywood, 
where  a  jammed  house  was  so  wrapped  up  in 
the  picture  the  patrons  might  as  well  have  been 
right  up  on  the  screen  yelling  and  fighting  with 
the  actors.    Reviewer  s  Rating :  Good — R.  P. 

Release  date,  April  22,  1943.  Running  time,  57  min- 
utes.   PCA  No.  8926.    General  audience  classification. 

Lucky  Randall  Russell  Hayden 

Cannonball   Dub  Taylor 

Ann  Savage,  Bob  Wills,  William  Wright,  Frank  La- 
Rue,  Wheeler  Oakman,  Edmund  Cobb. 

The  Leopard  Man 

(RKO  Radio) 
Assorted  Mystery 

Because  of  the  successful  capture  of  an  eerie 
and  unusual  air  of  mystery,  there  is  a  tinge  of 
suspense  to  "The  Leopard  Man,"  third  in  the 
new  RKO  horror  product  started  off  by  "The 
Cat  _  People."  But  aside  from  this  unworldly 
quality  of  the  picture,  there  is  little  to  commend 
in  the  way  of  entertainment.  Mainly  at  fault 
are  a  screenplay  which  never  seems  to  be  headed 
in  any  specific  direction,  a  bunch  of  characters 
incidental  to  the  plot  that  are  dragged  in  like 
red  herrings  to  throw  an  audience  off  the  scent 
of  the  culprit,  and  a  lack  or  direction  in  that 
no  one  character  is  given  enough  shading  and 
attention  to  focus  interest  on  him. 

A  black  leopard  is  introduced  into  the  story 
by  a  publicity  man  seeking  to  gain  attention  for 
an  actress  in  a  New  Mexico  night  club.  A 
dancer  frightens  the  leopard  away  and  it  is 
blamed  for  three  deaths — a  young  girl,  a  daugh- 
ter of  a  wealthy  family  and  finally  the  dancer. 
It  becomes  apparent  to  the  hero  that  it  is  not 
the  leopard  doing  the  killing  but  some  person. 
His  suspicion  focuses  on  the  curator  of  a  mu- 
seum, and  he  and  the  actress  set  a  trap.  After 
the  capture,  the  screenplay  attempts  to  let  the 
curator  explain  his  motives  but,  as  if  it  realizes 
the  utter  implausibility  of  the  whole  thing,  the 
production  has  the  fiance  of  his  second  victim 
kill  off  the  curator  before  he  can  finish  explain- 
ing. 

Margo  manages  to  evoke  some  audience  sym- 
pathy with  the  only  warm  and  lively  perform- 
ance in  the  film  and  Richard  Martin  registers 
briefly  in  a  few  scenes  as  the  fiance.  On  the 
credit  side  is  the  striking  low-key  photography 
by  Robert  de  Grasse  and  the  weird  flavor  ob- 
tained in  the  staging  by  director  Jacques  Tour- 
neur. 

Trade  shown  at  the  Hawaii  theatre,  Holly- 
wood,  where  there  were  perhaps  a  half-dozen  or 
more  walk-outs  during  the  unreeling.  Notice- 
ably lacking  to  this  reviewer  was  the  tenseness 


among  the  audience  that  generally  pervades  the 
screening  of  a  horror  thriller.  Reviewer's  Rat- 
ing :  Fair. — R.  P. 

Release  date,  Block  6.  Running  time,  59  min.  PCA 
No.  9179.    General  audience  classification. 

Jerry  Manning   Dennis  O'Keefe 

Clo-Clo    Margo 

Kiki  Walker   Jean  Brooks 

Dr.  Galbraith   James  Bell 

Isabel  Jewell,  Richard  Martin,  Margaret  Landry,  Ab- 
ner  Biberman,  Tula  Parma,  Ben  Bard,  Ariel  Heath, 
Fely  Franquelli. 

Gildersleeve's  Bad  Day 

(RKO  Radio) 

That  Radio  Comic  Again 

That  man  with  the  peculiar  laugh,  "The  Great 
Gildersleeve,"  who  leaped  from  a  character  part 
on  radio's  "Fibber  McGee  and  Molly"  program 
to  his  own  half  hour,  is  back  on  the  screen 
again.    Harold  Peary  is  Gildersleeve. 

Mr.  Peary,  who  plays  a  laugh  for  all  it  is 
worth,  is  again  the  center  of  a  weak  comedy 
plot.  All  the  action  revolves  about  the  succes- 
sion of  difficulties  which  his  fumbling,  but  ami- 
able stupidity  gets  him  into.  Each  episode 
builds  up  to  a  climax  in  the  long,  gurgling 
chuckle  familiar  to  his  radio  listeners. 

Gildersleeve's  troubles  begin  this  time  when 
he  is  called  for  jury  duty  in  a  bank  robbery 
case.  Fancying  himself  a  legal  expert  Gilder- 
sleeve holds  out  for  an  acquittal  against  the 
weight  of  the  evidence.  Unknown  to  him  the 
defendant's  accomplices  promise  him  $1,000  if 
the  gangster  is  freed.  Gildersleeve  wins  an  ac- 
quittal, and  when  the  money  is  delivered  his 
family  and  friends  accuse  him  of  selling  justice. 

In  order  to  vindicate  himself  Gildersleeve 
robs  the  judge's  safe,  loses  his  pants,  and  after 
a  chase  by  both  police  and  the  gangsters  is  kid- 
napped by  the  acquitted  robber.  He  manages 
to  summon  the  police  however  and  explains  his 
predicament  to  everyone's  satisfaction. 

Nancy  Gates  again  plays  Gildersleeve's  niece, 
providing  a  touch  of  romance  with  her  high 
school  beaux.  Charles  Arnt  appears  as  the 
Judge  and  Jane  Darwell,  Freddie  Mercer  and 
several  others  from  the  first  Gildersleeve  pic- 
ture carry  on.  Herman  Schlom  produced  the 
screen  play  by  Jack  Townley  with  Gordon 
Douglas  directing. 

Gildersleeve's  laugh  and  mumbling  confusion 
are  slight  support  for  a  loosely  woven  feature- 
length  story.  Except  for  its  appeal  to  that 
group  of  listeners  who  have  brought  radio  suc- 
cess to  Gildersleeve  the  picture  has  little  to  rec- 
ommend it  as  screen  comedy. 

Reviewed  in  a  New  York  projection  room. 
Reviewer's  Rating :  Mediocre. — John  Stuart, 

Jr. 

Release  date,  Block  6.  Running  time,  62  min.  PCA 
No.  9186.    General  audience  classification. 

Gildersleeve   Harold  Peary 

Margie   Nancy  Gates 

Aunt  Emma   Jane  Darwell 

Charles  Arnt,  Freddie  Mercer,  Russell  Wade,  Lillian 
Randolph,  Frank  Jenks,  Douglas  Fowley,  Alan  Car- 
ney, Grant  Withers,  Richard  Le  Grand,  Dink  Trout, 
Harold  Landon,  Charles  Cane  and  Ken  Christy. 

Song  to  the  Wind 

(J.  H.  Hoffberg) 
Lively  Italian  Musical 

Whether  this  will  be  fitted  with  English  titles 
remained  in  doubt  at  review  time,  the  distribu- 
tor, J.  H.  Hoffberg,  believing  then  that  the  Ital- 
ian audience  would  be  large  enough  to  sustain 
the  picture  for  a  long  time.  The  55th  Street 
Playhouse,  New  York,  where  this  was  seen, 
attracted  many,  even  at  "advanced  admissions," 
high  for  an  "art"  house. 

The  name  of  Giusieppe  Lugo,  Italian  operatic 
and  lyric  tenor,  will  mean  most  in  the  billings. 
Many  Italians,  and  Americans  interested  in 
music  will  know  him,  or  of  him.  He  has  star 
billing  in  the  film,  as  the  celebrated  opera  tenor 
who  appears  in  a  small  town  as  the  prize  in  a 
national  lottery,  and  for  whose  favor  the  promi- 
nent inhabitants  of  the  town,  and  two  women, 
fight.  The  station-master  wins  the  honor  of 
entertaining  him ;  the  station-master's  daughter 
wins  his  favor.    However,  Lugo  learns  on  the 


eve  of  his  local  concert  that  the  daughter,  pret- 
tily portrayed  by  Dria  Paola,  really  loves  a 
young  composer.  So  Lugo  dedicates  the  song 
intended  for  her,  to  the  wind.  Some  comedy 
is  supplied  by  Laura  Nucci,  as  the  girl  who 
chases  Lugo  without  success. 

This  a  modern,  well  photographed  produc- 
tion. 

It  was  made  approximately  four  years  ago, 
at  the  Cinema  City,  Rome,  by  Emanuel  Weiss. 
In  addition  to  Mr.  Lugo,  and  to  Miss  Paola  and 
Miss  Nucci,  other  players  are  Ugo  Ceseri,  Pina 
Renzi,  and  Guglielmo  Sinaz. 

Seen  at  the  55th  Street  Playhouse,  New  York, 
with  a  matinee  audience  which  appreciated  the 
frequent  humor,  apparent  not  only  in  verbal  sal- 
lies, but  also  in  portrayal  of  various  small  town 
characters.  Reviewer's  Rating :  G ood — Floyd 
Elbert  Stone. 

Release  date,  April  24,  1943.  Running  time,  76  min. 
General  audience  classification. 


The  Gentle  Sex 

( Two  Cities-C oncanen-General ) 
Women  At  War 

Women  since  "The  Women"  may  not  have 
undergone  any  fundamental  changes;  their 
whole  world  has  changed,  however,  and  they 
have  been  equal  to  it.  This  vivid  and  naturalis- 
tic film,  epitomising  the  life  of  women  in 
Britain's  A.T.S.  today,  tells  the  story  of  the 
change,  of  course,  in  a  British  idiom. 

The  net  result  of  this  enterprise  is  a  produc- 
tion alive  to  its  very  heart,  a  picture  which 
will  not  only  amuse  the  mere  male  but  which 
will  engross  women  wherever  they  are,  or  have 
sisters  in  uniform.  It  has  factual  authenticity, 
movement,  vividness,  and  visual  charm.  The 
seven  stars  do  superlative  work,  and  the  name 
of  Leslie  Howard  can  be  sold  with  the  picture. 
Here,  with  an  immense  market,  the  film  should 
register  exceptional  box  office  business.  Else- 
where they  should  be  a  grand  chance  for  ex- 
ploitation by  the  keen  showman. 

Dramatically  the  film  traces  the  experiences 
of  seven  girls,  each  from  a  different  walk  of 
life,  each  of  different  character  and  tempera- 
ment, who  join  the  A.T.S.  together.  The 
tracery  goes  on  through  the  process  of  recruit- 
ing, through  the  errors  and  mishaps  of  the  bar- 
rack square,  etches  the  outlines  of  those  "de- 
hydrated nunneries"  where  women  are  moulded 
into  soldiers,  follows  a  convoy  across  country, 
stands  besides  the  girls  at  the  Ack  Ack  guns, 
pierces  the  heart  of  one  with  the  loss  of  a  lover, 
suggests  the  ceaseless  hunger  of  another  for 
food,  misses  neither  the  pampered  girl  about 
town  nor  the  big  hearted  lass  from  Scotland, 
knits  them  all  together  in  a  pattern  of  womanly 
comradeship  and  spirit.  Every  one  of  the  girls 
is  a  living  person,  in  whom  women  and  men  will 
see  their  own  kin  mirrored. 

Howard's  direction  is  right  in  its  touch,  the 
camera  work  of  the  English  background  is  a 
distinct  asset,  and  John  Greenwood's  orchestral 
score  good  enough  to  merit  separate  hearing. 

Joyce  Howard's  unaffected  naturalness  and 
charm,  Rosamund  John's  quaint  Scots  lassie, 
Joan  Gate's  Cockney  waitress  and  Lilli  Palm- 
er's smouldering  Czech  are  memorable  among 
the  seven  fine  characterizations.  Jimmy  Hanley 
stands  out  briefly  as  a  Cockney  Commando. 

Derrick  De  Marney  produced,  and  script  was 
by  Moie  Charles,  both  deserving  credit. 

Screened  to  a  press  and  service  women's  audi- 
ence, the  film  scored  a  pronounced  success,  held 
its  dramatic  passages  tensely  and  stirred  waves 
of  laughter  and  applause  at  the  more  whimsical 
moments.  Reviewer's  Rating :  Excellent. — Au- 
brey Flanagan. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  93  min.  Gen- 
eral audience  classification. 

Gwen,  Cockney  waitress   Joan  Gates 

"Good  Time"  Dot   Jean  Gillie 

Betty,  spoilt  only  child  Joan  Greenwood 

Anne,_  daughter  of  an  Army  Colonel.  .Joyce  Howard 
Maggie,  member  of  a  Scots  family... Rosamund  John 

Erna,  Czech  refugee   Lilli  Palmer 

Joan,  ex-dancing  teacher  Barbara  Waring 

John  Justin,  Frederick  Leister,  Mary  Jerrold,  Elliot 
Mason,  John  Laurie,  Harry  Welchman,  Ronald  Shin- 
er, Jimmy  Hanley,  Miles  Malleson,  Roland  Pertwee. 


Product  Digest  Section    I  303 


MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  May    8,  1943 

SHORT  SUBJECTS 

reviews  and  synopses 


The  Ghost  Rider 

(Monogram) 

Johnny  Mack  Brown  Series 

Here  is  the  first  in  the  new  series  of  John- 
ny Mack  Brown  Westerns  being  presented  by 
Monogram.  "The  Ghost  Rider"  is  an  above- 
average  production  and  should  appeal  to  action 
fans  generally. 

Johnny  Mack  Brown  is  known  as  "Nevada," 
the  Ghost  Rider,  who  is  out  to  bring  to  justice 
all  members  of  the  gang  which  murdered  his 
father.  He  traces  one  to  a  town  being  run  by 
Harry  Woods,  gang  leader,  who  has  killed  the 
owner  of  a  slaughtering  house,  to  be  used  as  a 
"front"  for  cattle  rustling. 

The  Ghost  Rider  is  aided  in  his  efforts  to 
round  up  the  gang  by  Raymond  Hatton,  a  U.  S. 
Marshal.  Hatton  poses  as  a  crooked  sheriff  in 
order  to  get  information  concerning  the  gang's 
hideout,  while  "Nevada"  makes  a  deal  with 
Woods  for  a  share  in  his  operations. 

Hatton  finally  captures  the  gang,  with  the 
help  of  "Nevada"  on  the  inside,  but  arrests 
him  for  the  killing  of  one  of  the  bandits.  When 
he  learns  circumstances  of  the  shooting  and  the 
real  purpose  of  Brown's  presence  in  the  gang, 
he  releases  him  for  further  adventures. 

Wallace  Fox  did  a  good  job  with  the  direc- 
tion. Action  is  fast,  with  plenty  of  hard  rid- 
ing and  gun  battles.  Scott  R.  Dunlap  produced 
from  an  original  screenplay  by  Jess  Bowers. 

Caught  at  the  Daly  theatre  in  Hartford, 
where  an  early  afternoon  audience  seemed  to 
enjoy  the  film.    Reviewer's  Rating:  Good. 

Release  date,  April  2,  1943.  Running  time,  52  min. 
PCA  No.  9217.    General  audience  classification. 

Nevada   Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Sandy  Hopkins   Raymond  Hatton 

Tom  Seidel,  Milburn  Morante,  Beverly  Boyd,  Harry 
Woods,  Jack  Saddler,  Edmund  Cobb,  Charles  King, 
Bud  Osborne,  Artie  Ortego,  George  de  Normand, 
Jack  Daley. 


Mission  to  Moscow 

(Warners) 

Message  to  the  World 

In  "Mission  to  Moscow,"  wherein  Warner 
Brothers  has  translated  into  terms  of  the  screen 
the  book  by  Joseph  E.  Davies,  former  Ambas- 
sador to  Russia,  the  exhibitor  has  a  unique  and 
notable  experiment  in  showmanship.  Told  most 
convincingly,  the  picture  carries  a  message  to 
the  free  peoples  of  the  world,  a  message  calling 
for  unity,  mutual  understanding  and  confidence 
in  each  other  among  the  three  great  nations, 
the_ United  States,  Great  Britain  and  the  Soviet 
Union. 

It  is  absorbing  drama,  but  being  history  as 
told  by  those  who  made  it,  sharp  debate  inevi- 
tably must  follow  its  exhibition.  At  the  same 
time,  the  veracity  of  the  facts  set  forth,  of  in- 
cidents and  the  manner  in  which  the  forecasts 
have  come  to  pass,  should  mean  that  the  picture 
will  be  believed,  which  in  itself  is  translatable 
into  terms  of  box  office  dollars. 

A  cast  of  hundreds,  giving  sincere  perform- 
ances, lends  weight  to  the  film's  story,  which 
adheres  closely  to  the  pattern  of  the  original. 
It  is  told  in  simple  terms.  In  a  prologue,  nar- 
rated by  Mr.  Davies,  the  diplomat  gives  his 
reasons  for  writing  the  book,  and  for  permitting 
it  to  be  screened.  In  a  brief  outline  of  his  own 
life,  he  sets  the  scene  for  the  film. 

As  the  story  unfolds,  Emperor  Haile  Selassie 
of  Ethiopia  pleads  with  the  League  of  Nations 
at  Geneva  to  halt  Italy's  grab  in  1936.  Litvinov, 
played  by  Oscar  Homolka,  pleads  in  support  of 
the  Emperor,  for  "in  collective  security  there 
is  peace."  But  German,  Japanese  and  Italian 
delegates  walk  out. 

From  this  point  Europe  seethes,  and  Presi- 
dent Roosevelt  calls  on  his  friend,  Mr.  Davies, 
to  go  to  Russia  as  Ambassador,  to  learn  Stalin's 
feelings  toward  the  Axis.  Walter  Huston  is  ex- 
cellent as  the  Ambassador.  Mr.  Davies  is  told 
to  stop  in  Berlin,  to  advise  Hitler  that  the 
United  States  would  agree  to  part  of  his  de- 
mands, if  then,  he  would  agree  to  disarm  almost 
completely.    The  United  States,  Great  Britain, 


THE  INVASION  OF  EUROPE 
(Canadian  Film  Board) 

World  In  Action 

The  war  as  it  was,  is,  and  may  be — in  Eu- 
rope. The  progress  of  the  Nazi  blitzkrieg  is 
related,  and  its  current  failure.  The  conquered 
countries  are  shown  in  clips  and  in  maps,  and 
the  conversion  of  Europe  into  a  "fortress." 
The  commentary,  written  by  Stuart  Legg,  and 
narrated  in  heavy  "Time"  style,  observes  the 
Nazi  defensive  preparations  with  three  defense 
systems  :  the  coastal  "Schnelle  Line,"  the  Magi- 
not  Line,  whose  guns  point  to  the  West  now, 
and  the  Siegfried  Line,  the  value  of  which  has 
still  to  be  tested.  Avenues  of  entrance  into 
the  fortress  are  explored :  Norway,  France, 
Italy,  the  Balkans.  The  picture  leaves  the  ques- 
tion hanging:  where  will  the  Allies  invade? 
The  narration  is  effective  in  exposition,  in  mes- 
sage and  in  delivery.  The  editing  is  the  usual 
competent  "World  in  Action"  job.  The  pho- 
tography is  poor  but  that  is  because  many  clips 
are  direct  war  scenes.  Not  the  least  interesting 
is  much  captured  enemy  footage — of  submarines 
returning  to  concrete  hangars,  of  Nazi  bigwigs, 
of  huge  guns  and  forts,  of  slave  labor. — F.  E.  S. 
Release  date,  May  7,  1943  21  minutes 

TOM  THUMB  IN  PERSON  (Univ.) 

Person  Oddity  (73  80) 

Baron  Nowak  of  New  York  is  pictured  stand- 
ing on  a  man's  hand  in  a  typical  Tom  Thumb 
pose  as  one  of  the  smallest  men  in  the  world. 
Other  unusual  features  of  this  release  are  a 
photograph  hospital  in  Denver,  the  nation's 
only  active  volcano  at  Mt.  Lassen  in  California 
and  a  San  Diego  ship  carver  who  paints  back- 
grounds for  them  to  add  realism. 
Release  date,  May  24,  1943  9  minutes 

PATRIOTIC  POOCHES  (20th-Fox) 

Terrytoon  (3  562) 

The  dogs,  in  all  sorts  and  sizes,  respond  to 
the  Government's  appeal  to  join  the  WOOFS. 
They  undergo  their  examination  and  training, 
housed  in  pup  tents.  The  little  pooch  makes 
every  effort  to  join  but,  repeatedly  thrown  out, 
he  loses  heart.  Dejectedly  he  sits  on  the  shore 
and  sees  a  submarine  rise  to  land  three  Ger- 
man porkers.  He  gives  the  signal,  and  the  new 
WOOFS  slaughter  the  invaders.  The  little 
pooch  is  decorated  and  accepted. 
Release  date,  April  9,  1943  7  minutes 


France  and  possibly  Russia  would  do  likewise. 
But  the  Ambassador  is  denied  access  to  Hitler, 
and  goes  on  to  Russia,  there  to  be  impressed  by 
the  morale  of  the  people,  and  the  preparations 
Russia  is  making  for  the  war  it  knows  to  be 
inevitable. 

But  some  plotted  against  the  regime,  and 
their  apprehension  and  trial  in  a  Soviet  court  is 
a  highlight  of  the  film. 

The  Ambassador  returns  home,  his  job  finish- 
ed, but  he  tells  the  President,  "the  nations  that 
win  the  war  must  be  in  accord  to  win  the  peace," 
and  that  "there  will  be  no  separate  peace." 

Throughout  the  picture,  but  particularly  in 
the  climactic  purge  trials  and  in  a  final  interview 
between  Mr.  Davies  and  Stalin,  there  runs  the 
thread  of  Mr.  Davies'  conviction  of  the  Soviet 
Union's  honesty  of  purpose.  The  narrative  ex- 
plains carefully,  through  the  Ambassador's  eyes, 
reasons  for  and  the  motives  behind  Russian 
diplomatic  moves.  High  praise  for  the  Roose- 
velt Administration's  foreign  policy  while  the 
war  clouds  were  gathering,  is  prominent. 

Bits  of  humor  and  human  sidelights  on  the 
assimilation  of  Russian  life  by  Mr.  Davies'  wife 
and  family  relieve  the  historical  document. 


WEAPONS  FOR  VICTORY 
(Twentieth  Century- Fox) 

Lowell  Thomas — The  World  Today 

This  is  in  essence  in  two  sections :  one  which 
shows  the  materials  of  war  in  the  building — 
the  processes  which  manufacture  guns,  shells, 
ships,  aeroplanes,  tanks,  jeeps;  another  which 
shows  these  in  transport  to  the  fighting  fronts, 
and  in  action.  In  the  latter  section  are  scenes 
from  20th-Fox's  "Desert  Victory."  The  pho- 
tographic depiction  of  the  manufacturing  proc- 
esses is  excellent.  Especially  striking  are  the 
steel  workers,  whose  faces  provide  as  compel- 
ling material  as  what  they  do.  In  general,  the 
photographic  approach  comprises  a  long  shot, 
a  medium,  and  then  excellent,  clear,  vital  close- 
ups.  The  short  indeed  shows  "weapons  for 
victory." — F.  E.  S. 

Release  date,  May  7,  1943  9  minutes 

IT'S  TOMMY  TUCKER  TIME  (RKO) 

Jamboree  (34,406) 

Amy  Arnell  and  Don  Brown  are  the  featured 
vocalists  in  this  "jam  session"  with  Tommy 
Tucker  and  his  orchestra.  Characteristic  rendi- 
tions of  "Runnin'  Wild,"  "Why  Don't  You  Do 
Right"  and  "Among  My  Souvenirs"  are  ar- 
ranged with  vocal  and  instrumental  novelties  by 
members  of  the  band. 

Release  date,  April  16,  1943  8  minutes 

SHIPYARD  SYMPHONY  (20th-Fox) 

Terrytoon  (3  561) 

The  American  eagle  leads  a  symphony  of 
animal  workers  at  a  bustling  shipyard.  The 
ship  is  constructed,  painted,  launched  and  armed 
with  great  speed,  to  the  accompanying  music 
of  "Hail,  Columbia,"  while  Liberty  watches 
overhead. 

Release  date,  March  19,  1943        7  minutes 

INCA  GOLD  (MGM) 

Miniature  (M-43  5) 

The  centuries-old  legend  of  the  great  gold 
mine  in  Peru  is  revived  in  this  Carey  Wilson 
Miniature  which  traces  the  historic  tale  which 
started  when  the  Spaniards  first  overran  the 
land  of  the  Incas.  But  the  Incas'  secret  died 
with  the  ruling  line,  and  recent  and  more 
scientific  explorations  have  met  with  invariable 
failure. 

Release  date,  April  24,  1943       10  minutes 


Ann  Harding,  as  Mrs.  Davies  ;  Gene  Lock- 
hart,  as  Molotov;  Helmut  Dantine,  as  Major 
Kamanev ;  Victor  Francen,  as  Vyshinsky ; 
Manhart  Kippen,  as  Stalin,  and  Dudley  Malone, 
as  Churchill,  offer  a  few  of  the  more  important 
roles,  brilliantly  played.  Michael  Curtiz  rates 
high  praise  for  his  direction.  The  screenplay 
was  by  Howard  Koch,  and  Bert  Glennon  was 
the  photographer. 

Previewed  before  an  audience  of  newspaper 

men  at  the  Earle  Theatre  in  Washington.  Re- 

vieioer's  Rating :  Excellent. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  123  min.  Gen- 
eral audience  classification. 

Joseph  E.  Davies  Walter  Huston 

Mrs.  Davies   Ann  Harding 

Litvinov   Oscar  Homolka 

Molotov   Gene  Lockhart 

Madame  Molotov   Frieda  Inescort 

Freddie   George  Tobias 

Eleanor  Parker,  Richard  Travis.  Helmut  Dantine. 
Victor  Francen,  Henry  Daniell,  Barbara  Everest,  Dud- 
ley Field  Malone,  Roman  Bohnen,  Moroni  Olsen, 
Minor  Watson,  Vladimir  Sokoloff,  Jerome  Cowan. 
Frank  Publia,  Maria  Palmer,  Maurice  Schwartz,  Kon- 
stantin  Shane,  Mannart  Kippen,  Kathleen  Lockhart, 
Kurt  Katch,  Felix  Basch,  John  Abbott,  Charles  Trow- 
bridge, Captain  Jack  Young. 

(Reviezv  reprinted  from  last  week's  Herald) 


1304   Product  Digest  Section 


May    8,    1943       "'  MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

ADVANCE  SYNOPSES 

and  information 


SWEET  ROSIE  O'GRADY 
(20th  Century- Fox) 

Musical,  in  Technicolor 

PRODUCER:  William  Perlberg.  Directed  by  Irving 
Cummings. 

PLAYERS:  Betty  Grable,  Robert  Young,  Adolphe 
Menjou,  Reginald  Gardiner. 

SYNOPSIS 

Formerly  titled  "Police  Gazette  Girl,"  this  is 
a  story  of  a  former  showgirl  at  the  turn  of  the 
century  who  goes  to  Europe  and  becomes  the 
toast  of  the  continent.  Returning  to  America 
with  the  intention  of  marrying  a  duke  who  ac- 
companies her,  she  is  exposed  by  a  Police 
Gazette  reporter  who  is  in  love  with  her.  Her 
"romance"  with  the  nobleman  falls  through, 
and  she  finds  true  love  with  the  newspaperman. 


SUBMARINE  BASE 
(Producers  Releasing) 

War  Melodrama 

PRODUCER:  Jack  Schwarz,  Harry  D.  Edwards. 
Directed  by  Albert  Kelly. 

PLAYERS:  John  Litel,  Alan  Baxter,  Eric  Blore,  Iris 
Adrian,  Fifi  D'Orsay. 

SYNOPSIS 

A  former  New  York  racketeer  establishes  a 
refuge  on  an  island  off  shipping  lanes.  He 
undertakes  to  furnish  Nazi  submarines  with  tor- 
pedoes, and  doublecrosses  them,  doctoring  the 
torpedoes  so  that  they  explode  in  the  subs. 


APPOINTMENT  IN  BERLIN 
(Columbia) 

War  Melodrama 

PRODUCER:  B.  P.  Schulberg.  Directed  by  Alfred 
E.  Green. 

PLAYERS:  George  Sanders,  Marguerite  Chapman, 
Gale  Sondergaard. 

SYNOPSIS 

This  concerns  an  officer  in  the  British  Intel- 
ligence who  is  assigned  to  a  mission,  before  the 
war,  which  includes  becoming  a  member  of  a 
Nazi  espionage  ring.  On  outbreak  of  hostilities 
he  is  assigned  a  "Lord  Haw  Haw"  broadcasting 
post  by  the  Nazis  and  uses  his  apparently  anti- 
British  broadcasts  to  convey  information  of  mil- 
itary importance  to  Britain.  When  the  Nazis 
become  convinced  of  his  real  purpose  he  es- 
capes, radios  a  vital  message  to  Britain  from 
his  plane  and  then  flies  to  his  death  into  an  oil 
tank  to  light  the  target  for  British  bombers. 

CRIME  DOCTOR 
(Columbia) 

Start  of  a  Series 

PRODUCER:  Ralph  Cohn.  Directed  by  Michael 
Gordon. 

PLAYERS:  Warner  Baxter,  Margaret  Lindsay,  Ray 
Collins,  John  Litel,  Harold  Huber,  Don  Costello, 
Constance  Worth,  Dorothy  Tree. 

SYNOPSIS 

This  is  the  first  of  a  projected  series  of 
melodramas  taken  from  and  titled  after  the 


radio  program  of  the  same  name.  This  first  one 
opens  with  a  near-fatality  which  establishes 
the  principal  character  of  the  airshow  and  the 
series,  Dr.  Ordway,  as  a  criminologist.  That 
name  is  given  him  for  convenience  when,  on 
recovering  from  an  attack  by  unknown  assail- 
ants, he  is  a  victim  of  amnesia.  He  becomes 
an  expert  in  criminology  but  persists  in  tracing 
his  past,  succeeding  finally  in  discovering  that 
he  has  previously  held  a  position  on  a  parole 
board  arranged  for  him  by  criminal  associates. 
In  working  out  of  his  later  problems  after  ten 
years  of  success,  he  brings  his  former  cronies 
to  justice. 


THE  NORTH  STAR 
(Goldwyn) 

Russian  Drama 

PRODUCER:  Samuel  Goldwyn.  Directed  by  Lewis 
Milestone. 

PLAYERS:  Anne  Baxter,  Walter  Brennan,  Walter 
Huston,  Ann  Harding,  Dana  Andrews,  Jane  Withers, 
Erich  von  Stroheim. 

SYNOPSIS 

A  little  Russian  village  is  occupied  by  the 
Germans  who  attempt  to  win  the  people  over 
and  then,  finding  opposition,  commit  brutalities 
to  force  the  inculcation  of  the  Nazi  ideology  in 
the  minds  of  old  and  young,  especially  the  lat- 
ter. However,  a  courageous  school  teacher  leads 
the  fight  against  the  invaders,  with  ultimate, 
and  in  some  cases,  tragic  success. 


BILLY  THE  KID  IN  THE  RENEGADE 
(Producers  Releasing) 

Western  Melodrama 

PRODUCER:  Sig  Nufeld.  Directed  by  Sam  New- 
field. 

PLAYERS:  Buster  Crabbe,  Al  St.  John,  Charles 
King. 

SYNOPSIS 

It's  a  land-grabbing  operation,  designed  to 
wreck  the  local  bank  as  well  as  obtain  posses- 
sion of  property,  that  the  heroes  stumble  into 
on  this  occasion.  They  learn  that  there  is  oil 
on  the  land  in  question  and  their  investigations 
reveal  that  the  mayor  of  the  town  is  the  plotter 
in  the  background,  whereupon  they  take  action 
to  establish  justice. 

BOMBER'S  MOON 
(20th  Century- Fox) 

War  Story 

PRODUCER:  Sol  Wurtzel.  Directed  by  Edward 
Ludwig. 

PLAYERS:  George  Montgomery,  Annabella,  Kent 
Taylor. 

SYNOPSIS 

_  Laid  in  Europe  before  the  fall  of  France,  this 
picture  tells  the  story  of  the  escape  from  the 
Nazis  of  an  American  flier  in  the  RAF  who 
was  shot  down  over  Germany,  with  a  pretty 
Russian  woman  surgeon.  Their  trek  across 
Germany  before  the  Gestapo  hounds  and  their 
eventual  escape  to  the  safety  of  Holland  con- 
stitute the  plot. 


SOMEWHERE  IN  SAHARA 
(Columbia) 

War  Action 

PRODUCER:  Harry  Joe  Brown.  Directed  by  Zoltan 
Korda. 

PLAYERS:  Humphrey  Bogart,  Bruce  Bennett,  Lloyd 
Bridges,  J.  Carrol  Naish,  Dan  Duryea. 

SYNOPSIS 

Adventures  of  an  American  tank  crew  which 
gets  detached  from  its  command  in  Libya  pro- 
vide the  central  narrative  of  this  melodrama. 
In  its  travels  the  crew  acquires  British,  Italian, 
Sudanese  and  Nazi  survivors  who  pool  their 
destinies  for  defense,  all  but  two  of  the  per- 
sonnel dying  under  Nazi  attack  before  the  pic- 
ture ends  at  the  defense  of  El  Akeneub. 

JITTERBUGS 
(20th  Century- Fox) 

Comedy 

PRODUCER:  Sol  Wurtzel.  Directed  by  Malcolm 
St.  Clair. 

PLAYERS:  Laurel  and  Hardy,  Vivian  Blaine,  Doug- 
las Fowley. 

SYNOPSIS 

Laurel  and  Hardy,  two  traveling  musicians, 
unwittingly  act  as  stooges  for  a  confidence  ring, 
and  enable  its  members  to  swindle  a  girl  and 
her  mother.  In  turn,  they  cheat  the  cheaters 
and  restore  the  money,  with  the  climax  coming 
as  they  become  entangled  in  a  jitterbug  con- 
test conducted  by  a  carnival. 


TWO  SENORITAS  FROM 

CHICAGO 

(Columbia) 

Comedy  with  Music 

PRODUCER:  Wallace  MacDonald.  Directed  by 
Frank  Woodruff. 

PLAYERS:  Jinx  Falkenburg,  Joan  Davis,  Edmund 
Lowe,  Leslie  Brooks. 

SYNOPSIS 

The  basis  of  the  comedy  line  on  which  this 
picture  proceeds  is  the  finding  of  a  musical 
comedy  script  in  a  wastebasket  by  a  hotel  maid. 
She  sells  it  to  a  producer  and  the  two  waitresses 
pretend  to  be  Portuguese  stars  by  way  of  get- 
ting into  the  production.  Meanwhile,  the  au- 
thors who  put  the  script  in  the  wastebasket  have 
sold  the  show  to  another  producer,  creating  a 
situation  in  which  competitors  are  producing  the 
same  show.  Complications  which  accrue  are 
liquidated  when  the  show  promises  to  be  a  hit. 


FRONTIER  FURY 
(Columbia) 

Western 

PRODUCER:  Jack  Fier.  Directed  by  William  Berke. 
PLAYERS:  Charles  Starrett,  Arthur  Hunnicutt, 
Jimmy  Davis,  Cal  Shrum  and  his  cowboy  troupe, 
Bruce  Bennett. 

SYNOPSIS 

A  young  Indian  agent  and  an  Indian  friend 
are  robbed  of  $15,000  in  reservation  funds,  and 
the  latter  is  killed.  The  agent  then  launches 
a  campaign  to  find  the  killers,  arresting  them 
after  a  series  of  incidents  in  which  his  life  is 
placed  in  danger. 


Product  Digest  Section    I  305 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    8 ,    I  943 


THE  RELEASE  CHART 

Index  to  Reviews,  Advance  Synopses  and 
Service  Data  in  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION 


Release  dates  and  running  time  are  furnished  as  soon  as  avail- 
able. Advance  dates  are  tentative  and  subject  to  change. 

Consult  Service  Data  in  the  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION  for 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating,  Audience  Classification  and  Managers' 
Round  Table  Exploitation. 


All  page  numbers  on  this  chart  refer  to  pages  in  the 
PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION  of  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 

Short  Subjects  Chart  with  Synopsis  Index  can  be  found  on 
pages  1292-1293. 

Feature  Product  Including  Coming  Attractions,  listed  by  Com- 
pany, in  order  of  release,  on  pages  1278-1279. 


Title  Company 

ABOVE  Suspicion  MGM 
Across  the  Pacific  WB 
Action  in  the  North  Atlantic  WB 
Adventures  of  Mark  Twain  WB 
Aerial  Gunner  Para. 
After  Midnight  with  Boston  Blackie  Col 
Air  Force  WB 
Air  Raid  Wardens,  The  MSM 
A-Haunting  We  Will  Go  20th-Fox 
Alibi  Rep- 
Alaska  Highway  •  Para. 
All  by  Myself  Univ. 
Always  a  Bridesmaid  Univ. 
Amazing  Mrs.  Holliday.  The  Univ. 
American  Empire  UA 
Andy  Hardy's  Double  Life  MSM 
Apache  Trail  MGM 
Ape  Man,  The  Mono. 
Appointment  in  Berlin  Col. 
Arabian  Nights  Univ. 
Arizona  Stagecoach  Mono. 
Army  Surgeon 

Assignment  in  Brittany  MGM 

At  Dawn  We  Die  (British)  Rep. 

(formerly  Tomorrow  We  Live) 

Avengers,  The  (British)  Para. 

Avenging  Rider,  The  RKO 


Running 

Prod.  Release  Time 

Number               Stars  Date 

....  Joan  Crawford-Fred  MacMurray  Not  Set  91m 

202  Humphrey  Bogart-Mary  Astor  Sept.  5,'42  98m 

. .  ■  ■  Humphrey  Bogart-Raymond  Massey  Not  Set  .... 

....  Fredric  March-Alexis  Smith  Not  Set  .... 

.  Chester  Morris-Richard  Arlen  Block  5  78m 

4031  Chester  Morris-Ann  Savage  Mar.  I8,'43  64m 

217  John  Garfield-Gig  Young  Mar.  20/43  1 24m 

326  Laurel  and  Hardy  Apr.,'43  67m 
302  Laurel  and  Hardy  Aug.  7/42  67m 
214  Margaret  Lockwood-Hugh  Sinclair  Mar.  24, '43  66m 

  Richard  Arlen-Jean  Parker  Not  Set  .... 

....  Patric  Knowles-Evelyn  Ankers  June  1 1, '43  .... 

■  .  ■  ■  Andrews  Sisters-Patric  Knowles  Not  Set  .... 

7005  Deanna  Durbin-Edmond  O'Brien  Feb.  19/43  98m 

  Richard  Dix-Leo  Carrillo  Dec.  1 1, '42  81m 

318  Mickey  Rooney-Lewis  Stone  Dec-Feb.,'43  92m 

304  Lloyd  Nolan-Donna  Reed  Sept.-Nov.,'42  66m 

Bela  Lugosi-Wallace  Ford  Mar.  19/43  64m 

....  George  Sanders-Marguerite  Chapman    June  29/43  .... 

7063  Sabu-Maria  Montez-Jon  Hall  Dec.  25/42  87m 

■ .  •  ■  The  Range  Busters  Sept.  4/42  58m 

312  James  Ellison-Jane  Wyatt  Dec.  4/42  63m 

327  Pierre  Aumont-Susan  Peters  Apr.,'43  98m 
778  John  Clements-Godfrey  Tearle  Mar.  20/43  85m 

4213  Ralph  Richardson-Deborah  Kerr  Block  3  88m 

Tim  Holt  Not  Set  55m 


M.  P.  Product  Advance  Service 
Herald       Digest     Synopsis  Data 


Issue  Page 
-  REVIEWED  ~ 


May  1/43 
Aug.  22/42 


Mar.  20/43 
Mar.  13/43 
Feb.  6/43 
Mar.  20/43 
July  11/42 
Apr.  3/43 


Feb.  6/43 
Dec.  12/42 
Dec.  5/42 
June  27/42 
Feb.  27/43 

Dec.  26/42 

Oct.  24/42 
Mar.  13/43 
Dec.  26/42 

Nov.  7/42 
Feb. 13/43 


1289 
927 


1226 
1203 
1145 
1214 
927 
1237 


1145 
1053 
1042 
938 
1181 

1090 

969 
1201 
1077 

993 
1158 


Page 

1001 
726 
983 
936 

1091 

1192 
936 

1091 


1192 
1277 
1192 
936 
871 
796 
726 
1104 
1305 
872 

701 
1019 


Page 


1280 


1 174 


1174 


urn 


BABY  Face  Morgan  PRC 
Background  to  Danger  WS 
Bad  Company  Univ. 
Bad  Men  of  Thunder  Gap  PRC 
Bambi  (color)  I  C 

Bandit  Ranger  RKO 
Bataan  MGM 

(formerly  Bataan  Patrol) 
Behind  Prison  Walls  PRC 
Behind  the  Eight  Ball  Univ. 
Berlin  Correspondent  20th-Fox 
Best  Foot  Forward  MGM 
Between  Us  Girls  Univ. 
Big  Street,  The  KKO 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Fugitive  of  Plains  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Kid  Rides  Again  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Mysterious  Rider  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  The  Renegade  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Western  Cyclone  PRC 
Black  Raven,  The  PRC 
Black  Swan,  The  (color)  20th-Fox 
Blocked  Trail,  The  Rep. 
Bombardier  RKO 
Bombers  Moon  20th-Fox 
Boogie  Man  Will  Get  You,  The  Col. 
Boots  and  Saddles  (Re-release)  Rep. 
Border  Buckaroos  PRC 
Border  Patrol  UA 
Boss  of  Big  Town  PRC 
Boston  Blackie  Goes  Hollywood  Col. 
Bowery  at  Midnight  Mono. 
Boy  From  Stalingrad  Col. 
Brains  Trust,  The  (British)  Strand-Anglo 
Buckskin  Frontier  UA 
Busses  Roar  WB 


317  Mary  Carlisle-Richard  Cromwell  Sept.  15/42 

....  George  Raft-Brenda  Marshall  Not  Set 

Dead  End  Kids  Not  Set 

352  Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill  Mar.  5/43 

391  Disney  Feature  Cartoon  Aug.  21/42 

381  Tim  Holt  Sept.  25/42 

....  Robert  Taylor-Thomas  Mitchell  Not  Set 

313  Alan  Baxter-Gertrude  Michael  Mar.  22/43 

7029  Ritz  Bros.-Carol  Bruce  Dec.  4/42 

311  Dana  Andrews-Virginia  Gilmore  Sept.  11/42 

Lucille  Ball-William  Gaxton  Not  Set 

7010  Diana  Barrymore-Robert  Cummings       Sept.  4/42 

301  Henry  Fonda-Lucille  Ball  Sept.  4/42 

359  Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Mar.  12/43 
358  Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Jan.  27/43 
357  Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Nov.  20/42 
361  Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  July  1/43 

360  Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  May  14/43 
321  George  Zucco-Wanda  MacKay  May  31/43 
320  Tyrone  Power-Maureen  O'Hara  Dec.  4/42 
274  Three  Mesquiteers  Mar.  12/43 

Pat  O'Brien-Randolph  Scott-Anne  Shirley     Block  6 

....  Seorge  Montgomery-Annabella  Not  Set 

4026  Boris  Karloff-Peter  Lorre  Oct.  22/42 

2301  Sene  Autry-Smiley  Burnette  Jan.  15/43 

354  Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill  June  15/43 

William  Boyd  Apr.  2/43 

310  John  Litel-Florence  Rice  Dec.  7/42 

4030  Chester  Morris-Richard  Lane  Nov.  5/42 

....  Bela  Luqosi-John  Archer  Oct.  30/42 

....  Bobby  Samarzich-Conrad  Binyon  May  20/43 

....  Quiz  Experts  Not  Set 

Richard  Dix-J«ne  Wyatt  May  14/43 

203  Richard  Travis-Julie  Bishop  Sept.  19/42 


62m       July  25/42 


903 


70m 
56m 


May  30/42  685 


1058 
1055 
1277 


1127 

64m 

Feb.  6/43 

1146 

1078 

60m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

794 

70m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

797 

1191 

89  m 

Aug.  29/42 

890 

772 

87m 

Aug.  8/42 

902 

701 

56m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

60m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

1104 

55m 

Jan.  30/43 

1137 

1033 

1305 

1276 

61m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

85m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

855 

55m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

912 

1305 

66m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

58m 

Nov.  13/37 

1114 

1276 

67m 

Jan.  30/43 

1  i37 

64m 

Oct.  17/42 

959 

68m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 181 

794 

63m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

1191 

34m 

Feb.  6/43 

i  147 

76m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

983 

61m 

Aug.  22/42 

903 

1130 


1218 


I  306  Product  Digest  Section 


May    8 ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


r-  REVIEWED  — s 


M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Service 

Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Title 

Company 

Number 

Stan 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

CABIN  in  the  Sky 

MGM 

393 

r\ocnesT©r  -CTnei  vvaTers 

Apr., '43 

7  o  m 

Fak  13  '43 

1 1 S1 

1019 

Cairo 

MGM 

inl 
JU  / 

JOdnOTTe   MaCL-'Onaia-rsODOrT  loung 

Snn4  -Nnv  '4? 

i  u  i  m 

Ann    1  <i  '47 

9 1 5 

1034 

Calaboose  UA-Roach 

Jimmy  Rogers-Noah  Beery,  Jr, 

Ian  99  '43 
Jan.  17,   *  J 

torn 

1 24  i 

t  '  All    a  *    X  m\  a    f     p>  MU  a  n 

wan  OT  Tno  wanyon 

Rep. 

1  3  1 
1  3  1 

«6n9  /MJTry- JITIIlOy  DUrntJTT© 

Aua     5  '49 

7  1  m 

Ann  99  '42 

938 

800 

Cnllina  Wild  Bill  Elliott 

\«*q  III  HQ    TTlIU    VIII    bill  VI 1 

Rep. 

93  1  1 

L3  1  I 

Dill   CIIIOTT-OaDDy  nayeS 

Anr  30  '43 

Utfll 

Anr  24  '43 

1274 

Pjintiva  \A/ilrl  WnmAn 
v^apiive  vv  iiu  t»  oman 

Univ. 

Evelyn  Ankers-John  Carradine 

limp    4  '43 

Julie     *Ti    i  J 

A  1  m 

Mau     1  '43 
IVI  dy     l ,  T  J 

1290 

1 127 

woiroTUif  vvtt  jnouiaor 

20th-Fox 

AVI  II    I  VA 

1  1  9 
3  1  L 

Virginia  Bruce-James  Ellison 

OYm 

Ann    1  R  '42 

91  5 

{Tjnrenn  tll^u  GuemnA 

Rep. 

97R 

won  doti  y-L,y  nn  ivi  erne* 

Mar  23  '43 
ivior*  U|  i» 

j  /  in 

Anr  24  '43 

1275 

f    M9  m\  L-v  ■  nri 

WB 

914 

Humphrey  Bogart-lncjrid  Bergman 

J.n  93  '43 
van*  *J|  "J 

1  fi?n« 

Maw  'A? 

1029 

936 

1218 

vflT  rWVpiu 

RKO 

3  1  J 

Simone  Simon-Tom  Conway 

n«r  95  '49 

/  0  m 

M-w  14  '4? 

1005 

962 

1280 

vnfliior  uox 

Rep. 

910 

Joe  Eo  Brown-Judy  Canova 

Anr  97  '43 

7Am 

/  om 

Anr  lft'43 
A\pr.  1  V(  *T J 

1250 

1 127 

diAtnikc    Fiahtina  Guerrillas 

20th-Fox 

P  It  1 1 1  a    llApn.Vir'riinia  nilmAPA 

rniiip  L/orn- t  irg in io  viimoro 

Feb.  5, '43 

73m 

Jan    9  '43 

jail*     7 1   i j 

1115 

995 

1280 

CnouAnnii  KAiinaiiD 

X^IIC  V  v  II II  a     IWU  lluUU 

Univ. 

97A 

jonnny  ivi  qck  Drown  - 1  i\iTT©r 

Anr  79  '43 

AUr«  £  7|  T J 

CQm 

□7m 

Anr    17  '43 

1261 

Ohm  a 

Para. 

Loretta  Young-Alan  Ladd 

70- 

/om 

lu|.r  9f\  '43 
mar.  iU,  *tj 

1 22A 
1  no 

1 D9 1 

1  U7  1 

vnino  ^9iri 

20th-Fox 

393 

J  A  3 

f^L  a  a  i  mm  a      nil  A  pn  *  n  A       A  f*\  t  _  f«r&  jn  a  Ti*p»*u 

wQorg©  ivionTy ornery-w«no   i  lornoy 

Jan     1  '43 

Jan.     i  ,  ~  j 

73m 

Dftr    5  '49 

1041 

872 

1218 

dnnArAlljk  £winac  If 

VIHUel  Olio     «;ttiiiu)  ii 

RKO 

3  1  ft 

Guy  Ki bbee-Olona  ^^Va^^©n 

Ian   92  '43 
Jan.  ££,  ~w 

07m 

lan    93  '43 
Jan.  iJ|  "j 

1  125 

wwy  vi  wiioni  prion 

PRC 

3  nil 

tpinL      A  |  n  A  PTC  A  Pt  _  Iigna      1    ■  n  /t 

rran K  niD6rT5on*JUno   Ld n y 

Oct  1 2  '42 

A4m 

CQn+   10  '47 

jOpT.     1  mm  |  *T-C 

898 

Citv  Without  Men 

VI  1  J       ™~  II  IIVU  1  tVlwll 

Col. 

4ni3 

1  inJ>    II  Arpkall- IJ  apip  SIiiaIaii 

li  no  a  lyarneii-L/vris  L/uvioy 

j.n  |4 '43 

/  j  m 

Fan  97  '43 

1 181 

1009 

1  WW  7 

Clancy  Street  Boys 

Mono. 

F-ct  S.rU  Kid« 

cost  Jiae  ixiqs 

Aor  93  '43 

66m 

Anr    3  '43 

1238 

Coastal  Command  (British)  Pa 

ra. -Crown 

VA/  k riAP>iimanT>pii 

vv  ar  u*vcumonTary 

Not  Set 

73  m 

/  j  m 

Klnv  14 '49 

1005 

Commandos  Strike  at  Dawn 

Col. 

Wn 

PbiiI    Kiliini—I  1 11 1  a  pi  Cicn 

roui  ivi u ii 1 1 1 a n  vian 

J.n     7  '43 

"Om 

Dor  1  <?  '49 

U  SC.   1  7  |  ri 

1078 

962 

1280 

Coney  Island 

20th-Fox 

HAtti  i   Iwpa  kla*mciAPfl  m\    KA  a  n+zi  a  pyi  a  r  u 

DOTTy  wrfluit)  woui^o  ivi onTyomory 

MOT  Jei 

995 

Corregidor 

PRC 

3 1 
3  1 

f^t+rt   KPlifl  Ar.PliccA    1  Jtnnl 
v^/ 1 1 (j  ixruutjr  —  cu a»o  l>oj nu  i 

Mar  29  '43 

74m 
/  *tm 

Mar  97  '43 

IVI  dll    Sm  1  |     ~  J 

1226 

1 104 

1280 

Corvettes  in  Action 

Univ. 

Pun/iAlrsn    V  »  a  J-4-    A  hhh  liAuifia 

iNoiiuoipn  wcoiT*Anay  L/evine 

luno  95  '43 

1240 

1  nw 

Cosmo  Jones,  Crime  Smasher 

Mono. 

Pn  n  a  r   KfjnnAnu.  Fr  a  n  It   G^r  a  n  a  m 
i-u  uai    ixo  iiiiwy-ii  aim   vi  a  nam 

Jan  29  '43 

A9m 

III 

Feb  20  '43 

1 170 

1055 

Counter  Espionage 

Col. 

4027 

Warren  William-Eric  Blore 

Sept.  3,'42 

72m 

Oct.  I0,'42 

945 

871 

Cowboy  Commandos 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

June  4/43 

1277 

Cowboy  in  Manhattan 

Univ. 

Robert  Paige-Frances  Langford 

May  21/43 

60m 

Apr.  I0/43 

1250 

1240 

Crash  Dive  (color) 

20th-Fox 

340 

Tyrone  Power-Anne  Baxter 

May  14/43 

105m 

Apr.  24,'43 

1273 

962 

Crime  by  Night 

WB 

Jane  Wyman-Jerome  Cowan 

Not  Set 

1091 

Crime  Doctor 

Col. 

Warner  Baxter-Margaret  Lindsay 

June  24/43 

1305 

Criminal  Investigator 

Mono. 

Robert  Lowery-Jan  Wiley 

Oct.  23/42 

61m 

Dec.  I2,'42 

1054 

1033 

Crystal  Ball,  The 

UA 

Paulette  Goddard-Ray  Milland 

Jan. 22/43 

81m 

Jan.23,'43 

1 125 

960 

1280 

DARING  Young  Man,  The  Col.  4021 

Dawn  on  the  Great  Divide  Mono. 

Days  of  Old  Cheyenne  Rep.  276 

Deadline  Guns  Col  

Dead  Man's  Gulch  Rep.  274 

Dead  Men  Walk  PRC  320 

Deep  in  the  Heart  of  Texas  Univ.  7071 

Desert  Song,  The  (color)  WB 

Desert  Victory  (British)  20th-Fox  341 

Desperadoes,  The  (color)  Col.  4005 

Desperate  Journey  WB  204 

Destination  Unknown  Univ.  7030 

Destroyer  Cel  

Devil  with  Hitler,  The  UA-Roach 

Diary  of  a  Nazi  (Russian)  Artkino  .... 

Dixie  Para.  .... 

Dixie  Dugan  20th-Fox  332 

Dr.  Gillespie's  Criminal  Case  MGM  .... 

Dr.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant  MGM  317 

Dr.  Renault's  Secret  20th-Fox  321 

DuBarry  Was  a  Lady  MGM   


Joe  E.  Brown-Marguerite  Chapman 

Oct.  8,'42 

73m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

871 

Buck  Jones-Rex  Bell 

Dec.  18/42 

66m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

1031 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

May  I5,'43 

55m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

1241 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Not  Set 

1081 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Feb.  12/43 

56m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 170 

1127 

George  Zucco-Mary  Carlisle 

Feb.  10/43 

63m 

Feb. 20/43 

1 170 

1031 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Sept.  25/42 

62m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

Dennis  Morgan-Irene  Manning 

Not  Set 

872 

War  in  Africa  Feature 

Apr.  16/43 

60m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

Randolph  Scott-Glenn  Ford 

May  25/43 

85m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

87i 

Errol  Flynn-Ronald  Reagan 

Sept.  26/42 

107m 

Aug.  22/42 

915 

Irene  Hervey-William  Gargan 

Oct.  9/42 

61m 

Oct.  3/42 

946 

912 

Edward  G.  Robinson-Marguerite  Ch 

apman   Not  Set 

1162 

Alan  Mowbray-M.  Woodworth 

Nov.  20/42 

45  m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

War  Documentary 

Mar.  24/43 

68m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

Bing  Crosby-Dorothy  Lamour 

Not  Set 

1091 

James  Ellison-Lois  Andrews 

Mar.  12/43 

67  m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1082 

Lionel  Barrymore-Van  Johnson 

Not  Set 

89m 

May  8/43 

1302 

1192 

Lionel  Barrymore-Van  Johnson 

Dec.-Feb.,'43 

86m 

Nov.  15/42 

1005 

Lynn  Roberts-John  Shepperd 

Dec.  11/42 

58m 

Dec.  17/42 

959 

936 

Lucille  Ball-Red  Skelton 

Not  Set 

101m 

May  8/43 

1301 

1019 

1280 
1082 


1280 


EDGE  of  Darkness  WB  219  Errol  Flynn-Ann  Sheridan  Apr.  24/43  118m  Mar.  27/43  1225  982 

En  Enda  Natt  (Swedish)  Scandia  ....  Ingrid  Bergman-Olof  Sandborg  Not  Set  89m  Dec.  26/42  1077   

Eyes  in  the  Night  MGM  309  Edward  Arnold-Ann  Harding  Sept.-Nov.,'42  79m  Sept.  12/42  898  797  1130 

Eyes  of  the  Underworld  Univ.  7037  Richard  Dix-Lon  Cheney  Jan.  8/43  61m  Oct.  17/42  960   


FACULTY  Row 

MGM 

Mary  Astor-Herbert  Marshall 

Not  Set 

1240 

Falcon's  Brother,  The 

RKO 

309 

George  Sanders-Jane  Randolph 

Nov.  6/42 

63m 

Oct. 

3/42 

935 

871 

Falcon  Strikes  Back,  The 

RKO 

325 

Tom  Conway-Harriet  Milliard 

Block  5 

65m 

Mar. 

20/43 

1214 

Fallen  Sparrow,  The 

RKO 

Maureen  O'Hara-John  Garfield 

Not  Set 

1182 

Fall  In  UA-Roach 

William  Tracy-Jean  Porter 

Mar.  5/43 

48  m 

Apr. 

17/43 

1262 

796 

False  Faces 

Rep. 

Rex  Williams-Bill  Henry 

May  26/43 

1277 

Fighting  Buckaroo,  The 

Col. 

4203 

Charles  Starrett-Kay  Harris 

Feb.  1/43 

58m 

Apr. 

17/43 

1262 

Fighting  Devil  Dogs 

Rep. 

211 

Lee  Powell-Herman  Brix 

Jan.  29/43 

69m 

Feb. 

6/43 

1147 

Rghting  Frontier 

RKO 

383 

Tim  Holt 

Jan.  15/43 

57m 

Feb. 13/43 

1 158 

Fighting  Sea  Monsters 

Times 

Marine  Animal  Feature 

Mar.  9/43 

61m 

Mar. 

20/43 

1215 

Find,  Fix  and  Strike  (British) 

ABFD 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

37m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

Fires  Were  Started  (British) 

Crown 

British  Documentary 

Not  Set 

63  m 

Apr. 

17/43 

1261 

First  of  the  Few,  The  (British) 

Howard 

Leslie  Howard-David  Niven 

Not  Set 

1  I8m 

Sept. 

S'42 

889 

Five  Graves  to  Cairo 

Para. 

Franchot  Tone-Anne  Baxter 

Block  5 

96m 

May 

8/43 

1301 

1192 

Flight  for  Freedom 

RKO 

321 

Rosalind  Russell-Fred  MacMurray 

Block  5 

101m 

Feb. 

6/43 

1 145 

983 

Flying  Fortress  (British) 

WB 

211 

Richard  Green-Carla  Lehmann 

Dec.  5/42 

68m 

June 

27/42 

914 

Follies  Girl 

PRC 

30 

Wendy  Barrie-Gordon  Oliver 

Not  Set 

1 104 

Follow  the  Band 

Univ. 

Leon  Errol-Mary  Beth  Hughes 

May  14/43 

61m 

May 

1/43 

1290 

1241 

1218 
1 174 


Product  Digest  Section    I  307 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


May    8  ,    I  943 


REVIEWED 


Title 


Prod. 

Company  Number 


Footlight  Serenade                 20th-Fox  301 

Foreign  Agent  Mono  

Forest  Rangers,  The  [color)         Para.  4206 

Forever  and  a  Day                    RKO  320 

For  All  We  Know                     Univ.  .... 

(formerly  Flesh  and  Fantasy) 

For  Me  and  My  Gal                  MGM  312 

Fortress  on  Volga  (Russian)  Artlcino  .... 
For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls  (color)  Para. 

Frankenstein  Meets  Wolf  Man      Univ.  7012 

Frontier  Fury                              Col.  .... 


Stan 

John  Payne-Betty  Grable 

John  Shelton-Gail  Storm 

Fred  MacMurray-Paulette  Goddard 

British  and  American  Stars 

Charles  Boyer-Barbara  Stanwyck 

Judy  Garland-George  Murphy 
Mikhail  Gelovani-Nikolai  Bogoliubov 
Gary  Cooper-lngrid  Bergman 
Lon  Chaney-Bela  Luqosi 
Charles  Starrett-Arthur  Hunnicutt 


M.  P. 


Product    Advance  Service 


Releate 

Running 

Herald 

Digeit 

Synopsii 

Data 

Date 

Time 

Isiuc 

Pane 

Pan* 
rage 

rage 

Aug.  I,'42 

80m 

July  11/42 

915 

715 

873 

Oct.  9/42 

64m 

Sept.  19/42 

911 

Block  2 

87m 

Oct.  3/42 

933 

872 

1218 

Mar.  26/43 

104m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 125 

Not  Set 

1058 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

104m 

Sept.  12/42 

897 

751 

1218 

Not  Set 

77m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

Not  Set 

855 

Mar.  12/43 

73m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 181 

1055 

1280 

June  24/43 

1305 

GAUCHO  Serenade  (Reissue)  Rep. 

2303 

Gene  Autry 

Apr.  15/43 

66  m 

May  18/40 

1262 

Gentle  Gangster,  A 

Rep. 

Barton  MacLane-Molly  Lamont 

May  10/43 

1276 

Gentle  Sex  (British)  Two 

Cities-Gen'l 

Rosamund  John-Joyce  Howard 

Not  Set 

93  m 

May  8/43 

1303 

Gentleman  Jim 

WB 

2\2 

Errol  Flynn-Alexis  Smith 

Nov.  14/42 

104m 

Oct.  3 1  ,'42 

981 

936 

George  Washington  Slept  Here  WB 

210 

Jack  Benny-Ann  Sheridan 

Nov.  28/42 

93  m 

Sept.  19/42 

909 

871 

Get  Hep  to  Love 

Univ. 

7022 

Gloria  Jean-Robert  Paige 

Oct.  2/42 

77m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

Ghost  and  the  Guest,  The 

PRC 

314 

Florence  Rice-Jimmie  Dunn 

Apr.  19/43 

1241 

Ghost  Rider 

Mono. 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Apr.  2/43 

52m 

May  8/43 

1304 

1241 

Gildersleeve's  Bad  Day 

RKO 

Harold  Peary-Jane  Darwell 

Block  6 

62  m 

May  8/43 

1303 

1241 

Girl  Crazy 

MGM 

Mickey  Rooney-Judy  Garland 

Not  Set 

1 191 

Girl  Trouble 

20th-Fox 

309 

Don  Ameche-Joan  Bennett 

Oct.  9/42 

82m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

855 

Girls  in  Chains 

PRC 

305 

Arline  Judge-Roger  Clark 

May  17/43 

71m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

Give  Out,  Sisters 

Univ. 

7021 

Andrews  Sisters-Richard  Davies 

Sept.  11/42 

65m 

Sept.  5/42 

889 

Glass  Key,  The 

Para. 

4203 

Brian  Donlevy-Veronica  Lake-Alan 

Ladd        Block  1 

85m 

Aug.  29/42 

914 

Good  Fellows,  The 

Para. 

Cecil  Kellaway-Helen  Walker 

Not  Set 

1 191 

Good  Morning,  Judge 

Univ. 

Dennis  O'Keefe-Louise  Allbritton 

May  7/43 

67  m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

1240 

Gorilla  Man,  The 

WB 

216 

John  Loder-Paul  Cavanagh 

Jan.  16/43 

64m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

Great  Gildersleeve,  The 

RKO 

314 

Harold  Peary-Freddy  Mercer 

Jan.  1/43 

62m 

Nov.  15/42 

1006 

995 

Great  Impersonation,  The 

Univ. 

7032 

Ralph  Bellamy-Evelyn  Ankers 

Dec.  18/42 

71m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

912 

Gyandev  of  India 

Ram  Bangai 

Indian  Feature 

Apr.  9/43 

63  m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

HAIL  to  the  Rangers 

Col. 

Charles  Starrett 

Not  Set 

1055 

Half  Way  to  Shanghai 

Univ. 

7035 

Irene  Hervey-Kent  Taylor 

Sept.  18/42 

62m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

1082 

Hangmen  Also  Die 

UA 

Brian  Donlevy-Walter  Brennan 

Mar.  26/43 

I3lm 

Mar.  27/43 

1225 

1191 

1280 

Happy  Go  Lucky  (color) 

Para. 

4217 

Mary  Martin-Dick  Powell-Rudy  Vallee 

Block  4 

81m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

797 

1218 

Hard  Way,  The 

WB 

209 

Ida  Lupino-Dennis  Morgan 

Feb.  20/43 

109m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

796 

1280 

Harrigan's  Kid 

MGM 

Bobby  Readick-William  Gargan 

Not  Set 

80m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1191 

Haunted  Ranch 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Feb.  19/43 

57m 

Mar.  6/43 

1190 

1019 

Heart  of  a  Nation  (French) 

Graetz 

Raimu-Michele  Morgan 

Not  Set 

1  Mm 

Mar.  27/43 

1239 

Heart  of  the  Golden  West 

Rep. 

251 

Roy  Rogers-Gabby  Hayes 

Dec.  11/42 

65m 

Nov.  2 1/42 

1017 

Heaven  Can  Wait 

20th-Fox 

Don  Ameche-Gene  Tierney 

Not  Set 

1240 

He  Hired  the  Boss 

20th-Fox 

334 

Stuart  Erwin-Evelyn  Venable 

Apr.  2/43 

73m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1127 

He's  My  Guy 

Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello  (color) 

Univ. 

7041 

Dick  Foran-lrene  Hervey 

Mar.  26/43 

65  m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

1 127 

20th-Fox 

333 

Alice  Faye-John  Payne 

Mar.  26/43 

98m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1 127 

1280 

Henry  Aldrich,  Editor 

Para. 

4209 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Block  2 

72m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

663 

1130 

Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour 

Para. 

4218 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Block  4 

72m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

986 

Henry  Aldrich  Swings  It 

Para. 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Not  Set 

1104 

Here  We  Go  Again 

RKO 

305 

Fibber  McGee-Edgar  Bergen-"Charlie" 

Oct.  9/42 

76  m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

1082 

Hi,  Buddy 

Univ. 

7031 

Dick  Foran-Harriet  Hilliard 

Feb.  26/43 

68m 

Feb.  20/43 

1170 

1079 

Hidden  Hand,  The 

WB 

208 

Craig  Stevens- Elizabeth  Fraser 

Nov.  7/42 

67m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

1082 

High  Explosive 

Para. 

Chester  Morris-Jean  Parker 

Block  5 

62m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

983 

Highways  by  Night 

RKO 

304 

Richard  Carlson-Jane  Randolph 

Oct.  2/42 

63  m 

Aug.  8/42 

938 

715 

Hil  Neighbor 

Rep. 

201 

Lulubelle  &  Scotty-Jean  Parker 

July  27/42 
Mar.  26/43 

72m 

July  25/42 
Mar.  13/43 

927 

772 

1218 

Hit  Parade  of  1943 

Rep. 

215 

John  Carroll-Susan  Hayward 

82m 

1202 

1043 

1280 

Hitler,  Dead  or  Alive 

House 

Ward  Bond-Dorothy  Tree 

Not  Set 

70m 

Nov.  2 1/42 

1018 

1082 

Hitler's  Children 

RKO 

316 

Tim  Holt-Bonita  Granville 

Mar.  19/43 

83m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

986 

1280 

Hi'Ya,  Chum 

Univ. 

7039 

Jane  Frazee-Ritz  Brothers 

Mar.  5/43 

61m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

1 127 

Hoppy  Serves  a  Writ 

UA 

William  Boyd-Andy  Clyde 

Mar.  12/43 

67m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

Hostages 
How's  About  1+7 

Para. 

Luise  Rainer-Paul  Lukas 

Not  Set 

1277 

Univ. 

7025 

Andrews  Sisters-Robert  Paige 

Feb.  5/43 

61m 

Feb.  6/43 

1147 

Human  Comedy,  The 

MGM 

Mickey  Rooney-Frank  Morgan 

Not  Set 

1 15m 

Feb.  27/43 

1190 

1019 

ICE-CAPADES  Revue 

Rep. 

206 

Ellen  Drew-Richard  Denning 

Dec.  24/42 

79m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

797 

1130 

Iceland 

20th-Fox 

306 

Sonja  Henie-John  Payne 

Oct.  2/42 

79m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

797 

1082 

Idaho 

Rep. 

252 

Roy  Rogers-Virginia  Grey 

Mar.  10/43 

70m 

Feb.  20/43 

1169 

1162 

1218 

1  Dood  It 

MGM 

Red  Skelton-Eleanor  Powell 

Not  Set 

1192 

1  Escaped  from  the  Gestapo 

Mono. 

Dean  Jagger-John  Carradine 

May  14/43 

75  m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

1162 

1  Married  a  Witch 

UA 

Fredric  March-Veronica  Lake 

Oct.  30/42 

78m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

797 

1218 

Immortal  Sergeant,  The 

20th-Fox 

327 

Henry  Fonda-Maureen  O'Hara 

Jan. 29/43 

91m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

995 

1280 

In  the  Rear  of  Enemy  (Russian) 

Artkino 

War  Documentary 

Oct.  9/42 

59m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

In  Which  We  Serve  (British) 

UA 

Noel  Coward-Bernard  Miles 

Feb.  12/43 

1  13m 

Oct.  17/42 

957 

1280 

Isle  of  Missing  Men 

Mono. 

John  Howard-Gilbert  Roland 

Sept.  18/42 

67m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

772 

It  Ain't  Hay 

Univ. 

7001 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Mar.  19/43 

81m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

1058 

1280 

It  Comes  Up  Love 

Univ. 

7023 

Gloria  Jean-Ian  Hunter 

Apr.  9/43 

65m 

Feb.  6/43 

1146 

986 

It's  That  Man  Again  (British) 

Gains. 

Tommy  Handley 

Not  Set 

84m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 182 

It's  a  Great  Life 

Col. 

Penny  Singleton-Arthur  Lake 

May  27/43 

1241 

(formerly  Blondie  Buys  a  H 

orse) 

1  Walked  with  a  Zombie 

RKO 

324 

Frances  Dee-Tom  Conway 

Block  5 

68m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

1057 

1 308   Product  Digest  Section 


May    8,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


REVIEWED 


ruu 
JACARE 

Jane  Eyre 

Jitterbugs 

Johnny  Doughboy 

Journey  for  Margaret 

Journey  Into  Fear 

Junior  Army 

Just  Off  Broadway 


M.  P. 


Product    Advance  Servtct 


rTOd- 

txctcast 

Running 

neraiu 

LftgCSf 

synopsis 

uato 

Company 

atari 

Uaie 

Time 

Issue 

rage 

rage 

P  /to* 

rage 

UA 

Animal  feature 

Nov.  27.'42 

65m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

1218 

20th-Fox 

Orson  Welles-Joan  Fontaine 

Not  Set 

1240 

20th-Fox 

Laurel  and  Hardy 

Not  Set 

1305 

Rep. 

205 

Jane  Withers-Patrick  Brook 

Dec.  31, '42 

63  m 

Dec.  26/42 

i077 

971 

1218 

MGM 

314 

Robert  Young-Laraine  Day 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

79m 

Oct.  3 1/42 

981 

912 

1 174 

RKO 

307 

Joseph  Cotten-Dolores  Del  Rio 

Feb.  I2.'43 

71m 

Feb.  6/43 

1146 

796 

1218 

Col. 

4038 

Freddie  Bartholomew-Billy  Halop 

Nov.26,'42 

71m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 170 

1009 

20th-Fox 

310 

Lloyd  Nolan-Marjorie  Weaver 

Sept.  25/42 

65m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

797 

KEEP  'Em  Slugging 
Keeper  of  the  Flame 
Kid  Dynamite 

King  Arthur  Was  a  Gentle- 
man (British) 
King  of  the  Cowboys 


Univ. 

7040 

Dead  End  Kids 

Apr.  2/43 

61m 

Mar.  6/43 

1189 

MGM 

320 

Spencer  Tracy-Katharine  Hepburn 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

100m 

Dec.  19/42 

1065 

936 

Mono. 

East  Side  Kids 

Feb.  5/43 

66m 

Jan.  23/43 

1126 

Gains. 

Arthur  Askey-Evelyn  Dall 

Not  Set 

98  m 

Jan.  16/43 

1114 

Rep. 

254 

Roy  Rogers 

Apr.  9/43 

67  m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

1241 

1280 


LADIES'  Day 

RKO 

322 

Lupe  Velez-Eddie  Albert-Max  Baer 

Block  5 

62m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

962 

Lady  Bodyguard 

Para. 

.  4216 

Eddie  Albert-Anne  Shirley 

Block  4 

70m 

Jan.  2/43 

1090 

946 

Lady  from  Chungking 

PRC 

302 

Anna  May  Wong-Harold  Huber 

Dec.  2 1/42 

70m 

Nov.  7/42 

1006 

574 

Lady  in  the  Dark 

Para. 

Ginger  Rogers-Ray  Milland 

Not  Set 

1091 

Lady  of  Burlesque 

UA 

Barbara  Stanwyck-Michael  O'Shea 

Not  Set 

91m 

May  1/43 

1289 

1 182 

Lady  Takes  a  Chance,  A 

RKO 

Jean  Arthur-John  Wayne 

Not  Set 

1240 

Land  of  Hunted  Men 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Mar.  26/43 

58m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

Lassie  Comes  Home 

MGM 

Roddy  McDowall-Edmund  Gwenn 

Not  Set 

1240 

Last  Ride,  The 

WB 

Richard  Travis-Eleanor  Parker 

Not  Set 

1115 

Last  Will  of  Dr.  Mabuse  (F 

■.)  Krellberg 

Jim  Gerald-Thorny  Bourdelle 

Mar.  19/43 

94m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

Laugh  Your  Blues  Away 

Col. 

4033 

Bert  Gordon-Jinx  Falkenburg 

Nov.  12/42 

70m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 159 

986 

Law  of  the  Northwest 

Col. 

Charles  Starrett-Shirley  Patterson 

May  27/43 

1018 

Leather  Burners,  The 

UA 

William  Boyd 

May  28/43 

58m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

Leopard  Man,  The 

RKO 

Dennis  O'Keefe-Margo 

Block  6 

59m 

May  8/43 

1303 

1241 

Let's  Face  It 

Para. 

Bob  Hope-Betty  Hutton 

Not  Set 

1277 

Let's  Have  Fun 

Col. 

4040 

Bert  Gordon-Margaret  Lindsay 

Mar.  4/43 

63m 

May  1/43 

1290 

Life  Begins  at  Eight-thirty 

20th-Fox 

322 

Monty  Woolley-lda  Lupino 

Dec.  25/42 

85m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

962 

Little  Joe,  the  Wrangler 

Univ. 

7072 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Nov.  13/42 

64m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

Little  Tokyo,  U.S.A. 

20th-Fox 

303 

Preston  Foster-Brenda  Joyce 

Aug.  14/42 

64m 

July  11/42 

938 

Living  Ghost,  The 

Mono. 

James  Dunn-Joan  Woodbury 

Nov.  27/42 

61m 

Oct.  3 1/42 

982 

London  Blackout  Murders 

Rep. 

2io 

John  Abbott-MaryMcLeod 

Jan.  15/43 

59m 

Dec.  12/42 

1067 

Lone  Prairie,  The 

Col. 

4209 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Oct.  15/42 

58m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

1058 

Lone  Rider  in  Death  Rides 

Plains  PRC 

365 

Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 

May  7/43 

1277 

Lone  Rider  in  Wild  Horse  R 

ustlers  PRC 

364 

Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 

Feb.  12/43 

55m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

Lone  Rider,  Overland  Stagecoach  PRC 

363 

Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 

Dec.  1 1/42 

58m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

1018 

Lone  Star  Trail,  The 

Univ. 

7077 

Johnny  Mack  Brown-Tex  Ritter 

Not  Set 

1019 

Lost  Canyon 

UA 

William  Boyd 

Dec.  18/42 

63  m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

Loves  of  Edgar  Allan  Poe,  The  20th-Fox 

305 

John  Shepperd-Linda  Darnell 

Aug.  28/42 

67m 

July  11/42 

914 

751 

Lucky  Jordan 

Para. 

4215 

Alan  Ladd-Helen  Walker 

Block  3 

84m 

Nov.  21/42 

1017 

986 

Lucky  Legs 

Col. 

4032 

Jinx  Falkenburg-Kay  Harris 

Oct.  1/42 

64m 

Feb.  13/43 

1158 

797 

MADAME  Spy  Univ. 
Magnificent  Ambersons,  The  RKO 
Major  and  the  Minor,  The  Para. 
Man  In  the  Trunk,  The  20th-Fox 
Manila  Calling  20th-Fox 
Man  from  Thunder  River  Rep. 
Man  of  Courage  PRC 
Mantrap,  The  Rep. 
Man's  World,  A  Col. 
Margin  for  Error  20th-Fox 
Mashenka  (Russian)  Artkino 
McGuerins  from  Brooklyn  UA-Roach 
Meanest  Man  in  the  World  20th-Fox 
Meet  John  Bonniwell  UA 
Mexican  Spitfire's  Elephant  RKO 
Miracle  of  Morgan's  Creek,  The  Para. 
Mission  to  Moscow  WB 
Miss  V  from  Moscow  PRC 
Mister  Big  Univ. 

(formerly  School  for  Jive) 
Moonlight  in  Havana  Univ. 
Moon  and  Sixpence,  The  UA 
Moon  Is  Down,  The  20th-Fox 
More  the  Merrier,  The  Col. 
Moscow  Strikes  Back  (Russian)  Rep. 
Mountain  Rhythm  Rep. 
Mr.  Lucky  RKO 

(formerly  From  Here  to  Victory) 
Mrs.  Wiggs  of  the  Cabbage  Patch  Para. 
Mug  Town  Univ. 
Mummy's  Tomb,  The  Univ. 
Murder  in  Times  Square  Col. 
My  Friend  Flicka  (color)  20th-Fox 
My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  Para. 


7034  Constance  Bennett-Don  Porter 

371  Joseph  Cotten-Dolores  Costello 

4202  Ginger  Rogers-Ray  Milland 

315  Lynne  Roberts-George  Holmes 

314  Lloyd  Nolan-Carole  Landis 

....  Bill  Elliott-George  Hayes 

319  Barton  MacLane-Charlotte  Wynters 

217  Lloyd  Corrigan-Dorothy  Lovett 

4044  M.  Chapman-Wm.  Wright 

330  Joan  Bennett-Milton  Berle 

....  V.  Karavayeva-M.  Kuznetzov 

Max  Baer-William  Bendix 

329  Jack  Benny-Priscilla  Lane 

....  Richard  Dix-Jane  Wyatt 

302  Lupe  Velez-Leon  Errol 

....  Eddie  Bracken-Betty  Hutton 

....  Walter  Huston-Ann  Harding 

318  Lola  Lane-Noel  Madison 

....  Gloria  Jean-Donald  O'Connor 

7026  Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 
George  Sanders-Herbert  Marshall 

335  Cedric  Hardwicke-Henry  Travers 

....  Jean  Arthur-Joel  McCrea 

....  Documentary 

209  Weaver  Bros.  &  Elviry 

....  Cary  Grant-Laraine  Day 

4208  Fay  Bainter-Carolyn  Lee 

7027  Dead  End  Kids 

7019  Dick  Foran-Elyse  Knox 

4034  Edmund  Lowe-Marguerite  Chapman 

338  Roddy  McDowall-Preston  Foster 

4214  Richard  Carlson-M.  O'Driscoll 


Dec.  11/42 

63  m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

July  10/42 

88m 

July  4/42 

938 

507 

947 

Block  1 

100m 

Aug.  29/42 

927 

1174 

Oct.  23/42 

71m 

Sept.  19/42 

91 1 

855 

Oct.  16/42 

81m 

Sept.  19/42 

911 

871 

June  11/43 

1277 

Jan.  4/43 

67m 

Jan.  30/43 

i  i  37 

1031 

Apr.  13/43 

58m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

1 191 

Sept.  17/42 

60m 

Dec.  12/42 

1055 

Feb.  19/43 

74m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

995 

Nov.  20/42 

67m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

Dec.  31/42 

46m 

Feb.  6/43 

1147 

Feb.  12/43 

57m 

Jan.  9/43 

1115 

962 

1280 

Not  Set 

1 182 

Sept.  11/42 

64m 

Aug.  8/42 

915 

Not  Set 

1079 

Not  Set 

123m 

May  1/43 

1304 

1058 

Nov.  23/42 

71m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

1031 

June  18/43 

1277 

Oct.  16/42 

62  m 

Oct.  17/42 

959 

Oct.  2/42 

89m 

Sept.  12/42 

912 

1130 

Apr.  9/43 

90m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

1091 

1280 

May  13/43 

104m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

1 182 

Aug.  15/42 

55m 

Aug.  15/42 

840 

1 130 

Jan.  8/43 

70m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

1009 

Block  6 

100m 

May  8/43 

1301 

1081 

Block  2 

80m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

663 

1218 

Dec.  18/42 

60m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

Oct.  23/42 

61m 

Oct.  17/42 

970 

1130 

Apr.  1/43 

1079 

Apr.  23/43 

90m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

962 

Block  3 

75m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

871 

Product  Digest  Section    I  309 


MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  May    8,  1943 

r-  REVIEWED  ~> 
M.  P.       Product    Advance  bervtct 


Prod. 

Reieaie 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

SynopiU 

Data 

Title 

Company 

Number 

Start 

Date 

Time 

Utue 

Page 

Page 

P*gi 

My  Son,  the  Hero 

PRC 

31 1 

n     ■         1/    II      n  IS 

Patsy  Kelly-Roscoe  Karns 

Apr.  5,'43 

68m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

Mysterious  Doctor,  The 

WB 

218 

Eleanor  Parker-John  Loder 

Mar.  6, '43 

57m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 181 

1091 

NAVY  Comes  Through,  The 

RKO 

308 

Pat  O'Brien-George  Murphy 

Oct.  30,'42 

81m 

Oct.  17/42 

957 

715 

1130 

'Neath  Brooklyn  Bridge 

Mono. 

East  Side  Kids 

Nov.  20/42 

61m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

Next  of  Kin,  The  (British) 

Univ. 

Basil  Sydney-Nova  Pilbeam 

May  7,*43 

90m 

Apr.  10/43 

1262 

Nightmare 

Univ. 

7015 

Diana  Barrymore-Brian  Donlevy 

Nov.  13/42 

81m 

Nov.  14/42 

1018 

1 174 

Night  for  Crime,  A 

PRC 

304 

Glenda  Farrell-Lyle  Talbot 

Feb.  18/43 

78m 

Aug.  1/42 

903 

Night  Monster 

Univ. 

7038 

Irene  Hervey-Bela  Lugosi 

Oct.  23/42 

73m 

Oct.  24/42 

970 

i  130 

Night  Plane  from  Chungking 

Para. 

4219 

Robert  Preston-Ellen  Drew 

Block  4 

68m 

Jan.  2/43 

1102 

983 

Night  to  Remember,  A 

Col. 

4009 

Loretta  Young-Brian  Aherne 

Dec.  10/42 

90m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

986 

1 1 30 

Nine  Men  (British)  Ealing-UA 

Jack  Lambert-Richard  Wilkinson 

Not  Set 

67m 

Feb.  13/43 

1158 

Northwest  Rangers 

MGM 

319 

James  Craig-Patricia  Dane 

Dec.-Feb./43 

64m 

Oct.  3 1/42 

981 

960 

1218 

No  Place  for  a  Lady 

Col. 

4036 

William  Sargan-Margaret  Lindsay 

Feb.  1 1/43 

67m 

1057 

No  Time  for  Love 

Para. 

Claudette  Colbert-Fred  MacMurray 

Not  Set 

855 

North  Star 

Goldwyn 

Walter  Huston-Anne  Baxter 

Not  Set 

1305 



Now,  Voyager 

WB 

206 

Bette  Davis-Paul  Henreid 

Oct.  3 1  ,'42 

1  17m 

Aug.  22/42 

902 

1 174 

OLD  Acquaintance 

WB 

Bette  Davis-John  Loder 

Not  Set 

1192 

Old  Chisholm  Trail,  The 

Univ. 

7073 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Dec.  11/42 

60m 

Jan.  16/43 

i  ■  13 

Old  Homestead,  The 

Rep. 

202 

Weaver  Bros,  and  Elviry 

Aug.  17/42 

67m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

855 

Old  Mother  Riley,  Detective 

(British)                     Br.  Nafl-Anglo 

Arthur  Lucan 

Not  Set 

80m 

Feb.  13/43 

1159 

Omaha  Trail 

MGM 

311 

James  Craig-Dean  Jagger 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

61m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

796 

1280 

Once  Upon  a  Honeymoon 

RKO 

311 

Ginger  Rogers-Cary  Grant 

Nov.  27/42 

1  16m 

Nov.  7/42 

1006 

855 

1280 

One  Dangerous  Night 

Col. 

4029 

Warren  William-Eric  Blore 

Jan.  21/43 

77m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

983 

One  of  Our  Aircraft  Is  Missi 

ig 

(British) 

UA 

Godfrey  Tearle-Eric  Portman 

Oct.  16/42 

86m 

Apr.  11/42 

903 

1 174 

One  Thrilling  Night 

Mono. 

John  Beal-Wanda  McKay 

June  5/42 

69m 

July  4/42 

914 

662 

Orchestra  Wives 

20th-Fox 

308 

George  Montgomery-Ann  Rutherford    Sept.  4,'42 

97m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

797 

1130 

Our  Lady  of  Paris  (French) 

Hirliman 

Catholic  Art  Documentary 

Mar.  12/43 

56m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

Outlaw,  The 

Hughes 

Jack  Buetel-Jane  Russell 

Not  Set 

I2lm 

Feb. 13/43 

1157 

Outlaws  of  Pine  Ridge 

Rep. 

272 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Oct.  27/42 

57m 

Nov.  2 1/42 

1017 

Over  My  Dead  Body 

20th-Fox 

325 

Milton  Berle-Mary  Beth  Hughes 

Jan.  15/43 

68  m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

995 

Ox-Bow  Incident,  The 

20th- Fox 

Henry  Fonda-Dana  Andrews 

Not  Set 

75m 

May  8/43 

1302 

872 

PALM    Beach  Story,  The 

Para. 

421 1 

Claudette  Colbert-Joel  McCree 

Block  3 

90m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

663 

1174 

Panama  Hattie 

MGM 

303 

Ann  Sothern-Red  Skelton 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

79m 

July  25/42 

915 

396 

1034 

Pardon  My  Gun 

Col. 

4202 

Charles  Starrett-Alma  Carroll 

Dec.  1/42 

57m 

1058 

Pardon  My  Ski 

Univ. 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Not  Set 

1162 

(formerly  Oh,  Doctor) 

Payoff,  The 

PRC 

303 

Lee  Tracy-Tina  Thayer 

Jan.  21/43 

74m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

Petticoat  Larceny 

RKO 

Ruth  Warrick-Walter  Reed 

Not  Set 

1240 

Phantom  of  the  Opera 

Univ. 

Nelson  Eddy-Susanna  Foster 

Not  Set 

1192 

Pied  Piper,  The 

20th-Fox 

304 

Monty  Woolley-Roddy  McDowall 

Aug.  2 1/42 

87  m 

July  11/42 

903 

751 

1082 

Pilot  No.  5 

MGM 

Franchot  Tone-Marsha  Hunt 

Not  Set 

70m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

971 

Pirates  of  the  Prairie 

RKO 

382 

Tim  Holt 

Nov.  20/42 

57m 

Apr.  3/43 

1239 

1033 

Pittsburgh 

Univ. 

7008 

Marlene  Dietrich-John  Wayne 

Dec.  11/42 

93m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

1218 

Power  of  God,  The 

St.  Rts. 

John  Barclay-Thomas  Louden 

Not  Set 

58m 

Oct.  24/42 

970 

Powers  Girl,  The 

UA 

Anne  Shirley-George  Murphy 

Jan.  15/43 

93m 

Dec.  19/42 

1078 

1174 

Power  of  the  Press 

Col. 

4037 

Guy  Kibbee-Lee  Tracy 

Jan.  28/43 

64m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

1055 

Prairie  Chickens  UA-Roach 

Jimmy  Rogers-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

May  2 1/43 

986 

Prelude  to  War 

WAC 

Documentary 

May  27/43 

52  m 

May  1/43 

1290 

Presenting  Lily  Mars 

MGM 

Judy  Garland-Van  Heflin 

Not  Set 

104m 

May  1/43 

1289 

962 

Pride  of  the  Army 

Mono. 

Billy  Lee-Addison  Richards 

Nov.  13/42 

63m 

Oct.  10/42 

946 

(also  called  War  Dogs) 

Pride  of  the  Yankees,  The 

RKO 

351 

Gary  Cooper-Teresa  Wright 

Mar.  5/43 

128m 

July  18/42 

915 

1082 

Princess  O'Rourke  ■ 

WB 

Olivia  de  Havilland-Robert  Cummings         Not  Set 

962 

Priorities  on  Parade 

Para. 

4201 

Ann  Miller-Jerry  Colonna 

Block  1 

79  m 

Aug.  1/42 

9M 

Prison  Mutiny 

Mono. 

Edward  Norris-Joan  Woodbury 

Feb.  12/43 

61m 

Jan.  30/43 

1137 

1081 

(formerly  You  Can't  Beat  the  Law) 

Private  Miss  Jones 

MGM 

Kathryn  Grayson-Gene  Kelly 

Not  Set 

1(179. 

Prodigal's  Mother 

Rep. 

Mabel  Paige-John  Craven 

June  4/43 

1276 

Purple  V,  The 

Rep. 

212 

John  Archer-Mary  McLeod 

Mar.  12/43 

58m 

Aor    3  '43 

1238 

1 162 

QUEEN    of  Broadway 

PRC 

312 

Rochelle  Hudson-Buster  Crabbe 

Mar.  8/43 

62  m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

1018 

Queen  Victoria  (British) 

Renown 

Anna  Neagle-Anton  Walbrook 

Not  Set 

84m 

Jan.  16/43 

1 113 

Quiet  Please,  Murder 

20th-Fox 

331 

Gail  Patrick-George  Sanders 

Mar.  19/43 

70m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

983 

RAIDERS  of  San  Joaquin 

Univ. 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Not  Set 

59m 

1009 

Random  Harvest 

MGM 

Ronald  Colman-Greer  Garson 

Not  Set 

126m 

Nov.  28/42 

1029 

796 

1280 

Rangers  Take  Over,  The 

PRC 

351 

Tex  O'Brien-Jim  Newill 

Dec.  25/42 

60m 

Jan.  16/43 

1114 

1055 

Ravaged  Earth 

Crystal 

Documentary  on  China 

Not  Set 

68m 

Dec.  5/42 

1043 

Reap  the  Wild  Wind  (color 

Para. 

4137 

Ray  Milland-Paulette  Goddard 

1941-42 

124m 

Mar.  2 1/42 

1250 

408 

795 

Redhead  from  Manhattan 

Col. 

Lupe  Velez-Michael  Duane 

May  6/43 

1241 

Red  River  Robin  Hood 

RKO 

Tim  Holt 

Not  Set 

57m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

Reunion  in  France 

MGM 

315 

Joan  Crawford-Philip  Dorn- 

(formerly  Reunion) 

John  Wayne 

Dec.-Feb./43 

102m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

872 

1218 

Reveille  with  Beverly 

Col. 

4014 

Ann  Miller-William  Wright 

Feb.  4/43 

78m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1162 

1280 

Rhythm  of  the  Islands 

Univ. 

7042 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Apr.  16/43 

60m 

Mar.  13,43 

1203 

1127 

Rhythm  Parade 

Mono. 

Gale  Storm-Robert  Lowery 

Dec.  11/42 

70m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

983 

1310  Product  Digest  Section 


May    8,  1943 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


Title 


Company 


Ride,  Tenderfoot,  Ride  (Reissue)  Rep. 
Riders  of  the  Northwest  Mounted  Col. 
Riders  of  the  Rio  Grande  Rep. 
Ridin'  Down  the  Canyon  Rep. 
Riding  Through  Nevada  Col. 
Right  About  Face  MGM 
Road  to  Morocco  Para. 
Robin  Hood  of  the  Range  Col. 
Russians  At  War  (Russian)  Artkino 


Prod. 
Number 


42 1  I 

253 
4201 

4207 


Stan 


Keietue 
Date 


Gene  Autry  June    I, '43 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills  Feb.  15/43 

Three  Mesquiteers  May  2 1, '43 

Roy  Rogers-Gabby  Hayes  Dec.  30,'42 

Charles  Starrett-Shirley  Patterson  Oct.    I  ,'42 

Kay  Kyser-Lana  Home  Not  Set 
Bob  Hope-Bing  Crosby-Dorothy  Lamour       Block  2 

Charles  Starrett-Kay  Harris  Not  Set 

Documentary  Not  Set 


Running 
Time 

65  m 
57m 

55m 
61m 

83m 

61m 


r—  REVIEWED 

M.  P.       Product  Advance  Service 

Herald       Digest  Synopsis  Data 

Issue          Page  Page  Page 

Aug.24,'40  1274   

Feb.27,'43       1182  1019 

  1276 

Dec.  I2,"42       1054  1019 

Feb.20,'43       1169  1058 

  1241 

Oct.  3, '42         933  872       I  1 30 

  1057 

May   I, '43  1290   


SADDLES  and  Sagebrush 
Sagebrush  Law 
Saludos  Amigos  [color) 
Salute  for  Three 
Salute  to  the  Marines 
Santa  Fe  Scouts 
Sarong  Girl 

Scattergood  Survives  a  Murder 
Secret  Enemies 

Secret  Mission  (British)  Hellman-GenJ 
Secrets  of  a  Co-Ed 
Secrets  of  the  Underground 
Seven  Days  Leave 
Seven  Miles  from  Alcatraz 
Seven  Sweethearts 
Shadow  of  a  Doubt 
Shadows  on  the  Sage 
Shantytown 

She  Has  What  It  Takes 

Sherlock  Holmes,  Voice  of  Terror 
Sherlock  Holmes,  Secret  Weapon 
Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington 
Siege  of  Leningrad  (Russian)  Artkino 


Col. 

4212 

RKO 

384 

RKO 

392 

Para. 

MGM 

Rep. 

265 

Mono. 

RKO 

306 

WB 

205 

•Gen'l 

PRC 

309 

Rep. 

208 

RKO 

310 

RKO 

315 

MGM 

308 

Univ. 

7065 

Rep. 

261 

Rep. 

218 

Col. 

4029 

Univ. 

7020 

Univ. 

7024 

Univ. 

Silent  Witness 

Mono. 

Silk,  Blood  and  Sun  (Mexican 

I  Maya 

Silver  Oueen 

UA 

Silver  Fleet  (British)  Archers-Gen'l 

Silver  Skates 

Mono. 

Sin  Town 

Univ. 

7017 

Sky's  the  Limit,  The 

RKO 

Slightly  Dangerous 

MGM 

325 

Smith  of  Minnesota 

Col. 

4035 

Soliga  Solberg  (Swedish) 

Scandia 

Sombrero  Kid,  The 

Rep. 

271 

Something  to  Shout  About 

Col. 

4006 

Somewhere  I'll  Find  You 

MGM 

301 

Somewhere  in  France 

UA 

Somewhere  in  Sahara 

Col. 

So  Proudly  We  Hail 

Para. 

Son  of  Dracula 

Univ. 

Song  to  the  Wind  (It.)  Hoffberg 

South  of  the  Border  (Re-release)   Rep.  2302 

Spirit  of  Stanford,  The  Col.  4022 

Spitfire  (British)  RKO 

Spring  Song  (Russian)  Artkino 

Springtime  in  Rockies  (color)  20th-Fox  317 

Squadron  Leader  X  (British)  RKO 

Stage  Door  Canteen  UA 

Stand  By,  All  Networks  Col.  4042 

Stand  By  for  Action  MGM  316 

Star  Spangled  Rhythm  Para.  4231 

Stormy  Weather  20th-Fox  .... 

Stranger  from  Pecos  Mono.  .... 

Stranger  in  Town,  A  MGM  324 

Street  of  Chance  Para.  4210 

Strictly  in  the  Groove  Univ.  7028 

Submarine  Alert  Para.  ... 

Submarine  Base  PRC  .... 

Sundown  Kid  Rep.  273 

Sweet  Rosie  O'Grady  20th-Fox   

Swing  Shift  Maisie  MGM 

Swing  Your  Partner  Rep  


Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills  Apr.  22,'43 

Tim  Holt  Apr.  2/43 

Disney  South  American  feature  Feb.  1 9, '43 

Macdonald  Carey-Betty  Rhodes  Block  5 

Wallace  Beery-Fay  Bainter  Not  Set 

Three  Mesquiteers  Apr.  I6,'43 

Ann  Corio-Tim  and  Irene  May  28, '43 

Guy  Kibbee-Margaret  Hayes  Oct.  I6,'42 

Craig  Stevens-Faye  Emerson  Oct.  I7,'42 

Hugh  Williams-Carla  Lehmann  Not  Set 

Otto  Kruger-Tina  Thayer  Oct.  26,'42 

John  Hubbard-Virginia  Grey  Dec.  1 8, '42 

Lucille  Ball-Victor  Mature  Nov.  13/42 

James  Craig-Bonita  Granville  Jan.  8, '43 
Van  Heflin-Kathryn  Grayson  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

Teresa  Wright-Joseph  Cotten  Jan.  I5,'43 

Three  Mesquiteers  Aug.  24,'42 

Mary  Lee-John  Archer  Apr.  20, '43 

Jinx  Falkenberg-Tom  Neal  Apr.  1 5, '43 

Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce  Sept.  18/42 

Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce  Feb.  12/43 

Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce  Apr.  30/43 

Soviet  Documentary  Feb.  1 1  ,'43 

Frank  Albertson-Maris  Wrixon  Jan.  15/43 

Jorge  Negrete-Gloria  Marin  Not  Set 

George  Brent-Priscilla  Lane  Nov.  13/42 

Ralph  Richardson-Googie  Withers  Not  Set 

Patricia  Morison-Kenny  Baker  Feb.  26/43 

Constance  Bennett-Brod  Crawford  Sept.  25/42 

Fred  Astaire-Joan  Leslie  Not  Set 

Lana  Turner-Robert  Young  Apr., '43 

Bruce  Smith-Arline  Judge  Oct.  15/42 

Edvard  Persson  Sept.  12/42 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick  July  3 1  ,'42 

Don  Ameche-Jack  Oakie-Janet  Blair  Feb.  25/43 
Clark  Gable-Lana  Turner  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

Constance  Cumming-Tommy  Trinder  May  7/43 

Humphrey  Bogart-Bruce  Bennett  Not  Set 

Claudette  Colbert-Paulette  Goddard  Not  Set 

Alan  Curtis-Lon  Chaney  Not  Set 

Giuseppe  Lugo  Apr.  24/43 

Gene  Autry  Mar.  1/43 

Frankie  Albert-Marguerite  Chapman  Sept.  10/42 

Leslie  Howard-Rosamund  John  Not  Set 
Nikolai  Kunovalov-Ludmila  Tzelikovskaya  Sept.  11/42 


57m 
56m 
43  m 
75m 


May  8/43 
Apr.  24/43 
Dec.  19/42 
Mar.  27/43 


1302 
1275 
1065 
1226 


Betty  Grable-John  Payne 
Eric  Portman-Beatrice  Varley 
Stage  and  Screen  Stars 
John  Beal-Florence  Rice 
Charles  Laughton-Robert  Taylor 
Betty  Hutton-Eddie  Bracken-Victor 
Bill  Robinson-Lena  Home 
Johnny  Mack  Brown 
Frank  Morgan-Jean  Rogers 
Burgess  Meredith-Claire  Trevor 
Leon  Errol-Mary  Healy 
Richard  Arlen-Wendy  Barrie 
John  Litel-Alan  Baxter 
Don  Barry-Linda  Johnson 
Betty  Grable-Robert  Young 
Ann  Sothern-James  Craig 
Lulubelle  and  Scotty-Vera  Vague 


M 


Nov.  6/42 
Block  6 
Not  Set 
Oct.  29/42 
Dec.-Feb./43 
>ore  Special 
Not  Set 
June  25/43 
Apr.,'43 
Block  2 
Nov.  20/42 
Not  Set 
Not  Set 
Dec.  28  '42 
Not  Set 
Not  Set 
May  20/43 


1240 


1091 
1057 
1276 
1277 


74 


66m 

Oct.  17/42 

959 

*;I2 

59m 

Aug.  22/42 

914 

94m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

67m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

07  m 

ret).  13,^0 

1  ■'!  CO 

1  1  5V 

1 UUV 

87m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

872 

1280 

62m 

Nov.  14/42 

1006 

962 

98m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

1174 

108m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 1 14 

936 

1280 

57m 

Jan.  2/43 

1090 

65m 

Apr.  24/43 

1273 

1 191 
1 192 

65m 

Sept.  12/42 

897 

68m 

Jan.  2/43 

1090 

71m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

983 

62m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 169 

62m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

1033 

86m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 146 

80m 

Nov.  14/42 

1005 

936 

88m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

76m 

Jan.  16/42 

1113 

1218 

73m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

898 
1 162 

94m 

Mar.  6/43 

i  i  89 

1057 

1280 

66m 

Oct.  17/42 

959 

797 

89m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

56m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

796 

90m 

Feb.  13/43 

1157 

1043 

1218 

1 07m 

Aug.  8/42 

902 

726 

984 

83m 

Feb.  20/43 

1169 

1305 
1 104 
1241 

76m 

May  8/43 

1303 

71m 

Dec.  16/39 

1  158 

73m 

Oct.  3 1  ,'42 

982 

796 

1082 

90m 

Apr.  17/43 

1275 

74m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

91m 

Sept.  26/42 

921 

855 

1 174 

100m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

1 1 15 

64m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

797 

109m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

871 

M74 

100m 

Jan.  3/43 

1 102 

855 
1192 
1277 

1280 

67  m 

Feb.  13/43 

1158 

1079 

74m 

Oct.  3/42 

933 

871 

1082 

60m 

July  4/42 

914 

77? 

1305 

55m 

Jan.  16/43 

1113 

1305 

87m 

May  8/43 

1302 

1 191 

72m 

May  8/43 

1302 

1276 

TAHITI  Honey 

Rep. 

216 

Simone  Simon-Dennis  O'Keefe 

Apr.  6/43 

69m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

1 191 

Tales  of  Manhattan 

20th-Fox 

313 

C.  Boyer-R.  Hayworth-G.  Rogers 

Oct.  30/42 

1  18m 

Aug.  8/42 

927 

706 

1130 

Tarzan  Triumphs 

RKO 

319 

Johnny  Weissmuller-Frances  Gifford 

Feb.  19/43 

77m 

Jan.  23/43 

1125 

983 

1174 

Taxi  Mister 

UA-Roach 

William  Bendix-Grace  Bradley 

Apr.  16/43 

46m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

986 

Tennessee  Johnson 

MGM 

322 

Van  Heflin-Ruth  Hussey 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

100m 

Dec.  19/42 

1065 

946 

1280 

Tenting  Tonight  on  the 

Old  Camp  Ground 

Univ. 

7074 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Feb.  5/43 

61m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

1 0 !  8 

Terror  House 

PRC 

322 

Wilfred  Lawson-James  Mason 

Apr.  19/43 

1276 

Texas  to  Bataan 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Oct.  16/42 

56m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

Thank  Your  Lucky  Stars 

WB 

All  Warner  Contract  Players 

Not  Set 

I0S8 

That  Nazty  Nuisance 

UA-Roach 

William  Tracy-Joe  Sawyer 

Not  Set 

1 019 

Fhat  Other  Woman 

20th-Fox 

318 

Virginia  Gilmore-James  Ellison 

Nov.  13/42 

75  m 

Oct.  i  7.'42 

960 

936 

Product  Digest  Section 


1311 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    8  ,  1943 


REVIEWED 


Prod. 


Title 

Company 

Numbt 

They  Came  to  Blow  Up  America 

20th-Fox 

They  Got  Me  Covered 

RKO 

0  CO 

352 

This  Is  the  Army 

WB 

This  Land  Is  Mine 

RKO 

323 

Those  Kids  from  Town  (British)  Anglo 

Three  Hearts  for  Julia 

MGM 

30  1 

321 

Thunder  Birds  (color) 

20th-Fox 

307 

Thunder  Rock  (British)  Charter-Metro 

Thundering  Trails 

Rep. 

263 

Time  Bomb 

Mono. 

Time  to  Kill 

20th-Fox 

^O  £ 

326 

Tish 

MGM 

1  AO 

302 

Tomorrow  We  Live 

PRC 

307 

Tomorrow  We  Live  (British) 

Brit.  Lion 

Tonight  We  Raid  Calais 

20th-Fox 

OO  "T 

337 

Tornado  in  the  Saddle 

Col. 

A  O  1  A 

Trail  Riders 

Mono. 

Traitor  Within,  The 

Rep. 

207 

Triumph  Over  Pain 

Para. 

(formerly  Great  Without  Glory) 

Truck  Busters 

WB 

O  1  o 

2 1 3 

True  to  Life 

Para. 

Two  Fisted  Justice 

Mono. 

Two  Senoritas  from  Chicago 

Col. 

Two  Weeks  to  Live 

RKO 

317 

UNDERCOVER  Man 

UA 

Underground  Agent 

Col. 

4039 

Undying  Monster,  The 

20th-Fox 

319 

Unpublished  Story  (British) 

Col. 

VALLEY  of  Hunted  Men 

Rep. 

262 

Varsity  Show  (Reissue) 

WB 

215 

Vengeance  of  the  West 

Col. 

3216 

Stars 

George  Sanders-Anna  Sten 

Bob  Hope-Dorothy  Lamour 

Joan  Leslie-George  Murphy-Stage 

Charles  Laughton-Maureen  O'Hara 

Percy  Marmont-Marie  O'Neill 

Ann  Sothern-Melvyn  Douglas 

John  Sutton-Gene  Tierney 

Michael  Redgrave-Barbara  Mullen 

Three  Mesquiteers 

Richard  Travis-Catherine  Craig 

Lloyd  Nolan-Heather  Angel 

Marjorie  Main-Lee  Bowman 

Jean  Parker-Ricardo  Cortez 

John  Clements-Godfrey  Tearle 

Annabella-John  Sutton 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Range  Busters 

Don  Barry-Jean  Parker 

Joel  McCrea-Betty  Field 

Richard  Travis-Ruth  Ford 
Mary  Martin-Franchot  Tone 
Range  Busters 

Jinx  Falkenburg-Joan  Davis 
Lum  V  Abner 


William  Boyd-Andy  Clyde 
Bruce  Bennett-Leslie  Brooks 
James  Ellison-Heather  Angel 
Richard  Greene-Miles  Malleson 


Three  Mesquiteers 

Dick  Powell-Fred  Waring 

Bill  Elliott-Tex  Ritter 


Release 

Date 

May  7,'43 
Feb.  5,'43 
Cast      Not  Set 
Block  5 
Not  Set 
Dec.-Feb.,'43 
Nov.  20/42 
Not  Set 
Jan.  25,'43 
June  18/43 
Jan.  22/43 
Sept,-Nov.,'42 
Sept.  29/42 
Not  Set 
Apr.  30/43 
Dec.  15/42 
Dec.  4/42 
Dec.  16/42 
Not  Set 

Feb.  6/43 
Not  Set 
Jan.  8/43 
June  10/43 
Feb.  26/43 


Oct.  23/42 
Dec.  3/42 
Nov.  27/42 
Not  Set 


Nov.  13/42 
Dec.  19/42 
Sept.  3/42 


M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Service 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

73m 

Apr.  24/43 

1273 

1  162 

96m 

Jan.  2/43 

1 102 

872 

1  174 

1276 

103m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

1 162 

75m 

May  2/42 

633 

90m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

1009 

78m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

796 

1 130 

1  1  Im 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

56m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 159 

1115 

1277 

61m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

995 

83m 

July  25/42 

938 

772 

1034 

64m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

85m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

70m 

Apr.  3/43 

1239 

1 192 

59m 

1058 

55m 

1018 

62m 

Dec.  5/42 

1043 

983 

1 174 

912 

58m 

Jan.  23/43 

1126 

1079 

61m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 127 

1031 

1305 

/3m 

C  L        L  '  Al 

reb.   o,  4 J 

1  1 47 

68m 

May  9/42 

647 

68m 

Feb.  6/43 

1148 

1009 

60m 

Oct.  17/42 

970 

936 

1082 

91m 

Apr.  1 1  /42 

598 

60m 
81m 
60m 


Mar.  6/43 
Aug.  21/37 


1190 
1043 


1031 


WAKE  Island  Para. 
War  Against  Mrs.  Hadley,  The  MGM 
War  Dogs  Mono. 
Watch  on  the  Rhine  WB 
We  Are  the  Marines  20th-Fox 
We'll  Smile  Again  (Brit.)  Nat'l-Anglo 
Went  the  Day  Well?  (British)  Ealing-UA 
West  of  the  Law  Mono. 
West  of  Texas  PRC 
We've  Never  Been  Licked  Univ. 
When  Johnny  Comes  March- 
ing Home  Univ. 
WhistKng  in  Dixie  MGM 
White  Cargo  MGM 
White  Savage  (color)  Univ. 
Who  Done  It?  Univ. 
Wildcat  Para. 
Wild  Horse  Stampede  Mono. 
Wings  and  the  Woman  (British)  RKO 

(formerly  They  Flew  Alone) 
Wings  Over  the  Pacific  Mono. 
World  at  War  WAC 
Wrecking  Crew  Para. 
Wyoming  Hurricane  Col. 

X  MARKS   the  Spot  Rep. 


4205 

Brian  Donlevy-Robert  Preston 

Block  1 

87m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

772 

1130 

306 

Fay  Bainter-Edward  Arnold 

Sept.-Nov./42 

86m 

Aug.  8/42 

902 

797 

1174 

Billy  Lee-Addison  Richards 

Nov.  13/42 

63  m 

Oct.  10/42 

946 

Bette  Davis-Paul  Lucas 

Not  Set 

986 

324 

Marine  Feature 

Jan.  8/43 

70  m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

Bud  Flanagan-Chesney  Allen 

Not  Set 

93  m 

Oct.  3 1/42 

982 

Leslie  Banks-Basil  Sydney 

Not  Set 

92m 

Nov.  14/42 

1006 

Buck  Jones-Tim  McCoy 

Nov.  2/42 

55m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill 

May  10/43 

1277 

Richard  Quine-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

May  28/43 

1115 

7016 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Jan.  1/43 

74m 

Dec.  26/42 

1090 

1218 

313 

Red  Skelton-Ann  Rutherford 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

74m 

Oct.  3 1/42 

981 

946 

1 174 

310 

Hedy  Lamarr-Walter  Pidgeon 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

89m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

871 

1 174 

Maria  Montez-Jon  Hall 

Apr.  23/43 

76m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

1079 

7002 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Nov.  6/42 

75m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

971 

1082 

4204 

Richard  Arlen-Arline  Judge 

Block  1 

73  m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

Ken  Maynard-Hoot  Gibson 

Apr.  16/43 

59m 

May  1/43 

1290 

1276 

303 

Anna  Neagle-R.  Newton 

Sept.  18/42 

94m 

May  2/42 

903 

1082 

Inez  Cooper-Edward  Norris 

June  11/43 

1276 

Documentary 

Sept.  18/42 

66m 

Sept.  5/42 

890 

4212 

Richard  Arlen-Chester  Morris 

Block  3 

73m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

986 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Not  Set 

1079 

204 

Damian  O'Flynn-Helen  Parrish 

Nov.  4/4? 

56m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

986 

YANK    at  Eton.  A  MGM 

Yankee  Doodle  Dandy  WB 
Yanks  Ahoy  UA-Roach 

Yanks  Are  Coming,  The  PRC 

You  Can't  Beat  the  Law  Mono. 

You  Can't  Escape  Forever  WB 
You  Love  Me,  I  Love  You  (It.)  Hoffberg 

You  Were  Never  Lovelier  Col. 

Young  and  Willing  UA 

Youngest  Profession,  The  MGM 

Young  Mr.  Pitt  (British)  20th-Fox 

Youth  on  Parade  Rep. 


305        Mickey  Rooney-Edmund  Gwenn 
201         James  Cagney-Joan  Leslie 
Joe  Sawyer-William  Tracy 
301         Maxie  Rosenbloom-Mary  Healy 
Edward  Norris-Joan  Woodbury 
207        George  Brent-Brenda  Marshall 
....         Aleda  Valli-Amedeo  Nazzari 
4002        Fred  Astaire-Rita  Hayworth 
....        William  Holden-Susan  Hayworth 
...        Virginia  Weidler-Edward  Arnold  & 
316        Robert  Morley-Robert  Donat 
203        John  Hubbard-Martha  O'Driscoll 


Sept.-Nov./42 

87m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

726 

1130 

Jan.  2/43 

126m 

June  6/42 

903 

674 

1082 

Not  Set 

47m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1019 

Nov.  9/42 

65m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

1130 

Feb.  12/43 

61m 

Jan.  30/43 

1137 

1081 

Oct.  10/42 

77m 

Sept.  26/42 

921 

898 

1034 

Apr.  3/43 

95m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

Nov.  19/42 

97m 

Oct.  10/42 

945 

796 

1 1*74 

Feb.  5/43 

82m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 170 

663 

Guests   Not  Set 

81m 

Mar.  6/43 

1189 

1081 

Feb.  26/43 

103m 

July  4/42 

914 

Oct.  24/42 

75m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

Feature  Product  including  Coming  Attractions,  listed  Company  by  Company, 
in  Order  of  Release  on  Page  1278. 


1312   Product  Digest  Section 


ONCE  ONLY 


EASTMAN  Negative  Films,  with  their  high 
degree  of  uniformity,  make  it  easy  to 
confine  the  ^takes"  to  one  to  each  scene 
...helping  to  close  the  gap  between  foot- 
age exposed  and  footage  used.  Eastman 
Kodak  Company,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

J.  E.  BRULATOUR,  INC.,  Distributors 
Fort  Lee  Chicago  Hollywood 


PLIJS-X  SUPER-XX 

for  general  studio  use  when  tittle  light  is  available 

BACKGROCXD-X 

for  backgrounds  and  general  exterior  work 


EASTMAN  NEGATIVE  FILMS 


TV- 


*  The  Wore 

*rt»e  Meir/e^ 


WILL  HAVE  ITS 


i]y^li:[ti>;:ii£ii: 


EVE 

KEY  CITY  IN  AMERICA! 


'A 


ENLIST  TODAY  IN  THE  SECOND  WAR  LOAN  OOND  DRIVE! 


JEAN        JOEL  CHARLES 

ARTHUR  McCREA  COBURN 

^  «  GEORGE  STEVENS'  .1 

^  Afore  The  Niett^ 

.  Scroon  Play  by  Robarl  Rgllali  arid  Frank  Ron;  Richard  Flournoy 
and  lawii  R.  Foilor  ■  Story  by  Rol,«rt  Ruisoli  and  Frank  Ron 

Oir.ci.d  by  GEORGE  STEVEN'S  ■  A  COLUMBIA  PICTURE 


JON  PICTURE 

HERALD 


REVIEWS 

(In  Product  Digest) 

Stage  Door  Canteen 
Bombardier 

Murder  in  Times  Square 

A  Gentle  Gangster 

The  Ghost  and  the  Guest 

Sarong  Girl 

Santa  Fe  Scouts 

West  of  Texas 

Riders  of  the  Rio  Grande 

Bombsight  Stolen 


PRODUCT 

Programs  and  backlogs 
for  the  1943-44  Season 

Hollywood  spices  war 
with  song  and  dance 

PRACTICES 

Exhibitors  tell  U.  S.  how 
they  don9t  like  Decree 


VOL  151.  NO.  7 


MAY  15,  1943 


Entered  as  second-class  matter.  January  12,  1931.  at  the  Post  Office,  at  New  York  City,  U.S.A.,  under  the  act  of  March  3.  18 
weekly  by  Quiglcy  Publishing  Co..  Inc..  at  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York.  Subscription  prices:  $5.00  a 
Americas,  $10.00  a  year  Foreign.    Single  copy,  25  cents.    All  contents  copyright  1943  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company. 


-i  eo 


Metro  -  Gold  wy  n-Mayer 's 

AR  OF  STARS 

/  7/       sets  new  record  in  Capitol, 
N.  Y.  World  Premiere! 


VAN  HEFLIN  in  "PRESENTING  LILY  MARS" 

•  Richard  Carlson  •  Spring  Byington  •  Marta  Eggerth 

•  Leonid  Kinskey  •  Tommy  Dorsey  and  his  Orchestra 
his  Orchestra  •  Screen  Play  by  Richard  Connell  and 
Based  upon  the  Novel  by  Booth  Tarkington  •  Directed 


JUDY  GARLAND 
with  Fay  Bainter  • 
Connie  Gilchrist  • 
Bob  Crosby  and 
Gladys  Lehman 


by  Norman  Taurog  •  Produced  by  Joseph  Pasternak  •  An  M-G-M  Picture 


Book  "Prelude  To  War"  Released  May  27th 


AT  THE  N.Y.  HOLLYWC 
AIR  FORCE  AND  "CAI 
MARGINS . . .  PULVER 
HOUSE  RECORD. .  .11 


ID...  OUTCROSSING 

,BLANCA  BY  HEFTY 

ING  EVERY  EXISTING 


Freel  For  Decoration  Day! 
The  U.  S.  Government's 
'PRELUDE  TO  WAR' 


The  Former  U.  S.  AMBASSADOR 

JOSEPH  E.  DAVIES' 

"MISSION  TO  MOSCOW" 

starring  WALTER  HUSTON  •  ANN  HARDING  *ith 
GEORGE  TOBIAS  •  OSCAR  HOMOIKA  .  GENE  LOCKHAR"T  .  HELMUT  OANTINE 

Directed  by  MICHAEL  CURTIZ  'Screen  Play  by  Howard  Koch 
From  the  Book  by  Joseph  E.  Davies  •  Music  bv  Max  Sterner 


A  "Daring"  "Thriller"  from  20"  Century-Fox 


(DAMON  RUNYON)    (N.Y.  POST) 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD 


COLV1N  BROWN,  Publisher 

MARTIN  QUIGLEY 
President  and  Editor-in-Chief 

TERRY  RAMSAYE,  Editor 

Vol.  151,  No.  7 

OP 

May  15,  1943 

RADIO  DECISION 

THAT  5-to-2  decision  from  the  United  States  Supreme 
Court  supporting  the  power  of  the  Federal  Communica- 
tions Commission  to  regulate  radio  under  the  broad  terms 
of  "in  the  public  interest"  can  be  viewed  with  a  very  special 
sort  of  interest  by  the  motion  picture  industry. 

The  opinion,  regardless  of  its  contentions  about  the  authority 
of  Congress,  can  be  seen  only  as  a  reinforcement  of  govern- 
ment by  bureaucracy. 

No  matter  how  you  slice  it,  the  authority  to  make  rules  "in 
the  public  interest",  and  controlled  only  by  that  specification, 
is  also  the  authority  to  make  laws  without  legislation. 

And,  does  Congress  hold  the  right  to  delegate  its  work  by 
passing  the  job  over  to  a  bureau  with  a  blanket  order:  "You 
do  it"? 

AAA 

THOUGHTS  ON  FAME 

TWO  most  unrelated  events  of  Monday  bring  reflection 
on  the  transient  quality  of  fame  and  the  nature  of  the 
business  of  being  "a  name".  The  Duke  and  Duchess  of 
Windsor  were  ensconced  over  at  the  Waldorf-Astoria,  having 
no  trouble  eluding  public  attention,  and  not  too  much  difficulty 
with  the  mildly  persistent  press.  Twenty  and  odd  years  ago 
the  young  man  who  was  to  be,  for  a  while,  King  of  England, 
on  his  first  American  tour  was  the  year's  sensation  in  personal- 
ities. The  nation  was  a-twitter  for  even  a  glimpse  of  him.  Now 
the  people  care  very  little. 

In  a  United  Artists  projection  room  over  in  the  moiling 
Broadway  community  an  amazing  parade  of  personalities, 
including  an  extraordinary  array  of  the  famous  of  1943,  in 
the  show  world,  was  revealed  with  the  first  screening  of  Mr.  Sol 
Lesser's  "Stage  Door  Canteen".  No  such  roster  of  stars  and 
celebrities  has  ever  before  been  assembled  on  the  screen.  This 
picture  has  more  name  and  fame  per  running  foot  than  any 
camera  ever  saw  before.  Here  are  the  people  who  are  great 
in  the  eyes  and  ears  of  the  millions,  now. 
The  answer  is  sheer  publicity. 

Not  since  that  sad  day  when  the  King  of  England  took  the 
air  to  renounce  the  crown  for  "the  woman  I  love"  has  he  been 
heard  by  radio.  That  day  for  reasons  of  state  his  publicity 
was  controlled,  and  faded  out. 

The  stars  of  "Stage  Door  Canteen"  are  there  because  the 
limelight  of  attention  still  flames  around  them — most  of  it  engi- 
neered, designed,  encouraged,  and  a  lot  of  it  made  of  words 
on  paper — which  is  our  business,  too. 

AAA 

RUN  AT  THE  HEEL 

THREE  pictures  of  current  or  impending  release  have  come 
through  the  industry's  self-regulative  attentions  of  the 
Production  Code  Administration  containing:  I — A  "strip 
tease",  in  a  modified  but  unimproved  version;  2 — Presentation 
of  "bumps  and  grinds";  3 — A  drama  presenting  its  heroine  in 
a  climax  of  suicide. 


Alike,  "strip  tease"  and  "bumps"  and  "grinds"  are  from  the 
patois  and  practice  of  that  lower  margin  of  the  theatre  con- 
cerned with  the  vending  of  venery,  and  facsimiles  thereof. 
Suicide  is  held  to  be  a  crime,  and  a  transgression  of  an  order 
which  the  Production  Code  requires  shall  not  be  presented 
with  any  implication  of  excuse  or  condonement. 

Here  are  three  beginnings  of  something  which  can  extend 
itself  like  a  run  at  the  heel  of  a  silk  stocking  and  lead  up  to 
nobody  knows  how  far. 

AAA 

PUBLIC  RELATIONS 

OFTEN  reference  has  been  made  by  your  editor  to  the 
fact  that  the  biggest  job  of  public  relations  is  that 
carried  on  by  able  showmen  all  over  the  land,  mostly 
without  fanfare  and  commonly  with  no  specific  recognition. 
An  instance  comes  to  hand  in  an  editorial  from  the  conserva- 
tive Lakeland  Ledger  of  Lakeland,  Florida,  which  remarks: 

"If  it's  a  patriotic,  civic  or  charitable  undertaking  to  raise 
money,  the  chances  are  10  to  I  that  the  movie  theatres  will 
be  called  on  sooner  or  later  to  come  to  the  rescue. 

"Moreover,  when  the  theatres  join  in  they  usually  get  results. 

"No  American  who  attends  the  movies  with  fair  regularity 
can  have  failed  to  be  impressed  by  the  excellent  job  the 
theatres  are  doing  on  both  the  home  front  and  the  battle- 
front.  They're  raising  money  in  the  lobby  and  they're  present- 
ing the  war  message  on  the  screen.  ..." 

This  piece  was  also  well  larded  with  statistics  on  the  motion 
pictures'  benefactions  and  diligence  in  many  causes.  This 
expression  to  the  public  of  his  community  was  inspired  and 
documented  by  Mr.  Frank  H.  Bell  of  the  Polk  Theatre,  a  show- 
man working  for  his  industry. 

AAA 

CONE  FISHINC 

THE  field  of  industry  is  littered  with  men  who  have  achieved 
success  and  fortune  and  then  do  not  know  what  to  do  with 
it.  In  happy  contrast  is  the  case  of  Mr.  E.  J.  Sparks,  known 
for  his  career  in  Florida  exhibition  and  a  circuit  of  more  than 
a  hundred  theatres.  After  about  enough  of  that  he  just  quit 
and  went  fishing. 

This  comes  to  mind  now  by  reason  of  Mr.  Sparks'  activity  in 
the  formation  and  promotion  of  Armed  Forces  Fishing  Com- 
mittee, Inc.,  operating  in  the  Miami  Beach  region  to  supply 
tackle  to  soldiers  and  sailors,  preparing  for  or  resting  from 
the  war. 

In  a  letter  to  the  editor  Mr.  Sparks  remarks:  "We  are  work- 
ing on  a  plan  to  provide  lines  and  hooks  to  men  in  various 
parts  of  the  world.  One  little  illustration  will  show  how  badly 
it  is  needed.  A  soldier  returned  from  Guadalcanal  brought 
with  him  $250,  a  collection  from  other  soldiers,  with  which  to 
buy  fishing  equipment.  He  said  they  were  using  wire  nails,  out 
of  ammunition  boxes,  bent  and  filed  into  something  like  a  hook. 
You  can  imagine  how  they  would  appreciate  some  real  tackle." 

— Terry  Ramsaye 


8 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    15,    I  943 


THIS  WEEK  IN  THE  NEWS 


FEWER    pictures    for    l943-'44  despite 
heavy    backlogs  Page  13 

EXHIBITORS  tell  the  U.S.  what's  wrong 
with  the  Decree  Page  17 

HOLLYWOOD  seasons  war  with  vaude- 
ville and   music  Page  21 

WPB  still  studies  double  bills  and  raw 
stock  Page  25 

COURT  says  FCC  can  rule  all  radio  net- 
work deals  Page  28 


AGAIN,  and  more,  exhibitors  protest  flood 
of  war  dramas  Page  29 

THEATRES  to  extend   Red  Cross  blood 
donor  drive  Page  30 

NEW    TAXES    raise    British  admissions 
33   per  cent  Page  41 

ARBITRATION  appeal  board  reverses  rul- 
ing on  clearance  Page  44 

ARGENTINE  studios  bid  for  Latin  Amer- 
ican markets  Page  46 


SERVICE  DEPARTMENTS 

Hollywood  Scene  Page  35  Picture  Grosses  Page  64 

In  the  Newsreels  Page  49  Shorts  on  Broadway  Page  54 

Ma  nagers'  Round  Table              Page  55  What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me  Page  50 

IN  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION 

Showmen's  Reviews  Page  1313  Release  Chart  by  Companies  Page  1316 

Short  Subjects  Page  1315  The  Release  Chart  Page  1318 


"Ouch!"  Cried  Orson 

WHEN  the  Army  doctors  put  him  over  the 
jumps  in  a  three  hour  physical  examination 
in  Hollywood  this  week,  Orson  Welles  was 
told  to  touch  his  toes.  When  he  reached 
his  knees,  he  ouched  and  the  doctors,  after 
further  tests,  classified  him  as  4F. 

His  back  has  been  in  a  steel  brace  since  a 
fall  down  stairs  three  years  ago  when  he 
was  making  "Citizen  Kane"  at  RKO. 

"Very  disappointing,"  said  Mr.  Welles, 
who  is  28.  He  returned  to  the  Twentieth 
Century-Fox  lot  where  he  is  appearing  in 
"Jane  Eyre."  On  Friday  at  New  York 
Spyros  Skouras,  president  of  Twentieth 
Century-Fox,  said  that  the  company  posi- 
tively was  not  going  to  buy  or  release  "It's 
All  True,"  the  color  film  which  Mr.  Welles 
started  for  RKO  in  Brazil  a  year  ago  at  the 
behest  of  the  Coordinator  of  Inter-American 
Affairs.    RKO  decided  not  to  complete  it. 


Browne  &  Bioff 

THE  PRESS,  which  is  to  say  both  the 
Milwaukee  Journal  and  Westbrook  Pegler, 
has  been  discussing  the  whereabouts  of 
George  Browne  and  Willie  Bioff,  under  sen- 
tence of  eight  and  ten  years,  respectively, 
for  their  unfortunate  receipt  of  certain  gifts 
in  transactions  relating  to  motion  picture 
labor. 

The  Milwaukee  paper  says  Browne  and 
Bioff  are  in  prison.  Mr.  Pegler  records 
a  whole  series  of  answers  that  he  has  had 
from  assorted  sources,  all  contradictory,  and 
including  Arizona  and  Leavenworth. 

From  adequate  sources  Motion  Picture 
Herald  is  informed  that  Browne  and  Bioff 
have  been  "kept  handy,"  which  means  the 
Federal  House  of  Detention  in  New  York 
City,  not  too  far  from  the  office  of  Mathias 
Correa,  United  States  district  attorney,  and 
conductor  of  a  "singing  school." 

This  is  said  to  be  no  special  favor  for  the 
prisoners. 

Presumably  they  are  scheduled  for  per- 
sonal appearances  on  the  witness  stand  in 
New  York  next  month  when  the  first  of  the 
"boys  from  Chicago"  go  on  trial. 


Laundered  Songs 

THE  SONG  censor  is  waving  his  bony 
and  forbidding  hand  at  8  popular  songs 
which  trainees  have  been  singing  vociferous- 
ly at  the  Atlantic  City  Post,  Army  Air 
Forces.  The  ban  order  came  from  post 
headquarters,  and  no  longer  can  our  soldiers 
sing  "Roll  Out  the  Barrel,"  "When  the  War 
Is  Over,"  "Around  Her  Neck/;  "Oh,  My 
Feet  Hurt,"  "I've  Been  Working  on  the 
Railroad,"  "The  Moron  Song,"  "How  Dry 
I  Am"  and  "Parlez-Vous,"  a  favorite  of 
World  War  I. 

It  was  asserted  by  an  unnamed  Army  as- 
serter  that  the  ditties  might  be  interpreted 
as  "slurs  on  women,  the  courage  of  soldiers 
or  as  drinking  songs."    The  neck  to  foot 


coverage  would  seem  automatically  to  take 
care  of  the  menace. 

A  new  official  song  book  is  in  publication 
to  guide  the  air  trainees  in  newer  and  per- 
haps less  stimulating  paths  of  melody. 
Meanwhile  it  is  not  indicated  by  what  pro- 
cess the  command  is  going  to  prevent  the 
writing  of  supplementary  verses. 


Deadly  Camera  Work 

ARMY  air  force  motion  picture  photogra- 
phers shoot  at  the  enemy  with  more  than 
their  cameras.  They  use  machine  guns, 
too.  Three  cameramen  have  been  credited 
with  swinging  from  photography  to  guns 
with  good  results  in  both  departments. 
This  was  disclosed  at  the  53rd  semi-an- 
nual convention  of  the  Society  of  Motion 
Picture  Engineers,  in  New  York  last  week, 
by  Major  Ralph  Jester,  of  the  Army  Air 
Corps  headquarters,  Washington.  Bomb- 
ing, he  commented,  is  teamwork ;  it  demands 
ability  from  each  man  to  understand  the 
other's  work;  and  therefore,  the  camera- 
men on  a  bomber  undergo  a  "complete 
course  of  military  training." 


Soldiers 9  Favorite 

BEST  liked  of  all  the  pictures  shown  in 
April  to  soldiers  in  camp  in  the  United 
States  was  Twentieth  Century-Fox's  "Hello 
Frisco  Hello,"  the  Army  Motion  Picture 
Service  reported  this  week.  The  other 
favorites  at  post  theatres,  in  order  of  prefer- 
ence, were  RKO's  "Flight  for  Freedom," 
Twentieth  Century-Fox's  "My  Friend 
Flicka,"  Republic's  "Hit  Parade  of  1943," 
and  Warners'  "Edge  of  Darkness." 


Aid  from  Uncle 

LOANS  to  exhibitors  with  theatres  at  sum- 
mer resorts  which  have  lost  their  earning 
capacity  by  reason  of  wartime  restrictions 
will  be  granted  by  the  Reconstruction 
Finance  Corporation's  Mortgage  Company, 
it  was  announced  by  Jesse  Jones,  Secretary 
of  Commerce,  in  Washington  Wednesday. 
The  money  may  be  used  to  pay  carrying 
charges  and  maintenance. 

Advances  will  be  made  by  Uncle  Sam  to 
the  extent  that  the  income  of  the  exhibitor 
is  insufficient  to  meet  interest,  taxes,  insur- 
ance, special  assessments  and  necessary 
maintenance  costs,  he  said. 

The  loans  will  mature  one  year  after  the 
expiration  of  the  national  emergency  de- 
clared by  the  President  on  May  27,  1941. 
Interest  will  be  at  the  rate  of  four  per  cent 
per  year.  Repayments  will  be  in  instalments 
set  by  the  mortgage  company. 

Exhibitors  may  borrow  on  mortgaged 
properties  on  which  the  total  indebtedness 
does  not  exceed  60  per  cent  of  the  normal 
value,  and  on  unencumbered  properties  to 
whatever  extent  neecssary.  Theatres  will 
be  protected  against  foreclosure  by  prior 
mortgage  holders.  Where  this  is  done  the 
interest  rate  will  be  changed  to  that  of  the 
original  notes  at  the  end  of  the  emergency 
period,  and  the  total  debt  may  be  paid  off  in 
instalments  over  a  period  of  not  less  than 
five  years. 

The  mortgage  company  will  have  an  op- 
tion to  buy  up  non-government  liens  at  par 
and  accrued  interest.  After  the  emergency 
period  all  indebtedness  shall  become  due 
and  payable  when  the  total  amount  reaches 
75  per  cent  of  value  of  the  property. 


May    15,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


9 


Gable's  Troubles 

REPORTS  from  "the  European  theatre  of 
operations"  make  it  evident  that  one  of  the 
hard  tasks  in  life  is  to  be  a  Clark  Gable.  Re- 
layed from  London  is  the  word  that  British 
farmers  are  upset  because  the  women  of  the 
Land  Army  near  the  Air  Force  base  where 
Captain  Gable  is  gunnery  officer  leave  their 
farm  work  to  mob  the  screen  star  for  souve- 
nir buttons  and  autographs.  Recently  he 
was  forced  to  find  refuge  in  a  church. 

Other  Gable  troubles  include  a  legend 
that  his  superior  officers  insist  that  he  con- 
fer only  with  them,  even  being  "whisked  to 
the  colonel's  office."  Whisking  a  Gable 
may  possibly  become  an  Army  pastime. 

It  is  written  that  Captain  Gable  includes 
in  his  duties  the  direction  of  a  camera-and- 
script  unit  who  are  making  training  films 
for  Flying  Fortress  gunners.  One  of  their 
pictures  is  said  to  star  a  .50  calibre  machine 
gun,  with  Captain  Gable  in  occasional  sup- 
port. 


Filters  the  Juice 

EVER  since  sound  came  along  the  assorted 
noises  and  waves  generated  by  arc  lights 
have  been  a  problem  on  picture  stages.  If 
a  generator  which  feeds  the  power  puts  a 
ripple  into  the  current,  as  the  brushes  pass 
over  commutator  sections,  it  comes  out  of  the 
arc  as  trouble  that  reaches  the  film.  A  lot 
of  complex  and  cumbersome  devices  are 
used  to  eliminate  the  effect. 

Now  Colonel  Nathan  Levinson  of  War- 
ner Brothers  sound  department  has  devel- 
oped a  highly  portable,  simple  filter  to  take 
the  twitters  and  jitters  out  of  the  arcs.  It 
is  said  to  require  an  insignificant  amount 
of  copper,  as  compared  with  devices  doing 
the  equivalent  work. 

To  the  war  the  saving  in  copper  is  im- 
portant— and  the  reduction  in  costs  is  ac- 
ceptable to  the  counting  rooms  any  time. 


Empire  Merger  Delayed 

MEMBERS  of  the  Empire  State  Motion 
Picture  Operators  Union,  New  York,  were 
to  have  voted  last  Monday  night  on  dissolu- 
tion and  a  merger  with  Local  306,  of  the 
IATSE.  They  were  to  have  heard  a 
"proposition"  from  306,  perhaps  even  from 
the  lips  of  its  president,  Herman  Gelber. 

The  proposed  dissolution  was  opposed  by 
the  Century  circuit,  Empire's  largest  cus- 
tomer. Dissolution  would,  it  charged,  breach 
a  ten  year  contract  signed  last  year.  The 
circuit  applied  in  Brooklyn  Supreme  Court 
Monday  afternoon  for  a  temporary  in- 
junction. 

After  which  Empire  did  not  meet.  Union 
spokesmen  said  many  of  the  240  members 
favored  amalgamation  with  Local  306  to  ob- 
tain a  "larger  field,  more  jobs,  less  fight- 
ing." 


FILM  LABORATORY 
WORKERS  ESSENTIAL 

The  War  Manpower  Commission 
announced  in  Washington  Wednes- 
day that  motion  picture  film  process- 
ing had  been  classified  as  an  essen- 
tial industry  in  the  communications 
services.  The  Commission's  action 
followed  some  weeks  of  considera- 
tion of  an  application  filed  by 
the  IATSE  to  have  film  laboratory 
workers  classified  as  essential. 


"Americanism  "  Films 

INDUSTRY  it  seems  is  planning  to  be 
heard  on  the  screen.  Out  in  Indianapolis 
a  meeting  of  the  leaders  of  the  American 
Legion  heard  a  proposal  for  the  making  of 
feature  length  production  in  Technicolor, 
at  a  cost  in  the  millions,  under  the  title  of 
"For  This  We  Fight,"  and  calculated  to 
"keep  America  sold  on  Americanism."  Ac- 
cording to  a  report  to  the  New  York  Times 
$13,000  has  been  spent  on  preliminaries. 
The  proposal  comes  from  R.  H.  Barnard, 
vice-president  of  the  Owens-Illinois  Glass 
Company  of  Toledo.  It  was  indicated  that 
W.  E.  Lewis,  chairman  of  the  glass  com- 
pany's board,  had  decided  that  his  company 
could  "properly  absorb  the  cost"  of  the  un- 
dertaking. 

This  developed  at  the  Legion's  National 
Americanism  Commission's  session  devoted 
to  the  general  discussion  of  a  twenty  million 
dollar  program  project  in  behalf  of  an 
Americanism  campaign. 

Meanwhile  in  New  York  it  was  learned 
this  week  that  the  National  Association  of 
Manufacturers  has  under  consideration 
plans  for  the  production  of  a  film  for  theatri- 
cal distribution  this  autumn,  and  another, 
concurrently,  for  non-theatrical  distribu- 
tion. It  was  indicated  that  these  might  reach 
release  about  the  time  that  "For  This  We 
Fight"  might  be  expected  to  reach  the 
screen. 


Bingo  Paper! 

THE  STATE  of  New  York  charges  that 
The  Saturday  Economist,  published  at  Long 
Island  City,  is  a  bingo  trade  journal.  This 
week  the  state  prosecutor  hauled  William 
K.  Van  Leer,  the  publisher,  to  court  charg- 
ing that  his  paper  was  "actually  in  the 
business  of  advertising  bingo  games." 

"What  is  this,"  Judge  Thomas  Downs 
asked,  "the  scratch  sheet  of  bingo?"  He 
held  Mr.  Van  Leer  for  trial  by  jury,  despite 
prosecutor's  objection  and  request  for  trial 
before  three  county  judges  appointed  by 
Mayor  La  Guardia,  no  friend  of  bingo. 


Getting  Prevalent 

ROUBEN  MAMOULIAN,  stage  and 
screen  director,  whose  latest  production, 
"Oklahoma,"  is  a  hit  on  Broadway,  will  ap- 
pear on  the  air  within  the  next  few  days  in 
at  least  five  new  radio  appearances' as  guest. 

Among  his  future  air  appearances  are: 
Station  WJZ,  Wednesday,  May  19,  8:30 
A.M.,  Nancy  Craig  program;  Station  WJZ, 
Friday,  May  21,  2:45  P.M.,  Stella  Unger 
program;  Station  WOR,  May  21,  9:30 
P.M.,  Double  or  Nothing;  Station  WOR, 
Wednesday,  May  26,  2:00  P.M.,  Martha 
Deane  Program;  Station  WHOM,  Sunday, 
May  16,  8:30  P.  M.,  Television  Hour.  Last 
week  Mr.  Mamoulian  appeared  on  WNEW, 
WINS  and  WHOM. 

Mr.  Mamoulian  will  discuss  on  the  air 
the  manner  in  which  he  carried  out  in  his 
production  of  "Oklahoma !"  theories  and 
plans  for  new  theatrical  integrated  art  form, 
combining  drama,  dance,  and  music. 


Where  They  Went 

POPULATION  in  the  Pacific  Northwest 
area  has  grown  by  more  than  3.4  per  cent 
since  1940,  and  according  to  estimates  of 
the  National  Resources  Planning  Board  can 
be  expected  to  top  five  million  by  1970. 
Over  250,000  persons  have  flocked  to  the 
area,  attracted  by  the  allocation  during  the 
past  two  years  of  more  than  three  billion 
dollars  worth  of  war  contracts.  The  popula- 
tion of  the  combined  Portland,  Seattle,  Spo- 
kane and  Tacoma  areas  has  grown  to  almost 
two  million  under  the  stimulus  of  war  work. 
Shipbuilding  has  passed  lumbering  as  the 
principal  industry,  and  with  metallurgy  and 
aircraft  production  will  be  thep  rincipal  post- 
war occupation,  it  is  estimated. 


Fleischer  'Down  Under9 

SOMEWHERE  in  Australia,  Max  Fleisch- 
er, screen  cartoonist,  is  deep  into  an  errand 
of  production  addressed  at  recording  the 
life  and  action  of  a  U.  S.  military  unit  in 
those  far  parts.  It  is  described  as  "an  ad- 
vanced American  base"  in  one  of  the  most 
isolated  parts  of  the  far  continent.  A  sol- 
dier writing  from  there  says  they  get  so 
lonely  that  they  talk  to  the  lizards — and 
that  sometimes  the  lizards  talk  back,  which 
is  considered  time  for  relief. 


Ann  for  Doughboys 

IN  a  poll  conducted  at  Warner  Bros.  Holly- 
wood studios,  179  of  213  actresses  voted 
they'd  rather  go  out  with  an  enlisted  man. 
There  were  89  votes  favoring  sergeants,  19 
corporals  and  31  privates.  Miss  Ann  Sheri- 
dan said,  "I  have  nothing  against  officers 
but  most  of  the  guys  I've  known  all  my  life 
are  going  into  the  army  as  enlisted  men. 
I'm  for  them." 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD,  published  every  Saturday  by  Ouigley  Publishing  Company,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  City.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Ouigley,  President;  Colvin  Brown,  Vice-President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Terry  Ramsaye,  Editor;  James  D.  Ivers,  News  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  624  South 
Michigan  Avenue,  Oscar  Lundy,  correspondent;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Postal  Union  Life  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  editor;  Toronto  Bureau,  242  Millwood  Road,  Toronto,  Ontario, 
Canada,  W.  M.  Gladish,  correspondent;  Montreal  Bureau,  265  Vitre  St.,  West,  Montreal,  Canada,  Pat  Donovan,  correspondent;  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Square,  London  W  I, 
Hope  Williams  Burnup,  manager;  Aubrey  Flanagan,  editor;  cable  Oui9PUDco  London;  Melbourne  Bureau,  The  Regent  Theatre,  191  Collkis  St.,  Melbourne,  Australia,  Cliff  Holt, 
correspondent;  Sydney  Bureau,  17  Archbold  Rd.,  Roseville,  Sydney,  N.S.W.,  Australia,  Lin  Endean,  correspondent;  Mexico  City  Bureau,  Dr.  Carmona  y  Valle  6,  Mexico  City, 
Luis  Becerra  Celis,  correspondent;  Buenos  Aires  Bureau,  J.  E.  Uriburi  126,  buenos  Aires,  Argentina,  Natalio  Bruski,  correspondent;  Rio  de  Janeiro  Bureau,  Caixa  Postal  1090. 
Rio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil,  Alfredo  C.  Machado,  correspondent;  Montevideo  Bureau,  P.  O.  Box  664,  Montevideo,  Uruguay,  Paul  Bodo,  correspondent;  cable  Argus  Montevideo. 
Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations.  All  contents  copyright  1943  by  0"igley  Publishing  Company.  Address  all  correspondence  to  the  New  York  Office.  Other  Quigley  Publica- 
tions: Better  Theatres,  Motion  Picture  Daily,  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  and  Fame. 


10 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May     15,  1943 


TUBS  WEEK 


the  Camera  observes 


E.  J.  SPARKS  demonstrates  for  Armed 
Forces  Fishing  Committee,  Inc.,  P.O.  Box 
1469,  Miami,  Florida,  his  organization 
which  is  supplying  tackle  to  soldiers  and 
sailors  in  the  Miami  region,  a  movement 
which  Mr.  Sparks  hopes  will  spread  around 
the  world.  Hundreds  of  the  young  men 
in  uniform  are  having  fun.  Mr.  Sparks 
has  retired  from  activity  in  the  affairs 
of  the  great  theatre  circuit  he  built,  and 
now  he  fishes  and  gardens  at  Miami 
Beach  and  Asheville. 


■  PARAMOUNT'S  "Aerial  Gunner"  premiere  at  Harlingen, 
Texas,  brought  personal  appearances  of  Chester  Morris 
and  Marjorie  Reynolds.  In  the  foreground  is  Private 
Howard  Pine,  son  of  producer  William. 


A  NEW  YORK  VISITOR  last  week 
was  Rotus  Harvey,  below,  San 
Francisco  exhibitor,  and  a  trustee  of 
the  Pacific  Coast  Conference  of 
Independent  Theatre  Owners. 


By  Staff  Photographer 


■  PROMOTION:  Harold 
Postman,  above,  last  week 
became  assistant  to  William 
Rodgers,  MSM  general  sales 
manager,  in  New  York. 


By  Staff  Photographer 


■  EXAMINING  a  camera  like 
the  ones  which  exposed  98 
per  cent  of  "Desert  Victory" 
footage,  at  left,  Lieutenant 
Colonel  David  MacDonald 
handles  a  De  Vry  Model  "A" 
at  the  company's  Chicago 
plant,  while  president  W.  C. 
De  Vry  watches.  Colonel 
MacDonald  supervised  the 
British  Army  photographers 
who  filmed  the  dash  from 
El  Alamein  to  the  Mareth  Line. 


M  a 


15,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


WHEN  FAYE  Emerson,  Warner  starlet, 
saw  the  photograph  at  the  far  left 
in  the  April  3rd  issue  of  Motion 
Picture  Herald  she  and  the  studio 
publicity  department,  addressing  itself 
to  exhibition  interest,  made  the 
"look-alike"  photograph  at  the 
immediate  left.  And  she  is  gratified  she 
resembles  "such  an  attractive  young 
girl"  as  Mrs.  Florence  Barbour,  manager 
of  the  Music  Box  Theatre,  Tacoma. 


By  Staff  Photographer 

B.  S.  MOSS,  chairman  of  the  luncheon  at  the  Hotel  Astor, 
New  York,  which  opened  the  United  Jewish  Appeal  last 
Tuesday,  addresses  the  audience  which  numbered  600 
executives  of  the  amusement  industry.  Barney  Balaban, 
co-chairman;  Rabbi  Abba  Hillel  Silver,  principal  speaker,  and 
David  Bernstein,  co-chairman,  are  seated  on  the  dais. 


THE  ARMY  induction  of  Republic's  Harry  Marcus  and  Stephen  Dorsey 
was  preceded  by  a  New  York  farewell  dinner  last  week.   Below,  seated,  are 
Albert  Schiller,  Walter  Titus,  Jr.,  Mr.  Marcus  and  Mr.  Dorsey,  G.  C. 
Schaefer,  Milton  Green;  standing  are  Seymour  Borus,  Frank  Pratt,  Harold 
Forman,  Henry  Zohbel,  Andrew  Subbiondo,  Joseph  Pellon,  Dennis  Caplin, 
Steve  Edwards,  Lou  Rosso,  Sidney  Weill,  Charles  Reed  Jones,  Edward  Seifert. 


■  "FIRST  AND  FINEST"  medallion 
awarded  Warners  for  "Air  Force" 
displayed,  above,  by  Jack  L.  Warner, 
vice-president  and  executive 
producer.  The  donor  is  the  Aeronca 
Aircraft  Corporation. 


is 


12 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    15,  1943 


■  ON  THE  WAY  from  United 
Artists  is  the  first  James- 
William  Cagney  production, 
"Johnny  Come  Lately." 
Counter-clockwise,  in  three 
scenes,  are  Arthur  Aylesworth, 
Hattie  McDaniels  and  Ray 
Walker;  James  Cagney  and 
Grace  George,  and  Marjorie 
Lord  with  the  producer-star,  in 
the  story  of  a  vagabond 
reporter  and  a  small-town 
newspaper. 


■  UP  FOR  RE-ELECTION.  Mitchell 
Wolfson,  co-owner  of  the  Wometco 
circuit  of  Florida  and  Nassau,  the  British 
West  Indies.  He  has  been  Miami  Beach 
city  councilman  for  the  past  four 
years.  During  that  time  he  participated 
in  numerous  civic,  charitable,  and 
patriotic  enterprises.  He  desires  to 
continue  the  work  officially. 


AT  CINCINNATI,  where  RKO's  "This  Land  of  Mine"  opened  simultaneously 
with  premieres  in  49  other  cities  of  the  territory:  Ike  Libson,  general 
manager  of  the  RKO  circuit's  midwest  division,  and  Ned  E.  Depinet, 
president  of  RKO-Radio  Pictures. 


By  Staff  Photographer 

WILLIAM  J.  HEINEMAN,  above,  became 
Samuel  Goldwyn's  sales  manager  last 
week,  after  18  years  as  assistant  general 
sales  manager  at  Universal. 


May    15,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


I  3 


FEWER  PICTURES  FOR  '43-44 
DESPITE  BIG  BACKLOGS 


Companies  Indicate  Re- 
duction in  Releases,  but 
Production  Pace  Holds 

Although  production  commitments  for  the 
1943-44  season  have  lagged  behind  this  year 
because  of  uncertain  producing  and  selling 
prospects  brought  about  by  the  war  and  by 
the  undetermined  fate  of  the  Consent  De- 
cree, a  study  of  major  company  rosters  of 
films  completed  or  in  work,  those  scheduled 
for  release  during  the  summer  or  those  ear- 
marked for  probable  release  next  season,  in- 
dicates that  a  good  portion  of  the  185  pic- 
tures rolled  up  in  Hollywood's  backlog  will 
be  the  opening  guns  of  the  1943-44  season. 

The  line-up  of  completed  or  in  work  films, 
by  companies,  is  as  follows:  Columbia,  20; 
MGM,  28;  Monogram,  8;  Paramount,  26; 
Producers  Releasing  Corporation,  10;  Re- 
public, 15;  RKO  Radio,  14;  Twentieth  Cen- 
tury-Fox, 14;  United  Artists,  12;  Universal, 
18,  and  Warner  Bros.,  20. 

The  production  index  this  week  increased 
to  43,  as  reported  in  the  Hollywood  Scene, 
page  35,  compared  to  37  last  week  and  38 
the  week  before. 

An  analysis  of  Hollywood's  musical  films 
or  pictures  based  on  the  vaudeville  or  vari- 
ety theme,  in  addition  to  dramas  or  come- 
dies with  music,  is  reported  on  page  21. 

Thus  far,  Twentieth  Century-Fox,  United 
Artists,  Republic,  PRC  and  Monogram  have 
made  production  promises  for  the  new  sea- 
son. Although  no  commitments  have  been 
forthcoming  from  MGM,  Paramount,  RKO, 
Universal  and  Warner  Bros.,  it  is  indicated 
that  schedules  will  be  slightly  reduced  com- 
pared to  last  year  to  meet  the  raw  stock 
dictates  as  well  as  the  holdover  playing  time 
which  features  are  receiving. 

At  mid-week  Columbia  announced  a  pro- 
duction schedule  for  1943-44  of  not  less  than 
44  feature  pictures.  See  page  38. 

30  to  36  Planned  by 
Twentieth  Century -Fox 

Twentieth  Century-Fox  plans  to  release  be- 
tween 30  and  36  features  next  season,  produced 
on  a  budget  of  between  $32,000,000  and  $35,000,- 
000,  Spyros  Skouras,  president  of  the  company, 
told  the  press  at  New  York  last  Friday.  All  of 
the  pictures  will  be  in  the  "large"  bracket,  he 
said,  with  the  company  dropping  its  production 
of  secondary  "B"  product. 

The  company  will  continue  to  sell  in  blocks 
of  five,  Mr.  Skouras  said,  with  occasional  spe- 
cials to  be  sold  alone.  Tom  J.  Connors,  vice 
president  in  charge  of  sales,  will  release  de- 
tailed product  plans  at  regional  sales  meetings 
to  be  held  in  June  and  July. 

Among  the  important  pictures  set  for  next 
season,  Mr.  Skouras  said,  are  "Claudia,"  "The 
Song  of  Bernadette,"  "Berlin  Diary,"  "Guadal- 
canal," "One  Destiny,"  "The  Eve  of  St.  Mark," 
and  "Happy  Land." 

"The  Life  of  Eddie  Rickenbacker,"  produced 
by  Wdnfield  Sheehan  for  20th-Fox  release, 
probably  will  not  be  ready  for  a  year,  Mr. 
Skouras  added.  He  announced  that  the  com- 
pany also  was  planning  to  produce  a  specially 
written  story  on  labor's  contribution  to  the  war 
effort. 

In  Hollywood,  Joseph  M.  Schenck,  who  re- 


SELZNICK  SIGNS 
SHIRLEY  TEMPLE 

Shirley  Temple,  who  was  the  "Little 
Princess"  on  the  Twentieth  Century- 
Fox  lot  from  1934  until  1940  and 
who  was  No.  I  Box  Office  Champion 
of  the  Herald  -  Fame  poll  in  1935, 
1936,  1937  and  1938,  placing  among 
the  top  ten  in  1934  and  1939,  will 
go  to  work  for  David  O.  Selznick. 

United  Artists  announced  this  week 
that  Mr.  Selznick  had  signed  Miss 
Temple  to  a  long  term  contract  and 
that  her  first  picture  would  be  "Since 
You  Went  Away",  scheduled  to  go 
into  production  July  15th. 

Last  year  Miss  Temple  made  two 
pictures,  "Kathleen",  for  MGM,  and 
"Miss  Annie  Rooney",  for  Edward 
Small,  a  United  Artists  release.  The 
15-year-old  actress,  who  was  a  phe- 
nomenally successful  child  star,  is  now 
a  sophomore  at  the  Westlake  School 
for  Girls  in  California.  "Since  You 
Went  Away"  is  the  first  Selznick  pro- 
duction since  "Rebecca"  and  will  be 
released  through  UA. 


turns  to  the  studio  as  head  of  production  on 
June  1st,  said  this  week  that  the  20th-Fox 
production  program  would  include  26  pictures 
in  the  larger  special  class,  with  only  ten  pro- 
gram films  scheduled.  Also  two  British  pic- 
tures may  be  distributed. 

While  the  company  has  altered  its  policy  to 
distribute  a  few  pictures  produced  outside  the 
studio,  no  definite  commitments  beyond  the 
Rickenbacker  film  have  been  made,  Mr. 
Schenck  said. 

Warner  Brothers,  with  its  backlog  of  20 
completed  and  in  work  features,  has  made  no 
official  commitment  for  the  new  season  other 
than  to  indicate  the  company  would  maintain 
an  elastic  production  and  distribution  schedule 
dependent  entirely  on  what  the  market  requires. 
The  company  plans  to  keep  the  studio  working 
at  capacity,  it  was  said,  and  as  many  as  35  to 
40  pictures  may  be  produced  during  1943-44. 

However,  present  plans  point  to  Warners 
releasing  features  next  season  at  the  same 
rate  of  distribution  this  year,  one  or  two  a 
month.  A  minimum  of  16  releases  for  the 
new  season  is  a  probable  guarantee.  What- 
ever pictures  are  completed  and  go  over  that 
figure,  in  all  likelihood  would  be  kept  on  the 
backlog  until  the  following  season,  unless, 
of  course,  the  market  conditions  shift  to 
allow  the  company  to  release  three  or  four 
features  a  month  during  1943-44. 

MGM,  with  an  impressive  backlog  of  28  films 
completed  or  in  work,  is  in  a  good  position  for 
the  start  of  the  new  season  next  September, 
and  although  no  product  promises  have  been 
announced  by  the  company,  it  is  probable  that 
the  1943-44  schedule  will  be  slightly  under  this 
year's.  It  was  indicated  that  the  company  will 
continue  to  sell  in  blocks  of  12. 

Although  Paramount  produced  42  pictures 
for  this  season,  in  all  probability  its  production 
schedule  for  1943-44  will  be  reduced  by  at  least 
eight  or  ten.    The  company  has  a  backlog  of 


26  features,  completed  or  in  work,  including 
"For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls,"  which  may  or  may 
not  be  released  this  summer.  Paramount,  ac- 
cording to  present  indications,  will  continue  to 
sell  in  blocks-of-five,  as  will  RKO. 

Every  major  company  is  banking  heavily  on 
the  continuation  of  holdover  playing  time  for  its 
features,  particularly  the  large  budget  films 
and  the  "specials."  Sales  departments,  how- 
ever, are  somewhat  disturbed,  it  is  reported,  ■ 
over  the  fact  that  holdover  bookings  are  "milk- 
ing" the  product  for  subsequent-run  houses 
which  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  for  them- 
selves and  for  the  distributors  the  revenues 
expected. 

On  the  basis  of  this  season's  expenditures 
on  advertising  and  exploitation  campaigns,  it  is 
forecast  that  major  companies  will  appropriate 
equal,  if  not  increased,  sums  for  newspaper, 
magazine,  trade  press  and  radio  advertising  for 
their  big  budget  pictures. 

A  company-by-company  line-up  of  feature 
films  completed  or  in  production,  indicating 
wherever  possible  those  scheduled  for  June, 
July  or  August  release  and  those  to  be  re- 
leased next  season,  follows.  The  listings,  how- 
ever, do  not  include  contemplated  productions 
or  those  announced  as  purchases. 

Columbia 

With  four  pictures  set  for  June  release,  three 
now  in  production  and  13  completed  but  not 
scheduled  for  release,  Columbia  has  a  backlog 
of  20. 

Set  for  June  release  are:  "Frontier  Fury," 
Western,  June  24th ;  "Two  Senoritas  from  Chi- 
cago," comedy  with  Jinx  Falkenberg  and  Joan 
Davis,  June  10th;  "Appointment  in  Berlin," 
with  George  Sanders  and  Marguerite  Chapman, 
June  29th,  and  "Crime  Doctor,"  June  24th.  The 
three  films  in  production:  "Attack  by  Night," 
starring  Merle  Oberon  and  Brian  Aherne, 
which  may  be  released  late  this  summer  or 
held  for  early  release  next  season ;  "Without 
Notice,"  with  Charles  Coburn  and  Marguerite 
Chapman,  probably  to  be  released  next  season ; 
"The  Clock  Struck  Twelve,"  with  William 
Warren  and  Ann  Savage,  another  probable  can- 
didate for  the  new  season,  and  "Cover  Girl." 

Completed  but  for  which  no  release  dates 
have  been  set  are  the  following :  "Somewhere 
in  Saraha,"  starring  Humphrey  Bogart,  which 
may  be  released  early  next  season ;  "Destroy- 
er," the  war  action  picture  with  Edward  G. 
Robinson,  which  was  finished  some  time 
ago;  "What's  Buzzin'  Cousin?"  "Right 
Guy"  and  these  Westerns,  some  of  which 
may  be  released  during  the  summer  and  the 
balance  held  for  next  season :  "Silver  City 
Raiders,"  "Hail  to  the  Rangers,"  "Robin  Hood 
of  the  Range,"  "Wyoming  Hurricane,"  "The 
Vigilantes,"  "Riding  West,"  "The  Last  Horse- 
man" and  "Law  of  the  Badlands." 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

Breakdown  of  MGM's  backlog  of  28  pictures 
includes  nine  in  production,  eight  trade  shown 
but  not  scheduled  for  release  and  nine  complet- 
ed for  which  no  dates  have  been  set.  Two  other 
productions  are  included  in  the  28 :  "Sabotage 
Agent,"  MGM's  British  production  starring 
Robert  Donat,  which  probably  will  be  released 
next  season,  and  "Hitler's  Hangman,"  pro- 
duced by  Seymour  Nebenzel,  from  the  original 
story  by  Emil  Ludwig  and  Albrecht  Joseph. 
The  latter  film  may  be  released  by  the  company 
sometime  this  summer. 

Of  the  eight  films  already  trade  shown  but 
no  dates  scheduled,  it  is  likely  that  five  will 
constitute  the  May  block.  The  eight  pictures 
(.Continued  on  folowing  page) 


14 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    15,     I  943 


Studios  Active 
But  Releases 
Are  Down 

(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

are:  "Presenting  Lily  Mars,"  "Pilot  No.  5," 
"Du  Barry  Was  a  Lady,"  the  Red  Skelton- 
Lucille  Ball  musical  in  Technicolor ;  "Youngest 
Profession,"  with  Virginia  Weidler ;  "Harri- 
gan's  Kid,"  "Above  Suspicion,"  with  Joan 
Crawford  and  Fred  MacMurray ;  "Swing  Shift 
Maisie,"  another  Ann  Sothern  comedy,  and 
"Dr.  Gillespie's  Criminal  Case,"  with  Lionel 
Barrymore  and  Van  Johnson. 

Nine  pictures  which  have  been  completed  but 
for  which  no  release  dates  have  been  set  in- 
clude :  "Lassie  Comes  Home,"  with  Roddy  Mc- 
Dowall ;  "Salute  to  the  Marines"  ;  "As  Thou- 
sands Cheer,"  formerly  "Private  Miss  Jones"  ; 
"Bataan" ;  "I  Dood  It,"  starring  Red  Skelton ; 
"Professor  Takes  a  Wife,"  formerly  "Faculty 
Row";  "Girl  Crazy,"  "Right  About  Face," 
"Best  Foot  Forward,"  musical. 

In  all  likelihood,  "As  Thousands  Cheer," 
"Bataan,"  "Harrigan's  Kid,"  "Pilot  No.  5," 
"Presenting  Lily  Mars"  and  "Youngest  Pro- 
fession" will  be  included  in  the  May  block. 
"Above  Suspicion,"  the  Gillespie  and  Maisie 
pictures,  "Du  Barry"  and  one  other  of  the 
completed  nine  may  get  June  or  July  releases. 

In  production  are:  "The  Man  from  Down 
Under,"  with  Charles  Laughton  and  Binnie 
Barnes,  now  nearing  completion ;  "A  Thousand 
Shall  Fall,"  with  Pierre  Aumont,  Gene  Kelly, 
Sir  Cedric  Hardwicke  and  Peter  Lorre ;  "The 
Heavenly  Body,"  starring  William  Powell  and 
Hedy  Lamarr;  "Whistling  in  Brooklyn,"  with 
Red  Skelton,  Ann  Rutherford  and  Rags  Rag- 
land.  This  is  the  baseball  comedy  which  prob- 
ably will  be  released  at  about  the  time  of  the 
World  Series,  early  September. 

Also:  "The  Lost  Angel,"  with  Margaret 
O'Brien,  the  child  actress,  who  achieved  screen 
prominence  in  "Journey  for  Margaret" ; 
"America,"  starring  Brian  Donlevy,  a  film  cav- 
alcade about  American  industry ;  "Russia,"  the 
picture  starring  Robert  Taylor  and  Susan  Peters, 
with  Margaret  O'Brien  featured ;  "Madame 
Curie,"  based  on  the  life  of  the  famous  woman 
scientist,  starring  Greer  Garson  and  Walter 
Pidgeon;  "A  Guy  Named  Joe,"  starring  Spen- 
cer Tracy  and  Irene  Dunne. 

Monogram 

Monogram  has  scheduled  two  pictures  for 
June,  two  for  July  and  one  for  August.  They 
are  as  follows:  "Sarong  Girl,"  June  11th; 
"Wings  over  the  Pacific,"  June  25th ;  "Spy 
Train,"  formerly  "Time  Bomb,"  July  2nd ; 
"The  Law  Rides  Again,"  July  23rd,  and  "Mel- 
ody Parade,"  August  13th. 

For  next  season,  the  company  has  announced 
24  features  and  18  Westerns.  "Lady  Let's 
Dance,"  "Hitler's  Women"  and  "Ground 
Crew"  will  be  included  in  the  $400,000  to  $500,- 
000  budget  class.  In  addition  there  will  be 
three  pictures  in  the  $200,000  budget  group. 

In  production  are  three  pictures :  "Black 
Market  Rustlers,"  with  Ray  Corrigan  and  Den- 
nis Moore;  "The  Law  Rides  Again,"  with  Hoot 
Gibson  and  Ken  Maynard,  and  "Spotlight  Re- 
vue," a  musical  with  Frank  Fay,  Billy  Gilbert 
and  Bonnie  Baker. 

Paramount 

With  four  pictures  in  production  and  22 
completed,  Paramount  has  rolled  up  a  backlog 
of  26,  eight  less  than  its  record  backlog  of 
last  year,  with  which  the  company  began  the 
1942-43  season.  It  will  be  remembered  that 
Paramount  sold  10  films  to  United  Artists 
which  at  the  beginning  of  the  season  suffered  a 
product  shortage. 

Paramount's  fifth  block  includes :  "High  Ex- 
plosive," "China,"  Aerial  Gunner,"  "Salute  for 
Three"  and  "Five  Graves  to  Cairo,"  which  will 


Joseph  M.  Schenck  to  Take 
Over  20th-Fox  Production 


Joseph  M.  Schenck  has  been  engaged 
under  a  seven-year  contract  as  the  execu- 
tive production  chief  for  Twentieth  Century- 
Fox  Film  Corporation,  it  was  this  week  an- 
nounced by  Spyros  Skouras,  president. 

Mr.  Schenck  will  have  full  supervision  of 
the  output  of  the  company's  studios.  He 
arrived  in  Hollywood  Monday.  His  con- 
tract, signed  in  New  York,  is  dated  from 
June  I. 

The  status  of  Colonel  Darryl  Zanuck,  cur- 
rently yet  in  the  service  of  the  army,  and 
still  under  his  ten-year  contract  as  vice- 
president  in  charge  of  production,  remains 
unaffected. 

Mr.  Schenck,  in  a  West  Coast  interview 
observed:  "I  wish  that  the  Army  would  re- 
tire him  so  he  could  return  to  the  studio." 

The  announcement  also  brings  no  change 
in  the  relations  with  William  Goetz,  who 
has  resigned  as  vice-president  in  charge 
of  production,  a  pro-tem  post.  The  resigna- 
tion is  effective  at  the  end  of  his  present 
production  schedule,  a  matter  of  possibly 
some  months  hence.  However,  in  that  con- 
nection, Mr.  Schenck  observed:  "I  tried  to 
persuade  him  to  stay,"  and  that  "he  is  to 
stay  in  his  current  spot  as  long  as  I  need 
him." 

"We  are  happy  to  have  been  able  to 
prevail  upon  Mr.  Schenck  to  head  our 
production  activities,"  Mr.  Skouras  said. 
"There  is  hardly  an  important  progressive 
step  in  the  motion  picture  industry  with 
which  he  has  not  been  actively  associated. 
His  acceptance  of  the  office  is  our  assur- 
ance that  the  high  production  standards 
set  by  Twentieth  Century-Fox  will  be  main- 
tained." 

Mr.  Schenck  begins  his  30th  year  in  the 
motion  picture  industry  with  the  new  Fox 


contract.  He  began  his  career  as  a  pro- 
ducer with  Loew  Theatrical  Enterprises.  For 
many  years  he  was  an  independent  pro- 
ducer, and  then  in  1924  was  elected  chair- 
man of  the  board  of  United  Artists.  He 
headed  that  company  until  1933  when,  with 
Darryl  Zanuck,  he  formed  Twentieth  Cen- 
tury Pictures.  Both  joined  Fox  by  merger 
in  1935,  with  Mr.  Schenck  becoming  chair- 
man of  the  board  of  directors.  He  re- 
signed in  May,  1941. 

Under  his  new  contract,  Mr.  Skouras  said, 
Mr.  Schenck  will  hold  the  same  production 
authority  that  he  had  when  he  was  chair- 
man of  the  board,  a  post  now  held  by 
Wendell  L.  Willkie.  Mr.  Schenck's  position 
with  Twentieth  Century-Fox  is  described  as 
parallel  to  that  of  Louis  B.  Mayer  of 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. 


carry  it  through  June.  Five  more  pictures 
selected  from  the  backlog  will  make  up  its  sixth 
block,  which  will  run  through  to  the  end  of 
August.  The  other  pictures  will  be  held  over 
for  release  next  season.  Whether  or  not  the 
company  will  release  "For  Whom  the  Bell 
Tolls"  this  summer  is  still  undecided,  but  in 
any  case  the  picture  will  be  distributed  as  a 
special  and  will  not  be  included  in  any  block. 

The  company's  product  line-up  for  the  bal- 
ance of  this  season  and  for  the  beginning  of 
next,  is  as  follows :  "No  Time  for  Love,"  the 
Claudette  Colbert-Fred  MacMurray  comedy ; 
"Submarine  Alert,"  "True  to  Life,"  "Miracle 
of  Morgan's  Creek,"  "Triumph  Over  Pain," 
formerly  "Great  Without  Glory" ;  "Dixie," 
"Henry  Aldrich  Swings  It,"  "So  Proudly  We 
Hail,"  with  Claudette  Colbert  and  Pauline  God- 
dard ;  "Lady  in  the  Dark,"  the  Technicolor 
musical  starring  Ginger  Rogers  and  Ray  Mil- 
land  ;  "Henry  Aldrich  Swings  It,"  "The  Good 
Fellows,"  "Riding  High,"  "Alaska  Highway," 
with  Richard  Arlen  and  Jean  Parker ;  "Let's 
Face  It,"  based  on  the  Broadway  musical ; 
"Hostages,"  taken  from  the  best-seller ;  "Tor- 
nado," and  "Henry  Aldrich  Haunts  a  House." 

Four  pictures  now  in  production  which  prob- 
ably will  be  released  next  season  are :  "Mine- 
sweeper," with  Richard  Arlen  and  Jean  Park- 
er; "And  the  Angels  Sing,"  the  musical  star- 


ring Dorothy  Lamour  and  Fred  MacMurray ; 
"The  Uninvited,"  with  Ray  Milland  and  Ruth 
Hussey,  and  "The  Hour  Before  Dawn." 

Producers  Releasing 

The  company  has  announced  it  will  deliver 
24  features  and  18  Westerns  next  season.  Bud- 
gets for  10  or  12  of  these  pictures  will  be 
doubled,  according  to  PRC.  "Border  Bucka- 
roos"  already  has  been  set  for  June  15th  re- 
lease. Completed  but  not  scheduled  for  release 
are :  "Follies  Girl,"  a  musical ;  "Submarine 
Base,"  war  action  film,  and  "Isle  of  Forgotten 
Sins,"  melodrama.  Set  for  July  release  are 
"Billy  the  Kid  in  the  Renegade"  and  "Man 
from  Washington." 

Scheduled  for  production  are :  "Strange  Mu- 
sic," "Talent  School,"  "Drums  of  the  Jungle," 
starring  Frank  Buck,  and  "Danger — Women  at 
Work." 

Republic 

Announced  for  production  next  season  by 
Republic  are  32  features,  eight  Roy  Rogers 
specials,  24  Westerns  and  four  serials.  The 
company  has  set  a  record  budget  figure  of 
$16,000,000  for  its  schedule. 

Set  for  June  release  are  three :  "Ride  Tender- 
(Continued  on  page  16) 


BY  PUBLIC  DEMAND! 


It's  on  the  air!  It's  in  the  press!  No  wonder  the  public  eagerly  awaits 
this  famed  Academy  Award-winning  production.  They've  heard 
praises  from  such  widely  syndicated  celebrities  as  Walter  Winchell, 
John  Gunther,  Dorothy  Thompson,  H.  V.  Kaltenborn  and  many 
others.  Six  million  American  fighting  men  the  world  over  saw  it— and 
saw  red!  130  million  Americans  on  the  home  front  want  to  see  it  too! 


The  U.  S.  Government  presents  "Prelude  To  War."  Release  May  27th. 
War  Dept.  prints  gratis.  Exciting  accessories  from  National  Screen  Service. 
Sponsored  by  the  War  Activities  Committee  of  the  Motion  Picture 
Industry,  1501  Broadway,  N.  Y.  C. 


Where  to  book  it:  Columbia — Boston,  Des  Moines,  Los  Angeles.  M-G-M 
— Detroit,  Memphis,  New  Orleans,  Philadelphia,  Pittsburgh.  Paramount — 
Albany,  Cincinnati,  Denver,  Oklahoma  City,  San  Francisco.  RKO — 
Dallas,  New  York,  Seattle.  Republic — Charlotte.  20th  Century-Fox — 
Buffalo,  Chicago,  Cleveland,  Milwaukee,  Washington.  UA — Indian- 
apolis, Kansas  City.  Universal — Minneapolis,  Portland.  Warner  Bros. — 
Atlanta,  New  Haven,  Omaha,  St.  Louis,  Salt  Lake  City. 


16 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    15,  1943 


PRODUCT  CUT  FOR  43-44 


(Continued  from  page  14) 
foot,  Ride,"  "Prodigal's  Mother"  and  "Man 
from  Thunder  River."  Eight  completed  but  for 
which  release  dates  are  not  yet  set  are :  "Thumbs 
Up,"  with  Brenda  Joyce  and  Richard  Frazer ; 
"West  Side  Kid,"  "Girls  of  the  Night,"  "Sleepy 
Lagoon,"  "Song  of  Texas,"  Roy  Rogers  spe- 
cial ;  "War  of  the  Wildcats,"  Western ;  "Secret 
Service  in  Darkest  Africa,"  adventure  picture ; 
"Bordertown  Gun  Fighters,"  Western.  In  pro- 
duction are :  "The  Fargo  Express,"  starring 
Don  Barry ;  "Silver  Spurs,"  "Headin'  for  God's 
Country,"  and  "Block  Hills  Express,"  Westerns. 

RKO  Radio 

With  four  pictures  in  production  and  10  com- 
pleted but  not  set  for  release,  RKO  has  14 
films  on  its  backlog,  five  of  which  may  be  re- 
leased by  the  end  of  this  summer  and  the  bal- 
ance held  for  next  season. 

Product  line-up  of  the  company  is  as  fol- 
lows :  in  production :  "The  Seventh  Victim," 
with  Tom  Conway  and  Jean  Brooks ;  "The  Iron 
Major,"  with  Pat  O'Brien  and  Ruth  Warwick; 
"Behind  the  Rising  Sun,"  with  Margo,  J.  Car- 
roll Naish  and  Tom  Neal,  and  "Tarzan  and  the 
Sheik."  Completed:  "The  Sky's  the  Limit," 
the  musical  starring  Fred  Astaire  and  Joan 
Leslie ;  "The  Avenging  Rider,"  Western ;  "Pet- 
ticoat Larceny,"  with  Ruth  Warwick  and  Wal- 
ter Reed ;  "A  Lady  Takes  a  Chance,"  comedy 
starring  Jean  Arthur;  "The  Fallen  Sparrow," 
with  Maureen  O'Hara  and  John  Garfield;  "The 
Leopard  Man,"  with  Dennis  O'Keefe  and  Mar- 
go ;  "Gildersleeve's  Bad  Day,"  "North  Star," 
Samuel  Goldwyn's  production  on  Russia,  star- 
ring Walter  Huston  and  Anne  Baxter;  "Mexi- 
can Spitfire's  Blessed  Event,"  and  "The  Falcon 
in  Danger." 

Twentieth  Century -Fox 

With  six  films  in  production,  three  of  which 
are  set  for  next  season  and  eight  not  yet  set  for 
release,  Twentieth  Century-Fox  has  a  backlog 
of  14  pictures,  excluding  those  announced  by 
Mr.  Skouras  for  next  season. 

Definitely  set  for  1943-44  release  are  "Jane 
Eyre,"  the  Orson  Welles  production;  "Winter 
Time,"  starring  Sonja  Henie,  and  "Holy  Matri- 
mony," the  latter  two  still  shooting.  In  produc- 
tion are  "The  Song  of  Bernadette,"  based  on 
Franz  Werfel's  novel  and  starring  Jennifer 
Jones  and  Vincent  Price ;  "The  Girls  He  Left 
Behind,"  starring  Alice  Faye  and  Carmen  Mi- 
randa, and  "Claudia,"  starring  Dorothy  Mc- 
Guire  and  Robert  Young,  all  of  which  will  be 
released  next  season,  and  "Roger  Touhy,  Last 
of  the  Gangsters." 

Those  completed  but  not  scheduled  for  re- 
lease include:  "The  Ox-Bow  Incident,"  which 
may  get  a  release  late  this  summer ;  "Coney 
Island"  and  "Sweet  Rosie  O'Grady,"  both  of 
which  star  Betty  Grable  and  only  one  of  which 
is  likely  to  reach  theatre  screens  this  summer ; 
"Stormy  Weather,"  the  all-Negro  musical  star- 
ring BHl  Robinson  and  Lena  Home ;  "Bomber's 
Moon,"  war  drama  with  George  Montgomery 
and  Annabella;  "Heaven  Can  Wait,"  starring 
Don  Ameche  and  Gene  Tierney ;  "Jitterbugs," 
and  a  Laurel  and  Hardy  comedy. 

United  Artists 

With  nine  completed,  two  of  which  are  ex- 
pected to  be  released  this  summer,  and  three  in 
production,  United  Artists  has  a  backlog  of  ap- 
proximately 12  films  for  the  new  season.  "Lady 
of  Burlesque,"  Hunt  Stromberg's  _  production 
starring  Barbara  Stanwyck,  which  is  based  on 
"G-String  Murders,"  the  Gypsy  Rose  Lee  ad- 
venture in  letters,  and  "Stage  Door  Canteen," 
Sol  Lesser's  production,  probably  will  be  re- 
leased in  June  or  July.    Pictures  completed  but 


not  set  for  release  include :  "Prairie  Chickens," 
"That  Nazty  Nuisance,"  "Victory  Through  Air 
Power,"  Walt  Disney's  Technicolor  film ; 
"Leather  Burners,"  "Colt  Comrades,"  "Meet 
John  Bonniwell,"  and  "False  Colors." 

In  production  are:  "Johnny  Come  Lately," 
formerly  "McLeod's  Folly,"  starring  James 
Cagney;  "Hi  Diddle  Diddle,"  Andrew  Stone's 
production  with  Adelphe  Menjou,  Martha  Scott 
and  Pola  Negri ;  and  "Riders  of  the  Deadline." 

Universal 

Thus  far  Universal  has  set  three  pictures  for 
June  release,  and  has  four  in  production  and 
11  completed  but  not  yet  set  for  release. 

The  three  June  releases  are :  "Captive  Wild 
Woman,"  starring  Maria  Montez,  Sabu  and 
Jon  Hall;  "All  By  Myself,"  with  Patric 
Knowles  and  Evelyn  Ankers,  and  "Corvettes 
in  Action,"  a  war  film  now  nearing  completion, 
with  Randolph  Scott,  Barry  Fitzgerald  and 
Andy  Devine. 

Completed  but  not  scheduled  are :  "Raiders 
of  San  Joaquin,"  "Son  of  Dracula,"  "For  All 
We  Know,"  formerly  "Flesh  and  Fantasy,"  star- 
ring Charles  Boyer  and  Barbara  Stanwyck ; 
"Cheyenne  Roundup,"  "The  Lone  Star  Trail," 
"Pardon  My  Ski,"  an  Abbott  and  Costello  com- 
edy ;  "Always  a  Bridesmaid,"  "Cross  Your 
Fingers,"  "Phantom  of  the  Opera,"  starring 
Nelson  Eddy  and  Susanna  Foster;  "Never  a 
Dull  Moment,"  starring  Deanna  Durbin  and 
Joseph  Cotten;  "Get  Going,"  and  "Two  Tickets 
to  London." 

In  production  are :  "Girls,  Inc.,"  a  musical 
featuring  Leon  Erroll,  Grace  McDonald  and 
Harriett  Hilliard ;  "Hers  to  Hold,"  starring 
Deanna  Durbin  and  Joseph  Cotten ;  "Fired 
Wife,"  with  Robert  Paige  and  Diana  Barry- 
more,  and  "Cobra  Woman,"  starring  Maria 
Montez,  John  Hall  and  Sabu. 

Warner  Bros. 

Product  line-up  for  Warner  Bros,  includes 
five  which  are  definitely  set  for  release  mid- 
summer or  late-summer,  including :  "Watch  on 
the  Rhine,"  starring  Bette  Davis  and  Paul 
Lukas ;  "Action  in  the  North  Atlantic,"  war 
drama  with  Humphrey  Bogart  and  Raymond 
Massey ;  "Mission  to  Moscow,"  screen  version 
of  former  Ambassador  Davies'  book ;  "The  Last 
Ride,"  "Background  to  Danger,"  with  George 
Raft  and  Brenda  Marshall.  Also  completed, 
but  not  definitely  scheduled  for  summer  release 
are  "Crime  by  Night"  and  "This  Is  the  Army," 
the  latter  based  on  Irving  Berlin's  production 
for  the  Army,  which  is  still  in  production  and 
may  get  a  July  premiere. 

Completed  and  set  for  next  season  release 
are  the  following:  "Princess  O'Rourke,"  with 
Olivia  deHavilland  and  Robert  Cummings ;  the 
Jesse  Lasky  production,  "Adventures  of  Mark 
Twain,"  "Arsenic  and  Old  Lace,"  based  on  the 
stage  play  and  starring  Cary  Grant  and  Pris- 
cilla  Lane ;  "The  Desert  Song,"  screen  version 
of  the  Broadway  musical,  starring  Dennis  Mor- 
gan and  Irene  Manning;  "The  Constant 
Nymph,"  based  on  the  popular  novel  and  star- 
ring Joan  Fontaine  and  Charles  Boyer ;  "Thank 
Your  Lucky  Stars,"  the  all-star  production ; 
"Old  Acquaintance,"  starring  Bette  Davis  and 
Miriam  Hopkins ;  "Devotion,"  starring  Bette 
Davis,  Paul  Henreid  and  Ida  Lupino ;  and  "Ad- 
ventures in  Iraq." 

In  production  are  four  which  will  be  re- 
leased for  the  1943-44  season:  "Conflict,"  with 
Humphrey  Bogart  and  Sydney  Greenstreet ; 
"To  the  Last  Man,"  starring  Errol  Flynn; 
"Saratoga  Trunk,"  based  on  Edna  Ferber's  best- 
seller and  starring  Gary  Cooper  and  Ingrid 
Bergman,  and  "Animal  Kingdom,"  starring  Ann 
Sheridan  and  Dennis  Morgan. 


Sales  Meetings 
Stress  Shorts 

Paramount  branch  managers  and  short  subject 
executives  met  in  New  YTork  on  Friday,  at 
the  Hotel  Pierre  for  the  first  in  a  series  of 
district  sales  meetings  to  discuss  1943-44  short 
subjects  product  plans.  Oscar  Morgan,  general 
sales  manager  of  the  company's  short  subjects 
and  Paramount  News,  analyzed  the  new  season 
program  of  64  shorts  and  stressed  the  domin- 
ance of  the  "escapist"  type  of  entertainment  in 
the  lineup. 

Motion  Picture  Herald,  on  April  17th,  fore- 
cast that  major  companies  would  give  special 
attention  both  to  the  production  and  selling  of 
short  subjects  the  coming  season.  Paramount's 
announced  intention  to  follow  up  the  New  York 
meeting  with  similar  district  sessions  which 
Mr.  Morgan  will  conduct  in  key  cities  through- 
out the  country,  is  further  indication  of  the 
new  emphasis  which  distributors  are  placing 
on  the  short  subject. 

Sees  Record  Year  for 
'Entertainment'  Subjects 

"There  is  no  doubt,"  Mr.  Morgan  said  in 
New  York,  "that  this  will  be  a  banner  year  for 
quality  shorts  of  the  light,  entertaining  type. 
Every  survey  and  checkup  at  the  box  offices  and 
in  the  trade  press  emphasizes  this  insistent  de- 
mand." 

Paramount  plans  more  use  of  color  in  its  sub- 
jects. First  of  two-reel  Technicolor  musicals  to 
be  produced  by  the  company  is  "Mardi  Gras," 
with  Betty  Rhodes  and  Johnnie  Johnston,  who 
co-starred  in  "Priorities  on  Parade."  "Mardi 
Gras"  will  be  produced  by  Lou  Harris  under 
supervision  of  Walter  MacEwen. 

Following  the  New  York  meeting  on  Friday, 
subsequent  sessions  will  be  held  by  Mr.  Morgan 
on  May  15th  at  Philadelphia  ;  Boston,  May  17th  ; 
Cleveland,  May  19th ;  Atlanta,  May  22nd ;  Dal- 
las, May  24th  ;  Kansas  City,  May  26th  ;  Denver, 
May  29th,  and  Los  Angeles,  May  31st. 

Reports  Special 
Booking  Activity 

Harry  Michalson,  short  subjects  sales  mana- 
ger for  RKO  Radio,  said  in  New  York  this 
week  that  "a  marked  upsurge  in  booking 
activity"  was  evident  in  the  shorts  field.  "The 
current  demand  for  shorts  is  due  to  the  fact  that 
exhibitors  generally  throughout  the  country  are 
realizing  the  need  for  better  balanced  programs," 
he  said.  "A  variety  of  entertainment  is  essen- 
tial in  the  theatre  today  and  the  easiest  and 
most  flexible  way  of  supplying  it  is  by  giving 
each  program  a  proper  and  varied  number  of 
short  subjects." 

Mr.  Michalson  reported  that  as  evidence  of 
the  increased  demand  for  one  and  two-reelers, 
Walt  Disney  cartoons,  released  by  RKO,  for 
the  first  16  weeks  of  1943,  showed  20  per  cent 
more  bookings  than  for  the  same  period  in 
any  previous  year. 


Promote  Victory  Gardens 

Theatres  affiliated  with  the  Fox  Wisconsin 
Amusement  Corporation  have  been  active  in 
promoting  the  planting  of  Victory  gardens. 
Most  of  the  circuit's  Wisconsin  nouses  are 
offering  free  admission  to  a  special  show  to 
children  obtaining  pledges  from  five  persons 
who  agree  to  grow  such  gardens.  The  pledge 
blanks  are  available  at  Fox  houses. 


May    15,    19  4  3  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  17 


EXHIBITORS  TELL  U.S.  HOW 
CONSENT  DECREE  FAILS 


Both  MPTOA  and  Allied 
Ask  Revision  of  All 
Basic  Practices 

Exhibitors  don't  like  the  Consent  Decree, 
after  three  years  of  trial,  any  better  than 
they  did  when  it  was  first  proposed  in  settle- 
ment of  the  Government's  anti-trust  suit 
against  the  major  motion  picture  distribu- 
tors. Nor  do  they  like  the  present  order  of 
trade  relations  between  exhibitor  and  dis- 
tributor. 

The  two  leading  national  exhibitor  or- 
ganizations in  meetings  of  their  directors 
last  week  set  down  bills  of  particulars.  The 
Motion  Picture  Theatre  Owners  of  America 
at  New  York  and  the  national  Allied  States 
Association  at  Detroit  specified  in  separate 
briefs  their  complaints  against  the  Consent 
Decree.  Both  proposed  again  most  of  the 
trade  practice  changes  which  they  have 
sought  for  many  years. 

Briefs  Submitted  to 
Department  of  Justice 

The  two  documents  were  destined  pri- 
marily for  the  film  unit  of  the  Department 
of  Justice's  anti-trust  division  at  Washing- 
ton as  expressions  of  exhibitor  recommen- 
dation as  to  what  should  be  done  when  the 
decree  trial  period  expires  on  November 
20th.  They  also  appeared  intended  to  serve 
notice  to  distributors,  the  rank  and  file  ex- 
hibitor, and  anyone  interested,  that  a  new 
trade  practice  fight  is  brewing. 

Indicative  of  the  fighting  sentiment  among 
some  theatre  operators  was  a  report  in  New 
York  that  several  important  exhibitors 
planned  to  sue  distributors  for  triple  dam- 
ages under  the  anti-trust  laws  unless  selling 
methods  are  changed  after  November.  They 
will  charge,  an  attorney  admitted,  that  dis- 
tributors conspired  to  raise  rentals  by  sell- 
ing in  small  blocks,  on  percentage,  and  in 
special  single  deals. 

Exhibitor  Units 
Prepare  for  Battle 

The  MPTOA  and  Allied  briefs  were  in 
many  aspects  battle  plans  for  a  new  struggle 
to  change  the  rules  which  attempt  to  govern 
the  traditional  contention  between  buyers 
and  sellers  of  motion  pictures.  They  served 
notice  of  resolution  by  exhibitor  leaders  to 
do  something  about  changing  the  decree  to 
a  pattern  which  would  be  more  to  the  liking 
of  the  theatre  operator. 

Allied  made  its  complaint  public.  MPTOA 
tried  to  keep  its  secret,  reportedly  "at  the 
request  of  the  Department  Justice." 

The  two  exhibitor  organizations  took 
closely  parallel  stands  on  a  number  of  issues, 
but  split  widely  on  others.  Both  echoed  most 
of  the  trade  practice  changes  for  which  each 
has  been  campaigning  for  a  dozen  years,  or 
longer. 

Allied's  suggestions  bore  similarity  to  nu- 
merous, and  generally  unsuccessful,  legis- 
lative regulations  sponsored  nationally  and 
locally  by  its  units.  MPTOA's  program  re- 


called the  "Ten  Points"  which  Edward  Kuy- 
kendall,  president,  first  urged  upon  the  trade 
in  1936. 

Agreement  was  apparent  in  the  stands 
of  the  two  organizations  on  the  opera- 
tion of  the  decree  selling  methods. 

Both  appeared  vigorously  opposed  to 
the  small  block  selling,  advocated  a  re- 
turn to  full  season  sales  and  the  grant- 
ing of  liberal  cancellation  privileges. 

MPTOA  still  wants  at  least  20  per 
cent  unrestricted  cancellation. 

Allied  made  a  direct  demand  for  di- 
vorcement of  distribution  from  exhibi- 
tion. 

MPTOA  was  reported  to  have  directed 
its  attention  principally  to  amendment  of 
the  decree  in  November. 

Both  groups  were  in  unison  in  condemn- 
ing the  decree  as  too  limited  and  asking  a 
wider  scope  for  arbitration  and  other  remed- 
ial sections.  There  was  general  agreement 
that  the  arbitration  provisions  have  been 
too  circumscribed. 

Mr.  Kuykendall  on  Friday  last  week  ad- 
mitted the  similarity  of  the  two  programs. 
They  differed  principally  in  approach,  he 
indicated,  expressing  the  belief  that  the 
MPTO  proposals  were  "less  radical"  and 
would  be  easier  to  carry  into  practical  ef- 
fect. 

The  three-day  MPTOA  directors'  meet- 
ing at  the  Hotel  Astor  ended  Thursday.  The 
session  was  devoted  largely  to  the  question 
of  product  and  price,  and  the  related  sales 
practices  covered  in  the  brief  prepared  by 
Mr.  Kuykendall.  For  the  first  time  in  many 
years  the  board  went  on  record  as  being 
concerned  with  the  cost  of  film. 

A  resolution  condemned  the  present  small 
block  selling,  as  wasteful  and  expensive  and 
demanded  a  return  to  full  season  sales  with 
cancellation.  A  committee  was  named  to 
further  study  product  and  prices  and  to  ad- 
vise MPTOA  members. 

The  directors  also  approved  unanimously 
the  40-page  brief  submitted  by  Mr.  Kuyken- 
dall to  Robert  Wright,  head  of  the  Depart- 
ment of  Justice  anti-trust  unit.  Its  recom- 
mendations were  in  the  pattern  set  by  the 
original  MPTOA  "Ten  Points"  seven  years 
ago,  it  was  reported.  The  text  was  not  re- 
leased to  the  press. 

The  MPTOA  brief  was  reported  to  urge : 

1 —  Full  season  sales. 

2 —  Unrestricted  20  per  cent  cancellation 
rights. 

3 —  Establishment  of  local  mediation  ma- 
chinery to  settle  disputes  between  ex- 
hibitor and  distributor. 

A — A  wider  scope  for  the  arbitration 
system  set  up  by  the  decree. 

5 —  The  use  of  arbitrators  familiar  with 
the  industry. 

6 —  Guarantees  to  every  theatre  of  "the 
right  to  buy,"  without  discrimination  in 
favor  of  affiliated  or  independent  circuits. 

7 —  Control  of  circuit  expansion. 

8 —  More  effective  rules  against  the  con- 


ditioning of  features,  or  blocks,  on  one 
another. 

9 —  Penalties  for  forcing  shorts. 

10 —  A  general  demand  for  the  relief 
sought  in  the  original  Government  anti- 
trust suit. 

The  MPTOA  board  set  up  a  trade  prac- 
tice committee  to  compile  information  on 
selling  terms,  including  price.  It  will  also 
intervene  in  behalf  of  complaining  mem- 
bers who  present  evidence  of  being  unable  to 
negotiate  a  fair  film  purchase. 

The  members  of  the  committee  are,  Her- 
man Levy,  New  Haven,  general  counsel,  as 
secretary,  Max  A.  Cohen,  Sew  York ;  Lewen 
Pizor,  Philadelphia;  Rotus  Harvey,  San 
Francisco ;  Arthur  Lockwood,  Boston ;  O.  C. 
Lam,  Rome,  Ga. ;  and  Mr.  Kuykendall. 

Mr.  Kuykendall  and  A.  Julian  Brylawski 
of  Washington  were  named  to  a  committee 
to  meet  with  the  War  Production  Board  on 
means  of  securing  replacement  parts  for 
member  theatres.  Rotus  Harvey,  Max  A. 
Cohen  and  Mr.  Lam  also  are  to  represent 
the  MPTOA  in  obtaining  an  adequate  sup- 
ply of  advertising  accessories. 

Mr.  Kuykendall  on  Friday  described  the 
session  as  one  of  the  "most  constructive  in 
the  history  of  the  organization."  Aside  from 
the  trade  practices  discussion,  he  said  the 
appearance  before  the  board  of  Lowell  Mel- 
lett,  chief  of  the  motion  picture  bureau  of 
the  Office  of  War  Information,  was  one 
of  the  most  important  events  of  the  meeting. 

In  an  off-the-record  discussion  Mr.  Mel- 
lett  was  reported  to  have  given  the  MPTOA 
a  very  direct  and  forceful  account  of  the 
Government's  plans  for  using  the  screen  as 
an  information  medium.  Members  expressed 
hope  that  from  the  discussions  a  standard 
practice  for  distributing  and  paying  for  both 
OWI  and  Hollywood  war  shorts  would  be 
worked  out  soon. 

Allied  Again  Urges 
Theatre  Divorcement 

Allied  States  Association  at  its  direc- 
tors' meeting  in  Detroit  on  Thursday  of 
last  week  again  demanded  theatre  di- 
vorcement and  dissolution  of  affiliated 
circuits,  "fortified  by  proper  injunctions," 
as  the  "only  effective  and  permanent  cure 
for  the  monopolistic  conditions  within 
the  motion  picture  industry." 

Further,  the  board  urged  extensive  re- 
vision of  the  Consent  Decree,  if  the  Depart- 
ment of  Justice  decides  in  November  to  post- 
pone seeking  the  divorcement  relief  de- 
manded in  the  New  York  anti-trust  suit. 

"If  the  Attorney  General  should  neverthe- 
less decide  to  postpone  such  remedies  for  an 
additional  test  period,  then  the  Consent  De- 
cree should  be  amended  in  accordance  with 
the  recommendations  set  forth  in  the  general 
counsel's  report,"  the  board  moved.  Copies 
of  the  resolution  were  sent  to  the  U.  S.  At- 
torney General  and  to  other  exhibitor  organ- 
izations. 

Abram  F.  Myers,  general  counsel  of  Al- 
lied, in  a  47-page  brief,  cited  what  he  be- 
lieved to  be  shortcomings  in  the  Consent 

(Continued  on  page  20,  column  1) 


20 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May     15,  1943 


Disney  Studios 
Break  Records 


Exhibitor  Croups  Tell  U.  S. 
How  Decree  Fails 


(Continued  from  page  17) 

Decree  and  proposed  11  important  modifica- 
tions to  give  additional  relief  to  exhibitors. 
Although  urging  principally  that  the  case 
be  brought  to  trial,  Allied  took  cognizance 
of  the  possibility  that  the  Government  might 
elect  to  re-tailor  the  decree.  The  recom- 
mendations were  based  on  this  premise. 

Discussing  the  possibility  of  a  victory  by 
the  Government  in  a  trial  of  the  divorce  is- 
sue Mr.  Myers  admitted  that  this  might 
prove  impossible  under  present  anti-trust 
laws.  If  the  case  is  to  be  brought  to  trial 
again,  he  asked  that  it  be  heard  by  a  justice 
other  than  Judge  Henry  W.  Goddard,  who 
signed  the  decree.  Mr.  Myers  charged  that 
Judge  Goddard  had  formed  a  pre-judgment 
of  the  case  and  had  discriminated  against  the 
independent  exhibitor. 

The  brief  then  traced  the  history  of  the 
movement  to  regulate  trade  practices.  The 
experiences  of  Allied  before  the  House 
Judiciary  Committee  in  1937;  the  Hobbs 
resolution  in  Congress  in  March  1937; 
Neely  bills;  North  Dakota  divorcement  law 
and  the  filing  of  the  New  York  and  field 
anti-trust  suits  were  reviewed. 

Among  defects  which  Mr.  Myers  laid  to 
the  decree  were  an  alleged  failure  to  con- 
form to  the  purposes  of  the  Sherman  anti- 
trust act  under  which  the  suit  was  filed.  It 
protects  an  existing  monopoly,  Mr.  Myers 
said,  and  permits  further  expansion.  Its 
remedy  for  block  booking  was  characterized 
as  temporary  and  partial. 

Arbitration  was  approved  in  principle  by 
Mr.  Myers  and  he  praised  the  calibre  of  ar- 
bitrators and  the  administration  of  the  mo- 
tion picture  tribunals  by  the  American  Ar- 
bitration System.  However,  it  had  proved 
generally  disappointing  due  to  limitations 
within  the  decree  itself,  he  indicated. 

Mr.  Myers  suggested  that  attorneys  be 
hired  in  each  exchange  center,  paid  by  the 
arbitration  fund,  to  represent  small  inde- 
pendent theatremen.  Arbitrators,  according 
to  the  Allied  report,  should  continue  to  be 
selected  from  men  not  in  the  motion  picture 
industry,  he  said. 

What  Allied  Asks  of 
Revised  Decree 

The  proposed  Allied  amendments  to  the 
decree  are : 

"1.  ACQUISITION  OF  THEATRES.  The 
decree  should  prohibit  absolutely  the  acquisi- 
tion of  construction  by  the  defendants  of  addi- 
tional theatres ;  or  at  the  very  least,  should 
follow  the  precedent  set  by  Judge  Davies  _  in 
the  Crescent  Case  and  prohibit  further  acquisi- 
tions or  constructions  'except  after  an  affirma- 
tive showing  that  such  acquisition  (or  con- 
struction) will  not  unreasonably  restrain  com- 
petition.' 

"2.  FRANCHISES.  Section  XV  providing 
that  the  decree  shall  not  apply  to  franchises 
signed  prior  to  June  6,  1940  should  be  elimi- 
nated, at  least  so  far  as  franchises  with  affili- 
ated theatres  are  concerned. 

"3.  LICENSING  OWN  THEATRES.  Sec- 
tion XVII  providing  that  nothing  in  the  decree 
shall  impair  the  right  of  each  defendant  to  li- 
cense pictures  to  its  own  theatres  on  any  terms 
it  pleases,  should  be  dropped.  It  is  ridiculous 
that  a  decree  respecting  this  right  should  have 
been  entered  in  a  case  that  was  brought  pri- 
marily to  divorce  the  defendants  from  their  the- 
atres. 


"4.  BLOCK-BOOKING  AND  BLIND- 
SELLING.  Section  III  and  IV  (a)  should 
be  amended  so  as  to  permit  the  licensing  of 
more  than  five  features  in  a  group  with  ade- 
quate safeguards  against  a  return  of  the  abuses 
of  blind-selling  and  unrestricted  block-booking 
by  providing  in  respect  of  the  pictures  above 
the  number  that  can  be  trade-shown  either  (a) 
proper  identification  with  a  right  of  selection 
or  (b)  an  adequate  cancellation  privilege. 

"5.  BLIND-PRICING.  There  should  be  in- 
cluded a  provision  requiring  that  allocations  be 
made  in  the  license  agreement  or  otherwise 
when  the  pictures  are  licensed. 

"6.  PICTURES  GENERALLY  OFFEN- 
SIVE. Section  VII  should  be  amended  so  that 
an  exhibitor  shall  have  the  right  to  cancel  a 
picture  on  the  ground  that  it  is  generally  of- 
fensive on  moral,  religious  or  racial  grounds 
subject  to  the  right  of  the  distributor  to  dispute 
the  claim  in  an  arbitration  proceeding. 

"7.  CONDITIONING.  The  licensing  of  one 
group  of  pictures  upon  the  licensing  of  another. 
This  lapsed  provision  of  Section  IV  (a)  should 
be  restored. 

"8.  CLEARANCE.  Section  VIII  should  be 
strengthened  by  adding  provisions  to  the  ef- 
fect that  clearance  shall  not  be  based  on  one- 
way competition.  The  gas  and  rubber  situa- 
tion be  added  to  the  factors  to  be  taken  into 
consideration,  and  a  provision  be  inserted  re- 
quiring that  clearance  be  measured  from  the 
close  of  the  run  in  the  "first  theatre  in  case  of 
move-overs. 

"9.  WITHHOLDING  PRINTS.  Section  IX 
should  be  amended  to  prohibit  using  print  delays 
to  increase  clearance,  Mr.  Myers  said. 

"10.  CIRCUIT  DISCRIMINATION.  Sec- 
tion X  should  be  entirely  re-written  to  elimi- 
nate 'hampering  restrictions'  and  afford  relief 
to  independents  deprived  of  a  run  in  favor  of 
circuits. 

"11.  COST  OF  ARBITRATION.  'The 
Rules  of  Arbitration  should  be  amended  so  that 
costs  can  be  assessed  against  the  complaints 
only  in  cases  patently  lacking  in  merit.'  " 

OPA  Eases  Oil 
Ration  Rules 

Theatres  in  many  parts  of  the  territory  to 
which  heating  oil  rations  have  been  applied  will 
be  relieved  of  the  necessity  of  attempting  to 
convert  their  heating  plants  to  other  fuels  as  a 
result  of  a  modification  of  policy  announced 
by  Price  Administrator  Prentiss  M.  Brown  on 
Monday. 

Because  of  a  possible  lack  of  adequate  sup- 
plies of  coal,  manpower  problems  in  delivery 
and  transportation  and  other  factors,  the  "con- 
vertibility test" — a  demonstration  of  the  im- 
possibility of  converting — has  been  dropped  for 
theatres  in  New  England  which  last  winter  re- 
ceived a  basic  annual  ration  of  less  than  10,000 
gallons. 

It  will  be  dropped  also  in  North  and  South 
Dakota,  Kansas,  Nebraska  and  Missouri,  where 
there  is  adequate  transportation  and  a  plentiful 
supply  of  oil  from  near-by  refineries,  and  in 
Florida  and  Georgia. 

The  present  policy  of  denying  oil  to  all  build- 
ings which  can  be  converted  will  be  continued, 
however,  in  all  the  remaining  rationed  states — 
New  York,  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  Dela- 
ware, Maryland,  West  Virginia,  Virginia,  North 
and  South  Carolina  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Indiana, 
Illinois,  Michigan,  Wisconsin,  Iowa,  Minnesota 
and  the  District  of  Columbia. 


On  Production 

The  Walt  Disney  studios  have  set  a  produc- 
tion record  during  the  past  six  months,  100,245 
feet  of  film  having  been  used,  mostly  on  train- 
ing films,  the  company  announced  in  Hollywood 
this  week.  An  even  higher  ratio  is  expected  in 
the  production  schedule  for  the  next  three 
months.  The  company  quota,  set  last  October, 
has  been  exceeded  by  several  hundred  feet. 

The  figures  listed  by  the  studio  for  the 
amount  of  film  allocated  to  the  service  branches 
are:  Navy,  62,900  feet;  Army,  26,577  feet,  and 
Coordinator's  office,  7,048  feet.  In  addition 
1,900  feet  was  used  for  entertainment  subjects 
while  work  for  miscellaneous  agencies,  includ- 
ing the  U.  S.  Treasury  for  which  "The  Spirit 
of  '43"  was  produced,  accounted  for  the  balance. 

Currently  on  the  Disney  schedule  are  three 
films  for  the  Beech  Aircraft,  Minneapolis- 
Honeywell  and  Aeronca  Aircraft  companies. 
"Victory  Through  Air  Power,"  adapted  from 
the  novel  by  Major  Alexander  de  Seversky,  is 
presently  in  the  shooting  process  while  the  ten- 
tatively titled  "Surprise  Package"  which  is  in 
the  nature  of  a  sequel  to  "Saludos  Amigos," 
has  been  started  and  will  be  of  full  feature 
length. 

Use  of  Technicolor  was  predominant  this 
year,  "Rules  of  the  Nautical  Road"  and  "Aerol- 
ogy" alone  calling  for  more  color  work  than  is 
usual  in  the  entire  yearly  program  of  enter- 
tainment films. 

These  two  films  were  shipped  last  week  to 
the  Navy  Department,  while  "Water — Friend  or 
Enemy"  was  delivered  to  the  Coordinator's 
Office.  Also  forwarded  for  distribution  by 
RKO  was  a  Donald  Duck  subject,  "Fall  Out, 
Fall  In." 

Russian  Film  Premiere 
At  Stanley  in  New  York 

The  Stanley  theatre  in  New  York  announced 
last  week  that  "Masquerade,"  Russian  film  pro- 
duced at  the  Leningrad  Film  Studios,  would 
open  May  15th  for  its  first  American  showing. 
The  picture  was  directed  by  Sergei  Gerasimov, 
Stalin  Award  winner.  It  is  based  on  the  drama 
of  Mikhail  Lermontov  describing  the  action  be- 
fore Leningrad  when  Hitler's  armies  were 
threatening  seizure  of  the  city. 


Fire  Halts  Children's  Show 

A  fire  which  broke  out  on  the  roof  of  the 
Allegheny  theatre  in  Philadelphia  on  May  8th 
resulted  in  only  slight  damage,  but  caused  an 
audience  composed  of  approximately  300  chil- 
dren attending  a  matinee  to  file  out  of  the 
theatre  until  the  blaze  was  under  control.  A 
few  hours  later,  the  house  resumed  normal 
operations.    There  were  no  injuries. 


Buys  Philadelphia  House 

J.  Palmer  Lippincott,  head  of  Lippincott,  Inc., 
motion  picture  equipment  company  in  Phila- 
delphia, has  entered  the  exhibition  field,  taking 
over  the  operation  of  the  Castor  theatre,  inde- 
pendent neighborhood  house  in  northeast  Phila- 
delphia. He  purchased  the  lease  on  the  theatre 
from  Theodore  Kirmse.  It  has  nine  more  years 
to  run. 


Navy  Has  Own  Stage  Show 

The  Navy's  "Salt  Water  Daffy"  all-sailor 
stage  show  produced  by  the  Naval  Training 
Station  at  San  Diego  under  its  Welfare  and 
Recreation  department,  has  been  playing  with 
great  success  in  the  Eleventh  Naval  District, 
it  is  reported.  Navy  officials  regard  it  as  the 
seaman's  answer  to  Irving  Berlin's  "This  Is 
the  Army." 


May     15,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


21 


HOLLYWOOD  SEASONS  WAR 
WITH  VAUDEVILLE,  MUSIC 


Studios  Have  22  Show 
Pieces  Completed;  Six 
More  in  Production 

Holly  wood  Bureau 

Fortunately,  Hollywood  was  not  caught 
with  its  arpeggios  down  when  it  became  evi- 
dent only  a  few  weeks  ago  that  films  based 
upon  the  war  showed  signs  of  no  longer  pay- 
ing off  as  well  as  they  had  been.  Hollywood, 
with  a  lot  more  war  yarns  already  filmed 
and  awaiting  release,  is  not  worried  at  this 
point,  feeling  certain  that  the  pendulum  can 
swing  back  to  them  again  if  the  release  of 
war  dramas  is  staggered  and  thus  made 
available  at  periodic  intervals  between  musi- 
cals and  other  escapist  entertainment. 

Musical  pictures  appear  to  be  the  court 
favorite  at  this  writing  and  there  are  plenty 
ready:  22  are  in  the  shipping  cans  ready  for 
exhibition;  six  more  are  in  production. 
These  28  are  in  addition  to  five  other  dramas 
or  comedies,  such  as  Paramount's  "Lady  In 
the  Dark"  and  Warners'  "Desert  Song," 
with  strong  musical  backgrounds,  that  are 
now  completed.  But  the  essential  develop- 
ment is  that  53  other  out-and-out  musicals 
and  45  stories  with  music  have  been  desig- 
nated for  production  in  recent  weeks. 

What  is  happening  in  Hollywood  was 
shown  last  week  when  MGM  suddenly  post- 
poned the  advertised  trade  showing  of  "Ba- 
taan,"  war  drama,  and  substituted  for  it  the 
long-completed  "Du  Barry  Was  a  Lady." 
Trade  showings  of  "Bataan"  later  were  set 
for  May  25th. 

The  HERALD  learns  that  exchange 
bookers  and  managers  are  being  notified 
release  dates  will  be  juggled  and,  wher- 
ever feasible,  those  28  completed  musicals 
and  five  stories  with  music  will  replace 
war  dramas  on  booking  calendars.  There- 
after, it  is  reported  the  movie  menu,  in 
order  to  keep  audiences  from  being 
satiated  with  a  surfeit  of  any  one  type 
of  entertainment,  will  probably  include 
the  release  by  each  company  of  one  musi- 
cal, one  war  drama,  one  mystery  or  other 
drama,  and  one  comedy  in  each  block.  A 
company  like  MGM,  releasing  in  groups 
of  as  many  as  twelve,  will  proportion  the 
variety.  Warners,  with  one  release  a 
month,  will  play  the  current  boxoffice  fa- 
vorite. 

These  are  the  musicals  and  musical 
dramas  on  which  the  Jerome  Kerns  and  the 
Cole  Porters,  and  indeed  Kern  and  Porter 
themselves,  are  setting  fiction  to  music  and 
turning  out  notes  and  lyrics  on  the  assembly 
line.  The  grand  total  of  131  musical  pic- 
tures that  are  completed,  in  production  or  in 
preparation,  follows : 

Columbia 

Completed:  "What's  Buzzin',  Cousin?"  (Ann 
Miller,  John  Hubbard,  Rochester,  Freddy  Mar- 
tin orchestra.) 

In  Preparation:    "Tropicar.a"    (Mae  West. 


VAUDEVILLE  AND 
MINSTREL  THEMES 

In  the  126  musicals  and  musical 
dramas  or  comedies  now  ready  for 
or  in  release,  in  production  and  in 
preparation  in  Hollywood,  there  are 
four  distinct  cycles  within  the  cycle. 
These  are  the  vaudeville  subject,  the 
show  business  theme,  a  trend  to 
minstrel  background  and,  although  at 
the  moment  only  one,  burlesque. 

Show  business  background  is  evi- 
dent in  Eddie  Cantor's  "Show  Busi- 
ness" for  RKO,  Columbia's  "Jam 
Session",  Paramount's  "Incendiary 
Blonde",  Warners'  "Melancholy 
Baby",  "Gay  Nineties",  "Shine  On, 
Harvest  Moon"  and  a  Marilyn  Miller 
subject. 

The  minstrel  theme  makes  up  Par- 
amount's  "Dixie",  MGM's  "Honey 
Boy"  and  George  Jessel's  "Gentle- 
men, Be  Seated"  for  RKO. 

For  vaudeville,  Pine  &  Thomas 
will  try  their  hands  at  a  musical  in 
"The  Duchess  Rides  High"  and  MGM 
will  write  a  yarn  of  the  two-a-day 
around  Judy  Garland.  Marie  Dress- 
ler's  early  days  in  the  music  halls  will 
theme  a  story  of  her  life  to  star 
Kate  Smith  at  RKO  and  David  O. 
Selznick  has  a  Dressier  biography 
written  in  "Swan  Song".  "Is  Every- 
body Happy?"  will  depict  the  Ted 
Lewis  career  in  a  Columbia  film. 

United  Artists  has  "Lady  of  Bur- 
lesque", based  on  Gypsy  Rose  Lee's 
"G-String  Murders".  RKO  has  called 
off  "Queens  of  Burlesque"  and  one 
or  two  other  burlesque-backgrounded 
themes  have  died  in  embryonic 
stages. 


Billy  Gaxton),  "The  Cover  Girl"  (Rita  Hay- 
worth,  Jinx  Falkenburg  and  15  magazine  cover 
girls),  "Leave  It  to  Me"  (Ratoff),  "Jam  Ses- 
sion" (15  radio  star  musical  acts),  "Hey, 
Rookie"  (Ann  Miller  and  soldier  cast),  "Mis- 
sissippi," "Rhapsody  In  a  Flat"  (Nan  Wynn), 
"Louisiana  Hayride"  (Judy  Canova),  "Beauti- 
ful But  Broke,"  "Doughboys  In  Ireland,"  "Vic- 
tory Caravan,"  a  Fred  Waring  musical  and  a 
Ted  Lewis  musical,  titled  either  "Is  Everybody 
Happy"  or  "When  My  Baby  Smiles  At  Me." 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

Completed:  "Du  Barry  Was  a  Lady"  (Red 
Skelton,  Lucille  Ball,  Gene  Kelly,  Tommy  Dor- 
sey  Band),  "Cabin  In  the  Sky"  (Ethel  Waters, 
Lena  Home,  Rochester  and  all-Negro  cast) , 
"Presenting  Lily  Mars"  (Judy  Garland, ,  Van 
Helfin,  Richard  Carlson),  untitled  Kay  Kyser 
film  (formerly  "Right  About  Face,"  "Girl 
Crazy"  (Rooney  and  Garland),  "Private  Miss 
Tones"  (Kathryn  Grayson,  Gene  Kelly).  "Best 
Foot  Forward"  (Lucille  Ball,  Billy  Gaxton, 
Harry  James  band.) 

In    Preparation:    "The    Ziegfeld  Follies," 


"Honey  Boy"  (Mickey  Rooney,  Gene  Kelly), 
untitled  Garland  vaudeville  story,  "Meet  Me 
In  St.  Louis"  (Garland),  "You  Can't  Fool  a 
Marine"  (Eleanor  Powell,  Jackie  Jenkins), 
"Anchors  Aweigh,"  "Up  and  Down  Broadway" 
(Powell,  George  Murphy),  "Great  Day" 
(Kathryn  Grayson),  "High  Kickers,"  "Here 
Comes  the  Band"  (collegiate  musical  with 
name  band),  "Meet  the  People,"  "Very  Warm 
for  May,"  "Jumbo,"  "Bathing  Beauty"  (Esther 
Williams  and  water  ballet),  "Mr.  Coed"  (Red 
Skelton,  Esther  Williams),  "Harem  Scare  'Em" 
(Abbott  and  Costello),  "Tale  of  Two  Sisters," 
"Merry  Widow  Goes  West." 

Monogram 

Completed:  "Sarong  Girl"  (Ann  Corio  and 
N.  T.  G.  Florentine  Gardens  show),  "Melody 
Parade"  (Mary  Beth  Hughes,  Eddie  Quillan 
and  Ted  Fio  Rito  band). 

In  Preparation:  "Casa  Manana,"  "Canteen 
Girl,"  "Lady,  Let's  Dance"  (Belita),  "Sweet- 
heart of  the  Marines." 

Paramount 

Completed:  "Star  Spangled  Rhythm"  (all 
stars  on  contract  list),  "Lady  In  the  Dark" 
(Ginger  Rogers,  Ray  Milland,  Jon  Hall,  Parker 
and  Daniel),  "Dixie"  (with  Bing  Crosby,  Dor- 
othy Lamour,  Marjorie  Reynolds,  Billy  De 
Wolfe),  "Riding  High"  (Dorothy  Lamour, 
Dick  Powell,  Victor  Moore,  Milt  Britton 
band),  "Let's  Face  It"  (Bob  Hope,  Betty  Hut- 
ton). 

In  Production:  "And  the  Angels  Sing"  (La- 
mour, Fred  MacMurray,  Betty  Hutton,  Diana 
Lynn,  Mimi  Chandler). 

Irt  Preparation:  "Incendiary  Blonde"  (Betty 
Hutton),  "Stallion  Road"  (Crosby),  "Road  to 
Utopia"  (Crosby,  Hope,  Lamour),  "Girls 
Town,"  "Big  Town  Blues,"  "Very  Hot  In 
Haiti,"  "Galveston"  (Lamour),  "Rainbow 
Island"  (Eddie  Bracken,  Betty  Hutton),  "The 
Duchess  Rides  High"  (Pine-Thomas  fling  at 
music),  and  the  untitled  Mark  Sandrich-Irving 
Berlin  musical  to  follow  up  "Holiday  Inn." 
"Merton  of  the  Movies"  and  "You  Can't  Ra- 
tion Love"  also  will  have  some  music. 

Producers  Releasing 

Completed:  "Follies  Girl"  (Wendy  Barrie, 
Gordon  Oliver). 

In  Preparation:  "Talent  School,"  "I'm  From 
Arkansas,"  "Oh  Say  Can  You  Sing,"  "Oh, 
Baby." 

RKO  Radio 

Completed:  "The  Sky's  the  Limit"  (war- 
backgrounded  musical  with  Fred  Astaire,  Joan 
Leslie,  Robert  Benchley). 

In  Preparation:  "Show  Business"  (Eddie 
Cantor  cavalcade),  Marie  Dressier  story  (to 
star  Kate  Smith),  "Gentlemen  Be  Seated"  (life 
of  Eddie  Leonard  to  star  George  Jessel),  a  big 
navy  musical  based  on  "Hit  the  Deck,"  "Higher 
and  Higher"  (Michele  Morgan  and  Frank 
Sinatra),  "Around  the  World"  (Kay  Kyser, 
Bergen  and  McCarthy,  Marcy  McCuire),  "The 
Petty  Girl,"  "The  Gibson  Girl"  (dramatic  story 
but  highlighting  the  music  of  that  era). 

Republic 

Completed:  "Hit  Parade  of  1943"  (John  Car- 
roll, Susan  Hayward,  Gail  Patrick),  "Shanty- 
town"  (Mary  Lee),  "Thumbs  Up"  (Elsa  Lan- 
chester) . 

In  Preparation:  "Dancing  Debs"  (Mary  Lee, 
Jackie  Moran,  Gladys  George),  "Gay  Blades" 
(ice  show  with  Ice-Capades  cast),  "Three  Lit- 

(Continned  on  page  24,  column  I) 


tops/ 


24 


Music  and  Review 
Films  Offset 
War  Themes 

(Continued  from  page  21) 

tie  Sisters,"  "Rosie  the  Riveter,"  "rioosier  Hol- 
iday" (the  Al  Pearce  show),  "Sleepy  Lagoon" 
(Judy  Canova),  "Brazil"  (Latin  music). 

Twentieth  Century-Fox 

Completed:  "Hello,  Frisco,  Hello"  (John 
Payne,  Alice  Faye,  Jack  Oakie),  "Coney 
Island"  (Betty  Grable,  George  Montgomery), 
"Sweet  Rosie  O'Grady"  (Grable,  Robert 
Young),  "Stormy  Weather"  (Rochester,  Lena 
Home,  all-Negro  cast). 

In  Production:  "The  Girls  He  Left  Behind" 
(Alice  Faye,  Carmen  Miranda,  Benny  Good- 
man Band),  "Winter  Time"  (Sonja  Henie, 
Jack  Oakie,  Woody  Herman  Band). 

In  Preparation:  "Pin-Up  Girl"  (Grable, 
name  band),  "Greenwich  Village,"  "New  Or- 
leans," "Mexico  City,"  "By  Jupiter"  (Laurel 
and  Hardy,  Martha  Raye),  "Gone  Are  the 
Days,"  "Carnegie  Hall,"  "Four  Jills  In  a  Jeep" 
(Martha  Raye,  Carole  Landis,  Kay  Francis, 
Mitzi  Mayfair),  "Lady  In  Ermine"  (Irene 
Dunne,  Charles  Boyer). 

United  Artists 

Completed:  "Stage  Door  Canteen"  (48  stars 
and  six  name  bands),  "Lady  of  Burlesque" 
(Barbara  Stanwyck,  Michael  O'Shea). 

In  Production:  "Hi  Diddle  Diddle"  (Martha 
Scott,  Adolph  Menjou,  Pola  Negri,  Billie 
Burke,  Dennis  O'Keefe,  June  Havoc). 

In  Preparation:  "Navy  Hotel"  (Charles  R. 
Rogers  production). 

U  niversal 

Completed:  "Cross  Your  Fingers"  (Allan 
Jones,  Kitty  Carlisle),  "Rhythm  of  the  Islands" 
(Allan  Jones,  Jane  Frazee),  "Follow  the  Band" 
(Leon  Errol,  Grace  McDonald),  "School  For 
Jive"  (Donald  O'Connor). 

In  Production:  "Hers  To  Hold"  (Deanna 
Durbin  with  some  music),  "Phantom  of  the 
Opera"  (Nelson  Eddy,  Susanna  Foster,  with 
operatic  background  for  the  mystery  thriller). 

In  Preparation:  "His  Butler's  Sister"  (Dur- 
bin), "Christmas  Holiday"  (Durbin),  "Crazy 
House"  (Olsen  and  Johnson),  "Girls,  Inc.," 
"So's  Your  Uncle,"  "Ride,  Sailor,  Ride," 
"Moonlight  In  Vermont,"  "Has  Anybody  Here 
Seen  Kelly?"  "Meet  the  Coeds"  (Abbott  and 
Costello  comedy  with  music),  "The  Naughty 
Nineties"  (same),  "100  Girls  and  a  Man." 

Warner  Brothers 

Completed:  "Thank  Your  Lucky  Stars"  (Ed- 
die Cantor,  Dinah  Shore  and  Bette  Davis, 
Errol  Flynn,  Alexis  Smith,  Dennis  Morgan  and 
all  contract  players),  "The  Desert  Song"  (Den- 
nis Morgan,  Irene  Manning,  Lynne  Overman, 
Bruce  Cabot). 

In  Production:  Irving  Berlin's  "This  Is  the 
Army." 

In  Preparation:  "Rhapsody  In  Blue"  (life  of 
George  Gershwin),  "Melancholy  Baby"  (life  of 
Helen  Morgan),  "Story  of  Marilyn  Miller," 
"Shine  On,  Harvest  Moon"  (life  of  Nora 
Bayes),  "Mississippi  Belle"  (Irene  Manning, 
with  Cole  Porter  music),  "The  Gay  Nineties" 
(life  of  Tony  Pastor),  "The  Doughgirls." 

Samuel  Goldwyn 

In  Preparation:  "Up  In  Arms"  (Danny  Kaye. 
Dinah  Shore),  "Treasure  Chest"  (Bob  Hope). 


Pallos  Opens  London  Offices 

Steven  Pallos,  formerly  general  manager  for 
Alexander  Korda,  has  opened  his  own  offices 
in  London  with  the  trade  name  of  Omnia  Films, 
Ltd. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

Rydge  Reviews  Progress 
Of  Greater  Union  Circuit 

Although  five  years  ago  the  Greater  Union 
Theatres  circuit  of  Australia  was  operating  at 
a  heavy  loss,  today  "we  have  paid  off  all  our 
bank  loans,  amounting  to  $2,000,000,  and  are 
putting  surplus  money  into  war  loans,"  Norman 
B.  Rydge,  president,  told  the  circuit's  first  war- 
time convention  recently  at  the  Usher's  Hotel 
in  Sydney.  All  managers  attended  the  five-day 
meeting. 

Mr.  Rydge  promised  that  the  circuit  was  not 
going  to  "stand  still"  and  that  it  had  "no  debts, 
ample  cash  reserves,  excellent  films  available, 
and  an  improved  outlook." 

The  convention  was  addressed  also  by  Harry 
Hunter,  managing  director  of  Paramount  Pic- 
tures in  Australia ;  Here  Mclntyre,  managing 
director  of  Universal  Pictures ;  Dan  Casey,  gen- 
eral sales  manager  of  Universal  Pictures ;  Nick 
Casey,  general  sales  manager  of  Universal  Pic- 
tures ;  Nick  Pery,  managing  director  of  Colum- 
bia Pictures  Corporation  in  Australia ;  Gordon 
Ellis,  general  manager  of  British  Empire  Films 
(distributors  of  Republic  and  Monogram  Films 
in  Australia)  ;  Ken  Hall,  Cinesound  Produc- 
tions ;  Jack  Evans,  Chairman  of  the  Executive 
Committee ;  Roy  Barmby,  Chief  Film  Buyer ; 
and  Ted  Lane,  Director  of  Publicity. 

The  company's  policy  was  stressed  and  com- 
mented upon  by  every  speaker :  a  policy  that 
emphasizes  cooperation  between  distributors  and 
Greater  Union. 

National  Decency  Legion 
Classifies  Ten  Films 

The  National  Legion  of  Decency  reviewed  ten 
films  during  the  current  week,  classifying  four 
as  unobjectionable  for  general  patronage,  four 
as  unobjectionable  for  adults  and  two  as  objec- 
tionable in  part.  The  listing:  Class  A-l,  Un- 
objectionable for  General  Patronage:  "Desert 
Victory,"  "Riders  of  the  Rio  Grande,'  "Swing 
Your  Partner"  and  "Wild  Horse  Stampede." 
Class  A-2,  Unobjectionable  for  Adults:  "Crash 
Dive,"  "Five  Graves  to  Cairo,"  "I  Escaped  from 
the  Gestapo"  and  "Leopard  Man."  Class  B, 
Objectionable  in  Part:  "All  By  Myself"  and 
"DuBarry  Was  a  Lady." 

Two  Republic  Inductees 
Honored  at  Dinner 

Harry  Marcus,  Republic  Pictures'  service  de- 
partment head,  and  Stephen  Dorsey,  special 
secretary  to  J.  R.  Grainger,  president  of  the 
company,  were  given  a  farewell  party  by  the 
home  office  staff  last  Thursday  prior  to  their 
induction  into  the  Army.  Present  at  the  party 
were  Walter  L.  Titus,  Jr.,  Charles  Reed  Jones, 
Steve  Edwards,  Albert  Schiller,  Harold  For- 
men,  Seymour  Borus,  Andrew  Subbiondo,  G.  C. 
Schaefer,  Edward  Seifert,  Frank  Pratt,  Dennis 
Caplin,  Henry  Zohbel  and  Milton  Green ;  also 
Joseph  Pellon,  Lou  Rosso,  and  Isadore  Cohen 
of  Consolidated  Film  Industries,  Inc. 

Commander  Ford  in  Brazil 
To  Make  Film  for  CIAA 

Lieutenant  Commander  John  Ford  of  the 
U.  S.  Navy  arrived  in  Rio  de  Janeiro  last  week 
to  produce  a  film  on  Brazil's  economic  and 
military  contribution  to  the  United  Nations'  war 
effort.  The  picture  will  be  made  under  the 
sponsorship  of  the  Office  of  the  Coordinator  of 
Inter- American  Affairs.  Commander  Ford's 
"Battle  of  Midway"  won  the  Motion  Picture 
Herald  exhibitor  poll  for  the  Best  War  Short 
Subject  of  1942. 


Theatre  Wing  Plans  Dances 

The  American  Theatre  Wing  has  completed 
plans  for  a  series  of  tea  dances  to  be  held  for 
all  women  auxiliary  branches  of  the  armed 
services.  The  first  dance  will  be  held  at  the 
Roosevelt  Hotel  in  New  York,  from  3  to  6 
P.  M. 


May     15,  1943 

WAC  to  Appeal 
Draft  Rulings 
For  Exhibitors 

Exhibitors  whose  managers  and  projectionists 
are  threatened  by  local  draft  boards  with  re- 
classification into  1-A  because  they  are  not 
in  a  war  factory,  or  whose  personnel  have 
been  actually  shifted  to  that  status,  should  ap- 
peal to  the  War  Activities  Committee,  which 
will  intercede  for  them.  This  message  to 
theatre  owners  was  delivered  by  Si  Fabian, 
WAC  theatre  division  head,  to  the  directors 
of  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre  Owners  of 
America,  at  their  meeting  in  New  York  last 
week. 

Mr.  Fabian  assured  the  exhibitors  that  local 
boards  were  exceeding  their  authority  in  such 
instances.  He  added  he  had  the  word  of  War 
Manpower  Commissioner  Paul  McNutt. 

The  exhibition  section  of  the  industry  is  not 
asking  deferment  of  men  suitable  for  military 
service.  It  is  merely  seeking  to  avoid  dis- 
crimination in  keeping  men  already  deferred, 
Mr.  Fabian  emphasized.  The  WAC  is  now 
investigating  several  exhibitor  complaints,  and 
has  already  adjusted  certain  situations,  he  said. 

Meanwhile,  from  New  Haven  last  week  it 
was  reported  that  George  Miller,  booker  for 
several  houses  and  manager  of  the  Whalley 
theatre  in  that  city,  was  in  war  work  after  a 
notice  from  the  Connecticut  Employment  Se- 
curity Division. 

In  Hollywood,  observers  predicted  the  labor- 
management  committee  representing  all  pro- 
duction factors,  would  shortly  seek  WMC  per- 
mission for  the  free  interchange  of  talent 
without  special  availability  certificates. 

From  Washington  came  a  report  last  week 
that  WMC  executives  were  considering  elimina- 
tion of  all  "essential"  listings  in  so-called 
essential  industries. 

The  planning  committee  of  the  Associated 
Actors  and  Artistes  of  America,  parent  actors' 
union,  met  last  week  in  New  York  and  some 
of  its  discussions  were  over  a  program  to  in- 
crease the  "war  usefulness"  of  over-age  mem- 
bers. This  would  perhaps  earn  an  essentiality 
classification  for  some  who  might  leave  the 
stage  for  direct  war  work. 

Decision  Appealed  on 
"Stage  Door"  Plagiarism 

Appeal  to  the  U.  S.  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals 
was  made  last  week  in  N.  Y.  federal  court  by 
Madge  Christie,  author  of  the  play  "Thru  the 
Looking  Glass,"  who  lost  her  plagiarism  action 
to  George  S.  Kaufman  and  Edna  Ferber,  au- 
thors of  "Stage  Door,"  whom  she  had  charged 
with  pirating  the  plot  of  her  play. 

Other  defendants  named  by  Miss  Christie 
were  the  Estate  of  Sam  H.  Harris,  who  staged 
the  play,  and  Doubleday,  Doran  &  Co.,  Inc.,  and 
Dramatists  Play  Service,  Inc.,  who  published 
the  story  of  the  play  in  book  form. 

Federal  Judge  Edward  A.  Conger  dismissed 
the  action  which  Miss  Christie  is  appealing  and 
awarded  defense  attorneys  fees  and  costs  total- 
ing $6,079.  The  court  awarded  final  judgment 
on  March  30,  1943. 


Warners  Book  Pathe  Series 

The  current  season's  Pathe  series,  "This  Is 
America,"  has  been  booked  by  the  Warner  cir- 
cuit in  the  Washington  and  Philadelphia  terri- 
tories, for  distribution  by  RKO  Radio. 


Sager  Promoted  by  Loew's 

Jerry  Sager,  formerly  on  the  Loew's  home 
office  publicity  staff,  has  been  promoted  to  pub- 
licity director  of  the  circuit's  Criterion  theatre 
in  New  York. 


M  a  v    15,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


25 


WPB  STILL  STUDIES  DOUBLE 
BILLS  AND  RAW  STOCK 


Some  Bureaus  Reluctant 
to  Get  Into  Issues  of 
Trade  Practices 

by  FRANCIS  L  BURT 

in  Washington 

Government  attention  to  the  whole  ques- 
tion of  double  bills,  which  was  touched  off 
last  November  in  a  speech  made  by  Lowell 
Mellett,  director  of  the  motion  picture  bur- 
eau of  the  Office  of  War  Information,  could 
result  in  a  directive  against  the  policy,  it 
was  indicated  this  week  in  Washington.  An 
exhibitor's  personal  letter  to  President 
Roosevelt  brought  to  light  that  the  War 
Production  Board  is  continuing  its  survey 
on  double  bills  and  indicated  that  action 
would  be  taken  should  conservation  consid- 
erations warrant  such  action. 

The  letter,  written  April  9th  by  Ewald 
A.  Stein,  operator  of  the  Wickenburg  thea- 
tre, Wickenburg,  Ariz.,  asked  President 
Roosevelt  for  executive  action  against 
double  billing. 

The  President  referred  Mr.  Stein's  letter 
to  the  film  section  of  the  WPB  and  on 
April  24th,  Fred  C.  Heitman,  of  the  prod- 
ucts branch,  informed  Mr.  Stein  that  as 
soon  as  the  WPB  "survey  is  completed  and 
the  possible  conservation  angles  studied  in 
relation  to  featuring  single  or  double  pro- 
grams, you  may  rest  assured  the  proper  di- 
rective action  will  be  taken  by  this  agency." 

Although  exhibitors  repeatedly  have  ap- 
pealed to  the  WPB  to  eliminate  dual  bills, 
studies  so  far  have  failed  to  demonstrate 
that  any  worth-while  saving  of  material 
would  result.  It  was  made  clear  that  the 
WPB,  at  present,  had  no  intention  of  inter- 
fering with  business  practices  which  have 
no  effect  on  the  materials  situation. 

What  the  Surveys 
Have  Found 

Thus  far,  surveys  by  the  board  have  dis- 
closed that  while  some  59  per  cent  of  the 
theatres  double-bill,  only  30  per  cent — pos- 
sibly 3,000  houses,  all  told — operate  exclu- 
sively on  a  two-feature  basis.  The  remaining 
6,000  or  7,000  theatres  double-bill  only  from 
time  to  time. 

Motion  Picture  Herald  last  December 
19th  and  26th  published  expressions  of 
opinion  on  the  controversial  subject  from 
leading  circuit  and  independent  exhibitors 
throughout  the  country.  The  consensus  of 
opinion  was  that  elimination  of  the  policy 
would  be  possible  only  through  Government 
action. 

A  lengthy  report  on  the  double-bill  situa- 
tion was  submitted  to  WPB  officials  some 
weeks  ago  by  Christopher  J.  Dunphy  as  he 
prepared  to  resign  as  chief  of  the  amuse- 
ments section  because  of  the  illness  of  his 
wife. 

In  that  report,  Mr.  Dunphy  saw  no  benefit 
to  the  war  effort  from  the  elimination  of 
double  billing  and  pointed  out  that  it  was 
primarily  a  competitive  trade  practice  over 


which  the  industry  had  been  wrangling  for 
years. 

On  the  whole,  WPB  officials  believe  that 
the  way  to  save  materials  in  the  motion  pic- 
ture industry  is  through  control  of  raw 
stock  as  now  practiced,  and  they  take  the 
position  that  if  there  are  enough  pictures 
available  the  question  whether  one  picture 
or  two  is  to  be  shown  is  one  for  determina- 
tion by  the  inddividual  exhibitor. 

It  was  pointed  out  that,  basically,  the 
question  is  whether  an  exhibitor  feels  he 
can  profit  most  by  the  quicker  turnover  of 
the  shorter  show,  or  has  a  more  certain  pat- 
ronage under  a  double-bill  policy.  That,  it 
is  felt,  is  a  question  of  competition  in  which 
the  Government  should  not  interfere  unless 
it  is  demonstrated  to  have  an  effect  on  the 
war  program. 

They  Veer  Away  on 
Trade  Practices 

Because  of  its  importance  in  maintaining 
morale,  no  Government  war  agency  in 
Washington  is  desirous  of  becoming  in- 
volved in  the  controversies  within  the  mo- 
tion picture  industry.  The  Office  of  War 
Information,  War  Production  Board  and 
Office  of  Price  Administration  have  all  fend- 
ed off  suggestions  that  they  interject  them- 
selves into  quarrels  over  trade  practices. 

Three  branches  of  WPB  from  time  to 
time  have  given  consideration  to  the  matter 
of  double  billing.  The  motion  picture  sec- 
tion of  the  durable  consumers'  goods  branch 
is  understood  to  have  had  the  question  up 
incidentally  at  meetings  of  the  motion  pic- 
ture industry  advisory  committee,  but  the 
amusements  section,  under  Mr.  Dunphy, 
went  more  exhaustively  into  the  problem. 
More  recently,  the  conservation  division  has 
made  a  study  but  in  no  case,  it  is  said,  was 
any  convincing  showing  made  that  elimina- 
tion of  duals  would  result  in  any  savings. 

Officials  agree,  however,  that  if  at  any 
time  conditions  reach  a  state  where  program 
control  is  indicated,  the  necessary  orders 
would  immediately  be  issued. 

At  the  present  time,  however,  producing 
companies  are  given  a  limited  amount  of 
raw  stock  on  which  to  operate.  How  they 
use  that  stock  and  how  the  pictures  are 
distributed  are,  it  is  felt,  questions  which  can 
best  be  dealt  with  by  the  industry  itself. 

U.  S.  Wants  Theatres 
To  Remain  Open 

Contrary  to  the  impression  which  might 
be  gained  from  the  flood  of  restrictive  ord- 
ers which  emanates  from  Washington,  the 
Administration  is  anxious  to  interfere  as 
little  as  possible  with  the  normal  operations 
of  industries,  looking  forward  to  the  end  of 
the  war  and  the  necessity  then  for  resuming 
peacetime  operations  with  as  little  delay  as 
possible. 

That  goes  for  the  film  industry,  too,  and 
in  addition  there  is  a  real  desire  to  keep 
every  theatre  operating  through  the  war 
period.      Consequently,    if    elimination  of 


double  bills  would  result  in  the  closing  of 
houses  which  are  cooperating  in  the  war 
program,  as  they  all  are,  such  a  step  would 
be  based  upon  an  inescapable  conclusion 
that  the  necessities  of  the  war  leave  no 
alternative. 

St.  Louis  Unit  Redrafts 
Single  Bill  Proposal 

In  St.  Louis  last  week,  Fred  Wehrenberg, 
president  of  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre 
Owners'  Association  of  St.  Louis,  Eastern 
Missouri  and  Southern  Illinois,  indicated 
that  no  definite  action  on  the  question  of 
elimination  of  double  bills  had  been  taken 
by  the  exhibitors'  group  since  March,  at 
which  time  neighborhood  houses  declared 
that  the  question  had  to  be  acted  upon  by 
first  run  theatres.  The  proposal  made  at 
the  March  meeting  is  being  redrafted  and 
is  expected  to  be  presented  at  another  St. 
Louis  meeting  later  this  month. 

At  the  MPTOA  convention  in  New  York 
last  week,  no  formal  action  was  taken  on 
the  resolution  introduced  by  Mr.  Wehren- 
berg pertaining  to  the  situation.  The  direc- 
tors declared  it  was  essentially  a  local  prob- 
lem and  could  only  be  decided  upon  by  au- 
tonomous, local  MPTOA  units. 


Navy  Steps  Up 
Training  Films 

Distribution  output  of  U.  S.  Navy  training 
films  has  increased  from  3,000  prints  a  month 
of  last  November,  to  50,000  prints  a  month 
as  of  this  month,  it  was  learned  in  New  York 
this  week.  The  Navy's  training  program  is 
headed  by  Captain  H.  W.  Taylor,  officer  in 
charge  of  the  Photographic  Division  of  the 
Bureau  of  Aeronautics,  in  Washington,  but 
distribution  is  handled  in  New  York  at  the 
DeLuxe  laboratories  with  Lieut.  Jack  Gold- 
smith in  charge.  The  distribution  staff  has 
increased  from  8  to  20. 

Production  of  the  training  pictures  is  farmed 
out  by  the  Navy  to  independent  producers  who 
turn  over  negatives  or  master  prints  to  the 
New  York  office.  Anywhere  from  50  to  300 
prints  of  each  subject  are  made  by  the  Navy 
unit  at  DeLuxe  labs,  which  also  is  the  distribu- 
tion headquarters  for  the  Army  Signal  Corps 
training  films.  In  addition  to  these  two 
branches  of  service,  the  Marine  Corps  has  an 
officer  stationed  at  DeLuxe  who  arranges  for 
certain  Navy  aeronautic  training  pictures  to 
be  distributed  to  Marine  training  bases. 

Special  orientation  or  indoctrination  films, 
such  as  "Desert  Victory,"  produced  by  the 
British  Army  and  distributed  here  by  20th-Fox, 
and  "Next  of  Kin,"  made  by  the  British 
Ministry  of  Information,  and  released  in  the 
U.  S.  by  Universal,  also  are  distributed  by  the 
Navy  at  New  York. 


Schwartz  Joins  Monogram 

William  R.  Schwartz,  booker  for  Paramount 
in  Philadelphia,  covering  the  Comerford-Publix 
circuits  in  upstate  Pennsylvania,  has  gone  over 
to  the  local  Monogram  exchange  as  booker. 
Harry  Brillman,  of  the  Atlantic  Theatres  Cir- 
cuit, takes  his  place  at  Paramount. 


Exhibitors  of  America!  Book  "PRELUDE  TO 
WAR,"  the  sensational  55  minute  sock-film. 


28 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    15,  1943 


Court  says  FCC  Can 
Rule  Radio  Deals 


Decision  in  Washington 
Holds  Congress  Gave 
Commission  All  Power 

Washington  Bureau 

Disposing  of  an  issue  raised  more  than 
18  months  ago,  the  Supreme  Court  on  Mon- 
day upheld  the  authority  of  the  Federal 
Communications  Commission  to  issue  its 
chain  broadcasting  regulations. 

The  court,  however,  withheld  comment 
on  the  wisdom  of  the  regulations  themselves 
or  their  likelihood  to  accomplish  the  ob- 
jectives of  the  commission,  holding  that 
those  matters  were  the  responsibility  of  the 
Congress  and  the  FCC. 

Taking  but  one  week  short  of  three 
months  to  reach  its  decision,  the  court  by  a 
vote  of  five  to  two,  with  Associate  Justices 
Black  and  Rutledge  not  participating,  af- 
firmed the  action  of  the  New  York  Federal 
District  Court  in  dismissing  the  suits 
brought  on  October  30,  1941,  by  the  Na- 
tional Broadcasting  Company  and  Columbia 
Broadcasting  System  to  enjoin  the  enforce- 
ment of  the  regulations  promulgated  by  the 
commission  on  May  2,  1941,  and  amended 
on  October  11  of  that  year. 

A  dissenting  opinion,  holding  that  the 
Communications  Act  did  not  give  the  com- 
mission authority  to  regulate  the  business 
practices  of  licensees,  was  delivered  by  As- 
sociate Justice  Murphy,  with  Associate  Jus- 
tice Roberts  concurring. 

The  27-page  majority  opinion,  delivered 
by  Associate  Justice  Frankfurter,  dismissed 
seriatim  the  specific  contentions  of  the  net- 
works that  the  commission  lacked  authority, 
that  it  sought  to  enforce  the  anti-trust 
statutes,  that  the  regulations  were  arbitrary 
and  capricious  and  that  they  abridged  the 
right  of  free  speech. 

"The  avowed  aim  of  the  Communica- 
tions Act  of  1934  was  to  secure  the  maxi- 
mum benefits  of  radio  to  all  the  people 
of  the  United  States,"  Justice  Frankfur- 
ter declared.  "To  that  end  Congress  en- 
dowed the  communications  commission 
with  comprehensive  powers  to  promote 
and  realize  the  vast  potentialities  of 
radio.  *  *  * 

"These  provisions,  individually  and  in 
the  aggregate,  preclude  the  notion  that 
the  commission  is  empowered  to  deal  only 
with  technical  and  engineering  impedi- 
ments to  the  'larger  and  more  effective 
use  of  radio  in  the  public  interest'.  *  *  * 

"In  essence,  the  chain  broadcasting  regu- 
lations represent  a  particularization  of  the 
commission's  conception  of  the  'public  inter- 
est' sought  to  be  safeguarded  by  Congress  in 
enacting  the  Communications  Act  of  1934." 

"New  and  Dynamic," 
Says  Frankfurter 

Admitting  that  the  act  does  not  explicitly 
say  that  the  commission  shall  have  power 
to  deal  with  network  practices  found  inimi- 
cal to  the  public  interest,  the  court  pointed 


out  that  Congress  was  acting  in  a  field  of 
regulation  "which  was  both  new  and  dy- 
namic." 

"While  Congress  did  not  give  the  com- 
mission unfettered  discretion  to  regulate  all 
phases  of  the  radio  industry,  it  did  not  frus- 
trate the  purposes  for  which  the  Communi- 
cations Act  of  1934  was  brought  into  being 
by  attempting  an  itemized  catalogue  of  the 
specific  manifestations  of  the  general  prob- 
lems for  the  solution  of  which  it  was  estab- 
lishing a  regulatory  agency,"  Justice  Frank- 
furter stated.  .  .  .  Congress  did  what  ex- 
perience had  taught  it  in  similar  attempts  at 
regulation,  even  in  fields  where  the  subject 
matter  of  regulation  was  far  less  fluid  and 
dynamic  than  radio.  The  essence  of  that 
experience  was  to  define  broad  areas  for 
regulation  and  to  establish  standards  for 
judgment  adequately  related  in  their  appli- 
cation to  the  problems  to  be  solved." 

Act  Drawn  to  Protect 
Public  Interest 

The  fact  that  the  commission  may  refuse 
a  license  to  persons  found  guilty  by  the 
courts  of  the  violation  of  the  anti-trust  laws, 
he  continued,  does  not  involve  the  connota- 
tion that  licensees  charged  with  violation  of 
the  standards  of  public  interest,  convenience, 
or  necessity  because  of  his  practices  can 
not  be  refused  a  license  because  he  has  not 
yet  been  convicted  in  the  courts. 

"The  Communications  Act  of  1934  au- 
thorized the  commission  to  promulgate  regu- 
lations designed  to  correct  the  abuses  dis- 
closed by  its  investigation  of  chain  broad- 
casting," he  said — it  was  not  a  matter  of  the 
commission  attempting  to  enforce  the  anti- 
trust statutes. 

Refusing  to  pass  on  the  wisdom  of  the 
regulations  themselves,  Justice  Frankfurter 
denied  there  was  anything  "arbitrary  and 
capricious"  in  their  adoption  by  the  commis- 
sion "based  upon  findings  supported  by  evi- 
dence." 

Set  Up  of  Licensing 
System  Proper 

The  final  contention,  that  the  regulations 
invaded  the  right  of  free  speech,  also  was 
found  untenable  by  the  Justice,  who  pointed 
out  that  the  limited  radio  facilities  and  the 
licensing  system  itself  are  an  abridgment  of 
that  right. 

"The  question  here,"  he  said,  "is  simply 
whether  the  commission,  by  announcing 
that  it  will  refuse  licenses  to  persons  who 
engage  in  specified  network  practices  (a 
basis  for  choice  which  we  hold  is  compre- 
hended within  the  statutory  criterion  of 
'public  interest'),  is  thereby  denying  such 
persons  the  constitutional  right  of  free 
speech.  The  right  of  free  speech  does  not 
include,  however,  the  right  to  use  the  facili- 
ties of  radio  without  a  license.  The  licens- 
ing system  established  by  Congress  in  the 
Communications  Act  of  1934  was  a  proper 
exercise  of  its  power  over  commerce.  The 
standard  it  provided  for  the  licensing  of 
stations  was  the  'public  interest,  convenience 


or  necessity'.  Denial  of  a  station  license 
on  that  ground,  if  valid  under  the  act,  is  not 
a  denial  of  free  speech." 

In  the  dissemination  of  information  and 
opinion  radio  has  assumed  a  position  of 
commanding  importance,  rivalling  the  press 
and  the  pulpit,  it  was  poirit  I  out  by  Justice 
Murphy  in  his  dissent,  and  because  of  its 
vast  potentialities  "the  character  and  extent 
of  control  that  should  be  exercised  over  it 
by  the  Government  is  a  matter  of  deep  and 
vital  concern." 

Wherein  Justice 
Murphy  Dissents 

"Events  in  Europe  show  that  radio  may 
readily  be  a  weapon  of  authority  and  mis- 
representation, instead  of  a  means  of  enter- 
tainment and  enlightenment,"  he  said.  "It 
may  be  even  an  instrument  of  oppression. 

"In  pointing  out  these  possibilities,  I  do 
not  mean  to  intimate  in  the  slightest  that 
they  are  imminent  or  probable  in  this  coun- 
try, but  they  do  suggest  that  the  construc- 
tion of  the  instant  statute  should  be  ap- 
proached with  more  than  ordinary  restraint 
and  caution,  to  avoid  an  interpretation  that 
is  not  clearly  justified  by  the  conditions 
that  brought  about  its  enactment,  or  that 
would  give  the  commission  greater  powers 
than  the  Congress  intended  to  confer." 

The  communications  act,  he  declared  flat- 
ly, does  not  in  term  give  the  commission 
power  to  regulate  the  contractual  relations 
between  the  stations  and  the  networks. 

"The  power  to  control  network  contracts 
and  affiliations  by  means  of  the  commis- 
sion's licensing  powers  cannot  be  derived 
from  implication  out  of  the  standard  of  'pub- 
lic convenience,  interest  or  necessity'  *  *  * 

Not  Within  FCC  Scope 
To  Remedy  Conditions 

"It  is  quite  possible,  of  course,  that  maxi- 
mum utilization  of  the  radio  as  an  instru- 
ment of  culture,  entertainment,  and  the  dif- 
fusion of  ideas  is  inhibited  by  existing  net- 
work arrangements.  Some  of  the  condi- 
tions imposed  by  the  broadcasting  chains 
are  possibly  not  conducive  to  a  freer  use  of 
radio  facilities,  however  essential  they  may 
be  to  the  maintenance  of  sustaining  pro- 
grams and  the  operation  of  the  chain  broad- 
casting business  as  it  is  now  conducted.  But 
I  am  unable  to  agree  that  it  is  within  the 
present  authority  of  the  commission  to  pre- 
scribe the  remedy  for  such  conditions.  It 
is  evident  that  a  correction  of  these  condi- 
tions in  the  manner  proposed  by  the  regula- 
tions will  involve  drastic  changes  in  the 
business  of  radio  broadcasting  which  the 
Congress  has  not  clearly  and  definitely  em- 
powered the  commission  to  undertake." 

There  is  nothing  in  the  communications, 
act  authorizing  the  FCC  to  regulate  the 
business  practices  of  licensees,  he  held,  and 
if  network  practices  may  have  run  counter 
to  the  anti-trust  laws,  the  express  means  for 
dealing  with  that  problem  has  been  provided 
by  Congress. 


Barrows  in  Army  Intelligence 

Sidney  Barrows,  a  member  of  Warners'  legal 
staff,  will  shortly  leave  for  Ann  Arbor  to  re- 
ceive an  instruction  course  in  Army  military 
intelligence. 


Rogers  Photos  In  Demand 

More  than  2,000,000  four-color  photographs 
of  Roy  Rogers  have  been  distributed  to  ex- 
hibitors, Republic  Pictures  announced  this  week. 


May    15,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


29 


More  Exhibitors  Protest 
Flood  of  War  Dramas 

Again  has  come  a  flow  of  important  exhibitor  expression  concerning 
the  tide  of  war  pictures,  continuing  the  responses  to  interrogation  by 
Motion  Picture  Herald  presented  last  week.  And  again  the  prepon- 
derant opinion  is  that  enough  and  in  some  instance  far  too  much  has 
been  had  of  war  drama  from  the  studios  of  Hollywood.  As  before  the 
response  is  from  all  manner  of  theatre  operation,  from  the  key  cities  to 
the  lesser  communities,  and  some  expression  continues  this  week  in 
''What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me"  where  the  subject  was  opened  many 
weeks  ago. 


S.  A.  Lynch  to 
Retire  from 
Miami  Post 

Stephen  A.  Lynch,  long  a  figure  in  the  affairs 
of  Paramount  Pictures  Corporation  and  author 
of  many  of  its  present  management-partnership 
arrangements,  will  retire  in  July  from  the 
management  of  the  company's  sixteen  Miami 
theatres.  He  has  been  in  that  post  for  seven 
years.  The  announcement  came  last  week  from 
Leonard  Goldenson,  vice  president  in  charge  of 
theatre  operations  for  Paramount. 

Mr.  Lynch  was  among  the  earlier  operators 
of  circuit  theatres  as  an  extension  of  the 
activities  of  S.  A.  Lynch  enterprises,  devoted 
more  largely  to  real  estate.  Out  of  this  grew 
his  notable  Southern  Enterprises  with  some 
186  theatres  in  Alabama,  Tennessee,  Arkansas, 
Texas,  North  and  South  Carolina,  Georgia, 
Florida  and  Oklahoma. 

In  1918,  Mr.  Lynch,  who  had  been  a  powerful 
customer  of  Paramount,  sold  a  fifty  percent 
interest  in  Southern  Enterprises,  which  inci- 
dentally also  owned  the  Miami  theatres,  to 
that  corporation.  In  1923  Paramount  purchased 
the  remaining  fifty  percent  of  the  stock. 

Mr.  Lynch's  large  organization  brought  forth 
many  of  today's  prominent  showmen,  among 
them  R.  B.  Wilby  and  H.  F.  Kincey,  now 
Paramount  partners  in  the  South  and  Y.  Frank 
Freeman  who  is  now  in  charge  of  production 
for  Paramount  in  Hollywood. 

When  the  reorganization  of  Paramount  was 
under  way  in  1932  Mr.  Lynch  was  called  in  to 
act  for  the  trustees  and  at  that  time  he  figured 
in  the  arrangement  of  many  of  the  management- 
partnership  deals  now  in  operation. 

He  remained  in  this  capacity  until  1935,  when 
he  became  manager  of  the  Miami  theatres  for 
Paramount. 

One  of  Mr.  Lynch's  largest  undertakings  was 
the  development  of  Sunset  Islands  at  Miami 
Beach.  His  holdings  also  include  the  Columbus 
Hotel  in  Miami,  the  Lynch  Building  in  Jackson- 
ville and  the  Atlanta  Hotel  in  Atlanta.  He  is 
also  a  heavy  bondholder  in  the  Florida  East 
Coast  Railroad. 

Upon  Mr.  Lynch's  retirement,  George  Hoover 
is  expected  to  continue  as  general  manager  of 
the  Miami  theatres,  and  it  is  reported  that 
they  will  be  aligned  with  the  Frank  Rogers' 
All-Florida  circuit. 

Bartlett  Named  Eastman 
Advertising  Director 

L.  Hayward  Bartlett  has  been  named  adver- 
tising director  of  the  Eastman  Kodak  Company 
of  Rochester,  succeeding  Howard  H.  Imray, 
who  resigned  because  of  ill  health.  Waldo  B. 
Potter  has  been  promoted  to  director  of  adver- 
tising operations.  Mr.  Bartlett  has  been  with 
the  company  since  1914;  Mr.  Potter  since  1921. 


Inaugurate  New  Policy 

The  Park  theatre  in  Fall  River  will  be  open 
from  1  P.  M.  until  its  usual  closing  time  on  a 
continuous  run  basis  in  order  to  accommodate 
war  workers  wishing  to  see  a  complete  show, 
it  was  announced  recently  by  Frank  Lydon, 
general  manager. 


Receives  Navy  Commission 

Stanley  A.  B.  Cooper,  secretary-treasurer  of 
the  Citizens  Theater  Company  of  Brazil,  Ind., 
and  one  of  the  founders  of  Affiliated  Theaters, 
Inc.,  of  Indianapolis,  has  received  a  commission 
as  lieutenant  junior  grade  in  the  Navy. 


Drive-in  Theatre  Reopens 

The  Riverside  drive-in  theatre  at  Dublin. 
Ohio,  has  opened  its  season.  Children  under  12 
are  admitted  free. 


M.  A.  LIGHTMAN 

Malco  Theatres,  Inc.,  Memphis,  Tenn. 

Up  to  this  time  I  think  most  war  films  have 
been  both  excellent  and  profitable. 

A  few  would  have  been  better  if  not  made 
at  all  but  on  the  whole  they  have  been  excel- 
lent— but — from  here  on  out  the  smart  pro- 
ducer will  start  making  good  comedies — musi- 
cals or  light  dramas — with  only  a  very  rare  out 
and  out  war  picture. 

I  don't  mean  that  the  war — or  the  present 
times — should  necessarily  be  omitted  100% — 
where  current  everts  call  for  a  scene  showing- 
war  conditions  that  is  obviously  necessary. 

I  am  referring  to  "Immortal  Sergeant," 
"Moon  is  Down,"  "Air  Force,"  etc.,  etc.,  etc. 
It  is  definitely  time  to  cut  this  type  of  film  to 
an  absolute  minimum — or  we  will  definitely 
"kill  the  goose  that  laid  the  golden  egg."  I  saw 
"The  More  The  Merrier"  last  night — well,  the 
more  the  merrier  and  the  happier  we  will  all 
be.  We  just  finished  "Happy,  Go  Lucky"  in 
Memphis.  It  did  an  excellent  business  though  it 
doesn't  have  the  biggest  names  in  Hollywood ! 
We  need  more  of  them  and  fewer  war  pictures. 

Don't  get  me  wrong — up  to  now  I  think  the 
better  war  films  have  been  terrific  and  Holly- 
wood is  to  be  congratulated  for  doing  such  a 
magnificent  job — they  should  continue  to  make 
war  pictures — but  only  about  20%  to  25%  of 
the  former  number. 

FRED  J.  DOLLE 

Fourth  Avenue  Amusement  Co., 
Louisville,  Kentucky 

From  my  personal  viewpoint,  the  industry 
is  producing  entirely  too  many  war  pictures. 
Our  various  managers  inform  me  that  the 
opinions  expressed  by  their  patrons  in  passing, 
signify  only  one  thing  and  that  is — that  the 
number  of  war  pictures  must  be  reduced  before 
it  is  too  late  to  make  correction. 

RAY  BARTLETT 

V alley  Theatre,  Artesia,  N.  M. 

Far  too  many  war  pictures.  People  are 
going  to  our  theatre  that  does  not  show  a  war 
picture.  Theatre  playing  comedies,  dramas,  good 
westerns,  will  far  out-gross  the  one  playing  a 
war  picture,  if  played  opposite  each  other. 

R.  M.  KENNEDY 

Alabama  Theatres,  Inc., 
Birmingham,  Ala. 

I  said  quite  some  while  ago  that  for  a  few 
months  war  pictures  would  be  very  acceptable 
but  that  when  our  casualty  lists  started  coming- 
in  after  the  fighting  had  really  started  people 
would  want  to  avoid  war  pictures  and  I  sug- 
gested that  the  producers  go  slow  on  them. 

I  think  that  we  have  just  about  reached 
the  time  which  I  had  in  mind.  We  can  get 
by  with  a  few  more  war  pictures  during  the 


next  thirty  to  sixty  days,  but  I  don't  guess  that 
they  would  be  profitable  after  that  time. 

We  are  playing  "The  Moon  is  Down"  in 
some  of  our  leading  theatres  now  and  some 
people  make  the  remark  that  they  don't  want 
to  see  anything  which  concerns  Nazi  Germany, 
meaning  of  course  that  they  just  don't  want 
any  war  pictures.  I  hope  that  the  producers 
will  slow  down. 

J.  L.  HUGHES 

Midway  Theatre,  Burlington,  Colo. 
Too  many  imaginary  pictures. 

LOUIS  BERNHEIMER 

Louis  Bernheimer  Theatres, 
Washington,  D.  C. 

In  my  opinion  the  overproduction  of  war 
pictures  is  a  serious  menace  to  the  motion 
picture  business. 

My  patrons  have,  on  numerous  occasions  ex- 
pressed their  preference  for  pictures  that  are 
light  and  entertaining. 

The  average  people  come  to  the  movies  to 
escape,  temporarily,  from  the  stark  realities  that 
face  them  on  every  side.  When  they  leave  our 
theatres  today  they  are  depressed  and  un- 
happy. 

The  newspapers  and  the  radios  report,  con- 
tinuously, the  death  and  destruction — the  tragedy 
and  sorrow — everywhere  in  the  world.  Why 
can't  we  provide  the  public  with  entertainment 
that  will  make  them  laugh  and  forget  for  a 
brief  period  the  sorrows  of  the  world? 

The  War  Activity  reels,  which  are  plentiful, 
are  surely  sufficient  to  keep  the  public  war- 
conscious  and  well  informed  so  far  as  the 
screen  is  concerned. 

Let  us  return  to  show  business  and  present 
pictures  with  music,  dancing  and  comedy ! 

MIKE  KALLET 

Kallet  Theatres,  Inc.,  Oneida,  N.  Y. 

From  the  comments  of  our  patrons  we  are 
getting  too  many  war  pictures.  We  feel  a  few 
are  O.  K.  when  properly  spaced  on  release. 

H.  TABACKMAN 
Bostzmck  Theatre,  Bridgeport,  Conn. 
Too  many  war  pictures. 

W.  F.  CAUDELL 
Capitol  Theatre,  Fairmont,  N.  C. 
Too  too  many. 

JULES  J.  RUBENS 

Publix  Great  States  Theatres,  Inc., 

Chicago,  III. 

Much  too  many  war  pictures.  War  in  the 
pictures,  victory  shorts  and  news  reels — if  it 
continues  am  sure  it  will  result  in  lower  box 
office  grosses. 


30  MOT 

Theatres  to 
Blood  Donor 


Key  City  Houses  To  Co- 
operate in  Red  Cross 
Registration  Campaign 

The  American  Red  Cross  drive  for  blood 
donors,  conducted  for  the  past  several 
months  in  some  New  York  theatres,  will 
shortly  reach  into  other  key  cities.  The  or- 
ganization this  week  placed  the  expanded 
campaign  in  charge  of  Mrs.  George  Baehr, 
who  directed  the  New  York  drive,  and  with 
whom  the  film  industry's  War  Activities 
Committee  cooperated. 

Mrs.  Baehr  conferred  in  Hartford,  Con- 
necticut, Tuesday,  with  local  theatre  men 
and  Red  Cross  officials. 

In  New  York  City,  through  theatres, 
which  have  had  in  their  lobbies  both  Red 
Cross  workers  and  display  booths  and  post- 
ers, more  than  16,000  persons  had  regis- 
tered for  donations,  up  to  the  week's  begin- 
ning. 

The  Red  Cross  has  blood  banks  in  31 
key  cities.   These  have  mobile  equipment. 

Outlining  methods  used  by  New  York 
houses,  a  brochure  is  being  prepared_  by 
Edward  Dowden,  chairman  of  the  city's 
WAC  public  relations  committee. 

Hollywood  Guilds 
Give  $462,187 

The  industry's  guilds,  unions,  crafts  and  oc- 
cupational groups  had  subscribed  $462,187.67 
for  their  part  in  the  1943  Red  Cross  drive  up 
to  last  Saturday  in  Hollywood  and  the  drive 
was  being  continued  until  the  $500,000  mark 
was  reached.  Each  of  the  groups  conducted 
its  own  solicitation  campaign  and  distribution 
of  the  $462,187.67  to  the  credit  of  43  separate 
accounts  was  completed  over  the  weekend.  The 
results  of  the  15  studio  "colonels"  and  600 
guild,  union  and  craft  captains  responsible  for 
bringing  in  the  20,737  donations,  as  reported 
to  Chairman  James  Cagney,  were  listed  as 
follows : 

Producers  and  executives,  514  subscriptions 
for  $77,719.44;  Screen  Actors'  Guild,  726  for 
$81,067.19;  Screen  Directors'  Guild,  305,  $27,- 
000.63 ;  Screen  Writers'  Guild,  327,  $29,348.10 ; 
Artists  Managers'^  Guild,  250,  $19,827.50 ;  cor- 
poration subscriptions,  26,  for  $70,352.00. 

The  thirty-seven  guilds,  unions  and  crafts, 
functioning  under  Labor's  Executive  Commit- 
tee, with  L.  C.  Helm  as  chairman,  brought  in 
18,568  subscriptions  for  a  total  of  $156,097.21, 
divided  as  follows: 

Art  directors,  78  subscriptions  for  $2,244 ; 
cameramen,  515  for  $9,959.67;  studio  carpen- 
ters, 1,177,  $9,083.20;  costumers,  535,  $4,149.38; 
culinary  workers,  420,  $1,830.05 ;  electrical 
workers,  359,  $3,239.47;  film  editors,  485,  $5,- 
910.10;  film  technicians,  1,188,  $6,981.76;  fire- 
men, 75,  $258.85;  first  aid,  26,  $148.00;  studio 
grips,  921,  $6,516.60;  interior  decorators,  49, 
$1,037.00;  studio  laborers,  532,  $1,931.96;  lamp 
operators,  1,066,  $8,385.12;  machinists,  270, 
$1,882.92;  make-up  artists,  182,  $2,981.30;  iani- 
tors,  229,  $602.09;  musicians,  478,  $9,276.67; 
painters,  624,  $5,982.94;  plasterers,  138,  $1,148; 
plumbers,  41,  $317.26;  police,  368,  $1,442  75; 
projectionists,  208,  $1,677.30;  propertv.  1.266, 
$9,582.80;  screen  cartoonists,  645,  $4.872  55; 
Screen  Office  Employees'  Guild,  1,379,  $7,- 
521.79;  Independent  Screen  Office  Emnloyees, 
1,410,  $11,016.51;  screen  publicists,  192,  $2,- 
643.84;  screen  readers,  81,  $643.25;  set  design- 


ION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 

Extend 
Drive 

ers,  202,  $3,019.10;  script  clerks,  61,  $547.62; 
sound  technicians,  395,  $6,395.50;  transportation 
workers,  580,  $3,783.54 ;  unit  managers,  32, 
$715;  utility  employees,  837,  $4,018.25;  watch- 
men and  police,  112,  $411.58;  miscellaneous, 
1,413,  $13,938.99. 

The  break-down  of  the  subscriptions  by  stu- 
dios showed  the  following : 

General  Service,  55  subscriptions  for  $947.00 ; 
Independents,  179  for  $7,457.64;  Disney,  674, 
$6,613.56;  Technicolor,  795,  $5,852.90;  United 
Artists,  159,  $14,347.25;  Goldwyn,  328,  $6,- 
929.43;  Republic,  638,  $9,453.59;  Allied  Indus- 
tries, 719,  $13,804.12;  Columbia,  1,342,  $30,- 
587.90;  RKO,  1,119,  $23,232.99;  Universal, 
1,723,  $30,153.36;  Warner,  2,913,  $62,121.01; 
Paramount,  2,498,  $61,358.71  ;  20th  Century- 
Fox,  3,263,  $80,230.33 ;  MGM,  4,082,  $89,270.38. 

United  Artists  units  working  in  three  major 
studios  but  handling  their  own  accounts,  which 
were  credited  back  by  the  committee  for  report 
purposes,  bring  the  Goldwyn  studio  up  to  355 
subscriptions  for  a  total  of  $13,281.43;  RKO, 
1,170,  $27,173.99;  and  General  Service,  99,  for 
$3,142.00. 

$1,317,554  Collected 
For  Paralysis  Fund 

Meanwhile,  the  WAC  reported  Monday  that 
total  collections  to  that  day  in  the  infantile 
paralysis  campaign  amounted  to  $1,317,554. 
However,  and  pointing  up  pre-campaign  asser- 
tions that  collections  would  be  much  more  this 
year  than  last,  several  important  states  have 
not  reported  yet.  These  include  New  York, 
New  Jersey,   Wisconsin,   California,  Arizona. 

Cincinnati  theatres  may  have  established  a 
national  record  in  the  collection  of  salvage 
metal,  according  to  figures  released  by  Spen- 
cer Allen,  head  of  the  Hamilton  County  Salvage 
Metal  Committee.  A  total  of  approximately 
680  tons  was  collected  in  three  theatre  drives. 
This,  it  is  claimed,  is  sufficient  to  build  308 
large  Sherman  tanks. 

Western  Division  Leads 
RKO  Depinet  Drive 

The  western  division  still  leads  in  the  RKO 
Ned  Depinet  sales  drive  at  the  end  of  the  12th 
week,  the  company  announced  recently.  The 
drive  is  scheduled  to  close  May  20th.  The 
Rocky  Mountain  district  leads  in  the  competition 
among  districts,  while  in  branch  offices.  Kansas 
City  is  first,  followed  bv  Denver  and  Milwaukee. 
According  to  Robert  Wolff,  drive  captain,  29 
out  of  32  branches  have  exceeded  their  weekly 
quotas  since  the  campaign  started.  He  indicated 
that  the  company's  sales  would  be  higher  than 
in  any  other  year. 


Republic  Sets  Ad  Campaign 
For  "Prodigal  Mother" 

Republic  has  announced  that  a  widespread  ad- 
vertising campaign  will  be  given  its  film,  "Prod- 
igal Mother."  Cooperative  newspaper  advertis- 
ing will  be  supplemented  by  an  outdoor  billboard 
campaign.  Fan  and  general  magazines  will  also 
be  used.  The  production  is  to  be  pre-released 
in  several  key  locations  and  bookings  are  now 
being  set. 


Murray  Joins  Donahue  &  Coe 

Jack  W.  Murray  has  been  added  to  the  con- 
tact and  service  staff  of  Donahue  and  Coe.  He 
was  formerly  with  the  Clarke  Advertising 
Agency  in  Miami. 


May    15,  1943 

National  Fund 
To  Unify  All 
Charity  Drives 

Coordination  and  simplification  of  the  fund 
collection  drives  in  which  nearly  all  theatres 
have  participated  is  promised  by  a  new  organiza- 
tion, National  War  Funds  Inc.,  which  includes 
most  of  the  national  fund  raising  committees 
and  groups.  The  unit  will  begin  operations  in 
October. 

Its  19  fund-raising  components  ceased  indi- 
vidual collections  April  1st.  Some  of  those  col- 
lections, exhibition  knows,  were  aided  by  the 
film  industry  through  the  War  Activities  Com- 
mittee. When,  how,  and  in  what  repetition,  the 
National  War  Fund  will  call  upon  the  WAC 
and  its  pledged  theatre  owners,  was  not  known 
Monday  at  either  the  WAC  or  the  NWF,  in 
New  York  headquarters. 

The  National  War  Fund  is  a  voluntary 
agency,  comprising  in  executive  personnel  the 
country's  leading  business  men,  and  headed  by 
banker  Winthrop  Aldrich,  and  vice-presidents 
such  as  Henry  Wriston,  president  of  Brown 
University ;  Robert  Haines,  textile  industry 
leader ;  Dr.  Robert  Sproul,  California  educa- 
tor ;  and  Francis  Matthews,  lawyer,  Nebraskan, 
and  president  of  the  National  Catholic  Com- 
munity Service. 

Its  component  agencies  are  those  which  serve 
United  Nations  populations,  and  their  and  our 
own  armed  services.  These  agencies  include  the 
American  Red  Cross,  the  U.  S.  O,  the  Greek, 
Chinese,  and  Russian  relief  funds.  In  effect, 
the  NWF  is  a  national  "community  war  chest" 
for  such  agencies  :  it  allots  funds  to  them,  ac- 
cording to  their  stated  needs. 

Domestic  funds  are  served,  NWF  spokesmen 
emphasized,  by  local  community  chests.  The 
outstanding  exception  to  both  the  NWF  and 
such  chests,  is  the  infantile  paralysis  fund, 
which,  it  was  expected,  probably  will  continue 
to  be  pressed  on  a  national  basis,  separately. 

The  NWF's  budget  committee,  which  allo- 
cates money  to  the  fund  raising  agencies,  is 
headed  by  Gerard  Swope,  director  and  hon- 
orary president  of  General  Electric.  The  al- 
locations are  then  reviewed  by  a  joint  com- 
mittee, on  which  are  NWF  representatives  who 
also  are  representing  the  component  agencies, 
and  representatives  of  the  War  Relief  Control 
Board,  the  Red  Cross,  the  Lehman  committee 
for  rehabilitation  and  relief  of  occupied  ter- 
ritories, the  Lend-Lease  Administration,  and 
the  State  Department. 


Three  Changes  in  Paramount 
Exploitation  Staff 

Three  changes  in  the  Paramount  field  ex- 
ploitation staff  were  announced  this  week  by 
Alec  Moss,  the  company's  exploitation  manager. 
E.  G.  Fitzgibbon,  formerly  in  Cincinnati,  has 
been  assigned  to  Chicago,  M.  D.  Cohn,  formerly 
with  Monarch  theatres,  will  cover  the  Kansas 
City  territory,  and  J.  C.  Gunderson  has  replaced 
Mr.  Fitzgibbons  in  Cincinnati.  In  each  instance, 
the  field  men  will  work  under  the  supervision 
of  the  district  managers  for  the  area. 


Warner  Branch  Changes 

Changes  in  the  Warner  branch  personnel  in 
Cincinnati  include  appointment  of  James  Am- 
brose, of  the  Chicago  office,  as  Cincinnati  mana- 
ger, effective  May  10,  succeeding  John  Eifert, 
who  resumes  his  former  post  as  city  salesman. 
Mr.  Eifert  replaces  George  Lefko,  who  be- 
comes city  salesman  out  of  the  Chicago  office. 
Mr.  Ambrose  previously  was  associated  with 
United  Artists  in  Milwaukee.  Calvin  C.  Leeder 
has  been  transferred  from  Chicago  as  office 
manager  in  Cincinnati. 


Watch  for  the 

box-office  EXPLOSION 


of  R$0 


BOMBARDIER 

the  block-buster  of  a 


ACTION -THRILL- SERVICE  SHOWS! 


THUNDEROUS  THOUSAND -PLAN? 
WORLD  PREMIERE  IN  50  SOUTH- 
WESTERN CITIES  BEGINNING  MAY  16! 


0 


Sponsored  by  the  TEXAS  QUALITY 
NETWORK  ...  a  blanket  barrage  of 
radio  coverage  in  a  round-the-clock 
bombardment  of  sensational  "spot"  and 
"show"  promotions  ...  A  gigantic  show- 
manship push  spearheaded  by  the  spec- 
tacular events  at  Albuquerque,  N.  M., 
and  for  the  Army  Air  Forces  at  nearby 
Kirt  land  Field,  N.  M.,  where  much  of 
the  picture  was  filmed ! 


AND  HERE  ARE  JUST  SOW  OF  THE  CITIES: 


SAN  ANTONIO 

AUSTIN 

WACO 

McALLEN 

WICHITA  FALLS 

DONNA 

DENTON 

SAN  MARCOS 

BIG  SPRINGS 

DALLAS 

EL  PASO 

GALVESTON 

SAN  BENITO 

TEMPLE 


MERCEDES 

PARIS 

SHERMAN 

LUBBOCK 

FT.  WORTH 

AMARILLO 

CORPUS  CHRIST! 

ABILENE 

HARLINGEN 

CORSICANA 

TYLER 

MUSKOGEE 

MIDLAND 

HOUSTON 


DENISON 
VERNON 
SAN  ANGELO 
GAINSVILLE 

BROWNSVILLE 
LAREDO 
BROWNWOOD 
WESLACO 

BRECKENRIDGE 
EASTLAND 

RANGER 
CLEBURNE 


WTTH LWWGS! 


PAT  O'BRIEN  as  the  devil- 
ay-care  bombing  trainer, 
th  his  fighting  eye  on  Tokyo. 


t 


. . .  told  in  a  blasting  bomb-run  of 
romance  and  thrills  ...in  the  story 
of  a  lovely  girl  —  and  of  three 
fliers  who  knew  how  to  make  a 
direct  hit  on  a  woman's  heart!... 
The  mighty  picture  that  shows  the 
making  of  the  boys  now  making 
it  hot  for  the  Axis  I 


STARRING 


WALTER  REED  as  the  Bom- 
bardier Cadet,  caught  be- 
tween the  two  veteran  rivals. 


R  K  O 
RADIO 

V 


PAT  O'BRIEN 
RANDOLPH  SCOTT 

ANNE  SHIRLEY- EDDIE  ALBERT 

Produced  by  ROBERT  FELLOWS  •  Directed  by  RICHARD  WALLACE 


Screen  Play  by  JOHN  TWIST 


May    15,    1943  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  35 

THE  HOLLYWOOD  SCENE 


From  HOLLYWOOD  BUREAU 


Universal  and  Metro  -  Goldwyn  -  Mayer 
uttered  weekend  announcements,  probably 
harbingers  of  more  in  kind  to  come  from 
other  quarters,  which  combine  to  suggest 
there's  to  be  no  summer  slump  in  production. 

Said  Universal,  "With  16  pictures  com- 
pleted and  awaiting  release,  six  more  before 
the  cameras  and  31  others  in  the  writing 
process,  Universal  is  preparing  for  an  ex- 
tended period  of  peak  production.  Eleven 
more  vehicles  are  scheduled  to  go  before  the 
cameras  between  now  and  mid-June." 

Said  MGM,  "Production  at  MGM  studios 
hit  a  new  summer  high  today  with  eleven 
features  shooting  and  twelve  others  in  prepa- 
ration to  start  during  the  next  few  weeks, 
indicating  one  of  the  busiest  summer  sched- 
ules in  history." 

Universal  To  Start 
Before  Mid-June 

Universal's  eleven  set  to  start  by  mid-June 
are : 

"Angela,"  a  Sinclair  Lewis  story,  co-starring 
Susanna  Foster  and  Donald  O'Connor; 

"Sherlock  Holmes  and  the  Spider  Woman," 
another  Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce  number 
with  Gale  Sondergaard  heading  the  support ; 

"The  Mad  Ghoul,"  a  chiller  presenting  Eve- 
lyn Ankers  and  David  Bruce  in  the  leads ; 

"Frontier  Bad  Man,"  a  super-Western  co- 
starring  Diana  Barrymore,  Ann  Gwynne  and 
Robert  Paige ; 

"The  Strange  Death  of  Adolf  Hitler,"  which 
Joe  May  is  to  direct  for  producer  Ben  Pivar 
with  a  cast  not  yet  named ; 

"Ali  Baba  and  the  40  Thieves,"  another 
Technicolor  conveyance  for  the  Maria  Montez- 
Jon  Hall-Sabu  triumvirate  of  "Arabian  Nights" 
and  "White  Savage"  ; 

"Looking  for  Trouble,"  a  Walter  Wanger 
production  based  on  the  story  of  the  WAAFS  ; 

"They're  All  Crazy,"  an  Olsen  &  Johnson  en- 
terprise, which  will  take  a  change  of  title  as  it 
goes  along ; 

"Second  Honeymoon,"  a  Warren  Wilson  pro- 
ducer-writer proj  ect ; 

"I  Love  That  Guy,"  an  Allan  Jones  musical 
vehicle,  and 

An  untitled  Deanna  Durbin  picture  in  which 
Pat  O'Brien  is  to  play  a  top  role  with  Frank 
Borzage  directing  for  producer  Felix  Jackson. 

The  MGM  dozen  referred  to  in  its  announce- 
ment include : 

Twelve  from  MGM 
Include  "Hargrove" 

"The  White  Cliffs  of  Dover,"  starring  Irene 
Dunne  with  Alan  Marshall,  Frank  Morgan, 
Gladys  Cooper,  C.  Aubrey  Smith  and  Dame 
May  Whitty  in  support,  a  Sidney  Franklin  pro- 
duction to  be  directed  by  Clarence  Brown ; 

"See  Here,  Private  Hargrove,"  with  Robert 
Walker,  Donna  Reed,  Chill  Wills  and  Keenan 
Wynn,  to  be  produced  by  George  Haight  with 
Wesley  Ruggles  directing ; 

"Meet  the  People,"  a  musical  with  Lucille 
Ball,  Virginia  O'Brien  and  a  cast  described  as 
all-star,  E.  V.  Harberg  producing,  and  Charles 
Reisner  directing ;  and 

"Up  and  Down  Broadway,"  another  musical, 
starring  Eleanor  Powell  and  George  Murphy, 
Roy  Del  Ruth  directing  for  producer  Arthur 
Freed. 

"Saigon,"  a  Harry  Hervey  novel  concerning 
the  Jap  invasion  of  Indo-China,  is  an  addition 
to  the  MGM  agenda. 


Bulge  Only  Technical 


Uppage  of  the  production  index  to  43, 
with  nine  pictures  started  and  only  three 
finished  during  the  week,  is  regarded  as 
representing  no  more  than  a  technical 
bulge  in  studio  activity,  inasmuch  as  no- 
body's been  declaring  intentions  of  in- 
creasing output  and  whereas  reports  have 
held  the  contrary  eventuation  to  be  the 
more  probable.  Declarations  and  reports  of 
intention  have  never  forecast  develop- 
ments with  astonishing  accuracy  in  this 
matter  of  production,  though,  wherefore 
the  foregoing  doesn't  count  if  a  genuine 
increase  happens  to  date  from  the  week 
pertained  to. 

Metro-Soldwyn-Mayer,  Paramount  and 
RKO-Radio  started  two  pictures  each. 

MGM  turned  the  cameras  upon  "The 
Heavenly  Body,"  an  Arthur  Hornblow,  Jr., 
production  co-starring  William  Powell  and 
Hedy  Lamarr,  under  direction  of  Alexander 
Hall,  with  Fay  Bainter,  Spring  Byington  and 
Connie  Gilchrist  in  support  of  the  stars. 

"A  Thousand  Shall  Fall,"  the  second 
MGM  undertaking,  offers  Pierre  Aumont, 
Gene  Kelly,  Richard  Whorf,  Sir  Cedric 
Hardwicke,  Peter  Lorre  and  Joseph  Calleia 
in  a  story  of  France,  with  Tay  Garnett 
directing  for  producer  Edwin  Knopf. 

Paramount  launched  "And  the  Angels 
Sing,"  a  musical,  presenting  Fred  MacMur- 
ray,  Dorothy  Lamour,  Betty  Hutton,  Diana 
Lynn,  Mimi  Chandler,  Raymond  Walburn 
and  Eddie  Foy  Jr.  It's  being  produced  by 
E.  D.  Leshin,  with  George  Marshall  direct- 
ing. 

"Minesweeper,"  the  second  Paramount 
project,  is  being  produced  by  William  Pine 
and  William  Thomas,  and  directed  by 
William  Berke,  with  Richard  Arlen,  Jean 
Parker,  Russell  Hayden,  Joe  Sawyer,  Chick 
Chandler,  Billy  Benedict  and  Grant  Withers. 

RKO-Radio  started  "The  Iron  Major," 
a  biography  of  the  late  Major  Frank 
Cavanaugh,  with  Pat  O'Brien,  in  the  title 
role;  Ruth  Warrick,  Robert  Ryan,  Russell 
Wade,  Bruce  Edward  and  Pierre  Watkin. 
Robert  Fellows  is  producing  the  picture, 
Ray  Enright  directing. 

"The  Seventh  Victim,"  the  second  RKO 
enterprise,  is  a  horror  subject,  from  pro- 
ducer Val  Lewton  and  directed  by  Mark 
Robson,  presenting  Tom  Conway,  Kim 
Hunter,  Jean  Brooks,  Wally  Brown  and 
Evelyn  Brent. 

Universal  started  "Girls,  Inc.,'  a  comedy 
with  music,  presenting  Grace  McDonald, 


David  Bacon,  Leon  Errol,  Harriet  Hilliard, 
Minna  Phillips,  Betty  Keane,  Maureen 
Cannon,  Glen  Gray  and  the  Casa  Loma 
Orchestra  and  the  Pied  Pipers. 

Republic  launched  "The  Black  Hills  Ex- 
press," a  Don  Barry  subject  produced  by 
Eddy  White,  with  direction  by  Jack  English, 
and  with  Ariel  Heath,  Wally  Vernon, 
George  Lewis,  Bill  Halligan,  Hooper  Atch- 
ley,  Charles  Miller  and  Jack  Ingram  in  the 
cast. 

Monogram  started  "Black  Market  Rus- 
tlers," a  George  Weeks  production  di- 
rected by  S.  Roy  Luby,  presenting  Ray 
Corrigan,  Dennis  Moore,  Max  Terhune, 
Evelyn  Finley  and  Hal  Worden. 

The  state  of  affairs  at  weekend: 


COMPLETED 

MGM 

Man  from  Down 
Under 

RKO-Radio 

Falcon  in  Danger 

Universal 

Sherlock  Holmes 
Faces  Death 

STARTED 

MGM 

1,000  Shall  Fall 
Heavenly  Body 

Monogram 

Black  Market  Rustlers 

Paramount 

Minesweeper 

And  the  Angels  Sing 

RKO-Radio 

Iron  Major 
Seventh  Victim 

Republic 

Black  Hills  Express 

Universal 

Girls,  Inc. 


SHOOTING 

Columbia 

Attack  By  Night 
Without  Notice 
Clock  Struck  Twelve 

Goldwyn 

North  Star 

MGM 

Whistling  in  Brooklyn 


Lost  Angel 

America 

Russia 

Madame  Curie 
Guy  Named  Joe 

Monogram 

Spotlight  Revue 
Law  Rides  Again 

Paramount 

Uninvited 

Hour  Before  Dawn 

RKO-Radio 

Tarzan  and  the  Sheik 
Behind  the  Rising  Sun 

Republic 

Silver  Spurs 
Headin'  for  God's 
Country 

20th-Fox 

Song  of  Bernadette 
Wintertime 
Holy  Matrimony 
Roger  Touhy,  Last 

Gangster 
Girls  He  Left  Behind 
Claudia 

UA 

Hi  Diddle  Diddle 

(Stone) 
McLeod's  Folly 

(Cagney) 

Universal 

Hers  to  Hold 
Corvettes  In  Action 
Fired  Wife 
Cobra  Woman 

Warner 

To  the  Last  Man 
Saratoga  Trunk 
This  Is  the  Army 
Animal  Kingdom 


36 

Open  'Mission9 
In  55  Theatres; 
Budget  $500,000 

Fifty-five  openings  of  Warner's  "Mission  to 
Moscow"  have  been  set,  the  company  announced 
this  week.  Meanwhile,  following  discussions 
among  Warner  officials,  it  was  decided  that 
an  unprecedented  budget  of  $500,000  would  be 
allocated  for  advertising  and  publicity  pur- 
poses. 

The  decision  doubling  the  originally  planned 
budget  of  $250,000  was  reportedly  made  after 
observing  the  record-breaking  first  week  run 
of  the  picture  at  the  Hollywood  theatre  on 
Broadway.  Detailed  plans  for  the  film's  ad- 
vertising campaign  were  outlined  last  week  by 
Charles  Einfeld,  advertising  and  publicity  direc- 
tor, before  a  contingent  of  field  staff  men  at 
the  close  of  a  four-day  session  at  the  home 
office. 

"Mission  to  Moscow"  has  already  been  shown 
in  the  Hollywood,  Downtown  and  Wiltern  in 
Los  Angeles  on  Wednesday  and  at  the  Mast- 
baum  in  Philadelphia  on  Friday. 

Other  scheduled  showings  are  as  follows : 

May  19:  Strand,  Hartford;  Roger  Sherman, 
New  Haven;  Warner  and  Merrit,  Bridgeport. 

May  20:  Strand,  Albany  ;  Penn,  Pittsburgh. 

May  21 :  Fox,  San  Francisco ;  Warner,  Mem- 
phis ;  Warner,  Milwaukee. 

May  26:  Orpheum,  Seattle;  Capitol,  Lan- 
caster; Indiana,  Indianapolis;  Capitol,  Spring- 
field, Mass. 

May  27:  Troy,  Troy;  Empress,  Danbury; 
Orpheum,  Kansas  City ;  Warner,  Wilmington ; 
Strand,  York;  Warner,  Fresno. 

May  28:  Stanley,  Utica;  Earle  and  Am- 
bassador, Washington;  Cathaum,  State  Col- 
lege, Pa. ;  Warner,  Morgantown ;  Strand, 
Greensburg ;  Stanley,  Atlantic  City ;  Criterion 
or  Midwest,  Oklahoma  City ;  Stamford,  Stam- 
ford; Strand,  New  Britain;  Rio,  Appleton; 
Bay,  Green  Bay;  Sheboygan,  Sheboygan; 
Kenosha,  Kenosha ;  Capitol,  Madison ;  Vene- 
tian, Racine. 

May  29  :  State,  Johnstown ;  Warner,  Erie. 

May  31 :  Warner,  Worcester. 

June  2:  State,  Waterbury;  Palace,  South 
Norwalk ;  Garde,  New  London ;  Palace,  Nor- 
wich; State,  South  Manchester;  Warner,  Tor- 
rington ;  Capitol,  Willimantic. 

June  3 :  Orpheum,  New  Orleans ;  Hippo- 
drome, Cleveland. 

June  4:  Majestic,  Providence. 

June  10 :  Warner,  Youngstown  ;  Ohio,  Can- 
ton. 

June  12:  Ohio,  Mansfield. 


Harmon  Speaks  for  Screen 
On  NBC  Radio  Series 

Francis  S.  Harmon,  executive  vice-chairman 
of  the  War  Activities  Committee,  has  been 
invited  to  speak  July  19th  on  "Problems  of 
Communications"  on  the  National  Broadcasting 
Company's  public  service  series,  titled  "For 
This  We  Fight."  The  first  broadcast  of  the 
newly  inaugurated  series  is  scheduled  for  June 
5th  when  Secretary  of  State  Cordell  Hull  will 
be  the  initial  speaker.  Broadcasts  will  be  heard 
every  Saturday  evening  thereafter  for  a  period 
of  26  weeks. 

Also  appearing  with  Mr.  Harmon  will  be 
James  Lawrence  Fly,  chairman  of  the  Federal 
Communications  System,  and  David  Sarnoff, 
president  of  the  Radio  Corporation  of  America, 
will  be  moderator, 

The  first  13  weeks  of  the  series  will  be  de- 
voted to  the  international  aspects  of  the  post- 
war world,  and  the  remaining  13  weeks  will  be 
occupied  by  the  discussion  of  the  national  as- 
pects. James  Rowland  Angell,  NBC  public 
service  counsellor,  is  in  charge  of  the  broad- 
casts which  are  under  the  sponsorship  of  the 
Inter-American  University  of  the  Air. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

Plan  Widespread  Campaign 
On  Merchant  Marine  Film 

National  Maritime  Commission  officials  and 
a  Warner  Brothers'  delegation  from  New  York 
met  in  the  offices  of  the  Commission  on  Tues- 
day for  a  two-day  conference  concerning  the 
release  of  "Action  in  the  North  Atlantic,"  the 
company's  film  on  merchant  marines.  Mark 
O'Dea,  director  of  the  public  relations  bureau 
of  the  NMC  discussed  the  contemplated  pro- 
gram with  Charles  Einfeld,  Mort  Blumenstock, 
Mitchell  Rawson,  Will  Yolen  and  Irving  Yer- 
gin,  representing  Warners.  There  (will  be 
simultaneous  showings  of  the  film  on  May  21st, 
the  eve  of  National  Maritime  Day,  coincident 
with  its  world  premiere  at  the  Strand  on  Broad- 
way. 

$200,000  Quota 
Set  for  U.J.  A. 
Industry  Drive 

Motion  picture  industry  leaders  pledged  more 
than  $85,000  towards  the  industry  quota  of 
$200,000,  at  the  fifteenth  annual  luncheon  of  the 
amusement  division  of  the  United  Jewish  Ap- 
peal, held  in  New  York  Tuesday  at  the  Hotel 
Astor.  Nearly  600  industry  executives  were 
present  at  the  meeting  which  launched  the  divi- 
sion's 1943  campaign  in  behalf  of  the  organiza- 
tion. 

The  principal  speaker  was  Rabbi  Abba  Hillel 
Silver,  national  chairman  of  the  UJA.  B.  S. 
Moss  presided  as  chairman.  Barney  Balaban, 
David  Bernstein  and  Major  Albert  Warner  are 
co-chairmen  of  the  industry  drive.  Last  year 
the  industry  raised  $162,000. 

In  addition  to  Dr.  Silver,  Mr.  Moss  and  the 
co-chairmen,  the  following  industry  leaders 
were  seated  on  the  dais :  Joseph  Hazen,  Jules 
E.  Brulatour,  John  Golden,  Martin  Quigley, 
Harry  Brandt,  George  Skouras,  Louis  Nizer, 
Adolph  Kaufman  and  Herman  Robbins. 

A  special  dramatization  illustrating  the  relief 
activities  of  the  UJA  was  presented  by  Joseph 
Schildkraut,  Sam  Jaffee,  Alexander  Kirkland, 
Arleen  Whelan  and  Doris  Nolan. 


Delay  Kaufman 
Trial  to  June  1 

Federal  Judge  Alfred  C.  Coxe  on  Monday  in 
the  U.  S.  Federal  Court  in  New  York  ad- 
journed the  trial  of  Louis  Kaufman,  business 
agent  of  local  244,  Motion  Picture  Operators 
Union  of  Newark,  until  June  1st.  He  is  one  of 
eight  under  indictment  on  charges  of  extortion 
in  the  film  industry. 

Adjournment  was  granted  in  order  that  re- 
moval proceedings  of  six  defendants  in  Chicago 
could  be  obtained  by  the  Department  of  Justice, 
bringing  all  eight  to  trial  simultaneously.  Be- 
sides Kaufman,  John  Roselli  is  presently  being 
held  for  trial  in  New  York. 

Nineteen  motion  picture  executives  were  sub- 
poenaed, meanwhile,  by  Federal  Judge  John  P. 
Barnes  in  Chicago  to  appear  as  witnesses  at 
the  removal  hearing.  The  subpoenaes  were  is- 
sued at  the  request  of  counsel  for  Paul  DeLucia, 
Ralph  Pierce,  Phil  D'Andrea,  Frank  Maritote, 
Louis  Campagna  and  Charles  Gioe,  the  defend- 
ants fighting  extradition.  Among  those  sub- 
poenaed were  Nicholas  Schenck,  president  of 
Loew's,  Inc. ;  Marvin  Schenck,  his  nephew, 
Charles  C.  Moscowitz  and  David  Bernstein, 
Loew's  executives ;  Louis  B.  Mayer,  vice-presi- 
dent of  MGM ;  Harry  Warner,  president  of 
Warner  Brothers,  and  his  son,  Lieutenant  Al- 
bert Warner. 


May    15,  1943 

RKO  Sets  Plans 
For  Premiere  of 
'Bombardier9 

The  world  premiere  of  RKO's  "Bombardier" 
to  be  held  Monday,  May  17th,  in  Albuquerque, 
is  the  most  recent  of  ten  premieres  in  the  past 
four  weeks.  Producers  Releasing  Corporation's 
"Corregidor"  will  open  May  27th  at  the  Globe 
theatre  in  New  York. 

A  celebration  has  been  planned  for  the 
"Bombardier"  opening,  and  personal  appear- 
ances by  Pat  O'Brien,  Randolph  Scott  and  Anne 
Shirley,  stars  of  the  film,  have  been  arranged. 
Also  attending  will  be  producer  Robert  Fel- 
lows and  such  company  executives  as  Ned  E. 
Depinet,  Charles  Koerner,  Robert  Mochrie,  S. 
Barret  McCormick  and  Perry  Lieber.  Follow- 
ing the  Albuquerque  showing,  it  is  reported  that 
approximately  50  Texas  cities  will  have  ad- 
ditional premiere  showings  from  May  19th 
through  May  22nd.  The  Texas  Quality  Net- 
work has  also  arranged  to  broadcast  the 
premiere  proceedings. 

Recent  premieres  by  other  companies  include 
Paramount's  "Aerial  Gunner"  at  Harlingen,  on 
May  9th.  Seats  for  the  premiere  at  the  Arcadia 
theatre  brought  $50,000  in  War  Bond  sales.  A 
full  military  review  put  on  by  the  soldiers  of 
the  Harlingen  Army  Aerial  Gunnery  School 
and  personal  appearances  by  Hollywood  stars 
were  part  of  the  program. 

In  succession,  Republic's  "At  Dawn  We  Die" 
and  RKO's  "This  Land  Is  Mine"  opened  on 
May  7th,  the  former  at  the  Abbey  in  New 
York,  the  latter  at  the  Albee  in  Cincinnati ; 
Warner's  "Desperadoes"  had  its  premiere  on 
May  12th  at  the  Criterion  on  Broadway,  and 
the  Stromberg-UA  film,  "Ladies  of  Burlesque," 
bowed  in  the  same  day  at  the  Capitol  in  Hart- 
ford ;  the  premiere  of  Columbia's  "The  More 
the  Merrier"  followed  the  next  day  at  Radio 
City's  Music  Hall,  and  Paramount's  "China" 
was  an  earlier  release  at  the  Paramount  theatre 
on  Broadway. 

In  the  road  showings,  personal  appearances, 
radio  tieups  and  other  exploitation  stunts  were 
employed  in  a  widespread  campaign  to  heighten 
interest  in  the  films. 

In  New  York  last  Friday  Republic's  "At 
Dawn  We  Die,"  was  shown  to  members  of  the 
French  National  Committee  at  a  special  pre- 
miere at  the  Abbey.  Also  present  were  a 
number  of  French  War  veterans.  The  evening 
was  dedicated  to  the  cause  of  the  Fighting 
French  movement. 

Universal  Sets  Releases 
On  Five  Pictures 

Universal  Pictures  has  announced  that  its 
Victory  featurette,  "What  We  Are  Fighting 
For,"  will  be  released  nationally  on  May  24th 
with  442  simultaneous  theatre  openings.  The 
featured  actors  are  Lon  Chaney,  Osa  Massen 
and  Robert  Paige.  Other  company  releases 
have  been  set  as  follows :  "Confusion  in  India," 
June  21st ;  "Russian  Revels,"  June  23rd ; 
"Canine  Commandos"  and  "The  Armless  Den- 
tist," June  28th. 


Brendel  Manages  Seattle  House 

El  Brendel,  Jr.,  son  of  the  stage  and  film 
comedian,  has  been  appointed  manager  of  the 
John  Danz  Rivoli  theatre  in  Seattle,  succeeding 
Glen  Eldridge,  who  has  been  transferred  to  the 
circuit's  booking  department. 


Manages  Telenews  Theatre 

William  Houck,  Seattle  theatre  manager,  has 
been  named  manager  of  the  Telenews  theatre  in 
that  city.  He  succeeds  Charles  Shutt,  who  has 
been  transferred  to  Denver. 


5^S 


A  SHORT  AD 

"The  Blitz  Wolf,"  an  M-G-M 
cartoon,  was  voted  the  best 
industry 'produced  war  short 
of  the  past  year  in  a  nation- 
wide poll  of  exhibitors  con- 
ducted by  the  Motion  Picture 
Herald,  Out  of  the  ten  best 
shorts  selected  in  this  poll, 
M-G-M  led  all  other  pro- 
ducers with  a  total  of  four: 
"The  Blitz  Wolf"  (Techni- 
color), "Further  Prophecies  of 
Nostradamus,"  "Marines  in 
the  Making"  and"Don't  Talk  * 


P.  S.  Tex  Avery  who  directed  "The  Blitz  Wolf"  has  done  it  againl  Watch  for  his  new  Technicolor 

cartoon  delights  "Red  Hot  Riding  Hood"  and  "Dumb- Hounded" 


(Book  "Prelude  To  War"  Released  May  27th) 


38 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    15,  1943 


16  'AA' Features 
Promised  by 
Columbia 

Not  less  than  44  feature  pictures  from  Co- 
lumbia for  the  1943-44  season  were  promised 
by  A.  Montague,  the  company's  general  sales 
manager,  Wednesday,  at  the  three  day  national 
sales  meeting  in  the  Hotel  Drake,  Chicago. 
Of  these  16  will  be  "AA,"  high  budget  pictures 
diversified  to  meet  the  needs  of  every  class  of 
theatre,  he  said. 

The  "AA"  production  budget  will  double  the 
1940-41  appropriation,  Mr.  Montague  said.  Two 
pictures  will  also  be  made  on  a  new  "BB" 
schedule,  for  sale  singly,  after  trade  shows. 
They  will  be  Sam  Wood's  "The  Land  Is 
Bright,"  and  another,  untitled. 

The  Columbia  sales  force  was  called  together 
for  the  first  time  in  two  years,  Mr.  Montague 
said,  to  make  an  audit  of  the  playing  time  avail- 
able to  all  companies.  This  is  important,  he 
said,  because  extra  time  during  the  last  year 
amounted  to  3,600  days  on  such  pictures  as  "My 
Sister  Eileen,"  "The  Talk  of  the  Town,"  "You 
Were  Never  Lovelier,"  "Commandos  Strike  at 
Dawn"  and  "Something  to  Shout  About." 

Among  home  office  representatives  who  at- 
tended were:  Rube  Jackter,  Lou  Weinberg, 
Louis  Astor,  Max  Weisfeldt,  Leo  Jaffe,  Maurice 
Grad,  George  Josephs,  Hank  C.  Kaufman,  Ber- 
nie  E.  Zeeman,  Vincent  Borrelli,  Seth  Raisler, 
William  Brennan,  Joseph  Freiberg  and  Al 
Seligman. 

Branch  managers  and  salesmen  from  the 
field  who  were  expected  to  attend  included : 
Robert  Ingram,  B.  A.  Wallace,  U.  T.  Koch, 
G.  Jones,  Charles  H.  Robuck,  Atlanta ;  Joseph 
Gins,  G.  Roscoe,  R.  D.  Williamson,  Charlotte; 
Jack  Underwood,  W.  L.  Penn,  B.  C.  Gibson, 
O.  L.  Wilkes,  Dallas ;  James  Rogers,  H.  Chris- 
man,  S.  Arnold,  Memphis;  Huston  Duvall,  J. 
Winberry,  J.  J.  Fabacher,  New  Orleans. 

Also  Dewey  Gibbs,  J.  A.  Smith,  S.  Gibbs, 
Oklahoma  City;  Carl  Shalit,  H.  R.  Schilds, 
R.  F.  Cloud,  G.  L.  McCoy,  C.  H.  Townsend, 
Detroit;  Guy  Craig,  H.  Kaufman,  C.  Butler, 
A.  J.  Gelman,  Indianapolis;  Ben  Marcus,  T. 
Baldwin,  J.  Springers,  S.  Frank,  H.  Berman, 
S.  Lax,  Kansas  City ;  Clarence  Hill,  L.  A. 
LaPlante,  J.  Bradford,  W.  Sherman,  St.  Louis ; 
Phillip  Dunas,  mid-western  division  manager ; 
Ben  Lourie,  branch  manager,  C.  W.  Phillips, 
F.  Flaherty,  W.  J.  Kahl,  T.  Greenwood, 
Chicago;  Oscar  Ruby,  T.  J.  MacEvoy,  D. 
Chapman,  Milwaukee ;  Hy  Chapman,  M.  E. 
Mazur,  I.  Marks,  D.  H.  Conley,  W.  Evidon, 
A.  L.  Aved,  Minneapolis ;  Mel  Evidon,  A.  B. 
Leake,  W.  Johnson,  E.  Bruenberg,  Des  Moines ; 
Joseph  Jackobs,  E.  Dunas,  Paul  Fine,  J. 
Gerelick,  Omaha. 


Rooney  May  Have 
Own  Radio  Show 

Mickey  Rooney,  star  of  MGM's  "Andy 
Hardy"  series,  may  star  in  a  radio  show,  pat- 
terned on  the  variety  type  of  program  featured 
by  Bing  Crosby  and  others,  it  was  reported  in 
New  York  this  week.  Negotiations  for  the 
show  are  said  to  be  under  way  with  Lever 
Bros.,  soap  manufacturers,  mentioned  as  the 
probable  sponsors.  No  announcement,  however, 
has  been  made  of  the  program  by  Young  and 
Rubicam,  one  of  the  advertising  agencies  hand- 
ling Lever  Bros. 


Peritz  Monogram  Salesman 

Al  Peritz,  formerly  with  the  Alexander  Film 
Company,  has  joined  the  Monogram  sales  force 
in  Indianapolis,  it  was  announced  last  week 
by  Irving  Mandel,  Chicago  franchise  holder  for 
Monogram. 


Dinner  Honors  Eckhardt 
And  Welcomes  Gilliam 

Two  weeks  hence  Clyde  Eckhardt  leaves  his 
post  as  branch  manager  for  Twentieth  Century- 
Fox  Film  Corporation  in  Chicago  to  become 
branch  manager  in  Los  Angeles.  He  is  to  be 
succeeded  by  Tom  Gilliam,  by  promotion. 

So  on  May  21  Chicago  showmen  will  gather 
at  a  dinner  in  their  honor  at  the  Blackstone 
Hotel,  there. 

Mr.  Eckhardt,  long  the  manager  of  the  Chi- 
cago exchange,  also  has  had  an  extensive  home 
office  experience.  He  was  once  assistant  gen- 
eral manager  of  the  Fox  Film  Corporation 
and  had  functions  also  in  connection  with  the 
foreign  department.  In  Los  Angeles  he  re- 
places the  late  Jack  Dillon,  who  also  had  been 
long  in  the  service  of  the  company. 


Rodgers  Pleads 
For  Unity  at 
Ohio  Meeting 

William  F.  Rogers,  MGM's  sales  vice-presi- 
dent, has  again  asked  for  industry  unity,  this 
time  at  the  tenth  annual  convention  of  the  In- 
dependent Theatre  Owners  of  Ohio,  in  the 
Deshler-Wallick  Hotel,  at  Columbus  on  Tues- 
day. 

A  chief  speaker  at  the  convention,  which 
closed  Wednesday,  Mr.  Rodgers  reiterated  his 
displeasure  at  the  "terrific"  importance  given 
intra-industry  tiffs  by  outsiders.  "The  film  man 
who  condemns  the  industry  at  a  time  when  it 
is  doing  such  a  grand  job,  undermines  the  very 
industry  upon  which  he  depends  for  his  exis- 
tence," he  said. 

Of  high  film  rentals,  a  perennial  exhibitor 
complaint,  Mr.  Rodgers  observed  that  in  his  33 
years  in  the  show  business  "few  exhibitors  have 
gone  out  of  business  because  of  high  film  ren- 
tals." He  urged  a  resiliency,  however,  so  that 
the  industry  might  "adjust  itself  to  any  circum- 
stances in  war  or  peace." 

The  motion  picture  is  not  only  greatly  aiding 
morale  now ;  it  is  "looking  toward  the  post-war 
era,"  cognizant  of  "an  opportunity  to  do  a  still 
better  job  of  entertaining  the  world,  and  to  in- 
culcate the  meaning  of  our  democratic  way  of 
life,"  Mr.  Rogers  said.  He  pointed  out  that  the 
Office  of  War  Information  was  "busy  selecting" 
pictures  to  be  shown  abroad  in  the  wake  of  the 
expected  invasion  of  Europe. 

Other  speakers  at  the  convention  were  Rob- 
ert J.  O'Donnell,  chief  barker  of  the  Variety 
Clubs  of  America,  and  general  manager  of  the 
Interstate  circuit  of  Texas  ;  Abram  F.  Myers, 
general  counsel,  of  the  Allied  States  Associa- 
tion, of  which  the  Ohio  ITO  is  an  affiliate ;  and 
Governor  John  Bricker,  of  Ohio.  Governor 
Bricker  praised  the  patriotic  work  of  theatre 
owners,  and  noted  the  function  of  the  theatre 
as  an  agency  for  presenting  messages  to  the 
public. 

Paramount's  "Five  Graves  to  Cairo"  was 
shown  at  the  Ohio  theatre,  following  the  ban- 
quet Tuesday. 

Wednesday,  a  second  business  session  fea- 
tured the  annual  election  of  officers  and  di- 
rectors. 


Orlando  P.  Rose 

Orlando  P.  Rose,  who  opened  the  Lyric  thea- 
tre, 622  Main  street,  in  1907,  an  early  motion 
picture  theatre  in  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  died  May 
5,  aged  82,  at  his  home  there.  He  later  added 
motion  pictures  to  the  program  of  the  Electric 
theatre,  which  he  had  owned  since  1902.  He 
and  his  son  Ora  D.  Rose,  who  died  in  1930, 
opened  several  of  Kansas  City's  present  picture 
theatres.  He  left  exhibition  to  enter  real  estate 
about  15  years  ago. 


New  Twin  Cities 
Unit  to  Study 
Price  Increases 

A  new  exhibitors  organization  has  been 
formed  at  Minneapolis  to  study  the  increase 
in  prices  instituted  by  recent  admissions  in- 
creases throughout  the  Minnesota  Amusement 
Company's  circuit.  It  will  formulate  a  policy 
for  competitive   independent  theatres. 

Don  Guttman  announced  the  formation  of 
North-Central  Allied  Independent  Theatres.  He 
is  president.  Henry  Green  was  named  secre- 
tary, but  business  will  be  mainly  handled 
through  Mr.  Guttman's  office. 

The  organization,  which  includes  such  ex- 
hibitors as  Ben  Friedman,  Harold  Field,  W.  R. 
Frank,  Harold  Kaplan,  Leo  Aved  and  Frank 
Waschke,  Mr.  Guttman  said,  includes  nearly  all 
Twin  City  independent  theatres.  It  also  repre- 
sents some  other  Minnesota  theatres  operated 
by  Twin  City  members. 

Mr.  Guttman  said  the  organization  would 
make  no  attempt  to  raid  membership  of  North- 
west Allied,  still  in  existence  although  largely 
dormant.  It  may  attempt  later  to  effect  a 
merger  with  Northwest.  North-Central  has 
not  yet  joined  National  Allied  but  will' probably 
do  so  in  the  near  future,  he  said. 

Minnesota  Amusement  Company  this  week, 
or  as  soon  as  its  houses  finish  holdover  runs, 
will  put  into  effect  price  increases  bringing  first 
runs  from  the  30-40-50  cent  range  to  a  40-50 
cent  scale.  The  World  Theatre  in  Minneapolis 
is  charging  50-75  cents  for  loge  seats.  Lower 
price  theatres  were  boosted  proportionately,  and 
suburbans  also  were  increased  5  cents.  The 
Orpheum  Theatres  in  Minneapolis  and  St.  Paul 
will  get  65  cents  top  for  stage  shows.  The  price 
change  hour  will  be  moved  up  from  5  to  1  P.M. 
on  Saturdays,  Sundays  and  holidays. 

Twin  City  independents  for  some  time  have 
been  agitating  for  a  price  increase  but  Mr. 
Guttman  said  his  organization  feels  the  in- 
crease is  not  large  enough.  North-Central  will 
meet  next  week  to  determine  whether  or  not  in- 
dependents will  follow  suit. 

Minnesota  Amusement's  increase  is  not  gen- 
eral for  the  territory.  Readjustments  have 
been  in  process  in  special  situations  for  some 
time. 

Expect  Ruling  On 
Crescent  Decree 

A  decree  enjoining  the  Crescent  Amusement 
Company  at  Nashville,  and  affiliates,  from  the 
practices  for  which  they  were  convicted  in 
March,  was  expected  from  Judge  Elmer  D. 
Davies  within  a  week.  Most  of  the  relief  sought 
by  the  Government  was  expected  in  the  decree 
following  arguments  in  court  last  week. 

Robert  L.  Wright,  chief  of  the  film  unit  of 
the  Department  of  Justice,  asked  the  court 
Thursday  not  to  change  the  original  decree 
prepared  by  the  Government.  George  H. 
Armistead,  chief  Crescent  counsel,  in  submit- 
ting a  list  of  requested  modifications,  indicated 
defendants  were  ready  to  appeal  if  the  changes 
were  not  granted. 


Kleiman  Leaves  Filmack 

Frederic  R.  Kleiman,  former  advertising  and 
publicity  manager  for  Filmack  Trailer  in  Chi- 
cago, has  been  named  production  manager  of 
the  Henry  H.  Teplitz  Advertising  Agency, 
Chicago. 


Radio  Programs  by  SPG 

The  first  in  a  series  of  four  radio  programs 
was  presented  over  WLIB  in  Brooklyn  by  the 
Screen  Publicits  Guild  of  New  York  last 
week.  The  programs  deal  with  price  control 
The  first  was  titled  "Guide  to  Victory." 


M-G-M  TRADE  SHOWINGS 

of  its  mighty  production 

BAT  A  AN" 


ALBANY 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

1052  Broadway 

TUES.  5/25 

II  A.M. 

ATLANTA 

20th- Fox  Screen  Room 

197  Walton  St.,  N.W. 

TUES.  5/25 

10:30  A.M. 

BOSTON 
BUFFALO 

M-G-M  Screen  Room 
20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

46  Church  St. 
290  Franklin  St. 

TUES.  5/25 
TUES.  5/25 

10  A.M. 
Also  2-.15  P.M. 

7:45  P.M. 

CHARLOTTE 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

308  South  Church  St. 

TUES.  5/25 

1:30  P.M. 

CHICAGO 

H.  C.  Igel's  Screen  Room 

1301  S.  Wabash  Ave. 

TUES.  5/25 

1  P.M. 

CINCINNATI 

RKO  Screen  Room 

16  East  Sixth  Street 

TUES.  5/25 

7  P.M. 

CLEVELAND 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

2219  Payne  Avenue 

TUES.  5/25 

1  P.M. 

DALLAS 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

1803  Wood  Street 

TUES.  5/25 

2:30  P.M. 

DENVER 

Paramount  Screen  Room 

2100  Stout  Street 

TUES.  5/25 

2-30  P.M. 

DES  MOINES 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

1300  High  Street 

TUES.  5/25 

1  P.M. 

DETROIT 

Max  Blumenthal's  Sc.  Rm. 

2310  Cass  Avenue 

TUES.  5/25 

1:30  P.M. 

INDIANAPOLIS 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

326  No.  Illinois  Street 

TUES.  5/25 

9  A.M. 

KANSAS  CITY 

Vogue  Theatre 

3444  Broadway 

TUES.  5/25 

1  P.M. 

LOS  ANGELES 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

zUly  0.  Vermont  Ave. 

XI  ICC     c  /o  c 

TUES.  5/25 

1  P.M. 

MEMPHIS 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

151  Vance  Avenue 

SAT.  5/29 

1  P.M. 

MILWAUKEE 

Warner  Screen  Room 

212  W.  Wisconsin  Ave. 

TUES.  5/25 

1:30  P.M. 

MINNEAPOLIS 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

1015  Currie  Avenue 

TUES.  5/25 

1  P.M. 

NEW  HAVEN 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

40  Whiting  St. 

TUES.  5/25 

10  A.M. 

NEW  ORLEANS 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

200  South  Liberty 

TUES.  5/25 

1:30  P.M. 

NEW  YORK  \ 
NEW  JERSEY ) 

M-G-M  Screen  Room 

630  Ninth  Avenue 

TUES.  5/25 

9.30  A.M. 
Also  1:30  P.M. 

OKLA'MA  CITY 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

10  North  Lee  Street 

TUES.  5/25 

10  A.M. 

OMAHA 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

1502  Davenport 

TUES.  5/25 

1.15  P.M. 

PHILADELPHIA 

M-G-M  Screen  Room 

1233  Summer  Street 

TUES. 

2  P.M. 

PITTSBURGH 

M-G-M  Screen  Room 

1623  Blvd.  of  Allies 

TUES.  5/25 

1:30  P.M. 

PORTLAND 

B.  F.  Shearer  Screen  Rm. 

1947  N.W.  Kearney  St. 

TUES.  5/25 

1  P.M. 

ST.  LOUIS 

S'Renco  Screen  Room 

3143  Olive  Street 

TUES.  5/25 

10  A.M. 

SALT  LAKE  CITY 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

216  East  First  St.,  South 

TUES.  5/25 

1  P.M. 

S.  FRANCISCO 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

245  Hyde  Street 

TUES.  5/25 

1:30  P.M. 

SEATTLE 

Jewel  Box  Preview  Theatre 

2318  Second  Avenue 

TUES.  5/25 

1  P.M. 

WASH.,  D.  C. 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

932  New  Jersey,  N.W. 

TUES.  5/25 

1  P.M. 

"Bataan"—  Robert  Tavlor.  Georae  Murphy.  Thomas  Mitchell  Lloyd  Nolan 


40  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  May    15,  1943 

in  BRITISH  STUDIOS 


By  AUBREY    FLANAGAN,    in  London 


Though  wartime  conditions  continue  to 
prevent  the  maximum  total  of  British 
film  productions  reaching  any  but  an  in- 
creasingly meagre  level,  British  producers 
as  a  body  are  far  from  inactive  or  dis- 
pirited these  days.  Indeed  it  would  seem 
that  the  inevitable  limitations  imposed  on 
physical  production  have  provoked  an 
output  of  increased  energy  in  other  di- 
rections. 

The  ambitious  plan  for  an  entry  into 
the  post  war  markets  of  Europe  and  else- 
where, recorded  extensively  in  the  last 
issue  of  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD, 
is  a  case  in  point,  betokening  as  it  does 
a  definite,  and  not  improbably  overdue 
sense  of  the  seriousness  of  the  producer's 
role,  a  realization  that  unless  he  does 
something  about  extending  his  territory 
and  consolidating  it,  nobody  else  is  likely 
to  do  it  for  him. 

Central  authority  for,  and  source  of  all 
these  movements  is,  of  course,  the  British 
Film  Producers  Association,  that  band  of 
stalwarts  and  less-sos,  producers,  studio 
owners,  laboratory  men  and  others  whose 
existence  and  adventurings,  since  its  deriva- 
tion from  the  old  F.  B.  I.  Film  Group,  has 
been  vicissitudinous  and  none  too  effective. 
It  would  seem  that  leadership  was  for  some 
time  an  essential  lacking,  an  essential  which 
temporarily  the  late  C.  M.  Woolf  seemed 
likely  to  supply,  and  which  has  now  crystal- 
ized  into  the  respectful  and  awed  homage 
paid  the  Association's  present  president,  Mr. 
J.  Arthur  Rank. 

Producers  Group 
Expands  Staff 

Now  some  reorganization  is  being  imbued  in- 
to the  body,  with  a  full  time  secretary  and  an 
extended  office  staff  in  prospect.  The  process 
should  take  a  considerable  load  from  the  all  too 
ready  shoulders  of  Mr.  William  G.  Hall,  M.P., 
who  has,  as  Vice  Chairman,  acted  as  organizer, 
secretary,  liaison  and  general  backbone  of  the 
producers'  group. 

Increased  membership  fees  are  proposed  in 
order  to  facilitate  increased  organization  and 
increased  activities.  £500  is  the  figure  aimed  at. 
The  admission  of  the  press  to  BFPA  meetings 
— punctuated  with  polite  provisos  that  certain 
matters  be  not  reported — is  another  indication 
of  realization  of  importance  of  that  body's  role. 
The  ratification  of  a  standard  agreement  on 
working  conditions  with  the  employees'  unions 
is  a  progressive  step  and  indicates  the  develop- 
ment of  a  serious  point  of  view. 

Dissensions  Exist 
In  BFPA  Unit 

There  remain  dissensions  and  divisions  within 
the  BFPA,  as  indeed  there  must  in  any  trade 
body  built  from  such  various  constituents.  Sus- 
picions of  certain  interests  by  others,  fears  of 
monopoly,  and  a  hint  of  foreigner  baiting  have 
not  been  invisible  to  the  close  student  of  the 
production  scene.  They  are  not  general  or  in- 
tensive, however,  and  unlikely  to  hold  the 
BFPA  back  from  the  development  and  progress 
upon  which  it  seems  bent,  and  which  it  and  its 
members  are  likely  to  achieve. 

American  producer  interests  here  are  not  rep- 
resented on  the  Association.  The  British  Min- 
istry of  Information,  under  whose  imprimatur 


REPORT  WARNERS 
BIDDING  FOR  ABP 

Warner  Brothers  was  reported  this 
week  in  London  to  be  engaged  in  a 
bidding  duel  with  J.  Arthur  Rank  for 
the  1,000,000  shares  of  Associated 
British  Pictures  owned  by  Mrs.  John 
Maxwell,  widow  of  the  former  ABP 
head.  Mr.  Rank  is  said  to  have 
recently  offered  $3,600,000  for  the 
Maxwell  shares.  Neither  Mrs.  Max- 
well nor  the  British  Board  of  Trade 
are  believed  to  be  sympathetic  to 
the  sale  of  the  shares  to  foreign 
interests  but  observers  say  there  is  at 
present  no  justifiable  means  of  pre- 
venting such  a  sale. 


virtually  every  British  producer  operates  to- 
day, is  so  represented,  guiding,  suggesting,  of- 
fering a  fraternal  hand,  but  seldom  threatening 
or  bludgeoning.  Such  courses  have  so  far  been 
unnecessary. 

Noel  Coward  Begins 
"This  Happy  Breed" 

Shooting  commenced  this  week  on  the  Two 
Cities  Noel  Coward  production  "This  Happy 
Breed,"  which  is  being  made  in  Technicolor  at 
Denham  under  the  direction  of  David  Lean. 
Mr.  Coward  is  producer,  and  the  team  which 
made  "In  Which  We  Serve"  are  in  charge  of 
production:  Antnony  Havelock- Allan,  David 
Lean  and  Ronald  Neame.  Mr.  Neame  is  also 
in  charge  of  photography. 

Written  by  Mr.  Coward,  "This  Happy  Breed" 
is  the  story  of  twenty  years'  peace,  and  covers 
such  events  as  Armistice  1918,  the  Peace  Pro- 
cession in  1919,  the  Wembley  Exhibition  1924, 
the  General  Strike  in  1926,  and  other  incidents. 

This  period  is  seen  through  the  eyes  of  a 
lower  Middle  class  family  living  in  Clapham. 
The  family  whose  lives  are  followed  consists  of 
Frank  Gibbons  (Robert  Newton),  his  wife, 
Ethel  (Celia  Johnson),  his  mother-in-law,  Mrs. 
Flint  (Amy  Veness),  his  sister  Sylvia  (Alison 
Leggatt),  the  Gibbons  daughters,  played  by  Kay 
Walsh,  Eileen  Erskine,  and  the  son  (John 
Blythe),  and  their  next  door  neighbours,  the 
Mitchells  (John  Mills  and  Stanley  Holloway). 

Warners  have  stepped  again  into  the  produc- 
tion arena  this  week,  and  opening  up  the  Ted- 
dington  Studios,  have  sent  Brian  Desmond 
Hurst  to  work  on  "Youth  Looks  Ahead." 

The  picture  marks  Anne  Crawford's  fourth 
appearance  for  the  company  in  a  little  more 
than  twelve  months.  Other  principals  include 
Richard  Attenborough,  who  has  just  scored  in 
the  stage  hit,  "Brighton  Rock" ;  Mary  Clare 
and  Frederick  Lester  in  parental  roles ;  Francis 
Lister  as  a  night-club  proprietor  aligned  with 
the  Black  Market. 

Hellinger  Idea  Given 
English  Flavor 

Broadway  columnist  Mark  Hellinger  orig- 
inally had  the  yarn  in  mind  for  Hollywood,  but 
decided  the  English  racing  background  was 
better  suited  because  of  the  national  service 
theme  the  story  also  contained.  Brock  Williams 
has  developed  the  idea  into  a  comedy-drama 
centering  on  a  staid  old  bank  teller  who  finds 


himself  transferred  to  a  tote-window  and  in- 
volved in  the  high  finance  of  horses. 

A  marked  flavor  of  fantasy,  fantasy  of  the 
most  extravagant  variety,  can  be  tasted  at  either 
or  both  of  the  Gaumont-British  Studios,  at 
Shepherds  Bush  and  Islington,  currently. 

In  the  former  Tommy  Handley,  under  the 
directorial  eye  of  Walter  Forde  is  working  on 
"Time  Flies,"  a  whimsy  in  which  he  and  his 
colleagues  Evelyn  Dall,  George  Moon  and  Felix 
Aylmer  are  cast  back  into  Elizabethan  England, 
and  the  Court  of  the  Virgin  Queen.  Sir  Wal- 
ter Raleigh,  Captain  John  Smith  and  Pocahon- 
tas are  among  the  characters  involved  with  the 
1943  Handley  and  Co. 

Realism  Keynote  of 
Ealing  War  Film 

At  Islington  Arthur  Askey,  directed  by  Val 
Quest,  is  cavorting  in  an  equally  fantastic  set- 
ting for  "Bees  In  Paradise."  He  is  trans- 
ported to  an  all-women  community,  where  Anne 
Shelton  as  Queen  of  the  Feminine  Court  is 
served  by  an  all-female  bodyguard  of  hand 
selected  lovelies  in  the  best  Gainsborough  tra- 
dition. 

In  contrast  to  this  fictional  adventuring  stark 
realism  of  the  most  contemporary  variety  holds 
the  floor  at  Ealing.  Shooting  has  opened  there 
on  Michael  Balcon's  production  "San  Demetrio, 
London,"  on  a  set  representing  the  "Jervis  Bay." 

In  the  battle  of  the  cruiser  "Jervis  Bay" 
against  the  German  raider,  the  "Admiral 
Scheer,"  a  tanker  of  the  convoy,  the  "San  De- 
metrio" had  to  be  abandoned,  but  was  found  by 
16  of  her  crew  next  day,  still  burning.  How 
they  boarded  her,  put  out  the  flames  and  brought 
the  ship  with  11,000  tons  of  oil  back  to  port,  is 
told  in  this  film. 

Actuality,  too,  is  aimed  at  by  director  Gordon 
Wellesley  in  his  Vera  Lynn  musical  for  Colum- 
bia release,  "We  Love  to  Sing."  An  exact  re- 
plica of  one  section  of  Britain's  most  hush-hush 
armament  factory  has  been  reconstructed  in  the 
Riverside  Studios.  Special  permits  were  granted 
by  the  layout  and  machinery  of  the  factory  ac- 
curately— but  with  sufficient  modifications  to 
fool  film-concious  fifth  columnists. 

New  Company  Is 
Also  At  Work 

A  new  production  company,  Holyrood  Film 
Productions,  has  added  its  activities  to  those  of 
British  producers  currently  at  work.  Actual 
shooting  on  the  company's  first  "The  Silver 
Darlings"  will  probably  not  be  launched  till 
June,  but  already  Karl  Grune,  producer,  and 
Clarence  Elder,  director,  have  set  forth  for  the 
far  Scottish  coast  to  prospect  locations  for  the 
Neil  Gunn  story.  Most  of  it  will  be  shot  on 
exteriors. 

To  be  shot,  too,  almost  entirely  in  the  open 
air  of  rural  Britain  is  the  Two  Cities  produc- 
tion devised  around  the  talents,  directorial,  lit- 
erary and  acting,  of  Mr.  Bernard  Miles'  "Tawny 
Pipit."  Miles,  whose  personal  responsibility 
this  film  will  be,  has  arranged  to  take  over,  lock, 
stock,  and  rainwater  barrel  an  entire  Sussex 
village.  There,  in  the  sequestered  quiet  of 
thatched  roofs,  and  bird  thronged  woodland,  he 
will  make  the  film  which  he  has  conceived. 

V 

Production  is  concluded  on  Anatole  De  Grun- 
wald's  Two  Cities  film  "The  Demi  Paradise" 
and  it  has  now  gone  into  the  Denham  cutting 
rooms  with  the  probability  that  it  will  turn  out 
as  one  of  the  year's  outstanding  pictures. 

V 

Herbert  Wilcox's  last  big  set  on  "Yellow 
Canary"  has  gone  up  at  Denham  and  work  will 
shortly  finish  on  the  Anna  Neagle  film. 


May    15,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


41 


NEW  TAXES  IN  BRITAIN 
RAISE  TICKETS  33% 


Exhibitors  and  Exchequer 
Cooperate  on  New  Scale; 
Cheap  Seats  Exempt 

by  AUBREY  FLANAGAN 

in  London 

Though  during  the  past  year  or  so  the 
British  picture-house  owner  has  passed  over 
to  the  Exchequer  some  £28,000,000  odd 
($11,312,000,000  at  current  exchange  rates 
of  $4.04  to  the  pound)  in  the  form  of  taxa- 
tion collected  from  the  public,  so  insatiable 
is  the  Moloch  of  war  that  this  year  he  will 
have  to  collect  another  £8,000,000  ($3,232,- 
000,000)  or  so. 

As  already  recorded  in  these  pages,  the 
Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer,  Sir  Kingley 
Wood,  has  once  again  increased  the  Enter- 
tainments tax,  raising  it  by  an  all-round 
figure  of  approximately  33  per  cent. 

Last  year  the  entertainment  industry,  of 
which,  on  Sir  Kingsley's  own  admission,  the 
picture  house  plays  a  90  per  cent  part  as 
provider  of  revenue,  netted  £31,246,000  in 
theatre  tax,  exceeding  the  Chancellor's  esti- 
mate by  nearly  £3,250,000.  Sensible  to  the 
obvious  fact  that  picture-going  is  in  a  boom 
state  in  wartime  Britain,  and  cognizant  of 
the  admissions  and  near  braggings  of  the 
circuits  and  theatre  groups,  he  has  decided 
that  this  year  the  industry  must  collect  an- 
other £8,000,000,  or  £9,000,000  in  a  twelve- 
month period. 

Increase  Seat 
Prices  May  16th 

Thus  the  British  motion  picture  patron 
once  again  faces  an  increased  scale  of  ad- 
missions. Seat  prices  will  be  raised  on  May 
16th  to  include  the  new  tax  scale.  The  odds 
are  that  he  will  face  it  with  the  same  aplomb 
and  readiness  to  cough  up  as  he  has  done  in 
the  past  year. 

Not  the  least  significant  factor  in  the  new 
tax  situation  has  been  the  collaboration 
asked  and  given  the  Chancellor's  Custom 
and  Excise  Department.  Though  little  was 
known  and  nothing  stated  on  this  side  of 
the  Atlantic,  it  is  a  fact,  and  a  fact  only  al- 
lowed to  leak  out  after  the  Budget,  that  the 
industry — the  Cinematograph  Exhibitors 
Association  at  least,  were  told  in  advance 
of  the  intention  to  raise  the  theatre  tax. 
They  offered  and  had  accepted  their  own 
suggestions  on  its  modification. 

Exempt  Tickets 
Under  Shilling 

Conversations  were  held  between  the  Cus- 
toms and  Excise  and  the  CEA  Tax  Com- 
mittee, and  by  this  week's  General  Council 
it  was  possible  to  present  the  rank  and  file 
with  a  fait  accompli.  So  satisfied  were 
these  latter  that  threats  of  revolt  and  pro- 
test soon  hushed  down,  melted,  in  fact,  to  a 
complete  acceptance  of  the  scale  devised 
with  the  aid  of  the  Association's  officers. 

Happiest  result  of  the  talks  has  undoubt- 
edly been  the  exemption  from  taxation  of  all 
seats  priced  at  a  shilling  and  under.  The 


WHAT  BRITISH 
FILMGOERS  PAY 

Following  are  the  new  British  tax  rates 
which  were  based  on  the  recommendations 
of  the  Cinematograph  Exhibitors  Associa- 
tion: 


Admission 
Excluding  Tax 


r 

Ex- 

Not Ex- 

ceed- 

ceed- 

ing 

ing 

Rate  of  Tax 

s.  d. 

s.  d. 

dollars 

s. 

d. 

dollars 

83/4 

iqy2 

(  .13-  .17) 

7'/2 

(  -II 

IOl/2 

1  0"/2 

(  .15-  .21) 

8l/2 

(  -13 

i  o'/2 

1  4l/2 

(  .21-  .26) 

101/2 

(  -15 

1  4'/2 

1  8 

(  .26-  .32) 

1 

1 

(  -21 

1  8 

1  9 

(  .34-  .35) 

1 

3 

(  .24 

1  9 

2  0 

(  .35-  .40) 

1 

6 

(  .29 

2  0 

2  2 

(  .40-  .43) 

1 

7 

(  .30 

2  2 

2  6 

(  .43-  .50) 

2 

0 

(  .40 

2  6 

3  0 

(  .50-  .60) 

2 

6 

(  .50 

3  0 

3  5 

(  .60-  .67) 

2 

7 

(  .51 

3  5 

4  2 

(  .67-  .83) 

3 

4 

(  .67 

4  2 

4    1 1 

(  .83-  .99) 

4 

2 

(  .83 

4  II 

5  5 

(  .99-1.08) 

4 

7 

(  .91 

5  5 

5    1 1 

(1.08-1. 19) 

5 

0 

(1.00 

5    1  1 

6  5 

(1. 19-1.29) 

5 

2 

(1.03 

6  5 

6    1 1 

(1.29-1.39) 

5 

10 

(1.18 

On  prices  over  6s.  lid.  ($1.39)  the  tax 
is  5s.  lOd.  ($1.08)  for  the  first  6s.  lid. 
and  5d.  for  every  6d.  or  part  of  6d.  over 
6s.  lid. 


Chancellor's  original  intention  was  to  set  a 
ninepenny  deadline.  This  was  raised  by 
agreement  to  Is. 

Certain  other  adjustments  were  agreed 
upon  which  undoubtedly  prevent  the  compli- 
cations and  entanglements  which  followed 
last  year's  tax  increase.  Then  the  scale  pre- 
sented by  the  Chancellor  was  found  inoper- 
able, and  an  entirely  new  one  had  to  be  de- 
vised and  agreed  upon  between  the  Govern- 
ment and  the  exhibitors. 

Exhibitors  who  last  year  grumbled  and 
cavilled  have  this  time  faced  the  inevitable 
with  a  good  grace.  It  is  agreed  that  the 
new  tax  must  be  passed  on  to  the  public  for 
it  is  the  Treasury's  intention  that  the  public 
shall  pay.  Exhibitors  who  considered  meet- 
ing the  increases  themselves  out  of  Excess 
Profits  Tax  have  been  dissuaded  from  so 
doing. 

The  increases  are  considerable.  In  some 
cases  they  are  as  high  as  100  per  cent  on  the 
existing  tax  as  it  stood  after  last  year's  in- 
crease. In  the  general  run  of  seats,  how- 
ever, the  scale  is  reasonable.  There  is,  as 
already  recorded,  no  increase  on  the  bread 
and  butter  seats  at  a  shilling  and  under. 

The  principal  changes  are  hereunder : 

Gross  Seat  New  Gross 

Is  3d  seat  becomes  1/6  exhibitor  gains  '/2d. 

Is  6d  seat  becomes  1/9  exhibitor  gains  'A^- 

2s        seat  becomes  2/3  exhibitor  gains  '/2d- 

2s  6d  seat  becomes  2/9  no  change 

3s       seat  becomes  3/6  exhibitor  gains  .Id. 

Since  in  the  normal  way  90  per  cent  of 
the  tax  revenue  was  derived  from  seats 
priced  at  Is  6d  and  under,  and  16  per  cent 
from  those  below  seven  pence,  it  will  be 


realized  that  the  exhibitor  is  not  so  badly  hit 
as  he  might  have  been.  Attendances  being 
on  the  average  around  the  figure  of  1,400,- 
000,000  annually,  there  is  little  likelihood 
of  the  Treasury's  target  not  being  reached. 

Public  May  Prefer 
Cheaper  Seats 

It  is,  of  course,  not  to  be  forgotten  or 
ignored  that  other  working  class  luxuries 
such  as  tobacco  and  beer  have  been  subject 
to  an  increase  of  taxation  too.  The  total 
purchasing  power  of  the  public  thus  becomes 
somewhat  reduced.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
scale  of  increased  taxes  on  the  living  theatre 
is  much  less  onerous  than  that  imposed  on 
the  more  profitable  picture  house  industry. 

There  are  one  or  two  minor  difficulties. 
One  of  these  is  the  likely  abolition  in  a  great 
number  of  houses  of  the  one  and  threepenny 
seat.  This  will  now  go  to  a  shilling  and 
ninepence.  It  remains  to  be  seen  whether 
the  public  will  pay  the  extra  "tanner"  or 
prefer  to  queue  for  the  shilling  seats.  In 
general  it  is  believed  a  net  result  of  the  new 
scale  will  be  a  tendency  to  patronize  the 
lower  grades. 

The  original  scale  proposed  left  the  tax 
unchanged  up  to  and  including  gross  ad- 
missions up  to  9d.  In  regard  to  stages  above 
it  provided  for  inconvenient  prices  such  as 
Is  Id,  1/5,  1/8,  2/3,  as  well  as  having  the 
unworkable  price  of  1/1  instead  of  1/- gross. 

The  CEA  Tax  Committee  accordingly 
made  representations  which  have  resulted 
in  the  new  rates  which  are  scheduled  in  the 
Budget. 

Castle  Films  to  Release 
Three  Canadian  Subjects 

Three  16mm.  films  for  non-theatrical  distribu- 
tion produced  by  the  Canadian  Film  Board 
have  been  released  by  Castle  Films.  They  are 
"Forward,  Commandos,"  "Women  Are  War- 
riors" and  "Battle  of  the  Harvests."  They  will 
be  shown  primarily  in  war  plants,  but  are  avail- 
able to  civic  and  social  organizations.  The  films, 
equipped  with  sound,  will  be  sold  at  two  cents 
per  foot,  a  procedure  similar  to  the  company's 
agreement  with  the  U.  S.  Office  of  Education  on 
films  produced  by  that  agency. 

The  National  Film  Board  of  Canada  opened 
a  New  York  branch  on  Fifth  Avenue  in  New 
York  recently.  The  Board's  main  office  in 
the  United  States,  however,  remains  in  Chicago. 
Anne  MacDonnell,  who  has  been  in  charge  of 
non-theatrical  distribution  in  Canada  for  the 
past  year,  is  organizing  the  New  York  branch. 
She  is  expected  to  remain  for  approximately 
two  months,  at  which  time  a  permanent  director 
will  be  appointed. 

Loew-Poli  Transfers 

William  Brownstein  has  been  transferred  as 
assistant  manager  of  the  Loew-Poli  theatre  in 
New  Haven  to  the  circuit's  Springfield  house. 
Harry  Morton,  who  held  the  post  in  Spring- 
field, has  been  transferred  to  Loew's  State  in 
Providence. 


Metro  Crew  in  Chicago 

King  Vidor  and  Brian  Donlevy  with  a  crew 
of  40  actors  and  cameramen  are  spending  two 
weeks  in  Chicago  on  location  at  the  local  steel 
mills  for  the  forthcoming  M-G-M  film, 
"America." 


0r» 


WITH 


SMILEY 


KING 

CO 


WITH 


BOB  NOLAN  «  SONS  01 


■  ■ 


GERALD  MOHR  •  DOROTHEA 
KENT  •  LLOYD  CORRIGAN 

JOSEPH  KANE— Director 
Screen  Play  by  Olive  Cooper  •  J.  Benton  Cheney 
Original  Story  by  Hal  Long 
Associate  Producer— HARRY  GREY 


URNETTE 


S  M  M,  B  T  ES  T 
E  IN  MO  VIES 


PIONEERS-PEGGY  MORAN 


44 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May     15,  1943 


AAA  Board  Reverses 
Ruling  on  Clearance 


Reduction  for  BloomHeld, 
N,  J.,  Houses  Refused; 
Schine  Appeal  Denied 

Exhibitors  lost  their  appeals  for  clearance 
reductions  in  two  motion  picture  arbitration 
cases  decided  this  week  by  the  Appeal 
Board  of  the  Motion  Picture  Arbitration 
system. 

In  their  68th  decision  the  three  members 
of  the  board  completely  reversed  the  arbi- 
trator's findings  in  the  33rd  New  York  case, 
a  clearance  demand  filed  for  the  Royal  and 
Broadmoor  theatres  in  Bloomfield,  N.  J.,  by 
Samuel  Hochberg.  Naming  Paramount, 
Warners,  RKO,  MGM  and  Twentieth  Cen- 
tury-Fox as  the  defendant  distributors,  Mr. 
Hochberg  in  March  1942  attacked  the  14 
day  margin  held  by  the  Rapf  and  Rudin 
circuit's  Savoy  theatre. 

Julius  Henry  Cohen,  general  counsel  of 
the  New  York  State  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
who  was  arbitrator,  erred  in  cutting  the 
"Savoy's  margin  over  the  Royal  from  14  to 
seven  days,  and  in  eliminating  clearance 
over  the  Broadmoor,  the  board  said.  The 
present  margin  of  14  days  for  the  Royal  is 
amply  justified  from  the  point  of  historical 
clearance,  revenue  to  the  distributors,  and 
other  competitive  factors  established  in  Sec- 
tion XVIII  of  the  Consent  Decree,  they 
found. 

Seven-Day  Maximum 
Clearance  Set 

The  elimination  of  clearance  over  the  Broad- 
moor on  the  ground  that  it  was  unreasonable 
as  to  area  was  also  condemned.  The  Appeal 
Board  set  a  maximum  of  seven  days,  remarking 
that  Mr.  Cohen's  action  was  beyond  the  scope 
of  an  arbitrator. 

Failure  to  dismiss  Warner  Brothers  as  a  dis- 
tributor affiliated  with  Rapf  and  Rudin's  Sa- 
voy was  criticized.  They  found  that  the  War- 
ner Circuit,  through  a  Stanley  Company  pool- 
ing arrangement  with  Rapf  and  Rudin  was 
clearly  interested  in  the  Savoy's  management, 
within  the  meaning  of  section  17  of  the  decree. 

Discussing  clearance,  the  Board  said  that  a 
39  day  availability  after  first  run  did  not 
necessarily  make  a  picture  stale.  "Particularly 
is  this  true  in  the  Newark  area  of  several 
hundred  thousand  inhabitants,"  they  wrote. 

They  criticized  also  the  finding  by  Mr.  Cohen 
that  the  distributors  should  be  made  to  bear  the 
burden  of  proof  that  a  given  clearance  was  un- 
reasonable. The  board  observed  that  distribu- 
tors should  not  be  discouraged  from  making 
voluntary  adjustment  of  arbitration  complaints. 

"They  should  not  be  made  to  hesitate  in  mak- 
ing reductions  of  clearance  for  fear  that  any 
later  restoration  of  a  prior  clearance  would 
be  considered  arbitrary,  the  experimental  con- 
sidered the  standard,  and  the  burden  of  proof 
shifted  to  them  to  support  any  return  to  a  long 
established  prior  clearance,"  the  board  wrote. 

"One  of  the  major  values  which  should 
be  derived  from  the  arbitration  system 
here  in  operation  is  to  stimulate  and  ex- 
tend adjustments  of  clearance  not  only  in 
cases  brought  before  the  Board,  but 
through  voluntary  agreements,"  they  re- 
marked. 

The  board,  in  a  supplement  to  its  61st  deci- 
sion Monday,  also  denied  an  application  by  the 


Schine  circuit  for  a  reopening  of  its  clearance 
complaint  for  the  Sidney  Theatre,  in  Milford, 
Del. 

In  oral  arguments  at  New  York  on  April 
29th,  Schine  asserted  that  the  board  had  com- 
mitted inadvertent  error  in  this  20th  Philadel- 
phia case  by  failing  to  take  into  account  book- 
ing delays  by  Wilmington  first  run  theatres. 

The  board  admitted  that  it  erred  in  referring 
to  the  Wilmington  opening  as  national  re- 
lease date  but  found  that  this  was  not  material 
to  Sidney's  clearance  after  Wilmington.  The 
board  found  that  there  was  nothing  to  suggest 
unreasonable  delay  by  Wilmington  theatres,  or 
to  warrant  reopening  the  case  or  remanding  it 
to  the  exhibitor. 

St.  Louis 

An  award  benefiting  the  exhibitor  complain- 
ant was  made  at  St.  Louis,  Monday.  Harry  G. 
Erbs,  arbitrator,  held  that  Paramount  and 
Twentieth  Century-Fox  had  refused  to  license 
some  run  of  their  product  to  the  Ritz  theatre, 
Rolla,  Mo.,  except  on  terms  calculated  to  de- 
feat the  purpose  of  Section  Six  of  the  decree. 
The  Ritz  is  operated  by  Mildred  Rauth.  This 
is  St.  Louis'  15th  case  and  Mrs.  Rauth's  second. 
Mr.  Erbs  also  held  that  Loew's  had  not  so 
refused  the  complainant  and  dismissed  the  com- 
plaint against  that  circuit.  Complaint  against 
RKO  and  Warners  was  withdrawn. 

The  arbitrator  directed  that  "all  defendants" 
offer  their  product  to  the  Ritz  within  120  days 
after  territorial  release.  Provision  is  made  in 
the  award  that  if  the  Ritz  is  offered  second 
run  it  shall  have  the  right  to  play  60  days  after 
first  run,  and  if  given  third  run,  it  shall  have 
the  right  to  play  30  days  after  second  run,  but 
in  no  event  later  than  120  days  after  territorial 
release. 

Cleveland 

A  reduction  in  clearance  was  ordered  Mon- 
day in  Cleveland,  the  7th  case,  by  James  C. 
Logue,  arbitrator,  of  the  Ohio,  Sigma  or  State 
theatres,  Lima,  Ohio,  over  the  Van  Wert  and 
Strand,  Van  Wert,  Ohio,  to  three  days  on 
Loew's,  RKO  and  Paramount  product.  Mr. 
Logue  stipulated  further  that  the  Van  Wert 
shall  not  play  later  than  21  days  after  Cleve- 
land territorial  release  date. 

New  York 

Clearance  complaint  was  withdrawn  by  stipu- 
lation of  all  parties  at  New  York  Monday,  of 
the  Stephens  Theatre  Corp.  against  the  five 
consenting  companies  and  Century  Circuit's 
Nostrand,  and  Rugoff  and  Becker's  Sheepshead 
and  Avenue  U  theatres.  The  Stephens  Theatre 
Corp.  operates  the  Graham  theatre  in  Brooklyn. 
The  case  was  New  York's  44th. 

Portland 

First  complaint  at  Portland,  Ore.,  since  Sep- 
tember, was  the  case  filed  Monday  by  Columbia 
Theatre  Co.,  Inc.,  operator  of  the  Columbia, 
Longview,  Wash.,  against  Paramount.  Com- 
plainant charged  that  Paramount  had  refused 
to  sell  the  Columbia  first  run  in  the  town  and 
that  it  had,  instead,  sold  the  run  to  the  Roxy, 
under  conditions  which  violated  Section  10  of 
the  decree.  The  latter  theatre  is  operated  by 
the  Ripley-Foreman  circuit  of  which  W.  G. 
Ripley  is  president. 


Declare  Warner  Dividend 

Warners'  regular  quarterly  dividend  of  96% 
cents  per  preferred  share  was  declared  Wednes- 
day by  its  directors,  and  is  payable  June  1st 
to  stockholders  of  record  May  21st. 


WPB  Revises 
$5,000  Ceiling 
On  Set  Cost 


Elimination  of  the  $5,000  limit  on  expendi- 
tures for  materials  for  sets  for  any  single  pic- 
ture was  announced  by  the  War  Production 
Board  Tuesday,  to  become  effective  July  1st. 

Instead  of  that  limitation,  involving  the  filing 
of  a  special  application  for  sets  costing  in  ex- 
cess of  $5,000,  producers,  quarterly,  will  be 
given  approval  for  the  materials  they  propose 
to  use  on  all  productions  over  a  three-month 
period.  They  may  use  these  quotas  as  they  see 
fit. 

WPM  officials  explained  that  the  $5,000  ceil- 
ing was  found  impractical  since  many  Western 
pictures  and  many  pictures  in  the  Class  B 
category  are  produced  with  sets  costing  only 
$200  or  less.  However,  a  producer  turning  out 
such  a  picture  could  not  apply  the  amount 
saved  to  more  elaborate  films,  but  would  have 
to  file  a  special  application  for  the  latter. 

The  new  system,  it  was  emphasized,  would 
not  involve  any  increase  in  the  use  of  mate- 
rials for  sets.  By  and  large,  the  producers 
will  be  held  to  the  same  amounts  of  materials 
that  they  used  last  year — in  general,  an  average 
of  less  than  $5,000  per  picture — but  they  will 
be  saved  much  paper  work  and  the  whole  pro- 
gram for  allotment  of  materials  will  be  made 
more  flexible. 

Producers  Can  Decide 
Allocation  For  Sets 

Under  the  new  plan,  if  a  producer  gets  ap- 
proval for  $40,000  worth  of  materials  for  an 
eight-picture  program  and  turns  out  two  of 
those  pictures  at  a  set  cost  of  $250  each  and 
four  other  pictures  at  $4,000  each,  he  will  have 
$23,500  in  materials  for  sets  for  the  remaining 
two  pictures.  That,  of  course,  is  merely  an 
example.  How  a  producer  allocates  his  mate- 
rials would  be  entirely  up  to  him,  WPB  said. 

The  industry  will  continue  to  operate  under 
the  $5,000  limit  until  July  1.  However,  pro- 
ducers who  have  found  that  procedure  unsatis- 
factory, will  be  permitted  to  file  supplemental 
application  for  May  and  June. 

Prior  to  June  1st,  each  producer  will  be  re- 
quired to  apply  on  Form  PD-200  for  a  blanket 
authorization  to  begin  set  construction  under 
WPB  Order  L-41  for  the  quarter  beginning 
July  1st.  Similar  applications  will  be  filed 
thereafter  30  days  before  the  beginning  of  each 
quarter. 

The  new  procedure  is  explained  by  the  WPB 
in  letters  now  going  to  all  producers. 

"Applications  should  forecast  the  proposed 
construction,"  producers  are  informed,  and 
should  be  accompanied  by  an  estimate  of  the 
total  cost  of  such  proposed  construction  for  the 
calendar  quarter  involved,  and  contain  a  pre- 
liminary materials  list.  This  list  should  set 
forth  the  materials  to  be  used  and  should  be 
broken  down  to  the  fullest  extent  possible. 
Where  possible,  schedules  of  deliveries  of  spe- 
cific quantities  of  materials  should  be  shown. 
Commitments  for  the  purchase  of  materials 
may  be  made  immediately  upon  approval  of 
applications. 

"The  application  is  to  cover  all  proposed  con- 
struction for  the  quarter.  The  preliminary 
materials  list  should  cover  all  construction  as  a 
group  and  should  not  be  itemized  in  terms  of 
individual  pictures. 

"Within  two  weeks  after  the  expiration  of 
a  calendar  quarter  for  which  an  authorization 
of  Form  PD-200  revised  has  been  issued,  a  re- 
port must  be  filed  containing  an  itemized  list 
of  materials  consumed.  This  report  must  be 
marked  'report  on  blanket  construction'  and 
should  be  accompanied  by  a  letter  indicating  the 
serial  number  and  date  on  which  the  applica- 
tion was  approved,"  the  regulations  provide. 


May     15,  1943 

UA  Revises 
Selznick  Pact 
At  Coast  Meet 

United  Artists  stockholders,  meeting  in  four 
i  sessions  at  Hollywood  last  week,  revised  David 
O.  Selznick's  contract,  allowing  him  to  include 
in  his  Vanguard  Productions  "producers  who 
would  join  in  making  six  to  eight  pictures  a 
year,"  it  was  learned  at  the  production  capital 
this  week. 

The  revision  eliminates  the  so-called  "escape 
clause"  which  allowed  Mr.  Selznick  to  with- 
draw from  the  company  after  delivering  five 
pictures. 

Mr.  Selznick  is  understood  to  have  assured 
stockholders  his  "Since  You  Went  Away"  will 
go  before  the  cameras  on  or  before  July  15th. 

The  producer  is,  under  the  contract  revision, 
to  guarantee  delivery  of  not  less  than  10  pic- 
tures, at  a  rate  of  at  least  one  per  year. 

Edward  J.  Raftery,  president,  reiterated  to 
newsmen  that  the  UA  stock  of  Sir  Alexander 
Korda  has  not  been  proffered  to  the  company 
officially. 

The  company  executives,  reelected  during  the 
sessions,  reaffirmed  a  "prestige"  picture  policy, 
admitting  at  the  same  time  "some  defections 
in  the  past." 

Leo  Spitz  and  Jack  Skirball  completed  a  two 
picture  deal  with  the  company,  it  was  announced 
in  Hollywood  Wednesday.  The  first,  based  on 
the  "Duffy's  Tavern"  radio  show  and  starring 
Fred  Allen  will  be  completed  in  September. 

United  Artists  also  has  extended  its  four 
picture  deal  with  Andrew  Stone  to  a  long  term 
agreement. 

Honor  Leftkowitz,  Schnitzer 
On  Promotions  in  UA 

A  testimonial  dinner  in  honor  of  Edward 
Schnitzer  and  Sam  Leftkowitz  upon  their  pro- 
motions as  western  division  manager  and  New 
York  district  manager,  respectively,  for  United 
Artists,  was  to  be  given  to  the  two  men  at  the 
Waldorf-Astoria  Hotel  in  New  York  Friday 
night,  May  14th  by  a  group  of  their  associates 
and  friends  in  the  trade.  Louis  Brandt,  of  the 
Globe  theatre  in  New  York,  was  chairman  of  a 
committee  comprised  of  Eugene  Picker,  Harry 
Brandt,  Fred  Schwartz,  Max  Fellerman,  Don 
Jacocks  and  Charles  Moses. 

Universal  Associates  Fete 
William  J.  Heineman 

William  J.  Heineman,  former  assistant  gen- 
eral sales  manager  of  Universal,  who  was  re- 
cently appointed  general  sales  manager  for 
Samuel  Goldwyn,  was  given  a  dinner  party  last 
Friday  in  New  York  by  his  associates  and 
friends.  Among  those  present  were  William  A. 
Scully,  Charles  D.  Prutzman,  Joseph  Siedelman, 
Adolph  Schimel,  David  Levy,  E.  T.  Gomersall, 
F.  J.  A.  McCarthy,  Fred  Meyers,  John  J. 
O'Connor  and  Sam  Machnovitch. 


Norman  Rolfe  in  Army 

Norman  C.  Rolfe,  Connecticut  division  man- 
ager for  the  Lockwood  and  Gordon  circuit,  has 
been  inducted  into  the  Army.  Also  scheduled  for 
departure  is  George  Hardison  of  the  Plaza 
theatre  in  Waterbury.  Private  Daniel  Grenier, 
formerly  at  the  Strand  in  Plainsville,  is  sta- 
tioned at  Camp  Blanding,  Fla.,  after  having 
been  inducted  recently. 


Helen  La  Grande  Weds  Cadet 

Helen  La  Grande,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Frank  La  Grande  of  Coytesville,  N.  J.,  was 
married  last  week  to  aviation  cadet  John  Ell- 
wood  Zimmermann  at  Coleman,  Texas,  the 
bridegroom's  station.  Mr.  La  Grande  is  head 
of  the  Paramount  laboratory  on  Long  Island. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

Plan  Scout  Building 
To  Honor  Blank 

A  building  to  be  known  as  the  Raymond 
Blank  Memorial  Headquarters  is  to  be  con- 
structed at  the  Boy  Scouts'  Camp  Mitigwa,  lo- 
cated 34  miles  northwest  of  Des  Moines,  with 
a  gift  of  $2,000  from  Barney  Balaban,  presi- 
dent of  Paramount  Pictures  and  John  Bala- 
ban, head  of  Balaban  &  Katz  Corporation. 
They  contributed  half  the  amount  and  G.  Ralph 
Branton,  general  manager  of  the  Tri-States 
Theatre  Corporation,  and  Mrs.  Branton,  the 
remaining  half  in  memory  of  Raymond  Blank, 
son  of  A.  H.  Blank,  head  of  Tri-States  and 
Central  States  Theatre  Corporations. 

Raymond  Blank  was  actively  interested  in 
Boy  Scout  affairs.  He  became  an  Eagle  Scout 
at  13,  and  was  a  representative  of  Iowa  and 
Nebraska  scouts  at  a  World  Boy  Scout  confer- 
ence held  at  one  time  at  Wimbleton,  England, 
and  had  been  an  active  scout  leader.  At  his 
death,  he  was  a  member  of  the  board  of  direc- 
tors of  the  Tall  Corn  Scout  Council. 

The  executive  committee  of  the  Iowa  Metho- 
dist hospital  in  Des  Moines  has  chosen  Myron 
Blank  to  head  a  building  committee  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  Raymond  Blank  Memorial  hos- 
pital for  children.  Others  on  the  committee 
include  Dr.  Walter  Bierring,  James  W.  Hubbell, 
R.  R.  Rollins  and  Rolfe  O.  Wagner. 


Play  Duals  at  Goldman's 
Keith  in  Philadelphia 

Dual  features  are  being  shown  at  the  Keith 
theatre  in  Philadelphia  by  William  Goldman 
who  recently  purchased  the  house.  Keith's  was 
formerly  a  Warner  subsequent  run.  The  policy, 
practically  foreign  to  the  downtown  Philadelphia 
theatrical  sector,  will  be  continued  by  Mr. 
Goldman  until  better  product  is  available,  it  was 
reported. 

It  is  believed  that  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  and 
Paramount  product  is  to  be  received  by  Mr. 
Goldman  on  a  split  basis  with  the  independent 
second  run  Arcadia  theatre. 

Next  month,  the  Karlton  theatre  is  also  to 
be  taken  over  by  Mr.  Goldman  which  is  ex- 
pected to  cause  a  further  complication  in  the 
product  setup.  The  Shubert,  recently  leased 
to  Warners,  has  not  as  yet  been  opened  by  the 
circuit,  but  it  is  believed  that  it  will  be  used 
for  second  run  showings. 


Connors  Announces  Changes 
In  20th-Fox  Sales  Staff 

Phil  Longdon,  branch  manager  for  Twentieth 
Century-Fox  in  Charlotte  for  the  past  seven 
years,  has  been  named  southwestern  division 
manager,  it  was  announced  last  week  by  Tom  J. 
Connors,  in  charge  of  world  wide  distribution 
for  the  company.  Other  changes  placed  Arthur 
Abeles,  former  manager  at  the  New  York  ex- 
change, in  charge  of  the  Denver  office ;  Clay  V. 
Hake  is  transferred  from  Denver  to  Mr.  Abele's 
post,  and  John  E.  Holston,  sales  manager  at 
the  Charlotte  exchange,  succeeds  Mr.  Longdon 
as  branch  manager. 


Resume  Bond  Rally  Sessions 

The  "Victory  Square"  entertainment  in  down- 
town Seattle  has  been  resumed  after  a  period 
of  winter  inactivity.  The  entertainment,  sup- 
plied by  night  clubs  and  theatres,  is  offered  as 
an  incentive  for  the  purchase  of  War  Bonds  and 
Stamps. 


Cancel  "Burlesque" 

"Lady  of  Burlesque"  was  cancelled  out  of  a 
Providence  theatre  this  week  because  of  objec- 
tions to  the  film  by  the  Legion  of  Decency, 
according  to  an  Associated  Press  dispatch.  The 
picture  is  based  on  Gypsy  Rose  Lee's  "The  G- 
String  Murders." 


45 

'Prelude  to  War  9 
National  Release 
Da  te  May  27th 

The  War  Department's  "Prelude  to  War" 
will  be  ready  for  release  to  exhibitors  by  the 
film  industry's  War  Activities  Committee,  on 
Monday,  Francis  Harmon,  WAC  executive 
vice-chairman,  reported  this  week.  Beginning 
May  27,  it  will  be  sent  to  theatres. 

The  War  Department  at  mid-week  made 
available  to  the  WAC  an  additional  100  prints 
of  the  film,  making  a  total  of  250.  The  new 
allotment  is  expected  to  expedite  WAC  distri- 
bution. In  addition,  31  prints  are  being  fur- 
nished to  exchanges  for  special  screenings. 

The  film  was  to  have  a  pre-release  world 
premiere  Thursday,  as  part  of  the  program  at 
the  Strand  Theatre,  New  York. 

Running  53  minutes,  it  is  the  first  of  a  series 
made  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Frank  Capra, 
former  Hollywood  producer,  for  the  Army's 
Special  Services  Division,  and  under  the  general 
title,  "Why  We  Fight."  Colonel  Capra  this 
week  and  last  was  on  the  Coast  preparing  a 
trailer.  The  picture,  and  several  in  the  series 
which  have  since  been  completed,  has  been 
shown  to  approximately  6,000,000  service  men 
in  post  theatres,  as  part  of  their  "orientation." 

To  exhibitors,  in  letters,  Si  Fabian,  WAC 
theatres  division  chairman,  explained  last  week 
that  the  War  Department  furnished  the  WAC 
with  150  prints.  There  are  no  rentals,  no  clear- 
ances. Representative  theatres  in  larger  cities 
will  receive  prints  first.  Mr.  Fabian  added  that 
although  there  would  be  delay  in  giving  prints 
to  subsequent  run  houses  and  those  in  rural 
communities,  the  pattern  devised  was  thought 
to  be  the  most  effective.    He  commented : 

"It  is  imperative  that  'Prelude  to  War'  be 
handled  in  a  manner  which  will  adequately  re- 
flect the  industry's  desire  and  capacity  to  serve 
the  nation." 

Capra  Receives  a 
Citation  for  Films 

Major  General  Alexander  D.  Surles,  direc- 
tor of  public  relations  for  the  Army,  wired  ex- 
hibitors this  week  that  he  was  proud  of  his 
organization's  "partnership"  with  theatremen. 

For  his  "Why  We  Fight"  series,  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Frank  Capra  last  week  received  from 
the  War  Department  the  Legion  of  Merit  in  the 
degree  of  Legionnaire.    The  citation  reads : 

"Lieutenant  Colonel  Frank  Capra,  0-900209, 
Signal  Corps,  United  States  Army.  For  excep- 
tionally meritorious  conduct  in  the  performance 
of  outstanding  service.  As  Chief  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Production  Unit,  Special  Service  Di- 
vison,  Colonel  Capra  has  planned  and  produced 
a  series  of  pictures  on  the  events  leading  up  to 
our  entry  into  this  war  for  use  in  the  Army 
orientation  course.  The  genius  embodied  in 
these  pictures  is  unique  in  kind  and  in  compe- 
tence. Their  showing  has  been  an  extraordi- 
nary stimulus  to  the  men  of  the  armed  services. 
In  this  work  he  has  shown  unusual  talent,  per- 
severance in  the  face  of  great  difficulties,  un- 
tiring energy  and  devoted  loyalty  to  the  war 
effort." 


Northio  Theatres'  Manager 
Outlaws  Chance  Games 

Harry  David,  general  manager  of  the  Northio 
Theatres,  with  headquarters  in  Cincinnati,  has 
ruled  that  chance  games  will  not  be  operated 
in  any  of  the  circuit's  18  theatres.  "We  are 
devoting  our  time  to  showing  pictures,  which, 
after  all,  is  the  function  of  the  theatre,"  Mr. 
David  said  in  indicating  the  company's  policy 
toward  chance  games. 


46 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May     15,  1943 


Argentine  Studios  Bid 
For  Latin  Markets 


Department  of  Commerce 
Report  Shows  Spanish 
Production  Thriving 

Argentina  now  claims  to  be  the  world's 
largest  producer  of  films  in  the  Spanish  lan- 
guage, but  "despite  the  important  develop- 
ment of  the  domestic  industry,  feature  pic- 
tures produced  in  the  United  States  still 
hold  first  place  in  the  Argentine  market, 
both  in  the  number  shown  and  in  box  office 
receipts."  This  was  indicated  in  an  article 
on  Argentine's  developing  film  industry, 
written  by  Elinor  F.  Sylvester,  of  the  divi- 
sion of  industrial  economy,  Bureau  of  For- 
eign and  Domestic  Commerce,  and  published 
in  the  May  8th  issue  of  Foreign  Commerce 
Weekly,  official  publication  of  the  Depart- 
ment of  Commerce. 

Currently  there  are  six  major  studios  in 
Argentina,  all  within  working  distance  of 
Buenos  Aires,  Miss  Sylvester  reported.  In 
addition,  there  are  12  companies  which  do 
not  have  their  own  studios  but  are  regularly 
engaged  in  producing  pictures ;  five  news- 
reel  companies  and  several  others  special- 
izing in  educational  and  commercial  films. 

Product  Receives 
Wide  Distribution 

Argentine  films  are  distributed  widely 
throughout  South  America  where  their 
Spanish  sound  tracks  give  them  a  distinct 
advantage  over  films  in  English  and  other 
languages,  according  to  the  article.  At  pres- 
ent, Chile,  Uruguay  and  Paraguay  are  the 
leading  importers,  on  the  basis  of  revenue 
received,  and  Mexico  ranks  fourth.  Mar- 
kets are  growing  steadily  in  other  Latin- 
American  countries,  however,  and  arrange- 
ments were  recently  completed  for  the  show- 
ing of  Argentine  pictures  in  Spain. 

Miss  Sylvester  points  out  that  although 
the  domestic  industry  is  small  and  the  pro- 
ductions comparatively  small  in  number — 56 
in  1942 — it  has  advanced  notably  since  1932 
when  only  two  full-length  pictures  were 
made,  and  even  since  1937  when  the  total 
was  30.  The  quality  of  the  pictures  also 
has  shown  great  improvement  in  recent 
years,  largely  as  a  result  of  the  careful  study 
which  studio  officials  have  given  to  produc- 
tion methods  used  outside  South  America. 

Reports  Newsreels 
Well  Received 

"The  general  quality  of  Argentine  news- 
reels  improved  considerably,"  she  said,  "and 
the  scope  of  subjects  covered  was  broadened 
to  include  activities  of  other  South  Ameri- 
can countries.  Previously,  newsreel  se- 
quences had  been  confined  almost  entirely  to 
events  of  local  interest,  which,  of  course, 
seriously  limited  their  appeal  outside  Argen- 
tina. 

"United  States  newsreels  are  frequently 
shown  and  are  generally  well  received. 
Those  with  war  shots  seem  especially  popu- 
lar, but  it  is  customary  for  theatres  to  re- 
quest patrons  to  refrain  from  showing  their 
reactions  or  feelings  by  outward  demonstra- 
tions of  any  kind  when  United  Nations  news- 


reels  are  shown.  Axis  features  and  news- 
reels  are  exhibited  in  only  about  33  the- 
atres— 13  of  which  are  on  the  proclaimed 
list." 

Regular  programs  of  most  first  run  the- 
atres in  Argentina  include  two  features ; 
second  run  houses  ordinarily  offer  three, 
and  small  houses  four  or  even  five,  it  was 
reported.  Admission  prices  range  from  20 
centavos  (about  three  cents),  in  some 
neighborhood  theatres  to  2.50  pesos  (ap- 
proximately 58  cents)  for  orchestra  seats  in 
first  run  metropolitan  theatres. 

Attendance  In 
1942  53,427,350 

At  the  end  of  1942,  according  to  statis- 
tics, there  were  1,495  film  houses,  with 
total  seating  capacity  of  approximately 
695,000  in  operation  in  Argentina.  Many 
of  these  theatres  are  located  in  villages  and 
rural  districts  and  are  open  only  on  holi- 
days and  weekends,  but  those  in  the  metro- 
politan districts  ordinarily  open  at  5  P.M. 
on  weekdays  with  what  is  known  as  the 
"vermouth"  performance  and  present  a  sec- 
ond show  around  9  P.M.  A  matinee  usually 
is  added  on  Saturdays  and  Sundays.  Total 
attendance  in  all  theatres  in  1942  was  esti- 
mated at  53,427,350. 

Miss  Sylvester  also  pointed  out  that  Ar- 
gentine films  emphasize  "life  on  the  pampas, 
singing  and  dancing;  occasionally  they  are 
sad,  but  they  usually  end  happily  and  sel- 
dom have  any  political  or  deep  psychological 
aspects.  Their  main  purpose  is  to  enter- 
tain— a  purpose  with  which  high-spirited, 
fun-loving  Latin  Americans  are  heartily  in 
sympathy,  particularly  when  it  finds  expres- 
sion in  the  Spanish  language.  From  San- 
tiago to  Panama,  films  produced  in  Argen- 
tine are  growing  in  popularity,"  the  article 
said.  "Indication  of  their  success  in  com- 
peting with  the  firmly  established  film  in- 
dustries of  other  countries  is  found  in  the 
fact  that  an  Argentine  production,  'La 
Guerra  Gaucha,'  set  a  new  first  run  box 
office  record  for  the  country  last  year.'  " 

Several  Productions 
Now  In  Work 

The  Argentine  Sono  Film  entitled  "Son 
Cartas  de  Amor"  ("They  Are  Love 
Letters"),  written  by  Luis  Amadori,  was 
presented  successfully  in  the  Gran  Cine 
Ocean  with  Pedro  Lopez  Lagar  and  Amelia 
Bence  in  the  leading  roles. 

The  actress,  Hilda  Sour,  has  arrived  from 
Chile  to  join  the  cast  of  "La  Juventud 
Manda"  ("Youth  Is  Boss").  This  film, 
which  already  is  in  work,  is  directed  by  Car- 
los Borcosque. 

E.F.A.  has  received  a  communication  from 
the  Argentine  diplomatic  representative  in 
Cuba,  Dr.  Victor  Lascano,  in  which  he 
details  the  resolution  of  the  Municipal 
Chamber  of  Sagua  La  Grande,  which  de- 
cided to  convey  to  the  film  corporation 
through  official  channels,  a  special  note  of 
congratulations  on  the  film  "La  Maestrita 
de  los  Obreros"  ("Little  Laborers'  School- 
mistress"). 


U.  S.  FILMS  LEAD 
IN  EL  SALVADOR 

Hollywood  product  furnished  77.62 
per  cent  of  the  films  shown  in  El 
Salvador  in  1942,  according  to  For- 
eign Commerce  Weekly,  official 
publication  of  the  Department  of 
Commerce.  A  total  of  500  features 
and  486  shorts  were  imported  during 
the  year,  the  U.  S.  being  the  leading 
supplier.  Argentine  pictures  repre- 
sented 10.28  per  cent  of  the  total, 
and  Mexico  was  next  with  7.86  per 
cent. 


Variety  Clubs 
In  Three  Cities 
Hear  O'Donnell 

Robert  J.  O'Donnell,  chief  barker  of  the 
National  Variety  Club,  was  guest  of  honor 
at  a  luncheon  given  on  Monday  by  Albany's 
Tent  No.  9,  at  which  members  of  the  unit  were 
attired  in  cowboy  uniforms  to  lend  atmosphere 
to  the  occasion. 

Mr.  O'Donnell  told  approximately  160  mem- 
bers present  of  the  club's  accomplishments  in 
the  war  effort,  describing  the  cooperation  of 
members  throughout  the  country  who  donated 
their  services  to  such  important  functions  as 
USO  work,  the  copper  drive,  morale  entertain- 
ment in  service  canteens,  and  other  services.  An 
official  welcome  was  given  to  Mr.  O'Donnell 
by  James  A.  Hagerty,  representing  Governor 
Thomas  E.  Dewey. 

The  arrangements  for  the  day  were  under 
the  supervision  of  C.  J.  Latta,  Albany's  chief 
barker,  while  Charles  A.  Smakwitz,  Warner 
publicity  head  in  the  Albany  territory,  was 
chairman  of  the  public  relations  committee. 
Honorary  memberships  were  given  Mr.  Hag- 
erty, Mayor  Corning  of  Albany,  James  Collins 
and  Reverend  John  G.  Hart.  Sammy  Kaye, 
bandleader,  also  was  accepted  as  an  honorary 
member  of  the  club.  Among  those  present  were 
George  Lynch,  Louis  Goldstein,  Elmer  Sichel. 
Gus  Lampe,  Alex  Sayles,  Joe  Saperstein,  Joe 
Shure,  Sam  Rosen,  Bernard  Brooks,  Irving 
Liner,  George  Seed,  Harvey  English,  Henry 
Grossman,  Joseph  Winstein,  Woodrow  W. 
Campbell,  James  O.  Wooton,  Jules  Curley, 
Mitchell  Conery,  Harry  Goldberg  and  others. 

Mr.  O'Donnell's  appearance  at  the  Albany 
unit  came  two  days  after  his  visit  to  Cleveland 
where  he  addressed  members  of  that  city's 
Variety  Club  on  May  8th.  Russell  Wilson, 
Cleveland  councilman  and  former  dramatic 
critic  of  the  Cincinnati  Times-Star,  acted  as 
toastmaster.  A  travesty  broadcast  titled  "The 
Highlights  of  the  Low  Life  of  Bob  O'Donnell," 
was  given  by  members  of  the  group  as  the 
entertainment  portion  of  the  program. 

Mr.  O'Donnell  was  guest  at  a  dinner  on  May 
6th,  at  the  Chicago  tent  26,  at  which  Mayor 
Edward  J.  Kelly  was  honored  guest.  The  tent's 
pledge  to  raise  $10,000  for  the  La  Rabida 
Sanitarium,  was  announced  by  chief  barker 
Johnny  Jones. 

The  Chief  Barker's  latest  stop  on  his  tour  of 
Variety  tents  was  Philadelphia  on  Thursday, 
where  he  was  again  tendered  a  testimonial 
luncheon  by  the  local  club.  Earlier  in  the 
day,  he  launched  a  drive  for  the  collection  of 
scrap  copper  by  the  city's  theatres.  The 
salvage  drive  is  sponsored  by  the  local  club 
under  the  auspices  of  the  War  Activities  Com- 
mittee. 


WE  TOLD  YOU  SO! 


TURN  PAGE  FOR 
PARADE  OF  RAVES 


911X1  of 


ONE  OF  THE  TWO  MOST  EXCITING 
PICTURES  I  HAVE  EVER  SEEN." 

— Walter  Winchell 


Excellent!  A  thriller!  One  of  the  best  pictures  of  the  year."— Archer  winsten,  New  York  Post 


"Contains  a    powerful  punch  in  itS  climactic  action."  — Kate  Cameron,  Daily  News 


"A  pack  of  excitement  — as  thrilling 
an  entertainment  as  anyone  could 
ask.  Next  of  Kin  swings  a  neat  dra- 
matic wallop  which  you  will  not 

SOOn  forget."     — Bosley  Crowfher,  N.  Y.  Times 

"An  exciting  drama." 

— Rose  Pelswick,  N.  Y.  Journal -American 

"Packed  with  punch  and  excite- 


ment. 


—PM 


"The  action  is  superb." 

— Edith  Werner,  Daily  Mirror 

"One  of  the  best  spy  pictures  of  the 
whole  year." 

— Alton  Cook,  N.  Y.  World-Telegram 

"Next  of  Kin  stacks  up  with  the  best 
of  cinema  tales  of  mystery  and  ad- 
venture shrewdly  written  to  preserve 
suspense  and  excitement  .  .  .  we 
award  it  our  decoration  for  excep- 
tional merit,  the  Blue  Ribbon  with 

Pd  mS.   — Gilbert  Kanour,  Evening  Sun,  Baltimore 


"Next  of  Kin  stands  on  its  own  feet 
as  a  first-class  piece  of  acting  and 

filming.      — Editorial,  The  Evening  Sun,  Baltimore 

"Next  of  Kin  is  actually  a  first-rate 
spy  thriller.  .  .  hard-bitten,  realistic, 
skillfully  produced,  ably  acted  and 
full  of  high  excitement." 

— Donald  Kirkley,  Evening  Sun,  Baltimore 

"Unreels  with  spine-chilling  force  .  .  . 
not  to  be  missed  by  anyone." 

—  Peggy  Doyle,  Boston  Daily  Record 


it 


Next  of  Kin  is  a  fascinating  film. 

— M.  L.  A.,  Boston  Daily  Globe 

An  abundance  of  excitement." 

— E.  L.  H.,  Boston  Herald 


A  powerful  photoplay.  It  is  hair- 
raising.  — Helen  Eager,  Boston  Traveler 

"A  forceful  and  exciting  film." 

— Prunella  Hall,  Boston  Post 
"A  thrilling  drama."      —Detroit  Free  Press 


"Vivid!" 


-John  Finlayson,  Detroit  News 


AT  UNIVERSAL  WE  SPELL  IT 


PRINTED    IN    U.  S.  A. 


On  every  screen!  "Prelude  To  Wr 
America's  Fighting  Film.  Rental  Fr«! 


in 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


49 


IN  NEWSREELS  $3,560,000  Net 


May    15,    I  943 

SEC  Reports 
Heavy  Stock 
Transactions 

Operations  of  officers,  directors  and  principal 
stockholders  of  film  corporations  in  the  securi- 
ties of  their  companies  continued  at  a  high  level 
through  March,  it  was  shown  Friday  in  the 
monthly  report  of  the  Securities  and  Exchange 
Commission. 

The  greatest  change  in  portfolios  during  the 
month  was  in  Twentieth  Century-Fox  through 
a  series  of  sales  in  which  Chase  National  Bank, 
New  York,  disposed  of  86,800  shares  of  common 
and  3,000  shares  of  preferred,  reducing  its  hold- 
ings to  105,358  shares  of  common  and  668,116 
of  preferred. 

In  another  series  of  sales,  Rockefeller  Center, 
New  York,  disposed  of  46,400  shares  of  Radio- 
Kieith-Orpheum  common  stock,  reducing  its 
portfolio  to  497,829  shares. 

Also  in  RKO,  J.  Miller  Walker,  officer,  New 
York,  acquired  100  shares  of  common,  repre- 
senting his  entire  interest  in  that  class,  and  500 
warrants  for  common,  giving  him  a  total  of 
2,000. 

Reports  on  Warner  Brothers  showed  a  series 
of  purchases  by  Albert  Warner,  officer,  New 
York,  by  which  he  acquired  4,100  shares  of 
common  stock,  giving  him  a  total  of  209,550 
shares,  and  the  purchase  of  2,400  shares  by 
Harry  M.  Warner,  officer,  Burbank,  Cal.,  giv- 
ing him  a  total  of  150,060  shares.  In  the  same 
company,  Joseph  Hazen,  officer,  New  York,  re- 
ported the  sale  of  1,200  shares  of  common,  re- 
ducing his  interest  to  500  shares. 

A  series  of  back  reports  were  filed  by  the 
Warner  Brothers,  covering  supplemental  indi- 
rect transactions  not  previously  reported.  Al- 
bert Warner,  in  such  a  report  for  last  Decem- 
ber, reported  the  disposition  by  distribution  of 
his  total  holdings  of  common  in  three  trusts  in 
the  amount  of  52,000,  43,500  and  6,900  shares 
respectively,  together  with  preferred  stock  hold- 
ings of  9,539  shares  in  Trust  A,  leaving  it  with 
500  shares;  9,363  shares  in  Trust  B,  leaving  it 
with  3,500  shares,  and  4,801  shares  in  Trust  C, 
leaving  it  with  9,539  shares. 

Report  Sale  of  60,300 
Shares  of  GPE  Stock 

In  General  Precision  Equipment,  formerly 
General  Theatres  Equipment,  the  Chase  Na- 
tional Bank,  New  York,  reported'  the  sale  of 
60,300  shares  of  capital  stock,  leaving  it  with 
92,613  shares. 

Loew's,  Inc.,  picked  up  another  68  shares  of 
Loew's  Boston  Theatres  common  stock,  raising 
its  interest  to  119,628  shares,  and  in  Loew's, 
Inc.,  itself,  Howard  Dietz,  officer,  New  York, 
reported  the  acquisition  of  five  shares  of  com- 
mon stock,  giving  him  a  total  of  ten  shares. 

In  Paramount  Pictures,  Anson  C.  Goodyear, 
director,  New  York,  reported  the  exchange  of 
300  shares  of  preferred  stock  held  directly  and 
300  shares  held  through  a  trust  for  two  lots  of 
2,100  shares  each  of  common  stock,  wiping  out 
his  interest  in  preferred  and  increasing  his  di- 
rect interest  in  common  to  4,100  shares  with 
2,100  shares  additional  held  through  the  trust. 
Stanton  Griffis,  director,  New  York,  reported 
the  acquisition  of  800  shares  of  common  stock, 
giving  him  a  total  of  6,000  shares,  and  300 
shares  through  N.  Griffis  Trust,  which  now 
holds  5,000  shares. 

Other  reports  showed  the  sale  of  500  shares 
of  Trans  Lux  Corporation  common  stock  by 
Walter  Siemers,  director,  Jamaica,  N.  Y.,  leav- 
ing him  with  1,500  shares,  and  the  sale  of  200 
Universal  Corporation  common  voting  trust 
certificates  by  Preston  Davie,  director,  West- 
bury,  L.  I.,  leaving  him  with  4,200. 

A  delayed  December,  1942,  report  on  Colum- 
bia Pictures  showed  that  Harry  Cohn,  officer, 
Hollywood,  received  21,385  shares  of  common 
stock  in  part  payment  of  a  claim  against  the 
JHL  Company. 


MOVIETONE  NEWS — VoL  25,  No.  71— Allies  besiege 
Bizerte.  .  ..  .  U.  S.  destroyers  hunt  U-boats.  .  .  . 
Barrage  balloons  protect  infantry.  .  .  .  Club  for 
military  women.  .  .  .  Count  Fleet  wins  Derby.  .  .  . 
Football  in  Britain.  .  .  .  Lew  Lehr  newsette. 

MOVIETONE  NEWS — Vol.  25,  No.  72— Victory  in 
Tunisia.  .  .  .  Yanks  take  Aleutian  bases.  .  .  .  OPA 
orders  "hold  the  line"  policy  on  prices.  .  .  .  Weapons 
for  Allies  in  No.  Africa.  .  .  .  Women  in  uniform.  .  .  . 
Dionne  quintuplets  launch  five  ships. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY— Vol.  25,  No.  269— Great  Allied 
victory.  .  .  .  Balloon  barrage  tests  Army's  new  tac- 
tics. .  .  .  New  York  canteen  opened  for  service 
women.  .  .  .  Count  Fleet  wins  Kentucky  Derby. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY — Vol.  25,  No.  270^-Axis  rout 
in  No.  Africa.  .  .  .  Yanks  take  Aleutian  basis.  .  .  . 
"Hold  the  line"  order  laid  down  by  OPA.  .  .  .  Dionne 
quints  launch  five  ships.  .  .  .  Government  girls 
donate  planes.  .  .  .  Royal  message  for  British  women. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS— No.  74— Allies  Tunisian  trap. 
.  .  .  Kentucky  Derby.  .  .  .  Eighth  Army  smashes 
Mareth  line.  .  .  .  Allies  press  on  Gabes  to  record 
victory.  .  .  .  Close  ring  about  Axis  at  Bizerte  and 
Tunis. 


From  Britain 

Actual  payment  of  British  revenue  to  Ameri- 
can distributors  totalling  $20,000,000  is  expected 
shortly  in  fulfillment  of  the  new  arrangements 
with  the  British  Treasury  releasing  "frozen" 
balances. 

Applications  for  the  remittance  of  funds  must 
be  cleared  through  the  British  Board  of  Trade 
and  the  Treasury,  together  with  the  auditing 
of  current  balances  before  they  can  be  forward- 
ed from  London  to  the  New  York  offices. 

It  is  believed  by  officials  in  the  foreign  de- 
partments of  home  offices  that  Australia,  New 
Zealand  and  India  also  will  remove  restrictions 
on  the  remittances  of  monies.  Although  it  was 
reported  that  New  Zealand  has  provisions  mak- 
ing it  mandatory  to  follow  the  British  prece- 
dent, Australia  and  India  are  not  bound  by  any 
committments  to  copy  England's  example. 


20th-Fox  Offering  Placed 

E.  F.  Hutton  &  Co.  and  Shields  &  Co.  an- 
nounced last  week  a  special  offering  of  60,000 
shares  of  20th  Century-Fox  common  stock  at 
21  Yd,  with  commissions  of  45  cents  and  20,000 
shares  of  preferred  at  31  with  commissions  of 
65  cents.  Sixty-three  firms  bid  for  67,895 
common  shares,  279  purchases  being  made  in 
all. 


For  Paramount 

Paramount  estimates  earnings  for  the  first 
quarter  of  1943,  after  taxes,  at  $3,560,000.  The 
amount  includes  $701,000,  representing  Para- 
mount's  interest  in  partially-owned  non-consoli- 
dated subsidiaries.  On  April  3rd,  the  company 
paid  the  $5,000,000  borrowed  from  banks  in 
January. 

The  board  of  directors  last  week  declared  a 
30  cent  dividend  on  common  stock,  payable 
July  1st,  1943,  to  stockholders  of  record  on 
June  15,  1943. 

The  board  has  also  authorized  the  payment 
in  cash  of  $3,090,000  to  the  Trustee,  under 
indenture  covering  the  company's  4  per  cent  de- 
benture due  1956,  to  be  applied  in  anticipating 
future  sinking  fund  obligations.  Together  with 
past  payments  of  a  similar  nature,  the  com- 
pany will  have  anticipated  total  future  sinking 
fund  obligations  of  $6,020,000. 


Kodak  Declares  Dividend 

The  directors  of  the  Eastman  Kodak  Com- 
pany of  Chicago  last  week  declared  a  quarterly 
dividend  of  $1.25  on  the  common  stock,  and  a 
quarterly  dividend  of  $1.50  on  the  preferred 
stock.  All  officers  of  the  company  were  re- 
elected. 


CBS  Declares  Dividend 

The  board  of  directors  of  the  Columbia 
Broadcasting  System  have  declared  a  dividend 
of  30  cents  per  share  on  the  present  Class  A 
and  Class  B  Stock  of  $2.50  par  value,  payable 
June  4,  1943,  to  stockholders  of  record  of  May 
21,  1943. 


Quarterly  Net  $770,890 

The  Philco  Corporation  has  announced  that 
the  company's  first  quarter  net  earnings  for 
1943  were  $770,890,  an  increase  of  approxi- 
mately $175,000  over  the  corresponding  period 
last  spring. 


Newsreel  Plays  200  Houses 

Two  hundred  houses  are  now  playing  All- 
America  News,  the  Negro  news  reel,  latest 
additions  being  the  RKO  Regent  and  Alhambra 
in  New  York,  according  to  Henri  Elman  of  Spe- 
cial Attractions,  Inc.,  of  Chicago. 


PARAMOUNT  NEWS— No.  75— Count  Fleet  scores  in 
Derby.  .  .  .  OPA  orders  "hold  the  line"  on  prices. 
.  .  .  Eisenhower  heads  Tunisian  victory.  .  .  .  Windsor 
here  providing  more  crop  labor.  .  .  .  Dionne  quints 
launch  ships.  .  .  .  Yanks  take  Aleutian  bases. 

RKO1  PATHE  NEWS— Vol.  14,  No.  74— Beginning  of 
the  end  in  Tunisia.  .  .  .  Rommel  leaves  Italians 
behind  as  Germans  retreat.  .  .  .  Americans  meet 
British  as  ring  closes  around  Bizerte  and  Tunis.  .  .  . 
Count  Fleet  wins  Kentucky  Derby. 

RKO  PATHE  NEWS— Vol.  14,  No.  75— Yanks  in  new 
Aleutians  bases.  .  .  .  British  heroes  back  from  prison. 
.  .  .  Government  girls  buy  planes.  .  .  .  Queen  reviews 
English  Wrens.  .  .  .  OPA  sets  new  top  prices.  .  .  . 
Lend-lease  for  French  in  Africa.  .  .  .  Dionne  quints 
launch  ships.  .  .  .  Eisenhower  in  Tunisia.  .  .  .  New 
U.  S.  tank. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWSREEI  VoL   16,   No.  187— Axis 

doomed  in  Africa.  .  .  .  Martinque  trouble  spot.  .  .  . 
Mexico  hails  Workers'  Day.  .  .  .  Kentucky  Derby 
winner.  .  .  .  All-American  mother  in  Ohio.  .  .  . 
Victory  Gardens  in  Nyack. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWSREEL— Vol.  16,  No.  188— Africa 
victory  complete.  .  .  .  Yanks  occupy  Aleutian  bases. 
.  .  .  Federal  girls  christen  planes.  .  .  .  Quints  launch 
ships.  .  .  .  Count  Fleet  Derby  winner.  .  .  .  U.  S.  gun 
on  tank  weapon  which  beat  Rommel. 

ALL  AMERICA  NEWS— Vol.  2,  No.  29— Memphis 
War  Bond  rally.  .  .  .  Negroes  in  Washington  offices. 
.  .  .  Skilled  workers  get  food  to  Uncle  Sam's  boys 
.  .  .  Mary  McLeod  Bethune  honored.  .  .  .  Veterans 
of  World  War  I  on  parade.  .  .  .  General  Benjamin 
O.  Davis  delivers  message  to  members  of  his  race. 


$20,000,000  Due 


Crosley  First  Quarter 
Net  $1,125,230 

The  Crosley  Corporation  has  reported  a  net 
profit  of  $1,125,230  for  the  three  months  ended 
March  31,  1943.  This  compares  with  earnings 
of  $391,138  for  the  same  period  last  year.  Net 
sales  were  $19,262,817  as  compared  with  $5,342,- 
633  a  year  ago.  Current  assets  were  listed  at 
$25,386,442,  and  liabilities  $20,386,419.  The 
figures  last  year  were  $7,780,014  and  $2,766,113, 
respectively.  The  company  operates  radio  sta- 
tions WLW,  WSAI  and  short  wave  station 
WLWO,  and  manufactures  material  and  devices 
under  war  contracts. 


WPB  Shifts  Control 
Of  Equipment  Sale 

Full  control  of  problems  relating  to  the 
production  and  purchase  of  35  mm.  projectors, 
sound  systems,  accessories  and  collateral  equip- 
ment was  transferred  by  the  War  Production 
Board  this  week  from  the  motion  picture  branch 
of  the  Consumer  Durable  Goods  Division  to  the 
amusements  section  of  the  Service  Equipment 
Division.  All  applications  for  permission  to 
purchase  such  equipment  as  well  as  authoriza- 
tions for  its  production  are  hereafter  to  be 
filed  with  the  service  equipment  division,  it  was 
stated. 


50  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  May    15,  1943 

7/WHAT  THE  » 
PICTURE  DID  FOR  ME* 


.  .  .  the  original  exhibitors'  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 
In  it  theatremen  serve  one  another  with  information  about  the  box-office  per- 
formance of  product — providing  a  service  of  the  exhibitor  for  the  exhibitor. 
ADDRESS  REPORTS:  What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,  Motion  Picture  Herald, 
Rockefeller  Center,  New  York,  N.  Y. 


Columbia 


DESPERADOES,  THE:  Randolph  Scott,  Glenn 
Ford,  Claire  Trevor — Went  over  in  good  shape  on  pre- 
ferred time.  Gave  it  a  good  advertising  campaign 
and  it  did  about  15  per  cent  over  average  business. 
—Warren  L.  Weber,  Ritz  Theatre,  Stafford,  Kan. 
General  patronage. 

ELLERY  QUEEN  AND  THE   MURDER  RING: 

Ralph  Bellamy,  Margaret  Lindsay — Very  good  "B" 
picture.  Lots  of  action,  mixed  with  comedy.  In 
fact,  my  patrons  liked  it  better  than  the  feature, 
"Skylark";  but  business  is  off  at  least  25  per  cent 
on  all  shows  since  the  war.  Played  Tuesday-Thurs- 
day, April  27-29.— M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E. 
Boston,  Mass.     General  patronage. 

HELLO,  ANNAPOLIS:  Tom  Brown,  Jean  Parker- 
Just  a  program  picture,  purely  American,  which 
should  be  double  billed.  Played  Monday- Wednesday. 
April  26-28.— Harland  Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Chat- 
ham, Ont. 

NIGHT  TO  REMEMBER,  A:  Loretta  Young,  Bri- 
an Aherne— Without  much  fanfare,  "A  Night  to  Re- 
member" amused  the  greatest  percentage  of  our 
audience.  Although  Brian  Aherne  is  quite  out  of  part 
in  his  rather  light  role,  the  daffiness  of  the  picture 
drew  the  patrons'  attention  away  from  war.  Played 
Thursday-Saturday,  April  2-4. — W.  C.  Crankshaw, 
Middleboro  Theatre,  Middleboro,  Mass.  Small  town 
patronage. 

ROARING  FRONTIERS:  Elliott,  Ritter— My  first 
with  these  stars.  Better  than  average  western. — 
Sammie  Jackson,  Jackson  Theatre,  Flomaton,  Ala. 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

BIG  STORE,  THE:  Marx  Brothers— Good  slapstick 
comedy.  Played  this  for  a  second  time,  but  fell  down 
on  it.  My  policy  of  repeating  big  pictures  held  for 
ten  years,  but  I'll  have  to  change  my  policy.  It  is  no 
good  at  present.  Played  Tuesday-Thursday,  April 
20-22.— M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass. 
General  patronage. 

COURTSHIP  OF  ANDY  HARDY,  THE:  Mickey 
Rooney,  Fred  Stone,  Donna  Reed — Another  Hardy 
family  picture  well  up  to  the  standard  of  the  others. 
Thoroughly  enjoyed  by  all.  Played  Friday,  Saturday, 
April  23,  24— W.  H.  Pyle,  Dreamland  Theatre,  Rock- 
glen,  Sask. 

EYES  IN  THE  NIGHT:  Edward  Arnold,  Ann 
Harding — There  were  potent  ingredients  mixed  in  this 
production,  but  it  didn't  jell.  The  conclusion  especial- 
ly was  bad.  Unsympathetic  parts  will  be  difficult 
for  M-G-M  to  overcome  when  they  elect  to  give 
their  starlet,  Miss  Reed,  more  important  work. 
Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  April  28,  29.— A.  C. 
Edwards,  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal. 

FINGERS  AT  THE  WINDOW:  Lew  Ayres— Not 
much  to  this  one.  Played  Tuesday,  Wednesday, 
March  30,  31. — Melville  Danner,  Kozy  Theatre,  Gran- 
ite, Okla.     Small  town  patronage. 

FOR  ME  AND  MY  GAL:  Judy  Garland,  George 
Murphy — Very  good — liked  by  everyone.  Did  very 
good  business.  Had  to  turn  people  away  at  the  box 
office  on  first  night  run,  and  did  equally  good  busi- 
ness on  second  night.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday. 
— Jack   L.   Edwards,   New   Theatre,   Manila,  Ark. 

GONE  WITH  THE  WIND:  Clark  Gable,  Vivien 
Leigh,  Leslie  Howard,  Olivia  de  Havilland — Played 
this  one  day,  on  a  Monday,  third  run.  and  it  did  al- 
most ten  times  normal  business.  A  sure  money- 
maker.— Warren  L.  Weber,  Ellinwood  Theatre,  Ellin  - 
wood.  Kan.     General  patronage. 

JOHNNY  EAGER:  Robert  Taylor,  Lana  Turner, 
Van  Heflin — The  adults  come  for  this  one — it  was  very 
good,  but  I  lost  the  kid  customers  on  this  one.  I 
need  a  "Viva  Villa"  to  get  them  both  in.  Played 
Sunday,  Monday,  April  11,  12. — M.  L.  London,  Gem 
Theatre,   E.   Boston,  Mass.     General  patronage. 

KEEPER  OF  THE  FLAME:  Spencer  Tracy,  Kath- 
erine  Hepburn — In  no  way  comparable  to  other  ve- 
hicles by  Tracy  and  Hepburn.  Very  poor  "word  of 
mouth."  Our  patrons  were  very  disappointed  at 
having  to  sit  through  this  dragged  out  picture. 
Played  Sunday-Tuesday,  May  2-4. — W.  C.  Crankshaw, 
Middleboro  Theatre,  Middleboro,  Mass.  Small  town 
patronage. 

PANAMA  HATTIE:  Red  Skelton,  Ann  Sothern— 

Bad — both  as  to  quality  of  picture  and  the  business 


it  did.  Played  Wednesday-Friday,  March  17-19. — 
Warren  L.  Weber,  Ellinwood  Theatre,  Ellinwood, 
Kan.    General  patronage. 

RANDOM  HARVEST:  Greer  Garson,  Ronald  Col- 
man — Did  excellent  business.  Our  audience  was  inter- 
ested during  the  entire  picture.  Garson  and  Colman 
give  extra  superb  performances  in  this  fine  produc- 
tion. Although  I  played  it  at  advanced  admissions, 
the  patrons  were  more  than  pleased.  Will  do  swell 
business  anywhere.  Played  Sunday-Tuesday,  April 
4-6. — D.  R.  Hoagg,  Lincoln  Theatre,  Sebewaing,  Mich. 
Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

STAND  BY  FOR  ACTION :  Robert  Taylor— Did 
less  business  than  "The  Navy  Comes  Through"  from 
RKO — played  a  few  weeks  ago.  People  are  definitely 
fed  up  on  this  type  of  entertainment.  Only  average 
program  business. — Warren  L.  Weber,  Ellinwood 
Theatre,  Ellinwood,  Kan.    General  patronage. 

TISH:  Marjorie  Main — Good  comedy,  played  mid- 
week. Played  Tuesday-Thursday,  March  9-11.— Mel- 
ville Danner,   Kozy   Theatre,   Granite,  Okla. 

WAR  AGAINST  MRS.  HADLEY,  THE:  Fay  Bain- 
ter,  Edward  Arnold — Excellent. — Sammie  Jackson, 
Jackson  Theatre,  Flomaton,  Ala. 

WHISTLING  IN  DIXIE:  Red  Skelton,  Ann 
Rutherford — When  it  comes  to  "corn"  my  patrons  like 
the  Weaver  Bros.,  but  Skelton  can  go  back  in  the 
closet  as  far  as  ever  doing  any  business  is  con- 
cerned. Even  too  corny  for  the  Weaver  fans.  The 
kids  might  like  it  on  a  Saturday  double  biller. — 
Warren  L.  Weber,  Ritz  Theatre,  Stafford,  Kan.  Gen- 
eral patronage. 

WHITE  CARGO:  Hedy  Lamarr— The  less  I  say 
about  this — the  better.  Everytime  I  think  about  it  I 
get  mad.  This  one  should  be  labeled  "not  fit  for  hu- 
man consumption." — Warren  L.  Weber,  Ritz  Theatre, 
Stafford,   Kan.     General  patronage. 

WHITE  CARGO:  Hedy  Lamarr,  Walter  Pidgeon— 
Probably  the  worst  motion  picture  I  have  ever  run. 
Leave  it  on  the  shelves — the  few  who  come  will  hate 
you  for  it.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  March  31, 
April  1. — Warren  L.  Weber,  Ellinwood  Theatre,  Ellin- 
wood, Kan.    General  patronage. 


Monogram 

CORPSE  VANISHES,  THE:  Bela  Lugosi— Very 
good  chiller  for  bargain  nite. — Sammie  Jackson,  Jack- 
son Theatre,  Flomaton,  Ala. 

SILVER  SKATES:  Kenny  Baker,  Patricia  Morri- 
son— Skating  pictures  popular  here.  Many  compli- 
ments for  "Balita"  and  her  partner.  Also  Frick  and 
Frack,  but  Kenny  Baker  as  a  movie  star  has  no  draw 
here.  Marvelous  skating.  Played  Monday -Wednes- 
day, April  19-21.— C.  A.  Smith,  Regent  Theatre,  Cha- 
pleau,  Ont.    Small  town  patronage. 


Paramount 

AMONG  THE  LIVING:  Albert  Dekker,  _  Susan 
Hayward,  Frances  Farmer — A  fair  horror  picture — 
our  small  town  folks  aren't  as  enthusiastic  as  city 
people  about  horror  shows.  Farm  lads  hate  to  go 
home  alone.  Played  midnight,  April  24. — Harland  Ran- 
kin, Plaza  Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 

BEYOND  THE  BLUE  HORIZON:  Dorothy  Lamour 
— The  men  folk  sure  turn  out  to  see  Dotty  and  the 
women  seem  to  like  her,  too.  The  picture  is  just  ordi- 
nary but  beautiful  color  and  Lamour  make  it  O.  K. 
Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  30,  May  1.— W.  R. 
Pyle,  Dreamland  Theatre,  Rockglen,  Sask. 

GLASS  KEY,  THE:  Alan  Ladd,  Veronica  Lake— 
This  picture  is  nothing  to  rave  about.  A  few  liked 
it.  Business  poor  so  it  must  have  been  the  picture 
that  kept  them  away.  Played  Monday-Tuesday,  April 
26-28.— M.  Bailey,  Strand  Theatre,  Dryden,  Ont. 

HAPPY  GO  LUCKY:  Dick  Powell,  Mary  Martin 
— Good  musical  show  in   Technicolor.     Business  was 


good  and  all  were  pleased.  Played  Wednesday, 
Thursday,  April  28,  29.— E.  M.  Freiburger,  Para- 
mount Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla.    Small  town  patronage 

HOLIDAY  INN:  Bing  Crosby,  Fred  Astaire— Very 
good  musical  but  not  such  a  super  duper  as  some 
would  have  you  believe.  Played  Monday,  Tuesday, 
April  19,  20.— W.  R.  Pyle,  Dreamland  Theatre,  Rock- 
glen, Sask. 

MAJOR  AND  THE  MINOR,  THE:  Ginger  Rogers, 
Ray  Milland — A  good  picture  which  everyone  liked. 
■They  want  to  see  more  of  Gingers  Rogers'  pictures. 
Played  Saturday-Monday,  March  20-22.— Melville  Dan- 
ner, Kozy  Theatre,  Granite,  Okla. 

MRS.  WIGGS  OF  THE  CABBAGE  PATCH:  Fay 

Bainter — This  picture  held  up  fairly  well  in  midweek. 
Played  Tuesday-Thursday,  March  16-18.— Melville 
Danner,  Kozy  Theatre,  Granite,  Dkla. 

PALM  BEACH  STORY,  THE:  Claudette  Colbert, 
Joel  McCrea — Only  average  business  but  all  those  who 
saw  it  enjoyed  it  immensely.  Good  comments.  Played 
Monday-Wednesday,  April  26-28.— C.  A.  Smith,  Re- 
gent Theatre,  Chapleau,  Ont.    Small  town  patronage. 

REAP  THE  WILD  WIND:  Paulette  Goddard,  John 
Wayne — One  of  the  best  releases  that  I  have  played 
in  this  theatre;  an  exceptionally  good  story  with 
plenty  of  action  and  beautiful  color.  I  can  recom- 
mend this  one  in  any  spot.  This  is  one  of  the  best 
of  Paramount's  that  I  have  played — nothing  but  good 
comment  from  my  patrons.  Played  Saturday,  April 
24. — A.  L  Dove,  Bengough  Theatre,  Bengough,  Sask. 

REAP  THE  WILD  WIND:  Paulette  Goddard,  Ray 
Milland — Excellent  production  that  pleased.  Road  con- 
ditions bad,  so  attendance  down.  Played  Friday, 
Saturday,  April  2,  3.— W.  R.  Pyle,  Dreamland  Thea- 
tre. Rockglen,  Sask. 

SWEATER  GIRL:  Eddie  Bracken,  June  Preisser 
— Nice  program  picture  that  brought  out  the  young; 
people.  Played  Thursday-Saturday,  April  29-May  1. — 
Harland  Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 

THIS  GUN  FOR  HIRE:  Alan  Ladd— Excellent  pic- 
ture enjoyed  by  all,  although  I  played  it  third  run  and 
late.  My  business  fell  down  badly  on  this  because  it 
was  seen  by  everyone  before  I  played  it.  Played  Sun- 
day, May  2. — M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston, 
Mass.    General  patronage. 

TWILIGHT  ON  THE  TRAIL:  William  Boyd— Very 
much  below  the  standard  set  by  others  of  Cassidy 
series.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  23,  24. — A.  C. 
Edwards,  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal.  Small  lumber 
town  patronage. 

WAKE  ISLAND:  Brian  Donlevy,  Robert  Preston- 
Pronounced  very  good  by  majority  of  audience.  Busi- 
ness above  normal.  Very  thoroughly  carried  out  in 
detail,  but  there  were  instances  where  interest  lagged. 
Played  Sunday,  Monday,  April  25,  26.— A.  C.  Edwards, 
Winema  Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal. 

WAKE  ISLAND:  Brian  Donlevy  —  Another  box- 
office  title  and  a  good  production.  One  of  the  best  war 
pictures  to  date. — Melville  Danner,  Kozy  Theatre, 
Granite,  Okla. 


RKO 

COME  ON  DANGER:  Tim  Holt— These  Tim  Holt 
westerns  seem  to  be  improving  rapidly  from  time  to 
time.  My  patrons  like  them  very  much,  on  a  class 
with  Roy  Rogers.  I  hope  they  all  continue  to  have 
action,  plus  music  and  comedy.  Played  Sunday,  Mon- 
day, April  25,  26.— M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E, 
Boston.  Mass.     General  patronage. 

FANTASIA:  Walt  Disney  Production — This  produc- 
tion just  like  a  poison  gas  attack.  If  you  want  to  kill 
your  business  in  a  small  town,  play  this  one.  May  be 
okay  for  city  business.  I  played  this  purchased  at  a 
high  rental,  killed  a  weekend  business.  One  of  the  re- 
marks passed  by  some  of  my  best  patrons  "What  is 
this?".  More  walkouts  than  any  picture  that  I  have 
ever  shown.  The  elephants  and  alligators  were  the 
(.Continued  on   page  52) 


USINESS&Tfykr,T00...170% 
VER  AVERAGE  IN  THE  FIRST  SEVEN 

OEW  OPENINGS!  Nifty  in  Norfolk - 

•very  in  Louisville- dazzling  in  Dayton 
c'lossal  in  Cleveland- astronomical  in 
kron  -  record-wrecking  in  Richmond - 
snsational  in  Syracuse! 

NOW— WOW!  — AT  THE  CAPITOL,  N.  Y.! 


52 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    15.  1943 


(Continued  from  page  50) 
berries.     Played  Friday,  April  30.— A.  L.  Dove,  Ben- 
gough  Theatre,  Bengough,  Sask. 

GREAT  GILDERSLEEVE,  THE:  Harold  Peary, 
Freddy  Mercer — Pleased  average  business  on  family 
night.  Good  comedy  for  family  trade,  but  low  budget 
product  and  it  shows  it.  Played  Tuesday,  April  27.— 
E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 
Small  town  patronage. 

PRIDE  OF  THE  YANKEES:  Gary  Cooper,  Teresa 
Wright — One  of  the  most  human,  heart  stirring  pic- 
tures I've  played.  When  people  stop  you  on  the  street 
next  day  and  tell  you  what  a  good  show  you  had  last 
night,  it's  bound  to  be  good.  Both  stars  very  good 
and  everyone  well  pleased.  Played  Sunday,  Monday. — 
Bert  Axley,  New  Theatre,  England,  Ark.  Small  town 
patronage. 

Republic 

BELLS  OF  CAPISTRANO:  Gene  Autry— Picture 
was  very  good.  Played  it  very  late.  No  draw  on 
account  of  the  late  date.  The  people  today  want  pic- 
tures brand  new.  They  have  the  money  and  want  the 
best.  I  have  a  depression  house.  Played  Sunday,  May 
2.— M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass. 
General  patronage. 

BLOCKED  TRAIL:  Three  Mesquiteers  —  Average 
western  subject  which  pleased  on  Friday  and  Satur- 
day, April  30,  May  1.— E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount 
Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

CALL  OF  THE  CANYON :  Gene  Autry,  Smiley 
Burnette — Gene  Autry  has  a  nice  following,  not  the 
draw  of  previous  pictures,  but  still  plenty  of  appeal. 
Played  Thursday -Saturday,  April  29- May  1.— Harland 
Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 

CHATTERBOX:  Judy  Canova,  Joe  E,  Brown— An 
entertaining  programmer  which  was  especially  enjoyed 
by  the  Canova-Brown  fans.  Business  fair.  Played 
Sunday-Tuesday,  April  18-20.— R.  E.  Salisbury,  Opera 
House  Theatre,  Presque  Isle,  Me.    General  patronage. 

FLYING  TIGERS:  John  Wayne,  Anna  Lee— This 
picture  had  a  box-office  title  and  did  good  business. 
Played  Tuesday- Wednesday,  March  23,  24.— Melville 
Danner,  Kozy  Theatre,  Granite,  Okla. 

HEART  OF  THE  GOLDEN  WEST:  Roy  Rogers, 
Gabby  Hayes — Roy  Rogers  is  coming  to  the  front  fast. 
Nice  weekend  picture.  Rogers  has  a  nice  voice. — Har- 
land Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 

ICE-CAP  ADES  REVUE:  Ellen  Drew,  Jerry  Colonna 

— Only  fair  ice  picture.  Opinions  were  divided.  Did 
only  fair  business.  Played  Monday-Wednesday,  April 
26-28.— Harland  Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 

ICE-CAPADES  REVUE:  Ellen  Drew— This  feature 
held  up  well  on  Friday,  Saturday.  Played  March  19, 
20.— Melville  Danner,  Kozy  Theatre,  Granite,  Okla. 

IDAHO:  Roy  Rogers— Doubled  with  "Taxi,  Mister," 
making  a  show  which  the  weekend  patrons  enjoyed. 
Business  good.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  23,  24. 
— R.  K.  Salisbury,  Opera  House  Theatre,  Presque  Isle, 
Me.    General  patronage. 

YOKEL  BOY:  Albert  Dekker,  Joan  Davis— Nice 
picture.  Joan  Davis  popular— plenty  of  laughs.  Crowd 
good  and  everybody  enjoyed  it  a  lot.  Played  Friday, 
Saturday,  April  30,  May  1.— Harland  Rankin,  Plaza 
Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 

YOKEL  BOY:  Judy  Canova— Very  good  picture. 
Music,  comedy,  action,  enjoyed  by  those  few  who  came. 
Will  recommend  it  as  a  good  "B"  picture  or  double 
it  with  a  western.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  April  4, 
5.— M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass. 
General  patronage. 

Twentieth  Century- Fox 

CHETNIKS,  THE  FIGHTING  GUERILLAS:  Philip 

Dorn,  Virginia  Gilmore — In  "Chetniks"  Twentieth  Cen- 
tury-Fox has  a  natural  which,  if  exploited  properly, 
will  do  justice  to  both  box  office  and  the  exhibitor's 
heart.  By  all  means  a  picture  every  exhibitor  should 
run  and  every  patron  should  see. — O.  G.  Wren,  Cros- 
sett  Theatre,  Crossett,  Ark. 

JUST  OFF  BROADWAY:  Lloyd  Nolan  —  Michael 
Shayne  again  proves  to  be  a  big  help.  This  amusing 
antidote  for  a  heavy  program  quite  good.  Comedy 
throughout  excellent.  Patrons  enjoy  this  series  ex- 
tremely.— W.  C.  Crankshaw,  Middleboro  Theatre,  Mid- 
dleboro. Mass.    Small  town  patronage. 

IMMORTAL  SERGEANT:  Henry  Fonda,  Maureen 
O'Hara — Exceptionally  well  produced,  and  it  has  sus- 
pense and  good  story.  It  was  received  with  better 
grace  than  some  of  the  other  war  pictures,  due,  I 
think,  to  the  flash  backs  of  Fonda's  life,  with  Miss 
O'Hara,  that  relieved  the  grim  story. — A.  E.  Hancock, 
Columbia  Theatre.  Columbia  City,  Ind. 

IMMORTAL  SERGEANT:  Henry  Fonda,  Maureen 
O'Hara — Grand  picture.  Did  extra  business  and  our 
patrons  gave  favorable  comments  on  it,  although  war 
pictures  are  not  tops  for  drawing  crowds.  This  pic- 
ture displays  authentic  adventures  of  the  situation  of 
the  war  and  should  be  given  a  big  build-up  to  the 
public.  No  complaints.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  April 
18,  19. — D.  R.  Hoagg,  Lincoln  Theatre,  Sebewaing, 
Mich.    Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 

MARK  OF  ZORRO:   Tyrone  Power— Good  action 


picture,  enjoyed  by  all  that  came.  But  not  too  many 
came.  These  .old  pictures  are  not  drawing  like  they 
did,  before  the  war,  the  reason  being,  there  are  too 
many  new  ones.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  April  18, 
19. — M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass. 
General  patronage. 

MEANEST  MAN  IN  THE  WORLD,  THE:  Jack 
Benny,  Priscilla  Lane — Light  comedy — and  what  Benny 
would  do  without  Rochester,  I  don't  know.  Not  much 
to  the  story,  but  at  least  they  got  some  laughs  and 
take  it  from  me  again— that  is  what  the  people  are 
looking  for. — A.  E.  Hancock,  Columbia  Theatre,  Col- 
umbia City,  Ind. 

MY  GAL  SAL:  Rita  Hayworth,  Victor  Mature— 
Another  winner  from  Fox.  First  night  not  so  hot  as 
they  didn't  care  for  title.  But  those  who  saw  it  talked 
so  second  night  was  away  up.  Played  Monday-Tues- 
day, April  12,  13.— W.  R.  Pyle,  Dreamland  Theatre, 
Rockglen,  Sask. 

SONG  OF  THE  ISLANDS:  Betty  Grable,  Jack 
Oakie — A  small  town  natural,  lots  of  comedy  from 
Oakie.  A  bit  of  western  touch.  Lots  of  Hawaiian 
music  and  Grable  in  lovely  technicolor.  Played  Friday, 
Saturday,  April  9,  10.— W.  R.  Pyle,  Dreamland  Thea- 
tre, Rockglen,  Sask. 

TALES  OF  MANHATTAN:  Ginger  Rogers,  Henry 
Fonda,  Charles  Boyer,  Rita  Hayworth,  Edward  G. 
Robinson,  Charles  Laughton — Fair  opening  but  word 
of  mouth  killed  it.  People  complained  no  story,  so 
stars  aren't  everything.  Leaving  out  the  business  end, 
I  thought  it  a  real  picture.  Played  Monday- Wednes- 
day, April  12-14.— C.  A.  Smith,  Regent  Theatre,  Chap- 
leau,  Ont.    Small  town  patronage. 

TALES  OF  MANHATTAN:  Ginger  Rogers,  Henry 
Fonda,  Charles  Laughton,  Rita  Hayworth,  Charles 
Boyer,  Edward  G.  Robinson — Didn't  click. — Melville 
Danner,  Kozy  Theatre,  Granite,  Okla. 

THUNDER  BIRDS:  Gene  Tierney,  John  Sutton— 
Very  good.  Technicolor  made  it  about  25%  better.— 
Sammie  Jackson,  Jackson  Theatre,  Flomaton,  Ala. 

UNITED  WE  STAND:  Lowell  Thomas-This  pic- 
ture failed  to  interest  any  except  those  who  are  in- 
terested in  history.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  23, 
24. — A.  C.  Edwards,  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal. 
Small  lumber  town  patronage. 

WE  ARE  THE  MARINES:  Marine  Feature— Played 
with  "Idaho."  This  picture  should  be  on  the  public's 
"must  see  list."  Is  an  excellent  example  of  what  the 
Marines  are  doing  and  going  through.  Being  authen- 
tic it  was  interesting  and  did  extra  business.  Well 
worth  running.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  23,  24. 
— D.  R.  Hoagg,  Lincoln  Theatre,  Sebewaing,  Mich. 
Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 


United  Artists 

DEVIL  WITH  HITLER,  THE:  Alan  Mowbray, 
M'arjorie  Woodworth — Played  this  on  double  feature 
and  it  even  drew  double.  This  picture  may  not  be  a 
top  one  but  it  is  one  of  the  cleverest  pictures  I've 
shown.  Of  course,  we  all  like  to  see  Hitler,  etc.,  being 
made  a  fool  of  and  this  picture  really  did  it.  Very 
short  running  time  but  every  minute  entertainment. 
Played  Thursday-Saturday. — Bert  Axley,  New  Thea- 
tre, England,  Ark. 

I  MARRIED  A  WITCH:  Fredric  March,  Veronica 
Lake — Did  pretty  fair  business.  The  name  drew  mostly 
men  as  most  men  feel  they  all  married  witches.  Pa- 
trons well  pleased.  Played  Sunday,  Monday. — Bert 
Axley,  New  Theatre,  England,  Ark.  Small  town 
patronage. 

JACARE:  Animal  feature — Appealed  to  men  and 
kids.  The  women  stayed  home.  Billed  with  "How's 
About  It,"  Universal  musical  starring  Andrews  Sis- 
ters, which  would  be  fine  where  the  Andrews  Sisters 
are  a  draw.  Comments  showed  they're  poison  here. 
Played  Thursday -Saturday,  April  8-10.— C.  A.  Smith, 
Regent  Theatre,  Chapleau,  Ont.   Small  town  patronage. 

LITTLE  ANNIE  ROONEY:  Shirley  Temple— Not 
so  hot.  A  few  came  to  see  how  Shirley  looks  grown 
up.  But  it's  not  the  picture  for  small  towns.  Played 
Monday,  Tuesday,  April  26,  27.— W.  R.  Pyle,  Dream- 
land Theatre,  Rockglen,  Sask. 

MOON  AND  SIXPENCE,  THE:  George  Sanders, 
Herbert  Marshall — Pass  this  one  up  and  do  yourself 
some  good.  Wish  we  could  have  paid  for  this  and 
shelved  it.  Free  lovers  are  no  good  here.  Played 
Wednesday,  Thursday,  April  28,  29. — Harland  Rankin, 
Plaza  Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 

ONE  OF  OUR  AIRCRAFT  IS  MISSING:  (British) 
Godfrey  Tearle,  Eric  Portman— One  of  their  aircraft 
may  have  been  missing  but  my  crowd  was  missing  too. 
A  little  too  "deep"  for  a  small  town.  Played  Tuesday, 
Wednesday. — Bert  Axley,  New  Theatre.  England,  Ark. 
Small  town  patronage. 

POWERS  GIRLS,  THE:  George  Murphy,  Ann  Shir- 
ley, Carol  Landis — We  gave  this  extra  time,  and  it 
did  not  rate  it.  It  is  a  blown  up  program  picture  and 
all  the  ballyhoo  it  got  could  not  change  it  from  that 
status.  There  was  no  enthusiasm  apparent  in  the 
audience  for  it  at  all,  and  it  did  not  hold  up  on  the 
extra  day. — A.  E.  Hancock,  Columbia  Theatre,  Colum- 
bia City,  Ind. 

TO  BE  OR  NOT  TO  BE:  Jack  Benny,  Carole  Lom- 
bard— Poor  picture  for  small  towns.  It  isn't  the  Jack 
Benny  type  of  comedy  they  expect  and  the  story  is  a 
bit  heavy.    They'll  come  out,  however,  to  see  Carole 


Lombard's  last  picture,  but  they  go  away,  dissatis- 
fied. Played  Tuesday,  Wednesday,  April  16,  17. — W. 
R.  Pyle,  Dreamland  Theatre,  Rockglen,  Sask. 


Universal 

FRANKENSTEIN    MEETS   THE    WOLF  MAN: 

Lon  Chaney,  Bela  Lugosi — This  flopped  and  we  did 
less  business  than  "Frankenstein"  and  "Wolf  Man" 
did  previously  by  themselves.  If  Universal  has  any 
plans  to  continue  this  series,  I  hope  they  do  not  intend 
to  sell  Middleboro.  Played  Sunday -Tuesday,  April  18- 
20.— W.  C.  Crankshaw,  Middleboro  Theatre,  Middle- 
boro, Mass.    Small  town  patronage. 

IT  COMES  UP  LOVE:  Gloria  Jean,  Ian  Hunter- 
Gloria  Jean  popular  here.  Many  good  comments  for 
her  partner,  Donald  O'Connor.  Double  billed  with 
Twentieth  Century -Fox's  "Manila  Calling."  Many 
walkouts.  Too  much  war.  Our  patrons  are  made  up 
of  mothers,  wives,  fathers.  No  youth  left.  Played 
Thursday-Saturday,  April  29-May  1.— C.  A.  Smith. 
Regent  Theatre.  Chapleau,  Ont.  Small  town  patronage. 

SHERLOCK  HOLMES  IN  WASHINGTON:  Basil 
Rathbone — Best  of  the  series  to  date.  Business  just 
average.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  April  21,  22.— 
R.  E.  Salisbury,  Opera  House  Theatre,  Presque  Isle, 
Me.    General  patronage. 

WHO  DONE  IT?  Abbott  &  Costello— Might  be  the 
same  old  stuff,  but  the  cashier  keeps  busy  so  who 
cares.  The  house  rocked  with  laughter — everyone  was 
happy.  Played  Thursday-Saturday,  April  15-17.— C.  A. 
Smith,  Regent  Theatre,  Chapleau,  Ont.  Small  town 
patronage. 

Warner  Bros. 

ACROSS  THE  PACIFIC:  Humphrey  Bogart,  Mary 
Astor — Good  picture  but  didn't  do  the  business  I  ex- 
pected it  would.  However,  the  patrons  who  saw  it 
were  pleased.  Bogart  is  a  fine  actor  and  usually 
draws  a  nice  crowd  here  but  for  some  unknown  rea- 
son he  didn't  succeed.  Wasn't  quite  the  type  of  pic- 
ture he  should  play  in.  Played  Tuesday -Thursday, 
April  13-15.— D.  R.  Hoagg,  Lincoln  Theatre,  Sebe- 
waing, Mich. 

AIR  FORCE:  John  Garfield,  Gig  Young,  Harry 
Carey — Yes,  it  is  one  of  the  best  of  the  air  pictures, 
but  oh  how  I  wish  there  were  less  of  them.  Watching 
men  die  and  airplanes  crash  is  not  what  the  public 
want.  They  don't  want  to  sit  tensed  up  thinking  that 
perhaps  one  of  their  boys  is  out  there,  as  many  are 
from  every  community.  We  note  that  these  pictures 
drew  more  from  the  young  people,  and  the  elders  are 
missing,  which  is  not  good  for  business. — A.  E.  Han- 
cock, Columbia  Theatre,  Columbia  City,  Ind. 

CASABLANCA:  Ingrid  Bergman,  Humphrey  Bogart 
— Good  business,  satisfied  patrons.  Played  Monday- 
Wednesday,  April  5-7.— C.  A.  Smith,  Regent  Theatre, 
Chapleau,  Ont.    Small  town  patronage. 

EDGE  OF  DARKNESS:  Errol  Flynn,  Ann  Sheridan 
—Another  big  one  from  Warners.  Everyone  liked  it. 
Opened  big  and  held  strong  for  five  days.  Give  it 
your  best  playtime  and  plenty  of  it.  Played  Sunday  - 
Thursday,  April  25-29. — R.  E.  Salisbury,  Opera  House 
Theatre,  Presque  Isle,  Me.  General  patronage. 

GENTLEMAN  JIM:  Errol  Flynn— A  natural— every- 
one seemed  to  leave  feeling  they  had  really  been  en- 
tertained. Business  good  for  three  days.  Played 
Thursday-Saturday,  April  22-24.— C.  A.  Smith,  Re- 
cent Theatre,  Chapleau,  Ont.  Small  town  patronage. 

GENTLEMAN  JIM:  Errol  Flynn— Played  this  three 
days  to  about  as  much  business  as  I  would  do  on  a 
matinee.  Personally  I  liked  the  picture  but  it  was 
like  hanging  out  a  scarlet  fever  sign.  Brother,  what  a 
beating  I  took  on  this  one. — Warren  L.  Weber,  Ritz 
Theatre,  Stafford,  Kan.    General  patronage. 

HARD  WAY,  THE:  Ida  Lupino,  Joan  Leslie,  Dennis 
Morgan — Entertaining  drama  with  plenty  of  musical 
interludes  and  plenty  of  running  time.  It  pleased 
those  who  came,  but  business  was  light.  Played  Sun- 
day, Monday,  April  25,  26.— E  Ml  Freiburger,  Para- 
mount Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

NOW,  VOYAGER:  Bette  Davis,  Paul  Henreid— 
Very  good. — Played  Saturday-Monday,  March  6-8.— 
Melville  Danner,  Kozy  Theatre,  Granite,  Okla. 

Short  Feature 


Paramount 

SHOOTING  MERMAIDS:  Sportlights— Interesting. 
— C.  A.  Smith,  Regent  Theatre,  Chapleau,  Ont. 

RKO 

DONALD'S  DOG  LAUNDRY:  Walt  Disney  Car- 
toons— Seemed  to  get  laughs. — C.  A.  Smith,  Regent 
Theatre,  Chapleau,  Ont. 

ORPHANS'  BENEFIT:  Walt  Disney  Cartoons- 
Good  Disney  cartoon. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount 
Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

Twentieth  Century- Fox 

SHIPYARD    SYMPHONY:    Terry  toons  (Techni 
(Continued  on  page  54) 


THERE'S 


DYNAMITE  "GESTAPO 


n 


...in  the  picture  ...in  the  title  ...in  the  ads  ...in  the  reviews! 


and  d£ Ihmgs  that  makej^     blood-spattered  u 

the  trail  of  the  Reich 
Rats  as  it  leads  from 


country  to  country- 
yes,  even  to  the  U.  S.  A.: 
You'll  see  THAT  when 
our  screen  unfolds  the 
shock  story  of  the  year... 


%:  i 


yHon°3  PICTURE 


Era 


'The  scene  is  the  U.S.,  the 
time  is  now  .  .  .  it's  not  like 
any  other  anti-Nazi  picture 
and  it's  got  more  power  than 
most  of  them.  An  achieve- 
ment." 

...Motion  Picture  Daily 

"Unfolds  excitingly  and  with 
class.  Monogram  has  a  winner 
which  may  be  strongly  ex- 
ploited. Will  undoubtedly  fare 
well  at  boxoffice." 

...Daily  Variety 

"Provocative  title  and  tricky 
original  story  that  keeps  the 
spectators  absorbed  con- 
stantly." 

...L.  A.  Daily  News 

"Splendid  entertainment,  ex- 
pert direction,  fine  acting." 
. . .  Hollywood  Reporter 

"Far  off  the  beaten  path  and 
powerful.  Fascinating  ...  a 
challenge  to  imitators." 

. . .  Morion  Picture  Herald 

"Registers  in  suspense  and 
melodramatic  excitement.  Jag- 
ger  is  a  strong  force  for  the 
film's  appeal." 

. . .  Los  Angeles  Times 

"Substantially  mounted,  com- 
petently directed  and  the  cast 
is  well  above  average.  Story 
has  refreshingly  original 
angles." 

...Box  Office 


Tffatopiaaa  FOLLOW-UP  HIT  to  "SILVER  SKATES" 


54 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    15,  1943 


(Continued  from  page  52) 
color) — Good  color  cartoon. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Para- 
mount Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

Universal 

MERRY  MADCAPS,  THE:  Musicals— Poorest  musi- 
cal I've  had  from  Universal  in  many  a  day. — C.  A. 
Smith,  Regent  Theatre,  Chapleau,  Ont. 

MOTHER  OF  PRESIDENTS:  Variety  Views— An 
interesting  and  educational  subject. — R.  E.  Salisbury, 
Opera  House,  Presque  Isle,  Me. 

SWINGTIME  BLUES:  Musicals— Some  very  good 
specialty  numbers  in  this  one.  My  patrons  seemed  to 
enjoy  it. — R.  E.  Salisbury,  Opera  House,  Presque 
Isle,  Me. 


Vitaphone 

EAGLES  OF  THE  NAVY:  Technicolor  Specials- 
Entertaining  two-reeler  about  airplanes. — E.  M.  Frei- 
burger, Paramount  Theatre.  Dewey,  Okla. 


SPIRIT  OF  WEST  POINT,  THE:  Broadway  Brevi- 
ties— The  training  of  officers  for  the  United  States 
Army.  An  exceptionally  good  reel. — A.  L.  Dove, 
Bengough  Theatre,  Bengough,  Sask.,  Can. 

SPIRIT  OF  ANNAPOLIS,  THE:  Broadway  Brevi- 
ties— Good  Navy  picture  which  will  help  any  program. 
— M.  Bailey,  Strand  Theatre,  Dryden,  Ont. 

TORTOISE  WINS  BY  A  HARE:  Merrie  Melodies 
Cartoons — Good  color  cartoon. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Par- 
amount Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 


Serial 


Universal 

JUNIOR  G-MEN  OF  THE  AIR:  Another  serial  to 
suffer  through.  Wonder  if  anyone  likes  them.  I 
don't.  This  one  no  worse  or  better  than  any  of  the 
others. — R.  E.  Salisbury.  Opera  House,  Presque  Isle, 
Me. 


SHORT  PRODUCT 
PLAYING  BROADWAY 


Week  of  May  lOtb 

ASTOR 

Sufferin'  Cats   MGM 

Mission  Accomplished   Victory  Film 

Feature:  The  Human  Comedy.  MGM 

CAPITOL 

Mission  Accomplished   Victory  Film 

Feature:  Presenting  Lily  Man.  MGM 

CRITERION 

Heavenly  Music   MGM 

Doctors  at  War  Victory  Film 

Feature:  Assignment  in  Brit- 
tany  MGM 

GLOBE 

Ozzie   Nelson   and   His  Or- 
chestra  Vitaphone 

Tortoise  Wins  by  a  Hare ...  Vitaphone 
Feature:  Desert  Victory  20th  Cent. -Fox 

HOLLYWOOD 

The  Wise  Quacking  Duck.  .  .Vitaphone 
Feature:  Mission  to  Mosccnv .   Warner  Bros. 

MUSIC  HALL 

Fala  MGM 

Olympic  Champ  RKO 

Feature:  Flight  for  Freedom.  RKO 

PARAMOUNT 

Mission  Accomplished   Victory  Film 

Bravo,  Mr.  Strauss  Paramount 

Hike  or  Bike  Paramount 

Popular  Science,  No.  3  Paramount 

Feature:  China  Paramount 

RIALTO 

Spinach  for  Britain  Paramount 

Mission  Accomplished   Victory  Film 

Feature:  The  Next  of  Kin.  .  .  Universal 

RIVOLI 

Mission  Accomplished   Victory  Film 

Bellboy  Donald   RKO 

Feature:   The  Ox-Bow  Inci- 
dent 20th  Cent. -Fox 

ROXY 

Mission  Accomplished   Victory  Film 

Feature:  Crash  Dive  20th  Cent. -Fox 

STRAND 

Mission  Accomplished   Victory  Film 

Young  and  Beautiful  Vitaphone 

Riding  with  the  Stars  Vitaphone 

Feature:  Edge  of  Darkness ..  Warner  Bros. 


Get  Midwest  Film  Rights 

The  following  states  rights  have  been  ac- 
quired by  Variety  Pictures  of  Chicago,  accord- 
ing to  an  announcement  by  a  company  spokes- 
man :  Illinois  and  Indiana  rights  to  "Tarzan 
and  the  Green  Goddess"  from  Burroughs  Enter- 
prises ;  Illinois  rights  to  "Women  Raiders  of 
Zamboanga"  from  Louis  Fillipi  Films ;  Illinois 
and  Indiana  rights  to  "After  Mein  Kampf"  from 
Crystal  Pictures. 


To  Issue  Serial  from  Film 

Warner's  forthcoming  film,  "Action  in  the 
North  Atlantic,"  will  be  serialized  by  the  Bell 
j  Syndicate,  which  has  announced  that  approxi- 
mately 200  newspapers  will  carry  24  install- 
ments of  the  story.  E.  P.  Dutton  and  Company 
previously  announced  that  a  book  will  be  pub- 
lished based  on  the  picture. 


Fox  Awaiting  Army  CaH 

Matthew  Fox,  former  Universal  vice-presi- 
dent, who  has  been  in  charge  of  current  prob- 
lems for  the  WPB  planning  board,  has  resigned 
his  position  in  the  expectation  of  shortly  being 
called  for  Army  duty. 


May    15,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


55 


MANAGERS' 


ROUND  TABLE 


-An  international  association  of  showmen  meeting  weekly 
in  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD  for  mutual  aid  and  progress 

BOB  WILE,  Editor  GERTRUDE  MERRIAM,  Associate  Editor 


OP 


Over  the  Editor's  Shoulder 


The  membership  is  invited  to  join  us  today  in  looking  over 
the  mail.  As  we  skip  around  the  country,  you  may  marvel  with 
us  at  the  many  different  problems  and  aspects  of  theatre 
operation  and  showmanship.  And  you  may  also  be  interested 
in  how  various  are  the  reactions  of  members  to  various  prob- 
lems. Here  we  go  on  a  cross-country  trip: 

Manchester,  Conn. — Jack  Sanson,  manager  of  the  State 
theatre,  which  changes  its  program  twice  a  week,  reports  that 
the  other  night  two  ushers  came  to  him  and  said,  "We  quit. 
It  gets  too  monotonous  looking  at  the  same  picture  all  the 
time."  This  problem  would  seem  to  be  more  serious,  now  that 
runs  are  getting  longer  and  longer.  We  must  remember  to 
ask  Gus  Eyssell  how  many  ushers  left  the  Radio  City  Music  Hall 
during  the  run  of  "Random  Harvest". 

*  *  * 

Bridgeport,  Conn. — There  are  plenty  of  instances  of  the  idea 
that  missed.  But  here's  a  classic  from  Morris  Rosenthal  of 
the  Majestic.  He  and  Ralph  Stitt,  Twentieth  Century- Fox 
exploiteer,  cooked  up  a  stunt  for  "The  Moon  Is  Down".  Since 
a  small  town  Mayor  is  the  hero  of  the  story,  they  decided  to 
tie  up  the  Mayor  of  Bridgeport  with  the  Bond  Drive.  The  idea 
was  to  honor  the  Mayor  for  his  war  efforts  in  the  community 
and  make  a  presentation  to  him  from  the  stage  on  opening 
night.  The  purchaser  of  the  biggest  Bond  would  make  the 
presentation;  a  key  to  the  city,  autographed  by  the  Mayor, 
would  be  auctioned  off  for  another  Bond,  etc.  The  editor  of 
the  local  newspaper  is  general  chairman  of  the  War  Bond 
Drive.  He  liked  the  idea  immensely  but,  he  said,  "Why  hold 
it  at  the  theatre?  I  think  it  should  be  held  at  Seaside  Park 
and  invite  everybody  to  the  presentation."  So,  after  working 
on  the  stunt  for  four  days,  the  boys  had  to  hold  it  at  the  park. 

*  *  * 

Providence,  R.  I. — Speaking  of  the  Citation  she  won  in  the 
First  Quarter  .Quigley  Award  contest,  Rita  Morton,  publicity 
director  of  the  RKO  Albee,  says,  "I  doubt  if  I've  ever  been 
as  proud  of  anything  in  my  life.  I  was  so  pleased  to  win  it,  and 
it  was  such  a  pleasant  surprise."  The  membership  will  probably 
not  be  as  surprised  as  Rita,  since  her  excellent  promotions  are 
frequently  recorded  in  these  pages. 

*  *  * 

Warren,  Ohio. — This  city  will  soon  have  to  find  a  lot  of 
people  to  take  the  place  of  Earle  H.  Bailey,  now  carrying  a 
I  A  card.'  Earle  is  proud  of  the  fact  that  he  is  publicity  chair- 


man of  the  salvage  committee;  he  gets  the  Better  Films  Council 
of  the  city  to  applaud  the  industry's  war  efforts;  he  is  first  vice- 
president  of  the  Junior  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  has  been 
named  by  the  nominating  committee  to  head  the  coming  year's 
slate  as  president;  he  is  a  past  president  of  the  Lions  Club; 
he  is  vice-chairman  of  the  membership  committee  of  the  Senior 
Ch  amber  of  Commerce;  he  is  the  champion  War  Bond  sales- 
man in  the  county;  he  is  president  of  the  Auxiliary  Fire  Corps 
for  Civilian  Defense,  holding  together  a  hundred  fire  fighters 
with  three  trucks  and  four  trailer  pumps.  And,  oh,  yes,  he  is 
also  manager  of  the  Harris  Warren  theatre. 

*  *  * 

Wisconsin  Rapids,  Wis. — More  thoughts  on  the  Quigley 
Awards  come  from  Herb  Graefe,  manager  of  the  theatres  in 
this  city.  "It  isn't  just  winning  the  Award  (a  Scroll  of  Honor) 
that  makes  me  feel  so  good  but  the  fact  that  my  ideas  and 
promotions  were  merely  part  of  my  job  and  yet  they  won  in  a 
field  where  the  best  of  the  show  world  compete.  I  have  read 
of  many  promotions  in  the  Managers'  Round  Table  with  envy, 
hoping  that  perhaps  some  day  I  could  do  things  like  that." 
Herb's  promotion  work  will  be  of  a  different  nature  from 
now  on.  Uncle  Sam  has  given  him  a  nod  and  his  future  pro- 
motions will  be  toward  a  generalship,  we  hope. 

*  *  * 

Somewhere  in  Africa. — Private  Herman  Addison,  Jr.,  for- 
merly with  the  Schine  Circuit  in  Glens  Falls,  N.  Y.,  writes  asking 
who  won  the  Quigley  Awards  for  1942.  Considering  the 
urgency  of  his  business  over  there,  we  are  extremely  gratified 
to  hear  of  Mr.  Addison's  interest  in  the  competition.  By  now, 
he  probably  has  been  informed  of  the  winners  through  these 
pages,  which  must  of  necessity  reach  him  somewhat  later  than 
they  reach  you.  His  letter  also  said,  "I  intend  to  get  a  Quigley 
Award  myself  when  this  blasted  war  is  over." 

*  * 

Bridgeport,  Conn. — A  late  bulletin  from  Morris  Rosenthal, 
and  this  time  he  makes  the  front  pages  with  "The  Moon  Is 
Down"  quite  by  accident.  It  seems  that  a  Bridgeport  girl 
stabbed  a  mugger,  resulting  in  her  assailant's  hospitalization. 
She  told  newspaper  reporters,  "I  had  just  seen  John  Steinbeck's 
'The  Moon  Is  Down',  now  playing  at  the  Majestic  theatre,  in 
which  a  Norwegian  girl  stabs  a  Nazi  officer  with  a  pair  of 
scissors.   This  kept  running  through  my  mind." 

—BOB  WILE 


56 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    15,  1943 


Selling  Points 

ON  THE  NEW  PRODUCT 

[The  material  below  reflects  press  books  now  in  preparation  and  represents  the  point  of 
view  of  the  distributors'  exploiteers  about  the  selling  points  and  special  merit  of  these  pictures.] 


B  ATA  AN  (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer):  This 
picture  representing  an  era  of  military  his- 
tory that  will  be  enshrined  forever  in  the 
hearts  of  all  Americans  will  best  be  sold  as 
an  out  and  out  war  picture.  For  instance, 
there  are  photos  depicting  the  various 
American  soldiers  in  the  film  in  action 
poses,  which  might  well  be  blown  up  and 
used  in  the  front.  If  they  are  used  inside 
far  enough  in  advance,  the  names  of  the 
five  principals  might  be  left  off  and  the 
public  could  be  asked  to  correctly  identify 
the  men  with  a  prize  for  those  doing  so 
correctly.  Later  on,  this  same  idea  could 
be  used  as  a  contest  in  the  newspapers,  in 
a  throwaway  or  program.  "Bataan  Fight- 
ing Words"  is  the  title  of  a  contest  in 
which  each  of  the  characters  is  depicted 
opposite  a  Jap  at  whom  he  is  to  hurl  words 
of  defiance  suggested  by  newspaper  read- 
ers. Tickets  can  be  awarded  for  the 
toughest  printable  fighting  words.  An- 
other suggestion  is  to  ask  for  fighting 
words  beginning  with  the  each  of  the  four 
letters  used  in  the  word,  "Bataan."  The 


slogan,  "Remember  Bataan"  could  be  sten- 
cilled on  sidewalks,  on  bumper  strips  on 
taxis,  used  as  a  reverse  cut  for  a  teaser  ad, 
in  newspapers  affixed  to  theatre  mail,  store 
packages  and  auto  windshields  and  as  a 
big  headline  on  post  cards.  An  essay  con- 
test on  historic  last  stands  of  this  war  would 
be  appropriate  with  the  contestants  giving 
their  reasons  for  believing  that  each  is  the 
most  gallant — Dunkerque,  Wake  Island, 
Stalingrad,  Malta,  Corregidor,  Guadal- 
canal and  Bataan  could  be  included.  A 
full  page  cooperative  ad  plugging  the  sale 
of  War  Bonds  could  be  promoted  with 
"Remember  Bataan"  as  its  head.  To  inter- 
est the  woman  in  "Bataan,"  a  contest  using 
illustrations  from  the  picture  with  prizes  for 
the  best  answer  to  "What  I  Am  Doing  to 
Help  Our  Soldiers  Win  the  War,"  would 
be  appropriate.  Relatives  of  any  men  in 
the  community  who  fought  on  Bataan 
might  be  specially  honored  on  this  occa- 
sion. General  MacArthur's  pledge  to  re- 
turn to  Bataan  to  rescue  the  men  made 
prisoner  there,  recently  reiterated  on  the 


April  9th  anniversary  of  the  fall  of  Bataan 
might  be  used  in  connection  with  the  ex- 
ploitation of  the  picture. 

THIS  LAND  OF  MINE  (RKO  Radio):  For 

extra  attention,  a  hand  printing  press 
might  be  set  up  in  the  lobby  on  which  an 
operator  prints  an  "underground  news- 
paper" while  patrons  wait  for  its  distribu- 
tion. The  paper  would  contain  copy  on 
the  picture.  As  an  added  touch,  the 
"printer"  could  be  masked,  with  copy  card 
explaining  that,  just  like  a  real  underground 
newspaper,  all  identities  must  be  kept 
secret.  Since  Laughton  makes  a  powerful 
climactic  speech  at  the  end  of  the  picture, 
it  is  suggested  that  the  public  speaking 
classes  in  the  schools  stage  a  contest,  with 
guest  tickets  as  prizes.  The  winners  could 
be  presented  at  luncheon  clubs,  Rotary, 
Kiwanis,  etc.,  as  entertainment  sponsored 
by  the  theatre.  The  title  lends  itself  for  a 
slogan  contest;  in  this  connection  the  news- 
papers or  high  school  publications  might 
be  interested,  with  tickets  offered  to  those 
submitting  the  best  slogans  ending  with  the 
title.  For  the  opening,  a  "Freedom  Day" 
could  be  held,  with  foreign  groups  partici- 
pating in  their  national  dress.  Here,  too, 
Laughton's  speech  might  be  read  by  one 
of  the  group  on  the  steps  of  the  City  Hall. 
Activities  could  include  locating  the  oldest 
citizen  born  in  the  community  and  still  liv- 
ing there,  to  be  a  guest  of  honor  at  the 
picture.  Old-time  photographs  of  the  com- 
munity could  be  published  in  the  papers. 


notice  of  TRADE  SHOWINGS 


2o* 

CENTURY-FOX  , 


FOR  THE  BENEFIT  OF  EXHIBITORS  GENERALLY 


FRIDAY,  MAY  21st- Jitterbugs  10:30  A.M.    Ox-Bow  Incident  2:30  P.M. 


ALBANY,  1052  Broadway 
ATLANTA,  197  Walton  St.,  N.  W. 
BOSTON,  105  Broadway 
BUFFALO,  290  Franklin  Street 
CHARLOTTE,  308  South  Church  Street 
CHICAGO,  1260  South  Wabash  Avenue 
CINCINNATI,  1638  Central  Parkway 
CLEVELAND,  2219  Payne  Avenue 
DALLAS,  1801  Wood  Street 
DENVER,  2101  Champa  Street 
DES  MOINES,  1300  High  Street 


(20th  Century-Fox  Projection  Room,  unless  otherwise  specified) 

DETROIT,  2211  Cass  Avenue 
INDIANAPOLIS,  326  North  Illinois  Street 
KANSAS  CITY,  1720  Wyandotte  Street 
LOS  ANGELES,  2019  South  Vermont  Ave. 
MEMPHIS,  151  Vance  Avenue 
MILWAUKEE,  1016  North  8th  Street 
MINNEAPOLIS,  1015  Currie  Avenue,  N. 
NEW  HAVEN,  40  Whiting  Street 
NEW  ORLEANS,  200  South  Liberty  Street 
NEW  YORK  CITY,  345  West  44th  Street 
OKLAHOMA  CITY,  10  North  Lee  Avenue 


OMAHA,  1502  Davenport  Street 

PHILADELPHIA,  302  North  13th  Street 

PITTSBURGH,  1715  Boulevard  of  Allies 

PORTLAND,  Star  Film  Exchange 
925  N.W.19thSt. 

ST.  LOUIS,  Srenco  Screening  Room 
3143  Olive  St. 

SALT  LAKE  CITY,  216  East  1st  South  Street 

SAN  FRANCISCO,  245  Hyde  Street 

SEATTLE,  2421  Second  Avenue 

WASHINGTON,  932  N.  J.  Ave.,  N.  W. 


OX-BOW   INCIDENT  PREVIOUSLY  TRADESHOWN    IN  NEW  YORK,  ST.  LOUIS,  DENVER,  KANSAS  CITY 


May     15,  1943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


57 


NEW  WAR  BOND  CAMPAIGNS 


A  special  window  display  tying  in  the 
Second  War  Loan  drive  with 
"Hangmen  Also  Die"  was  obtained 
by  H.  William  Reisinger  of  Loew's, 
Dayton,  O. 


By  Clarence  Ai.  Bunting 


The  three  booths  for  sale  of  War  Bonds  in  the  lobby  of  Loew's  Century,  Baltimore, 
seem  to  be  busy.  Gertrude  Bunchez,  Loew's  publicist,  arranged  for 
three  comely  girls  to  "man"  the  booths. 


An  illuminated 
War  Bond  booth  was 
placed  in  the  lobby  of 
Loew's  Granada, 
Cleveland,  by  Carl 
Rogers,  manager.  New 
posters  replace  the 
old  ones  as  issued 
each  month.  The  "V" 
is  illuminated  with 
blue  lights. 


This  is  Harland  Rankin's  entry  for  the  recent 

Victory  Loan  parade  in  Chatham,  Ont.   He  is  manager 

of  the  Centre  theatre  there. 


"Hitler's  coffin"  was  the  high  spot  of  a  parade  arranged  for  the 
Fuehrer's  birthday  through  the  streets  of  San  Jose,  Calif.,  by 
Andrew  Saso  and  Paul  Catalana  of  the  Fox  California  theatre.  It 
was  all  to  aid  the  War  Bond  drive. 


Manager  Joseph  Samartano  reports 
sales  of  $70,895  worth  of  War  Bonds 
since  May  30th,  last  year,  at  the 
Palace,  Meriden,  Conn.    Here  is  the 
second  booth,  erected  by  the 
theatre  staff. 


58 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    15,  1943 


NOVEL  SHOW-SELLING  IDEAS 


"Desert  Victory"  was  played  up  over  its  companion  feature 
at  Loew's  Columbia,  Washington,  D.  O,  by  Jack  Foxe, 
manager.   Here's  the  false  front  he  used  on  the  picture. 


There's  an  eating  contest  in  "The  Big  Street",  so 
Roy  Metcalfe  of  the  Rapids  theatre,  Rock  Rapids,  Iowa,  tied  up 
with  a  grocer  who  displayed  all  the  non- 
rationed  foods  available. 


Edgar  Goth,  Fabian  Theatres'  advertising  director,  used  a 
setpiece  featuring  a  10-foot  model  destroyer  made  by  a 
local  boy.    Life  rafts  and  other  paraphernalia  were  promoted 
from  the  local  Navy  base  by  John  Sullivan,  assistant 
at  the  St.  George  theatre. 


Harry  Rosenberg, 
manager  of  the 
Centre  theatre, 
St.  Catharines, 
Ont.,  stands  beside 
his  ballyhoo  man. 

Dressed  like  a 
witch  and  with  a 
Veronica  Lake  hair- 
do. The  lad  carried  a 
placard  reading, 
"I  am  definitely 
not  Veronica  Lake 
but  you  can  see  her 
at  the  Centre  to- 
day in  'I  Married 
a  Witch'  ". 


A  cake  of  ice  with  an 
insert  frozen  inside  was  used 
by  Marlowe  Conner  at  the 
Capitol,  Madison,  Wis. 


SB 


tmtl  GOODMAN 


«v  mm. 


Stewart  Gillespie  at  the  Elgin,  Ottawa,  Canada,  adver- 
tises his  shows  long  in  advance  of  their  booking  dates. 
Here  are  setpieces  on  two  of  his  forthcoming  attractions. 


A  parade  and  Bond  Rally  were  held 
at  the  Laurelton  theatre,  Laurelton, 
N.  Y.,  by  A.  C.  Vallet,  manager, 
in  conjunction  with  a  Jewish 
War  Veterans  Theatre  Party. 


May    15,    I  943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND    TABLE  59 


Gets  Six  Windows  for 
"In  Which  We  Serve" 


Boy  Scouts  Demonstration 
Given  on  "Stand  By  For  Action" 

For  three  days  ahead  of  the  opening  of 
"Stand  By  For  Action"  at  the  Kenyon  the- 
atre, in  Pittsburgh,  Lige  Brien  arranged 
for  focal  Boy  Scouts  to  lecture  in  his  lobby 
and  give  a  demonstration  illustrating  the 
various  methods  of  tying  sailor  knots.  In 
addition  a  board  featured  the  45  different 
kinds  of  knots.  A  "Knot  Club"  was  also 
started  for  kids,  Brien  rounding  up  about 
31  children,  discussing  the  reason  for  join- 
ing the  Scouts  and  then  giving  the  lecture 
on  knot  tying. 

The  Round  Tabler  also  tied  up  with  a 
patriotic  club,  "The  American  Rangers  and 
Rangerettes,"  to  collect  and  secure  new  and 
used  safety  pins  to  be  donated  to  the  local 
hospitals.  Publicity  was  secured  in  the 
Pittsburgh  press  on  this.  For  a  week  in 
advance,  the  entire  lobby  ceiling  was  cov- 
ered with  different  colored  pennants  attract- 
ing attention  to  the  ship  articles  scattered 
about  the  theatre. 

For  "Yankee  Doodle  Dandy,"  Brien  con- 
structed a  seven-foot  Yankee  Doodle  hat 
atop  his  stamp  booth  for  three  weeks  in  ad- 
vance. Copy  on  the  hat  read  "James  Cag- 
ney  says  be  a  Yankee  Doodle  Dandy  and 
buy  War  Bonds  and  Stamps."  The  hat  had 
the  title  painted  on  it  with  metallic  letters 
and  a  flasher  spot  was  thrown  on  the  hat 
for  three  weeks  before  opening.  The  entire 
theatre  staff  wore  "Yankee  Doodle"  hats, 
two  colored  co-op  heralds  were  distributed 
house-to-house,  and  a  travelling  bicycle 
ballyhoo  with  appropriate  copy  on  its  sides 
covered  the  schools  at  breaks. 


Soriero  Ties  In  With 
Merchant's  Fashion  Show 

Tom  Soriero,  manager  of  the  United  Art- 
ists theatre,  in  Los  Angeles,  made  a  tieup 
with  one  of  the  largest  credit  houses  there 
in  connection  with  a  preview  of  their  new 
Spring  Easter  Apparel.  The  merchant  sent 
out  15,000  cards  to  all  their  customers  an- 
nouncing the  preview  and  advising  that  each 
lady  purchasing  a  suit  during  the  event 
would  receive  guest  tickets  to  see  "Hello, 
Frisco,  Hello,"  at  the  theatre.  Approxi- 
mately 500  tickets  were  awarded,  the  store 
purchasing  them  at  regular  prices  at  the 
box  office. 


Waltman  Holds  Screening 
On  "One  Day  of  War" 

In  connection  with  his  date  on  "One  Day 
of  War,  Russia"  at  the  Princess  theatre,  in 
Columbus,  Miss.,  Burgess  Waltmon  landed 
twenty  spot  announcements  over  the  radio 
one  day  before  and  on  the  opening  date  of 
the  film.  A  screening  was  held  for  news- 
papers, radio  and  local  civic  heads  and  spe- 
cial announcements  were  made  at  various 
clubs.  In  addition  to  the  regular  marquee 
billing,  Burge  used  special  30x40  and  40x60 
displays  made  up  from  stills  along  with  art- 
work, window  cards,  handbills,  menu  bill- 
ing and  cards  in  the  rooms  of  two  hotels. 


Detwiler's  Personal  Letter 

To  bring  his  date  on  "Army  Chaplain"  to 
the  attention  of  the  local  clergy,  A.  C.  Det- 
wiler  at  the  Manos  theatre,  in  Latrobe,  Pa., 
sent  letters  to  them,  individually  typewritten 
and  signed  by  the  management.  Detwiler 
also  landed  a  writeup  in  one  of  the  local 
papers  on  the  picture. 


Matlack  Ties  Up  Store  with 
Civilian  Defense  Groups 
In  Portland 

"In  Which  We  Serve"  played  in  Portland, 
Ore.,  during  Holy  Week.  That  fact  and 
the  previously  poor  record  in  town  of  En- 
glish-made pictures,  convinced  Jack  Mat- 
lack,  publicity  director  of  the  Broadway  the- 
atre, that  some  unusual  selling  would  have 
to  be  done. 

Biggest  item  in  the  campaign  was  a  tieup 
with  a  large  department  store  which  used  a 
battery  of  six  windows  to  promote  the  pic- 
ture. The  publicity  director  of  the  store 
thought  it  a  wonderful  tieup  especially  since 
it  aided  the  various  Civilian  Defense  Agen- 
cies of  the  city. 

Also  included  in  the  promotion  was  a  tie- 
up  with  the  main  library  of  Portland,  using 
photos  from  the  picture  and  other  works  by 
Noel  Coward.  A  local  magazine  store  tied 
up  with  the  theatre  on  the  Parents'  Maga- 
zine award,  which  was  won  by  the  picture. 

Special  Screening  Held 

Prior  to  opening  Jack  had  the  24  sheet 
mounted  and  placed  in  the  huge  lobby  of  the 
Broadway  theatre.  Among  his  other  pro- 
motions was  a  reproduction  of  Noel  Cow- 
ard's prayer  in  the  picture,  which  was 
mailed  to  local  ministers,  who  in  turn  men- 
tioned the  picture  from  their  pulpits. 

Newspapermen,  radio  executives,  public 
servants  and  prominent  citizens  were  invit- 
ed to  a  preview  of  the  picture  by  Mrs.  J.  J. 
Parker,  president  of  the  J.  J.  Parker  thea- 
tres. The  head  of  the  Kaiser  Shipyard  in 
Vancouver,  which  is  near  Portland,  was 
among  those  who  attended.  So  was  the 
British  consul. 

The  extra  effort  which  Jack  put  into  this 
engagement  also  resulted  in  some  additional 


newspaper  publicity,  including  both  art  and 
stories. 

In  order  to  set  the  department  store  tie- 
up  mentioned  above,  heads  of  civilian  de- 
fense organizations  were  invited  to  the  pre- 
view. Specially  prepared  bulletins  were  sent 
to  the  following  as  a  result:  50,000  Civilian 
Defense  Service;  15,000  utility  repair  spe- 
cialists ;  3,000  emergency  medical  service ; 
150  decontamination  experts;  100  serving  in 
rescue  squads ;  500  emergency  food  and 
housing  service  workers;  1,000  fire  watch- 
ers; 4,000  block  leaders;  1,200  auxiliary 
firemen ;  20,000  air  raid  wardens ;  aircraft 
warning  service;  4,500  veterans'  guard  and 
patrol ;  100  of  Portland's  leading  civilian  de- 
fense council  officers  including  the  Mayor 
and  the  Governor. 

The  Mayor's  weekly  broadcast  was  large- 
ly devoted  to  "In  Which  We  Serve."  Then 
the  department  store  took  a  full  page  ad 
pointing  out  that  tieup  between  "In  Which 
We  Serve"  and  how  people  of  Portland 
could  serve  civilian  defense,  and  announc- 
ing that  their  windows  would  depict  various 
civilian  defense  activities  against  a  back- 
ground of  a  photo-mural  showing  a  scene 
from  the  picture. 


Yale  News  Lauds  "Cat  People" 

In  advance  of  his  date  on  "Cat  People"  at 
the  Poli  Bijou,  in  New  Haven,  Conn.,  Sid 
Kleper  landed  a  rave  review  on  the  picture 
in  the  Yale  Daily  News.  This  publication 
is  distributed  to  about  2,500  Air  Force 
Cadets  now  at  the  University. 


Entire  Staff  Endorses  Ad 

A  little  off  the  beaten  track  was  Kenneth 
Vohs  ad  on  "Journey  for  Margaret"  at  the 
Ritz  theatre,  in  Chariton,  la.  In  an  open 
letter  addressed  to  readers,  an  endorsement 
was  run  on  the  picture  and  signed  with  the 
individual  names  of  the  entire  house  staff. 


By  Sowell-Simon  Studio 


This  is  one  of  the  six  windows  which  Jack  Matlack  obtained  in  a  tieup  with  Lipman- 
Wolfe,  a  Portland,  Ore.,  department  store.  It  was  a  three  way  affair  with  civilian 
defense  coming  in  for  cooperation,  too. 


60 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    15,    I  943 


NOVELTY  IN  ADVERTISING 


(Apologie*  to  James  B.  Reaton  and  New  York  Times) 


\  WASHINGTON  (Ind.)  Looks  At  WASHINGTON  (D.C.) 


Yes,  Mr.  President,  we  Midwest  Boosters,  are  all  out  for  the 
War  Effort.  We're  taking  this  War  Job  seriously  and  doing 
our  level  best  day-in-and-day-out . .  .We've  given  generously 
to  the  UJS.O. . . .  We've  oversubscribed  the  Red  Cross  1943  War 
Fund ..  .We've  topped  by  thousands  of  dollars  ihe  2nd  War 
Loan . . .  We've  sent  more  than  1,600  boys  to  the  Armed  Forces 
..  .We're  taking  Rationing,  Priorities,  Restrictions  and  all 
other  war  time  necessities  in  our  stride  .  ,  .But,  Mr.  President, 
we  are  going  A.W.O.L.(A  Wejek  of  Laughs).  Not  because 
we're  shirking  our  War  Job — but  because  these  laughs  will 
help  us  to  keep  on  doing  our  job  with  a  renewed  vigor  and  de- 
termination! We  invite  you  and  all  to  join  us!  Yes,  WASB- 
INGTO&,  Indiana,  salutes  WASBINGTON,  D.  C,  with— 


The  publicity  which 
Oscars  and  the 
Army-Navy  E 
Awards  have  had 
lately  suggested  to 
E.  R.  Brennan  of  the 
Bay,  Green  Bay. 
Wis.,  the  use  of 
them  in  an  ad  on  a 
double  bill. 


■  'Over  My  De*d  Body'  at  Liberty  Sun-Mon-Tue». 


A  recent  article  in 
the  New  York  Times 
Magazine  in  which 
Washington,  D.  O, 
looked  at  Washing- 
ton, Ind.,  prompted 
A.  J.  Kalberer, 
theatre  manager  in 
the  latter  town,  to 
turn  the  tables, 
especially  with  a 
week  of  comedy 
attractions. 


Kenny  BflK£R  *  Patricia  ITlORlSOn  *  BOIIfl 

FBICK  and  FRACK  »  Irene  DARE  •  Djnny  SHAW 
Eu.ene  TURNER  •  Ted  FIO  RITO 

*  * 


It's  a  dream  on  ice... say  romance,  lilting  melodies,  gorgeous  girls, 
wondrous  skating  ...  in  one  grand,  unforgettable  entertainment! 


Bill  Galligan  used  this  illustration  to  plug  a  revival  of 

two  old  horror  pictures  at  the  Commercial,  South  Chicago. 


CENTRE  THEATRE 

— HARLAND  RANKIN— 


Harland  Rankin  at  the  Centre  theatre,  Chatham,  Ont., 
took  newspaper  space  to  plug  the  Victory  Loan  in  the  Dominion. 
The  same  idea  could  be  used  by  any  showman  anywhere 
who  wants  to  push  the  sale  of  War  Bonds. 


mm 


WEDNESDAY  and  THURSDAY  —  2  Days  Only 


May    15,  1943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


61 


Pennants  of  different  colors,  each  representing  a  different  one  of  the  major  league  ball 
clubs,  hung  from  the  lobby  of  the  Paramount,  Brattleboro,  Vt.,  when  the  theatre  played 
"Pride  of  the  Yankees".  It  was  a  promotion  by  Vincent  J.  Aldert,  manager  of  the  theatre. 


Atmospheric  Front  Built  for 
"Commandos  Strike  at  Dawn" 

A  complete  false  front  of  beaver  board 
was  built  by  Chuck  Larnard  for  his  advance 
on  "Commandos  Strike  at  Dawn"  at  the  Ap- 
palachian theatre,  in  Appalachia,  Va.  In- 
corporated were  two  six- sheets  and  three 
sets  of  8x10  stills.  Two  large  panels  were 
placed  as  from  wings  on  each  side  of  the 
box-office  and  these  carried  the  six  sheets. 
Inside  wings  which  joined  the  six  sheets  at 
right  angles  carried  two  three  sheets  each 
and  several  framed  stills. 

A  three-sided  box  office  piece  was  made, 
using  the  two  one-sheets  on  each  side  panel 
along  with  8x10  stills,  while  the  front  piece 
carried  stills  with  large  title  spread  across 
the  bottom  half  of  the  piece.  The  entire 
front  was  done  in  bright  yellow  and  blue. 


Dillenbeck  Specializes 
In  Humorous  Heralds 

For  teaser  purposes,  D.  M.  Dillenbeck  at 
the  Rialto  theatre,  in  Bushnell,  111.,  utilizes 
gag  heralds.  Some  of  his  recent  samples 
include  one  for  "Yankee  Doodle  Dandy," 
which  was  printed  on  tinted  stock  and  in- 
cluded a  cut  of  a  child  sitting  on  a  chamber 
with  copy:  "I'm  on  a  sit  down  strike  till 
Mom  takes  me  to  the  Rialto  to  see"  etc. 
Another  was  in  the  form  of  an  annual  pass 
on  the  Chinnecoote  &  Arrow  Railroad  is- 
sued by  courtesv  of  Lum  and  Abner  on  be- 
half of  "Two  Weeks  to  Live." 


Poster  Painting  Contest 
Staged  by  Kalberer 

To  give  impetus  to  his  campaign  on 
"Bambi"  and  "We  are  the  Marines,"  A.  J. 
Kalberer  at  Switow's  Indiana,  in  Washing- 
ton, Ind.,  held  a  poster  painting  contest  for 
highschool  students.  Special  posters  to  lay- 
out and  paint  were  made  available  to  the 
children,  with  cash  prizes  and  guest  tickets 
awarded  to  the  winners.  Kal  says  he  grabbed 
off  a  dozen  or  more  otherwise  hard-to-land 
windows  for  the  posters  and  had  a  nice  dis- 
play in  the  lobby  which  attracted  friends 
and  families  of  the  contestants. 


Lions  Club  Concert 
Held  at  Theatre 

Excellent  goodwill  was  garnered  recently 
by  Mel  Jolley  at  the  Century,  in  Trenton. 
Ontario,  when  he  offered  the  theatre  to  the 
Lions  Club  which  was  sponsoring  a  Charity 
Concert.  The  Lions  Club  Boys  Band  per- 
formed on  the  stage,  and  Mel  reports  that 
it  was  the  first  time  the  theatre  had  ever 
held  a  Sunday  night  concert.  The  local 
dailies  came  through  with  three  columns  of 
art  and  a  story  on  the  event,  in  which  the 
theatre  was  prominently  mentioned. 

Elder  Distributed  Match  Boxes 

In  advance  of  "Keeper  of  the  Flame"  at 
Loew's,  in  Indianapolis,  Bill  Elder  distribut- 
ed match  boxes,  with  copy  on  the  cover 
reading :  "Buy  War  Bonds  and  Stamps.  See 
Spencer  Tracy  and  Katharine  Hepburn  in," 
etc.,  etc. 


Screening  Comments  Recorded 
For  "Yankee  Doodle"  Broadcast 

Two  weeks  before  the  opening  of  "Yan- 
kee Doodle"  at  the  Capitol  Theatre,  in  Ed- 
monton, Alberta.  W.  P.  Wilson  held  a  Sun- 
day afternoon  private  screening  to  which  the 
Lieutenant  Governor  and  Premier  of  the 
Province  were  invited  together  with  the 
Mayor  of  the  city  and  other  prominents.  A 
recording  was  made  of  their  comments  after 
the  showing  and  this  was  broadcast  over 
CJCA  on  the  opening  night  of  the  picture. 

All  the  principal  department  stores  in  ad- 
dition to  their  cooperative  advertising:,  pro- 
vided excellent  window  displays.  Wilson 
also  had  several  spot  announcements  over 
the  radio  each  day  for  one  week  before  the 
picture  opened. 


Scramble  Title  Contest 
Lands  Front  Page  Story 

To  sell  the  forthcoming  attractions  at  the 
Russell  theatre,  in  Maysville,  Ky.,  Mardel 
Maxey,  assistant  to  Ed  May,  arranged  a 
scrambled  title  contest  in  which  readers  were 
invited  to  correctly  assemble  them  to  make  a 
little  story.  Contest  offered  passes  for  the 
first  half  dozen  correct  lists  and  Miss  Maxey 
succeeded  in  landing  the  stunt  on  the  front 
page  of  the  paper. 

A  second  contest  was  landed  on  "Random 
Harvest"  in  a  tieup  with  the  schools.  In 
this  instance  the  children  were  invited  to 
write  essays  on  the  picture  for  prizes. 


Rosenthal  Lauds  Story 
On  Local  Powers  Models 

Morris  Rosenthal  of  the  Majestic  theatre, 
in  Bridgeport,  Conn.,  during  the  engagement 
of  "The  Powers  Girl"  got  some  good  news- 
paper publicity  for  the  picture  in  the  Bridge- 
port Post  on  a  story  based  on  Powers  Models 
hailing  from  his  territory.  The  story  broke 
in  the  Post  with  a  photo  of  the  local  Power 
Models  right  alongside  the  theatre's  ad  sell- 
ing the  attraction. 


A  special  display  like  this  was  placed  in  the  Michigan,  United  Artists  and  Palms  State 
theatres  in  Detroit  by  United  Detroit  Theatres. 


62 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    15,  1943 


Emerson  Barrett  Has  Worked 

In  World's  Largest  Theatres        HAPPY  BIRTHDAY 


Emerson  M.  Barrett  is  one  of  the  few 
theatre  managers  who  has  had  the  advantage 
of  having  started  his  career  in  the  largest 
theatres  in  the  world — the  Radio  City  Music 
Hall  and  the  Roxy  in  New  York  and  the 
Mastbaum  theatre  in  Philadelphia.  He 
started  as  an  usher  at  the  Roxy  in  1929, 
when  the  late  S.  L.  Rothafel  was  managing- 
director  and  he  remained  with  Roxy  until 
the  latter's  death.  When  Roxy  went  to  the 
Music  Hall,  Emerson  installed  the  service 
system  of  the  Roxy  theatre.  He  did  the 
same  at  the  Centre  theatre  in  Rockefeller 
Centre  and  when  Roxy  left  to  go  to  Phila- 
delphia to  manage  the  Mastbaum,  Emerson 
went  along  as  assistant  manager.  After 
Roxy's  retirement,  Emerson  handled  the 
roadshow  engagements  of  "A  Midsummer 
Night's  Dream"  and  "The  Life  of  Emile 
Zola"  at  the  Hollywood  theatre  in  New 
York.  He  also  organized  and  supervised 
the  ticket  takers  and  cashiers  for  the  New 
York  World's  Fair.  For  the  past  year  and 
a  half  he  has  been  with  the  Prudential  Cir- 
cuit and  is  now  managing  the  Merrick 
Gables  theatre  at  Merrick,  Long  Island. 


May  16th 

H.  E.  Rehfield 
H.A.Winkler 
Wilbur  Peterson 
Harold  E.  Snyder 
Sigmund  S.  Harrison 

17th 

J.  Glenn  Caldwell 
Jack  Clifford 
Arthur  R.  Cooper 
Frank  P.  Bryan,  Jr. 
James  L.  Brosius 
P.  Clifford  Tolmie 

18th 

Joseph  Lourie 
W.  M.Troxell 
Albert  Spargur 
Gus  Hoenscheidt 
Robert  S.  Sweeten 
J.  Frank  Gephart 
John  J.  Hamilton 


May  19th 

Frank  V.  Kennebeck 
Wally  Allen 
Lou  Mitchell 

20th 

S.  R.  Scott 
Art  Warner 
Harry  Goldberg 
A.  Kent  Craig 
Saul  J.  Kleinerman 

21st 

William  E.  Burton 
Paul  G.  Robinson 
John  T.  Ward 
P.  A.  Jordan,  Jr. 

22nd 

Gus  F.  Morris 
Steve  Bennis 
Albert  F.  Avey 
J.  E.  Poynter 
A.  E.  Moule 
George  E.  Keenan 


Forester's  Dawn  Matinee 

In  connection  with  the  opening  of  ''The 
Moon  Is  Down"  at  the  Des  Moines  theatre, 
in  Des  Moines,  Eddie  Forester  held  an  early 
bird  show  which  opened  at  six  a.m.  To 
fortify  his  customers,  the  enterprising  the- 
atreman  served  coffee  and  doughnuts. 

Round  Table  Visitors 

Right,  exhibitor  and  booker  laugh  together  at  a  good  one.  Frank 
Boucher,  general  nwnager  of  the  K.-B.  Circuit  of  Washington, 
D.  C,  stands  between  Ira  Sichelman,  Twentieth  Century-Fox 
booker  in  the  Capital,  and  Elliott  Sichelman,  who  is  in  the 
Columbia  home  office. 

Below,  right,  Michael  O'Shea,  seated,  co-star  with  Barbara  Stanwyck 
in  Hunt  Stromberg's  "Lady  of  Burlesque",  talks  things  over  with 
another  man  from  his  home  town  of  Hartford,  Jack  Sanson,  now 
manager  of  the  State  theatre,  Manchester,  Conn. 

Below,  left,  Mrs.  Rita  Morton,  director  of  publicity  for  the 
RKO  Albee  theatre  at  Providence,  and  her  husband,  Chief  Petty 
Officer  Bill  Morton,  whom  she  succeeded  in  the  theatre  post. 

Photos  by  Staff  Photographer 


Dominates  Co-operative  Ad 

In  advance  of  "Yankee  Doodle  Dandy"  at 
the  Great  Lakes  theatre,  in  Buffalo,  adver- 
tising manager  Charles  B.  Taylor  promoted 
a  six-column  full  page  ad  from  one  of  the 
leading  department  stores  in  which  he  prac- 
tically dominated  the  page.  Photos  of  James 
Cagney  and  Joan  Leslie  together  with  pic- 
ture titles  and  playdates  were  used  at  the 
bead  of  the  page. 


Charles  I.  Nygaard  Has  Had 
A  Long  and  Active  Career 

Born  in  Norway 
47  years  ago,  a  vet- 
eran of  the  last  war 
and  the  owner  of  a 
number  of  theatres 
in  the  past,  Charles 
r  ,  I.  Nygaard  is  now 

successfully  manag- 
*  ing  his  first  theatre 

for  a  circuit.    He  is 
k.    at  the  Prairie  thea- 
A  .  m    tre,    Sun  Prairie, 

v  M    Wis.,  one  of  the  Es- 

kin  (  'ircuit,  and  In- 
activities have  al- 
ready been  chronicled  in  the  pages  of  Man- 
agers' Round  Table.  After  his  discharge 
from  the  Canadian  Army  after  World  War 
I,  he  operated  several  small  town  theatres 
in  Alberta  until  1923  when  he  left  the  in- 
dustry for  ten  years.  On  his  return  in  1933 
he  acquired  theatres  in  several  small  towns 
in  northern  Michigan,  which  he  operated  for 
four  years.  Then  he  acquired  two  Wiscon- 
sin houses  which  he  operated  until  1940, 
when  he  was  appointed  Director  of  Visual 
Education  for  the  Townsend  Plan,  a  post  he 
held  until  last  Fall,  when  he  became  man- 
ager in  Sun  Prairie. 


ROBERT  E.  MAYNARD,  formerly  at  the 
Cartier,  in  Hull,  Quebec,  is  now  managing 
the  Tivoli  and  Victory  theatres,  in  Saska- 
toon, Saskatchewan,  Can. 


May     15,  1943 

OBITUARIES 


MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  63 

CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISING 


Ten  cents  per  word,  money-order  or  check  with  copy.  Count  initials,  box  number  and  ad- 
dress. Minimum  insertion,  $1.  Four  insertions,  for  the  price  of  three.  Contract  rates  on 
application.  No  borders  or  cuts.  Forms  close  Mondays  at  5  P.  M.  Publisher  reserves 
the  right  to  reject  any  copy.  Film  and  trailer  advertising  not  accepted.  Classi-  i^^=i 
fied  advertising  not  subject  to  agency  commission.  Address  copy  and  checks:  DHU 
MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD,  Classified  Dept.,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  W>M 


Robert  T.  Haines  Dies; 
Leader  in  Actor  Groups 

Robert  Terrell  Haines,  motion  picture,  stage 
and  radio  actor  for  more  than  40  years,  died 
on  May  6th  of  a  cerebral  hemorrhage  at  his 
home  in  the  Hotel  Woodward  in  New  York. 
Mr.  Haines  was  active  in  many  theatrical  or- 
ganizations, holding  membership  in  the  Council 
of  Actors'  Equity  also  serving  at  one  time  as 
trustee  of  the  Actors'  Fund  of  America,  and 
vice-president  of  the  Actors'  Order  of  Friend- 
ship. He  appeared  in  about  12  films  in  various 
character  roles,  and  also  toured  the  Keith- 
Orpheum  circuit  as  a  vaudeville  headliner.  He 
is  survived  by  his  wife,  Wilhelmina  ;  a  sister, 
Mrs.  J.  M.  Bernadin  of  Kansas  City  and  a 
brother,  Charles  J.  Haines  of  Los  Angeles. 


Charles  Bowser,  Former 
FWC  City  Manager 

Charles  Bowser,  formerly  Fox  West  Coast 
city  manager,  died  on  May  11th  in  the  Los  An- 
geles General  Hospital  following  a  short  ill- 
ness. He  was  42  years  old.  He  had  recently 
been  given  his  honorable  discharge  from  the 
Army  on  the  over-age  clause.  Services  were 
held  May  12th  at  the  Greek  Church  in  Los 
Angeles.  He  leaves  a  brother,  George,  FWC 
division  manager,  and  his  mother. 


George  Ringer,  Circuit 
Owner,  Dies  on  Coast 

George  Dewey  Ringer,  43,  partner  in  the 
Popkin  and  Ringer  Theatres  of  California,  died 
of  pneumonia  on  May  11th.  He  first  entered 
the  motion  picture  field  as  a  cameraman  for 
Universal,  later  entering  the  exhibition  end  in 
which  he  had  been  engaged  for  the  past  23 
years.  Services  were  held  on  Thursday.  Two 
sons,  a  brother  and  sister  survive. 


Harvey  Judell 

Harvey  Judell,  25,  formerly  associated  with 
his  father,  Ben  Judell,  who  recently  produced 
"Hitler,  Dead  or  Alive,"  was  killed  May  4th 
in  an  explosion  at  the  Army  Ordnance  plant  in 
Monrovia,  Cal.,  where  he  had  been  employed 
for  the  past  several  months.  Mr.  Judell,  who 
was  in  New  York  when  notified  of  his  son's 
death,  flew  back  to  California  to  attend  funeral 
services  which  were  held  last  Sunday.  Surviv- 
ing, besides  his  parents,  is  a  sister,  Julie. 


Charles  H.  Brown 

Charles  H.  Brown,  75,  associated  with  road 
shows  for  many  years,  died  on  May  4th  at 
Sharon,  Conn.  He  was  advance  man  for  such 
companies  as  Klaw  and  Erlanger  and  Shubert's. 
He  is  survived  by  his  wife,  two  sons  and  a 
daughter. 


Wade  Boteler 

Wade  Boteler,  55,  well-known  Hollywood 
actor  who  appeared  in  many  character  roles  in 
motion  pictures,  died  in  that  city  on  May  7th. 
A  widow,  daughter  and  three  sons  survive 
him. 


Abe  Flum 

Abe  Flum,  61,  died  of  a  heart  aliment  on 
May  7th  at  the  French  Hospital  in  New  York. 
At  one  time,  he  owned  the  Grand  Opera  House 
on  Eighth  Avenue  in  New  York. 


Herman  Haller 

Herman  Haller,  71,  former  musical  comedy 
producer  on  the  European  continent,  died  on 
May  7th  in  London. 


NEW  EQUIPMENT 


HAIL  THE  JUBILEE  SALE— OUR  SIXTEENTH 
Anniversary — Safety  steel  film  cabinets,  $2.93  section; 
Strong  Mogul  positive  jaws,  $10.50;  Forest  60  ampere 
rectifier,  four  bulbs,  $211.75;  Weston  o/50  ammeters, 
$3.60;  Luxlite  Series  I  lenses,  $4.95;  latest  Superior 
Atlas  projector  mechanisms,  $595;  Simplex  18"  maga- 
zines, pair  $49.50;  sound  screen,  beaded  39}4c;  Chrome 
(Suprex)  23}4c;  Flextone  washable,  30j4c;  small  thea- 
tre vacuum  cleaners,  $89.50.  Get  our  Jubilee  Bargain 
Bulletin.  S.  O.  S.  CINEMA  SUPPLY  CORP.,  New 
York. 


HELP  WANTED 


WANTED  —  MAN  AND  WIFE.  EXCELLENT 
permanent  opportunity  for  right  people.  Man  capable 
part-time  operator,  house  maintenance,  general  theatre 
work.  Wife — tickets.  Both  must  be  experienced,  re- 
liable, good  character,  no  drinking.  Southern  town 
5,000.  Good  living  conditions.  State  salary  expected. 
Full  details  first  letter.  BOX  1627,  MOTION  PIC- 
TURE HERALD. 


WANTED — MANAGER.  FINE  OPPORTUNITY 
right  man.  HERMAN  H.  HABLE,  Palace  Theatre, 
Winchester,  Va. 


WANTED:  THEATRE  MANAGER.  MARRIED, 
draft  exempt.  State  salary,  include  snapshot.  Theatre 
in  Northern  Illinois.  BOX  1632,  MOTION  PICTURE 
HERALD. 


WANTED  TO  BUY 


LOOKING  FOR  ANY  MAKE  16MM.  OR  35MM. 
sound  projector,  rectifiers,  generators,  sound  equip- 
ment.   BOX  1626,  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


POSITIONS  WANTED 


EXPERIENCED  PROJECTIONIST  DESIRES 
part  time  or  steady  work.  Pennsylvania  or  Ohio  pre- 
ferred. HERBERT  SHOFFSTALL,  222  Colledge  Ave., 
Grove  City,  Pa. 


THEATRE  MAN  47  YEARS  OLD,  DRAFT  EX- 
empt,  21  years'  experience,  familiar  with  every  phase 
of  theatre  operation,  nine  years  a  theatre  owner  him- 
slf,  twelve  years  with  present  circuit  employer  as 
manager  and  zone  manager,  wishes  to  make  a  change. 
Prefers  to  take  charge  of  small  chain.  Excellent 
references.  Knows  film  buying,  booking  and  theatre 
maintenance,  is  capable  advertising,  exploitation  and 
publicity  man.  Has  always  shown  results.  BOX  1631, 
MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


MANAGER  —  EIGHTEEN  YEARS'  EXECUTIVE 
experience.  Available  June  1st.  At  present  in  charge 
Chicago  Loop  theatre.  House  changing  hands.  Age  38, 
married,  no  encumbrances.  Any  locality,  A-l  references. 
No  undesirable  habits.  BOX  1633,  MOTION  PICTURE 
HERALD. 


BUSINESS  BOOSTERS 


BINGO  CARDS,  DIE  CUT,  1  TO  100  OR  1  TO  75, 
$2.00  per  thousand.  $17.50  for  10,000.  S.  Klous,  care 
of  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


TRAINING  SCHOOLS 


THEATRE  EMPLOYEES:  TRAIN  FOR  BETTER 
positions.  Learn  modern  theatre  management  and  ad- 
vertising. Big  opportunities  for  trained  men.  Estab- 
lished since  1927.  Write  now  for  free  catalog.  THE- 
ATRE MANAGERS  SCHOOL,  Elmira,  N.  Y. 


USED  EQUIPMENT 


YOU  CAN  STILL  BUY  PLENTY  OF  GOOD 
items  here — Stereo  slide  carriers,  19c;  dimmers,  500 
watt,  $11.95;  Monitor  speakers,  $2.75;  hand  carbon 
microphones,  $1.95;  RCA  portable  sound  projectors, 
$79.50;  Peerless  low-intensity  arcs,  $62.50;  Wagner  10" 
letters.  $1.35;  coin  changers,  $29.50.  Big  Jubilee  Sale 
Bulletin  now  ready.  S.  O.  S.  CINEMA  SUPPLY 
CORP.,  New  York. 


FOR  SALE  —  COMPLETE  EQUIPMENT  FOR 
small  house:  Two  Holmes  projectors  portable  type  8, 
Holmes  amplifier,  speakers,  wire  connections;  146 
spring  cushion  and  60  veneer  seats.  ATTORNEY, 
P.  O.  Box  34,  Buena  Vista,  Ga. 


FOR  SALE— COMPLETE  BOOTH  EQUIPMENT. 
Motiograph  has  been  used  just  a  few  hours  in  a  small 
town  theatre.  MAINE  FILM  DISTRIBUTING  CO., 
Biddeford,  Me. 


BUSINESS  OPPORTUNITIES 


BRITISH  CINEMATOGRAPH  ENGINEERS  SEEK 
contact  with  American  manufacturers  of  projection  and 
sound  apparatus  with  a  view  to  manufacturing  ap- 
proved models  under  license  in  Great  Britain.  Write 
BOX  1630.  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


BOOKS 


THE  1943-44  INTERNATIONAL  MOTION  PIC- 
TURE ALMANAC  is  now  in  preparation.  Will  contain 
more  than  12,000  biographies  of  players,  directors, 
writers,  technicians  and  executives.  The  biographical 
section  is  an  exclusive  feature.  In  addition  it  will  in- 
clude more  than  1,250  pages  crammed  with  motion 
picture  facts  and  figures  covering  every  phase  of  the 
business.  Supply  will  be  limited.  Be  sure  to  get  your 
copy.  Order  it  today !  Price  $3.25  prepaid  in  U.  S.  A. 
$5  elsewhere.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller 
Center,  New  York. 


COMPLETELY  REVISED  7TH  EDITION  OF 
Richardson's  Bluebook  of  Projection  with  treatise  on 
Television  and  complete  Sound  Trouble -Shooting 
Charts,  as  well  as  a  host  of  additional  up-to-the-minute 
text  on  sound  and  projection  equipment.  Order  Now! 
$7.25  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller 
Center,  New  York  City. 


SOUND  TROUBLE  SHOOTING  CHARTS.  A 
handy  tool  in  the  booth.  Gives  the  answers  to  all 
questions  regarding  truoble  shooting  on  every  type  of 
sound  equipment.  $1.00  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOK- 
SHOP, Rockefeller  Center,  New  York. 


MOTION  PICTURE  SOUND  ENGINEERING— 
547  pages;  illustrated;  covers  every  practical  method 
and  process  in  present-day  sound  engineering.  Leading 
engineers  explain  every  detail  of  apparatus  and  its  ar- 
rangement, with  diagrams,  tables,  charts  and  graphs. 
This  manual  comes  straight  from  the  workshops  of  the 
studios  in  Hollywood.  It  is  indispensable  to  everyone 
working  with  sound  equipment.  Price  $6.50  postpaid. 
QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York. 


NEW  567  PAGE  BOOK  ON  AIR  CONDITIONING, 
by  Charles  A.  Fuller,  authority  on  the  subject.  Avail- 
able for  theatre  owners  contemplating  engineering 
changes.  Book  is  cloth  bound  with  index  and  charts 
and  covers  every  branch  of  the  industry  as  well  as 
codes  and  ordinances  regulating  installation.  Order 
now  at  $4.00  a  copy  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP, 


64  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  May    15,  1943 

A  statistical  compilation  and 
comparison  of  Box-Office  Per- 
formance in  first-run  theatres 

Figures  directly  below  picture  title  compare  dollar  gross  with  average  gross  and  show  relative  percentage  of  all  engagements  tabulated. 

Figures  opposite  theatre  names  represent  percentage  of  tabulated  grosses  to  average  weekly  business  based  on  the  six  months'  period 
ending  December  31,  1942. 

SYMBOLS:  (DB)  Double  Bill — associate  feature  title;  (SA)  Stage  Attraction;  (MO)  Move-Over  Run;  (AA)  Advance  Admission. 


PICTURE 


CROSSES 


DESERT  VICTORY  (20th-Fox) 

Final  Reports: 


Total  Gross  Tabulated  $315,100 
Comparative  Average  Gross  248,223 
Over-all  Performance  126.9% 


BALTIMORE — New   131.9% 

BOSTON— Metropolitan    125.0% 

(DB)  Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello  (20th-Fox) 

BUFFALO— Great  Lakes,  1st  week   ....  185.1% 

(DB)  Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello  (20th -Fox) 

BUFFALO— Great  Lakes,  2nd  week   ....  157.4% 

(DB)  Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello  (20th -Fox) 

CHICAGO— Garrick,  1st  week   171.4% 

(DB)  Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello  (20th-Fox) 

CHICAGO— Garrick,  2nd  week   142.8% 

(DB)  Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello  (20th -Fox) 

CHICAGO— Garrick,  3rd  week   121.4% 

(DB)  Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello  (20th-Fox) 

CLEVELAND1— RKO  Allen    100.0% 

LOS  ANGELES— Chinese    100.0% 

(DB)  My  Friend  Flicka  (20th -Fox) 

LOS  ANGELES— Loew's  State   99.8% 

(DB)  My  Friend  Flicka  (20th-Fox) 

LOS  ANG  ELESr— Ritz   98.9% 

(DB)  My  Friend  Flicka  (20th -Fox) 

MILWAUKEE— Wisconsin,  1st  week   ....  139.7% 

(DB)  Hello,  Frisco,  Hello  (20th -Fox) 

MILWAUKEE— Wisconsin,    2nd    week    .   .    .  102.4% 

(DB)  Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello  (20th-Fox) 

MINNEAPOLIS— Gopher   166.6% 

(DB)  Taxi,  Mister  (UA) 

MONTREAL— Capitol,  1st  week   255.5% 

(DB)  The  Meanest  Man  in  the  World  (20th-Fox) 

MONTREAL— Capitol,  2nd  week   155.5% 

(DB)  The  Meanest  Man  in  the  World  (20th -Fox) 

NEW  HAVEN— Loew's  Poli   94.4% 

(DB)  Cabin  in  the  Sky  (MGM) 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  1st  week   ....  133.3% 

(DB)  Saludos  Amigos  (RKO) 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  2nd  week    ....  100.0% 

(DB)  Saludos  Amigos  (RKO) 

PITTSBURGH— Harris   76.0% 

SAN   FRANCISCO— Fox   116.6% 

(DB)  My  Friend  Flicka  (20th-Fox) 

SEATTLE— Paramount    102.2% 

(DB)    My    Friend   Flicka  (20th-Fox) 

ST.  LOUIS— Ambassador   113.0% 

(DB)  My  Friend  Flicka  (20th-Fox) 

TORONTO— Eglin ton,  1st  week   144.4% 

TORONTO— Eglinton,  2nd  week   88.8% 

TORONTO— Tivoli    155.5% 

WASHINGTON— Columbia,  1st  week  ....  230.7% 

(DB)  Margin  for  Error  (20th -Fox) 

WASHINGTON— Columbia,   2nd    week    .    .    .  160.0% 

(DB)  Margin  for  Error  (20th -Fox) 


FRANKENSTEIN  MEETS  THE  WOLF 

MAN  (Univ.) 

Final  Reports: 


Total  Gross  Tabulated  $202,675 
Comparative  Average  Gross  170,200 
Over-all  Performance  I  19.0% 


BOSTON— Translux.  1st  week   150.0% 

(DB)  Hi,  Buddy  (Univ.) 

BOSTON— Translux,  2nd  week   150.0% 

(DB)  Hi,  Buddy  (Univ.) 

BOSTON— Translux,  3rd  week   80.0% 

(DB)  Hi.  Buddy  (Univ.) 

BUFFALO — Lafayette   162.5% 

(DB)  The  Boogie  Man  Will  Get  You  (Col.) 

CINCINNATI— Grand   90.0% 

CINCINNATI— Lyric,  MO,  1st  week   ....  125.0% 

DENVER— Paramount   190.0% 

(DB)  Gorilla  Man  (WB) 

DENVER— Rialto,  MO.  1st  week   125.0% 

(DB)  Gorilla  Man  (WB) 

INDIANAPOLIS— Lyric   107.1% 


KANSAS  CITY— Esquire   107.1% 

KANSAS  CITY— Uptown  .   .    .   90.0% 

MILWAUKEE— Riverside    114.1% 

(SA)  Art  Kassel  and  Orchestra 

MINNEAPOLIS— Gopher   183.3% 

NEW  HAVEN— Paramount   117.1% 

(DB)  Behind  the  Eight  Ball  (Univ.) 

PHILADELPHIA — Stanton,    1st    week   .    .   .  218.4% 

PHILADELPHIA— Stanton,  2nd   week   .   .    .  156.9% 

PHILADELPHIA— Stanton,  3rd  week  ....  107.6%, 

PITTSBURGH— Harris   129.4% 

SAN  FRANCISCO^-Orpheum   130.4% 

(DB)  How's  About  It?  (Univ.) 

SEATTLE—  Orpheum    102,2% 

(DB)  Gorilla  Man  (WB) 

ST.    LOUIS— Fox    83.3% 

(DB)  Over  My  Dead  Body  (20th -Fox) 

WASHINGTON— RKO    Keith    125.0% 


THREE  HEARTS  FOR  JULIA  (MGM) 

Final  Reports: 

Total  Gross  Tabulated  $195,700 

Comparative  Average  Gross  167,800 

Over-all  Performance  116.6% 


BOSTON— Loew's  State   120.6% 

(DB)  Reveille  with  Beverly  (Col) 

BUFFALO— Hippodrome   106.2% 

(DB)  The  Avengers  (Para.) 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Albee   92.8% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Shubert,  MO,  1st  week   .  111.1% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  Stillman   ......  107.6% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Loew's   121.4% 

(DB)  Tennessee  Johnson  (MGM) 

KANSAS  CITY— Midland   100.0% 

(DB)  Tennessee  Johnson  (MGM) 

MILWAUKEE— Wisconsin   144.5% 

(DB)  Stand  By  for  Action  (MGM) 

MILWAUKEE— Strand,  MO,  1st  week    .   .    .  140.0% 

(DB)  Stand  By  for  Action  (MGM) 

PITTSBURGH— Stanley   111.1% 

(SA)  Shep  Fields  Orchestra 

PROVIDENCE— State   118.1% 

(DB)  Tennessee  Johnson  (MGM) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Warfield   153.5% 

(SA)  Veloz  &  Yolanda  and  others 

SEATTLE— Paramount   96.6% 

(DB)  Journey  for  Margaret  (MGM) 

SEATTLE— Blue  Mouse,  MO,  1st  week    .    .  91.1% 

(DB)  Journey  for  Margaret  (MGM) 

ST.  LOUIS— Orpheum   100.0% 

(DB)  Underground  Agent  (Col.) 

TORONTO— Uptown   126.3% 

(DB)  When  Johnny  Comes  Marching  Home 
(Univ.) 

WASHINGTON— Capitol   126.3% 

(SA)  Vaughn  Monroe  Orchestra 


FOREVER  AND  A  DAY  (RKO) 

Intermediate  Reports: 

Total  Gross  Tabulated  $220,800 

Comparative  Average  Gross  181,796 

Over-all  Performance  121.4% 


BALTIMORE— Hippodrome   150.0% 

(SA)  Jack  Durant,  Ray  Parker  and  others 

BUFFALO— 20th  Century   211.7% 

(DB)  Saludos  Amigos  (RKO) 

CINCINNATI— RKO  ALBEE   92.8% 

CINCINNATI — RKO  Grand,  MO,  1st  week   .  100.0% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Circle   95.0% 

(DB)  Saludos  Amigos  (RKO) 
LOS   ANGELES— Paramount   Hollywood,  1st 

week   118.5% 


LOS  ANGELES— Paramount   Hollywood,  2nd 

week    84.0% 

LOS   ANGELES— Paramount    Downtown,  1st 

week    116.0% 

(DB)  Rhythm  of  the  Islands  (Republic) 
LOS  ANGELES— Downtown   Hollywood,  2nd 

week    89.3% 

(DB)  Rhvthm  of  the  Islands  (Univ.) 

OMAHA— Brandeis   113.3% 

(DB)  Seven  Miles  from  Alcatraz  (RKO) 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  lsi  week   ....  174.4% 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  2nd  week   ....  127.7% 

PITTSBURGH— Stanley   111.1% 

(SA)  Johnny  Long's  Band 

PROVIDENCE— Albee    156.2% 

(DB)  Taxi  Mister  (UA) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Golden  Gate   130.7% 

(SA)  Vaudeville 

ST.  LOUIS— Ambassador   104.3% 

(DB)  How's  About  It?  (Univ.) 

ST.  LOUIS— Missouri,  MO,  1st  week   ....  918% 

(DB)  Hello,  Frisco,  Hello  (20th-Fox) 


THE  HUMAN  COMEDY  (MGM) 

First  Reports: 


Total  Gross  Tabulated  $196,500 
Comparative  Average  Gross  143,250 
Over-All  Performance  137.1% 


BOSTON— Loew's  Orpheum    128.2% 

BOSTON— Loew's  State   160.7% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Albee   143.5% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  State   128.5% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Loew's   152.9% 

KANSAS  CITY — Midland   150.0% 

PHILADELPHIA— Boyd   178.5% 

WASHINGTON— Palace,  1st  week   139.6% 

WASHINGTON— Palace,  2nd  week   120.6% 

WASHINGTON— Palace,  3rd  week   112.5% 


EDCE  OF  DARKNESS  (WB) 

First  Reports: 

Total  Gross  Tabulated  $434,733 

Comparative  Average  Gross  339,629 

Over-All  Performance  128.0% 


LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Hollywood, 

1st  week   121.0% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Hollywood, 

2nd   week    81.4% 

LOS    ANGELES— Warner's    Downtown,  1st 

week    124.7% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Downtown, 

2nd  week   92.0% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Wiltern,  1st  week  153.6% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Wiltern,  2nd  week  96.4% 

MILWAUKEE— Warner,  1st  week   124.4% 

(DB)  Calaboose  (UA) 

MILWAUKEE— Warner,    2nd    week   ....  101.1% 

(DB)  Calaboose  (UA) 

NEW  HAVEN— Roger  Sherman   106.6% 

(DB)  Hi  Ya,  Chum  (Univ.) 

NEW  YORK— Strand,  1st  week   155.7% 

(SA)  Jan  Savitt  Orchestra  &  Ethel  Waters 

NEW  YORK— Strand.  2nd  week   145.7% 

(SA)  Jan  Savitt  Orchestra  &  Ethel  Waters 

NEW  YORK— Strand,  3rd  week   145.7% 

(SA)  Jan  Savitt  Orchestra  &  Ethel  Waters 

NEW  YORK— Strand,  4th  week   114.2% 

(SA)  Jan  Savitt  Orchestra  &  Ethel  Waters 

PHILADELPHIA— Mastbaum.  1st  week  .    .    .  167.5% 

PHILADELPHIA— Mastbaum,   2nd  week    .    .  103.1% 

PITTSBURGH— Penn   97.0% 

ST.  LOUIS— Fox   103.3% 

(DB)  He  Hired  the  Boss  (20th -Fox) 

WASHINGTON— Earle,   1st  week   148.1% 

(SA)  Mario  &  Fiona 

WASHINGTON— Earle,  2nd  week   129  0% 

(SA)  Mario  &  Floria 


May    15,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


In  This  Week: 

SHOWMEN'S  REVIEWS 

RELEASE  CHART 

BY  COMPANIES 

SHORT  SUBJECTS 

THE  RELEASE  CHART 


Stage  Door  Canteen 

(United  Artists  -  Lesser) 
Service  Show  De  Luxe 

A  spectacular  benefit  show — such  as  theatre 
people  have  so  frequently  and  generously  pro- 
vided in  a  worthy  cause — threaded  with  a  poig- 
nant story  of  young  love,  "Stage  Door  Can- 
teen" is  a  full  program's  entertainment.  It  hon- 
ors the  artists — from  Yehudi  Menuhin  and  Helen 
Hayes  to  Edgar  Bergen  and  Gracie  Fields — who 
donated  their  talents,  and  is  a  warm  tribute  to 
the  men  of  the  armed  forces  who  will  enjoy  a 
large  share  of  the  undoubtedly  large  profits,  to 
be  returned  to  the  American  Theatre  Wing. 

Four  nights  at  the  Canteen,  operated  by  this 
organization  of  men  and  women  of  stage,  screen 
and  radio  for  service  men  in  New  York,  tell  the 
love  story  of  "Dakota,"  a  soldier  with  the 
Mid-west  in  his  voice,  and  "Eileen,"  a  junior 
hostess.  He  is  awaiting  embarkation  call  and 
she  is  making  her  bid  for  a  stage  career  when 
they  meet,  fall  in  love  and  are  separated  by  the 
war. 

The  same  four  nights  have  seen  four  shifts 
in  the  Canteen  personnel,  as  Katharine  Cornell 
gives  way  to  Lynn  Fontanne  on  the  serving 
line,  Charlie  McCarthy's  wise  chatter  is  re- 
placed by  Ray  Bolger's  delightful  dance  routine 
and  Benny  Goodman  leaves  the  stand  to  Count 
Basie  and  Ethel  Waters.  Each  artist  takes  his 
turn,  while  audiences,  seen  and  unseen,  watch 
the  show.  Six  orchestras  play  characteristic 
specialties,  with  Xavier  Cugat,  Guy  Lombardo, 
Freddie  Martin,  and  Kay  Kyser  varying  the 
tempo.  Singing  ranges  from  the  "Lord's 
Prayer,"  reverently  sung  by  Gracie  Fields,  to 
Ethel  Merman's  rousing  rendition  of  "Marching 
through  Berlin,"  with  Lanny  Ross  and  Kenny 
Baker  contributing  ballads  in  between. 

The  scope  of  entertainment  is  so  compre- 
hensive as  to  include  a  "strip  tease,"  with  slight 
variations,  by  Gypsy  Rose  Lee,  who  achieved 
her  fame  as  the  classic  practitioner  of  this  art 
in  Minsky  burlesque  in  New  York.  The  "strip 
tease"  idea  was  heretofore  in  its  entirety  forbid- 
den by  the  Production  Code  Administration. 
This  contribution  stands  in  unhappy  contrast 
with  the  spirit  of  Menuhin's  rendition  of 
Schubert's  "Ave  Maria." 

But  the  men  in  uniform  who  are  the  point 
of  the  show  are  not  lost  in  this  volume  of  tal- 
ent. "Dakota,"  "California,"  "Texas,"  and 
"Jersey"  are  living  personalities,  affectionately 
portrayed  by  young  actors  who  will  not  remain 
little  known.  Lon  McCallister  as  "California," 
naive  and  shy,  has  a  special  boyish  appeal,  but 
William  Terry,  Michael  Harrison  and  Fred 
Brady  all  make  their  mark.  Their  girl  friends, 
Cheryl  Walker  as  "Eileen,"  Marjorie  Riordan, 
Margaret  Early  and  Dorothea  Kent  are  also 
vibrant  people  matching  in  youth  and  charm  the 
more  finished  performances  of  stage  veterans. 

Sol  Lesser  and  Frank  Borzage,  producer  and 
director,  undertook  the  huge  task  of  integrating 
a  variety  of  talents  and  performances,  finding 
adequate  spots  for  all  who  wanted  to  contribute 


Reviews 


This  department  deals  with 
new  product  from  the  point  of 
view  of  the  exhibitor  who  is 
to  purvey  it  to  his  own  public. 


and  keeping  the  story  alive  throughout.  They 
have  done  it  with  skill  and  tact  and  with  a 
steady  eye  on  the  goal  of  screen  entertainment. 
Freddie  Rich  supervised  the  music,  including 
15  songs,  seven  of  them  written  for  the  show 
by  Al  Dubin  and  Jimmy  Monaco,  all  rich 
in  melody  and  gay  lyrics.  Delmer  Daves' 
screenplay  has  humor,  pathos  and  an  affection- 
ate understanding  which,  in  fact,  pervades  the 
entire  production. 

This  report  could  not,  of  course,  mention  all 
the  personalities  who  participated,  some  like 
Katharine  Hepburn  with  a  few  lines  and  others 
like  Ed  Wynn  with  a  "full  turn  of  banter  and 
anecdote.  But  the  exhibitor  may  choose  from 
the  list  below,  knowing  that  each  is  identified 
and  takes  the  stage  for  a  time,  or  may  run  them 
all  in  the  spirit  of  this  heart-warming,  coopera- 
tive endeavor. 

Seen  in  the  home  office  projection  room 
where  a  small  audience  responded  with  chuckles, 
tears  and  applause  in  the  nature  of  larger  audi- 
ences everywhere.  Reviewer's  Rating  :  Excellent. 
— E.  A.  Cunningham. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  132  min.  PCA 
No.  9216.    General  audience  classification. 

Cast:  Cheryl  Walker,  William  Terry,  Marjorie  Rior- 
dan, Lon  McCallister,  Margaret  Early,  Michael  Har- 
rison, Dorothea  Kent,  Fred  Brady,  Marion  Shockley, 
Patrick  O'Moore. 

Stars  at  the  Stage  Door  Canteen;  Judith  Anderson, 
Kenny  Baker,  Tallulah  Bankhead,  Ralph  Bellamy, 
Edgar  Bergen  and  Charlie  McCarthy,  Ray  Bolger, 
Ina  Claire,  Katharine  Cornell,  Jane  Cowl,  Virginia 
Field,  Gracie  Fields,  Lynn  Fontanne,  Virginia  Grey, 
Helen  Hayes,  Katharine  Hepburn,  Hugh  Herbert, 
Jean  Hersholt,  Allen  Jenkins,  George  Jessel,  Otto 
Kruger,  Gertrude  Lawrence,  Gypsy  Rose  Lee,  Alfred 
Lunt,  Aline  MacMahon,  Elsa  Maxwell,  Harpo  Marx, 
Yehudi  Menuhin,  Ethel  Merman,  Ralph  Morgan,  Alan 
Mowbray,  Paul  Muni,  Merle  Oberon,  George  Raft, 
Lanny  Ross,  Selena  Royle,  Martha  Scott,  Cornelia 
Otis  Skinner,  Ned  Sparks,  Ethel  Waters,  Johnny 
Weissmuller,  Arleen  Whelan,  Ed  Wynn. 

Also,  Count  Basie,  Xavier  Cugat,  Benny  Goodman, 
Kay  Kyser,  Guy  Lombardo,  Freddie  Martin  and  their 
orchestras. 


Bombardier 

(RKO  Radio) 
Direct  Hit 

Chalk  up  a  direct  hit  for  producer  Robert 
Fellows  and  director  Richard  Wallace,  for 
writers  John  Twist  and  Martin  Rackin,  for 
RKO-Radio  and  for  all  the  players  in  this 
service-melodrama  named  for  and  concerning  the 


men  who  plant  the  Eagle's  eggs  in  the  places 
where  they  hatch  the  most  destruction.  Match- 
ing in  terms  of  entertainment  the  accuracy  of 
America's  high-altitude  precision  bombardiers, 
the  production  is  a  bull's-eye  by  all  the  stand- 
ards that  count  at  the  box  office  or  elsewhere. 

The  players  who  enact  the  principal  roles — 
Pat  O'Brien  at  his  best  minus  romantic  respon- 
sibilities, Randolph  Scott  in  top  form  without 
obligation  to  thrash  a  dozen  ruffians,  Anne 
Shirley,  Eddie  Albert,  Walter  Reed,  Robert 
Ryan,  Barton  MacLane  in  likewise  composed 
portrayals  and  Richard  Martin  in  a  dialect 
comedy  assignment  that  gets  a  maximum  of 
laughter  out  of  minimum  footage — give  the 
picture  all  they've  got  and  get  a  world  of  bene- 
fit from  it  in  return. 

The  picture  opens  prior  to  America's  entry 
into  the  war  and  deals  with  the  preparatory 
period,  when  young  men  were  choosing  between 
pilot  training  and  bombardier  schooling,  friend- 
ly rivalry  between  O'Brien  and  Scott  coating 
this  with  enough  story  to  keep  it  fictional  in 
tone  although  instructional  at  core.  Enough 
feminine  interest  is  employed  here  and  through- 
out, but  not  too  much.  Following  the  Pearl 
Harbor  attack  the  story  turns  deadly  earnest 
and  depicts  an  American  bombing  raid  upon  a 
Japanese  city,  suggesting  without  saying  so 
what  may  have  been  the  type  of  experience  un- 
dergone by  the  Doolittle  fliers.  The  presenta- 
tion is  rich  in  power  and  solid  dramatics. 

The  picture  contains  none  of  the  formula  de- 
vices which  have  crippled  many  a  service-melo- 
drama in  the  past,  and  it  has  the  courage  to  kill 
off  some  of  the  characters  endeared  to  the  audi- 
ence, a  use  of  realism  which  adds  to  the 
strength  of  the  whole. 

Previewed  at  the  Pantages  theatre,  Holly- 
wood, to  a  Friday  night  audience  which  mani- 
fested enthusiastic  approval.  Reviewer's  Rat- 
ing :  Excellent. — William  R.  Weaver. 

Release  date,  Block  6.  Running  time,  99  min.  PCA 
No.   8901.     General   audience  classification. 

Major  Davis   Pat  O'Brien 

Captain   Oliver   Randolph  Scott 

Burt   Hughes   Anne  Shirley 

Eddie  Albert,  Walter  Reed.  Robert  Ryan,  Barton 
MacLane,  Leonard  Strong,  Richard  Martin,  Russell 
Wade,  James  Newill,  John  Miljan,  Charles  Russell. 


Murder  in  Times  Square 

(Columbia) 

Satiric  Murder  Mystery 

A  clever  little  mystery  number  brings  Ed- 
mund Lowe  back  to  the  screen  in  "Murder  in 
Times  Square,"  the  picture  that  starts  off  his 
affiliation  with  Columbia.  It  has  novelty  in 
plot,  stature  in  performance  and  competence  in 
direction  by  Lew  Landers.  Only  on  the  pro- 
duction side  does  it  lack  smoothness — some 
faulty  scripting,  loose  editing  and  unaccountable 
time  lapses  marring  its  chances  for  complete 
excellence  in  the  program  market. 

Without  a  bow  to  Orson  Welles,  Lowe  plays 
a  brash  genius  who  writes  his  own  play  and 
stars  in  it  on  Broadway  for  a  hit.    Without  a 


Product  Digest  Section  1313 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    15,    I  943 


bow  to  Broadway  Rose,  Esther  Dale  plays  such 
a  character  in  the  film,  hounding  Lowe  with  a 
vituperative  tongue  until  he  is  incriminated  in 
five  rattlesnake  murders.  A  number  of  authen- 
tic suspects  and  a  clever  police  lieutenant  are 
so  written  as  to  keep  an  audience  well  off  the 
scent  of  the  actual  murderer  until  he  is  named. 

In  his  direction  of  the  principals,  Landers  dis- 
plays the  same  capable  hand  that  distinguishes 
his  action  scenes.  Lowe's  return  to  pictures 
is  welcome,  as  evidenced  by  a  smooth  perform- 
ance. Marguerite  Chapman  is  the  pretty  hero- 
ine, William  Wright  the  police  lieutenant.  Es- 
ther Dale  is  excellent  in  a  very  interesting  por- 
trait of  the  shrill  old  harridan.  Veda  Ann  Borg 
is  properly  sultry  as  the  crime's  passion.  Bruce 
Bennett,  John  Litel  and  Gerald  Mohr  are  good 
in  supporting  roles.  Colbert  Clark  is  the  pro- 
ducer. The  original  story  is  by  Stuart  Palmer, 
the  screenplay  by  Paul  .Gangelin. 

Caught  at  a  downtown  Orpheum  theatre, 
Los  Angeles,  where  an-  audience  waiting  for 
the  vaudeville  show  found  the  picture  much 
more  exciting  than  the  same  studio's  "City 
Without  Men"  which  immediately  preceded  it. 
Reviewer's  Rating :  Good. — Reed  Porter. 
Release  date,  April  1,  1943.  Running  time,  65  rain. 
PCA  No.  8925.     General  audience  classification. 

Corey   Williams   Edmund  Lowe 

Madeleine   Marguerite  Chapman 

Lt.  Tabor   William  Wright 

Broadway  Lil   Esther  Dale 

John  Litel,  Bruce  Bennett,  Veda  Ann  Borg,  Sidney 
Blackmer,  Gerald  Mohr,  Leslie  Denison,  Douglas  Lea- 
vitt,  George  McKay. 


A  Gentle  Gangster 

(Republic) 

The  Reformed  Gangster 

Casting  of  Barton  MacLane  as  the  gentle 
insurance  agent  in  a  small  town,  beloved  of  his 
fellow  church  members,  is  a  twist  which  will 
interest  movie-goers  familiar  with  his  rough 
roles.  However,  they  have  a  chance  also  to 
see  him  in  old  form,  as  the  film  develops  from 
the  slow  paced  and  mild  story  into  a  bust- 
up  gangster  thriller. 

For  MacLane  is  a  former  big  timer  in  boot- 
legging who,  with  two  henchmen,  Dick  Wessell 
and  Ray  Teal,  left  the  racket  for  respectability 
in  small  Elmdale.  Dick  is  a  barber;  Ray,  a 
grocer.  They  are  forced  to  become  tough  again 
by  the  intrigues  of  gangster  Jack  LaRue,  who 
has  opened  a  road  house,  operates  a  gambling 
salon,  corrupts  adolescents,  and  begins  a  "pro- 
tection" racket  among  the  town's  merchants. 
The  three  oldish  reformed  gangsters  train  vig- 
orously, after  having  tried  unsuccessfully  to  buy 
LaRue  out.  Even  their  wives  urge  them  on. 
They  descend  upon  LaRue  and  gang  to  clean 
them  out  in  old  fashioned  style.  And  they  dis- 
cover the  church  minister  not  only  approves 
their  actions,  but  knew  their  past. 

From  the  above,  it  will  be  seen  that  this  is 
distinctly  a  "homey"  picture,  which,  neverthe- 
less has  overtones  of  the  gangster  thriller:  an 
interesting  combination. 

Molly  Lamont  is  the  feminine  lead,  opposite 
MacLane,  as  his  wife.  She  is  mature,  pretty, 
and  competent.  The  direction  is  Phil  Rosen's, 
under  producer  A.  W.  Hackel. 

Reviewed  in  a  New  York  projection  room. 
Reviewer's  Rating:  Good. — Floyd  Elbert 
Stone. 

Release  date,  May  10,  1943.  Running  time,  57  min. 
PCA  No.  9192.    General  audience  classification. 

Mike  Hallit   Barton  MacLane 

Ann  Hallit   Molly  Lamont 

Dick  Wessel,  Joyce  Compton,  Tack  La  Rue,  Cy  Ken- 
dall, Rosella  Towne,  Ray  Teal,  Crane  Whitley,  Elli- 
ott Sullivan,  Anthony  Warde. 


The  Ghost  and  the  Guest 

(Producers  Releasing) 

Gangsters,  Ghosts  and  Laughs 

An  old  farmhouse,  secret  stairs,  a  hangman, 
gangsters  and  a  pair  of  honeymooners  are  the 
ingredients  of  this  chiller  with  laughs  produced 
for  PRC  by  Arthur  Alexander  and  Alfred 
Stern.    They  whip  them  together  with  enough 

1314  Product  Digest  Section 


RKO  RADIO  DISCONTINUES 
NATIONAL  RELEASE  DATES 

No  national  release  dates  will  be 
set  on  RKO  Radio  films  being  released 
after  March  of  this  year.  These  pic- 
tures will  be  announced  in  blocks, 
starting  in  April  with  Block  5.  This 
block  consists  of  "Flight  for  Free- 
dom", "Ladies'  Day",  "This  Land  Is 
Mine",  "I  Walked  with  a  Zombie" 
and  "The  Falcon  Strikes  Back".  Block 
6  will  include  "Bombardier",  "Squad- 
ron Leader  X",  "Mr.  Lucky",  "Gil- 
dersleeve's  Bad  Day"  and  "The  Leopard 
Man". 


suspense  to  keep  audiences  laughing  and  guess- 
ing for  most  of  an  hour. 

The  young  couple,  played  by  James  Dunn 
and  Florence  Rice,  arrive  at  their  honeymoon 
home  to  find  the  farmhouse  occupied  by  the 
county  hangman.  Robert  Dudley  is  a  friendly 
old  codger  in  the  part,  except  for  professional 
curiosity  in  the  measurements  of  necks.  He 
explains  that  his  last  job,  a  gangster,  willed 
him  the  house.  But  the  couple  are  welcome  to 
spend  the  night. 

Complications  begin  when  a  coffin  with  the 
gangster's  body  arrives,  followed  by  a  group  of 
his  live  confederates.  They  seek  a  necklace 
hidden  in  the  house.  But  the  coffin  contains  an 
escaped  convict.  He  is  familiar  with  the  house 
and  by  prowling  through  secret  stairways  and 
pasages  adds  to  the  mystery. 

After  a  night  of  alarms  and  mystery  the 
young  couple  finally  capture  the  escaped  killer, 
reveal  the  identity  of  the  other  gangsters  and 
find  the  necklace.  They  leave  the  house  to  the 
hangman  and  all  ends  happily. 

Direction  by  William  Nigh  keeps  the  Milt 
Gross  story  moving  and  reasonably  plausible. 
Morey  Amsterdam  wrote  the  screenplay.  There 
are  enough  laughs  in  this  new  twist  to  the 
haunted  house  theme  to  win  it  a  place  on  either 
a  mystery  or  comedy  bill*. 

Seen  at  the  New  York  theatre,  where  a  Sat- 
urday evening  audience  laughed  frequently.  Re- 
viewer's Rating :  Good. — John  Stuart,  Jr. 

Release  date,  April  19,  1943.  Running  time,  61  min. 
PCA  No.  9183.     General  audience  classification. 

Webster   Frye   James  Dunn 

Jackie    Frye   Florence  Rice 

Ben  Bowron   Robert  Dudley 

Mabel  Todd,  Sam  McDaniel,  Eddy  Chandler,  Jim 
Toney,  Robert  Bice,  Renee  Carson,  Tony  Ward,  An- 
thony Caruso  and  Eddie  Foster. 


Sarong  Girl 

(Monogram) 

Ann  Corio  Under  Wraps 

It  may  be  stated  by  showmen  in  truth  that 
Ann  Corio,  of  burlesque,  plays  the  title  role  in 
this  offering,  and  that  would  be  about  all  the 
truthful  and  profit-minded  showman  would  be 
having  to  say  about  that.  For  Miss  Corio 
furnishes  on  the  screen  none  of  whatever  it  is 
that  she  furnishes  on  the  burlesque  stage  with 
such  skill  as  to  have  attained  rank  in  her  cate- 
gory. She  portrays  a  burlesque  actress,  to  be 
sure,  but  a  burlesque  actress  employing  her 
time  and  wiles  as  a  night  club  entertainer  in- 
tent upon  embarrassing  a  reformer  who  has 
caused  her  show  to  be  raided,  and  she  does 
none  of  the  things  she  is  called  upon  to  do — 
including  a  hula  number  and  a  song — in  a  man- 
ner to  advance  any  of  the  arts,  including  her 
own. 

On  the  other  hand,  it  may  be  stated  by  show- 
men in  truth  and  gratitude  that  the  film  does 
introduce  to  the  screen  the  talented  team  of 
Tim  and  Irene,  of  vaudeville,  whose  perform- 
ances in  comedy  material  of  the  kind  they  have 
specialized  in  for  years  lifts  the  picture  far 


above  its  level  during  the  minutes  they  domi- 
nate.  This  is  the  asset  of  the  picture. 

As  produced  by  Philip  N.  Krasne  and  direct- 
ed by  Arthur  Dreifuss,  the  picture  lacks  what 
it  takes  to  top  a  bill. 

Previewed  at  tlie  Ambassador  Hotel  theatre, 
Los  Angeles,  to  a  paying  audience  which  mani- 
fested little  interest.  Reviewer' s  Rating :  Fair. 
— W.  R.  W. 

Release  date,  May  28,  1943.  Running  time,  70  min. 
PCA  No.  9244.    General  audience  classification. 

Dixie   Ann  Corio 

Tim   Tim  Ryan 

Irene   Irene  Ryan 

Mantan  Moreland,  Bill  Henry,  Johnnie  "Scat"  Da- 
vis, Damian  O'Flynn,  Owen  Kenyon,  Henry  Kolker, 
Mary  Gordon,  Charles  Williams,  Betty  Blythe, 
Charles  Jordan,  Lorraine  Krueger,  Paul  Bryar. 


Santa  Fe  Scouts 

(Republic) 

Three  Mesquiteers  Western 

This  is  an  above  average  Western  that  should 
make  a  strong  appeal  to  the  fans.  Bob  Steele, 
Tom  Tyler  and  Jimmie  Dodd  perform  with 
their  usual  competence  in  a  fast-moving  Re- 
public production. 

The  Three  Mesquiteers,  employees  of  Eliza- 
beth Valentine,  have  the  job  of  looking  after 
her  son,  John  James,  who  always  seems  to  find 
himself  in  trouble.  The  woman,  in  order  to 
make  her  son  more  reliable,  gives  him  a  ranch, 
and  then  orders  the  Mesquiteers  to  deliver  50 
head  of  choice  cattle. 

Things  start  happening  from  then  on.  The 
Mesquiteers  arrive  with  the  cattle  at  a  water- 
hole  near  the  ranch,  and  discover  Tom  London 
and  Budd  Buster  attempting  to  charge  a  dollar 
a  head  for  herds  to  drink.  They  demand  to 
know  London's  right  in  the  matter  and  then  are 
sent  to  the  owner  of  the  property,  who  happens 
to  be  James.  James  is  ignorant  of  the  crooked 
deal  being  worked  against  him  by  London,  for 
many  years  ranch  caretaker,  and  of  the  law  of 
squatters'  rights  by  which  they  hope  to  acquire 
the  property.  A  quarrel  comes  up  in  the 
lawyer's  office,  and  Lois  Collier,  wife  of  James, 
shoots  and  apparently  kills  Buster.  Chatterton 
and  London  immediately  offer  to  protect  the 
girl  and  order  James  to  leave. 

The  Mesquiteers  learn  about  the  new  law, 
and  go  to  James'  ranch  to  take  possession.  They 
find  that  the  pass  is  blocked  by  a  wagon  guard- 
ed by  some  bandits.  The  trio  stampedes  a 
bunch  of  cattle  through  the  pass,  and  then 
rounds  up  the  bandits. 

Howard  Bretherton  accomplished  a  fine  job 
on  the  direction  end  of  the  picture. 

Caught  at  the  Daly  theatre,  Hartford,  where 
an  early  afternoon  audience  seemed  to  enjoy 
this  latest  Mesquiteers  western.  Reviewer's 
Rating :  Good. — Al  Widem. 

Release  date,  April  16,  1943.  Running  time,  55  min. 
PCA  No.  9179.  General  audience  classification. 
Bob  Steele,  Tom  Tyler,  Jimmie  Dodd,  John  James, 
Elizabeth  Valentine,  Lois  Collier,  Tom  Chatterton, 
Tom  London,  Budd  Buster,  Jack  Ingram,  Kermit 
Maynard. 


West  of  Texas 

(Producers  Releasing  Corp.) 
Horses  and  Six-Shooters 

Here's  a  Western  with  New  Mexico  Rangers 
instead  of  the  Texas  boys  of  fast  horses  and 
faster  triggers.  It  involves  the  cruel  railroad 
oppressors  who  are  really  great  of  heart  but 
evilly  represented  by  a  human  snake,  played  by 
Robert  Barron.  His  hobby  is  harrassing  honest 
ranchmen,  stealing  their  cattle  and  cheating 
them  out  of  their  ranches  with  the  aid  of  a 
conniving  brother  reptile  in  the  courts. 

The  chief  victim  is  Henry  Hall,  who  is 
about  to  lose  everything  including  his  shirt 
when  on  the  scene  arrive  Tex  O'Brien  and  his 
fellow  Texas  Ranger,  Jim  Newill. 

There's  also  a  beautiful  young  traitress  who 
dances  and  sings  when  she  isn't  conniving  in 
behalf  of  Barron.  She  gets  her  come-uppance 
before  the  picture's  over  and  so  does  Barron, 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

SHORT  SUBJECTS 

reviews  and  synopses 


May    15,  1943 

whose  cronies  are  laid  in  heaps  by  pistol  fire. 
There  are  traps  and  ruses  and  chases  and  en- 
counters before  virtue  triumphs  in  the  wide 
open  spaces. 

It's  a  fairly  well-made  affair  with  none  of  the 
regulation  Western  effects  missing,  and  some 
agreeable  cowboy  singing  by  Jim  Newill,  as- 
sisted in  spots  by  Tex  O'Brien.  The  cast  in- 
cludes Guy  Wilkerson,  Frances  Gladwin,  Mari- 
lyn Hare,  Tom  London  and  Jack  Rockwell. 

The  screenplay  by  Oliver  Drake  was  pro- 
duced by  Fred  Stern  and  Arthur  Alexander 
and  directed  by  Mr.  Drake. 

Viewed  in  the  New  York  theatre  before  an 
appreciative  juvenile  audience  as  part  of  a 
double  bill.  Reviewer's  Rating:  Fair. — A.  J. 

Release  date,  May  10,  1943.  Running  time,  54  min. 
PCA  No.  9274.    General  audience  classification. 

Tex  Wyatt   Dave   (Tex)  O'Brien 

Jim  Steel  ..,..Jim  Newill 

Guy  Wilkerson,  Frances  Gladwin,  Marilyn  Hare,  Rob- 
ert Barron,  Tom  London,  Henry  Hall,  Jack  Rockwell, 
Roy  Butler,  Jack  Ingraham,  Art  Fowler. 


Riders  of  the  Rio  Grande 

(Republic) 

Three  Mesquiteers  Adventure 

There  is  little  to  recommend  in  the  summing 
up  on  "Riders  of  the  Rio  Grande,"  latest  in 
the  "Three  Mesquiteers"  series.  A  story  un- 
usually involved  for  cowboy  pictures,  some 
hammy  acting  and  unaccountable  time  lapses 
all  conspire  to  throw  it  for  a  loss.  Where  they 
are  prime  favorites  their  fans  should  take  the 
new  adventure  of  the  "Mesquiteers"  in  stride, 
but  "Riders  of  the  Rio  Grande"  doesn't  appear 
to  be  of  a  calibre  to  win  any  new  friends  for  the 
series. 

The  story  opens  strongly.  It  looks  for  a 
while  as  if  it  is  going  to  be  a  good  show,  with 
accent  on  drama  not  usually  found  in  westerns. 
But  soon  it  takes  a  familiar  turn  as  the  Mesqui- 
teers ride  onto  the  scene,  are  confused  with  the 
notorious  Cherokee  Boys  and  ordered  out  of 
Owensville.  They  should  be  rounding  up  the 
gang  that  robbed  the  bank  and  teaching  a  lesson 
to  young  Tom  Owens,  whose  father  knows  he 
had  a  hand  in  the  holdup.  Instead,  the  father 
hires  gunmen  to  kill  him  so  the  insurance 
money  can  recover  the  bank's  loss  and  protect 
the  son's  name.  The  Mesquiteers  are  further 
prevented  from  righting  matters  when  they  are 
jailed  trying  to  rescue  the  son  from  the  real 
robbers  and  the  heroine  throws  in  with  the 
villain. 

Howard  Bretherton  directed  the  original 
screenplay  by  Albert  De  Mond.  It  is  a  Louis 
Gray  production.  Tom  Tyler,  Jimmie  Dodd 
and  Bob  Steele  play  their  Mesquiteer  charac- 
ters satisfactorily,  but  the  strides  that  Ric  Val- 
lin  has  been  making  in  several  appearances 
lately  come  up  against  some  obstacles  in  this 
job.  Lorraine  Miller  is  the  heroine  and  there 
is  an  interesting,  if  overplayed,  character  cre- 
ated by  Edward  Van  Sloan. 

Caught  at  its  opening  at  the  Hitching  Post 
theatre,  Hollywood,  where  a  small,  mid-after- 
noon audience  showed  little  signs  of  life  during 


the  unreeling.  Reviewer's  Rating ;  Fair. — 
R.  P. 

Release  date,  May  21,  1943.  Running  time,  55  min. 
PCA  No.  9208.    General  audience  classification. 

Tucson   Bob  Steele 

Stony   Tom  Tyler 

Lullaby   Jimmie  Dodd 

Tom  Owens   Ric  Vallin 

Pop  Owens_   Edward  Van  Sloan 

Lorraine  Miller,  Harry  Worth,  Roy  Barcroft,  Charles 


King,  Jack  Ingraham. 


Bombsight  Stolen 

(  Gainsborough) 

Imported  Melodrama 

This  is  a  Gainsborough  picture  made  in  En- 
gland by  Gaumont-British  and  imported  by 
Edward  H.  Small  for  distribution  in  this  coun- 
try by  an  organization  not  yet  decided  upon. 
The  original  title  of  the  picture  was  "Cottage  to 
Let,"  but  the  recent  publicity  about  the  Ameri- 


SHOW  BUSINESS  AT  WAR  (20th-Fox) 

March  of  Time  (V9-10) 

In  filming  the  war  activities  of  the  motion 
picture  and  radio  personalities  on  all  the  fronts 
with  the  armed  forces  of  the  United  States, 
more  than  seventy  stars,  directors  and  enter- 
tainers are  presented.  The  home  front  canteens 
also  receive  considerable  attention  in  the  kaleido- 
scopic sweep  of  show  business  in  its  morale 
campaigns. 

The  War  Activities  Committee  of  the  Picture 
Industry  is  presented  in  toto  and  members  of 
the  trade  press  are  among  those  present. 
Among  the  stars  are  Olivia  de  Havilland,  Hedy 
LaMarr,  Dorothy  Lamour,  Kay  Francis,  Loret- 
ta  Young,  Irving  Berlin,  Rochester,  Alfred 
Lunt  as  a  practical  cook,  Al  Jolson  mammy- 
singing  to  the  troops,  Rita  Hayworth,  Martha 
Raye,  Joe  E.  Brown  and  pith  helmet,  Linda 
Darnell,  Carol  Landis,  who  sighs  over  a  micro- 
phone in  response  to  the  request  of  the  soldiers 
at  the  front,  Ginny  Sims,  Deanna  Durbin,  Phil 
Baker  and  his  $64  question,  Irene  Dunn,  Edgar 
Bergen  and  Charlie  McCarthy,  and  many 
groups  including  the  Ballet  Russe,  Eugene  Or- 
mandy  and  the  Philadelphia  Symphony  Orches- 
tra. The  quantity  of  talent  is  as  great  as  its 
headline  quality  and  should  be  exploited. 

Release  date,  May  21,  1943        17  minutes 


DOCTORS  AT  WAR  (OWI) 

Victory  Film 

Here's  a  good  picture  that  shows  how  our 
Army  doctors  are  trained  in  the  arts  of  war. 
They  don't  stop  at  being  surgeons.  They  learn 
to  shoot  and  fight,  and  although  the  recruits 
are  not  youngsters  the  training  course  is  stren- 
uous. In  six  weeks  of  concentrated  activity  they 
are  brought  to  physical  fitness  and  the  "know 
how"  of  Army  life.  In  this  film  offering,  the 
doctor  trainees  at  Carlisle  Barracks  in  Penn- 
sylvania are  put  through  fast  paces.  The  pic- 
ture is  informative,  interesting,  enlivened  by 
humor  and  calculated  to  improve  the  public's 
appreciation  of  the  medical  profession.  Uni- 
versal exchanges  are  handling  distribution. 

Release  date,  May  13,  1943        10  minutes 

WITH  ROD  AND  REEL  ON 
ANTICOSTI  ISLAND  (WB) 

Sports  Parade  (8409) 

Anticosti  Island,  which  lies  in  the  mouth  of 
the  St.  Lawrence  River  on  the  eastern  coast 
of  Canada,  is  a  sports  heaven  for  gun  and  rod. 
Tantalizing  shots  of  game  for  the  hunter  and 
prizes  for  the  fisherman,  are  combined  for  a 
timely  subject. 

Release  date,  May  1,  1943  10  minutes 


can  bombsight  appears  to  have  dictated  a  change 
of  title,  although  the  bombsight  referred  to  in 
the  picture  is  not  the  same  one. 

Leslie  Banks,  the  single  member  of  the  cast 
whose  name  means  something  to  American 
audiences,  plays  a  British  inventor  whose  in- 
venting, in  a  cottage  in  Scotland,  is  interrupted 
by  a  variety  of  persons  who  turn  out  to  be 
secret  agents  of  the  Nazis  and  secret  agents  of 
Scotland  Yard,  all  intent  upon  obtaining  pos- 
session of  the  invention  and  also  the  inventor. 

Much  spying  occurs,  all  festooned  with  elabo- 
rate manifestations  of  cleverness,  and  the  thing 
winds  up  with  an  abduction,  an  escape,  a  pur- 
suit and,  finally,  a  gun  battle  in  which  the  chief 
Nazi  is  slain. 


WINGS  UP  (OWI) 

Victory  Film 

The  12-week  test  of  a  man's  mind,  body  and 
spirit  is  depicted  in  this  short  describing  the 
Air  Force  training,  intensive,  tough  and  simu- 
lating actual  war  conditions.  A  full  year's 
course  is  condensed  into  84  days  which  disclose 
as  much  about  a  candidate's  fitness  as  it  is 
possible  to  know.  From  the  successful  survivors 
are  chosen  the  officers  of  the  Air  Corps. 

This  film,  incidentally,  is  a  box  office  present 
"for  free"  to  all  exhibitors,  for  Clark  Gable 
is  the  narrator,  and  Robert  Preston  and  Gilbert 
Roland,  together  with  William  Holden  and 
Brenda  Marshall,  are  right  there  in  person 
in  the  active  cast.  Gable,  in  good  voice,  has 
a  human  narration  lightened  with  touches  of 
humor.    MGM  will  distribute  for  the  OWI. 

Training  results  are  carefully  calculated  to 
make  every  American  proud  of  the  nation's 
manpower — smart  and  competent  and  fully 
worthy  of  our  highest  traditions. — A.  J. 

Release  date,  May  27,  1943        20  minutes 


MERCHANT  SEAMEN  (RKO) 

This  Is  America  (33,107) 

A  comprehensive  picturing  of  the  training 
of  merchant  seamen  with  three  young  men  who 
go  through  the  simulated  sea  experiences,  to- 
gether with  news  of  an  actual  convoy  and  the 
sinking  of  a  torpedoed  merchantship,  give  this 
informative  offering  considerable  zest  in  the 
entertainment  line.  The  signing  up,  the  daily 
routine,  the  fine  art  of  ship  loading,  and  other 
details  with  which  the  landlubber  is  unlikely  to 
be  familiar  are  included.  Miss  Liberty  is  re- 
vealed at  the  conclusion  as  the  sweetheart  of 
the  American  Navy.  Frederick  Ullman,  Jr.,  is 
the  producer,  Larry  O'Reilly  directed,  and 
Dwight  Weist  narrated.  All  turned  in  a  good 
job.  The  photography  matches  the  excellent 
quality  of  this  short  series.  Al  Goodman  and 
Herman  Fuchs  provided  a  competent  musical 
score. 

Release  date,  May  7,  1943  17  minutes 


FALL  OUT— FALL  IN  (RKO) 

Disney  Cartoon  (34,105) 

Donald  Duck  is  on  the  march.  He  wearies 
on  the  long  journey,  through  rains  and  sleet  and 
across  the  desert,  and  is  far  behind  when  the 
"fall  out"  command  is  given.  He  never  does 
catch  up,  arriving  for  mess  when  it's  time  to 
pitch  tents,  and  struggling  all  night  until 
reveille.  But  he  sets  out  at  the  next  "forward 
march,"  with  a  knapsack  full  of  rocks  packed 
with  half-closed  eyes. 

Release  date,  April  23,  1943      7  minutes 


Acting  is  overdrawn  throughout  and  the  mel- 
odramatics  are  conducted  in  the  manner  of  the 
10-20-30  period  of  American  stage  shows. 

Anthony  Asquith  directed. 

Previewed  at  the  Fairfax  theatre,  Hollywood, 
to  an  audience  attracted  by  an  Andy  Hardy  fea- 
ture. The  audience  laughed  when  it  should 
have  been  shuddering  and  delivered  itself  of 
audible  utterances  in  disparagement  of  the  pre- 
viewed picture  when  leaving  the  theatre.  Re- 
viewer's Rating:  Poor. 

No  release  date  or  distribution  medium  set.  Run- 
ning time,  72  min.  PCA  No.  9083.  General  audience 
classification. 

Barrington   Leslie  Banks 

Mrs.  Barrington  Jeanne  Casalis 

Carla  Lehman,  Alastair  Sim,  John  Mills,  George  Cole. 


Product  Digest  Section  1315 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    15,    I  943 


RELEASE  CHART 

By  Companies 


COLUMBIA 


Prod. 
No. 


Title 


Release 
Date 


4027  Counter  Espionage   Sep.  3.'42 

4022  The  Spirit  of  Stanford  Sep.  10/42 

4044  A  Man's  World  Sep.  17, '42 

4032  Lucky  Legs   Oct.    I, '42 

4201  Riding  Through  Nevada  Oct.    I. '42 

4021  The  Daring  Young  Man  Oct.  8/42 

4209  The  Lone  Prairie  Oct.  15/42 

4035  Smith  of  Minnesota  Oct.  15/42 

4026  The  Boogie  Man  Will  Get  You.Oct.  22/42 
4042  Stand  By  All  Networks  Oct.  29/42 

4030  Boston  Blackle  Goes  Hollywood .  Nov.  5/42 

4033  Laugh  Your  Blues  Away  Nov.  12/42 

4002  You  Were  Never  Lovelier  Nov.  19/42 

4038  Junior  Army   Nov.  26/42 

4202  Pardon  My  Gun  Dec.    I, '42 

4039  Underground  Agent   Dee.  3/42 

4009  A  Night  to  Remember  Dec.  10/42 

4210  A  Tornado  In  the  Saddle  Dec.  15,42 

4004  Commandos  Strike  at  Dawn. ..Jan.  7/43 

4013  City  Without  Men  Jan.  14/43 

4029  One  Dangerous  Night  Jan.  21/43 

4037  Power  of  the  Press  Jan.  28/43 

4203  The  Fighting  Buckaroo  Feb.  1/43 

4014  Reveille  with  Beverly  Feb.  4/43 

4036  No  Place  for  a  Lady  Feb.  11/43 

4211  Riders  of  the  Northwest 

Mounted   Feb.  15/43 

4006  Something  to  Shout  About  Feb.  25/43 

4040  Let's  Have  Fun  Mar.  4/43 

4031  After  Midnight  with  Boston 

Black!*   Mar.  18/43 

4005  The  Desperadoes  Mar.  25/43 

4034  Murder  in  Times  Square  Apr.  1/43 

4029  She  Has  What  It  Takes  Apr.  15/43 

4212  Saddles  and  Sagebrush  Apr.  22/43 

4024  Redhead  from  Manhattan  May  6/43 

4001  The  More  the  Merrier  May  13/43 

4025  Boy  from  Stalingrad  May  20. '43 

4204  Law  of  the  Northwest  May  27/43 

It's  a  Great  Life  May  27/43 

Two  Senorltas  from  Chicago. .  .June  10/43 

Crime  Doctor   June  24/43 

Frontier  Fury   June  24/43 

Appointment  in  Berlin  June  29/43 


The  Cover  Girl  Not  Set 

.Silver  City  Raiders  Not  Set 

Hail  to  the  Rangers  Not  Set 

Robinhood  ef  the  Range  Not  Set 

Wyoming  Hurricane   Not  Set 

The  Vigilantes  Ride  Not  Set 

Destroyer   Not  Set 

The  Last  Horseman  Not  Set 

Riding  West   Not  Set 

Somewhere  In  Sahara  Not  Set 

Attack  by  Night  Not  Set 

Law  of  the  Badlands  Not  Set 

What's  Buzzin',  Cousin?  Not  Set 

Right  Guy   Not  Set 

Without  Notice   Not  Set 

The  Clock  Struck  Twelve  Not  Set 


MGM 

302  Tlsh   :  Sep. -Nov.  '42 

305  A  Yank  at  Eton  Sep.-Nov.  '42 

306  The  War  Against 

Mrs.  Hadley   Sep.-Nov.  '42 

307  Cairo   Sep.-Nov.  '42 

308  Seven  Sweethearts   Sep.-Nov.  '42 

301  Somewhere  I'll  Find  You  Sep.Nov.  '42 


For  Stars,  Running  Time,  Review  and  other  Service 
Data  references,  turn  to  the  alphabetical  Release  Chart 
starting  on  page  1318. 

Complete  listing  of  1941-42  Features,  by  company,  in 
order  of  release,  may  be  found  on  pages  878  and  879  of 
the  Product  Digest  Section  in  the  August  29,  1942  issue 
of  Motion  Picture  Herald. 


Prod. 
No. 


Title 


Release 
Date 


Prod.  Release 
No.         Title  Date 

304  Apache  Trail  Sep.-Nev.  '42 

303  Panama  Hattle   Sep.-Nev.  '42 

312  For  Me  and  My  Gal  Sep.-Nev.  '42 

309  Eyes  in  the  Night  Sep.-Nov.  '42 

310  White  Cargo   Sep.-Nov.  '42 

311  Omaha  Trail   Sep.-Nov. '42 

313  Whistling  In  Dixie  Dee.-F«b.  '43 

314  Journey  for  Margaret  Dee.-Feb.  '43 

315  Reunion  In  France  Dee.-Feb.  '43 

316  Stand  by  for  Aetion  Dee.-Feb.  '43 

317  Dr.  Gillespie's  New 

Assistant   Dee.-Feb.  '43 

318  Andy  Hardy's  Double  Life.  Dee.-Feb.  '43 

319  Northwest  Ramoert   Dee.- Feb.  '43 

320  Keeper  ef  the  Flame  Dee.-Feb.  '43 

321  Three  Hearts  fer  Julia  Dee.- Feb.  '43 

322  Tennessee  Johnson  Dee.-Feb.  '43 

327  Assignment  in  Brittany  Apr.  '43 

323  Cabin  in  the  Sky  Apr.  '43 

324  A  Stranger  in  Town  Apr.  '43 

326  Air   Raid   Wardens  Apr.  '43 

325  Slightly  Dangerous   Apr.  '43 


Random  Harvest  Not  Set 

Presenting  Lily  Mara  Net  Set 

Lassie  Comes   Home  Not  Set 

Pilot  #5   Not  Set 

Du  Barry  Was  a  Lady  Not  Set 

The  Human  Comedy  Not  Set 

Salute  to  the  Marines  Not  Set 

Youngest  Profession   Not  Set 

Harrigan't  Kid   Net  Set 

Private  Miss  Jones  Not  Set 

Above  Suspielon   Not  Set 

Bataan   Not  Set 

I  Dood  It  Not  Set 

Swing  Shift  Malsie  Not  Set 

Faculty  Row   Not  Set 

.Dr.  Gillespie's  Criminal  Case. Not  Set 

Girl  Crazy   Not  Set 

Right  About  Face  Not  Set 

Best  Foot  Forward  Not  Set 

A  Guy  Named  Joe  Not  Set 

The  Man  from  Down  Under. .  .Not  Set 

Madame  Curie   Not  Set 

Russia   Not  Set 

Lost  Angel   Not  Set 

America   Not  Set 

Whistling  in  Brooklyn  Not  Set 

A  Thousand  Shall  Fall  Not  Set 

The  Heavenly  Body  Not  Set 


MONOGRAM 


One  Thrilling  Night  June 

Isle  of  Missing  Men  Sep. 

Foreign  Agent   Oct. 

Texas  to  Bataan  Oct. 

Criminal  Investigator   Oct. 

Bowery  at  Midnight  Oct. 

West  of  the  Law  Nov. 

War  Dogs   Nov. 

'Neath  Brooklyn  Bridge  Nov. 

The  Living  Ghost  Nov. 


5/42 
18/42 

9/42 
16/42 
23/42 
30/42 

2/42 
13/42 
20/42 
27/42 


Prod. 
No. 


Release 

Title  Date 

Trail  Riders  Dec.  4/42 

Rhythm  Parade  Dec.  11/42 

Dawn  on  the  Great  Divide. .  .Dec.  18/42 

Two  Fisted  Justice  Jan.  8/43 

Silent  Witness   Jan.  15/43 

Cosmo  Jones  in  the  Crime 

Smasher   Jan.  29/43 

Kid  Dynamite   Feb.  5/43 

Prison  Mutiny   Feb.  12/43 

Haunted  Ranch   Feb.  19/43 

Silver  Skates   Feb.  26/43 

The  Ape  Man  Mar.  19/43 

Land  of  Hunted  Men  Mar.  26/43 

Ghost  Rider   Apr.  2/43 

Wild  Horse  Stampede  Apr.  16/43 

Clancy  Street  Boys  Apr.  23/43 

I  Escaped  from  the  Gestapo. ..  May  28, '43 

Cowboy  Commandos  June  4/43 

Sarong  Girl   June  11/43 

Wings  over  the  Pacific  June  25/43 

The  Stranger  from   Pecos  June  25/43 

Spy  Train   July  2/43 

The  Law  Rides  Again  July  23/43 

Melody  Parade   Aug.  13/43 

Spotlight  Revue   Not  Set 

Black  Market  Rustlers  Not  Set 


Block  5 


4221  High  Explosive   

4222  China   

4223  Aerial  Gunner   

4224  Five  Graves  to  Cairo. 

4225  Salute  for  Three  


.  Triumph  Over  Pain  Not  Set 

.  For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls  Not  Set 

.  No  Time  for  Love  Not  Set 

.  Submarine  Alert   Not  Set 

.  True  to  Life  Not  Set 

.  Miracle  of  Morgan's  Creek  Not  Set 

.  Dixie   Not  Set 

.  Henry  Aldrlch  Swings  It  Not  Set 

.  So  Proudly  We  Hall  Not  Set 

.  Lady  In  the  Dark  Not  Set 

.  Henry  Aldrlch  Plays  Cupid. .  .Not  Set 

.  The  Good  Fellows  Not  Set 

.  Riding  High   Not  Set 

.  Alaska  Highway  Not  Set 

.  Let's  Face  It  Not  Set 

.  Hostages   Not  Set 

. .  Tornado   Not  Set 

. .  Henry  Aldrich  Haunts  a 

House   Not  Set 

. .  The  Uninvited   Not  Set 

. .  The  Hour  Before  Dawn  Not  Set 

. .  Minesweeper   Not  Set 

. .  And  the  Angels  Sing  Not  Set 


PRODUCERS  REL 
CORP. 


317 
307 
308 
309 
301 
357 


318 
310 

PARAMOUNT 

302 

Sleek  I  ,s| 

4205  Wake  Island    319 

4202  The  Major  and  the  Minor   303 

4203  The  Glass  Key   358 

4204  Wildcat   

4201  Priorities  on  Parade   320 

364 

Block  2 

4209  Henry  Aldrlch,  Editor   304 

4208  Mrs.  Wiggs  of  the  Cabbage  352 

Patch    312 

4207  Road  to  Morocco   359 

4210  Street  of  Chance  

4206  The  Forest  Rangers   313 

31 

Blocks  3|, 

4213  The  Avengers    314 

4212  Wrecking  Crew    322 

4211  The  Palm  Beach  Story   365 

4214  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy   

4215  Lucky  Jordan    353 

360 

Block  4 

4216  Lady  Bodyguard    305 

4217  Happy  Go  Lucky   321 

4218  Henry  Aldrlch  Gets  Glamour   354 

4219  Night  Plane  from  Chungking    35 1 

4137  Reap  the  Wild  Wind  

30 

SPECIAL 

4231  Star  Spangled  Rhythm  


Baby  Face  Morgan  Sep.  15/42 

Tomorrow  We  Live  Sep.  29/42 

City  of  Silent  Men  Oct.  12/42 

Secrets  of  a  Co-ed  Oct.  26/42 

The  Yanks  Are  Coming  Nov.  9/42 

Billy  the  Kid  In  Mysterious 

Rider   Nov.  28/42 

Miss  V  from  Moscow  Nov.  23/42 

Boss  of  Big  Town  Dee.  7/42 

Lone  Ride  In  Overland 

Stagecoach   Dec.  11/42 

Lady  from  Chunking  Dec.  21/42 

Rangers  Take  Over  Dec.  25/42 

Man  of  Courage  Jan.  4/43 

The  Payoff   Jan.  21/43 

Billy  the  Kid  In  the  Kid 

Rides  Again   Jan.  27/43 

Dead  Men  Walk  Feb.  10/43 

Lone  Rider  in  Wild  Horse 

Rustlers   Feb.  12/43 

A  Night  for  Crime  Feb.  18/43 

Bad  Men  of  Thunder  Gap  Mar.  5/43 

Queen  of  Broadway  Mar.  8/43 

Billy  the  Kid  In  Fugitive 

of  the  Plains  Mar.  12/43 

Behind  Prison  Walls  Mar.  22/43 

Corregidor   Mar.  29/43 

My  Son  the  Hero  Apr.  5/43 

The  Ghost  and  the  Guest  Apr.  19/43 

Terror  House   Apr.  19/43 

Lone  Rider  in  Death  Rides  the 

Plains   May  7/43 

West  of  Texas  May  10/43 

Billy  the  Kid  in  Western 

Cyclone   May  14/43 

Girls  In  Chains  May  17/43 

The  Black  Raven  May  31/43 

Border  Buckaroos   June  15/43 

Billy  the  Kid  In  the  Renegade  July  1/43 
The  Man  from  Washington. ..  .July  19/43 

Follies  Girl   Not  Set 

Submarine  Base   Not  Set 

Isle  of  Forgotten  Sins  Not  Set 


1316   Product  Digest  Section 


May    15,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


Prod.  Release 
No.        Title  Date 

RKO 

(No  National  Release  Dates  set  after 
March  31,  1943) 

371  The  Magnificent  Ambersons. . . July  10/42 

391  Bambi   Aug.  21/42 

301  The  Big  Street  Sep.  4/42 

302  Mexican  Spitfire's  Elephant. .  .Sep.  11/42 

303  Wings  and  the  Woman  Sep.  18/42 

381  Bandit   Ranger   Sep.  25/42 

304  Highways  by  Night  Oct.  2/42 

305  Here  We  Go  Again  Oct.  9/42 

306  Scattergood  Survives  a  Murder. Oct.  16, '42 

308  The  Navy  Comes  Through  Oct.  30/42 

309  The  Falcon's  Brother  Nov.  6/42 

310  Seven  Days'  Leave  Nov.  13/42 

382  Pirates  of  the  Prairie  Nov.  20/42 

311  Once  Upon  a  Honeymoon  Nov.  27/42 

312  Army  Surgeon   Dec.  4/42 

313  Cat  People   Dec.  25/42 

314  The  Great  Gildersleeve  Jan.  1/43 

315  Seven  Miles  from  Alcatraz  Jan.  8/43 

383  Fighting  Frontier   Jan.  15/43 

318  Cinderella  Swings  It  Jan.  22/43 

352  They  Got  Me  Covered  Feb.  5/43 

307  Journey  Into  Fear  Feb.  12/43 

392  Saludos  Amlgos   Feb.  19/43 

319  Tarzan  Triumphs   Feb.  19/43 

317  Two  Weeks  to  Live  Feb.  26/43 

351  Pride  of  the  Yankees  Mar.  5/43 

316  Hitler's  Children   Mar.  19/43 

320  Forever  and  a  Day  Mar.  26/43 


Block  5 

321  Flight  for  Freedom  

322  Ladies  Day   

323  This  Land  Is  Mine  

324  I  Walked  With  a  Zombie 

325  The  Falcon  Strikes  Back 

Block  6 

 Squadron  Leader  X  

. ...  Bombardier   

  Mr.  Lucky   

  Gildersleeve's  Bad  Day.. 

. . . .  The  Leopard  Man  

V 


 The  Avenging  Rider  Not  Set 

  Petticoat  Larceny   Not  Set 

...  The  Sky's  the  Limit  Not  Set 

 A  Lady  Takes  ■  Chance  Not  Set 

  The  Fallen  Sparrow  Not  Set 

...  North  Star   Not  Set 

  Mexican  Spitfire's  Blessed 

Event   Not  Set 

Tarzan  and  the  Sheik  Not  Set 

....  The  Falcon  In  Danger  Not  Set 

  Behind  the  Rising  Sun  Not  Set 

  The  Seventh  Victim  Not  Set 

  The  Iron  Major  Not  Set 

REPUBLIC 

201  HI,  Neighbor   July  27/42 

271  Sombrero  Kid   July  31/42 

202  The  Old  Homestead  Aug.  17, '42 

261  Shadows  on  the  Sage  Aug.  24/42 

203  Youth  on  Parade  Oct.  24/42 

272  Outlaws  of  Pino  Ridge  Oct.  27/42 

204  X  Marks  the  Spot  Nov.  4/42 

262  Valley  of  Hunted  Men  Nov.  13/42 

251  Heart  of  the  Golden  West  Dec.  11/42 

207  The  Traitor  Within  Dec.  16/42 

208  Secrets  of  the  Underground..  .Dec.  18/42 
206  Ice-Capades  Revue   Dec.  24/42 

273  Sundown  Kid   Dec.  28/42 

253  Rldin'  Down  the  Canyon  Dec.  30/42 

205  Johnny  Doughboy   Dec.  31/42 

209  Mountain  Rhythm   Jan.  8/43 

210  London  Blackout  Murders  Jan.  15/43 

2301  Boots  and  Saddles  Jan.  15/43 

263  Thundering  Trails   Jan.  25/43 

211  Fighting  Devil  Dogs  Jan.  29/43 

274  Dead  Man's  Gulch  Feb.  12/43 

2302  South  of  the  Border  Mar.  1/43 

252  Idaho   Mar.  10/43 

274  The  Blocked  Trail  Mar.  12/43 

212  The  Purple  V  Mar.  12/43 

778  At  Dawn  We  Die  Mar.  20/43 

275  Carson  City  Cyclone  Mar.  23/43 


Prod.  Release 
No.        Title  Date 

214  Alibi   Mar.  24/43 

215  Hit  Parade  ef  1943  Mar.  26/43 

216  Tahiti  Honey   Apr.  6/43 

254  King  of  the  Cowboys  Apr.  9/43 

217  The  Mantrap   Apr.  13/43 

2303  Gaucho  Serenade   Apr.  15/43 

265  Santa  Fe  Scouts  Apr.  16/43 

218  Shantytown   Apr.  20/43 

219  Chatterbox   Apr.  27/43 

2311  Calling  Wild  Bill  Elliott. ..  .Apr.  30/43 

220  A    Gentle   Gangster  May  10/43 

276  Days  of  Old  Cheyenne  May  15/43 

  Swing  Your  Partner  May  20/43 

  Riders  of  the  Rio  Grande  May  21/43 

  False  Faces   May  26  '43 

2304  Ride  Tenderfoot,   Ride  June  1/43 

  Prodigal's  Mother   June   4, '43 

....  Man  From  Thunder  River. ..  .June  11/43 

V 

  Thumbs  Up   Not  Set 

  Song  of  Texas  Not  Set 

  Headin'  for  God's  Country  Not  Set 

  Sleepy  Lagoon   Not  Set 

....  Girls  of  the  Night  Not  Set 

  War  of  the  Wildcats  Not  Set 

....  West  Side  Kid  Not  Set 

  Secret  Service  in  Darkest 

Africa   Not  Set 

  Bordertown  Gunfighters   Not  Set 

  Silver  Spurs   Not  Set 

  Fargo  Express   Not  Set 

20TH-FOX 

Block  I 

301  Footllght  Serenade   Aug.  1/42 

302  A-Hauntlng  We  Will  Go  Aug.  7/42 

303  Little  Tokyo,  U.S.A  Aug.  14/42 

304  The  Pied  Piper  Aug.  21/42 

305  Loves  of  Edgar  Allan  Poe  Aug.  28/42 

Block  2 

308  Orchestra  Wives   Sep.  4/42 

311  Berlin  Correspondent   Sep.  11/42 

312  Careful,  Soft  Shoulders  Sep.  18/42 

310  Just  Oft  Broadway  Sep.  25/42 

306  Iceland   Oct.  2/42 

Block  3 

313  Tales  of   Manhattan  Oct.  30/42 

Block  4 

309  Girl  Trouble   Oct.  8/42 

314  Manila  Calling   Oct.  16/42 

315  The  Man  In  the  Trunk  Oct.  23/42 

317  Springtime  In  the  Rockies  Nov.  6/42 

Bloek  3 

318  That  Other  Woman  Nov.  13/42 

307  Thunder  Birds   Nov.  20/42 

319  The  Undying  Monster  Nov.  27/42 

320  The  Black  Swan  Dee.  4/42 

321  Dr.  Renault's  Secret  Dee.  11/42 

Bloek  6 

322  Life  Begins  at  8:30  Dec  25/42 

323  China  Girl   Jan.  1/43 

324  We  Are  the  Marines  Jan.  8/43 

325  Over  My  Dead  Body  Jan.  15/43 

326  Time  to  Kill  Jan.  22/43 

Block  7 

327  Immortal  Sergeant   Jan.  29/43 

328  Chetnlks,  the  Fighting 

Guerrillas   Feb.  5/43 

329  Meanest  Man  In  the  World... Feb.  12/43 

330  Margin  for  Error  Feb.  19/43 

316  The  Young  Mr.  Pitt  Feb.  26/43 

Block  8 

332  Dixie  Dugan   Mar.  12/43 

331  Quiet  Please,  Murder  Mar.  19/43 

333  Hello,  Frisco,  Hello  Mar.  26/43 

334  He  Hired  the  Boss  Apr.  2/43 

335  The  Moon  Is  Down  Apr.  9/43 

SPECIAL 

341  Desert  Victory   Apr.  16/43 


Prod.  Release 
No.        Title  Date 

Block  9 

338  My  Friend   Flicka  Apr.  23/43 

337  Tonight  We  Raid  Calais  Apr.  30/43 

339  They  Came  to  Blow  Up 

America   May  7/43 

340  Crash  Dive   May  14/43 

V 

....  The  Ox-Bow  Incident  Not  Set 

 Coney  Island   Not  Set 

 Sweet  Rosie  O'Grady  Not  Set 

 Stormy  Weather  Not  Set 

....  Bomber's  Moon   Not  Set 

  Heaven  Can  Wait  Not  Set 

 Jane  Eyre   Not  Set 

....  Jitterbugs   Not  Set 

  Winter  Time   Not  Sot 

  Holy  Matrimony   Not  Set 

  Roger  Touhy,  Last  of  the 

Gangsters   Not  Set 

  The  Girls  He  Left  Behind. .  .Not  Set 

  The  Song  of  Bernadette  Not  Set 

 Claudia   Not  Set 

UNITED  ARTISTS 

  Battle  Cry  of  China  Aug.  7/42 

 The  Moon  and  Sixpence  Oct.  2/42 

  One  of  Our  Aircraft  Is  Missing. Oct.  16/42 

  Undercover  Man   Oct.  23/42 

  I  Married  a  Witch  Oct.  30/42 

  Silver  Queen   Nov.  13/42 

....  The  Devil  with  Hitler  Nov.  20/42 

 Jacare   Nov.  27/42 

  American  Empire   Dec.  11/42 

  Lost  Canyon   Dec.  18/42 

  McGuerins  from  Brooklyn  Dee.  31/42 

 The  Powers  Girl  Jan.  15/43 

....  The  Crystal  Ball  Jan.  22/43 

  Calaboose   Jan.  29/43 

....  Young  and  Willing  Feb.  5/43 

  In  Which  We  Serve  Feb.  12/43 

....  Fall   In   Mar.  5/43 

  Hoppy  Serves  a  Writ  Mar.  12/43 

  Hangmen  Also  Die  Mar.  26/43 

  Border  Patrol   Apr.  2/43 

....  Taxi  Mister   Apr.  16/43 

 Somewhere  In  France  May  7/43 

  Buckskin  Frontier   May  14/43 

  Prairie  Chickens   May  21/43 

  Leather  Burners   May  28/43 

V 

....  Lady  of   Burlesque  Not  Set 

 Stage  Door  Canteen  Not  Set 

  Yanks  Ahoy   Not  Set 

....  That  Nazty  Nuisance  Not  Set 

....  Victory  Through  Air  Power..  .Not  Set 

....  Colt  Comrades   Not  Set 

....  Meet  John  Bonnlwell  Not  Set 

....  False  Colors   Not  Set 

  HI  Diddle  Diddle  Not  Set 

  Riders  of  the  Deadline  Not  Set 

 Johnny  Come  Lately  Not  Set 

UNIVERSAL 

7010  Between  Us  Girls  Sep.  4/42 

7021  Give  Out  Sisters  Sep.  11/42 

7035  Half  Way  to  Shanghai  Sep.  18/42 

7020  Sherlock  Holmes  and  the  Voice 

of  Terror   Sep.  18/42 

7017  Sin  Town   Sep.  25/42 

7071  Deep  In  the  Heart  of  Texas.. Sep.  25/42 

7022  Get  Hep  to  Love  Oct.  2/42 

7030  Destination  Unknown   Oct.  9/42 

7026  Moonlight  in  Havana  Oct.  16/42 

7019  The  Mummy  Tomb  Oct.  23/42 

7038  Night  Monster   Oct.  23/42 

7002  Who  Done  It?  Nov.  6/42 

7015  Nightmare   Nov.  13/42 

7072  Little  Joe  the  Wrangler  Nov.  13/42 

7028  Strictly  in  the  Groove  Nov.  20/42 

7029  Behind  the  Eight  Ball  Dec.  4/42 

7034  Madame  Spy   Dee.  11/42 

7008  Pittsburgh   Dee.  11/42 

7073  The  Old  Chlsholm  Trail  Dee.  11/42 

7032  The  Great  impersonation  Doc.  18/42 


Prod.  Relent 
No.         Title  Date 

7027  Mug  Town   Dec.  18/42 

7063  Arabian  Nights   Dec.  25/42 

7016  When  Johnny  Comes  Marching 

Homo   Jan.  1/43 

7037  Eyes  of  the  Underworld  Jan.  8/43 

7065  Shadow  of  a  Doubt  Jan.  15/43 

7074  Tenting  Tonight  on  the  Old 

Camp  Ground   Feb.  5/43 

7025  How's  About  It?  Feb.  5/43 

7024  Sherlock  Holmes  and  the 

Secret  Weapon   Feb.  12/43 

7005  The  Amazing  Mrs.  Holllday. . Feb.  19/43 

7031  HI  Buddy   Feb.  26/43 

7039  HI'Ya  Chum   Mar.  5/43 

7012  Frankenstein  Meets  the  Wolf 

Man   Mar.  12/43 

7001  It  Ain't  Hay  Mar.  19/43 

7041  He's  My  Guy  Mar.  26/43 

7040  Keep  'Em  Slugging  Apr.  2/43 

7023  It  Comes  Up  Love  Apr.  9/43 

7042  Rhythm  of  the  Islands  Apr.  18/43 

  White  Savage   Apr.  23/43 

  Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington.  Apr.  30/43 

....  Next  of  Kin  May  7/43 

  Good  Morning  Judge  May  7/43 

  Follow  the  Band  May  14/43 

  Cowboy  in  Manhattan  May  21/43 

  We've   Never   Been   Licked. ..  May  28/43 

  Captive  Wild  Woman  June  4/43 

  All  by  Myself  June  11/43 

  Mr.  Big   June  18/43 

  Corvettes  in  Action  June  25/43 

V 

7076  Raiders  of  San  Joaquin  Not  Set 

 Son  of  Draeula  Not  Set 

....  For  All  We  Know  Not  Set 

7075  Cheyenne  Roundup   Not  Set 

7077  The  Lone  Star  Trail  Not  Set 

....  Pardon  My  Ski  Not  Set 

  Always  a  Bridesmaid  Not  Set 

  Cross  Your  Fingers  Not  Set 

  Phantom  of  the  Opera  Not  Set 

  Never  a  Dull  Moment  Not  Set 

....  Hers  to  Hold  Not  Set 

....  Get  Going   Not  Set 

 Two  Tickets  to  London  Not  Set 

  Cobra  Woman   Not  Set 

  Fired  Wife   Not  Set 

 Sherlock  Holmes  Faces  Death. Not  Set 

  Girls,  Inc  Not  Set 

WARNER  BROS. 

202  Across  the  Pacific  Sep.  5/42 

203  Busses  Rear   Sop.  19/42 

204  Desperate  Journey   Sep.  26/42 

207  You  Can't  Escape  Forever  Oct.  10/42 

205  Secret  Enemies   Oct.  17/42 

206  Now,  Voyager   Oct  31/42 

208  The  Hidden   Hand  Nov.  7/42 

212  Gentleman  Jim   Nov.  14/42 

210  George  Washington  Slept  Here. Nov.  28/42 

211  Flying  Fortress   Dec.  5/42 

215  Varsity  Show    Dec.  19/42 

201  Yankee  Doodle  Dandy  Jan.  2/43 

216  The  Gorilla  Man  Jan.  16/43 

214  Casablanca   Jan.  23/43 

213  Truck  Busters  Feb.  6/43 

209  The  Hard  Way  Feb.  20/43 

218  The  Mysterious  Doctor  Mar.  6/43 

217  Air  Force   Mar.  20/43 

219  Edge  of  Darkness  Apr.  24/43 

....  Mission  to  Moscow  May  22/43 

V 

  Watch  on  the  Rhine  Not  Sot 

....  Princess  O'Rourke  Not  Sot 

  Adventures  ef  Mark  Twain. .  .Not  Set 

 Arsenic  and  Old  Lace  Not  Set 

 The  Desert  Song  Not  Set 

 The  Constant  Nymph  Not  Set 

....  Action  in  the  North  Atlantle. .Not  Set 

  Background  to  Danger  Not  Set 

  Mission  to  Moscow  Not  Set 

....  Crime  by  Night  Not  Set 

 Thank  Your  Lucky  Stars  Not  Set 

  Old  Acquaintance  Not  Set 

  Devotion   Not  Sot 

  Adventures  in  Iraq  Not  Set 

....  The  Last  Ride  Not  Set 

 Saratoga  Trunk   Not  Set 

 This  Is  the  Army  Not  Set 

 To  the  Last  Man  Not  Set 

....  Animal  Kingdom   Not  Set 

  Passage  to  Marseilles  Not  Set 

  Conflict   Not  Set 


Product  Digest  Section  1317 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    15,    I  943 


THE  RELEASE  CHART 

Index  to  Reviews,  Advance  Synopses  and 
Service  Data  in  PROD  UCT  DIGEST  SECTION 


Release  dates  and  running  time  are  furnished  as  soon  as  avail- 
able. Advance  dates  are  tentative  and  subject  to  change. 

Consult  Service  Data  in  the  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION  for 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating,  Audience  Classification  and  Managers' 
Round  Table  Exploitation. 


All  page  numbers  on  this  chart  refer  to  pages  in  the 
PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION  of  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 

Short  Subjects  Chart  with  Synopsis  Index  can  be  found  on 
pages  1292-1293. 

Feature  Product  Including  Coming  Attractions,  listed  by  Com- 
pany, in  order  of  release,  on  pages  I  3  16-1 3  17. 


Title  Company 

ABOVE  Suspicion  MGM 

Across  the  Pacific  WB 

Action  in  the  North  Atlantic  WB 

Adventures  of  Mark  Twain  WB 

Aerial  Gunner  Para. 
After  Midnight  with  Boston  Blackie  Col. 

Air  Force  WB 

Air  Raid  Wardens,  The  MGM 
A-Haunting  We  Will  Go  20th-Fox 

Alibi  Rep. 

Alaska  Highway  Para. 

All  by  Myself  Univ. 

Always  a  Bridesmaid  Univ. 

Amazing  Mrs.  Holliday,  The  Univ. 

American  Empire  UA 

Andy  Hardy's  Double  Life  MGM 

Apache  Trail  MGM 

Ape  Man,  The  Mono. 

Appointment  in  Berlin  Col. 

Arabian  Nights  Univ. 

Arizona  Stagecoach  Mono. 

Army  Surgeon  RKO 

As  Thousands  Cheer  MGM 

(formerly  Private  Miss  Jones) 

Assignment  in  Brittany  MGM 

At  Dawn  We  Die  (British)  Rep. 

(formerly  Tomorrow  We  Live) 

Avengers,  The  (British)  Para. 

Avenging  Rider,  The  RKO 

BABY  Face  Morgan  PRC 
Background  to  Danger  WB 
Bad  Company  Univ. 
Bad  Men  of  Th  under  Gap  PRC 
Bambi  (color)  RKO 
Bandit  Ranger  RKO 
Bataan  MGM 

(formerly  Bataan  Patrol) 
Behind  Prison  Walls  PRC 
Behind  the  Eight  Ball  Univ. 
Berlin  Correspondent  20th-Fox 
Best  Foot  Forward  MGM 
Between  Us  Girls  Univ. 
Big  Street,  The  RKO 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Fugitive  of  Plains  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Kid  Rides  Again  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Mysterious  Rider  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  The  Renegade  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Western  Cyclone  PRC 
Black  Raven,  The  PRC 
Black  Swan,  The  (color)  20th-Fox 
Blocked  Trail,  The  Rep. 
Bombardier  RKO 
Bombers  Moon  20th-Fox 
Bombsight  Stolen  (British)  Gains. 
Boogie  Man  Will  Get  You,  The  Col. 
Boots  and  Saddles  (Re-release)  Rep. 
Border  Buckaroos  PRC 
Border  Patrol  UA 
Boss  of  Big  Town  PRC 
Boston  Blackie  Goes  Hollywood  Col. 
Bowery  at  Midnight  Mono. 
Boy  From  Stalingrad  Col. 
Brains  Trust,  The  (British)  Strand-Anglo 
Buckskin  Frontier  UA 
Busses  Roar  WB 


Prod. 

Number 

202 


4223 
4031 
217 
326 
302 
214 


7005 


318 
304 


7063 
312 


327 
778 

4213 


317 


352 
391 
381 


313 
7029 
311 

7oio 

301 
359 
358 
357 
361 
360 
321 
320 
274 


4026 
2301 
354 

310 
4030 

4025 


203 


Title 


Prod. 

Company  Number 


Joan  Crawford-Fred  MacMurray  Not  Set 

Humphrey  Bogart-Mary  Astor  Sept.  5, '42 

Humphrey  Bogart-Raymond  Massey  Not  Set 

Fredric  March-Alexis  Smith  Not  Set 

Chester  Morris-Richard  Arlen  Block  5 

Chester  Morris-Ann  Savage  Mar.  1 8, '43 

John  Garfield-Gig  Young  Mar.  20, '43 

Laurel  and  Hardy  Apr., '43 

Laurel  and  Hardy  Aug.  7, '42 

Margaret  Lockwood-Hugh  Sinclair  Mar.  24,'43 

Richard  Arlen-Jean  Parker  Not  Set 

Patric  Knowles-Evelyn  Ankers  June  1 1, '43 

Andrews  Sisters-Patric  Knowles  Not  Set 

Deanna  Durbin-Edmond  O'Brien  Feb.  1 9, '43 

Richard  Dix-Leo  Carrillo  Dec.  1 1, '42 

Mickey  Rooney-Lewis  Stone  Dec. -Feb. ,'43 

Lloyd  Nolan-Donna  Reed  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

Beta  Lugosi-Wallace  Ford  Mar.  19/43 
George  Sanders-Marguerite  Chapman    June  29, '43 

Sabu-Maria  Montez-Jon  Hall  Dec.  25, '42 

The  Range  Busters  Sept.  4,'42 

James  Ellison-Jane  Wyatt  Dec.  4/42 

Kathryn  Grayson-Gene  Kelly  Not  Set 

Pierre  Aumont-Susan  Peters  Apr.,'43 

John  Clements-Godfrey  Tearle  Mar.  20/43 

Ralph  Richardson-  Deborah  Kerr  Block  3 

Tim  Holt  Not  Set 

Mary  Carlisle-Richard  Cromwell  Sept.  15/42 

George  Raft-Brenda  Marshall  Not  Set 

Dead  End  Kids  Not  Set 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill  Mar.  5/43 

Disney  Feature  Cartoon  Aug.  21/42 

Tim  Holt  Sept.  25/42 

Robert  Taylor-Thomas  Mitchell  Not  Set 

Alan  Baxter-Gertrude  Michael  Mar.  22/43 

Ritz  Bros.-Carol  Bruce  Dec.  4/42 

Dana  Andrews-Virginia  Gilmore  Sept.  11/42 

Lucille  Ball-William  Gaxton  Not  Set 
Diana  Barrymore-Robert  Cummings       Sept.  4/42 

Henry  Fonda-Lucille  Ball  Sept.  4/42 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Mar.  12/43 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Jan.  27/43 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Nov.  20/42 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  July  1/43 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  May  14/43 

George  Zucco-Wanda  MacKay  May  3  I  ,'43 

Tyrone  Power-Maureen  O'Hara  Dec.  4/42 

Three  Mesquiteers  Mar.  12/43 
Pat  O'Brien-Randolph  Scott-Anne  Shirley      Block  6 

George  Montgomery-Annabella  Not  Set 

Leslie  Banks-Jeanne  Casalis  Not  Set 

Boris  Karlof-Peter  Lorre  Oct.  22/42 

Gene  Autry-Smiley  Burnette  Jan.  15/43 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill  June  15/43 

William  Boyd  Apr.  2/43 

John  Litel-Florence  Rice  Dec.  7/42 

Chester  Morris-Richard  Lane  Nov.  5/42 

Bela  Lugosi-John  Archer  Oct.  30/42 

Bobby  Samarzich-Conrad  Binyon  May  20/43 

Ouiz  Experts  Not  Set 

Richard  Dix-Jane  Wyatt  May  14/43 

Richard  Travis-Julie  Bishop  Sept.  19/42 


Running 
Time 

91m 
98m 


88m 
55m 


r—  REVIEWED 

M.  P.  Product  Advance  Service 
Herald       Digest     Synopsis  Data 


Issue 

May  1/43 
Aug.  22/42 


Nov.  7/42 
Feb.  13/43 


Page 

1289 
927 


78m  Mar.  20/43  1226 

64m  Mar.  13/43  1203 

124m  Feb.  6/43  1145 

67m  Mar.  20/43  1214 

67m  July  I  1/42  927 

66m  Apr.  3/43  1237 

98m  Feb.  6/43  1145 

81m  Dec.  12/42  1053 

92m  Dec.  5/42  1042 

66m  June  27/42  938 

64m  Feb.  27/43  1181 

87m  Dec.  26/42  1090 

58m   

63  m  Oct.  24/42  969 

98m  Mar.  13/43  1201 

85m  Dec.  26/42  1077 


993 
1 158 


62m  July  25/42  903 

70m  May  30/42  685 

56m    .... 

64m  Feb.  6/43  1146 

60m  Dec.  12/42  1054 

70m  Aug.  15/42  927 

89m  Aug.  29/42  890 

87m  Aug.  8/42  902 

56m  Apr.  3/43  1238 

60m  Mar.  20/43  1215 

55m  Jan.  30/43  1137 


Page 

1001 
726 
983 
936 

1091 

1 192 
936 

1091 


1 192 
1277 
1192 
936 
871 
796 
726 
1 104 
1305 
872 

701 

1079 

1019 


1058 
1055 
1277 


1 127 

1078 
794 

797 
1 191 
772 
701 

i  104 
1033 
1305 
1276 


61m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

85m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

855 

55m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

99m 

May  15/43 

1313 

912 

1305 

72  m 

May  15/43 

1315 

66m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

58m 

Nov.  13/37 

1 1 14 

1276 

67  m 

Jan.  30/43 

i  137 

64m 

Oct.  17/42 

959 

68m 

Feb.  27/43 

1181 

794 

63  m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

i  191 

V4m 

Feb.  6/43 

1  \47 

76m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

983 

61m 

Aug.  22/42 

903 

Page 


1318    Product  Digest  Section 


May    15,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


REVIEWED 


Title  Company 

CABIN  In  the  Sky  MGM 

Cairo  MGM 
Calaboose  UA-Roach 

Calling  Wild  Bill  Elliott  Rep. 

Captive  Wild  Woman  Univ. 

Careful,  Soft  Shoulder  20th-Fox 

Carson  City  Cyclone  Rep. 

Casablanca  WB 

Cat  People  RKO 

Chatterbox  Rep. 
Chetniks,  Fighting  Guerrillas  20th-Fox 

Cheyenne  Roundup  Univ. 

China  Para. 

China  Girl  20th-Fox 

Cinderella  Swings  It  RKO 

City  of  Silent  Men  PRC 

City  Without  Men  Col. 

Clancy  Street  Boys  Mono. 
Coastal  Command  (British)  Para.-Crown 

Commandos  Strike  at  Dawn  Col. 

Coney  Island  20th-Fox 

Corregidor  PRC 

Corvettes  in  Action  Univ. 
Cosmo  Jones,  Crime  Smasher  Mono. 

Counter  Espionage  Col. 

Cowboy  Commandos  Mono. 

Cowboy  in  Manhattan  Univ. 

Crash  Dive  (color)  20th-Fox 

Crime  by  Night           _  Col. 

Crime  Doctor  Col. 

Criminal  Investigator  Mono. 

Crystal  Ball,  The  UA 


M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Service 

Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

323 

"  n       1       i      >i  r  1 1     1    v  a  /  ■ 

Rochester  -Ethel  Waters 

Apr., '43 

98m 

Feb.  13, '43 

1 157 

I0I9 

307 

Jeanette  MacDonald-Roberr  Young 

C         A     kl            1 . n 

Sept.-Nov.,  42 

101m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

1 034 

Jimmy  Rogers-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

Jan.  29, '43 

45  m 

1 24 1 

231 1 

Bill  Elliott-Gabby  Hayes 

Apr.  30, '43 

54m 

Apr.  24,'43 

1274 

Evelyn  Ankers-John  Carradine 

June  4,'43 

61m 

May  l,'43 

1290 

1 1 27 

312 

Virginia  bruce-James  Ellison 

Sept.  18, '42 

69m 

Aug.  15, '42 

915 

.... 

275 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Mar.  23, '43 

57m 

Apr.  24,'43 

1275 

214 

Humphrey  oogart-lngnd  Bergman 

Jan.  23, '43 

1 02m 

Kl          (la  lin 

Nov.  28,  42 

1029 

936 

1 2 1  8 

313 

Simone  Simon-Tom  Conway 

Dec.  25, '42 

73m 

Nov.  I4,'42 

1005 

962 

1 280 

219 

Joe  E.  Brown-Judy  Canova 

Apr.  27,'43 

76m 

Apr.  10, '43 

1250 

1 127 

328 

Philip  Dorn-Virginia  Gilmore 

Feb.  5,'43 

73m 

Jan.  9, '43 

1 1 15 

995 

1 280 

276 

1L           li      in            t       nil  i 

Johnny  Mack  Brown-Tex  Kitter 

Apr.  29,'43 

59m 

Apr.  I7,'43 

1261 

4222 

t          ii      \y              a  I  ill 

Loretta  Young-Alan  Ladd 

Block  5 

78m 

Mar.  20, '43 

1226 

I09I 

323 

George  Montgomery-Gene  Tierney 

Jan.  I,'43 

95m 

Dec.  5, '42 

1041 

872 

1 2 1 8 

318 

ouy  Kibbee-tolona  Warren 

Jan.  22, '43 

oY  m 

Jan.  ii,  4i 

1  1  OC 
I  I  io 

.... 

308 

Frank  Albertson-June  Lang 

Oct.  12, '42 

64m 

Sept.  12, '42 

898 

.... 

4013 

i*l      r\         ll  r\     *     r\  ll 

Linda  Darnell-Dons  Dudley 

Jan.  I4,'43 

75m 

Feb.  27,  43 

I I8I 

1 009 

East  Side  Kids 

Apr.  23, '43 

66m 

Apr.  3, '43 

I238 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

73  m 

Nov.  14, '42 

1 005 

4004 

Paul  Muni-Lillian  Gish 

Jan.  7, '43 

98m 

P,            ia  tin 

Dec.  19,  42 

1 078 

962 

1 280 

Betty  Grable-George  Montgomery 

Not  Set 

995 

31 

r\LL     l/           el'       i  j* 
Otto  Kruger-Elissa  Landi 

Mar.  29,'43 

74m 

Mar.  27,  43 

1 226 

1 1 04 

1 280 

P»          1     1     1     C        ||     i       1       p\  • 

Randolph  Scott-Andy  Devine 

June  25, '43 

•  •  

1 240 

Edgar  Kennedy-Frank  Graham 

Jan.  29, '43 

62m 

Feb.  20,  43 

1 1 70 

1 055 

4027 

Warren  William-Eric  Blore 

Sept.  3,'42 

72m 

Oct.  10,  42 

945 

87I 

Range  Busters 

l„nA    a  '4r> 
June   *r,  4j 

I  777 
I  LI  I 

Robert  Paige-Frances  Langford 

May2l,'43 

60m 

Apr.  I0,'43 

1 250 

1 240 

340 

Tyrone  Power-Anne  Baxter 

May  I4,'43 

105m 

Apr.  24,'43 

1 273 

962 

Jane  Wyman-Jerome  Cowan 

Not  Set 

I09I 

Warner  Baxter-Margaret  Lindsay 

June24,'43 

1 305 

Robert  Lowery-Jan  Wiley 

Oct.  23,'42 

61m 

Dec.  12/42 

I054 

1 033 

Paulette  Goddard-Ray  M ilia nd 

Jan.  22,'43 

81m 

Jan.  23/43 

I S  25 

960 

1 280 

DARING  Young  Man,  The  Col. 

Dawn  on  the  Great  Divide  Mono. 

Days  of  Old  Cheyenne  Rep. 

Deadline  Guns  Col. 

Dead  Man's  Gulch  Rep. 

Dead  Men  Walk  PRC 

Deep  in  the  Heart  of  Texas  Univ. 

Desert  Song,  The  (color)  WB 

Desert  Victory  (British)  20th-Fox 

Desperadoes,  The  (color)  Col. 

Desperate  Journey  WB 

Destination  Unknown  Univ. 

Destroyer  Col. 
Devil  with  Hitler,  The  UA-Roach 

Diary  of  a  Nazi  (Russian)  Artkino 

Dixie  Para. 

Dixie  Dugan  20th-Fox 

Dr.  Gillespie's  Criminal  Case  MGM 

Dr.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant  MGM 

Dr.  Renault's  Secret  20th-Fox 

DuBarry  Was  a  Lady  MGM 


402 1 

Joe  E.  Brown-Marguerite  Chapman 

Oct.  8/42 

73m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

871 

Buck  Jones-Rex  Bell 

Dec.  18/42 

66m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

1031 

276' 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

May  15/43 

55m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

1241 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Not  Set 

1081 

274 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Feb. 12/43 

56m 

Feb.  20/43 

i  1 70 

1 127 

320 

George  Zucco-Mary  Carlisle 

Feb.  10/43 

63m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 170 

1031 

707 1 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Sept.  25/42 

62m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

Dennis  Morgan-Irene  Manning 

Not  Set 

872 

34. 

War  in  Africa  Feature 

Apr.  16/43 

60m 

Apr.  3/43 

i  237 

4005 

Randolph  Scott-Glenn  Ford 

May  25/43 

85m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

87i 

204 

Errol  Flynn-Ronald  Reagan 

Sept.  26/42 

107m 

Aug.  22/42 

915 

7030 

Irene  Hervey-William  Gargan 

Oct.  9/42 

61m 

Oct.  3/42 

946 

912 

Edward  G.  Robinson-Marguerite  Chapman  Not  Set 

1162 

Alan  Mowbray-M.  Woodworth 

Nov.  20/42 

45  m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

War  Documentary 

Mar.  24/43 

68m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

Bing  Crosby-Dorothy  Lamour 

Not  Set 

i  09  i 

332 

James  Ellison-Lois  Andrews 

Mar.  12/43 

67  m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1082 

Lionel  Barrymore-Van  Johnson 

Not  Set 

89m 

May  8/43 

1302 

1 192 

31 7 

Lionel  Barrymore-Van  Johnson 

Dec.-Feb.,'43 

86m 

Nov.  15/42 

1005 

321 

Lynn  Roberts-John  Shepperd 

Dec.  1 1/42 

58m 

Dec.  17/42 

959 

936 

Lucille  Ball-Red  Skelton 

Not  Set 

101m 

May  8/43 

1301 

1019 

EDGE  of  Darkness 
En  Enda  Natt  (Swedish) 
Eyes  in  the  Night 
Eyes  of  the  Underworld 


WB  219 

Scandia  .... 

MGM  309 

Univ.  7037 


Errol  Flynn-Ann  Sheridan  Apr.  24/43 

Ingrid  Bergman-Olof  Sandborg  Not  Set 

Edward  Arnold-Ann  Harding  Sept.-Nov./42 

Richard  Dix-Lon  Chaney  Jan.  8/43 


1 18m  Mar.  27/43  1225  982 

89m  Dec.  26/42  1077 

79m  Sept.  12/42  898  797 

61m  Oct.  17/42  960 


1130 


FACULTY  Row 

MGM 

Mary  Astor-Herbert  Marshall 

Not  Set 

1240 

Falcon's  Brother,  The 

RKO 

309 

George  Sanders-Jane  Randolph 

Nov.  6/42 

63  m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

871 

Falcon  Strikes  Back,  The 

RKO 

325 

Tom  Conway-Harriet  Hilliard 

Block  5 

65  m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

Fallen  Sparrow,  The 

RKO 

Maureen  O'Hara-John  Garfield 

Not  Set 

i  182 

Fall  In  UA-Roach 

William  Tracy-Jean  Porter 

Mar.  5/43 

48m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

796 

False  Faces 

Rep. 

Rex  Williams-Bill  Henry 

May  26/43 
Feb.  1/43 

1277 

Fighting  Buckaroo,  The 

Col. 

4203 

Charles  Starrett-Kay  Harris 

58m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

Fighting  Devil  Dogs 

Rep. 

21 1 

Lee  Powell-Herman  Brix 

Jan.  29/43 

69m 

Feb.  6/43 

1147 

Fighting  Frontier 

RKO 

383 

Tim  Holt 

Jan.  15/43 

57m 

Feb. 13/43 

1 158 

Fighting  Sea  Monsters 

Times 

Marine  Animal  Feature 

Mar.  9/43 

61m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

Find,  Fix  and  Strike  (British) 

ABFD 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

37m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

Fires  Were  Started  (British) 

Crown 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

63  m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

First  of  the  Few,  The  (British) 

Howard 

Leslie  Howard-David  Niven 

Not  Set 

1 18m 

Sept.  5/42 

889 

Five  Graves  to  Cairo 

Para. 

4224 

Franchot  Tone-Anne  Baxter 

Block  5 

96m 

May  8/43 

1301 

i  i  92 

Flight  for  Freedom 

RKO 

321 

Rosalind  Russell-Fred  MacMurray 

Block  5 

101m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 145 

983 

Flying  Fortress  (British) 

WB 

21 1 

Richard  Green-Carla  Lehmann 

Dec.  5/42 

68m 

June  27/42 

914 

Follies  Girl 

PRC 

30 

Wendy  Barrie-Gordon  Oliver 

Not  Set 

iio4 

Follow  the  Band 

Univ. 

Leon  Errol-Mary  Beth  Hughes 

May  14/43 

61m 

May  1/43 

1290 

1241 

Product  Digest  Section  1319 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    15,  1943 


i—  REVIEWED 
M.  P.       Product    Advance  Service 
Prod.  Release         Running  Herald       Digest     Synopsis  Data 


Title 

Company 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

Footlight  Serenade 

20th-Fox 

301 

John  Payne-Betty  Grable 

Aug.  I,'42 

80m 

July  1 1/42 

915 

715 

873 

Foreign  Agent 

Mono. 

John  Shelton-Gail  Storm 

Oct.  9,'42 

64m 

Sept.  19/42 

91 1 

Forest  Rangers,  The  (color) 

Para. 

4206 

Fred  MacMurray-Paulette  Goddard 

Block  2 

87m 

Oct.  3/42 

933 

872 

1218 

Forever  and  a  Day 

RKO 

320 

British  and  American  Stars 

Mar.  26/43 

104m 

\an  23  '43 

'Jan.  L.  j  j  *tj 

1  I9R 

For  All  We  Know 

Univ. 

Charles  Boyer-Barbara  Stanwyck 

Not  Set 

1058 

(formerly  Flesh  and  Fantasy) 

For  Me  and  My  Gal 

MGM 

3  1  9 

Judy  Garland-George  Murphy 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

1  04m 

Conl    |9  'AO 

07  / 

7C  1 

1010 
1 1  1  0 

Fortress  on  Volga  (Russian) 

Artkino 

Mikhail  Gelovani-Nikolai  Bogoliubov           Not  Set 

77m 
/  /  m 

Jan.    V,  *rJ 

i  mi 

1  1  U  1 

For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls  (color)  Para. 

Gary  Cooper-lngrid  Bergman 

Not  Set 

ODD 

Frankenstein  Meets  Wolf  Man  Univ. 

7fl  1  9 

Lon  Chaney-Bela  Lugosi 

Mar.  I2,'43 

73m 

/  j  m 

reD.  L  § ,  tj 

1  1  Q  1 

1  ark 

1  UOD> 

1 oon 
1  ZoU 

Frontier  Fury 

Col. 

Charles  Starrett-Arthur  Hunnicutt 

June  24,'43 

1  JKJO 

GAUCHO  Serenade  (Reissue)  Rep. 

2303 

(— .  d  n  c  Aii^pw 

oene  rtUTiy 

Anr    K  '43 
/Apr.  1 3, 

66m 

May  18/40 

1262 

Gentle  Gangster,  A 

Rep. 

Barton  MacLane-Molly  Lamont 

May  I0,'43 

57m 

May  15/43 

1314 

1276 

Gentle  Sex  (British)    Two  Cities-Gen'l 

Rosamund  John-Joyce  Howard 

Not  Set 

93  m 

May  8/43 

1303 

Gentleman  Jim 

WB 

2  i  2 

Errol  Flynn-Alexis  Smith 

Nov.  14/42 

104m 

Oct.  3 1  ,'42 

981 

936 

i  130 

George  Washington  Slept  Here  WB 

210 

Jack  Benny-Ann  Sheridan 

Nov.  28/42 

93m 

Sept.  19/42 

909 

871 

1218 

Get  Hep  to  Love 

Univ. 

7022 

Gloria  Jean-Robert  Paige 

Oct.  2/42 

77m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

Ghost  and  the  Guest,  The 

PRC 

314 

Florence  Rice-Jimmie  Dunn 

Apr.  19/43 

61m 

May  15/43 

1314 

1241 

Ghost  Rider 

Mono. 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Apr.  2/43 

52m 

May  8/43 

1304 

1241 

Gildersleeve's  Bad  Day 

RKO 

Harold  Peary-Jane  Darwell 

Block  6 

62m 

May  8/43 

1303 

1241 

Girl  Crazy 

MGM 

Mickey  Rooney-Judy  Garland 

Not  Set 

1 19i 

Girl  Trouble 

20th-Fox 

309 

Don  Ameche-Joan  Bennett 

Oct.  9/42 

82  m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

855 

Girls  in  Chains 

PRC 

305 

Arline  Judge-Roger  Clark 

May  17/43 

71m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

Give  Out,  Sisters 

Univ. 

7021 

Andrews  Sisters-Richard  Davies 

Sept.  1 1/42 

65  m 

Sept.  5/42 

889 

Glass  Key,  The 

Para. 

4203 

Brian  Donlevy-Veronica  Lake-Alan 

Ladd        Block  1 

85m 

Aug.  29/42 

914 

1130 

Good  Fellows,  The 

Para. 

Cecil  Kellaway-Helen  Walker 

Not  Set 

1 1 0 1 
1 1 7 1 

Good  Morning,  Judge 

Univ. 

Dennis  O'Keefe-Louise  Allbritton 

May  7/43 

A7m 

Anr  74  '43 
/Apr.  i^,  1J 

1  974 

1  L  It 

1  940 

Gorilla  Man,  The 

WB 

L  1  O 

John  Loder-Paul  Cavanagh 

Jan.  16/43 

A4m 

tier    1?  '4? 

1  \JOt 

Great  Gildersleeve,  The 

RKO 

3  1  *r 

Harold  Peary-Freddy  Mercer 

Jan.  1/43 

Oil!) 

NI/-W  1  R  '49 

1NOV.  1  9,  "TA 

i  noA 

7  YD 

Great  Impersonation,  The 

Univ. 

/  UOZ 

Ralph  Bellamy-bvelyn  Ankers 

Dec.  18/42 

7  1  m 

Dor   IP  '49 

1 flAA 
l  uoo 

O  1  9 
7  1  L 

.... 

Gyandev  of  India               Ram  Bangai 

Indian  Feature 

Apr.  9/43 

Anr  94  '43 
/Apr.  ii,  tj 

1 971; 

I  £  /  D 

.... 

.... 

i  iaail  to  the  Kangers 

1—  ol. 

Charles  Starrett 

Not  Set 

1055 

naiT  way  to  Shanghai 

I  In!,, 

U  niv. 

7035 

Irene  Hervey-Kent  Taylor 

Sept.  18/42 

62  m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

1082 

Hangmen  Also  Die 

1 1  A 

Brian  Donlevy-Walter  Brennan 

Mar.  26/43 

I3lm 

Mar.  27/43 

1225 

1 191 

1280 

Happy  Go  Lucky  (color) 

Para. 

4217 

Mary  Martin-Dick  Powell-Rudy  Val 

ee           Block  4 

81m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

797 

1218 

Hard  Way,  The 

WB 

209 

Ida  Lupino-Dennis  Morgan 

Feb.  20/43 

109m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

796 

1280 

Harrigan's  Kid 

MGM 

Bobby  Readick-William  Gargan 

Not  Set 

80m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1 191 

Haunted  Ranch 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Feb.  19/43 

57m 

Mar.  6/43 

1190 

1019 

Heart  of  a  Nation  (French) 

Graetz 

Raimu-Michele  Morgan 

Not  Set 

1  1  Im 

Mar.  27/43 

1239 

Heart  of  the  Golden  West 

Rep. 

251 

Roy  Rogers-Gabby  Hayes 

Dec.  11/42 

65m 

Nov.  2 1/42 

1017 

Heaven  Can  Wait 

20th-Fox 

Don  Ameche-Gene  Tierney 

Not  Set 

1240 

He  Hired  the  Boss 

20th-Fox 

334 

Stuart  Erwin-Evelyn  Venable 

Apr.  2/43 

73m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1 127 

He's  My  Guy 

Univ. 

7041 

Dick  Foran-lrene  Hervey 

Mar.  26/43 

65m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

1 127 

Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello  (color) 

20th-Fox 

333 

Alice  Faye-John  Payne 

Mar.  26/43 

98m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1 127 

1280 

Henry  Aldrich,  Editor 

Para. 

4209 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Block  2 

72m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

663 

1130 

Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour 

Para. 

4218 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Block  4 

72m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

986 

Henry  Aldrich  Swings  It 

Para. 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Not  Set 

1104 

Here  We  Go  Again 

RKO 

305 

Fibber  McGee-Edgar  Bergen-"Charlie"  Oct.  9,'42 

76  m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

1082 

Hi,  Buddy 

Univ. 

7031 

Dick  Foran-Harriet  Hilliard 

Feb.  26/43 

68m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 170 

i079 

Hidden  Hand,  The 

WB 

208 

Craig  Stevens-Elisabeth  Fraser 

Nov.  7/42 

67m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

1082 

High  Explosive 

Para. 

4221 

Chester  Morris-Jean  Parker 

Block  5 

62  m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

983 

Highways  by  Night 

RKO 

304 

Richard  Carlson-Jane  Randolph 

Oct.  2/42 

63m 

Aug.  8/42 

938 

715 

Hi!  Neighbor 

Rep. 

201 

Lulubelle  &  Scotty-Jean  Parker 

July  27/42 

72  m 

July  25/42 

927 

772 

1218 

Hit  Parade  of  1943 

Rep. 

215 

John  Carroll-Susan  Hayward 

Mar.  26/43 

82m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1043 

1280 

Hitler,  Dead  or  Alive 

House 

Ward  Bond-Dorothy  Tree 

Not  Set 

70m 

Nov.  2 1/42 

1018 

1082 

Hit  the  Ice 

Univ. 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Not  Set 

1 162 

(formerly  Oh,  Doctor) 

Hitler's  Children 

RKO 

316 

Tim  Holt-Bonita  Granville 

Mar.  19/43 

83m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

986 

1280 

Hi'Ya,  Chum 

Univ. 

7039 

Jane  Frazee-Ritz  Brothers 

Mar.  5/43 

61m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

1127 

Hoppy  Serves  a  Writ 

UA 

William  Boyd-Andy  Clyde 

Mar.  12/43 

67m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

Hostages 

Para. 

Luise  Rainer-Paul  Lukas 

Not  Set 

1277 

How's  About  It? 

Univ. 

7025 

Andrews  Sisters-Robert  Paige 

Feb.  5/43 

61m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

Human  Comedy,  The 

MGM 

Mickey  Rooney-Frank  Morgan 

Special 

1 15m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 190 

1019 

ICE-CAPADES  Revue 

Rep. 

206 

Ellen  Drew-Richard  Denning 

Dec.  24/42 

79m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

797 

1130 

Iceland 

20th-Fox 

306 

Sonja  Henie-John  Payne 

Oct.  2/42 

79m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

797 

1082 

Idaho 

Rep. 

252 

Roy  Rogers-Virginia  Grey 

Mar.  10/43 

70m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 169 

1 162 

1218 

1  Dood  It 

MGM 

Red  Skelton-Eleanor  Powell 

Not  Set 

1 192 

1  Escaped  from  the  Gestapo 

Mono. 

Dean  Jagger-John  Carradine 

May  28/43 

75m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

1 162 

1  Married  a  Witch 

UA 

Fredric  March-Veronica  Lake 

Oct.  30/42 

78m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

797 

1218 

Immortal  Sergeant,  The 

20th-Fox 

327 

Henry  Fonda-Maureen  O'Hara 

Jan. 29/43 

91m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

995 

1280 

In  the  Rear  of  Enemy  (Russian 

)  Artkino 

War  Documentary 

Oct.  9/42 

59m 

Oct.  1 7/42 

958 

In  Which  We  Serve  (British) 

UA 

Noel  Coward-Bernard  Miles 

Feb.  12/43 

1  13m 

Oct.  17/42 

957 

1280 

Isle  of  Missing  Men 

Mono. 

John  Howard-Gilbert  Roland 

Sept.  18/42 

67m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

772 

It  Ain't  Hay 

Univ. 

7001 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Mar.  19/43 

81m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

1058 

1280 

It  Comes  Up  Love 

Univ. 

7023 

Gloria  Jean-Ian  Hunter 

Apr.  9/43 

65m 

Feb.  6/43 

1146 

986 

It's  That  M«n  Again  (British) 

Gains. 

Tommy  Handley 

Not  Set 

84m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 182 

It's  a  Great  Life 

Col. 

Penny  Singleton-Arthur  Lake 

May  27/43 

J  24 1 

(formerly  Blondie  Buys  a  Horse) 

1  Walked  with  a  Zombie 

RKO 

324 

Frances  Dee-Tom  Conway 

Block  5 

68m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

1057 

1320    Product  Digest  Section 


May    15,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


•  REVIEWED 


M.  P. 


Product    Advance  Service 


Prod. 

Title  Company  Number 

JACARE  UA  .... 

Jane  Eyre  20th-Fox   

Jitterbugs  20th-Fox   

Johnny  Doughboy  Rep.  205 

Journey  for  Margaret  MGM  314 

Journey  Into  Fear  RKO  307 

Junior  Army  Col.  4038 

Just  Off  Broadway  20th-Fox  310 


KEEP 'Em  Slugging  Univ.  7040 

Keeper  of  the  Flame  MGM  320 

Kid  Dynamite  Mono  

King  Arthur  Was  a  Gentle- 
man (British)  Gains  

King  of  the  Cowboys  Rep.  254 


l-t  -t/  mi  tun 

Hprrtlll 

1 1  cratu- 

Digest 

X^IM/l  ft  c  t  c 
O  yrtU  [foli 

Data 

Stars 

Date 

Page 

Page 

Animal  feature 

Nov.27,'42 

65m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

1218 

Orson  Welles-Joan  Fontaine 

Not  Set 

1240 

Laurel  and  Hardy 

Not  Set 

1305 

Jane  Withers-Patrick  Brook 

Dec.  31, '42 

63m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

971 

12 1 8 

Robert  Young-Laraine  Day 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

79m 

Oct.  31/42 

981 

912 

1 174 

Joseph  Cotten-Dolores  Del  Rio 

Feb. 12/43 

71m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 146 

796 

1218 

Freddie  Bartholomew-Billy  Halop 

Nov.  26/42 

71m 

Feb.  20/43 

1170 

1009 

Lloyd  Nolan-Marjorie  Weaver 

Sept.  25/42 

65  m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

797 



Dead  End  Kids 

Apr.  2/43 

61m 

Mar.  6/43 

1189 

Spencer  Tracy-Katharine  Hepburn 

Dec.-Feb./43 

100m 

Dec.  19/42 

1065 

936 

1280 

East  Side  Kids 

Feb.  5/43 

66m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

Arthur  Askey-Evelyn  Dall 

Not  Set 

98m 

Jan.  16/43 

1114 

Roy  Rogers 

Apr.  9/43 

67m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

1241 

LADIES'  Day  RKO 

Lady  Bodyguard  Para. 

Lady  from  Chungking  PRC 

Lady  in  the  Dark  Para. 

Lady  of  Burlesque  UA 

Lady  Takes  a  Chance,  A  RKO 

Land  of  Hunted  Men  Mono. 

Lassie  Comes  Home  MGM 

Last  Ride,  The  WB 

Last  Will  of  Dr.  Mabuse  (Fr.)  Krellberg 

Laugh  Your  Blues  Away  Col. 

Law  of  the  Northwest  Col. 

Leather  Burners,  The  UA 

Leopard  Man,  The  RKO 

Let's  Face  It  Para. 

Let's  Have  Fun  Col. 

Life  Begins  at  Eight-thirty  20th-Fox 

Little  Joe,  the  Wrangler  Univ. 

Little  Tokyo,  U.S.A.  20th-Fox 

Living  Ghost,  The  Mono. 

London  Blackout  Murders  Rep. 

Lone  Prairie,  The  Col. 
Lone  Rider  in  Death  Rides  Plains  PRC 
Lone  Rider  in  Wild  Horse  Rustlers  PRC 
Lone  Rider,  Overland  Stagecoach  PRC 

Lone  Star  Trail,  The  Univ. 

Lost  Canyon  UA 
Loves  of  Edgar  Allan  Poe,  The  20th-Fox 


322 
4216 
302 


Lucky  Jordan 
Lucky  Legs 


Para. 
Col. 


4033 
4204 


4040 
322 

7072 
303 

210 
4209 
365 
364 
363 
7077 

'305 
4215 
4032 


Lupe  Velez-Eddie  Albert-Max  Baer 
Eddie  Albert-Anne  Shirley 
Anna  May  Wong-Harold  Huber 
Ginger  Rogers-Ray  Milland 
Barbara  Stanwyck-Michael  O'Shea 
Jean  Arthur-John  Wayne 
Range  Busters 

Roddy  McDowall-Edmund  Gwenn 
Richard  Travis-Eleanor  Parker 
Jim  Gerald-Thorny  Bourdelle 
Bert  Gordon-Jinx  Falkenburg 
Charles  Starrett-Shirley  Patterson 
William  Boyd 
Dennis  O'Keefe-Margo 
Bob  Hope-Betty  Hutton 
Bert  Gordon-Margaret  Lindsay 
Monty  Woolley-lda  Lupino 
Johnny  Mack  Brown 
Preston  Foster-Brenda  Joyce 
James  Dunn-Joan  Woodbury 
John  Abbott-Mary  McLeod 
Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 
Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 
Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 
Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 
Johnny  Mack  Brown-Tex  Ritter 
William  Boyd 

John  Shepperd-Linda  Darnell 
Alan  Ladd-Helen  Walker 
Jinx  Falkenburg-Kay  Harris 


Block  5 

62m 

Block  4 

70m 

Dec.  2 1/42 

70m 

Not  Set 

Not  Set 

Vim 

Not  Set 

Mar.  26/43 

58m 

Not  Set 

Not  Set 

Mar.  19/43 

94  m 

Nov.  12/42 

70m 

May  27/43 

May  28/43 

58m 

Block  6 

59m 

Not  Set 

Mar.  4/43 

63  m 

Dec.  25/42 

85m 

Nov.  13/42 

64m 

Aug.  14/42 

64m 

Nov.  27/42 

61m 

Jan.  15/43 

59m 

Oct.  15/42 

58m 

May  7/43 

Feb.  12/43 

55m 

Dec.  11/42 

58m 

Not  Set 

Dec.  18/42 

63m 

Aug.  28/42 

67m 

Block  3 

84m 

Oct.  1/42 

64m 

Mar.  20/43 
Jan.  2/43 
Nov.  7/42 

May   i  .'43 

Apr.  24/43 


Mar.  20/43 
Feb.  13/43 

Apr.  i6,'43 
May  8/43 

May"  i, "43 
Dec.  5/42 
Dec.  19/42 
July  11/42 
Oct.  3 1  ,'42 
Dec.  12/42 
Apr.  24/43 

Apr."  3/43 
Jan. 23/43 

Jan. 23/43 
July  1 1/42 
Nov.  2 1  ,'42 
Feb.  13/43 


1213 
1090 
1006 

i  289 

1274 


1214 
1 159 

1250 
1303 

i290 
1041 
1067 
938 
982 
1067 
1275 

1 238 
I  126 

i  126 
914 
1017 
1 158 


962 
946 
574 
1091 
1 182 
1240 

1240 
1115 

986 
1018 

1241 
1277 

962 


1058 
1277 

1018 
1019 

751 
986 
797 


1082 


MADAME  Spy  Univ. 

Magnificent  Ambersons,  The  RKO 

Major  and  the  Minor,  The  Para'. 

Man  in  the  Trunk,  The  20th-Fox 

Manila  Calling  20th-Fox 

Man  from  Thunder  River  Rep. 

Man  of  Courage  PRC 

Mantrap,  The  Rep. 

Man's  World,  A  Col. 

Margin  for  Error  20th-Fox 

Mashenka  (Russian)  Artkino 
McGuerins  from  Brooklyn  UA-Roach 

Meanest  Man  in  the  World  20th-Fox 

Meet  John  Bonniwell  UA 

Mexican  Spitfire's  Elephant  RKO 
Miracle  of  Morgan's  Creek,  The  Para. 

Mission  to  Moscow  WB 

Miss  V  from  Moscow  PRC 

Mister  Big  Univ. 

(formerly  School  for  Jive) 

Moonlight  in  Havana  Univ. 

Moon  and  Sixpence,  The  UA 

Moon  Is  Down,  The  20th-Fox 

More  the  Merrier,  The  Col. 
Moscow  Strikes  Back  (Russian)  Rep. 

Mountain  Rhythm  Rep. 

Mr.  Lucky  RKO 

(formerly  From  Here  to  Victory) 
Mrs.  Wiggs  of  the  Cabbage  Patch  Para. 

Mug  Town  Univ. 

Mummy's  Tomb,  The  Univ. 

Murder  in  Times  Square  Col. 

My  Friend  Flicka  (color)  20th-Fox 

My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  Para. 


7034  Constance  Bennett-Don  Porter 

371  Joseph  Cotten-Dolores  Costello 

4202  Ginger  Rogers-Ray  Milland 

315  Lynne  Roberts-George  Holmes 

314  Lloyd  Nolan-Carole  Landis 

....  Bill  Elliott-George  Hayes 

319  Barton  MacLane-Charlotte  Wynters 

217  Lloyd  Corrigan-Dorothy  Lovett 

4044  M.  Chapman-Wm.  Wright 

330  Joan  Bennett-Milton  Berle 

....  V.  Karavayeva-M.  Kuznetzov 

....  Max  Bae-William  Bendix 

329  Jack  Benny-Priscilla  Lane 

....  Richard  Dix-Jane  Wyatt 

302  Lupe  Velez-Leon  Errol 

....  Eddie  Bracken-Betty  Hutton 

„...  Walter  Huston-Ann  Harding 

318  Lola  Lane-Noel  Madison 

....  Gloria  Jean-Donald  O'Connor 

7026  Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

....  George  Sanders-Herbert  Marshall 

335  Cedric  Hardwicke-Henry  Travers 

4041  Jean  Arthur-Joel  McCrea 

....  Documentary 

209  Weaver  Bros.  &  Elviry 

....  Cary  Grant-Laraine  Day 

4208  Fay  Bainter-Carolyn  Lee 

7027  Dead  End  Kids 

7019  Dick  Foran-Elyse  Knox 

4034  Edmund  Lowe-Marguerite  Chapman 

338  Roddy  McDowall-Preston  Foster 

4214  Richard  Carlson-M.  O'Driscoll 


Dec.  11/42 

63m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

July  10/42 

88m 

July  4/42 

938 

507 

947 

Block  1 

100m 

Aug.  29/42 

927 

1 174 

Oct.  23/42 

71m 

Sept.  19/42 

91 1 

855 

Oct.  16/42 

81m 

Sept.  19/42 

911 

871 

June  11/43 

1277 

Jan.  4/43 

67m 

Jan.  30/43 

i  137 

1031 

Apr.  13/43 

58m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

1191 

Sept.  17/42 

60m 

Dec.  12/42 

1055 

Feb.  19/43 

74m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

995 

Nov.  20/42 

67  m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

Dec.  3 1/42 

46m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

Feb. 12/43 

57m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 1 15 

962 

1280 

Not  Set 

1182 

Sept.  11/42 

64m 

Aug.  8/42 

915 

Not  Set 

1079 

May  22/43 

123m 

May  1/43 

1 304 

1058 

Nov.  23/42 

71m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

1031 

June  18/43 

1277 

Oct.  16/42 

62m 

Oct.  1 7/42 

959 

Oct.  2/42 

89m 

Sept.  12/42 

912 

1130 

Apr.  9/43 

90m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

i  69  i 

1280 

May  13/43 

104m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

1 182 

Aug.  15/42 

55m 

Aug.  15/42 

840 

1130 

Jan.  8/43 

70m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

ioo9 

Block  6 

100m 

May  8/43 

1301 

1081 

Block  2 

80m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

663 

1218 

Dec.  18/42 

60m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

Oct.  23/42 

61m 

Oct.  1 7/42 

970 

1130 

Apr.  1/43 

65m 

May  15/43 

1313 

1079 

Apr.  23/43 

90m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

962 

Block  3 

75m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

871 

Product  Digest  Section 


1321 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    15,    I  943 


REVIEWED 


M.  P. 

Product 

Ail  vance 

Servic 

Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Title 

Company 

TIT  I 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

My  Son,  the  Hero 

PRC 

311 

Patsy  Kelly-Roscoe  Karns 

Apr.  5/43 

68m 

Jan.  23/43 

1126 

Mysterious  Doctor,  The 

WB 

218 

Eleanor  Parker-John  Loder 

Mar.  6,'43 

57m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 181 

1091 

NAVY  Comes  Through,  The 

RKO 

308 

Pat  O'Brien-George  Murphy 

Oct.  30/42 

81m 

Oct.  1 7/42 

957 

715 

1  130 

'Neath  Brooklyn  Bridge 

Mono. 

.... 

East  Side  Kids 

Nov.  20/42 

61m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

Next  of  Kin,  The  (British) 

Univ. 

Basil  Sydney-Nova  Pilbeam 

May  7/43 

90m 

Apr.  10/43 

1262 

Nightmare 

Univ. 

70i5 

Diana  Barrymore-Brian  Donlevy 

Nov.  13/42 

81m 

Nov.  14/42 

1018 

1  1 74 

Night  for  Crime,  A 

PRC 

304 

Glenda  Farrell-Lyle  Talbot 

Feb.  18/43 

78m 

Aug.  1/42 

903 

Night  Monster 

Univ. 

7038 

Irene  Hervey-Bela  Lugosi 

Oct.  23/42 

73  m 

Oct.  24/42 

970 

1 1 30 

Night  Plane  from  Chungking 

Para. 

4219 

Robert  Preston-Ellen  Drew 

Block  4 

68m 

Jan.  2/43 

1 102 

983 

Night  to  Remember,  A 

Col. 

4009 

Loretta  Young-Brian  Aherne 

Dec.  10/42 

90m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

986 

1130 

Nine  Men  (British)  Ealing-UA 

Jack  Lam Dert-Kicnard  Wilkinson 

Not  bet 

67m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 158 

Northwest  Rangers 

MGM 

3  i9 

James  Craig-Patricia  Dane 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

64m 

Oct.  31/42 

981 

960 

1218 

No  Place  for  a  Lady 

Col. 

4036 

William  Gargan-Margaret  Lindsay 

Feb.  11/43 

67m 

1057 

No  Time  for  Love 

Para. 

Claudette  Colbert-Fred  MacMurray 

Not  Set 

855 

North  Star 

Goldwyn 

Walter  Huston-Anne  Baxter 

Not  Set 

1305 

Now,  Voyager 

WB 

206 

Bette  Davis-Paul  Henreid 

Oct.  3 1/42 

117m 

Aug.  22/42 

902 

1 174 

OLD  Acquaintance 

WB 

Bette  Davis-John  Loder 

Not  Set 

1192 

Old  Chisholm  Trail,  The 

Univ 

7073 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Dec.  1 1/42 

60m 

Jan.  16/43 

1113 

Old  Homestead,  The 

Rep. 

202 

Weaver  Bros,  and  Elviry 

Aug.  17/42 

67m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

855 

Old  Mother  Riley,  Detective 

(British)                     Br.  Nat'l-Anglo 

Arthur  Lucan 

Not  Set 

80m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 159 

Omaha  Trail 

MGM 

31  i 

James  Craig-Dean  Jagger 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

61m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

796 

1280 

Once  Upon  a  Honeymoon 

RKO 

311 

Ginger  Rogers-Cary  Grant 

Nov.  27/42 

1  16m 

Nov.  7/42 

1006 

855 

1280 

One  Dangerous  Night 

Col. 

4029 

Warren  William-Eric  Blore 

Jan.  21/43 

77m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

983 

One  of  Our  Aircraft  Is  Missing 

(British) 

UA 

Godfrey  Tearle-Eric  Portman 

Oct.  16/42 

86m 

Apr.  11/42 

903 

1 174 

One  Thrilling  Night 

Mono. 

John  Beal-Wanda  McKay 

June  5/42 

69m 

July  4/42 

914 

662 

Orchestra  Wives 

20th-Fox 

J  u  0 

\~t  OArrto    Mnnl/iArworu.flnn  Rtitnartnr/J 

^cui  ye  ivi on iy vm cry       n  rxuTnerToro 

C,or.-r     A  'AO 

7/m 

A  ■■—     1  C  'AO 

Aug.  1  3,  *t£ 

927 

797 

1  1 30 

Our  Lady  of  Paris  (French) 

Hirliman 

Catholic  Art  Documentary 

Mar.  12/43 

56m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

Outlaw,  The 

Hughes 

Jack  Buetel-Jane  Russell 

Not  Set 

I2lm 

Feb.  13/43 

1  157 

Outlaws  of  Pine  Ridge 

Rep. 

O  "TO 

272 

P,  n             1     _       Li        •    | . 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Oct.  27,  42 

57m 

Nov.  2 1  ,'42 

1017 

Over  My  Dead  Body 

20th-Fox 

3Z5 

Milton  Berle-Mary  Beth  Hughes 

Jan.  15/43 

68  m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

995 

Ox-Bow  Incident,  The 

20th-Fox 

Henry  Fonda-Dana  Andrews 

Not  Set 

75  m 

May  8/43 

1302 

872 

PALM  Beach  Story,  The 

Para. 

4211 

Claudette  Colbert-Joel  McCrea 

Block  3 

90m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

663 

1 174 

Panama  Hattie 

MGM 

303 

Ann  Sothern-Red  Skelton 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

79m 

July  25/42 

915 

396 

1  UO*r 

Pardon  My  Gun 

Col. 

4202 

Charles  Starrett-Alma  Carroll 

Dec.  1/42 

57m 

1058 

Payoff,  The 

PRC 

303 

Lee  Tracy-Tina  Thayer 

Jan.  2 1/43 

74m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

Petticoat  Larceny 

RKO 

Ruth  Warrick-Walter  Reed 

Not  Set 

1240 

Phantom  of  the  Opera 

Univ. 

Nelson  Eddy-Susanna  Foster 

Not  Set 

1 192 



Pied  Piper,  The 

20th-Fox 

304 

Monty  Woolley-Roddy  McDowall 

Aug.  2 1/42 

87m 

July  1  1/42 

903 

751 

ins? 

Pilot  No.  5 

MGM 

Franchot  Tone-Marsha  Hunt 

Not  Set 

70  m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

971 

Pirates  of  the  Prairie 

RKO 

382 

Tim  Holt 

Nov.  20/42 

57m 

Apr.  3/43 

1239 

1033 

Pittsburgh 

Univ. 

7008 

Marlene  Dietrich-John  Wayne 

Dec.  1 1/42 

93  m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

1218 

Power  of  God,  The 

St.  Rts. 

John  Barclay-Thomas  Louden 

Not  Set 

58m 

Oct.  24/42 

970 

Powers  Girl,  The 

UA 

Anne  Shirley-George  Murphy 

Jan.  15/43 

93  m 

Dec.  19/42 

1078 

Power  of  the  Press 

Col. 

4037 

Guy  Kibbee-Lee  Tracy 

Jan.  28/43 

64m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

1055 

Prairie  Chickens  UA-Roach 

Jimmy  Rogers-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

May  21/43 

700 

Prelude  to  War 

WAC 

Documentary 

May  27/43 

52  m 

May  1/43 

1290 

•  •  .  • 

Presenting  Lily  Mars 

MGM 

Judy  Garland-Van  Heflin 

Not  Set 

104m 

Mav   1  '43 

1289 

9A? 

/Oi 

Pride  of  the  Army 

Mono. 

Billy  Lee-Addison  Richards 

Nov.  13/42 

63m 

Oct.  10/42 

946 

(also  called  War  Dogs) 

Pride  of  the  Yankees,  The 

RKO 

351 

Gary  Cooper-Teresa  Wright 

Mar.  5/43 

128m 

July  18/42 

915 

1082 

Princess  O'Rourke 

WB 

Olivia  de  Havilland-Robert  Cummings        Not  Set 

962 

Priorities  on  Parade 

Para. 

420  i 

Ann  Miller-Jerry  Colonna 

Block  1 

79  m 

Aug.  1/42 

914 



Prison  Mutiny 

Mono. 

.... 

Edward  Norris-Joan  Woodbury 

Feb.  12/43 

L  1   

o  I  m 

Jan.  30,  43 

1 137 

1081 

(formerly  You  Can't  Beat  tr 

e  Law) 

Prodigal's  Mother 

Rep. 

Mabel  Paige-John  Craven 

June  4/43 

1276 

Purple  V,  The 

Rep. 

212 

John  Archer-Mary  McLeod 

Mar.  12/43 

58m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

1 162 

.... 

QUEEN  of  Broadway 

PRC 

3  1  L 

Rochelle  Hudson-Buster  Crabbe 

Mar.  8/43 

111 

Nnv   9fi  'AO 
IN  OV.  L  0 ,  *ri 

1  uou 

1  U  1  o 

.... 

Oueen  Victoria  (British) 

Renown 

Anna  Neagle-Anton  Walbrook 

Not  Set 

84m 

Jan.  10,  to 

1113 
1  1  1  j 

.... 

Quiet  Please,  Murder 

20th-Fox 

33  1 

Gail  Patrick-George  Sanders 

Mar.  19/43 

70m 

Dor    10  'AO 

1  0A7 
1  UO  / 

OQ3 
703 

RAIDERS  of  San  Joaquin 

Univ. 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Not  Set 

59m 

1009 

Random  Harvest 

MGM 

Ronald  Colman-Greer  Garson 

Special 

126m 

Nov.  28/42 

1029 

796 

1280 

Rangers  Take  Over,  The 

PRC 

35  i 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill 

Dec.  25/42 

60m 

Jan.  16/43 

1 1 14 

1055 

Ravaged  Earth 

Crystal 

Documentary  on  China 

Not  Set 

68  m 

Dec.  5/42 

1043 

Reap  the  Wild  Wind  (color] 

Para. 

4137 

Ray  Milland-Paulette  Goddard 

1941-42 

124m 

Mar.  21/42 

1250 

408 

795 

Redhead  from  Manhattan 

Col. 

4024 

Lupe  Velez-Michael  Duane 

May  6/43 

1241 

Red  River  Robin  Hood 

RKO 

Tim  Holt 

Not  Set 

57  m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

Reunion  in  France 

MGM 

315 

Joan  Crawford-Philip  Dorn- 

(formerly  Reunion) 

John  Wayne 

Dec.-Feb./43 

102m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

872 

1218 

Reveille  with  Beverly 

Col. 

4014 

Ann  Miller-William  Wright 

Feb.  4/43 

78m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1 162 

1280 

Rhythm  of  the  Islands 

Univ. 

7042 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Apr.  16/43 

60m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1 127 

Rhythm  Parade 

Mono. 

Gale  Storm-Robert  Lowery 

Dec.  11/42 

70m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

983 

I  322    Product  Digest  Section 


May    15,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


■  REVIEWED  ■ 


Title  Company 
Ride,  Tenderfoot,  Ride  (Reissue)  Rep. 
Riders  of  the  Northwest  Mounted  Col. 
Riders  of  the  Rio  Grande  Rep. 
Ridin'  Down  the  Canyon  Rep. 
Riding  Through  Nevada  Col. 
Right  About  Face  MGM 
Road  to  Morocco  Para. 
Robin  Hood  of  the  Range  Col. 
Russians  at  War  (Russian)  Artkino 


M.P. 

Product 

Advance 

Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Gene  Autry 

June    I  .'43 

65  m 

Aug.  24,'40 

1274 

42  i  i 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Feb.  I5,'43 

57m 

Feb.  27,'43 

1 182 

1019 

Three  Mesquiteers 

May  21, '43 

55m 

May  I5,'43 

1315 

1276 

253 

Roy  Rogers-Gabby  Hayes 

Dec.  30,'42 

55m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

1019 

4201 

Charles  Starrett-Shirley  Patterson 

Oct.  1/42 

61m 

Feb.  20,'43 

1 169 

1058 

Kay  Kyser-Lena  Home 

Not  Set 

1241 

4207 

Bob  Hope-Bing  Crosby-Dorothy  Lamour 

Block  2 

83  m 

Oct.  3/42 

933 

872 

Charles  Starrett-Kay  Harris 

Not  Set 

1057 

Documentary 

Not  Set 

61m 

May  l,'43 

i290 

Service 
Data 
Page 


1130 


Spy  Train 

(formerly  Time  Bomb) 
Squadron  Leader  X  (British] 
Stage  Door  Canteen 
Stand  By,  All  Networks 
Stand  By  for  Action 
Star  Spangled  Rhythm 
Stormy  Weather 
Stranger  from  Pecos 
Stranger  in  Town,  A 
Street  of  Chance 
Strictly  in  the  Groove 
Submarine  Alert 
Submarine  Base 
Sundown  Kid 

Sweet  Rosie  O'Grady  (color) 
Swing  Shift  Maisie 
Swing  Your  Partner 


SADDLES  and  Sagebrush  Col.  4212 

Sagebrush  Law  RKO  384 

Saludos  Amigos  (color)  RKO  392 

Salute  for  Three  Para.  4225 

Salute  to  the  Marines  MGM  .... 

Santa  Fe  Scouts  Rep.  265 

Sarong  Girl  Mono.  .... 

Scattergood  Survives  a  Murder  RKO  306 
Secret  Enemies  WB  205 

Secret  Mission  (British)  Hellman-Gen'l 
Secrets  of  a  Co-Ed  PRC  309 

Secrets  of  the  Underground  Rep.  208 
Seven  Days  Leave  RKO  310 

Seven  Miles  from  Alcatraz  RKO  315 

Seven  Sweethearts  MGM  308 

Shadow  of  a  Doubt  Univ.  7065 

Shadows  on  the  Sage  Rep.  261 

Shantytown  Rep.  218 

She  Has  What  It  Takes  Col.  4029 

Sherlock  Holmes,  Voice  of  Terror  Univ.  7020 
Sherlock  Holmes,  Secret  Weapon  Univ.  7024 
Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington  Univ. 
Siege  of  Leningrad  (Russian)  Artkino 
Silent  Witness  Mono. 
Silk,  Blood  and  Sun  (Mexican)  Maya 
Silver  Queen  UA 
Silver  Fleet  (British)  Archers-Gen'l 
Silver  Skates  Mono. 
Sin  Town  Univ.  7017 

Sky's  the  Limit,  The  RKO 
Slightly  Dangerous  MGM  325 

Smith  of  Minnesota  Col.  4035 

Soliga  Solberg  (Swedish)  Scandia 
Sombrero  Kid,  The  Rep.  27 

Something  to  Shout  About  Col.  4006 

Somewhere  I'll  Find  You  MGM  30 

Somewhere  in  France  UA 
Somewhere  in  Sahara  Col. 
So  Proudly  We  Hail  Para. 
Son  of  Dracula  Univ. 
Song  to  the  Wind  (It.)  Hoffberg 
South  of  the  Border  (Re-release)  Rep.  2302 
Spirit  of  Stanford,  The  Col.  4022 

Spitfire  (British)  RKO 
Spring  Song  (Russian)  Artkino  .... 

Springtime  in  Rockies  (color)  20th-Fox  317 

Mono.  .... 

RKO 
UA 

Col.  4042 
MGM  316 
Para.  4231 
20th-Fox 

Mono.  .... 
MGM  324 
Para.  4210 
Univ.  7028 

Para  

PRC 

Rep.  273 
20th-Fox 
MGM 
Rep  


Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 
Tim  Holt 

Disney  South  American  Feature 

Macdonald  Carey-Betty  Rhodes 

Wallace  Beery-Fay  Bainter 

Three  Mesquiteers 

Ann  Corio-Tim  and  Irene 

Guy  Kibbee-Margaret  Hayes 

Craig  Stevens-Faye  Emerson 

Hugh  Williams-Carla  Lehmann 

Otto  Kruger-Tina  Thayer 

John  Hubbard-Virginia  Grey 

Lucille  Ball-Victor  Mature 

James  Craig-Bonita  Granville 

Van  Heflin-Kathryn  Grayson 

Teresa  Wright-Joseph  Cotten 

Three  Mesquiteers 

Mary  Lee-John  Archer 

Jinx  Falkenberg-Tom  Neal 

Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce 

Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce 

Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce 

Soviet  Documentary 

Frank  Albertson-Maris  Wrixon 

Jorge  Negrete-Gloria  Marin 

George  Brent-Priscilla  Lane 

Ralph  Richardson-Googie  Withers 

Patricia  Morison-Kenny  Baker 

Constance  Bennett-Brod  Crawford 

Fred  Astaire-Joan  Leslie 

Lana  Turner-Robert  Young 

Bruce  Smith-Arline  Judge 

Edvard  Persson 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Don  Ameche-Jack  Oakie-Janet  Blair 

Clark  Gable-Lana  Turner 

Constance  Cumming-Tommy  Trinder 

Humphrey  Bogart-Bruce  Bennett 

Claudette  Colbert-Paulette  Goddard 

Alan  Curtis-Lon  Chaney 

Giuseppe  Lugo 

Gene  Autry 

Frankie  Albert-Marguerite  Chapman 
Leslie  Howard-Rosamund  John 


Not  Set 
Not  Set 
Not  Set 
Apr.  24,'43 
Mar.    I, '43 
Sept.  I0,'42 
Not  Set 


Nikolai  Kunovalov-Ludmila  Tzelikovskaya  Sept.  1 1, '42 


Betty  Grable-John  Payne 
Richard  Travis-Catherine  Craig 

Eric  Portman-Beatrice  Varley 
Stage  and  Screen  Stars 
John  Beal-Florence  Rice 
Charles  Laughton-Robert  Taylor 
Betty  Hutton-Eddie  Bracken-Victor 
Bill  Robinson-Lena  Home 
Johnny  Mack  Brown 
Frank  Morgan-Jean  Rogers 
Burgess  Meredith-Claire  Trevor 
Leon  Errol-Mary  Healy 
Richard  Arlen-Wendy  Barrie 
John  Litel-Alan  Baxter 
Don  Barry-Linda  Johnson 
Betty  Grable-Robert  Young 
Ann  Sothern-James  Craig 
Lulubelle  and  Scotty-Vera  Vague 


Nov.  6.'42 
July  2,'43 


1305 
1 104 
1241 


76m 

May  8,'43 

1303 

71m 

Dec.  16/39 

1 158 

73m 

Oct.  3 1  ,'42 

982 

796 

1082 

90m 

Apr.  17/43 

1275 

74m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

91m 

Sept.  26/42 

921 

855 

ii74 

1277 


Block  6 

100m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

Not  Set 

132m 

May  15/43 

1313 

1 1 15 

Oct.  29/42 

64m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

797 

Dec.-Feb.,'43 

109m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

871 

Moore  Special 

100m 

Jan.  3/43 

1(02 

855 

Not  Set 

1 192 

June  25/43 

1277 

Apr..'43 

67m 

Feb. 13/43 

i  158 

1079 

Block  2 

74m 

Oct.  3/42 

933 

871 

Nov.  20/42 

60m 

July  4/42 

914 

Not  Set 

772 

Not  Set 

1305 

Dec.  28/42 

55m 

Jan.  16/43 

i  1 13 

Not  Set 

1 305 

Not  Set 

87m 

May  8/43 

(302 

1 191 

May  20/43 

72  m 

May  8/43 

1302 

1276 

Apr.  22/43 

57m 

May  8/43 

1302 

1240 

Apr.  2/43 

56m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

Feb. 19/43 

43  m 

Dec.  19/42 

1065 

1174 

Block  5 

75m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

1 09  i 

.... 

Not  Set 

1057 

Apr.  16/43 

55m 

May  15/43 

1314 

1276 

June  1 1/43 

70m 

May  15/43 

1314 

1277 

Oct.  16/42 

66m 

Oct.  1 7/42 

959 

912.  . 

Oct.  17/42 

59m 

Aug.  22/42 

914 



•  •  •  • 

Not  Set 

94m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

.... 

Oct.  26/42 

67m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

Dec.  18/42 

69m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 159 

1009 

Nov.  13/42 

87m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

872 

i  280 

Jan.  8/43 

62  m 

Nov.  14/42 

1006 

962 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

98m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

1 174 

Jan. 15/43 

108m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 1 14 

936 

1280 

Aug.  24/42 

57m 

Jan.  2/43 

1090 

Apr.  20/43 

65m 

Apr.  24/43 

1273 

i  191 

Apr.  15/43 

1 192 

Sept.  18/42 

65m 

Sept.  12/42 

897 

Feb. 12/43 

68m 

Jan.  2/43 

1090 

Apr.  30/43 

71m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

983 

Feb. 11/43 

62m 

Feb. 20/43 

1 169 

Jan.  15/43 

62m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

1033 

Not  Set 

86m 

Feb.  6/43 

1146 

Nov.  13/42 

80m 

Nov.  14/42 

1005 

936 

Not  Set 

88m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

Feb.  26/43 

76m 

Jan.  16/42 

1 1 13 

1218 

Sept.  25/42 

73m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

898 

Not  Set 

1 162 

Apr.,'43 

94  m 

Mar.  6/43 

i  i  89 

1057 

1280 

Oct.  15/42 

66m 

Oct.  17/42 

959 

797 

Sept.  12/42 

89m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

July  3 1/42 

56m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

796 

Feb.  25/43 

90m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 157 

1043 

1218 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

107m 

Aug.  8/42 

902 

726 

984 

May  7/43 

83m 

Feb.  20/43 

1169 

TAHITI  Honey 

Rep. 

216 

Tales  of  Manhattan 

20th-Fox 

313 

Tarzan  Triumphs 

RKO 

319 

Taxi  Mister 

UA-Roach 

Tennessee  Johnson 

MGM 

322 

Tenting  Tonight  on  the 

Old  Camp  Ground 

Univ. 

7074 

Terror  House 

PRC 

322 

Texas  to  Bataan 

Mono. 

Thank  Your  Lucky  Stars 

WB 

Simone  Simon-Dennis  O'Keefe 
C.  Boyer-R.  Hayworth-G.  Rogers 
Johnny  Weissmuller-Frances  Gifford 
William  Bendix-Grace  Bradley 
Van  Heflin-Ruth  Hussey 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Wilfred  Lawson-James  Mason 

Range  Busters 

All  Warner  Contract  Players 


Apr.  6/43 

69m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

1191 

Oct.  30/42 

1 18m 

Aug.  8/42 

927 

706 

1130 

Feb. 19/43 

77m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 125 

983 

1174 

Apr.  16/43 

46m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

986 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

100m 

Dec.  19/42 

1065 

946 

1280 

Feb.  5/43 

61m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

1018 

Apr.  19/43 

1276 

Oct.  16/42 

56m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

Not  Set 

1058 

Product  Digest  Section 


1323 


MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  May    15,  1943 


i—  REVIEWED  — s 
M.  P.       Product    Advance  Service 
Prod.  Release         Running  Herald       Digest      Synopsis  Data 


Title 

Com  pany 

IV  U  ill  1st  T 

Stars 

Date 

Titnc 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

That  Nazty  Nuisance 

UA-Roach 

William  Tracy-Joe  Sawyer 

Not  Set 

1019 

That  Other  Woman 

20th-Fox 

318 

Virginia  Gilmore-James  Ellison 

Nov.  13/42 

75m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

936 

They  Cameto  Blow  Up  America 

20th-Fox 

339 

George  Sanders-Anna  Sten 

May  7,'43 

73  m 

Apr.  24/43 

1273 

1 162 

They  Got  Me  Covered 

RKO 

oco 
352 

Bob  Hope-Dorothy  Lamour 

Feb.  5,'43 

96m 

Jan.  2/43 

1 102 

872 

1 174 

This  Is  the  Army 

WB 

Joan  Leslie-George  Murphy-Stage  Cast       Not  Set 

1276 

This  Land  Is  Mine 

RKO 

323 

Charles  Laughton-Maureen  O'Hara 

Block  5 

1 03m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

1 162 

Those  Kids  from  Town  (British]  Anglo 

Percy  Marmont-Marie  O'Neill 

Not  Set 

75m 

May  2/42 

633 

Three  Hearts  for  Julia 

MGM 

321 

Ann  Sothern-Melvyn  Douglas 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

90m 

Jan.  9/43 

1  101 

1009 

Thunder  Birds  (color) 

20th-Fox 

307 

John  Sutton-Gene  Tierney 

Nov.  20/42 

78m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

796 

1 130 

Thunder  Rock  (British)  Charter-Metro 



Michael  Redgrave-Barbara  Mullen 

Not  Set 

i  i  i 
1 1  1  m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

Thundering  Trails 

Rep. 

263 

Three  Mesquiteers 

Jan.  25,'43 

56m 

Feb.  1 3/43 

1 159 

1115 

Time  to  Kill 

20th-Fox 

326 

Lloyd  Nolan-Heather  Angel 

Jan.  22,'43 

61  m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

995 

Tish 

MGM 

OOO 

302 

Marjorie  Main-Lee  Bowman 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

oo  

83m 

July  25,  42 

oo  o 

938 

772 

1034 

Tomorrow  We  Live 

PRC 

O  OO 

307 

Jean  Parker-Ricardo  Cortez 

Sept.  29.'42 

L  A 

64m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

Tonight  We  Raid  Calais 

20th-Fox 

OOO 

337 

Annabella-John  Sutton 

Apr.  30,'43 

70m 

A  _          O  1  A  O 

Apr.  3,  43 

1239 

1 192 

Tornado  in  the  Saddle 

Col. 

AO  1  O 

4210 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Dec.  I5,'42 

59m 

1058 

Trail  Riders 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Dec.  4,'42 

rr  

55m 

1018 

Traitor  Within,  The 

Rep. 

207 

Don  Barry-Jean  Parker 

Dec.  I6,'42 

62m 

Dec.  5/42 

1043 

983 

i  i  74 

Triumph  Over  Pain 

Para. 

Joel  McCrea-Betty  Field 

Not  Set 

912 

(formerly  Great  Without  Glory) 

Truck  Busters 

WB 

213 

Richard  Travis-Ruth  Ford 

Feb.  6.'43 

58m 

Jan.  23,  43 

1 126 

True  to  Life 

Para. 

Mary  Martin-Franchot  Tone 

Not  Set 



1079 

Two  Fisted  Justice 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Jan.  8.'43 

61m 

Jan.  23,  43 

1 127 

1031 

Two  Senoritas  from  Chicago 

Col. 

Jinx  Falkenburg-Joan  Davis 

June  10/43 

1305 

Two  Week  to  Live 

RKO 

317 

Lum  V  Abner 

Feb.  26/43 

75m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

UNDERCOVER  Man 

UA 

William  Boyd-Andy  Clyde 

Oct.  23/42 

L  O 

68m 

L  1            o  '  A  O 

May  9,  42 

647 

Underground  Agent 

Col. 

4039 

Bruce  Bennett-Leslie  Brooks 

Dec.  3/42 

68m 

Feb.  6/43 

1  148 

1009 

Undying  Monster,  The 

20th-Fox 

319 

James  Ellison-Heather  Angel 

Nov.  27/42 

60m 

Oct.  17/42 

970 

936 

1082 

Unpublished  Story  (British) 

Col. 

Richard  Greene-Miles  Malleson 

Not  Set 

91m 

Apr.  1 1  ,'42 

598 

VALLEY  of  Hunted  Men 

Rep. 

262 

Three  Mesquiteers 

Nov.  13/42 

60m 

Mar.  6,  43 

1 190 

103 1 

Varsity  Show  (Reissue) 

WB 

215 

Dick  Powell-Fred  Waring 

Dec.  19/42 

81m 

Aug.  21,  37 

1043 

Vengeance  of  the  West 

Col. 

3216 

Bill  Elliott-Tex  Ritter 

Sept.  3/42 

60m 

WAKE  Island 

Para. 

4205 

Brian  Donlevy-Robert  Preston 

Block  1 

OO 

87m 

A  . .  _    ,  r  I  ja 

Aug.  15,  42 

ooo 

902 

ooo 

772 

1  1  oo 

1  1 30 

War  Against  Mrs.  Hadley,  The  MGM 

306 

Fay  Bainter-Edward  Arnold 

Sept.-Nov'42 

86m 

Aug.  8/42 

ooo 

902 

797 

1  1  OA 

1  1 74 

War  Dogs 

Mono. 

.... 

Billy  Lee-Addison  Richards 

Nov.  l3/42~ 

63  m 

(Jet.  1 0,  42 

O  A  L 

946 

Watch  on  the  Rhine 

WB 

Bette  Davis-Paul  Lucas 

Not  Set 

OQ  JL. 
700 

We  Are  the  Marines 

20th-Fox 

324 

Marine  Feature 

Jan.  8/43 

70m 

Dec.  1 2,  42 

1  ACO 

1053 

We'll  Smile  Again  (Brit.)  Nat'l-Anglo 

Bud  Flanagan-Chesney  Allen 

Not  Set 

93m 

Uct.  3 1 ,  42 

982 

Went  the  Day  Well?  (British) 

Ealing-UA 

Leslie  Banks-Basil  Sydney 

Not  Set 

oo  

7/m 

Kl         1  A  1  AO 

Nov.  14,  42 

1  000 

West  of  the  Law 

Mono. 

Buck  Jones-Tim  McCoy 

Nov.  2/42 

55m 

kl  _  -       "7  'AO 

Nov.    /,  42 

act  a 
774 

•  •  ■  ■ 

West  of  Texas 

PRC 

353 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill 

May  10/43 

54m 

May  15,  43 

1  O  1  A 

1314 

1277 

We've  Never  Been  Licked 

Univ. 

Richard  Ouine-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

May  28/43 

1  I  I  r 

1115 

When  Johnny  Comes  March 

ing  Home 

Univ. 

7016 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Jan.  1/43 

/4m 

OL  'AO 
Dec.  ZO,  42 

1  ooo 

1  O  1  Q 

Whistling  in  Dixie 

MGM 

O  1  O 

313 

Red  Skelton-Ann  Rutherford 

Dec.-Feb.,'43 

-J  A  

kJct.  S  1 ,  42 

OO  1 
70  1 

V4o 

11/4 

White  Cargo 

MGM 

310 

Hedy  Lamarr-Walter  Pidgeon 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

oo  

ovm 

bept.  It,  42 

OOO 

723 

Ot  1 

0/  1 

1  1  OA 

1  1  /4 

White  Savage  (color) 

Univ. 

Maria  Montez-Jon  Hall 

Apr.  23/43 

/om 

A  —  _    1  *7  'A"} 

Apr.  1  /,  43 

1  OJL  1 

1  lb  \ 

IU/7 

Who  Done  It? 

Univ. 

7002 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Nov.  6/42 

75m 

kl              "7  IjIO 

Nov.  7,  42 

ooo 

993 

OO  1 

971 

1  ooo 

1082 

Wildcat 

Para. 

4204 

Richard  Arlen-Arline  Judge 

Block  1 

73m 

Aug. 29/42 

938 

Wild  Horse  Stampede 

Mono. 

Ken  Maynard-Hoot  Gibson 

Apr.  16/43 

CO  

59m 

May  1,43 

1  ooo 

1290 

1276 

Wings  and  the  Woman  (British)  RKO 

303 

Anna  Neagle-R.  Newton 

Sept.  18/42 

94m 

May  2/42 

903 

1082 

(formerly  They  Flew  Alone) 

Wings  Over  the  Pacific 

Mono. 

Inez  Cooper-Edward  Norris 

June  25/43 

1276 

World  at  War 

WAC 

Documentary 

Sept.  18/42 

66m 

Sept.  5/42 

890 

.... 

Wrecking  Crew 

Para. 

4212 

Richard  Arlen-Chester  Morris 

Block  3 

73m 

Nov.  7,  42 

994 

986 

Wyoming  Hurricane 

Col. 

.... 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Not  Set 



.... 

1079 

X  MARKS  the  Spot 

Rep. 

204 

Damian  O'Flynn-Helen  Parrish 

Nov.  4/42 

56m 

Nov.  7,  42 

994 

986 

.... 

YANK  at  Eton,  A 

MGM 

305 

Mickey  Rooney-Edmund  Gwenn 

Sept.-Nov./42 

87m 

A  |  c  ■  A  O 

Aug.  15,  42 

o  I  r 

915 

726 

1  1  oo 

1  1 30 

Yankee  Doodle  Dandy 

WB 

201 

James  Cagney-Joan  Leslie 

Jan.  2/43 

1  O  L 

126m 

June  6,  42 

ooo 
V03 

LI  A 

674 

1  ooo 

1082 

Yanks  Ahoy 

UA-Roach 

Joe  Sawyer-William  Tracy 

Not  Set 

A  O  

47m 

Mar.  1 3,  43 

1  ooo 
1/03 

f  o  i  a 

Yanks  Are  Coming,  The 

PRC 

301 

Maxie  Rosenbloom-Mary  Healy 

Nov.  9/42 

65  m 

O  '^O 

Uct.   3,  42 

ooc 
V35 

lion 
1  130 

You  Can't  Beat  the  Law 

Mono. 

Edward  Norris-Joan  Woodbury 

Feb.  12/43 

61m 

Jan.  30/43 

1  137 

1081 

You  Can't  Escape  Forever 

WB 

207 

George  Brent-Brenda  Marshall 

Oct.  10/42 

77m 

Sept.  26/42 

921 

898 

1034 

You  Love  Me,  1  Love  You  (It.)  Hoffberg 

Alida  Valli-Amedeo  Nazzari 

Apr.  3/43 

95m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

You  Were  Never  Lovelier 

Col. 

4002 

Fred  Astaire-Rita  Hayworth 

Nov.  19/42 

97m 

Oct.  10/42 

945 

796 

i  i  74 

Young  and  Willing 

UA 

William  Holden-Susan  Hayworth 

Feb.  5/43 

82m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 170 

663 

Youngest  Profession,  The 

MGM 

Virginia  Weidler-Edward  Arnold  &  Guests    Not  Set 

81m 

Mar.  6/43 

1189 

1081 

Young  Mr.  Pitt  (British) 

20th-Fox 

316 

Robert  Morley-Robert  Donat 

Feb.  26/43 

103m 

July  4/42 

914 

Youth  on  Parade 

Rep. 

203 

John  Hubbard-Martha  O'Driscoll 

Oct.  24/42 

75m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

Feature  Product  including  Coming  Attractions,  listed  Company  by  Company, 
in  Order  of  Release  on  Page  1316. 


I  324    Product  Digest  Section 


BANKS 


BROKERS 


LAWYERS 


RESEARCH  AGENCIES 


THEATRICAL  CONSULTANTS 


GOVERNMENT  AGENCIES 


ACCOUNTANTS 


RADIO  STATIONS 


ADVERTISING  AGENCIES 


LIBRARIES 


verybody 


interested  in  motion  pictures  turns  to  Motion  Pic- 
ture Almanac  for  authentic  information  on  any 
phase  of  the  motion  picture  business.  Many  of  the 
1943-44  Almanac  subscribers  include  leading  execu- 
tives and  organizations  outside  the  industry  itself. 
Here  are  some  of  these  subscribers : 


CURTIS  PUBLISHING  COMPANY;  HARVARD  UNIVERSITY;  CLEVELAND  PUBLIC 
LIBRARY;  SPOKANE  PUBLIC  LIBRARY;  SAN  FRANCISCO  PUBLIC  LIBRARY;  IN- 
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TRUST  COMPANY  OF  NEW  YORK;  WESTERN  RESERVE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY;  NATIONAL 
BROADCASTING  COMPANY;  COLUMBIA  BROADCASTING  SYSTEM;  UNITED  STATES 
NAVAL  ACADEMY;  BRITISH  CONSULATE;  PRINCETON  AUDIENCE  RESEARCH  IN- 
STITUTE; PENNSYLVANIA  BROADCASTING  COMPANY;  UNION  PACIFIC  RAILROAD 
COMPANY;  MUSEUM  OF  MODERN  ART;  J.  WALTER  THOMPSON  COMPANY; 
McCANN  ERICKSON;  U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE;  ACADEMY  OF  M.  P.  ARTS 
AND  SCIENCES;  AGFA  RAW  FILM  CORPORATION;  N.  W.  AYER  AND  SON;  BANK 
OF  AMERICA,  LOS  ANGELES;  BLUE  NETWORK;  BOSTON  FILM  BOARD  OF  TRADE; 
BRITISH  INFORMATION  SERVICES;  U.  S.  WAR  DEPARTMENT;  CONTINENTAL  INSUR- 
ANCE COMPANY;  GROSVENOR  LIBRARY,  BUFFALO,  N.  Y.;  GUARANTY  TRUST  COM- 
PANY OF  NEW  YORK;  HOLLYWOOD  STATE  BANK;  LEHMAN  CORPORATION;  LIBRARY 
ASSOCIATION  OF  PORTLAND;  LONG  BEACH  PUBLIC  LIBRARY;  MASSACHUSETTS 
INVESTORS  TRUST;  NATIONAL  CONCERT  AND  ARTISTS  CORPORATION;  NATIONAL 
FILM  BOARD  OF  CANADA;  OFFICE  FOR  WAR  INFORMATION;  PRICE  WATERHOUSE 
AND  COMPANY;  ROCHESTER  PUBLIC  LIBRARY;  CINCINNATI  PUBLIC  LIBRARY; 
OAKLAND  PUBLIC  LIBRARY;  SCREEN  ACTORS  GUILD;  SECURITY  FIRST  NATIONAL 
BANK  OF  LOS  ANGELES;  TEACHERS  COLLEGE,  DENTON,  TEXAS;  UNIVERSITY  OF 
CALIFORNIA;  VANCOUVER  PUBLIC  LIBRARY;  YALE  COOPERATIVE  CORPORATION. 


ORDER  THE  NEW  1943-44  MOTION  PICTURE  ALMANAC 
TODAY.      -      $3.25  Postpaid  in  U.  S.  A.      -      $5  Elsewhere 


QUICLEY  PUBLICATIONS 

ROCKEFELLER    CENTER,    NEW  YORK 


OP 


'k>  Running  a  theatre  today,  is  just  like  pitching 
in  a  ball  game. 


£5  You  can't  just  heave  showmanship  any  old 
way.  You've  got  to  have  sinkers  and  fadeaways 
and  other  hot  stuff.  If  you  don't  — CRACK!  — what 
was  that?  That  was  your  competitor  hitting  a 
home  run  with  the  bases  loaded. 


x  But  you  can't  win  the  game  alone  either. 
There's  the  matter  of  support —Advertising  sup- 
port. The  outfield  —  Heralds  and  Posters.  The 
infield  —  Lobby  Displays  and  Trailers. 


•  And  when  you  all  pull  together  —  you're  in- 
vincible. You  win  every  game,  and  that  ever- 
lovin'  pennant  flies  from  the  little  old  box  office. 


«  So  keep  puttin'  'em  in  the  groove,  and  don't 
slight  that  infield  and  outfield.  Sign  up  the  best 
players  for  your  Lobby,  Marquee,  Poster  Stands 
and  Trailers.  Sign  up  Advertising  of  the  kind, 
that  no  matter  who  you  play  — 

Z£   Remember,  it's  what  you  put  on  the  ball 
,  that  shows  in  those  lovely  black  figures 
at  the  end  of  the  year. 


Trailers  and  Accessories 
on 

"PRELUDE  TO  WAR" 
Available  at 
NATIONAL  SCREEN  EXCHANG 


.0 


JON  PICTUR 

HERALD 


REVIEWS 

(In  Product  Digest) 

Coney  Island 

Action  in  the  North  Atlantic 
Man  from  Thunder  River 
Virgin  of  Guadalupe 
Masquerade 
Terror  House 
Pardon  My  Gun 
We  Dive  at  Dawn 
The  Bells  Go  Down 


;qpi 


U.  S.  Court  Decree  dissolves 
Crescent  Partnership  and 
Voids  Film  Franchises 

Columbia  announces  44  for 
New  Season;  PRC  sets  42; 
No  Reissues  for  Summer 

Permanent  16mm  Theatres 
New  Outlet  for  Product 
of  Major  Distributors 

PICTURES:     Pages  10,  II,  12,  13,  14 


VOL  151,  NO.  8 


MAY  22,  1943 


Entered  as  second-class  matter,  January  12,  1931,  at  the  Post  Office,  at  .Yew  York  City,  U.  S.  A.,  under  the  act  of  March 
weekly  by  Quigley  Publishing  Co.,  Inc.,  at  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York.  Subscription  prices:  $5 
Americas,  $10.00  a  year  Foreign.   Single  copy,  25  cents.   All  contents  copyright  1943  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company. 


A 


"111 


It's  a 


Triple^) 


picture ! 


dN 


B^Ntf*  **** 


Book  "Prelude  To  War"!  The  Filni 
That  Made  Our  Troops  Fighting  Mad! 


HUMPHREY  BOGART  •  RAYMOND  MASSEY  •  ALAN  HALE  ."ACTION  IN  THE  NORTH  ATL 


LASTER  THE  NEWS  EVERYWHERE! 


Book  TRELUDE  TO  WAR'  Free! 

iith  JULIE  BISHOP  •  DANE  CLARK  •  Directed  by  LLOYD  BACON  •  Screen  Play  by  John  Howard  Lawson  •  Based  on  a  Story  by  Guy  Gilpauic  •  Additional  Dialogue  by  A.  I.  Bezzerides  and  W.  R.  Burnett 


We've  get  a  DATE  in  "CONEY  ISLAND 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD 


COLVIN  BROWN,  Publisher 

MARTIN  QUIGLEY 

President  anil  Editor-hi-Chief 

'  1 

TERRY  RAMSAYE,  Editor 

Vol.  151,  No.  8 

May  22,  1943 

DECENCY 


WHAT  with  this  and  that — and  now,  of  all  times, 
when  the  motion  picture  would  seem  to  have  enough 
of  other  problems — the  expressions  of  press  and 
platform  appear  to  be  carrying  an  increasing  content  of 
attention  to  the  social  and  moral  content  of  screen  wares  and 
more  frequent  mentioning  of  the  subject  of  censorship. 

There  is,  of  course,  the  inevitable  and  probably  ever-con- 
tinuing confusion  between  censorship,  which  is  external,  and 
self-regulation  which  is  internal,  or  should  be. 

Up  in  the  little  town  of  Naugatuck  in  Connecticut,  the  editor 
of  The  News  takes  his  pen  in  hand  to  remark:  "...  it  is  stated 
that  the  Hays  office  will  continue  its  censorship.  .  .  .  His  censor- 
ship should  not  be  lessened  but,  on  the  contrary,  should  be 
kept  so  tight  that  nothing  smacking  of  indecency  or  the  exploi- 
tation of  vice  will  be  shown  on  the  silver  screen. 

"There  was  a  time,  not  so  long  ago,  when  the  quality  of 
some  movies  was  not  what  it  should  be.  In  fact,  there  was 
such  a  lowering  of  standards  that  a  public  demand  for  a  house- 
cleaning  was  made.  This  demand  was  complied  with  and  today 
the  quality  of  shows  has  been  greatly  improved,  although  there 
is  still  room  for  improvement.  Most  people  prefer  good,  clean, 
wholesome  entertainment.  They  like  realism,  of  course,  but  they 
object  to  the  kind  of  realism  which  is  nothing  short  of  offensive." 

One  has  not  to  seek  far  to  find  the  provocations  for  this 
new  line  of  attention. 

It  is  inevitable  that  in  time  of  war,  with  the  dislocations  and 
changes  which  move  so  many  persons,  especially  young  and 
undisciplined  persons,  from  the  controls  and  influences  of  their 
home  environment,  there  should  be  manifestations  of  irregu- 
larity and  sometimes  license.  It  is,  unhappily,  also  evident  that 
there  are  those  creatively  concerned  with  the  arts,  including 
the  motion  picture,  who  are  anxious  to  interpret  that  as 
evidence  of  a  new  order  of  taste  and  mores  for  America.  That 
has  happened  before — with  consequences  as  noted.  Fashions, 
slang,  manners  and  all  sorts  of  superficialities  do  change,  but 
the  basic  morals  and  standards  do  not. 

HOWEVER,  now  comes  an  interestingly  constructive  and 
friendly  expression  concerning  certain  aspects  of  the 
general  problem  of  the  screen  from  Mr.  Angelo  Patri, 
a  specially  celebrated  New  York  school  teacher,  and  a  writer 
for  the  far-flung  Bell  syndicate,  who  says,  again,  what  your 
editor  has  so  often  said  about  parental  responsibilities.  In  a 
recent  article  forwarded  to  us  from  its  appearance  in  the 
the  Republic  of  Phoenix,  Arizona,  Mr.  Patri  observes: 

"The  movies  are  a  part  of  the  daily  life  of  this  country.  They 
are  an  educative  force  to  be  reckoned  with  and  used  for  the 
good  of  the  people.  For  the  most  part  they  are  light  enter- 
tainment and  that,  too,  is  educative  and  to  be  used  for 
our  good. 

"We  complain  about  the  effect  of  movies  on  children  with- 
out making  the  complaint  specific.  .  .  . 

"My  specific  complaint  is  that  all  movies  are  open  to  every- 
body. ...  I  would  prefer  a  little  discrimination  in  this  par- 


ticular. I  would  not  allow  children  of  certain  stages  of  develop- 
ment to  attend  certain  movies.  .  .  . 

"I  would  keep  children  who  might  be  affected  by  them  out 
of  the  theatre.  But  I  would  do  that  myself,  being  the  respon- 
sible parent,  and  I  would  not  expect  the  police  to  do  it  for 
me.  .  .  . 

"The  movies  .  .  .  need  censoring  for  the  children,  but  the 
censor  is  the  parent,  not  the  police.  The  responsibility  is  with 
the  parents — it  is  not  the  law's  duty." 

For  precisely  the  reasons  indicated,  this  publication  in  its 
reviews  of  motion  pictures  gives  the  reviewer's  judgment  as 
to  their  suitability  for  general  audience  presentation,  or  for 
adults  only. 

AAA 

RED  TAPE  AND  FILM 

FROM  the  steaming  hell  of  the  jungles  of  the  South  Seas 
front  and  from  the  sun-blistered  bases  in  Africa  the 
"V  mail"  reports  the  approvals  and  the  discontents  of  a 
motion  picture  audience  which  cannot  get  away — the  soldiers 
who  are  served,  in  their  fashion,  with  motion  pictures  from 
home.  Many  are  displeased  by  inept  shows.  They  want  fun, 
diversion. 

The  motion  picture  industry  has  given,  is  giving,  of  its  costly 
wares  and  its  skills,  to  the  war  cause  and  to  the  soldiers  beyond 
any  other  industry  in  this  America.  The  best  of  all  the  pictures 
that  are  produced  are  presented  without  cost,  or  even  print 
cost,  to  the  soldiers  overseas. 

But  the  programming,  the  delivery  and  the  distribution  of 
these  pictures  are  largely  in  the  hands  of  persons  entirely 
unskilled  in  such  a  complex  and  difficult  operation.  Film  dis- 
tribution is  a  job  for  experts,  as  this  industry  well  knows.  Army 
red  tape  has  no  effective  function  in  showmanship,  either  in 
war  or  peace.  The  shipment  of  corned  beef,  or  ammunition, 
is  one  thing.  That  stuff  goes  to  stay  for  consumption.  But  film 
is  something  else  again;  it  has  an  itinerary,  many  destinations. 

Also  there  is  a  matter  of  programming.  Pictures  interesting 
to  a  training  camp  can  be  a  pain  in  the  neck  in  a  battle  area. 
It's  a  job  for  experts. 


A TESTIMONIAL  to  how  successful  and  constructive 
the  service  rendered  by  the  motion  picture  industry 
can  be  under  competent  administration  is  reflected 
in  a  microfilm  letter  which  comes  to  Miss  Gertrude  Merriam 
of  the  Managers'  Round  Table  section  of  The  Herald  from 
Private  David  Bachner,  V  Bomber  Command,  somewhere  in  the 
Pacific,  a  former  member  of  Warner  theatres'  advertising  staff 
in  Cleveland,  in  which  he  says: 

"We  have  been  told  that  all  efforts  are  being  made  to  rush 
over  to  this  area  the  newest  of  the  best  films.  This  pledge  appears 
to  be  true,  for  'Random  Harvesf  and  'George  Washington 
Slept  Here'  are  now  making  the  rounds  of  the  outdoor  theatres, 
and  being  well  received. 

"The  American  motion  picture  industry  is  doing  a  com- 
mendable job  in  providing  us  with  entertainment  so  vitally 
needed  to  revive  spirits  that  may  droop  occasionally." 

— Terry  Ramsaye 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    22  ,    I  943 


THIS  WEEK  IN  THE  NEWS 


Food,  and  Drink 

A  WELCOME  no  warmer  than  that  ex- 
tended to  the  reporters  from  wire  services 
and  newspapers  awaited  the  two  cameramen 
assigned  by  the  pool  newsreel  to  the  United 
Nations  food  conference  at  Hot  Springs, 
Va.,  this  week.  Under  guard  of  helmeted 
soldiers  the  newsreel  men  were  permitted  a 
brief  glimpse  of  the  opening  session  and  the 
palatial  grounds  of  the  Homestead  Hotel, 
where  representatives  of  43  countries  are  to 
discuss  world  food  problems. 

Cameramen  and  reporters  were  barred 
from  the  meetings,  and  hotel  grounds.  There 
were  no  screen  interviews  with  delegates, 
other  than  a  few  non-committal  introduc- 
tions arranged  by  State  Department  press 
shepherds.  Difficulties  of  the  working  press 
were  increased  by  the  Virginia  state  liquor 
rationing.  Delegates  to  the  meeting  were 
well  supplied,  however,  with  approximately 
2,400  pints. 

Great  Britain  was  ready  with  a  motion 
picture  plea  for  world  food  planning  to  be 
shown  at  the  Hot  Springs  conference,  it  was 
reported  Wednesday  in  cables  from  Lon- 
don. "World  of  Plenty,"  a  documentary 
produced  and  directed  by  Paul  Rotha,  was 
sent  to  the  conference,  it  was  said.  Made  in 
collaboration  with  the  Ministries  of  Food 
and  Information,  the  picture  was  described 
as  an  "ambitiously-made  production  expos- 
ing the  whole  strategy  of  food  in  war  and 
peace." 


$1,000,000  for  Picket 

OWNERS  of  the  City  Theatre,  14th  Street, 
New  York,  are  suing  the  projectionists' 
union,  IATSE  Local  306,  for  $1,000,000  in 
New  York  Supreme  Court  because,  they  al- 
lege, a  union  picket  told  patrons  in  front  of 
the  house  that  the  owners  were  "tools  of 
Laval  sent  here  to  do  Hitler's  work." 

They  also  ask  damages  of  $2,200  daily, 
from  April  30th  until  picketing  ceases.  These 
damages  are  for  an  alleged  "sit-down"  strike 
on  that  day,  and  violation  of  a  no-strike 
agreement. 

The  union  said  Wednesday  that  discharge 
of  a  stagehand  brought  about  the  picketing ; 
and  that  projectionists  since  then  had  not 
crossed  the  picket  line. 

British  'Culver  City' 

ENGLAND  will  have  a  "Culver  City,"  op- 
erated by  the  same  company  which  owns 
California's  Culver  City— MGM— Sir  Al- 
exander Korda  told  the  press  as  he  stepped 
off  a  train  in  London  Tuesday. 

Sir  Alexander,  still  a  United  Artists  stock- 
holder, but  more  recently  an  MGM  associ- 
ate, and  its  new  supervisor  of  English  pro- 
duction, said  many  writers,  actors  and  tech- 
nicians would  be  encouraged  to  come  to  En- 
gland from  the  United  States.  He  said  a 
starting  date  for  production  was  indefinite, 


COURT  decree  dissolves  Crescent  circuit 
affiliation  Page  1 5 

COLUMBIA  plans  44  films,  PRC  sets  42  for 
next  season  Page  17 

FEW  reissues  are  expected  from  major 
companies  this  summer  Page  18 

ON  THE  MARCH  — Red  Kann  discusses 
film  cycles  and  the  war  Page  19 

RADIO  networks  prepare  to  comply  with 
FCC  regulations  Page  24 


NOT  overfed  with  war  pictures,  says  Harry 
M.  Warner  Page  25 

PERMANENT  16mm  theatres  new  outlet 
for  majors'  product  Page  31 

U.  S.  sends  125  pictures  to  South  America 
in  two  years  Page  36 

BRITISH  film  labor  organization  steps  into 
political  field  Page  39 

MORE  showmen  and  the  press  protest  war 
emphasis  on  screen  Page  42 


SERVICE  DEPARTMENTS 

Page  47     Picture  Grosses 
Page  46     Shorts  on  Broadway 
Page  53     What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me 


Hollywood  Scene 
In  the  Newsreels 
Managers'  Round  Table 


IN  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION 

Showmen's  Reviews  Page  1325 

Short  Subjects  Chart  Page  1 327 


Short  Subjects 
The  Release  Chart 


Page  61 
Page  48 
Page  49 

Page  1329 
Page  1330 


pointing  out  that  a  new  British  producing 
company  had  not  yet  been  formed.  But,  he 
observed,  financial  aid  "within  reason"  will 
be  given  it  by  MGM ;  and  he  said  that  if  the 
company  found  studio  space  unavailable  it 
would  build  a  new  studio. 

Of  picture  plans,  Mr.  Korda  commented 
that  an  Andy  Hardy  picture  in  England 
with  Mickey  Rooney  and  others  of  the 
American  series  was  planned  by  Louis  B. 
Mayer,  vice-president  in  charge  of  produc- 
tion; and  that  Orson  Welles  would  star  in 
and  co-produce  "War  and  Peace"  there. 


Victory  Pictures 

NEWSREELS  on  Wednesday  were  waiting 
for  the  first  installment  of  pictures  of  the 
defeat  of  the  German  and  Italian  armies  in 
North  Africa.  The  War  Department 
bureau  of  public  relations  reported  that  the 
first  shipment  had  been  received  and  would 
be  released  in  part  Thursday  morning. 

Wednesday  afternoon  the  newsreel  editors 
met  to  decide  whether  to  release  these 
first  pictures  or  to  hold  them  until  a  full 
pictorial  account  of  the  capture  of  Tunis  and 
Bizerte  was  received.  Decision  was  post- 
poned until  editors  could  see  how  much  was 
forthcoming,  and  of  what  quality  it  was. 

The  American  newsreel  pool  had  at  least 
two  men,  Jack  Barnett  and  Irving  Smith, 
covering  the  final  American  drive,  accord- 
ing to  Walton  Ament,  chairman  of  the  roto. 
Mr.  Barnett,  of  20th  Century-Fox's  Movie- 
tone News,  was  wounded,  however,  in  the 
drive  through  Kasserine  Pass.  Tuesday  he 
was  decorated  with  the  Purple  Heart.  He 
is  in  a  Cairo  hospital. 


Juke  Box  Justice 

"ASCAP  seeks  justice  from  juke  boxes." 
— under  this  heading,  the  American  Society 
of  Composers,  Authors  and  Publishers  ap- 
prised the  press  and  public  this  week  of  two 
suits  in  New  York  Federal  Court  against 
two  taverns  in  that  city  using  the  coin-in- 
the-slot  music  machines. 

The  complaints  charge  song  copyright  in- 
fringement, and  ask  royalties.  They  are  in 
behalf  of  the  Edwin  H.  Morris  and  Com- 
pany, Inc.,  against  Donahue's  Bar  and  Grill, 
claiming  infringement  for  use  of  "I've 
Heard  That  Song  Before";  and  in  behalf 
of  M.  Witmark  &  Sons  against  the  New 
Westport  Cafe,  Inc.,  claiming  infringement 
for  use  of  "Please  Think  of  Me." 

Both  taverns  once  employed  live  musi- 
cians. They  also  had  ASCAP  contracts. 
With  the  departure  of  the  musicians  they 
cancelled  the  contracts. 

Similar  suits  will  be  brought  in  many  lo- 
calities, ASCAP  said,  adding  that  "if 
necessary,"  it  would  bring  "the  entire  juke- 
box operation  ultimately  before  the  Su- 
preme Court." 


No  Baby  Kissing? 

A  POLITICAL  campaign  in  which  candi- 
dates will  invest  their  money  in  War  Bonds 
instead  of  in  offices,  office  furniture,  barbe- 
cues, rallies,  and  special  campaigners,  is 
planned  by  Mitchell  Wolfson,  co-owner  of 
the  Wometco  circuit  of  Florida,  Nassau, 
and  the  British  West  Indies.  Mr.  Wolfson, 
a  Miami  Beach  councilman,  is  seeking  re- 
election. 


May    22,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


9 


Blue  Pencil  Flash 

OFFICIALS  of  the  Blue  Network,  and 
Walter  Winchell,  gossip  columnist  and  radio 
commentator  for  the  Jergens  Company's 
face  lotions  and  toilet  soaps,  were  embroiled 
again  in  a  censorship  feud  this  week.  The 
columnist  was  angry  about  deletions  in  his 
Sunday  script  by  Mark  Woods,  president 
of  the  network. 

Mr.  Winchell  charged  the  Blue  blue- 
pencilled  references  to  rivalries  between 
Washington  officials,  and  an  exclusive  story 
that  the  son  of  Representative  Lambertson, 
Kansas  critic  of  the  service  records  of  the 
President's  sons,  had  sought  draft  deferment 
as  a  conscientious  objector. 

Mr.  Winchell  blasted  at  the  network  rul- 
ing in  statements  to  the  press.  Mr.  Woods 
kept  silent,  but  network  spokesmen  indi- 
cated that  both  Mr.  Winchell  and  Drew 
Pearson,  broadcaster  of  "Washington  Mer- 
ry-Go-Round,"  would  have  to  submit  scripts 
for  approval.  Further,  Mr.  Winchell  was 
told  henceforth  to  get  his  copy  in  three  and 
a  half  hours  before  his  Sunday  broadcasts. 


National  Dimout 

OUTDOOR  lighting  may  be  cut  down  and 
many  other  civilian  uses  of  electric  power 
forbidden  next  winter  if  the  needs  of  essen- 
tial industry  increase,  a  Congressional  com- 
mittee was  told  on  Monday  by  Abe  Fortas, 
Undersecretary  of  the  Interior.  Marquee 
and  billboard  illumination,  and  many  other 
civilian  uses  of  electric  power  might  be 
curtailed,  he  said,  to  increase  power  supplies 
for  war  industries. 

J.  A.  Krug,  a  War  Production  Board 
vice-chairman,  who  also  appeared  before  the 
Appropriations  Committee,  said  that  cuts  in 
electric  consumption  would  be  made  not  be- 
cause of  an  imminent  power  shortage  but  to 
conserve  fuel  oil,  coal,  transport,  manpower 
and  equipment  for  purposes  essential  to  the 
war  effort. 

A  nationwide  dimout,  and  other  power- 
saving  measures,  have  been  under  consid- 
eration by  the  WPB,  he  said. 


Wall  St.  Learns 

LECTURES  on  electronics  and  related  de- 
velopments in  television,  frequency  modula- 
tion and  radio  by  leaders  in  the  field's  re- 
search are  attracting  a  substantial  attend- 
ance of  Stock  Exchange  members,  financiers 
and  investment  experts.  The  course  is  held 
Monday  afternoons  at  3:45  P.M.  in  the  Gov- 
ernor's Room  of  the  Stock  Exchange  under 
the  auspices  of  the  New  York  Institute  of 
Finance. 

Wall  St.  is  reported  to  be  very  interested 
in  electronics  as  a  field  for  post-war  ex- 
pansion. 

Speakers  to  date  have  included  John  Mills 
and  Dr.  E.  E.  Darrow  of  Bell  Laboratories 


and  Dr.  Willard  F.  Libby,  University  of 
California.  Still  to  be  heard  are  Ralph  R. 
Beal,  research  director  of  RCA  Labora- 
tories, on  June  1st ;  Dr.  David  Grimes  of 
Philco;  A.  C.  Montieth,  of  Westinghouse, 
and  Dr.  W.  R.  G.  Baker  of  General  Elec- 
tric. 

The  net  profit  of  the  Allen  B.  DuMont 
Laboratories  of  Passaic,  New  Jersey,  for  the 
fiscal  year  ended  January  2nd,  was  $130,- 
164,  after  deduction  of  $50,000  for  Federal 
income  and  excess  profits  taxes,  according 
to  the  annual  report  issued  Wednesday  by 
Mr.  DuMont,  president.  Net  sales  for  the 
same  year  totalled  $2,172,824.  The  report 
said  that  practically  all  facilities  were  de- 
voted to  Army  and  Navy  services  and  their 
suppliers.  Employees  have  increased  from 
185  to  513  and  the  company  has  three  times 
"as  much  floor  space  as  we  had  a  year  ago," 
Mr.  DuMont  said. 


Crack  Up 

HOWARD  HUGHES,  flier,  tool  tycoon, 
aircraft  manufacturer  and  periodically  a  pro- 
ducer of  motion  pictures,  was  injured  Mon- 
day in  an  airplane  crash  at  Boulder  City, 
Colo.  An  experimental  twin-engine  flying 
boat  with  Mr.  Hughes  at  the  controls 
crashed  into  Lake  Mead,  behind  Boulder 
Dam.  One  man  was  killed  and  Mr.  Hughes 
suffered  cuts  and  a  head  injury. 

It  was  reported  that  he  left  the  hospital 
immediately  and  returned  to  Los  Angeles 
where  he  and  Henry  Kaiser  are  planning  to 
build  a  new  air  cargo  carrier.  Mr.  Hughes 
also  has  another  motion  picture  in  prepara- 
tion. It  will  again  star  Jane  Russell  and 
Jack  Buetel,  now  appearing  in  "The  Out- 
law." 

Plans  to  open  the  latter  picture  at  Detroit 
still  await  refurbishing  of  the  RKO  Down- 
town theatre.  Mr.  Hughes  recently  bought 
the  house.  The  picture  has  been  exhibited 
only  in  San  Francisco.  It  has  had  many 
censor  troubles. 


No  Target 

THE  Japanese  Zero  fighter  planes  which 
recently  alarmed  residents  of  Opa  Locka, 
Miami  Naval  Air  Station,  are  not  invaders, 
they  learned  after  wardens  and  others  had 
gotten  stiff  necks.  They  were  flown  by 
Navy  fliers  for  the  director  and  location 
crew  of  the  Walter  Wanger-Universal  pic- 
ture, "We've  Never  Been  Licked." 


JOSEPH  E.  DAVIES,  author  of  "Mission 
to  Moscow"  arrived  there  Wednesday,  bear- 
ing a  message  from  President  Roosevelt  to 
Joseph  Stalin,  Russian  Premier.  The  War- 
ner home  office  in  New  York  said  they  did 
not  know  whether  Mr.  Davies  carried  a 
print  of  the  motion  picture. 


Agreement  in  Work 

ANOTHER  attempt  to  settle  the  single  fea- 
ture issue  in  St.  Louis  is  under  way,  spon- 
sored by  Fred  Wehrenberg,  president  of  the 
Motion  Picture  Owners  Association  of  St. 
Louis,  Eastern  Missouri  and  Southern  Illi- 
nois. Signatures  are  being  obtained  to  a 
resolution  in  which  the  neighborhood  thea- 
tres agree  to  run  as  single  features  all  films 
presented  as  single  features  by  the  first  run 
houses.  A  provision  of  the  resolution  is 
that  if  a  stage  show  is  presented  with  a 
single  picture  at  the  first  run  house,  the 
neighborhood  theatres  may  combine  such 
pictures  with  a  second  film. 

Mr.  Wehrenberg  estimates  that  approxi- 
mately 40  of  the  independent  neighborhood 
theatres  have  signed  the  agreement.  There 
are  about  65  independent  theatres  in  St. 
Louis  and  St.  Louis  County  in  addition  to 
the  secondary  theatres  operated  by  Fanchon 
and  Marco.  The  Fanchon  and  Marco  thea- 
tres have  not  yet  signed  the  agreement,  but 
since  the  original  single  bill  plan  was  first 
urged  by  Harry  Arthur,  Jr.,  general  man- 
ager of  Fanchon  and  Marco  some  months 
ago,  it  is  expected  they  will  sign.  The 
Loew's  interests  have  not  yet  indicated  their 
stand. 

It  is  hoped  to  have  enough  signatures  to 
put  the  plan  into  effect  by  June  1st. 


Customer  Service 

FROM  an  island  in  the  Pacific  an  Air 
Force  lieutenant  recently  sent  a  request  to 
Bill  Elder,  manager  of  the  Loew  theatre  in 
Indianapolis. 

"Our  squadron  will  move  into  new  quar- 
ters very  shortly,"  he  wrote.  "Do  you  have 
any  pictures  or  photos  of  female  stars  of 
stage  and  screen  which  you  would  care  to 
contribute  for  decorating  the  walls  of  the  en- 
listed men's  quarters  and  recreation  hall  ? 
We  are  on  an  island  without  any  women 
whatsoever  and  don't  even  have  decent  pic- 
tures of  any  kind  to  remind  us  of  what  we 
left  behind  us." 

Mr.  Elder  immediately  obliged  his  former 
patron  with  a  collection  of  stills,  forgetting 
the  officer's  offer  to  "refund  any  postage  you 
may  use  in  sending  the  photos  to  us."  He 
urges  other  managers  to  send  old  art  work 
to  service  men. 


High  Writing 

THE  HIGHEST  writer  so  far  discovered 
among  American  show  girls — to  wit,  Miss 
Mary  Dowell  of  Billy  Rose's  Diamond 
Horseshoe — was  signed  on  Wednesday  by 
Warner  Brothers.  She  will  contrive  screen 
scripts  beginning  later  in  the  current  month 
at  the  studios  in  Hollywood. 

This  upstanding  beauty  looks  down  upon 
the  world  from  a  height  of  6  feet  1  inch 
and  is  the  daughter  of  the  chief  of  police 
in  Fort  Worth,  Texas. 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD,  published  every  Saturday  by  0u'9ley  Publishing  Company,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  City.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Colvin  Brown,  Vice-President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Terry  Ramsaye,  Editor;  James  D.  Ivers,  News  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  624  South 
Michigan  Avenue,  Oscar  Lundy,  correspondent;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Postal  Union  Life  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  editor;  Toronto  Bureau,  242  Millwood  Road,  Toronto,  Ontario. 
Canada,  W.  M.  Gladish,  correspondent;  Montreal  Bureau,  265  Vitre  St.,  West,  Montreal,  Canada,  Pat  Donovan,  correspondent;  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Square,  London  W  I, 
Hope  Williams  Burnup,  manager;  Aubrey  Flanagan,  editor;  cable  Oui9Pubco  London;  Melbourne  Bureau,  The  Regent  Theatre,  191  Collins  St.,  Melbourne,  Australia,  Cliff  Holt, 
correspondent;  Sydney  Bureau,  17  Archbold  Rd.,  Roseville,  Sydney,  N.S.W.,  Australia,  Lin  Endean,  correspondent;  Mexico  City  Bureau,  Dr.  Carmona  y  Valle  6,  Mexico  City, 
Luis  Becerra  Celis,  correspondent;  Buenos  Aires  Bureau,  J.  E.  Uriburi  126,  buenos  Aires,  Argentina,  Natalio  Bruski,  correspondent;  Rio  de  Janeiro  Bureau,  Caixa  Postal  1090, 
Rio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil,  Alfredo  C.  Machado,  correspondent;  Montevideo  Bureau,  P.  O.  Box  664,  Montevideo,  Uruguay,  Paul  Bodo,  correspondent;  cable  Argus  Montevideo. 
Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations.  All  contents  copyright  1943  by  Ouig'eY  Publishing  Company.  Address  all  correspondence  to  the  New  York  Office.  Other  Ouigley  Publica- 
tions: Better  Theatres,  Motion  Picture  Daily,  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  and  Fame. 


10 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    2  2,     194  3 


THIS  WEEK 


the  Camera  observes 


FAMILY  TROUPE:  the  Severn  family,  of 
Hollywood,  is  distinguished  by  appearance 
of  its  eight  children  in  nearly  80  films. 
At  left,  with  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Clifford  Severn, 
are,  in  order,  Clifford,  Jr.,  Raymond,  Ernest, 
Christopher,  Venecia,  William,  Winston 
Franklin  MacArthur,  and  Yvonne.  Winston 
Franklin  MacArthur  makes  his  debut  in 
MGM's  "The  Man  From  Down  Under". 


■  CAPTAIN  JOSEPH 
GOETZ,  former  RKO  Cin- 
cinnati sales  executive, 
now  assistant  chief  of  mili- 
tary personnel  at  Patterson 
Field,  Ohio,  left,  pins  the 
air  service  insignia  on 
Second  Lieutenant 
William  Devaney,  former 
MGM  Cincinnati  salesman. 


SOUTH  AMERICA'S  "Flying 
Oscar",  which  will  be  awarded 
shortly  to  outstanding  pro- 
ducers, stars  and  pictures  by 
the  Argentine  Academy  of 
Arts  and  Sciences.  It  represents 
a  condor,  Argentina's  eagle. 


■  APPOINTED  special  WPB  amusements  division 
consultant:  Lester  B.  Isaac,  below,  supervisor  of  sound 
and  projection  for  the  Loew's  circuit.  Mr.  Isaac, 
serving  without  compensation,  will  retain  his  Loew  post. 


By  Staff  Photographer 

TESTIMONIAL.  With  a  dinner  approximately  400  New  York 
exhibitors  and  exchange  executives  last  week  honored 
Edward  Schnitzer,  new  United  Artists  western  division  manager, 
and  Sam  Lefkowitz,  new  eastern  district  manager,  at  the 
Waldorf  Astoria,  New  York,  Friday.    Above,  circuit  owner  Sam 
Rinzler.  Mr.  Lefkowitz.  Mr.  Schnitzer. 


May    22,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


M.  J.  O'TOOLE,  public  relations  counsel 
for  the  Comerford  circuit,  and  one  time 
president  of  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre 
Owners  of  America,  is  a  New  York  visitor 
from  his  home  office  at  Scranton,  Pa. 
Mr.  OToole  continues  to  urge  that  motion 
pictures  should  be  taxed  only  on  their  profits. 


■  APPRECIATION  of  Hollywood  stars  who  attended  a 
Mexico  City  Red  Cross  benefit  showing  of  "Yankee  Doodle 
Dandy"  is  expressed  in  a  scroll,  above,  by  Oscar  Brooks,  War- 
ner manager,  to  Mexican  Secretary  of  State  Miguel  Aleman 
in  Mexico  City. 


y  Staff  Photographer 

PLANNING  COMMITTEE  on  the  Greek  War  Relief  Show  held  Tuesday 
at  Madison  Square  Garden,  New  York,  meets.   Above,  David  Hill,  Judge 
Jonah  Goldstein,  Spyros  Skouras,  Harry  Brandt,  John  Hertz,  Jr.,  G.  S. 
Eyssell,  Edward  Alperson,  and  Tom  Connors. 


■  CHARLES  PRUTZMAN, 
Universal  vice-president  and 
general  counsel,  and  Martha 
O'Driscoll,  star,  at  a  cocktail 
party  last  week  in  New  York,  at 
which  she  was  thefeatured  guest. 


■  WOMAN  PRODUCER.  Joan 
Harrison,  formerly  secretary, 
reader,  and  scenarist  for 
Alfred  Hitchcock,  has  joined 
Universal  as  associate  producer. 
Her  first  will  be  "Phantom  Lady" 


By  Staff  Photographer 


12 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    2  2,    194  3 


By  Staff  Photographer 


SHERWIN  KANE,  for  fourteen  years  a  member  of  the  staff  of 
Quigley  Publications  and  for  the  past  eleven  years  a  member 
of  the  editorial  staff  of  Motion  Picture  Daily,  has  been 
appointed  Executive  Editor  of  that  publication. 


■  CELEBRATING  a  recent  David  O.  Selznick 
birthday  in  Hollywood,  below:  Mr.  Selznick,  Mary 
Pickford,  Charles  Chaplin,  Mrs.  Selznick.   The  first 
three,  owners  of  United  Artists,  intend  to  "get 
together   once   monthly   to   promote   harmony  and 
unity",  the  company's  caption  says. 


TWENTY-FIVE  YEARS  with  RKO  and 
Pathe,  one  of  its  predecessor  companies, 
are  being  observed  by  Stanley  C. 
Jacques,  Cincinnati  branch  manager. 
His  exchange  this  month  honored 
him  with  a  sales  drive. 


AIR  RAID  WARDEN.  Earl  J. 
Hudson,  below,  president  of 
United  Detroit  Theatres,  has 
been  appointed  Chief  Warden 
for  the  downtown  "loop" 
district.  He  is  author  of  a 
theatre-defense  plan  often 
commended. 


SUBSTITUTING  for  her  husband,  John  Bar- 
croft,  is  his  wife,  Joan,  26-year-old  former 
showgirl,  as  publicity  manager  for  the 
RKO  Palace  and  Grand  theatre, 
Columbus,  Ohio.   He  is  in  the  Army. 


May    22,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


13 


■  AT  COLUMBIA'S  Chicago  sales  convention  were  the  following  home  office  delegates,  all  shown  above: 
A.  Montague,  sales  manager;  Rube  Jackter,  assistant;  Louis  Weinberg,  sales;  Louis  Astor,  sales;  Max  J. 
Weisfeldt,  short  subjects  supervisor;  Leo  Jaffe,  assistant  treasurer:  Maurice  Srad,  sales  promotion  director; 
S.  A.  Joseph,  sales  accounting  manager. 


A  NEW  FIVE-YEAR  contract  was  given 
this  week  to  Hal  Home,  below, 
director  of  advertising,  publicity,  and 
exploitation  for  Twentieth  Century-Fox. 


MILITANT  Erich  Von  Stroheim  returns  to  the  screen  in  Paranaount's 
"Five  Graves  to  Cairo,"  in  a  militant  role;  that  of  Marshal  Erwin  Rommel. 
Above,  he  is  seen  Teutonically  talking  to  himself. 


■  A  CHECK  for  $44,000,  collected  by  District 
of  Columbia  theatres  for  the  anti-infantile  paralysis 
fund,  is  presented  to  Commissioner  John  Russell 
Young,  local  chairman,  below,  by  Carter  Barron, 
representing  the  theatres. 


By  Staff  Photographer 

VISITORS  to  the  Quigley  Publications  offices  are  four  Wilby-Kincey 
managers,  and  the  wives  of  three.  Above  are  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Louis  Riddick, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harvey  Smith,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hoyt  Howard,  and 
James  Cartledge. 


'4 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    22  ,     I  943 


■  EXHIBITORS  at  a  screening  of  Twentieth-Century-Fox  s  'Coney  Island,"  in  Buffalo: 
Left  to  right:  Spencer  Balser,  of  the  Basil  Circuit;  A.  Charles  Hayman,  Lafayette, 
Buffalo  and  Niagara  Falls;  Nikitas  Dipson,  Dipson  Circuit,  New  York  State,  West 
Virginia  and  Pennsylvania;  Max  Yellen,  20th  Century,  Buffalo  and  Riviera,  North 
Tonawanda;  Sydney  Samson,  20th  Century-Fox  Branch  Manager;  Robert  T.  Murphy, 
President,  20th  Century  Theatre;  George  Mackenna,  Circuit  Operator,  Hayman 
Circuit;  Vincent  R.  McFaul,  Shea-Buffalo  Circuit;  Charles  B.  Taylor,  Publicity 
Director,  Shea  Circuit;  Jay  Golden,  City  Manager,  RKO,  Rochester;  Nicholas 
J.  Basil,  Basil  Circuit,  Buffalo. 


LIEUTENANT,  j.g.,  Stanley  A.  B. 
Cooper,  Indiana  theatre  owner,  and 
a  founder  of  the  Affiliated  Theatres, 
Inc.,  has  been  assigned  to  active  duty. 


CONGRATULATIONS,  to  Tom  Gilliam,  center,  from 
Herman  Beiersdorf,  Twentieth  Century-Fox  Great 
Lakes  district  manager.  Mr.  Gilliam  succeeds  Clyde 
Eckhardt,  left,  as  Chicago  branch  manager.  Mr. 
Eckhardt  is  now  Los  Angeles  manager. 


■  LEON  FROMKESS,  vice-president  in  charge  of  production 
for  PRC,  gives  some  product  information  to  Rafael  Ramos 
Cobian,  owner  of  24  theatres  in  Puerto  Rico,  at  a  New  York 
press  interview.  At  right  and  left  are  Roberto  Socas, 
PRC  export  manager,  and  Arthur  Greenblatt, 
sales  vice-president. 


HERMAN  LEVY,  of  New 
Haven,  executive  secretary  of 
the  Connecticut  MPTO,  and 
recently  elected  general  counsel 
of  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre 
Owners  of  America. 


SATISFYING  AMERICA'S  DEMAND  FOR  WESTERN  ROMANCE 


■  SELLING  A  PERSONALITY,  instead  of  a  picture,  makes  Republic's 
national  24-sheet  campaign  for  Roy  Rogers,  its  Western  star,  unigue  in 
modern  industry  advertising. 


May    22,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


15 


COURT  DECREE  DISSOLVES 
CRESCENT  AFFILIATION 


Film  Franchises  Voided, 
Ownership  Divestment 
Ordered  in  Year 

Judge  Elmer  D.  Davies,  in  Federal  Dis- 
trict Court  at  Nashville,  Term.,  late  Tuesday 
handed  down  a  decree  enjoining  the  Cres- 
cent Amusement  Company  and  six  affiliated 
firms  from  continuing  the  competitive  prac- 
tices for  which  they  were  brought  to  trial 
and  convicted  by  the  Department  of  Justice 
under  the  Sherman  anti-trust  act. 

The  decree  invalidated  all  existing  film 
franchises  entered  into  by  the  defendant 
exhibitors,  except  those  relating  to  thea- 
tres in  Nashville. 

It  also  ordered  divestment,  within  a 
year,  of  interlocking  ownership  among 
the  defendant  corporations,  and  in  large 
measure  granted  the  relief  demanded  by 
Government  lawyers. 

The  seven  defendant  companies,  operat- 
ing numerous  theatres  in  Tennessee,  Ken- 
tucky and  Alabama,  are  the  Crescent 
Amusement  Company,  Cumberland  Amuse- 
ment Company,  Muscle  Shoals  Theatres, 
Inc.,  Rockwood  Amusements,  Inc.,  Kentucky 
Amusement  Company,  Cherokee  Amuse- 
ments, Inc.,  and  Lyric  Amusement  Com- 
pany, Inc. 

The  decree,  issued  in  a  civil  anti-trust 
suit  instituted  by  the  Government  on  August 
11,  1939,  dismissed  Universal  Film  Ex- 
changes, Inc.,  a  distributor  defendant. 

United  Artists  Corporation,  the  remain- 
ing distributor  defendant,  was  enjoined  from 
"continuing  in  combination"  with  certain  of 
the  exhibitor  defendants  "to  eliminate  inde- 
pendent theatre  competition"  at  Rogersville, 
Tenn.,  and  at  Athens,  Ala. 

Major  Anti-Trust  Victory 
For  Justice  Department 

Crescent  and  affiliates  were  restrained  from 
combining  its  closed  and  competitive  towns  in 
film  buying;  from  forcing  competitive  theatres 
to  sell  out;  or  coercing  independents  into 
abandoning  plans  to  compete  with  the  circuit. 
Costs  of  the  suit  were  charged  against  the 
circuit. 

At  Nashville  this  week  George  H.  Armi- 
stead,  Jr.,  Crescent  counsel,  indicated  that  the 
circuit  would  move  for  a  new  trial  within 
ten  days,  and  if  it  was  not  granted  would 
appeal.  United  Artists  and  Universal,  how- 
ever, are  expected  to  stand  by  their  decision 
to  let  the  case  rest.  Edward  Raftery,  UA 
president  and  counsel,  recently  said  that  the 
company  would  not  appeal,  in  view  of  the 
minor  situations  in  which  it  was  involved'. 

The  court  ordered  each  corporate  defendant 
to  divest  itself,  within  a  year,  of  the  ownership 
of  any  stock  or  other  interest  in  any  corporate 
defendant,  or  affiliated  corporation,  with  the 
exception  of  Strand  Enterprises,  Inc.,  which 
was  dismissed  some  time  ago  as  a  defendant. 

The  decree  was  based  on  findings  of  fact  and 
conclusions  of  law  handed  down  by  Judge  Da- 
vies  last  March  3rd.  It  was  viewed  then  as  a 
major  anti-trust  victory  for  the  Department  of 
Justice. 

On  March  3rd  Judge  Davies  declared,  "The 
defendant  exhibitors,  Crescent,  Muscle  Shoals, 


Rockwood,  Cumberland  and  Cherokee,  collec- 
tively violated  the  Sherman  Act  by  combining 
with  each  other  for  the  purpose  of  dividing  the 
territory  in  which  theatres  may  be  operated  by 
any  of  them  pursuant  to  implied  agreements 
among  themselves. 

They  combined  "for  the  purpose  and  with  the 
effect  of  eliminating,  suppressing  and  preventing 
independent  competition  in  the  territory  in 
which  each  operates,"  he  said. 

"The  said  defendant  exhibitors  have  violated 
the  Sherman  Act  by  combining  with  each  other, 
and  with  the  major  distributors,  Paramount, 
Fox,  Warners,  Loew's,  RKO  and  United  Art- 
ists, in  licensing  films  for  the  purpose  and  with 
the  effect  of  maintaining  their  theatre  monopo- 
lies, and  preventing  independent  theatres  from 
competing  with  them,"  the  Court  found. 

Officers  Participated 
In  Violations 

The  court  further  held  that  Anthony  Sude- 
kum,  as  president  of  Crescent,  Cumberland  and 
Lyric ;  Kermit  Stengel,  as  vice-president  of 
Cherokee  and  Kentucky,  assistant  to  Mr.  Sude- 
kum  in  managing  Crescent  and  president  of 
Rockwood,  and  Louis  Rosenbaum,  as  manager 
of  Muscle  Shoals,  had  participated  in  violations 
of  the  Sherman  Act. 

Mr.  Sudekum  was  required  to  resign  from 
all  defendant  companies  other  than  Crescent. 
Mr.  Stengel  was  limited  to  serving  as  officer 
of  only  one  defendant,  of  his  choice,  and  Mr. 
Rosenbaum,  a  partner  with  Mrs.  Sudekum  in 
Muscle  Shoals  Theatres  was  ordered  to  re- 
sign. The  order  is  expected  to  cut  Mr.  Sude- 
kum's  theatre  properties  from  more  than  ISO  to 
60  or  less. 

In  March,  the  Federal  judge  held  that  United 
Artists  "had  violated  the  Sherman  Act  by: 

"A.  Combining  with  Cumberland,  Rockwood 
and  Mr.  Stengel  to  eliminate  its  independent 
theatre  competition  at  Rogersville,  Tenn. 

"B.  Combining  with  Mr.  Rosenbaum,  Mr. 
Sudekum,  Rockwood,  and  Mr.  Stengel  to  elimi- 
nate independent  theatre  competition  of  Muscle 
Shoals,  at  Athens,  Ala." 

The  judge  said  that  "the  court  recognizes 
the  rule  that  a  distributor  of  motion  pic- 
ture film  is  perfectly  free  to  do  business 
with  the  exhibitor  of  its  choice  and  to 
negotiate  with  a  circuit  and  an  indepen- 
dent at  one  and  the  same  time,  and  to  sell 
either  one  it  prefers  to  do  business  with." 
He  ruled  further,  however,  that  "such 
conduct  must  be  free  of  discrimination 
against  independent  enterprise  as  a  result 
of  pressure  or  coercion  on  the  part  of  a 
monopoly  or  combination. 

"There  is  no  evidence  that  United  Artists 
entered  into  a  conspiracy  with  either  Crescent, 
Rockwood,  Cumberland,  Mr.  Sudekum,  Mr. 
Stengel  or  Mr.  Rosenbaum,  in  any  of  these 
matters,  yet  to  hold  there  was  no  discrimination 
in  either  of  the  above  instances  would  be  ignor- 
ing the  plain  facts. 

"Under  all  the  circumstances,  United  Artists 
could  be  hardly  blamed  for  preferring  to  do 
business  with  the  circuit  and  its  affiliates,  but 
it  should  not  have  allowed  such  desire  to  in- 
fluence its  conduct  to  the  extent  it  apparently 
did,  in  its  dealings  with  Miller  and  Buchanan," 
(William  P.  Miller,  who  at  one  time  operated 
an  independent  theatre  at  Rogersville,  Tenn., 
and  Max  Buchanan,  who  for  a  short  while  op- 
erated an  independent  theatre  at  Athens,  Ala.). 

"The  principal  criticism  for  this  situation, 
however,  lies  at  the  doorstep  of  the  monopoly 


built  up  by  Crescent  and  its  affiliates,  and  Unit- 
ed Artists  hardly  did  more  than  cooperate 
with  what  it  knew  to  be  the  policy  of  the  mon- 
opoly in  order  to  make  an  attractive  business 
deal." 

The  court  held  that  blanket  contracts  made 
by  United  Artists  for  61  other  situations  in 
1938-39  and  for  73  situations  in  1939-40  "re- 
flected the  usual  method  adopted  by  this  de- 
fendant for  licensing  its  films  and  were  not  in 
violation  of  the  Sherman  Act."  At  the  same 
time,  it  ruled  that  the  complaint  as  to  Univer- 
sal had  not  been  established. 

Held  Monopoly  Created 
And  Maintained 

It  was  held  that  the  exhibitor  defendants, 
Crescent  Amusement  Company,  Muscle  Shoals 
Theatres,  Rockwood  Amusements,  Cumberland 
and  Cherokee  Amusements  each  had  violated  the 
Sherman  Act  in  the  following  manner : 

"Creating  and  maintaining  an  unreasonable 
monopoly  of  the  business  of  operating  theares 
in  the  towns  of  Tennessee,  Northern  Alabama 
and  Central  and  Western  Kentucky,  in  which 
each  has  theatres. 

"Combining  its  closed  towns  with  its  competi- 
tive situations  in  licensing  films  for  the  purpose 
and  with  the  effect  of  compelling  the  major 
distributors  to  license  films  on  a  non-competi- 
tive basis  in  competitive  situations  and  to  dis- 
criminate against  its  independent  competitors  in 
licensing  films. 

"Coercing  or  attempting  to  coerce  indepen- 
dent operators  into  selling  out  to  it,  or  to  aban- 
don plans  to  compete  with  it  by  predatory 
practices." 

The  defendants,  the  court  found,  "violated  the 
Sherman  Act  by  combining  with  each  other 
and  with  each  of  the  distributors.  Paramount, 
Twentieth  Century-Fox  and  Warner  Bros,  in 
making  franchises  with  the  purpose  and  effect 
of  maintaining  their  theatre  monopolies  and  pre- 
venting independent  theatres  from  competing 
with  them. 

Calls  Franchises  Contracts 
In  Restraint  of  Trade 

"The  franchises  entered  into  between  the  co- 
conspirators, Paramount,  Twentieth  Century- 
Fox  and  Warners,  and  the  defendant  exhibitors 
are  contracts  in  restraint  of  trade  or  commerce 
among  the  several  states,  tending  to  perpetuate 
the  monopolies  of  the  defendant  exhibitors  in- 
volved, foreclosing  competition  by  independent 
exhibitors,  with  the  defendant  exhibitors  in  the 
licensing  of  film  over  large  areas  for  long 
periods  of  time,"  the  court  added. 

Paramount  Pictures,  Inc.,  Paramount  Film 
Distributing  Corporation,  Loew's,  Inc.,  RKO, 
Warner  Brothers  Pictures,  Inc.,  Vitagraph, 
Inc.,  Twentieth  Century-Fox  Film  Corporation, 
Universal  Pictures  Company,  Inc.,  Universal 
Film  Exchanges,  Inc.,  United  Artists  Corpora- 
tion and  Columbia  Pictures  Corporation  were 
listed  as  motion  picture  film  distributor  defen- 
dants to  the  civil  anti-trust  suit  when  it  was 
filed  by  the  government  on  August  11,  1939. 

Several  months  later,  Paramount,  Loew's, 
Inc.,  RKO,  Warner  Brothers  and  Twentieth 
Century-Fox  were  stricken  from  the  list  of  de- 
fendants at  the  instance  of  the  Government, 
after  the  Consent  Decree  had  been  signed  with 
them  in  the  basic  anti-trust  suit  in  New  York. 

A  defense  motion  for  dismissal  of  the  suit  as 
to  Universal  Pictures  Company,  Inc.,  was 
granted  by  Judge  Davies  on  August  5,  1941, 
during  the  trial.  On  August  8,  1941,  a  similar 
motion  was  granted  as  to  Columbia  Pictures 
Corporation.  This  left  only  Universal  Film 
(Continued  on  following  page,  column  1) 


16 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    22,  1943 


Court  Orders 
Crescent  Circuit 
To  Dissolve 

(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

Exchanges,  Inc.,  and  United  Artists  Corpora- 
tion as  distributor  defendants. 

Following  nearly  two  years  of  preliminary 
legal  skirmishing  the  trial  got  under  way  on 
July  7,  1941.  In  the  third  week  of  the  hear- 
ing, Judge  Davies  commented  from  the  bench 
in  reference  to  Crescent  that  "there  is  not  a 
strong  prima  facie  case  of  conspiracy  so  far." 
As  the  case  moved  on,  however,  Government 
attorneys  introduced  a  mass  of  evidence  and 
called  many  industry  witnesses.  More  than  a 
month  was  required  to  complete  the  presenta- 
tion of  proof. 

The  record  of  the  trial  covered  more  than 
5,000  pages  and  included  approximately  1,000,- 
000  words.  In  addition,  hundreds  of  exhibits 
were  filed,  including  photographs  of  theatres, 
home  office  letters,  telegrams,  contracts  and 
other  documents. 

Many  officials  of  film  distributing  companies 
were  among  those  testifying.    They  included: 

Harry  L.  Gold,  the  vice-president  and  eastern 
sales  manager  of  United  Artists ;  Oscar  A. 
Morgan,  sales  manager  of  Paramount  short  sub- 
jects and  former  Atlanta,  Ga.,  district  manager; 
Paul  N.  Lazarus,  manager  of  the  contract  de- 
partment of  United  Artists ;  Ben  Kalmenson, 
then  southern  and  western  sales  manager  for 
Warners ;  W.  J.  Kupper,  then  western  sales 
manager,  and  Paul  S.  Wilson,  Atlanta  branch 
manager  for  Twentieth  Century-Fox ;  and  Neil 
Agnew,  vice-president  in  charge  of  sales  for 
Paramount. 

Growth  of  the  Crescent  Circuit  and  affiliates 
formed  the  subject  of  much  of  the  testimony 
during  the  hearing.  The  Government  intro- 
duced a  number  of  exhibitor  witnesses  who  con- 
tended that  they  were  forced  to  sell  or  go  out 
of  business  as  independent  theatre  operators 
because  of  allegedly  unfair  competition  by  circuit 
exhibitors.  Methods  of  contracting  for  films 
also  were  discussed  by  numerous  witnesses. 

Presentation  of  proof  was  completed  in  Au- 
gust, 1941,  and  arguments  of  counsel  were 
heard  in  December,  1941. 


Denies  Levey  Motion 

Federal  Judge  John  M.  Clancy  last  Friday 
decided  in  favor  of  Warner  Bros,  in  denying 
a  motion  by  counsel  for  Ethel  Levey,  actress 
and  former  wife  of  the  late  George  M.  Cohan, 
asking  that  records  be  produced  by  the  film 
company  in  connection  with  her  $500,000  dam- 
age suit.  The  plaintiff  has  charged  that  she 
was  depicted  in  the  film,  "Yankee  Doodle  Dan- 
dy," without  her  permission. 


Lieut.  Gottlieb  Reassigned 

Second  Lieut.  Robert  Gottlieb,  son  of  Dor- 
othy Day,  Tri- States  Theatre  Corporation,  pub- 
licity director  at  Des  Moines,  has  been  ap- 
pointed assistant  director,  under  Captain  Glen 
Miller,  who  has  charge  of  all  music  activities 
of  the  Army  Air  Corps  technical  training  com- 
mand with  headquarters  at  Knollwood  field, 
Southern  Pines,  N.  C. 


Miss  Amoury  Assigned 

Daisy  Amoury,  formerly  of  the  New  York 
Herald  Tribune,  has  become  a  member  of  the 
staff  of  the  motion  picture  division  of  American 
Foreign  Language  Press,  of  which  Sigmund 
Gottlober  is  director.  Miss  Amoury  will  also 
work  with  the  Foreign  Language  Press  Film 
Critics  Circle.   

Lease  Carnegie  Playhouse 

Martin  J.  Lewis  and  Erwin  Lesser,  operators 
of  a  number  of  art  theatres  in  New  York,  have 
leased  the  Little  Carnegie  Playhouse  in  partner- 
ship with  the  Goldberg  Brothers,  operators  of 
the  Studio  theatre  in  Philadelphia. 


FILM  DELIVERIES  UP 
20  TO  40  PER  CENT 

A  survey  by  the  Railway  Express 
Agency  discloses  that  program  film 
deliveries  to  theatres  in  areas  served 
by  exchange  offices  have  increased 
from  20  to  40  per  cent  so  far  this 
year.  Due  to  war  conditions,  films  are 
scheduled  so  closely  in  some  instances 
that  exchange  men  must  meet  trains 
to  pick  up  film  for  relabeling  and  im- 
mediate further  shipment,  the  Agency 
said.  The  survey  also  notes  that  Army 
and  Navy  camps  are  now  among  the 
country's  leading  film  distributors.  In 
the  case  of  newsreel  films,  Air  Express 
is  used  extensively  to  expedite  ship- 
ment. 


MGM  Sets  Openings  of 
"Bataan"  in  I  I  Cities 

MGM  this  week  announced  that  the  Warner 
theatre,  Youngstown,  Ohio,  had  been  added  to 
the  list  of  Decoration  Day  premieres  of  "Ba- 
taan." The  all-male  picture,  starring  Robert 
Taylor,  will  open  simultaneously  that  day  at 
Akron,  Baltimore,  Dayton,  Columbus,  Cleve- 
land, Norfolk,  Providence,  Richmond,  Buffalo 
and  Washington,  D.  C. 

RKO-Radio  reported  this  week  that  "Hitler's 
Children,"  which  opened  May  10th  in  Rio  de 
Janeiro,  and  was  playing  day  and  date  in  five 
theatres  there,  set  a  new  all-time  opening  day 
box  office  record,  according  to  a  cable  received 
by  Ned  E  Depinet,  president  of  the  company, 
from  Phil  Reisman,  RKO  vice-president  in 
charge  of  foreign  distribution,  who  is  now  in 
South  America.  The  picture  topped  "Saludos 
Amigos,"  previous  record-holder,  by  55  per 
cent. 

"My  Friend  Flicka,"  Twentieth  Century-Fox 
film,  will  open  at  the  Roxy  theatre,  New  York, 
next  Wednesday,  May  26th,  following  the  run 
of  "Crash  Dive."  "Show  Business  at  War,"  the 
latest  March  of  Time  release,  distributed  by 
20th-Fox,  opened  at  the  Radio  City  Music  Hall 
on  Thursday  of  this  week.  First  award  of  the 
new  Victory  Flag  of  the  U.  S.  Maritime  Serv- 
ice was  presented  Warner  Bros,  for  its  film, 
"Action  in  the  North  Atlantic,"  a  story  of 
fighting  American  merchant  seamen  on  convoy 
duty.  Presentation  of  the  war  pennant  was 
made  on  Friday  when  the  picture  opened  at 
the  Strand  theatre,  New  York.  A  group  of 
seamen,  all  survivors  of  torpedoed  ships  on 
convoy  runs,  was  expected  to  attend. 

Judge  Fines  Tacoma  Group 
$5,000  for  WPB  Violation 

Judge  Charles  H.  Leavy  last  week  in  Tacoma, 
Wash.,  found  the  Tacoma  Sportsmen's  Associa- 
tion guilty  of  violating  War  Production  Board 
regulations  by  remodeling  its  club  rooms.  The 
Association  was  fined  $5,000. 

Testimony  before  the  court,  it  was  reported, 
revealed  that  about  $900  worth  of  critical  ma- 
terials was  used  on  the  remodeling  job.  Coun- 
sel for  the  Association  asked  for  dismissal  of 
the  charges  on  the  ground  that  the  materials 
were  in  the  hands  of  the  contractor  before  the 
WPB  order  was  issued. 


Leaves  Estate  to  Wife 

A  statement  filed  in  a  San  Francisco  court 
last  week  disclosed  that  the  estate  of  the  late 
Aaron  Goldberg,  operator  of  the  Goldberg  cir- 
cut  on  the  coast,  amounted  to  more  than  $205,- 
000.  The  bulk  of  the  estate  was  left  to  his 
widow,  Rita,  who  has  taken  over  operation  of 
the  circuit. 


WAC  Leads  Film 
Group  at  4-A9s 
War  Conference 

The  War  Activities  Committee  will  repre- 
sent the  motion  picture  industry  at  the  wartime 
meeting  of  all  branches  of  the  entertainment 
world  at  the  Hotel  Edison  in  New  York  on 
June  3-4. 

The  Associated  Actors  and  Artistes  of 
America,  sponsors  of  the  program,  already  has 
called  conferences  with  representatives  of  all 
talent  unions,  war  agencies  including  the  Amer- 
ican Theatre  Wing,  USO-Camp  Shows,  Hol- 
lywood Victory  Committee  and  War  Writers 
Board,  also  members  of  the  theatrical  press,  the 
Dramatists'  Guild,  Radio  Writers'  Guild, 
Screen  Writers'  Guild,  advertising  agencies 
handling  amusement  copy,  ASCAP,  screen, 
stage  and  radio  producers  and  the  many 
branches  of  the  4-A's. 

Serving  as  co-chairmen  of  the  planning  com- 
mittee are  James  Cagney,  president  of  the 
Screen  Actors'  Guild ;  Bert  Lytell,  president  of 
Actors'  Equity  Association,  and  Lawrence  Tib- 
bett,  president  of  both  the  American  Federation 
of  Radio  Artists  and  the  American  Guild  of 
Musical  Artists.  The  committee  will  appoint 
representatives  from  all  branches  of  the  enter- 
tainment field  who  will  meet  at  the  Hotel  Edi- 
son to  develop  methods  of  increasing  the  serv- 
ice to  the  country  of  talent  and  to  mobilize 
its  forces  for  the  war  effort. 

A  principal  matter  to  be  discussed  at  the  con- 
ference will  be  the  essentiality  of  the  entertain- 
ment industry.  The  conference,  however,  "will 
ask  no  favors  and  shirk  no  responsibilities"  in 
the  formation  of  the  programs,  it  was  said.  A 
feature  of  the  conference  will  be  the  dramatized 
demonstrations  of  accomplishments  of  the  Hol- 
lywood Victory  Committee,  the  Theatre  Wing. 
Camp  Shows,  Lunch  Hour  Follies  and  others. 

Through  the  elaborate  program,  the  enter- 
tainment world  hopes  to  make  its  essential 
members  secure  from  "raids"  by  war  industries 
or  from  agencies  now  exerting  pressure  on 
such  persons  to  transfer  into  jobs  classified  as 
essential  by  the  War  Manpower  Commission,  it 
was  said. 

The  4-A's  on  Monday  elected  Paul  Dulzell 
president  of  the  organization,  a  post  which  had 
been  vacant  since  the  death  of  Frank  Gillmore 
several  months  ago.  Other  officers  elected  were 
Jean  Greenfield  of  the  Hebrew  Actors  Union, 
first  vice-president ;  Kenneth  Thomson,  Screen 
Actors'  Guild,  second  vice-president ;  Ruth 
Richmond,  Chorus  Equity  Association,  treasur- 
er, and  George  Heller,  American  Federation 
of  Radio  Actors,  executive  secretary.  All  of- 
ficers were  elected  for  two-year  terms. 

ITOA  Hires  James  Walker 
For  Fight  on  Rentals 

James  J.  Walker,  former  Mayor  of  New 
York  City,  will  serve  as  special  counsel  to  the 
Independent  Theatre  Owners  Association  in  a 
fight  to  lower  film  rentals..  His  appointment 
was  announced  last  week  by  Max  A.  Cohen, 
chairman  of  the  resolutions  committee,  and 
Harry  Brandt,  president  of  the  association. 

Mr.  Walker  will  act  as  a  part  time  adviser 
and  attorney  for  the  ITOA  in  its  fight  to  lower 
film  rentals  in  New  York.  He  is  also  impartial 
chairman  of  the  National  Coat  and  Suit  Indus- 
try Recovery  Board. 

A  second  protest  against  film  rentals  in  the 
New  York  metropolitan  area  was  filed  last  week 
by  about  40  Brooklyn  independent  theatre  men. 
In  a  statement  issued  by  the  Unaffiliated  Inde- 
pendent Exhibitors,  Inc.,  at  New  York  they 
warned  distributors  that  unless  rentals  were 
reduced  they  would  face  Government  regula- 
tion and  anti-trust  prosecution  by  many  '  ex- 
hibitors. 

Julian  Charnow,  Jesse  Stern  and  Jack  Leff 
are  officers  of  Unaffiliated  Exhibitors. 


May    2  2,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


17 


COLUMBIA  PLANS  44  FILMS 
PRC  42  NEXT  SEASON 


Columbia's  Budget  Double 
1940-41;  Montague  Cites 
Extra  Playing  Time 

New  season  production  schedules  were 
announced  during  the  past  week  by  Colum- 
bia Pictures  and  Producers  Releasing  Cor- 
poration. Columbia  will  release  a  minimum 
of  44  films,  four  less  than  the  number  an- 
nounced for  the  1942-43  season.  PRC  has 
scheduled  42  pictures,  the  same  number  re- 
leased last  year,  with  concentration  on  high- 
er-budget features.  Thus  far,  1943-44  prod- 
uct plans  have  been  announced  by  Mono- 
gram, Republic,  Twentieth  Century-Fox  and 
United  Artists.  Official  word  is  still  to  come 
from  MGM,  Paramount,  RKO,  Universal 
and  Warner  Bros. 

Meanwhile,  home  office  executives  indi- 
cated this  week  that  few,  if  any,  reissues 
would  be  released  in  the  U.  S.  this  sum- 
mer. Foreign  department  officials,  however, 
disclosed  that  distributors  are  continuing  the 
reissue  policy  for  England,  Australia,  New 
Zealand,  Central  and  South  America  and 
other  territories.    See  following  page. 

At  Columbia's  three-day  sales  convention 
last  week  in  Chicago  at  the  Drake  Hotel, 
which  concluded  last  Friday,  full  discussion 
of  the  company's  plans  for  the  1943-44  sea- 
son was  held.  A.  Montague,  general  sales 
manager,  presided  at  the  sessions,  and  told 
the  company's  sales  force  from  the  mid-west 
and  south  that  Columbia's  production 
budget  for  the  new  season  would  be  double 
that  of  1940-41,  due  to  the  encouragement 
received  from  extra  playing  time  given  its 
"AA"  productions  in  the  past  three  seasons. 

High  Budget  Pictures 
On  Columbia  List 

Mr.  Montague  disclosed  that  3,600  days  of 
extra  playing  time  had  been  accorded  to  'My 
Sister  Eileen,"  "The  Talk  of  the  Town,"  "You 
Were  Never  Lovelier,"  "Commandos  Strike 
at  Dawn"  and  "Something  to  Shout  About." 

On  next  season's  schedule,  he  said,  would 
be  16  high-budget  pictures  classified  as  "AA's" 
and  two  others,  classified  as  "BB's,"  which  will 
be  sold  separately  after  trade  screenings.  One 
of  the  latter  was  identified  as  Sam  Y\  ood's 
"The  Land  Is  Bright."  Identity  of  the  second 
was  not  disclosed.  Mr.  Montague  pointed  out 
that  Columbia's  decision  to  adhere  to  a  large 
new  season  release  schedule  was  believed  to  be 
particularly  significant  in  the  face  of  decreasing 
releases  from  other  companies. 

A  survey  of  exhibitor  opinion  has  resulted  in 
a  decision  to  continue  with  Westerns  and  se- 
rials, with  a  special  series  of  Western  produc- 
tions starring  Charles  Starrett  planned.  Mr. 
Montague  announced  last  Friday.  The  result  of 
extended  runs  is  felt  to  have  created  a  bottle- 
neck for  certain  groups  of  theatres  that  ordi- 
narily follow  them  and  a  supply  for  this  market 
is  planned,  he  said. 

PRC  Will  Produce 
Several  Musicals 

Columbia's  general  sales  manager  also  said 
that  it  is  expected  the  trend  will  be  away  from 
war  pictures,  with  comedy  and  musical  produc- 
tions emphasized. 

Of  the  total  of  42  pictures  scheduled  for 


Majors  Plan  No  Return  to  Full 
Season  Sales  Procedure 

Sales  executives  of  the  major  distributors  express  little  interest  in  proposals  that 
the  industry  return  to  the  full  season  sales  method  advanced  by  the  Motion  Picture 
Theatre  Owners  of  America  and  Allied  States  Association  at  recent  meetings. 
They  indicated  that  such  a  change  was  not  even  under  discussion. 

None  of  the  companies  which  are  party  to  the  New  York  Consent  Decree  has  as 
yet  made  plans  for  the  1943-44  selling  season,  a  check  of  the  MGM,  Paramount, 
RKO,  Warners  and  Twentieth  Century- Fox  home  offices  disclosed.  Although 
refusing  to  be  quoted,  several  officials  indicated,  however,  that  they  probably 
would  stick  to  a  sales  formula  quite  similar  to  the  small  block  pattern  in  use  this  year. 

"The  trade  show  system  and  small  block  selling  have  helped  most  exhibitors," 
one  official  said.  He  estimated  that  pictures  were  at  least  50  per  cent  better  than 
in  years  when  all  companies  produced  large  numbers  of  "B"  films.  Small  block  sell- 
ing has  stimulated  competition  among  distributors,  he  asserted,  and  has  given  the 
exhibitor  a  chance  to  make  more  frequent  selection  in  his  program. 

Another  official  said  that  the  blocks  of  five  system  had  been  set  up  to  answer 
exhibitor  complaints  against  block  sales.  "Now  they  want  something  else,"  he  said. 
He  estimated  that  the  unit  selling,  and  resulting  competition,  had  been  responsible 
at  least  in  part  for  better  theatre  grosses  throughout  the  country. 


production  during  1943-44  by  PRC,  Leon  From- 
kess,  vice-president  in  charge  of  production  for 
PRC,  said  the  company  would  produce  four  to 
six  musicals  and  the  usual  number  of  West- 
erns. Approximately  30  per  cent  of  the  prod- 
uct would  be  based  on  topical  material,  he  said. 
At  present,  PRC  is  three  months  ahead  on  its 
shooting  schedule  and  has  released  all  the  cur- 
rent season  product  except  "Jungle  Fury"  and 
"Career  Girl,"  scheduled  for  mid-summer  re- 
lease. 

Mr.  Fromkess,  who  is  in  the  east  conferring 
with  O.  Henry  Briggs,  president,  and  Arthur 
Greenblatt,  general  sales  manager,  said  the 
1943-44  budget  would  exceed  the  previous  one 
by  two  and  one-half  times.  He  also  announced 
that  Frank  Buck  had  been  signed  by  PRC 
for  one  of  the  new  season  films,  tentatively 
titled  "Tiger's  Fangs."  The  picture  will  be 
produced  by  Jack  Scwartz. 

20th-Fox  Sets  Releases 
For  Block  Ten 

Meanwhile,  release  dates  were  announced 
this  week  by  Tom  J.  Connors,  vice-president  in 
charge  of  sales  for  Twentieth  Century-Fox  for 
three  pictures  which  will  comprise  block  ten 
of  the  1942-43  schedule.  "The  Ox-Bow  In- 
cident" will  be  released  May  21st ;  "Jitterbugs," 
June  11th  and  "Coney  Island,"  June  18th.  No 
pictures  are  set  for  release  May  28th  or  June 
4th.  "Coney  Island"  will  be  tradeshown  in  all 
exchanges  May  26th,  the  company  said,  and 
in  the  New  York  area  a  special  screening  for 
exhibitors  was  held  on  Thursday  of  this  week. 
"Stormy  Weather,"  which  has  not  been  set  in 
any  block  as  yet  nor  assigned  a  release  date, 
also  will  be  trade  shown  May  26th. 

Ben  Kalmenson,  Warner  Bros,  general  sales 
manager,  announced  in  New  York  Tuesday 
that  Irving  Berlin's  "This  Is  the  Army,"  now 
nearing  completion  at  the  Burbank  studios,  will 
open  with  400  day-and-date  engagements  the 
week  of  July  23rd.  The  Broadway  openings  of 
the  film  tentatively  is  set  for  the  same  date  at 
the  New  York  Strand. 

Because  of  the  picture's  patriotic  nature  and 


the  fact  that  all  profits  will  go  to  the  Army 
Emergency  Relief  Fund,  the  company  decided 
to  distribute  it  immediately  following  its  com- 
pletion. An  extensive  advertising  and  exploita- 
tion campaign  is  planned. 

UA  Sales  Drive 
Runs  17  Weeks 

United  Artists  has  launched  a  sales  drive  in 
honor  of  Carl  Leserman,  general  sales  mana- 
ger, with  a  total  of  $25,000  in  War  Bonds  as 
prizes,  contributed  by  UA  producers.  An- 
nouncement of  the  drive  was  made  ■  over  the 
weekend  at  the  conclusion  of  the  company's 
eight  district  and  branch  manager  meetings  in 
New  York,  Boston,  Cleveland,  Chicago,  New- 
Orleans,  Kansas  City,  San  Francsico  and  To- 
ronto. 

The  drive  will  run  for  17  weeks  from  Mon- 
day, May  17th,  to  September  17th.  There  will 
be  72  prizes  awarded  for  the  best  showing 
against  the  total  paid  and  played  gross  on 
pictures  in  10  individual  units  at  the  end  of  the 
drive. 

Following  the  company's  sales  meetings  last 
week,  Mr.  Leserman  announced  in  New  York 
Tuesday  the  following  changes  in  sales  per- 
sonnel : 

With  the  recent  promotion  of  Edward 
Schnitzer  to  western  division  manager,  his 
former  territory  has  been  split  with  Sam  Lef- 
kowitz,  district  manager  in  charge  of  District 
One.  comprising  New  York,  Philadelphia  and 
Washington,  and  James  Winn,  in  charge  of 
District  Two,  covering  Boston,  New  Haven 
and  Buffalo. 

C.  W.  Allen,  former  New  Orleans  branch 
manager,  is  now  manager  at  Atlanta,  and  T. 
L.  Davis,  former  Atlanta  branch  manager,  has 
been  shifted  to  Mr.  Allen's  post.  Edward  Ash- 
kins  has  been  appointed  branch  manager  at  St. 
Louis,  succeeding  Mr.  Winn,  whose  headquar- 
ters are  now  in  Boston. 

Universal  announced  this  week  that  the  larg- 

( Continued  on  following  page,  column  3) 


18 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    2  2,     194  3 


Expect  Few  Reissues 
For  This  Summer 


Longer  Playing  Time,  Raw 
Stock  Cuts  Account  for 
Reissue  Limitation 

Few,  if  any,  reissues  by  major  distributors 
this  summer  were  expected,  a  check  of  home 
office  sales  departments  disclosed  this  week. 
Reissues  present  a  perennial  topic  which  re- 
ceives attention  at  this  time  of  year.  The 
policy,  to  which  most  distributors  have  ad- 
hered in  the  past,  particularly  during-  the 
summer  months,  to  tide  them  over  the  per- 
iod between  the  end  of  one  season  and  the 
launching  of  another,  probably  will  be 
abandoned  this  year,  according  to  sales  of- 
ficials. 

Despite  the  fact  that  fewer  pictures  were 
released  this  year  than  last,  due  to  raw  stock- 
restrictions,  it  was  pointed  out  that  with 
features  receiving  extended  playing  time  this 
year,  most  companies  could  stretch  the  re- 
mainder of  their  1942-43  product  until  the 
end  of  August.  Another  reason  advanced 
for  the  elimination  of  reissues  this  summer 
was  that  distributors  were  reluctant  to  use 
much-needed  raw  stock  for  print  production 
on  old  product. 

Although  Columbia,  MGM,  Paramount, 
RKO,  Twentieth  Century-Fox,  United 
Artists,  Universal  and  Warner  Bros,  have 
made  no  official  announcement  on  reissues 
this  year,  it  was  indicated  that  each  com- 
pany considered  the  balance  of  its  1942-43 
product,  some  of  which  had  been  announced 
for  release  during  June,  July  or  August, 
would  carry  it  through  to  the  beginning  of 
the  new  season. 

"Union  Pacific"  Reissue 
Under  Discussion 

It  was  considered  likely,  however,  that  if 
any  distributor  decided  to  release  a  reissue 
this  summer,  the  picture  probably  would  be 
one  which  starred  a  prominent  male  actor 
whose  military  service  had  reduced  his  screen 
appearances  over  the  past  year.  A  tentative 
reissue  of  "Union  Pacific"  for  late  this  summer, 
was  said  to  be  under  discussion  at  Paramount. 

Republic,  for  example,  scheduled  reissues  re- 
cently of  eight  Gene  Autry  pictures,  following 
the  singing  cowboy's  entry  into  the  armed 
services.  The  company  also  is  distributing  two 
1939-40  features.  "Dark  Command"  and  "In 
Old  Missouri,"  both  of  which,  it  was  pointed 
out,  are  not  strictly  in  the  "reissue  classifica- 
tion." The  former  film  stars  Claire  Trevor, 
John  Wayne,  Walter  Pidgeon  and  Roy  Rodgers, 
four  stars  who  have  since  risen  to  screen 
prominence.  "In  Old  Missouri"  features  Alan 
Ladd,  the  Paramount  meteor,  whose  early 
Hollywood  pictures  have  been  in  great  demand, 
according  to  reports. 

Reissues  at  Usual  Level 
In  Foreign  Market 

Contrary  to  the  dimming  of  reissue  films  on 
the  home  front,  product  of  major  companies 
is  being  reissued  in  England,  Australia,  New 
Zealand,  South  America  and  other  territories 
in  the  foreign  market.  Warner  Bros,  recently 
released  four  of  its  old  pictures  in  England,  in- 
cluding "Anthony  Adverse,"  "It's  Love  I'm 
After,"  "Captain  Blood"  and  "Angels  With 
Dirty  Faces."  All  four  features  are  heavily 
loaded  with  popular  screen  stars. 

Last  January  9th,  Motion  Picture  Herald 


WARNERS  PRODUCE 
WESTERNS  AGAIN 

For  the  first  time  since  the  Dick 
Foran  series  in  1936-1937,  Warner 
Bros,  have  resumed  production  of 
Western  pictures.  The  films  will  be 
released  next  season,  it  was  learned 
in  Hollywood  this  week.  The  new 
Western  series  will  be  "tabloid"  two- 
reel  films.  The  first  two  of  the  series 
are  now  in  production  and  all  the 
two-reelers  will  be  sold  under  the 
direction  of  Norman  Moray,  short 
subjects  general  sales  manager,  ac- 
cording to  reports. 


reported  from  London  that  British  producers 
were  preparing  to  reissue  sufficient  pictures  to 
necessitate  special  departments,  in  order  to  alL 
leviate  an  increasing  product  shortage.  Dis- 
cussions of  the  policy  occurred  at  that  time  in 
the  Kinematograph  Renters  Society.  Anglo- 
American  Pictures  formed  a  reissue  section, 
with  Kenneth  Nyman,  president  of  the  Cinema- 
tograph Exhibitors  Association  in  charge  of  the 
new  division. 

A  foreign  department  official  said  this  week 
that  the  reason  for  the  continued  reissue  policy 
this  year  is  that  distributors  have  been  trying 
to  balance  the  war  theme  pictures  of  this  sea- 
son with  out-and-out  entertainment  pictures  of 
previous  years.  He  estimated  that  reissues  of 
all  major  companies  in  the  foreign  market 
currently  is  at  about  the  same  level  of  former 
years. 

It  has  been  noted,  however,  that  Warner 
Bros,  with  fewer  pictures  produced  this  year 
compared  to  any  other  company,  probably  will 
lead  in  number  of  reissues  for  the  foreign 
market. 

Universal  has  released  "Back  Street," 
starring  Irene  Dunne ;  "Imitation  of  Life," 
"Only  Yesterday,"  "The  Magnificent  Obses- 
sion," "You're  a  Sweetheart,"  "Invisible  Man" 
and  "Frankenstein  the  Mummy."  RKO's  re- 
issues for  foreign  territory  include  "Love 
Affair,'^  "King  Kong,"  "The  Last  Days  of 
Pompeii"  and  "Gunga  Din."  Two  or  three 
features  from  former  seasons  have  been  re- 
leased for  foreign  distribution  by  other  major 
companies. 


RKO  Service  Bulletin 


H 


as  oouvenir 


Issue 


The  RKO  monthly  bulletin,  Salute,  published 
as  a  service  to  former  employees  now  in  the 
armed  forces,  has  issued  its  Souvenir  Number 
on  the  occasion  of  its  first  anniversary,  which 
occurs  next  month. 

The  May  issue,  of  68  pages,  contains  the 
names  of  850  RKO  personnel  who  are  with  the 
fighting  forces.  The  publication  is  a  supple- 
ment of  RKO's  Flash,  the  company's  sales 
house  organ.  It  is  edited  by  Jack  Level  under 
the  supervision  of  S.  Barret  McCormick,  ad- 
vertising and  publicity  director,  who  conceived 
the  idea. 


Columbia,  PRC 
Set  Films  for 
New  Season 

(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

est  advertising  budget  in  the  company's  history 
has  been  set  aside  for  campaigns  on  the  balance 
of  1942-43  product  and  for  the  productions 
which  will  launch  the  1943-44  season.  It  was 
said  that  more  than  $650,000  would  be  spent 
on  the  following  four  features  to  be  released 
next  season :  "We've  Never  Been  Licked,"  Wal- 
ter Wanger's  production ;  Howard  Hawk's 
"Corvettes  in  Action" ;  George  Waggner's 
Technicolor  production,  "Phantom  of  the 
Opera,"  and  Felix  Jackson's  latest  Deanna  Dur- 
bin  vehicle,  "Hers  to  Hold."  The  advertising 
funds  will  be  divided  between  newspaper  and 
magazine  space  and  radio  time.  "For  All  We 
Know,"  the  Charles  Boyer-Julien  Duvivier  pro- 
duction, will  be  Universal's  lead-off  film  for  the 
new  season,  according  to  the  announcement. 

It  has  been  indicated  that  all  major  com- 
panies will  continue  to  use  radio  extensively 
for  advertising  and  exploitation  campaigns. 
This  week,  Paramount  announced  a  radio  cam- 
paign for  "Five  Graves  to  Cairo,"  as  part  of 
the  selling  plan  in  29  key  cities  where  the 
picture  will  be  pre-released  in  May  and  June. 
The  company  has  purchased  time  on  local  sta- 
tions for  programs  of  one  minute  to  15  minutes, 
and  the  station  breaks  which  Paramount  pur- 
chases regularly  for  leading  attractions  are 
being  augmented  for  this  picture. 

Taking  full  advantage  of  the  timeliness  of 
the  North  African  campaign,  the  radio  spots 
will  tie  in  with  the  news  as  it  develops  from 
day  to  day.  Prepared  up  to  the  deadline,  the 
newscasts  will  be  integrated  with  messages 
concerning  the  picture.  All  programs  will  be 
timed  to  start  several  days  before  the  opening 
of  "Cairo,"  the  first  breaking  Friday,  May 
21st.  In  New  York,  the  picture  is  scheduled  to 
follow  "China"  at  the  Paramount  theatre  on 
May  26th. 

Neil  Agnew,  vice-president  in  charge  of  dis- 
tribution of  Paramount,  announced  on  Wednes- 
day the  next  group  of  five  pictures  for  Para- 
mount release.  The  pictures  are :  "So  Proudly 
We  Hail,"  "Dixie,"  "Submarine  Alert,"  "Henry 
Aldrich  Swings  It"  and  "Alaska  Highway." 

Delegates  from  the  Atlanta,  Charlotte,  New 
Orleans  and  Memphis  branches  attended  the 
Monogram  regional  sales  meeting  last  Saturday 
and  Sunday  at  Atlanta. 

A  second  regional  meeting  will  be  held  June 
1st  in  New  York,  to  be  attended  by  executives 
from  that  city,  Boston,  Albany,  Buffalo,  Phila- 
delphia, Washington,  and  Pittsburgh. 


Branson  To  Attend  RKO 
Omaha  Sales  Meeting 

Walter  E.  Branson,  western  division  sales 
manager  for  RKO,  who  held  conferences  this 
week  in  Chicago  with  Sam  Gorelick,  the  city's 
branch  manager,  will  attend  a  sales  meeting  of 
the  prairie  district  managers  this  weekend. 

Among  the  managers  who  are  to  attend  will 
be  L.  E.  Goldhammer,  prairie  district  man- 
ager ;  L.  Elman,  Des  Moines  branch  manager ; 
C.  J.  Dressell,  Minneapolis  branch  manager ; 
K.  G.  Howe,  Omaha  branch  manager,  and  S. 
W.  Fitch,  Sioux  Falls  branch  manager. 


Iowa  Theatre  Burns 

A  fire  recently  destroyed  the  Dunlap  theatre 
in  Dunlap,  la.  Damage  was  estimated  at 
$20,000. 


Order  Legal  Fee  Paid 

Fanchon  &  Marco,  St.  Louis  theatre  opera- 
tors, must  pay  $42,800  more  in  legal  fees  to 
John  S.  Leahy,  St.  Louis  attorney,  and  his  two 
associates,  the  Missouri  Supreme  Court  ruled 
in  a  recent  decision.  Mr.  Leahy  represented 
the  Fanchon  &  Marco  interests  in  1934  in  liti- 
gation growing  out  of  a  film  booking  and  thea- 
tre lease  dispute. 


May    22  ,     I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


O  X  THE  MARCH 


by  RED  KANN 


HOLLYWOOD 

THIS  is  plotted  as  a  trip  around  the  world  without  expense 
or  passport.    If  you  will  stay  with  it  long  enough,  the 
itinerary  will  take  you  on  land  and  over  it,  on  the  sea  and 
under  it  and  into  the  occupied  countries  as  well.    Quite  a  thing, 
but  Hollywood  has  done  it  and,  by  its  own  declaration,  intends 
repeating. 
It's  like  this. 

In  length,  two  weeks  ago  this  page  dove  from  a  springboard 
into  the  deep  waters  of  war  films.  It  was  a  job  to  reach  the  sur- 
face without  staying  down  for  the  third  time.  But  it  was  man- 
aged, which  must  make  a  lot  of  exhibitors  wonder  how. 

This  week  finds  us  splashing  around  in  the  same  cove  again, 
parting  the  waves  and  thinking  what  the  wild  ones  are  saying. 
As  it  turns  out,  they  are  saying  many  things  about  the  present 
and  the  days  to  come. 

Now  that  the  metaphors  are  nicely  mixed  between  hypotheti- 
cal swimming  and  typewriter  traveling,  what  comes  up  is : 

A  cycle  in  bloom  on  North  Africa,  precipitated  by  "Casablan- 
ca" and  followed  by  "Five  Graves  to  Cairo,"  with  "Desert  Vic- 
tory," the  real  thing,  in  middle  position.  Columbia  has  complet- 
ed "Somewhere  in  the  Saraha" ;  Warner  plans  "Brazzaville"; 
RKO,  "The  Fanatic  of  Fez" ;  20th-Fox,  "Battle  Stations,"  "Four 
Jills  in  a  Jeep,"  "Salute  to  a  Lady,"  and  finished  is  "The  Desert 
Song,"  a  Warner  modernization  of  the  old  musical.  Now  that 
the  Allies  have  won  the  victory  in  Tunis,  who  knows  how  many 
more? 

A  cycle,  similarly  in  bloom,  on  Russia  and  precipitated,  of 
course,  by  "Mission  to  Moscow."  Metro  is  well  along  with  its 
entry,  simply  enough  titled  "Russia."  Columbia  has  "The  Boy 
from  Stalingrad"  ready.  Bearing  no  known  blood  tie  with  the 
boy  is  a  potential  for  UA  called  "The  Girl  from  Leningrad." 
Goldwyn  is  on  the  home  stretch  with  "North  Star,"  RKO  is  pre- 
paring "Revenge,"  which  is  a  graduation  from  "This  Is  Russia," 
while  20th-Fox's  futures  provide  for  "The  Snow  Is  Red"  and 
"Convoy  to  Murmansk"  and  Eddie  Small's  for  "Winter  Sol- 
diers." That  ought  to  emphasize  good  neighbor  relations  with 
the  Soviet  Union. 

Norway,  Points  East  and  West 

NORWAY  hangs  on.  "The  Moon  Is  Down"  is  one  about 
that  subjugated  nation.  "Edge  of  Darkness"  is  another 
and  a  third  is  "Commandos  Strike  at  Dawn."  Nothing 
daunted,  Columbia  has  "Attack  by  Night,"  which  not  only  deals 
with  Norway  again  but  with  commandos  as  well. 

Undertaking  nothing  by  halves  in  strict  observance  of  its  tra- 
ditions, Hollywood  is  now  aware  of  China.  First  awareness 
came  from  Republic  with  "The  Flying  Tigers"  and  from  Para- 
mount with  "Night  Plane  to  Chungking."  Now  it's  "China" 
from  this  latter  studio.  Competition  being  competition,  this 
brews:  "The  Story  of  China"  and  "I  Escaped  from  Hong 
Kong"  from  20th-Fox;  "Dragon  Seed"  from  Metro;  "China 
Sky"  from  RKO,  and  "God  Is  My  Co-Pilot"  from  Warner. 
What?  Nothing  from  Columbia,  Monogram,  PRC,  Republic, 
Universal  and  UA? 

The  Bataan  campaign,  now  reposing  disquietingly  in  contem- 
porary history,  is  in  for  plenty.  So  is  the  public.  Having  fin- 
ished "Bataan,"  Metro  is  working  on  "Cry  Havoc,"  which  is 
about  nurses,  and  talks  of  the  nearing  day  when  "They  Were 
Expendable"  will  be  made.  One  of  20th-Fox's  valued  properties 
is  "The  Eve  of  St.  Mark,"  the  successful  Broadway  stage  play 
for  which  you  may  be  looking  in  the  reasonably  near  future. 
Paramount's  bid  is  "So  Proudly  We  Hail."  It's  about  nurses, 
too,  and  it's  finished. 

Negotiating  the  jump  from  the  Far  East  to  the  Continent  in 
a  single  line  of  type,  you  are  now  in  France.  Liberty,  fraternity 
and  equality  evidently  carry  a  stirring  ring  to  the  residents  of 
Culver  City,  for  not  only  has  Metro  released  "Reunion  in 
France"  and  "Assignment  in  Brittany,"  it  also  plans  "A  Thou- 
sand Shall  Fall"  with  La  Balle  as  background.  Paramount,  on 
the  other  hand,  will  vie  with  two,  "Marseilles"  and  "Tomor- 
row's Harvest."  With  Warner  it  is  to  be  "Passage  to  Mar- 
seilles."   With  20th-Fox,  "The  Night  Is  Ending.'] 

You  are  now  over  the  border  into  Germany,  peering  down,  and 


it  could  be  with  decided  misgivings,  on  these  promises :  "The 
Hitler  Gang,"  from  Paramount ;  "Hitler's  Women"  from  Mono- 
gram; "Hitler's  Hatchet  Men"  from  Republic;  "The  Master 
Race"  from  E.  A.  Golden  and  RKO ;  "Dr.  Paul  Joseph  Goebbels, 
His  Life  and  Loves"  and  a  Himmler  biography  from  W.  R. 
Frank.  But  the  two  we  go  for  are  "The  Strange  Death  of  Adolf 
Hitler"  from  Universal  and  "The  Man  Who  Killed  Hitler" 
from  Erich  Pommer.  If  you  are  one  who  looks  for  causes,  go 
no  further  than  "Hitler's  Children"  for  your  answers. 

Slow  on  the  pickup,  for  reasons  not  apparent,  are  Japan  and 
yet  another  cycle.  But  it's  around,  and  growing.  To  wit: 
"Bombardier"  from  RKO  has  an  air  raid  on  Tokyo.  Walter 
Wanger  reflects  excitement  over  an  air  attack  on  a  Nip  carrier 
in  "We've  Never  been  Licked,"  about  to  come  from  Universal. 
In  work  at  RKO  is  "Behind  the  Rising  Sun."  In  contempla- 
tion at  Warner  is  "Destination,  Tokyo,"  at  Metro  "30  Seconds 
Over  Tokyo"  and  "Saigon,"  which  will  concern  itself  with  the 
invasion  of  Indo-China. 


Turkey,  Washington,  Diplomats,  Too 

ANTICIPATING  headlines  is  always  a  part  of  Holly- 
wood's strategy.  Warner  guessed  it  on  the  button  with 
"Casablanca"  and  cashed  in  on  the  extraordinary  coin- 
cidence of  the  Roosevelt-Churchill  conference.  That  same  studio 
may  do  it  again  on  Turkey  with  "Background  to  Danger,"  fin- 
ished and  ready  for  unfurling  at  any  moment.  However,  and 
demonstrating  cycles  are  not  patented  articles,  Paramount  will 
be  running  in  the  Turkish  sweepstakes  with  "Dateline — Istan- 
bul." Narrowing  the  area  to  the  unmistakable  will  be  Columbia 
with  one  merely  called  "Constantinople." 

"The  More  the  Merrier"  is  the  unquestioned  pacemaker  for 
three  more  about  Washington  in  war  times.  Columbia,  it  so 
happens,  is  backing  its  own  convictions  with  another,  currently 
dubbed  "Washington,  I  Love  You."  Paramount  eyes  this  cycle 
in  the  making  with  "Standing  Room  Only,"  a  title  with  which 
showmen  are  on  cordial  terms  these  days,  and  RKO  with  "Gov- 
ernment Girl." 

Foregone  as  a  conclusion,  of  course,  is  a  second  series  drawn 
from  the  experience  of  "Mission  to  Moscow,"  even  as  early  as 
now.  Politico-diplomatic  non-fiction  probably  is  as  good  a  mon- 
icker for  these  as  any,  as  highfalutin'  as  it  sounds,  Twentieth- 
Fox  is  quite  serious  about  a  film  based  on  the  excellent  diary 
of  the  late  William  E.  Dodd,  Ambassador  to  Germany,  and  in- 
tends making  it  as  "Through  Embassy  Eyes."  In  this  same 
corner  is  an  intention  to  produce  "In  Time  to  Come, "a  biography 
of  Woodrow  Wilson,  and  "Last  Train  from  Berlin,"  which 
sounds  as  if  it  will  come  through  as  a  documentary  although  one 
never  can  tell.  Somebody,  you  bank  it,  will  buy  Wendell  Will- 
kie's  enormous  seller,  "One  World."  Too  many  copies  have  been 
sold  for  the  studios  to  resist  it. 

Simmering  lightly  now  is  a  "good  neighbor"  cycle.  Twenti- 
eth-Fox is  shaping  up  a  musical  with  the  travelogue  title  of 
"Mexico  City,"  but  at  Republic  where  they  evidently  go  in  for 
large-scale  geography  will  be  a  musical  called  "Brazil."  On  the 
unusual  side  is  Warners'  pulling  off  Barney  Glazer  from  produc- 
tion of  "The  Animal  Kingdom"  to  hustle  him  off  to  South  Amer- 
ica on  a  mission  dealing  with  a  picture  about  all,  or  most,  anyway, 
of  the  Latin-American  sister  republics.  Watch  for  more  along 
the  "good  neighbor"  line. 

Split  between  comedy  and  straight  dramatic  treatment  looms  a 
lengthening  cycle  about  the  home  front.  This  one  appears  to  be 
covering  a  wide  sweep,  roaming  from  hasty  marriages  and  sol- 
dier-wives left  behind  ("War  Time  Brides,"  Republic)  to  com- 
munities depleted  of  men  and  how  women  make  the  adjustments 
("Girl's  Town,"  Paramount)  to  the  problems  of  army  wives 
("Paris,  Tenn.,"  Twentieth-Fox).  Thereafter,  from  nurses  at 
home  ("Ladies  in  Gray,"  M-G-M)  to  woman  at  large  and  her 
various  functions  in  war  as  told  best,  perhaps,  by  these  inten- 
tions: "Women  in  Uniform,"  M-G-M;  "Women  at  War,"  Co- 
lumbia; "For  Women  Only,"  Republic;  and  "Mary  Smith, 
U.S.A.,"  M-G-M.    By  minimum  count,  15  repose  in  this  bracket. 

Then,  of  course,  there  is  that  old  standby,  the  service  film.  It 
[Continued  on  page  22] 


"SUCCESS!" 


THE  PEOPLE'S  CHOICE  !— 
"THE  HUMAN  COMEDY" 

Of  all  the  thunderous  hits  in  the  success  annals  of  Metro -Goldwyn- 
Mayer,  we're  proudest  of  the  nationwide  triumph  of  "THE  HUMAN 
COMEDY."  When  you  play  this  great  box-office  attraction  you  will  expe- 
rience not  only  one  of  the  season's  biggest  hits,  but  you  will  enjoy  an  equally 
important  success  —  the  heart-felt  gratitude  and  good -will  of  your  patrons. 

(Have  you  booked  "Prelude  To  War"?) 


ENTERING  4th  MONTH! 

The  marvel  of  New  York's  show  business. 
Biggest  M-G-M  hit  in  Astor  history!  Word- 
of-mouth  keeps  it  continuously  successful. 
Imagine,  the  11th  week  beat  the  10th!  It's 
a  natural  for  hold-over  business. 


METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER 

presents  William  Saroyan's 


MICKEY  ROONEY 


FRANK  MORGAN 

JAMES  CRAIG  .  MARSHA  HUNT  •  FAY  BAINTER  •  RAY  COLLINS 
VAN  JOHNSON  •  DONNA  REED  •  JACK  JENKINS  •  DOROTHY 
MORRIS   •  JOHN  CRAVEN   •  ANN  AYARS   •   MARY  NASH 
HENRY  O'NEILL 

from  the  Story  by  William  Saroyon  — 
Sor»«n  Play  by  Howard  til  o  brook 

b>  CLARENCE  BROWN 


«WitH  all 


"TOBEY'S  PRAYER"  FAMOUS! 

Above  is  the  prayer  scene  from  "The  Human 
Comedy."  It  has  become  famous,  just  as  the 
Vicar's  speech  in  "Mrs.  Miniver"  was  re- 
printed everywhere.  Use  it  in  promotion. 

TOBEY'S  PRAYER: 

"Get  me  to  Ithaca  if  You  can.  Anything  You 
say,  but  get  me  home.  Protect  everybody  .  .  . 
keep  them  from  pain.  Send  the  homeless  to 
their  homes  .  .  .  get  me  to  Ithaca.  Keep  the 
town  .  .  .  don't  change  a  stick  of  it.  Let  me 
walk  through  its  streets  ...  let  me  see  it  as  it 
is.  Keep  the  Macauleys  ...  all  of  them.  Keep 
Bess  ...  let  her  know  that  I  love  her.  Keep 
Marcus  for  Mary.  Keep  Ma  and  Homer  and 
Ulysses.  Keep  the  house  and  empty  lot  next 
door.  Keep  the  harp,  the  piano,  the  songs. 
Save  everything  for  me.  Get  me  to  Ithaca 
if  You  can.  That's  all  I  guess." 


22 

Holdover  Record 
Set  by  'Merrier' 

Among  the  holdover  attractions  in  key  cities 
this  week  is  Columbia's  "The  More  the  Mer- 
rier," George  Stevens'  comedy  starring  Jean 
Arthur  and  Joel  McCrea.  According  to  the 
company,  the  film  has  chalked  up  the  greatest 
number  of  holdovers  ever  brought  in  by  a 
Columbia  picture  in  its  first  week  of  release. 
Two-week  holdovers  were  set  in  New  York, 
where  the  picture  is  playing  at  Radio  City 
Music  Hall ;  in  Pittsburgh,  Buffalo,  San  Fran- 
cisco, Providence,  Baltimore,  Des  Moines,  New 
Orleans,  Omaha,  Boston,  Worcester,  Bridge- 
port, New  Haven,  Kansas  City,  Syracuse,  Col- 
umbus, Dayton,  Atlanta,  Washington,  D.  C. 
and  Cincinnati.  Opening  day  grosses,  Colum- 
bia reported,  indicated  the  "picture  probably 
would  be  the  top-grossing  production  in  the 
company's  history. 

Other  holdover  reports  from  major  distribu- 
tors on  current  product  included :  "Mission  to 
Moscow,"  Warner  Bros.,  which  began  its 
fourth  week  at  the  Hollywood  theatre,  New 
York ;  the  company's  "Edge  of  Darkness" 
ended  its  sixth  week  at  the  Strand,  New  York 
and  is  in  its  fourth  week  in  Philadelphia  and 
"Air  Force,"  fourth  week,  Chicago,  Reading, 
Louisville,  Akron  and  Minneapolis ;  "Yankee 
Doodle  Dandy,"  fourth  week,  Denver ;  third 
week,  Toronto. 

Paramount's  "China,"  starring  Alan  Ladd 
and  Loretta  Young,  ended  its  fifth  and  final 
week  at  the  Paramount  theatre,  New  York, 
Wednesday.  The  film  played  with  a  four-week 
stage  attraction  featuring  Harry  James  and  his 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


BRITISH  MONOPOLY 
CHARGE  STUDIED 

The  Films  Council  in  England  will 
continue  its  study  of  trade  charges 
of  actual  or  potential  monopolies  in 
British  film  production,  it  has  been 
decided.  The  study  was  begun  as  a 
result  of  labor  and  producer  concern 
over  recent  moves  by  J.  Arthur  Rank 
interests  and  proposals  advanced  by 
Philip  del  Guidice  for  Anglo-Amer- 
ican production  and  distribution 
reciprocity  and  scenario  arrange- 
ments. No  specific,  factual  instances 
of  monopoly  have  been  presented,  it 
is  learned,  but  the  council  has 
decided  to  go  ahead  with  its  study 
of  the  situation. 


orchestra.  It  is  in  its  fifth  week  at  the  Para- 
mount, Newark. 

"Lady  of  Burlesque,"  United  Artists,  began 
its  second  week  in  New  York  at  the  Capitol 
Thursday.  Columbia's  "Desperadoes,"  entered 
its  second  week  at  Loew's  Criterion  on  Wed- 
nesday. "Crash  Dive,"  Twentieth  Century-Fox, 
began  its  fourth  week  at  the  Roxy.  Universal's 
"Next  of  Kin"  ended  its  second  and  final  week 
at  the  Rialto.  MGM's  "The  Human  Comedy," 
at  the  Astor,  is  now  in  its  11th  week.  Repub- 
lic's "At  Dawn  We  Die,"  was  held  a  second 
week  at  the  Abbey  theatre. 


May    2  2,     194  3 

FWC  Buys  Fox  in 
San  Francisco 

Fox  West  Coast  Theatres  has  purchased 
the  5,000-seat  Fox  theatre  in  San  Francisco 
from  the  Capitol  Company,  a  subsidiary  of 
Transamerica.  The  operation  of  the  house  has 
been  under  FWC  supervision  for  the  past  five 
years  under  a  lease  from  Capitol. 

The  Fox  theatre  was  erected  and  equipped 
in  1928  by  William  Fox  at  a  cost  of  $2,500,000. 
The  Capitol  Company  acquired  the  theatre 
from  Mr.  Fox  when  financial  difficulties  caused 
him  to  relinquish  control.  Title  and  escrow 
are  being  cleared  to  complete  the  transaction. 
The  purchase  was  made  in  the  name  of  the 
Fox  DeLuxe  Theatres,  Inc.,  a  wholly-owned 
FWC  subsidiary. 

Theatres  in  San  Francisco  continue  to  show 
increases  in  grosses,  although  two  subsequent 
runs  have  reinstated  chance  games  in  the  down- 
town area  due  to  more  intensive  competition. 

"Arsenic  and  Old  Lace,"  the  play,  is  aver- 
aging $17,000  weekly  in  its  San  Francisco  run, 
while  "Porgy  and  Bess"  at  the  Curran  opened 
with  a  $27,000  first  week.  Around-the-clock 
performances  are  being  given  at  the  St.  Francis, 
State  and  Esquire,  downtown  Market  Street 
houses,  for  the  benefit  of  war  workers.  Such 
offerings  as  "Gypsy  Baron,"  "The  Firefly," 
"Lady  in  the  Dark,"  "The  Drunkard,"  and 
Sid  Grauman's  "Born  Happy"  all  continue  to 
gross  more  than  average  business. 

At  the  recently  opened  Stage  Door  Canteen, 
service  men  are  entertained  nightly  by  radio, 
film  and  stage  stars.  The  Shrine  circus  in  the 
Civic  Auditorium  had  a  successful  run. 


ON  THE  MARCH 


[Continued  from  page  19] 
has  had  a  fine  workout  since  Hollywood  went  to  war,  but  that's 
not  all.  Not  by  a  very  long  shot.  About,  and  in,  the  air — some 
are  in  release — are  a  few  odds  and  ends  like  "Ferry  Command," 
"A  Guy  Named  Joe,"  "Pilot  No.  5,"  "Suzy  Q"  and  "Yesterday's 
Children,"  from  Metro;  "Ground  Crew,"  from  Monogram; 
"Aerial  Gunner,"  from  Paramount;  "Bombardier,"  from  RKO, 
and  "Bomber's  Moon"  and  "Ground  Pilots,"  from  Twentieth- 
Fox. 

The  submarine  service  rates  attention  with  "Submarine  Alert" 
from  Paramount,  "Submarine  Base"  from  PRC  and  "Crash 
Dive"  from  Twentieth-Fox.  The  situation  will  be  well  in  hand 
with  the  Marines  because,  finished  or  planned,  are  "Salute  to  the 
Marines"  and  "Nine  Marines"  from  Metro;  "Marine  Raider" 
from  RKO ;  "Guadalcanal  Diary"  from  Twentieth-Fox,  and 
"Baby  Marine"  from  Warner.  The  convoy  service  will  be 
memorialized  in  "Convoy  to  Malta,"  at  Republic,  and  "Convoy  to 
Murmansk"  at  Twentieth-Fox,  and  the  merchant  marine  in  one 
of  that  precise  title  from  Republic,  plus  "Victory  Fleet"  from 
the  same  source,  and  "Action  in  the  North  Atlantic"  already 
completed  at  Warner. 

"Men  of  the  Coast  Guard"  at  Columbia  and  "Coast  Guard  at 
Twentieth-Fox  tell  what  they  are  about.  Just  as  they  need  no 
embroidery  neither  do  "Alaskan  Highway"  and  "Minesweeper," 
Paramount;  "Destroyer,"  Columbia;  "Signal  Corps,"  "Beach 
Head"  and  "Torpedo  Squadron  8,"  Twentieth-Fox;  "The 
WAAFS,"  Wanger-Universal ;  "Corvettes  in  Action,"  Univer- 
sal, and  "The  Fighting  Seabees,"  Republic. 

Rounding  out  the  serious  side  of  this  staggering  promise-to- 
do  program  of  war  subjects  is  a  thus  far  limited  approach  to  the 
post-war  period.  The  potential  big  one  now  is  "Battle  Cry," 
which  Warners  say  they  will  make  with  full  solemnity  and  sev- 
eral million  dollars.  Companion  piece  in  this  classification  is 
"Memo  to  a  Firing  Squad"  at  Metro. 

On  the  lighter  side,  however,  are  approximately  15  musicals 
and  four  straight  comedies.    Virtually  all  studios  are  parties  to 


these  blueprints.  Metro  and  RKO,  for  example,  tie  in  the  musical 
division,  the  former  with  "Anchors  Aweigh,"  "You  Can't  Fool  a 
Marine"  and  "As  Thousands  Cheer,"  and  the  latter  with  "The 
Sky's  the  Limit,"  "Hit  the  Deck,"  and  "Around  the  World." 
Republic  and  Monogram  talk  of  two  apiece,  "Sweetheart  of  the 
Marines'  'and  "Canteen  Girl"  for  the  first  and  "Rosie,  the 
Riveter"  and  "Navy  Blue  Eyes"  for  the  second. 

Elsewhere,  according  to  plan,  it's  a  case  of  "Doughboys  in 
Ireland"  from  Columbia,  a  Bing  Crosby  from  Paramount,  "Up 
in  Arms"  from  Goldwyn,  "The  Girls  He  Left  Behind,"  Twenti- 
eth-Fox, and  the  practically  completed  "This  Is  the  Army,"  from 
Warner.  The  out-and-out  comedies  now  lined  up  are  "Mr. 
Winkle  Goes  to  War,"  Columbia ;  "See  Here,  Private  Hargrove," 
M-G-M;  "A  Rookie  in  Burma,"  RKO,  and  "Gone  With  the 
Draft,"  Republic. 

In  order  not  to  get  completely  hopeless  about  it  all,  it  is  ad- 
visable to  repeat  no  one  can  predict  with  complete  accuracy  how 
closely  delivered  performance  will  match  the  promise.  The  pur- 
pose of  this  tour  is  to  convey  an  idea,  in  sweep,  of  (1)  the  war 
film  program  and  (2)  how  it  breaks  down  in  terms  of  types  and 
the  approximate  number  of  each.  Your  conclusions  are  your 
own.    We  drew  ours  some  time  ago  and  so  reported. 

There  are  several  other  approaches  of  interest  that  ought  to 
be  told  here.  It  is  usual  to  judge  impending  production  by  the 
number  of  final  scripts  submitted  by  the  studios  to  the  Production 
Code  Administration.  The  word  from  that  direction  reveals 
an  extremely  high  percentage  deals  with  war.  Changes  in  de- 
cision, of  course,  are  made.  But  the  pattern  of  the  immediate 
future  seems  all  too  clearly  indicated. 

Also  this:  Shaping  up  is  a  drift  toward  stories  of  religion 
and  religious  faith.  In  times  of  national  stress  and,  more  partic- 
ularly during  war,  this  is  axiomatic. 

And  thirdly :  The  revolving  cycles  show  nothing  planned  about 
Italy  or  Spain.  If  an  answer  is  insisted  upon,  your  guide  offers 
a  guess — global  strategy. 

For  further  details,  watch  the  headlines. 


(Book  "Prelude  To  War"  Released  May  27th)  \ 


24 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    2  2,     194  3 


Radio  to  Comply  with 
FCC  Regulations 


Networks  Alter  Contracts 
with  Affiliates;  Plan  No 
New  Court  Action 

Radio  networks  this  week  prepared  to  al- 
ter their  contracts  with  affiliate  stations  and 
to  make  other  changes  in  their  organization 
to  comply  with  the  Federal  Communications 
Commission  Regulations  which  were  upheld 
by  the  Supreme  Court  last  Monday. 

At  the  National  Broadcasting  Company, 
Columbia  Broadcasting  System,  and  the 
Blue  Network,  the  chains  chiefly  affected  by 
the  order,  it  was  indicated  that  there  would 
be  no  further  attempt  by  court  action  to  set 
aside  the  FCC's  eight  rules.  The  networks 
are  understood  to  have  placed  their  hope 
on  a  revision  by  Congress  of  the  law  estab- 
lishing the  FCC. 

Thursday  James  Lawrence  Fly,  chair- 
man of  the  FCC,  served  notice  that  there 
would  be  no  further  postponement  of  the 
regulations.  They  will  become  effective 
June  14th  after  a  year  and  a  half  delay. 

In  a  second  radio  decision  within  a 
week  the  Supreme  Court  upheld  the  right 
of  interested  stations  to  a  hearing  on  FCC 
rulings. 

Most  important  of  the  new  rules  is  the  re- 
quirement that  networks  end  the  "exclusive 
time  options"  which  permitted  them  to  place 
network  programs  on  affiliate  stations.  Stations 
now  are  given  the  option  to  reject  network 
programs. 

Both  NBC  and  CBS  have  appointed  contract 
committees  to  meet  with  affiliate  stations  to 
draw  new  contracts. 

William  S.  Paley,  president  of  CBS,  in  a 
message  to  affiliate  stations  said  the  network 
felt  certain  the  rules  would  make  no  immediate 
change  in  the  present  network  schedule  or  pro- 
grams. He  said  the  company  would  seek  FCC 
interpretation  of  the  administrative  application 
of  the  rules. 

Mr.  Paley  also  indicated  that  the  broadcast- 
ers would  seek  a  new  radio  act  in  Congress. 

"In  view  of  the  fact  that  the  Supreme  Court 
disclaimed  any  responsibility  in  the  good  or  bad 
effect  of  the  Commission's  regulations,  we  are 
more  than  ever  convinced  that  the  Commission's 
areas  of  authority  and  the  broadcasters'  areas 
of  freedom  should  be  redefined  by  the  Con- 
gress in  a  new  radio  act,"  he  told  affiliates. 

Bill  for  New  FCC  Act 
Pending  in  Congress 

The  Wheeler-White  bill  for  a  new  FCC  act 
is  now  pending  in  Congress.  Also,  a  House 
committee  is  investigating  the  FCC. 

Representative  E.  E.  Cox  of  Georgia,  who 
is  sponsor  of  the  inquiry,  as  well  as  chairman, 
was  charged  with  personal  bias  and  interest  on 
Thursday  by  Clifford  J.  Durr,  a  member  of  the 
Commission.  He  asked  the  House  to  disqualify 
Mr.  Cox  from  the  committee,  and  protested 
against  what  he  called  "star  chamber"  inter- 
views of  FCC  employees  by  the  Georgia  Repre- 
sentative and  Eugene  L.  Gary,  counsel  for  the 
committee. 

The  inquiry  stems  from  the  refusal  of  the 
Commission  to  grant  applications  of  Station 
WALB,  Albany,  Ga.,  for  changes  in  facilities. 
The  FCC's  inquiry  into  the  applications  disclosed 
that  Mr.  Cox  was  representing  the  station  in 
Washington  and  that  he  was  a  stockholder  in 
the  station.  He  purchased  10  shares  at  the 
same  time  he  received  a  check  for  $2,500  from 


the  company  for  legal  services,  Mr.  Durr 
charged. 

The  Congressman's  connection  with  the  com- 
pany was  referred  to  the  Department  of  Jus- 
tice in  March,  1942,  as  a  possible  violation  of 
a  statute  prohibiting  members  of  Congress  from 
receiving  compensation  for  services  rendered 
in  relation  to  any  proceeding  in  which  the  Gov- 
ernment is  a  party.  The  department  has  never 
taken  any  action. 

Charge  Cox  Prejudged 
Radio  Commission 

In  his  petition,  submitted  to  Speaker  of  the 
House  Samuel  Rayburn,  Mr.  Durr  asserted  that 
during  the  WALB  proceedings,  Mr.  Cox,  who 
previously  had  been  a  champion  of  the  Com- 
mission, suddenly  demanded  an  investigation  of 
its  methods. 

Mr.  Durr  pointed  out  that  usually  a  member 
of  the  House  who  brings  the  charges  on  which 
an  investigation  is  based  does  not  become  a 
member  of  the  committee  making  the  inquiry, 
much  less  its  chairman.  He  charged  also  that 
Mr.  Cox  had  "prejudged  and  condemned  the 
Commission,  its  personnel  and  activities  and  has 
shown  himself  to  be  biased,  prejudiced  and  lack- 
ing in  the  objectivity  of  mind  requisite  for  a 
member  of  such  committee." 

Affirming  a  decision  of  the  District  of  Co- 
lumbia Federal  Court,  the  Supreme  Court  on 
Monday  held  that  any  broadcaster  affected  by 
any  proposed  order  of  the  Federal  Communica- 
tions Commission  had  a  right  to  appear  before 
the  committee  at  such  proceedings  and,  if  de- 
nied that  right,  was  entitled  to  an  appeal  to  the 
courts. 

The  court's  decree  was  aimed  specifically  at 
the  refusal  of  the  FCC  to  permit  Station  KOA, 
Denver,  to  intervene  in  the  proceedings  on  the 
application  of  station  WHDH,  Boston,  for  use 
of  the  same  frequency.  Upon  refusal  of  the 
Commission  to  permit  its  intervention,  the  Den- 
ver station  appealed  to  the  Federal  courts.  Be- 
fore the  Supreme  Court,  the  Commission  con- 
tended that  the  station  was  without  the  right  to 
do  so. 

The  court  was  divided  on  the  question  raised 
by  KOA,  reaching  its  decision  by  a  four  to 
two  vote. 

Critical  of  Commission's 
Conduct  of  Case 

Associate  Justices  Black,  Murphy  and  Rut- 
ledge  did  not  participate  in  the  case,  and  Jus- 
tices Frankfurter  and  Douglas  dissented. 

The  majority  opinion  was  delivered  by  Asso- 
ciate Justice  Roberts,  who  held  that  when  the 
Commission  notified  KOA  of  the  hearing  on 
the  WHDH  application  it  "knew  there  would 
probably  be  an  interference  with  KOA's  sig- 
nals if  the  pending  application  were  granted ; 
and  that  the  commission  also  realized  there  was 
a  serious  question  whether  the  application  could 
be  granted  under  its  existing  rules." 

Justice  Roberts  was  critical  of  the  Commis- 
sion's conduct  of  the  WHDH  case  and  declared 
that  so  far  as  the  right  of  the  station  to  appeal 
was  concerned,  "it  would  be  anomalous  if  one 
entitled  to  be  heard  before  the  commission 
should  be  denied  the  right  of  appeal  from  an 
order  made  without  hearing." 

In  his  dissenting  opinion.  Justice  Frankfurter 
held  that  the  station  had  been  given  ample  op- 
portunity to  show  that  it  would  be  affected  by 
the  WHDH  grant.  The  station  having  failed  to 
demonstrate  that  its  interests  were  "substantial- 
ly impaired,"  he  held,  was  without  grounds  for 
an  appeal  to  the  courts.  Justice  Douglas'  brief 
dissent  noted  his  concurrence  with  this  opinion, 
adding  merely  that  the  controversy  now  was 
one  between  KOA  and  the  Commission. 


WPB  Relaxes 
Film  Order  on 
'C  Producers 

Eliminating  the  12  per  cent  cut  in  raw  stock 
consumption  imposed  on  Class  C  producers  and 
distributors,  the  War  Production  Board  on ' 
Monday  ordered  that  as  from  April  1st  such 
producers  may  consume  as  much  film  as  they 
did  in  1941. 

At  the  same  time,  the  board  increased  the  al- 
location of  raw  stock  for  Producers  Releasing 
Corporation  from  3,177,974  to  5,500,000  feet  for 
the  current  quarter,  explaining  that  this  was 
done  to  relieve  "undue  hardship." 

On  an  annual  basis,  the  WPB  increased  the 
consumption  of  35mm  film  by  more  than  11,- 
000,000  feet.  But  officials  denied  that  this  action 
was  the  result  of  an  improvement  in  the  supply 
situation.  They  characterized  it  as  an  effort 
to  develop  the  fairest  possible  distribution  of 
the  raw  stock  available.  Harold  D.  Hopper, 
chief  of  the  motion  picture  branch,  announced 
the  order. 

It  was  emphasized  that  the  amendment  of 
Limitation  Order  L-178  was  for  the  current 
quarter  only,  and  that  allocations  may  be  re- 
vised in  June  when  the  quotas  for  the  third 
quarter  are  prepared. 

Another  change  in  L-178  provided  that,  in  the 
case  of  "special  circumstances,"  the  WPB  could 
made  adjustments  in  existing  allocations  by  di- 
rect authorizations.  It  was  stressed  again  that 
this  did  not  mean  that  additional  film  would  be 
provided  but  rather,  that  it  would  permit  a 
remedy  for  situations  such  as  would  arise  where 
one  producer  had  film  which  he  felt  was  not 
suitable  for  his  purposes.  It  could  be  used  by 
another  producer  if  an  authorization  for  a 
transfer  were  issued. 

A  final  amendment  freed  laboratories  of  re- 
strictions on  the  exposure  of  raw  stock  for 
Class  A  newsreels,  placing  them  in  the  same 
category  as  Class  A  and  B  distributors. 

This  in  effect  supersedes  the  specific  ceilings 
placed  on  newsreels  in  March  and  permits  them 
to  draw  as  they  require  on  the  basic  allotment 
of  their  parent  Class  A  and  B  distributors. 
Film  withdrawal  by  the  March  of  Time  was 
also  eased. 

The  Class  C  increases  will  permit  leading 
independent  producers  such  as  Samuel  Gold- 
wyn,  David  O.  Selznick  and  others  to  use  as 
much  film  as  they  consumed  in  1941. 

On  Friday  the  War  Production  Board  also 
relaxed  its  general  restrictions  on  the  consump- 
tion of  nitrocellulose.  The  supply  of  soluble 
nitrocellulose  has  eased  to  the  point  where  al- 
location control  can  be  lifted,  the  WPB  said 
It  is  a  principal  ingredient  of  film. 

At  the  same  time  regulations  were  tightened 
on  the  use  of  8mm  and  16mm  amateur  type 
motion  picture  film,  and  on  roll  and  cut  film 
for  still  cameras.  The  new  order  limited  the 
uses  of  preference  ratings  for  the  purchase  of 
this  film  to  AA-5  or  higher. 


In  Chicago  Critics'  Posts 

Alex  Murphree  substituted  for  Doris  Arden, 
motion  picture  critic  of  the  Chicago  Times, 
while  she  was  on  vacation.  Jane  Myer  is  to 
take  Lucia  Perrigo's  place  as  motion  picture 
critic  of  the  H er aid- American,  when  the  latter 
goes  on  vacation.  Carol  Frink,  critic  of  the 
Sun,  has  been  temporarily  replaced  by  John 
T.  Gilbert.  She  is  writing  a  new  column  for 
the  paper. 


Lust  Leases  Theatre 

Sidney  Lust,  theatre  operator  with  houses  in 
the  District  of  Columbia  and  in  Maryland,  has 
leased  the  Gayety  theatre  in  Washington  for  12 
weeks  for  operation  as  a  motion  picture  grind 
house.  The  initial  attraction  will  be  "Gone 
With  the  Wind."  For  years  Washington's  only 
burlesque  theatre,  the  Gayety  wMl  resume  opera- 
tion as  a  burlesque  house  in  September. 


May    2  2,     19  4  3 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


25 


NOT  OVERFED  WITH  WAR 
PICTURES.  SAYS  WARNER 


Harry  M.  Warner 


Exhibitors  Urged  Beware 
Intimidation  by  Those 
Not  Behind  War  Effort 

Lashing  out  at  what  he  described  as  an 
isolationist  group  that  is  waging  a  propa- 
ganda campaign  against  war  films  which 

are  doing  a  great 
service  in  the  Unit- 
ed Nations'  cause, 
Harry  M.  Warner, 
president  of  Warner 
Bros.,  addressing  a 
meeting  of  home 
office  executives  on 
Tuesday,  declared 
that  "we  would  hate 
to  be  known  as  the 
company  that  made 
the  most  successful 
musical  film  of  this 
great  war  for  free- 
dom," and  pledged 
that  all  the  Warner 
resources  would 
continue  to  be  di- 
rected in  win-the-war  channels  until  com- 
plete victory  is  won. 

The  meeting  culminated  a  series  of  con- 
ferences in  which  Major  Albert  Warner, 
Jack  L.  Warner,  Joseph  Bernhard,  Charles 
Einfeld,  Ben  Kalmenson,  Harry  M.  Kal- 
mine,  Samuel  Schneider,  Mort  Blumenstock, 
Harry  Goldberg,  Joseph  H.  Hazen,  Robert 
W.  Perkins,  Stanleigh  P.  Friedman,  Samuel 
Carlisle,  Norman  H.  Moray,  Howard  Lev- 
inson,  Robert  Schless,  Joseph  Hummel  and 
other  home  office   executives  participated. 

Blasting  what  was  called  the  "appeaser 
element"  in  the  industry,  and  citing  high 
attendance  figures  at  theatres  throughout 
the  country  to  disprove  the  isolationist 
group's  claims  that  the  public  is  being 
overted  with  war  pictures,  Mr.  Warner 
said  his  company  does  not  intend  to  either 
play  ostrich  or  lull  the  American  people 
into  a  false  sense  of  security  by  a  diet  of 
escapist  entertainment. 

He  also  urged  exhibitors  not  to  be  intimi- 
dated or  coerced  by  groups  or  persons  who 
are  not  wholeheartedly  behind  our  war  ef- 
fort. He  said  the  motion  picture  theatre, 
like  the  newspaper  and  the  radio,  had  an  ob- 
ligation on  the  home  front,  to  keep  the  public 
informed  as  well  as  entertained,  and  cannot 
ignore  the  things  that  are  uppermost  in 
everybody's  mind. 

"We  will  leave  the  fairy  tale  version  of  the 
world  we  live  in  to  that  small  group  of  enter- 
tainment appeasers  which  is  presently  at  work 
in  this  industry  or  being  pressured  by  groups 
from  the  outside.  It  is  this  group  which  refuses 
to  recognize  that  the  American  motion  picture 
audience  has  an  adult  mind. 

"Even  the  younger  element  is  far  more  in- 
telligent than  it  is  given  credit  for.  Boys  of  18 
are  now  going  to  war.  That  means  the  16-year- 
olds  already  are  thinking  seriously  of  what's 
ahead  for  them.  They  want  to  know  what 
they  are  going  to  fight  for  and  about,  and  the 
screen  must  help  to  make  the  issues  understand- 
able to  them.  If  we  don't  do  this  we  are  failing 
in  our  most  important  obligation. 

"I  wouldn't  believe  it,  not  for  a  single  mo- 


ment, if  someone  were  to  tell  me  that  any 
mother  who  has  a  son  with  the  victorious 
American  forces  in  Africa,  can't  wait  for  din- 
ner to  be  finished  so  she  can  rush  to  her  radio 
and  hear  anything  but  the  latest  news.  And  I 
can  see  no  reason  to  believe  that  the  same 
•  mother  goes  to  the  neighborhood  theatre  these 
terribly  trying  day  in  order  to  flee  any. mention 
of  this  war  in  which  she  and  her  son  are  so 
desperately  involved. 

"No.  The  mother,  father,  sister,  brother, 
sweetheart,  friends  and  neighbors  of  the  man 
at  the  front  are  not  anxious  to  run  away  from 
anything.  They  want  to  know  the  truth.  They 
want  to  know  what  their  boy  is  doing,  and  how 
he's  doing  it — and,  most  important,  WHY  he's 
doing  it. 

"Americans  are  not  fighting  this  war  simply 
because  they  have  remembered  Pearl  Harbor. 
We  are  not  spending  these  precious  lives  and 
breaking  up  these  treasured  homes  to  satisfy  a 
mere  lust  for  revenge.  I  like  to  think — in  fact, 
I  know — that  this  great  world-wide  struggle 
is  being  endured  for  something  as  specific  as 
a  universal  guarantee  of  the  Four  Freedoms. 
The  measures  by  which  we  will  obtain  this  new 
and  greater  democracy  and  the  significance  to 
each  and  every  one  of  us  of  these  freedoms 
must  be  understood. 

"Here  is  where  we  of  the  film  industry 
come  in.  With  a  medium  reaching  forth 
to  the  greatest  mass  audience  in  the 
world,  we  have  an  obligation  and  a  duty 
far  more  vital  than  the  mere  whiling  away 
of  two  hours  on  a  dull  mid-week  evening. 
People  want  to  be  and  must  be  enter- 
tained, but  not  nearly  as  much  as  some 
might  think,  and  certainly  not  as  idly  as 
in  the  past. 

"The  people  are  busy  these  days.  They  are 
making  weapons  and  shipping  them ;  they  are 
taken  up  with  budgets  that  must  be  stretched 
over  a  rising  scale  of  living  and  the  regular 
purchase  of  War  Bonds ;  they  are  doing  what 
they  can  to  relieve  the  intensity  of  a  soldier's 
life ;  they  are  getting  ready  to  protect  them- 
selves on  the  day  when  the  enemy  might  dare 
to  attack  us  here  at  home,  and  they  are  well 
aware  that  there  are  many  new  things  that 
must  be  learned  about  this  quickiy-changing 
world.  Leisure  hours  are  scarce,  and  win-the- 
war  Americans  learned  long  ago  that  the  value 
of  an  hour  is  doubled  when  it  is  employed  to 
collect  entertainment  and  information  simul- 
taneously. 

"There  are  forces  in  this  land  who  would 
like  the  people  to  live  in  darkness.  I  take  issue 
with  them  because  I  have  always  felt  that  it  is 
no  one's  assignment  not  to  reason  why  but  to 
do  or  die.  It  is  the  people  who  are  fighting 
this  war — and  it  is  the  people  who  must  be  giv- 
en every  opportunity  to  examine  each  why 
and  wherefore.  If  it  has  been  our  good  fortune 
to  be  among  the  pilots  of  an  industry  capable  of 
presenting  information  and  understanding  in  the 
most  palatable  form  yet  devised,  then  let  us 
steer  a  proper  course. 

Sees  Exhibitor  Important 
"Bulwark"  of  Home  Front 

"Were  we  to  do  anything  else  at  such  a  mo- 
ment, when  so  many  are  making  so  many  great 
sacrifices,  there  would  be  little  justification  for 
our  existence. 

"Moreover,  we  must  do  more  than  justify 
ourselves  if  we  would  share  in  the  benefits  of 
the  post-war  world.  We  must  work  to  eliminate 
shortcomings  and  catch-Denny  tricks.  Let  us 
not  make  a  war  picture  just  like  several  other 
war  pictures  simply  because  the  others  proved 


profitable.  There  are  many  facets  to  this  war, 
a  large  part  of  them  requiring  delicate  handling 
and  considerable  courage  on  the  part  of  the 
man  who  would  attempt  to  picturize  them. 
This,  then,  is  our  chance  to  demonstrate  that  we 
possess  that  necessary  courage  and  sensitivity, 
and  our  chance  to  make  all  other  Americans 
feel  damned  glad  that  we  were  numbered  among 
them  in  this  crisis.  .  .  . 

"And  to  the  exhibitors  of  the  country 
I  want  to  say,  don't  be  intimidated  or 
coerced  by  persons  who  are  not  whole- 
heartedly behind  our  war  effort ;  don't  be 
influenced  by  those  who  are  trying  to 
keep  the  truth  from  your  audiences. 

"The  exhibitor's  responsibility  to  his  com- 
munity today  is  bigger  than  it  ever  has  been. 
He  is  one  of  the  most  important  bulwarks  of 
the  home  front.  Like  the  newspaper  and  the 
radio,  he  must  do  his  part  in  keeping  the  public 
informed  as  well  as  entertained.  Any  arbitrary 
exclusion  of  war  films,  either  to  satisfy  a  small 
appeaser  element  or  for  personal  reasons  with- 
out regard  to  the  general  public  interest,  is 
equivalent  to  sabotage.  .  .  . 

"I  don't  believe  there  is  an  exhibitor  any- 
where who  wants  to  shirk  his  duty.  I  know 
every  single  one  of  them  wants  to  be  right  there 
in  the  front  line  doing  his  utmost  to  help  bring 
an  early  end  to  the  war.  Without  this  coopera- 
tion from  exhibitors,  we  cannot  have  the  strong 
united  home  front  that  we  need  to  back  up  the 
boys  at  the  battle  front. 

"In  the  years  to  come,  the  contributions  of 
our  industry  to  the  winning  of  the  war  will  be 
tabulated  and  appraised.  By  what  we  are  doing 
now,  we  will  be  judged  in  the  future. 

"I  am  sure,  when  that  checkup  is  made,  the 
exhibitors  will  not  be  revealed  as  having  let 
our  fighting  men  down,  as  having  failed  to  do 
their  part  in  the  great  fight  for  freedom." 


Los  Angeles  Legionaires 
Endorse  "Mission" 

"Mission  to  Moscow"  is  commended  in  a 
telegram  received  Wednesday  by  Jack  L.  War- 
ner, executive  producer,  from  the  War  Advisory 
Council  of  the  American  Legion,  Los  Angeles 
County  Council,  Department  of  California.  The 
message  signed  by  six  commanders  and  other 
Legion  officials,  says : 

"Have  seen  your  magnificent  motion  picture 
'Mission  to  Moscow.'  We  unanimously  feel 
that  you  should  be  publicly  commended  for 
your  integrity,  courage  and  patriotism  in  mak- 
ing this  important  historical  document  available 
through  the  screen  to  the  American  public  at 
large. 

"It  is  our  carefully  considered  opinion  that 
every  American  citizen  should  see  'Mission  to 
Moscow'  at  this  time.  Unfounded  attacks 
and  ill-considered  criticisms  by  subversive, 
irresponsible  or  uninformed  groups  can  in  no 
way  diminish  the  value  of  this  picture  in  driv- 
ing home  to  the  people  of  America  the  neces- 
sity for  understanding  and  cooperation  between 
this  nation  and  its  Allies. 

"No  true  American  can  see  this  picture  with- 
out being  inspired  to  a  higher  degree  of  pa- 
triotism, a  clearer  realization  of  the  responsi- 
bilities of  American  citizenship  and  a  rededica- 
tion  to  the  ideals  and  principles  upon  which 
our  nation  is  founded. 

"To  you  and  your  entire  organization  we 
wish  to  express  our  sincere  appreciation  for 
this  latest  and  greatest  contribution  in  a  long 
list  of  productions  which  have  stirred  the  people 
of  America  to  a  greater  love  of  our  country." 


THin i J,RASIi 

THRILUD  THE  WOULD! 


tv^at  a  wounded  Unitea         and  crew  W  01         .  w 

^VSher  down!"       the  skipper  was  swept  into 
The  crew  obeyed  ana  in 

lourth  war  patrol,  -rfBH 


cargo  ship  and  probably 

--^fcSnore  was  ^SffStf 

which  can  be  fcesto      &  submarine  man^  crogs  and 

was  the  **st  *  V*^ 

The  commandei  P^o   ^  Navy  Cxoss 

jap  craft,  tow  _  ^ 


more  than 

and  child  who  read  this  s 
every  newspaper  in  Ame 


fJHt 


But  Saves  nis  Vf^^^^^ss^ 

UW  —  01  "  to°tS  ?SS»t>-:sl  navy.  Cross io. 


"1^^  j  rtf  n  knots 

"T^ng  wo^nd^ene^  some  damage, 

feanese  opened  Me  by  a  haU  o  ^  beiow 

hands  be  ow  and  m 

*  •S&g'lS  down!"  e  wounded  sMpper  sUU 

The  submarine  dived,  off._ 

»         cl,,t  was  taken  into  port  by  the 


Ce  '  Commander  G^™^ew  queans.  ss  ior 

taking^  W 
and  sinking  twc > star  was  given  m 

aging  a  third.  J™  "  of  enemy  mei^an'  »g  Lon. 
|°totai  o£  25,946  tons  o    whose  wi  e  h«s  >n 

Commandei  Scnau _       &lver  gtai  M.e  ol 

SSS  oT?hethsame  patrol. 


At- 


ver  every  man,  woman 
ry  on  the  front  page  of 
a,  will  want  to 


30  MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    22,  1943 


Legion  Says  No 
On  'Burlesque' 


Women  Manage  30 
Hoyt's  Theatres 


Turnbull,  on  Visit  to  U.  S., 
Says  Australian  Film 
Business  Is  Good 

"Women  now  are  managing-  30  of  the  130 
theatres  in  the  Hoyt's  Theatres  Circuit  of 
Australia  and  are  doing  a  very  successful 
job." 

So  Ernest  Turnbull,  the  managing  direc- 
tor of  the  circuit,  told  Motion  Picture 
Herald  in  a  visit  to  its  Hollywood  office. 

When  it  became  certain  that  war's  in- 
roads on  manpower  would  cripple  the  thea- 
tre management  system,  Hoyt's  opened  a 
school  to  train  women  in  all  phases  of  thea- 
tre operation  and  found  the  distaff  side  apt 
pupils,  according  to  Mr.  Turnbull.  "The 
work  of  the  women  is  most  successful,"  he 
said,  "particularly  in  those  situations  where 
they  can  work  directly  with  a  zone  manager, 
as  in  Sydney,  Brisbane,  Melbourne  and  the 
large  cities."  Women  now  are  holding  down 
theatre  jobs  in  all  lines  except  projection  on 
the  continent  down  under. 

Mr.  Turnbull  arrived  in  Los  Angeles 
early  last  week  after  a  27-day  trip  and,  after 
visiting  and  conferring  there  with  executives 
of  National  Theatres,  which  has  a  large  in- 
terest in  the  Hoyt's  Circuit,  he  was  to  dis- 
cuss current  problems  with  National  Thea- 
tres officials  in  New  York,  then  return  to  the 
West  Coast  for  the  trip  home,  which  he  is 
hoping  may  be  made  by  plane. 

Prints  Arrive  Safely 
And  in  Good  Time 

Prints  are  arriving  in  Australia,  New 
Zealand  and  Tasmania  safely  and  in  good 
time  now,  Mr.  Turnbull  said,  after  some 
uncertainties  in  the  early  days  of  the  war. 
To  the  best  of  his  knowledge,  he  said,  not 
many  prints  were  being  lost  these  days.  The 
shipments  of  prints  themselves  never  are  ex- 
cessively large,  as  fewer  pictures  are  used 
down  under — the  exhibition  life  of  a  picture 
being  anywhere  from  an  average  minimum 
of  one  month  to  a  year. 

"Mrs.  Miniver"  has  been  running  a  full 
year  now  in  one  Sydney  theatre  and  "How 
Green  Was  My  Valley"  still  is  going  strong 
after  two  years  of  continuous  exhibition. 
The  20th  Fox  picture,  stated  Mr.  Turnbull, 
was  the  most  successful  of  the  past  two 
years. 

Theatre  Business  Is 
Good  in  Australia 

Double  features  score  a  home  run  and  are 
avidly  liked  in  Australia,  the  executive  of 
Hoyt's  said,  but  they  don't  get  to  first  base 
in  New  Zealand,  where  the  patrons  just 
won't  take  them.  There  are  40  theatres  in 
the  Sydney  area,  with  a  population  of  a  mil- 
lion and  a  half,  of  which  about  eight  are 
large  first  runs.  The  average  first  run  ad- 
mission price  is  between  seven  and  eight 
shillings  (about  $1.75),  with  a  25  per  cent 
amusement  tax.  Prices  are  about  80  cents 
in  the  subsequent  runs. 

"Theatre  business  down  under  is  good, 
very  good,"  Mr.  Turnbull  said.   "Every  one 


who  is  not  behind  a  gun  is  behind  a  job, 
most  of  them  essential  war  work,  and  there 
is  money  to  spend  for  amusement — of  which 
the  motion  picture  theatre  is  the  leading  ex- 
ponent. The  Yankee  soldiers  on  our  conti- 
nent attend  showings  of  American  pictures 
at  their  every  opportunity." 

"Those  American  soldiers  are  great  coves 
('great  guys')  and  the  Australians  love 
them,"  said  Mr.  Turnbull.  "They  are  a 
great  credit  to  the  United  States  in  every- 
thing they  do  and  say." 

The  rationing  procedure  is  not  too  serious, 
in  Mr.  Turnbull's  opinion  and  tea  and  cloth- 
ing are  principal  among  the  items  rationed. 
The  shortage  of  manpower  is  serious,  as  it 
is  everywhere  else.  Advertising  is  restricted 
because  of  newsprint  shortages.  The  Gov- 
ernment tell  the  papers  how  much  stock  they 
may  have ;  the  papers  designate  their  adver- 
tising accordingly.  "Theatre  advertising 
now  is  not  much  more  than  a  glorified  direc- 
tory," reported  Mr.  Turnbull,  "but  business 
continues  good  in  spite  of  that." 

Studying  Methods  of 
Selling  Bonds 

The  Australian  theatres  are  solidly  behind 
the  war  effort,  "just  as  the  American  thea- 
tres are,"  he  said.  They  do  their  staging  of 
scrap  metal,  copper  and  allied  drives  and  a 
recent  one-night  preview  to  sell  bonds  sold 
four  and  one-half  million  pounds  worth 
(about  $15,750,000).  "In  Which  We  Serve" 
raised  three  and  one-half  million  pounds 
at  still  another  bond  premiere.  Seats  were 
sold  to  wealthy  persons  and  tickets  then 
turned  over  to  servicemen. 

One  of  the  chief  reasons  for  Mr.  Turn- 
bull's  visit  to  this  country  is  to  study  the 
various  media  by  which  bonds  are  sold  be- 
cause, in  Australia,  they  still  are  bought 
mainly  by  the  wealthier  classes,  and  it  is  the 
wish  of  the  Government  that  they  be  made 
available  in  some  convenient  way  to  a  wider 
public. 

Until  18  months  ago  Mr.  Turnbull  was 
the  general  manager  of  the  20th-Fox  distri- 
bution setup  in  Australia.  Late  in  1941  he 
entered  his  present  post  with  Hoyt's. 

There  had  been  no  sign  of  surfeit  in  the 
matter  of  war  pictures  up  to  the  time  of  his 
leaving  Australia,  Mr.  Turnbull  said,  in  part 
because  Australian  release  is  so  far  behind 
American  release  that  war  pictures  there 
have  been  relatively  few.  He  added  that  in 
his  opinion,  however,  on  the  basis  of  knowl- 
edge about  the  number  of  them  now  in  pros- 
pect, Australians  ultimately  would  react  to 
them  in  about  the  same  way  Americans  are 
beginning  to  react  now. 

NSS  Closes  Portland  Office 

National  Screen  Service  has  closed  its  Port- 
land office  and  its  former  manager,  Al  Wil- 
liams, has  entered  war  work.  Herb  Cass  con- 
tinues as  Oregon  representative. 


Close  Milwaukee  Theatre 

The  Pabst  theatre,  art  house  in  Milwaukee, 
has  been  closed  by  Fred  Pabst,  Sr.,  operator. 
Inability  to  obtain  materials  necessary  for 
maintenance  was  given  as  the  reason. 


The  National  Legion  of  Decency  this  week 
placed  "Lady  of  Burlesque,"  Stromberg — UA, 
in  its  Class  C,  or  condemned,  group.  The 
Catholic  reviewing  organization  also  gave  "Boy 
from  Stalingrad,"  Columbia,  a  Class  B,  or  ob- 
jectionable in  part,  rating,  and  issued  a  clarify- 
ing statement  on  its  previous  classification  of 
"Mission  to  Moscow"  as  "Unobjectionable  for 
adults." 

Explaining  its  condemnation  of  "Lady  of 
Burlesque"  the  Legion  announcement  said : 
"The  film  contains  double-meaning  lines,  sala- 
cious dances  and  situations,  and  indecent  cos- 
tumes, presented  against  a  background  of  in- 
decent entertainment." 

The  Legion  said  its  objection  to  "Boy  from 
Stalingrad"  was  a  "tendency  to  treat  sympa- 
thetically a  revenge  motive  and  to  generate 
hatred  of  the  enemy  as  persons  rather  than 
hatred  of  the  evil  principles  motivating  such 
enemies." 

On  "Mission  to  Moscow"  the  Legion  said : 
"In  order  to  clarify  the  position  of  the  Legion 
of  Decency  in  regard  to  the  film,  'Mission  to 
Moscow,'  it  should  be  noted  that  the  picture 
did  not  receive  'Unobjectionable  for  General 
Patronage'  rating.  The  Legion  acting  within 
the  scope  of  its  mandate  of  decency  gave  the 
film  the  mature  audience  rating.  Concurrent 
with  this  rating  the  following  separate  notation 
was  released:  'This  film  represents  the  personal 
observations  and  opinions  of  ex-Ambassador 
Joseph  E.  Davies  as  expressed  in  his  book 
"Mission  to  Moscow"  upon  which  the  film  is 
based.' 

"For  further  clarification  the  Legion  now 
adds  the  following  sentence  to  the  above  nota- 
tion :  'The  film  in  its  sympathetic  portrayal  of 
the  governing  regime  in  Russia  makes  no  refer- 
ence to  the  anti-religious  philosophy  and  policy 
of  said  regime.' " 

The  Legion  reviewed  six  films  during  the 
week,  four  being  classified  as  unobjectionable 
for  general  patronage,  one  as  unobjectionable 
for  adults,  and  one  as  objectionable  in  part. 
The  listing  follows:  Class  A-l,  Unobjectionable 
for  General  Patronage :  "Cowboy  Commandos," 
"False  Faces,"  "Frontier  Fury,"  "Ghost  Rider." 
Class  A-2,  Unobjectionable  for  Adults:  "Dr. 
Gillespie's  Criminal  Case."  Class  B,  Objection- 
able in  Part :  "Boy  from  Stalingrad." 

Ban  'Burlesque'  on  Sundays 
Only  in  Massachusetts 

Sunday  showings  of  "Ladies  of  Burlesque"  at 
the  Capitol  theatre  in  Springfield  have  been 
banned  by  the  Massachusetts  State  Department 
of  Public  Safety.  Andrew  Sette,  manager,  was 
notified  of  the  decision  last  Saturday. 

Violation  of  the  order  may  result  in  cancel- 
lation of  the  theatre's  Sunday  license.  Massa- 
chusetts law  requires  theatres  to  renew  Sunday 
licenses  weekly  with  approval  by  both  the  state 
and  city  authorities.  The  Capitol  played  "Casa- 
blanca" as  the  substitute  film  last  Sunday. 


Acquire  Wisconsin  House 

The  Warner  circuit  has  acquired  the  Ma- 
jestic theatre,  independent  house  in  Madison, 
Wis.  It  had  been  operated  by  Arthur  P.  De- 
sormeaux  for  13  years.  The  policy  of  running 
first  and  subsequent  run  pictures  will  continue, 
it  was  reported,  and  Wayne  Berkley  will  re- 
main as  manager  with  Marian  Aasen  as  assis- 
tant. 


Named  Theatre  Manager 

George  Topper  has  announced  the  appoint- 
ment of  Sol  Gore  as  co-manager  of  the  Hay- 
market  and  Star  &  Garter  theatres  in  Chicago. 
Air.  Gore  was  formerly  supervisor  of  service 
men's  quarters  at  the  Stevens  Hotel,  Chicago. 


May    2  2,    194  3 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


3! 


PERMANENT  16MM  HOUSES 
NEW  PRODUCT  OUTLET 


Shifting  from  Road  Shows 
to  Established  Theatres; 
Organization  Formed 

Recent  developments  in  the  16mm  field 
point  to  further  expansion  of  the  business 
from  road  show  status  to  permanent  the- 
atres. Exhibitor  attention  currently  is  fo- 
cused on  the  growing  competition.  Motion 
Picture  Herald  on  April  24th  reported  the 
rapid  growth  of  16mm  production  and  dis- 
tribution since  Pearl  Harbor,  induced  by 
Government,  military  and  war  industry  use 
of  the  medium  for  training,  morale  and  war 
propaganda  purposes. 

At  the  recent  annual  convention  of  the  na- 
tional Allied  States  Association  at  Detroit, 
specific  attention  to  the  16mm  field  took  the 
form  of  a  resolution  adopted  by  the  dele- 
gates, authorizing  M.  A.  Rosenberg,  presi- 
dent, to  investigate  and  make  representa- 
tions to  both  Government  agencies  and  dis- 
tributors concerning  the  rapid  increase  of 
the  16mm  business  in  competition  with  es- 
tablished theatres. 

With  Columbia,  Monogram,  PRC, 
United  Artists  and  Universal  still  mak- 
ing their  product  available  in  16mm,  op- 
erators in  this  field  assert  there  are 
enough  good  entertainment  pictures  in 
the  market  to  insure  a  steady  flow.  It 
has  been  noted,  however,  that  some  dis- 
tributors of  16mm  films  have  been  trying 
to  get  major  companies  to  release  prod- 
uct as  recently  as  six  months  ago. 

Several  weeks  ago  in  Jacksonville,  Fla., 
the  newly  formed  16mm  Exhibitors'  Asso- 
ciation was  organized  and  efforts  were  begun 
to  establish  16mm  theatres  in  towns  through- 
out the  U.  S.  which  have  no  standard  mo- 
tion picture  houses. 

Currently,  there  are  more  than  50  perma- 
nent 16mm  theatres  in  the  U.  S.,  princi- 
pally in  Texas,  Illinois,  Florida,  New  En- 
gland and  Michigan.  Admission  prices  av- 
erage about  25  cents  for  adults,  10  cents 
for  children.  A  circuit  of  19  houses  is  in 
operation  in  Illinois,  under  the  management 
of  Joseph  Reilly.  There  are  about  six  houses 
in  Florida,  including  one  in  Tampa,  anoth- 
er in  Everglade  City  and  a  third  which  re- 
cently was  opened  by  Grover  P.  Yille  in 
Miami  Shores,  suburb  of  Miami.  In  Laings- 
burg,  Mich.,  F.  W.  Veith  operates  the  Elite. 
The  town  has  no  standard  theatre. 

Remodeled  from  Store 
Or  Garage  Buildings 

Most  of  the  permanent  sub-standard  the- 
atres have  been  remodeled  from  garages  or 
store  buildings.  In  the  case  of  the  Reilly 
circuit  in  Illinois,  according  to  Mr.  Reilly, 
eight  theatres  were  built  from  rented  stores 
one  year  and  the  following  year  nine  more 
houses  were  added.  Mr.  Reilly  had  been  a 
road  show  operator  for  five  years  prior  to 
organizing  his  circuit.  Each  house  em- 
ploys an  operator,  cashier,  manager  and 
janitor.  The  circuit  advertises  daily  on  the 
radio  and  in  nine  weekly  newspapers.  It 
utilizes  window  cards,  handbills  and  pro- 


OPEN  THEATRE  AT 
PLANE  PLANT 

Bell  Aircraft  Corporation  has 
opened  a  200-seat  theatre  at  its 
Niagara  Falls,  N.  Y.,  plant  as  part  of 
the  company's  program  to  provide 
entertainment  for  employees  outside 
their  working  hours.  Admission  is 
free.  All  product  shown,  including 
Government  films,  is  in  16mm.  Pro- 
jectionists and  other  theatre  em- 
ployees are  recruited  from  the  com- 
pany's motion  picture  division.  Dur- 
ing the  first  week  of  operation,  "One 
Day  of  War,"  March  of  Time  release, 
was  shown  as  well  as  Bell's  own  pro- 
duction, "Cannons  on  Wings."  A 
Buffalo  exchange  manager  said  this 
week  no  picture  goes  into  the  theatre 
until  all  exhibitors  in  the  area  have 
made  use  of  it.  He  added,  however, 
that  no  first  run  house  in  Niagara  Falls 
exhibits  March  of  Time  films.  The 
plant  theatre  operates  24  hours  a 
day,  with  showings  scheduled  so  that 
workers  can  see  them  before  or  after 
work. 


gram  cards  as  exploitation  aids.  Two  shows 
each  night  are  given  in  some  theatres,  the 
rest  play  two  shows  a  week.  The  circuit 
has  a  contract  with  Monogram  and  PRC  for 
16mm  product  "as  soon  as  pictures  are  re- 
leased," and  also  plays  all  Government  films. 

Among  the  features  shown  during  April 
in  the  Reilly  circuit  were:  "War  Dogs," 
"Blockade,"  "Public  Defender,"  "They 
Meet  Again,"  "Target  for  Tonight,"  "Texas 
Man  Hunt,"  "Deadly  Game,"  "Six  Gun 
Trail"  and  "Lone  Rider  and  the  Bandit." 

The  Elite  theatre  in  Laingsburg,  Mich., 
with  a  seating  capacity  of  300,  is  equipped 
with  air  cooling  and  regular  theatre  chairs, 
as  are  all  the  19  Reilly  houses.  Mr.  Veith, 
operator  of  the  Elite,  purchased  a  building 
in  the  town  and  remodeled  it  for  16mm. 

A  San  Francisco  exhibitor  who  owns  a 
circuit  of  35mm  theatres  was  reported  on  a 
visit  to  New  York  recently,  presumably  to 
study  the  16mm  field  with  the  intention  of 
converting  a  few  houses  in  his  circuit  few 
16mm  showing. 

It  was  learned  in  New  York  this  week 
that  Columbia  Pictures  recently  concluded 
an  "exclusive"  deal  with  Russell  Roshon  of 
Pittsburgh,  one  of  the  large  distributors  of 
16mm  pictures,  whereby  Columbia  will  re- 
lease to  him  24  features  for  16  mm  distribu- 
tion. According  to  reports,  the  24  films  will 
be  released  simultaneously  next  month.  Pre- 
viously, Mr.  Roshon  had  10  Columbia  fea- 
tures on  an  exclusive  basis,  one  of  which 
was  "The  Howards  of  Virginia,"  which  was 
said  to  have  grossed  over  $10,000  in  the 
first  year  of  distribution  by  the  Roshon  or- 
ganization. 

The  new  16mm  Exhibitors  Association, 


which  seeks  to  establish  permanent  head- 
quarters in  Chicago  or  some  other  mid- 
western  city,  has  a  membership  of  72,  com- 
prising film  libraries  and  distributors.  The 
group  will  encourage  its  members  to  open 
permanent  16mm  theatres  in  towns  with  pop- 
ulations ranging  from  2,000  to  7,000,  where 
there  are  no  standard  film  houses.  Seating 
capacity  for  16mm  houses  would  be  set  at 
150  to  350,  depending  on  the  size  of  the 
town. 

Financial  backing  for  the  organization  has 
been  furnished  by  a  Wall  Street  company, 
it  is  reported,  and  at  least  one  major  film 
company  is  planning  to  release,  through  the 
new  group,  16mm  versions  of  its  older  prod- 
uct. 

Seeks  Stabilized 
16mm.  Business 

According  to  Jacques  Kopstein,  of  Astor 
Pictures,  who  is  general  manager  of  the 
new  group,  "the  method  of  selling  16mm 
picture  always  has  been  wrong  and  no  great 
revenue  can  be  expected  in  this  field  for  any 
producer  until  the  business  is  stabilized 
along  the  same  lines  as  the  35mm.  Libraries 
should  be  given  restricted,  exclusive  states' 
rights  territory;  a  minimum  rental  fee 
should  be  set  and  all  returns  should  be  made 
on  a  percentage  basis  of  actual  bookings. 

"Heretofore,  films  have  been  sold  at 
prices  running  as  high  as  $500  a  print,"  he 
pointed  out.  "Obviously,  if  a  library  can 
afford  to  pay  this  much  over  a  period  of 
time,  the  revenue  received  from  a  percent- 
age of  rentals  should  be  at  least  twice  that 
amount.  For  this  reason,  the  trend  in  the 
future  must  be  for  the  distributors  to  place 
their  product  with  the  libraries  on  a  percent- 
age basis. 

"A  nucleus  of  750  exhibitions  is  necessary 
to  get  a  substantial  revenue  nationally  from 
a  feature  in  16mm,"  he  said.  "Multiply  this 
by  $10  and  you  have  a  $7,500  gross  revenue, 
a  small  sum,  and  yet  on  a  52-week  basis  it 
is  quite  substantial,  when  you  figure  there 
are  2,000  exhibitions  in  a  three-year  period 
at  a  $10  average  rental  basis.  The  annual 
amount  becomes  tremendously  interesting, 
even  to  a  small  major  company." 

The  organization  will  encourage  its  mem- 
bers to  take  over  closed  theatres  in  towns 
where  no  theatre  now  exists,  in  addition 
to  establishing  16mm  houses  in  other  the- 
atreless  communities. 

Says  Leaders  Sought 
Trade  Codes  for  Years 

A  representative  of  a  large  16mm  distrib- 
uting agency  in  New  York  expressed  the 
opinion  this  week  that  the  new  Exhibitors 
Association  would  tend  to  "confuse,  rather 
than  clarify"  the  issues  involved  in  stabiliz- 
ing the  16mm  business.  He  said  that  for 
the  past  10  years,  leaders  in  the  field  had 
been  seeking  some  way  to  establish  a  trade 
practice  code  which  would  standardize 
prices,  eliminate  abuses  and  the  overlapping 
of  distribution.  These  objectives  had  been 
aborted,  he  said,  for  the  reason  that  there 
were  too  many  of  the  "get-rich-quick"  ele- 
ments among  16mm  operators. 


(Turn  please- it  just  wont  fit  on  ihe  p*^) 


tV**YB 


ODy,s 


* 


'  ANo**soN 


IN 


******* 
*  < 


#4* 


4  r««^ 


BORZAGE  production 


Released  — with  pride  — by 

UNITED  ARTISTS 


36 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    22,  1943 


U.  S.  Sends  125  Films 
South  in  2  Years 


9,195,312  in  Latin-America 
Attended,  CI  A  A  Reports; 
Cost  $4,500,000 

Latin  Americans  are  learning  about  the 
United  States  currently  from  about  125  mo- 
tion pictures  sent  southward  in  the  last  two 
years  by  the  motion  picture  division  of  the 
Coordinator  of  Inter-American  Affairs. 
Some  36  additional  films  about  Latin  Amer- 
ica are  in  non-theatrical  circulation  in  the 
United  States. 

In  subject  matter  these  pictures  range 
from  MGM's  "Blabbermouth"  to  "How  to 
Use  the  Artificial  Denture." 

Circulation  of  the  Coordinator's  pictures, 
according  to  the  agency's  statistics,  has  been 
to  9,195,312  persons  attending  41,496  show- 
ings in  both  Americas.  The  cost  of  this 
two-year  effort  is  estimated  at  about 
$4,500,000. 

Most  of  the  pictures  are  in  one  or  two 
reels,  16mm.  They  are  sent  to  South  Amer- 
ica with  Spanish  and  Portuguese  sound 
tracks  and  distributed  there,  as  here,  non- 
theatrically.  The  outlets  in  17  Latin  Amer- 
ican countries  have  ranged  from  portable 
projectors  carried  into  the  back  country  by 
truck  to  auditorium  screenings  sponsored  by 
radio  stations,  schools,  clubs  and  churches. 

Re-edited  Pictures  from 
External  Sources 

The  bulk  of  the  screen  material  sent  to  South 
America  is  reedited  film  from  various  external 
sources.  The  production  division,  headed  cur- 
rently by  Tom  Kilpatnck,  has  provided  about 
a  dozen  pictures  specially  produced  for  the 
South  American  audiences.  Francis  Alstock  is 
chief  of  the  film  division. 

The  pictures  now  available  through  the  Co- 
ordinator's office  include  product  garnered  from 
Hollywood,  other  Government  film  making 
agencies,  industrial  film  producers,  the  docu- 
mentary group,  medical  and  professional  soci- 
eties and  a  number  of  pictures  from  large  in- 
dustrial corporations  and  advertisers. 

About  25  per  cent  of  the  product  now 
available  is  from  the  professional  hands 
of  Hollywood  film  makers.  These  include 
reedited  short  subjects,  war  shorts  from 
the  America  Speaks  series  prepared  under 
War  Activities  Committee  auspices,  and 
topical  reels  such  as  the  March  of  Time, 
and  RKO's  This  Is  America  releases. 

Among  the  commercial  industry's  pictures 
adapted  for  Latin  America  are :  "American 
Saddle  Horses,"  "Andy  Hardy's  Dilemma," 
"Basketball  Technique,"  "Blabbermouth," 
"Don't  Talk,"  "FBI  Front,"  "Further  Prophe- 
sies of  Nostradamus,"  "How  to  Fish,"  "How  to 
Swim"  aand  "Art  of  Skiing,"  by  Walt  Disney, 
"Main  Street  on  the  March,"  "Men  of  West 
Point,"  "North  American  Cadets,"  "California 
Jr.  Orchestra,"  "Private  John  Smith,  USA," 
"Quicker  'n  a  Wink,"  "Rack  'em  Up,"  "Para- 
chute Athletes,"  "Sweeny  Steps  Out,"  "The 
Battle,"  and  "We  Refuse  to  Die." 

In  a  few  instances  these  pictures  were  reed- 
ited, and  special  commentary  added  to  carry 
goodwill  and  informational  messages  to  Latin 
America. 

Privately,  officials  of  the  agency  admit  that 
the  projected  production  of  material  specially 


written  to  fill  Latin  American  requests  for  in- 
formation about  the  United  States  has  been 
slow  in  starting.  Changes  in  supervision  of 
the  Coordinator's  production  program,  the  State 
Department,  and  "the  usual  tangles  of  Gov- 
ernment red  tape"  are  blamed  for  the  delays. 

Mr.  Kilpatrick  is  the  third  chief  of  produc- 
tion. Kenneth  Macgowan,  Twentieth  Century- 
Fox  producer,  started  the  program.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Philip  Dunne  and  Charles  E. 
McCarthy,  who  in  turn  were  replaced  in  Feb- 
ruary by  Mr.  Kilpatrick.  Programs  are  "now 
beginning  to  flow,"  at  the  rate  of  about  three 
titles  a  week,  the  agency  said. 

The  cost  of  pictures  to  the  Government  has 
also  been  slashed  substantially,  according  to 
division  officials.  They  assert  that  pictures  are 
now  averaging  between  $4,800  and  $5,000  a 
reel,  compared  with  almost  $13,000  a  while 
back.  The  figures  do  not  include  all  of  the 
overhead  of  the  film  division  offices  in  Wash- 
ington, Hollywood  and  New  York. 

Has  No  Understanding  with 
State  Department 

The  film  section  has  not  reached  an  effec- 
tive understanding  with  the  State  Department 
Division  of  Cultural  Relations  whereby  mate- 
rial is  cleared.  Film  projects  receive  initial 
approval  by  the  State  Department,  then  must 
be  submitted  in  script  and  in  final  print  for 
review.  The  procedure  causes  many  tangles 
and  delays,  with  each  division  blaming  the 
other  for  failure  to  get  the  pictures  out. 

Efforts  are  under  way  to  circumvent  this 
conflict  by  appeals  from  the  Coordinator  to 
the  commercial  distributors  to  slant  their  short 
subjects  to  meet  the  aims  of  the  good  neigh- 
bor policy.  Several  of  the  recently  released 
war  shorts,  including  "Plan  for  Destruction," 
"Blabbermouth"  and  "The  Price  of  Victory" 
have  been  revised  by  distributors  before  send- 
ing them  to  Latin  American  theatres. 

Studio  and  home  office  executives  are  none 
too  happy  about  this  arrangement.  They  have 
filled  all  requests  by  the  agency,  however.  In 
some  instances  this  has  entailed  expensive  re- 
shooting,  editing  and  special  recording.  The 
Government  does  not  pay  for  it. 

Distribution  of  these  pictures  in  Latin  Amer- 
ica is  being  handled  currently  through  108 
projectors  supplied  by  the  CIAA  and  on  69  mo- 
bile projector  trucks  operated  by  the  Sterling 
Products,  Inc.,  drug  interests  and  the  Coca- 
Cola  Company. 

This  use  of  commercial  advertising  trucks  has 
stirred  sharp  controversy  between  the  State 
Department  and  CIAA.  The  State  Depart- 
ment objects  on  the  ground  that  Government 
films  are  aiding  commercial  business  campaigns. 
The  CIAA's  answer  is  that  the  business  agen- 
cies are  materially  aiding  distribution  of  the 
goodwill  information  films. 

105,034  in  Attendance 
In  Single  Week 

In  the  week  ending  April  10th,  105,034  resi- 
dents of  Spanish  and  Portuguese-speaking  na- 
tions attended  243  showings  of  films  selected 
from  the  list  of  161,  according  to  the  Coordina- 
tor's distribution  reports.  This  brought  the 
totals  of  Latin  American  attendance  and  show- 
ings, since  the  inception  of  CIAA  procedure, 
to  3,825,719  and  8,303  respectively.  These  fig- 
ures do  not  include  exhibitions  of  newsreels, 
of  which  164  showings  were  conducted  in  the 
week  noted,  with  77,079  persons  attending. 

Exhibition  figures  in  the  United  States,  for 
the  same  week,  show  185,242  persons  in  at- 
tendance at  1,213  showings.     The  totals  for 


exhibition  in  this  country  since  CIAA  began 
functioning  are  5,369,593  (attendance)  and  33,- 
193  (showings). 

As  of  April  10th,  according  to  CIAA  stat- 
istics, audiences  attending  41,496  showings  in 
both  Americas  numbered  9,195,312.  These  fig- 
ures are  exclusive  of  3,665  newsreel  exhibitions 
witnessed  by  1,748,824  persons. 

The  17  Latin-American  countries  now 
reached  by  the  CIAA  films  are  Argentina,  Bo- 
livia, Brazil,  Chile,  Costa  Rica,  Cuba,  the  Do- 
minican Republic,  Ecuador,  El  Salvador, 
Guatemala,  Honduras,  Mexico,  Nicaragua, 
Panama,  Peru,  Uruguay  and  Venezuela. 

Venezuela,  Brazil  and  Chile  stand  out  among 
these  in  point  of  attendance  and  number  of 
showings.  From  January  28th  through  February 
27th,  76,040  Venezuelans  attended  287  show- 
ings ;  107,320  Brazilians  attended  218  showings 
and  32,281  Chileans  witnessed  176.  In  the  same 
period  66,110  Venezuelans  attended  244  news- 
reel  showings,  98,499  Brazilians  attended  164 
screenings  and  25,480  Chileans  saw  107  presen- 
tations. 


CIAA  Shows  Six 
Short  Subjects 

Six  selected  examples  of  the  motion  pictures 
produced  by  the  Coordinator  of  Inter-Ameri- 
can Affairs  for  16mm  distribution  in  Latin 
America,  and  the  United  States,  were  shown 
to  the  trade  press  at  New  York  on  Friday. 

The  screening  at  the  Museum  of  Modern  Art 
Film  Library  was  the  second  time  that  CIAA 
pictures  had  been  shown  to  the  press  since 
Nelson  Rockefeller  established  the  film  program 
in  1941.  In  February,  1942,  four  pictures  were 
exhibited.  The  film  division  reports  that  it  has 
completed  160  reels. 

The  Government  agency  exhibited  a  Spanish 
newsreel ;  two  Walt  Disney  educational  car- 
toons, "The  Grain  That  Built  the  Hemisphere," 
and  "Winged  Scourge" ;  a  Mexican  Govern- 
ment travelogue,  "Patzcuaro"  ;  "Victory  for  the 
Americas,"  a  documentary  report  on  the  U.  S. 
war  effort  by  Brazilian  and  Argentine  news- 
paper men ;  and  "Walt  Disney  Sees  South 
America,"  a  40-minute  color  record  of  the 
goodwill  tour  by  Mr.  Disney  and  staff  which 
resulted  in  the  production  of  "Saludos  Amigos" 
and  "Surprise  Package." 

The  newsreel,  distributed  to  theatres  in  Latin 
America  by  MGM  and  non-theatrically  by  the 
CIAA,  emphasized  the  U.  S.  war  effort,  troop 
training  and  the  visits  of  President  Roosevelt 
to  Mexico  and  Vice-President  Wallace  to 
South  America. 

The  Disney  cartoons  are  one-reel  educational 
subjects  designed  to  stimulate  control  of  ma- 
laria-bearing mosquitos  and  promote  scientific 
corn  culture.  They  cost  $40,000  each.  The  color 
record  of  Mr.  Disney's  tour  was  used  in  part 
in  "Saludos  Amigos"  and  is  interesting  as  a 
source  record  for  that  picture.  It  is  overlong 
and  the  photography  is  uneven,  however. 

"Victory  for  the  Americas"  was  especially 
produced  by  Paramount  News  at  a  cost  of 
$13,000  from  library  material  and  some  original 
shooting.  It  conducts  two  South  American 
newspaper  men  on  a  pictorial  tour  of  Washing- 
ton, Army  camps,  ship  yards  and  factories  to 
answer  their  questions  about  the  U.  S.  war 
effort. 

"Patzcuaro"  is  a  one-reel  travelogue,  in  color, 
produced  by  the  Mexican  Government's  tourist 
bureau.  With  the  Disney  tour  picture  it  is  in- 
tended for  non-theatrical  distribution  in  the 
United  States.  With  the  exception  of  the  Dis- 
ney cartoons  none  of  the  pictures  was  outstand- 
ing as  a  pedagogical  film  or  as  a  goodwill  in- 
formation report  to  Latin  America. — J.  S.,  Jr. 


Purchases  Iowa  House 

Laurence  Kuhl  has  purchased  the  Grand  the- 
atre at  Greenfield,  la.,  from  George  Morgan. 
Mr.  Kuhl  will  take  possession  on  June  1st. 


\ 


X 


BUY  U.  S.  WAR 
SAVINGS  BONOS 


ROY  ROGERS 
TRIGGER « 

SMILEY  BURNETTE 


THE  SMARTEST 
ORSE  IN  MOVIES 


KING  OF  THE 

COWBOYS 


«^BOB  NOLAN  wTHE  SONS 
PIONEERS-PEGGY  MORAN 

GERALD  MOHR.DOROTHEA  KENT 
LLOYD  CORRIGAN  * 

JOSEPH  KANE-ZW**  ft 

Svtee*  PC**,     OLIVE  COOPER  —  J.  BENTON  CHENEY 
Otifuutl  Stony      HAL  LONG 


38 

20th-Fox  First 
Quarter  Net  Is 

SI,  751, 739 

Twentieth  Century-Fox  last  week  reported 
net  profit  for  the  first  quarter  of  1943  of  $1,- 
751,739  after  all  charges  and  provision  for  Fed- 
eral income  taxes.  The  figures  compares  with 
a  net  of  $841,561  for  the  same  period  last  year. 

Cash  dividends  of  37^  cents  per  share  for 
the  second  1943  quarter  on  the  company's  pre- 
ferred stock  and  25  cents  on  the  common  stock 
were  voted  by  the  directors,  both  payable  June 
30th  to  holders  of  record  on  June  15th. 

Gross  income  for  the  first  quarter  was  $18,- 
992,160  and  expenses  $14,289,826.  Federal 
taxes  amounted  to  $2,885,000.  The  lifting  of 
British  currency  restrictions  allowed  the  com- 
pany to  forego  the  provisions  for  a  reserve 
fund  against  foreign  assets.  Last  year,  $1,100,- 
000  was  provided  for  this  purpose.  Excess 
profits  taxes  were  estimated  at  $2,385,000  on 
the  basis  of  pro-rating  estimated  excess  profits 
credits. 

The  formation  of  a  buying  syndicate  to  ac- 
quire 660,000  shares  of  20th  Century-Fox  pre- 
ferred stock  held  by  the  Chase  National  Bank 
was  indicated  last  week  in  reports  from  Wall 
Street  interests.  It  was  reported  that  that  the 
syndicate  would  consist  of  approximately  100 
investment  companies,  Lehman  Brothers  being 
prominently  mentioned  as  leader  of  the  syndi- 
cate. During  March  and  April,  this  company  was 
identified  with  the  purchases  of  more  than  200,- 
000  shares  of  20th  Century-Fox  common  stock 
from  Chase  National  Bank. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  20th  Century-Fox 
stockholders  on  Tuesday,  all  directors  of  the 
company  were  reelected.  They  are  H.  Donald 
Campbell,  T.  J.  Connors,  John  R.  Dillon,  William 
Goetz,  Daniel  O.  Hastings,  Felix  A.  Jenkins, 
W.  C.  Michel,  William  P.  Philips,  Hermann  G. 
Place,  Seton  Porter,  Spvros  P.  Skouras,  Sydney 
Towell  and  Wendell  L.'Willkie. 

Proposed  amendments  to  the  certificate  of 
incorporation  and  the  by-laws  included  one  per- 
taining to  the  number  of  directors ;  one  to  en- 
large the  purposes  of  the  corporation  and  to 
utilize  natural  commercial  and  business  oppor- 
tunities which  may  arise ;  to  change  the  number 
of  members  of  the  executive  committee,  and  to 
indemnify  under  specified  conditions  directors 
and  officers  who  incur  expenses  in  law  suits  in 
which  they  may  be  defendants  by  virtue  of  their 
association  with  the  company. 

Following  the  stockholders'  meeting,  the 
board  of  directors  elected  the  following  offi- 
cers :  Wendell  L.  Willkie,  chairman  of  the 
board  of  directors ;  Spyros  Skouras,  president ; 
Hermann  Place,  chairman  of  the  executive 
committee ;  William  C.  Michel,  executive  vice- 
president;  William  Goetz,  vice-president  in 
charge  of  studio  operations ;  Tom  J.  Connors, 
vice-president  in  charge  of  distribution ;  Mur- 
ray Silverstone,  vice-president  in  charge  of 
foreign  distribution ;  Sydney  Towell,  vice-presi- 
dent and  treasurer  ;  Wilfred  Eadie,  comptroller 
and  assistant  treasurer ;  Felix  A.  Jenkins,  sec- 
retary. Mr.  Goetz  resigned  from  the  company 
recently,  but  his  resignation  will  not  be  ef- 
fective for  several  months. 


Advertising  Agency  Continues 

The  Barrons  Advertising  Company  of  Kansas 
City,  founded  in  1909  by  M.  J.  Barrons,  who 
died  six  months  ago.  is  continuing  under  that 
name,  all  outstanding  stock  having  been  ac- 
quired by  three  executives.  Wheeler  Godfrey, 
now  president  and  treasurer,  has  been  with  the 
company  10  years,  as  account  executive.  A.  W. 
Durrin,  with  the  company  25  years,  is  secretary 
and  auditor;  Frank  H.  Little  with  the  company 
12  years,  is  vice-president.  It  handles  many 
theatrical  accounts. 


MOTiON    PICTURE  HERALD 

Commerce  Weekly  Reports 
Latin-American  Gain 

Motion  picture  receipts  in  Guayaquil,  the 
largest  city  in  Ecuador,  amounted  to  $193,076 
(or  2,731,146  sucres)  in  1942,  the  Foreign 
Commerce  Weekly  of  the  U.  S.  Department 
of  Commerce  has  reported.  It  compares  with 
grosses  of  $137,076  in  1941.  There  are  10  the- 
atres in  the  city  and  attendance  was  estimated 
at  2,640,271. 

Theatre  attendance  is  relatively  less  in  in- 
terior regions,  the  department  noted,  because 
of  low  wage  scales.  Country  theatres  are  of 
bamboo  or  other  light  construction  and  show 
class  B  or  C  pictures.  Better  pictures  are  from 
two  to  five  years  old. 

In  Chile  last  year  the  United  States  supplied 
90  per  cent  of  the  films,  the  weekly  said.  Mex- 
ico, Argentina  and  Great  Britain  supplied  the 
balance,  although  several  pictures  were  pro- 
duced locally.  At  Antofagasta  attendance  in 
two  theatres  exceeded  400,000. 

$248,154  First  Quarter 
Net  for  Consolidated 

The  report  of  Consolidated  Film  Industries, 
Inc.,  last  week  disclosed  that  for  the  first  quar- 
ter of  1943,  the  company's  net  earnings  were 
$248,154  after  charges  and  provision  of  $179,- 
697  for  Federal  normal  taxes  and  surtax. 

The  figure  compares  with  a  revised  net  profit 
of  $174,380,  equal  to  43  cents  per  share  on  pre- 
ferred stock  for  the  same  period  last  year.  This 
year's  figure  was  equal  to  62  cents  per  share  on 
the  400,000  shares  of  $2  preferred  stock,  on 
which  dividend  arrearages  amounted  to  $11.25 
per  share. 

Technicolor  Reelects  All 
Officers  and  Directors 

The  directors  of  the  Technicolor  Motion  Pic- 
ture Corporation  this  week  reelected  all  officers 
of  the  company,  and  at  the  annual  stockholder's 
meeting  the  four  directors  whose  terms  had  ex- 
pired were  named  to  serve  another  three  years. 
Officers  elected  were :  Herbert  T.  Kalmus, 
president ;  F.  Lewis,  vice-president  and  secre- 
tary ;  L.  G.  Clark,  treasurer  and  Miss  L.  A. 
Skinner,  assistant  secretary.  The  directors  are 
A.  W.  Fritzshe,  A.  W.  Hawkes,  H.  K.  Mc- 
Cann  and  Joseph  H.  Hayes. 

"Boy  From  Stalingrad" 
Released  Thursday 

Columbia  Pictures'  "Boy  From  Stalingrad," 
was  placed  in  general  release  on  Thursday.  The 
six  youths  in  the  film  are  portrayed  by  five 
youngsters  born  in  the  United  States  and  one 
born  in  Germany.  The  film  was  adapted  for  the 
screen  by  Ferdinand  Reyher  and  was  directed 
by  Sidney  Salkow. 


File  Cost  Judgments 

Paramount  Pictures,  Inc.,  and  some  of  its 
directors,  who  won  a  dismissal  of  a  $100,000 
recovery  action,  filed  cost  judgments  of  $296 
last  week  in  the  New  York  County  Clerk's 
office  against  minority  stockholders  of  Para- 
mount, who  had  br_raght  the  action  to  recover 
the  amount  paid,  which  they  had  claimed  the 
directors  had  no  right  to  do.  The  award  was 
made  by  the  Appellate  Division  of  the  New 
York  Supreme  Court,  which  denied  the  appeal 
of  the  stockholders.  The  stockholders  had  sued 
to  recover  the  money  paid  to  George  E.  Browne 
and  William  Bioff,  later  convicted  for  extor- 
tion and  sentenced  to  prison  terms. 


K-A-O  Reelects  Directors 

All  directors  of  the  Keith-Albee-Orpheum 
Corporation  were  reelected  at  the  annual  meet- 
ing of  the  stockholders  in  New  York  on  Tues- 
day. Among  them  are  N.  Peter  Rathvon.  Mal- 
colm Kingsberg,  Monroe  Goldwater,  D.  K. 
David,  John  J.  McCaffrey  and  Frank  Zinn. 


May    22  ,     I  943 

RKO  Reports  Net 
Of $1,925,819 
For  13  Weeks  \ 

Net  profit  for  Radio-Keith-Orpheum  Cor- 
poration and  subsidiary  companies  for  the  13 
weeks  ended  April  3,  1943,  was  $1,925,819.49, 
it  was  announced  at  the  company's  home  office  in 
New  York  Wednesday.  The  figure  compares 
with  a  net  for  the  comparable  period  last  year 
of  $452,383.18  and  a  total  net  profit  for  the  year 
1942  of  $736,240.  The  1943  quarter  profit  was 
the  highest  reported  by  the  company  in  more 
than  12  years. 

The  net  for  the  first  quarter  of  1943  included 
a  deduction  of  $1,406,454.54  provision  for  in- 
come taxes  based  on  a  42  per  cent  rate  for  1943. 
No  provision  was  made  for  Federal  excess 
profits  tax. 

The  figures  are  subject  to  audit  and  adjust- 
ment at  the  end  of  the  calendar  year,  the  com- 
pany said. 

The  report  stated  that  during  1942  profit?  of 
theatre  operating  subsidiaries  continued  the 
sharp  increase  which  started  in  the  latter  part 
of  1941,  but  these  profits,  as  in  the  previous 
year,  were  partially  offset  by  losses  sustained 
by  RKO  Radio  Pictures,  the  producing  and  dis- 
tributing subsidiary.  The  report  further  stated, 
however,  that  improved  conditions  had  account- 
ed for  the  higher  earnings  in  the  first  quarter 
of  1943.  Unsettled  conditions  make  it  impos- 
sible to  estimate  figures  for  the  earning  month, 
however,  it  was  said. 

Net  profits  of  theatre  subsidiaries  in  1942 
were  $3,091,802  as  compared  with  $1,148,205  in 
1941.  A  net  loss  of  $2,359,986  in  1942  sustained 
by  RKO  Radio  Pictures  and  its  subsidiaries  off- 
set theatre  earnings.  Release  of  British  funds 
in  October  made  it  unnecessary  to  create  a  re- 
serve against  income  resulting  from  foreign  op- 
erations, enabling  RKO  to  reduce  the  reserve 
for  contingencies  to  $851,313. 

The  RKO  Corporation  borrowed  $3,000,000 
during  the  year  which  it  advanced  to  the  dis- 
tributing company  for  production  purposes.  The 
loan  has  since  been  reduced  to  $2,100,000.  The 
corporation's  balance  sheet  showed  $16,017,819 
at  December  31,  1942. 

Hunt  Sells  Two  Theatres 

In  Philadelphia  and  New  Jersey 

A.  M.  Ellis,  who  operates  houses  in  Phila- 
delphia and  Camden,  N.  J.,  has  purchased  the 
Rockland  theatre  in  Philadelphia,  from  William 
C.  Hunt,  whose  remaining  theatres  are  in 
Trenton  and  southern  New  Jersey. 

Norman  Lewis,  of  Philadelphia,  will  operate 
the  Crescent,  West  Collingswood,  N.  J.,  ac- 
quired from  the  Hunt  circuit  by  Albert  M. 
Cohen  and  Associates. 

Stanley  Company  Purchases 
Ridgewood  Playhouse 

The  Stanley  Company  of  America  has  pur- 
chased the  Playhouse  theatre  in  Ridgewood, 
N.  J.,  from  the  Fidelity  Liquidating  Trust  Com- 
pany. The  Alexander  Summer  Company  of 
Teaneck  was  broker. 

Harrison  and  Reinhardt,  attorneys,  repre- 
sented the  Fidelity  company,  while  the  Stanley 
Company  was  represented  by  Ben  Wirth  and 
Abel  A.  Vigard. 


Drop  Copyright  Action 

Papers  filed  last  week  in  New  York  Federal 
Court  disclosed  that  the  copyright  infringe- 
ment action  involving  the  songs  'When  Irish 
Eyes  Are  Smiling,"  and  "Until  the  Sands  of  the 
Desert  Grow  Cold"  had  been  discontinued 
against  Mills  Music,  Inc.,  named  as  party  de- 
fendants in  M.  Witmark  &  Sons'  action  against 
the  Fred  Fisher  Music  Company,  Inc. 


May    2  2,     19  4  3 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


39 


BRITISH  FILM  LABOR  STEPS 
INTO  POLITICAL  FIELD 


Move  Opposed  by  Some  of 
ACT  Members;  Asquith 
Resigns  Presidency 

by  AUBREY  FLANAGAN 

in  London 

Flushed  with  the  thrill  of  progress  and 
achievement,  stretching  its  limbs  in  the  zest 
and  enthusiasm  of  new  found  strength, 
Labor  as  found  within  the  British  motion 
picture  industry  and  represented  by  the  As- 
sociation of  Cine-Technicians,  is  adventur- 
ing farther  afield  these  days,  and  with  pride 
in  its  industrial  and  material  gains,  has 
stepped — rather  rashly  think  many  of  its 
friends — into  the  field  of  higher  politics. 

Events  and  developments  crystallized  re- 
cently into  a  brave  waving  of  political  stand- 
ards, at  the  annual  conference  of  the  A.C.T., 
the  waving  no  less  of  oratorical  bludgeons, 
high  powered  pronunciamentoes  and  the 
passing  of  reformist  and  protective  resolu- 
tions— and,  not  least  significantly  and  un- 
happily, the  resignation  from  the  presidency 
of  Anthony  Asquith. 

This  incursion  into  the  political  field, 
however,  has  not  been  made  without  criti- 
cisms and  objections  from  A.C.T.  mem- 
bers themselves,  who  have  voiced  the  con- 
tention that  the  organization  which  has 
done  so  nobly  in  improving  and  con- 
solidating the  working  conditions  of 
employees  in  British  studios  is  strictly  a 
trade  union  and  as  such  should  concern 
itself  exclusively  with  trade  union  affairs. 

Not  the  least  significant  straw  floating  in 
the  A.C.T.  wind  was  the  move  to  affiliate  the 
A.C.T.  with  the  Labor  Party.  Passed  with 
but  10  dissentients,  the  resolution  in  favor 
of  this  action  provides  for  a  ballot  of  mem- 
bers in  order  to  formalise  the  move. 

The  political  mood  which  colors  the  ac- 
tivities and  proceedings  of  the  studio  em- 
ployees' association  is  seen,  too,  in  the  pre- 
sentation and  the  general  approval  of  resolu- 
tions against  non-cooperation  with  anti- 
democratic elements,  in  favor  of  mobilizing 
the  industry  for  a  second  front  in  Europe 
and  for  the  immediate  application  of  the 
Beveridge  Plan. 

Energies  Devoted  to 
Bettering  Conditions 

Such  political  interventions  do  not,  it 
should  be  recorded,  limit  either  the  achieve- 
ment or  the  intentions  of  the  A.C.T.,  whose 
main  energies  so  far  have  been  devoted  to 
the  primary  and  paramount  purpose  of  bet- 
tering the  working  conditions  of  the  motion 
picture  technicians  and  helping  to  establish 
and  fortify  a  sound  industry  basis  upon 
which  such  prosperity  and  harmony  would 
be  built. 

The  achievement,  after  seven  years'  cam- 
paigning, of  a  standard  agreement  on  work- 
ing conditions  in  British  motion  picture  pro- 
duction— outside  which  alone  for  the  time 
being  stand  the  newsreel  organizations — al- 
ready has  been  dealt  with  fully  and  is  now  a 


MAY  REOPEN  BRITISH 
NEWSREEL  PLAN 

The  present  British  newsreel  distri- 
bution system  may  be  reappraised  on 
December  31,  next,  instead  of  a  year 
later,  as  a  result  of  exhibitor  dissatis- 
faction with  the  current  operation  of 
the  plan,  it  was  indicated  in  London 
last  week.  The  exhibitor  organization 
will  ask  the  newsreels  to  agree  to  a 
reconsideration  of  the  scheme.  Exhib- 
itors have  complained  the  new  sys- 
tem depriving  them  of  the  right  to 
cancel  newsreels,  gives  the  newsreels 
a  virtual  monopoly,  and  deprives  the 
exhibitor  of  bargaining  power. 


matter  of  history.  The  increasing  member- 
ship of  the  A.C.T.  itself,  and  the  power  it 
wields  by  virtue  of  the  manpower  situation 
are,  of  course,  the  source  of  some  strength. 

British  studio  labor,  too,  has  more  than 
merely  useful  representation  in  Parliamen- 
tary circles,  finds  no  difficulty  in  lobbying 
in  the  corridors  of  Westminster,  is  known 
to  have  a  pull  with  the  Board  of  Trade,  the 
Ministry  of  Labor,  and  other  Departments, 
and  is  represented  on  the  Films  Council. 

Monopoly  Charges 
Discussed 

Proceedings  at  this  year's  annual  powwow 
were  not  allowed  to  pass  without  serious 
consideration  of  such  matters  as  the  monop- 
oly danger  which  is  seen  in  the  expansion 
and  strengthening  of  the  Rank  interests, 
particularly  in  regard  to  the  Rank-Two 
Cities  reciprocity  scheme,  and  the  recently 
formed  Scenario  Institute,  also  the  pooling 
of  technicians,  equipment,  studio  space, 
etcetera  for  the  numerous  companies  en- 
gaged in  the  production  of  documentary 
films  for  the  Government,  the  setting  up  of 
machinery  to  initiate,  under  Governmnet 
auspices,  post-war  planning  for  documentary 
and  instructional  film  production. 

The  efficiency  report  drawn  up  by  the 
production  sub-committee  last  year,  which 
despite  its  constructive  and  non-contro- 
versial character  met  with  short  shrift  from 
the  Production  Association,  is  still  being 
pressed. 

In  this  particular  regard,  when  Sidney 
Cole,  speaking  for  the  A.C.T.  executive  com- 
mittee, spotlighted  the  overlapping  which 
admittedly  exists  in  British  production, 
pointing  out  as  examples  the  production  of 
more  than  one  film  dealing  with  the  same 
subject,  two  on  the  Fire  Service,  two  on  the 
Navy's  submarines — one  in  each  category 
M.O.I,  sponsored — two  on  the  Eighth  Army 
and  a  whole  batch  on  life  in  occupied  coun- 
tries, there  were  few  outside  the  A.C.T.  to 
disagree  that  there  is  weight  to  the  argu- 
ment which  aims  at  efficiency. 

There  are,  however,  industry  sections  and 


individuals,  many  of  them  sympathetic  with 
the  professional  and  industrial  aims  of  the 
Technicians  Association,  who  have  felt  some 
embarrassment  at  the  incident  which  crys- 
tallized in  the  resignation  from  the  presi- 
dency of  Mr.  Asquith. 

The  crux  and  provocation  of  this  political 
incident  was  the  Two  Cities  production  "The 
Demi  Paradise"  which  deals  with  the  ad- 
ventures of  a  Soviet  engineer  in  Britain  be- 
fore and  during  wartime.  A  Works  Com- 
mittee representing  employees  at  Denham 
Studios  took  it  upon  themselves  to  raise  ob- 
jection to  the  film's  scenario  and  conveyed 
a  protest  to  the  studio  management— and 
were  rapped  on  the  knuckles  by  the  latter 
for  so  doing. 

Decision  of  A.C.T.  Brings 
Asquith  Resignation 

The  A.C.T.  General  Council  ultimately 
blessed  this  intervention  of  the  Works  Com- 
mittee by  a  formal  congratulation.  In  pro- 
test against  such  prejudgment  of  a  case  in 
dispute  "after  hearing  only  one  side  of  that 
case"  Mr.  Asquith,  director  of  the  film,  re- 
signed his  presidency  of  the  Association. 

Although  the  incident  has  been,  so  to 
speak,  reduced  from  standard  to  sub-stand- 
ard by  the  contention  that  it  is  but  a  domes- 
tic matter  bearing  on  the  Association's 
General  Council  and  officers  themselves, 
there  has  been  criticism  of  the  whole  affair 
for  its  political  embroilments.  One  A.C.T. 
member  contended  that  the  whole  matter  had 
been  stirred  up  by  a  small  but  active  political 
group,  and  insisted  that  the  A.C.T.'s  Gen- 
eral Council  should  be  100  per  cent  trade 
unionist,  100  per  cent  for  its  members,  and 
no  per  cent  for  political  affairs. 

Soviet  Embassy  Also 
Protests  Script 

Into  the  picture  comes  the  Soviet  Em- 
bassy which,  it  can  now  be  revealed,  have 
taken  exception  to  the  script  of  "Demi  Para- 
dise" and  insist  that  if  the  film  is  shown  in 
the  form  originally  laid  down  in  the  scenario 
they  will  protest. 

Whether  the  Works  Committee  whose 
functions  and  purposes  were  believed  purely 
concerned  with  working  conditions  and  mat- 
ters, were  within  their  appropriate  province 
and  privileges  in,  to  quote  Ivor  Montagu,  a 
political  left  winger  himself,  "trying  to  find 
out  exactly  what  was  in  the  script"  is  some- 
thing" about  which  there  is  some  difference 
of  opinion,  but  which  latter  is  not  all  favor- 
able. 

So  has  the  benison  bestowed  by  the 
A.C.T.'s  executive  committee  been  inter- 
preted as  a  political  gesture  outside  its  nom- 
inally trade  union  province,  and  one  not 
necessarily  calculated  to  assist  closer  col- 
laboration on  the  purely  industrial  field. 


$32,320,000  In  Taxes 

In  the  issue  of  the  Herald  of  May  15th,  in 
an  article  by  Aubrey  Flanagan  from  London, 
the  figure  of  £8,000,000  was  translated  into 
terms  of  dollars  as  $3,232,000,000.  It  should 
have  read  $32,320,000. 


DONALD 


O'CONNOR 


with 

GLORIA  JEAN*  KGGY  RYAN 

ROBERT  PAIGE  •  ELYSE  KNOX 
SAMUEL  S.  HINDS  •  BOBBY  SCHEERER 
THE  BEN  CARTER  CHOIR 

RAY  EBERLE  «*  EDDIE  MILLER'S  BOB  CATS 

Screen  Play,  Jack  Pollexfen  •  Dorothy  Bennett  •  Original  Story  by  Virginia  Rooks 
Directed  by  CHARLES  LAMONT      .      Associate  Producer,  KEN  GOLDSMITH 


AT  UNIVERSAL  WE  SPELL  IT 


42 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    2  2,     194  3 


?J\Core  Showmen  and  the  Press 
Protest  War  on  the  Screen 


Exhibitors  continue  to  write  expressions  of  their  opinions  on  the  current  flow  of  pictures 
on  the  war.  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD,  in  the  issue  of  May  8th,  published  thirty-three 
letters  from  leading  showmen,  in  which  they  voiced  their  reactions  to  such  films.  Ten 
more  were  published  on  May  15th.  In  this  issue  there  are  five.  This  is  a  total  of  forty- 
eight  responses  to  one  hundred  and  one  inquiries.  By  far  the  greater  number  recorded 
their  opposition  to  the  preponderance  of  films  which  have  the  war  for  subject  matter. 


JOHN  J.  FRIEDL 

Minnesota  Amusement  Company, 
Minneapolis,  Minn. 

Reply  to  your  letter  of  April  27th  was  de- 
layed because  I  wanted  to  get  the  comment  of 
my  associates. 

The  concensus  of  opinion  is  that  there  are 
too  many  war  pictures  being  released  at  the 
present  time. 

It  is  our  opinion  that  Dorothy  Kilgallen  tells 
the  story  briefly  and  emphatically  in  the  at- 
tached clipping. 

People  want  escapist  entertainment  and  an 
occasional  opportunity  to  forget  the  hardships 
under  which  we  are  living  at  the  present  time. 


The  remarks  of  Dorothy  Kilgallen,  to  which 
Mr.  Friedl  refers,  appeared  in  her  column, 
"Voice  of  Broadway,"  and  are  as  follows: 

"I  am  becoming  convinced  that  Hollywood 
has  an  irksome  habit  of  overdoing  a  good  thing. 
When  a  musical  picture  makes  a  hit,  a  cycle  of 
musicals  starts.  When  a  screwball  comedy  like 
'It  Happened  One  Night'  clicks,  every  lot  from 
Paramount  to  Monogram  puts  a  screwball  com- 
edy into  the  oven.  A  successful  'Life  of  Emile 
Zola'  was  enough  to  set  the  moguls  to  filming 
the  biography  of  every  one  from  Abraham 
Lincoln  to  Looey  the  Gimp. 

"The  current  over-indulgence  is  war  pictures, 
and  I  think  it  is  the  most  serious  abuse  of  the 
cycle  craze  to  date,  because  the  effect  on  morale 
is  so  shattering.  A  certain  amount  of  blood  and 
thunder  and  flag  waving  was  necessary  in  the 
early  days  of  the  war  to  get  the  soft  civilian 
public  properly  whipped  up  to  a  realization  of 
the  necessity  to  pitch  in  the  fight. 

"But  that  usefulness  has  been  outlived,  and 
now  with  a  soldier  or  several  soldiers  in  virtu- 
ally every  family  in  the  land,  and  the  casualties 
coming  home  to  the  hospitals  and  'The  War 
Department  regrets  to  inform  you'  telegrams 
arriving  daily  in  every  city,  the  very  plurality 
of  battle  pictures  is  harrowing." 

T.  B.  CARTER 

Electric  Theatre,  Browning,  Mo. 

I  use  some  of  the  war  pictures  that  the  gov- 
ernment requests  that  we  put  before  the  people. 
However,  I  intend  to  try  to  use  common  sense 
in  the  matter  of  war  pictures,  and  not  run  too 
many  of  them. 

People  read  a  lot  about  the  war  in  the  news- 
papers and  hear  it  over  the  radio,  and  it  seems 
to  me  that  it  is  our  job  to  give  them  something 
in  the  theatre  to  laugh  at — relaxation  from  the 
war  is  a  necessity,  so  I  try  to  keep  'em  laugh- 
ing and  give  them  a  reasonable  amount  of  war 
pictures  on  the  screen. 

CHARLIE  KARR 

Martin  Theatres,  Atlanta,  Ga. 

I  am  glad  to  see  so  many  exhibitors  give  their 
frank  opinion  about  war  films,  as  we  have  been 
deluged  with  this  type  entertainment  for  the 
past  several  months  and  the  public  is  getting 
fed  up  with  it. 

We  all  realize  that  we  are  in  the  war  to  a 
finish  and  we  are  subscribing  to  bonds  and  do- 


ing everything  else  possible  to  bring  it  to  a 
successful  conclusion,  and  every  time  we  turn 
on  our  radios  we  are  asked  to  save  kitchen 
fats,  purchase  bonds,  do  this,  do  that,  and  when 
a  person  goes  to  the  theatre  he  goes  to  be  en- 
tertained and  get  his  mind  momentarily  off  the 
war. 

We  make  from  four  to  six  changes  per  week 
in  most  of  our  theatres  and  because  of  so  many 
war  films  we  sometimes  have  two  and  three  in 
the  same  week.  We  recently  had  one  of  our 
managers  write  that  he  was  playing  "Flying 
Fortress"  and  invited  all  of  the  mothers  in  the 
town  who  had  sons  in  the  Air  Corps  to  attend 
the  theatre  free.  He  had  two  mothers  in  at- 
tendance. 

We  find  that  pictures  like  "Star  Spangled 
Rhythm,"  "They  Got  Me  Covered,"  "Hello, 
Frisco,  Hello,"  "The  More  the  Merrier"  are 
pictures  that  are  doing  the  business  at  the  box 
office  and  the  type  of  entertainment  our  patrons 
want  to  see. 

LIONEL  KEENE 

Kirkwood  Theatre,  Atlanta,  Ga. 

Definitely,  there  are  too  many  war  pictures 
in  circulation  today.  The  public  does  want 
some  serious  authentic  war  movies,  but  not 
without  comedy  relief.  The  present  day  neigh- 
borhood attendance  when  we  have  a  comedy  or 
musical  film  indicates  their  will.  "Screwball" 
stories,  highlighted  with  singing,  dancing — and 
name  bands  always  pull.  The  Hal  Roach 
streamliners,  such  as  "Hayfoot,"  are  positively 
a  pleasant  relief. 

The  public  doesn't  want  all-fun  pictures  either 
— but  a  good  balanced  "diet."  Even  with  ra- 
tioning, a  swell  beef  roast,  perfectly  cooked, 
would  become  monotonous  if  we  had  it  day  after 
day. 

Remember,  each  day  more  families  find  their 
sons  in  the  armed  forces.  They  feel  badly 
about  their  absence — perhaps  in  many  instances 
it's  the  first  time  the  boy  has  been  away  from 
home  for  any  length  of  time.  War  pictures  re- 
mind "mama"  and  "papa"  too  much  of  "buddy" 
— so  they  stay  away — and  tend  their  Victory 
garden.  Give  them  music,  dancing,  singing  and 
comedy  relief — with  dramas  sandwiched — and 
you've  got  customers.  The  newsreels  and  Gov- 
ernment films  tell  them  all  they  want  to  know 
about  the  war  and  how  it  is  going — and  they 
want  to  see  them — but  please  don't  cram  one 
war  story  after  the  other  down  their  throats — 
'cause  it's  bitter  medicine  they  won't  swallow 
constantly. 

MERLE  R.  BLAIR 

Regent  Theatre,  Cedar  Falls,  Iowa 

Out  here  in  Iowa  war  is  the  topic  of  the  day. 
Our  theatre  has  been  collection  source  for  every 
national  and  local  drive  since  before  December 
7th.  The  people  are  receiving  notices  of  their 
sons'  death,  capture,  missing,  etc.  Surely  the 
producers  must  realize  that  what  the  great  mass 
of  people  want  in  the  theatre  is  to  be  enter- 
tained, amused,  made  to  laugh,  to  relax,  and  to 
forget  for  a  few  fleeting  moments  this  terrible 
strain  of  war  and  death  and  destruction.  They 
need  pictures  that  entertain. 


THE  PRESS  SAYS 


DAILY  NEWS,  Washington,  D.  C. 
By  Russell  Stewart 

"...  We  present  the  woman's  viewpoint, 
as  provided  by  Mrs.  Walter  Ferguson, 
whose  'One  Woman's  Opinion'  columns 
are  a  woman's  page  feature  in  The  Daily 
News.   Here's  what  Mrs.  Ferguson  says: 

"  'Will  Hays  says  our  movies  have  a  two- 
fold purpose  these  days — to  win  the  war,, 
and  at  the  same  time  to  give  entertainment 
and  relaxation  to  people  suffering  from 
worry  and  strain.  For  the  sake  of  some  of 
those  millions,  I  wish  Hollywood  could 
make  up  its  mind. 

"  'Perhaps  Hollywood  would  do  more  to 
win  the  war  by  giving  them  only  escape 
entertainment.  At  least,  the  two  types  of 
pictures  should  be  segregated.' 

"We  agree,  in  general,  with  Mrs.  Fer- 
guson; yet  there  are  some  war  films  which 
we  believe  everyone  should  put  aside  their 
war  jitters  for  and  go  see.  ..." 

THE  COURIER,  Waterloo,  la. 
An  Editorial 

"Like  a  single  note  that  becomes  monot- 
onous when  constantly  repeated,  the  war 
theme  has  been  over-played.  .  .  .  The 
movie  fan  wants  relief.  .  .  . 

"Hollywood,  of  course,  is  always  respon- 
sive to  the  public  demand.  ..." 

WORLD-TELEGRAM,  New  York  City 
By  Alton  Cook 

"War  clouds  over  Times  Square  are  lift- 
ing. ...  Of  the  fifteen  principal  movies, 
only  eight  have  war  as  a  theme  .  .  .  the 
total  has  been  running  much  higher. 

"Using  the  war  as  a  device  for  catch- 
penny melodrama  is  more  than  a  mere  box- 
office  glut  on  one  theme.  Good  war  pic- 
tures have  an  inspirational  service  to 
perform.  Ruining  the  subject  by  overuse 
means  those  good  pictures  won't  be  made." 

THE  TIMES,  Los  Angeles,  Calif. 
By  Edwin  Schallert 

"An  alleged  revolt  against  war  pictures 
is  beginning.  .  .  .  It's  the  women  who  are 
bogging  down  in  their  appreciation  of 
these  embattled  affairs.  The  war  is  be- 
coming too  real  an  experience  for  many 
of  them,  because  they  have  been  struck 
deep  by  the  casualties. 

"It  isn't  possible  to  eliminate  the  back- 
ground of  war  from  plots,  but  at  least  films 
that  just  deal  with  the  horrors,  bloodshed 
and  dynamic  forces  of  battle  will  probably 
be  shunned.  ..." 


$oU  ARCHER  •  TtUnpue  LORD 

HARRY  DAVENPORT  •  BILLY  GILBERT 
ANNE  REVERE  •  FRANK  JENKS  •  CLIFF 
NAZARRO  •  CARL  SWITZER 
MATTY  MALNECK  w  fa*  Oic&utn*, 
Vinected  4  JOSEPH  SANTLEY 

Screen  Play      OLIVE  COOPER 

/tctafiteUia*  *4  a  Ptcuf,      HENRY  MORITZ 


JlEE  PUBLIC  PA 


44 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    22,  1943 


Throngs  Crowd 
Garden  For 
Greek  Benefit 

A  full  house  in  Madison  Square  Garden, 
New  York,  last  Tuesday  evening  saw  the  latest 
in  a  series  of  war  benefits,  this  one  the  Greek 
War  Relief  Show,  which  was  expected  to 
raise  more  than  $100,000  for  the  Greek  War 
Relief  Association. 

Among  the  many  notables  present  were  the 
mayor  of  New  York,  Fiorello  H.  LaGuardia, 
the  former  mayor,  James  J.  Walker,  and  Arch- 
bishop Athenagoras  of  the  Greek  Orthodox 
Church. 

The  show,  under  the  auspices  of  the  motion 
picture  industry,  through  representative  execu- 
tives headed  by  Spyros  Skouras,  president  of 
Twentieth  Century-Fox,  featured  folk  dances, 
"name"  bands,  and  stage,  radio,  and  screen 
stars. 

Among  these  were :  Ed  Sullivan,  George 
Jessel,  Bert  Lytell,  Jackie  Miles,  Henny 
Youngman,  Milton  Berle,  Fred  Waring  and 
choral  group  of  150  voices,  Dean  Murphy, 
Mario  &  Floria,  The  Christianos,  Alec  Temple- 
ton,  Jimmy  Dorsey  and  orchestra  and  company 
from  the  Roxy  theatre,  Ed  Gardner  and  Myrna 
Loy,  Allen  Jones,  Irene  Manning,  Dudley  Eield 
Malone,  Kenny  Baker,  Jerry  Lester,  Carmen 
Amaya,  Jimmy  Durante,  Grace  Moore,  Jackie 
Miles,  Duke  Ellington  and  Orchestra  with 
Dooley  Wilson,  the  Berry  Brothers  and  Ethel 
Waters,  Nicholas  Mascona,  Herbert  Marshall, 
Lanny  Loss,  Jack  Haley,  Ella  Logan,  Gypsy 
Markoff,  Frank  Sinatra,  Arthur  Treacher  and 
Catherine  Meskill,  Stewart  Langeley,  dancer 
Anita  Alvarez,  Connie  Boswell,  Akim  Tamir- 
off,  Bill  Johnson,  Alfred  Drake  and  Joan  Rob- 
erts, Ray  Bolger,  Wayne  and  Marlin,  choral 
ensemble  from  Music  Hall,  soloists  Marjory 
Williamson  and  John  De  Surra,  Radio  City- 
Music  Hall  "Rockettes." 

Chairman  of  the  entertainment  committee 
was  Edward  Alperson,  general  manager  of  the 
RKO  circuit. 


Give  Tickets  to 
Service  Men 


Washington,  D.  C,  amusement  industry  ex- 
ecutives have  cooperated  to  obtain  tickets  to 
various  amusements  for  service  men.  Approxi- 
mately 227,120  titckets  are  available  for  the 
year,  according  to  Sidney  Lust,  committee  head 
and  local  exhibitor. 

The  committee  is  endeavoring  to  reduce,  for 
service  men,  the  cover  charges  in  night  clubs, 
and  to  have  waived  the  fees  in  bowling  alleys 
and  on  golf  courses. 

The  service  men  are  informed  of  the  oppor- 
tunities through  their  recreational  organiza- 
tions, and  by  a  publicity  campaign  in  window 
cards  and  newspaper  stories. 

The  theatre  men  are  joined  in  the  charitable 
effort  by  executives  from  the  sports  field. 


Ohio  Censor  Cuts  21  Films 

The  Ohio  censor  ordered  eliminations  in  21 
films  or  31  reels  out  of  a  total  of  148  films,  rep- 
resenting 485  reels,  reviewed  in  April.  The 
figures  compare  with  131  films  or  426  reels  re- 
viewed in  March  with  eliminations  ordered  in 
14  films  or  18  reels. 


CONDUCTS  DEBATE  ON 
DRAFTING  ACTORS 

Herbert  L.  Monk,  motion  picture 
critic  of  the  St.  Louis  Globe-Demo- 
crat, has  been  conducting  an  open 
forum  in  his  Monday  morning  column 
recently  on  the  question  of  whether 
film  actors  should  be  drafted.  When 
the  issue  was  first  raised,  letters  from 
the  newspaper's  readers  were  about 
evenly  divided.  Those  who  argued 
that  screen  stars  should  be  deferred 
stressed  the  importance  of  motion 
pictures  as  builders  of  morale.  Their 
opponents  were  equally  firm  in  insist- 
ing that  actors  are  "no  better  than 
anyone  else".  There  has  been  no 
decided  shift  in  opinion,  Mr.  Monk 
writes. 


O  'Donnell  Asks 
Copper  Pledge 

Robert  J.  O'Donnell,  national  Variety  Club 
chief  barker,  guest  of  honor  at  the  Washington 
tent's  dinner  last  week  at  the  Willard  Hotel, 
pledged  all-out  cooperation  on  behalf  of  the 
industry  in  the  nation's  copper  salvage  drive. 

The  Interstate  circuit  executive  pointed  out 
that  90  per  cent  of  the  copper  in  carbons  could 
be  salvaged,  and  urged  that  all  showmen  pres- 
ent at  the  dinner  cooperate  in  bringing  the  cop- 
per campaign  to  a  successful  conclusion.  The 
participation  by  the  International  Alliance  of 
Theatrical  Stage  Employees  and  Moving  Pic- 
ture Machine  Operators  already  has  been 
promised. 

The  tent's  chief  barker,  Sam  Wheeler,  made 
a  brief  speech  of  welcome  to  the  national  head. 
Among  those  participating  in  the  arrangements 
were  Hardie  Meakin,  Gene  Ford  and  Harry 
Alger,  entertainment ;  Arthur  Mayer,  J.  Russell 
Young  and  Lou  Rome,  speakers ;  also,  Steve 
Broidy,  Herbert  Bedwith,  Paul  Cabot,  Allen 
Smith,  Lieutenant  Commander  Edward  Hardy, 
N.  G.  Burley,  Henry  O'Kane,  Earl  Sweigert. 

Among  others  present  were  Fred  Kogod, 
Frank  Boucher,  Sam  Galanty,  Al  Sherman, 
Hunter  Perry,  Abe  Lichtman,  Clark  Davis, 
William  Hoyle,  George  Crouch,  Harry  Loh- 
meyer,  William  Ewing,  Harry  Thomas,  Max 
Cohen,  Lou  Goldberg,  Ben  Caplon,  Monroe 
Greenthal,  Wade  Pierson,  Louis  Ramm,  Rus- 
sell Stewart,  Andrew  Older,  Charles  Stofberg, 
Jake  Flax,  Vince  Dougherty,  Allyn  Butterfield 
and  Carlton  Duffus. 


Chicago's  Amusement 
Unit  Exceeds  Quota 

Collection  of  $127,000  against  its  quota  of 
$100,000  was  reported  by  the  Chicago  Amuse- 
ment and  Recreation  Division  Committee,  com- 
posed of  John  Balaban,  James  Coston,  Hal  Hal- 
perin,  Jack  Kirsch  and  Eddie  Silverman. 

Nearly  complete  returns  on  theatre  collec- 
tions in  the  Chicago  Exchange  Area  show  re- 
ceipts of  $142,000. 


Joins  NSS  Salesforce 

Lester  McEachern  has  joined  the  National 
Screen  Service  as  Portland  salesman,  replacing 
George  Mitchell. 


Telenews  To  Show  Features 

The  Telenews,  the  only  newsreel  theatre  in 
the  Cincinnati  area,  hereafter  will  show  a  full- 
length  feature  in  addition  to  the  regular  one- 
hour  program.  The  initial  feature,  starting  this 
week,  is  "The  Charlie  Chaplin  Festival,"  a  cav- 
alcade of  Chaplin's  films,  "Easy  Street,"  "The 
Cure,"  "The  Immigrant"  and  "The  Adven- 
turer." 


Jap  Submarine 
Boosts  Bond 
Sales  in  N.  Y. 


More  than  $1,000,000  in  War  Bonds  nave 
been  sold  in  Greater  New  York  and  West- 
chester County,  through  display  of  the  captured 
two-man  Japanese  submarine,  the  War  Activ- 
ities Committee  reported  this  week.  The  sub- 
marine, which  was  part  of  the  attacking  force 
at  Pearl  Harbor,  has  been  on  display  in  vari- 
ous sections  of  the  country.  Two  weeks  ago 
it  came  to  New  York,  under  the  auspices  of 
the  WAC  theatres  division;  and  in  three  days 
on  Times  Square,  its  presence  chalked  up  sales 
of  $217,598.  In  Brooklyn,  it  collected  $137,000; 
in  the  Bronx,  $220,000.  The  Westchester  total 
was  $605,691. 

The  tour  of  the  New  York  area  was  under 
the  guidance  of  Harry  Mandel,  public  relations 
chairman  for  the  territory,  under  the  WAC. 
Edward  Dowden  assisted  him. 

From  Oregon,  it  was  reported  to  the  WAC 
last  week  the  state's  approximately  200  exhibi- 
tors participated  beyond  expectation  in  boost- 
ing the  Treasury's  recent  Second  War  Loan. 
The  state  sold  over  $150,000,000  in  Bonds, 
exceeding  its  quota  by  50  per  cent. 

Climax  of  exhibitor  effort  was  in  Portland, 
at  the  Paramount  theatre,  where  "Desert  Vic- 
tory" had  a  "Bond  Premiere"  which  resulted 
in  the  purchase  of  $1,800,000  worth  of  Bonds. 
There  was '  also  that  day  a  mock  "invasion," 
suggested  and  executed  by  Albert  Finke,  local 
WAC  exhibitor  chairman,  with  the  aid  of  thea- 
tres, and  troops  from  nearby  posts. 


Magazine  Cites 
WAC  Efforts 

The  war  effort  of  the  motion  picture  industry, 
as  conducted  through  its  War  Activities  Com- 
mittee, which  represents  all  branches,  was  re- 
lated in  detail  in  the  Sunday  newspaper  maga- 
zine, "This  Week,"  last  Sunday. 

The  article,  "Business  Second,"  emphasizes 
exhibitor  effort,  noting  the  neglect  of  business 
in  many  instances  to  collect  scrap  rubber,  cop- 
per, metal,  money  for  drives,  and  to  aid  the 
community.  Author  of  the  article  was  Jerry 
Mason. 

Reprints  this  week  were  being  prepared,  and 
were  to  be  sent  to  the  16,000-odd  theatres 
pledged  to  cooperate  with  the  WAC. 

"This  Week"  has  a  circulation  of  approxi- 
mately 7,000,000.  Its  New  York  newspaper  out- 
let is  the  Herald  Tribune. 

New  York  exhibitors  last  week,  at  WAC 
headquarters,  discussed  the  playing  of  the  53- 
minute  Government  film,  "Prelude  to  War." 
There  are  24  prints  allotted  in  the  territory. 
They  will  have  virtually  continuous  service. 
All  exhibitors  present  pledged  playing  time. 

It  also  was  decided  at  the  meeting,  to  play 
a  two-minute  trailer  boosting  the  Greater  New 
York  Fund. 


Disney  Artists  Compete 

Walt  Disney  artists  are  contributing  sketches 
to  Newsletter,  official  Navy  magazine,  and  the 
best  cartoon  offered  will  win  a  War  Bond  for 
its  creator.  The  contest  is  designed  to  bring 
enjoyment  to  sailors  on  outpost  stations  who 
receive  the  publication. 

Governor  Joins  Club 

Governor  Henry  F.  Schricker  of  Indiana  and 
Lieutenant  Governor  Charles  M.  Dawson  have 
been  initiated  as  members  of  the  Variety  Club 
of  Indianapolis. 


or  Every  Wife  and  Dad  and  Mother 
of  Every  Mother's  Son  Overseas ! 


A  Two- Reel 

Paramount 

"Headliner 

Directed  by  Brian  Desmond  Hurst 
In  Cooperation  with  the  U.  S.  Forces 
•    •  • 

Book  "PRELUDE  TO  WAR," 
Sensational  55-Minute  Govern- 
ment Film  That's  Rental-Free! 


46 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    2  2,     194  3 


Los  Angeles' 
Zoning  Unfair, 
Board  Rules 

It  is  unfair  to  subject  a  subsequent  run  the- 
atre to  alternate  clearances  behind  theatres  in 
two  different  zones,  the  Appeal  Board  of  the 
motion  picture  arbitration  system  ruled  Mon- 
day. 

A  reduction  in  clearance  granted  to  the  Eagle 
theatre,  Los  Angeles,  was  upheld  in  the  board's 
69th  decision.  Fox  West  Coast  circuit  and 
Paramount  appealed  the  case,  Los  Angeles' 
12th,  after  Clay  Robbins,  arbitrator,  had  granted 
the  Eagle  the  same  clearance  as  that  enjoyed 
by  other  Los  Angeles  subsequents  on  the  same 
price  level. 

Under  the  present  system  the  Eagle,  in  Zone 
23,  is  subject  to  seven  days'  clearance  after 
Fox's  third  run  Glen  theatre  in  suburban  Glen- 
dale.  The  Eagle's  chief  competitor,  the  Dale, 
is  in  another  zone,  not  subject  to  Glendale,  and 
able  to  advance  its  run  by  raising  prices. 

The  zone  system  set  up  by  the  NRA  Code 
Authority  and  amended  in  1936  by  the  "blue 
book"  agreement  did  not  justify  subjecting  the 
Eagle  to  clearances  after  both  Glendale  and 
Los  Angeles  first  runs,  the  board  observed.  It 
also  noted  that  the  Eagle  earned  more  revenue 
for  distributors. 

The  effect  of  this  Glen  clearance  is  discrim- 
inatory on  the  Eagle  in  its  relation  with  the 
Dale,  the  board  found.  It  directed  that  no 
clearance  be  granted  by  Warners,  Paramount, 
MGM  and  RKO  to  the  Glen  over  the  Eagle 
setting  maximum  clearance  of  Los  Angeles  first 
runs  over  the  Eagle  at  49  days  on  30  cent  ad- 
mission level.    Costs  were  divided. 

A  new  appeal  was  filed  at  Los  Angeles  this 
week  in  the  city's  11th  case.  L.  W.  Allen, 
operator  of  the  Southgate  theatre  asked  the 
Appeal  Board  to  modify  the  arbitrator's  award 
of  a  partial  clearance  reduction.  He  seeks  full 
elimination  of  the  Vogue  theatre's  margin. 

Buffalo 

The  Glen  theatre,  Williamsville,  N.  Y.,  filed 
a  combination  clearance  and  specific  run  com- 
plaint Friday  at  Buffalo  against  the  five  con- 
senting companies  and  the  Shea  circuit,  Buffalo. 
Menno  H.  Dykstra,  operator,  charged  that  the 
Glen  was  subject  to  unreasonable  clearance  and 
had  been  refused  the  run  requested.  Shea's 
Kensington  and  North  Park  theatres,  in  Buf- 
falo, the  Granada,  in  Buffalo  and  the  Amherst 
theatre,  Amherst,  N.  Y.,  were  named  as  inter- 
ested parties.    It  is  the  tribunal's  20th  case. 

Chicago 

At  Chicago  the  23rd  and  24th  clearance 
cases,  seeking  reductions  for  Peoria  subsequents, 
have  been  consolidated  by  agreement.  Harold 
J.  Clark,  an  attorney,  will  arbitrate.  Adolph 
W.  Szold  and  George  Kerasotes  filed  the  com- 
plaint against  all  five  consenting  distributors 
for  the  Avon,  Beverly  and  Varsity  theatres. 


Monogram  Buys  $100,000 
U.  S.  Certificates 

Monogram  has  just  completed  the  purchase 
of  $100,000  in  U.  S.  Certificates  of  Indebtedness 
through  Guaranty  Trust  Company  of  New 
York,  according  to  an  announcement  by  W.  Ray 
Johnston,  president,  and  George  D.  Burrows, 
treasurer  of  the  company. 


Shaw  Honored  in   New  Haven 

Harry  F.  Shaw,  Loew-Poli  division  manager, 
was  honored  by  members  of  the  staff  at  a  din- 
ner party  in  New  Haven  last  week.  The  occa- 
sion was  for  a  double  purpose,  celebrating  Mr. 
Shaw's  ninth  year  in  his  present  position,  and 
a  farewell  party  to  him  and  his  wife,  who  are 
to  spend  a  three-week  vacation  in  Miami. 


IN  NEWSREELS 


MOVIETONE  NEWS— Vol.  25,  No.  73— Roosevelt, 
Churchill  confer.  .  .  .  Jap  bases  in  New  Guinea 
bombed.  .  .  .  Anti-aircraft  gunners  train.  .  .  . 
WAACs  have  first  anniversary.  .  .  .  Canadian  spruce 
trees  felled.  .  .  .  Australian  aquatic  stars  perform. 

MOVIETONE  NEWS— Vol.  25,  No.  74— U.  S.  tightens 
net  in  Aleutians.  .  .  .  Food  conference  opens.  .  .  . 
Air  disaster  in  Iceland.  .  .  .  U.  S.  bombers  blast 
Naples.  .  .  .  Hollywood  spotlight.  .  .  .  American  Day 
celebration. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY— Vol.  25,  No.  271— Roosevelt  - 
Churchill  meetings.  .  .  .  News  from  Tunisian  front. 
.  .  .  WAAC  anniversary  celebrated.  .  .  .  West  coast 
ready  for  Japs.  .  .  .  Negro  scientist  honored. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY— Vol.  25,  No.  272— U.  S.  attacks 
in  Aleutians.  .  .  .  American  Day  celebrated.  .  .  . 
Bombing  of  Italy.  .  .  .  Fire  at  Navy  pier.  .  .  . 
Archbishop  at  the  front.  .  .  .  Airmail  has  25th 
anniversary.  .  .  .  Food  conference.  .  .  .  General  lauds 
Yanks. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS  —  No.  76  —  Airplane  derrick 
christened.  .  .  .  Paratroopers  honored.  .  .  .  Produc- 
tion record.  .  .  .  WAACs  first  year.  .  .  .  African 
victory.  .  .  .  Roosevelt,  Churchill  plan  further  war 
strategy. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS— No.  77— Navy  yard  helps  con- 
quer pier  fire.  .  .  .  General  McNair's  message.  .  .  . 
American  Day  celebrated.  .  .  .  Airmail's  jubilee.  .  .  . 
Aleutian  invasion.  .  .  .  African  holiday  for  Allied 
troops. 

RKO  PATHE  NEWS— Vol.  14,  No.  76— Roosevelt- 
Churchill  meeting.  .  .  .  Chennault's  fliers  honored. 
.  .  .  President  Benes  in  Washington.  .  .  .  General 
McNair's  message.  .  .  .  Aussie  planes  smash  Japs. 
.  .  .  WAACs  first  year.  .  .  .  Spruce  trees  for  mos- 
quito bombers.  .  .  .  British  go  swimming  in  Mediter- 
ranean. 

RKO  PATHE  NEWS— Vol.  14,  No.  77— Troops  train 
to  invade  Jap  bases.  .  .  .  Helicopter  at  airmail  an- 
niversary. .  .  .  Kaiser  taps  west  coast  steel.  .  .  . 
Army  cowboys  stage  rodeo.  .  .  .  Food  conference. 
.  .  .  Pier  fire.  .  .  .  American  Day  celebrated. 

UNIVERSAL     NEWSREEL— Vol.     16,     No.  18*- 

Churchill  visits  Roosevelt.  .  .  .  North  African  holi- 
day. .  .  .  Seadromes  to  span  ocean.  .  .  .  U.  S.  airmen 
help  Chinese.  .  .  .  Aussie  planes  bomb  Japs.  .  .  . 
Spruce  trees  used  to  build  bombers.  .  .  .  WAACs 
first  birthday.  .  .  .  SPARS  taught  to  use  life  rafts. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWSREEL— Vol.  16,  No.  190— Japs 
jittery  on  Attu.  .  .  .  Italy  bombed  by  Allied  planes. 
.  .  .  Nation  hails  American  Day.  .  .  .  General  An- 
drews mourned.  .  .  .  Flying  Tigers  honored.  .  .  . 
Food  conference.  .  .  .  Airmail's  silver  anniversary. 

ALL  AMERICAN  NEWS— Vol.  2,  No.  30-Gobs  train 
as  machinists'  mates.  .  .  .  Florence  Hall  interviewed. 
.  .  .  Midwest  mobilized  from  community  center.  .  .  . 
Posthumous  award  to  flier's  mother.  .  .  .  Lena 
Home  launches  ship.  .  .  .  barrage  balloon  training 
for  Negro  soldiers. 


SOPEG  Wins  Contract  from 
Paramount,  Subsidiaries 

The  Screen  Office  and  Professional  Em- 
ployees Guild,  CIO  Local  109  of  the  United 
Office  and  Professional  Workers  of  America, 
this  week  won  a  contract  from  Paramount, 
the  Famous  Music  Corporation,  and  the  Para- 
mount Music  Corporation.  The  latter  two  are 
the  picture  company's  subsidiaries. 

Affected  are  approximately  400  employees  in 
New  York.  Their  positions  will  be  classified, 
and  salary  adjustments  resulting  from  those 
classifications  will  be  retroactive  to  October  5, 
1942.  Pending  the  classifications,  the  company 
established  a  minimum  salary  of  $18  per  week 
for  mailroom  workers  and  messengers,  and  $21 
for  clerical  workers. 


Ho  llywood-Made 
Shorts  Best  of 
OWI  Releases 

Hollywood-produced  war  information  shorts 
and  a  British  Ministry  of  Information  docu- 
mentary production  were  among  the  10  most 
popular  pictures  distributed  non-theatrically  by 
the  Bureau  of  Motion  Pictures  of  the  Office  of 
War  Information,  according  to  the  agency's 
monthly  bulletin  to  16mm  distributors. 

The  films  most  in  demand  for  school,  church, 
civilian  defense  and  other  16mm  showings, 
OWI  said,  were  "Target  for  Tonight,"  "The 
World  at  War,"  "A  Letter  from  Bataan," 
"Paratroops,"  "Divide  and  Conquer,"  "Anchors 
Aweigh,"  "Marines  Hymn,"  "US  News  Re- 
view No.  3,"  "Caissons  Go  Rolling  Along"  and 
"US  News  Review  No.  2." 

Least  popular  of  the  16mm  versions  of  the 
war  information  pictures  were  "Japanese  Relo- 
cation," "Manpower,"  "Campus  on  the  March," 
"Salvage,"  "Women  in  Defense,"  "Lake  Car- 
rier," "Henry  Browne,  Farmer,"  "Aluminum," 
"Power  for  Defense"  and  "Negro  Colleges  in 
Wartime."  All  were  produced  by  Government 
film-making  agencies. 

In  an  analysis  of  OWI  non-theatrical  dis- 
tribution in  January  the  letter  reported  that 
with  6,222  prints  of  27  subjects  the  agency 
obtained  14,500  bookings  and  32,000  showings. 
Studies  are  now  being  made  of  February  dis- 
tribution in  relation  to  total  population  of  states 
and  of  audience  comments. 

"War  information  is  a  12-month  job.  There 
will  be  no  recess  this  summer.  Ways  must  be 
found  to  keep  every  16mm  projector  doing  war 
work  all  summer,"  the  OWI  told  operators  of 
the  16mm  repositories.  It  urged  special  show- 
ings at  summer  hotels,  camps,  playgrounds, 
churches,  civilian  defense  meetings  and  other 
public  gatherings. 

The  agency  now  has  42  pictures  in  distribu- 
tion through  approximately  185  of  the  16mm 
outlets,  Seerley  Reid,  educational  adviser,  said. 


Goldenson  On  Trip 

Leonard  Goldenson,  vice-president  in  charge 
of  theatre  operation  for  Paramount,  is  on  a 
tour  of  seven  key  cities  in  which  the  company 
owns  theatres.  The  cities  include  New  Orleans, 
Chicago,  Salt  Lake  City,  Los  Angeles,  Phoenix, 
Dallas  and  Kansas  City. 


Mary  Pickford  To  Aid 
British  War  Victims 

Mary  Pickford  is  scheduled  to  remain  in 
Toronto  until  Wednesday  to  aid  the  sale  of 
shares  in  the  Toronto  Bungalow  Project  which 
benefits  child  war  victims.  It  had  been  re- 
ported that  before  Miss  Pickford  left  for  Can- 
ada on  Thursday,  $40,000  already  had  been  sub- 
scribed to  the  fund.  Miss  Pickford  expects  to 
raise  an  additional  $125,000  for  the  fund,  which 
includes  the  British  War  Victims'  Fund,  the 
Evening  Telegraph  British  War  Victims'  Fund 
and  the  Malta  War  Relief  Fund. 

Miss  Pickford  will  appear  at  defense  plants 
and  theatres  to  stimulate  the  sale  of  shares,  and 
also  will  be  guest  at  various  civic  functions. 
Her  part  in  the  program  has  been  named  the 
Mary  Pickford  Honeymoon  Bungalow  Project. 


Disney  Plans  to  Include 
Cuba  in  Next  Musical 

Part  of  the  third  Disney  film  to  concern 
South  American  countries  will  include  shots  on 
the  folk  lore  of  Cuba,  the  studio  announced  this 
week.  A  delegation  from  Cuba  including  Oscar 
Presmanes,  Cuban  Consul  in  Los  Angeles, 
Havana  editors  and  representatives  from  the 
Office  of  the  Coordinator  of  Inter- American 
Affairs,  recently  discussed  arrangements  with 
Mr.  Disney  at  the  studios. 

The  first  musical  feature  was  "Saludos  Ami- 
gos,"  followed  by  "Surprise  Package,"  which  is 
to  be  released  this  summer. 


ASCAP  Licensed  in  North  Dakota 

The  American  Society  of  Composers,  Authors 
and  Publishers  has  been  notified  by  the  state  of 
North  Dakota  that  it  now  is  permitted  to  con- 
duct business  in  the  state. 


Garber  Inducted  Into  Army 

Jack  Garber,  formerly  on  the  Balaban  and 
Katz  publicity  staff  in  Chicago,  reported  for 
Army  duty  on  May  15th.  He  was  given  a  fare- 
well party  by  associates  last  Thursday. 


M  a  v    2  2,     194  3 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


47 


THE  HOLLYWOOD  SCENE 


From  HOLLYWOOD  BUREAU 


Producers  Releasing  Corporation  has 
leased  the  Fine  Arts  Studio  and  will  trans- 
fer its  operations  to  that  plant  from  the  Tal- 
isman Studios  (the  place  where  D.  W.  Grif- 
fith made  "The  Birth  of  a  Nation"  and 
earlier  works)  which  it  has  been  utilizing 
on  a  rental  basis. 

The  leasing  of  the  Fine  Arts  premises  fol- 
lows a  succession  of  budgetary  increases  by 
PRC  which  have  taken  place  since  the  ap- 
pointment of  Leon  Fromkess  as  vice-presi- 
dent in  charge  of  production.  Most  recent 
of  these  is  reflected  in  the  announcement, 
made  last  week  while  Mr.  Fromkess  was  in 
New  York  in  conference  with  O.  Henry 
Briggs,  president,  that  the  company  would 
produce  six  musicals  in  the  immediate  future. 

Warners  Start  Casting 
Sinclair  Lewis  Novel 

Ann  Sheridan  is  the  first  of  several  stars 
to  be  cast  in  Warners'  production  of  "Hand- 
book for  Jealousy,"  from  the  Sinclair  Lewis 
novel.  .  .  .  George  Cukor,  MGM  director,  is 
back  from  the  Army,  retired  under  the  over- 
38  regulation.  .  .  .  Arthur  Lubin  has  been 
named  to  direct  "Ali  Baba  and  the  40 
Thieves,"  another  in  Universal's  Maria 
Montez-Jon  Hall-Sabu  Technicolor  se- 
quence, to  be  produced  by  Paul  Malvern. 

Henry  Hull,  Herbert  Rawlinson,  Marian 
Martin  and  Charles  Foy,  the  latter  playing 
the  role  of  his  late  father,  Eddie  Foy,  Sr., 
are  cast  for  Harry  Sherman's  "The  Gun- 
master,"  the  story  of  Bat  Masterson.  .  .  . 
Nils  Asther  is  to  co-star  with  Susan  Hay- 
ward  in  Paramount's  "The  Man  in  Half 
Moon  Street,"  taking  the  role  originally  in- 
tended for  enlistee  Alan  Ladd.  .  .  .  Alfred 
Zeisler,  who  is  to  direct  "Dr.  Joseph  Goeb- 
bels,  His  Life  and  Loves,"  for  W.  R.  Frank, 
Minneapolis  exhibitor  who  is  to  produce  the 
picture,  has  returned  from  New  York  where 
he  canvassed  the  Broadway  stage  in  quest 
of  an  experienced  actor  who  looks  like  Goeb- 
bels  to  portray  that  individual  in  the  film. 

Sam  Wood  Acquires 
Rights  to  Story 

Producer-director  Sam  Wood  has  ac- 
quired film  rights  to  a  story  by  a  grandson 
of  the  late  Dr.  Alice  Barnsby,  founder  of  the 
Barnsby  School  for  Girls  in  London,  which 
has  to  do  with  a  codicil  written  into  her  will 
eight  days  after  Britain's  declaration  of  war 
and  two  days  before  her  death  at  98.  The 
codicil,  nature  of  which  is  not  revealed, 
goes  into  operation  after  the  war  ends. 
Wood  sees  the  property  as  basis  for  a  film 
pertaining  to  the  post-war  period. 

Warner  Brothers  have  relieved  Benjamin 
Glazer  of  his  production  duties  in  connection 
with  "The  Animal  Kingdom,"  now  shooting,  to 
concentrate  his  attention  upon  research  for  a 
picture  to  be  based  upon  the  Latin-American 
nations. 

In  a  switch  without  precedent  in  recent  an- 
nals, Republic  is  to  start  a  "Saint"  series  dupli- 
cating, at  least  as  Concerns  source  material,  the 
series  abandoned  by  RKO  Radio  when  it  trans- 
ferred George  Sanders  to  the  "Falcon"  series, 
subsequently  transferring  Sanders  out  of  it  and 
Tom  Conway,  his  brother,  in.  Republic  has 
acquired  "The  Saint  Meets  the  Tiger"  by  Leslie 


Production  at  1943  High 


In  the  face  of  talk  about  curtailment  of 
production,  backed-up  distribution,  exhibi- 
tion holdovers  and  other  matters  of  similar 
portent,  the  production  level  shot  up  to  a 
new  1943  high  of  47  pictures  in  shooting 
stage,  an  increase  of  4  over  the  previous 
week's  43  which  was,  although  discounted 
as  technical,  a  high  for  the  year  at  that 
point. 

The  figures  for  the  19-week  period  of 
1943  now  show  a  weekly  average  of  37.73 
pictures  before  the  cameras.  The  low  point 
of  the  year  was  reached  in  March,  when 
the  level  fell  to  33. 

Eight  of  the  47  pictures  now  shooting 
started  during  the  week. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  defied  supersti- 
tion by  starting  Production  No.  1313  on 
May  13th,  with  13  girls  in  the  speaking 
cast.  The  roster  includes  Ann  Sothern,  Joan 
Blondell,  Margaret  Sullavan,  Fay  Bainter, 
Marsha  Hunt,  Donna  Reed,  Diana  Lewis, 
Heather  Angel,  Dorothy  Morris  and  Connie 
Gilchrist.  The  film  is  "Cry  Havoc". 

Twentieth  Century- Fox  started  "The 
Night  Is  Ending",  a  story  of  the  French 


COMPLETED 

MGM 

Lost  Angel 
Republic 

Headin'  for 

God's  Country 

20th  Century-Fox 

Roger  Touhy, 

Last  Gangster 

Universal 

Corvettes  In  Action 
STARTED 

MGM 

Cry  Havoc 

Monogram 

Six-Gun  Gospel 

Republic 

Nobody's  Darling 


PRC 

Lone  Rider  No.  4 

20th  Century-Fox 

Night  Is  Ending 

Universal 

Angela 

Sherlock  Holmes  and 
the  Spider  Woman 

Warners 

In  Our  Time 

SHOOTING 

Columbia 

Attack  By  Night 
Without  Notice 
Clock  Struck  Twelve 

Goldwyn 

North  Star 

MGM 

Whistling  in  Brooklyn 
America 


underground,  with  George  Sanders,  Brenda 
Marshall,  Philip  Dorn,  Madaleine  LeBeau, 
Marcel  Dalio  and  Robert  Lewis. 

Universal  launched  "Angela",  presenting 
Donald  O'Connor,  Susana  Foster  and 
Louise  Allbritton;  and  "Sherlock  Holmes 
and  the  Spider  Woman",  with  Basil  Rath- 
bone  and  Nigel  Bruce  in  their  accustomed 
assignments. 

Warners  started  "In  Our  Time",  with 
Paul  Henreid  and  Ida  Lupino  starred. 

Monogram's  "Six-Gun  Gospel"  is  a 
Johnny  Mack  Brown  -  Raymond  Hatton 
number. 

Republic's  "Nobody's  Darling"  is  a  star- 
ring number  for  the  youthful  Mary  Lee, 
with  Gladys  George,  Louis  Calhern,  Jackie 
Moran,  Marcia  Mae  Jones,  Lee  Patrick, 
Jonathan  Hale  and  Lloyd  Corrigan  in  the 
cast. 

Producers  Releasing  Corporation  started 
a  Bob  Livingston -Al  St.  John  number  re- 
ferred to,  until  a  title  is  decided  upon,  as 
"Lone  Rider  No.  4". 

The  studio  situation: 


Russia 

Madame  Curie 
Guy  Named  Joe 
Thousand  Shall  Fall 
Heavenly  Body 

Monogram 

Law  Rides  Again 
Spotlight  Revue 
Black  Market  Rustlers 

Paramount 

Uninvited 

Hour  Before  Dawn 

Minesweeper 

And  the  Angels  Sing 

RKO  Radio 

Tarzan  and  the  Sheik 
Behind  the  Rising  Sun 
Seventh  Victim 
Iron  Major 

Republic 

Silver  Spurs 

Black  Hills  Express 


20th  Century-Fox 

Song  of  Bernadette 
Wintertime 
Holy  Matrimony 
Girls  He  Left  Behind 
Claudia 

UA 

Hi  Diddle  Diddle 

(Stone) 
Johnny  Come  Lately 

(Cagney) 

Universal 

Hers  to  Hold 
Fired  Wife 
Cobra  Woman 
Girls,  Inc. 

Warners 

To  the  Last  Man 
Saratoga  Trunk 
This  Is  the  Army 
Animal  Kingdom 


Charteris,  creator  of  "The  Saint,"  and  is  in- 
specting the  talent  rosters  of  the  town  in  quest 
of  an  actor  to  play  the  character. 

Leo  Spitz  and  Jack  Skirball,  who  have 
signed  a  two-picture  deal  with  United  Artists, 
are  to  start  "Duffy's  Tavern,"  from  the  radio 
program  of  the  same  name  and  probably  with 
the  same  cast,  in  July,  proceeding  from  that  to 
the  making  of  an  unnamed,  undescribed  vehicle 
for  Fred  Allen,  the  Texaco  supersalesman, 
starting  in  September.  .  .  .  MGM  will  star 
Charles  Laughton  in  "The  Canterville  Ghost," 
from  the  Oscar  Wilde  file,  bringing  it  up  to  date 


from  the  1784  period  in  which  it  was  set.  .  .  . 
Jack  Benny  is  to  make  "The  Horn  Blows  at 
Midnight"  for  Warners  in  completion  of  his 
two-picture  contract  with  that  company. 

David  O.  Selznick  has  placed  Shirley  Temple 
under  long  term  contract,  to  all  her  wellwishers' 
satisfaction,  and  assigned  her  a  role  in  "Since 
You  Went  Away,"  scheduled  for  filming  this 
summer  and  for  United  Artists  release.  .  .  . 
Edward  Gross  has  acquired  rights  to  the  Rose- 
mary Taylor  novel,  "Chicken  Every  Sunday," 
for  preliminary  production  on  Broadway,  later 
as  a  picture. 


43 


Chance  Games 
Are  Attacked 
In  3  States 

Another  chapter  in  the  Cincinnati  chance 
game  controversy  was  written  late  last  week 
when  a  group  of  citizens,  including  the  Mayor's 
wife,  at  suburban  Reading,  filed  suit  in  Com- 
mon Pleas  Court,  Cincinnati,  seeking  to  enjoin 
the  Reading  police  chief,  William  Martin,  "from 
molesting,  interfering  or  stopping"  games  con- 
ducted by  a  club  at  the  Peter  and  Paul  Church. 
Police  entered  the  club  on  Thursday,  May  13th. 
and  ordered  games  then  in  progress  stopped. 

The  plaintiffs  claim  immunity  from  the  recent 
city  and  county  ban,  because  they  are  conduct- 
ing "forums  and  socials."  including  lectures 
and  discussions  in  addition  to  the  games,  to 
which  no  admission  is  charged,  but  voluntary 
donations  are  made  to  the  "Cancer  Research  for 
the  Poor."  The  prizes,  consisting  of  War 
Stamps,  are  said  to  be  contributed. 

An  informal  poll  in  the  state  Senate,  at  Co- 
lumbus, Ohio,  indicated  last  week  that  the  le- 
galization of  Bingo  for  religious  and  charitable 
organizations  would  be  approved. 

In  Massachusetts,  the  Senate  voted  last  week. 
17  to  16,  to  ban  Beano  and  similar  games. 
The  game  has  been  permitted  for  charity. 
Massachusetts  exhibitors  have  fought  it  for 
mam-  years. 

Interrupting  the  drawing  for  a  SI. 000  prize, 
investigators  from  the  office  of  Lake  County 
prosecutor,  Charles  Gannon,  halted  the  Bank 
Night  drawing  at  the  Palace  theatre.  Gary. 
Ind.,  on  May  14th,  and  took  manager  Frank 
Millspaugh  and  two  ushers  to  the  county  jail, 
where  Mr.  Millspaugh  was  released  on  bail  and 
two  ushers  were  turned  over  to  juvenile  author- 
ities. Arraignment  of  the  three  was  expected 
this  week  in  what  Lake  County  officials  believed 
would  be  the  first  criminal  case  growing  out  of 
Bank  Xight.    Indiana  law  forbids  lotteries. 

Kaufman,  Former  Fox  Counsel, 
Disbarred  by  Court 

Five  judges  of  the  U.  S.  District  Court  in 
Philadelphia  last  Wednesday  voted  unanimous- 
ly to  disbar  Morgan  S.  Kaufman,  former  at- 
torney for  William  Fox,  for  unethical  rela- 
tions with  former  U.  S.  Circuit  Judge  J.  War- 
ren Davis.  The  former  jurist  and  Mr.  Kauf- 
man were  freed  after  two  juries  had  failed  to 
reach  verdicts  on  charges  of  conspiring  to  ob- 
struct justice  and  defraud  the  U.  S.  Govern- 
ment, charges  growing  out  of  the  William  Fox 
bankruptcy  litigation  to  which  Mr.  Fox  pleaded 
guilty  and  was  released  from  jail  earlier  this 
month  after  serving  a  six-month  sentence. 

The  Federal  judges  ordered  the  disbarment 
on  the  ground  that  Mr.  Kaufman  conspired 
with  Judge  Davis  to  obtain  a  SI 5.000  loan  from 
William  Fox  shortly  after  he  went  into  bank- 
ruptcy, and  that  Judge  Davis  afterward  "used 
his  judicial  office  and  influence  to  favor  Fox 
improperly"  in  his  bankruptcy  cases. 

20th-Fox  Asks  Dismissal 
Of  Trademark  Case 

Dismissal  of  a  trade  mark  action  was  sought 
by  Twentieth  Century-Fox.  defendants  in  a  suit 
brought  by  Allan  W.  Wells,  in  New  York 
Federal  Court,  last  week. 

Mr.  Wells,  who  does  business  under  the  name 
of  Wells  Feature  Syndicate,  alleged  that  Twen- 
tieth Century-Fox,  infringed  on  his  newspaper 
column,  "Cavalcade  of  Hollywood,"  in  produc- 
ing a  motion  picture  called  "Hollywood  Caval- 
cade." He  claimed  that  he  produced  a  film 
under  this  title  and  was  prevented  from  releas- 
ing it  because  of  the  alleged  infringement.  He 
also  claimed  that  because  of  the  alleged  use  of 
the  title,  it  had  destroyed  all  value  of  his  col- 
umn and  trade  mark,  which  he  had  registered. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


SHORT  PRODUCT 
P LAYING  BROADWAY 

Week  of  May  17 th 


ASTOR 

Sufferin'  Cats   MGM 

Doctors  at  War  Victory  Film 

feature:  The  Human  Comedy.M&M 

CAPITOL 

Wild  Horses   MGM 

Doctors  at  War  Victory  Film 

Feature:  Lady  of  Burlesque.  .  United  Artists 

CRITERION 

Heavenly  Music   MGM 

Doctors  at  War  Victory  Film 

Feature:  The  Desperadoes .  .  .  Columbia 

GLOBE 

Fifth  Column  Mouse  Vitaphone 

Spook  Louder   Columbia 

Feature:  They  Came  to  Blow 

Up  America  20th  Cent.-Fox 

HOLLYWOOD 

Sporting  Dogs  Vitaphone 

The  Wise  Quacking  Duck.  .  .  Vitaphone 
Feature:  Mission  to  Moscow    Warner  Bros. 

MUSIC  HALL 

Show  Business  at  War  20th  Cent.-Fox 

Feature:  The  More  the 

Merrier   Columbia 

PARAMOUNT 

Doctors  at  War  Victory  Film 

Letter  from  Ireland  Paramount 

Bravo,  Mr.  Strauss  Paramount 

Feature:  China   Paramount 

RIALTO 

Weapons  for  Victory  20th  Cent.-Fo* 

In  South  America  Paramount 

Superman  in  Electric  Earth- 
quake  Paramount 

Feature:  The  Next  of  Kin.  .  .  Universal 

RIVOLI 

Doctors  at  War  Victory  Film 

Bellboy  Donald   RKO 

Feature:  The  Ox-Bou, 

Incident   20th  Cent.-Fox 

ROXY 

Doctors  at  War  Victory  Film 

Feature:  Crash  Dive  20th  Cent.-Fox 

STRAND 

Prelude  to  War  Victory  Film 

Riding  with  the  Stars  Vitaphone 

Young  and  Beautiful  Vitaphone 

Feature:  Edge  of  Darkness.  .  .Warner  Bros. 


E.  M.  Loew  Loses 
Suit  Against  Majors 

A  Boston  Federal  Court  jury  Wednesday  dis- 
missed the  suit  by  the  Miami  Drive-in  Theatre 
against  five  distributors.  The  complaint  charged 
restraint  of  trade.  The  jury  found  that  testi- 
mony entered  since  trial  began  "May  4th  did 
not  confirm  the  charge.  E.  M.  Loew  operates 
the  house.  He  is  owner  of  a  chain  of  New 
England  theatres  bearing  his  name. 


Open  Newark  Canteen 

The  Newark  canteen  for  service  men  was 
opened  Thursday.  The  entertainment  commit- 
tee, headed  by  Governor  Charles  Edison  as 
advisory  chairman,  consisted  of  Gordon  Alli- 
son, dramatic  editor  of  the  Newark  Sunday 
Call;  Ben  Griefer,  manager  of  the  Paramount 
and  Dams  theatres  ;  Frank  Carrington,  Paper- 
mill  Playhouse  operator,  and  Ancil  Weinstein, 
manager  of  the  RKO  Proctor. 


May    2  2,     194  3 

Eastern  Drivers 
Warned  to  Cut 
Gasoline  Use 

East  coast  motorists  must  save  gasoline  now 
or  face  "drastic  steps,"  shortly,  they  were 
warned  this  week  by  Petroleum  Administrator 
Harold  Ickes  and  Office  of  Price  Administra- 
tion chief  Prentiss  Brown. 

Mr.  Ickes  asserted  the  area  is  consuming 
"considerably  more"  than  the  356,000  barrels 
a  day  allotted  civilians.  He  added:  "We  just 
cannot  continue  to  operate  on  any  such  basis. 
If  we  attempted  to  do  so,  we  would  drain  our 
storage  completely  dry — and  the  chaos  that 
would  result  is  beyond  imagination." 

Mr.  Brown's  comment  was,  "The  Office  of 
Price  Administration  is  ready  to  take  steps — 
drastic  steps,  if  necessary — to  see  that  the  oper- 
ations of  war  industries  and  armed  forces  are 
not  endangered."  He  denied  that  the  value  of 
the  coupons  in  the  A  books  would  be  slashed. 

Mr.  Ickes  noted  that  the  Tunisian  campaign 
required  "oceans  of  oil"  and  that  others  in 
preparation  would  require  more.  He  added  that 
petroleum  stocks  in  the  East  are  at  25.5  per 
cent  of  normal. 

Mr.  Brown  observed  that  gasoline  rationing 
already  has  cut  Eastern  driving  60  per  cent. 


GomersallinNew 
Universal  Post 

E.  T.  Gomersall  has  been  promoted  to  assist- 
ant general  sales  manager  of  Universal  Pic- 
tures, it  was  announced  last  week  by  William 
A.  Scully,  vice-president  and  general  sales 
manager  of  the  company.  Mr.  Gomersall,  form- 
erly western  division  manager,  replaces  W.  J. 
Heineman,  who  resigned  to  become  general  sales 
manager  for  Samuel  Goldwyn. 

Other  promotions  announced  by  Mr.  Scully 
included :  Allan  J.  O'Keefe  to  western  division 
manager,  formerly  Pacific  Coast  district  man- 
ager ;  Charles  J.  Feldman,  formerly  Los  An- 
geles exchange  manager,  replaces  Mr. 
O'Keefe ;  Foster  M.  Blake,  formerly  Seattle 
exchange  manager,  shifts  to  Los  Angeles  as 
branch  manager,  replacing  Mr.  Feldman.  Sam 
Milner  assumes  the  post  of  manager  for  the 
Seattle  exchange  and  King  Trimble  is  to  re- 
place him  in  Denver.  Mr.  Milner  was  formerly 
Denver  branch  manager. 

Mr.  Gomersall  entered  the  film  industry  as 
salesman  for  the  Fox  Films  exchange  in  Cin- 
cinnati in  1919,  later  becoming  manager  of 
midwest  branches  for  the  company.  He  joined 
Universal  in  1930  as  district  manager  out  of  the 
Chicago  branch,  and  in  1941  was  named  western 
division  manager. 

Mr.  O'Keefe  became  associated  with  Uni- 
versal in  1931  after  working  as  salesman  for 
a  Seattle  equipment  company  and  later  for 
MGM  and  RKO. 

Adjourn  Rosselli  Trial 
Until  May  24th 

The  trial  of  John  Rosselli,  west  coast  agent 
of  the  old  Al  Capone  gang,  under  indictment 
alleging  conspiracy  to  extort  more  than  $1,000,- 
000  from  film  executives,  in  violation  of  the 
Federal  anti-racketeering  law,  was  adjourned 
until  May  24th,  in  New  York  Federal  Court 
on  Monday,  by  Judge  Alfred  C.  Coxe. 

Rosselli,  Louis  Kaufman,  business  agent  of 
Local  244  of  the  New  Jersey  operators  union, 
and  six  others,  who  are  awaiting  removal  hear- 
ings in  Chicago,  were  named  in  the  indictments. 
U.  S.  Attorney  Mathias  F.  Correa  is  waiting 
until  he  can  get  all  of  the  defendants  to  trial  at 
the  same  time,  it  is  understood. 


May    2  2,     17  4  3  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  49 

/7WBAT  THE  „ 
PICTURE  DID  FOR  ME 


.  .  .  the  original  exhibitors'  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 
In  it  theatremen  serve  one  another  with  information  about  the  box-office  per- 
formance of  product — providing  a  service  of  the  exhibitor  for  the  exhibitor. 
ADDRESS  REPORTS:  What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,  Motion  Picture  Herald, 
Rockefeller  Center,  New  York,  N.  Y. 


Columbia 

CLOSE  CALL  FOR  ELLERY  QUEEN:  William 
Gargan,  Margaret  Lindsay — Although  we  had  ad- 
verse weather  conditions  to  contend  with,  we  still 
enjoyed  a  nice  play.  Our  patrons  like  this  series.  Played 
midnight,  May  1. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre, 
Tilbury,  Ont. 

DARING  YOUNG  MAN:  Joe  E.  Brown— Not  good, 
not  bad — typical  Joe  E.  Brown  picture  and  Joe  E. 
Brown  is  good  here.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April 
16,  17. — Raymond  Krutsinger,  Rialto  Theatre,  Lyn- 
don, Kan.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

FLIGHT  LIEUTENANT:  Pat  O'Brien,  Glenn  Ford 
— Not  a  big  picture  but  stood  up  well  on  a  single 
bill.  Good  acting  and  plenty  of  thrills.  They  always 
go  for  Pat  O'Brien.  Drew  fairly  well  and  everyone 
was  pleased.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  April  10,  11. 
— J.  A.  Blossom,  Movie-tone  Theatre,  Fairfield,  Mont. 
General  patronage. 

NIGHT  TO  REMEMBER:  Loretta  Young,  Brian 
Aherne — Truly  well  received;  exceptionally  well  pro- 
duced. Although  I  didn't  see  it  the  customers  went 
away  praising  it.  Played  Monday-Wednesday,  May 
3-5. — Harland  Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 

STAND  BY,  ALL  NETWORKS:  John  Beal,  Flor- 
ence Rice — Double  billed  this  one  with  Roy  Rogers 
in  "Sunset  on  the  Desert."  Did  not  equal  my  usual 
Saturday  business. — H.  R.  Cantwell,  Meyer  Theatre, 
Biloxi,  Miss. 

TORNADO'  IN  THE  SADDLE:  Russell  Hayden— 
This  is  a  pretty  good  western — not  the  best  of  Colum- 
bia's, but  would  recommend  it.  Good  westerns  today 
all  need  music  and  cowboy  songs  to  put  them  over. 
Without  it  this  western  would  be  just  another  picture 
and  would  not  go  over.  Played  Friday,  Saturday, 
May  7,  8.— M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston, 
Mass.    General  patronage. 

YOU  WERE  NEVER  LOVELIER:  Rita  Hay  worth, 
Fred  Astaire — Lovely  Rita  saved  this  one.  Kern's 
music  as  played  by  Cugat  was  not  bad.  But  the  story 
was  very  weak.  Business  was  just  fair.  Played 
Thursday-Saturday,  April  15-17— Mel  Jolley,  Marks 
Theatre,  Oshawa,  Ont.    General  patronage. 

YOU  WERE  NEVER  LOVELIER:  Fred  Astaire, 
Rita  Hayworth — This  turned  out  to  be  just  an  average 
picture.  Played  Easter. — Raymond  Krutsinger,  Rialto 
Theatre,  Lyndon,  Kan.  Small  town  and  rural  patron- 
age. 

Krellberg 

40,000  HORSEMEN  (Foreign):  Grant  Taylor— This 
is  the  second  time  I  have  played  this  picture.  Last 
summer,  on  a  hot  weekend,  no  business.  I  had  a 
bad  break  again  on  a  hot  Friday  and  just  fair  busi- 
ness. I  highly  recommend  this  picture  for  any  kind 
of  theatre,  big  or  small,  deluxe  or  small  town.  It 
has  everything — action,  romance,  war. — M.  L.  London, 
Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass.    General  patronage. 


Metro-Gold  wyn-Mayer 

WAR  AGAINST  MRS.  HADLEY,  THE:  Fay  Bain- 
ter,  Edward  Arnold — Not  big  box  office,  but  I  believe 
will  please  those  few  who  still  come  to  see  pictures 
with  a  war  background.  Played  Friday,  Saturday, 
April  30,  May  1.— Rudolph  Covi.  Covi  Theatre,  Her- 
minie,  Pa. 

WE  WHO  ARE  YOUNG:  Lana  Turner.  John  Shel- 
ton — Nice  program  picture.  Strictly  adult — would  re- 
commend it  for  weekend  business.  Played  Monday  - 
Wednesday.  May  3-5. — Harland  Rankin,  Centre  The- 
atre, Chatham,  Ont. 

WHITE  CARGO:  Walter  Pidgeon,  Hedy  Lamarr 
— Leo  fell  down  on  this  one.  Prestige  of  the  stars 
may  hold  the  picture  up  somewhat,  but  no  one  will 
rave  about  it.  ^  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  April  25  ,  26. 
— Rudolph  Covi,  Covi  Theatre,  Herminie,  Pa.  Small 
town  and  rural  patronage. 

Monogram 

RUBBER  RACKETEERS:  Ricardo  Cortez— This 
picture  should  be  played  on  the  lower  half  of  a  strong 
bill.  Not  too  good,  but  it  is  not  a  bad  picture.  Could 
fill  in.  I  have  played  much  worse  from  the  major 
companies.  Played  Tuesday-Thursday.  May  4-6. — M. 
L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass.  General 
patronage. 


Paramount 

FOREST  RANGERS,  THE:  Fred  MacMurray, 
Paulette  Goddard,  Susan  Hayward — Excellent  picture, 
good  comedy,  good  color,  good  acting,  everything  to 
satisfy.  By  no  means  an  ordinary  picture.  Play  it. 
Played  Sunday -Tuesday,  May  2-4. — Raymond  Krut- 
singer, Rialto  Theatre,  Lyndon,  Kan.  Small  town  and 
rural  patronage. 

LUCKY  JORDAN:  Alan  Ladd,  Helen  Walker— 
Paramount's  build-up  of  Ladd  hasn't  affected  our  box- 
office  so  far.  The  picture  is  fair,  or  maybe  fairly 
good.  Ladd  is  a  presentable  fellow  and  we  would  like 
to  see  him  in  some  other  than  this  tough  type.  Busi- 
ness fair.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  April  28, 
29. — S.  L.  George,  Mountain  Home  Theatre,  Mountain 
Home,  Idaho.     Small  town  patronage. 

MAJOR  AND  THE  MINOR,  THE:  Ginger  Rogers, 
Ray  Milland — Good  picture,  pleased  patrons  and  will 
make  money  but  I  didn't  get  a  fair  shake — no  trailer. 
Played  Sunday -Tuesday,  April  18-20. — Raymond  Krut- 
singer, Rialto  Theatre,  Lyndon,  Kan.  Small  town  and 
rural  patronage. 

ROAD  TO  MOROCCO:  Bob  Hope,  Bing  Crosby, 
Dorothy  Lamour — Reaction  good — business  normal.  Be- 
lieve these  stars  are  on  the  way  out  in  our  town — 
however,  they  still  please.  Played  Sunday,  Monday, 
May  2,  3.— Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre,  Marsh- 
field,  Mo.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

ROAD  TO'  ZANZIBAR:  Bing  Crosby,  Bob  Hope, 
Dorothy  Lamour — I  picked  up  this  old  picture  in  place 
of  one  I  didn't  want.  This  is  a  repeat.  It  was  very 
much  enjoyed  by  the  patrons  who  came  again.  Same 
old  story — they  want  laughter,  comedy,  music — in 
other  words,  entertainment.  Played  Tuesday-Thurs- 
day, March  2-4. — M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E. 
Boston,   Mass.     General  patronage. 

STAR  SPANGLED  RHYTHM:  Betty  Hutton,  Ed- 
die Bracken — This  is  a  swell  comedy  with  some  good 
music.  Our  patrons  went  all  out  for  it  and  it  holds 
our  box-office  record.  A  picture  like  this  just  can't 
miss.  Played  Sunday-Tuesday,  April  25-27. — S.  L. 
George,  Mountain  Home  Theatre,  Mountain  Home,. 
Idaho.    Small  town  patronage. 

SULLIVAN'S  TRAVELS:  Veronica  Lake,  Joel 
M'cCrea — Rather  silly  and  unthinkable  story.  A  few 
funny  scenes  but  not  nearly  the  comedy  it  was 
cracked  up  to  be.  Veronica  is  rather  sweet  when 
she  has  a  chance.  Most  people  can't  stand  the  way 
she  wears  her  hair.  Joel  always  brings  them  in. 
Business  fair.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  April  3,  4. — 
J.  A.  Blossom,  Movie-tone  Theatre,  Fairfield,  Mont. 
General  patronage. 

TAKE  A  LETTER,  DARLING:  Rosalind  Russell, 
Fred  MacMurray — Just  average  fare.  Comments  mixed 
on  this  one.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  2,  3. — 
Rudolph  Covi,  Covi  Theatre,  Herminie,  Pa. 


Producers  Releasing  Corp. 

BILLIE  THE  KID  IN  FUGITIVE  OF  THE 
PLAINS:  Buster  Crabbe — I  regret  very  much  that  a 
good  western  star  such  as  Buster  Crabbe  has  to  be 
put  on  the  spot,  by  performing  in  such  poorly  produced 
westerns.  If  he  continues  he  will  surely  go  stale.  It 
is  about  time  that  some  of  these  companies  woke  up 
to  the  fact  that  the  best  stars  in  pictures  can  be  ruined 
if  not  properly  directed  and  produced.  These  west- 
erns are  a  joke. — M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Bos- 
ton, Mass. 


RKO 

BAMBI:  Walt  Disney  Cartoon— Played  Wednesday, 
Thursday  as  split  attraction;  wrote  school  teachers 
of  country  schools  of  county  telling  of  special  matinee 
for  them.  Picture  did  well.  Excellent  color;  story 
adult  with  forest  animals  for  characters.  Try  it. 
Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  April  7,  8.— Raymond 
Krutsinger.  Rialto  Theatre,  Lyndon,  Kan.  Small  town 
and  rural  patronage. 


FALCON'S  BROTHER:  George  Sanders— A  medi- 
ocre spy  mystery.  What  mystified  me  was  why  it 
was  ever  made.  For  double  bills  strictly,  or  the  shelf. 
—Rudolph  Covi,  Covi  Theatre,  Herminie,  Pa. 

HERE  WE  GO  AGAIN:  Fibber  McGee,  Edgar  Ber- 
gen— It  is  hard  to  report  on  pictures  of  this  type.  I 
understand  it  went  over  big  in  some  places.  In  Her- 
minie it  established  a  new  low.  We  had  the  same 
luck  with  "Look  Who's  Laughing"  and  so  were  not 
surprised.  Played  Friday,  Saturday.  April  9,  10.— 
Rudolph  Covi,  Covi  Theatre,  Herminie,  Pa. 

HERE  WE  GO  AGAIN:  Edgar  Bergen,  Fibber  Mc- 
Gee— Extra  good  picture  drew  well  and  pleased  every- 
body.—M'.  Bailey,  Strand  Theatre,  Dryden,  Ont.  Small 
town  patronage. 

HITLER'S  CHILDREN:  Otto  Kruger— A  well  made 
and  interesting  piece  of  propaganda.  Business  above 
average  but  not  up  to  what  we  had  expected.  Played 
Friday,  Saturday,  April  30,  May  1.— A.  E.  Edwards, 
Winema  Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal.  Small  lumber  town 
patronage. 

JOAN  OF  PARIS:  Michele  Morgan,  Paul  Henreid 
— Very  interesting,  although  very  heavy  drama,  and 
the  speaking  was  hard  to  understand.  Everyone 
liked  the  picture  but  many  drew  a  sigh  when  it  was 
over,  as  it  was  such  a  strain  for  those  who  were  try- 
ing to  catch  all  of  the  words.  Business  good;  partly, 
perhaps,  because  it  was  played  with  "At  the  Front." 
Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  April  17,  18.— J.  A.  Blos- 
som, Movie-tone  Theatre,  Fairfield,  Mont.  General 
patronage. 

PRIDE  OF  THE  YANKEES:  Gary  Cooper,  Teresa 
Wright — Here  is  really  a  great  picture.  Gary  Cooper 
gives  an  outstanding  performance  and  Teresa  Wright 
impressed  our  patrons.  For  some  reason  business 
was  not  up  to  average  and  we  can  only  attribute  it  to 
the  fact  many  of  our  women  customers  were  missing. 
Played  Sunday-Tuesday,  May  2-4. — S.  L.  George, 
Mountain  Home  Theatre,  Mountain  Home,  Idaho. 
Small  town  patronage. 

RIDING  THE  WIND:  Tim  Holt— I  would  recom- 
mend this  western — good  action,  good  direction.  The 
series  is  getting  better  all  the  time.  Played  Sunday, 
Monday,  February  28,  March  1. — M.  L.  London,  Gem 
Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass.    General  patronage. 

SCATTERGOOD  RIDES  HIGH:  Guy  Kibbee- 
Okay  on  our  weekend  double  bill.  Picture  should 
please  in  the  smaller  double  bill  spots.  Played  Fri- 
day, Saturday,  May  7,  8.— Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz 
Theatre,  Marshfield,  Mb.  Small  town  and  rural  pat- 
ronage. 

SEVEN  DAYS  LEAVE:  Victor  Mature,  Lucille 
Ball — This  picture  was  well  received — did  above  aver- 
age midweek  business.  Play  it.  It  will  please.  Plaved 
Tuesday-Thursday,  May  4-6.— Charles  A.  Brooks.  Ritz 
Theatre,  Marshfield,  Mo.  Small  town  and  rural  pat- 
ronage. 

SEVEN  DAYS  LEAVE:  Victor  Mature,  Lucille 
Ball — This  is  RKO's  big  picture.  It  is  just  ordinary. 
I  did  not  think  it  was  a  good  show  and  those  who 
stayed  away  must  have  shared  my  viewpoint.  Played 
Friday,  Saturday,  May  7,  8. — Rudolph  Covi,  Covi  The- 
atre, Herminie,  Pa.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

TARZAN  TRIUMPHS:  Johnny  Weismuller— 
Opened  with  a  bang  the  first  night.  Had  it  been  as 
good  as  the  former  series,  I  believe  it  would  have  gone 
to  town,  but  the  second  night  it  died.  Played  Wednes- 
day. Thursday,  May  5,  6. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza 
Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 

Republic 

HEART  OF  THE  GOLDEN  WEST:  Roy  Rogers, 
Smiley  Burnette — Average  western.  We  single  billed 
this  for  a  comparison  with  the  Autrys,  but  it  is  hard 
to  tell  as  we  have  an  Army  group  here.  Business  was 
okay.  Our  western  fans  say  they  like  Autry  much 
better.  It's  even  up  with  its.  Played  Saturday,  May 
1. — S.  L.  George,  Mountain  Home  Theatre,  Mountain 
Home,  Idaho.    Small  town  patronage. 

HI!  NEIGHBOR:  Lulubelle  &  Scotty.  Jean  Parker 
{Continued  on  follozving  page) 


50 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    22,  1943 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

—Pure  corn  but  certainly  most  of  them  seemed  to  like 
it  and  it  did  average  business  on  a  single  bill.  Re- 
public does  well  with  this  type  picture.  Played  Wed- 
nesday, Thursday,  May  5,  6. — S.  L.  George,  Moun- 
tain Home  Theatre,  Mountain  Home,  Idaho.  Small 
town  patronage. 

HIT  PARADE  OF  1943:  John  Carroll,  Susan  Hay- 
ward — Nothing  short  of  a  marvelous  picture — the  eight 
majors  have  nothing  to  offer  that  beats  it  in  any  way 
whatsoever — good  plot,  music,  cast,  photography. 
Played  Sunday-Tuesday,  April  25-27. — Kenneth  ISl. 
Gorham,  Town  Hall  Theatre,  Middlebury,  Vt.  Gen- 
eral patronage. 

ICE-CAP  ADES  REVUE:  Jerry  Colonna,  Ellen 
Drew,  Richard  Denning — The  best  ice  show  we  have 
ever  had  in  our  theatre  and  we  have  played  Sonja 
Henie  several  times — it  was  perfect,  indeed.  Played 
Sunday-Tuesday,  May  9-11. — Kenneth  M.  Gorham, 
Town  Hall  Theatre,  Middlebury,  Vt.  General  patron- 
age. 

ICE-CAP  ADES  REVUE:  Ellen  Drew,  Richard  Den- 
ning— Good  picture  that  our  patrons  liked.  Any  good 
comedy  or  musical  comedy  is  liked  better  than  the 
many  war  pictures.  Would  like  to  see  Hruba  do  a 
little  real  skating.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday, 
April  21,  22. — S.  L,  George,  Mountain  Home  Theatre, 
Mountain  Home,  Idaho.    Small  town  patronage. 

IDAHO:  Roy  Rogers,  Virginia  Grey — I  looked  for 
something  outstanding  in  this  picture — can  only  say 
it  was  another  western.  No  kicks  or  raves.  Busi- 
ness satisfactory.  Played  Thursday-Saturday,  May 
6-8. — Harland  Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 

JOHNNY  DOUGHBOY:  Jane  Withers,  Patric 
Brook — Our  customers  were  many  and  semed  to  en- 
joy this  fine  picture  thoroughly — good  music,  good 
photography,  and  in  line  with  Republic's  big  improve- 
ment in  all  pictures.  Played  Thursday,  Friday.  April 
22,  23— Kenneth  M.  Gorham.  Town  Hall  Theatre, 
Middlebury.,  Vt.    General  patronage. 

SUICIDE  SQUADRON:  Sally  Gray— Fair  picture, 
but  another  Englisher.  Did  fairly  well,  but  not  as 
good  as  was  expected. — H.  R.  Cantwell,  Meyer  Thea- 
tre, Biloxi,  Miss. 

SUNSET  SERENADE:  Roy  Rogers— This  was  OK 
for  the  westerns  fans.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April 
30,  May  1. — A.  C.  Edwards,  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia, 
Cal.     Small  lumber  town  patronage. 

TAHITI  HONEY:  Simone  Simon.  Dennis  O'Keefe— 
Here's  a  nice  little  programmer  which  went  over  well. 
Played  it  midweek,  supported  by  strong  short  sub- 
jects. Business  above  average  for  Wednesday.  Thurs- 
day.   Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  May  S,  6. — Ray- 


mond E.  Salisbury,  Opera  House  Theatre,  Presque 
Isle,  Me.     General  patronage. 

Twentieth  Century- Fox 

BLACK  SWAN,  THE:  Tyrone  Power,  George  San- 
ders— An  exceptionally  popular  picture — did  weekend 
business  first  of  the  week.  The  Technicolor  helped. 
Played  Monday,  Tuesday,  May  3,  4.— Harland  Ran- 
kin,  Plaza  Theatre,   Tilbury,  Ont. 

MY  GAL  SAL:  Rita  Hayworth— One  of  the  finest 
and  most  beautiful  pictures  played  this  season.  My 
patrons  enjoyed  it,  so  did  I.  No  kicks  on  this.  It  is 
just  what  the  public  wants — entertainment,  music, 
laughter,  gayety  and  color.  Played  Sunday,  Monday, 
March  7,  8.— M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston, 
Mass.     General  patronage. 

SPRINGTIME  IN  THE  ROCKIES:  Betty  Grable, 
John  Payne,  Carmen  Miranda,  Caesar  Romero — Color 
excellent,  music  good.  It's  the  best  picture  Twentieth 
Century-Fox  has  put  out  this  year.  Natural  for 
small  towns.  Rain  hit  Sunday  night  but  they  came 
anyway.  Played  Sunday-Tuesday,  April  11-13. — Ray- 
mond Krutsinger,  Rialto  Theatre,  Lyndon,  Kan.  Small 
town  and  rural  patronage. 

WHISPERING  GHOSTS:  Brenda  Joyce.  Milton 
Berle — I  would  not  recommend  this  picture  for  a  week- 
end. It  is  meant  for  midweek.  The  title  fooled  me, 
although  the  picture  wasn't  bad.  No  business  on  this 
one.  Played  Friday,  Saturday.  March  5,  6. — M.  L. 
London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass.  General 
patronage. 

Universal 

CHEYENNE  ROUNDUP:  Johnny  Mack  Brown- 
Johnny  Mack  Brown  is  popular  with  my  Saturday 
crowds  and  this  one  was  up  to  the  average.  Business 
OK.  Doubled  with  "He's  My  Guy."  Played  Friday, 
Saturday.  May  7,  8. — Raymond  E.  Salisbury,  Opera 
House  Theatre,  Presque  Isle,  Me. 

FRANKENSTEIN  MEETS  THE  WOLFMAN:  Lon 

Chaney,  Bela  Lugosi — Opened  strong  but  dropped  off 
second  and  third  days.  This  one  should  end  all  horror 
pictures.  However,  I  must  admit  that  the  cash  cus- 
tomers liked  it,  so  who  am  I  to  comment?  Played 
Sunday-Tuesday.  May  2-4. — Raymond  E.  Salisbury, 
Opera  House  Theatre,  Presque  Isle,  Me.  General 
patronage. 

GIVE  OUT,  SISTERS:  Andrew  Sisters,  Richard 
Davies — Our  folks  liked  this  musical  comedy.    Lots  of 


catchy  tunes  by  the  Andrews  sisters,  supported  by 
good  dancing  and  clever  comedians.  Played  Thurs- 
day-Saturday, May  6-8. — Harland  Rankin,  Centre  The- 
atre, Chatham,  Ont. 

HE'S  MY  GUY:  Joan  Davis— My  weekend  crowds 
went  for  this  picture  in  a  big  way.  It  was  just  what 
they  wanted  and  this  Davis  gal  sure  made  'em  laugh. 
Doubled  with  "Cheyenne  Roundup."  Played  Friday, 
Saturday,  May  7,  8. — Raymond  E.  Salisbury,  Opera 
House  Theatre,  Presque  Isle,  Me.  General  patron- 
age. 

MEN  OF  TEXAS:  Robert  Stack,  Anne  Gwynne. 
Brod  Crawford,  Jackie  Cooper — Nice  picture  with  an 
American  background  that  we  Canadians  also  en- 
joyed from  such  fine  neighbors.  Played  Friday,  Sat- 
urday, May  7.  8. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre, 
Tilbury,  Ont. 

PITTSBURGH:  Randolph  Scott.  Marlene  Dietrich, 
John  Wayne — Played  Friday,  Saturday,  where  it  be- 
longs, but  still  did  not  draw  my  farmers.  It's  not 
a  farmer's  picture.  It's  good  but  not  a  good  small 
town  action  picture.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April 
9.  10. — Raymond  Krutsinger,  Rialto  Theatre,  Lyndon, 
Kan.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

RIDE  'EM  COWBOY:  Abbott  &  Costello— Double 
billed  this  one  with  "All  American  Coed."  These 
two  comedies  clicked  in  midweek  hot  weather.  Packed 
'em  in  for  two  days. — H.  R.  Cantwell,  Meyer  Thea- 
tre, Biloxi,  Miss. 

SHADOW  OF  A  DOUBT:  Teresa  Wright.  Joseph 
Cotten — A  good  program  picture.  I  booked  it  for 
Sunday,  Monday,  Tuesday,  but  pulled  it  Monday 
night  as  it  took  an  awful  dive.  Only  did  fair  business 
on  Sunday,  "Mother's  Day." — H.  R.  Cantwell,  Meyer 
Theatre,  Biloxi,  Miss. 

SHERLOCK  HOLMES,  SECRET  WEAPON:  Basil 
Rathbone,  Nigel  Bruce — This  is  a  good  series  for  week- 
end patronage,  clever  stories  very  well  acted — will 
pay  you  to  play  them.  Played  Thursday,  Friday, 
April  22.  23.— Kenneth  M.  Gorham,  Town  Hall  The- 
atre,  Middlebury,  Vt.     General  patronage. 

WHO  DONE  IT?:  Abbott  &  Costello— Good— but 
not  their  best.  They  break  out  with  a  scream  about 
every  so  often  and  this  isn't  one;  but  it  will  still  do 
well  above  average.  Played  Sunday -Tuesday,  May 
7-9. — Raymond  Krutsinger.  Rialto  Theatre,  Lyndon, 
Kan.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

YOUTH  ON  PARADE:  John  Hubbard,  Ruth  Ter- 
ry— A    fine   musical   hit   with   plenty    of   fast  young 
action.    The  hit  tune,  "I  Heard  That  Song  Before," 
(Continued  on  opposite  page) 


notice  of  TRADE  SHOWINGS 


2o* 

CENTURY- FOX  , 


FOR  THE  BENEFIT  OF  EXHIBITORS  GENERALLY 


WEDNESDAY,  MAY  26th-Stormy  Weather  10  A.  M.     Coney  Island  2:30  P.  M. 


ALBANY,  1052  Broadway 
ATLANTA,  197  Walton  St.,  N.  W. 
BOSTON,  105  Broadway 
BUFFALO,  290  Franklin  Street 
CHARLOTTE,  308  South  Church  Street 
CHICAGO,  1260  South  Wabash  Avenue 
CINCINNATI,  1638  Central  Parkway 
CLEVELAND,  2219  Payne  Avenue 
DALLAS,  1801  Wood  Street 
DENVER,  2101  Champa  Street 
DES  MOINES,  1300  High  Street 


(20th  Century-Fox  Projection  Room,  unless  otherwise  specified) 

DETROIT,  2211  Cass  Avenue 
INDIANAPOLIS,  326  North  Illinois  Street 
KANSAS  CITY,  1720  Wyandotte  Street 
LOS  ANGELES,  2019  South  Vermont  Ave. 
MEMPHIS,  151  Vance  Avenue 
MILWAUKEE,  1016  North  8th  Street 
MINNEAPOLIS,  1015  Currie  Avenue,  N. 
NEW  HAVEN,  40  Whiting  Street 
NEW  ORLEANS,  200  South  Liberty  Street 
NEW  YORK  CITY,  345  West  44th  Street 
OKLAHOMA  CITY,  10  North  Lee  Avenue 


OMAHA,  1502  Davenport  Street 

PHILADELPHIA,  302  North  13th  Street 

PITTSBURGH,  1715  Boulevard  of  Allies 

PORTLAND,  Star  Film  Exchange 
925  N.W.19thSt. 

ST.  LOUIS,  Srenco  Screening  Room 
3143  Olive  St. 

SALT  LAKE  CITY,  216  East  1st  South  Street 

SAN  FRANCISCO,  245  Hyde  Street 

SEATTLE,  2421  Second  Avenue 

WASHINGTON,  932  N.  J.  Ave.,  N.  W. 


May    22,    I  943 


(Continued  from  opposite  page) 

had  the  patrons  humming  and  whistling  for  days.  It 
was  certainly  enjoyed  by  all.  The  added  attraction, 
"Boston  Blackie  Goes  Hollywood,"  rounded  out  a  fine 
variety  program.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  April 
28,  29— Mel  Jolley,  Marks  Theatre,  Oshawa,  Ont. 
General  patronage. 


United  Artists 

I  MARRIED  A  WITCH:  Fredric  March,  Veronica 
Lake — Possibly  the  worst  picture  we  ever  played. 
Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  23,  24.— Rudolph  Covi, 
Covi  Theatre,  Herminie,  Pa.  Small  town  and  rural 
patronage. 

IN  WHICH  WE  SERVE:  Noel  Coward— Fair 
enough  picture  but  if  you  are  having  trouble  with 
British-made  films  watch  it.  Played  Sunday,  Monday, 
May  9,  10.— Rudolph  Covi,  Covi  Theatre,  Herminie,  Pa. 

JUNGLE  BOOK:  Sabu,  Rosemary  De  Camp— Busi- 
ness good.  Was  surprised  to  see  so  many  adults 
turn  out  for  this.  The  technicolor  is  clear  and  beau- 
tiful. The  story  is  interesting  and  drew  laughter 
from  the  audience  when  the  three  men  walked  away 
with  the  stolen  treasures.  It  seemed  true  to  our 
everyday  life — no  matter  how  much  we  get  we  always 
want  more.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  May  1,  2. — 
J.  A.  Blossom,  Movie-tone  Theatre,  Fairfield,  Mont. 
General  patronage. 

ONE  OF  OUR  AIRCRAFT  IS  MISSING:  Godfrey 
Tearle,  Eric  Portman — Like  most  English  pictures,  it 
flopped  here.  Could  have  stayed  closed  and  saved 
money. — H.  R.  Cantwell,  Meyer  Theatre,  Biloxi,  Miss. 


Warner  Bros. 

ACROSS  THE  PACIFIC:  Humphrey  Bogart— Good 
entertainment  for  our  locality.  Business  only  fair 
but  pleased  all  that  came.  Played  Wednesday,  Thurs- 
day, May  5,  6. — A.  C.  Edwards,  Winema  Theatre, 
Scotia,  Cal.     Small  lumber  town  patronage. 

HARD  WAY,  THE:  Ida  Lupino,  Dennis  Morgan, 
Joan  Leslie — I  expected  very  poor  business  on  this  pic- 
ture, but  surprising  as  it  was,  everyone  who  saw  it 
enjoyed  it  immensely.  Cast  excellent.  Played  Thurs- 
day-Saturday, April  29-May  1.— W.  C.  Crankshaw, 
Middleboro  Theatre,  Middleboro,  Mass.  Small  town 
patronage. 

INTERNATIONAL  SQUADRON:  Ronald  Reagan, 
Olympe  Bradna — Played  this  very  late  but  a  picture 
like  this  is  never  too  old  to  play.  It  is  the  kind  of 
a  picture  everyone  will  like,  no  matter  what  their 
age.  It  was  well  liked  by  everyone  who  saw  it  here 
and  business  was  good.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday, 
March  27,  28— J.  A.  Blossom,  Movie-tone  Theatre, 
Fairfield,  Mont.     General  patronage. 

KINGS  ROW:  Ann  Sheridan,  Betty  Field,  Ronald 
Reagan — Very  good  story  and  acting.  Sound  bad  in 
spots.  Ann  Sheridan  is  always  good.  She's  beautiful 
and  has  a  good  speaking  voice  and  they  always  turn 
out  to  see  her  pictures.  This  picture  was  in  part 
heavy  drama;  however,  it  had  a  small  amount  of  com- 
edy relief.  Business  fair.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday, 
April  24,  25.— J.  A.  Blossom,  Movie -tone  Theatre. 
Fairfield,  Mont.    General  patronage. 

LAW  OF  THE  TROPICS:  Constance  Bennett,  Jef- 
frey  Lynn — This  is  a  good  B  picture.  Wherever 
your  patrons  like  the  continental  type  of  picture 
and  soft  music,  this  will  please.  Men  and  women,  did 
like  it.  Boys  did  not.  It  is  OK  for  me.  Played 
Tuesday -Thursday,  May  4-6.— M.  L.  London,  Gem 
Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass.    General  patronage. 

SEA  HAWK,  THE:  Errol  Flynn,  Brenda  Marshall 
—Great  action  picture  enjoyed  by  those  that  came. 
Time,  two  hours.  Played  it  alone  with  shorts. — 
M-  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass. 

WINGS  FOR  THE  EAGLE:  Ann  Sheridan,  Dennis 
Morgan — The  Oomph  girl  came  through  again.  Being 
an  industrial  town,  the  people  turned  out  en  masse. 
Played  Monday- Wednesday,  April  12-14.— Mel  Jolley, 
Marks  Theatre,  Oshawa,  Ont.    General  patronage. 

YANKEE  DOODLE  DANDY:  James  Cagney— This 
was  a  truly  great  production.  No  screen  performer 
ever  turned  in  a  better  job  of  acting  than  did  Cagney. 
Business  good  and  everyone  went  away  satisfied, 
which  is  all  any  showman  should  ask  for.  Played 
Sunday,  Monday,  May  2,  3.— A.  C.  Edwards,  Winema 
Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal.     Small  lumber  town  patronage. 


Short  Features 


Metro-Gold  wyn-Mayer 

MARINES  IN  THE  MAKING:  Pete  Smith  Special- 
ty— Here's  a  very  entertaining  reel  that  deserves 
a  date.  It's  a  good  one. — Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz 
Theatre,  Marsh  field,  Mo. 


Paramount 

JASPER  AND  THE  WATERMELONS:  Madcap 
Model  (Color) — Exceptionally  good  cartoon.  Everyone 
thought  Jasper  very  cute.  Color  cartoon. — J.  A.  Blos- 
som, Movie-tone  Theatre,  Fairfield,  Mont. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


RKO 

AIR  CREW:  This  Is  America— Very  good,  although 
not  quite  up  to  the  earlier  issues.  The  public  appears 
to  like  this  series  very  well — in  fact,  better  even  than 
the  March  of  Time. — J.  A.  Blossom,  Movie-tone  The- 
atre,  Fairfield,  Mont. 

DER  FUEHRER'S  FACE:  Walt  Disney  Cartoon- 
Here's  a  dandy — play  it.  The  best  Disney  we've  played 
in  some  time. — Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre, 
Marshfield,  Mo. 

DONALD'S  GARDEN:  Walt  Disney  Cartoon— An 
average  Disney — worth  playing  on  any  program. — 
Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield,  Mo. 

Q-MEN:  Sportscope— Good  billiard  reel. — M.  Bailey. 
Strand  Theatre,  Dryden,  Ont. 


Twentieth  Century- Fox 

SHIPYARD  SYMPHONY:  Terrytoons  (Technicolor) 
— We  believe  this  short  and  Universal's  "Boogie 
Woogie  Sioux"  are  the  two  best  cartoons  we  have 
shown  this  year.  We  got  a  hand  on  every  showing 
of  "Shipyard  Symphony." — S.  L.  George,  Mountain 
Home  Theatre,  Mountain  Home,  Idaho. 


Universal 

SCREWBALL,  THE:  Color  Cartune— Average  car- 
toon. Worth  playing. — Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Thea- 
tre, Marshfield,  Mo. 

SWING  THAT  BAND:  Johnny  Long  and  His  Or- 
chestra— An  entertaining  15  minute  musical  featurette, 
which  has  held  my  patrons'  attention.  Good. — Ray- 
mond E.  Salisbury,  Opera  House  Theatre,  Presque 
Isle,  Me. 


Victory  Film 

AT  THE  FRONT:  Produced  by  War  Activities 
Committee;  distributed  by  Warner  Bros. — Unusually 
interesting  and  instructive.  It  shows  many  places  in 
Africa  which  we  have  been  hearing  so  much  about. 
It  gives  us  some  idea  of  what  kind  of  country  our 
boys  are  fighting  in  and  under  what  conditions. — J.  A. 
Blossom,  Movie-tone  Theatre,  Fairfield,  Mont. 

TROOP  TRAIN— One  of  the  most  interesting  of  the 
government  films.  Shows  how  our  troops  and  their 
supplies  are  moved  through  this  country. — J.  A.  Blos- 
som,  Movie-tone  Theatre,   Fairfield,  Mont. 


Vitaphone 

DING  DOG  DADDY:  Merrie  Melodies  Cartoon — 
Personally   I   dislike   dogs.     But   this   Goofy   Dog  in 
love  with  the  iron  dog  is  really  funny.    I'd  rate  this 
one  excellent. — Raymond  E.   Salisbury,   Opera  House 
Theatre,    Presque   Isle,  Me. 

EAGLES  OF  THE  NAVY:  Technicolor  Special— 
This  20  minute  subject  blown  up  from  16  mm.  in  color 
is  very  good.  Received  many  favorable  comments. 
Wish  I  could  do  as  well  with  my  Cine- Kodak. — 
Raymond  E.  Salisbury,  Opera  House  Theatre,  Presque 
Isle,  M'e. 

PIGS  IN  A  POLKA:  Merrie  Melodies  Cartoon— A 
very  fine  color  cartoon,  with  excellent  musical  back- 
ground. Received  as  many  favorable  comments  for 
this  as  our  feature,  "Commandos  Strike  at  Dawn." — 
Mel  Jolley,  Marks  Theatre,  Oshawa,  Ont. 

U.  S.  MARINE  BAND:  Melody  Master  Bands- 
Good  band  number. — A.  L.  Dove,  Bengough  Theatre, 
Bengough,  Sask.,  Can. 

U.  S.  ARMY  BAND:  Melody  Master  Bands— Good 
musical  reel. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre, 
Dewey,  Okla. 

U.  S.  NAVY  BAND:  Melody  Master  Bands— Our 
people  like  these  bands.  We  think  they  are  well 
worth  playing. — Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre, 
Marshfield,  Mo. 

U.  S.  NAVY  BAND:  Melody  Master  Bands— Very 
good  9  minute  short.  Well  made. — Raymond  E.  Salis- 
bury, Opera  House  Theatre,  Presque  Isle,  Me. 


Serial 
Universal 


ADVENTURES  OF  SMILIN'  JACK:  Tom  Brown. 
Marjorie  Lord — We  have  played  eight  chapters  of 
this  serial  of  13  episodes  and  think  it  is  holding  up 
well.  Seems  to  keep  the  serial  fans  coming,  which,  of 
course,  is  the  important  thing. — Charles  A.  Brooks, 
Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield,  Mo. 


"Mission"  in  England  Soon 

The  Warner  film,  "Mission  to  Moscow,"  will 
be  released  in  England  during  August,  it  was 
announced  this  week  by  the  company. 


51 


"Sweet  lucy  Brown"—  and  more 


It's  a 

REPUBLIC  PICTURE 


52 

Reelect  Smith  as 
Ohio  ITO  Head 

Martin  Smith  was  reelected  president,  and 
F.  W.  Jass,  Jr.,  and  Max  Steam  vice-presidents, 
at  the  10th  annual  election  of  the  Independent 
Theatre  Owners  of  Ohio,  at  the  unit's  annual 
convention  last  week  at  the  Deshler-Wallick 
Hotel  in  Cincinnati.  Leo  Kessel  was  elected 
treasurer,  succeeding  Hoy  Simons. 

Reelected  directors  were  Henry  Greenberger, 
John  Kalafat,  Nat  Chamos,  Harold  Bernstein, 
C.  F.  Pfister,  Leo  James,  L.  F.  Fick,  Willis 
Vance,  J.  W.  Trunk,  Henry  Thomas,  Jerome 
Steel.  Elected  directors  were  Edward  Biggio 
and  Peter  Wellman. 

One  resolution  was  adopted,  condemning  im- 
proper allocation  of  pictures.  A  featured 
speaker,  William  F.  Rodgers,  MGM  general 
sales  manager,  asked  again  for  unity  in  the  in- 
dustry and  avoidance  of  publicity  on  intra-in- 
dustry  quarrels.  Film  rentals,  admissions, 
manpower  and  post-war  planning,  were  topics 
discussed. 

Fishman  Is  Reelected 
By  Connecticut  Allied 

Dr.  J.  B.  Fishman  was  unanimously  reelected 
president  of  the  Allied  Theatre  Owners  of 
Connecticut  for  the  third  consecutive  term  at 
the  annual  election  meeting  of  the  organization 
recently. 

Others  who  were  elected  to  serve  for  the 
1943-44  season  are  Charles  Repass,  vice-presi- 
dent; Joseph  Shulman,  treasurer,  and  Maxwell 
A.  Alderman,  executive  secretary.  The  new 
board  of  directors  includes  Daniel  Pouzzner, 
Maurice  Bailey,  A.  L.  Schuman,  Martin  Kele- 
her,  Leo  Bonoff,  Morris  Jacobson,  Jack 
Schwartz,  Barney  Calechman,  Joseph  Reed, 
George  LeWitt  and  Joseph  Corwel. 


NLRB  Acts  as  Mediator 

The  National  Labor  Relations  Board  met  in 
Hollywood  Thursday  and  was  to  decide  whether 
a  consent  election  for  the  Screen  Players  Pro- 
tective Association  was  to  be  granted  by  the 
Motion  Picture  Association  and  the  Screen 
Actors  Guild. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


RAINS  IN  MIDWEST 
COME  IN  TIME 

Rains  oyer  the  middle  west  last 
week  came  just  when  anxiety  was 
being  felt  over  the  effect  of  a  drouth 
on  plantings  which  are  expected  to 
yield  a  record  crop.  Both  city  and 
small-town  theatres  have  traditionally 
looked  to  farm  income  of  the  terri- 
tory as  a  basic  source  of  income. 

OWI  Unit  to  Cut 
Domestic  Staff 

The  domestic  unit  of  the  Office  of  War  In- 
formation has  "quite  a  little  money  left"  in  its 
current  budget,  and  in  asking  for  appropriations 
for  next  year,  will  require  "about  125  fewer 
employees,"  according  to  Gardner  Cowles,  jr., 
resigning  director,  who  spoke  to  newsmen  in 
Washington  last  week. 

Mr.  Cowles  will  present  the  new  request  to 
Congress.  He  then  will  return  to  Des  Moines, 
where  he  publishes  the  Register  and  Tribune. 
He  will  be  succeeded  at  the  OWI  June  20th 
by  Palmer  Hoyt,  publisher  of  -  the  Portland, 
Ore.,  The  Morning  Oregonian. 

The  OWI  will  ask  Congress  for  $47,000,000; 
Mr.  Cowles  termed  this  an  "economy  budget." 


On  LaGuardia  Committee 

Evelyn  Lee  Jones,  former  advertising  and 
publicity  agent  and  wife  of  Charles  Reed  Jones, 
advertising  and  publicity  head  of  Republic  Pic- 
tures, was  an  executive  member  of  Mayor 
LaGuardia's  committee  for  "I  Am  An  Ameri- 
can Day"  celebrated  on  the  Mall  in  New 
York's  Central  Park  last  Sunday.  Mrs.  Jones, 
the  only  member  of  the  commtitee  who  was  not 
a  municipal  officer,  has  been  an  active  member 
of  the  Mayor's  Civilian  Volunteer  Defense 
Committee  ever  since  Pearl  Harbor. 


May    2  2,    194  3 

British  Revenue 
Due  Here  Soon 

British  Treasury  officials  reported  this  week 
that  approximately  90  per  cent  of  the  $20,000,- 
000  estimated  as  being  available  to  home  offices 
in  this  country  after  the  lifting  of  restrictions 
on  the  remittance  of  film  revenue,  shortly  would 
be  freed. 

The  completion  of  audits  makes  it  necessary 
for  the  withholding  of  from  10  to  20  per  cent, 
it  is  learned.  The  length  of  time  the  British 
Treasury  will  take  to  audit  each  company's 
accounts  will  determine  the  speed  with  which 
American  offices  will  receive  the  monies.  It  is 
expected  that  several  companies  will  receive 
their  balances  within  a  few  weeks,  others  after 
longer  periods. 

In  the  future,  the  companies  will  transmit 
their  British  revenue  under  bankers'  orders  in 
the  usual  way.  Britain's  defense  monetary 
regulations  prohibit  the  transmission  of  stock 
dividends  to  foreign  corporations  by  British 
subsidiaries. 

The  lifting  of  monetary  restrictions  in  New 
Zealand  is  expected  to  get  early  action  while 
remittances  from  Australia  and  India  also  are 
expected,  although  action  may  not  be  initiated 
for  several  months. 

American  Legion  May 
Produce  Picture 

In  the  wake  of  the  annual  meeting  of  na- 
tional committees  of  the  American  Legion  in 
Indianapolis  last  week,  came  the  announcement 
that  the  organization  might  undertake  produc- 
tion of  an  American  "epic"  motion  picture  in 
Technicolor. 

Last  week  Motion  Picture  Herald  reported 
the  proposal  for  the  film  was  made  by  R.  H. 
Barnard,  vice-president  of  the  Owens-Illinois 
Glass  Company  of  Toledo,  to  the  Legion's  na- 
tional Americanism  Commission.  The  produc- 
tion, described  in  "discussion  form"  as  the 
"greatest  picture  of  World  War  II,"  is  contin- 
gent upon  approval  by  the  Legion's  national 
convention  in  Omaha  next  September  of  the 
proposed  $20,000,000  Americanism  fund  to  be 
raised  by  popular  subscription.  Suggestion  for 
this  fund  also  was  made  by  Mr.  Barnard  to  the 
Legion  committee  which  met  at  Indianapolis 
recently. 

Ten  More  Stars  Added 
To  USO-Camp  Shows 

Ten  more  film  stars  have  been  added  to  the 
USO-Camp  Shows  touring  units,  the  organ- 
ization announced  this  week.  Martha  Raye, 
Guy  Kibbee,  Loretta  Young,  the  Three  Stooges, 
Edgar  Buchanan,  Helen  Walker,  Gil  Lamb  and 
Tommy  Sanford  are  the  latest  to  join  the  cara- 
vans playing  service  camps  throughout  the 
country. 

The  length  of  tours  arranged  for  the  10  per- 
sonalities ranges  from  three  days  to  four  weeks. 
Miss  Raye,  who  was  scheduled  to  appear  at 
Jackson  Barracks  in  New  Orleans  on  Tuesday, 
will  end  her  trip  with  an  appearance  at  Camp 
Wheeler,  Ga.,  on  June  3rd. 

Bookers  To  Aid  War  Funds 

The  war  activities  program  of  the  Film 
Bookers  Club  of  Chicago  will  be  presented  to 
its  members  by  Russ  Uswetsky  for  approval  at 
its  next  meeting  on  May  25th.  The  program  in- 
cludes provisions  for  the  donation  of  50  per 
cent  of  the  club's  income  for  the  duration  to 
the  USO,  Red  Cross,  Service  Men's  Centers 
and  Army  and  Navy  Relief. 

Armour  in  New  York 

Reginald  Armour,  European  managing  di- 
rector for  Walt  Disney,  arrived  in  New  York 
on  Monday,  for  a  short  visit  in  connection  with 
Disney's  instructional  and  entertainment  films. 


May    2  2,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE    H  E  R  A  L  D 


53 


MANAGERS' 


ROUND 


iAn  international  association  of  shozvmen  meeting  weekly 
tn  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD  for  mutual  aid  and  progress 


BOB  WILE.  Editor 


GERTRUDE  MERRIAM,  Associate  Editor 


OP 


Wartime  Showmanship 

A  theatre  manager — we  could  hardly  call  him  a  showman — 
was  reported  to  us  as  having  said  recently,  "All  you  need  is  an 
ad  in  the  paper  and  a  trailer  on  the  screen  to  bring  the  people 
in."  There  may  be  truth  in  what  this  man  says,  in  his  par- 
ticular situation.  No  matter  what  the  attraction,  the  public  is 
flocking  to  theatres  in  some  cities.  But  such  a  philosophy  over- 
looks the  necessity  of  planning  for  after  the  war,  retaining  the 
public's  good  will,  providing  against  that  day  when  selling  will 
be  more  necessary.  Furthermore,  if  this  assertion  were  uni- 
versally true,  some  of  the  best  ability  in  this  business  is  being 
wasted. 

Show  business  has  always  been  a  young  and  aggressive  one. 
But  even  more  staid  and  dignified  industries,  which  have  no 
product  to  sell  during  the  war,  are  advertising  today  in  news- 
papers and  national  magazines,  over  the  radio  and  on  bill- 
boards. The  automobile  companies  are  not  letting  their  names 
die,  even  though  they  have  no  cars  to  sell.  And  public  utilities 
are  advertising,  despite  the  fact  that  they  cannot  urge  the 
public  to  use  more  gas  and  electricity. 

A  theatre  which  is  crowded  from  opening  to  closing  time 
could  render  the  public  a  service  compatible  with  good  show- 
manship by  advertising  the  hours  at  which  it  is  least  crowded. 
Th  is  is  only  one  example  of  the  type  of  institutional  advertising 
in  which  today's  boom  market  theatres  may  invest. 

There  is  still  another  angle.  The  merchants  of  a  community 
who  are  no  longer  asked  to  use  theatre  window  displays,  are 
not  solicited  for  cooperative  ads  and  are  not  approached  to 
tie  in  with  the  theatre  when  an  opportunity  comes  along,  will 
be  inclined  to  pass  up  the  relation  should  the  theatre  once 
again  decide  it  needs  their  cooperation.  So  will  the  news- 
papers, the  radio  stations  and  the  local  bands. 

So  even  if  all  you  have  to  do  is  open  the  doors  and  get  out 
of  the  way,  keep  the  public  informed  on  what  attractions  are 
causing  this  condition.  The  showmanship  of  the  show  business 
must  be  retained. 

It  Takes  Hard  Work 

The  difficulties  involved  in  executing  a  comparatively  simple 
exploitation  plan  have  sometimes  swayed  the  showman  from 
his  initial  enthusiasm  for  a  project.  It  is  a  natural  thing  to 
choose  a  path  of  less  resistance. 

For  example,  let's  follow  the  course  of  action  of  Jerry 
Greenebaum  of  the  lllini  theatre,  Moline,  III.,  who  wanted  to 


put  cards  on  lamp  posts  in  connection  with  his  engagement  of 
"The  Moon  Is  Down."  There's  a  city  ordinance  against  it,  and 
if  Jerry  had  stopped  right  there  when  he  found  that  out,  no 
one  would  have  blamed  him. 

Instead,  he  had  a  sample  of  his  proposed  card  made  up 
tieing  in  with  the  Second  War  Loan.  The  copy  read  simply, 
"The  Moon  Is  Down.  Buy  War  Bonds  and  Stamps."  He  took 
his  sample  to  a  meeting  of  the  executive  committee  of  the 
local  retailers'  association.  He  gave  a  good  enough  sales  talk 
to  get  the  committee's  approval  and  then  went  before  the 
City  Council.  There  was  a  heated  discussion  over  it,  and 
Jerry  had  to  give  his  arguments  to  several  individual  council- 
men.  But  he  won. 

The  result  was  worthwhile.  The  cards,  14  by  36  inches,  were 
put  up  back  to  back  on  every  lamp  post  for  five  blocks  in  the 
busiest  section  of  the  town. 


They  Also  Serve 


Rocky  Mount,  N.  C. — Hal  S.  Orr,  city  manager  for  the 
Wilby-Kincey  Circuit  here,  recently  retired  as  District  Governor 
of  Rotary  International.^  There  are  lots  of  Rotarians  among  the 
Round  Table  membership,  but  few,  if  any,  who  have  attained 
the  eminence  of  a  district  governorship.  Hal  was  feted  on  his 
retirement  and  presented  with  a  $500  War  Bond  and  a  travel- 
ing bag  in  appreciation  of  his  services  to  Rotary. 

Brattleboro,  Vt. — Vincent  Aldert,  manager  of  the  Paramount 
theatre  here  noted  a  letter  in  the  sports  column  of  a  Boston 
paper  the  other  day  from  a  soldier  in  North  Africa  to  Mrs. 
Lou  Gehrig.  Since  Vince  was  playing  "Pride  of  the  Yankees" 
he  reprinted  it.  The  letter  said  in  part,  "Over  here  we  don't 
have  much  in  the  way  of  recreation  and  amusement,  but  we 
do  have  a  brand  new  theatre — the  Starlight  theatre — -with 
improvised  seats  from  old  gas  cans,  oil  drums  and  empty  boxes. 
Last  night  we  saw  a  show  we've  been  waiting  for  and  many  of 
the  fellows  felt  it  was  the  best  ever — 'Pride  of  the  Yankees.' 
We  all  agreed  that  you  were  a  grand  person  to  help  produce 
the  picture.  Not  only  Lou,  but  you,  too,  are  the  pride  of  the 
Yankees  overseas  for  your  wonderful  hitting  in  the  pinch  when 
Lou  needed  you  most.  ...  So  here  we  are  thanking  you  for  the 
way  you  went  to  bat.  .  .  .  Even  though  Lou  is  not  over  here 
fighting  with  us,  his  spirit  and  his  courage  did  much  to  instill 
in  us  the  desire  to  keep  alive  the  things  people  like  you  and 
Lou  stand  for — and  what  America  stands  for.  He  certainly  hit 
a  home  run  into  our  hearts."  — BOB  WILE 


54 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    2  2,     194  3 


EXPLOITATION  IN  PICTURES 


By  Geo.  E.  Marshall  Studio 

The  public's  resentment  against  the  Japanese  following  the  murder  of  the 
American  fliers  who  bombed  Tokyo,  was  fanned  anew  by  Louis  Charninsky  in  Dallas, 
when  he  played  "Ravaged  Earth"  at  the  Capitol  theatre. 


1 

A  tieup  with  St. 
John's  Ambulance 
In  Which  We 


on 


Serve"  netted  Max 
Phillips  of  the 
Regent,  Sudbury, 
Ont.,  a  window  in  a 
prominent  local 
department  store. 


Bill  Galligan  dressed  an 
usher  in  this  suit  to  ballyhoo 
"Cat  People"  at  the 
Commercial  theatre,  South 
Chicago. 


Material  was  scarce  on  "China"  when  Leslie 
Campbell  played  it  at  the  Strand,  Trail, 
B.  O,  but  he  managed  this  attractive  lobby 
display  anyway. 


Vincent  Aldert  uses  this  effective 
sign  in  front  of  the  box  office  of  the 
Paramount,  Brattleboro,  Vermont. 


Representatives  of  France  Forever  manned  a  booth  in 
Abbey  theatre  in  New  York  during  the  run  of  "At  Dawn 


By  Cosmo-Sileo 


the  lobby  of  the 
We  Die." 


May    22,    I  943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


55 


Poppay  Offers  His  Theatre 
For  Commencement  Exercises 

In  the  presence  of  more  than  a  thousand 
parents  and  friends,  the  111th  commence- 
ment exercises  of  Gettysburg  College  were 
held  on  the  stage  of  the  Majestic  theatre, 
Gettysburg,  Pa.,  through  the  cooperation  of 
Sydney  J.  Poppay,  manager.  A  three-col- 
umn story  on  the  event  was  run  on  the  front 
page  of  the  local  paper,  with  the  theatre  re- 
ceiving prominent  mention. 

Poppay  cracked  the  papers  almost  every 
day  for  a  week  with  various  stories,  one  of 
which  was  about  a  local  boy  who  was  in  sev- 
eral scenes  during  the  film  of  "Air  Force." 
The  paper  quoted  from  a  letter  the  lad  had 
sent  to  Syd  on  his  experiences  while  at  the 
studio  and  this  was  used  as  an  advance  story 
by  the  paper  in  connection  with  the  theatre's 
opening  of  the  picture. 

Poppay  also  broke  the  papers  when  official 
arm  bands,  denoting  25  hours  of  service  as 
spotters,  were  awarded  from  the  stage  dur- 
ing an  intermission  at  a  showing  of  "Hawaii 
Calls."  The  show  was  given  for  the  benefit 
of  the  local  spotter  station. 


Servicemen's  Mothers  Hosted 
For  "At  the  Front" 

An  effective  stunt  was  engineered  by  Mar- 
garet Garrett,  assistant  at  the  Sheridan 
Square  theatre,  in  Pittsburgh,  in  the  inter- 
ests of  "At  the  Front."  Advance  newspa- 
per publicity  announced  that  the  first  ten 
mothers  to  come  to  the  cooperating  news- 
paper's office  with  proof  of  the  presence  of 
a  son  or  daughter  in  the  service  would  re- 
ceive an  invitation  to  lunch  and  the  picture. 
The  women  assembled  at  the  theatre  at  1:15 
P.M.  and  were  taken  in  a  group  by  Miss 
Garrett  to  a  restaurant  for  lunch  and  then 
back  to  the  theatre. 

Before  entering,  the  mothers  posed  for 
photos  near  a  display  on  the  picture  in  front 
of  the  house  and  were  later  presented  with 
the  pictures  to  send  to  their  sons.  Needless 
to  say,  the  papers  picked  up  the  event  and 
devoted  generous  space  to  a  story. 


WAAC  Recruiting  Booth 
Aids  "Air  Force"  Date 

One  of  the  highlights  of  Bob  Cox'  "Air 
Force"  engagement  at  the  Kentucky  theatre, 
in  Lexington,  Ky.,  was  a  WAAC  Recruit- 
ing Booth  which  was  set  up  in  the  lobby 
with  officer  and  two  auxiliaries  on  duty  for 
a  week.  Cox  reports  this  was  a  first-timer 
for  his  situation  and  resulted  in  free  news- 
paper publicity  for  six  days  with  a  feature 
story  on  the  opening  day. 

Also  gratis  were  radio  plugs  and  a  15- 
minute  interview  with  the  WAACS,  which 
was  conducted  by  Cox.  The  Round  Tabler 
also  promoted  a  hair-do,  dinner  and  theatre 
tickets  for  two  for  the  first  Lexington  girl  to 
join  the  WAAC's  from  the  theatre.  The  girl 
made  two  public  appearances  at  luncheon 
clubs.  The  stunt  brought  front-page  men- 
tion in  the  newspapers. 


Deering  Lands  Roto  Spreads 

In  advance  of  "Slightly  Dangerous"  and 
"Stage  Door  Canteen"  at  Loew's  State,  in 
Houston,  Tex.,  Francis  Deering  landed  two 
rotogravure  magazine  spreads.  Each  was  a 
full  page  and  in  addition  to  featuring  scene 
stills  from  the  pictures,  carried  copy  with 
theatre  credits. 


Fortnight's  Leading  Showmen 

In  the  running  as  the  Second  Quarter  of  the  1943  Quigley  Award  competition  hits  the 
halfway  mark,  are  the  45  men  and  women  listed  below.  To  maintain  their  standing  they 
should  submit  material  for  the  remaining  three  Fortnights  of  the  Quarter. 


CI  kACD    Ar»AKj4C  ID 

bLMbK  AUAMi,  JK. 

JACK  L  FOXE 

MILLARD  OCHS 

Yucca,  Midland,  Tex. 

Columbia,  ^^ashington,  D.  C. 

Strand,  Akron,  Ohio 

V/IM^CMT    Al  nCDT 

VINC^tNl  ALUfcKI 

WILLIAM  GALLIGAN 

GEORGE  OLSEN 

Paramount,  Brattleboro,  Vt. 

Commercial,  Chicago,  III. 

Madera    Madera,  Cal. 

CADI  C    DAM  CV 

tAKLt  DAILtT 

t,  t  a  ri  ^  a  n  i~t         Ann  ^ttt 

MARGARET  GARRETT 

MAX  PHILLIPS 

Warren,  Warren,  Pa. 

Sheridan  Square,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

Regent,  Sudbury,  Ont. 

JObfcrri  BUYLE 

EDGAR  GOTH 

HARLAND  RANKIN 

Broadway,  Norwich,  Conn. 

Fabian  Staten  island,  N.  Y. 

Centre,  Chatham,  Ont. 

JERRY  GREENEBAUM 

JIMMIE  REDMOND 

Kenyon,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

lllini,  Moline,  III. 

Rivoli,  Falls  City,  Neb. 

1  C\A/IC  PPCYCD 

a  n  tu  i  i  n  s~~  n  /~\  s~\  a  a 

ARTHUR  GROOM 

i  i    \a/    rinriki/"  co 

H.  W.  REISINGER 

Strand,  Holyoke,  Mass. 

5fate,  Memphis,  Tenn. 

Loew's,  Dayton,  Ohio 

rcDTDimr.  di  i ki^ucv 

i  i  a  n  n  \/  i  1 1  i  k  i  c  a  i/  rn 

HARRY  HUNSAKER 

i  i  a  n  n  v  o  /"\  c  r* 

HARRY  ROSE 

Century,  Baltimore,  Md. 

Granada,  Reno,  Nev. 

Globe,  Bridgeport,  Conn. 

I  CCI  |c  W    /"^AkylDQXI  1 

CI  1  1  ATT     1/MJklC  Akl 

ELLIOTT  JOHNSON 

J.  G.  SAMARTANO 

Strand,  Trail,  B.  C. 

Malco,  Memphis,  Tenn. 

Palace,  Meriden,  Conn. 

1  a  Lire   /**  A  D  CV 

v  iri       ■  /™v  1   1  r"\/ 

MEL  JOLLEY 

BOYD  SCOTT 

a  i        1 1~     Pv^n^villp  Inn 

1  »  1  Q    tr  3  1  1      ,      LVail)VIIIC|      Ml  J  . 

Marks,  Oshawa,  Ont. 

Ul  d  M  U  ,    11  O  1  O  fcr  ll  V  1  1  J  tr  .    \-s  Kid. 

LOU  COHEN 

JAMES  KING 

HARRY  D.  STEARN 

Poli,  Hartford,  Conn. 

RKO,  Boston,  Mass. 

Manring,  Middlesboro,  Ky. 

FRED  L.  DANICO 

SIDNEY  KLEPER 

MOLLIE  STICKLES 

Esquire,  Davenport,  la. 

Bijou,  New  Haven,  Conn. 

Strand,  Waterbury,  Conn. 

A.  C.  DETWILER 

ARTHUR  KROLICK 

T.  O.  TABOR,  JR. 

Latrobe,  Latrobe,  Pa. 

Century,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

Palace,  Athens,  Ga. 

BILL  ELDER 

CHUCK  LARNARD 

CHARLES  B.  TAYLOR 

Loew's,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

Appalachian,  Appalachia,  Va. 

Shea's,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

DICK  FELDMAN 

C.  EMMET  LOCKHARD 

LEN  TUTTLE 

Paramount,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Roosevelt,  Des  Moines,  la. 

Indiana,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

JACK  FLEX 

JACK  MATLACK 

ZOLLIE  VOLCHOK 

Keith's,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Broadway,  Portland,  Ore. 

Paramount,  Portland,  Ore. 

MBS, 


-PAY  :  Jtt 

r 


An  attractive  girl  in  Gay  Nineties  costume  was  driven  about  Buffalo  in  this  carriage  in  con 
nection  ivith  "Hello,  Frisco,  Hello."  It  was  a  promotion  arranged  by  Charles  Taylor,  pub 
licity  director  for  the  Shea  theatres. 


56 


FIVE  GRAVES  TO  CAIRO  (Paramount): 

Teaser  ideas  abound  on  this  picture,  one  of 
which  is  in  the  form  of  five  type  teaser  ads 
which  are  calculated  to  sell  the  mystery  of 
the  picture.  The  title  letters  are  keyed  to 
the  mystery  of  Rommel's  secret  of  the 
"Five  Graves  to  Cairo".  One  of  these  ads 
may  be  used  each  day,  timing  them  so  that 
the  fifth  appears  simultaneously  with  a  big 
ad.  Another  is  in  the  form  of  a  gag  wire 
herald  from  Rommel  which  is  good  for  dis- 
tribution near  bus  and  train  terminals,  in 
hotels,  as  letterbox  stutters,  etc.  Another 
five-day  newspaper  contest  features  scene 
stills,  with  space  reserved  for  readers  to 
fill  in  the  names  of  towns  in  which  Rom- 
mel's "graves"  were  located  and  where  he 
suffered  five  great  defeats.  Still  another 
newspaper  contest  is  pegged  around  the 
printing  of  a  map  showing  the  positions  of 
the  American  and  British  Armies  and  Rom- 
mel's Korps.  It  is  the  purpose  of  the  con- 
test to  join  the  two  Allied  Armies  by  draw- 
ing as  few  straight  iines  as  possible  from 
the  American  to  the  British  Army  without 
striking  any  objects  in  the  desert  or  run- 
ning over  any  lines.  In  addition,  contestants 
must  write  a  letter  on  the  topic:  "What  I 
Can  Do  Right  Here  in  Blanktown  to  Help 


Jennings  Sells  Idea  of 
Rickenbacker  Airport 

Conceived  by  Herb  Jennings,  manager  of 
the  Schine  Holland  theatre,  in  Bellefontaine, 
Ohio,  was  the  thought  of  his  community 
sponsoring  a  project  to  erect  an  airport  to 
bear  Rickenbacker's  name.  Permission  for 
the  use  of  the  name  was  received  and  thus 
the  county  became  the  first  to  pay  homage 
to  Mr.  Rickebacker  through  the  medium  of 
dedicating  an  airport  to  the  ace. 

Jennings  reports  that  a  non-profit  cor- 
poration was  formed  with  every  banker  in 
the  country  a  member  of  the  board  and  an 
underwriter  of  the  project.  Needless  to  say 
abundant  newspaper  coverage  was  landed, 
in  addition  to  both  the  AP  and  UP  wire 
services  carrying  the  yarn. 


Contest  Angle  Used 
For  "39  Steps" 

For  the  revival  showing  of  "39  Steps"  at 
the  Strand,  in  Waterbury,  Conn.,  Mollie 
Stickles  distributed  several  thousand  con- 
test heralds  in  a  tieup  with  a  local  bakery. 
The  route  men  distributed  these  and  they 
were  available  at  the  stores  in  stands,  where 
the  customers  were  invited  to  fill  one  out 
and  drop  it  in  the  contest  box.  Guest  tickets 
went  to  those  correctly  checking  one  of 
three  given  explanations  as  to  what  "The  39 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


Defeat  Hitler's  Remaining  Armies".  The 
picture  may  be  tied  into  the  war  effort  in 
connection  with  the  scrap  collection  drive, 
bond  drive,  Red  Cross,  fat  collection  and 
the  rest  of  the  patriotic  drives  sponsored 
in  the  community.  Letters  might  be  located 
from  local  soldiers  who  fought  against 
Rommel;  these  should  prove  newsworthy. 
It  may  be  suggested  to  newspaper  editors 
that  they  ask  for  letters  from  local  families 
who  received  mail  from  boys  who  took  part 
in  the  North  African  campaign.  Passes 
could  be  offered  to  all  parents  and  relatives 
whose  letters  are  published.  An  interesting 
lobby  board  could  be  set  up  with  these 
letters  featured  under  the  line:  "These  let- 
ters are  from  Blanktown  men  who  outfoxed 
the  Desert  Fox".  Cooperating  newspapers 
could  also  publish  pictures  of  the  soldiers, 
together  with  brief  biographies.  If  there 
is  a  soldier  in  town  who  has  returned  from 
the  African  campaign,  he  might  be  invited 
to  a  screening  of  the  picture  and  inter- 
viewed over  one  of  the  local  radio  pro- 
grams. Schools,  patriotic  organizations, 
current  events  study  groups  and  all  others 
whose  purpose  it  is  to  keep  abreast  of 
events  should  be  informed  by  special  let- 
ter from  the  management  about  the 
authentic  background  of  the  picture. 


Steps"  is.  22  by  28  cards  in  each  window 
of  the  chain  bakery  called  attention  to  the 
contest.  The  same  question  was  used  as 
the  basis  for  a  teaser  street  ballyhoo  fellow 
with  sandwich  sign  bearing  copy. 

On  "The  Fleet's  In,"  Mollie  planted  a  fel- 
low in  a  chair  right  on  the  sidewalk  in  front 
of  the  theatre  with  copy  on  his  back  to  the 
effect  that  he  was  "Going  to  Sit  Right  Here 
Until  the  Fleet's  In."  The  radio  station 
was  promoted  for  a  couple  of  gratis  spot 
announcements  following  the  playing  of 
"Fleet"  recordings  a  few  days  prior  to  the 
opening.  Navy  A  boards  were  appropriate- 
ly sniped  and  a  lad  in  gob  outfit  squired  by 
two  attractive  usherettes  covered  the  down- 
town streets,  each  wearing  streamers  plug- 
ging the  picture. 

Students  Exhibit  Their 
War  Activities  at  Benn 

Students'  exhibits  on  war  activities  high- 
light a  demonstration  being  staged  at  War- 
ners' Benn  theatre,  Philadelphia,  by  Rob- 
ert Kessler,  theatre  manager.  The  demon- 
stration is  billed  as  "Children  in  the  War 
Effort,"  and  tie-in  was  made  with  members 
of  the  faculties  of  schools,  ranging  from 
the  kindergarten  to  senior  high  schools,  as 
well  as  with  the  War  Savings  Staff.  Post- 
ers, model  airplanes,  scrap  collection  meth- 
ods and  Junior  Red  Cross  activities  are  in- 
cluded in  the  exhibits. 


May    2  2,    194  3 


Music  Tieups  Highlight 
"Saludos  Amigos"  Date 


Arthur  Krolick's  effective  lobby  display  for 
"Saludos  Amigos"  at  the  Century,  in 
Rochester,  featured  a  display  of  records 
and  albums  promoted  from  the  RCA  Vic- 
tor Company.  In  addition,  a  gaily  flittered 
set  piece  proved  an  eye-attractor. 

To  usher  in  "Saludos  Amigos"  at  the 
Century  theatre,  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  Ar- 
thur Krolick  promoted  the  use  of  a  juke 
box,  which  was  planted  in  the  lobby  of  the 
theatre  two  weeks  prior  to  the  opening. 
The  machine  was  bannered  with  signs  on 
the  picture  and  the  hit  song,  Brazil."  Mu- 
sic from  the  picture  was  plugged  on  Station 
WSAY  and  WHEC  for  a  week  in  advance. 
One  of  the  largest  department  stores  featured 
an  entire  window  of  a  display  devoted  to  the 
picture,  and  also  a  display  in  their  music 
department.  The  newspaper  coverage  in- 
cluded a  series  of  scene  stills,  which  featured 
Donald  Duck  and  the  new  character,  Joe 
Carioca. 

A  few  hundred  large  colorful  window 
streamers  plugging  "Brazil"  were  used  in  a 
tieup  with  the  RCA  Victor  record  distribu- 
tors. These  were  posted  on  the  windows  of 
every  music  dealer  in  the  city.  When  these 
were  distributed  they  were  accompanid  by  a 
company  bulletin  which  was  entirely  de- 
voted to  the  picture  and  the  hit  tune.  News- 
paper coverage  included  feature  stories 
starting  one  week  in  advance  and  continu- 
ing through  to  the  opening  day.  An  article 
in  the  Rochester  Times-Union  the  day  be- 
fore the  opening  stressed  the  good  neigh- 
bor policy  of  the  picture,  art  displays  were 
used  in  both  papers  and  a  large  two-column 
ad  appeared  on  the  radio  page  the  day  be- 
fore opening. 

Stage  Ceremonies  Open 
Local  Red  Cross  Drive 

To  inaugurate  the  Red  Cross  Drive  at 
Loew's  Century,  in  Baltimore,  Gertrude 
Bunchez  secured  the  services  of  Lt.  Col. 
Richard  C.  O'Connell,  Morale  Officer  at 
the  nearby  camp,  to  direct  the  ceremonies 
on  the  stage.  The  U.  S.  Army  Edgewood 
Arsenal  Band  and  the  1943  Baltimore  Ori- 
ole Baseball  Team  also  appeared.  The  band 
paraded  through  the  downtown  streets  to 
the  front  of  the  theatre,  giving  a  short  con- 
cert outside.  They  marched  into  the  thea- 
tre lobby  and  as  the  Red  Cross  Trailer  went 
off  the  screen,  the  band  boomed  out  and 
marched  in  and  down  the  aisles. 

Lt.  Col.  O'Connell  was  then  introduced 
and  made  a  Red  Cross  appeal,  the  band  then 
played  another  number  and  this  was  fol- 
lowed by  the  individual  introduction  of  the 
ball  team. 


Selling  Points 

ON  THE  NEW  PRODUCT 

[The  material  below  reflects  press  books  now  in  preparation  and  represents  the  point  of 
view  of  the  distributors'  exploiteers  about  the  selling  points  and  special  merit  of  these  pictures.] 


May    2  2,     19  4  3 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


57 


Porker  Theatres  Sponsor  Drive 
For  Free  Smokes  for  Servicemen 


Oldtime  Song  Contest 
Opens  "Hello,  Frisco" 

To  launch  "Hello,  Frisco,  Hello"  at  the 
Keith  theatre,  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  Jack  Flex 
held  an  old-time  song  letter  writing  contest 
in  one  of  the  local  dailies.  Readers  were 
asked  to  write  regarding  the  old  songs  they 
liked  best  and  which  of  them  were  particular 
favorites.  The  best  letters  received  guest 
tickets.  Another  contest  was  along  the  title 
identification  lines;  here  readers  were  asked 
to  identify  from  art  layouts,  the  titles  of 
various  pictures  in  which  Alice  Faye,  John 
Payne  and  Jack  Oakie  appeared.  Through 
the  cooperation  of  the  Telephone  Company 
a  window  display  of  various  styles  of  tele- 
phones dating  from  early  models  was  fea- 
tured. 

On  "Air  Force,"  the  Board  of  Education 
sent  out  bulletins  to  all  principals  and  teach- 
ers two  weeks  in  advance  calling  attention 
to  the  story  and  the  part  played  by  the 
"Mary  Ann,"  and  urging  that  students  be 
advised  to  see  the  picture,  and  include  the 
theme  as  part  of  their  history  lessons.  The 
various  war  plants  cooperated  by  included 
Air  Force  Pledge  cards  against  absenteeism 
in  all  pay  envelopes.  Space  was  provided  on 
these  for  the  workers'  signature  and  were 
later  turned  in  to  the  Personnel  Department 
for  forwarding  to  the  President  with  an  ap- 
propriate message. 


"Corregidor"  Premiere 
Aids  Local  Bond  Sales 

The  New  England  premiere  of  "Corregi- 
dor" was  ushered  in  at  the  Proven  Picture 
theatre,  in  Hartford,  with  a  Bond  opening 
arranged  by  Harvey  Eisenberg.  Well  in 
advance,  the  newspapers  cooperated  with 
stories  advising  readers  that  admission  was 
by  Bond  purchases  only.  Station  WTHT 
broadcast  from  the  lobby,  interviewing  local 
prominents,  in  the  interests  of  the  Bond 
Drive.  The  Bradley  Field  Band  played  out 
front  for  IS  minutes,  later  giving  a  brief 
concert  on  the  stage  of  the  theatre. 

The  parents  of  a  local  boy,  now  a  Jap 
prisoner,  were  the  guests  of  honor  on  the 
opening  night.  A  human  interest  story 
was  written  and  run  in  the  papers  with  a 
further  appeal  made  to  readers  to  buy 
Bonds.  The  War  Bond  Rally  Stand  in  the 
center  of  the  city  was  appropriately  ban- 
nered with  "Corregidor"  Bond  opening 
copy. 

Atmospheric  Lobby  Sells 
"Desperadoes"  for  Redmond 

To  build  atmosphere  for  his  opening  of 
"The  Desperadoes"  at  the  Rivoli  theatre,  in 
Falls  City,  Neb.,  Jim  Redmond  secured  a 
few  harnesses  and  blankets  from  local  deal- 
ers, along  with  some  spurs,  bridles,  etc.,  to 
give  a  Western  air  to  his  lobby.  In  addi- 
tion, the  entire  staff  wore  cowboy  hats, 
bright  colored  shirts,  cowboy  pants,  boots 
and  guns.  The  only  cost  in  this  connection 
was  for  the  hats,  which  were  secured  from 
a  novelty  company. 

Imprinted  wrappers,  carrying  title,  play- 
dates,  etc.,  were  placed  on  over  ninety  per 
cent  of  the  cigarettes  sold  in  the  city,  the 
entire  staff  working  on  stapling  the  wrap- 
pers to  the  packages.  A  scrambled  letter 
contest  formed  the  basis  of  a  cooperative 
ad  page,  guest  tickets  going  to  those  sending 
in  correct  answers. 


Inaugurated  by  Jack  Matlack  at  the 
Broadway  theatre,  in  Portland,  Oregon,  is 
what  he  calls  the  "J.  J.  Parker  Original 
Overseas  Cigarette  Gift  Service.  To  start 
the  idea  off  with  a  bang,  Jack  held  a 
"Patriotic  Cigarette  Midnight  Matinee" 
after  the  regular  evening  show  and  charged 
$1.10  admission.  The  tax  went  to  the 
government  and  each  ticket  sold  sent  two 
full  cartons  of  cigarettes  to  the  men  over- 
seas. The  program  consisted  of  two  fea- 
tures and  nine  big  acts  of  vaudeville,  these 
together  with  the  theatre  help  were 
donated  to  the  cause. 

Matlack  received  two  newspaper  stories 
as  well  as  two  editorials  for  this  undertak- 
ing. Radio  stations  donated  space,  as  well 
as  a  dozen  other  smaller  publications,  clubs, 
etc.  One  of  the  sign  companies  gave  him 
50  24-sheets  gratis,  30  in  the  city  of  Port- 
land   and    20    scattered    in    each  large 


Rita  Morton  Asks  Aid 

In  Writing  Newspaper  Ad 

As  a  teaser  a  week  in  advance  of  her 
opening  of  "Forever  and  a  Dav"  at  the 
RKO  Albee,  in  Providence,  R.'  I.,  Rita 
Morton  ran  a  box  in  her  regular  ad  with 
copy.  "Help  us  out.  Tell  us  how  you  would 
advertise  Forever  and  a  Day,  the  great  pic- 
ture that  has  78  big  stars,  21  famous  writers, 
seven  big  directors.  The  20  best  letters  will 
receive  two  free  admissions  to,"  etc.,  etc. 
The  local  Infantile  Paralysis  Committee 
were  approached  and  informed  of  the  dis- 
tribution of  the  picture's  profits  to  Infantile 
Paralysis  Relief  in  the  United  States  and 
members  of  the  committee  invited  to  attend 
the  opening. 

The  entire  trolley  and  bus  system  carried 
copy  on  the  picture,  the  local  British  Club 
and  British  Empire  Club  were  informed  of 
the  all-English  cast  and  five  leading  jewelry 
stores  used  half-sheet  cards  with  the  follow- 
ing copy  in  their  diamond  windows :  "Her 
diamond,  symbol  of  love  Forever  and  a  Day. 
Choose  from  our  collection  of  certified  gems. 


city  and   town   in  the   state  of  Oregon. 

The  Oregonian  went  out  and  sold  a 
double  truck  for  the  event,  the  merchants 
who  participated  paid  for  the  entire  page. 
Each  firm  plugged  the  plan  and  sold 
tickets  to  the  patriotic  matinee.  In  return 
for  their  cooperation,  Jack  ran  their  names 
on  his  screen  saying  that  the  plan  was  en- 
thusiastically sponsored  by  them.  A  special 
trailer  was  made,  heralding  the  plan  and 
the  matinee,  saying  that  the  tickets  were 
on  sale  at  the  box  office  and  that  con- 
tributions could  be  made  in  the  lobby. 
Each  package  to  be  sent  overseas  carries 
a  sticker  which  reads:  "Greetings  from  your 
J.  J.  Parker  Theatres,  Portland,  Ore.  This 
sticker  will  admit  one  soldier  to  a  J.  J. 
Parker  Theatre  after  the  war." 

From  this  point  on,  an  attractive  girl  will 
be  on  duty  in  the  lobby  of  the  theatres  to 
receive  contributions  toward  the  fund. 


See  Forever  and  a  Day  at  the  RKO  Albee." 

On  "Tarzan  Triumps,"  Rita  sold  two  local 
five  and  ten  cents  stores  on  a  tiein  whereby 
they  used  a  half-sheet  card  on  their  station- 
ery counters  with  the  following  copy : 
"Girls.  Design  a  jungle  costume  for  Zandra, 
lovely  heroine  of  Tarzan  Triumphs.  The 
10  best  designs  will  receive  two  passes  to 
see,"  etc.  Cosmetic  counters  used  counter 
displays  and  windows  with  the  following 
theme:  "Hollywood  beauties  like  Frances 
Gifford  depend  upon  correct  cosmetics.  See 
lovely  Frances  Gifford  in." 

Seven  Day  Contest  Held 
For  "Forest  Rangers" 

For  a  week  in  advance  of  "Forest  Ran- 
gers" at  the  Commercial  theatre,  in  Chicago, 
Bill  Galligan  ran  a  contest  in  the  local  news- 
paper whereby  guest  tickets  were  awarded 
to  those  who  could  find  the  outlined  heads  of 
Susan  Hayward  and  Lynne  Overman,  which 
were  secreted  in  the  drawings.  Bill  reports 
receiving  over  800  replies,  with  only  one 
pass  mailed  out  each  day  to  the  winner. 


58 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    2  2,    19  4  3 


THESE  ADS  GOT  ATTENTION 


Qccdhye  Frisco  £ooc/6y  e.  i 


/ 


HSAb,  SAD  S€£m 

*     Thprp   it;  nnp  little   r?v   nt  ^iin^hinc   in  fhi«  «n>nc   nf   plnnm1    Thpr*  nr, 

BUT 


There  is  one  little  ray  of  sunshine  in  this  scene  of  gloom!  There  are 
still  TWO  MORE  DAYS— TODAY  AND  TOMORROW— for  you  and 
yours  to  tf-eat  yourself  to,  the  best  two  hours  entertainment  offered  in 
Roanoke  for  a  long,  long  time!  Filmed  in  technicolor  that  has  never  been 
equalled.  And  starring  Alice  Faye  (what -a  girl!),  John  Payne  (what  a 
guy!),  Jdvk  Oakie  (the  b.?st  performance  he's  ever  turned  in),  Lynn, 
Bari  (you'll  hate  her.  bless  her  beautiful  soul!),  and  June  Havoc  (headed 
lickety-split  for  stardom!),  not  to  mention  Laird  Cregar,  Ward  Bond, 
etc.  Features  begin  at— 1:20.  3:20,  5:20,  7:20,  9:20.  TODAY  AND  TO 7 
MORROW,  at  the  GRANDIN! 


Otto  Whittaker,  Jr.,  of  the  Grandin  theatre,  Roanoke,  Va., 
illustrates  graphically  that  a  theatre  man  does  not  have  to  be 
an  artist  to  turn  out  an  ad  that  will  attract  attention. 


WARNER  BROS,  present  p 

FLYNN-SHERIDANi  ijS-Of^ 

EDGE  OF   '  V°>- 
DARKNESS: 


Sehsatfbhal 

to  ike  \ 
public' 


Produced  by  The  Special  Service  Division.  Army  Service  Forces,  War  Deportment,  In 
Cooperation  with  the  U.  S.  Army  Signal  Corps.  *  Released  Through  The  Office  of  War 
Information  Bureau  of  Motion  Pictures  •  Distributed  and  Exhibited  Under  the  Auspices 
of  the  WAR  ACTIVITIES  COMMITTEE  —  Motion  Picture  Industry. 

This  ad,  of  the  Strand  theatre,  New  York,  reproduced  in  exact 
size,  is  typical  of  the  space  exhibitors  are  giving  to  the 
WAC-Government  release,  "Prelude  to  War." 


NOW... 

It  Can  Be  Told! 
Today's  Most 
Explosive  Story! 


DON'T  GIVE  AWAY' 
THE  STARTLING 

ENDING— LET 
YOUR  FRIENDS 
ENJOY  THE 
SUSPENSE!! 

GRAND 

TODAY  thru  TUES. 


White  space  is  effectively  used  by  Boyd  Scott  of  the  Grand, 
Holdenville,  Okla. 


Elmer  Adams,  assistant 
manager  of  Ritz,  Midland, 
Tex.,  combines  press  book 
illustrations  with  his  own 
copy  to  make  the  most  of 
small  space. 


hit: 


LAST 
DAY 

Buy  Bonds 
and  Stamps 
To  Help  Our 
Champs  .  .-  . 


Kichard  CARLSON 
Martha  O'DRISCOLL 

PLUS 

THREE  STOOGES  COMEDY 


Bringing  up  last  year's  hit 
proved  effective  for  Marlowe 
Conner  of  the  Capitol, 
Madison,  Wis. 


May    2  2,     19  4  3 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


59 


Perdue  Uses  Eleven 
Institutional  Ads 
In  One  Campaign 


Dessert  Tops  Off  a  Good  Meal! 

YEP!  Some  kind  of  sweetmeat  tops  off  a  good 
meal.  Makes  it  more  enjoyable  and  long 
remembered. 

■Jf-  There's  a  small  minority  of  movie  fans  who 
stay  only  for  the  feature  picture  .  .  .  they  miss 
half  of  the-  show  and  deprive  themselves  of 
much  enjoyment. 

-jL  We  endeavor  to  present  a  balanced  program 
for  your  greater  entertainment.  Many  of  our 
regular  fans  enjoy  the  short  subjects  as  much 
as  they  do  the  feature.  So  ...  .  the  next  time 
you  attend  the  theatre  .  .  .  see  it  ajl.  We  have 
a  wide  variety  of  musicals  ....  cartoons  .... 
and  novelties  to  select  from.  The  newsreela 
are  shipped  Airmail  to  the  PARSONS  Theatre 
to  bring  you  the  news  in  pictures  while  it  is 
still  news. 

On  most  every  program,  too  ....  is  an  official 
Government  film.  They  are  official  reports 
from  your  Government  in  pictures  on  what's 
doing  on  the  home  and  war  front.  Watch  for 
these  outstanding  short  subjects  at  your  Par- 
sons theatre  during  May.  A  new  March  Of 
Time,  "Inside  Facist  Spain."  '"Plan  For 
Destruction,"  Ina  Ray  Hutton,  "Mountain 
Fighters,"  '"Food  For  Fighters,"  "Air  Crew," 
"Vallev  Of  Blossoms."  "Hollywood  Daredev- 
ils." *"Aldrich  Family  Gets  In  The  Scrap," 
and  "Postmark  U.  S.  A." 

'Official    Government  Fifmi 

It's  Showtime — See  a  Movie  Tonile  with  the  Family 

Parsons  *  Kansan  *  Katy  Theatres- 

May  Is  H.  J.  Griffith  Appreciation  Month 


WHAM! 

.  .  .  HIGHT  ON 
THE  BUTTONl 


It's  Another  Knockout  foi  Old  Man  Gloom! 

We  are  CHAMPIONS  when  it  comes  to  KNOCKOUTS 
for  old  man  GLOOM  ....  and  those  bluest  of  blues! 
Don  t  let  life  cheat  you  of  the  hours  that  THRILL! 
Rich  or  poor  ....  young  or  old  ....  you  have  a  right 
lo  a  certain  aVnount  of  healthv  EXCITEMENT  .... 
ROMANCE  ....  ENTERTAINMENT  ....  AND  AD- 
VENTURE! 

WHERE  ELSE  can  you  get  an  entire  evening's  fun 
and  pleasure  for  so  little?    WHERE  AND  HOW  ELSE 

can  you  and  your  family  so  thoroughly  enjoy  your- 
selves so  close  to  home  and  yet  .  .  .■ .  through  the  me- 
dium of  motion  pictures  .  .  *  .  visit  places  so  far  away? 
See  a  show  with  the  family! 

It'i   SHOWTIME — Sea   a  Movie  TODAY 

Parsons  *  Kansan  *  Katy  Theatres 

Barnes  Perdue  Manager 
May  1  lo  7  Anniversary  Week  •  May  is  Appreciation  Week 


NEiGHBOR 

 and  we  do  mean— LET'S  BE  NEIGHBORLY!  

and  why  not^1  Speaking  to  your  neighbors  is  a  PRIVILEGE 
and  a  PLEASURE.  Making  additional  friends  out  of  your 
neighbors  IS  A  TREAT. 

When  you  drive  to  Parsons,  or  if  you  live  in  the  City  and 
drive  downtown— stop  by  and  pick  up  a  neighbor.  Make  it 
a  NEIGHBOR  MOVIE  PARTY.  If-  you  haven't  already 
planned  a  theatre  party  with  the  neighbors  ....  IT'S  A  NEW 
FUN  EXPERIENCE. 

If  there's  some  additional  courtesy  that  we  can  extend  to 
make  your  party  more  enjoyable — just  give  us  a  ring.... 
and  we'll  do  our  very  best. 

Speaking  of  COURTESY — our  "THANK  YOU"  and  "COME 
BACK,  AGAIN,"  is  sincere  and  from  the  heart.  WE  DO 
APPRECIATE  your  PATRONAGE  .  .  .  LOYALTY  AND 
GOODWILL. 

It's  Showtime  —  See  A  Movie  Today 

Parsons  *  Kansan  *  Katy 
Theatres 

Barnes  Perdue,  Manager 


Thanks  For  The  Tanks ! 


JL  YOU'D  BE  SURPRISED  how  manv  TANKS  your  MOVIE 
^  PENNIES  ARE  BUYING!    Every  time  you  go  to  see  a 

show  you  are  helping  the  war  program  with  your  tax 
pennies  ....  you  get  a  lot  of  needed  FUN  AND  RELAX- 
ATION. TOO.  that  is  vital  to  the  morale  of  the  entire 
family  . 

JL  BY  THE  WAY— -have  you  gathered  up  the  family  re- 
cently  for  A  TRIP  TO  THE  MOVIES?  If»  you  haven't 
TRY  IT  SOMETIME.  A  good  picture  brings  THE  FAM- 
ILY CLOSER  TOGETHER.    Not  only  is  it  GREAT  FUN 

....  but  a  topic  of  conversation  In  which  you  share  an 
equal  interest  is  supplied. 

^.YOU  CAN  TAKE  A  VACATION  THIS   YEAR.  TOO! 

Visit  strange  lands  .  .  .  :  see  new  sights  .  .  .  enjoy 
healthy  fun  .  .  .  excitement  and  adventure  .  .  .  through 
the  medium  of  motion  pictures.  You  can  take  a  FAM- 
ILY  MOVIE   VACATION  EVERY  WEEKI 

It's  Show  Tim© 

May  is  H.  J.  Griffith  Appreciation  Month 

Parsons  *  Kansan  *  Katy  Theatres 

Barnes  Perdue,  Manager 


The  fourth  anniversary  of  H.  J.  Griffith's 
acquisition  of  the  theatres  in  Parsons, 
Kansas,  was  observed  by  City  Manager 
Barnes  Perdue  by  an  institutional 
campaign,  four  examples  of  which  are 
reproduced  here. 


Copy  was  added  to  the  illustrations 
to  make  an  effective  layout  for  Lewis 
Breyer  of  the  Strand,  Holyoke,  Mass. 


THE  STORY  OF  A 
PRESIDENT 
OF  THE 
UNITED 
STATES ! 


Intrigue  In  the  shad- 
ow of  the  Cap  Ho  II 
Drama  of  America's 
most  exciting 
times  becomes 
the  most  absorb- 
ing film  of  todoyi 


•  Plus— "Pacific  Rendezvous 


■  I  With  LET.  A 


rWHTF 

rowm  »  mm*       ...  „„  i  ma  mm  mum 


*  Starts  * 
Wednesday 


A  new  type  of  ad  was  necessary  for 
the  return  of  "Reap  the  Wild 
Wind."  Here's  what  Alice  Sorham, 
United  Detroit  Theatres'  advertising 
chief  used. 


WAR-WORKERS'  LATE  SHOW! 

SATURDAY  at  MIDNIGHT! 

Come  As  Late  As  12  And  See  A  Complete  Show! 


60 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    2  2,     194  3 


MILITARY  ADDRESSES 

E.  E.  WHITAKER,  formerly  city  manager  for 
Lucas  &  Jenkins,  in  Atlanta,  Ga.,  is  now  Pvt. 
Whitaker,  U.S.A.,  Section  8,  F.A.R.C.-A-9-3, 
Fort  Bragg,  N.  C. 

ARTHUR  STADLER,  formerly  manager  of 
Schine's  Auburn,  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  may  be 
reached  as  2nd  Lt.  A.C.,  Base  Theatre, 
Charleston  Air  Base,  Ten  Mile  Station, 
Charleston,  S.  C. 

W.  CLYDE  SMITH,  city  manager  for  the 
Malco  Theatres,  in  Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  is 
known  in  the  Army  as  PFC.  William  Clyde 
Smith,  301st  Service  Squadron,  Pendleton 
Field,  Ore. 

M.  N.  STEINKRITZ  of  the  Rogers  theatre,  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  is  now  PFC,  1st  Prov.  Co., 
Holabird,  Omb,  Baltimore,  Md. 

DAVE  BACHNER,  who  left  the  Warner  ad- 
vertising department  in  Cleveland,  is  a 
Private  with  the  A.S.N.  35301790,  V.  Bomber 
Command,  A. P.O.  929,  c/o  Postmaster,  San 
Francisco,  Cal. 

SETH  FIELD  of  Schine's  Booking  Department, 
in  Gloversville,  N.  Y.,  should  be  addressed 
Seth  Field,  Y/2c,  U.  S.  Coast  Guard  Stn., 
Alerton  Hotel,  E.  13th  Street  and  Chester 
Ave.,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 


Oat  Guessing  Contest 
Aids  "My  Friend  Flicka" 

A  little  atmosphere  was  added  to  the  front 
of  the  Grandin  theatre,  in  Roanoke,  Va.,  for 
the  opening  of  "My  Friend  Flicka."  Bales 
of  hay  were  spotted  around  with  a  card 
reading  it  was  for  Flicka.  A  mobile  bally- 
hoo consisted  of  a  horse  and  rider  patrolling 
the  streets  appropriately  bannered. 

For  a  contest  angle,  a  bucket  of  oats  was 
set  out  in  the  lobby  and  patrons  were  in- 
vited to  guess  the  number  of  grains  in  the 
container.    Book  dealers  and  libraries  were 


M.  A.  Ligbtman,  president  of  Malco  The- 
atres, Inc.,  awards  the  national  first  prize  of 
$1,000  to  Mrs.  E.  M.  Can  of  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  in  a  "Reap  the  Wild  Wind"  contest 
in  the  April  issue  of  Modern  Screen.  The 
prize  was  awarded  on  the  stage  of  the  Malco 
theatre  in  Memphis. 


tied  in  on  the  best  selling  novel  angle  and 
these  displays  were  embellished  with  art 
from  the  picture,  together  with  photos  of 
famous  horses. 


Pacific  Map  Throwaway 

Gene  Street,  manager  of  the  Tennessee 
theatre,  Knoxville,  used  an  interesting 
throwaway  in  connection  with  "Air  Force". 
It  consisted  of  a  small  folder,  titled  "This 
Is  the  Story  of  the  'Mary  Ann'  ",  with  the 
center  spread  containing  a  map  charted  with 
the  route  of  the  famous  Flying  Fortress  that 
is  the  heroine  of  the  picture. 


CONGRATULATIONS 


May  23rd 

May  26th 

Alice  Simmons 

Walter  A.  Dynan 

James  T.  Grady 

Allan  T.  Easson 

Franz  M.  Westfall 

27th 

H.  T.  Wales 

F.  H.  Gow 

n     1             1    1       i  l 

Pedro  Celabert,  Jr. 

n  ■    1         1    I     A  1 

Kichard  J.  Ashmun 

24th 

Leo  aidosky 

Carroll  Cottell 

1          •  D 

Lewis  tsreyer 

M. M.  Swank 

ioTn 

Rex  M.  Bell 

Vernon  V.  Trembley 

Arcn  DarmoieT 

Joe  W.  Seabold 

25th 

C.  E.  Byars 

Jay  H.  Guthrie 

A.  Arthur  Pavese 

Wayne  1 .  Jenkins 

1      \A/"li         \A/"  Li 

L.  Wilton  Wright 

Murray  Alper 

Alton  W.  Baker 

James  Frailey 

Shelton  Ganderson 

George  Laurey 

Lillian  V.  Pennell 

Bernard  Payne 

29th 

Fred  B.  Dressel 

J.W.Nagel 

Roy  H.  Rowe 

Charles  Kirkconnell 

26th 

William  A.  Guinan 

Garry  Lassman 

George  H.  Christoffers 

Wallace  Nordby 

Walter  Seligman 

Charles  C.  Stanfield 

Emmett  L.  Passmore 

Jack  Berry 

David  F.  Perdue 

Newspaper  Coverage  Ushers 
In  "Tennessee  Johnson" 

For  the  opening  gun  of  her  "Tennessee 
Johnson"  campaign  at  Loew's  Century,  in 
Baltimore,  Md.,  Gertrude  Bunchez  secured 
the  cooperation  of  the  dailies  to  the  extent 
of  a  two-column  story  with  art  on  Ruth 
Hussey  from  one  of  the  outstanding  column- 
ists. Another  writer,  who  is  a  hand  writing 
expert,  devoted  her  column  to  a  two-column 
story  and  art  on  Ruth  Hussey,  giving  men- 
tion of  the  picture.  The  Sunday  papers 
also  devoted  space  to  the  opening. 

A  15-minute  spot  announcement  was  land- 
ed on  WCAO,  arrangements  were  made 
with  WFBR  on  their  "Name  the  Band" 
program,  which  is  on  the  air  Monday 
through  Saturday,  to  feature  comments  on 
the  picture  and  numerous  other  spot  an- 
nouncements were  secured.  Special  lobby 
displays  were  made  up  and  a  display  of 
scene  stills  was  planted  in  the  public  library. 

Western  Stagecoach  Bally 
For  "The  Desperadoes" 

An  old-fashioned  Western  stagecoach 
toured  the  Broadway-Times  Square  area  re- 
cently and  offered  free  rides  to  Loew's  Cri- 
terion theatre  to  persons  attending  the 
showing  of  the  current  attraction,  "The 
Desperadoes."  The  coach  made  several 
trips  through  the  area  and  many  service  men 
were  among  those  taking  advantage  of  the 
Western-style  ride.  Two  real  cowboys  han- 
dled the  team  of  horses,  undismayed  by  the 
heavy  city  traffic.  Signs  on  the  rear  and 
s'des  of  the  coach  told  onlookers  about  the 
film  attraction. 


Poppay's  Co-op  Ad 

For  his  date  on  "Keeper  of  the  Flame" 
at  the  Maie^tic  theatre,  in  Gettysburg.  Pa., 
Sydney  J.  Poppay  promoted  a  full  page  of 
cooperative  ads.  The  top  of  the  page  fea- 
tured a  cut  of  a  torch  in  which  were  photos 
of  Hepburn  and  Tracy.  Portions  of  this  cut 
were  shown  in  the  various  merchants'  ads 
and  to  those  correctly  assembling  them, 
guests  tickets  were  distributed. 


Millard  Ochs,  center,  manager  of  the  Strand,  Akron,  Ohio,  presents  prizes  to  the  thinners 
of  a  model  plane  contest  in  connection  with  the  engagement  of  "Air  Force."  Contestants 
were  asked  through  the  Akron  Beacon  Journal  to  build  models  of  Flying  Fortresses. 


May    2  2,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


61 


PICTURE 
GROSSES 


A  statistical  compilation  and 
comparison  of  Box-Office  Per- 
formance in  first-run  theatres 


Figures  directly  below  picture  title  compare  dollar  gross  with  average  gross  and  show  relative  percentage  of  all  engagements  tabulated. 

Figures  opposite  theatre  names  represent  percentage  of  tabulated  grosses  to  average  weekly  business  based  on  the  six  months'  period 
ending  December  31,  1942. 

SYMBOLS:  (DB)  Double  Bill — associate  feature  title;  (SA)  Stage  Attraction;  (MO)  Move-Over  Run;  (AA)  Advance  Admission. 


REUNION  IN  FRANCE  (M-G-M) 

Final  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $297,200 
Comparative  Average  Gross  267,600 
Over-all  Performance  I  I  1 .0% 

BOSTON— Loew's  Orpheum   107.6% 

(DB)  Eyes  of  the  Underworld  (Univ) 

BOSTON — Loew's    State   114.2% 

(DB)  Eyes  of  the  Underworld  (Univ) 

BOSTON— Scollay,  MO,  1st  week   100.0% 

(DB)  Eyes  of  the  Underworld  (Univ) 

BOSTON— Modern,  MO,  2nd  week   128.5% 

(DB)  Eyes  of  the  Underworld  (Univ) 

BUFFALO— Great  Lakes   135.1% 

(DB)  Dr.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant  (M-G-M) 

CHICAGO— Chicago    102.3% 

(SA)  Gracie  Barrie  &  Orch. 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  State   89.2% 

LOS  ANGELES— Chinese   93.3% 

(DB)  Seven  Sweethearts  (M-G-M) 

LOS  ANGELES— Loew's  State   100.0% 

(DB)  Seven  Sweethearts  (M-G-M) 

LOS  ANGELES— Ritz   96.0% 

(DB)  Seven  Sweethearts  (M-G-M) 

MILWAUKEE— Palace    106.6% 

(DB)  Omaha  Trail  (M-G-M) 

MONTREAL— Capitol   133.3% 

(DB)  Blondie  for  Victory  (Col) 

NEW  HAVEN— Loew's  Poli   105.5%, 

(DB)  Stand  By  All  Networks  (Col) 

NEW  HAVEN — College,  MO,  1st  week    .   .    .  79.3% 

(DB)  Stand  By  All  Networks  (Col) 

OMAHA— Omaha   108.0% 

(DB)  Hidden  Hand  (WB) 

PITTSBURGH— Stanley                                 .  125.0% 

(SA)  Jan  Savitt's  Orchestra 

SAN   FRANCISCO— Fox   127.7% 

(DB)  Northwest  Rangers  (M-G-M) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— St.  Francis,  MO,  1st  week  138.4% 

(DB)  Northwest  Rangers  (M-G-M) 

SEATTLE— Fifth  Avenue   103.3% 

(DB)  The  Great  Gildersleeve  (RKO) 

TORONTO— Loew's,  1st  week   130.0% 

(DB)  Dr.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant  (M-G-M) 

TORONTO— Loew's,  2nd  week   85.0% 

(DB)  Dr.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant  (M-G-M) 

WASHINGTON— Capitol                                .  139.4% 

(DB)  Will  Osborne  and  orchestra 

IT  AIN'T  HAY  (Univ.) 

Final  Reports: 

Total  Gross  Tabulated  $485,550 

Comparative  Average  Gross  394,580 

Over-all  Performance  123.0% 

BALTIMORE— Keith's.    1st   week   160.0% 

BOSTON— Boston,  1st  week  129.6% 

(SA)  Sonny  Dunham  Orchestra  and  others 

BOSTON— Boston,  2nd  week   100.0% 

(SA)  Chico  Marx  Orchestra 

BUFFALO^Lafayette,  1st  week    180.0% 

(DB)  Destination  Unknown  (Univ) 

BUFFALO— Lafayette,   2nd   week   130.6% 

(DB)  Destination  Unknown  (Univ) 

CHICAGO— Palace,    1st   week   146.6% 

(DB)  Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington  (Univ) 

CHICAGO— Palace,  2nd  week   160.0% 

(DB)  Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington  (Univ) 

CHICAGO— Palace,  3rd  week   126.6% 

(DB)  Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington  (Univ) 

CINCINNATI — RKO  Palace   91.6% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Shubert,  MO,  1st  week  .  106.6% 

DENVER— Denver    105.0% 

(DB)  Murder  in  Times  Square  (Col) 

DENVER— Esquire   122.2% 

(DB)  Murder  in  Times  Square  (Col) 

DENVER — Alladin,  MO,  1st  week   100.0% 

(DB)  Murder  in  Times  Square  (Col) 

INDIANAPOLIS— Indiana   100.0% 

(DB)  How's  About  it?  (Univ) 

INDIANAPOLIS— Lyric.  MO,  1st  week     .   .  125.0% 

(DB)  How's  About  It?  (Univ) 

KANSAS  CITY— Esquire    155.5% 

KANSAS  CITY— Uptown    100.0% 

LOS  ANGELES— Paramount,  Downtown    .    .  119.1% 

(DB)  Hi,  Buddy  (Univ) 


LOS  ANGELES— Paramount,   Hollywood    .    .  100.0% 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  1st  week   200.0% 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  2nd  week      ....  158.3% 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  3rd  week   116.6% 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  4th  week   100.0% 

OMAHA — Paramount   132.0% 

(DB)  The  Avengers  (Para) 

PHILADELPHIA— Fox    1371% 

PHILADELPHIA— Karlton,  MO,  1st  week  .    .  }20.0% 

PITTSBURGH— Fulton,  1st  week   133.3% 

PITTSBURGH— Fulton,  2nd  week   80(>% 

PROVIDENCE — Majestic,  1st  week   178.9% 

(DB)  He's  My  Guy  (Univ) 

PROVIDENCE— Majestic,  2nd  week   ....  122.1% 

(DB)  He's  My  Guy  (Univ) 

PROVIDENCE— Carlton,  MO,  1st  week   .    .    .  95.0% 

(DB)  He's  My  Guy  (Univ.) 

SEATTLE— Orpheum,  1st  week   138.8% 

(DB)  Man  Trap  (Rep) 

SEATTLE— Orpheum,  2nd  week   82.2% 

(DB)  Man  Trap  (Rep) 

ST.   LOUIS— Fox,  1st  week    106.6% 

(DB)  Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington  (Univ) 

ST.  LOUIS— Fox,  2nd  week   86.6% 

(DB)  Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington  (Univ) 

ST.  LOUIS— Missouri,  MO,   1st   week   .    .    .  85.7% 

(DB)  White  Savage  (Univ) 

TORONTO— Uptown.  1st  week   136.8% 

TORONTO— Uptown,  2nd  week   89.4% 

• 

CRYSTAL  BALL  (UA) 

Final  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $3 1 0,200 

Comparative  Average  Gross  286,500 
Over-all  Performance  108.2% 

BALTIMORE— Centurv    108.3% 

BOSTON— Loew's  Orpheum    102.5% 

(DB)  Dr.  Gillespie's  Assistant  (RKO) 

BOSTON— Loew's  State     .  '   85.7% 

(DB)  Dr.  Gillespie's  Assistant  (RKO) 

BOSTON— Scollay,  MO,  1st  week   83.3% 

(DB)  Night  Plane  from  Chungking  (Para) 

BUFFALO— Buffalo    126.6% 

(DB)  Mrs.  Wiggs  of  the  Cabbage  Patch  (Para) 

CHICAGO— Chicago   104.7% 

(SA)  Jan  Savitt  &  Orchestra 

CHICAGO— Garrick,   MO,   1st  week   ....  128.5% 

(DB)  Mysterious  Doctor  (WB) 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Albee   121.4% 

CINCINNATI— Keith's,  MO,  1st  week   .   .    .  120.0% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's    State   89.2% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Loew's    112.5% 

(DB)  Lucky  Legs  (Col) 

KANSAS  CITY— Midland    120.0% 

(DB)  Citv  Without  Men  (Col) 

MILWAUKEE— Riverside    105.0% 

(SA)  Louis  Jordan  &  Orchestra 

MINNEAPOLIS— Orpheum    76.4% 

NEW  HAVEN — Loew's  Poli   90.0% 

T>m  Marein  for  Error  (20th-Fox) 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  1st  week    ....  151.0% 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  2nd  week    ....  91.1% 

PITTSBURGH— Stanley   100.0% 

(SA)  Carol  Bruce;  Block  &  Sully  &  others 

SAN  FRANCISCO'— United  Artists.  1st  week    .  156.2% 

(DB)  Calaboose,  (UA) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— United  Artists,  2nd  week  106.2% 

(DB)  Calaboose  (UA) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— United  Artists,  3rd  week  .  93.7% 

(DB)  Calaboose  (UA) 

TORONTO— Uptown    .    .      '.   115.7% 

(DB)  How's  About  It?  (Univ) 

WASHINGTON— Loew's  Capitol   115.8% 

(SA)  Murtah  Sisters  and  others 
• 

THE  DESPERADOES  (Col.) 

Intermediate  Reports : 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $229,500 
Comparative  Average  Gross  179,300 
Over-all  Performance  127.9% 

BOSTON— Loew's  Orpheum    143.5% 

(DB)  She  Has  What  It  Takes  (Col) 

BOSTON— Loew's  State   121.4% 

(DB)  She  Has  What  It  Takes  (Col) 


BUFFALO— Lafayette,  1st  week    193.3% 

(DB)  Lucky  Legs  (Col) 

BUFFALO— Lafayette,  2nd  week    122.6% 

(DB)  Junior  Army  (Col) 

CHICAGO— Roosevelt   125.0% 

CINCINNATI— RKO   Albee    96.4% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Shubert,  MO,  1st  week  77.7% 

CLEVELAND— RKO  Palace    194.1% 

(SA)  Johnny  Long's  Orchestra 

INDIANAPOLIS— Loew's    94.1% 

(DB)  She  Has  What  It  Takes  (Col) 

KANSAS  CITY— Midland    154.1% 

(DB)  Reveille  With  Beverly  (Col) 

MILWAUKEE— Palace    133.3% 

(DB)  Reveille  with  Beverly  (Col) 

MINNEAPOLIS— Orpheum    117.6% 

OMAHA— Brandeis   104.0% 

(DB)  Reveille  With  Beverly  (Col) 

PITTSBURGH— Harris,  1st  "week   130.4% 

PITTSBURGH— Harris,  2nd  week   92.3% 

PITTSBURGH— Senator,  MO.   1st  week     .    .  82  3% 

PROVIDENCE— Strand,   1st  week   131.1% 

(DB)  No  Place  for  a  Lady  (Col) 

PROVIDENCE— Strand,  2nd  week   72.2% 

(DB)  No  Place  for  a  Lady  (Col) 


EDGE  OF  DARKNESS  (WB) 

Intermediate  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated 
Comparative  Average  Gross 
Over-all  Performance 


$638,383 
541,347 
117.9% 


BOSTON— Metropolitan    137.5% 

(DB)  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  (Para) 

CHICAGO— Chicago   100.0% 

(SA)  Cross  &  Dunn  &  Others 

DENVER— Esquire   150.0% 

(DB)  Taxi,  Mister  (UA) 

DENVER— Denver    179.5% 

(DB)  Taxi,  Mister  (UA) 
LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Hollywood, 

•     1st  week   121.0% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Hollywood, 

2nd   week    81.4% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Hollywood, 

3rd  week    63.7% 

LOS    ANGELES— Warner's    Downtown,  1st 

week    124.7%. 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Downtown, 

2nd  week    .  .   92.0% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Downtown, 

3rd  week    75.0% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Wiltern,  1st  week  153.6% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Wiltern,  2nd  week  96.4% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Wiltern,  3rd  week  70.0% 

MILWAUKEE— Warner,  1st  week   124.4% 

(DB)  Calaboose  (UA) 

MILWAUKEE— Warner,    2nd    week   ....  101.1% 

(DB)  Calaboose  (UA) 

NEW  HAVEN— Roger  Sherman   106.6% 

(DB)  Hi  Ya,  Chum  (Univ.) 

NEW  HAVEN— Paramount,  MO,  1st  week    .  100.0% 

(DB)  Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour  (Para) 

NEW  YORK— Strand,  1st  week   155.7% 

(SA)  Jan  Savitt  Orchestra  &  Ethel  Waters 

NEW  YORK— Strand,  2nd  week   145.7% 

(SA)  Jan  Savitt  Orchestra  &  Ethel  Waters 

NEW  YORK— Strand,  3rd  week   145.7% 

(SA)  Jan  Savitt  Orchestra  &  Ethel  Waters 

NEW  YORK— Strand,  4th  week   114.2% 

(SA)  Tan  Savitt  Orchestra  &  Ethel  Waters 

NEW  YORK— Strand,  5th  week   114.2% 

(SA)  Jan  Savitt  Orchestra  &  Ethel  Waters 

PHILADELPHIA — Mastbaum.  1st  week  .    .    .  167.5% 

PHILADELPHIA — Mastbaum,   2nd  week    .    .  103.1% 

PHILADELPHIA— Mastbaum,   3rd   week    .    .  86.0% 

PITTSBURGH— Penn   97.0% 

PITTSBURGH— Warner,  MO',  1st  week  .    .    .  84.6% 

SAN  FRANCISCO^Fox   108.3% 

(DB)  Lady  Bodyguard  (Para.) 

ST.  LOUTS— Fox    .   .   .  ,   .   .  103.3% 

(DB)  He  Hired  the  Boss  (20th -Fox) 

WASHINGTON— Earle,   1st  week   148  1% 

(SA)  Mario  &  Fiona 

WASHINGTON— Earle,  2nd  week   129  0% 

(SA)  Mario  &  Floria 


62  MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISING 

Ten  cents  per  word,  money-order  or  check  with  copy.  Count  initials,  box  number  and  ad- 
dress. Minimum  insertion,  $1.  Four  insertions,  for  the  price  of  three.  Contract  rates  on 
application.  No  borders  or  cuts.  Forms  close  Mondays  at  5  P.  M.  Publisher  reserves 
the  right  to  reject  any  copy.  Film  and  trailer  advertising  not  accepted.  Classi-  \^^mm 
fied  advertising  not  subject  to  agency  commission.  Address  copy  and  checks:  £#JM 
MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD,  Classified  Dept.,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  HUI 


NEW  EQUIPMENT 


THEY'RE  FLOCKING  IN  —  FROM  MAINE  TO 
California — because  we  still  have  plenty  of  good  stuff 
yet— Brandt  coin  changers,  $89.50;  RCA  3'  x  5'  multi- 
cellular high  frequency  horns,  complete,  $225;  rectifier 
bulbs,  fifteen  ampere,  $7.95;  six  ampere.  $3.95;  DuPont 
Fabrikoid,  50"  wide,  $1.35  yard;  safety  steel  film 
cabinets,  $2.93  section;  Forest  60  ampere  suprex  recti- 
fier, $211.75;  latest  Superior  Atlas  projector  mechan- 
isms, $595;  Simplex  18"  magazines,  pair  $49.50;  sound 
screens,  Beaded  39l/ic;  Chrome  (suprex)  23j4c;  Flex- 
tone  washable,  30lAc;  small  theatre  vacuum  cleaners. 
$89.50.  Get  our  Jubilee  Bargain  Bulletin.  S.  O.  S. 
CINEMA  SUPPLY  CORP.,  New  York. 


THEATRES 


THEATRE  FOR  SALE  —  500  SEATS,  NEWLY 
equipped,  ideal  location.  Write  for  particulars.  SAUL 
SCHNEIER,  341  S.  Warren  St.,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 


HELP  WANTED 


WANTED  MANAGER  OR  ASSISTANT.  MUST 
be  experienced,  sober,  absolutely  reliable.  Knowledge 
of  buying,  booking  and  all  theatre  routine.  Al  refer- 
ences, draft  exempt,  include  snapshot.  BOX  1635, 
MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


POSITIONS  WANTED 


MAN  50,  27  YEARS  FILM  BUSINESS  AS  SALES- 
man  and  branch  manager.  Now  managing  theatre 
would  like  to  change  to  Class  A  house  with  full 
authority.   BOX  1636,  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


BUSINESS  BOOSTERS 


BINGO  CARDS,  DIE  CUT,  1  TO  100  OR  1  TO  75, 
$2.00  per  thousand.  $17.50  for  10,000.  S.  Klous,  care 
of  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


TRAINING  SCHOOLS 


THEATRE  EMPLOYEES:  TRAIN  FOR  BETTER 
positions.  Learn  modern  theatre  management  and  ad- 
vertising. Big  opportunities  for  trained  men.  Estab- 
lished since  1927.  Write  now  for  free  catalog.  THE- 
ATRE MANAGERS  SCHOOL,  Elmira,  N.  Y. 


BOOKKEEPING  SYSTEM 


THEATRE  MANAGEMENT  RECORD  AND  TAX 
Register.  This  new  accounting  system  is  the  finest 
book  of  its  kind  ever  made  available  to  an  exhibitor. 
In  addition  to  being  complete  in  every  respect,  it  is 
simple — so  much  so  that  it  is  not  necessary  to  have 
had  bookkeeping  experience  in  order  to  keep  an  ac- 
curate, complete  and  up-to-minute  record  of  the 
business  of  your  theatre.  The  introductory  price  is 
only  $2.00  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rocke- 
feller Center,  New  York. 


PRINTING 


THEATRE  PROGRAMS,  HERALD1  GIVEAWAYS 
and  other  show  printing,  at  special  rates.  Supply  copy 
and  layout  for  estimate.  BOX  1207A,  MOTION  PIC- 
TURE HERALD. 


USED  EQUIPMENT 


SLIGHTLY  USED  ALL  STEEL  BLOWER,  13,500 
cfm  with  2  hp  motor,  $230;  quiet  exhaust  fans,  from 
$21.25;  16"  oscillating  fans,  $22.50;  exhaust  blower, 
530  cfm,  $24.50:  RCA  portable  sound  projectors,  $79.50; 
Peerless  low  intensity  arcs,  $62.50.  Big  Jubilee  Sale 
Bulletin  now  ready.  S.  O.  S.  CINEMA  SUPPLY 
CORP.,  New  York. 


WANTED  TO  BUY 


WILL  TAKE  ANY  MAKE  16MM  OR  35MM  SOUND 
projector,  rectifiers,  generators,  sound  equipment. 
BOX  1634.  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


BUSINESS  OPPORTUNITIES 


BRITISH  CINEMATOGRAPH  ENGINEERS  SEEK 
contact  with  American  manufacturers  of  projection  and 
sound  apparatus  with  a  view  to  manufacturing  ap- 
proved models  under  license  in  Great  Britain.  Write 
BOX  1630,  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


BOOKS 


THE  1943-44  INTERNATIONAL  MOTION  PIC- 
TURE ALMANAC  is  now  in  preparation.  Will  contain 
more  than  12,000  biographies  of  players,  directors, 
writers,  technicians  and  executives.  The  biographical 
section  is  an  exclusive  feature.  In  addition  it  will  in- 
clude more  than  1,250  pages  crammed  with  motion 
picture  facts  and  figures  covering  every  phase  of  the 
business.  Supply  will  be  limited.  Be  sure  to  get  your 
copy.  Order  it  today!  Price  $3.25  prepaid  in  U.  S.  A. 
$5  elsewhere.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller 
Center,  New  York. 


COMPLETELY  REVISED  7TH  EDITION  OF 
Richardson's  Bluebook  of  Projection  with  treatise  on 
Television  and  complete  Sound  Trouble-Shooting 
Charts,  as  well  as  a  host  of  additional  up-to-the-minute 
text  on  sound  and  projection  equipment.  Order  Now  I 
$7.25  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP.  Rockefeller 
Center,  New  York  City. 


SOUND  TROUBLE  SHOOTING  CHARTS.  A 
handy  tool  in  the  booth.  Gives  the  answers  to  all 
questions  regarding  truoble  shooting  on  every  type  of 
sound  equipment.  $1.00  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOK- 
SHOP, Rockefeller  Center,  New  York. 


MOTION  PICTURE  SOUND  ENGINEERING- 
547  pages;  illustrated;  covers  every  practical  method 
and  process  in  present-day  sound  engineering.  Leading 
engineers  explain  every  detail  of  apparatus  and  its  ar- 
rangement, with  diagrams,  tables,  charts  and  graphs. 
This  manual  comes  straight  from  the  workshops  of  the 
studios  in  Hollywood.  It  is  indispensable  to  everyone 
working  with  sound  equipment.  Price  $6.50  postpaid. 
QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York. 


NEW  567  PAGE  BOOK  ON  AIR  CONDITIONING, 
by  Charles  A.  Fuller,  authority  on  the  subject.  Avail- 
able for  theatre  owners  contemplating  engineering 
changes.  Book  is  cloth  bound  with  index  and  charts 
and  covers  every  branch  of  the  industry  as  well  as 
codes  and  ordinances  regulating  installation.  Order 
now  at  $4.00  a  copy  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP, 
Rockefeller  Center,  New  York. 


May    2  2,    194  3 

OBITUARIES 

Montagu  Love,  Noted  Actor, 
Dies  in  Hollywood  at  62 

Montagu  Love,  62,  film  acter  who  appeared 
in  innumerable  character  roles,  died  in  Holly- 
wood on  May  17th.  He  was  born  in  Ports- 
mouth, England,  and  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1914. 

Some  of  his  most  recent  pictures  were  "Ten- 
nessee Johnson,"  "The  Remarkable  Andrew" 
and  "Sherlock  Holmes  and  the  Voice  of  Ter- 
ror." He  also  acted  in  such  films  as  "All  Thi^ 
and  Heaven  Too,"  "The  Sea  Hawk"  and 
"Northwest  Alounted  Police."  He  is  survived 
by  his  widow,  the  former  Marjorie  Hollis  of 
the  films,  and  a  step-daughter,  Mrs.  Carol 
Roberts. 


William  Stein 

William  Stein,  executive  vice-president  of  the 
Music  Corporation  of  America,  died  May  14th 
at  Cedars  of  Lebanon  Hospital  in  Hollywood. 
He  was  48  years  old.  He  leaves  two  brothers, 
Jules,  president  ®f  MCA,  and  Herman ;  two 
sisters,  Mrs.  Charles  Miller  of  New  York  and 
Mrs.  Louis  Lowe  of  Beverly  Hills.  Burial  was 
in  South  Bend,  Ind. 


Albert  Stoessel 

Albert  Stoessel,  48,  well-known  composer 
and  conductor,  dropped  dead  on  May  12th  while 
conducting  the  string  section  of  the  New  York 
Philharmonic  Orchestra  at  the  American  Acad- 
emy of  Arts  in  New  York.  He  is  survived  by 
his  widow  and  two  sons,  Edward  and  Fred- 
erick. 


Six  Companies  Chartered 
In  New  York  State 

Papers  of  incorporation  have  been  granted  to 
six  New  York  companies,  two  have  been  dis- 
solved and  another  has  filed  a  change  of  name. 
Those  incorporated  were  Maxim  Theatres,  Inc., 
by  Walter  Jacobson,  Myron  Slater  and  Irene 
Kohlbauer ;  Literary  Properties,  Ltd.,  by  Da- 
vid B.  Stillman,  Victor  Lehman  and  Martha 
Weinreb ;  Artistic  Productions,  by  Samuel  Jaf- 
fe,  Barbara  Wallace  and  Muriel  Mark;  First 
Run  Films,  Inc.,  by  Florence  Abramson,  Lil- 
lian Gursky  and  Frieda  Klein ;  Lebolt  Pictures, 
Inc.,  by  Henry  Nicholson,  Harry  A.  Lewitt  and 
Louis  Kipnis ;  Blue  Ribbon  Salute,  Inc.,  by 
William  B.  Graham,  James  D.  Elgin  and  Reuel 
M.  Jordan. 

The  Lafayette  Theatre  Building,  Inc., 
changed  its  present  capital  from  $500,000  to 
$445,000,  dissolution  papers  were  filed  by  Apco 
Theatre  Corporation,  and  Sunbeam  Film  Pro- 
ductions, and  the  Los  Angeles-Biltmore  Amuse- 
ment Corporation  changed  its  name  to  the 
L.A.B.  Amusement  Corporation. 

Projectionists'  Bill 
Passed  in  Wausau,  Wis. 

The  Common  Council  of  Wausau,  Wis.,  re- 
cently passed  an  ordinance  requiring  local  thea- 
tres to  employ  a  projectionist  for  each  machine 
in  the  booth.  Violations  of  the  law  call  for  a 
fine  of  from  $25  to  $100  for  the  first  offense, 
and  from  $100  to  $200  for  the  second  offense  in 
addition  to  the  revocation  of  the  theatre's  li- 
cense for  a  period  of  three  months. 


Propose  Fund  Donation 

The  Philadelphia  Variety  Club  at  its  meeting 
last  week  recommended  to  the  board  of  canvas- 
men  that  a  $4,000  gift  be  donated  to  further  aid 
the  club's  infantile  paralysis  work. 


Purchases  Oregon  Theatre 

Earl  Baltizar  has  purchased  the  Beaverton, 
Ore.,  theatre  from  S.  D.  Myers.  Mr.  Baltizar, 
owner  of  another  theatre,  will  operate  both 
houses. 


May    22,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


In  This  Week: 
SHOWMEN'S  REVIEWS 
SHORT  SUBJECTS  CHART 
SHORT  SUBJECTS 
THE  RELEASE  CHART 


Coney  Island 

(Twentieth  Century-Fox) 
Show  Business  as  You  Like  It 

Showmen  who  have  done  business  with  Twen- 
tieth Century-Fox  musicals  can  stop  remem- 
bering them  fondly  now  and  start  selling  the 
topper  of  them  all,  a  free-handed  tale  of  Coney 
Island  when  the  century  was  in  rompers  and 
show  business  was  a  flesh  and  blood  institution 
yet  to  be  caught  by  camera  and  mimeographed 
by  microphone.  The  picture  is  90  minutes  of 
escape  into  that  yesterday  on  wings  of  songs 
everybody  remembers,  plus  new  ones  they  will, 
via  a  script  that  telescopes  the  years  without 
quibbling  and  Technicoloration  that  glorifies 
them  as  memory  couldn't.  It  sparkles,  crackles, 
sizzles  in  spots  and  entertains  all  over. 

Betty  Grable,  George  Montgomery  and 
Cesar  Romero  play  out  a  three-cornered  and 
checkered  romance  in  George  Seaton's  screen- 
play, double-crossing  each  other  in  succession 
switches  that  confound  the  onlooker,  as  they 
make  their  way  up  from  boardwalk  honky-tonk 
to  Delmonico's,  Rector's  and  Hammerstein's 
Victoria.  Phil  Silvers  and  Charles  Winninger 
add  plenty  of  humor. 

The  musical  score  reaches  into  the  past  and 
future  to  fetch  up  a  dozen  or  more  familiars, 
from  "Cuddle  Up  a  Little  Closer"  to  "Dark- 
town  Strutter's  Ball,"  upon  which  are  super- 
imposed four  new  Leo  Robin-Ralph  Rainger 
songs  already  popular,  "Take  It  from  There" 
among  them. 

Production  numbers,  supervised  by  Fanchon 
with  dances  staged  by  Hermes  Pan,  who  also 
dances  with  Miss  Grable,  ascend  on  a  rising 
scale  of  magnificence  from  beer-hall  glitter 
through  cooch  ensemble  a  la  World's  Fair  and 
levee  strut  in  the  Kathryn  Dunham  tradition, 
to  a  finale  neither  Ziegfeld  nor  Twentieth  Cen- 
tury-Fox ever  matched  for  grandeur.  Alfred 
Newman's  musical  direction  is  a  thing  of  pre- 
cision and  potency  throughout. 

Production  by  William  Perlberg  and  direc- 
tion by  Walter  Lang  mark  them  as  showmen 
and  craftsmen  of  the  first  rank. 

Previewed  at  the  studio.  Reviezver's  Rating : 
Excellent.— William  R.  Weaver. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  90  min.  PCA 
No.  8899.    General  audience  classification. 

Kate  Farley   Betty  Grable 

Eddie   Johnson  George  Montgomery 

Joe  Rocco   Cesar  Romero 

Charles  Winninger,  Phil  Silvers,  Matt  Briggs,  Paul 
Hurst,  Frank  Orth,  Phyllis  Kennedy. 

Action  in  the  North  Atlantic 

(Warner  Bros.) 

Salute  to  the  Merchant  Marine 

The  bare  title  of  this  film  is  representative 
of  the  factual  nature  of  its  presentation  but  can- 
not convey  the  unabated  excitement  that  has 
been  packed  into  more  than  two  hours'  running 


Reviews 

This  department  deals  with 
new  product  from  the  point  of 
view  of  the  exhibitor  who  is 
to  purvey  it  to  his  own  public. 


time.  It  is  a  title  which  may  profit  by  promi- 
nent display  of  the  name  of  Humphrey  Bogart, 
as  the  film  does  from  his  excellent  performance 
in  an  unaccustomed  role. 

"Action  in  the  North  Atlantic"  is  an  ad- 
mirable and  thrilling  account  of  the  men  who 
carry  weapons  to  our  fighting  allies  in  pursuit 
of  their  trade  and  in  the  service  of  their  coun- 
try. It  illustrates,  in  their  fight  against  fire, 
submarine  wolf  packs  and  bombers,  against  fear 
and  storms,  the  practical  heroism  of  these  men, 
their  appreciation  of  the  job  to  be  done,  and 
their  relation  to  the  whole  Allied  war  effort. 

A  captain,  his  first  mate,  and  part  of  the 
crew  survive  a  torpedoing  at  sea  and  a  week  on 
an  open  raft  before  reaching  port.  Their  respite 
is  short,  and  they  sign  on  a  "Liberty"  ship 
bound  for  Murmansk  as  part  of  a  North  Atlan- 
tic convoy.  After  a  cautious  voyage  through 
mist  and  fog,  they  lose  the  .convoy  off  Norway 
during  a  submarine  attack,  fight  off  several 
Nazi  bombers  and  finally  limp  into  port. 

This  is  the  essence  of  the  simple  narrative, 
a  story  which  includes  few  obviously  fictional 
elements,  some  touches  of  humor  and  pathos 
and  a  suggestion  of  romance.  The  primary 
purpose  of  realism  is  fully  achieved  in  battles 
which  carry  the  audience  onto  the  ship,  hunting- 
lifeboats  from  flaming  decks,  tensing  for  torpe- 
do attacks  and  breathing  with  relief  when  the 
Red  Star  is  shown  on  planes  overhead. 

There  are  some  intimate  glimpses  of  the  men 
as  well.  Bogart,  the  cynical,  veteran  officer, 
provides  a  brief  romantic  interlude  with  Julie 
Bishop  between  sailings.  Raymond  Massey,  the 
stalwart  captain,  has  a  touching  scene  with  Ruth 
Gordon  in  which  few  words  are  spoken  but  the 
relation  between  man  and  wife  is  caught. 

Jerry  Wald,  who  produced  the  film,  and  Lloyd 
Bacon,  who  directed  it,  have  kept  in  the  fore- 
ground the  action  of  Guy  Gilpatric's  story  and 
John  Howard  Lawson's  screenplay.  Then- 
scrupulous  attention  to  detail  is  notable  in  the 
treatment  of  the  convoy  formation,  a  scene  of 
unusual  interest  which  stresses  the  international 
character  of  war  operations,  just  as  the  film 
typifies  American  achievement. 

Seen  in  the  home  office  projection  room.  Re- 
viewer's Rating:  Good. — E.  A.  Cunningham. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  127  min.  PCA 
No.  8706.     General  audience  classification. 

First  Mate  Joe  Rossi  Humphrey  Bogart 

Captain  Steve  Jarvis  Raymond  Massey 

Alan  Hale,  Julie  Bishop.  Ruth  Gordon,  Sam  Levene, 
Dane  Clark,  Peter  Whitney,  Minor  Watson,  J.  M. 
Kerrigan,  Dick  Hogan,  Kane  Richmond,  Chic  Chandler. 


The  Man  from  Thunder 
River 

(  Republic  ) 

Gold  Mine  Mystery 

In  the  second  of  the  new  Wild  Bill  Elliott 
series  for  Republic,  all  the  successful  standards 
of  the  Western  picture  have  been  ingeniously 
employed  by  producer  Harry  Grey  to  turn  out  a 
rip-snorting  drama  of  brave  men  and  daring- 
deeds.  "The  Man  from  Thunder  River"  is  even 
better  than  "Calling  Wild  Bill  Elliott"  and  sug- 
gests that  Republic  has  another  profitable  series 
in  this  new  one  developed  by  Grey.  It  is  excel- 
lently directed  by  John  English,  who  keeps  char- 
acters believable  and  action  zipping  right  along. 
It  is  also  a  bull's-eye  that  Bill  Elliott  makes  of 
his  new  character. 

When  the  story  opens,  gold  has  just  been  dis- 
covered in  and  around  Curtis  City.  Dropping 
in  on  friends,  Elliott  and  Gabby  Hayes  find  the 
young  nephew  of  the  family  trying  to  persuade 
his  aunt  to  reopen  a  long-abandoned  mine.  An- 
other mine-owner  and  -successful  business  man 
is  trying  to  persuade  her  not  to.  The  nephew 
gets  the  town  banker  on  his  side,  shows  him 
gold  in  the  abandoned  mine.  The  rival  mine- 
owner  sees  the  nephew  and  banker  in  the  mine, 
realizes  they  will  be  reopening  it,  has  the  banker 
killed  and  the  nephew  wrongfully  jailed.  Things 
happen  fast  as  Wild  Bill  and  Gabby  save  the 
nephew  from  lynching,  later  from  a  posse,  and 
finally  achieve  justice. 

In  his  direction  of  the  cast,  English  makes  all 
his  characters  real  people,  not  exaggerated 
types.  Noteworthy,  too,  are  the  original  screen- 
play by  J.  Benton  Cheney  and  the  photography 
by  Bud  Thackery. 

Seen  at  Hollywood's  Hitching  Post  theatre, 
where  the  audience,  ivith  silent  and  undivided 
attention,  gave  it  its  stamp  of  approval.  Re- 
viewer's Rating:  Good. 

Release  date,  June  11,  1943.  Running  time,  59  min. 
PCA  No.  9242.    General  audience  classification. 

Wild  Bill  Elliott  Wild  Bill  Elliott 

"Gabby"  George  "Gabby"  Hayes 

Nancy  Ferguson  Anne  Jeffreys 

John  James,  Ian  Keith,  George  Cooper,  Jack  Ingram, 
Eddie  Lee,  Charles  King. 

The  Virgin  of  Guadalupe 

(Maya  Films) 

Story  of  a  Mexican  Miracle 

Faith  of  the  simple  and  pious  sincerity  which 
is  credited  with  evoking  miracles  is  the  theme 
of  this  dramatized  religious  history  from  Mex- 
ico. It  re-enacts  on  film  the  story  of  the  mira- 
cle of  Tepeyac  in  which  the  appearance  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin  to  a  simple  peasant  in  1531 
helped  the  spread  of  Christianity  among  the 
Mexican  Indians. 

Conflict  was  bitter  at  this  period  between 
Spain's  soldiers  and  the  Church.  The  military 
leaders  sought  to  subjugate  Mexico  by  force, 


Product  Digest  Section  1325 


counteracting  with  their  cruelty  and  greed  the 
efforts  of  the  padres  to  teach  and  convert.  The 
picture  tells  in  cinematic  style  how  the  church- 
men, aided  by  the  appearance  of  the  Virgin, 
triumphed  over  the  soldiers  to  win  the  Mexican 
Indians  to  Christianity  and  a  depth  of  faith  that 
has  persisted  throughout  the  Latin  American 
world  of  which  the  Virgin  of  Guadalupe  is 
patroness. 

The  scenario  by  the  Reverend  Carlos  Heredia, 
S.  J.,  historian  of  the  shrine  at  Tepayec,  com- 
bines the  historical  record  of  the  miracle  with  a 
dramatized  account  of  the  last  battle  between 
Spaniards  and  Aztecs.  It  is  a  well  contrived 
screenplay  which  holds  interest  both  in  the  his- 
tory and  the  suspense  of  a  sub-plot. 

Excellent  production  values  have  been  afforded 
the  picture  by  Gabriel  Soria  and  Alberto  San- 
tandar,  producers,  and  it  bears  the  endorsement 
of  the  Archbishop  of  Mexico.  Mr.  Soria  di- 
rected. It  should  interest  all  Spanish  language 
theatres,  and  the  English  sub-titles  make  the 
picture  suitable  for  school  and  church  exhibition. 
Jose  Luis  Jiminez,  one  of  Mexico's  star  charac- 
ter actors,  plays  the  role  of  Juan  Diego,  to 
whom  the  Virgin  appeared. 

Reviewed  at  the  World  theatre,  New  York, 
where  a  Spanish-speaking  audience  appeared,  in- 
terested and  pleased  by  this  reenactment  of 
Mexico's  own  miracle.  Reviewer's  Rating: 
Good. — John  Stuart,  Jr. 

Release  date,  May  14,  1943.  Running  time,  95  min. 
General  audience  classification. 

Juan  Diego  Jose  Luis  Jiminez 

Dona  Blanca  Amparo  Morillo 

Temoc,  last  Aztec  King  Abel  Salazar 

A,  Soto  Rangel,  Maria  Luisa  Zea,  Antonio  Bravo, 
Tito  Junco,  Jose  Massot,  Louis  Alcoriza,  Agustin  Sen 
and  Francisco  Llopis. 

The  Bells  Co  Down 

( Ealing  Studios  -  UA) 
Blitz  Drama 

The  work  of  Britain's  war  time  fire  service, 
the  N.F.S.,  has  already  and  but  recently  been 
dramatized  in  another  MOI  film,  a  film  of 
strictly  factual  but  not  impersonal  character. 
This  independently  produced  drama  sets  out 
with  the  same  objective,  but  more  more  person- 
al elements,  aims  probably  at  a  wider  box 
office  appeal.  This  it  does  by  more  fictional 
factors  in  its  narrative  and  by  the  inclusion  of 
names  such  as  those  of  comedian  Tommy  Trin- 
der  and  James  Mason.  It  is  transparently 
more  fictional  as  a  production,  and  does  not 
wear  quite  the  same  cloak  of  authenticity  and 
factual  detachment  as  its  State  sponsored  pre- 
decessor. Something  of  a  dilemma  faces  ex- 
hibitors here  in  following  up  the  other  film : 
they  will  probably  have  to  stress  the  Tommy 
Trinder  angle  rather  than  that  of  the  Blitz. 

Tommy  is  a  Cockney  with  a  touch  of  ginger 
and  a  greyhound  which  never  wins  races — save 
when  its  owner  forgets  to  back  it.  He  is  killed 
during  the  Blitz.  James  Mason  is  a  sourpuss 
fireman.  Philip  Friend  and  Philippa  Hiatt 
make  love,  marry  and  have  a  baby  to  the  off- 
stage rumble  of  the  guns.  There  is  a  publican 
and  his  wife  who  are  bombed  and  Tommy's 
mother  keeps  a  fried  fish  shop. 

The  film  is  adapted  from  a  book  and  the  pic- 
ture was  made  with  the  collaboration  of  the 
National  Fire  Service  who  presumably  knew 
what  they  were  about.  There  are  some  im- 
pressive library  shots  of  the  fires  in  London 
during  the  Blitz,  and  though  the  opening  stages 
are  pedestrian,  when  the  Blitz  passages  begin, 
the  thrill  hungry  audience  may  get  a  kick  from 
them.  Dearden's  direction  is,  however,  not  very 
adventurous. 

A  press  audience  mingled  with  members  of 
the  paying  public  gave  the  film  fair  attention, 
although  criticisms  were  not  absent  of  the  film's 
fictions  and  laxities.  Reviewer' s  Rating :  Fair. 
— Aubrey  Flanagan. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  89  min.  Gen- 
eral audience  classification. 

Tommy  Turk   Tommy  Trinder 

Ted  Robbms   James  Mason 

B°b   Philip  Friend 

Nan   Philippa  Hiatt 

Ma  Turk   Beatrice  Varley 

Mervyn  Johns,  Billy  Hartnell,  Finlay  Currie,  Meriel 
Forbes,  Norman  Pierce,  Muriel  George,  Julian  Vedey. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

Pardon  My  Gun 

(  Columbia  ) 
Western  with  Music 

While  Western  villains  are  rarely  difficult 
to  spot,  their  early  disclosure  in  this  Charles 
Starrett  effort  is  a  serious  handicap  to  sus- 
tained interest.  An  increased  portion  of  ac- 
tion might  have  compensated,  and  does  in  spots, 
but  the  frequent  lags  between  gunfights  keep 
the  film  in  the  category  of  fair  entertainment. 

Charles  Starrett  is  the  usual  stalwart  hero, 
a  surveyor  whose  report  is  to  determine 
whether  the  new  waterway  will  flood  cattle  or 
sheep  land.  Riding  in  after  a  murder  has  been 
committeed,  he  saves  a  sheep  rancher's  daugh- 
ter from  the  outlaws.  Since  he  believes  her  to 
be  in  possession  of  the  money  for  which  the 
man  was  killed,  he  tries  to  protect  her  from 
further  attacks,  in  spite  of  her  pert  independ- 
ence and  pretended  dislike.  Closing  in  on  the 
gang,  he  joins  a  gun  battle  which  results  in  a 
killing  of  which  he  is  promptly  accused.  When 
evidence  is  produced  to  the  contrary,  the  out- 
laws are  convicted  and  their  leader  is  forced 
to  reveal  himself  in  a  cleverly  contrived  court 
scene. 

The  vitality  of  the  girl,  Alma  Carroll,  is  a 
refreshing  break  with  Western  precedent,  and 
Noah  Beery,  in  the  villain's  role,  is  especially 
satisfactory. 

Jack  Fier  produced  the  film,  with  William 
Berke  directing,  from  an  original  story  and 
screenplay  by  Wyndham  Gittens. 

Seen  at  the  New  York  theatre  where  a  mati- 
nee audience  was  unresponsive.  Reviewer 's 
Rating  :  Fair. — E.  A,  C. 

Release  date,   December   1,   1942.   Running  time,  57 
min.    PCA  No.  8520.    General  audience  classification. 

Steve  Randall  Charles  Starrett 

Dodie  Cameron  Alma  Carroll 

Arthur  Hunnicutt,  Texas  Jim  Lewis,  Noah  Beery,  Sr., 
Dick  Curtis,  Ted  Mapes,  Lloyd  Bridges,  Dave  Harper. 

Terror  House 

( Producers  Releasing ) 
English  Horror  Drama 

Supposed  to  be  a  mystery  thriller  of  the  old 
school,  "Terror  House"  is  neither  very  mysteri- 
ous nor  very  thrilling.  But  it  is  old  school — 
and  also  very  old  hat.  It  is  a  British-made  film 
being  released  in  this  country  through  PRC  ex- 
changes and  shapes  up  only  as  supporting  fare 
on  dual  bills,  and  probably  predestined  for 
those  all-horror  shows.  There  is  interest  of  a 
sort  in  its  unwinding,  interest  created  mainly 
by  striking  photographic  effects  with  a  fore- 
boding of  doom,  and  the  central  character,  a 
sinister  figure,  capitally  played  by  James  Mason. 

"Terror  House"  is  the  man's  estate,  to  which 
two  schoolmarms  come  looking  for  shelter  after 
being  trapped  by  flood  while  hiking  in  the 
Yorkshire  Moors.  One  girl  falls  in  love  with 
him  and  he  with  her,  although  he  tells  her  that 
for  her  safety  she  must  soon  leave  the  house, 
and  keeps  her  door  always  locked  while  she 
is  temporarily  there.  She  leaves  after  meeting 
the  servants,  only  to  come  right  back.  Left 
alone  one  day  and  locked  in  her  room,  she 
climbs  out  of  the  window,  explores  a  well-con- 
cealed room  and  finds  a  skeleton  which  she  be- 
lieves to  be  the  remains  of  another  school- 
teacher friend  who  had  disappeared  a  year 
earlier  in  the  vicinity,  whom  she  has  reason  to 
believe  was  murdered  in  the  house.  She  leaves 
the  house  again,  and  again  is  drawn  back.  There 
she  is  set  upon  by  the  real  murderers  and  her 
lover  cleared  of  the  suspicion  that  had  sur- 
rounded him  in  mystery. 

Leslie  Arliss  directed  the  John  Argyle  pro- 
duction. 

Reviewed  at  the  Vogue  theatre,  Hollywood, 
where  a  handful  of  people  at  an  early  show  sat 
through  the  film  passively  and  without  any 
apparent  excitement  generated  through  the 
pseudo  thrills.  Reviewer's  Rating  :  Poor. 

Release  date,  April  19,  1943.  Running  time,  62  min. 
PCA  No.  03589.     General  audience  classification. 

The  man   James  Mason 

The  girl   Joyce  Howard 

Housekeeper   Mary  Clare 

Tucker  McGuire,  John  F.ernald,  Wilfred  Lawson. 


May    2  2,     1  94  3 

We  Dive  at  Dawn 

( Gainsborough  -  General  Film) 
Submarine  Drama 

Dramas  built  on  the  adventures  of  under- 
water craft  and  the  men  who  sail  them  are 
hardly  a  novelty.  This  one,  though  it  bears 
marked  resemblances  to  the  established  pattern, 
has  a  wartime  setting  and  a  British  idiom. 
Inordinately  dilatory  in  its  earlier  stages,  it 
does  ultimately  wake  up  to  its  duties  as  action 
drama  and  provides  one  or  two  tense  passages 
and  a  certain  conviction  of  atmosphere.  John 
Mills  and  Eric  Portman  are  the  only  vanguard 
names  offered  the  exhibitor.  Some  caution 
about  war  films,  however,  faces  him  when  he 
goes  forth  to  sell  it. 

It  is  the  story  of  a  British  submarine  and  its 
attack  on  a  German  battleship,  how  it  had  to 
feign  destruction  in  order  to  dodge  the  depth 
charges,  and  how  its  crew  hijacked  a  store  of 
Danish  oil  and  made  their  way  back  to  Britain 
with  banners  flying.  Interwoven  are  the  stories 
of  the  men  in  the  boat,  their  matrimonial  mis- 
adventures, their  romances,  bickerings  and  ban- 
ter. These,  however,  are  slow  in  their  tracery, 
and  of  less  potential  interest  than  the  seagoing 
sequences.  These  latter  are  well  enough 
handled,  notably  the  detail  and  atmosphere  of 
the  submarine  itself.  Here,  though  John  Mills 
is  excellent  in  his  portrayal  of  a  philandering 
Naval  Officer,  friendly,  tough  and  eloquent  witli 
his  curses,  Eric  Portman  as  a  Naval  rating 
with  a  North  Country  accent  is  cast  into  most 
inappropriate  waters. 

Anthony  Asquith's  direction  is  painstaking 
but  his  material  scarcely  allows  overmuch  en- 
terprise. 

Technical  qualities  are  adequate  enough, 
though  neither  script  nor  dialogue  reach  super- 
lative heights. 

A  trade  audience  gave  the  film  attention 
though  there  were  uneasy  stirrings  until  the 
action  began.  Reviewer's  Rating :  Fair. — A.  F. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  98  min.  Gen- 
eral audience  classification. 

John  Mills,  Louis  Bradfield,  Donald  Millar,  Jack 
Watling,  Reginald  Purdell,  Caven  Watson,  Niall  Mc- 
Ginnis,  Eric  Portman,  Leslie  Weston,  Norman  Wil- 
liams, Lionel  Grose,  David  Peel,  Philip  Godfrey,  Rob- 
ert Wilton,  Josephine  Wilson,  Beatrice  Varley,  Fred- 
erick Burtwell,  Marie  Ault,  Mike  Johnson,  John  Salew. 


Masquerade 

(Artkino) 

Heavy  Russian  Drama 

This  film  is  the  least  successful  of  recent 
Russian  imports.  Technically,  it  is  reminiscent 
of  early  screen  days,  while  dramatically  it  is 
still  further  removed  from  the  present  period. 
Indeed,  it  makes  no  pretense  of  modernity,  be- 
ing a  screen  version  of  a  poetic  drama  by 
Mikhail  Lermontov,  described  by  Russian  pub- 
licity as  one  of  the  country's  "Two  great  Ro- 
mantic poets,"  the  other  being  Pushkin. 

The  story  is  of  a  jealous  man  and  his  peer- 
less wife.  The  man,  played  to  the  hilt  by 
Honored  Artist  of  the  Republic  Nikolai  Mord- 
vinov,  suspects  her  of  infidelity  with  a  callow 
prince,  when  she  loses  her  bracelet  at  a  mas- 
querade. He  ruins  the  prince  by  trickery  in  a 
card  game  and  then  murders  his  wife  with  slow 
poison,  tormenting  her  with  reproaches  in  the 
last  half-hour  of  her  dying.  His  conscience, 
portrayed  in  human  form,  conspires  with  the 
prince  to  show  him  her  innocence,  destroying 
his  last  vestiges  of  sanity. 

The  poetry  of  the  dialogue — and  diatribes — is 
lost  in  transcription  into  English  titles,  and  the 
dated  story,  heated  action  and  slow  direction 
are  poorly  suited  to  most  American  audiences. 

Seen  at  the  Stanley  theatre  in  New  York 
where  a  mid-afternoon  Sunday  audience  snick- 
ered repeatedly  during  the  most  emotional 
scenes.  Revieiver's  Rating :  Poor. — Floyd  El- 
bert Stone. 

Release  date,  May  15,  1943.  Running  time,  102  min. 
Adult  audience  classification. 

Produced  by  Lenfilm  Studios  in  Leningrad  under  the 
direction  of  Sergei  Gerasimov. 


I  326   Product  Digest  Section 


May    2  2,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


SHORT  SUBJECTS  CHART 

index  to  reviews,  synopses 


COLUMBIA 

Prod.  Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title  Date  Page 

ALL   STAR  COMEDIES 

(Average  17  Min.) 

4421  Phony  Cronies   8-27-42  890 

(Brendel) 

4422  Carry   Harry   9-3-42  926 

(Langdon) 

4401  Even  As  IOU  9-18-42  950 

(Stooges) 

4423  Kiss  and  Wake  Up  10-2-42  974 

(Downs) 

4409  College  Belles   10-16-42  998 

(Gloveslinger) 

4424  Sappy  Pappy   10-30-42  1010 

(Clyde) 

4402  Sock-a-bye  Baby   11-13-42  1046 

(Stooges) 

4425  Ham  and  Yeggs  11-27-42  1046 

(Brendel) 

4426  Plane  Mooner   12-11-42  1094 

(Langdon) 

4410  The  Great  Glover  12-25-42  1171 

(Gloverslinger) 

4403  They  Stooge  to  Conga  1-1-43  1094 

(Stooges) 

4127  His   Wedding   Scare  1-15-43  1138 

(Brendel) 

4128  A  Blitz  on  the  Fritz  I-22-43  II7I 

(Langdon) 

4404  Dizzy  Detectives   2-5-43  1251 

(Stooges) 

4429  Wolf  in  Thief's  Clothing.  .2-12-43  1171 

(Clyde) 

4411  Socks  Appeal   2-19-43  1251 

(Gloveslinger) 

4430  Two    Saplings   3-5-43  1281 

(Givot  and  Nazzarro) 

4431  A  Maid  Made  Mad  3-19-43  1281 

(Clyde) 

4105    Spook   Louder   4-2-43  1251 

(Stooges) 

4432  Blonde  and  Groom  4-16-43  1281 

(Langdon) 

4433  I   Spied  for  You  4-30-43  1281 

(Brendel) 

4412  His  Girl's  Worst  Friend  .5- 14-43  1329 

(Gloveslinger) 

4406  Back  from  the  Front  5-28-43  1329 

(Stooges) 

4434  My  Wife's  an  Angel  6-11-43  1329 

(Allen  Jenkins) 

4435  Boobs  in  the  Night  6-25-43 

(Brendel) 

4407  Three   Little  Twirps  7-9-43 

(Stooges) 

4436  Here  Comes  Mr.  Zerk  7-23-43 

(Langdon) 

COLOR  RHAPSODIES 
(7  Minutes) 

4501  Song  of  Victory  9-4-42  926 

4502  Tito'S   Guitar   10-30-42  1010 

4503  Toll   Bridge  Troubles  11-27-42  1046 

4504  King  Midas  Junior  12-25-42  1148 

4505  Slay   it  with    Flowers  1-29-43  1138 

4506  There's  Something  About  a 

Soldier   2-26-43  1251 

4507  Professor  Small  and 

Mr.  Tall   3-26-43  1263 

4508  Plenty  Below  Zero  5-14-43  1329 

4509  He  Can't  Make  It  Stick.  .6-1 1-43 

4510  Tree  for  Two  7-16-43 

PHANTASIES  CARTOONS 

(Average  9  Min.) 

4701  The  Gullible  Canary  9-18-42  950 

4702  The  Dumb  Conscious  Mind. 10-23-42  1010 

4703  Malice  in  Slumberland . . .  1 1 -20-42  1046 

4704  Choly  Polly   12-31-42  1171 

4705  The  Vitamin  G  Man  2-5-43  1251 

4706  Kindly  Scram   3-5-43  1227 

4707  Willoughy's  Magic  Hat  4-30-43  1263 

4708  Duty  and  the  Beast  5-28-43  1329 

4709  Mass  Mouse  Meeting  6-25-43 


For  information  on  short  subjects  turn  to  the  Product 
Digest  Section  pages  indicated  by  the  numbers  which 
follow  the  titles  and  release  dates  in  the  listing.  Product 
Digest  pages  are  numbered  consecutively  and  are  sepa- 
rate from  Motion  Picture  Herald  page  numbers.  All 
releases  are  1942-43  product  unless  otherwise  noted. 


Prod.  Ret.  P.D. 

No.         Title  Date  Page 

COMMUNITY  SING  (Series  7) 

(9  Minutes) 

4651  No.  I — Rhumba  and  Conga 

Hits   8-15-42  859 

4652  No.  2— "Yankee    Doodler".9- 17-42  950 

4653  No.  3— College   Songs  10-15-42  1010 

4654  No.  4 — Service  Songs  11-12-42  1007 

4655  No.  5 — 

Songs  of  the  States  12-11-42  1094 

4656  No.  6— MacDonald's  Son...  1-1-43  1148 

4657  No.  7— Crosby  Songs. .....2-18-43  1171 

4658  No.  8—  McNamara's  Band.  .3-26-43  1251 

4659  No.  9— Rosie  the  Riveter.  .5-14-43  1281 

4660  No.  10 — As  Time  Goes  By. 6-25-43 

QUIZ  REELS 
(Average  10  Min.) 

4601    Kitchen  Quiz  No.  1   8-21-42  899 

PANORAMICS 
(10  Minutes) 

4901  Cajuns  of  the  Teche  8-13-42  856 

(Quaint  Folks  No.  I) 

4902  Oddities  (La  Varre)  10-8-42  998 

4903  Our  Second   Front  12-18-42  1078 

4904  Merchant  Seamen   5-28-43 

TOURS 

(10  Minutes) 

4551  Journoy  to  Denali  (La  Varre) 

8-5-42  877 

4552  Old  and  Modern  New 

Orleans   10-2-42  974 

SCREEN  SNAPSHOTS  (Series  22) 
(10  Minutes) 

4851  No.  I   8-7-42  859 

4852  No.  2   9-11-42  926 

4853  No.  3   10-23-42  998 

4854  No.  4   11-26-42  1046 

4855  No.  5   12-25-42  1094 

4856  No.  6                                 1-29-43  1138 

4857  No.  7   2-26-43  1281 

4858  No.  8   3-31-43  1251 

4859  No.  9   5-21-43 

WORLD   OF  SPORTS 
(10  Minutes) 

4801  Trotting  Kings   9-25-42  974 

4802  Wizard  of  the  Fairway. ..  1 1 -6-42  1010 

4803  Winter   Paradise   12-8-42  1094 

4804  Ladies'  Day  in  Sports  1-22-43  1171 

4805  Diving   Daredevils   2-26-43  1251 

4806  Ski  Soldiers   3-26-43  1251 

4807  Aqua  Thrills   5-28-43  1329 

KATE  SMITH 

(10  Minutes) 

4751    America  Sings  with 

Kate  Smith   8-21-42  899 

FAMOUS  BANDS 
(10  Minutes) 

4951  Ted  Powell  (1280  Club) .  .8-27-42  899 

4952  Hal  Mclntyre   10-23-42  996 

4953  Shep  Fields   12-23-42  1094 

AMERICA  SPEAKS 

4961  Wings  for  the  Fledgling.  12-31-42  1094 

4962  Mr.  Smug   1-28-43  1171 

4963    Men    Working    Together  . .  .7-1-43 


Prod. 
No.  Title 

M-G-M 


Rel.  P.D. 
Date  Page 


TWO   REEL  SPECIALS 
(Average  20  Minutes) 

1941-  42 

A-306    Plan  for  Destruction  4-29-43  1263 

1942-  43 

A-401    Keep  'Em  Sailing  11-28-42  1022 

A-402    Heavenly  Music   5-1-43  1291 

FITZPATRICK  TRAVELTALKS  (Color) 

(9  Minutes) 

T-4II  Picturesque 

Massachusetts   10-3-42  998 

T-412  Modern    Mexico   City  11-8-42  1010 

T-413  Glimpses  of  Ontario  12-5-42  1118 

T-414  Land  of  Orizaba  1-2-43  1148 

T-415  Mighty  Niagara   1-30-43  1227 

T-416  Mexican  Police  on  Parade. 2-27-43  1227 

T-417  On  the  Road  to  Monterey.3-27-43  1281 

T-418  Romantic  Nevada   4-24-43  1291 

T-419  Motoring   in   Mexico  5-22-43 

PETE  SMITH  SPECIALTIES 

(10  Minutes) 

S-461    First  Aid   1-2-43  1118 

S-462  Marines  in  the  Making.  12-26-42  1118 

S-463  Hollywood  Daredevils  ...3-20-43  1263 

S-464    Wild   Horses   4-17-43  1291 

S-465    Fala   4-10-43  1275 

S-466    Sky  Science   5-23-43 

PASSING  PARADE 
(10  Minutes) 

K-481    Madero  of   Mexico  11-28-42  1022 

K-482    Who's   Superstitious   5-1-43  1291 

MINIATURES 

(10  Minutes) 

M-431  The  Last  Lesson  12-19-42  1118 

M-432  People  of  Russia  12-26-42  1118 

M-433  Brief  Interval   11-28-42  1022 

M-434  Portrait  of  a  Genius  1-23-43  1227 

M-435  Inca  Gold   4-24-43  1304 

M-436  Wood  Goes  to  War  5-8-43 

M-437  Here  at  Home  5-22-43 

OUR   GANG  COMEDIES 

(Average  II  Min.) 

C-491  Unexpected   Riches   11-28-42  1067 

C-492  Benjamin  Franklin,  Jr. ..2-30-43  1263 

C-493  Family  Troubles   4-3-43  1263 

C-494  Calling  All  Kids  4-24-43  1291 

TECHNICOLOR  CARTOONS 

(8  Minutes) 


Prod.  Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title  Date  Page 

PARAMOUNT 

UNUSUAL  OCCUPATIONS  (Color) 
(Average  10  Minutes) 

L2-I     No.  I   10-9-42  974 

L2-2    No.  2   12-4-42  '  1070 

L2-3    No.  3   2-12-43  1206 

L2-4    No.  4   4-30-43  1291 

SUPERMAN   COLOR  CARTOONS 

(Average  8  Minutes) 


W2 

1 

Superman  in 

Destruction, 

Inc. 

12-25-42 

1  1  18 

W2 

2 

Superman  in 

the  Mummy 

1206 

W2 

3 

Superman  in 

Jungle 

3-26-43 

1281 

W2 

4 

Superman  in 

the 

U  nriergrounc 

World  . . . 

.5-21-43 

HEADLINERS 

(Average  10  Minutes) 

A2-I    Tho  McF?.rland  Twins  & 

Orchestra   10-2-42  998 

A2-2    Johnny  "Scat"  Davis 

&  Orchestra   11-6-42  1010 

A2-3    Hands  of  Women  12-11-42  1070 

A2-4    Mitchell  Ayres  &  Orch.  .  I- 15-43  1138 

A2-5    Ina  Ray  Hutton  &.  Orch. .3- 12-43  1251 

A2-6    Moments  of  Charm  4-16-43  1281 

(Re-issue) 

A2-7    Letter  from   Ireland  5-14-43  1094 

MADCAP  MODELS  (Color) 
(Average  8  Minutes) 


U2-I 

Jasper  and  the  Haunted 

in 

23 
-1 

42 

1010 

U2-2 

Jasper  and  the  Choo-Choo.l 

43 

1138 

U2-3 

Bravo  Mr.  Strauss  

2- 

26 

43 

1251 

U2-4 

The  500  Hats  of 

Bartholomew  Cubbins  . 

.4- 

30 

-43 

1291 

U2-5 

Jasper's  Music  Lesson.. 

.6- 

18 

43 

E2-I 
E2-2 
E2-3 
E2-4 
E2-5 

E2-6 
E2-7 
E2-8 
E2-9 


POPEYE  THE  SAILOR 

(Average  6  Minutes) 

A  Hull  of  a  Mess  10-16-42  974 

Scrap  the  Japs  11-20-42  1007 

Me  Musical  Nephews  12-25-42  1070 

Spinach  for  Britain  1-22-43  1148 

Seein'  Red,  White 

'n  Blue   2-19-43  1206 

Too  Weak  to  Work  3-19-43  1281 

A  Jolly  Good  Furlough. .  .4-23-43 
Ration  for  the  Duration  .  5-28-43 
Cartoons   Ain't    Human ..  .6-25-43 


POPULAR   SCIENCE  (Color) 
(10  Minutes) 

J 2- 1    No.  I   10-2-42  974 

J2-2    No.  2   11-27-42  1010 

J2-3    No.  3   2-5-43  1138 

J2-4    No.  4   4-2-43  1281 

J2-5    No.  5   6-11-43 

SPEAKING  OF  ANIMALS 
(Average  9  Minutes) 
Y2-I    Speaking  of  Animals  and 

Their  Families   12-18-42  1070 

Y2-2    At  the  Bird  Farm  3-19-43  1281 

Y2-3    Speaking  of  Animals  in 

Current  Events   5-7-43 

SPORTLIGHTS 


w 

-441 

Barney   Bear's  Victory 

(Averago    10  Minutes) 

Garden   

12-26-42 

1118 

R2-I 

Sports  I.Q  

. . . 10-9-42 

974 

w 

442 

Sufferin'  Cats  

.1-16-43 

1227 

R2-2 

The   Fighting  Spirit.. 

..11-13-42 

1007 

w 

443 

Bah  Wilderness   

.2-13-43 

1227 

R2-3 

1 138 

w 

444 

Dumb  Hounded   

.3-20-43 

1251 

R2-4 

Trading  Blows   

. .  .2-12-43 

1206 

w 

445 

The  Boy  and  the  Wolf 

.4-24-43 

1291 

R2-5 

1251 

w 

446 

Red  Hot  Riding  Hood. 

. .5-8-43 

R2-6 

Tho  Beach  Command.. 

 4-9-43 

1281 

w 

447 

The  Lonesome  Mouse.. 

.5-22-43 

R2-7 

Tumble  Bugs   

...5-14-43 

Product  Digest  Section  1327 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    22,  1943 


Prod. 
No. 


T2-I 
T2-2 
T2-3 
T2-4 


Rcl.  P.D. 

Title                     Date  Page 

VICTORY  SHORTS 
(Average  14  Minutes) 

A  Letter  from  Bataan  9-15-42  946 

We  Refuse  to  Die  10-22-42  946 

The  Price  of  Victory  12-3-42  1018 

The  Alrlrich    Family  Gets 

in  the  Scran   3-25-43  1251 


Prod 
No. 


Rel.  P.D. 
Date  Page 


RKO 


WALT    DISNEY   CARTOONS  (Color) 
(7  Minutes) 
1941-42 


2 1  113 

Sky  Trooper   

11-6 

42 

24,114 

Pluto  at  the  Zoo  

1 1-20 

■42 

1070 

24. 1  15 

How  to  Fish  

12-4 

-42 

1094 

24, 1  16 

Bellboy  Donald   

12-18 

42 

1 1  18 

24.1  17 

Der  Fuehrer's  Face.  .  . . 

12-18 

42 

1067 

24- 1 18 

Education  for  Death 

1-5 

-43 

1067 

1942-43 

34,101 

Donald's  Tire  Trouble. 

.  1-29 

■43 

1206 

31.102 

Pluto  and  the  Armadillo 

.2-19 

43 

1206 

34,103 

Flying  Jalopy   

.3-12 

43 

1227 

34.104 

1251 

34.105 

Fall  Out,  Fall  In  

4-23 

43 

1315 

SPORTSCOPE 

(Average  8  Min.) 

34.301 

Show  Horse   

9-11 

■42 

974 

31,302 

Touchdown  Tars   

10-9 

42 

998 

34,303 

Winter  Setting   

.11-6 

42 

1022 

34,304 

Q-Men   

12-4-42 

1094 

34,305 

1  1  18 

34,306 

Ski  Trails   

.1-29 

■43 

1  171 

34,307 

1227 

34.308 

Aqua  Aces   

3-26 

43 

1263 

34.309 

Golf  Limited   

4-23 

-43 

1329 

EDGAR  KENNEDY 

(Average  17  Min.) 

33.401 

Two  for  the   Money .... 

.8-14 

42 

926 

33.402 

Rough  on  Rents  

10-30 

42 

1010 

33.403 

Duck  Soup   

12-18 

42 

1 1 18 

33.404 

Hold  Your  Temper  

2-5 

43 

1227 

33,405 

Indian  Signs   

3-26 

43 

1263 

LEON  ERROL 

(Average  18  Min.) 

33.701  Mail  Trouble   9-4-42  926 

33.702  Deer,   Deer   10-23-42  1010 

33.703  Pretty  Dolly   12-11-42  1094 

33.704  Double  Up   1-29-43  1206 

33.705  Gem-Jams   .  3-19-43  1263 

JAMBOREES 

(Average  9  Min.) 

34.401  Jerry  Wald   &   Orch  9-11-42  950 

34.402  Johnny  Long  &  Orch  10-2-42  998 

34.403  Ray  McKinley  &  Orch. .  10-30-42  1022 

34.404  Dick  Stabile  &  Orch.  ..II  -27-42  1070 

34.405  Enric  Madriguera  & 

Orch  12-25-42  1094 

34.406  It's  Tommy  Tucker  Time. 4-16-43  1304 

VICTORY  SPECIALS 


34.201  Conquer  by  the  Clock. 

34.202  City  of  Courage  


.10-27-42  1114 
..2-11-43  1206 


FAMOUS  JURY  TRIALS 

(Average  18  Min.) 

33.201  The  State  vs.  Glen 

Willet   9-18-42  974 

33.202  The  State  vs.  Thomas 

Crosby   1 1-13-42  1070 

THIS  IS  AMERICA 

(Average  19  Min.) 

33.101  Private  Smith  of  the 

U.  S.  A  10-2-42  971 

33.102  Women  at  Arms  10-30-42  1031 

33.103  Army  Chaplain   12-18-42  1102 

33. '04    Boomtown,    D.    C  2-12-43  1159 

33.105  Air  Crew   3-12-43  1215 

33.106  Medicine  on  Guard  4-9-43  1263 

33.107  Merchant  Seamen   5-7-43  1315 


Title 

20TH  CENTURY-FOX 

ADVENTURES  N  E  WSC  A  M  E  R  A  M  A  N 
(Average  9  Min.) 

3201    Along  the  Texas  Range.  ..  10-9-42  974 

3203    Climbing  the  Peaks  4-16-43  1281 

MAGIC  CARPET  (Color) 
(9  Minutes) 

315!    Desert  Wonderland   8-1-42  856 

3152  Wedding  in  Bikaner  8-28-42  899 

3153  Valley  of   Blossoms  9-25-42  950 

3154  Royrl  Araby   10-23-42  998 

3155  Gay   Rio   2-19-43  1022 

3156  Strange   Empire   1-15-43  1138 

3157  Land  Where  Time  Stood 

Still   4-2-43  1263 

SPORTS  REVIEWS 
(Average  9  Min.) 

3301  Well-Rowed    Harvard   8-14-42  899 

3351    Neptune's  Daughters   11-20-42  1022 

3302  When  Winter  Calls  12-25-42  1138 

3303  Steelhead  Fighters   2-12-43  1148 

3304  Back  to  Bikes  3-12-43  1227 

TERRYTOONS  (TECHNICOLOR) 
(7  Minutes) 

3551  All  Out  for  "V"  8-7-42  926 

3552  Life  with  Fido  8-21-42  926 

3553  School  Daze   9-18-42  950 

3554  Night  Life  in  the  Army. ..  10-2-42  974 

3555  The  Mouse  of  Tomorrow ..  10- 16-42   

3556  Nancy  in  Doing  Their  Bit.  10-30-42   

3557  Frankenstein's  Cat   11-27-42  .... 

3558  Barnyard  WAAC   12-18-42  1138 

3559  Scrap  for  Victory  1-22-43  1171 

3560  Barnyard  Blackout   3-5-43  1281 

3561  Shipyard  Symphony   3-19-43  1304 

3562  Patriotic  Pooches   4-9-43  1304 

SPECIAL 

3567  Somewhere  in  the  Pacific. ..  I -8-43  1171 

3568  He  Dood  It  Again  2-5-43  1227 

3569  The  Last  Roundup  5-14-43   

3570  Mopping  Up   6-25-43   

3571  Pandora's  Box   6-11-43   

3572  Keep  'Em   Growing  5-28-43   

TERRYTOONS  (Black  &  White) 
(7  Minutes) 

3501  The  Big  Build-Up  9-4-42  926 

3502  Ickle  Meets  Pickle  11-13-42  1046 


THE  WORLD  TODAY 

(9  Minutes) 

3401  Navy  W.  A.  V.  E.  S  6-4-43 

3402  Accent  on  Courage  4-30-43 

MARCH  OF  TIME 

(Average  20  Minutes) 

V9-I    The  F.B.I.  Front  9-11-42 

V9-2    The  Fighting   French  10-9-42 

V9-3  Mr.  and  Mrs.  America. ..  1 1 -6-42 
V9-4  Africa  Prelude  to  Victory.  12-4-42 
V9-5  The  Navy  and  the  Nation . .  I  - 1 -43 
V9-6    One  Day  of  War — Russia 

1943   1-29-43 

V9-7    The  New  Canada  2-26-43 

V9-8    America's  Food  Crisis.  ..  .3-26-43 

V9-9    Inside   Fascist  Spain  4-23-43 

V9-I0  Show  Business  at  War  5-21-43 

DRIBBLE  PUSS  PARADE 
(9  Minutes) 
3901    Monkey  Doodle  Dandies  .  12- 1  I -42 
VICTORY  FILM 

3801    It's   Everybody's  War  11-6-42 

AMERICA  SPEAKS 
3851    Weapons  for  Victory  5-7-43 


UNITED  ARTISTS 


WORLD  IN  ACTION 

(Two  Reels) 

New  Soldiers  Are  Tough. .  .7-3-42 

Our  Russian  Ally  8-14-42 

Hitler's  Plan   9-4-42 

Inside   Fighting  China. ...  10-2-42 

Mask  of  Nippon  ...11-6-42 

Fighting  Freighters   1-9-43 


91 1 
946 
1007 
1055 
1 102 

I  127 
I  171 
1215 
1263 
1315 


1046 


1031 


1304 


699 
784 
854 
896 
971 
1055 


Prod.  Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title  Date  Page 

....    Invasion  of  North  Africa  .2-12-43  1148 

  Road  to  Tokyo  4-16-43  1281 

  Invasion  of  Europe  5-7-43  1304 

SPECIAL 

  Don't  Hook  Now  4-30-43    I  171 


Prod. 
No. 


Rel. 
Date 


P.D. 
Page 


UNIVERSAL 


7241 

7242 
7213 
7244 
7245 
7246 
7247 


723  I 

7332 
7233 
7234 


COLOR  CARTUNE  » 
(Average  7  Min.) 

Andy  Panda's  Victory 

Garden   9-7-42 

The  Loan  Stranger  10- (9-42 

Air  Raid  Warden  1 2-2 1 -42 

The  Screwball   2-I5-43 

Swing  Your  Partner ......  4-26-43 

The  Dizzy  Acrobat  5-3I-43 

Canine  Commandos   6-28-43 

SWING  SYMPHONIES 
(Average  7  Min.) 

Yankee  Doodle  Swing 

Shift   9-2I-42 

Boogie  Woogie  Sioux ....  1 1 -30-42 

"Cow-Cow  Boogie"   I-4-42 

Egg  Cracker  Suite  3-22-43 

PERSON— ODDITIES 
(Average  9  Min.) 


M  USICALS 

(Average  15  Min.) 


926 
998 
I  1 18 
I  1 48 

1 329 


899 
1 046 
I  I7I 
I239 


737 1 

Human  Sailboat   

9-I4 

■42 

926 

7372 

Jail  Hostess   

9-28 

■42 

950 

7373 

King  of  the  49-ers  

I0-I2 

■42 

1046 

7374 

Double  Talk  Girl  

1 1  - 1 6 

-42 

1007 

7375 

Designed  by  Fannie 

Hurst  

12-14 

-42 

1118 

7376 

Let  Huey  Do  It  

.  1-25 

■43 

1  171 

73^7 

She's  A- 1   in  the  Navy .  . 

.  .2-8 

•43 

1 148 

7378 

Little  Clayton  Farmfront 

Wonder   

3-8 

-43 

1227 

7379 

Shepherd  of  the 

Roundhouse   

4-19 

-43 

7380 

Tom  Thumb  in  Person... 

.5-24-43 

1304 

738  I 

The  Armless  Dentist  

6-28 

43 

VARIETY  VIEWS 

(9  Minutes) 

735 1 

Trouble  Spot  of  the  East 

.  .9-7 

42 

899 

7352 

Canadian  Patrol   

9-21 

42 

926 

7353 

Spirit  of  Democracy  

10-5 

42 

974 

7354 

New  Era  in  India  

11-2 

42 

1010 

7355 

Western  Whoopee   

12-28-42 

899 

7356 

Winter  Sports  Jamboree.. 

.1-8 

43 

1  171 

7357 

Mother  of  Presidents  

2-1- 

43 

1148 

7358 

Hungry  India   

3-1 

43 

1206 

7359 

Mr.  Chimp  Goes  to  Town. 

.4-12-43 

1291 

7360 

Mirror  of  Sub-marine  Life 

.5-3 1  - 

43 

1329 

736 1 

Confusion  in  India  

6-21- 

43 

7121 

Trumpet  Serenade   

9-9-42 

899 

7122 

Serenade   in  Swing  

.10-14-42 

899 

7123 

Jivin'   Jam  Session  

.  1  l-l 1-42 

899 

7124 

Swing's  the  Thing  

12-2-42 

1007 

7125 

Chasin'  the  Blues  

..1-13-43 

1046 

7126 

Hit  Tune  Jamboree  

.  .2-10-43 

1 148 

7127 

Swingtime  Blues   

3-3-43 

1 190 

7128 

Swing  That  Band  

4-7-43 

1263 

7129 

Dancing  on  the  Stars.... 

. .5-26-43 

7130 

6-23-43 

VICTORY  FEATURETTES 

0995 

Keeping  Fit  

10-26-42 

998 

0996 

Arsenal  of  Might  

2-22-43 

1 148 

0997 

What  We  Are  Fighting 

For   

5-24-43 

7111 
7110 


2-REEL  SPECIAL 

Roar.  Navy,  Roar  11-25-42 

"Eagle  Vs.  Dragon"  


1046 


8101 
8102 
8103 
8104 
8105 
8106 
8107 
8108 
8109 
81  10 
811 1 


8301 
8302 


8303 
8304 


8305 
8306 


8401 
8402 
8403 
8404 

8405 

8406 
8407 
8408 
8409 

8410 
841  I 


8501 
8502 
8503 
8504 

8505 
8506 
8507 
8508 
8509 


8601 
8S02 
8603 
8504 

8605 
8606 
8607 
8608 
8609 
8610 


Title 

BROADWAY  BREVITIES 
(20  Minutes) 


The  Spirit  of  Annapolis ...  9-5-42  926 

The   Nation   Dances  9-26-42  974 

The  Spirit  of  West  Point.  1 1 -20-42  1007 

Beyond  the  Line  of  Duty.  1 1 -7-42  1010 

Vaudeville  Days   12-19-42  1070 

The  Man  Killers  

Little  Isles  of  Freedom  ...  I -30-43  1078 

Our  African  Frontiers  2-13-43  1206 

Army  Show   2-27-43  1227 

Rear  Gunner   4-10-43  1281 

Three  Cheers  for  the  Girls. 5-8-43  1329 

HOLLYWOOD  NOVELTIES 


(10  Minutes) 

Sweeney  Steps  Out  9-12-42 

You  Want  to  Give  Up 

Smoking   11-14-42 

Stars  on   Horseback  4-3-43 

So  You  Think  You  Need 

Glasses   12-26-42 

This  Is  Your  Enemy  1-23-43 

King  of  the  Archers  2-6-43 

(10  Minutes) 

Sniffer  Soldiers   9-12-42 

South  American  Sports  .  .  .  1 0- 1 7- 12 

The  Right  Timing  1 0 -3 1  -42 

Cuba,  Land  of  Adventure 

and  Sport   1-9-43 

America's  Battle  of 

Beauty   11-21-42 

Horses!  Horses!  Horses!.  .  12-12-42 

Snorting  Dogs   3-20-43 

Women  in  Sports  2-20-43 

With  Rod  and  Reel  on 

Anticosti  Island   5-1-43 

Rover's  Rangers   5-22-43 

Gray.  White  &  Blue  6-19-43 


1022 
1251 

1118 
1206 
1206 


950 
1007 
1022 

1070 

1070 
1070 
1239 
1206 

1315 


950 
1007 
1007 

I  I  18 
1 138 
1251 
1329 


MELODY   MASTER  BANDS 

(10  Minutes) 

Army  Air  Force  Band. ..  .9-19-42 

Six  Hits  ar.d  a  Miss  10-24-42 

U.  S.   Marine  Band  11-14-42 

Borrah  Minevitch  and  his 

Harmonica  School   12-26-42 

U.  S.  Navy  Band  1-16-43 

Ozzie  Nelson  &  Orch  3-27-43 

U.  S.  Army  Band  4-17-43 

All  American  Band  5-22-43 

Childhood  Days   6-26-43 

LOONEY  TUNES  CARTOONS 


(7  Minutes) 

The  Hep  Cat  10-3-42  950 

The  Daffy  Duckaroo  10-24-42  1022 

My  Favorite  Duck  12-5-42  1007 

Confusions  of  a  Nutzy  Spy 

1-23-43  1007 

To  Duck  or  Not  to  Duck.  .  .3-6-43  1227 

Hop  and  Go  3-27-43  1263 

The  Wise  Quacking  Duck  . 5- 1 -43  1291 

Tokio  Jokio   5-15-43  .... 

Yankee  Doodle  Daffy  6-19-43   

Scrap  Happy  Daffy  


MERRIE  MELODIES  CARTOONS  (Color) 


8701 
8702 
8703 

8704 
8705 
8706 
8707 

VITAPHONE 

8707 

TECHNICOLOR  SPECIALS  8709 

(Average  20  Min.)  8710 

87 II 

8001  A  Ship  Is  Born  10-10-42    1010  8712 

8002  Fighting   Engineers               1-2-43    1118  8713 

8003  Young  and  Beautiful  3-13-43    1227  8714 

8004  Eagles  of  the  Navy  4-24-43    1291  8715 

8005  Mountain  Fighters    8716 

8006  Champions  Training  8717 

Champions   5-29-43    8718 


(7  Minutes) 

The  Dover  Boys  9-19-42  950 

The  Sheepish   Wolf  10-17-42  950 

The  Hare  Brained 

Hypnotist   10-31-42  1007 

A  Tale  of  Two  Kitties. ..  1 1 -21 -42  1007 

Ding   Dog   Daddy  12-5-42  1007 

Case  of  the  Missing  Hare .  1 2- 12-42  1007 
Coal  Black  and  de  Sebben 

Dwarfs   1-16-43  1007 

Pigs  in  a  Polka  2-6-43  1070 

Tortoise  Wins  by  a  Hare.  .2-20-43  1206 

Fifth  Column  Mouse  3-6-43  1251 

Flop  Goes  the  Weasel  3-20-43  1251 

Super    Rabbit   4-3-43  1263 

The  Unbearable  Bear  4-17-43  1291 

Greetings   Bait   5-15-43 

Jack  Rabbit  and  Beanstalk. 6-5-43 

The  Aristo  Cat  6-12-43 

Tin  Pan  Alley  Cats  6-26-43 

Wacki-Ki  Wabbit   6-26-43 


1328    Product  Digest  Section 


May    22,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


Prod.                                   Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title                     Date  Page 

OFFICIAL  U.  S.  VICTORY  FILMS 

(Distributed  by  Various  Major  Exchanges) 

Pots  to  Planes   509 

Bomber    509 

Food  for  Freedom   509 

Red  Cross  Trailer   509 

Women  in  Defense   509 

Safeguarding  Military  Information   509 

Tanks   .. .  509 

Any  Bonds  Today   509 

Ring  of  Steel   587 

Fighting  Fire  Bombs   587 

Lake  Carrier    715 

United  China  Relief  

Winning  Your  Wings   674 

Keep  'Em  Rolling   674 

Mr.  Gardenia  Jones    674 

Your  Air  Raid  Warden   770 

Vigilance   771 

Out  of  the  Frying  Pan   926 

Salvage    946 

Manpower    971 

Japanese  Relocation   *   971 


Prod.                                   Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title                     Date  Page 

Dover    1018 

Fuel  Conservation    1046 

Colleges  at  War   1078 

Community  Transportation    1102 

Paratroops    1114 

You,  John  Jones   1138 

Night  Shift    1148 

Troop  Train    1171 

Point  Rationing  of  Foods   1182 

Since  Pearl  Harbor   1206 

Farmer  at  War   1206 

Right  of  Way   1239 

Food  for  Fighters   1239 

Doctors  at  War   1315 

Wings  Up    1315 

Mission  Accomplished    1329 

U.  S.  TREASURY  DEPT. 

The  Spirit  of  '43   1 138 

WAR  ACTIVITIES  COMMITTEE 
(Released  Through  20th-Fox) 

Battle  of  Midway   912 

(Released  Through  Warner  Bros.) 

At  the  Front   1190 


Prod.                                   Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title                     Date  Page 

BRITISH   MINISTRY  OF  INFORMATION 

21  Miles      971 

Control   Room    1018 

C.   E.  M.  A   1018 

Fighting   French  Navy   1070 

Lift  Your  Head  Comrade   1094 

Letter  from  Ulster   1094 

Speed  Up  on  Stirlings   1114 

MISCELLANEOUS 

Quebec  (Canadian  Film  Board)   1070 

Kokoda  Battle  Front   1070 

(Australian  Dept.  of  Information) 

Sword  of  the  Spirit   1055 

(Verity  Film) 

SERIALS 

COLUMBIA 

4120    The  Secret  Code  9-4-42  899 

(15  episodes) 
4140    The  Valley  of  Vanishing  Men 

(15  episodes)   12-17-42  1 138 


Prod.  Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title  Date  Page 

REPUBLIC 

281  King  of  the  Mounties  10-10-42  908 

(12  episodes) 

282  G-Men  vs.  the  Black  Dragon 

(15  episodes)  1-2-43  1022 

283  Daredevils  of  the  West  4-17-43  1291 

(12  episodes) 

284  Secret  Service  in  Darkest 

Africa   

(15  episodes) 


UNIVERSAL 


7881-92    Junior  G-Men  of  the  Air 

(12  episodes)   6-30-42  784 

7781-95    Overland  Mail   9-22-42  950 

(15  episodes) 
7681-93    Adventures  of  Smilin'  Jack 

(13  episodes)   1-5-43  994 

8681-92    Don  Winslow  of  the 

Coast  Guard   3-30-43  1227 

(13  episodes) 


SHORT  SUBJECTS 

reviews  and  synopses 


MISSION  ACCOMPLISHED  (OWI) 

Victory  Film 

This  short,  produced  by  the  film  division  of 
the  Office  of  War  Information  and  distributed 
to  theatres  through  the  War  Activities  Com- 
mittee, attempts  to  show  the  performance  of 
the  Army  Air  Corps'  B-17's,  the  flying- 
fortresses  which  have  been  taking  off  from 
English  bases  and  flying  over  the  English 
Channel  to  lay  their  "eggs"  on  military  targets 
in  France  and  Germany.  The  picture  is 
stereotyped  and  uninspiring.  The  film-makers 
relied  on  shots  of  the  B-17's  flying  through 
fleecy  clouds  rather  than  on  actual  bombing 
attacks.  For  those  in  the  audience  who  vividly 
recall  the  superb  filming  of  B-17  take-offs  and 
landings  in  Warner's  "Air  Force"  earlier  this 
season,  the  picture  suffers  by  comparison. — 
J.E.S. 

Release  date,  May  6,  1943  10  minutes 

THE  DIZZY  ACROBAT  (Univ.) 

Color  Car  tune  (7246) 

Woody  Woodpecker  heads  for  the  circus,  but 
is  not  inclined  to  enter  by  way  of  the  ticket 
booth.  A  cop  catches  him  just  as  he  gets  inside 
the  tent  and  the  argument  and  chase  become 
part  of  the  show,  high  wire,  slack  wire,  tra- 
pezes, horse  races,  lion,  tigers  and  elephants 
notwithstanding. 

Release  date,  May  31,  1943  7  minute*. 

DUTY  AND  THE  BEAST  (Col.) 

Phantasy  (4708) 

That  much-admired  animal,  the  hunting  dog, 
is  shown  in  his  true  colors  in  this  cartoon  re- 
lease. In  spite  of  careful  training,  his  instincts 
are  still  animal — searching  for  food,  protecting 
his  fellow  beasts  and  eliminating  the  hunter  if 
possible.  He  then  joins  the  others  in  a  forest 
feast. 

Release  date,  May  2  8,  1943  6  minutes 

MIRROR  OF  SUB-MARINE  LIFE  (Univ.) 

Variety  View  (7360) 

A  tour  of  the  ocean  floor  is  conducted  by  Dr. 
Roy  Miner.  His  hobby  is  miniature  glass  re- 
productions of  marine  flora  and  fauna,  so  clev- 
erly made  that  the  illusion  is  perfect.  This 
subject  portrays  the  development  through  nine 
days  of  life  in  the  "Marine  Fairyland." 
Release  date,  May  31,  1943  9  minutes 


AQUA  THRILLS  (Col.) 

World  of  Sports  (4807) 

As  the  weather  for  outdoor  sports  arrives, 
Bill  Stern  assembles  a  group  of  boating  shots. 
The  first  was  filmed  at  La  Salle  College  where 
canoeing  enjoys  popularity.  Wellesley  con- 
tributes some  views  of  racing  crews.  The  Es- 
kimo's kayak,  Australian  lifeboats,  motorboats 
and  outboard  racing  craft  are  also  included  in 
the  subject. 

Release  date,  May  2  8,  1943  9  minutes 

PLENTY  BELOW  ZERO  (Col.) 

Color  Rhapsody  (45  0  8) 

Dave  Fleischer  brings  back  the  crow  and  the 
fox  in  a  winter  setting.  The  crow,  like  so 
many  others,  gave  up  his  southern  trip,  only 
to  find  himself  without  food  for  the  winter. 
The  fox  is  out  on  a  ski-picnic  with  a  full  lunch 
basket.  Several  rounds  of  thrusts  and  parries 
leave  both  of  them  reduced  to  eating  acorns. 

Release  date,  May  14,  1943      7^4  minutes 

MOTORING  IN.  MEXICO  (MGM) 

Traveltalk  (T-419) 

Looking  forward  to  the  day  when  touring  will 
again  become  the  No.  1  American  vacation, 
Fitzpatrick  presents  a  motorist's  view  of  Mexi- 
co. The  broad,  modern  highway  to  the  Pacific 
passes  through  a  wide  variety  of  scenes  typical 
of  the  land  to  the  South.  Spanish  cathedrals, 
resorts,  peasant  villages  and  mining  towns  vary 
the  picturesque,  rolling  landscape. 

Release  date,  May  22,  1943  9  minutes 

MY  WIFE'S  AN  ANGEL  (Col.) 

Allen  Jenkins  (4434) 

Allen  Jenkins  joins  the  All  Star  Comedy 
group  with  Arthur  Boran  and  Jerry  Cooper  in 
tow.  The  first  two  are  trying  to  produce  a 
show  with  Allen's  wife  as  backer,  but  must 
agree  to  feature  her  proteges  and  let  her  select 
the  chorus  girls.  She  selects  them  from  among 
hoinely  relatives  and  the  producers  appeal  to 
a  "beautomaton"  in  desperation.  The  wife  be- 
comes suspicious  of  the  miraculous  results  and 
investigates.  She  finds  that  substitution  rather 
than  transformation  worked  the  change. 

Release  date,  June  11,  1943      \7l/2  minutes 


THREE  CHEERS  FOR  THE  GIRLS  (WB) 

Broadway  Brevities  (8111) 

The  Floradora  Chorus  of  the  Screen,  com- 
posed of  girls  from  former  musical  productions, 
are  featured  in  a  short  recalling  their  previous 
triumphs.  Special  song  and  dance  numbers  have 
been  arranged  by  Busby  Berkeley,  Bobby  Con- 
nolly and  Jean  Negulesco  with  music  by  Harry 
Warren  and  Al  Dubin,  and  eight  songs  are  fea- 
tured in  the  two-reel  show. 

Release  date,  May  8,  1943  20  minutes 

HIS  GIRL'S  WORST  FRIEND  (Col.) 

Glove  Slingers  (4412) 

Bill  Henry,  Adele  Mara,  Rick  Vallin,  Joe 
Brown,  Jr.  and  Sidney  Miller  are  featured  in 
this  comedy  about  a  student  prizefighter  who 
wants  to  get  his  wings.  His  manager  almost 
disqualifies  him  when  a  dose  of  itching  powder 
looks  like  a  nervous  ailment,  but  a  good  brawl 
clears  up  everything. 

Release  date,  May  14,  1943         18  minutes 

GOLF  LIMITED  (RKO) 

Sportscope  (34,309) 

This  is  golf  in  wartime  at  North  Carolina's 
famous  Pinehurst  course.  Players  arrive  in 
horse  and  buggy,  play  with  one  all-purpose  club 
and  make  good  use  of  damaged  balls.  Johnny 
Farrell,  Bobby  Cruickshank,  Les  Kennedy, 
Glenna  Collett  Vare,  Gene  Sarazen  and  Joe 
Kirkwood  contribute  some  pointers  on  the  game 
to  lower  scores. 

Release  date,  April  23,  1943       8  minutes 

BACK  FROM  THE  FRONT  (Col.) 

Stooges  (4406) 

The  Three  Stooges  have  finally  joined  up, 
taking  their  posts  on  a  merchant  ship.  Their 
bad  luck  pursues  them  to  sea,  and  the  boat  is 
torpedoed.  Pretending  to  be  German  sailors, 
they  are  picked  up  by  an  enemy  ship  and  gain 
control.  Encouraged  with  this  success  they 
try  their  hands  at  impersonating  Hitler,  Goering 
and  Goebbels,  with  predictable  results. 

Release  date,  May  28,  1943  17  minutes 

U.  S.  ARMY  BAND  (WB) 

Melody  Master  (8507) 

While  pictures  of  the  activities  of  our  armed 
forces  are  flashed  on  the  screen,  the  U.  S.  Army 
Band  plays  "The  Caissons  Go  Rolling  Along," 
"You're  in  the  Army  Now,"  "Pack  Up  Your 
Troubles  in  Your  Old  Kit  Bag,"  "Tipperary," 
"Army  Blue,"  "Over  There,"  "The  Girl  I  Left 
Behind  Me,"  "Trombone"  and  "Gary  Owen" 
against  a  Washington  background. 

Release  date,  April  17,  1943  9  minutes 


Product  Digest  Section  1329 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    2  2,  1943 


THE  RELEASE  CHART 

Index  to  Reviews,  Advance  Synopses  and 
Service  Data  in  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION 


Release  dates  and  running  lime  are  furnished  as  soon  as  avail- 
able. Advance  dates  are  tentative  and  subject  to  change. 

Consult  Service  Data  in  the  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION  for 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating,  Audience  Classification  and  Managers' 
Round  Table  Exploitation. 


All  page  numbers  on  this  chart  refer  to  pages  in  the 
PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION  of  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 

Short  Subjects  Chart  with  Synopsis  Index  can  be  found  on 
pages  1327-1329. 

Feature  Product  Including  Coming  Attractions,  listed  by  Com- 
pany, in  order  of  release,  on  pages  13 16-1 3 17. 


Prod. 

Title  Company  Number 

ABOVE  Suspicion  MGM 

Across  the  Pacific  WB  202 

Action  in  the  North  Atlantic  WB   

Adventures  of  Mark  Twain  WB  .... 

Aerial  Gunner  Para.  4223 

After  Midnight  with  Boston  Blackie  Col.  4031 

Air  Force  WB  217 

Air  Raid  Wardens,  The  MGM  326 

A-Haunting  We  Will  Go  20th-Fox  302 

Alibi  Rep.  214 

Alaska  Highway  Para.  .... 

All  by  Myself  Univ.  7043 

Always  a  Bridesmaid  Univ.  .... 

Amazing  Mrs.  Holliday,  The  Univ.  7005 

American  Empire  UA  .... 

Andy  Hardy's  Double  Life  MGM  318 

Apache  Trail  MGM  304 

Ape  Man,  The  Mono.  .... 

Appointment  in  Berlin  Col.  .... 

Arabian  Nights  Univ.  7063 

Arizona  Stagecoach  Mono.  .... 

Army  Surgeon  RKO  312 

As  Thousands  Cheer  (color)  MGM  .... 

(formerly  Private  Miss  Jones) 

Assignment  in  Brittany  MGM  327 

At  Dawn  We  Die  (British)  Rep.  778 

(formerly  Tomorrow  We  Live) 
Avengers,  The  (British) 
Avenging  Rider,  The 


BABY  Face  Morgan 
Background  to  Danger 
Bad  Men  of  Thunder  Gap 
Bambi  (color) 
Bandit  Ranger 
Bataan 

(formerly  Bataan  Patrol) 
Behind  Prison  Walls 
Behind  the  Eight  Ball 
Bells  Go  Down,  The  (British)  Ealing-UA 

Berlin  Correspondent               20th-Fox  311 

Best  Foot  Forward  (color)           MGM  .... 

Between  Us  Girls                        Univ.  7010 

Big  Street,  The                           RKO  301 

Billy  the  Kid  in  Fugitive  of  Plains   PRC  359 

Billy  the  Kid  in  Kid  Rides  Again   PRC  358 

Billy  the  Kid  in  Mysterious  Rider   PRC  357 

Billy  the  Kid  in  The  Renegade      PRC  361 

Billy  the  Kid  in  Western  Cyclone   PRC  360 

Black  Raven,  The                        PRC  321 

Black  Swan,  The  (color)          20th-Fox  320 

Blocked  Trail,  The                        Rep.  274 

Bombardier                                  RKO  329 

Bombers  Moon                      20th-Fox  .... 

Bombsight  Stolen  (British)          Gains.  .... 

Boogie  Man  Will  Get  You,  The     Col.  4026 

Boots  and  Saddles  (Re-release)     Rep.  2301 

Border  Buckaroos                        PRC  354 

Border  Patrol  UA   

Boss  of  Big  Town                        PRC  310 

Boston  Blackie  Goes  Hollywood     Col.  4030 

Bowery  at  Midnight                  Mono.  .... 

Boy  From  Stalingrad                     Col.  4025 

Brains  Trust,  The  (British)  Strand-Anglo  .... 


Para. 

4213 

RKO 

PRC 

317 

WB 

PRC 

352 

RKO 

391 

RKO 

381 

MGM 

PRC 

313 

Univ. 

7029 

Release 

Stars  Date 

Joan  Crawford-Fred  MacMurray  Not  Set 

Humphrey  Bogart-Mary  Astor  Sept.  5, '42 

Humphrey  Bogart-Raymond  Massey  Not  Set 

Fredric  March-Alexis  Smith  Not  Set 

Chester  Morris-Richard  Arlen  Block  5 

Chester  Morris-Ann  Savage  Mar.  1 8, '43 

John  Garfield-Gig  Young  Mar.  20, '43 

Laurel  and  Hardy  Apr., '43 

Laurel  and  Hardy  Aug.  7, '42 

Margaret  Lockwood-Hugh  Sinclair  Mar.  24,'43 

Richard  Arlen-Jean  Parker  Not  Set 

Patric  Knowles-Evelyn  Ankers  June  1 1  ,'43 

Andrews  Sisters-Patric  Knowles  Not  Set 

Deanna  Durbin-Edmond  O'Brien  Feb.  19, '43 

Richard  Dix-Leo  Carrillo  Dec.  I  I, '42 

Mickey  Rooney-Lewis  Stone  Dec.-Feb.,'43 

Lloyd  Nolan-Donna  Reed  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

Bela  Lugosi-Wallace  Ford  Mar.  19, '43 
George  Sanders-Marguerite  Chapman    June  29, '43 

Sabu-Maria  Montez-Jon  Hall  Dec.  25, '42 

The  Range  Busters  Sept.  4,'42 

James  Ellison-Jane  Wyatt  Dec.  4, '42 

Kathryn  Grayson-Gene  Kelly  Not  Set 

Pierre  Aumont-Susan  Peters  Apr. ,'43 

John  Clements-Godfrey  Tearle  Mar.  20, '43 

Ralph  Richardson-Deborah  Kerr  Block  3 

Tim  Holt  Not  Set 


Mary  Carlisle-Richard  Cromwell  Sept.  1 5, '42 

George  Raft-Brenda  Marshall  Not  Set 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill  Mar.  5, '43 

Disney  Feature  Cartoon  Aug.  21/42 

Tim  Holt  Sept.  25,'42 

Robert  Taylor-Thomas  Mitchell  Not  Set 

Alan  Baxter-Gertrude  Michael  Mar.  22, '43 

Ritz  Bros.-Carol  Bruce  Dec.  4,'42 

Tommy  Trinder-James  Mason  Not  Set 

Dana  Andrews-Virginia  Gilmore  Sept.  I  I, '42 

Lucille  Ball-William  Gaxton  Not  Set 
Diana  Barrymore-Robert  Cummings       Sept.  4,'42 

Henry  Fonda-Lucille  Ball  Sept.  4,'42 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Mar.  1 2, "43 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Jan.  27,'43 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Nov.  20,'42 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  July    I, '43 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  May  I4,'43 

George  Zucco-Wanda  MacKay  May  3 1, '43 

Tyrone  Power-Maureen  O'Hara  Dec.  4,'42 

Three  Mesquiteers  Mar.  1 2, '43 
Pat  O'Brien-Randolph  Scott-Anne  Shirley      Block  6 

George  Montgomery-Annabella  Not  Set 

Leslie  Banks-Jeanne  Casalis  Not  Set 

Boris  Karlof-Peter  Lorre  Oct.  22, '42 

Gene  Autry-Smiley  Burnette  Jan.  1 5, '43 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill  June  1 5, '43 

William  Boyd  Apr.  2,'43 

John  Litel-Florence  Rice  Dec.  7, '42 

Chester  Morris-Richard  Lane  Nov.  5, '42 

Bela  Lugosi-John  Archer  Oct.  30,'42 

Bobby  Samarzich-Conrad  Binyon  May  20/43 

Ouiz  Experts  Not  Set 


r—  REVIEWED  -i 

M.  P.       Product  Advance 

Running          Herald       Digest  Synopsis 

Time              Issue          Page  Page 

91m       May   1/43       1289  1001 

98m      Aug.  22/42        927  726 

127m       May  22/43       1325  983 

  936 

78m       Mar.  20/43       1226  1091 

64m       Mar.  13/43       1203  1 192 

124m       Feb.  6/43       1145  936 

67m       Mar.  20/43       1214  1091 
67m       July  11/42  927 
66m       Apr.  3/43  1237 

  1192 

63m    1277 

  1192 

98m       Feb.  6/43       1145  936 

81m       Dec.  12/42       1053  871 

92m       Dec.  5/42       1042  796 

66m      June  27/42        938  726 

64m       Feb.  27/43       1181  1104 

  1305 

87m       Dec.  26/42       1090  872 

58m  

63m  Oct.  24/42  969  701 
  1079 

98m       Mar.  13/43       1201  1019 
85m       Dec.  26/42  1077 

88m  Nov.  7/42  993 
55m       Feb.  13/43  1158 


62  m 

July  25/42 

903 

1058 

57  m 

1277 

70m 

May  30/42 

685 

56m 

1 127 

64m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 146 

1078 

60m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

794 

89m 

May  22/43 

1326 

70m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

797 

1 191 

89  m 

Aug.  29/42 

890 

772 

87m 

Aug.  8/42 

902 

701 

56m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

60m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

i  104 

55m 

Jan.  30/43 

1 137 

1033 

1305 
1276 


61m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

85m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

855 

55m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

99m 

May  15/43 

1313 

912 

1305 

72  m 

May  15/43 

1315 

66m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

58m 

Nov.  13/37 

1 1 14 

1276 

67m 

Jan.  30/43 

i  137 

64m 

Oct.  17/42 

959 

68m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 181 

794 

63  m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

70m 

i  191 

34m 

Feb.  6/43 

ii47 

Service 
Data 

Page 


1280 


1 174 


1 174 


1280 


1 130 


1218 


I  330    Product  Digest  Section 


May    2  2,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


-  REVIEWED  — > 

M.  P.       Product    Advance  Service 


Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Title 

Company 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

Buckskin  Frontier 

UA 

Kichard  Uix-Jane  Wyatt 

Ll  1    yd  lit) 

May  14,  43 

ft 

76m 

Mar.  13,  43 

1  A  AO 

1202 

983 

Busses  Roar 

WB 

203 

Richard  Travis-Julie  Bishop 

Sept.  19, '42 

61m 

Aug.  22/42 

903 

.... 

CABIN  in  the  Sky 

MGM 

323 

"Rochester"-Ethel  Waters 

Apr.,'43 

98m 

Feb.  13/43 

1  157 

1019 

Cairo 

MGM 

307 

Jeanette  MacDonald-Robert  Young 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

101m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

1034 

Calaboose  UA-Roach 

Jimmy  Rogers-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

Jan.  29,'43 

45  m 

1241 

r*a\\\nn    WlN    Rill  Fllintt 

waning  vviio  diii  ciiiott 

Ron 

231 1 

Bill  Elliott-Gabby  Hayes 

Apr.  30/43 

54m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

Captive  who  woman 

U  n  iv. 

7014 

Evelyn  Ankers-John  Carradine 

June  4,'43 

61m 

May  1/43 

1290 

1 127 

oareTui,  dott  onouiaer 

ZuTn-rox 

312 

Virginia  Bruce-James  Ellison 

Sept.  I8,'42 

69m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

Carson  City  Cyclone 

Pan 

275 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Mar.  23, '43 

57m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

Casablanca 

WR 
W  D 

214 

Humphrey  Bogart-lngrid  Bergman 

Jan.  23,'43 

102m 

Nov.  28/42 

1029 

936 

1218 

L/at  reopie 

RKO 

313 

Simone  Simon-Tom  Conway 

Dec.  25,'42 

73m 

Nov.  14/42 

1005 

962 

1280 

OnatterDOX 

Ron 

219 

Joe  E.  Brown-Judy  Canova 

Apr.27,'43 

76m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

1 127 

Chetniks,  Fighting  Guerrillas 

OA+L  CrtY 
iUTn-rox 

328 

Philip  Dorn-Virginia  Gilmore 

Feb.  5,'43 

73  m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 1 15 

995 

1280 

Cheyenne  Roundup 

U  niv» 

276 

Johnny  Mack  Brown-Tex  Ritter 

Apr.  29,'43 

59m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

pL;-, 

i^nma 

raid. 

4222 

Loretta  Young-Alan  Ladd 

Block5 

78m 

Mar.  20/43 

1226 

1091 

Unina  *C7 1 r I 

iUTn-rOX 

323 

George  Montgomery-Gene  Tierney 

Jan.  I,'43 

95m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

872 

1218 

Cinderella  Swings  It 

RKO 

318 

Guy  Kibbee-Gloria  Warren 

Jan.22,'43 

69m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 125 

wiiy  ot  oiieriT  ivien 

PRC 

308 

Frank  Albertson-June  Lang 

Oct.  12,  "42 

64m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

City  Without  Men 

Col. 

4013 

Linda  Darnell-Doris  Dudley 

Jan.  I4,'43 

75m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 181 

1009 

Clancy  Street  Boys 

Mono. 

East  Side  Kids 

Apr.  23,'43 

66m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

Coastal  Command  (British)  Pa 

rd. -Crown 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

73m 

Nov.  14/42 

1005 

Commandos  Strike  at  Dawn 

Col. 

4004 

Paul  Muni-Lillian  Gish 

Jan.  7,'43 

98m 

Dec.  19/42 

1078 

962 

1280 

Coney  Island 

20th-Fox 

Betty  Grable-George  Montgomery 

Not  Set 

90m 

May  22/43 

1325 

995 

Corregidor 

PRC 

31 

Otto  Kruger-Elissa  Landi 

Mar.  29/43 

74m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

1 104 

1280 

Corvettes  in  Action 

U  niv. 

Randolph  Scott-Andy  Devine 

Not  Set 

1240 

Cosmo  Jones,  Crime  Smasher 

Mono. 

Edgar  Kennedy-Frank  Graham 

Jan.  29/43 

62m 

Feb.  20/43 

1  170 

1055 

Counter  Espionage 

Col. 

4027 

Warren  William-Eric  Blore 

Sept.  3/42 

72m 

Oct.  10/42 

945 

871 

Cowboy  Commandos 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

June  4/43 

1277 

Cowboy  in  Manhattan 

Univ. 

7036 

Robert  Paige-Frances  Langford 

May  2 1/43 

60m 

Apr.  10/43 

i250 

1240 

Crash  Dive  (color) 

20th-Fox 

o  A  a 
34U 

Tyrone  Power-Anne  Baxter 

k    J              ■    A    '  A  <\ 

May  14,  43 

1  AC  

1  Oom 

A  O  A    1  A  O 

Apr.  24,  43 

1  O70 

12/3 

A  /  O 

Vo2 

Crime  by  Night 

WB 

Jane  Wyman-Jerome  Cowan 

Not  Set 

1  AO  1 

1091 

Crime  Doctor 

Col. 

Warner  Baxter-Margaret  Lindsay 

1              1  A    '  A  *) 

June  24,  43 

1  OAC 

Criminal  Investigator 

Mono. 

D    L      jl   t                  1  \kt'\ 

Kobert  Lowery-Jan  Wiley 

Oct.  23/42 

61  m 

fee.  12,  42 

1  AC  A 

1  Ub4 

1  AO  O 

wis 

Crystal  Ball,  The 

UA 

D        1     JLJL                 J  J        J    A            IJ'll  J 

raulette  Goddard-Ray  Milland 

Jan.  22/43 

8 1  m 

Jan.  23,  43 

1  IOC 
1  1  ZD 

OX.  A 

VoU 

DARING  Young  Man,  The 

Col. 

4021 

Joe  E.  Brown-Marguerite  Chapman 

Oct.  8/42 

73m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

871 

Dawn  on  the  Great  Divide 

Mono. 

Buck  Jones-Rex  Bell 

Dec.  18/42 

66m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

1031 

Days  of  Old  Cheyenne 

Rep. 

276 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

May  15/43 

55m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

1241 

Deadline  Guns 

Col. 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Not  Set 

1081 

Dead  Man's  Gulch 

Rep. 

274 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Feb. 12/43 

56m 

Feb. 20/43 

1 170 

1 127 

Dead  Men  Walk 

PRC 

320 

George  Zucco-Mary  Carlisle 

Feb.  10/43 

63m 

Feb.  20/43 

1  170 

103  1 

Deep  in  the  Heart  of  Texas 

Univ. 

7071 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Sept.  25/42 

62m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

Desert  Song,  The  (color) 

WB 

Dennis  Morgan-Irene  Manning 

Not  Set 

872 

Desert  Victory  (British) 

20th-Fox 

341 

War  in  Africa  Feature 

Apr.  16/43 

60m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

Desperadoes,  The  (color) 

Col. 

4005 

Randolph  Scott-Glenn  Ford 

May  25/43 

85m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

871 

1280 

Desperate  Journey 

WB 

204 

Errol  Flynn-Ronald  Reagan 

Sept.  26/42 

107m 

Aug.  22/42 

915 

1082 

Destination  Unknown 

Univ. 

7030 

Irene  Hervey-William  Gargan 

Oct.  9/42 

61m 

Oct.  3/42 

946 

912 

Destroyer 

Col. 

Edward  G.  Robinson-Marguerite  Chapman  Not  Set 

1  162 

Devil  with  Hitler,  The  UA-Roach 

Alan  Mowbray-M.  Woodworth 

Nov.  20/42 

45m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

Diary  of  a  Nazi  (Russian) 

Artkino 

War  Documentary 

Mar.  24/43 

68m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

Dixie  (color) 

Para. 

Bing  Crosby-Dorothy  Lamour 

Not  Set 

1091 

Dixie  Dugan 

20th-Fox 

332 

James  Ellison-Lois  Andrews 

Mar.  12/43 

67m 

Mar.  13,  43 

1  2U3 

1  Uoz 

Dr.  Gillespie's  Criminal  Case 

MGM 

Lionel  Barrymore-Van  Johnson 

Not  Set 

oVm 

|l  i  _           Q  'AO 

May  B,  43 

1  0  AO 
1  3UZ 

1  1  7  I 

Dr.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant 

MGM 

O  1  1 

3 1  7 

Lionel  Barrymore-Van  Johnson 

Dec.-Feb./43 

Bom 

M  „ . .    1  C  'AO 

Nov.  1  S,  42 

1  fiAr 

1  OQfi 

Dr.  Renault's  Secret 

20th-Fox 

321 

Lynn  Roberts-John  Shepperd 

Dec.  1 1/42 

58m 

Dec.  17/42 

959 

936 

DuBarry  Was  a  Lady 

MGM 

Lucille  Ball-Red  Skelton 

Not  Set 

1 U 1  m 

Maw    fl  'AO 

may   o,  Hj 

t  on  i 

1  JU  1 

i  n  i  o 

IUI  7 

EDGE  of  Darkness 

WB 

O  1  0 

21? 

Errol  Flynn-Ann  Sheridan 

Apr.  24/43 

1  1  om 

l  i         07  lin 

Mar.  2/,  43 

1  ooc 
1  220 

OQO 
702 

En  Enda  Natt  (Swedish) 

Scandia 

Ingrid  Bergman-Olof  Sandborg 

Not  Set 

oVm 

Dec.  2o,  42 

1  A.77 

1  U// 

Eyes  in  the  Night 

MGM 

O  AO 

309 

Edward  Arnold-Ann  Harding 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

-TA  

/  Vm 

c  .  _j.    1  0  'AO 

bept.  1  2,  42 

QOQ 
070 

707 
111 

1  1  JU 

Eyes  of  the  Underworld 

Univ. 

7A07 

7037 

Richard  Dix-Lon  Chaney 

Jan.  8/43 

61  m 

A    1  7  'AO 

UCT.  1  /  ,  42 

OAfi 
YOU 

.... 

FALCON'S  Brother,  The 

RKO 

309 

George  Sanders-Jane  Randolph 

Nov.  6/42 

63  m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

871 

Falcon  Strikes  Back,  The 

RKO 

325 

Tom  Conway-Harriet  Hilliard 

Block  5 

65  m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

Fallen  Sparrow,  The 

RKO 

Maureen  O'Hara-John  Garfield 

Not  Set 

1 182 

Fall  In  UA-Roach 

William  Tracy-Jean  Porter 

Mar.  5/43 

48  m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

796 

False  Faces 

Rep. 

Rex  Williams-Bill  Henry 

May  26/43 

1277 

Fighting  Buckaroo,  The 

Col. 

4203 

Charles  Starrett-Kay  Harris 

Feb.  1/43 

58m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

Fighting  Devil  Dogs 

Rep. 

21 1 

Lee  Powell-Herman  Brix 

Jan.  29/43 

69m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

Fighting  Frontier 

RKO 

383 

Tim  Holt 

Jan.  15/43 

57m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 158 

Fighting  Sea  Monsters 

Times 

Marine  Animal  Feature 

Mar.  9/43 

61m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

Find,  Fix  and  Strike  (British) 

ABFD 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

37m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

Fires  Were  Started  (British) 

Crown 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

63  m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

First  of  the  Few,  The  (British) 

Howard 

Leslie  Howard-David  Niven 

Not  Set 

1  18m 

Sept.  5/42 

889 

Five  Graves  to  Cairo 

Para. 

4224 

Franchot  Tone-Anne  Baxter 

Block  5 

96m 

May  8/43 

1301 

1 192 

Flight  for  Freedom 

RKO 

32 1 

Rosalind  Russell-Fred  MacMurray 

Block  5 

1  A  1   

lUlm 

C«U      A  'AO 

reD.  o,  43 

t  1  AK 
I  1  40 

OQO 
70 1 

1  L  1  0 

Flying  Fortress  (British) 

WB 

21 1 

Richard  Green-Carla  Lehmann 

Dec.  5/42 

68m 

June  27/42 

914 

1 174 

Follies  Girl 

PRC 

30 

Wendy  Barrie-Gordon  Oliver 

Not  Set 

iio4 

Follow  the  Band 

Univ. 

7033 

Leon  Errol-Mary  Beth  Hughes 

May  14/43 

61m 

May  1/43 

i290 

1241 

Footlight  Serenade 

20th-Fox 

301 

John  Payne-Betty  Grable 

Aug.  1/42 

80m 

July  11/42 

915 

715 

873 

Foreign  Agent 

Mono. 

John  Shelton-Gail  Storm 

Oct.  9/42 

64m 

Sept.  19/42 

91 1 

Forest  Rangers,  The  (color) 

Para. 

4206 

Fred  MacMurray-Paulette  Goddard 

Block  2 

87m 

Oct.  3/42 

933 

872 

1218 

Forever  and  a  Day 

RKO 

320 

British  and  American  Stars 

Mar.  26/43 

104m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 125 

Product  Digest  Section 


1331 


MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  May    22,  1943 


Title 


Prod. 

Company  Number 


Ur 


For  All  We  Know 

(formerly  Flesh  and  Fantasy) 
For  Me  and  My  Gal  MGM 
Fortress  on  Volga  (Russian)  Artkino 
For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls  (color)  Para. 
Frankenstein  Meets  Wolf  Man  Univ. 
Frontier  Fury  Col. 


312 
7012 


Stars 

Charles  Boyer-Barbara  Stanwyck 


Release 
Date 

Not  Set 


Judy  Garland-George  Murphy  Sept.-Nov.,'42 
Mikhail  Gelovani-Nikolai  Bogoliubov  Not  Set 

Gary  Cooper-lngrid  Bergman  Not  Set 

Lon  Chaney-Bela  Lugosi  Mar.  12, '43 

Charles  Starrett-Arthur  Hunnicutt  June  24,'43 


Running 
Time 


104m 
77m 


r—  REVIEWED 

M.  P.  Product  Advance  Service 
Herald       Digest     Synopsis  Data 


Issue 


Sept.  I2,'42 
Jan.  9.'43 


73m  Feb.27,'43 


Page 


897 
1 101 

1 181 


Page 
1058 

751 

855 
1055 
1305 


Page 

1218 
1280 


GAUCHO  Serenade  (Reissue)  Rep. 

2303 

Gene  Autry 

Apr.  I5,'43 

66m 

May  18/40 

1262 

Gentle  Gangster,  A 

Rep. 
ies-Gen'l 

Barton  MacLane-Molly  Lamont 

May  I0,'43 

57m 

May  15/43 

1314 

1276 

Gentle  Sex  (British)    Two  Cil 

Rosamund  John-Joyce  Howard 

Not  Set 

93  m 

May  8/43 

1303 

Gentleman  Jim 

WB 

212 

Errol  Flynn-Alexis  Smith 

Nov.  14/42 

104m 

Oct.  3 1  ,'42 

981 

936 

George  Washington  Slept  Here  WB 

210 

Jack  Benny-Ann  Sheridan 

Nov.  28,'42 

93m 

Sept.  19/42 

909 

871 

Get  Hep  to  Love 

Univ. 

7022 

Gloria  Jean-Robert  Paige 

Oct.  2,'42 

77m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

Ghost  and  the  Guest,  The 

PRC 

314 

Florence  Rice-Jimmie  Dunn 

Apr.  I9,'43 

61m 

May  15/43 

1314 

1241 

Ghost  Rider 

Mono. 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Apr.  2,"43 

52m 

May  8/43 

1304 

1241 

Gildersleeve's  Bad  Day 

RKO 

327 

Harold  Peary-Jane  Darwell 

Block  6 

62  m 

May  8/43 

1303 

1241 

Girl  Crazy 

MGM 

Mickey  Rooney-Judy  Garland 

Not  Set 

1 191 

Girl  Trouble 

20th-Fox 

309 

Don  Ameche-Joan  Bennett 

Oct.  9,'42 

82m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

855 

Girls  in  Chains 

PRC 

305 

Arline  Judge-Roger  Clark 

May  17/43 

71m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

Give  Out,  Sisters 

Univ. 

7021 

Andrews  Sisters-Richard  Davies 

Sept.  1 1/42 

65  m 

Sept.  5/42 

889 

Glass  Key,  The 

Para. 

4203 

Brian  Donlevy-Veronica  Lake-Alan 

Ladd       Block  1 

85m 

Aug.  29/42 

914 

Good  Fellows,  The 

Para. 

Cecil  Kellaway-Helen  Walker 

Not  Set 

1  i  93 

Good  Morning,  Judge 

Univ. 

7044 

Dennis  O'Keefe-Louise  Allbritton 

May  7/43 

67m 

Apr.  24/43 

i  274 

1240 

Gorilla  Man,  The 

WB 

216 

John  Loder-Paul  Cavanagh 

Jan. 16/43 

64m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

Great  Gildersleeve,  The 

RKO 

314 

Harold  Peary-Freddy  Mercer 

Jan.  1/43 

62  m 

Nov.  15/42 

1006 

995 

Great  Impersonation,  The 

Univ. 

7032 

Ralph  Bellamy-Evelyn  Ankers 

Dec.  18/42 

71m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

912 

Gyandev  of  India  Ra 

m  Bangai 

Indian  Feature 

Apr.  9/43 

63m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

HAIL  to  the  Rangers 

Col. 

Charles  Starrett 

Not  Set 

1055 

Half  Way  to  Shanghai 

Univ. 

7035 

Irene  Hervey-Kent  Taylor 

Sept.  18/42 

62m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

1082 

Hangmen  Also  Die 

UA 

Brian  Donlevy-Walter  Brennan 

Mar.  26/43 

I3lm 

Mar.  27/43 

1225 

1 191 

1280 

Happy  Go  Lucky  (color) 

Para. 

4217 

Mary  Martin-Dick  Powell-Rudy  Vallee 

Block  4 

81m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

797 

1218 

Hard  Way,  The 

WB 

209 

Ida  Lupino-Dennis  Morgan 

Feb.  20/43 

109m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

796 

1280 

Harrigan's  Kid 

MGM 

Bobby  Readick-William  Gargan 

Not  Set 

80m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1 191 

Haunted  Ranch 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Feb.  19/43 

57m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 190 

1019 

Heart  of  a  Nation  (French) 

Graetz 

Raimu-Michele  Morgan 

Not  Set 

1  Mm 

Mar.  27/43 

1239 

Heart  of  the  Golden  West 

Rep. 

25  i 

Roy  Rogers-Gabby  Hayes 

Dec.  11/42 

65m 

Nov.  2 1/42 

1017 

Heaven  Can  Wait  (color) 

20th-Fox 

Don  Ameche-Gene  Tierney 

Not  Set 

1240 

He  Hired  the  Boss 

20th-Fox 

334 

Stuart  Erwin-Evelyn  Venable 

Apr.  2/43 

73m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1 127 

He's  My  Guy 

Univ. 

7041 

Dick  Foran-lrene  Hervey 

Mar.  26/43 

65m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

1 127 

Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello  (color) 

20th- Fox 

333 

Alice  Faye-John  Payne 

Mar.  26/43 

98m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1 127 

1280 

Henry  Aldrich,  Editor 

Para. 

4209 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Block  2 

72m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

663 

1130 

Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour 

Para. 

4218 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Block  4 

72m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

986 

Henry  Aldrich  Swings  It 

Para. 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

•     Not  Set 

1104 

Here  We  Go  Again 

RKO 

305 

Fibber  McGee-Edgar  Bergen-"Charlie" 

Oct.  9/42 

76m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

1082 

Hi,  Buddy 

Univ. 

7031 

Dick  Foran-Harriet  Hilliard 

Feb. 26/43 

68m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 170 

i079 

Hidden  Hand,  The 

WB 

208 

Craig  Stevens-Elisabeth  Fraser 

Nov.  7/42 

67m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

1082 

High  Explosive 

Para. 

4221 

Chester  Morris-Jean  Parker 

Block  5 

62m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

983 

Highways  by  Night 

RKO 

304 

Richard  Carlson-Jane  Randolph 

Oct.  2/42 

63  m 

Aug.  8/42 

938 

715 

Hi!  Neighbor 

Rep. 

201 

Lulubelle  &  Scotty-Jean  Parker 

July  27/42 

72  m 

July  25/42 

927 

772 

1218 

Hit  Parade  of  1943 

Rep. 

215 

John  Carroll-Susan  Hayward 

Mar.  26/43 

82m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1043 

1280 

Hitler,  Dead  or  Alive 

House 

Ward  Bond-Dorothy  Tree 

Not  Set 

70m 

Nov.  21  ,"42 

1018 

1082 

Hit  the  Ice 

Univ. 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Not  Set 

1162 

(formerly  Oh,  Doctor) 

Hitler's  Children 

RKO 

316 

Tim  Holt-Bonita  Granville 

Mar.  19/43 

83m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

986 

1280 

Hi'Ya,  Chum 

Univ. 

7039 

Jane  Frazee-Ritz  Brothers 

Mar.  5/43 

61m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

1127 

Hoppy  Serves  a  Writ 

UA 

William  Boyd-Andy  Clyde 

Mar.  12/43 

67m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

Hostages 

Para. 

Luise  Rainer-Paul  Lukas 

Not  Set 

i277 

How's  About  It? 

Univ. 

7025 

Andrews  Sisters-Robert  Paige 

Feb.  5/43 

61m 

Feb.  6/43 

1  i-47 

Human  Comedy,  The 

MGM 

Mickey  Rooney-Frank  Morgan 

Special 

1  15m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 190 

i  6  i  9 

ICE-CAPADES  Revue  Rep. 

Iceland  20th-Fox 

Idaho  Rep. 

I  Dood  It  MGM 

I  Escaped  from  the  Gestapo  Mono. 

I  Married  a  Witch  UA 

Immortal  Sergeant,  The  20th-Fox 
In  the  Rear  of  Enemy  (Russian)  Artkino 

In  Which  We  Serve  (British)  UA 

Isle  of  Missing  Men  Mono. 

It  Ain't  Hay  Univ. 

It  Comes  Up  Love  Univ. 

It's  That  Man  Again  (British)  Gains. 

It's  a  Great  Life  Col. 

(formerly  Blondie  Buys  a  Horse) 

I  Walked  with  a  Zombie  RKO 


206 

Ellen  Drew-Richard  Denning 

Dec.  24/42 

79m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

797 

1130 

306 

Sonja  Henie-John  Payne 

Oct.  2/42 

79m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

797 

1082 

252 

Roy  Rogers-Virginia  Grey 

Mar.  10/43 

70m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 169 

1 162 

1218 

Red  Skelton-Eleanor  Powell 

Not  Set 

1192 

Dean  Jagger-John  Carradine 

May  28/43 

75m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

1 162 

Fredric  March-Veronica  Lake 

Oct.  30/42 

78m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

797 

1218 

327 

Henry  Fonda-Maureen  O'Hara 

Jan.  29/43 

91m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

995 

1280 

War  Documentary 

Oct.  9/42 

59m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

Noel  Coward-Bernard  Miles 

Feb. 12/43 

1  13m 

Oct.  17/42 

957 

1280 

John  Howard-Gilbert  Roland 

Sept.  18/42 

67m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

772 

7001 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Mar.  19/43 

81m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

1058 

1280 

7023 

Gloria  Jean-Ian  Hunter 

Apr.  9/43 

65m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 146 

986 

Tommy  Handley 

Not  Set 

84m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 182 

Penny  Singleton-Arthur  Lake 

May  27/43 

1 2-4  i 

324 

Frances  Dee-Tom  Conway 

Block  5 

68m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

1057 

JACARE  ua 

Jane  Eyre  20th-Fox 

Jitterbugs  20th-Fox 

Johnny  Doughboy  Rep. 

Journey  for  Margaret  MGM 


205 
314 


Animal  feature 

Orson  Welles-Joan  Fontaine 

Laurel  and  Hardy  • 

Jane  Withers-Patrick  Brook 

Robert  Young-Laraine  Day 


Nov.27,'42 
Not  Set 
Not  Set 
Dec.  31/42 
Dec.-Feb./43 


65m       Dec.  26/42  1077 


63m  Dec.  26/42  1077 
79m       Oct.  31/42  981 


1240 
1305 
971 
912 


1218 


1218 
1 174 


1332    Product  Digest  Section 


May    2  2,     194  3 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


REVIEWED  ■ 


Title 

Journey  Into  Fear 

Junior  Army 

Just  Off  Broadway 


Prod. 

Company  Number 


RKO 
Col. 
20th-Fox 


307 
4038 
310 


Stars 

Joseph  Cotten-Dolores  Del  Rio 
Freddie  Bartholomew-Billy  Halop 
Lloyd  Nolan-Marjorie  Weaver 


Release 
Date 

Feb.  12/43 
Nov.  26,'42 
Sept.  25/42 


Running 
Time 

71m 
71m 
65m 


M.  P. 

Herald 
Issue 

Feb.  6,'43 
Feb.  20,'43 
Aug.  15/42 


Product    Advance  Service 


Digest 
Page 

1 146 

1 170 
902 


Synopsis 
Page 

796 
1009 
797 


Data 
Page 

1218 


KEEP  'Em  Slugging 
Keeper  of  the  Flame 
Kid  Dynamite 

King  Arthur  Was  a  Gentle- 
man (British) 
King  of  the  Cowboys 


Univ. 

7040 

Dead  End  Kids 

Apr.  2/43 

61m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

MGM 

320 

Spencer  Tracy-Katharine  Hepburn 

Dec.-Feb./43 

100m 

Dec.  19/42 

1065 

936 

Mono. 

East  Side  Kids 

Feb.  5/43 

66m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

Gains. 

Arthur  Askey-Evelyn  Dall 

Not  Set 

98m 

Jan.  16/43 

1114 

Rep. 

254 

Roy  Rogers 

Apr.  9/43 

67m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

1241 

1280 


LADIES'  Day  RKO  322 

Lady  Bodyguard  Para.  4216 

Lady  from  Chungking  PRC  302 

Lady  in  the  Dark  (color)  Para. 

Lady  of  Burlesque  UA 

Lady  Takes  a  Chance,  A  RKO 

Land  of  Hunted  Men  Mono. 

Lassie  Comes  Home  MGM 

Last  Ride,  The  WB 

Last  Will  of  Dr.  Mabuse  ( Fr.)  Krellberg 

Laugh  Your  Blues  Away  Col.  4033 

Law  of  the  Northwest  Col.  4204 

Leather  Burners,  The  UA  .... 

Leopard  Man,  The  RKO  328 

Let's  Face  It  Para  

Let's  Have  Fun  Col.  4040 

Life  Begins  at  Eight-thirty  20th-Fox  322 

Little  Joe,  the  Wrangler  Univ.  7072 

Little  Tokyo,  U.S.A.  20th-Fox  303 

Living  Ghost,  The  Mono.  .... 

London  Blackout  Murders  Rep.  210 

Lone  Prairie,  The  Col.  4209 

Lone  Rider  in  Death  Rides  Plains  PRC  365 

Lone  Rider  in  Wild  Horse  Rustlers  PRC  364 

Lone  Rider,  Overland  Stagecoach  PRC  363 

Lone  Star  Trail,  The  Univ.  7077 

Lost  Canyon  UA  .... 

Loves  of  Edgar  Allan  Poe,  The  20th-Fox  305 

Lucky  Jordan  Para.  4215 

Lucky  Legs  Col.  4032 


Lupe  Velez-Eddie  Albert-Max  Baer 
Eddie  Albert-Anne  Shirley 
Anna  May  Wong-Harold  Huber 
Ginger  Rogers-Ray  Milland 
Barbara  Stanwyck-Michael  O'Shea 
Jean  Arthur-John  Wayne 
Range  Busters 

Roddy  McDowall-Edmund  Gwenn 
Richard  Travis-Eleanor  Parker 
Jim  Gerald-Thorny  Bourdelle 
Bert  Gordon-Jinx  Falkenburg 
Charles  Starrett-Shirley  Patterson 
William  Boyd 
Dennis  O'Keefe-Margo 
Bob  Hope-Betty  Hutton 
Bert  Gordon-Margaret  Lindsay 
Monty  Woolley-lda  Lupino 
Johnny  Mack  Brown 
Preston  Foster-Brenda  Joyce 
James  Dunn-Joan  Woodbury 
John  Abbott-Mary  McLeod 
Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 
Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 
Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 
Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 
Johnny  Mack  Brown-Tex  Ritter 
William  Boyd 

John  Shepperd-Linda  Darnell 
Alan  Ladd-Helen  Walker 
Jinx  Falkenburg-Kay  Harris 


Block  5 

62m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

962 

Block  4 

70m 

Jan.  2/43 

1090 

946 

Dec.  21/42 

70m 

Nov.  7/42 

1006 

574 

Not  Set 

1091 

Apr.  30/43 

91m 

May  1/43 

1289 

1  182 

Not  Set 

1240 

Mar.  26/43 

58m 

Aor  24  '43 

1274 

Not  Set 

1240 

Not  Set 

1115 

Mar.  19/43 

94  m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

Nov.  12/42 

70m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 159 

986 

May  27/43 
May  28/43 

1018 

58m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

Block  6 

59m 

May  8/43 

1303 

1241 

Not  Set 

1277 

Mar.  4/43 

63m 

May  1/43 

1290 

Dec.  25/42 

85m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

962 

Nov.  13/42 

64m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

Aug.  14/42 

64m 

July  11/42 

938 

Nov.  27/42 

61m 

Oct.  3 1  ,'42 

982 

Jan.  15/43 

59m 

Dec.  12/42 

1067 

Oct.  15/42 

58m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

1058 

May  7/43 

1277 

Feb.  12/43 

55m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

Dec.  1 1/42 

58m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

1018 

Not  Set 

1019 

Dec.  18/42 

63m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

Aug.  28/42 

67m 

July  1 1/42 

914 

751 

Block  3 

84m 

Nov.  2 1/42 

1017 

986 

Oct.  1/42 

64m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 158 

797 

174 


1218 


1082 


MADAME  Spy  Univ. 

Magnificent  Ambersons,  The  RKO 

Major  and  the  Minor,  The  Para. 

Man  in  the  Trunk,  The  20th-Fox 

Manila  Calling  20th-Fox 

Man  from  Thunder  River  Rep. 

Man  of  Courage  PRC 

Mantrap,  The  Rep. 

Man's  World,  A  Col. 

Margin  for  Error  20th-Fox 

Mashenka  (Russian)  Artkino 

Masquerade  (Russian)  Artkino 
McGuerins  from  Brooklyn  UA-Roach 

Meanest  Man  in  the  World  20th-Fox 

Meet  John  Bonniwell  UA 

Mexican  Spitfire's  Elephant  RKO 
Miracle  of  Morgan's  Creek,  The  Para. 

Mission  to  Moscow  WB 

Miss  V  from  Moscow  PRC 

Mister  Big  Univ. 

(formerly  School  for  Jive) 

Moonlight  in  Havana  Univ. 

Moon  and  Sixpence,  The  UA 

Moon  Is  Down,  The  20th-Fox 

More  the  Merrier,  The  Col. 
Moscow  Strikes  Back  (Russian)  Rep. 

Mountain  Rhythm  Rep. 

Mr.  Lucky  RKO 
Mrs.  Wiggs  of  the  Cabbage  Patch  Para. 

Mug  Town  Univ. 

Mummy's  Tomb,  The  Univ. 

Murder  in  Times  Square  Col. 

My  Friend  Flicka  (color)  20th-Fox 

My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  Para. 

My  Son,  the  Hero  PRC 

Mysterious  Doctor,  The  WB 


7034  Constance  Bennett-Don  Porter  Dec.  11/42 

371  Joseph  Cotten-Dolores  Costello  July  10/42 

4202  Ginger  Rogers-Ray  Milland  Block  I 

315  Lynne  Roberts-George  Holmes  Oct.  23/42 

314  Lloyd  Nolan-Carole  Landis  Oct.  16/42 

....  Bill  Elliott-George  Hayes  June  11/43 

319  Barton  MacLane-Charlotte  Wynters  Jan.  4/43 

217  Lloyd  Corrigan-Dorothy  Lovett  Apr.  13/43 
4044  M.  Chapman-Wm.  Wright  Sept.  17/42 

330  Joan  Bennett-Milton  Berle  Feb.  19/43 

....  V.  Karavayeva-M.  Kuznetzov  Nov.  20/42 
Nikolai  Mordvinov-Tamara  Makarova      May  15/43 

.  ...  Max  Bae-William  Bendix  Dec.  31/42 

329  Jack  Benny-Priscilla  Lane  Feb.  12/43 
Richard  Dix-Jane  Wyatt  Not  Set 

302  Lupe  Velez-Leon  Errol  Sept.  11/42 

Eddie  Bracken-Betty  Hutton  Not  Set 

220  Walter  Huston-Ann  Harding  May  22/43 

318  Lola  Lane-Noel  Madison  Nov.  23/42 

....  Gloria  Jean-Donald  O'Connor  May  28/43 

7026  Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee  Oct.  16/42 
George  Sanders-Herbert  Marshall  Oct.  2/42 

335  Cedric  Hardwicke-Henry  Travers  Apr.  9/43 

4041  Jean  Arthur-Joel  McCrea  May  13/43 

Documentary  Aug.  15/42 

209  Weaver  Bros.  &  Elviry  Jan.  8/43 

330  Cary  Grant-Laraine  Day  Block  6 
4208  Fay  Bainter-Carolyn  Lee  Block  2 

7027  Dead  End  Kids  Dec.  18/42 
7019  Dick  Foran-Elyse  Knox  Oct.  23/42 
4034  Edmund  Lowe-Marguerite  Chapman       Apr.  1/43 

338  Roddy  McDowall-Preston  Foster  Apr.  23/43 

4214  Richard  Carlson-M.  O'Driscoll  Block  3 

311  Patsy  Kelly-Roscoe  Karns  Apr.  5/43 

218  Eleanor  Parker-John  Loder  Mar.  6/43 


63  m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

88m 

July  4/42 

938 

507 

100m 

Aug.  29/42 

927 

71m 

Sept.  19/42 

91 1 

855 

81m 

Sept.  19/42 

911 

871 

59m 

May  22/43 

1325 

1277 

67m 

Jan.  30/43 

1 137 

1031 

58m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

1 191 

60  m 

Dec.  12/42 

1055 

74m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

995 

67m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

102m 

May  22/43 

1326 

46m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

57m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 1  15 

962 

1 182 

64  m 

Aug.  8/42 

915 

1079 

123  m 

May  1/43 

1304 

1058 

71m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

1031 

1277 

62m 

Oct.  17/42 

959 

89m 

Sept.  12/42 

912 

90m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

i  69  i 

104m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

1 182 

55m 

Aug.  15/42 

840 

70m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

1009 

100m 

May  8/43 

1301 

1081 

80m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

663 

60m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

61m 

Oct.  17/42 

970 

65m 

May  15/43 

1313 

1079 

90m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

962 

75m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

871 

68m 

Jan.  23/43 

1126 

57m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 181 

1091 

947 
1 174 


1280 


1 130 
1280 

1 130 


1218 
1 130 


NAVY  Comes  Through,  The  RKO 

'Neath  Brooklyn  Bridge  Mono. 

Next  of  Kin,  The  (British)  Univ. 

Nightmare  Univ, 

Night  for  Crime,  A  PRC 


308 


7015 
304 


Pat  O'Brien-George  Murphy 
East  Side  Kids 
Basil  Sydney-Nova  Pilbeam 
Diana  Barrymore-Brian  Donlevy 
Glenda  Farrell-Lyle  Talbot 


Oct.  30/42 

81m 

Oct.  17/42 

957 

715  1130 

Nov.  20/42 

61m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

May  7/43 

90m 

Apr.  10/43 

1262 

Nov.  13/42 

81m 

Nov.  14/42 

1018 

....       1 1 74 

Feb.  18/43 

78m 

Aug.  1/42 

903 

Product  Digest  Section 


1333 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    2  2,  1943 


REVIEWED 


M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Servia 

Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Title 

Com  j>any 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

...  ,    .  . 
(Night  Monster 

Univ. 

1            U             D   1  1 

Irene  Hervey-bela  Lugosi 

V-/CT.  Li,  4Z 

7  "5  

/  j  m 

iJCT.  Z4,  4/ 

V/U 

1  1  O  A 

1  1  iU 

Night  Plane  from  Chungking 

Para. 

4219 

Robert  Preston-Ellen  Drew 

Block  4 

68m 

Jan.  2/43 

1 102 

983 

Night  to  Remember,  A 

Col. 

4009 

Loretta  Young-Brian  Aherne 

Dec.  10/42 

90m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

986 

i  130 

Nine  Men  (British) 

Ealing-UA 

Jack  Lambert-Richard  Wilkinson 

Not  Set 

67m 

Feb.  13/43 

1  158 

Northwest  Rangers 

MGM 

319 

James  Craig-Patricia  Dane 

Dec.-Feb.,'43 

64m 

Oct.  3 1  ,'42 

981 

960 

1218 

INo  Mace  tor  a  Lady 

4U30 

William  Gargan-Margaret  Lindsay 

Feb.  1  1 ,  43 

67m 

1057 

No  Time  for  Love 

rara. 

v^laudette  v^olbert-rred  MacMurray 

Not  bet 

855 

M  *  -XL   Cl .  . 

(North  star 

Goldwyn 

Walter  Huston-Anne  Baxter 

Not  Set 

1 305 

Now,  Voyager 

WB 

7AA 

ZUo 

Bette  Uavis-raul  nenreid 

Oct.  3 1/42 

1  1  T 

1  1 7m 

A            OO  '  A O 

Aug.  zz,  42 

902 

1 174 

OLD  Acquaintance 

WB 

Beite  U a vis-M inam  rlopkins 

M  - 1  C„x 

INOT  oet 

1  1  00 

Old  Chisholm  Trail,  The 

Univ 

7071 
/  u  /  o 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

uec.  1  1  ( *tt 

oum 

1  _  _    ix  'An 

Jan.  10,  **3 

1 1 1  i 

Old  Homestead,  The 

Rep. 

909 

NA/ea  ver  Bros,  and  Elviry 

A         17  '49 

/\ug.  1  /,  *tz 

A7m 

0  /  m 

Ann   90  '49 
Ally.  Z7,  *rZ 

03  Q 

7  JO 

ODO 

Old  Mother  Riley,  Detective 

(British)                      Br.  Nat'l-Anglo 

A  pt mip    1  n/*an 

rArinur  i_ucdn 

iNOT  oet 

oum 

re d.  1  j,  4J 

1  1  KQ 
1  1  37 

Omaha  Trail 

MGM 

1  1  1 
O  1  1 

1  si  FY\           r     r  n  i  ^    1  1  a  %  n       Ian  f%  a  r 

JdmcS  v-fraiy-uean  Jdgger 

jepT.-INOV.,  *tZ 

k  1  m 

0 1  m 

C  _  _i    10  '49 

oepT.  1  7,  i-z 

7 Li 

70/. 
/Vo 

1  OQA 

1  ZoU 

Once  Upon  a  Honeymoon 

RKO 

1  1  1 
0  1  1 

Ginger  Rogers-Cary  Grant 

Kl-,,   07  'AO 
INOV.  Z/,  *tZ 

1  1  Am 

1  1  om 

k|_..      7  '49 
INOV.     /,  ^Z 

1  UUO 

ore 
ODD 

1  ZoU 

One  Dangerous  Night 

Col. 

4090 

tut"  t 

^A/a^^e^  \A/ 1 1 1 1  q m-Er ic  Blors 

Jan.  z  \ ,  4j 

77m 

•     /  /  m 

A..   OA  'A? 

1  974 

703 

One  of  Our  Aircraft  Is  Missing 

(British) 

UA 

Godfrey  Tearle-Eric  Portman 

Oct.  I6,'42 

86m 

Apr.  1 1/42 

903 

1174 

One  Thrilling  Night 

Mono. 

John  Beal-Wanda  McKay 

June  5, '42 

69m 

July  4/42 

914 

662 

Orchestra  Wives 

20th-Fox 

308 

George  Montgomery-Ann  Rutherford 

Sept.  4,'42 

97m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

797 

1130 

Our  Lady  of  Paris  (French) 

Hirliman 

Catholic  Art  Documentary 

Mar.  I2,'43 

56m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

Outlaw,  The 

Hughes 

Jack  buetel-Jane  Kussell 

kl    X  C  x 

Not  bet 

1 0 1  _ 
1  / 1  m 

reb.  13,  43 

1  1  C7 

1  lb/ 

Outlaws  of  Pine  Ridge 

Rep. 

070 
LI  I 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Oct.  27/42 

r  7  

o /m 

kl  O  1  *AO 

Nov.  z  1 ,  4z 

1  U  1  / 

Over  My  Dead  Body 

20th-Fox 

3zo 

Milton  Derle-Mary  Beth  Hughes 

Jan.  1  d,  43 

AO  

oom 

Uec.  1  z,  4z 

1  Ub3 

one 

Ox-Bow  Incident,  The 

20th-Fox 

Henry  Fonda-Dana  Andrews 

Kl    1  C.i 

Not  bet 

/om 

May   o,  43 

1 7  no 
1 3Uz 

ooo 
87z 

PALM  Beach  Story,  The 

Para. 

49  1  1 
*rZ  I  1 

v*»ldudette  L/Olbert-Joel  McOrea 

Ol _ _L  O 
DIOCK  3 

yum 

M          7  »49 
INOV.     /,  H-Z 

007 

770 

ooo 

1  1  74 

Panama  Hattie 

MGM 

0U0 

Ann  oOTnern-i\ea  oxeiion 

C  _  _ x   M«»#  'AO 

oept.-iNov.,  *tz 

70™ 
/  7  m 

L.U/  9G  '49 
JUly  ZD,  *\L 

O  1  c 

7  1  o 

oVO 

1  Uo4 

Pardon  My  Gun 

Col. 

4909 

tZUZ 

Charles  Starrett-Alma  Carroll 

uec.    1  ,  *r/ 

0  /  m 

iviay  zz,  to 

1  ^7A 

i  ozo 

i  r\cQ 

1  <■<-":< 

Payoff,  The 

PRC 

Lee  Tracy-Tina  Thayer 

Jan.  / 1 ,  *fo 

74nr> 

M/^.z  9Q  '49 
INOV.  Z0,  t-Z 

\  UOU 

Petticoat  Larceny 

RKO 

Ruth  NA^a rnck- Joa n  Carroll 

M-i  C_x 
INOT  oeT 

1  Z*tU 

Phantom  of  the  Opera  (color)  Univ. 

Nelson  Eddy-Susanna  Foster 

kl _i.  c^x 
INOT  OBl 

1  107 
1  1  YZ 

Pied  Piper,  The 

20th-Fox 

104 

ivionry  vv  ooiiey-rvoaay  ivici-'owaii 

A\Uy,  L  \  , 

07- 

0  /  m 

l'„lu  1  1  '49 
July  i  i ,  -.  l 

7U0 

7R  1 
/  0  1 

1  0R9 
1  uoz 

Pilot  No.  5 

MGM 

Franchot  Tone-Marsha  Hunt 

INOT  oeT 

7ftm 
/  urn 

Anr    10  '4^ 
A\pr.  i  u,  to 

1 7^n 

1  ZDU 

07  1 

7  /  1 

Pirates  of  the  Prairie 

RKO 

lft9 

Tim  t-|~U 
iim  noiT 

kl on  i^o 
INOV.  ZU,  T'Z 

0 1  m 

Anr       3  '43 
A\pr.     0 ,  *r0 

1  Z0  7 

i  nil 
i  uoo 

Pittsburgh 

Univ. 

700ft 
/uuo 

Marlene  Dietrich-John  V/ayne 

Ho/-   1  1  '4° 
uec.  1  1 ,  *ti 

7  j  m 

Dor      R  '4? 
uec.    D,  tA 

1  049 

1  U*rZ 

1  9  1  ft 

1  Z  1  0 

Power  of  God,  The 

St.  Rts. 

John  Barclay-Thomas  Louden 

M  _X  C_x 

inot  oet 

CO- 

Dorn 

Hrt  94  '4? 
*k»/CT.  Z*r,  *rZ 

7  /  U 

Powers  Girl,  The 

UA 

Anne  Shirley-George  Murphy 

Jan.  1 0,  *tj 

7  om 

Dec.  19/42 

1  fl7ft 
lU/o 

1  1  74 

11/7 

Power  of  the  Press 

Col. 

4017 

Guy  Kibbee-Lee  Tracy 

Jan.28,'43 

A4m 

otm 

Anr      3  '41 

/\pr.    o,  fj 

1  91ft 
1  zoo 

1  UDD 

Prairie  Chickens 

UA-Roach 

Jimmy  Rogers-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

,  May  21, "43 

OQA 
700 

Prelude  to  War 

WAC 

Documentary 

May  27,'43 

jzm 

rvi  ay    i ,  "f j 

1 9on 

1  Z7U 

Presenting  Lily  Mars 

MGM 

Judy  Garland-Van  Heflin 

Not  Set 

1  04m 
1  U*rm 

may    1 ,  *rj 

1  ZOY 

0A9 

YOZ 

Pride  of  the  Army 

Mono. 

Billy  Lee-Addison  Richards 

Nov.  13/42 

0  om 

Or-4-    Ifl  '4? 
>«/CT.  [  U,  "fc 

Q4A 

(also  called  War  Dogs) 

Pride  of  the  Yankees,  The 

RKO 

J  O  1 

Gary  Cooper-Teresa  Wright 

Mar.  5,'43 

1  £  0  m 

lulu  1  fi  '47 
ly  i  o,  7£ 

7  1  9 

1  nft9 

Princess  O'Rourke 

WB 

Olivia  de  Havilland-Robert  Cummings        Not  Set 

962 

Priorities  on  Parade 

Para. 

4201 

Ann  Miller-Jerry  Colonna 

Block  1 

79m 

Aug.  1/42 

914 

Prison  Mutiny 

Mono. 

Edward  Norris-Joan  Woodbury 

Feb. 12/43 

61m 

Jan.  30/43 

1 137 

1081 

(formerly  You  Can't  Beat  the  Law) 

Prodigal's  Mother 

Rep. 

Mabel  Paige-John  Craven 

June  4/43 

.... 

1276 

Professor  Takes  a  Wife,  The 

MGM 

Mary  Astor-Herbert  Marshall 

Not  Set 

1240 

(formerly  Faculty  Row) 

Purple  V,  The 

Rep. 

7  t  7 
Z  1  L 

John  Archer-Mary  McLeod 

Mar.  12/43 

30m 

Anr      7  '43 
/Apr.    o,  "j 

1 91ft 

1  X.OO 

1  1  Ci 

QUEEN  of  Broadway 

PRC 

312 

Rochelle  Hudson-Buster  Crabbe 

Mar.  8/43 

62m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

1018 

Queen  Victoria  (British) 

Renown 

Anna  Neagle-Anton  Walbrook 

Not  Set 

84m 

Jan.  16/43 

1 1 13 

Quiet  Please,  Murder 

20th-Fox 

331 

Gail  Patrick-George  Sanders 

Mar.  19/43 

70m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

983 

RAIDERS  of  San  Joaquin 

Univ. 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Not  Set 

CO-, 

1  UU7 

Random  Harvest 

MGM 

Ronald  Colman-Greer  Garson 

Special 

1  9Am 

1  zom 

M-„   9Q  '49 
INOV.  ZO,  *tZ 

1  KILi 

/  70 

1 9ftn 

Rangers  Take  Over,  The 

PRC 

00  1 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill 

Dec.  25/42 

oUm 

1  _  _     IX  '47 

Jan.  i  o,  to 

1  1  14 
lilt 

1  U33 

Ravaged  Earth 

Crystal 

Documentary  on  China 

Not  Set 

oom 

nor    f;  '4? 
uec.   3,  "x 

1  (147 

Reap  the  Wild  Wind  (colo 

)  Para. 

41  if 

Ray  Milland-Paulette  Goddard 

1941-42 

1  Z4m 

Mar  71  '47 
Mar.  z  i ,  *tz 

1  iOU 

4flfl 
*rUO 

70<; 

.'73 

Redhead  from  Manhattan 

Col. 

Am  A 
4UZ4 

Lupe  Velez-Michael  Duane 

May  6/43 

I  it  I 

Red  River  Robin  Hood 

RKO 

Tim  Holt 

Not  Set 

0  /m 

_x   i  7  '47 
\JCj.  1  / ,  *rZ 

you 

Reunion  in  France 

MGM 

3  I  c 
0  1  0 

Joan  Crawford-Philip  Dorn- 

(formerly  Reunion) 

John  Wayne 

Dec.-Feb./43 

1  0?m 

Dpr     o  '4? 

1041 

872 

1218 

Reveille  with  Beverly 

Col. 

A  A  1  A 

41)  1 4 

Ann  Miller-William  Wright 

Feb.  4/43 

70m 

/  om 

Map    1  ^  '41 
IVldr.  1  O,  ^O 

1 9n? 

1  IA7 

1   1  OA. 

1 980 

Rhythm  of  the  Islands 

Univ. 

/U4z 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Apr.  16/43 

oum 

Map    1  1  '41 

ivi ar.  io,  ^o 

1  iUj 

!  1 77 

Rhythm  Parade 

Mono. 

Gale  Storm-Robert  Lowery 

Dec.  1 1/42 

/  V III 

Dpr   1  o  '4? 

I0n7 

9S"? 

7  O  J 

Ride,  Tenderfoot,  Ride  (Reissue)  Rep. 

Gene  Autry 

June  1/43 

65  m 

Aim  74  '40 

1  774 

Riders  of  the  Northwest  Mounted  Col. 

421 1 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Feb.  15/43 

57m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 182 

i  6i  9 

Riders  of  the  Rio  Grande 

Rep. 

Three  Mesquiteers 

May  21/43 

55m 

May  15/43 

1315 

1276 

Ridin'  Down  the  Canyon 

Rep. 

253 

Roy  Rogers-Gabby  Hayes 

Dec.  30/42 

55m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

1019 

Riding  Through  Nevada 

Col. 

4201 

Charles  Starrett-Shirley  Patterson 

Oct.  1/42 

61m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 169 

1058 

Right  About  Face 

MGM 

Kay  Kyser-Marilyn  Maxwell 

Not  Set 

1241 

Road  to  Morocco 

Para. 

4207 

Bob  Hope-Bing  Crosby-Dorothy  Lamour       Block  2 

83  m 

Oct.  3/42 

933 

872 

1 130 

Robin  Hood  of  the  Range 

Col. 

Charles  Starrett-Kay  Harris 

Not  Set 

1057 

Russians  at  War  (Russian) 

Artkino 

Documentary 

Not  Set 

61m 

May  1/43 

1290 

1334    Product  Digest  Section 


May    2  2,    194  3 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


REVIEWED 


Title  Company 

SADDLES  and  Sagebrush  Col. 

Sagebrush  Law  RKO 

Saludos  Amigos  (color)  RKO 

Salute  for  Three  Para. 
Salute  to  the  Marines  (color)  MGM 

Santa  Fe  Scouts  Rep. 

Sarong  Girl  Mono. 
Scattergood  Survives  a  Murder  RKO 

Secret  Enemies  WB 
Secret  Mission  (British)  Hellman-Gen'l 

Secrets  of  a  Co-Ed  PRC 

Secrets  of  the  Underground  Rep. 

Seven  Days  Leave  RKO 

Seven  Miles  from  Alcatraz  RKO 

Seven  Sweethearts  MGM 

Shadow  of  a  Doubt  Univ. 

Shadows  on  the  Sage  Rep. 

Shantytown  Rep. 

She  Has  What  It  Takes  Col. 
Sherlock  Holmes,  Voice  of  Terror  Univ. 
Sherlock  Holmes,  Secret  Weapon  Univ. 
Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington  Univ. 

Siege  of  Leningrad  (Russian)  Artkino 

Silent  Witness  Mono. 
Silk,  Blood  and  Sun  (Mexican)  Maya 

Silver  Queen  UA 
Silver  Fleet  (British)  Archers-Gen'l 

Silver  Skates  Mono. 

Sin  Town  Univ. 

Sky's  the  Limit,  The  RKO 

Slightly  Dangerous  MGM 

Smith  of  Minnesota  Col. 

Soliga  Solberg  (Swedish)  Scandia 

Sombrero  Kid,  The  Rep. 
Something  to  Shout  About 
Somewhere  I'll  Find  You 
Somewhere  in  France 
Somewhere  in  Sahara 
So  Proudly  We  Hail 
Son  of  Dracula 
Song  to  the  Wind  (It.) 
South  of  the  Border  (Re-release) 
Spirit  of  Stanford,  The 

Spitfire  (British)  RKO 

Spring  Song  (Russian)  Artkino 

Springtime  in  Rockies  (color)  20th-Fox 

Spy  Train  Mono. 

(formerly  Time  Bomb) 

Squadron  Leader  X  (British)  RKO 

Stage  Door  Canteen  UA 

Stand  By,  All  Networks  Col. 

Stand  By  for  Action  MGM 

Star  Spangled  Rhythm  Para. 

Stormy  Weather  20th-Fox 

Stranger  from  Pecos  Mono. 

Stranger  in  Town,  A  MGM 

Street  of  Chance  Para. 

Strictly  in  the  Groove  Univ. 

Submarine  Alert  Para. 

Submarine  Base  (1943-44)  PRC 

Sundown  Kid  Rep. 

Sweet  Rosie  O'Grady  (color)  20th-Fox 

Swing  Shift  Maisie  MGM 

Swing  Your  Partner  Rep. 


Col. 
MGM 
UA 
Col. 
Para. 
Univ. 
Hoffberg 
Rep. 
Col. 


Prod. 

Number 

4212 
384 
392 

4225 

265 

306 
205 

309 
208 
310 
315 
308 
7065 
261 
218 
4029 
7020 
7024 
7018 


7017 


325 
4035 

27 1 
4006 
301 


2302 
4022 


317 


326 

4042 
316 
4231 


324 
4210 
7028 


273 


Stars 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 
Tim  Holt 

Disney  South  American  Feature 
Macdonald  Carey-Betty  Rhodes 
Wallace  Beery-Fay  Bainter 
Three  Mesquiteers 
Ann  Corio-Tim  and  Irene 
Guy  Kibbee-Margaret  Hayes 
Craig  Stevens-Faye  Emerson 
Hugh  Williams-Carla  Lehmann 
Otto  Kruger-Tina  Thayer 
John  Hubbard-Virginia  Grey 
Lucille  Ball-Victor  Mature 
James  Craig-Bonita  Granville 
Van  Heflin-Kathryn  Grayson 
Teresa  Wright-Joseph  Cotten 
Three  Mesquiteers 
Mary  Lee-John  Archer 
Jinx  Falkenberg-Tom  Neal 
Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce 
Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce 
Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce 
Soviet  Documentary 
Frank  Albertson-Maris  Wrixon 
Jorge  Negrete-Gloria  Marin 
George  Brent-Priscilla  Lane 
Ralph  Richardson-Googie  Withers 
Patricia  Morison-Kenny  Baker 
Constance  Bennett-Brod  Crawford 
Fred  Astaire-Joan  Leslie 
Lana  Turner-Robert  Young 
Bruce  Smith-Arline  Judge 
Edvard  Persson 
Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 
Don  Ameche-Jack  Oakie-Janet  Blair 
Clark  Gable-Lana  Turner 
Constance  Cumming-Tommy  Trinder 
Humphrey  Bogart-Bruce  Bennett 
Claudette  Colbert-Paulette  Goddard 
Louise  Allbritton-Lon  Chaney 
Giuseppe  Lugo 
Gene  Autry 

Frankie  Albert-Marguerite  Chapman 
Leslie  Howard-Rosamund  John 
Nikolai  Kunovalov-Ludmila  Tzelikovskaya  Sept.  I  I, '42 
Betty  Grable-John  Payne  Nov.  6,'42 

Richard  Travis-Catherine  Craig  July  2, '43 

Eric  Portman-Beatrice  Varley  Block  6 

Stage  and  Screen  Stars  Not  Set 

John  Beal-Florence  Rice  Oct.  29,'42 

Charles  Laughton-Robert  Taylor  Dec.-Feb.,'43 
Betty  Hutton-Eddie  Bracken-Victor  Moore  Special 

Bill  Robinson-Lena  Home  Not  Set 

Johnny  Mack  Brown  June  25, '43 

Frank  Morgan-Jean  Rogers  Apr.,'43 

Burgess  Meredith-Claire  Trevor  Block  2 

Leon  Errol-Mary  Healy  Nov.  20,'42 

Richard  Arlen-Wendy  Barrie  Not  Set 

John  Litel-Alan  Baxter  June  25, '43 

Don  Barry-Linda  Johnson  Dec.  28, '42 

Betty  Grable-Robert  Young  Not  Set 

Ann  Sothern-James  Craig  Not  Set 

Lulubelle  and  Scotty-Vera  Vague  May  20, '43 


Not  Set 
Not  Set 
Not  Set 
Apr.  24,'43 
Mar.    I, '43 
Sept.  I0,'42 
Not  Set 


87m 
72  m 


May  8,'43 
May  8,'43 


1305 
I  104 
1241 


76m 

May  8,'43 

1303 

71m 

Dec.  I6,'39 

1 158 

73m 

Oct.  3 1  ,'42 

982 

796 

1082 

90m 

Apr.  I7,'43 

1275 

74m 

Sept.  I9,'42 

910 

91m 

Sept.  26,'42 

921 

855 

i  i  74 

1277 

100m 

Nov.  28,'42 

1030 

132m 

May  I5,'43 

1313 

1  i  15 

64m 

Mar.  6,'43 

1 189 

797 

109m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

871 

il74 

100m 

Jan.  3,'43 

1 102 

855 

1280 

1 192 

1277 

67m 

Feb.  I3.'43 

1158 

1079 

74m 

Oct.  3,'42 

933 

871 

1082 

60m 

July  4,'42 

914 

772 

1305 

55m 

Jan.  I6,'43 

iiii 

1305 

1302 
1302 


1 191 
1276 


M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Service 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

Apr.  22,'43 

57m 

May  8/43 

1302 

1240 

Apr.  2,'43 

56m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

Feb.  I9,'43 

43  m 

Dec.  19/42 

1065 

i  i  74 

Block  5 

75m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

I09i 

Not  Set 

1057 

Apr.  16/43 

55m 

May  15/43 

1314 

1276 

June  1 1,'43 

70m 

May  15/43 

1314 

1277 

Oct.  16/42 

66m 

Oct.  17/42 

959 

912.  . . 

Oct.  17/42 

59m 

Aug.  22/42 

914 

Not  Set 

94m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

Oct.  26/42 

67m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

Dec.  18/42 

69m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 159 

1009 

Nov.  13/42 

87m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

872 

1280 

Jan.  8/43 

62m 

Nov.  14/42 

1006 

962 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

98m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

1  174 

Jan.  15/43 

108m 

Jan.  9/43 

1  1  14 

936 

1280 

Aug.  24/42 

57m 

Jan.  2/43 

1090 

Apr.  20/43 

65m 

Apr.  24/43 

1273 

1 191 

Apr.  15/43 

66m 

1  192 

Sept.  18/42 

65m 

Sept.  12/42 

897 

Feb.  12/43 

68m 

Jan.  2/43 

1090 

Apr.  30/43 

71m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

983 

Feb.  1 1  ,'43 

62  m 

Feb.  20/43 

1  169 

Jan.  15/43 

62  m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

1033 

Not  Set 

86m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 146 

Nov.  13/42 

80m 

Nov.  14/42 

1005 

936 

Not  Set 

88m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

Feb.  26/43 

76m 

Jan.  16/42 

1 113 

1218 

Sept.  25/42 

73m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

898 

Not  Set 

1 162 

Apr.,'43 

94m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

1057 

1280 

Oct.  15/42 

66m 

Oct.  17/42 

959 

797 

Sept.  12/42 

89m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

July  31/42 

56m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

796 

Feb.  25/43 

90m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 157 

1043 

1218 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

107m 

Aug.  8/42 

902 

726 

984 

June  1 1/43 

83m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 169 

TAHITI  Honey 

Rep. 

216 

Simone  Simon-Dennis  O'Keefe 

Apr.  6/43 

69m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

1 191 

Tales  of  Manhattan 

20th-Fox 

313 

C.  Boyer-R.  Hayworth-G.  Rogers 

Oct.  30/42 

1 18m 

Aug.  8/42 

927 

706 

i  130 

Tarzan  Triumphs 

RKO 

319 

Johnny  Weissmuller-Frances  Gifford 

Feb.  19/43 

77m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 125 

983 

1 174 

Taxi  Mister 

UA-Roach 

William  Bendix-Grace  Bradley 

Apr.  16/43 

46m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

986 

Tennessee  Johnson 

MGM 

322 

Van  Heflin-Ruth  Hussey 

Dec.-Feb.,'43 

100m 

Dec.  19/42 

1065 

946 

1280 

Tenting  Tonight  on  the 

Old  Camp  Ground 

Univ. 

7074 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Feb.  5/43 

61m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

1018 

Terror  House 

PRC 

322 

Wilfred  Lawson-James  Mason 

Apr.  19/43 

62m 

May  22/43 

1326 

1276 

Texas  to  Bataan 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Oct.  16/42 

56m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

Thank  Your  Lucky  Stars 

WB 

All  Warner  Contract  Players 

Not  Set 

1058 

That  Naity  Nuisance 

UA-Roach 

William  Tracy-Joe  Sawyer 

Not  Set 

1019 

That  Other  Woman 

20th-Fox 

318 

Virginia  Gilmore-James  Ellison 

Nov.  13/42 

75  m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

936 

They  Came  to  Blow  Up  America  20th-Fox 

339 

George  Sanders-Anna  Sten 

May  7/43 

73m 

Apr.  24/43 

1273 

1 162 

They  Got  Me  Covered 

RKO 

352 

Bob  Hope-Dorothy  Lamour 

Feb.  5/43 

96m 

Jan.  2/43 

1 102 

872 

M74 

This  Is  the  Army 

WB 

Joan  Leslie-George  Murphy-Stage  Cast       Not  Set 

1276 

This  Land  Is  Mine 

RKO 

323 

Charles  Laughton-Maureen  O'Hara 

Block  5 

103  m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

1 162 

Those  Kids  from  Town  (British)  Anglo 

Percy  Marmont-Marie  O'Neill 

Not  Set 

75m 

May  2/42 

633 

Three  Hearts  for  Julia 

MGM 

321 

Ann  Sothern-Melvyn  Douglas 

Dec.-Feb./43 

90m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

1009 

Thunder  Birds  (color) 

20th-Fox 

307 

John  Sutton-Gene  Tierney 

Nov.  20/42 

78m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

796 

i  i  30 

Thunder  Rock  (British) 

Charter-Metro 

Michael  Redgrave-Barbara  Mullen 

Not  Set 

1 1  Im 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

Product  Digest  Section  1335 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    22,    I  943 


REVIEWED 


Prod. 

M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Title 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Company 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Thundering  Trails 

Rep. 

263 

Three  Mesquiteers 

Jan  25  '43 

wan*  J-  -J  [  ~*j 

56m 

Fob  n  '41 

1  1  R9 

MIC 
Ills 

Time  to  Kill 

20th-Fox 

326 

Lloyd  Nolan-Heather  Angel 

Jan  22  '43 

wulli  i-  L.  ,  "TJ 

61  m 

Dec.  5,'42 

OQC 
770 

Tish 

MGM 

302 

Marjorie  Main-Lee  Bowman 

O  J  ID 

l,,lv  ?c  'a? 

03Q 
TOO 

772 

Tomorrow  We  Live 

PRC 

307 

Jean  Parker-Ricardo  Cortez 

^ftn+  99  '49 

oepr.  iO,  *tz 

090 

Tonight  We  Raid  Calais 

20th-Fox 

337 

Annabella-John  Sutton 

Aor  30  '43 

70m 

Apr.  3,'43 

1  1  07 

Tornado  in  the  Saddle 

Col. 

4210 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Dpc  15  '4? 

L/UU.    1  J,  It 

59m 

1  ACQ 

Trail  Riders 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Dec.  4,'42 

55m 

1  A  1  Q 

Traitor  Within,  The 

Rep. 

207 

Don  Barry-Jean  Parker 

Dec  16 '42 

62m 

Dpr     5  '4? 

1  043 

983 

Triumph  Over  Pain 

Para. 

Joel  McCrea-Betty  Field 

Not  Set 

912 

(formerly  Great  Without  Glory) 

Truck  Busters 

WB 

213 

Richard  Travis-Ruth  Ford 

Feb.  6,'43 

58m 

Jan.23,'43 

1 126 

True  to  Life  (color) 

Para. 

Mary  Martin-Franchot  Tone 

Not  Set 

1079 

Two  Fisted  Justice 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Jan.  8,'43 

61m 

Jan.23,'43 

1 127 

1031 

Two  Senoritas  from  Chicago 

Col. 

Jinx  Falkenburg-Joan  Davis 

June  I0,'43 

1305 

Two  Week  to  Live 

RKO 

3  i7 

Lum  V  Abner 

Feb.  26,'43 

75  m 

Feb.  6,'43 

I  i47 

Page 


034 


174 


UNDERCOVER  Man  ua 

Underground  Agent  Col. 

Undying  Monster,  The  20th-Fox 

Unpublished  Story  (British)  Col. 


William  Boyd-Andy  Clyde  Oct.23,'42  68m  May  9,'42  647 
4039        Bruce  Bennett-Leslie  Brooks  Dec.  3, '42  68m  Feb.  6,'43  1148 
319        James  Ellison-Heather  Angel  Nov.  27,'42  60m  Oct.  I7,'42  970 
  Richard  Greene-Miles  Malleson  Not  Set  91m  Apr.  1 1, '42  598 


1009 
936 


1082 


VALLEY  of  Hunted  Men  Rep.  262 

Varsity  Show  (Reissue)  WB  215 

Vengeance  of  the  West  Col.  3216 

Virgin  of  Guadalupe  (Mex.)  Maya  .... 


Three  Mesquiteers 
Dick  Powell-Fred  Waring 
Bill  Elliott-Tex  Ritter 
Jose  Luis  Jiminez 


Nov.  I3.'42 
Dec.  I9,'42 
Sept.  3, '42 
May  I4,'43 


60m 
81m 
60m 
95m 


Mar.  6,'43 
Aug.  21, '37 


I  190 
1043 


May  22/43  1325 


1031 


WAKE  Island  rara. 
War  Against  Mrs.  Hadley,  The  MGM 
War  Dogs  Mono. 
Watch  on  the  Rhine  WB 
We  Are  the  Marines  20th-Fox 
We  Dive  at  Dawn  (British)  Gains. 
We'll  Smile  Again  (Brit.)  Nat'l-Anglo 
Went  the  Day  Well?  (British)  Ealing-UA 
West  of  the  Law  Mono. 
West  of  Texas  PRC 
We've  Never  Been  Licked  Univ. 
When  Johnny  Comes  March- 
ing Home  Univ. 
Whistling  in  Dixie  MGM 
White  Cargo  MGM 
White  Savage  (color)  Univ. 
Who  Done  It?  Univ. 
Wildcat  Para. 
Wild  Horse  Stampede  Mono. 
Wings  and  the  Woman  (British)  RKO 

(formerly  They  Flew  Alone) 
Wings  Over  the  Pacific  Mono. 
World  at  War  WAC 
Wrecking  Crew  Para. 
Wyoming  Hurricane  Col. 


X  MARKS  the  Spot  Rep. 


YANK  at  Eton,  A  MGM 

Yankee  Doodle  Dandy  WB 

Yanks  Ahoy  UA-Roach 

Yanks  Are  Coming,  The  PRC 

You  Can't  Beat  the  Law  Mono. 

You  Can't  Escape  Forever  WB 
You  Love  Me,  I  Love  You  (It.)  Hoffberg 

You  Were  Never  Lovelier  Col. 

Young  and  Willing  UA 

Youngest  Profession,  The  MGM 

Young  Mr.  Pitt  (British)  20th-Fox 

Youth  on  Parade  Rep. 


4205  Brian  Donlevy-Robert  Preston  Block  I 

306  Fay  Bainter-Edward  Arnold  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

  Billy  Lee-Addison  Richards  Nov.  I3,'42 

  Bette  Davis-Paul  Lucas  Not  Set 

324  Marine  Feature  Jan.  8, '43 

....  John  Mills-Eric  Portman  Not  Set 

....  Bud  Flanagan-Chesney  Allen  Not  Set 

....  Leslie  Banks-Basil  Sydney  Not  Set 

....  Buck  Jones-Tim  McCoy  Nov.  2, '42 

353  Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill  May  I0,'43 

....  Richard  Quine-Noah  Beery,  Jr.  Not  Set 

7016  Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee  Jan.   I ,'43 

313  Red  Skelton-Ann  Rutherford  Dec.-Feb.,'43 

310  Hedy  Lamarr-Walter  Pidgeon  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

7004  Maria  Montez-Jon  Hall  Apr.  23,'43 

7002  Abbott  and  Costello  Nov.  6,'42 

4204  Richard  Arlen-Arline  Judge  Block  I 

....  Ken  Maynard-Hoot  Gibson  Apr.  1 6, '43 

303  Anna  Neagle-R.  Newton  Sept.  18, '42 


87m 
86m 
63m 

70  m 
98m 
93m 
92  m 
55m 
54m 


74m 
74m 
89m 
76m 
75m 
73m 
59m 
94m 


Aug.  I5,'42 
Aug.  8,'42 
Oct.  I0,'42 

Dec.  i  2/42 
May  22,'43 
Oct.  3 1  ,'42 
Nov.  I4,'42 
Nov.  7,'42 
May  I5,'43 


Dec.  26,'42 
Oct.  3 1  ,'42 
Sept.  I9,'42 
Apr.  I7,'43 
Nov.  7,'42 
Aug.29,'42 
May  l,'43 
May  2,'42 


902 
902 
946 

1053 

982 
1006 

994 
1314 


1090 
981 
923 

1261 
993 
938 

1290 
903 


772 
797 

986 


1277 
1115 


946 
871 
1079 
971 

i276 


130 
174 


218 
174 
174 

082 
082 


Inez  Cooper-Edward  Norris 

June25,'43 

1276 

Documentary 

Sept.  I8,'42 

66m 

Sept.  5/42 

890 

4212 

Richard  Arlen-Chester  Morris 

Block  3 

73m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

986 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Not  Set 

1079 

204 

Damian  O'Flynn-Helen  Parrish 

Nov.  4,'42 

56m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

986 

305 

Mickey  Rooney-Edmund  Gwenn 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

87m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

726 

1 130 

201 

James  Cagney-Joan  Leslie 

Jan.  2,'43 

126m 

June  6/42 

903 

674 

1082 

Joe  Sawyer-William  Tracy 

Not  Set 

47m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1019 

301 

Maxie  Rosenbloom-Mary  Healy 

Nov.  9,'42 

65m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

1 130 

Edward  Norris-Joan  Woodbury 

Feb.  12/43 

61m 

Jan.  30/43 

1 137 

i  08  i 

207 

George  Brent-Brenda  Marshall 

Oct.  10/42 

77m 

Sept.  26/42 

921 

898 

1034 

Alida  Valli-Amedeo  Nazzari 

Apr.  3/43 

95m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

4002 

Fred  Astaire-Rita  Hayworth 

Nov.  19/42 

97m 

Oct.  10/42 

945 

796 

i  i  7-4 

William  Holden-Susan  Hayworth 

Feb.  5/43 

82  m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 170 

663 

Virginia  Weidler-Edward  Arnold  &  Guests    Not  Set 

81m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

1081 

316 

Robert  Morley-Robert  Donat 

Feb.  26/43 

103m 

July  4/42 

914 

203 

John  Hubbard-Martha  O'Driscoll 

Oct.  24/42 

75m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

Feature  Product  including  Coming  Attractions,  listed  Company  by  Company, 
in  Order  of  Release  on  Page  1316. 


1336    Product  Digest  Section 


ONCE  ONLY 


EASTMAN  Negative  Films,  with  their  high 
degree  of  uniformity,  make  it  easy  to 
confine  the  ^takes"  to  one  to  each  scene 
...helping  to  close  the  gap  between  foot- 
age exposed  and  footage  used.  Eastman 
Kodak  Company,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

J.  E.  BRULATOUR,  INC.,  Distributors 
Fort  Lee  Chicago  Hollywood 


PLUS-X  SUPER-XX 

for  general  studio  use  when  little  light  is  available 

BACKGROUND-X 

for  backgrounds  and  general  exterior  work 


EASTMAN  NEGATIVE  FILMS 


what  comedy! 

WHOM. 

what  a  horse! 

HA!  HA!... 

what  laughs! 


Based  on  the  comic  strip 
created  by  CHIC  YOUNG 

Original  Screen  Play  by 
Connie  Lee  and  Karen  DeWolf 

Produced  and  Directed  by 
FRANK  STRAYER 

A  COLUMBIA  PICTURE 

RELEASE  MAY  27th 


ITS  A 


—  -"-•-if  irirc 

W'W  BLONDIE 

1    i  ';' 


BOOK  "PRELUDE  TO  WAR"  SENSATIONAL  55  MINUTE  SOCK  FILM . . .  RENTAL  FREE! 


NEW  Y0RK 


CTURE 


HERALD 


(/«  Product  Digest) 
Bataan 

Stormy  Weather 
Song  of  Texas 
Mr.  Big 
Jitterbugs 

Law  of  the  Northwest 
False  Faces 

Redhead  from  Manhattan 
Miss  London  Limited 


Crescent  Decree  may  force 
Revision  of  Franchises 
and  Sales  Policy  Changes 

Exhibitors  turning  to 
Curfews,  Courts  and 
Clubs  against  Vandals 

Distributor  After-the-War 
Plans  include  More  Foreign 
Films  in  U.  S.  Exhibition 


ea 


-WAR  PLANNING 


MAY  29,  1943 


Entered  as  second-class  matter,  January  12,  1931,  at  the  Post  Office,  at  Atete  York  City.  U.S.A.,  under  the  act  of  March  3,  1879.  Pub- 
lished weekly  by  Quigley  Publishing   Co.,  Inc.,  at   1270  Sixth  Avenue,    Rockefeller  Center,  New  York.   Subscription  prices:  $5.00  a  year 
the  Americas,  $10.00  a  year  Foreign.    Single  copy,  25  cents.    All  contents  copyright  1943  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company. 


THE  REAL  THING' 

ft  *e  »ue  story  Qs  w&  _  , 


fhe  ^e  story  as  ^ 
•  y  as  *e  remember 

~U  M*ry  G.  Lohr  ft 


7/ 


°f  BQ,QQ;^red  «,e  sp|>|, 

™°s'  accurate  I  h 

et0'  nuaan  hero 


Here 
they 


^crvm  J     ^tarring     ^^^SKi11  w  ' 

ROBERT 

TAYLOR 

as  Sergeant  Bill  Don* 


(Have  you  booked  "Prelude  To  War"?) 


!ROL  FLYNN  •  ANN  SHERIDAN 
"EDGE  OF  DARKNESS" 

WALTER  HUSTON  •  NANCY  COLEMAN 

JUDITH  ANDERSON  •  RUTH  GORDON 
:rected  by  LEWIS  MILESTONE  •  Screen  Play  by 
sbert  Rossen  -  Based  on  the  Novel  by  WjHiam  Woods 


ITS  THE 


FIRST  MARITIME  VICTORY  FLAG  is  presented  by  Government  to  production  chief 
Jack  L  Warner.  Warner  Bros,  is  ficst  company  in  the  land  honored  to  fly  this  flag! 


LURE  COMPANY ! 


nhis  Signal  Honor  Has  Been  Conferred  upon 

and 

ICTION  IN  THE  NORTH  ATLANTIC 


iEROES 

as  part 
it  N.  Y. 


PARADE  OF  SEAMEN  from  Maritime  Service 
Training  Base  marks  opening  of  gala  Award  Cere- 
monies at  opening  of  'Action  in  the  North  Atlantic'. 


ON  THE  AIR!  Coast  to  coast  over 
Mutual,  with  Capt.  Edw.  Macauley, 
Deputy  Administrator 
for  War  Shipping  Ad- 
ministration, paying 
high  tribute  to  "the 
important  contribu- 
tion of  a  great  com- 
pany, Warner  Bros."! 


Book  'PRELUDE  TO  WAR'  Free 


u 


SHOW  BUSINESS 

WAR 


.  .  .  and  profit  by 
it,  too!  It  is  ONE 
of  the  outstanding 
issues  in  this 

GREAT 

BOX-OFFICE 

SERIES. 


Book  it  now! 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD 

MARTIN  QUIGLEY 

COLV1N  BROWN,  Publisher  President  and  Editor-in-Chief  •  TERRY  RAMSAYE,  Editor 

Vol.  151,  No.  9  KStfU  MaY  29 ■  1943 


THE  SCREEN-CONTENT  and  FUNCTION 

By  Martin  Quigley 


CONTROVERSY  has  been  crackling  along  the  whole  line 
of  that  front  which  involves  contentions  over  the  function 
of  the  entertainment  film  in  wartime  and  the  character 
of  fts  subject  matter.  Two  recent  developments  have  brought 
the  controversy  into  sharp  focus: 

One  was  the  welling  up  of  exhibitor  protest  over  what  is 
described  as  an  excessive  number  of  pictures  presenting  the 
cruel  realities  of  war,  and  the  other  was  the  release  of  "Mis- 
sion to  Moscow".  The  Warner  Brothers  name  figures  prom- 
inently in  each  instance — as  the  producer  of  the  controversial 
picture  and  because  of  a  forceful  statement  by  Mr.  Harry  M. 
Warner  which  registered  decided  exception  to  the  implications 
of  the  exhibitor  protest. 

<J  The  question  of  the  subject  matter  of  entertainment  films — 
at  anytime  and  especially  in  wartime — has  both  an  academic 
as  well  as  a  practical  aspect.  Practically,  it  has  long  been 
recognized  that  the  theatre  manager  is  in  an  unequalled  posi- 
tion in  the  matter  of  judging  the  likes  and  dislikes  of  his 
audience.  He  may  not  be  able  to  tell  in  advance  what  his 
audience  wants.  But  it  may  hardly  be  contended  with  reason 
and  experience  that  he  is  not  the  best  possible  source  of 
information  as  to  the  audience  acceptability  of  pictures  after 
they  have  actually  been  presented. 

Hence,  the  widespread  and  emphatically  articulate  declara- 
tions of  exhibitors  that  the  public  is  "fed  up  on  war  pictures" 
must  be  neither  discounted  nor  ignored.  To  do  otherwise  is 
to  encourage  the  suspicion  that  the  opinion  is  held  that  the 
public  is  "too  damned  dumb"  to  know  what  is  best  for  it. 

€][  On  the  academic  side  there  is  of  course  a  viewpoint  that 
asserts  that  because  the  ideological  problems  of  the  times  are 
so  enormous  and  because  it  is  so  important  that  they  be  defined 
and  explained  that  the  public  taste — whatever  it  may  be — 
need  not  and  should  not  be  consulted. 

The  writer  has  long  been  in  sharp  dissent  with  that  viewpoint. 
There  are  many  things  about  it  which  do  not  well  recommend 
it.  One  is  that  it  originated  with  and  received  its  greatest 
exposition  through  those  dictatorial  regimes  against  which  this 
nation  and  its  people  have  dedicated  our  total  resources  and 
capabilities.  It  is  in  the  dictatorships  that  the  ruling  clique 
undertakes  to  do  the  public's  thinking  and  to  use  the  devices 
of  propaganda,  including  the  film,  to  insure  uniformity  in  the 
design  of  public  thinking.  Another  is  that  it  can  by  no  means 
be  taken  for  granted  that  a  repetitive  diet  of  war  stories  will 
better  serve  the  national  interest  than  to  allow  a  public  relaxa- 
tion and  diversion  at  the  end  of  a  day  burdened  with  the 
exactions  of  the  war  effort  and  the  multiple  griefs  from  which 
no  one  long  escapes  in  such  times  as  these. 

€J  While  recognizing  that  the  supreme  consideration  is  the 
advancement  of  the  nation's  interest,  it  then  would  seem  only 
reasonable  that  the  wisest  course  is  to  let  the  public  arrive  at 


its  own  determination — and  that  is  exactly  what  is  going  to 
happen,  because  the  public  at  the  box  office  has  a  quick  and 
effective  way  of  making  its  own  determination.  That's  in  the 
democratic  pattern.  If  the  predominant  exhibitor  voice  as 
currently  recorded  is  correct,  a  lessened  public  support  is  in 
prospect  for  the  average  run  of  war  films  and  arguments  to  the 
contrary,  however  eloquent  and  emphatic,  are  not  going  to 
change  that. 

This  controversy,  in  essence,  is  by  no  means  new  and  it  pos- 
sesses a  vitality  that  suggests  that,  despite  what  one  side  or 
the  other  may  do  about  it,  it  will  persist  for  many  a  day.  It 
therefore  seems  most  appropriate  that  all  contestants  carefully 
avoid  attributing  to  one  another  motives  other  than  good- 
will, sincerity  and  co-equal  concern  in  the  nation's  welfare. 
The  industry  as  a  whole  in  its  appearance  before  the  public 
has  an  important  stake  in  that. 

•J  "Mission  to  Moscow",  Part  1 1  of  the  current  controversy, 
represents  a  departure  in  accepted  procedure  in  the  industry 
in  that  it  has  given  rise  to  a  question  as  to  whether  it  primarily 
serves  the  purpose  of  entertainment  or  primarily  serves  some 
other  purpose.  The  point  here  is  not  what  the  producer 
intended  but  rather  what  the  effect,  both  in  interpretation  and 
in  actuality,  is  when  the  subject  is  publicly  exhibited.  Announce- 
ments of  the  producer  center  largely  upon  the  essential  facts; 
namely,  that  the  film  is  based  upon  a  book  of  great  public 
acceptance;  that  it  deals  with  subject  matter  of  absorbing 
current  interest  and  that  it  contains  information  which  the 
public  is  seeking. 

^  Irrespective,  however,  of  what  the  producer  may  have 
intended,  it  now  appears  that  the  story  as  treated  is  interpreted 
as  conveying,  or  seeking  to  convey,  to  audiences  certain  settled 
judgments  on  questions  in  the  field  of  both  domestic  and  inter- 
national politics.  We  are  not  here  concerned  with  either  the 
correctness  or  the  incorrectness  of  any  such  judgments.  Neither 
are  we  here  concerned  with  the  many  partizan  appeals  and 
complaints  which  the  film  has  raised  nor  with  that  whole  field 
of  controversy  and  debate  which  issues  from  the  practices  and 
policies  of  the  government  and  people  of  Russia  in  these  last 
years. 

Insofar  as  the  film,  in  the  treatment  which  has  been  accorded 
to  it,  has  the  effect  of  conveying  settled  judgments  to  an 
audience  on  the  questions  current  in  the  field  of  controversial 
politics,  it  represents  a  departure  from  what  has  been  the 
accepted  practice  of  the  entertainment  industry  and  one  which 
we  view  as  pregnant  with  undesirable  consequences. 

Ifl  The  function  of  the  entertainment  film — as  has  been  re- 
peatedly asserted  in  these  pages  through  the  years — is  not 
wholly  identical  with  that  of  the  political  forum,  the  press,  the 
classroom  or  the  pulpit.  Experiments  in  attempting  to  establish 

[Continued  on  following  page] 


8 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    2  9  ,     194  3 


THIS  WEEK  IN  THE  NEWS 


MAJORS    study    contracts    in    light  of 
Crescent  verdict  Page  13 

MORE  foreign  films  in  U.  S.  exhibition  is 
peacetime  plan  Page  15 

ON  THE  MARCH— Red  Kann  gives  further 
attention  to  war  films  Page  18 

AUTHORITIES   cracking   down   on  child 
vandalism  in  theatres  Page  19 

NEW  ban  on  pleasure  driving  cuts  rural, 
suburban  grosses  Page  22 

MAKE  films  for  post-war  world,  studios  told 
by  Saunders  Page  23 


O'DONNELL  urges  theatres  concentrate 
on  copper  collection  Page  26 

SALES  heads  make  plans  for  product  lists 
of  1 943-44  season  Page  29 

ARBITRATION  Appeal  Board  defines  some 
run  conditions  Page  30 

WAR  complicating  talent  search,  booking 
of  stage  shows  Page  33 

STUDIOS  acquire  35  story  properties  dur- 
ing April  Page  38 

BRITISH  exhibitors  facing  critical  loss  of 


theatre  staffs 


Page  45 


SERVICE  DEPARTMENTS 

Hollywood  Scene 

Page  36 

Obituaries 

Page  64 

In  British  Studios 

Page  44 

Picture  Grosses 

Page  54 

In  the  Newsreels 

Page  63 

Shorts  on  Broadway 

Page  53 

Managers'  Round  Table 

Page  55 

What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me 

Page  50 

In  Product  Digest  Section 

Short  Subjects 

Page  1340 

Showmen's  Reviews 

Page  1337 

Service  Data 

Page  1341 

Advance  Synopses 

Page  1339 

The  Release  Chart 

Page  1342 

Limit  on  War 

WAR  pictures  will  be  limited  at  RKO  next 
year  to  a  few  "really  good"  stories,  Charles 
W.  Koerner,  vice-president  in  charge  of 
the  studio,  said  in  New  York  Wednesday. 
He  announced  a  schedule  of  40  features  for 
the  1943-'44  season. 

"I  do  not  believe  that  anyone  can  say 
soundly  that  as  a  matter  of  policy  they  will 
or  will  not  make  war  pictures,"  he  said. 
"We  will  if  we  get  really  good  stories." 
He  cited  the  attendance  records  of  "Bom- 
bardier" in  its  southwest  openings  as  an 
example  of  public  acceptance  of  some  war 
pictures.  "It  is  the  quality  of  the  picture, 
not  the  type,  that  matters,"  he  observed. 

"Too,  we  would  certainly  like  to  have  a 
war  picture  synchronized  as  to  locale  and 
release  with  the  coming  invasion  of  the  Con- 
tinent. But  we  will  not  be  making  war  pic- 
tures just  to  turn  out  a  type  of  picture," 
Mr.  Koerner  said.  RKO  will  have  about 
four  war  releases  next  year,  led  by  Pat 
O'Brien  in  "Marine  Raiders,"  about  Sep- 
tembert  1st. 

If  possible,  the  company  will  build  up  a 
product  backlog.  The  schedule  includes  16 
high  budget  pictures,  including  six  musicals. 
Current  season  production,  and  four  1943- 
'44  pictures  have  been  completed.  The  raw 
stock  situation  is  less  grave,  the  RKO  studio 
chief  added,  but  manpower,  particularly  in 
regard  to  writers,  still  remains  a  serious 
production  problem. 


Willkie  Kudos 

BOSTON  University  on  Monday  conferred 
on  Wendell  L.  Willkie  the  honorary  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Laws  at  its  commencement 
ceremony.  It  is  the  11th  academic  degree 
for  the  chairman  of  the  board  of  Twenti- 
eth Century-Fox.  According  to  Who's 
Who  he  holds  doctorates  of  law  from  Indi- 
ana, Colgate,  Dartmouth,  Yale,  Bowdoin 
and  Rutgers,  a  doctorate  in  science  from 


Stevens  Institute  and  other  degrees  from 
Indiana  University  and  Union  College. 

Mr.  Willkie's  million-copy  best  seller, 
"One  World,"  is  still  on  the  motion  picture 
market,  it  was  indicated  Wednesday.  Al- 
though there  were  earlier  reports  that 
Twentieth  Century-Fox  would  film  the 
journal  of  the  Republican  leader's  world 
circling  tour  last  autumn  no  deal  has  been 
closed. 

Warner  Brothers  and  Metro  are  still  sub- 
stantial bidders,  it  was  said.  Mr.  Willkie 
is  in  no  hurry,  according  to  his  publishers, 
Simon  and  Schuster. 


Leo  over  Berlin 

LEO  THE  LION  is  now  roaring  over  Ger- 
many and  Italy.  On  Monday,  at  an  un- 
identified English  air  field,  a  renowned 
Canadian  bombing  squadron  was  designated 
"The  Lion  Squadron."  It  received  a  bronze 
replica  of  Leo  as  its  mascot  and  each  mem- 
ber of  the  squadron  received  from  Sam 
Eckman,  Jr.,  MGM  managing  director  in 
Great  Britain,  a  miniature  lion  to  be  worn 
as  a  good  luck  piece.  The  charm  also  has 
the  magic  power  to  admit  the  bearer  to  all 
MGM  theatres. 


THE  SCREEN-CONTENT  and  FUNCTION 


[Continued  from  preceding  page] 

such  identity  are  fraught  with  grave  danger  to  the  public  mind 
and  public  action — and  to  the  industry  as  well.  The  nature  of 
the  medium  permits  only  sketchy  representation  of  factual  data 
and  embodies  chiefly  those  elements  of  drama  which  inescap- 
ably give  emphatic  and  often  exaggerated  delineation  and 
contrast.  The  nature  of  the  medium  limits  its  appeal  largely 
to  the  emotions.  Public  questions  are  rarely  settled  rightly  on 
either  emotional  appeal  or  emotional  reaction. 

Cfl  Outside  of  those  universal  and  commonly  accepted  con- 
siderations of  patriotism,  the  service  of  the  national  ideal  and 
national  unity,  the  entertainment  motion  picture  has  no  business 
toying  with  the  function  of  indoctrination.  The  entertainment 


film  has  received  from  its  public  no  mandate  involving  any 
such  purpose. 

<I  If  the  entertainment  motion  picture  is  to  remain  free  of 
political  interference,  it  must  avoid  political  meddling— or  any 
such  undertakings  that  are  reasonably  calculated  to  be  inter- 
preted by  the  theatre's  public  as  political  meddling.  If  it  is  to 
continue  to  enjoy  that  enormous  tide  of  public  goodwill  to 
which  it  has  been  the  fortunate  heir,  it  must  never  fail  in 
conscientious  responsiveness  to  public  reactions  and  it  must  at 
no  time  permit  the  public's  trust  in  the  institution  of  the 
theatrical  film  as  an  entertainment  medium  to  be  exploited 
by  partizans  of  causes  which  lie  in  the  field  of  public  debate 
and  controversy. 


May    29,     I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


9 


Lucky  Dog 

Ch.  DANNY  Striking  Event  of  Wild 
Oaks,  prize  winning  wire-haired  terrier 
owned  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eugene  Castle,  will 
be  spotlighted  on  the  cover  of  the  July  is- 
sue of  The  American  Magazine.  Mr.  Cas- 
tle is  president  of  Castle  Films,  Inc.,  pro- 
ducers and  distributors  of  commercial  and 
home  motion  pictures.  In  the  motion  pic- 
ture tradition,  Champion  Danny  is  a  "great- 
est" and  a  descendant  of  "greatests."  He 
is  out  of  Ch.  Enchantress  of  Wild  Oaks, 
"greatest  American  wire-haired  champion," 
by  International  Ch.  Crackling  Striking  of 
Wild  Oaks,  "greatest  fox  terrier  ever  to 
have  left  England."  Danny  now  is  under 
two  years  old  and  before  he  was  a  year 
old  he  had  taken  firsts  at  shows  in  New 
York,  Boston,  Cincinnati,  Chicago  and 
White  Plains  as  well  as  reserve  winner  in 
North  Carolina. 


Tarzan  in  Iceland 

HOW  important  a  part  films  play  in  lonely 
service  outposts  and  large  installations  iso- 
lated from  native  communities,  is  again 
graphically  portrayed  by  the  testimony  of 
Corporal  Harry  Sternberger,  who  recently 
returned  to  the  New  York  headquarters  of 
the  Army  Overseas  Motion  Picture  Service 
from  Iceland. 

Corporal  Sternberger,  a  former  New 
Jersey  circuit  employee,  and  the  supervisor 
of  the  AOMPS  theatre  outside  Reykjavik, 
said  one  thing  that  impressed  his  customers 
greatly  was  their  realization  the  films  they 
were  seeing  were  "brand  new."  He  added 
he  had  in  his  house  the  world  premiere  of 
MGM's  "Tarzan's  New  York  Adventure." 

Soldiers  in  isolated  bases  on  the  northern 
part  of  Iceland  saw  pictures  even  earlier. 
During  the  winter,  bombers  dropped  the 
films  to  them  by  parachute. 


MPPDA  in  Dublin 

MARTIN  QUIGLEY,  JR.,  formerly  of  the 
staff  of  Quigley  Publications,  has  arrived 
in  Dublin,  where  he  will  act  as  assistant 
to  Fayette  Allport,  European  representative 
of  the  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Dis- 
tributors of  America,  Inc.  His  duties  will 
be  concerned  with  representation  of  Ameri- 
can film  interests  in  relations  with  the  Irish 
censorship  authorities. 


3  Ring  Competition 

CIRCUS  competition,  familiar  to  every 
small  town  exhibitor,  will  soon  be  something 
to  reckon  with  for  two  of  the  world's  larg- 
est theatres,  New  York's  Roxy  and  Radio 
City  Music  Hall. 

A  permanent  three-ring  show  will  open 
June  5th  on  a  50th  Street  parking  lot  be- 
tween the  two  theatres.     Larry  Sunbrock 


is  promoter  of  the  scheme  to  bring  the  big 
top  to  New  York  on  a  year  'round  basis. 
He  plans  a  regular  circus  spectacle,  twice 
daily,  under  a  new  fireproof  synthetic  fabric 
tent. 

Landlord  to  Mr.  Sunbrock's  show  is  the 
trust  which  operates  the  estate  of  William 
Fox.  The  former  film  magnate  acquired 
the  property  when  he  built  the  Roxy  thea- 
tre. It  was  not  liquidated  with  the  theatre. 
The  circus  will  pay  $150,000  a  year  in  rent, 
plus  a  10  per  cent  guarantee  next  year,  if  it 
succeeds. 


Oh,  Doctor! 

"HEART  beats,  respiratory  rattles,  peristal- 
tic squeaks,  murmurs,  groans"  and  "random 
ambient  noises"  of  the  human  body  can  now 
be  amplified  with  unprecedented  sensitivity, 
the  Radio  Corporation  of  America  told  the 
press  last  week  in  announcing  a  new 
acoustic  stethoscope. 

It  was  developed  at  the  RCA  research 
laboratories  in  Princeton  by  Dr.  Harry  F. 
Olson,  who  for  many  years  has  directed 
RCA  acoustic  research  for  motion  pictures, 
radio  and  phonographs. 

RCA  is  very  busy  with  sound  research 
during  the  war,  according  to  spokesmen. 
Most  of  it  is  secret.  But  it  is  anticipated 
that  blurps,  groans  and  squeaks  in  the  post 
war  motion  picture  theatre's  sound  system 
will  be  almost  unheard  of  occurrences,  as 
a  result  of  studies  on  stethoscopes,  radio 
and  other  devices. 


First  Run  Laughs 

BELLY  laughs  are  what  Broadway  wants, 
according  to  Times  Square's  newest  first  run 
exhibitor.  A  "Laffmovie"  has  been  opened 
in  a  former  burlesque  theatre  at  46th  Street 
and  Broadway  by  James  Mage.  Nothing 
but  comedy  will  be  shown. 

Mr.  Mage,  who  headed  the  Cinephone  cir- 
cuit in  France,  Belgium  and  England  before 
the  war,  is  convinced  that  New  York  audi- 
ences are  fed  up  with  war  product  and  want 
relief.  A  year  ago  he  opened  an  experi- 
mental Laffmovie  on  42nd  St.  It  had  done 
nicely,  he  said,  and  prompted  the  current 
bid  for  first  run  laughter. 

The  Broadway  house  will  specialize  in 
first  run  comedy.  It  opened  last  week  with 
Hal  Roach's  "Fall  In"  and  a  collection  of 
mirth  shorts  in  a  two-hour  program.  Not 
even  the  serious  note  of  a  newsreel  will  be 
permitted,  although  special  Government 
messages  will  be  screened  on  occasion. 

The  700-seat  theatre  will  operate  from 
8 :30  A.  M.  to  5  A.  M.,  "to  catch  the  night 
club  merrymakers,"  Mr.  Mage  said.  Busi- 
ness in  the  first  week  was  good,  he  reported, 
and  pointed  out  that  the  Broadway  house 
had  attracted  a  good  cross-section  audience. 
Admissions  scale  from  22  cents  to  a  week- 
end top  of  85.  Films  are  booked  through 
the  Brandt  booking  combine. 


Arbitration  Failure 

TURNING  from  arbitration  to  the  Federal 
courts,  Joseph  Pink  and  Sidney  Moritz,  op- 
erators of  the  third  run  Century  theatre  in 
Los  Angeles,  sued  Fox  West  Coast  Thea- 
tres on  Tuesday,  charging  unfair  practices 
in  combination  with  Twentieth  Century- 
Fox  and  other  distributors.  The  action  in 
U.  S.  District  Court  also  asserted  that 
monopolistic  practices  covered  by  the  1930 
and  1932  anti-trust  prosecutions  had  been 
revived.  Fox  West  Coast  and  the  Gov- 
ernment signed  a  consent  decree  in  the 
cases. 

The  partners  asked  an  injunction  to  re- 
strain the  circuit  from  the  alleged  unfair- 
ness and  special  favors  from  distributors. 
These  include  price  and  availability  priv- 
ileges, the  suit  said.  It  also  asked  $25,000 
in  attorneys  fees.  Judge  Campbell  E.  Beau- 
mont will  set  a  trial  date. 

Mr.  Pink  and  Mr.  Moritz  attacked  the 
clearances  of  Fox  West  Coast  houses  over 
their  Century  in  an  arbitration  case  in 
March,  1942.  It  was  dismissed  by  the  arbi- 
trator, who  ruled  that  the  Los  Angeles  clear- 
ance structure  should  not  be  upset  during 
wartime.  The  Appeal  Board  affirmed  the 
decision. 


Cheesecake  for  U.S. 

HOLLYWOOD  studio  publicity  directors, 
members  of  the  Industry  Service  Bureau, 
last  week  agreed  to  appoint  one  member  of 
each  of  their  staffs  to  cooperate  directly 
with  William  S.  Cunningham,  assistant  to 
the  chief  of  the  Washington  Liaison  Sec- 
tion of  the  Office  of  War  Information,  in 
connection  with  the  promotion  of  projects 
deemed  vitally  important  by  the  Govern- 
ment. The  province  of  these  collaborations 
does  not  include  films.  It  includes  promo- 
tion of  public  interest  in  scrap  drives,  stimu- 
lation of  interest  in  gardening,  simplification 
of  feminine  fashions,  and  similar  undertak- 
ings. 


Count  is  Out 

CENSUS  of  workers  in  the  motion  picture 
industry,  in  preparation  for  six  months  by 
the  Industry  Service  Bureau,  at  New  York, 
has  been  dropped  for  the  duration. 

The  count  of  workers  in  all  branches  of 
the  industry,  which  was  to  have  been  made 
in  cooperation  with  the  U.  S.  Census 
Bureau,  was  deferred  because  executives  of 
the  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distribu- 
tors of  America  felt  that  the  effects  of  war 
emergencies  would  give  an  inaccurate  pic- 
ture of  the  scope  of  the  industry.  The  tem- 
porary employment  of  women,  and  many  un- 
skilled workers  are  among  these  factors. 

Preliminary  studies  and  questionnaires 
will  be  filed  until  film  workers  return  from 
the  wars,  according  to  Glendon  Allvine, 
secretary  of  the  committee. 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD,  published  every  Saturday  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  City.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Colvin  Brown,  Vice-President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Terry  Ramsaye,  Editor;  James  D.  Ivers,  News  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  624  South 
Michigan  Avenue,  Oscar  Lundy,  correspondent;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Postal  Union  Life  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  editor;  Toronto  Bureau,  242  Millwood  Road,  Toronto,  Ontario, 
Canada,  W.  M.  Gladish,  correspondent;  Montreal  Bureau,  265  Vitre  St.,  West,  Montreal,  Canada,  Pat  Donovan,  correspondent;  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Square,  London  W  I, 
Hope  Williams  Burnup,  manager;  Aubrey  Flanagan,  editor;  cable  Quigpubco  London;  Melbourne  Bureau,  The  Regent  Theatre,  191  Collins  St.,  Melbourne,  Australia,  Cliff  Holt, 
correspondent;  Sydney  Bureau,  17  Archbold  Rd.,  Roseville,  Sydney,  N.S.W.,  Australia,  Lin  Endean,  correspondent;  Mexico  City  Bureau,  Dr.  Carmona  y  Valle  6,  Mexico  City, 
Luis  Becerra  Cells,  correspondent;  Buenos  Aires  Bureau,  J.  E.  Uriburi  126,  Buenos  Aires,  Argentina,  Natalio  Bruski,  correspondent;  Rio  de  Janeiro  Bureau,  Caixa  Postal  1090, 
Rio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil,  Alfredo  C.  Machado,  correspondent;  Montevideo  Bureau,  P.  O.  Box  664,  Montevideo,  Uruguay,  Paul  Bodo,  correspondent;  cable  Argus  Montevideo. 
Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations.  All  contents  copyright  1943  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company.  Address  all  correspondence  to  the  New  York  Office.  Other  Quigley  Publica- 
tions: Better  Theatres,  Motion  Picture  Daily,  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  and  Fame. 


10 


MOTION    PICTURE    H  ERALD 


May    2  9,    194  3 


THIS  WEEK 


the  Camera  observes 


By  Staff  Photographer 

■  AT  THE  WAC  LUNCHEON  in  the  Astor  Hotel,  New  York,  last  Friday 
for  Robert  J.  O'Donnell,  Texas  Interstate  head,  who  is  visiting  key  cities, 
and  urging  intensified  saving  and  collection  of  copper.  (See  page  26.) 
Above,  Allen  G.  Smith,  WPB;  Abraham  Leff,  exhibitor; 
Sam  Rinzler,  exhibitor;  Mr.  O'Donnell. 


PRISONER  of  the  Japanese. 
Clifford  C.  Almy,  Warners' 
Philippine  Islands  manager,  was 
among  those  listed  recently  by 
the  War  Department  as  having 
been  captured.  Efforts  by  his 
friends  to  communicate  with  him 
so  far  have  failed. 


By  Staff  Photographer 

INTO  THE  ARMY,  last  week,  went  Harold  Sachs  of  the 
Columbia  short  subjects  department.  Above,  Max  Weis- 
feldt,  his  chief,  hands  him  a  watch  at  a  farewell  luncheon 
at  the  Hickory  House,  New  York.   Spectators  are 
Rube  Jackter,  A.  Montague,  John  Kane,  Saul  Trauner. 


PHOTOGRAPHER  to  the 
industry,  Joseph  Heppner,  be- 
low, has  been  reelected  vice- 
president  of  New  York  Press 
Photographers  Association. 


■  JOHN  BALABAN  presents  a  departure  gift  to 
Clyde  Eckhardt  at  a  Chicago  Variety  Club  testimonial 
luncheon  last  Friday  before  Mr.  Eckhardt's  departure 
for  Los  Angeles  as  20th-Fox  branch  manager  there. 


Staff  Photn 


■  UNITED  ARTISTS'  new 
New  York  branch  man- 
ager, Jack  Ellis,  above, 
transfers  next  Tuesday 
from  the  RKO  exchange, 
where  he  was  sales 
manager. 


Staff  Photo 


May    2  9,     194  3 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


■  VISITING  HOLLYWOOD.  Ernest  Turnbull, 
managing  director  of  the  Hoyts'  Theatres  circuit, 
Australia,  is  seen,  below,  with  Charles  Skouras,  right, 
president  of  National  Theatres,  which  controls  Hoyts. 


WAR  PENNANT  to  Warners.  At  a  special 
ceremony  last  Friday  in  the  New  York  Strand, 
where  Warners'  "Action  in  the  North  Atlantic' 
opened,  the  U.  S.  Maritime  Service's  new 
Victory  Flag  was  awarded.  Above,  Captain  Ed- 
ward Macauley  presents  the  flag  to 
Jack  L.  Warner,  production  chief. 


AT  THE  New  York  trade  screening  of 
"Stage  Door  Canteen":  below,  Harry 
Sold,  United  Artists,  and  Edward 
Grainger,  president  of  the 
Feiber  &  Shea  circuit. 


■  PROMOTED.  Clarence 
Eiseman  has  been  appointed 
New  York  branch  manager 
for  Warners.  He  had  been 
on  the  Cleveland  sales  staff. 


EXHIBITORS  at  the  New  York  screening  of 
"Coney  Island",  20th  Century-Fox  film:  Walter 
Higgins,  Charles  Moses,  Arthur  Rapf,  Irwin 
Wheeler,  Mike  Ruden  and  Joseph  Seider. 


PRAISE  for  the  motion  picture  industry  as  "one  of  the  first  to  respond 
to  the  emergency"  came  from  Roane  Waring,  national  American  Legion 
commander,  at  a  luncheon  in  his  honor  Monday  at  the  20th 
Century-Fox  studio  in  Hollywood.  Above  are  Leon  Happell,  California 
Legion  commander;  William  Goetz,  producer,  who  presided;  Mr. 
Waring;  and  Joe  E.  Brown,  comedian.   Approximately  75  studio 
executives,  directors,  and  actors  attended. 


N 


12 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    29,  1943 


They're  in  the  Army  Now 


THE  HAL  ROACH  studio  in  Culver  City 
now  resounds  to  the  heavy  tread,  and  the 
"shooting"  there  is  a  preparation,  and  a 
necessity  for  the  more  lethal  shooting  by 
our  armed  men.  The  studio  is  in  fact  an 
Army  Air  Force  base,  and  as  a  base  it  is 
a  post,  a  training  ground,  for  overseas 
camera  units  and  a  producer  of  train- 
ing films. 

And  it  has  drawn  its  able  men  from  our 
industry.  As  privates  and  as  officers  Holly- 
wood's skilled  actors,  directors,  technicians 
may  be  seen  any  day  drilling,  performing 
the  usual  Army  routines — and  also  giving 
to  the  Army  Air  Force  1st  Motion  Picture 
Unit  the  talents  they  brought  to  and 
developed  in  Hollywood. 

Incidentally,  it  is  related  there  has  arisen 
a  problem  peculiar  to  such  a  post.  Enlisted 
men,  actors  portraying  commissioned  of- 
ficers, find  salutes,  to  and  from,  an 
embarrassment  and  a  chore;  because  no 
method  has  been  devised  to  differentiate 
them  while  in  "acting  uniform".  Thus,  it  is 
told,  Private  Alan  Ladd,  portraying  an 
Air  Force  captain,  was  daily  smartly  saluted 
by  a  Second  Lieutenant.  Until  one  day 
Private  Alan  Ladd,  in  faded  fatigues, 
cleaned  windows  for  that  officer — who 
watched  him  for  some  while,  and  said 
nothing. 

To  the  officers  the  actor  privates  now 
attribute  the  "evils"  which  befall  actors. 
For  instance,  hear  the  typical  gag  on  the 
post: 

"I  forgot  to  salute  an  officer  today — 
and  they  took  two  lines  of  dialogue  from 
me ! 

Some  personnel  information: 

In  charge  of  writers  is  Lieutenant  Irving 
Kumin,  one-time  casting  chief.  In  his  de- 
partment are  Lieutenant  George  Oppen- 
heimer  and  others  of  the  script  writing 
world. 

Squadron  Commander  is  Lieutenant  Ron- 
ald Reagan,  who  also  acts  in  the  training 
films. 

Commanding  officer  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Paul  M.  Mantz  was  one  of  Hollywood's 
daring  stunt  fliers. 

The  actors  include  George  Montgomery, 
Arthur  Kennedy,  Craig  Stevens,  Mark 
Daniel,  John  Beal,  Jim  Seay,  Don  Castle. 
Mr.  Seay,  a  sergeant,  is  head  of  the  mail 
room.  The  others  have  varied  but  strictly 
military  duties. 

Lieutenant  Frank  Shields  is  public  rela- 
tions and  special  services  officer.  He  was 
a  Samuel  Goldwyn  acting  "find",  also  a 
tennis  expert. 

Supervisor  of  the  makeup  department 
is  Sergeant  Otis  Malcolm,  from  Warners; 
of  the  prop  department,  Gene  Delaney. 

The  boys  in  the  1st  Motion  Picture  Unit 
are  working  now  for  "The  Producer",  they 
point  out;  and  he,  Uncle  Sam,  has  given 
them  a  very  long  term  contract. 


[Photos  by  1st  Motion  Picture  Unit,  Army  Air  Forces] 

ON  EMBARKATION  eve,  Major  Frank  Lloyd,  former  Hollywood  director,  inspects  his 
combat  camera  crew. 


ON  LOCATION,  at  Barksdale  Field,  Louisiana:  This  production  crew  working  on  a  film 
about  the  B-26  bomber  includes  actors,  cameramen  and  directors. 


PRIVATE  Alan  Ladd,  pipe  in  hand,  is  seen  above  as  an  Army  Air  Force  captain, 
in  a  typical  scene  from  a  training  film. 


LIEUTENANT   Ronald   Reagan   "reports."     "PILOT'S  heaven"  from  "Learn  and  Live." 


May    29,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


13 


MAJORS  EYE  CONTRACTS  IN 
LIGHT  OF  CRESCENT  CASE 


Industry  Attorneys  Watch 
for  Possibility  of  Appeal 
by  Tennessee  Circuit 

Watchful  and  anxious  eyes  are  being 
turned  toward  Nashville,  Tenn.,  by  industry 
lawyers  in  New  York. 

Legal  departments  of  the  major  distribu- 
tors are  watching  with  great  interest  to  see 
if  the  Crescent  Amusement  Company  will 
appeal  its  recent  conviction  under  the  Sher- 
man anti-trust  act  of  monopoly  in  film  buy- 
ing or  seek  to  modify  the  consent  decree  un- 
der which  the  United  States  District  Court 
at  Nashville  last  week  directed  the  circuit 
to  alter  buying  practices  and  break  ties  with 
six  affiliates. 

At  the  same  time  both  the  lawyers  and 
sales  departments  for  United  Artists 
(which  was  convicted  on  one  count  with 
Crescent),  and  the  "Big  Five,"  MGM, 
Warners,  RKO,  Paramount  and  20th 
Century-Fox,  are  examining  carefully 
their  franchises  and  contracts  with  Cres- 
cent, and  other  large  circuits.  They  want 
to  be  sure  that  they  are  not  liable  for 
involvement  as  defendants  in  similar 
future  suits. 

Studies  are  reported  under  way  by  the  home 
office  legal  staffs  to  determine  what  existing 
franchises  might  have  to  be  ended.  They  also 
are  studying  whether,  and  how,  existing  con- 
tracts should  be  rewritten  to  enable  the  circuit 
to  comply  with  the  orders  of  the  court. 

Most  long  term  franchises  with  Crescent 
have  expired.  Paramount,  Twentieth-Fox, 
Warners,  RKO  and  Metro  indicated  that  they 
would  sell  the  circuit  and  divorced  affiliates 
on  the  same  status  as  any  independent  circuit. 

Although  not  officially  party  to  the  decree 
distributor  spokesmen  admit  privately  that  they 
are  keenly  interested  in  the  outcome  of  a  pos- 
sible appeal.  The  lawyers  see  in  a  higher 
court  review  of  the  Crescent  case  an  important 
precedent  for  the  possible  renewal  of  the  New 
York  anti-trust  action  and  for  the  completion 
of  the  three  other  pending  field  actions  begun 
by  the  Department  of  Justice  in  1939. 

Not  Enthusiastic  Over 
Possible  Appeal 

Paramount,  MGM,  Warners,  RKO  and 
Twentieth  Century-Fox  were  dropped  as  de- 
fendants from  the  Crescent  case  when  the  New 
York  decree  was  signed  in  November,  1940. 
Columbia  and  Universal  were  dismissed  during 
the  trial.  Only  United  Artists  was  found  guil- 
ty of  combining '  with  Crescent,  and  then  only 
in  two  small  situations. 

The  home  office  lawyers  questioned  this  week 
were  not  enthusiastic  at  the  prospect  of  a  Cres- 
cent appeal.  They  were  inclined  to  argue  that 
the  decree  entered  by  Judge  Elmer  D.  Davies 
was  relatively  mild. 

If  the  case  were-  carried  to  the  Supreme 
Court,  one  observer  said,  it  might  result  in  a 
complete  dissolution  of  the  circuit.  He  cited 
reports  that  Robert  L.  Wright,  head  of  the 
Government  anti-trust  film  unit,  had  suggested 
that  the  circuit  withdraw  objections  to  the 
proposed  decree  and  agree  to  an  appeal.  This 
could  mean  a  final  and  precedental  adjudica- 
tion of  the  question  of  circuit  monopolies. 

In  such  an  event,  it  will  set  a  precendent 
which  lawyers  said  would,  in  all  probability, 


Schine  Able  to  Dispose  of  Only 
6  of  16  Houses  Ordered  Sold 

The  Schine  Circuit  has  been  able  to  dispose  of  only  6  of  the  16  theatres  it 
was  ordered  to  drop  a  year  ago  when  it  reached  a  two-year  truce  with  the  Depart- 
ment of  Justice  in  the  Government's  anti-trust  suit  against  the  circuit. 

The  news  that  10  theatres  still  remain  to  be  disposed  of  was  made  known  in 
Federal  District  Court  at  Buffalo  Thursday  when  the  Government  agreed  to  extend 
the  one-year  divestment  period  for  one  month  until  June  19th.  Under  the  agree- 
ment reached  last  year  the  Government  suspended  prosecution  for  two  years  under 
condition  that  the  circuit  attempt  to  dispose  of  16  specified  theatres,  which  the 
Government  charged  were  acquired  in  violation  of  anti-trust  statutes. 

Monthly  reports  to  the  court  showed  that  no  progress  had  been  made  in  selling 
the  theatres  during  the  past  four  months.  Gasoline  rationing  and  population  shifts 
from  small  towns  have  made  the  disposal  very  difficult,  according  to  the  reports. 
At  Buffalo,  lawyers  said  it  was  possible  that  the  temporary  extension  would  be 
followed  by  a  longer  one  to  give  the  circuit  new  opportunity  to  seek  buyers  for 
the  ten  remaining  theatres. 

In  most  instances  the  original  owners  have  not  been  interested  in  regaining  the 
houses,  other  bidders  could  not  be  found  in  some  cases,  and  fair  and  reasonable 
offers  were  difficult  to  obtain,  the  Schine  monthly  reports  have  told  Judge  John 
Knight,  who  signed  the  orders. 

The  theatres  which  have  been  sold  are  the  Cla-Zel  and  Lyric,  Bowling  Green,  Ky., 
to  Clark  M.  Young,  original  owner;  the  Viv,  in  Corbin,  Ky.,  and  the  Appalachia 
and  State  in  Appalachia,  Va.,  reverting  to  M.  K.  Murphy;  also  the  Webster 
theatre,  Rochester. 


affect  other  pending  anti-trust  cases,  including 
the  Schine  and  Griffith  actions  at  Buffalo  and 
Oklahoma  City. 

No  formal  confirmation  of  reports  have  been 
made  that  the  Crescent  Circuit,  or  Anthony 
Sudekum,  president  and  one  of  the  individual 
defendants,  would  appeal.  They  have  90  days 
after  entry  of  the  decree,  or  until  August  17th, 
to  do  so. 

New  Trial  of  Case 
May  Be  Requested 

George  H.  Armistead,  Jr.,  Crescent  counsel, 
said  in  Nashville  this  week  that  a  motion  for  a 
new  trial  would  be  made.  It  had  not  been 
finally  decided,  however,  what  course  would  be 
taken  if  the  appeal  for  the  new  trial  were  denied. 

"We  have  just  begun  to  fight,"  he  said. 

Attorneys  for  the  five  companies  which  are 
party  to  the  New  York  decree  all  denied  re- 
ports that  they  might  seek  permission  to  file 
briefs  in  the  event  of  an  appeal.  While  not 
parties  to  the  suit,  the  relationships  between 
them  and  the  defendant  circuits  were  sharply 
criticized  by  Judge  Davies  in  his  findings  of  fact. 

"We  would  be  foolish  to  intervene.  We 
are  not  parties  to  the  case  and  to  enter  it  at 
this  stage  might  result  very  disadvantageous^," 
one  representative  general  counsel  commented. 
"We  will  furnish  all  records  and  give  all  pos- 
sible assistance  in  preparing  an  appeal,  how- 
ever," he  added. 

Other  attorneys  were  less  outspoken,  but  most 
were  inclined  to  agree  that  they  would  seek  no 
active  part  in  a  Crescent  review. 

They  did  not  minimize  the  importance  of  the 
case,  however.  Also  there  was  not  much  opti- 
mism over  the  possibility  of  a  reversal  of  Judge 
Davies'  ruling  and  decree. 

The  consensus  of  observers  placed  Crescent's 


chances  of  a  reversal  at  less  than  50-50.  One 
lawyer  said  that  it  was  not  likely  that  the 
Appellate  Court  would  reverse  Judge  Davies  on 
his  findings.  While  it  might  not  agree  with 
his  conclusions,  unless  they  were  manifestly 
contrary  to  the  facts  on  the  record,  the  Ap- 
pellate Court,  and  Supreme  Court  if  it  decided 
to  pass  on  the  case,  most  probably  would  limit 
itself  to  passing  on  the  points  of  law  at  issue, 
another  lawyer  said. 

Edward  Raftery,  president  and  general  coun- 
sel of  United  Artists,  and  Benjamin  Pepper, 
counsel,  were  still  studying  the  Crescent  de- 
cree and  had  reached  no  decision  on  an  appeal, 
it  was  said  this  week.  Previously  it  was  indi- 
cated that  it  is  unlikely  that  UA  will  under- 
take the  expense  of  an  appeal  in  that  the  two 
instances  in  which  it  was  involved  concern 
operations  in  small  theatres  no  longer  open. 


Philadelphia  Theatre  Is 
Sold  to  Stiefel 

The  Carman  theatre,  key  independent  neigh- 
borhood house  in  Philadelphia,  will  go  to  Sam- 
uel H.  Stiefel,  operator  of  the  Fay's  and  Roxy 
theatres  in  Philadelphia  as  well  as  houses  in 
Baltimore  and  Washington,  it  was  disclosed  on 
Monday.  Final  approval  of  the  sale  will  be 
made  in  the  courts,  the  Carman  theatre,  operat- 
ing as  a  vaudeville  house  with  first  run  show- 
ings in  the  North  Philadelphia  area,  having 
been  in  receivership  for  the  past  few  years. 

Mr.  Stiefel  was  reported  the  successful  bid- 
der for  the  theatre  with  $325,000  said  to  have 
been  the  purchase  price.  It  is  also  reported 
that  Albert  M.  Greenfield,  local  realtor,  bought 
up  for  $290,000  all  the  outstanding  bonds  in  the 
theatre  property  issued  by  George  P.  Graves, 
who  originally  built  and  operated  the  house. 


14 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    29,  1943 


Latin  American 
Leadership  Cited 
By  Rockefeller 

The  United  States  holds  unchallenged  leader- 
ship on  the  screens  of  Latin  America,  Nelson 
Rockefeller,  coordinator  of  Inter-American 
Affairs,  told  the  press  in  Hollywood  Tuesday. 
He  was  in  California  for  the  reelection  of  offi- 
cers of  the  Government-sponsored  Motion  Pic- 
ture Society  for  the  Americas. 

The  U.  S.  produced  78  per  cent  of  the  shorts 
and  features  shown  in  South  and  Central  Amer- 
ica, he  said.  These  are  of  great  importance 
in  carrying  information  about  the  United  States 
and  messages  of  goodwill,  he  indicated. 

The  Government,  working  through  the  So- 
ciety, have  influenced  and  suggested  over  80 
productions,  providing  story  material,  technical 
advice  and  background  on  South  America. 
These  include  31  features  with  Latin  back- 
ground, 17  pictures  about  the  United  States  for 
South  America,  and  47  shorts.  Four  shorts 
and  34  features  are  now  in  production  or 
preparation  at  major  studios. 

Blacklisting  of  pro-Axis  firms  by  American 
distributors  has  been  so  successful,  he  reported, 
that  only  12  theatres  with  Nazi  affiliations  are 
still  operating  in  Argentina. 

Theatrical  attendance  in  Latin  America  was 
estimated  by  Mr.  Rockefeller  at  17,500,000 
weekly  out  of  a  130,000,000  population.  He  said 
the  CIAA's  16mm  program  reaches  over  a 
million  persons  in  Latin  America  and  an  equal 
number  here. 

Financial  and  technical  assistance,  and  raw 
stock  supplies  have  been  distributed  by  the 
CIAA  to  aid  the  film  industries  in  Mexico, 
Brazil,  Cuba,  Chile  and  Argentina.  While 
$3,000,000  was  appropriated  for  CIAA  produc- 
tion last  year,  he  said  that  only  a  third  had 
been  spent.  The  saving  was  attributed  to  as- 
sistance by  Hollywood.  The  1943  budget  will 
request  $1,500,000  for  direct  production,  he  said. 

Several  weeks  ago  Francis  Alstock,  director 
of  the  film  division,  revealed  that  the  agency 
had  distributed  125  short  subjects  in  two  years. 

Mr.  Rockefeller  defended  the  agency's  guar- 
antees against  loss  to  Walt  Disney  for  produc- 
tion of  "Saludos  Amigos,"  two  other  features 
and  a  program  of  educational  shorts. 

Joseph  I.  Breen  was  elected  president  of  the 
Motion  Picture  Society  for  the  Americas,  suc- 
ceeding Walter  Wanger.  Edward  J.  Mannix 
and  Kenneth  Macgowan  were  elected  vice- 
presidents  and  Y.  Frank  Freeman  remains  as 
chairman  of  the  board. 

Warners  Screen  "Mission" 
To  Pittsburgh  Audience 

Warners  entertained  approximately  600  Al- 
legheny area  editors,  publishers,  radio  station 
and  theatre  managers,  business  executives  and 
clergymen  at  a  screening  Tuesday,  May  18th, 
of  its  "Mission  to  Moscow"  in  the  Schenley 
theatre,  Pittsburgh.  The  screening,  sponsored 
by  the  company's  Pittsburgh  zone  theatres  and 
the  _  city's  Women's  Press  Club,  was  accom- 
panied by  a  30-minute  address  by  Walter  Du- 
ranty,  former  correspondent  in  Moscow  for 
American  newspapers. 

Mr.  Duranty  predicted  that  Russia  would 
join  its  Allies  in  attacking  Japan;  and  he  dis- 
missed public  controversy  over  the  picture  as 
excitement  about  "poetic  license." 

The  picturization  of  former  Ambassador 
Joseph  E.  Davies'  book  was  shown  to  Joseph 
Stalin  last  Sunday  night  after  he  had  enter- 
tained _  Mr.  Davies  at  a  state  dinner  in  the 
Kremlin.  Mr.  Davies  delivered  a  personal 
message  to  Mr.  Stalin  last  week  from  Presi- 
dent Roosevelt.  The  picture  was  screened  in 
the  Kremlin  theatre.  Mr.  Stalin  was  said  to 
have  enjoyed  it  and  to  have  questioned  Mr. 
Davies  about  his  book. 


RKO  Entertains  Its  Executives 
And  the  Trade  at  Coif 


FOURSOME,  at  RKO's  eighth  annual  golf  tournament  Tuesday  at  the  Westchester 
Country  Club,  Rye,  New  York.  Above,  pausing  and  posing  in  passing,  are  N.  Peter 
Rathvon,  RKO  president;  Robert  Wolff,  New  York  district  manager;  Ned  Depinet,  RKO 
Radio  Pictures  president;  and  Charles  Koerner,  vice-president  in  charge  of  studio 
operations. 

Many  of  the  film  trade  of  New  York  journeyed  to  the  club  Tuesday  afternoon,  to  par- 
ticipate in  the  golfing,  and  attend  the  annual  dinner  at  which  the  prizes  were  awarded. 

Among  those  present  were:  M.  H.  Aylesworth,  Frank  Buck,  S.  Barret  McCormick,  Jack 
Pegler,  James  Mulvey,  George  Dembow,  Abe  Montague,  Tom  Connors,  Edward  Golden, 
Edward  Grainger,  Sam  Morris,  Leon  Netter,  William  Heineman,  Herman  Robbins,  Fred 
Ullman,  Malcolm  Kingsberg,  Gradwell  Sears,  Ed  Peskay,  Richard  C.  Patterson,  Jr. 


Chicago  Defendants 
Waive  Extradition 

Extradition  was  waived  Wednesday  in  Chi- 
cago by  the  six  aleged  Chicago  gangsters  during 
the  hearing  on  extradition  proceedings  at  which 
major  company  executives  testified  about  the 
extortions  practiced  upon  them  by  Willie  Bioff 
and  George  Browne,  late  heads  of  the  IATSE, 
and  now  jailed. 

The  six  men  will  be  arraigned  in  New  York 
on  June  8th,  with  the  trial  expected  to  begin 
in  September.  Matthias  Correa,  New  York 
Federal  district  attorney,  sought  the  men  for 
trial,  on  charges  of  conspiring  with  Browne  and 
Bioff  to  extort  "more  than  $2,500,000"  from  the 
industry. 

Nicholas  M.  Schenck  on  Monday  and  Tuesday 
related  his  own  background,  that  of  the  IATSE, 
and  his  relations  with  it,  culminating  in  de- 
scription of  Bioff's  demand  for  $2,000,000  ac- 
companied by  .threats  he  would  close  every 
theatre. 

The  indicted  men  are  Louis  Campagna,  a 
former  bodyguard  of  Al  Capone ;  Paul  De 
Lucia ;  Phil  D'Andrea,  a  former  Capone  guard ; 
Francis  Maritote,  Ralph  Pierce,  Charles  Gioe 
and  John  Rosselli,  the  "representative"  in  Holly- 
wood. Also  indicted  by  a  New  York  Federal 
Grand  Jury  was  the  late  Frank  Nitti,  a  cousin 
of  Capone,  and  a  Chicago  underworld  leader. 


Twin  Cities  Unit 
Asks  U.S.  Aid 

Minneapolis  independent  exhibitors  on  Tues- 
day announced  that  they  would  seek  aid  from 
the  Federal  Government  in  their  price  and  sales 
policy  controversy  with  distributors.  The  newly 
formed  North-Central  Allied  Independent  The- 
atres Association  charged  negotiations  had  failed. 

Don  Guttman,  president  of  the  group,  said  he 
had  been  directed  to  head  a  mission  to  Wash- 
ington at  an  early  date. 

"The  burden  of  independent  operation  has 
reached  a  critical  stage,"  he  said.  "Distributors 
have  _  made  it  clear  that  relief  is  out  of  the 
question.  Their  attitude  leaves  no  alternative 
other  than  turning  outside  the  industry  for 
help."  Mr.  Guttman  charged  that  Minneapolis 
branch  and  division  managers  told  his  group 
that  they  would  not  alter  sales  policies  for  a 
small  group  of  independent  exhibitors. 

The  North-Central  meeting  took  no  action 
on  the  increases  in  admission  prices  in  the  Twin 
Cities  area,  initiated  recently  by  the  Minnesota 
Amusement  Company.  At  Minneapolis  most 
theatres  were  reported  to  have  raised  prices  by 
five  cents. 


May    2  9,     194  3 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


15 


MORE  FOREIGN  FILMS  IN  U.  S. 
IS  PEACETIME  PLAN 


"Seat  at  Peace  Table"  for 
Industry  Is  Proposed  by 
Hicks  of  Paramount 

American  motion  picture  companies  are 
planning  for  the  post-war  period  in  Europe. 
Ideas,  recommendations,  concrete  proposals 
and  the  advancement  of  new  policies  are  be- 
ing sifted,  weighed,  double-checked  and  set 
down  now,  pending  the  Axis  defeat.  Defi- 
nite outlines  now  include  the  selection  of  im- 
portant films  produced  in  Hollywood  during 
the  past  three  years  for  immediate  distribu- 
tion to  the  European  market  and  the  proposi- 
tion that  wider  distribution  of  foreign-made 
product  in  the  U.  S.  will  follow  the  peace. 

"A  seat  at  the  peace  table  for  the  Amer- 
ican motion  picture  industry,"  is  the  em- 
phatic proposal  of  John  Hicks,  vice-presi- 
dent in  charge  of  foreign  distribution  for 
Paramount. 

"Greater  release  of  English  and  other 
foreign  pictures  in  America,"  is  forecast 
by  Joseph  Seidelman,  vice-president  in 
charge  of  foreign  distribution  for  Uni- 
versal. 

"A  free  world  market,  where  good  pic- 
tures, no  matter  who  makes  them,  will 
find  a  ready  and  waiting  public,"  is  advo- 
cated by  Murray  Silverstone,  recently 
named  vice-president  in  charge  of  foreign 
distribution  for  Twentieth  Century-Fox. 

Other  foreign  department  officials  predicted 
that  the  "old  order"  of  doing  business  in  Eu- 
rope "definitely  is  out"  and  that  American  film 
companies  would  have  to  adapt  their  policies  to 
meet  the  economic  needs  of  the  individual  Eu- 
ropean nations. 

Mr.  Seidelman  said  "it  is  entirely  possible" 
that  major  companies  would  encourage  wider 
distribution  in  America  of  foreign-made  pic- 
tures, "if  the  films  meet  our  standards  of  qual- 
ity." 

Mr.  Hicks  expressed  his  view  as  follows : 
"I  don't  think  there's  anybody  in  our  industry 
but  would  be  very  happy  to  see  the  British, 
for  example,  build  up  their  industry  and  make 
real  motion  pictures — those  we  can  play  in  our 
theatres  here.  We  should  let  them  know, 
however,  that  if  they  want  us  to  show  them,  they 
must  allow  us  to  show  our  product  in  England 
without  trade  barriers." 

Foreign  department  officials  agree  most  em- 
phatically, that  dubbing  of  American-made  pic- 
tures in  the  language  of  the  foreign  country 
is  a  headache.  They  believe,  however,  that 
super-imposed  titles  will  continue  to  be  em- 
ployed, despite  the  fact  that  titles  present  an 
audio-visual  pressure  upon  audiences,  "unless 
something  else  comes  along  to  improve  on  both 
titles  and  dubbing." 

MGM,  20th-Fox  Plan 
British  Production 

Walter  Gould,  United  Artists  foreign  man- 
ager, developed  a  foreign  language  technique 
which  is  said  to  reduce  the  number  and  length 
of  subtitles  required  for  export  prints.  The 
method  was  used  by  UA  for  the  Spanish, 
Portuguese  and  Swedish  versions  of  "The  Moon 
and  Sixpence." 

Both  MGM  and  Twentieth  Century-Fox  have 
extensive  plans  for  production  in  England  and 
distribution  througout  the  British  Common- 
wealth as  well  as  Europe,  it  has  been  indicated 
by  recent  actions  of  the  two  companies.  The 
merger  of  Sir  Alexander  Korda  with  MGM, 


LAUDY  LAWRENCE  IN 
ALGIERS  FOR  OWI 

Laudy  Lawrence,  who  resigned  re- 
cently from  MGM  as  special  repre- 
sentative of  the  foreign  department, 
has  arrived  in  Algiers  and  has  started 
work  for  the  overseas  film  division  of 
the  Office  of  War  Information.  Mr. 
Lawrence's  duties  will  take  him  all 
over  the  North  African  territory,  in- 
cluding Tunisia.  He  will  endeavor  to 
expedite  distribution  of  Hollywood 
product  to  theatres  in  the  area,  work- 
ing closely  with  major  company  offi- 
cials in  North  Africa.  Before  joining 
MGM  Mr.  Lawrence  was  director  of 
foreign  distribution  for  Twentieth 
Century-Fox  and  prior  to  that  was 
supervisor  of  the  foreign  department 
for  United  Artists. 


according  to  the  former  UA  producer,  "looks 
to  the  future  more  than  the  present." 

Several  months  ago  it  was  reported  that 
Spyros  Skouras,  president  of  Twentieth-Fox, 
was  contemplating  a  trip  to  England.  Purpose 
of  the  visit,  according  to  reports,  is  to  shape 
the  Twentieth-Fox  postwar  production  aims  in 
England  as  well  as  to  strengthen  the  company's 
British  exhibitor  relations. 

As  early  as  last  January,  Robert  T.  Kane,  in 
charge  of  production  for  Twentieth-Fox  in  En- 
gland, on  a  visit  to  this  country,  said  in  Holly- 
wood, that  one  of  the  greatest  problems  con- 
fronting the  American  film  industry  was  "a 
post-war  distribution  system  in  Europe."  He 
said  at  that  time  that  Twentieth-Fox,  for  some 
months,  had  been  discussing  a  plan  for  post-war 
distribution  of  its  product  in  France  and  other 
European  countries  after  the  war. 

Hilary  A.  St.  George  Saunders,  assistant 
librarian  of  the  British  House  of  Commons, 
now  a  Commando,  addressing  the  Academy  of 
Motion  Picture  Arts  and  Sciences  in  Hollywood 
last  week,  urged  American  companies  to  make 
films  for  the  post  war  period.    See  page  23. 

Post-War  Planning  Is 
Vital,  Says  Golden 

That  the  American  motion  picture  industry 
should  join  with  other  industries  in  post-war 
planning  was  urged  recently  by  Nathan  Gold- 
en, film  consultant  to  the  Department  of  Com- 
merce. He  said  no  other  industry  was  so  pow- 
erful an  instrument  for  international  goodwill 
and  understanding  as  the  motion  picture. 

Insofar  as  concrete  plans  for  after  the  war 
are  concerned,  most  foreign  department  officials 
said  that  obviously,  future  development  of  mili- 
tary and  political  events  must  impinge  on  what- 
ever plans  American  film  companies  are  mak- 
ing. Dubbing  of  product  for  post-war  Europe 
has  come  in  for  much  discussion  and  re-evalua- 
tion. Surveys  of  distribution  personnel  and 
methods,  to  determine  the  best  available  men  for 
the  most  important  foreign  market  posts,  are 
being  conducted.  Nearly  every  film  produced 
in  the  last  two  years  which  has  a  "universal, 
human  interest  appeal,"  has  been  earmarked  for 
foreign  distribution  following  the  war. 

The  "old  order"  of  doing  business  in  Europe 
after  the  war  won't  apply,  according  to  Mr. 
Seidelman.   "All  companies,"  he  said,  "will  have 


to  adapt  themselves  to  changed  conditions  and 
since  we  are  dealing  with  a  product  so  desired 
and  so  sought  after,  for  which  there  is  abso- 
lutely no  substitute,  I  am  sure  that  with  com- 
mon sense  planning  we  will  fit  into  whatever 
economic  developments  arise  in  European  coun- 
tries after  the  war. 

"I  think  that  the  people  in  the  liberated  coun- 
tries might  have  some  ideas  of  their  own  con- 
cerning motion  pictures,"  he  added.  "I  don't 
think  we  can  force  our  plans  on  them  without 
giving  much  thought  to  their  particular  prob- 
lems. I  think  that  every  country  will  have  its 
economic  difficulties,  but  success  at  the  box 
office  is  inevitable.  People  will  be  so  delighted 
to  go  to  theatres  again  and  see  American  mo- 
tion pictures  which  have  been  denied  to  them  for 
so  long,  that  they'll  find  the  money.  They  may 
not  be  able  to  pay  high  prices,  but  the  scale  of 
admission  prices  probably  will  be  lowered  to 
admit  the  greatest  numbers  of  people." 

Industry  Made  Mistake 
After  Last  War 

He  does  not  believe  the  U.  S.  Government 
will  continue  motion  picture  production  after  the 
war.  "There  would  be  no  need  for  it,"  he  said. 
He  did  think,  however,  that  if  the  Government 
desired  certain  "educational  or  goodwill"  short 
subjects  to  be  made  for  foreign  consumption, 
that  officials  would  call  upon  the  industry  to 
produce  such  films.  Mr.  Silverstone  agreed  on 
this  point,  and  added  further  that  the  major 
companies  "undoubtedly  would  know  what  kind 
of  pictures  to  make  in  order  to  promote  great- 
er international  understanding,  without  the  in- 
tervention of  the  Government."  Other  foreign 
department  officials  concurred  in  this  opinion. 

That  Paramount  is  giving  "much  thought  to 
post-war  plans"  was  indicated  by  Mr.  Hicks. 
"We  haven't  ironed  out  all  definite  details," 
he  said,  "because  at  this  point  that  is  impossible 
to  accomplish,  but  generally,  we  know  what  we 
are  going  to  do.  We're  keeping  the  sound 
tracks  of  certain  films  which  we  think  will  have 
a  general,  universal  appeal  after  the  war.  Every 
major  company  knows  pretty  much  what  it  is 
going  to  do  following  the  peace,  although  no 
one  is  going  to  talk  about  it  now." 

Mr.  Hicks  believes  that  American  companies 
made  a  great  mistake  following  the  last  war  in 
their  approach  to  the  development  of  the  for- 
eign market.  He  expressed  the  hope  that  dis- 
tributors would  not  repeat  those  errors. 

Insofar  as  British,  French  or  any  other 
home-grown  industry  is  concerned,  Mr. 
Hicks  was  emphatic:  "I  say,  let  them 
build  up  their  own  industries.  Let  them 
make  their  own  pictures.  If  they're  good, 
they'll  sell.  But  if  our  pictures  are  better, 
we  should  be  allowed  to  put  them  on  a 
competitive  world  market." 

Mr.  Hicks  definitely  believes  that  the  Ameri- 
can motion  picture  "should  have  a  say  at  the 
peace  table."  Major  companies  should  insist 
on  a  free  market  in  those  countries  in  Europe 
which  will  be  able  to  do  business  after  the 
war,  he  said. 

"We  want  inter-change  of  motion  pictures." 
After  the  war,  he  pointed  out  that  "European 
nations  would  need  all  they  could  get  in  the 
way  of  entertainment  pictures  to  bolster  morale 
and  American  companies  should  do  everything 
possible  to  give  them  such  pictures." 

He  repeated,  however,  that  since  the  Ameri- 
can film  industry  has  proved  "by  what  we  have 
given  to  the  war  effort  that  we  are  a  tre- 
mendous industry  and  that  we  thoroughly  un- 
derstand the  role  of  the  screen  in  wartime  as 
well  as  peacetime,  we  should  be  given  every 
consideration  in  helping  to  make  the  peace." 


MISSION 

TO 

MOSCOW 


Free!  Book  It  Now! 
The  U.  S.  Government's 
'PRELUDE  TO  WAR' 


■  1-    ■       »*f  p 


EDGE  OF 


The 

Hard 


Just  check  the  season's  distribution 
to  date- release  for  release!  Then  face 
the  cold  fact.  The  one  and  only  way 
to  give  your  houses  their  Squarest 
Deal  is  to  get  'em  the  Warner  kind  of 
story,  the  Warner  kind  of  delivery,  the 


KIND  OF  BUSIt/e$$! 


QiORGE 

mHlNQTON 
SLEPT 
HERE 


ACROSS 

PACI FIC 


ENTLEMAI 


Oti 

n  we 

ORTH 


18  MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

ON  THE  MARCH 


May    2  9,     194  3 

by  RED  KANN 


HOLLYWOOD 

THE  question  is  not  war  films,  or  more  accurately  war  and 
morale  films.    Not  by  a  long  shot.    The  question,  very 
particularized,  is  how  many,  what  kind  and  how  good. 
All  three,  in  combination,  comprise  the  key  to  the  answer. 

As  a  matter  of  record,  if  you  will,  and  not  by  way  of  defense 
at  all — not  at  all — we  start  this  with  excerpts  of  some  para- 
graphs which  led  off  this  page  on  May  8th : 

"Surrounded  by  war,  the  observation  is  like  the  nose  on 
the  face :  There  can  be  no  completely  successful  escape  from 
it.  .  .  .  Because  the  war  is  the  biggest  show  on  earth,  it  fur- 
rows tired  ground  again  to  remark  Hollywood  at  once  saw 
the  possibility  and  then  leaped.  It  was  normal  as  a  com- 
mercial policy  and  it  was  proper  as  a  contribution  hastening 
ultimate  victory.    Everyone  certainly  must  know  this. 

"Everyone,  too,  ought  to  recognise  a  world's  insides  can- 
not be  turned  out  without  the  tremors  taking  substantial  hold 
of  Hollywood's  thinking  and  action.  Therefore,  war  films, 
by  which  is  meant  those  dealing  with  the  battle  fronts,  the 
home  front  arid  morale,  zvill  continue.  They  should,  if  they 
are  important." 

"Important"  is  the  word  for  it.  For  the  truth  of  the  current 
state  of  affairs  is  simple  enough,  and  this  is  it:  Producers,  gen- 
erally and  not  specifically,  have  seized  upon  the  war  theme  as  a 
quick  and  fast  road  to  financial  success.  Thus  far,  they  have 
been  right. 

They  can  continue  to  be  right,  public-spirited  and  war-minded 
as  well,  if  they  curb  their  numerical  enthusiasms  and  get  down 
to  more  serious  cases. 

They  will  be  wrong  if  they  persist  in  converting  cowboys  into 
Nazis,  beachcombers  into  Japanese  spies  and  in  transforming  the 
villain,  no  matter  what  he  may  have  been  in  his  original  form, 
into  the  Enemy. 

Opportunism,  Not  Opportunity 

THE  truth  also  is  that  Hollywood  has  been  pockmarked 
with  sleazy  efforts  tying  an  out-of-kilter  percentage  of  its 
total  production  activity  to  this  one  theme  whether  justi- 
fiably so  or  not,  and  more  often  not.  There  are  those  instances 
where  story  material,  bearing  no  resemblance  to  any  facet  of  the 
war,  abroad  or  at  home,  has  been  altered  to  introduce  an  Axis 
slant  because,  thus  far,  that  kind  of  attraction  has  been  hot.  The 
inevitable  result  has  been  twofold: 

1.  — The  market  has  been  deluged  with  war  features,  ranging 
mostly  from  the  acceptable — with  indulgence — to  the  poor. 

2.  — The  deluge,  superimposed  upon  other  types  and  kinds  of 
war  footage  and  the  realities  of  enlistment,  the  draft,  rationing, 
the  radio  and  the  newspapers,  well  nigh  has  engulfed  the  public. 
In  approaching  desperation,  if  that  frame  of  mind  has  not  already 
been  reached,  the  public  wants  relief. 

Because  a  change  of  pace  is  desired  this,  in  our  opinion,  indi- 
cates no  walking  away  from  responsibility  or  obligation.  It  does 
not  mean  the  public  is  throwing  up  any  sponges  or  abandoning 
any  of  its  determination  to  win  this  war  as  rapidly  as  it  can  be 
managed.  We're  in  it  alright.  We're  in  it,  but  good,  and  the 
waters  are  swirling  well  above  the  ankles  by  this  time. 

No  relinquishment  of  resolve  can  be  attributed  to  those  who 
patronize  theatres  if  they  want  the  entertainment  they  buy  mixed 
into  an  appetizing  salad.  Actually,  a  reaction  of  such  a  character 
is  normal.  The  whole  history  of  this  industry  demonstrates  this 
to  be  the  case.  While  the  tensions  are  tauter  and  certainly  the 
causes  more  fundamental,  it  is  simply  too  much  to  ask  that  the 
career  of  war  films  be  different  from  all  the  other  cycles  through 
which  the  business  constantly  passes. 

Analysis,  moreover,  is  not  as  complete  a  stab  into  the  unknown 
as  it  may  appear.  There  is  England,  at  war  since  September  1, 
1939.    The  logbook  of  her  experience  is  established.    It  shows, 


and  it  is  documented,  that  after  the  blitz  had  subsided,  the  public 
became  bored  with  the  war.  It  demanded  relief  from  its  trials 
and  got  it  in  a  variety  of  manner. 

Only  a  few  weeks  ago,  105,000  men  and  women  attended  a 
football  match  in  London  while  the  RAF  patrolled  the  skies 
against  marauding  planes.  Two  out  of  three  in  Great  Britain 
are  tied  to  the  war  machine.  The  eyes  of  the  people  of  that  na- 
tion are  fixed  immutably  on  victory,  yet  the  people  still  want  their 
fun  when  and  how  they  can  find  it.  Yet  as  contradictory  as  it 
may  seem  to  be,  reputable  war  pictures,  if  occasionally  offered, 
are  accepted  there  and  their  success  definitely  registered. 

It  is  highly  significant  to  note  that  here  the  Office  of  War  In- 
formation predicted  well  over  a  year  ago  that  the  American  pub- 
lic, en  masse,  might  become  bored  with  the  war,  too,  in  1943, 
which  this  is.  Should  this  be  true  or  become  true,  the  dangers 
need  no  stressing  nor  does  the  vital  need  to  lick  them  require  any 
expounding  here. 


The  Spotlight  and  Its  Focus 

WHAT  this  possibility  does,  however,  is  to  emphasize  the 
need  anew  to  keep  the  public  acquainted  with  war  prog- 
ress and  war  objectives.  It  re-fastens  once  more  spot- 
light attention  on  the  part  which  this  industry  can,  and  must, 
play  in  furthering  that  assignment.  But  to  conclude  that  such  a 
task  is  furthered  by  swamping  tactics  is  erroneous  thinking. 
Events  of  the  day  now  tend  to  verify  the  observation. 

It  has  been  reported  before,  but  it  seems  to  fit  again,  that  OWI 
has  been  aware  of  what  is  happening  now  for  a  full  year.  It 
urged  Hollywood  to  watch  its  step  and  to  tread  with  caution 
because  it  was  convinced  the  true  values  and  the  importances  of 
significant  war  features  would  face  diminishing  reaction  if  the 
aggregate  number  were  not  held  in  check. 

Today,  this  is  the  approximate  condition.  The  meaningful  are 
suffering  at  the  hands  of  the  meaningless. 

For  ourselves,  therefore,  we  line  up  squarely  behind  Harry  M. 
W arner  when  he  states : 

"We  must  work  to  eliminate  shortcomings  and  catch- 
penny tricks.  Let  us  not  make  a  war  picture  just  like  several 
other  war  pictures  simply  because  the  others  proved  profit- 
able. There  are  many  facets  to  this  war,  a  large  part  of  them 
requiring  delicate  handling  and  considerable  courage  on  the 
part  of  the  man  who  would  attempt  to  picturize  them.  This, 
then,  is  our  chance  to  demonstrate  that  zve  possess  that  neces- 
sary courage  and  sensitivity,  and  our  chance  to  make  all 
other  Americans  feel  damned  glad  that  zve  were  numbered 
among  them  in  this  crisis." 

He  is  qualified  to  speak  with  full  authority  on  the  basis  of  his 
company's  demonstrated  performance.  Warners,  beyond  all 
odds,  have  done  the  outstanding  job  in  combining  significant  war 
and  United  Nations  films  with  box  office  merchandise.  The 
dramatic  sledge-hammer  blows  in  "Casablanca,"  "Air  Force," 
"Edge  of  Darkness"  and  "Action  in  the  North  Atlantic"  and  the 
provocative  "Mission  to  Moscow"  verify  the  conclusion. 

However,  they  do  not  substantiate  any  conclusions  seeking  to 
establish  that  it  must  be  war  films  only  which  the  public  should 
see  or  should  be  expected  to  see.  The  public  will  retain  its  right 
of  determination  now  as  it  always  has. 

Nor  is  there  validity  in  branding  as  "entertainment  appeasers" 
those  who  would  do  something,  however  little,  about  "the  fairy 
tale  version  of  the  world  we  live  in." 

A  man  may  forget  his  defense  job  for  a  Sunday  picnic.  It 
proves  he  wants  a  temporary,  if  slight,  change.  Nothing  more, 
nothing  less.  Monday  finds  him  back  at  his  lathe  or  at  his  rivet- 
ing machine. 

Another  may  leave  a  typewriter  pounding  out  words  like  these 
on  war  pictures  for  a  brief  Sunday  in  the  country.  In  fact,  that's 
where  we  are  heading  right  now. 


May    2  9,     194  3 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


I? 


AUTHORITIES  CRACK  DOWN 
ON  THEATRE  VANDALS 


Owners  Use  Direct  Action 
in  Effort  to  Curb  Wave 
of  Juvenile  Delinquency 

Vandalism  in  theatres,  a  manifestation 
of  juvenile  delinquency  which,  since  Pearl 
Harbor,  has  plagued  exhibitors  no  less 
than  parents,  social  workers  and  chil- 
dren's court  officials,  has  reached  the 
point  where  direct  action  on  the  part  of 
theatre  managers  has  replaced  prolonged 
discussions  of  the  problem.  No  longer 
are  exhibitors  pondering  the  "why's"  of 
the  wave  of  juvenile  destructiveness  and 
obstreperousness. 

Now  the  long  arm  of  the  law  is  reach- 
ing out.  Numerous  city  and  town  fathers 
throughout  the  country,  in  some  instances 
pressed  by  theatre  operators,  have  passed 
curfew  laws.  Managers  have  displayed 
signs  warning  "gate-crashers"  evading 
payments  of  the  Federal  amusement  tax 
that  "forcible  entry  into  a  theatre  is  a 
Federal  offense,  punishable  by  a  fine  of 
$10,000  or  five  years  imprisonment  or 
both."  Some  theatres  have  offered  re- 
wards to  persons  "furnishing  information 
leading  to  the  apprehension  of  those 
guilty  of  destroying  furnishings  or  equip- 
ment in  this  theatre." 

Seattle  exhibitors  are  running  trailers 
in  local  theatres  offering  a  $50  reward  for 
information  leading  to  the  arrest  and 
conviction  of  young  vandals  or  disturbers. 
The  trailer  explains  that  such  conduct  is 
a  misdemeanor  and  is  punishable  by  a 
$300  fine,  or  imprisonment,  or  both. 

To  enforce  the  "teen-age"  curfew  law 
recently  passed  in  Boston,  Acting  Police 
Commissioner  Kavanaugh  has  clamped 
down  on  violators,  warning  that  breach 
of  the  law  will  result  in  prosecution  of 
the  parents.  Thus  far  curfew  measures 
have  been  enacted  in  Cleveland,  Bucyrus, 
Ohio ;  Battle  Creek,  Mich.,  Greenville,  Pa., 
Montgomery,  Ohio,  Madison  and  Port- 
age, Wis.,  among  other  areas  through- 
out the  country. 

Civic  authorities  and  exhibitors  have  sifted 
through  the  basic  reasons  for  the  increase  of 
delinquency  among  juveniles  and  have  agreed 
that  the  primary  causes  are:  relaxing  of  par- 
ental guidance  since  the  war  induced  by  the 
fact  that  millions  of  mothers  and  fathers  are 
working  at  war  plants  and  are  away  from  the 
home  for  longer  periods  than  heretofore ;  short- 
age of  teaching  staffs  caused  by  the  draft;  de- 
crease in  police  personnel,  also  because  of  the 
draft;  failure  of  social  agencies  to  cope  ade- 
quately with  the  problem  by  increasing  recre- 
ational facilities  for  children,  due  to  the  short- 
age of  trained  personnel  and  lack  of  available 
funds ;  decrease  in  theatre  personnel,  off  to  war 
or  to  war  industry. 

Community  Cooperation 
Often  Successful 

Wherever  possible,  exhibitors  are  seeking  the 
guidance  and  aid  of  police  departments,  chil- 
dren's courts,  social  work  agencies,  churches, 
schools  and  parent-teacher  groups  in  an  effort 
to  diminish,  if  not  entirely  eliminate  the  van- 
dalism. 

In  many  localities  this  community  coopera- 


FRED  GIBBS,  manager  of  the  Ace 
Theatre  in  Wilmington,  Del. 


tion  has  proved  successful.  In  addition  to  an- 
noying adult  patrons,  the  youngsters  have  re- 
sorted to  more  violent  means  of  "expression." 
They  damage  theatre  seats ;  wreck  havoc  in 
rest  rooms ;  steal  plumbing  and  heating  fixtures 
and  anything  else  which  can  be  "'moved"  ;  start 
fires  in  refuse  cans  and  of  course,  force  entry 
into  houses  without  paying  at  the  box  office. 

Last  month,  Allied  Theatres  of  Illinois  pro- 
posed production  of  a  short  subject  either  by  a 
Government  agency  or  under  sponsorship  of 
the  War  Activities  Committee  which  would  de- 
pict the  unpatriotic  nature  of  the  destrection  of 
critical  materials  in  theatres  by  the  juvenile 
vandals.  The  proposal  was  submitted  to  the 
National  Allied  board  which  met  in  Detroit 
recently. 

Several  weeks  ago,  police  officials  in  Oak- 
land, Calif.,  began  an  inquiry  into  the  wave  of 
pyromania  and  vandalism  in  the  city  which  re- 
sulted in  several  small  fires  in  Oakland  and 
Berkeley  theatres  which  caused  $25,000  damage 
at  one  house.  The  inquiry  was  endorsed  by 
the  sixth  congress  of  Parent-Teachers  Associa- 
tion of  the  state,  meeting  at  the  time,  which 
passed  a  resolution  calling  on  authorities  to 
correct  the  situation. 

Eternal  Vigilance  by 
Exhibitors  Needed 

Exhibitors  are  of  the  opinion  that  eternal  vigi- 
lance on  their  part  is  necessary  if  they  are  to 
keep  their  houses  open  and  their  equipment 
intact.  In  Portland,  Ore.,  for  example,  numer- 
ous conferences  between  the  officers  and  theatre 
owners  are  helping  to  solve  the  problem. 

Theatre  managers  in  Fall  River,  Mass.,  report- 
ed they  were  successful  in  stemming  a  wave  of 
vandalism  which  existed  in  their  houses  for 
several  weeks.  Greater  surveillance  in  one 
house  reduced  considerably  seat-cutting  and 
other  property  damage ;  another  theatre  in- 
creased its  price  of  admission  for  children  three 
years  old  or  more  to  the  cost  of  adult  tickets. 
A  third  manager  brought  two  culprits  to  court 
and  reported  that  others  were  "scared  off"  for 
the  time. 


Exhibitor  Shows 
Way  to  Handle 
Child  Patrons 


An  exhibitor  who  has  converted  a  tendency 
toward  vandalism  in  his  theatre  into  a  recrea- 
tional group  activity,  constructively  planned  and 
directed,  is  Frederick  H.  Gibbs,  assistant  man- 
ager of  the  Ace  theatre,  Wilmington,  Del.  He 
initiated  a  pincer-movement  program,  two  arms 
of  which  were  extended  so  effectively  that  the 
very  youngsters  who  were  the  most  serious  of- 
fenders a  year  ago,  today  are  models  of  de- 
portment. 

Wilmington's  juvenile  court,  its  social  agen- 
cies, schools  and  parent-teacher  organizations 
are  looking  to  the  Ace  theatre  as  a  successful 
community  center  for  children  which  should  be 
duplicated  throughout  the  city.  Mr.  Gibbs  has 
made  his  theatre  a  place  of  recreation  and  re- 
laxation for  war-weary  adult  patrons  and  also 
has  brought  it  into  the  limelight  as  an  impor- 
tant project  in  the  handling  of  juvenile  de- 
linquency. 

A  year  ago,  when  he  went  to  the  Ace,  Mr. 
Gibbs  found  the  problem  on  his  hands.  The 
theatre,  a  neighborhood  house  in  a  densely  pop- 
ulated part  of  the  city,  was  a  "second  home"  to 
children  whose  parents  were  engaged  largely  in 
war  industry.  The  kids  ran  riot.  Mr.  Gibbs 
went  into  action. 

He  initiated  an  unofficial  "court"  in  his  of- 
fice for  young  culprits.  The  ushers  became  the 
arresting  officers ;  the  assistant  manager,  the 
judge,  and  the  apprehended  child  the  defendant. 

There  were  no  lectures  in  court.  He  made 
friends  with  the  children.  Then  he  explained 
that  property  damage,  boisterousness,  at  the 
expense  of  adults  who  came  to  the  theatre  for 
relaxation  and  "a  little  peace,"  were  unpatriotic 
acts.  He  pointed  out  that  with  priorities,  it 
was  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  obtain  re- 
quired replacement  materials.  As  most  of  the 
youngsters  have  relatives  in  military  service, 
his  arguments  were  successful.  No  child  wanted 
to  feel  that  he  was  hampering  the  war  effort. 

Following  the  "court  trial,"  if  the  defendant 
was  unsympathetic  to  the  "treatment,"  Mr. 
Gibbs  banned  him  from  the  theatre  until  the  boy 
relented  and  promised  to  behave.  If  the  young- 
ster succumbed  to  the  persuasiveness  of  the 
assistant  manager,  Mr.  Gibbs  requested  a  friend 
of  the  boy  to  be  responsible  for  the  future  be- 
havior of  the  repentant  one. 

He  utilized  the  "Young  Timers  Club,"  an 
organization  of  some  1,600  children,  boys  and 
girls,  who  come  to  the  Ace  for  special  Saturday 
morning  shows,  to  help  put  over  his  program. 
Each  member  of  the  club  acts  as  a  committee 
of  one  to  help  keep  the  members  orderly  at  all 
times  in  the  theatre.  The  club's  officers  have 
their  headquarters  in  Mr.  Gibb's  office  and 
hold  periodic  meetings  there. 

But  that  was  not  enough.  A  realist,  Mr. 
Gibbs  knew  he  had  to  offer  an  outlet  for  ex- 
uberant spirits.  He  converted  an  empty  store 
in  the  back  of  the  Ace  into  a  playroom.  He 
redecorated  it  and  installed  games,  a  phono- 
graph, radio  and  candy  and  popcorn  machines. 
He  staffed  the  room  with  a  competent  usher 
as  "manager."  The  playroom  is  open  during  the 
same  hours  as  the  theatre.  It  not  only  serves 
as  a  haven  for  children  during  their  period  of 
"exile"  from  the  film  house,  but  it  also  has 
become  a  recreational  center  for  all  youngsters 
in  the  neighborhood. 


SMASHED  EVERY 
RECORD  AT  THE 
ROXY,  NEW  YORK! 
• 

HELD  OVER  TO 
CLAMORING  CROWDS 

AT  THE 

FOX,  ST.  LOUIS! 


BEATS  "FRISCO"  AT 
THE  INDIANA, 
INDIANAPOLIS! 


's  the  same  sensa 


HELD  OVER  BY  DEMAND 
AT  THE  PALACE, 
BETHLEHEM,  PA. 
• 

SOCK  BUSINESS 
AT  THE  SAENGER, 
NEW  ORLEANS! 


Of) 


\ 


EVERYWHERE  ^^f/th  CENTURY-FOX 

Book  "PRELUDE  TO  WAR"  Free! 


TYRONE  POWER 


in 


CRASH  DIVE 


TECf/WCOlO* 


ANNE  BAXTER  .  DANA  ANDREWS 

JAMES  GLEASON  .  DAME  MAY  WHITTY 
Directed  by  Archie  Mayo  •  Produced  by  Milton  Sperling 


22 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    29,  1943 


Ban  on  Driving  Cuts 
Suburban  Cross 


Rural  Business  Also  Off 
in  13  Eastern  States,  but 
Big  Cities  Hold  Up 

Sharp  decreases  in  rural  and  suburban 
theatre  business  in  13  eastern  states  were 
reported  this  week,  following  the  Office 
of  Price  Administration's  renewed  ban  on 
"pleasure  driving"  and  reiterated  warn- 
ings that  oil  and  gasoline  in  those  states 
were  more  scarce  than  they  have  been 
at  any  time  since  Pearl  Harbor. 

The  ban,  effective  Thursday,  May  20th, 
was  followed  this  week  by  an  order  from 
the  Office  of  Defense  Transportation, 
slashing  truck  delivery  schedules,  and  re- 
ducing bus  and  taxi  mileage  by  extend- 
ing from  June  30th  to  July  25th  the  valid- 
ity of  "T"  coupons.  The  measure  took 
effect  Thursday. 

ODT  spokesmen  estimated  that  m 
most  of  the  area  affected,  the  saving 
would  be  20,000  barrels  of  gasoline  daily. 
OPA  officials  said  last  week  the  pleasure 
driving  proscription  would   save  30,000 

barrels  daily.  . 

How  the  slashing  of  commercial  truck 
schedules  would  affect  film  deliveries,  was 
made  clear  Tuesday  afternoon  by  ODT 
spokesmen.  They  pointed  out  that  the  regu- 
lation, Number  17,  applied  only  to  private 
carriers.  Film  delivery  companies  in  the 
National  Film  Carriers  Association,  are 
classed  as  common  carriers. 

In  the  greater  New  York  area,  however, 
there  are  several  private  carriers.  Their 
representatives  met  this  week  to  consider 
elimination  of  overlapping  services. 

Agents  of  the  OPA,  in  their  scrutiny 
of  drivers  and  cars  near  places  of  amuse- 
ment, were  reported  in  some  localities  to 
be  penalizing  taxicab  drivers  who  carried 
fares  to  theatres. 

The  ODT  Tuesday  urged  avoidance  of  buses 
and  cabs  for  conveyance  to  places  of  amuse- 
ment It  stated :  "There  is  no  gasoline  available 
for  non-essential  uses.  Transportation  cannot 
be  furnished  pleasure  seekers." 

The  area  affected  by  the  ODT  and  OPA 
strictures  comprises  Connecticut,  Delaware, 
Maryland,  Maine,  Massachusetts,  New  Hamp- 
shire, New  Jersey,  New  York;  virtually  all  of 
Pennsylvania  and  Virginia ;  Rhode  Island,  Ver- 
mont, the  District  of  Columbia  and  part  of 
West  Virginia.   

Questioned  about  the  possibility  of  further 
measures  to  save  gasoline,  executives  of  the 
OPA  said  Tuesday  afternoon  they  envisioned 
curtailment  of  rations  for  salesmen,^  including 
film  salesmen,  only  as  a  "last  resort." 

Business  Still  Strong 
In  Large  Cities 

In  the  New  York  headquarters  of  the  large 
circuits,  the  business  reports  since  last  week 
reflected  the  effectiveness  of  the  measures. 
Business  in  one  New  Jersey  situation  was  said 
to  have  dropped  50  per  cent. 

In  general,  observers  said,  the  attendance  de- 
crease in  the  rural  and  suburban  localities 
amounted  to  from  10  to  IS  per  cent. 

Notable,  in  their  opinion,  was  the  continued 
good  business,  however,  in  large  cities  and  in 
their  outlying  districts  which  are  served  well 
by  bus  or  train  lines.    What  effect  the  ODT 


slashing  of  commercial  mileage  may  have  was 
still  to  be  determined. 

The  Century  circuit,  with  theatres  in  the 
commuting  areas  of  Greater  New  York,  re- 
ported a  sharp  drop  in  receipts  in  its  Nassau 
and  Suffolk  County  houses. 

The  Walter  Reade  circuit,  the  theatres  of 
which  are  mainly  in  New  Jersey,  noted  a  20 
per  cent  drop  in  attendance  at  its  Morristown 
houses.  The  Rosenblatt  and  Welt  circuit  de- 
scribed the  business  decline  at  its  Hightstown, 
N.  J.,  theatre,  as  50  per  cent ;  at  its  Staten 
Island  houses,  25  per  cent ;  and  in  Raritan, 
N.  J.,  10  per  cent. 

Increased  Attendance  in 
Fall  River  Houses 

In  the  opinion  of  Fall  River  theatre  man- 
agers, the  new  OPA  ban  on  pleasure  driving 
will  aid  the  theatre  business.  An  increase  of 
patronage  already  has  been  noted  since  the  new 
regulations  have  gone  into  effect. 

In  that  area,  the  Hi-Way  Casino,  night  spot 
on  the  Grand  Army  Highway  between  Fall 
River  and  New  Bedford,  has  closed,  presumably 
because  of  the  edict  against  pleasure  driving. 
The  cocktail  lounge  will  remain  open. 

In  other  instances  road  spots  which  have  done 
excellent  business  during  the  summer  months  in 
past  years  but"  which  have  delayed  this  year's 
opening  because  of  uncertainty  have  dropped 
their  plans  to  resume  business. 

It  seems  doubtful  that  the  Dartmouth  Auto 
Theatre,  located  half  way  between  Fall  River 
and  New  Bedford  on  the  Grand  Army  High- 
way will  be  opened  this  season,  because  of  the 
ban.  Last  year,  this  open  air  theatre  which  is 
capable  of  accommodating  hundreds  of  cars, 
opened  early  in  May. 

Manager  William  S.  Canning,  Interstate 
Empire  manager  and  operator  of  golf  driving 
ranges  in  Newport  and  Tiverton,  R.  I.,  has  an- 
nounced that  he  will  not  open  these  ranges 
because  of  the  OPA  ruling. 

Albany  Territory  Is 
Hit  by  OPA  Ban 

The  ban  on  pleasure  driving  has  cut  severely 
into  all  Albany  exchange  territory  grosses,  but 
has  been  felt  more  by  small  town  and  subse- 
quent run  locations  than  by  first  run  houses. 

Although  the  general  feeling  exists  that  this 
time  the  ban  is  a  temporary  expedient  of  short 
duration,  first  run  locations  were  uniformly  re- 
ticent in  stating  the  percentage  of  loss  attribut- 
able to  the  ban.  However,  near-clear  down- 
town streets  bore  testimony  that  the  ban  was 
being  generally  observed. 

The  general  feeling  is  that  the  percentage  of 
loss  runs  as  high  as  30  per  cent  for  first  runs, 
with  much  more  in  neighborhood  and  small 
town  locations. 

As  a  direct  result,  Neil  Hellman,  independent 
exhibitor  who  has  three  neighborhood  theatres 
in  Albany  and  Troy,  announced  that  his  Open 
Air  Theatre  on  the  Albany- Saratoga  Road 
would  not  open  unless  and  until  the  ban  was 
lifted.  The  Hellman  open  air  theatre  was 
scheduled  for  opening  Memorial  Day  weekend. 
First  runs  report  that  business  picked  up  again 
over  last  weekend,  with  customers  again  ap- 
parently ready  to  ride  buses  and  trolley  cars 
to  the  business  section  but  not  to  neighborhood 
locations. 

So  far  as  small  towns  are  concerned,  exhibi- 
tors say  neighbors'  opinion  will  prevent  most 
of  the  violations.  Little  or  no  OPA  checkup  is 
needed  in  small  towns,  exhibitors  say.  Pro- 
fessional baseball,  already  severely  hurt  by  poor 
spring  weather  in  Albany,  suffered  greatly  in 
the  first  week.  Most  ball  parks  are  remote 
from  bus  lines  or  trolley  cars. 


Midwest  Floods 
Close  Houses; 
Cut  Grosses 

Flood  conditions  in  the  Mississippi,  Missouri 
and  Illinois  territories  have  forced  many  thea- 
tres to  close,  while  attendance  at  others  has 
been  reduced  as  much  as  50  per  cent  in  some 
situations.  The  Missouri  River  overflow  has 
brought  greatest  damage  to  the  Illinois  River 
Valley,  theatres  in  Beardstown,  New  Athens, 
Bluffs,  Dupo  and  other  communities  having 
ceased  operations  completely,  it  was  reported. 

Added  to  the  woes  of  exhibitors  and  ex- 
change men  is  the  serious  problem  of  shipping. 
Deliveries  continue  under  difficult  conditions, 
but  delays  are  frequent,  occasioned  by  detours 
of  as  long  as  150  miles  in  some  instances. 
Illinois  River  points  cut  off  from  St.  Louis  have 
been  serviced  by  railway  express  from  Chi- 
cago, it  was  said,  but  delivery  agents  admitted 
that  if  the  situation  became  more  critical,  ship- 
ments to  southern  Illinois  and  Missouri  might 
not  be  maintained. 

Early  reports  of  $50,000,000  property  damage 
and  150,000  homeless  are  apparent  reasons  for 
the  drop  in  theatre  business.  High  water  marks 
in  the  communities  surrounding  St.  Louis,  re- 
sulting from  18  days  of  rain,  make  it  prohibi- 
tive for  farmers  to  attend  St.  Louis  theatres, 
accounting  for  a  decline  of  receipts  in  the  city's 
houses. 

The  Missouri  situation  is  not  as  critical  as 
in  Illinois,  Fred  Wehrenberg,  president  of  the 
MPTO  of  Eastern  Missouri,  St.  Louis  and  Il- 
linois, reported.  He  said  his  office  had  received 
many  reports  of  the  drop  in  theatre  business, 
but  no  specific  figures  were  available.  Mis- 
souri exchange  representatives  said  they  had 
received  very  few  reports  on  receipts  either, 
but  that  no  closings  had  been  brought  to  their 
attention. 

Service  men  stationed  at  midwestern  Army 
posts  have  joined  with  the  Red  Cross  in  battling 
the  flood,  and  state  guardsmen  from  Indiana, 
Illinois  and  Missouri  are  assisting  in  the  re- 
building of  levees. 


Deer,  MPPDA  Representative, 
Addresses  Women's  Club 

Irvin  E.  Deer,  field  representative  of  the  Mo- 
tion Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of 
America,  told  of  the  film  industry's  responsible 
role  during  wartime  in  an  address  before  the 
annual  convention  of  the  Illinois  Federation  of 
Women's  Clubs  in  Chicago,  Wednesday. 

Mr.  Deer  said  that  the  industry  was  prob- 
ably the  only  big  industry  in  America  serving 
the  nation  without  profit.  "Millions  of  dollars 
have  been  secured  for  the  U.S.O.,  the  Red  Cross 
Army  and  Navy  Relief  and  United  Nations  Re- 
lief funds,"  Mr.  Deer  said.  He  concluded  his 
speech  with  an  appeal  for  cooperation  by  those 
assembled  in  order  that  theatres  remain  open 
and  continue  the  essential  work  in  which  they 
are  now  engaged. 


Morey  To  Join  Monogram 
As  Exchange  Supervisor 

M.  Edward  Morey,  New  England  district 
manager  for  Republic  Pictures,  will  join  Mono- 
gram June  1st  as  supervisor  of  exchange  opera- 
tions with  headquarters  in  the  New  York  of- 
fice, it  was  announced  by  Monogram  last  week. 
Mr.  Morey  was  New  England  district  man- 
ager for  Monogram  prior  to  his  Republic  as- 
sociation, and  formerly  was  with  the  Univer- 
sal sales  staff. 


Joins  OWI  Overseas  Branch 

Paul  Stewart,  who  appeared  in  RKO's  "Mr. 
Lucky,"  has  joined  the  Overseas  Branch  of 
the  Office  of  War  Information. 


May    29,    1943  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  23 

MAKE  FILMS  FOR  POST-WAR 
WORLD,  STUDIOS  TOLD 


At  the  Academy  luncheon  for  Hilary  St.  George  Saunders,  assistant  librarian  of  the 
House  of  Commons  and  now  attached  to  the  Commando  staff  of  Lord  Louis  Mount- 
batten.  The  scene  was  the  Florentine  Room  of  the  Beverly-Wilshire  Hotel.  In 
attendance  was  a  representative  cross-section  of  Hollywood.  At  the  dais,  right  to 
left,  were  E.  J.  Mannix,  Y.  Frank  Freeman,  Walter  Wanger,  president  of  tlx  Academy; 
Mr.  Saunders,  James  Hilton,  Nelson  D.  Poynter,  Eric  Cleugh,  British  consul  in 
Los  Angeles;  Charles  Boyer,  Loyd  Wright,  Hal  B.  Wall  is,  Michael  Curtiz,  Charles 
Brackett  and  Lamar  Trotti. 


Saunders,  British  Official, 
Says  Features  Should 
Cement  Peoples 

by  WILLIAM  R.  WEAVER 

in  Hollywood 

American  and  British  producers  should 
start  now  to  make  pictures  designed  to  in- 
fluence the  shaping  of  the  post-war  world, 
in  the  opinion  of  Hilary  A.  St.  George 
Saunders,  assistant  librarian  of  the  British 
House  of  Commons,  staff  aide  to  Commando 
chief  Lord  Louis  Mountbatten,  novelist  and 
governmental  pamphleteer. 

Mr.  Saunders  arrived  in  the  United  States 
early  this  month  as  official  representative  of 
the  British  Government  and  in  Holly- 
wood last  Thursday,  on  invitation  of  the 
Academy  of  Motion  Picture  Arts  and 
Sciences,  following  conferences  in  Washing- 
ton with  Elmer  Davis,  director  of  this  Gov- 
ernment's Office  of  War  Information. 

He  addressed  some  two  hundred  guests 
of  the  Academy,  including  studio  heads,  at 
a  luncheon  in  his  honor  at  the  Beverly-Wil- 
shire Hotel  on  Friday. 

He  held  a  press  conference  at  the  Bilt- 
more  Hotel  on  Thursday.  It  was  his  first 
visit  to  the  United  States. 

He  was  asked,  at  the  close  of  his  press 
conference,  precisely  what  kind  of  pictures 
he  had  in  reference  as  subjects  that  might 
influence  the  post-war  world. 

He  said,  "Good  Lord,  I  have  no  par- 
ticular subject,  or  story,  in  mind.  I've 
never  made  a  picture.  But  I  do  know  it 
can  be  done,  and  I  think  it  must  be  done 
if  we  are  to  prevent  the  American  and 
British  peoples  from  drifting  apart  when 
the  war's  over,  as  they  did  after  the  last 
one,  whereas  if  we  do  prevent  it  we  shall 
be  able  to  perpetuate  the  unity  of  effort 
which  is  enabling  us  to  win  over  our  ene- 
mies." 

Pressed  for  an  indication  of  the  type  of  film 
which  might  serve  the  purpose  he  considered 
essential,  Mr.  Saunders  mentioned  "Our  Town" 
as  the  best  example  he  could  think  of  at  the 
moment. 

"That  gave  our  people  a  real  appreciation  of 
your  American  way  of  living.  Most  of  our 
people  still  think  your  towns  and  cities  are 
dominated  by  gangsters,  and  only  seldom  do  you 
send  us  a  picture  showing  the  manner  in  which 
your  people  actually  live.  'Our  Town'  is  the 
kind  of  picture  our  people,  who  have  had  it 
dinned  into  them  that  this  is  the  people's  war, 
need  to  convey  to  them  that  the  peace  is  going 
to  be  the  people's  peace." 

Screen  More  Effective 
Than  Printed  Word 

He  went  on,  "I  don't  mean  only  the  people 
of  Britain  and  the  United  States,  but  all  the 
people  of  all  the  countries,"  and  added  his  con- 
viction World  War  II  would  not  have  occurred 
if  the  unity  he  believes  can  be  maintained,  pre- 
ponderantly by  influence  of  the  screen,  had  been 
continued  after  World  War  I. 

The  reason  for  proceeding  at  once  with  the 
production  of  pictures  designed  to  promote  the 
success  of  the  peace  to  come,  the  author  said, 
is  because  the  end  of  the  conflict  will  come 


abruptly  ("in  two  bits"  was  the  precise  phrase) 
when  it  does  come,  and  the  time-lag  between 
inception  of  a  story-idea  and  attainment  of 
world-wide  distribution  for  the  finished  picture 
would  amount  to  delay  which  can  be  avoided. 
•  Asked  whether  he  believed  that  the  motion 
picture  can  achieve  the  object  he  had  in  mind 
more  effectively  than  the  printed  word,  the 
writer  whose  "Combined  Operations"  is  the 
Book-of-the-Month  Club  selection  for  June  said : 
"Quantitatively  yes,  because  so  many  more  peo- 
ple see  the  pictures  than  read  books.  Among 
the  reading  class  the  book,  which  can  be  kept  at 
hand  and  read  again  and  again,  does  the  job." 

Urges  Films  for  Home 
Front  and  for  Servicemen 

On  Friday,  addressing  the  larger  audience  at 
the  Beverly  Wilshire,  the  Academy  guest  broad- 
ened his  recommendations  to  include  the  making 
of  two  kinds  of  pictures,  one  for  the  men  in  the 
armed  services  and  another  for  civilians. 

For  the  men  in  service  are  recommended  pic- 
tures providing  plenty  of  lively  entertainment, 
comedies  and  musicals.  (At  his  press  confer- 
ence, in  part  by  way  of  correcting  a  Washing- 
ton story  crediting  him  with  the  view  that  a 
degree  of  spice  was  desirable  in  pictures  at  this 
point,  he  had  singled  out  the  Ginger  Rogers- 
Fred  Astaire  musicals  as  typifying  the  product 
desired  for  this  purpose). 

For  civilians,  he  said,  pictures  which  inform 
observers  with  respect  to  the  war  and  what  it's 
about  are  required,  provided  they  be  of  excellent 
quality.  "When  I  say  'excellent'  that  is  just 
what  I  mean,"  he  declared.  "Good  war  pic- 
tures are  not  good  enough.  Many  of  your  war 
films  have  been  good,  but  the  high  standard  of 
war  films  necessary  has  not  yet  been  reached. 
You  must  stop  using  bombers  when  pursuit 
planes  are  correct.    In  England  the  public  is 


quite  war-conscious  and  quite  critical  of  tech- 
nical errors.  I  must  say,  in  your  war  pictures 
and  films  of  England,  you  are  not  getting  proper 
technical  advice.  I  would  advise  that  you  send 
your  technical  advisers  and  writers  to  England 
every  so  often  for  a  sort  of  refresher  course 
to  keep  them  up  to  date."  He  said  it  would  be 
ridiculous,  of  course,  to  make  all  pictures  war 
pictures. 

U.  S.  Films  Help 
British  "Carry  On" 

"You've  done  a*  great  job,"  he  told  luncheon 
guests,  "and  yoj^must  go  on  without  any  pause. 
Remember,  the  s^jple  in  our  country  who  are 
looking  at  your  filfns  are  laboring  under  a  great 
stress,  with  their  heads  held  high  and  looking 
always  upward.  By  continuing  your  great  film 
work  you  help  them  carry  on. 

"Hollywood  films  are  recognized  everywhere 
in  the  world  by  their  perfection  of  photography, 
acting  and  direction.  You  can't  afford  to  lose 
your  great  reputation  by  any  falling  off  in 
quality. 

"There  is  one  other  thing  I  would  like  to 
see.  Films  seem  to  follow  public  interest.  Why 
not  get  one  jump  ahead  of  the  public  and  create 
a  new  interest  for  the  public  to  follow?" 

Walter  Wanger,  Academy  president,  who 
presided  at  the  luncheon,  said,  "We  of  the  mo- 
tion picture  industry  are  conscious  of  our  re- 
sponsibility in  this  struggle,  and  in  the  post- 
war period  as  well  as  now.  This  war  has 
already  taught  us  that  the  people  realize  the 
importance  of  communications  and  we  can  never 
go  back  to  mental  or  spiritual  isolation  as  long 
as  the  press,  radio  and  films  are  free.  It  is  our 
duty  on  the  home  front  to  fight  to  keep  these 
mediums  from  being  taken  over  by  any  indi- 
vidual or  group." 


Have  You  Booked  "PRELUDE  TO  WAR"? 

 — — — — — — — — — — — — 


26  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  May    29,  1943 


Push  Copper  Drive 
Theatre  Men  Told 


O'Donnell  and  Smith  Cite 
Need  for  Emphasizing 
Scrap  Collections 

The  collection  of  scrap  copper,  brass 
and  bronze  is  the  most  urgent  war  ser- 
vice job  confronting  exhibitors,  New 
York  theatre  men  were  told  Friday  at  a 
luncheon  of  the  theatres  division  of  the 
War  Activities  Committees 
.-Althosigh  the**1  country's  theatres  have 
"reported  dipper  collection%r<amounting  to 
1,164,727  pounds  since  December,  the  40 
representative  exhibitors  at  the  WAC 
lunch, were  told  bluntly  that  the  figure 
was  not  good  enough. 

Robert  J.  O'Donnell,  head  of  the  Inter- 
state Circuit  at  Dallas  and  national  chief 
barker  of  the  Variety  Club,  and  Allen  G. 
Smith,  chief  of  the  amusements'  branch 
of  the  War  Production  Board  spoke  on 
the  urgency  of  a  concerted  theatre  scrap 
drive  for  copper. 

Nation  wide  copper  collections  soon 
will  be  launched  with  intensive  drives  in 
New  York  City,  Boston,  Philadelphia  and 
Pittsburgh,  Mr.  O'Donnell  said.  He  had 
just  completed  a  tour  of  25  exchange 
cities  to  spur  organization  of  copper 
campaigns. 

Tuesday,  the  War  Activities  Committee  dis- 
closed tha*  Mr.  O'Donnell  had  been  named  na- 
tional chaifman  of  the  theatre  copper  salvage 
campaign.  The  tour  which  he  made  at  the 
request  of  ifihe  WPB  was  credited  with  having 
spurred  the  formation  of  copper  committees 
from  coast  to  coast. 

A  quota  of  6,000,000  pounds  is  expected  from 
theatres  by  the  WPB,  Mr.  Smith  disclosed. 
The  collections  to  date  have  been  reported  by 
only  14  per  cent  of  the  country's  theatres,  he 
said.  He  urged  the  New  York  exhibitors,  as 
well  as  the  operator  of  every  other  theatre  in 
the  nation,  to  answer  Mr.  O'Donnell's  call  for 
an  all-out  scrap  collection  which- would  sur- 
pass all  previous  war  service  efforts. 

Sample  Drives  in 
Theatres  Cited 

Copper  is  so  scarce  that  the  North  African 
campaign  had  to  be  delayed  for  a  month,  Mr. 
Smith  revealed.  Prodigious  amounts  are  need- 
ed for  direct  battle  use,  he  said,  citing  figures 
of  copper  consumption.  A  battleship  requires 
more  than  2,000,000  pounds,  a  single  light  tank 
500  pounds  of  copper,  and  every  bullet,  shell, 
truck  or  communicS^ons  device  used  in  battle 
consumes  copper,  he  pointed  out. 

Sample  copper  campaigns  in  Minneapolis  and 
St.  Paul,  Denver,  Omaha,  Kansas  City  and 
other  exchange  centers  showed  that  theatre 
men  could  publicize  this  need  and  gather  suffi- 
cient scrap  to  top  quotas  by  a  large  margin, 
Mr.  O'Donnell  said. 

Under  the  leadership  of  John  J.  Friedl,  484 
theatres  in  the  Twin  Cities  area  gathered  192 
tons.  Denver  collected  128  tons  and  Omaha 
and  Des  Moines  760,000  pounds.  These  cities 
accounted  for  almost  two-thirds  of  the  national 
total,  he  said,  urging  other  sections  to  organize 
committees  to  bring  their  collection  rate  to  this 
figure. 

Salvage  of  carbon  copper  drippings  is  now 
routine  in  practically  all  theatres,  Mr.  Smith 
reported.  He  urged  continued  care  in  recover- 
ing all  copper  drippings.    Of  110,000  pounds  of 


PARALYSIS  DRIVE  NET 
OVER  $2,100,000 

*More  than  $2,100,000  was  col- 
lected for  the  National  Infantile 
Paralysis  Fund  by  the  country's  the- 
atres, Nicholas  M.  Schenck,  chairman 
of  the  motion  picture  industry's  f 
March  of  Dimes,  reported  af  New 
York  on  Monday.  The  figure  is  of  that 
day.  All  returns  are  not  yet  in.  The 
drive  last  year  brought  $1,450,000. 

Fifteen  million  patrons  contributed, 
it  was  estimated. 


copper  plate  used  for  carbons  99,000  pounds  has 
been  reclaimed,  Mr.  Smith  said. 

Mr.  O'Donnell,  outlining  plans  for  a  national 
campaign,  told  the  WAC  that  copper  collection 
should  not  be  viewed  as  a  special  drive  for  a 
limited  period  but  rather  as  an  all  year  pro- 
gram until  the  war  is  won. 

"In  every  community  the  showman  is 
the  backbone  of  every  war  drive,"  Mr. 
O'Donnell  said,  pointing  out  that  exhibi- 
tors could  make  a  direct  and  vital  year- 
round  contribution  to  the  war  effort  by 
saving  copper  scrap. 

The  National  Film  Carriers  Association,  he 
said,  had  pledged  itself  to  haul  to  scrap  yards 
any  reasonable  amount  of  scrap  collected  by  a 
theatre.  Clinton  Weiss,  the  carrier  group's  sec- 
retary, has  asked  all  local  delivery  men  to  par- 
ticipate. 

Any  profits  from  the  sale  of  scrap  collected 
by  theatres  will  be  devoted  to  charity,  under 
the  WAC  plan.  Most  would  remain  in  the 
community. 

Organize  Campaign  in 
New  York  Area 

Collection  of  20  pounds  of  copper  for  every 
pound  used  by  the  industry  was  set  as  the  goal 
of  the  national  drive  by  Mr.  Smith.  But  Mr. 
O'Donnell,  reporting  on  campaigns  now  under 
way,  predicted  the  ratio  would  reach  50  to  one. 

At  New  York  the  local  theatre  division  of 
the  WAC  has  named  a  subcommittee  headed  by 
Fred  Schwartz  and  Sam  Rinzler  to  organize  a 
campaign  for  the  entire  metropolitan  exchange 
territory. 

Previous  objections  by  Mayor  LaGuardia 
and  other  city  officials  to  theatre  scrap  collec- 
tions are  not  expected  to  block  the  renewed 
drive.  The  committee  will  meet  with  the 
Mayor  shortly  to  submit  evidence  from  other 
cities  in  rebuttal  of  claims  by  some  New  York 
officials  that  scrap  matinees  caused  juvenile 
delinquency,  conflicted  with  other  salvage 
drives  or  obstructed  theatre  exists,  lobbys  or 
sidewalks. 

The  national  chairman  left  New  York  Sun- 
day to  visit  Buffalo  on  Monday  and  to  speak 
Tuesday  at  Detroit  salvage  and  Variety  Club 
meetings.  He  was  to  return  to  Dallas  Thurs- 
day. 

Mr.  O'Donnell  will  return  to  New  York  in 
several  weeks  to  confer  with  Arthur  Mayer, 
head  of  the  WAC  salvage  program ;  S.  H. 
Fabian,  theatres  division  chairman,  and  Oscar 
Doob,  publicity  chairman,  to  outline  plans  to 
enlist  all  exhibitors  in  the  national  copper  cam- 
paign. A  special  press  book  and  other  material 
will  be  prepared  to  aid  exhibitors. 


Industry  Starts 
New  Campaign 
To  Sell  Bonds 


Successfully  completing  its  intensified  aid  to 
the  Treasury  Department's  recent  Second  War 
Loan,  exhibition  this  week  continued  to  sell 
Bonds,  and  on  Thursday,  its  effort  was  chan- 
neled into  a  unique  campaign,  the  "Buy  a 
Bomber  and  Send  Your  Name  to  War"  drive. 

This  is  designed  to  cushion  the  sales  decline 
which  would  normally  follow  the  Loan  drive. 
It  allows  patrons  who  buy  the  Treasury  issues 
to  sign  a  scroll  in  the  theatre  lobby.  The  the- 
atre owner  then  sends  the  scroll  to  the  North 
American  Aviation  Company,  where  it  is  micro- 
filmed, and  placed  in  the  cabin  of  a  B-25,  the 
famed  "Mitchell"  bomber. 

The  War  Activities  Committee,  through 
which  this  drive  is  being  conducted,  reported 
this  week  wide  exhibitor  cooperation.  Through 
National  Screen  Service  exchanges,  the  show- 
man may  obtain,  without  charge,  a  special  100- 
foot  trailer,  and  explanatory  40  by  60's. 

Meanwhile,  at  the  WAC  New  York  head- 
quarters this  week,  increasing  exhibitor  re- 
sponse was  noted  in  booking  the  Government's 
full  length  war  film,  "Prelude  to  War."  Free 
to  all,  and  with  a  gratis  trailer,  the  film,  in  only 
four  exchange  centers,  has  been  booked  into 
106  houses. 

Voluntarily,  and  long  before  this  country 
went  to  war,  the  motion  picture  industry  was 
aiding  the  Government,  Francis  Harmon,  WAC 
chairman,  told  southerners  last  week,  in  a  six- 
station  broadcast  from  the  New  Orleans  Rotary 
Club,  where  he  was  guest. 

The  total  amount  of  theatre  collections  in  the 
recent  annual  Red  Cross  drive  will  be  announc- 
ed shortly,  it  was  said  at  New  York  headquar- 
ters. The  sum  was  expected  to  exceed  $3,000,- 
000. 

A.  A.  Adams,  Paramount  theatre  partner  in 
Newark,  and  Ben  Griefer,  manager  of  the  Para- 
mount and  Adams  theatres  in  that  city,  have 
been  awarded  citations  by  the  United  States 
Treasury  for  their  leadership  in  Bond  drives. 

Another  to  receive  the  citation  was  William 
S.  Canning,  city  manager  in  Fall  River  for  the 
Interstate  circuit,  and  local  WAC  director. 

The  presentation  was  made  by  Albert  C. 
Sheahy,  Deputy  Administrator  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts War  Savings  Bond  and  Stamp  Com- 
mittee, during  the  visit  to  Fall  River  May  18th 
of  the  two-man  Japanese  submarine,  when 
Bonds  and  Stamps  totaling  $683,919,  more  than 
twice  the  quota,  were  bought. 

Sales  of  Stamps  and  Bonds  totaling  $3,339,- 
801  for  the  past  11  months  were  reported  by 
Edward  M.  Fay,  state  chairman  of  the  War 
Activities  Committee  for  Rhode  Island. 

Thousands  of  cigarettes  for  service  men  will 
be  realized  from  a  special  premiere  showing  of 
"Mr.  Lucky"  at  the  RKO  Capitol  theatre  in 
Trenton,  N.  J.,  next  Thursday  night.  The 
general  admission  to  the  premiere  is  $1.10,  and 
the  entire  receipts  will  go  to  the  Trenton  Civil- 
ian Defense  for  the  purchase  of  cigarettes  for 
service  clubs  in  Trenton  and  clubs  in  foreign 
countries  where  U.  S.  boys  are  stationed. 


Appointed  Chicago  Editor 

Lloyd  Lewis,  former  amusement  and  sports 
editor  of  the  Chicago  Daily  News,  has  been 
named  managing  editor.  Mr.  Lewis  at  one 
time  was  on  the  publicity  staff  of  Balaban  & 
Katz  in  Chicago. 


Film  Bureau  Head  In  Army 

Dr.  Leo  Handel,  director  of  the  Motion  Pic- 
ture Research  Bureau,  reported  for  Army  duty 
last  Friday.  Ruth  McCollum,  assistant  to  Dr. 
Handel,  will  continue  the  bureau's  operations. 


Dear  Mr.  Exhibitor: 


The  gratifying  success  of  "THE  HUMAN  COMEDY"  everywhere 
prompts  this  letter  because  we're  both  making  more  than  money  out  of  it. 

For  deep-down-in -your-heart  satisfaction  we  ask  that  you  stand  in 
the  lobby  when  the  folks  come  out  after  seeing  this  great  box-office  attraction. 
It's  something  to  feel  the  gratitude  of  people,  to  see  the  smile  coming  your 
way  with  a  'Thanks  neighbor"  in  the  starry  eyes. 

Sentimental,  why  not !  Sure,  you're  in  business  to  make  money  and 
so  are  we,  and  we're  both  making  it  out  of  "THE  HUMAN  COMEDY"  but  it's 
the  extra  something  in  audience  relationship  that  we  may  both  justly  prize 
in  presenting  this  splendid  box-office  attraction. 

One  of  the  critics  said  that  "THE  HUMAN  COMEDY"  with  its  story 
of  our  people  at  home  comes  closer  to  the  hearts  of  Americans  in  these  times 
and  does  more  good  for  the  job  we're  all  doing  than  any  film  now  showing. 
We're  proud  of  its  success  but  we're  doubly  proud  of  it  for  that  reason. 

Sincerely  yours, 

Metro  -  Goldwyn  -  Mayer 

P.  S.  Let's  give  them  all  a  big  hand:  William  Saroyan's  "The  Human  Comedy"  starring  Mickey  Rooney 
with  Frank  Morgan,  James  Craig,  Marsha  Hunt,  Fay  Bainter,  Ray  Collins,  Van  Johnson,  Donna  Reed, 
Jack  Jenkins,  Dorothy  Morris,  John  Craven,  Ann  Ayars,  Mary  Nash,  Henry  O'Neill  •  From  the  story 
by  William  Saroyan  •  Screen  Play  by  Howard  Estabrook  ■  Produced  and  Directed  by  Clarence  Brown. 


Let's  Keep  Selling  Bonds 


May    2  9,     194  3 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


29 


SALES  HEADS  MAKE  PLANS 
FOR  1943-44  PRODUCT 


Most  Companies  Finishing 
Current  Season  Films; 
Hold  Sales  Meetings 

Formulation  of  plans  for  1943-44  product 
continues  to  occupy  the  attention  of  company 
sales  executives,  and  at  the  same  time,  em- 
phasis is  being-  placed  on  the  completion  of 
the  current  season's  product. 

Paramount  last  week  officially  announced 
its  final  block-of-five  for  the  year.  Twen- 
tieth Century-Fox  set  release  dates  on  three 
films,  not  designating  them,  however,  as  the 
year's  final  block.  MGM  announced  this 
week  that  nine  pictures  have  been  scheduled 
for  the  June-July-August  block,  and  that  its 
block  for  April  is  now  the  April-May  block. 

United  Artists  has  concluded  its  regional 
sales  meetings,  while  Columbia,  after  hold- 
ing sessions  in  Chicago  and  New  York,  still 
has  one  scheduled  for  San  Francisco  on 
June  5-6.  Both  companies,  together  with 
Producers  Releasing  Corporation,  Mono- 
gram, Twentieth  Century-Fox  and  Repub- 
lic, have  announced  product  plans  for  next 
season.  Universal's  plans  for  sales  meet- 
ings were  set  in  motion  last  week. 

Final  Paramount  Group 
Ready  for  Showing 

Warners  announced  July  3rd  as  the  re- 
lease date  of  its  film.  "Background  to 
Danger," with  George  Raft,  Brenda  Marshall, 
Sydney  Greenstreet,  Peter  Lorre  and  Osa 
Massen  as  members  of  the  cast. 

Neil  Agnew,  vice-president  in  charge  of 
distribution  for  Paramount,  announced  that 
all  five  of  the  company's  final  releases  for 
the  season  will  have  trade  showings  next 
week.  "So  Proudly  We  Hail"  and  "Subma- 
rine Alert"  are  scheduled  for  June  21st; 
"Alaska  Highway"  and  "Henry  Aldrich 
Swings  It,"  June  22nd,  and  "Dixie,"  June 
25th. 

The  company's  backlog  for  next  season, 
includes  such  films  as  "No  Time  for  Love," 
"True  to  Life,"  "Miracle  of  Morgan's 
Creek,"  "Triumph  Over  Pain,"  "Great 
Without  Glory,"  "Lady  in  the  Dark,"  "The 
Good  Fellows,"  "Riding  High,"  "Let's  Face 
It,"  "Hostages,"  "Tornado"  and  "Henry 
Aldrich  Haunts  a  House." 

Exhibitors  Are  Guests  of 
Twentieth  Century -Fox 

Twentieth  Century-Fox  already  has  released 
"Ox-Bow  Incident,"  while  "Jitterbugs"  is  set 
for  June  11th,  and  "Coney  Island,"  June  21st. 
The  last-named  film  was  trade  shown  on  May 
26th  in  all  exchanges,  while  a  special  screening 
was  held  on  May  20th  at  the  home  office.  Guest 
exhibitors  later  in  the  day  attended  a  luncheon 
at  the  Hotel  Astor  in  New  York  where  Spyros 
Skouras,  president  of  the  company,  gave  assur- 
ances that  his  company  would  produce  pictures 
which  exhibitors  wanted  and  that  he,  person- 
ally, was  doing  all  in  his  power  to  guarantee 
that  policy. 

Others  who  spoke  were  Tom  J.  Connors, 
vice-president  in  charge  of  distribution ;  A.  W. 
Smith,  Jr.,  eastern  sales  manager,  William 
Gehring,  western  sales  manager,  and  Ray 
Moon,   New  York  branch  manager.     It  was 


"BELL"  PRINT  COMING 
TO  NEW  YORK  SOON 

Paramount's  special  feature,  "For 
Whom  the  Bell  Tolls",  was  completed 
last  Friday  and  sent  to  the  Techni- 
color laboratories.  The  first  print 
of  the  picture  will  be  brought  to 
New  York  shortly  by  Y.  Frank  Free- 
man, studio  head.  Since  the  com- 
pany's purchase  of  the  Ernest  Hem- 
ingway novel  in  1940,  the  film  has 
been  nearly  three  years  in  the  mak- 
ing. Because  of  the  set  cost  ceiling 
at  studios,  the  company  chose  the 
Sierra  Nevada  Mountains  in  northern 
California,  11,000  feet  above  sea 
level,  as  the  winter  location  of  the 
troupe. 


indicated  that  the  company  would  place  greater 
emphasis  upon  pre-selling  of  product,  inaugu- 
rate institutional  advertising  campaigns  and  en- 
large its  scope  of  operations  to  provide  for 
future  post-war  considerations. 

Columbia  Holds  Sales 
Meeting  in  New  York 

Columbia's  second  sales  session  was  held  in 
New  York  on  May  26-28,  sales  personnel  of 
New  York,  Albany,  Boston,  Buffalo,  New 
Haven,  Philadelphia,  Cincinnati,  Cleveland, 
Pittsburgh  and  Washington  exchanges  attend- 
ing. 

A.  Montague,  general  sales  manager,  told 
the  delegates  that  Columbia  has  just  completed 
its  greatest  year  in  dollars  grossed  as  well  as  its 
greatest  year  in  the  number  of  accounts  served 
and  the  number  of  pictures  sold  per  each  ac- 
count. The  company  has  650  more  contracts 
this  year  than  last  and  is  now  selling  to  11,430 
theatres,  he  said. 

Film  fare  in  the  lighter  vein  is  part  of  the 
company's  future  production  plans.  Announced 
as  future  musicals  are  "Rhapsody  in  A  Flat," 
"Gone  Are  the  Days,"  and  "Victory  Caravan." 
In  the  script  stage  are  "Hey,  Rookie,"  "Tropi- 
cana"  and  "Jam  Session."  In  production  is 
"Cover  Girl,"  while  soon  to  be  released  are 
"Two  Senoritas  from  Chicago,"  and  "What's 
Buzzin',  Cousin." 

United  Artists  Ends 
Regional  Sessions 

The  United  Artists'  sales  meetings  concluded, 
Carl  Leserman,  general  sales  manager,  left 
New  York  on  Monday  for  a  tour  of  western 
exchange  cities.  He  was  accompanied  by  Ed- 
ward Schnitzer,  western  division  manager.  The 
first  stop  was  to  be  Chicago  with  the  tour  end- 
ing in  Los  Angeles.  One  of  the  company's  im- 
portant negotiations  which  was  completed  last 
week  was  the  signing  of  Andrew  Stone  to  pro- 
duce 12  films  for  UA  in  the  next  six  years. 
Mr.  Stone  had  signed  with  the  company  orig- 
inally for  only  one  film,  "Hi  Diddle  Diddle." 

The  appointment  of  Jack  Ellis  as  New  York 
branch  manager,  succeeding  Sam  Leftkowitz, 
was  announced  by  the  company.  A.  J.  Sulli- 
van was   promoted  to   manager   of  the  UA 


branch  in  Seattle  following  the  resignation  of 
Frank  M.  Higgins.  Mr.  Sullivan  formerly 
was  a  member  of  the  Seattle  sales  force. 

RKO  has  not  announced  plans  for  next  sea- 
son's product,  but  as  reported  in  the  May  15th 
issue  of  Motion  Picture  Herald,  the  com- 
pany has  a  backlog  of  14  films,  five  of  which 
are  expected  to  be  released  by  the  end  of  the 
summer.  Of  this  number,  four  are  still  in  pro- 
duction. The  company  announced  that  the  Ned 
E.  Depinet  sales  drive,  which  closed  on  May 
21st  after  a  15-week  competition  among  divi- 
sions and  exchanges,  was  the  most  successful 
in  the  company's  history. 

Conferring  at  Studio  on 
Universal  Product 

W.  A.  Scully,  Universal  sales  manager,  left 
New  York  on  Monday  for  a  trip  to  the  coast, 
where  he  will  confer  with  studio  executives  on 
next  season's  product.  Three  films  already  have 
been  set  for  June  release,  "Captive  Wild 
Woman,"  "All  by  Myself"  and  "Corvettes  in 
Action."  Early  action  is  also  expected  on 
"Mr.  Big,"  "We've  Never  Been  Licked"  and 
"Phantom  of  the  Opera,"  among  others. 

During  Mr.  Scully's  stay  on  the  coast,  dis- 
cussion will  center  about  "For  All  We  Know," 
special  feature  produced  by  Charles  Boyer  and 
Julien  Duvivier,  and  plans  will  be  formulated 
for  its  release. 

The  annual  convention  of  Producers  Releas- 
ing Corporation  has  been  set  for  Kansas  City 
on  June  18-20.  Additional  meetings  will  be 
held  after  that  date,  Arthur  Greenblatt,  vice- 
president  in  charge  of  sales,  said.  Mr.  Green- 
blatt will  preside  at  the  convention.  The  com- 
pany disclosed  a  short  time  ago  that  42  films, 
the  same  number  as  released  last  year,  were  on 
next  season's  production  list. 

According  to  Leon  Fromkess,  studio  pro- 
duction head,  PRC  will  finance  and  control 
wholly  the  company's  productions,  starting  in 
July.  Mr.  Fromkess  described  the  move  as  an 
"important  step  towards  the  status  of  a  major." 

Metro  Designates  Last 
Block  for  April  -  May 

Monogram  has  also  set  sales  meetings  which 
will  be  held  regionally  in  four  locations — New 
York,  June  1st ;  Chicago,  June  5th ;  Kansas 
City,  June  9th,  and  San  Francisco,  June  13th. 
Samuel  (Steve)  Broidy,  general  sales  manager, 
will  preside  at  the  opening  New  York  session. 

The  last  MGM  block  of  five  for  April  is 
now  designated  as  the  April-May  block,  ac- 
cording to  a  company  announcement.  Nine  pic- 
tures have  been  scheduled  for  the  June-July- 
August  block.  They  are :  "Bataan,"  "Du  Barry 
Was  a  Lady,"  "Harrigan's  Kid,"  "Hitler's 
Hangmen,"  "The  Human  Comedy,"  "Pilot  No. 
5,"  "Presenting  Lily  Mars,"  "Random  Har- 
vest" and  "The  Youngest  Profession."  Three 
films  which  have  been  trade  shown  but  not 
designated  for  either  block  are :  "Above  Sus- 
picion," "Swing  Shift  Maisie"  and  "Dr.  Gil- 
lespie's Criminal  Case."  Trade  showings  of 
"Hitler's  Hangmen"  will  be  held  on  June  8th 
in  all  key  cities  except  Memphis,  June  12th,  and 
Albany  and  Oklahoma  City  on  June  14th. 


Buys  PRC  Franchise 

Henri  Elman  has  acquired  the  interest  of 
George  Topper  in  the  Chicago  franchise  of  Pro- 
ducer's Releasing  Corporation,  becoming  the 
sole  owner.  George  Topper  will  resume  theatre 
management,  operating  the  Haymarket  and  Star 
&_  Garter  theatres  for  Florence  Abel,  owner. 
Victor  Bernstein,  city  salesman  and  booker  for 
PRC,  has  joined  the  Chicago  Monogram  ex- 
change in  the  same  capacity  and  Harry  Gold- 
berg will  succeed  him  at  PRC. 


30 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    29,  1943 


Appeal  Board  Defines 
Run  Conditions 


Orders  Distributors  to 
Make  New  Offer  at 
Less  Clearance 

Precise  clearance  terms  under  which  dis- 
tributors must  offer  "some  run"  to  William 
Sosna,  Mexico,  Mo.,  third  run  theatre  oper- 
ator, were  defined  last  week  by  the  Appeal 
Board  of  the  motion  picture  arbitration  sys- 
tem in  their  70th  ruling. 

It  was  the  most  specific  definition  to  date 
of  "terms  and  conditions  not  calculated  to 
defeat  the  purposes  of  Section  VI." 

The  board  acted  on  the  case  for  the  sec- 
ond time,  reversing  the  arbitrator's  approval 
of  runs  offered  to  the  Sosna  theatre  after 
the  board  had  remanded  the  case  to  the  ar- 
bitrator, Ethan  A.  H.  Shepley,  last  October. 
It  directed  RKO,  Twentieth  Century-Fox, 
and  Paramount  to  make  new  offers  of  some 
run  within  the  terms  specified  by  the  board. 

Bases  Clearance  on 
Price  Differential 

These  included  a  drastic  reduction  in  the 
clearance  margins  between  the  Sosna  and 
the  first  and  second  run  Rex  and  Liberty 
theatres,  operated  by  the  Frisina  circuit. 

The  very  minimum  which  may  be  reasonably 
offered  the  Sosna  under  Section  VI,  the  board 
said,  is  60  days  between  first  run  Liberty  and 
second  run  Rex  and  not  more  than  seven  days 
on  third  run  after  the  Rex.  Playing  second 
run  on  pictures  which  the  Rex  plays  first,  the 
Sosna  is  entitled  to  a  maximum  of  14  days 
clearance  the  board  said. 

These  limits  were  based  on  a  five-cent  differ- 
ential in  admission  price.  On  pictures  where 
both  the  Rex  and  Sosna  charge  only  ten  cents 
the  maximum  reasonable  clearance  for  the 
third,  or  only  possible  remaining  "some  run,"  is 
one  day,  according  to  the  award.  Costs  were 
divided. 

In  asking  that  the  board  review  the  re- 
manded decision  by  the  arbitrator  Mr.  Sosna 
charged  that  the  offers  had  been  unfair  in  re- 
gards to  film  rental  and  admission  prices  condi- 
tions as  well  as  clearances.  However,  the  board's 
ruling  was  based  only  on  the  clearance  factor. 

Board  Says  Complainant 
Has  Right  to  Experiment 

The  board  found  that  Mr.  Sosna  had  been 
sold  pictures  on  third  run  at  prices  of  $2.50  to 
$5  less  than  the  Rex,  in  some  cases  buying  them 
for  $7.50  for  two  days.  Distributors  argued 
that  they  knew  of  no  sales  of  their  pictures  for 
less  than  $10. 

"While  this  Board  will  not  be  satisfied 
with  a  distributor's  unreasoning  insistence 
on  an  arbitrary  minimum  price,  any  more 
than  it  will  disapprove  terms  simply  because 
they  do  not  assure  the  exhibitor  a  profit, 
there  must  be  some  indication  of  discrimina- 
tion or  other  departure  from  normal  and 
fair  standards  before  we  can  denounce  pay- 
ment of  what  appears  to  be  a  customary 
rental  fee  as  a  condition  calculated  to  defeat 
the  purpose  of  Section  VI.  There  is  no  such 
indication  in  this  record  "  it  wrote. 

With  regard  to  admission  prices  the  board 
found  it  unfair  for  the  Sosna  to  be  held  to  long 
clearances  at  a  10-cent  admission  when  the  first 
and  second  run  theatres  play  the  same  pictures 
at  ten  cents  on  bargain  nights. 

In  answer  to  defense  arguments  that  Mexico 


was  not  large  enough  to  support  three  theatres 
the  board  observed, 

"The  complainant  has  a  right  to  try  the  ex- 
periment unhampered  by  any  unjust  terms  im- 
posed upon  him,  and  while  our  authority  under 
Section  VI  does  not  extend  to  interference 
with  the  distributor's  choice  of  run,  we  have 
jurisdiction  to  disapprove  terms  and  conditions 
which  add  unfairly  to  the  complainant's  burden." 

Detroit 

Clearances  of  the  Butterfield  circuit's  thea- 
tres in  Pontiac,  Mich.,  were  attacked  in  De- 
troit's 12th  case  by  the  Huron  theatre,  operated 
by  Ketzler  and  Bouford.  All  consenting  dis- 
tributors are  named.  Delays  of  four  to  five 
months  are  charged.  The  Huron  asks  a  maxi- 
mum of  21  days  between  the  first  run  Strand, 
State  and  Oakland  and  the  second  run  Eagle ; 
seven  days  between  Eagle  and  Orpheum  and 
three  days  for  the  Huron  behind  the  third  run 
Orpheum. 

New  York 

The  Plaza  theatre,  Newark,  and  the  five  dis- 
tributors settled  the  48th  New  York  case  with 
a  consent  award  Tuesday.  Eli  M.  Spark, 
abitrator,  approved  clearances  of  14  days  to 
Warners  Tivoli  and  seven  days  to  the  Central 
Newark,  and  elimination  of  clearance  granted 
by  Warners  to  the  Ormont,  East  Orange. 

Washington 

Clearance  of  the  Alpha  theatre,  Catonsville, 
Md.,  over  the  Ellicott  theatre,  Ellicott  City, 
was  cut  from  14  to  seven  days  on  RKO  prod- 
uct by  Joseph  A.  Rafferty,  arbitrator  of  Wash- 
ington's 13th  case.  Costs  were  divided.  He  re- 
jected a  demand  to  base  availability  on  Balti- 
more. 

Syracuse 

The  clearance  demand  of  the  Colonial  thea- 
tre, Skaneateles,  N.  Y.,  against  RKO,  Para- 
mount, MGM  and  Twentieth  Century-Fox  was 
dismissed  in  Buffalo's  16th  case  by  Regis 
O'Brien  for  lack  of  proof.  He  fixed  clear- 
ance on  Warner  pictures  as  21  days  after 
Syracuse. 


April  Tax  Total 

$13,283,115 

A  sharp  upturn  in  amusement  business  out- 
side of  New  York  was  indicated  by  a  $1,400,000 
increase  in  Federal  admission  tax  collections 
between  March  and  April,  disclosed  in  the 
monthly  report  of  the  Internal  Revenue  Bureau. 

April  collections,  the  bureau  announced,  were 
$13,283,115,  the  largest  for  any  month  since 
last  December,  compared  with  $11,874,676  in 
March  and  $10,788,463  in  April  of  last  year. 

With  collections  in  the  Third  New  York 
(Broadway)  district  declining  nearly  $600,000 
in  the  same  period,  the  increase  for  the  re- 
mainder of  the  country  amounted  to  approxi- 
mately $2,000,000. 

The  special  report  on  Broadway  collections 
showed  a  drop  from  $2,368,546  in  March  to  $1,- 
786,817  the  following  month,  all  of  the  decline 
being  experienced  in  box  office  admissions,  re- 
ceipts from  which  dropped  from  $2,220,022  to 
$1,584,741,  while  all  other  categories  showed 
increases ;  tickets  sold  by  brokers  returning 
$17,819  against  $12,777  in  March;  tickets  sold 
by  proprietors  in  excess  of  the  established 
price  $157  against  $154;  permanent  use  or  lease 
of  boxes  and  seats  $1,158  against  nothing,  and 
admissions  to  roof  gardens  and  cabarets  $182,- 
942  against  $135,593. 


MPTOA  Plans 
Drive  Against 
High  Rentals 

The  Motion  Picture  Theatre  Owners  of 
America  will  launch  a  concerted  drive  against 
high  film  rentals  within  a  few  weeks,  Edward 
Kuykendall,  president,  said  Monday  in  a  bul- 
letin to  members  reporting  on  the  meeting  of 
the  MPTOA  directors  at  New  York,  May  4th 
to  6th. 

The  committee  on  prices  and  sales  policies 
appointed  at  the  meeting  will  meet  soon  to  dis- 
cuss application  of  the  remedies  proposed  by 
the  directors.  Herman  Levy,  chairman,  has 
asked  MPTOA  members  to  communicate  griev- 
ances to  the  committee  for  consideration. 

A  five-point  price  program  summarized  in 
the  bulletin  calls  for  individual  opposition  to 
high  terms;  organized  efforts  to  secure  adjust- 
ments from  branch  and  home  office  managers ; 
exchange  of  buying  information;  adjustment  by 
distributors  to  specialized  local  problems ;  use 
of  booking  agencies  for  combined  strength  and 
boycott  of  unfair  distributors.  It  is  the  most 
definite  MPTOA  program  in  the  price  and  sales 
policy  field  ever  adopted. 

Mr.  Kuykendall's  review  of  the  memorandum 
on  the  Consent  Decree  submitted  to  the  Depart- 
ment of  Justice,  confirmed  reports  in  Motion 
Picture  Herald  on  May  8th  and  15th  as  to  its 
contents  and  similarity  to  previous  demands. 

The  exhibitors  group  asked  the  Government 
for  full  season  sales  with  20  per  cent  cancella- 
tion ;  a  simpler  extra-legal  arbitration  system 
without  a  central  appeal  board  and  using  indus- 
try arbitrators  ;  local  mediation  machinery  ;  and 
a  simplified  standard  film  contract.  It  called 
theatre  divorcement  "a  fake-issue"  of  no  benefit 
to  the  small  exhibitor. 

Mr.  Kuykendall  also  warned  members  that 
the  industry  faces  a  serious  increase  in  taxes 
during  1943. 

Trustees  of  Pacific  Coast  Conference  of  In- 
dependent Theatre  Owners  on  Friday  approved 
a  resolution  at  Hollywood  favoring  abolition  of 
the  Consent  Decree,  and  urged  resumption  of 
the  New  York  anti-trust  suit. 

The  organization,  headed  by  Robert  Poole, 
said  it  stood  "firm  in  its  position  that  because 
of  the  inadequacies  of  the  Consent  Decree  and 
its  lack  of  protection  to  the  independent  exhibi- 
tors, the  decree  should  be  abolished."  The 
PCCITO  "urged  that  the  Attorney-General's 
office  proceed  with  its  action  against  the  con- 
senting parties." 

Attacking  sales  on  percentage  of  pictures 
which  do  not  belong  in  that  class  the  Indignant 
Exhibitors  Forum  of  Cincinnati  this  week  told 
members  that  demands  for  preferred  time  and 
percentage  were  made  to  guarantee  successful 
runs  for  pictures  which  distributors  fear  will 
not  hold  up  on  merit. 


Receives  Television  Patent 

A  patent  has  been  awarded  C.  E.  Thompkins, 
president  of  J.  R.  Clancy,  Inc.,  Syracuse,  N.  Y., 
on  television  studio  apparatus  for  rapid  change 
of  scenes  in  television  studios.  Scenes  may  be 
dismantled  as  quickly  as  televized  and  other 
scenes  set  in  their  places  without  interrupting 
the  program,  according  to  Mr.  Thompkins. 


Hold  Earlier  Showings 

The  Twentieth  Century  theatre  in  Cin- 
cinnati has  inaugurated  "twilight"  shows. 
Previously,  the  theatre  was  open  evenings  only. 
On  Mondays,  Thursdays  and  Saturdays,  the 
theatre  holds  midnight  shows. 


Ritchey  on  Sales  Trip 

Norton  V.  Ritchey,  vice-president  in  charge 
of  foreign  distribution  for  Monogram  Pic- 
tures, left  New  York  on  Monday  on  a  busi- 
ness trip  to  Mexico  and  South  America. 


M-G-M  TRADE  SHOWINGS 

HITLER'S  HANGMAN 


ALBANY 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

1052  Broadway 

MON.  6/14 

8.-30  P.M. 

ATLANTA 

20th- Fox  Screen  Room 

197  Walton  St.,  N.W. 

TUES. 

6/8 

10:30  A.M. 

BOSTON 

M-G-M  Screen  Room 

46  Church  St. 

TUES. 

6/8 

10  A.M. 

Also  2:15  P.M. 

BUFFALO 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

290  Franklin  St. 

TUES. 

6/8 

7:45  P.M. 

CHARLOTTE 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

308  South  Church  St. 

TUES. 

6/8 

1:30  P.M. 

CHICAGO 

H.  C.  Igel's  Screen  Room 

1301  S.  Wabash  Ave. 

TUES. 

6/8 

1  P.M. 

CINCINNATI 

RKO  Screen  Room 

16  East  Sixth  Street 

TUES. 

6/8 

7  P.M. 

CLEVELAND 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

2219  Payne  Avenue 

TUES. 

6/8 

1  P.M. 

DALLAS 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

1803  Wood  Street 

TUES. 

6/8 

2.30  P.M. 

DENVER 

Paramount  Screen  Room 

2100  Stout  Street 

TUES. 

6/8 

2:30  P  M. 

DES  MOINES 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

1300  High  Street 

TUES. 

6/8 

1  P.M. 

DETROIT 

Max  Blumenthal's  Sc.  Rm. 

2310  Cass  Avenue 

TUES. 

6/8 

1:30  P.M. 

INDIANAPOLIS 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

326  No.  Illinois  Street 

TUES. 

6/8 

9  A.M. 

KANSAS  CITY 

Vogue  Theatre 

3444  Broadway 

TUES. 

6/8 

1  P.M. 

LOS  ANGELES 

20th- Fox  Screen  Room 

2019  S.  Vermont  Ave. 

TUES. 

6/8 

1  P.M. 

MEMPHIS 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

151  Vance  Avenue 

CAT 

5AT. 

6/12 

1  P.M. 

At  II  \A/  A 1  Ik'FF 
MIL  W  AUKtt 

Warner  Screen  Room 

z  I  z.  w .  w  isconsin  Ave. 

TUES. 

6/8 

l.oU  r./Vl. 

MINNEAPOLIS 

20th-rox  Screen  Koom 

1015  Currie  Avenue 

TUES. 

6/8 

i   n  ll 

/  r.hA. 

NEW  HAVEN 

20th-rox  Screen  Koom 

4U  Whiting  or. 

TUES. 

6/8 

1A    A  11 

(O  A.M. 

NEW  ORLEANS 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

zUU  south  Liberty 

TUES. 

6/8 

7:30  P.M. 

NEW  IUKN  ( 

M-G-M  Screen  Room 

630  Ninth  Avenue 

TUES. 

6/8 

Q  OA   A  LA 

V:3U  A.M. 

NEW  JERSEY ) 

Also  1:30  P.M. 

OKLA'MA  CITY 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

10  North  Lee  Street 

MON. 

6/14 

I  P.M. 

OMAHA 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

1502  Davenport 

TUES. 

6/8 

1:15  P.M. 

PHILADELPHIA 

M-G-M  Screen  Room 

1233  Summer  Street 

TUES. 

6/8 

2  P.M. 

PITTSBURGH 

M-G-M  Screen  Room 

1623  Blvd.  of  Allies 

TUES. 

6/8 

1:30  P.M. 

PORTLAND 

B.  F.  Shearer  Screen  Rm. 

1947  N.W.  Kearney  St. 

TUES. 

6/8 

1  P.M. 

ST.  LOUIS 

S'Renco  Screen  Room 

3143  Olive  Street 

TUES. 

6/8 

10  A.M. 

SALT  LAKE  CITY 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

216  East  First  St.,  South 

TUES. 

6/8 

1  P.M. 

S.  FRANCISCO 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

245  Hyde  Street 

TUES. 

6/8 

1:30  P.M. 

SEATTLE 

Jewel  Box  Preview  Theatre 

2318  Second  Avenue 

TUES. 

6/8 

1  P.M. 

WASH.,  D.  C. 

20th-Fox  Screen  Room 

932  New  Jersey,  N.W. 

TUES. 

6/8 

1  P.M. 

"Hitler's  Hangman"— Patricia  Morison,  John  Carradine,  Alan  Curtis,  Ralph  Morgan 


32 

$3,000,000  Notes 
To  Be  Redeemed 
By  Paramount 

Announcement  was  made  on  Monday  by 
Stanton  Griffis,  chairman  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee of  Paramount,  of  the  serial  numbers  of 
$3,000,000  of  the  company's  four  per  cent  de- 
bentures, series  of  1956.  The  committee  author- 
ized redemption  at  a  special  meeting  on  May 
20th.  The  next  payment  date  is  June  23rd. 

The  action  is  subsequent  upon  the  directorate's 
authorization  last  May  6th  of  payment  of 
$3,090,000  in  cash  to  the  trustee,  under  indenture 
covering  the  company's  four  per  cent  debentures 
to  be  applied  in  anticipating  future  sinking  fund 
obligations. 

A  proxy  statement  and  notice  of  the  annual 
stockholders'  meeting  has  been  mailed  out,  the 
meeting  to  take  place  at  the  home  office  at  noon 
on  June  15th.  Resolutions  proposed  by  James 
Fuller,  a  stockholder  of  Hartford,  are  to  be 
voted  upon,  and  16  directors  are  scheduled  to 
be  elected. 

Present  Board  Proposed 
For  Reelection 

Company  proposes  reelection  of  the  present 
board,  as  follows :  Neil  F.  Agnew,  vice-presi- 
dent in  charge  of  domestic  sales ;  Barney  Bala- 
ban,  president ;  Stephen  Callaghan ;  Y.  Frank 
Freeman,  vice-president  in  charge  of  produc- 
tion ;  Harvey  D.  Gibson ;  A.  Conger  Goodyear ; 
Mr.  Griffis ;  Duncan  G.  Harris ;  John  D.  Hertz ; 
John  W.  Hicks,  Jr.,  vice-president  in  charge  of 
foreign  sales ;  Austin  C.  Keough,  vice-president 
and  chief  counsel ;  Earl  I.  McClintock ;  Maurice 
Newton ;  E.  V.  Richards,  president  of  Para- 
mount-Richards Theatres,  Inc. ;  Edwin  L. 
Weisl ;  Adolph  Zukor,  board  chairman. 

The  proxy  statement  reports  to  stockholders 
that  12  of  the  directors  held  common  shares, 
as  follows  :  Mr.  Balaban,  2,000  ;  Mr.  Callaghan, 
100;  Mr.  Freeman,  450;  Mr.  Goodyear,  4,100 
(plus  2,100  shares  in  trust  in  which  Mr.  Good- 
year has  a  substantial  interest)  ;  Mr.  Griffis, 
6,000  (plus  contingent  beneficial  interest  in 
trusts  owning  20,000  common  shares  and  $15,000 
principal  amount  of  four  per  cent  debentures)  ; 
Mr.  Harris,  1,180;  Mr.  Hertz,  1,000  (Lehman 
Brothers,  of  which  Mr.  Hertz  is  a  partner,  also 
owns  100  common  shares)  ;  Mr.  Keough,  1,946; 
Mr.  McClintock,  100 ;  Mr.  Newton,  10,665  (plus 
an  interest  in  a  trust  owning  9,190  shares)  ; 
Mr.  Richards,  6,750,  held  by  Rochelle  Invest- 
ment Corp.,  controlled  by  Mr.  Richards,  plus 
1,935  shares  pledged  to  Rochelle  as  collateral; 
Mr.  Weisl,  100 ;  Mr.  Zukor,  380  shares. 

Cite  Remuneration 
To  Executives 

Stockholders  were  also  told,  in  the  proxy 
statement,  of  the  following  remuneration  paid  to 
board  members  and  company  executives  receiv- 
ing over  $20,000  in  the  last  fiscal  year.  Mr. 
Agnew,  $64,200;  Mr.  Balaban,  $242,695;  Mr. 
Callaghan,  $2,616;  Walter  B.  Cokell,  $23,400; 
Mr.  Freeman  $130,000;  Mr.  Gibson,  $1,916; 
Henry  Ginsberg,  $114,375;  Leonard  H.  Golden- 
son,  $33,000;  Mr.  Goodyear,  $2,116;  Mr.  Griffis, 
$14,923;  Mr.  Harris,  $2,166;  Mr.  Hertz,  $1,966; 
Mr.  Hicks,  $41,600;  Jacob  K.  Karp,  $36,400; 
Mr.  Keough,  $78,000;  Mr.  McClintock,  $1,966; 
Mr.  Fred  Mohrhardt,  $20,800;  Mr.  Newton, 
$2,666 ;  Mr.  Weisl,  $2,266 ;  Mr.  Zukor,  $108,800. 

The  company  disclosed  that  it  holds  unma- 
tured notes  of  Adolph  Zukor  in  the  amount  of 
$90,000  (originally  $202,500),  also  unmatured 
joint  notes  of  Adolph  and  Eugene  Zukor  in  the 
amount  of  $101,250  (originally  $202,500). 

The  company  reported  101  employees  on  its 
payroll  receiving  annual  salaries  of  between 
$20,000  and  $50,000  ;  27  receiving  between 
$50,000  and  $100,000,  and  18  receiving  in  excess 
of  $100,000,  a  total  of  $8,262,205  annually  paid 
to  the  146  in  the  high  brackets. 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


OFFERS  THEATRES  FOR 
CHURCH  SERVICES 

Church  services  in  film  theatres  to 
relieve  a  serious  overcrowding  situa- 
tion in  the  Atlantic  City,  N.  J., 
churches  because  of  the  large  num- 
ber of  service  men  stationed  there, 
have  been  arranged  by  A.  J.  Vanni, 
zone  manager  for  the  Warner  circuit 
out-of-town  theatres  in  the  Philadel- 
phia area.  Each  Sunday  morning,  the 
2,000-seat  Warner  Stanley  on  the 
Boardwalk  holds  two  Catholic  masses, 
at  9  and  at  II,  with  Protestant 
services  scheduled  at  10  A.M.  Mr. 
Vanni  is  making  all  the  circuit  houses 
in  Atlantic  City  available  to  all  de- 
nominations for  religious  services. 


Loew  'sHalf-  Year 
Net  $6,376,228 

Loew's,  Inc.  and  affiliated  Loew  and  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  interests,  this  week  reported 
net  profit  of  $6,376,228  for  the  28  weeks  ending 
March  18th,  1943.  The  earnings  represent  a 
$1,083,687  increase  over  a  comparable  period 
last  year  when  $5,292,541  profit  was  reported 
for  the  28  weeks  ended  March  12th,  1942. 

David  Bernstein,  Loew's  vice-president  and 
treasurer,  citing  earnings  of  $3.83  per  common 
share  after  deducting  dividends  on  preferred 
stock,  which  has  since  been  retired,  listed  the 
corporation's  28-week,  March,  1943,  operating 
income  at  $19,632,511,  some  $7,159,397  more 
than  the  $12,473,114  operating  profit  for  the 
28  weeks  of  the  year  previous,  equivalent  to 
$2.91  per  common  share. 

Mr.  Bernstein  disclosed  that  an  $8,862,771 
reserve  had  been  set  aside  for  Federal  taxes 
from  the  March,  1943,  28-week  operating  profit, 
representing  a  tax  increase  of  $6,012,941  more 
than  the  $2,849,830  tax  from  operations  charged 
against  the  28  weeks  ending  March,  1942. 

For  both  1943  and  1942  periods,  the  company 
set  up  $2,600,000  in  each  period  as  reserve  for 
contingencies,  besides  a  reserve  of  $1,793,512  for 
depreciation  charged  against  income  of  the  1943 
period,  and  a  $1,730,743  depreciation  reserve 
charged  in  1942. 

ITO  of  Arkansas  Elects 
C.  C.  Mundo  President 

The  Independent  Theatre  Owners  of  Arkan- 
sas elected  C.  C.  Mundo  of  Little  Rock  as  presi- 
dent, at  the  annual  convention  in  that  city  last 
Sunday  and  Monday.  Other  officers  are  F.  J. 
Daugherty,  of  Helena,  secretary;  Charles  Bon- 
ner, of  Pine  Bluff,  vice-president. 

The  principal  speaker  was  Edward  Kuyken- 
dall,  president  of  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre 
Owners  of  America,  who  asserted  exhibitors  de- 
sired films  in  large  blocks ;  that  they  were  co- 
operating with  the  Department  of  Justice  in 
an  endeavor  to  establish  equity  in  trade  prac- 
tices ;  and  that  although  warfare  existed  be- 
tween theatre  owners  and  distributors,  they 
would  settle  their  differences  amicably. 

Other  speakers  were  Herod  Jimerson,  H.  G. 
Krumm,  R.  I.  Bostic  and  William  Shepherd. 


Precision  Votes  Dividend 

The  board  of  directors  of  General  Precision 
Equipment  Corporation  on  Tuesday  declared  a 
cash  dividend  of  25  cents  per  share  on  the  capi- 
tal stock  of  the  corporation,  payable  June  15  th 
to  stockholders  of  record  on  June  5th. 


May    29,     I  943 

Universal  Plan 
On  Merger  Is 
Before  Court 

Hearings  before  New  York  Supreme  Court 
Justice  William  T.  Collins  were  to  be  held  on 
Wednesday  to  determine  the  fairness  of  the 
proposed  plan  for  merging  Universal  Pictures 
Company,  Inc.,  into  the  Universal  Corporation. 
The  termination  of  the  minority  stockholders' 
suit  was  practically  concluded  last  Friday. 

Joseph  M.  Proskauer,  counsel  for  both  the 
company  and  corporation,  already  has  submit- 
ted evidence  to  the  court  asking  approval  of  the 
plan.  It  is  expected  that  unless  opposition  is 
registered  by  the  minority  stockholders,  repre- 
sented by  Joseph  Nemerov,  the  hearings  will  be 
ordered  closed  and  approval  given  to  the  pro- 
posed merger. 

The  plan  contemplates  the  redemption  of  the 
present  outstanding  shares  of  the  picture  com- 
pany's eight  per  cent  preferred  stock  at  a  cost 
of  approximately  $1,444,000,  and  the  exchange 
of  three  shares  of  the  company  surviving  the 
merger  for  each  common  share  of  the  com- 
pany not  presently  held  by  Universal  Corpora- 
tion. 

Mr.  Proskauer  explained  that  each  company 
subsequently  would  offer  such  additional  evi- 
dence as  the  court  might  deem  necessary  in 
order  to  determine  the  fairness  of  the  proposed 
plan.  He  pointed  out  that  the  present  manage- 
ment had  turned  the  picture  company  from  a 
losing  venture  into  a  success.  His  argument  was 
in  answer  to  criticism  from  minority  stockhold- 
ers who  instituted  an  action  protesting  the  pro- 
posed merger. 

The  management's  action,  Mr.  Proskauer  said, 
was  responsible  for  the  results  which  were 
accomplished.  Stockholders  would  have  owned 
worthless  paper  insetad  of  being  offered  three 
shares  of  Universal  Corporation  stock  where 
they  possessed  only  one  share  of  the  film  com- 
pany's stock,  he  said.  The  voting  trust  certi- 
ficates last  week  were  quoted  at  $18  a  share. 


Shain  to  20th 
Fox  Publicity 

Sam  Shain,  former  editor  of  Motion  Picture 
Daily,  has  been  appointed  director  of  trade  re- 
lations for  Twentieth  Century-Fox,  the  com- 
pany announced  Tuesday.  Mr.  Shain,  who  will 
work  directly  under  Hal  Home,  director  of 
advertising,  exploitation  and  publicity,  will  in- 
corporate into  his  new  department  the  depart- 
ments of  trade  publicity,  headed  by  Joseph  Shea, 
and  trade  promotion,  headed  by  David  Bader. 

Mr.  Shain  has  been  identified  with  motion 
picture  trade  publications  for  the  past  15  years, 
having  been  on  the  staff  of  Variety  for  11  years 
before  joining  Motion  Picture  Daily. 

The  appointment  was  effective  Tuesday. 

Cashman  to  Manage  RKO 
Playdate  Department 

John  Emmet  Cashman,  RKO  home  office 
sales  member,  has  been  promoted  to  manager  of 
the  playdate  department,  it  was  announced  last 
week  by  Robert  Mochrie,  general  sales  man- 
ager. 

Mr.  Cashman,  who  has  been  with  RKO  in- 
terests for  more  than  20  years,  succeeds  Michael 
G.  Poller,  recently  appointed  assistant  to  Mr. 
Mochrie. 


Walton  District  Manager 

Edward  Walton,  branch  manager  in  Seattle 
for  J.  T.  Sheffield-Republic  exchange,  has  been 
promoted  to  district  manager  in  the  middle 
west.    He  has  been  succeeded  by  Peter  Higgins. 


May    29,     I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


33 


WAR  COMPLICATING  TALENT 
HUNT,  SHOW  BOOKING 


Summer  Stock  Loss  Cuts 
Scouts'  Field;  Revues 
Find  New  Popularity 

The  war  has  made  Hollywood's  search  for 
talent  increasingly  difficult,  particularly  in 
exploring  the  stage,  radio,  night  clubs,  straw 
hat  circuits  and  other  sources  for  eligible 
male  actors.  Nevertheless,  talent  scouts  for 
major  companies  continue  to  scour  the 
countryside,  ever  hopeful  that  their  explora- 
tions will  turn  up  a  Clark  Gable,  Tyrone 
Power  or  James  Stewart  to  replace  the  stars 
now  in  military  service. 

With  this  summer's  stock  company  opera- 
tions cut  to  a  minimum  because  of  gasoline 
shortages  and  the  driving  ban,  an  important 
source  of  talent  discovery  has  been  eliminated 
for  the  film  companies.  However,  the  stage, 
radio,  civic  and  little  theatre  groups,  supper 
clubs  in  hotels  and  college  play  productions 
remain.  The  percentage  of  promising  young 
leading  men,  either  for  musicals,  comedies  or 
dramas,  is  small,  nevertheless,  because  the 
war  has  claimed  so  many  of  them. 

One  Star  in  Three  Years 
Good  Average 

After  combing  the  colleges  and  universi- 
ties for  male  talent,  Maurice  Golden,  MGM's 
talent  head  for  17  mid-western  states,  ob- 
served recently  that  practically  every  elig- 
ible student  already  was  signed  up  for  the 
Army  after  graduation.  He  pointed  out 
that  of  the  five  contracts  signed  during  the 
10  weeks  since  the  MGM  Chicago  talent 
office  opened,  only  one  was  with  a  man. 

Mr.  Golden  said  that  results  of  his  activi- 
ties so  far  have  been  considered  highly  sat- 
isfactory, as  studio  officials  have  stressed 
that  if  he  finds  only  one  outstanding  male 
actor  in  three  years,  his  efforts  would  be 
considered  successful. 

RKO's  operations  proceed  along  standard 
lines,  Arthur  Willi,  the  company's  eastern 
talent  head,  said  last  week.  "We  have  been 
more  fortunate  than  other  companies.  The 
draft  has  made  few  inroads  on  our  leading 
male  stars,"  he  said.  He  admitted  that  the 
industry's  loss  of  box  office  stars  like  Ty- 
rone Power,  Clark  Gable,  Robert  Mont- 
gomery and  others  posed  a  problem,  since 
there  seemed  little  likelihood  of  their  being 
replaced  by  capable  successors.  RKO,  how- 
ever, had  been  fairly  successful  in  obtain- 
ing promising  newcomers  not  subject  to 
draft,  he  said. 

Policies  Are  Varied  on 
Signing  Players 

Mr.  Willi  said  that  more  than  half  of  the 
newscomers  signed  in  New  York  by  RKO 
in  the  past  several  months  had  been  sent  to 
the  coast  without  first  being  screen-tested. 
A  reverse  policy,  however,  is  employed  by 
Twentieth  Century-Fox,  according  to  Jo- 
seph Pincus,  the  company's  eastern  talent 
head.  Before  signing  players  to  contracts, 
he  said,  screen-tests  are  given  in  every  in- 
stance. 

Columbia  Pictures'  policy,  according  to 


USO  EMPLOYS  1,064 
ACTORS  IN  MAY 

Some  indication  of  why  the  talent 
shortage  has  grown  so  serious  for  film 
theatres  with  stage  show  attractions 
can  be  gleaned  in  the  USO  -  Camp 
Show  report  issued  at  its  New  York 
headquarters  this  week.  During  the 
month  of  May  1,064  performers,  all 
professional,  were  on  the  payroll, 
entertaining  soldiers  and  sailors.  A 
year  ago  there  were  402.  During  the 
past  22  weeks  of  the  winter  season, 
a  total  of  8,237,192  service  men  saw 
USO's  Red,  White  and  Blue  circuit 
performances,  including  180,302  who 
saw  the  shows  in  hospitals. 


Mrs.  Ad  Schulberg,  eastern  talent  represen- 
tative, has  been  to  sign  promising  new  play- 
ers, regardless  of  draft  status,  so  that  even 
if  they  should  be  pressed  into  service,  the 
company  would  have  a  backlog  of  potential 
starring  actors  under  contract  after  the  war. 
Eastern  talent  bureaus  of  Universal  and  Re- 
public operate  only  in  the  vicinity,  the 
major  portion  of  the  scouting  being  done  by 
the  coast  offices. 

Martin  Jurow,  eastern  talent  head  for 
Warners,  shortly  will  visit  mid-western 
cities  to  uncover  further  talent.  In  the  last 
two  months,  five  actors  of  the  leading  man 
type  have  been  sent  to  the  coast  from  New 
York.  Robert  Hutton,  Tom  Tully,  Warner 
Anderson  and  Robert  Shayne  were  signed 
to  contracts,  while  Michael  St.  Angel  will 
be  screen-tested.  Warners  give  screen- 
tests  only  on  the  west  coast. 

Booking  of  Stage 
Shows  Difficult 

There  is  scarcely  a  theatre  in  the  country 
which  operates  on  a  policy  of  films  and  stage 
presentations  that  isn't  hard  hit'  in  advance 
bookings  of  popular  orchestras,  comedy-revues 
and  novelty  acts.  This  is  the  opinion  of  sev- 
eral leading  theatrical  agents  in  New  York 
who  book  bands,  singers,  dancers,  comedians 
and  other  performers  for  motion  picture  the- 
atres. Vaudeville  in  film  houses,  which  started 
on  an  upswing  last  autumn  for  the  first  time  in 
years,  continues  to  be  popular  with  amusement 
seekers,  particularly  in  war  industry  cities,  but 
bookings  are  suffering  because  of  the  draft  and 
the  drain  upon  theatre  talent  by  the  USO-Camp 
Shows. 

Nevertheless,  booking  agents  point  out  that 
few,  if  any,  film-stage  show  houses  will  close 
this  summer,  compared  to  the  many  theatres 
which  shut  down  for  the  two  months  in  pre- 
vious years.  According  to  present  indications, 
they  say  that  even  in  the  east,  where  gasoline 
restrictions  are  more  seriously  affecting  the 
amusement  industry,  first  run  theatres  which 
present  stage  attractions  are  for  the  most  part 
situated  in  large  cities  where  war  plants  are 
now  concentrated.  Despite  gas  and  tire  short- 
ages and  the  pleasure  driving  ban,  theatrical 


agents  are  of  the  opinion  that  such  theatres  will 
continue  operation  during  the  summer  months, 
getting  good  grosses  from  war  worker  audi- 
ences. 

Every  day,  more  orchestra  men,  more  sing- 
ers, dancers,  comedians,  jugglers,  acrobats  and 
other  variety  performers  are  being  called  to 
the  Army.  Many  have  left  their  lucrative  posts 
to  join  the  Navy,  Marine  Corps  or  Coast 
Guard.  Still  others  are  engaged  in  touring 
Army  camps  and  bases  for  the  USO.  Thus  the 
field  has  been  narrowed. 

Screen  star  personal  appearances  also  have 
been  slightly  reduced  since  the  war,  it  was  re- 
ported. 

Newspapers  Give 
Space  to  Shows 

Film  news  columns  of  daily  newspapers  are 
giving  more  attention  to  vaudeville  reviews  and 
news  of  performers  who  appear  in  motion  pic- 
ture theatres.  A  few  months  ago,  the  New 
York  Post  inaugurated  a  vaudeville  column, 
"Four  a  Day,"  which  appears  every  Monday. 
The  New  York  World-Telegram  began  a 
variety  column  last  Wednesday  which  will  run 
every  week  on  that  day.  Other  newspapers 
have  increased  slightly  the  amount  of  space  on 
their  stage-film  news  pages  for  variety  news  and 
brief  reviews. 

Bookers  of  acts  for  theatres,  even  the  large 
first  run  houses  on  Broadway,  have  seen  their 
advance  dates,  which  hitherto  were  scheduled 
ahead  as  much  as  six  months  or  more,  creep 
up  to  three,  two,  one  month  and  even,  two 
weeks.  In  some  cases,  talent  buyers  for  film 
theatres  have  been  forced  to  book  acts  as  close 
as  one  week  and  even  five  days  ahead.  Last 
minute  shifts  in  stage  programs  are  common 
to  all  theatres  these  days,  according  to  William 
Howard,  circuit  official  of  RKO. 

Although  most  theatres  have  tried  to  main- 
tain quality  programs,  opportunity  currently  is 
widespread  for  lesser-known  acts  and  for  un- 
known performers  to  crash  the  footlights,  a 
spokesman  for  the  William  Morris  Agency 
reported.  Agents  as  well  as  theatre  bookers, 
constantly  in  search  of  talent  to  fill  the  gaps 
made  by  drafted  performers,  are  more  willing 
to  sign  acts  which  formerly  never  obtained  an 
audition,  he  said.  Every  available  source  is 
being  combed  to  uncover  talent  waiting  for  "a 
break."  Amateur  shows,  radio,  night  clubs, 
hotels  and  other  spots  are  bringing  forth  new 
performers. 

Only  Yardstick  Today  Is 
Performance  Quality 

The  only  yardstick  applied  by  film  theatre 
bookers  these  days,  according  to  Sam  Rausch, 
booker  for  the  Roxy,  New  York,  is  whether  or 
not  a  performer  is  good.  Unknown  actors  are 
no  risk,  he  said,  if  they  have  something  to  offer 
the  public.  The  talent  shortage,  he  added,  has 
called  for  more  ingenuity  and  resourcefulness 
on  the  part  of  both  performers  and  theatre  book- 
ers, who  are  molding  available  material  to  meet 
the  requirements  of  present-day  entertainment 
demands. 

Robert  Weitman,  manager  of  New  York's 
Paramount,  reported  this  week  that  the  theatre 
has  had  little  difficulty  in  scheduling  its  bills. 
The  orchestras  are  booked  ahead  to  the  end 
of  the  year,  as  well  as  many  supplementary  acts. 
Long  holdovers  at  the  Paramount  have  helped 
the  situation  considerably,  it  was  observed. 

The  Strand,  Capitol,  and  Loew's  State  re- 
port that  operations  continue,  despite  increased 
talent  shortage  and  wherever  possible,  schedules 
are  being  adjusted  to  meet  exigencies. 


and  ask  him  about  the  show  that 
records  all  over  the  Southwe; 
Dallas...  Ft.  Worth...  Houston. 
EVERYWHERE! 


HO 
RADIO 

PICTURES 

V 


PAT  O'BRIEN 
RANDOLPH  SCOn 

ANNE  SHIRLEY*  EDOIE  ALBERT 

Produced  by  ROBERT  FELLOWS  •  Directed  by  RICHARD  WALLACE 

Screen  Play  by  JOHN  TWIST 


NOW  PLAYING  TO  RECORD  BUSINESS  IN  EVERY  SITUATION  IN  T 


asting  opening-day 
.  San  Antonio . . . 


—and  ask  Robb  &  Rowley  and  the  Griffith  Circuit 
about  the  smash  business  being  pulled  by  

THE  BLOCK-BUSTER  OF  ALL  ACTION-THRILL- 
SERVICE  SHOWS  . . .  JUST  THE  KIND  OF  EN- 
TERTAINMENT THE  COUNTRY'S  CRYING  FOR! 

"It's  a  mighty  production,"  says  M.  P.  Daily,  to  which  M.  P. 
Herald  adds:  "A  bull's-eye  by  everything  that  counts  at  the  box- 
office"  .  .  .  and  Boxoffice:  "A  hit"  . . .  Variety:  "Will  get  its  share  of 
biz"  . . .  Film  Daily:  "Told  with  a  kick"  .  .  .  Showmen's  Trade  Re- 
view: "Top  entertainment"  ...  and  so  on  all  down  the  line! 

CTACULAR  SOUTHWESTERN  50-CITY  WORLD  PREMIERE! 


36  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  May    29,  1943 

THE  HOLLYWOOD  SCENE 


From  HOLLYWOOD  BUREAU 


It  was  a  week  for  announcing  pictures — 
some  are ;  some  aren't — and  here  they  are : 

"Noon  to  Midnight,"  described  as  a  come- 
dy-drama concerning  a  war  nurse,  was  ac- 
quired by  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  with  Irene 
Dunne  in  mind  as  the  star ; 

"Glory,"  pertaining  to  the  Free  Fighting 
French,  was  announced  by  Universal  as  a 
vehicle  for  Jean  Gabin,  who  made  "Moon 
Tide"  for  Twentieth  Century-Fox  and  de- 
cided not  to  make  a  picture  for  which  he 
had  been  named  by  RKO  Radio's  Dudley 
Nichols ; 

"Johnny  Zero,"  the  song  hit,  was  pur- 
chased by  Columbia  with  John  Stone  ap- 
pointed to  produce  a  picture  based  on  the 
career  of  the  Jap-fighter  celebrated  in  the 
lyric ; 

"Address  Unknown,"  a  book  by  Kressman 
Taylor,  which  experienced  great  popularity 
in  the  period  when  Nazi  oppressions  were 
being  exposed,  was  acquired  by  Sam  Wood 
for  production  as  an  independent  venture, 
with  a  possibility  of  it  being  released  through 
United  Artists ; 

"Berlin  Revolt,"  described  as  "dealing 
with  the  final  phases  of  the  war  in  Ger- 
many," was  announced  by  Producers  Re- 
leasing Corporation ; 

Errol  Flynn  to  Star  in 
Audubon  Biography 

"On  to  Oregon,"  a  novel  by  the  late  Mrs. 
Honore  Willsie  Morrow  concerning  pioneers 
who  made  their  way  to  Oregon  in  1844,  has 
been  announced  by  MGM  for  production  with 
an  all-star  cast ; 

"Bloodhounds  of  Broadway,"  adapted  from  a 
short  story  by  Damon  Runyon,  was  announced 
as  the  second  picture  Runyon  would  make  for 
Twentieth  Century-Fox ; 

"The  Third  Glory,"  a  vehicle  for  Susanna 
Foster;  "All  Out  for  Rhythm,"  to  star  Allan 
Jones,  and  "Rhythm  on  Parade,"  a  musical  for 
production  by  Alexis  Thurn-Taxis,  were  an- 
nounced by  Universal ; 

Warner  Brothers  announced  acquisition  of 
picture  rights  to  the  biography  of  the  late  John 
James  Audubon,  the  venerated  ornithologist 
(1785-1851),  and  decision  to  produce  it  on  a 
lavish  scale,  with  cooperation  of  the  Audubon 
Society  of  America,  and  with  Errol  Flynn  por- 
traying the  role  of  Audubon. 

Gottlieb  Leaves  Universal 
Producer  Post 

Alex  Gottlieb,  who  produced  all  but  two  of 
those  Bud  Abbott-Lou  Costello  comedies  for 
Universal,  and  who  has  just  completed  pro- 
duction of  "Fired  Wife"  for  the  same  company, 
left  the  studio,  under  conditions  described  as 
amicable,  dissolving  a  contract  which  had  five 
years,  with  options,  to  run. 

Kenneth  Macgowan,  who  announced  his 
resignation  a  few  weeks  ago  from  Twentieth 
Century-Fox,  where  he  was  rated  a  Number 
One  producer,  changed  his  mind  last  week  and 
signed  a  new  contract  under  which  he  will  con- 
tinue in  employment  as  a  producer  for  that 
company.    His  next  film  has  not  yet  been  set. 

Andrew  Stone,  now  producing  in  "Hi  Diddle 
Diddle"  for  United  Artists  under  a  deal  which 
started  as  a  one-picture  commitment  and  was 
expanded  to  cover  four,  made  a  new  contract 
with  the  producing  organization  which  calls 
for  production  of  two  pictures  annually  for  the 
next  six  years  representing  a  total  expenditure 


Studios  Shooting  44 


Studios  completed  camera  work  on  10 
pictures  and  started  seven  new  ones  in  a 
week  that  witnessed  easing  of  the  produc- 
tion load  from  its  1943  peak  established 
the  week  before,  when  47  features  were  in 
shooting  stage,  to  a  still  significant  44, 
second  highest  weekly  level  since  1942. 

Twentieth  Century- Fox  topped  the  week, 
in  point  of  new  undertakings,  by  starting 
"Guadalcanal",  a  war  picture  described  by 
its  title,  with  Preston  Foster,  William  Ben- 
dix,  Anthony  Quinn,  Lloyd  Nolan,  Richard 
Jaeckel,  Reed  Hadley,  John  Archer  and 
Ralph  Byrd  in  the  principal  roles. 

Columbia  started  "Restless  Lady",  a 
comedy  presenting  Evelyn  Keyes,  Edmund 
Lowe,  Allyn  Joslyn  and  John  Hubbard. 

Universal  launched  "The  Mad  Ghoul", 
for  the  mystery  fans,  with  Evelyn  Ankers, 
David    Bruce,   Turhan    Bey    and  George 


Zucco.  Monogram  turned  cameras  on  "hie 
Couldn't  Take  It",  offering  Joan  Wood- 
bury, Eddie  Quillan,  Maxie  Rosenbloom, 
Armida  and  Sidney  Miller. 

Prdoucers  Releasing  Corporation  started 
two:  "Danger,  Women  at  Work",  with 
Patsy  Kelly,  Cobina  Wright,  Sr.,  Isabel 
Jewell,  Frank  Jenks  and  Warren  Hymer; 
and  "Strange  Music",  with  Francis  Lederer, 
Sigrid  Gurie,  Alexander  Granach,  J.  Car- 
roll Naish  and  J.  Edward  Bromberg.  Both 
represent  inauguration  of  the  company's 
policy  of  bigger  budgets. 

Republic  started  "Wagon  Tracks  West", 
a  Bill  Elliott  Western  with  George  Gabby 
Hayes,  Ann  Jeffries,  Tom  Tyler  and  Robert 
Fraser  in  support. 

The  status  of  product-to-come  at  the 
weekend: 


COMPLETED 

Columbia 

Attack  by  Night 
Clock  Struck  Twelve 

Monogram 

Law  Rides  Again 
Spotlight  Revue 

PRC 

Lone  Rider  No.  4 
Republic 

Black  Hills  Express 
Silver  Spurs 

Universal 

Girls,  Inc. 
Fired  Wife 

STARTED 

Columbia 

Restless  Lady 

Monogram 

He  Couldn't  Take  It 


PRC 

Danger,  Women  at 

Work 
Strange  Music 

Republic 

Wagon  Tracks  West 

20th  Century-Fox 

Guadalcanal  Diary 

Universal 

Mad  Ghoul 

SHOOTING 

Columbia 

Without  Notice 

Goldwyn 

North  Star 

MGM 

Thousand  Shall  Fall 
Heavenly  Body 
Whistling  in  Brooklyn 
America 


Russia 

Madame  Curie 
Guy  Named  Joe 
Cry  Havoc 

Monogram 

Black  Market 

Hustlers 
Six- Gun  Gospel 

Paramount 

Minesweeper 

And  the  Angels  Sing 

Uninvited 

Hour  Before  Dawn 

RKO  Radio 

Seventh  Victim 
Iron  Major 
Behind  the  Rising 
Sun 

Tarzan  and  the  Sheik 
Republic 

Nobody's  Darling 


20th  Century-Fox 

Song  of  Bernadette 
Holy  Matrimony 
Girls  He  Left  Behind 
Claudia 

Night  Is  Ending 
UA 

Hi  Diddle  Diddle 

(Stone) 
Johnny  Come  Lately 

(Cagney) 

Universal 

Hers  to  Hold 
Cobra  Woman 
Angela 

Sherlock  Holmes  and 
Spider  Woman 

Warners 

To  the  Last  Man 
Saratoga  Trunk 
This  Is  the  Army 
Animal  Kingdom 
In  Our  Time 


of  $12,000,000,  which  appears  to  call  for  a 
dozen  million-dollar  productions. 

Emmett  Lavery,  who  wrote  the  scripts  for 
"Hitler's  Children"  and  "Behind  the  Rising 
Sun,"  has  been  given  a  producer-writer  con- 
tract by  RKO  Radio  and  been  assigned  "China 
Sky,"  from  the  book  by  Pearl  Buck,  as  his 
first  undertaking  under  that  designation. 

Alfred  Zeisler,  who  was  executive-producer 
at  the  UFA  studios  in  Berlin  up  to  the  point 
where  Nazi  interference  with  the  affairs  of  the 
German  film  industry  became  intolerable  to  an 
American  craftsman,  is  to  portray  himself  in 
W.  R.  Frank's  production  of  "Dr.  Joseph  Goeb- 
bels,  His  Life  and  Loves,"  which  Mr.  Zeisler 
also  will  direct. 

Ray  Milland  has  been  named  to  star  in  Para- 
mount's  "Ministry  of  Fear,"  which  is  not,  as 
might  be  assumed,  a  war  picture,  but  a  mystery. 

Joseph  Cotten  is  to  appear  opposite  Olivia  de 


Havilland  in  RKO's  "Government  Girl"  by  a 
series  of  circumstances  which  shed  light  on  the 
working  out  of  the  talent  pooling  arrangement 
entered  into  by  that  studio's  Charles  Koerner 
and  David  O.  Selznick  some  weeks  ago.  Cot- 
ten  is  a  Selznick  contractee  and  goes  to  RKO 
on  a  straigtht  loan.  Miss  de  Havilland,  a  War- 
ner contractee,  was  loaned  to  Selznick's  for  one 
picture,  in  exchange  for  the  loan  of  Ingrid 
Bergman  to  that  studio  for  "Casablanca,"  and 
goes  to  the  RKO  assignment  in  execution  of 
that  arrangement.  Although  the  announcement 
of  the  RKO-Selznick  pooling  arrangement  in- 
cluded mention  of  only  four  minor  players,  the 
operation  of  the  machinery _  appears  to  justify 
early  estimates  that  it  will  include  much  more. 

Walt  Disney  is  introducing,  in  one  sequence 
of  his  forthcoming  "Surprise  Package,"  a  new 
technique  which  is  being  kept  secret. 

A-Mike  Vogel  has  joined  RKO  as  a  writer. 


starring 


Simone 

Michael 

WHALEN 

Lionel  STANDER 
Wally  VERNON 
Tommye  ADAMS 

JOHN  H.  AUER  — Director 

Screen  Play  by  Lawrence  Kimble   •  Frederick 
Kohner  •  H.  W.  Hanemann  •  Original 
Story  by  Frederick  Kohner 


Dennis 


REPUBLIC  PICTURE  *  BUY  U.  S.  WAR  SAVINGS  BONDS 


38 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    29,  1943 


STUDIOS  ACQUIRE  35  STORY 
PROPERTIES  IN  APRIL 


Total  Continues  to  Decline; 
128  Items  Bought  in  Four 
Months  of  This  Year 

Purchase  of  story  properties  continued  to 
decline  during  April,  only  35  having  been 
acquired  by  companies  during  the  month. 
The  figure  brings  the  four-month  total  for 
1943  to  128;  last  year,  the  same  period  pro- 
duced a  total  of  200  purchases. 

The  April  total  was  also  slightly  less  than 
the  preceding  month  when  38  stories  were 
bought.  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  was  the 
most  active  on  the  story  buying  market  in 
April,  obtaining  eight  assorted  properties 
which  included  four  originals,  three  maga- 
zine stories  and  one  play.  Irwin  Shaw's 
"Sons  and  Soldiers"  was  purchased  by  the 
company  for  a  reported  $60,000  plus  a  per- 
centage of  the  film  receipts. 

Published  novels  received  major  attention 
by  story  departments  during  April  as  the 
companies  obtained  eight  books,  RKO  and 
Warners  acquiring  two  apiece.  "Mama's 
Bank  Account"  and  "The  Fanatic  of  Fez" 
were  bought  by  the  former,  while  Warners 
purchased  "The  Conspirators"  and  "Hand- 
book for  Jealousy."  Universal,  Twentieth 
Century-Fox,  Monogram  and  David  O. 
Selznick  were  others  acquiring  novels. 

The  balance  of  the  properties  purchased 
were  originals  or  magazine  stories  except 
for  Republic's  acquisition  of  the  Cole  Porter 
song,  "Blow,  Gabriel,  Blow,"  the  rights  to 
which  were  obtained  for  use  in  one  of  the 
company's  forthcoming  musicals. 

Properties  Acquired 
During  April 

Abbott  and  Costello  in  Society,  original 
by  Howard  Snyder  and  Hugh  Wedlock, 
acquired  by  Universal  as  a  vehicle  for  the 
two  comedians. 

Blacksmith  of  Brandon,  The,  magazine 
story  by  Harland  Manchester,  purchased 
by  MGM. 

Blow,  Gabriel,  Blow,  Cole  Porter  song. 
Film  rights  acquired  by  Republic  for  use 
in  a  musical. 

Blueprint  of  a  Miracle,  article  in  Ameri- 
can Magazine  by  Don  Eddy,  bought  by 
MGM. 

Christmas  Holiday,  original  by  Herman 
J.  Mankiewicz,  acquired  by  Universal. 

Conspirators,  The,  novel  by  Frederic  Pro- 
kosch,  acquired  by  Warners  to  star 
Humphrey  Bogart,  Ann  Sheridan  and 
Paul  Henreid. 

Destination,  Tokyo,  purchased  by  War- 
ners for  another  feature  with  the  cast  of 
"Air  Force."    Delmer  Davis  is  to  direct. 

Destiny,  original  by  Joseph  May  and  Fritz 
Kortner,  purchased  by  Universal. 

Dr.  Gillespie's  Woman  Doctor,  original 
by  Helen  Jones  as  another  in  MGM's 
series  starring  Lionel  Barrymore. 

Everything  for  the  Army,  original  by 
Phil  Rapp,  purchased  by  MGM. 

Fanatic  of  Fez,  The,  novel  by  Charles  L. 
Leonard,  purchased  by  RKO. 


STORY  PURCHASES 
OF  YEAR  COMPARED 


Month 


Originals    Books     Plays  Total 


May,  1942 

30 

11(a) 

5 

46 

June 

35 

16(b) 

4 

55 

July 

24 

12(c) 

4 

40 

August 

35 

13(d) 

4 

K9 
OZ 

September 

22 

10(e) 

2 

34 

October 

32 

9(f) 

5 

46 

November 

12 

12(g) 

1 

25 

December 

17 

8(h) 

ZD 

January,  1943 

10 

6(i) 

1 

17 

February 

32 

5fi) 

1 

38 

March 

23 

I0(k) 

5 

38 

April 

18 

13(1) 

4 

30 

TOTALS  FOR 

12  MONTHS 

290 

I25(m)  36 

451 

(a)  Including 

4 

magazine 

stories  and 

2 

radio  scripts. 

(b)  Including 

1 

magazine 

story, 

1 

song  and 

1 

poem. 

(c)  Including 

3 

films, 

1 

radio  script  and 

1 

song. 

(d)  Including 

2 

magazine 

stories, 

1 

newspaper  comic  stri 

o  an 

d 

1 

radio  seri 

al. 

(e)  Including 

4 

magazine 

stories. 

(f)  Including 

2 

magazine 

stories  and 

2 

songs. 

(g)  Including 

2 

novelettes. 

(h)  Including 

2 

magazine 

stories. 

(i)  Including 

2 

magazine 

stories. 

(j)  Including 

3 

magazine 

stories. 

(k)  Including 

1 

magazine 

story  and 

1 

song. 

(1)  Including 

3  magazine  stories  and 

1 

song. 

(m)    Including  24 

magazine 

stories, 

6  musical  compositions, 
4  radio  scripts, 
3  films, 

1  newspaper  comic  strip, 

2  novelettes  and 
I  poem. 


For  Women  Only,  original  by  Prescott 
Chaplin,  purchased  by  Republic. 

God  Is  My  Co-Pilot,  original  by  Colonel 
Robert  Lee  Scott,  bought  by  Warners  for 
production  by  Hal  B.  Wallis. 

God  Strikes  Back,  play  by  Mico  Lades, 
bought  by  20th  Century-Fox. 

Guarding  Against  Sabotage,  original  by 
Karl  Kamb,  bought  by  MGM. 

Hairy  Ape,  The,  play  by  Eugene  O'Neill, 
rights  acquired  for  film  production  by 
Jules  Levey. 

Handbook  for  Jealousy,  novel  by  Sinclair 
Lewis,  purchased  by  Warners,  and  first  to 
appear  in  serial  form  in  Cosmopolitan. 

Kiki,  play  produced  by  David  Belasco  more 

than  decade  ago,  acquired  by  Warners 

from  Mary  Pickford. 
Labor  for  the  Wind,  Irwin  Shaw  play, 

"Sons  and  Soldiers,"  purchased  bv  MGM 

for  a  reported  $60,000. 


Mama's  Bank  Account,  novel  by  Kath- 
ryn  Forbes,  acquired  by  RKO. 

Marseilles,  original  by  Maurice  DeKobra 
and  Leyla  Georgie,  purchased  by  Para- 
mount. 

Moonlight  in  Vermont,  original  by  Al- 
bert Beich,  acquired  by  Universal. 

Murder  in  the  Green  Room,  original  by 
I.  A.  L.  Diamond,  bought  by  Universal. 

Professor  Goes  Wild,  The,  original  by 
Clarence  Green,  purchased  by  Universal. 

Salute  to  a  Lady,  novel  by  Victoria  Wolf, 
written  under  the  title  of  "Truth  in  De- 
mand— The  Diary  of  an  Army  Nurse," 
purchased  by  Twentieth  Century-Fox, 
probably  to  star  Maureen  O'Hara. 

Sherlock  Holmes  Versus  Moriarty,  ori- 
ginal by  Paul  Gangelin  and  Brenda  Weis- 
berg,  for  another  of  Universale  Basil 
Rathbone  mystery  films. 

Since  You  Went  Away,  novel  by  Mar- 
garet Buell  Wilder,  purchased  by  David 
Selznick  for  United  Artists  release. 

Universal  Acquires  Novel, 
"Death  of  Hitler" 

Strange  Death  of  Adolph  Hitler,  The, 
novel  by  Clement  Wood,  bought  by  Uni- 
versal. 

Third  Glory,  The,  original  by  Robert  Ar- 
thur, acquired  by  Universal. 

Up  and  Down  Broadway,  original  by  Har- 
ry Clork  and  Dorothy  Kingsley,  pur- 
chased by  MGM. 

Victoria  Grandolet,  novel  by  Henry  Bel- 
laman,  bought  by  Paramount. 

Washington,  I  Love  You,  original  by 
Ruth  McKenney,  author  of  "My  Sister 
Eileen,"  purchased  by  Columbia.  D.  A. 
Doran  will  produce. 

Weekend  Pass,  original  by  Clyde  Bruck- 
man,  purchased  by  Universal. 

Yesterday's  Children,  novel  by  LaMar 
Warrick  published  by  Crowell  Publishing 
Company,  acquired  by  MGM.  Story 
deals  with  the  effect  of  the  war  upon  an 
American  family. 

You  Can't  Fool  a  Marine,  magazine  short 
story  by  Natalie  Marcus,  purchased  by 
MGM. 


Western  Electric  Promotes  F.  R.  Lack 

Frederick  R.  Lack  was  elected  vice-president 
of  Western  Electric  by  the  directors,  who  met 
in  New  York  recently.  Mr.  Lack  had  resigned 
from  the  company  last  November  to  serve  in 
the  Army-Navy  procurement  office  at  Washing- 
ton. He  will  now  resume  direction  of  the  com- 
pany's New  York  radio  division. 


Van  Dyke  in  Sales  Post 

Arthur  Van  Dyke  has  been  appointed  sales 
manager  of  the  Chicago  exchange  for  Twenti- 
eth Century-Fox,  it  was  announced  last  week  by 
Herman  Beiersdorf,  Great  Lakes  district  man- 
ager for  the  company. 


Club  Invites  Sales  Chiefs 

The  Reelfellows  Club,  composed  of  Chicago 
film  salesmen,  has  voted  to  invite  all  of  the  local 
branch  and  district  managers  to  their  regular 
semi-annual  luncheon  meeting  at  the  Blackstone 
Hotel  on  Sunday,  June  6th. 


May    2  9,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


39 


April  Box  Office  Champions 


AIR  FORCE:  Warner  Bros.  Howard  Hawks 
production.  Jack  L.  Warner,  executive  pro- 
ducer. Produced  by  Hal  B.  Wallis.  Directed 
by  Howard  Hawks.  Screenplay  by  Dudley 
Nichols.  Cast:  John  Garfield,  Gig  Young, 
Harry  Carey,  John  Ridgely,  George  Tobias, 
James  Brown,  Ward  Wood,  Charles  Drake. 
Release  date,  March  20,  1943. 


Bruce  Huniberstonc,  director 


HELLO,  'FRISCO,  HELLO:  Twentieth  Cen- 
tury-Fox. Produced  by  Milton  Sperling. 
Directed  by  Bruce  Humberstone.  Screen- 
play by  Robert  Ellis,  Helen  Logan  and 
Richard  Macauley.  Photography  by  Charles 
Clarke  and  Allen  Davey.  Cast:  Alice  Faye, 
John  Payne,  Laird  Cregar,  Jack  Oakie, 
Lynn  Bari.   Release  date,  March  26,  1943. 


Earle  C.  Kenton,  director 


IT  AIN'T  HAY:  Universal.  Produced  by 
Alex  Gottlieb.  Directed  by  Earle  C.  Ken- 
ton. Screenplay  by  Allen  Boretz  and  John 
Grant  from  a  story  by  Damon  Runyon. 
Cast:  Lou  Costello,  Bud  Abbott,  Cecil 
Kellaway,  Eugene  Pallette,  Shemp  Howard, 
Grace  McDonald,  Eddie  Quillan.  Release 
date,  March  19,  1943. 


George  Cukor,  director 

KEEPER  OF  THE  FLAME:  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer.  Produced  by  Victor  Saville.  Asso- 
ciate producer,  Leon  Gordon.  Directed  by 
George  Cukor.  Screenplay  by  Donald 
Ogden  Stewart  from  the  novel  by  I.  A.  R. 
Wylie.  Cast:  Katharine  Hepburn,  Spencer 
Tracy,  Percy  Kilbride,  Frank  Craven,  Mar- 
garet Wycherly.  Release  date,  December- 
February,  1943. 


Vincent  Sherman,  director 

THE  HARD  WAY:  Warner  Bros.  Jack  L. 
Warner,  executive  producer.  Directed  by 
Vincent  Sherman.  Screenplay  by  Daniel 
Fuchs  and  Peter  Viertel.  Photography  by 
James  Wong  Howe.  Musical  director,  Leo 
F.  Forbstein.  Cast:  Dennis  Morgan,  Ida 
Lupino,  Jack  Carson,  Joan  Leslie,  Gladys 
George,  Faye  Emerson,  Julie  Bishop,  Roman 
Bohnen.  Release  date,  February  20,  1943. 


Irving  Pichel,  director 

THE  MOON  IS  DOWN:  Twentieth  Cen- 
tury-Fox. Produced  and  written  for  the 
screen  by  Nunnally  Johnson  from  the  novel 
by  John  Steinbeck.  Directed  by  Irving 
Pichel.  Photography,  Arthur  Miller.  Musi- 
cal director,  Alfred  Newman.  Cast:  Sir 
Cedric  Hardwicke,  Henry  Travers,  Lee  J. 
Cobb,  Dorris  Bowdon,  Margaret  Wycherly. 
Release  date,  April  9,  1943. 


^  ^    v^k  Post 


»-t^T--l*'  "*'S  »M  CATS 

ARtK  l*MQNT      .  '     0r'9'"°'  Story  by  v; 


42 

Job  Order  for 
4  Theatre  Men 
Is  Rescinded 

Four  New  England  showmen  who  had  been 
told  by  their  draft  board  to  seek  "essential" 
work,  were  relieved  of  that  necessity  this  week 
in  an  action  which  also  focused  attention  again 
on  the  word  "essentiality"  and  its  application 
to  the  motion  picture  industry's  distributive 
personnel  and  exhibitors. 

The  men  are  Samuel  Hadelman,  operator  of 
the  Capitol  and  Colonial,  Bridgeport;  George 
Miller,  manager  of  the  Whalley,  New  Haven ; 
Phillip  Gravitz,  booker  at  the  MGM  exchange 
there ;  and  Jack  Post,  a  booker  in  that  city  for 
the  Fishman  circuit. 

David  E.  Fitzgerald,  chairman  of  Draft 
Board  9B,  wrote  last  week  to  Maxwell  Alder- 
man, secretary  of  Allied  of  Connecticut,  that 
the  men  might  remain  in  their  present  posi- 
tions. The  local  exhibitor  unit  had  asked  clari- 
fication of  their  situation,  in  view  of  assurances 
from  national  industry  leaders  that  the  War 
Manpower  Commission  has  not  discriminated 
against  the  film  industry  in  its  "work  or 
fight"  modification  of  some  months  ago. 

Mr.  Fitzgerald  stated  classification  of  the 
showmen  had  been  discussed  with  state  and 
national  Selective  Service  headquarters,  and 
that  a  "legal"  ruling  was  expected. 

Meanwhile,  as  Selective  Service  begins  draft- 
ing fathers  not  in  essential  work,  exchanges  are 
expected  to  face  serious  personnel  problems. 
Women  are  being  hired ;  but  the  "personal" 
factor  in  booking  is  the  result  of  long  years  in 
the  business,  it  is  stated. 

In  Toronto,  spokesmen  for  the  Famous  Play- 
ers Canadian  circuit  asserted  last  week  they 
would  appeal  any  compulsory  war  work  draft- 
ing by  the  Government  which  affects  key  em- 
ployes. Stressed  was  the  need  for  proper 
maintenance  to  avoid  theatre  tragedies  which 
might  occur  from  carelessness  or  inexperience. 

One  theatre  manager  already  has  been  or- 
dered by  selective  service  boards  to  report  for 
work  in  a  paperbox  factory.  The  circuit  is 
understood  to  have  protested  the  order  because, 
it  contends,  the  work  is  not  war-essential.  It  is 
also  understood  the  Government  granted  the 
circuit  the  right  to  protest,  but  urged  that  it 
be  done  only  for  key  workers. 

Bert  Lytell  Reelected 
Actors  Equity  Head 

The  entire  slate  of  officers  of  Actors  Equity 
were  reelected  at  the  organization's  annual  meet- 
ing in  New  York  on  Friday.  The  election 
was  unopposed.  Those  chosen  to  serve  for  an 
additional  three  years  were :  Bert  Lytell,  presi- 
dent ;  Augustin  Duncan,  first  vice-president ; 
Cornelia  Otis  Skinner,  second  vice-president ; 
Dudley  Digges,  third  vice-president;  William 
Harrigan,  fourth  vice-president ;  John  Beal,  re- 
cording secretary ;  Paul  Dullzell,  treasurer. 

Chorus  Equity  will  meet  June  4th  in  New 
York  to  vote  for  the  coming  year's  officers. 
Paul  Dulzell,  present  executive  committee 
chairman,  heads  the  regular  ticket,  which  also 
is  unopposed. 


Gootee  Heads  Music  Union 

J.  Wharton  Gootee  was  elected  president  of 
the  Pennsylvania  and  Delaware  Conference  of 
American  Federation  of  Musicians'  Locals, 
representing  the  officers  of  the  20  musicians' 
union  locals  in  the  two  states.  Mr.  Gootee,  at 
the  annual  conference  last  week  in  York,  Pa., 
was  elected  for  the  two-year  term,  succeeding 
the  late  Frank  L,  Diefenderfer,  who  headed  the 
conference  for  14  years  until  his  recent  death. 
Other  officers  elected  were :  Claire  Meeder, 
George  W.  Snyder  and  D.  Mason,  vice-presi- 
dents ;  George  H.  Wilkins,  secretary,  and  O. 
Oscar  Dell,  treasurer. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

FROM  READERS 


EXHIBITOR  REACTIONS 
TO  WAR  PICTURES 

To  the  Editor  of  the  Herald  : 

We  never  get  too  many  good  pictures  be  they 
war  or  otherwise.  This  is  a  time  of  war  and 
the  folks  accept  that.—/.  P.  HARRIS,  Harris 
Amusement  Company,  Pittsburgh. 


To  the  Editor  of  the  Herald  : 

We  are  getting  plenty  of  war  pictures. 
I,  personally,  like  them  all  because  I  think 
they  bring  home  a  much  needed  message  to 
our  American  people — but  my  customers  are 
beginning  to  complain. — AL  J.  WAGNER, 
Blue  Fox  Theatre,  Orangeville ,  Idaho. 


Films  Not  Under 
Trade  Pact 

The  agreement  between  Canada  and  the 
United  States  promising  curtailment  of  imports 
of  non-essential  products  by  South  American 
countries,  announced  last  week  by  the  State 
Department,  is  not  believed  applicable  to  motion 
pictures.  Reliable  sources  indicated  that  no 
restrictions  would  be  placed  on  the  import  of 
films  by  our  neighbors  to  the  south. 

The  interest  evinced  by  the  Coordinator  of 
Inter-American  Affairs  in  U.  S.  films  for  ship- 
ment to  South  American  countries  as  a  means 
of  cementing  goodwill  has  been  cited  as  one  in- 
stance clarifying  the  position  of  motion  pictures 
under  the  agreement.  The  purpose  of  the  ac- 
cord, it  is  said,  is  to  prevent  South  American 
buyers  seeking  Canadian  markets  for  non-essen- 
tial goods  which  they  cannot  secure  in  the 
United  States.  Since  few  Canadian  pictures  are 
sent  to  Latin  America,  it  is  believed  that  this 
source  will  remain  unaffected.  However,  those 
which  are  desired  will  be  forwarded  without 
difficulty  under  the  new  arrangement,  it  is 
reported. 

A  stricter  control  may  be  maintained  over 
shipments  of  film  apparatus  and  equipment,  but 
it  is  believed  that  all  needs  for  repair,  main- 
tenance and  operation  will  continue  to  be  pro- 
vided. 

Wisconsin  Exhibitors 
Protest  Bingo  Bill 

The  Senate  Committee  on  State  and  Local 
Government  at  Madison,  Wis.,  by  a  three  to 
two  vote  recently  recommended  passage  of  the 
Gettelman  bill  to  legalize  Bingo  when  played 
to  promote  patriotic,  charitable  or  fraternal 
causes.  Appearing  against  the  measure  were 
Harry  Perlewitz,  business  manager  of  the 
ITPA  of  Wisconsin  and  Upper  Michigan,  and 
Charles  W.  Trampe,  Milwaukee  exhibitor  and 
exchange  man,  who  told  the  committee  he 
would  test  the  bill  in  court  if  it  became  law. 

A  temporary  injunction  restraining  police  at 
Reading,  Ohio,  a  Cincinnati  suburb,  from  inter- 
fering with  Bingo  in  one  of  the  community's 
churches  was  issued  last  week  by  Judge  Stanley 
Struble.  The  action  was  seen  as  pointing  the 
way  to  further  efforts  by  Senator  Lawrence  A. 
Kane  to  push  through  his  amendment  to  the 
Ohio  chance  game  law  which  would  allow  Bingo 
to  be  conducted  for  religious  and  charitable 
purposes. 


Changes  Stage  Shows 

Loew's  Capitol  in  Washington  has  dropped  its 
Rhythm  Rockets,  line  girls,  for  a  revue  type  of 
show  and  straight  bands.  The  Rhythm  Rockets 
will  tour  the  various  USO  camps  under  the  di- 
rection of  Harry  Krivit,  director  of  the  troupe. 

Carter  Barron,  Loew's  zone  manager,  has 
announced  that  Billy  Rose's  Diamond  Horseshoe 
Revue  and  the  Latin  Quarter  Revue  will  be 
among  the  attractions  to  be  seen  at  the  Capitol. 


May    29,  1943 

Board  Refuses 
Union  Request 
For  Increase 

The  refusal  last  week  of  the  War  Labor 
Board  to  consider  the  request  of  New  York's 
projectionists'  local  306,  for  wage  increases  from 
six  circuits,  was  answered  this  week  by  the 
union  president,  Herman  Gelber,  in  a  statement 
which  commented  the  action  leaves  the  union's 
"hands  free."  He  then  added,  of  the  dispute 
with  the  circuits : 

"In  1932,  when  we  had  a  contract  with  the 
same  exhibitors,  which  had  two  years  to  run, 
they  asked  for  a  cut  and  received  a  10  per  cent 
cut  despite  the  fact  we  had  a  contract.  Now, 
when  we  ask  for  similar  relief,  we  have  the 
sanctity  of  contract  thrown  at  us." 

The  10  per  cent  cut  was  never  restored,  he 
charged.  The  union  had  asked  WLB  jurisdiction 
under  the  "Little  Steel"  formula,  which  allows 
altering  of  the  contract,  which  has  two  years 
to  run.  The  circuits  are  the  Skouras,  Rand- 
force,  Loew's,  Paramount,  RKO  and  Warners. 

In  Washington,  WLB  spokesmen  said  its 
refusal  to  act  was  dictated  by  its  belief  it  should 
not  be  used  to  break  collective  bargaining  agree- 
ments. 

The  National  Labor  Relations  Board  Los 
Angeles  office  this  week  continued  consideration 
of  a  petition  for  designation  of  an  extras'  bar- 
gaining agency,  after  hearing  testimony  from 
the  Screen  Actors  Guild,  the  Association  of 
Motion  Picture  Producers,  and  the  Screen 
Players  Protective  Committee. 

The  latter  presented  the  petition.  The  AMPP 
opposed  it,  contending  the  studios'  contract  with 
the  SAG  is  valid.  The  SAG  is  holding  in  abey- 
ance its  own  plan  for  an  autonomous  extras' 
group. 


Delay  Tax  Bill 
In  Alabama 

The  Finance  and  Taxation  Committee  of  the 
Alabama  Senate  has  postponed  indefinitely  a 
bill  preventing  Alabama  municipalities  from 
levying  a  tax  of  one  per  cent  on  motion  picture 
theatre  tickets  after  protests  were  registered 
against  the  measure  by  a  number  of  officials  in 
communities  throughout  the  state. 

James  A.  Simpson,  Birmingham,  who  of- 
fered the  bill,  asked  the  support  of  the  commit- 
tee for  passage  of  the  measure,  declaring  that 
Federal,  state  and  local  governments  "are  pick- 
ing the  golden  goose  too  closely,"  adding  that 
theatre  taxes  are  already  nearing  "the  point  of 
confiscation." 

The  state  sales  tax,  it  wa«  explained,  was  two 
per  cent,  the  Federal  tax  10  per  cent  and  addi- 
tional taxes  were  imposed  by  other  munici- 
palities. One  instance  of  this  was  given  in  cit- 
ing the  position  of  Bessemer,  a  community 
which  collects  10  per  cent  on  the  sale  of  thea- 
tre tickets. 


Judy  Garland  to  Give  Concert 

Judy  Garland  will  make  her  concert  de- 
but in  Philadelphia  during  the  summer.  The 
young  star  was  signed  by  the  Robin  Hood  Dell 
as  a  guest  soloist  for  one  of  the  Thursday 
evening  concerts  during  the  outdoor  concert 
series,  presented  by  the  men  of  the  Phila- 
delphia Orchestra.  Paul  Robeson  is  a  further 
addition  to  this  series'  soloists. 


Reopen  Illinois  Theatre 

The  Ritz  theatre  in  Carlyle,  111.,  has  re- 
opened. Charles  Beninati  and  D.  Frisina, 
partners,  redecorated  the  theatre  after  damage 
was  caused  by  fire. 


ONE  OF  GENE'S  BEST 


Brought  back  by 
the  overwhelm- 
ing demand  of 
exhibitors  and  the 
public  ...  An  ex- 
citing adventure 
of  the  modern 
West...with  songs 
by  Gene. ..laughs 
by  Smiley. 


44  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  May    2  9,    19  4  3 

in  BRITISH  STUDIOS 


By  AUBREY    FLANAGAN,    m  London 


There  would  seem  to  be  no  branch  of 
war  activity,  no  individual  service,  but 
is  destined,  in  due  course,  to  receive  its 
screen  Iliad.  The  Navy,  the  Air  Force, 
the  Fire  Service,  the  A.R.P.  organization, 
the  A.T.S.  have  had  theirs.  Now,  at  last, 
the  Army,  particularly  that  section  known 
to  the  Man  in  the  Street  as  the  Poor 
B....y  Infantry  or  more  tersely  the 
P.B.I. — would  seem  destined  to  reach  its 
motion  picture  epitome  in  a  commercial 
entertainment  film  blessed  with  the  ap- 
proval and  practical  collaboration  of  the 
War  Office. 

Of  course  there  have  been  other  films 
about  the  Army,  and  one  in  particular  about 
the  infantry — Ealing's  "Nine  Men."  It  is 
casting  no  slur  on  these  to  suggest  that 
"The  Way  Ahead"  which  is  the  title  of 
the  new  film,  a  Two  Cities  production,  is 
likely  to  be  more  ambitious  and  more 
authoritative  than  any  of  its  predecessors. 

It  will  be  made  on  a  spectacular  scale  at 
a  large  budget,  has  the  prospect  of  a  Grade 
A  star  as  an  attraction,  and  full  Army  back- 
ground and  assistance.  What  was  done  by 
"The  Gentle  Sex"  for  the  A.  T.  S.,  in  fact, 
will  be  done  and  probably  more  lavishly  for 
the  Army. 

Film  Is  Not  Planned 
As  Documentary 

The  film  will  not  be  a  documentary, 
though  it  will  have  a  documentary  back- 
ground. A  personal  story,  in  which  human 
values,  romance  and  comedy,  have  been  in- 
fused, has  been  written  by  Eric  ("Journey 
into  Fear")  Ambler,  and  London  actor-im- 
pressionist Peter  Ustinov.  It  will  trace  the 
progress  of  the  mere  man  through  civilian 
life,  into  the  Army,  through  the  processes 
of  raw  recruitment  and  training,  into  battle 
and  military  victory. 

The  script  already  has  been  vetted  by  the 
Army  brass  hats.  Carol  Reed,  whose  di- 
rectorial record  includes  "Kipps,"  and 
"Young  Mr.  Pitt"  will  be  in  charge.  Al- 
though at  the  moment  of  writing  no  finality 
has  been  achieved,  it  is  hoped — and  expected 
— that  David  Niven  will  be  temporarily  re- 
leased from  the  Army  to  star  in  the  film. 

Total  of  War  Pictures 
Is  Decreasing 

Thus  the  documentation  of  the  war  goes 
on,  covering  practically  every  activity  and 
section.  It  is  true,  and  maybe  it  is  for- 
tunate, that  the  sum  total  of  exclusively  war 
pictures  grows  visibly  less  every  day,  the 
trend  towards  escapism  more  marked  and 
obvious.  A  survey  of  pictures  in  current 
production  in  British  studios  is  not  without 
,  its  significances. 

At  Ealing,  for  instance,  "San  Demetrio 
— London,"  Michael  Balcon's  story  of  the 
high  seas  in  wartime,  an  epic  of  courage 
and  achievement,  continues  in  production. 

There  are  no  stars  in  "San  Demetrio, 
London"  for  the  real-life  incident  itself  had 
none,  but  it  has  a  cast  of  seasoned  players, 
each  chosen  after  a  careful  consideration 


GRETA  GARBO  TO  PLAY 
JOAN  IN  ENGLAND 

Greta  Garbo  will  sail  from  the 
United  States  some  time  in  Septem- 
ber for  England  to  play  the  role  of 
Joan  of  Arc  in  a  film  version  of 
George  Bernard  Shaw's  play,  "Saint 
Joan."  The  picture  will  be  produced 
by  Gabriel  Pascal  and  will  be  directed 
by  Clarence  Brown.  Release  of  the 
film  in  the  United  States  has  not  yet 
been  determined. 


of  the  qualities  necessary  to  re-create  the 
original  characters.  Stage  actor  Walter 
Fitzgerald  plays  Chief  Engineer  Charles 
Pollard,  O.B.E. — the  man  who  repaired  the 
tanker's  engines  under  fire — and  Mervyn 
Johns  is  Boyle,  the  tanker's  "greaser"  who 
died  of  his  injuries  and  was  buried  at  sea. 
Lawrence  O'Madden  plays  Captain  E.  S. 
Fogarty  Fegen  of  the  "Jervis  Bay"  who 
was  posthumously  awarded  the  V.  C.  for 
outstanding  courage.  Gordon  Jackson,  the 
young  Scots  actor  who  made  his  name  in 
"The  Foreman  Went  to  France"  appears 
as  Jamieson,  messroom  steward,  and  Arthur 
Young — of  B.  B.  C.  repertory — as  Captain 
Waite  of  the  "San  Demetrio." 

Balcon  Concentrates  on 
Factual  Drama 

Mr.  Balcon's  production  schedule  con- 
sistently has  shown  a  bias  in  favor  of  fac- 
tual drama,  with  a  war  background,  al- 
though, of  course,  the  inclusion  of  Will  Hay 
comedies,  for  instance,  indicates  that  man 
cannot  live  by  cordite  alone.  Now  Mr.  Bal- 
con, scanning  the  far  distant  horizons  with 
his  telescope,  plans  for  1944  a  film  based 
on  the  life  and  criminal  adventures  of  Lan- 
dru,  the  French  Bluebeard. 

The  suggestion  that  Charles  Chaplin  is 
planning  a  film  devised  in  terms  of  comedy 
around  the  same  eminent  personality  is  not 
deterring  Mr.  Balcon.  Research  has  been 
going  on  for  some  time,  and  already  Angus 
McPhail  and  newspaperman  T.  E.  B.  Clarke 
have  been  assigned  the  job  of  writing  the 
script  for  the  film,  titled  "Ladies  Man." 

Purely  escapist,  of  course,  are  the  two 
Gainsborough  pictures  in  current  production 
"Bees  in  Paradise"  the  Arthur  Askey  ex- 
travaganza which  Val  Guest  is  making,  and 
Tommy  Handley's  fantasy,  "Time  Flies," 
due  to  come  off  the  floor  shortly. 

Noel  Coward  Producing 
"This  Happy  Breed" 

Although  the  most  ambitious  of  Two 
Cities  current  productions  "This  Happy 
Breed"  is  not  exclusively  a  war  film,  the 
war,  and  the  impact  of  the  war  on  an  or- 
dinary English  family  living  in  a  London 
suburb,  does  play  a  backbone  role  therein. 
The  film  is  a  Noel  Coward  creation.  He 


wrote  it  and  he  is  nominally  in  charge  of 
production.  It  is  being  made  in  Technicolor. 

On  the  largest  stage  at  Denham,  a  set 
has  been  put  up  representing  a  small  seg- 
ment of  this  typical  Clapham  street,  par- 
ticularly one  house,  the  home  of  the  Gib- 
bons family.  It  is  this  modest  home,  with 
its  lace  curtains,  aspidistras  and  ordinary 
folk,  which  is  the  dramatic  pivot  of  the  film, 
a  pivot  around  which  revolves  a  historical 
and  documentary  panorama  of  England  be- 
tween two  wars.  Dictators  rise  to  power, 
wars  break  out  and  nations  fall,  but  the 
aspidistra  and  the  cabbage  plants  continue 
to  flourish  in  Sycamore  Road.  And  Syca- 
more Road's  residents  are  born,  and  live 
and  die,  make  love  and  go  to  war,  remain 
sober,  steady  and  sane  in  a  world  of  chaos. 

David  Lean,  co-director  of  "In  Which  We 
Serve,"  directs,  with  Ronald  Neame  in 
charge  of  the  photography,  and  Havelock 
Allan  and  Neame,  with  him,  jointly  responsi- 
ble for  the  production. 

John  Mills,  Celia  Johnson  and  Kay 
Walsh — all  were  in  the  naval  film  made  by 
Mr.  Coward.  They,  with  Robert  Newton, 
have  leading  roles  in  the  new  film. 

Olivier  To  Star  in  Film 
Of  "Henry  V" 

No  direct  reference  to  the  war,  however, 
is  to  be  found  in  "Henry  V,"  which  Two 
Cities  is  to  make  in  Ireland,  from  a  screen 
adaptation  of  the  Shakespeare  play  made 
by  Dallas  Bower.  Reasons  for  the  selection 
of  Eire  as  location  for  the  film  are  that 
there  will  (it  is  hoped)  be  found  locations 
both  pacific  and  picturesque,  and  enough  ex- 
tras and  horses  to  satisfy  the  needs  of  the 
script.  Laurence  Olivier  and  Dallas  Bower, 
associate  producer,  already  have  finalized 
arrangements  there.  Olivier  will  have  the 
title  role. 

At  Elstree  Donald  Taylor  is  completing 
his  Strand  Film  production  on  the  London 
Philharmonic  Orchestra's  wartime  experi- 
ences, at  Teddington,  Desmond  Hurst  is  at 
work  on  the  new  Warner  film,  "Youth  Looks 
Ahead"  (originally  titled  "The  £1,000  Win- 
dow") and  at  Riverside  the  Vera  Lynn  mu- 
sical "I  Love  to  Sing"  nears  its  final  stages. 

Odeon  Theatres  Dissolves 
Firestone  Partnership 

Haskell  Masters,  general  manager  of  Odeon 
Theatres  of  Canada,  has  announced  the  dis- 
solution of  partnership  with  Firestone  Theatre 
Enterprises,  operating  two  suburban  theatres 
in  Toronto,  and  one  house  in  Brantford,  Ont. 

The  company's  recent  acquisition  of  the  Mar- 
pole  and  Lonsdale  theatres  are  to  be  followed 
by  the  purchase  of  more  Canadian  theatres, 
Mr.  Masters  disclosed.  The  reported  purchase 
of  the  Halifax  by  Odeon,  however,  was  not 
confirmed  by  the  general  manager. 


Shoot  Scenes  in  New  York 

A  Columbia  production  unit  arrived  in  New 
York  this  week  to  film  scenes  for  "Jam  Ses- 
sion." The  orchestras  of  Charlie  Barnett,  Teddy 
Powell  and  Jan  Savitt  will  appear  before  the 
camera  during  the  unit's  stay. 


May    29,     I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


45 


BRITISH  EXHIBITORS  FACING 
CRITICAL  STAFF  LOSS 


Services  Call  Up  Women; 
Theatres  Seek  Part  Time, 
Substitute  Workers 

by  AUBREY  FLANAGAN 

in  London 

Although  operating  a  filmhouse  in  war- 
time Britain  under  current  conditions  is 
not  exactly  a  sinecure,  mainly  by  reason 
of  the  difficult  manpower  situation,  it  is 
clear  that  it  is  going  to  be  even  more  dif- 
ficult in  the  immediate  and  more  distant 
future.  Staffs,  already  down  to  what  the 
exhibitor  would  call  a  rock  bottom  minimum, 
are  to  be  depleted  by  reason  of  the  calling 
of  men  and  women — mainly  women  this 
time — to  national  service. 

It  already  has  been  made  clear  to  ex- 
hibitors that  they  must  expect  further  in- 
roads on  their  employees.  A  precise  figure 
has  not  been  stated  categorically,  but  the 
high  maximum  of  12,000  has  been  mooted 
in  official  circles.  Whilst  it  may  be  an  ex- 
aggeration, it  is  clear  that  a  very  high  per- 
centage of  the  industry's  58,000  employees 
— the  figure  excludes  projectionists — will  be 
taken. 

Combing  Labor  Market 
For  Theatre  Help 

Currently,  therefore,  British  picture  house 
owners,  both  the  independents  and  the  cir- 
cuits, are  combing  the  already  depleted 
labor  market  for  substitute  staffs  and  part 
time  employees.  At  present  there  are  very 
few  women  below  the  age  of  31  in  British 
theatres,  comparatively  few  men  at  all.  The 
very  young  girl,  the  staid  and  sober  mater- 
familias,  and  veterans  of  past  wars,  form 
for  the  most  part  the  staff  backbone  of 
British  picture  houses  today.  Nonetheless, 
the  Ministry  of  Labour  expects  to  drain  the 
theatres  of  thousands,  many  of  whom  have 
been  deferred. 

Facing  this  concrete  threat  the  British 
exhibitor  is  practically  powerless.  He  has 
been  told  that  the  picture  industry  must 
fall  into  line  with  other  British  industries, 
and  contribute  its  quota  of  manpower 
and  womanpower  to  the  war  machine. 
He  has  been  told,  too,  by  various  Gov- 
ernment authorities,  that  drastic  though 
the  new  comb-out  may  be,  it  will  not  be 
allowed  to  hinder  the  operations  of  cine- 
mas so  much  as  to  close  them. 

Joint  talks  have  been  held  between  the 
Government  departments,  both  the  Board 
of  Trade  and  the  Ministry  of  Labour,  on 
the  one  hand,  and  the  Cinematograph  Ex- 
hibitors Association  and  the  National  Asso- 
ciation of  Theatrical  and  Kinema  Employees 
on  the  other. 

What  exactly  will  be  achieved  cannot  as 
yet  be  guaranteed.  The  draftings  will  go 
on.  That  much  is  certain.  They  may,  how- 
ever, be  staggered  in  age  groups  so  as  not 
to  hit  the  business  with  one  fell  blow. 

Part  time  workers  inevitably  will  form 
a  considerable  percentage  of  the  alternative 


labor  groups.  Married  women  with  chil- 
dren may  be  enticed  to  take  on  part  time 
jobs  as  usherettes  and  cashiers,  from  which 
class  it  is  believed  the  drainage  will  be 
operated.  It  has  been  guaranteed  that  fem- 
inine first  and  second  projectionists,  of 
whom  there  is  an  increasing  band  in  Brit- 
ish picture  theatres  and  who,  of  course, 
have  been  trained  to  replace  the  male  pro- 
jectionists called  to  the  colors,  will  remain 
exempted. 

Exhibitors  faced  with  this  admittedly 
grave  problem  are  not  unaware  of  the  like- 
ly difficulties  of  finding  alternative  labor. 
The  competition  offered  by  the  munition 
factories,  with  their  relatively  high  wages, 
is  one  with  which  it  will  be  difficult  to 
contend.  Under  existing  labor  laws  ex- 
hibitors will  have  to  find  their  new  em- 
ployees through  the  Employment  Exchanges 
operated  by  the  Ministry  of  Labour. 

Exhibitors,  Unions  Seen 
Not  Cooperating 

The  Board  of  Trade,  too,  has  been  and 
is  of  some  assistance  to  the  industry  in  its 
tussles  with  the  Ministry  of  Labour,  and 
has  done  something  appreciable  in  helping 
protect  the  picture  house  citadel. 

Although  there  has  been  such  collabora- 
tion between  the  industry  and  its  legislative 
equivalents,  and  although  collaboration  be- 
tween both  the  unions  and  the  exhibitors 
association  has  been  of  obvious  assistance 
in  the  situation,  there  are  current  complaints 
from  the  provinces  and  elsewhere  that  a 
like  spirit  of  cooperation  is  not  forthcom- 
ing locally,  that  in  some  districts,  despite 
the  menace  facing  the  exhibitor,  the  picture 
house  proprietor  and  the  union  official  have 
failed  to  present  a  united  front  to  the  Min- 
istry of  Labour's  representatives.  The  re- 
sult of  such  a  condition,  it  is  claimed,  has 
been  disastrous  to  the  exhibitor. 

The  circuits  have  submitted  to  the  Min- 
istry a  manpower  list  based  on  a  formula  of 
skeleton  staffs,  hoping  to  persuade  the  Min- 
istry of  Labour  not  to  be  ,too  drastic  in  its 
draftings.  Such  a  step  was  taken  before, 
during  an  effort  to  stave  off  an  earlier  call 

At  present  in  Britain  there  are  some  2,000 
picture  houses  which  operate  on  an  evening 
performance  only  basis.  The  other  2,500 
run  continuously.  Whether  this  last  group 
will  be  so  affected  as  to  have  to  adapt  them- 
selves to  the  former  procedure  is  doubtful. 
Such  a  course  would  be  as  vigorously 
avoided,  as  was  the  recently  floated  kite 
of  cut  playing  time  as  a  solution  of  the  raw 
stock  problem. 

Of  the  approximately  58,000  employees 
in  British  cinemas  today,  5,000  already 
are  over  age,  and  it  is  hoped  a  bedrock 
foundation  upon  which  other  grades 
can  be  safely  laid.  In  addition,  15,000 
others  are  full  time  workers  and  the  re- 
mainder part  time  or  evening  only  em- 
ployees. 

Large  cinemas,  with  regular  audiences  of 
3,000  or  more  are  currently  staffed  by  a 
mere  half  dozen  or  fewer  usherettes  and  it 


is  the  exhibitors'  insistence  that  quite  apart 
from  considerations  of  trade  survival,  there 
is  emphatic  need  for  efficient  and  experienced 
handling  of  such  numbers. 

Probably  the  draftings  will  be  made  in 
at  least  two  groups — women  of  the  1906- 
1910  group  in  the  first  six  months  and 
women  of  the  1901-1905  groups  in  the  fol- 
lowing six  months.  Staggering  would  ease 
the  situation  to  some  extent  and  permit  the 
exhibitor  to  scour  the  labor  markets  a  little 
less  roughly  for  his  replacement  labor. 

Distributors  Also  Losing 
Feminine  Help 

Picture  houses,  however,  are  not  the  only 
trade  section  to  be  affected  by  the  insatiable 
appetite  of  the  Moloch  of  War.  Renters' 
offices  are  still  losing  women  employees, 
gradually  and  uncomfortably.  Although  the 
production  companies  have  not  had  too 
many  causes  for  complaint  recently,  the 
processing  laboratories  have. 

Despite  the  fact  that  they  are  greatly  and 
increasingly  concerned  with  work  for  Gov- 
ernment departments  and  the  services  they 
continue  to  be  deprived  of  the  services  of 
highly  skilled  key  personnel.  This  is  true, 
despite  promises  that  it  would  not  be  done. 

British  laboratories  have  so  much  work 
to  do  these  days  that  most  of  them  work 
on  a  24-hour,  three-shift  basis.  Yet,  in  one 
laboratory  so  working  only  three  key  men 
have  been  left.  Obviously  skilled  men  and 
women  cannot  be  turned  out  like  sausages 
and  the  processing  plants  are  getting  anxious 
for  their  future — and  that  of  the  Govern- 
ment customers. 

Warner  Films  Achieve 
Record  in  London 

Warners'  "Yankee  Doodle  Dandy,"  playing 
in  44  Associated  British  theatres,  and  "Casa- 
blanca," being  shown  in  28  of  the  circuit's 
houses,  have  set  records  for  weekly  grosses 
over  the  circuit,  according  to  a  report  from  the 
Warner  London  branch.  The  grosses  were 
also  highest  in  the  producing  company's  history, 
it  was  said.  '  Advertising  campaigns  by  Max 
Milder,  managing  director  in  London,  were 
used  extensively  to  promote  the  films. 

Pathe  Films,  Ltd.,  Names 
Moffatt  Managing  Director 

William  Moffatt,  former  Associated  British 
Pictures  executive,  has  been  appointed  manag- 
ing director  of  Pathe  Films,  Ltd.,  of  London. 
He  succeeds  William  Gell,  who  held  the  posi- 
tion for  a  number  of  years. 

Mr.  Moffatt  resigned  from  Associated  Brit- 
ish Pictures  in  May  and  was  succeeded  by  Ar- 
thur Jarratt,  who  was  recently  named  chair- 
man of  George  Humphries  Laboratories. 


RCA  Receives  Fourth  "E" 

RCA  Laboratories  has  been  awarded  the 
Army-Navy  "E"  for  the  fourth  time.  The 
Princeton  plant  was  honored  on  this  occasion, 
former  awards  going  to  the  RCA  plants  at 
Camden  and  Harrison,  N.  J.  and  the  Radio- 
marine  division  of  the  company,  which  also  re- 
ceived the  Maritime  Commission  "M"  pennant 
and  the  Victory  Fleet  flag. 


48 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    2  9,     19  4  3 


Nathanson,  Canadian 
Trade  Leader,  Dies 


General  Theatres  and  Re- 
gal Films  Head,  opened 
First  Theatre  in  1916 

Nathan  Louis  Nathanson,  a  founder  and 
former  president  of  the  Famous  Players 
Canadian  Circuit,  and  lately  head  of  the 
General  Theatres  circuit  in  the  Dominion, 
died  Wednesday  night  in  Toronto  at  the  age 
of  57. 

Mr.  Nathanson  was  born  in  Minneapolis  May 
5,  1886.  He  was  proud  of  his  start  as  a  news- 
boy in  that  city  at  the  age  of  ten  and  he  kept 
framed  in  his  office  a  picture  of  himself  holding 
a  cornet  in  the  uniform  of  the  Minneapolis 
Newsboys'  Band. 

His  first  full-time  job  was  a  brief  one  in  a 
railroad  ticket  brokerage  office  and  he  soon 
went  to  work  for  a  concessionnaire  at  the 
Wonderland  Amusement  Park  in  Minneapolis. 
In  1907,  he  followed  the  concessionnaire  to 
Toronto,  then  a  city  of  about  200,000,  where 
they  opened  a  stand  at  the  Scarboro  Beach 
Amusement  Park.  From  Toronto  he  moved  to 
Dominion  Park  in  Montreal. 

Joins  Billposting  Company 
As  a  Salesman 

Tiring  of  seasonal  work,  Mr.  Nathanson 
entered  the  services  of  a  billposting  company, 
the  Connor-Ruddy  Company,  as  a  salesman. 
Several  years  later  he  became  sales  manager 
and  a  director  of  the  company,  now  the  E.  L. 
Ruddy  Company,  in  which  he  retained  a  finan- 
cial interest  until  recently.  His  personal  in- 
terest in  the  exploitation  branch  of  show  busi- 
ness was  reflected  by  his  later  formation  of 
his  own  agency,  the  Nathanson  Wadsworth 
Company. 

In  1916  Mr.  Nathanson  bought,  from  Am- 
brose J.  Small,  the  Majestic  theatre  in  Toron- 
to, then  the  home  of  the  Blaney  melodramas. 
Under  his  direction  the  house  was  completely 
remodeled  and  opened  in  August,  1916,  as  the 
Regent,  Toronto's  first  deluxe  motion  picture 
theatre.  The  opening  picture  was  "Little  Lady 
Eileen,"  starring  Marguerite  Clark. 

Within  a  few  months  after  opening  the  Re- 
gent, Mr.  Nathanson  organized  his  own  dis- 
tributing company,  Regal  Films,  his  first  place 
of  business  being  a  loft  over  Ruddy's  sign 
shop  on  Wellington  Street  in  Toronto.  The 
exchange  shortly  moved  to  larger  quarters  at 
37  Yonge  Street. 

Regent  Flagship 
Of  Enterprises 

The  Regent  became  the  flagship  of  the  Na- 
thanson enterprises  during  the  period  of  ex- 
pansion which  included  the  openings  of  the 
Flower  in  Ottawa,  the  Garden  and  Teck  in 
Toronto,  and  houses  in  Gait  and  Guelph. 

Associated  with  Mr.  Nathanson  during  this 
period  were  such  financial  figures  as  J.  B.  Tud- 
hope,  W.  J.  Sheppard,  Hon.  W.  D.  Ross,  later 
Lieutenant  Governor  of  Ontario ;  and  J.  P. 
Bickell.  Later  Sir  Herbert  Holt  and  I.  W. 
Killiam  entered  the  picture. 

Mr.  Nathanson's  association  with  the  circuit 
and  its  expansion  continued  until  1929,  when 
he  resigned  after  a  proposed  deal  with  Gau- 
mont  British  which  he  had  favored  was  re- 
jected by  the  directors.  In  1930  control  of 
the  circuit  passed  to  Paramount  and  continued 
there  until  1933,  when  Paramount  went  into 
reorganization.  In  that  year  the  trustees  in 
reorganization  invited  Mr.  Nathanson  to  re- 
turn as  president  of  the  circuit. 

He  remained  as  president  of  Famous  Players 


N.  L.  NATHANSON 

Canadian  until  1941,  when  he  resigned  to  form 
General  Theatres.  He  acquired  a  controlling 
interest  in  the  Odeon  circuit  with  his  son,  Paul, 
as  president. 

At  his  death,  Mr.  Nathanson  was  still  asso- 
ciated with  Regal  Films,  his  original  distribut- 
ing company,  managed  by  his  brother,  Henry ; 
with  Empire-Universal  Films,  which  distributes 
Universal  and  Monogram  Films ;  with  Esquire 
Films,  which  distributes  English  pictures  ;  and 
with  General  Theatre  investments. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Canadian  Broad- 
casting Corporation  board  of  governors. 

Mr.  Nathanson  is  survived  by  his  widow, 
the  former  Irene  Harris,  daughter  of  Barney 
Harris,  Toronto  showman  ;  his  son.  Paul,  and 
two  daughters. 


Philadelphia's  Aldine 
Cancels  "Burlesque" 

"Lady  of  Burlesque,"  booked  to  open  at 
the  Aldine  theatre  in  Philadelphia  Wednesday, 
was  cancelled  Tuesday,  and  "Cabin  in  the  Sky" 
was  extended  to  a  fifth  week.  Newspaper  ad- 
vertising for  "Burlesque"  has  been  running 
since  Sunday,  and  Michael  O'Shea  had  been 
scheduled  to  make  personal  appearances.  The 
Pennsylvania  Censorship  board  passed  the  pic- 
ture last  week. 


Kirsch  Named  by  Variety  Club 

Jack  Kirsch,  president  of  Allied  Theatres  of 
Illinois,  has  been  made  first  assistant  chief 
barker  of  the  Chicago  Variety  Club,  replacing 
Clyde  Eckhardt,  who  has  been  transferred  to 
Los  Angeles  by  Twentieth  Century-Fox.  W. 
E.  Banford,  Metro  Chicago  branch  manager, 
has  been  named  second  assistant  chief  barker 
and  chairman  of  the  committee  to  raise  $10,000 
for  the  LaRabida  Sanitarium. 


Army 


Leases  Theatre 

Warners'  Earle  theatre  in  Atlantic  City,  N. 
J.,  dark  for  the  past  four  years,  was  leased  to 
the  Army  for  use  as  a  classroom  for  trainees  of 
the  Army  Air  Forces  stationed  there,  it  was 
announced  by  Colonel  Eugene  R.  Householder, 
commanding  officer.  The  house,  seating  2,000, 
will  be  used  for  lectures  and  the  showing  of 
training  films. 


U.  S.  Product 
Dominant  in 
New  Zealand 


Hollywood  supplies  approximately  85  to  90 
per  cent  of  the  feature  films  exhibited  in  New 
Zealand,  with  England  furnishing  the  remaind- 
er, it  was  reported  last  week  by  Foreign  Com- 
merce Weekly,  official  publication  of  the  De- 
partment of  Commerce. 

Most  newsreels  and  short  subjects,  other  than 
those  produced  domestically,  are  imported  from 
Australia,  and  the  only  films  produced  in  New 
Zealand,  the  publication  disclosed,  were  propa- 
ganda shorts,  made  by  the  Government  to  show 
participation  of  New  Zealand  forces  in  the 
war ;  industrial  and  other  activities  on  the  home 
front,  and  ,  to  illustrate  the  need  for  various 
war  measures. 

On  March  31,  1942,  there  were  548  theatres, 
with  a  total  seating  capacity  of  267,652,  in  op- 
eration in  New  Zealand.    During  the  preceding 

12  months,  paid  admissions  totaled  31,218,474. 
The  publication  said  nearly  all  the  theatres  in 
cities  and  large  towns  had  two  projectors,  most 
of  which  were  manufactured  in  the  U.  S. 

Motion  picture  equipment  and  films  import- 
ed by  the  country  during  the  first  11  months 
of  1942  were  valued  at  £193,780,  a  decrease 
from  £229,284  in  the  corresponding  period  of 
1941.  New  motion  picture  film  imported  from 
the  U.  S.  in  December,  1942,  was  valued  at  £21,- 
616,  making  a  total  for  the  year  of  £119,395. 
Figures  for  motion  picture  equipment  were  not 
included  in  the  report. 

Honduras  imports  about  90  per  cent  of  its 
films  from  the  United  States,  according  to  For- 
eign Commerce  Weekly,  with  only  nine  per 
cent  supplied  from  Mexico  and  about  one  per 
cent  from  England,  Argentine  and  Cuba. 

The  publication  also  disclosed  that  Nigeria's 

13  film  theatres,  the  first  of  which  was  opened 
in  1937,  had  an  annual  attendance  of  about 
625,000,  with  men  in  the  audience  outnumbering 
women  about  10  to  one.  All  features  shown  in 
1942  were  imported  from  America  and  En- 
gland. During  the  year,  72  "sets,"  which  in- 
clude a  feature  and  enough  shorts  to  make  up 
a  two-hour  program,  were  imported  from  the 
U.  S. ;  58  newsreels,  31  educational  films  and  33 
"sets"  from  England  and  newsreels  from 
Egypt. 

All  films  are  in  the  English  language.  The 
favorite  features  are  musical  productions,  ad- 
venture stories  and  comedies  which  emphasize 
action  rather  than  dialogue.  The  publication 
said  "a  large  portion  of  Nigeria's  24,000,000  in- 
habitants now  have  no  opportunity  to  attend 
the  theatres.  Those  who  have  access  to  thea- 
tres seem  very  much  interested  in  films,  how- 
ever, and  events  exhibited  on  the  screen  are 
freely  discussed  and  sometimes  even  serve  as 
topics  for  newspaper  items." 


Yates'  Scranton  Plant 
To  Produce  Plastics 

Herbert  J.  Yates,  president  of  Consolidated 
Film  Industries,  has  a  backlog  of  Government 
orders  for  plastics  amounting  to  $7,000,000,  and 
a  Scranton,  Pa.,  factory  soon  will  be  in  full 
operation  completing  the  orders. 

At  a  conference  of  Republic  studio  executives 
on  Monday,  he  said,  "I  am  in  it  (plastics)  to 
stay,  as  well  as  in  Republic  and  Consolidated." 
Then,  he  added,  "Consolidated  is  now  process- 
ing more  film  per  month  than  ever  before  in  its 
history." 


13  More  Enter  Service 

Four  home  office  employees  of  Twentieth 
Century-Fox,  and  nine  from  branch  offices  en- 
tered the  armed  services  last  week,  boosting  the 
total  to  936,  the  company  announced  recently. 


TWO  WARNER  BROS.'  TRADE  SHOWINGS 

ACTION  IN  THE  NORTH  ATLANTIC 

and 

"BACKGROUND  TO  DANGER" 


PLACE  OF  SHOWING 

ADDRESS 

ACTION  IN  THE 
NORTH  ATLANTIC 

BACKGROUND 
TO  DANGER 

Day  and  Date 

Time 

Day  and  Date 

Time 

r>  duici    kJCLcCIllliy  JvOOm 

/?  in.  irearl  bt. 

Mon.  6/7 

12:00  Noon 

Mon.  6/7 

2:10  P.M. 

t\  IV  (  /   SrfPPtl  mrr  l?rn-\*n 

a  >■ >- '  kj\. j. ceiling  ivuum 

iyi  Walton  bt.  IN.  W. 

Mon.  6/7 

10:00  A.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

2:00  P.M. 

izz  /\rungton  at. 

Mon.  6/7 

2:00  P.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

4:10  P.M. 

P^Mtnniitif   ^r-  I?m 
ci i  aniu uiil    iJL  .    XV III* 

^to^i-  rranKnn  at. 

Mon.  6/7 

1:30  P.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

10:30  A.M. 

-i-vLii  VjCniury-rox  3C.  JKm. 

3Uo  ao.  Church  bt. 

Mon.  6/7 

10:00  A.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

2:00  P.M. 

w  dmer  screening  JtvOOlTi 

J.5U/  b.  Wabash  Ave. 

Mon.  6/7 

1:00  P.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

3:10  P.M. 

faiace  in.  £>ldg.  b.  6th 

Mon.  6/7 

1:30  P.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

11:00  A.M. 

Vv  artier  Scrf*f*rnn<r  Rnnm 

rayne  /\ve. 

Mon.  6/7 

9:20  P.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

8:00  P.M. 

^•v/iii  Vweniury-rox  oc.  l\.m. 

IoU;>  Wood  bt. 

Mon.  6/7 

10:00  A.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

2:00  P.M. 

r  cirdiTiouni          i\ in . 

zlst  oC  btout  bts. 

Mon.  6/7 

2:00  P.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

4:10  P.M. 

^.uin  v>eniury-rox  ac.  Km. 

13UU  riigh  bt. 

Mon.  6/7 

12:45  P.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

2:55  P.M. 

i  inn  Dxenange  Diug. 

25 1U  Cass  Ave. 

Mon.  6/7 

10:00  A.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

2:00  P.M. 

rdldlliouni  i3C.  IV 111 . 

Ilo  W.  Michigan 

Mon.  6/7 

1:00  P.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

3:10  P.M. 

rdidmouni  DC.  Km. 

loUz  Wyandotte  St. 

Mon.  6  7 

1:30  P.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

3:40  P.M. 

w  diner  jcxen.  ac.  Km. 

ZUZd  b.  Vermont  Ave. 

Mon.  6/7 

10:00  A.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

2:00  P.M. 

x  dLctiiiouriL  oc .  xvll l . 

2A9  C    C „  „  1  c^. 

90Z  b.  becond  bt. 

Mon.  6/7 

10:00  A.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

2:00  P.M. 

w  tt 1 1 1 c r  i  ii.  Km. 

919  w/   w  /: .  •  a 

ziz  w.  Wisconsin  Ave. 

Mon.  6/7 

1:30  P.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

3:40  P.M. 

-uin  v^cniury-rox  oc.  Km. 

1UI9  Currie  Ave. 

Mon.  6/7 

2:00  P.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

10:30  A.M. 

Warner  Th.  Proj.  Rm. 

/v  college  bt. 

Mon.  6/7 

10:30  A.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

2:00  P.M. 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 

200  S.  Liberty  St. 

Mon.  6/7 

10:00  A.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

1:00  P.M. 

Home  Office  Sc.  Rm. 

321  W.  44th  St. 

Mon.  6/7 

10:30  A.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

2:30  P.M. 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 

10  North  Lee  Ave. 

Mon.  6/7 

10:00  A.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

12:45  P.M. 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 

1502  Davenport  St. 

Mon.  6/  7 

1:00  P.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

3:15  P.M. 

Vine  St.  Sc.  Rm. 

1220  Vine  St. 

Mon.  6/  7 

11:00  A.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

2:15  P.M. 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 

1715  Blvd.  of  Allies 

Mon.  6/7 

2:00  P.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

4:10  P.M. 

Star  Sc.  Rm. 

925  N.W.  19th  Ave. 

Mon.  6/7 

1:30  P.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

3:40  P.M. 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 

212  E.  1st  South 

Mon.  6/  7 

2:00  P.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

4:10  P.M. 

Republic  Sc.  Rm. 

221  Golden  Gate  Ave. 

Mon.  6/7 

1:30  P.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

3:40  P.M. 

Jewel  Box  Sc.  Rm. 

2318  Second  Ave. 

Mon.  6/7 

1:00  P.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

3:10  P.M. 

S'renco  Sc.  Rm. 

3143  Olive  St. 

Mon.  6/7 

1:00  P.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

3:10  P.M. 

Earle  Th.  Bldg. 

13th  8C  E.  Sts.  N.  W. 

Mon.  6  7 

10:00  A.M. 

Mon.  6/7 

2:00  P.M. 

Book  'PRELUDE  TO  WAR'  Free! 


50 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    29,     I  943 


THE 

PICTURE  DID  FOR  ME 


Columbia 


ALIAS  BOSTON  BLACKJE:  Chester  Morris,  Adele 
Mara — This  is  a  very  good  picture  on  the  lower  half 
of  a  double  feature.  It  has  action  and  comedy.  Played 
Tuesday-Thursday,  May  11-13. — M.  L.  London,  Gem 
Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass.     General  patronage. 

CITY  WITHOUT  MEN:  Linda  Darnell,  Doris  Dud- 
ley— Only  a  programmer  which  needed  something  to 
hold  it  up.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  May  5,  6. 
— Horn  &  Morgan,  Inc.,  Star  Theatre,  Hay  Springs, 
Neb.    Small  town  patronage. 

COMMANDOS  STRIKE  AT  DAWN:  Paul  Muni— 
This  is  an  excellent  picture.  The  best  we  have  played 
of  this  type.  Fair  business  in  bad  weather.  Played 
Sunday,  Monday,  March  7,  8.— Otto  Ingiversen,  Ritz 
Theatre,  Montgomery  City,  Miss  .  Rural  patronage. 

COMMANDOS  STRIKE  AT  DAWN:  Paul  Muni, 
Lillian  Gish — A  fair  picture  that  will  do  extra  busi- 
ness. Play  it. — J.  L.  Cooper,  Oklahoma  Theatre, 
Antlers,  Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

COMMANDOS  STRIKE  AT  DAWN:  Paul  Muni- 
Melodrama  in  Norway  drew  big  audiences  which  went 
away  satisfied,  if  a  little  critical  of  Commando  scenes. 
Played  week  of  Monday,  April  12. — N.  W.  Mason, 
Roseland  Theatre,  New  Glasgow,  N'.  S.  Industrial, 
mining,  agricultural  center  patronage. 

DARING  YOUNG  MAN:  Joe  E.  Brown,  Margaret 
Chapman — Ji  your  patrons  like  a  crazy  show  this 
surely  will  suit.  I  had  bad  weather  on  this  but  those 
who  did  come  out  were  well  pleased.  Played  Sunday, 
April  18.— Miss  Cleo  Manry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre, 
Buena  Vista,  Ga.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

DESPERADOES,  THE:  Randolph  Scott,  Glenn 
Ford,  Claire  Trevor — Very  good  action  film,  swell 
color,  good  business,  no  kicks — and  a  natural  for  any 
small  town  where  Westerns  rate  A-l.  and  boys,  this 
is  it. — A.  E.  Eliasen,  Koronis  Theatre,  Paynesville, 
Minn. 

FIGHTING  BUCKAROO:  Charles  Starrett  —  This 
Western  is  okay.  Charles  Starrett  is  either  improv- 
ing or  else  Columbia  is  putting  a  little  more  produc- 
tion value  in  its  Westerns.  My  people  all  like  good 
Westerns.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  9.  10.— M. 
L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass.  General 
patronage. 

LAW  OF  THE  NORTHWEST:  Charles  Starrett, 
Shirley  Patterson — Poor  action  feature — Starrett,  as  a 
Royal  Northwest  Mounted  Police,  has  no  draw,  but 
as  a  cowboy,  yes. — A.  E.  Eliasen,  Koronis  Theatre, 
Paynesville,  Minn.    Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 

REVEILLE  WITH  BEVERLY:  Ann  Miller— What 
a  natural — enough  bands  and  radio  stars  to  pack  them 
in  anywhere.  Only  then  we  couldn't  get  them  out. — 
Harland  Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 

REVEILLE  WITH  BEVERLY:  Ann  Miller.  Wil- 
liam Wright — Good  program  picture.  Played  on  Cash 
Night.  Played  Tuesday,  April  37.— J.  L.  Cooper,  Okla- 
homa Theatre,  Antlers,  Okla. 

SOMETHING  TO  SHOUT  ABOUT:  Don  Ameche, 
Janet  Blair — The  bricklayers  and  Hazel  Scott  did  it, 
battling  against  a  poor  story.  Janet  Blair  is  an  en- 
gaging amateur.  The  point  is,  the  public  is  entitled 
to  more  for  the  money.  Played  Thursday-Saturday, 
April  22-24.— N.  W.  Mason,  Roseland  Theatre,  New 
Glasgow,  N.  S.  Industrial,  mining,  agricultural  center 
patronage. 

SUBMARINE  RAIDER:  John  Howard,  Marguerite 
Chapman — This  picture  very  timely  and  well  received. 
No  outstanding  stars,  but  well  acted.  A  better  "B" 
picture.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  May  1,  2. — A.  W. 
Bates,  Librarian,  Florida  State  Prison,  Raiford,  Fla. 
Prison  patronage. 

YOU  WERE  NEVER  LOVELIER:  Rita  Hayworth, 
Fred  Astaire — Just  a  program  picture.  Played  on 
Sunday  to  walkout  business.  Played  Sunday-Monday, 
April  17-19. — J.  L.  Cooper,  Oklahoma  Theatre,  Antlers, 
Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

EYES  IN  THE  NIGHT:  Edward  Arnold,  Ann 
Harding — Good  cast  wasted  on  an  impossible  story. 
Business  below  average.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday, 
May  15.  16. — C.  A.  Jordan,  Operahouse  Theatre,  Cogs- 
well. N.  D.    Small  town  patronage. 

EYES    IN   THE    NIGHT:    Edward    Arnold,  Ann 


.  .  .  the  original  exhibitors'  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 
In  it  theatremen  serve  one  another  with  information  about  the  box-office  per- 
formance of  product — providing  a  service  of  the  exhibitor  for  the  exhibitor, 
ADDRESS  REPORTS:  What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,  Motion  Picture  Herald, 
Rockefeller  Center,  New  York,  N.  Y. 


Harding — Don't  miss  this  mystery  program  picture. 
So  many  of  my  patrons  came  to  see  their  beloved  star 
brought  back  to  the  screen — Ann  Harding.  The  chil- 
dren liked  the  dog  "Friday."  Many  good  comments. 
Business  only  fair.  Played  Monday,  Tuesday,  April 
19,  20.— Miss  Cleo  Manry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena 
Vista,  Ga.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

FOR  ME  AND  MY  GAL:  Judy  Garland,  Gene 
Kelly — My  chief  operator  declared  this  was  the  best 
picture  he  had  seen  in  five  years,  and  judging  by  the 
public  response,  he  was  right.  Liked  it  very  much 
myself.  A  fine  back-stage  story,  splendid  vaudeville, 
and  sparkling  performances.  Kelly's  style  is  very  re- 
freshing. Played  Wednesday -Saturday.  May  5-8. — N. 
W.  Mason,  Roseland  Theatre,  New  Glasgow,  N.  S. 
Industrial,  mining,  agricultural  center  patronage. 

JOURNEY  FOR  MARGARET:  Robert  Young,  La- 
raine  Day — Terrible.  Don't  play  it  if  you  can  keep 
from  it. — J.  L.  Cooper,  Oklahoma  Theatre,  Antlers, 
Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

JOURNEY  FOR  MARGARET:  Robert  Young.  La- 
raine  Day — A  good  picture  that  drew  fairly  well. 
Many  good  comments.  Played  Monday,  Tuesday, 
April  12,  13. — Miss  Cleo  Manry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre, 
Buena  Vista,  Ga.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

NORTHWEST  RANGERS:  James  Craig,  Patricia 
Dane — Northwest  stories  are  always  acceptable  here 
and  this  was  no  exception.  Had  some  extra  business. 
Played  Friday,  Saturday,  May  7,  8. — Horn  &  Morgan, 
Inc..  Star  Theatre.  Hay  Springs.  Neb.  Small  town 
patronage. 

PANAMA  HATTIE:  Red  Skelton,  Ann  Sothern— 
Played  this  one  late  but  the  picture  still  gave  us 
normal  business.  Was  well  received  by  a  midweek 
audience.  Played  Tuesday -Thursday,  May  11-13. — 
Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield,  Mb. 
Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

REUNION  IN  FRANCE:  Joan  Crawford.  John 
Wayne,  Philip  Dorn — Well  produced,  well  acted,  but 
a  flop  at  the  box  office  here.  The  title  is  not  appeal- 
ing, and  the  story  not  convincing.  The  cast  did  the 
best  it  could,  some  in  roles  not  suited  to  them.  One 
patron  wanted  to  know  why  John  Carradine  played 
the  role  of  a  Nazi.  We  couldn't  give  a  satisfactory 
answer.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  2,  3. — Thomas 
Di  Lorenzo,  New  Paltz  Theatre,  New  Paltz,  N.  Y. 
Small  town  patronage. 

SEVEN  SWEETHEARTS:  Van  Hefiin,  Kathryn 
Grayson — This  seemed  to  please.  Played  Saturday, 
Sunday.  March  17,  18.— Otto  W.  Chapek.  New  Annex 
Theatre,  Anamoose,  N.  Dak.  Rural  and  small  town 
patronage. 

SOMEWHERE  I'LL  FIND  YOU:  Clark  Gable— One 
of  MGM's  top  bracket  releases  with  two  great  stars — 
the  last  that  Gable  played  in  before  he  joined  the 
forces.  A  good  story  and  much  enjoyed  by  my  adult 
patrons.  Many  good  comments  on  this  one — would 
recommend  it.  Played  Saturday,  May  8. — A.  L.  Dove. 
Bengough  Theatre,  Bengough.  Sask.  Rural  and  small 
town  patronage. 

SOMEWHERE  I'LL  FIND  YOU:  Clark  Gable, 
Lana  Turner — I  enjoyed  this  show  as  most  of  my 
customers  did.  Gable  has  quite  a  following  in  our 
town  and  this  picture  was  a  good  one.  Above  aver- 
age business,  although  weather  was  bad.  Played  Sun- 
day, Monday,  May  9,  10.— Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz 
Theatre.  Marshfield,  Mo.  Small  town  and  rural 
patronage. 

STAND  BY  FOR  ACTION:  Robert  Taylor.  Brian 
Donlevy — This  sounds  like  an  action  picture,  but  it's 
mostly  talking  except  for  the  last  15  minutes.  How- 
ever, it  pleased  a  big  crowd,  and  they  all  liked  it. 
Business  was  excellent.  Played  Friday.  Saturday, 
May  7,  8. — Thomas  Di  Lorenzo.  New  Paltz  Theatre, 
New  Paltz,  N.  Y.    Small  town  patronage. 

TISH:  Marjorie  Main — Business  above  the  average 
both  days.  Picture  pleased  both  the  young  and  old. 
Played  Sunday,  Monday,  April  10,  11. — C.  A.  Jordan, 


Operahouse  Theatre,  Cogswell,  N.  D.  Small  town 
ptaronage. 

THREE  HEARTS  FOR  JULIA:  Ann  Sothern,  Mel- 
vyn  Douglas — Nice  entertaining  feature  that  drew  bet- 
ter the  second  night  than  the  first.— A.  E.  Eliasen, 
Koronis  Theatre,  Paynesville,  Minn.  Rural  and  small 
town  patronage. 

WAR  AGAINST  MRS.  HADLEY,  THE:  Fay  Bain- 
ter,  Edward  Arnold — This  was  a  good  picture  and 
was  liked  by  all.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  April  10, 
11. — Otto  W.  Chapek,  New  Annex  Theatre,  Anamoose, 
N.  D.    Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 

WAR  AGAINST  MRS.  HADLEY,  THE:  Fay  Bain- 
ter,  Edward  Arnold — Stupid.  Title  drew  fair  patron- 
age, but  I  guess  the  public's  growing  up  and  asking 
for  more  intelligent  stories  and  portrayals.  Played 
Monday-Wednesday,  April  5-7.— N.  W.  Mason,  Rose- 
land Theatre,  New  Glasgow,  N.  S.  Industrial,  min- 
ing, agricultural  center  patronage. 

WHISTLING  IN  DIXIE:  Red  Skelton— Best  little 
comedy  for  the  money  in  a  long  time.  Could  hear  'em 
laughing  a  block  away.  Played  Monday- Wednesday, 
January  18-20.— N.  W.  Mason,  Roseland  Theatre,  New 
Glasgow,  N.  S.  Industrial  mining,  agricultural  center 
patronage. 

WHITE  CARGO:  Hedy  Lamarr,  Walter  Pidgeon— 
This  was  one  picture  my  patrons  had  looked  forward 
to.  Business  was  good  the  first  night  but  awful  the 
second  night.  Many  disappointed  patrons.  Played 
Wednesday,  Thursday,  April  21,  22.— Miss  Cleo  Manry, 
Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena  Vista,  Ga.  Small  town 
and  rural  patronage. 

WHITE  CARGO:  Hedy  Lamarr,  Walter  Pidgeon— 
A  swell  show  that  pleased  100  per  cent  and  did  above 
average  business.  Walter  Pidgeon  always  gives  a 
good  performance.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  April 
18,  19.— C.  A.  Jordan,  Operahouse  Theatre,  Cogswell, 
N.  D.    Small  town  patronage. 

YANK  AT  ETON,  A:   Mickey  Roney— This  was 

a  lot  better  than  I  thought  it  would  be,  and  everyone 
else  thought  the  same.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday, 
March  27,  28.— Otto  W.  Chapek,  New  Annex  Theatre, 
Anamoose.  N.  D.    Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 


Monogram 


SILVER  SKATES:  Belita,  Kenny  Baker  —  Belita 
lacks  the  lustre  of  Henie  and  quite  a  bit  of  the  finesse, 
but  the  picture  drew  very  well  and  pleased.  Played 
Monday-Wednesday,  April  19-21.— N.  W.  Mason,  Rose- 
land Theatre,  New  Glasgow,  N.  S.  Industrial,  mining, 
agricultural  center  patronage. 

SMART  ALECKS:  East  Side  Kids— This  picture 
was  enjoyed  by  the  kids  especially;  although  several 
men  and  women  got  a  few  good  laughs  out  of  it.  I 
would  recommend  this  picture  for  action  houses. 
Played  Friday.  Saturday,  May  14,  15.— M.  L.  London, 
Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass.    General  patronage. 


Paramount 


AMONG  THE  LIVING:  Albert  Dekker,  Susan 
Hayward— This  is  an  excellent  horror  picture  for  audi- 
ences that  like  horror  pictures.  Well  produced.  Those 
that  came  liked  it.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  16, 
17.— M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass. 
General  patronage. 

GLASS  KEY,  THE:  Brian  Donlevy— A  good  show. 
Played  Saturday,  Sunday.  March  20,  21.— Otto  W. 
Chapek,  New  Annex  Theatre,  Anamoose,  N.  D.  Rural 
and  small  town  patronage. 

GREAT  MAN'S  LADY,  THE:  Barbara  Stanwyck, 
Joel  McCrea — This  is  one  of  the  outstanding  pictures 
and  was  well  received.     This  type  of  picture  has  a 
great  appeal  on  the  inmates  and  more  like  it  will  be 
(Continued  on  following  page) 


May    29,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


51 


{Continued  from  opposite  page) 
appreciated.     Played  Saturday,   Sunday,   May  8,  9.— 
A.  W.  Bates,  Librarian,  Florida  State  Prison.  Raiford, 
Fla.    Prison  patronage. 

HAPPY  GO  LUCKY:  Mary  Martin,  Dick  Powell, 
Rudy  Vallee — Very  good.  Color  always  helps.  Para- 
mount has  had  above  average  pictures  this  season. 
All  companies  should  make  fewer  war  pictures.  Played 
Sunday,  Monday,  May  2.  3. — Otto  Ingiversen,  Ritz 
Theatre.    Montgomery   City,   Miss.    Rural  patronage. 

HAPPY  GO  LUCKY:  Mary  Martin,  Barbara  Hut- 
ton,  Eddie  Bracken — A  lively  musical  comedy,  not 
much  plot,  but  some  laughs.  And,  brother,  that  is 
what  they  want  these  days.  Anything  that  will  get 
a  laugh,  will  get  by.  Our  public  does  not  want  war 
pictures — they  are  almost  unanimous  on  that  subject. 
— A.  E.  Hancock,  Columbia  Theatre.  Columbia  City. 
Ind. 

HENRY  ALDRICH,  EDITOR:  Jimmy  Lydon,  Char- 
lie Smith — Played  this  to  satisfactory  cash  customers. 
— Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 

MAJOR  AND  THE  MINOR,  THE:  Ginger  Rogers. 
Ray  Milland — A  good  pictures  for  all  ages.  Brought 
many  good  comments.  Business  only  average.  Played 
Wednesday,  Thursday,  April  14,  15. — Miss  Geo  Manry, 
Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena  Vista,  Ga.  Small  town 
and  rural  patronage. 

MY  HEART  BELONGS  TO  DADDY:  Richard 
Carlson,  Martha  O'Driscoll — A  swell  program  picture ; 
the  story  means  absolutely  nothing,  but  the  cast  car- 
ries the  slim  plot  into  the  hearts  of  the  audience  for 
lots  of  laughs.  Played  with  "Reunion  in  France"  to 
below  average  business.  Played  Sunday,  Monday, 
May  2,  3. — Thomas  Di  Lorenzo,  New  Paltz  Theatre. 
New  Paltz,  N.  Y.    Small  town  patronage. 

PALM  BEACH  STORY:  Claudette  Colbert,  Joel 
McCrea — This  show  did  very  average  business.  No 
sell  out. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre,  Tilburv, 
Ont. 

PRIORITIES  ON  PARADE:  Jerry  Colonna.  Ann 
Miller — This  little  musical  went  over  well,  and  got 
plenty  of  laughs.  Played  Tuesday,  Wednesday,  April 
13,  14.— Otto  W.  Chapek,  New  Annex  Theatre,  Ana- 
moose,  N.  D.    Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 

ROAD  TO  MOROCCO:  Bing  Crosby.  Bob  Hope- 
Far  from  sensational  .  Our  patrons  are  wild  about 
Bob  Hope — on  the  radio.  Bing  has  fallen  as  a  box 
office  lure. — Rudolph  Covi,  Covi  Theatre,  Herminie, 
Pa. 

STAR  SPANGLED  RHYTHM:  Betty  Hutton,  Ed- 
die Bracken,  Victor  Moore — Tops.  Played  to  the  best 
business  of  any  picture  in  the  past  year.  Played 
Sunday.  Monday,  April  25,  26. — Otto  Ingiversen,  Ritz 
Theatre,   Montgomery   City,  Miss.     Rural  patronage. 

STAR  SPANGLED  RHYTHM:  Betty  Hutton,  Ed- 
die Bracken,  Victor  Moore  and  all-star  cast — Some 
show,  fellows,  and  some  business.  Don't  overlook 
this  one.  Played  Sunday,  Monday.  May  9,  10. — 
Thomas  Di  Lorenzo,  New  Paltz  Theatre,  New  Paltz. 
N.  Y.    Small  town  patronage. 

TOMBSTONE:  Richard  Dix— This  is  a  good  action 
Western.  Played  Tuesday.  Wednesday,  March  30.  31. 
— Otto  W.  Chapek,  New  Annex  Theatre,  Anamoose. 
N.  D.    Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 

TRUE  TO  THE  ARMY:  Judy  Canova,  Allan 
Jones,  Ann  Miller — This  picture  is  full  of  entertain- 
ment. Good  slapstick  musical.  Those  who  came  en- 
joyed it  very  much  .  Paramount  has  been  producing 
good  pictures  as  the  majority  of  its  program.  Played 
Sunday,  Monday,  May  9,  10. — M.  L.  London,  Gem 
Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass.    General  patronage. 

WILDCAT:  Richard  Arlen,  Arline  Judge;— This  pic- 
ture is  just  what  the  title  says.  Good  action  comedy 
for  the  weekend  crowd.  Played  Friday,  Saturday, 
April  16,  17. — Miss  Cleo  Manry.  Buena  Vista  Theatre, 
Buena  Vista,  Ga.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 


PRC 

ALONG  THE  SUNDOWN  TRAIL:  Bill  Boyd— Just 
an  "oatie"  which  seemed  to  satisfy  the  Western  fans. 
Doubled  with  "Rhythm  of  the  Islands."  Played  Fri- 
day. Saturday,  May  14,  15. — R.  E.  Salisbury,  Opera 
House  Theatre,  Presque  Isle.  Me. 

CORREGIDOR:  Otto  Kruger,  Elissa  Landi— Good 
action  picture  which  deserved  to  do  a  lot  of  extra 
business  but  our  town  was  hit  by  a  flood  just  before 
we  showed  it,  so  business  was  only  average.  Played 
Wednesday,  Thursday,  May  12,  13.— E.  M.  Freiburger. 
Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla.  Small  town  patron- 
age. 

RKO 

BAMBI:  Disney  Feature — They  came  from  every- 
where to  see  one  of  Disney's  best  cartoons:  business 
was  the  best  since  "Random  Harvest,"  which  we 
played  one  month  ago.  A  welcome  change  to  our 
booking  schedule  which  is  top-heavy  with  other  types 
of  pictures.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  30,  May 
1.— Thomas  Di  Lorenzo,  New  Paltz  Theatre,  New 
Paltz,  N.  Y.    Small  town  patronage. 

BIG  STREET,  THE:  Lucille  Ball,  Henry  Fonda— 
Another  terrible  picture  to  ask  anybody  to  play.  How 
they  get  by  I  can't  understand. — J.  L.  Cooper.  Okla- 
homa Theatre,  Antlers.  Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 


BIG  STREET,  THE:  Lucille  Ball,  Henry  Fonda— 
The  greatest  mystery  Hollywood  has  ever  produced 
the  mystery  being  why  I  had  a  job  to  keep  the  staff 
from  hiding  from  the  customers  when  they  saw  what 
it  was  like.  Only  redeeming  feature,  Agnes  Moore- 
head's  performance.  Played  Monday- Wednesday,  May 
10-12. — N.  W.  Mason,  Roseland  Theatre,  New  Glas- 
gow, N.  S.  Industrial,  mining,  agricultural  center 
patronage. 

FALCON'S  BROTHER,  THE:  George  Sanders,  Jane 
Randolph — Okay  for  a  double  in  small  town  action 
spots.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  May  14,  15.— Charles 
A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield.  Mo.  Small  town 
and  rural  patronage. 

ONCE  UPON  A  HONEYMOON:  Ginger  Rogers, 
Cary  Grant — Was  generally  well  liked.  Ginger  still 
packs  a  box  office  punch.  Played  Sunday,  Monday, 
April  18,  19.— Rudolph  Covi,  Covi  Theatre,  Herminie. 
Pa. 

PIRATES  OF  THE  PRAIRIE:  Tim  Holt— Not  an 

outstanding  Western  by  any  means,  but  pleased  on 
our  double  bill  weekend  spot.  Played  Friday.  Satur- 
day, May  14,  15.— Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre. 
Marshfield,  Mo.     Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

PRIDE  OF  THE  YANKEES:  Gary  Cooper,  Teresa, 
Wright — A  credit  to  the  film  industry  and  an  in- 
spiration to  every  young  man.  We  were  more  than 
proud  to  have  shown  it.  Business  good. — Harland 
Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 

PRIDE  OF  THE  YANKEES:  Gary  Cooper,  Teresa 
Wright — A  fine  picture  for  any  town.  Played  Satur- 
day-Monday, April  24-26.— J.  L.  Cooper,  Oklahoma 
Theatre,  Antlers,  Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

PRIDE  OF  THE  YANKEES:  Gary  Cooper,  Teresa 
Wright — This  is  a  swell  picture  which  everyone  en- 
joyed. We  advertised  it  as  big  and  did  good  business. 
Played  Sunday,  Monday,  April  25.  26.— Thomas  Di 
Lorenzo,  New  Paltz  Theatre,  New  Paltz,  N.  Y.  Small 
town  patronage. 

TARZAN  TRIUMPHS:  Johnny  Weismuller,  Fran- 
ces Gifford — Here  is  one  that  will  go  to  town  on  Fri- 
day and  Saturday.  Plav  it. — J.  L.  Cooper,  Oklahoma 
Theatre,  Antlers,  Okla. 

THEY  GOT  ME  COVERED:  Bob  Hope,  Dorothy 
Lamour— Bob  Hope  brought  out  an  average  crowd  on 
Friday,  but  we  played  to  half  a  house  on  Saturday. 
The  picture  is  not  as  good  as  it  might  have  been  and 
definitely  not  suited  to  small  towns.  Played  Friday, 
Saturday,  May  14,  15. — Thomas  Di  Lorenzo,  New 
Paltz  Theatre.  New  Paltz.  N.  Y.  Small  town  patron- 
age. 

Republic 

AFFAIRS  OF  JIMMY  VALENTINE:  Dennis 
O'Keefe,  Gloria  Dickson — This  is  a  good  B  picture. 
Many  good  laughs.  Comedy  and  suspense  through- 
out the  picture.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  May  14,  15. 
— M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E  Boston,  Mass.  Gen- 
eral patronage. 

DANGEROUS  MOONLIGHT:  Anton  Walbrook. 
Sally  Gray — Failed  to  produce  any  entertainment  for 
our  patrons.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  May  7,  8. — 
A.  C.  Edwards,  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal.  Small 
lumber  town  patronage. 

FIGHTING  DEVIL  DOGS:  Lee  Powell,  Herman 
Brix — If  your  patrons  remember  serials  they  will  in- 
form you  they  have  seen  this  picture  before.  Only 
fair.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  23,  24. — Miss 
Cleo  Manry.  Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena  Vista,  Ga. 
Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

HIT  PARADE  OF  1943:  John  Carroll.  Susan  Hay- 
ward — Well  worth  Sunday  playing  time.  This  is  the 
type  of  picture  that  seems  to  please  in  the  smaller 
towns.  Played  Sunday.  Monday,  May  9.  10.— Otto 
Ingiversen.  Ritz  Theatre.  Montgomery  City,  Miss. 
Rural  patronage. 

LADY  FOR  A  NIGHT,  A:  Joan  Blondell,  John 
Wayne — This  is  a  very  good  picture.  Was  well  re- 
ceived. Miss  Blondell  and  the  supporting  cast  were 
exceptionally  fine  in  all  these  parts.  A  truly  great 
picture.  Played  Sunday,  Monday.  April  24,  25. — A.  W. 
Bates.  Librarian.  Florida  State  Prison.  Baiford,  Fla. 
Prison  patronage. 

S.  O.  S.  COAST  GUARD:  Ralph  Byrd.  Bela  Lugosi, 
Maxine  Doyle — Made  a  big  mistake  with  this  one. 
Should  have  double  billed  this,  but  played  it  solo.  S« 
much  fake  stuff  in  it,  people  asked  if  it  wasn't  an  old 
serial  put  together  for  a  feature.  Didn't  make  ex- 
penses on  this  one.  Played  Thursday.  Friday,  May 
6,  7. — H.  R.  Cantwell.  M'eyer  Theatre.  Biloxi,  Miss. 
Small  town  patronage. 

SANTA  FE  SCOUTS:  Three  Mesquiteers— Good 
Western  which  pleased  on  Friday.  Saturday.  May  14. 
15. — E.  M.  Freiburger.  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey, 
Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

SHANTYTOWN:  Mary  Lee,  John  Archer— Nice 
little  musical  show  from  a  new  star,  which  pleased 
average  business.  Played  Tuesday.  May  11. — E.  M. 
Freiburger.  Paramount  Theatre.  Dewey,  Okla.  Small 
town  patronage. 

SOUTH  OF  THE  BORDER:  Gene  Autry— Good 
draw.  It  was  its  first  showing  here. — A.  E..  Eliasen, 
Koronis  Theatre,  Paynesville.  Minn. 

THUNDERING  TRAILS:  Three  Mesquiteers— Nice 
Western  that  got  by  on  a  weekend.    Seemed  to  sat- 
isfy.— Harland  Rankin.  Centre  Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 
{Continued  on  following  page) 


BIG  PICTURE 


It's  a 

REPUBLIC  PICTURE 


52 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    2  9,     194  3 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 
THUNDERING  TRAILS;  Three  Mesquiteers— If 
your  theatre  caters  to  Western  fans,  on  my  recom- 
mendation book  this  one.  It  is  the  best  Western  of 
this  combination  to  date.  That  is  not  only  my  opin- 
ion, but  that  of  the  audience,  who  showed  their  ap- 
proval. Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  16,  17.— M.  L. 
London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass.  General 
patronage. 

Twentieth  Century- Fox 

MANILA  CALLING:  Lloyd  Nolan,  Carole  Landis— 
Timely  and  entertaining.  Played  with  a  Western  to 
nice  business. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre,  Til- 
bury, Ont. 

REMEMBER  THE  DAY:  Claudette  Colbert,  John 
Payne — Very  fine  picture.  Good  comments  by  the 
few  who  came.  I  would  recommend  this  picture — espe- 
cially to  a  critical  audience.  Played  Tuesday-Thurs- 
day, May  11-13. — M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E. 
Boston,  Mass.    General  patronage. 

RINGS  ON  HER  FINGERS:  Henry  Fonda,  Gene 
Tierney  —  Well  received  and  entertaining.  Henry 
Fonda  is  well  placed  in  this  picture  and  has  a  well 
balanced  cast.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  May  15,  16. 
— A.  W.  Bates,  Librarian,  Florida  State  Prison,  Rai- 
ford,  Fla.    Prison  patronage. 


day  patrons.  We'd  like  to  see  Jane  Frazee  in  some 
bigger  and  better  pictures.  Played  Friday,  Saturday, 
May  14,  IS. — R.  E.  Salisbury,  Opera  House  Theatre, 
Presque  Isle,  Me. 


United  Artists 


Universal 


ARABIAN  NIGHTS:  Jon  Hall,  Maria  Montez— The 
color  photography  is  the  only  thing  I  could  honestly 
recommend  for  this — by  no  means  the  feature  that 
an  exhibitor  should  pay  percentage  on — and  business 
was  poor.  too. — A.  E.  Eliasen,  Koronis  Theatre,  Pay- 
nesville,  Minn.    Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 

DESTINATION  UNKNOWN:  William  Gargan, 
Irene  Hervey — Held  the  interest,  and  that's  something 
nowadays.— A.  E.  Eliasen,  Koronis  Theatre,  Paynes- 
ville,  Minn. 

IT  AIN'T  HAY:  Abbott  &  Costello— Opening  day 
strong  but  lacks  the  staying  qualities.  Can  it  be  that 
these  boys  are  fading?  Production  values  and  pho- 
tography very  poor.  Not  the  favorable  comments  as 
on  their  earlier  films.  Played  Sunday -Thursday.  May 
9-13.— R.  E.  Salisbury,  Opera  House  Theatre,  Presque 
Isle,'  Me. 

MOONLIGHT  IN  HAVANA:  Allan  Jones,  Jane 
Frazee— We  used  this  to  fill  in  a  spot,  and  to  give 
the  exchange  a  playdate  during  a  drive.  The  picture 
is  dull  and  doesn't  measure  up  to  Universal's  recent 
musical  offerings.  Played  with  "Stand  By  for  Ac- 
tion" to  excellent  Friday-Saturday  business.  Played 
Friday,  Saturday,  May  7,  8. — Thomas  Di  Lorenzo, 
New  Paltz  Theatre,  New  Paltz,  N.  Y.  Small  town 
patronage. 

PITTSBURGH:  Randolph  Scott,  John  Wayne,  Mar- 
lene  Dietrich — Good  show.  Played  at  time  of  coal 
strike  so  had  good  advertising  angle.  Was  liked. — 
A.  E.  Eliasen,  Koronis  Theatre,  Paynesville,  Minn. 

RHYTHM  OF  THE  ISLANDS:  Allan  Jones,  Jane 
Frazee — This  one  was  enjoyed  by  our  Friday,  Satur- 


CALABOOSE:  Noah  Berry,  Jim  Rogers— A  very 
ordinary  picture  that  got  by.  Nearly  spoiled  our  good 
one. — Harland  Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Catham,  Ont. 

CORSICAN  BROTHERS:  Douglas  Fairbanks,  Ruth 
Warrick — This  was  a  good  show  and  gave  good  re- 
sults. Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  April  3,  4.— Otto  W. 
Chapek,  New  Annex  Theatre,  Anamoose,  N.  D.  Rural 
and  small  town  patronage. 

GOLD  RUSH:  Charles  Chaplin— Business  slightly 
above  average.  Appreciated  mostly  by  children. 
Played  Friday,  Saturday,  May  7,  8.— A.  C.  Edwards, 
Winema  Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal.  Small  lumber  town 
patronage. 

IN  WHICH  WE  SERVE:  Noel  Coward— The  best- 
produced  war  picture  to  date.  The  ship  had  more 
appeal  than  all  the  glamor  gals  and  kid  wonders  of 
the  last  30  years.  Cast  uniformly  excellent.  Very 
good  business  .  Played  Week  of  Monday,  April  26. — 
N.  W.  Mason,  Roseland  Theatre,  ISlew  Glasgow,  N.  S. 
Industrial,  mining,  agricultural  center  patronage. 

ONE  OF  OUR  AIRCRAFT  IS  MISSING:  Eric 
Portman — This  is  very  fine  entertainment  that  brought 
much  favorable  comment  with  nice  business. — Har- 
land Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 

SILVER  QUEEN:  George  Brent,  Priscilla  Lane- 
Only  fair.  With  all  due  respects  to  Miss  Lane,  she 
is  not  a  dramatic  actress.  It  would  have  been  better 
received  had  there  been  a  stronger  dramatic  actress 
in  the  cast.  Our  people  could  not  see  her  as  a  gam- 
bling queen.  Hence  the  lack  of  one  marred  the  pic- 
ture, which  had  possibilities  otherwise. — A.  E.  Han- 
cock, Columbia  Theatre,  Columbia  City,  Ind. 


Warner  Bros. 


AIR  FORCE:  The  best  air  show  of  them  all.  And 
I  do  mean  all.  Put  anything  you  can  behind  this 
one,  because  you  have  never  had  one  like  it.  Played 
Saturday -Monday,  May  1-3. — J.  L.  Cooper,  Oklahoma 
Theatre,  Antlers,  Okla.     Small  town  patronage. 

CASABLANCA:  Humphrey  Bogart,  Ingrid  Berg- 
man— This  picture  was  not  even  as  good  as  "The 
Big  Shot"  and  not  half  as  good  as  "Across  the 
Pacific."  Played  Saturday -Monday,  April  10-12.— J. 
L.  Cooper,  Oklahoma  Theatre.  Antlers,  Okla. 

GENTLEMAN  JIM:  Errol  Flynn,  Alexis  Smith- 
Very  good  action  picture  the  men  will  go  for  in  a  big 
way,  but  not  good  for  your  women  patronage.  Aver- 
age business.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  May  8,  9. — C. 
A.  Jordan,  Operahouse  Theatre,  Cogswell,  N.  D.  Small 
town  patronage. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON  SLEPT  HERE:  Jack 
Benny,  Ann  Sheridan — We  had  been  told  this  would 
flop  but  it  justified  our  judgment  and  enjoyed  extra 
business.    The  caretaker,  Kilbride,  certainly  stole  the 


picture  from  the  stars.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May 
9,  10.— Horn  &  Morgan,  Inc.,  Star  Theatre,  Hay 
Springs,  Neb.    Small  town  patronage. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON  SLEPT  HERE:  Jack 
Benny,  Ann  Sheridan— Just  a  fair  picture.  A  mid- 
week playdate  is  my  advice.  Played  Friday,  Saturday, 
April  2,  3.— J.  L.  Cooper,  Oklahoma  Theatre,  Antlers, 
Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

NOW,  VOYAGER:  Bette  Davis,  Paul  Henreid-Ex- 
tremely  fine  drama  such  as  you  can  always  expect 
from  Bette  Davis.  B  ut  in  this  she  does  not  have  to 
make  herself  thoroughly  disagreeable  to  everyone. 
Henreid  is  very  well  liked,  by  the  ladies  especially 
Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  2,  3.— Horn  &  Morgan, 
Inc.,  Star  Theatre,  Hay  Springs,  Neb.  Small  town 
patronage. 

NOW,  VOYAGER:  Bette  Davis,  Paul  Henreid— This 
was  an  excellent  production  that  afforded  Miss  Davis 
every  opportunity  to  "do  her  stuff."  Was  appreciated 
most  by  women.  Business  fair.  We  do  wish,  how- 
ever, that  it  might  be  possible  for  this  fine  artist  to 
be  given  another  type  of  picture  occasionally.  Played 
Sunday,  Monday,  May  9,  10.— A.  C.  Edwards,  Winema 
Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal.    Small  lumber  town  patronage. 

NOW,  VOYAGER:  Bette  Davis,  Paul  Henreid— I 
knew  Bette  Davis  was  poison  to  this  theatre  before  I 
even  played  this  picture,  although  it  was  well  done  as 
far  as  acting  and  directing  was  concerned.  The  whole 
picture  was  a  very  clever  cigarette  ad  which  should 
have  been  furnished  to  all  theatres  gratis.— T  J  Wat- 
son, Blanchard  Theatre,  Blanchardville,  Wis. 

SERGEANT  YORK:  Gary  Cooper,  Joan  Leslie-We 
enjoyed  good  business  even  when  using  this  feature 
on  midweek  dates  for  a  return  engagement.  Manv 
saw  it  for  the  third  and  fourth  time.  No  finer  acting 
was  ever  done  than  the  marvelous  performance  turned 
in  by  Cooper.  This  is  a  splendid  American  master- 
piece that  deserves  to  be  seen  and  appreciated  by 
every  true  American.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday 
May  12,  13.— A.  C.  Edwards.  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia, 
Lai.    Small  lumber  town  patronage. 

VARSITY  SHOW:  Dick  Powell,  Fred  Waring-Only 
a  fair  musical  that  brought  no  comments  from  the 
patrons.  Played  Sunday,  April  25.— Miss  Cleo  Manry. 
Buena  Vista  Theatre.  Buena  Vista,  Ga. 

YANKEE  DOODLE  DANDY:  James  Cagney,  Joan 
Leslie— Very  good  musical  show,  and  business  ac- 
cordingly. Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  9,  10.— E 
M.  Freiburger.  Paramount  Theatre.  Dewey,  Okla. 
Small  town  patronage. 

YANKEE  DOODLE  DANDY:  James  Cagney,  Joan 
Leslie— No  good  for  a  small  town.  Too  long  and  too 
many  walkouts.  I  had  15  the  first  showing  This  is 
about  like  "The  Great  Ziegfeld."  Remember?— J  L 
Cooper,  Oklahoma  Theatre,  Antlers.  Okla.  Small  town 
patronage. 

YOU  CAN'T  ESCAPE  FOREVER:  George  Brent. 
Brenda  Marshall— This  was  not  too  bad,  and  seemed 
to  give  satisfaction.  Played  Tuesday,  Wednesday, 
April  6,  7.— Otto  W.  Chapek,  New  Annex  Theatre, 
Anamoose,  N.  D. 

Short  Features 
Columbia 

GREAT  CHEESE  MYSTERY,  THE:  Fables— Fair. 
—A.  W.  Bates,  Librarian  Florida  State  Prison,  Rai- 
ford,  Fla. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

KEEP  'EM  SAILING:  Two-Reel  Specials— An  in- 
teresting two-reel  subject  which  we  played  to  advan- 
tage with  a  comedy  feature.— Thomas  Di  Lorenzo, 
New  Paltz  Theatre.  New  Paltz,  N.  Y. 

SUFFERIN'  CATS:  Technicolor  Cartoon  —  Above 
the  average  cartoon  —  worth  playing.  —  Charles  A 
Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield,  Mo. 

RKO 

CHEF  DONALD:  Walt  Disney  Cartoons— Another 
good  one  from  the  Disney  studio.— Thomas  Di  Lorenzo, 
New  Paltz  Theatre,  New  Paltz,  N.  Y. 

HOW  TO  FISH:  Walt  Disney  Cartoon— One  of 
the  weaker  Disneys.— Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre, 
Marshfield,  Mo. 

Twentieth  Century- Fox 

DUTCH  GUIANA:  The  World  Today— An  excel- 
lent 10-minute  short  which  was  very  interesting  on 
our  program.— Thomas  Di  Lorenzo,  New  Paltz  Theatre, 
New   Paltz,   N.  Y. 

THE  HOUSE  OF  TOMORROW:  Terry  toons  (Tech- 
nicolor)—If  you've  played  "Superman"  cartoons,  put 
this  one  in  for  a  laugh,  as  it  features  "Super-Mouse," 
and  boy.  how  they'll  laugh  at  it.— Thomas  Di  Lorenzo, 
New   Paltz  Theatre,   New  Paltz,   N.  Y. 


Uni 


iversal 

EGG  CRACKER  SUITE:  Swing  Symphonies— Good 
color  cartoon. — E.  M'.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre, 
Dewey.  Okla 

(Continued  on  follozvina  page) 


May   29,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


53 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 
JIVIN'  JAM  SESSION:   Musicals-Just  filler  mate-  _     n  n        r>.  i  I^T 

rial-nothing  worth  while.— Thomas  EH  Lorenzo,  New  <s.  W  (  )k  rKCj  JUL^ 

Paltz  Theatre,  New  Paltz,  N.  Y.  J I  I W  l\  I      I  l\WL^WV^.l 


KING  OF  THE  40-ERS:  Person -Oddities— Enter- 
taining reel  from  the  Oddity  series.— E.  M.  Frei- 
burger,   Paramount   Theatre,   Dewey,  Okla. 


Victory  Film 

AT  THE  FRONT:  Distributed  by  Warner  Bros.— 
Doubled  with  "South  of  the  Border"  to  very  good 
business.  Personally  I  thought  that  black  and  white 
would  have  been  better.— A.  E.  Eliasen,  Koronis 
Theatre,  Paynesville,  Minn. 


Warner  Bros. 

HARE  BRAINED  HYPNOTIST,  THE:  Merrie 
Melodies  Cartoons— As  usual,  this  Merrie  Melodie 
went  over  big  here.  Bugs  Bunny  is  tops.— Thomas 
Di  Lorenzo,  New  Palz  Theatre,  New  Paltz,  N.  Y. 

PIGS  IN  A  POLKA:  Merrie  Melodies  Cartoons- 
Brahms  music  makes  this  an  excellent  color  cartoon. 
— E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey, 
Okla. 

SHEEPISH  WOLF,  THE:  Merry  Melodies  Car- 
toons—Another good  Technicolor  cartoon.  Our  pa- 
trons thoroughly  enjoy  this  series. — R.  E.  Salisbury, 
Opera   House,   Presque  Isle,  Me. 

VAUDEVILLE  DAYS:  Broadway  Brevities— A  good 
musical  which  my  patrons  enjoyed.— R.  E.  Salisbury, 
Opera  House,  Presque  Isle,  Me. 

WISE  QUACKING  DUCK,  THE:  Looney  Tunes 
Cartoons— Good  color  cartoon.— E.  M.  Freiburger, 
Paramount  Theatre,   Dewey,  Okla. 

WITH  ROD  AND  REEL  ON  ANTICOSTI  IS- 
LAND: The  Sports  Parade— A  very  interesting  reel 
of  an  island  that  must  be  a  beautiful  and  thrilling 
Utopia. — R.  E.  Salisbury,  Opera  House,  Presque  Isle, 
Ma. 

WITH  ROD  AND  REEL  ON  ANTICOSTI  IS- 
LAND: The  Sports  Parade— Beautiful  color  makes 
this  more  than  a  travel  talk.— E.  M.  Freiburger, 
Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 


Serial 
Columbia 

THE  VALLEY  OF  VANISHING  MEN:  I  have 
played  14  chapters  of  this  Western  serial.  It  is  the 
best  Western  serial  I  have  shown  since  the  "Lone 
Rangers."  Columbia  today  is  ranked  by  me  on  a  par 
with  the  best  in  producing  serials.  They  used  to  be 
terrible.  But  they  have  had  three  big  ones  in  a  row. 
"The  Spider  Returns,"  then  "The  Secret  Code,"  and 
now  this  one,  "Valley  of  Vanishing  Men."— M.  L. 
London,  Gem  Theatre,  East  Boston,  Mass. 


Paramount  Pep  Club 
Holds  Fashion  Show 

Company  employees  attended  the  Paramount 
Pep  Club's  fashion  show  and  concert  at  the 
group's  recreation  room  in  the  Paramount 
Building  in  New  York  on  Wednesday.  The 
program  consisted  of  vocal  numbers  by  a 
choral  group  under  the  direction  of  Mrs.  Edith 
Morgan  Savage,  a  fashion  show  supervised  by 
Lillian  A.  Silk  and  the  presentation  of  a  door 
prize. 

Among  the  hostesses  were  Mildred  Iacona, 
Ethel  Sattinger,  Annette  Singher,  Marion  Pow- 
ers, Bess  Decker,  Mary  Flannery,  Betty  Whal- 
en,  Phyllis  Fressola,  Miriam  Knapp,  Sally 
Bowman  and  Frances  Bellante.  Clothes  worn 
by  the  Paramount  fashion  models  were  donated 
for  the  occasion  by  Franklin  Simon  and  Com- 
pany. 


Dismiss  Infringement 
Suit  Against  Warners 

Judge  Vincent  L.  Leibell  last  week  dismissed 
a  copyright  infringement  action  in  New  York 
Federal  Court  against  Warner  Brothers.  Rob- 
ert Shurr  and  Pat  A.  Leonard,  authors  of  the 
play,  "The  Stuffed  Shirt,"  brought  the  action, 
charging  that  the  film,  "Meet  John  Doe,"  was 
copied  from  the  play. 

The  film  was  produced  under  Frank  Capra's 
supervision.  It  was  adapted  for  the  screen  by 
Richard  Connell  and  Robert  Presnell  from  the 
former's  published  magazine  story.  The  court 
granted  the  defendants  counsel  fees  and  costs. 


PLAYING  BROADWAY 

Week  of  May  24th 

ASTOR 

Suffer-in'  Cats   MGM 

Weapons  for  Victory  20th  Cent.-Fox 

Feature:  The  Human  Comedy. MGM 

CAPITOL 

Weapons  for  Victory  20th  Cent.-Fox 

Feature:  Lady  of  Burlesque.  .United  Artists 

CRITERION 

Heavenly  Music   MGM 

Weapons  for  Victory  20th  Cent.-Fox 

Feature:  The  Desperadoes .  .  .  .Columbia 

GLOBE 

Wings  Up  . ...  Victory  Film 

Prelude  to  War  Victory  Film 

Feature:  They  Came  to  Blow 

Up  America   20th  Cent.-Fox 

HOLLYWOOD 

Sporting  Dogs  Vitaphone 

The  Wise  Quacking  Duck.  .  .Vitaphone 
Feature:  Mission  to  Moscow .  .Warner  Bros. 

MUSIC  HALL 

Show  Business  At  War  20th  Cent.-Fox 

Feature:      The     More  the 

Merrier  Columbia 

PARAMOUNT 

Letter  from  Ireland  Paramount 

Bravo,  Mr.  Strauss  Paramount 

Weapons  for  Victory  20th  Cent.-Fox 

Feature:  China  Paramount 

R I  ALTO 

Weapons  for  Victory  20th  Cent.-Fox 

In   South  America  Paramount 

Superman  in  Electric  Earth- 
quake  Paramount 

Feature:  The  Leopard  Man  RKO 

RIVOLI 

Bellboy  Donald   RKO 

Weapons  for  Victory  20th  Cent.-Fox 

Feature:   The  Ox-Bow  Inci- 
dent 20th  Cent.-Fox 

ROXY 

Weapons  for  Victory  20th  Cent.-Fox 

Feature:  Crash  Dive  20th  Cent.-Fox 

STRAND 

Eagles  of  the  Navy  Vitaphone 

U.  S.  Army   Band  Vitaphone 

Feature:  Action  in  the  North 

Atlantic  Warner  Bros. 


Adjourn  Two  Motions 
In  Damage  Action 

Two  motions  were  adjourned  by  Judge  Julius 
Miller  in  the  New  York  Supreme  Court  last 
week  in  the  damage  action  of  the  City  theatre 
vs.  Motion  Picture  Operators  Union,  Local  306. 
One  was  for  a  temporary  injunction  against 
the  union  by  the  theatre  owners,  the  other  for 
a  dismissal  of  the  complaint  by  the  union. 

The  theatre  owners  ask  $1,000,000  damages 
for  alleged  defamatory  statements  by  a  union 
member  assigned  to  picket  the  house  on  April 
30th,  the  date  on  which  the  union  ordered  the 
walkout  of  its  members  from  the  house.  The 
plaintiffs  claimed  that  a  "no-strike  agreement" 
existed  except  in  the  case  of  contract  viola- 
tions. The  strike  was  called  following  the  dis- 
charge of  a  stagehand,  it  was  reported. 

Walton  in  Republic  Post 

Ed  Walton,  manager  of  the  Sheffield-Repub- 
lic exchange  in  Seattle  for-the  past  eight  years, 
has  resigned  to  take  a  position  as  district  man- 
ager for  Republic  in  the  middle  west  territory. 
The  change  will  become  effective  June  1st. 


'Human  Comedy9 
Sets  Record 

Holdovers  of  current  product  continued 
strong  on  Broadwday  and  in  key  cities  through- 
out the  country.  Three  pictures  opened  in  New 
York  first  run  theatres  this  week.  MGM  an- 
nounced that  "The  Human  Comedy,"  which  en- 
tered its  13th  week  at  the  Astor,  New  York, 
has  set  a  new  record  for  the  past  four  years 
at  that  theatre. 

Opening-day  records  mark  release  of  Para- 
mount's  "China"  in  Los  Angeles,  San  Francisco, 
Boston  and  other  cities.  Early  reports  of  the 
engagement  of  "Action  in  the  North  Atlantic," 
Warner  Bros.,  at  the  New  York  Strand,  were 
"excellent,"  according  to  the  theatre  manage- 
ment, which  said  the  picture  did  the  biggest 
non-holiday  week-end  business  in  10  years. 

"Bombardier,"  RKO  production,  has  been  set- 
ting records  in  the  50  southwestern  cities  where 
it  opened  simultaneously,  the  company  said. 
RKO's  'This  Land  Is  Mine,"  starring  Charles 
Laughton,  opened  at  the  Rivoli,  New  York  on 
Thursday. 

"Corregidor,"  which  had  its  premiere  at  the 
Century  theatre,  Rochester,  is  playing  holdover 
dates  in  many  situations,  according  to  Producers 
Releasing  Corporation.  Its  New  York  opening 
was  held  at  the  Globe  on  Wednesday,  and  in 
Chicago,  at  the  Woods,  on  Tuesday. 

Paramount's  "Five  Graves  to  Cairo"  at  the 
Paramount  in  New  York,  Wednesday,  and  "My 
Friend  Flicka,"  Twentieth  Century-Fox,  at  the 
Roxy,  Wednesday,  were  two  other  Broadway 
openings  this  week.  Warner  Bros,  controversial 
production,  "Mission  to  Moscow,"  began  its 
fourth  week  at  the  Hollywood,  and  United 
Artists'  "Lady  of  Burlesque,"  entered  its  third 
week  at  the  Capitol  on  Thursday. 

Monogram's  "Lure  of  the  Islands,"  started  a 
third  week  at  the  Mercury  theatre  in  Buffalo, 
while  the  company's  "Rhythm  Parade,"  entered 
a  second  week  at  the  Twentieth  Century  thea- 
tre in  the  same  city,  double-billed  with  "This 
Land  Is  Mine." 

Board  of  Review  Holds 
Junior  Conference 

"The  Motion  Picture  and  the  School  in  War- 
time" was  the  general  topic  of  discussion  by 
300  boys  and  girls  who  gathered  Saturday  for 
the  Seventh  Annual  Junior  Spring  Conference 
of  the  National  Board  of  Review  of  Motion 
Pictures. 

The  Conference  was  held  in  the  School  of 
Education  Auditorium  of  New  York  University. 
In  attendance  were  representatives  from  the 
Board's  motion  picture  study  clubs,  called  4-Star 
Clubs,  in  schools  in  New  York,  New  Jersey, 
Pennsylvania  and  Connecticut,  and  of  the  Young 
Reviewers,  the  Board's  group  of  junior  film 
reviewers  in  New  York  City. 

Seven  Coast  Officials 
To  Attend  4-A's  Meet 

Seven  west  coast  representatives  of  various 
branches  of  the  entertainment  world  have  been 
chosen  to  attend  the  War  Mobilization  Confer- 
ence under  the  sponsorship  of  the  Associated 
Actors  and  Artistes  of  America  to  be  held  at 
the  Hotel  Edison  in  New  York,  June  3rd  and 
4th.  The  representatives  are  James  Cagney, 
Kenneth  Thomson,  Abe  Lastfogel,  Robert  Ros- 
sen,  I.  B.  Kornblum,  Adrian  Caiman  and 
George  Schaefer.  Plans  for  the  increased  use- 
fulness of  the  industry  and  the  furtherance  of 
the  war  effort  will  be  formulated  at  the  con- 
ference. 


Injured  in  Car  Accident 

Mrs.  Michael  J.  Daly,  wife  of  the  Daly  The- 
atres head,  was  struck  by  a  car  last  Friday  in 
Hartford,  Conn.,  suffering  head  injuries.  She 
was  taken  to  St.  Francis  hospital. 


54 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    2  9,  1943 


PICTURE 
CROSSES 


A  statistical  compilation  and 
comparison  of  Box-Office  Per- 
formance in  first-run  theatres 


Figures  directly  below  picture  title  compare  dollar  gross  with  average  gross  and  show  relative  percentage  of  all  engagements  tabulated. 

Figures  opposite  theatre  names  represent  percentage  of  tabulated  grosses  to  average  weekly  business  based  on  the  six  months'  period 
ending  December  31,  1942. 

SYMBOLS:  (DB)  Double  Bill— associate  feature  title;  (SA)  Stage  Attraction;  (MO)  Move-Over  Run;  (AA)  Advance  Admission. 


YOUNG  MR.  PITT  (20th-Fox) 

Final  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $3 1 5, 1 00 

Comparative  Average  Gross  277,423 
Over-all  Performance  113.5% 

BALTIMORE— New   131.2% 

BOSTON— Paramount   125.0% 

(E>G)  Night  Plane  from  Chungking  (Para) 

BOSTON — Fenway    125.0% 

(DG)  Night  Plane  from  Chungking  (Para) 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Palace   91.6% 

CLEVELAND— RKO  Allen   150.0% 

KANSAS  CITY— Esquire   125.0% 

(DB)  Desert  Victory  (20th -Fox) 

KANSAS  CITY— Uptown   100.0% 

(DB)  Desert  Victory  (20th-Fox) 

LOS  ANGELES— Chinese   96.2% 

(DB)  Tonight  We  Raid  Calais  (20th- Fox) 

LOS  ANGELES— Loew's  State   94.7% 

(DB)  Tonight  We  Raid  Calois  (20th-Fox) 

LOS  ANGELES— Ritz   111.7% 

(DB)  Tonight  We  Raid  Calais  (20th -Fox) 

MINNEAPOLIS— World,  1st  Week     ....  110.0% 

MINNEAPOLIS— World,  2nd  week   95.0% 

NEW  YORK— Roxy,  1st  week   136.0% 

(SA)  Grace  Moore  and  others 

NEW  YORK— Roxey,  2nd  week   106.0% 

(SA)  Grace  Moore  and  others 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine    110.0% 

PITTSBURGH— Fulton   100.0% 

PROVIDENCE— Majestic    147.3% 

(DB)  He  Hired  the  Boss  (20th -Fox) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Paramount   138.4% 

(DB)  Tonight  We  Raid  Calais  (20th-Fox) 

SEATTLE— Paramount   97.2% 

(DB)  Tonight  We  Raid  Calais  (20th-Fox) 

SEATTLE— Music  Box,  MO,  1st  week   .   .    .  92.2% 

(DB)  Tonight  We  Raid  Calais  (20th-Fox) 

ST.  LOUIS— Ambassador   91.3% 

(DB)  Saludos  Amigos  (RKO) 

WASHINGTON— Capitol   100.0% 

(SA)  Vaudeville 


CABIN  IN  THE  SKY  (M-C-M) 

Intermediate  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $259,400 
Comparative  Average  Gross  218,923 
Over-all  Performance  M8.4% 

BALTIMORE— Century   154.5% 

BUFFALO— Buffalo   120.0% 

(DB)  Air  Raid  Wardens  (MGM) 

BUFFALO— Hippodrome,  MO,  1st  week  .    .    .  138.6% 

(DB)  Air  Raid  Wardens  (MGM) 

CHICAGO— Apollo    152.9% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Capitol,  1st  week    .   .   .  118.1% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Capitol,  2nd  week    .   .   .  109.0% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Capitol,  3rd  week    .    .   .  100.0% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  State   110.7% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  Stillman,  MO,  1st  week  100.0% 

LOS  ANGELES— Carthay  Circle   95.0% 

(DB)  Dr.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant  (RKO) 

LOS  ANGELES— Chinese    96.2% 

(DB)  Dr.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant  (RKO) 

LOS  ANGELES— Loew's  State   102.3% 

(DB)  Dv.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant  (RKO) 

LOS  ANGELES— Ritz   101.0% 

(DB)  Dr.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant  (RKO) 

NEW  HAVEN— Loew's  Poli   94.4% 

(DB)  Desert  Victory  (20th -Fox) 

NEW  HAVEN— College,  MO,  1st  week    .   .   .  93.3% 

(DB)  Desert  Victory  (20th-Fox) 

OMAHA— Paramount    126.0% 

(DB)  Wrecking  Crew  (Para) 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  1st  week    ....  191.1% 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  2nd  week    ....  157.7% 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  3rd  week    ....  138.8% 

PITTSBURGH— Penn   79.4% 

PROVIDENCE— State   125.0% 

(DB)  American  Empire  (UA) 


THE  MORE  THE  MERRIER  (Col.) 

Intermediate  Reports: 

Total  Gross  Tabulated  $211,100 
Comparative  Average  Gross  151,700 
Over-all  Performance  139.1% 

BALTIMORE— Hippodrome   135.7% 

(SA)  Archie  Robbins,  Randall  Sisters  and  others 

BOSTON— Loew's  Orpheum   128.2% 

(DB)  After  Midnight  with  Boston  Blackie  (Col) 

BOSTON— Loew's  State   114.2% 

(DB)  After  Midnight  with  Boston  Blackie  (Col) 

BUFFALO— Lafayette   210.0% 

(DB)  A  Man's  World  (Col.) 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Albee   100.0% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Loew's    147.0% 

KANSAS  CITY— Midland   166.6% 

(DB)  Boston  Blackie  Goes  Hollywood  (Col) 

NEW  HAVEN— Loew's  Poli   105.5% 

(DB)  Falcon  Strikes  Back  (RKO) 

OMAHA— Brandeis   151.1% 

(DB)  Underground  Agent  (Col) 

PITTSBURGH— Harris    184.7% 

PROVIDENCE— Loew's  State   125.0% 

(DB)  Murder  in  Times  Square  (Col) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Orpheum   147.8% 

(DB)  Red  Head  from  Manhattan  (Col) 

WASHINGTON— Earle    145.1% 

(SA)  Vaudeville 


THE  HUMAN  COMEDY  (M-C-M) 

Intermediate  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $432,000 
Comparative  Average  Gross  346,673 
Over-All  Performance  124.6% 

BOSTON— Loew's  Orpheum,  1st  week  ....  128.2% 

BOSTON— Loew's  Orpheum,  2nd  week    .   .   .  87.1% 

BOSTON — Loew's  State,  1st  week   160.7% 

BOSTON— Loew's  State,  2nd  week   85.7% 

BUFFALO— Great  Lakes   201.8% 

(DB)  Quiet  Please  Murder  (20th -Fox) 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Albee   143.5% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Shubert,  MO,  1st  week   .  133.3% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Shubert,  MO,  2nd  week  .  93.3% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  State   128.5% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  Stillman,  MO,  1st  week  146.1% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Loew's   152.9% 

KANSAS  CITY— Midland,  1st  week   150.0% 

KANSAS  CITY— Midland,  2nd  week    ....  104.1% 

LOS  ANGELES— Ritz   101.0% 

LOS  ANGELES— Loew's  State   117.8% 

LOS  ANGELES— Chinese    111.1% 

LOS  ANGELES-Carthay  Circle   95.0% 

PHILADELPHIA— Boyd,  1st  week   178.5% 

PHILADELPHIA— Boyd,  2nd  week     ....  133.5% 

PHILADELPHIA— Boyd,  3rd  week   109.2% 

PROVIDENCE— Loew's  State   150.0% 

PROVIDENCE— Carlton,  MO,  1st  week  .   .   .  87.5% 

ST.  LOUIS— Loew's  State,  1st  week    ....  120.0% 

ST.  LOUIS— Loew's  State,  2nd  week   ....  93.3% 

WASHINGTON— Palace,  1st  week   139.6% 

WASHINGTON— Palace,  2nd  week   120.6% 

WASHINGTON— Palace,  3rd  week   112.5% 

WASHINGTON— Columbia,  MO,  1st  week  .   .  153.8% 


Over-all  performances  as  shown  in 
final  reports  of  PICTURE  GROSSES 
are  now  published  for  their  reference 
value  in  the  Service  Data  Department 
of  the  Product  Digest  section. 


HANGMEN  ALSO  DIE  (UA) 

Intermediate  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $185,500 
Comparative  Average  Gross  159,400 
Over-all  Performance  116.3% 

BALTIMORE— Century    159.0% 

BUFFALO— Great  Lakes   157.4% 

(DB)  Taxi,  Mister  (UA) 

BUFFALO— Hippodrome,  MO,  1st  week    .    .  105.8% 

(DB)  Taxi,  Mister  (UA) 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  State   114.2% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  Stillman,  MO,  1st  week  107.6% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Loew's    112.5% 

(DB)  Let's  Have  Fun  (Col) 

KANSAS  CITY— Midland    108.3% 

(DB)  Power  of  Press  (Col) 

MONTREAL— Orpheum,  1st  week   100.0% 

MONTREAL— Orpheum,  2nd  week   66.6% 

MONTREAL— Orpheum,  3rd  week   77.7% 

NEW  HAVEN— Paramount  - .  84.5% 

PITTSBURGH— Stanley   95.0% 

(SA)  Xavier  Cugat's  Band 

PROVIDENCE— State   172.7% 

(DB)  Let's  Have  Fun  (Col) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— United  Artists   181.2% 

(DB)  Taxi,  Mister  (UA) 

TORONTO— Loew's   110.0% 

WASHINGTON— Capitol   86.8% 

(SA)  Vaudeville 

• 

THIS  LAND  IS  MINE  (RKO) 

First  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $109,050 
Comparative  Average  Gross  86,000 
Over-all  Performance  126.8% 

BUFFALO— 20th  Century    178.8% 

(DB)Rhythm  Parade  (Mon) 

CHICAGO— Palace    133.3% 

(DB)  Ladies  Day  (RKO) 

CINCINNATI— RKO   Albee    107.1% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Capitol,  MO,  1st  week    .  109.0% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Circle   85.0% 

(DB)  Ladies  Day  (RKO) 

OMAHA— Brandeis   157.7% 

(DB)  Ladies  Day  (RKO) 

SAN  FRAN  CISCO — Golden  Gate   146.1% 

(DB)  Vaudeville 

SEATTLE— Paramount    99.4% 

(DB)  Ladies  Day  (RKO) 


ASSIGNMENT  IN  BRITTANY 

(M-G-M) 

First  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $182,600 
Comparative  Average  Gross  149,500 
Over-all  Performance  122.1% 

BALTIMORE— Century    127.2% 

BUFFALO— Buffalo   100.0% 

(DB)  Harrigan's  Kid  (MGM) 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  State   71.4% 

MONTREAL— Palace,  1st  week   192.8% 

MONTREAL— Palace,  2nd  week   121.4% 

NEW  YORK- Criterion,  1st  week   216.6% 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  2nd  week    ......  141.6% 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  3rd  week    .    .    .    .    .  116.6% 

PHILADELPHIA— Fox     .   ...   ....   .  107.1% 

PHILADELPHIA— Keith's,  MO,  1st  week  .   .  117.7% 

PITTSBURGH— Stanley   105.0% 

(SA)  Charlie  Spivak's  Orchestra  and  others 

PROVIDENCE— Loew's  State   120.8% 

(DB)  She  Has  What  It  Takes  (Col) 

SEATTLE— Paramount   97.7% 

(DB)  Air  Raid  Warden  (MGM) 


May    29,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


55 


MANAGERS* 

ROUND  TABLE 


iAn  international  association  of  showmen  meeting  weekly 
in  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD  for  mutual  aid  and  progress 

GERTRUDE  MERRIAM,  Associate  Editor 


BOB  WILE,  Editor 


OP 


Managers  Are  Essential 

Reports  from  Canada  indicate  that  the  draft  of  manpower 
into  so-called  essential  industries  is  beginning  to  make  itself 
badly  felt  in  theatres.  Already  in  the  United  States  this  situa- 
tion is  beginning  to  manifest  itself,  too.  Therefore,  Mr.  J.  J. 
Fitzgibbons'  appeal  to  the  Director  of  National  Selective 
Service  in  Ottawa  has  a  special  meaning  for  managers  every- 
where. Mr.  Fitzgibbons,  as  the  president  of  companies  operat- 
ing about  two  hundred  theatres  in  the  Dominion,  has  pointed 
out  that  the  managers  who  are  being  drafted  into  essential 
work  are  necessary  to  the  safety  and  protection  of  the  theatre- 
going  public. 

Good  managers  are  not  easily  trained.  Large  theatres,  with 
thousands  of  people  entering  them  daily,  cannot  be  managed 
by  inexperienced  persons. 

The  industry  has  ever  recognized  that  the  needs  of  the  armed 
forces  are  paramount.  Little  protest,  if  any,  has  been  made 
against  the  drafting  of  physically  fit  young  men  for  the  armed 
forces.  But  if,  as  is  conceded  now,  motion  pictures  are  essential 
to  the  morale  of  the  civilian  population,  enough  employees 
must  be  kept  out  of  other  "essential"  industries  to  operate  the 
theatres  which  show  these  pictures. 

Theatres  are  not  simply  opened  and  closed  each  day  by  the 
hired  help.  They  are  managed  by  experts,  many  of  them 
trained  for  years  in  their  field.  They  are  men — and  women, 
too — especially  chosen  for  their  ability  to  handle  crowds,  to 
organize  the  many  activities  which  go  on  inside  the  theatre 
walls  aside  from  the  showing  of  pictures  and  with  the  executive 
ability  necessary  to  supervise  the  maintenance  and  operation 
of  large  investments. 

Let  people  without  the  training  and  experience  of  the  theatre 
manager  be  given  the  training  for  other  essential  work. 

On  Handling  Patrons 

Experience  among  showmen  has  varied  on  the  wisdom  of 
installing  signals  for  the  benefit  of  civilian  defense  workers, 
air  raid  wardens,  auxiliary  firemen,  first  aiders,  etc.  Some  have 
found  that  the  local  Office  of  Civilian  Defense  appreciates  the 
theatre's  display  of  a  colored  light  to  indicate  the  progress  of 
an  air  raid  alarm — yellow,  or  confidential,  to  indicate  that 
enemy  planes  have  been  sighted;  blue,  or  caution,  to  indicate 
that  enemy  planes  are  approaching  and  headed  toward  the 
vicinity;  red,  or  danger,  to  indicate  that  enemy  planes  are 


actually  overhead.  In  many  cities,  the  theatres  have  installed 
colored  lights  which  are  lighted  on  signals  from  headquarters. 
When  required,  civilian  defense  workers  quietly  leave. 

On  the  other  hand,  we  heard  this  week  of  another  type  of 
reaction.  One  manager  told  us  that,  when  he  was  informed 
that  there  would  be  a  blackout,  he  happened  to  be  on  the 
stage.  He  told  the  audience  of  the  situation  and  two  men  left. 
A  few  moments  later  the  sirens  were  sounded  and  twenty  men 
dashed  madly  out  of  the  theatre,  bowling  over  an  incoming 
patron  on  the  way.  This  showman  must  start  a  campaign  of 
education  in  his  community  to  prevent  civilian  defense  workers 
from  assuming  the  offensive. 

Selling  the  Newsreel 

In  recent  weeks,  the  Round  Table  has  received  and  pub- 
lished several  examples  of  showmen  taking  advantage  of  local 
boys  appearing  in  newsreels  of  American  troops  or  seamen. 
Much  to-do  has  been  made  over  these  occurrences  in  the  local 
press,  and  the  theatres,  of  course,  have  come  in  for  some  good 
publicity. 

Many  more  theatres,  obviously,  could  take  advantage  of 
opportunities  presented  by  the  newsreels,  if  they  knew  in 
advance  that  local  boys  would  be  in  the  scenes.  That  is  impos- 
sible, we  have  learned, for  several  reasons.  First  of  all,  it  would 
be  impractical  on  account  of  the  time  element.  Even  if  the 
time  were  available,  however,  military  security  would  forbid 
the  collection  of  the  names  of  all  the  men  in  one  scene. 

Some  showmen  have  pointed  out  that,  to  overcome  these 
difficulties,  they  screen  the  newsreel  in  advance  for  themselves 
alone.  A  newspaperman  dropped  in  one  day  during  one  of 
these  screenings  in  one  theatre  and  asked  to  be  invited  to  alll 
of  them  after  that.  What  used  to  be  regarded  as  just  a  part 
of  the  program  that  everyone  had  has  been  found  by  many 
showmen  to  contain  what  might  be  turned  into  money  in  the 
box  office. 


Persistence  Pays 


Joseph  Boyle  has  been  manager  of  the  Broadway  theatre  in 
Norwich,  Conn.,  for  15  months.  During  that  time  he  has 
assiduously  cultivated  good  relations  with  the  Norwich  Bulletin, 
but  until  now  the  paper  has  regarded  contests  with  a  cold  eye. 
Joe  was  justifiably  elated  last  week,  therefore,  when  he  was 
finally  able  to  land  a  contest  on  "The  Moon  Is  Down"  in  the 
Bulletin.  Persistence  paid  in  this  case.  — BOB  WILE 


56 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


May    29,    I  943 


THE  UNUSUAL  IN  DISPLAYS 


Thirty  pretty  nurses  against  the  background  of  the  flag 
made  an  impressive  display  for  Matt  Saunders  at 
the  Poli,  Bridgeport,  Conn.,  when  the  blood  plasma  collection 
was  started  there.  Five  hundred  donors  were  obtained. 


Dorris  Bowdon,  star  of  "The  Moon  Is  Down", 
is  a  Memphis  girl.   So  Arthur  Groom,  manager 
of  Loew's  State,  invited  her  sister  and  mother 
as  guests  of  the  theatre. 


WW  »M  HUth 


This  cut-out  cloud  setpiece,  featuring  Lena  Home 

sitting  on  top  of  a  cut-out  cabin,  was  placed  over  the  exit  doors 

of  the  Regent,  Harrisburg,  by  Sam  Oilman,  manager. 


Hand-painted  cut-outs  were  mounted  on  compoboard 

by  H.  T.  Drake,  house  artist  for  George  Olsen,  manager  of  the 

Madera  theatre,  Madera,  Calif. 


A  week  in  advance  of  the  playdate,  Tommy  Read  at  the  Fox,  Atlanta,  had  a 
specially  mounted  cut-out  with  real  hay  in  the  lobby  to  attract  patrons'  attention. 


On  the  hottest  day  in  May  in  ten  years, 
Sidney  Kleper  of  the  Bijou,  New  Haven, 
had  a  ballyhoo  man  dressed  as 
Santa  Claus  parade  through  the  streets. 


May    29,    I  943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


57 


By  Clarence  JI.  Bunting 


A  ballyhoo  man  dressed  like  the  comic  in  "Lady  of  Burlesque" 
created  a  lot  of  attention  for  H.  W.  Reisinger  of  Loew's, 
Dayton,  Ohio,  especially  when  he  posed  with  the  cut  outs  of 
Barbara  Stanwyck. 


Real  pine  trees,  artificial  grass  and  cutouts  from  the  six  and 
one  sheets  made  an  attractive  display  for  T.  O.  Tabor  at  the 
Palace,  Athens,  Ga.  The  figures  are  little  dolls. 


Artists  are  hard  to  get,  so  J.  D.  Hillhouse,  manager  of  the  State,  Galveston,  Tex., 
had  to  build  his  own  display.  That's  he  at  the  left. 


Not  only  did  this  stunt  get  a  lot  of  laughs, 
but  it  caused  talk,  and  talk  makes 
patronage,  says  Vincent  Aldert,  Paramount, 
Brattleboro,  Vt.,  perpetrator  of 
the  idea. 


A  window  full  of  records 
on  "Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello"  was 
obtained  by  Joseph  Boyle, 
manager  of  the  Broadway, 
Norwich,  Conn.  It  was  in  a  big 
department  store. 


Kp#1  ™ 

i  1  SONS  h§.  /  jfc 

'  <  S1S#" 

1  ■" 

1    ■'  # 

iij  -         ,.,  .<Mh 

ifi 

1  *Kfm 

/  1 

R.  L.  Wickersham  of  the 

State  theatre,  Logansport,  Ind., 

had  a  gi-ant  post  card, 

40  by  60  inches  in  size,  placed 

in  front  of  a  mailbox  on 

a  prominent  corner. 


58 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    2  9,     194  3 


Junior  War  Bond 

Jamboree  Nets 
Sale  of  $2000 


Selling  Points 

ON  THE  NEW  PRODUCT 

[The  material  below  reflects  press  books  now  in  preparation  and  represents  the  point  of 
view  of  the  distributors'  exploiteers  about  the  selling  points  and  special  merit  of  these  pictures.] 


MISSION  TO  MOSCOW  (Warner  Bros.): 

The  fact  that  this  picture  is  based  on  fact, 
not  fiction,  should  be  emphasized  in  all 
advertising.  Mr.  Davies'  second  mission  to 
Moscow,  now  in  progress,  may  also  be  used 
to  exploit  the  picture  by  blowups  of  news- 
paper stories.  Any  photographs  which  may 
arrive  from  Russia  on  this  mission  may  also 
be  used,  together  with  stills  from  the  pic- 
ture. The  comparison  ads  with  heads  of 
the  actors  compared  to  the  people  they 
portray  would  be  especially  appropriate  at 
this  time  when  these  people  are  in  the  news 
together  again.  There  is  a  full  page  tabloid 
feature  which  tells  of  the  Davies  family's 
experiences  in  Russia,  with  profuse  illus- 
trations. This  can  be  used  in  a  woman's 
section  of  a  newspaper  or  as  a  hand  dis- 
tributed tabloid.  Because  of  Mr.  Davies' 
second  mission,  it  is  especially  appropriate 
at  this  time.  Then  there  is  another  full  page 
layout  for  newspapers  which  introduces  the 
cast,  comparing  the  historical  figures  in 
the  picture  to  their  counterparts.  There 
is  a  five-day  contest  which  sells  the  title, 
being  devoted  to  a  number  of  other 
famous  missions  of  history  with  provision 
for  letters  on  "Why  I  Want  to  See  'Mis- 
sion to  Moscow'  "  to  break  any  ties.  There 
is  a  "Believe  It  or  Not"  type  of  cartoon 
available  for  newspaper  planting.  If  you 
are  playing  the  picture  before  school  is 
out  or  after  school  starts  again  in  Septem- 
ber,  it  will   be  well  to   note  the  many 


opportunities  for  school  tieups.  The  man- 
ager can  personally  make  five-minute  talks 
to  classes  in  history  or  current  events.  A 
good  part  of  all  of  such  talks  might  be 
devoted  to  Mr.  Davies'  prologue  to  the 
picture,  reprinted  in  full  in  the  press  book. 
Discussion  might  be  started  either  through 
the  newspaper's  school  page  or  in  the 
pages  of  the  school's  own  paper  on  the 
question  of  whether  a  picture  like  "Mission 
to  Moscow"  helps  students  to  understand 
current  history  better.  Prizes  might  be 
offered  school  students  for  the  best  reviews 
of  "Mission  to  Moscow".  Special  theatre 
parties  might  be  arranged  with  the  as- 
sistance and  cooperation  of  school  author- 
ities. "The  Story  of  Two  Guys  Named 
Joe"  is  the  theme  of  a  series  of  ads  which 
attracted  wide  attention  in  New  York.  The 
same  idea  can  be  carried  out  by  using  a 
cartoon  strip  showing  the  contrast  in  the 
lives  of  Messrs.  Davies  and  Stalin.  It  can 
also  be  used  in  radio  advertising.  The  book 
on  which  the  picture  is  based  is  available 
in  a  movie  edition.  There  is  also  a  revised 
edition  of  the  book  brought  up  to  date 
with  1943  comment.  The  190  people  in  the 
cast  can  be  used  as  the  basis  of  a  contest — 
contestants  to  guess  at  the  correct  number. 
With  this  picture,  Warner  Bros,  introduces 
a  new  type  of  accessory,  destined,  perhaps, 
to  replace  the  billboard.  It  is  a  bus  -  car 
card,  designed  to  fit  the  advertising  space 
in  public  vehicles. 


A  Junior  War  Stamp  Jamboree  inaugurat- 
ed by  Bob  Cox  at  the  Kentucky  theatre,  in 
Lexington,  Ky.,  was  so  successful,  that  sur- 
rounding towns  are  contemplating  following 
suit.  The  idea  of  promoting  the  sale  of 
War  Bonds  and  Stamps  among  the  children 
of  the  city  was  brought  up  before  the  Junior 
Chamber  of  Commerce  which  agreed  to 
sponsor  the  event  with  the  cooperation  of 
the  War  Activities  Committee. 

The  show  was  set  for  a  Saturday  morn- 
ing, the  idea  being  that  each  child  attending 
the  show  was  admitted  by  the  purchase  of 
a  War  Stamp  of  any  denomination.  The 
show  itself  consisted  of  a  cartoon  unit,  ob 
tained  gratis  from  the  exchanges,  a  45-min- 
ute  stage  show  featuring  Bill  Cross  and  his 
Band,  and  two  singers  and  three  dancers. 
This  was  followed  up  by  a  Children's  War 
Stamp  Auction,  with  promoted  gifts  auc- 
tioned in  War  Bonds  and  Stamps.  The 
first  meeting  in  connection  with  the  event 
was  held  three  weeks  in  advance,  working 
with  a  committee  from  the  Junior  Cham- 
ber.   The  following  plans  were  carried  out : 

Full  Page  Ad  Promoted 

Newspaper  coverage  included  a  schedule 
of  feature  stories  which  ran  every  day  for 
two  weeks  preceding  the  Jamboree.  These 
followed  the  usual  lines,  covering  every  pos- 
sible news  angle.  The  papers  covered  the 
show  with  a  reporter  and  cameraman,  with 
a  big  story  following.  The  newspaper  gave 
the  event  a  full  page  ad  on  the  Friday  be- 
fore the  show,  which  was  paid  for  by  co- 
operating local  merchants.  In  addition,  a 
four-column  cut  was  landed  on  the  front 
page  of  the  Sunday  paper  in  all  editions. 

The  radio  station  agreed  to  plug  the  show 
on  all  sustaining  programs  and  permitted  the 
theatre  to  solicit  their  advertisers  for  time. 
This  netted  the  theatre  plugs  on  three  daily 
programs,  plus  a  nightly  one.  These  all  ran 
during  the  week  preceding  the  show  itself. 

Children  Canvassed  Merchants 

The  committee  members  from  the  Junior 
Chamber  of  Commerce  canvassed  all  the 
merchants  and  obtained  over  250  prizes, 
which  ran  from  complete  suits  to  games, 
baseball  equipment  and  other  items.  Each 
member  of  the  commitee  was  given  a  school 
and  arrangements  were  made  to  have  a  talk 
given  before  the  assembly  by  them.  This 
was  a  four-minute  talk,  which  covered  the 
purpose  of  the  show  and  the  value  of  pur- 
chasing War  Stamps.  Every  school  child 
in  the  city  (4,500)  was  given  a  card  ex- 
plaining the  stunt  and  inviting  him  to  attend. 
These  cards  were  obtained  gratis. 

The  show  was  advertised  for  9  a.m.,  and 
Cox  reports  that  at  8.30,  there  were  an  esti- 
mated 1,000  children  in  front  of  the  theatre. 
1,350  children  witnessed  the  show  and  over 
800  were  turned  away.  $2,000  worth  of 
Bonds  and  Stamps  were  sold  in  admissions 
and  during  the  auction,  some  items  bringing 
as  high  as  $200. 

Cox  reports  the  entire  stunt  may  be  dupli- 
cated in  other  situations. 


The  creators  of  the  original  Hitler  Pin 
Cushion  thank  PARAMOUNT  for  the  exceptional  in- 
terest displayed  in  our  "HEX-THE-AXIS"  novelty-utilities. 
The  Newsette  release  of  our  entire  line  was  seen  by 
60,000,000  people  throughout  the  nation.  Distributors 
and  theatre  owners  can  exploit  this  tremendous  publicity 
by  using  our  "HEX-THE-AXIS"  novelties  as  premiums, 
give-aways,  souvenirs,  etc.,  in  the  Bond  Drives  they  are 
conducting. 

Write  today  tor  complete  details  and  prices. 


BASSONS  DUMMY  PRODUCTS"'2 "  * 


MASPETH,  N.Y.C. 


May    29,    I  943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


59 


Woodward  Employs  Slides  to 
Indicate  Air  Raid  Alarms 

The  problem  of  how  to  announce  the  vari- 
ous air  raid  warnings  to  theatre  patrons  has 
been  solved  by  Maurice  Baum,  owner  of  the 
Clifton  theatre,  Huntington,  Pa.,  and  Ken- 
neth Woodward,  manager  of  the  house. 

Without  interruption  of  the  picture,  a 
slide  is  projected  with  a  blue  dot  and  the 
words,  "The  blue  air  raid  signal  has  just 
been  sounded."  For  the  red  signal  a  red  dot 
is  used;  for  the  all  clear  and  a  white  dot. 
The  Clifton's  novel  plan  was  heralded  by  the 
local  newspaper  and  the  local  chief  Air  Raid 
Warden.  As  Ken  explains  it,  the  audience 
knows  at  all  times  what  is  going  on  with- 
out any  fuss  whatever. 


Theatre  Donated  to 
Safety  Patrol  Boys 

The  School  Safety  Patrol  Boys  of  Miami, 
900  strong,  recently  attended  a  mass  meeting 
at  the  Wometco  Strand  theatre,  in  celebra- 
tion of  National  Patrol  Boy  Week.  Mrs. 
James  Dunn,  wife  of  the  newly  re-elected 
city  commissioner,  acted  as  chairman  and 
arranged  the  meeting.  The  boys  saw  a  safe- 
ty film,  heard  their  national  chairman,  and 
saw  the  feature,  "Cheyenne  Roundup." 

The  Paramount  and  Wometco  chains  in 
Miami  have  cooperated  with  the  PTA  and 
the  three  A's  to  further  the  success  of  the 
Safety  Patrol  Boys  movement.  Twice  a 
week,  at  these  theatres,  all  patrol  hoys  who 
have  faithfully  performed  these  duties  dur- 
ing the  school  week  are  rewarded  by  being 
allowed  to  attend  their  nearest  theatre  free. 


Newspaper  Campaign 
Launches  "Air  Force" 

Jerry  Zigmond,  of  the  Newman,  in  Kan- 
sas City,  gave  "Air  Force"  an  initial  pro- 
motion with  strong  newspaper  space,  out- 
door displays,  and  a  special  punch  for  the 
second  week,  in  a  newspaper  advertisement 
listing  the  succession  of  hits  at  the  theatre 
with  "Air  Force"  the  current  one. 

Zigmond  held  a  preview  of  the  picture  for 
officials  of  the  armed  forces,  executives  of 
aviation  plants,  civic  and  business  leaders, 
many  of  whom  wrote  comments.  During 
the  second  week  he  distributed  cards  to 
selected  patrons  seeing  the  show,  who  re- 
turned them  with  their  "reactions"  noted. 
A  selection  of  comments  was  published  at 
the  beginning  of  the  third  week  for  the  run 
and  others  in  the  newspaper  displays  dur- 
ing that  week. 


King  Garners  Newspaper  Breaks 
On  Xavier  Cugat's  Personal 

Abundant  newspaper  breaks  were  landed 
by  James  King  for  the  personal  appearance 
of  Xavier  Cugat  at  the  RKO  Boston  thea- 
tre, in  Boston.  An  advance  story  and  fol- 
low up  picture  were  secured  in  connection 
with  the  maestro's  appearance  at  the  news- 
boys club  and  WAAC  headquarters,  where 
he  did  caricatures  of  members  of  the  club 
and  new  recruits.  Numerous  radio  plugs 
were  landed  and  a  citation  from  the  Treas- 
ury Department  to  Cugat  was  made  over 
Station  WCOP.  A  special  story  on  Cugat 
was  had  in  the  Sunday  Advertiser  regard- 
ing his  drawing  of  six  full  color  pages  for 
the  American  Weekly  and  a  newspaper  in- 
terview was  illustrated  by  the  bandleader's 
own  caricatures. 


Variety  of  Tieups  Obtained 
for  'The  More  the  Merrier" 


Haddon  Matthews  used  real  lace  curtains  and  flower  pots  for  this  special  display  in  the 
Boyd  theatre  in  Philadelphia.     Copy  as  well  as  the  illustrations  attracted  attention. 


In  the  two  weeks  since  the  first  openings 
of  "The  More  the  Merrier"  many  different 
promotion  methods  have  been  used  on  this 
picture. 

Among  the  leading  promotional  plans  was 
the  establishment — amid  wide  publicity — of 
an  "Eight  Girls  to  Every  Man  Club"  design- 
ed to  promote  more  dates  for  the  manless 
girls  in  the  Nation's  capital.  Because  the  lack 
of  men  and  the  eight-to-one  ratio  are  the 
central  theme  of  the  film,  a  special  advance 
preview  was  held  in  the  Department  of  the 
Interior  auditorium  in  Washington  for  club 
members  and  their  guests.  Not  only  Wash- 
ington newspapers  but  the  wire  services 
played  up  the  story.  Twenty  newspapers 
ran  large  space  feature  interviews  with  local 
girls  who  had  gone  to  work  in  Washington 
government  bureaus,  on  the  work  of  the 
club  and  their  reaction  to  the  picture.  Pa- 
pers in  Detroit  and  Cleveland  played  up 
picture  and  story  features  on  eight  local 
girls  who  entertained  a  single  man  as  their 
guest  for  an  evening. 

Classified  Ad  Promotion 

A  classified  ad  page  promotion  based  on 
the  fact  that  Jean  Arthur  starts  off  the 
whole  story  of  the  picture  by  offering  to 
share  her  apartment  was  run  in  St.  Louis 
by  the  Globe-Democrat  and  in  Syracuse  by 
the  Herald  Journal. 

A  man  was  given  away  in  New  Orleans, 
Hartford,  Conn.,  and  Springfield,  Mass.  In 
Buffalo,  Atlanta,  and  other  large  cities,  eight 
girls  in  a  bed  or  a  variation  was  used.  Taxi- 
cabs  were  tied  up  in  several  cities  to  use 
posters  in  their  windows  reading,  "Share 
the  Ride— The  More  the  Merrier." 

A  tieup  with  the  Hotel  Association  of 


America  netted  displays  in  5,500  top-ranking 
hotels  in  major  cities.  The  displays  fea- 
tured a  still  from  "The  More  the  Merrier" 
with  picture  and  theatre  credits  and  played 
up  the  point  that  making  hotel  reservations 
in  advance  will  avoid  the  disappointment 
encountered  by  Charles  Cpburn  in  the  film 
when  he  is  turned  away  from  the  Washing- 
ton hotel  in  which  he  tries  to  rent  a  room. 

The  Cigar  Institute  of  America  in  a  tieup 
with  the  picture  planted  placards  and  coun- 
ter cards  in  25,000  retail  cigar  stores  in  key 
cities.  All  placards  and  counter  cards  car- 
ried full  picture  and  theatre  credits. 


Signal  Corp  Cooperates 
On  "Reap  the  Wild  Wind" 

For  his  date  on  "Reap  the  Wild  Wind"  at 
the  L&J  Palace,  in  Athens,  Ga.,  T.  O.  Tabor 
landed  plugs  over  the  radio  a  week  in 
advance  of  the  opening.  Window  cards  were 
placed  in  drugstores  and  restaurants  and 
permission  was  granted  for  notices  to  be 
planted  on  the  bulletin  board  at  the  Signal 
Corp  School.  One  of  the  largest  beauty 
salons  displayed  Max  Factor  lipsticks  with 
appropriate  tiein  copy,  and  an  effective  lobby 
display  was  made  from  two  24-sheets. 


I 


| SPECIAL  TRAILERS 
FILMACK 


E 


60 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


May   29,    I  943 


NEWSPAPER  ADS  THAT  SOLD 


These  teaser  ads  were  used  by  Harry  Hunsaker  in  advance 
of  the  engagement  of  "The  Commandos  Strike  at 
Dawn"  at  the  Granada,  Reno,  Nev. 


Uno  rim 

STKOHM- 


THIS  STORY  OF 
ONE  AMERICAN'S  JOURNEY 
INTO  THE  TRUTH! 


WALTER  HUSTON  •  ANN  HARDING  •  Directed  by  MICHAEL  CURTIZ 

GEORGE  TOBIAS-OSCAR  MOMOLKA-  GENE  LOCKART"  HELMUT  OANTIVE 

'"""'""'WARNER  BROS. 


HOLLYWOOD 


POPULAR  PRICES 


Unusual  treatment  distinguished  the  New  York  ads  on 
"Mission  to  Moscow". 


Come 
Paulette, 
I  understand 
the*  people  of 
Fort  William 
are  re^uestlng- 
a   return  . 
slionliiK  "t  our 
"GREAT  . 
DICTATOR" 


Yes  Cliurlle, 
ne're  to.  be 
there  Wed., 
Thurs.  at 
the  ROYAL  on 
their  all 
request 
program, 
IS>'T  THAT 
GRAND ■ 


DON'T  FORGET  THE  RED  QROSS  NEEDS  YOUR  HELP  NOW. 


The  revival  of  "The  Great  Dictator"  prompted  Gordon 
Carson  of  the  Royal,  Fort  William,  Ont.,  to  use  a  conversation 
between  the  actors  to  give  playdates  and  so  forth. 


BIG  DOUBLE 
GASP,  GAG  AND 
GIGGLE  SHOW! 

You'll  GASP  At   .   .  . 
FRANK  BUCK'S 


You'll  GIGGLE 
[At  the  GAGS  When  . 
BATTLING  ARMY  BOYS  ARE  FEUDII  MMM 

TRACY  SAWYER 


yiVLL  Ity 

JEAN  PORTER 


TODAY  thru 
TUESDAY 


7DIXIE 


Doors    Open    Sunday  1:45,, 
Monday,  Tuesday  3:30 


Alliteration,  a  fancy  border  and  large  type  are  the 
outstanding  features  of  Boyd  Scott's  ad  for  a  double  bil 
at  the  Grand,  Holdenville,  Okla. 


May    2  9,  1943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


61 


Tom  Delbridge  at  Loew's  Vendome,  Nashville,  created  a  stage  effect  atop  bis  entrance  doors 
with  a  cutout  figure  of  Barbara  Stanwyck  and  a  curiam  to  represent  the  burlesque  stage. 


Danico  Interests  War  Plants 
In  "Desert  Victory"  Date 

To  usher  in  his  date  of  "Desert  Victory" 
at  the  Esquire  theatre,  in  Davenport,  la., 
Fred  L.  Danico  held  a  special  screening 
for  all  the  top  men  in  the  large  war  indus- 
tries in  the  Tri-Cities.  After  the  screening 
a  15-minute  radio  interview  was  held  with 
such  men  as  the  Acting  Commander  of  the 
Rock  Island  Arsenal  and  others  participat- 
ing. Needless  to  say,  excellent  plugs  for  the 
picture  were  had.  All  the  plant  men  made 
announcements  in  their  companies'  official 
bulletins  which  reach  all  employees  and  post- 
ers were  sent  to  the  plants  and  placed  in 
spots  where  employees  could  see  them. 

A  luncheon  with  a  member  of  the  British 
War  Information  Service  from  Chicago  and 
the  heads  of  the  local  papers  was  held  to 
aid  in  getting  the  right  kind  of  publicity 
at  the  right  time.  The  first  break  in  the 
papers  was  Sunday,  three  days  ahead  of  the 
opening,  with  seven  photos  on  the  picture 
page  of  the  paper. 

Durbin  Lobby  Display  Done  in 
Silver  Flitter  and  Fluorescence 

In  selling  "The  Amazing  Mrs.  Holliday" 
at  the  New  Malco  theatre,  in  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  Elliott  Johnson  used  the  angle  of  sell- 
ing Deanna  Durbin  as  a  grown  woman  and 
featured  such  lines  as  "Hollywood's  Most 
Beautiful  Woman"  in  the  theatre  ads.  For 
his  lobby  display,  an  easel  was  erected  cov- 
ered with  blue  velour  with  the  frames  in 
silver  flitter  and  plenty  of  scene  stills.  This 
was  used  a  week  in  advance  in  the  theatre 
and  then  moved  to  a  window  downtown 
during  the  run  of  the  picture. 

A  facsimile  figure  of  Durbin,  dressed  in 
fluorescent  dyed  clothes  was  placed  in  the 
balcony  box  and  during  the  trailer  a  black 
light  was  thrown  on  the  figure,  which 
brought  out  the  fluorescent  colors,  causing 
a  beautiful  effect  and  considerable  comment. 
During  the  Red  Cross  Drive,  when  collec- 
tions were  made,  a  microphone  was  placed 
in  front  of  the  Durbin  figure  and  when  the 
booth  put  on  several  of  her  records  it  gave 
the  impression  that  Deanna  was  actually 
singing  from  the  balcony  box. 


Radio  Quiz  Contest  Sells 
"Reveille  with  Beverly" 

To  open  his  date  on  "Reveille  With  Bev- 
erly" at  the  Globe  theatre,  in  Bridgeport, 
Conn.,  Harry  Rose  planted  a  radio  quiz  con- 
test over  station  WNAB  two  days  prior  to 
the  opening.  In  addition,  130  bus  cards  were 
used  on  all  important  lines,  40  by  60s  in 
two  music  store  windows  and  200  cards  with 
jive  copy  were  placed  on  juke  boxes 
throughout  the  city.  For  his  street  ballyhoo, 
Rose  had  two  buglers  and  a  drummer  boy  in 
smart  uniforms  playing  out  front  on  the 
opening  day  of  the  picture. 

For  "Three  Hearts  for  Julia,"  Harry  dec- 
orated the  front  with  flags,  bunting  and 
hearts  under  the  marquee  with  a  10-foot  flag 
on  the  upright.  The  Boys  Club  Band  played 
out  front  on  the  opening  night,  before  giv- 
ing a  brief  concert  on  stage.  Special  tinted 
heralds  were  distributed,  a  cooperative  page 
was  promoted  in  one  of  the  papers. 


Hartford  Greets  O'Shea  as 
Local  Boy  Who  Made  Good 

When  Michael  O'Shea,  appearing  in 
"Lady  of  Burlesque"  made  a  personal  ap- 
pearance recently  at  Loew's  Poli,  in  Hart- 
ford, ahead  of  the  picture's  opening  there. 
Lou  Cohen  arranged  for  the  star  to  meet 
Governor  Baldwin.  Pictures  were  taken  al 
the  Capitol  and  appeared  in  the  local  papers 
together  with  a  story  along  the  "local  boy 
makes  good"  angle,  since  the  star  hailed 
from  Hartford.  Visits  were  also  made  to 
O'Shea's  Alma  Mater,  the  crippled  chil- 
dren's home  and  other  spots. 

O'Shea  was  met  at  the  station  with  a  fife 
and  drum  corp,  the  railroad  station  was 
bannered  with  "welcome"  signs  and  radio 
promotion  included  at  least  four  hours  time 
on  all  four  stations.  The  newspaper  cover- 
age was  abundant  and  included  cooperative 
ads  from  merchants. 


Students  Write  Reviews 
For  "The  Moon  Is  Down" 

Joe  Boyle  planted  a  review  contest  on 
"The  Moon  Is  Down"  with  the  Norwich, 
Conn.,  newspaper,  on  the  date  at  the  Broad- 
way theatre  there.  This  was  the  first  actual 
movie  contest  to  be  accepted  in  a  year  and  a 
half. 

The  idea  of  the  contest  was  to  have  all 
high  school  students,  both  public  and  paro- 
chial schools,  submit  a  review  of  the  pic- 
ture. The  initial  prize  for  the  best  review 
was  a  War  Bond.  The  book  angle  was 
thoroughly  exhausted  on  this  campaign  and 
was  featured  by  a  John  Steinbeck  week,  plus 
distribution  of  book  marks  in  the  public 
library,  at  all  book  stores  and  circulating 
libraries. 


62 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    29,    I  943 


OF  A  PERSONAL  NATURE 


HAPPY  BIRTHDAY 


May  30th 

Silvert  Setron 
B.  J.  Vanderby 
Ray  S.  Helson 
Charles  T.  Lehning 
John  C.  Makemson 
Edward  W. Sokolowsky 
George  E.  Dowbiggin 
Harry  G.  Willoughby 

31st 

John  P.  Vogt 
Morris  Brown 
Robert  Harris 
Guy  R.  Williams 
Carl  L  Whaley 

June  1st 

Oscar  H.  Phillips 
Don  F.  Nichols 
James  C.  Dougherty 
Albert  T.  Stretch 

2nd 

Floyd  C.  Nutting 
Christopher  Parillo 
William  McCarrell 
Haig  Assadourian 
Mitchell  K.  Liner 
Don  T.  McCrea 
Willis  H.  Ledbetter 


June  3rd 

George  H.  Fennelly 
Les  Kaufman 
Richard  Pritchard 
Thomas  E.  Muchmore 
Harry  Rinzler 
Harry  E.  Alberth 
Seymour  L.  Katz 
Melvin  K.  Dinger 
Hyman  J.  Shapiro 

4th 

Hubert  N.  Schrodt 
Will  J.GIaser 
W.  L.  Snapp 
Gene  Michael 
Marvin  F.  Huban 
Borge  Iversen 

6th 

James  A.  O'Kelly 
Ira  Eschay 
Carl  Beals 
Ben  Griefer 
Ruper  N.  Koblegard 
Jack  Nelson 
Martin  Weinstein 
A.  H.  Roberson 
Arthur  C.  Bowden 
Lee  Cole 


Fred  Baldwick,  Newest  Round 
Table  Member  from  England 

One  of  the  latest  additions  to  the  already 
long-  list  of  Round  Tablers  in  the  British 
Isles,  is  Fred  E.  Baldwick,  now  managing 

the  Manchester 
News  theatre  in 
Manchester,  Eng- 
land. He  has  had  a 
most  interesting  ca- 
reer in  every  branch 
of  the  theatre.  Let's 
let  him  tell  it  in  his 
own  words.  "I  first 
commenced  in  the 
business  in  1910  (he 
was  11  years  old 
then)  with  the  Pro- 
vincial Cinemato- 
graph theatres  as  a 
page  and  being  much  interested  in  the 
projection  department  after  a  few  weeks 
was  put  in  the  'box'  as  learner  on  a  staff 
of  six.  I  worked  at  various  theatres  in  the 
circuit.  Then  came  World  War  I  and  1 
volunteered  and  did  two  years  service,  re- 
turning to  the  company  after  the  war.  In 
1920  I  left  them,  having  risen  to  the  posi- 
tion of  second  chief.  My  next  post  was  as 
chief  at  the  Capitol,  Manchester,  where  I 
remained  for  just  over  11  years,  during 
which  period  we  had  the  DeForest  Phono- 
films.  This  was  the  first  sound  on  film 
which  was  a  commercial  success  and  it  was 
installed  in  1926,  two  years  before  the  first 
Western  Electric  installation  in  England. 
Then  came  'talkies'  and  I  did  a  bit  of  mov- 


ing about  and  in  1936  I  opened  the  Man- 
chester News  theatre,  one  of  the  first  news 
theatres  outside  of  London,  for  the  Jacey 
Cinemas,  Ltd.  I  commenced  here  as  chief 
and  just  before  I  was  given  the  combined 
duties  of  chief  and  assistant  manager.  In 
November,  1939,  I  was  given  full  charge  and 
in  addition  to  managing  this  theatre,  also 
was  put  in  charge  of  projection  for  the  cir- 
cuit." Mr.  Baldwick  adds  that  though  born 
in  England,  all  of  his  family's  antecedents 
came  from  Cincinnati,  so  he  may  a  little 
claim  to  the  U.S.A. 


Warren  Fordyce  Started  as 
Sign  Boy  in  Sunnyside 

Warren  M.  Fordyce,  manager  of  Liberty 
in  Pasco,  Wash,  and  the  Roxy  in  nearby 
Kennewick,  started  in  the  business  as  a  sign 
boy  just  six  years  ago.  It  was  with  the 
same  circuit,  Midstate  Amusement  Corp., 
that  he  is  with  now,  that  he  got  his  first 
experience  at  the  Liberty  theatre,  Sunny- 
side,  Wash.  In  five  years  he  worked  his 
way  up  to  assistant  manager  and  finally 
manager,  a  post  which  he  attained  in  March 
1942.  He  moved  to  Walla  Walla  later  that 
year  as  assistant  to  Jack  Wright,  who  man- 
aged three  theatres  there.  In  November  of 
last  year,  he  was  assigned  to  his  present 
post.  Although  Warren  is  only  22  years 
old,  he  is  married  and  the  father  of  a  babv. 


AL  DUNN  has  been  promoted  from  assist- 
ant manager  of  the  Fox  theatre,  in  San 
Francisco,  to  managership  of  the  St.  Fran- 
cis, succeeding  Harry  Fontana,  who  has 
taken  a  defense  job. 

CHARLES  SECORD,  formerlv  at  the  Or- 
pheum  theatre  in  Kenosha,  Wis.,  goes  to 
the  Fox  Wisconsin  home  office,  in  Milwau- 
kee, as  a  booker.  He  is  succeeded  by  Sam 
Springer,  formerly  with  Essaness  Theatres, 
in  Chicago.  Other  circuit  changes  include : 
Robert  Bartol,  former  manager  of  the 
Odeon,  in  Beaver  Dam,  has  been  shifted  to 
lanesville,  Wis.,  as  manager  of  the  Beverly 
theatre.  He  succeeds  R.  W.  Hyde,  who 
has  been  managing  both  the  Beverly  and 
Myers  theatres,  in  Janesville.  Hyde  will 
now  devote  his  full  time  to  the  Myers.  Rudy 
Finst,  former  manager  of  the  Retlaw,  in 
Fond  du  Lac,  has  been  transferred  to  Ra- 
pine as  manager  of  the  Uptown,  succeeding 
Louis  Lamm,  who  has  been  shifted  to 
Beaver  Dam. 

PERRY  SPENCER,  former  personal 
representative  of  Gene  Autry  on  a  series  of 
Bond  Drives  all  over  the  country,  is  now 
managing  the  Strand  theatre,  in  Miami. 
Melvin  Curry,  formerly  manager  of  the  Av- 
ondale  theatre,  in  Atlanta,  is  now  assistant 
manager  at  the  Capitol  theatre,  in  Miami. 

ROBERT  C.  SPODICK  has  resigned  as 
manager  of  the  Ascot  theatre,  in  the  Bronx, 
to  assume  a  similar  post  at  the  Little  Car- 
negie Playhouse. 

GUS  HARTMANN  has  been  transferred 
from  manager  of  Warner's  Princess,  in 
Camden,  N.  J.,  to  manager  of  the  circuit's 
Grand,  in  Vineland,  N.  J.  He  is  succeeded 
by  Charles  Hessington,  former  assistant  at 
the  Princess. 


Anita  L.  Charette,  above,  is  assistant 
manager  of  the  Cohoes  theatre, 
Cohoes,  N.  Y.,  one  of  the  Fabian 
theatres.  Miss  Charette,  a  native  of 
Cohoes,  has  been  working  in  theatres 
there  for  the  past  six  years. 


JIM  DARBY  has  succeeded  Lou  Schaefer 
as  manager  of  the  Paramount  theatre,  in 
New  Haven.  Schaefer  has  not  as  yet  an- 
nounced his  plans. 

LT.  JOHN  J.  NAUGHTON,  former  man- 
ager of  the  Essaness  Biograph  theatre,  in 
Chicago,  after  winning  his  commission  at 
Camp  Barkley,  Tex.,  came  home  on  fur- 
lough to  marry  Mary  Jane  Sigman. 

GRAHAM  GILES,  manager  of  the  H&E 
Balaban  Dale  theatre,  and  John  Prought, 
manager  of  the  Globe  Theatre,  in  Chicago, 
have  joined  the  Merchant  Marine. 

CLARENCE  LAUTEN  has  been  made 
manager  of  the  Dale  theatre,  in  Chicago. 

WILLIAM  WOLF  was  named  manager  of 
Warners'  Colney  theatre,  Philadelphia,  suc- 
ceeding Martin  Rosenbluth,  who  resigned 
to  go  into  private  industry.  Walter  Potam- 
kin,  who  had  been  serving  as  a  rotating 
manager,  succeeded  Wolf  at  the  circuit's 
Diamond  theatre. 

LEW  KELLER,  has  been  named  man- 
ager of  the  Liberty  theatre  and  publicity 
director  of  the  Granada  and  Roxy  theatres, 
in  Lewiston,  Idaho,  replacing  Herbert  J. 
Royster,  who  moved  to  Portland,  Ore., 
where  he  will  be  manager  of  the  Mayfair. 


INDEPENDENCE  DAY 
HEADS  JULY  HOLIDAYS 

JULY 

1st— Battle  of  Gettysburg,  1863 
Dominion  Day  in  Canada 
1st  Air  Mail  Chicago  to  N.  Y.,  1919 
3rd — Idaho  Admitted  to  Union,  1890 
4th — Independence  Day 
1 0th— Wyoming  Admitted  to  Union,  1890 
15th— St.  Swithins  Day 
24th — Pioneer  Day — Utah 
25th — Occupation  Day — Puerto  Rico 


May    29,    I  943 

Fail  to  Restrict 
Argentine  Film 
House  Programs 

by  NATALIO  BRUSKI 

in  Buenos  Aires 

The  Association  de  Empresarios  Cinemato- 
grafos  (Association  of  Cinematograph  Exhibi- 
tors) here,  representing  the  majority  of  theatre 
operators  of  Buenos  Aires,  failed  to  adopt  a 
resolution  designed  to  limit  the  length  of  thea- 
tre programs  to  two  features  and  one  or  two 
short  subjects. 

The  move  was  designed  to  aid  in  the  con- 
servation of  raw  stock,  which  has  been  a  seri- 
ous problem  facing  the  Argentine  industry. 
Despite  the  fact  that  the  resolution  was  ap- 
proved by  156  out  of  175  exhibitors,  it  failed  to 
become  effective,  since  a  unanimous  decision 
was  required. 

The  raw  stock  situation  was  somewhat  re- 
lieved by  the  importation  of  8,000,000  feet  from 
the  United  States,  but  the  Government  has  not 
yet  determined  in  what  manner  the  film  is  to  be 
allocated  to  Argentine  producers.  The  Gov- 
ernment confiscated  the  raw  stock  shipment  to 
forestall  an  artificial  increase  in  price.  The 
arrival  of  the  stock  is  said  to  have  prevented 
the  closing  of  several  studios.  It  was  indicated 
that  a  commission  would  be  appointed  shortly 
to  solve  the  problem.  The  Association  of  Pro- 
ducers of  Argentine  Films  voiced  its  apprecia- 
tion to  the  United  States  Government  for  the 
film. 

After  one  year  of  negotiation,  the  local 
representatives  of  UFA  finally  succeeded  in  ob- 
taining from  the  Buenos  Aires  Custom  authori- 
ties the  delivery  of  630  kilos  of  printed  films 
which  were  confiscated  by  that  department  on 
April  24th,  1942,  which  they  said  was  intro- 
duced clandestinely  into  Buenos  Aires  from 
the  Portuguese  steamer  Serpen  Pinto. 

These  films,  which  came  packed  in  nine 
trunks  and  hand  bags,  were  brought  by  a  pas- 
senger as  personal  baggage,  and  not  included 
in  the  shipping  manifest  in  order  that  they 
could  be  shipped  on  board  a  steamer  holding  a 
British  navicert.  They  were  discovered  in  the 
port  of  Buenos  Aires  due  to  the  disappearance 
of  the  person  who  brought  them.  Hans  Biester, 
the  UFA  representative,  immediately  requested 
the  delivery  of  the  films,  offering  to  pay  the 
duties  and  penalties.  He  did  not  succeed,  how- 
ever, as  the  Congress  Committee  on  anti-Ar- 
gentine activities,  requested  their  confiscation  in 
order  to  verify  what  class  of  films  they  were. 

Now,  after  one  year,  UFA  finally  succeeded 
in  obtaining  the  films.  They  include  20  feature 
films,  30  educational  or  documental  shorts  and 
six  newsreels. 

It  is  believed  in  informed  film  quarters  that 
these  films  will  allow  UFA  to  present  a  pro- 
gram which  can  be  stretched  for  approximately 
one  year.  Furthermore,  it  is  expected  that  the 
six  newsreels  will  be  divided  into  four  parts, 
adding  stock  material  and  thus  converting  them 
into  24  newsreel  issues. 

Costa  Elected  President 
Of  Press  Photographers 

The  Press  Photographers  Association  in  New 
York  this  week  elected  Joseph  Costa  presi- 
dent for  the  coming  term.  He  succeeds  Albert 
C.  Aumuller,  who  has  served  for  the  past  two 
years. 

Besides  Mr.  Costa,  Daily  News  photogra- 
pher, others  elected  were :  Murray  L.  Becker, 
Associated  Press,  first  vice-president;  Joseph 
Heppner,  Metropolitan  Photos,  second  vice- 
president  ;  Pat  Candido,  Daily  News,  secretary ; 
John  G.  Hemmer,  Daily  News,  assistant  sec- 
retary ;  Victor  Twyman,  Daily  News,  treasur- 
er; Leonard  Morgan,  Journal-American,  as- 
sistant treasurer ;  Ray  Howard,  Journal- Amer- 
ican, marshal. 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


IN  NEWSREELS 


MOVIETONE  NEWS— Vol.  25,  No.  75— Churchill  ad- 
dresses Congress.  .  .  .  U.  S.  sub  sinks  Jap  ship.  .  .  . 
Greek  pageant  in  New  York.  .  .  .  OPA  official  gives 
ration  notice.  .  .  .  Archbishop  Spellman  tours  Malta. 
.  .  .  Sport  news  from  Australia. 

MOVIETONE  NEWS— Vol.  25,  No.  76— Destruction  of 
Africa  Korps.  .  .  .  Turkish  military  mission.  .  .  . 
Eisenhower  visits  British.  .  .  .  Pacific  War  Council. 
.  .  .  Atlantic  City  train  wreck.  .  .  .  Bomber  hits  gas 
tank. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY— Vol.  25,  No.  273-Churchill 
addresses  Congress.  .  .  .  American  sub  sinks  Jap 
ship.  .  .  .  New  ration  books  due. ....  Commando 
course  for  WAACS.  .  .  .  Princess  Elizabeth  inspects 
English  Royal  Guards. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY— Vol.  25,  No.  274— Yanks  take 
Bizerte.  .  .  .  Flood  waters  on  rampage.  .  .  .  More 
jive  for  Yanks.  .  .  .  Allied  War  Council  meets — dis- 
cussions among  Army  and  Navy  chiefs  of  Britain 
and  America. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS— No.  78— Commando  course  for 
WAACS.  .  .  .  Archbishop  Spellman  tours  Malta. 
.  .  .  Flood  in  midwest.  .  .  .  Yank  sub  sinks  Jap 
ship.  .  .  .  Churchill  addresses  Congress. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS— No.  79^-Final  victory  in 
Tunisia.  .  .  .  Americans  take  Mateur.  .  .  .  Eisen- 
hower visits  British.  .  .  .  Axis  armies  surrender  at 
Bizerte.  .  .  .  Allied  War  Council  in  Washington. 

RKO  PATHE  NEWS— Vol.  14,  No.  78— Churchill  ad- 
dresses Congress.  .  .  .  Archbishop  Spellman  tours 
Malta.  .  .  .  OWI  exhibit  in  New  York.  .  .  .  Ration 
books  explained.  .  .  .  Yank  sub  sinks  Jap  ship.  .  .  . 
Australian  swimmers. 

RKO  PATHE  NEWS— Vol.  14,  No.  79^Yanks  take 
Bizerte.  .  .  .  Mop  up  around  Mateur.  .  .  .  Hoards 
of  Axis  prisoners  taken  in  African  drive.  .  .  .  Eisen- 
hower visits  British  Eighth  Army. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWSREEL— Vol.  16,  No.  1»1— Churchill 
addresses  Congress.  .  .  .  Ration  Book  No.  3.  .  .  . 
U.  S.  sub  sinks  Jap  ship.  .  .  .  WAACS  keep  fit  down 
south.  .  .  .  Australian  surf-riders.  .  .  .  Greek  benefit 
in  New  York. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWSREEL— Vol.  16,  No.  192— African 
victory  complete.  .  .  .  Allies  plan  next  move.  .  .  . 
Sea  heroes  honored.  .  .  .  Atlantic  City  express  train 
wrecked.  .  .  .  Midwest  flood  approaches  crest. 

ALL  AMERICAN  NEWS— Vol.  2,  No.  31— American 
Day  celebration.  .  .  .  Negro  artillery  unit  trains. 
.  .  .  Talented  child  plays  with  symphony.  .  .  .  Dil- 
lard  University  Choir.  .  .  .  Cincinnati  Clowns  win 
opening  baseball  game.  .  .  .  LeRoy  Winbush  heads 
art  department  of  huge  store. 


Monogram  Checking  on 
1 6mm  Showings 

Monogram  has  been  checking  the  16mm  field 
recently  to  make  certain  16mm  distributors 
who  have  contracts  are  not  permitting  oper- 
ators to  show  the  company's  product  where  ad- 
missions are  charged.  Monogram  announced 
several  months  ago  it  would  not  sell  16mm 
rights  on  the  1942-43  or  1943-44  product. 

The  company's  contracts  with  distributors  for 
1941-42  and  prior  years'  pictures  definitely  pre- 
cluded the  possibility  of  16mm  theatrical  show- 
ings in  direct  competition  with  regular  theatres. 
Violations  of  these  contracts  have  occurred.  Ac- 
cording to  Samuel  (Steve)  Broidy,  general 
sales  manager,  rather  than  become  involved 
with  continuous  violations,  the  company  has 
foregone  the  revenue  that  would  have  been 
derived  by  the  sale  of  the  1942-43  and  1943-44 
programs  to  16mm  outlets. 


National  Decency  Legion 
Classifies  I  I  Films 

The  National  Legion  of  Decency  reviewed  11 
films  for  the  current  week,  classifying  six  as 
unobjectionable  for  general  patronage,  four  as 
unobjectionable  for  adults,  and  condemning  one. 
The  listing  follows : 

Class  A-l,  Unobjectionable  for  General  Pat- 
ronage :  "Renegade,"  "Bombardier,"  "Border 
Buckaroos,"  "It's  a  Great  Life,"  "Man  from 
Thunder  River,"  "Somewhere  in  France." 
Class  A-2,  Unobjectionable  for  Adults:  "Above 
Suspicion,"  "Bataan,"  "Jitterbugs,"  "Prelude 
to  War."  Class  C,  Condemned :  "Passion 
Island." 


63 


NSS  Opens  New 
Warehouses  to 
Ease  Shipping 

National  Screen  Service  has  announced  that 
warehouses  in  San  Francisco,  Kansas  City,  At- 
lanta and  Chicago  will  service  exhibitors  in 
those  territories.  William  B.  Brenner,  in  charge 
of  company  operations,  made  the  disclosure  last 
week.  He  said  the  move  was  made  necessary 
by  increased  shipping  difficulties. 

Previously,  the  New  York  warehouse  supplied 
exchanges  with  all  materials.  The  San  Fran- 
cisco warehouse,  however,  was  completed  about 
10  weeks  ago  and  has  been  on  full-time  opera- 
tion for  the  past  two  months.  Work  has  been 
started  on  the  construction  of  the  Chicago  ware- 
house, that  in  Atlanta  is  nearly  completed,  and 
the  one  in  Kansas  City  is  partly  finished. 

One  of  the  chief  reasons  for  the  erection  of 
additional  warehouses  was  to  facilitate  shipping 
which  faced  wartime  restrictions,  Mr.  Brenner 
said,  emphasizing  that  supply  of  materials  was 
not  a  factor  in  the  establishment  of  the  new 
policy.  One  of  the  company's  important  items, 
30x40  and  40x60  lobby  displays,  for  instance,  is 
processed  from  roll  board  paper,  a  sensitized 
board  used  also  for  photographic  purposes,  of 
which  National  Screen  is  one  of  the  few  users 
in  the  country. 

The  warehouses  will  stock  lobby  materials 
for  all  new  releases  of  Paramount,  Warners, 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  and  RKO,  for  which 
NSS,  among  others,  is  accessory  distributor, 
plus  a  stock  of  older  productions  which  are  in 
reissue. 

The  New  York  warehouse  will  service  Al- 
bany, Boston,  Buffalo,  Cleveland,  Detroit,  New 
Haven,  Philadelphia,  Pittsburgh  and  Washing- 
ton. 

Chicago  warehouse :  Dallas,  Denver,  Des 
Moines,  Kansas  City,  Milwaukee,  Minneapolis, 
Oklahoma,  Omaha,  St.  Louis. 

Atlanta  warehouse:  Charlotte,  Cincinnati,  In- 
dianapolis, Memphis,  New  Orleans. 

San  Francisco  warehouse :  Los  Angeles, 
Portland,  Salt  Lake  City,  Seattle. 

It  is  planned  also  to  have  warehouses  for 
trailers  spotted  in  strategic  locations,  to  over- 
come transportation  and  shipping  delays  caused 
by  the  heavy  movements  of  men  and  materials 
for  war. 

Theatre  Radio  Program 
Aids  Garden  Drive 

The  RKO  Golden  Gate  theatre  in  San  Fran- 
cisco has  incorporated  its  "Backstage"  program 
over  Station  KPO  with  the  Victory  Garden 
campaign  sponsored  by  the  San  Francisco  Daily 
Examiner.  Films  on  Victory  Gardens  are 
shown  to  approximately  3,000  persons  attending 
the  broadcast. 

The  theatre  also  held  a  coastwide  broadcast 
for  the  "Land  Is  Mine"  premiere.  The  film 
recently  opened  simultaneously  in  25  situations 
on  the  west  coast. 

Walter  Vincent  Reelected 
President  of  Actors  Fund 

Walter  Vincent  was  reelected  president  of  the 
Actors  Fund  of  America  at  the  organization's 
annual  meeting  last  Friday.  Others  elected  to 
office  were :  Harry  G.  Somers,  first  vice-presi- 
dent ;  Katharine  Cornell,  second  vice-president ; 
Vinton  Freedley,  treasurer ;  Robert  Campbell, 
secretary.  The  six  trustees,  elected  for  three- 
year  terms,  are :  Charles  Dow  Clark,  J.  Herbert 
Mack,  Warren  P.  Munsell,  James  O'Neill, 
Jacob  I.  Goodstein  and  Alfred  Lunt. 


Jasina  Takes  War  Job 

Frank  S.  Jasina  has  resigned  as  manager 
of  the  Campau  theatre  in  Detroit  to  enter  war 
work. 


May   29,  1943 

OBITUARIES 


64  MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISING 

Ten  cents  per  word,  money-order  or  check  with  copy.  Count  initials,  box  number  and  ad- 
dress. Minimum  insertion,  $1.  Four  insertions,  for  the  price  of  three.  Contract  rates  on 
application.  No  borders  or  cuts.  Forms  close  Mondays  at  5  P.  M.  Publisher  reserves 
the  right  to  reject  any  copy.  Film  and  trailer  advertising  not  accepted.  Classi-  j-j^^— i 
fied  advertising  not  subject  to  agency  commission.  Address  copy  and  checks:  IfSyl] 
MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD,  Classified  Dept.,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  WSM 


NEW  EQUIPMENT 


THEY'RE  FLOCKING  IN  —  FROM  MAINE  TO 
California — because  we  still  have  plenty  of  good  stuff 
yet— Brandt  coin  changers,  $89.50;  RCA  3'  x  5'  multi- 
cellular high  frequency  horns,  complete,  $225;  rectifier 
bulbs,  fifteen  ampere,  $7.95;  six  ampere,  $3.95;  DuPont 
Fabrikoid,  50"  wide,  $1.35  yard;  safety  steel  film 
cabinets,  $2.93  section;  Forest  60  ampere  suprex  recti- 
fier, $211.75;  latest  Superior  Atlas  projector  mechan- 
isms, $595;  Simplex  18"  magazines,  pair  $49.50;  sound 
screens,  Beaded  39'/2c;  Chrome  (suprex)  23j4c;  Flex- 
tone  washable,  30^c;  small  theatre  vacuum  cleaners. 
$89.50.  Get  our  Jubilee  Bargain  Bulletin.  S.  O.  S. 
CINEMA  SUPPLY  CORP.,  New  York. 


HELP  WANTED 


WANTED  MANAGER  OR  ASSISTANT.  MUST 
be  experienced,  sober,  absolutely  reliable.  Knowledge 
of  buying,  booking  and  all  theatre  routine.  Al  refer- 
ences, draft  exempt,  include  snapshot.  BOX  1635, 
MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


POSITIONS  WANTED 


MANAGER,  TEN  YEARS'  EXPERIENCE.  DRAFT 
exempt.  Know  booking,  buying  and  exploitation.  In- 
terested in  town  about  10,000  population.  Desire  change 
from  present  circuit.  BOX  1637,  MOTION  PICTURE 
HERALD. 


FAMILY  MAN,  34,  CHRISTIAN,  WANTS  RE- 
sponsible  connection  in  West.  13  years'  experience  as 
manager,  booker,  projectionist.  BOX  1639,  MOTION 
PICTURE  HERALD. 


FILM  SALES  EXECUTIVE  16MM.  AND  35MM., 
college  education,  draft  deferred,  experienced  office 
management,  advertising,  publicity.  Highest  refer- 
ences. BOX  1638,  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


BUSINESS  BOOSTERS 


BINGO  CARDS,  DIE  CUT,  1  TO  100  OR  1  TO  75, 
$2.00  per  thousand.  $17.50  for  10,000.  S.  Klous,  care 
of  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


TRAINING  SCHOOLS 


THEATRE  EMPLOYEES:  TRAIN  FOR  BETTER 
positions.  Learn  modern  theatre  management  and  ad- 
vertising. Big  opportunities  for  trained  men.  Estab- 
lished since  1927.  Write  now  for  free  catalog.  THE- 
ATRE MANAGERS  SCHOOL,  Elmira,  N.  Y. 


BOOKKEEPING  SYSTEM 


THEATRE  MANAGEMENT  RECORD  AND  TAX 
Register.  This  new  accounting  system  is  the  finest 
book  of  its  kind  ever  made  available  to  an  exhibitor. 
In  addition  to  being  complete  in  every  respect,  it  is 
simple — so  much  so  that  it  is  not  necessary  to  have 
had  bookkeeping  experience  in  order  to  keep  an  ac- 
curate, complete  and  up-to-minute  record  of  the 
business  of  your  theatre.  The  introductory  price  is 
only  $2.00  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rocke- 
feller Center,  New  York. 


PRINTING 


THEATRE  PROGRAMS,  HERALD  GIVEAWAYS 
and  other  show  printing,  at  special  rates.  Supply  copy 
and  layout  for  estimate.  BOX  1207A,  MOTION  PIC- 
TURE HERALD. 


USED  EQUIPMENT 


SLIGHTLY  USED  ALL  STEEL  BLOWER,  13,500 
cfm  with  2  hp  motor,  $230;  quiet  exhaust  fans,  from 
$21.25;  16"  oscillating  fans,  $22.50;  exhaust  blower, 
530  cfm,  $24.50;  RCA  portable  sound  projectors,  $79.50; 
Peerless  low  intensity  arcs,  $62.50.  Big  Jubilee  Sale 
Bulletin  now  ready.  S.  O.  S.  CINEMA  SUPPLY 
CORP.,  New  York. 


WANTED  TO  BUY 


WILL  TAKE  ANY  MAKE  16MM  OR  35MM  SOUND 
projector,  rectifiers,  generators,  sound  equipment. 
BOX  1634,  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


PIPE  ORGAN— STATE  PRICE  AND  ALL  IN  FOR - 
mation.  B.  VAN  HOUTEN,  280  W.  Leonard  St., 
Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 


BUSINESS  OPPORTUNITIES 


BRITISH  CINEMATOGRAPH  ENGINEERS  SEEK 
contact  with  American  manufacturers  of  projection  and 
sound  apparatus  with  a  view  to  manufacturing  ap- 

S roved  models  under  license  in  Great  Britain.  Write 
!OX  1630,  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


BOOKS 


THE  1943-44  INTERNATIONAL  MOTION  PIC- 
TURE ALMANAC  is  now  in  preparation.  Will  contain 
more  than  12,000  biographies  of  players,  directors, 
writers,  technicians  and  executives.  The  biographical 
section  ii  an  exclusive  feature.  In  addition  it  will  in- 
clude more  than  1,250  pages  crammed  with  motion 
picture  facts  and  figures  covering  every  phase  of  the 
business.  Supply  will  be  limited.  Be  sure  to  get  your 
copy.  Order  it  today!  Price  $3.25  prepaid  in  U.  S.  A. 
$5  elsewhere.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller 
Center,  New  York. 


COMPLETELY  REVISED  7TH  EDITION  OF 
Richardson's  Bluebook  of  Projection  with  treatise  on 
Television  and  complete  Sound  Trouble-Shooting 
Charts,  as  well  as  a  host  of  additional  up-to-the-minute 
text  on  sound  and  projection  equipment.  Order  Nowl 
$7.25  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller 
Center,  New  York  City. 


SOUND  TROUBLE  SHOOTING  CHARTS.  A 
handy  tool  in  the  booth.  Gives  the  answers  to  all 
questions  regarding  truoble  shooting  on  every  type  of 
sound  equipment.  $1.00  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOK- 
SHOP, Rockefeller  Center,  New  York. 


MOTION  PICTURE  SOUND  ENGINEERING— 
547  pages;  illustrated;  covers  every  practical  method 
and  process  in  present-day  sound  engineering.  Leading 
engineers  explain  every  detail  of  apparatus  and  its  ar- 
rangement, with  diagrams,  tables,  charts  and  graphs. 
This  manual  comes  straight  from  the  workshops  of  the 
studios  in  Hollywood.  It  is  indispensable  to  everyone 
working  with  sound  equipment.  Price  $6.50  postpaid. 
QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York. 


NEW  567  PAGE  BOOK  ON  AIR  CONDITIONING, 
by  Charles  A.  Fuller,  authority  on  the  subject.  Avail- 
able for  theatre  owners  contemplating  engineering 
changes.  Book  is  cloth  bound  with  index  and  charts 
and  coven  every  branch  of  the  industry  as  well  as 
codes  and  ordinances  regulating  installation.  Order 
now  at  $4.00  a  copy  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP, 
Rockefeller  Center,  New  York. 


Ellen  O'Leary,  Mother 
Of  Circuit  Head,  Dies 

Mrs.  Ellen  O'Leary,  mother  of  J.  J.  O'Leary, 
president  and  general  manager  of  the  Comer- 
ford  Publix  Circuit,  died  on  May  25th  in  Butte, 
Mont.  Mr.  O'Leary  attended  the  funeral  serv- 
ices, which  were  to  be  held  in  Butte  on  May 
29th.    She  was  81  years  old 

Besides  her  son,  Mrs.  O'Leary  leaves  three 
daughters,  Mrs.  W.  J.  Pascoe,  Mrs.  Roy  Zoll- 
man,  and  Mrs.  George  P.  Murphy. 

Clarence  Margon,  Universal 
Foreign  Representative 

Clarence  C.  Margon,  54,  Latin-American 
supervisor  for  Universal  Pictures,  died  on  May 
20th  in  New  York.  Funeral  services  were 
held  last  Friday  at  the  Park  West  Memorial 
Chapel  in  that  city.  He  had  been  associated 
with  Universal  for  five  years. 

He  entered  the  film  industry  in  1921  under 
Joseph  Seidelman,  then  Paramount  assistant 
foreign  manager.  He  remained  with  Mr.  Seid- 
elman ever  since,  although  the  latter  has 
worked  with  several  companies  during  his 
career.  Mr.  Margon  leaves  his  widow,  mother, 
sister  and  two  brothers. 


Frank  L.  Koppelberger 

Frank  L.  Koppelberger,  62,  general  manager 
and  treasurer  of  the  La  Crosse  Theatres,  the 
Rivoli,  Riviera,  Wisconsin,  and  Strand  theatres 
in  La  Crosse,  Wis.,  died  May  21st  in  that  city 
following  an  illness  of  several  weeks.  Mr. 
Koppelberger  was  associated  with  the  theatre 
business  in  La  Crosse  for  38  years  starting  with 
the  old  Bijou,  a  vaudeville  house.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Variety  Club  and  a  director  of 
the  old  Motion  Picture  Theatre  Owners  of 
Wisconsin  and  Upper  Michigan.  He  is  survived 
by  his  wife,  a  daughter,  a  son,  a  sister  and  a 
half-sister. 


Walter  Coulter 

Walter  Jay  Coulter,  for  many  years  an  ex- 
hibitor in  the  Virginia  area,  died  after  a  brief 
illness  on  May  21st,  in  Richmond.  He  retired 
from  active  theatre  operation  about  six  years 
ago.  He  is  survived  by  his  widow,  son  and 
daughter,  one  sister,  and  a  brother. 


Lt.  William  Jenney 

Lieutenant  William  Jenney,  former  motion 
picture  studio  architect,  has  been  reported  killed 
in  the  crash  of  a  Navy  plane,  according  to  word 
received  by  his  wife,  Mary  Finucane  Jenney, 
of  Rochester. 


Sponsor  Athletic  Events 

The  Cincinnati  Variety  Club,  in  conjunction 
with  the  United  Service  Organization,  is  plan- 
ning a  series  of  boxing  matches  and  other 
sports  functions  for  the  entertainment  of  ser- 
vice men.  Arthur  Frudenfeld  and  Harry  Hart- 
man  head  the  Variety  Club  committee.  The 
first  event  will  be  held  June  1st  at  the  Park- 
way Arena. 


UA  Men  Welcome  Sullivan 

A.  J.  Sullivan,  recently  appointed  northwest 
manager  for  United  Artists,  last  week  was  wel- 
comed to  his  new  post  by  Carroll  Trowbridge 
and  Jack  Kloepper  of  Portland  and  George 
Mitchell  of  Spokane,  UA  representatives,  at  a 
special  Seattle  conference.  Mr.  Sullivan  suc- 
ceeded Peter  Higgins. 


Concert  Films  at  Museum 

A  press  screening  of  "A  Concert  on  Cellu- 
loid," films  of  classical  music,  was  held  on 
Monday  at  the  Museum  of  Modern  Art  in 
New  York.  During  the  week,  they  were  shown 
twice  daily  and  three  times  on  Sunday. 


S  •  S>1 


L  OPERATION 


UYERS 

★  ★  number 


Pott -War  Theatre  Engineering  . 
Air*  Conditioning  After  the  War 
Countryside  Movies 
Protection  -  Sound  Inspection    .  . 
Manufacturers  and  Dealers  . 


MAY    If  1941 


THE  3  C'S  MAKE  IT  HOT  FOR  HITLER! 

Copper,  Carbon,  and  Current  are  Needed 
for  United  Nations'  Raids  on  the  Enemy 


Into  the  production  of  big  bombers  and  fighter  planes 
go  many  parts  that  require  copper  and  carbon.  And 
every  war  plant  needs  to  have  plenty  of  current  on  tap. 
That's  why  you  help  make  it  hot  for  Hitler  when  you 
save  Copper,  Carbon,  and  Current  in  your  theatre. 
Here's  how  to  do  it: 


GIVE  YOUR  PROJECTOR  A  THOROUGH 
OVERHAULING 

It's  better  to  prevent  breakdowns  than  to  repair  them. 
Your  RCA  Theatre  Supply  Dealer  is  equipped  and 
qualified  to  inspect  your  projector  regularly,  helping 
you  to  save  current  and  prevent  breakdowns  by  keep- 
ing it  in  perfect  condition. 


SAVE  ON  LIGHT  WITH  RCA  SNOWHITE  SCREEN 

When  you  use  the  maximum  amount  of  projected  light 
—you  save  on  light.  RCA  Snowhite  Screen  is  really 
white.  It  uses  all  the  light  and  gives  you  superior  projec- 
tion results  at  the  same  time! 


You  make  a  very  real  contribution  to  Victory  when  you 
use  less  Copper,  Carbon,  and  Current.  To  do 
a  better  job  on  saving  the  3  C's,  see  your 
RCA  Theatre  Supply  Dealer.  Or  write 
Photophone  Division,  Radio  Corporation  of 
America,  Camden,  N.  J. 


FQgyiCTORY 
BUY 


WAR 

BONDS 


RCA  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT 

RCA  Photopnonc  •  RCA  Magicote  Lens  Service  •  RCA  Screens  •  RCA  Theatre  Service 
RCA  Hearing  Aids  •  Westinghouse  Lamps  •  Brenkert  Projectors  and  Accessories  •  Benwood  Linze  Rectifiers 

Photophone  Division,  RADIO  CORPORATION  OF  AMERICA,  Camden,  N.  J. 


May    29,    I  943 


BETTER  THEATRES 


67 


Under  the  stimulus  of  war  time  research  and 
production  of  new  optical  equipment,  the 
post-war  motion  picture  industry  will  be 
amazed  and  thrilled  with  new  developments. 
Truly  the  dawn  of  a  new  era  in  motion  pic- 
ture projection. 

Right  now,  Ilex  is  engaged  in  100%  produc- 
tion for  our  armed  forces.  Ilex  skill  and 
precision,  now  so  vitally  important  to  the 
production  of  shutters,  lenses  and  precision 
optical  equipment,  will  one  day  be  devoted 


to  peace-time  production  that  points  to  in- 
teresting developments. 

Ilex  f  2.5  Projection  Lenses  are  in  use  in 
projectors  in  many  units  of  the  U.  S.  Navy. 

In  the  meantime,  let  us  do  our  utmost  to 
cooperate  with  our  government  in  speeding 
the  day  of  Victory.  Invest  in  U.  S.  Bonds  and 
Stamps  now  for  the  better  days  ahead. 

Ilex  Optical  Co.,  Rochester,  New  York 


SHUTTERS  AND  LENSES 


68 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    29,. 1943 


WARTIME  LIGHTING  SUGGESTION 

Wartime  conservation  makes  it  important  to  take  care  of  your  present  light- 
ing equipment.  The  amount  of  light  you  get  from  G-E  Mazda  lamps  depends 
not  alone  on  the  excellence  of  those  lamps  and  all  the  60  years  of  research 
that  have  made  them  better  and  better — but  on  the  way  you  use  them.  You 
can  throw  away  the  benefits  of  many  years  of  G-E  Mazda  lamp  improvement 
merely  by  allowing  dirt  and  dust  to  collect  on  bulbs  and  fixtures. 

(Tune  in  the  G-E  MAZDA  lamp  radio  program  Sunday  at  10  p.m.  {Eastern  War  Time)  N.B.C. 

G-E  MAZDA  LAMPS 


GENERAL  fgp  ELECTRIC 

MAZDA  is  not  the  name  of  a  thing,  but  the  mark  of  a  Research  Service 


\ 


Published  in  every  fourth  issue  of  Motion  Picture  Herald 
GEORGE  SCHUTZ,  Editor  RAY  GALLO,  Advertising  Manager 


POST-WAR  PREPAREDNESS 
MEANS  WARTIME  PLANNING 


IN     THIS     YEAR     of  War 

men  are  beginning  to  think  also  of  the 
problems  and  aims  of  peace.  We  are  hear- 
ing about  them  in  the  public  forums  as 
issues  of  a  new  international  political  order, 
of  a  reconstituted  world  economy.  But 
for  nearly  all  men  they  ultimately  must  be 
reduced  to  the  simpler  terms  of  a  job  and 
its  tools. 

In  an  industry,  to  plan  for  peace  is  more 
prosaically  but  practically  to  prepare  for 
the  return  of  its  people  and  its  physical 
facilities  to  their  normal  conditions  of 
work.  Although  an  industry  may  be  cur- 
rently concentrating  on  the  business  of 
war,  war  is  not  its  business.  And  the 
immediate  meaning  of  peace  to  the  business 
of  each  individual  enterprise  will  be  im- 
portantly conditioned  by  what  it  does 
during  the  war  to  prepare  for  the  peace. 

RESTORATION  OF  THEATRES 

Post-war  theatre  operation  will  reflect 
two  sides  of  modern  war — its  comprehen- 
sive invasion  of  civil  life,  and  its  demands 
upon  industrial  resources.  Because  of  the 
first,  peace  will  find  in  the  theatre  business 
a  vast  physical  establishment  in  sore  need 
of  restoration.  The  second  has  brought 
about  developments  in  materials  and 
methods  of  manufacture  that  will  be  ap- 
plied after  the  war  to  many  products. 

Of  this  post-war  scene  in  our  industry 
one  cannot  now  say  that  it  will  be  so  and 
such;  it  is  still  in  the  making.  But  it  is 
in  the  making,  and  that  process  can  be 
observed  now.  That  Better  Theatres 
has  set  out  to  do  in  this  issue  and  in  certain 
others  to  follow. 

Most  products  cannot  now  be  produced, 
except  in  some  instances  of  emergency;  but 
all  of  them  will  be  required  in  extra- 
ordinary quantity  after  the  war,  and  many 
then  will  bring  to  the  theatre  the  benefit 
of  improvements  that  in  one  way  and 
another  represent  the  impact  of  the  war 
upon  industrial  ingenuity. 

Restoring  the  existing  exhibition  plant  to 
pre-war  standards  of  mechanical  efficiency, 
comfort  and  attractiveness  will  be  a  huge 
undertaking.  But  also  peace  will  find 
many  communities  without  a  theatre  at  all, 
unless  it  have  one  hastily  put  together 
during  the  war.    These  will  be  the  com- 


munities that  sprang  up  around  factories 
built  for  the  production  of  war  goods  and 
remaining  as  part  of  the  nation's  perma- 
nent industrial  establishment,  converted  to 
the  manufacture  of  peacetime  products. 
In  prospect  also,  say  those  who  measure 
social  currents,  is  a  post-war  exodus  from 
city  to  suburb,  especially  to  outlying  small 
towns.  Promptly  at  the  war's  end,  there- 
fore, the  exhibition  plant  will  need,  besides 
reftoration,  considerable  replacement  and 
extension. 

All  this  is  going  to  cost  a  pretty  penny; 
the  capital  outlay  for  rehabilitation  alone 
will  inevitably  reach  a  figure  greatly  sur- 
passing expenditures  for  such  a  purpose  in 
any  similar  period  of  the  past.  Allowance 
for  deterioration  has  never  been  a  regular 
and  general  practice  among  theatres,  except 
as  a  bookkeeping  operation,  but  planning 
for  peace  certainly  urges  upon  manage- 
ment the  creation  of  a  rehabilitation  fund 
into  which  is  paid  a  portion  of  wartime 
income. 

Just  what  portion  depends,  of  course,  on 
the  likely  extent  of  the  renovation,  which 
in  turn  suggests  another  phase  of  planning 
for  peace — one,  an  inventory  of  equipment, 
noting  its  condition ;  two,  a  prospectus  of 
restoration  for  the  building,  embracing  its 
structure,  architecture  and  interior  decora- 
tion. A  series  of  inspection  charts,  with 
accompanying  instructions  on  examination 
and  repair,  which  begins  in  this  issue,  has 
been  designed  to  assist  in  the  collection  of 
information  to  guide  management  in  plan- 
ning for  post-war  rehabilitation,  as  well  as 
to  aid  in  wartime  conservation. 

Whatever  it  is  that  must  be  done  to 
rehabilitate  a  theatre  property,  it  will  be 
influenced  importantly  by  what  one  will 
have  to  do  it  with.  It  is  therefore  urgent 
for  theatre  management  to  keep  posted  on 
product  expectancy  as  indicated  by  the  con- 
sistently expressed  interest  of  manufac- 
turers in  the  theatre  market,  and  by  de- 
velopments in  methods  and  materials  which 
can  be  reported  during  the  war. 

POST-WAR  PRODUCTS 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  to  plan  for 
restoration  of  theatre  properties  after  the 
war  is  to  prepare,  in  a  measure,  to  take 
advantage  of  improvements  in  design  and 


materials,  and  even  of  lower  prices  result- 
ing from  greater  efficiency  in  production. 
This  is  the  consensus  of  opinion  among 
manufacturers  of  many  types  of  products 
used  by  theatres,  both  within  and  without 
the  motion  picture  industry.  As  a  rule, 
however,  details  are  lacking,  mostly  for 
the  good  reason  that  you  can't  concentrate 
on  war  production  and  conduct  develop- 
ment work  very  effectively  on  peacetime 
products ;  but  sometimes  for  the  reason, 
which  is  pretty  good  also,  that  what  one's 
competitor  doesn't  know  may  just  as  well 
stay  that  way. 

Straw  gathering,  to  show  how  the  wind 
is  blowing,  is  nevertheless  possible  in  a 
number  of  major  classifications.  Without 
the  slightest  aspirations  to  prophecy,  and 
subject  to  change  as  developments  advise, 
it  is  set  forth  as  reasonable  to  expect — 

Projection  equipment  further  refined 
rather  promptly  (despite  its  marked  ad- 
vance in  this  direction  just  prior  to  the 
war),  largely  as  a  result  of  the  super- 
precision  manufacturing  that  projector 
makers  are  doing  in  the  field  of  military 
and  naval  instruments. 

Sound  projection  striking  out,  also 
rather  quickly,  in  two  directions — opposite 
ones,  it  looks  from  here — one  toward 
enough  simplification  to  bring  prices  down 
to  a  level  encouraging  junking  of  the  old- 
time  equipment  still  around,  the  other 
toward  more  complex  recording  methods 
which  will  have  their  counterparts  in  the- 
atre apparatus. 

Spot  event  television — not  too  soon,  but 
in  good  time — with  newsreels  day  and  date 
with  the  event  in  the  larger  cities,  no 
matter  how  far  from  the  scene. 

Air-conditioning  that  does  a  better  job 
with  less  work  at  lower  costs,  both  for  the 
equipment  and  for  operation  (one  of  the 
biggest  items  of  installation  expense  is  the 
duct  system,  and  considerable  saving  here, 
to  be  added  to  those  cited  by  Mr.  Boester 
in  his  article,  is  expected  from  the  use  of 
manufactured  sheet  boards  like  Transite, 
Masonite,  mineral  Celotex  products,  etc., 
to  supplant  most  of  the  sheet  metal  pre- 
viously used) . 

Synthetic  architectural  materials,  espe- 
cially those  for  interior  finish  and  exterior 
facing  and  trim,  more  refined  in  appear- 
ance, in  greater  variety,  and  more  easily 
installed.  For  the  most  part  such  improve- 
ments will  represent  further  progress  in 
efforts  continually  made  since  the  intro- 
duction of  many  of  these  products  and 
stopped  by  the  war ;  on  the  other  hand  the 
Formica  Insulation  Company  reports  that 
experiments  prompted  by  war  shortages  in 

69 


70 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    29,     I  943 


Executives  of  Motiograph  and  supply  dealers  who  met  with  the  former  at  the  Motiograph  plant  in 
Chicago  the  first  of  the  month  to  discuss  trade  policies  and  post-war  plans.  Shown  are  (standing)  F.  A. 
Van  Husan,  Western  Theatre  Supply  Company,  Omaha;  W.  D.  Matthews,  purchasing  agent,  Motiograph; 
R.  F.  Sherman,  secretary  and  treasurer,  Motiograph;  H.  C.  Dusman,  Baltimore;  I.  M.  Cohen,  Monarch 
Theatre  Supply  Company,  Memphis;  W.  R.  Howell,  Oklahoma  City;  Harold  Abbott,  Abbott  Theatre 
Equipment  Company,  Chicago;  Nate  Bernstein,  Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Company,  Memphis;  Ray  A. 
Smith,  Ray  Smith  Company,  Milwaukee;  Nash  Weil,  Wil-Kin  Theatre  Supply,  Inc.,  Atlanta;  T.  L. 
Shearer,  B.  F.  Shearer  Company,  Seattle;  Joe  Hornstein,  Joe  Hornstein,  Inc.,  New  York  City;  H.  I. 
Tegtmeier,  H.  F.  Shearer  Company,  San  Francisco;  (seated)  F.  C.  Matthews,  vice-president,  Motio- 
graph; W.  E.  Carrell,  Falls  City  Theatre  Equipment  Company,  Louisville;  O.  J.  Hazen,  Service  Theatre 
Supply  Company,  Salt  Lake  City;  Roy  Boomer,  sales  manager,  Motiograph;  A.  E.  Thiele,  Des  Moines 
Theatre  Supply  Company,  Des  Moines;  Sam  Steinberg,  A.  &  S.  Steinberg,  Inc.,  Pittsburgh;  L.  P. 
Langford,  Oliver  Theatre  Supply  Company,  Cleveland. 


chemicals  revealed  better  methods  of  manu- 
facture, while  just  recently,  as  an  ultimate 
result  of  equipment  installed  for  war  work, 
it  has  succeeded  in  producing  good  trans- 
lucent sheets  of  Formica  which  will  be  in- 
troduced after  the  war. 

When  it  comes  to  auditorium  seating, 
one  can  just  let  one's  imagination  go — and 
this  without  encouragement  from  the  chair 
manufacturers,  either.  To  all  inquiries 
their  reply,  if  any,  has  been,  in  effect, 
"Look,  brother,  don't  bother  us — we're  too 
busy  with  a  war."  One  must  consider,  too, 
that  through  the  two  or  three  years  just 
prior  to  the  upheaval  auditorium  chairs 
were  subjected  to  quite  revolutionary 
changes,  especially  in  outward  form. 
Nevertheless,  the  idea  that  seating  could  be 
in  large  part  suitably  molded,  instead  of 
being  an  assembly  of  many  metal  parts,  has 
been  around  for  a  long  time,  and  with  the 
wartime  advance  in  plastics,  greater  sim- 
plification of  auditorium  chairs,  with  con- 
sequent reduction  in  price  and  mainte- 
nance, may  be  drawing  nearer. 

In  a  future  issue  concerned  especially 
with  post-war  possibilities  in  the  treatment 
of  theatre  interiors,  seating  and  fabrics  will 
be  dealt  with  in  some  detail.  Seating  fabrics 
have  of  course  realized  improvement  during 
the  war  in  the  use  of  synthetic  material  in 
place  of  rubber  in  the  manufacture  of  the 
better  grades  of  simulated  leather. 

Altogether,  the  war  has  expanded  the 


facilities,  both  human  and  mechanical,  for 
the  creation  and  supplying  of  theatres.  The 
equipment  manufacturers  are  planning  for 
post-war  operations  —  but  in  moments 
snatched  from  their  main  current  job,  that 


of  supplying  the  United  Nation's  war  ma- 
chine. Who  they  are  you  can  tell  by  look- 
ing at  the  bulk  of  the  advertisements  in 
this  issue.  Few  offer  anything  except  as- 
surances that  the  organizations  they  repre- 
sent are  interested  in  the  motion  picture 
business,  in  serving  it,  in  accordance  with 
that  enduring  interest,  when  they  can. 

Design  for  the  Future 

despite  the  fear  of 
many  of  us  to  dally  with  the  future,  it  is 
usually  interesting  to  see  what  other  people 
like  to  do  about  it.  From  the  current  issue 
of  the  The  Architectural  Forum, 
therefore,  we  reprint  with  the  kind  per- 
mission of  the  publisher,  the  adjoining 
plan  for  a  theatre  submitted  among  schemes 
for  various  classes  of  buildings  intended  to 
serve  "better  and  more  livable  communi- 
ties" of  post-war  America.  The  theatre  was 
designed  by  C.  Koch  and  J.  Johansen, 
architects  associated  with  the  NHA. 

In  its  main  features,  the  plan  emphasizes 
a  casual  and  leisurely  character  of  motion 
picture  theatre  attendance,  and  at  the  same 
time  its  intimate  association  with  daily 
community  life.  Designed  for  a  business 
section  of  a  good-sized  city,  it  nevertheless 
provides  spacious  promenade  area  with 
adjoining  shops,  a  nursery  placed  so  as  to 
isolate  infantile  squawls,  and  a  restaurant. 

The  designers  explain : 

"The  construction  system  furnishes  the 
interest,  and  the  glass  area  was  designed 
to  provide  more  dignified  evidence  of  the 
whereabouts  of  the  theatre  than  the  blink- 
ety  blinkers  used  for  this  purpose  at  pres- 
ent. Waiting  space  is  provided  off  the 
main  circulation  and  affords  some  view  of 
the  grass-grown  street  and  outside  life. 

"The  vomitory  system  was  used  to  get 
the  people  to  their  seats  in  the  quickest, 
easiest  fashion,  and  all  the  exits  are  in- 
tended to  be  used."  — G.  S. 


May    2  9  ,     194  3 


BETTER    TH  EATRES 


71 


Post-War 

Theatre  Engineering 


By    DR.    ALFRED    N.  GOLDSMITH 

distinguished  New  York  consulting  engineer,  formerly  a  vice- 
president  of  the  Radio  Corporation  of  America  and  for  many 
years  closely  associated  with  motion  picture  affairs,  serving 
several  terms  as  president  of  the  Society  of  Motion  Picture 
Engineers  and  currently  as  chairman  of  its  Theatre  Engineering 
Committee,  who,  turning  for  a  moment  from  immediate  claims 
of  a  world  at  war,  gives  us  the  following  developments  as  a  likely 
pattern  of  activity  in  motion  picture  exhibition  after  the  war 


BY  the  rather  forbid- 
ding title — "Post-War  Theatre  Engineer- 
ing"— given  this  brief  contemplation  of 
possible  things  to  come  after  the  war  in 
the  world  of  the  motion  picture,  is  meant 
something  rather  simple  and,  it  is  believed, 
very  attractive.  The  title  means:  What 
may  we  expect  to  find  in  the  way  of  im- 
proved equipment  and  operation  of  thea- 
tres after  the  war?  And  how  will  this 
influence  the  exhibitors ,  the  theatre's  oper- 
ating force,  and  the  public?  Perforce 
these  questions  will  remain  partly  unan- 
swered, since  much  that  is  going  on  cannot 
be  discussed,  and  no  one  can  be  certain 
of  the  future  developments  even  in  known 
and  publicized  fields.  But  a  few  high- 
lights appear  fairly  clear. 

The  post-war  period  will  be  one  of  en- 
forced efficiency  and  necessary  economies 
along  certain  directions.  Competition  will 
be  vigorous  and  thoughtful  attempts  will 
be  made  to  bring  about  savings  in  materials 
and  services. 

^  Sixteen-Millimeter 

In  this  connection,  it  may  be  that  16-mm. 
films  will  get  a  true  commercial  baptism 
after  the  war.  Modern  16-mm.  com- 
mercial projection  equipment  is  capable  of 
giving  a  steady,  bright,  and  attractive  pic- 
ture on  a  fair-sized  screen — certainly  up  to 
9x12  feet,  and  perhaps  beyond.  The  sound 
from  properly  processed  16-mm.  films, 
passing  through  a  well-built  modern  pro- 
jector, leaves  little  to  be  desired — in  fact, 
it  is  rather  better  than  much  of  the  sound 
which  audiences  not  only  tolerated  but  en- 
joyed in  the  early  days  of  sound  pictures. 


There  are  many  obvious  advantages  to 
16-mm.  film  operation.  It  is  light  and 
easy  to  handle.  Transportation  costs  are 
reduced.  Print  costs  are  lowered.  Repairs 
or  replacements  are  cheaper.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  projection  equipment  must  be  of 
high  quality  for  satisfactory  operation  and 
the  film  must  be  well  made  and  kept  in 
good  condition. 

Then,  too,  questions  of  projection  room 
personnel  may  arise  in  connection  with  the 
use  of  such  film.  Yet  there  will  likely  be 
a  trend  toward  its  adoption  by  certain 
smaller  theatres  and  newsreel  houses. 

Color  pictures  remain  an  uncertain  ele- 
ment for  the  post-war  period.  There  is  no 
doubt  that  color  adds  considerably  to  cer- 
tain types  of  pictures,  such  as  musical 
comedies,  travelogues,  pageant  pictures,  and 
certain  other  spectacular  productions. 

When  the  war  broke  out,  there  was  evi- 
dent a  definite  trend  toward  certain  ad- 
vanced types  of  sound  reproduction.  High- 
fidelity  sound  was  already  with  us  in  many 
cases.  Noise  reduction  had  reached  a  point 
where  any  major  improvement,  particularly 
in  the  case  of  our  better  theatres,  was  un- 
likely. 

In  addition,  "three-dimensional  sound" 
was  appearing  on  the  horizon — that  is,  there 
were  several  proposed  systems  either  for 
producing  the  impression  of  motion  of  the 
source  of  sound,  or  for  producing  a  su- 
perior "acoustic  perspective."  This  latter 
dealt  with  methods  which  made  the  sound 
seem  to  originate  more  naturally. 

Thus,  the  music  of  an  orchestra  or  the 
cheering  of  a  crowd  is  far  more  realistic 
if  it  seems  to  come  from  a  large  area  than 
when  it  obviously  comes  from  one  or  two 


restricted  sources,  such  as  the  horn  of  a 
directional  loudspeaker.  We  may  be  cer- 
tain that  the  post-war  period  will  bring 
a  number  of  systems  for  improving  the  dis- 
tribution or  motion  of  sound  sources  in  the 
theatre  and  that  the  industry  will  be  re- 
quired to  choose  one  or  more  of  them  as 
its  standard  practice. 

There  have  been  a  number  of  resolute 
advocates  of  wide-screen  projection  from 
films  larger  than  the  35-mm.  size.  Up  to 
the  present  the  industry  has  seemed  cold 
to  these  for  many  reasons,  most  of  them 
being  either  economic  in  nature,  or  a  result 
of  the  difficulties  of  appropriately  viewing 
an  extremely  large  picture  in  the  average 
house  of  today  without  extensive  structural 
or  seating  alterations.  It  is  doubtful 
whether  these  conditions  will  change  for 
a  number  of  years  after  the  war  has  ended. 

C|  Theatre  Television 

Among  the  interesting  possibilities  of  the 
post-war  motion  picture  theatre  is,  natu- 
rally enough,  theatre  television.  Techni- 
cally the  problem  of  producing  high- 
quality  television  pictures  on  the  theatre 
screen  is  substantially  solved.  Little  re- 
mains in  that  direction  except  to  produce 
refinements  and  perhaps  certain  economies 
in  installation  and  operation.  But  at  least 
two  problems  will  require  consideration. 

One  of  these  is  the  selection  of  program 
material  which  will  interest  the  audience 
when  sandwiched  between  the  highly  de- 
veloped dramatic  film  productions.  Many 
studies  of  possible  theatre  television  pro- 
grams have  been  made,  but  most  of  the  pro- 
posals seem  somehow  to  fall  short.  Still, 
it  is  practically  certain  that  some  theatrical 
genius  in  the  future  will  hit  on  the  right 
formula  and  his  reward  will  be  correspond- 
ingly large. 

The  other  problem  is  the  appropriate 
syndication  or  distribution  of  television 
programs  to  theatres.  Shall  such  programs 
be  distributed  only  in  a  city,  or  in  a  region, 
or  on  a  nation-wide  basis?  Shall  they  be 
sent  out  by  wire  (cable),  by  radio,  or  both? 
Shall  they  include  certain  of  the  television 
broadcasts  sent  by  the  radio  stations  to  the 
public  or  not?  What  are  the  legal  aspects 
of  such  distribution,  including  of  course  the 
questions  of  copyright?  Until  such  ques- 
tions as  these  have  been  authoritatively 
answered,  and  the  answers  have  been  gen- 
erally accepted  by  the  industry  or  validated 
by  the  courts,  theatre  television  will  ad- 
vance on  a  tentative  basis. 

Yet  we  may  be  certain  that  somewhere 
in  the  future,  and  perhaps  not  long  after 
the  end  of  the  war,  a  combination  of  drama- 
tic skill  and  commercial  wisdom  will  bring 
us  that  latest  marvel  of  the  century — 
theatre  television. 


72 


BETTER    TH  EATRES 


May    29,  1943 


More  Efficient,  More  Economical 
Air-Conditioning  After  the  War 


•  Revolutionary  changes  are  in  prospect  for  both 
heating  and  cooling  of  theatres,  making  existing 
systems  obselete,  reducing  expense  and  labor 


By  CARL  F.  BOESTER 


There  is  certainly  noth- 
ing about  a  war  for  whkh  we  can  with 
sincerity  say  we  are  grateful,  but  in  cer- 
tain instances,  as  in  the  field  of  engineer- 
ing, we  can  be  grateful  for  the  by-products 
of  war,  and  it  is  certainly  interesting  to 
analyze  the  many  ways  in  which  the  war 
will  affect  the  kind  and  size  of  equipment 
used  to  provide  year-round  air-conditioning 
after  the  war. 

By  year-round  air-conditioning,  we 
mean  the  two  processes  of  providing  human 
comfort ;  they  are  winter  heating  and  sum- 
mer cooling.  Because  we  are  just  finishing 
a  heating  season,  it  might  well  be  worth 
while  to  discuss  first  the  changes  in  the 
field  of  heating,  but  such  comment  might 
be  well  qualified  by  the  statement  that  no 
new  installations  of  heating  equipment, 
either  in  new  construction  or  in  remodel- 
ing jobs,  will  be  put  in  unless  it  is  for  the 
purpose  of  year-round  comfort,  therefore, 
it  Avill  embrace  summer  cooling  also. 

The  winter  heating  equipment  must  be 
of  the  kind  and  character  that  works  hand 
and  glove  with  the  summer  equipment  and, 
except  in  the  very  elaborate  jobs,  heating 
will  be  accomplished  by  the  use  of  in- 
direct warm  air  systems  whereby  air  of 
proper  temperature,  of  proper  humidity, 
and  in  proper  quantity,  will  be  circulated 
through  a  duct  system  and  distributed  to 
the  proper  locations  in  the  correct  amounts 
to  provide  uniform  draftless  comfort. 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  the  air  will  be 
properly  cleaned  by  passing  it  through 
electric  filter  equipment,  then  adequately 
sterilized  by  passing  it  through  a  battery  of 
lamps  designed  to  kill  all  forms  of  harm- 
ful bacteria.  That  same  air  will  also  pass 
through  batteries  of  equipment  that  will 
put  into  the  air  a  character  of  freshness 
that  has  not  been  obtainable  in  the  past 
because  there  has  not  been  available  equip- 
ment for  the  purpose,  nor  was  there  much 
known  about  such  equipment. 

In  the  days  gone  by  the  only  way  we 
could  correct  a  bad  odor  condition  was  to 
dilute  the  air  with  various  quantities  of 
outside  air.  After  the  war  there  will  be 
equipment  available  for  deodorizing  the 
air  and  ionizing  it,  which  gives  it  that 
quality  of  freshness  that  one  senses  in  the 
air  just  after  a  spring  shower.  Until  re- 
cently we  have  required  large  quantities 


of  outside  air  in  order  to  dilute  the  odor 
concentration  indoors.  This  imposed  the 
expensive  problem  of  filtering  and  steril- 
izing this  outside  air  and  heating  or  cool- 
ing it  as  the  case  required.  By  not  having 
to  do  this  we  may  expect  tremendous  re- 
ductions in  the  operating  cost  for  heating 
and  for  cooling,  and  some  help  in  reducing 
first  costs  for  equipment,  because  our 
equipment  requirements  will  not  be  quite 
as  large  as  before. 

IMPROVED  HEATING  EQUIPMENT 

Now,  getting  back  to  the  problem  of 
heating:  much  has  been  learned,  for  ex- 
ample, in  the  heating  of  aircraft,  which 
uses  warm  air  to  provide  comfort.  Tre- 
mendous efficiency  in  heating  equipment  has 
been  developed  as  a  result  of  the  problem 
of  heating  airplanes.  Heating  units  will 
be  a  fraction  of  their  original  size  and 
therefore  will  not  require  much  space. 
It  may  not  be  necessary  in  the  future  con- 
struction of  theatres  to  provide  such  a 
thing  as  a  furnace  room.  The  heating  unit 
itself  will  be  direct-fired  and  so  compact 
that  it  will  fit  right  in  the  main  duct  dis- 
tributing the  conditioned  air. 

In  all  new  construction  great  emphasis 
will  be  put  on  the  insulation  of  buildings 
so  as  to  cut  down  our  fuel  requirements 
and  thereby  the  size  of  the  heating  plant, 
and  consequently  its  first  and  operating 
cost. 

As  a  result  of  the  rationing  of  fuel,  we 
have  learned  a  very  bitter  lesson  about  heat- 
ing plant  efficiency  and  intelligent  use  of 
adequate  insulation.  We  will,  in  our  thea- 
tre air  conditioning  work,  therefore,  de- 
mand that  the  greatest  possible  engineering 
skill  be  employed  to  give  us  every  possible 
advantage  of  engineering  development 
along  this  line. 

"MASTER-MIND"  CONTROL 

In  recent  months  we  have  heard  much 
of  the  new  science  of  electronics.  It  is  hard 
to  explain  in  a  non-technical  way  just  what 
is  meant  by  electronics,  and  certainly  im- 
possible to  discuss  the  many  developments 
in  this  field ;  however,  electronic  devices 
are  those  which  employ  a  form  of  vacuum 
tube  to  control  various  mechanical  opera- 
tions. In  the  field  of  air-conditioning,  elec- 
tronics will  be  employed  with  heating  and 
cooling  equipment.  Specifically,  many  va- 
riations of  electronic  thermostats  will  be 


employed  to  control  the  range  of  comfort. 
As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  electronic  control 
equipment  is  much  further  advanced  than 
the  equipment  it  is  intended  to  control,  so 
the  air  conditioning  engineers,  and  particu- 
larly the  research  men  in  this  field,  are  go- 
ing to  have  to  develop  heat  exchange  equip- 
ment much  more  sensitive  in  its  response 
than  that  which  has  been  so  far  developed. 
This  seems  entirely  possible  in  the  light  of 
what  we  have  seen  recently  in  the  various 
research  laboratories  about  the  country. 

These  master  mind  electronic  control 
devices  will  be  used  for  other  purposes  than 
simple  temperature  responses.  They  will 
be  used  for  controlling  or  modulating  the 
amount  of  energy  put  into  heating  and 
cooling  equipment  in  response  to  the  re- 
quired load.  Such  devices  will  start  and 
stop  the  motors,  vary  their  speed  or  re- 
verse them  as  required.  They  will  open 
and  position  dampers  to  regulate  the  quan- 
tity and  quality  of  conditioned  air.  They 
will  prevent  wasting  of  fuel,  whether  gas, 
oil,  or  coal,  by  anticipating  the  require- 
ments as  affected  by  sudden  changes  in 
outside  weather,  and  more  important,  by 
control  for  ever-varying  changes  in  load 
requirement  as  a  result  of  the  changes  in 
the  number  of  people  in  the  theatre.  Yes, 
these  controls  are  so  sensitive  they  can 
actually  count  the  people  as  they  enter 
and  leave  the  theatre  and  thereby  adjust 
the  air-conditioning  equipment  accordingly. 

In  winter,  heating  systems  that  require 
the  use  of  oil  or  coal  will  be  indirect-fired. 
Water  or  steam  through  highly  efficient 
coils  will  be  the  means  of  providing  winter 
comfort.  We  have  learned  how  to  get 
many  times  the  amount  of  heat  out  of  a 
steam  coil  than  we  did  before,  so  it  will 
be  smaller  and  less  costly.  This  has  been 
accomplished  by  a  better  understanding  and 
more  intelligent  use  of  the  finned  surface 
and  a  much  better  way  of  distributing  the 
steam  and  hot  water  through  the  coil. 
Hot  water  and  steam  boilers  will  be  a 
fraction  of  their  present  size,  yet  many 
times  more  efficient.  If  oil  is  the  fuel,  you 
will  see  new  types  of  oil  burners,  much 
simpler  in  operation  and  lower  in  cost. 

Now  as  to  summer  cooling,  there  are 
some  revolutionary  developments  in  this 
field.  To  begin  with,  let's  take  the  heart 
of  the  summer  cooling  system — the  com- 
pressor. As  a  result  of  the  development  of 
aircraft  and  other  lightweight  high-speed 
engines,  and  particularly  with  our  ability 
to  manufacture  this  equipment  to  hereto- 
fore undreamed  of  tolerances,  we  will  have 
much  higher  speeds  and  therefore  be  able 
to  pump  even  greater  quantities  of  re- 
frigerant gas  with  much  smaller  equip- 
ment. Revolutionary  designs  in  exhaust  and 
intake  valves  will  give  us  great  improve- 
ment in  compressor  efficiency  and  thereby 
{Continued  on  page  86) 


May    29,    I  943 


BETTER  THEATRES 


73 


simple  ways  to  help 
avoid  trouble  and  expense- 


your  equipment 
regularly  (as  per  oiling  instructions 
given  for  it)  in  order  to  avoid  burned 
out  bearings. 


CUM 


your  equip- 
ment. Dust  and  dirt  can  do  great  harm 
to  moving  parts  —  accelerating  wear 
and  causing  breakdowns. 


ADJUST 


belts  for  ten- 
sion and  alignment.  Simple  wrench 
adjustments  can  prevent  needless  wear 
of  precious  rubber. 


A  LL  three  of  these  are  jobs  that  your  maintenance  man  can 
±\.  readily  attend  to.  Make  sure  that  they  are  done  regularly — 
for  they  will  help  to  prolong  the  life  of  your  equipment  and  fore- 
stall the  need  for  calling  in  service  men,  who  are  scarce  and  busy 
these  days.  Until  after  the  war,  new  G-E  equipment  is  obtainable 
only  for  war  applications... so  take  the  best  care  of  what  you  have! 

General  Electric  Company,  Air  Conditioning  and  Commercial 
Refrigeration  Department,  Division  3575,  Bloomfield,  New  Jersey. 


GENERAL  B  ELECTRIC 


74  BETTERTHEATRES  May    29,  194, 

Countryside  Movies 


By  BEN  SCHLANGER 


Suggesting  a  direction  for  expansion  of 
motion  picture  exhibition  after  the  war 


WHEN      THE  CREATIVE 

energy  of  industry  is  turned  after  the  war 
again  to  peacetime  activities,  many  lines  of 
business  will  doubtless  find  uses  for  their 
products  and  services  beyond  those  estab- 
lished before  the  war.  In  some  instances 
this  might  be  the  result  of  pre-war  develop- 
ments held  in  abeyance  during  the  conflict; 
in  others  it  might  come  from  developments 
connected  with  the  making  of  military 
materials.  Then,  too,  there  likely  will  be 
a  tendency,  after  the  confinement  of  war, 
to  find  new  peacetime  fields  to  conquer.  In 
motion  picture  exhibition  changes  may  be 
expected  from  all  three  of  these  directions. 

For  some  years  before  the  war  the  rural 
regions  of  the  United  States  increasingly 
suggested  themselves  as  locations  for  amuse- 


to  the  centers  of  cities.  At  the  same  time, 
there  will  be  the  usual  small  cities  and 
villages  dissociated  from  any  metropolitan 
district,  and  the  farms  and  the  almost 
nameless  tiny  crossroads  settlements  in  be- 
tween. All  of  these  would  make  up  the 
drawing  area  of  a  theatre  placed  at  a  point 
usually  approximating  their  population 
center. 

Because  of  the  mileage,  going  to  the 
movies  "in  the  country"  would  not  be 
quite  so  convenient,  at  least  for  many 
people,  as  it  ordinarily  is  in  a  city.  But 
if  it  is  not  necessary  to  travel  through  city 
streets  or  through  close-in,  less  open  sub- 
urbs, ten  or  twenty  miles  are  a  reasonable 
distance  for  an  evening's  trip  to  an  attrac- 
tive place  of  amusement,  and  from  25  to  50 


manner  with  an  amusement  park  of  a 
noisy,  rowdy  sort — a  kind  of  small-scale 
Coney  Island.  I  view  a  project  of  this 
kind  essentially  as  a  rural  cinema  situated 
in  a  beautiful  landscaped  plot,  with  the 
whole  environment  suggestive  of  whole- 
some refinement.  All  of  the  structural 
elements,  as  well  as  the  accessory  recrea- 
tional and  refreshment  services,  should 
contribute  to  such  an  atmosphere. 

LOCATION  OF  PROJECT 

The  location  would  be  determined  by 
the  distribution  of  the  population  con- 
stituting the  drawing  area,  and  by  the  plan 
of  the  local  main  highway  system.  The 
park  should  be  at  or  very  close  to  an  inter- 


ment centers  in  which  motion  picture  per- 
formances would  be  the  principal  attrac- 
tion. The  drive-in  theatre  is  to  some  ex- 
tent an  attempt  to  get  the  motion  picture 
out  into  the  country,  but  it  does  so  in  a 
very  limited  and,  at  least  in  point  of  quali- 
ty, a  makeshift  manner.  The  means  of  pre- 
senting a  motion  picture  in  a  drive-in  the- 
atre, and  the  conditions  under  which  it  is 
viewed,  are  such  as  to  indicate  that  instead 
•of  exploiting  interest  in  screen  plays,  it 
merely  offers  the  adult  public  some  sort 
of  place  to  drive  to  on  a  Sunday  or  sum- 
mer evening,  and  the  teen-age  kids  suf- 
ficient privacy  for  love-making.  The  sort 
of  rural  amusement  center  I  have  in  mind 
is  one  of  various  recreational  facilities  dom- 
inated by  a  genuine  motion  picture  theatre. 

It  is  generally  expected  that  the  move- 
ment of  people  to  more  countrified  areas, 
already  begun  before  the  war,  will  continue 
at  a  faster  pace  after  it.  This  would  great- 
ly extend  the  size  of  the  suburbs  of  large 
cities  and  place  residential  sections  in  many 
cases  closer  to  farming  communities  than 


miles  for  a  holiday  jaunt.  The  drive,  in 
fact,  is  part  of  the  recreation. 

CONTRIBUTING  RECREATION 

To  give  a  rural  amusement  center  as 
wide  an  appeal  as  possible,  however,  as  well 
as  to  distinguish  it  yet  further  from  or- 
dinary, commonplace  recreational  activi- 
ties, it  doubtless  would  be  wise,  in  most 
instances,  to  provide  some  variety  of  diver- 
sions. While  the  older  members  of  a  family 
might  be  primarily  interested  in  the  drive 
and  the  motion  picture  entertainment,  the 
youngsters  might  prefer  to  play  tennis  or 
badminton,  to  choose  two  games  out  of  the 
many  that  would  be  suitable.  A  game  for 
older  children  and  adults  is  bowling;  this 
would  be  suited  especially  to  the  colder 
months,  but  if  the  equipment  were  housed 
in  a  pavilion  having  walls  that  could  be 
substantially  opened,  bowling  would  be  at- 
tractive to  some  people  in  summer  as  well. 

There  is,  however,  no  thought  here  of 
associating  a  motion  picture  theatre  in  this 


section  of  main  highways.  The  total  avail- 
able population  should  not  be  less,  I  should 
judge,  than  20,000,  which,  in  a  project  of 
this  kind,  could  probably  be  served,  as  a 
general  thing,  by  a  theatre  seating  between 
500  and  700. 

Architecturally  the  theatre  should  be  of 
pleasing  design  and  avoid  any  suggestion 
of  cheapness  and  temporariness.  That  does 
not  mean  that  it  could  not  be  built  at  mod- 
erate cost;  for  that  matter,  the  very  lo- 
cation in  a  rural  area,  with  its  lower  land 
values  and  the  possibility  of  small  town 
labor  in  some  classifications,  besides  the 
absence  of  certain  code  requirements,  might 
well  contribute  to  reduction  of  the  cost  be- 
low that  which  would  be  encountered  in 
a  city. 

Post-war  developments  in  construction 
practices  may  also  help  to  keep  costs  well 
within  a  figure  warranted  by  this  type  of 
enterprise.  I  expect  it  to  be  possible  to 
have  some  structural  parts  prefabricated 
for  erection  on  the  site.  While  the  struc- 
tural shell  need  not  be  standardized  and 


May    29,     i  9  4  3 


BETTER    TH  EATRES 


75 


prefabricated,  a  great  many  elements  of  the 
building,  especially  those  related  to  finish 
and  decorative  architecture,  as  well  as  to 
the  installation  of  equipment,  should  be- 
come available  in  a  form  requiring  little 
labor  on  the  job. 

For  example,  door  assemblies,  display 
frames,  ticket  selling  and  collecting  facili- 
ties, wall  and  ceiling  paneling,  built-in 
lighting  and  many  other  elements  could  be 
constructed  as  units  in  factories  and 
shipped  knocked  down  for  erection  on  the 
job.  If  the  design  was  restricted  to  smooth, 
simple  finish  with  superficial  ornamenta- 
tion eliminated,  these  parts  could  fit  into 
any  architectural  treatment. 

The  projection  room  could  be  a  factory- 
made,  job-assembled  section  of  the  building 
at  a  great  saving.  Wiring  and  controls, 
ventilation  provisions,  etc.,  could  be  built 
into  the  component  units  at  the  factory,  so 
that  only  the  structural  supports  would 
have  to  be  provided  on  the  job. 

These  and  related  post-war  develop- 
ments in  construction  practice  and  archi- 
tectural materials,  most  of  them  applying 
to  building  in  general,  support  belief  that 
a  fine,  technically  competent  motion  pic- 
ture theatre  in  a  charming  landscaped 
countryside  setting,  with  liberal  space  for 
parking  cars,  and  for  enjoying  nature,  re- 
freshments, a  variety  of  sports  and,  perhaps 
(if  controlled  to  exclude  "undesirable" 
elements),  even  dancing,  will  be  economi- 
cally feasible. 

STANDARDIZED  DIMENSIONS 

A  method  which  would  contribute  both 
to  the  technical  efficiency  of  the  theatre 
and  to  economy  in  construction,  is  to  stand- 
ardize the  basic  form  and  dimensions  of 
the  auditorium  according  to  certain  ranges 
of  seating  capacity.  In  its  fundamental 
design,  any  motion  picture  auditorium 
should  be  dealt  with  as  part  of  the  projec- 
tion system.  The  shape,  material  textures, 
and  colors  should  be  chosen  according  to 
their  response  to  light  and  sound.  None 
of  these  considerations  need  be  neglected  in 
efforts  to  simplify  construction. 

But  there  is  nothing  that  would  greater 
delay  realization  of  the  advantages  of  pre- 
fabrication  for  theatre  construction  than 
the  notion  that  a  theatre  would  have  to  be 
prefabricated  unit  as  a  whole.  At  first, 
prefabrication  would  not  be  as  extensive  as 
it  probably  will  become  in  time,  but  many 
components  of  the  theatre  could  be  readily 
so  handled  soon  after  construction  again 
becomes  possible.  And  one  of  the  advan- 
tages of  this  method  that  is  of  special  sig- 
nificance to  a  rural  enterprise  like  the  one 
described,  lies  in  the  possibility  of  using 
labor  with  the  technical  limitations  com- 
monly encountered  in  small  communities. 

The  scheme  that  has  been  drawn  up  for 
this  presentation  is  intended  of  course 
merely  to  illustrate  the  idea.  There  is  a 
plan  for  every  location,  region  and  plot; 
and  an  architectural  treatment  in  keeping 
with  the  tastes  and  physical  character  of 
every  community.  It  is  an  idea  that  points 
one  direction  for  the  post-war  expansion  of 
motion  picture  exhibition. 


THE  facilities  of  American  Seating  Company, 
for  years  devoted  to  your  service,  providing 
quality  theatre  seating,  now  are  producing  assem- 
blies for  planes,  ships,  tanks  and  guns.  American 
Seating  Company  chairs  and  seating  in  wide  vari- 
ety, aggregating  more  than  three  million  sittings, 
now  serve  our  armed  forces. 

That  is  why,  in  these  days  of  national  danger, 
the  new  seating  your  theatre  may  need  is  not  avail- 
able. Knowing  your  devotion  to  America,  we 
know  you  will  understand. 

May  we  suggest  that  you  continue  to  set  aside 
your  seating  replacement  funds  as  usual,  and  put 
them  into  United  States  War  Bonds?  It  will  double 
your  service  to  America — and  you'll  have  the 
money  ready  and  safe  when  you  can  use  it! 


me/ucati 


GRAND  RAPIDS,  MICHIGAN 
WORLD'S  LEADER  IN  PUBLIC  SEATING 

MANUFACTURING:  Aircraft  pilot  seats,  wings,spars  and  fuselage  structures  of  plywood, 
tank  seats, mess  tables  and  chairs  for  the  Navy  and  Maritime  Commission, canister  bodies 
for  Chemical  Warfare  Department,  and  cast  iron  assemblies  for  Quartermaster  Corps. 


EXTENSIVE  LINE  OF' 

DECORATIVE 


Fabrics 


Velours 
Plashes 
Damasks 
Reps 

Monks  Cloth 
Novelty 

Materials 
Metal  Cloths 


tor 

Theatre  Draperies 
Stage  Curtains 
Wall  Coverings 
Lobby  Decorations 


"Choice  of  Theatre  Architects" 

1 30  W.  46th  St.,  New  York  City 

CHICAGO        ST.  LOUIS        LOS  ANGELES 


If  you  can't  locate  parts 
for  Powers,  Simplex 
or  Motiograph 

Try  Me 

EDW.  H.  WOLK 

1018  S.  Wabash  Ave. 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 


76 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    2  9,     194  3 


Another  Wenzel 
Accomplishment. . 
A  NEW  SHOCK-ABSORBING 

INTERMEDIATE  GEAR 
FOR  PROJECTORS 

(Patents  Pending) 


A  development  of  importance 
to  you.  Write  for  details 


While  war  orders  must 
naturally  come  first 
please  bear  in  mind  that 
we  can  still  supply  all 
standard  35  MM.  projec- 
tor replacement  parts. 
Wenzel  precision,  quality 
parts  are  available  to  the- 
atres exclusively  through 
their  supply  dealers.  We 
cannot  sell  direct.  How- 
ever, we  invite  you  to 
write  us  for  our  valuable, 
comprehensive  catalog 
WC  II.  Please  mention 
name  of  your  independent 
supply  dealer  and  catalog 
will     be    sent  promptly. 


WENZEL 

PROJECTOR  COMPANY 


2505-19  S.  STATE  STREET 
CHICAGO.  ILLINOIS 


SOUND  EQUIPMENT 

Rebuilt  and  New 


CI 


^  Projectors,  Screens,  Booths, 
Opera  Chairs,  Spotlights, 
Stereopticons,    Film  Cabi- 

^    nets.    Portable  Projectors. 

~J  Arc  Lamps,  M.  P.  Cameras, 
Carbons,  Mazda  Lamps,. 
Tickets  and  Machines.  .  .  . 


£/         -Projection    machines  re- 
paired and  overhauled.  Re- 
pair parts  for  all  makes  of  opera  chairs. 
Equipment  bought  at  highest  prices. 


S.  0.  S.  CINEMA  SUPPLY  CORP. 

449  West  42nd  Street       New  York,  N.  Y. 


WAYS  &  MEANS 

in  operation,  installation,  maintenance 


John  J.  Sefing  is  a  graduate  mechanical  engineer  and  has  long  specialized  in  theatre  work 


WARTIME  INSPECTION: 
I.  Projection  and  Sound 


both  wartime  conserva- 
tion and  post-war  preparation  are  served 
by  methodical,  informed  inspection  of  thea- 
tre equipment  and  furnishings,  and  of  the 
iheatre  building.  For  maximum  conserva- 
tion, the  condition  of  equipment  must  be 
known  at  all  times,  so  that  repairs  can  be 
made  before  they  reach  a  stage  of  damage 
almost  beyond  repair.  To  plan  for  renova- 
tion after  the  war,  management  needs 
comprehensive,  accurate  knowledge  of  con- 
ditions to  guide  it  estimating  what  will 
have  to  be  done. 

During  the  months  that  have  followed 
Pearl  Harbor,  this  department  has  been 
concerned,  for  the  most  part,  with  the 
emergency  maintenance  of  equipment  and 
various  parts  of  the  building  and  its  fur- 
nishings. In  these  articles  repair  was  dealt 
with  in  detail.  With  this  article  is  begun 
a  series  designed  to  guide  inspection ,  for 
the  dual  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  need 
of  immediate  repairs  and  readjustments, 
and  of  developing  a  record  for  post-war 
preparations.  A  simple  inspection  chart 
that  may  be  easily  duplicated  accompanies 
this  article.    [Pages  78  and  79.] 

An  inspection  chart  or  equipment  inven- 
tory that  does  no  more  than  list  items  of 
equipment  and  furnishings,  or  elements  of 
a  building  that  should  be  examined,  is  not 
likely  to  produce  a  record  of  practical  value 
in  most  instances.  Inspection  itself  should 
be  guided  by  a  knowledge  of  what  to  look 
for,  of  the  possibility  of  repair,  and  of  the 
need  for  replacement.  For  each  item  in 
the  chart,  therefore,  such  guidance  will  be 
given  in  an  accompanying  summary  of  the 
conditions  to  look  for,  and  of  what  may 
be  done  about  them. 

First  we  consider  the  major  items  of  the 
projection  room. 

ITEM  1- — Projector  Gears 

The  entire  mechanism  should  be  kept 
always  immaculate.  Make  sure  that  all 
moving  parts  are  properly  lubricated.  Ex- 
cessive leakage  of  oil  may  be  caused  by 
over-lubrication,  improper  grade  of  oil, 
loose  or  worn  parts  and  broken  feed  lines. 


Remedy  at  once,  for  when  oil  leaks  on  the 
film  the  picture  on  the  screen  will  appear 
discolored  and  hard  to  keep  in  focus. 

When  the  teeth  on  the  main  drive  gear, 
the  lower  sprocket  pinion  gear  and  the  in- 
termediate gear  do  not  mesh  properly,  they 
should  be  realigned  to  avoid  damage.  Peri- 
odically, check  the  synchronizing  marks 
on  the  vertical  shaft  gear,  the  intermediate 
gear,  and  on  the  intermittent  movement 
fly-wheel. 

ITEM  2 — Intermittent  Movement 

The  movement  is  the  "heart"  of  the 
projector  and  should  be  checked  and 
maintained  regularly.  Immediately  remove 
any  "slack"  between  the  star  and  the  cam, 
or  in  the  cam  and  the  fly-wheel  shafts. 
Check  the  lubrication  as  may  be  required 
by  the  make  and  model  of  your  projector. 
If  the  proper  grade  of  oil  is  not  used  faster 
wear  will  result.  Once  each  week  wash 
out  any  oil  used  in  the  movement  thor- 
oughly with  gasoline  if  at  all  possible, 
otherwise  with  kerosene. 

When  the  sides  of  the  star  wheel  and 
edge  of  the  locking  ring  show  wear,  check 
the  eccentric  bushing.  As  the  bearing  of 
the  star  wheel  shaft  is  slightly  off  center, 
a  slight  turn  of  this  eccentric  bushing  will 
move  the  star  wheel  either  closer  or  farther 
apart  to  the  locking  ring.  The  intermittent 
movement  should  always  work  smooth  and 
steady.  A  "loose"  movement  causes  a 
"jumpy"  picture  on  the  screen.  Also  when 
the  intermittent  bearing  or  sprocket  spin- 
dle is  worn  causing  the  star  wheel  to  wear 
faster  on  one  side,  the  picture  will  "jump" 
on  the  screen.  A  properly  adjusted  move- 
ment will  not  show  any  "slack"  motion  in 
any  of  its  four  positions,  when  idle.  In 
case  there  is  some  "slack"  motion  in  any 
of  the  four  positions,  it  is  positive  proof 
that  either  one  side  of  the  star  wheel,  the 
spindle  or  the  bearing  is  worn. 

ITEM  3 — Sprockets 

Once  a  week  each  tooth  of  the  inter- 
mittent sprocket  should  be  carefully  ex- 
(Continued  on  page  81) 


May    29,  1943 


BETTER  THEATRES 


77 


Enemies  Unseen . . .  but  for  the  Microscope 


Bausch  &  Lomb  micro- 
scopes, on  every  battle- 
front  and  at  home,  are 
helping  to  keep  America's 
workers  and  America's 
lighters  healthy  .  .  .  are 
helping  to  free  them  from  the  menace  of 
invisible  enemies. 

Into  a  world  otherwise  invisible  men  with 
microscopes  seek  out  the  enemy  that  hides 
in  the  water,  the  soil  and  the  air  .  .  .  help  to 
keep  fighting  men  in  fighting  trim.  At  home, 
their  work  protects  America's  industrial 
army  which  must,  without  fail,  provide  fight- 
ing tools  for  our  fighting  men. 


Bausch  &  Lomb  development  of  a  mass 
production  technique  for  the  manufacture  of 
precision  optical  instruments  first  made  high 
quality  microscopes  available  to  all. 

This  same  experience  today  is  making  pos- 
sible the  mass  production  of  optical  fire  con- 
trol instruments  that  help  to  make  America's 
fighting  forces  the  best  equipped  in  the  world. 

For  Bausch  &  Lomb  Instruments  essential  to 
Victory — priorities  govern  delivery  schedules. 

BAUSCH  &  LOMB 

OPTICAL  CO.  •  ROCHESTER,  NEW  YORK 
ESTABLISHED  1853 


AN  AMERICAN  SCIENTIFIC  INSTITUTION  PRODUCING  OPTICAL  GLASS  AND  INSTRUMENTS 
FOR    MILITARY    USE,    EDUCATION,    RESEARCH,    INDUSTRY    AND    EYESIGHT  CORRECTION 


78 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    2  9,     194  3 


THEATRE 

LOCATION 


MAINTENANCE  INSPECTION  RECORD—  1 1 


ITEM  INSPECTED 


DATE 
INSPECTED 


DEFECTIVE  PART  (UNIT 
OR  MATERIAL)  INSPECTED 


AMOUNT 
IN  SAME 
CONDITION 


TOTAL  AM'T 
IN  USE  OR. 
ON  HAND 


LOCATION 

(as  necessary) 


MAKE 


PART  OR 
STYLE  NO. 


INSTAL- 
LATION 
DATE 


ORIGINAL.! 
PRICE 


1.  Projector 
Gears 


2.  Intermittent 
Movements 


3.  Sprockets 


4.  Projector 
Shutters 


5.  Film 
Takeups 


6.  Projector 
Motors 


7.  Projection 
Lenses 


8.  Condenser 
Lenses 


9.  Arc 

Reflectors 


10.  Lamphouses 


11.  Arc  Control 
Motors 


12.  Arc  Control 
Mechanisms 


13.  Projector 
Bases 


14.  Soundheads 


15.  Amplifiers 


16.  Current 

Rectification 


17.  Rheostats 


BETTER    TH  EATRES 


May    2  9,     194  3 

Projection-Sound  Equipment 


79 


MANAGER 


INSPECTED  BY 


NATURE    OF  DEFECT 

COBRECTIONfcheck) 

DATE 

OP 

Correction 

SUGGESTIONS  FOP  POST-WAR  REPLACEMENT  or-REVIS ION 

REPLACE 

REPAIR. 

- 

80 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    2  9,     194  3 


COPPER  CONSERVATION  NEWS 


FOR-VICTORY 


ISSUED  BY  NATIONAL  CARBON  COMPANY,  INC.,  CARBON  SALES  DIVISION,  CLEVELAND,  OHIO 


Many  Theatres  Now 
Sponsor  "Copper 
Matinees" 


Novel  Plan  Adds  Much  Scrap 
to  Our  Nation's  Supply 


In  cooperation  with  the  War  Pro- 
duction Board,  theatres  throughout 
the  country  are  devoting  matinee 
performances  to  the  Nation's  drive 
for  scrap  copper.  Under  the  novel 
"Copper  Matinee"  plan,  boys  and 
girls  are  given  free  admission  to 
matinee  shows  in  exchange  for  a 
prescribed  weight  of  copper  of  any 
type. 

This  plan,  which  supplements  the 
drippings-saving  program,  has 
brought  to  light  a  considerable 
amount  of  metal  which  otherwise 
would  not  be  made  available  for  war 
use. 

In  devoting  performances  to  the 
collection  of  copper,  the  country's 
theatres  are  performing  a  patriotic 
duty  by  adding  to  the  available  sup- 
ply of  this  important  metal.  The 
success  of  the  program  is  important 
to  the  motion  picture  industry,  as 
well  as  to  the  country  as  a  whole. 


Conservation  Program  Nets  Many 
Tons  of  Copper  Drippings 
and  Peelings 

Wholehearted  Cooperation  by  All 
Concerned  is  Reason  for  Success 


Carbon  Stubs  Should 
be  Prepared  in 
the  Theatre 


Appearance  of  Dripp 
Their  Value  as 


Uncontaminated  Projector  Scrap 
is  Shown  by  Test  to  Yield 
at  Least  90%  Copper 


Difficulty  has  been  experienced  in 
some  sections  of  the  country  in  dis- 
posing of  copper  drippings  and  peel- 
ings. Because  of  the  oxidized  appear- 
ance of  the  metal,  scrap  dealers,  who 
judge  the  copper  by  its  color,  will  not 
accept  these  gray-colored  pellets  and 
strips  as  usable  metal. 

By  actual  test  it  has  been  shown 
that  if  the  drippings  and  peelings  are 
not  contaminated  by  dirt  or  other 
material,  they  yield  at  least  90% 
copper. 

If  projector  scrap  is  turned  over  to 


The  spontaneous  response  to  the  copper  conservation  program  in  vir- 
tually every  section  of  the  country  has  resulted  in  the  collection  of  many 
tons  of  copper  drippings  and  peelings.  This  accumulation  was  made  pos- 
sible by  the  active  cooperation  of  the 
large  majority  of  individuals  con- 
nected with  motion  picture 
projection. 

Reports  received  indicate  that 
some  motion  picture  supply  houses 
have  collected  9,000  to  10,000  pounds 
and  more  of  copper  drippings  and 
peelings.  This  was  accomplished  by 
varying  degrees  of  promotion  on  the 
part  of  these  organizations.  Adver- 
tising in  the  trade  publications,  direct 
mail  and  window  displays  showing 
the  amount  of  scrap  turned  in  sup- 
plemented the  work  of  the  field 
organizations  in  some  cases. 

The  theatres,  in  turn,  have  done 
their  part  by  turning  in  their  scrap 
regularly. 

While  the  copper-saving  record 
established  to  date  is  excellent,  it 
can  be  improved  if  every  supply  house 
and  theatre  in  the  country  will  give 
maximum  cooperation. 


Some  theatres,  we  understand,  are 
turning  in  unpeeled  stubs  of  used 
projector  carbons.  As  a  result,  mo- 
tion picture  supply  houses  are  having 
difficulty  in  disposing  of  the  copper 
scrap. 

To  facilitate  disposition,  may  we 
urge  you,  therefore,  to  avoid  mixing 
stubs  with  drippings  and  peelings. 


ings  Does  Not  Affect 
Usable  Metal 


the  supply  houses  for  handling,  the 
metal  will  find  its  way  back  into  the 
Nation's  stockpile  without  delay. 

The  photograph  above  shows  the 
general  appearance  of  copper  drip- 
pings as  taken  from  the  projector 
lamp  house.  The  color  is  a  dull  gray 
with  a  few  copper-red  spots  visible. 
Projector  scrap,  despite  its  discourag- 
ing appearance,  is  90%  copper. 


Weight  of  Copper 
Drippings  From 
Victory  Carbons 


The  following  table  shows  the 
actual  weight  of  drippings  obtained 
from  a  unit  carton  of  the  various 
sizes  of  "National"  Victory  Carbons. 

8  mm  x  14"  "Suprex"  Positive  3.2  ounces 
8  mm  x  12"  "Suprex"  Positive  2.7  ounces 
7  mm  x  14"  "Suprex"  Positive  1.5  ounces 
7  mm  x  12"  "Suprex"  Positive  1.3  ounces 
7  mm  x  9"  "Orotip"  C  Negative  1.6  ounces 
6  mm  x   9"  "Orotip"  C  Negative  1.3  ounces 


The  trade-marks  "National ,"  "Suprex"  and  "Orotip"  distinguish  products  of  National  Carbon  Company,  Inc. 


ADV. 


May    29,  1943 


BETTER  THEATRES 


{Continued  from  page  76) 
amined  by  a  magnifying  glass,  if  convenient 
and  a  flashlight  to  check  any  "hooks"  or 
wear  at  the  root  of  the  teeth  on  the  side 
taking  the  hardest  pull.  Bad  teeth  on  the 
sprockets  will  always  tear  out  sprocket 
holes  and  mutilate  film. 

Before  each  day's  show  check  the  inter- 
mittent sprocket  for  any  play  between  the 
star  and  cam  in  each  of  the  four  positions, 
and  to  see  if  there  is  any  end  play.  A 
"jump"  of  the  picture  on  the  screen  can 
be  caused  by  slack  between  the  cross  and 
cam,  and  a  lateral  movement  is  created  by 
end  play.  All  sprockets,  idlers  and  pad 
rollers  should  be  clean  and  polished  bright, 
and  they  must  rotate  freely. 

FILM  BREAKAGE 

Frequent  film  breakage  can  be  caused  by 
dirty  sprockets.  The  collection  of  emulsion 
or  dirt  between  the  teeth  of  the  sprockets 
should  be  constantly  removed  as  this  ac- 
cumulation will  cause  the  moving  film  to 
raise  the  idler  rollers  just  high  enough  for 
the  film  holes  to  jump  the  sprocket  teeth. 
This  is  the  main  cause  of  torn  sprocket 
holes  and  ripping  of  film,  as  well  as  of 
occasional  fires.  Also  improper  threading 
of  the  film  through  the  projector  will  tear 
film.  Ripping  out  of  the  sprocket  holes  in 
the  film  is  caused  also  by  too  much  tension 
on  the  idlers. 

Check  the  sprocket  teeth  for  wear ;  when 
these  are  neglected  the  film  will  wear  one 
side  of  the  teeth,  causing  them  to  become 
hook-shaped. 

UNSTEADY  PICTURE 

White  streaks  or  a  streaky  picture  on 
the  screen  is  caused  by  dirt  at  the  aperture 
plate,  tension  pads  or  shoes  and  fire  valves, 
scratching  the  film.  A  "jumpy"  picture 
on  the  screen  can  be  caused  by : 

Too  great  tension  at  the  aperture  gate 
will  cause  the  intermittent  sprocket  to  exert 
a  terrific  strain  at  the  film  sprocket  holes. 

The  projector  may  be  vibrating  due  to 
unevenness  of  the  floor  or  base. 

The  loss  of  either  the  upper  or  lozver 
loop  of  film  in  the  projector. 

The  "over-shooting"  of  the  film  due  to 
improper  tension  at  the  gate  causing  the 
film  to  stop  too  suddenly  or  too  loose. 

Dirt  or  emulsion  between  the  teeth  of  the 
sprockets. 

The  projector  running  too  fast. 

Poor  patches  and  torn  sprocket  holes  in 
the  film. 

INTERMITTENT  SPROCKET  WEAR 

Undue  wear  on  the  intermittent  sprocket 
or  star-wheel  can  be  caused  by  too  great  or 
too  little  tension  on  the  pad  or  film  guide. 
In  this  case  the  tension  spring  should  be 
compressed  or  released  until  the  proper 
tension  is  obtained  on  both  sides  of  the 
shoe.  A  good  tension  spring  exerts  just 
enough  pressure  to  hold  the  film  against 
the  tracks  and  stop  it  completely  when  the 
intermittent  sprocket  comes  to  a  stop. 

A  vertical  "jump"  or  hazy  picture  on 
the  screen  is  caused  by  weak  or  defective 
tension  springs  because  of  their  inability 
to  hold  the  film  perfectly  flat  against  the 


REC.U.S.PAT.OFF. 


y  ABOVE  ALL 


we  want  you  to  know  we  appreciate 
your  patronage  and  hope  to  serve 
you  better  when  our  facilities  are 
no  longer  needed  to  turn  out 
precision  parts  for  war. 


laVfezzi  Machine  Works 

180  North  Wacker  Drive         Chicago,  Illinois 


82 


BETTER    TH  EATRES 


May    29,  1943 


tracks.  To  adjust  the  pad  rollers,  place 
two  thicknesses  of  standard  35-mm.  film 
tightly  over  the  teeth — the  surfaces  of  the 
roller  should  be  allowed  barely  to  touch 
the  film — then  the  arm  should  be  tightened 
in  this  position.  The  rollers  should  be  in 
line  with  the  sprocket  teeth — or  in  other 
words,  the  teeth  should  operate  in  the  re- 
cess formed  in  the  rollers. 

TENSION  SHOE  CARE 

Before  each  day's  show — and  after  each 
reel,  if  need  be — wash  or  scrub  the  tension 
shoes,  tracks  and  sprockets  with  a  tooth 
brush  or  other  stiff-haired  brush  dipped  in 
gasoline  or  kerosene.  Allow  them  to  dry 
carefully  before  putting  in  the  next  reel  of 
film.  Dirt  or  emulsion  in  the  sprocket 
teeth  will  cause  a  vertical  "jump"  of  the 
picture,  or  put  it  out  of  focus  on  one  side, 
if  there  is  a  "high-spot"  on  the  tracks; 
they  will  also  tear  the  film.  To  help  pre- 
vent the  fast  accumulation  of  emulsion,  a 
paraffin  wax  block  or  a  little  vaseline  may 
be  rubbed  on  the  emulsion  side  of  the 
sprocket  hole  track,  but  not  excessively. 

ITEM  4 — Projector  Shutters 

The  appearance  of  slight  travel  ghost 
at  the  top  or  bottom  of  the  picture  means 
that  the  shutter  blades  are  not  in  exact 
synchronism  with  the  intermittent  sprocket. 
The  shutter  blade  should  be  so  adjusted 
that  there  is  a  complete  coverage  of  the 
lens  for  the  full  movement  of  the  inter- 
mittent sprocket. 


Continuous  travel  ghost  on  the  screen 
means  that  the  shutter  blade  is  of  the  wrong 
size,  or  that  it  is  badly  out  of  synchronism 
with  the  intermittent  sprocket. 

TRAVEL  GHOST  AND  BACKLASH 

"On"  and  "off"  travel  ghost  is  due  to 
excessive  backlash  in  the  shutter  shaft.  On 
some  heads  the  timing  of  the  shutter  can  be 
done  by  first  threading  the  film  and  then 
framing  the  picture  squarely  in  the  aper- 
ture plate  opening  by  eyeing  the  movement 
through  the  lens.  Make  sure  that  the  arc 
is  "dead."  Then  turn  over  the  mechanism 
by  hand  until  the  framing  line  is  in  the 
center  of  the  aperture.  Before  tightening 
the  shutter  in  this  position  make  sure  again 
that  it  is  in  the  exact  center  of  the  lens. 
The  shutter  should  be  set  so  that  it  cuts 
the  narrowest  point  of  light. 

Another  way  to  check  this  is  to  put  on 
the  arc  and  without  film,  project  a  white 
light  on  the  screen.  If  the  light  appears 
to  be  gradually  dimmed  from  all  sides 
identically,  the  shadow  of  the  shutter  is 
cutting  the  lens  path  properly. 

For  any  finer  adjustments  the  framing 
handle  device  should  be  used.  An  incor- 
rectly proportioned  shutter,  or  one  that  is 
badly  adjusted,  can  cause  a  very  noticeable 
"flicker"  on  the  screen ;  however,  other 
faults  can  cause  flickering  or  white  streaks 
on  the  screen,  such  as  ( 1 )  too  much  draft 
or  pull  in  the  lamphouse  exhaust  system, 
which  will  unsteady  the  flame,  especially  on 
the  new  low-voltage  arcs;  (2)  mechanism 
running  too  slow;  (3)  old  and  streaky  or 


scratched  film,  or  film  that  is  dirty  or  has 
oil  on  it. 

ITEM  5 — Film  Takeups 

If  the  upper  feed  sprocket  shows  undue 
wear,  the  cause  is  excessive  tension  at  the 
upper  magazine.  An  uneven  upper  maga- 
zine feed  can  be  caused  by  the  friction 
springs  and  collars  not  being  properly  lubri- 
cated, or  not  clean  of  dirt  or  grit. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  the  "slip- 
page" of  the  takeup  increases  in  direct  pro- 
portion to  the  increasing  diameter  of  the 
roll  of  film,  until  at  the  end  of  the  upper 
film  roll  it  is  barely  turning  over.  The 
loss  of  the  lower  loop  of  film  in  the  pro- 
jector, or  even  breakage  of  the  film,  can 
be  caused  by  too  tight  a  tension,  especially 
when  the  projector  is  first  started.  Failure 
of  the  takeup  to  reelup  the  film,  or  its 
winding  the  film  loosely  on  the  reel,  can 
be  caused  by  the  tension  being  too  loose. 

A  slipping  belt  or  pulley  will  result  if 
oil  or  dirt  is  on  the  frictional  surfaces. 
Periodically  check  the  belts  for  looseness, 
especially  after  they  are  newly  installed. 
On  a  chain  drive,  check  the  links  and  the 
sprockets  for  looseness,  bad  fit  or  undue 
wear.  Belt-driven  takeups,  as  well  as 
chain,  should  be  always  kept  clean  and  the 
tension  inspected  before  each  day's  show. 

ITEM  6 — Projector  Motors 

The  most  common  reasons  for  d.c.  motor 
sparking  or  poor  operation  are :  Dirty,  oily 
or  worn  commutator,  use  a  clean  rag  to 
wipe  off  the  dirt,  grit  or  oil  and  if  this 
will  not  help  saturate  the  rag  with  alcohol, 
ether  or  gasoline. 

Slight  ridges  or  scratches  on  the  com- 
mutator face  are  caused  by  badly  shaped 
or  wrong  type  of  brushes.  To  remedy, 
first  smooth  the  commutator  with  very  fine 
sandpaper  (No.  00  or  000)  with  the  motor 
running,  then  correct  the  brushes.  If  the 
commutator  is  badly  scarred,  it  will  have 
to  be  under-cut. 

Dirty  brushes  should  be  cleaned  with  a 
clean,  dry  cloth. 

POORLY  SHAPED  OR  WORN  BRUSHES 

To  remedy  a  poorly  shaped  or  worn 
brush,  use  No.  00  sandpaper  with  the  sand- 
ed side  on  brush  face  and  work  it  back 
and  forth  rapidly  while  it  is  set  between 
the  brush  and  commutator  face.  After  this, 
blow  out  all  the  dust  and  grit  before  start- 
ing the  motor. 

Check  the  brush  springs  and  if  the  ten- 
sion is  loose,  replace  with  new  ones.  Tight- 
en all  loose  electrical  connections  as  they 
may  result  in  broken  or  burned-out  wires 
and  even  a  complete  stoppage  of  the  motor 
operation.  For  a.c.  motor  checkup,  peri- 
odically test  the  rotor  clearance  top  and 
bottom  between  the  stator  windings  with 
regular  rotor  clearance  gauges.  Any  varia- 
tion in  the  air-gap  means  that  the  bearings 
are  worn  and  should  be  serviced  imme- 
diately to  prevent  the  rotor  striking  the 
stator  winding. 

If  there  is  a  "knocking"  noise  in  the 
motor  as  it  revolves,  it  means  that  there 


FOREST      MANUFACTURING  CORP. 


200  NIT.  PLEASANT  AVE.  NEWARK,  N.  J. 


May    2  9,     19  4  3 


BETTER    TH  EATR  ES 


83 


is  a  looseness  between  the  rotor  and  the 
shaft.  In  this  case,  the  rotor  should  be 
tightened  to  the  shaft  and  lined-up  evenly. 
Also,  check  the  stator  coil  pole  pieces  to 
see  if  they  are  solidly  in  place. 

At  least  once  a  month  blow  out  all  dirt 
or  grit  from  the  interior  of  the  motor  by 
means  of  an  electric  fan,  or  preferably  a 
vacuum  cleaner.  Tighten  all  electrical 
wiring  connections  at  the  motor,  and  espe- 
cially check  any  splices  in  the  wiring  as  they 
may  cause  complete  motor  failure.  If  the 
bearings  run  hot,  check  if  the  motor  is  get- 
ting proper  and  sufficient  lubrication. 

ITEM  7 — Projection  Lenses 

Scratched  surfaces  of  the  lens  can  be 
caused  by  using  cleaning  materials  or  cloths 
that  are  too  abrasive.  Use  only  special 
lens  tissue  or  soft  cloth  for  cleaning.  Al- 
lowing dirt  or  oil  to  accumulate  on  the 
glass  surface  of  the  lens  will  give  a  definite 
out-of-focus  effect  upon  the  screen. 

Cracks  or  "stars"  in  the  lens  can  be 
caused  by  ( 1 )  carelessness  in  cleaning  or 
installing,  (2)  having  the  lens  too  tight 
in  the  holder,  and  (3)  the  glass  surface 
changing  suddenly  in  temperature. 

Remember,  where  treated  or  special 
"coated"  lens  are  used,  they  should  be 
handled  and  cleaned  in  strict  accordance 
with  the  manufacturer's  instructions. 

ITEM  8 — Condenser  Lenses 

A  condenser  can  be  scratched  and  marred 
by  using  abrasive  materials  or  cloths  for 
cleaning.  A  cracked  condenser  means  that 
(1)  it  has  been  carelessly  handled,  or  (2) 
a  cold  draft  has  struck  the  white  hot  sur- 
face, or  (3)  it  was  too  tight  in  its  holder, 
(4)  the  protective  flame  shield  is  not  oper- 
ating or  is  operating  improperly. 

ITEM  9— Reflectors 

A  pitted  reflector,  especially  one  that  has 
pitted  extremely  fast,  shows  that  ( 1 )  the 
stabilizing  arc  field  magnet  not  working 
properly,  or  (2)  excessive  current,  or  (3) 
too  low  of  a  voltage,  or  (4)  carbons  wet 
or  of  improper  size  and  type,  or  (5)  in- 
sufficient or  improper  exhaust  draft  in  the 
ventilating  ducts,  or  (6)  protective  flame 
shield  not  operated  or  operated  improperly 
while  striking  the  arc. 

Scratched  or  marred  surfaces  on  the  re- 
flectors can  be  caused  by  using  abrasive 
materials  in  cleaning  or  forcibly  removing 
the  adhering  pits. 

Cracked  reflectors  may  mean  that  ( 1 ) 
the  reflector  was  carelessly  handled,  or  (2) 
a  sudden  cold  draft  struck  the  surface 
while  hot,  or  (3)  it  was  too  tight  in  its 
retaining  clips,  or  (4)  an  abnormal  amount 
of  hot  carbon  flakes  was  hitting  it,  or  (5) 
forcibly  removing  these  flakes  by  hand  from 
the  surface. 

ITEM  10 — Lamphouses 

A  steady  or  intermittent  fluctuation  of 
the  ammeter  may  mean  that  the  carbons 
are  cracked,  damp,  of  improper  size  or 


Every  Minute  Counts  When 
Projection  Equipment  Fails 

With  replacement  equipment  scarce,  if  not  impossible  to 
procure,  quick  repairs  may  be  necessary — otherwise  you 
face  a  possible  shut-down.  Parts,  limited  in  supply,  may 
have  to  be  ordered. 

That's  why  it  pays  to  know  your  Motiograph  Dealer — 
REGARDLESS  OF  THE  KIND  OR  MAKE  OF  YOUR 
EQUIPMENT!  He  can  best  help  you  solve  your  prob- 
lems. He's  been  long  trained  in  servicing  all  kinds  of  fine 
equipment — not  alone  projectors  and  sound  systems,  for  he 
has  been  selected  as  representative  for  other  leading  equip- 
ment manufacturers,  as  well  as  Motiograph. 

Specializing  in  service,  he  is  equipped  with  latest  tools  and 
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efficiency. 

By  actual  personal  experience  he  has  become  expert  in  the  repair 
of  all  makes  of  equipment  and  has  quick  access  to  the  repair  depart- 
ments of  all  leading  manufacturers. 

It's  wise  to  make  your  Motiograph  Dealer  headquarters  for  all 
requirements.  Get  acquainted  with  him  today.  Remember,  every 
minute  may  count. 

MOTIOGRAPH 

ESTABLISHED    18  9  6 

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J 


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PRO-JEX  SOUND  UNITS 

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Projection  Optics  p.?: 

330  LYELL  AVE.,      ROCHESTER,  N.Y.,  U.S.A. 


84 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    2  9,  1943 


type ;  or  that  the  rheostat  resistors  are  de- 
teriorating, or  that  there  is  a  short  or 
open  field  in  the  motor-generator  or  the  d.c. 
arc  wiring  and  switches  are  bad. 

In  case  the  shafts,  bushings,  gears  and 
jaws  of  the  arc  control  operating  system 
stick,  bend  or  operate  unevenly,  a  check 
should  be  made  for  the  purpose  of  remov- 
ing any  accumulation  of  carbon  ash,  drip- 
pings and  other  foreign  matter  at  the  vital 
parts. 

UNSTABLE  ARC  FLAME 

When  there  is  an  unstable  arc  flame, 
check  the  magnet  at  the  rear  of  the  lamp- 
house  for  proper  magnetism,  for  any  sharp 
blow  upon  it,  or  accidently  dropping  it  to 
a  hard  surface,  may  demagnetize  it. 

Any  "fluttering"  of  the  arc  flame  or 
"stealing"  of  the  arc  may  be  also  caused  by 
too  strong  a  draft  in  the  exhaust  system. 
This  strong  flow  of  exhaust  air  will  disturb 
the  arc  flame  so  much  that  a  considerable 
"flicker"  will  be  noticed  on  the  screen. 
Also,  "flickering"  and  intermittent  discolor- 
ation of  the  picture  on  the  screen  can  be 
caused  by  carbons  cracked  accidentally,  as 
well  as  by  the  use  of  an  improper  or  de- 
fective carbon  holder  jaw,  which  either 
puts  too  much  pressure  on  the  carbon  or 
allows  a  loose  fit. 

ITEM  11 — Arc  Control  Motors 

The  same  faults  should  be  noticed,  and 
same  precautions  taken  as  recommended 
for  d.c.  projector  motors,  It'em  6. 

ITEM  12 — Arc  Control  Mechanisms 

In  case  the  feeding  mechanism  does  not 
operate  properly,  check  and  tighten  all 
visible  screws  holding  the  housing  to  the 
lamphouse.  Where  the  positive  hand  feed 
does  not  engage  properly,  the  trouble  may 
be  in  the  throw-out  spring,  clutch  or 
engaging  gear.  Check  to  see  if  the  gear 
train  is  meshing  properly  and  if  there  is 
sufficient  and  proper  lubrication  within 
the  control  housing. 

Make  sure  that  the  motor  arc  control 
drive  shaft  and  the  holding  spring  properly 
engage  the  worm  gear  and  pinion  in  the 
control  housing.  Remove  any  particles  of 
metal  or  other  foreign  matter  that  may 
have  lodged  itself  in  the  train  gear  teeth. 

ITEM  13 — Projector  Bases 

Make  sure  that  the  elevating,  lowering 
and  lateral  adjusting  lock-nuts  and  collars 
are  tightened.  If  the  base  is  not  level,  or 
the  picture  is  not  framed  properly  on  the 
screen,  check  the  leveling  set  screws  at 
the  floor  base  when  of  this  type.  These 
screws  should  be  turned  down  to  the  floor 
with  just  enough  pressure  to  take  evenly 
the  entire  load  of  the  projector  so  as  not 
to  "wobble"  or  creep  under  vibration. 

ITEM  14— Soundheads 

Practically  the  same  faults  or  troubles 
can  be  experienced  in  the  soundheads  as 
cited  in  Item  1  for  projector  mechanisms. 


In  addition,  if  the  soundhead  roller,  espe- 
cially if  a  rotary  stabilizer  is  used,  shows 
wear  or  otherwise  is  giving  trouble,  it 
means  that  it  is  left  closed  for  exceptionally 
long  periods  after  the  projector  is  idle. 
This  roller  should  be  left  open  at  all  times 
except  when  film  is  running  in  the  pro- 
jector. 

In  case  the  photocell  or  exciter  lamp  does 
not  light  up,  do  not  disturb  their  optical 
setting  or  alignment.  First  check  the  elec- 
trical wiring  and  connections  for  looseness 
or  deterioration,  then  examine  the  tubes  to 
see  if  they  are  "dead"  or  in  any  other  way 
defective. 

Make  sure  the  entire  soundhead  is  per- 
fectly clean. 

ITEM  1  5— Amplifiers 

When  any  or  all  of  the  tubes  in  the 
amplifier  become  defective  or  even  "dead" 
in  a  very  short  time — in  other  words,  their 
normal  operating  life  is  decreased  quickly — 
the  trouble  most  likely  is  that  they  are 
operated  either  on  too  high  or  on  too  low 
voltage.  First  check  the  incoming  a.c.  line 
with  an  accurate  meter  to  see  if  the  proper 
voltage  is  applied  for  the  specific  require- 
ments of  that  amplifier.  If  there  are  any 
variations,  carefully  adjust  the  a.c.  switch 
controlling  the  primary  input  voltage ;  or 
if  need  be,  move  the  tap  on  the  primary  of 
the  power  transformer.  Most  all  sound 
amplifiers  have  provisions  for  adjusting  the 
primary  input  voltage  for  a  range  of  110- 
120  volts  a.c. 

Make  sure  the  entire  amplifier  is  kept 
free  of  an  accumulation  of  all  dirt  and  grit. 

When  a  mercury-vapor  tube  is  first 
placed  in  the  amplifier,  it  should  be  pre- 
heated for  about  ten  minutes  before  the 
operating  voltage  is  applied.  After  this 
particular  type  of  tube  has  been  in  opera- 
tion for  several  days,  this  pre-heating 
should  take  only  about  four  minutes.  This 
particular  care  should  also  be  given  to  the 
other  tubes,  especially  the  rectifier  tubes, 
as  otherwise  the  plate  voltage,  when  applied 
suddenly  without  pre-heating,  the  filament 
may  be  seriously  damaged  and  even  com- 
pletely burned  off.  Make  sure  that  all 
electrical  connections  and  associated  wiring 
are  kept  always  tight  and  immediately  re- 
paired, or  are  renewed  if  any  signs  of 
deterioration  appear.  However,  remem- 
ber that  when  any  serious  trouble  develops, 
such  as  a  "cooked"  transformer,  short  cir- 
cuit, etc.,  always  call  in  the  sound  service 
engineer.  In  such  an  emergency  imme- 
diately switch  over  to  the  spare  or  emer- 
gency amplifier,  if  one  is  available.  Do 
not  take  a  chance  with  an  unqualified  per- 
son tinkering  with  the  system,  as  it  requires 
the  services  of  a  specialized  very  expert 
technician. 

ITEM  16 — Current  Rectification 

Following  is  a  list  of  conditions  that  may 
possibly  cause  a  set  to  operate  inefficiently 
or  improperly: 

Failure  to  start — Contacts  or  fuses  in 
the  starter  are  defective  or  broken.  One 
or  two  phases  in  the  a.c.  supply  line  or 


transformer  not  working.  No  current  at 
the  arc.  Short  circuit  or  broken  wire  in 
the  shunt  field  circuit  or  in  the  control 
panel.  A  short  or  broken  wire  in  the 
negative  ( — )  and  positive  (-{-)  feed 
lines.  Defective  or  loosely  connected  d.c. 
arc  projector  switch,  switch  or  switches 
or  buss  bars  in  d.c.  panel  defective.  D.c. 
fuses  "blown"  out.  Copper  particles  or 
foreign  matter  shorting  two  or  more  com- 
mutator bars.  Coil  or  coils  burned  out 
due  to  short-circuit  or  cross-connections. 
Broken  or  shorted  shunt  field. 

For  checking  use  test  lamp  or  voltmeter. 

Sparking  at  brushes — Brushes  are  too 
short,  irregularly  shaped  or  improper  type. 
Brushes  do  not  operate  properly  in  their 
holders.  Accumulation  of  carbon  and  cop- 
per dust,  carbonized  oil,  etc.,  between  the 
brushes  and  commutator  face.  Brushes 
are  not  set  properly  at  their  neutral  points. 
Brushes  not  making  good  contact  with 
commutator  bar  due  to  improper  tension, 
which  should  be  about  13^  lbs.  per  square 
inch.  The  generator  may  be  overloaded, 
or  there  is  a  loose  connection  or  possibly 
an  open  circuit  in  the  armature  winding. 

Commutator  worn  or  grooved — Im- 
proper use  of  coarse  sandpaper  or  emery 
cloth.  Brushes  are  improperly  set  or 
spaced,  or  are  of  the  wrong  type.  Brushes 
only  partly  touching  the  commutator  or 
foreign  abrasive  has  lodged  itself  on  the 
commutator.  Mica  insulation  under-cut 
or  worn  too  deep,  leaving  high  bars. 

"Singing"  at  the  brushes — Commutator 
bars  are  set  too  high. 

Glowing  or  pitting  of  the  brushes — 
Brushes  are  of  poor  design  or  misplaced. 

Long  and  heavy  sparking  around  the 
entire  circumference  of  the  commutator — 
An  open  armature  circuit  is  present.  An 
accumulation  of  foreign  abrasive  material 
in  or  on  the  insulation  between  the  com- 
mutator bars  will  cause  a  "reddish"  colored 
sparking.  An  open  or  shorted  armature  or 
under-cut  commutator  wedged  with  for- 
eign material  will  cause  a  bluish  green 
color  ring  fire.  Drop  in  d.c.  voltage.  The 
brush  fit  is  bad,  or  the  commutator  is  bad. 

Bearings  running  hot — Lack  of  oil  or 
grease  in  the  bearing  housing,  or  the  lubri- 
cation is  of  the  improper  type  and  grade. 
Dirt,  grit  or  other  foreign  matter  lodged 
in  the  bearing  housing.  Bearings  are  worn, 
or  the  shaft  is  "out  of  tune."  Improper 
air-gap  between  the  armature  and  field  coils 
causing  these  two  parts  to  rub  against  each 
other  and  putting  an  additional  strain  on 
the  bearings.  On  some  sets,  the  shaft 
couplings  between  the  motor  and  the  gen- 
erator may  be  loose  or  out  of  alignment. 

In  case  the  copper  oxide  or  magnesium 
copper  sulphide  rectifiers  run  extremely 
hot,  check  if  the  ventilating  fan  is  actually 
exhausting  air  through  the  elements  instead 
of  pulling  in  air  at  the  top.  If  the  fan 
rotation  is  wrong,  reverse  any  pair  of  wires 
in  the  a.c.  3-phase  circuit. 

Where  over-heating  is  the  problem,  or 
there  is  even  a  complete  burn-out,  check 
also  if  there  is  sufficient  and  efficient  room 
ventilation  to  carry  off  the  heat  from  the 
rectifier  elements  to  the  outside. 

When  the  rectifier  fan  fails  to  start  by 


May    2  9,     194  3 


BETTER  THEATRES 


85 


means  of  the  control  switch  at  the  projec- 
tor, or  turning  it  by  hand,  take  off  the 
front  cover  of  the  rectifier  and  use  any 
disc  fan  available  to  force  air  through  the 
elements  until  the  projector  arc  lamp  can 
be  shut  down  and  repairs  made.  In  an 
emergency  of  this  sort  the  remote  control 
relay  switch  in  the  rectifier  may  be  at  fault. 

Tun  gar  tube  rectifiers — Failure  to  start 
may  mean  that  any  or  all  of  the  fuses  in 
both  the  3-phase  and  single-phase  a.c.  lines 
are  "blown."  Make  sure  these  fuses  are 
of  the  proper  capacity,  for  when  too  large 
tube  damage  or  burn-outs  will  result. 
Check  the  control  toggle  switch  at  the  pro- 
jector for  poor  contacts  or  burnt  jaws. 

A  drop  in  current  at  the  arc  may  mean 
that  the  rectifier  is  too  far  away  from  the 
projector,  or  that  the  bulbs  are  defective 
or  are  loose  in  their  respective  sockets  and 
the  protruding  wires  on  top  of  the  tubes 
are  broken  or  defective.  Check  the  bulbs 
for  proper  type  and  capacity. 

A  "flicker"  on  the  screen  can  be  caused 
by  a  bad  bulb  because  it  is  designed  for 
"full-wave"  rectification  and  when  it  be- 
comes defective  and  especially  "dead,"  its 
load  is  automatically  transferred  to  the 
next  tube,  resulting  in  unsteady  "half- 
wave"  rectification.  Improper  sized, 
poorly  connected  or  defective  d.c.  wiring, 
switches,  fuses,  rectifier  control  switch  con- 
tacts and  relays  can  always  be  a  source  of 
trouble  and  breakdown. 

ITEM  17— Rheostats 

When  a  ballast  rheostat  runs  "red"  hot, 
or  there  is  a  disturbance  of  the  current  to 
the  arc,  the  trouble  may  be  any  of  the  fol- 
lowing reasons : 

There  is  a  short  or  ground  due  to  the 
wearing,  crumbling  or  dropping  out  of  the 
insulating  washers  between  the  grids  or  re- 
sistors. When  the  fuses  "blow"  or  there 
is  an  abnormal  increase  of  the  arc  current, 
a  "ground"  has  developed  from  the  grids 
or  resistors  through  the  rheostat  shelf  and 
then  back  again  to  a  second  ground  at  the 
grids,  thus  eliminating  the  resistance  of 
the  grid  between  these  two  grounds.  These 
grounds  can  be  caused  by  badly  chafed  or 
worn  leads  at  the  rheostat,  exposing  the 
wire  and  causing  the  current  to  flow  into 
the  frame  of  the  rheostat,  which  will  have 
the  effect  of  cutting  the  rheostat  entirely 
out  of  the  d.c.  arc  circuit. 

Some  other  faults  that  may  possibly  de- 
velop are :  One  or  more  resistors  are  touch- 
ing together,  thus  eliminating  part  of  the 
resistance,  raising  the  amperage  at  the  arc 
and  blowing  of  the  fuses.  When  there  is 
no  current  at  the  arc,  the  trouble  may  be 
due  to  a  broken  resistor  or  resistors,  caus- 
ing an  open  circuit ;  or  the  lugs  on  the  ends 
of  the  wire  have  become  loose  or  have 
slipped  off.  The  screws,  screwheads  or 
lugs  are  burned  off  due  to  overheating  or 
arcing  of  the  rheostat. 

A  simple  way  to  test  for  grounds  at  a 
rheostat  is  to  use  a  bell  and  battery  testing 
outfit  or  a  small  test  lamp  with  battery. 
Connect  one  of  the  leads  to  the  frame  and 
the  other  lead  to  the  resistor.  If  the  bell 
rings  or  the  lamp  lights  up,  there  is  a 
"ground"  present. 


Blackout  of  Box  Office 

To  prevent  it,  you  need  what  the  Altec  technician  can  bring 
you— the  Altec-pioneered  Booth  Parts  Repair-Replacement 
Plan,  covering  both  sound  and  projection.  Proved  over 
three  years,  the  Altec  Plan  is  the  only  time-tested  way  to 
get  comprehensive  technical  booth  protection.  Don't  ex- 
periment: get  all  the  facts  about  the  Altec  Plan.  Call  your 
local  Altec  technician,  or  write: 


250  West  57th  Street,  Neiv  York  City 

*  Protecting  the  theatre  —  Our  "first  line  of  morale"  * 


FOR  YOUR  BOOTH 


EMERGENCY  REPAIR  PARTS  Every  National 
Branch  has  a  stock  of  emergency  repair  parts  for 
quick  replacement. 

MAIL  ORDER  PARTS  STOCK  National  is  de- 
livering  the  genuine  Simplex  parts  exhibitors  need, 
proved  by  shipments  over  the  past  six  months  greater 
than  ever  before. 

LOAN  SERVICE  EQUIPMENT  Eme  rgency  loan 

equipment  more  complete  than  ever,  ready  for  use 
when  you  need  it. 

Today  National  Theatre  Supply  provides  protection  for  you  on  three 
fronts — a  three-way  contribution  to  better  projection  equipment  main- 
tenance. Remember,  there  has  been  no  rationing  of  National's  eagerness 
and  ability  to  serve.  More  than  16  years'  experience  in  serving  exhibitors, 
day  or  night,  is  your  assurance  that  National  will  see  you  through. 


NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY 


Division  of  NATIONAL 


-BlUDWORTH,  INC. 


86 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    29,  1943 


•  Old  methods  of  stage  setting  won't  do 
for  television.  Entirely  new  techniques — 
as  new  as  television  itself — had  to  be 
devised  to  meet  the  unique  problems 
involved. 

9  When  television  comes  into  our  daily 
lives — as  surely  it  will  soon  after  the 
war — J.  R.  Clancy,  Inc.  will  be  ready. 
Clancy's  new  patented  television  equip- 
ment permits  the  free  use  of  studio  floor, 
there  being  no  ropes,  braces  or  other 
objectionable  equipment  to  interfere  with 
the  performance  or  the  televising.  It  will 
be  possible  to  set  up  in  the  studio  a 
whole  day's  program  in  advance.  Scenes 
may  be  dismantled  as  rapidly  as  tele- 
vised, and  others  set  in  their  places. 

•  If  you  are  planning  a  television  studio, 
get  full  information  now. 


J.  R 


CLANCY 


Syracuse,  N.  Y. 


INC. 


Designers  and  Makers  of 
STAGE  MECHANICAL  EQUIPMENT 


YES,  WE  ARE 
STILL  IN  BUSINESS 

But  for  the  duration  we  are  busy 
on  Government  work  and,  while  our 
customers  will  continue  to  receive 
projector  replacement  parts,  we  will 
resume  our  normal  theatre  produc- 
tion after  victory. 

MOTION  PICTURE 
MACHINE  COMPANY 

Established  and  Manufacturing 
Projector     Parts     since  1920. 

MILWAUKEE,  WISCONSIN 


MORE    EFFICIENT  AIR-CONDITIONING 


(Continued  from  page  72) 
real  reduction  in  the  amount  of  required 
energy  for  operation. 

Still  further  developments  in  the  radial 
type  of  compressor  will  appear,  for  this 
offers  an  opportunity  to  adjust  the  capacity 
of  the  compressor  according  to  the  load, 
such  adjustment  being  automatically 
effected  by  electronic  control.  New  lubri- 
cants have  also  made  their  contribution  to 
higher  speeds  and  reduced  operating  costs. 
There  will  be  many  new  developments  in 
the  hermetically  sealed  compressor  units 
which  will  have  the  motor  built  right  into 
the  unit  and  thereby  prevent  the  loss  of 
refrigerant  gas  through  crankshaft  seals. 
By  having  completely  hermetically  sealed 
systems,  a  reduction  in  the  number  of 
stop  valves  usually  required  in  the  piping 
system  can  be  made  because  the  varoius 
component  parts  of  the  system  need  not  be 
isolated  on  account  of  defects  in  the  vari- 
ous pieces  of  equipment. 

New  types  of  air-cooled,  water-cooled, 
and  even  refrigerant-cooled  electric  motors 
will  be  available  that  will  have  longer  life, 
greater  efficiency,  less  weight,  and  lower 
cost.  They  will  be  of  the  multi-speed  va- 
riety to  handle  whatever  load  is  imposed 
upon  them. 

There  will  even  be  new  refrigerants  on 
the  market  and  much  improvement  of  the 
old  refrigerant  as  a  result  of  war  experience 
in  the  field  of  chemistry  related  to  refriger- 
ants. We  think  that  there  will  be  less  prac- 
tice, for  safety  and  cost  reasons,  of  directly 
expanding  the  refrigerant  in  coils  placed 
in  the  air  stream.  Instead,  many  of  the 
newer  types  of  water  chillers  will  be  em- 
ployed, and  this  chilled  water  will  be  cir- 
culated through  the  same  air  coils  in 
which  hot  water  is  circulated  for  winter 
heating.  This  means  only  one  set  of  coils 
instead  of  two  as  in  the  past. 

In  this  connection  there  have  been  big 
developments  in  the  principle  of  storage 
refrigeration  which  makes  possible  the  use 
of  small  high-efficiency  condensing  equip- 
ment, thereby  achieving  lower  maintenance 
and  operating  cost — also  real  savings  in 
the  amount  of  electric  power  consumed. 

In  the  matter  of  condensers,  there  will 
be  equally  good  developments  in  this  direc- 
tion. One  outstanding  improvement  will 
be  in  the  field  of  cooling  towers  which  will 
chill  water  to  an  approach  on  dew-point 
temperature  rather  than  wet-bulb  tempera- 
ture, with  the  result  that  much  lower  con- 
densing temperatures  will  be  possible  and 
thereby  real  economies  in  the  operating 
costs. 

MORE  ECONOMICAL  CONDENSERS 

We  don't  want  to  give  any  impression 
that  operating  costs  will  drop  to  nothing, 
but  a  great  saving  in  operating  cost  will 
be  effected  in  the  condensing  equipment. 
It  is  a  little  too  early  to  tell  much  of 
the  many  developments  in  evaporative  con- 
densers, but  there  is  some  real  progress  in 
this  class  of  apparatus. .  Many  of  the  more 
progressive  research  engineers  believe  that 


there  will  be  widespread  use  of  air-cooled 
condensers  in  the  larger  installations,  and 
much  greater  efficiency  in  the  smaller  con- 
densers, particularly  as  a  result  of  wartime 
experience  in  air-cooled  internal  combus- 
tion engines. 

There  is  a  tremendous  amount  of  re- 
search in  the  direction  of  heat-operated 
refrigerating  machines,  such  as  employ 
gas  or  other  fuels  to  develop  the  refriger- 
ating effect  rather  than  using  electrical 
energy  for  this  purpose,  and  you  will  see 
many  developments  offered  along  this  line. 

As  far  as  piping  systems  go,  plastics  will 
undoubtedly  become  quite  popular  and  will 
contribute  to  reduced  maintenance  costs  by 
eliminating  corrosion  in  this  part  of  the 
system. 

NON-MECHANICAL  COOLING 

From  the  foregoing  you  might  get  the 
impression  that  the  only  equipment  to  pro- 
vide patron  comfort  is  that  employing  me- 
chanical refrigeration;  however,  those  com- 
panies engaged  in  the  development  and 
manufacture  of  washed  air  systems  have 
not  been  asleep  on  the  job.  They  have 
gained  much  valuable  experience,  for  in 
those  areas  of  the  United  States  where 
low  wet  bulb  temperatures  consistently  pre- 
vail, large  war  plants  have  been  cooled 
with  washed  air  equipment  and  this  ex- 
perience has  been  of  great  value  to  manu- 
facturers of  such  equipment. 

In  the  northern  areas  of  the  country 
well  water  will  continue  to  be  used  for 
cooling,  for  in  this  area  the  water  is  cold 
enough  to  do  an  adequate  job.  Where  either 
well  water  or  washed  air  systems  are  em- 
ployed, the  heating  plants  will  be  operated 
separately  from  the  cooling  systems  and  in 
such  cases,  particularly  in  the  construction 
of  new  theatres,  panel  type  radiant  heat- 
ing systems  may  be  installed.  These  con- 
sist of  pipe  coils  imbedded  in  the  walls  and 
ceiling,  the  surface  of  the  walls  and  ceiling 
serving  as  the  radiant  heat  source,  with 
hot  wather  or  steam  circulated  through 
the  coils. 

It  might  also  be  worthwhile  to  mention 
the  fact  that  there  will  be  a  number  of 
chemical  air-conditioning  systems  on  the 
market.  The  principle  of  such  devices  is 
to  extract  not  only  the  normal  amount  of 
humidity  or  moisture  out  of  the  air,  but 
to  dry  up  the  air  as  much  as  is  physically 
possible,  for  in  summer  one  can  be  quite 
comfortable  in  reasonably  high  air  tem- 
peratures if  the  moisture  content  _  of  the 
air  is  low  enough.  These  chemical  'systems 
are  nothing  more  than  devices  by  which 
the  air  is  passed  through  a  spray  of  chemi- 
cal solutions,  and  these  solutions,  being  ex- 
ceedingly "thirsty"  for  moisture,  take  the 
water  right  out  of  the  air. 


[The  author,  a  frequent  contributor  to  Better 
Theatres,  is  a  nationally  known  air-condition- 
ing engineer  of  wide  experience  in  designing 
air  supply  and  treatment  systems  for  theatres. 
For  the  past  several  years  he  has  been  director 
of   housing    research    at   Purdue  University.] 


May    2  9,     194  3 

MARKET  NOTES 


CJ  News  Reports  concerning 
equipment  and  materials, 
and  those  who  make  them 

New  Projector  Gear 

A  new  intermediate  gear, 
designed  to  reduce  vibration  to  a  minimum, 
has  been  brought  out  by  the  Wenzel  Pro- 
jector Company,  Chicago.  Designed  by 
Harry  L.  Denton,  Wenzel  engineer,  the 
gear  was  produced  following  tests  which, 
according  to  Mr.  Denton,  indicated  that 
the  intermittent  gear,  in  "hesitating  slight- 
ly when  the  cam  centers  a  star  wheel  slot, 
set  up  an  oscillatory  movement  in  the  gear 


BETTER  THEATRES 


87 


train  which  is  carried  through  to  the  re- 
volving shutter."  Mr.  Denton  refers  to  the 
action  of  the  new  gear  as  comparable  to 
that  of  an  automobile  shock  absorber. 

To  effect  absorption  of  shock,  three  re- 
silient synthetic  rubber  inserts,  which  are 
not  affected  by  oils,  greases  and  most  acids, 
are  used.  The  toothed  portion  of  the  gear 
is  held  centrally  located,  with  its  axis,  by 
the  inner  steel  ring,  to  prevent  forcing  out 
of  mesh.  A  standard  bevel  gear  forms  one 
side  support,  and  the  gear  plate  the  other 
side  support.  These  two  supports  are  held 
the  proper  distance  apart  by  an  inner  ring 
and  three  small  spacers  surrounding  the 
three  clamping  screws.  This  allows  a  radial 
movement  only  of  the  toothed  portion. 

Odorless  Disinfectant 

A  DISINFECTANT  of  pow- 
erful antiseptic  action  that  is  nevertheless 
odorless  has  been  brought  out  by  the  Fort- 
A-Cide  Corporation,  Chicago,  under  the 
same  trade  name.  The  odorless  character- 
istic makes  it  peculiarly  suited  to  theatres, 
since  it  can  be  used  in  all  parts  of  the  build- 
ing and  at  any  time  without  being  offen- 
sive. Additionally,  none  of  its  ingredients 
is  damaging  to  fabrics,  allowing  its  use  on 
carpets  and  fabrics  as  well  as  in  urinals,  on 
toilet  room  floors,  etc.  In  its  antiseptic 
properties,  Fort-A-Cide  is  described  as  be- 
ing capable  of  stopping  bacterial  growth 
for  a  period  of  from  24  to  72  hours,  de- 
pending upon  the  type  of  germ. 


USAlRCC  IS  PLANNING 
TOMORROW'S  COOLING  Today 

•  The  majority  of  the  nation's  exhibitors,  their  architects 
and  engineers  have  long  relied  on  usAIRco  for  comfort 
cooling  . . .  Because  they  know  that  usAIRco's  designing 
and  manufacturing  policy  is  based  on  a  sound  and  simple 
business  principle. 

To  engineer  and  manufacture  comfort  cooling  that  will 
make  a  profit  for  the  exhibitor— This  principle  includes  not 
only  designing  a  system  for  the  house,  but  also  a  system 
that  will  not  eat  up  the  owner's  profits.  So  systems  are  al- 
ways designed  with  consideration  for  the  operating  budget. 

Regardless  of  the  size  of  house  usAIRco  can  furnish 
comfort  cooling  that  will  make  a  profit  for  you.  Right 
now,  we're  heavily  engaged  in  building  material  for  the 
war  effort,  but  still  find  time  for  engineering  talent  to 
develop  better  systems  for  tomorrow's  cooling. 

REFRIGERATED  KOOLER-AIRE 

This  Unit,  a  masterpiece  of  engi- 
neering simplicity  combines  every 
phase  of  refrigerated  cooling  in  a 
Single  Unit.  Manufactured  in  various 
sizes,  it  can  be  used  singly  or  in 
combination  with  other  units  to  give 
you  the  precise  capacity  you  need. 
Refrigerated  Kooler-Aire  is  a  good 
unit  to  be  acquainted  with.  Books 
describing  this  system  are  available. 
We'll  be  glad  to  send  you  a  copy. 

UNITED  STATES  AIR  CONDITIONING  CORPORATION 

Profits  in  Cooling  for  the  Exhibitor 
NORTHWESTERN  TERMI  NAL    •    M  I  N  N  E  A  P  O  L  I  S,  M  I  N  N  E  S  O  TA 


88 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    29,  1943 


MANUFACTURERS  and  DEALERS 

Revised  Listings  of  The  Buyers  Index,  Naming  Manufacturers  of  Theatre  Equipment,  Fur- 
nishings and  Supplies  and  Territorial  Supply  Dealers  in  the  United  States  and  Canada 


MANUFACTURERS  AND  SERVICES  LISTED  ACCORDING  TO  CLASSIFICATION  OF  PRODUCT 


ACCOUNTING  SYSTEMS 

Easy  Method  Ledger  System,  Seymour,  Indiana. 
Quigley  Bookshop,  Rockefeller  Center.  New  York  City. 

• 

ACOUSTICAL   PRODUCTS   &  ENGINEERING 

Altec  Service  Corp.,  250  W.  57th  St.,  New  York  City 
(acoustic  counsel  only). 

Armstrong  Cork  Co.,  Lancaster,  Pa. 

Barclay  Manufacturing  Company,  Inc.,  385  Gerard 
Avenue.  Bronx,  N.  Y. 

The  Celotex  Company,  120  S.  LaSalle  Street,  Chi- 
cago, 111. 

Certain-Teed  Products  Corp.,  100  E.  42nd  Street,  New 
York  City. 

Electrical  Research  Products,  Inc.,  195  Broadway 
New  York  City  (acoustic  counsel  only). 

The  Insulite  Company,  1100  Builders  Exchange,  Min- 
neapolis, Minn. 

Johns-Manville  International  Corporation,  22  East  40th 
Street,  New  York  City. 

Keasbey  and  Mattison  Company,  Ambler,  Pa. 

Kimberly-Clark  Corporation,  Insulation  Division, 
Neenah,  Wis. 

National  Gypsum  Company,  420  Lexington  Avenue, 

New  York  City. 
United    States    Gypsum    Company,    300    W.  Adami 

Street,  Chicago,  111. 

• 

AIR-CONDITIONING  AND  VENTILATING 

American  Blower  Corporation,  6004  Russell  Street, 
Detroit,  Mich. 

Baker  Ice  Machine  Company,  3601  No.  16th  Street. 
Omaha,  Nebr. 

Carrier  Corporation,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Frigidaire  Division,  General  Motors  Sales  Corporation, 
300  Taylor  Street,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

General  Electric  Company,  5  Lawrence  Street,  Bloom- 
field,  N.  J. 

General  Refrigeration  Corporation,  Shirland  Avenue, 
Beloit,  Wis. 

United  States  Air  Conditioning  Corporation,  North- 
west Terminal,  Minneapolis,  Minn. 

Westinghouse  Electric  &  Manufacturing  Company, 
653  Page  Boulevard,  East  Springfield,  Mass. 

Worthington  Pump  and  Machinery  Corporation,  Car- 
bondale  Division,  Harrison,  N.  J. 

York  Ice  Machinery  Corporation,  York,  Pa. 

• 

AMPLIFYING  TUBES 

General  Electric  Company,  1  River  Road,  Schenectady, 
N.  Y. 

Motiograph,  4431  West  Lake  Street,  Chicago,  111. 

National  Union  Radio  Corporation,  57  State  Street, 
Newark,  N.  J. 

RCA  Victor  Division  of  Radio  Corporation  of  Amer- 
ica, Camden,  N.  J. 

Raytheon  Manufacturing  Company,  177  Willow  Street, 
Waltham,  Mass. 

• 

AMPLIFIERS 

Altec-Lansing  Corporation,  1210  Taft  Building.  Holly- 
wood &  Vine,  Hollywood,  Calif. 

The  Ballantyne  Company,  222  North  16th  Street, 
Omaha.  Nebr. 

DeVry  Corporation,  1111  Armitage  Avenue,  Chicago, 
111. 

International  Projector  Corporation,  88-96  Gold  Street, 
New  York  City. 

The  Lincrophone  Company,  Inc.,  1661  Howard  Ave- 
nue, Utica,  N.  Y. 

Motiograph.  4431   West  Lake  Street.   Chicago,  111. 

RCA  Victor  Division  of  Radio  Corporation  of  Amer- 
ica, Camden,  N.  J. 

S.  O.  S.  Cinema  Supply  Corp.,  449  West  42nd  Street, 
New  York  City. 

Western  Electric  Company,  195  Broadway,  New  York 
City. 

ANCHORS  FOR  CHAIRS 

American  Expansion  Bolt  &  Mfg  Company,  108-128 

N.  Jefferson  Street,  Chicago,  111. 
Chicago  Expansion  Bolt  Company,  2240  West  Ogden 

Avenue,  Chicago,  111. 

ARCHITECTURAL  MATERIALS  AND 
DESIGN  SERVICE 

Armstrong  Cork  Company,  Lancaster,  Pa. 
The    Celotex    Corporation,    120    S.    LaSalle  Street, 
Chicago,  111. 


Columbus  Coated  Fabrics  Corporation,  Columbus,  O. 

Davidson  Enamel  Products  Company,  450  E.  Kibby 
Street,  Lima,  Ohio. 

The  Di-Noc  Company,  1700  London  Rd.,  Cleveland,  O. 

F  &  Y  Building  Service,  328  E.  Town  Street,  Colum- 
bus, Ohio. 

The  Formica  Insulation  Company,  4620  Spring  Grove 
Avenue,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

General  Electric  Company,  Lynn,  Mass. 

The  Kawneer  Company,  3203  Front  Street,  Niles,  Mich. 

Libbey-Owens-Ford  Glass  Company,  Vitrolite  Division, 
Nicholas  Building,  Toledo,  Ohio. 

Marsh  Wall  Products,  Inc.,  Dover,  O. 

Pittsburgh  Plate  Glass  Company,  2200  Grant  Build- 
ing, Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

United  States  Gypsum  Company,  300  W.  Adams  Street, 
Chicago,  111. 

linked  States  Plywood  Company,  103  Park  Avenue, 
New  York  City. 

Westinghouse  Electric  &  Mfg.  Company,  East  Pitts- 
burgh. Pa. 

Wood  Conversion  Company,  1981  W.  First  National 
Bank  Building,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 

• 

BATTERIES,  STORAGE 

Electric  Storage  Battery  Company,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Westinghouse    Electric    &    Manufacturing  Company, 
East  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

"BLACK  LIGHT"  MATERIALS 
AND  LIGHTING  EQUIPMENT 

Continental  Lithograph   Corporation,  952   East  72nd 

Street,  Cleveland,  O. 
The  Di-Noc  Company,  1700  London  Rd.,  Cleveland,  O. 
General  Electric  Company,  Lamp  Dept.,  Nela  Park, 

Cleveland,  Ohio. 
GoldE  Manufacturing  Company,  1214-22  W.  Madison 

Street,  Chicago,  111. 
Keese    Engineering    Company,    7380    Santa  Monica 

Boulevard,  Los  Angeles,  Calif. 
Kliegl  Bros.,  321  W.  50th  Street,  New  York  City. 
The  Stroblite  Company,  35  West  52nd  Street,  New 

York  City  (Lacquers). 


BOX  OFFICES 

The  Artkraft  Sign  Company,  Lima,  Ohio. 

The  Formica  Insulation  Company,  4620  Spring  Grove 

Avenue,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
The  Kawneer  Company,  Niles,  Mich. 
Libbey-Owens-Ford    Glass    Company,    1310  Nicholas 

Building,  Toledo,  Ohio. 
Pittsburgh  Plate  Grass  Company,  2200  Grant  Building, 

Pittsburgh,  Pa. 


CABINETS,  FOR  FILM  AND  CARBONS 

GoldE  Manufacturing  Company  1214-22  W.  Madison 

Street,  Chicago,  111. 
Neumade  Products  Corporation,  427  W.  42nd  Street, 

New  York  City. 
Wenzel  Projector  Company,  2509  South  State  Street, 

Chicago,  111. 

Edw.  H.  WoUt,  1018  South  Wabash  Avenue.  Chicago. 
111. 

• 

CARBONS,  PROJECTION 

National  Carbon  Company,  Inc-,  Carbon  Sales  Division, 
P.  O.  Box  6087,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

carbon  savers 

Best  Devices  Division  of  The  Forest  City  Foundries 
Company,  10516  Western  Avenue.  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Droll  Theatre  Supply  Company,  351  E.  Ohio  Street, 
Chicago.  111. 

The    GoldE    Manufacturing    Company,    1214-22  W. 

Madison  Street,  Chicago,  111. 
S.  O.  S.  Cinema  Supply  Corporation,  449  West  42nd 

Street,  New  York  City. 
Weaver  Manufacturing  Company,  Ltd.,  1639  E.  102nd 

Street,  Los  Angeles.  Calif. 
Wenzel  Projector  Company,  2509  South  State  Street, 

Chicago,  111. 

Edw.  H.  Wolk,  1018  S.  Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago,  IB. 
CARPETING 

Bigelow-Sanford  Carpet  Company,  Inc.,  140  Madison 

Avenue,  New  York  City. 
L.  C.  Chase  &  Company,  295  Fifth  Avenue.  New  York 

City. 

Charles  P.  Cochrane  Company,  Montgomery  County, 
Bridgeport,  Pa. 


Hardwick  &  Magee  Company,  Lehigh  Avenue  & 
Seventh  Street,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

A.  &  M.  Karagheusian,  Inc.,  295  Fifth  Avenue,  New 
York  City. 

Thomas  L.  Leedom  Company,  Bristol,  Pa. 
Mohawk  Carpet  Mills,  Inc.,  Amsterdam,  N.  Y. 
Alexander  Smith  &  Sons  Carpet  Company,  295  Fifth 

Avenue,  New  York  City. 
Waite  Carpet  Company,  Oshkosh,  Wis. 

• 

CARPET  LINING 

Bigelow-Sanford  Carpet  Company,  Inc.,  140  Madison 

Avenue,  New  York  City. 
Clinton  Carpet  Company,  Merchandise  Mart,  Chicago, 

III. 

E.  I.  du  Pont  de  Nemours  Company,  Fairfield,  Conn. 
Alexander  Smith  ft  Sons  Carpet  Company,  295  Fifth 

Avenue,  New  York  City. 
Waite  Carpet  Company,  Oshkosh,  Wis. 

• 

CHAIR  FASTENING  CEMENT 

Fensin  Seating  Company,  62  East  13th  Street,  Chicago, 
111. 

General  Chair  Company,  2035  Charleston  Avenue, 
Chicago,  111. 

CHAIR  CUSHIONS  OF  FOAMED  LATEX 

Dunlop    Tire    ft    Rubber    Corporation  "Dunlopillo" 

Division,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 
Firestone  Airtex  Division,  Firestone  Company,  Akron, 

Ohio. 

B.  F.  Goodrich  Company,  Akron,  Ohio. 
Goodyear  Tire  ft  Rubber  Company,  Akron,  Ohio. 

U.  S.  Rubber  Company,  Foam  Sponge  Division, 
Mishawaka,  Ind. 

• 

CHAIRS,  AUDITORIUM 

Air-Loc  Seat  Industries,  Inc.,  33  Holden  Street,  Min- 
neapolis, Minn. 

American  Seating  Company,  901  Broadway,  Grand 
Rapids,  Mich. 

Fensin  Seating  Company,  62  East  13th  Street,  Chicago, 
111. 

The  General  Chair  Company,  2035  Charleston  Street, 

Chicago,  111. 
Heywood-Wakefield  Company,  Gardner,  Mass. 
Ideal  Seating  Company,  Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 
International  Seat  Corporation,  Union  City.  Ind. 
Irwin  Seating  Company,  Waters  Building,  159  Ottawa 

Avenue,  South  Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 
Kroehler  Manufacturing  Company,  Naperville,  111. 
The  Peabody   Seating   Company,   North  Manchester. 

Ind. 

• 

CHANGE  MAKERS 

Brandt  Automatic  Cashier  Company,  Watertown.  Wis. 
GoldE  Manufacturing  Company,  1214-22  W.  Madison 
Street,  Chicago,  IlL 

• 

CHANGEOVERS  AND  CUEING  DEVICES 

Clint  Phare  Products.  282  E.  214th  Street,  Euclid.  O. 
Dowser  Manufacturing  Company,   114  Green  Street. 

Brooklyn.  N.  Y. 
Forest  Manufacturing  Corporation,  200  Mt.  Pleasant 

Avenue,  Newark,  N.  J. 
GoldE  Manufacturing  Company,  1214-22  W.  Madison 

Street,  Chicago.  111. 
International  Projector  Corporation,  88-96  Gold  Street. 

New  York  City. 
Wenzel  Projector  Company,  2509  South  State  Street, 

Chicago,  111. 


CLEANING  MATERIALS  AND  IMPLEMENTS 

Bigelow-Sanford  Carpet  Company,  140  Madison  Ave- 
nue, New  York  City. 

Carbona  Products  Company,  302-304  W.  26th  Street, 
New  York  Citv. 

Clinton  Carpet  Company,  Merchandise  Mart,  Chicago, 
III. 

Solvay  Sales  Corporation,  42  Rector  Street,  New  York 
City. 

State  Sanitary  Products  Company,  630  Ninth  Avenue, 

New  York  Citv. 
F.  V.  Von  Schrader  Manufacturing  Company,  Racine, 

Wis. 

• 

CLEANING  MECHANISMS 

General    Electric    Company,    1285    Boston  Avenue, 

Bridgeport.  Conn. 
Invincible  Vacuum   Cleaner   Manufacturing  Company, 

Dover,  O. 


May    2  9,     194  3 


BETTER  THEATRES 


89 


National  Super  Service  Company,  1946  N.  13th  Street, 

Toledo,  Ohio. 
Spencer  Turbine  Company,  Hartford,  Conn. 


CONDENSERS  ILENSES1 

Bausch  &  Lomb  Optical  Company,  652  St.  Paul  Street, 
Rochester,  N.  Y. 

Ilex   Optical   Manufacturing   Company,   690  Portland 

Street,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
Matisse  Bros.,  385  Gerard  Avenue,  New  York  City. 
Projection  Optics  Company,  Inc.,  330  Lyell  Avenue, 

Rochester,  N.  Y. 

• 

CUPS,  SANITARY,  FOR  DRINKING 

Dixie  Vortex  Company,  Easton,  Pa. 
Lily-Tulip   Cup   Corporation,   Chanin   Building,  New 
York  City. 

• 

CURTAIN  CONTROL 

Automatic  Devices  Company,  1035  Linden  Street, 
Allentown,  Pa. 

J.  R.  Clancy,  Inc.,  1010  West  Belden  Avenue,  Syra- 
cuse, N.  Y. 

G.  O.  K abler  Enterprises,  134  Tudor  Street,  South 
Boston,  Mass. 

Vallen,  Inc.,  225  Bluff  Street,  Akron,  Ohio. 

CURTAINS  AND  STAGE  DRAPES 

Dazians.  Inc.,  142  W.  44th  Street,  New  York  City. 
M  ah  a  ram   Fabric   Corporation,   130  W.   46th  Street, 
New  York  City. 

H.  D.  Mendelsohn  Company,  105  E.  29th  Street,  New 
York  City. 

• 

DEODORANTS  AND  PERFUMES 

Fort-A-Cide  Sales  Company,  160  East  Illinois  Street, 

Chicago,  111. 
Lyndon  Products  Corporation,  Norwalk,  Conn. 
West  Disinfecting  Company,  42-16  Barn  Street,  Long 

Island  City,  N.  Y. 

DIMMERS 

Frank  Adam  Electric  Company,  3650  Windsor  Place, 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Cutler-Hammer,  Inc.,  315  N.  12th  Street,  Milwaukee, 

Wis. 

General  Electric  Company,  1  River  Road,  Schenectady, 
N.  Y. 

Hub  Electrical  Corporation,  2227  West  Grand  Avenue. 
Chicago,  111. 

Ward-Leonard  Electric  Company,  31  South  Street 
Mt.  Vernon.  N.  Y. 


Westinghouse    Electric    &    Manufacturing  Company, 

East  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 
Wm.  Wurdack  Electric  Manufacturing  Company,  4444 

Clayton  Avenue.  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

• 

DISPLAY  FRAMES.  POSTER 

The  Artkraft  Sign  Company,  Lima,  Ohio. 
Colonial  Sales  Corporation,  928  Broadway,  New  York 
City. 

Metal  Goods  Corporation,  5239  Brown  Avenue,  St. 
Louis,  Mo. 

• 

EXPLOITATION  MECHANISMS 

Best  Devices  Division  of  The  Forest  City  Foundries 
Company,  10516  Western  Avenue,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

GoldE  Manufacturing  Company,  1214  West  Madison 
Street,  Chicago,  111. 

International  Register  Company,  2620  West  Washing- 
ton Street,  Chicago,  111. 

F.  D.  Kees  Mfg.  Co.,  P.  O.  Box  105,  Beatrice,  Nebr. 
• 

FIRE  EXTINGUISHERS 

Neumade  Products  Corporation,  427  W.  42nd  Street, 

New  York  City. 
Pyrene  Manufacturing  Company,  560  Belmont  Avenue, 

Newark,  N.  J. 

• 

FIRE  PREVENTION  DEVICES,  PROJECTOR 

International  Projector  Corporation,  88-96  Gold  Street. 

New  York  City. 
Pyrene  Manufacturing  Company,  Newark,  N.  J. 

FIRE  SHUTTERS,  PROJECTION  ROOM 

Best  Devices  Division  of  The  Forest  City  Foundries 
Company,  10516  Western  Avenue.  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

The  Trumbull  Electric  Manufacturing  Company, 
Woodford  Avenue,  Plain ville,  O. 

FLASHERS 

Reynolds  Electric  Company,  2650  W.  Congress  Street. 

Chicago,  111. 
Sangamo  Electric  Company,  Springfield,  111. 


FLOOR  SURFACING  MATERIALS, 
COMPOSITION 

Armstrong  Cork  Company,  Lancaster.  Pa. 
Congoleum-Nairn,  Inc.,  Kearny,  N.  J 


Goodyear  Tire  &  Rubber  Company,  1144  E.  Market 

Street,  Akron,  Ohio. 
U.  S.  Rubber  Company,  1230  Sixth  Avenue,  New  York 

City. 


FOUNTAINS 

The  Crane  Company,  836  South  Michigan  Avenue, 
Chicago,  111. 

Friedley-Voshardt  Company,  761-771  Mather  Street, 
Chicago,  111. 

Newman  Brothers,  Inc.,  660  W.  Fourth  Street,  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio. 

Rundle-Spence  Manufacturing  Company,  52  Second 
Street,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

The  Halsey  W.  Taylor  Company,  Warren,  Ohio. 

The  Voigt  Company,  1745  N.  12th  Street,  Philadel- 
phia, Pa. 

• 

FURNITURE  FOR  FOYERS  AND  LOUNGES 

Heywood-Wakefield  Company,  Gardner,  Mass. 
Kroehler  Manufacturing  Company,  Naperville,  111. 
The   Reflectone   Corporation,   67    Greenwich  Avenue, 

Meriden,  Conn. 
Royal  Metal  Manufacturing  Company,  175  N.  Michigan 

Avenue,  Chicago,  111. 
Thonet,  Inc.,  333  E.  47th  Street,  New  York  City. 
Warren  McArthur,  No.  1   Park  Avenue,  New  York 

City. 

HEARING  AIDS 

Acousticon  Division  of  Dictograph  Products  Company, 
Inc.,  580  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York  City 

RCA  Victor  Division  of  Radio  Corporation  of  Amer- 
ica, Camden,  N.  J. 

Sonotone  Corporation,  Elmsford,  N.  Y. 

Trimm  Manufacturing  Company,  Ltd.,  1770  West 
Berteau  Avenue,  Chicago,  111. 

Western  Electric  Company,  195  Broadway,  New  York 
City. 

• 

HEATING  SYSTEMS  AND  ACCESSORIES 

Air    &    Refrigeration    Corporation,    7310  Woodward 

Avenue,  Detroit,  Mich. 
American  Radiator  Company,  40  W.  40th  Street,  New 

York  City. 

Electric  Furnace-Man,  Inc.,  780  E.  138th  Street,  Bronx, 
N.  Y. 

Fedders  Manufacturing  Company,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 
General  Electric  Company,  5  Lawrence  Street,  Bloom- 
field,  N.  J. 

Hook  Mfg.  Company,  Sharpsburg  Station,  Pittsburgh, 
Pa. 

Kewanee  Boiler  Corporation,  1858  S.  Western  Avenue, 
Chicago,  111. 


mETVe  GONE  70  WMtgf 


"It's  both  a  patriotic  and  a  civic  duty  to 
protect  the  public  against  possible  infection 
through  direct  contact  during  daily  grow- 
ing Doctor  and  Nurse  shortage." 


Introducing 

FORT-A-CIDE 

REG.  U.  S.  PAT.  OFFICE  PATENTS  PENDING 

ODORLESS  GERMICIDE,  FUNGICIDE,  DEODORANT 

THE  MODERN  ODORLESS  DEFENSE  CHEMICAL  FOR  PRE- 
VENTION   OF    INFECTION    THROUGH    DIRECT  CONTACT 
AND  BACTERIAL  ODORS  IN  THEATRES 


One  gallon  makes  40  gallons  of  "Fort-a-cided" 
cleaning  water.  A  powerful  germicide  and  fungicide 
that  deodorizes  as  it  disinfects  without  leaving  an 
odor  or  damage  to  fine  surfaces,  carpets  or  color. 
Degerms  and  deodorizes  mops  automatically.  Pro- 
tects employees  and  patrons. 

The  sensational  Disinfecting  and  Deodorizing  Solution 

now  used  in  Hospitals,  Hotels,  Defense  Plants  and  im- 
portant large  Theatre  Circuits,  including  Balaban  & 
Katz.  Standard  Disinfectant  reference  for  State  of 
Illinois  Mental  Hospitals  and  Penal  Institutions  in 
asking  bid  quotations. 

Fort-A-Cide    Odorless     Germicide,     Fungicide  and 


Deodorant  is  a  secret  formula  containing  6  different 
and  effective  ingredients  on  which  process  patents 
have  been  asked.  Contains  no  acid,  chlorine,  formal- 
dehyde, cresol,  pineoil  or  allergic  chemical  or  perfume 
odor.    Non-corrosive.    Non- irritating  to  skin  tissue. 

Three  ounces,  added  to  a  gallon  of  soap  cleaning 
water,  effective  against  armor-plated  micro-organisms 
impervious  to  ordinary  cleaning  water  and  "mine-run," 
damaging  odorous  disinfectants.  Leaves  surfaces  and 
mops  with  high  phenol  co-efficient  upon  evaporation. 
Marvellously  effective  against  urinal  putrefaction  odors 
on  bowls,  drains  and  floors,  receptacle  odors  in  rest 
rooms,  upset  stomach  odors  on  carpets  and  seats  with- 
out injury  to  fabric,  leather  or  color. 

FORT-A-CIDE  CORPORATION,  160  East  Illinois  Street,  Chicago,  III. 

CHARLES  P.  HUGHES,  President 


90 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    29,  1943 


FORESIGHT  IS  THE 
MOTHER  OF  WISDOM 

Just  as  did  thousands  of  operators 
who  installed  STAB  I L  ARC  Motor 
Generators  before  rigid  restrictions 
were  enforced  and  are  now  realizing 
the  wisdom  of  their  foresight,  it 
would  be  wise  when  planning  post  war 
operations  to  fully  investigate. 

b TAB  I L ARC 

Motor  Generators 

35-42-60-80  VOLT  MULTIPLE 

AUTOMATIC  DEVICES  CO. 

1033  Linden  St.  Allentown,  Pa. 

Export  Office:   220  W.  42nd   St.,   New  York 
City.   Also   Manufacturers  of  Allentown  Steel 
Curtain  Tracks  and  Curtain  Machines 


10,000  OPERA  CHAIRS 

FOR  SALE 
LATE  TYPE 

with  New  Choir 

GUARANTEE 

at 

PRE-WAR 
PRICES 


Give  your  old  theatre 
chairs  a  comfortable 
appeal  which  comes  only 
from  a  completely  remodeled  job. 
When  our  experts  remodel  your 
chairs  you  will  have  practically  a 
brand  new  seating  job. 

Large  circuits  in  America  and  foreign 
countries  are  using  our  chairs.  We  also 
supply  the  U.  S.  Army. 

EASTERN    SEATING  CO. 

WRITE  FOR  INFORMATION 
59  Dobbin  Street       Brooklyn.  N.  Y. 


SAVE  THAT  CARBON! 


May  Oil  Burner  Corporation,  Maryland  Avenue  and 

Oliver,  Baltimore,  Md. 
Mueller  Furnace  Company,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 
Petroleum  Heat  &  Power  Company,  Stamford,  Conn. 
Sarco  Company,  Inc.,  183  Madison  Avenue,  New  York 

City. 

Skinner  Heating  &  Ventilating  Company,  Inc.,  1948-60 

N.  9th  Street.  St.  Louis.  Mo. 
U.     S.     Air     Conditioning     Corporation,  Northwest 

Terminal,  Minneapolis,  Minn. 
Westinghouse  Electric  &   Manufacturing  Corporation, 

653  Page  Boulevard,  East  Springfield,  Mass. 

UNIT  HEATERS 

American  Blower  Corporation,  6001-09  Russel  Street, 

Detroit,  Mich. 
Automatic  Gas  Steam  Radiator  Company,  301  Brush  tor 

Avenue,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 
The  Bryant  Heater  Company,  17820  St.  Clair  Avenue, 

Cleveland,  Ohio. 
Buffalo  Forge  Company,  465  Broadway,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 
Burnham  Boiler  Corporation,  Irvington,  N.  Y. 
Grinnell  Company,  Inc.,  260  W.  Exchange,  Providence, 

R.  I. 

Ilg  Electric  Ventilating  Company,  2850  N.  Crawford 
Avenue,  Chicago,  111. 

McQuay,  Incorporated,  1600  Broadway,  N.  E.,  Minne- 
apolis, Minn. 

Modine  Manufacturing  Company,  Heating  Division, 
Racine,  Wis. 

Surface   Combustion   Corporation,  Thomas  and  Dorr 

Streets,  Toledo,  Ohio. 
The  Trane  Company,  La  Crosse,  Wis. 
U.    S.    Air    Conditioning    Corporation,  Northwestern 

Terminal,  Minneapolis,  Minn. 
Unit  Heater  &  Cooler  Company,  Murray  Boulevard, 

Wausau,  Wis. 
L.  J.  Wing  Manufacturing  Company,   154  W.  14th 

Street,  New  York  City. 


INTERCOMMUNICATING  HOUSE  PHONES 

Connecticut    Telephone    &    Electric    Corporation,  70 

Britannia  Street,  Meriden,  Conn. 
S.  H.  Couch  Inc.,  Boston,  Mass. 

Dictograph  Products  Company,  Inc.,  580  Fifth  Avenue, 

New  York  City. 
Philco  Radio  &  Television  Corporation,  Philadelphia. 

Pa. 

LADDERS,  SAFETY 

American    Ladder    Company,    3700    W.    38th  Stret, 
Chicago,  111. 

Dayton    Safety    Ladder   Company,    121    West  Third 
Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

LAMPS,  AC  ARC 

C.   S.  Ashcraft  Manufacturing   Company,  4731  35th 
Street,  Long  Island  City,  N.  Y. 


LAMPS,  HIGH-INTENSITY 

C.   S.  Ashcraft   Manufacturing  Company,  4731  35th 

Street,  Long  Island  City,  N.  Y. 
The  Ballantyne  Company,  222  N.  16th  Street,  Omaha, 

Nebr. 

Brenkert  Light  Projection  Company,  7348  St.  Aubin 

Avenue.  Detroit.  Mich. 
Forest  Manufacturing  Corporation,  200  Mt.  Pleasant 

Avenue,  Newark,  N.  J. 
J.   E.   McAuley   Manufacturing   Company,   554  West 

Adams  Street,  Chicago.  111. 
Morelite  Co.,  Inc.,  600  W.  57th  Street,  New  York  City. 
National  Theatre  Supply  Division  of  National-Simplex- 

Bludworth.  Inc.,  92  Gold  Street,  New  York  City. 
The  Strong  Electric  Corporation,  87  City  Park  Avenue, 

Toledo,  Ohio. 


LAMPS.  INCANDESCENT,  FOR  PROJECTION 

General  Electric  Company,  Incandescent  Lamp  Depart- 
ment, Nela  Park,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Radiant  Lamp  Corporation,  260  Sherman  Avenue, 
Newark,   N.  J. 

Westinghouse  Electric  &  Manufacturing  Company, 
Lamp  Division,  Bloomfield,  N.  J. 


LAMPS,  INCANDESCENT 
FOR  THEATRE  LIGHTING 

Climax  Reflector,  Inc.,  401-03  Schroyer  Avenue,  S.  W., 
Canton,  O. 

General  Electric  Company,  Incandescent  Lamp  Depart- 
ment, Nela  Park,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Radiant  Lamp  Corp.,  260  Sherman  Avenue,  Newark, 
N.  J. 

Westinghouse  Electric  &  Manufacturing  Company 
Lamp  Division,  Bloomfield,  N.  J. 

LAMPS.  P.  E.  CELL  EXCITER 

General  Electric  Company,  Incandescent  Lamp  Depart- 
ment. Nela  Park.  Cleveland.  Ohio. 

RCA  Victor  Division  of  Radio  Corporation  of  Amer- 
ica, Camden,  N.  J. 

Western  Electric  Company,  195  Broadway,  New  York 
City. 

Westinghouse  Electric  &  Manufacturing  Company 
Lamp  Division,  Bloomfield,  N.  J. 


LENSES.  PROJECTION 

Bausch  &  Lomb  Optical  Company,  652  St.  Paul  Street. 
Rochester,  N.  Y. 


NEW,  improved 


RECT- 

O-LITE 

A  BETTER 

RECTIFIER 

FOR  1  KILOWATT  ARC 


RECT-O-LITE  Rectifier 
No.  45-T  (3-phase)  is 
the  latest  development 
in  Rectifiers  and  pro- 
duces Clear,  Bright, 
Flickerless  pictures. 
No  moving  parts;  no 
servicing;  saves  enough 
current  to  pay  for  itself. 
I  YEAR  GUARANTEE. 

pA^r  $14800 


and  Bulbs 


ASK  FOR  BULLETIN  312 


BALDOR  ELECTRIC  COMPANY 

4367  DUNCAN  AVE.  ST.  LOUIS.  MO. 


(cetroh)^ 

PHOTOTUBES 
will  save  you 

service  worries  .  .  .  money 

For  Cetrons  are  built 
to  exacting  specifications, 
insuring  long,  uninter- 
rupted service. 

That's  why  they  are 
preferred  by  thousands  of 
theatre  owners  as  well  as 
the  majority  of  sound 
equipment  manufacturers. 


Over  70  types  available 

Immediate  delivery 
on  most  types 


CONTINENTAL  ELECTRIC  CO. 

CHICAGO  OFFICE  GENEVA,  ILL.  NEW  YORK  OFFICE 
903  MERCHANDISE  MART  265  W.  14th  ST. 


SIGNS  * 

OF 
LONG 
LIF  E 


Artkraft*  War  Materials  Like 
Artkraft*  Signs,  Marquees  and 
Changeable  Letters  Are  the 
Finest. 


1 


THE  ARTKRAFT  SIGN  CO, 

LIMA,  OHIO,  U.  S.  A.  — 

•Trademark!  Reg  U.5.  Pat.  Off. 


PATCH 
A 
SEAT 


FOR 
CHAIR 
REPAIRS 


We  rebuild,  repair  and  upholster  theatre  chairs  and  also 
supply  replacement  parts  for  all  makes.  Limited  supply  of 
new,  rebuilt  and  used  chairs  on  hand. 

GENERAL  CHAIR  COMPANY 

2035  CHARLESTON  AVE.,  CHICAGO,  ILL. 

Successors  to  General  Seating  Co. 


May    2  9,     194  3 


BETTER    TH  EATRES 


9! 


Ilex  Optical  Manufacturing   Company,  690  Portland 

Avenue,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
Projection  Optics  Company,  Inc.,  330  Lyell  Avenue, 

Rochester,  N.  Y. 
Wollensak    Optical    Company,    872    Hudson  Avenue, 

Rochester,  N.  Y. 

• 

LENS  ASSEMBLIES.  SOUND 

Bausch  &  Lomb  Optical  Company,  652  St.  Paul  Street, 

Rochester,  N.  Y. 
Ilex  Optical  Manufacturing  Company,   726  Portland 

Avenue,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
Projection  Optics  Company,  Inc.,  330  Lyell  Avenue, 

Rochester,  N.  Y. 
Wollensak    Optical    Company,    872    Hudson  Avenue. 

Rochester,  N.  Y. 


LETTERS,  ATTRACTION  BOARD 

Adler  Silhouette   Letter   Company,   2909    S.  Indiana 

Avenue,  Chicago,  111. 
The  Artkraft  Sign  Company,  Lima,  Ohio. 
Falk  Glass  Products  Company,  115  West  23rd  Street, 

New  York  City. 
Wagner  Sign  Service,  Inc.,  218  S.  Hoyne  Avenue. 

Chicago,  111. 

• 

LIGHTING,  ARCHITECTURAL 
AND  FOR  PUBLIC  AREAS 

Climax  Reflector,  Inc.,  401-3  Schroyer  Avenue,  S.  W.. 

Canton,  Ohio. 
The  Egli  Company,  Inc.,  29  West  17th  Street,  New 

York  City. 

Filament  Tubes,  Inc.,  492  Kensington  Avenue,  Buffalo 
N.  Y. 

Kliegl  Brothers,  321  W.  50th  Street,  New  York  City 

McFaddcn  Lighting  Company,  Inc.,  1710  Madisor 
Street,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Missouri  Art  Metal  Company,  3110  Park  Avenue 
St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Rainbo  Lighting  Fixture  Company,  145  West  24th 
Street,  New  York  City. 

Voigt  Company,  12th  and  Montgomery  Avenue,  Phila- 
delphia, Pa. 

Westinghouse  Electric  &  Manufacturing  Company 
East  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 


LIGHTING  SYSTEMS,  EMERGENCY 

Bardco  Manufacturing  &  Sales  Company,  4031  Good 

win  Avenue,  Los  Angeles,  Calif. 
Electric  Storage  Battery  Company,  Allegheny  Avenue 

and  19th  Street,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Westinghouse    Electric    &    Manufacturing  Company, 

East  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 


LIGHTS,  SPOT  AND  FLOOD 

Best  Devices  Division  of  The  Forest  City  Foundries 

Company,  10516  Western  Avenue,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 
Brenkert  Light  Projection  Company,  7348  St.  Aubin 

Avenue,  Detroit,  Mich. 
Climax  Reflector,  Inc.,  401-3  Schroyer  Avenue,  S.  W.. 

Canton,  Ohio. 
General  Electric  Company,  Schenectady,  N.  Y. 
GoldE  Manufacturing  Company,  1214-22  W.  Madison 

Street,  Chicago,  111. 
Kliegl  Brothers,  321  W.  50th  Street,  New  York  City 
Radiant    Lamp    Corporation,    260    Sherman  Avenue, 

Newark,  N.  J. 
Stroblite  Company,  35  W.  52nd  Street,  New  York  City 
Westinghouse  Lamp  Company,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

MARQUEES 

Artkraft  Sign  Company,  Lima,  Ohio. 

Texlite,  Inc.,  2900  Factory  Street,  Dallas,  Tex. 


MATS  AND  MATTING  FOR  ENTRANCE  AREAS 

American    Mat    Corporation,     1717    Adams  Street, 

Toledo,  Ohio. 
Deltox  Rug  Company,  Oshkosh,  Wis. 
Goodyear  Tire  &  Rubber  Company,  1144  E.  Market 

Street,  Akron,  Ohio. 
Hamilton  Rubber  Company,  Trenton,  N.  J. 
O.  W.  Jackson  &  Company,  290  Fifth  Avenue,  New 

York  City. 

United  States  Rubber  Company,  1230  Sixth  Avenue 

New  York  City. 
Puritan  Manufacturing  Company,  Trenton,  N.  J. 
Waite  Carpet  Company,  Oshkosh.  Wis. 


MAZDA  REGULATORS 

The  Garver  Electric  Company,  Union  City,  Ind. 

General  Electric  Company,  Incandescent  Lamp  Depart- 
ment, Nela  Park,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

International  Projector  Corporation,  88-96  Gold  Street, 
New  York  City. 

Westinghouse  Electric  &  Manufacturing  Company. 
East  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

• 

MICROPHONES 

Amperite  Company,  561  Broadway,  New  York  City. 

Operadio  Manufacturing  Company.  St.  Charles,  111. 

Racon  Electric  Company,  Inc.,  52  East  19th  Street, 
New  York  City. 

RCA  Victor  Division  of  Radio  Corporation  of  Amer- 
ica, Camden,  N.  J. 

Western  Electric  Company,  195  Broadway,  New  York 
City. 


Tips  on  Wartime  Operation 
of  Projection  Lamps 


by  The  m.rror,  the  ^  surface  OT 

in  effic'enCY-  f  white  scum  which  accurnuU  e  ^  ^  as 

The  thin  coating  of  wh.te  ^  j        ft.  19 

.  r  Sector  in  a  ^J^Z         "t^S. •  •»« 
25%.  J     0  00.    Therefore,  ^^sMo  stop  thU -ste. 

amounts  to  about  $1.0  rf  every  proiect.o  ^  yoU 

a  year.    It  is  the  p. <  ^  Vept  as  bnght  as  ^ 

The  surface  of  a  reflector  e.  a  d  by  ^ 

don't  mean  ,ust     P  .  _  smce  fte 

particles  ordinary  do  no  reflector  mak  s-t  ^ 

However,  these  P  ,  raIor  blade 


Don't  forget  to 
save  all  copper 
drippings  and 
strippings  from 
carbons. 


#  The  best  projection 
lamps  of  tomorrow... 
like  those  serving  so 
well  today,  will  carry 
the  name  STRONG. 


STRONG 

ELECTRIC  GotfUtodton 


87  City  Park  Ave. 


Toledo,  Ohio 


Keep  Posted  for  Post-War  Preparation 


mm 


We'll  Be  Seeing  You  A.  V.    (after  victory) 

•  •   •  — This  is  everybody's  War.  F&Y's  present  duty  is  to  be  of  all  out  service 

to  the  emergency. 

•  •   •  — The  F&Y  organization,  while  now  geared  exclusively  to  the  war  effort, 

will  be  intact  to  service  you  after  Victory. 

•   •    •  —  F&Y's  future  duty  is  to  continue  serving  its  loyal 

clientele  and  their  friends. 

In  the  Meantime  .  .  .  — 
Keep  'Em  Smiling  !  Buy  War  Bonds  ! 

THE   F&Y   BUILDING  SERVICE 

328  E.  TOWN  STREET  COLUMBUS,  OHIO 

a  11  a  ■  a  »a  •  a  a  a  *  *'  a  •  n  »     *  a  c  fl  *  i 


92 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    29  ,    I  943 


MIRROR  GUARDS,  PROJECTION  LAMP 

Mirror-Guard   Company,   837   Eleventh  Avenue,  New 

York  City. 

• 

MOTOR-GENERATOR  SETS 
FOR  D.  C.  ARC  SUPPLY 

Automatic    Devices    Company,    1035    Linden  Street, 

Allentown,  Pa. 
General  Electric  Company,  1  River  Road,  Schenectady, 

N.  Y. 

Hertner  Electric  Company,   12690  Elmwood  Avenue, 

Cleveland,  Ohio. 
Imperial  Electrical  Company,  Inc.,  Ira  Avenue,  Akron, 

Ohio. 

Robins-Imperial    Electric    Company.     330    W.  42nd 

Street,  New  York  City. 
Westinghouse    Electric    &    Manufacturing  Company, 

East  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

• 

PHOTOCELL  MECHANISMS 
FOR  DOORS  AND  FOUNTAINS 

General  Electric  Co.,  1  River  Road.  Schenectady,  N.  Y. 
The  Stanley  Works.  New  Britain.  Conn. 
Westinghouse  Electric   &   Manufacturing  Corporation. 
East  Pittsburgh.  Pa 


PHOTOELECTRIC  CELLS 

Continental  Electric  Company,  Geneva,  111. 
DeVry  Corporation,   1111  Armitage  Avenue,  Chicago, 
111. 

G-M  Laboratories,  Inc.,  4302  North  Knox  Avenue, 
Chicago,  111. 

General  fc-lectnc  Company,  Schenectady.  N.  Y. 

RCA  Victor  Division  of  Radio  Corporation  of  Amer- 
ica,  Camden,  N.  J. 

Radiant  Lamp  Corporation,  Newark,  N.  J. 

Western  Electric  Company,  195  Broadway,  New  York. 

Westinghouse  Electric  &  Manufacturing  Company, 
East  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

• 

PROJECTOR  PARTS 

Century  Projector  Corporation,  729  Seventh  Avenue. 

New  York  City. 
GoldE  Manufacturing  Company,  1214  West  Madison 

Street.  Chicago,  111. 
DeVry  Corporation,  1111  Armitage  Avenue,  Chicago, 

111. 

Holmes  Projector  Company,  1815  Orchard  Street,  Chi- 
cago, 111. 

International  Projector  Corporation,  88-96  Gold  Street, 

New  York  City. 
LaVezzi   Machine  Works,   180   North   Wacker  Drive. 

Chicago,  111. 


Motiograph,  4431  West  Lake  Street,  Chicago,  IU. 
Motion   Picture   Machine   Company,  3110   W.  Lisbon 

Avenue,  Milwaukee.  Wis. 
Wenzel  Projector  Company,  2509  South  State  Street, 

Chicago,  111. 

Edw.  H.  Wolk,  1018  South  Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago, 
111. 

• 

PROJECTORS,  J6-MM..  HEAVY-DUTY  TYPE 

Ampro  Corporation,  2851  North  Western  Avenue, 
Chicago,  111. 

Bell  &  Howell  Company,  1801-15  Larch mont  Avenue, 
Chicago,  111, 

DeVry  Corporation,  1111  Armitage  Avenue,  Chicago, 
111. 

Eastman  Kodak  Company,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
Holmes  Projector  Corporation,  1815  Orchard  Street, 
Chicago,  111. 

Radio  Corp.  of  America,  Photophone  Div.,  Camden, 
N.  J. 

• 

PROJECTORS,  STANDARD  THEATRE 

Brenkert  Light  Projection  Company,  7348  St.  Aubin 

Avenue,  Detroit,  Mich. 
Century  Projector  Corporation,  729  Seventh  Avenue, 

New  York  City. 
DeVry  Corporation,  1111  Armitage  Avenue,  Chicago, 

111. 

Holmes  Projector  Company,  1815  Orchard  Street,  Chi- 
cago, 111. 

International  Projector  Corporation,  88-96  Gold  Street, 
New  York  City. 

Motiograph,  4431   West  Lake  Street,   Chicago,  111. 

Superior  Projector  Company,  449  West  42nd  Srteet, 
New  York  City. 

Weber  Machine  Corporation,  59  Rutter  Street,  Roches- 
ter, N.  Y. 

Wenzel  Projector  Company,  2509  South  State  Street, 
Chicago,  111. 

• 

PUBLIC  ADDRESS  SYSTEMS 

Altec-Lansing  Manufacturing  Company,  1210  Taft 
Building,  Hollywood  &  Vine,  Hollywood.  Calif. 

DeVry  Corporation,  1111  Armitage  Avenue,  Chicago, 
111. 

Good-All  Electric  Manufacturing  Company,  251  Spruce 

Street.  Ogallala.  Nebr. 
The  Lincrophone  Company,  Inc.,  1661  Howard  Street, 

Utica.  N.  Y. 

RCA  Victor  Division  of  Radio  Corporation  of  Amer- 
ica,  Camden,  N.  J. 

Radio  Development  &  Research  Corporation,  136  W. 
52nd  Street,  New  York  City. 

S.  O.  S.  Cinema  Supply  Corporation,  449  West  42nd 
Street,  New  York  City. 

Western  Electric  Company,  195  Broadway,  New  York 
City. 

RECTIFIER  TUBES 

Baldor  Electric  Company,  4353  Duncan  Avenue,  St. 

Louis,  Mo. 
Continental  Electric  Company.  Geneva.  111. 
Forest  Manufacturing  Corporation,  200  Mt.  Pleasant 

Avenue,  Newark,  N.  J. 
General  Electric  Company,   Merchandise  Department, 

1285  Boston  Avenue,  Bridgeport.  Conn. 
The  Sonolux  Company,  Inc.,  East  Newark,  N.  J. 
Tele-Radio  Corporation,  86  Shipman  Street,  Newark, 

N.  J. 

Western  Electric  Company,  195  Broadway,  New  York 

City. 

Westinghouse  Electric  &  Manufacturing  Company, 
East  Pittsburgh.  Pa. 

• 

RECTIFIERS  AND  POWER  UNITS 

Baldor  Electric  Company,  4353  Duncan  Avenue,  St. 
Louis.  Mo. 

Benwood  Linze  Company,  1815  Locust  Street,  St. 
Louis.  Mo. 

DeVry  Corporation,  1111  Armitage  Avenue.  Chicago. 
111. 

Forest  Manufacturing  Corporation,  200  Mt.  Pleasant 

Avenue,  Newark,  N.  J. 
Garver  Electric  Company,  Union  City,  Ind. 
General  Electric  Company.   Merchandise  Department. 

1285  oston  Avenue.  Bridgeport,  Conn. 
Kneisley  Electric  Company,  16  South  St.  Clair  Street, 

Toledo,  Ohio. 

P.  R.  Mallorv  &  Company.  Inc.,  3029  E.  Washington 

Street.  Indianapolis.  Ind. 
Morelite   Company.   Inc..   600  W.    57th   Street,  New 

York  Citv. 

Motiograph,  4431  West  Lake  Street,  Chicago,  111. 

RCA  Victor  Division  of  Radio  Corporation  of  Amer- 
ica.  Camden,  N.  T. 

The  Strong  Electric  Corporation,  87  City  Park  Avenue, 
Toledo,  Ohio. 

Ward  Leonard  Electric  Company.  Mt.  Vernon.  N.  Y. 
Westinghouse    Electric    &    Manufacturing  Company, 
East  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

REELS 

DeVry  Corporation.  1111  Armitage  Avenue,  Chicago, 
111. 

Goldberg  Brothers,  3500  Walnut  Street.  Denver.  Colo. 

Neumad"  Products  Corporation.  427  W.  42nd  Street, 
New  York  City. 

Universal  Reels  Corporation,  9-16  Thirty-seventh  Ave- 
nue. Long  Island  City.  N.  Y. 

Wenzel  Projector  Company,  2509  South  State  Street. 
Chicago,  111. 

• 

REFLECTORS  FOR  INCANDESCENT  LAMPS 

Climax  Reflector,  Inc.,  401-3  Schroyer  Avenue,  S.  W., 

Canton,  Ohio. 
Revnolds    Electric    Company.    2650    West  Congress 

Street.  Chicago.  111. 


A  GOOD  NAME  TO  REMEMBER 


mm 


Theatremen  know  that  it  stands  for  the  utmost  in 
projection  lighting. 

Those  who  bought  Simplex  High  Lamps  know  today 
that  their  confidence  was  not  misplaced.  They're  "sit- 
ting pretty,"  unworried,  although  production  of  new  lamps 
has  been  discontinued  for  the  duration.  It's  a  good  thing 
to  remember. 

THE  BIG  CONSERVATION  DRIVE 

IS  ON! 

America  needs  as  much  copper  for  producing  ammu- 
nition today  as  we  used  for  all  purposes  in  peacetime. 
Wasting  even  a  small  part  is  the  equivalent  of  withhold- 
ing bullets  for  the  guns  of  our  fighting  men.  And  you 
wouldn't  do  that! 

Accordingly,  we  must  save  all  the  copper  drippings 
and  strippings  from  carbons,  for  without  it  production  of 
theatre  supplies  could  not  be  continued. 

It  may  seem  like  a  small  thing,  this  salvage,  but  in 
the  aggregate  it's  an  important  "trifle." 

Remember — copper  today  is  in  many  respects  more 
valuable  than  gold. 

Do  not  hesitate  to  call  us  when  in  need  of  parts  or 
service  on  any  type  of  equipment. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY 

Division  of  National-Simplex-Bludworth,  Inc. 
THERE'S  A  BRANCH  NEAR  YOU 


May    29,     I  943 


BETTER  THEATRES 


93 


REFLECTORS,  PROJECTION  ARC 

Bausch  &  Lomb  Optical  Company,  652  St.  Paul  Street, 

Rochester,  N.  Y. 
Brenkert  Light  Projection  Company,  7348  St.  Aubin 

Avenue,  Detroit,  Mich. 
Fish-Schurman  Corporation,  250  East  43rd  Street,  New 

York  City.   „  , 

Heyer-Shultz,  Inc.,  39  Orange  Road,  Montclair,  N.  J. 
International  Projector  Corporation,  88-96  Gold  Street, 

New  York  City.  „       „  , 

Matisse  Brothers,  787  East  138th  Street,  New  York 

City. 

Mirror-Guard  Company,  837  Eleventh  Avenue,  New 
York  City. 

Morelite  Company,  Inc.,  600  West  57th  Street,  New 
York  City.  „  . 

Motiograph,  4431   West  Lake  Street,   Chicago,  111. 

The  Strong  Electric  Corporation,  87  City  Park  Avenue, 
Toledo,  Ohio. 

• 

REWINDERS.  FILM 

Bell  &  Howell  Company,  1801-1815  Larchmont  Avenue, 
Chicago,  111. 

Clayton    Products    Company,    31-45    Tibbett  Avenue, 

New  York  City.  . 
DeVry  Corporation,  1111  Armitage  Avenue,  Chicago, 

Goldberg  Brothers,  3500  Walnut  Street,  Denver,  Colo. 
GoldE  Manufacturing  Company,  1214-22  W.  Madison 

Street,  Chicago,  111. 
International  Projector  Corporation,  88-96  Gold  Street, 

New  York  City. 
The  Neumade  Products  Corporation,  427  West  42nd 

Street,  New  York  City. 
S.  O.  S.  Cinema  Supply  Corporation,  449  West  42nd 

Street,  New  York  City. 
Wenzel  Projector  Company,  2509  South  State  Street, 

Chicago,  111. 

Edw.  H.  Wolk,  1018  South  Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago, 
111. 

RHEOSTATS 

Automatic    Devices    Company,    1037    Linden  Street, 

Allentown,  Pa. 
Charles  Bessler  Company,  131   E.  23rd  Street,  New 

York  City. 

Brenkert  Light  Projection  Company,  7348  St.  Aubin 

Avenue,  Detroit,  Mich. 
General  Electric  Company,  1  River  Road,  Schenectady, 

N.  Y. 

The  Strong  Electric  Corporation,  87  City  Park  Avenue, 

Toledo,  Ohio. 
Ward  Leonard  Electric   Company,  31    South  Street, 

Mt.  Vernon,  N.  Y. 
Westinghouse    Electric    &    Manufacturing  Company, 

East  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 


SCREENS.  PROJECTION 

Da-Lite  Screen  Company,  2723  North  Crawford  Ave- 
nue, Chicago,  111. 

Hurley  Screen  Company,  96017  Northern  Boulevard, 
Long  Island  City,  N.  Y. 

Radiant  Manufacturing  Corporation,  1140-46  W.  Su- 
perior Street,  Chicago,  111. 

Raven  Screen  Corporation,  314  East  35th  Street,  New 
York  City. 

Trans-Lux  Daylight  Picture  Screen  Corporation,  1270 

Sixth  Avenue,  New  York  City. 
Vocalite    Screen    Corporation,    19    Debevoise  Avenue, 

Roosevelt,  N.  Y. 
Walker-American   Corporation,  800  Beaumont  Street, 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 

• 

SIGNS  (ELECTRICS  FOR  THEATRE  NAME 

The  Artkraft  Sign  Company,  Lima,  Ohio. 

Everbrite   Electric   Signs,    Inc.,    1440   North  Fourth 

Street,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 
The   Fluron    Company   of   America,    1600  Broadway. 

New  York  City. 


SIGNS,  DIRECTIONAL 

The  Artkraft  Sign  Company,  Lima,  Ohio. 

Claude  Neon  Lights,  Inc.,  36-08  Thirty-third  Street, 

Long  Island  City,  N.  Y. 
Everbrite  Electric   Signs,   Inc.,   1440  N.  4th  Street. 

Milwaukee,  Wis. 
Hub  Electric  Corporation,  2227  West  Grand  Avenue, 

Chicago,  111. 

Kliegl  Brothers,  321  W.  50th  Street,  New  York  City. 
McFadden   Lighting    Company,   Inc.,    1710  Madison 

Street,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Peerless  Products  Company,  195  Chrystie  Street,  New 

York  City. 

Twentieth  Century  Lites,  Inc.,  6818  Avalon  Boulevard, 

Los  Angeles,  Calif. 
The  Voigt  Company,  1745  N.  12th  Street,  Philadelphia, 

Pa. 


SLIDES,  PROJECTION 

Bostwick    Display    Manufacturing    Company,  Dallas, 
Tex. 

Cinema-Craft   Company,   71   West   45th    Street,  New 
York  City. 

Cosmopolitan  Studios,  Inc.,  145  West  45th  Street,  New 
York  City. 

Quality  Slide  Company,  6  East  Lake  Street,  Chicago, 
111. 

Radio-Mat  Slide  Company,  222   Oakridge  Boulevard, 
Daytona  Beach,  Fla. 

SOUND  SYSTEMS— COMPLETE 

The  Ballantyne  Company,  22  N.  16th  Street,  Omaha, 
Neb. 


DeVry  Corporation,  1111  Armitage  Avenue,  Chicago, 
111. 

International  Projector  Corporation,  88-96  Gold  Street, 
New  York  City. 

Motiograph,  4431   West  Lake  Street,   Chicago,  111. 

RCA  Victor  Division  of  Radio  Corporation  of  Amer- 
ica, Camden,  N.  J. 

S.O.S.  Cinema  Supply  Corporation,  449  West  42nd 
Street,  New  York  City. 

Western  Electric  Company,  195  Broadway,  New  York 
City. 


SOUNDHEADS 

The  Ballantyne  Company,  219  N.  16th  Street,  Omaha, 
Nebr. 

DeVry  Corporation,  1111  Armitage  Avenue,  Chicago, 
111. 

International  Projector  Corporation,  88-96  Gold  Street, 
New  York  City. 

Lincrophone  Company,  Inc.,  703  Varick  Street,  Utica, 
N.  Y. 

Motiograph,  4431   West  Lake  Street,   Chicago,  111. 

RCA  Victor  Division  of  Radio  Corporation  of  Amer- 
ica, Camden,  N.  J. 

S.  O.  S.  Cinema  Supply  Corporation,  449  West  42nd 
Street,  New  York  City. 

Weber  Machine  Corporation,  59  Rutter  Street,  Roch- 
ester, N.  Y. 


SPEAKERS  AND  HORNS 

Altec-Lansing  Corporation,  1210  Taft  Building,  Holly- 
wood &  Vine,  Hollywood,  Calif. 

The  Ballantyne  Company,  219  N.  16th  Street,  Omaha, 
Nebr. 

Good-All  Electric  Manufacturing  Company,  Ogallala, 
Nebr. 

Jensen   Radio   Manufacturing   Company,   6601  South 

Laramie  Avenue,  Chicago,  111. 
Operadio  Manufacturing  Company,  St.  Charles,  111. 
Racon  Electric  Company,  Inc.,  52  E.  19th  Street,  New 

York  City. 

RCA  Victor  Division  of  Radio  Corporation  of  Amer- 
ica, Camden,  N.  J. 

The  Rola  Company,  4250  Hollis  Street,  Oakland,  Calif. 

Western  Electric  Company,  Inc.,  195  Broadway,  New 
York  City. 

SPLICERS,  FILM 

Bell  &  Howell  Company,  1801  Larchmont  Avenue, 
Chicago,  111. 

Griswold  Machine  Company,  Port  Jefferson,  N.  Y. 
Neumade  Products  Corporation,  427  W.  42nd  Street, 
New  York  City. 

• 

STAGE  LIGHTING  EQUIPMENT 

Frank  Adam  Electric  Company,  3650  Windsor  Avenue, 
St.  Louis,  Mo. 


In  Step.  . .  with  War  Demands 


Marching  along  with  American  Indus- 
try— our  production  facilities  and  person- 
nel are  wholly  engaged  in  the  war  effort 
— to  the  end  that  victory  may  soon  be 
won. 

Many  of  our  products  normally  used 
in  civilian  activities  are  now  serving  the 
armed  forces,  and  special  devices  have 
been  developed  for  war  needs. 


Government  restrictions  limit  the  arti- 
cles we  can  furnish  for  general  require- 
ments, but  we  are  doing  everything  pos- 
sible to  lessen  difficulties  and  supply 
essential  needs  of  our  customers  during 
the  emergency. 

After  the  war  we  will  be  ready  and 
eager  to  serve  your  peace  time  require- 
ments— with  latest  developments  in  the- 
atrical lighting. 


INQUIRIES  INVITED 

Information  regarding  our  products,  facilities  or  services  furnished  on 
request.      Write    us    concerning   your   current   needs    or   post-war  plans. 


Universal  Electric  Stage  Lighting  Co.,mc. 


ESTABLISHED  1696 


THEATRICAL  •  DECORATIVE  •  SPECTACULAR 


LI©  HT 


321  West  50th  Street 

N  EW  YORK,  N  Y. 


OUR 
PLANT 


I  ■  H  and  new  ideas  for  the  future! 

This  new  modern  plant  is  the  "last 
word"  in  ideal  working  conditions. 
It  occupies  double  the  previous 
space  and  is  installed  with  modern 
lighting,  new  machines  and  new  tools 
—  giving  the  U.  S.  Army  and  Navy 

speedier  production  and  better 

products. 

Our  up-to-the-minute  drafting, 


fit. 


experimental  and  research  depart- 
ments now  busy  with  War  Work,  will 
be  converted  after  the  war  to  the  ex- 
clusive manufacture  of  the  well  known 
SYNCROFILM   Sound  Equipment. 

New  models  are  even  now  being  designed, 
tested  and  readied  for  production  —  in- 
suring the  post-war  exhibitor  the  world's 
finest  sound  reproducing  equipment. 


*ic  If  you  have  not  received  it. 
send  today  for  your  copy  of 
"Sound  Facts  from  SYNCRO- 
FILM," published  periodically, 
full  of  interest  and  practical 
hints  on  sound  problems. 


'      WEBER  MACHINE  CORPORATION 

59  Rutter  Street  Rochester,  N.  Y. 


94 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    29,    I  943 


If* 


The  ANSWER 
TO  MODERN 
ECONOMY! 
NEATNESS! 
EFFICIENCY! 


.  .  .  used  by  the  most  progressive  Chains 
and  Independents  throughout  the  country 
.  .  .  solve  your  laundry  problems  because 
they  are  thrown  away  when  used.  .  .  . 
Collars  made  in  wing  or  turn-down  styles 
.  .  .  fronts  in  plain  or  P.K. 

Write  now  for  samples,  style  sheet  and  prices. 


REVERSIBLE  COLLAR  CO 

111  PUTNAM  AVE., CAMBRIDGE,  MA55. 


BIGGER  and  BETTER 

NOW  IN  OUR  NEW  LOCATION 
TO  SERVE  YOU  WITH 
THE  BEST 
MOTION  PICTURE  EQUIPMENT 

♦ 

VISIT  OUR 
NEW  ENLARGED  SHOW  ROOM 
AND  REPAIR  DEPARTMENT 


RCA 


BRENKERT 


GoL 


JOE 

DBERG 


INC. 


IDEAL  SEATS 


HELLER  FINANCE 


1255-57  So.  Wabash  Avenue 


Show  Room 
and  Office: 

Warehouse:    1233   South  Wabash  Avenue 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 


*****  Finest 

POP  CORN 

SUPPLIES 

fat  usst 


Pay  less  —  yet  get  the  high- 
est quality  pap  corn  grown! 
Aiso  salt,  seasoning,  cartons 
and  sacks  — at  a  saving! 
Prompt  delivery. 

Uf  D  ITB  *or  the 

"MIC  Low  Prices. 

AMERICAN  POP  CORN  CO. 
Sioux  City,  Iowa 


Belson  Manufacturing  Company,  800  S.  Ada  Street, 
Chicago,  111. 

Best  Devices  Division  of  The  Forest  City  Foundries 

Company,  10516  Western  Avenue,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 
Capitol  Stage  Lighting  Company,   527-529  W.  45th 

Street,  New  York  City. 
Century    Lighting    Equipment,    Inc.,    419    W.  55th 

Street,  New  York  City. 
C.  W.  Cole  &  Company,  Inc.,  320  E.  12th  Street, 

Los  Angeles,  Calif. 
Day-Brite  Lighting,  Inc.,  5401   Bulwer  Avenue,  St. 

Louis,  Mo. 

GoldE  Manufacturing  Company,  1214-22  W.  Madison 

Street.  Chicago,  111. 
Hub  Electric  Company,  2219-29  W.   Grand  Avenue, 

Chicago,  111. 

Kliegl  Brothers,  321  W.  50th  Street,  New  York  City. 
Pickwick   Metalcraft    Company,   489    Broome  Street, 

New  York  City. 
Reynolds  Electric  Company,  2650  W.  Congress  Street, 

Chicago,  111. 

Stroblite  Company,  35  West  52nd  Street,  New  York 
City. 


STAGE  RIGGING  AND  HARDWARE 

Automatic  Devices  Company,  1035  Linden  Street, 
Allentown,  Pa. 

J.  R.  Clancy,  Inc.,  1010  West  Belden  Avenue,  Syra- 
cuse, N.  Y. 

Vallen,  Inc.,  225  Bluff  Street,  Akron,  Ohio. 
STAIR  NOSINGS 

Ames  Metal  Moulding  Company,  225  E.  144th  Street, 

New  York  City. 
Lawrich  Sales.  122  E.  42nd  Street,  New  York  City. 
Safeguard  Rubber  Products  Corporation,  250  W.  49th 

Street,  New  York  City. 

STEREOPTICONS 

Bausch  &  Lomb  Optical  Company,  652  St.  Paul  Street, 

Rochester,  N.  Y. 
Charles  Beseler  Company,  131  East  23rd  Street,  New 

York  City. 

Best  Devices  Division  of  The  Forest  City  Foundries 

Company,  10516  Western  Avenue,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 
Brenkert  Light  Projection  Company,  7348  St.  Aubin 

Avenue,  Detroit,  Mich. 
GoldE  Manufacturing  Company,  1214-22  W.  Madison 

Street,  Chicago,  111. 
S.  O.  S.  Cinema  Supply  Corporation,  449  West  42nd 

Street,  New  York  City. 


TAKEUPS,  FILM 

Century  Projector  Corporation,  729  Seventh  Avenue, 

New  York  City. 
Clayton   Products   Company,    31-45   Tibbett  Avenue, 

New  York  City. 
GoldE  Manufacturing  Company,  1214  West  Madison 

Street,  Chicago,  111. 
International  Projector  Corporation,  92  Gold  Street, 

New  York  City. 
Nelson-Spear  Company,  4114  Milton,  Houston,  Tex. 
S.  O.  S.  Cinema  Supply  Corporation,  449  West  42nd 

Street,  New  York  City. 

TEST  REELS 

Academy  of  Motion  Picture  Arts  and  Sciences,  Taft 

Building.  Hollywood,  Calif. 
S.  O.  S.  Cinema  Supply  Corporation,  449  West  42nd 

Street,  New  York  City. 
Society   of    Motion    Picture   Engineers,  Pennsylvania 

Hotel,  New  York  City. 


TICKET  REGISTERS 

General  Register  Corporation,   1540   Broadway,  New 
York  City. 

GoldE  Manufacturing  Company,  1214-22  W.  Madison 
Street,  Chicago,  111. 


S.  O.  S.  Cinema  Supply  Corporation,  449  West  42nd 

Street,  New  York  City. 
The  Ticket  Issuing  Machine  Company  (Timco),  135 

Pearl  Street,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 


TOILET  ACCESSORIES 

Brunswick-Balke-Collender  Company,  Inc.,  17  W.  19th 

Street,  New  York  City. 
M.  D.  Berglass  Manufacturing  Company,  10  Fulton 

Street,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
National  Paper  Products  Company,  343  Samson  Street, 

San  Francisco,  Calif. 
Sanaphane,  Inc.,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 

Sterilseat  Corporation,  101  Park  Avenue,  New  York 
City. 

United  Metal  Box  Company,  174  7th  Street,  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y. 

UNIFORMS 

S  Appel  &  Company,  18  Fulton  Street,  New  York 
City. 

Maier-Lavaty  Company,  2141  Lincoln  Avenue,  Chicago, 
111. 

Reversible  Collar  Company,  111  Putnam  Avenue,  Cam- 
bridge, Mass. 

Russell  Uniform  Company,  1600  Broadway,  New  York 
City. 


UPHOLSTERING  MATERIALS 

L.  C.  Chase  &  Company,  295  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York 
City. 

Collins  &  Aikman  Corporation,  200  Madison  Avenue, 

New  York  City. 
Cotan   Corporation,   331-359    Oliver   Street,  Newark, 

N.  J. 

Dazian's  Inc.,  142  West  44th  Street,  New  York  City. 
E.  I.  du  Pont  de  Nemours  &  Company,  Inc.,  Fabrikoid 

Division,  Fairfield,  Conn. 
A.  D.  Juilliard  &  Company,  Inc.,  40  West  40th  Street, 

New  York  City. 
Maharam  Fabric  Corporation,  130  W.  46th  Street,  New 

York  City. 

The  Pantasote  Company,  Inc.,  440  Madison  Avenue, 
New  York  City. 

United  States  Rubber  Company,  Coated  Fabrics  Di- 
vision, Mishawaka.  Ind. 


VENDING  EQUIPMENT  FOR  CONFECTIONERY 

Advance    Manufacturing    Company,    6296    St.  Louis 

Avenue,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
American  Popcorn  Company,  Box  11,  Sioux  City,  la. 
Columbus  Show  Case  Company,  850  W.  Fifth  Avenue, 

Columbus,  Ohio. 
C.  Cretors  &  Company,  630  Cermak  Road,  Chicago,  III. 
The  Felgreen  Company,  6039  Waterman  Avenue,  St. 

Louis,  Mo. 

Manley,  Inc.,  1906  Wyandotte  Street,  Kansas  City, 
Mo. 

National  Vendors,  Inc.,  5055  Natural  Bridge  Avenue, 
St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Roosevelt  Store  Fixture  Manufacturing  Company,  2317 
West  Ogden  Avenue,  Chicago,  111. 

Rowe  Manufacturing  Company,  Inc.,  17  E.  16th  Street, 
New  York  City. 

The  Stoner  Corporation,  328  Gale  Street,  Aurora,  111. 

The  U-Need-A  Pack  Products  Corporation,  135  Ply- 
mouth Street,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 


VOLTAGE  REGULATORS 

Allis-Chalmers    Manufacturing    Company,  Milwaukee, 
Wis. 

General  Electric  Company,  1  River  Road,  Schenectady, 
N.  Y. 

Raytheon  Manufacturing  Company,  177  Willow  Street, 

Waltham,  Mass. 
Westinghouse    Electric    &    Manufacturing  Company, 

East  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 


TERRITORIAL   SUPPLY  DEALERS 


ALABAMA 

QUEEN  FEATURE  SERVICE,  INC.,  THE  1912%  MoiTiS 

Avenue,  Birmingham.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service.  Member  of  T.E.D.P.A. 

ARIZONA 

Arizona  film  SUPPLY  company,  84  W.  Penning- 
ton Street,  Tucson.   All  classes  equipment. 

CALIFORNIA 

boyd,  j.  m.,  2013  S.  Vermont  Avenue,  Los  An- 
geles. All  classes  equipment.  Projection  and 
sound  equipment  repairing. 

BRECK    PHOTOPLAY    SUPPLY    COMPANY,    1969  S. 

Vermont  Avenue,  Los  Angeles.    All  classes 
equipment.    General  repair  service. 
filbert  company,  john  p.,  2007  S.  Vermont 
Avenue.  Los  Angeles.    All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service.  Member  of  T.E.D.P.A. 


MOTION  PICTURE  ACCESSORIES  COMPANY,  2200  S. 

Vermont  Avenue,  Los  Angeles.  All  classes 
equipment. 

NATIONAL    THEATRE    SUPPLY    DIVISION    OF  NA- 

tional-simplex-bludworth,  inc.,  255  Golden 
Gate  Avenue,  San  Francisco.  All  classes 
equipment.    General  repair  service. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF  NA- 
TIONAL-SIMPLEX-BLUDWORTH,    INC.,     1961  S. 

Vermont  Avenue,  Los  Angeles.  All  classes 
equipment.    General  repair  service. 

PREDDEY    THEATRE    SUPPLIES,    WALTER    G.,  187 

Golden  Gate  Avenue,  San  Francisco.  All 
classes  equipment.  General  repair  service. 
Member  of  T.E.D.P.A. 

PROJECTION  EQUIPMENT  &  MAINTENANCE  COM- 
PANY, 1975  S.  Vermont  Avenue,  Los  Angeles. 
All  classes  equipment.  Projection  and  sound 
equipment  repairing. 

shearer  company,  b.  f.,  1968  S.  Vermont  Ave- 
nue, Los  Angeles.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service.  Member  of  T.E.D.P.A. 


May    29,  1943 


BETTER  THEATRES 


95 


Territorial  dealers  are  designated  as  deal- 
ers either  in  general  theatre  equipment  and 
furnishings  or  in  some  specific  kind  of  thea- 
tre supplies.  Members  of  the  Theatre  Equip- 
ment Dealers  Protective  Association  are  so 
indicated. 


shearer  company,  b.  f.,  243  Golden  Gate  Ave- 
nue, San  Francisco.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service.  Member  of  T.E.D.P.A. 

WESTERN  THEATRICAL  EQUIPMENT  COMPANY,  222 

Golden  Gate  Avenue,  San  Francisco.  All 
classes  equipment.  General  repair  service. 
Member  of  T.E.D.P.A. 

COLORADO 

GRAHAM    BROTHERS    THEATRE    EQUIPMENT,  546 

Lincoln  Street,  Denver.  All  classes  equip- 
ment. Stage,  projection  equipment  and  re- 
pairing. Member  of  T.E.D.P.A. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF 
NATIONAL-  SIMPLEX  -BLUDWORTH ,      INC.,  2111 

Champa  Street,  Denver.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   General  repair  service. 

CONNECTICUT 

MODERN  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  CORPORATION,  THE, 

133  Meadow  Street,  New  Haven.  All  classes 
equipment.    General  repair  service. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF  NA- 
TIONAL-SIMPLEX -BLUDWORTH,   INC.,    122  Mea- 

dow  Street,  New  Haven.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   General  repair  service. 

DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA 

ben  lust,  1001  New  Jersey  Avenue,  N.  W., 
Washington,  D.  C.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

FLORIDA 

UNITED   THEATRE   SUPPLY   CORPORATION,    110  N. 

Franklin  Street,  Tampa.  All  classes  equip- 
ment. General  repair  service.  Member  of 
T.E.D.P.A. 

GEORGIA 

capitol  city  supply  company,  inc.,  161  Walton 
Street,  N.  W.,  Atlanta.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

HOWELL    EQUIPMENT     COMPANY,     Atlanta.  All 

classes  equipment.  General  repair  service. 
Member  of  T.E.D.P.A. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF  NA- 
TIONAL- SIMPLEX -BLUDWORTH,  INC.,  187  Wal- 
ton Street,  N.  W.,  Atlanta.  All  classes  equip- 
ment. General  repair  service. 

SOUTHLAND  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  COMPANY,  INC., 

183  Walton   Street,   N.  W.,   Atlanta.  _  All 
classes  equipment.    General  repair  service. 
wil-kin  theatre  supply,  inc.,  150-4  Walton 
Street,  N.  W.,  Atlanta.  All  classes  equipment. 
Projection  and  sound  equipment  repairing. 

ILLINOIS 

ABBOTT    THEATRE    SUPPLY    COMPANY,    1311  S. 

Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago.  All  classes  equip- 
ment. General  repair  service.  Member 
T.E.P.D.A. 

DROLL    THEATRE    SUPPLY,    COMPANY,    351  East 

Ohio  Street,  Chicago.  All  classes  equipment. 

Projection  and  sound  equipment  repairing. 
fulton  company,  e.  e.,  1018  South  Wabash 

Avenue,    Chicago.     All   classes  equipment. 

General  repair  service. 
Goldberg,  inc.,  joe,  1255  S.  Wabash  Avenue, 

Chicago.    All  classes  equipment.  Projection 

and  sound  equipment  repairing.  Member  of 

T.E.D.P.A. 

NATIONAL     THEATRE     SUPPLY     DIVISION  OF 

national-simplex-bludworth,  inc.,  1325  S. 
Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago.  All  classes  equip- 
ment. Equipment  repair  service. 
Stanley  theatre  supply  co.,  1235  S.  Wabash 
Avenue,  Chicago.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

INDIANA 

exhibitors  exchange,  inc.,  402  N.  Illinois 
Street,  Indianapolis.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

national  theatre  supply  division  of 
national-simplex-bludworth,  inc.,  436  N. 


Illinois  Street,  Indianapolis.  All  classes 
equipment.  General  repair  service. 

IOWA 

DES    MOINES    THEATRE    SUPPLY    COMPANY,  1121 

High  Street,  Des  Moines.  All  classes  equip- 
ment. General  repair  service.  Member  of 
T.E.D.PA. 

NATIONAL    THEATRE    SUPPLY    DIVISION    OF  NA- 
TIONAL-SIMPLEX-BLUDWORTH, INC.,  1102  High 

Street,  Des  Moines.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 


KANSAS 

SOUTHWEST  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  COMPANY,  309 

W.  Douglas  Avenue,  Wichita.  All  classes 
equipment.  General  repair  service. 

KENTUCKY 

central  theatre  supply,  5th  Avenue  at  318, 
Louisville.  All  classes  equipment.  General 
repair  service. 


ARE  TOU  IN  STYLE? 

In  these  days  when  every  family  is  "uniform"  conscious, 
it  pays  to  dress  up  your  staff  in  the  latest  styles  by  the 
House  of  Maier-Lavaty,  the  country's  leading  theatre 
"Quality  Built  Uniform  Makers." 

Give  your  theatre  that  distinctive  and  attractive  look  by 
outfitting  your  staff  in  our  newest  Summer  Light  Weight 
to  harmonize  with  the  color  and  gaiety  of  the  atmosphere. 
It  not  only  makes  the  staff  feel  comfortable  but  also 
refreshes  the  audience  by  "eye-appeal."  The  well  groomed 
theatre  staff  is  part  of  the  attraction  that  your  patrons 
expect.  Be  smart  by  being  in  style. 

Send  for  our  Free  Color  Catalog  full  of  new  styles  and  designs. 
Make  your  Uniform  Problem  our  problem  by  writing  for  sug- 
gestions today. 


CHICAGO 

2141   LINCOLN  AVENUE 


kdaier  -^^pr  Lava~ty 


CHICAGO.  ILLINOIS 


still  the  finest  IN  theatre  sound 

Now  developing  new  equipment  for  Post-War  use 

THE  LINCROPHONE  CO.,  INC. 
1661  HOWARD  AVENUE.  UTICA,  N.  Y. 


NOVELTY 

SCENIC  STUDIOS 

Interior  Decoration    •    Curtains    •  Draperies 

Murals    •    Acoustic  Wall  Treatments 
320   West   48th   Street.   New   York  City 


96 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    2  9,     194  3 


FALLS  CITY  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  COMPANY,  427-9 

South  3rd  Street,  Louisville.  All  classes 
equipment.  General  repair  service.  Member 
of  T.E.D.P.A. 

LOUISIANA 

delta  theatre  supply,  inc.,  214  South  Liberty, 
New  Orleans.  All  classes  equipment.  Projec- 
tion and  sound  equipment  repairing. 

LOUISIANA  MOTION  PICTURE  EQUIPMENT  COM- 
PANY, 1414  Cleveland  Avenue,  New  Orleans. 
All  classes  equipment.  Projection  and  sound 
equipment  repairing.  Member  of  T.E.D.P.A. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF 
NATIONAL- SIMPLEX -BLUD  WORTH,   INC.,    220  S. 

Liberty  Street,  New  Orleans.  All  classes 
equipment.   General  repair  service. 

MAINE 

MAINE  THEATRE   SUPPLY   COMPANY,   507  Forest 

Avenue,  Portland.    General  repair  service. 

MARYLAND 

DUSMAN  MOTION  PICTURE  SUPPLIES,  J.  F.,  213  N. 

Calvert  Street,  Baltimore.  All  classes  equip- 
ment. Electric  and  stage  equipment  repairing. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF 
NATIONAL- SIMPLEX -BLUDWORTH,  INC.,  417  St. 

Paul  Place,  Baltimore.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   General  repair  service. 

MASSACHUSETTS 

capitol  theatre  supply  company,  28  Piedmont 
Street,  Boston.  All  classes  equipment.  Proj- 
ection and  sound  equipment  repairing.  Mem- 
ber of  T.E.D.P.A. 

cifre,  inc.,  joe,  37  Winchester  Street,  Boston. 
All  classes  equipment.    General  repairs. 

INDEPENDENT   THEATRE   SUPPLY   COMPANY,  INC.. 

28  Winchester  Street,  Boston.  All  classes 
equipment.  Projection  and  sound  equipment 
repairing. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF  NA- 
TIONAL-SIMPLEX-BLUDWORTH,  inc.,  37  Win- 
chester Street,  Boston.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

STANDARD  THEATRE  SUPPLY  COMPANY,  78  BrOad- 

way,  Boston.   All  classes  equipment.  General 
repair  service. 
theatre  service  &  supply  company,  30  Pied- 
mont Street,  Boston.    All  classes  equipment. 
Projection  equipment  repairing. 

MICHIGAN 

amusement  supply  company,  208  W.  Mont- 
calm, Detroit.  All  classes  equipment.  Gen- 
eral repair  service.    Member  of  T.E.D.P.A. 

FORBES   THEATRE    SUPPLY   COMPANY,    ERNIE,  214 

W.  Montcalm  Street,  Detroit.  All  classes 
equipment.    General  repair  service. 

MCARTHUR  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  COMPANY,  2501 

Cass  Avenue,  Detroit.  All  classes  equipment. 
Projector  repairing.    Member  of  T.E.D.P.A. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF 
NATIONAL- SIMPLEX-BLUDWORTH,  INC.,  2312-14 

Cass  Avenue,  Detroit.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

OLIVER   THEATRE    SUPPLY,   INC.,   210   W.  Mont- 

calm  Street,  Detroit.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

MINNESOTA 

cinema  supplies,  inc.,  38  Glenwood  Avenue, 
Minneapolis.  All  classes  equipment.  Gen- 
eral repair  service. 

ELLIOTT    THEATRE   EQUIPMENT    COMPANY,  Glen- 

wood  Avenue,  Minneapolis.  All  classes  equip- 
ment. Projection  and  sound  equipment  re- 
pairing. 

FROSCH    THEATRE    SUPPLY    COMPANY,    38  Glen- 

wood  Avenue,  Minneapolis.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   General  repair  service. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF  NA- 
TIONAL-SIMPLEX-BLUDWORTH,  inc,  56  Glen- 
wood Avenue,  Minneapolis.  All  classes 
equipment.    General  repair  service. 

RULIFFSON  THEATRE  SUPPLY  COMPANY,  DON,  1011 


Currie  Avenue,  Minneapolis.  All  classes 
equipment.  General  repair  service.  Member 
of  T.E.P.D.A. 

WESTERN  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  EXCHANGE,  INC., 

45  Glenwood,  Minneapolis.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   Projection  equipment  repairing. 

MISSOURI 

erker  bros.,  610  Olive  Street,  St.  Louis,  All 
classes  equipment.  Projection  and  sound 
equipment  repairing. 

exhibitors  supply  company,  3236  Olive  Street, 
St.  Louis.  All  classes  equipment.  Projection 
and  sound  equipment  repairing.  Member  of 
T.E.D.P.A. 

independent  theatre  supply  company,  115 
West  18th  Street,  Kansas  City.  All  classes 
equipment.    General  repair  service. 

MISSOURI  theatre  supply  company,  115  West 
18th  Street,  Kansas  City.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   Lamp  and  projector  repairing. 

NATIONAL    THEATRE    SUPPLY    DIVISION    OF  NA- 

tional-simplex-bludworth,  inc.,  3210  Olive 
Street,  St.  Louis.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 
national  theatre  supply  division  of 
nattonal-simplex-bludworth,  inc.,  238  W. 
18th  Street,  Kansas  City.  All  Classes  equip- 
ment.  General  repair  service. 

ROCKENSTEIN     COMPANY,     L.     T.,     3327  LoCUSt 

Street,  St.  Louis.  All  classes  equipment. 

STEBBINS   THEATRE   EQUIPMENT   COMPANY,  1804 

Wyandotte  Street,  Kansas  City.  All  classes 
equipment.  General  repair  service.  Member 
of  T.E.D.P.A. 

MONTANA 

WESTERN  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  COMPANY,  214  N. 

15th  Street,  Butte.  All  classes  equipment. 
Projection  and  sound  equipment  repairing. 

NEBRASKA 

THE    BALLANTYNE    COMPANY,    219    North  16th 

Street,  Omaha.  All  classes  equipment.  Pro- 
jection and  sound  equipment  repairing. 

METROPOLITAN      SCENIC      STUDIOS,      INC.,  1611 

Davenport  Street,  Omaha.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   General  repair  service. 

QUALITY    THEATRE    SUPPLY    CORPORATION,  1511 

Davenport  Street,  Omaha.  All  classes  equip- 
ment. Projection  and  sound  equipment  re- 
pairing. 

WESTERN  THEATRE  SUPPLY  COMPANY,  214  N.  15th 

Street,  Omaha.  All  classes  equipment.  Pro- 
jection and  sound  equipment  repairing.  Mem- 
ber of  T.E.D.P.A. 

NEW  MEXICO 

FASTERN  NEW  MEXICO  THEATRE  SUPPLY  COM- 
PANY, Box  1099,  Clovis.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   General  repair  service. 

NEW  YORK 

albany  theatre  supply  company,  1046  Broad- 
way, Albany. 

AMUSEMENT  SUPPLY  COMPANY,  INC.,  341  W.  44th 

Street,  New  York  City.  All  classes  equip- 
ment. Projection  and  sound  equipment  re- 
pairing. 

AUBURN  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  COMPANY,  5  Court 

Street,  Auburn.  All  classes  equipment.  Gen- 
eral repair  service. 

BECKER    THEATRE    EQUIPMENT,   INC.,    492  Pearl 

Street,  Buffalo.  All  classes  equipment.  Pro- 
jection and  sound  equipment  repairing. 

BEHREND  MOTION  PICTURE  SUPPLY   HOUSE,  INC., 

630  9th  Avenue,  New  York  City.  All  classes 
equipment. 

CAPITOL    MOTION    PICTURE   SUPPLY  CORPORATION, 

630  9th  Avenue,  New  York  City.  All  classes 
equipment.  Motor  generator,  rheostat  and 
projector  repairing. 

CROWN  MOTION  PICTURE  SUPPLIES  CORPORATION, 

614  Ninth  Avenue,  New  York  City.  All 
classes  equipment.    General  repair  service. 

EMPIRE   THEATRE   SUPPLY   COMPANY,   INC.,  1003 

Broadway,  Albany.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 


EMPIRE   THEATRE   SUPPLY   CORPORATION,   334  W. 

44th  Street,  New  York  City.  All  classes 
equipment.  General  repair  service. 
hornstein,  inc.,  joe,  630  9th  Avenue,  New 
York  City.  All  classes  equipment.  Projection 
and  sound  equipment  repairing.  Member  of 
T.E-O.P.A. 

KAPLAN    MANUFACTURING    &   SUPPLY  COMPANY, 

inc.,  sam,  729  Seventh  Avenue,  New  York 
City.  Projection  and  sound  equipment.  Pro- 
jection and  sound  equipment  repairing. 

NATIONAL    THEATRE    SUPPLY    DIVISION    OF  NA- 

tional-simplex-bludworth,  inc.,  92  Gold 
Street,  New  York  City.  All  classes  equip- 
ment. General  repair  service. 
national  theatre  supply  division  of 
national- simplex-bludworth,  inc.,  498-500 
Pearl  Street,  Buffalo.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF 
NATTONAL-SIMPLEX-BLUDWORTH,  INC.,  356  W. 

44th  Street,  New  York  City.  All  classes 
equipment.   General  repair  service. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF 
NATIONAL- SIMPLEX-BLUDWORTH,       INC.,  962 

Broadway,  Albany,  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 
s.  o.  s.  CINEMA  supply  corporation,  449  West 
42nd  Street,  New  York  City.  All  classes 
equipment.  National  distribution  on  mail- 
order plan. 

STATE  SANITARY  PRODUCTS  COMPANY,  630  Ninth 

Avenue,  New  York  City.  Cleaning  materials 
and  implements.  National  distribution  on 
mail-order  plan. 

UNITED    PROJECTOR    &    FILM    CORPORATION,  228 

Franklin  Street,  Buffalo.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   Projector  repair  service. 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

BRYANT  THEATRE   SUPPLY   COMPANY,  227  South 

Church  Street,  Charlotte.  All  classes  equip 
ment.    General  repair  service. 

DIXIE    THEATRE    SUPPLY    COMPANY,    324  South 

Church  Street,  Charlotte.  All  classes  equip- 
ment. General  repair  service. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF 
NATION  AL-SIMPLEX-BLUDWORTH,   INC.,    304  S. 

Church  Street,  Charlotte.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   General  repair  service. 

THE  STANDARD  THEATRE  SUPPLY  COMPANY,  124- 

128  East  Washington  Street,  Greensboro.  All 
classes  equipment.  General  repair  service. 
Member  of  T.E.D.P.A. 

theatre  equipment  company,  261  N.  Green 
Street,  Greensboro.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

theatre  suppliers,  inc.,  Box  1132,  Greensboro. 
All  classes  equipment.  Projection  and  sound 
equipment  repairing. 

wil-kin  theatre  supply,  inc.,  321-323  S. 
Church  Street,  Charlotte.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   General  repair  service. 

NORTH  DAKOTA 

MCCARTHY  THEATRE  SUPPLY   COMPANY,   55  5th 

Street,  No.,  Fargo.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

OHIO 

AKRON    THEATRE    SUPPLY    COMPANY,    1025  N. 

Main  Street,  Akron.  All  classes  equipment. 
Projection  and  sound  equipment  repairing. 

AMERICAN   THEATRE   EQUIPMENT   COMPANY,  165 

N.  High  Street,  Columbus.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   General  repair  service. 

AMERICAN   THEATRE   SUPPLY   COMPANY,  310  St. 

Clair  Street,  Toledo.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

DAYTON  THEATRE  SUPPLY  COMPANY,  111  Volken- 

and  Street,  Dayton.   Projector  repair  service. 

MID- WEST  THEATRE  SUPPLY  COMPANY,  INC.,  1632 

Central  Parkway,  Cincinnati.  All  classes 
equipment.    General  repair  service. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF  NA- 
TIONAL-SIMPLEX-BLUDWORTH,      INC.,  1637-39 

Central  Parkway.  Cincinnati.  All  classes 
equipment.    General  repair  service. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF  NA- 
TION AL-SIMPLEX-BLUDWORTH,  inc.,  2128  Payne 


May    2  9,     19  4  3 


BETTER    TH  EATRES 


97 


Avenue,  Cleveland.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

OLIVER    THEATRE    SUPPLY,    INC.,    1611    E.  21st 

Street,  Cleveland.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

STANDARD     THEATRE     SUPPLY     COMPANY,  3461 

Franklin  Street,  Bellaire.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   Projection  equipment  repairing. 

OKLAHOMA 

howell,  w.  r.,  12  South  Walker  Avenue,  Okla- 
homa City.  All  classes  equipment.  General 
repair  service. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF 
NATIONAL- SI MPLEX-BLUD WORTH,  INC.,  700  W. 

Grand  Avenue,  Oklahoma  City.  All  classes 
equipment.    General  repair  service. 

OKLAHOMA  THEATRE  SUPPLY  COMPANY,  708  West 

Grand  Avenue,  Oklahoma  City.  All  classes 
equipment.  Projection  and  sound  equipment 
repairing.    Member  of  T.E.D.P.A. 

OREGON 

shearer  company,  b.  f.,  1109  N.  W.  Glisan, 
Portland.  All  classes  equipment.  Projection 
and  sound  equipment  repairing.  Member  of 
T.E.D.P.A. 

THEATRE  UTILITIES  SERVICE  COMPANY,  528  N.  W. 

12th  Avenue,  Portland.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   Projector  repairing. 

WESTERN   THEATRE   EQUIPMENT   COMPANY,  1923 

N.  W.  Kearney  Street,  Portland.  All  classes 
equipment.    General  repair  service. 

PENNSYLVANIA 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF  NA- 
TIONAL-SIMPLEX-BLUD  WORTH,  inc.,  1225  Vine 
Street,  Philadelphia.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF  NA- 
TIONAL-SIMPLEX-BLUDWORTH,  INC.,  1721  Blvd. 

of  the  Allies,  Pittsburgh.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   General  repair  service. 

PEN  N    THEATRE   EQUIPMENT    COMPANY,   309  N. 

13th  Street,  Philadelphia.  All  classes  equip- 
ment. Projectors  and  ticket  registers  re- 
paired. 

seiler  equipment  company,  Seiler  Building, 
Greensburg.  All  classes  equipment. 

STANDARD   THEATRE    EQUIPMENT    COMPANY,  307 

North  13th  Street,  Philadelphia.  All  classes 
equipment.  General  repair  service. 
a.  &  s.  Steinberg,  inc.,  1705  Blvd.  of  the  Allies, 
Pittsburgh.  All  classes  equipment.  Projec- 
tion and  sound  equipment  repairing.  Member 
T.E.P.D.A. 

superior  motion  picture  SUPPLY  COMPANY,  84 
Van  Braam  Street,  Pittsburgh.    All  classes 

equipment.    General  repair  service. 

RHODE  ISLAND 

RHODE   ISLAND  THEATRE   SUPPLY    COMPANY,  357 

Westminster  Street,  Providence.  All  classes 
equipment.    General  repair  service. 

SOUTH  CAROLINA 

TRIO     AMUSEMENT     COMPANY,     INC.,     Box  394 

Greenville.    All  classes  equipment. 

SOUTH  DAKOTA 

AMERICAN  THEATRE  SUPPLY  COMPANY,  220  West 

10th  Street,  Sioux  Falls.  All  classes  equip- 
ment. Projection  and  sound  equipment  re- 
pairing. 

TENNESSEE 

AMERICAN    THEATRE    SUPPLY    COMPANY,  117-19 

Seventh  Avenue,  N.,  Nashville.  All  classes 
equipment.     General  repair  service. 

MONARCH,   THEATRE    SUPPLY    COMPANY,    494  S. 

Second  Street,  Memphis.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   General  repair  service. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF 
NATIONAL -SI  MPLEX-BLUD  WORTH,    INC.,    400  S. 

Second  Street,  Memphis,  Tenn.  All  classes 
equipment.   General  repair  service. 


TEXAS 

HARDIN  THEATRE  SUPPLY  COMPANY,  714  Hamp- 
ton Road,  Dallas.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

hkrber  brothers,  408  South  Harwood  Street. 
Dallas.  All  classes  equipment.  General  re- 
paw  service. 

independent  .  u.M  exchange,  328  East  Com- 
merce itreet,  ^at)  Antonio.  All  classes  equip- 
ment. Projection  and  sound  equipment  re- 
pairing. 

MODERN    THEATRE    EQUIPMENT    COMPANY,  2011 

Jackson  Street,  Dallas.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   Projector  repairmu. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF 
NATIONAL-SIMPLEX-BLUDWORTH,   INC.,   300  S. 

Harwood  Street,  Dallas.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   General  repair  service. 

SOUTHWESTERN  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  COMPANY, 

1416  Main  Street,  Houston.  All  classes  equip- 
ment. Projection  and  sound  equipment  re- 
pairing.  Member  of  T.E.D.P.A. 

UTAH 

INTER-MOUNTAIN  THEATRE  SUPPLY  COMPANY,  142 

East  First  South,  Salt  Lake  City.  All  classes 
equipment.  General  repair  service.  Member 
of  T.E.D.P.A. 

VERMONT 

boardman  theatre  supply  house,  30  Church 
Street,    Burlington.    All   classes  equipment. 

General  repair  service. 

VIRGINIA 

walker  c.  cottrell,  jr.,  16  S.  First  Street, 
Richmond.  All  classes  equipment.  General 
repair  service. 

WASHINGTON 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF  NA- 
TIONAL-SIMPLEX-BLUDWORTH, inc.,  2319  Sec- 
ond Avenue,  Seattle.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

shearer  company,  b.  f.,  2318  Second  Avenue, 

Seattle.  All  classes  equipment.  Interior  deco- 
rating service  and  supplies.  General  repair 
service.   Member  of  T.E.D.P.A. 

THEATRE  SUPPLY  &  SOUND  SERVICE  COMPANY,  617 

First  Avenue,  Spokane.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   General  repair  service. 

WESTERN   THEATRE   EQUIPMENT   COMPANY,  2406 

First  Avenue,  Seattle.  All  classes  equipment. 
Projection  and  sound  equipment  repairing. 


WEST  VIRGINIA 

Charleston  theatre  supply,  506  Lee  Street, 
Charleston.  All  classes  equipment.  General 
repair  service. 


WISCONSIN 

DROLL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  COMPANY,  709  W.  Wells 

Street,  Milwaukee.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  DIVISION  OF 
NATIONAL-SIMPLEX-BLUDWORTH,  INC.,  1027  N. 

8th  street,  Milwaukee.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   General  repair  service. 

smith,  ray,  company,  the,  710  N.  State  Street, 
Milwaukee.  All  classes  equipment.  Projec- 
tion and  sound  equipment  repairing.  Mem- 
ber of  T.E.D.P.A. 

theatre  supply  &  service  company,  709  W. 
Wells  Street,  Milwaukee.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   General  repair  service. 

CANADA 

Canadian  theatre  supply  co.,  510  Canada 
Bldg.,  Winnipeg,  Manitoba.  All  classes 
equipment.  Projection  and  sound  equipment 
repairing. 

coleman  electric  company,  258  Victoria  St., 
Toronto,  Ontario.    Sound  equipment. 

DOMINION  SOUND  EQUIPMENT,  LTD.,  1620  Notre- 

Dame  St.,  W.  Montreal,  Que.  All  classes 
equipment.    General  repair  service. 

DOMINION  SOUND  EQUIPMENT,  LTD.,   131  SimCOe 

St.,  Toronto,  Ont.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

DOMINION  SOUND  EQUIPMENT,  LTD.,  86  Hollis  St., 

Halifax,  Nova  Scotia.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

DOMINION  SOUND  EQUIPMENT,  LTD.,  65  Rone  St., 

Winnipeg,  Manitoba.    All  classes  equipment. 

General  repair  service. 
dominion  sound  equipment,  ltd.,  820  Cambie, 

Vancouver,  B.  C.    All  classes  equipment. 

General  repair  service. 
dominion  theatre  equipment  company,  LTD., 

21  Dundas  Square,  Toronto,  Ontario.  All 

classes  equipment.    General  repair  service. 

DOMINION    THEATRE    EQUIPMENT    CO.,    LTD.,  847 

Davie  St.,  Vancouver,  B.  C.  All  classes  equip- 
ment. Projection  and  sound  equipment  re- 
pairing. 

empire  agencies,  ltd.,  211-215  Bower  Bldg., 
543  Granville  Street,  Vancouver,  B.  C.  All 
classes  equipment.   General  repair  service. 

general  theatre  supply  co.,  ltd.,  104  Bond 
St.,  Toronto,  Ontario.  All  classes  equipment. 
Projector  repairing. 

perkins  electric  company,  ltd.,  2027  Bleury 
Street,  Montreal,  Quebec.  All  classes  equip- 
ment.   General  repair  service. 

la  salle  recreations,  ltd.,  945  Granville  St., 
Vancouver,  B.  C.  All  classes  equipment.  Gen- 
eral repair  service. 

perkins  electric  co.,  ltd.,  277  Victoria  St., 
Toronto,  Ontario.  All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 

rice  4  co.,  j.  m.,  202  Canada  Bldg.,  Winnipeg, 
Man.  All  classes  equipment.  Projection  and 
sound  equipment  repairing. 

THEATRE    EQUIPMENT     SUPPLY     COMPANY,  906 

Davie  Street,  Vancouver,  B.  C.    All  classes 
equipment.    General  repair  service. 
the  united  electric  co.,  ltd.,  847  Davie  St., 
Vancouver,  B.  C.     All  classes  equipment. 
General  repair  service. 


$2.00  POSTPAID 


The  Most  Simplified 
Theatre  Bookkeeping 
System  Yet  Devised 

Every  exhibitor  will  appreciate  the  com- 
pleteness and  convenience  of  this  easy  ac- 
counting system.  Enables  you  to  keep  an 
accurate  and  up-to-the-minute  record  of 
every  phase  of  the  business  of  your  theatre. 

QUICLEY  BOOKSHOP 


ROCKEFELLER  CENTER. 


NEW  YORK 


98 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    29,  1943 


When  War-Trained  Engineering 
Turns  Again  to  Motion  Pictures 


II  How  the  post-war  theatre  scene  looks  from 
here  to  a  member  of  one  equipment  organization 


By  H.  J.  BENHAM 


AS    FAR    BACK    as  1939, 

when  only  the  murmurs  of  war  reached 
our  shores,  the  management  of  RCA  fore- 
saw the  important  role  which  they  must 
be  prepared  to  play  in  the  nation's  pre- 
paredness program.  Conversion  of  RCA 
Plants,  machinery,  material  and  man- 
power to  meet  the  Government's  require- 
ments were  planned  far  in  advance  of  this 
country's  entry  into  the  war.  By  1941, 
RCA's  major  efforts  were  directed  toward 
war  projects. 

It  was  realized  that  this  country  would 
be  in  competition  with  an  enemy  not  only 
in  the  field  of  combat,  but  also  in  scientific 
and  engineering  research.  To  help  speed 
up  the  development  of  equipment  for  our 
soldiers,  the  RCA  Laboratories  were  built 
at  Princeton,  N.  J.  Here  engineers  and 
scientists,  famed  in  the  electronic  world, 
are  housed  under  one  roof  with  the  ad- 
vantage of  collective  effort  in  attacking 


problems  and  new  developments  that  will 
help  our  soldiers  out-see,  out-hear,  out-wit, 
and  out-shoot  our  enemies.  These  same 
laboratories  will  be  used  after  the  war  to 
complete  work  started  before  the  war  and 
convert  war-time  discoveries  to  peace-time 
applications. 

In  looking  back  at  RCA's  peace-time 
research  in  radio  for  communications  and 
entertainment  in  television,  in  facsimile,  in 
electronics,  in  acoustics  and  in  the  multi- 
plicity of  the  newer  offsprings  of  radio,  it 
may  be  seen  that  the  conversion  to  war 
purposes  was  in  some  instances  direct  ap- 
plication and  in  others,  application  of  tech- 
niques. RCA  played  an  important  part  in 
the  quick  development  of  new  ideas  and 
in  the  conversion  of  peace-time  equipment 
to  meet  the  demands  of  the  Armed  Forces. 
New  inventions  and  important  develop- 
ments which  in  normal  times  might  require 
years  to  reach  practical  service,  have  been 
rushed  to  completion  in  months  to  meet 
the  demands  of  war. 

RCA  is  looking  ahead  now  with  their 
post-war  planning  in  much  the  same  man- 


Probably  not  accurate  prophecy,  but  at  any  rate  a  reminder  of  what  television  and  sound  engineers  were 
thinking  about  in  the  year  the  war  turned  all  thoughts  to  matters  military.  This  is  a  representation  of 
television  equipment  in  a  theatre,  somewhat  complicated  by  a  multiple  speaker  system  comparable  to 
that  used  for  so-called  "three-dimensional"  motion  picture  sound. 


ner  as  they  looked  ahead  in  1939  for  their 
war  planning.  Although  application  of 
continuing  research  is  all  to  war  projects, 
RCA  engineers  and  scientists  look  forward 
to  the  day  when  the  war  job  will  be  fin- 
ished and  they  may  again  focus  their  atten- 
tion and  efforts  on  projects  that  are  of 
direct  benefit  to  mankind. 

Just  as  the  conversion  of  RCA's  peace- 
time research  was  made  to  war  purposes, 
it  can  also  be  expected  that  many  of 
RCA1  s  war-time  research  will  be  converted 
to  peace-time  purposes.  Many  of  the  de- 
velopments made  during  the  war  for  mili- 
tary purposes,  may  have  no  immediate 
practical  use;  some  of  the  ideas  that  do 
look  useful  may  be  kept  secret  by  the  War 
Department  and  Navy  Department  long 
after  the  war  ends.  Considerable  thought, 
however,  is  already  being  given  to  those 
war-time  developments  which  may  be  used 
to  determine  their  value  for  commercial 
application.  With  these  thoughts  in  mind, 
let  us  consider  some  of  the  development 
work  started  prior  to  the  war,  and  their 
effect  on  the  motion  picture  theatre  after 
the  war. 

TELEVISION  IN  THE  THEATRE 

We  entered  the  war  with  television  tak- 
ing its  first  steps  along  the  road  to  public 
service.  RCA  had  already  made  several 
demonstrations  of  large  screen  television 
in  the  New  Yorker  theatre,  New  York 
City ;  television  images  were  projected 
over  60  feet  on  to  a  I5x20-foot  screen. 
The  program  originated  approximately  70 
miles  from  the  theatre.  Although  these 
original  demonstrations  were  widely 
acclaimed  by  most  all  who  witnessed  them, 
there  were  various  problems  involved 
which  had  to  be  solved  before  theatre  tele- 
vision equipment  could  be  made  available 
and  before  regular  programs  could  start. 

The  knowledge  gained  through  years  of 
television  research  was  very  helpful  in 
other  fields  of  development  for  instruments 
of  war,  as  for  example  in  Radar  equipment. 
It  is  expected,  therefore,  that  war-work 
will  add  to  television  knowledge  and  tech- 
niques. Because  of  this,  RCA  will  be  able 
more  readily  to  add  sight  to  sound  as  a 
radio  service  and  bring  large  screen  tele- 
vision to  the  motion  picture  theatre.  How- 
ever, even  though  many  of  the  problems 
have  been  solved  due  to  war-time  discov- 
eries, it  will  take  considerable  time  after 
the  war  is  over  to  design  the  equipment, 
conduct  the  necessary  field  tests,  and  train 
the  large  number  ef  men  necessary  to  han- 
dle installation,  service  and  operation  of 
equipment  before  large  screen  television 
will  be  ready  for  the  theatre. 

There  has  been  some  apprehension 
among  a  few  as  to  the  effect  television  in 


May    2  9,     194  3 


BETTER  THEATRES 


99 


the  home  will  have  upon  the  theatre.  This 
same  fear  was  experienced  back  in  1920 
when  radio  broadcasting  was  first  intro- 
duced, and  some  people  thought  that  the 
phonograph  and  record  business  would  be 
ruined.  Instead,  the  radio  brought  along 
with  it  electrical  recording  and  reproduc- 
ing, resulting  in  new  life  to  the  phono- 
graph and  record  business.  It  was  not  until 
they  started  to  broadcast  prize  fights  that 
the  first  million  dollar  gate  was  obtained. 
Opera  reached  new  heights  in  popularity 
after  it  had  been  broadcast  over  the  net- 
works. There  were  also  many  who  held 
the  view  that  talking  motion  pictures  had 
no  place  in  the  theatre.  As  we  all  know, 
sound  became  a  vital  part  of  the  motion 
picture,  resulting  in  a  much  greater  inter- 
est than  ever  before  in  the  theatre.  Tele- 
vision in  the  theatre  will  no  doubt  have 
the  same  stimulating  effect  on  theatre  busi- 
ness as  the  addition  of  sound  to  the  picture. 

MULTI-TRACK  SOUND  FILM 

The  showing  of  Disney's  "Fantasia" 
brought  to  the  public  for  the  first  time  an 
illusion  and  realism  never  before  attained 
in  the  motion  picture  theatre.  To  accom- 
plish the  results  obtained,  it  was  necessary 
to  use  much  expensive  and  special  equip- 
ment ;  however,  considerable  work  had 
been  done  even  before  the  war  in  an 
attempt  to  adopt  some  of  the  principles 
used  in  producing  and  showing  "Fantasia" 
without  the  necessity  of  extensive  changes 
in  theatre  and  studio  equipment. 

Considerable  improvement  in  volume 
range  and  dramatic  effect  may  be  obtained 
by  the  use  of  a  control  track  which  regu- 
lates the  volume  or  gain  of  the  system  and 
switches  on  or  off  additional  speakers  in 
the  theatre  or  behind  the  screen.  The 
control  track  was  originally  developed  for 
use  with  Disney's  "Fantasia,"  and  was 
later  used  by  Warner  Brothers  in  a  few  of 
their  theatres.  At  the  present  time,  there 
are  two  methods  of  placing  the  control 
track  on  the  film.  One  method  is  to  have 
a  separate  track  5  mils  wide  (see  B  in 
accompanying  drawing)  between  the  sound 


Sound  control  tracks  that  were  engaging  the  atten- 
tion of  RCA  engineers  when  such  research  was 
stopped  by  the  war.  Track  A  is  a  duplex  area 
sprocket  hole  control.  Track  B  is  a  5-mm.  control. 

track  and  the  picture.  The  other  method 
is  to  create  a  96-cycle  signal  by  passing  a 
beam  of  light  through  the  sprocket  hole 
section  of  the  film  (see  A  in  diagram). 
The  intensity  of  the  signal  is  governed  by 
the  amount  of  light  allowed  to  pass  through 
the  film  between  sprocket  holes. 

The  control  track  will  not  affect  the 
reproduction  of  sound  in  theatres  where 
control  track  conversions  have  not  been 
made  in  the  equipment,   and  conversely 


ordinary  prints  will  operate  normally 
through  equipments  which  have  been  con- 
verted for  the  showing  of  control  track 
prints.  This  interchangeability  feature  will 
result  in  the  gradual  introduction  of  the 
control  track  in  the  industry  without  occa- 
sioning any  disruption  in  the  theatre  field. 

DRIVE-IN  THEATRES 

During  the  years  1940  and  1941  drive- 
in  theatres  passed  out  of  the  experimental 
class  and  attained  the  status  of  a  regular 
theatre.  This  type  of  theatre  had  become 
increasingly  more  popular  and  many  of 
the  country's  leading  theatre  circuits  had 
built  drive-in  theatres  because  they  real- 
ized that  this  type  of  business  was  profit- 


able and  had  great  future  possibilities. 
Plans  had  been  made  to  build  many  drive- 
in  theatres  in  the  Spring  of  1942,  but 
all  these  projects  were  abandoned  because 
of  the  war.  It  is  expected,  however,  that 
drive-in  theatre  construction  will  start 
immediately  after  the  war  because  this 
type  of  theatre  does  not  require  many  of 
the  vital  building  materials  which  may  be 
scarce  in  the  initial  post-war  period. 

RCA  is  giving  the  drive-in  theatre  con- 
siderable thought  in  its  post-war  planning. 
Equipments  for  both  large  and  small 
theatres  will  be  available.  Individual 
speakers  will  be  greatly  improved  over  the 
speakers  used  prior  to  the  start  of  the  war. 
Improvement  in  carbons  just  prior  to  the 
{Continued  on  page  102) 


WHEN  PEACE  COMES... 


YOU 

will  want  a 

DeVRY 


WAR  DESIGNED  .  .  . 
WAR  TESTED  -  WAR  IMPROVED 

Built  to  satisfy  the  most  critical  audience 
in  the  world — America's  soldiers,  sailors, 
marines  —  and  to  give  day-in,  day-out 
trouble-free  performance  under  the 
most  exacting  conditions,  DEVRY 
Motion  Picture  Sound  Equipment  will 
bring  to  the  world's  peace-time  theater 
an  excellence  far  beyond  previously 
accepted  standards. 

.  .  .  brilliant  rock-steady  pictures 
.  .  .  full-tone  sound  reproduction 

a  stamina  inbuilt  to  take  the  toughest 
of  operating  schedules  at  the  hands  of 
the  most  exacting  projectionist — these 
are  the  accomplishments  of  DEVRY 
designers  and  craftsmen  who  had  a 
war's  exacting  demands  to  meet.  It  is 
for  such  accomplishments  —  for  excel- 
lence in  building  motion  picture  sound 
equipment  —  that  these  designers  and 
craftsmen  wear  the  Army-Navy  "E." 
To  be  first  with  the  latest  in  precision 


projectors  and  high-fidelity  sound  sys- 
tems, keep  your  eye  on  DEVRY. 
DEVRY  CORPORATION,  1117  Armi- 
tage,  Chicago,  U.  S.  A. 


— for  Excellence  in 
the  Production  of 
Motion  Pic  t  ure 
Sound  Equipment 


\ 


WORLD'S  MOST  COMPLETE  LINE  OF  MOTION  PICTURE  SOUND  EQUIPMENT 


00 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    2  9,     19  4  3 


Exhibitors  of  America  have  many  du- 
ties to  perform  these  war  days.  You 
build  unity  and  morale  through  motion 
picture  presentations— and  you  promote 
and  support  the  various  government 
drives  that  are  initiated  to  spur  war 
production  and  civilian  defense. 

RCA  Service,  like  exhibitors,  is  carry- 
ing on  important  war  duties:  RCA  en- 
gineers are  rendering  scheduled  service 
to  projection  room  equipment  in  thou- 
sands of  theatres  to  "Keep  'em  Run- 
ning"—and  other  RCA  Service  groups 
are  installing  military  equipment  and 
instructing  personnel,  in  this  country 
and  at  the  battlefronts. 

The  RCA  Service  organization  is  to- 
day more  than  nation-wide 
...  it  is  world-wide . . .  serv- 
ing the  home  front  and 
battlefronts  too! 


^VICTORY 
BUY 


1TED 
STATES 

.WAR 

NDS 
up 
STAMPS 


RCA  SERVICE  CO.,  INC. 

RADIO  CORPORATION  OF  AMERICA 

Subsidiary 
Camden,  N.  J. 


PERFORMER 

T    '  * 


Automatic  FILM 

RE WINDER 

Sold  thruTHEATRE  SUPPLY  DEALERS 


READ  THE  ADS— they're  news 


F.  H.  RICHARDSON'S 

COMMENT  on  PROJECTION 


F.  H.  R. 


Damage  to  Prints 
A  Wartime  Menace 

our  old  friend  Ed  Jones, 
projectionist  at  the  Ritz  theatre  in  Fernan- 
dina,  Fla.,  comes  forth  with  the  following: 

"An  article  in  this  week's  Herald 
brings  me  to  the  point  of  writing  you  on  a 
subject  that  has  been 
worrying  me  for 
some  little  while, 
and  I  know  others 
have  been  experi- 
encing the  same 
trouble.  This  has  to 
do  with  the  recent 
increase  of  fires  in 
the  theatres,  perhaps 
quite  a  few  of  them 
occurring  in  the 
projection  room. 

"I  have  recently 
had  an  epidemic  of  splices  which  have 
pulled  loose.  A  few  days  past,  for  in- 
stance, I  was  required  to  repair  eight  splices 
in  one  seven-minute  comedy.  Now,  Dad, 
you  know  that  this  is  too  much.  I  have 
checked  into  the  cause  of  this  and  find  many 
color  prints  spliced  without  scraping  the 
coloring  from  the  non-emulsion  side  and, 
as  you  know,  film  cement  will  not  hold  to 
anything  but  clean  film. 

"In  my  opinion  the  cause  of  this  is  the 
great  number  of  new  employes  in  ex- 
changes who  have  not  been  instructed 
enough  on  the  proper  way  to  splice  film ; 
if  not  this,  then  it  must  be  just  plain  care- 
lessness. 

"I  am  enclosing  a  short  piece  of  a  film 
I  received  recently.  This  damage  went  on 
for  about  300  feet,  plus  five  misframes. 
This  film  came  directly  from  the  exchange 
with  inspectors'  seals. 

"I  suggest  a  drive  to  have  these  new 
employes,  if  they  are  the  cause  of  this  trou- 
ble, schooled  thoroughly  in  the  correct  way 
to  make  a  splice  on  film,  and  I  further 
suggest  they  be  given  instruction  on  the 
proper  way  to  inspect  film." 

More  Blame  for  the  Exchanges 

Another  letter  along  the  same  vein 
comes  from  Projectionist  Fred  H.  Tewks- 
bury  of  Exeter,  N.  H.  He  says: 

"There  has  been  considerable  talk 
about  conservation  of  film  and  elimination 
of  damage  to  film  by  projectionists.  All 
blame  seems  to  be  placed  upon  the  pro- 
jectionist, while  it  should  be  placed  at  the 
doors  of  the  film  exchange  inspection  de- 
partments. 

"Through  years  of  work  on  film  as  a 
projectionist,  as  well  as  in  exchanges,  I 
have  observed  that  a  large  percentage  of 
damage  could  be  eliminated  with  a  check- 
up at  the  exchange  prior  to  shipment. 

"Considerable  damage,  is  caused  by  the 
film  being  wound  unevenly  on  the  reels 


and  then  being  forced  into  the  film  ship- 
ping cases,  crushing  the  edges  of  the  film 
and  breaking  the  sprocket  holes,  making  it 
necessary  to  cut  out  from  one  frame  to  as 
high  as  3  feet,  or  possibly  more,  to  make 
it  safe  to  run  in  a  projector.  Careless 
splices  made  at  these  cuts  cause  more  dam- 
age, since  in  a  short  time  they  must  be  re- 
made, shortening  the  scene  just  that  much 
more,  and  the  result  is  unfavorable  re- 
marks from  patrons,  plus  a  waste  of  film. 

"Such  damage  could  be  eliminated  by 
having  the  head  inspector  or  an  appointed 
inspector  check  every  reel  for  even  laying 
of  film  prior  to  shipment,  rejecting  all  reels 
with  film  wound  unevenly,  and  returning 
film  to  the  inspector  responsible  for  re- 
winding— and  a  dock  in  pay ! 

"The  cost  of  such  a  service  would  be 
very  small,  if  any,  and  would  result  in 
more  enjoyable  shows,  film  conservation 
and  a  greater  degree  of  safety  from  fire." 

The  fact  that  it  is  exceedingly  hard  to 
get  competent  help  these  days  is  creating 
a  problem  of  which  these  complaints — and 
others  have  come  in  along  the  same  lines — 
afford  but  one  example. 

Yet  There's  Waste  in  Projection  Rooms,  Too 

While  I  admit  the  guilt  of  the  exchanges 
in  many  instances,  still  there  is  many  a 
case  of  waste  and  destruction  in  the  pro- 
jection room.  Some  projectionists  are  just 
too  lazy  or  indifferent  to  do  anything  about 
it.  Others  are  doing  their  best  to  find  out 
the  cause  of  their  troubles  and  to  eliminate 
them  as  quickly  as  possible.  These  men 
are  honest  in  their  mistakes  and  can  be 
forgiven — if  they  don't  let  them  happen  a 
second  time. 

The  following  is  one  such  case.  The 
projectionist  who  wrote  in  is  honestly  puz- 
zled as  to  what  is  wrong  and  is  taking 
steps  to  place  the  blame  where  it  belongs 
and  to  rectify  it.  The  damage  in  this  in- 
stance has  been  caused  in  his  own  projec- 
tion room,  but  I  am  willing  to  wager  he 
will  not  be  guilty  again.  He  says: 

"I  would  like  to  ask  your  advice  in  a 
matter  that  has  me  puzzled.  Enclosed  you 
will  find  a  piece  of  film  with  torn  sprocket 
holes.  Notice  that  the  tear  seems  to  start 
at  the  lower  edge  of  the  sprocket  hole. 
In  trying  to  locate  the  trouble  I  have 
checked  the  loops,  film  track,  tension  in 
upper  magazine,  takeup  tension,  play  in 
the  intermittent,  and  splices  before  the 
break.  In  no  case  has  there  been  a  splice 
before  the  break.  This  breakage  has  hap- 
pened on  both  projectors  and  therefore  it 
would  seem  the  equipment  is  not  to  blame. 
The  break  has  happened  about  four  times 
in  the  past  two  months  and  always  hap- 
pens about  5  feet  from  the  end  of  the  film." 

"We  use  Super-Simplex  heads  with 
Western  Electric  206A  reproducer.  The 
problem  has  me  licked." 

The  trouble  is  caused  apparently  by 


May    29,  1943 


BETTER    TH  EATRES 


101 


your  failure  to  attach  properly  the  end  of 
the  him  to  the  empty  reel  before  rewind- 
ing. The  sample  sent  in  (which  is  badly 
damaged)  shows  that  the  damage  occurs 
at  the  end  of  the  reel.  It  also  shows  that 
the  strain  was  placed  on  the  lower  side  of 
the  sprocket  holes  as  the  film  ran  through 
the  projector,  thereby  indicating  that  the 
film  was  being  held  back  by  something 
while  the  sprocket  teeth  were  trying  to 
pull  the  film  down  through  the  projector. 
To  verify  my  conclusions  I  showed  the 
sample  to  Harry  Rubin,  supervisor  of  pro- 
jection for  Paramount,  and  he  has  stated 
that  in  his  belief  the  damage  was  caused 
in  one  of  the  following  two  ways.  I  quote 
from  his  reply: 

"The  end  of  the  film  may  have  been  so 
firmly  attached  to  the  hub"  of  the  metal 
reel  when  the  rewinding  was  done  that  it 
did  not  disengage  readily  from  the  hub 
when  being  projected.  Some  types  of  reels 
have  hollow  spaces  within  the  hub,  as  all 
projectionists  know,  and  this  allows  some 
of  the  film  to  creep  gradually  into  the 
space  as  the  upper  reel  revolves  during  pro- 
jection. There  should  not  be  more  than 
one  inch  of  the  film  in  the  slotted  hub  of 
the  reel  at  any  time. 

"When  the  film  was  rewound  it  is  also 
possible  that  the  first  few  turns  were  very 
loose  on  the  hub  of  the  metal  reel.  As  the 
film  neared  its  end  during  projection,  the 
film  would  tend  to  slip  around  the  hub  of 
the  reel;  meanwhile  the  spring  tension  on 
the  spindle  of  the  upper  magazine  would 
tend  to  cause  the  metal  reel  to  stand  still. 
With  this  set-up  it  is  possible  for  the  film 
to  grab  the  hub  of  the  reel  because  of  the 
film's  snubbing  action.  In  overcoming  the 
inertia  of  the  upper  reel  (which  was  stand- 
ing still  while  the  film  was  slipping  around 
the  hub),  plus  the  added  tension  of  the 
upper  magazine  spindle,  the  film  would  be 
subjected  to  a  considerable  strain  and 
pulled  sprocket  holes  might  very  well  re- 
sult." 

I  appeal  to  projectionists,  as  well  as  to 
exchange  inspectors,  to  cut  out  waste  and 
damage  in  every  possible  instance.  Even 
inches  of  film  count,  and  defective  film  not 
only  inconveniences  the  theatres,  but  it 
affects  the  industry  as  a  whole. 

Troubles  and  Hopes  of  a 
Budding  Projectionist 

FROM  the  projectionist- 
manager-janitor-signman-sometimes  ticket 
seller  of  the  State  theatre  at  Gardiner, 
Mont. — those  titles  reposing  in  the  person 
of  one  Don  Ritchey — comes  a  letter: 

"Dear  Pop:  Others  call  you  that  so  I 
will  chance  it.  I  am  a  projectionist  from 
'way  out  in  the  middle  of  the  formerly 
wild  West.  I  am  writing  this  first  to  get 
some  information,  second  just  to  write  to 
you  and  tell  you  what  I  think  of  the 
Seventh  Edition  of  the  Bluebook. 

"I  have  had  a  curious  trouble  recently 
which  I  am  unable  to  understand.  One 
day  recently  a  small  bulge  started  to  form 
on  the  glass  of  the  light  bulb.  It  formed 
on  the  side  that  the  reflectors  are  on  and 
continued  to  grow  until  I  took  it  out  for 


fear  it  would  burst  and  injure  the  re- 
flector. We  have  lamphouses  with  Mazda 
bulbs  for  light.  They  seem  to  serve  the 
purpose  since  we  have  a  short  throw.  This 
bulge  business  has  me  stumped,  though. 
What  would  cause  it  and  what  can  I  do 
to  prevent  its  recurrence? 

"I  am  only  seventeen  and  will  graduate 
from  High  school  this  spring.  I  started 
to  work  around  a  theatre  when  I  was 
eleven  years  old  and  have  been  here  ever 
since.  I  hope  to  join  the  navy  this  spring 
and  if  possible  get  into  the  photography 
branch. 

"The  theatre  we  have  here  is  pretty 
small,  but  it  is  still  a  theatre  and  puts  out 
the  pictures.  Because  of  lack  of  business 
we  are  now  down  to  running  just  three 
nights  a  week. 


"I  received  my  Seventh  Edition  of  the 
Bluebook  the  other  day  and  I  think  it  is 
great.  Only  one  thing  I  can  find  fault 
with  and  that  is,  why  in  hell  didn't  my 
boss  read  it  before  we  built  this  place  ?  1 
will  give  you  a  short  description  of  the 
projection  room.  It  is  equipped  with  two 
small  Simplex  projectors  and,  as  stated 
above,  with  Mazda  lamps.  The  room  it- 
self is  only  8  feet  by  10  feet- and  only  6 
feet  from  floor  to  roof.  By  the  time  I 
squeeze  my  200  pounds  in  between  pro- 
jectors and  the  rewind  table — well,  I  don't 
dast  gain  another  pound!  In  order  to  get 
into  the  room  there  is  a  cute  little  thing 
called  a  trap  door  in  the  floor  that  is 
reached  by  a  hop,  skip  and  a  jump. 

"Well,  enough  of  this,  but  in  closing  let 
me  say  that  if  there  is  anyone  who  has 


IN  THE  FOREIGN  MARKETS 

Western  Electric  Export  Corporation 

IN  THE  CANADIAN  MARKET 

Dominion  Sound  Equipments,  Ltd. 

IN  THE  DOMESTIC  MARKET 

Independent  Theatres  Supply  Dealers 


CENTURY  PROJECTOR  CORPORATION 

729  SEVENTH  AVENUE  NEW  YORK.  N.  Y. 


102 


BETTER  THEATRES 


May    2  9,     194  3 


When  Engineering 
Turns  to  Pictures 

{Continued  from  page  99) 

war  coupled  with  improved  arc  lamps  will 
be  manifested  in  more  light  on  the  screen. 

EQUIPMENT  AVAILABILITY 

Much  has  been  written  of  the  tremen- 
dous part  which  motion  pictures  are  play- 
ing in  the  training  of  millions  of  men  for 
various  military  duties.  To  provide  equip- 
ment for  this  training,  the  production  lines 
of  RCA  have  been  in  operation  day  and 
night  in  order  to  provide  motion  picture 


equipment  to  the  Army  and  Navy  in  the 
quickest  possible  time.  Many  improvements 
have  been  made  in  some  of  the  regular 
theatre  equipment  components,  while  addi- 
tional improvements  are  being  studied  and 
perfected.  All  of  the  improvements  made, 
which  will  also  be  of  value  to  theatres, 
will  be  incorporated  in  equipments  avail- 
able to  theatres  as  soon  as  production  is 
started  for  commercial  orders.  Availability 
of  raw  material  will  be  the  only  limiting 
factor  in  providing  equipment  for  commer- 
cial use  upon  termination  of  hostilities. 

Parallel  to  the  conversion  of  the  radio 
and  allied  industries  to  the  manufacture 
of  war  material,  there  was  an  ever  increas- 
ing demand  for  service  of  all  kinds,  while 
war  brought  its  own  heavy  demands  in  the 


communications  field.  Specialists  were  in 
great  demand  by  the  Armed  Forces. 

Special  advanced  training  courses  were 
given  to  enable  engineers  to  learn  the  fine 
points  of  operation  of  war  equipment ;  a 
number  of  these  men  were  drawn  from  the 
theatre  service  staff.  Some  of  the  men  are 
in  Africa,  Australia,  England,  Iceland, 
Alaska. 

Many  of  these  men  again  will  be  avail- 
able for  theatre  service  work  when  the  war 
is  over,  bringing  with  them  new  ideas  and 
methods  and  greater  experience  in  testing 
and  adjusting  motion  picture  equipment. 
A  large  number  of  these  men  will  be  used 
for  the  new  developments  in  theatre  equip- 
men  which  may  be  expected  to  start  after 
the  war  and  which  may  embody  principles 
used  in  war  equipment. 

[The  author  is  associated  with  the  Photophone 
organization  of  the  Radio  Corporation  of 
America's    Victor   Division,    Camden,   N.  /.] 

• 

Index  of  ADVERTISERS 
in     BETTER  THEATRES 


Page 

Altec  Service  Corp   85 

American   Seating  Co   75 

American  Popcorn  Co   94 

Artkraft  Sign  Co.,  The   90 

Automatic  Devices  Co   90 

Baldor  Electric  Co   90 

Bausch  &  Lomb  Optical  Co   77 

Century  Projector   Corp  101 

Clancy,  Inc.,  J.  R   86 

Continental   Electric  Co   90 

DeVry  Corp   99 

Eastern  Seating  Co   90 

F&Y  Building  Service,  The   91 

Forest  Mfg.  Corp   82 

Fort-A-Cide  Corp   89 

General   Chair   Co   90 

General  Electric  Co.,  Air  Conditioning  Div.  73 

General  Electric  Co.,  Lamp  Div   68 

Goldberg  Bros  90,  100 

Goldberg,  Inc.,  Joe   94 

GoldE  Mfg.  Co   83 

Hertner  Electric  Co.,  The  102 

Ilex  Optical  Co   67 

Kliegl  Bros   93 

LaVezzi  Machine  Works   81 

Lincrophone  Co.,  The..   95 

Maharam  Fabric  Corp   75 

Maier-Lavaty  Co   95 

Motiograph   83 

Motion  Picture  Machine  Co   86 

National  Carbon  Co.,  Inc   80 

National  Theatre  Supply,  Division  of  Na- 

tional-Simplex-Bludworth,    Inc  85,  92 

Novelty  Scenic  Studios   95 

Pantasote  Co.,  The   95 

Projection  Optics  Co.,  Inc   83 

RCA  Service  Co.,  Inc  100 

Radio  Corp.  of  America,  Photophone  Div...  66 

Reversible  Collar  Co   94 

S.  O.  S.  Cinema  Supply  Corp   76 

Strong  Electric  Corp.,  The   91 

Union  Carbide  &  Carbon  Corp   80 

United  States  Air  Conditioning  Corp   87 

Weber  Machine  Corp   93 

Wenzel  Projector  Co.,  The   76 

Wolk,  Edw.  H   75 


Bringing  up  the  Rear  to  a 
higher  level  of  performance. 

IransVerteK 

is  never  "known"  to  the  theatre  audience. 
Its  name  never  appears  on  the  screen.  It 
holds  its  all  important  place  in  the  Projec- 
tion Room  ensuring  uniform  current  per- 
formance wherever  it  is  installed. 

TRANSVERTER  is  establishing  a 
wartime  service  record  of  which 
the  industry  may  well  be  proud. 

♦ 

CONSULT:  The  National  Theatre  Supply,  Division  of  National- 
Simplex-Bludworth,  Inc.,  in  the  U.S.A.;  or  General 
Theatre  Supply  Co.  in  Canada 

♦ 


THE  HERTNER  ELECTRIC  COMPANY 

12690  ELMWOOD  AVENUE,  CLEVELAND,  OHIO,  U.S.A. 

Exclusive  Manufacturer  of  the  Transverter 


May    29,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


Bataan 

(  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) 
Heroic  War  Drama 

There  must  have  been  many  expendable 
patrols  on  Manila,  like  the  rear  guard  of  13 
men  whose  courage  is  the  story  of  "Bataan." 
And  it  is  this  sense  of  reality,  heightened  by 
the  sharp  direction  of  Tay  Garnett  and  sin- 
cere portrayals  by  the  entire  cast,  that  gives 
the  film  an  emotional  impact  beyond  the  scope 
of  the  action. 

The  story  concerns  a  single  operation,  the 
holding  of  a  pass,  to  delay  the  Japanese  advance 
while  the  Army  is  falling  back  on  Corregidor. 
The  men,  of  varying  backgrounds  and  abili- 
ties but  each  with  a  clear  sense  of  his  duty, 
hold  out  for  three  days  against  overwhelm- 
ing numbers  who  push  through  only  when  the 
last  man  is  expended.  Those  three  days 
offer  all  the  horrors  of  jungle-fighting,  palm 
trees  alive  with  snipers,  improvised  equipment, 
malaria,  thirst  and  no  hope  of  relief.  But  the 
bridge  across  the  pass  is  never  completed 
as  men  creep  through  the  brush  at  night  with 
hand  grenades,  and  a  dying  aviator  crashes  into 
it  in  a  plane  loaded  with  dynamite.  Only  time 
is  saved,  and  the  spirit  of  resistance. 

Robert  Taylor  is  permitted  little  softness  as 
the  sergeant  in  charge  of  the  group,  but  it  is 
he  who  personalizes  the  message  that  the  war 
is  not  just  an  Army  job.  He  watches  the 
"contemptibles,"  the  bank  clerks,  insurance 
salesmen  and  Philippine  scouts  with  little 
training,  as  they  work  until  exhausted  and 
die  fearlessly,  until  he  alone  is  left  to  face 
the  enemy,  tommy-gun  in  hand,  shouting  that 
they  can't  win  against  all  America. 

This  is,  however,  no  one-man  picture.  The 
small  town  sailor,  Robert  Walker,  who  lost 
his  ship  in  Manila  Bay  and  joined  the  patrol 
with  as  much  innocence  as  enthusiasm,  is  a 
character  that  will  stay  with  you  and  a  per- 
formance that  scores  impressively  in  sturdy 
company.  George  Murphy  and  Thomas 
Mitchell  do  their  usual  commendable  jobs, 
while  Lloyd  Nolan,  Lee  Bowman,  Desi  Arnaz 
and  Kenneth  Spencer  make  distinctive  con- 
tributions. 

Irving  Starr  has  produced  a  story  of  men 
in  action,  of  stern  and  sometimes  relentless 
truth,  which  audiences  should  find  stirring 
and  worthy  of  the  men  and  the  times.  Rob- 
ert D.  Andrews  deserves  credit  for  the  simple 
dignity  of  the  screenplay. 

Seen  in  the  home  office  projection  room. 
Reviewer's  Rating :  Goo'd. — E.  A.  Cunning- 
ham. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  114  min.  PCA 
No.  9122.    General  audience  classifications. 

Sergeant  Bill  Dane  Robert  Taylor 

Lieut.   Steve  Bentley  George  Murphy 

Corp.   Jake   Feingold  Thomas  Mitchell 

Leonard    Purckett  Robert  Walker 

Lloyd  Nolan,  Lee  Bowman,  Desi  Arnaz,  Barry  Nel- 
son, Phillip  Terry.  Roque  Espiritu,  Kenneth  Spencer, 
J.  Alex  Havier,  Tom  Dugan,  Donald  Curtis. 


Reviews 

This  department  deals  with 
new  product  from  the  point  of 
view  of  the  exhibitor  who  is 
to  purvey  it  to  his  own  public. 


Stormy  Weather 

(Twentieth  Century -Fox) 
All-Negro  Musical 

There  should  be  a  silvery  lining  to  "Stormy 
Weather"  if  the  names  assembled  from  the 
Negro  entertainment  world  in  tribute  to  Bill 
Robinson  collectively  attract  but  a  part  of  that 
audience  which  gave  them  fame  on  stage,  screen 
or  radio. 

An  inscription  on  a  show  magazine  in  the 
picture  reads  "Special  Edition — celebrating  the 
magnificent  contributions  of  the  colored  race  to 
the  entertainment  of  the  world  during  the  last 
25  years.  Dedicated  to  one  of  its  leaders — 
Bill  Robinson."  It  could  be  applied  to  the  pic- 
ture. 

A  dozen  top  dancers,  singers  and  band  lead- 
ers are  in  the  all-Negro  cast.  Rhythmically 
aided  by  20  of  the  hit  jazz  and  blues  tunes  of 
the  years  since  World  War  I,  they  tell  in  semi- 
biographic  style  the  story  of  "Bojangles"  Rob- 
inson. 

Bill  himself  heads  the  cast.  Opposite  him 
is  Lena  Home,  the  dusky  beauty  who  has  sung 
her  way  to  the  top  in  night  clubs,  and  lately  the 
screen.  Cab  Calloway  and  Fats  Waller,  with 
their  bands ;  Katherine  Dunham  and  her  danc- 
ers ;  the  Nicholas  Brothers ;  Dooley  Wilson, 
recently  in  public  attention  in  "Casablanca" ; 
Ada  Brown  ;  The  Tramp  Band  ;  Mae  Johnson  ; 
Zuttie  Singleton;  Flourney  Miller  and  other 
names  that  have  been  bright  in  both  Broadway 
and  Harlem  lights  contribute  their  specialties. 

The  melody  and  merriment,  which  is  loud, 
gay  and  colorful  in  the  tradition  of  Negro 
show  folk,  is  seldom  interrupted  by  story.  Such 
plot  as  there  is  tells  of  Bojangles'  rise  to  fame 
against  a  romance  pattern  set  long  ago  by  "42nd 
Street"  and  other  theatre  world  films. 

It  begins  in  1918,  when  Bill,  a  drummer  in 
Jim  Europe's  famed  15th  Infantry  band,  meets 
Selina  (Lena  Horne).  She  tells  him  his  danc- 
ing belongs  on  Broadway,  but  he  returns  to 
Memphis  and  Ada  Brown's  Beale  Street  cafe. 
Selina  finds  him  there,  with  Fats  Waller,  and 
gets  them  a  show  job.  But  they  separate  and 
Bill  goes  on  to  fame,  and  Hollywood. 

There  Cab  Calloway  invites  him  to  a  benefit 
for  service  men,  and  reunion  with  Selina.  Sing- 
ing "Stormy  Weather"  she  tells  Bill  she  has 
missed  him.  There  is  a  smash  finale  with  all 
the  cast  in  "My,  My,  Aint  that  Somethin'." 

The    picture    brings    back    the  Charleston, 


Peckin',  Truckin'  and  Suzy-Q  dances  and  Bill's 
stair,  drum  and  sand  routines.  Also  on  the 
reminiscent  note  are  such  hits  as  the  title  piece, 
"Aint  Misbehavin',"  "Can't  Give  You  Anything 
But  Love,"  "Linda  Brown,"  "Dica,  Dica  Doo" 
and  Cab  Calloway's  "Rhythm  Cocktail." 

William  LeBaron  gave  full  production  values. 
Andrew  Stone  directed  the  story  by  Frederick 
Jackson  and  Ted  Koehler.  The  print  is  in 
sepia. 

Previewed  at  the  hoin<c  office.  Reviewer's 
Rating:  Good. — John  Stuart,  Jr. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  77  min.  FCA 
No.   9101.     General   audience  classification. 

Selina    Rogers   Lena  Horne 

Corky  Bill  Robinson 

Cab  Calloway  and  band.  Katherine  Dunham  and  her 
dancers,  Fats  Waller,  Nicholas  Brothers,  Ada  Brown, 
Dooley  Wilson,  The  Tramp  Band,  Babe  Wallace, 
Ernest  Whitman,  Zuttie  Singleton,  Mae  E,  Johnson, 
Flournoy  E.  Miller,  Johnnie  Lee,  Robert  Felder  and 
Nicodemus  Stewart. 


Song  of  Texas 

(Republic) 
Western  Thriller 

Republic  went  to  town  in  a  big  way  on  this 
elaborate  production  that  shows  Roy  Rogers  at 
his  hard  riding,  sweet  singing  best.  The  action 
moves  swiftly  up  to  the  great  chuck  wagon 
race,  when  it  steps  up  to  breath-taking  excite- 
ment that  should  stir  any  audience. 

The  backgrounds  of  wild  and  beautiful  scen- 
ery gave  the  cameramen  a  chance  of  which 
they  have  taken  full  advantage.  The  picture 
has  the  bone  and  sinew  which  first  made  motion 
pictures  popular  in  the  days  before  producers 
went  in  for  deep  subtleties  and  effete  refine- 
ments. To  quote  Teddy  Roosevelt's  expressive 
phrase — it  has  "guts." 

The  story  stems  from  a  rodeo  show  and 
ranch  life  with  a  pair  of  villains  who  seek  to 
dupe  honest  and  horny-handed  men.  The  musi- 
cal setting  with  old  and  new  range  ditties  em- 
bellishes the  piece.  The  opening  sequence  in 
which  Roy  brings  his  noble  horse  "Trigger" 
into  a  hospital  for  crippled  children,  mounts  the 
animal  and  calls  on  him  to  dance,  sends  the 
picture  off  with  a  happy  bang. 

A  Mexican  fiesta  and  the  songs  of  Rogers, 
Bob  Nolan  and  the  Sons  of  the  Pioneers  are 
pleasant  relief  from  the  tensity  of  exciting 
episodes. 

Roy  Rogers  is  well  supported  by  a  competent 
cast  which  includes  Sheila  Ryan  as  the  meddle- 
some cause  of  much  of  the  trouble,  Arline 
Judge  as  her  girl  friend,  Barton  MacLane  and 
William  Haade  as  the  two  rascals.  Hal  Talia- 
ferro turns  in  a  performance  worthy  of  special 
note. 

Joseph  Kane  did  a  neat  job  of  directing  the 
original  screenplay  by  Winston  Miller,  and 
Harry  Grey  was  associate  producer. 

Of  the  several  songs,  "Blue  Bonnet  Girl"  and 


Product  Digest  Section  1337 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    2  9,     19  4  3 


"Rainbow  on  the  Range"  by  Tim  Spencer,  and 
Bob  Nolan's  "On  the  Rhythm  Range"  were 
particularly  apt. 

Seen  in  the  home  office  projection  room,  Re- 
viewer's Rating:  Excellent. — A.  J. 

Release  date,  June  14,  1943.  Running  time,  69  mins. 
PCA  No.  9272.    General  audience  classification. 

Roy   Roy  Rogers 

Sue   Sheila  Ryan 

Jim   Barton  MacLane 

Harry  Shannon.  Arline  Judge.  Pat  Brady,  Eve  March, 
Bob  Nolan  and  the  Sons  of  the  Pioneers.  William 
Haade,  Hal  Taliaferro  and  the  Alex  Nahera  Dancers. 


Law  of  the  Northwest 

(  Columbia  ) 

Mounties  Get  Their  Road 

The  locale  of  the  latest  adventure  of  Col- 
umbia's Charles  Starrett  in  his  Northwest 
Mounted  series  of  action  dramas  is  Moose 
Head,  Canada.  The  time  is  the  present,  with 
construction  of  the  Alaska  Highway  as  a  side- 
line plot  to  the  main  story  line  concerning  a 
sub-road  running  into  the  highway.  It  is  a 
good  number  in  the  series  as  dished  up  by  pro- 
ducer Jack  Fier  and  directed  by  William  Berke. 

On  one  side  of  the  road  building  project  in 
the  story  are  the  citizens,  who  want  the  road 
to  get  their  tungsten  ore  and  produce  to  civil- 
ization ;  on  the  other  side  are  those  trappers 
who  believe  civilization  will  spoil  their  hunting. 
When  the  builder  of  the  road  is  murdered,  a 
Mountie  Sergeant  and  his  Corporal,  son  of  the 
murdered  man,  enter  the  scene.  There  are  a 
goodly  number  of  fast  and  furious  fist  fights 
with  no  holds  barred  before  the  man  impeding 
the  progress  of  the  building  is  revealed  to  be 
the  town's  leading  citizen,  who  had  fought  hard- 
est for  the  construction  but  who  will  profit  most 
if  the  road  is  not  built.  A  pretty  nurse  is  al- 
lied with  the  Mounties  to  see  justice  done  and 
clear  her  hot-headed  cousin  of  suspicion. 

As  this  hot-head,  Douglass  Drake  does  the 
best  job  of  acting  in  the  film.  Stanley  Brown, 
as  the  Corporal,  is  only  a  lap  behind  him  for 
sweepstake  honors.  Shirley  Patterson  is  capa- 
ble as  the  girl  and  Starrett  is  his  usual  ac- 
ceptable himself  as  the  Mountie.  Berke  guides 
the  principals  well  to  aid  them  in  distinguish- 
ing themselves  in  the  tight  screenplay  by  Luci 
Ward.  Photography  by  Benjamin  Kline  is 
something  to  shout  about. 

Seen  at  Hollywood's  Hitching  Post  theatre, 
where  the  audience  blood  pressure  mounted 
with  every  reel.  Reviewer's  Rating ;  Good. — 
Reed  Porter. 

Release  date,  May  27,  1943.  Running  time,  59  min. 
PCA  No.  9147.    General  audience  classification. 

Sergeant  Steve   Charles  Starrett 

Michele   Shirley  Patterson 

Paul   Douglass  Drake 

Niel   Clayton   Stanley  Brown 

George    Bradley   Douglas  Leavitt 

Arthur  Hunnicutt,  Donald  Curtis,  Davison  Clark, 
Reginald  Barlow. 

Mister  Big 

(Universal) 

Donald  O'Connor  Becomes  a  Star 

Universal's  purpose  in  this  picture,  apart 
from  providing  light  entertainment  for  the  cus- 
tomers and  profits  for  all  parties  to  the  trans- 
action, is  to  establish  Donald  O'Connor  as  a 
star.  To  this  end  the  studio,  which  has  pre- 
sented him  in  seven  other  pictures  in  which  he 
has  displayed  steadily  ripening  ability,  gave  him 
a  budgetary  backgrounding  and  a  priority  on 
prominence  calculated  to  present  his  talents  to 
fullest  advantage.  The  good  news  albout  the 
undertaking  is  that  the  young  man  comes 
through  like  a  champion  in  the  discharge  of  all 
the  chores  assigned  him,  a  bright  augury  for 
the  future.  The  not  so  good  news  is  that  the 
vehicle  selected  for  the  young  man's  ride  to 
stardom  differs  only  in  point  of  scale  and  the 
plentitude  of  production  numbers  from  several 
minor  musicals,  built  around  the  same  group  of 
principals,  which  the  studio  has  turned  out. 

As  in  the  preceding  and  lesser  films  present- 
ing O'Connor,  Maggy  Ryan,  the  standout  in 


Reviews  received  too  late  for 
this  Section  are  printed  in  the 
regular  news  pages  of  the 
Herald  and  are  reprinted  the 
following  week  in  Product 
Digest  for  their  reference  value. 


the  present  support,  Gloria  Jean,  and  the 
youngsters  comprising  the  Jivin'  Jacks  and 
Jills  dispense  song,  dance  and  the  patter  of  the 
jitterbug  set  with  spirit,  proficiency  and  no  stint 
whatever.  They  are  aided  this  time  by  Eddie 
Miller's  Bob  Cats,  a  point  to  mention  to  the 
juniors,  and  by  Ray  Eberle,  another.  The  Ben 
Carter  Choir  adds  brilliant  singing  to  this  en- 
terprise, furnishing  beneficial  contrast.  Robert 
Paige  and  Elyse  Knox  supply  a  sketchy  ro- 
mance in  the  background. 

Ten  musical  numbers,  from  a  variety  of 
sources,  are  put  by  in  the  course  of  the  pro- 
ceedings. They  range  from  old  favorites  to 
new  originals,  and  when  the  juniors  start  step- 
ping to  them  the  picture  is  at  its  best  with 
respect  to  the  standards  of  those  youthful  ad- 
dicts of  accentuated  rhythms  and  acrobatic  ex- 
ercises in  dance  to  which  the  production  is 
especially  and  particularly  addressed. 

The  screenplay  by  Jack  Pollexien  and  Doro- 
thy Bennet  is  a  variation  of  the  tale  about  the 
kids  who  subvert  a  school  class  play  to  the  pur- 
poses of  jazz  and  get  a  Broadway  contract  for 
the  production  as  reward  and  exoneration. 

Charles  Lamont  directed  for  Ken  Goldsmith, 
associate  producer,  both  gentlemen  giving  the 
star-aborning  full  benefit  of  all  the  tricks  of 
the  trade  the"y  know. 

Previewed  at  the  Filmarte  theatre,  Holly- 
wood,  on  a  Friday  afternoon,  to  an  audience 
composed  of  the  press,  the  cast,  studio  person- 
nel and  a  hundred  or  more  soldiers-on-leave 
sent  over  by  the  USO,  on  studio  invitation,  to 
catch  themselves  a  preview  and,  of  course,  pro- 
vide an  audience  for  purposes  of  observation. 
Although  the  gathering  lacked  representation 
from  the  junior  generation  for  which  the  pic- 
ture is  directly  designed,  those  present  ap- 
peared to  find  it  plentifully  entertaining.  Re- 
viewer's Rating  :  Good, — William  R.  Weaver. 

Release  date,  June  18,  1943.  Running  time,  74  min. 
P'CA    No.    9217.     General    audience  classificatin. 

Donald   Donald  O'Connor 

Peggy   Peggy  Ryan 

Patricia   Gloria  Jean 

Johnny   Robert  Paige 

Alice   Elyse  Knox 

Samuel  S.  Hinds,  Bobby  Schaefer,  Richard  Stewart, 
Mary  Eleanor  Donahue,  Florence  Bates,  Ray  Eberle, 
Eddie  Miller's  Bob  Cats,  Ben  Carter  Chorus,  Jivin' 
Jacks  and  Jills. 

Redhead  from  Manhattan 

(  Columbia) 

Mistaken  Identity  Musical 

"Redhead  from  Manhattan"  is  a  study  in  con- 
fusion. From  first  scene  to  last,  hardly  anyone, 
including  sometimes  the  audience,  is  permitted 
to  know  what  the  shouting's  all  about. 

Lew  Landers  manages  to  inject  enough  pep 
into  the  story  with  his  direction  to  keep  it  flow- 
ing, however,  and  an  audience  gathered  at  the 
Pantages  theatre  in  Hollywood  to  see  "The 
More  the  Merrier"  found  occasion  to  laugh  now 
and  again — mainly  at  the  voluble  Lupe  Velez. 

Lupe  plays  a  dual  role.  In  one  character  she 
is  a  Broadway  star ;  in  the  other,  the  star's 
cousin  who,  with  her  saxaphoning  sweetheart, 
is  being  hunted  as  a  saboteur.  Lupe,  the  star, 
is  married,  although  the  producer  of  the  show 
won't  have  married  women  in  his  casts.  She 
is  going  to  have  to  leave  the  show  because  she 
is  going  to  play  "woman's  greatest  role — to  be 
a  mother"  (the  dialogue  is  from  the  script). 
There's  a  gangster  hounding  this  Lupe  and  she 
is  trying  to  keep  both  the  producer  and  him 
from  finding  out  aboiat  the  husband  and  the 
baby.  When  Lupe,  the  cousin,  appears,  she 
takes  over  the  star  role.    From  then  on  the 


picture  is  a  mad  25  minutes  of  keeping  the 
wrong  Lupe  out  of  the  right  husband's  bed  and 
the  right  Lupe  out  of  the  wrong  sweetheart's 
arms. 

Miss  Velez  is  quite  good  in  both  her  roles  and 
succeeds  in  making  them  distinct  types,  no  small 
achievement.  The  production  is  in  the  name  of 
Wallace  MacDonald. 

Seen  in  Hollywood  at  the  Pantages'  opening 
show.    Reviewer's  Rating:  Fair. 

Release  date,  May  6,  1943.  Running  time,  59  min. 
PCA  No.  9196.    General  audience  classification. 

Elaine  and  Rita  Lupe  Velez 

Jimmy    Randall   Michael  Duane 

Mike    Glendon   Tim  Ryan 

Chick    Andrews   Gerald  Mohr 

Paul   Lewis  Wilson 

Lillian  Yarbo,  Arthur  Loft  .Douglas  Leavitt,  Clancy 
Cooper,  Douglas  Drake. 

False  Faces 

(  Republic  ) 

Mystery  Drama 

This  is  a  tour  de  force  for  character  actor 
Stanley  Ridges,  who  carries  most  of  the  burden 
and  almost  succeeds  in  giving  a  "big"  flavor  to 
an  unpretentious  and  sometimes  slow  mystery 
melodrama. 

He  is  here  cast  as  the  district  attorney  whose 
hardened,  selfish,  wayward  son  is  involved  in 
the  murder  of  a  night  club  singer.  The  son, 
Rex  Williams,  is  not  guilty,  as  his  father  be- 
lieves for  a  time,  especially  during  his  mysteri- 
ous disappearance.  Involved  by  more  circum- 
stantial evidence  is  Bill  Henry,  friend  of  Rex, 
and  his  predecessor  as  the  night  club  singer's 
lover.  Henry  is  currently  in  love  with  Ridges' 
daughter,  although  he  conceals  the  fact  from 
her  father  even  while  the  latter,  thinking  to 
save  his  son,  endeavors  to  obtain  a  confession 
from  Bill.  The  case  breaks  suddenly  to  the 
sharp  relief  of  all,  with  the  confession  of  the 
manager  of  the  hotel  in  which  the  singer  lived. 

The  angles  are  many,  but  they  are  well 
threaded  to  a  logical  conclusion,  and  Republic's 
young  actors  assist  Mr.  Ridges  capably  and 
convincingly.  They  are  aided  by  natural,  adult 
dialogue  from  Curt  Siodmak's  screenplay,  by 
William  Bradford's  photography,  and  George 
Sherman's  suspenseful,  restrained  direction, 
which  keeps  the  mood  throughout.  This  has 
no  gunplay,  but  the  lack  of  action  is  countered 
by  the  sympathetic  portrayal  of  a  father  faced 
with  his  most  difficult  decisions,  and  by  crea- 
tion of  deepening  interest  in  his  ability  to  ex- 
tricate himself  and  his  son. 

Seen  in  a  New  York  projection  room.  Re- 
viewer's Rating :  Good. — Floyd  Elbert  Stone. 

Release  date,  May  26,  1943.  Running  time,  56  min. 
PCA  No.  9240.    General  audience  classification. 

Stanley  Harding  Stanley  Ridges 

Don   Westcott  Bill  Henry 

Craig  Harding  Rex  Williams 

Veda  Ann  Borg,  Janet  Shaw,  Joseph  Crehan,  Chester 
Clute,  John  Maxwell,  Dick  Wessel,  Billy  Nelson,  Etta 
McDaniel,  Nicodemus. 

Jitterbugs 

(Twentieth  Century-Fox) 
Laurel  and  Hardy  Musical 

A  welcome  change  of  pace  is  offered  in  the 
latest  Laurel  and  Hardy  comedy  with  the  in- 
terpolation of  several  musical  and  dance  num- 
bers before  the  joke  is  carried  too  far.  These, 
and  the  attractive  singer  Vivian  Blaine,  should 
extend  the  appeal  of  the  film  beyond  the 
strictly  L.  &  H.  fans  to  all  who  enjoy  light- 
weight, amiable  program  fare. 

The  boys  of  the  patterned  nonsense  and  ill- 
starred  ingenuity  are,  of  course,  much  in 
evidence.  From  the  opening  shot  when  they 
run  out  of  gas  on  a  lonely  desert  road  to  their 
final  plunge  into  the  river  to  escape  retribu- 
tion, they  run  through  a  volume  of  gags;  vary- 
ing in  age  and  effectiveness  and  more  pro- 
ductive of  smiles  than  riotous  laughter.  They 
are  the  willing,  if  not  always  able,  confed- 
erates of  a  man  who  hopes  to  return  the  family 
fortune  to  a  pretty  young  singer  who  had 
been  cheated  by  a  confidence   ring.    In  this 


1338    Product  Digest  Section 


May    2  9,  1943 

cause,  ^  Hardy  becomes  "Colonel  Wetterson 
Bixby,"  a  philandering  Texan,  while  Laurel 
turns  ladylike  as  "Aunt  Emily,"  the  Boston 
dowager. 

A  careening  river-boat  at  the  finale  unites 
the  young  lovers,  Miss  Blaine  and  Bob  Bailey, 
while  leaving  the  comic  pair  to  pursue  their 
careers  as  a  two-man  jitterbug  band. 

Sol  M.  Wurtzel's  production  is  notable  for 
well-staged  musical  numbers  and  an  avoidance 
of  repetition  in  comic  routines.  Direction  by 
Mai  St.  Clair  from  a  screenplay  by  Scott 
Darling  has  good  pace,  although  the  transi- 
tion from  scene  to  scene  is  often  abrupt. 

Seen  in  the  home  office  projection  room. 
Reviewer's  Rating :  Fair. — E.  A.  C. 

t>/?flei?TSe  date'  not  set-  R"nn'ng  time,  75  min. 
rCA  No.  9215.    General  audience  classification. 

Laurel  and  Hardy  Themselves 

£USan   C°^n;  Vivian  Blaine 

Chester  Wright..   Bob  Bailey 

Oouglas  Fowley,  Noel  Madison,  Lee  Patrick,  Robert 
Emmett  Keane,  Charles  Halton. 

Miss  London  Limited 

( Gainsborough  -  General  Film ) 
Comedy,  Musical 

Despite  the  critical  aloofness  of  the  higher 
Fleet  Street  intelligentsia,  despite,  no  less,  the 
dubieties  of  some  of  his  later  frameworks,  Ar- 
thur Askey,  fifth  among  Britain's  Money'mak- 
mg  Ten,  continues  to  make  money  for  his 
sponsors,  and  for  a  wide  band  of  exhibitors. 
Although  he  is  not  necessarily  at  his  best  in 
this  latest  opus,  the  film  should  undoubtedly 
register  in  the  popular  spots,  should,  if  sold 
zealously,  make  more  than  one  or  two  other 
Askey  productions. 

It  is  a  lively  and  decorative  musical,  with  a 
consistent  vein  of  comedy,  has  more  girls  than 
any  British  film  today,  and  some  lilting  songs 
zestfully  sung,  and  treated  with  a  great  deal  of 
directorial  resource.  Val  Guest,  whose  first 
direction  this  is  and  who  also  was  jointly  re- 
sponsible for  the  screenplay  and  the  songs,  has 
done  a  spectacular  and  entertaining  job,  which 
is  more  suited  to  the  entertainment  of  the 
British  masses  than  nine  out  of  ten  films  about 
the  war. 

Add  to  the  name  of  Askey  the  personality 
of  Evelyn  Dall,  Anne  Shelton,  tops  among  all 
British  popular  vocalists,  and  a  pleasing  per- 
sonality and  effective  actress  at  that,  portly  Max 
Bacon  with  his  verbal  confusions,  and  Jack 
Train,  best  of  British  mimics,  and  the  exhibi- 
tor has  plenty  to  sell  and  no  difficulty  in  sell- 
ing it. 

The  story  of  "Miss  London  Limited"  hardly 
matters,  being  but  a  frame  on  which  to  hang 
the  comedy  and  the  music.  It  is  a  fanciful 
trifle  about  the  establishment  Askey  and  Miss 
Dall  run  for  providing  hostesses  for  lonely 
leave  men,  and  how  one  young  officer  met  a 
glamorous  lady  railway  porter.  On  to  it  are 
hung  some  vocal  and  dancing  patterns— one  of 
them  a  spirited  railway  station  sequence— with 
Askey  burlesquing  professional  pianists,  mug- 
ging as  an  Italian  waiter  and  singing  a  snatch 
ot  his  famous  Moth  song;  Jack  Train— and 
Askey  and  Dall— in  some  snatches  of  mimicry, 
and  the  ever  superlative  voice  of  the  disarming 
Miss  Shelton.  The  whole  is  lavishly  staged 
well  photographed  and  briskly  cut,  and  some  of 
the  dialogue  is  witty. 

Apart  from  the  saleable  names,  Richard 
Hearne  is  superlative  as  a  dance  struck  Naval 
Commodore,  and  Peter  Graves  is  an  attractive 
young  officer. 

A  press  audience,  among  whom,  of  course 
were  many  who  are  determinedly  anti-musical 
obviously,  tn  the  main,  enjoyed  it.  A  sum  total 
of  opinions  would  seem  to  lead  to  the  conviction 
that  it  was  a  worthwhile  musical  with  some 
worthwhile  comedy,  but  not  of  necessity  en- 
tirely because  of  Askey.  Reviewer's  Rating- 
Good. — Aubrey  Flanagan. 

Release  date   not  set.    Running  time,  99  min.  Gen- 
eral audience  classification. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


ADVANCE  SYNOPSES 

and  information 


HEADIN'  FOR  GOD'S  COUNTRY 
(Republic) 

Alaskan  Adventure  Up  to  Date 

PRODUCER:  Armand  Schaefer.  Directed  by  Wil- 
liam Morgan. 

PLAYERS:  William  Lundigan,  Virginia  Dale,  Harry 
Davenport,  Harry  Shannon,  J.  Frank  Hamilton, 
Eddie  Acuff,  Wade  Crosby,  John  Bleifer,  Anna  Q. 
Nilsson. 

SYNOPSIS 

While  retaining  much  of  the  material  which 
made  the  James  Oliver  Curwood  stories  of  the 
Northwest,  the  successes  they  were,  this  treat- 
ment of  "Back  to  God's  Country"  (called 
Headin  for  God's  Country")  is  moved  up  to 
the  period  immediately  preceding  Pearl  Har- 
bor. The  scene  is  Alaska  and  the  trappers  and 
others  in  the  story  have  encounters,  while  the 
local  radio  station  is  out  of  commission  and 
the  news  of  Pearl  Harbor  cannot  be  received, 
with  Japanese  spies,  with  a  Quisling  trying  to 
arrange  for  a  landing  of  the  enemy,  and  a  Rus- 
sian soldier. 


ISLE  OF  FORGOTTEN  SINS 
(Prod  ucers  Releasing  Corp.) 

Waterfront  Melodrama 

PRODUCER:  Atlantis  Pictures.  Directed  by  Edgar 
G.  Ulmer. 

PLAYERS:  John  Carradine,  Frank  Fenton,  Gale  Son- 
dergaard,  Sidney  Toler,  Rick  Vallin,  Rita  Quigley, 
Tala  Birrell,  Betty  Amann,  Veda  Ann  Borg,  William 
Edmonds,  Patti  McCarty,  Joie  Ray,  John  Elliott. 

SYNOPSIS 

The  title  is  the  name  of  a  honky-tonk  on  the 
Barbary  Coast  which  is  a  hangout  for  seamen 
and  the  women  attracted  by  their  presence.  A 
captain  and  his  mate  engage  in  mock  rivalry 
for  the  affections  of  the  woman  who  manages 
the  place  and  this  leads  to  complications,  in 
which  are  concerned  some  buried  treasure  and 
a  simulated  sinking  of  a  ship  for  purposes  of 
profit,  all  aspects  of  the  tale  culminating  in 
violence. 


COLT  COMRADES 
(Sherman-UA) 

Ho  pal  on  g  Cassidy 

PRODUCER:  Harry  Sherman.  Directed  by  Leslie 
Selander. 

PLAYERS:  William  Boyd,  Andy  Clyde,  Jay  Kirby, 
George  Reeves,  Gayle  Lord,  Earl  Hoclgins,  Victor 
Jory. 


SYNOPSIS 

In  western  cattle  country,  the  problem  of 
water  rights  faces  ranchers  of  Vigilante  Valley. 
The_  water  rent  is  exorbitant  and  the  cattle  mar- 
ket is  closed  until  Hoppy,  California  and  Johnny 
settle  down  to  some  peaceful  ranching.  They 
strike  water  while  drilling  for  oil,  track  down 
the  cattle  rustlers  and  expose  the  vigilante  com- 
mittee as  evil-doers.  Their  unusually  sedentary 
life  is  not  however,  expected  to  be  permanent. 


MELODY  PARADE 
(Monogram) 

Musical  Drama 

PRODUCER:  Lindsley  Parsons.  Directed  by  Arthur 
Dreifuss. 

PLAYERS:  Mary  Beth  Hughes,  Eddie  Quillan, 
Tim  and  Irene,  Mantan  Moreland,  Jerry  Cooper! 
Armida,  Anson  Weeks  Orchestra,  Ted  Fio  Rito 
Orchestra. 

SYNOPSIS 

When  his  backer  dies  and  his  creditors  close 
in  for  the  kill,  night  club  owner  Happy  Har- 
rington is  ready  to  give  up.  But  he  receives  a 
wire  from  a  girl  whom  he  believes  to  be  his  late 
backer's  heiress.  She  arrives  and  they  hatch 
an  idea  to  import  Carroll  White,  Broadway  im- 
presario, to  stage  a  show.  When  it  is  revealed 
that  not  the  girl,  but  her  aunt,  has  inherited  the 
fortune,  the  creditors  pounce  again.  In  the 
meantime,  a  subordinate  romance  has  been  go- 
ing on  between  the  bus  boy  and  the  hat-check 
girl.  When  things  look  darkest,  a  wire  oomes 
offering  $2,000,000  for  one  of  the  late  uncle's 
inventions.  The  show  is  on  again.  The  tem- 
peramental star  is  gotten  out  of  the  way,  the 
hat-check  girl  goes  on  to  make  a  hit,  and  the 
other  acts  all  click,  too.  When  another  wire 
withdrawing  the  $2,000,000  offer,  comes,  no- 
body cares. 


TWO  TICKETS  TO  LONDON 

(Universal) 

Wartime  Melodrama 
PRODUCER-DIRECTOR:  Edwin  L  Marin. 
PLAYERS:  Michele  Morgan,  Alan  Curtis,  C.  Aubrey 
Smith,  Dooley  Wilson,  Torquin  Olivier. 

SYNOPSIS 

This  opens  with  the  torpedoing  of  a  merchant 
ship  on  the  Atlantic  under  circumstances  which 
suggest  that  someone  aboard  the  vessel  has  sig- 
naled its  location  to  the  U-boat  which  does  the 
sinking.  Suspicion  centers  upon  Curtis,  who 
arrives  in  London  and  meets  a  girl  whose 
brother  has  gone  down  on  the  ship  and  who  is 
accordingly  bitter.  When  she  learns  that  it  was 
her  brother  who  betrayed  the  location  of  the 
ship  she  and  Curtis  progress  to  a  romantic 
ending. 


THE  LAW  RIDES  AGAIN 
(Monogram) 

Indian  Uprising 

PRODUCED  and  directed  by  Robert  Tansey. 
PLAYERS:    Ken    Maynard,    Hoot    Gibson,  Betty 
Miles,  Jack  LaRue. 

SYNOPSIS 

There  are  threats  of  an  uprising  in  the  Ari- 
zona Territory.  Ken  Maynard  and  Hoot  Gib- 
son are  called  in  to  quiet  it  in  this  second 
adventure  of  their  new  "Trail  Blazers"  series. 
They  plant  a  witness  among  the  Indians,  but 
he  is  murdered.  The  boys  suspect  the  Indian 
agent.  When  the  Indians  fail  to  get  the  cattle 
which  the  Great  White  Father  in  Washington 
has  promised  them,  the  uprising  materializes. 
The  agent  is  killed  and  Maynard  and  Gibson 
restore  peace. 


Product  Digest  Section  1339 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


SHORT  SUBJECTS 

reviews  and  synopses 


May    2  9,  1943 


JASPER'S  MUSIC  LESSON  (Para.) 

Madcap  Models  (t/2-5 ) 

Jasper  is  working  away  at  his  piano  prac- 
tice when  the  scarecrow  and  crow  appear  with 
views  of  their  own  about  music.  Classics  are 
all  right  in  their  place,  but  boogie  woogie's  the 
thing.  The  scarecrow  gives  a  demonstration 
while  Jasper  dreams  up  the  setting,  but  his 
,  mammy  arives  with  a  broom  and  Jasper's  back 
with  his  music  lesson. 

Release  date,  May  21,  1943  8  minutes 

GREETINGS  BAIT  (WB) 

Merrie  Melodies  (8714) 

The  Jerry  Colonna  Worm,  a  unique  creation 
of  Leon  Schlesinger,  has  found  employment  in 
the  sport  of  fishing.  He  is  applied  to  the  hook 
as  trained  bait  and  applies  himself  to  luring  the 
fish  to  the  hook.  It  is  only  by  luck  that  he 
escapes  with  his  own  life. 

Release  date,  May  15,  1943  7  minutes 

SPEAKING  OF  ANIMALS  IN 
CURRENT  EVENTS  (Para.) 

Y2-3 

The  problems  created  by  manpower  shortage, 
priorities  and  rationing  invade  the  animal  world 
with  some  strange  results.  The  famous  tobacco 
ad  bull  gives  way  to  the  gentler  sex  and  sheep 
take  up  counting  shepherds.  A  dog,  a  monkey, 
a  coyote  and  a  South  American  Cus  Cus  speak 
their  minds  as  a  small  bear  practices  papa's 
chores  just  in  case. 

Release  date,  May  7,  1943  9  minutes 

ROVER'S  RANGERS  (WB) 

Sports  Parade  (8410) 

The  work  of  transforming  canine  pets  into 
war  workers  is  shown  in  this  sport  reel.  Some 
are  trained  for  jobs  like  sheep  herding  that 
will  release  men  for  more  important  work.  All 
learn  to  attack  prowlers  and  potential  sabo- 
teurs, and  some  can  bring  first  aid  to  wounded 
soldiers. 

Release  date,  May  22,  1943         10  minutes 

TOKIO  JOKIO  (WB) 

Looney  Tunes  (8608) 

In  line  with  the  current  fashion  of  showing 
captured  enemy  newsreels,  Leon  Schlesinger 
creates  his  own  Japanese  document  purporting 
to  show  the  great  successes  won  in  the  Pacific. 
The  result  is  hardly  impressive  as  each  trick 
backfires. 

Release  date,  May  15,  1943  7  minutes 

HOT  FOOT  (RKO) 

Edgar  Kennedy  (3  3,406) 

Edgar  and  his  pal,  Sam,  have  arranged  a  lit- 
tle scheme  which  should  get  them  to  a  prize 
fight  without  in-law  trouble.  Sam  as  a  doctor 
will  order  Edgar  to  his  sanitarium  for  an  ex- 
ploratory visit.  Edgar's  mother-in-law,  how- 
ever, tries  a  few  home  remedies  and  succeeds 
in  encasing  Edgar's  foot  in  cement.  Sam  blows 
it  off,  but  when  Edgar  regains  consciousness 
Sam  and  his  brother-in-law  have  gone  off  to  the 
fight. 


Reviews  and  synopses  of  short 
subjects  printed  in  Product  Digest 
are  indexed  in  the  Short  Subjects 
Chart,  Product  Digest  Section, 
pages  1327-1329. 


TUMBLE  BUGS  (Para.) 

Sportlight  (R2-7) 

The  gentle  art  of  falling  is  demonstrated  in 
various  sports  and  activities.  A  baseball  slide, 
a  football  tackle,  a  pole  vault,  a  high  dive  are 
all  performed  by  experts.  In  other  fields,  a 
stunt  rider,  a  vaudeville  acrobat  and  a  city  fire- 
man go  through  their  paces.  The  reel  ends 
with  some  military  training  acrobatics  and  a 
paratroop  demonstration. 

Release  date,  May  14,  1943  9  minutes 

SUPERMAN  IN  THE 
UNDERGROUND  WORLD  (Para.) 

W2-4 

A  vast  underground  world,  discovered  by  an 
explorer,  is  assigned  to  Lois  Lane  and  Clark 
Kent  for  investigation.  They  separate  in  the 
cavern,  where  Lois  is  captured  by  the  bat-like 
cave  people.  Clark  uses  his  Superman  guise 
to  save  the  girl  from  a  caldron  of  boiling  metal 
and  blasts  the  cave  shut  behind  them. 

Release  date,  June  18,  1943  8  minutes 

THE  LAST  ROUNDUP  (20th-Fox) 

Terry  Toon  (3 569) 

Gandy  Goose  and  his  nemesis;  the  Tough 
Sergeant,  finally  land  in  Germany  by  way  of  a 
tremendous  explosion.  There  they  try  their 
tricks  on  Adolph,  a  hog"  of  unpleasant  charac- 
ter, and  Benito,  a  monkey  who  tries  to  copy 
him.  The  result  is  inevitable — curtains  for  the 
quarrelsome  beasts  and  a  neat  escape  for  Gandy 
and  the  sergeant. 

Release  date,  May  14,  1943       6^4  minutes 

SHEPHERD  OF  THE  ROUNDHOUSE 
(Univ.) 

Person-Oddity  {7179) 

This  catalogue  of  unusual  persons  and  pro- 
fessions takes  its  title  from  the  minister  who 
makes  the  rounds  of  the  railroad  yards  for 
weekly  services.  Other  interesting  features  are 
a  bear  who  serves  as  prison  mascot,  a  projec- 
tionist who  creates  pictures  from  pieces  of 
broken  glass  and  a  miniature  painter. 

Release  date,  April  19,  1943         9  minutes 

THE  ALL-AMERICAN  BANDS  (WB) 

Melody  Master  (8508) 

Four  outstanding  orchestras  combine  their 
talents  in  this  musical  reel,  each  represented  by 
a  characteristic  number  and  together  providing 
varied  entertainment.  Matty  Malnack  plays 
the  "William  Tell  Overture" ;  Joe  Reichman 
follows  with  "Night  and  Day" ;  Freddy  Mar- 
tin leads  his  orchestra  in  "Tales  from  the 
Vienna  Woods,"  and  Skinnay  Ennis  closes  the 
film  with  "The  Birth  of  the  Blues." 


Release  date,  May  14,  1943         17  minutes     Release  date,  May  22,  1943         10  minutes     Release  date,  April  23,  1943 


WOOD  GOES  TO  WAR  (MGM) 

Miniatures  (M-436) 

While  metals  have  been  receiving  recogni- 
tion for  their  part  in  the  war,  the  many  uses  of 
wood  in  the  victory  program  are  not  so  well 
known.  This  subject  surveys  some  of  them, 
in  housing,  ship  and  airplane  building,  paper 
manufacturing  and  other  industries.  The 
method  of  processing  wood  for  these  purposes 
is  also  treated  briefly. 

Release  date,  May  8,  1943  10  minutes 

SWING  YOUR  PARTNER  (Univ.) 

Color  Cartune  (7245) 

Walter  Lantz's  latest  color  cartoon  concerns 
the  feud  between  Homer  Pigeon  and  Hank 
the  Horse.  Homer  has  set  off  for  an  evening 
of  dancing  with  his  girl  friend  leaving  Hank 
stuck  in  the  mud.  But  the  horse  refuses  to  stay 
there  and  succeeds  in  reversing  the  order  of 
things  before  the  evening  is  out. 

Release  date,  April  26,  1943         7  minutes 

RED  HOT  RIDING  HOOD  (MGM) 

Technicolor  Cartoon  (W-446) 

The  familiar  children's  story  is  scarcely 
recognizable  in  this  version,  with  the  little  lady 
a  night  club  singer,  Grandma  a  hopeful  spinster 
and  the  wolf  a  more  modern  version  of  the 
term.  It  is  Grandma  who  vanquishes  the  wolf 
who  beats  a  hasty  retreat  through  the  pent- 
house window. 

Release  date,  May  8,  1943  7  minutes 

THE  MAN  KILLERS  (WB) 

Broad  tea  y  Brevities  (8106) 

This  is  the  thrilling  story  of  a  hunting  ex- 
pedition into  the  shark-infested  waters  off  Key 
Largo,  Florida.  Howard  Hill  and  an  Indian 
friend  master  the  deadly  barracuda,  giant  tur- 
tles and  man-eating  alligators,  armed  only  with 
a  bow  and  arrow.  Many  of  the  engagements 
are  bare-handed. 

Release  date,  May  29,  1943         20  minutes 

RADIO  RUNAROUND  (RKO) 

Leon  Errol  (33,706) 

Errol  leaves  for  work  at  the  radio  station 
without  making  any  mention  of  his  wedding 
anniversary.  Asked  to  pinch  hit  for  the  Matri- 
monial Oracle,  he  answers  a  touching  letter 
from  a  woman  who  feels  her  husband  does  not 
appreciate  her  by  suggesting  that  she  get  her- 
self another  man.  The  letter  was,  of  course, 
sent  in  by  his  wife.  When  he  discovers  this, 
Errol  decides  to  counteract  the  advice  with  a 
blonde.    The  plan  misfires  badly. 

Release  date,  May  7,  1943  18  minutes 

A  JOLLY  GOOD  FURLOUGH  (Para.) 

Popeye  (£2-7) 

Popeye,  who  has  been  fighting  steadily  since 
the  war  began,  is  finally  granted  a  furlough. 
But  it  is  hardly  rest,  for  the  four  small  nephews 
have  been  saving  up  tales  and  tortures  for  the 
happy  homecoming.  Popeye  is  glad  to  return 
to  active  duty  and  refuses  the  threat  of  an  ex- 
tended furlough  with  heat. 

7  minutes 


I  340   Product  Digest  Section 


May    29,     19  4  3  MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

SERVICE  DATA 

on  features 


Amazing  Mrs.  Holliday,  The  (Univ.) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-l 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 111.2% 
Round  Table  Exploitation — May  1,  '43,  p.  64. 

Andy  Hardy's  Double  Life  (MGM) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-l 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 120.8% 
Round  Table  Exploitation— Feb.  6,  '43,  p.  60. 

Cabin  in  the  Sky  (MGM) 

Audience  Classification — General 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  B 

Round  Table  Exploitation — Apr.  24,  '43,  p.  52. 

Casablanca  (WB) 

Audience  Classification — Adult 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 123.9% 
Round  Table  Exploitation — Jan.  23,  '43,  p.  65 ; 
Feb.  13,  '43,  p.  46;  Feb.  20,  43,  p.  49,  51,  52; 
Feb.  27,  '43,  p.  54;  Mar.  6,  '43,  p.  50;  May  1, 
'43,  p.  64 ;  May  8,  '43,  p.  60. 

China  (Para.) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 
Round  Table  Exploitation — May  1,  '43,  p.  62. 

Crash  Dive  (20th-Fox) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decencv  Rating — Class  A-2 
Round  Table  Exploitation— May  8,  '43,  p.  62. 

Crystal  Ball,  The  (UA) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 108.2% 
Round  Table  Exploitation— Feb.  13,  '43,  p.  46; 
Mar.  6,  '43,  p.  54,  Alar.  13,  '43,  p.  63 ;  Mar.  20, 
43,  p.  61,  62;  Mar.  27,  '43,  p.  68;  Apr.  17,  '43, 
p.  63 ;  Apr.  24,  '43,  p.  54. 

Desert  Victory  (20th-Fox) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Not  Given 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 126.9% 
Round  Table  Exploitation— May  15,  43,  p.  43. 

Five  Graves  to  Cairo  (Para.) 

Audience  Classification — General 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 

Round  Table  Exploitation— May  22,  '43,  p.  56. 

Gorilla  Man  (WB) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decencv  Rating — Class  A-2 
Round  Table  Exploitation— May  8,  '43,  p.  60. 

Happy  Go  Lucky  (Para.) 

Audience  Classification — General 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  B 

Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 111.3% 

Round  Table  Exploitation— Feb.  27,  '43,  p.  51. 

Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello  (20th-Fox) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  B 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 127.3% 
Round  Table  Exploitation— Apr.  3.  '43,  p.  45; 
Apr.  10,  '43,  p.  49 ;  Apr.  24,  43,  p.  52,  53  ;  May 
22,  '43,  p.  55,  57. 


References  to  Round  Table  Exploi- 
tation, Picture  Gross  final  percent- 
ages, and  Legion  of  Decency  ratings 
with  audience  classifications  are 
listed  in  this  department. 

Index  to  Service  Data  may  be 
found  in  the  Release  Chart,  start- 
ing on  page  1342. 


Human  Comedy,  The  (MGM) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-l 
Round  Table  Exploitation — May  8  '43,  p.  61. 

It  Ain't  Hay  (Univ.) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-l 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 123% 
Round  Table  Exploitation — Apr.  17,  '43,  p.  63. 

Lady  of  Burlesque  (UA) 

Audience  Classification — Adult 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  C 

Round  Table  Exploitation — Mar.  20,  '43,  p.  60. 

Lucky  Jordan  (Para.) 

Audience  Classification — Adult 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  B 

Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 127.1% 

Round  Table  Exploitation — Nov.  28,  '42,  p.  72. 

Meanest  Man  in  the  World 
(20th-Fox) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 123.3% 
Round  Table  Exploitation — Apr.  10,  '43,  p.  46; 
Apr.  17,  '43,  p.  63;  Apr.  24,  '43,  p.  55;  May  1, 
43,  p.  63. 

Moon  and  Sixpence,  The  (UA) 

Audience  Classification — Adult 

Legion  of  Decencv  Rating — Class  B 

Round  Table  Exploitation— Nov.  21,  '42,  p.  53  ; 

Dec.  12,  '42,  p.  60;  Feb.  20,  '43,  p.  50;  Apr.  24, 

'43,  p.  54. 

More  the  Merrier,  The  (Col.) 

Audience  Classification — General 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  B 

Round  Table  Exploitation — Apr.  24,  '43,  p.  54. 

My  Friend  Flicka  (20th-Fox) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-l 
Round  Table  Exploitation— May  8,  '43,  p.  61 ; 
May  22,  '43,  p.  60. 

Next  of  Kin  (Univ.) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 
Round  Table  Exploitation— May  1,  '43,  p.  62. 


LEGION  of  DECENCY  Ratings 

Class  A-l  Unobjectionable 

Class  A-2  Unobjectionable  for  Adults 

Class  B  Objectionable  in  Part 

Class  C  Condemned 


Palm  Beach  Story,  The  (Para.) 

Audience  Classification — Adult 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  B 

Round  Table  Exploitation— Dec.  19,  '42,  p.  57; 

Feb.  6,  '43,  p.  57;  May  1,  43,  p.  64. 

Pittsburgh  (Univ.) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 114.9% 
Round  Table  Exploitation — Dec.  19,  42,  p.  61 ; 
Mar.  13,  '43,  p.  65. 

Powers  Girl,  The  (UA ) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 114.8% 
Round  Table  Exploitation — May  1,  43,  p.  60, 
66;  May  8.  '43,  p.  61,  64;  May  15,  43,  p.  61. 

Reunion  in  France  (MGM) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 110% 
Round  Table  Exploitation — Mar.  13,  43,  p.  64. 

Silver  Skates  (Mono.) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-l 
Round  Table  Exploitation — Feb.  27,  '43,  p.  53 ; 
Mar.  13,  43,  p.  64;  Mar.  20,  43,  p.  59;  Apr.  3, 
43,  p.  45;  May  15,  '43,  p.  58. 

Something  to  Shout  About  (Col.) 

Audience  Classification — General 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  B 

Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 118.4% 

Round  Table  Exploitation — Feb.  27,  '43,  p.  51. 

Stand  By  For  Action  (MGM) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 
Round  Table  Exploitation— Dec.  26,  42,  p.  80; 
Jan.  2,  '43,  p.  51 ;  Jan.  30,  '43,  p.  66 ;  Feb.  6,  43, 
p.  56,  62;  Feb.  13,  '43,  p.  46;  Feb.  20,  '43,  p.  51, 
52;  Mar.  20,  43,  p.  58;  May  15,  '43,  p.  58,  59. 

They've  Got  Me  Covered  (RKO) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 128.4% 
Round  Table  Exploitation— Feb.  13,  43,  p.  48. 

This  Land  Is  Mine  (RKO) 

Audience  Classification — General 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 

Round  Table  Exploitation — May  15,  43,  p.  56. 

When  Johnny  Comes  Marching 
Home  (Univ.) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-l 
Round  Table  Exploitation — Jan.  9,  43,  p.  50 ; 
Mar.  13,  43,  p.  65 ;  Apr.  24,  43,  p.  52. 

White  Cargo  (MGM) 

Audience  Classification — Adult 

Legion  of  Decencv  Rating — Class  B 

Round  Table  Exploitation— Nov.  28,  42,  p.  75 ; 

Dec.  19,  42,  p.  58 ;  Jan.  2,  '43,  p.  50 ;  Jan.  9,  43, 

p.  50;  Mar.  13,  '43,  p.  66;  Apr.  24,  '43,  p.  55. 

Youngest  Profession,  The  (MGM) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decencv  Rating — Class  A-l 
Round  Table  Exploitation— May  8,  43,  p.  62. 


Product  Digest  Section  1341 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    29,  1943 


THE  RELEASE  CHART 

Index  to  Reviews,  Advance  Synopses  and 
Service  Data  in  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION 


Release  dates  and  running  time  are  furnished  as  soon  as  avail- 
able. Advance  dates  are  tentative  and  subject  to  change. 

Consult  Service  Data  in  the  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION  for 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating,  Audience  Classification  and  Managers' 
Round  Table  Exploitation. 


All  page  numbers  on  this  chart  refer  to  pages  in  the 
PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION  of  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 

Short  Subjects  Chart  with  Synopsis  Index  can  be  found  on 
pages  1327-1329. 

Feature  Product  Including  Coming  Attractions,  listed  by  Com- 
pany, in  order  of  release,  on  pages  13  I  6-1  3  17. 


REVIEWED 


Title  Company 

ABOVE  Suspicion  MGM 

Across  the  Pacific  WB 

Action  in  the  North  Atlantic  WB 

Adventures  of  Mark  Twain  WB 

Aerial  Gunner  Para. 
After  Midnight  with  Boston  Blackie  Col. 

Air  Force  WB 

Air  Raid  Wardens,  The  MGM 

A-Haunting  We  Will  Go  20th-Fox 

Alibi  Rep. 

Alaska  Highway  Para. 

All  by  Myself  Univ. 

Always  a  Bridesmaid  Univ. 

Amazing  Mrs.  Holliday,  The  Univ. 

American  Empire  UA 

Andy  Hardy's  Double  Life  MGM 

Apache  Trail  MGM 

Ape  Man,  The  Mono. 

Appointment  in  Berlin  Col. 

Arabian  Nights  Univ. 

Arizona  Stagecoach  Mono. 

Army  Surgeon  RKO 

As  Thousands  Cheer  (color)  MGM 

(formerly  Private  Miss  Jones) 

Assignment  in  Brittany  MGM 

At  Dawn  We  Die  (British)  Rep. 

(formerly  Tomorrow  We  Live) 

Avengers,  The  (British)  Para. 

Avenging  Rider,  The  RKO 


Prod. 

Number  Stars 

....  Joan  Crawford-Fred  MacMurray 

202  Humphrey  Bogart-Mary  Astor 

....  Humphrey  Bogart-Raymond  Massey 

....  Fredric  March-Alexis  Smith 

4223  Chester  Morris-Richard  Arlen 

4031  Chester  Morris-Ann  Savage 

217  John  Garfield-Gig  Young 

326  Laurel  and  Hardy 
302  Laurel  and  Hardy 

214  Margaret  Lockwood-Hugh  Sinclair 

....  Richard  Arlen-Jean  Parker 

7043  Patric  Knowles-Evelyn  Ankers 

....  Andrews  Sisters-Patric  Knowles 

7005  Deanna  Durbin-Edmond  O'Brien 

....  Richard  Dix-Leo  Carrillo 

318  Mickey  Rooney-Lewis  Stone 

304  Lloyd  Nolan-Donna  Reed 

....  Bela  Lugosi-Wallace  Ford 

....  George  Sanders-Marguerite  Chapme 

7063  Sabu-Maria  Montez-Jon  Hall 

....  The  Range  Busters 

312  James  Ellison-Jane  Wyatt 

....  Kathryn  Grayson-Gene  Kelly 

327  Pierre  Aurnont-Susan  Peters 
778  John  Clements-Godfrey  Tearle 

4213  Ralph  Richardson-Deborah  Kerr 
  Tim  Holt 


M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Not  Set 

91m 

May  1/43 

1289 

1001 

Sept.  5/42 

98m 

Aug.  22/42 

927 

726 

Not  Set 

127m 

May  22/43 

1325 

983 

Not  Set 

936 

Block  5 

78  m 

Mar.  20/43 

1226 

1091 

Mar.  I8,'43 

64m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1 192 

Mar.  20,'43 

124m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 145 

936 

Apr.,'43 

67m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

1091 

Aug.  7/42 

67m 

July  1 1/42 

927 

Mar.  24/43 

66m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

Block  6 

1 192 

June  1 1/43 

63  m 

1277 

Not  Set 

1 192 

Feb.  19/43 

98  m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 145 

936 

Dec.  1  1/42 

81m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

871 

Dec.-Feb.,'43 

92m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

796 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

66m 

June  27/42 

938 

726 

Mar.  19/43 

64m 

Feb.  27/43 

1181 

1 104 

n    June  29/43 

1305 

Dec.  25/42 

87m 

Dec.  26/42 

i090 

872 

Sept.  4/42 

58m 

Dec.  4/42 

63m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

701 

Not  Set 

1079 

Apr.,'43 

98m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

1019 

Mar.  20/43 

85m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

Block  3 

88m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

Not  Set 

55m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 158 

Data 

Page 


1280 


1341 
1341 

174 


1280 


BABY  Face  Morgan  PRC 
Background  to  Danger  WB 
Bad  Men  of  Thunder  Gap  PRC 
Bambi  (color)  RKO 
Bandit  Ranger  RKO 
Bataan  MGM 
Behind  Prison  Walls  PRC 
Behind  the  Eight  Ball  Univ. 
Bells  Go  Down,  The  (British)  Ealing-UA 
Berlin  Correspondent  20th-Fox 
Best  Foot  Forward  (color)  MGM 
Between  Us  Girls  Univ. 
Big  Street,  The  RKO 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Fugitive  of  Plains  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Kid  Rides  Again  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Mysterious  Rider  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  The  Renegade  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Western  Cyclone  PRC 
Black  Raven,  The  PRC 
Black  Swan,  The  (color)  20th-Fox 
Blocked  Trail,  The  Rep. 
Bombardier  RKO 
Bombers  Moon  20th-Fox 
Bombsight  Stolen  (British)  Gains. 
Boogie  Man  Will  Get  You,  The  Col. 
Boots  and  Saddles  (Re-release)  Rep. 
Border  Buckaroos  PRC 
Border  Patrol  UA 
Boss  of  Big  Town  PRC 
Boston  Blackie  Goes  Hollywood  Col. 
Bowery  at  Midnight  Mono. 
Boy  From  Stalingrad  Col. 
Brains  Trust,  The  (British)  Strand-Anglo 
Buckskin  Frontier  UA 


317 

352 
391 
381 

313 
7029 

3i  i 

7010 
301 
359 
358 
357 
361 
360 
321 
320 
274 
329 


4026 
2301 
354 

310 
4030 

4025 


Mary  Carlisle-Richard  Cromwell  Sept.  15/42 

George  Raft-Brenda  Marshall  Not  Set 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill  Mar.  5/43 

Disney  Feature  Cartoon  Aug.  21/42 

Tim  Holt  Sept.  25/42 

Robert  Taylor-Thomas  Mitchell  Not  Set 

Alan  Baxter-Gertrude  Michael  Mar.  22/43 

Ritz  Bros.-Carol  Bruce  Dec.  4/42 

Tommy  Trinder-James  Mason  Not  Set 

Dana  Andrews-Virginia  Gilmore  Sept.  11/42 

Lucille  Ball-William  Gaxton  Not  Set 
Diana  Barrymore-Robert  Cummings       Sept.  4/42 

Henry  Fonda-Lucille  Ball  Sept.  4/42 

Buster  Crabbe-Al  St.  John  Mar.  12/43 

Buster  Crabbe-Al  St.  John  Jan.  27/43 

Buster  Crabbe-Al  St.  John  Nov.  20/42 

Buster  Crabbe-Al  St.  John  July  1/43 

Buster  Crabbe-Al  St.  John  May  14/43 

George  Zucco-Wanda  MacKay  May  3  I  ,'43 

Tyrone  Power-Maureen  O'Hara  Dec.  4/42 

Three  Mesquiteers  Mar.  12/43 
Pat  O'Brien-Randolph  Scott-Anne  Shirley       Block  6 

George  Montgomery-Annabella  Not  Set 

Leslie  Banks-Jeanne  Casalis  Not  Set 

Boris  Karlof-Peter  Lorre  Oct.  22/42 

Gene  Autry-Smiley  Burnette  Jan.  15/43 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill  June  15/43 

William  Boyd  Apr.  2/43 

John  Litel-Florence  Rice  Dec.  7/42 

Chester  Morris-Richard  Lane  Nov.  5/42 

Bela  Lugosi-John  Archer  Oct.  30/42 

Bobby  Samarzich-Conrad  Binyon  May  20/43 

Ouiz  Experts  Not  Set 

Richard  Dix-Jane  Wyatt  May  14/43 


62  m 

July  25/42 

903 

1058 

57m 

1277 

70m 

May  30/42 

685 

56m 

1  14m 

May  29/43 

1337 

1 1 1 27 

64m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 146 

1078 

60m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

794 

89m 

May  22/43 

1326 

70m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

797 

1 191 

89m 

Aug.  29/42 

890 

772 

87m 

Aug.  8/42 

902 

701 

56m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

60m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

1 104 

55m 

Jan.  30/43 

1137 

1033 

1305 
1276 


61m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

85m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

855 

55m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

99m 

May  15/43 

1313 

912 

1305 

72m 

May  15/43 

1315 

66m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

58m 

Nov.  13/37 

1 1 14 

1276 

67m 

Jan.  30/43 

i  137 

64m 

Oct.  17/42 

959 

68m 

Feb.  27/43 

1181 

794 

63m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

70m 

\\9\ 

34m 

Feb.  6/43 

1  i47 

76m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

983 

I  342    Product  Digest  Section 


May    2  9,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


-  REVIEWED  > 

M.  P.       Product    Advance  Service 


Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Title 

Company 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

Busses  Roar 

WB 

203 

Richard  Travis-Julie  Bishop 

Sept.  19/42 

61m 

Aug.  22/42 

903 

CABIN  in  the  Sky 

MGM 

323 

"Rochester"-Ethel  Waters 

Apr.,'43 

98m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 157 

1019 

1341 

Cairo 

MGM 

307 

Jeanette  MacDonald-Robert  Young 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

101m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

1034 

Calaboose  UA-Roach 

Jimmy  Rogers-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

Jan.  29,'43 

45m 

1241 

Calling  Wild  Bill  Elliott 

Rep. 

231  i 

Bill  Elliott-Gabby  Hayes 

Apr.  30,'43 

54m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

Captive  Wild  Woman 

Univ. 

7014 

Evelyn  Ankers-John  Carradine 

June  4,'43 

61m 

May  1/43 

1290 

1 127 

Careful,  Soft  Shoulder 

20th-Fox 

312 

Virginia  Bruce-James  Ellison 

Sept.  I8,'42 

69m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

Carson  City  Cyclone 

Rep. 

275 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Mar.  23,'43 

57m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

Casablanca 

WB 

214 

Humphrey  Bogart-lngrid  Bergman 

Jan.  23,'43 

102m 

Nov.  28/42 

1029 

936 

1341 

Cat  People 

RKO 

313 

Simone  Simon-Tom  Conway 

Dec.  25,'42 

73m 

Nov.  14/42 

1005 

962 

1280 

Chatterbox 

Rep. 

219 

Joe  E.  Brown-Judy  Canova 

Apr.27,'43 

76m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

1 127 

Chetniks,  Fighting  Guerrillas 

20th-Fox 

328 

Philip  Dorn-Virginia  Gilmore 

Feb.  5,'43 

73m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 1 15 

995 

1280 

Cheyenne  Roundup 

Univ. 

276 

Johnny  Mack  Brown-Tex  Ritter 

Apr.  29,'43 

59m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

China 

Para. 

4222 

Loretta  Young-Alan  Ladd 

Block  5 

78m 

Mar.  20/43 

1226 

1091 

1 341 

China  Girl 

20th-Fox 

323 

George  Montgomery-Gene  Tierney 

Jan.  1/43 

95m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

872 

1218 

Cinderella  Swings  It 

RKO 

318 

Guy  Kibbee-Gloria  Warren 

Jan.22,'43 

69m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 125 

City  of  Silent  Men 

PRC 

308 

Frank  Albertson-June  Lang 

Oct.  12/42 

64m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

City  Without  Men 

Col. 

4013 

Linda  Darnell-Doris  Dudley 

Jan.  14/43 

75m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 181 

ioo9 

Clancy  Street  Boys 

Mono. 

East  Side  Kids 

Apr.  23,'43 

66m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

Coastal  Command  (British)  Para.-Crown 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

73m 

Nov.  14/42 

1005 

Colt  Comrades 

UA 

William  Boyd 

June  18/43 

67m 

1339 

Commandos  Strike  at  Dawn 

Col. 

4004 

Paul  Muni-Lillian  Gish 

Jan.  7/43 

98m 

Dec.  19/42 

1078 

962 

1280 

Coney  Island 

20th-Fox 

Betty  Grable-George  Montgomery 

Not  Set 

90m 

May  22/43 

1325 

995 

Corregidor 

PRC 

31 

Otto  Kruger-Elissa  Landi 

Mar.  29/43 

74m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

1 104 

1280 

Corvettes  in  Action 

Univ. 

Randolph  Scott-Andy  Devine 

Not  Set 

1240 

Cosmo  Jones,  Crime  Smasher 

Mono. 

Edgar  Kennedy-Frank  Graham 

Jan.  29/43 

62m 

Feb.  20/43 

i  i  70 

1055 

Counter  Espionage 

Col. 

4027 

Warren  William-Eric  Blore 

Sept.  3/42 

72m 

Oct.  10/42 

945 

871 

Cowboy  Commandos 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

June  4/43 

1277 

Cowboy  in  Manhattan 

Univ. 

7036 

Robert  Paige-Frances  Langford 

May  2 1/43 

60m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

1240 

Crash  Dive  (color) 

20th-Fox 

340 

Tyrone  Power-Anne  Baxter 

May  14/43 

105m 

Apr.  24/43 

1273 

962 

1341 

Crime  by  Night 

WB 

Jane  Wyman-Jerome  Cowan 

Not  Set 

1091 

Crime  Doctor 

Col. 

Warner  Baxter-Margaret  Lindsay 

June  24/43 

1305 

Criminal  Investigator 

Mono. 

Robert  Lowery-Jan  Wiley 

Oct.  23/42 

61m 

Dec.  12/42 

i054 

1033 

Crystal  Ball,  The 

UA 

Paulette  Goddard-Ray  Milland 

Jan.  22/43 

81m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 125 

960 

1341 

DARING  Young  Man,  The 

Col. 

4021 

Joe  E.  Brown-Marguerite  Chapman 

Oct.  8/42 

73m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

871 



Dawn  on  the  Great  Divide 

Mono. 

Buck  Jones-Rex  Bell 

Dec.  18/42 

66m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

1031 



Days  of  Old  Cheyenne 

Rep. 

276 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

May  15/43 

55m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

1241 



Deadline  Guns 

Col. 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Not  Set 

1081 

.... 

Dead  Man's  Gulch 

Rep. 

274 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Feb.  12/43 

56m 

Feb.  20/43 

i  i  70 

1 127 

Dead  Men  Walk 

PRC 

320 

George  Zucco-Mary  Carlisle 

Feb. 10/43 

63m 

Feb. 20/43 

1 170 

1031 

Deep  in  the  Heart  of  Texas 

Univ. 

7071 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Sept.  25/42 

62m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

Desert  Song,  The  (color) 

WB 

Dennis  Morgan-Irene  Manning 

Not  Set 

872 

Desert  Victory  (British) 

20th-Fox 

34i 

War  in  Africa  Feature 

Apr.  16/43 

60m 

Apr.  3/43 

i237 

1341 

Desperadoes,  The  (color) 

Col. 

4005 

Randolph  Scott-Glenn  Ford 

May  25/43 

85m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

871 

1280 

Desperate  Journey 

WB 

204 

Errol  Flynn-Ronald  Reagan 

Sept.  26/42 

107m 

Aug.  22/42 

915 

1082 

Destination  Unknown 

Univ. 

7030 

Irene  Hervey-William  Gargan 

Oct.  9/42 

61m 

Oct.  3/42 

946 

9i2 

Destroyer 

Col. 

Edward  G.  Robinson-Marguerite  Chapman  Not  Set 

1 162 

Devil  with  Hitler,  The  UA-Roach 

Alan  Mowbray-M.  Woodworth 

Nov.  20/42 

45  m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

Diary  of  a  Nazi  (Russian) 

Artkino 



War  Documentary 

Mar.  24/43 

68m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

Dixie  (color) 

Para. 

Bing  Crosby-Dorothy  Lamour 

Block  6 

1091 

Dixie  Dugan 

20th-Fox 

332 

James  Ellison-Lois  Andrews 

Mar.  12/43 

67  m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1082 

Dr.  Gillespie's  Criminal  Case 

MGM 

Lionel  Barrymore-Van  Johnson 

Not  Set 

89m 

May  8/43 

1302 

1 192 

Dr.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant 

MGM 

317 

Lionel  Barrymore-Van  Johnson 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

86m 

Nov.  15/42 

1005 

1280 

Dr.  Renault's  Secret 

20th-Fox 

321 

Lynn  Roberts-John  Shepperd 

Dec.  1 1/42 

58m 

Dec.  17/42 

959 

936 

DuBarry  Was  a  Lady 

MGM 

Lucille  Ball-Red  Skelton 

Not  Set 

101m 

May  8/43 

1301 

1019 

EDGE  of  Darkness 

WB 

219 

Errol  Flynn-Ann  Sheridan 

Apr.  24/43 

1 18m 

Mar.  27/43 

1225 

982 

.... 

En  Enda  Natt  (Swedish) 

Scandia 

Ingrid  Bergman-Olof  Sandborg 

Not  Set 

89m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

Eyes  in  the  Night 

MGM 

309 

Edward  Arnold-Ann  Harding 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

79m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

797 

1 1 30 

Eyes  of  the  Underworld 

Univ. 

7037 

Richard  Dix-Lon  Chaney 

Jan.  8/43 

61m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

.... 

FALCON'S  Brother.  The 

RKO 

309 

George  Sanders-Jane  Randolph 

Nov.  6/42 

63  m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

871 

Falcon  Strikes  Back,  The 

RKO 

325 

Tom  Conway-Harriet  Hilliard 

Block  5 

65m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

Fallen  Sparrow,  The 

RKO 

Maureen  O'Hara-John  Garfield 

Not  Set 

i  i  82 

Fall  In  UA-Roach 

William  Tracy-Jean  Porter 

Mar.  5/43 

48m 

Apr.  17/43 

i262 

796 

False  Faces 

Rep. 

Rex  Williams-Bill  Henry 

May  26/43 

56m 

May  29/43 

1338 

1277 

Fighting  Buckaroo,  The 

Col. 

4203 

Charles  Starrett-Kay  Harris 

Feb.  1/43 

58m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

Fighting  Devil  Dogs 

Rep. 

211 

Lee  Powell-Herman  Brix 

Jan.  29/43 

69m 

Feb.  6/43 

1147 

Fighting  Frontier 

RKO 

383 

Tim  Holt 

Jan.  15/43 

57m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 158 

Fighting  Sea  Monsters 

Times 

Marine  Animal  Feature 

Mar.  9/43 

61m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

Find,  Fix  and  Strike  (British) 

ABFD 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

37m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

Fires  Were  Started  (British) 

Crown 



War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

63  m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

First  of  the  Few,  The  (British) 

Howard 

Leslie  Howard-David  Niven 

Not  Set 

1  18m 

Sept.  5/42 

889 

Five  Graves  to  Cairo 

Para. 

4224 

Franchot  Tone-Anne  Baxter 

Block  5 

96m 

May  8/43 

1301 

i  1 92 

1 341 

Flight  for  Freedom 

RKO 

321 

Rosalind  Russell-Fred  MacMurray 

Block  5 

101m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 145 

983 

1218 

Flying  Fortress  (British) 

WB 

21 1 

Richard  Green-Carla  Lehmann 

Dec.  5/42 

68m 

June  27/42 

914 

1174 

Follies  Girl 

PRC 

30 

Wendy  Barrie-Gordon  Oliver 

Not  Set 

iio4 

Follow  the  Band 

Univ. 

7033 

Leon  Errol-Mary  Beth  Hughes 

May  14/43 

61m 

May  1/43 

1290 

1241 

Footlight  Serenade 

20th-Fox 

301 

John  Payne-Betty  Grable 

Aug.  1/42 

80m 

July  1 1/42 

915 

715 

873 

Foreign  Agent 

Mono. 

John  Shelton-Gail  Storm 

Oct.  9/42 

64m 

Sept.  19/42 

91 1 

Forest  Rangers,  The  (color) 

Para. 

4206 

Fred  MacMurray-Paulette  Goddard 

Block  2 

87m 

Oct.  3/42 

933 

872 

1218 

Forever  and  a  Day 

RKO 

320 

British  and  American  Stars 

Mar.  26/43 

104m 

Jan. 23/43 

1 125 

Product  Digest  Section    I  343 


MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  May    29,    194  3 


Title 


Prod. 

Company  Number 


Univ. 


For  All  Wo  Know 

(formerly  Flesh  and  Fantasy) 

For  Me  and  My  Gal  MGM 
Fortress  on  Volga  (Russian)  Artlcino 
For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls  (color)  Para. 

Frankenstein  Meets  Wolf  Man  Univ. 

Frontier  Fury  Col. 


312 
70\2 


Stars 

Charles  Boyer-Barbara  Stanwyck 


Release 
Date 

Not  Set 


Judy  Garland-George  Murphy  Sept.-Nov.,'42 
Mikhail  Gelovani-Nikolai  Bogoliubov  Not  Set 

Gary  Cooper-lngrid  Bergman  Not  Set 

Lon  Chaney-Bela  Lugosi  Mar.  12/43 

Charles  Starrett-Arthur  Hunnicutt  June  24,'43 


Running 
Time 


104m 
77m 


r—  REVIEWED  s 

M.  P.  Product  Advance 
Herald       Digest  Synopsis 


Issue 


Sept.  12/42 
Jan.  9/43 


73m       Feb.  27/43 


Page 


897 
I  1 0 1 


1181 


Page 
1058 

751 

855 
1055 
1305 


Service 
Data 
Page 


1218 
1280 


GAUCHO  Serenade  (Reissue)  Rep. 

2303 

Gene  Autry 

Apr.  15/43 

66m 

May  18/40 

1262 

Gentle  Gangster,  A 

Rep. 

Barton  MacLane-Molly  Lamont 

May  10/43 

57m 

May  15/43 

1314 

i276 

Gentle  Sex  (British)    Two  Cities-Gen'l 

Rosamund  John-Joyce  Howard 

Not  Set 

93m 

May  8/43 

1303 

Gentleman  Jim 

WB 

212 

Errol  Flynn-Alexis  Smith 

Nov.  14/42 

104m 

Oct.  31/42 

981 

936 

1130 

George  Washington  Slept  Here  WB 

210 

Jack  Benny-Ann  Sheridan 

Nov.  28/42 

93m 

Sept.  19/42 

909 

871 

1218 

Get  Hep  to  Love 

Univ. 

7022 

Gloria  Jean-Robert  Paige 

Oct.  2/42 

77m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

Ghost  and  the  Guest,  The 

PRC 

314 

Florence  Rice-Jimmie  Dunn 

Apr.  19/43 

61m 

May  15/43 

1314 

1241 

Ghost  Rider 

Mono. 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Apr.  2/43 

52m 

May  8/43 

1304 

1241 

Gildersleeve's  Bad  Day 

RKO 

327 

Harold  Peary-Jane  Darwell 

Block  6 

62m 

May  8/43 

1303 

1241 

Girl  Crazy 

MGM 

Mickey  Rooney-Judy  Garland 

Not  Set 

1191 

Girl  Trouble 

20th-Fox 

309 

Don  Ameche-Joan  Bennett 

Oct.  9/42 

82m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

855 

Girls  in  Chains 

PRC 

305 

Arline  Judge-Roger  Clark 

May  17/43 

71m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

Give  Out,  Sisters 

Univ. 

7021 

Andrews  Sisters-Richard  Davies 

Sept.  11/42 

65m 

Sept.  5/42 

889 

Glass  Key,  The 

Para. 

4203 

Brian  Donlevy-Veronica  Lake-Alan 

Ladd       Block  1 

85m 

Aug.  29/42 

914 

1130 

Good  Fellows,  The 

Para. 

Cecil  Kellaway-Helen  Walker 

Not  Set 

1 19! 

Good  Morning,  Judge 

Univ. 

7044 

Dennis  O'Keefe-Louise  Allbritton 

May  7/43 

67m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

1240 

Gorilla  Man,  The 

WB 

216 

John  Loder-Paul  Cavanagh 

Jan.  16/43 

64m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

1341 

Great  Gildersleeve,  The 

RKO 

314 

Harold  Peary-Freddy  Mercer 

Jan.  1/43 

62  m 

Nov.  15/42 

1006 

995 

Great  Impersonation,  The 

Univ. 

7032 

Ralph  Bellamy-Evelyn  Ankers 

Dec.  18/42 

71m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

912 

Gyandev  of  India 

Ram  Bangai 

Indian  Feature 

Apr.  9/43 

63m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

HAIL  to  the  Rangers 

Col. 

Charles  Starrett 

Not  Set 

1055 

Half  Way  to  Shanghai 

Univ. 

7035 

Irene  Hervey-Kent  Taylor 

Sept.  18/42 

62m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

1082 

Hangmen  Also  Die 

UA 

Brian  Donlevy-Walter  Brennan 

Mar.  26/43 

13  Im 

Mar.  27/43 

1225 

i  191 

1280 

Happy  Go  Lucky  (color) 

Para. 

4217 

Mary  Martin-Dick  Powell-Rudy  Vallee 

Block  4 

81m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

797 

1341 

Hard  Way.  The 

WB 

209 

Ida  Lupino-Dennis  Morgan 

Feb.  20/43 

109m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

796 

1280 

Harrigan's  Kid 

MGM 

Bobby  Readick-William  Gargan 

Not  Set 

80m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1191 

Haunted  Ranch 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Feb.  19/43 

57m 

Mar.  6/43 

1190 

1019 

Heart  of  a  Nation  (French) 

Graetz 

Raimu-Michele  Morgan 

Not  Set 

1  Mm 

Mar.  27/43 

1239 

Heart  of  the  Golden  West 

Rep. 

251 

Roy  Rogers-Gabby  Hayes 

Dec.  1 1/42 

65m 

Nov.  21/42 

1017 

Heaven  Can  Wait  (color) 

20th-Fox 

Don  Ameche-Gene  Tierney 

Not  Set 

1240 

He  Hired  the  Boss 

20th-Fox 

334 

Stuart  Erwin-Evelyn  Venable 

Apr.  2/43 

73  m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1127 

He's  My  Guy 

Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello  (color) 

Univ. 

7041 

Dick  Foran-lrene  Hervey 

Mar.  26/43 

65m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

1 127 

20th-Fox 

333 

Alice  Faye-John  Payne 

Mar.  26/43 

98m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1 127 

1341 

Henry  Aldrich,  Editor 

Para. 

4209 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Block  2 

72m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

663 

1130 

Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour 

Para. 

4218 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Block  4 

72m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

986 

Henry  Aldrich  Swings  It 

Para. 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Block  6 

1104 

Here  We  Go  Again 

RKO 

305 

Fibber  McGee-Edgar  Bergen-"Charlie" 

Oct.  9/42 

76  m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

1082 

Hi,  Buddy 

Univ. 

7031 

Dick  Foran-Harriet  Hilliard 

Feb.  26/43 

68m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 170 

i079 

Hidden  Hand,  The 

WB 

208 

Craig  Stevens-Elisabeth  Fraser 

Nov.  7/42 

67m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

1082 

High  Explosive 

Para. 

4221 

Chester  Morris-Jean  Parker 

Block  5 

62  m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

983 

Highways  by  Night 

RKO 

304 

Richard  Carlson-Jane  Randolph 

Oct.  2/42 

63m 

Aug.  8/42 

938 

715 

Hi!  Neighbor 

Rep. 

201 

Lulubelle  &  Scotty-Jean  Parker 

July  27/42 
Mar.  26/43 

72m 

July  25/42 
Mar.  13/43 

927 

772 

1218 

Hit  Parade  of  1943 

Rep. 

215 

John  Carroll-Susan  Hayward 

82m 

1202 

1043 

1280 

Hitler,  Dead  or  Alive 

House 

Ward  Bond-Dorothy  Tree 

Not  Set 

70m 

Nov.  2 1/42 

1018 

1082 

Hit  the  Ice 

Univ. 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Not  Set 

1162 

(formerly  Oh,  Doctor) 

Hitler's  Children 

RKO 

316 

Tim  Holt-Bonita  Granville 

Mar.  19/43 

83m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

986 

1280 

Hi'Ya,  Chum 

Univ. 

7039 

Jane  Frazee-Ritz  Brothers 

Mar.  5/43 

61m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

1127 

Hoppy  Serves  a  Writ 

UA 

William  Boyd-Andy  Clyde 

Mar.  12/43 

67m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

Hostages 

How's  About  It? 

Para. 

Luise  Rainer-Paul  Lukas 

Not  Set 

i277 

Univ. 

7025 

Andrews  Sisters-Robert  Paige 

Feb.  5/43 

61m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 1-47 

Human  Comedy,  The 

MGM 

Mickey  Rooney-Frank  Morgan 

Special 

1  15m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 190 

1019 

1341 

ICE-CAPADES  Revue  Rep. 
Iceland  20th-Fox 
Idaho  Rep. 
I  Dood  It  MGM 
I  Escaped  from  the  Gestapo  Mono. 
I  Married  a  Witch  UA 
Immortal  Sergeant,  The  20th-Fox 
In  the  Rear  of  Enemy  (Russian)  Artkino 
In  Which  We  Serve  (British)  UA 
Isle  of  Forgotten  Sins  (1943-44)  PRC 
Isle  of  Missing  Men  Mono. 
It  Ain't  Hay  Univ. 
It  Comes  Up  Love  Univ. 
It's  That  Man  Again  (British)  Gains. 
It's  a  Great  Life  Col. 

(formerly  Blondie  Buys  a  Horse) 
I  Walked  with  a  Zombie  RKO 


206 

Ellen  Drew-Richard  Denning 

Dec.  24/42 

79m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

797 

1130 

306 

Sonja  Henie-John  Payne 

Oct.  2/42 

79m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

797 

1082 

252 

Roy  Rogers-Virginia  Grey 

Mar.  10/43 

70m 

Feb.  20/43 

1169 

1162 

1218 

Red  Skelton-Eleanor  Powell 

Not  Set 

1 192 

Dean  Jagger-John  Carradine 

May  28/43 

75  m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

1 162 

Fredric  March-Veronica  Lake 

Oct.  30/42 

78m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

797 

1218 

327 

Henry  Fonda-Maureen  O'Hara 

Jan.  29/43 

91m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

995 

1280 

War  Documentary 

Oct.  9/42 

59m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

Noel  Coward-Bernard  Miles 

Feb.  12/43 

1  13m 

Oct.  17/42 

957 

1280 

40 

John  Carradine-Gale  Sondergaard 

July  26/43 

1339 

John  Howard-Gilbert  Roland 

Sept.  18/42 

67m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

772 

7001 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Mar.  19/43 

81m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

1058 

i  34  r 

7023 

Gloria  Jean-Ian  Hunter 

Apr.  9/43 

65m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 146 

986 

Tommy  Handley 

Not  Set 

84m 

Feb.  27/43 

1182 

Penny  Singleton-Arthur  Lake 

May  27/43 

i  24  i 

324 

Frances  Dee-Tom  Conway 

Block  5 

68m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

1057 

JACARE  UA 

Jane  Eyre  20th-Fox 

Jitterbugs  20th-Fox 

Johnny  Doughboy  Rep. 

Journey  for  Margaret  MGM 


205 
314 


Animal  feature 

Orson  Welles-Joan  Fontaine 

Laurel  and  Hardy 

Jane  Withers-Patrick  Brook 

Robert  Young-Laraine  Day 


Nov.27/42 
Not  Set 
Not  Set 
Dec.  3 1  ,'42 
Dec.-Feb.,'43 


65m       Dec.  26/42  1077 


74m 
63  m 
79m 


May  29/43 
Dec.  26/42 
Oct.  3 1  ,'42 


1338 
1077 
981 


1240 
1305 
971 
912 


1218 


1218 
1174 


I  344    Product  Digest  Section 


Ma  y    2  9,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


REVIEWED 


Title 

Journey  Into  Fear 

Junior  Army 

Just  Off  Broadway 


KEEP  'Em  Slugging 
Keeper  of  the  Flame 
Kid  Dynamite 

King  Arthur  Was  a  Gentle- 
man (British) 
King  of  the  Cowboys 


M.  P. 


Product    Advance  Service 


Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Company 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

RKO 

307 

Joseph  Cotten-Dolores  Del  Rio 

Feb.  I2,'43 

71m 

Feb.  6/43 

1  146 

796 

1218 

Col. 

4038 

Freddie  Bartholomew-Billy  Halop 

Nov.  26/42 

71m 

Feb. 20/43 

1 170 

1009 

20th-Fox 

310 

Lloyd  Nolan-Marjorie  Weaver 

Sept.  25,'42 

65m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

797 

Univ. 

7040 

Dead  End  Kids 

Apr.  2/43 

61  m 

Mar.  6/43 

1189 

MSM 

320 

Spencer  Tracy-Katharine  Hepburn 

Dec.-Feb./43 

100m 

Dec.  19/42 

1065 

936 

1280 

Mono. 

East  Side  Kids 

Feb.  5/43 

66m 

Jan. 23/43 

1 126 

Gains. 

Arthur  Askey-Evelyn  Dall 

Not  Set 

98m 

Jan.  16/43 

1114 

Rep. 

254 

Roy  Rogers 

Apr.  9/43 

67m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

1241 

LADIES'  Day  RKO 
Lady  Bodyguard  Para. 
Lady  from  Chungking  PRC 
Lady  in  the  Dark  (color)  Para. 
Lady  of  Burlesque  UA 
Lady  Takes  a  Chance,  A  RKO 
Land  of  Hunted  Men  Mono. 
Lassie  Comes  Home  MGM 
Last  Ride,  The  WB 
Last  Will  of  Dr.  Mabuse  ( Fr.)  Krellberg 
Laugh  Your  Blues  Away  Col. 
Law  of  the  Northwest  Col. 
Law  Rides  Again,  The  Mono. 
Leather  Burners,  The  UA 
Leopard  Man,  The  RKO 
Let's  Face  It  Para. 
Let's  Have  Fun  Col. 
Life  Begins  at  Eight-thirty  20th-Fox 
Little  Joe,  the  Wrangler  Univ. 
Little  Tokyo,  U.S.A.  20th-Fox 
Living  Ghost,  The  Mono. 
London  Blackout  Murders  Rep- 
Lone  Prairie,  The  Col. 
Lone  Rider  in  Death  Rides  Plains  PRC 
Lone  Rider  in  Wild  Horse  Rustlers  PRC 
Lone  Rider,  Overland  Stagecoach  PRC 
Lone  Star  Trail,  The  Univ. 
Lost  Canyon  UA 
Loves  of  Edgar  Allan  Poe,  The  20th-Fox 
Lucky  Jordan  Para. 
Lucky  Legs  Col. 


322 
4216 
302 


4033 
4204 


328 

4040 
322 

7072 
303 

iib 

4209 
365 
364 
363 

7077 

305 
4215 
4032 


Lupe  Velez-Eddie  Albert-Max  Baer 
Eddie  Albert-Anne  Shirley 
Anna  May  Wong-Harold  Huber 
Ginger  Rogers-Ray  Milland 
Barbara  Stanwyck-Michael  O'Shea 
Jean  Arthur-John  Wayne 
Range  Busters 

Roddy  McDowall-Edmund  Gwenn 
Richard  Travis-Eleanor  Parker 
Jim  Gerald-Thorny  Bourdelle 
Bert  Gordon-Jinx  Falkenburg 
Charles  Starrett-Shirley  Patterson 
Ken  Maynard-Hoot  Gibson 
William  Boyd 
Dennis  O'Keefe-Margo 
Bob  Hope-Betty  Hutton 
Bert  Gordon-Margaret  Lindsay 
Monty  Woolley-lda  Lupino 
Johnny  Mack  Brown 
Preston  Foster-Brenda  Joyce 
James  Dunn-Joan  Woodbury 
John  Abbott-Mary  McLeod 
Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 
Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 
Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 
Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 
Johnny  Mack  Brown-Tex  Ritter 
William  Boyd 

John  Shepperd-Linda  Darnell 
Alan  Ladd-Helen  Walker 
Jinx  Falkenburg-Kay  Harris 


Block  5 

62m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

962 

Block  4 

70m 

Jan.  2/43 

1090 

946 

Dec.  2 1/42 

70m 

Nov.  7/42 

1006 

574 

Not  Set 

1091 

Apr.  30/43 

91m 

May  1/43 

1289 

1 182 

Not  Set 

1240 

Mar.  26/43 

58m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

Not  Set 

1240 

Not  Set 

1 1 15 

Mar.  19/43 

94  m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

Nov.  12/42 

70m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 159 

986 

May  27/43 

59m 

May  29/43 

1338 

1018 

July  23/43 
May  28/43 

1339 

58m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

Block  6 

59m 

May  8/43 

1303 

1241 

Not  Set 

1277 

Mar.  4/43 

63  m 

May  1/43 

i290 

Dec.  25/42 

85m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

962 

Nov.  13/42 

64m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

Aug.  14/42 

64m 

July  11/42 

938 

Nov.  27/42 

61m 

Oct.  3 1/42 

982 

Jan.  15/43 

59m 

Dec.  12/42 

1067 

Oct.  15/42 

58m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

1058 

May  7/43 

1277 

Feb.  12/43 

55m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

Dec.  11/42 

58m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

1018 

Not  Set 

1019 

Dec.  1 8/42 

63  m 

Jan.  23/43 

1126 

Aug.  28/42 

67m 

July  1 1/42 

914 

751 

Block  3 

84m 

Nov.  21/42 

1017 

986 

Oct.  1/42 

64m 

Feb. 13/43 

1158 

797 

MADAME  Spy  Univ. 

Magnificent  Ambersons,  The  RKO 

Major  and  the  Minor,  The  Para. 

Man  in  the  Trunk,  The  20th-Fox 

Manila  Calling  20th-Fox 

Man  from  Thunder  River  Rep. 

Man  of  Courage  PRC 

Mantrap,  The  Rep. 

Man's  World,  A  Col. 

Margin  for  Error  20th-Fox 

Mashenka  (Russian)  Artkino 

Masquerade  (Russian)  Artkino 
McGuerins  from  Brooklyn  UA-Roach 

Meanest  Man  in  the  World  20th-Fox 

Meet  John  Bonniwell  UA 

Melody  Parade  Mono. 

Mexican  Spitfire's  Elephant  RKO 
Miracle  of  Morgan's  Creek,  The  Para. 

Mission  to  Moscow  WB 
Miss  London  Limited  (British)  Gains. 

Miss  V  from  Moscow  PRC 

Mister  Big  Univ. 

Moonlight  in  Havana  Univ. 

Moon  and  Sixpence,  The  UA 

Moon  Is  Down,  The  20th-Fox 

More  the  Merrier,  The  Col. 
Moscow  Strikes  Back  (Russian)  Rep. 

Mountain  Rhythm  Rep. 

Mr.  Lucky  RKO 
Mrs.  Wiggs  of  the  Cabbage  Patch  Para. 

Mug  Town  Univ. 

Mummy's  Tomb,  The  Univ. 

Murder  in  Times  Square  Col. 

My  Friend  Flicka  (color)  20th-Fox 

My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  Para. 

My  Son,  the  Hero  PRC 

Mysterious  Doctor,  The  WB 


NAVY  Comes  Through,  The  RKO 
'Neath  Brooklyn  Bridge  Mono. 


7034 

Constance  Bennett-Don  Porter 

Dec.  1 1/42 

63  m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

371 

Joseph  Cotten-Dolores  Costello 

July  10/42 

88m 

July  4/42 

938 

507 

947 

4202 

Ginger  Rogers-Ray  Milland 

Block  1 

100m 

Aug.  29/42 

927 

1174 

315 

Lynne  Roberts-George  Holmes 

Oct.  23/42 

71m 

Sept.  19/42 

911 

855 

314 

Lloyd  Nolan-Carole  Landis 

Oct.  16/42 

81m 

Sept.  19/42 

91 1 

871 

Bill  Elliott-George  Hayes 

June  11/43 

59m 

May  22/43 

1325 

1277 

319 

Barton  MacLane-Charlotte  Wynters 

Jan.  4/43 

67m 

Jan.  30/43 

1 137 

1031 

217 

Lloyd  Corrigan-Dorothy  Lovett 

Apr.  13/43 

58m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

1191 

4044 

M.  Chapman-Wm.  Wright 

Sept.  17/42 

60m 

Dec.  12/42 

1055 

330 

Joan  Bennett-Milton  Berle 

Feb.  19/43 

74m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

995 

V.  Karavayeva-M.  Kuznetzov 

Nov.  20/42 

67m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

Nikolai  Mordvinov-Tamara  Makarova 

May  15/43 

102m 

May  22/43 

1326 

Max  Baer-William  Bendix 

Dec.  31/42 

46m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

329 

Jack  Benny-Priscilla  Lane 

Feb.  12/43 

57m 

Jan.  9/43 

1  115 

962 

t34l 

Richard  Dix-Jane  Wyatt 

Not  Set 

1 182 

Mary  Beth  Hughes-Eddie  Quillan 

Aug.  13/43 

1339 

302 

Lupe  Velez-Leon  Errol 

Sept.  11/42 

64m 

Aug.  8/42 

915 

Eddie  Bracken-Betty  Hutton 

Not  Set 

1079 

220 

Walter  Huston-Ann  Harding 

May  22/43 

123  m 

May  1/43 

1304 

1058 

Arthur  Askey-Evelyn  Dall 

Not  Set 

99m 

May  29/43 

1339 

318 

Lola  Lane-Noel  Madison 

Nov.  23/42 

71m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

1031 

Gloria  Jean-Donald  O'Connor 

May  28/43 

74m 

May  29/43 

1338 

1277 

7026 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Oct.  16/42 

62m 

Oct.  17/42 

959 

George  Sanders-Herbert  Marshall 

Oct.  2/42 

89m 

Sept.  12/42 

912 

1341 

335 

Cedric  Hardwicke-Henry  Travers 

Apr.  9/43 

90m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

1091 

1280 

4041 

Jean  Arthur-Joel  McCrea 

May  13/43 

104m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

1  182 

1341 

Documenta  ry 

Aug.  15/42 

55m 

Aug.  15/42 

840 

1 130 

209 

Weaver  Bros.  &  Elviry 

Jan.  8/43 

70m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

1009 

330 

Cary  Grant-Laraine  Day 

Block  6 

100m 

May  8/43 

1301 

1081 

4208 

Fay  Bainter-Carolyn  Lee 

Block  2 

80m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

663 

1218 

7027 

Dead  End  Kids 

Dec.  18/42 

60m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

7019 

Dick  Foran-Elyse  Knox 

Oct.  23/42 

61m 

Oct.  17/42 

970 

1130 

4034 

Edmund  Lowe-Marguerite  Chapman 

Apr.  1/43 

65m 

May  15/43 

1313 

1079 

338 

Roddy  McDowall-Preston  Foster 

Apr.  23/43 

90m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

962 

1341 

4214 

Richard  Carlson-M.  O'Driscoll 

Block  3 

75m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

871 

311 

Patsy  Kelly-Roscoe  Karns 

Apr.  5/43 

68m 

Jan.  23/43 

1126 

218 

Eleanor  Parker-John  Loder 

Mar.  6/43 

57m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 181 

i  o?  i 

308 

Pat  O'Brien-George  Murphy 

Oct.  30/42 

81m 

Oct.  17/42 

957 

715 

1 130 

East  Side  Kids 

Nov.  20/42 

61m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

Product  Digest  Section    I  345 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


M 


a  y 


2  9,  1943 


REVIEWED 


Prod. 

Title  Company  Number 

Next  of  Kin,  The  (British]  Univ  

Nightmare  Univ.  7015 

Night  for  Crime.  A  PRC  304 

Night  Monster  Univ.  7038 

Night  Plane  from  Chungking  Para.  4219 

Night  to  Remember,  A  Col.  4009 

Nine  Men  (British)  Ealing-UA   

Northwest  Rangers  MGM  319 

No  Place  for  a  Lady  Col.  4036 

No  Time  for  Love  Para.  .... 

North  Star  Goldwyn  .... 

Now,  Voyager  WB  206 


Stars 

Basil  Sydney-Nova  Pilbeam 
Diana  Barrymore-Brian  Donlevy 
Glenda  Farrell-Lyle  Talbot 
Irene  Hervey-Bela  Lugosi 
Robert  Preston-Ellen  Drew 
Loretta  Young-Brian  Aherne 
Jack  Lambert-Richard  Wilkinson 
James  Craig-Patricia  Dane 
William  Gargan-Margaret  Lindsay 
Claudette  Colbert-Fred  MacMurray 
Walter  Huston-Anne  Baxter 
Bette  Davis-Paul  Henreid 


M.  P. 

Product 

A  J 

Advance 

Servict 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

May  7.'43 

90m 

Apr.  10/43 

1262 

1341 

Nov.  13/42 

81m 

Nov.  (4/42 

1018 

1 174 

Feb.  I8,'43 

78m 

Aug.  1/42 

903 

Oct.  23,'42 

73  m 

Oct.  24/42 

970 

i  130 

Block  4 

68m 

Jan.  2/43 

1 102 

983 

Dec.  I0,'42 

90m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

986 

1130 

Not  Set 

67m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 158 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

64m 

Oct.  31/42 

981 

960 

1218 

Feb.  1 1.'43 

67m 

1057 

Not  Set 

855 

Not  Set 

1305 

Oct.  3  1/42 

1 17  m 

Aug.  22/42 

902 

1174 

OLD  Acquaintance  WB 
Old  Chisholm  Trail,  The  Univ 
Old  Homestead,  The  Rep. 
Old  Mother  Riley,  Detective 

(British)  Br.  Nat'l-Anglo 

Omaha  Trail  MGM 
Once  Upon  a  Honeymoon  RKO 
One  Dangerous  Night  Col. 
One  of  Our  Aircraft  Is  Missing 

(British)  UA 
One  Thrilling  Night  Mono. 
Orchestra  Wives  20th-Fox 
Our  Lady  of  Paris  (French)  Hirliman 
Outlaw,  The  Hughes 
Outlaws  of  Pine  Ridge  Rep. 
Over  My  Dead  Body  20th-Fox 
Ox-Bow  Incident,  The  20th-Fox 


Bette  Davis-Miriam  Hopkins 

Not  Set 

1192 

7073 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Dec.  1 1/42 

60m 

Jan.  16/43 

1 1 13 

202 

Weaver  Bros,  and  Elviry 

Aug.  17/42 

67m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

855 

Arthur  Lucan 

Not  Set 

80m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 159 

311 

James  Craig-Dean  Jagger 

Sept.-Nov./42 

61m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

796 

311 

Ginger  Rogers-Cary  Grant 

Nov.  27/42 

1 16m 

Nov.  7/42 

1006 

855 

4029 

Warren  William-Eric  Blore 

Jan.  21/43 

77m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

983 

Godfrey  Tearle-Eric  Portman 

Oct.  16/42 

86m 

Apr.  1 1  ,'42 

903 

John  Beal-Wanda  McKay 

June  5/42 

69m 

July  4/42 

914 

662 

308 

George  Montgomery-Ann  Rutherford 

Sept.  4/42 

97m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

797 

Catholic  Art  Documentary 

Mar.  12/43 

56m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

Jack  Buetel-Jane  Russell 

Not  Set 

I2lm 

Feb.  13/43 

1 157 

272 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Oct.  27/42 

57m 

Nov.  21/42 

1017 

325 

Milton  Berle-Mary  Beth  Hughes 

Jan.  15/43 

68m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

995 

Henry  Fonda-Dana  Andrews 

Not  Set 

75m 

May  8/43 

1302 

872 

PALM  Beach  Story,  The 

Para. 

4211 

Claudette  Colbert-Joel  McCrea 

Block  3 

90m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

663 

1341 

Panama  Hattie 

MGM 

303 

Ann  Sothern-Red  Skelton 

Sept.-Nov./42 

79m 

July  25/42 

915 

396 

1034 

Pardon  My  Gun 

Col. 

4202 

Charles  Starrett-Alma  Carroll 

Dec.  1/42 

57m 

May  22/43 

1326 

1058 

Payoff,  The 

PRC 

303 

Lee  Tracy-Tina  Thayer 

Jan.  2 1/43 

74m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

Petticoat  Larceny 

RKO 

Ruth  Warrick-Joan  Carroll 

Not  Set 

1240 

Phantom  of  the  Opera  (color)  Univ. 

Nelson  Eddy-Susanna  Foster 

Not  Set 

1192 

Pied  Piper,  The 

20th-Fox 

304 

Monty  Woolley-Roddy  McDowall 

Aug.  2 1/42 

87  m 

July  11/42 

903 

751 

1082 

Pilot  No.  5 

MGM 

Franchot  Tone-Marsha  Hunt 

Not  Set 

70m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

971 

Pirates  of  the  Prairie 

RKO 

382 

Tim  Holt 

Nov.  20/42 

57m 

Apr.  3/43 

1239 

1033 

Pittsburgh 

Univ. 

7008 

Marlene  Dietrich-John  Wayne 

Dec.  1 1/42 

93m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

1341 

Power  of  God,  The 

St.  Rts. 

John  Barclay-Thomas  Louden 

Not  Set 

58m 

Oct.  24/42 

970 

Powers  Girl,  The 

UA 

Anne  Shirley-George  Murphy 

Jan.  15/43 

93m 

Dec.  19/42 

1078 

1341 

Power  of  the  Press 

Col. 

4037 

Guy  Kibbee-Lee  Tracy 

Jan.  28/43 

64m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

1055 

Prairie  Chickens 

UA-Roach 

Jimmy  Rogers-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

May  21/43 

986 

Prelude  to  War 

WAC 

Documentary 

May  27/43 

52  m 

May  1/43 

i290 

Presenting  Lily  Mars 

MGM 

Judy  Garland-Van  Heflin 

Not  Set 

104m 

May  1/43 

1289 

962 

Pride  of  the  Army 

Mono. 

Billy  Lee-Addison  Richards 

Nov.  13/42 

63m 

Oct.  10/42 

946 

(also  called  War  Dogs) 

Pride  of  the  Yankees,  The 

RKO 

351 

Gary  Cooper-Teresa  Wright 

Mar.  5/43 

128m 

July  18/42 

915 

1082 

Princess  O'Rourke 

WB 

Olivia  de  Havilland-Robert  Cummings        Not  Set 

962 

Priorities  on  Parade 

Para. 

4201 

Ann  Miller-Jerry  Colonna 

Block  1 

79  m 

Aug.  1/42 

914 

Prison  Mutiny 

Mono. 

Edward  Norris-Joan  Woodbury 

Feb. 12/43 

61m 

Jan.  30/43 

1137 

108  i 

(formerly  You  Can't  Beat  the  Law) 

Prodigal's  Mother 

Rep. 

Mabel  Paige-John  Craven 

June  4/43 

1276 

Professor  Takes  a  Wife,  The 

MGM 

Mary  Astor-Herbert  Marshall 

Not  Set 

1240 

(formerly  Faculty  Row) 

Purple  V,  The 

Rep. 

212 

John  Archer-Mary  McLeod 

Mar.  12/43 

58m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

1162 

QUEEN  of  Broadway 

PRC 

312 

Rochelle  Hudson-Buster  Crabbe 

Mar.  8/43 

62m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

1018 

Queen  Victoria  (British) 

Renown 

Anna  Neagle-Anton  Walbrook 

Not  Set 

84m 

Jan.  16/43 

1113 

Quiet  Please,  Murder 

20th-Fox 

33  i 

Gail  Patrick-George  Sanders 

Mar.  19/43 

70m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

983 

RAIDERS  of  San  Joaquin  Univ. 

Random  Harvest  MGM 

ngers  Take  Over,  The  PRC 

Ravaged  Earth  Crystal 

Reap  the  Wild  Wind  (color)  Para. 

Redhead  from  Manhattan  Col. 

Red  River  Robin  Hood  RKO 

Reunion  in  France  MGM 

(formerly  Reunion) 

Reveille  with  Beverly  Col. 

Rhythm  of  the  Islands  Univ. 

Rhythm  Parade  Mono. 
Ride,  Tenderfoot,  Ride  (Reissue)  Rep. 
Riders  of  the  Northwest  Mounted  Col. 

Riders  of  the  Rio  Grande  Rep. 

Ridin'  Down  the  Canyon  Rep. 

Riding  Through  Nevada  Col. 

Right  About  Face  MGM 

Road  to  Morocco  Para. 

Robin  Hood  of  the  Range  Col. 

Russians  at  War  (Russian)  Artkino 


Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Not  Set 

59m 

1009 

Ronald  Colman-Greer  Garson 

Special 
Dec.  25/42 

126m 

Nov.  28/42 

1029 

796 

1280 

351 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill 

60m 

•Jan.  16/43 

1 1 14 

1055 

Documentary  on  China 

Not  Set 

68  m 

Dec.  5/42 

1043 

4137 

Ray  Milland-Paulette  Goddard 

1941-42 

124m 

Mar.  21/42 

1250 

408 

795 

4024 

Lupe  Velez-Michael  Duane 

May  6/43 

59m 

May  29/43 
Oct.  17/42 

1338 

1241 

Tim  Holt 

Not  Set 

57m 

960 

3  i  5 

Joan  Crawford-Philip  Dorn- 

John  Wayne 

Dec.-Feb.,'43 

102m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

872 

1341 

4014 

Ann  Miller-William  Wright 

Feb.  4/43 

78m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1162 

1280 

7042 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Apr.  16/43 

60m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1 127 

Gale  Storm-Robert  Lowery 

Dec.  1 1  .'42 

70m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

983 

Gene  Autry 

June  1/43 

65  m 

Aug.  24/40 

1274 

42  ii 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Feb.  15/43 

57m 

Feb.  27/43 

1182 

1019 

Three  Mesquiteers 

May  21/43 

55m 

May  15/43 

1315 

1276 

253 

Roy  Rogers-Gabby  Hayes 

Dec.  30/42 

55m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

1019 

4201 

Charles  Starrett-Shirley  Patterson 
Kay  Kyser-Marilyn  Maxwell 

Oct.  1/42 
Not  Set 

61m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 169 

1058 
1241 

4207 

Bob  Hope-Bing  Crosby-Dorothy  Lamour       Block  2 

83  m 

Oct.  3/42 

933 

872 

1130 

Charles  Starrett-Kay  Harris 

Not  Set 

1057 

Documentary 

Not  Set 

61m 

May  1/43 

i290 

I  346  Product  Digest  Section 


May    2  9,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


Prod. 

Title                                Company  Number 

SADDLES  and  Sagebrush           Col.  4212 

Sagebrush  Law                           RKO  384 

Saludos  Amigos  (color)               RKO  392 

Salute  for  Three                          Para.  4225 

Salute  to  the  Marines  (color)     MSM  .... 

Santa  Fe  Scouts                           Rep.  265 

Sarong  Girl                               Mono.  .... 

Scattergood  Survives  a  Murder    RKO  306 

Secret  Enemies                            WB  205 

Secret  Mission  (British)  Hellman-Sen'l  .... 

Secrets  of  a  Co-Ed                      PRC  309 

Secrets  of  the  Underground         Rep.  208 

Seven  Days  Leave                      RKO  310 

Seven  Miles  from  Alcatraz           RKO  315 

Seven  Sweethearts                    MGM  308 

Shadow  of  a  Doubt                    Univ.  7065 

Shadows  on  the  Sage                  Rep.  261 

Shantytown                                 Rep.  218 

She  Has  What  It  Takes               Col.  4029 

Sherlock  Holmes,  Voice  of  Terror    Univ.  7020 

Sherlock  Holmes,  Secret  Weapon   Univ.  7024 

Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington  Univ.  7018 
Siege  of  Leningrad  (Russian)  Artkino 
Silent  Witness  Mono. 
Silk,  Blood  and  Sun  (Mexican)  Maya 
Silver  Queen  UA 
Silver  Fleet  (British)  Archers-Gen'l 
Silver  Skates  Mono. 

Sin  Town                                   Univ.  7017 
Sky's  the  Limit,  The  RKO 

Slightly  Dangerous                    MGM  325 

Smith  of  Minnesota                      Col.  4035 
Soliga  Solberg  (Swedish)  Scandia 

Sombrero  Kid,  The                      Rep.  27 

Something  to  Shout  About           Col.  4006 

Somewhere  I'll  Find  You  MGM  30 
Somewhere  in  France  UA 
Somewhere  in  Sahara  Col. 
So  Proudly  We  Hail  Para. 
Son  of  Dracula  Univ. 
Song  of  Texas  Rep. 
Song  to  the  Wind  (It.)  Hoffberg 

South  of  the  Border  (Re-release)    Rep.  2302 

Spirit  of  Stanford,  The                   Col.  4022 
Spitfire  (British) 
Spring  Song  (Russian) 


Spy  Train 

(formerly  Time  Bomb) 
Squadron  Leader  X  (British) 
Stage  Door  Canteen 
Stand  By,  All  Networks 
Stand  By  for  Action 
Star  Spangled  Rhythm 
Stormy  Weather 
Stranger  from  Pecos 
Stranger  in  Town,  A 
Street  of  Chance 
Strictly  in  the  Groove 
Submarine  Alert 
Submarine  Base  (1943-44) 
Sundown  Kid 

Sweet  Rosie  O'Grady  (color) 
Swing  Shift  Maisie 
Swing  Your  Partner 


TAHITI  Honey  Rep. 

Tales  of  Manhattan  20th-Fox 

Tarzan  Triumphs  RKO 

Taxi  Mister  UA-Roach 

Tennessee  Johnson  MGM 
Tenting  Tonight  on  the 

Old  Camp  Ground  Univ. 

Terror  House  PRC 

Texas  to  Bataan  Mono. 

Thank  Your  Lucky  Stars  WB 

That  Narty  Nuisance  UA-Roach 

That  Other  Woman  20th-Fox 
They  Cameto  Blow  Up  America  20th-Fox 

They  Got  Me  Covered  RKO 

This  Is  the  Army  WB 

This  Land  Is  Mine  RKO 
Those  Kids  from  Town  (British)  Anglo 

Three  Hearts  for  Julia  MGM 

Thunder  Birds  (color)  20th-Fox 
Thunder  Rock  (British)  Charter-Metro 

Thundering  Trails  Rep. 

Time  to  Kill  20th-Fox 


RKO 

Artkino 

20th-Fox 

317 

Mono. 

RKO 

326 

UA 

Col. 

4042 

MGM 

316 

Para. 

4231 

20th-Fox 

Mono. 

MGM 

324 

Para. 

4210 

Univ. 

7028 

Para. 

PRC 

401 

Rep. 

273 

20th-Fox 

MGM 

Rep. 

216 
313 
319 

322 

7074 
322 


318 
339 
352 

323 

32  i 
307 

263 
326 


Release 

Stars  Date 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills  Apr.  22,'43 

Tim  Holt  Apr.  2,'43 

Disney  South  American  Feature  Feb.  I9,"43 

Macdonald  Carey-Betty  Rhodes  Block  5 

Wallace  Beery-Fay  Bainter  Not  Set 

Three  Mesquiteers  Apr.  I6,'43 

Ann  Corio-Tim  and  Irene  June  I  I, '43 

Guy  Kibbee-Margaret  Hayes  Oct.  I6,'42 

Craig  Stevens-Faye  Emerson  Oct.  1 7, '42 

Hugh  Williams-Carla  Lehmann  Not  Set 

Otto  Kruger-Tina  Thayer  Oct.  26,'42 

John  Hubbard-Virginia  Grey  Dec.  1 8, '42 

Lucille  Ball-Victor  Mature  Nov.  I3,'42 

James  Craig-Bonita  Granville  Jan.  8, '43 
Van  Heflin-Kathryn  Grayson  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

Teresa  Wright-Joseph  Cotten  Jan.  1 5, '43 

Three  Mesquiteers  Aug.  24, '42 

Mary  Lee-John  Archer  Apr.  20, '43 

Jinx  Falkenberg-Tom  Neal  Apr.  15, '43 

Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce  Sept.  18/42 

Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce  Feb.  1 2, '43 

Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce  Apr.  30, '43 

Soviet  Documentary  Feb.  Il,'43 

Frank  Albertson-Maris  Wrixon  Jan.  1 5, '43 

Jorge  Negrete-Gloria  Marin  Not  Set 

George  Brent-Priscilla  Lane  Nov.  1 3, '42 

Ralph  Richardson-Googie  Withers  Not  Set 

Patricia  Morison-Kenny  Baker  Feb.  26,'43 

Constance  Bennett-Brod  Crawford  Sept.  25, '42 

Fred  Astaire-Joan  Leslie  Not  Set 

Lana  Turner-Robert  Young  Apr., '43 

Bruce  Smith-Arline  Judge  Oct.  I5,'42 

Edvard  Persson  Sept.  I2,'42 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick  July  3 1, '42 

Don  Ameche-Jack  Oakie-Janet  Blair  Feb.  25, '43 
Clark  Gable-Lana  Turner  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

Constance  Cumming-Tommy  Trinder  June  1 1, '43 

Humphrey  Bogart-Bruce  Bennett  Not  Set 

Claudette  Colbert-Paulette  Goddard  Block  6 

Louise  Allbritton-Lon  Chaney  Not  Set 

Roy  Rogers  Not  Set 

Giuseppe  Lugo  Apr.  24,'43 

Gene  Autry  Mar.    I, '43 

Frankie  Albert-Marguerite  Chapman  Sept.  I0,'42 

Leslie  Howard-Rosamund  John  Not  Set 
Nikolai  Kunovalov-Ludmila  Tzelikovskaya  Sept.  1 1, '42 

Betty  Grable-John  Payne  Nov.  6, '42 

Richard  Travis-Catherine  Craig  July  2, '43 


Eric  Portman-Beatrice  Varley 
Stage  and  Screen  Stars 
John  Beal-Florence  Rice 
Charles  Laughton-Robert  Taylor 
Betty  Hutton-Eddie  Bracken-Victor 
Bill  Robinson-Lena  Home 
Johnny  Mack  Brown 
Frank  Morgan-Jean  Rogers 
Burgess  Meredith-Claire  Trevor 
Leon  Errol-Mary  Healy 
Richard  Arlen-Wendy  Barrie 
John  Litel-Alan  Baxter 
Don  Barry-Linda  Johnson 
Betty  Grable-Robert  Young 
Ann  Sothern-James  Craig 
Lulubelle  and  Scotty-Vera  Vague 


Block  6 
Not  Set 
Oct.  29,'42 
Dec-Feb.,'43 
Moore  Special 
Not  Set 
June  25,'43 
Apr.,'43 
Block  2 
Nov.  20,'42 
Block  6 
June  25,'43 
Dec.  28,'42 
Not  Set 
Not  Set 
May  20.'43 


Simone  Simon-Dennis  O'Keefe  Apr.  6,'43 

C.  Boyer-R.  Hayworth-G.  Rogers  Oct.  30,'42 

Johnny  Weissmuller-Frances  Gifford  Feb.  I9,'43 

William  Bendix-Grace  Bradley  Apr.  I6,'43 

Van  Heflin-Ruth  Hussey  Dec-Feb.,'43 

Johnny  Mack  Brown  Feb.  5, '43 

Wilfred  Lawson-James  Mason  Apr.  I9,'43 

Range  Busters  Oct.  16/42 

All  Warner  Contract  Players  Not  Set 

William  Tracy-Joe  Sawyer  Not  Set 

Virginia  Gilmore-James  Ellison  Nov.  13/42 

George  Sanders-Anna  Sten  May  7/43 

Bob  Hope-Dorothy  Lamour  Feb.  5/43 
Joan  Leslie-George  Murphy-Stage  Cast       Not  Set 

Charles  Laughton-Maureen  O'Hara  Block  5 

Percy  Marmont-Marie  O'Neill  Not  Set 

Ann  Sothern-Melvyn  Douglas  Dec-Feb.,'43 

John  Sutton-Gene  Tierney  Nov.  20/42 

Michael  Redgrave-Barbara  Mullen  Not  Set 

Three  Mesquiteers  Jan.  25/43 

Lloyd  Nolan-Heather  Angel  Jan.  22/43 


Running 
Time 

57m 
56m 
43  m 
75m 

55m 
70m 
66  m 
59m 
94m 
67m 
69m 
87m 
62  m 
98m 
108m 
57m 
65m 
66m 
65m 
68m 
71m 
62  m 
62m 
86m 
80m 
88m 
76m 
73m 

94  m 
66m 
89m 
56m 
90m 
107m 
83m 


69  m 
76m 
71m 
73m 
90m 
74m 
91m 


1 00m 
132m 

64m 
109m 
1 00m 

77m 

67  m 
74m 
60m 


87m 
72m 


69m 
1 18m 
77m 
46m 
1 00m 

61m 
62m 
56m 


75m 
73  m 
96m 

103  m 
75m 
90m 
78m 

I  Mm 
56m 

61m 


r~  REVIEWED  — , 
M.  P.  Product 

Herald  Digest 
Issue 

May  8/43 
Apr.  24/43 
Dec.  19/42 
Mar.  27/43 

May  15/43 
May  15/43 
Oct.  17/42 
Aug.  22/42 
Sept.  26/42 
Sept.  19/42 
Feb.  13/43 


Advance 
Synopsis 


Service 
Data 


Oct. 
Nov. 
Aug. 
Jan. 
Jan. 


17/42 
14/42 
15/42 
9/43 
2/43 


Apr.  24/43 


Sept. 
Jan. 
Apr. 
Feb. 
Dec. 
Feb. 
Nov. 
Mar. 
Jan. 
Oct. 


12/42 
2/43 
3/43 
20/43 
19/42 
6/43 
14/42 
20/43 
16/42 
3/42 


Mar.  6/43 
Oct.  17/42 
Sept.  19/42 
Oct.  3/42 
Feb.  13/43 
Aug.  8/42 
Feb.  20/43 


May  29/43 
May  8/43 
Dec.  16/39 
Oct.  3 1  ,'42 
Apr.  17/43 
Sept.  19/42 
Sept.  26/42 


Nov.  28/42 
May  15/43 
Mar.  6/43 
Dec.  12/42 
Jan.  3/43 
May  29/43 

Feb.  13/43 
Oct.  3/42 
July  4/42 


55m       Jan.  16/43 


May  8/43 
May  8/43 


Apr.  3/43 
Aug.  8/42 
Jan.  23/43 
Mar.  13/43 
Dec.  19/42 

Mar.  6/43 
May  22/43 
Sept.  26/42 


Oct.  17/42 
Apr.  24/43 
Jan.  2/43 

Mar.  20/43 
May  2/42 


Jan. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Feb. 
Dec. 


9/43 
17/42 
3/42 
13/43 
5/42 


fage 

Page 

Page 

1302 

1240 

1275 

■  .  .  . 

1065 

il74 

1226 

1091' 

1057 

1314 

1276 

.... 

1314 

1277 

959 

912.  . 

914 

922 

.... 

910 

1 159 

1009 

958 

872 

1280 

1006 

962 

902 

i  i74 

1 1 14 

936 

1280 

1090 

.... 

1273 

1191 

1192 

897 

1090 

1237 

983 

1169 

1066 

1033 

1 146 

1005 

936 

.... 

1214 

.... 

1113 

1341 

934 

898 

1162 

i  i  89 

1057 

1280 

959 

797 

.... 

910 

.... 

935 

796 

1 157 

1043 

1341 

902 

726 

984 

1169 

1305 

.... 

1104 



1 741 

1337 

1303 

1 158 

982 

796 

1082 

1275 

910 

921 

855 

i  i  74 

1277 

1030 

1313 

1115 

.... 

1 189 

797 

1053 

871 

1 341 

1 102 

855 

1280 

1337 

1192 

1277 



i  i  58 

1079 

933 

871 

1082 

914 

.... 

772 

.... 

1305 

.... 

1113 

1305 

i  an? 

1  1  01 
1  1  Tl 

1302 

1276 

1238 

1191 

927 

706 

i  i  30 

1125 

983 

1174 

1203 

986 

1065 

946 

1280 

1189 

1018 

.... 

1326 

1276 

■  ■  ■  . 

922 

.... 

.... 

.... 

1058 

1019 

.... 

960 

936 

.... 

1273 

1 162 

1102 

872 

1341 

1276 

1213 

1162 

i  341 

633 

1 101 

ioo9 

958 

796 

1130 

935 

1 159 

i  i  i  5 

1042 

995 

Product  Digest  Section 


1347 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


May    29,  1943 


REVIEWED  s 


M.  P. 

A   1  \J%m  *•*  C  r 

A  fl  n/i-tif~t> 
j  it-  t  ti  fit  i 

Oc7  i/Z  L  tr 

Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Ti/ita 
j-jute, 

Title 

Company 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Pt2P£ 

A 

P/3  OP 

P  age 

Tish 

MGM 

302 

Marjorie  Main-Lee  Bowman 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

83m 

July  25/42 

938 

772 

1034 

Tomorrow  We  Live 

PRC 

307 

Jean  Parker-Ricardo  Cortei 

Sept.  29/42 

64m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

Tonight  We  Raid  Calais 

20th-Fox 

337 

a             1       II         1     L         f  ig 

Annabella-John  Sutton 

Apr.  30,'43 

70m 

Apr.  3/43 

1239 

1 192 

.... 

Tornado  in  the  Saddle 

Col. 

4210 

n              ||    M         J           B     1  \A/*II 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Dec.  15, '42 

59m 

.... 

1058 

Trail  Riders 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Dec.  4,'42 

55m 

1018 

Traitor  Within,  The 

Rep. 

207 

Don  Barry-Jean  Parker 

Dec.  I6,'42 

62  m 

Dec.  5/42 

1043 

983 

1 174 

Triumph  Over  Pain 

Para. 

Joel  McCrea-Betty  Field 

Not  Set 

912 

(formerly  Great  Without  Glory) 

Truck  Busters 

WB 

213 

Richard  Travis-Ruth  Ford 

Feb.  6,"43 

58m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

True  to  Life  (color) 

Para. 

Mary  Martin-Franchot  Tone 

Not  Set 

1079 

Two  Fisted  Justice 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Jan.  8, '43 

61m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 127 

1031 

Two  Senoritas  from  Chicago 

Col. 

.... 

Jinx  Falkenburg-Joan  Davis 

June  10, '43 



1305 

Two  Tickets  to  London 

Univ. 

Michele  Morgan-Alan  Curtis 

June  18, '43 

1339 

.... 

Two  Weeks  to  Live 

RKO 

317 

Lum  V  Abner 

Feb.  26,'43 

75m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

UNDERCOVER  Man 

UA 

\  k  I'M*               f%            1     A         1         rf^  i  I 

William  Boyd-Andy  Clyde 

Oct.  23,'42 

68m 

May  9/42 

647 

Underground  Agent 

Col. 

4039 

B              n             1 1    i       l  *       n  l 

Bruce  Bennett-Leslie  Brooks 

Dec.  3,'42 

68m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 148 

1009 

Undying  Monster,  The 

20th-Fox 

319 

James  Ellison-Heather  Angel 

Nov.  27,'42 

60m 

Oct.  17/42 

970 

936 

1082 

Unpublished  Story  (British) 

Col. 

Richard  Greene-Miles  Malleson 

Not  Set 

91m 

Apr.  11/42 

598 

VALLEY  of  Hunted  Men 

Rep. 

262 

Three  Mesquiteers 

Nov.  13, '42 

60m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 190 

1031 

.... 

Varsity  Show  (Reissue) 

WB 

215 

ITN"     Dm               II                 1    III  • 

Dick  Powell-Fred  Waring 

Dec.  I9,'42 

81m 

Aug.  21/37 

1043 

Vengeance  of  the  West 

Col. 

3216 

W\  •  1  1     ^11*       ■■  Sen 

Bill  Elliott-Tex  Ritter 

Sept.  3, "42 

60m 

.... 

Virgin  of  Guadalupe  (Mex.) 

Maya 

Jose  Luis  Jiminez 

May  I4,'43 

95m 

May  22/43 

1325 

.... 

WAKE  Island 

Para. 

4205 

Brian  Donlevy-Robert  Preston 

Block  I 

87m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

772 

1 130 

War  Against  Mrs.  Hadley,  Th 

e  MGM 

306 

C           B     •    A         PJ            JA            1  J 

ray  Bainter-Edward  Arnold 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

86m 

Aug.  8/42 

902 

797 

1 174 

War  Dogs 

Mono. 

B*ll      I          All*           n*   ■  J 

Billy  Lee-Addison  Richards 

Nov.  13/42 

63  m 

■         ft  A*V    1  At  ***A 

Oct.  10.  42 

946 



Watch  on  the  Rhine 

WB 

nit       f*       ■     B  II 

Befte  Davis-Paul  Lucas 

Not  Set 

986 

We  Are  the  Marines 

20th-Fox 

324 

Marine  Feature 

Jan.  8/43 

70m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 



We  Dive  at  Dawn  (British) 

Gains. 

.... 

1     L        A  J"1l      r    '       B  4 

John  Mills-Eric  rortman 

Not  Set 

98m 

May  22/43 





We'll  Smile  Again  (Brit.)  Nafl-Anglo 



B      J     fl                                                              A  II 

Bud  Flanagan-Chesney  Allen 

Not  Set 

93m 

Oct.  31/42 

982 





Went  the  Day  Well?  (British]  Ealing-UA 



1        1*       B        1      B       *l   C  J 

Leslie  Banks-Basil  Sydney 

Not  Set 

92  m 

Nov.  14/42 

1006 

.... 



West  of  the  Law 

Mono. 

B       I     1             T*        A  J  ■** 

Buck  Jones-Tim  McCoy 

Nov.  2/42 

55m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

.... 

West  of  Texas 

PRC 

353 

r\         ^**'B  *        i*      ai  *ll 

Dave  O  Bnen-Jim  Newill 

May  10/43 

54m 

May  15/43 

1314 

1277 

.... 

We've  Never  Been  Licked 

Univ. 

B'    L       J    r\    *         Al        L     B  1 

Richard  v>uine-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

Not  Set 

.... 

1 1 15 



When  Johnny  Comes  March- 

ing Home 

Univ. 

7016 

ah       i       .1  e 
Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Jan.  1,43 

■J  A 

74m 

Dec.  26/42 

1090 

1341 

Whistling  in  Dixie 

MGM 

313 

B     J    CL    Ia         A          B    aL      a*  J 

Red  Skelton-Ann  Rutherford 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

74m 

Oct.  3 1/42 

981 

946 

1 174 

White  Cargo 

MGM 

310 

Hedy  Lamarr-Walter  ridgeon 

5ept.-Nov.,  42 

89m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

871 

1341 

White  Savage  (color) 

Univ. 

7004 

A  A       •       A  J        A          1          |  ,  || 

Maria  Montez-Jon  Hall 

Apr.  23/43 

76m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

1079 

Who  Done  It? 

Univ. 

7002 

Al|  AA            J   A  II 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Nov.  6/42 

75m 

Nov.  7,  42 

993 

971 

1082 

Wildcat 

Para. 

4204 

p, .    |           IAI            a     1*  tl 

Richard  Arlen-Arline  Judge 

Block  1 

73m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

Wild  Horse  Stampede 

Mono. 

Ken  Maynard-Hoot  Gibson 

Apr.  16/43 

59m 

May  1/43 

1290 

1276 

Wings  and  the  Woman  (British)  RKO 

303 

Anna  Neagle-R.  Newton 

Sept.  18/42 

94m 

May  2/42 

903 

1082 

(formerly  They  Flew  Alone 

1 

Wings  Over  the  Pacific 

Mono. 

Inez  Cooper-Edward  Norris 

June  25/43 

1276 

World  at  War 

WAC 

Documentary 

Sept.  18/42 

66m 

Sept.  5/42 

890 

Wrecking  Crew 

Para. 

4212 

Richard  Arlen-Chester  Morris 

Block  3 

73m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

986 

Wyoming  Hurricane 

Col. 

p*A                           111!                     1                     ■%  1 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Not  Set 

.... 

1079 

X  MARKS  the  Spot 

Rep. 

2  Cm- 

Damian  O  rlynn-Helen  rarrish 

Nov.  4/42 

56m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

986 

.... 

YANK  at  Eton,  A 

MGM 

SOS 

A  J  *    |           B                   PJ  J#** 

Mickey  Rooney-Edmund  Gwenn 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

87m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

726 

1 130 

Yankee  Doodle  Dandy 

WB 

201 

James  Cagney-Joan  Leslie 

Jan.  2/43 

126m 

June  6/42 

903 

674 

1082 

Yanks  Ahoy  UA-Roach 

Joe  Sawyer-William  Tracy 

Not  Set 

47  m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1019 

Yanks  Are  Coming,  The 

PRC 

301 

Maxie  Rosenbloom-Mary  Healy 

Nov.  9/42 

65  m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

1 130 

You  Can't  Beat  the  Law 

Mono. 

Edward  Norris-Joan  Woodbury 

Feb.  12/43 

61m 

Jan.  30/43 

1 137 

1081 

You  Can't  Escape  Forever 

WB 

George  Brent-Brenda  Marshall 

Oct.  10/42 

77m 

^ent  26  '42 

921 

7A  1 

070 

\r\\A 

You  Love  Me,  1  Love  You  (It.)  Hoffberg 

Alida  Valli-Amedeo  Nazzari 

Apr.  3/43 

95m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

You  Were  Never  Lovelier 

Col. 

4002 

Fred  Astaire-Rita  Hayworth 

Nov.  19/42 

97m 

Oct.  10/42 

945 

796 

il74 

Young  and  Willing 

UA 

William  Holden-Susan  Hayworth 

Feb.  5/43 

82m 

Feb.  13/43 

1170 

663 

Youngest  Profession,  The 

MGM 

Virginia  Weidler-Edward  Arnold  &  Guests    Not  Set 

81m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

1081 

1341 

Young  Mr.  Pitt  (British) 

20th-Fox 

316 

Robert  Morley-Robert  Donat 

Feb.  26/43 

103m 

July  4/42 

914 

Youth  on  Parade 

Rep. 

203 

John  Hubbard-Martha  O'Driscoll 

Oct.  24/42 

75m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

Feature  Product  including  Coming  Attractions,  listed  Company  by  Company, 
in  Order  of  Release  on  Page  1316. 


I  348  Product  Digest  Section 


THIS  IS  NUMBER  3  OF  A  SERIES  OF  ADVERTISEMENTS 
MANUFACTURERS  OF  JZp&&f/kx    EQUIPMENT  IN 


SPONSORED  BY  THE  INTERNATIONAL 
COOPERATION   WITH  THE  NATIONAL 


PROJECTOR  CORPORATION 
CONSERVATION  PROGRAM 


"Tomorrow's  Show  Depends  On 
Caring  For  Equipment  Today!" 


RAY  BRANCH 

President 
Allied  Theatres  of  Michigan,  Inc 


-MUf4,  RAY  BRANCH 

«t  am  afraid  we  have  all  taken  too  lightly  the  immediate  hazard 
-I  which  may  result  from  negligence  in  caring  for  theatre 
equipment. 

There  is,  and  will  be  for  some  time,  a  scarcity  of  parts  and 
equipment  so  vitally  necessary  for  the  uninterrupted  perform- 
ance of  this  business.  Based  upon  the  knowledge  I  have  of  this 
danger,  I  feel  the  urge  to  add  my  warning.  It  is  time  for  action! 

It  would  be  desirable,  at  this  time,  for  all  of  us  exhibitors  to 
take  stock  of  this  situation  and  attempt  to  do  whatever  is  re- 
quired to  bring  our  equipment  up  to  safe  standard  and  keep 
it  that  way!  Otherwise,  we  may  find  ourselves  in  a  tight  spot 
later  on  as  the  outlook  at  present  does  not  appear  as  though  we 
would  soon  return  to  normalcy. 

Tomorrow's  show  depends  on  caring  for  equipment 
today!" 


^   When  we  started ...  we  had  Q 

^"^-..plusalotmore;  

our  product  must  have  had  some- 
,9  '°  do  *M  <>  flT  ®  or  we 
Jou.d„,  Have  -asted .  Xt^oHars  1 

aX'JZZ       fnendS  ^  m°de 
JG^E  3GS)£  who  put  us  over.  ^ 

™e«st  of  our  customers  ,oday..,eoas 

■°  Wh°sWh°"°f*his;ndus.ry 
.no  wonder  we're  on  our  toes  „  " 

°  ^  °"r  "r°d-t  from 
be,"g  l«t  run-of-the-mill  ^.  ^  *  ^ 

have  an  obligation  to  perform 
<'  -  to >ep  serving  the  be,,  men ,V' 
ss...with  the  best  media 

P°   ^..^  is  ,00  good  for  them 
•  fheyre  our  pals. 


TraUers  an*  Accessories 
on 

PRELUDE  TO  WAR 

Are  Available  at 
Navonai  ScmN  Exchange 


HERALD 


REVIEWS 

(In  Product  Dtgeii) 
All  By  Myialf 

Two  Senoritas  from  Chicago 
ftaidart  of  San  Joaquin 
Spy  Train 

Sad  Man  of  Thundar  Sap 
Trail  Ridari 
Tha  Ruisian  Story 
Theatre  Royal 


TRADE  PRACTICES 

New  exhibitor  unit  revives  campaign  for  Min- 
nesota block  booking  law  with  20%  cancella- 
tion; Crescent  and  partners  ask  relief  from 
dissolution  order;  MCM  promises  liberal  re- 
allocation policy 

WAR  SHORTS 

Exhibitors  and  distributors  study  new  locked 
booking  plan  to  insure  playing  time  for  U.  S. 
and  Hollywood  propaganda  pictures 

FILM  DELIVERIES 

Carriers  get  top  priority  for  gasoline  in  lim- 
ited ration  areas  under  ODT  order  citing 
industry's  war  effort 

TELEVISION 

Film  companies,  radio  and  talent  agencies 
form  battle  lines  for  control  of  post-war 
developments  in  new  medium 


VOL.  151.  NO.  10 


JUNE  5.  1943 


Entered  as  second-class  matter,  3 at, 
lished  weekly  by  Quigley  Publish 
year  in  the  Americas,  $10.00  a  yc< 


Int.,  at  i270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  Xew  i  ork.  Subscription  prices:  $5. 
jtt.    Stuff!*  copy,  25  cents.    All  contents  copyright   1943  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company. 


  .  .    -^*™ 


19  YEARS  YOUNG! 

A  Birth  da  y  Inter  v  ie  w 
with  Leo,  the  M-G-M  Lion 


QUESTION: 

"How  Joes  it  feel  to  be  the  acknowledged  leader  of  the  motion 
picture  husiness?" 

ANSWER: 

"Cahin  in  the  Shy'  is  knocking  'em  for  a  row  of  records !  Presenting 
Lily  Mars'  is  sensational.  We've  got  plenty  of  them:  'Bataan', 
'Random  Harvest',  'Slightly  Dangerous',  'The  Human  Comedy'. . . 
to  mention  just  a  few.  Pictures  talk.  We  wind  up  each  year  with 
more  hits  than  any  other  company." 

QUESTION: 

"How  do  you  do  it  year  after  year?" 

ANSWER: 

"Leadership  is  a  responsihility  we  know  how  to  handle.  We  don't 
let  d  own... we  don  't  let  our  customers  down. 

QUESTION: 

"Explain  the  expression:  'I  wonder  how  M-G-M  would  do  it?  " 

ANSWER: 

"That's  the  same  as  saying:  'Follow  the  leader.'  We  hlaze  the  new 
trails.  We  start  Lion's  Roar  columns  in  the  magazines,  we  in- 
augurate nationwide  teaser  campaigns  in  newspapers,  we  initiate 
regular  nightly  programs  on  the  radio . . .  that's  just  a  few  examples. 
Others  follow  our  lead.  But  it's  all  for  the  good  of  the  industry. 

QUESTION: 

"Any  hox-office  predictions  for  the  future?" 

ANSWER: 

"As  usual,  Metro -Goldwyn -Mayer." 


Have  uou  book  ej  "Prelude  to  War": 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD 


COLVIN  BROWN,  Publisher 

MARTIN  QUIGLEY 
President  and  Editor-m-Chief 

TERRY  RAMSAYE,  Editor 

Vol.  151,  No.  10 

OP 

June  5,  1943 

"SOMETHING  for  NOTHING" 

THAT  depression-bom  vice  of  lottery  schemes  for  theatres 
fades  but  lingers  with  curious  persistence.  The  subject  is 
renewed  again  this  week  with  the  issuance  of  an  injunction 
by  the  Oklahoma  Supreme  Court  against  the  operation  of 
weekly  "$20  handouts"  at  two  theatres  in  Tishomingo. 

Recently,  too,  there  have  been  decisions  against  theatre 
operation  of  "Bingo"  at  points  in  the  Middle  West. 

The  Oklahoma  decision  interestingly  and  pointedly  remarked: 
"The  test  of  a  lottery  is  in  the  working  rather  than  the  wording 
of  the  plan."  This  answers  many  devices  of  evasion. 

The  while  there  is  also  a  continuing  pressure  from  organized 
gamblers  for  the  legalization  of  lotteries  in  general,  always,  of 
course,  under  thin  guises  of  patriotic  or  social  services.  The 
promotion  of  the  lottery  campaign  peeks  here  and  there  from 
printed  page  and  has  percolated  into  radio  speeches. 

A LOTTERY  is  bad  because  it  robs  the  poor.  For  every 
winner  there  are  and  must  be  thousands  of  losers. 
Meanwhile,  the  operators  of  the  lottery  never  lose.  It 
pertains  to  an  ancient,  and  one  would  hope  archaic,  method  of 
exploiting  the  underdog,  selling  him  hope  of  miracles  by  grace 
of  Lady  Luck  against  the  certainties  of  his  work-a-day  world. 

To  the  motion  picture  exhibitor,  whose  perspective  has  been 
confused  by  such  invasions  as  Bank  Night  and  its  many  imita- 
tions, it  should  be  clear  that  his  interest  is  tied  with  and 
part  of  the  total  social  interest. 

"Something-for-nothing"  and  prizes  "at-the-expense-of-the- 
other-fellow"  are  devices  which  bring  us  individually  and  col- 
lectively to  a  day  of  reckoning  which  is  payday  at  cost  plus. 

The  interests  of  the  motion  picture  and  its  exhibition  system 
are  best  served  by  the  economy  which  lets  the  customer  have 
his  money  in  his  pocket  to  buy  what  he  wants,  in  goods  and 
entertainment,  not  by  speculations  on  Lady  Luck.  The  lottery 
sells  big  hope  against  small  probability.  The  motion  picture 
sells  entertainment  and  delivers,  then  and  there,  honest  mer- 
chandise at  an  honest  price.  The  lottery  is  the  foe  of  the 
box  office. 

AAA 


COMMONSENSE" 


AN  especially  well  poised  set  of  observations  concern- 
ing that  subject  of  war  pictures  comes  in  a  letter  from 
Mr.  Mitchell  Wolfson  of  Wometco  Theatres,  Miami. 
It  is  a  neat  summary  of  all  the  considerations,  from  the  view- 
point of  the  ultimate  consumer.  Says  Mr.  Wolfson: 

"Let  the  industry  use  just  ordinary  common  sense  in  the  solv- 
ing of  this  controversial  subject.  Sprinkle  a  goodly  portion  of 
war  pictures  in  a  program  of  predominately  entertaining 
pictures. 

"The  theatre's  purpose  is  to  attract  people,  boost  their 
morale  ...  by  taking  them  out  of  their  daily,  ordinary  life. 
As  long  as  we  remember  this,  we  can  plan  our  programs 
accordingly  and,  every  so  often,  give  the  public  large  doses 
of  pictures  that  will  aid  the  war  effort. 

"We  all  know  that  it  is  important  to  play  war  films,  the 
reasons  being  too  numerous  to  delve  into  here;  but,  if  we 


satiate  the  people  with  war  productions,  we  actually  impede 
the  war  effort,  with  resultant  harm  to  our  industry. 

"People  can  become  calloused  and  immune  to  an  over- 
dose of  the  most  helpful  war  information,  whether  in  drama- 
tized form  or  factual  episodes. 

"Too  much  of  a  good  thing  is  harmful;  so,  I  reiterate,  if  we 
overdo  it,  many  of  our  patrons  will  not  come  to  the  theatres, 
and  we  will  not  have  the  opportunity  to  show  them  the  impor- 
tant and  necessary  war  films." 

AAA 

NATHAN  L.  NATHANSON 

THE  passing  of  Mr.  Nathan  L.  Nathanson  of  Toronto  ends  a 
career  of  honor  and  success  in  the  very  perfection  of  the 
classic  pattern  of  the  Alger  tradition.  Mr.  Nathanson  began 
as  a  newsboy  vending  papers  in  the  streets  of  Minneapolis, 
and  drove  ahead  into  the  opportunities  of  his  day  with  diligence 
and  vast  energy.  He  was  among  those  who  skillfully  rode  the 
crest  of  the  tide  of  the  growing  motion  picture  to  posts  of 
power  and  possession  of  millions.  In  Canada  he  became 
associated  with  many  another  line  of  enterprise  in  the  develop- 
ment of  the  Dominion.  He  was  wise  enough  to  do  a  deal  of 
living  as  he  went  along.  His  success  restates  the  axiom  that 
great  showmen  are  always  men  of  the  people. 

AAA 

FROM  YESTERDAY 

ONCE  upon  a  time  Mr.  H.  G.  Wells,  while  writing  his 
"Outline  of  History,"  suggested  that  the  proper  con- 
tent for  cornerstones,  or  other  crypts  addressed  to  the 
remote  tomorrow,  would  be  a  collection  of  such  items  as  a 
bottle  of  pickles,  a  cake  of  soap,  a  stick  of  lip  rouge,  etc., 
to  inform  the  people  of  Then  about  us. 

More  recently,  at  the  New  York  World's  Fair,  the  Westing- 
house  Company  sank  the  Time  Capsule,  laden  with  films  and 
memoranda  addressed  to  the  archeologists  of  five  thousand 
years  hence.  Your  editor  has  a  piece  on  the  pictures  buried 
out  there  under  Flushing  Meadow,  awaiting  that  far  day. 

Now  another  sort  of  Time  Capsule,  or  maybe  bottle  of 
pickles,  has  been  uncorked  among  the  dusty  archives  of  the 
Library  of  Congress  by  Mr.  Howard  L.  Walls,  curator,  in  a 
collection  of  motion  picture  copyright  prints  on  paper  rolls  of 
film  size,  a  device  long  abandoned  and  forgotten.  It  tells  a 
lot  about  what  we  were  like  in  the  Nineties  and  at  the  turn  of 
the  century.  Interesting  right  at  the  moment  are  such  titles  as 
"Troop  Ships  for  the  Philippines,"  made  in  '98;  "Prince  Henry 
and  Theodore  Roosevelt,"  1902,  and  "Russo-Japanese  Peace 
Conference  at  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,"  1905. 

AAA 

COUNTRY  LIFE— There's  a  broad  green  strip  of  potatoes 
growing  in  rampant  invasion  of  our  far  flung  flowering  Silver- 
mine  acres,  in  harsh  utilitarian  contrast  with  the  Chinese  peonies 
on  one  side  and  the  South  African  gladiolus  on  the  other. 
They  are  called  Irish  potatoes  because  they  originated  in  Peru 
and  were  educated  into  vegetables  in  Germany.  This  promises 
to  be  a  great  season  for  woodchucks,  shrews,  mice,  Jap  beetles, 
cutworms,  blisters  and  sunburn.  — Terry  Ramsaye 


8 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    5 ,  1943 


MS  WEEK  IN  THE  NEWS 


FREE  weekly  war  shorts  is  new  WAC 
plan  Page  13 

EXHIBITORS  studying  revival  of  block  sales 
law  Page  15 

ON  THE  MARCH  — Red  Kann  discusses 
sales  practices  Page  16 

CARRIERS  get  "A"  priority  rating  for  film 
deliveries  Page  1 7 

FLOYD  ODLUM  named  chairman  of  the 
board  of  RKO  Page  18 

SERVICE  DEPARTMEN 

Hollywood  Scene  Page  43 

In  the  Kewsreels  Page  61 

Managers'  Round  Table  Page  53 

IN  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION 

Showmen's  Reviews  Page  1349 

Advance  Synopses  Page  1351 


UNIVERSAL  plans  45  to  50  features  for 
next  season  Page  27 

WOMEN  now  managing  62  theatres  of  the 
Loew  circuit  Page  28 

MAJORS  bolster  their  stake  in  post-war 
television  market  Page  31 

NEW  British  releasing  plan  reported  work- 
ing smoothly  Page  39 

PLEA  made  for  additional  picture  service 
for  armed  forces  Page  48 

TS 

Picture  Grosses  Page  52 

Shorts  on  Broadway  Page  47 

What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me  Page  49 


Release  Chart  by  Companies  Page  1352 
The  Release  Chart  Page  1354 


Shift  to  Comedy 

PARAMOUNT  Pictures  was  the  first  stu- 
dio to  announce  the  abandonment  of  speci- 
fied war  pictures  ("Sons  of  Tokyo"  and 
"Seek,  Strike,  Destroy")  when  exhibitors 
started  reporting  signs  of  surfeit.  This 
week  it  announced  "Ready,  Willing  and 
4F"  as  an  addition  to  its  production  sched- 
ule, but  no  inconsistency  was  indicated.  The 
new  project  is  described  as  "a  rollicking 
soldier  comedy"  and  it's  to  present  Eddie 
Bracken,  William  Bendix  and  Gil  Lamb. 
It  was  the  House  of  Paramount  that  capi- 
talized the  humorous  side  of  soldiering  in 
the  other  World  War  by  teaming  Wallace 
Beery  and  Raymond  Hatton  in  "Behind  the 
Front"  and  its  successors.  And  it's  no- 
body's secret  that  more  recent  comedies 
about  soldiering,  notably  "Caught  in  the 
Draft"  and  "Buck  Privates"  did  things  to 
theatre  grosses  that  none  of  the  weightier 
war  pictures  have  done  thus  far  in  the 
present  conflict. 


Location  Hazards 

THE  Germans,  who  lately  strafe  small  En- 
glish coastal  towns  and  include  ordinary 
peaceful  activities  in  their  sights  as  reprisal 
for  the  daily  bombings  of  their  military 
production  centers,  last  week  flew  over  a 
film  unit  on  location  on  an  English  beach. 
Stars,  executives,  and  extras  dropped  to  the 
ground  and  sought  cover.  However,  several 
were  hit  by  bomb  fragments  and  machine 
gun  bullets.  Among  those  slightly  wounded 
was  Arthur  Askey,  comedian,  Number 
Five  in  the  1942  Motion  Picture  Herald- 
Fame  poll  of  British  Money  Making  Stars. 

Leslie  Howard,  British  actor,  was  re- 
ported Wednesday  to  have  been  on  a  British 
Overseas  Airways  plane  which  disappeared 
en  route  to  England  from  Lisbon.  Officials 
who  disclosed  the  disappearance,  said 
"enemy  action"  was  suspected.  Berlin 
broadcast  "fear"  that  the  plane  "met  with  an 
accident." 

Mr.  Howard  had  been  in  Spain  and  Por- 
tugal, surveying  production  possibilities, 
and  lecturing  on  production  in  England. 

Also  on  board,  according  to  a  Lisbon  re- 
port, was  Alfred  Chenhalls,  Mr.  Howard's 
business  manager. 


Travel  Costs 

TOO  much  Government  money  is  spent  on 
unnecessary  travel,  telegrams  and  long  dis- 
tance telephone  calls,  Senator  Harry  Flood 
Byrd  charged  this  week.  The  Joint  Econo- 
my Committee  headed  by  the  Virginian  re- 
ported to  Congress  and  the  President  that 
the  freight  on  trips  and  calls  by  Govern- 
ment officials  would  total  millions  of  dollars 
by  the  end  of  the  fiscal  year. 

Particularly  criticized  were  the  airplane 
travel  accounts,  including  many  tickets  to 
Hollywood,    reported   by    Government  in- 


formation services.  In  six  months  the  Of- 
fice of  War  Information  spent  $50,032  on 
plane  rides ;  the  War  Manpower  Commis- 
sion, $23,900;  WPB,  $800,834;  OPA,  $50,- 
128;  FCC,  $21,304,  and  the  Federal  Works 
Agency,  $122,791. 

"Cut  out  the  extra  travel,  fellows,"  is  the 
substance  of  the  committee's  plea.  They 
remind  that  civilian  journeys  are  limited, 
and  urge  the  Government  to  set  a  better 
example. 


Airy  Pictures 

RADIO  waves  in  the  hire  of  the  Office  of 
War  Information  are  daily  carrying  pic- 
tures of  the  war  effort  overseas  to  an  esti- 
mated 300,000,000  persons  in  England, 
Africa,  Sweden,  Russia,  Spain,  Switzer- 
land, Turkey,  India,  China  and  Australia. 
The  OWI's  overseas  pictorial  division  this 
week  said  that  the  transmission  of  radio- 
photos  had  been  speeded  by  development  of 
a  new  process. 

Short  wave  radio  stations  are  leased  for 
several  hours  daily  to  transmit  photos  blind. 
Receivers  at  OWI  outposts  tune  in  and  pick 
up  the  pictures.  Previously  pictures  were 
radioed  by  direct  circuit  transmission  to 
specific  receivers.  The  new  process  was 
reported  to  have  greatly  speeded  the  pictori- 
al coverage  of  the  overseas  propaganda 
service. 

Photos  of  Hollywod  stars,  and  stills  from 
motion  pictures  are  being  transmitted 
abroad  in  substantial  numbers,  the  OWI 
reported.  Screen  personalities  provide  an 
important  and  familiar  human  interest  leav- 
en to  picture  pages  in  all  languages,  it  was 
noted. 


Praise  from  Nelson 

DONALD  M.  NELSON,  chairman  of  the 
War  Production  Board,  on  Wednesday 
praised  the  exhibitors  of  America  for  their 
efforts  in  the  salvage  campaign,  which  in 
five  months  brought  in  more  than  1,400,000 
pounds  of  copper,  brass  and  bronze. 

"Every  patriotic  exhibitor  should  do  his 
part  to  secure  critical  materials  so  neces- 
sary to  war  production,"  said  Mr.  Nelson. 

WPB  officials  said  the  salvage  of  vital 
metals  by  theatres  was  many  times  in  excess 
of  the  actual  amounts  used  in  exhibition. 


Too  Much  Weather 

THEATRE  attendance  in  Cincinnati,  par- 
ticularly in  the  suburban  areas,  which  have 
suffered  from  rain  almost  daily  over  a  pro- 
longed period,  now  is  being  more  or  less  ad- 
versely affected  by  sunshine,  due,  exhibi- 
tors say,  to  the  extra  hour  of  evening  day- 
light being  spent  in  victory  gardens  and 
other  outdoor  work  heretofore  neglected. 
Either  way  Cincinnati  exhibitors  are  mad 
at  the  weather  man. 


Better  Job 

PETER  SHAYNE,  president  of  the  Chi- 
cago Motion  Picture  Operators  Union,  Lo- 
cal 110,  who  recently  resigned  as  assistant 
business  agent  of  the  union,  has  taken  a  job 
as  motion  picture  operator  at  the  United 
Artists  theatre.  The  salary  of  the  president 
is  reported  to  have  been  reduced  from  $5,- 
000  a  year  to  $1,200,  and  the  operator's  job 
pays  $130  per  week. 


June    5,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


9 


Enemy  Film  Available 

IN  the  roundup  of  enemy  property  the 
Alien  Property  Custodian  seized  more  than 
3,000,000  feet  of  film  and  disposition  of  the 
footage  is  now  being  considered,  the 
Treasury  Department  said  this  week.  The 
Custodian  may  offer  some  of  the  film  to  dis- 
tributors, it  was  said,  and  it  may  also  give 
some  pictures  not  commercially  worthwhile, 
to  interested  Government  agencies. 

Over  the  weekend,  the  Custodian's  office 
said  that  nationals  of  enemy  countries,  if 
they  became  citizens  of  this  or  a  friendly 
country,  might  secure  release  of  their  seized 
U.  S.  copyrights. 


Film  Buyer 

LEONID  ANTONOV,  current  Russian 
Government  film  industry  agent  in  the  U.  S., 
sat  in  the  RKO  New  York  home  office  pro- 
jection room  last  week  and  saw  two  Disney 
short  subjects,  "The  Old  Mill"  of  some  an- 
tiquity, but  without  English  dialogue,  and 
"Fall  In,  Fall  Out,"  a  Donald  Duck  of  cur- 
rent military  interest. 

Other  Russian  representatives  have  also, 
in  the  past  eight  months,  seen  these  and 
other  Disney  subjects,  and  certain  RKO 
pictures. 

There  is  said  to  be  no  deal  on  the  others, 
but  there  may  be  a  deal  on  the  two  Disney 
shorts.  Mr.  Antonov  awaits  further  word 
from  Moscow.  RKO,  it  is  understood,  sees 
a  "big  difference"  between  the  flat  sum  it 
asks  and  the  sum  the  Russian  Government 
offers. 


Short  Charity  Cycle 

IT'S  a  far  cry  from  the  strolling  minstrel 
of  that  free  and  feudal  world  of  his  to  the 
film  star  of  now,  and  it  became  a  farther 
one  last  week  when  the  board  of  directors 
of  the  Screen  Actors  Guild  adopted  a  resolu- 
tion opposing  the  production  of  pictures  in 
which  actors  perform  for  less  than  their  es- 
tablished rate  of  wage  in  the  interests  of 
war-edged  or  other  charities. 

It  was  a  fairly  far  cry  before  then,  with 
the  Hollywood  Victory  Committee  holding, 
as  it  still  does,  complete  authority  to  supply 
or  deny  applicants  the  participation  of 
players  in  events  designed  to  stimulate  sup- 
port of  any  and  all  causes. 

The  HVC,  formed  some  10  days  after 
the  attack  on  Pearl  Harbor,  has  based  its 
allocations  of  talent  upon  two  points — (1) 
whether  the  applicant  represented  an  ap- 
proved cause  and  (2)  whether  the  event  of 
the  moment  was  of  major  importance  to 
that  cause — but  has  fixed  no  prices  nor  per- 
mitted fixing  of  any. 

The  SAG  resolution,  on  the  other  hand, 
stipulates  that  a  player  performing  in  a  film 
exhibited  for  the  purposes  of  obtaining 
funds  for  donation  to  a  cause  must  be  paid 
at  the  rate   of  compensation   he  receives 


normally  for  appearing  in  a  strictly  com- 
mercial picture. 

Under  this  ruling  it  would  be  mathemati- 
cally impossible  to  produce  a  "Stage  Door 
Canteen"  or  a  "Forever  and  a  Day"  that 
would  recoup  their  costs  and  yield  an  ap- 
preciable overage  for  causes  such-  as  these 
two  films  will  benefit. 

These  two  were  filmed  in  compliance  with 
the  long  standing  SAG  rule  requiring  pay- 
ment of  minimum  Guild  scale,  $25  the  day, 
to  principals  participating. 

The  SAG  resolution,  according  to  Ken- 
neth Thomson,  executive  secretary,  stemmed 
from  the  opinion  that  an  increase  in  the 
number  of  pictures-for-charity  presenting 
million-dollar  casts  would  effect  a  decrease 
in  the  industry's  revenues,  through  diver- 
sion of  a  major  portion  of  over-all  proceeds 
to  external  channels,  however  worthy,  thus 
imperiling  the  economic  structure  of  the  in- 
dustry itself  and,  consequently,  the  actor. 

At  this  point  the  cycle  of  pictures-for- 
charity  appears  in  a  fair  way  to  go  down 
in  history  as  the  shortest  in  cinema  annals. 


Buy  Coal  Early 

THEATRE  operators  who  heat  their  build- 
ings with  coal,  or  who  have  converted  their 
oil  heating  plants,  are  urged  to  start  build- 
ing up  a  coal  stockpile  by  the  Solid  Fuels 
Administrator  and  the  Office  of  Defense 
Transportation  in  Washington. 

Joseph  B.  Eastman,  head  of  the  ODT, 
warned  in  the  press  that  there  would  not 
be  enough  railroad  transport  available  to 
take  care  of  fuel  needs  if  buying  was  de- 
layed until  the  autumn.  He  urged  theatres 
and  all  other  commercial  users  of  coal  to 
place  orders  now  for  as  much  of  their  esti- 
mated 1943-44  consumption  as  possible. 
This,  he  said,  would  permit  shipment 
throughout  the  summer  months.  Coal 
trade  associations  also  pointed  out  that  in 
many  cases  stabilized  prices  were  lower  dur- 
ing the  summer. 

Harold  Ickes,  Federal  fuel  administrator, 
joined  in  the  plea  to  build  up  local  coal  re- 
serves. The  miners'  strike  was  said  to 
have  made  the  need  more  acute.  One  Gov- 
ernment spokesman  urged  theatres  to  store 
coal  in  their  parking  lots.  "There  won't 
be  much  other  use  for  them,"  he  commented. 


Bingo  Back 

THE  Ohio  House,  at  Columbus,  late  last 
week  passed  by  a  vote  of  90  to  13,  and  with- 
out debate,  the  anti-numbers  racket  bill  con- 
taining a  Senate  amendment  to  exempt  from 
prosecution  operators  of  Bingo  when  con- 
ducted for  religious  and  charitable  pur- 
poses. 

The  bill,  previously  passed  by  the  Senate, 
has  been  sent  to  Governor  Bricker  for  sig- 
nature. Bingo  is  being  openly  resumed  in 
Cincinnati  and  Hamilton  County,  where 
they  recently  were  banned. 


Wanted,  Recruits 

ARMY  engineers  are  recruiting  construc- 
tion specialists  in  the  wake  of  Warner 
Brothers'  two  reel  Technicolor  special,  "The 
Fighting  Engineers,"  with  a  special  150 
foot  trailer.  The  Engineer  Corps,  supplied 
with  a  list  of  the  short's  playdates,  has  con- 
tacted exhibitors  directly  with  a  request 
that  they  run  the  appeal  for  recruits.  The 
North  Atlantic  division  of  the  engineers  re- 
ported that  theatre  response  has  been  ex- 
cellent, with  20  prints  in  circulation  from 
the  New  York,  Philadelphia  and  Syracuse 
offices.  Similar  drives  are  planned  for  other 
sections  of  the  country,  it  is  reported.  Na- 
tional Screen  Service  produced  the  trailer. 


Word  from  Japan 

ARTHUR  DOYLE,  who  represented 
Twentieth  Century-Fox  in  the  Far  East, 
and  who  was  on  his  way  to  New  York 
when  the  Japanese  began  shooting,  is  in  a 
prison  camp  near  Tokio,  his  sister,  Mrs. 
Clayton  Sheehan,  was  informed  recently. 
Three  short-wave  listeners  wrote  to  her 
from  Detroit,  Hopkins,  Minn.,  and  Abilene, 
Texas,  that  they  heard  Mr.  Doyle  broadcast 
from  the  camp  a  message  to  friends  and 
relatives  here.  The  message  included  in- 
formation that  he  was  working  in  the  camp 
hospital,  and  was  well.  It  is  thought  Mr. 
Doyle  was  seized  at  Singapore. 


Wants  Fight  Reissues 

HIS  fellow  soldiers  would  rather  see 
famous  prize  fight  pictures  than  comedies 
"made  back  in  1927,"  a  former  newspaper 
sports  writer  wrote  recently  from  a  Carib- 
bean jungle  post.  In  the  letter,  made  pub- 
lic, by  Frank  Graham,  sports  editor  of  the 
New  York  Sun,  Corporal  Jack  Liesegang 
wrote  that  the  soldiers  "almost  fell  asleep 
looking  at  the  comedy  and  that  I'm  sure 
they'd  much  rather  have  been  looking  at 
some  fight  pictures,  no  matter  how  old." 
He  added  an  appeal  to  the  newsreel  com- 
panies which  might  have  in  their  vaults  such 
fight  pictures. 


All  Out  for  Russia 

THERE  will  be  observances  in  this  coun- 
try on  June  22nd  of  the  second  anniversary 
of  the  German  assault  on  Russia.  In  New 
York,  June  20th  through  27th  will  be 
"Tribute  to  Russia  Week,"  sponsored  by 
the  New  York  Committee  for  Russian  War 
Relief.  On  the  committee  promoting  the 
national  observance  is  Wendell  Willkie, 
lawyer,  author,  traveler,  reporter  and  chair- 
man of  the  board  of  Twentieth  Century- 
Fox.  Others  on  the  committee  are  Thomas 
Lamont,  Mrs.  Eleanor  Roosevelt,  William 
Green,  Phillip  Murray  and  Bishop  William 
T.  Manning. 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD,  published  every  Saturday  by  Ouigley  Publishing  Company,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  City.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address  "Ouigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Ouigley,  President;  Colvin  Brown,  Vice-President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Terry  Ramsaye,  Editor;  James  D.  Ivers,  News  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  624  South 
Michigan  Avenue,  Oscar  Lundy,  correspondent;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Postal  Union  Life  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  editor;  Toronto  Bureau,  242  Millwood  Road,  Toronto,  Ontario, 
Canada,  W.  M.  Gladish,  correspondent;  Montreal  Bureau,  265  Vitre  St.,  West,  Montreal,  Canada,  Pat  Donovan,  correspondent;  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Square,  London  W  I, 
Hope  Williams  Burnup,  manager;  Aubrey  Flanagan,  editor;  cable  Ouigpubco  London;  Melbourne  Bureau,  The  Regent  Theatre,  191  Collins  St.,  Melbourne,  Australia,  Cliff  Holt, 
correspondent;  Sydney  Bureau,  17  Archbold  Rd.,  Roseville,  Sydney,  N.S.W.,  Australia,  Lin  Endean,  correspondent;  Mexico  City  Bureau,  Dr.  Carmona  y  Valle  6,  Mexico  City, 
Luis  Becerra  Cells,  correspondent;  Buenos  Aires  Bureau,  J.  E.  Uriburi  126,  buenos  Aires,  Argentina,  Natalio  Bruski,  correspondent;  Rio  de  Janeiro  Bureau,  Caixa  Postal  1090, 
Rio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil,  Alfredo  C.  Machado,  correspondent;  Montevideo  Bureau,  P.  O.  Box  664,  Montevideo,  Uruguay,  Paul  Bodo,  correspondent;  cable  Argus  Montevideo. 
Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations.  All  contents  copyright  1943  by  Ouigley  Publishing  Company.  Address  all  correspondence  to  the  New  York  Office.  Other  Ouigley  Publica- 
tions: Better  Theatres,  Motion  Picture  Daily,  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  and  Fame. 


iO 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    5,  1943 


THIS  WEEK 


the 


observes: 


3ti 


■  SHIRLEY  TEMPLE  autographs  the  first  draft  of  a  film  adaptation  of 
Margaret  Buell  Wilder's  first  book,  "Since  You  Went  Away".  Watching 
are  Miss  Wilder  and  David  O.  Selznick  who  will  produce  the  picture. 


THE  VALOR  MEDAL  for  war 
correspondents  has  been  given  by  the 
Headliners'  Club  to  Howard  Winner, 
RKO  Pathe  News  cameraman,  who 
has  covered  wars  for  ten  years  past. 
In  this  one,  he  has  been  in  Northern 
Ireland,  Algeria  and  Tunisia. 


THE  UNIFORM  MENDING  shop  of  the  Philadelphia 
Variety  Club  Women's  Auxiliary  was  visited  by 
Robert  J.  O'Donnell,  above,  while  on  his  tour 
in  the  interest  of  copper  salvage. 


By  Staff  Photographer 

■  PRODUCT  AND  POLICY  plans  are  outlined,  above,  to  the 
Monogram  Eastern  regional  meeting  in  New  York,  Tuesday, 
by  Samuel  Broidy,  general  sales  manager.  Flanking  him  are 
Harry  Thomas,  Edward  Morey  and  Lloyd  Lind. 


COLUMBIA'S  SECOND  regional  sales  meeting,  last  Wednesday 
through  Friday,  in  the  Hotel  Warwick,  New  York,  was  attended 
by  80  delegates,  among  whom,  from  the  home  office,  were: 
Louis  Astor  and  Louis  Weinberg,  circuit  sales;  Joseph  McCon- 


ville,  foreign  sales  manager;  A.  Montague,  general  sales  manager; 
Jack  Cohn,  vice-president;  Rube  Jackter,  assistant  sales  manager; 
Leo  Jaffe,  assistant  treasurer;  Max  Weisfeldt,  short  subject 
sales  head. 


June    5,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


AT  THE  "PRELUDE  TO  WAR"  opening,  last  Wednesday,  in  the 

Columbia  theatre,  Washington,  above,  are  Mrs.  Conger  Pratt, 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Tom  Lewis,  Loretta  Young  (Mrs.  Lewis),  Brigadier  General 

and  Mrs.  Frederick  H.  Osborn.  The  screening  was  sponsored  by  the 

War  Department  and  the  War  Activities  Committee  through 

which  the  picture  is  being  distributed. 

ALSO  at  the  showing,  at  right,  are  Major  General  and  Mrs.  Alexander 

D.  Surles.   General  Surles  is  chief  of  the  Army's  public  relations  bureau. 


ELECTED  PRESIDENT.  Major 
Reginald  Baker,  managing 
director  of  Ealing  Dis- 
tributors, Ltd.,  of  England,  is 
the  new  chief  of  the  British 
Kinematograph  Renters 
Society  (distributors). 


By  Staff  Photographei 

■  NOW  ASSISTANT  general  sales  manager  for 
Universal,  E.  T.  "Peck"  Gomersall,  above,  was  promoted 
from  western  division  manager.  He 
succeeded  William  J.  Heineman,  who  became 
Samuel  Goldwyn's  sales  manager. 


AT  A  COCKTAIL  PARTY  in  Mexico  City's 
club,  Ciro's,  for  actress  Lupe  Velez  are 
Max  Gomez,   RKO  manager;  Miss  Velez,  and 
Rafael  Sevilla,  Columbia  manager. 


■  AND  ANOTHER  PLAQUE  for 
MGM's  shorts  producer,  Pete  Smith,  who 
receives  the  Alexander  Ormsby  plaque 
from  Lieut.  Col.  Roscoe  Arnett,  Marines. 


COMMISSIONED.  Harold 
Shapiro,  counsel  to  the 
film  industry  in  Milwaukee, 
and  on  the  WAC  distri- 
bution branch  there,  has 
been  commissioned  a 
lieutenant,  junior  grade, 
in  the  Naval  Reserve. 
He  reports  to  the  Tucson 
Naval  Training  Station. 


12 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    5,  1943 


■  CAB  CALLOWAY,  band  leader,  saw  himself  in  a  screened  "Stormy  Weather" 
for  the  first  time,  at  the  20th-Fox  New  York  trade  showing.  In  the  group,  above, 
front  row,  are  Joseph  Goldenberg,  20th-Fox  ad  sales;  Jack  Hattem,  Interboro 
circuit;  Mr.  Calloway;  William  Mittler,  his  manager;  Frank  Lynch,  Skouras  circuit. 
In  the  second  row  are  Cliff  Smith,  Buck  Gottlieb;  Ray  Moon,  20th-Fox  New  York 
manager;  Louis  Weissman  and  Irving  Dollinger,  exhibitors;  Moe  Kurtz  and 
Elliott  McManus,  20th-Fox  salesmen;  and  Allan  Daley,  Skouras. 


KING  HAAKON  of  Norway, 
above  left,  is  a  guest  of  Max  Milder, 
Warners'  British  manager,  at  a 
private  screening  of  "Edge  of 
Darkness"  in  London. 


■  AT  A  LOS  ANGELES  VARIETY  Club  dinner,  first  in  a 
campaign  to  raise  $100,000  for  a  premature  birth  station 
at  Cedars  of  Lebanon  Hospital,  are  Charles  A.  Buckley, 
Charles  Skouras,  Lou  Halper,  Judge  Lester  Roth, 
Ben  Meyer,  Lemuel  Goldwater. 


AT  THE  OPENING  of  RKO's  "Bombardier" 

in  Albuquerque,  New  Mexico:  Russell  Wade;  Ned 

Depinet,   RKO   Radio   Pictures  president;   Pat  O'Brien, 

Margie  Stewart;  Charles  Koerner,  vice-president 

in  charge  of  RKO  production. 


by  Staff  Photography. 

■  APPOINTED.  Jacob  Wilk,  Warner  eastern 
production  manager,  will  serve  on  the 
Council  on  Books  in  Wartime.   The  Council  is 
using  the  motion  picture  to  tell  the  public 
which  books  and  authors  it  thinks 
helpful  to  the  war  effort. 


WISCONSIN  EXHIBITORS  flocked  to  20th  Century- Fox's 

Milwaukee  trade  screening  of  "Coney  Island".  Above  are  some  of  them, 

with  members  of  the  20th-Fox  sales  force.  First  row,  Ben  Marcus, 

M.  Kahn,  of  20th-Fox;  Roy  Pierce.  Second  row,  J.  H.  Lorentz  and 

H.  L.  Beecroft  of  the  company,  and  Joseph  Strother.  Third  row, 

H.  Perlewitz,  V.  Touchette,  Joseph  McMahon.  Fourth  row, 

A.  D.  Kvool,  William  Geehan,  M.  Brazee. 


June    5,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


13 


FREE  WEEKLY  WAR  SHORTS 
IS  NEW  PLAN  OF  WAC 


Plan  to  Bring  Subjects  to 
Every  House  in  Nation; 
677  Prints  of  Each 

A  new  plan  to  bring  a  weekly  war  short 
subject  to  every  U.  S.  theatre,  without 
charge  has  been  agreed  upon  by  the  War 
Activities  Committee  and  the  Office  of  War 
Information. 

Commencing  August  1st  weekly  releases 
will  be  distributed  through  major  film  com- 
pany exchanges  to  the  16,500  theatres 
pledged  to  cooperation  with  the  industry's 
war  service  program.  There  will  be  677 
prints  of  each  subject. 

The  new  plan  integrates  into  a  uniform 
system  the  release  of  Victory  films  pro- 
duced this  year  by  the  OWI  and  the  Gov- 
ernment inspired  "America  Speaks"  series 
produced  and  distributed  by  the  commercial 
industry.  The  Victory  films  were  distribut- 
ed without  charge  and  the  second  series 
sold  on  a  non-profit  basis. 

26  Will  Be  Produced 
By  OWI  Film  Unit 

Twenty-six  of  the  1943-44  releases  will 
be  produced  by  the  Office  of  War  Informa- 
tion film  unit.  The  industry  will  produce 
and  donate  13  or  more  shorts.  The  balance 
will  come  from  the  other  United  Nations 
film  offices,  the  National  War  Fund,  Ameri- 
can Red  Cross  and  the  Coordinator  of 
Inter -American  Affairs. 

Lowell  Mellett,  chief  of  the  OWI  bureau  of 
motion  pictures,  and  Francis  Harmon,  execu- 
tive vice-chairman  of  the  WAC,  announced 
the  new  plan  Wednesday  after  a  final  meeting 
of  the  committees  of  distributors,  theatre  men 
and  Government  officials  which  had  prepared 
the  plan. 

Mr.  Mellett  described  the  new  plan  as  'A 
fine  demonstration  of  cooperation  from  produc- 
tion, distribution  and  exhibition,  whose  patri- 
otic teamwork  makes  possible  regular  weekly 
releases  of  war  information  through  the  War 
Activities  Committee  for  the  period  commenc- 
ing August  1st,  with  a  uniform  number  of 
prints  of  each  film  for  theatre  use. 

"The  OWI  will  continue  to  furnish  sugges- 
tions for  themes  to  various  producers  leaving 
all  free  to  choose  subjects  in  which  they  are 
specially  interested.  We  shall  gladly  cooperate 
with  each  producer  in  the  development  of  a 
script  which  will  present  factual  material  in 
an  accurate  and  interesting  manner,"  he  said. 

Mr.  Harmon  predicted  that  most  of  the 
films  made  by  the  industry  would  not  exceed 
one  reel  in  length. 

Uniformity  Advantage 
Of  New  Program 

"The  great  advantage  in  this  simplified,  joint 
program,"  he  said,  "is  its  uniformity.  The  na- 
tion's pledged  theatres  can  now  plan  their  pro- 
grams in  the  knowledge  that  one  pledged  film 
per  week  will  be  released  conveying  important 
war  information  to  every  theatre  audience. 
Through  this  method  every  theatre  in  tthe 
country  will  be  able  to  render  substantial  aid 
to  the  war  program." 

All  52  releases  will  clear  through  OWI  to 
the  War  Activities  Committee.  The  16,500 
theatres  are  pledged  to  play  only  films  which 
have  thus  cleared  through  the  Office  of  War 


Information  and  been  approved  by  their  own 
program  committee. 

The  first  release  in  the  new  schedule  will  be 
a  ten-minute  short  now  in  production  at  Para- 
mount for  the  National  War  Fund,  with  677 
prints  provided  by  the  Fund.  Another  early 
release  will  be  a  one-reel  subject  to  be  made 
by  RKO-Pathe  on  the  Army's  Mail  Service 
and  similar  activities  of  the  Adjutant  General's 
Department,  the  official  contact  between  sol- 
diers and  their  families. 

Mr.  Mellett  said  that  several  OWI  films  are 
in  production. 

Details  of  Changes  Had 
Been  Kept  Secret 

Mr.  Harmon  of  WAC  guided  the  discus- 
sions of  the  new  plan.  He  has  met  over  the 
last  few  weeks  with  a  committee  of  distribu- 
tors, members  of  the  theatres  division  of  the 
WAC  and  representatives  of  the  Office  of  War 
Information  to  discuss  proposed  changes.  It 
was  reported  to  have  been  an  important  topic 
of  conversation  with  exhibitors  on  his  recent 
tour  of  the  south  and  midwest. 

Details  of  the  proposed  changes  were  kept  a 
secret.    Mr.  Harmon  had  made  it  clear  that' 
no  information  on  the  new  war  shorts  distribu- 
tion method  would  be  released  until  the  plan 
finally  had  been  found  acceptable  to  all  parties. 

Lack  of  uniformity  in  rental  arrangements 
and  wide  divergence  in  total  bookings  prompted 
officers  of  the  WAC  and  the  OWI  to  formu- 
late the  simplified  joint  program  of  "War  In- 
formation" releases.  They  will  be  furnished 
gratis  to  pledged  theatres  on  an  automatic 
"locked  boking"  schedule. 

Distributors  and  theatre  men  admitted  gen- 
erally that  there  was  room  for  improvement  in 
the  efficiency  of  distribution  of  the  "America 
Speaks"  pictures. 

This  year  26  were  made  on  topics  suggested 
by  the  bureau  of  motion  pictures  of  the  Of- 
fice of  War  Information.  They  are  sold  to 
theatres  by  the  producers  under  a  variety  of 
plans.  Prices  vary  according  to  company,  al- 
though it  was  agreed  that  profits  should  be  giv- 
en to  various  war  charities. 

Victory  Films  Show  in 
16,500  Theatres 

The  Victory  pictures,  from  the  OWI  film 
producing  unit,  went  to  theatres  without  charge 
every  other  week.  They  alternated  with  the 
"America  Speaks"  pictures  which  were  sold 
by  distributors. 

The  Victory  films  were  exhibited  at  practi- 
cally all  of  the  more  than  16,500  theatres  which 
signed  the  WAC  pledge.  Circulation  of  the 
"America  Speaks"  series  was  substantially  less. 
The  greatest  number  of  contracts  reported  by 
a  distributor  was  13,500  while  it  was  admitted 
that  distribution  of  several  titles  was  to  less 
than  5,000  theatres. 

The  new  distribution  plans  were  not  sub- 
mitted to  Mr.  Mellett  until  a  system  which 
is  wholly  satisfactory  to  all  branches  of  the  in- 
dustry had  been  agreed  upon. 

Mr.  Harmon,  it  was  learned,  had  undertaken 
to  negotiate  this  agreement  with  the  help  of  a 
distributors  committee  headed  by  William  F. 
Rodgers,  general  sales  manager  and  vice-presi- 
dent of  MGM  and  with  an  exhibitors  commit- 
tee headed  by  S.  H.  Fabian,  chairman  of  the 
theatre  division  of  the  WAC. 

The  search  for  a  distribution  method  which 
would  be  acceptable  to  all  distributors  as  well 
as  to  theatre  operators  was  said  to  have  been 
very  difficult.  The  conferees  were  confronted 
with  finding  means  to  finance  the  cost  of  pro- 
duction, prints  and  distribution.     There  also 


had  been  difficulty  in  allocating  this  among  the 
several  companies  because  of  their  widely  vary- 
ing production  scales  and  overhead  schedules. 

Pictures  released  under  the  new  system  will 
be  distributed  to  theatres  through  the  various 
film  exchanges  on  a  locked  booking  schedule 
which  would  alternate  them  every  other  week 
with  the  OWI  Victory  films. 

Details  of  this  automatic  booking  and  play-off 
system  now  are  being  discussed.  It  is  under- 
stood that  the  pattern  worked  out  in  a  number 
of  exchanges  for  the  Victory  Shorts  would  sim- 
ply be  extended  to  include  also  the  "America 
Speaks"  pictures  produced  in  Hollywood  by  the 
industry  from  stories  recommended  by  the 
OWI  and  other  special  releases. 

All  major  distributors  will  handle  the  dis- 
tribution of  the  weekly  films  through  their  ex- 
changes in  a  manner  similar  to  their  distribu- 
tion of  the  Victory  shorts. 

16  Suggested  by  OWI 
Released  to  Date 

The  companies  which  produced  the  "America 
Speaks"  series  this  year,  and  have  participated 
in  the  meetings  with  Mr.  Harmon,  include  Col- 
umbia, Metro  -  Goldwyn  -  Mayer,  Paramount, 
RKO,  Twentieth  Century-Fox  and  United 
Artists. 

To  date  they  have  released  16  of  the  pic- 
tures suggested  by  Mr.  Mellett  when  he  visited 
the  studios  a  year  ago.  Ten  more  will  be  re- 
leased before  September.  In  addition  to  these 
pictures  the  War  Activities  Committee  has  dis- 
tributed four  special  releases  and  37  OWI  Vic- 
tory releases. 

The  special  reels  have  included  the  extra 
length  "Battle  of  Midway,"  "At  the  Front"  and 
"Prelude  to  War,"  as  well  as  a  special  income 
tax  instruction  film  for  the  Treasury.  Under 
the  proposed  system  for  next  year  the  longer 
special  releases  would  be  included  in  the  regu- 
lar weekly  locked  booking  plan,  rather  than 
given  special  distribution  apart. 

One  company,  Warner  Brothers,  which  re- 
leased its  own  series  of  patriotic  color  war 
shorts  independently  of  the  WAC  this  year, 
has  indicated  that  it  will  continue  under  its  own 
plan.  Norman  Moray,  head  of  the  shorts  de- 
partment, disclosed  last  week  that  Jack  Warner, 
chief  of  production,  was  in  the  east  to  discuss 
sequels  to  "Eagles  of  the  Navy,"  the  "Fighting 
Engineers"  and  others  in  the  series  of  20-minute 
service  specials  released  this  year. 

Warners  Will  Share  in 
Distributing  Specials 

Warners,  however,  will  share  in  the  distribu- 
tion of  the  special  pictures  through  its  ex- 
changes. 

Attending  Wednesday  afternoon's  meeting  at 
New  York  were  S.  H.  Fabian,  Chairman  Thea- 
tres Division ;  William  F.  Rodgers,  Chairman 
Distributors  Division ;  R.  B.  Wilby,  Chairman 
Program  Committee ;  Nathan  Yamins,  Lee 
Newbury,  Leonard  Goldenson,  Max  A.  Cohen 
and  Charles  Moskowitz,  members  of  the  Pro- 
gram Committee ;  Neil  F.  Agnew  and  John 
O'Connor,  and  Henderson  M.  Richey  who, 
with  Mr.  Rodgers,  represented  the  Distribu- 
tors Division ;  Lowell  Mellett  and  Arch  Mer- 
cey  of  OWI,  and  Francis  Harmon,  Arthur 
Mayer  and  Herman  Gluckman  of  WAC. 


Walter  Tower  in  Middle  East 

Walter  S.  Tower,  Jr.,  distribution  manager 
of  Western  Electric  Export  Corporation  and 
general  manager  of  Western  Electric  Company, 
Inc.,  of  Cuba,  now  on  leave  of  absence  for 
service  with  the  War  Shipping  Administration, 
has  arrived  safely  in  the  Middle  East. 


14 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    5 ,  1943 


Appeal  Ruling 
Hits  Paramount 
Change  of  Run 

Expressing  regret  that  the  Consent  Decree 
permitted  no  alternative,  the  Appeal  Board  of 
the  motion  picture  arbitration  system  on  Tues- 
day reversed  a  some  run  victory  over  Para- 
mount by  the  Welden  theatre,  St.  Albans,  Vt. 

Leaving  the  door  open  to  further  action,  the 
board  noted,  however,  that  the  terms  and  con- 
ditions accompanying  a  run  offer  "must  be 
exceptionally  favorable  to  the  exhibitor  in  order 
to  escape  condemnation  in  a  future  proceeding." 

The  Appeal  Board  was  sharply  critical  of 
Paramount's  transfer  of  first  run  from  the 
Welden  theatre  to  the  inferior  Empire.  This 
was  done,  the  board  found,  to  "penalize  an  in- 
dependent exhibitor  for  employing  a  booking 
agent  with  which  the  distributor  was  in  con- 
troversy as  to  other  theatres."  But  it  found  no 
grounds  within  the  decree  for  offering  relief  to 
Joseph  Mathieu,  complainant. 

The  board  affirmed  the  conclusion  of  Joseph 
B.  Wolbarsht,  arbitrator,  that  "Paramount's 
refusal  to  continue  selling  first  run  to  the 
Welden  was  due  solely  to  the  unwillingness  of 
Affiliated  Theatres  (a  New  England  booking 
combine)  to  buy  the  pictures  on  Paramount's 
terms  for  other  theatres  represented  by  it. 

"The  decree  contemplates  that  the  distribu- 
tors should  deal  with  theatres  on  their  indi- 
vidual merits,"  the  board  wrote,  calling  the 
refusal  to  sell  first  run  to  the  Welden  "discrim- 
ination utterly  at  variance  with  the  spirit  of 
the  Decree." 

The  board  found  that  inasmuch  as  Para- 
mount had  made  an  unaccepted  offer  of  second 
run,  45  days  after  the  Empire,  to  Mr.  Mathieu 
Section  VI  required  dismissal  of  the  complaint. 
The  board  members  ruled  that  the  decree  un- 
questionably reserves  to  a  distributor  the  right 
to  select  for  prior  run  whichever  theatre  it 
prefers.  The  record  contained  no  evidence  that 
the  second  run  offer,  as  originally  made,  was 
based  on  "terms  and  conditions  calculated  to 
defeat  the  purposes  of  Section  VI,"  it  said. 

Discussing  the  circumstances  for  a  future 
consideration  of  the  case,  the  board  said  that 
clearance  and  other  terms  "should  be  closely 
scanned  and,  upon  a  consideration  of  the  entire 
situation,  it  may  even  prove  impossible  to  offer 
a  second  run  on  any  terms  and  conditions  what- 
ever which  are  not  calculated  to  defeat  the 
purpose  of  Section  VI." 

Costs  were  divided  equally.  The  ruling,  on 
Boston's  17th  case,  was  the  71st  appeal  de- 
cision. 

Buffalo 

In  a  consent  award  between  the  Rivoli  thea- 
tre and  five  distributors  Roland  H.  Tills,  ar- 
bitrator, Thursday  dismissed  the  specific  run 
portion  of  the  demand  and  set  clearance  of  the 
Roosevelt  over  the  Rivoli  and  intervening  Roxy 
and  Broadway  at  four  days.  Costs  were 
divided. 

The  MJM  Operating  company  appealed  dis- 
missal of  their  clearance  complaint  for  the  Bea- 
con theatre,  East  Orange,  N.  J.  It  is  New 
York's  45th  case.  At  Washington  the  Ellicott 
theatre,  Ellicott  City,  Md.,  appealed  its  partial 
clearance  victory. 


Train  Older  Men  for  Jobs 

William  Holden  and  Harry  Potter,  Balaban 
and  Katz  theatre  managers  in  Chicago,  are 
training  retired  and  pensioned  business  men  be- 
tween the  ages  of  45  and  60  to  replace  em- 
ployees called  to  service. 


Army  Takes  Fleischer  Studios 

The  Army  has  taken  over  the  Fleischer  stu- 
dios in  Miami,  after  being  granted  immediate 
possession  through  a  Federal  Court  order.  The 
buildings  are  to  be  used  until  June  30,  1944, 
with  renewal  options. 


Ask  Eastern  War  Time 
In  Ohio  Measure 

A  bill  was  introduced  last  week  in  the  Ohio 
Senate  at  Columbus  to  place  the  state  perma- 
nently on  Eastern  War  Time  from  April  to 
October,  with  Central  War  Time  for  the  other 
six  months.  The  bill,  which  is  being  rushed 
for  a  second  reading  for  reference  to  committee, 
will  pass  both  legislative  branches,  it  is  predict- 
ed. The  state  now  is  officially  on  Central  War 
Time  through  a  measure  enacted  recently. 

Meanwhile,  Springfield,  Chillicothe,  Kenton 
and  Bellaire  are  among  the  smaller  situations 
this  week  reverting  to  Eastern  War  Time, 
leaving  Dayton  as  the  only  community  retain- 
ing Central  Time,  although  it  is  understood  a 
movement  is  on  foot  there  to  make  the  change. 


Discuss  Role  of 
Entertainment 
In  War  Activity 

Five  methods  of  increasing  the  usefulness  of 
the  entertainment  world  in  wartime  were  ex- 
plored in  New  York  Wednesday  and  Thursday 
by  the  National  Conference  of  Entertainment 
Industry  for  War  Activities. 

These  methods  are  coordination  of  united 
•  manpower;  allotment  of  such  manpower  to 
specified  war  entertainment  agencies ;  study  of 
domestic  and  overseas  amusement  needs ;  crea- 
tion of  plans  for  meeting  them,  and  education  of 
civilian  groups  in  war  aims. 

Paul  Dulzell,  president  of  the  Associated 
Actors  and  Artistes  of  America,  parent  actors' 
union,  opened  the  meeting.  There  were  to  be 
reports  for  the  USO  Camp  Show,  by  Abe  Last- 
fogel ;  for  the  War  Activities  Committee  of  the 
motion  picture  industry,  by  Francis  Harmon ; 
for  the  Hollywood  Victory  Committee,  by  Ken- 
neth Thomson ;  for  the  United  Theatrical  War 
Activities  Committee,  by  James  Sauter. 

James  Cagney,  actor  and  producer,  was  to 
lead  a  discussion  on  objectives,  and  ways  of 
achieving  them.  Also  listed  to  speak  were  John 
Anderson,  Elmer  Rice,  Francis  Farragoh,  Rob- 
ert Rosson  and  William  Lewis. 

Lt.  John  Lucas  on 
Wilhelmshaven  Raid 

Arthur  Lucas,  of  the  Lucas  and  Jenkins  cir- 
cuit of  Georgia,  two  weeks  ago  found  personal 
news- — concerning  his'  son — on  page  one  of  the 
Atlanta  Journal.    Thus : 

"London,  May  22. — (AP) — T  have  been  to 
Wilhelmshaven  three  times,  but  this  was  the 
roughest  trip  of  all,'  said  Lieutenant  John  S. 
Lucas,  of  2494  Peachtree  Road,  Atlanta,  after 
Friday's  Flying  Fortress  attack  on  the  German 
naval  base. 

"  'The  raid  was  the  fourth  on  Wilhelmshaven 
since  January  27.  The  sky  seemed  full  of 
Focke-Wulf  190's  and  Messerschmitt  109's,' 
Lieutenant  Lucas  said.    He  is  a  bombardier." 

Warners,  Paramount, 
Columbia  Holdovers 

Columbia's  "The  More  the  Merrier"  is  in  its 
third  and  second  weeks  in  many  cities.  It  be- 
gan its  fourth  week  at  the  Radio  City  Music 
Hall,  New  York,  Thursday. 

Warners'  "Casablanca"  has  had  more  than 
3,700  repeat  bookings. 

Paramount's  "China"  is  in  its  sixth  week  at 
the  Paramount,  Newark,  a  record  run  there. 


Purchases  Iowa  Theatre 

Earl  Kerr,  Iowa  theatre  operator,  has  pur- 
chased the  Palace  in  Vinton,  Iowa,  from  H.  S. 
Waldorf. 


USO  Asks  WMC 
For  'Essential 
Industry 9  Rating 

USO-Camp  Shows,  Inc.,  is  preparing  a  for- 
mal application  for  submission  to  the  War 
Manpower  Commission,  requesting  that  the 
WMC  place  the  organization  in  an  essential 
industry  category  insofar  as  actors  over  38 
are  concerned  who  are  now  ordered  to  transfer 
to  other  industries  considered  vital  to  war 
production.  Lawrence  Phillips,  executive  vice- 
president  of  USO-Camp  Shows,  said  in  New 
York  this  week  that  the  organization  "had  not 
requested  any  essential  rating  for  actors  or 
performers  with  respect  to  the  draft." 

The  USO  expects  the  WMC  to  act  favorably 
upon  its  request  inasmuch  as  several  officials 
of  the  commission  have  in  recent  months  pub- 
licly recognized  the  value  of  USO  shows  to 
the  morale  of  the  boys  in  camps  and  bases  at 
home  and  abroad. 

Meanwhile,  Camp  Shows  is  planning  to  ex- 
pand its  summer  entertainment  schedules  to 
25  touring  units,  compared  with  15  which 
toured  the  "Red"  and  "White"  circuits  last 
summer.  Although  next  winter's  plans  are 
only  tentative,  indications  are  that  service  men 
will  be  offered  entertainment  by  more  than  50 
units  on  these  two  circuits  alone,  compared 
with  34  last  winter.  The  "Blue"  circuit,  which 
travels  to  isolated  posts  and  bases  where  small 
numbers  of  men  are  stationed,  currently  has 
51  units  on  tour.  In  addition,  USO  has  its 
overseas  units,  of  which  more  than  20  were 
dispatched  in  the  past  three  months,  and  the 
"spot-booked"  units  which  are  sent  out  from 
Hollywood,  New  York  and  Chicago. 

Mr.  Phillips  announced  this  week  that  in  the 
absence  of  Noble  Sissle,  who  is  now  on  the 
west  coast  for  an  indefinite  period,  Dick  Camp- 
bell, actor,  producer,  director  and  concert  mana- 
ger, had  assumed  responsibility  for  coordinating 
the  Negro  talent  of  USO-Camp  Shows. 


Tri-States  Contest  Winners 
Announced  by  A.  H.  Blank 

Prizes  offered  by  A.  H.  Blank  for  managers 
of  the  theatres  in  the  Tri-State  circuit  who 
made  the  best  records  during  Holy  Week  have 
been  announced.  Mr.  Blank,  president  of  the 
circuit,  reported  that  the  following  managers 
received  awards : 

"A"  Division — A.  J.  Dreckman,  Iowa  City, 
$150;  Kermit  Carr,  Waterloo,  $100;  Henry 
Plude,  Cedar  Rapids,  $75 ;  also  Robert  K.  Ful- 
lerton,  A.  D.  Allen,  William  Miskell,  Orville 
Rennie.  "B"  Division — Ira  Crain,  William 
Beckley,  Melva  Prosser,  Ira  Bernhardt,  Arthur 
Foster,  Louis  Lepovitz.  An  award  of  $50  for 
the  best  showmanship  was  given  to  Edward 
Forester,  manager  of  the  Des  Moines  theatre, 
for  his  campaign  on  "The  Moon  Is  Down." 

"Jerry"  Wilson  Dies; 
New  York  Salesman 

Jerome  "Jerry"  Wilson,  for  the  past  29  years 
in  the  New  York  film  trade,  died  Tuesday  in 
that  city,  at  54.  He  had  been  ill  several  weeks. 
Mr.  Wilson  was  with  Monogram  distribution 
at  his  death.  He  was  a  trustee  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Associates.  He  leaves  his  widow, 
Rose,  and  a  son,  Ivan. 


"Air  Force"  Best  Seller 

The  book  version  of  Warners'  "Air  Force" 
has  sold  more  than  250,000  copies  to  date,  ac- 
cording to  the  publishers,  Grosset  &  Dunlap. 
Requests  for  foreign  language  versions  are  be- 
ing received  and  several  translations  are 
planned,  the  publisher  reports. 


June    5,    194  3  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  15 

EXHIBITORS  STUDY  REVIVAL 
OF  BLOCK  SALES  LAW 


Rodger s  Pledges  Readjustment 
Of  Terms  Where  Justified 

Convinced  that  distributors  have  a  responsibility  to  keep  all  theatres  open  as 
essential  outlets  of  wartime  information  and  service,  William  F.  Rodgers,  vice-presi- 
dent and  sales  manager  of  MSM,  this  week  reaffirmed  his  company's  pledge  to 
readjust  percentage  classifications  if  facts  indicate  that  they  cause  hardship. 

A  letter  to  branch  managers  instructed  them  to  survey  their  territory  for  such 
cases  and  reminded  them  of  the  company's  program  for  making  adjustments. 

Field  managers  and  supervisors  have  the  power  to  make  adjustments  in  cases 
of  mistakes  in  picture  designation;  to  change  the  unit  figure  based  on  the  com- 
pany's sliding  scale  if  it  results  in  hardship;  to  allow  for  business  effects  of  war- 
time population  shifts;  to  adjust  terms  to  meet  current  business  levels;  and  to 
forego  preferred  playing  time  for  proportionate  middle  of  the  week  time. 

Exhibitors  do  not  have  to  come  "hat  in  hand"  to  seek  a  reclassification, 
Mr.  Rodgers  said.  "If  we  make  a  mistake  in  designating  a  picture  in  a  bracket 
higher  than  justified  by  results,  it  is  not  necessary  or  expected  that  our  customer 
be  required  to  ask  for  an  adjustment.  When  called  to  our  attention  with  the  sup- 
porting facts — and  they  must  be  facts — we  will  re-classify  the  picture  in  the  bracket 
where  it  belongs." 

Adjustment  is  contingent  on  failure  of  a  picture  to  make  the  allotted  percentage 
grade.  Hardship  was  defined  by  the  company  as  a  case  where  loss  or  minimum 
profit  results.  The  home  office  promised  consideration  also  for  any  bonafide  appeal 
from  a  field  ruling  on  a  picture's  classification. 


Minnesota  Statute  Still  on 
Books;  Metro  Willing  to 
Renegotiate  Deals 

Threats  to  revive  Minnesota's  statute  re- 
quiring the  sale  of  motion  pictures  in  yearly 
blocks  were  heard  this  week  as  both  dis- 
tributors and  exhibitors  marked  time  in  their 
study  of  the  effects  of  the  Crescent  circuit's 
anti-trust  defeat  pending  the  start  of  appeal 
steps. 

Both  groups,  however,  issued  statements 
bearing  importantly  on  trade  practices.  Al- 
lied States  Association  of  independent  ex- 
hibitors hailed  the  Crescent  decree  as  open- 
ing the  way  to  drastic  revision  of  circuit 
buying  franchises. 

MGM,  through  William  F.  Rodgers,  gen- 
eral sales  manager,  reaffirmed  its  willing- 
ness to  renegotiate  percentage  picture  sales 
where  conditions  warranted. 

Studying  Enforcement  of 
Minnesota  Law 

The  ghost  of  Minnesota's  anti-block-of-five 
law  was  invoked  in  Minneapolis  this  week  by 
the  new  North-Central  Allied  Independent 
Theatres  in  an  effort  to  settle  its  sales  practice 
differences  with  distributors. 

Don  Guttman,  president,  named  a  committee 
to  explore  the  possibility  of  obtaining  enforce- 
ment of  the  Minnesota  law  which  would  re- 
quire sale  of  an  entire  season's  product  by  dis- 
tributors in  one  block,  with  cancellation  privi- 
leges amounting  to  20  per  cent  of  the  total. 

Henry  Green,  secretary  of  North-Central ; 
Ben  Berger  and  Martin  Lebedoff  will  study 
the  law. 

Although  enforcement  of  the  Minne- 
sota law  was  sidetracked  in  1942  after  a 
long  court  battle,  Mr.  Guttman  pointed 
out  that  the  statute  was  still  on  the  books. 
The  two  trials  of  its  validity  which  took 
place  in  St.  Paul,  North-Central  claimed, 
resulted  not  in  voiding  the  order  but  only 
in  a  restraining  order  preventing  officials 
of  Ramsey  and  Hennepin  Counties,  in 
which  St.  Paul  and  Minneapolis  are  lo- 
cated, from  enforcing  the  measure. 

Members  of  North-Central  contend  that  the 
provisions  are  fully  effective  outside  those  two 
counties.  They  indicated  that  they  would  at- 
tempt to  compel  its  enforcement. 

The  original  law  and  court  fight  was  spon- 
sored by  Northwest  Allied.  It  did  not  under- 
take an  appeal.  Mr.  Guttman  disclosed,  how- 
ever, that  E.  L.  Peaslee,  president  of  Allied 
Theatre  Owners  of  the  Northwest,  had  en- 
dorsed the  North-Central  film  price  and  sales 
practice  fight. 

Ask  Amendment  of 
Crescent  Decree 

The  Crescent  Amusement  Company  and  five 
affiliates  Thursday  filed  motions  in  Federal 
court  at  Nashville  for  amendment  of  the  de- 
cree handed  down  by  the  court  on  May  17th  in 
the  Government's  anti-trust  suit  against  them. 

Another  motion  filed  at  the  same  time  asked 
that  the  decree  be  modified  to  eliminate  the  re- 
quirement that  Crescent  divest  itself  of  owner- 


ship of  the  capital  stock  it  has  in  Lyric  Amuse- 
ment Company,  Inc.,  one  of  the  defendants. 
This  motion  was  filed  by  Charles  A.  Crute  and 
Mrs.  Martha  Crute,  Madison  County,  Ala- 
bama, owners  of  50  per  cent  of  the  outstanding 
capital  stock  of  Lyric,  which  operates  three 
theatres  in  Huntsville,  Ala. 

The  remaining  50  per  cent  of  the  Lyric  capi- 
tal stock  is  owned  by  Crescent,  the  Crutes,  who 
were  not  defendants  to  the  suit,  declared. 

In  their  motion,  the  Crutes  said  their 
interests  would  be  "seriously  and  adversely  af- 
fected" if  Crescent  were  required  to  "sell  its 
interest"  in  the  Lyric  company. 

The  other  motions  were  filed  by  Crescent; 
Cumberland  Amusement  Company ;  Lyric 
Amusement  Company,  Inc. ;  Rockwood  Amuse- 
ments, Inc. ;  Cherokee  Amusements,  Inc. ; 
Kentucky  Amusement  Company,  Inc. ;  Anthony 
Sudekum,  president  of  Crescent,  and  Kermit  C. 
Stengel,  assistant  to  Mr.  Sudekm. 

Seen  as  Steps  in  Fight 
To  Reverse  Conviction 

These  motions  renewed  petitions  filed  in 
March  for  modifications  and  amendments  to 
findings  of  fact  and  conclusions  of  law  handed 
down  by  Judge  Elmer  D.  Davies  on  March  3rd 
and  asked  for  additional  findings  of  fact. 

The  two  petitions  were  viewed  by  industry 
lawyers  as  the  first  steps  in  Crescent's  fight 
to  reverse  its  conviction  by  the  United  States 
District  Court. 

The  Department  of  Justice  was  granted  20 
days  in  which  to  file  answering  briefs  to  the 
two  motions.  Judge  Davies,  it  was  expected, 
would  rule  on  the  requests  within  a  month. 
Lawyers  doubted  that  further  hearings  would 
be  held  by  the  court,  inasmuch  as  both  Cres- 
cent and  the  Government  submitted  their  argu- 
ments on  the  proposed  changes  prior  to  the 
filing  of  the  decree. 

Failing  in  their  efforts  to  obtain  a  post  facto 


revision  of  the  decree,  Crescent's  next  step 
would  be  to  move  for  a  new  trial,  lawyers  said. 
This  is  customarily  denied,  they  said,  paving 
the  way  for  a  formal  appeal  to  the  U.  S.  Circuit 
Court  of  Appeals. 

George  H.  Armistead,  Jr.,  Crescent  counsel, 
last  week  said  that  he  was  preparing  the  new 
trial  motion. 

In  its  amendment  motion  the  Crescent  cir- 
cuit asked  that  the  order  divesting  its  affiliate 
interests  be  clarified.  Also  11  eliminations  from 
Judge  Davies'  original  findings  were  asked. 

Allied  Cites  Decree  As  One 
Of  Most  Drastic 

Allied  States  Association  in  a  bulletin  to 
member  exhibitor  organizations  from  Abram 
F.  Myers,  general  counsel,  last  week  hailed 
the  Crescent  decree  as  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant and  "one  of  the  most  drastic  ever 
entered"  under  the  Sherman  anti-trust  act. 
Copies  of  the  decree  went  to  Allied  leaders. 

The  bulletin  reported  that  A.  H.  Cole,  Allied 
director,  had  gathered  from  the  findings  of 
fact  by  Judge  Davies  substantial  evidence  that 
the  circuit  had  been  able  to  negotiate  prices  be- 
low those  paid  by  competing  independents. 

"The  remarkably  low  rentals  paid  show  the 
effect  of  great  buying  power  or  of  favoritism 
shown  large  circuits,  or  both,  and  are  in 
marked  contrast  to  the  rentals  demanded  of 
independent  exhibitors  in  comparable  situa- 
tions," Allied  said. 

The  Crescent  decision  gives  effect  in  the 
film  trade  to  the  Sherman  act  provisions  that 
"monopolistic  contracts  have  no  standing  and 
should  be  nullified  by  the  courts,"  Mr.  Myers 
wrote.  The  decision  also  "points  the  way  for 
independent  exhibitors  to  secure  injunctions 
and  to  recover  damages  for  injuries  resulting 
from  discriminatory  prices,  terms  and  condi- 
tions granted  by  distributors  to  circuit  com- 
petitors," Allied  said. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


ON  THE  MARCH 


June    5,  1943 


by  RED  KANN 


HOLLYWOOD 

HEREWITH  for  much  of  the  distance,  a  sequel  to  an  earlier 
chapter  of  this  page.  First,  a  bit  of  memory  brushing. 
Then  the  new. 

Faithful  reader  may  recall  a  recent  coast  visit  during  which 
William  F.  Rodgers  invited  a  representative  group  of  Southern 
California  exhibitors  to  meet  Jack  Flynn,  Metro's  new  western 
sales  manager.  Rodgers  spoke  about  war  shorts  and  the  need  to 
play  them.  Then  in  Part  Two,  he  discussed  his  sales  plan,  in- 
cluding the  sliding  scale  which  occasionally  slips.   His  words. 

The  weeks  have  slipped  by,  conveying  Rodgers  back  to  New 
York  and  finally  to  Columbus  where  he  addressed  a  convention 
of  the  Independent  Theatre  Owners  of  Ohio.  A  hunk  of  frank 
talking  was  undertaken  there,  dealing  with  the  relationships  of 
Metro  with  its  accounts.  Returning  to  New  York,  Rodgers 
looked  at  his  notes  and  into  his  memory  and  reduced  both  to  a 
letter  now  in  the  hands  of  his  branch  managers. 

In  it,  he  doubles  back  over  ground  traveled  earlier,  clarifies  by 
reiteration  what  he  has  said  before  and  establishes  clearly  what 
Metro's  policy  is  under  certain  conditions  and  how  it  can  be 
something  else  under  other  conditions.  He  gives  it  as  the  inten- 
tention  to  maintain  the  sliding  scale  which  Joe  Schenck  said  re- 
cently is  in  Twentieth  Century-Fox's  mind  as  well  these  days 
And  other  intentions,  as  the  letter  and  its  own  italics  outline : 

1.  — If  we  make  a  mistake  in  designating  a  picture  in  a  bracket 
higher  than  justified  by  results,  it  is  not  necessary  or  expected 
that  our  customer  be  required  to  ask  for  an  adjustment  in  terms, 
but  when  called  to  our  attention  with  the  supporting  facts,  and 
they  must  be  facts,  we  will  re-classify  the  picture  in  the  bracket 
where  it  rightfully  belongs. 

2.  — That  there  is  no  policy  in  our  company  that  prevents  one 
of  our  top  bracket  pictures  being  re-classified  even  to  the  balance 
or  lower  bracket,  if  that  is  the  proper  classification  based  on 
results  at  that  theatre. 

3.  — That  we  intend  to  retain  our  right  of  designation,  as  there 
is  no  other  means  we  know  of  to  intelligently  price  our  mer- 
chandise. 

4.  — That  we  intend  to  continue  to  sell  on  the  sliding  scale ;  that 
this  basis  is  considered  by  us  and  by  thousands  of  our  customers 
as  being  a  fair  method  of  dealing. 

5.  — That  we  would,  where  justified,  change  the  unit  figure  if 
results  of  record  disclosed  a  hardship,  and  by  hardship  I  mean 
either  a  loss,  or  a  minimum  profit  to  the  theatre  on  pictures  of 
ours  played  on  this  basis. 

6.  — That  we  recognize  the  effect,  because  of  shifting  populations, 
industrial  inactivity  and  other  reasons,  in  some  small  localities, 
some  of  the  subsequent  runs,  and  I  mean  later  runs  in  cities  and 
small  towns,  and  are  prepared  in  such  situations  to  adjust  our 
terms  to  meet  present-day  business  levels.  That  in  such  situations 
we  are  prepared  to  forego  so-called  preferred  time  in  exchange 
for  what  our  managers  consider  its  equivalent  in  the  way  of  mid- 
week playing  time.  In  such  instances  it  can  be  incorporated  in 
the  contract  with  our  customers  as  optional. 

On  Autonomy  in  the  Field 


T 


HE  machinery  through  which  this  is  to  work  is  the  field 
force  proceeding  under  autonomy,  states  Rodgers,  with 
full  authority  to  call  the  turns  and  make  them  sick. 
But  let  him  tell  it  in  his  own  language : 

7.  — That  this  is  a  matter  of  negotiation  between  our  repre- 
sentatives and  our  customers  and  in  our  desire  to  help  in  specific 
situations  that  need  help  it  is  not  to  be  considered  that  we  are 
going  to  forego  entirely  preferred  time  because,  to  the  contrary, 
we  expect  to  continue  to  seek  and  we  hope  get  our  pictures  played 
under  the  most  favorable  circumstances.  But  we  do  want  to  do 
everything  in  our  power  to  assist  deserving  cases. 

8.  — That  we  deplore  the  thought  expressed  that  exhibitors  had 
to  come,  as  they  cited  it,  with  "hats  in  hand"  looking  for  an 
adjustment.  That  we  said  is  very  definitely  contrary  to  our  policy, 
and  the  sliding  scale  was  devised  to  automatically  take  care  of 
an  adjustment.  So  far  as  flat  rentals  are  concerned,  we  can  have 
no  knowledge  of  the  results  unless  we  are  informed,  and  we  are 
prepared  to  rectify  any  unintentional  error  made  by  re-classifying 
the  picture  immediately  when  authentic  facts  justifying  it  are 
presented. 

9—  The  attending  delegates  were  informed  that  our  branch  and 
district  managers  have  authority  to  adjudicate  what  appear  to  be 


unintentional  errors  ;  that  they  can  when  justified  adjudicate  any 
business  contracts. 

10.  — That  we  do  not  want,  much  less  expect,  any  unfair  terms 
or  advantages. 

11.  — That  our  policy  of  fair  dealing  will  be  carried  out  in  the 
future  as  in  the  past. 

12.  — That  we  do  not  exact  as  a  policy,  home  office  approval 
of  re-classification  or  adjustment  in  terms  when  presented  with 
facts. 

13.  — That  it  is  not  necessary  to  come  or  write  to  New  York  for 
relief,  but  if  it  is  not  granted  where  absolutely  justified  they  are 
invited  to  lay  their  case  before  us  for  consideration  and  attention. 

It  was  made  plain  that  our  offer  of  help  is  not  intended  for  the 
"chronic  kicker"  who  complains  because  of  habit  and  without 
foundation,  but  it  does  apply  to  those  who,  because  of  conditions, 
need  and  deserve  consideration  and  help. 

This  is  what  may  be  described  as  making  a  position  clear. 
What's  more  to  the  point,  it's  on  the  record  two  ways :  One,  in 
face-to-face  palavering  in  Columbus.  Two,  in  official  communique 
to  the  sales  force. 

Impression :  Where  the  facts  demonstrate  the  need  for  action, 
Metro  practically  guarantees  the  exhibitor  against  losses. 


Maybe  Heel,  But  No  Elbow 

HOLLYWOOD  absorbed  Westbrook  Pegler's  series  of  col- 
umns pegged  to  "Mission  to  Moscow"  with  interest. 
He  did  not  like  the  film,  called  it  false  and  lots  worse, 
thought  it  should  not  have  been  made  and  threw  in  a  gratuitous 
story  idea  of  his  own  concoction.  But  that  was  his  opinion,  and 
he's  welcome  to  it,  although  you  can  get  an  argument  either  way 
here  depending  upon  the  company  you  are  in  at  the  time. 

Pegler  might  have  stopped  dead  in  his  tracks  and  in  the  second 
paragraph  of  the  first  of  his  series  as  published  in  Los  Angeles 
Times.  He  said  the  industry  was  timid  about  it  originally,  then 
persistently  played  "over  to  the  left"  with  "propaganda"  films 
pooh-poohing  America's  inability  to  exist  under  its  established 
constitutional  government. 

If  not  the  existing  form,  then  what?  Pegler,  of  course,  is  sug- 
gesting the  industry  is  nurturing  Communism  under  which  the 
profit  motive  is  eliminated.  Therefore,  his  meaning  is  the  film 
industry,  a  private  enterprise  operating  like  all  private  enterprise 
for  gain,  is  encouraging,  or  falling  for,  a  system  under  which  it 
could  not  exist. 

This  merely  demonstrates  Pegler  does  not  know  his  heel  from 
his  elbow,  with  or  without  mirrors. 

•  Hurtling  out  of  exhibition  and  over  the  guardian  mountains 
without  damage  is  an  incident  that  could  be  a  topper.  It  is  also 
a  reflection  of  what  goes  on  in  many,  many  theatres  these  fruity 
days. 

The  attraction  was  made  by  an  independent  getting  a  nice  slice 
of  first  run  dates  in  situations  that  formerly  were  "B."  The  the- 
atre which  is  the  hero  of  the  yarn  had  a  "nut"  of  $5,100  a  week. 
Decision  was  to  spend  $2,000  on  advertising.  Above  $7,100 — if 
there  was  an  above — the  distributor  agreed  to  take  75  per  cent. 
The  indication  was  there  would  not  be  much  to  split. 

The  theatre,  however,  grossed  $13,000.  The  distributor  walked 
off  with  $4,400  for  his  share. 

Is  it  a  business,  or  isn't  it? 

■  Bill  Goetz  says  Sidney  Skolsky's  and  Louella  O.  Parsons'  offers 
are  not  interesting  enough.  Skolsky  reported  Nate  Blumberg  had 
offered  Goetz  the  production  top  spot,  complete,  at  Universal. 
Blumberg  wants  to  know  what  Skolsky  smokes  these  days. 

Miss  Parsons  reported  it  would  be  Goetz  Productions,  releasing 
through  Metro  on  a  broad  ticket  which  would  give  the  producer 
the  full  line  of  studio  talent  from  which  to  draw.  In  other  words, 
the  sort  of  arrangement  David  O.  Selznick  had  when  he  was 
there. 

B  Camaraderie  in  Hollyzvood :  Columbia  has  one  called  "Good 
Luck,  Mr.  Yates."  Unconfirmed  that  Republic  plots  a  beau  geste 
to  be  known  as  "Columbia  Rules  the  Waves." 


June    5 ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


17 


CARRIERS  GET  "A"  PRIORITY 
FOR  FILM  DELIVERIES 


Ruling  Averts  Stoppage 
of  Weekend  Delivery  in 
New  York  Territory 

Film  carriers  in  New  York  City  and  other 
strictly  rationed  areas  were  granted  an  "A" 
priority  gasoline  rating  over  the  weekend 
because  of  their  delivery  service  to  hospitals, 
Army  camps  and  theatres  playing  motion 
pictures  which  the  Government  feels  are 
"important"  in  the  winning  of  the  war. 

The  new  ruling  was  handed  down  as  the 
first  result  of  a  two-day  conference  among 
representatives  of  the  War  Activities  Com- 
mittee, the  film  carriers  and  officials  of  the 
War  Production  Board,  Office  of  Civilian 
Supply  and  the  Office  of  Defense  Transpor- 
tation. A  complete  stoppage  of  holiday  week- 
end film  deliveries  in  the  New  York  ex- 
change area  was  averted  by  the  new  order. 

This  development  sets  the  official  Govern- 
ment seal  of  approval  on  theatres'  war  work 
as  channeled  through  the  War  Activities 
Committee,  it  was  observed  at  WAC  head- 
quarters in  New  York  Tuesday. 

The  ruling,  which  grants  essentiality  to 
a  specific  part  of  the  motion  picture  indus- 
try, was  established  after  careful  study 
by  Washington  officials  of  the  over-all 
program,  which  includes  distribution  and 
exhibition  of  the  Office  of  War  Informa- 
tion's Victory  Films,  and  the  industry- 
produced,  non-profit  "America  Speaks" 
series,  training  and  recruiting  films,  news- 
reels,  as  well  as  the  product  necessary  to 
stage  copper  and  general  salvage  mati- 
nees, War  Bond  premieres  and  other 
national  war  campaigns. 

The  new  order  will  mean  rescinding  of  the 
ODT  Order  No.  17  restricting  the  delivery 
of  film.  Five  deliveries  a  week  are  now  as- 
sured. 

Those  attending  the  Washington  confer- 
ence were : 

H.  M.  Richey,  representing  W.  F.  Rod- 
gers,  chairman,  distributors  division,  WAC, 
Ira  C.  Meinhardt,  attorney  for  the  Contract 
Film  Carriers  of  the  New  York  exchange 
area,  and  Irving  Dollinger,  former  presi- 
dent of  Allied  States  of  New  Jersey,  acting 
for  the  exhibitors. 

Schedule  of  Operation 
Submitted  to  ODT 

The  WPB  was  represented  by  Dr.  W.  Y. 
Elliott  and  Milton  Starr ;  the  Office  of  Civ- 
ilian Supply  by  C.  J.  Kuntz,  and  the  ODT 
by  Edmund  D.  Brady.  The  meeting  was 
arranged  by  Francis  S.  Harmon,  WAC 
executive  vice-chairman,  and  Lowell  Mel- 
lett,  chief  of  the  motion  picture  bureau  of 
the  Office  of  War  Information.  The  Wash- 
ington group  availed  itself  of  Mr.  Mellett's 
advice  in  reaffirming  the  necessity  for  the 
theatres'  acting  as  a  medium  of  communica- 
tion between  the  Government  and  the  film 
audiences,  Mr.  Richey  declared. 

Rescinding  of  Order  No.  17  will  pace  the 
film  carriers  in  the  preferred  category  which 
includes  such  industries  as  munitions,  farm- 
ing, newspapers  and  war  materials'  plants. 

The  pattern  of  operation  for  the  carriers 


DRIVING  BAN  CLOSES 
SPRINGFIELD  HOUSE 

As  a  result  of  the  recent  pleasure 
driving  ban,  Springfield,  Mass.,  suf- 
fered its  first  theatre  casualty  last 
week  when  the  Park-In,  at  Riverside 
Park,  closed.  The  rest  of  the  amuse- 
ment part  shifted  to  a  curtailed 
schedule  with  only  weekend  operation 
in  prospect. 

Some  downtown  theatres  of  the 
city  reported  a  slight  falling  off  at 
box  offices  because  of  the  ban;  others 
said  no  effect  had  been  noted  during 
the  week.  Neighborhood  houses, 
however,  saw  a  slight  upturn  in  busi- 
ness, which  was  to  be  expected, 
exhibitors  observed. 


was  set  down  in  a  series  of  recommendations 
which  were  submitted  to  Joseph  B.  Eastman, 
chief  of  the  ODT.  The  recommendations 
asked  that  the  trucks  be  authorized  to  oper- 
ate six  days  a  week,  but  with  no  more  than 
five  deliveries  a  week  from  any  one  origin 
to  any  one  destination,  with  no  Sunday  limi- 
tations. The  new  arrangement  will  be  re- 
stricted to  the  "delivery  of  positive  prints 
to  theatres,  Army  camps,  hospitals  and  char- 
itable institutions  by  common  or  contract 
carriers." 

An  official  order  confirming  the  new  ar- 
rangement was  expected  from  Washington 
at  midweek  by  the  New  York  regional  office 
of  the  ODT. 

The  Washington  discussions,  Mr.  Richey 
said,  indicated  that  the  gasoline  situation  as 
a  whole  would  become  more  serious.  "It  is 
likely  that  even  essential  industries  will  be 
cut  down ;  therefore  it  is  imperative  that  the 
industry  cooperate  in  every  manner  possible 
to  save  gas  and  mileage,"  he  said. 

In  a  wire  despatched  to  all  WAC  dis- 
tributor-chairman on  the  eastern  seaboard, 
Mr.  Richey  outlined  the  present  gasoline 
situation,  re-stated  the  necessity  for  con- 
servation, and  suggested  the  formation  of 
committees  in  each  area  which  would  follow 
through  on  a  program  of  conservation.  The 
committees  will  consist  of  independent  and 
circuit  exhibitors,  independent  and  circuit 
exchange  managers  and  film  carriers. 

To  Seek  Further  Cuts 
In  Gasoline  Use 

It  is  probable  that  Mr.  Richey  will  make 
a  swing  of  the  seaboard  to  address  these 
meetings. 

"The  present  operating  schedule,"  he  said, 
"was  agreed  to  only  on  our  promise  to  can- 
vass the  situation  for  further  reduction  of 
individual  trips  to  theatres  during  the  ex- 
isting gasoline  emergency." 

The  ODT  Order  No.  17,  which  was  to 
become  effective  last  Thursday  at  12:01 
A.  M.,  curtailed  the  number  of  weekly  truck 
deliveries  to  two  a  week,  and  generally 


would  have  resulted  in  a  serious  breakdown 
of  the  film  delivery  system  in  the  Greater 
New  York  area.  Territories  affected  includ- 
ed New  York  City,  Long  Island,  northern 
New  Jersey,  lower  Connecticut  and  lower 
New  York  State. 

The  New  York  film  delivery  situation 
stemmed  from  the  fact  that  film  truckers  in 
that  area  were  not  rated  by  the  Interstate 
Commerce  Commission  as  "common  car- 
riers." As  truckers,  private  carriers  or  sub- 
contractors, they  were  liable  to  the  order 
which  also  applied  to  private  truckers  in  13 
other  fields.  The  National  Film  Carriers, 
whose  more  than  30  members  operate  else- 
where in  the  country,  were  not  subject  to 
the  ODT  ruling  of  last  week. 

Cabs  and  Bus  Lines  Cut 
Schedules  in  East 

Meanwhile,  in  Washington  last  Thursday 
ODT  officials  were  hopeful  that  gasoline 
deliveries  to  the  eastern  "famine"  area,  from 
Virginia  to  Maine,  would  begin  to  show  an 
increase  over  the  weekend,  but  they  warned 
that  it  would  be  a  long  time  before  motor- 
ists would  be  permitted  to  drive  their  cars 
to  places  of  amusement.  Car  owners  also 
were  advised  by  the  ODT  against  using 
buses  or  taxicabs  for  this  purpose. 

ODT  spokesman  indicated  that  drive-in 
theatres,  hardest  hit  by  the  ban  on  non-es- 
sential driving,  might  not  be  able  to  operate 
at  all  this  summer,  pointing  out  that  the 
shortages  of  gasoline  for  civilian  consump- 
tion "might  continue  indefinitely." 

An  immediate  cut  of  20  per  cent  in  the 
mileage  of  bus  lines  and  cabs  in  the  famine 
area  was  ordered  last  week  and  the  ODT 
announced  that  still  further  cuts  would  be 
imposed  if  not  accepted  voluntarily,  in  order 
to  achieve  the  40  per  cent  reduction  in  gas- 
oline consumption  ordered  earlier  by  the 
Government  agency.  Curtailment  in  bus 
services  in  many  communities  was  said  to 
be  having  an  immediate  effect  on  downtown 
theatres.  In  suburban  Washington,  for  ex- 
ample, non-rush-hour  service  on  some  lines 
was  abandoned. 

OP  A  Cuts  B  and  C 
Gas  Coupons 

The  OPA  Tuesday  slashed  the  value  of  all 
B  and  C  gasoline  coupons  in  the  Eastern 
shortage  area  from  three  to  two  and  a  half 
gallons,  but  left  the  value  of  basic  A  coupons 
unchanged. 

The  elimination  of  Sunday  operation  of 
the  Fifth  Avenue  Coach  Company,  oper- 
ators of  80  per  cent  of  Manhattan's  buses 
in  New  York,  went  into  effect  last  Sunday 
as  a  result  of  the  gasoline  shortage.  Resump- 
tion of  Sunday  service  would  not  be  ordered, 
the  company  announced,  as  long  as  the  east- 
ern gas  emergency  continued.  Additional 
reductions  of  daily  schedules  would  be  made 
as  rapidly  as  the  company  could  revise  its 
schedules,  it  was  said.  Discontinuance  of  the 
Sunday  buses  had  no  apparent  effect  on 
Times  Square  or  neighborhood  theatres' 
holiday  attendance,  which  were  at  peak 
levels  from  Friday  to  Sunday  night,  man- 
agers reported. 


18 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    5 ,  1943 


Odium,  of  Atlas,  New 
RICO  Chairman 


New  and  reelected  officers  of 
Radio-Keith-Orpheum  Corpora- 
tion: Below,  left,  Floyd  B.  Od- 
ium, chairman  of  the  board; 
center,  N.  Peter  Rathvon,  pres- 
ident; and,  right,  Ned  E.  De- 
pinet,  vice-president. 


Rathvon  and  Depinet  Re- 
main as  President  and 
Vice-President 

Floyd  B.  Odium,  president  of  Atlas  Cor- 
poration and  Wall  Street  investment  leader, 
was  elected  chairman  of  the  board  of  di- 
rectors of  Atlas  Corporation  on  Wednesday 
afternoon.  He  will  take  over  active  direc- 
tion of  the  company. 

The  election  of  Mr.  Odium,  along  with 
the  naming  of  two  of  his  Atlas  Corporation 
associates  as  directors  marked  the  emerg- 
ence of  Atlas  as  the  dominant  group  in 
RKO  ownership.  Radio  Corporation  of 
America  and  the  Rockefeller  interests  have 
disposed  of  the  majority  of  their  stock  in 
the  company,  it  was  reported. 

Earlier  on  Wednesday  stockholders  of 
RKO  at  their  annual  meeting  in  Dover, 
Del.,  voted  to  reduce  the  number  of  direc- 
tors of  the  company  from  eleven  to  nine  and 
named  a  new  board. 

Affirms  Confidence 
In  Management 

The  new  directors  are  Mr.  Odium, 
George  H.  Shaw  and  L.  Boyd  Hatch,  as- 
sociates of  Mr.  Odium  in  Atlas.  Mr. 
Hatch  is  a  vice-president  of  Atlas.  Re- 
elected to  the  board  were  N.  Peter  Rath- 
von, president  of  RKO ;  Ned  E.  Depinet, 
president  of  RKO  Radio  Pictures,  Inc.; 
Frederick  L.  Ehrman,  representative  of 
Lehman  Brothers ;  L.  Lawrence  Green,  an 
attorney;  Richard  C.  Patterson,  Jr.,  and 
John  M.  Whitaker. 

In  a  statement  to  the  first  meeting  of  the 
board  at  New  York  Wednesday,  Mr.  Od- 
ium said: 

"I  am  most  happy  to  become  a  director 
of  RKO  and  to  assume  the  duties  of  chair- 
man of  the  board.  I  have  naturally  given 
considerable  attention  to  affairs  of  the  com- 
any  for  a  long  time  and  can  only  hope  that 
my  official  association  will  prove  of  some 
benefit. 

"The  rehabilitation  of  the  affairs  of  the 
corporation  and  its  subsidiaries  which  has 
been  accomplished  during  the  past  year 
and  the  results  of  recent  operations  have 
been  most  gratifying.  Management  is  to 
be  complimented.  The  direction  of  op- 
erations will  remain  in  the  hands  of  the 
same  management  who  have  been  in 
charge  during  this  period  and  in  whom  I 
have  full  confidence." 

The  directors  named  Mr.  Patterson,  who 
served  as  chairman  last  year,  to  the  post  of 
vice-chairman  of  the  board.  He  will  con- 
tinue his  activities  as  New  York  state  chair- 
man of  the  War  Savings  Staff  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  Treasury. 

All  other  officers  of  RKO  were  reelected. 

They  included  N.  Peter  Rathvon,  presi- 
dent ;  Ned  E.  Depinet,  vice-president :  Gor- 
don E.  Youngman,  vice-president  and  gen- 
eral counsel ;  Leon  Goldberg,  treasurer ;  J. 
Miller  Walker,  secretary ;  Garrett  Van 
Wagner,  comptroller;  W.  H.  Clark,  O.  R. 
McMahon,    H.    E.     Newcomb,  assistant 


treasurers;  R.  H.  Dann,  Kenneth  B.  Um- 
breit,  William  F.  Whitman,  assistant  secre- 
taries. 

Raymond  Bill,  a  member  of  the  previous 
board,  will  continue  his  association  with 
RKO  as  a  consultant. 

The  directors  who  were  dropped  at  the 
election  Wednesday  were  Thomas  P.  Du- 
rell,  DeWitt  Millhauser,  J.  Miller  Walker 
and  Frank  Zinn.  They  had  represented  the 
Radio  Corporation  of  America  and  Rocke- 
feller blocs  in  RKO. 

The  stockholders  also  authorized  a  pro- 
posed amendment  of  the  certificate  of  in- 
corporation granting  certain  additional 
stock  purchase  privileges  to  shareholders. 
Price,  Waterhouse  and  Company  were  ap- 
pointed auditors  for  1943. 

RCA  Stock  Sale 
Began  in  April 

Dillon,  Read  &  Co.  on  April  16  reoffered 
the  Radio-Keith-Orpheum  shares  formerly 
owned  by  the  Radio  Corporation  of  Ameri- 
ca and  Rockefeller  Center,  Inc.,  in  the  form 
of  a  secondary  distribution.  RCA  held  316,- 
328  common  shares,  555,243  option  war- 
rants and  44,757  preferred  shares,  while 
Rockefeller  Center  held  96,000  common 
shares  in  RKO.  Atlas  Corporation,  at  last 
reports,  owned  1,324,853  common  shares, 
327,811  warrants  and  56,400  convertible 
preferred  shares  in  the  corporation. 

The  film  company  has  ameliorated  its 
financial  position  over  the  past  year  as  a 
result  of  improved  earnings,  the  receipt  of 
funds  formerly  frozen  by  the  British  gov- 
ernment and  by  a  reduction  of  $1,600,000  in 
the  funded  debt  of  theatre  subsidiaries.  At 
the  present  time,  bank  loans  amount  to  $2,- 
100,000,  while  there  are  no  present  drafts 
under  the  revolving  credit  of  $4,500,000 
available  to  the  company. 


Philadelphia  Group 
Buys  Three  Houses 

Purchase  of  the  Circle  Theatre,  Philadelphia; 
Manor  Theatre,  Prospect  Park,  Pa. ;  and  the 
Stanley  Theatre,  Bridgeton,  N.  J.,  was  an- 
nounced this  week  by  Albert  M.  Greenfield  & 
Co.,  Philadelphia  realtors,  representing  Mer- 
cantile and  Theatres  Properties,  Inc.  All  three 
built  in  1928,  the  theatres  were  operated  by  the 
Warner  theatre  circuit  on  a  lease,  and  announce- 
ment of  their  purchase  confirms  earlier  reports. 
The  Manor  containing  1,250  seats  and  the 
Stanley,  seating  1,550,  were  sold  to  the  circuit's 
Stanley  Co.  of  America  for  a  total  price  of 
$650,000.  The  Circle,  also  under  lease  to  the 
Stanley  company,  expiring  in  August,  1949,  was 
sold  to  the  Circular  Realty  Company  for 
$100,000,  subject  to  a  mortgage  existing  of 
$1,050,000.  The  Philadelphia  house  contains 
3,000  seats  as  well  as  store  properties. 


Baltimore  Tent  Donates 
$5,000  for  Child  Home 

The  Baltimore  Variety  Club,  Tent  19,  pre- 
sented a  check  for  $5,000  to  Thomas  J.  S.  Wax- 
ter,  director  of  the  Municipal  Department  of 
Public  Welfare,  for  equipment  for  Cylburn,  a 
new  home  for  children,  at  a  luncheon  of  the 
organization  held  recently. 

More  than  400  members  heard  addresses  by 
Arthur  Mayer,  treasurer  of  the  War  Activities 
Committee  of  the  Motion  Picture  Industry ; 
Allan  Smith,  chief  of  the  amusement  section 
of  the  WPB  ;  Governor  O'Conor  of  Maryland 
and  Mayor  Jackson  of  Baltimore. 


Auditorium's  Receipts  Up 

A  gain  of  six  per  cent  in  total  receipts  for 
the  past  11-months  period  has  been  registered 
by  the  Municipal  Auditorium  of  Kansas  City. 
Approximately  $250,000  was  grossed,  with  the 
Music  Hall  division  alone  netting  $17,924,  a 
58  per  cent  increase  over  last  year. 


Seattle  Population  Up  25 
Per  Cent  Over  1940 

The  population  of  Seattle  has  increased  al- 
most 25  per  cent  in  the  past  three  years,  ac- 
cording to  the  city's  latest  census.  The  present 
figure  is  estimated  at  480,000,  while  in  1940  it 
was  approximately  369,000. 

Other  cities  in  the  state  also  reported  in- 
creases in  their  populations,  the  jump  in  some 
instances  being  as  high  as  30,000.  Substantial 
increases  were  shown  in  Tacoma  and  Spokane. 


Deny  Request  for  Meet 

The  request  of  the  Washington  Jockey  Club, 
operators  of  the  Longacres  track  of  Seattle, 
to  conduct  a  60-day  meet  this  summer,  has  been 
refused  by  the  State  Racing  Commission. 


SEVEN  FROM  HEAVEN 

Natural-ly  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 


LEO  TO  THE  RESCUE! 


Take  a  look  at  the  thermometer.  It's 
going  UP! 

Leo  thinks  of  those  things  and  just  when 
his  friendly  customers  need  fine  entertain- 
ments to  cope  with  seasonal  competitions 
Leo's  right  on  the  job ! 

Of  all  companies,  M-G-M  has  made  it  a 
practise  through  the  years  to  make  avail- 
able to  its  customers  outstanding  product 
when  they  need  it  most!  Again  this  year 
Leo  has  not  failed  you.  The  roaring  Lion 
is  truly  your  all-weather  friend! 


THEY'VE  GOT  EVERYTHING! 

Comedy!  Music!  Patriotic  thrills!  Joy! 

THE  YOUNGEST  PROFESSION  -MUSIC  HALL! 

Instantly  booked  for  its  World  Premiere  by  the  World's  Largest  Theatre,  Radio  City  Music  Hall.  To  give 
you  an  idea,  here's  a  million  dollars  worth  of  its  guest  stars  (in  the  order  of  their  appearance):  Lana  Turner, 
Greer  Garson,  Walter  Pidgeon,  Robert  Taylor,  William  Powell.  It's  the  most  refreshing  picture  to  come 
out  of  Hollywood  in  years,  chockful  of  laughs  and  action.  Autograph  hunters  on  the  loose  will  convulse  the 
folks  from  six  to  sixty!  (Virginia  Weidler  wins  stardom  in  this  one.) 

"The  Youngest  Profession"  with  Virginia  Weidler,  Edward  Arnold,  John  Carroll,  Jean  Porter  •  Guest  Stars  (in  order  of 
fheir  appearance):  Lana  Turner,  Greer  Garson,  Walter  Pidgeon,  Robert  Taylor,  William  Powell  •  Screen  Play  by  George 
Oppenheimer,  Charles  Lederer  and  Leonard  Spigelgass  •  Based  Upon  the  Book  by  Lillian  Day  •  Directed  by  Edward 
Buzzell  •  Produced  by  B.  F.  Zeidman  •  A  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Picture 


"BAT  A  AN" -AS  BIG  AS  ITS  NAME  I 

The  story  of  a  fighting  patrol  of  13  heroes  on  Bataan,  with  a  cast  headed  by  Robert  Taylor  in  the  top  per- 
formance of  his  career.  A  picture  they  literally  cheer!  Those  who  were  at  Bataan  endorse  it  as  the  real 
thing.  Actual  statements  are  available  and  are  used  in  trailer  and  ads!  It  rates  the  tops  for  authenticity,  for 
sheer  believability,  for  characterizations  that  are  real  guys,  tough,  funny,  natural,  human,  brave.  (Continued) 


Keep  'em  rolling!  Next  Page! 


Continuing  "Bataan"  from  preceding  page  and  please  keep  reading  instead  of  looking  at  that  Du  Barry  girl  — *► 

"Bataan"  is  based  on  true  episodes  and  produced  with  consummate  showmanship.  It's  an  attraction  that 
will  lift  audiences  to  the  skies  and  send  them  out  to  tell  their  friends  of  its  wonders.  And  they'll  say,  repeat- 
ing the  powerful  message  of  the  picture:  "We're  coming  back  to  Bataan!" 

"Bataan"  starring  Robert  Taylor  as  Sergeant  Bill  Dane  with  George  Murphy,  Thomas  Mitchell,  Lloyd  Nolan,  Lee  Bowman, 
Robert  Walker,  Desi  Arnaz  •  Original  Screen  Play  by  Robert  D.  Andrews  •  Directed  by  Tay  Garnett  •  Produced  by 
Irving  Starr  •  A  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Picture. 


"DU  BARRY  WAS  A  LADY"— WOW! 


The  musical  extravaganza  that  tops  "Great  Ziegfeld"  glory,  "Du  Barry  Was  A  Lady"  is  the  biggest  eyeful 
of  gorgeous  Technicolor  musical  comedy  the  screen  has  ever  seen.  For  months  M-G-M  has  been  spreading 
the  word  across  the  nation,  in  hundreds  of  key  city  teaser  ad  campaigns,  in  full  page  fan  magazine  advertising 
splashes,  in  Esquire  Magazine  and  now  topped  by  a  full  page  in  full  color  m  the  nationally  syndicated 
American  Weekly  supplement  with  its  20,000,000  readers.  These  readers  were  offered  a  reprint  of  famed 
artist  Varga's  Du  Barry  Girl,  shown  on  the  next  page,  at  a  cost  of  ten  cents  and  the  mails  are  clogged  with 
thousands  of  replies.  The  public  is  waiting  for  Technicolorful  "Du  Barry  Was  A  Lady,"  for  uproarious  Red 
Skelton,  for  exquisite  Lucille  Ball,  for  dances  and  romances  by  Gene  Kelly,  for  Tommy  Dorsey  and  his 
orchestra  playing  those  Cole  Porter  tunes;  and  for  the  great  assemblage  of  beauties,  famed  models  and 
show-girls,  those  Du  Barry  Adorables. 

"Du  Barry  Was  A  Lady"  starring  Red  Skelton,  Lucille  Ball,  Gene  Kelly  with  Virginia  O'Brien,  "Rags"  Ragland,  Zero 
Mostel  •  Tommy  Dorsey  and  His  Orchestra  •  Photographed  in  Technicolor  •  Screen  Play  by  Irving  Brecher  •  Adaptation 
by  Nancy  Hamilton  •  Additional  Dialogue  by  Wilkie  Mahoney  •  Based  on  the  Play  Produced  by  B.  G.  DeSylva  and 
Written  by  Herbert  Fields  and  B.  G.  DeSylva  with  Music  and  Lyrics  by  Cole  Porter  •  Directed  by  Roy  Del  Ruth 
Produced  by  Arthur  Freed  •  A  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Picture 


"HITLER'S  HANGMAN"-  STIRRING  DRAMA! 

The  cold  sadism  of  the  lustful  conqueror  has  never  been  more  boldly  nor  more  powerfully  told  than  in 
this  frank  and  stirring  story  of  the  rape  of  Lidice,  brave  village  that  defied  the  Nazi  overlords  and  remains 
a  symbol  of  revenge.  How  it  happened  is  told  in  vivid  and  breathtaking  screen  drama,  as  fascinating  a 
picture  as  ever  held  your  patrons  spellbound. 


"Hitler's  Hangman"  starring  Patricia  Morison,  John  Carradine,  Alan  Curtis,  Ralph  Morgan  •  Screen  Play  by  Peretz 
Hirshbein,  Melvin  Levy,  Doris  Malloy  •  Directed  by  Douglas  Sirk  •  Produced  by  Seymour  Nebenzal  •  An  M-G-M  Picture 


Don't  tarry  witk  Miss  Du  Barry, 
there's  plenty  more  on  next  pages! 


/  ::■ 


Isn't  Judy  a  cutie !  Her  new 
musical  tops  all  M-G-M  pic- 
tures since  Capitol,  N.  Y.'s 
new  policy  began  /' 


PRESENTING  LILY  MARS"— AND  JUDY! 

M-G-M's  Star  of  Stars  is  again  in  the  nation's  spotlight!  The  bells  are  still  ringing  "for  me  and  my  gal"  when 
along  comes  another  equally  big,  equally  romantic,  equally  tuneful  Judy  Garland  musical  production  to 
set  records  for  you,  as  it  did  for  the  Capitol  Theatre,  N.  Y.  in  its  World  Premiere.  "Presenting  Lily  Mars" 
comes  like  a  breath  of  refreshing,  youthful  joy  to  delight  the  millions  with  its  gayety  and  spectacular  big- 
time  entertainment.  Judy  has  never  been  presented  more  attractively  in  singing,  dancing  and  romancing 
and  she's  got  appealing  Van  Heflin,  ever  more  popular,  as  her  co-star.  Hang  out  the  banners,  the  folks 
know  it's  a  honey  of  a  show  when  M-G-M  presents  Judy  Garland  m  "Presenting  Lily  Mars." 


Judy  Garland  and  Van  Heflin  in  "Presenting  Lily  Mars"  with  Fay  Bainter,  Richard  Carlson,  Spring  Byington,  Marta 
Eggerth,  Connie  Gilchrist,  Leonid  Kinskey  and  Tommy  Dorse-/  and  his  Orchestra,  Bob  Crosby  and  his  Orchestra  •  Screen 
Play  by  Richard  Connell  and  Gladys  Lehman  •  Based  Upon  the  Novel  by  Booth  Tarkington  •  Directed  by  Norman 
Taurog  •  Produced  by  Joseph  Pasternak  •  A  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Picture 


RACE  TRACK  THRILLS— "HARRIGAN'S  KID" 

The  public  is  primed  for  a  top-notch  racing  story.  Here's  that  change  of  pace  they're  asking  for — and  what 
pace!  "One  of  the  best  racing  stories  in  screen  history"  reports  Motion  Picture  Herald.  And  Variety  hails 
a  "Click!"  Laughter,  tears,  humanity  and  thrills  that  will  keep  audiences  absorbed  right  up  to  the  heart- 
pounding  finish!  Watch  that  lad  Bobby  Readick.  He's  going  places. 

"Harrington's  Kid"  with  Bobby  Readick,  Frank  Craven,  William  Gargan,  J.  Carrol  Naish  •  Screen  Play  by  Alan  Friedman 
and  Martin  Berkeley  •  Adaptation  by  Henry  Blankfort  •  Directed  by  Charles  F.  Riesner  •  Produced  by  Irving  Starr 
A  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Picture 


PILOT  #5  -NOVELTY  GANGSTER  IDEA! 

When  you  look  for  entertainment  ofT-the-beaten-track  you'll  find  plenty  of  it  in  this  exciting  recital  of  a 
hero  with  a  gangster  past.  It's  fascinatingly  told  in  a  novel  flashback  technique  with  most  of  its  tense  nar- 
rative in  pre-war  days  when  gangland  ruled.  Franc  hot  Tone,  Marsha  Hunt,  Gene  Kelly,  Van  Johnson 
are  part  of  a  top-notch  cast  that  makes  every  moment  gripping. 

"Pilot  #5"  starring  Franchot  Tone,  Marsha  Hunt,  Gene  Kelly  with  Van  Johnson,  Alan  Baxter,  Dick  Simmons  •  Original 
Story  and  Screen  Play  by  David  Hertz  •  Directed  by  George  Sidney  •  Produced  by  B.  P.  Fineman  •  An  M-G-M  Picture 


■  NO  TIME 
I  TO  LOSE! 

Wm  Hurry  next  page! 


Get  in  touch  with  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's 

SQUARE  SHOOTERS 

W  m  f i  ! 


R.  Berger 


M  N.  Wolf  C.  E.  Kessnich 


J.  P.  Byrne 


G.  A.  Hickey        S.  A.  Shirley         H.  P.  Wolfberg 


B.  Bishop,  Jr. 


J.  Bowen 


R.  Lynch 


W  B.  Zoellner     T.  J.  Donaldson         R.  W.  Maw 


B.  H.  Rosenwald       W.  E.  Banford  E.  M.  Booth 


J.  Sogg 


L.  Bickel 


H.  A.  Friedel       D.  C.  Kennedy 


F.J.Downey  F.  B.Gauker  F.  C.  Hensler  C.  T.  Lynch        J.  F.  Willingham       H.  J.  Shumow      W  H.  Workman 


M.  Goldstein  C.  J.  Briant 


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J.  ReVille  J.  G.  Kemptgen      S.  E.  Applegate 


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"Roll  'em  Leo, 
Baby  needs 
a  new 

house-record!" 


M.  Saffle 


J.  S.  Allen 


It's  a  NATURAL!  « 

M-G-M's  4th  Great  Group—  #  < 

SEVEN  FROM; 

Let's  Keep  Selling  Bonds ! 


YEN 


June    5,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


27 


UNIVERSAL  PLANS  45  TO  50 
FEATURES  NEXT  SEASON 


Sales  Convention  Set  for 
June  15th;  Others  Out- 
line Shorts  Programs 

Universal  last  week  set  its  annual  sales 
meeting  at  the  Blackstone  Hotel  in  Chicago 
for  June  15-18,  and  indicated  that  the  com- 
pany probably  would  have  45  to  50  pictures 
for  1943-44. 

William  A.  Scully,  vice-president  and  gen- 
eral manager,  arrived  in  New  York  over 
the  weekend  and  conferred  with  home  office 
executives.  Plans  were  outlined  for  the  con- 
vention, which  is  to  be  attended  by  branch 
managers,  district  and  division  managers, 
home  office  officials  and  company  executives 
from  the  coast. 

"Universal  is  now  in  better  shape  insofar 
as  powerful  screen  entertainment  is  con- 
cerned than  ever  before  in  its  existence," 
Mr.  Scully  said,  "with  the  result  that  we 
are  in  a  position  to  maintain  a  steady  flow 
of  class  A  product  to  the  exhibitors  through- 
out the  summer." 

Heaviest  June  Production 
Scheduled  at  Studio 

The  company's  heaviest  June  production 
in  history  has  been  launched,  it  was  said, 
with  six  pictures  now  in  shooting  stages 
at  the  studio  and  11  others  being  prepared 
for  an  early  start.  In  addition,  36  writers 
have  been  assigned  to  prepare  scripts  for 
another  30  films. 

All  told,  12  films  are  on  the  list  for  sum- 
mer release.  Definite  dates  have  been  set  on 
the  following :  "Captive  Wild  Woman,"  June 
4;  "All  By  Myself,"  June  11;  "Two  Tickets 
to  London,"  June  18;  "Get  Going,"  June 
25;  "Hit  the  Ice,"  July  2;  "Girls,  Inc.", 
July  9;  "We've  Never  Been  Licked,"  July 
16;  "Second  Honeymoon,"  July  23;  "Hers 
to  Hold,"  July  30;  "Frontier  Bad  Men," 
August  6 ;  "Phantom  of  the  Opera,"  August 
27. 

The  lineup  for  next  season  includes  "Sec- 
ond Honeymoon,"  "The  Strange  Death  of 
Adolph  Hitler,"  "Crazy  House,"  "All  Out 
for  Rhythm,"  "Ali  Baba  and  the  40 
Thieves,"  "Man  of  the  Family,"  "Looking 
for  Trouble,"  "Fired  Wife,"  "For  All  We 
Know,"  "Sherlock  Holmes  Faces  Death," 
"Cobra  Woman,"  "Angela,"  "Sherlock 
Holmes  and  the  Spider  Woman,"  "The  Mad 
Ghoul." 

Columbia's  War  Films  Are 
Discussed  at  Meeting 

Columbia's  decision  to  stress  lighter 
themes  following  its  regional  conventions 
did  not  prevent  A.  Montague,  general  sales 
manager,  from  discussing  the  company's  war 
films  on  the  1943-44  schedule.  He  told 
delegates  at  the  New  York  meeting  at  the 
Warwick  Hotel  in  New  York  last  Thurs- 
day, "If  it's  a  good  story,  tell  it,  whether 
it  is  a  war  story  or  whatever." 

He  said  that  Columbia  tentatively  had 
selected  five  war  themes,  although  final  de- 
cision had  not  as  yet  been  passed  on  two 
of  these.     The  third  and  final  Columbia 


"BELL  TOLLS"  TO  OPEN 
AT  RIVOLI  JULY  I4TH 

Barney  Balaban,  president  of  Par- 
amount Pictures,  announced  on  Tues- 
day that  "For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls" 
would  have  its  world  premiere  at 
the  Rivoli  theatre  in  New  York  on 
July  14th.  A  lease  of  the  Rivoli  for 
the  film's  entire  run  was  taken  after 
arrangements  were  completed  with 
George  P.  Skouras,  president  of 
Skouras  Theatres,  operator  of  the 
house.  The  film  will  be  shown  on  a 
two-a-day  reserved  seat  policy  at  an 
advanced  scale  of  $1.10  to  $2.20 
evenings  and  $  1 .  1 0  to  $  1 .65  matinees. 
It  will  be  the  only  1943  engagement 
in  the  metropolitan  area. 


session  will  be  held  in  San  Francisco  for  the 
coast  branches,  Mr.  Montague  presiding. 

Short  subjects  for  next  year  claimed  at- 
tention at  Warners  and  Paramount.  Oscar 
Morgan,  the  latter  company's  short  subjects 
manager,  last  week  told  a  group  of  Para- 
mount salesmen  in  Chicago  that  exhibitors 
should  feel  their  partnership  with  the  Gov- 
ernment when  exhibiting  both  company- 
produced  and  Government  war  shorts.  He 
asked  that  there  be  no  lessening  of  interest 
in  displaying  the  subjects  so  vital  to  main- 
taining morale. 

Paramount  Continues 
Meetings  on  Shorts 

The  new  program  from  Paramount  has 
been  announced  as  64  short  subjects  of  an 
entertainment  measure.  They  are  to  consist 
of  six  two-reel  musicals,  24  cartoons  and 
18  novelty  numbers  in  Technicolor,  which 
is  twice  the  amount  of  color  film  used  last 
year.    The  remaining  16  will  be  novelties. 

Mr.  Morgan  will  conduct  other  sales 
meetings  in  Atlanta,  New  Orleans,  Dallas, 
Kansas  City,  Denver,  San  Francisco  and 
Los  Angeles. 

Paramount  has  announced  trade  showings 
on  five  features  as  follows :  "So  Proudly  We 
Hail"  and  "Submarine  Alert,"  scheduled 
for  June  21st;  "Alaska  Highway"  and 
"Henry  Aldrich  Swings  It,"  June  22nd,  and 
"Dixie,"  June  25th. 

Warners,  meanwhile,  are  planning  the  re- 
issue of  13  Leon  Schlesinger  "Merrie  Melo- 
dies" cartoons  to  augment  the  1943-44  pro- 
duction schedule,  according  to  Norman 
Moray,  short  subjects  sales  head.  Reduc- 
tion in  raw  stock  was  given  as  a  reason  for 
the  move.  However,  no  decision  has  been 
made  yet  in  this  direction. 

Twentieth  Century-Fox  has  made  no  an- 
nouncement on  short  subjects  for  next 
season,  but  William  Clark,  shorts  sales 
manager,  released  the  company's  schedule 
for  June  and  July.  It  will  include  two 
March  of  Time   subjects,   two   Terry  toon 


cartoons  in  Technicolor  and  two  special 
Movietonews  short  features.  The  release 
dates  are  "Jungle  Land,"  June  4 ;  "Pandora's 
Box,"  June  11;  March  of  Time  subject, 
June  18;  "Mopping  Up,"  June  25;  "Women 
in  Blue,"  July  2;  March  of  Time  subject, 
July  16. 

Monogram's  second  regional  meeting  held 
in  New  York  on  Tuesday  brought  an  an- 
nouncement by  Samuel  Broidy,  general 
sales  manager,  predicting  the  best  year  in 
the  company's  history.  He  disclosed  that 
billings  on  product  for  the  first  18  weeks  of 
1943  were  30  per  cent  above  last  year,  and 
indicated  that  even  greater  increases  would 
be  noted  during  the  balance  of  the  season. 

Monogram  Sets  Features 
For  Rest  of  Season 

Announced  for  June  release  are  "Cowboy 
Commandos,"  June  4;  "Sarong  Girl,"  June 
11,  and  "Wings  Over  the  Pacific,"  June  25. 
For  the  rest  of  the  season  the  company  has 
on  its  schedule  "Lady,  Let's  Dance," 
"Ground  Crew,"  "Hitler's  Women,"  "Mel- 
ody Parade,"  "Spotlight  Revue,"  "Fighting 
Quartermaster,"  "Latin  Quarter,"  several 
in  the  "Charlie  Chan"  and  "Cisco  Kid" 
series,  eight  Hoot  Gibson-Ken  Maynard 
Westerns,  and  two  Johnny  Mack  Brown 
features,  in  addition  to  a  number  of  musicals. 

Casanave  &  Pearson  Succeeds 
Heffelfinger  Agency 

Charles  L.  Casanave  and  C.  H.  Pearson  have 
formed  Casanave  &  Pearson,  Inc.,  advertising 
agency,  succeeding  the  Heffelfinger  Agency  fol- 
lowing T.  P.  Heffelfinger's  induction  into  the 
Navy  as  a  lieutenant. 

The  offices  have  been  moved  from  522  Fifth 
Avenue  in  New  York  to  1600  Broadway. 
Mr.  Casanave,  who  was  employed  by  United 
Artists,  Universal  and  other  film  companies, 
resigned  as  president  of  Advertising  Acces- 
sories in  1942.  Mr.  Pearson  was  formerly  vice- 
president  of  the  Heffelfinger  Agency,  and  will 
retain  the  same  title  under  the  new  setup.  Mr. 
Casanave  is  designated  as  president,  and  Ed- 
ward P.  Casanave  as  vice-president  and  secre- 
tary. 

Los  Angeles  Variety  Club 
Sponsors  Hospital  Wing 

The  Los  Angeles  Variety  Club  has  an- 
nounced it  will  sponsor  the  establishment  of  a 
wing  for  the  Cedars  of  Lebanon  Hospital  in 
Hollywood.  It  will  be  used  as  a  maternity  ward 
in  cases  of  premature  birth. 

Money  for  the  club's  hospital  fund  will  be 
raised  in  part  through  distribution  of  films  on 
the  war  effort,  merchants  attaching  their  names 
for  advertising  purposes.  The  fees  paid  to  the 
local  theatres  will  be  turned  over  to  the  fund. 


Take  Larger  Office  Space 

The  Monogram  exchange  has  moved  its  New 
York  offices  from  the  seventh  floor  of  the  Film 
Center  Building  to  the  fourth  and  ground  floors. 


Contracts  for  Altec  Service 

Associated  Theatres  of  Detroit  has  contracted 
for  Altec  Service's  booth  repair-replacement 
service  in  11  of  its  Michigan  houses. 


28 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


June    5,  1943 


62  Women  Run  Loew  Units 


Photos  by  Sam  Meinhold 

Dorothy  Mason,  assistant  Lotiise  Leonard,  manager,  Lee  Maccarni,  assistant  man- 
manager,   Loew's   Inwood.      Loew's  Astor  on  Broadway,  ager,  Post  Road,  Bronx. 


Kay  Sivak,  assistant  manager,  Grace  Niles,  manager,  Loew's  Mildred  Ferrugiari,  assistant 
Warwick,  Brooklyn.  Lexington.  at  Loew's  Pitkin,  Brooklyn. 


Helen  Lupo,  assistant  man-  Mabel  Devany,  assistant  man-  Ruth  Siegel,  assistant  man- 
ager, Gates,  Brooklyn.  ager,  Loew's  42nd  Street.        at  Loew's  Alpine,  Brooklyn. 


The  motion  picture  industry,  no  less  than 
other  American  industries,  has  drawn  upon 
large  numbers  of  women  to  replace  the 
men  who  have  been  called  to  the  Army  dur- 
ing the  past  18  months  of  World  War  II. 
Women  have  taken  over  jobs  in  studios,  in 
laboratories,  exchanges  and  in  sales  forces. 
The  greatest  numbers,  however,  have  come 
into  the  exhibition  field. 

Thousands  of  girls  and  women  now  are 
patrolling  theatre  aisles  throughout  the 
country  as  ushers.  Hundreds  more  have 
become  ticket-takers.  The  cashier's  booth, 
where  women  have  held  sway  for  the  past 
three  decades,  still  remains  the  realm  of 
the  distaff  side.  Theatre  management,  how- 
ever, as  the  war  continues,  is  becoming 
more  and  more  a  domain  in  the  exhibition 
field  where  the  fair  sex  is  proving  a  suc- 
cessful pinch-hitter. 

Leow's  metropolitan  New  York  circuit 
now  has  37  women  managers  and  assistant 
managers  in  its  71  houses,  a  little  more  than 
50  per  cent  of  the  personnel.  In  addition 
25  women  hold  management  posts  in  the  66 
theatres  outside  of  New  York. 

Loew's  Prepared  to  Extend 
Training  of  Women 

Loew's  currently  is  preparing  to  meet  the 
growing  manpower  shortage  realistically, 
according  to  Samuel  Meinhold,  circuit  ex- 
ecutive, who  said  this  week  that  the  com- 
pany now  is  training  from  10  to  12  more 
women  in  the  ranks  for  responsible  theatre 
posts.  "And  if  it  becomes  necessary,"  he 
said,  "we'll  train  more  women  for  jobs." 

Of  the  37  women  executives  in  the 
metropolitan  circuit,  more  than  half  have 
been  with  the  company  10  years  or  more. 
Three  women  ushers  and  a  matron  have  a 
combined  period  of  service  of  80  years. 
Grace  Niles,  manager  of  the  Lexington, 
started  with  Loew's  back  in  1917,  as  cashier 
at  the  Brooklyn  theatre.  In  that  same  year 
of  America's  entry  into  World  War  I  Al- 
ma DeWeil,  assistant  manager  of  the  btate 
theatre,  entered  Loew's  employ  as  usherette 
and  relief  cashier  at  the  116th  Street  house. 

37  Women  Assistants  in 
Neighborhood  Houses 

Mabel  Devany,  assistant  manager  of  the 
42nd  Street  theatre,  also  began  her  career 
in  theatre  exhibition  during  the  last  war. 
Mrs  Devany  became  cashier  at  the  Circle 
theatre  at  59th  Street  in  1917.  Louise  Leon- 
ard, manager  of  the  Astor,  joined  the  circuit 
in  1924  as  assistant  treasurer  of  the  Seventh 
Avenue  theatre. 

The  following  are  assistant  managers  in 
Loew's  metropolitan  theatres: 

Dorothy  Mason,  Inwood;  Ruth  Siegel,  Al- 
pine; Luzina  Stark,  Elsmere ;  Harriet  Woods, 
Hillside;  Mildred  Ferrugiari,  Pitkin;  Helen 
Lupo,  Gates;  Lee  Maccarni,  Post  Road;  Kay 
Sivak,  Warwick;  Evelyn  Ross,  Sheridan; 
Pauline  Blum,  175th  Street;  Rene  Logan, 
Woodside;  Laura  E.  Solomon,  White  Plains; 
Ann  Sagan,  Valencia  ;  Inez  Groething,  Spooner  ; 
Eleanor  Schwerdtfager,  Prospect;  Anna  Sweet, 
Palace,  Brooklyn;  Marie  Epstein,  Oriental. 

Also,  Emma  Rodgers,  175th  Street;  Dorothy 
Manning,  Olympia ;  Marie  Belive,  New  Ro- 


chelle ;  Ella  Fledderman,  National ;  Adele  Es- 
trine,  Kings ;  Frances  Segal,  Kameo ;  Mar- 
garet Robinson,  Dyckman ;  Irene  M.  Bolte, 
Capitol ;  Alma  Breen,  Canal ;  Sylvia  Scharf- 
man,  Burnside ;  Bee  Weisenberg,  Burland ; 
Genevieve  Saranowicz,  Broadway,  Brooklyn ; 
Sadie  Schwartz,  Boro  Park ;  Lillian  Portnoy, 
Boston  Road ;  Teresa  Brun,  Bay  Ridge,  and 
Bessie  S.  Dove,  Ziegfeld. 

Loew's  Strand,  in  Waterbury,  Conn.,  has  at 
its  helm  Molly  Stickles,  as  manager,  and  Ger- 
trude Tracy  as  relief  manager.  Assistant  man- 
agers in  out-of-town  theatres  are :  Mary  Bie- 
mel,  Granada,  Cleveland ;  Evelyn  Wolf,  Park, 
Cleveland ;  Marian  McCullough,  Loew's,  Day- 
ton ;  Wilma  Copeland,  Loew's,  Houston ;  Lou- 


ise Wilson,  Loew's,  Rochester;  Toni  Anness, 
State,  St.  Louis;  Ruth  Bolton,  State,  Syra- 
cuse; Alice  Evarts,  Strand,  Syracuse;  Judy 
Lubit,  Esquire,  Toledo;  Dorothy  McKenzie, 
Uptown,  Toronto ;  Angela  Corrado ;  Loew's- 
Poli,  Hartford;  Mrs.  Jesse  Gaw,  Loew's-Poli, 
Hartford. 

Also:  Helen  McLaughlin,  Loew's-Poli, 
Meriden,  Conn. ;  Joyce  Foster  and  Gertrude 
Horwitz,  Loew's-Poli,  New  Haven;  Florence 
Coratti,  College,  New  Haven;  Matilda  Pysyk, 
Broadway,  Norwich;  Margaret  Villnave,  and 
Mary  Foley,  Loew's-Poli,  Worcester;  Lillian 
Neval,  Elm  Street,  Worcester;  Edith  Manco, 
Loew's,  Akron,  and  Geneve  Druker,  Loew's- 
Poli,  Springfield,  Mass. 


How  Big  is  M-G-M's 


It's  been  done.  There  is  no  point  in  any  movie 
company  trying  to  do  it  again — M-G-M  has 
made  'Bataan'  and  with  a  kind  of  simple  dignity 
and  dramatic  magnificence  closed  the  movie 
chapter  on  war's  'delaying  action/  There's 
nothing  more  to  be  said.  M-G-M's  'Bataan'  sets 
a  new  and  higher  standard.  Let  us  put  aside  a 
few  moments  of  silent  appreciation  for  what 
M-G-M  has  done. » 


Starring 


ROBERT  TAYLOR 

with  GEORGE  MURPHY  •  THOMAS  MITCHELL  •  LLOYD  NOLAN 

Lee  Bowman  »  Robert  Walker  •  Desi  Arnaz 

Original  Screen  Play  by  Robert  D.  Andrews  •  A  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Picture 
Directed  by  Tay  Garnett  •  Produced  by  Irving  Starr 


ive  you  booked  "Prelude  To  War" 


30 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    5,  1943 


Taxpayers  Face 
12V2%  Boost  in 
Income  Tax 

Pay-as-you  go  taxation,  as  finally  approved 
by  House  and  Senate  conferees,  will  mean  to 
taxpayers  in  all  but  the  lowest  income  groups 
an  increase  of  \2y2  per  cent  in  their  tax  pay- 
ments in  1944  and  1945. 

The  "saving"  of  the  75  per  cent  in  taxes 
provided  for  in  the  final  draft  of  the  legisla- 
tion will  be  realized  by  such  taxpayers  only 
in  the  year  after  they  cease  to  have  taxable 
income,  and  for  most  persons,  accordingly,  will 
be  enjoyed  only  by  their  estates,  while  only 
gradually  over  the  years,  as  taxpayers  die  or 
cease  to  have  taxable  income,  will  the  Treasury 
experience  the  loss  of  the  $0,000,000,000  which 
is  "forgiven"  in  the  measure. 

Under  the  compromise  bill,  abatement  of  1 
income  tax  liability  applies  to  the  income  of 
1942  or  1943,  whichever  was  lower,  and  taxes 
will  be  paid  currently  on  income  of  the  higher 
year. 

One  hundred  per  cent  of  the  tax  liability  on 
the  income  of  the  lower  year  will  be  erased 
for  persons  whose  tax  for  that  year  does  not 
exceed  $50,  with  a  "notch"  provision  protecting 
those  with  slightly  higher  taxes  from  unduly 
heavy  payments.  This  will  entirely  relieve  from 
taxation  on  the  year  of  lower  income  single 
persons  with  net  income  before  exemption  of 
$788  and  married  persons  with  $1,510. 

Persons  with  higher  incomes  will  pay  the 
full  tax  on  the  income  of  1942  or  1943,  which- 
ever is  higher,  but  will  be  forgiven  75  per  cent 
of  the  tax  on  the  other  year,  paying  the  re- 
maining 25  per  cent  in  two  equal  instalments 
on  March  15th  of  1944  and  1945. 

Tax  payments  already  made  this  year,  and 
the  instalment  due  June  15th,  will  be  applied  to 
the  liability  for  the  year  on  which  the  individual 
must  pay  the  full  tax. 

For  all  persons  with  income  from  salary  or 
wages,  a  20  per  cent  withholding  tax  will  be- 
come effective  on  July  1st  on  payments  above 
basic  exemptions  of  $12  per  week  for  single 
persons  and  $24  for  married  workers,  plus  $6 
for  each  dependent. 

Persons  not  covered  by  the  withholding  tax 
(individual  proprietors  of  businesses,  partners, 
professional  people,  etc.),  as  well  as  persons 
who  can  expect  $100  or  more  income  during 
the  year  from  non-wage  sources,  and  wage  and 
salary  workers  who  "reasonably"  expect  to 
receive  in  wages  or  salaries  during  the  year 
more  than  $2,700  if  single  or  $3,500  if  married, 
will  be  required  to  file  quarterly  reports,  the 
first  on  September  15th,  estimating  their  income 
for  the  year  and  paying  one-fourth  of  the  tax 
on  the  basis  of  that  estimate. 

As  under  the  present  law,  a  final  report 
on  the  income  of  one  year  would  be  made 
on  March  15th  of  the  following  year,  at  which 
time  taxpayers  would  make  the  final  settle- 
ment on  their  income  and  victory  tax  for  the 
year,  or  collect  any  refund  due.  At  the  same 
time,  they  would  make  their  first  tentative 
estimate  of  income  for  the  current  year,  and 
the  payment  of  the  first  quarter  of  the  tax 
on  such  income  would  be  due. 

The  bill  adopted  by  the  conferees  was  a 
compromise  between  the  House  measure  for- 
giving the  normal  tax  and  first  bracket  of 
surtax  on  1942  income  to  all  taxpayers  and  the 
Senate  modification  of  the  Ruml  "skip-a-year" 
plan,  which  President  Roosevelt  said  he  would 
not  approve. 


Players  Open  1 2th  Season 

The  Madden  Stillian  Players  opened  their 
twelfth  season  at  Lake  City,  Iowa,  on  May 
21st.  During  the  summer  season,  the  group 
tours  central  and  northern  Iowa  and  southern 
Wisconsin.    W.  T.  Madden  is  manager. 


Miners  Protest  Town's 
Second  Theatre 

The  United  Mine  Workers,  at  Inverness, 
N.  S.,  basically  a  soft  coal  mining  center,  have 
protested  formally  against  the  establishment 
of  a  second  theatre  in  the  town.  The  protest 
has  been  carried  to  the  Nova  Scotian  Govern- 
ment, and  has  become  a  subject  of  discussion 
in  the  provincial  assembly.  In  explanation  of 
the  issuance  of  a  license  to  the  second  theatre, 
the  provincial  premier  stated  the  second  house 
had  met  the  provincial  safety  standards,  and 
would  be  allowed  to  function,  while  the  license 
renewal  for  the  first  local  house,  the  Palace, 
would  not  be  granted  on  the  ground  the  safety 
regulations  had  not  been  complied  with. 

This  is  believed  to  be  the  first  instance  of  a 
union  taking  action  in  favoring  one  theatre  over 
another.  The  attitude  of  the  U.M.W.  is  report- 
ed based  on  a  contention  that  one  picture  house 
is  enough  for  Inverness.  Singularly,  the  protest 
at  the  opening  of  the  second  house  is  to  a  Gov- 
ernment which  is  paying  the  miners  for  their 
work,  having  taken  over  the  Inverness  mines 
from  the  bankrupt  owners. 

80,000  Trained 
In  Radio  Work 

More  than  80,000  men  and  women  have  been 
trained  for  radio  work  in  engineering,  science 
and  management  war  training  courses  since 
October,  1940,  Paul  V.  McNutt,  chairman  of 
the  War  Manpower  Commission,  announced  in 
Washington  this  week.  He  added  that  an  addi- 
tional 18,000  had  been  enrolled  in  electronics 
courses. 

These  free  courses,  directed  by  George  W. 
Case,  the  chairman  pointed  out,  are  offered 
through  more  than  220  colleges  and  universities 
in  more  than  1,000  communities. 

Mr.  McNutt's  statement  was  based  on  a  re- 
port made  to  him  by  Dr.  W.  W.  Charters,  chief 
of  the  commission's  Bureau  of  Training.  Dr. 
Charters  reported  that  three  radio  courses  were 
most  popular  with  trainees.  These  courses  are : 
fundamentals  of  radio ;  radio  and  pre-radar,  and 
ultra-high  frequency  techniques.  The  course 
in  fundamentals  of  radio  has  been  offered  in 
every  state.  Only  high-school  education  is  re- 
quired for  admission.  The  courses  in  radio  and 
pre-radar,  with  somewhat  higher  prerequisites, 
has  likewise  been  greatly  in  demand.  The  course 
in  ultra-high  frequency  techniques,  which  re- 
quires three  or  more  years  prior  preparation  in 
specialized  engineering  work,  has  been  offered 
in  several  engineering  schools  which  have  the 
necessary  special  facilities. 

As  many  as  15,000  persons  have  been  enrolled 
at  one  time  in  fundamentals  of  radio,  for  train- 
ing in  the  principles  of  radio  circuits.  A  Signal 
Corps  training  officer  notes  that  approximately 
6,000  employees  of  one  Signal  Corps  station 
have  received  this  radio  training.  He  points 
out  that,  while  few  of  these  men  and  women 
had  technical  knowledge,  skill  or  interest  in 
radio  before  they  were  employed,  they  met  all 
qualifications  for  assignment  as  inspectors,  radio 
repairmen,  specialists  and  candidates  for  ad- 
vanced training  upon  completion  of  the  course. 

Dismiss  Music  Companies' 
Suit  Against  ASCAP 

Judge  J.  Sidney  Bernstein  on  Tuesday  in  the 
New  York  Supreme  Court  dismissed  the  com- 
plaint against  the  American  Society  of  Com- 
posers, Authors  and  Publishers  brought  by  the 
Gem  Music  Corporation  and  Denton  and  Has- 
kins  Corporation,  which  asked  that  license 
rights  held  by  ASCAP  on  compositions  in  the 
two  companies'  catalogs  be  cancelled  in  1950, 
expiration  date  of  their  agreement  with  the 
society. 

Judge  Bernstein's  decision  in  dismissing  the 
complaint  was  based  on  the  society's  right  to 
enter  agreements  with  composers  for  the  licens- 
ing of  their  compositions  even  after  1950. 


Studios  Solving 
Talent  Problem, 
Says  Arthur 

The  St.  Louis  Globe-Democrat  last  week  pub- 
lished an  open  letter  written  by  Harry  C. 
Arthur,  Jr.,  managing  director  of  the  Fanchon 
and  Marco  theatres  in  St.  Louis,  which  re- 
ferred to  other  items  appearing  on  the  drafting 
of  film  stars,  a  subject  which  was  conducted 
in  forum  style  by  the  newspaper. 

Mr.  Arthur,  in  his  article,  ventured  the  opin- 
ion that  Hollywood  was  solving  the  talent  prob- 
lem but  only  after  careful  planning.  He  said 
that  972  actors  had  gone  into  service  and  532 
others  had  transferred  to  war  work.  The  over- 
all figure  of  5,200  was  given  by  Mr.  Arthur 
as  the  number  now  lost  to  the  industry. 

He  took  exception  to  some  readers'  viewpoints 
who  concerned  themselves  with  the  question  of 
whether  or  not  actors  should  be  drafted.  "It 
is  not  so  much  a  question  of  whether  they  should 
be  drafted  or  not,"  Mr.  Arthur's  article  read, 
"the  fact  simply  is  that  they  are  being  drafted, 
and  prior  to  the  current  non-recruiting  program, 
many  of  the  foremost  players  enlisted  in  their 
eagerness  to  be  of  more  vital  service." 

He  concluded  by  touching  on  the  solution  to 
the  manpower  situation.  "The  motion  picture 
exhibitor  whose  phase  of  the  business  keeps 
him  constantly  in  touch  with  the  fiim  fan,  is 
confident  that  Hollywood  will  continue  to  come 
through  on  this  problem  as  it  has  in  the  past 
.  .  .  thanks  to  the  youth  of  our  nation  and  to 
the  opportunities  afforded  them,  the  tremendous 
pool  of  talent  potentialities  can  never  be 
drained." 

Deal  for  Hunt  Houses  in 
New  Jersey  Dropped 

The  deal  of  Melvin  Koff  and  Carl  Munzer, 
of  Philadelphia,  to  purchase  William  C.  Hunt's 
Center  and  Gayety  theatres  in  Trenton,  N.  J., 
fell  through  in  the  final  stages.  Mr.  Munzer 
was  until  recently  associated  with  the  Harry 
Waxmann  circuit  in  Atlantic  City,  and  Mr. 
Koff  operates  a  number  of  houses  in  Philadel- 
phia. 

Mr.  Hunt,  it  is  reported,  is  interested  in  sell- 
ing his  two  Trenton  houses  in  order  to  con- 
centrate his  operations  in  the  Southern  New 
Jersey  resort  towns,  where  he  operates  a  string 
of  theatres  and  various  amusement  enterprises. 
Earlier  this  month,  the  Hunt  circuit  disposed 
of  its  Rockland  theatre  in  Philadelphia  and  the 
Crescent  theatre  nearby  at  West  Collingswood, 
N.  J. 

Eighteen  Companies  Are 
Incorporated  in  New  York 

Eighteen  companies  have  been  incorporated 
in  New  York  State,  according  to  Secretary  of 
State  Thomas  J.  Curran.   The  companies  are : 

Wally  Butterworth  Enterprises,  Inc.,  Grafton 
Films,  Inc.,  Sutton  Theatre  Corporation,  Jobe 
Corporation,  Harmark,  Inc.,  Beverly  Enter- 
prises, Inc.,  Robitro  Theatre  Corporation,  Basil 
Realty  Corporation,  Broadcliff  Amusements, 
Inc.,  Elmhurst  Entertainments,  Inc.,  Casanave 
Pictures,  Inc.,  Casanave-Artlee  Pictures,  Inc., 
Harbor  Theatre  Corporation,  Pruman  Com- 
pany, Inc.,  Titra  Film  Laboratories,  Inc.,  Sec- 
ond Avenue  Theatre,  Inc.,  Perry  Plays,  Inc., 
and  Amusement  Corporation  of  America.  The 
Piedmont-American  Film  Exchange  and  Man- 
hattan Circuit,  Inc.,  were  dissolved. 


Seattle  Manager  for  Universal 

Sam  Milner,  former  Universal  branch  man- 
ager, has  arrived  in  Seattle  to  take  over  the 
management  of  the  company's  local  exchange. 
Mr.  Milner  succeeded  Foster  Blake,  who  was 
transferred  to  Los  Angeles. 


June    5 ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


31 


MAJORS  BOLSTER  STAKE  IN 
POST-WAR  TELEVISION 


Strengthen  Hold  by  New 
Investments;  War  Devel- 
opments Forecast  Boom 

Television  is  already  close  to  the  stage  of 
a  post-war  boom  if  the  anticipatory  align- 
ments and  statements  of  major  corporate 
interests  in  the  motion  picture,  radio,  thea- 
tre and  talent  fields  are  to  be  taken  at  face 
value. 

Recent  months  have  seen  an  unprece- 
dented revival  of  business  interest  in  tele- 
vision as  a  field  of  future  expansion.  Not 
since  the  days  of  its  most  successful  experi- 
mental promotion  has  television  been  so 
widely  advertised,  discussed,  and  praised  as 
a  revolutionary  new  entertainment  medium. 
It  appears  to  be  emerging  with  new  vigor 
from  the  temporary  eclipse  which  followed 
shutdowns  on  television  after  Pearl  Harbor. 

Paramount  and  20th-Fox 
Extend  Interests 

Twentieth  Century-Fox  and  Paramount, 
the  two  motion  picture  companies  with  cur- 
rently the  most  important  television  hold- 
ings, recently  have  strengthened  their  acqui- 
sitions. Paramount  is  interested  in  both  the 
electronic  system  of  its  affiliate  Allen  B. 
Du  Mont  Laboratories,  Inc.,  and  the  super- 
sonic transmission  of  Scophony  Corpora- 
tion, an  English  system. 

Twentieth  Century-Fox  is  also  indirectly 
interested  in  the  American  Scophony  Com- 
pany through  its  connections  with  General 
Precision  Equipment  Company  and  the 
Chase  National  Bank. 

RKO-Radio,  which  has  been  moving  from 
the  control  of  Radio  Corporation  of  Amer- 
ica and  the  Rockefeller  interests  towards 
the  management  of  Floyd  B.  Odium  and 
Atlas  Corporation,  has  not  relinquished  its 
interest  in  television.  Mr.  Odium,  N.  Peter 
Rathvon,  president  of  RKO,  and  many  of  its 
large  stockholders  and  directors  are  re- 
ported to  be  concerned  with  the  possibility 
of  television  development. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  and  Warner  Broth- 
ers, who  have  radio  broadcasting  stations  in 
New  York  and  California,  are  likewise 
studying  post-war  entry  into  television  en- 
tertainment. They  are  said  to  be  interested 
in  it  both  as  an  investment  and  a  supple- 
mental field  of  endeavor  for  contract  talent. 

Eight  Companies 
Broadcast  Regularly 

There  is  still  unwillingness  on  the  part  of 
all  film  companies  to  permit  their  films  to 
be  used  as  program  material  for  television 
broadcasts.  Although  the  stations  which 
are  now  on  the  air  at  New  York,  Philadel- 
phia, Chicago,  Schenectady  and  Los  An- 
geles use  film  for  more  than  25  per  cent  of 
their  air  time  they  draw  almost  exclusively 
on  free  Government,  educational  and  indus- 
trial releases. 

General  Electric  has  produced  its  own  film 
describing  the  operation  of  its  television 
station.  It  has  been  broadcast  and  is  dis- 
tributed non-theatrically. 

Currently  on  the  air  with  regular  pro- 


RADAR'S  SECRETS 
AID  TELEVISION 

"Radar,"  the  secret  radio  detect- 
ing and  ranging  device  developed  by 
the  Army,  Navy  and  radio  industry 
to  locate  objects  through  fog,  dark- 
ness and  storms  was  disclosed  by  the 
services  to  be  closely  akin  to  tele- 
vision in  the  first  public  description  of 
the  new  device.  Dependent  on  the 
electron  tube,  Radar  was  said  to  be 
of  great  importance  for  the  post- 
war development  of  television. 

The  device  which  detected  Japa- 
nese planes  approaching  Pearl  Har- 
bor, and  recently  enabled  U.  S.  war- 
ships to  sink  a  Jap  battleship  across 
8  miles  of  stormy  sea,  has  been  in  de- 
velopment since  1922,  the  Army  an- 
nouncement said. 

Radar  operates,  according  to  the 
Army,  through  the  reflection  of  ultra- 
high-frequency  waves  which  are 
beamed  outward,  strike  an  object 
and  bounce  back. 


grams  are  Du  Mont,  the  National  Broad- 
casting Company  and  Columbia  Broadcast- 
ing System  at  New  York;  the  Philco  Cor- 
poration at  Philadelphia;  General  Electric 
at  Schenectady,  N.  Y. ;  and  the  stations  op- 
erated by  Zenith  and  Balaban  and  Katz  at 
Chicago  and  Don  Lee  in  Los  Angeles. 

Programs  for  the  most  part  consist  of 
films,  civilian  defense  instruction  sessions,  a 
few  remote  sports  pickups,  and  experimental 
variety,  news  and  dramatic  programs  from 
the  studio.  Few  of  the  stations  exceed  the 
four-hour-weekly  minimum  transmission 
specified  by  the  Federal  Communications 
Commission. 

Ad  Campaigns  Build 
Public  Appetite 

An  indication  of  the  television  industry's 
confidence  in  its  post-war  future  may  be 
found  in  recent  advertising  campaigns  by 
the  larger  television  equipment  manufac- 
turers. Most  are  operating  at  a  profit  on 
the  strength  of  war  orders  from  the  Govern- 
ment and  have  taken  advantage  also  of  gov- 
ernment permission  to  include  a  portion  of 
institutional  advertising  costs  in  their  con- 
tracts. 

Campaigns  envisioning  the  future  prospects 
of  both  home  and  theatre  television  have  been 
launched  in  newspapers,  general  circulation 
magazines  and  trade  publications  by  at  least 
half  a  dozen  equipment  makers.  These  include 
RCA,  General  Electric,  Philco,  Du  Mont, 
Farnsworth,  Stromberg-Carlson,  and  the  Don 
Lee  network.  Copy  generally  stresses  the  con- 
tributions which  wartime  advances  will  make 
to  television  as  a  post-war  entertainment  me- 
dium. 

Wall  Street  has  closely  followed  the  revival 
of  television  promotion.  Electronics  and  tele- 
vision have  been  the  subjects  of  recent  lectures 
for  Stock  Exchange  members.    A  number  of 


large  investment  houses  have  added  blocks  of 
television  and  electronic  equipment  manufac- 
turers' stock  to  their  portfolios.  The  Wall 
Street  Journal  in  a  recent  appraisal  of  the  field 
estimated  that  it  would  be  the  best  outlet  for 
war-developed  electronic  inventions. 

Du  Mont  reported  a  net  profit  May  19th  for 
1942  of  $130,164.  Shipments  in  the  first  quar- 
ter of  1943  exceeded  one  million  dollars  com- 
pared with  $260,000  during  the  same  period  in 
1942.  _  Net  sales  in  1942  were  $2,172,824. 

Initial  advertising  emphasis  has  been  in  the 
field  of  home  television.  Estimates  of  the  cost 
of  television  receivers  after  the  war  have  been 
continually  scaled  down,  with  Mr.  Du  Mont 
recently  predicting  small  receivers  at  a  cost  of 
$150  and  other  companies  predicting  that  $200 
would  be  the  average  price  for  sets  that  cost 
$500  before  the  war. 

Theatre  Television 
Development  Seen 

Theatre  television  is  not  being  neglected  al- 
though public  emphasis  has  been  on  home  re- 
ceivers. Spokesmen  for  RCA,  Philco,  Du  Mont, 
and  other  manufacturers  concur  in  the  recently 
expressed  opinion  of  Noran  E.  Kersta,  director 
of  television  for  NBC,  that  post-war  visual 
broadcasting  will  be  divided  into  two  relatively 
different  fields. 

For  the  home  Mr.  Kersta  visualizes  programs 
of  general  entertainment  and  instructional  in- 
terest, commercially  sponsored  in  the  pattern 
of  standard  broadcasting.  Theatres,  continu- 
ing with  film  entertainment,  will  also  have 
large  screen  television  to  show  special  events 

The  cost  of  television  transmitters,  and  stu- 
dios, still  estimated  at  between  $135,000  and 
$250,000,  is  seen  by  the  industry  as  preventing 
the  wildcat  expansion  of  early  radio.  But  they 
point  to  the  fact  that  in  December,  1941,  22  ap- 
plications for  construction  permits  were  filed 
with  the  FCC,  pending  until  after  the  war. 

Newspapers,  Time 
Are  Investors 

Investors  in  the  television  stations  included 
theatre  circuits,  film  distributors,  newspapers, 
department  stores,  radio  manufacturers  and 
many  standard  radio  broadcasting  stations. 

A  substantial  newcomer  to  the  television  field 
is  Time,  Inc.  The  publishing  house  headed  by 
Henry  Luce  has  invested  in  General  Precision 
Equipment  Company,  makers  of  motion  picture 
projectors,  and  partner  in  the  Scophony  Cor- 
poration of  America.  Time  also  has  nearly 
100,000  shares  in  Twentieth  Century-Fox. 
Charles  Stillman,  treasurer  of  Time,  is  on  the 
board  of  General  Precision. 

The  Fox  and  General  stocks  were  described 
by  a  Time  official  as  purely  investment  hold- 
ings bought  in  line  with  the  company's  general 
interest  in  all  fields  of  communication  .  It  also 
is  a  majority  stockholder  in  radio  station 
WQXR  at  New  York. 

Rapid  expansion  of  television  stations  through- 
out the  United  States  "even  to  small  communi- 
ties of  modest  means,"  and  the  establishment  of 
hundreds  of  "television  theatres"  from  coast  to 
coast  after  the  war  ends,  is  forecast  by  Will  Bal- 
tin,  program  director  for  Du  Mont's  W2XWV, 
in  New  York. 

Experience  under  wartime  restrictions  has 
proved  that  a  television  station  can  be  operated 
effectively  with  a  small  staff,  modest  studio  and 
at  low  cost,  he  said.  The  station  has  continued 
to  operate  several  hours  a  week  with  experi- 
mental studio  programs. 

"Theatre  television,  to  which  millions  will 
flock  to  see  events  of  national,  and,  perhaps  in- 
ternational importance,  is  as  certain  as  the 
dawn  of  tomorrow,"  he  continued. 


•srAi">"£ 


34 

Expect  India, 
New  Zealand  to 
Lift  Money  Bars 

New  Zealand  and  India  may  shortly  follow  the 
example  of  England  in  lifting  all  restrictions  on 
the  remittance  of  American  distribution  reve- 
nues, it  was  learned  in  New  York  last  week. 
Negotiations  have  been  progressing  satisfactorily 
and  there  is  a  good  chance  of  their  successful 
culmination  by  mid- July,  according  to  present 
indications. 

There  is  little  certainty,  however,  at  the  pre- 
sent time,  that  Australia's  monetary  restrictions 
will  be  removed  in  the  near  future.  Negotia- 
tions there  probably  will  not  be  in  full  swing 
for  another  six  weeks  and  it  is  believed  that 
a  new  agreement  evolving  from  those  discus- 
sions will  not  be  put  into  effect  until  the  end  of 
this  year,  or  possibly  later.  There  is  every 
indication,  nevertheless,  that  Australia  ulti- 
mately will  release  all  currently  frozen  revenue 
and  remove  restrictions  on  remittance  of  future 
balances,  duplicating  the  recent  action  of  Great 
Britain  and  the  probable  moves  of  New  Zealand 
and  India. 

An  estimated  $3,500,000,  representing  the  final 
half  of  the  distribution  companies'  accumulated 
revenue  frozen  in  Australia  up  to  December  31, 

1942,  was  released  by  the  Australian  Treasury 
and  is  being  remitted  to  New  York,  according 
to  reports  in  New  York  last  Friday.  Several 
home  office  foreign  department  executives  said 
that  remittances  already  had  been  received  from 
Australia. 

Last  December,  Australian  Treasury  officials 
advised  the  distributors  that  they  would  permit 
withdrawal  of  $3,100,000  in  quarterly  install- 
ments during  1943,  subject  to  review  at  mid- 
year. This  amount  represents  an  increase  from 
the  $2,300,000  which  that  country  had  authorized 
for  remittance  during  the  two  preceding  years, 
and  equals  the  amount  released  in  1940,  the  first 
war  year.  Last  December,  Australia  also  au- 
thorized the  release  of  SO  per  cent  of  the  com- 
panies' frozen  balances  accumulated  over  a 
three-year  war  period,  which  amounted  to  about 
$3,500,000.  The  companies  were  advised  at  that 
time  that  the  remaining  half  of  their  frozen 
balances  would  be  released  on  or  before  June  1, 

1943.  The  latter  funds  are  being  paid  now. 
Reportedly,  New  Zealand  Treasury  officials 

have  notified  U.  S.  industry  representatives  that 
remittances  for  the  first  half  of  the  present 
calendar  year  will  be  the  same  as  last  year, 
which  will  release  approximately  $500,000  of  in- 
dustry funds  immediately,  it  was  estimated.  No- 
tification has  been  accepted  by  the  distributors, 
meanwhile,  with  the  understanding  that  such 
remittances  are  without  prejudice  to  the  con- 
tinuing negotiations  with  the  New  Zealand 
Treasury  for  the  complete  lifting  of  all  monetary 
restrictions  hereafter.  Similar  provision  was 
made  by  distributors  to  British  Treasury  offi- 
cials, early  this  year,  at  the  time  of  negotiations 
between  that  country  and  U.  S.  distributors  for 
the  easing  of  monetary  bars. 


K-A-O  To  Red  eem  Stock 

Keith-Albee-Orpheum  Corporation  has  called 
for  redemption  July  31,  1943,  on  700  shares  of 
its  seven  per  cent  cumulative  convertible  pre- 
ferred stock  at  a  price  of  $110  per  share  plus 
accrued  dividends  to  the  date  of  redemption. 
Such  redemption  will  take  care  of  the  corpora- 
tion's sinking  fund  requirement  on  the  pre- 
ferred stock  for  1943,  it  was  said. 


Lease  Jersey  Theatre 

The  Varbalow  Circuit,  independent  circuit 
in  the  Southern  New  Jersey,  has  leased  the 
Roxy  theatre  in  Maple  Shade,  N.  J.  The  lease 
was  held  by  Becker  brothers,  who  operate  a 
number  of  theatres  in  the  territory. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

Clark  Gable  Narrates  Film 
On  Air  Corps  Training 

Captain  Clark  Gable  is  narrator  for  the  U.S. 
Army  Signal  Corps  film,  "Wings  Up,"  released 
by  the  Office  of  War  Information  last  week. 
Other  Hollywood  actors  appearing  in  the  film 
are  Gilbert  Roland,  Robert  Preston  and  Wil- 
liam Holden,  all  former  screen  players  who 
have  been  commissioned  by  the  Air  Corps. 

The  two-reel  picture  describes  the  intensive 
training  given  future  officers  in  the  Air  Corps 
at  the  Miami  Beach  training  center.  The  film 
is  being  distributed  by  the  War  Activities  Com- 
mittee. 


Studios  Shift  to 
48-Hour  Week 

Studio  workers,  now  informally  on  a  48-hour 
week,  will  be  put  officially  on  that  schedule 
by  their  employers  within  30  days,  under  the 
plan  recommended  by  the  War  Manpower  Com- 
mission. 

William  K.  Hopkins,  regional  WMC  director 
in  Los  Angeles,  indicated  last  week  that  the 
step  would  prevent  reclassification  of  the  ter- 
ritory to  one  of  "critical  shortage"  of  labor. 

Such  a  reclassification  might  divert  future 
Government  contracts.  The  studios  now  are 
making  Government  training  films. 

However,  the  official  transfer  to  the  48-hour 
program  will  require  the  studios  to  fill  out  new 
forms  to  indicate  their  manpower  situations. 

The  film  industry's  labor-management  com- 
mittee meeting,  which  was  to  have  been  held 
Tuesday,  has  been  postponed. 

In  New  Haven,  Maurice  Goldstein,  MGM 
manager,  is  the  latest  in  the  local  film  trade 
to  receive  a  30-day  notice  to  seek  employment 
in  an  "essential"  industry  or  be  reclassified 
1-A.  Four  others  had  received  such  notices ; 
but  upon  intercession  by  Connecticut  Allied, 
were  told  by  their  draft  board,  9-B,  to  stay 
where  they  were  pending  an  official  ruling  from 
the  national  selective  service  system. 


Charles  Reed  Jones  Author 
Of  Article  in  "This  Week" 

Charles  Reed  Jones,  advertising  and  publicity 
director  of  Republic  Pictures,  is  the  author  of 
an  article  which  appeared  in  the  May  30th  issue 
of  This  Week,  Sunday  magazine  supplement. 
It  was  entitled  "Want  to  Be  a  Cop?"  and  out- 
lined the  work  of  the  New  York  City  Patrol 
Corps,  a  Civilian  Defense  organization  of 
which  Mr.  Jones  is  a  captain. 

He  pointed  out  the  need  for  volunteer  civil- 
ians for  this  type  of  work,  emphasizing  that  the 
decreased  size  of  the  city's  police  force  made  it 
necessary  for  others  to  take  up  the  burden  in 
order  to  keep  the  streets  safe.  Mr.  Jones  con- 
cluded his  article  by  asking  the  enlistment  of 
volunteers  to  bring  the  corps  membership  up  to 
10,000. 


Warner  Employees  Now  in 
Service  Total  2,170 

Warner  Bros,  employees  in  various  branches 
of  the  armed  services  now  total  2,170,  accord- 
ing to  Ralph  W.  Budd,  the  company's  director 
of  personnel. 

Mike  Anderson,  Brooklyn  booker  for  War- 
ners, joined  the  Army  list  this  week,  and  Dan 
Ponticelle,  New  Jersey  booker,  has  received  his 
induction  notice  for  June  11th. 


E.  J.  Sparks  Injured 

E.  J.  Sparks,  theatre  operator  of  Miami 
Beach,  Fla.,  was  under  treatment  at  Augusta, 
Ga.,  May  28th,  for  injuries  received  when  his 
car  overturned  near  Greenwood,  S.  C.  His  in- 
juries were  not  serious. 


June    5,  1943 


Court  Approves 
Universal  Plan 
For  Merger 

New  York  Supreme  Court  Justice  Wil- 
liam T.  Collins  handed  down  a  decision  Wednes- 
day approving  the  plan  for  the  merger  of 
Universal  Pictures  Corporation,  Inc.,  with  Uni- 
versal Corporation,  and  terminating  the  minority 
stockholders'  suit  which  had  opposed  it. 

Judge  Collins,  in  his  decision,  said :  "Upon 
the  merger,  and  only  then,  will  the  common 
stockholders  of  Universal  Pictures  for  the  first 
time  in  the  history  of  the  company  have  a  pros- 
pect of  a  return  on  their  investment."  The  15- 
page  decision  rehearsed  the  financial  history  of 
the  company  from  the  time  of  its  formation. 

Joseph  M.  Proskauer,  counsel  for  the  corpora- 
tion, pointed  out  last  Friday  that  the  plan  if  ap- 
proved by  the  court,  would  increase  efficiency 
of  operations  and  reduce  expenses.  It  also  would 
eliminate  duplicating  and  overlapping  activities 
and  would  make  the  company  earnings  more 
readily  available  to  stockholders. 

Joseph  Nemerov,  attorney,  who  represents 
more  than  5,000  shareholders  in  the  picture 
company,  in  opposing  the  merger,  again  cen- 
tered his  objections  around  the  issuance  of 
three  shares  of  common  stock  in  the  new 
Universal  Pictures  Company,  Inc.,  for  one  now 
held  in  the  present  picture  company.  He  and 
other  minority  stockholders  argued  that  "dilu- 
tion" of  minority  interests  would  result  if  the 
merger  were  consummated,  and  that  $2,000,000 
additional  warrants  might  be  issued  in  addition 
to  the  457,000  currently  outstanding.  Other 
minority  stockholders  took  the  position  that 
the  three  for  one  ratio  was  based  on  the 
present  outstanding  525,000  shares  of  stock, 
without  taking  into  consideration  that  approxi- 
mately 1,000,000  shares  would  be  outstanding 
if  the  457,000  warrant  holders  decided  to  exer- 
cise their  options. 

Justice  Collins  at  the  conclusion  of  the  hear- 
ings ordered  all  participating  parties  to  the 
proposed  merger  and  objectors  to  submit  ex- 
hibits and  briefs. 

The  plan  provides  among  other  things  for 
execution  of  a  new  bank  loan  agreement  which, 
in  effect,  would  increase  term  borrowings  by 
$4,000,000;  redemption  of  the  currently  out- 
standing shares  of  the  picture  company's  eight 
per  cent  first  preferred  stock  at  a  cost  of 
$1,444,000,  and  cancellation  of  $2,000,000  in 
notes  payable  to  the  picture  company  and  held 
by  Universal  Corporation. 

Film  Preview  Has  Radio 
Tieup  in  Milwaukee 

Columbia  Pictures  and  the  Fox  Wisconsin 
Theatres  held  a  radio  preview  of  "The  More  the 
Merrier"  following  the  screening  of  the  film 
for  the  press  in  Milwaukee  last  week. 

By  direct  wire  from  the  theatre  projection 
room,  guest  critics  gave  their  opinion  of  the 
picture  in  a  15-minute  broadcast  over  WISN. 
Oscar  Ruby,  Milwaukee  branch  manager  for 
Columbia ;  Gene  Kilburg,  manager  of  the  Fox 
Palace,  and  Ed  Hickey  of  the  20th-Fox  ad- 
vertising department  cooperated  in  the  stunt. 


Show  to  Benefit  Canteen 

The  Willard  Roof  Music  Hall  in  Washing- 
ton, D.  C,  opens  June  7th  with  a  burlesque 
version  of  "Bertha,  the  Sewing  Machine  Girl," 
opening  night  proceeds  to  go  to  the  Washington 
Stage  Door  Canteen.  The  theatre  did  bur- 
lesque of  old-time  melodrama  last  summer. 


Manager  Inducted 

Irving  Winnick,  manager  of  Jack  Kirsch's 
20th  Century  theatre  in  Chicago,  has  been  in- 
ducted into  the  Army. 


S*M»*«£Ui  euiiTi»*  """""  *  — 

S£R«!».Uh|TED  ARTISTS  CORP.  •  '  « 

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DOOR  CANTEEN  THIS  MORNING   1    -ANT  TO  1 
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.HAHKT  HARRIS     KARRIS  CIRCtlT. 


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CARL'  LESERUAN,  UNITED  ARTISTS  CORP. 
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UNDOUBTEDLY  BE  ONE  OF  THE  GREATEST  30 f  OFFICE  W.TS  OF  AuS 
T"IUE«  v 
BTLV  FOTfHAN  BUTTED  THEATERS  CORP. 

2:»ft 


Presented  and  Product 

I 


0(4/1  ^Ucisiki  ta: 


BEN  AMSTERDAM 
VICTOR  ANDERSEN 
MORRIS  BAILEY 
DAVID  BARRIST 
F.  H.  BEDDINGFIELD 
AUG  BERKHOLTZ 
DAVE  BERSHON 
BILL  BORACK 
A.  R.  BOYD 
GEORGE  BROMLEY 
RALPH  BRANTON 

E.  S.  CALVI 
CRAVER  CIRCUIT 
EARL  COLLINS 

DALE  &  MONTGOMERY 

CIRCUIT 
SAM  DUNEVITZ 

F.  H.  DURKEE 
NED  EDRIS 

T.  M.  ELLIS 
ENDICOTT  CIRCUIT 
WILLIAM  ELSON 
JACOB  ESKIN 
MAX  FINN 
JACK  FISHMAN 
BILL  FORMAN 

FOX  INTERMOUNTAIN 
THEATRES 

G.  GALSTON 
BOB  GARLAND 
LAURITZ  GARMAN 
HAROLD  GLASS 
LEW  M.  GOLDBERG 
RALPH  D.  GOLDBERG 
GOLDEN  STATE  THEATRES 
BOB  GOLDHAMMER 
CHARLES  GOLDMAN 

A.  L.  GORE 

E.  C.  GRAINGER 

GEORGE  GRANDSTON 

FRED  J.  GREEN 

R.  E.  GRIFFITH  THEATRES 

ED  HALBERG 

JOHN  HAMRICK 

HARRY  HARRIS 

JACK  HARRIS 

H.  D.  HEARN 
C.  W.  HICKS 


JESSE  JENSEN 
ELMER  JERGARD 
JULIUS  JOELSON 
KERASOTOS  BROS. 
CHARLES  KURTZMAN 
J.  M.  LEVENSON 
LOEW  S  POLI  THEATRES 
JULIUS  LEVENTHAL 
SAM  LEVIN 
ROBERT  MASTERMAN 
FRANK  MEDNICK 
GUS  METZGER 
MINNIE  MINOR 
MOTION  PICTURE 
SERVICE  CORP. 
MORTIMORE  &  SHIELL  - 
JAMES  NASSER 
MORRIS  NUGER 
E.  D.  POLLOCK 
ROBERT  PORTLE 
W.  A.  PREWITT 
JAMES  QUINN 
WALTER  READE  THEATRES 
RICK  RICKETSON 
LOU  ROME 
JOHN  ROWBERRY 
EDDIE  RUBEN 
R.  E.  RUSSELL 
MATT  SAUNDERS 
R.  C.  SAUNDERS 

A.  SCHAAK 

B.  F.  SHEARER 
T.  S.  SHEARER 
RALPH  SNIDER 
MARK  SILVER 
SAM  SOMERSON 
STERLING  THEATRES 
L.  F.  THURWACHTER 
MAX  TORODOR 
TRANSLUX  THEATRES 
W.  W.  TRAXUE 

JOE  VOGEL 

WILLIAM  VOLK  CIRCUIT 
J.  VON  HERBERG 
WALLACE  THEATRES 
MORRIS  WAX 
DAVID  WEINSTOCK 


SOL  LESSER  •  Directed  by  FRANK  BORZAGE  •  Screenplay  by  DELMER  DAVES  •  A  FRANK  BORZAGE  production 


38 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    5,  1943 


Mexico  City  Raises 
Tax  on  Theatres 


Increase  Levy  on  Houses 
with  High  Admission  to 
Encourage  Low  Prices 

by  LUIS  BECERRA  CELIS 

in  Mexico  City 

For  the  explained  purpose  of  bringing 
the  cinema  more  within  the  reach  of  the 
masses,  the  Municipal  Government  has 
raised  taxes  on  these  theatres  so  as  to  en- 
courage lower  admission  prices.  This  taxa- 
tion is  drastic.  It  is  13  per  cent  of  gross 
on  theatres  that  charge  more  than  13  cents, 
and  10  per  cent  on  those  that  keep  to  that 
price  or  lower. 

In  announcing  these  new  taxes,  the  first 
for  cinemas  enacted  here  in  several  years, 
the  Government  observed  that  the  exhibitors 
will  find  that  they  will  do  more  business 
from  more  patrons  with  lower  prices. 

For  first  run  theatres  here,  the  average 
admission  price  is  52  cents.  It  is  these 
theatres  that  are  particularly  hard  hit  by 
the  increased  taxes.  These  exhibitors  de- 
clare that  what  with  high  rental  costs,  labor 
and  general  expenses  they  just  about  get 
by  at  the  52-cent  rate  and  that  their  only 
hope  of  anything  like  a  profit  at  that  price 
is  when  they  have  an  extra  special  attrac- 
tion. 

Thus  far,  the  exhibitors  seem  to  have 
bowed  to  the  tax  increase  as  they  have  made 
no  protest  against  it. 

Smoking  in  theatres  here,  banned  by  a 
law  enacted  several  years  ago,  is  to  be 
more  strictly  forbidden  with  an  amend- 
ment to  the  statute  which  provides  fines 
for  exhibitors  who  tolerate  the  violation 
as  well  as  for  the  smokers  themselves. 
The  civic  government  found  many  women 
among  the  violators  of  this  law. 

Mexican  film  extras  are  being  deprived  of 
jobs  by  favoritism  the  producers  are  showing 
Spaniards,  mostly  political  refugees,  the  Na- 
tional Cinematographic  Industry  Workers 
Union  declared  in  demanding  that  work  pref- 
erence be  given  Mexicans. 

The  union  told  the  producers  that  it  is  all 
very  well  to  accord  the  Spanish  refugees  hos- 
pitality, but  that  there  must  be  no  going  over- 
board about  it  at  the  expense  of  Mexicans. 
There  are  numerous  worthy  Mexicans  who 
are  denied  jobs  as  film  extras  because  so  many 
Spaniards  have  been  ■given  that  work,  the  com- 
plaint said.  si- 
Deposit  $600  for 
Royalty  Payment 

Clasa  Films,  subsidiary  of  Clasa  Studios  here, 
the  largest  in  Mexico,  both  owned  by  Ricardo 
Pani,  which  is  producing  the  first  version  in 
Mexico  of  Tolstoi's  "Resurrection,"  has  done 
something  different  in  the  way  of  royalty  pay- 
ment. It  has  deposited  with  the  newest  section 
of  the  National  Cinematographic  Industry 
Workers  Union,  No.  45,  the  scenarists  and 
adapters,  $600,  which  is  to  be  paid  to  the  first 
descendant  of  the  late  Count  Leo  Tolstoi  who 
can  prove  identity.  Clasa  explains  that  it  took 
this  means  of  settling  the  "Resurrection"  royal- 
ty because  war  conditions  made  it  impossible  to 
locate  the  Tolstoi  descendants. 

Lupita  Tovar,   called   "The   Sweetheart  of 


MEXICAN  FILM  BANK 
LOANED  $700,000 

The  Banco  Cinematografica,  S.  A., 
the  Mexican  film  industry's  own  bank, 
with  headquarters  in  Mexico  City, 
reported  last  week  that  it  extended 
credits  and  made  loans  totaling 
$700,000  in  the  year  to  May  1st, 
last,  to  various  branches  of  the  in- 
dustry. The  bank  is  managed  by 
Carlos  Carriedo  Galvan. 


Mexico"  who  plays  the  feminine  lead  in  Tol- 
stoi's "Resurrection"  which  has  just  been  com- 
pleted here  by  Clasa  Films,  and  her  husband, 
Paul  Kohner,  the  producer,  were  received  by 
President  Manuel  Avila  Camacho  in  a  special 
audience  upon  their  return  from  Hollywood. 
They  delivered  to  the  President  a  message  of 
esteem  and  solidarity  from  Mexican  residents 
of  Hollywood  and  Los  Angeles. 

V 

A  strange  case  of  sedition,  the  use  of  the 
programs  distributed  among  its  patrons  by  the 
Cine  Imperial,  one  of  the  oldest  subsequent  run 
theatres  here,  to  disparage  Mexico's  war  effort 
in  the  form  of  pacifist  propaganda,  is  being  in- 
vestigated by  the  Federal  Attorney  General. 
The  exhibitors  and  the  publisher  of  the  pro- 
grams told  the  Attorney  General  that  they  were 
at  a  loss  to  know  how  the  propaganda  crept 
into  the  programs.. 

V 

Versions  in  English  of  all  its  productions  in 
Spanish  have  been  arranged  by  Clasa  Films. 
American  players  now  are  being  recruited  for 
the  first,  "El  Penon  de  las  Animas"  ("The  Hili 
of  the  Sunset  Bell  Ringing")  which  is  to  go 
into  production  soon. 

"Saludos  Amigos"  Air 
Show  Heard  Weekly 

The  Blue  Network  is  carrying  a  weekly  half- 
hour  show,  "Saludos  Amigos,"  which  is  heard 
each  Friday  evening  under  a  27-week  contract. 
Several  programs  already  have  been  broadcast. 

The  program  features  Latin-American  music 
with  Jose  Ferrer  as  commentator,  and  Victoria 
Cordova  as  vocalist.  Songs  from  "Surprise 
Package,"  Disney  film  not  yet  released,  will  be 
heard  on  future  programs.  The  Office  of  the 
Coordinator  of  Inter-American  Affairs  is  co- 
operating with  the  Blue  Network  in  the  pro- 
duction of  the  program. 


Rodner  Gets  Degree 

Harold  Rodner,  Warner  Bros,  executive,  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Humane  Let- 
ters from  Rollins  College,  Winter  Haven,  Fla., 
on  Thursday,  June  3rd,  in  recognition  of  his 
humanitarian  work.  Mr.  Rodner  is  executive 
vice-president  of  the  Will  Rogers  Memorial 
Fund  and  a  past  district  deputy  master  of  the 
Masonic  Fraternity. 


To  Tour  Coast  for  MGM 

William  Bishop,  publicity  head  of  the  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  western  division,  will  leave 
Chicago  June  11th  on  a  tour  of  Los  Angeles, 
San  Franciscq,  Portland,  Seattle  and  other 
company  exchanges  recently  included  in  the 
company's  western  division. 


Ford  to  Produce 
Films  on  Brazil 
Effort  in  War 

by  ALFREDO  C.  MACHADO 
in  Rio  de  Janeiro 

Arrived  here  recently  with  Phil  Reisman, 
RKO  vice-president,  and  engaged  since  then  in 
intensive  activities,  Commander  John  Ford 
granted  an  interview  to  Brazilian  newspaper- 
men. Commander  Ford  limited  himself  to  re- 
peating the  text  of  a  leaflet  distributed  among 
those  present,  titled  "Commander  John  Ford 
and  his  Photographic  Mission  to  Brazil."  Com- 
mander Ford  produced  "The  Battle  of  Mid- 
way," which  recently  won  the  war  shorts  poll 
conducted  by  Motion  Picture  Herald. 

He  will  supervise  production  of  a  series  of 
pictures  which  will  depict  Brazil's  contribution 
to  the  war  effort  and  the  role  Brazil  is  playing 
in  the  cause  of  the  United  Nations,  it  was 
said. 

Associated  with  Commander  Ford  in  this 
project  will  be  some  of  the  most  important 
figures  in  the  motion  picture  industry  of  the 
United  States,  including  Lt.  Comdr.  Gregg 
Toland,  U.S.N.R.,  Lt.  Samuel  Engle,  U.S.N.R., 
Captain  Bert  Cunningham,  U.S.M.C.R.,  in  ad- 
dition to  a  group  of  ten  men  who  have  occupied 
important  positions  as  motion  picture  tech- 
nicians. 

It  is  expected  that  this  project  will  take 
between  eight  and  nine  months  to  complete. 
Commander  Ford  will  stay  in  Brazil  about  a 
month,  then  go  to  supervise  similar  photo- 
graphic missions  in  other  parts  of  the  world, 
and  come  back  within  five  or  six  months.  In 
his  absence,  the  work  will  be  carried  on  by  his 
direct  assistants. 

The  story  that  will  be  told  in  these  motion 
pictures  will  be  the  story  of  rubber,  quartz 
crystal,  mica  and  other  critical  materials  which 
are  so  vital  to  the  support  of  the  armed  forces — 
the  story  of  the  role  of  the  Brazilian  Navy 
and  Air  Corps  protecting  the  convoy  lines  in 
the  South  Atlantic ;  the  training  and  develop- 
ment of  the  Brazilian  armed  forces  and  the 
cooperative  action  between  the  armed  forces  of 
Brazil  and  the  United  States. 

From  the  Rio  Grande  to  the  Far  North  these 
films  will  show  every  part  of  Brazilian  life 
and  will  not  only  be  shown  commercially  but 
will  be  made  available  in  schools  and  churches 
throughout  the  entire  United  States,  and  will 
be  supplied  for  showings  in  Brazil  through  the 
same  outlets,  Commander  Ford  indicated. 

The  decision  as  to  what  shall  be  included  in 
these  films  shall  rest  with  the  responsible  of- 
ficials of  the  Brazilian  Government.  Some  of 
this  film  will  be  photographed  in  color  and 
some  in  black  and  white,  and  all  of  the  film 
will  be  made  available  for  the  schools  and 
churches  of  North  and  South  America  without 
any  charge  for  non-theatrical  showing. 

This  program  has  been  in  the  making  for 
some  months  and  negotiations  have  been  con- 
ducted between  the  Departamento  de  Imprensa 
e  Propaganda  and  the  Office  of  the  Coordinator 
of  Inter-American  Affairs  in  Washington.  The 
Ford  Mission  represents  the  joint  activity  of 
the  Coordinator's  Office  and  the  Office  of 
Strategic  Services  under  the  direction  of 
Brigadier  General  W.  J.  "Wild  Bill"  Donovan. 


Fowler  Joins  20th-Fox 

Al  Fowler,  formerly  with  Publix  theatres, 
has  been  appointed  to  the  Twentieth  Century- 
Fox  exploitation  staff  covering  New  England. 


Recreation  Job  in  Army 

Howard  McBride,  former  Spokane  theatre 
manager,  now  in  the  Army,  is  in  charge  of 
recreation  at  Camp  McQuiade,  Cal. 


June    5,  1943 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


39 


NEW  BRITISH  RELEASE  PLAN 
IS  WORKING  SMOOTHLY 


Release  System  Revision, 
Bicycling  of  Newsreels 
Bring  Few  Complaints 

by  AUBREY  FLANAGAN 

in  London 

With  characteristic  British  adaptability, 
and  with  an  equally  characteristic  British 
propensity  for  a  quiet  moan,  exhibitors  here 
readily  have  slipped  into  the  new  machinery 
set  up  recently  in  order  to  alleviate  the  raw 
stock  situation.  Already  the  bicycling  sys- 
tem of  newsreels  has  begun  to  operate, 
smoothly  it  would  seem — but  not  without 
protests. 

The  deadline  has  been  reached,  too,  at  the 
moment  of  writing,  for  a  revision  of  the  re- 
lease system  and  the  three-way  split  on  Lon- 
don releases.  It  would  seem  certain  to 
operate  smoothly.  It  would  seem  equally 
certain  to  continue  provoking  criticism  and 
complaint. 

The  essential  fact  would  seem  to  be  that 
both  processes  are  undoubtedly  going  to 
work  satisfactorily  and,  in  general,  smooth- 
ly, although  not  without  certain  minor  ad- 
justments and  changes.  Exhibitors  soon  wilJ 
get  into  the  commercial  habit  of  swapping 
newsreels  and  "making  do"  with  less  copies, 
and,  in  some  instances,  later  playdates. 

Well  in  the  minds  of  British  exhibitors 
is  the  certainty  that  if  these  new  pro- 
cesses do  not  operate,  if  there  is  unwill- 
ingness or  non-cooperation,  the  Board  of 
Trade  will  consider  and  almost  certainly 
interpose  other  and  more  drastic  solu- 
tions, with  the  cutting  of  playing  time- 
even  the  telescoping  of  picture  houses  far 
from  improbable. 

The  adaptability  already  referred  to  and 
the  general  public-spiritedness  or  patriot- 
ism of  the  exhibitor,  it  must  be  recorded, 
have  made  the  changes  easy.  The  trade  is 
fully  conscious  not  only  of  its  responsibili- 
ties, but  of  its  privileges,  and  it  is  in  no 
spirit  of  smugness  or  sanctimony  that  it 
has  fallen  into  line.  None  the  less  there  is 
and  remains  some  criticism — more  particu- 
larly of  certain  aspects  of  the  newsreel 
crossover  system. 

So  emphatic,  it  would  seem,  is  this  latter 
criticism  that  the  matter  is  to  be  discussed 
by  the  general  council  of  the  Cinematograph 
Exhibitors  Association. 

Exhibitors  Protesting 
Newsreel  Contract 

Most  of  the  grumbling  has  been  directed 
at  the  supplementary  contract  which  ex- 
hibitors are  called  upon  to  sign  in  order  to 
legalize  and  to  facilitate  the  crossover  sys- 
tem in  regard  to  newsreels.  Under  the  trade 
plan  as  presented  to  the  Board  of  Trade 
every  newsreel — already  abbreviated  by  an 
appreciable  amount  of  footage — is  to  serve 
at  least  two  picture  houses,  with  the  ancient 
system  of  bicycling  instituted  as  between 
cinema  and  cinema. 

It  has  operated  from  May  3rd.  The  con- 


REPORT  20TH-FOX  TO 
JOIN  BRITISH  KRS 

Twentieth  Century-Fox  is  expected 
shortly  to  become  a  full  member  of 
the  Kinematograph  Renters  Society, 
distributor  group,  in  London.  The 
decision  was  learned  following  a 
closed  meeting  last  week  among 
representatives  of  the  company  and 
the  KRS.  The  company  recently  was 
involved  in  disputes  on  Sunday  book- 
ings and  other  matters. 


tract  as  laid  out,  claim  the  critics — notably 
the  London  and  Home  Counties  Branch  of 
the  C.  E.  A. — allows  the  exhibitor  no  right 
of  cancellation,  makes  it  incumbent  upon 
him  to  show  and  to  pay  for  a  newsreel 
whether  he  likes  it  or  not.  Exhibitors  in 
some  areas  have  refused  to  sign  the  con- 
tract until  this  technical  point  is  cleared  up 
satisfactorily  and  their  protection  assured. 

Under  the  crossover  system  exhibitors 
have  no  choice  of  newsreel,  and  in  fact,  in 
some  cases,  must  take  a  reel  other  than  the 
one  to  which  they  have  been  accustomed. 
Apart  from  the  question  of  popular  ac- 
ceptance it  is  obvious  that  some  cinemas 
will  need  convincing  that  they  are  not  get- 
ting a  poorer  quality  reel  than  heretofore. 

Of  course  on  the  other  hand  many  houses 
will  receive  a  reel  of  higher  quality  and 
greater  popularity  than  previously.  The 
argument  in  fact  works  both  ways.  Other 
exhibitors  are  critical  of  the  fact  that  they 
will  have  to  pay  full  price  for  a  changeover 
reel  they  previously  got  at  a  lower  figure. 
Renters  have  the  power  to  increase  charges, 
too,  in  certain  circumstances. 

London  Release  Area 
Change  Ready 

In  spite  of  these  complaints  and  criticisms 
the  system  seems  to  have  worked  smoothly 
and  there  have  been  few  reports  of  mishaps 
or  disharmonies.  Well  in  the  forefront  of 
the  exhibitor  mind,  as  already  recorded,  is 
the  realization  that  whatever  discomforts 
and  inconveniences  they  may  be  subject  to, 
at  the  moment,  these  are  better  than  having 
a  government-imposed  cut  in  screen  time, 
or  a  telescoping  system  in  local  districts, 
with  maybe  two  out  of  five  cinemas  closed 
and  the  business  left  to  the  others — neither 
course  by  any  means  outside  the  realm  of 
possibility — if  an  emergency  demanded 
drastic  action. 

The  splitting  of  London  into  three  re- 
lease areas  instead  of  two,  by  which  the 
number  of  prints  will  be  reduced  to  ap- 
proximately 40,  is  set  to  go. 

There  has  been  little  grumbling  of  any 
serious  kind  here,  although,  of  course,  there 
was  some  difficulty  in  arriving  at  an  ap- 
propriate geographical  formula.  Many  ex- 
hibitors— both  circuits  and  independents — 


degraded  from  first  release  to  second,  or 
second  to  third — on  the  new  geographical 
basis,  resent  their  having  to  step  back. 

But  once  again  the  alternative  is  worse 
than  the  present  solution,  and  objections  are 
for  the  most  part  merely  verbal.  Obvious- 
ly there  will  be  an  interim  period  during 
which  some  theatres  will  have  to  content 
themselves  with  scratch  programs  but  this 
over  it  is  likely  the  machinery  will  operate 
smoothly. 

Plan  General  Coating 
Of  Release  Stock 

Meanwhile  consideration  is  still  being 
given  by  the  Board  of  Trade  and  the  indus- 
try sections  to  more  detailed  devices  by 
which  raw  stock  can  be  saved,  mainly  by 
the  preservation  of  films  in  circulation  and 
to  the  maintenance  of  proper  conditions  in 
the  projection  box,  in  transport,  etcetera. 

Outstanding  among  the  devices  considered 
and  indeed  approved  wholeheartedly  by  the 
Government  department  is  that  of  process- 
ing or  coating  release  positives,  such  as  is 
done  in  the  U.  S.  but  which  so  far  is  ex- 
ceptional in  the  industry  here.  It  is  not  un- 
likely that  in  the  not  far  distant  future  the 
majority  of  renters  here  will  have  their  films 
so  treated.  Special  coaching  and  persuasion 
of  projectionists'  staffs  in  handling  and  re- 
winding of  film,  of  packing  and  transport- 
ing, is  in  view  as  well. 

Pacent  Denied  Appeal  in 
Warner  Damage  Action 

The  Appellate  Division  of  the  New  York 
State  Supreme  Court  last  week  denied  Louis 
Pacent  the  right  to  appeal  the  $225,000  suit 
against  Warners  and  subsidiary  companies,  dis- 
missed several  years  ago  in  the  New  York 
Supreme  Court.  Morris  Gottlieb,  attorney  for 
the  plaintiff,  said  that  he  would  appeal  to  the 
New  York  Court  of  Appeals  for  a  reversal  of 
the  appellate  court's  decision. 

The  plaintiff  claims  that  Warners  did  not 
fulfill  a  guarantee  in  an  agreement  whereby 
the  Pacent  Electric  Company  was  to  carry  on 
research  for  the  producing  compa'ny  and  sub- 
sidiaries to  develop  superior  motion  picture 
sound  equipment,  and  sell  10  machines  to 
Warners  after  perfecting  the  device.  Mr.  Pa- 
cent alleged  that  Warners  purchased  only  one 
machine. 


Maas  in  Argentina 

Irving  Maas,  assistant  director  of  the  inter- 
national department  of  Twentieth  Century-Fox, 
is  in  Argentina  for  sales  conferences  with  the 
company's  representatives.  He  will  visit  the 
west  coast  and  Panama  before  returning  to 
New  York. 


Rochester  Premiere  for  Film 

The  world  premiere  of  "Pledge  to  Bataan," 
Adventure  Films  release,  was  held  at  the  East- 
man theatre  in  Rochester  last  Friday.  It  is  a 
documentary  feature  made  in  the  Philippines  by 
Dave  Griffin. 


Joins  Universal  Staff 

James  Francis  Crow,  drama  editor  of  the 
Hollywood  Citizen-News,  has  joined  Uni- 
versale studio  publicity  staff. 


A  N£W  BOX- OFF IC£  RECORD.' 


JOE  E.  BROWN  • 


IUDY  CANOVA 

Of  OZARK"  AND  THEY'RE 


1 


A 


"*  G0yO,VC' 


ton 


38? 


5*^ 


N 


sing 


ory 


with 

MARY  LANE 
I  HUBBARD 

ANNE  GEORGE 

G*  JEFFREYS*  BYRON 

and 

MILLS  BROTHERS 
tOOLEY  AND  HIS  BOYS 


42 

Pushing  Copper 
Collection  Drive 
In  Philadelphia 

Philadelphia  showmen  this  week  gathered 
their  forces  in  the  battle  to  salvage  more  copper, 
following  the  appearance  in  that  city  of  Robert 
J.  O'Donnell,  who  is  touring  exchange  centers 
to  urge  renewed  effort  to  collect  the  metal, 
and  who  has  pointed  out  its  importance  and 
that  theatres  are  the  most  efficient  medium  for 
collection. 

The  meeting  at  which  Mr.  O'Donnell  spoke 
was  attended  by  more  than  50  executives,  rep- 
resenting theatres  and  exchanges. 

Henry  Friedman  and  Ray  Schwartz  were 
appointed  chairmen  of  the  local  salvage  com- 
mittee, and  George  Gomperts,  sub-chairman. 

Their  effort  began  Tuesday.  Because  it  has 
been  stressed  as  permanent,  it  has  been  given 
the  title  "Copper  Salvage  Effort"  instead  of  the 
usual  "campaign"  or  "drive." 

All  factors  have  been  considered,  and  in  the 
effort  civilian  defense  units,  the  American  Le- 
gion and  other  such  organizations  will  be  co- 
operating, in  addition  to  schools.  Adults  as  well 
as  children  now  will  be  admitted  to  theatres  if 
they  bring  copper.  The  adults  will  be  required 
to  present  five  pounds,  the  children,  one. 

Meanwhile,  in  New  York,  more  than  600 
theatres  are  cooperating  in  a  campaign  to  enlist 
500,000  volunteers  for  the  Civilian  Defense 
Voluntary  Organization.  The  campaign  began 
Wednesday,  and  will  continue  through  June 
13th.  Although  not  recruiting  centers,  the 
theatres  are  providing  all  pertinent  CDVO  in- 
formation. 

Major  Raymond  Massey  of  the  Canadian 
Army  delivered  a  tone-poem,  "They  Were  the 
Men  Who  Didn't  Know"  last  Saturday  eve- 
ning on  the  Blue  Network.  The  poem  was  in- 
spired by  the  War  Department's  "Prelude  to 
War,"  being  distributed  to  theatres  through 
the  War  Activities  Committee. 

On  Tuesday  the  WAC  reported  2,891  book- 
ings had  been  recorded,  and  that  the  250  prints 
probably  would  be  "steadily  employed." 

A  special  Memorial  Day  premiere  was  held 
at  the  Tudor  theatre,  New  Orleans,  by  E.  V. 
Richards'  circuit  operator. 

Defendants  Win  Point 
In  Newark  WPB  Case 

Federal  Judge  Thomas  F.  Meaney  last  week 
in  Newark,  N.  J.,  instructed  U.  S.  Attorney  J. 
Paul  McQueen  to  furnish  additional  facts  to 
Frank  V.  Merritt  and  Newman  H.  Waters,  ac- 
cused of  violating  the  War  Production  Board's 
construction  order  in  altering  the  Terrace 
Room,  a  night  club  located  in  the  Mosque 
Theatre  Building  in  Newark. 

Walter  F.  Waldow,  counsel  for  the  defend- 
ants, said  that  the  Government's  charges  had 
neither  included  names  of  other  individuals  con- 
cerned nor  given  sufficient  facts  as  to  the  bids 
for  the  job  and  the  date  upon  which  construc- 
tion began.  WPB  representatives,  it  was  re- 
ported, estimated  that  the  alterations  cost  ap- 
proximately $4,000  while  the  limit  on  construc- 
tion of  amusement  places  had  been  set  at  $200 
by  the  Government  agency. 


Theatres  Raise  Prices 

The  Capitol  theatre  in  Everett,  and  the  Wal- 
dorf in  Lynn,  Conn.,  have  increased  prices  to 
25  cents  for  all  seats  at  matinees,  including  tax. 
Evening  prices  at  the  Capitol  have  been  raised 
to  40  cents  for  evenings,  while  children's  prices 
have  been  increased  to  17  cents.  Evening  prices 
at  the  Waldorf  are  now  35  cents  for  orchestra, 
24  cents  for  balcany,  with  children's  admission 
remaining  at  11  cents.  Both  theatres  are  operat- 
ed by  Warners. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

Seek  to  Curb  Vandalism 
In  Atlantic  City 

Measures  to  curtail  vandalism  on  the  ocean 
piers  and  motion  picture  theatres  in  Atlantic 
City,  were  taken  at  a  conference  this  week  of 
amusement  men  and  city  officials  in  the  office 
of  Director  of  Public  Safety  Cuthbert.  Accord- 
ing to  the  police  and  amusement  men,  a  band 
of  young  men — the  activities  of  whom  are  rem- 
iniscent of  the  "Ali  Baba"  gang  of  story  fame — 
have  been  raising  havoc  in  theatres  and  on  the 
amusement  piers. 

The  vandals  have  tossed  fire  buckets  over- 
board from  one  pier,  used  fire  axes  to  break 
down  doors,  started  small  fires  and  set  off 
sprinkling  systems,  resulting  in  damage  and 
loss  to  owners.  As  a  result  of  the  complaints, 
police  in  plain  clothes  will  be  assigned  in  an 
attempt  to  round  up  the  band. 

Among  those  who  attended  the  conference 
were  Nathan  Hoffman,  representing  the  War- 
ner theatre  circuit ;  Harry  Walters  and  Max 
Weinman,  of  the  Weilland-Lewis  theatres ; 
Frank  P.  Gravatt  and  Richard  Endicott,  of 
Steel  Pier,  and  other  representatives  of  the 
city's  theatre  groups. 


Editorial  Lauds 
Camp  Shows 

The  Atlanta  Constitution  recently  carried  an 
editorial  paying  tribute  to  the  artists  of  the 
entertainment  world  who  daily  visit  Army 
camps  throughout  the  country  and  in  foreign 
lands  to  entertain  the  troops  in  service.  The 
editorial  read: 

"Some  of  the  greatest  soldiers  of  the  home 
front  are  not  in  uniform.  They  are  the  troupers 
of  the  entertainment  world  making  the  rounds 
of  the  various  Army  and  Navy  camps,  posts, 
bases  and  stations  in  this  country  and  abroad. 

"To  the  average  citizen  they  are  giving  one 
show  a  week.  But  behind  the  scenes,  with 
little  fanfare,  they  are  giving  five  and  six  and 
more  shows  a  week,  riding  hundreds  of  miles, 
taking  off  in  planes  from  small  airports  and, 
all  in  all,  driving  themselves  just  as  hard  as 
the  average  soldier  and  with  as  little — or  less — 
complaint. 

"The  Bob  Hope  show,  now  in  this  section, 
is  a  good  example  of  the  way  these  shows 
bring  entertainnient  and  a  break  from  the 
routine  to  the  people  in  service.  There  was 
a  show  Monday  night  at  the  United  States 
Naval  Air  Station,  another  Tuesday  at  Mill- 
edgeville  for  the  WAVES  there.  The  troupe 
got  back  in  the  wee  sma'  hours.  Then  Hope, 
hearing  the  parachute  trainees  of  the  517th 
Regiment  at  Camp  Toccoa  had  been  getting 
nothing  but  work,  decided  to  take  the  gang 
up  there  Wednesday  night,  which  meant  another 
long,  hot  and  tiresome  journey.  They  were 
well  repaid— but  only  in  applause.  Hope  then 
left  for  the  east  and  a  benefit  golf  match  there. 
He'll  be  back  here  Monday  for  a  show  at  Fort 
McPherson  and  another  Tuesday  at  Camp 
Wheeler  in  Macon.  Between  shows,  all  the 
cast  has  to  do  is  rehearse,  prepare  new  skits 
and  gags,  autograph  for  the  kids  and  the 
not-so-kiddish. 

"They're  pretty  good  soldiers,  themselves." 


Asks  $25,000  from  Warners 

Allen  Boretz,  screen  writer  and  author  of  a 
play,  "The  Hard  Way,"  last  week  filed  an  ac- 
tion in  New  York  Federal  Court  seeking  $25,- 
000  damages  from  Warner  Bros.  He  claimed 
that  after  he  had  refused  offers  from  Warners 
for  the  purchase  of  the  title,  the  company  used 
the  title  in  producing  a  film  in  1942. 


Joins  RKO  Exploitation  Staff 

Al  O'Camp  has  been  appointed  field  repre- 
sentative in  the  Seattle  and  Portland  terri- 
tories for  the  RKO  exploitation  department. 


June    5 ,  1943 

Chicago  Paper's 
Institutional  Ad 
Praises  Trade 

In  an  institutional  advertisement  by  the  Chi- 
cago Herald- American,  on  May  26th,  tribute 
was  paid  to  the  cooperation  with  the  war  effort 
on  the  part  of  the  motion  picture  theatres  of 
the  city. 

It  was  a  full-page  advertisement,  giving  credit 
to  Chicago  patrons  for  their  donations  of  $100,- 
000  to  the  Hollywood  Victory  Caravan,  $62,000 
to  United  Nations  Relief  and  more  than  $108,- 
000  to  the  Red  Cross.  The  theatres  themselves 
were  complimented  for  providing  500,000  free 
admissions  to  school  children  who  collected  90,- 
000  pounds  of  brass,  bronze  and  copper,  sold 
over  $15,000,000  worth  of  War  Bonds  in  theatre 
lobbies  and  provided  100,000  free  admissions 
each  month  to  the  enlisted  personnel  of  the 
armed  forces. 

Conceived  by  Walter  Amann,  manager  of 
amusement  advertising  for  the  paper,  it  is  part 
of  a  series  of  full-page  promotions  which  will 
tell  of  the  effort  which  free  enterprise  is  mak- 
ing in  behalf  of  the  war. 

It  was  executed  by  W.  P.  Houchin,  adver- 
tising promotion  manager  of  the  Chicago 
Herald- American  with  the  help  of  W.  K.  Hol- 
lander, head  of  the  Balaban  and  Katz  publicity 
department.  The  pamphlet  "Movies  at  War" 
furnished  part  of  the  inspiration. 

Coated  stock  reprints  were  mailed  to  all 
theatres  in  the  Chicago  area  and  to  the  home 
offices  of  film  companies.  Lobby  displays  are 
being  made  for  use  by  Allied  Theatres  of  Illi- 
nois, Balaban  &  Katz  Corporation  and  Warner 
Bros. 


Six  Theatre  Tax 
Bills  in  Florida 

Six  tax  measures  directed  at  theatres  were 
introduced  during  the  1943  session  of  the  Florida 
legislature,  none  of  the  proposals  passing  both 
houses.  Only  one  bill  has  been  reported  favor- 
ably out  of  committee. 

The  measures  were  sponsored  as  methods  of 
raising  taxes  to  replace  the  revenue  formerly 
realized  from  horse  racing  which  has  been 
curtailed  to  a  large  extent.  One  bill  would  place 
a  tax  of  five  cents  on  each  adult  ticket  sold, 
with  the  revenue  going  into  the  old  age  pension 
fund.  Another  measure  would  increase  the 
present  $5  annual  license  on  recording  machines 
to  $25  in  addition  to  placing  a  tax  of  10  per  cent 
on  all  punch  boards. 

The  bill  to  tax  cigarettes  at  the  rate  of 
three  cents  per  pack,  which  was  known  to  have 
the  Governor's  approval,  recently  passed  both 
houses  and  will  become  effective  July  1st. 

Schlaifer  Takes  Post  on 
20th-Fox  Sales  Staff 

L.  J.  Schlaifer,  former  vice-president  of 
United  Artists,  has  been  appointed  home  office 
representative  for  the  20th  Century-Fox  sales 
force,  it  was  announced  last  Friday  by  Tom  J. 
Connors,  vice-president  in  charge  of  distribu- 
tion. 

Mr.  Schlaifer  has  been  associated  with  the 
motion  picture  industry  since  1912,  and  was 
general  sales  manager  of  Universal  at  one  time. 
In  1940,  he  became  vice-president  of  Edward 
Small  Productions,  Inc. 


Myers  Joins  Republic 

Earl  Myers,  former  office  manager  of  the 
Warner  exchange  in  Des  Moines,  has  trans- 
ferred to  the  Republic  branch  there  as  office 
manager  and  booker. 


June    5,    1943  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  43 

THE  HOLLYWOOD  SCENE 


From  HOLLYWOOD  BUREAU 


Although  Warner  Brothers  are  to  re- 
lease between  14  and  16  pictures  during 
the  coming  season,  according  to  declara- 
tion, the  company  is  not  going  to  be 
caught  without  properties  with  which  to 
meet  any  demand  for  more  which  the 
market  might  develop.  As  of  last  week- 
end the  studio  had  32  writers  at  work  on 
29  screenplays,  three  of  these  scripts  of 
pictures  now  in  production.  The  other  26 
are  scripts  of  pictures-to-come,  not  neces- 
sarily for  the  1943-44  season,  of  course,  al- 
though conceivably  so  if  circumstances 
develop  to  warrant  expeditious  filming  of 
the  works. 

Alva  Bassie  is  continuing  work  on  "To 
the  Last  Man,"  the  Errol  Flynn  vehicle 
now  in  production ;  Ellis  St.  Joseph  is  work- 
ing on  "In  Our  Time"  as  the  cameras  grind 
and  Charles  Hoffman  and  Keith  Winter  are 
working  on  "The  Animal  Kingdom,"  shoot- 
ing of  which  was  stopped  at  a  point  where 
the  unit  ran  ahead  of  the  writers. 

A.  I.  Bezzerides  is  writing  "Country 
Lawyer,"  W.  R.  Burnett  "Nobody  Lives 
Forever,"  Vera  Caspary  and  Thomas  Job 
"Danger  Signal,"  William  Faulkner  "Battle 
Cry,"  "Frederick  Faust  and  Elliot  Paul 
"The  Conspirators,"  Frank  Gruber  "Three 
Strangers,"  Sam  Hellman  and  James  Kern 
"The  Horn  Blows  at  Midnight,"  James 
Hilton  "The  Time  Between."  Arthur  Hor- 
man  "Conflict"  and  "The  Widow  Wouldn't 
Weep,"  Howard  Koch  "Rhapsody  in  Blue," 
S.  K.  Lauren  "The  Gav  Nineties,"  Albert 
Maltz  "Deep  Valley,"  Jack  Moffitt  "Passage 
to  Marseilles,"  Jo  Pagano  and  Lionel  Wig- 
gan  "The  Young  and  the  Brave,"  Robert 
Rossen  "The  Treasure  of  Sierra  Madre," 
Francis  Swann  "Daddies,"  Dwight  Taylor 
"Marilyn  Miller"  and  Richard  Weil 
"Humoresque." 

Sam  Wood  To  Make 
"Address  Unknown" 

Producer-director  Sam  Wood,  who  recently 
acquired  film  rights  to  "Address  Unknown," 
that  double-action  book  about  Nazis  which 
made  excitement  prior  to  this  country's  entry 
into  the  war,  is  to  produce  and  direct  it  for 
Columbia. 

RKO  Radio  has  again  shelved  its  frequently 
announced  "Challenge  in  the  Night,"  mentioned 
as  a  vehicle  for  Michele  Morgan.  It  was  a 
non-war  mystery  story.  Miss  Morgan's  last 
picture  for  RKO  was  "Joan  of  Paris." 

Monogram,  which  has  produced  fewer  war 
pictures  than  most  studios,  in  proportion  to  its 
total  output,  has  announced  purchase  by  the 
King  Brothers  of  "Bataan  to  Japan,"  by  Har- 
rison Howell,  with  the  remark  that  "the  script 
will  be  held  until  the  global  conflict  nears  its 
end." 

James  Cagney  Negotiates 
With  Paramount 

Samuel  Bischoff  has  taken  over  from  Ed- 
ward Kaufman,  resigned,  production  of  "Of- 
ficers Candidate  School"  for  Columbia.  Kauf- 
man produced  "They  All  Kissed  the  Bride" 
during  his  Columbia  producership. 

James  Cagney,  having  finished  "Johnny 
Come  Lately,"  the  first  of  the  Cagney  Produc- 
tions properties  for  United  Artists  distribu- 
tion, is  in  conference  with  Paramount  execu- 


Production  Levels  Off 


Although  the  completion  of  nine  pictures 
combined  with  the  starting  of  six  to  bring 
the  shooting  index  figure  down  to  41  from 
the  preceding  week's  44,  which  was  down 
three  from  the  47  of  the  week  before,  pro- 
duction continued  above  the  1942  average 
as  the  studios  shut  down  for  the  long 
Memorial  Day  weekend. 

Figures  for  1943,  week  by  week,  show  an 
average  of  37.66  features  in  camera  stage 
maintained  for  the  21  weeks.  Although 
talk  of  curtailment  of  production  activity 
continues,  with  a  variety  of  reasons  cited, 
there  are  no  tangibles  in  evidence  to- sup- 
port a  belief  that  the  cameras  are  going 
to  stop  turning  out  the  materials  of  enter- 
tainment in  the  quantity  to  which  Holly- 
wood has  accustomed  the  customers. 

The  outstanding  production  started  dur- 
ing the  week  is  "The  White  Cliffs  of 
Dover",  MSM,  with  the  Academy's  1942 
Thalberg  Award  winner,  Sidney  Franklin, 
producing  and  with  Clarence  Brown  direct- 
ing a  cast  which  includes  Irene  Dunne,  Alan 
Marshall,  Frank  Morgan,  Roddy  McDowall, 
Gladys  Cooper,  Dame  May  Whiffy,  C. 
Aubrey  Smith,  Elizabeth  Taylor  and  Norma 
Varden. 

Harry  Sherman  started  "The  Gunmas- 
ter",  based  on  the  career  of  Bat  Master- 
son,  a  special  for  United  Artists  release. 


COMPLETED 

Monogram 

Six- Gun  Gospel 
Black  Market 

Rustlers 
He  Couldn't  Take  It 

Paramount 

Minesweeper 

(Pine-Thomas) 

RKO  Radio 

Tarzan  and  the  Sheik 
(Lesser) 

Republic 

Wagon  Tracks  West 
20th  Century-Fox 
Holy  Matrimony 
United  Artists 

Hi  Diddle  Diddle 

(Stone) 
Johnny  Come  Lately 

(Cagney) 


STARTED 

MGM 

White  Cliffs  of 
Dover 

Monogram 

Revenge  of  the 
Zombies 

RKO  Radio 

Around  the  World 

Republic 

Sleepy  Lagoon 

United  Artists 

Hunmaster 

(Sherman) 

Universal 

Frontier  Bad  Man 


SHOOTING 

Columbia 

Without  Notice 
Restless  Ladv 


George  Archainbaud  is  directing  and  Lewis 
Rachmil  is  associate  producer.  The  cast: 
Albert  Dekker,  Claire  Trevor,  Barry  Sullivan, 
Porter  Hall,  George  Cleveland,  Henry  Hull, 
Herbert  Rawlinson,  Arthur  Hohl,  Percy 
Kilbride. 

RKO  Radio  turned  camera  and  micro- 
phone on  its  next  Kay  Kyser  musical, 
"Around  the  World",  with  producer-direc- 
tor Allan  Dwan  handling  a  cast  composed 
of  Kyser,  Joan  Davis,  Marcy  McGuire, 
Georgia  Carroll,  Mischa  Auer,  Alan  Car- 
ney, Wally  Brown  and  others. 

Universal  launched  a  super- Western, 
"Frontier  Bad  Men",  with  Diana  Barrymore, 
Robert  Paige,  Lon  Chaney,  Leo  Carrillo, 
Thomas  Gomez,  Anne  Gwynne,  Noah 
Beery,  Jr.,  and  Andy  Devine  in  the  cast, 
William  McGann  directing  for  producer 
Ford  Beebe. 

Republic  began  filming  Judy  Canova's 
next,  "Sleepy  Lagoon",  with  Dennis  Day, 
Ruth  Donnelly,  Ernest  Truex,  Joseph  Sawyer 
and  William  Wright  in  the  cast.  Albert  J. 
Cohen  is  producing,  with  Joseph  Santley 
directing. 

Monogram  started  "Revenge  of  the 
Zombies",  presenting  John  Carradine, 
Lyle  Talbot,  Gale  Storm  and  others. 

The  production  scene  by  status,  studio 
and  title: 


Goldwyn 

North  Star 

MGM 

Cry  Havoc 

1.000  Shall  Fall 

Heavenly  Body 

Whistling  in  Brooklyn 

America 

Russia 

Madame  Curie 
Guy  Named  Joe 

Paramount 

And  the  Angels  Sing 
Uninvited 

Hour  Before  Dawn 
PRC 

Danger — Women  at 

Work 
Strange  Music 

RKO  Radio 

Seventh  Victim 

Iron  Major 

Behind  the  Rising  Sun 


Republic 

Nobody's  Darling 

20th  Century-Fox 

Song  of  Bernadette 
Girls  He  Left 

Behind 
Night  Is  Ending 
Claudia 

Guadalcanal  Diary 

Universal 

Angela 

Sherlock  Holmes  and 
the  Spider  Woman 
Hers  to  Hold 
Cobra  Woman 
Mad  Ghoul 

Warners 

In   Our  Time 
To  the  Last  Man 
Saratoga  Trunk 
This  Is  the  Army 
Animal  Kingdom 


tives  regarding  portrayal  of  the  stellar  role  in 
that  studio's  "Salty  O'Rourke,"  a  property  in- 
tended originally  as  a  vehicle  for  the  now  uni- 
formed Alan  Ladd.  It  is  a  part  of  the  Cagney 
Productions  operational  policy  for  the  1942 
Academy  Award  winner  to  accept  an  outside 
starring  contract  on  occasion,  in  return  for 
which  the  contracting  studio  agrees  to  make  de- 


sired talent  available  to  Cagney  for  his  produc- 
tions. 

Harry-  Cohn,  president  of  Columbia,  has 
signed  Al  Jolson  to  play  himself  in  a  picture 
based  on  his  own  career.  Sidney  Skolsky  will 
produce  the  feature. 

Leon  Gordon,  who  wrote  "White  Cargo"  for 
MGM,  has  become  a  producer  for  that  company. 


You're  0$fr1bQ 


Yes,  Mr.  Exhibitor,  you 
owe  it  to  yourself  and  to 
our  business  to  screen 
"Mister  Big"  before  play- 
ing it.  You  will  then  see  its 
vast  possibilities  and  you'll 
realize  that  this  industry 
has  a  new  star  in  Donald 
O'Connor. ..You  are  going 
to  hear  a  lot  about  him. 


Book  "PRELUDE  TO  WAR,"  the  sensational  55-minute  Government  film... rental  free 


46 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    5 ,  1943 


Nathanson,  Canadian 
Trade  Leader,  Dies 


General  Theatres  and  Re- 
gal Films  Head,  opened 
First  Theatre  in  1916 

Funeral  services  were  held  last  Sunday 
in  Toronto  for  Nathan  Louis  Nathanson, 
leader  of  the  film  industry  in  Canada  for 
many  years,  who  died  May  27th  at  his  home 
in  Toronto  at  the  age  of  57.  He  had  under- 
gone an  operation  eight  months  ago  at  To- 
ronto General  Hospital  for  a  stomach  ail- 
ment. 

Hundreds  paid  tribute  to  Mr.  Nathanson 
at  an  impressive  service  at  Holy  Blossom 
Synagogue,  conducted  by  Rabbi  Maurice  N. 
Eisendrath.  Executives  of  the  Canadian  in- 
dustry and  leaders  from  all  walks  of  life 
were  in  attendance.  Honorary  pallbearers 
were :  Arthur  Slaght,  member  of  the  Cana- 
dian Parliament;  Dr.  J.  S.  Thomson,  Nicho- 
las Schenck,  Sir  William  Wiseman,  Hon. 
W.  D.  Ross,  Charles  Draiman,  E.  L.  Ruddy, 
Bernard  Mitchell  and  R.  O.  Johnson. 

Active  pallbearers  were :  T.  J.  Bragg, 
Dr.  Smirle  Lawson,  Hon.  L.  Earl  Lawson, 
K.  C.  Haskell,  C.  George  McCullagh,  H. 
Rupert  Bain,  D.  A  Mcintosh  and  J  E.  Tar- 
shis.  Among  the  many  tributes  paid  was 
one  from  J.  J.  Fitzgibbons,  president  of 
Famous  Players  Canadian  Corporation,  who 
said,  "The  industry  has  lost  one  of  its  most 
colorful  characters.  Wherever  films  are 
made  or  shown,  he  will  be  greatly  missed." 

(Reprinted  from  the  late  editions  of  last 
week's  Herald.) 

Mr.  Nathanson  was  born  in  Minneapolis  May 
5,  1886.  He  was  proud  of  his  start  as  a  news- 
boy in  that  city  at  the  age  of  ten  and  he  kept 
framed  in  his  office  a  picture  of  himself  holding 
a  cornet  in  the  uniform  of  the  Minneapolis 
Newsboys'  Band. 

His  first  full-time  job  was  a  brief  one  in  a 
railroad  ticket  brokerage  office  and  he  soon 
went  to  work  for  a  concessionnaire  at  the 
Wonderland  Amusement  Park  in  Minneapolis. 
In  1907,  he  followed  the  concessionnaire  to 
Toronto,  then  a  city  of  about  200,000,  where 
they  opened  a  stand  at  the  Scarboro  Beach 
Amusement  Park.  From  Toronto  he  moved  to 
Dominion  Park  in  Montreal. 

Joins  Billposting  Company 
As  a  Salesman 

Tiring  of  seasonal  work,  Mr.  Nathanson 
entered  the  services  of  a  billposting  company, 
the  Connor-Ruddy  Company,  as  a  salesman. 
Several  years  later  he  became  sales  manager 
and  a  director  of  the  company,  now  the  E.  L. 
Ruddy  Company,  in  which  he  retained  a  finan- 
cial interest  until  recently.  His  personal  in- 
terest in  the  exploitation  branch  of  show  busi- 
ness was  reflected  by  his  later  formation  of 
his  own  agency,  the  Nathanson  Wadsworth 
Company. 

In  1916  Mr.  Nathanson  bought,  from  Am- 
brose J.  Small,  the  Majestic  theatre  in  Toron- 
to, then  the  home  of  the  Blaney  melodramas. 
Under  his  direction  the  house  was  completely 
remodeled  and  opened  in  August,  1916,  as  the 
Regent,  Toronto's  first  deluxe  motion  picture 
theatre.  The  opening  picture  was  "Little  Lady 
Eileen,''  starring  Marguerite  Clark. 

Within  a  few  months  after  opening  the  Re- 
gent, Mr.  Nathanson  organized  his  own  dis- 


N.  L.  NATHANSON 


tributing  company,  Regal  Films,  his  first  place 
of  business  being  a  loft  over  Ruddy's  sign 
shop  on  Wellington  Street  in  Toronto.  The 
exchange  shortly  moved  to  larger  quarters  at 
37  Yonge  Street. 

The  Regent  became  the  flagship'  of  the  Na- 
thanson enterprises  during  the  period  of  ex- 
pansion which  included  the  openings  of  the 
Flower  in  Ottawa,  the  Garden  and  Teck  in 
Toronto,  and  houses  in  Gait  and  Guelph. 

Associated  with  Mr.  Nathanson  during  this 
period  were  such  financial  figures  as  J.  B.  Tud- 
hope,  W.  J.  Sheppard,  Hon.  W.  D.  Ross,  later 
Lieutenant  Governor  of  Ontario;  and  J.  P. 
Bickell.  Later  Sir  Herbert  Holt  and  I.  W. 
Killiam  entered  the  picture. 

Mr.  Nathanson's  association  with  the  circuit 
and  its  expansion  continued  until  1929,  when 
he  resigned  after  a  proposed  deal  with  Gau- 
mont  British  which  he  had  favored  was  re- 
jected by  the  directors.  In  1930  control  of 
the  circuit  passed  to  Paramount  and  continued 
there  until  1933,  when  Paramount  went  into 
reorganization.  In  that  year  the  trustees  in 
reorganization  invited  Mr.  Nathanson  to  re- 
turn as  president  of  the  circuit. 

He  remained  as  president  of  Famous  Players 
Canadian  until  1941,  when  he  resigned  to  form 
General  Theatres.  He  acquired  a  controlling 
interest  in  the  Odeon  circuit  with  his  son,  Paul, 
as  president. 

At  his  death,  Mr.  Nathanson  was  still  asso- 
ciated with  Regal  Films,  his  original  distribut- 
ing company,  managed  by  his  brother,  Henry; 
with  Empire-Universal  Films,  which  distributes 
Universal  and  Monogram  Films ;  with  Esquire 
Films,  which  distributes  English  pictures ;  and 
with  General  Theatre  investments. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Canadian  Broad- 
casting Corporation  board  of  governors. 

Mrs.  Nathanson,  who  survives  her  husband, 
was  the  former  Irene  Harris,  daughter  of  Bar- 
ney Harris,  Omaha  newspaperman,  and  later  a 
Toronto  theatre  manager.  They  have  two 
daughters,  Jean  and  Johan  Nathanson,  and  one 
son,  Lieut.  Paul  Nathanson  who,  in  civilian 
life,  is  president  of  Odeon  theatres. 

Four  brothers  also  survive,  Henry  Nathan- 
son, Toronto;  Dr.  M.  L.  Nathanson  of  Los 
Angeles ;  B.  L.  Nathanson  and  C.  R.  Nathan- 
son of  Minneapolis,,  and  one  sister,  Mrs.  Ep- 
stein, of  Minneapolis. 


EDITORIAL  TRIBUTE  IS 
PAID  TO  NATHANSON 

The  Globe  and  Mail  of  Toronto 
last  week  paid  editorial  tribute  to 
N.  L  Nathanson,  who  died  in  that 
city  on  May  27th.  Following  a  resume 
of  his  career,  characterized  as  in  the 
Horatio  Alger  tradition  of  the  poor 
boy  who  rose  to  success  through 
ability,  and  tribute  to  him  as  a  phi- 
lanthropist, the  editorial  concluded: 
"In  the  death  of  this  fine  Canadian 
the  whole  country  lost  an  outstanding 
person  to  whom  peoples  of  all  faiths 
owe  a  great  deal.  No  better  word 
can  be  said  of  any  man  than  that  he 
served  his  country  well.  That  can  be 
said  of  Mr.  Nathanson  by  all  who 
knew  either  him  or  his  work.  To  his 
family  his  loss  will  be  deep.  To  his 
country  the  loss  is  one  that  will  be 
hard  to  replace." 


Mine  Cooperative 
Plans  Theatre 

The  first  move  in  a  plan  to  establish  and 
operate  a  circuit  of  co-operative  theatres  in  Nova 
Scotia  has  been  launched  at  New  Waterford, 
N.  S.  The  United  Mine  Workers  and  Co- 
operative Society  are  sponsors  of  a  project  to 
build  a  new  theatre  to  seat  about  800.  Efforts 
are  being  made  to  secure  waiver  of  the  do- 
minion ban  on  theatre  construction,  so  that 
erection  of  the  building  can  be  promptly  under- 
taken. 

In  the  application  for  a  provincial  license,  it 
is  contended  that  New  Waterford  should  have 
more  than  one  theatre,  and  could  support  two, 
very  easily.  The  Majestic,  only  picture  house 
in  this  bituminous  coal  mining  town  of  8,000, 
is  owned  and  operated  by  Fred  Gregor,  long 
an  independent  exhibitor. 

Proposed  by  co-operative  leaders  is  a  circuit 
of  theatres  to  be  located,  for  the  start,  in  soft 
coal  mining  communities,  and  named  in  this 
connection  are :  Glace  Bay,  Dominion,  Sydney, 
Reserve  Mines,  North  Sydney,  Sydney  Mines, 
all  on  Cape  Breton  Island,  as  is  New  Water- 
ford. Also,  New  Glasgow,  Stellarton,  West- 
ville,  Pictou,  Springhill,  Joggins,  River  Hebert, 
on  the  mainland  of  Nova  Scotia. 

Although  each  theatre  would  be  operated  by 
one  co-operative  group,  the  circuit  would  have 
concerted  buying  and  renting  action  on  pictures, 
accessories,  projection  and  sound  equipment, 
seats  and  other  equipment. 


Projection  Local  Accepts 
RKO,  Loew's  Settlement 

Members  of  the  International  Alliance  of 
Theatrical  Stage  Employees,  Local  306,  Pro- 
jectionists Union,  New  York,  this  week  ratified 
acceptance  of  $150,000  from  Loew's  and  RKO 
Theatres  in  settlement  of  three  suits  pending 
against  the  two  circuits. 

The  suits  were  instigated  after  it  was  alleged 
by  the  union  that  10  per  cent  wage  cuts  in  1932, 
to  be  refunded  by  the  circuits  after  the  economic 
strain  was  relieved,  were  never  paid.  Separate 
actions  had  been  filed  in  each  instance. 


Manages  Cincinnati  House 

Fred  Frenske,  shipper  at  the  RKO  exchange 
in  Cincinnati,  has  resigned  to  take  over  man- 
agement of  the  Emery  theatre  in  that  city,  one 
of  the  Shard  Circuit  houses. 


June    5 ,  1943 


Soviet-American 
Group  Sponsors 
'Russian  Story9 

The  premiere  of  Joseph  Burstyn's  production, 
"The  Russian  Story,"  an  Artkino  release,  will 
be  held  at  the  Stanley  theatre,  New  York,  next 
Tuesday  night,  June  8th,  under  the  sponsorship 
of  the  National  Council  of  Soviet-American 
Friendship.  Corliss  Lamont,  chairman  of  the 
council,  will  be  the  principal  speaker  of  the 
evening.  Ray  Lev,  concert  pianist,  and  other 
artists  will  be  featured  in  the  entertainment 
portion  of  the  program. 

This  is  the  feature  (reviewed,  in  Product 
Digest,  page  1349)  which  has  been  in  the 
making  for  more  than  a  year.  Approximately 
500,000  feet  of  film,  from  at  least  50  or  60 
Russian  pictures,  including  newsreels,  features, 
documentaries  and  shorts  culled  from  Soviet 
film  archives  and  from  the  film  library  of  the 
Museum  of  Modern  Art,  were  viewed  by  the 
producer  and  the  editor,  George  Freedland, 
before  final  selection  of  footage  was  made. 

Not  since  "Land  of  Liberty,"  produced  by 
Cecil  B.  DeMille  for  the  New  York  World's 
Fair,  has  such  an  ambitious  attempt  been 
made  at  screen  drama  covering  hundreds  of 
years  of  a  nation's  history.  It  is  the  first  film 
produced  by  Mr.  Burstyn,  known  for  his  dis- 
tribution enterprises,  principally  of  pre-war 
French  films,  in  partnership  with  Arthur 
Mayer,  owner  and  operator  of  the  Rialto  thea- 
tre, New  York,  and  treasurer  and  national 
salvage  chairman  of  War  Activities  Committee. 

It  is  understood  that  at  least  two  major 
film  companies  are  interested  in  the  picture  for 
distribution  in  the  U.  S. 

"Russian  Story"  is  the  second  motion  picture 
about  Russia  which  has  received  sponsorship 
by  a  non-industry  enterprise  since  June,  1941. 
"Our  Russian  Front,"  a  documentary  produced 
by  Lewis  Milestone  and  Joris  Ivens,  was  re- 
leased in  the  U.  S.  under  the  auspices  of 
Russian  War  Relief. 

According  to  reports,  the  Stanly  theatre 
management  advanced  $15,000  in  lieu  of  royal- 
ties to  the  producer  of  the  picture.  It  is  ex- 
pected that  the  film  will  run  from  four  to  six 
weeks  at  the  Broadway  theatre. 

Palfreyman,  DeBra  Join 
Coe  on  West  Coast 

Charles  Francis  Coe,  executive  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Dis- 
tributors of  America,  is  to  be  joined  on  the 
coast  by  Arthur  DeBra  and  David  Palfreyman, 
home  office  executives  of  the  organization,  and 
a  program  of  forums,  similar  to  those  held  in 
several  cities,  will  be  continued  on  the  west 
coast. 

Addresses  by  Mr.  Coe  already  have  been 
given  in  Boston,  New  York,  Atlanta  and  De- 
troit. The  sessions  are  designed  to  further 
goodwill  on  the  part  of  the  public  and  industry 
members.  The  forums  along  the  Pacific  Coast 
are  expected  to  be  held  during  the  month  of 
June. 


Addresses  Art  Directors 

Ernest  Bachrach,  head  of  the  portrait  de- 
partment of  the  RKO  studios,  spoke  before 
the  Art  Directors  Club  in  New  York,  last 
week.  Mr.  Bachrach  will  address  other  groups 
throughout  the  country  on  the  better  under- 
standing of  photographic  requirements  before 
returning  to  the  coast. 


Hutchins  Navy  Lieutenant 

William  J.  Hutchins,  manager  for  National 
Theatre  Supply  Company  in  New  Haven  for 
the  past  eight  years,  has  entered  the  Navy  with 
the  rank  of  lieutenant. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


SHORT  PRODUCT 
PLAYING  BROADWAY 

Week  of  May  list 


ASTOR 

Wings  Up   Victory  Film 

Feature:  The  Human  Comedy. MGM 

CAPITOL 

Wings  Up   Victory  Film 

Feature:  Lady  of  Burlesque  .United  Artists 

CRITERION 

Wings  Up   Victory  Film 

Feature:  Cabin  in  the  Sky ...  MGM 

GLOBE 

Wings  Up   Victory  Film 

Prelude  to  War  Victory  Film 

Feature:  Corregidor   PRC 

HOLLYWOOD 

Wings  Up   Victory  Film 

The  Wise  Quacking  Duck.  .  .  Vitaphone 
Feature:  Mission  to  Moscow.  .Warner  Bros. 

MUSIC  HALL 

Wings  Up   Victory  Film 

How  to  Swim  RKO  Radio 

Feature:  The  More  the 
Merrier   Columbia 

PARAMOUNT 

Wings  Up   Victory  Film 

Feature:  Five  Graves  to  Cairo.  Paramount 

RIALTO 

Wings  Up   Victory  Film 

A  Hull  of  a  Mess  Paramount 

Feature:    Night    Plane  from 

Chungking   Paramount 

RIVOLI 

Wings  Up   Victory  Film 

Pluto  at  the  Zoo  RKO  Radio 

Feature:  This  Land  Is  Mine  .  RKO  Radio 

ROXY 

Wings  Up   Victory  Film 

Shipyard  Symphony   20th-Fox 

Feature:  My  Friend  Flicka.  .  .  20th-Fox 

STRAND 

Wings  Up   Victory  Film 

Eagles  of  the  Navy  Vitaphone 

U.  S.  Army  Band  Vitaphone 

Feature:  Action  in  the  North 

Atlantic   Warner  Bros. 


National  Decency  Legion 
Classifies  Six  Films 

The  National  Legion  of  Decency  reviewed 
six  films  during  the  current  week,  classifying 
two  as  unobjectionable  for  general  patronage, 
three  as  unobjectionable  for  adults  and  one  as 
objectionable  in  part.    The  listing  follows: 

Class  A-l,  Unobjectionable  for  General  Pa- 
tronage: "Song  of  Texas,"  "Virgin  of  Gauda- 
lupe."  Class  A-2,  Unobjectionable  for  Adults: 
"Action  in  the  North  Atlantic,"  "Hitler's 
Hangman,"  "Mr.  Big."  Class  B:  Unobjection- 
able in  Part :  "Coney  Island." 


Plan  St.  Louis  Charity  Show 

The  St.  Louis  Variety  Club  will  sponsor  a 
"Midnight  Jamboree"  on  the  stage  of  the  Fox 
theatre  on  June  25th,  it  was  announced  by 
Harry  Crawford,  barker  of  the  St.  Louis  Club. 
The  program  will  include  outstanding  "name" 
acts,  supplemented  by  performers  from  St. 
Louis  night  clubs,  theatres  and  radio  stations 
and  a  motion  picture.  The  proceeds  from  the 
performnce  will  be  used  for  the  club's  philan- 
thropic activities. 


47 


Few  Additional 
Electric  Power 
Cuts  Planned 

A  stiff  fight  between  the  new  civilian  require- 
ments division  of  the  War  Production  Board  and 
the  power  division  of  the  same  agency  has 
resulted  in  broad  modification  of  plans  of  the 
latter  to  impose  severe  restrictions  on  the  use 
of  electric  current  next  winter. 

In  all  probability,  it  was  said  in  Washington 
this  week,  the  restrictions  would  be  limited  to 
the  blacking  out  of  marquee  and  outside  adver- 
tising lights,  and  plans  for  a  national  dimout 
of  the  type  now  enforced  in  the  coastal  com- 
munities have  been  abandoned. 

The  defeat  of  the  power  division's  plans 
for  an  extensive  curtailment  in  power  consump- 
tion is  the  first  major  victory  of  the  civilian 
requirements  division,  which  recently  was  given 
broadly  expanded  authority  by  WPB  Chairman 
Donald  M.  Nelson. 

The  need  for  restrictions  does  not  involve 
any  expected  shortage  of  power  production, 
which  now  is  seen  as  ample  for  all  needs,  but 
is  based  on  the  necessity  of  saving  equipment, 
fuel,  transportation  and  labor. 

The  labor  situation,  particularly,  is  of  concern 
to  Administration  officials  who  have  been  ad- 
vised of  recent  surveys  showing  that  unem- 
ployment in  the  United  States  is  at  the  lowest 
point  touched  in  several  decades,  while  the 
number  of  persons  in  jobs  is  at  an  all-time 
peak. 

Since  the  outbreak  of  the  war;  the  number 
of  unemployed  has  dropped  from  5,200,000  to 
900,000,  while  at  the  same  time  4,600,000  women 
have  been  added  to  the  labor  force. 

Further  emphasizing  the  approaching  labor 
shortage,  the  Government  figures  show  that 
most  of  the  900,000  persons  out  of  work  are 
in  the  course  of  shifting  from  one  job  to 
another  or  are  incapable  of  sustained  work. 
Only  500,000  of  them  are  men. 

The  number  of  persons  employed  now  ex- 
ceeds 51,200,000,  of  whom  36,000,000  are  men 
and  15,200,000  women.  A  significant  fact,  how- 
ever, is  found  in  the  figure  on  male  employ- 
ment, which  is  1,800,000  less  than  a  year  ago; 
added  to  a  reduction  of  1,500,000  in  the  number 
of  unemployed  males,  it  shows  that  3,300,000 
men  have  been  taken  from  the  ranks  of  indus- 
try for  military  service. 

British  Movietone  Cameramen 
On  Roving  Assignments 

Cameramen  of  British  Movietone  News  have 
been  assigned  to  new  fronts,  according  to  a  re- 
port forwarded  from  Francis  L.  Harley,  Twen- 
tieth Century-Fox  managing  director  in  Great 
Britain,  to  Murray  Silverstone,  vice-president 
in  charge  of  foreign  distribution  for  the  com- 
pany. 

Alex  Tozer,  Norman  Fisher,  David  Prosser, 
Jack  Ramsden,  Graham  Thompson  and  James 
Humphries  are  among  the  cameramen  covering 
such  fronts  as  Burma,  the  Mediterranean,  Alex- 
andria and  the  European  continent  on  flights 
with  the  Royal  Air  Force. 


Davis  Manages  Boston  Office 

J.  R.  Grainger,  president  of  Republic  Pic- 
tures Corporation,  has  announced  the  appoint- 
ment of  Jack  Davis  as  manager  of  the  Boston 
exchange.  Mr.  Davis  was  formerly  salesman 
in  that  branch. 


Handle  Cagney  Advertising 

Cagney  Productions,  Inc.,  has  appointed 
Donahue  and  Coe  to  handle  the  advertising 
campaign  for  its  film,  "Johnny  Come  Lately." 
The  account  will  be  serviced  by  William 
Schneider,  vice-president  of  the  agency. 


48 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    5,  1943 


Plea  for  Picture  Service 
To  the  Armed  Forces 


Martin  Quigley,  Jr. 


By  MARTIN  QUIGLEY,  JR. 

Somewhere  at  Sea 

"We  live  for  the  next  movie,"  was  the 
soldier's  reply  to  my  query  about  motion 
picture  entertainment  as  we.  stood  together 

at  the  rail  on  the 
boat  deck  watching 
the  Atlantic  in  one 
of  its  gentlest  moods. 

Every  exhibitor, 
distributor,  produc- 
tion worker  and  all 
connected  in  any 
way  with  the  motion 
picture  industry 
know  what  the  busi- 
ness has  done  and  is 
doing  in  war  activi- 
ties. But  the  com- 
bination of  a  voyage 
accompanying  thou- 
sands of  American 
soldiers  who  are 
ready  and  eager  to 
risk  everything  for  their  country  and  the 
time  for  quiet  considerations  available  on 
an  ocean  crossing  makes  this  fact  stand  out 
— while  much  has  been  done,  much  more 
must  be  done. 

The  motion  picture  industry  and  the 
armed  services  share  the  responsibility  of 
providing  motion  pictures  for  the  men  in 
military  service  in  the  United  States  and 
in  every  outpost,  no  matter  how  small.  Of 
course  the  strict  obligation  and  the  control 
rest  with  the  military  authorities.  How- 
ever, the  motion  picture  industry  as  a  pub- 
lic service  and  to  render  the  greatest  pos- 
sible service  in  its  own  interest  must  con- 
tinue to  do  all  that  it  can  to  make  sure  that 
the  necessary  film  facilities  are  provided  on 
a  scale  which  matches  the  demands  of  the 
growing  American  armed  forces. 

The  American  soldier,  sailor  or  airman 
who  finds  in  motion  pictures  the  best  pos- 
sible relief  from  one  of  his  most  serious 
sacrifices — absence  from  home — can  not  be 
expected  to  apportion  responsibility  for  any 
lack  of  motion  picture  facilities. 

Motion  Picture  Often  Is 
Only  Entertainment 

It  is  certain  that  the  presence  of  motion 
pictures  during  these  hard  days  of  service 
for  the  military  forces  will  be  a  fountain 
of  goodwill  for  the  industry  which  will  last 
throughout  the  lives  of  the  men  in  the  U. 
S.  armed  services.  Also,  even  unjustly,  the 
industry  will  be  blamed  for  inadequate  facili- 
ties. 

From  the  soldier  whose  serious  reac- 
tion was  expressed  in  the  words,  "We  live 
for  the  next  movie,"  and  from  others  it  was 
learned  that  motion  pictures  were  not  avail- 
able in  relation  to  the  present  need  even  in 
the  United  States.  Many  hundreds  of  Army 
theatres  have  been  built  since  our  country 
started  to  rearm  but  evidently  construction 
has  not  been  able  to  keep  pace  with  the  ar- 
rival of  millions  of  new  men  for  the  forces. 

It  appears  that  numbers  of  the  smaller, 
specialized  camps  are  without  any  motion 


picture  theatre  and  are  not  accessible  to 
regular  theatres.  In  most  cases  if  there  is 
no  motion  picture,  there  is  no  entertain- 
ment whatsoever. 

The  motion  picture  industry  has  responded 
with  unmatched  generosity  to  every  war 
cause.  It  would  be  well  for  persons  in  every 
branch  of  the  business  to  continue  to  keep 
a  sharp  watch  on  motion  picture  facilities 
made  available  to  the  men  in  the  Army  and 
Navy  and  to  do  whatever  is  possible  to  as- 
sist. It  is  both  a  right  and  a  duty. 

A  lack  of  adequate  motion  picture  theatres 
or  projectors  in  the  United  States  and  with 
the  armed  forces  abroad  may  well  be  due 
to  equipment  problems.  If  this  is  true,  every 
individual  in  the  industry  should  consider 
ways  and  means  to  make  more  equipment 
available.  Perhaps  16  mm  projectors  owned 
for  home  operation  can  be  put  to  a  military 
entertainment  use ;  perhaps  any  excess  the- 
atre or  distribution  projectors  over  an  ab- 
solute minimum  can  be  transferred  for  the 
duration;  perhaps  in  some  cases  the  use  of 
projectors  can  be  shared.  Any  business  in- 
convenience caused  is  balanced  many  times 
over  by  the  value  of  providing  film  enter- 
tainment for  the  troops. 

Space  Requirements 
Present  Problem 

But  most  of  all  the  industry  whose  busi- 
ness is  motion  pictures  should  try  to  make 
sure  that  the  military,  whose  business  is 
waging  a  successful  war,  have  all  the  help 
and  advice  necessary  to  insure  availability 
of  films  on  either  standard  or  16mm  width 
wherever  servicemen  must  live  and  fight. 

The  problem  is  not  always  projectors  and 
prints.  For  example  on  this  ocean  trip  ex- 
cellent motion  picture  facilities  could  be 
put  into  use  if  the  space  were  not  needed 
for  other  purposes.  Some  ships  which  are 
equipped  with  a  projection  room  or  suitable 
machines  for  operation  on  deck  show  mo- 
tion pictures  on  an  almost  continuous  basis 
and  the  military  personnel  accommodated 
in  a  day  would  be  a  pleasing  number  of 
admissions  for  a  key  city  first  run  house. 
Also  the  total  quartered  in  one  such  ship's 
theatre  on  shorter  trips  when  no  pictures 
are  shown  would  be  astounding ! 

Films  Relief  During 
Waiting  Periods 

The  American  soldier  and  sailor  has 
periods  of  intensive  training,  periods  of 
violent,  victorious  fighting,  and  in  between, 
periods  of  waiting  and  transportation  which 
some  would  hold  to  be  the  hardest  of  the 
three.  Motion  pictures  can  and  should  serve 
in  all  those  periods,  except  times  of  actual 
fighting.  Even  then  portable  16mm  projec- 
tors should  be  available  in  the  greatest  num- 
ber possible  behind  every  fighting  front. 

Almost  every  soldier  or  sailor  provided 
with  screen  entertainment  today  is  one  of 
yesterday's  patrons  and  every  one  will  be 
both  a  patron  and  friend  of  the  motion  pic- 
ture tomorrow.  Let  the  motion  picture  in- 
dustry win  every  possible  friend  and  cus- 
tomer and  not  lose  a  single  one  or  create 
a  single  enemy ! 


Discuss  Plans  to 
Augment  16mm 
Shows  for  Army 

Plans  to  continue  and  augment  the  motion 
picture  industry's  contribution  of  16mm  en- 
tertainment pictures  to  the  U.  S.  Army  for 
distribution  to  American  soldiers  overseas  were 
discussed  Friday  evening  by  industry  executives 
and  Army  officers  at  a  dinner  at  the  University 
Club  in  New  York. 

Company  presidents  and  executives  at  the 
meeting  informally  agreed  to  continue  in  full 
the  contributions  of  the  industry  to  the  Army 
Overseas  Motion  Picture  Service  during  the 
next  film  year,  it  was  reported. 

Brigadier  General  F.  H.  Osborn,  chief  of 
the  Special  Service  Division  of  the  War  Depart- 
ment, was  host  to  the  heads  of  the  major 
motion  picture  companies.  General  Osborn  and 
Joseph  Seidelman,  foreign  manager  of  Universal 
and  special  adviser  to  the  Army  on  film  dis- 
tribution, reviewed  the  success  of  the  16mm 
entertainment  program  in  maintaining  morale 
in  battle  zones  in  all  corners  of  the  world. 

In  almost  a  year  the  industry  has  donated 
without  cost  4,209  programs  of  the  best  current 
feature  releases  and  5,548  programs  of  short 
subjects.  Eastman  Kodak  Company,  through 
Jules  E.  Brulatour,  and  the  DuPont  Film 
Company  have  donated  in  excess  of  11,000,000 
feet  of  non-flammable  16mm  stock  for  the  pro- 
gram. Pictures  are  routed  through  22  Army 
exchanges. 

Guests  at  the  dinner  included:  Barney  Bala- 
ban,  John  J.  O'Connor,  Jack  Cohn,  N.  Peter 
Rathvon,  J.  Robert  Rubin,  Spyros  Skouras, 
Harry  M.  Warner,  Joseph  Hazen,  Walter 
Titus,  O.  Henry  Briggs,  Samuel  Broidy,  Wil- 
liam German,  George  A.  Scanlon,  Francis  Har- 
mon, Joseph  Seidelman,  Lt.  Col.  Hugh  Bullock, 
Lt.  Col.  Franklin  Forsberg,  Major  John  Hub- 
bell,  Major  Orton  Hicks  and  Captain  Ben 
Lion. 


Round  Tabfe  Editor 
Speaks  on  War  Effort 

Bob  Wile,  editor  of  Managers'  Round  Table 
of  Motion  Picture  Herald,  spoke  to  the  Lions 
Club  of  White  Plains,  N.  Y.,  on  Thursday  of 
this  week  on  "The  Motion  Picture  Industry 
and  the  War  Effort."  He  was  introduced  by 
Arthur  Egberts,  a  member  of  Managers' 
Round  Table,  and  manager  of  Loew's  State 
theatre,  White  Plains.  In  his  talk,  Mr.  Wile 
asked  the  members  of  the  club  to  cooperate 
with  Mr.  Egberts  in  his  endeavors  to  assist  the 
Government  in  the  war  effort.  Following  his 
talk,  two  films  produced  by  the  Office  of  War 
Information  were  shown — U.  S.  News  Review 
No.  4  and  "Troop  Train." 


New  Haven  Booker  to  Army 

Henry  Bruenig,  United  Artists  booker  in 
New  Haven,  was  tendered  a  farewell  party  by 
the  office  force  last  Friday  on  his  departure  for 
the  Army.  Charles  Leonard,  with  the  New  Ha- 
ven office  15  years  ago,  and  since  then  em- 
ployed by  Universal  in  Kansas  City  and  Buffalo, 
replaces  Mr.  Bruenig. 


Tilton  Named  Head  Shipper 

Lake  Tilton  has  been  appointed  head  shipper 
at  the  Warner  exchange  in  Des  Moines,  re- 
placing Henry  Coffman,  who  left  May  28th 
to  join  the  Army.  Mr.  Tilton  is  a  brother  of 
E.  J.  Tilton,  Warner  exchange  manager. 


Downing  Back  at  Music  Hall 

Russell  V.  Downing,  comptroller  of  the  Radio 
City  Music  Hall,  will  return  to  his  desk  on 
Monday  after  vacationing  in  the  south  for  the 
past  month. 


June    5  ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


49 


// 


WHAT  THE 

PICTURE  Bin  FOR  ME 


\\ 


Columbia 


CITY  WITHOUT  MEN:  Linda  Darnell.  Doris  Dud- 
ley— This  was  an  interesting  picture  but  didn't  do 
so  well  at  the  box  office  and  that  is  what  counts. 
Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  March  31,  April  1.— 
Jack  L.  Edwards,  New  Theatre,  Manila,  Ark. 

COMMANDOS  STRIKE  AT  DAWN:  Paul  Muni. 
Lillian  Gish — This  was  one  of  the  best  pictures  about 
this  war  ever  to  reach  my  screen.  It  pleased  every- 
one. Had  a  Rood  crowd.  Played  Thursday,  May  13. 
—Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C. 
Small  town  and  sawmill  patronage. 

LAWLESS  PLAINSMEN:  Charles  Starrett— Aver- 
age Western.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  May  7,  8. — 
V.  C.  Kinchen,  Avon  Theatre,  Poteet,  Tex.  Small 
town  and  rural  patronage. 

LONE  STAR  VIGILANTES:  Bill  Elliot,  Tex  Ritter 
— This  picture  was  very  poor.  I  pulled  it  out  after 
seeing  it.  Tex  Ritter  doesn't  register  when  he  sings 
to  my  class  of  patrons.  They  just  don't  like  his 
style  of  singing — too  draggy.  Played  Friday.  Satur- 
day, February  S,  6. — M.  L.  London,  Camp  Theatre, 
E.   Boston,  Mass.     General  patronage. 

LOST  HORIZON:  Ronald  Colman,  Jane  Wyatt, 
Edward  Everett  Horton — This  great  James  Hilton 
story  certainly  has  audience  appeal.  It  may  be  a  re- 
issue, but  it  broke  our  box  office  record,  for  it's  just 
old  enough  and  fine  enough  so  that  people  want  to 
see  it  again.  It's  been  cut  some,  but  it  still  runs 
two  hours.  Played  Sunday,  April  11. — James  A.  Nel- 
son, Hiram  College,  Hiram,  O.  Small  college  town 
patronage. 

NIGHT  TO  REMEMBER,  A:  Loretta  Young,  Bri- 
an Aherne — This  is  a  very  fine  comedy  romance  that 
pleased  the  audience.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  April 
18,  19.— Jack  L.  Edwards,  New  Theatre,  Manila,  Ark. 

REVEILLE  WITH  BEVERLY:  Ann  Miller,  Wil- 
liam Wright — It  is  a  pleasure  to  endorse  this  picture. 
First  class  entertainment  from  the  beginning  of  the 
first  reel  to  the  final  fadeout.  Business  good  and 
audience  action  very  favorable.  Come  again  with 
something  as  good,  Columbia.  Played  Wednesday, 
Thursday,  April  7,  8. — Jack  L.  Edwards,  New  Thea- 
tre, Manila,  Ark. 

SWEETHEART  OF  THE  FLEET:  Joan  Davis, 
Jinx  Falkenburg — A  fairly  good  "B"  picture.  It 
will  not  stand  alone,  but  is  okay  on  a  double  bill. — 
M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass. 

TORNADO  IN  THE  SADDLE:  Russell  Hayden, 
Bob  Wills — A  better  Western  than  usual — drew  a  good 
crowd. — Richard  Ruff,  Mainstreet  Theatre,  Logan. 
Kan.    Small  town  patronage. 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

CAIRO:  Robert  Young,  Jeannette  MacDonald— 
Didn't  have  to  play  this  one,  but  did,  due  to  not  hav- 
ing any  too  much  product.  I  should  have  left  it  alone, 
as  it  was  no  good,  and  the  people  didn't  make  any 
bones  about  telling  me,  either.  Played  Tuesday, 
Wednesday,  May  4,  5. — Otto  W.  Chapek,  New  Annex 
Theatre,  Anamoose,  N.  D.  Rural  and  small  town 
patronage. 

FOR  ME  AND  MY  GAL:  Judy  Garland,  George 
Murphy — This  picture  was  well  taken,  but  did  not 
draw  the  extra  business  that  it  should  have.  Played 
Saturday,  Sunday,  May  15,  16.— O'tto  W.  Chapek. 
New  Annex  Theatre,  Anamoose,  N.  D.  Rural  and 
small  town  patronage. 

FOR  ME  AND  MY  GAL:  Judy  Garland.  George 
Murphy— Good  in  any  spot,  although  we  did  not  do 
much  on  it,  due  to  rain  the  second  night.  Played 
Saturday,  Sunday,  May  1,  2.— Gertrude  V.  Proulx,  Au 
Gres  Theatre,  Au  Gres,  Mich.  Small  town  and 
rural  patronage. 

JACKASS  MAIL:  Wallace  Beery,  Marjorie  Main 
—Not  much  of  a  picture  but  drew  well  and  all  seemed 
satisfied.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  May  5,  6.— 
H.  T.  Nokes,  Ozark  Theatre,  Ozark,  Mo.  Rural 
patronage. 

JOE  SMITH,  AMERICAN:  Robert  Young,  Marsha 
Hunt — Would  recommend  this  picture  on  a  double  bill 
— very  timely  and  interesting  to  the  whole  family. — M. 
L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass. 

KEEPER  OF  THE  FLAME:  Katharine  Hepburn, 
Spencer  Tracy — Superb  acting.  Patrons  well  pleased. 
Anyone  that  doesn't  like  its  message  must  have  some 


.  .  .  the  original  exhibitors'  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 
In  it  theatremen  serve  one  another  with  information  about  the  box-office  per- 
formance of  product — providing  a  service  of  the  exhibitor  for  the  exhibitor. 
ADDRESS  REPORTS:  What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,  Motion  Picture  Herald, 
Rockefeller  Center.  New  York.  N.  Y. 


"Nazi"  in  him.  It's  fine  to  admire  people,  but  we 
shouldn't  worship  them  like  they  did  "Robert  For- 
rest." Idols  always  fall.  Played  Thursday,  Friday. 
May  20,  21.— Frank  D.  Fowler,  Princess  Theatre, 
Mocksville,  N.  C.    Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 

KEEPER  OF  THE  FLAME:  Katharine  Hepburn, 
Spencer  Tracy — We  had  a  pretty  good  turnout.  Fea- 
ture not  so  good.  Played  it  with  "At  the  Front," 
which  we  had  advertised  highly.  Played  Saturday. 
Sunday,  May  8,  9.— Gertrude  V.  Proulx,  Au  Gres 
Theatre,  Au  Gres,  Mich.  Small  town  and  rural  pat- 
ronage. 

PANAMA  HATT1E:  Red  Skelton,  Ann  Sothern— A 
poor  musical  that  pleased  a  Saturday  night  rural 
audience  as  it  has  a  few  laughs  and  some  catchy 
music  and  dancing.  Virginia  O'Brien,  as  usual,  helped 
it  along.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  May  21,  22.— W. 
R.  Pyle,  Dreamland  Theatre,  Rockglen,  Sask.  Rural 
and  small  town  patronage. 

PANAMA  HATTIE:  Red  Skelton,  Ann  Sothern- 
Drew  well  and  semed  to  satisfy  so  that's  all  we 
should  want.  Played  Sunday,  Monday.  May  9,  10. — 
H.  T.  Nokes,  Ozark  Theatre,  Ozark,  Mo.  Rural  pat- 
ronage. 

SLIGHTLY  DANGEROUS:  Lana  Turner,  Robert 
Young — Very  good.  Business  was  more  than  normal. 
These  stars  are  always  good  crowd-drawers.  Our 
audience  was  interested  during  the  entire  picture. 
Comedy  in  this  picture  is  excellent  and  the  story  is 
also  good.  Comments  very  favorable. — D.  R.  Hoagg, 
Lincoln  Theatre,  Sebewaing,  Mich.  Small  town  and 
rural  patronage. 

SOMEWHERE  I'LL  FIND  YOU:  Clark  Gable, 
Lana  Turner — Good  picture  but  seems  as  though  no 
one  wanted  to  see  it.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  2, 
3.— H.  T.  Nokes,  Ozark  Theatre,  Ozark,  Mo.  Small 
town  patronage. 

THREE  HEARTS  FOR  JULIA:  Melvyn  Douglas, 
Ann  Sothern — No  one  seemed  to  care  if  Julia  had  three 
hearts  or  one  as  we  lost  money  on  this  one.  It  was 
a  very  poor  role  for  Melvyn  Douglas,  also  for  Ann 
Sothern,  as  we  like  her  in  comedy.  Played  Satur- 
day. Sunday,  May  15,  16. — Gertrude  V.  Proulx.  Au 
Gres  Theatre,  Au  Gres,  Mich.  Small  town  and  rural 
patronage. 

WE  WERE  DANCING:  Norma  Shearer,  Melvyn 
Douglas — Audience  groaned.  Played  Sunday-Tuesday, 
January  4-6. — N.  W.  Mason,  Roseland  Theatre,  New 
Glasgow,  N.  S.  Industrial,  mining,  agricultural  cen- 
ter patronage. 

WHITE  CARGO:  Hedy  Lamarr.  Walter  Pidgeon 
— Why!  Oh,  why?  Must  we  have  a  picture  like  this 
one?  Why  has  such  a  lovely  actress  taken  such  a  re- 
pulsive part? — Frank  D.  Fowler,  Princess  Theatre, 
Mocksville,  N.  C.    Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 


Paramount 


HOLIDAY  INN:  Bing  Crosby,  Fred  Astaire— We 
showed  this  one  at  our  grand  opening — and  what  could 
have  been  better — to  make  people  want  to  come  to 
the  movies  for  a  swell  time.  It's  still  the  best  musical 
we've  played.  Played  Sunday,  January  24. — James 
A.  Nelson,  Hiram  College,  Hiram,  O.  Small  college 
town  patronage. 

MRS.  WIGGS  OF  THE  CABBAGE  PATCH:  Fay 

Bainter — Not  a  bad  little  picture,  and  seemed  to 
please.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  May  1,  2. — Otto 
W.  Chapek,  New  Annex  Theatre,  Anamoose,  N.  D. 
Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 

PALM  BEACH  STORY,  THE:  Claudette  Colbert 
Joel  McCrea — Only  did  average  business.  It  wasn't 
quite  the  picture  I  thought  it  would  be,  although  it 
had  good  comedy-drama  and  my  patrons  were  pleased. 
No  complaints.  Played  Wednesday -Thursday,  May 
12,  13.— D.  R.  Hoagg,  Lincoln  Theatre,  Sebewaing, 
Mich.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

PALM  BEACH  STORY,  THE:  Joel  McCrea,  Claud- 


ette  Colbert — These  stars  are  no  good  here.  Comedy 
nonsense.  No  story  to  back  up  the  stars.  If  you 
want  to  lose  your  shirt  play  this  one.  Played  Mon- 
day, May  24— Frank  D.  Fowler,  Princess  Theatre. 
Mocksville,  N.  C.    Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 

PRIORITIES  ON  PARADE:  Ann  Miller,  Jerry  Co- 
lonna — This  picture  was  all  right  for  our  Friday, 
Saturday  trade.  Many  laughs  throughout.  Played 
May  14,  15. — A.  C.  Edwards,  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia, 
Cal.    Small  lumber  town  patronage. 

REAP  THE  WILD  WIND:  Paulette  Goddard,  John 
Wayne — Business  was  excellent.  One  of  the  best  re- 
leases this  year.  Exceptionally  good  story,  with 
superb  action,  beautiful  color  and  good  cast.  Would 
recommend  this  picture  very  highly.  I  received  a  tre- 
mendous amount  of  comment  in  praise  of  it.  Played 
Sunday-Tuesday.  May  9-11. — D.  R.  Hoagg,  Lincoln 
Theatre,  Sebewaing,  Mich.  Small  town  and  rural  pat- 
ronage. 

ROAD  TO  MOROCCO:  Bob  Hope,  Bing  Crosby, 
Dorothy  Lamour — Only  up  to  standard  and  I  had  to 
bolster  it  on  the  weekend  with  "The  Daring  Young 
Man."  Joe  E.  Brown  starrer.  Business  perked  up 
miraculously.  Played  Monday -Saturday,  March  8-13. 
— N.  W.  Mason,  Roseland  Theatre,  New  Glasgow, 
N.  S.  Industrial,  mining,  agricultural  center  patron- 
age. 

SWEATER  GIRL:  Eddie  Bracken,  Betty  Rhodes- 
Nice  picture — double  billed  to  nice  business  despite 
rainy  weather. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre,  Til- 
bury, Ont. 

TOMBSTONE:  Richard  Dix— Very  satisfactory  but 
just  a  little  too  long  for  double  billing.  Played  Fri- 
day, Saturday,  May  14,  15. — A.  C.  Edwards,  Winema 
Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal.    Small  lumber  town  patronage. 

WAKE  ISLAND:  Brian  Donlevy— This  is  a  very 
fine  show  and  should  be  seen  by  all.  Paramount  did 
a  very  fine  job  making  this  one.  Played  Saturday, 
Sunday,  April  24,  25.— Otto  W.  Chapek,  New  Annex 
Theatre,  Anamoose,  N.  D.  Rural  and  small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

WAKE  ISLAND:  Brian  Donlevy,  Robert  Preston 
— Drew  above  average  business.  All  seemed  to  like  it 
fine.  One  of  the  best  war  pictures  that  has  been 
made  so  far.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  2,  3. — 
V.  C.  Kinchen,  Avon  Theatre,  Poteet,  Tex.  Small 
town    and    rural  patronage. 


Producers  Releasing  Corp. 

CORRECT  DOR:  Otto  Kruger,  Elissa  Landi— Will 
appeal  to  war  loving  audiences.  It  has  a  title  that 
will  help  bring  them  in  but  is  far  short  of  being  a 
three  or  four  star  picture.  Good  effort,  however,  for 
a  new  company.  Keep  it  up.  Played  Sunday-Tues- 
day, May  16-18.— Kenneth  M'.  Gorham,  Town  Hall 
Theatre,  Middlebury,  Vt. 

FUGITIVE  OF  THE  PLAINS:  Buster  Crabbe— 
Personally  thought  it  terrible,  but  it  seemed  to  please 
the  Western  fans.  Recording  on  these  films  is  not 
very  good,  in  my  opinion.  Played  Friday,  Saturday, 
May  21.  22.— Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre,  Marsh- 
field,  Md.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

39  STEPS:  Robert  Donat.  Madeleine  Carroll— A 
very  strong  drama  that  did  good  business  this  year 
and  good  business  for  us  four  years  ago — well  worth 
repeat  playing.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  2.  3. — 
Kenneth  M.  Gorham,  Town  Hall  Theatre,  Middlebury, 
Vt.    General  patronage. 


RKO 


DUMBO:    Disney    Feature    Cartoon — Had    to  take 
"Dumbo"  to  get  "Bambi"  so  I  put  "Dumbo"  on  a 
weekend  double  bill.  Friday  night  and  Saturday  mati- 
nee were  good  with  lots  of  kids,  but  the  Saturday 
{Continued  on  following  page) 


50 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    5,  1943 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

night  country  crowd  wouldn't  accept  it.  Results  were 
about  average  business.  Played  Friday,  Saturday, 
May  21,  22.— Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre,  Marsh- 
field,  Md.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

GREAT  GILDERSLEEVE,  THE:  Harold  Peary, 
Freddy  M'ercer — It  only  lasted  62  minutes  and  that 
was  60  minutes  too  long.  Played  Thursday,  Friday, 
April  29,  30.— M.  L.  DuBose,  Majestic  Theatre, 
Cotulla,  Texas.    Small  town  patronage. 

HERE  WE  GO  AGAIN:  Fibber  McGee,  Edgar 
Bergen — Business  just  about  normal  but  there  were 
no  complaints  and  Charley  McCarthy  produced  the 
usual  number  of  laughs.  Played  Wednesday,  Thurs- 
day, May  19,  20.— A.  C  Edwards,  Winema  Theatre, 
Scotia,  Cal.    Small  lumber  town  patronage. 

HITLER'S  CHILDREN:  Tim  Holt,  Bonita  Gran- 
ville—Propaganda  story,  very  depressing.  Average 
audience  likes  it.  Some  walked  out — others  praised 
it.  All  were  depressed,  some  mad.  Business  was 
terrific.  Played  Thursday-Friday,  May  13,  14.— L. 
C.  Gardues,  Hollywood  Theatre,  Mebane,  N.  C.  Ru- 
ral and  small  town  patronage. 

HITLER'S  CHILDREN:  Tim  Holt,  Bonita  Gran- 
ville—Fine  film  from  RKO.  Business  exceeding  all 
records.  Play  with  big  expectations.  Played  Sun- 
day-Tuesday.— Walton  Hamilton,  Beaufort  Theatre, 
Beaufort,  N.  C.    Small  town  patronage. 

ONCE  UPON  A  HONEYMOON:  Ginger  Rogers, 
Cary  Grant — Most  people  liked  this  show.  Business 
was  only  normal,  however.  Personally,  I  thought  the 
picture  very  good.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May 
16,  17.— Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield, 
Md.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

ONCE  UPON  A  HONEYMOON:  Ginger  Rogers, 
Cary  Grant— Many  laughs  and  a  fairly  interesting 
story,  but  no  business.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May 
16,  17.— A.  C.  Edwards,  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal. 
Small  lumber  town  patronage. 

THEY  GOT  ME  COVERED:  Bob  Hope,  Dorothy 
Lamour — Not  much  to  this  one,  no  plot.  Not  up  to 
Hope's  average.  Audience  indifferent,  few  laughs,  and 
on  the  whole  disappointing.  Business  fair.  Played 
Saturday-Monday,  May  1-3. — L.  C.  Gardues,  Holly- 
wood Theatre,  Mebane,  N.  C.  Rural  and  small  town 
patronage. 


Republic 

BELLS  OF  CAPISTRANO:  Gene  Autry— I  can  al- 
ways tell  if  it  is  Autry  or  not  by  the  gross  receipts 
at  night  and  I  sure  could  tell  this  was.  Did  above 
average  business  and  it  is  a  good  Western.  Autry 
is  still  tops  here.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  May  14, 
15.— V.  C.  Kinchen,  Avon  Theatre,  Poteet,  Tex.  Small 
town  and  rural  patronage. 

DAYS  OF  OLD  CHEYENNE:  Don  "Red"  Barry 
— Very  good  Western  which  pleased  the  Saturday  pa- 
trons. Doubled  with  "Good  Morning,  Judge"  to  av- 
erage business.     Played   Friday,   Saturday,   May  21, 


22. — Ray  E.  Salisbury,  Opera  House  Theatre,  Presque 
Isle,  Me.    General  patronage. 

FIGHTING  DEVIL  DOGS:  Lee  Powell— Everyone 
yelled  about  this  after  they  found  out  what  rot  it  was. 
Some  of  the  best  patrons  walked  out.  Had  a  good 
crowd.  Played  Wednesday,  May  12.— Claude  R.  Gray, 
Gilmont  Theatre,  M't.  Gilead,  N.  C.  Small  town  and 
sawmill  patronage. 

FLYING  TIGERS:  John  Wayne,  John  Carroll,  An- 
na Lee — This  picture  does  a  remarkable  job  of  fic- 
tionalizing history.  A  necessary  ingredient  of  this 
type  of  story  is  plenty  of  action.  This  is  amply  sup- 
plied by  the  numerous  hair-raising  feats  of  the 
American  Volunteer  Group,  more  familiarly  known 
as  the  "Flying  Tigers.'  An  unforgettable  scene  is 
one  in  which  the  camera  picks  up  the  expressions  on 
the  faces  of  the  members  of  the  group  as  they  listen 
to  the  radio  speech  made  by  President  Roosevelt  on 
December  8,  1941.  The  part  of  the  serious  head  of  the 
group  is  well  portrayed  by  John  Wayne.  John  Car- 
roll does  a  swell  bit  of  acting  with  the  role  of  the 
devil-may-care  pilot  who  slowly  comes  to  the  realiza- 
tion that  in  fighting  for  China  he  is  actually  fighting 
for  America.  The  men  here  liked  this  picture  very 
much.  Played  Saturday,  March  13. — J.  A.  Reynolds, 
Director  of  Education  and  Recreation,  Trenton,  N.  J. 
Prison  patronage. 

ICE-CAP ADES  REVUE:  Ellen  Drew,  Jerry  Co- 
lonna — Without  question  one  of  the  best  ice  shows 
ever  made  by  any  company.  Music  great,  plot  good, 
comedy  excellent.  Skating  calls  for  four  stars,  a 
great  show.  Play  it. — Kenneth  M.  Gorham,  Town 
Hall  Theatre,  Middlebury,  Vt.    General  patronage. 

JOHNNY  DOUGHBOY:  Jane  Withers,  Patric 
Brook — Played  a  bit  late  to  average  midweek  busi- 
ness. A  nice  piece  of  entertainment  and  thoroughly 
enjoyed.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  May  19,  20. — 
Ray  E.  Salisbury,  Opera  House  Theatre,  Presque 
Isle,  Me.    General  patronage. 

JOHNNY  DOUGHBOY:  Jane  Withers,  Patric 
Brook — Did  above  average  midweek  business  but 
rather  disappointing.  Pictures  like  this  are  double 
feature  entertainment,  although  we  got  by  midweek 
by  playing  plenty  of  shorts.  Played  Tuesday -Thrus- 
day,  May  18-20.— Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre, 
Marshfield,  Md.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

KING    OF    THE    COWBOYS:    Roy    Rogers— The 

picture  pleased  the  few  that  saw  it.  Played  Wednes- 
day, May  12. — Frank  D.  Fowler,  Princess  Theatre, 
Mocksville,  N.  C.     Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 

PURPLE  V,  THE:  John  Archer,  Mary  McLeod— 
Average  picture  that  got  by  on  Bargain  Night. — Jack 
L.  Edwards,  New  Theatre,  Manila,  Ark. 


Twentieth  Century- Fox 

BELLE  STAR:  Gene  Tierney — I  very  seldom  criti- 
cize a  film  actor  or  actress  as  to  their  ability  but  I 
believe  this  picture  was  spoiled  by  Miss  Tierney  try- 
ing to  act.  She  may  be  very  charming  but  is  weak 
at   the  box  office.     I  quite  agree  with  my  patrons. 


She  is  still  an  amateur.— M.  L.  London,  Gem  Thea- 
tre,  E.   Boston,   Mass.     General  patronage. 

BLACK  SWAN,  THE:  Tyrone  Power,  Maureen 
O'Hara— Good  and  exciting.  Pleased  most  everyone. 
Played  Sunday,  Monday,  April  11,  12.— Jack  L.  Ed- 
wards, New  Theatre,  Manila,  Ark. 

MY  FRIEND  FLICKA:  Roddy  McDowell,  Preston 
Foster— Beautiful  Technicolor  photography.  A  good 
story  for  the  family.  Audience  well  pleased.  Played 
Easter  and  business  was  better  than  usual. — L.  C. 
Gardeus,  Hollywood  Theatre,  Mebane,  N.  C. 

ORCHESTRA  WIVES:  George  Montgomery,  Ann 
Rutherford,  Glen  Millefr  and  Orchestra— The  plot 
deals  with  the  trials  and  tribulations  in  the  life  of  an 
orchestra  wife  (and  the  resultant  discordant  harmony 
caused  to  the  orchestra  itself)  when  she  accompanies 
the  band  on  one  of  its  hectic  tours  of  the  circuit. 
This  theme,  which  is  satisfactory,  is,  however,  sub- 
merged under  the  beautiful  rhythms  and  music  given 
out  by  Glenn  Miller's  unit.  Their  marvelous  rendi- 
tions of  songs  by  Mack  Gordon  and  Harry  Warren 
should  account  for  the  ruin  of  many  a  rug  by  the  cut- 
ters of  same.  George  Montgomery  and  Ann  Ruther- 
ford do  very  well  with  their  roles  of  trumpet  player 
and  wife,  respectively.  The  Nicholas  Brothers  tore  the 
house  down  with  one  of  their  sensational  routines. 
Played  Saturday,  March  20.— J.  A.  Reynolds,  Director 
of  Education  and  Recreation,  New  Jersey  State  Pris- 
on, Trenton,  N.  J.    Prison  patronage. 

THIS  ABOVE  ALL:  Tyrone  Power,  Joan  Fon- 
taine— A  disappointment  to  all  those  who  read  the 
book  and  saw  the  issue  of  Life  about  this  story  as 
the  picture  is  very  different.  Good  performances  from 
the  cast,  however,  save  it  from  walkouts.  Played 
Friday,  Saturday,  May  14,  15.— W.  R.  Pyle,  Dream- 
land Theatre,  Rockglen,  Sask.  Rural  and  small  town 
patronage. 

TIME  TO  KILL:  Lloyd  Nolan,  Heather  Angel— 
Our  business  was  good  and  the  audience  reaction  also 
was  good.  Nolan  always  is  a  sure  bet  at  this  box  of- 
fice.    Played   Tuesday,   April  6.— Jack    L.  Edwards, 

New  Theatre,  Manila,  Ark. 

WE  ARE  THE  MARINES:  U.  S.  Marine  Feature— 
A  full  length  fighting  feature.  This  is  it,  the  biggest 
disappointment  that  we  have  had  in  a  long  time.  Had 
some  walkouts  and  I  don't  blame  them.  Played 
Wednesday,  Thursday,  April  14,  15.— Jack  L.  Ed- 
wards, New  Theatre,  Manila,  Ark. 


United  Artists 

BUCKSKIN  FRONTIER:  Richard  Dix,  Jane  Wy- 
att — A  very  good  outdoor  action  picture,  well  done 
with  beautiful  photography.  Failed  to  draw.  Played 
Sunday-Tuesday,  May  16-18.— Ray  E.  Salisbury, 
Opera  House  Theatre,  Presque  Isle,  Me.  General  pat- 
ronage. 

GREAT  DICTATOR,  THE:  Charles  Chaplin— I  cer- 
tainly took  a  nose  dive  on  this  one.  Everybody  had 
seen  it  before.  They  refused  to  be  fooled  again.  I 
was  disappointed  in  it.  Much  overrated  picture. 
Played  Friday,  Saturday,  February  19,  20.— M.  L. 
London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass.  General 
patronage. 

LEATHER  BURNERS,  THE:  William  Boyd— 
Hopalong  Cassidy  is  popular  with  us  here.  Every- 
body likes  him.  Business  not  up  to  par  as  the 
weather  was  bad. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre, 
Tilbury,  Ont. 

MOON  AND  SIXPENCE,  THE:  George  Sanders 
— The  kind  of  picture  that  grows  on  one,  but  that's 
not  so  good  for  the  box  office.  Business  fair.  Played 
Monday-Wednesday,  March  15-17.— N.  W.  Mason, 
Roseland  Theatre,  New  Glasgow,  N.  S.  Industrial, 
mining,  agricultural  center  patronage. 


Universal 


ARABIAN  NIGHTS:  Sabu,  Maria  Montez,  Jon 
Hall — Played  this  a  week.  It  didn't  hold  up.  Color 
beautiful,  but  lacked  punch. — Harland  Rankin,  Centre 
Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 

BETWEEN  US  GIRLS:  Diana  Barrymore,  Robert 
Cummings — This  is  an  entertaining  film  full  of  action 
and  comedy.  Was  chosen  for  the  annual  "line  party" 
given  by  our  Grade  School.  You  can't  go  wrong 
playing  it.  Played  Friday-Sunday,  May  7-9. — Rich- 
ard Ruff,  Mainstreet  Theatre,  Logan,  Kan.  Small 
town  patronage. 

GET  HEP  TO  LOVE:  Gloria  Jean— Real  entertain- 
ment for  a  low  priced  picture.  You  big  girls  better 
look  out  for  this  Gloria  Jean.  She's  going  to  push 
you  off  the  marquee.  Played  Thursday,  Friday, 
May  13,  14.— M.  L.  DuBose,  Majestic  Theatre,  Co- 
tulla, Texas.    Small  town  patronage. 

GET  HEP  TO  LOVE:  Gloria  Jean,  Robert  Paige- 
Darn  swell  little  show.  Everyone  liked  it.  Had  good 
crowd.  Played  Tuesday,  May  11. — Claude  R.  Gray, 
Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C.  Small  town  and 
sawmill  patronage. 

GOOD  MORNING,  JUDGE:  Dennis  O'Keefe,  Lou- 
ise Albritton — Another  of  those  pleasant  little  features 
from  Universal.  Doubled  with  "Days  of  Old  Chey- 
enne."   Business  average     Played  Friday,  Saturday, 

(Continued  on  following  page) 


June    5 ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


51 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

May  21,  22— Ray  E.  Salisbury,  Opera  House,  Presque 
Isle,  Me.    General  patronage. 

MELODY  LANE:  The  Merry  Macs,  Baby  Sandy- 
Nice  program  picture  that  was  thoroughly  enjoyed  by 
both  young  and  old. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre, 
Tilbury,  Ont. 

NIGHTMARE:  Brian  Donlevy,  Diana  Barrymore 
— I  played  this  as  a  midnight  show.  It  didn't  draw 
the   people   but   it   is   a   fine   little   picture.  Played 

midnight,   May  8.  V.   C.   Kinchen,   Avon  Theatre, 

Poteet,  Tex.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

TAHITI  HONEY:  Dennis  O'Keefe,  Simone  Simon 
— A  nice  little  musical,  well  made  but  good  only  for 
the  dualers.  Most  people  will  like  it  with  a  Western. 
Played  Tuesday,  Wednesday,  May  4,  5.— Kenneth  M. 
Gorham,  Town  Hall  Theatre,  Middlebury,  Vt.  Gen- 
eral patronage. 

WHO  DONE  IT?:  Abbott  &  Costello— Played  this 
picture  three  days — didn't  set  the  world  on  fire  at  the 
box  office. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre,  Tilbury, 
Ont. 


Warner  Brothers 

AIR  FORCE:  John  Garfield,  Gig  Young— A  good 
picture  that  will  please  action  fans.  Audience  pleased, 
and  applauded  frequently.  Business  better  than  av- 
erage. Played  Saturday-Monday,  May  8-11. — L.  C. 
Gardues,  Hollywood  Theatre,  Mebane,  N.  C.  Rural 
and  small  -town  patronage. 

AIR  FORCE:  John  Garfield,  Gig  Young— Again 
Warner  Brothers  has  come  forward  with  an  out- 
standing production.  In  this  there  is  action,  sus- 
pense and  wonderful  air  photography.  A  lot  of  my 
patrons  asked  me  how  they  can  produce  a  picture  so 
spectacular — especially  the  combat  in  the  air — also 
the  destruction  of  the  Japanese  fleet.  Some  of  the 
ladies  complained  of  it  as  being  rather  noisy,  but  I 
can  recommend  this  as  being  a  good  evening's  enter- 
tainment. Played  Saturday,  May  15. — A.  L.  Dove, 
Bengough  Theatre,  Bengough,  Sask.  Rural  and  small 
town  patronage. 

ALL  THROUGH  THE  NIGHT:  Humphrey  Bogart— 
There  are  107  minutes  to  this  picture,  but  it  is  very 
interesting  considering  the  running  time.  It  is  a  thrill- 
ing picture  but  in  part  a  story  of  war.  It  was  en- 
joyed by  my  patrons.  Played  Tuesday -Thursday,  Feb- 
ruary 2-4.— M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston, 
Mass. 

BUSSES  ROAR:  Richard  Travis,  Julie  Bishop— 
With  the  shortage  of  raw  film  that  they  claim  there 
is,  they  should  not  waste  it  on  stuff  like  this.  This 
is  no  good.  Ran  "At  the  Front"  with  it,  which  got 
me  by.  Played  Tuesday,  Wednesday,  April  27,  28. — 
Otto  W.  Chapek,  New  Annex  Theatre,  Anamoose,  N. 
D.    Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 

BUSSES  ROAR:  Richard  Travis,  Julie  Bishop^ 
Very  weak.  However,  the  few  who  did  see  it  said  it 
was  fine.  Played  Monday,  May  10. — Claude  R.  Gray, 
Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C.  Small  town  and 
sawmill  patronage. 

CAPTAINS  OF  THE  CLOUDS:  James  Cagney, 
Dennis  Morgan,  Alan  Hale — This  is  112  minutes  of 
beautiful  color.  Good  scenes  of  aviation.  Very  edu- 
cational but  not  much  in  entertainment.  As  I  stated 
before,  my  patrons  want  entertainment,  music,  songs, 
dancing,  comedy.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  February 
12-13.— M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass. 

CASABLANCA:  Humphrey  Bogart,  Ingrid  Berg- 
man— A  good  action  picture,  but  too  many  war  pic- 
tures on  the  market.  Did  good  business.  Audience 
well  pleased.  Played  Thursday,  Friday,  April  22,  23. — 
L.  C.  Gardues,  Hollywood  Theatre,  Mebane,  N.  C. 
Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 

FLYING  FORTRESS:  Richard  Green,  Carla  Ler- 
man — This  wasn't  a  bad  little  air  picture,  but  will 
spoil  the  business  for  the  big  ones  when  they  come 
along.  Played  Tuesday- Wednesday,  May  11-12. — Otto 
W.  Chapek,  New  Annex  Theatre,  Anamoose,  N.  D. 
Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 

GAY  SISTERS,  THE:  Barbara  Stanwyck,  George 
Brent — This  picture  went  over  very  well  and  we  had 
many  favorable  comments  from  patrons.  Played 
Monday,  Tuesday,  May  10,  11.— W.  R.  Pyle,  Dream- 
land Theatre,  Rockglen,  Sask.  Rural  and  small  town 
patronage. 

GENTLEMAN  JIM:  Errol  Flynn,  Alexis  Smith— 
Those  that  came  were  high  in  praise  for  it,  but  it  did 
not  do  average  business.  Played  Sunday,  Monday, 
May  16,  17.— H.  T.  Nokes,  Ozark  Theatre,  Ozark,  Mo. 
Rural  patronage. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON  SLEPT  HERE:  Jack 
Benny,  Ann  Sheridan — Here's  good  clean  picture  that's 
a  lot  of  fun.  It  gives  Jack  Benny  a  chance  to  be 
something  more  than  a  fool.  The  soldiers  stationed 
here  liked  Ann  Sheridan,  too.  Played  Sunday,  May 
9. — James  A.  Nelson,  Hiram  College,  Hiram,  O.  Small 
college  town  patronage. 

HARD  WAY,  THE:  Ida  Lupino,  Joan  Leslie,  Den- 
nis Morgan — This  wasn't  the  hard  way  for  box  of- 
fice attention.    Did  over  normal  business.  Exceptional 


crowd  for  midweek  showing.  Picture  has  excellent 
drama,  musical  interludes  and  good  running  time.  Cus- 
tomers were  highly  pleased.  Would  like  to  see  more 
pictures  like  this.  Played  Tuesday-Thursday,  May 
18-20.— D.  R.  Hoagg,  Lincoln  Theatre,  Sebewaing, 
Mich.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

HARD  WAY,  THE:  Ida  Lupino,  Dennis  Morgan, 
Joan  Leslie — Very  good  picture,  liked  by  everyone,  al- 
though I  thought  Joan  Leslie  stole  the  show.  Played 
Sunday,  Monday,  April  4,  5. — Jack  L.  Edwards,  New 
Theatre,  Manila,  Ark. 

IN  THIS  OUR  LIFE:  George  Brent,  Bette  Davis- 
One  of  the  best  for  those  who  like  their  heavy  drama 
and  Bette  turns  in  one  of  her  best  performances. 
Played  Monday,  Tuesday,  May  17,  18.— W.  R.  Pyle, 
Dremaland  Theatre,  Rockglen,  Sask.  Rural  and  small 
town  patronage. 

MAN  WHO  CAME  TO  DINNER,  THE:  Monty 
Woolley,  Bette  Davis — Absolute  tops  in  witty  lines 
and  smart  performances.  Played  it  second  run  in 
Academy  (my  second  run  house)  and  even  the  bal- 
cony ate  it  up.  Played  Monday- Wednesday,  March 
15-17. — N.  W.  Mason,  Academy  Theatre,  New  Glas- 
gow, N.  S.  Industrial,  mining,  agricultural  center 
patronage. 

TRUCK  BUSTERS:  Richard  Travis,  Ruth  Ford- 
Just  mediocre  entertainment.  Used  it  on  Money  Night. 
Played  Tuesday,  Wednesday,  May  11,  12.— M'.  L.  Du 
Bose,  Majestic  Theatre,  Cotulla,  Texas.  Small  town 
patronage. 

VALLEY  OF  THE  SUN:  Lucille  James,  James 
Craig — Played  this  late  on  a  weekend  double  feature 
and  it  pleased.  The  show  is  above  the  average  west- 
ern in  acting  and  story.  It  is  worth  playing.  Played 
Friday,  Saturday,  May  7,  8.— Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz 
Theatre,  Marshfield,  Mo.  Small  town  and  rural  pat- 
ronage. 

WILD  BILL  HICKOK  RIDES:  Constance  Bennett, 
Bruce  Cabot — If  you  want  a  good  action  outdoor  pic- 
ture book  this  &ne.  It  has  everything  for  action  pa- 
trons.— M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass. 

WINGS  FOR  THE  EAGLE:  Ann  Sheridan,  Dennis 
Morgan— We  play  once  a  week  with  one  feature  and 
shorts  and  this  mediocre  flag-waver  is  not  strong 
enough  to  head  a  program  by  itself.  "Wings  for  the 
Eagle"  might  be  all  right  as  a  second  feature  on  a 
weekday.  Played  Sunday,  January  31. — James  A.  Nel- 
son, Hiram  College,  Hiram,  O.  Small  college  town 
patronage. 

YANKEE  DOODLE  DANDY:  James  Cagney,  Joan 
Leslie — Good  acting,  good  directing,  not  much  plot  to 
the  story.  I  don't  understand  Cagney's  winning  the 
award  on  this  one.  Good  songs  and  music,  but  too 
long  drawn  out.  Business  average.  Played  Saturday- 
Monday,  May  15-18. — L.  C.  Gardues,  Hollywood  Thea- 
tre, Mebane,  N.  C.    Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 

YANKEE  DOODLE  DANDY:  James  Cagney,  Joan 
Leslie — Some  liked  it  and  some  thought  it  was  terrible. 
Cagney  does  a  very  fine  job  in  this  picture.  Played 
Saturday,  Sunday,  May  8-9.— Otto  W.  Chapek,  New 
Anex  Theatre,  Anamoose,  N.  D.  Rural  and  small  town 
patronage. 

YANKEE  DOODLE  DANDY:  James  Cagney,  Joan 
Leslie — Nothing  derogatory  can  be  said  about  the  pic- 
ture. But  as  to  "what  the  picture  did  for  me,"  it  gave 
the  least  profit  of  any  Sunday-Monday  picture  I  have 
run  this  year.  If  you  gave  them  the  percentage  I  did 
you'll  know  what  I  mean.  Played  Sunday,  Monday. 
May  9,  10.— M.  L.  DuBose,  Majestic  Theatre,  Cotulla. 
Tex.    Small  town  patronage. 


Short  Features 
Columbia 

BLONDE  AND  GROOM:  All  Star  Comedies— Very 
funny.  This  type  comedy  goes  over  well  here. — V.  C. 
Kinchen,  Avon  Theatre,  Poteet,  Texas. 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

BLITZ  WOLF,  THE:  Technicolor  Cartoons— One  of 
the  best  cartoons  I  ever  saw  or  have  shown.  Our  pa- 
trons raved  about  it.  Had  patrons  come  again  and  see 
it  over  twice. — D.  R.  Hoagg,  Lincoln  Theatre,  Sebe- 
waing, Mich. 

BLITZ  WOLF,  THE:  Technicolor  Cartoons— Very 
timely  and  very  good. — Gertrude  V.  Proulx,  Au  Gres 
Theatre,  Au  Gres,  Mich. 

CALLING  AT  T.  KIDS:  Our  Gang  Comedy— Best  in 
this  series  in  many  months.  Liked  by  all. — L.  C. 
Gardues,  Hollywood  Theatre,  Mebane,  N.  C. 

CHIPS  OFF  THE  BLOCK:  Technicolor  Cartoons- 
Very  good  colortoon.  Just  what  the  little  tykes  like. 
All  of  MGM's  colortoons  are  good. — Gertrude  V. 
Proulx,  Au  Gres  Thaetre,  Au  Gres,  Mich. 

MIGHTY  LAK  A  GOAT:  Our  Gang  Comedies— A 
very  poor  Our  Gang  comedy,  I'd  say. — Gertrude  V. 
Proulx,  Au  Gres  Theatre,  Au  Gres,  Mich. 

UNEXPECTED  RICHES:  Our  Gang  Comedies— The 
children  liked  it  and  that  was  about  all. — Claude  R. 
Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C. 


VICTORY  VITTLES:  Pete  Smith  Specialties— Very 
interesting.  About  cooking  and  shown  in  Technicolor. 
— Gertrude  V.  Proulx,  Au  Gres  Theatre,  Au  Gres, 
Mich. 

Paramount 

MOMENTS  OF  CHARM:  Headliners— All  Girl  Or- 
chestra. Some  very  beautiful  songs. — V.  C.  Kinchen, 
Avon  Theatre,  Poteet,  Texas. 

POPULAR  SCIENCE  NO.  2:  Popular  Science— 
This  is  the  first  of  these  that  we  have  played  and 
we  look  forward  to  including  more  on  future  pro- 
grams. Many  favorable  audience  comments. — James 
A.  Nelson,  Hiram  College  Theatre,  Hiram,  O. 

SPINACH  FOR  BRTAIN:  Popeye  the  Sailor— Give 
me  more  of  these.  My  patrons  like  them  and  so  do 
I — anything  so  long  as  it  shows  Popeye  socking  a 
Jap. — Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead, 
N.  C. 

TOO  WEAK  TO  WALK:  Popeye  the  Sailor— Good 
Popeye  comedy. — V.  C.  Kinchen,  Avon  Theatre,  Po- 
teet, Texas. 

RKO 

DONALD'S  GOLF  GAME:  Walt  Disney  Cartoons 
— These  cartoons  are  good.  This  is  an  average  Don- 
ald Duck — James  A.  Nelson,  Hiram  College  Theatre, 
Hiram,  O. 

JOHNNY  LONG  AND  ORCHESTRA:  Jamborees- 
Very  interesting  musical  and  has  nice  choice  of  mu- 
sical numbers  which  my  patrons  enjoyed. — D.  R. 
Hoagg,   Lincoln  Theatre,  Sebewaing,  Mich. 

PRETTY  POLLY:  Leon  Errol— Very  good  comedy 
— one  of  Errol's  best. — D.  R.  Hoagg,  Lincoln  Thea- 
tre, Sebewaing,  Mich. 

United  Artists 

HITLER'S  PLAN:  World  in  Action— My  patrons 
did  not  like  this  and  I  don't  blame  them  one  bit. — 
Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C. 

OUR  RUSSIAN  ALLY:  World  in  Action— This  issue 
of  "World  in  Action"  series  not  so  good.  Poor  pho- 
tography and  sound.  The  propaganda  is  obvious. — 
Ray  E.  Salisbury,  Opera  House,  Presque  Isle,  Maine. 

Universal 

COW-COW  BOOGIE:  Swing  Symphony  — A  good 
cartoon.  Was  well  received. — Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz 
Theatre,  Marshfield,  Md. 

MOTHER  OF  PRESIDENTS:  Variety  Views— An 
interesting  short  subject. — V.  C.  Kinchen,  Avon  Thea- 
tre, Poteet,  Texas. 

SMOKE  PAINTER:  Stranger  than  Fiction— These 
flashes  of  items  of  truth  which  are  stranger  than  fic- 
tion are  always  well  received  by  the  audience  here. — 
J.  A.  Reynolds,  Director  of  Education  and  Recreation, 
New  Jersey  State  Prison  Theatre,  Trenton,  N.  J. 

Victory  Film 

TROOP  TRAIN:  Distributed  by  Columbia— An  in- 
teresting subject  poorly  done. — Ray  E.  Salisbury. 
Opera  House,  Presque  Isle,  Maine. 

Vitaphone 

ARMY  SHOW:  Broadway  Brevities — This  was  very 
good  and  enjoyed  by  our  patrons.  Lighting,  photog- 
raphy, sound  of  the  best.  Songs  are  stirring. — Ray  E. 
Salisbury,  Opera  House,  Presque  Isle,  Maine. 

BORRAH  MINEVITCH  AND  HIS  HARMONICA 
SCHOOL:  Melody  Master  Band— This  unusual  aggre- 
gation of  artists  make  wonderful  music  with  the  com- 
mon "mouth  organ,"  and  are  as  entertaining  as  ever. 
— J.  A.  Reynolds,  Director  of  Education  and  Recrea- 
tion, Trenton,  N.  J. 

CUBA,  LAND  OF  ADVENTURE  AND  SPORT: 

The  Sports  Parade — Blown  up  from  a  16mm  original, 
this  proves  interesting  and  entertaining  from  start  to 
finish. — Ray  E.  Salisbury,  Opera  House,  Presque  Isle, 
Maine. 

OZZIE  NELSON  AND  ORCHESTRA:  Melody 
Master  Band — Well  received  on  a  Sunday  program. — 
Charles  A.  Brooks.  Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield,  Md. 

OZZIE  NELSON  AND  ORCHESTRA:  Melody 
Master  Band — Good  band  reel  interlaced  with  comedy. — 
Ray  E.  Salisbury,  Opera  House,  Presque  Isle,  Maine. 

SIX  HITS  AND  A  MISS:  Melody  Master  Band— A 
good  subject,  but  weekend  patronage  did  not  like  it. 
Would  have  fitted  in  nicely  on  our  Sunday  change. — 
Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield,  Md. 

SNIFFER  SOLDIERS:  The  Sports  Parade— This 
short  shows  in  some  detail  the  training  of  one  of  our 
dogs  of  war.  It  is  entertaining  and  very  interesting, 
especially  to  the  dog  lover.— J.  A.  Reynolds,  Director 
of  Education  and  Recreation,  New  Jersey  State  Prison 
Theatre,  Trenton,  N.  J. 


PICTUREHERALD  June'B,  1943 

A  statistical  compilation  and 
comparison  of  Box-Office  Per- 
formance in  first-run  theatres 

Figures  directly  below  picture  title  compare  dollar  gross  with  average  gross  and  show  relative  percentage  of  all  engagements  tabulated. 

Figures  opposite  theatre  names  represent  percentage  of  tabulated  grosses  to  average  weekly  business  based  on  the  six  months'  period 
ending  December  31,  1942. 

SYMBOLS:  (DB)  Double  Bill— associate  feature  title;  (SA)  Stage  Attraction;  (MO)  Move-Over  Run;  (AA)  Advance  Admission. 


52  MOTION 

PICTURE 

GROSSES 


THE  MOON  IS  DOWN  (20th-Fox) 

Final  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $459,900 
Comparative  Average  Gross  377,323 
Over-all  Performance  121.9% 


BALTIMORE— New,  1st  week   156.2% 

BALTIMORE— New,  2nd  week   118.7% 

CHICAGO— Roosevelt,  1st  week   134.3% 

CHICAGO— Roosevelt,  2nd  week    112.5% 

CHICAGO— Roosevelt,  3rd  week    100.0% 

CINCINNATI — RKO  Albee   135.7% 

CINCINNATI— Keith's,  MO,  1st  week   .    .    .  100.0% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Circle   70.0% 

(DB)  He  Hired  the  Boss  (20th- Fox) 

KANSAS  CITY — Esquire   150.0% 

KANSAS  CITY— Uptown   150.0% 

LOS  ANGELES— Chinese   96.2% 

(DB)  Dixie  Dugan  (20th- Fox) 

LOS  ANGELES— Loew's  State   97.3% 

(DB)  Dixie  Dugan  (20th-Fox) 

LOS  ANGELESS— Ritz    95.7% 

(DB)  Dixie  Dugan  (20th -Fox) 

MILWAUKEE— Wisconsin   128.9% 

(DB)  Dixie  Dugan  (20th-Fox) 

MONTREAL — Palace    171.4% 

NEW  HAVEN— Loew's  Poli   92.2% 

(DB)  He  Hired  the  Boss  (20th-Fox) 

NEW  HAVEN— College,  MO,  1st  week    .    .    .  106.6% 

(DB)  He  Hired  the  Boss  (20th -Fox) 

NEW  YORK— Rivoli,  1st  week   205.0% 

NEW  YORK— Rivoli,  2nd  week   166.6% 

NEW  YORK— Rivoli,  3rd  week   116.6% 

NEW  YORK— Rivoli,  4th  week   94.4% 

OMAHA— Orpheum   120.0% 

(DB)  He's  My  Guv  (20th- Fox) 

PHILADELPHIA— Boyd   115.7% 

PHILADELPHIA— Keith's,  MO.  1st  week   .    .  144.4% 

PITTSBURGH— Harris,  1st  week   141.3% 

PITTSBURGH— Harris,  2nd  week   65.2% 

SAN  FRANCISCO — Paramount,  1st  week    .    .  157.1% 

(DB)  Dixie  Dugan  (20th -Fox) 

SAN  FRANCTSCO^Paramount.  2nd  week    .    .  103.5% 

(DB)  Dixie  Dugan  (20th-Fox) 

SEATTLE— Fifth  Ave   97.7% 

(DB)  Dixie  Dugan  (20th-Fox) 

SEATTLE— Blue  Mouse.  Mo,  1st  week    .    .    .  102.2% 

CDB)  Dixie  Dugan  (20th-Fox) 

ST.  LOUIS— Missouri   121.4% 

(DB)  Reap  the  Wild  Wind  (Para) 

TORONTO^-Shea's   140.9% 

WASHINGTON— Loew's  Capitol    121.0% 

(SA)  Dave  Elman's  Hobby  Lobby 

WASHINGTON— Columbia,  MO,  1st  week   .   .  113.4% 


FOREVER  AND  A  DAY  (RKO) 

Final  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $269,800 
Comparative  Average  Gross  221,796 
Over-all  Performance  121.6% 


BALTIMORE— Hippodrome   150.0% 

(SA)  Jack  Durant,  Ray  Parker  and  others 

BUFFALO—  20th  Century   211.7% 

(DB)  Saludos  Amigos  (RKO) 

CINCINNATI — RKO  ALBEE   92  8% 

CINCINNATI — RKO  Grand,  MO,  1st  week   .  100.0% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Circle   95  0% 

(DB)  Saludos  Amigos  (RKO) 

KANSAS  CITY— Orpheum   133  3% 

(DB)  Henrv  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour  (Para.) 
LOS   ANGELES— Paramount   Hollywood,  1st 

week    118.5% 

LOS  ANGELES— Paramount  Hollywood,  2nd 

week    84.0% 

LOS  ANGELES— Paramount   Downtown,  1st 

week    116.0% 

(DB)  Rhythm  of  the  Islands  (Republic) 


LOS   ANGELES— Downtown   Hollywood,  2nd 

week    89.3% 

(DB)  Rhvthm  of  the  Islands  (Univ.) 

MILWAUKEE— Riverside    133.3% 

(SA)  Hal  Mclntyre  &  Larry  Adler 

OMAHA— Brandeis   113.3% 

(DB)  Seven  Miles  from  Alcatraz  (RKO) 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  1st  week   ....  174.4% 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  2nd  week   ....  127.7% 

PITTSBURGH— Stanley   111.1% 

(SA)  Johnny  Long's  Band 

PROVIDENCE— Albee    156.2% 

(DB)  Taxi  Mister  (UA) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Golden  Gate   130.7% 

(SA)  Vaudeville 

ST.  LOUIS— Ambassador   104.3% 

(DB)  How's  About  It?  (Univ.) 

ST.  LOUIS— Missouri,  MO,  1st  week   ....  92.8% 

(DB)  Hello,  Frisco,  Hello  (20th-Fox) 

TORONTO— Imperial    128.5% 


SLIGHTLY  DANGEROUS  (M-G-M) 

Final  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $406,700 
Comparative  Average  Gross  347,523 
Over-all  Performance  117.0% 


BALTIMORE— Century  163.6% 

BUFFALO— Buffalo   113.3% 

(DB)  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  (Para) 

BUFFALO— Hippodrome.  MO1,  1st  week  .    .    .  144.0% 

(DB)  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  (Para) 

CINCINNATI— RKO   Albee    107.1% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Shubert,  MO,  1st  week   .  111.1% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  Stillman,  MO,  1st  week  100.0% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Lyric,  MO1,  2nd  week  .    .  87.5% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  State   100.0% 

INDIANAPOLIS — Loew's   135.2% 

(DB)  One  of  Our  Aircraft  Is  Missing  (UA) 

KANSAS  CITY— Midland   150.0% 

(DB)  American  Empire  (UA) 
LOS  ANGELES— Chinese  100.0% 

(DB)  Tennessee  Johnson  (M-G-M) 
LOS  ANGELES— Loew's  State  97.3% 

(DB)  Tennessee  Johnson  (M-G-M) 

LOS  ANGELES— Ritz   90.4% 

(DB)  Tennessee  Johnson  (M-G-M) 

MILWAUKEE— Wisconsin   138.5% 

(DB)  Night  Plane  to  Chunking  (Para) 

NEW  HAVEN— Bijou,  1st  week   124.0% 

(DB)  Seven  Miles  from  Alcatraz  (RKO) 

NEW  HAVEN— Bijou,  2nd  week   90.0% 

(DB)  Seven  Miles  from  Alcatraz  (RKO) 

PHILADELPHIA— Boyd,  1st  week     ....  140.7% 

PHILADELPHIA— Boyd,  2nd  week     ....  113.5% 

PHILADELPHIA— Keith's,  MO.  1st  week    .    .  134.6% 

PHILADELPHIA— Arcadia,  MO,  2nd  week  .    .  114.2% 

PHILADELPHIA— Arcadia,  MO.  3rd  week  .    .  135.7% 

PHILADELPHIA— Arcadia,  MO,  4th  week  .    .  92.5% 

PITTSBURGH— Stanley  ,  .  100.0% 

(SA.)  Lou  Walters  Latin  Quarter  Revue 

PROVIDENCE— State   150.0% 

(DB)  Air  Raid  Wardens  (M-G-M) 

PROVIDENCE— Carlton,  MO,  1st  week    .    .    .  107.5% 

(DB)  Air  Raid  Wardens  (MGM) 

SAN   FRANCISCO — Fox    127.7% 

(DB)  Mysterious  Doctor  (Warner  Bros) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— St.  Francis,  MO,  1st  week  123.0% 

(DB)  Mysterious  Doctor  (WB) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— St.  Francis.  MO.  2nd  week  100.0% 

(DB)  Mysterious  Doctor  (WB) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— St.  Francis,  MO,  3rd  week  115.3% 

(DB)  Mysterious  Doctor  (WB) 

ST.  LOUTS — Loew's  State,  1st  week   ....  133.3% 

(DB)  Murder  in  Times  Square  (Col) 

ST.  LOUIS— Loew's  State.  2nd  week   ....  86.6% 

(DB)  Murder  in  Times  Square  (Col) 

ST.  LOUIS— Loew's  Orpheum,  MO,  1st  week  90.0% 

(DB)  Murder  in  Times  Square  (Col) 

TORONTO— Loew's    .   .   :   135.0% 

(DB)  Fall  In  (UA) 

WASHINGTON— Capitol   136.8% 

(SA)  Vaudeville 

WASHINGTON— Columbia.  MO.  1st  week   .    .  153.8% 


TENNESSEE  JOHNSON  (M-C-M) 

Final  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $249,000 
Comparative  Average  Gross  225,623 
Over-all  Performance  I! 0.3% 


BALTIMORE— Century    136.3% 

BUFFALO1 — HiDpodrome   113.3% 

(DB)  Jacre  (UA) 

CINCINNATI — Keith's    106.0% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  State   84.6% 

INDIANAPOLIS-Loew's    121.4% 

(DB)  Three  Hearts  for  Julia  (MGM) 

KANSAS  CITY— Midland   100.0% 

(DB)  Three  Hearts  for  Julia  (M-G-M) 

LOS  ANGELES — Chinese   IGO.0% 

(DB)  Slightly  Dangerous  (MGM) 

LOS  ANGELES— State    97.3% 

(DB)  Slightlv  Dangerous  (MGM) 

LOS  ANGELES— Ritz   90.4% 

(DB)  Slightlv  Dangerous  (MGM) 

MILWAUKEE— Palace  •.   .   .   .  116.6% 

(DB)  Whistling  in  Dixie  (M-G-M) 

NEW  HAVEN— Bijou   71.1% 

(DB)  You're  Telling  Me  (Univ) 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  1st  week   ....  122.2% 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  2nd  week   ....  77.7% 

PITTSBURGH— Stanley   110.0% 

(SA)  Earl  Carroll's  Vanities 

PROVIDENCE— State    130.0% 

(DB)  Three  Hearts  for  Julia  (.MGM") 

SAN   FRANCISCO—  Warfield   160.7% 

(SA)  Vaudeville 

SAN  FRANCISCO— St.  Francis,  MO,  1st  week  115.3% 

(DB)  Hanpy  Go  Lucky  (Para) 

ST.  LOUIS— State    96.6% 

(DB)  Something  to  Shout  About  (Col) 

TORONTO^Uptown  '.   .    .   .  94.7% 

(DB1  Whistling  in  Dixie  (MGM) 

WASHINGTON— Capitol   131.5% 

(SA)  Vaudeville 

WASHINGTON— Columbia,  MO,  1st  week     .  115.3% 


CHINA  (Para.) 

First  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated 
Comparative  Average  Gross 
Over-all  Performance 


$494,800 
$348,398 
142.0% 


CLEVELAND— Loew's  State   151.1% 

DENVER— Denham,  1st  week   276.9% 

(DB)  Aerial  Gunner  (Para) 

DENVER — Denham,  2nd  week    230.7% 

(DB)  Aerial  Gunner  (Para) 

LOS  ANGELES— Paramount  Hollywood   .   .   .  158.1% 

LOS  ANGELES— Paramount  Downtown  .   .    .  196.6% 

(DB)  High  Explosive  (Para.) 

MONTREAL— Princess   142.8% 

(DB)  Careful,  Soft  Shoulder  (20th-Fox) 

NEW  HAVEN— Paramount   136.3% 

(DB)  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  (Para) 
NEW  YORK— Paramount,  1st  week  161.0% 

(SA)  Harrv  James  Orchestra 

NEW  YORK— Paramount,  2nd  week    ....  158.3% 

(SA)  Harry  James  Orchestra 

NEW  YORK— Paramount.  3rd  week    ....  136.6% 

(SA)  Harrv  James  Orchestra 

NEW  YORK— Paramount,  4th  week   ....  80.0% 

(SA)  Harry  James  Orchestra 

OMAHA— Orpheum   103.7% 

(DB)  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  (Para) 

ST.  LOUIS— Ambassador,  1st  week   113.0% 

(DB)  Rhythm  of  the  Islands  (Univ) 

ST.  LOUIS— Ambassador.  2nd  week   82.6% 

(DB)  Rhvthm  of  the  Islands  (Univ) 

SAN  FRANCISCO'— Paramount   141.3% 

(DB)  Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour  (Para) 


June    5 ,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


53 


MANAGERS 


ROUND  TABLE 


zAn  international  association  of  showmen  meeting  weekly 
in  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD  for  mutual  aid  and  progress 

BOB  WILE,  Editor  GERTRUDE  MERRIAM,  Associate  Editor 


QP 


THE  JOINER 

Just  a  year  ago,  this  page  was  almost  entirely  devoted  to 
the  joiners — those  men  who  are  members  of  organizations  in 
their  communities  and  in  many  cases,  officers  and  working 
heads.  The  subject  has  always  struck  a  responsive  note  in  the 
membership  of  this  organization  so  it  has  been  kept  alive  from 
time  to  time  on  this  page  and  through  correspondence. 

It  seems  like  a  good  time  to  talk  the  subject  over  once  again. 
Conditions  have  changed  slightly  since  that  time.  Now  a 
showman  is  busy  selling  Bonds,  being  an  air  raid  warden  and 
perhaps,  much  of  the  time  performing  additional  duties  in 
the  theatre  because  of  the  shortage  of  help. 

*  *  * 

Yet  it  seems  to  be  absolutely  essential  for  the  theatre  man- 
ager or  owner  to  belong  to  organizations  of  several  types.  Such 
activity  is  no  longer  regarded  as  mere  diversion  or  pleasure 
by  circuit  owners;  it  is  recognized  that  every  moment  that 
the  manager  spends  doing  something  for  the  good  of  the 
community  through  any  organization,  he  is  actually  working 
and  earning  the  money  that  he  is  paid  for  managing  a  theatre. 

It  matters  little  whether  the  activity  is  connected  with  a 
church  organization,  a  service  club,  a  fraternal  order,  a  pa- 
triotic group  or  even  public  office.  The  Knights  of  Columbus 
or  Christian  Endeavor,  Rotary,  Lions  or  Kiwanis,  Elks  or  Odd 
Fellows,  the  American  Legion  or  V.  F.  W.,  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce  and  all  such  groups  are  the  framework  within  which 
the  theatre  manager  can  practice  his  profession  outside  the 
theatre.  The  theatre  men  who  are  members  of  Boards  of 
Aldermen  and  even  Mayors  are  frequently  encountered,  and 
many  are  members  of  Boards  of  Education,  Sewer  or  Water 
District  Commissions  and  the  like. 


Just  by  way  of  example,  here  is  the  record  of  a  Round 
Tabler  which  has  just  come  to  hand.  Leo  Schuessler,  manager 
of  the  Sheboygan  theatre,  Sheboygan,  Wis.,  has  quite  a  lot  of 
outside  activities.  He  is  currently  a  member  of  the  Safety 
Patrol  Committee  of  the  Association  of  Commerce  of  She- 
boygan. He  is  a  member  of  the  Lions  Club  of  Sheboygan 
and  on  the  education  and  membership  committees  of  that 
organization.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus 
and  on  the  entertainment  and  War  Bond  Committees  of  that 
group.  Leo  is  also  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the 
Junior  Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Pub- 
licity Committee  for  the  Second  War  Loan  Drive.  He  is  also 
chairman  of  the  Wisconsin  State  Guard  Committee  and  chair- 


man of  the  WAAC  recruiting  board  of  the  Sixth  Service  Com- 
mand Council,  a  group  of  20  men  who  are  civilian  aides  to  the 
local  military  commander.  And  he  is  also  Senior  Air  Raid 
Warden  in  charge  of  the  block  containing  the  theatre,  some 
large  stores,  a  school  and  a  church. 

Leo  adds,  "I  am  a  local  boy.  This  is  my  home  town  and 
people  call  upon  me  for  many  projects  and  works  at  one  time 
or  another  in  addition  to  my  club  work.  I  must  say  that  all 
of  these  contacts  prove  invaluable  to  the  theatre  at  some  time. 
It  is  really  remarkable  how  many  doors  can  be  opened  if  you 
have  the  right  keys.  You  can  readily  understand  what  this 
means  in  a  small  town.  It  is  my  good  fortune  to  get  in  on  the 
ground  floor  of  nearly  everything  that  happens  around  here." 


One  need  not  belong  to  every  organization.  Membership  in 
some  precludes  joining  others.  But,  for  example,  word  has 
just  come,  together  with  a  front  page  newspaper  clipping,  to 
show  that  A.  J.  Kalberer  of  the  Indiana  and  Liberty  theatres, 
Washington,  Ind.,  spoke  to  the  Kiwanis  Club  of  that  city  on 
"The  Motion  Picture  Industry  and  the  War".  There's  a  story 
behind  that  too.  Kal  is  a  member  of  the  Rotary  Club  of 
Washington.  During  the  recent  floods,  Rotary  and  Kiwanis 
members  volunteered  for  levee  patrol  work.  "I  had  two  six 
hour  shifts  to  handle,  both  between  midnight  and  six  o'clock 
in  the  morning"  Kal  reports.  Knowing  that  these  are  the  hours 
when  a  theatreman  usually  sleeps  one  is  fully  aware  of  the 
sacrifices  involved.  It  is  concrete  evidence  that  membership 
in  a  service  club  is  an  active  one. 


Lest  anyone  think  that  this  sort  of  activity  is  confined  to 
small  towns,  here  is  evidence  that  it  is  also  applied  in  Boston 
(pop.  2,350,514).  James  King,  known  locally  as  "Red",  publicity 
director  for  the  RKO  Boston  theatres,  not  only  had  a  hand  in 
organizing  a  Bond  Rally  in  honor  of  Maritime  Week  which  was 
held  at  a  Hub  store,  but  acted  as  Master  of  Ceremonies  for 
the  affair  as  well.  The  Rally  was  held  in  conjunction  with  the 
Boston  appearance  of  the  two-man  Jap  submarine  captured 
at  Pearl  Harbor.  Red's  picture  appeared  in  the  store's  ads  in 
the  newspapers  heralding  the  event. 

The  Boston  Daily  Record  also  notes  some  of  Red's  activities. 
It  seems  that  "he  is  a  great  friend  of  the  Boston  Daily  Record 
Boys'  Club",  to  quote  the  paper.  Therefore,  he  arranged  for  a 
big  theatre  party  and  jamboree  for  the  club  at  the  Keith 
Memorial  theatre  at  8:30  on  a  Saturday.  One  guess  is  per- 
missible as  to  who  was  the  master  of  ceremonies  at  that  affair. 

—BOB  WILE 


54 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    5,  1943 


WINDOW  AND  LOBBY  SELLING 


A  prize  contest 
was  conducted  by 
the  RKO  Theatres 
in  Cleveland  for  the 
boys  and  girls  who 
did  the  most  out- 
standing work  in 
Victory  Gardens.  As 
publicity  for  the 
contest,  Lou  Mayer, 
manager  of  the 
Palace,  brought 
Borrah  Minnevitch's 
Harmonica  Rascals 
to  one  of  the  gar- 
dens for  a  picture. 
It  rated  four  col- 
umns in  the 
Cleveland  News. 


Three  attractive  members  of  Cleve- 
land's Chinese  colony  manned  the 
War  Bond  Booth  during  the  engagement 
of  MChina",  as  part  of  the  campaign 
by  Ed  Fisher,  publicity  director, 
and  J.  Maxwell  Joice. 


Book  windows  are  frequently  obtained  by 
showmen  on  pictures  adapted  from  books. 
Here  are  two  outstanding  examples  on 
recent  books.  At  the  left  is  a  window 
obtained  in  the  leading  book  store  of 
Houston,  Tex.,  by  Francis  Deering,  man- 
ager of  Loew's  State.  At  the  right  is  one 
obtained  by  Joseph  S.  Boyle,  manager  of 
the    Broadway   theatre,    Norwich,  Conn. 


MO 


rr.il  Itotsc  *W  to  iliis 
e.itre  r»^i';*w.*«  vvitt  rrtew- 
jjocsi  iWirl  In  w  <Mir 

LUCKY  SHOW 


THURS.  MAY  6* 
m 


The  "Lucky"  idea  not  only  went 
with  the  titles  but  was  tied  in 
with  the  scrap  drive  by  Loew's 
New  York  theatres,  each  of  which 
carried*  this  display. 


An  empty  oxygen  tank, 
labeled  'Laughing  Gas',  stood 
next  to  Leslie  Pendleton's 
lobby  display  in  the  State 
theatre,  Lake  Wales,  Fla. 


They're  selling  War  Bonds  in  Canada, 
too.   Here's  how  Sid  Scott  does  it  in 
the  lobby  of  the  Capitol,  Sudbury,  Ont. 


mck'emufl 


June    5 ,  1943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


55 


Lewis  Breyer,  manager  of  the  Strand,  Holyoke,  Mass.,  used  this  original  idea 
as  a  lobby  display  when  he  played  "Flight  for  Freedom". 





#  •  • 
Quick-  toy  •  SdveValudbb 
CdT9o  Space  br 
War  Material, 


By  Joseph  R.  Marcello 

A  plug  for  V-mail  seems  to  be  an  appropriate 

tieup  on  "Next  of  Kin".   Here's  how 

Rita  Morton  did  it  at  the  Albee,  Providence,  R.  I. 


The  music  department  and  gowns  by  Adrian  aided 
Jack  Matlack  of  the  Broadway,  Portland,  Ore.,  to  make  a 
tieup  with  a  big  department  store.  Actual  Adrian  models 
were  obtained  from  the  producer  for  this  display.  The  24-sheet 
provided  the  background. 


Cooperating  with  the  Los  Angeles  Times,  Tom  Soriero 
held  a  special  day  at  the  United  Artists  theatre,  Los  Angeles, 
for  the  carrier  boys.  The  paper  gave  the  affair  considerable 
space  and  this  picture  was  reproduced  in  four  column  size. 


Mel  Jolley  at  the  Marks  theatre, 
Oshawa,  Ont.,  used  a  lobby 
display  featuring  the  various 
musical  specialties  in 
"Reveille  With  Beverly". 


Rodney  Toups  at  Loew's  State, 
New  Orleans,  used  a  huge 
lobby  piece  on  "Lady  of 
Burlesque"  which  was  some- 
times used  outside  as  well. 


STAN 


m 

TANWVCK 

MICHAEL 
O'SHEA 

mm 

56 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    5,    I  943 


Selling  Points 

ON  THE  NEW  PRODUCT 

[The  material  below  reflects  press  books  now  in  preparation  and  represents  the  point  of 
view  of  the  distributors'  exploiteers  about  the  selling  points  and  special  merit  of  these  pictures.'] 


PRESENTING  LILY  MARS  (Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer):  Numerous  contests  are  avail- 
able, one  of  which  features  a  "Name  the 
Band"  stunt.  Since  "Bobcats"  is  the  nick- 
name of  Bob  Crosby's  band  and  Tommy 
Dorsey   is   known   as   "That  Sentimental 
Gentleman",  the  radio  station  could  spon- 
sor the  contest  based  on  identifying  the 
nicknames,    slogans   or   theme    songs  of 
national  bands.    Prizes  could  be  offered 
for  the  most  correct  identifications.  An- 
other invites  contestants  to  list  the  titles 
of  pictures  in  which  Judy  Garland  sang  a 
specified  list  of  songs.   Since  the  picture 
tells  the  story  of  a  young  amateur  actress 
who  seeks  a  career  in  the  theatre,  it  pro- 
vides an  opportunity  for  staging  a  local 
talent  contest.   With  the  aid  of  a  news- 
paper, local  acting  group,  radio  station  or 
dramatic  school  the  most  talented  local 
actress,  singer  or  musician  could  be  sought. 
The  winner  might  be  introduced  on  a  local 
radio  program  and  given  a  public  appear- 
ance on  the  stage  where  he  or  she  would 


be  awarded  a  silver  cup.  If  the  radio  sta- 
tion boasts  a  program  of  dramatic  talent, 
an  audition  contest  might  be  sponsored 
for  actors  and  singers.   Listeners  could  be 
invited  to  act  as  judges,  sending  in  their 
opinions  of  the  talent.  The  program  can  be 
titled  "Presenting  Blank  Town's  Lily  Mars". 
Since  Triangle  Books  has  reissued  "Present- 
ing Lily  Mars"  with  a  new  movie  tieup 
jacket,  leading  booksellers  throughout  the 
country  will  have  it  on  sale  at  the  time 
theatres  play  the  picture.  Lending  libraries 
might  be  contacted  for  cooperative  win- 
dow displays,  counter  exhibits  and  news- 
paper advertising.  Librarians  might  be  in- 
fluenced to  exploit  a  "Booth  Tarkington" 
week  in  conjunction  with  the  playdates. 
Bookmarks  and  blotters  appropriately  im- 
printed may  be  distributed  ahead  of  the 
picture.    Music  and  radio  shops  may  be 
asked  to  get  behind  pushing  sales  of  Judy 
Garland,   Dorsey's  and  Crosby's  records, 
with   prominent  picture  mention  in  their 
window  and  counter  displays. 


Special  Testimonial  Screening 
Held  for  "Moon  Is  Down" 

An  ingenious  costless  stunt  was  promoted 
recently  by  C.  Emmett  Lockard  of  the 
Roosevelt  theatre,  in  Des  Moines,  ahead  of 
his  date  on  "The  Moon  Is  Down,"  in  which 
24  local  merchants  cooperated  on  a  special 
testimonial  screening.  Invitation  cards  were 
printed  gratis  reading  "You  are  invited.  Be 
a  First  Nighter  at  the  special  critic's  pre- 
view of  John  Steinbeck's  'The  Moon  Is 
Down.'  " 

All  merchants  who  donated  toward  the 
advertising  cost  of  the  stunt  and  the  critics 
and  heads  of  all  small  newspapers  were  in- 
vited to  the  screening.  The  heads  of  the 
high  school  papers  and  various  persons 
picked  from  the  working  class  of  the  various 
industrial  shops  were  also  represented. 
Eleven  by  fourteen  comment  cards  were  dis- 
tributed and  later  used  for  window  displays. 
Stock  heralds  were  used  as  souvenir  pro- 
grams, flyers  duplicated  from  a  full  page 
cooperative  ad  were  made  up  and  distributed 
house-to-house,  one  lighted  24-sheet  stand 
was  donated,  138  inches  of  free  newspaper 
cuts  and  stories  landed,  etc.,  all  gratis. 

Lockard  reports  the  money  donated  by  the 
merchants  paid  for  the  following  items :  a 
full  page  ad  in  the  local  daily;  1500  flyers 
made  from  a  reprint  of  the  ad ;  50  flyers 
which  were  posted  in  prominent  windows  of 
all  cooperating  merchants;  100  11  by  14 
testimonial  cards;  print  for  the  screening 
was  no  cost;  250  heralds  donated  by  Fox; 
the  special  invitations  which  were  sent  out 
and  the  total  free  space  in  the  newspapers 
as  a  result  of  the  screening  and  goodwill 
amounted  to  208  column  inches  against  12 
inches  of  paid  advertising. 


Animated  Display  Sells 
"Lady  of  Burlesque" 

For  "Lady  of  Burlesque"  at  the  Lincoln 
theatre,  in  Miami,  bookstores  were  contacted 
for  a  five  foot  high  and  four  foot  wide  blow- 
up of  Barbara  Stanwyck  in  the  window  of 
the  largest  bookstore.  The  figure  of  Stan- 
wyck was  in  the  middle  of  two  signs — one 
side  advertising  the  book,  "The  G-String 
Murders"  and  the  other  side,  the  "Lady  of 
Burlesque."  In  the  theatre  a  display  with 
Stanwyck  swaying  her  hips  in  the  breeze 
was  a  distinct  success.  This  was  10  feet 
long  and  18  feet  deep.  The  display  created 
much  favorable  word-of-mouth  comment  and 
helped  sell  the  picture. 

NOTE  FROM  A  MEMBER 
NOW  IN  THE  SERVICE 

Herman  Addison,  formerly  man- 
ager of  the  Paramount  theatre,  Glens 
Falls,  N.  Y.,  who  at  last  reports  was 
in  North  Africa  with  the  A.  E.  F., 
writes:  "I  have  been  hearing  a  lot  of 
late  about  the  flood  of  war  pictures 
and  propaganda  in  the  theatres.  It 
seems  the  public  doesn't  take  very 
kindly  to  it.  Why  don't  they  leave 
that  stuff  to  the  newspapers  and 
radio?  Have  also  been  hearing  how 
members  of  the  fair  sex  are  taking 
over  the  jobs.  Is  it  going  to  work? 
And,  if  so,  what  happens  after  the 
war?  Will  they  use  women  to  keep 
salaries  down?" 


Radio  Coverage  Abundant 
On  "Cabin  in  the  Sky" 

Contacting  Station  WFBR,  Gertrude 
Bunchez  at  the  Century  theatre,  in  Balti- 
more, arranged  for  five-minute  announce- 
ments and  spots  of  music  from  "Cabin  in  the 
Sky"  on  their  Mythical  Ballroom  program 
which  is  aired  Monday  through  Saturday. 
This  gave  the  theatre  a  total  of  one  half- 
hour  of  free  time  on  this  popular  program. 
Arrangements  were  also  made  with  the  same 
station  on  their  Name-the-Band  program, 
which  is  on  the  air  Monday  through  Satur- 
day, to  feature  melodies  from  the  picture  and 
also  Duke  Ellington  and  his  band  with  good 
mention  of  the  picture  and  playdates.  Spot 
announcements  were  landed  over  WCAO 
and  the  theatre's  Hollywood  Gossip  program 
also  carried  plugs  for  the  picture. 

Three  different  chain  five  and  ten  stores 
came  through  with  window  displays,  in  addi- 
tion to  carrying  heralds  in  their  music  de- 
partments. Stills  were  planted  in  the  music 
departments  of  leading  stores  and  Postal 
Telegraph  came  through  with  scene  stills 
in  the  windows  of  their  15  stores  about 
town.  All  leading  night  clubs  and  cocktail 
lounges  in  the  city  played  the  hit  tunes  from 
the  picture  and  mentioned  the  theatre  and 
playdates. 

An  arrangement  was  made  with  the 
Bethlehem  Fairfield  Shipbuilding  Company, 
one  of  the  largest  war  plants  in  the  city,  to 
give  a  midnight  show  to  the  employees  who 
worked  from  3.30  p.m.  t@  11.30  and  conse- 
quently could  not  attend  the  movies.  Her- 
alds were  distributed  throughout  the  plant 
and  announcements  made  over  their  loud 
speaker.  Miss  Bunchez  reports  this  a  first 
time  for  a  theatre  to  be  granted  that  privi- 
lege. 


WAAC  Recruiting  Booth 
Opened  by  Cornell 

In  cooperation  with  a  local  WAAC  re- 
cruiting Lieutenant,  Clayton  Cornell  at 
Schine's  Pontiac,  in  Saranac  Lake,  N.  Y., 
had  a  booth  set  up  in  his  lobby  with  a  re- 
cruiting sergeant  in  attendance  to  distribute 
literature  and  interview  interested  parties. 
Appropriate  displays  of  one-sheets  were 
shown.  Announcements  were  made  on  the 
screen  and  by  Cornell  from  the  stage  on 
activity  nights. 

The  Lieutenant  went  on  the  air  and  told 
of  the  booth  in  the  lobby  and  the  station 
gave  spots  each  day  on  the  subject.  A 
reader  was  secured  in  the  local  daily  in 
this  connection  and  a  one-sheet  was  placed 
out  front  calling  attention  to  the  booth. 


Metcalf  Recruits  Waves 
From  Theatre  Lobby 

Through  the  cooperation  of  a  U.  S.  Navy 
Recruiting  Officer,  plugs  for  Ray  Metcalfe's 
date  on  "Stand  By  For  Action"  at  the 
Rapids  theatre,  in  Rock  Rapids,  la.,  were 
landed  before  the  Kiwanis  Club  and  the 
Business  and  Professional  Woman's  Club. 

Taken  in  the  lobby  of  the  theatre  where 
people  could  watch,  was  a  picture  of  the 
first  WAVE  to  be  signed  up  in  the  county. 
The  picture  made  the  front  page  of  the 
second  section  of  the  local  newspaper.  A 
window  display  was  secured  and  featured  a 
model  of  an  aircraft  carrier  with  picture 
title,  playdates,  etc.  For  further  attention, 
a  boy  home  on  furlough  was  interviewed 
from  the  stage. 


June    5,  1943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


57 


The  Quigley 
Awards  Rules 

Entries  must  be  forwarded  as  soon 
as  possible  after  exploitation  is  com- 
pleted. 

There  are  no  classifications  of  population 
or  situation.  Every  entrant  starts  from 
scratch — circuit  or  independent,  first-run 
or  subsequent,  downtown  or  neighborhood, 
big  city  or  small  town. 


Consistency  of  effort  is  a  paramount  con- 
sideration in  the  Quigley  Awards.  One-shot 
campaigns  or  ideas  are  not  eligible  for  con- 
sideration. 


Whole  campaigns  need  necessarily  not  be 
submitted  but  are,  of  course,  acceptable. 
Single  ideas  or  promotions  are  eligible  for 
consideration  if  the  entrant  is  a  consistent 
contributor. 


Entrants  most  often  represented  in  each 
Quarter  will  receive  first  consideration  for 
the  Quarterly  Awards. 

A  single  promotion  may  include  more 
than  one  slant,  providing  all  slants  relate 
to  the  original  idea.  Thus,  a  single  contest 
promotion  may  be  carried  in  newspapers,  on 
the  radio,  in  windows,  ads,  lobby,  etc. 
• 

No  fancy  entries  are  necessary.  Costly 
and  time-using  "Gingerbread"  decorations 
are  not  encouraged.  Showmanship  only 
counts. 

In  addition  to  exploitation  on  pictures — 
features,  shorts  or  serials — entries  may  be 
made  on  institutional  promotions.  Exploita- 
tion on  stage  shows,  presentations,  etc.,  are 
also  definitely  eligible  for  consideration. 
• 

A  single  idea  may  be  confined  to  a  win- 
dow, contest,  newspaper  or  program  pub- 
licity, street  stunt,  lobby  display,  ad  or 
ad  series,  newspaper  section,  radio  tiein,  etc. 
• 

One  Plaque  and  seven  Scrolls  of  Honor 
will  be  awarded  each  Quarter.  Those  win- 
ning these  honors  will  be  entered  for  the 
Grand  Awards  competition.  In  addition, 
entries  of  merit  will  be  awarded  Citations. 

Evidence  proving  authenticity  of  each 
entry  must  be  submitted,  such  as  photos, 
tear  sheets,  programs,  heralds,  ads,  let- 
ters, etc. 

Address  all  entries  to: 

Quigley  Awards  Committee 
Managers'  Round  Table 
Rockefeller  Center 
New  York 


OUTSTANDING  SHOWMEN 

The  showmen  listed  below  are  those  whose  campaigns  received  during  the  last  two 
weeks  make  them  eligible  for  consideration  for  the  Second  Quarter  Quigley  Awards. 


VINCENT  ALDERT 
Paramount,  Brattleboro,  Vt. 

JOSEPH  BOYLE 
Broadway,  Norwich,  Conn. 

CLAYTON  CORNELL 
Pontiac,  Saranac  Lake,  N.  Y. 

D.  M.  DILLENBECK 
Rialto,  Bushnell,  III. 

BILL  ELDER 

Loew's,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

DICK  FELDMAN 
Paramount,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

JACK  FLEX 

Keith,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

WILLIAM  GALLISAN 
Commercial,  Chicago,  III. 

SAM  GILMAN 
Regent,  Harrisburg,  Pa. 

J.  D.  HILLHOUSE 
State,  Galveston,  Tex. 

MEL  JOLLEY 

Marks,  Oshawa,  Ont.,  Canada 


A.  J.  KALBERER 
Switow's  Indiana 
Washington,  Ind. 

JAMES  KING 
RKO,  Boston,  Mass. 

SIDNEY  KLEPER 

Bijou,  New  Haven,  Conn. 

CHUCK  LARNARD 
State,  Appalachia,  Va. 

HERTA  LAUBE 

Manhasset,  Manhasset,  L.  I. 

JACK  MATLACK 
Broadway,  Portland,  Ore. 

LOUIS  E.  MAYER 
Palace,  Cleveland,  Ohio 

R.  E.  MAYNARD 

Tivoli,  Saskatoon,  Sask.,  Canada 

RITA  MORTON 

RKO  Albee,  Providence,  R.  I. 

LESLIE  PENDLETON 
State,  Lake  Wales,  Fla. 


HARLAND  RANKIN 

Centre,  Chatham,  Ont.,  Canada 

JIMMIE  REDMOND 
Rivoli,  Falls  City,  Neb. 

H.  W.  REISINGER 
Loew's,  Dayton,  Ohio 

KEN  ROCKWELL 
Palace,  Jamestown,  N.  Y. 

BOYD  SCOTT 

Grand,  Holdenville,  Okla. 

J.  G.  SAMARTANO 
Palace,  Meriden,  Conn. 

TOM  SORIERO 

United  Artists,  Los  Angeles,  Calif. 

HARRY  D.  STEARN 
Manring,  Middlesboro,  Ky. 

MOLLIE  STICKLES 
Strand,  Waterbury,  Conn. 

TED  TESCHNER 
Esquire,  Toledo,  Ohio 

FRED  TICKELL 

Capitol,  Fort  Williams,  Ont.,  Can. 


Breyer  Asks  Parents  to 
See  Sons  in  Newsreels 

Several  weeks  ago  when  the  government 
released  the  story  about  the  bombing  of 
Tokyo,  Lew  Breyer  at  the  Strand,  in  Holy- 
oke,  Mass.,  recalled  reading  that  four  local 
boys  had  participated  in  the  raid.  When  he 
finally  received  the  newsreel  clip  showing 
the  raiders  taking  off  and  then  being  deco- 
rated, he  thumbed  through  the  back  numbers 
of  the  newspapers  and  secured  the  names 
and  addresses  of  these  boys,  and  invited 
their  parents  to  be  his  guests.  The  boys 
were  actually  seen  in  the  Newsreel  being 
decorated  by  Madame  Chiang  Kai-chek. 

The  stunt  netted  publicity  in  every 
Springfield  newspaper  plus  the  Holyoke 
papers  which  also  carried  pictures.  Re- 
porters interviewed  the  parents  in  the  lobby 
of  the  theatre. 


Newsreel  Events  Listed 

In  Aldert's  Newspaper  Ads 

Recently  inaugurated  by  Vincent  Aldert  of 
the  Paramount  theatre,  in  Brattleboro,  Vt., 
is  the  inclusion  in  all  his  ads  of  exactly 
what  events  he  is  running  in  his  newsreels. 
Included  in  one  of  his  ads  submitted  to 
this  department  are  such  items  as  "Coast 
Artillery  Sky  Chasers,  Camp  Davis,  N.  C. ; 
Negro  Soldiers  Building  Traps  for  Enemy 
Tanks,  Fort  Belvoir,  Va."  etc.  Aldert  re- 
ports receiving  many  calls  from  patrons 
who  appreciated  the  new  service. 

For  his  engagement  on  "Pride  of  the 
Yankees,"  Vincent  ran  a  series  of  teaser  ads 
ahead  of  the  opening,  which  included  a  cut 
of  Babe  Ruth  together  with  appropriate 
credits  and  tiein  copy,  another  of  Gary 
Cooper  and  other  leads  in  the  picture. 


Selects  Miss  Victory  for 
"I  Am  an  American"  Day 

In  connection  with  the  recent  local  cele- 
bration of  "I  Am  an  American"  day  in  Chi- 
cago, Bill  Galligan  at  the  Commercial  the- 
atre, tied  in  with  the  local  office  of  Civilian 
Defense  in  connection  with  a  contest  to  elect 
a  "Miss  Victory."  Each  of  the  six  com- 
munities selected  one  representative  by  hav- 
ing their  block  captains  vote  for  their  fa- 
vorite. No  registration  was  needed  at  the 
theatre  and  the  contest  was  limited  to  six 
contestants. 

The  advertising,  which  was  abundant, 
urged  people  to  attend  and  applaud  for  the 
favorites  and  help  the  service  men  judges 
select  the  winner.  Bill  says  actually  their 
applause  meant  nothing,  since  the  judging 
committee  was  made  up  of  soldiers,  sailors 
and  marines  and  their  decision  was  final. 
The  Round  Tabler  also  reports  the  entire 
cost  of  the  contest  was  spent  in  advertising. 
The  prize  of  being  selected  the  winner  was 
enough  to  please  the  contestants. 


Goth  Arranges  for  Alligator 
To  Be  Christened  "Jacare" 

Edgar  Goth,  director  of  advertising  and 
publicity  for  the  Fabian  Theatres  in  Staten 
Island,  recently  broke  the  dailies  with  a  two- 
column  cut  and  additional  two-column  story 
on  his  opening  of  the  picture,  "Jacare",  at 
the  Palace  theatre.  It  seems  that  there  is 
a  new-born  alligator  at  the  nearby  Barrett 
Park  Zoo  and  Goth  made  arrangements 
for  the  baby  alligator  to  be  christened 
"Jacare."  The  photo  which  appeared  in 
the  papers  showed  the  'gator  together  with 
members  of  the  zoo  staff  and  George  Kemp, 
manager  of  the  theatre. 


58 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    5,  1943 


Abbott  &  Costello  Platform 
Helps  Sell  "It  Ain't  Hay" 

As  a  teaser  ahead  of  "It  Ain't  Hay"  at 
the  Grove  theatre,  in  Miami,  Fla.,  George 
West  distributed  tinted  heralds  which  car- 
ried copy:  "Vote  for  and  elect  Abbott  & 
Costello,  your  laff  champs  for  1943.  They 
say  'Read  Our  Platform.  It  Ain't  Hay.'" 
The  platform  included  the  following:  "No 
tax  on  laughs.  A  bale  of  hay  on  every  table. 
Two  horses  in  every  garage.  Hot  water  in 
every  pot.  No  black  market  (we  believe  in 
bright  colors)  and  all  the  gas  vou  can 
drink." 

In  addition,  for  outside  attention,  West 
planted  a  large  bale  of  straw  in  front  of  the 
theatre  with  two  40  by  60  display  signs 
headed:  "It  Ain't  Hay."  On  the  bale  of 
straw  a  large  wooden  horse  was  planted 
with  a  dummy  in  the  saddle.  A  motor  rocked 
the  horse,  giving  it  the  appearance  of  run- 
ning. 

Larnard  Snipes  Newspapers 
With  "Air  Force"  Copy 

As  a  result  of  an  agreement  with  the  pro- 
prietor of  the  local  newsstand.  Chuck  Lar- 
nard at  the  Appalachian  theatre,  in  Ap- 
palachia,  Va.,  had  small  stickers  carrying 
"Air  Forces"  playdates,  etc.,  pasted  on  all 
the  daily  papers  clearing  through  his  stand. 
The  stickers  were  small  ad  mats  printed  on 
gummed  paper.  A  special  front  was  built 
for  this  attraction  with  the  exchange  three 
and  six-sheets  as  well  as  a  generous  number 
of  stills. 

A  newspaper  contest  was  also  planted  in 
which  guest  tickets  were  awarded  to  those 
correctly  answering  questions  regarding 
Flying  Fortresses.  Mailing  pieces  were  dis- 
tributed to  the  mining  camps  surrounding 
the  territory  and  the  billposter's  truck  was 
sniped  with  banners  on  each  side. 


Ties  "Next  of  Kin"  to 
Blood  Donor  Drive 

Due  to  the  efforts  of  Rita  Morton  on  be- 
half of  "Next  of  Kin"  at  the  RKO  Albee, 
in  Providence,  the  local  chapter  of  the 
American  Red  Cross  placed  a  booth  in  the 
lobby  of  the  theatre  with  the  following  copy 
prominently  displayed:  "You  aid  your  Next 
of  Kin  when  you  give  blood  to  the  Red 
Cross.  Enlist  here."  The  booth  itself  was 
manned  by  uniformed  volunteers  from  the 
Red  Cross  for  matinee  and  evening  perform- 
ances three  days  in  advance  of  the  opening 
of  the  picture.  A  40  by  60  poster  with  the 
following  copy  was  also  displayed  in  the 
lobby,  "Write  to  your  Next  of  Kin.  Use 
V-Mail.  Quick,  easy  to  use.  Saves  valu- 
able cargo  space  for  war  materials." 

Through  the  local  Civilian  Defense  Of- 
fice, letters  were  sent  to  be  placed  on  the 
bulletin  boards  in  local  defense  plants  urg- 
ing attendance  at  the  picture.  A  notice  of 
the  engagement  was  sent  to  a  mailing  list 
of  800  members  of  the  British  Empire  Club 
and  the  British  Club,  stressing  the  fact  that 
the  picture  was  made  in  England  with  an 
all-English  cast.  The  entire  trolley  and  bus 
system  were  furnished  with  an  advertising 
card  on  the  picture  and  500  copies  of  a 
special  throwaway  were  distributed  at  bus 
stops,  department  store  entrances  and  other 
crowded  spots  in  the  downtown  area. 


Campbell  Endorses 
"Random  Harvest" 

To  help  publicize  his  date  on  "Random 
Harvest"  at  the  Strand  theatre,  in  Trail,  B. 
C,  Leslie  V.  Campbell  went  on  the  air  on 
a  Sunday  afternoon  with  a  personal  en- 
dorsement of  the  picture.  For  his  front, 
Les  used  a  28  by  four-foot  banner  with  the 
title  in  cutout  letters'  tacked  to  the  bottom. 


Effective  Use  of  Tie-ups 
Aids  "Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello" 

Tie-ups  which  obtained  window  and  dis- 
play ad  space  were  most  effectively  used  by 
Jack  Flex,  manager  of  RKO  Keith's  Syra- 
cuse, for  his  playdate  of  "Hello,  'Frisco, 
Hello."  Flex  cashed  in  on  national  tie-ups 
with  Westmore  and  Calox,  getting  window 
streamers  and  counter  displays.  Several 
beauty  shops  were  tied  in  on  cooperative  ads 
featuring  Alice  Faye  and  Lynn  Bari.  Ads 
ran  in  both  Syracuse  papers. 

A  novel  tie-up  was  had  with  the  local 
telephone  company,  who  devoted  a  large 
window  to  display  various  types  of  tele- 
phones from  the  earliest  to  the  most  modern 
and  also  showed  art  from  the  picture.  These 
tie-ups  plus  five  and  dime  store  tie-ins  and 
all  music  shops  were  also  landed.  Local 
papers  cooperated  with  each,  running  a  con- 
test for  readers  in  conjunction  with  local 
playdate  of  the  picture. 

Roving  Photographer  Tiein 
Sells  "Slightly  Dangerous" 

Through  a  tieup  effected  with  a  local  pho- 
tographer, Sid  Kleper  for  the  run  of  "Slight- 
ly Dangerous"  at  the  Bijou  theatre  in  New 
Haven,  had  the  man  carry  a  cutout  of  Lana 
Turner  and  snap  passers-by  with  the  star. 
These  pictures  were  later  displayed  in  front 
of  the  theatre  and  those  properly  identify- 
ing themselves  were  given  guest  tickets. 
Novelty  throwaways  were  also  used  in  the 
form  of  imprinted  pay  envelopes  with  copy, 
"Here's  a  Kiss  from  Lana  Turner.  See  her 
in,"  etc.  Inserted  in  the  envelope  were 
promoted  candy  kisses. 

For  a  marquee  gag,  Kleper  had  a  sign 
used  while  the  title  was  being  changed  read- 
ing: "Man  Changing  Marquee.  'Slightly 
Dangerous'."  The  opening  itself  was  adver- 
tised as  a  Bond  Premiere,  with  Red  Skelton, 
Bee  Wain  and  others  participating.  Coop- 
erating merchants  came  through  with  ads 
which  plugged  the  sale  of  Bonds. 


Navy  Recruiting  Booth 
Used  for  "Crash  Dive" 

Recently  200  officers  of  the  Seventh  Naval 
District,  Miami  sub  chaser  base,  were  guests 
of  Jack  Fink  of  the  Capitol  theatre,  at  a 
special  showing  of  "Crash  Dive."  Because 
this  film  was  made  in  cooperation  with  the 
Navy,  Wometco  arranged  with  Lt.  Com. 
Pepper  of  the  Navy's  Public  Relations  of- 
fice, to  have  a  recruiting  booth  in  the  lobby 
of  the  theatre  during  the  run. 

Pictures  of  real  subs  in  action  adorned  the 
recruiting  booth  and  stories  of  volunteers 
were  placed  in  the  papers.  The  recruiting 
officers  on  duty  had  some  exciting  moments 
in  their  sub  careers  and  these  were  given  to 
the  papers  for  publicity  breaks. 


Distributes  "Yankee"  Bats 

Ahead  of  his  date  on  "Pride  of  the  Yan- 
kees" at  the  Kenyon  theatre,  in  Pitsburgh, 
Lige  Brien  promoted  miniature  baseball  bats 
which  were  distributed  well  in  advance  to 
men  in  restaurants,  barber  shops,  bowling 
alleys  and  to  students  of  the  high  school. 
These  were  also  handed  out  by  beauty  shop 
operators  to  women  customers,  to  women 
in  the  shopping  district  carrying  children, 
and  by  clerks  in  department  stores.  Each  bat 
carried  the  picture  title  together  with  play- 
dates. 


June    5,  1943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


59 


UNUSUAL  NEWSPAPER  ADS 


The  full  depth  of 
the  paper  and 
five  columns  of 
width  on  the 
bottom  were  tak- 
en up  by  Jack 
Matlack  of  the 
J.  J.  Parker  The- 
atres, Portland, 
Ore.,  to  advertise 
"Edge  of  Dark- 
ness". Not  only 
its  size,  but 
the  combination 
of  three  half- 
tones  made  it 
outstanding. 


STANLEY-  WARNER- 


16th  and 
MARKET 


DOORS  OPEN   10:45  A.M.- 


THE  BEST  LOVED  OF  BEST  SELLERS 
And  BEST  OF  ALL 


One  of  life'i  greatest  stories 
comes  to  the  screen  —  a  new 
kind  of  adventure  —  with  a 
new  kind  of  thrill  I 


Hailed  in  Redbook 
and  Reader's  Digest 
0i  a  best ■  seller ! 

MARCH  OF  TIME 

"America's 
food  Crisis" 


20lh  Century-Fox  Picture  with 

RODDY  McDOWALL 

Star  of  "How  Green  Waj  My  Volley"  ond  "The  Pied  Piper',' 

Preston  FOSTER  •  Rita  JOHNSON 

JAMES  BELL  •  DIANA  HALE  •  JEFF  COREY 


irvi 


/TTTT7 


s 

FLASHES 

BY  AlR-MAILr 

TODAY 


The  Schine  Circuit 
is  using  mats  like 
this  to  call  atten- 
tion to  the  news- 
reels  which  it  feels 
are  bigger  drawing 
cards  now. 


ing  Blumberg,  advertising  and  publicity 
director  for  the  Warner  theatres  in  Philadelphia, 
used  this  type  of  ad  for  the  opening  of 
"My  Friend  Flicka"  at  the  Fox  theatre 
in  Philadelphia.    There's  plenty  of  white  space 
and  considerable  attention  given  to  the 
book  from  which  the  picture  was  adapted. 


fcn€«xhn»o, 

POPULAR     PKICK     J  bWELLRS 

722  Riverside  -  Next  to  Liber  In  Theatre 


rr 


FRANK  MORGAN 

In  a  scene  from 
M-G-M's  comedy 

"A  STRANGER 
IN  TOWN" 

Fox  Theatre-Now! 

Also 

"CABIN  IN  THE  SKY" 


Ok  <7owh..." 

WILL  FEEL  AT  HOME 


BEN  COHN  &  BRO. 

When  you  cross  our  threshold  you 
immediately  become  the  guest  of  this 
store  Our  personnel  knows  that  the 
success  of  our  business  depends  upon 
its  ability  to  treat  customers  right. 
Every  day  is  visitors'  day  Come  in 
and  get  acquainted  Whether  you 
want  advice  on  merchandise,  or  infor- 
mation about  our  city,  you  are  always 
welcome. 

INLAND  EMPIRE  VISITORS 

. . .  make  this  store  your 
meeting  headquarters 


hlCK  ***** 


Cooperative  ads  often  have  to  be  laid 
out  by  the  theatre  manager.    Here  is  an 
excellent  example  arranged  by  Oscar 
Nyberg  of  the  Fox  theatre,  Spokane, 
Wash. 


HApPYGOlttCKY 

MARY '  MttTm"'wCK  POWELL 
BETTY.  MUTTON  •  EDDIE  BRACKEN 
RUDY  VAILEE  mZauutotatf 


Be  Happy  with  the  Rest 
of   the   Crowd    at  the 

GRAND" 

SUNDAY.   MONDAY,  TUES. 


Boyd  Scott,  city  man- 
ager for  the  Griffith 
Circuit  in  Holdenville, 
Okla.,  uses  this  kind  of 
a  layout  to  plug  the 
attractions  at  the  two 
houses. 


♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦f 

LAST  TIMES 


TONIGHT! 


-fc  2  ADULTS  35c  * 

DR.  GILLESPIE'S 
NEW  ASSISTANT 

—  win  — 
Lionel  BARRYMORE 


-fc  STARTS  TOMORROW! 
I   RED  SKELTONa  V/~~S 


DIXIE 


LAST  TIMES 
TONIGHT! 
*  2  ADULTS  25c!  * 


+  STARTS  TOMORROW!  * 
"PIRATES  OF  THE 
PRAIRIE" 

♦♦♦♦ 


MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  June    5,  1943 


PERSONALS  ON  SHOWMEN 


CONGRATULATIONS 


June  7th 

N.J.  Banks 
George  E.  Mooney 
Joe  Hewitt 
Murray  Bracker 
James  F.  Delaney 
A.  R.  Hiland 
E.  V.  Gassaway 
Irving  Lambert 
Dick  H.  Detwiler 
Samuel  F.Cunningham 
Elwood  E.  Blanc 

8th 

Joe  Klein 
C.  T.  Spencer 
Samuel  Leffler 
George  Stoves 
Harold  L.Teel 
Harold  B.  Pearl 
Albert  Pollock 
Don  T.  Palmer 
Sidney  Miller 
Frederick  C.  Radtke 

9th 

Mark  E.  Berkheimer 
O. Beer 
Paul  L.  Field 
Paul  A.  Kleinerman 

I  Oth 

Marshall  A.  Edwards 
William  Sherman 
Roy  Geise 


June  10th 

R.  V.  De  Gruy 
Elmore  H.  Rhines 
Harry  T.  Briggs 
Jack  A.  Farr 
W.  Dean  Lewis 

I  Ith 

Paul  W.  Kunze 
Thor  Hauschild 
Marsh  Gollner 
L.  P.  Hageman 

12th 

Charles  L.  Epler 
La  Mar  R.  Keen 
L.  S.  Bach 
Erik  Paulson 
W.  Ray  McCormack 
Charles  F.  Deane 
Robert  Heekin 
Vernon  H.  Everroad 
Abraham  I.  Perlman 
William  Sage 
Edward  Amsden 

13th 

Roy  O.  Prytz 
Christopher  McHale 
Henry  C.  Earle 
Stewart  R.  Martin 
William  D.  Yeakle 
Charles  E.  Simpson 
William  H.  Romanoff 


Leslie  Pendleton,  Though  Young, 
Has  Risen  Through  Ranks 

The  young  man  whose  picture  appears 
here  is  Leslie  W.  Pendleton,  Jr.,  manager 
of  the  State  theatre,  Lake  Wales,  Fla.  He 

started  in  the  Flor- 
ida theatre,  Daytona 
Beach,  Fla.,  for  the 
Florida  State  The- 
atres, with  which  he 
is  still  associated,  on 
Christmas  Day, 
1938.  He  worked  his 
way  up  from  usher 
to  doorman  and  then 
to  office  helper  and 
after  a  time  was 
transferred  to  the 
Empire  theatre  in 
the  same  city,  under 
J.  L.  Cartwright,  city  manager.  In  a  few 
months,  he  was  promoted  to  assistant  man- 
ager under  Mr.  Cartwright.  In  October, 
1941,  he  was  promoted  to  the  managership 
of  the  Grand  theatre  in  Winter  Haven  and 
on  January  4  of  this  year,  was  transferred 
to  his  present  position. 


John  Leverette,  Formerly  in 
Bank,  Is  Lured  by  Show  Business 

Formerly  employed  at  the  City  National 
Bank  at  Sylacauga,  Ala.,  the  show  business 
seemed  to  have  more  lure  for  John  T.  Lever- 
ette, who  a  few  months  ago  joined  the  Mar- 
tin Circuit  and  was  in  training  for  two 
months  at  the  Ritz  theatre,  Sylacauga,  Ala. 
When  the  two  months  were  up,  he  was  as- 
signed to  the  Strand  theatre,  Florala,  as 
manager. 


Long  Career  in  Theatres 
Behind  G.  C.  Ramsay 

A  long  career  in  theatres  is  behind  G. 
C.  Ramsay,  who  started  as  a  staff  artist, 
worked  later  as  a  projectionist,  went  from 
that  to  advertising  and  finally  into  man- 
agement. Ramsay  was  born  in  Fredonia 
Kansas,  Aug.  27,  1913.  His  first  job  was 
as  staff  artist  for  the  Whiteway,  now  the 
Kansan  theatre  in  his  home  town  of  Fre- 
donia, a  post  he  held  until  1933.  In  that 
year  he  moved  to  Marysville,  Kansas,  where 
he  served  as  artist  and  projectionist,  re- 
maining there  until  1936  when  he  joined 
Fox  theatres  in  Atchison,  Kansas  as  adver- 
tising director.  After  two  years  he  resigned 
to  work  on  roadshow  productions  and  free 
lance  art,  but  returned  to  Fredonia  in  1940 


MEMBERSHIP  IS  OPEN 

To  Managers,  publicity  men,  city  managers, 
district  managers,  advertising  men 

An  engraved  certificate  will  be  sent  to  all 
new  members  of  Managers'  Round  Table 


Fill  out  the  coupon,  clip  and  send  to 

MANAGERS'  ROUND  TABLE  •  ROCKEFELLER  CENTER 
Name  Position  


NEW  YORK,  N.  Y. 


Theatre    Circuit 


ROBERTA  MAY,  on  Sunday,  May 
2}rd,  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mack  Shapiro. 
The  father  manages  the  College  the- 
atre, in  College  Point,  L.  I. 


as  assistant  manager.  The  following  year, 
he  joined  the  H.  J.  Griffith  theatres  as  ad- 
vertising chief  for  the  Manhattan,  Kansas, 
theatres.  The  following  year,  he  was  pro- 
moted to  circuit  advertising  director.  Last 
year,  however,  the  lure  of  California  proved 
strong,  and  he  was  hired  again  by  the  Fox 
theatres,  first  as  assistant  in  the  Fox  theatre, 
San  Diego,  then  to  the  Fairmont  in  the  same 
city  as  manager  and  in  November  to  the 
Village  theatre  in  Claremont,  where  he  is 
today. 

BUD  FREEMAN  is  now  managing  the 
Rockland  theatre,  in  Philadelphia,  succeed- 
ing J.  V.  Lamorte,  who  joined  the  Varablow 
theatre  circuit  in  southern  New  Jersey. 

JACK  GOLDMAN,  manager  of  Warners' 
Keith's  theatre,  Philadelphia,  until  it  was 
taken  over  by  William  Goldman  earlier  this 
month,  continues  with  the  circuit  as  a  rotat- 
ing manager. 

WILLARD  G.  JOHNSON  replaces  Gus 
Hartman  as  manager  of  Warners'  Grand 
and  Globe  theatres,  Vineland,  N.  J.,  with 
the  latter  returning  as  manager  of  the  cir- 
cuit's Princess  theatre,  Camden,  N.  J. 

GLEN  ELDRIDGE  has  been  named  assist- 
ant manager  of  Palomar  theatre,  in  Seattle, 
Wash.,  succeeding  Herb  Stewart,  who  re- 
signed to  take  a  similar  post  at  the  Orpheum 
theatre  there. 

HENRY  SAVOIE,  assistant  manager  at 
the  Center  theatre,  Fall  River,  Mass.,  has 
enlisted  in  the  Navy. 

WALTER  CORREA,  assistant  manager  of 
the  Durfee,  in  Fall  River,  Mass.,  has  been 
drafted  by  the  Army. 

WARREN  A.  SLEE,  MGM  exploitation 
representative  in  the  Detroit  territory,  has 
been  transferred  to  Chicago  to  handle  spe- 
cial promotional  activities.  Charles  Dietz. 
formerly  exploitation  representative  in  the 
Denver  territory,  will  succeed  Slee.  Robert 
W.  Huffman  has  replaced  Dietz. 


City. 


.  State 


Dillenbeck  Gives  Hay 
For  "It  Ain't  Hay" 

As  a  teaser  ahead  of  "It  Ain't  Hay"  at  the 
Rialto  theatre,  in  Bushnell,  111.,  D.'M.  Dil- 
lenbeck distributed  tinted  heralds  carrying 
cuts  of  Abbott  &  Costello.  Through  a  hole 
punched  in  the  top  of  each  card,  a  small 
bunch  of  hay  was  tied  for  further  attention. 
For  street  use,  Dil  filled  two  sacks  half  full 
of  sand  and  covered  with  tops  of  oats  and 
tied  these  to  two  different  lamp-posts. 


June    5,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


61 


Paul  Ament,  59,  IN  NEWSREELS 

Projectionist  at 
Palace ;  Dies 


Paul  Ament,  projectionist  for  28  years  at 
the  RKO  Palace  theatre,  New  York,  and  one 
of  the  oldest  members  of  the  city's  projection- 
ists' union,  Local  306, 
I     died  Monday  morning 
in   the  Meadowbrook 
Hospital,  East  Hemp- 
stead,   Long  Island. 
He  was  59,  and  lived 
in     Valley  Stream, 
L.  I. 

Nassau  County 
Commander  of  the 
Veterans  of  Foreign 
Wars,  Mr.  Ament 
collapsed  Sunday 
m—m  '^MBBP^Il  I  night  while  installing 
IHH  ^Jf^  mWm  omcers  °f  tne  VFW 
■H  Mm  jHH  auxiliary  at  Bellmore, 
HHH_    §Jg        'JHHH     Long  Island. 

Mr.  Ament  was  a 
Paul  Ament  member  of  local  306 

for  almost  35  years. 
He  was  an  active  member,  but  never  held  office. 
Before  entering  the  Palace,  he  had  worked  at 
various  projection  jobs. 

A  proponent  of  Americanization,  Mr.  Ament 
spoke  often  to  school  and  other  groups.  He 
worked  at  the  Palace  at  night. 

He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Spanish-American 
war,  and  as  such  was  a  member  of  the  Spanish 
War  Veterans,  and  the  National  Society  of 
the  Army  of  the  Phillippines.  He  was  cited 
for  bravery  in  the  islands  campaign. 

Surviving  Mr.  Ament  are  his  widow,  Ethel ; 
his  son,  Paul ;  a  daughter,  Ethel,  and  a  sister, 
Mrs.  Isabel  Ellmore,  of  Los  Angeles. 


Trust  Suit  Against  B.  &  K., 
Distributors  Dismissed 

The  Adelphi  theatre  case  was  dismissed  in 
the  United  States  District  Court,  Chicago,  last 
week  by  Judge  Philip  Sullivan.  It  originally 
was  filed  by  100  theatres  in  the  Chicago  area 
against  Paramount  Pictures,  Inc.,  Balaban  & 
Katz  Corporation,  B.  &  K.  Management  Cor- 
poration, John  Balaban,  Barney  Balaban,  Walter 
Immerman,  Abe  Kaufman  and  Joseph  Kaufman 
as  primary  defendants  and  Loew's,  Inc.,  Twen- 
tieth Century  Fox  Film  Corporation,  Vitagraph, 
Inc.,  RKO  Radio  Pictures,  Inc.,  United  Artists 
Corporation,  Columbia  Pictures  Corporation  and 
Universal  Film  Exchanges,  Inc.,  as  secondary 
defendants. 

It  charged  that  certain  acts,  practices,  con- 
tracts and  combinations  of  the  defendants  re- 
sulted in  the  power  to  control  prices,  smother 
competition  and  monopolize  interstate  trade  in 
motion  picture  films  for  exhibition  in  the  city 
of  Chicago  and  its  suburbs,  contrary  to  the 
anti-trust  laws. 

The  suit  was  dismissed  on  a  motion  of  the 
plaintiffs  who  stated  that  since  it  was  insti- 
tuted in  September,  1938,  there  had  been  a 
radical  change  in  the  releasing  system,  making 
the  injunctive  relief  which  was  sought  no  longer 
appropriate. 


Restrict  New  Jersey  Fairs 

Only  two  outdoor  fairs  will  be  held  in  New 
Jersey  this  year  with  the  State  Department  of 
Agriculture  reporting  that  managers  of  six 
New  Jersey  agricultural  fairs  have  announced 
their  _  cancellation  this  summer.  The  two  re- 
maining outdoor  expositions  will  be  the  New 
Jersey  State  Fair  at  Trenton,  to  be  held  from 
September  12th  to  18th,  and  the  Flemington 
Fair  at  Flemington,  from  August  31st  to  Sep- 
tember 6th. 


MOVIETONE  NEWS— Vol.  25,  No.  77— U.  S.  invades 
Attu.  .  .  .  Air  blitz  in  Tunisia.  .  .  .  Lend-lease 
reaches  Russia.  .  .  .  Liberian  chief  at  White  House. 
.  .  .  Hutton  cartoon  on  freedom  of  press.  .  .  .  Heli- 
copters for  U-boat  hunt.  .  .  .  Joe  E.  Brown  enter- 
tains troops. 

MOVIETONE  NEWS— Vol.  25,  No.  78— Allied  victory 
in  Tunisia  .  .  .  French  turn  tables  .  .  .  Cutter  sinks 
U-boat.  .  .  .  Pleasure  driving  ban  in  force.  .  .  .  West 
Pointers  graduate.  .  .  .  Memorial  Day  parade. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY— Vol.  25,  No.  275- Yanks  on 
Attu.  .  .  .  Lend-lease  supplies  reach  Russia.  .  .  . 
Nazi  prisoners  of  Allies.  .  .  .  Tobruk  heroes  return 
to  Australia.  .  .  .  Liberian  president  visits  White 
House.  .  .  .  Notables  at  capital  premiere. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY— Vol.  25,  No.  276— Coast  guard 
cutter  sinks  U-boat.  .  .  .  Paratroop  chaplain  gradu- 
ates with  class.  .  .  .  Memorial  Day  celebrated.  .  .  . 
Building  block  busters  for  Axis.  .  .  .  Queen  of 
women  welders.  .  .  .  Axis  general  in  Britain. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS— No.  80  —  Honor  two  Yank 
pilots.  .  .  .  Ground  crew  men  graduate.  .  .  .  General 
Vanaman  in  Indian  ceremony.  .  .  .  Tobruk  heroes  in 
Australia.  .  .  .  Liberian  head  in  Washington.  .  .  . 
Yanks  on  Attu.  .  .  .  Tunisian  roundup.  .  .  .  Heli- 
copter new  U-boat  "killer." 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS— No.  81— Cutter  sinks  U-boat. 
.  .  .  Skunk  orphans  look  for  foster  mother.  .  .  .  All- 
monkey  circus  at  St.  Louis  zoo.  .  .  .  Allied  victors 
welcomed  in  Tunisia.  .  .  .  German  prisoners  in 
England.  .  .  .  TNT  record  output.  .  .  .  Chaplain 
graduates  with  Paratroopers. 

RKO  PATHE  NEWS— Vol.  14,  No.  80— Invasion  of 
Attu.  .  .  .  Lend-lease  supplies  reach  Russia.  .  .  . 
Helicopter  tested  at  sea  to  fight  U-boat  menace.  .  .  . 
Final  clean-up  in  Tunisia. 

RKO  PATHE  NEWS— Vol.  14,  No.  81— Victory  in 
Tunis.  .  .  .  Italian  marshal  a  prisoner.  .  .  .  Allies 
receive  welcome  by  citizens.  .  .  .  Enemy  snipers 
wiped  out.  .  .  .  Coast  Guard  cutter  sinks  German 
sub,  take  Axis  prisoners. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWSREEL— Vol.  16,  No.  193— Axis 
losses  in  Africa  shown.  .  .  .  Yanks  on  Attu.  .  .  . 
Lend-lease  to  Allies.  .  .  .  Helicopter  in  test.  .  .  . 
WAACS  have  dog  mascot.  .  .  .  FDR  entertains 
Liberian  president.  .  .  .  Texas  A&M  graduates  join 
service. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWSREEL— Vol.  16,  No.  194— Tu- 
nisian population  rejoices  in  Allied  victory.  .  .  . 
Decoration  Day  in  New  York.  .  .  .  Ordnance  plant 
turns  out  bombs  for  Axis.  .  .  .  Children  watch 
monkeys  in  St.  Louis  zoo.  .  .  .  Coast  Guard  cutter 
sinks  sub. 

ALL  AMERICAN  NEWS— Vol.  2,  No.  32  —  Negro 
troops  fight  flood.  .  .  .  Troops  observe  war  tactics 
at  Fort  Knox.  .  .  .  Freedman  Hospital  science  in- 
sures better  babies.  .  .  .  Liberty  Ship  named  after 
slave  who  became  statesman.  .  .  .  Liberian  president 
visits  U.  S. 


Kaufman  Hearing  Is 
Adjourned  to  June  8th 

The  hearing  in  the  case  of  Louis  Kaufman, 
business  agent  of  proiectionists'  union.  Local 
244.  Newark,  N.  J.,  this  week  was  adjourned 
in  U.  S.  District  Court,  New  York,  until  June 
8th.  Kaufman  is  under  indictment  for  alleged 
violation  of  the  Federal  anti-racketeering  law. 
Also  on  June  8th,  the  six  alleged  Chicago  gang- 
sters, under  indictment  with  Kaufman,  will  ap- 
pear to  plead. 

Trial  of  the  men  is  expected  to  begin  early 
in  September,  Mathias  Correa,  U.  S.  Attorney, 
indicated  this  week.  It  is  expected  that  George 
Browne  and  Willie  Bioff,  union  leaders  now 
serving  prison  terms  for  extortion,  will  appear 
as  Government  witnesses. 


Hold  Me  morial  Services 

Memorial  Day  services  were  held  at  the  Ac- 
tors' Temple  in  New  York  on  Monday  for  those 
of  the  theatrical  industry  who  gave  their  lives 
in  the  present  war.  Rabbi  Bernard  Birstein 
officiated,  special  music  was  sung  by  Lucy 
Monroe,  and  Bert  Lytell  made  a  brief  address. 


Extend  Dayton  Store  Hours 

Theatre  men  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  anticipate  at 
least  some  increase  in  attendance  by  reason  of 
retail  stores  remaining  open  until  9  P.M.  on 
Wednesdays  of  each  week,  in  addition  to  Mon- 
days, the  latter  schedule  having  been  in  effect 
for  several  months. 


William  Koenig, 
20th- Fox  Studio 
Manager,  58 

William  Koenig,  general  production  manager 
of  the  Twentieth  Century-Fox  Studios,  died  on 
May  29th   in   his   apartment  at  the  Beverly 

Wilshire  Hotel  in 
Los  Angeles.  He  was 
58.  He  had  been  ill 
for  four  months, 
spending  part  of  the 
time  in  a  hospital. 

Until     1922,  Mr. 
Koenig  was  a  theatre 
operator  in  the  mid- 
west, working  his  way 
it       up   from  an   usher  in 
Mm    a    Milwaukee  theatre. 
Mfm     1  le  was  then  appoint- 
m     Am        ed  by  Carl  Laemmle 
Am  as  studio  manager  of 

Am    H     Universal,  holding  the 
Am      B     position  for  two  years. 

Warner  Brothers 
named  him  general 
production  manager  of 
the  studios  in  1924,  and  he  remained  there  11 
years  before  returning  to  Universal  in  1936. 
Darryl  F.  Zanuck,  with  whom  Mr.  Koenig  was 
associated  during  his  Warner  tenure,  brought  him 
into  the  Twentieth  Century-Fox  organization  in 
1938  where  he  remained  as  studio  manager. 

The  funeral  was  held  Wednesday  from  the 
Wee  _  Kirk  o'  the  Heather,  at  Forest  Lawn. 
Rabbi  Max  Nussbaum  presided.  Fred  S.  Meyer, 
of  Twentieth  Century-Fox,  and  an  old  associate, 
read  an  eulogy.  Pallbearers  were  Joseph 
Schnitzer,  Charles  Rogers,  Hal  Wallis,  Harry 
Rapf,  Mr.  Meyer,  Harry  Brand.  Burial  was  at 
Forest  Lawn. 

He  leaves  his  widow,  Mrs.  Doris  Koenig, 
who  was  at  his  bedside  until  the  end;  his 
mother,  Mrs.  Jennie  Koenig,  and  two  brothers, 
Ben  Koenig,  film  attorney,  and  David  Koenig, 
all  of  Los  Angeles. 


William  Koenig 


Vaughn  DeLeath,  Radio 
Singer,  Composer 

Vaughn  DeLeath,  radio  singer  and  song  com- 
poser, died  on  May  28th  in  Buffalo  after  a  long- 
illness.  She  was  42.  She  started  her  radio 
career  in  1920,  and  was  popularly  known  as  the 
"first  lady  of  radio." 

Miss  DeLeath  was  a  graduate  of  Mills  Col- 
lege in  San  Francisco,  where  her  voice  was 
described  as  having  three-range  quality.  Upon 
her  advent  into  radio,  she  captured  the  appeal 
of  listeners  by  her  crooning  style.  She  wrote 
more  than  500  songs  and  appeared  in  many 
stage  productions. 


John  F.  McMahon 

John  F.  McMahon,  75,  theatre  owner  in  Phil- 
adelphia, died  May  26th  at  his  home  there  after 
'  a  long  illness.  He  had  operated  the  Walton 
theatre  in  the  Germantown  section  for  26  years 
until  his  retirement  five  years  ago.  He  is  sur- 
vived by  his  wife,  Marie.  Funeral  services 
were  held  on  May  29th,  with  burial  in  Holy 
Sepulchre  Cemetery. 


Edmund  Condon 

Edmund  Condon,  50,  former  assistant  man- 
ager of  the  Ritz  theatre  in  Elizabeth,  died  in 
Belleville,  N.  J.,  on  May  29th.  At  one  time  he 
was  a  stage  singer,  appearing  in  four  Broadway 
productions.  He  is  survived  by  his  sister,  Mrs. 
Frank  Hawkes  and  a  brother,  Richard. 


Lieut.  Alvin  Furrer 

Lieutenant  Alvin  Furrer,  son  of  Jack  Furrer, 
RKO  salesman  in  Cincinnati,  has  been  re- 
ported killed  in  air  action  in  North  Africa. 


62  MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISING 

Ten  cents  per  word,  money-order  or  check  with  copy.  Count  initials,  box  number  and  ad- 
dress. Minimum  insertion,  $1.  Four  insertions,  for  the  price  of  three.  Contract  rates  on 
application.  No  borders  or  cuts.  Forms  close  Mondays  at  5  P.  M.  Publisher  reserves 
the  right  to  reject  any  copy.  Film  and  trailer  advertising  not  accepted.  Classi-  i^^— 
tied  advertising  not  subject  to  agency  commission.  Address  copy  and  checks:  RjjM 
MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD,  Classified  Dept.,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  BUI 


NEW  EQUIPMENT 


THEY'RE  FLOCKING  IN  —  FROM  MAINE  TO 
California — because  we  still  have  plenty  of  good  stuff 
yet — Brandt  coin  changers,  $89.50;  RCA  3'  x  5'  multi- 
cellular high  frequency  horns,  complete,  $225;  rectifier 
bulbs,  fifteen  ampere,  $7.95;  six  ampere,  $3.95;  DuPont 
Fabrikoid,  50"  wide,  $1.35  yard;  safety  steel  film 
cabinets,  $2.93  section;  Forest  60  ampere  suprex  recti- 
fier, $211.75;  latest  Superior  Atlas  projector  mechan- 
isms, $595;  Simplex  18"  magazines,  pair  $49.50;  sound 
screens,  Beaded  3954c;  Chrome  (suprex)  23!^c;  Flex- 
tone  washable.  30Kc;  small  theatre  vacuum  cleaners. 
$89.50.  Get  our  Jubilee  Bargain  Bulletin.  S.  O.  S. 
CINEMA  SUPPLY  CORP.,  New  York. 


BUSINESS  BOOSTERS 


BINGO  CARDS,  DIE  CUT,  1  TO  100  OR  1  TO  75, 
$2.00  per  thousand.  $17.50  for  10,000.  S.  Klous,  care 
of  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


TRAINING  SCHOOLS 


THEATRE  EMPLOYEES:  TRAIN  FOR  BETTER 
positions.  Learn  modern  theatre  management  and  ad- 
vertising. Big  opportunities  for  trained  men.  Estab- 
lished since  1927.  Write  now  for  free  catalog.  THE- 
ATRE MANAGERS  SCHOOL,  Elmira,  N.  Y. 


BOOKKEEPING  SYSTEM 


THEATRE  MANAGEMENT  RECORD  AND  TAX 
Register.  This  new  accounting  system  is  the  finest 
book  of  its  kind  ever  made  available  to  an  exhibitor. 
In  addition  to  being  complete  in  every  respect,  it  is 
simple — so  much  so  that  it  is  not  necessary  to  have 
had  bookkeeping  experience  in  order  to  keep  an  ac- 
curate, complete  and  up -to- minute  record  of  the 
business  of  your  theatre.  The  introductory  price  is 
only  $2.00  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rocke- 
feller Center,  New  York. 


PRINTING 


THEATRE  PROGRAMS,  HERALD  GIVEAWAYS 
and  other  show  printing,  at  special  rates.  Supply  copy 
and  layout  for  estimate.  BOX  1207A,  MOTION  PIC- 
TURE HERALD. 


USED  EQUIPMENT 


SLIGHTLY  USED  ALL  STEEL  BLOWER,  13,500 
cfm  with  2  hp  motor,  $230;  quiet  exhaust  fans,  from 
$21.25;  16"  oscillating  fans,  $22.50;  exhaust  blower, 
530  cfm,  $24.50;  RCA  portable  sound  projectors,  $79.50; 
Peerless  low  intensity  arcs,  $62.50.  Big  Jubilee  Sale 
Bulletin  now  ready.  S.  O.  S.  CINEMA  SUPPLY 
CORP.,  New  York. 


Washington  Variety  Club 
To  Honor  Fred  Rohrs 

A  testimonial  dinner  will  be  given  Fred 
Rohrs,  recently  appointed  southern  division 
manager  of  Producers  Releasing  Corporation, 
by  the  Washington  Variety  Club  next  Monday 
evening  at  the  Willard  Hotel  in  the  nation's 
capital.  Among  those  on  the  planning  com- 
mittee are  Fred  Kogod,  Sam  Wheeler,  George 
Gill  and  Frank  Boucher.  O.  Henry  Briggs, 
president  of  PRC,  and  Arthur  Greenblatt,  vice- 
president  in  charge  of  sales,  are  expected  to 
attend. 

The  farewell  open  house  of  the  Variety  Club 
was  held  on  May  30th.  The  club's  parties  will 
be  resumed  in  September. 


WANTED  TO  BUY 


WILL  TAKE  ANY  MAKE  16MM  OR  35MM  SOUND 
projector,  rectifiers,  generators,  sound  equipment. 
BOX  1634,  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


PIPE  ORGAN— STATE  PRICE  AND  ALL  INFOR- 
mation.  B.  VAN  HOUTEN,  280  W.  Leonard  St., 
Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 


BUSINESS  OPPORTUNITIES 


BRITISH  CINEMATOGRAPH  ENGINEERS  SEEK 
contact  with  American  manufacturers  of  projection  and 
sound  apparatus  with  a  view  to  manufacturing  ap- 
proved models  under  license  in  Great  Britain.  Write 
BOX  1630,  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


BOOKS 


THE  1943-44  INTERNATIONAL  MOTION  PIC- 
TURE ALMANAC  is  now  in  preparation.  Will  contain 
more  than  12,000  biographies  of  players,  directors, 
writers,  technicians  and  executives.  The  biographical 
section  is  an  exclusive  feature.  In  addition  it  will  in- 
clude more  than  1,250  pages  crammed  with  motion 
picture  facts  and  figures  covering  every  phase  of  the 
business.  Supply  will  be  limited.  Be  sure  to  get  your 
copy.  Order  it  today !  Price  $3.25  prepaid  in  U.  S.  A. 
$5  elsewhere.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller 
Center,  New  York. 


COMPLETELY  REVISED  7TH  EDITION  OF 
Richardson's  Bluebook  of  Projection  with  treatise  on 
Television  and  complete  Sound  Trouble-Shooting 
Charts,  as  well  as  a  host  of  additional  up-to-the-minute 
text  on  sound  and  projection  equipment.  Order  Now! 
$7.25  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller 
Center,  New  York  City. 


SOUND  TROUBLE  SHOOTING  CHARTS.  A 
handy  tool  in  the  booth.  Gives  the  answers  to  all 
questions  regarding  trouble  shooting  on  every  type  of 
sound  equipment.  $1.00  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOK- 
SHOP, Rockefeller  Center,  New  York. 


MOTION  PICTURE  SOUND  ENGINEERING— 
547  pages;  illustrated;  covers  every  practical  method 
and  process  in  present-day  sound  engineering.  Leading 
engineers  explain  every  detail  of  apparatus  and  its  ar- 
rangement, with  diagrams,  tables,  charts  and  graphs. 
This  manual  comes  straight  from  the  workshops  of  the 
studios  in  Hollywood.  It  is  indispensable  to  everyone 
working  with  sound  equipment.  Price  $6.50  postpaid. 
QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York. 


Add  Two  Exploitation  Men 
To  20th-Fox  Staff 

Twentieth-Century-Fox  has  assigned  two  field 
men  to  the  Great  Lakes  district,  bringing  the 
permanent  exploitation  staff  to  11.  Rodney 
Bush,  exploitation  manager,  recently  returned 
from  Chicago,  where  he  installed  Jay  Frank  and 
Norman  Kassell  in  the  Great  Lakes  area. 

The  exchange  center  exploitation  representa- 
tives are  Ralph  Stitt,  Boston ;  George  Gomperts, 
Philadelphia  ;  Wally  Allen,  Pittsburgh  ;  Douglas 
George,  Cleveland ;  James  Keefe,  Cleveland ; 
Spence  Pierce,  Atlanta  ;  Leonard  Allen,  Atlanta  ; 
Cliff  Gill,  San  Francisco ;  Earle  Keate,  Seattle ; 
W.  G.  Thompson,  Kansas  City,  and  Walter 
Hoffman,  Minneapolis. 


June    5,  1943 

ASCAP-Network 
Fight  Brews  on 
Sustaining  Fee 

A  new  controversy  between  the  American 
Society  of  Composers,  Authors  and  Publishers 
and  the  broadcasters  is  in  the  making,  pre- 
cipitated by  demand  of  the  former  for  payment 
of  fees  on  sustaining  programs  preceded  or  fol- 
lowed by  a  commercial  spot  announcement. 

A  special  committee  of  broadcasters  is  to 
be  appointed  by  the  National  Association  of 
Broadcasters  to  "sit  down  with  ASCAP"  to 
thrash  out  the  matter,  it  was  announced  last 
week  by  the  association. 

In  an  explanation  of  the  question  raised 
by  the  ASCAP  demand,  NAB  officials  said 
that  an  interpretation  of  provisions  of  the 
March  4,  1941,  consent  decree  originally  pro- 
vided that  the  music  organization  would  not 
call  a  sustaining  program  a  commercial  program 
because  it  was  either  preceded  or  followed  by 
a  commercial  spot  announcement. 

"ASCAP,"  they  said,  "now  says  they  under- 
stood this  statement  "would  cover  only  such  an- 
nouncements as  Bulova,  Longines  and  weather 
reports  (when  permitted)  and  similar  announce- 
ments." 

"There  is,  of  course,  no  justification  for 
any  such  interpretation  of  the  term  'spot  an- 
nouncement' by  ASCAP  and,  indeed,  such  an 
interpretation  is  in  conflict  with  the  consent 
decree,  with  the  contract  and  with  the  under- 
standing between  the  parties,"  they  contended. 
"The  fact  is,  therefore,  that  a  spot  announce- 
ment which  precedes  or  follows  a  sustaining 
program  which  uses  ASCAP  music  does  not 
convert  the  adjacent  sustaining  programs  into 
commercial  programs,  nor  is  ASCAP  entitled 
to  any  percentage  of  the  revenue  derived  from 
the  sale  of  such  spot  announcements  unless  the 
announcements  use  ASCAP  music." 

The  programs  on  which  the  society  now  is 
attempting  to  collect  are  participating  programs, 
such  as  a  "Musical  Clock,"  in  which  a  number 
of  commercial  announcements  are  made  in 
addition  to  those  which  occur  at  the  station 
break. 

NAB  contends  that  while  ASCAP  is  entitled 
to  payment  on  a  participating  program  which 
uses  its  music  it  is  not  entitled  to  payment 
on  a  participating  program  which  does  not. 

The  major  issue  raised  is  whether  the 
ASCAP  exemption  is  only  for  a  complete 
15-minute  broadcast,  as  claimed  by  the  society, 
or,  as  contended  by  the  broadcasters,  for  shorter 
programs.  If  such  a  program  is  announced 
and  billed  as  one  program,  the  station  is 
obligated  to  pay  ASCAP  on  the  entire  pro- 
gram, but  if  it  is  broken  down  into  a  number 
of  separate  programs,  with  a  news  period 
segregated  from  the  portion  of  the  program 
using  ASCAP  music  and  that  portion  in  turn 
segregated  from  portions  using  other  music, 
so  that  there  will  be  a  number  of  separate 
programs  instead  of  one  program,  a  substan- 
tial saving  may  result  to  the  station. 


Schedule  Conference  at  Studio 

Hal  Home,  20th  Century-Fox  advertising 
and  publicity  director ;  Richard  Condon  head  of 
the  special  exploitation  department  at  the  stu- 
dio, and  Jack  Goldstein,  eastern  publicity  direc- 
tor, were  expected  at  the  coast  studio  this  week 
for  conferences  with  Harry  Brand,  studio  ad- 
vertising and  publicity  director. 


Attend  Son's  Graduation 

Officer  Candidate  Jerome  M.  Weisfeldt,  son 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Max  Weisfeldt,  on  Saturday, 
June  5th,  was  to  be  graduated  from  Fort  Knox. 
His  parents  were  to  attend  the  exercises.  Mr. 
Weisfeldt  is  short  subject  sales  manager  for 
Columbia  Pictures. 


June    5,  1943 


Raiders  of  San  Joaquin 

( U niversal ) 
Ranchers  vs.  Railroads 

An  early  western  railroad  and  its  sharp  trad- 
ing agents  are  the  villains  -  who  make  trouble 
for  Johnny  Mack  Brown  and  Tex  Ritter  in 
this  joint  appearance  for  Universal.  But  the 
iron  horse  does  not  crowd  out  the  shooting  and 
riding.  There  is  action  aplenty,  although  a 
somewhat  involved  plot  slows  it  down  a  bit  in 
spots. 

Crooked  railroad  agents  are  trying  to  force 
the  sale  of  valuable  farm  land  and  run  the 
ranchers  out  when  Brown  arrives  on  the  scene. 
He  is  too  late  to  dissuade  Ritter  and  the  ranch- 
ers from  taking  the  law  in  their  own  hands. 
However,  by  some  hard  shooting  and  riding  on 
his  own  part,  he  traps  the  land  jumpers.  At 
the  same  time  Ritter  and  Brown  tangle  as  rivals 
for  the  hand  of  Jennifer  Holt,  a  rancher's 
daughter.  Outsmarted  and  outgunned,  the  claim 
jumpers  surrender  and  the  ranchers  return  to 
their  land.  Brown  reveals  himself  as  the  son 
of  the  railroad's  president,  and  wins  the  hand 
of  Jennifer. 

Comedy  highlights  are  provided  by  Fuzzy 
Knight  again,  as  a  ranch  cook  and  pal  of 
Brown.  With  song  and  slapstick  he  keeps  the 
laughs  flowing  in  rapid  succession.  A  musical 
note  is  added  by  the  Jimmy  Wakely  trio.  Lewis 
Collins,  director,  and  Oliver  Drake,  producer, 
keep  the  picture  in  traditional  western  pattern. 
Patricia  Harper  wrote  the  story. 

Seen  at  the  New  York  theatre,  where  a 
Broadway  audience  laughed  at  Fussy  Knight 
but  was  apathetic  toward  the  action.  Review- 
er's Rating:  Fair. — John  Stuart,  Jr. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  59  min.  PCA 
No.  8721.     General  audience  classification. 

Rocky  Morgan  Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Gil  Blake  Tex  Ritter 

Jane  Carter  Jennifer  Holt 

Fuzzy  Knight,  Henry  Hall,  Joseph  Bernard,  George 
Eldredge,  Henry  Roquemore,  John  Elliott,  Michael 
Vallon,  Jack  O'Shea,  Jack  Ingram,  Robert  Thompson, 
Carl  Sepulveda,  Scoopm  Martin,  Roy  Brent,  Budd 
Buster  and  the  Jimmy  Wakely  trio. 

The  Russian  Story 

(  Burstyn-A  rtkino  ) 
Historical  Drama 

This  is  a  fictionalized  cavalcade  of  the  history 
of  Russia  over  1,000  years,  culled  from  motion 
pictures  produced  by  the  Russians  in  the  last 
two  decades.  More  than  a  year  in  the  making, 
the  film  has  been  skillfully  edited  and  cut  by 
its  producer,  Joseph  Burstyn,  and  the  technical 
editor,  George  Freedland.  To  audiences  who 
are  perhaps  surfeited  with  the  flow  of  Russian 
documentaries  which  have  reached  American 
theatres  since  June,  1941,  "Russian  Story"  will 
be  a  welcome  relief.  It  has  comedy,  drama, 
pathos,  spectacular  scenes  and  a  fine  musical 
background. 

Here  is  no  attempt  at  indoctrination  or  politi- 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


Reviews 

This  department  deals  with 
new  product  from  the  point  of 
view  of  the  exhibitor  who  is 
to  purvey  it  to  his  own  public. 


cal  propaganda.  The  emphasis  of  "Russian 
Story"  is  on  a  people's  love  of  country.  The 
concept  of  nationalism  is  its  theme  and  the 
scenes  which  unfold,  selected  for  the  purpose  of 
strengthening  that  concept,  are  an  historical 
key  to  why  the  Russian  people  fight  the  way 
they  do.  Unlike  "Mission  to  Moscow,"  the  ap- 
peal of  this  picture  is  emotional  and  as  such 
may  do  more  than  "Mission"  to  further  under- 
standing of  American  audiences  of  the  people 
of  their  eastern  ally. 

The  story  begins  in  Russia  today  at  the  grave 
of  a  young  soldier.  Ivan,  the  soldier,  becomes 
the  fighting  symbol  of  Russia  from  the  12th 
century  to  the  present.  He  signifies  the  un- 
conquerable spirit  of  a  people  who  fought  off 
their  invaders  through  the  centuries.  He  could 
be  English,  French,  Bohemian,  Chinese  or 
American.  His  strength  and  courage  is  that  of 
people  everywhere  who  fight  for  freedom  and 
in  defense  of  their  homes. 

The  last  scene  of  the  film,  which  brings  the 
story  up  to  the  present  struggle  against  the 
Axis,  is  a  fitting  climax  for  the  picture.  It  was 
taken  from  a  short  subject  produced  in  Alma 
Alta,  Russia's  interior  film  studio.  The  short 
was  never  released  in  America. 

"Russian  Story"  includes  sequences  from 
films  made  by  21  of  the  best  known  Russian 
directors,  including  Eisenstein,  Dovzhenko, 
Pudovkin  and  Vertov.  The  music  assembled 
from  the  work  of  17  Russian  composers  in- 
cludes the  screen  scoring  of  Shostakovich,  Pro- 
kofieff,  Popov  and  Scherbachev.  The  consid- 
erable range  covered  by  the  picture  includes 
scenes  from  "Alexander  Nevsky,"  "Peter  the 
Great,"  "End  of  St.  Petersburg,"  "Chapayev," 
"Shora,"  "Potemkin,"  and  "The  Road  to  Life," 
among  other  features,  in  addition  to  material 
made  available  by  the  Soviet  film  archives  and 
the  film  library  of  the  Museum  of  Modern  Art. 
The  film,  however,  has  an  effective  unity  that 
sustains  interest. 

The  pithy,  dramatic  commentary,  written  by 
Theodore  Strauss  of  the  film  department  of  the 
New  York  Times,  is  spoken  by  Libby  Holman, 
Morris  Carnovsky,  Martin  Blaine  and  Mr. 
Strauss. 

Viewed  at  the  Preview  theatre,  New  York, 
before  an  audience  of  trade  press  and  foreign 
press  representatives.  Reviewer's  Rating :  Ex- 
cellent.— J.  E.  Samuelson. 

Release  date,  June  8,  1943.  Running  time,  73  min. 
General  audience  classification. 


In  This  Week: 


SHOWMEN'S  REVIEWS 


ADVANCE  SYNOPSES 

RELEASE  CHART 

BY  COMPANIES 

THE  RELEASE  CHART 


Spy  Train 

(  Monogram  ) 

Mystery  Drama 

This  is  a  tense  melodrama  with  sustained 
suspense  and  fast  action  aboard  a  train,  with 
an  active  cast  and  a  time  bomb  in  a  travelling 
bag.  The  story  opens  with  much  mysterious 
lurking  in  which  Nazi  spies  and  a  counter 
spy  participate.  It  closes  with  a  legitimate 
bang  that  satisfies  all  and  sundry  except  the 
male  and  female  rascals  that  go  up  with 
the  bomb. 

Richard  Travis  as  a  pre-war  correspondent 
is  a  handsome  and  competent  hero.  Katherine 
Craig  pleases  as  the  feminine  lead,  Chick 
Chandler  is  excellently  droll  and  Evelyn  Brent 
as  a  villainess  is  as  venemous  as  heart  could 
wish.  Steve  Roberts  is  good  and  deadly  as 
the  chief  Nazi  spy  who  goes  to  his  reward 
with  Miss  Brent  when  the  time  bomb  keeps 
its  date. 

The  entire  cast  is  well  chosen  and  the  piece 
should  please  all  lovers  of  suspense  and  mys- 
tery. It  has  war  atmosphere  but  no  battles  and 
no  marching  hosts.  Max  King  produced  it 
and  Harold  Young  very  competently  directed 
it.  Leslie,  Schwabacher,  Wallace  Sullivan  and 
Bart  Lytton  contrived  the  screenplay  from 
Scott  Littlefield's  original  story. 

Reviewed  at  the  New  York  Theatre  before 
a  responsive  audience.  Reviewer' s  Rating : 
Good. — A.  J. 

Release  date,  July  9,  1943.  Running  time,  60  min. 
PCA  No.  9340.    General  audience  classification. 

Bruce   Richard  Travis 

Jane   Katherin  Craig 

Stu   Chick  Chanler 

Frieda   Evelyn  Brent 

Steve  Roberts,  Thelma  White,  Gerald  Brock,  Snow- 
flake,  Bill  Hunter,  Warren  Hymer. 

TwoSenoritasFromChicago 

(  Columbia) 

Fast  Comedy  and  Music 

This  presents  three  pretty  girls  in  search  of 
fortune  on  the  stage,  and  not  particular  how 
they  get  it.  They  provide  laughter,  music 
and  beauty  in  the  process,  abetted  by  a  com- 
petent production  and  aided  above  all  by  John 
P.  Medbury's  crackling  dialogue. 

The  girls  are  Joan  Davis,  the  comedienne, 
who  is  given  top  billing,  and  deserves  it; 
Jinx  Falkenburg,  the  former  model ;  and  Ann 
Savage.  The  last  two  as  hotel  chamber  maids 
are  "managed"  by  Miss  Davis,  who  is  in 
charge  of  the  basement  refuse  room.  Her 
ideas,  all  so  vividly  put,  seem  always  to  go 
wrong.  But  one,  her  discovery  of  a  manu- 
script in  Portuguese,  seems  to  "land''.  Sent 
to  Broadway  producer  Bob  Haymes,  it  is  taken 
by  him  for  immediate  production. 

The  three  descend  upon  Broadway,  Miss 
Falkenburg  and  Miss  Savage  as  the  Portuguese 
sisters  of  the  playwright,  who  insist  they  be 


Product  Digest  Section    |  349 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    5,  1943 


starred  in  the  production.  All  proceeds  well 
until  near  the  opening,  when  the  three  dis- 
cover Haymes'  rival,  Douglas  Leavitt,  is  pro- 
ducing the  same  play  from  the  original  manu- 
script, with  the  consent  of  the  real  Portuguese 
playwrights.  Unable  to  stave  off  the  debacle, 
they  go  to  jail.  However,  all  ends  happily 
when  Haymes  produces  a  different  play  with 
the  same  sets. 

Played  as  fast  farce,  this  should  hit  the 
customers'  laugh  jackpot.  One  scene,  while 
old  basically,  seems  certain  to  stretch  the 
seams :  it  has  Miss  Davis  talked  back  into 
jail  by  the  defense  lawyer  whose  insistence 
that  she  give  no  information  to  the  police 
merely  infuriates  them. 

A  decided  asset  is  the  music,  comprising 
numerous  songs,  under  the  direction  of  M.  W. 
Stoloff,  and  dance  numbers  for  which  Nick 
Castle  is  responsible. 

All  in  all,  this  is  a  good  program  musical 
and,  except  for  a  musical  "patriotic"  finale, 
a  complete  escape  from  the  world  at  war. 

Seen  in  a  New  York  projection  room.  Re- 
vietver's  Rating :  Good. — Floyd  Elbert  Stone. 

Release  date,  June  10,  1943.  Running  time,  68 
min.    PCA  No.  933.    General  audience  classification. 

Daisy  Baker  Joan  Davis 

Gloria   Jinx  Falkenburg 

Maria   Ann  Savage 

Leslie  Brooks,  Ramsey  Ames,  Bob  Haymes,  Emory 
Parnell,  Douglas  Leavitt,  Muni  Seroff,  Max  Willenz, 
Stanley  Brown,  Frank  Sully,  Charles  C.  Wilson. 
Romaine  Callender. 


Bad  Men  of  Thunder  Cap 

(Producers  Releasing  Corp.) 
Mining  Town  Western 

Dave  (Tex)  O'Brien  and  Jim  Newill  are 
starred  in  this  PRC  Western,  a  joint  produc- 
tion of  Alfred  Stern  and  Arthur  Alexander.  It 
is  a  competent  job  with  action  and  interest 
above  average  for  the  Texas  Rangers  series. 

O'Brien,  Newill  and  Guy  Wilkerson  pose  as 
a  traveling  medicine  show,  arriving  in  a  west- 
ern town  to  investigate  the  hijacking  of  supply 
wagons  with  food  for  miners  who  are  working 
their  claims.  They  discover  that  Jack  Ingra- 
ham,  one  of  the  owners  of  a  freight  hauling 
company,  and  Michael  Vallon,  a  storekeeper, 
are  behind  a  plan  to  starve  the  miners  out  and 
then  purchase  their  claims  at  a  large  profit. 
O'Brien  has  witnessed  a  murder  but  was  unable 
to  prevent  it.  He  is,  however,  accused  of  the 
crime. 

Setting  out  to  round  up  evidence  against  the 
bandits,  the  trio  discovers  the  hijacked  supplies 
in  an  old  mine  building.  A  furious  fight  ensues 
before  the  Rangers  and  a  posse  of  miners  sur- 
round the  place  and  capture  the  gang. 

Albert  Herman  directed  the  film  from  a 
screenplay  by  Elmer  Clifton.  Three  songs  by 
Tex  Coe  and  one  by  Cal  Shrum  are  sung  by 
the  Rhythm  Rangers  and  Jim  Newill. 

Seen  at  the  Daly  theatre  in  Hartford  with  an 
interested  audience.   Reviewer's  Rating :  Good. 

Release  date,  March  5,  1943.  Running  time,  57  min. 
PCA  No.  9096.    General  audience  classification. 

Tex  Wyatt   Dave  O'Brien 

Jim  Steele   Jim  Newill 

Panhandle   Guy  Wilkerson 

Janet  Shaw,  Jack  Ingraham,  Charles  King,  Michael 
Vallon,  Lucille  Vance,  Tom  London,  I.  Stanford  Jolley, 
Bud  Osborne,  Jimmy  Aubrey,  Cal  Shrum  and  his 
Rhythm  Rangers. 

Theatre  Royal 

( British  National  -  Anglo ) 
Comedy  -  Musical 

Flanagan  and  Allen,  Higher  Priests  of  the 
Crazy  Gang,  topliners  in  British  vaudeville 
comedy,  have  a  considerable  name  among  Brit- 
ish audiences,  not  only  in  London,  but  all  over 
the  provinces  as  well.  This,  their  second  film 
under  the  British  National  banner,  goes  boldly 
out  to  capture  that  public,  with  the  obvious 
intention  of  pleasing  as  many  of  the  divergent 
audiences  at  one  time  as  is  possible. 

As  a  slice  of  sheer  popular  escapist  entertain- 
ment, it  is  assured  of  a  wide  booking  despite 


the  fact  that  it  goes  far  off  the  rails  originally 
favored  by  the  Crazy  gangsters.  It  has  spec- 
tacle of  a  kind,  some  superb  singing,  and  low 
comedy  here  and  there,  all  of  them  entertain- 
ment ingredients  such  as  most  astute  showmen 
are  seeking  these  war-harrassed  days. 

Flannagan  is  a  props  man  and  Chesney  Allen 
his  established  feed,  a  penurious  theatrical  pro- 
ducer, and  the  comedy  revolves  around  the 
efforts  of  Bud  and  his  boss  to  get  a  show  staged 
and  put  the  Theatre  Royal  back  on  the  map.  In 
the  pattern  are  easy  dramatic  fictions,  a  schem- 
ing competitor,  plus  an  equally  scheming  but 
singularly  elusive  siren,  a  Broadway  impre- 
sario whose  ideals  of  presentation  are  easily 
achieved,  financiers,  crooks,  poison  in  the  whis- 
ky, et  cetera,  all  of  them  less  relevant,  and 
less  contributory  than  the  sporadic  passages  of 
crazy  gang  comedy  and  the  occasional  bursts 
of  music.  Bud,  as  a  starch-shirted  butler,  Bud 
as  Sir  Francis  Drake,  Bud  playing  pontoon 
and  losing  his  partner's  last  half  crown,  shots 
of  inconsequential  dialogue,  moments  of  mas- 
querade in  the  old  tradition,  ginger  up  the  de- 
velopment but  they  are  fewer  than  they  might 
have  been,  and  Flanagan  is  not  necessarily  as 
good  at  solo  art  as  he  is  with  his  side-kick 
Allen. 

In  between  the  laughs  are  some  scenes  on 
the  stage,  some  superb  singing  from  the  super- 
lative Gwen  Catley,  and  one  or  two  singable 
numbers — notably  Gwen  Catley's  "Tell  Her 
Tonight"  and  Flanagan  and  Allen's  own  "Roll 
On  Tomorrow." 

It  is  somewhat  of  a  melange,  unequal  in 
arrangement  and  effect,  but  there  are  passages 
of  sound  popular  comedy,  and  Miss  Catley's 
work  is  of  the  calibre  which  provokes  spon- 
taneous applause.  Finlay  Currie  as  an  Ameri- 
can producer  is  less  fictional  than  the  average 
in  that  design.  Staging  and  production  values 
are  adequate,  with  sound  notably  effective. 

A  trade  audience  obviously  enjoyed  them- 
selves at  the  film  and  the  comedy  passages  pro- 
voked plenty  of  laughter.  Exhibitor  reaction 
seemed  agreed  that  Flanagan  and  Allen,  and 
films  of  this  type,  have  contemporary  appeal. 
Critical  objections  were  marked  on  its  length. 
Reviewer's  Rating  :  Fair. — Aubrey  Flanagan. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  100  min.  Gen- 
eral audience  classifications. 

Bob  Parker   Bud  Flanagan 

Gordon  Maxwell  Chesney  Allen 

Lydia  Sherwood.  Gwen  Catley,  Peggy  Dexter,  Horace 
Kenney,  Marjorie  Rhodes,  Finlay  Currie,  Owen  Rey- 
nolds, Maire  O'Neill,  Charles  Mortimer,  Ben  Williams, 
Buddy  Flanagan,  Jack  Melford. 

All  By  Myself 

(Universal) 
Comedy  with  Music 

The  title  of  this  comedy  is  taken  from  a 
song  by  Rosemary  Lane  and  bears  no  rela- 
tion to  the  four  persons  whose  romantic  com- 
plications the  plot  tries  to  unravel.  While  this 
is  not  the  film's  only  absurdity,  the  production 
is  good-natured  froth  which  might  serve  to 
balance  a  program  of  more  serious  fare. 

Two  men,  two  girls  and  an  advertising 
agency  constitute  the  central  situation,  with 
one  of  the  girls  in  love  with  the  wrong  man 
and  pretending  to  be  married  to  the  other. 
As  she  is  also  the  key  to  the  agency's  largest 
account  and  her  pretended  husband  is  a  woman 
hater,  the  switches  are  many  before  both 
couples  are  safely  provided  for. 

Rosemary  Lane  contributes  three  songs  in 
her  role  of  night  club  entertainer :  the  title 
number,  a  blues  song,  effectively  presented ; 
"You're  Priceless,"  a  tune  in  the  manner  of 
"You're  the  Top,"  and  the  familiar  "I  Don't 
Believe  in  Rumors."  The  dancers  Tip,  Tap 
and  Toe,  offer  an  outstanding  bit  of  footwork 
to  support  the  musical  side,  while  Evelyn 
Ankers,  Patric  Knowles  and  Neil  Hamilton 
keep  the  story  moving  satisfactorily. 

The  direction  by  Felix  Feist  has  more  pace 
than  polish  and  the  story  by  Dorothy  Ben- 
nett and  Linde  Hannah  offers  little  novelty, 
but  the  whole  fills  the  role  of  light  entertain- 
ment adequately. 


Bernard  W.  Burton  was  associate  producer. 
Seen  in  the  home   office  projection  room. 
Reviewer's  Rating :  Fair. — E.  A.  Cunningham. 

Release  date,  June  11,  1943.  Running  time,  63  min. 
PCA  No.  9276.    General  audience  classification. 

Val  Stevenson  Rosemary  Lane 

Jean  Wells  Evelyn  Ankers 

Dr.  Bill  Perry  Patric  Knowles 

Mark  Turner  Neil  Hamilton 

Grant  Mitchell.  Louise  Beavers,  Tip,  Tap  and  Toe,  and 
the  Loumell  Morgan  Trio. 

Trail  Riders 

(  Monogram  ) 

Range  Busters  on  Trail  Again 

The  Range  Busters  ride  it  manfully  but  they 
can't  break  a  stereotyped  plot  in  "Trail  Riders," 
one  of  their  adventures  for  George  Weeks. 
Practically  all  of  the  familiar  plotfalls  are  em- 
ployed in  the  story  by  Francis  Kavanaugh.  An 
effort  is  made  to  enliven  the  film  with  some  set 
comedy  and  when  this  comedy  is  in  the  hands 
of  Max  Terhune  and  his  dummy,  "Elmer,"  it  is 
successful.  Mickey  Harrison  plays  a  small  but 
effective  bit  role. 

The  film  opens  with  a  bank  holdup  and  a 
marshal  shot  in  the  back.  The  town  is  sup- 
posed to  be  under  the  watchful  eye  of  the  Vigi- 
lantes but  the  leader  of  the  Vigilantes  also  is  the 
man  behind  the  notorious  Alton  Gang.  The 
marshal's  father  calls  in  the  Range  Busters, 
then  on  vacation  from  Robin  Hooding,  and  they 
set  out  to  avenge  their  slain  friend.  They  meet 
a  girl,  Dusty  and  Davey  vie  for  her  affection 
as  per  formula,  and  the  trap  is  set  to  appre- 
hend the  gang  by  planting  news  of  $10,000 
being  in  the  bank  vault  that  night.  The  gang 
is  cleaned  out  and  the  Busters  resume  their 
vacation. 

John  King  looks  handsome  and  sings  "Oh 
Susanna"  nicely.  David  Sharpe's  riding  and 
personality  register  well  and  Terhune  puts  over 
his  comedy.  Evelyn  Finley  is  an  ordinary 
heroine,  which  adjective  also  goes  for  the  sup- 
porting cast,  most  of  the  performances  being 
fairly  wooden  under  Robert  Tansey's  direction. 

Seen  at  Hollyzvoocfs  Hitching  Post  theatre, 
where  giggles  and  snickers  punctuated  the  ac- 
tion at  the  wrong  places.  Reviewer's  Rating: 
Poor. — Reed  Porter. 

Release  date.  Dec.  4,  1942.  Running  time,  55  min. 
PCA   ISio.   8825.     General   audience  classification. 


"Dusty"   John  King 

'Davey"   David  Sharpe 

"Alibi"   Max  Terhune 

Mary   Evelyn  Finley 

Rand   Forrest  Taylor 

Cole   Charles  King 


Kermit  Maynard,  Lynton  Brent,  John  Curtis,  Steve 
Clark,  Mickey  Harrison,  Kenneth  Duncan. 


SHORT  SUBJECTS 

THE  LONESOME  MOUSE  (MGM) 

Technicolor  Cartoon  (W-447) 

The  continuing  feud  between  Tom  and 
Jerry,  MGM's  cat  and  mouse  team,  takes  a 
surprising  twist  in  their  latest  appearance, 
but  only  for  a  time.  Tom  has  been  evicted 
from  the  house  and  all  the  sympathies  of  his 
mortal  enemy  are  aroused.  But  his  efforts  to 
reinstate  the  cat  are  interrupted  and  old  tradi- 
tions reassert  themselves. 

Release  date,  May  22,  1943  8  minutes 

SKY  SCIENCE  (MGM) 

Pete  Smith  (S-466) 

The  performance  of  American  planes  in  the 
skies  over  Europe,  Asia  and  Africa  is  revealed, 
in  this  Pete  Smith  subject,  as  the  result_  of 
a  tremendous  patience  and  careful  preparation. 
In  research  laboratories  tests  simulating  actual 
battle  conditions  are  set  up  for  engines  and 
materials,  and  scientific  checking  results  in 
substantial  improvement. 

Release  date,  May  22,  1943  9  minutes 


1350   Product  Digest  Section 


June    5,    19  4  3  MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

ADVANCE  SYNOPSES 

and  in formation 


HITLER'S  HANGMAN 
(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) 

Czech  Underground  Drama 

PRODUCER:  Seymour  Nebenzal.  Directed  by 
Douglas  Sirk. 

PLAYERS:  Patricia  Morison,  John  Carradine,  Alan 
Curtis,  Ralph  Morgan,  Howard  Freeman,  Ludwig 
Stossel,  Edgar  Kennedy,  Jimmy  Conlin,  Blanche 
Yurka,  Al  Shean,  Jorja  Rollins,  Elizabeth  Russell, 
Victor  Kilian,  Tully  Marshall. 

SYNOPSIS 

This  is  the  story  of  Lidice,  the  Bohemian 
village  which  suffered  the  brutality  of  the  Nazis 
for  supposed  harboring  of  the  murderer  of 
Reinhard  Heydrich.  It  is  quite  a  different  ver- 
sion of  the  killing  from  that  in  "Hangmen  Also 
Die,"  showing  it  as  the  act  of  two  young  pa- 
triots, a  boy  and  a  girl.  Only  the  boy  survives 
the  liquidation  of  the  village,  after  the  Nazis 
shoot  all  male  townsmen  and  send  women  and 
children  to  German  camps.  He  escapes  to  the 
hills  to  carry  on  guerrilla  fighting  against  the 
enemy. 

WEST  SIDE  KID 
(Republic) 

Melodrama 

PRODUCER:  Armand  Schaefer.  Directed  by  Wil- 
liam Morgan, 

PLAYERS:  Donald  Barry,  Dale  Evans,  Henry  Hull, 
Matt  McHugh,  Chick  Chandler,  Nana  Bryant,  Peter 
Lawford,  Howard  Banks,  Richard  Graham,  Vivian 
Mason,  Dorothy  Burgess. 

SYNOPSIS 

This  concerns  a  wealthy  and  hypochondriac 
publisher  who,  wearying  of  a  wife  who  neglects 
him  and  a  daughter  addicted  to  nightclubs, 
hires  a  gangster  to  murder  him.  The  gangster 
takes  a  liking  to  him,  though,  and  kidnaps  him 
instead,  by  way  of  protecting  him  from  him- 
self, and  then  pays  court  to  the  daughter.  This 
setup  generates  melodrama  which  ends  with  the 
gangster  losing  the  girl  and  the  publisher  re- 
gaining health  and  family. 

CROSS  YOUR  FINGERS 
(Universal) 

Musical 

PRODUCER:  Howard  Benedict.  Directed  by  Ed- 
ward Lilley. 

PLAYERS:  Allan  Jones,  Kitty  Carlisle,  Leo  Carrillo, 
William  Frawley,  Gus  Schilling,  Lee  Patrick,  Samuel 
S.  Kings,  King  Sisters,  Alvino  Rey  and  his  orchestra. 

SYNOPSIS 

Unable  to  find  work,  a  singer  poses  as  an 
heir  to  a  huge  fortune  and  is  hired  with  an 
orchestra  to  appear  in  a  night  club.  The  night 
club  is  on  the  verge  of  closing,  and  the  opera- 
tor thinks  that  he  can  get  money  out  of  the 
singer.  When  he  discovers  the  ruse,  he  goes 
gunning  for  the  "heir"  and  members  of  the 
orchestra,  but  is  forced  to  make  peace  with 
them  when  they  boom  his  business  into  a  suc- 
cess. 


SILVER  SPURS 
(Republic) 

Playboy  Rancher  Murdered 

PRODUCER:  Harry  Grey.  Directed  by  Joe  Kane. 
PLAYERS:  Roy  Rogers,  Smiley  Burnette,  Phyllis 
Brooks,  John  Carradine,  Jerome  Cowan,  Joyce 
Compton,  Sons  of  the  Pioneers. 

SYNOPSIS 

When  a  playboy  rancher  orders  a  mail  order 
bride  as  one  of  his  escapades,  a  girl  reporter 
masquerades  as  the  bride  in  order  to  get  a  story. 
She  is  a  bride  and  a  widow  in  the  same  day 
when  the  playboy  is  found  mysteriously  mur- 
dered. Roy  Rogers,  the  trusty  foreman,  is  in- 
criminated in  the  murder  ruse,  but  escapes  to 
clear  his  name  and  save  the  poverty-stricken 
ranch. 

THUMBS  UP 
(Republic) 

Musical  Comedy 

PRODUCER:  Albert  J.  Cohen.  Directed  by  Joseph 
Santley. 

PLAYERS:  Brenda  Joyce,  Richard  Fraser,  Arthur 
Margetson,  Elsa  Lanchester. 

SYNOPSIS 

Miss  Joyce  plays  an  American  singer  who, 
discouraged  by  lack  of  stage  success  in  Ameri- 
ca, goes  to  London,  meets  the  same  experience 
and  winds  up  working  in  a  minor  cafe.  Here 
she  meets  a  young  flyer  with  whom  she  falls  in 
love,  this  romance  running  through  the  story 
which  takes  up  the  matter  of  defense  factory 
work  to  which  the  girl,  after  complications  are 
liquidated,  devotes  herself  for  the  duration. 

GHOSTS  ON  THE  LOOSE 
(Monogram) 

Horror 

PRODUCER:  Sam  Katzman,  Jack  Dietz.  Directed 
by  William  Beaudine. 

PLAYERS:  East  Side  Kids,  Bela  Lugosi,  Ava  Gard- 
ner, Ric  Vallin. 

SYNOPSIS 

The  East  Side  Kids  tangle  up  the  lives  of  a 
honeymooning  couple  and  succeed  in  capturing 
a  band  of  enemy  agents.  "Haunted"  houses, 
printing  presses,  mistaken  identities  mix  in,  as 
well  as  the  antics  familiar  to  East  Side  Kid 
fans. 

SPOTLIGHT  REVUE 
(Monogram) 

Radio  Comedy  with  Music 

PRODUCER:  Sam  Katzman,  Jack  Dietz.  Directed 
by  William  Beaudine. 

PLAYERS:  Billy  Gilbert,  Frank  Fay,  Bonnie  Baker, 
Butch  and  Buddy,  Charles  K.  Brown,  Harry  Lang- 
don,  Iris  Adrian,  James  Bush,  Radio  Rogues,  Henry 
King  Orchestra,  Herb  Miller  Orchestra. 

SYNOPSIS 

Frank  Fay  is  an  actor  and  Billy  Gilbert  a 
baker  in  the  small  town  where  Fay  is  stranded. 
They  decide  to  team,  become  headliners  and 
later  join  a  show  in  which  the  producer's  girl 


friend  is  starred.  She  falls  for  Fay  at  the  same 
time  he  is  offered  a  spot  by  Bonnie  Baker  on 
her  radio  show.  Gilbert,  smelling  trouble  brew- 
ing, says  he  is  quitting  the  business  and  Fay 
takes  the  radio  job.  In  a  ruckus,  the  pro- 
ducer's girl  friend  jumps  from  a  window  and 
Fay  is  involved.  Gilbert  hires  the  best  lawyers. 
Fay  is  acquitted  and  disappears.  The  team  is 
later  reunited  when  Fay  is  found  in  the  audi- 
ence where  Gilbert  is  giving  a  performance. 

WHAT'S  BUZZIN',  COUSIN? 
(Columbia) 

Musical  Comedy 

PRODUCER:  Jack  Fier.  Directed  by  Charles 
Barton. 

PLAYERS:  Ann  Miller,  John  Hubbard,  Rochester, 
Jeff  Donnell,  Leslie  Brooks,  Adele  Mara,  Freddy 
Martin  and  Orchestra. 

SYNOPSIS 

A  modem  ghost  town  which  four  girls  ac- 
quire by  provision  in  a  will  provides  setting  for 
this  musical  comedy.  Freddy  Martin  and  his 
orchestra  arrive  at  the  deserted  hotel,  learn  of 
the  girls'  plight,  and  put  on  a  show  to  attract 
some  population  to  the  place.  A  rumor  that 
gold  has  been  discovered  attracts  racketeers, 
to  whom  the  girls  ultimately  dispose  of  the  place 
at  a  profit. 

GOOD  LUCK,  MR.  YATES 
(Columbia) 

Drama 

PRODUCER:  David  Chatkin.  Directed  by  Ray 
Enright. 

PLAYERS:  Claire  Trevor,  Edgar  Buchanan,  Jess 
Barker,  Ann  Savage. 

SYNOPSIS 

Hero  of  this  study  in  patriotism  is  a  Military 
Academy  instructor  who  resigns  over  protest  to 
enlist  in  the  Army  and,  on  being  rejected  for 
physical  defect,  takes  a  job  in  a  warplant  but 
arranges  for  a  soldier  in  service  to  write  letters 
home  over  his  signature  by  way  of  retaining  the 
respect  of  his  students.  His  deception  is  dis- 
covered and  he  comes  under  suspicion  on  all 
sides,  but  proves  his  mettle  by  heroism  displayed 
during  an  emergency  in  the  warplant. 

NEVER  A  DULL  MOMENT 
(Universal) 

Rifz  Brothers  Musical 

PRODUCER:  Howard  Benedict.  Directed  by  Ed- 
ward Lilley. 

PLAYERS:  Ritz  Brothers,  Frances  Langford,  Stuart 
Crawford,  Elizabeth  Risdon,  Mary  Beth  Hughes, 
George  Zucco,  Jack  LaRue,  Igor  and  Pogi. 

SYNOPSIS 

The  Brothers  Ritz  stumble  here  into  a  case 
of  mistaken  identity  in  which  they  are  employed 
by  crooks  for  a  "night  club  job"  in  the  belief 
that  they  can  be  depended  upon  to  purloin  a  val- 
uable necklace.  By  a  fluke  it  goes  get  into 
their  possession  and  next  morning  they  find 
themselves  fugitives.  By  another  series  of  blun- 
ders they  bring  about  the  capture  of  the  real 
criminals.  The  story  is,  of  course,  a  background 
for  the  Ritz  type  of  clowning,  music  number"- 
and  etc. 


Product  Digest  Section  1351 


June    5,  1943 


RELEASE  CHART 

By  Companies 


COLUMBIA 


Prod. 
No. 


Title 


Release 
Date 


4027  Counter  Espionage   Sep.  3/42 

4022  The  Spirit  of  Stanford  Sep.  10/42 

4044  A  Man's  World  Sep.  I7.'42 

4032  Lucky  Legs   Oct.  1/42 

4201  Riding  Through  Nevada  Oct.  1/42 

4021  The  Daring  Young  Man  Oct.  8/42 

4209  The  Lone  Prairie  Oct.  15/42 

4035  Smith  of  Minnesota  Oct.  15/42 

4026  The  Boogie  Man  Will  Get  You.Oct.  22/42 
4042  Stand  By  All  Networks  Oct.  29/42 

4030  Boston  Blackie  Goes  Hollywood. Nov.  5/42 

4033  Laugh  Your  Blues  Away          Nov.  12/42 

4002  You  Were  Never  Lovelier  Nov.  19/42 

4038  Junior  Army   Nov.  26/42 

4202  Pardon  My  Gun  Dec.  1/42 

4039  Underground  Agent   Dee.  3/42 

4009  A  Night  to  Remember  Dec.  10/42 

4210  A  Tornado  In  the  Saddle  Dec.  15,42 

4004  Commandos  Strike  at  Dawn... Jan.  7/43 

4013  City  Without  Men  Jan.  14/43 

4029  One  Dangerous  Night  Jan.  21, '43 

4037  Power  of  the  Press  Jan.  28/43 

4203  The  Fighting  Buckaroo  Feb.  1/43 

4014  Reveille  with  Beverly  Feb.  4/43 

4036  No  Place  for  a  Lady  Feb.  11/43 

4211  Riders  of  the  Northwest 

Mounted   Feb.  15/43 

4006  Something  to  Shout  About  Feb.  25/43 

4040  Let's  Have  Fun  Mar.  4/43 

4031  After  Midnight  with  Boston 

Blackie   Mar.  18/43 

4005  The  Desperadoes   Mar.  25/43 

4034  Murder  in  Times  Square  Apr.  1/43 

4029  She  Has  What  It  Takes  Apr.  15/43 

4212  Saddles  and  Sagebrush  Apr.  22/43 

4024  Redhead  from  Manhattan  May  6/43 

4001  The  More  the  Merrier  May  13/43 

4025  Boy  from  Stalingrad  May  20/43 

4204  Law  of  the  Northwest  May  27/43 

It's  a  Great  Life  May  27/43 

Two  Senorltas  from  Chicago. .  .June  10/43 

Crime  Doctor   June  22/43 

Frontier  Fury   June  24/43 

Good  Luck,  Mr.  Yates  June  29/43 

Appointment  in  Berlin  July  15/43 


. .  The  Cover  Girl  Not  Set 

...Silver  City  Raiders  Not  Set 

. .  Hall  to  the  Rangers  Not  Set 

. .  Robinhood  of  the  Range  Not  Set 

..  Wyoming  Hurricane   Not  Set 

• .  The  Vigilantes  Ride  Not  Set 

. .  Destroyer   Not  Set 

. .  The  Last  Horseman  Not  Set 

. .  Riding  West   Not  Set 

. .  Somewhere  In  Sahara  Not  Set 

. .  Attack  by  Night  Not  Set 

. .  Law  of  the  Badlands  Not  Set 

..  What's  Buzzin',  Cousin?  Not  Set 

..  Without  Notice   Not  Set 

..  The  Clock  Struck  Twelve  Not  Set 

. .  Restless  Lady   Not  Set 


MGM 


302  Tlsh   Sep. -Nov.  '42 

305  A  Yank  at  Eton  Sep.-Nov.  '42 

306  The  War  Against 

Mrs.  Hadley   Sep.-Nov.  '42 

307  Cairo   Sep.-Nov.  '42 

308  Seven  Sweethearts   Sep.-Nov.  *42 

301  Somewhere  I'll  Find  You  Sep.Nov.  '42 

304  Apache  Trail   Sep.-Nov.  '42 

303  Panama  Hattle   Sep.-Nov.  '42 

312  For  Me  and  My  Gal  Sep.-Nov.  '42 


For  Stars,  Running  Time,  Review  and  other  Service 
Data  references,  turn  to  the  alphabetical  Release  Chart 
starting  on  page  1354. 

Complete  listing  of  1941-42  Features,  by  company,  in 
order  of  release,  may  be  found  on  pages  878  and  879  of 
the  Product  Digest  Section  in  the  August  29,  1942  issue 
of  Motion  Picture  Herald. 


Prod. 
No. 


Title 


Release 
Date 


Prod. 

No. 


Title 


Release 
Date 


309  Eyes  in  the  Night  Sep.-Nov.  '42 

310  White  Cargo   Sep.-Nov.  '42 

311  Omaha  Trail   Sep.-Nov. '42 

313  Whistling  In  Dixie  Dee.-Feb.  '43 

314  Journey  for  Margaret  Dee.-Feb.  '43 

315  Reunion  In  France  Dee.-Feb.  '43 

316  Stand  by  for  Action  Dee.-Feb.  '43 

317  Dr.  Gillespie's  New 

Assistant   Dee.-Feb.  '43 

318  Andy  Hardy'*  Double  Life.  Dee.-Feb.  '43 

319  Northwest  Rangers   Dee.-Feb.  '43 

320  Keeper  of  the  Flame  Dee.-Feb.  '43 

321  Three  Hearts  for  Julia  Dee.-Feb.  '43 

322  Tennessee  Johnson  Dee.-Feb.  '43 

327  Assignment  in  Brittany  Apr. -May  '43 

323  Cabin  in  the  Sky  Apr.  May  '43 

324  A  Stranger  in  Town  Apr. -May  '43 

326  Air  Raid  Wardens  Apr.-May  '43 

325  Slightly  Dangerous   Apr.-May  '43 

Bataan   June-Aug.  '43 

DuBarry  Was  a  Lady  June-Aug.  '43 

Harrigan's  Kid   June-Aug.  '43 

Hitler's  Hangman   June-Aug.  '43 

Human   Comedy   June-Aug.  '43 

Pilot   #5   June-Aug.  '43 

Presenting  Lily  Mars  June-Aug.  '43 

Random  Harvest   June-Aug.  '43 

The  Youngest  Profession. .  .June-Aug.  '43 


Lassie   Comes   Home  Not  Set 

.  Salute  to  the  Marines  Not  Set 

.  As  Thousands  Cheer  Not  Set 

.  Above  Suspicion   Not  Set 

.  I  Dood  It  Not  Set 

.  Swing  Shift  Malsle  Not  Set 

.  The  Professor  Takes  a  Wife.. Not  Set 
..Dr.  Gillespie's  Criminal  Case. Not  Set 

.  Girl  Crazy   Not  Set 

.  Right  About  Face  Not  Set 

.  Best  Foot  Forward  Not  Set 

.  A  Guy  Named  Joe  Not  Set 

.  The  Man  from  Down  Under. .  .Not  Set 

.  Madame  Curie   Not  Set 

.  Russia   Not  Set 

.  Lost  Angel   Not  Set 

.  America   Not  Set 

.  Whistling  in  Brooklyn  Not  Set 

.  A  Thousand  Shall  Fall  Not  Set 

.  The  Heavenly  Body  Not  Set 

.  Cry  Havoc   Not  Set 

.  White  Cliffs  of  Dover  Not  Set 


MONOGRAM 


.  One  Thrilling  Night  June 

.  Isle  of  Missing  Men  Sep. 

.  Foreign  Agent   Oct. 

.  Texas  to  Bataan  Oct. 

.  Criminal  Investigator   Oct. 

.  Bowery  at  Midnight  Oct. 

.  West  of  the  Law  Nov. 

.  War  Dogs   Nov. 

.  'Neath  Brooklyn  Bridge  Nov. 

.  The  Living  Ghost  Nov. 

.  Trail  Riders   Dee. 

.  Rhythm  Parade  Dec. 


5/42 
18/42 

9/42 
16/42 
23/42 
30/42 

2/42 
13/42 
20/42 
27/42 

4/42 
11/42 


Prod.  Release 
No.         Title  Date 

.  Dawn  on  the  Great  Divide. .. Dec.  18/42 

.  Two  Fisted  Justice  Jan.  8/43 

.  Silent  Witness   Jan.  15/43 

.  Cosmo  Jones  in  the  Crime 

Smasher   Jan.  29/43 

.  Kid  Dynamite   Feb.  5/43 

.  Prison  Mutiny   Feb.  12/43 

.  Haunted  Ranch   Feb.  19/43 

.  Silver  Skates   \  Feb.  26/43 

.  The  Ape  Man  Mar.  19/43 

.  Land  of  Hunted  Men  Mar.  26/43 

.  Ghost  Rider   Apr.  2/43 

.  Wild  Horse  Stampede  Apr.  16/43 

.  Clancy  Street  Boys  Apr.  23/43 

.  I  Escaped  from  the  Gestapo. .  .May  28/43 

.  Cowboy  Commandos   June  4/43 

.  Sarong  Girl   June  11/43 

.  Wings  over  the  Pacific  June  25/43 

.  The  Stranger  from   Pecos  June  25/43 

.  Spy  Train   July  2/43 

.  Ghosts  on  the  Loose  July  16/43 

.  The  Law  Rides  Again  July  23/43 

.  Spotlight  Revue   July  30/43 

Melody   Parade   Aug.  13/43 

.  Black  Market  Rustlers  Not  Set 

.  Six-Gun  Gospel   Not  Set 

He  Couldn't  Take  It  Not  Set 


PARAMOUNT 

Block  I 

4205  Wake  Island   

4202  The  Major  and  the  Minor.... 

4203  The  Glass  Key  

4204  Wildcat   

4201  Priorities  on  Parade  

Block  2 

4209'  Henry  Aldrlch,  Editor  

4208  Mrs.  Wiggs  of  the  Cabbage 

Patch   

4207  Road  to  Morocco  

4210  Street  of  Chance  

4206  The  Forest  Rangers  

Block  3 

4213  The  Avengers  

4212  Wrecking  Crew   

4211  The  Palm  Beach  Story  

4214  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy.. 

4215  Lucky  Jordan   

Block  4 

4216  Lady  Bodyguard   

4217  Happy  Go  Lucky  

4218  Henry  Aldrlch  Gets  Glamour. 

4219  Night  Plane  from  Chungking. 

SPECIAL 

4231  Star  Spangled  Rhythm  

4137  Reap  the  Wild  Wind  

Block  5 

4221  High  Explosive   


4222  China   

4223  Aerial  Gunner   

4224  Five  Graves  to  Cairo. 

4225  Salute  for  Three  


Block  6 

So  Proudly  Wo  Hail  

Dixie   

Submarino  Alert   

Henry  Aldrich  Swings  It. 
Alaska  Highway   


. ..  Triumph  Over  Pain  Not  Set 

. ..  For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls  Not  Set 

. ..  No  Time  for  Love  Not  Set 

. ..  True  to  Life  Not  Set 

. ..  Miracle  of  Morgan's  Creek  Not  Set 

. ..  Lady  In  the  Dark  Not  Set 

. ..  Henry  Aldrlch  Plays  Cupid...  Not  Set 

. ..  The  Good  Fellows  Not  Set 

. ..  Riding  High   Not  Set 

. . .  Let's  Face  It  Not  Set 

. ..  Hostages   Not  Set 

. . .  Tornado   Not  Set 

. . .  Henry  Aldrich  Haunts  a 

House   ;  Not  Set 

. . .  The  Uninvited   Not  Set 

...  The  Hour  Before  Dawn  Not  Set 

. ..  Minesweeper   Not  Set 

. ..  And  the  Angels  Sing  Not  Set 


PRODUCERS  REL. 
CORP. 

317  Baby  Face  Morgan  Sep.  15/42 

307  Tomorrow  We  Live  Sep.  29/42 

308  City  of  Silent  Men  Oct.  12/42 

309  Secrets  of  a  Co-ed  Oct.  26/42 

301  The  Yanks  Are  Cuming  Nov.  9/42 

357  Billy  the  Kid  in  Mysterious 

Rider   Nov.  20/42 

318  Miss  V  from  Moscow  Nov.  23/42 

310  Boss  of  Big  Town  Dec.  7/42 

363  Lone  Ride  In  Overland 

Stagecoach   Dee.  11/42 

302  Lady  from  Chunking  Dee.  21/42 

351  Rangers  Take  Over  Dec.  25/42 

319  Man  of  Courage  Jan.  4/43 

303  The  Payoff  Jan.  21/43 

358  Billy  the  Kid  In  the  Kid 

Rides  Again   Jan.  27/43 

320  Dead  Men  Walk  Feb.  10/43 

364  Lone  Rider  in  Wild  Horse 

Rustlers   Feb.  12/43 

304  A  Night  for  Crime  Feb.  18/43 

352  Bad  Men  of  Thunder  Gap  Mar.  5/43 

312  Queen  of  Broadway  Mar.  8/43 

359  Billy  the  Kid  In  Fugitive 

of  the  Plains  Mar.  12/43 

313  Behind  Prison  Walls  Mar.  22/43 

31  Corregidor   Mar.  29/43 

311  My  Son  the  Hero  Apr.  5/43 

314  The  Ghost  and  the  Guest  Apr.  19/43 

322  Terror  House   Apr.  19/43 

365  Lone  Rider  in  Death  Rides  the 

Plains   May  7/43 

353  West  of  Texas  May  10/43 

360  Billy  the  Kid  in  Western 

Cyclone   May  14/43 

305  Girls  In  Chains  May  17/43 

321  The  Black  Raven  May  31/43 

354  Border  Buckaroos   June  15/43 

361  Billy  the  Kid  In  the  Renegade  July  1/43 
316  The  Man  from  Washington  July  19/43 

30  Follies  Girl   Not  Set 

  Danger,  Women  at  Work  Not  Set 

  Strange  Music   Not  Set 

1943-44 

401  Submarine  Base   June  25/43 

40  Isle  of  Forgotten  Sins  July  26/43 


1352   Product  Digest  Section 


June    5,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


Prod.  Release 
No.         Title  Date 

RKO 

(No  National  Release  Dates  set  after 


March  31,  1943) 

371  The  Magnificent  Ambersons. .  July  10. '42 

391  Bambl   Aug.  21, '42 

301  The  Big  Street  Sep.  4, '42 

302  Mexican  Spitfire's  Elephant. . .Sep.  1 1. '42 

303  Wings  and  the  Woman  Sep.  18, '42 

381  Bandit   Ranger   Sep.  25/42 

304  Highways  by  Night  Oct.  2/42 

305  Here  We  Go  Again  Oct.  9/42 

306  Scattergood  Survives  a  Murder. Oct.  16/42 

308  The  Navy  Comes  Through  Oct.  30/42 

309  The  Falcon's  Brother  Nov.  6/42 

310  Seven  Days'  Leave  Nov.  13/42 

382  Pirates  of  the  Prairie  Nov.  20/42 

311  Once  Upon  a  Honeymoon  Nov.  27/42 

312  Army  Surgeon   Dec.  4/42 

313  Cat  People   Dee.  25/42 

314  The  Great  Glldersleeve  Jan.  1/43 

315  Seven  Miles  from  Alcatraz  Jan.  8/43 

383  Fighting  Frontier   Jan.  15/43 

318  Cinderella  Swings  It  Jan.  22/43 

352  They  Got  Me  Covered  Feb.  5/43 

307  Journey  Into  Fear  Feb.  12/43 

392  Saludos  Amlgos   Feb.  19/43 

319  Tarzan  Triumphs   Feb.  19/43 

317  Two  Weeks  to  Live  Feb.  26/43 

351  Pride  of  the  Yankees  Mar.  5/43 

316  Hitler's  Children   Mar.  19/43 

320  Forever  and  a  Day  Mar.  26/43 


Block  5 

321  Flight  for  Freedom  

322  Ladies  Day   

323  This  Land  Is  Mine  

324  I  Walked  With  a  Zombie 

325  The  Falcon  Strikes  Back 

Block  6 

326  Squadron  Leader  X  

329  Bombardier   

330  Mr.  Lucky   

327  Gildersleeve's  Bad  Day.. 

328  The  Leopard  Man  

V 


....  The  Avenging  Rider  Not  Set 

  Petticoat  Larceny   Not  Set 

....  The  Sky's  the  Limit  Not  Set 

 A  Lady  Takes  >  Chance  Not  Set 

 The  Fallen  Sparrow  Not  Set 

  North  Star   Not  Set 

....  Mexican  Spitfire's  Blessed 

Event   Not  Set 

...    Tarzan  and  the  Sheik  Not  Set 

 The  Falcon  In  Danger  Not  Set 

  Behind  the  Rising  Sun  Not  Set 

  The  Seventh  Victim  Not  Set 

 The  Iron  Major  Not  Set 

  Around  the  World  Not  Set 

REPUBLIC 

201  HI,  Neighbor   July  27/42 

271  Sombrero  Kid   July  31/42 

202  The  Old  Homestead  Aug.  17/42 

261  Shadows  on  the  Sage  Aug.  24/42 

203  Youth  on  Parade  Oct.  24/42 

272  Outlaws  of  Pine  Ridge  ..Oct.  27/42 

204  X  Marks  the  Spot  Nov.  4/42 

262  Valley  of  Hunted  Men  Nov.  13/42 

251  Heart  of  the  Golden  West  Dec.  11/42 

207  The  Traitor  Within  Dec.  16/42 

208  Secrets  of  the  Underground. .. Dec.  18/42 
206  Ice-Capades  Revue   Dec.  24/42 

273  Sundown  Kid   Dec.  28/42 

253  Rldln'  Down  the  Canyon  Dec.  30/42 

205  Johnny  Doughboy   Dec.  31/42 

209  Mountain  Rhythm   Jan.  8/43 

210  London  Blackout  Murders  Jan.  15/43 

2301  Boots  and  Saddles  Jan.  15/43 

263  Thundering  Trails   Jan.  25/43 

211  Fighting  Devil  Dogs  Jan.  29/43 

274  Dead  Man's  Gulch  Feb.  12/43 

2302  South  of  the  Border  Mar.  1/43 

252  Idaho   Mar.  10/43 

274  The  Blocked  Trail  Mar.  12/43 

212  The  Purple  V  Mar.  12/43 

778  At  Dawn  We  Die  Mar.  20/43 

275  Carson  City  Cyclone  Mar.  23/43 

214  Alibi   Mar.  24/43 


Prod.  Release 
No.         Title  Date 

215  Hit  Parade  of  1943  Mar.  26/43 

216  Tahiti  Honey   Apr.  6/43 

254  King  of  the  Cowboys  Apr.  9/43 

217  The  Mantrap   Apr.  13/43 

2303  Gaucho  Serenade   Apr.  15/43 

265  Santa  Fe  Scouts  Apr.  16/43 

218  Shantytown   Apr.  20/43 

219  Chatterbox   Apr.  27/43 

2311  Calling  Wild  Bill  Elliott. ..  .Apr.  30/43 

220  A    Gentle   Gangster  May  10/43 

276  Days  of  Old  Cheyenne  May  15/43 

 Swing  Your  Partner  May  20/43 

  Riders  of  the  Rio  Grande  May  21/43 

  False  Faces   May  26  '43 

2304  Ride  Tenderfoot,  Ride  June  1/43 

  Man  From  Thunder  River  June  11/43 

  Song  of  Texas  June  14/43 

  Thumbs  Up   June  24/43 

  West  Side  Kid  June  30/43 

V 

  Prodigal's  Mother   Not  Set 

  Headin'  for  God's  Country  Not  Set 

 Sleepy  Lagoon   Not  Set 

....  Girls  of  the  Night  Not  Set 

....  War  of  the  Wildcats  Not  Set 

 Secret  Service  in  Darkest 

Africa   Not  Set 

....  Bordertown  Gunflghters   Not  Set 

  Silver  Spurs   Not  Set 

....  Black   Hills    Express  Not  Set 

  Nobody's  Darling   Not  Set 

....  Fugitive  from  Sonora  Not  Set 

....  Wagon  Tracks  West  Not  Set 

  Fighting  SeaBees   Not  Set 

20TH-FOX 

Block  I 

301  Footllght  Serenade   Aug.  1/42 

302  A- Haunting  We  Will  Go  Aug.  7/42 

303  Little  Tokyo,  U.S.A  Aug.  14/42 

304  The  Pied  Piper  Aug.  21/42 

305  Loves  of  Edgar  Allan  Poe  Aug.  28/42 

Block  2 

308  Orchestra  Wives   Sep.  4/42 

311  Berlin  Correspondent   Sep.  11/42 

312  Careful,  Soft  Shoulders  Sep.  18/42 

310  Just  Off  Broadway  Sep.  25/42 

306  Iceland   Oct.  2/42 

Block  3 

313  Tales  of  Manhattan  Oct.  30/42 

Block  4 

309  Girl   Trouble   Oct.  »/42 

314  Manila  Calling   Oct.  16/42 

315  The  Man  In  the  Trunk  Oct.  23/42 

317  Springtime  In  the  Rockies  Nov.  6/42 

Bloek  S 

318  That  Other  Woman  Nov.  13/42 

307  Thunder   Birds   Nov.  20/42 

319  The  Undying  Monster  Nov.  27/42 

320  The  Black  Swan  Dee.  4/42 

321  Dr.  Renault's  Secret  Dee.  11/42 

Block  6 

322  Life  Begins  at  8:30  Dec.  25/42 

323  China  Girl   Jan.  1/43 

324  We  Are  the  Marines  Jan.  8/43 

325  Over  My  Dead  Body  Jan.  15/43 

326  Time  to  Kill  Jan.  22/43 

Block  7 

327  Immortal  Sergeant   Jan.  29/43 

328  Chetniks.  the  Fighting 

Guerrillas   Feb.  5/43 

329  Meanest  Man  In  the  World... Feb.  12/43 

330  Margin  for  Error  Feb.  19/43 

316  The  Young  Mr.  Pitt  Feb.  26/43 

Block  8 

332  Dixie  Dugan   Mar.  12/43 

331  Quiet  Please.  Murder  Mar.  19/43 

333  Hello,  Frisco,  Hello  Mar.  26/43 

334  He  Hired  the  Boss  Apr.  2/43 

335  The  Moon  Is  Down  Apr.  9/43 

SPECIAL 

341  Desert  Victory   Apr.  16/43 

Block  9 

338  My  Friend   Flicka  Apr.  23/43 

337  Tonight  We  Raid  Calais  Apr.  30/43 

339  They  Came  to  Blow  Up 

America   May  7/43 


Prod.  Release 
No.        Title  Date 

340  Crash  Dive   May  14/43 

Block  10 

....  The   Ox-Bow    Incident  May  21/43 

  Jitterbugs   June  11/43 

  Coney  Island   June  18, '43 

V 

  Sweet  Rosle  O'Grady  Not  Set 

  Stormy  Weather  Not  Set 

  Bomber's  Moon   Not  Set 

  Heaven  Can  Wait  Not  Set 

  Jane  Eyre   Not  Set 

  Winter  Time   Not  Set 

  Holy  Matrimony   Not  Set 

  Roger  Touhy,  Last  of  the 

Gangsters   Not  Set 

  The  Girls  He  Left  Behind ...  Not  Set 

  The  Song  of  Bernadette  Not  Set 

  Claudia   Not  Set 

  The  Night  Is  Ending  Not  Set 

  Guadalcanal  Dairy   Not  Set 

UNITED  ARTISTS 

  Battle  Cry  of  China  Aug.  7/42 

....  The  Moon  and  Sixpence  Oct.  2/42 

  One  of  Our  Aircraft  Is  Missing. Oct.  16/42 

  Undercover  Man   Oct.  23/42 

  I  Married  a  Witch  Oct.  30/42 

  Silver  Queen   Nov.  13/42 

....  The  Devil  with  Hitler  Nov.  20/42 

  Jacare   Nov.  27/42 

  American  Empire   Dee.  11/42 

  Lost  Canyon   Dee.  18/42 

  McGuerins  from  Brooklyn  Dec.  31/42 

  The  Powers  Girl  Jan.  15/43 

....  The  Crystal  Ball  Jan.  22/43 

  Calaboose   Jan.  29/43 

....  Young  and  WIIHng  Feb.  5/43 

  In  Which  We  Serve  Feb.  12/43 

  Fall   In   Mar.  5/43 

  Hoppy  Serves  a  Writ  Mar.  12/43 

  Hangmen  Alse  Die  Mar.  26/43 

  Border  Patrol   Apr.  2/43 

....  Taxi  Mister   Apr.  16/43 

  Lady  of  Burlesque  Apr.  30/43 

  Buckskin  Frontier   May  14/43 

  Prairie  Chickens   May  21/43 

  Leather  Burners   May  28/43 

  Somewhere   in   France  June  11/43 

  Colt  Comrades   June  18/43 

V 

...  Stage   Door  Canteen  Not  Set 

  Yanks  Ahoy   Not  Set 

  That  Nazty  Nuisance  Not  Set 

....  Victory  Through  Air  Power. ..  Not  Set 

  Meet  John  Bonnlwell  Not  Set 

  False  Colors   Not  Set 

  Hi  Diddle  Diddle  Not  Set 

  Riders  of  the  Deadline  Not  Set 

....  Johnny  Come  Lately  Not  Set 

UNIVERSAL 

7010  Between  Us  Girls  Sep.  4/42 

7021  Give  Out  Sisters  Sod.  1 1/42 

7035  Half  Way  to  Shanghai  Sep.  18/42 

7020  Sherlock  Holmes  and  the  Voloa 

of  Terror   Sep.  18/42 

7017  Sin  Town   Sep.  25/42 

7071  Deep  In  the  Heart  of  Texas.. Sep.  25/42 

7022  Get  Hep  to  Love  Oct.  2/42 

7030  Destination  Unknown   Oct.  9/42 

7026  Moonlight  in  Havana  Oct.  16/42 

7019  The  Mummy  Tomb  Oct.  23/42 

7038  Night  Monster   Oct.  23/42 

7002  Who  Done  It?  Nov.  6/42 

7015  Nightmare   Nov.  13/42 

7072  Little  Joe  the  Wrangler  Nov.  13/42 

7028  Strictly  In  the  Groove  Nov.  20/42 

7029  Behind  the  Eight  Ball  Dee.  4/42 

7034  Madame  Spy   Dec.  11/42 

7008  Pittsburgh   Dec.  11/42 

7073  The  Old  Chlsholm  Trail  Dee.  11/42 

7032  The  Great  Impersonation  Dec.  18/42 

7027  Mug  Town   Dee.  18/42 

7063  Arabian  Nights   Dec.  25/42 

7016  When  Johnny  Comes  Marching 

Home   Jan.  1/43 

7037  Eyes  of  the  Underworld  Jan.  8/43 


Prod.  Relet, 
No.        Title  Date 

7065  Shadow  of  a  Doubt  Jan.  15/43 

7074  Tenting  Tonight  on  the  Old 

Camp  Ground   Feb.  5/43 

7025  How's  About  It?  Fob.  5/43 

7024  Sherlock  Holmes  and  the 

Secret  Weapon   Fob.  12/43 

7005  The  Amazing  Mrs.  Holllday. .  Feb.  19/43 

7031  HI  Buddy   Fob.  28/43 

7039  HI'Ya  Chum   Mar.  5/43 

7012  Frankenstein  Meets  the  Wolf 

Man   Mar.  12/43 

7001  It  Ain't  Hay  Mar.  19/43 

7041  He's  My  Guy  Mar.  26/43 

7040  Keep  'Em  Slugging  Apr.  2/43 

7023  It  Comes  Up  Love  Apr.  0/43 

7042  Rhythm  of  the  Islands  Apr.  10/43 

7004  White  Savage   Apr.  23/43 

7018  Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington. Apr.  30/43 

....  Next  of  Kin  May  7/43 

7044  Good  Morning  Judge  May  7/43 

7033  Follow  the  Band  May  14/43 

7036  Cowboy  in  Manhattan  May  21/43 

....  Mr.  Big   May  28/43 

7014  Captive  Wild  Woman  June  4/43 

7043  All   by   Myself  June  11/43 

....  Two  Tickets  to  London  June  18/43 

V 

....  We've  Never  Been  Licked. ...  Not  Set 
  Corvettes  in  Action  Not  Set 

7076  Raiders  of  San  Joaquin  Not  Set 

 Son  of  Dracula  Not  Set 

....  For  All  We  Know  Not  Set 

7075  Cheyenne  Roundup   Not  Set 

7077  The  Lone  Star  Trail  Not  Set 

....  Pardon  My  Ski  Not  Set 

....  Always  a  Bridesmaid  Not  Set 

  Cross  Your  Fingers  Not  Set 

  Phantom  of  the  Opera  Not  Set 

  Never  a  Dull  Moment  Not  Set 

  Hers  to  Hold  Not  Set 

  Get  Going   Not  Set 

 Two  Tickets  to  London  Not  Set 

  Cobra  Woman   Not  Set 

....  Fired  Wife   Not  Set 

 Sherlock  Holmes  Faces  Death. Not  Set 

  Girls.  Inc  Not  Set 

 Angela   Not  Set 

....  Sherlock  Holmes  and  the  Spider 

Woman   Not  Set 

 The  Mad  Ghoul  Not  Set 

WARNER  BROS. 

202  Across  the  Pacific  Sop.  5/42 

203  Busses  Roar   Sop.  19/42 

204  Desperate  Journey   Sep.  26/42 

207  You  Can't  Escape  Forever  Oct.  10/42 

205  Secret  Enemies   Oct.  17/42 

206  Now,  Voyager   Oct.  31/42 

208  The  Hidden   Hand  Nov.  7/42 

212  Gentleman  Jim   Nov.  14/42 

210  George  Washington  Slept  Here. Nov.  28/42 

211  Flying  Fortress   Dee.  5/42 

215  Varsity  Show   Dee.  19/42 

201  Yankee   Doodle   Dandy  Jan.  2/43 

216  The  Gorilla  Man  Jan.  18/43 

214  Casablanca   Jan.  23/43 

213  Truck  Busters  Fob.  8/43 

209  The  Hard  Way  Feb.  20/43 

218  The  Mysterious  Doctor  Mar.  6/43 

217  Air  Force   Mar.  20/43 

219  Edge  of  Darkness  Apr.  24/43 

220  Mission  to  Moscow  May  22/43 

221  Action  in  the  North  Atlantic.  .June  12/43 

222  Background  to  Danger  July  3/43 

V 

....  Watch  on  the  Rhine  Not  Sot 

....  Princess  O'Rourke   Not  Sot 

 Adventures  of  Mark  Twain. .  .Not  Sot 

 Arsenic  and  Old  Lace  Not  Set 

 The  Desert  Song  Not  Set 

 The  Constant  Nymph  Not  Set 

 Crime  by  Night  Not  Sot 

 Thank  Your  Lucky  Stars  Not  Set 

  Old  Acquaintance  Not  Set 

  Devotion   Not  Set 

....  Adventure  in  Iraq  Not  Set 

  The  Last  Ride  Not  Set 

 Saratoga  Trunk   Not  Set 

 This  Is  the  Army  Not  Set 

 To  the  Last  Man  Not  Set 

  Animal  Kingdom   Not  Set 

  In  Our  Time  Not  Set 

  Murder  on  the  Waterfront  Not  Set 


Product  Digest  Section  1353 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    5,  1943 


THE  RELEASE  CHART 

Index  to  Reviews,  Advance  Synopses  and 
Service  Data  in  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION 


Release  dates  and  running  time  are  furnished  as  soon  as  avail- 
able. Advance  dates  are  tentative  and  subject  to  change. 

Consult  Service  Data  in  the  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION  for 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating,  Audience  Classification  and  Managers' 
Round  Table  Exploitation. 


All  page  numbers  on  this  chart  refer  to  pages  in  the 
PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION  of  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 

Short  Subjects  Chart  with  Synopsis  Index  can  be  found  on 
pages  1327-1329. 

Feature  Product  Including  Coming  Attractions,  listed  by  Com- 
pany, in  order  of  release,  on  pages  1352-1353. 


Title 


Company 


Prod. 
Number 


ABOVE  Suspicion 

MGM 

Across  the  Pacific 

WB 

202 

Action  in  the  North  Atlantic 

WB 

Adventures  of  Mark  Twain 

WB 

Aerial  Gunner 

Para. 

4223 

After  Midnight  with  Boston  Bla 

ckie  Col. 

4031 

Air  Force 

WB 

217 

Air  Raid  Wardens,  The 

MGM 

326 

A-Haunting  We  Will  Go 

20th-Fox 

302 

Alibi 

Rep. 

214 

Alaska  Highway 

Para. 

All  by  Myself 

Univ. 

7043 

Always  a  Bridesmaid 

Univ. 

Amazing  Mrs.  Holliday,  The 

Univ. 

7005 

American  Empire 

Andy  Hardy's  Double  Life 

UA 

MGM 

318 

Apache  Trail 

MGM 

304 

Ape  Man,  The 

Mono. 

Appointment  in  Berlin 

Col. 

Arabian  Nights 

Univ. 

7063 

Arizona  Stagecoach 

Mono. 

Army  Surgeon 

RKO 

312 

As  Thousands  Cheer  (color) 

MGM 

(formerly  Private  Miss  Jones) 

Assignment  in  Brittany 

MGM 

327 

At  Dawn  We  Die  (British) 

,  Rep. 

778 

(formerly  Tomorrow  We  Live) 

Avengers,  The  (British) 

Para. 

4213 

Avenging  Rider,  The 

RKO 

Release 

Stars  Date 

Joan  Crawford-Fred  MacMurray  Not  Set 

Humphrey  Bogart-Mary  Astor  Sept.  5, '42 
Humphrey  Bogart-Raymond  Massey        June  12, '43 

Fredric  March-Alexis  Smith  Not  Set 

Chester  Morris-Richard  Arlen  Block  5 

Chester  Morris-Ann  Savage  Mar.  I8,'43 

John  Garfield-Gig  Young  Mar.  20, '43 

Laurel  and  Hardy  Apr.-May,'43 

Laurel  and  Hardy  Aug.  7, '42 

Margaret  Lockwood-Hugh  Sinclair  Mar.  24,'43 

Richard  Arlen-Jean  Parker  Block  6 

Patric  Knowles-Evelyn  Ankers  June  1 1, '43 

Andrews  Sisters-Patric  Knowles  Not  Set 

Deanna  Durbin-Edmond  O'Brien  Feb.  19, '43 

Richard  Dix-Leo  Carrillo  Dec.  I  I  ,'42 

Mickey  Rooney-Lewis  Stone  Dec-Feb.,'43 

Lloyd  Nolan-Donna  Reed  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

Bela  Lugosi-Wallace  Ford  Mar.  I9,'43 
George  Sanders-Marguerite  Chapman     July  1 5, '43 

Sabu-Maria  Montez-Jon  Hall  Dec.  25, '42 

The  Range  Busters  Sept.  4,'42 

James  Ellison-Jane  Wyatt  Dec.  4,'42 

Kathryn  Grayson-Gene  Kelly  Not  Set 

Pierre  Aumont-Susan  Peters  Apr.-May,'43 

John  Clements-Godfrey  Tearle  Mar.  20,'43 

Ralph  Richardson-Deborah  Kerr  Block  3 

Tim  Holt  Not  Set 


REVIEWED  ■ 


M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Service 

LieYaiu 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

O  1  rv. 

t  1  m 

May    i ,  *K5 

1  9QO 
1  ZOT 

i  fin  i 

1  UU  1 

98m 

Aug.  22,'42 

927 

726 

127m 

May22,'43 

1325 

983 

936 

78  m 

Mar.  20,'43 

1226 

1091 

64m 

Mar.  I3,'43 

1203 

1 192 

124m 

Feb.  6,'43 

1 145 

936 

1280 

67m 

Mar.  20,'43 

1214 

1091 

67m 

July  1 1  .'42 

927 

66m 

Apr.  3,'43 

1237 

1 192 

63  m 

June   5, '43 

1350 

1277 

1 192 

98m 

Feb.  6,'43 

1  145 

936 

1341 

81m 

Dec.  I2,'42 

1053 

871 

92m 

Dec.  5,'42 

1042 

796 

1341 

66m 

June  27, '42 

938 

726 

64m 

Feb.  27,'43 

1181 

1 104 

1305 

87  m 

Dec.  26,'42 

i090 

872 

i  1 74 

58m 

63  m 

Oct.  24,'42 

969 

701 

1079 

98m 

Mar.  I3,"43 

1201 

1019 

85m 

Dec.  26,'42 

1077 

88m 

Nov.  7.'42 

993 

1280 

55m 

Feb.  I3,'43 

1158 

BABY  Face  Morgan  PRC 
Background  to  Danger  WB 
Bad  Men  of  Thunder  Gap  PRC 
Bambi  (color)  RKO 
Bandit  Ranger  RKO 
Bataan  MGM 
Behind  Prison  Walls  PRC 
Behind  the  Eight  Ball  Univ. 
Bells  Go  Down,  The  (British)  Ealing-UA 
Berlin  Correspondent  20th-Fox 
Best  Foot  Forward  (color)  MGM 
Between  Us  Girls  Univ. 
Big  Street,  The  RKO 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Fugitive  of  Plains  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Kid  Rides  Again  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Mysterious  Rider  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  The  Renegade  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Western  Cyclone  PRC 
Black  Raven,  The  PRC 
Black  Swan,  The  (color)  20fh-Fox 
Blocked  Trail,  The  Rep. 
Bombardier  RKO 
Bombers  Moon  20th-Fox 
Bombsight  Stolen  (British)  Gains. 
Boogie  Man  Will  Get  You,  The  Col. 
Boots  and  Saddles  (Re-release)  Rep. 
Border  Buckaroos  PRC 
Border  Patrol  UA 
Boss  of  Big  Town  PRC 
Boston  Blackie  Goes  Hollywood  Col. 
Bowery  at  Midnight  Mono. 
Boy  From  Stalingrad  Col. 
Brains  Trust,  The  (British)  Strand-Anglo 
Buckskin  Frontier  UA 


317 

352 
391 
381 

313 
7029 

31  i 

7010 
301 
359 
358 
357 
361 
360 
321 
320 
274 
329 


4026 
2301 
354 

310 
4030 

4025 


Mary  Carlisle-Richard  Cromwell  Sept.  1 5, '42 

George  Raft-Brenda  Marshall  July   3, '43 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill  Mar.  5,'43 

Disney  Feature  Cartoon  Aug.  2 1  ,'42 

Tim  Holt  Sept.  25/42 

Robert  Taylor-Thomas  Mitchell  June-Aug.,'43 

Alan  Baxter-Gertrude  Michael  Mar.  22, '43 

Ritz  Bros.-Carol  Bruce  Dec.  4,'42 

Tommy  Trinder-James  Mason  Not  Set 

Dana  Andrews-Virginia  Gilmore  Sept.  1 1, '42 

Lucille  Ball-William  Gaxton  Not  Set 
Diana  Barrymore-Robert  Cummings       Sept.  4,'42 

Henry  Fonda-Lucille  Ball  Sept.  4,'42 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Mar.  I2,'43 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Jan.  27, '43 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Nov.  20,'42 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  July    I  ,'43 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  May  I4,'43 

George  Zucco-Wanda  MacKay  May  3  I  ,'43 

Tyrone  Power-Maureen  O'Hara  Dec.  4,'42 

Three  Mesquiteers  Mar.  12, '43 
Pat  O'Brien-Randolph  Scott-Arne  Shirley       Block  6 

George  Montgomery-Annabella  Not  Set 

Le  lie  Banks-Jeanne  Casalis  Not  Set 

Boris  Karlof-Peter  Lorre  Oct.  22, '42 

Gene  Autry-Smiley  Burnette  Jan.  15, '43 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill  June  I5,'43 

William  Boyd  Apr.  2,"43 

John  Litel-Florence  Rice  Dec.  7, '42 

Chester  Morris-Richard  Lane  Nov.  5, '42 

Bela  Lugosi-John  Archer  Oct.  30,'42 

Bobby  Samarzich-Conrad  Binyon  May  20,'43 

Quiz  Experts  Not  Set 

Richard  Dix-Jane  Wyatt  May  I4,'43 


62m 

July  25/42 

903 

1058 

57  m 

June   5, '43 

1350 

1277 

70m 

May  30,'42 

685 

56m 

14m 

May  29,'43 

1337 

1 127 

64m 

Feb.  6,'43 

!  146 

1078 

60m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

794 

89m 

May  22, '43 

1326 

70m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

797 

1 191 

89  m 

Aug.  29/42 

890 

772 

87m 

Aug.  8/42 

902 

701 

56m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

60m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

1104 

55m 

Jan.  30/43 

1 137 

1033 

1305 

1276 

61m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

85m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

855 

55m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

99m 

May  15/43 

1313 

912 

1305 

72m 

May  15/43 

1315 

66m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

58m 

Nov.  13/37 

1 1 14 

1276 

67m 

Jan. 30/43 

1 137 

64m 

Oct.  17/42 

959 

68m 

Feb.  27/43 

1181 

794 

63m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

70m 

1 191 

34m 

Feb.  6/43 

i  i  47 

76m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

983 

1 130 


1218 


I  354   Product  Digest  Section 


June    5,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


-  REVIEWED  s 

M.  P.       Product    Advance  Service 


Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Date 

Title 

Company 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

Busses  Roar 

WB 

203 

Richard  Travis-Julie  Bishop 

Sept.  19/42 

61m 

Aug.  22/42 

903 

CABIN  in  the  Sky 

MGM 

323 

"Rochester"-Ethel  Waters 

Apr. -May, '43 

98m 

Feb.  13/43 

1  157 

1019 

1341 

Cairo 

MGM 

307 

Jeanette  MacDonald-Robert  Young 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

101m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

1034 

Calaboose  UA-Roach 

Jimmy  Rogers-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

Jan.29,'43 

45  m 

1241 

Calling  Wild  Bill  Elliott 

Rep. 

231  i 

Bill  Elliott-Gabby  Hayes 

Apr.  30,'43 

54m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

Captive  Wild  Woman 

Univ. 

7014 

Evelyn  Ankers-John  Carradine 

June  4,'43 

61m 

May  1/43 

1290 

1  127 

Careful,  Soft  Shoulder 

20th-Fox 

312 

Virginia  Bruce-James  Ellison 

Sept.  I8,'42 

69m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

Carson  City  Cyclone 

Rep. 

275 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Mar.  23,'43 

57m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

Casablanca 

WB 

214 

Humphrey  Bogart-lngrid  Bergman 

Jan.  23,'43 

102m 

Nov.  28/42 

1029 

936 

1341 

Cat  People 

RKO 

313 

Simone  Simon-Tom  Conway 

Dec.  25,'42 

73m 

Nov.  14/42 

1005 

962 

1280 

Chatterbox 

Rep. 

219 

Joe  E.  Brown-Judy  Canova 

Apr.  27/43 

76m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

1 127 

Chetniks,  Fighting  Guerrillas 

20th-Fox 

328 

Philip  Dorn-Virginia  Gilmore 

Feb.  5/43 

73m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 1 15 

995 

1280 

Cheyenne  Roundup 

Univ. 

276 

Johnny  Mack  Brown-Tex  Ritter 

Apr.  29/43 

59m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

China 

Para. 

4222 

Loretta  Young-Alan  Ladd 

Block  5 

78  m 

Mar.  20/43  " 

1226 

1091 

1341 

China  Girl 

20th-Fox 

323 

George  Montgomery-Gene  Tierney 

Jan.  1/43 

95m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

872 

1218 

Cinderella  Swings  It 

RKO 

318 

Guy  Kibbee-Gloria  Warren 

Jan.  22/43 

69m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 125 

City  of  Silent  Men 

PRC 

308 

Frank  Albertson-June  Lang 

Oct.  12/42 

64m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

City  Without  Men 

Col. 

4013 

Linda  Darnell-Doris  Dudley 

Jan.  14/43 

75m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 181 

1009 

Clancy  Street  Boys 

Mono. 

East  Side  Kids 

Apr.  23/43 

66m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

Coastal  Command  (British)  Para.-Crown 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

73  m 

Nov.  14/42 

1005 

Colt  Comrades 

UA 

William  Boyd 

June  18/43 

67m 

1339 

Commandos  Strike  at  Dawn 

Col. 

4004 

Paul  Muni-Lillian  Gish 

Jan.  7/43 

98m 

Dec.  19/42 

1078 

962 

1280 

Coney  Island 

20th-Fox 

Betty  Grable-George  Montgomery 

June  18/43 

90m 

May  22/43 

1325 

995 

Corregidor 

PRC 

31 

Otto  Kruger-Elissa  Landi 

Mar.  29/43 

74m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

1 104 

1280 

Corvettes  in  Action 

Univ. 

Randolph  Scott-Andy  Devine 

Not  Set 

1240 

Cosmo  Jones,  Crime  Smasher 

Mono. 

Edgar  Kennedy-Frank  Graham 

Jan.29,'43 

62  m 

Feb.  20/43 

1  170 

1055 

Counter  Espionage 

Col. 

4027 

Warren  William-Eric  Blore 

Sept.  3/42 

72m 

Oct.  10/42 

945 

871 

Cowboy  Commandos 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

June  4/43 

1277 

Cowboy  in  Manhattan 

Univ. 

7036 

Robert  Paige-Frances  Langford 

May  21/43 

60m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

1240 

Crash  Dive  (color) 

20th-Fox 

340 

Tyrone  Power-Anne  Baxter 

May  14/43 

105m 

Apr.  24/43 

1273 

962 

i  34  i 

Crime  by  Night 

WB 

Jane  Wyman-Jerome  Cowan 

Not  Set 

1091 

Crime  Doctor 

Col. 

Warner  Baxter-Margaret  Lindsay 

June  22/43 

1305 

Criminal  Investigator 

Mono. 

Robert  Lowery-Jan  Wiley 

Oct.  23/42 

61m 

Dec.  12/42 

1 054 

1033 

Cross  Your  Fingers 

Univ. 

Allan  Jones-Kitty  Carlisle 

Not  Set 

1351 

Crystal  Ball,  The 

UA 

Paulette  Goddard-Ray  Milland 

Jan.  22/43 

81m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 125 

960 

1341 

DARING  Young  Man,  The 

Col. 

4021 

Joe  E.  Brown-Marguerite  Chapman 

Oct.  8/42 

73m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

871 

Dawn  on  the  Great  Divide 

Mono. 

Buck  Jones-Rex  Bell 

Dec.  18/42 

66m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

1031 

Days  of  Old  Cheyenne 

Rep. 

276 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

May  15/43 

55m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

1241 

Deadline  Guns 

Col. 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Not  Set 

1081 

Dead  Man's  Gulch 

Rep. 

274 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Feb.  12/43 

56m 

Feb.  20/43 

1  170 

1  127 

Dead  Men  Walk 

PRC 

320 

George  Zucco-Mary  Carlisle 

Feb.  10/43 

63  m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 170 

1031 

Deep  in  the  Heart  of  Texas 

Univ. 

7071 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Sept.  25/42 

62m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

Desert  Song,  The  (color) 

WB 

Dennis  Morgan-Irene  Manning 

Not  Set 

872 

Desert  Victory  (British) 

20th-Fox 

34  i 

War  in  Africa  Feature 

Apr.  16/43 

60m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

1341 

Desperadoes,  The  (color) 

Col. 

4005 

Randolph  Scott-Glenn  Ford 

May  25/43 

85m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

871 

1280 

Desperate  Journey 

WB 

204 

Errol  Flynn-Ronald  Reagan 

Sept.  26/42 

107m 

Aug.  22/42 

915 

1082 

Destination  Unknown 

Univ. 

7030 

Irene  Hervey-William  Gargan 

Oct.  9/42 

61m 

Oct.  3/42 

946 

912 

Destroyer 

Col. 

Edward  G.  Robinson-Marguerite  Ch 

apman  Not  Set 

1 162 

Devil  with  Hitler,  The  UA-Roach 

Alan  Mowbray-M.  Woodworth 

Nov.  20/42 

45  m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

Diary  of  a  Nazi  (Russian) 

Artkino 

War  Documentary 

Mar.  24/43 

68m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

Dixie  (color) 

Para. 

Bing  Crosby-Dorothy  Lamour 

Block  6 

1 09  i 

Dixie  Dugan 

20th-Fox 

332 

James  Ellison-Lois  Andrews 

Mar.  12/43 

67m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1082 

Dr.  Gillespie's  Criminal  Case 

MGM 

Lionel  Barrymore-Van  Johnson 

Not  Set 

89m 

May  8/43 

1302 

1 192 

Dr.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant 

MGM 

317 

Lionel  Barrymore-Van  Johnson 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

86m 

Nov.  15/42 

1005 

1280 

Dr.  Renault's  Secret 

20th-Fox 

321 

Lynn  Roberts-John  Shepperd 

Dec.  1 1/42 

58m 

Dec.  17/42 

959 

936 

DuBarry  Was  a  Lady 

MGM 

Lucille  Ball-Red  Skelton 

J  u  n  g-Au  cj.(  '43 

101m 

May  8/43 

1301 

1019 

EDGE  of  Darkness 

WB 

219 

Errol  Flynn-Ann  Sheridan 

Apr.  24/43 

1  18m 

Mar.  27/43 

1225 

982 

En  Enda  Natt  (Swedish) 

Scandia 

Ingrid  Bergman-Olof  Sandborg 

Not  Set 

89m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

Eyes  in  the  Night 

MGM 

309 

Edward  Arnold-Ann  Harding 

Sept.-Nov./42 

79m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

797 

1 130 

Eyes  of  the  Underworld 

Univ. 

7037 

Richard  Dix-Lon  Chaney 

Jan.  8/43 

61m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

FALCON'S  Brother,  The 

RKO 

309 

George  Sanders-Jane  Randolph 

Nov.  6/42 

63  m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

871 

Falcon  Strikes  Back,  The 

RKO 

325 

Tom  Conway-Harriet  Hilliard 

Block  5 

65m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

Fallen  Sparrow,  The 

RKO 

Maureen  O'Hara-John  Garfield 

Not  Set 

i  182 

Fall  In  UA-Roach 

William  Tracy-Jean  Porter 

Mar.  5/43 

48  m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

796 

False  Faces 

Rep. 

Rex  Williams-Bill  Henry 

May  26/43 

56m 

May  29/43 

1338 

1277 

Fighting  Buckaroo,  The 

Col. 

4203 

Charles  Starrett-Kay  Harris 

Feb.    1  ,'43 

58m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

Fighting  Devil  Dogs 

Rep. 

21 1 

Lee  Powell-Herman  Brix 

Jan.  29/43 

69m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

Fighting  Frontier 

RKO 

383 

Tim  Holt 

Jan.  15/43 

57m 

Feb. 13/43 

1 158 

Fighting  Sea  Monsters 

Times 

Marine  Animal  Feature 

Mar.  9/43 

61m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

Find,  Fix  and  Strike  (British) 

ABFD 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

37m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

Fires  Were  Started  (British) 

Crown 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

63  m 

Apr.  1 7/43 

1261 

First  of  the  Few,  The  (British) 

Howard 

Leslie  Howard-David  Niven 

Not  Set 

1  18m 

Sept.  5/42 

889 

Five  Graves  to  Cairo 

Para. 

4224 

Franchot  Tone-Anne  Baxter 

Block  5 

96m 

May  8/43 

1301 

1  i  92 

i  34  r 

Flight  for  Freedom 

RKO 

321 

Rosalind  Russell-Fred  MacMurray 

Block  5 

101m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 145 

983 

1218 

Flying  Fortress  (British) 

WB 

21 1 

Richard  Green-Carla  Lehmann 

Dec.  5/42 

68m 

June  27/42 

914 

1 174 

Follies  Girl 

PRC 

30 

Wendy  Barrie-Gordon  Oliver 

Not  Set 

1104 

Follow  the  Band 

Univ. 

7033 

Leon  Errol-Mary  Beth  Hughes 

May  14/43 

61m 

May  1/43 

1290 

1241 

Footlight  Serenade 

20th-Fox 

301 

John  Payne-Betty  Grable 

Aug.  1/42 

80m 

July  1  1/42 

915 

715 

873 

Foreign  Agent 

Mono. 

John  Shelton-Gail  Storm 

Oct.  9/42 

64m 

Sept.  19/42 

911 

Forest  Rangers,  The  (color) 

Para. 

4206 

Fred  MacMurray-Paulette  Goddard 

Block  2 

87m 

Oct.  3/42 

933 

872 

i  2  i  8 

Forever  and  a  Day 

RKO 

320 

British  and  American  Stars 

Mar.  26/43 

104m 

Jan. 23/43 

1 125 

Product  Digest  Section    |  355 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    5,  1943 


Title 


Prod. 

Company  Number 


Univ. 


For  All  We  Know 

(formerly  Flesh  and  Fantasy) 

For  Me  and  My  Gal  MGM 
fortress  on  Volga  (Russian)  Artkino 
For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls  (color)  Para. 

Frankenstein  Meets  Wolf  Man  Univ. 

Frontier  Fury  Col. 


312 
70\2 


Stars 


Charles  Boyer-Barbara  Stanwyck 


Release 
Date 

Not  Set 


Judy  Garland-George  Murphy  Sept.-Nov.,'42 
Mikhail  Gelovani-Nikolai  Bogoliubov  Not  Set 

Gary  Cooper-lngrid  Bergman  Not  Set 

Lon  Chaney-Bela  Lugosi  Mar.  1 2, '43 

Charles  Starrett-Arthur  Hunnicutt  June  24,'43 


Running 
Time 


104m 
77m 


r—  REVIEWED  -> 

M.  P.  Product  Advance  Service 
Herald       Digest     Synopsis  Data 


Issue 


Sept.  I2,'42 
Jan.  9,'43 


73m       Feb.  27,'43 


Page 


897 
1 101 

j  181 


Page 
1058 

751 

855 
1055 
1305 


Page 

1218 
1280 


GAUCHO  Serenade  (Reissue)  Rep. 

Gentle  Gangster,  A  Rep. 
Gentle  Sex  (British)    Two  Cities-Gen'l 

Gentleman  Jim  WB 

George  Washington  Slept  Here  WB 

Get  Hep  to  Love  Univ. 

Ghost  and  the  Guest,  The  PRC 

Ghost  Rider  Mono. 

Ghosts  on  the  Loose  Mono. 

Gildersleeve's  Bad  Day  RKO 

Girl  Crazy  MGM 

Girl  Trouble  20th-Fox 

Girls  in  Chains  PRC 

Give  Out,  Sisters  Univ. 

Glass  Key,  The  Para. 

Good  Fellows,  The  Para. 

Good  Luck,  Mr.  Yates  Col. 

Good  Morning,  Judge  Univ. 

Gorilla  Man,  The  WB 

Great  Gildersleeve,  The  RKO 

Great  Impersonation,  The  Univ. 

Gyandev  of  India  Ram  Bangai 


HAIL  to  the  Rangers  Col. 

Half  Way  to  Shanghai  Univ. 

Hangmen  Also  Die  UA 

Happy  Go  Lucky  (color)  Para. 

Hard  Way,  The  WB 

Harrigan's  Kid  MGM 

Haunted  Ranch  Mono. 
Heart  of  a  Nation  (French)  Graetz 

Heart  of  the  Golden  West  Rep. 

Heaven  Can  Wait  (color)  20th-Fox 

He  Hired  the  Boss  20th-Fox 

He's  My  Guy  Univ. 

Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello  (color)  20th-Fox 

Henry  Aldrich,  Editor  Para. 
Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour  Para. 

Henry  Aldrich  Swings  It  Para. 

Here  We  Go  Again  RKO 

Hi,  Buddy  Univ. 

Hidden  Hand,  The  WB 

High  Explosive  Para. 

Highways  by  Night  RKO 

Hi!  Neighbor  Rep. 

Hit  Parade  of  1943  Rep. 

Hitler,  Dead  or  Alive  House 

Hit  the  Ice  Univ. 

(formerly  Oh,  Doctor) 

Hitler's  Children  RKO 

Hitler's  Hangman  MGM 

Hi'Ya,  Chum  Univ. 

Hoppy  Serves  a  Writ  UA 

Hostages  Para. 

How's  About  It?  Univ. 

Human  Comedy,  The  MGM 


2303 


212 
210 
7022 
314 


327 

309 
305 
7021 
4203 


7044 
216 
314 

7032 


7035 

4217 
209 


251 

334 
7041 

333 
4209 
4218 

305 
7031 
208 
4221 
304 
201 
215 


316 

7039 

7025 


Gene  Autry 

Barton  MacLane-Molly  Lamont 
Rosamund  John-Joyce  Howard 
Errol  Flynn-Alexis  Smith 
Jack  Benny-Ann  Sheridan 
Gloria  Jean-Robert  Paige 
Florence  Rice-Jimmie  Dunn 
Johnny  Mack  Brown 
East  Side  Kids 
Harold  Peary-Jane  Darwell 
Mickey  Rooney-Judy  Garland 
Don  Ameche-Joan  Bennett 
Arline  Judge-Roger  Clark 
Andrews  Sisters-Richard  Davies 
Brian  Donlevy-Veronica  Lake-Alan 
Cecil  Kellaway-Helen  Walker 
Claire  Trevor-Edgar  Buchanan 
Dennis  O'Keefe-Louise  Allbritton 
John  Loder-Paul  Cavanagh 
Harold  Peary-Freddy  Mercer 
Ralph  Bellamy-Evelyn  Ankers 
Indian  Feature 


Apr.  15/43 
May  I0,'43 

Not  Set 
Nov.  I4,'42 
Nov.  28,'42 
Oct.  2,'42 
Apr.  I9,'43 
Apr.  2,'43 
July  1 6/43 

Block  6 

Not  Set 
Oct.  9,'42 
May  17/43 
Sept.  1 1, '42 
Ladd       Block  I 

Not  Set 
June29,'43 
May  7,'43 
Jan. 16/43 
Jan.  1/43 
Dec.  18/42 
Apr.  9/43 


Charles  Starrett  Not  Set 

Irene  Hervey-Kent  Taylor  Sept.  18/42 

Brian  Donlevy-Walter  Brennan  Mar.  26/43 

Mary  Martin-Dick  Powell-Rudy  Vallee  Block  4 

Ida  Lupino-Dennis  Morgan  Feb.  20/43 
Bobby  Readick-William  Gargan  June-Aug.,'43 

Range  Busters  Feb.  19/43 

Raimu-Michele  Morgan  Not  Set 

Roy  Rogers-Gabby  Hayes  Dec.  I  1/42 

Don  Ameche-Gene  Tierney  Not  Set 

Stuart  Erwin-Evelyn  Venable  Apr.  2/43 

Dick  Foran-lrene  Hervey  Mar.  26/43 

Alice  Faye-John  Payne  Mar.  26/43 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith  Block  2 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith  Block  4 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith  Block  6 
Fibber  McGee-Edgar  Bergen-"Charlie"  Oct.  9/42 

Dick  Foran-Harriet  Hilliard  Feb.  26/43 

Craig  Stevens-Elisabeth  Fraser  Nov.  7/42 

Chester  Morris-Jean  Parker  Block  5 

Richard  Carlson-Jane  Randolph  Oct.  2/42 

Lulubelle  &  Scotty-Jean  Parker  July  27/42 

John  Carroll-Susan  Hayward  Mar.  26/43 

Ward  Bond-Dorothy  Tree  Not  Set 

Abbott  and  Costello  Not  Set 


Tim  Holt-Bonita  Granville 
Patricia  Morison-John  Carradine 
Jane  Frazee-Ritz  Brothers 
William  Boyd-Andy  Clyde 
Luise  Rainer-Paul  Lukas 
Andrews  Sisters-Robert  Paige 
Mickey  Rooney-Frank  Morgan 


66m  May  18/40 

57m  May  15/43 

93m  May  8/43 

104m  Oct.  31/42 

93m  Sept.  19/42 

77m  Oct.  3/42 

61m  May  15/43 

52m  May  8/43 

62  m  May  8/43 


82m 
71m 
65  m 
85m 


Sept.  19/42 
Apr.  10/43 
Sept.  5/42 
Aug.  29/42 


1262 
1314 
1303 
981 
909 
934 
1314 
1304 

1303 

923 
1250 
889 
914 


1276 

936 
871 

1241 
1241 
1351 
1241 
1 191 
855 


119! 


1 130 
1218 


1162 


1130 


67m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

1240 

64m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

1341 

62  m 

Nov.  15/42 

1006 

995 

71m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

912 

63  m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

1055 

62  m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

1082 

I3lm 

Mar.  27/43 

1225 

1 191 

1280 

81m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

797 

1341 

109m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

796 

1280 

80m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1 191 

57m 

Mar.  6/43 

1190 

1019 

1  Mm 

Mar.  27/43 

1239 

65m 

Nov.  21/42 

1017 

1240 

73  m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1127 

65m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

1 127 

98m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1 127 

1341 

72m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

663 

1130 

72  m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

986 

1104 

76  m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

1082 

68m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 170 

1079 

67m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

1082 

62m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

983 

63m 

Aug.  8/42 

938 

715 

72  m 

July  25/42 

927 

772 

1218 

82m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1043 

1280 

70m 

Nov.  2 1/42 

1018 

1082 

Mar.  19/43 

83m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

986 

1280 

June-Aug.,'43 

1351 

Mar.  5/43 

61m 

Feb.  6/43 

1  147 

1127 

Mar.  12/43 

67m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

Not  Set 

1277 

Feb.  5/43 

61m 

Feb.  6/43 

i  i47 

June-Aug.,'43 

1 15m 

Feb.  27/43 

1190 

1019 

1341 

ICE-CAPADES  Revue 
Iceland 
Idaho 
I  Dood  It 

I  Escaped  from  the  Gestapo 
I  Married  a  Witch 
Immortal  Sergeant,  The 
In  the  Rear  of  Enemy  (Russian)  Artkino 
In  Which  We  Serve  (British) 
Isle  of  Forgotten  Sins  (1943-44) 
Isle  of  Missing  Men 
It  Ain't  Hay 
It  Comes  Up  Love 
It's  That  Man  Again  (British) 
It's  a  Great  Life 

(formerly  Blondie  Buys  a  Horse) 
I  Walked  with  a  Zombie  RKO 


Rep. 
20th-Fox 
Rep. 
MGM 
Mono. 
UA 
20th-Fox 


UA 
PRC 

Mono. 
Univ. 
Univ. 
Gains. 
Col. 


206 

Ellen  Drew-Richard  Denning 

Dec.  24/42 

79m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

797 

1130 

306 

Sonja  Henie-John  Payne 

Oct.  2/42 

79m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

797 

1082 

252 

Roy  Rogers-Virginia  Grey 

Mar.  10/43 

70m 

Feb.  20/43 

1169 

1162 

1218 

Red  Skelton-Eleanor  Powell 

Not  Set 

1192 

Dean  Jagger-John  Carradine 

May  28/43 

75  m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

1 162 

Fredric  March-Veronica  Lake 

Oct.  30/42 

78m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

797 

1218 

327 

Henry  Fonda-Maureen  O'Hara 

Jan. 29/43 

91m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

995 

1280 

War  Documentary 

Oct.  9/42 

59m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

Noel  Coward-Bernard  Miles 

Feb.  12/43 

1 13m 

Oct.  17/42 

957 

1280 

40 

John  Carradine-Gale  Sondergaard 

July  26/43 

1339 

John  Howard-Gilbert  Roland 

Sept.  18/42 

67m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

772 

7001 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Mar.  19/43 

81m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

1058 

1341 

7023 

Gloria  Jean-Ian  Hunter 

Apr.  9/43 

65m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 146 

986 

Tommy  Handley 

Not  Set 

84m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 182 

Penny  Singleton-Arthur  Lake 

May  27/43 

1241 

324 

Frances  Dee-Tom  Conway 

Block  5 

68m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

1057 

JACARE 

Jane  Eyre 


UA 
20th-Fox 


Animal  feature 

Orson  Welles-Joan  Fontaine 


Nov.27/42 
Not  Set 


65m       Dec.  26/42 


1077 


1240 


1218 


I  356   Product  Digest  Section 


June    5,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


r-  REVIEWED 


M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Service 

Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Title 

Company 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

Jitterbugs 

zutn-rox 

Laurel  and  Hardy 

1 . .  _  _   tl   i>| n 

June  1  1 , 4j 

"7  A  

/4m 

|f         oft  '  A  O 

May  29,  43 

1338 

1305 

Johnny  Doughboy 

Rep. 

205 

Jane  Withers-Patrick  Brook 

Dec.  31, '42 

63m 

Dec.  26,'42 

1077 

971 

1218 

Journey  for  Margaret 

MGM 

314 

Robert  Young-Laraine  Day 

Dec.-Feb.,'43 

79m 

Oct.  31, '42 

981 

912 

1  174 

Journey  Into  Fear 

RKO 

307 

Joseph  Cotten-Dolores  Del  Rio 

Feb.  12.43 

71m 

Feb.  6, '43 

1 146 

796 

1218 

Junior  Army 

Col. 

4038 

Freddie  Bartholomew-Billy  Halop 

Nov.  26,'42 

71m 

Feb.  20,'43 

1 170 

1009 

Just  Off  Broadway 

20th-Fox 

310 

Lloyd  Nolan-Marjorie  Weaver 

Sept.  25,'42 

65m 

Aug.  I5,'42 

902 

797 

.... 

l/PPP  ir         CI..—  — 

ixccr  tm  slugging 

Univ. 

1  U*rU 

Dead  end  Mds 

Apr.   z,  4o 

ol  m 

Mar.  6,  43 

1  1  Oft 

1  1 89 

Keeper  of  the  Flame 

MGM 

320 

Spencer  Tracy-Katharine  Hepburn 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

100m 

Dec.  I9,'42 

1065 

936 

1280 

Kid  Dynamite 

Mono. 

East  Side  Kids 

Feb.  5,'43 

66m 

Jan.23,'43 

1 126 

King  Arthur  Was  a  Gentle- 

man (British) 

Gains. 

Arthur  Askey-Evelyn  Dall 

Not  Set 

98m 

Jan.  I6,'43 

1 1 14 

King  of  the  Cowboys 

Rep. 

254 

Roy  Rogers 

Apr.  9,'43 

67m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

1241 

LADIES'  Day 

RKO 

322 

Lupe  Velez-Eddie  Albert-Max  Baer 

Block  5 

62m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

962 

Lady  Bodyguard 

Para. 

4216 

Eddie  Albert-Anne  Shirley 

Block  4 

70m 

Jan.  2/43 

1090 

946 

Lady  from  Chungking 

PRC 

302 

Anna  May  ^/ong-Harold  Huber 

Dec.  21, '42 

70m 

Nov.  7/42 

1006 

574 

1 174 

Lady  in  the  Dark  { color  J 

Para. 

Ginger  Rogers-Ray  Milland 

Not  Set 

1091 

Lady  of  Burlesque 

UA 

Barbara  Stanwyck-Michael  O'Shea 

Apr.  30,'43 

91m 

May  1/43 

1289 

1  1  82 

1341 

Lady  Takes  a  Cha nee,  A 

RKO 

Jean  Arthur-John  N^/ayne 

Not  Set 

1240 

Land  of  Hunted  Men 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Mar.  26,'43 

58m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

Lassie  Comes  Home 

MGM 

Roddy  McDowall-Edmund  Gwenn 

Not  Set 

1240 

Last  Ride,  The 

WB 

Richard  Travis-Eleanor  Parker 

Not  Set 

1115 

Last  Will  of  Dr.  Mabuse  ( Fr.) 

Krellberg 

Jim  Gerald-Thorny  Bourdelle 

Mar.  I9,'43 

94m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

Laugh  Your  Blues  Away 

Col. 

4033 

Bert  Gordon-Jinx  Falkenburg 

Nov.  I2,'42 

70m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 159 

986 

Law  of  the  Northwest 

Col. 

4204 

Charles  Starrett-Shirley  Patterson 

May  27,'43 

59m 

May  29/43 

1338 

1018 

Law  Rides  Again,  The 

Mono. 

Ken  Maynard-Hoot  Gibson 

July  23,'43 

1339 

Leather  Burners,  The 

UA 

William  Boyd 

May  28, '43 

58m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

Leopard  Man,  The 

RKO 

328 

Dennis  O'Keefe-Margo 

Block  6 

59m 

May  8/43 

1303 

1241 

Lpt'^  Fflcfi  It 

Para. 

Bob  Hope-Betty  Hutton 

Not  Set 

1277 

Let's  Have  Fun 

Col. 

4040 

Bert  Gordon-Margaret  Lindsay 

Mar.  4,'43 

63m 

May  1/43 

1290 

Life  Begins  at  Eight-thirty 

20th-Fox 

322 

Monty  ^/oolley-lda  Lupino 

Dec.  25,'42 

85m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

962 

1218 

Little  Joe,  the  Wrangler 

Univ. 

7072 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Nov.  13, '42 

64m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

Little  Tokyo,  U.S.A. 

20th-Fox 

303 

Preston  Foster-Brenda  Joyce 

Aug.  14, '42 

64m 

July  1  1/42 

938 

Living  Ghost,  The 

Mono. 

James  Dunn-Joan  Woodbury 

Nov.  27, '42 

61m 

Oct.  31/42 

982 

London  Blackout  Murders 

Rep. 

210 

John  Abbott-Mary  McLeod 

Jan.  15, '43 

59m 

Dec.  12/42 

1067 

Lone  Prairie,  The 

Col. 

4209 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Oct.  15, '42 

58m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

1058 

Lone  Rider  in  Death  Rides  PI 

ains  PRC 

365 

Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 

May  7, '43 

1277 

Lone  Rider  in  Wild  Horse  Rustlers  PRC 

364 

Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 

Feb.  12/43 

55m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

Lone  Rider,  Overland  Stagecoach  PRC 

363 

Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 

Dec.  1 1,'42 

58m 

Jan.23,'43 

1 126 

1018 

Lone  Star  Trail,  The 

Univ. 

7077 

Johnny  Mack  Brown-Tex  Ritter 

Not  Set 

1019 

Lost  Canyon 

UA 

William  Boyd 

Dec.  18,'42 

63  m 

Jan.23,'43 

1 126 

Loves  of  Edgar  Allan  Poe,  The 

20th-Fox 

305 

John  Shepperd-Linda  Darnell 

Aug.  28,'42 

67m 

July  1  1/42 

914 

75  i 

Lucky  Jordan 

Para. 

4215 

Alan  Ladd-Helen  Walker 

Block  3 

84m 

Nov.  21/42 

1017 

986 

1341 

Lucky  Legs 

Col. 

4032 

Jinx  Falkenburg-Kay  Harris 

Oct.  I,'42 

64m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 158 

797 

MADAME  Spy 

Univ. 

7034 

Constance  Bennett-Don  Porter 

Dec.  1 1/42 

63  m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

Magnificent  Ambersons,  The 

RKO 

371 

Joseph  Cotten-Dolores  Costello 

July  10/42 

88m 

July  4/42 

938 

507 

947 

Major  and  the  Minor,  The 

Para. 

4202 

Ginger  Rogers-Ray  Milland 

Block  1 

100m 

Aug.  29/42 

927 

1174 

Man  in  the  Trunk,  The 

20th-Fox 

315 

Lynne  Roberts-George  Holmes 

Oct.  23/42 

71m 

Sept.  19/42 

911 

855 

Manila  Calling 

20th-Fox 

314 

Lloyd  Nolan-Carole  Landis 

Oct.  16/42 

81m 

Sept.  19/42 

911 

871 

Man  from  Thunder  River 

Rep. 

Bill  Elliott-George  Hayes 

June  1 1/43 

59m 

May  22/43 

1325 

1277 

Man  of  Courage 

PRC 

319 

Barton  MacLane-Charlotte  Wynters 

Jan.  4/43 

67  m 

Jan.  30/43 

1137 

1031 

Mantrap,  The 

Rep. 

217 

Lloyd  Corrigan-Dorothy  Lovett 

Apr.  13/43 

58m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

1 191 

Man's  World,  A 

Col. 

4044 

M.  Chapman-Wm.  Wright 

Sept.  17/42 

60m 

Dec.  12/42 

1055 

Margin  for  Error 

20th-Fox 

330 

Joan  Bennett-Milton  Berle 

Feb.  19/43 

74m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

995 

Mashenka  (Russian) 

Artkino 

V.  Karavayeva-M.  Kuznetzov 

Nov.  20/42 

67m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

Masquerade  (Russian) 

Artkino 

Nikolai  Mordvinov-Tamara  Makarova 

May  15/43 

102m 

May  22/43 

1326 

McGuerins  from  Brooklyn  UA-Roach 

Max  Baer-William  Bendix 

Dec.  31/42 

46m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

Meanest  Man  in  the  World 

20th-Fox 

329 

Jack  Benny-Priscilla  Lane 

Feb.  12/43 

57m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 1 15 

962 

1341 

Meet  John  Bonniwell 

UA 

Richard  Dix-Jane  Wyatt 

Not  Set 

1182 

Melody  Parade 

Mono. 

Mary  Beth  Hughes-Eddie  Quillan 

Aug.  13/43 

1339 

Mexican  Spitfire's  Elephant 

RKO 

302 

Lupe  Velez-Leon  Errol 

Sept.  1 1/42 

64m 

Aug.  8/42 

915 

Miracle  of  Morgan's  Creek,  The  Para. 

Eddie  Bracken-Betty  Hutton 

Not  Set 

1079 

Mission  to  Moscow 

WB 

220 

Walter  Huston-Ann  Harding 

May  22/43 

123  m 

May  1/43 

1 304 

1058 

Miss  London  Limited  (British 

Gains. 

Arthur  Askey-Evelyn  Dall 

Not  Set 

99m 

May  29/43 

1339 

Miss  V  from  Moscow 

PRC 

318 

Lola  Lane-Noel  Madison 

Nov.  23/42 

71m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

1031 

Mister  Big 

Univ. 

Gloria  Jean-Donald  O'Connor 

May  28/43 

74m 

May  29/43 

1338 

1277 

Moonlight  in  Havana 

Univ. 

7026 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Oct.  16/42 

62m 

Oct.  1 7/42 

959 

Moon  and  Sixpence,  The 

UA 

George  Sanders-Herbert  Marshall 

Oct.  2/42 

89m 

Sept.  12/42 

912 

1341 

Moon  Is  Down,  The 

20th-Fox 

335 

Cedric  Hardwicke-Henry  Travers 

Apr.  9/43 

90m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

1091 

1280 

More  the  Merrier,  The 

Col. 

4041 

Jean  Arthur-Joel  McCrea 

May  13/43 

104m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

1 182 

1341 

Moscow  Strikes  Back  (Russian 

)  Rep. 

Documentary 

Aug.  15/42 

55m 

Aug.  15/42 

840 

1 130 

Mountain  Rhythm 

Rep. 

209 

Weaver  Bros.  &  Elviry 

Jan.  8/43 

70m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

ioo9 

Mr.  Lucky 

RKO 

330 

Cary  Grant-Laraine  Day 

Block  6 

100m 

May  8/43 

1301 

1081 

Mrs.  Wiggs  of  the  Cabbage  Patch  Para. 

4208 

Fay  Bainter-Carolyn  Lee 

Block  2 

80m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

663 

1218 

Mug  Town 

Univ. 

7027 

Dead  End  Kids 

Dec.  18/42 

60m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

Mummy's  Tomb,  The 

Univ. 

7019 

Dick  Foran-Elyse  Knox 

Oct.  23/42 

61m 

Oct.  17/42 

970 

i  i  36 

Murder  in  Times  Square 

Col. 

4034 

Edmund  Lowe-Marguerite  Chapman 

Apr.  1/43 

65m 

May  15/43 

1313 

1079 

My  Friend  Flicka  (color) 

20th-Fox 

338 

Roddy  McDowall-Preston  Foster 

Apr.  23/43 

90m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

962 

.341 

My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy 

Para. 

4214 

Richard  Carlson-M.  O'Driscoll 

Block  3 

75m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

871 

My  Son,  the  Hero 

PRC 

311 

Patsy  Kelly-Roscoe  Karns 

Apr.  5/43 

68m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

Mysterious  Doctor,  The 

WB 

218 

Eleanor  Parker-John  Loder 

Mar.  6/43 

57m 

Feb.  27/43 

1  181 

1 09  i 

NAVY  Comes  Through,  The 

RKO 

308 

Pat  O'Brien-George  Murphy 

Oct.  30/42 

81m 

Oct.  17/42 

957 

715 

1 130 

'Neath  Brooklyn  Bridge 

Mono. 

East  Side  Kids 

Nov.  20/42 

61m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

Product  Digest  Section 


1357 


Title 

Never  a  Dull  Moment 

Next  of  Kin,  The  (British) 

Nightmare 

Night  for  Crime,  A 

Night  Monster 

Night  Plane  from  Chungking 

Night  to  Remember,  A 

Nine  Men  (British) 

Northwest  Rangers 

No  Place  for  a  Lady 

No  Time  for  Love 

North  Star 

Now,  Voyager 


MOTION  PICTURE 

HERALD 

J  u  n 

e    5  , 

1943 

r—  REVIEWED 

M.  P. 

Product 

f\  ft  1  r  /lit  f  o 

o€Y1/tCt 

Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Company 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

Univ. 

Ri+z  Bros. -Frances  Langford 

Not  Set 

1351 

Univ. 

Basil  Sydney-Nova  Pilbeam 

May  7,  43 

90m 

A  nr      If!  'At 

Apr.  i  u, 

1  9  AO 

1341 

Univ. 

7015 

Diana  Barrymore-Brian  Donlevy 

Nov.  13, '42 

81m 

kl  _„     1  A  'AO 
INOV.  1  1,  «tZ 

inio 
IUI  O 

1  174 

PRC 

304 

Glenda  Farrell-Lyle  Talbot 

Feb.  18, "43 

78m 

Mug.    1  ,  *\L 

Univ. 

7038 

Irene  Hervey-Bela  Lugosi 

Oct.  23, '42 

73  m 

f\ _±   OA  'AO 

V/U 

1 130 

Para. 

42 19 

Robert  Preston-fcllen  Drew 

Block  4 

68m 

lax      0  'A3 

Jan.   z,  4i 

1  1  f\0 

983 

Col. 

4009 

Loretta  Young-Brian  Aherne 

Dec.  I0,'42 

90m 

Dec.  19, '42 

1066 

986 

1 130 

Ealing-UA 

Jack  Lambert-Richard  Wilkinson 

Not  Set 

67m 

Feb!  13/43 

1 158 

MGM 

319 

James  Craig-Patricia  Dane 

Dec.-Feb.,'43 

64m 

Oct.31,'42 

981 

960 

1218 

Col. 

4036 

William  Gargan-Margaret  Lindsay 

Feb.  1 1,'43 

67m 

1057 

Kara. 

LJaudette  Colbert-rred  MacMurray 

INot  oet 

Goldwyn 

Walter  Huston-Anne  Baxter 

Not  Set 

1305 

WB 

206 

Bette  Davis-Paul  Henreid 

Oct.  31, '42 

1  17  m 

Aug.  22,'42 

902 

i  i  74 

OLD  Acquaintance  WB   

Old  Chisholm  Trail,  The  Univ  7073 

Old  Homestead,  The  Rep.  202 
Old  Mother  Riley,  Detective 

(Brifish)  Br.  Nat'I-Anglo   

Omaha  Trail  MGM  311 

Once  Upon  a  Honeymoon  RKO  311 

One  Dangerous  Night  Col.  4029 
One  of  Our  Aircraft  Is  Missing 

(British)  UA 

One  Thrilling  Night  Mono.  .... 

Orchestra  Wives  20th-Fox  308 

Our  Lady  of  Paris  (French)  Hirliman  .... 

Outlaw,  The  Hughes  .... 

Outlaws  of  Pine  Ridge  Rep.  272 

Over  My  Dead  Body  20th-Fox  325 

Ox-Bow  Incident,  The  20th-Fox   

PALM  Beach  Story,  The  Para.  421  I 

Panama  Hattie  MGM  303 

Pardon  My  Gun  Col.  4202 

Payoff,  The  PRC  303 

Petticoat  Larceny  RKO   

Phantom  of  the  Opera  (color)  Univ. 


Pied  Piper,  The 

20th-Fox 

304 

Pilot  No.  5 

MGM 

Pirates  of  the  Prairie 

RKO 

382 

Pittsburgh 

Univ. 

7008 

Power  of  God,  The 

St.  Rts. 

Powers  Girl,  The 

UA 

Power  of  the  Press 

Col. 

4037 

Prairie  Chickens 

UA-Roach 

Prelude  to  War 

WAC 

Presenting  Lily  Mars 

MGM 

Pride  of  the  Army 

Mono. 

(also  called  War  Dogs) 

Pride  of  the  Yankees,  The 

RKO 

351 

Princess  O'Rourke 

WB 

Priorities  on  Parade 

Para. 

4201 

Prison  Mutiny 

Mono. 

(formerly  You  Can't  Beat  the  Law) 

Prodigal's  Mother 

Rep. 

Professor  Takes  a  Wife,  The 

MGM 

(formerly  Faculty  Row) 

Purple  V,  The 

Rep. 

212 

QUEEN  of  Broadway  PRC 

Oueen  Victoria  (British)  Renown 

Ouiet  Please,  Murder  20th-Fox 

RAIDERS  of  San  Joaquin  Univ. 

Random  Harvest  MGM 

Rangers  Take  Over,  The  PRC 

Ravaged  Earth  Crystal 
Reap  the  Wild  Wind  (color)  Para. 

Redhead  from  Manhattan  Col. 

Red  River  Robin  Hood  RKO 

Reunion  in  France  MGM 

(formerly  Reunion) 

Reveille  with  Beverly  Col. 

Rhythm  of  the  Islands  Univ. 

Rhythm  Parade  Mono. 
Ride,  Tenderfoot,  Ride  (Reissue)  Rep. 
Riders  of  the  Northwest  Mounted  Col. 

Riders  of  the  Rio  Grande  Rep. 

Ridin'  Down  the  Canyon  Rep. 

Riding  Through  Nevada  Col. 

Right  About  Face  MGM 

Road  to  Morocco  Para. 

Robin  Hood  of  the  Range  Col. 

Russian  Story,  The  Artkino 

Russians  at  War  (Russian)  Artkino 


312 
331 


Bette  Davis-Miriam  Hopkins  Not  Set 

Johnny  Mack  Brown  Dec.  I  I, '42 

Weaver  Bros,  and  Elviry  Aug.  1 7, '42 

Arthur  Lucan  Not  Set 

James  Craig-Dean  Jagger  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

Ginger  Rogers-Cary  Grant  Nov.  27, '42 

Warren  William-Eric  Blore  Jan.  2 1, '43 

Godfrey  Tearle-Eric  Portman  Oct.  1 6, '42 

John  Beal-Wanda  McKay  June  5, '42 
George  Montgomery-Ann  Rutherford     Sept.  4,'42 

Catholic  Art  Documentary  Mar.  1 2, '43 

Jack  Buetel-Jane  Russell  Not  Set 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick  Oct.  27, '42 

Milton  Berle-Mary  Beth  Hughes  Jan.  15, '43 

Henry  Fonda-Dana  Andrews  May  21, '43 

Claudette  Colbert-Joel  McCrea  Block  3 

Ann  Sothern-Red  Skelton  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

Charles  Starrett-Alma  Carroll  Dec.    I, '42 

Lee  Tracy-Tina  Thayer  Jan.  2 1, '43 

Ruth  Warrick-Joan  Carroll  Not  Set 

Nelson  Eddy-Susanna  Foster  Not  Set 

Monty  Woolley-Roddy  McDowall  Aug.  2 1, '42 

Franchot  Tone-Marsha  Hunt  June-Aug.,'43 

Tim  Holt  Nov.  20,'42 

Marlene  Dietrich-John  Wayne  Dec.  I  I, '42 

John  Barclay-Thomas  Louden  Not  Set 

Anne  Shirley-George  Murphy  Jan.  1 5, '43 

Guy  Kibbee-Lee  Tracy  Jan.  28, '43 

Jimmy  Rogers-Noah  Beery,  Jr.  May  2 1, '43 

Documentary  May  27, "43 

Judy  Garland-Van  Heflin  June-Aug.,'43 

Billy  Lee-Addison  Richards  Nov.  I3,'42 

Gary  Cooper-Teresa  Wright  Mar.  5, '43 
Olivia  de  Havilland-Robert  Cummings        Not  Set 

Ann  Miller-Jerry  Colonna  Block  I 

Edward  Norris-Joan  Woodbury  Feb.  12, '43 

Mabel  Paige-John  Craven  June   4, '43 

Mary  Astor-Herbert  Marshall  Not  Set 

John  Archer-Mary  McLeod  Mar.  1 2, '43 

Rochelle  Hudson-Buster  Crabbe  Mar.   8, '43 

Anna  Neagle-Anton  Walbrook  Not  Set 

Gail  Patrick-George  Sanders  Mar.  1 9, '43 


AHm 

OUm 

1 -n  if.  <ao 
Jan.  io,  13 

1  M  1 
1  1  U 

A7m 

o/  m 

A  mm   OO  'AO 

7J  O 

000 

OA- 

oum 

CnL    to  *A7 

1  1  CO 
1  1  07 

A  1  m 

o  i  m 

C~r,4.    1  O  'AO 

YZo 

70A 
/YO 

1  1  Am 

Nov.  7,'42 

1  uuo 

pec 
OOO 

It  IT) 

A  r-»r    OA  'A** 

1  OTA 

OQ3 
TOO 

RAm 

69m 

July  4,'42 

914 

662 

97m 

Aug.  I5,'42 

927 

797 

oom 

Mar.  20,'43 

1  0  1  c 

I  LID 

reD.  1 J ,  *tj 

1  1  R7 
110/ 

C7m 

o  /  m 

Mrtw  ?  1  'AO 

IUI/ 

68m 

Dpc   12  '4? 

l/Cti    II  L. ,  i 

1053 

7  73 

75m 

May  8,'43 

1302 

872 

90m 

Nov.  7,'42 

993 

663 

79m 

July  25,'42 

915 

396 

57m 

May  22,'43 

1326 

1058 

74m 

Nov.  28,'42 

1030 

1240 

1 192 

87  m 

July  1  f  ,'42 

903 

751 

70m 

Apr.  I0,'43 

1250 

971 

57m 

Apr.  3,'43 

1239 

1033 

93m 

Dec.  5,'42 

1042 

58m 

Oct.  24,'42 

970 

93m 

Dec.  I9,'42 

1078 

64m 

Apr.  3,'43 

1238 

1055 

986 

52  m 

May  l,"43 

1290 

104m 

May  l,'43 

1289 

962 

63m 

Oct.  10, '42 

946 

128m 

July  I8,'42 

915 

962 

79m 

Aug.  I,'42 

9i4 

61m 

Jan.  30,'43 

1 137 

1081 

58m 

62m 
84m 
70m 


Apr.  3,'43 

Nov.  28,'42 
Jan.  I6,'43 
Dec.  I9,'42 


1238 

1030 
1113 
1067 


1276 
1240 

1 162 

1018 
983 


280 
280 


174 
130 


341 
034 


082 

34  i 
341 


082 


Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Not  Set 

59m 

June  5, '43 

1349 

1009 

Ronald  Colman-Greer  Garson 

June-Aug.,'43 

126m 

Nov.  28,'42 

1029 

796 

1280 

35  i 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill 

Dec.  25,'42 

60m 

Jan.  I6,'43 

1 1 14 

1055 

Documentary  on  China 

Not  Set 

68  m 

Dec.  5,'42 

1043 

4i  37 

Ray  Milland-Paulette  Goddard 

1941-42 

124m 

Mar.  21, '42 

1250 

408 

795 

4024 

Lupe  Velez-Michael  Duane 

May  6,'43 

59m 

May  29,'43 

1338 

1241 

Tim  Holt 

Not  Set 

57m 

Oct.  1 7,'42 

960 

315 

Joan  Crawford-Philip  Dorn- 

John  Wayne 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

102m 

Dec.  5, "42 

1041 

872 

1341 

4014 

Ann  Miller-William  Wright 

Feb.  4,'43 

78m 

Mar.  I3,'43 

1202 

1 162 

1280 

7042 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Apr.  I6,'43 

60m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1  127 

Gale  Storm-Robert  Lowery 

Dec.  1 1  .'42 

70m 

Dec.  I9,'42 

1067 

983 

Gene  Autry 

June    1  ,'43 

65m 

Aug.  24,'40 

1274 

42  ii 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Feb.  I5,'43 

57m 

Feb.  2 7, '43 

1 182 

i  6  i  9 

Three  Mesquiteers 

May  21, '43 

55m 

May  I5,'43 

1315 

1276 

253 

Roy  Rogers-Gabby  Hayes 

Dec.  30,'42 

55m 

Dec.  I2,'42 

1054 

1019 

4201 

Charles  Starrett-Shirley  Patterson 

Oct.  I.'42 

61m 

Feb.  20,'43 

1 169 

1058 

Kay  Kyser-Marilyn  Maxwell 

Not  Set 

1241 

4207 

Bob  Hope-Bing  Crosby-Dorothy  Lamour       Block  2 

83  m 

Oct.  3  ,'42 

933 

872 

1130 

Charles  Starrett-Kay  Harris 

Not  Set 

1057 

Historical  Feature 

June  8, '43 

73m 

June  5, '43 

1349 

Documentary 

Not  Set 

61m 

May  l,'43 

1290 

I  358   Product  Digest  Section 


June    5,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


REVIEWED  ■ 


Title  Company 

SADDLES  and  Sagebrush  Col. 

Sagebrush  Law  RKO 

Saludos  Amigos  (color)  RKO 

Salute  for  Three  Para. 
Salute  to  the  Marines  (color)  MGM 

Santa  Fe  Scouts  Rep. 

Sarong  Girl  Mono. 
Scattergood  Survives  a  Murder  RKO 

Secret  Enemies  WB 
Secret  Mission  (British)  Hellman-Gen'l 

Secrets  of  a  Co-Ed  PRC 

Secrets  of  the  Underground  Rep. 

Seven  Days  Leave  RKO 

Seven  Miles  from  Alcatraz  RKO 

Seven  Sweethearts  MGM 

Shadow  of  a  Doubt  Univ. 

Shadows  on  the  Sage  Rep. 

Shantytown  Rep. 

She  Has  What  It  Takes  Col. 
Sherlock  Holmes,  Voice  of  Terror  Univ. 
Sherlock  Holmes,  Secret  Weapon  Univ. 
Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington  Univ. 

Siege  of  Leningrad  (Russian)  Artkino 

Silent  Witness  Mono. 
Silk,  Blood  and  Sun  (Mexican)  Maya 

Silver  Oueen  UA 
Silver  Fleet  (British)  Archers-Gen'l 

Silver  Skates  Mono. 

Silver  Spurs  Rep. 

Sin  Town  Univ. 

Sky's  the  Limit,  The  RKO 

Slightly  Dangerous  MGM 

Smith  of  Minnesota  Col. 

Soliga  Solberg  (Swedish)  Scandia 

Sombrero  Kid,  The  Rep. 

Something  to  Shout  About  Col. 

Somewhere  I'll  Find  You  MGM 

Somewhere  in  France  UA 

Somewhere  in  Sahara  Col. 

So  Proudly  We  Hail  Para. 

Son  of  Dracula  Univ. 

Song  of  Texas  Rep. 

Song  to  the  Wind  (It.)  Hoffberg 
South  of  the  Border  (Re-release)  Rep. 

Spirit  of  Stanford,  The  Col. 

Spitfire  (British)  RKO 

Spotlight  Revue  Mono. 

Spring  Song  (Russian)  Artkino 
Springtime  in  Rockies  (color)  20th-Fox 

Spy  Train  Mono. 

Squadron  Leader  X  (British)  RKO 

Stage  Door  Canteen  UA 

Stand  By,  All  Networks  Col. 

Stand  By  for  Action  MGM 

Star  Spangled  Rhythm  Para. 

Stormy  Weather  20th-Fox 

Stranger  from  Pecos  Mono. 

Stranger  in  Town,  A  MGM 

Street  of  Chance  Para. 

Strictly  in  the  Groove  Univ. 

Submarine  Alert  Para. 

Submarine  Base  (1943-44)  PRC 

Sundown  Kid  Rep. 

Sweet  Rosie  O'Grady  (color)  20th-Fox 

Swing  Shift  Maisie  MGM 

Swing  Your  Partner  Rep. 


Prod. 

Number 

4212 
384 
392 

4225 

265 

306 
205 

309 
208 
310 
315 
308 
7065 
261 
218 
4029 
7020 
7024 
7018 


Stars 


Release 
Date 


7017 

325 
4035 

27  i 
4006 
301 


2302 
4022 


317 

326 

4042 
316 
4231 


324 
4210 
7028 

40  i 
273 


Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 
Tim  Holt 

Disney  South  American  Feature 
Macdonald  Carey-Betty  Rhodes 
Wallace  Beery-Fay  Bainter 
Three  Mesquiteers 
Ann  Corio-Tim  and  Irene 
Guy  Kibbee-Margaret  Hayes 
Craig  Stevens-Faye  Emerson 
Hugh  Williams-Carla  Lehmann 
Otto  Kruger-Tina  Thayer 
John  Hubbard-Virginia  Grey 
Lucille  Ball-Victor  Mature 
James  Craig-Bonita  Granville 
Van  Heflin-Kathryn  Grayson 
Teresa  Wright-Joseph  Cotten 
Three  Mesquiteers 
Mary  Lee-John  Archer 
Jinx  Falkenberg-Tom  Neal 
Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce 
Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce 
Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce 
Soviet  Documentary 
Frank  Albertson-Maris  Wrixon 
Jorge  Negrete-Gloria  Marin 
George  Brent-Priscilla  Lane 
Ralph  Richardson-Googie  Withers 
Patricia  Morison-Kenny  Baker 
Roy  Rogers 

Constance  Bennett-Brod  Crawford 
Fred  Astaire-Joan  Leslie 
Lana  Turner-Robert  Young 
Bruce  Smith-Arline  Judge 
Edvard  Persson 
Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 
Don  Ameche-Jack  Oakie-Janet  Blair 
Clark  Gable-Lana  Turner  Sept.-Nov.,'42 
Constance  Cumming-Tommy  Trinder       June  I  I, '43 
Humphrey  Bogart-Bruce  Bennett 
Claudette  Colbert-Paulette  Goddard 
Louise  Allbritton-Lon  Chaney 
Roy  Rogers 
Giuseppe  Lugo 
Gene  Autry 

Frankie  Albert-Marguerite  Chapman 
Leslie  Howard-Rosamund  John 
Billy  Gilbert-Frank  Fay 


Apr.  22,'43 
Apr.  2,'43 
Feb.  I9,'43 

Block  5 

Not  Set 
Apr.  I6,'43 
June  I  I, '43 
Oct.  I6,'42 
Oct.  1 7, '42 

Not  Set 
Oct.  26,'42 
Dec.  I8,'42 
Nov.  I3,'42 
Jan.  8,'43 
Sept.-Nov.,'42 
Jan.  I5,'43 
Aug.  24, '42 
Apr.  20,'43 
Apr.  I5,'43 
Sept.  18.42 
Feb.  12/43 
Apr.  30,'43 
Feb.  1 1, '43 
Jan.  I5,'43 

Not  Set 
Nov.  I3,'42 

Not  Set 
Feb.  26/43 

Not  Set 
Sept.  25, '42 

Not  Set 
Apr. -May, '43 
Oct.  15/42 
Sept.  12/42 
July  31/42 
Feb.  25/43 


Not  Set 
Block  6 
Not  Set 
June  14/43 
Apr.  24/43 
Mar.  1/43 
Sept.  10/42 
Not  Set 
July  30/43 

Nikolai  Kunovalov-Ludmila  Tzelikovskaya  Sept.  I  1/42 
Betty  Grable-John  Payne  Nov.  6/42 

Richard  Travis-Catherine  Craig  July  9/43 

Eric  Portman-Beatrice  Varley  Block  6 

Stage  and  Screen  Stars  Not  Set 

John  Beal-Florence  Rice  Oct.  29/42 

Charles  Laughton-Robert  Taylor  Dec.-Feb.,'43 
Betty  Hutton-Eddie  Bracken-Victor  Moore  Special 
Bill  Robinson-Lena  Home  Not  Set 

Johnny  Mack  Brown  June  25/43 

Frank  Morgan-Jean  Rogers  Apr.-May,'43 
Burgess  Meredith-Claire  Trevor  Block  2 

Leon  Errol-Mary  Healy  Nov.  20/42 

Richard  Arlen-Wendy  Barrie  Block  6 

John  Litel-Alan  Baxter  June  25/43 

Don  Barry-Linda  Johnson  Dec.  28/42 

Betty  Grable-Robert  Young  Not  Set 

Ann  Sothern-James  Craig  Not  Set 

Lulubelle  and  Scotty-Vera  Vague  May  20/43 


Running 
Time 

57m 
56m 
43  m 
75m 

55m 
70m 
66m 
59m 
94m 
67m 
69m 
87m 
62  m 
98m 
108m 
57m 
65m 
66m 
65m 
68  m 
71m 
62  m 
62m 
86m 
80m 
88m 
76m 


94m 
66m 
89m 
56m 
90m 
107m 
83m 


69m 
76m 
71m 
73m 
90m 

74m 
91m 
60m 
1 00m 
132m 
64m 
109m 
1 00m 
77m 

67m 
74m 
60m 


M.  P. 
Herald 
Issue 

May  8/43 
Apr.  24/43 
Dec.  19/42 
Mar.  27/43 

May  15/43 
May  15/43 
Oct.  17/42 
Aug.  22/42 
Sept.  26/42 
Sept.  19/42 
Feb.  13/43 
Oct.  17/42 
Nov.  14/42 
Aug.  15/42 
Jan.  9/43 
Jan.  2/43 
Apr.  24/43 


Product 
Digest 


Advance 
Synopsis 


Service 
Data 


Sept. 
Jan. 
Apr. 
Feb. 
Dec. 
Feb. 
Nov. 
Mar. 
Jan. 


12/42 
2/43 
3/43 
20/43 
19/42 
6/43 
14/42 
20/43 
16/42 


73m       Oct.  3/42 


Mar.  6/43 
Oct.  17/42 

Sept.  19/42 
Oct.  3/42 
Feb.  13/43 

Aug.  8/42 
Feb.  20/43 


May  29/43 
May  8/43 
Dec.  16/39 
Oct.  31/42 
Apr.  17/43 


Sept. 
Sept. 
June 
Nov. 

May 
Mar. 

Dec. 

Jan. 

May 


19/42 
26/42 

5/43 
28/42 
15/43 

6/43 
12/42 

3/43 
29/43 


Feb.  13/43 
Oct.  3/42 
July  4/42 


55m       Jan.  16/43 


87m 
72m 


May  8/43 
May  8/43 


cage 

P  age 

Page 

1302 

1240 

1275 

1065 

M74 

1226 

1091 

1057 

1314 

1276 

1314 

1277 

959 

912.  . 

914 

922 

910 

1 159 

1009 

958 

872 

1280 

1006 

962 

902 

1 174 

1 1 14 

936 

1280 

1090 

1273 

i  191 

1 192 

897 

1090 

1237 

983 

1 169 

1066 

1033 

1  146 

1005 

936 

1214 

1  113 

1341 

1351 

934 

898 

1 162 

1  189 

1057 

1280 

959 

797 

910 

935 

796 

1 157 

1043 

1341 

902 

726 

984 

1 169 

1305 

1 104 

1241 

1337 

1303 

1 158 

982 

796 

1082 

1275 

1351 

910 

921 

855 

1  174 

1349 

1277 

1030 

1313 

1 1 15 

1 189 

797 

1053 

871 

1341 

1  102 

855 

1280 

1337 

1 192 

1277 

1158 

1079 

933 

871 

1082 

914 

772 

1305 

i  1 13 

1305 

1302 

1  191 

1302 

1276 

TAHITI  Honey 

Rep. 

216 

Simone  Simon-Dennis  O'Keefe 

Apr.  6/43 

69m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

1 191 

Tales  of  Manhattan 

20th-Fox 

313 

C.  Boyer-R.  Hayworth-G.  Rogers 

Oct.  30/42 

1  18m 

Aug.  8/42 

927 

706 

1130 

Tanan  Triumphs 

RKO 

319 

Johnny  Weissmuller-Frances  Gifford 

Feb.  19/43 

77m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 125 

983 

1 174 

Taxi  Mister 

UA-Roach 

William  Bendix-Grace  Bradley 

Apr.  16/43 

46m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

986 

Tennessee  Johnson 

MGM 

322 

Van  Heflin-Ruth  Hussey 

Dec.-Feb.,'43 

100m 

Dec.  19/42 

1065 

946 

1280 

Tenting  Tonight  on  the 

Old  Camp  Ground 

Univ. 

7074 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Feb.  5/43 

61m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

1018 

Terror  House 

PRC 

322 

Wilfred  Lawson-James  Mason 

Apr.  19/43 

62m 

May  22/43 

1326 

1276 

Texas  to  Bataan 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Oct.  16/42 

56m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

Thank  Your  Lucky  Stars 

WB 

All  Warner  Contract  Players 

Not  Set 

1058 

That  Nazty  Nuisance 

UA-Roach 

William  Tracy-Joe  Sawyer 

Not  Set 

1019 

That  Other  Woman 

20th-Fox 

318 

Virginia  Gilmore-James  Ellison 

Nov.  13/42 

75  m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

936 

Theatre  Royal  (British) 

Nat'l-Anglo 

Bud  Flanagan-Chesney  Allen 

Not  Set 

100m 

June  5/43 

1350 

TheyCametoBlowUpAmerica  20th-Fox 

339 

George  Sanders-Anna  Sten 

May  7/43 

73  m 

Apr.  24/43 

1273 

1 162 

They  Got  Me  Covered 

RKO 

352 

Bob  Hope-Dorothy  Lamour 

Feb.  5/43 

96m 

Jan.  2/43 

1 102 

872 

1341 

This  Is  the  Army 

WB 

Joan  Leslie-George  Murphy-Stage  Cast       Not  Set 

1276 

This  Land  Is  Mine 

RKO 

323 

Charles  Laughton-Maureen  O'Hara 

Block  5 

103  m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

1 162 

1341 

Those  Kids  from  Town  (British)  Anglo 

Percy  Marmont-Marie  O'Neill 

Not  Set 

75m 

May  2/42 

633 

Three  Hearts  for  Julia 

MGM 

321 

Ann  Sothern-Melvyn  Douglas 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

90m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

1009 

Thumbs  Up 

Rep. 

Brenda  Joyce-Richard  Fraser 

June  24/43 

1351 

Product  Digest  Section    |  359 


MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  June    5,  1943 


REVIEWED  — n 


ivi.  r. 

±T(JUUC  t 

Advance 

Service 

Prod, 

Release 

txunmng 

nerata 

Digest 

Synopsis 

JJata 

Title 

Company 

Number 

oiars 

Ltaie 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

rage 

Thunder  Birds  (color) 

20th-Fox 

307 

John  Sutton-Gene  Tierney 

Nov.  20/42 

78m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

796 

1130 

Thunder  Rock  (British)  Charter-Metro 

Michael  Redgrave-Barbara  Mullen 

Not  Set 

1  1  Im 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

Thundering  Trails 

Rep. 

263 

Three  Mesquiteers 

Jan.25,'43 

56m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 159 

1 1 15 

Time  to  Kill 

20th-Fox 

326 

Lloyd  Nolan-Heather  Angel 

Jan.  22,'43 

61m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

995 

Tish 

MGM 

302 

Marjorie  Main-Lee  Bowman 

Sept.-Nov./42 

83m 

July  25/42 

938 

772 

1034 

Tomorrow  We  Live 

PRC 

307 

Jean  Parker-Ricardo  Cortez 

Sept.  29,'42 

64m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

Tonight  We  Raid  Calais 

20th-Fox 

337 

Annabella-John  Sutton 

Apr.  30,'43 

70m 

Apr.  3/43 

1239 

1 192 

Tornado  in  the  Saddle 

Col. 

4210 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Dec.  15/42 

59m 

1058 

Trail  Riders 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Dec.  4,'42 

55m 

June  5/43 

i  350 

1018 

Traitor  Within,  The 

Rep. 

207 

Don  Barry-Jean  Parker 

Dec.  16/42 

62m 

Dec.  5/42 

1043 

983 

1 174 

Triumph  Over  Pain 

Para. 

Joel  McCrea-Betty  Field 

Not  Set 

912 

(formerly  Great  Without  Glory) 

Truck  Busters 

WB 

213 

Richard  Travis-Ruth  Ford 

Feb.  6.'43 

58m 

Jan.  23/43 

1  126 

True  to  Life  (color) 

Para. 

Mary  Martin-Franchot  Tone 

Not  Set 

1079 



Two  Fisted  Justice 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Jan.  8/43 

61m 

Jan.  23/43 

1127 

1031 

Two  Senoritas  from  Chicago 

Col. 

Jinx  Falkenburg-Joan  Davis 

June  10/43 

68m 

June  5/43 

1349 

1305 

Two  Tickets  to  London 

Univ. 

Michele  Morgan-Alan  Curtis 

June  18/43 

1339 

Two  Weeks  to  Live 

RKO 

317 

Lum  V  Abner 

Feb.  26/43 

75  m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

UNDERCOVER  Man 

UA 

William  Boyd-Andy  Clyde 

Oct.  23/42 

68m 

May  9/42 

647 

Underground  Agent 

Col. 

4039 

Bruce  Bennett-Leslie  Brooks 

Dec.  3/42 

68m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 148 

1009 

Undying  Monster,  The 

20th-Fox 

319 

James  Ellison-Heather  Angel 

Nov.  27/42 

60m 

Oct.  17/42 

970 

936 

1082 

Unpublished  Story  (British) 

Col. 

Richard  Greene-Miles  Malleson 

Not  Set 

91m 

Apr.  1 1  ,"42 

598 

VALLEY  of  Hunted  Men 

Rep. 

262 

Three  Mesquiteers 

Nov.  13/42 

60m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 190 

1031 

Varsity  Show  (Reissue) 

WB 

215 

Dick  Powell-Fred  Waring 

Dec.  19/42 

81m 

Aug.  21/37 

1043 

Vengeance  of  the  West 

Col. 

3216 

Bill  Elliott-Tex  Ritter 

Sept.  3/42 

60m 

.... 

Virgin  of  Guadalupe  (Mex.] 

Maya 

Jose  Luis  Jiminez 

May  14/43 

95m 

May  22/43 

1325 

WAKE  Island 

Para. 

4205 

Brian  Donlevy-Robert  Preston 

Block  I 

87m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

772 

1 130 

War  Against  Mrs.  Hadley,  The  MGM 

306 

Fay  Bainter-Edward  Arnold 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

86m 

Aug.  8/42 

902 

797 

1174 

War  Dogs 

Mono. 

Billy  Lee-Addison  Richards 

Nov.  13/42 

63m 

Oct.  10/42 

946 

Watch  on  the  Rhine 

WB 

Bette  Davis-Paul  Lucas 

Not  Set 

986 

We  Are  the  Marines 

20th-Fox 

324 

Marine  Feature 

Jan.  8/43 

70m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

.... 

We  Dive  at  Dawn  (British) 

Gains. 

John  Mills-Eric  Portman 

Not  Set 

98m 

May  22/43 

.... 

.... 

.... 

We'll  Smile  Again  (Brit.)  Nat'l-Anglo 

Bud  Flanagan-Chesney  Allen 

Not  Set 

93m 

Oct.  3 1/42 

982 

.... 

Went  the  Day  Well?  (British) 

Ealing-UA 

Leslie  Banks-Basil  Sydney 

Not  Set 

92m 

Nov.  14/42 

1006 

West  of  the  Law 

Mono. 

Buck  Jones-Tim  McCoy 

Nov.  2/42 

55m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

West  of  Texas 

PRC 

353 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill 

May  10/43 

54m 

May  15/43 

1314 

1277 

.... 

West  Side  Kid 

Rep. 

Donald  Barry-Dale  Evans 

June  30/43 

1351 

We've  Never  Been  Licked 

Univ. 

Richard  Ou'ne"Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

Not  Set 

1 1 15 

What's  Buzzin',  Cousin? 

Col. 

Ann  Miller-John  Hubbard 

Not  Set 

1351 

When  Johnny  Comes  March 

ing  Home 

Univ. 

7016 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Jan.  1/43 

74m 

Dec.  26/42 

1090 

1341 

Whistling  in  Dixie 

MGM 

313 

Red  Skelton-Ann  Rutherford 

Dec.-Feb./43 

74m 

Oct.  3 1  ,'42 

981 

946 

1 174 

White  Cargo 

MGM 

310 

Hedy  Lamarr-Walter  Pidgeon 

Sept.-Nov./42 

89m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

871 

1341 

White  Savage  (color) 

U  niv. 

7004 

Maria  Montez-Jon  Hall-Sabu 

Apr.  23/43 

76m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

1079 

Who  Done  It? 

Univ. 

7002 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Nov.  6/42 

75m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

971 

1082 

Wildcat 

Para. 

4204 

Richard  Arlen-Arline  Judge 

Block  1 

73  m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

Wild  Horse  Stampede 

Mono. 

Ken  Maynard-Hoot  Gibson 

Apr.  16/43 

59m 

May  1/43 

1290 

i276 

Wings  and  the  Woman  (British)  RKO 

303 

Anna  Neagle-R.  Newton 

Sept.  18/42 

94m 

May  2/42 

903 

1082 

(formerly  They  Flew  Alone) 

Wings  Over  the  Pacific 

Mono. 

Inez  Cooper-Edward  Norris 

June  25/43 

1276 



World  at  War 

WAC 

Documentary 

Sept.  18/42 

66m 

Sept.  5/42 

890 

Wrecking  Crew 

Para. 

4212 

Richard  Arlen-Chester  Morris 

Block  3 

73m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

986 

Wyoming  Hurricane 

Col. 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Not  Set 

1079 

X  MARKS  the  Spot 

Rep. 

204 

Damian  O'Flynn-Helen  Parrish 

Nov.  4/42 

56m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

986 

YANK  at  Eton,  A 

MGM 

305 

Mickey  Rooney-Edmund  Gwenn 

Sept.-Nov./42 

87m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

726 

!  130 

Yankee  Doodle  Dandy 

WB 

201 

James  Cagney-Joan  Leslie 

Jan.  2/43 

126m 

June  6/42 

903 

674 

1082 

Yanks  Ahoy 

UA-Roach 

Joe  Sawyer-William  Tracy 

Not  Set 

47m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1019 

Yanks  Are  Coming,  The 

PRC 

301 

Maxie  Rosenbloom-Mary  Healy 

Nov.  9/42 

65  m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

1130 

You  Can't  Beat  the  Law 

Mono. 

Edward  Norris-Joan  Woodbury 

Feb.  12/43 

61m 

Jan.  30/43 

1137 

1081 

You  Can't  Escape  Forever 

WB 

207 

George  Brent-Brenda  Marshall 

Oct.  10/42 

77m 

Sept.  26/42 

921 

898 

1034 

You  Love  Me,  1  Love  You  (It.)  Hoffberg 

Alida  Valh-Amedeo  Nazzari 

Apr.  3/43 

95m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

You  Were  Never  Lovelier 

Col. 

4002 

Fred  Astaire-Rita  Hayworth 

Nov.  19/42 

97m 

Oct.  10/42 

945 

796 

i  i  74 

Young  and  Willing 

UA 

William  Holden-Susan  Hayworth 

Feb.  5/43 

82m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 170 

663 

Youngest  Profession,  The 

MGM 

Virginia  Weidler-E.  Arnold  &  Guests 

June-Aug.,'43 

81m 

Mar.  6/43 

1  189 

1081 

1341 

Young  Mr.  Pitt  (British) 

20th-Fox 

316 

Robert  Morley-Robert  Donat 

Feb.  26/43 

103m 

July  4/42 

914 

Youth  on  Parade 

Rep. 

203 

John  Hubbard-Martha  O'Driscoll 

Oct.  24/42 

75m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

Feature  Product  including  Coming  Attractions,  listed  Company  by  Company, 
in  Order  of  Release  on  Page  1352. 


I  360   Product  Digest  Section 


PRESS  SERVICES 


PICTURE  SYNDICATES 


FEATURE  SYNDICATES 


COLUMNISTS 


FAN  PUBLICATIONS 


<:;!&:  a  TH  >CS 


MAGAZINE  PUBLISHERS 


The  'Press 


turns  to  MOTION  PICTURE  ALMANAC  as  its 
authority  for  information  on  the  motion  picture 
business.  Many  of  the  principal  syndicates,  lead- 
ing magazines  and  outstanding  columnists  are  paid 
subscribers  to  MOTION  PICTURE  ALMANAC. 
These  subscribers  influence  millions 

Here  is  a  list  of  some  of  them : 

ASSOCIATED  PRESS,  UNITED  PRESS,  REUTER'S,  INTERNATIONAL 
NEWS  SERVICE,  KING  FEATURES  SYNDICATE,  ACME  NEWS  PICTURES, 
CURTIS  PUBLISHING  COMPANY,  NEW  YORK  TIMES,  CHICAGO 
DAILY  NEWS,  THE  NEW  YORKER,  HEDDA  HOPPER,  LOS  ANGELES 
EXAMINER,  CHICAGO  HERALD-AMERICAN,  BALTIMORE  SUN, 
NEWARK  SUNDAY  CALL,  HARRISBURG  TELEGRAPH,  DALLAS  NEWS, 
RICHMOND  NEWS-LEADER,  PARENTS  MAGAZINE,  PHOTOPLAY- 
MOVIE  MIRROR,  SCREEN  GUIDE,  SCREENLAND,  SILVER  SCREEN, 
CINCINNATI  ENQUIRER,  CUE,  FAWCETT  PUBLICATIONS,  LOUELLA 
PARSONS,  LOOK,  CLEVELAND  NEWS,  LOS  ANGELES  TIMES. 
AMERICAN  STATESMAN,  VANCOUVER  SUN,  FRESNO  BEE,  HAROLD 
HEFFERNAN,  TRIANGLE  PUBLICATIONS,  PM,  ROCHESTER  TIMES- 
UNION,  MOVIE-RADIO  GUIDE,  BOSTON  HERALD,  WASHINGTON 
POST,  FREDERIC  J.  HASKIN,  CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  MONITOR,  CIN- 
CINNATI POST,  DENVER  POST,  PHILADELPHIA  EVENING  BULLETIN, 
INDIANAPOLIS  TIMES,  CONDE  NAST  PUBLICATIONS,  NEW  YORK 
DAILY    NEWS,    NEWSWEEK,    NEW    YORK  WORLD-TELEGRAM. 


ORDER  THE  NEW  1943-44  MOTION  PICTURE  ALMANAC 
TODAY.     -     $3.25  Postpaid  in  U.  S.  A.     -     $5  Elsewhere 


QUICLEY  PUBLICATIONS 


ROCKEFELLER    CENTER,    NEW  YORK 


THE  MORE  THE  MERRIER 


II 


IS  TOPPING  THE  RECORD 


ESOF 


It 


SISTER 


EILEEN'  AND  "COMMANDOS 


If 


STRIKE  AT 


JEAN  JOEL  CHARLES 

ARTHUR  •  McCREA  •  COBURN 

-  GEORGE  STEVENS' 

"The  More  The  Merrier 

Screen  Play  by  Robert  Russell  and  Frank  Ross;  Richard  Flournoy  and 
Lewis  R.  Foster  •   Story  by  Robert  Russell  and  Frank  Ross  6  . 

Directed  by  GEORGE  STEVENS  •  A  COLUMBIA  PICTURE 


BOOK  *Pft«H 


REVIEWS 

(In  Product  Digest) 

Background  to  Danger 

Hitler's  Hangmen 

Crime  Doctor 

That  Natty  Nuisance 

Billy  the  Kid  in 

Western  Cyclone 

LATE  REVIEWS 

(In  News  Section) 

The  Kansan 

Ghost*  on  the  Loose 


95  Features  from  11  Companies 

To  fill  Summer  Programs; 

1 942 » 43  Promises  and  Deliveries 


VOL  151,  NO.  II 


Entered  as  second-class  matter,  January  12,  193!,  at  ttke  P 
weekly  by  Quigley  Publishing  Co.,  lne„  at  1270  Sixth  A 
Americas,  $10.00  a  year  Foreign.    Singh  copy,  25  efttts, 


Blocks  of  One  to  Twelve  Majors 
Sales  Plan  Now,  but  Consent 
Decree  remains  an  4If9 

British  and  Soviets  race  U*  S* 


For  Present  and 


War 


Markets  in  Middle  East 


JUNE  12,  1943 

U.  S,  A,,  under  the  act  of  March  $,  1879.  Published 
'etv  York,    Subscription  prices;  $5.00  a  year  in  the 
by  QuigSey  Publishing  Company, 


p<*> 


Co* 


Co<* 


G* 


 "«  aatrioe  „7  Bi^  \ 

..Bataan  SergeatJ^ : 

\  Robert  y  Screen  pi- 


V 


Hdrrigan.    Kid"  ,  ,  , 
Bobby  Readick  P 
graven,  WiH,„„  Vf ranl{ 

P,aV  by  Alan    p  •  ireen 

Captation  by  u ,  ey 

I  Charles  F  R;  Uirected  by 
du«dby,r?nS"-  '  Pro! 


I' 


f"pU  BAWtr 
WAS  A 

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$  w%f; 


>  a"d 


"Hitler's  Hangman"  star 
ring  Patricia  Mori  son,  Johr 
Carradine,  Alan  Curtis 
Ralph  Morgan,  Ludwig 
Stossel  •  Screen  Play  by 
Perett  Hirshbein,  Melvin 
Levy,  Doris  Malloy  ♦  Di- 
rected by  Douglas  Sirk 
Produced  by  Seymour 
Nebenzal  •  An  M'G-I  ' 
Picture 


/  fir  *av^«  ^ . 

/  STaW»r,  V^f,e°n.  Rot00' 
/  rv    "oofc  k   ~ased  r  /     d  J 

-7 — !!^^tur;n>an ' 


"Pilot  #5"  starring 
Francliot  Tone,  Marsha 
Hunt,  Gene  Kelly  with 
Van  Johnson,  Alan  Baxter, 
Dick  Simmons  •  Original 
Story  and  Screen  Play  by 
David  Hertz  *  Directed  bv 
George  Sidney  •  Produced 
by  B.  P.  Fineman  *  An 
M-G-M  Picture 


SEV8J) 


»  » 


power 
nous* 


"Prelude  to  War" 
On  Every  Screen! 


Ts&e  9  half -a- to i ft ute 
jp  ibwk  about *t ! 

%'<nkofall-tti€ 
attractions  9^ stfaso/;  

« there  tori,  onvas 

iiiwe  eve?  6  cot* patty 
ip  match  -die 
record 


Jack  L.Warner,  Executive  Producer 


1ST  DATE  PROVES  IT!  THIRD  WEEK  EQUALS  10-YEAR  N.  Y.  STRAND  RECORD! 
NEW  DATES  DOUBLE-PROVE  IT!  2ND  CAPACITY  WEEK  AT  GIANT  PHILLY  MASTBAUM 
AND  LOS  ANGELES,  NEWARK,  FRESNO!  MAKE  WAY  AND  MAKE  NOISE  'CAUSE  IT'S 
THE  MraW^L/  KIND  OF  SMASH! 


THE  FIGURES  ^ 
SPEAK  FOR  I 
THEMSELVES!  / 
SEE  PAGES  I 
37-40,428.43  ) 


Have  You  Booked  "PRELUDE  TO  WAR:'? 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD 


COLVIN  BROWN,  Publisher 

MARTIN  QU1GLEY 
President  and  Editor-in-Chief 

TERRY  RAMSAYE,  Editor 

Vol.  151,  No.  II 

OP 

June  12,  1943 

RECOGNITIONS 

THE  advance  of  film  delivery  service  to  an  A-3  rating  for 
preferential  supply  of  gasoline,  by  the  Office  of  Defense 
Transportation,  has  a  ring  of  recognition  from  Washing- 
ton that  will  be  decidedly  satisfactory  to  the  motion  picture 
industry. 

The  screen  theatres'  service  is  thus  set  next  in  line  after 
deliveries  of  supplies  to  hospitals  and  movement  of  food. 

It  is  pleasant  that  official  Washington,  which  has  for  so  long 
been  so  much  concerned  with  devices  and  arrangements  to  do 
things  to  the  motion  picture  should  also  move  to  do  something 
for  the  motion  picture.  This  is,  of  course,  the  people's  art  and 
entertainment.  Calculations  based  on  federal  amusement  tax 
reports  have  recently  indicated  an  attendance  of  more  than 
a  hundred  million  a  week. 

Another  encouragement  comes  in  a  dispatch  to  Motion  Pic- 
ture Daily  from  Hollywood  indicating  that  Jack  Holt,  now  a 
captain,  is  about  to  be  given  a  furlough  to  permit  him  to 
appear  in  "Ground  Crew",  a  Monogram  Pictures  Corporation 
production.  This  would  be  a  precedent  in  America,  but  in  line 
with  established  policy  in  Great  Britain. 

Also,  speaking  of  recognition,  at  mid-week  came  the  tidings 
that  conspicuous  leadership  in  the  Tunisian  campaign  by 
Colonel  Edward  Peck  Curtis,  known  to  our  industry  as  "Ted" 
and  able  representative  of  the  Eastman  Kodak  Company,  has 
won  for  him  nomination  by  President  Roosevelt  for  promotion 
to  the  rank  of  brigadier  general.  This  comes  atop  of  decora- 
tion for  valiancy  in  the  First  World  War.  Here  are  new  high 
honors  to  a  gallant  personality  of  the  picture  industry,  won  in 
the  desperate  reality  of  battle. 

AAA 

U.S.  WAR  FILM 

NO  considerable  surprise  is  to  be  occasioned  here  by 
intelligences  from  London  indicating  that  there  is  "a 
lack  of  collaboration  between  the  United  States  Army 
motion  picture  service,  on  the  one  hand,  and  on  the  other  the 
newsreels  and  Government"  of  Britain.  In  a  dispatch  this  week 
Mr.  Aubrey  Flanagan  of  The  Herald's  London  Bureau  spe- 
cifically reports  that  no  footage  on  the  American  phase  of 
the  Tunisian  campaign  has  been  received  there  for  inclusion  in 
"Tunisian  Victory"  in  preparation  as  a  sequel  to  "Desert 
Victory". 

M  anwhile,  in  Washington  an  inquiry  by  Mr.  Francis  L.  Burt, 
The  Herald's  correspondent,  drew  from  the  War  Department 
expressions  of  surprise  and  the  statement  that  "so  far  as  could 
be  ascertained,  no  requests  for  action  pictures  had  been 
received.  ...  It  was  said  no  decision  has  yet  been  reached 
as  to  how  our  Army  films  of  that  campaign  are  to  be 
utilized.  ..." 

Apparently,  there  is  no  hurry  about  it  all.  Commonly,  our 
official  releases  are  well  ripened  first. 

The  making,  processing,  editing  and  distribution  of  motion 
pictures  of  topical  import  and  news  content  is  a  specialized 
branch  of  the  art  and  a  form  of  screen  publication.  The  Gov- 


ernment has  called  to  its  service  many  experienced  in  the  studio 
art  of  the  cinema  and  skilled  in  recreating  events  for  the 
camera.  The  Government  has  also  an  abundance  of  docu- 
mentarians  and  assorted  amateurs  experienced  chiefly  in  the 
pursuit  of  ideologies  with  the  camera.  But  one  does  not  dis- 
cover on  the  official  rosters  in  positions  of  authority  persons 
of  experience  in  newsreel  operation,  the  only  field  of  expe- 
rience in  any  way  kindred  to  the  requirements  of  war  coverage 
and  war  reporting. 

AAA 

GIVEAWAYS  FADE 

WAR  has  sharply  reduced  the  use  of  premium  offers 
in  merchandising  in  all  directions.  An  annual  com- 
pilation by  Printers'  Ink,  advertising  trade  journal, 
finds  that  the  list  as  of  May  I,  1942,  showed  for  the  year 
324  premium  offers,  while  this  year's  May  1st  found  only  190. 

There  is  not  only  a  marked  reduction  in  the  number  of  pre- 
mium campaigns  and  offers,  but  also  a  decided  change  in  the 
nature  of  the  goods.  Rubber  and  metal  gadgets  have  all  but 
vanished.  Premiums  are  now  being  made  of  paper,  glass  and 
fabrics,  and  there  are  many  offers  of  seeds  and  bulbs. 

The  premium  list  of  this  May  has  but  slight  relevancy  to  our 
art  of  the  cinema.  Dari-Rich  chocolate  flavored  milk  offers  to 
send,  for  a  bottle  cap  and  10  cents,  a  "Recording  of  Scene 
from  'Reap  the  Wild  Wind'."  Also  there's  the  Haband  Com- 
pany, a  neckwear  concern,  which  promises  a  copy  of  "The 
G-String  Murders"  with  each  purchase  of  seven  ties. 

This  reminds  one  that  it  has  been  a  long  time  now  since 
there  has  been  a  joke  in  the  magazines  about  the  theatres  that 
sell  dishes  and  give  away  movies.  The  traffic  in  premiums  for 
theatres  has  practically  vanished.  First,  priorities  inhibit  their 
manufacture;  second,  the  business  seems  not  to  require  that 
stimulation  these  days. 

AAA 

m  INCIDENTAL  TIDINGS  — Alan  Ladd,  whose  extraordinary 
rise  to  fame  has  been  much  recorded  in  these  pages,  is  now 
proclaimed  by  Paramount  Picture  Corporation  to  be  the  fan 
mail  champion  of  all  time.  Since  "China"  hit,  Mr.  Ladd's  mail 
runs  at  from  a  thousand  to  thirteen  hundred  letters  a  day. 
The  late  Mr.  Valentino's  high  score  was  thirty-two  thousand 
a  month.  :  :  :  :  :  :  The  twenty-fifth  anniversary  of  the 
founding  of  the  U.  S.  airmail  service  passed  the  other  day 
(May  15,  1918).  Lt.  Torrey  H.  Webb,  U.S.  Army,  took  off 
from  Belmont  Park  and  reached  Philadelphia  in  an  hour.  For 
some  years  the  ever  impatient  newsreels,  demanding  speed  in 
the  movement  of  negatives,  were  the  heaviest  users  of  the 
airmail.  :  :  :  :  :  :  The  Progressive  Grocer,  trade  jour- 
nal, estimates  that  45,000  neighborhood  food  stores  have  been 
closed  by  rationing  and  other  war  factors.  It  is  said  that 
558,000  stores  remain  in  various  states  of  operation.  :  :  :  :  :  : 
The  drugstore  counters  are  selling  a  lot  more  games  for  adults. 
In  one  month  this  year  the  Government  has  sold  4,568,000 
revenue  stamps  for  playing  cards,  as  compared  with  2,900,000 
in  the  same  month  last  year.  There's  no  indication  of  an  upturn 
in  solitaire,  and  every  bridge  game  means  at  least  four  cus- 
tomers staying  home  from  the  theatre.  The  playing  card  is  the 
foe  of  the  box  office.  — Terry  Ramsaye 


8 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June     12,  1943 


THIS  WEEK  IN  THE  NEWS 


COMPANIES  offer  95  films  for  summer     ARMY   plans   to   supply   more   films  for 
release  Page  14        American  soldiers  Page  30 


ON  THE  MARCH  —  Red  K 

ann  hears  from 

REISMAN  forecasts  boom  in 

Latin  Amer- 

an  exhibitor 

Page  16 

ican  film  business 

Page  34 

MAJORS  to  sell  in  blocks, 

with  Consent 

"TED"  CURTIS,  hero  of  Tunisian  campaign, 

Decree  a  big  "if" 

Page  17 

wins  promotion 

Page  36 

BRITISH,  Russians  race  U. 

S.  for  Middle 

DEMANDS  of  British  labor  unions  threaten 

Eastern  market 

Page  27 

production 

Page  45 

ENGLISH  charge  that  the 

United  States 

ENTERTAINMENT  industry  pi 

ans  new  war 

delays  war  pictures 

Page  28 

effort  aid 

Page  48 

SERVICE  DEPARTMEN 

TS 

Hollywood  Scene 

Page  33 

Managers'  Round  Table 

Page  61 

In  British  Studios 

Page  44 

Obituaries 

Page  68 

In  the  Newsreels 

Page  49 

Picture  Grosses 

Page  60 

Late  Reviews 

Page  29 

Shorts  on  Broadway 

Page  58 

Letters  from  Readers 

Page  52 

What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me 

Page  54 

In  Product  Digest  Section 

Short  Subjects  Chart 

Page  1363 

Showmen's  Reviews 

Page  -1361 

Short  Subjects 

Page  1365 

Advance  Synopses 

Page  1362 

The  Release  Chart 

Page  1366 

Post-war  War 

London  Bureau 

WHO  is  to  get  what  Government  aid  in 
British  plans  for  the  development  of  the 
post-war  foreign  film  trade  appeared  to  be 
causing  some  sharp  rivalry,  and  not  a  little 
bitterness,  this  week  in  London  production 
circles. 

There  was  much  discussion  of  the  plans 
to  capture  foreign  markets  in  the  wake  of 
victorious  armies  last  week  at  a  meeting  of 
the  British  Film  Producers  Association.  It 
was  reported  that  the  Pinewood  studio,  of- 
fices and  theatre  space  had  been  allocated 
for  the  project  and  that  a  preliminary  list 
of  films  was  ready  to  receive  sub-titles  for 
European  exhibition.  The  Ministry  of  In- 
formation was  said  to  have  approached  other 
United  Nations'  representatives  for  their 
cooperation  in  the  film  plans. 

Heated  discussion  developed  between  Mi- 
chael Balcon  and  Sir  Alexander  Korda  and 
other  groups  when  Mr.  Balcon  proposed 
that  the  studio  space  be  allotted  with  prefer- 
ence to  producers  who  have  been  working 
in  Britain  throughout  the  war  years.  The 
association  agreed  that  control  of  physical 
matters  in  the  program  was  not  in  its  prov- 
ince. 

Producers  at  the  meeting  agreed  to  con- 
centrate on  the  European  market.  They 
want  to  be  close  on  the  heels  of  invading 
armies.  Projects  for  Latin  America,  and 
elsewhere,  will  be  considered  later.  The 
members  of  the  association  also  pledged  to 
carry  on  together  after  the  war  when  pre- 
sumably the  MOI  and  other  official  spon- 
sors will  no  longer  be  active. 

Later  in  the  week  the  Association  of  Cine 
Technicians  met  with  Hugh  Dalton,  presi- 
dent of  the  Board  of  Trade  reportedly  to 
seek  the  release  to  other  producers  of  scarce 
studio  stages  controlled  by  J.  Arthur  Rank. 
They  asked,  it  was  reported,  Government 
allocation  of  the  studios  to  other  producers, 
to  keep  them  occupied  with  films  for  the 
post-war  market. 

Mr.  Rank  and  Filippo  Del  Giudice,  gen- 
eral manager  of  Two  Cities  Films,  con- 
ferred with  Mr.  Dalton  earlier  to  discuss 
utilization  of  their  studios,  as  well  as  their 
plans  for  a  reciprocal  production  agreement 
with  American  producers;,  it  was  indicated. 


Time  Out 

TIME  in  its  stepped-up  flight,  which  has 
had  Hollywood  writers  revising  scripts  a 
scant  jump  ahead  of  the  cameras  turning  on 
topical  pictures,  brought  a  temporary  halt  to 
production  of  two  pictures  last  week. 

Shooting  on  MGM's  "Russia"  was 
stopped  several  days  ago  so  that  writers 
could  devise  an  ending  somewhat  more  in 
consonance  with  the  state  of  affairs  in  the 
world  of  nations  than  the  one  written  four 
months  before.  Shooting  was  resumed  on 
Monday. 

Shooting   on   Warners'    "Animal  King- 


dom" was  suspended  so  that  writers  could 
revise  the  script  to  bring  it  into  consonance 
with  changes  in  the  state  of  affairs  in  the 
world  of  men  and  women  since  the  story 
was  filmed  the  first  time  in  1932.  This 
coping  with  the  clock  is  expected  to  con- 
sume a  longer  time,  enough  longer  so  that 
the  studio  has  assigned  four  of  the  princi- 
pals to  another  picture — "Shine  On,  Harvest 
Moon" — for  interim  production. 
"Time  and  tide.  .  .  ." 


Zeta  Phi  Eta 

FOR  speaking  with  "unusually  beautiful 
voice  and  diction"  over  the  radio,  Made- 
leine Carroll,  screen  star  from  Britain  and 
Hollywood,  has  won  honorary  membership 
in  Zeta  Phi  Eta,  national  professional  speech 
arts  fraternity,  the  Columbia  Broadcasting 
System's  publicity  department  informed  the 
world  on  Wednesday. 

For  15  minutes  a  day  she  reads  novels 
over  the  network,  bringing  "vibrant  warmth 
and  life  to  the  words  set  down  in  cold 
type,"  according  to  the  breathless  CBS  an- 
nouncement. For  the  duration  Miss  Car- 
roll has  foresaken  films  to  devote  her  time 
to  the  United  Seamen's  Service. 

The  sudden  press  attention  to  voice  and 
diction  recalled  the  days  of  the  early  talkies 
when  every  actor  and  actress  carried  to 
Hollywood  a  sheaf  of  diplomas  from  voice 
schools,  range  and  timbre  tests,  and  "scien- 
tific" analyses  of  their  vocal  cords  to  im- 
press producers. 


Penrod  to  the  Rescue 

EXHIBITORS  and  distributors  are  pooling 
their  weapons  against  juvenile  delinquency, 
which  in  many  instances  has  been  manifest- 
ed in  vandalism,  affecting  some  theatres 
seriously. 

Warners  has  promised  to  make  a  two-reel 
short  subject,  from  a  Booth  Tarkington 
story,  and  titled,  "Penrod's  Junior  Army," 
according  to  Benjamin  Kalmenson,  its  sales 
manager.  The  picture  will  depict  methods 
by  which  adolescents  may  aid  the  war. 

The  Warner  project  is  a  reply  to  exhibi- 
tor approaches  through  the  National  Allied 
States  Association  Committee  on  Juvenile 
Delinquency.  The  committee,  writing  to 
distributor  sales  chiefs,  warned  that  increas- 
ing theatre  vandalism  might  lead  reform 
groups  to  blame  the  film  industry. 


Super-Horror 

UNIVERSAL,  master  mixer  of  witches' 
brews,  is  preparing  a  super-super  "monster 
scarem"  (their  words)  for  a  public  which 
has  shivered  at  "Dracula,"  "The  Wolf 
Man,"  "Frankenstein  and  His  Monster," 
"The  Invisible  Man"  and  "The  Mummy." 
It  will  produce  "The  Chamber  of  Horrors," 
combining  the  best  features  of  those  films. 
In  it  will  be  Bela  Lugosi,  Boris  Karloff, 
Lon  Chaney,  Jr.,  Peter  Lorre,  Claude  Rains, 
George  Zucco,  Henry  Hull,  James  Barton 
and  Lionel  Atwill.  Mixing  the  brew  is 
writer  Curt  Siodmak. 


June    12,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


9 


■ 


For  the  Army 

THE  motion  picture  industry  which  earlier 
in  our  war  effort  contributed  to  service 
men  overseas  more  than  4,000  complete 
16mm  programs,  this  week  contributed  an 
additional  6,500,  gratis.  The  programs 
comprise  features  and  short  subjects,  and 
have  an  average  time  of  100  minutes.  The 
pictures  are  the  latest,  and  are  seen  by  the 
soldiers  often  before  their  families  see  them. 

As  with  the  original  allotment,  the  raw 
stock  for  the  pictures  is  contributed  by  East- 
man and  DuPont,  the  printing  is  at  cost, 
and  copyright  owners  waive  royalties. 

The  industry  is  each  week  giving  the 
Army  Overseas  Motion  Picture  Bureau,  in 
New  York,  25  prints  each  of  four  new  pro- 
grams— 100  prints  per  week,  5,200  per  year. 
Each  week,  also,  the  industry  delivers  in 
London  four  prints  each  of  four  subjects,  a 
year's  total  of  832.  The  industry  also  gives 
each  week  10  prints  of  outstanding  old  pic- 
tures. It  is  expected,  also,  to  give  at  least 
one  feature  per  month  in  Technicolor. 

The  Army  said  last  week  that  in  North 
Africa,  during  April,  the  16mm  films  were 
seen  by  an  audience  of  1,250,000. 

The  film  industry,  through  its  War  Ac- 
tivities Committee,  also  has  aided  the  War 
Department  to  obtain  more  than  500  second- 
hand projectors,  which  are  now  being  re- 
conditioned and  will  be  shipped  overseas. 
By  the  year's  end,  the  Army  will  be  operat- 
ing mor£  than  2,400  projectors  in  the  field. 


Soviet  Hit  Parade 

RUSSIAN  music  is  moving  toward  hit  pa- 
rade popularity  from  its  previous  limited 
Union  Square  circulation,  it  is  felt  in  New 
York  circles  which  purvey  it  in  sheet  music 
and  records.  Am-Russ.  successor  to  Book- 
niga  and  other  direct  Soviet  agencies,  and 
now  a  publisher  of  sheet  music  and  importer 
of  master  recordings,  reported  this  week 
the  use  of  Dmitri  Shostakovitch's  "United 
Nations  Song"  in  the  finale  of  MGM's 
forthcoming  'As  Thousands  Cheer."  The 
same  company's  "Meet  the  People"  will 
have  two  other  Am-Russ  songs. 

The  agency  notes  many  Russian  songs  on 
the  air ;  and  it  was  indicated  that  with  some 
popularization  (by  adaptation  of  lyrics  to 
American  taste)  the  dance  bands  may  be  in- 
duced to  plug  them.  The  sales  of  "Interna- 
tionale" are  not  of  record. 


Hollywood's  Service 

NOT  all  Hollywood  enterprise  of  note  is 
caught  by  the  camera  and  conveyed  to  the 
customers,  it  is  attested  by  two  items  this 
week. 

The  Hollywood  Victory  Committee  set 
a  new  record  for  service,  according  to  the 
report  of  the  talent  chairman,  supplying  496 
personalities  to  make  1,351  appearances  in 
217  events  during  May.     Thirty  of  these 


were  for  Government  agencies,  111  for  tjie 
War  Department  and  38  for  the  Navy. 

The  Research  Council  of  the  Academy  of 
Motion  Picture  Arts  and  Sciences  greeted 
31  Marines  arriving  to  take  six- weeks' 
courses  in  photography,  an  event  calling 
attention  to  the  fact  that  the  Council,  with 
cooperation  of  the  several  studios,  has 
trained  399  men  for  the  various  armed  ser- 
vices since  the  war  started. 


Higher  and  Higher 

THE  rapid  climb  to  fame  and  the  hearts  of 
thousands  of  young  women,  by  singer  Frank 
Sinatra,  reached  a  climax  this  week  in  the 
New  York  home  office  of  RKO  Radio  Pic- 
tures, where  he  signed  a  contract  which  will 
make  him  a  star  in  "Higher  and  Higher." 
Mr.  Sinatra,  now  at  the  New  York  Para- 
mount for  a  return  engagement,  after  pre- 
viously appearing  for  eight  weeks  to  the 
delight  of  almost  riotous  teen-age  girls,  won 
the  Doztmbeat  and  Metronome  magazines' 
election  as  "America's  Favorite  Vocalist." 
Bing  Crosby  held  that  title  for  eight  years. 


Invasion  Jitters 

A  HUNCH  that  the  big  push  against  Eu- 
rope might  be  at  hand  this  week  prompted 
Twentieth  Century-Fox  to  advance  the  re- 
lease date  of  "Invasion,"  latest  issue  of  the 
March  of  Time.  Tom  J.  Connors,  vice- 
president  and  general  sales  manager, 
ordered  that  the  picture  be  made  available 
to  theatres  immediately.  It  had  been  set  for 
June  18th. 

The  March  of  Time  generals  plot  the  pos- 
sible courses  of  invasion  of  Hitler's  hold- 
ings, picture  some  of  the  preparations,  and 
the  men  who  probably  will  lead  the  attack. 

With  an  eye  on  the  headlines  of  prepara- 
tions in  Africa  and  England  for  "something 
big,"  and  an  ear  to  Prime  Minister 
Churchill's  promise  of  impending  "amphibi- 
ous operations,"  Twentieth-Fox  sales  of- 
ficials made  up  their  minds  to  be  on  the 
screen  with  "Invasion"  in  time  for  the  first 
landings.  Rush  trade  shows  of  the  20-min- 
ute  picture  will  be  held  this  week  in  com- 
pany exchanges.  The  film  is  reviewed  in 
this  issue  of  the  Herald,  on  page  1362  of 
the  Product  Digest  section. 


Columbia  Profit 

COLUMBIA  Pictures  Corporation  earned 
a  net  profit  of  approximately  $1,032,000  for 
the  39-week  period  ended  March  27,  1943, 
Harry  Cohn,  president,  disclosed  on  Wed- 
nesday. The  figure  compares  with  a  net  of 
$942,000  for  the  same  period  in  1942.  Gross 
operating  profit  of  $3,320,000  for  the  period 
almost  doubled  the  $1,590,000  reported  last 
year.  Increased  Federal  taxes  this  year 
drew  off  $2,288,000  compared  with  $648,000 
in  1942. 


Pete  the  Producer 

PETE  HARRISON,  for  these  many  years 
famed  reviewer  of  motion  pictures  from 
Motion  Picture  News  to  Harrison's  Re- 
ports, bridge  expert,  gourmet,  bon  vivant, 
and  raconteur,  is  now,  so  the  story  runs, 
about  to  become  a  producer.  The  report  is 
that  he,  in  collaboration  with  E.  B.  Derr, 
is  to  make  "The  Deerslayer"  at  Republic 
studios  for  release  by  Republic  Pictures  Cor- 
poration. 

Mr.  Harrison's  initial  effort  in  produc- 
tion is  assured  of  a  big  opening  night  audi- 
ence of  picture  makers  whose  efforts  have 
had,  if  not  enjoyed,  his  attentions  in  print 
these  many  years.  The  Herald  is  arrang- 
ing for  a  round  robin  review  by  the  Pro- 
ducers Association. 

Mr.  Derr  and  Mr.  Harrison  established 
contact  as  fellow  patrons  of  a  super-market 
in  Yucca  Street,  Hollywood,  where  the  big- 
gest and  best  oranges  are  to  be  had.  They 
like  the  juice. 

It  is  to  be  recalled  that  Mr.  Derr  has  had 
a  long  and  excitingly  varied  experience  in 
business,  including  the  motion  picture.  He 
arose  from  Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  began  as  an  accountant.  Hence  the 
friendly  nickname  of  "The  Star  of  Bethle- 
hem." He  joined  Joseph  P.  Kennedy  in 
shipbuilding  at  Fore  River,  Mass.,  in  the 
First  World  War,  and  went  thence  to  FBO, 
to  First  National  to  Pathe,  to  Howard 
Hughes,  to  Metro  and  more  recently  to  in- 
dependent production. 


"Little  Guy" 

ABOUT  the  eighteenth  of  May,  Miss 
Frances  Winters,  wardrobe  mistress  on  the 
RKO  studio  staff  out  in  Hollywood's  Gower 
Street,  with  considerable  wondering  tore 
open  a  letter  on  the  engraved  stationery  of 
Edward  A.  Golden,  New  York. 

In  the  letter  was  a  healthy  check  and 
it  said :  "I  am  enclosing  a  delayed  Christ- 
mas gift  in  appreciation  of  the  excellent 
work  you  did  while  we  were  making  'Hit- 
ler's Children.'  You  were  an  important  fac- 
tor in  bringing  to  the  screen  the  best  box 
office  hit  in  many  years.  .  .  ." 

Mr.  Golden  got  back  a  note  in  which 
Miss  Winters  remarked :  "I  have  never  ex- 
perienced anyone  giving  the  little  guy  a  pat 
on  the  back  for  perhaps  trying  to  make  a 
success  of  a  picture.  It  makes  us  feel  that 
perhaps  we  are  important  in  our  small  way, 
to  help  things  along." 


Night  Life 

COMPLETE  film  shows  at  midnight  and 
8  A.M.  for  swing  and  graveyard  shift  war 
workers  have  been  started  in  Salt  Lake 
City  by  the  first  run  theatres,  the  Associated 
Press  reported  to  the  country's  newspapers 
over  the  wires  Tuesday.  This  is  an  innova- 
tion.   Salt  Lake  was  always  "early  to  bed." 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD,  published  every  Saturday  by  Ouigley  Publishing  Company,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  City.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Ouigley,  President;  Colvin  Brown,  Vice-President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Terry  Ramsaye,  Editor;  James  D.  Ivers,  News  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  624  South 
Michigan  Avenue,  Oscar  Lundy,  correspondent;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Postal  Union  Life  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  editor;  Toronto  Bureau,  242  Millwood  Road,  Toronto,  Ontario, 
Canada,  W.  M.  Gladish,  correspondent;  Montreal  Bureau,  265  Vitre  St.,  West,  Montreal,  Canada,  Pat  Donovan,  correspondent;  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Square,  London  W  I, 
Hope  Williams  Burnup,  manager;  Aubrey  Flanagan,  editor;  cable  0u'9P°bco  London;  Melbou/ne  Bureau,  The  Regent  Theatre,  191  Collins  St.,  Melbourne,  Australia,  Cliff  Holt, 
correspondent;  Sydney  Bureau,  17  Archbold  Rd.,  Roseville,  Sydney,  N.S.W.,  Australia,  Lin  Endean,  correspondent;  Mexico  City  Bureau,  Dr.  Carmona  y  Valle  6,  Mexico  City, 
Luis  Becerra  Celis,  correspondent;  Buenos  Aires  Bureau,  J.  E.  Uriburi  126,  buenos  Aires,  Argentina,  Natalio  Bruski,  correspondent;  Rio  de  Janeiro  Bureau,  Caixa  Postal  1090, 
Rio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil,  Alfredo  C.  Machado,  correspondfwit;  Montevideo  Bureau,  P.  0.  Box  664,  Montevideo,  Uruguay,  Paul  Bodo,  correspondent;  cable  Argus  Montevideo. 
Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations.  All  contents  copyright  1943  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company.  Address  all  correspondence  to  the  New  York  Office.  Other  Ouigley  Publica- 
tions: Better  Theatres,  Motion  Picture  Daily,  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  and  Fame. 


10 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June     12,  1943 


THIS  WEEK 


the  Camera  observes: 


■  MARRIAGE.  Margaret  Mary 
Devaney  and  her  father,  Leo,  entering 
the  Church  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament, 
Toronto,  last  week,  where  she  became 
the  wife  of  Flight  Sergeant  Lee  Gosset, 
RCAF.   Mr.  Devaney  is  RKO 
Canadian  manager. 


GREETINGS  to  Mary  Pickford,  at  her  return  to  New  York  after  a 
12-day  tour  of  Canadian  war  industries,  where  she  spoke  to  workers. 
Miss  Pickford  is  flanked,  above,  by  Arthur  Kelly,  United  Artists 
vice-president;  Hunt  Stromberg,  producer;  Edward  Raftery,  president; 
Gradwell  Sears,  sales  vice-president. 


ENTERTAINED.  Private  Bruce  Powell,  formerly 
of  the  Fox  Theatre,  Nora  Springs,  Iowa,  is 
greeted  on  the  lot  of  PRC's  "Danger — Women 
at  Work,"  by  producer  Jack  Schwartz  and 
actress  Mary  Brian. 


By  Staff  Photographer 

■  VISITOR.  Thomas 
Wooding,  former  man- 
ager of  the  Glenroyal 
Cinema,  Shipley,  England, 
and  for  the  past  1 8 
months  a  sailor  of  His 
Majesty's  Navy.  Mr. 
Wooding's  wife  now 
operates  the  theatre. 


CHIEF  PETTY  OFFICER.  Leonard  Schlesinger, 
Warner  New  York  home  office  executive,  joined  the 
Navy  Wednesday.   He  will  be  engaged 
in  film  activities  for  the  Yard  and  Docks  Bureau. 


By  Staff  Photographer 

■  MOBILIZATION  for  Victory.  All  show  business  factors  were 
represented  at  a  meeting  in  the  New  York  Times  Hall,  New  York, 
last  Thursday  and  Friday,  at  which  a  committee  was  formed  to 
create  a  war-ready  pool  of  "talent,  persons,  and  ideas".  Above, 
James  Cagney,  Screen  Actors  Guild  president;  Elmer  Rice, 
Dramatists  Guild  president;  John  Anderson,  critic;  Fredric  March, 
actor;  Jean  Hersholt,  actor;  Lawrence  Tibbett,  radio  and 
instrumentalists  unions  president.  See  page  48. 


June    12,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


Beaver 


Column 


TO  "CONEY  ISLAND,"  the  20th-Fox  picture, 
not  the  New  York  resort,  Betty  Grable  is 
escorted  by  Anzac  fliers.   The  Stork  Club 
arranged  the  New  York  screening  for  its 
favorite  debutantes.   Miss  Srable  is  the  star 
of  the  production,  which  is  in  Technicolor. 


■  OUTSTANDING  news 
cameraman.  Al  Brick,  Movietone 
News  West  Coast  chief,  was 
termed  that  last  week  by  the 
Headliners  Club.    He  filmed 
Pearl  Harbor,  Midway,  the 
Solomon  Islands  and  various  other 
battle  fronts  of  this 
global  conflict. 


■  MAYOR  of  Miami  Beach. 
Mitchell  Wolfson,  above,  co-owner 
of  the  Wometco  circuit  of 
Florida,  and  the  British  West 
Indies,  was  re-elected  June  1st.  At 
42,  he  is  the  town's  youngest 
mayor. 


SUCCESS  of  the  Greek  War  Relief  Benefit 
Show  at  Madison  Square  Garden,  New  York,  was 
announced  at  a  cocktail  party  last  week  in 
the  Music  Hall  studio,  New  York.   The  show 
raised  the  anticipated  $100,000.  Hosts  at 
the  party  for  the  committee  were,  above: 
Spyros  Skouras,  Ed  Sullivan,  Harry  Brandt  and 
Gus  Eyssell. 


DOORMAN  at  the  State,  Manhat- 
tan, Kan.,  is  George  Elmer  Dewey, 
aged  84.   He  was  an  intimate  of 
Wild  Bill  Hickok. 


CONTINUING  the  Beaver 
Department:  Monty  Woolley,  aged 
seven.  The  studio  sent  this  to  art 
editors,  remarking  incidentally 
that  the  53-year-old  actor  is  in 
20th-Fox's  "Holy  Matrimony". 


DR.  EDUARDO  SANTOS, 
ex-president  of  Colombia  (not  to  be 
confused  with  Columbia  Pictures), 
greets  Marguerite  Chapman  and 
Charles  Coburn,  left,  on  the  set  of 
"Without  Notice". 


12 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    12,  1943 


SPECTATORS  at  American  Army  football  in  London  are 
John  Ojerholm,  Olympic  Laboratories;  Don  McMasters, 
Kodak;  Aubrey  Flanagan,  Motion  Picture  Herald;  Ernie 
Blake,  Kodak.  Mr.  Blake,  our  English  captioned  picture  said, 
is  taking  a  "poor  view"  of  the  referee  (meaning,  possibly, 
"throw  the  bum  out"). 


■  HERBERT  J.  YATES,  Republic  President  J.  R.  Grainger, 
and  Republic  Studio  Head  M.  J.  Siegel  join  with  Sidney 
Solow  and  his  Consolidated  Laboratories  associates 
in  singing  an  old  reunion  song,  at  a  dinner  at  Eaton's 
Rancho  Restaurant  in  North  Hollywood  on  May  28th. 
"Don't  shoot  the  piano  player,  he's  doing  the  best  he  can." 


PRESENTATION.  M.  A.  Lightman, 
Malco  circuit  head,  presents  the 
$  1 ,000  War  Bond  prize  to  the 
Memphis  winner  of  Modern  Screen 
magazine's  "Reap  the  Wild 
Wind"  contest,  Mrs.  E.  M.  Carr, 
on  the  Malco  Theatre  stage 
in  Memphis. 


■  THE  $3,506  which  Paterson,  New 
Jersey,  patrons  gave  the  Red  Cross 
War  Fund  Drive  is  handed  in  check 
form  to  William  Evans,  chairman, 
by  A.  Louis  Martin,  of  the  Majestic, 
in  behalf  of  the  area's  independent 
houses.   Looking  on  are  theatre 
operators  David  Mate, 
Howard  Rosenberg,  William  Darby, 
Albert  Spitz,  Julius  Ginsberg, 
Joseph  Lefkowitz. 


V 


CITATION  for  "Bataan"  is  accepted,  above, 
for  MGM,  the  producer,  by  Howard  Dietz, 
right,  vice-president  in  charge  of  advertising, 
from  Kenneth  Gould,  editor  in  chief  of 
Scholastic  magazine,  which  said  the  film  would 
induce  more  War  Bond  buying. 


TED  GAMBLE,  Portland,  Oregon, 
theatre  executive,  has  been 
promoted  to  captaincy  of  the 
Treasury  Department's  War  Bonds 
staff  in  that  area. 


June    12,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


13 


WITH  THE  PRINT  (not  in  the  briefcase)  of  "For  Whom 
the  Bell  Tolls,"  Paramount's  production  chief,  Y.  Frank 
Freeman,  arrived  in  New  York  Monday  morning  and 
was  greeted  by  executives  Robert  Gillham,  Leonard 
Soldenson,  Barney  Balaban,  and  Russell  Holman.  New 
York  newspaper  ads  on  Monday  wove  a  picture  of 
Mr.  Freeman  stepping  off  the  train  with  the  containers 
bearing  the  16  reels. 


7 


■  "DR.  PAUL  JOSEPH  GOEBBELS,  His 
Life  and  Loves,"  will  be  produced  by  W.  R. 
Frank,  left,  Minneapolis  circuit  operator 
and  producer,  and  Alfred  Zeisler, 
director-writer. 


■  PEPPERS  and  POTATOES  in  the  Loew's  State, 
New  York,  Victory  Garden  (in  the  lobby).  The 
gardeners,  below,  are  Gilda  Gray  and  Walter  Wahl, 
of  Billy  Rose's  Diamond  Horseshoe  Revue,  which 
appeared  there. 


By  Staff  Photographer 


RKO-PATHE'S  "Lieutenant  Smith,"  of  the  "America 
Speaks"  series,  was  unveiled  to  publishers  and  editors 
of  trade  papers,  at  a  luncheon  and  screening  in  the 
New  York  office  last  week.  Above  are  Martin 
Quigley,  Quigley  Publishing  Company;  Ned  Depinet, 
president  of  RKO  Radio  Pictures;  Edward  Grainger, 
president  of  the  Feiber  &  Shea  circuit. 
Right,  also  at  the  luncheon,  Bosley  Crowther, 
New  York  Times  film  editor;  Fred  Ullman, 
vice-president  of  RKO-Pathe;  Frank  Eaton,  publicity 
manager. 


CONGRATULATIONS  to  producer 
Sidney  Franklin  ("Mrs.  Miniver," 
"Random  Harvest")  from  MGM 
production  head  and  vice-president, 
Louis  B.  Mayer,  right.  Recovered 
from  illness,  Mr.  Franklin  receives  a 
belated  "Oscar"  for  "Mrs.  Miniver," 
voted  by  the  Academy  of  Motion 
Picture  Arts  and  Sciences  the  best 
picture  of  1942. 


By  Staff  Photographer 

SEYMOUR  POE,  above, 
has  been  appointed  New 
York  representative  for 
Andrew  Stone,  who  will 
release  through  United 
Artists.  Mr.  Poe  has  been 
associated  with  Sol 
Lesser,  and  David  Loew 
and  Albert  Lewin. 


3 


14 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    12,  1943 


COMPANIES  OFFER  95  FILMS 
FOR  SUMMER  RELEASE 


Liberal  Number  of  Escapist 
Pictures  to  Offset  War 
Themes  on  Schedules 

A  total  of  95  productions,  many  of  them 
top-budget  productions,  including  West- 
erns, are  being  offered  to  exhibitors  for 
summer  release  this  year  by  11  companies. 
There  is  a  liberal  array  of  "escapist"  en- 
tertainment pictures,  with  a  score  of  musi- 
cal comedies  designed  for  warm-weather 
blues  balancing  the  offerings  of  war  action 
and  war  background  themes. 

Compared  to  summer  fare  of  previous 
years,  the  June,  July  and  August  releases 
of  the  1942-43  season  feature  stars,  stories 
and  production  values  of  high  exploitation 
quality,  guaranteed  to  maintain  box  office 
grosses  whicli  reached  peak  levels  during 
the  current  season. 

Contrary  to  former  years'  policy,  only 
two  reissues  have  been  set  for  this  summer, 
both  by  Paramount:  "Union  Pacific"  and 
"Souls  at  Sea." 

That  traditional  phrase  "summer 
slump"  has  disappeared  from  the  indus- 
try's vocabulary. 

Despite  talent  and  manpower  short- 
ages, raw  stock  cuts  and  other  war  fac- 
tors, every  company  has,  at  this  date, 
nearly  fulfilled  its  production  promises 
for  the  1942-43  programs. 

From  product  announcements  issued  by 
distributors  during  the  past  three  weeks, 
summer  schedules  of  individual  companies 
have  been  determined,  in  the  following 
breakdown.  Last  minute  changes,  however, 
shifting  late  July  or  August  releases  to  the 
1943-44  schedules,  were  expected. 

Exhibitors  can  look  forward  to  a  widely 
varied  diet  of  summer  program  fare  this  year, 
including  musical  comedies,  farce  comedies, 
mystery-melodramas,  action  films  and  war  stor- 
ies. Scheduled  for  release  during  the  rest  of 
June  and  for  July  and  August,  by  individual 
companies,  are  those  listed  below : 

Pictures  marked  with  *  have  been 
synbpsized  in  Product  Digest.  Those 
with  **  Ixive  been-  reviewed.  See  the 
Release  Chart  for  page  references. 
Synopses  of  other  product  for  this  sea- 
son and  next  will  appear  in  forthcom- 
ing issues  of  Product  Digest. 

COLUMBIA:  "Crime  Doctor,"**  June 
22nd;  "Frontier  Fury,"*  June  24th; 
"Good  Luck,  Mr.  Yates,"*  June  29th; 
"What's  Buzzin'  Cousin?,"*  July  8th; 
"Appointment  in  Berlin,"*  July  15th; 
"First  Comes  Courage,"*  formerly  called 
"Attack  by  Night,"  which  stars  Merle 
Oberon  and  Brian  Aherne,  July  29th; 
"Robinhood  of  the  Range,"*  July  29th. 

Thirteen  pictures  are  included  in  Columbia's 
backlog,  with  release  ear-marked  for  next  sea- 
son. The  films  are :  "Cover  Girl,"  "Silver  City 
Raiders,"  "Hail  to  the  Rangers,"*  "Wyoming 
Hurricane,"*  "The  Vigilantes  Ride,"  "Destroy- 
er,"* "The  Last  Horseman,"  "Riding  West," 
"Somewhere  in  Saraha,"*  "Law  of  the  Bad- 
lands," "Without  Notice,"  "The  Clock  Struck 
Twelve"  and  "Restless  Lady." 

MGM:  "Bataan,"**  new  war  film;  "Du 


Promised  and  Delivered 

1942-43  Promised  or  Promised  or 

Season  Designated  Designated 

Releases  for  1942-43  for  1943-44 

Columbia  \           47  48  44 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer                               36  44-48*  .  .  *** 

Monogram                                               38  32  42 

Paramount                                                 31  32-36*  .  .*** 

Producers  Releasing                                   36  42  42 

RKO  Radio                                            43  45  .'.*** 

Republic                                                64  66  68 

Twentieth  Century- Fox                              46  48  30-36 

Universal                                                 56  55  45-50 

United  Artists                                         32  30  20-25 

Warner  Bros                                             24  .  .**  .  .** 

Total  product  promises  now  mean  little  in  relation  to  product  delivered  because  of 
the  wide  variation  in  program  planning  brought  about  by  the  war  and  Consent  Decree 
selling. 

♦MGM  and  Paramount  made  no  official  announcement  for  the  1942-43  schedule,  but 
these  figures  were  indicated. 

♦♦Warner  Bros,  did  not  set  any  definite  schedule  for  1942-43,  nor  has  it  made  any  an- 
nouncement of  its  program  for  1943-44.  The  company  will  have  released  24  pictures 
before  the  end  of  this  season  and  it  is  indicated  that  it  will  release  as  many,  or  pos- 
sibly more,  for  next  season,  depending  on  the  demands  of  the  market. 
♦♦♦No  definite  schedules  announced  by  MGM  or  Paramount.  RKO  is  expected  to  desig- 
nate its  1943-44  program  at  the  company's  forthcoming  convention  in  July. 


Barry  Was  a  Lady,"**  "Harrigan's 
Kid,"**  "Hitler's  Hangman,"**  "Pilot  No. 
5,"**  "Presenting  Lily  Mars,"**  "The 
Youngest  Profession,"**  "Random  Har- 
vest"* and  "The  Human  Comedy,"**  all 
in  the  June-July-August  block. 

On  MGM's  backlog  of  22  pictures  are  the 
following :  "Lassie  Comes  Home,"*  "Salute  to 
the  Marines,"*  "As  Thousands  Cheer,"*  "I 
Dood  It,"*  "The  Professor  Takes  a  Wife,"* 
"Girl  Crazy,"*  "Right  About  Face,"*  "Best 
Foot  Forward,"*  "A  Guy  Named  Joe,"  "The 
Man  from  Down  Under,"  "Madame  Curie," 
"Russia,"  "Lost  Angel,"  "America,"  "Whistling 
in  Brooklyn,"  "A  Thousand  Shall  Fall,"  "The 
Heavenly  Body,"  "Cry  Havoc,"  "White  Cliffs 
of  Dover,"  "Above  Suspicion,"**  "Swing  Shift 
Maisie"**  and  "Dr.  Gillespie's  Criminal 
Case.**  The  latter  three  already  have  been 
trade  shown. 

MONOGRAM :  "Cowboy  Comman- 
dos,"* June  4th;  "Sarong  Girl,"**  June 
11th;  "Wings  Over  the  Pacific,"*  June 
25th;  "The  Stranger  from  Pecos,"*  June 
25th;  "Spy  Train,"**  July  2nd;  "Ghosts 
on  the  Loose,"*  July  16th;  "The  Law 
Rides  Again,"*  July  30th;  "Black  Market 
Rustlers,"  August  13th;  "Six-Gun  Gos- 
pel," August  27th;  "He  Couldn't  Take 
It,"  August  20th. 

Scheduled  for  September  release  but  included 
in  the  1942-43  program  are  "Revenge  of  the 
Zombies,"  September  3rd,  and  "I  Was  a  Crimi- 
nal," September  10th.  "Spotlight  Revue"*  will 
be  released  October  1st  and  will  be  among  the 
first  pictures  on  the  1943-44  program,  as  will 
"Melody  Parade,"*  set  for  September  17th. 

PARAMOUNT:  Paramount's  sixth 
and  final  block  of  five  features  which 


will  be  trade  shown  this  month  includes: 
"So  Proudly  We  Hail,"*  "Dixie,"*  "Sub- 
marine Alert,"*  "Henry  Aldrich  Swings 
It"*  and  "Alaska  Highway."*  Although 
the  company  has  set  the  world  premiere 
on  "For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls"*  for  July 
14th,  at  the  Rivoli,  New  York,  this  pro- 
duction probably  will  not  be  released  un- 
til next  season. 

Among  the  16  films  on  Paramount's  backlog 
are :  "Triumph  Over  Pain,"*  "No  Time  for 
Love,"*  "True  to  Life,"*  "Miracle  of  Morgan's 
Creek,"*  "Lady  in  the  Dark,"*  "Henry  Aldrich 
Plavs  Cupid,"  "The  Good  Fellows,"*  "Riding- 
High,"  "Let's  Face  It,"*  "Hostages,"*  "Tor- 
nado," "Henry  Aldrich  Haunts  a  House," 
"The  Uninvited,"  "The  Hour  Before  Dawn," 
"Minesweeper,"  and  "And  the  Angels  Sing." 

PRODUCERS  RELEASING  COR- 
PORATION :  "Border  Buckaroos,"* 
June  15th;  "Billy  the  Kid  in  the  Rene- 
gade,"* July  1st ;  "The  Man  from  Wash- 
ington," July  19th.  Currently,  PRC  is 
three  months  ahead  on  its  shooting 
schedule  and  has  released  all  the  current 
season  product  except  "Jungle  Fury"  and 
"Career  Girl"  which  probably  will  be 
scheduled  for  mid-summer  release.  "Dan- 
ger, Women  at  Work"  and  "Strange 
Music"  are  two  productions  for  which 
dates  have  not  yet  been  set,  but  they 
probably  will  be  included  in  the  1942-43 
program.  Scheduled  for  1943-44  are  "Sub- 
marine Base,"*  set  for  Tune  25th,  and 
"Isle  of  Forgotten  Sins,"*  July  26th. 

RKO  RADIO :  Of  the  five  pictures  in 

(Continued  on  opposite  page) 


June    12,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


15 


VARIED  PRODUCT  AVAILABLE 


(Continued  from  opposite  page) 

RKO's  sixth  block,  "Bombardier"**  and 
"The  Leopard  Man"**  have  been  re- 
leased. Dates  for  "Squadron  Leader 
X,"**  "Gildersleeve's  Bad  Day,"**  and 
"Mr.  Lucky,"**  the  latter  a  Cary  Grant 
starring  vehicle,  have  not  yet  been  set. 
RKO  announced  this  week  that  five  fea- 
tures would  be  trade  shown  in  mid-July. 
They  are:  "The  Sky's  the  Limit,"*  star- 
ring Fred  Astaire  and  Joan  Leslie;  "Be- 
hind the  Rising  Sun,"*  a  story  about 
Japan;  "Petticoat  Larceny,"*  with  Ruth 
Warwick,  Joan  Carroll  and  Walter  Reed ; 
"The  Falcon  in  Danger,"*  another  in  the 
"Falcon"  series,  featuring  Tom  Conway; 
and  "Tarzan's  Desert  Mystery,"*  former- 
ly "Tarzan  and  the  Sheik,"  starring 
Johnny  Weismuller. 

It  is  indicated  that  these  five  features,  plus 
the  three  from  block  six,  and  "Spitfire,"**  the 
English  production  with  Leslie  Howard  and 
David  Niven  which  is  set  to  open  in  New  York 
this  Saturday  at  the  Rivoli,  will  complete 
RKO's  1942-43  season. 

Among  the  films  on  the  company's  backlog 
are :  "The  Avenging  Rider,"  "A  Lady  Takes 
a  Chance."*  "The  Fallen  Sparrow,"*  "North 
Star,  '*  the  Samuel  Goldwyn  production  ;"  Mexi- 
can Spitfire's  Blessed  Event,"  "The  Seventh 
Victim,"  "The  Iron  Major"  and  'Around  the 
World." 

REPUBLIC:  "Ride,  Tenderfoot,  Ride," 
June  1st;  "Man  From  Thunder  River,"** 
June  11th;  "Song  of  Texas,"**  June  14th; 
"Thumbs  Up,"*  June  24th.  Also  the  fol- 
lowing scheduled  for  release  this  summer : 
"Silver  Spurs,"*  starring  Roy  Rogers; 
"West  Side  Kid,"*  "Prodigal's  Mother,"* 
"Headin'  for  God's  Country,"*  "Sleepy 
Lagoon,"  "A  Scream  in  the  Dark,"  for- 
merly "Girls  of  the  Night" ;  "War  of  the 
Wildcats,"  now  called  "In  Old  Okla- 
homa," which  stars  John  Wayne,  Martha 
Scott  and  Albert  Dekker;  "Bordertown 
Gunfighters,"  "Wagon  Tracks  West," 
"Overland  Mail  Robbery,"  "Death  Valley 
Manhunt,"  four  Bill  Elliott  Westerns; 
"California  Joe,"  with  Don  "Red"  Barry; 
"Beneath  Western  Skies,"  "Deerslayer," 
and  "Vampire's  Ghost,"  a  horror  mystery. 

Scheduled  for  next  season  are :  "Nobody's 
Darling,"  "Hoosier  Holiday";  two  Don  "Red" 
Barry  Westerns,  "Fugitive  from  Sonora"  and 
"Black  Hills  Express"  and  "The  Fighting  Sea- 
Bees." 

TWENTIETH  CENTURY  -  FOX: 
"Jitterbugs,"**  June  11th;  "Coney 
Island,"**  June  18th.  Also  "Stormy 
Weather,"**  the  all-Negro  musical  al- 
ready trade  shown;  "Bomber's  Moon"* 
and  "Roger  ■  Touhy,  Last  of  the  Gang- 
sters,"* three  probable  summer  releases. 

Included  on  the  company's  backlog  for  re- 
lease next  season  are :  "Sweet  Rosie  O'Grady,"* 
"Heaven  Can  Wait,"*  "Jane  Eyre,"*  starring 
Joan  Fontaine  and  Orson  Welles ;  "Winter 
Time,"  "Holy  Matrimony,"  "The  Girls  He  Left 
Behind,"  "The  Song  of  Bernadette,"  "Claudia," 
"The  Night  Is  Ending"  and  "Guadalcanal 
Diary." 

Other  important  20th  Century-Fox  produc- 
tions set  for  next  season  are:  "Berlin  Diary," 
"One  Destiny,"  "The  Eve  of  St.  Mark"  and 
"Happy  Land." 

UNITED  ARTISTS:  "Somewhere  in 
France,"**  June  11th;  "Colt  Comrades,"* 


June  18th.  "Stage  Door  Canteen"*  is 
ready  for  June  release.  The  company  also 
has  set  "Victory  Through  Air  Power" 
and  "Hi  Diddle  Diddle"  for  July  release. 
"Johnny  Come  Lately,"  the  James  Cagney 
production,  probably  will  be  released  in 
August.  "The  Kansan,"  formerly  "Meet 
John  Bonniwell,"*  a  Harry  Sherman  pro- 
duction, also  may  be  released  in  August 
and  included  in  this  season's  program. 
"That  Nasty  Nuisance"**  already  has 
been  released  and  "Yanks  Ahoy,"** 
"False  Colors"  and  "Riders  of  the  Dead- 
line" probably  will  be  released  next  sea- 
son. 

UNIVERSAL:  "Captive  Wild  Wo- 
man,"** June  4th;  "All  by  Myself,"** 
June  11th;  "Two  Tickets  to  London,"* 
June  18th;  "Get  Going,"  June  25th;  "Hit 
the  Ice,"*  the  Abbott  and  Costello  com- 
ery,  July  2nd;  "Girls,  Inc.,"  July  9th; 
"We've  Never  Been  Licked,"*  July  16th; 
"Second  Honeymoon,"  July  23rd;  "Hers 
to  Hold,"  starring  Deanna  Durbin,  July 
30th  ;  "Corvettes  in  Action,"*  August  3rd ; 
"Frontier  Bad  Men,"  August  6th;  "Phan- 
tom of  the  Opera,"*  August  27th. 

Lined  up  for  next  season  are :  "Raiders  of 
San  Joaquin,"**  "Son  of  Dracula,"*  "For  All 
We  Know,"*  "Cheyenne  Roundup,"*  "The  Lone 
Star  Trail,"*  "Always  a  Bridesmaid,"*  "Cross 
Your  Fingers,"*  "Never  a  Dull  Moment,"* 
"Cobra  Woman,"  "Fired  Wife,"  "Sherlock 
Holmes  Faces  Death,"  "Angela,"  "Sherlock 
Holmes  and  the  Spider  Woman"  and  "The  Mad 
Ghoul." 

WARNER  BROS.:  "Action  in  the 
North  Atlantic,"**  June  12th;  "Back- 
ground to  Danger,"**  July  3rd.  The  com- 
pany probably  will  release  this  summer 
"Watch  on  the  Rhine,"*  screen  version 
of  Lillian  Hellman's  play,  which  stars 
Bette  Davis  and  Paul  Lukas,  and  "This  Is 
the  Army,"*  the  Irving  Berlin  Army  show. 
The  latter  four  pictures,  plus  the  20  re- 
leased since  last  September,  brings  the 
total  number  of  Warners'  1942-43  product 
to  24. 

Included  in  the  company's  backlog  are : 
"Princess  O'Rourke,"*  "Adventures  of  Mark 
Twain,"*  the  Jesse  L.  Lasky  production  star- 
ring Fredric  March;  "Arsenic  and  Old  Lace," 
based  on  the  stage  play  and  starring  Cary 
Grant,  which  was  completed  nearly  a  year  ago ; 
"The  Desert  Song,"*  "The  Constant  Nymph," 
"Crime  By  Night,"*  "Thank  Your  Lucky 
Stars,"*  an  all-star  musical  production ;  "Old 
Acquaintance,"*  "Devotion,"  "Adventure  in 
Iraq,"  "The  Last  Ride,"*  "Saratoga  Trunk," 
"To  the  Last  Man,"  "In  Our  Time"  and 
"Murder  on  the  Waterfront." 


Broidy  Predicts  Best 
Monogram  Year 

Samuel  Broidy,  vice-president  and  general 
sales  manager  of  Monogram,  predicted  that  the 
company  would  "experience  its  best  year  during 
the  coming  season,"  at  Monogram's  third  re- 
gional sales  meeting  at  the  Blackstone  Hotel  in 
Chicago  last  Saturday.  Guest  speakers  included 
Jack  Kirsch,  president  of  Allied  Theatres  of 
Illinois  ;  Harold  Mirisch,  head  booker  and  buyer 
for  RKO  Theatres,  and  Joseph  Kaufman,  head 
booker  for  Balaban  and  Katz  theatres.  Harry 


H.  Thomas,  eastern  sales  manager,  stressed  the 
sales  opportunites  lying  ahead. 

Delegates  who  attended  were :  Irving  Mandel 
and  B.  Eisenberg,  Chicago ;  George  B.  West 
and  William  Onie,  Cincinnati ;  Nate  Schultz, 
Cleveland ;  William  Hurlbut  and  M.  H.  Starr, 
Detroit ;  Carl  Harthill,  Indianapolis ;  C.  W. 
Trampe,  Milwaukee,  and  Tom  Burke,  Minne- 
apolis. 

Following  the  Chicago  meeting,  the  fourth 
regional  was  held  last  Sunday  at  the  Muehlebach 
Hotel  in  Kansas  City.  Mr.  Broidy,  Mr.  Morey 
and  Mr.  Thomas  attended,  accompanied  by 
salesmen  and  bookers.  Others  present  included 
Ed  Blumenthal  and  John  Franconi,  Dallas ; 
L.  Hensler,  Des  Moines ;  Ralph  Heft,  Kansas 
City ;  Carr  Scott,  Oklahoma  City  ;  S.  J.  Fran- 
cis, Omaha,  and  George  B.  West,  representing 
the  Kansas  City  and  St.  Louis  offices. 

Acquires  Omaha  Franchise 
Held  by  Sol  Francis 

At  this  session,  Mr.  Broidy  announced  that 
Monogram  had  acquired  the  Omaha  distributing 
franchise  held  by  Sol  Francis.  Mr.  Francis 
becomes  Monogram's  Omaha  and  Des  Moines 
district  manager.  In  addition,  Mr.  Thomas' 
supervision  over  the  eastern  district  has  been 
extended  to  include  the  midwest.  Ben  Abrams 
has  been  named  branch  manager  at  Boston, 
and  Francis  Dervin  has  been  appointed  Boston 
city  salesman.  Richard  Cohen  replaces  Nate 
Furst  as  New  Haven  branch  manager,  with 
the  latter's  transfer  to  the  New  York  office  as 
special  sales  representative. 

Mr.  Broidy  told  the  delegates  that  "Ground 
Crew,"  to  be  released  in  September,  would  be 
the  first  Monogram  production  to  have  ex- 
tensive radio  exploitation.  The  fifth  and  final 
regional  meeting  of  the  company  will  be  held 
this  Friday,  June  11th  to  Sunday,  June  13th, 
at  the  Ambassador  Hotel  in  Los  Angeles.  W. 
Ray  Johnston,  president,  and  leading  studio 
executives  will  be  in  attendance.  Mr.  Broidy 
will  preside. 

Scott  R.  Dunlap,  Monogram  producer,  has 
been  assigned  production  of  two  of  the  com- 
pany's biggest  pictures  for  1943-44,  "Lady,  Let's 
Dance,"  starring  Belita,  and  "Ground  Crew," 
starring  Jackie  Cooper.  Mr.  Dunlap  has  fully 
recovered  from  the  effects  of  injuries  suffered 
last  November  at  the  Cocoanut  Grove  fire  in 
Boston. 

Six  short  subjects  are  being  released  by 
Columbia  for  June.  The  shorts  are :  "My  Wife's 
an  Angel,"  a  musical  comedy  film  featuring 
Allen  Jenkins ;  "Boobs  in  the  Night,"  comedy 
with  El  Brendel ;  "Mass  Mouse  Meeting," 
cartoon;  "Jump,  Fish,  Jump,"  sport  reel  with 
dialogue  by  Bill  Stern;  "As  Time  Goes  By," 
community  sing ;  and  also  "Screen  Snapshots" 
No.  10. 

United  Artists  Signs  Nebenzal 
For  Three  Pictures 

United  Artists  announced  this  week  that  Sey- 
mour Nebenzal,  former  producer  of  European 
films,  had  joined  the  ranks  of  UA  producers 
in  a  deal  providing  that  his  company,  Angelus 
Productions,  Inc.,  make  three  high  budget  fea- 
tures for  UA.  release  within  the  next  18 
months.  His  first  production  will  be  "The  Moon, 
Their  Mistress,"  based  on  the  Chekov  novel, 
"The  Shooting  Party."  He  made  "Hitler's 
Hangman,"  an  MGM  release. 

Contracts  were  signed  by  UA  president  Ed- 
ward C.  Raferty ;  George  Bagnall,  vice-president 
and  Herbert  T.  Silverberg,  attorney,  the  latter 
representing  Mr.  Nebenzal. 


16 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


OA  THE  MARCH 


June    12,  1943 


by  RED  KANN 


HOLLYWOOD 

YOU  never  know.  An  exhibitor  writes  the  President  for 
executive  action  against  double  features.  His  communica- 
tion is  referred  by  the  White  House  to  the  War  Production 
Board.  In  turn,  the  WPB  acknowledges  it  is  checking.  Some 
day,  perhaps  something  will  develop. 

Ewald  A.  Stein,  owner  and  operator  of  the  Out-Wickenburg- 
Way  Theatre  on  the  east-west  Arizona  main  highway  about 
fifty  miles  west  of  Phoenix  was  that  exhibitor. 

When  your  correspondent  was  making  his  cross  country 
argosy  from  New  York  to  the  address  above,  he  lit  into  Wicken- 
burg  one  night.  It  was  a  conscious  stop,  made  largely  for 
purposes  of  meeting  Stein,  who  had  suggested  by  fairly  ex- 
tensive correspondence  spread  over  a  period  of  several  years 
that  here  was  an  alert  individual  evidently  strangely  tinged  with 
far  more  the  metropolitan  viewpoint  than  his  roadside  hamlet 
could  possibly  suggest. 

He  proved  to  be  on  his  toes,  according  to  expectancy.  A 
Michigan  man  with  a  technical  background,  he  had  resorted  to 
Arizona  on  a  problem  in  health,  had  bumped  the  roadbed  hard 
in  developing  his  career  as  an  exhibitor  and  finished  off  in  a 
small  scale  Alger  ending.  He  has  his  own  house.  In  dude  ranch 
country,  much  of  his  seasonal  patronage  has  come  from  New 
York,  Chicago,  Detroit  and  other  densely  populated  cities,  there- 
by explaining  that  big  town-small  town  contradiction.  In  a  way, 
the  Wickenburg  may  not  stand  alone,  but  it  can  lay  some  claim  to 
an  uncommon  distinction. 

That's  for  background. 

Now  Stein  has  written  another  letter.  Last  one  to  the  Presi- 
dent. This  one  to  the  vice-president  who  is  flattered  beyond 
all  expression  by  the  accident  of  the  sequence.  The  letter  to 
this  page  talks  about  government  out — not  in — industry  film 
rentals,  equity  in  buyer-seller  relationship  and  more.  Many 
will  dismiss  it  as  worthy  of  no  further  attention.  Others,  no 
doubt,  will  look  upon  Stein  as  a  species  of  rattlebrain  which 
your  observer  assures  very  positively  he  is  not.  Most  who 
read  it,  if  they  bother  about  venturing  a  reaction,  will  admit 
it  is  interesting. 

And,  like  the  double  feature  circumstance  of  paragraph  one, 
you  never  know. 

Thirty-Five  Per  Cent  on  the  Base 

WILL  HAYS'  annual  report,  up  to  the  current  one,  al- 
ways included  a  breakdown  of  the  theatre  dollar,  placing 
film  rentals  latterly  at  35  per  cent.    Stein  gets  going 
with  that  figure,  underscoring  as  he  proceeds : 

"It  seems  to  me  that  establishing  a  figure  of,  say,  35  per  cent 
of  gross  for  total  film  program  cost  as  a  basis  on  which  to  assess 
exhibitors  might  be  a  possibility  for  adjusting  current  exhibitor 
demands  for  more  just  film  rentals.  In  fact,  it  is  just  possible 
that  the  distributors  could  do  themselves  some  good  if  they  would 
lay  off  using  force  and  use  the  above  as  a  basis. 

"To  start  from  the  beginning.  Before  the  consent  decree,  dis- 
tributors hesitantly  forced  the  large  exhibitors  to  buy  all  of 
their  product  and  sold  the  small  exhibitors  split  deals.  During 
this  period,  if  it  came  to  a  showdown,  the  distributors  would  back 
down  on  the  use  of  force  to  sell  'all  or  none'  because  they  knew 
they  were  not  within  their  legal  rights. 

"With  the  advent  of  the  consent  decree,  the  exhibitor  won  one 
supposed  benefit.  That  was  the  elimination  of  'cat  in  the  bag' 
buying  of  product.  The  distributor  had  to  trade  show  his  product 
before  he  could  sell  it.  Theoretically,  this  was  an  accomplish- 
ment, but  in  its  practical  application  it  did  little  for  the  small 
exhibitor  because  he  is  unable  to  travel  to  the  screenings  because 
of  lack  of  time  and  finances. 

"The  penalty  the  smaller  and  other  exhibitors  had  to  pay  for  . 
this  supposed  benefit  was  the  making  legal  of  the  me  of  force 
in  selling.    Under  the  consent  decree,  a  distributor  can  force  an 
exhibitor  to  buy  five  out  of  five  pictures  legally,  or  else. 

"To  most  exhibitors  the  use  of  force  is  the  basic  evil  in  the 
selling  methods  of  this  industry  and  until  it  is  eliminated  there 
will  never  be  harmony  within  any  more  than  there  will  be  in 
Europe  where  a  war  is  currently  being  fought  against  those  who 
have  tried  to  use  force  in  imposing  their  will  on  others. 

"So  I  would  like  to  suggest  to  the  various  exhibitor  organiza- 
tions who  are  at  present  urging  that  the  government  continue  its 


suit  against  the  distributors  and  producers  that  they  do  an  about- 
face  and  petition  the  government  to  return  the  regulation  of  this 
industry  to  those  who  are  in  it. 

"To  the  distributor/producers  I  would  like  to  suggest  that  they 
do  an  about-face  and  agree  to  sit  around  a  table  and  discuss  in 
a  give-and-take  basis  the  problems  and  contentions  which  exist 
between  them  and  the  exhibition  end  of  this  industry. 

"To  both  groups  so  gathered  together  I  would  like  to  point 
out  that  far  more  is  to  be  gained  by  fighting  out  our  problems 
among  ourselves  than  to  have  to  endure  regulation  from  the 
outside  by  people  who  do  not  fully  understand  the  workings  of 
this  business. 

"It's  like  a  husband  and  wife  situation.  The  combinations 
which  get  to  celebrate  many  anniversaries  are  those  which  fight 
everything  out  between  themselves  and  then  make  up.  Those 
combinations  which  invite  a  mother-in-law  into  the  picture  seldom 
get  to  even  first  base." 

Formula  for  a  "New  Order" 

WEIGHING  some  pros  and  cons,  Stein  next  gets  into  the 
guts  of  his  communication.  Take  it  or  leave  it,  here  he 
goes : 

"Assuming  that  the  above  suggestions  are  ignored  and  the  gov- 
ernment prosecutes  and  wins  its  suit  against  the  distributor 
producers.  The  maximum  'benefit'  will  be  divorcement  of 
distributor/producer-owned  theatres?  If  that  becomes  a  reality 
and  the  producers/distributors  don't  have  to  play  their  own  pic- 
tures in  their  own  theatres,  might  it  not  just  be  possible  that 
product  quality  will  sag  to  the  point  where  the  theatres  will  be 
empty  in  spite  of  the  high  rentals  the  exhibitors  have  agreed  to? 

"On  the  other  hand,  assuming  that  the  above  suggestions  bear 
fruit  and  the  distributors/producers  and  the  exhibitors  agree  on 

(1)  a  schedule  wherein  approximately  one-third  of  the  grosses 
yearly  of  each  theatre  are  paid  to  the  distributors/producers  as 
total  film  rental  regardless  of  how  many  or  how  few  pictures,  etc., 
etc.   (this  figure  is  now  approximately  the  national  average)  ; 

(2)  all  forcing  of  product  be  eliminated,  and  let  each  exhibitor 
jump  for  each  picture  he  can  use  (this  would  not  change  the 
demand  for  product  much)  ;  and  (3)  all  adjustments  of  individual 
problems  involving  exhibitors  and  distributors  and  also  all  prob- 
lems involving  exhibitors  and  producers  and  the  pictures  they  make 
be  made  by  boards  composed  of  representatives  from  both  sides, 
surely  this  industry  might  still  have  some  chance  of  not  being 
sunk  after  this  war  by  television,  as  was  the  theatre  business 
after  the  last  war  by  the  introduction  of  radio  into  the  home. 

"And  will  it  take  a  man  to  lead  us  toward  the  above  goal  ?  You 
bet  your  sweet  life.    And  the  logical  man  is  William  F.  Rodgers. 

"The  catch  there  would  be  whether  or  not  Mr.  Rodgers  would 
be  willing  to  risk  heartbreak  a  second  time.  And  no  one  could 
blame  him  if  he  made  a  negative  decision. 

"Gentlemen,  the  ring  on  this  merry-go-round  is  passing  by. 
Do  we  grab  it  or  don't  we?" 


Signals  in  the  Breeze 


CHARLES  W.  KOERNER,  sounding  it  for  RKO :  "In  war 
films,  it  is  the  quality  of  the  picture,  not  the  type,  that 
matters.    They,  equally  as  well  as  gangster  and  other 
'type'  films,  can  be  overdone  and  become  a  drug  on  the  market." 

■  Abe  Montague,  sounding  it  for  Columbia:  "If  it's  a  good 
story  tell  it  whether  it  is  a  war  story  or  whatever." 

•  M-G-M  sounding  it,  but  not  announcing  it:  Work  on  "Russia" 
folded  temporarily  because  the  original  ending  was  heavily  war. 
Taking  heed  of  the  signs,  the  new  ending  is  minus  war. 

•  Abram  F.  Myers,  in  an  Allied  bulletin :  "The  decision  in  the 
Crescent  case  points  the  way  for  independent  exhibitors  to  secure 
injunctions  and  to  recover  damages  by  way  of  private  actions 
under  the  anti-trust  laws  for  injuries  resulting  from  discrimina- 
tory prices,  terms  and  conditions  granted  by  distributors  to  their 
circuit  competitors." 

■  Ed  Kuykendall,  in  an  MPTOA  bulletin  discussing  suggestions 
to  counteract  stratospheric  rentals :  "The  use  of  well-managed 
buying  and  booking  agencies  by  independent  exhibitors  without 
circuit  connections  or  partnership  with  a  distributor,  to  get  the 
advantages  of  circuit  buying  power  and  facilities  for  the  frequent 
film  deals  required  by  the  blocks-of-five  system." 


June     12,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


17 


MAJORS  TO  SELL  IN  BLOCKS 
WITH  DECREE  BIG  "IF" 


Expect  No  Departure  from 
Present  Sales  Formula; 
"Up  to  Exhibitors" 

More  of  the  same  will  probably  be  the 
sales  plan  for  the  new  1943-'44  film  season 
which  starts  September  1st. 

Little  departure  is  expected  in  home  office 
circles  from  the  selling  formulas  set  up  un- 
der the  Consent  Decree  and  continued  by 
most  distributors  after  the  compulsory  sell- 
ing and  trade  show  provisions  expired  in 
June,  1942.  Changes,  if  any,  will  not  be 
initiated  by  their  sales  departments. 

A  survey  of  the  home  offices  of  the  five 
consenting  distributors,  MGM,  Paramount, 
Warners,  RKO  and  Twentieth  Century-Fox 
indicates  that  their  staffs  expect  to  carry  on 
next  year  under  policies  substantially  the 
same  as  those  in  effect  during  the  current 
season.  Sales,  contract,  exchange  opera- 
tion and  legal  department  executives  in  all 
companies  said  that  they  knew  of  no  plans  to 
revise  their  film  selling  procedures. 

Distributor  sentiment  generally  holds 
that  any  change  should  come  from  the 
Government  or  exhibitors.  "Theatre  men 
asked  for  small  blocks  and  now  they've 
got  them,"  one  distributor  spokesman  re- 
marked. "Now  they  want  to  change  back 
to  full  season  sales  but  the  first  move  is 
not  up  to  us." 

Don  Guttman,  president,  and  Henry  Greebe, 
secretary  of  the  North-Central  Allied  Inde- 
pendent Theatre  Owners  arrived  in  Washington 
Wednesday  to  seek  Government  support  for  a 
revision  of  sales  practices.  They  were  expected 
to  confer  with  Robert  Wright,  of  the  Depart- 
ment of  Justice  film  unit  and  eastern  exhibitor 
leaders. 

The  three-year  trial  period  of  the  Consent 
Decree  ends  on  November  20th.  After  that 
date  the  distributors  or  the  Government  may 
move  for  revision  of  its  terms,  to  set  it  aside, 
or  for  a  new  trial  of  the  New  York  bill  of 
complaint.  In  the  absence  of  action  some  at- 
torneys say,  however,  that  most  provisions, 
sales  terms  included,  of  the  decree,  remain 
binding  indefinitely. 

General  sales  managers  are  now  studying 
the  product  in  their  company's  backlog  or  in 
production  to  determine  which  ones  will  key 
their  first  groups  for  the  new  season.  They 
are  also  making  tentative  plans  for  regional  and 
home  office  conferences  with  branch  and  dis- 
trict managers  to  replace  the  general  sales 
conventions  of  previous  years. 

Tentative  Sales  Plans 
Are  Outlined 

Tentatively  sales  plans  line  up  as  follows : 

Paramount,  RKO  and  Twentieth  Century- 
Fox  will  continue  to  sell  blocks  of  five  pictures, 
or  less,  after  trade  shows. 

Warners  will  maintain  its  single  picture  sell- 
ing plan,  with  a  limited  number  of  releases. 
United  Artists  will  also  follow  its  customary 
unit  sales  policy. 

MGM  will  offer  "as  many  pictures  as  are 
available  in  its  blocks,  seeking  to  release  about 
four  groups  of  ten  or  less. 

Columbia,  Universal  and  Republic,  also  Mon- 
ogram and  Producers  Releasing  will  continue 
full  season  sales  as  in  the  past. 

Between  two  and  four  "specials"  will  be  re- 
leased and  sold  individually  by  the  majors. 

Technically  the  companies  who  signed  the 


Executives  Say  "Mail  Order" 
Selling  "Can't  Be  Done" 

Mail  order  selling  of  motion  pictures  "just  can't  be  done",  in  the  opinion  of 
home  office  sales  executives  who  were  asked  this  week  about  reports  that  they 
planned  to  solicit  new  season  contracts  via  the  mails.  Salesmen  will  continue  to  call 
on  each  customer  for  each  deal,  despite  gasoline  rationing  and  travel  problems, 
they  said. 

The  inherent  differences  in  every  film  deal  make  it  impossible  to  close  many  sales 
by  mail,  the  executives  said.  A  few  contracts  have  been  closed  this  way  in  the  past, 
but  there  are  no  plans  to  extend  mail  solicitation  of  new  contracts  to  the  scope  of 
a  "Sears,  Roebuck  system"  of  mail  buying.  Current  mail  deals  are  with  small,  out- 
of-the-way  accounts,  it  was  said. 

"Every  deal  is  different.  It  requires  personal  bargaining  between  exhibitor  and 
salesman,"  explained  Michael  Poller,  assistant  to  RKO's  sales  manager. 

Other  salesmen  of  long  experience  supported  this  viewpoint.  They  also  ventured 
the  opinion  that  the  salesman  who  is  on  the  spot,  "pen  in  hand",  would  have  the 
advantage  over  a  company  which  tried  to  close  deals  by  mail.  Exhibitors  are  not 
prolific  letter  writers,  one  manager  remarked,  predicting  that  many  would  merely 
file  and  forget  contracts  mailed  to  them  to  sign  and  return. 

Salesmen,  the  home  offices  reported,  are  managing  to  reach  all  their  accounts 
on  every  group  of  contracts.  Some  have  received  supplemental  gasoline  rations; 
where  these  run  out  they  must  cover  accounts  by  train,  plane,  bus  or  shoe  leather. 
The  home  offices  are  inclined  to  leave  the  transport  problem  up  to  the  film  peddler. 


Consent  Decree  are  at  liberty  to  sell  pictures 
under  any  formula  they  elect.  The  "escape 
clause,"  or  Section  XII  of  the  decree,  provided 
for  their  release  from  the  blocks  of  five  limit 
and  compulsory  trade  shows  after  September  1, 
1942,  in  the  event  that  a  similar  decree  or  order 
had  not  been  obtained  against  the  "Little 
Three,"  Columbia,  Universal  and  United  Art- 
ists. 

Lawyers  Divided  on  Need 
For  Court  Dismissal 

Last  year  the  consenting  distributors  made 
no  formal  application  to  have  these  provisions 
set  aside.  Lawyers  were  divided  in  opinion 
as  to  the  necessity  of  a  formal  court  dismissal 
of  the  selling  terms  of  Sections  III  and  LV. 

At  least  one  company,  MGM,  increased  its 
blocks  to  as  many  as  12  pictures.  All  consent- 
ing distributors  have  continued  to  adhere  strict- 
ly to  the  trade  show  requirement  of  the  Con- 
sent Decree. 

Two  companies,  Twentieth  Century-Fox  and 
RKO,  are  planning  to  start  their  film  year  on 
August  1st  as  has  been  their  past  custom. 

Twentieth  Century-Fox  will  continue  to 
group  its  pictures  in  blocks  of  five,  selling  each 
block  separately,  it  is  reported.  Tom  Connors, 
vice-president  and  general  sales  manager,  is 
currently  working  on  plans  for  sales  meetings 
to  be  held  early  in  July.  At  that  time  he  is 
expected  to  announce  continuance  of  the  block- 
of-five  policy  and  to  outline  the  product  which 
will  be  marketed  next  fall. 

Spyros  Skouras,  president,  in  announcing  a 
production  budget  of  approximately  $35,000,000 
for  30  to  40  pictures,  indicated  that  they  would 
be  offered  under  the  same  sales  method  in  ef- 
fect this  year.  Details  of  the  sales  campaigns 
for  the  first  1943-44  blocks  will  be  announced 
at  regional  meetings  in  July. 

RKO,  it  is  reported,  will  also  group  its  new 
product  into  blocks-of-five  in  the  pattern  of  its 


current  offerings.  Single  deals  will  be  made 
on  Samuel  Goldwyn,  Walt  Disney  and  other 
independent  productions  for  the  company. 

Ned  E.  Depinet,  president,  and  Robert  Mo- 
chrie,  general  sales  manager,  will  call  their 
sales  staffs  to  New  York  for  a  general  sales 
convention  at  the  Waldorf  Astoria  Hotel  on 
July  12th,  13th  and  14th. 

Company  officials  indicated  that  the  films 
would  be  offered  in  the  small  blocks  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  requirements  of  the  Consent 
Decree.  In  lack  of  official  dispensation  from 
its  selling  privileges,  they  said,  they  are  under 
the  impression  that  any  changes  to  larger 
blocks  would  meet  the  opposition  of  the  Gov- 
ernment. Although  admitting  that  full  season 
sales  were  made  in  Canada  and  abroad,  they 
cited  opposition  by  the  film  unit  of  the  Depart- 
ment of  Justice  to  selling  large  blocks  of  pic- 
tures which  are  not  trade  shown. 

At  Warners  it  was  reported  that  the  com- 
pany would  continue  to  issue  its  pictures  singly, 
at  the  rate  of  about  one  a  month.  They  are  to 
be  trade  shown  and  sold  separately.  There 
have  been  no  announcements  of  any  plans  to 
change  this  method  and  it  was  considered  un- 
likely that  Ben  Kalmenson,  general  sales  man- 
ager, had  even  considered  a  return  to  large 
block  sales. 

Paramount  Plans  Now 
Under  Discussion 

Warners  will  announce  its  plans  for  next  sea- 
son to  its  field  staff  at  regional  meetings  in 
New  York  from  July  1st  to  3rd;  Chicago,  6th 
to  10th,  and  San  Francisco,  the  15th  to  17th. 

Paramount  plans  for  the  new  season  are  be- 
ing drawn  up  this  week  in  home  office  confer- 
ences between  Y.  Frank  Freeman,  head  of  the 
studio ;  Neil  Agnew,  general  sales  manager, 
and  other  home  office  executives,  it  was  report- 
ed.   Although  there  was  no  official  word  of 

(Continued  on  following  page,  column  3) 


18 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June     12,  1943 


RKO,  Warners 
Set  Meetings 

RKO  Radio  will  hold  its  annual  sales  meet- 
ing on  July  12th,  13th  and  14th  at  the  Waldorf- 
Astoria  Hotel  in  New  York,  according  to  an 
announcement  this  week  from  Ned  E.  Depinet, 
president.  Company  sales  policies  and  product 
plans  for  the  1943-44  program  will  be  discussed. 

Harry  Michalson,  RKO  short  subjects  sales 
manager,  last  week  announced  release  dates  for 
three  subjects.  "Lieutenant  Smith,"  eighth  in 
the  RKO  Pathe  "This  Is  America"  series,  was 
set  for  June  4th;  "North  African  Album," 
third  and  last  of  the  Victory  specials,  was  re- 
leased nationally  on  June  3rd,  and  in  the  New 
York  metropolitan  area  it  will  be  released  on 
June  17th;  "Jamboree,"  RKO  series,  will  be 
released  June  25th. 

Walt  Disney  announced  in  Hollywood  Mon- 
day that  in  addition  to  the  second  South  Ameri- 
can musical,  "Surpise  Package,"  and  "The 
Gremlins,"  "Bongo,"  written  by  Sinclair  Lewis, 
would  be  added  to  the  schedule  of  forthcoming 
productions.  It  was  said  that  92  per  cent  of 
production  at  the  Disney  studios  was  now  for 
the  Army,   Navy   and   Government  agencies. 

Paramount  will  hold  a  district  managers  sales 
meeting  in  New  York,  July  14-17,  at  the  Hotel 
Pierre,  Neil  Agnew,  vice-president  in  charge  of 
sales,  announced  this  week. 
Three  regional  sales  meetings  will  be  held  by 


Warner  Bros,  next  month  in  New  York, 
Chicago  and  San  Francisco,  to  discuss  sales 
policies,  merchandising  plans  and  product  for 
1943-44,  it  was  announced  this  week  by  Ben 
Kalmenson,  general  sales  manager.  The  New 
York  meeting  will  take  place  July  1-3 ;  Chicago, 
July  6-10,  and  San  Francisco,  July  15-17. 

Home  office  executives  who  will  attend  the 
meetings  will  include,  besides  Mr.  Kalmenson, 
Joseph  Bernhard,  vice-president ;  Mort  Blumen- 
stock,  in  charge  of  advertising  and  publicity  in 
the  east ;  Arthur  Sachson,  assistant  general 
sales  manager  ;  Norman  H.  Moray,  short  subject 
sales  manager ;  Roy  Haines,  southern  and  west- 
ern division  sales  manager ;  Jules  Lapidus,  east- 
ern division  sales  manager ;  A.  W.  Schwalberg, 
supervisor  of  exchanges ;  Howard  Levinson  of 
the  legal  staff ;  Robert  Schless  and  Joseph 
Hummel,  foreign  department  executives ; 
Samuel  Schneider,  assistant  to  Harry  M.  War- 
ner, and  others. 

Universal's  Chicago  sales  meeting  which  got 
under  way  on  Tuesday  at  the  Blackstone  Hotel, 
will  continue  to  June  18th,  with  W.  A.  Scully, 
vice-president  and  general  sales  manager,  presid- 
ing. A  contingent  of  studio  executives  and  west 
coast  personnel  journeyed  to  Chicago  for  the 
sessions.  District  and  branch  managers  also 
were  in  attendance. 


W.  E.  Declares  Dividend 

The  directors  of  the  Western  Electric  Com- 
pany declared  a  dividend  of  50  cents  per  share 
on  the  common  stock,  payable  on  June  30th  to 
stockholders  of  record  on  June  25th. 


Majors  Continue 
Block  Selling 

{Continued  from  preceding  page) 

the  sales  method  for  1943-44  pending  designa- 
tion of  the  place  and  dates  for  sales  confer- 
ences, it  was  reported  in  several  departments 
of  the  company  that  no  changes  are  in  the 
offing.  Several  executives  expressed  the  opin- 
ion that  the  blocks-of-five  system  had  proved 
satisfactory  to  all  parties  and  predicted  that  it 
would  continue. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  will  continue  to  sell 
in  as  large  blocks  as  possible,  it  was  reported. 
As  many  pictures  as  are  available  for  trade 
show  will  be  included  in  the  first  group  home 
office  officials  said.  This  year,  the  company's 
blocks  ranged  in  size  from  five  to  12  pictures, 
with  seven  in  the  most  recent  group. 

William  F.  Rodgers,  general  sales  manager, 
indicated  that  the  company  will  undertake  no 
changes  in  its  basic  policy.  As  outlined  in 
recent  letters  to  branch  managers,  each  ex- 
change will  continue  a  careful  analysis  of  busi- 
ness in  its  territory  and  tailor  the  company's 
sliding  scale  to  meet  individual  situations. 

In  a  letter  to  exhibitor  leaders  this  week  Mr. 
Rodgers  pointed  out  that  this  study  would  take 
time  and  asked  that  if  they  knew  of  cases  of 
hardship  they  would  submit  them  to  the  MGM 
home  office  and  branches  for  re-designation  and 
adjustment. 


Running  Time  on  'A'  Pictures  Shows  Upward  Trend 


i 


i 


SEP      OCT      NOV      DEC      JAN  "  FEB      MAR      APR      MAY     JUN  JUL 


AUG 


145 
140 
155 
ISO 
125 
120 
119 
1 10 
105 
100 
95 
90 
0,85 

^ao 
k 
^> 
*  70 

i" 

60 
55 
50 
45 
40 
55 
JO 
26 
20 
15 
10 
5 


75 


AUG 


SEP  OCT 


NOV 


OK 


JAN       FEB       MAB       APR  MAY 


This  chart  shows  the  monthly  average  running  time  of  top 
budget  pictures  from  the  beginning  of  the  1941-42  product  season 
to  May,  1943.  The  dates  used  are  those  of  the  appearance  of 
reviews  in  Motion  Picture  Herald.  The  numbered  points  indicate 
some  of  the  top  running  times  of  the  period.  They  are:  (I)  "They 
Died  with  Their  Boots  On"  (WB),  140;  (2)  "Kings  Row"  (WB),  130; 
(3)  "Reap  the  Wild  Wind"  (Para.),  124;  (4)  "Mrs.  Miniver" 
(MGM),  133;  (5)  "Talk  of  the  Town"  (Col.),  I  18;  (6)  "Eagle  Squad- 
ron" (Univ.),  108;  (7)  "Pride  of  the  Yankees"  (RKO),  128;  (8)  "This 
Above  All"  (20th-Fox),  118;  (9)  "Random  Harvest"  (MGM),  126; 
(10)  "Air  Force"  (WB),  124;  (I  I)  "Stage  Door  Canteen"  (UA),  132. 
The  all  time  high  was  "Gone  with  the  Wind"  with  220  minutes. 
Paramount's  "For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls"  runs  170  minutes. 


Graph  by  Motion  Picture  Herald 


Answering  the  demand  for  a  higher  stand- 
ard OF  SUPPORTING  PROGRAMS,  TO  KEEP  PACE 
WITH  THE  STEPPED-UP  DRAWING  POWER  AND 
STAMINA  OF  TODAY'S  GREAT  HOLDOVER  HITS- 

Paramount 

Announces 

A  Sensationally  C    L    Rfui  Program  of 


For  1943-44 


Brighter- 
Newer— 
Better  — 


THREE  WAYS!  . 


Para 


long  the  leader  —  again  takes  the  lead  in  the  development 
of  the  Short  Subject  field  with  a  new -season  line-up 
of  64  LONG-RUN  SHORTS  that  bring  you  these 


No  less  than^  PER  CENT  of  the  new 
season  s^^>duct  will  be  in  COLOR! 
That^^ans  48  out  of  64  subjects — seven 
wot  nine  series  .  .  .  An  even  100%  in- 
ease  in  color  over  last  year  .  .  .  with  color 
used  in  three  more  series  than  a  year  ago. 


THREE 


A  sensational  new  program  of  feature- 
quality  musicals  made  on  the  Paramount  lot 
in  Hollywood — a  hilarious  new  cartoon 
character  with  a  ready-made  following— 
and  a  new  novelty  series — all  3  in  Color! 


100%  BETTER 


lolor  musical^made  in  Hollywood  by 
a  r  a m o u nt^rex pert  musical  showmen  .  .  . 
Color  added  to  "Popeye"  .  .  .  Fresher, 
funnier  cartoon  characters  and  scripts  .  .  . 

keyed  exclusively  to  the  sole  aim 
of  happy,   relaxing  Entertainment  ......  . 

with  never  a  solemn  foot  in  all  70  reels! 


Get  Your  Winning  C  HORS  In  These  9  Sv*?0   Kil¥j  Series 


Through  These  Gates 
Will  Pass  The  Most  Beautiful 
Musical  Shorts  In 
The  World 


V 


/  / 


Produced  For  The  First  Time  ; 
At  Paramount's  Hollywood  Studio 

By  The  Industry's  Master  Musical  Makers 


SPEC 


HOLLYWOOD  STARS 


BANDS 


t 


HIT-PARADE  SONGS 


.AR  PRODUCTIONS      /!■!  JFB 

HOLLYWOOD  BEAUTIES 


EXPERT  SCRIPTS 


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6  Two-Reel 
Productions 

In  Technicolor 

A  sensational  NEW  series  made  with  all 
the  Paramount  class  and  skill,  resources 
and  showmanship  that  have  brought  for- 
tunes to  the  box-office  in  "Star  Spangled 
Rhythm,"  "Road  to  Morocco,"  "Holi- 
day Inn,"  "The  Fleet's  In"  and  others. 

fated  frtrffiet,  &OfM 


aramount  Will  Have  24 


Q  Paramount 
Pictures  Inc. 


"T 

A  live  in  the  great 
big  'Saturday  Evening  Post'  and 
I  have  13  million  friends  who 
come  to  see  me  every  week  and 
they  tell  their  friends  that  I'm  the 
cutest  little  devil  they've  ever 
seen.  And  now  that  Paramount  company  is  going  to 
dress  me  all  up  in  Technicolor  and  make  me  a  famous 
movie  star  because  I  make  people  laugh  so.  Isn't  that  nice 
of  them?  iflhrh      It's  darn  smart  of  them,  if  you  ask  me!" 


A  /if  «#r  SERIES 
OF  8  ONE-REEL 

CARTOONS 
FEATURING  . .  . 


THE  TOAST  OF  THE  "POST"- 


Comedy  Sensation  of"  TheSaturday  Evening  Post' ' 

IN  TECH  MICOLOR 


A  SCREAM  ON  THE  SCREEN 


A  SPECIAL  PROMOTION  CAMPAIGN  WILL  LAUNCH  THE 
SCREEN'S  BIGGEST  LITTLE  STAR  IN  A  GREAT  BIG  WAY 


DONS- Every  One  In  Technicolor 


Now"e'sTwke 

As  STRONG  r 

COLOR 

s~  •  !  to  Zl?ith  o?GB,ue' 

°  <*iebratehis  lLl**11 
*  °"e-*ee/  Can  '  yeari 


if 


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•  •  .  *  f^,an*  NOVBLTv  


The  n„M:_ 

»»r>  cartoon  and  «  ineni  both'  n~ 
Way—wjtL    ..  '     a  novel  anrt         y'  Wl" 


Q  1943,  Johnny  Gruelle  Co. 


nd  These  5  Great  Novelty  Series  Are  Th 


3 


BRILLIANT  SERIES 


When  A  Fellow  Needs  A  JUL  "Madcap  Model 


ii 


When  you  want  to  streamline  your 
show,  give  it  a  modern  touch  that's 
absolutely  different,  you  need  George 
Pal's  beautiful  and  amazing  novelty 
shorts — the  only  attraction  of  their 
kind  in  the  animation  field!  .  .  . 
Three -dimension  characters  in  gor- 


geous color  and  stunning  settings. 
Jasper  the  Pickaninny  will  be  made  a 
top  star  this  year,  and  there  will  be 
down-to-earth  stories  and  gags.  The 
trade  press  calls  them  .  .  .  "Top 
flight  entertainment  .  .  .  Grandly  enter- 
taining for  adults  as  well  as  youngsters." 


—  6  One-Reel     jtt     M  M  Ml 

f    ▼  m  R  Produced  by  George  Pal 


1 


6  One-Reel 


POPULAR  is  the  word  .  .  .  and  growing 
every  year.  SCIENCE  made  interesting  and 
entertaining  for  all.  New  beauty  aids  to  in- 
terest women  .  .  .  odd  and  amazing  new 
designs  for  living,  working,  playing.  A 
scientific  approach  to  better  entertainment. 


IN  MA 

Produced  b> 


6  One-Reel 


IN  MAGNACOLOR 

Produced  by  Fairbanks  and  Carlisle 


UNUSUAL  in  their  sustained  interest  and 
popularity  year  after  year.  UNUSUAL  voca- 
tions of  little-known  people  .  .  .  UNUSUAL 
avocations  of  well-known  personalities  .  .  . 
Not  UNUSUAL... is  their  steadily  increas- 
ing use  on  well-balanced  shorts  programs. 


Justry's  Best  In  The  Q0*jfy*l 


/  COLOR 


ACOLOR 

iks  and  Carlisle 


AND  THESE  FAMOUS  FAVORITES 


The  Only  Animals  That  Ever  Won  The 

ACADEMY  AWARD 

See  them — try  them — buy  them.  Test 
them  on  yourself,  your  wife,  or  your 
audience  ...  If  you  don't  sign  for  them 
then,  we  won't  bother  you  again  .  .  . 
That's  how  cocksure  we  are  of  the  superb 
entertainment  qualities  of  these  hilarious 
shorts  that  make  the  animals  speak — 


6  One-Reel 


Qpeaki 


n 


Animals 

Produced  by  Fairbanks  and  Carlisle 


For  22  years  SPORTLIGHTS  have  been 
entertainment  highlights  for  shorts  pro- 
grams, and  for  1943-'44  we  will  have 

10  Grantland  Rice 


One-Reel 


hts 


Produced  by  Jack  Eaton 

Not  conventional  sport  shots  but  novelty 
subjects  of  timely  news  interest  to  every 
man,  woman,  and  child  ...  all  thrill- 
ingly  told  by  celebrated  Grantland  Rice. 
Narrated  by  Ted  Husing,  Radio  Sport  Expert 


DOES  YOUR  NEWSREEL  GIVE  YOUR  PROGRAM 

A  Lift  Or  A  Lull  ? 


There  are  A's  and  B's  in  Newsreels  too. 
Anyone  can  buy  a  camera  .  .  .  Anyone 
can  shoot  the  news.  But  smart  editing, 
news -sense   showmanship,  and  clever 


presentation  make  all  the  difference  be- 
tween an  exciting  attraction  and  "Inter- 
mission." We  confidently  invite  you  to 
compare  any  other  Newsreel  with  .  .  . 


Paramount  News 


TODAY'S  LONGER  FEATURE  RUNS  CALL  FOR 

Long-Run  Short  Features 

—and  fewer  of  them.  So  Paramount's  product  for  the  new  year 
is  sensibly  restricted  in  quantity  to  your  present-day  needs— 

6  Two-Reelers  —  58  One  -  Reefers  —  104  Paramount  News 

but  unlimited   in  quality  to   make   good   this  statement  — 


^■0^       If  U's  A  m 

Short  It's  The  Best  Show-Builder  In  Town 


Book  "PRELUDE  TO  WAR,"  The  Sensational  55 -Minute  Government  Film  That's  Rental-Free! 


June    12,    19  4  3  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  27 

BRITISH  SOVIETS  RACE  U.  S. 
FOR  MIDDLE  EAST  FIELD 


The  USSR  Pours  Cocktails 
For  Executives  and  Press 


By  Staff  Photographer 


GRAVE,  silent  young  men  opened  the  massive  doors  of  the  Russian  Consulate, 
New  York,  Tuesday  afternoon,  to  a  special  audience  of  trade  and  newspaper  men, 
interested  persons  from  film  companies  and  Government  bureaus,  and  assorted 
Russians.  They  drank  Martinis  and  conversed  in  spacious  rooms,  never  far  from  a 
heroic  stone  bas-relief  of  Lenin  and  Stalin — and  saw  "The  Russian  Story",  compiled 
in  America  from  Russian  films,  and  unveiled  to  the  public  Tuesday  night  at  the 
Stanley  theatre,  New  York,  the  Soviet  Government's  film  "show  window"  in  this 
country,  where  the  premiere  was  sponsored  by  the  National  Council  of  Soviet- 
American  Friendship,  headed  by  Corliss  Lamont. 

Above  are  hosts  of  the  occasion:  Joseph  Burstyn,  producer  of  the  picture;  Nicola 
Napoli,  head  of  Artkino,  which  will  distribute;  Eugene  Kisselev,  Soviet  Consul  Gen- 
eral in  New  York;  and  Leonid  Antonov,  Russian  film  representative  in  the  U.  S. 


Films  Show  Marked  Gains 
Since  War,  Commerce 
Department  Reports 

British  and  Russian  films  are  pushing 
American  motion  pictures  for  playing  time 
in  the  Middle  East,  according  to  a  study 
made  by  the  Bureau  of  Foreign  and  Do- 
mestic Commerce  from  field  reports,  titled 
"Movies  in  the  Middle  East,"  and  pub- 
lished last  week  in  Foreign  Commerce 
Weekly,  official  publication  of  the  depart- 
ment. 

Although  Hollywood  product  currently  is 
supplying  from  50  to  90  per  cent  of  the  mo- 
tion pictures  screened  in  Egypt,  Palestine, 
Iraq  and  Iran,  British  and  Russian  fea- 
tures, shorts  and  newsreels  have  shown  "a 
marked  increase  since  the  war,"  indicating 
increased  competition  with  U.  S.  product 
in  the  Middle  East  after  the  war. 

According  to  the  study,  "Much  attention 
has  been  devoted  to  the  countries  of  the 
Middle  East  since  the  outbreak  of  the  war 
and  to  the  importance  of  the  psychology, 
opinions  and  aptitudes  of  the  peoples  of  these 
lands.  Motion  pictures  cannot,  of  course, 
be  regarded  as  the  major  index  of  the  broad- 
er questions  involved,"  it  was  pointed  out, 
"but  the  developments  and  tendencies  in  that 
particular  field  do  afford  a  few  significant 
hints  concerning  tendencies  and  dispositions 
— and  the  facts  about  the  movie  business  be- 
tween the  Nile  Valley  and  Afghanistan  un- 
questionably have  a  meaning  for  future  trad- 
ing possibilities  (in  other  fields  as  well  as 
that  of  the  film)  after  the  guns  shall  have 
ceased  firing." 

Egypt's  Film  Industry 
Has  Made  Progress 

Egypt's  native  industry,  established  in  1927, 
has  made  "notable  progress  since  1935,"  the 
study  disclosed,  although  curtailment  of  the  im- 
portation of  raw  materials,  because  of  the  war, 
may  cause  production  to  drop  sharply  this  year. 
About  95  per  cent  of  the  1942  film  imports  to 
Egypt  came  from  the  U.  S.  and  the  remainder 
from  England.  Currently,  there  are  15  com- 
panies operating  in  five  studios,  producing  pic- 
tures in  Egypt.  In  1942,  26  features  were  made, 
compared  with  14  the  preceding  year.  Before 
1935,  however,  only  two  or  three  features  were 
produced  annually. 

Egyptian  pictures  are  shipped  to  such  Arabic- 
speaking  countries  as  Syria,  the  Lebanon,  Pal- 
estine and  Iraq.  Rarely,  if  ever,  are  they  dis- 
tributed elsewhere. 

No  newsreels  are  being  produced  in 
Egypt  at  the  present  time,  and  those 
shown  are  all  imported  from  the  United 
States  and  England.  "Adventure  and  sen- 
timental stories"  from  the  U.  S.  are  favo- 
rites, "and  war  stories  are  popular  if  they 
do  not  contain  too  much  propaganda. 
There  is  no  dubbing,  but  French  sub- 
titles are  superimposed  and  Arabic  trans- 
lations are  thrown  on  a  side  screen." 

U.  S.  films  still  lead  in  Palestine,  in  number 
and  popularity,  the  survey  indicated.  As  a_  re- 
sult of  the  war,  no  pictures  are  being  received 
from  France,  formerly  an  important  source, 
and  imports  from  England  have  been  sharply 
curtailed.  Product  from  Russia  and  Egypt,  how- 


ever, "has  shown  a  marked  increase."  Pales- 
tine has  no  domestic  motion  picture  industry. 

War  and  action  pictures  are  favorites  with 
Palestinian  audiences.  Both  British  and  U.  S. 
newsreels  are  exhibited  regularly ;  those  from 
Russia,  occasionally.  Educational  and  docu- 
mentary films  shown  are  mostly  from  the  U.  S. 
and  England.  There  is  no  dubbing,  but  abbre- 
viated versions  of  dialogue  in  Hebrew  or  Arabic, 
or  both,  are  flashed  on  a  small  auxiliary  screen 
placed  beside  the  main  screen. 

No  films  are  made  in  Iraq  and  no  Axis  films 
are  exhibited  there,  the  publication  reported. 
In  general,  U.  S.  productions  are  preferred,  fol- 
lowed by  Egyptian,  Indian  and  British  films. 

War  films  are  of  particular  interest  to  patrons 
of  theatres  in  Iraq,  although  musicals  are  the 
favorites,  with  sentimental  and  adventure  stor- 
ies ranking  next  in  public  favor.  Audiences 
seem  to  find  it  difficult  to  understand  animated 
cartoons  and,  consequently,  shorts  of  this  type 
are  not  very  popular. 

There  are  26  regular  theatres  and  10  open- 
air  houses  in  Iraq,  plus  seven  mobile  theatres 
owned  and  operated  by  the  British  Embassy. 
These  mobile  units  are  used  to  show  newsreels 


and  the  British  Ministry  of  Information  short 
subjects  in  remote  towns  and  villages.  Iraq's 
imports  of  films  in  1942  were  estimated  at  200 
features,  the  majority  from  the  U.  S. ;  24  shorts 
and  104  newsreels,  including  the  United  News- 
reel  produced  by  the  overseas  film  unit  of  the 
U.  S.  Office  of  War  Information. 

During  the  12-month  period  ended  March  21, 
1943,  it  was  estimated  that  from  70  to  80  per 
cent  of  the  pictures  imported  in  Iran  were  from 
the  U.  S.  The  remainder  came  from  Russia, 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  from  England, 
Egypt  and  India. 

Between  March  22,  1940,  and  March  21,  1941, 
approximately  60  per  cent  of  the  films  shown  in 
Iran  were  from  the  U.  S. ;  18  per  cent  from 
Germany ;  12  per  cent  from  Russia  and  five  per 
cent  from  France.  German  films  have  been 
completely  eliminated  from  the  market  since 
the  Anglo-Soviet  occupation  of  Iran  in  August, 
1941,  and  French  films  also  are  disappearing. 

British  and  Soviet  newsreels  are  shown  al- 
most exclusively,  but  U.  S.  newsreels,  pre- 
sumably including  the  OWI's  United  Newsreel, 
appear  to  be  well  liked,  but  few  are  distributed 
in  Iran,  it  was  said. 


28 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June     12,  1943 


British  Charge  U.  S. 
Delays  War  Films 


Breakdown  Seen  Between 
Army  Film  Authorities 
and  English  Units 

by  AUBREY  FLANAGAN 

in  London 

The  English  people  are  in  danger  of 
forming  an  "unbalanced"  picture  of  Ameri- 
ca's military  role  in  the  war  due  to  the  lack 
of  adequate  Army  film  coverage  of  U.  S. 
war  activities.  A  breakdown  in  the  col- 
laboration between  the  U.  S.  Army  motion 
picture  authorities  in  Washington  and  the 
newsreels  and  British  Government  film 
units  in  London,  is  being  blamed  for  the 
situation  which  is  regarded  by  British  film 
industry  officials  as  detrimental  to  the  con- 
tinuance of  Anglo-American  war  effort  co- 
operation. 

One  of  the  current  results  of  the  present 
lack  of  film  coverage  of  U.  S.  operations,  is 
that  no  footage  whatever  on  the  American 
phase  of  the  final  Tunisian  campaign  has 
been  received  by  either  the  Crown  Film 
unit  or  the  Army  film  unit  for  inclusion  in 
"Tunisian  Victory,"  which  is  now  in  pro- 
duction. The  film  was  designed  as  a  sequel 
to  "Desert  Victory." 

Moreover,  British  newsreels,  against 
their  wishes,  are  presenting  a  sketchy,  in- 
complete picture  of  the  U.  S.  forces  in  action 
due  entirely  to  the  fact  that  American  nega- 
tive has  not  been  forthcoming. 

British  Audiences  Seen 
Deprived  of  Films 

The  result,  obviously,  is  that  British  au- 
diences and  exhibitors,  both  of  which  are 
intensely  pro-American,  are  being  deprived 
of  films  they  are  most  eager  to  see,  and  the 
British  screen  is  placed  in  the  position  at 
present  of  having  an  unbalanced  picture  of 
the  war. 

British  producers  working  on  "Tunisian 
Victory,"  meanwhile,  are  anxious  to  make 
the  film  as  comprehensible  as  possible,  but 
they  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  pictures 
even  of  the  American  forces'  entry  into 
Bizerte,  let  alone  combat  footage  leading  up 
to  the  capture  of  the  city  by  the  Americans. 

Criticize  Delays  in 
Shipping  War  Footage 

Criticism  here  is  being  directed  particu- 
larly at  the  apparent  failure  of  Washington 
authorities  to  fulfill  an  agreement  calling 
for  the  re-shipment  to  London  of  the  war 
footage  which  is  dispatched  to  Washington 
initially.  This  fact,  more  than  anything 
else,  is  regarded  as  the  explanation  of  why 
British  newsreels  and  service  film  units  are 
practically  starved  for  material  covering 
America's  operational  activities.  Discon- 
tent also  has  been  expressed  here  that  the 
footage  shot  in  Tunisia  by  highly  equipped 
American  film  units,  manned  by  Hollywood 
experts,  was  rushed  by  priority  to  Holly- 
wood, but  none  had  been  sent  to  London. 

The  situation  is  viewed  as  more  deplor- 
able here  in  view  of  the  normal  harmony 
and  cooperation  which  exists  among  the 


BRITISH  STOCK  CUTS 
HIT  ARMY  FILMS 

A  serious  curtailment  of  entertain- 
ment motion  pictures  for  U.  S.  Army 
forces  in  Britain,  due  to  the  critical 
raw  stock  supply  situation  in  England, 
was  reported  in  London  this  week. 
Several  months  ago,  the  raw  stock 
shortage  resulted  in  Britain's  War  Of- 
fice placing  entertainment  films  from 
the  U.  S.  in  its  secondary  printing  re- 
quirement category.  American  Army 
officers  in  England  are  reported  to 
be  seriously  concerned  over  the  pres- 
ent situation,  despite  the  fact  that 
the  current  print  supply  is  nearly 
adequate  for  all  requirements.  They 
pointed  out,  however,  that  England's 
raw  stock  shortage  already  had  re- 
duced the  supply  of  American  films 
to  U.  S.  service  men  and  eventually 
might  further  cut  that  supply  to  prac- 
tically nothing.  It  was  estimated  that 
British  laboratories  might  need  a  full 
year  to  catch  up  with  print  require- 
ments of  the  U.  S.  Army  and  the 
Entertainment  National  Services  As- 
sociation, the  latter  a  British  agency. 


newsreels,  the  Ministry  of  Information  and 
the  U.  S.  Army  motion  picture  sections 
and  public  relations  division  in  England. 
Additionally,  there  is  an  increasing  convic- 
tion that  London  is  the  appropriate  and  most 
efficient  directional  center  for  documenta- 
tion activities  of  this  nature. 


No  Comment  from  War 
Department  Officials 

Washington  Bureau 

War  Department  officials  this  week  had 
no  comment  to  make  regarding  the  dis- 
patches from  London  charging  a  lack  of 
cooperation  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic 
which  has  prevented  the  British  public  from 
seeing  pictures  of  the  American  forces  in 
action. 

Unofficially,  however,  it  was  said  that  no 
request  for  the  films  had  been  received  from 
the  British  Ministry  of  Information,  and 
that  if  such  an  application  did  come  it  would 
be  acted  upon  quickly. 

So  far  as  pictures  of  our  operations  in 
the  African  theatre  are  concerned,  it  was 
said,  no  plans  had  yet  crystallized  for  using 
those  films.  The  London  dispatches  said 
that  the  British  had  been  unable  to  secure 
such  pictures  for  inclusion  in  their  proposed 
"Tunisian  Victory." 

There  were  indications  this  week  that 
the  whole  question  of  film  relations  was  un- 
dergoing study  with  a  view  to  ironing  out 
some  of  the  difficulties  that  have  arisen,  but 
War  Department  officials  are  represented 


as  anxious  to  cooperate  with  the  British 
fully  and  no  reason  was  forthcoming  for 
any  failure  of  the  British  to  get  the  pictures 
if  they  wanted  them. 

Meanwhile,  it  was  learned  in  New  York 
Monday  that  Lt.  Colonel  Frank  Capra  was 
editing  the  footage  taken  by  Army  Special 
Services'  film  units  of  the  Tunisian  war 
action.  According  to  reports,  Lt.  Colonel 
Capra  is  working  on  the  film  at  the  Astoria, 
L.  I.,  studios  of  the  Army  Signal  Corps. 


Leslie  Howard 
Still  Missing 

Leslie  Howard  and  more  than  a  dozen  other 
passengers  are  still  missing  following  the  shoot- 
ing down  of  the  airliner  carrying  them  from 
Lisbon  to  England  by  enemy  action  over  the 
Bay  of  Biscay  last  week. 

The  Lisbon  report  indicated  that  Alfred 
Chaenwall,  film  director,  also  was  aboard  the 
commercial  plane.  Little  hope  was  held  for  the 
safety  of  the  passengers,  although  the  search 
for  the  plane  was  still  being  continued. 

Mr.  Howard  had  been  in  Spain  on  an  as- 
signment for  the  British  Government  concern- 
ing the  possibility  of  producing  films  there.  He 
also  had  given  lectures  in  Spain  and  Portugal 
on  how  films  are  made.  He  was  expected  back 
in  England  to  supervise  personally  the  final 
stages  of  "The  Lamp  Still  Burns,"  which  is  be- 
ing produced  by  his  organization. 

Since  1939,  Mr.  Howard  has  been  in  England 
turning  out  films,  broadcasting  for  the  BBC 
and  participating  in  benefits  for  -war  charities. 
He  asked  to  serve  in  a  war  job,  but  was  told 
by  the  Government  to  remain  in  his  present 
capacity,  where  he  proved  to  be  of  more  value 
in  morale  work,  it  was  said. 

Mr.  Howard's  first  appearance  on  the  Ameri- 
can stage  was  in  1920.  In  the  years  that  fol- 
lowed, he  acted  in  such  plays  as  "Petrified 
Forest,"  "The  Scarlet  Pimpernel,"  "Berkeley 
Square"  and  "Her  Cardboard  Lover."  Among 
his  early  films  were  "Outward  Bound"  for 
Warners  and  "Free  Soul,"  MGM,  in  1930.  He 
worked  for  almost  every  company  in  Hollywood, 
and  in  1938  he  acted  in  and  was  co-director  of 
"Pygmalion,"  a  film  which  was  produced  in 
England  under  a  production  unit  partnership 
with  Gabriel  Pascal.  The  following  year  he 
appeared  in  "Intermezzo,"  also  being  listed  as 
associate  producer. 

Mr.  Howard,  born  Leslie  Stainer  in  1893, 
was  a  member  of  the  Northampton  Yeomanry 
in  the  last  war.  He  has  homes  in  Beverly  Hills 
and  Dorking,  Surrey,  and  recently  was  living 
at  Denham,  near  London.  From  his  marriage 
at  Denham,  near  London.  Mr.  Howard  married 
Ruth  Martin  in  1918.  They  have  two  children, 
a  son,  Ronald,  now  in  the  Royal  Navy,  and  a 
daughter,  Leslie. 

RKO  announced  this  week  that  "Spitfire,"  the 
English  film  in  which  Mr.  Howard  co-starred 
with  David  Niven,  will  open  this  Saturday  at 
the  Rivoli,  New  York. 

Company  Acquires  Rights 
To  Th  ree  British  Films 

English  Films,  Inc.,  of  New  York,  has  an- 
nounced that  the  company  will  distribute  in  the 
U.  S.  "Breach  of  Promise,"  "Jeannie"  and 
"War  in  the  Mediterranean,"  all  British  films, 
rights  to  which  were  acquired  recently. 

The  company  also  plans  to  distribute  two  of 
these  films  in  Canada.  "War  in  the  Mediter- 
ranean" is  a  World  in  Action  short  produced 
by  John  Hanau  for  the  Canadian  Ministry  of 
War  Information  narrated  by  Leslie  Howard. 


Acquires  Chicago  Theatre 

Louis  Litovsky  has  acquired  the  Ohio  theatre 
in  Chicago  from  C.  A.  Nelson.  Si  Greiver  has 
been  appointed  booker. 


June     12,  1943 

Paramount  to 
Retire  Debt 
Of  $16,634,000 

Paramount  Pictures,  Inc,.  will  retire  $16,- 
634,000  worth  of  four  per  cent  debentures  due 
in  1956  through  the  private  sale  of  $15,000,000 
in  new  bonds  and  by  application  of  cash  bal- 
ances, it  was  learned  this  week.  This  will 
complete  the  withdrawal  of  all  public  holdings 
of  preferred  stock,  bonds  and  debentures,  leav- 
ing only  the  common  stock  on  the  open  market. 

Negotiations  for  the  sale  of  the  new  bonds 
are  now  being  completed,  Motion  Picture  Daily 
learned  Wednesday  from  a  Paramount  official. 

Sale  of  the  $15,000,000  in  new  securities  at 
interest  rates  below  that  carried  on  the  deben- 
tures will  be  to  banks,  insurance  companies, 
investment  houses  and  to  individual  holders  of 
company  stock.  Completion  of  the  retirement 
program  will  mark  the  payment  of  some  $10,- 
C00,000  of  Paramount  indebtedness  in  the  past 
nine  months. 

The  original  1956  debenture  issue  of  $24,543,- 
000  was  reduced  in  two  stages.  In  October 
$5,700,000  worth  were  exchanged  for  an  equiva- 
lent amount  of  2%  per  cent  bank  notes.  Ad- 
ditionally the  company  anticipated  $2,064,000 
of  the  May  15th  sinking  fund  requirements  and 
$2,845,000  for  future  sinking  fund  needs,  and 
the  directors  recently  allocated  $3,090,000  to 
the  trustee  for  future  sinking  fund  use. 

All  of  the  $12,135,167  worth  of  first  pre- 
ferred six  per  cent  convertible  stock  was  re- 
tired or  converted  into  common  holdings  this 
year.  One-half  was  redeemed  January  7th 
and  the  balance  called  on  May  10th.  In  1942 
$2,250,000  in  six  per  cent  preferred  shares  were 
retired'. 

The  elimination  of  preferred  indebtedness 
through  the  recent  refinancing  operations 
leaves  the  company  with  3,753,484  common 
shares  outstanding. 

See  Universal  26-Week 
Gross  $5,110,042 

Universal  Pictures  Company  was  expected  to 
announce  at  the  board  of  directors  meeting 
Thursday,  gross  earnings  of  $5,110,042  for  the 
26-week  period  ending  May  1st.  The  net  profit, 
after  provision  for  all  charges  and  increased 
Federal  taxes,  amounted  to  $1,798,942. 

The  $5,000,000  gross  profit  compared  with 
earnings  of  $3,741,633  for  a  similar  period  in 
1942,  and  a  net  profit  for  that  period  of  $1,731,- 
099,  and  maintains  an  unbroken  record  of  in- 
creased earnings  by  Universal  for  each  report 
period  since  the  inception  of  the  present  man- 
agement in  1937. 

Million  Dollar  Loan 
For  PRC  Expansion 

Producers  Releasing  Corporation  has  con- 
cluded a  loan  for  more  than  $1,000,000  from 
the  Continental  Bank  and  Trust  Company,  it 
was  disclosed  Tuesday.  O.  Henry  Briggs, 
PRC  president,  negotiated  the  financing. 

A  substantial  part  of  the  fund  will  be  used 
to  acquire  some  of  the  outstanding  Pathe  film 
distribution  franchises  in  line  with  plans  to 
build  up  PRC's  own  exchange  system.  PRC 
is  a  Pathe  subsidiary.  Part  of  the  money  will 
also  be  used  for  the  increased  production  bud- 
gets recently  announced  by  Leon  Fromkess, 
studio  head. 


Loew's  Votes  $1  Dividend 

The  board  of  directors  of  Loew's,  Inc.,  on 
Wednesday  announced  a  dividend  of  50  cents 
plus  50  cents  extra  on  the  outstanding  common 
stock,  payable  June  30th,  to  stockholders  on 
record  at  the  close  of  business  June  22nd. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

LATE  REVIEWS 

The  Kansan 

(Sherman  -  United  Artists) 

Western  Spectacle 

Set  in  the  days  when  the  James  boys  and  the 
Hatton  gang  were  shooting  their  way  through 
western  towns,  the  latest  Harry  Sherman  out- 
door drama  abounds  in  action  and  scenic  beauty. 
It  is  highlighted  by  a  saloon  brawl  of  unusual 
dimensions  and  ferocity  and  the  dynamiting  of  a 
bridge  that  is  thrilling  spectacle.  In  spite  of 
awkward  dialogue  and  a  noticeable  stiffness 
in  performance,  the  whole  is  superior  Western 
drama  with  the  names  of  Richard  Dix,  Jane 
Wyatt  and  its  producer  to  commend  it  to  the 
customers. 

The  story  is  the  familiar  one  of  the  stranger 
in  town  who  agrees  to  take  over  the  duties 
of  marshal  to  settle  some  old  scores,  to  right 
a  few  wrongs  and  to  impress  a  lady.  His 
long-standing  fight  is  with  the  Hatton  boys, 
who  ride  into  town  on  schedule,  are  set  upon 
in  the  Golden  Prairie  and  finally  routed  at  the 
finish.  They  have  received  aid  and  encourage- 
ment from  a  local  villain,  who  is  squeezing 
the  townspeople  but  meets  his  master  in  "John 
Bonniwell." 

Richard  Dix  plays  the  hero  with  a  sober 
sincerity  more  appropriate  to  upholding  justice 
than  in  romantic  moments  with  Jane  Wyatt. 
Victor  Jory  does  well  with  the  role  of  profes- 
sional gambler  and  brother  of  the  villain,  whose 
personal  heroism  turns  the  tide.  Albert  Dekker, 
Eugene  Pallette  and  Robert  Armstrong  are 
prominent  in  supporting  roles. 

George  Archainbaud's  direction  scores  in  the 
action  sequences  which  predominate  in  Harold 
Shumate's  screenplay  adapted  from  a  book 
by  Frank  Gruber.  Photography  by  Russell 
Harlan  is  an  asset  at  all  times. 

Seen  in  the  home  office  projection  room. 
Reviczvcr's  Rating:  Good. — E.  A.  Cunning- 
ham. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Rnnniner  time,  79  min.  PCA 
No.  9172.   General  audience  classification. 

Tohn  Bonniwell  Richard  Dix 

Eleanor  Sager  Jane  Wvatt 

Jeff  Barat  Victor  Jory 

Albert  Dekker,  Eugene  Pallette.  Robert  Armstrong, 
Francis  McDonald,  Clem  Bevans. 


Ghosts  on  the  Loose 

(  Monogram  ) 

Spooks,  Spies  and  Spoofing 

Showmen  can  differentiate  between  this  and 
preceding  East  Side  Kid  pictures  in  their  bill- 
ing, by  informing  interested  customers  that  this 
one  co-stars  Bela  Lugosi  and  presents  Ava 
Gardner,  whom  they'll  identify  as  Mrs.  Mickey 
Rooney. 

Apart  from  these  exploitation  features,  this 
Sam  Katzman-Jack  Dietz  offering  produced  by 
Barney  A.  Sarecky  and  directed  by  William 
Beaudine  is  yardage  from  the  same  bolt  as  its 
forerunners.  The  material  is  identical  in  de- 
sign and  quality,  with  just  slightly  more  humor 
and  proportionately  less  action. 

Kenneth  Higgins'  screenplay  concerns  com- 
plications which  arise  when  Nazis  who  have 
rumored  that  their  working  premises  are 
haunted  in  order  to  preserve  privacy,  are  dis- 
covered bv  Leo  Gorcey  and  his  associates,  who 
mistake  the  address  of  a  house  they  seek  to 
redecorate  for  a  newlywed  couple.  Trapdoors, 
sliding  panels,  tunnels,  etc.,  figure  as  usual  in 
what  goes  on,  and  the  ending  is  as  customary. 

Previezued  at  the  Vista,  Hollywood,  to  a  quiet 


acceptance.  Revieiver's  Rating:  Fair. — Wil- 
liam R.  Weaver. 

Release  date,  July  16,  1943.  Running  time,  65  min. 
PCA  No.  9088.     General  audience  classification. 

Mugs  Leo  Gorcev 

Glimpy   Huntz  Hall 

Emil   Bela  Lugosi 

Betty   Ava  Gardner 

Bobby  Jordan,   Ric  Vallin.   Minerva  Urecal.  Wheeler 


Onkman.  Stanley  Clements,  Billy  Benedict,  Sammy 
Morrison,  Bobby  Stone. 


29 

Decree  Bars  Run 
Change,  Board 
Tells  Exhibitor 

Urging  an  independent  exhibitor  to  "try 
again,"  in  effect,  the  Appeal  Board  of  the 
motion  picture  arbitrations  system  Tuesday 
again  ruled  that  it  was  powerless  to  grant 
particular  runs  to  independent  exhibitors,  re- 
gardless of  the  merit  of  their  complaint. 

The  board,  in  its  72nd  decision,  upheld  dis- 
missal by  a  New  Orleans  arbitrator  of  the 
some  run  and  clearance  demands  of  Mrs.  Wil- 
liam L.  Paternostro,  operating  the  Delta  thea- 
tre, Lake  Charles,  La.  Paramount  and  RKO, 
the  defendant  distributors,  have  the  right  under 
the  Decree  to  determine  which  competitive 
theatres  shall  have  prior  run,  the  board  said. 

Construction  of  the  Delta  began  in  Septem- 
ber, 1941,  in  a  residential  section  of  Lake 
Charles,  the  board  found.  Immediately  the 
Southern  Amusement  Company  erected  nearby, 
and  opened  first,  the  Victory. 

Mrs.  Paternostro  complained  that  the  run 
of  60  days  after  first  run  Lake  Charles  for 
which  she  had  been  negotiating  was  sold  to  the 
Victory.  She  was  offered  a  run  14  days  after 
the  Victory.  The  board  said  it  was  without 
power  to  change  this  selection  of  the  circuit 
theatre  for  prior  run. 

In  case  the  complainant  negotiates  for  a  run 
after  the  Victory  the  board  stated  that  "on  the 
present  record,  meagre  as  it  is,  we  think  she 
should  be  entitled  to  have  releases  available  to 
her  suburban  theatre  subject  to  only  a  moderate 
clearance  in  favor  of  the  Victory  and  in  any 
event  not  more  than  60  days  after  first  run 
closing. 

"It  is  our  hope  however  that  due  considera- 
tion by  the  defendants  of  the  views  here  ex- 
pressed may  make  further  arbitration  unneces- 
sary" the  board  added,  making  it  clear  that 
it  did  not  deem  the  run  offered  the  Delta  fair. 

Terms  of  the  Delta's  run  must  "recognize 
its  merits  as  a  theatre  and  establish  a  just 
relationship  with  other  Southern  Amusement 
Company  houses,"  the  board  said. 

"Any  other  approach  to  this  problem  would 
be  in  effect  to  warn  every  independent  theatre 
owner  that  in  entering  an  area  controlled  by  a 
single  unit  it  does  so  at  the  peril  of  having 
its  theatre,  regardless  of  its  merits,  relegated 
to  a  position  in  which  it  cannot  survive  in  case 
such  dominating  unit  concludes  to  extend  its 
operations,"  the  board  said. 

The  Appeal  Board  has  granted  the  request 
of  the  Gary  Theatre  Corporation,  complainant, 
for_  an  oral  hearing  on  its  appeal  of  the  18th 
Chicago  complaint.  Hearings  will  be  held  at 
the  Appeal  Board  offices  in  New  York  June 
28th. 

The  five  consenting  distributors  and  10  in- 
terveners are  partv  to  the  appeal.  Intervenors 
are  Balaban  and  Katz,  Dunelake  theatre,  G.  G. 
Sbauer  and  Sons.  Federal  Theatres  Company, 
Warner  circuit,  Publix  Great  States  Theatres, 
Inland  Amusement  Company,  Vogue  and  State 
amusement  companies. 

Dallas 

The  Overton  Amusement  Company,  of  Over- 
ton, Tex.  in  a  specific  run  complaint  filed  June 
7th  named  RKO,  Warners,  MGM  and  Twen- 
tieth Century-Fox.  It  charged  that  first  run 
at  Overton  had  been  given  to  the  Gem  theatre 
in  violation  of  Section  X.  The  Jefferson  Amuse- 
ment Company  and  East  Texas  Theatres,  Inc., 
were  named.  It  is  the  11th  Dallas  case.  The 
Overton  won  a  previous  clearance  complaint 
against  the  Gem. 

New  Haven 

The  clearance  complaint  of  Ralph  Civitello 
for  the  Devon  theatre,  Devon,  Conn.,  has  been 
withdrawn  at  New  Haven  by  the  complainant. 
The  city's  seventh  case,  it  was  filed  in  April. 


30 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    12,  1943 


Army  to  Supply  More 
Films  for  Soldiers 


G.  I.  16mm  Programs  Aim 
to  Make  U.S.  Troops  Best 
Entertained  in  World 

The  War  Department  this  week  inaugu- 
rated a  film  service  to  supplement  its  cur- 
rent motion  picture  activities  which  is  de- 
signed to  make  the  American  soldier  the 
best  informed  and  entertained  in  the  world 
through  the  medium  of  the  motion  picture. 

G.  I.  (government  issue)  films  in  16 
mm,  free  to  all  men  in  the  Army,  at  home 
and  abroad,  constituting  educational  and 
recreational  short  subjects,  is  the  new  pro- 
ject set  up  by  the  Special  Services  Branch  of 
the  Army.  Official  announcement  of  the 
new  service  came  on  Tuesday  in  New  York 
from  the  bureau  of  public  relations  of  the 
War  Department. . 

G.  I.  Releases  To  Go  to 
Isolated  Bases 

The  new  distribution  system  offers  "bal- 
anced programs"  composed  of  16mm  reduc- 
tions of  the  motion  picture  industry's  best 
short  subjects  packaged  with  War  and 
Navy  Department  information  films  in  45- 
minute  units.  Shorts  produced  by  the  film 
division  of  the  Office  of  War  Information 
and  other  Government  agencies  and  sub- 
jects made  by  the  information  services  of 
various  Allied  nations  also  will  be  used. 
Each  package  will  close  with  a  musical 
or  song  short  providing  opportunity  for 
audience  participation. 

G.  I.  releases  will  be  distributed  to  small, 
isolated  bases  in  this  country,  to  domestic 
Army  Motion  Picture  Service  post  thea- 
tres and  to  overseas  bases  through  31  of  the 
16mm  outlets  in  the  U.  S.  and  17  of  the 
16mm  outlets  overseas.  Sports,  musical, 
comedy,  educational  and  war  propaganda 
subjects  are  to  be  utilized. 

500  Subjects  Selected 
For  Inclusion 

The  units  have  been  designed  for  small, 
informal  groups  in  recreation  halls,  day 
rooms,  mess  halls  or  similar  locations  other 
than  regular  theatres  but  also  will  be  dis- 
tributed to  domestic  post  theatres. 

It  is  reported  that  one  primary  purpose 
of  the  new  16mm  circuit  is  to  give  American 
soldiers  information  concerning  foreign  ter- 
ritories in  which  they  may  be  located  during 
their  military  service.  It  is  understood  that 
travelogue  shorts  reduced  to  16mm,  pro- 
duced by  major  film  companies  over  a  pe- 
riod of  the  past  four  or  five  years,  will  con- 
stitute an  important  part  of  the  G.I.  16mm 
circuit. 

According  to  reports  heard  in  New  York 
this  week,  the  War  Department  will  pay 
print  costs  on  the  commercial  subjects.  It 
is  expected  that  only  100  or  150  prints  for 
each  package  will  be  made  and  distributed, 
marking  an  economy  in  Army  print-making 
induced  by  raw  stock  shortages. 

The  initial  G.I.  release  features  the  first 
issue  of  the  new  information  shorts  series, 
"The  War,"  produced  by  Lt.  Colonel  Frank 


Capra's  Special  Service  film  crews  in  Hol- 
lywood and  Astoria,  L.  I.  This  is  part  of 
the  "screen  magazine"  project  which  the 
war  Department  announced  several  months 

ago. 

Distribution  of  G.I.  films  will  be  handled 
by  the  New  York  distribution  offices  of 
Special  Services,  which  is  directed  by  Ma- 
jor Orton  H.  Hicks.  Every  available  16mm 
outlet  in  this  country,  in  addition  to  the 
Army's  16mm  units  overseas,  will  be  used 
in  releasing  the  45-minute  packages.  The 
overseas  shipments  of  the  shorts  will  be  in- 
cluded in  the  regular  film  entertainment 
service  provided  by  the  motion  picture  in- 
dustry and  distributed  by  the  Army. 

About  500  different  subjects  have  been 
selected  by  the  Army  for  inclusion  in  the 
packages.  No  cutting  or  editing  of  films  is 
planned.  No  special  production  of  subjects 
is  to  be  made.  According  to  reports  in 
industry  circles,  post-war  importance  has 
been  placed  on  the  new  circuit  by  Govern- 
ment officials,  although  it  has  not  been  de- 
termined just  how  the  16mm  circuit  frame- 
work is  to  be  utilized  after  the  war. 

It  was  indicated  that  commercial  16mm 
distributors,  such  as  Walter  Gutlohn,  Inc., 
Castle  Films,  Inc.,  and  Modern  Talking 
Pictures,  might  be  called  upon  by  Special 
Services  to  facilitate  distribution  of  the 
G.I.  releases.  College  and  university  16mm 
libraries  and  other  outlets  also  will  be  used 
to  effect  the  quickest  distribution  of  the 
packages  to  military  posts  in  their  areas. 

In  the  official  announcement  of  the  proj- 
ect, no  mention  was  made  of  any  deal  con- 
cluded between  Special  Services  and  major 
companies  for  contemplated  subjects,  al- 
though it  was  learned  that  at  least  two  dis- 
tributors already  had  signified  willingness 
to  make  a  certain  number  of  shorts  avail- 
able for  16mm  reduction. 


20th-Fox  To  Distribute 
Two  OWI  Shorts 

William  J.  Clark,  short  subjects  sales  mana- 
ger for  Twentieth  Century-Fox,  has  announced 
that  the  company  will  handle  distribution  of 
two  additional  Office  of  War  Information  shorts 
in  June  and  July.  They  are  "War  Town"  and 
"Lift  Your  Heads." 

The  films  will  be  distributed  on  a  no-charge 
basis,  and  will  be  made  available  to  all  theatres 
in  the  country.  The  national  release  date  of 
"War  Town"  has  been  set  for  June  24th  and 
of  "Lift  Your  Heads,"  July  8th. 


Shifted  to  Paramount  Studio 

Morris  H.  Simpson,  assistant  to  the  comp- 
troller of  Paramount  Pictures,  Inc.,  at  the  home 
office,  left  this  week  for  Hollywood  to  become 
assistant  to  the  comptroller  at  the  Paramount 
studio.  Mr.  Simpson  has  been  with  the  com- 
pany 23  years.  For  the  last  19  years  he  had 
been  in  charge  of  foreign  accounting. 


Hilliard  Joins  Altec 

John  K.  Hilliard,  formerly  chief  transmission 
engineer  of  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  sound 
department,  has  joined  the  Altec  Lansing  Cor- 
poration as  chief  engineer  of  the  radio  and 
motion  picture  division.  He  has  been  assigned 
to  the  company's  staff  in  Los  Angeles. 


Canadian  Trade 
Protests  Shift  of 
Film  Employee 

Canadian  exhibitors  and  distributors  are 
watching  conversations  this  week  in  Ottawa, 
among  the  country's  director  of  National  Selec- 
tive Service,  Arthur  MacNamara,  and  Leo 
Devaney,  RKO  Canada  manager,  and  David 
Coplan,  United  Artists  manager  there.  The 
conversations  are  on  projected  transfers  of  ex- 
change employees  to  war  work,  and  were 
touched  off  by  the  first  such  transfer. 

An  exchange  employee  has  been  forced  to 
take  work  with  an  engraving  company,  in  his 
locality.  It  is  asked  by  the  Canadian  industry 
why  an  engraving  firm  should  have  been  regard- 
ed as  more  essential  than  the  film  company. 

It  is  hoped  to  have  the  Government  recognize 
the  necessity  of  exchanges  and  theatres  keeping 
at  least  "key  men." 

Meanwhile,  in  Hollywood,  it  was  reported 
the  War  Department  may  furlough  Captain 
Jack  Holt,  so  that  he  may  star  in  Monogram's 
"Ground  Crew,"  which  is  on  a  military  sub- 
ject. 

If  the  Army  grants  Captain  Holt  the  fur- 
lough, it  will  be  the  first  time  a  star  has  been 
released  in  this  country  for  a  purely  commer- 
cial venture,  it  is  said.  The  practice  is  more 
common  in  England.  The  Army  has  released 
other  stars,  but  they  have  appeared  in  training 
films,  and  the  Ronald  Reagan  furlough  for 
"This  Is  the  Army"  is  said  to  have  been  a 
military  "assignment." 


Couple  Radio  with  Poster 
Campaign  on  Roy  Rogers 

Republic  is  augmenting  its  outdoor  billboard 
poster  campaign  on  Roy  Rogers  with  radio 
spot  announcements.  It  is  planned  to  have 
radio  coverage  in  all  parts  of  the  country  in 
connection  with  first-run  engagements  of  the 
Westerns.  The  campaigns  are  scheduled  to 
start  June  15th. 

"Song  of  Texas,"  a  Rogers  film,  opens  at 
the  Oriental  in  Chicago  on  July  16th.  Republic 
said  it  was  the  first  time  a  Western  attrac- 
tion had  been  booked  in  a  first  run  house  in 
the  Loop  district  in  that  city. 


Florida  Adjournment 
Kills  Six  Tax  Bills 

The  1943  session  of  the  Florida  legislature 
has  ended  without  passage  of  six  bills  which 
sought  to  tax  theatre  interests  in  the  state. 
Two  years  now  must  elapse  before  such 
measures  again  may  be  introduced. 

Although  one  bill  seeking  to  place  a  tax  of 
five  cents  on  all  adult  tickets  was  reported 
favorably  out  of  committee,  the  adjournment 
of  the  legislature  did  not  permit  time  for  a 
vote.  Several  other  measures  failed  to  pass  in 
both  houses. 


Named  Sales  Manager 

A.  C.  Benson  has  been  appointed  sales  man- 
ager at  Paramount's  Washington  exchange, 
it  was  announced  by  Neil  Agnew,  Paramount 
vice-president  in  charge  of  distribution.  He 
was  formerly  short  subjects  supervisor  for 
the  Pittsburgh,  Washington  and  Philadelphia 
territories. 


Goe  New  Haven  Manager 

Carl  Goe  has  been  promoted  to  branch  mana- 
ger of  Warners'  New  Haven  exchange,  it  was 
announced  this  week  by  Ben  Kalmenson,  gen- 
eral sales  manager.  Mr.  Goe  was  formerly 
on  the  sales  staff  of  the  company's  Boston 
office. 


What  Do  You  Know 
About  CHINA? 

PARAMOUNT'S  BOX-OFFICE  PHOTO-QUIZ 


Which  of  the  4  answers  be- 
low each  question  is  correct? 
Check  your  choices  against 
the  list  on  next  page.  60% 
is  fair— 80%  is  Good— 100% 
means  You  Know  a  Hit  When 
You  See  One. 


At  the  Stanley,  Jersey  City,  CHINA 
outgrossed  'Rhythm'  and  'Morocco'  by 
19%,  and  'Wake  Island'  by: 

(a)  32  percent  (c)  54  percent 

(b)  79  percent  (d)  85  percent 


During  CHINA'S  phenomenal  run  at 
the  N.  Y.  Paramount,  the  box-office 
line  started  forming  at: 

(a)  9  A.M.  (c)  4  A.M. 

(b)  71  A.M.  (d)  7.30  A.M. 


CHINA  set  an  opening -day  record  and 
topped  'Rhythm'  and  'Morocco'  by 
12%  at  the: 

(a)  Paramount,  L.  A.    (c)  Orpheum,  Omaha 

(b)  Ala.,  Birmingham        (d)  Tower,  Phila. 


7  Latest  theatre  to  set  an  all-time  week- 
end record  with  CHINA  is  the: 

(a)  Saenger,  New  Or/'s  (c)  Paramount,  Frisco 

(b)  Palace,  Dallas  (d)  Newman,  Kansas  City 


8  In  every  other  engagement  CHINA  has 
matched  'Rhythm',  topped  'Wake  '  by: 

(a)  5  percent  (c)  24  percent 

(b)  12  percent  (d)  20  percenf 


He's  in  the  Army  now — but  this  Ladd's 
daily  fan  mail  still  averages: 

(a)  750  letters  (c)  500  letters 

(b)  7000  letters  (d)  7250  letters 


CORRECT  ANSWERS  ON  NEXT  PAGE  f 


Knows  All  The  Answers 

To  The  Questions  On  Previous  Page 


1-  'CHINA'  HAS  TOPPED  OR  EQUALLED  "RHYTHM"  IN  65%  OF  ITS  ENGAGEMENTS! 

2-  CHINA'  BROKE  ALL  PREVIOUS  RECORDS  FOR  5  WEEKS  AT  NEWARK  PARAMOUNT! 

3-  CHINA'  TOPPED  "ROAD  TO  MOROCCO"  BY  13%  AT  THE  BROOKLYN  PARAMOUNT! 


4-  CHINA'  OUTGROSSED  "WAKE  ISLAND"  BY  85%  AT  THE  STANLEY,  JERSEY  CITY! 

5-  CHINA'  DREW  BOX-OFFICE  LINES  FROM  4  A.M.  DURING  N.  Y.  PARAMOUNT  RUN! 


6-  4 CHINA'  SMASHED  ALL  OPENING-DAY  RECORDS  AT  THE  PARAMOUNT,  LOS  ANGELES! 

7-  CHINA'  SET  AN  ALL-TIME  WEEK-END  RECORD  AT  THE  SAN  FRANCISCO  PARAMOUNT! 

8-  CHINA'  BEAT  "WAKE"  BY  24%  IN  BOSTON,  DENVER,  CLEVELAND,  OMAHA,  MIAMI! 

9-  CHINA'  HAS  BOOSTED  ALAN  LADD'S  FAN  MAIL  TO  A  DAILY  AVERAGE  OF  1250  LETTERS! 


No  Question  About  It,  PARAMOUNT  Has  One  Of  The 

Highest  Grossers  Of  All  Time  In 


Book  "PRELUDE  TO  WAR,"  The  Sensational  55-Minute  Government  Film  That's  Rental-Free! 


June    12,    19  4  3  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  .  33 

THE  HOLLYWOOD  SCENE 


\ 


From  HOLLYWOOD  BUREAU 


To  the  welter  of  discussion,  diatribe  and 
debate  about  the  post-war  world  now 
flooding  the  radio  channels,  the  maga- 
zines of  opinion  and  the  newspaper  col- 
umns, is  to  be  added,  if  declarations  of 
intent  stand  up,  the  speculations,  fore- 
casts and  perhaps  wishful  thinkings  of 
Hollywood  producers  expressed  via  the 
entertainment  screen.  For  announce- 
ments of  pictures  pertaining  to  the  post- 
war period  have  begun  to  flow  from  the 
fonts  of  product  with  that  mounting  fre- 
quency which  marks  the  inception  of  a 
cycle. 

Two  of  these  announcements  were  made 
by  different  studios  on  successive  days  last 
week.  They  came  within  a  week  after  Hi- 
lary A.  St.  George  Saunders,  assistant  li- 
brarian of  the  British  House  of  Commons 
and  official  pamphleteer  of  the  British  Gov- 
ernment, had  visited  Hollywood  on  invita- 
tion of  the  Academy  of  Motion  Picture 
Arts  and  Sciences  and  urged  American  pro- 
ducers to  undertake  at  once  the  making  of 
pictures  designed  to  "prevent  the  American 
and  British  peoples  from  drifting  apart 
when  the  war's  over."  (See  Motion  Pic- 
ture Herald,  May  29th). 

The  first  of  these  two  announcements 
came  from  Paramount,  the  company  which 
abandoned  '''Sons  of  Tokyo"  and  "Seek- 
Strike-Destroy"  when  exhibitors  began  re- 
porting the  market  oversupplied  with  war 
pictures.  It  said,  "Paramount  has  purchased 
'The  Time  Is  Now',  an  original  story  by 
Stanley  Paley,  dealing  with  developments  in 
the  post-war  world.  Walter  McEwen  will 
produce  it.  Paley  has  been  engaged  to  de- 
velop the  story." 

Columbia  and  Republic 
Join  Procession 

The  second  came  from  Columbia.  It  said, 
"Columbia  Producer  Sam  Bischoff  is  preparing 
'Lebensraum',  a  strong  dramatic  subject  and 
the  first  dealing  with  the  post-war  trials  of  the 
culprits  whose  hands  are  soiled  with  the  blood 
of  innocents.  The  story  is  an  original  by  Al- 
bert Newman  and  Lester  Cole,  with  screenplay 
by  the  latter." 

At  the  weekend  Republic  joined  the  proces- 
sion, announcing  that  John  C.  Metcalfe,  de- 
scribed as  a  former  FBI  operative  who  rounded 
up  the  leaders  of  the  German-American  bund 
in  the  Chicago  area,  had  been  assigned  to  write 
"a  fantasy  along  post-war  lines"  for  the  studio's 
George  Sherman  to  produce  this  summer. 

But  the  cycle,  if  it  turns  out  to  be  one  in  fact 
as  well  as  on  paper,  was  getting  under  way  be- 
fore Mr.  Saunders  came  to  town  and  made 
the  suggestion  official. 

A  fortnight  previously  producer-director  Sam 
Wood,  whose  "For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls"  and 
"Saratoga  Trunk"  are  major  items  in  the 
Paramount  and  Warner  backlogs,  announced 
acquisition  of  a  story  by  the  grandson  of  the 
late  Dr.  Alice  Barnsby,  founder  of  London's 
Barnsby  School  for  Girls,  purporting  to  deal 
with  a  codicil  in  the  will  of  the  deceased  which 
becomes  effective  at  the  close  of  the  war.  The 
property  was  described  as  pertaining  to  the 
post-war  world.  No  starting  date  of  produc- 
tion or  determination  of  release  was  mentioned. 

Although  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  is  not  on 
record  as  having  scorned  a  story  at  any  time 


Production  Steady  at  42 


The  starting  of  eight  pictures  and  the 
completion  of  seven  held  the  production 
level  steady  at  42,  up  a  point,  with  noth- 
ing on  the  horizon  to  indicate  violent  fluc- 
tuations to  come. 

Columbia's  "Cover  Girl",  standout 
among  the  new  undertakings,  went  into 
shooting  stage,  with  Rita  Hayworth,  Jinx 
Falkenburg,  Xavier  Cugat  and  his  orches- 
tra and  the  intensively  publicized  15  Cover 
Girls  in  the  cast,  Arthur  Schwartz  produc- 
ing and  Charles  Vidor  directing.  Columbia 
also  started  "Cowboy  of  Lonesome  River", 
a  Charles  Starrett  Western. 

RKO  Radio  started  its  Rookie  series  with 
"Adventures  of  a  Rookie"  under  the  pro- 
duction of  Bert  Gilroy  and  the  direction  of 
Les  Goodwins. 

Universal  launched  "Second  Honey- 
moon", a  musical,  presenting  David  Bruce, 
Harriet  Hilliard,  June  Vincent,  Rod  Cam- 
eron, Veloz  and  Yolanda,  the  Tip,  Tap  and 
Toe  trio  and  Ozzie  Nelson  and  his  band. 

COMPLETED  Paramount 


Henry  Aldrich  Rocks 
the  Cradle 


PRC 

Danger — -Women  at 
Work 

RKO  Radio 

Seventh  Victim 
Behind  the  Rising 
Sun 

Republic 

Nobody's  Darling 
Universal 

Mad  Ghoul 

Sherlock  Holmes  and  SHOOTING 

the  Spider  Woman 
Hers  to  Hold 


PRC 

Frontier  Law 

RKO  Radio 

Adventures  of  a 
Rookie 

Universal 

Second  Honeymoon 


Columbia 


Restless  Lady 
Without  Notice 


STARTED 

Columbia 

r~     x.        r  t  Goldwyn 

Cowboy  of  Lonesome 

River  North  Star 

Cover  Girl  MGM 

Monogram  Cry  Havoc 

I  Was  a  Criminal  1,000  Shall  Fall 


Warren  Wilson  is  producing,  Edward  Lilley 
directing. 

The  King  Brothers,  who  produced  "I  Am 
a  Criminal"  some  while  back,  started  "I 
Was  a  Criminal"  for  Monogram,  with  Vic- 
tor Jory,  Pamela  Blake,  Veda  Ann  Borg 
and  Paul  Fix,  under  the  direction  of  Kurt 
Neumann. 

Twentieth  Century- Fox  turned  its  cam- 
eras on  a  Laurel  and  Hardy  number,  "Danc- 
ing Masters",  with  Trudy  Marshall,  Bob 
Bailey  and  Matt  Briggs  in  support. 

Paramount  began  "Henry  Aldrich  Rocks 
the  Cradle",  with  Jimmy  Lydon,  Charlie 
Smith,  Joan  Mortimer,  John  Litel  and  Olive 
Blakeney.  Michel  Kraike  is  producing, 
Hugh  Bennett  directing. 

Producers  Releasing  Corporation  started 
"Frontier  Law",  with  Dave  O'Brien,  Jim 
Newell  and  Guy  Wilkerson.  Oliver  Drake 
is  directing  the  Alexander-Stern  production. 

The  cross-studio  picture  as  of  the  week- 
end: 

Heavenly  Body  Republic 
Whistling  in  Brooklyn     Sleepy  Lagoon 
America 

Russia  20th  Century- Fox 

Madame  Curie 
Guy  Named  Joe 
White  Cliffs  of 

Dover  Night  Is  Ending 

Claudia 

Monogram 

Revenge  of  the  ^ 

Zombies  Gunmaster 

(Sherman) 

Paramount 


Guadalcanal  Diary 
Song  of  Bernadette 
Girls  He  Left  Behind 


And  the  Angels  Sing 
Uninvited 
Hour  Before  the 
Dawn 

PRC 

Strange  Music 


RKO  Radio 

Iron  Major 
Around  the  World 


Universal 

Frontier  Bad  Man 
Angela 

Cobra  Woman 

Warners 

In  Our  Time 
To  the  Last  Man 
Saratoga  Trunk 
This  Is  the  Army 
Animal  Kingdom* 

* — Suspended. 


because  of  its  origin,  the  studio  is  adhering  just 
now  to  the  principle  that  a  book  which  has  es- 
tablished itself  as  a  success  offers  somewhat 
more  reliable  assurance  of  equivalent  success 
on  the  screen  than  other  types  of  properties. 
By  no  means  closing  the  door  upon  originals, 
plays  or  windfalls,  but  by  way  of  indicating  ma- 
jor intent,  the  company  lists  the  following  as 
books  now  being  prepared  for  production : 

"The  Canterville  Ghost,"  by  Oscar  Wilde, 
which  is  to  be  brought  up  to  date ;  "Dragon 
Seed,"  Pearl  Buck's  book  about  China,  to  be 
filmed  in  Technicolor ;  "They  Were  Expend- 
able," W.  L.  White's  book  about  motor  torpedo 
boats,  a  vehicle  for  Spencer  Tracy ;  "See  Here, 
Private  Hargrove,"  by  Private  Marion  Har- 


grove, to  star  Robert  Walker,  the  young  man 
who  made  a  name  for  himself  as  the  sailor  in 
"Bataan" ;  "Honeyboy,"  Dailey  Paskman's  book 
about  the  late  Honey-Boy  Evans,  who's  to  be 
portrayed  by  Mickey  Rooney;  "Mrs.  Parking- 
ton,"  a  Louis  Bromfield  work ;  "Drivin'  Woman," 
by  Elizabeth  Pickett  Chevalier,  concerning 
the  South  after  the  Civil  War ;  "Memo  to  a 
Firing  Squad,"  by  Frederick  Hazlitt  Brennan ; 
"The  Anointed,"  by  Clyde  Brion  Davis;  "The 
Sun  Is  My  Undoing,"  by  Marguerite  Steen; 
"Valley  of  Decision,"  by  Marcia  Davenport ; 
"Two  Women,"  by  Maxcennce  Van  der 
Mersch ;  and  "If  Winter  Comes,"  by  A.  S.  M. 
Hutchinson,  which  was  filmed  several  years 
ago  with  memorable  success. 


34 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June     12,  1943 


Reisman  Sees  Boom 
In  Latin  America 


l titer- AmericanWar  Effort, 
Industrial  Growth  Will 
Spur  Post-War  Market 

A  boom  in  the  Latin  American  motion 
picture  business  after  the  war  was  forecast 
Tuesday  by  Phil  Reisman,  foreign  manager 
and  vice-president  of  RKO,  and  consultant 
on  distribution  to  the  Coordinator  of  Inter- 
American  Affairs  -as  a  result  of  inter- 
American  cooperation  in  the  war  ef- 
fort. He  returned  to  New  York  Monday 
after  an  eight-week  tour  of  the  east  coast 
of  South*  America  in  behalf  of  RKO  and 
the  Coordinator. 

Development  of  vast  new  industrial,  min- 
ing, rubber  and  agricultural  enterprises  in 
South  America  with  aid  from  the  United 
States  cannot  but  help  the  post-war  film 
trade,  he  said.  New  theatres,  new  audiences 
and  greatly  expanded  native  Latin  Ameri- 
can production  of  films  were  foreseen.  Al- 
though construction  of  new  theatres  had 
been  limited  by  equipment  and  shipping 
shortages  for  the  duration,  Mr.  Reisman 
foresaw  a  heavy  demand  after  the  war  for 
new  projectors,  films  and  other  supplies. 

A  20  per  cent  increase  in  RKO's  Ar- 
gentine and  Brazilian  business  is  pacing 
a  general  improvement  in  theatre  attend- 
ance throughout  Latin  America,  he  said. 
Hollywood  supplies  the  bulk  of  the  pic- 
tures screened  in  Latin  America. 

Throughout  South  America,  including  _  Ar- 
gentina, popular  sentiment  is  overwhelmingly 
behind  the  United  Nations,  he  said.  Buenos 
Aires  theatre  audiences  were  reported  to  cheer 
all  newsreel  glimpses  of  President  Roosevelt, 
Prime  Minister  Churchill  and  United  Nations 
forces.  Feature  pictures  directed  against  the 
Axis  also  are  very  popular,  Mr.  Reisman  said, 
reporting  first  hand  an  ovation  for  the  Free 
French  during  a  screening  of  "Casablanca." 

Less  than  half  a  dozen  theatres  in  Argentina 
are  still  showing  pro-Axis  pictures,  he  said. 
These  include  smuggled,  and  generally  outdated 
features  and  propaganda  reels  which  attract 
little  popular  attention. 

Production  in  the  Argentine  is  constantly  im- 
proving in  quality,  the  RKO  foreign  manager 
said.  At  least  half  a  dozen  substantially 
financed  producers  were  in  the  business  to  stay, 
he  said.  Argentine  theatre  interests  have  in- 
vested heavily  in  production,  led  by  extensive 
backing  from  the  large  Lautaret  and  Cavallo 
circuit.  Exhibitor  interest  in  production  in 
many  ways  duplicated  in  miniature  the  pattern 
of  the  U.  S.  industry,  he  said. 

Raw  Stock  Critically  Short 
In  Latin  America 

"It  is  a  serious  industry,  producing  well  made 
pictures,"  he  said.  "Undoubtedly"  many  Ar- 
gentine pictures  will  soon  warrant  exhibition  in 
the  United  States,  he  added.  RKO,  however, 
has  no  immediate  plans  to  import  pictures  from 
South  America. 

Raw  stock  is  as  critically  short  in  Latin 
America  as  in  the  United  States.  The  industry 
there  is  equally  aware  of  the  need  to  conserve 
supplies  obtained  through  the  assistance  of  the 
Coordinator,  Mr.  Reisman  said,  and  has  insti- 
tuted many  economies.  As  in  the  United  States 
the  number  of  prints  has  been  curtailed  and 
studios  and  distributors  are  carefully  budget- 
ing their  allotments. 

Audiences  in  the  Latin  American  cities  pre- 


By  Staff  Photographer 


PHIL  REISMAN 

fer  pictures  in  the  original  English  dialogue, 
with  superimposed  Spanish  or  Portugese  titles, 
Mr.  Reisman  said.  With  understanding  of  En- 
glish constantly  spreading  through  schools  and 
the  influence  of  the  good  neighbor  program,  he 
said  that  even  in  the  provinces  dubbed  sound 
tracks  were  losing  their  popularity  with  South 
American  audiences. 

"Audiences  everywhere  prefer  to  hear  the 
stars  in  their  natural  voices,"  he  reported. 

Distribution  of  the  non-theatrical  films  pro- 
duced by  the  motion  picture  division  of  the 
Coordinator  of  Inter- American  aiffairs  is  flow- 
ing very  smoothly,  Mr.  Reisman  said.  As 
adviser  on  distribution  he  surveyed  the  release 
machinery  which  brings  the  pictures  to  schools, 
clubs,  churches  and  to  rural  districts  via  mo- 
bile projectors. 

Exchange  of  Films  Valuable  in 
Promoting  Understanding 

Officials  of  South  America  are  grateful  for 
the  exchange  of  knowledge  which  the  films 
have  made  possible,  according  to  Mr.  Reisman. 
The  distribution  of  pictures  about  Latin  Ameri- 
ca in  the  United  States  has  in  turn  opened 
many  new  outlets  in  the  southern  nations.  In- 
creased understanding  of  war  aims  and  the 
nature  of  the  Latin  and  North  American  peo- 
ples has  resulted,  he  said. 

Mr.  Reisman  said  that  Lieutenant  Com- 
mander John  Ford,  Hollywood  director,  had 
arrived  in  Rio  de  Janeiro  with  a  crew  of  14 
Office  of  Strategic  Services  film  men.  They 
will  photograph  all  phases  of  Brazil's  indus- 
trial and  military  participation  in  the  war.  A 
portion  of  the  material  will  be  released  com- 
mercially in  the  U.  S.  by  the  Coordinator  and 
the  rest  distributed  to  non-theatrical  outlets 
throughout  the  country.  . 


Ross  Adds  I  10  Checkers 

Ross  Federal  Service  has  added  110  field 
checkers  to  its  staff  as  replacements  for  men 
who  have  entered  service  or  war  work.  Thirty- 
eight  were  added  in  the  Kansas  City  territory ; 
16  in  Minneapolis;  Albany,  15;  Oklahoma 
City,  11;  Des  Moines  and  Portland,  Ore.,  nine 
each ;  St.  Louis,  seven ;  Omaha,  four,  and 
Chicago,  one. 


OklahomaMPTO 
Convenes  in 
War  Session 

The  Motion  Picture  Theatre  Owners  of 
Oklahoma  convened  at  Oklahoma  City  on  Wed- 
nesday and  Thursday  for  what  was  expected  to 
be  one  of  the  most  important  sessions  since 
the  group  was  formed. 

Combined  meetings  were  to  be  held  with 
the  Oklahoma  City  Variety  Club,  and  War 
Activities  Committee.  A  thorough  discussion 
of  exhibitor  participation  in  the  war  effort,  as 
well  as  action  on  the  national  MPTOA  pro- 
gram for  amendment  of  the  consent  decree  were 
scheduled.  Morris  Loewenstein,  president  and 
Ralph  Talbot  secretary  and  treasurer,  were  in 
charge  of  arrangements. 

Edward  Kuykendall,  national  president  of 
the  MPTOA  was  expected  to  attend  all  ses- 
sions. Other  speakers  included  Robert  O'Don- 
nell,  of  Dallas,  chief  barker  of  National  Variety 
speaking  in  behalf  of  the  renewed  copper  con- 
servation drive ;  Francis  Harmon,  executive 
vice-chairman  of  the  WAC ;  and  Henry  Reeve, 
president  of  the  Texas  Theatre  Owners. 

Convention  delegates  were  guests  of  the 
Variety  Club  Wednesday  night  at  a  dinner 
dance.  Exhibitors,  distributor  representatives, 
Robert  S.  Kerr,  Governor  of  Oklahoma,  War 
Activities  Committee  officials  and  local  defense 
and  Army  and  Navy  officers  were  invited  by 
L.  C.  Griffith,  chief  barker.  C.  B.  Akers 
served  as  general  chairman  and  Variety  host  to 
the  MPTOA  visitors. 

Oklahoma  City  theatres  sponsored  a  special 
week-long  War  Bond  and  Stamp  sales  drive 
to  honor  the  visiting  War  Activities  Committee 
officials. 

Pictures  of  Argentine 
Revolt  for  Newsreels 

Newsreel  pictures  of  the  Argentina  revolt 
have  been  reported  on  their  way  to  the  United 
States  with  a  possibility  of  American  audiences 
viewing  the  films  next  week.  When  word 
reached  this  country  of  the  revolt,  the  Office 
of  the  Coordinator  of  Inter-American  Affairs 
telephoned  Buenos  Aires  for  permission  to  have 
cameramen  from  the  five  companies  photograph 
the  proceedings  and  export  the  film  to  the  U.  S. 

The  request  was  granted  and  the  films  were 
to  have  arrived  in  New  York  at  the  weekend 
for  preparation  into  newsreel  form  by  next  week. 


Perry  Joins  Paramount 

Charles  C.  Perry  has  joined  Paramount  as 
district  advertising  representative  in  Harry 
Goldstein's  district,  covering  Cincinnati  and 
Indianapolis,  Alec  Moss,  exploitation  manager, 
announced  today.  Mr.  Perry,  who  succeeds 
J.  C.  Gunderson,  will  make  his  headquarters  at 
the  Cincinnati  exchange.  He  formerly  was  a 
field  representative  for  United  Artists. 


Koster  MGM  Director 

Henry  Koster,  who  directed  Deanna  Durbin 
pictures  for  Joseph  Pasternak  at  Universal,  and 
was  appointed  a  producer  by  that  studio  after 
Mr.  Pasternak  left  to  join  MGM,  relinquish- 
ing that  post  a  few  weeks  ago  without  turning 
out  a  picture,  has  signed  a  term  contract  with 
MGM  as  a  director. 


Henry  Is  Prisoner 

Lieut.  Floyd  C.  Henry,  U.  S.  N.,  formerly 
manager  for  Paramount  in  Manila,  is  a  pris- 
oner of  war,  the  Paramount  foreign  depart- 
ment has  been  informed  by  the  Navy  Depart- 
ment. Lieut.  Henry  had  been  reported  "miss- 
ing, presumed  dead,"  after  a  naval  engage- 
ment in  Western  Pacific  waters  in  April,  1942. 


Paramount  TRADE  SHOWINGS 


CITY 

PI  Arc   OF  CfDFPMIMf^ 

SO  PROUDLY 
WE  HAIL 

SUBMARINE 
ALERT 

ALASKA 
HIGHWAY 

HENRY  ALDRICH 
SWINGS  IT 

DIXIE 

ilBANY 

FOX  Proj.  Room,  1052  Broadway 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70:30  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
70:30  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
70:30  A.M. 

 ■  

JLANTA 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  154  Walton  St.,  N.  W. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70:30  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
70:30  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
70:30  A.M. 

OSTON 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  58  Berkeley  St. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
J?  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2.-30  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
77  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2:30  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
77  A.M. 

.UFFALO 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  464  Franklin  St. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
70  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
70  A.M. 

;HARLOTTE 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  305  S.  Church  St. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70.-30  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
70:30  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
70.30  A.M. 

:hicago 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  1306  S.  Michigan  Ave. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
77  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2.-30  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
77  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2:30  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
77  A.M. 

;iNCINNATI 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  1214  Central  P'kway 

MON.  JUNE  21 
77  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2:30  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
77  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2:30  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
77  A.M. 

LEVELAND 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  1735  E.  23rd  St. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
77  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
7.-30  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
77  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
J.-30  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
77.30  A.M. 

ALLAS 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  412  S.  Harwood  St. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70:30  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
70:30  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
70.30  A.M. 

ENVER 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  2100  Stout  St. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70:30  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2.-30  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
70:30  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2:30  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
70.30  A.M. 

ES  MOINES 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  1125  High  St. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70:30  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2.-30  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
70.30  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2:30  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
70:30  A.M. 

ETROIT 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  479  Ledyard  Ave. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70.30  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
10:30  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
70.30  A.M. 

<IDIANAPOLIS 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  116  W.  Michigan  St. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
7.-30  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
70  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
J.-30  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
7-30  P.M. 

ANSAS  CITY 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  1800  Wyandotte  St. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70.30  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
70:30  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
70:30  A.M. 

DS  ANGELES 

AMBASSADOR  THEA.,  Ambassador  Hotel 

MON.  JUNE  21 
7.-30  P.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
3  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
7:30  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
3  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
2.-30  P.M. 

EMPHIS 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  362  So.  Second  St. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70:30  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
70.30  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
70:30  A.M. 

ILWAUKEE 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  1121  N.  8th  St. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
77  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
77  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
77  A.M. 

INNEAPOLIS 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  1201  Currie  Ave. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70:30  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2:30  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
70:30  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2.-30  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
70:30  A.M. 

EW  HAVEN 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  82  State  St. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70:30  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2.-30  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
70:30  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2:30  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
70.30  A.M. 

EW  ORLEANS 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  215  S.  Liberty  St. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70:30  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
7  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
70:30  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
3  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
70:30  A.M. 

EW  YORK 

FOX  Proj.  Room,  345  West  44th  St. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70:30  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2.-30  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
70:30  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2:30  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
70:30  A.M. 

KLAHOMA  CITY 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  701  West  Grand  Ave. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
70  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
70  A.M. 

MAHA 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  1704  Davenport  St. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
77  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
77  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
77  A.M. 

HILADELPHIA 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  248  N.  12th  St. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2.-30  P.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
77  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
77  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2.-30  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 

2*:30  P.M. 

TTSBURGH 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  1727  Blvd.  of  Allies 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2  P.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70.30  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
70.30  A.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
2  P.M. 

DRTLAND 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  909  N.W.  19th  Ave. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70:30  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
J0.-30  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
70:30  A.M. 

LOUIS 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  2949  Olive  St. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70:30  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
7:30  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
70:30  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
7:30  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
77  A.M. 

\LJ  LAKE  CITY 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  270  E.  1st  South  St. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
10  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
70  A.M. 

W  FRANCISCO 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  205  Golden  Gate  Ave. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70:30  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
7:30  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
70:30  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
7.-30  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
70:30  A.M. 

ATTLE 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  2330  First  Ave. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
77  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2  P.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
77  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
77  A.M. 

ASHINGTON 

PARAMOUNT  EX.,  306  H  St.,  N.W. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
70:30  A.M. 

MON.  JUNE  21 
2  P.M. 
 e  

TUES.  JUNE  22 
70:30  A.M. 

TUES.  JUNE  22 
2  P.M. 

FRI.  JUNE  25 
2  P.M. 

"SO  PROUDLY  WE  HAIL"  Starring  Claudette  Colbert,  Paulette  Guddard,  Veronica  Lake  •  "SUBMARINE  ALERT",  Richard  Arlen, 
Wendy  Barrie  •  "HENRY  ALDRICH  SWINGS  IT",  Jimmy  Lydon,  Charles  Smith  •  "ALASKA  HIGHWAY",  Richard  Arlen,  Jean  Parker 

"DIXIE"  In  Technicolor,  Bing  Crosby,  Dorothy  Lamour 


36 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June     12,  1943 


Warner  Film  to 
Hail  Allies 

Warner  Brothers  has  announced  that  it  will 
have  in  preparation  shortly  a  film  dedicated  to 
the  heroism  of  fighting  men  and  women  of  the 
United  Nations,  titled  "Battle  Cry,"  to  be  pro- 
duced by  Howard  Hawks.  Also  stressed  will 
be  the  necessity  of  cooperation  among  nations 
in  the  post-war  world. 

The  theme  of  the  film,  it  was  said,  will  show 
the  "real  brotherhood  of  man  in  this  common 
struggle  against  Fascism,"  and  will  consist  of 
20  reels,  each  telling  the  story  of  an  individual 
fighter — Russian,  Chinese,  English,  black  and 
white  Americans,  and  others.  The  individual 
chapters  in  the  film  will  be  tied  together 
through  a  narrative  track  and  different  charac- 
ters in  each  episode  are  planned. 

One  sequence  under  discussion  concerns 
"Mama  Mosquito,"  the  octogenarian  Chinese 
peasant  woman  who  risked  her  life  each  day 
carrying  ammunition  in  her  basket  to  Chinese 
guerillas.  A  new  ballad  by  Earl  Robinson, 
giving  the  Negro's  concept  of  freedom,  is 
planned  for  another  episode. 

The  Russian  testimonial,  it  was  said,  will  pay 
tribute  to  the  woman  fighter  pilot  who,  in  an 
advanced  stage  of  pregnancy,  fought  the  Ger- 
mans in  air  combat.  In  most  instances,  the 
bravery  of  fighters  on  the  side  of  the  United 
Nations  will  be  pointed  up,  but  the  picture,  it 
was  said,  will  be  built  around  the  simple  theme 
that  "since  we  are  all  fighting  for  the  same 
thing — a  Free  World  for  free  peoples — we  must 
stick  together  after  the  war  to  keep  this  Free 
World." 


Foreign  Asset 
Data  Sought 

Complete  information  on  American  assets  in 
foreign  countries,  including  those  of  motion 
picture  companies,  is  being  compiled  by  the 
Treasury  Department,  presumably  for  use  at 
that  time  when  the  Allied  forces  occupy  terri- 
tories now  dominated  by  the  Axis.  Every 
American  with  "real  property  or  other  assets 
in  excess  of  $10,000  in  any  foreign  nation, 
friendly,  neutral  or  enemy,"  has  been  ordered 
to  file  information  in  detailed  form  with  the 
Federal  Reserve  Bank  by  August  31st. 

It  was  emphasized  that  the  census  is  not 
intended  to  constitute  "a  registry  of  claims" 
against  Germany,  Italy  and  Japan,  but  would 
be  the  basis  for  the  Government's  formulating 
policies  respecting  post-war  financial  and  indus- 
trial relationships  between  the  U.  S.  and  for- 
eign nations.  Criminal  penalties  will  be  imposed 
for  failure  to  file,  it  was  said.  Home  offices 
expected  to  receive  the  forms  this  week. 

OWI  Releases  "Message 
From  Malta",  MOI  Film 

Showing  the  life  of  the  Maltese  under  fire, 
"Message  from  Malta"  was  released  nationally 
by  the  Office  of  War  Information  film  unit 
Thursday.  It  was  produced  by  the  British 
Ministry  of  Information.  Two  other  short  sub- 
jects from  that  agency  have  been  released  here 
by  the  OWI,  "Night  Shift"  and  "Dover." 


Decorate  Rivoli  for  "Bell" 

Howard  Bay,  legitimate  theatre  scenic  de- 
signer, has  been  engaged  by  Paramount  to  re- 
decorate the  exterior  of  the  Rivoli  theatre  on 
Broadway  for  the  engagement  of  "For  Whom 
the  Bell  Tolls,"  which  will  open  July  14th. 


Redecorates  Indiana  Theatre 

E.  L.  Ornstein,  owner  of  the  Rialto  theatre 
in  Marengo,  Ind.,  has  completed  renovations 
on  the  interior  of  the  house. 


"Ted"  Curtis  as  Hero  of 
Tunisia  Wins  Promotion 


Conspicuous  leadership  in  the  recent 
Tunisian  campaign  has  won  for  Colonel  Ed- 
ward Peck  Curtis,  World  War  I  ace,  Presi- 
dent Roosevelt's  nomination  for  promotion 
to  the  rank  of  brigadier  general. 

Colonel  Curtis  is  widely  known  as  the 
Eastman  Kodak  Company's  motion  picture 
film  sales  manager.  He  was  one  of  four- 
teen officers  chosen  on  June  5th  for 
advancement. 

He  is  a  familiar  figure  on  the  West 
Coast,  particularly  in  Hollywood,  where  in 
civilian  life  he  spends  a  large  part  of  each 
year. 

Colonel  Curtis  landed  in  Africa  with  the 
first  American  invasion,  and  was  assigned 
shortly  thereafter  as  chief  of  staff  for 
Lieutenant  General  Carl  Spaatz,  com- 
mander of  the  Allied  Air  Forces.  In  this 
capacity  he  attended  the  historic  Casa- 
blanca conferences  of  President  Roosevelt 
and  Prime  Minister  Churchill.  What  active 
role  he  played  in  the  Tunisian  victory 
doubtless  will  be  revealed  in  due  time. 

Having  destroyed  six  German  planes 
over  France  a  little  more  than  two  decades 
ago,  won  a  Distinguished  Service  Cross 
and  the  Croix  de  Guerre,  and  been  ac- 
claimed the  youngest  officer  of  his  rank  in 
the  Air  Service,  he  could  scarcely  be  ex- 
pected to  sit  by  while  another  world  war 
was  in  progress. 

In  November,  1940,  therefore,  he  ob- 
tained leave  of  absence  from  the  East- 
man Kodak  Company,  again  donned  the 
United  States  Army  uniform,  and  was  com- 
missioned a  Major  in  the  Army  Air  Corps. 
His  promotion  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  fol- 
lowed in  January,  1942. 

With  a  flair  for  daring  exploits,  "Ted" 
Curtis,  at  the  age  of  20,  left  Williams  Col- 
lege in  1917  to  become  an  American  Field 
Ambulance  Corps  driver  in  France.  He 


EDWARD  PECK  CURTIS 


soon  transferred  to  the  American  flying 
service  and  advanced  to  the  rank  of  Major 
and  an  ace  of  the  95th  Aero  Squadron  by 
virtue  of  his  courage  and  skill. 

Following  the  war,  the  United  States 
Government  sent  him  to  investigate  con- 
ditions in  the  Baltic  provinces  of  Russia. 

While  the  Colonel  today  takes  a  lead- 
ing part  in  Allied  offensive  moves  in  the 
Mediterranean  theatre  of  war,  Mrs.  Curtis 
carries  on  Red  Cross  work  in  Alexandria, 
Va.,  and  their  children,  Diane,  Ruth  and 
Edward  Peck  Curtis,  Jr.,  continue  their 
education  in  Washington,  D.  C.  At  the 
war's  end  it  is  expected  they  will  return  to 
their  home  in  Rochester,  N.  Y. 


To  Start  Eight  Films 

Warner  Bros,  this  week  scheduled  eight  more 
major  stories  to  start  shooting  within  the  next 
two  months.  The  list  includes  "Conflict,"  star- 
ring Humphrey  Bogart ;  "Battle  Cry,"  to  be 
directed  by  Howard  Hawks ;  "The  Young  and 
the  Brave" ;  "Shine  on,  Harvest  Moon,"  "The 
Gay  Nineties" ;  "Passage  to  Marseilles,"  the 
Hal  B.  Wallis  follow-up  to  "Casablanca" : 
"Rhapsody  in  Blue,"  life  story  of  George  Gersh- 
win to  be  produced  by  Jesse  L.  Lasky,  and 
Jack  Benny  in  "The  Horn  Blows  at  Midnight." 


Miss  Cane  Joins  WAVES 

Isabelle  Cane,  of  the  United  Artists  contract 
department,  has  joined  the  WAVES.  She 
leaves  the  company  June  11th,  reporting  at 
Hunter  College,  New  York. 



Free  Outdoor  Pictures 

Free  outdoor  motion  picture  films  are  being 
offered  to  the  public  on  Wednesday  evenings 
in  West  Branch,  Iowa,  by  the  business  men  of 
the  community. 


Walter  Duranty  Praises 
"Mission  to  Moscow" 

Before  an  audience  of  representative  civic, 
educational  and  religious  leaders,  exhibitors, 
newspapermen  and  radio  commentators  gath- 
ered in  the  Grand  Ballroom  of  the  Hotel  Black- 
stone  in  Chicago  on  Tuesday,  Walter  Duranty, 
foreign  correspondent  and  political  writer,  de- 
livered a  talk  on  Warners'  "Mission  to  Mos- 
cow" which  will  open  soon  in  the  Chicago  area. 
Prior  to  Mr.  Duranty's  talk,  a  special  screening 
was  held  at  the  Warner  exchange. 

Mr.  Duranty,  who  is  on  a  lecture  tour  of  key 
cities  "to  give  the  American  public  a  better 
understanding  of  Russia,"  called  the  picture 
"exciting  entertainment." 

The  audience  included  Father  Daley,  editor 
of  New  World;  Father  Jacobson  and  Father 
Meade  of  Loyola  University ;  Sister  Justicia, 
head  of  Mundelein  College ;  Simon  Baltus,  edi- 
tor of  Catholic  Extension ;  Father  St.  John, 
vice-president  of  Catholic  Extension  Society ; 
Roy  S.  McKeogh,  head  of  the  local  OP  A; 
William  Sullivan,  head  of  the  local  OWI. 


starring  BET?Y 
vith  CHARLES 


'reduced  by  WILLIAM  PERLBeRg     *   *  P// 


BKlO 


t  *  *<*  hurst  *  frank  orth  *  M 


Printer!  in  U  S„ 


June     12,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


41 


Film  Shipments 
"Essential, 99 
ODT  Rules 


Deliveries  Get  A-3  Priority  as 
Carriers  Meet  in  New  York 


Photo  by  Staff  Photographer 


IN  SESSION,  at  the  Astor  Hotel,  New  York,  when  the  Office  of  Defense  Trans- 
portation told  carriers  Monday  they  were  granted  an  A-3  priority,  were  the  dele- 
gates of  the  National  Film  Carriers  Association.  Above  are  H.  M.  Richey,  repre- 
senting the  War  Activities  Committee  distributors'  section;  Harold  Shertz,  of 
Philadelphia,  counsel  for  the  Association;  Clint  Weyer,  Philadelphia,  secretary; 
Charles  Trampe,  Milwaukee;  James  Clark,  Philadelphia,  president;  Thomas  Gilboy, 
San  Francisco,  vice-president,  and  Earl  Jameson,  Kansas  City. 


Film  carriers,  both  common  and  contract, 
breathed  more  easily  this  week,  after  having 
been  told  by  the  Office  of  Defense  Transporta- 
tion their  service,  because  of  its  importance  to 
the  operation  of  theatres,  was  "essential" ;  and 
on  Monday,  receiving  an  A-3  priority,  thus 
advancing  them  in  the  list  of  essential  services. 

The  move  came  even  while  Petroleum,  Office 
of  Price  Administration,  and  ODT  officials 
hinted  at  further  gasoline  restrictions  for  the 
17  severely  affected  eastern  states,  and  indicated 
that  the  ban  on  pleasure  driving  would  be  made 
nationwide. 

The  National  Film  Carriers  Association,  in 
session  at  the  Hotel  Astor,  New  York  on 
Monday,  greeted  the  announcement  of  the  im- 
portant priority  given  members,  and  then  went 
back  to  discussion  of  previous  ODT  orders  for 
gasoline  consumption  slashes  of  approximately 
10  per  cent.  The  immediate  problem  for  the 
carriers  was  to  reconcile  their  status  as  com- 
mon carriers  with  the  order  to  reduce  con- 
sumption. As  common  carriers,  they  truck  many 
other  items  in  addition  to  film,  and  are  obligated 
to  do  so. 

"Contract"  carriers  have  been  relieved  of  the 
problem  which  would  have  followed  the  ODT's 
first  stringent  slashing  of  deliveries  to  two  per 
week.  This  would  have  been  especially  serious 
in  New  York  City,  where  most  carriers  are 
of  the  "contract"  type. 

ODT  order  17,  amendment  3,  allows  six-day 
operation,  and  five  days  of  delivery  to  any  one 
theatre.    Schedules  are  being  adjusted. 

The  Monday  ODT  order,  giving  A-3  priority, 
takes  delivery  of  films  out  of  the  communica- 
tions priorities  section,  and  puts  it  into  that 
allotted  to  transportation  services,  such  as  rail- 
ways, pipe  lines,  petroleum  transport,  airports 
and  airfields. 

The  practical  result  of  the  priority  will  be 
the  granting  of  additional  gasoline  allotments 
to  carriers,  to  counteract  the  official  "stretch- 
out" of  "T"  gasoline  coupon  service,  which  in 
effect  slashed  commercial  gasoline  consumption 
40  per  cent. 

The  carriers'  association  also  discussed  man- 
power at  its  New  York  convention,  developing 
its  belief  that  carrier  employees  be  branded  es- 
sential workers. 

A  guest  speaker,  at  whom  many  questions 
were  directed,  and  with  whom  was  discussed 
the  full  import  of  ODT  orders  in  their  applica- 
tion to  individual  territories,  was  Everett  Hard- 
ing, Philadelphia  ODT  director. 

In  addition  to  Mr.  Harding's  advice  Monday 
and  Tuesday,  the  carriers  conferred  with  a 
distributors'  committee  including  Arthur  Dick- 
inson, of  the  Motion  Picture  Producers  and 
Distributors  of  America ;  J.  S.  McLeod,  of 
MGM ;  C.  C.  Ryan,  Warners,  and  William 
Fass,  Paramount. 

Representing  the  War  Activities  Committee 
distributors'  section,  in  the  absence  of  William 
F.  Rodgers,  was  Henderson  M.  Richey,  who 
had  attended  official  Washington  conferences  in 
connection  with  private  carrier  problems. 

Reelected  officers  of  the  Association  were 
James  Clark,  of  the  Horlacher  Delivery  Ser- 
vice, Philadelphia,  president ;  Thomas  Gilboy, 
San  Francisco,  vice-president,  and  Clint  Weyer, 
Philadelphia,  secretary. 


Blank  Is  Dinner  Host 

Fifty-five  employees  of  the  executive  and 
auditing  department  of  Tri- States  and  Central 
States  Theatres  were  given  a  fish  dinner  in 
Des  Moines  last  week.  The  fish  was  supplied 
by  Myron  Blank  and  G.  Ralph  Branton,  who 
returned  with  a  "nice  catch"  after  a  10-day 
trip  at  Crow  Lake  in  Ontario. 


Ricketson  Discussed  for 
Post  as  Skouras  Aide 

Frank  H.  Ricketson,  Jr.,  president  of  Fox 
Intermountain  Theatres,  Denver,  is  being  con- 
sidered for  an  executive  post  as  assistant  to 
Spyros  Skouras,  president  of  Twentieth  Cen- 
tury-Fox, it  was  announced  last  week  by  Mr. 
Skouras. 

It  was  denied,  however,  that  Mr.  Ricketson 
was  slated  for  a  position  of  importance  in  the 
foreign  department.  Mr.  Skouras  explained 
that  Murray  Silverstone,  vice-president  in 
charge  of  foreign  activities,  will  continue  to 
head  the  department,  and  at  the  same  time 
praised  Mr.  Silverstone's  record  with  the  com- 
pany. Mr.  Ricketson  joined  Fox  West  Coast 
Theatres  in  1929  as  division  manager  after 
having  been  president  of  Consolidated  Theatres 
for  five  years. 

Schlesinger  Joins  Navy 
As  Chief  Petty  Officer 

Leonard  S.  Schlesinger,  on  the  _  Warner 
Brothers  Theatres  home  office  executive  staff, 
joined  the  Navy  on  Wednesday  as  a  chief  petty 
officer  in  the  Bureau  of  Yards  and  Docks.  He 
has  been  assigned  to  the  handling  of  film  for 
the  Bureau,  which  is  the  civil  engineering  de- 
partment of  the  Navy. 

Since  1937,  Mr.  Schlesinger  has  been  di- 
rectly in  charge  of  the  operation  of  the  New 
York  Strand  and  Hollywood  theatres.  Before 
his  home  office  affiliation,  he  was  city  zone 
manager  for  Warners  in  Philadelphia. 


Confirm  Theatre  Purchase 

Albert  M.  Greenfield  &  Company,  Philadel- 
phia realty  company,  has  disclosed  that  the 
Warner  theatre  circuit  purchased  the  Family 
theatre,  confirming  long-standing  reports. 
Operated  on  a  24-hour  daily  policy_  by  the 
Warner  circuit,  the  midtown  theatre,  including 
the  six-story  Gibson  Building,  was  sold  to 
Helen  C.  Dowd  for  $675,000.  On  immediate 
resale,  the  Stanley  Company  of  America,  the 
Warner  circuit  in  Philadelphia,  purchased  the 
property  for  $685,000. 


May  Extend  Ban 
On  Driving 

Gasoline  shortages  which  have  resulted  in 
pleasure  driving  bans,  curtailment  of  bus  opera- 
tion and  other  problems  may  become  even  more 
critical  with  an  announcement  from  Washington 
this  week  that  further  restrictions  are  in  the 
offing.  It  was  said  that  the  gas  situation  might 
make  it  imperative  to  limit  its  use  in  the  mid- 
west, and  possibly  throughout  the  entire  country. 

Adjustments  have  come  rapidly  in  Springfield, 
Mass.,  however,  following  the  curtailment  of 
bus  transportation  by  the  Office  of  Defense 
Transportation.  Theatre  men's  fears  have  been 
allayed  after  a  careful  watch  on  the  effects  of 
the  ban. 

Downtown  houses  continue  to  play  to  capacity 
audiences,  and  all  theatres  report  weekend  busi- 
ness standing  up  to  previous  levels.  A  survey 
of  attendance  at  local  theatres  in  Fall  River, 
however,  showed  a  decline  during  the  first  three 
days  of  the  business  week. 

Lack  of  transportation  facilities  to  suburban 
areas  at  night,  it  was  reported,  had  taken  away 
considerable  patronage  from  downtown  houses, 
resulting  in  an  increase  in  attendance  at  the 
neighborhood  theatres.  Downtown  managers 
feel  that  with  a  half-day  off  Wednesdays  for 
store  clerks,  better  attendance  will  prevail. 

In  New  York,  buses  operating  throughout 
the  city,  ran  on  a  normal  Sunday  schedule  last 
weekend  after  being  idle,  for  the  most  part,  on 
the  previous  Sunday.  The  order  to  resume 
standard  operations  was  issued  by  Mayor  La- 
Guardia,  who  said  he  would  announce  a  plan 
whereby  the  ODT's  20  per  cent  cut  in  bus 
mileage  ordered  May  28th  could  be  best  ac- 
complished without  violating  any  terms  of  the 
ruling. 


Curran  Joins  Republic 

James  Curran,  booker  at  the  Columbia  ex- 
change in  Cincinnati,  has  resigned  to  accept  a 
similar  post  with  Republic  Pictures  there.  He 
has  been  succeeded  by  Frank  Decker,  formerly 
associated  with  various  exchanges. 


A* 


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pjty 


4A^Z)  WATCH 
HER  FIGURE 
WHEN  "CONEY  ISLAND' 
OPENS  AT  THE 
ROXY,  N.  Y. 


Have  You  Booked  "PRELUDE  TO  WAR  '? 


BUSINESS! 


/s  r"s  *'<?G£sr wait** 


Mm 

: 


CENTURY-  FOX 


44  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  June    12,  1943 

in  BRITISH  STUDIOS 


By   AUBREY    FLANAGAN,    in  London 


Although  it  is  not  always  easily  dis- 
cernible by  those  who  look  no  deeper 
than  the  surface,  a  great  deal  of  post-war 
planning,  certainly  a  great  deal  of  con- 
sideration of  post-war  problems  and 
potentialities,  is  going  on  in  Britain  today, 
not  only  in  official,  but  in  unofficial  cir- 
cles. Not  least  among  those  who  'have 
one  eye  on  trading  conditions  when  the 
battles  are  over,  are  British  producers, 
whose  bid  to  enter  the  world  markets  in 
a  more  virile  manner  has  already  been 
recorded  in  Motion  Picture  Herald. 

It  is  clear  that  the  recent  activity  has 
been  greatly  stimulated  by  the  knowledge 
that  America  has  got  there  first,  that  the 
U.  S.  companies  already  have  made  moves 
in  the  direction  of  re-entry  into  the  greater 
foreign  markets.  A  discernible  anxiety  that 
too  many  beans  shall  not  be  spilled  about 
the  British  producers'  post-war  plans  is  in- 
spired obviously  by  an  equal  anxiety  not  to 
let  others  know  what  they  are  doing. 

These  considerations  apart,  there  is  little 
but  praise  for  the  British  Film  Producers 
Association  plan  already  recorded,  praise 
not  by  any  means  confined  to  British  circles 
either.  Much  opinion  moves  to  the  view  that 
some  such  action  is  overdue,  and  that  there 
is  no  need  for  the  British  industry  to  come 
in  second — at  least  to  start  second — in  the 
race  for  the  world  markets. 

Government  Approves 
Producer  Plan 

Now  the  Government  approval  placed  on 
the  B.  F.  P.  A.  scheme  means  that  it  should 
have  a  strong  impetus.  The  Treasury  has 
approved  the  setting  up  of  an  appropriate 
department  within  the  Ministry  of  Informa- 
tion. Space  at  a  British  studio — probably 
Pinewood — will  be  released  for  dubbing, 
and  machinery  is  being  set  in  motion  for 
this  work  to  be  done. 

With  the  exact  shape  of  military  things 
to  come  difficult  to  assess,  precise  blue- 
printing- of  the  machinery  to  operate  abroad 
is  as  yet  impracticable  to  outline,  but  that 
there  will  be  Government  agents,  probably 
working  under  the  M.  O.  I.,  maybe  even 
in  uniform,  analyzing  and  reporting  on  the 
needs  and  potentialities  of  the  markets  in 
liberated  territories,  is  likely.  How  far  these 
territories  will  reach  is  greatly  dependent 
on  military  and  political  circumstance. 
Which  films  will  be  judged  worthy  of  entry 
will  be  decided  by  the  producers  and  M.  O.  I. 

Studios  Turning  Away 
From  War  Themes 

Fortunately  the  general  level  of  the  pro- 
duction and  entertainment  quality  of  the 
Birtish  film  as  being  made  today  is  going 
up  appreciably.  Many  of  the  expensive  films 
being  produced  in  British  studios  currently, 
however,  being  films  of  an  exclusively  war 
inspiration  and  contemporary  appeal,  will 
hardly  be  suitable  for  post-war  exploitation 
in  many  foreign  territories. 

Maybe  with  this  partially  in  view,  maybe 


with  the  continued  success  of  non-war  sub- 
jects at  the  British  box  office,  British  stu- 
dios are  slowly,  reluctantly  possibly,  but 
emphatically,  moving  further  from  the  bat- 
tlefield as  a  canvas  for  popular  entertain- 
ment. 

The  exceptional  success,  for  instance,  of 
a  film  like  20th  Century-Fox's  "Black 
Swan,"  the  hit  made  by  Paramount's  "Road 
to  Morocco"  and  "Star  Spangled  Rhythm," 
the  dismal  show  put  up  in  the  West  End 
by  more  than  one  U.  S.  war  film  which 
has  been  presented  with  a  flourish  and  a 
blaze  of  trumpetry,  the  continued  appeal 
of  Formby,  Askey,  and  Lucan,  proffer  a 
moral  which  is  not  being  lost  on  British 
producers.  Nor  need  it  be  lost  on  their  U. 
S.  contemporaries. 

Plan  Lighter  Pictures 
Of  Wide  Appeal 

Gainsborough,  for  instance — with  the 
Askey  musicals  consistently  successful,  and 
the  latest  to  be  shown,  "Miss  London, 
Limited,"  likely  to  be  not  the  least  among 
them — have  a  noticeable  bias  in  favour  of 
escapism,  in  favour  of  comedy  and  music  and 
spectacle.  The  Tommy  Handley  subject, 
"Time  Flies,"  finished,  Val  Guest  continues 
on  another  Askey  extravaganza  "Bees  in 
Paradise,"  transferred  now,  via  location, 
from  Islington  to  Shepherds  Bush. 

Other  lighter  fare  is  planned,  which  pre- 
sumably would  be  more  saleable  in  Pernam- 
buco  or  Portugal  than  contemporary  dramas 
about  the  submarine  war  or  Nazi  occupa- 
tion of  Norwegian  territory. 

Two  Cities,  whose  "In  Which  We  Serve," 
of  course,  enters  the  class  of  screen  epics, 
and  whose  "Gentle  Sex"  is,  for  all  its  dra- 
matic backbone,  a  contemporary  document, 
have  films  scheduled  which  should  on  the 
face  of  it  be  potential  bidders  for  post  war 
markets.  "Henry  V,"  planned  on  a  spec- 
tacular scale,  with  a  world  star  in  Laurence 
Olivier,  with  the  ornamental  background  of 
Powerscourt  Eire,  with  Irish  horses  and 
hundreds  of  Irish  extras,  is  a  likely  can- 
didate. 

Warners  and  Columbia 
Make  Escape  Films 

The  same  company's  "English  Without 
Tears,"  a  Terence  Rattigan  comedy  of 
native  flavour,  DeGrunwald's  "The  Demi 
Paradise,"  and  Noel  Coward's  "This  Happy 
Breed"  being  an  Anglo-Saxon  saga  1918- 
1943,  with  a  cavalcade  of  world  events  as 
its  chapter  heads,  is  surely  another.  Ber- 
nard Miles  "Tawny  Pipit"  essentially  na- 
tive in  its  subject  matter  and  treatment, 
may  be  that  brand  of  native  comedy  which 
often  proves  more  appealing  to  the  foreign 
audience  than  apeings  of  the  Hollywood 
tradition  and  style. 

Warners,  too,  although  probably  their  eye 
is  more  on  quota  than  post-war  markets — 
keep  away  from  the  battlefront  in  the  Des- 
mond Hurst  picture  at  Teddington,  "Youth 
Looks  Ahead."  Columbia's  sponsorship,  "I 
Love  to  Sing,"  Vera  Lynn's  second  starring 


vehicle  for  that  company,  under  Ben  Henry's 
and  George  Formby's  production  eyes,  and 
which  Gordon  Wellesley  is  directing,  is  not 
a  war  film,  although  the  war  is  background, 
and  would  be  more  likely— obvious  consid- 
erations established — to  please  the  foreign 
audience  than  a  comedy  about  the  1943 
Home  Guard. 

Balcon  Supporting 
Post-War  Plan 

Nor  for  that  matter  should  Strand's  film 
about  the  London  Philharmonic  and  its  win- 
ning battle  for  music  during  the  war  be  a 
subject  of  exclusively  wartime  appeal,  not 
only  in  the  quality  and  nature  of  the  music 
played,  but  no  less  in  the  virtuosi  and  in- 
ternational celebrities  playing — or  being 
filmed  in  it. 

As  a  factual  record  of  the  preservation 
and  immense  stimulus  of  one  of  the  arts 
during  apparently  insuperable  conditions,  it 
may  be  one  of  the  more  interesting  docu- 
ments of  the  war  period  with  a  post-war  and 
international  appeal. 

One  of  the  known  sponsors  of  the  B.  F 
P.  A.'s  post-war  scheme,  certainly  one  of 
its  keenest  advocates,  is  Michael  Balcon, 
experienced  and  respected  impresario  of 
British  production.  Mr.  Balcon's  Ealing 
product,  which  in  future  will  go  out  under 
the  distribution  aegis  of  the  affiliated  dis- 
tributor company,  Ealing  Distributors  (nee 
A.  B.  F.  D.)  for  some  time  past,  has  been 
handled  by  United  Artists. 

Current  Ealing  Film 
Is  War  Drama 

Mr.  Balcon's  production  company  is 
known  to  have  its  own  emphatic  views  about 
handling  or  mishandling  of  British  films  in 
the  U.  S.,  and  it  surprises  nobody  on  this 
side  that  Mr.  Balcon  should  be  solidly  be- 
hind the  post-war  market  scheme.  Much 
of  Ealing's  product  has  a  documentary  fla- 
vour, although  the  studios  also  have  produced 
some  comedies,  but  documentary  dramas 
which  to  the  detached  seem  often  to  have 
been  possessed  of  high  production  quality, 
and  no  small  and  not  entirely  domestic 
audience  appeal. 

Ealing's  current  production  is  a  war 
drama,  a  dramatization  in  screen  terms  of 
the  story  of  the  San  Demetrio — production 
on  which  has  suffered  a  setback  in  the  sud- 
den illness  of  Charles  Friend — with  "Half 
Way  House"  a  Cavalcanti  production  to  be 
directed  by  Basil  Dearden,  planned  for 
opening  in  a  few  weeks. 

All  the  British  producers  are  solidly  be- 
hind the  B.  F.  P.  A.  plan  which,  with  Gov- 
ernment blessing  and  assistance,  looks  like- 
ly to  be  of  measurable  assistance  to  the  Brit- 
ish film  as  a  worlrl  commnditv. 


Use  Girl  Ushers 

Warner's  Virginia  theatre  in  Atlantic  City, 
located  on  the  Boardwalk,  has  reopened,  using 
girl  ushers  for  the  first  time  in  15  years. 


June    12,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


45 


DEMANDS  OF  BRITISH  LABOR 
THREATEN  PRODUCTION 


Three  Strikes  at  Studios 
Recently  Averted;  May 
Ask  Overtime  Ban 

by  AUBREY  FLANAGAN 

in  London 

Flushed  maybe  with  the  feeling  of  victory, 
achieved  in  at  least  one  degree  by  the  ma- 
terialization of  the  recent  standard  agree- 
ment on  studio  wages,  conditions  and  hours, 
the  employees'  unions,  within  and  about 
the  British  production  industry,  are  cur- 
rently rather  more  than  restive. 

Strikes,  threats  of  strikes,  walkouts,  over- 
time bans,  demands  for  privileges  not  nor- 
mally accorded,  the  invoking  of  Arbitration 
Courts,  are  the  order  of  the  day.  A  net 
result  of  this  is  a  not  inconsiderable  slack- 
ening, here  and  there,  of  the  machinery  of 
production,  notably  of  war  films,  and  a  gen- 
eral sense  of  irritation  where  harmony  might 
be  expected. 

At  one  particular  period  recently  no 
less  than  three  strikes  at  three  different 
studios  were  contemplated,  but  fortu- 
nately were  averted.  One  of  them  was  a 
closed  shop  dispute,  another  was  con- 
cerned with  payment  for  location  work, 
and  the  third  over  the  precise  application 
of  the  recent  standard  wages  agreement. 

It  is  a  fact  nonetheless  that,  up  to  the  time 
of  writing,  no  individual  stoppage  can  be 
reported,  and  no  studio  is  without  its  nor- 
mal complement  of  labour.  Within  the  past 
few  weeks,  however,  there  have  been  mani- 
festations of  turbulence  and  pugnacity  which 
bode  ill  for  the  producer  bent  on  getting  on 
with  the  job  of  making  films. 

Recently,  also,  a  threat  loomed  over  the 
British  studios  of  an  overtime  ban  by  one 
of  the  unions,  because  of  failure  to  reach 
an  agreement  on  wages  and  hours  for  the 
clerical  staffs.  The  Association  of  Cine 
Technicians  recently  has  gone  to  arbitration 
over  the  dismissal  of  a  cameraman  and 
scored  something  more  than  a  merely  tac- 
tical victory  in  his  reinstatement  and  the 
concession  of  the  point  in  dispute  over  in- 
surance. 

Employer  and  Union 
Attitudes  Clash 

It  is  no  secret  that  British  producers  are 
greatly  concerned  over  this  new  mood  of 
labour,  and  consider  it  one  of  their  most 
difficult  headaches.  Recent  meetings  of  the 
British  Producers  Association  have  been  de- 
voted largely  to  discussing  such  problems 
and  disputes  as  have  arisen. 

On  the  one  hand  is  the  union  viewpoint 
that  agreements  made  and  signed  must  be 
materialized,  and  the  union  conviction  may- 
be that  so  much  territory  having  been  gained 
it  might  be  a  tactical  gesture  to  go  after 
further  territory  while  the  going  is  good, 
while  the  studio  employees,  thanks  to  the 
manpower  situation  hold  what  might  be  con- 
sidered a  whiphand.  On  the  other  is  the 
employers'  unwillingness  to  let  further 
strength  pass  into  the  hands  of  the  em- 


1,800  BRITISH  THEATRES 
DEFAULT  ON  QUOTA 

Approximately  1 ,800  British  exhibi- 
tors have  defaulted  on  their  quota  of 
British  films  played  during  the  year 
ending  September  30,  1942,  it  was 
reported  from  London  this  week.  The 
total  of  defaults  for  the  year  marks 
an  increase  over  the  previous  year  of 
approximately  400  exhibitors  charged 
with  quota  defaults. 


ployees,  plus  a  reasonable  desire  to  have 
the  processes  of  wartime  film  making,  al- 
ready difficult  enough,  hampered  no  fur- 
ther. 

The  three  threatened  strikes  already  re- 
ferred to,  having  been  averted,  are  natu- 
rally not  of  profound  consequence.  All  were 
minor  difficulties,  and  all  have  been  sur- 
mounted thanks  to  round  table  exchange  of 
views  and  attitudes.  The  mood  and  state 
of  mind  which  inspired  them  would  not 
seem  to  be  insignificant.  Nonetheless  there 
are  points  within  their  orbit  which  bear 
extraction  and  report. 

In  one,  a  dispute  over  payment  for  loca- 
tion work,  the  facts  offer  a  moral  homily 
on  the  attitude  of  the  young  men  who  make 
films  in  wartime.  Compensatory  payment 
was  demanded  for  location  work  aboard  a 
Naval  vessel.  It  varied  between  a  demand 
for  double  time  for  sleeping  hours  because 
the  sleeping  conditions  were  not  adequate, 
to  special  pay  between  6  A.M.  and  break- 
fast when,  because  of  the  activity  aboard 
ship  the  electricians  could  not  sleep,  to 
extra  pay  for  meal  times — and  so  forth. 

A  compromise  was  ultimately  arrived  at 
between  the  Electricians  Trade  Union  and 
the  studio  company  on  a  basis  of  single  time 
for  sleeping  and  eating  hours. 

NTKE  Threatens  to  Impose 
Studio  Overtime  Ban 

There  is  record,  too,  of  technicians  de- 
manding, but  recently,  extra  pay  for  Techni- 
color work  because  of  the  "mental  strain"; 
of  other  technicians  being  irritated  by  the 
advertising  films  they  were  making. 

Not  least,  however,  of  the  disputes  still 
current,  is  one  which  embraces  the  clerical 
workers  in  British  studios  whose  material 
and  moral  welfare  has  come  under  the  wing 
of  the  National  Association  of  Theatrical 
and  Kine  Employees.  This  latter  union, 
which  is  affiliated  with  the  A.C.T.,  under 
the  banner  of  the  film  Industry  Employees 
Council,  has  demanded  an  agreement  on 
wages  and  hours  for  clerical  workers  in  the 
production  companies  which  has  been  dis- 
missed by  the  producers'  group  as  "absurd." 

It  is  claimed  that  the  wages  asked  are  so 
much  higher  than  the  average  wages  paid 
in  other  industries,  that  they  potentially 
would  denude  the  latter  of  reserves  of  man- 
power. It  now  has  been  decided  by  the 
B.F.P.A.  to  consult  with  the  Kinemato- 
graph  Renters  Society  before  they  commit 


themselves — which  is  improbable — to  accept- 
ance, or,  which  is  likely,  to  the  presentation 
of  a  counter  offer. 

Meanwhile  the  N.A.T.K.E.,  whose  repu- 
tation for  tolerance  and  patience  is  not  nec- 
essarily blameless,  is  currently  threatening 
to  re-impose  an  overtime  ban  in  the  studios 
unless  the  producers  do  something  tangible 
towards  materializing  the  wages  and  hours 
agreement  which  was  in  discussion  last 
Christmas  when  a  two-month  limit  was 
agreed  for  discussion. 

One  minor  dispute  at  a  studio — prevented 
let  it  be  said  from  developing  into  a  strike 
— hinged  on  a  far  distant  possibility,  the  in- 
auguration of  the  Beveridge  Plan  and  the 
adjustment  of  a  certain  clause  in  the  labour 
agreement  to  cover  its  potentialities. 

Union  Wins  Arbitration 
In  Newsreel  Case 

Not  the  least  significant  among  the  recent 
incidents  on  the  labour  front  has  been  the 
arbitration  award  to  the  Association  of 
Cine  Technicians,  in  the  dispute  between 
that  body  and  British  Movietonews  over  the 
dismissal  of  a  cameraman,  Alfred  Tunwell. 
The  case  is  a  significant  one  measured  by 
standards  of  wartime  employment  conditions. 

Mr.  Tunwell,  chartered  by  Movietonews 
to  a  post  on  a  battleship  in  the  Mediter- 
ranean Fleet,  demanded  the  increase  of  his 
insurance  from  £2,000  to  £5,000  and  on  re- 
fusing to  go  unless  that  was  done,  was  dis- 
missed. The  A.C.T.  took  the  matter  to 
arbitration  and  the  award  of  Sir  Charles 
Doughty  was  the  reinstatement  of  Mr.  Tun- 
well with  proferred  opinion  that  he  was  not 
extravagant  in  asking  a  higher  insurance. 

The  case  may  have  a  marked  influence  on 
employers  and  their  relations  with  tech- 
nicians under  war  conditions. 

Preview  "Mission"  for 
Canada  War  Council 

A  private  preview  of  Warners'  "Mission  to 
Moscow"  was  held  this  week  at  the  Royal  On- 
tario Museum,  Toronto,  under  the  auspices  of 
the  Writers,  Broadcasters  and  Artists'  War 
Council.  Those  in  attendance  included  On- 
tario's Lieutenant-Governor,  R.  C.  Matthews 
and  Mrs.  Matthews ;  Sir  Ernest  and  Lady  Mac- 
Millan,  Colonel  and  Mrs.  R.  Y.  Eaton,  and  a 
group  of  radio,  newspaper  and  magazine  rep- 
resentatives. 

After  the  screening,  Sir  Ernest  presided  at  a 
discussion  of  the  film  led  by  John  Collingwood 
Reade,  military  analyst  of  the  Globe  and  Mail; 
R.  S.  Lambert,  educational  adviser  to  the  Can- 
adian Broadcasting  Corporation,  and  others. 

MGM's  "Bafaan"  Wins  Scroll 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  has  been  awarded  a 
scroll  by^  Young  America  magazine  for  the  film 
"Bataan."  The  citation  was  for  "bringing  to 
the  American  public  a  fearless  and  honest  de- 
piction of  warfare  and  sacrifices  being  made  by 
our  American  boys." 

Receives  Army  Discharge 

David  Gould,  former  film  salesman,  has  re- 
ceived an  honorable  discharge  from  the  Army. 
He  had  been  music  promotion  man  for  Irving 
Berlin's  "This  Is  the  Army"  show  during  the 
past  10  months. 


1  BOOK  "PRELUDE  TO  WAR" 


I 


LEON  AMES 

Directed  by  MICHAEL  GORDON 
A  COLUMBIA  PICTURE 

R  MIHI1TFC  t\T  nYMUMITF  RFNTAI  i 


000 

to  this 
program 
evening 
55! 


third  big 
year  over  114  CBS 
network  stations . . . 
coast -to -coast! 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June     12,  1943 


Entertainment  World 
To  Spur  War  Aid 


Industry  Conference  Sets 
Group  to  Plan  "Mobiliza- 
tion for  Victory" 

Mobilization  of  the  entire  entertainment 
industry  to  achieve  greater  usefulness  in  the 
war  effort  is  the  aim  of  the  National  Con- 
ference of  the  Entertainment  Industry  for 
War  Activities,  which  met  in  New  York 
last  Thursday  and  Friday.  For  that  pur- 
pose a  special  "continuations  committee" 
was  chosen  at  the  conference. 

The  committee  includes:  George  J. 
Schaefer,  of  the  War  Activities  Committee 
of  the  motion  picture  industry;  Paul  Turn- 
er, counsel  for  the  4A's;  Walt  Dennis,  of 
the  NAB ;  James  F.  Reilly,  of  the  League  of 
New  York  Theatres;  Solly  Pernick,  of  the 
IATSE;  Kermit  Bloomgarden,  American 
Theatre  Wing,  and  William  A.  Fricke,  of 
the  American  Association  of  Advertising 
Agencies.  Anita  Grannis,  editor  of  the  of- 
ficial AFRA  publication,  Stand-By,  was  ap- 
pointed secretary  to  the  committee. 

A  sub-committee  was  to  present  a  report 
on  projects  to  the  full  committee  Thursday 
evening,  at  the  New  York  office  of  the 
United  Theatrical  War  Activities  Commit- 
tee. 

Speakers  Represented 
All  Theatre  Units 

Speakers  at  the  Conference,  held  at  the 
New  York  Times  Hall,  were  James  Cagney, 
president  of  the  Screen  Actors  Guild; 
Francis  Harmon,  executive  vice-chairman 
of  the  film  industry's  War  Activities  Com- 
mittee; Lawrence  Tibbett,  president  of  the 
American  Guild  of  Musical  Artists  and  the 
American  Federation  of  Radio  Artists,  and 
a  conference  co-chairman ;  Paul  Dulzell, 
president  of  the  Associated  Actors  and  Ar- 
tistes of  America,  parent  actors'  union. 

Also,  Rachel  Crothers,  president  of  the 
American  Theatre  Wing;  Lawrence  Phil- 
lips, vice-president  of  Camp-Shows,  Inc. ; 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Marvin  D.  Young,  Army 
Special  Services;  Walter  Dennis,  National 
Association  of  Broadcasters  news  bureau 
chief;  Gardner  Cowles,  Jr.,  director  of  the 
Office  of  War  Information  domestic  branch ; 
Rex  Stout,  War  Writers  Board;  Harry 
Brandt,  WAC;  Claude  Lee,  Paramount; 
Ray  Bolger,  dancer ;  James  Sauter,  execu- 
tive director  of  the  United  Theatrical  War 
Activities  Committee. 

Approve  "Talent,  Idea"  Pool 
For  War  Services 

The  conference  approved  the  establish- 
ment by  the  continuations  committee,  of  a 
pool  of  "talent,  ideas,  and  persons"  to  be 
available  for  war  service. 

Mr.  Dulzell  expressed  hope  the  entertain- 
ment world  might  carry  into  peacetime  its 
new  found  unity,  and  he  added  that  the  con- 
tributions the  entertainment  industry  could 
make  to  the  war  effort  were  unique. 

Mr.  Tibbett  said  that  entertainers  felt 
"the  need  of  a  sort  of  clearing  house  in 


which  we  would  all  participate,  and  by 
means  of  which  we  would  all  help  one  an- 
other." 

Mr.  Harmon  predicted  that  the  use  of  the 
screen  for  instruction  would  increase  tre- 
mendously during  and  after  the  war. 

Noting  a  shortage  of  "names"  available 
to  the  Hollywood  Victory  Committee,  Mr. 
Cagney  said  this  had  been  remedied  some- 
what by  pledges  of  availability  signed  by 
650  contract  and  250  free-lance  players. 

Mr.  Cowles  said  the  assembled  represen- 
tatives had  the  right  "to  be  proud"  of  their 
contributions  to  the  war  effort. 

Roosevelt  Voices  Thanks 
For  War  Effort  Aid 

The  opening  session  was  featured  by 
the  reading  of  a  telegram  from  President 
Roosevelt,  the  full  text  of  which  follows : 

"It  is  a  pleasure  to  send  you  this  assur- 
ance of  my  heartfelt  appreciation  of  all  you 
are  doing  in  the  field  of  entertainment  to 
support  and  advance  the  war  effort.  En- 
tertainment is  always  a  national  asset.  In- 
valuable in  time  of  peace,  it  is  indispensable 
in  wartime.  By  coordinating  the  activities 
of  all  those  who  are  working  in  the  enter- 
tainment industry  you  are  building  and 
maintaining  national  morale  both  on  the  bat- 
tle front  and  on  the  home  front.  You  are 
doing  a  grand  job  and  I  trust  you  will  not 
weary  of  this  good  work  until  our  enemies 
are  brought  to  their  knees  in  unconditional 
surrender." 


United  Nations9 
Fund  Divided 

Money  collected  from  patrons  by  exhibitors 
during  the  United  Nations  Week,  has  been 
allotted  to  the  funds  of  the  various  countries 
affected,  Edward  Alperson,  national  chairman 
for  the  drive,  reported  last  week.  The  total 
collected  was  $1,518,737. 

The  breakdown  of  disbursements  is  as  fol- 
lows:  British  War  Relief,  $200,000;  United 
China  Relief,  $250,000;  Russian  War  Relief, 
$250,000;  Greek  War  Relief,  $250,000;  French 
Relief,  $200,000  ;  Polish  War  Relief,  $168,737.20; 
United  Yugoslav  Relief,  $50,000  ;  Queen  Wilhel- 
mina  Fund,  $50,000  ;  Norwegian  Relief,  $50,000  ; 
United  Czechoslovakia  Relief,  $50,000. 

The  Greater  New  York  Fund  motion  picture 
division  has  accepted  a  quota  of  $65,000,  ac- 
cording to  J.  Robert  Rubin,  chairman  of  the 
division,  who  presided  over  its  luncheon  meeting 
at  the  Hotel  Astor  in  New  York  Monday. 
Warner  Brothers  this  week  gave  $6,000  to  the 
Fund. 

Sub-committee  leaders  under  Mr.  Rubin  are: 
Arthur  Israel,  Jr.,  Paramount,  vice-chairman 
of  the  home  office  employees  groups ;  Adolph 
Schimmel,  Universal,  vice-chairman  of  associa- 
tions ;  Martin  Quigley,  president  of  the  Quigley 
Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  and  Jack  W.  Alicoate, 
of  Film  Daily,  vice-chairmen  of  the  Publishers' 
group ;  Joe  Hornstein  of  Joe  Hornstein,  Inc., 
vice-chairman  of  the  suppliers  and  jobbers; 
B.  S.  Moss,  B.  S.  Moss  Corporation,  vice- 
chairman  of  exhibitors ;  Budd  Rogers,  vice- 
chairman  of  independent  distributors,  producers 
and  importers ;  Ned  Depinet,  RKO  Radio  Pic- 


tures, vice-chairman  of  distributors'  exchanges, 
and  Ralph  I.  Poucher,  Consolidated  Film  In- 
dustries, Inc.,  vice-chairman  of  the  film  labora- 
tories group. 

The  motion  picture  industry's  contribution 
to  the  Red  Cross  may  reach  $4,000,000,  it  was 
indicated  this  week,  following  a  report  from 
Barney  Balaban,  chairman  of  the  drive,  held 
April  1st  through  7th. 

The  result  will  be  at  least  $1,000,000  over  the 
total  reached  in  any  industry  campaign  to  date. 

The  figure  registered  is  $3,600,000  for  the 
recent  drive ;  and  900  theatres  have  not  yet  re- 
ported. There  also  are  corporate  gifts  and  col- 
lections in  some  exchanges  which  have  not  been 
totaled. 

A  special  press  book  is  being  rushed  to  com- 
pletion, which  will  be  utilized  by  exhibitors 
in  the  forthcoming  intensive  effort  to  collect 
copper,  brass  and  bronze  for  the  War  Produc- 
tion Board. 

At  1  p.  m.  next  Monday,  all  Broadway  film 
theatres  in  the  area  between  42nd  and  52nd 
streets,  New  York,  will  participate  in  a  mass 
U.  S.  Treasury  Department  flag  raising  cere- 
mony sponsored  by  the  theatres'  division  of  the 
War  Activities  Committee.  The  flags,  signify- 
ing that  90  per  cent  of  the  members  of  each 
theatre,  or  company,  are  on  the  Pay-Roll  Bond 
Buying  Plan,  will  be  raised  simultaneously  at 
a  given  signal.  In  addition  to  the  ceremonies 
attending  the  mass  raising,  observances  will 
take  place  in  front  of  each  theatre. 

All  theatres  in  York,  Pa.,  provided  lobby 
space  to  serve  as  depots  in  the  "Share  your 
clothing  with  Russia"  campaign  staged  there 
by  the  Russian  War  Relief  Society  during  the 
first  two  weeks  in  June.  The  start  of  the 
drive  followed  the  showing  of  "Mission  to 
Moscow"  to  avoid  giving  the  impression  that 
the  clothing  campaign  was  a  promotional  stunt 
for  the  picture. 

Willis  Vance,  operator  of  the  suburban  Twen- 
tieth Century  theatre  in  Cincinnati,  largest  of 
the  circuit  there,  himself  the  donor  of  eight 
pints  of  blood,  with  the  ninth  contribution 
being  arranged,  is  conducting  a  one-week  cam- 
paign to  recruit  adult  blood  donors  for  the 
Red  Cross  by  appealing  to  them  through  chil- 
dren. 

As  an  incentive  to  enlist  volunteers,  each 
child  who  brings  a  prospective  donor  to  the 
theatre  to  be  registered  by  a  Red  Cross  at- 
tendant in  the  lobby  will  receive  complimentary 
tickets. 


Lists  Industry  Units 
Concerned  with  War 

Walter  Wanger,  president  of  the  Academy 
of  Motion  Picture  Arts  and  Sciences,  has  noti- 
fied members  of  the  organization  that  he  is 
preparing  a  list  of  industry  organizations  con- 
cerned with  "problems  of  international  under- 
standing and  cooperation  to  the  end  that  Holly- 
wood may  more  effectively  take  its  place  as  a 
fighting  unit  dedicated  to  the  cause  of  victory 
for  the  United  Nations." 

Mr.  Wanger  cited  the  recent  statements  and 
speeches  of  Nelson  Rockefeller,  Hilary  St. 
George  Saunders  and  others  regarding  the  im- 
portance of  motion  pictures  in  relation  to  a 
post-war  reorganization,  in  telling  Academy 
members  of  his  plan. 


Dedicate  Film  to  Knight 

The  War  Department  has  announced  that 
"Lassie  Come  Home"  will  be  dedicated  to  its 
author.  Major  Eric  Knight,  who  lost  his  life 
in  a  plane  crash.  The  film,  an  MGM  produc- 
tion, stars  Roddy  McDowall,  and  is  the  story 
of  a  young  master's  devotion  to  his  dog. 


Salesmen  Into  War  Jobs 

Ray  Kaliski  and  Ronald  McDonnell,  salesmen 
at  the  Paramount  exchange  in  San  Francisco, 
and  James  Myers,  Republic  salesman  in  that 
city,  have  resigned  to  enter  war  work.  Fred 
Norman  has  been  added  to  the  United  Artists 
sales  force  in  San  Francisco. 


June    12,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


49 


Theatre  Thefts 
In  Wilmington 
Cleared  Up 

The  arrest  of  four  youths  in  Wilmington, 
Del.,  last  week  by  police  of  that  city  cleared 
some  of  the  mystery  surrounding  the  disap- 
pearance of  valuables  in  midtown  theatres. 
Juvenile  delinquency  is  believed  to  have  been 
the  cause  of  the  thefts. 

This  fact  was  brought  out  after  the  question- 
ing of  the  four  involved,  two  of  whom  are  13, 
the  others  15  and  16.  Three  have  been  charged 
with  larceny,  and  the  oldest  has  been  accused 
of  receiving  stolen  goods.  Throughout  the  five 
months  of  continual  thefts,  it  was  estimated 
that  $2,000  in  jewelry  and  cash,  mostly  from 
women  patrons,  was  stolen  from  more  than  50 
pocketbooks. 

The  latest  disappearance  of  11  more  pocket- 
books  brought  intensive  investigation  by  De- 
tectives Frank  Miller  and  Edwin  Rich,  who 
were  successful  in  tracing  the  four  youths. 
Upon  questioning,  it  was  learned  that  the  theft 
wave  had  its  origin  in  an  accidental  manner. 
One  of  the  boys  alleged  to  have  started  the 
practice  told  police  that  a  seat  tipped  up  and  a 
pocketbook  belonging  to  a  woman  seated  in 
front  of  him  slid  to  the  floor.  Finding  four 
dollars  in  the  purse,  he  left  the  theatre,  leaving 
the  pocketbook  behind.  The  theft  was  so  easy, 
he  said,  that  he  later  made  it  a  habit. 

It  was  disclosed  from  police  records  that  the 
biggest  "haul"  was  made  on  March  5th  when 
the  youngsters  made  away  with  $78  in  cash, 
overlooking  a  platinum  spray  with  52  diamonds 
valued  at  $1,000,  together  with  other  jewelry 
which  they  discarded,  leaving  the  purse  empty. 
Police  are  still  trying  to  trace  the  lost  jewelry. 

National  Decency  Legion 
Classifies  Five  Films 

The  National  Legion  of  Decency  reviewed 
five  films  during  the  current  week,  classifying 
two  as  unobjectionable  for  general  patronage, 
one  as  unobjectionable  for  adults  and  two  as 
objectionable  in  part.    The  listing  follows: 

Class  A-l,  Unobjectionable  for  General  Pat- 
ronage: "Salute  to  the  Marines,"  "Stranger 
from  Pecos."  Class  A-2,  Unobjectionable  for 
Adults :  "Two  Senoritas  from  Chicago."  Class 
B — Objectionable  in  Part:  "Sarong  Girl"  and 
"Wings  Over  the  Pacific." 

Warners  Claim  Playing 
Time  Increase  of  8% 

An  eight  per  cent  increase  of  playing  time 
for  individual  Warner  Brothers'  films  since 
March  was  announced  by  the  company  after  a 
survey.  A  previous  survey  showed  a  78  per 
cent  increase  this  year  compared  with  a  similar 
period  in  1942. 


Cohen  in  Metro  Albany  Post 

Nate  Cohen,  publicity  director  for  the  Weil- 
land-Lewis  theatres  in  Atlantic  City  for  the 
past  eight  years,  left  on  June  5th  to  join  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  as  exploitation  director  of  the 
Albany  district. 


Circuit  Books  Monogram  Film 

The  Monogram  film,  "Sarong  Girl,"  has  been 
booked  over  the  entire  RKO  circuit  in  New 
York,  it  has  been  announced.  It  will  be  played 
July  13th  and  14th,  also  in  Brooklyn,  July  20th 
and  21st. 


Named  to  Censor  Board 

Benjamin  Hance  has  been  appointed  chairman 
of  the  Maryland  Motion  Picture  Censor  Board, 
succeeding  George  R.  Mitchell. 


IN  NEWSREELS 


MOVIETONE  NEWS— Vol.  25,  No.  79^— Strike  crisis 
in  coal  mines....  U.  S.  bombs  Kiska. . . .  West  Pointers 

graduate  Governor    Stassen    in    Navy  Japs  in 

prison  camp  in  South  Pacific. 

MOVIETONE  NEWS— Vol.  25,  No.  80^-Allies  step  up 

global  bombing  Davies  returns  Movietone  forum 

on  post-war  Red  Cross  teaches  soldiers  to  swim 

through    flames  WAVES    taught    jiu-jitsu  Los 

Angeles  police  pistol  shooters  with  Lew  Lehr. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY— Vol.  25,  No.  277— Axis  finished 

in    North    Africa  Yanks    bomb    Kiska  General 

Arnold  predicts  air  victory  at  West  Point  gradua- 
tion Plea  for  victory  harvest  Governor  Stassen 

in  Navy.... How  Yanks  treat  prisoners. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY— Vol.  25,  No.  27S-U.  S.  strikes 

foe  in  Europe  and  Pacific  Sidelights  on  Argentina 

revolt. ..  .Launch  civilian  defense  drive. ...  Coal  strik- 
ers return. ..  .Hand  machine  gun....  Army  teaches 
life  saving. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS — No.  82— Victory  parade  in  Tu- 
nis Mary    Pickford   auctions   home  Camouflage 

magic    at    Camp    Davis. ...  Woman    zoo  keeper  

Bombing   of   Kiska  Governor    Stassen   enlists  in 

Navy. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS— No.  83— Gundar  Haag  to  run 

in    New    York  Brief  case   machine   gun  Allies 

bomb    Italy  WAVES    taught    jiu-jitsu  Miners 

back  on  job  Count   Fleet  wins  Belmont  race  

Japs  on  Attu  cleaned  up. 

RKO  PATHE  NEWS— Vol.  14,  No.  82— U.  S.  bombs 

Kiska  Japs  taken  prisoners  in  South  Pacific  

West  Point  graduation  Tunis  victory  parade.... 

Canadian  plant  makes  lead  for  Allies  Trap  Axis 

off  Cape  Bon. 

RKO  PATHE  NEWS— Vol.  14,  No.  83— Swedish  run- 
ner in  New  York  Allies  hammer  Axis  Davies 

returns  U.    S.     guards    Great    Coulee  Dam  

WAVES  learn  jiu-jitsu  Eight  pound  machine-gun 

....Japs  driven  out  of  Attu. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWSREEI  Vol.   16,  No.   195— West 

Point  graduation  Bombing  of  Kiska  Coal  strike 

crisis. ..  .Woman    saves    lemon    crop  Prayers  for 

war  crop  Miniature  model  of  Billy  Mitchell  craft 

 Victory  in  Africa. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWSREEI  Vol.  16,  No.  196— Allies 

set   for  invasion  Attu  bombed  Davies  returns 

 Practice  sea  rescue  WAVES  taught  jiu-jitsu 

 Tiny  machine  gun  Guard  Coulee  Dam.... Re- 
cruiting in  N.  Y  Count  Fleet  wins  Belmont  race 

....Way-station  to  victory. 

ALL    AMERICAN  NEWS — Vol.    2,    No.    33— Negro 

workers  make  block  busters  Harlem  stages  war 

rally.... Liberian  chief  honored  General  Benjamin 

O.  Davis  reviews  Fort  Belvoir  troops  Kansas  nine 

trims  American  Giants  in  baseball  game. 


Film  Classics  Get  Rights 
To  Hal  Roach  Pictures 

Film  Classics,  Inc.,  recently  organized  dis- 
tributing company  with  offices  in  New  York, 
has  acquired  rights  to  13  feature  pictures  and 
350  short  subjects  produced  by  Hal  Roach  and 
originally  released  by  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 
according  to  Bertam  A.  Mayers,  attorney  and 
organizer  of  the  new  company. 

The  rights  to  36  Gaumont-British  films  were 
previously  acquired  by  the  company,  and  Mr. 
Mayers  disclosed  that  the  company  was  now 
negotiating  for  several  Samuel  Goldwyn  and 
Edward  Small  productions  in  addition  to  a 
group  of  David  O.  Selznick  features. 

Albert  Dezel  has  acquired  the  franchise  in 
the  Detroit  area  for  Film  Classics.  It  was  the 
first  franchise  to  be  given  by  the  company.  Mr. 
Dezel  will  release  24  reissues  of  20th  Century- 
Fox  and  Gaumont-British  films,  it  is  announced. 
The  company  also  has  acquired  distribution 
rights  for  "The  Hari-Kari  People." 


Allied  Unit  Drops  Meetings 

The  Allied  Theatre  Owners  of  Connecticut 
has  announced  suspension  of  all  regular  meet- 
ings because  of  the  gas  and  manpower  shortage, 
and  will  hold  only  special  meetings  when  called 
by  Dr.  J.  B.  Fishman,  president. 


Writes  Camouflage  Article 

Harper  Goff,  set  designer  and  illustrator  for 
Warner  Brothers,  has  written  an  article  for  the 
current  issue  of  Aero  Digest  on  war  plant 
camouflage. 


Allied  Criticizes 
Dismissal  of 
Some  Run  Case 

Exhibitor  organizations  are  showing  an  in- 
creased interest  in  and  concern  with  the  de- 
cisions of  the  Appeal  Board  of  the  motion 
picture  arbitration  system. 

Both  Allied  States  Association  and  the 
Motion  Picture  Theatre  Owners  of  America  in 
the  past  have  shown  interest  in  precedent  setting 
rulings  of  the  high  tribunal  of  arbitration. 
They  have  reported,  criticized  and  sometimes 
praised  the  opinions  in  bulletins  to  members 
and  at  exhibitor  meetings. 

But  a  new  degree  of  interest  is  manifested  in 
recent  statements  on  arbitration  by  exhibitor 
leaders.  They  are  drawing  on  the  rulings  to 
support  their  arguments  in  behalf  of  a  revision 
of  the  Consent  Decree  or  further  prosecution 
of  the  distributors  under  the  anti-trust  laws. 

Abram  F.  Myers,  general  counsel  of  national 
Allied,  in  a  four-page  bulletin  this  week 
criticized  the  board's  dismissal  of  the  some  run 
complaint  of  the  Welden  theatre,  St.  Albans, 
Vt.  Although  condemning  Paramount's  sales 
practices  in  the  case  the  board  said  it  lacked 
power  under  the  Decree  to  act.  The  award, 
No.  71,  was  reported  in  the  June  5th  Motion 
Picture  Herald. 

"The  decision  demonstrates  that  by  reserving 
to  the  distributors  uncontrolled  discretion  over 
runs,  the  Consent  Decree  not  only  has  left 
monopoly  intact  but  actually  fosters  and  pro- 
tects it"  Mr.  Myers  wrote.  The  Welden  case, 
he  charged,  would  be  used  to  intimidate  inde- 
pendent exhibitors  against  buying  through  co- 
operative combines. 

"The  attitude  of  the  consenting  defendants  in 
this  and  numerous  other  cases  demonstrates 
that  their  will  to  monopoly  has  not  been  curbed ;. 
that  they  do  not  respect  the  anti-trust  laws 
and  will  not  obey  them  unless  compelled  to  do 
so.  Throughout  the  test  period  under  the  Con- 
sent Decree  evidence  of  this  defiant  attitude  has 
been  piling  up,"  the  Allied  leader  said.  He 
urged  the  Attorney  General  to  take  action. 

In  a  similar  vein  Edward  Kuykendall,  presi- 
dent of  the  MPTOA,  in  a  message  to  members 
last  week  reviewed  the  Appeal  Board  action  in 
a  number  of  arbitration  issues.  Appeal  decisions, 
and  their  restrictions  under  the  decree,  also 
were  cited  extensively  at  the  meeting  of 
MPTOA  directors  in  New  York  last  month. 

MPTOA  leaders  at  that  time  urged  the 
scrapping  of  the  decree  arbitration  system  and 
the  establishment  of  a  new  plan  of  local  media- 
tion, plus  arbitration  boards  of  members  of  the 
motion  picture  industry. 

DuMont  Stockholders  Vote 
To  Split  Common  Shares 

A  proposal  to  split  each  share  of  Class  A 
common  stock  into  10  shares  and  to  do  like- 
wise with  the  Class  B  common  stock  was  ap- 
proved by  stockholders  of  the  Allen  B.  Du- 
Mont Laboratories  at  a  meeting  held  in  the 
company's  offices  in  Passaic,  N.  J.,  last  Friday. 

Eight  directors  were  reelected  at  the  meeting. 
They  include  Paul  Raibourn,  Bernard  Good- 
win, Arthur  Israel,  Jr.,  A.  J.  Richard,  Allen 
B.  DuMont,  Thomas  T.  Goldsmith,  Jr.,  Leon- 
ard F.  Cramer  and  Bruce  DuMont.  Officers 
reelected  were  Mr.  DuMont,  president;  Mr. 
Cramer,  vice-president ;  Mr.  Raibourn,  treas- 
urer ;  Mr.  Goodwin,  secretary ;  Joseph  J. 
Doughney,  assistant  treasurer,  and  Mr.  Israel, 
assistant  secretary. 


Father's  Day  Trailer  Ready 

National  Screen  Service  has  prepared  a 
trailer  for  distribution  to  all  branches  for 
Father's  Day.  Walter  Huston  is  featured  ex- 
tending a  greeting  to  the  country's  fathers,  and 
urging  that  presents  be  given  in  War  Bonds. 


EVELYN  ANKERS 
JOHN  CARRADINE 

MILBURN  STONE 
LLOYD  CORRIGAN 
MARTHA  MacVICAR 

VINCE  BARNETT 

and  introducing  a  Sensation  in  Savagery! 

ACQ  U  AN  ETTA 

as  the  Gorilla  Girl! 


Screen  Play,  Henry  Socher  •  Griffin  Jay 
Original  Story,  Ted  Fithian  •  Neil  P.  Varnick 
Directed  by  EDWARD  DMYTRYK  •  Associate  Producer,  BEN  PIVAR 


52  MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

LETTERS  FROM  READERS 


FORMER  MANAGER  ASKS 
END  OF  WAR  FILMS 

To  the  Editor  of  the  Herald: 

In  reply  to  Motion  Picture  Herald's  in- 
quiries regarding  the  showing  of  "war  pictures" 
I'd  like  to  contribute  my  opinion  as  I  do  feel 
that  an  amendment  to  current  existing  condi- 
tions in  the  motion  picture  industry  will  cer- 
tainly help  uplift  a  much  needed  morale. 

My  being  a  theatre  manager,  and,  being  in 
the  service,  I'm  in  a  position  to  know  what  the 
boys  in  the  service  clamor  for  in  the  way  of 
motion  picture  entertainment. 

We  have  had  too  many  war  pictures.  When 
I  was  on  the  outside,  I  used  to  ask  my  patrons 
their  opinion  of  war  pictures.  We  had  too 
many  at  that  time,  nearly  a  year  ago.  Now,  I 
just  stand  in  line  with  the  rest  of  the  men,  as  a 
patron,  and  I  overhear  many  comments,  such 
as  :  "We  read  war  news  in  the  newspapers,  we 
hear  war  news  on  the  radio,  we  are  read  war 
news  by  the  officers,  we  are  shown  training  film 
by  the  score  and,  when  we  go  to  seek  enter- 
tainment, what  do  we  see?    More  war!" 

The  men  in  the  service  want  to  be  escapists 
from  war  subjects  the  same  as  their  families. 
We  all  want  the  same  type  of  entertainment. 
Good  musicals ,  good  comedies,  good  melo- 
dramas. Of  course,  when  a  war  picture  with 
a  name  cast  hits  the  theatre  horizon,  it  does  a 
terrific  business,  and  everyone  is  satisfied, 
service  men  and  civilians  alike.  But,  of  course, 
pictures  like  that  aren't  to  be  found  on  every 
change  date. 

My  definition  of  a  motion  picture  is  for  a 
patron  to  relax  and  live  in  luxury  and  con- 
tentment for  a  couple  of  hours.  Certainly  the 
showing  of  war  picture  after  war  picture  is  very 
contrary  to  that  definition.  Some  people  want 
to  drown  their  sorrows  in  drink.  Most  people 
want  to  drown  their  sorrows  through  the  me- 
dium of  entertainment.  It's  comedy,  music,  and 
that  certain  something  which  will  build  your 
morale  to  a  cheerful  standard.  That,  definitely, 
excludes  war  and  propaganda  pictures  which 
are  stuffed  down  the  theatre  patrons'  throats 
in  the  guise  of  entertainment. 

We,  who  are  a  part  of  show  business,  know 
what  the  theatre  going  people  want,  but — can 
we  get  the  product?  It's  about  time  Holly- 
wood producers  would  play  ball  with  the  ex- 
hibitors— and  the  public. — Joe  A.  Fazio,  PFC, 
Camp  White,  Ore.  (formerly  with  Harvey 
Amusement  Co.,  San  Francisco). 


SUGGESTS  "TEAMS"  TO 
BUILD  PERSONALITIES 

To  the  Editor  of  the  Herald: 

Due  to  the  tremendous  number  of  stars  now 
in  service  in  a  short  time  it  will  be  quite  a 
problem  for  producers  to  obtain  well-known 
names  for  forthcoming  releases.  So  here's  a 
suggestion  that  might  be  the  answer. 

Why  not  have  each  company  select  from 
their  contract  players  the  most  likely  male, 
give  him  the  support  of  a  well  known  female 
star.  Now,  and  most  important  of  all,  turn 
the  two  over  to  their  best  producer  and  director 
and  writer,  with  the  instructions,  that  we  want 
you  to  turn  out  the  finest  picture  possible.  If 
it  takes  three  months,  six  or  even  a  year,  they 
are  to  continue  "at  it"  until  a  great  picture 
has  been  made.  Now  when  I  use  the  word 
"great"  I  don't  mean  something  with  terrific 
sets  (even  if  that  were  possible  today),  but  a 
fine  story  like  "Sergeant  York"  that  would 
have  been  a  great  picture  even  without  Gary 
Cooper,  or  say  "Broadway  Bill" — a  marvelous 
story,  produced  by  the  greatest  exponent  of 
"human  interest,"  Frank  Capra.  Either  of 
those  pictures,  as  well  as  dozens  of  others, 
could  have  made  any  player  a  star  over  night 
with  some  extra  ballyhoo  by  the  producers. 

How  often  have  the  companies  released  a 


"sleeper"  (in  the  old  days,  before  producers 
could  pull  'em  and  had  to  deliver  pictures 
designated)  like  Wallace  Berry  and  Raymond 
Hatton  in  "At  the  Front,"  I  believe  was  the 
title,  and  MGM  had  one,  "Dancing  Daughters" 
with  Joan  Crawford,  etc.  By  proper  exploita- 
tion these  players  became  big  stars  over  night, 
because,  and  this  is  important,  because  the 
producers  then  gave  them  good  stories  and  well 
directed  pictures  in  their  next  releases. 

Universal  recognized  the  star  possibilities  in 
Abbott  and  Costello  after  they  saw  them  in  a 
supporting  role  in  one  of  their  releases.  On 
the  other  hand,  no  amount  of  publicity  will 
make  the  public  "buy  a  star"  if  the  picture  isn't 
great — Sam  Goldwyn  and  Twentieth  Century- 
Fox  tried  that  with  two  imported  stars  and 
just  a  "good  picture." 

The  idea  that  I'm  trying  to  convey  is  that 
if  each  producer  "set  up"  a  good  team,  as  out- 
lined, at  the  end  of  the  year  there  would  be  a 
great  many  more  important  names  for  mar- 
quees. Twentieth  Century-Fox  did  OK  by 
Walter  Pidgeon  in  "How  Green  Was  My 
Valley,"  Columbia  helped  Claudette  Colbert 
and  Clark  Gable  in  "It  Happened  One  Night," 
Warners  brought  John  Garfield  out  over  night, 
MGM  did  all  right  by  Greer  Garson  in  "Mrs. 
Miniver,"  because  each  one  was  a  great  story 
and  produced  by  a  master  team.  Pictures  don't 
have  to  be  lavish  to  make  a  star  a  box  office 
sensation.  Plain,  simple,  down-to-earth  stories 
made  Will  Rogers  and  Shirley  Temple  two  of 
the  greatest  names  in  the  picture  business. 
Shirley  didn't  do  so  well  in  later  pictures  when 
the  producers  tried  to  give  her  "colossal  stories 
with  stupendous  sets"  when  all  her  public 
wanted  were  those  nice  simple  stories  they 
loved  Shirley  in.— ABE  H.  KAUFMAN,  Foun- 
tain Theatre,  Terre  Haute,  Ind. 


REPORT  ON  ARMY  FILM 
SHOWS  IN  AUSTRALIA 

To  the  Editor  of  the  Herald  : 

This  is  Good  Friday  and  all  houses  in  Aus- 
tralia will  close  down.  They  will  reopen  Satur- 
day morning  with  a  change  of  program.  Easter 
Sunday  is  Anzac  Day  and  will  be  celebrated 
on  Monday,  at  which  time  all  houses  will  close 
as  no  public  entertainment  will  be  allowed. 

Most  camps  and  hospitals  here  are  supplied 
with  three  bills  weekly — two  motion  picture  pro- 
grams and  a  vaudeville  show.  The  latter  is  Aus- 
tralian talent,  consisting  of  three  units ;  each 
group  will  hit  a  camp  once  every  21  days  with 
a  new  program.  The  best  of  the  program  is 
"The  Great  Lavant,"  a  fast-moving  revue. 

Considering  the  difficulty  under  which  the 
group  works,  they  deserve  plenty  bows.  (Other 
two  units  are  "Stars  and  Stripes"  and  "All  in 
Fun.") 

Motion  pictures  supplied  by  the  industry  are 
handled  by  the  Overseas  Motion  Picture  Ser- 
vice, Major  Lynn  Coward  and  Lieutenant 
Krebs.  Programs  are  booked  by  Corporal 
Applestone. 

Most  photos  are  16mm.  When  available  35mm 
or  standard  is  used.  I  walked  into  one  camp 
the  other  night,  and  they  had  a  dandy  booth. 
A. E.G.  heads  and  sound  heads  (made  in  Ger- 
many). The  Arcs  are  hand-fed  and  give  good 
light.  Read  in  local  trade  paper  where  theatres 
in  Mt.  Ira  are  closing  down  due  to  lack  of 
carbons  but  Army  has  little  or  no  trouble  on 
that  score. 

When  a  print  leaves,  the  exchange  does  not 
see  it  again  for  about  12  months.  Operators  in 
each  case  are  responsible  for  condition  of  print, 
which  is  causing  both  distributor  and  exhibitor 
plenty  big  headaches.  Some  houses  in  the  bush 
country  have  operators  IS  and  17  years  of  age. 
There  are  some  women  operators  here,  too.  All 
prints  leave  exchange  on  1,000-foot  wooden 
spools  or  flanges. — M.  L.  MORPURGO,  Some- 
where in  Australia. 


June    12,     I  94  J 


Plead  Not  Guilty 
To  Extortion 

The  six  members  of  the  Chicago  ring,  under 
indictment  for  violation  of  the  anti-racketeering 
law  and  mail  fraud  in  their  extortion  of  money 
from  motion  picture  companies,  pleaded  not 
guilty  to  both  charges  when  arraigned  in  New 
York  Federal  court  on  Tuesday  after  their 
extradition  from  Chicago.  They  are  to  stand 
trial  in  New  York  with  two  other  defendants 
being  held  in  the  Federal  House  of  Detention. 

Judge  Murray  Hulbert  set  the  trial  for  Sep- 
tember 7th  but  stipulated  that  it  might  not  be 
definite  because  of  postponements.  Bail  was 
set  at  $100,000  for  each  defendant.  U.  S.  At- 
torney Mathias  E.  Correa  told  Judge  Hulbert 
that  witnesses  had  been  threatened  and  one 
had  disappeared.  The  judge  refused  to  warn 
the  defendants  but  said  that  if  he  heard  of  any 
misconduct,  he  would  call  in  the  bail. 

The  defendants  pleading  not  guilty  were 
Louis  Compagna,  Paul  de  Lucia,  Phil  D' Andrea, 
Francis  Maritote,  Ralph  Pierce  and  Charles 
Gioe.  Held  in  the  Federal  House  of  Detention 
awaiting  joint  trial  with  the  others  are  John 
Rosselli  of  Los  Angeles  and  Louis  Kaufman, 
former  business  agent  of  local  244,  Operators 
Union  of  Newark. 

The  trial  of  Isidore  Zevin  was  postponed 
until  July  1st  by  Judge  Hulbert  last  week. 
Zevin  is  under  indictment  for  perjury  in  con- 
nection with  the  same  case,  and  will  be  held 
by  the  Government,  probably  as  a  state  witness 
for  the  forthcoming  trial. 

Crosley  Awards  Contracts 
For  Short-Wave  Station 

Contracts  have  been  awarded  by  the  Crosley 
Corporation  in  Cincinnati  for  the  construction 
of  a  750,000-watt  short-wave  station,  the  largest 
in  the  world,  at  nearby  Bethany,  Ohio,  it  has 
been  announced  by  company  officials.  Plans 
for  the  big  transmitter  are  the  result  of  several 
years  experiment  with  500,000  watts  by  WLW. 
The  station  is  one  of  several  planned  for  the 
United  States  to  enable  this  country  to  compete 
with  Axis  powers  in  transmitting  information. 

The  750  kilowatts  will  direct  the  radio  beam 
to  Russia,  while  the  use  of  less  power  will 
direct  it  to  many  other  countries,  including 
South  America,  it  is  said.  Regulation  of  power 
can  be  accomplished  by  push  buttons,  claimed 
to  be  a  new  invention  in  short-wave. 

Civilian  Premiere  June  24th 
For  "Stage  Door  Canteen" 

"Stage  Door  Canteen,"  Sol  Lesser-United 
Artists  release,  will  have  its  "civilan"  world 
premiere  at  the  Capitol  theatre  in  New  York  on 
June  24th.  It  will  be  given  a  special  opening 
with  the  assistance  of  the  American  Theatre 
Wing,  recipient  of  a  portion  of  the  profits  of 
the  picture's  release. 

The  picture  had  its  real  "world  premiere" 
in  May,  United  Artists  disclosed,  when  it  was 
shown  in  all  corners  of  the  globe  to  U.  S. 
service  men  through  the  Army  Overseas  Mo- 
tion Picture  Service. 

An  extensive  radio  exploitation  campaign  has 
been  launched  over  national  networks,  Paul 
Lazarus,  Jr.,  advertising  and  publicity  director 
for  UA,  said  this  week. 

"Best  Foot  Forward"  to 
Open  at  Astor,  June  29 

"Best  Foot  Forward,"  M-G-M  Technicolor 
film  version  of  George  Abbott's  Broadway  mu- 
sical comedy,  will  have  its  world  premiere 
June  29th  at  the  Astor  theatre  on  Broadway, 
the  company  announced  this  week. 

The  cast  of  "Best  Foot  Forward"  is  headed 
by  Lucille  Ball,  William  Caxton,  Virginia 
Weidler  and  Harry  James  and  his  orchestra. 


HEADIN'  YOUR  WAY  IN 
A  NEW  BOX-OFFICE 

BONANZA! 


it 


with 


ROSEMARY  LANE 
JOHN  HUBBARD 

GUS  ANNE  GEORGE 

SCHILLING  •  JEFFREYS  •  BYRON 

and 

THE  MILLS  BROTHERS 
SPADE  COOLEY  AND  HIS  BOYS 

A  REPUBLIC  PICTURE 


jo 


£>irec' 


BUY  U.  S.  WAR  SAVINGS  BONDS 


54 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    12,  1943 


// 


WHAT  THE 

PICTURE  DIH  FOR  ME 


\\ 


Columbia 


BOOGIE  MAN  WILL  GET  YOU,  THE:  Boris 
Karloff,  Peter  Lorre — If  you  have  not  played  this,  take 
my  advice,  and  don't.  It  has  no  story.  Had  walkouts 
on  this.  Played  Wednesday,  June  2. — Claude  R.  Gray, 
Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  North  Carolina.  Small 
town  patronage. 

BOSTON      BLACKIE      GOES  HOLLYWOOD: 

Chester  Morris,  Richard  Lane — This  series  is  very 
popular  and  has  a  nice  following — double-billed  it  to 
satisfaction. — H.  Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Chatham, 
Out. 

COMMANDOS  STRIKE  AT  DAWN:  Paul  Muni, 
Lillian  Gish — Broke  all  previous  house  records  with 
this  picture.  They  came  from  everywhere.  It  did 
well  in  both  Chatham  and  Tilbury.  Give  us  more, 
Columbia. — H.   Rankin,   Plaza   Theatre,   Tilbury,  Out. 

DARING  YOUNG  MAN:  Joe  E.  Brown— Joe  E. 
Brown  is  always  liked  here — business  good.  Played 
Sunday-Tuesday,  March  28-30. — H.  H.  Fulgham,  Star 
Theatre,  Fort  Worth,  Tex. 

HELLO,  ANNAPOLIS:  Jean  Parker,  Tom  Brown 
— Good  little  picture.  Very  interesting,  very  timely 
at  present.  I  would  recommend  this  as  a  good  fea- 
ture on  a  double  bill.  Played  Tuesday-Thursday, 
May  18-20.— M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston, 
Mass. 

MY  SISTER  EILEEN:  Rosalind  Russell,  Janet 
Blair,  Brian  Aherne — A  very  good  comedy.  The  old- 
er folks  did  not  care  a  great  deal  for  this  picture 
but  the  young  folks  enjoyed  it  immensely.  This 
picture  was  much  better  than  Columbia's  earlier 
pictures  starring  Rosalind  Russell.  Business  fair. 
Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  May  15,  16.— J.  A.  Blossom. 
Movie-Tone  Theatre,  Fairfield,  Mont.  General  pat- 
ronage. 

PARDON  MY  GUN:  Charles  Starrett— Just  an- 
other fair  Western.  Weather  good  and  crowd  as 
usual.  Played  Saturday,  May  22.— Claude  R.  Gray, 
Gilmont  Theatre,  M't.  Gilead,  N.  C.  Small  town 
and   sawmill  patronage. 

REVEILLE  WITH  BEVERLY:  Just  a  vaudeville 
show  with  four  bands,  Mills  Bros.,  Radio  Rogues,  etc. 
Frank  Sinatra  just  came  to  Philly,  got  tremendous 
publicity  and  I  played  up  his  name  in  all  my  copy. 
Did  tremendous  business. — Hal  Warner,  Benson  Thea- 
tre, Philadelphia,  Pa.    General  patronage. 

SUBMARINE  RAIDER:  John  Howard,  Marguerite 
Chapman — Timely.  Did  all  right  with  this  picture. 
Most  suitable  for  small  towns. — H.  Rankin,  Plaza 
Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

ANDY  HARDY'S  DOUBLE  LIFE:  Mickey  Rooney, 
Lewis  Stone — Not  as  good  as  most  of  this  series. 
Some  of  our  patrons  are  a  bit  tired  of  Rooney,  but 
business  was  still  good.  Played  Friday,  Saturday, 
May  21,  22. — S.  L.  George,  Mountain  Home  Theatre, 
Mountain  Home,  Idaho.    Small  town  patronage. 

BUGLE  SOUNDS,  THE:  Wallace  Beery— This  pic- 
ture was  a  long  drawn  out  affair — 100  minutes.  Would 
have  been  OK  for  70  minutes.  The  extra  30  min- 
utes just  spoiled  it.  It  was  tiresome  for  the  audience. 
Played  Sunday,  Monday,  February  21,  22.— M.  L. 
London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass. 

COURTSHIP  OF  ANDY  HARDY:  Mickey  Rooney, 
Lewis  Stone — Just  another  Hardy  picture.  Fair  box 
office.  Played  Thursday,  Friday,  May  20,  21.— A.  R. 
Dakin,  Rice  Lake  Theatre,  Bissett,  Manitoba,  Can. 
Mining  community  patronage. 

FOR  ME  AND  MY  GAL:  Judy  Garland,  George 
Murphy — The  first  half  of  this  went  over  well  here 
but  the  last  half  was  over-sentimental  for  my  bunch. 
From  other  comments  in  these  columns  I  imagine  that 
that  has  not  hurt  anywhere  else.  College  students 
(what  there  is  left  of  them)  are  definitely  against  too 
sentimental  sequences.  Attendance  was  average.— 
W.  H.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred, 
N.  Y.    Small  college  town  patronage. 

GONE  WITH  THE  WIND:  Clark  Gable,  Vivian 
Leigh — First  time  played  in  my  house.  Played  in 
nearby  towns  several  times.  I  made  some  money  on 
it  due  to  advanced  prices.  A  great  show  for  any 
man's  theatre.  Played  Tuesday,  Wednesday,  May 
25,  26.— Arthur  E.  Phifield,  Park  Theatre,  South  Ber- 
wick, Me.    Small  town  patronage. 

JOURNEY  FOR  MARGARET:  Robert  Young,  La- 


.  .  .  the  original  exhibitors'  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 
In  it  theatremen  serve  one  another  with  information  about  the  box-office  per- 
formance of  product — providing  a  service  of  the  exhibor  for  the  exhibitor. 
ADDRESS  REPORTS:  What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,  Motion  Picture  Herald, 
Rockefeller  Center,  New  York,  N.  Y. 


raine  Day — Wasted  two  good  stars  on  this  one. 
Played  Sunday,  May  23.— F.  R.  Crist,  Crist  Theatre, 
Loveland,  O.    Small  town  and  farm  patronage. 

KEEPER  OF  THE  FLAME:  Katharine  Hepburn, 
Spencer  Tracy — Some  liked  it,  some  didn't;  but  the 
business  was  good  for  a  Sunday  and  Monday  play- 
date.  Played  May  16,  17. — Thomas  Di  Lorenzo,  New 
Paltz  Theatre,  New  Paltz,  N.  Y.  Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

RIO  RITA:  Abbott  &  Costello— Just  another  Ab- 
bott &  Costello  that  was  not  up  to  this  team's  usual 
standard.  This  pair  of  comedians  don't  go  over  with 
our  audiences  and  this  picture  was  no  exception. 
Played  Thursday,  Friday,  May  13,  14.^A.  R.  Dakin. 
Rice  Lake  Theatre,  Bissett,  Manitoba,  Can.  Mining 
community  patronage. 

STAND  BY  FOR  ACTION:  Robert  Taylor,  Brian 
Donlevy — Good  picture,  but  not  a  top  picture  as  al- 
located by  Metro.  There  is  a  considerable  reaction 
against  war  pictures  which  was  reflected  at  the 
box  office.  Metro  seems  to  be  unable  to  get  in  the 
hit  parade  this  year.  Played  Sunday -Tuesday,  May 
23-25.— S.  L.  George,  Mountain  Home  Theatre,  Moun- 
tain Home,  Idaho.     Small  town  patronage. 

WAR    AGAINST    MRS.    HADLEY,    THE:  Fay 

Bainter,  Edward  Arnold — In  my  humble  opinion  this 
is  a  much  better  picture  than  "Mrs.  Miniver,"  and 
quite  a  few  of  our  customers  also  said  so.  Played 
Saturday,  Sunday,  May  15,  16.— H.  M.  Gerber,  Roxy 
Theatre,  Hazelton,  N.  D.  Small  town  and  rural 
patronage. 

WOMAN  OF  THE  YEAR:  Spencer  Tracy,  Katha- 
rine Hepburn — Decidedly  not  small  town  entertain- 
ment, too  much  dialogue,  very  little  action.  Played 
it  very  late  and  was  thoroughly  disappointed.  Could 
not  recommend  it.  Played  Saturday,  May  22. — A.  L. 
Dove,  Bengough  Theatre,  Bengough,  Sask.  Rural 
and  small  town  patronage. 

YANK  AT  ETON,  A:  Mickey  Rooney,  Edmund 
Gwenn — This  was  not  up  to  Rooney  standard,  and 
the  box  office  sure  showed  it.  Played  Saturday, 
Sunday,  May  1,  2— H.  M.  Gerber,  Roxy  Theatre, 
Hazelton,  N.  D.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 


Monogram 


ARIZONA  STAGE  COACH:  Range  Busters— A 
poor  Western  or  whatever  it  is.  No  story,  and  the 
acting  is  weak  and  the  print  was  spliced  frequently. 
Scenes  changed  like  gun  fire.  Played  Saturday, 
May  29.— Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt. 
Gilead,   N.   C.    Small  town  patronage. 

BOOTHILL  BANDITS:  Range  Busters— This  is 
the  second  one  of  this  group  to  date  for  me.  It  is 
not  as  good  as  the  first  one,  "Texas  to  Bataan." 
The  big  difference  was  that  it  lacked  songs  and 
music  by  the  band.  Would  not  OK  this  one.  Played 
Friday,  Saturday,  May  21,  22.— M.  L.  London,  Gem 
Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass. 

LONE  STAR  LAW  MEN:  Tom  Keene— We 
reached  way  back  to  pick  up  this  one.  I've  been 
wondering  why  ever  since.  We  have  run  plenty 
of  sorry  Westerns,  but  honestly,  this  one  takes  the 
cake.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  May  28,  29.— Wil- 
son T.   Cottrell,  Carolina  Theatre,  Oxford,  N.  C. 

TAKE  ME  BACK  TO  OKLAHOMA:  Tex  Ritter— 
This  Western  went  over  well  on  a  double  bill  with 
"Scattergood  Survives  a  Murder"  (RKO).  Played 
Sunday-Tuesday,  May  23-25.— H.  E.  Fulgham,  Star 
Theatre,   Fort  Worth,  Tex. 


Paramount 


AVENGERS,  THE:  Ralph  Richardson,  Deborah 
Kerr — An  English  war  story  of  Norway  with  no 
drawing  power  but  we  had  a  good  attendance  by 
doubling  it  with  "The  Black  Swan."  It  is  exciting 
and  the  accent  is  not  too  bad.    Too  many   like  it, 


though.— W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre, 
Alfred,    N.    Y.     Small   college   town  patronage. 

CHINA:  Alan  Ladd,  Loretta  Young — Good  pic- 
ture, well  made.  Business  fair,  but  public  tiring 
of  war  pictures. — B.  R.  Johnson,  Roxy  Theatre, 
Nipawin,    Sask.     Rural  patronage. 

FOREST  RANGERS,  THE:  Paulette  Goddard, 
Fred  MacMurray— A  natural  for  small  towns  and 
a  honey  of  a  picture,  although  the  fire  scenes  were 
so  foolish  as  to  arouse  considerable  laughter  in  this 
"timber"  town.— B.  R.  Johnson,  Roxy  Theatre,  Nipa- 
win, Sask.    Rural  patronage. 

FOREST  RANGERS,  THE:  Paulette  Goddard, 
Fred  MacMurray — Beautiful  color  and  quite  an  in- 
teresting story,  enjoyed  by  all.  Played  Saturday, 
Sunday,  May  22,  23.— H.  M.  Gerber,  Roxy  Theatre, 
Hazelton,   Ki.   D.     Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

GREAT  MAN'S  LADY,  THE:  Barbara  Stan- 
wyck, Joel  McCrea — Many  folks  came  to  see  what 
they  thought  would  be  a  regular  Western.  Even 
though  it  was  not  ■  a  Western  everyone  seemed 
pleased  with  the  picture.  It  was  a  real  treat  to  see 
Barbara  Stanwyck  in  a  picture  again.  She  is  a 
great  favorite  here.  Business  fair.  Played  Satur- 
day, Sunday,  May  22,  23.— J.  A.  Blossom,  Movie  - 
Tone    Theatre,    Fairfield,    Mont.     General  patronage. 

HAPPY  GO  LUCKY:  Dick  Powell,  Betty  Hut- 
ton — A  good  musical  helped  tremendously  by  won- 
derful Technicolor.  It  pleased  all  who  came.  Busi- 
ness was  about  50  per  cent  off  due  to  the  ban  on 
pleasure  driving,  which  hits  us  hardest  on  Sunday. 
Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  23,  24.— Thomas  Di 
Lorenzo,  New  Paltz  Theatre,  New  Paltz,  N.  Y. 
Small  town  patronage. 

HAPPY  GO  LUCKY:  Mary  Martin,  Dick  Powell, 
Rudy  Vallee — One  of  the  best  musical  comedies  put 
out  by  Paramount  or  any  other  company.  Business 
excellent  first  day.  Rain  hurt  the  second  day.  but 
they  came  out  anyway. — Wilson  T.  Cottrell,  Caro- 
lina Theatre,  Oxford,  N.  C. 

HENRY  ALDRICH,  EDITOR:  Jimmy  Lydon, 
Charlie  Smith — Not  much  to  them,  but  some  people 
like  them  so  we  will  keep  on  playing  them.  The 
pictures  are  really  better  than  the  radio  shows. 
Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  May  8,  9.— H.  M.  Gerber, 
Roxy  Theatre,  Hazelton,  N.  D.  Small  town  and 
rural  patronage. 

HENRY  ALDRICH,  EDITOR:  Jimmy  Lydon, 
Charles  Smith — A  fine  little  Bargain  Night  attrac- 
tion that  drew  nicely.  Grownups,  adolescents  and 
children  were  all  pleased  with  it.  This  is  what  we 
mean  when  we  say  give  us  more  pictures  that  have 
human  interest  and  give  escape  from  the  war.  Played 
Tuesday,  April  20. — Sam  Stephano,  Grove  Theatre, 
Groveton,  Tex.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

MY  FAVORITE  BLONDE:  Bob  Hope,  Madeleine 
Carroll — This  picture  was  not  as  funny  as  some  of 
Bob  Hope's  former  pictures,  but  was  a  good  comedy 
with  an  interesting  story.  Madeleine  Carroll  added 
extra  drawing  power  to  this  picture.  Business  good. 
Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  May  8,  9.— J.  A.  Blossom, 
Movie-Tone  Theatre,  Fairfield,  Mont.  General  patron- 
age. 

NIGHT     PLANE     TO     CHUNGKING:  Robert 

Preston,  Ellen  Drew — Program  picture  which  got 
by  on  family  night.  Played  Tuesday,  May  18. — 
E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 
Small  town  patronage. 

ROAD  TO  MOROCCO':  Bing  Crosby,  Bob  Hope, 
Dorothy  Lamour — A  good  musical  to  average  Sun- 
day, Monday  business.  Lots  of  laughs,  and  that  is 
what  my  crowd  seems  to  want.  Played  May  9, 
10.— Arthur  E.  Phifield,  Park  Theatre,  South  Ber- 
wick,  Me.    Small  town  patronage. 

THEY  GOT  ME  COVERED:  Bob  Hope,  Dorothy 
Lamour — Just  about  the  weakest  that  Hope  has  come 
through  with.  There  were  some  chuckles,  but  the 
roll-'em-in-the-aisles  belly  laughs  were  sadly  lack- 
ing and  still  it  did  business.  But  if  he  stays  tops 
{Continued  on  page  56) 


VIADE  Strictly  FOR  PLEASURE! 


screen  in  a  riot  of  laughs  and  kisses  aimed 


Burlesque's  gorgeous  QUEEN  zips  to  the 


urlesque  queen  a  hit  with 
police  raiders! 


im,  Irene  and  Mantan 
make  a  terrific  trio! 

■ 


right  at  today's  greatest  boxoffice  need-- 
PLEASURE!    It'll  relax  'em,  revive  'em, 
refresh  'em  .  .  ,  with  gay  girls, 
trick  tunes  and  saucy 
romance! 


ptQSenti 


/liss  Corio  keeps  those 
"wolves"  for  pets! 


ANN 


T"  PHILIP  N.  KRASNE 


'  JAMES  S.  BURKETT 


DIRECTED  BY  ARTHUR  DREIFUSS 
Original  Screenplay  by  Charles  R.  Marion  and  Arthur  Hoerl 


Has  plenty  to  recommend  it  in  the  way  of  entertainment. 
The  screenplay  is  well  constructed  and  spotted  with  belly 
laugh  lines."- FILM  DAILY 

"Good  entry  with  good  musical  background.  Numbers  are 
swell."  -  THE  EXHIBITOR 


56 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    12,    I  943 


(.Continued  from  page  54) 
in  the  Paramount  lineup,  he  will  have  to  come  bet- 
ter  than   this,    and   that   is   audience   reaction,  not 
mine.— A.   E.  Hancock,  Columbia  Theatre,  Columbia 
City,  Ind. 


RKO  Radio 

BAMBI:  Disney  Feature  Cartoon— Best  business 
of  any  feature  cartoon  I've  played,  but  that's  not 
saying  very  much.  Drew  strong  *with  children,  but 
I  cannot  get  my  adult  patrons  interested  in  cartoon 
features.  I  would  say  this  one  tops  them  all.  Played 
Saturday,  May  22.— Arthur  E.  Phifield,  Park  Theatre, 
South  Berwick,  Me.    Small  town  patronage. 

FANTASIA:  Disney  Feature — The  renewal  of  the 
ban  on  pleasure  driving  went  into  effect  the  day 
before  our  opening  on  this  picture,  so  there  is  no 
question  that  our  report  would  not  do  justice  to 
the  picture  and  its  possibilities.  In  spite  of  no  auto 
trade  we  did  extraordinarily  well  on  this,  coupled 
with  "Falcon's  Brother"  from  the  same  exchange. 
Please  note  that  we  played  this  during  National  Mu- 
sic Week,  which  played  a  big  part  in  securing  co- 
operation from  many  sources.  The  main  part  of  our 
campaign  went  through  the  mails  and  considering 
the  effect  of  the  driving  ban,  we  estimated  we 
should  have  done  twice  as  well.  When  it's  on  the 
screen,  your  audience  will,  like  mine,  forget  the 
war  and  all  the  war  news.  The  current  number  of 
war  pictures  prompted  us  to  book  this  feature,  which 
had  never  played  our  town  before.  If  yours  is  a 
little  town,  like  mine,  and  there  are  sufficient  people 
within  walking  distance,  think  this  over.  Played 
Friday,  Saturday,  May  21,  22.— Thomas  Di  Lorenzo, 
New    Paltz    Theatre,    New    Paltz,    N.  Y. 

HERE  WE  GO  AGAIN:  Edgar  Bergen,  Charlie 
McCarthy,  Fibber  McGee  and  Molly— My  patrons 
all  said  it  was  silly.  Had  fair  crowd  first  night. 
But  last  day  was  a  flop.  Picture  had  no  story 
and  Ginny  Sims  acting  was  all  missing.  Played 
Thursday,  Friday,  May  20,  21.— Claude  R.  Gray, 
Gilmont   Theatre,   Mt.   Gilead,   N.  C. 

JOURNEY  INTO  FEAR:  Orson  Wells— We  had 
many  walkouts  on  this  and  not  a  word  of  praise 
from  anyone,  so  it  must  be  just  like  the  press  reports. 
Some  people  said  they  couldn't  make  head  or  tail 
of  it.  Ban  on  auto  driving  kept  business  down  to 
50  per  cent  of  normal.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May 
23,  24. — Thomas  Di  Lorenzo,  New  Paltz  Theatre, 
New  Paltz,  N.  Y.    Small  town  patronage. 

JUNGLE  SIRENS:  Buster  Crabbe— Just  another 
waste  of  film.  Why  waste  money  and  film  on 
such  so-called  stories  ?  Almost  every  show  I  run 
has  something  about  war  in  it  and  my  patrons  are 
dead  sick  of  such.  Played  Wednesday,  May  19. — 
Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C. 

MEXICAN  SPITFIRE  AT  SEA:  Leon  Errol— 
Everyone  liked  this.  Had  fine  crowd — those  little 
features  are  what  feed  guys  like  myself.  Played 
this  rather  late,  but  was  well  paid  for  waiting. 
Played  Wednesday,  May  26.— Claude  R.  Gray,  Gil- 
mont Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C.  Small  town  patron- 
age. 

ONCE  UPON  A  HONEYMOON:  Cary  Grant, 
Ginger  Rogers — Another  excellent  picture  that  did 
not  do  well  at  the  box  office  mainly  because  of  the 
war  angle.  Those  who  come  will  enjoy  the  suspense 
and  humor.— W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre, 
Alfred,  N.  Y.    Small  college  town  patronage. 

PRIDE  OF  THE  YANKEES,  THE:  Gary  Cooper, 
Teresa  Wright — A  picture  so  human,  so  heart  warm- 
ing, so  appealing  that  it  is  destined  to  become  one 
of  the  greatest  motion  pictures  of  all  time,  bar 
none.  Gary  Cooper  was  never  better  as  the  im- 
mortal Lou  Gehrig.  Teresa  Wright's  performance 
was  par  excellence.  This  picture  is  a  must  for  every 
exhibitor  in  the  nation.  There  are  just  not  enough 
adjectives  to  describe  the  greatness  of  the  picture. 
Played  Saturday- Monday,  May  15-17. — Sam  Stephano, 
Grove  Theatre,  Groveton,  Tex.  Small  town  and 
rural  patronage. 

PRIDE  OF  THE  YANKEES,  THE:  Gary  Cooper, 
Teresa  Wright — This  picture  ran  on  Wednesday, 
Thursday  and  Friday  and  did  good  business.  Crowds 
liked  this  show,  and  it  should  do  good  business  in 
any  town  if  proper  promotion  is  given.  Played  May 
19-21. — K.  D.  Garner,  Center  Theatre,  Hope  Mills, 
N.  C.    General  patronage. 

TARZAN  TRIUMPHS:  Johnny  Weismuller, 
Frances  Gifford — Just  the  kind  for  small  towns. 
People  like  this  girl  better  than  Maureen  O'Sullivan. 
Been  having  too  many  war  pictures.  Played  Fri- 
day, Saturday,  May  21,  22.— F.  R.  Crist,  Crist 
Theatre,    Loveland,    O.     Small    town  patronage. 


Republic 

CALL  OF  THE  CANYON:  Gene  Autry,  Smiley 
Burnette— Autry  has  had  his  best  days  with  us. 
Although  we  still  do  extra  business,  it's  not  like  the 
old  Autry  sensation  we  used  to  have. — H.  Rankin, 
Plaza    Theatre,    Tilbury,  Ont. 

CALLING  WILD  BILL  ELLIOTT:  Bill  Elliott— 
An  average  Western.  Doubled  with  "Man  Trap." 
Business  not  up  to  par.  It  may  be  due  to  the  latest 
ban  on  pleasure  driving  but  am  not  convinced,  yet. 
Played  Friday,  May  28,  29.— R.  E.  Salisbury,  Opera 
House  Theatre,  Presque  Isle,  Me.  General  patron- 
age. 


CHATTERBOX:  Judy  Canova,  Joe  E.  Brown— 
A  small  town  natural  which  pleased.  Business  was 
good.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  16,  17. — E.  M. 
Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla.  Small 

town  patronage. 

HI!  NEIGHBOR:  Lulubelle  &  Scotty,  Jean  Parker 
—This  I  thought  a  very  good  weekend  picture  but 
it  certainly  failed  to  do  business.  Our  reaction  was 
a  few  weeks  of  wet  weather.  The  sun  came  out  and 
our  people  stayed  home,  putting  in  gardens,  etc.  That 
may  have  been  the  reason. — H.  Rankin,  Centre  Thea- 
tre, Chatham,  Ont. 

KING  OF  THE  COWBOYS:  Roy  Rogers— Good 
Western  picture  which  pleased  good  business  on 
Friday  and  Saturday.  Played  May  21  and  22.— E. 
M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 
Small  town  patronage. 

MAN  TRAP:  Harry  Stephenson — Just  a  pro- 
grammer. Doubled  with  "Calling  Wild  Bill  Elliott." 
Played  Friday,  Saturday,  May  28,  29.— R.  E.  Salis- 
bury, Opera  House  Theatre,  Presque  Isle,  Me.  Gen- 
eral patronage. 

SLEEPY  TIME  GAL:  Judy  Canova,  Tom 
Brown— My  patrons  thoroughly  enjoy  these  light 
comedies.  Business  good. — Played  Tuesday,  Wednes- 
day, January  19,  20. — H.  E.  Fulgham,  Azle  Avenue 
Theatre,  Fort  Worth,  Tex.    Suburban  patronage. 


Twentieth  Century-Fox 

A  HAUNTING  WE  WILL  GO!  Laurel  and 
Hardy — Played  this  to  a  very  small  but  enthusias- 
tic audience.  I  would  recommend  this  picture  to 
any  theatre  on  the  lower  half  of  a  double  bill. 
Played  Friday,  Saturday,  May  21,  22.— M.  L.  Lon- 
don, Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass. 

BLACK  SWAN,  THE:  Tyrone  Power,  Maureen 
O'Hara — Just  another  picture  in  Technicolor  with  a 
lot  of  sword  fighting.  Did  fairly  well  at  the  box 
office.  People  here  don't  go  for  pictures  with  set- 
tings so  many  years  back.  Played  Saturday -Mon- 
day, May  22-24. — Sam  Stephano,  Grove  Theatre, 
Groveton,  Tex.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

BLACK  SWAN,  THE:  Tyrone  Power,  Maureen 
O'Hara— Excellent  color,  a  little  below  par  in  action, 
but  all  in  all  a  very  good  film.  Good  attendance. 
Doubled  with  "The  Avengers." — W.  V.  Nevins,  III, 
Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y.  Small  col- 
lege  town  patronage. 

CHINA  GIRL:  George  Montgomery,  Gene  Tier- 
ney — Good  action  picture  in  "B"  class.  Thought 
Gene  Tierney  was  better  than  usual.  Our  folks 
liked  it.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  May  14,  15. — 
S.  L.  George,  Mountain  Home,  Theatre,  Mountain 
Home,    Idaho.     Small    town  patronage. 

CHINA  GIRL:  Gene  Tierney,  George  Mont- 
gomery— Mediocre.  Nothing  to  be  ashamed  of,  but 
if  you  can  dodge  it,  it  is  one  war  picture  you  can 
do  without. — B.  R.  Johnson,  Roxy  Theatre,  Nipa- 
win,  Sask.    Rural  patronage. 

CHINA  GIRL:  George  Montgomery,  Gene  Tierney 
— A  good  one  to  let  alone.  Lots  of  walkouts  on  this 
one.  Twentieth  Centurv-Fox  is  making  them  poorer 
as  they  go.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  16,  17. — 
F.  R.  Crist,  Crist  Theatre,  Loveland,  O.  Small  town 
and  farm  patronage. 

DOWN  ARGENTINE  WAY:  Don  Ameche,  Betty 
Grable — Brought  this  back  for  a  repeat  run  to  nice 
business.  It  was  enjoyed  again.  Lots  of  favorable 
comments.  Played  Tuesday,  Wednesday,  May  11, 
12.— H.  E.  Fulgham,  Ideal  Theatre,  Fort  Worth, 
Tex.    General  patronage. 

HELLO,  FRISCO,  HELLO:  Alice  Faye,  John 
Payne — Quite  good  musical  in  color.  Definitely  a  top 
picture.  Music  not  quite  so  catchy  as  "My  Gal  Sal." 
Otherwise,  up  to  its  standard.  Business  terrific. — 
B.  R.  Johnson,  Roxy  Theatre,  Nipawin,  Sask.  Rural 
patronage. 

HELLO,  FRISCO,  HELLO:  Alice  Faye,  John 
Payne,  Jack  Oakie — As  a  musical  I'll  say  it  is  tops. 
It  has  everything — spectacle,  good  story  and  cast 
that  was  right  on  top  of  their  roles.  Lynn  Bari  and 
June  Havoc  both  good.  I  did  not  think  the  Havoc 
girl  had  it,  but  she  has  and  showed  she  knows  her 
way  around.  The  support  it  received  shows  the  pub- 
lic wants  a  surcease  from  war  pictures.  I  have 
said  that  before,  and  will  say  it  again. — A.  E.  Han- 
cock, Columbia  Theatre,  Columbia  City,  Ind. 

LIFE  BEGINS  AT  8.3ft:  Monty  Woolley,  Ida 
Lupino — A  fair  picture,  but  our  patrons  were  some- 
what disgusted  with  Monty  Woolley  as  a  sot  after 
seeing  him  as  "The  Pied  Piper."  The  companies 
should  take  a  hint  and  leave  so  much  drinking 
and  drunkenness  out  of  pictures.  Outside  of  this  the 
acting,  the  story  and  the  picture  were  pretty  good. 
Played  Saturday -Monday,  April  17-19. — Sam  Stephano, 
Grove  Theatre,  Groveton,  Tex.  Small  town  and 
rural  patronage. 

MANILA  CALLING:  Lloyd  Nolan,  Carole  Lan- 
dis — When  are  the  producers  going  to  wake  up  to 
the  fact  that  the  public  is  sick  and  tired  of  war 
pictures.  Give  us  more  like  "The  Pied  Piper,"  "Tales 
of  Manhattan,"  from  this  company.  "Holiday  Inn," 
"One  Foot  in  Heaven,"  "Pride  of  the  Yankees," 
from  others.  These  are  the  kinds  of  pictures  that 
make  the  motion  picture  industry  great.  Bargain 
Night  material  is  all  that  can  be  said  of  "Manila 


Calling."  Played  Tuesday,  April  13.— Sam  Stephano, 
Grove  Theatre,  Groveton,  Tex. 

MEANEST  MAN  IN  THE  WORLD:  Jack  Benny, 
Priscilla  Lane — Nothing  to  this  one.  The  only  good 
thing  about  it  is  the  short  running  time.  We  had 
more  walkouts  than  on  any  picture  we  have  ever 
shown.  Played  Sunday -Tuesday,  May  9-11. — S.  L. 
George,  Mountain  Home  Theatre,  Mountain  Home, 
Idaho.    Small  town  patronage. 

MOON  IS  DOWN,  THE:  Cedric  Hardwicke— The 
moon  was  down  all  through  this  picture.  Don't 
know  where  it  got  its  title.  Very  depressing.  Paid 
top  allocation — was  not  worth  bottom  price.  Poor- 
est Friday,  Saturday  in  months.  Played  Friday, 
Saturday,  May  28,  29. — Thomas  Di  Lorenzo,  New 
Paltz  Theatre,  New  Paltz,  N.  Y.  Small  town  patron- 
age. 

MY  GAL  SAL:  Rita  Hayworth,  Victor  Mature- 
Picked  up  this  old  musical  and  am  glad  to  report 
that  it  pleased  the  audiences  without  exception.  Good 
box  office.  Twentieth  Century-Fox  seems  to  have 
it  all  over  the  other  companies  when  it  comes  to 
producing  pictures  of  this  type.  Played  Thursday, 
Friday,  May  6,  7.— A.  R.  Dakin,  Rice  Lake  Theatre, 
Bissett,  Manitoba,  Can.  Mining  community  patron- 
age. 

SONG  OF  THE  ISLANDS:  Betty  Grable,  Victor 
Mature — Here's  a  tonic  for  the  box  office,  and  a 
tonic  for  your  nerves  as  well.  Nothing  to  remind 
you  of  war,  taxes  or  long  winters  in  this  one.  Our 
public  must  have  been  hungry  for  a  show  like  this. 
Anyway,  they  came  to  see  it  in  large  numbers, 
and  they  enjoyed  it  plenty.  They  don't  make  'em 
much  better.  Opened  Sunday,  May  23. — Tom  Mc- 
Cormick,  Rock  Theatre,  Rockford,  Iowa.  Rural 
patronage. 

SONG  OF  THE  ISLANDS:  Betty  Grable,  Jack 
Oakie — In  my  opinion,  and  the  reaction  of  the  pa- 
trons, this  was  a  beautiful  picture  in  Technicolor. 
Good  music  and  dancing  by  Betty  that  would  make 
all  men  feel  young  again.  It  is  a  swell  production. 
Played  Sunday,  February  14,  15. — M'.  L.  London, 
Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass. 

SPRINGTIME  IN  THE  ROCKIES:  Betty  Grable 
— Swell  color,  lots  of  music  and  humor  and  pep. 
Add  that  to  one  of  our  best  grosses  of  the  year  and 
I  assure  you  I  feel  very  good. — W.  V.  Nevins,  III, 
Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y.  Small  college 
town  patronage. 

SWANEE  RIVER:  Don  Ameche— Another  pic- 
ture you  won't  regret  bringing  back.  They  like  to 
see  the  good  ones  over  again.  Played  Thursday, 
Friday,  February  25  ,  26— H.  E.  Fulgham,  Ideal 
Theatre,  Fort  Worth,  Tex. 

TALES  OF  MANHATTAN:  Charles  Boyer,  Rita 
Hayworth,  Gingers  Rogers — Very  well  done  episodic 
picture  that  was  liked  about  60  per  cent  of  an  aver- 
age crowd  who  attended.  Personally,  I  liked  it  for 
a  change. — W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre, 
Alfred,  N.  Y.    Small  college  town  patronage. 

TIN  PAN  ALLEY:  Betty  Grable,  Don  Ameche— 
An  old  one  but  beat  a  lot  of  others.  Lots  of  people 
saw  it  a  second  time.  Played  Friday,  Saturday, 
March  12,  13. — H.  E.  Fulgham,  Azle  Avenue  Theatre, 
Fort  Worth,  Tex.    Suburban  patronage. 

THUNDER  BIRDS:  Gene  Tierney,  John  Sutton— 
Excellent  picture,  well  liked.  Easily  Gene  Tierney's 
best,  and  in  fact,  in  my  opinion  her  only  picture 
so  far. — B.  R.  Johnson,  Roxy  Theatre,  Nipawin, 
Sask.    Rural  patronage. 

YOUNG  MR.  PITT:  Robert  Donat— Here  is  a 
super  special  from  20th  Century-Fox  that  we  thought 
was  going  to  break  records.  What  a  let  down ! 
This  picture  is  well  made  and  very  well  acted  but 
the  drama  is  much  too  heavy  for  a  small  town  or 
rural  area.  Continuity  is  not  smooth  and  unless 
one  has  studied  English  history  he  will  have  an  un- 
enjoyable  evening.  Poor  box  office.  Played  Mon- 
day, Tuesday,  May  24,  25.— A.  R.  Dakin,  Rice  Lake 
Theatre,  Bissett,  Manitoba,  Can.  Mining  community 
patronage. 


United  Artists 

AMERICAN  EMPIRE:  Richard  Dix,  Preston 
Foster — This  is  a  good  epic  Western.  However,  it 
did  not  suit  my  audience  too  well.  Business  was 
off  compared  to  other  Westerns.  Played  Wednes- 
day, May  26.— K.  D.  Garner,  Center  Theatre.  Hope 
Mills,  N.  C.    General  small  town  patronage. 

BUCKSKIN  FRONTIER:  Richard  Dix,  Jane 
Wyatt — A  very  good  Western,  but  not  the  draw 
that  several  other  gun  totin'  cowboys  are.  Lots  of 
action,  but  business  below  par. — H.  Rankin,  Centre 
Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 

HANGMEN  ALSO  DIE:  Brian  Donlevy,  Anna 
Lee — And  so  do  some  pictures.  This  one  did  and 
how.  I  believe  that  pictures  of  this  type  dealing 
with  war  are  done  as  big  grossers.  Some  enter- 
tainment should  be  injected  in  any  feature  even  con- 
cerning the  horrors  of  war.  Photography  good,  but 
sound  bad.  Business  very  bad.  Played  Sunday-Tues- 
day, May  23-25.— R.  E.  Salisbury.  Opera  House 
Theatre,   Presque  Isle,  Me.    General  patronage. 

HOUSE  ACROSS  THE  BAY:    George  Raft,  Joan 
Bennett — I   picked   up   this   old   one   to   replace  "To 
(Continued  on  following  page) 


June    I  2,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


57 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 
Be  Or  Not  To  Be,"  for  Jack  Benny  doesn't  draw 
at  my  house.  It  was  a  good  picture.  No  kicks  on 
this  one  by  the  patrons.  Played  Tuesday -Thursday, 
May  18-20. — M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Bos- 
ton, Mass. 

I  MARRIED  A  WITCH:  Frederic  March,  Veroni- 
ca Lake— Good  picture— if  you  like  this  sort  of  tom- 
my rot.  People  around  here  detest  Miss  Lake's 
hairdo.  Business  below  what  we  expected.— Wilson 
T.  Cottrell,  Carolina  Theatre,  Oxford,  N.  C. 

MOON  AND  SIXPENCE,  THE:  George  Sanders, 
Herbert  Marshall— Will  some  bright  person  or  will 
United  Artists  please  explain  to  my  patrons  what 
this  was  supposed  to  be.  Some  of  my  best  patrons 
walked  out  and  said  if  ever  I  found  out  what  it 
was  all  about  to  be  sure  and  let  them  know.  Played 
Thursday,  Friday,  May  27,  28.— Claude  R.  Gray, 
Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C.  Small  town 
patronage. 

POWERS  GIRL,  THE:  Carole  Landis,  George 
Murphy— Just  average  picture.  Lacked  a  popular 
feminine  star.  Made  the  mistake  of  showing  it  right 
after  "Seven  Days  Leave"  to  which  it  is  inferior. 
Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  May  19,  20.— S.  L. 
George,  Mountain  Home  Theatre,  Mountain  Home, 
Idaho.    Small  town  patronage. 

SILVER  QUEEN:  George  Brent,  Priscilla  Lane— 
Another  company's  pictures  I  can't  do  film  rental 
on,  let  alone  make  a  dime.  Had  fair  crowd  but 
nothing  extra.  Played  Monday,  Tuesday,  May  24, 
25—  Claude  R.   Gray,   Gilmont  Theatre,   Mt.  Gilead, 

N.  C.    Small  town  and  sawmill  patronage. 

SILVER  QUEEN:  Priscilla  Lane,  George  Brent- 
Picture  nothing  to  write  home  about,  and  neither 
was  business.  Some  liked  it;  most  not  interested 
in  the  whole  thing.  Frankly,  I  couldn't  blame  them. 
Played  Sunday,  May  23.— Wilson  T.  Cottrell,  Caro- 
lina Theatre,  Oxford,  N.  C. 

YOUNG  AND  WILLING:  William  Holden,  Ed- 
die Bracken,  Susan  Hayward,  Martha  O'DTiscoll— 
If  they  are  willing  to  be  the  nitwits  that  this  lot 
are,  that  is  okay,  but  it  was  not  for  the  audience. 
One  of  the  girls  was  just  simpering  silly.  I  would 
say  the  director  and  producer  that  made  it  suf- 
fered from  the  same  malady.— A.  E.  Hancock,  Colum- 
bia Theatre,  Columbia  City,  Ind. 


Universal 

ARABIAN  NIGHTS:  Jon  Hall,  Maria  Montez— 
Marvelous  color,  loads  of  action,  plenty  of  harem 
beauties,  and  good  comedy  brought  us  good  attend- 
ance. Seme  were  expecting  a  different  type  of  story 
but  enjoyed  it  anyway.  Your  action  crowds  should 
love  it.  It  is  the  best  thing  we  have  had  from  Uni- 
versal this  season.— W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co- 
Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y.  Small  college  town 
patronage. 

BETWEEN  US  GIRLS:  Diana  Barrymore,  Rob- 
ert Cummings— This  was  really  enjoyable  film  fare. 
Everybody  enjoyed  it  a  lot.  Diana  Barrymore  was 
exceptionally  good.— H.  Rankin,  Centre  Theatre, 
Chatham,  Ont. 

FOLLOW  THE  BAND:  Leon  Errol,  Mary  Beth 
Hughes— Here's  an  entertaining  _  little  picture  which 
my  patrons  enjoyed  and  which  did  a  good  job  at  the 
box  office.  Above  average  for  midweek.  Played 
Wednesday,  Thursday,  May  26,  27.— R.  E.  Salis- 
bury, Opera  House  Theatre,  Presque  Isle,  Me.  Gen- 
eral patronage. 

IT  AIN'T  HAY:  Abbott  &  Costello,  Grace  Mc- 
Donald, Patsy  O'Connor— It  is  corn  in  large  quan- 
tities, but,  as  long  as  they  come  up  to  the  trough, 
that  is  all  that  matters,  and  that  they  do.  Not  the 
sophisticates,  that  is  true,  they  lay  off:  but  for  the 
rank  and  file  it  is  right  down  their  alley.  A  hand 
to  little  Patsy  O'Connor,  nice  voice  and  cute.  It  is 
with  a  good  deal  of  gratification  I  see  in  the  cur- 
rent Herald  that  some  pictures  are  coming  through 
of  minstrel  days,  that  era  unknown  to  the  present 
generation. — A.  E.  Hancock,  Columbia  Theatre, 
Columbia  City,  Ind. 

PITTSBURGH:  John  Wayne,  Marlene  Dietrich- 
Good  action  picture  with  a  swell  fight  on  an  eleva- 
tor. Average  atendance.— W.  V.  Nevms,  III,  Al- 
fred Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y.  Small  college 
town  patronage. 

PITTSBURGH:  Marlene  Dietrich,  John  Wayne, 
Randolph  Scott— This  is  just  program  fare,  and  not 
a  super  special.  Business  was  way  off,  partly  due 
to  the  ban  on  pleasure  driving;  compared  to  the 
week  before,  with  the  ban  in  effect,  this  did  less 
than  half  that  gross.  This  action  picture  is  just 
that  and  nothing  more.  Played  Friday,  Saturday, 
May  28,  29.— Thomas  Di  Lorenzo,  New  Paltz  Theatre, 
New   Paltz,  N.   Y.    Small  town  patronage. 

WHO  DONE  IT?:  Abbott  and  Costello— Just  an- 
other Abbott  and  Costello  vehicle  that  failed  to  draw. 
Would  suggest  that  they  go  into  retirement  for 
about  three  years.  Maybe  by  that  time  the  show- 
going  public  would  be  ready  for  their  type  of  humor 
again.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  April  28,  29.— 
Sam  Stephano,  Grove  Theatre,  Groveton,  Tex.  Small 
town  and  rural  patronage. 

WHO  DONE  IT?:  Abbott  and  Costello— These 
boys  always  bring  in  good  business  and  this  was 
no  exception.     Picture  about  par  with   their  other 


shows,  which  means  plenty  of  laughs.  Played  Sun- 
day, Monday,  May  23,  24.— Arthur  E.  Phifield,  Park 
Theatre,  South  Berwick,  Me.    Small  town  patronage. 


Warner  Bros. 

BLUES  IN  THE  NIGHT:  Priscilla  Lane,  Rich- 
ard Whorf — This  was  a  good  picture.  Enjoyed  by 
persons  who  like  musicals  of  the  type  of  this  one. 
Time  was  about  right— 88  minutes.  It  is  OK  to  date 
anywhere. — M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston, 
Mass. 

CASABLANCA:  Humphrey  Bogart,  Ingrid  Berg- 
man— The  acting,  the  plot  and  the  suspense  are 
tops  in  this.  As  a  result  it  did  quite  well  at  the 
box  office.  It  pleased  not  only  the  Bogart  fans,  but 
everyone  who  came.  The  producer  would  do  well 
to  cast  Bogart  in  more  pictures  of  this  type.  Played 
Wednesday,  Thursday,  May  12,  13. — Sam  Stephano, 
Grove  Theatre,  Groveton,  Tex. 

GENTLEMAN  JIM:  Errol  Flynn,  Alexis  Smith- 
Well,  this  one  was  different.  Here  is  one  fight 
picture  that  pleased  all,  young  and  old.  Give  us 
more  like  this.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  April 
21,  22. — Sam  Stephano,  Grove  Theatre,  Groveton,  Tex. 
Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

THEY  DIED  WITH  THEIR  BOOTS  ON:  Errol 
Flynn — This  picture  is  a  marvelous  production  of 
140  minutes  or  so.  But  also  40  minutes  too  long. 
Any  picture  in  my  opinion  running  over  85  min- 
utes becomes  monotonous.  Usually  too  much  dialogue. 
Played  Tuesday-Thursday,  February  23-25.— M'.  L. 
London,  Gem  Theatre,  E.  Boston,  Mass. 

VARSITY  SHOW:  Fred  Waring,  Dick  Powell— 
A  very  poor  reissue;  the  costuming,  production, 
lighting  and  sound  do  not  compare  favorably  with 
present  day  standards,  and  I  would  recommend  it 
be  passed  by  unless  nothing  else  is  available.  Busi- 
ness poor,  coupled  with  "Pittsburgh"  (Universal), 
due  partly  to  absence  of  car  trade.  Played  Friday, 
Saturday,  New  Paltz,  Theatre,  New  Paltz,  N.  Y. 
Small  town  patronage. 

YOU'RE  IN  THE  ARMY  NOW:  Jimmy  Du- 
rante— This  reissue  went  over  well.  Played  Friday, 
Saturday,  March  12,  13.— H.  E.  Fulgham,  Star 
Theatre,   Fort   Worth,  Tex. 


Short  Features 


Columbia 

CAJUNS  OF  THE  TECHE:  Panoramics— Nicely 
photographed  scenic  in  Louisiana.  Most  patrons 
would  be  interested  in  its  unique  material. — W.  V. 
Nevins,   III,   Alfred   Co-Op  Theatre,   Alfred,   N.  Y. 

DIVING  DAREDEVILS:  World  of  Sports— Good 
diving  reel  with  emphasis  on  comedy. — W.  V.  Nev- 
ins,  III,    Alfred    Co-Op   Theatre,    Alfred,    N.  Y. 

KITCHEN  QUIZ,  NO.  1:  Quiz  Reels— Some  good 
suggestions  are  given  but  the  obviousness  of  the  re- 
hearsed questions  and  answers  is  hard  to  take. — 
W.  V.  Nevins,  in,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred, 
N.  Y. 

SOCK-A-BYE  BABY:  All  Star  Comedies— A  typical 
Three  Stooges  comedy.  My  crowd  like  them.  They 
get  your  mind  off  the  war  for  a  time  if  nothing 
more— Arthur  E.  Phifield,  Park  Theatre,  South  Ber- 
wick, Me. 

WINGS  FOR  THE  FLEDGLING:  America  Speaks 
— Interesting,  but  the  material  has  been  done  too 
often  now.  It  shows  how  a  flyer  is  taught  from 
the  bottom  up.— W.  V.  Nevins,  in,  Alfred  Co-Op 
Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

WINTER  PARADISE:  World  of  Sports— Ski  reels 
are  always  good,  especially  in  this  town.  This  one 
is  better  than  usual.— W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co- 
Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

BARNEY  BEAR'S  VICTORY  GARDEN:  Techni- 
color Cartoons — Fair.  Each  one  of  this  series  gets 
worse.  The  first  one  we  ever  ran  was  splendid. — 
Wilson  R.  Cottrell,  Carolina  Theatre,  Oxford,  N.  C. 

BLITZ  WOLF,  THE:  Technicolor  Cartoons— Very 
good  color  cartoon.  It's  last  year's  product,  but 
pick  it  up  if  you  haven't  played  it.  It's  tops. — 
Arthur  E.  Phifield,  Park  Theatre,  South  Berwick, 
Me. 

BOWLING  ALLEY  CAT:  Technicolor  Cartoon- 
Here's  a  cartoon  from  MGM  that  is  just  as  good 
as  Walt  Disney's.  Play  it  for  plenty  of  laughs. — 
A.  R.  Dakin,  Rice  Lake  Theatre,  Bissett,  Manitoba. 

FIRST  AID:  Peter  Smith  Specialties— Pete  Smith 
humorizes  and  teaches  a  little  about  first  aid  in 
just  about  the  manner  you  would  expect. — W.  V. 
Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

KEEP  'EM  SAILING:  Two  Reel  Specials— Rather 
draggy.    Too  much  talk  and  not  enough  action  in 


this  "Crime  Does  Not  Pay"  entry.  My  younger 
crowd  got  quite  restless,  and  1  can't  blame  them. — 
Arthur  E.  Phifield,  Park  Theatre,  South  Berwick, 
Me. 

LAST  LESSON,  THE:  Miniature— Another  fine 
short,  with  a  story  much  better  than  some  features 
I  have  played  and  paid  10  times  as  much  for. — Claude 
R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.   Gilead,  N.  C. 

MODERN  MEXICO  CITY:  Fitzpatrick  Travel- 
talks — Beautiful  piece  of  short  work.  We  all  want 
to  know  more  of  our  neighbors  farther  south. — 
Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C. 

PEOPLE  OF  RUSSIA:  Miniature— This  should 
be  of  interest  to  everyone  nowadays.  Worth  play- 
ing.—W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre,  Al- 
fred, N.  Y. 

PORTRAIT  OF  A  GENIUS:  Miniature^-A  fine 
piece  of  work.  This  is  what  my  patrons  like  and 
I  want  more  of  them.— Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont 
Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C. 

SUFFERIN'  CATS:  Technicolor  Cartoons— An  ex- 
cellent little  cartoon.  Kept  everyone  happy.  Metro 
should  make  more. — Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre, 
Mt.  Gflead,  N.  C. 

UNEXPECTED  RICHES:  Our  Gang  Comedies- 
Just  a  fair  "Our  Gang"  comedy.  You  can  pass  this 
one  up  and  be  none  the  worse  for  not  playing  it. — 
Arthur  E.  Phifield,  Park  Theatre,  South  Berwick, 
Me. 

WILD  HONEY:  Technicolor  Cartoons— Above 
average  color  cartoon. — W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred 
Co-Op  Theatre,   Alfred,   N.  Y. 


Paramount 

BRAVO  MR.  STRAUSS:  Madcap  Models— Not 
very  much.  Even  the  kids  wanted  to  know  what 
it  was  all  about.  I  wonder  myself. — Claude  R.  Gray, 
Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C. 

FIGHTING  SPIRIT,  THE:  Sportlights— This  is 
very  poor.  I  played  a  Victory  Short  of  the  same 
thing,  only  the  title  has  been  changed. — Claude  R. 
Gray,   Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.   Gilead,  N.  C. 

HIKE  OR  BIKE:  Sportlights— Good  Grantland 
Rice  Sportlight.— W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-Op 
Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

JASPER'S    MUSIC    LESSON:  Madcap  Models— 

Another  Puppetoon  in  bright  color  which  pleased  all. 

The  music  is  very  good. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Para- 
mount Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

JOLLY  GOOD  FURLOUGH,  A:  Popeye  the  Sailor 
—Good  Popeye  cartoon. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Para- 
mount Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

SEEIN'  RED,  WHITE  'N'  BLUE:  Popeye  the 
Sailor — Yes  sir,  this  short  payed  for  itself.  Every- 
one liked  it.  The  best  Popeye  to  date  and  as  some- 
one said,  only  kids  like  them — well,  I've  got  one 
hell  of  a  big  crowd  of  kids  growing  beards. — Claude 
R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C. 

SPEAKING     OF     ANIMALS      IN  CURRENT 

EVENTS:  Speaking  of  Animals — Another  good 
comedy  in  the  talking  animal  series. — E.  M.  Frei- 
burger, Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

SUPERMAN  IN  DESTRUCTION,  INC.:  Super- 
man Color  Cartoons — We  thought  we  noted  a  drop 
in  the  audience  reaction  to  this  Superman.  Has  the 
novelty  worn  off?  We've  been  playing  one  almost 
every  month  now  for  over  a  year,  and  perhaps 
they're  beginning  to  tire  of  seeing  someone  do  the 
impossible  all  the  time. — Thomas  Di  Lorenzo,  New 
Paltz   Theatre,   New   Paltz,   N.  Y. 


RKO 

ART  OF  SELF  DEFENSE,  THE:  Walt  Disney 
Cartoons — Goofy  gives  another  of  his  lessons,  and 
the  audience  enjoys  it  immensely.  Very  good  for 
laughs. — Thomas  Di  Lorenzo,  New  Paltz  Theatre,  New 
Paltz,  N.  Y. 

BASKETEERS:  Sportscope — Very  interesting  bas- 
ketball short  in  slow  motion. — W.  V.  Nevins,  III, 
Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

DONALD'S  GOLD  MINE:  Walt  Disney  Cartoon- 
Better  than  average  Disney  cartoon  that  we  en- 
joyed immensely,  being  mining  people.— A.  R.  Dakin, 
Rice   Lake   Theatre,    Bissett,  Manitoba. 

FLYING  JALOPY:  Walt  Disney  Cartoons— Aver- 
age stuff.  Personally  I  like  anything  with  which 
the  duck  is  connected. — Wilson  T.  Cottrell,  Carolina 
Theatre,   Oxford,   N.  C. 

MEDICINE  ON  GUARD:  This  Is  America— Very 
interesting  for  grownups.  This  short  subject  explains 
the  situation  created  by  the  growing  shortage  of 
medical  men,  and  how  it  is  being  remedied. — J.  A- 
Blossom,   Movie-Tone   Theatre,   Fairfield,  Mont. 

PUTT-PUTT  TROUBLE:  Walt  Disney  Cartoon- 
Donald  Duck  and  Pluto  always  please  both  young 
and  old.  Very  funny. — J.  A.  Blossom,  Movie-Tone 
Theatre,  Fairfield,  Mont. 

(.Continued  on  following  page) 


58 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    12,  1943 


O'Donnell  Texas 
Luncheon  Guest 


{Continued  from  preceding  page) 

Twentieth  Century-Fox 

AMERICA'S  FOOD  CRISIS:  March  of  Time- 
Very  timely.— J.  A.  Blossom,  Movie-Tone  Theatre, 
Fairfield,  Mont. 

BARNYARD  WAAC:  Terry  toon— Very  good.  Be 
sure  to  play  this  Terrytoon  cartoon  in  color — it's 
swell— Arthur  E.  Phifield,  Park  Theatre,  South  Ber- 
wick, Me. 

GAY  RIO-:  Magic  Carpet— A  good  travel  reel  in 
color  wtih  some  swell  shots,  with  a  musical  ac- 
companiment quite  fitting  to  a  visit  to  this  colorful 
South  American  city.— Arthur  E.  Phifield,  Park 
Theatre,  South  Berwick,  Me. 

IT'S  EVERYBODY'S  WAR:  Victory  Film— Henry 
Fonda  narrates  an  interesting  15-minute  subject 
which  kept  the  audience  interested. — Thomas  Di 
Lorenzo,   New   Paltz  Theatre,   New   Paltz,   N.  Y. 

NAVY  AND  THE  NATION,  THE:  March  of 
Time — An  average  March  of  Time  that  seemed  to 
satisfy  the  public. — A.  R.  Dakin,  Rice  Lake  Theatre, 
Bissett,  Manitoba. 

NEW  CANADA  THE:  March  of  Time— This  is 
interesting,  but  it  is  a  subject  that  could  have  been 
done  better  in  10  minutes.  Why  not  go  back  to  two 
subjects  per  roll  once  in  a  while,  March  of  Time? — 
W.  V.  Kevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theare,  Alfred, 
N.  Y. 

SETTING  THE  PACE:  Sports  Reviews— Fairly 
good  short  on  trotting  and  pacing  horses. — A,  R. 
Dakin,    Rice    Lake    Theatre,    Bissett,  Manitoba. 

STEELHEAD  FIGHTERS:  Sports  Reviews— A 
good  10-minute  subject  about  fishing.  It  made  a 
hit  here  on  a  program  which  featured  "Fantasia." — 
Thomas  di  Lorenzo,  New  Paltz  Theatre,  New  Paltz, 
N.  Y. 

YARN  ABOUT  A  YARN,  A.:  Terrytoon— Just  an 
average  cartoon. — A.  R.  Dakin,  Rice  Lake  Theatre, 
Bissett,  Manitoba. 

Universal 

ARSENAL  OF  MIGHT:  Victory  Featurettes— 
Ten  minutes  of  information  which  proved  enjoyable 
and  interesting. — Thomas  diLorenzo,  New  Paltz 
Theatre,  New  Paltz,  New  York. 

FLASHING  BLADES:  Variety  Views— Good  ice 
skating  reel.— E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre, 
Dewey,  Okla. 

KEEPING  FIT:  Victory  Featurette— Andy  De- 
vine  steals  the  show  here,  and  everyone  will  get  a 
laugh,  too. — Thomas  diLorenzo,  New  Paltz  Theatre, 
New   Paltz,   N.  Y. 

SWING    FROLIC:  Musical— Very    good  two-reel 

musical.    Would  class  it  one  of  the  best  of  a  good 

short  series. — Arthur  E.  Phifield,  Park  Theatre, 
South  Berwick,  Me. 

WINTER  SPORTS  JAMBOREE:  Variety  Views— 
Every  skiing  reel  is  well  accepted  here.  What  else 
can  I  say?— W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre, 
Alfred,   N.  Y. 

Vitaphone 

FIFTH  COLUMN  MOUSE:  Merrie  Melodies 
Cartoons — A  different  story  slant  makes  this  a  good 
color  cartoon  with  lots  of  laughs. — W.  V.  Nevins, 
III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

FIGHTING  ENGINEERS:  Technicolor  Specials— 
Another  smart  number  in  Warner's  Technicolor  two- 
reelers.  Just  what  the  title  implies  and  right  down 
the  alley  for  a  strike  at  the  audience. — Thomas  di- 
Lorenzo, New  Paltz  Theatre,  New  Paltz,   N.  Y. 

FLOP  GOES  THE  WEASEL:  Merrie  Melodies 
Cartoon — Good  cartoon  in  the  Schlesinger  manner. 
— W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred, 
N.  Y. 

KING  OF  THE  ARCHERS:  Hollywood  Novelties 
— Howard  Hill  does  some  more  demonstrating  of 
his  skill.  Very  good  reel. — W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Al- 
fred Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,   N.  Y. 

PIGS  IN  A  POLKA:  Merrie  Melodies  Cartoons- 
Just  a  cartoon.  Story  old,  even  to  the  kids. — Claude 
R.   Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,   Mt.   Gilead,   N.  C. 

REAR  GUNNER:  Broadway  Brevities— Very  good 
two-reeler  with  plenty  of  airplanes  and  action.  Good 
as  some  features. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount 
Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

SIX  HITS  AND  A  MISS:  Melody  Master  Bands— 
This  looks  like  a  dance  routine  that  had  been  de- 
leted from  a  feature  10  years  ago.  Ruby  Keeler  is 
in  it,  and  it  shows  its  age  in  general  photographic 
and  dancing  technique.  My  bunch  laughed  at  it  but 
did  not  realize  why. — W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred 
Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

SO  YOU  THINK  YOU  NEED  GLASSES:  Holly- 
wood Novelties — This  is  the  second  in  this  series, 
and  it  educates  while  it  makes  you  laugh.  Very 
good.— W.  V.  Nevins,  III.  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre, 
Alfred,  N.  Y. 


SHORT  PRODUCT 
PLAYING  BROADWAY 

Week  of  June  7th 


ASTOR 

Sufferin'  Cats   MGM 

What  We  Are  Fighting  For.  Univ. 
Feattire:  The  Human  ComedyMGM 

CRITERION 

Red  Hot  Riding  Hood  MGM 

Feature:  Cabin  in  the  Sky.  .  .  MGM 

GLOBE 

Invasion  of  Europe  U.A. 

Feature:  Jitterbugs  20th  Cent.-Fox 

HOLLYWOOD 

What  We  Are  Fighting  For.  Univ. 
The  Wise  Quacking  Duck.  .  .Vitaphone 
Feattire:  Mission  to  Moscow.  .Warner  Bros. 

MUSIC  HALL 

How  to  Swim  RKO  Radio 

Feature:  The  More  the  Mer- 
rier Columbia 

PARAMOUNT 

What  We  Are  Fighting  For.  Univ. 

The  Beach  Command  Paramount 

Too  Weak  to  Work  Paramount 


Feature:  Five  Graves  to  Cairo.Paramount 

RIALTO 

What  We  Are  Fighting  For.  Univ. 
Superman    in    The  Mummy 


Strikes  Paramount 

Ina  Ray  Hutton  and  Band ..  Paramount 
Feature:  Captive  Wild  Womaii.Univ. 

RIVOLI 

What  We  Are  Fighting  For.  Univ. 

Pluto  at  the  Zoo  RKO  Radio 

Feature:  This  Land  Is  Mine.  .RKO  Radio 

ROXY 

What  We  Are  Fighting  For.  Univ. 

Shipyard  Symphony   20th  Cent.-Fox 

Feature:  My  Friend  Flicka.  .  .20th  Cent.-Fox 

STRAND 

What  We  Are  Fighting  For.  Univ. 

Eagles  of  the  Navy  Vitaphone 

U.  S.  Army   Band  Vitaphone 

Feature:  Action  in  the  North 

Atlantic  Warner  Bros. 


Deny  Stockholders'  Appeal 
In  Paramount  Action 

The  Appellate  Division  of  the  New  York  Su- 
preme court  last  week  denied  an  appeal  by 
Henry  Hornstein  and  other  minority  stock- 
holders of  Paramount  Pictures  to  appeal  to  the 
New  York  Court  of  Appeals  for  recovery  of 
$100,000  paid  by  directors  of  Paramount  to 
George  E.  Browne  and  Willie  Bioff. 

The  action  was  dismissed  in  the  Supreme 
Court  and  later  on  appeal  it  was  affirmed  by 
the  Appellate  Division.  A  motion  for  a  stay 
later  was  granted  by  the  Supreme  Court  be- 
fore final  refusal  by  the  Appellate  Division. 


Ben  Goetz  En  Route  to  London 

Ben  Goetz,  M-G-M  executive,  arrived  in  New 
York  from  Hollywood  this  week  on  his  way  to 
London,  where  he  will  be  associated  with  Sir 
Alexander  Korda  in  the  production  of  Metro 
pictures  in  England.  The  Korda  interests  re- 
cently were  merged  with  those  of  M-G-M. 
The  first  pictures  planned  under  the  new  ar- 
rangement are  Tolstoy's  "War  and  Peace"  and 
"If  Winter  Comes." 


The  Variety  Club  of  Texas  honored  several 
prominent  guests  at  a  luncheon  in  Dallas  on 
Tuesday.  The  luncheon  was  held  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  regional  meeting  of  the  Texas 
Theatre  Owners  Association  and  R.  J.  O'Don- 
nell,  national  Variety  Club  chief  barker,  was 
principal  speaker,  describing  his  recent  nation- 
wide tour  in  the  interest  of  the  copper  drive. 

The  guests  were  Francis  S.  Harmon,  ex- 
ecutive vice-chairman  of  the  War  Activities 
Committee;  Frank  Scofield,  state  War  Bond 
Administrator  for  Texas ;  Henry  Reeve,  presi- 
dent of  the  Texas  Theatre  Owners,  and  Mr. 
O'Donnell.  Claude  Ezell,  chief  barker  of  the 
Texas  Variey  Club,  was  master  of  ceremonies. 
Governor  Coke  Stevenson,  who  also  was  invited 
as  an  honored  guest,  was  unable  to  attend. 

The  induction  of  50  new  Variety  Club  mem- 
bers was  held,  Governor  Stevenson  also  being 
named.  Included  in  the  large  group  of  theatre 
owners,  branch  managers  and  others  from  the 
industry  present  were :  L.  C.  Griffith,  president 
of  the  Griffith  Amusement  Company ;  Brownie 
Akers,  Griffith  district  manager ;  John  Q. 
Adams,  chairman  of  the  arrangements  commit- 
tee, and  committee  heads  Don  Douglas,  Lafe 
Pfeifer,  Harry  Sachs  and  Ray  Beall. 

Also  present  were  representatives  from  the 
Office  of  Civilian  Defense,  War  Production 
Board,  Army,  Navy,  Municipal  government  of- 
ficials and  heads  of  27  civic  clubs  in  Dallas. 

The  eighth  annual  Texas  Variety  Club  golf 
tournament  was  held  recently  at  Brook  Hol- 
low Country  Club  in  Dallas.  Richard  Wheel- 
er, Houston  night  club  owner,  shot  a  net  62 
to  take  first  prize  of  a  $100  War  Bond.  Clyde 
Allen,  Tivoli  theatre,  Fort  Worth,  took  second 
prize  of  $50  and  in  third  place,  winning  a  $2a 
Bond,  was  Sergeant  Bobbie  Bixley,  formerly 
of  the  Village  theatre  in  Houston. 

Mr.  O'Donnell,  who  was  also  present  during 
the  tournament  activities,  presented  the  awards. 
Showmen  from  all  sections  of  the  state  com- 
peted. The  official  program  for  the  tournament 
netted  more  than  $1,500. 

New  Jersey  Allied  to  Hold 
Annual  Session  June  29th 

The  Allied  Theatre  Owners  of  New  Jersey 
will  meet  at  the  Hollywood  Hotel,  West  End, 
N.  J.,  June  29th  through  July  1st.  It  will  be 
the  unit's  24th  annual  conference. 

There  will  be  a  general  meeting  the  first  day, 
with  guest  speakers,  reports  from  committees 
and  selection  of  the  nominating  committee.  The 
second  day  will  feature  an  Allied  States  Asso- 
ciation eastern  regional  conference,  and  a 
luncheon  for  the  regional  directors.  Leaders 
of  Allied  will  talk,  and  officers  of  the  Jersey 
unit  will  be  elected. 

The  final  day  will  feature  a  golf  tournament, 
a  "showman  at  war"  conference,  addresses  by 
distributor  sales  managers  and  the  annual  cock- 
tail party  and  banquet. 

Carolina  Theatre  Owners 
To  Discuss  War  Work 

The  Theatre  Owners  of  North  and  South 
Carolina  will  meet  in  Charlotte,  N.  C,  on 
June  16th  to  discuss  the  industry's  war  activi- 
ties and  hear  an  address  by  R.  J.  O'Donnell, 
national  chief  barker  of  the  Variety  Clubs.  It 
is  expected  that  representatives  of  various  Gov- 
ernment agencies  also  will  speak. 

Mr.  O'Donnell's  visit  is  part  of  his  tour  of 
exchanges  throughout  the  country. 


Returns  to  Des  Moines 

D.  C.  Kennedy  has  returned  to  his  office  in 
Des  Moines,  where  he  is  exchange  manager  for 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  after  visiting  the  home 
office  in  New  York  last  week. 


WEAPONS 

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*****  t  ,>  7  -    -  ■   :  ::r-"     ;.":„■■   u  ii]  lqjj  iirrrrm  n  i  i  i  i  rrr  ri ..mih— 


FOR 


J  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  II  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I 


In  the  laboratories  where  the  science 
of  sound  recording  is  an  open  book 
— where  the  engineering  principles 
used  in  making  sound  pictures  were  worked  out — 
engineers  are  now  applying  their  knowledge  and 
skill  to  the  development  of  new  implements  of 
warfare. 

What  these  new  weapons  are — what  they  will 
do  —  and  how  they  will  do  it— must  naturally  be 
kept  secret. 

But  you  may  be  sure  of  two  things.  First:  the 


engineers  at  Bell  Telephone  Laboratories  and 
Western  Electric— who  gave  the  screen  its  voice 
—  are  playing  an  important'  part  in  this  work. 
Second:  the  new  knowledge  they  are  gaining 
today  will  lead  to  still  finer  sound  recording  equip- 
ment when  the  war  is  won. 


Electrical  Research  Products  Division 

OF 

Western  Electric  Company 

INCORPORATEp  "  ' 

19$  BROADWAY,  NEW  YORK,  N.  Y. 


60 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    12,  1943 


PICTURE 
CROSSES 


A  statistical  compilation  and 
comparison  of  Box-Office  Per- 
formance in  first-run  theatres 


Figures  directly  below  picture  title  compare  dollar  gross  with  average  gross  and  show  relative  percentage  of  all  engagements  tabulated. 

Figures  opposite  theatre  names  represent  percentage  of  tabulated  grosses  to  average  weekly  business  based  on  the  six  months'  period 
ending  December  31,  1942. 

SYMBOLS:  (DB)  Double  Bill— associate  feature  title;  (SA)  Stage  Attraction;  (MO) — Move-Over  Run;  (AA)  Advance  Admission. 


THE  DESPERADOES  (Col.) 

Final  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $425,025 
Comparative  Average  Gross  339,184 
Over-all  Performance  125.3% 

BOSTON— Loew's  Orpheum    143.5% 

(DB)  She  Has  What  It  Takes  (Col) 

BOSTON— Loew's  State   121.4% 

(DB)  She  Has  What  It  Takes  (Col) 

BOSTON— Esquire.  MO'.  1st  week   120.0% 

(DB)  She  Has  What  It  Takes  (Col.) 

BUFFALO — Lafayette,  1st  week    193.3% 

(DB)  Lucky  Legs  (Col) 

BUFFALO— Lafayette,  2nd  week    122.6% 

(DB)  Junior  Army  (Col) 

CHICAGO— Roosevelt  1st  week   125.0% 

CHICAGO— Roosevelt  2nd  week   109.3% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Albee    96.4% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Shubert,  MO,  1st  week  77.7% 

CLEVELAND— RKO  Palace   194.1% 

(SA)  Tohnny  Long's  Orchestra 

DENVER — Paramount    150.0% 

(DB)  Follow  the  Band  (Univ) 

DENVER— Rialto,  MO.  1st  week   125.0% 

(DB)  Follow  the  Band  (Univ) 

INDIANAPOLIS— Loew's    94.1% 

(DB)  She  Has  What  It  Takes  (Col) 

KANSAS  CITY — Midland    154.1% 

(DB)  Reveille  With  Beverly  (Col) 

LO'S  ANGELES — Hillstreet,  1st  week  ....  126.9% 

(DB)  Reveille  with  Beverly  (Col) 

LOS  ANGELES— Hillstreet.  2nd  week  ....  98.2% 

(DB)  Reveille  with  Beverly  (Col) 

LOS  ANGELES— Pantages,  1st  week  ....  127.1% 

(DB)  Reveille  with  Beverly  (Col) 

LOS  ANGELES— Pantages,  2nd  week  ....  84.7% 

(DB)  Reveille  with  Beverly  (Col) 

MILWAUKEE— Palace    133.3% 

(DB)  Reveille  with  Beverly  (Col) 

MILWAUKEE— Strand,  MO,  1st  week   .   .    .  175.0% 

(DB)  My  Friend  Flicka  (20th-Fox) 

MINNEAPOLIS — Orpheum    117.6% 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  1st  week   191.6% 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  2nd  week   100.0% 

NEW  HAVEN— Loew's  Poli   94.4% 

(DB)  Red  Head  from  Manhattan  (Col) 

NEW  HAVEN— College,  MO,  1st  week   .    .    .  90.0% 

(DB)  Murder  in  Times  Square  (Col) 

OMAHA— Brandeis   104.0% 

(DB)  Reveille  With  Beverly  (Col) 

PHILADELPHIA— Fox    135.7% 

PITTSBURGH— Harris,  1st  week     i   .    .   .    .  130.4% 

PITTSBURGH— Harris,  2nd  week   92  3% 

PITTSBURGH— Senator,  MO,  1st  week     .    .  R?  y% 

PROVIDENCE— Strand,  1st  week   131.1% 

(DB)  No  Place  for  a  Lady  (Col) 

PROVIDENCE— Strand,  2nd  week   72.2% 

(DB)  No  Place  for  a  Lady  (Col) 

SEATTLE— Libertv.  1st  week   180.0% 

(DB)  Murder  in  Times  Square  (Col) 

SEATTLE— Liberty.  2nd  week   117.3% 

(DB)  Murder  in  Times  Square  (Col) 

SEATTLE— Libertv.  3rd  week   96  0% 

(DB)  Murder  in  Times  Square  (Col) 

FLIGHT  FOR  FREEDOM  (RKO) 

Final  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $347, 1 54 

Comparative  Average  Gross  297,784 
Over-all  Performance  116.2% 


BALTIMORE— Hippodrome   135.7% 

(SA)  Jack  Marshall,  Radio  Aces  and  others 
BALTIMORE— Hippodrome.  2nd  week  . 

(SA)  Dave  Elman's  Hobby  Lobby,  Jane 
Frazee  and  others. 
BUFFALO— 20th  Century,  1st  week 

(DB)  Cinderella  Swings  It  (RKO) 
BUFFALO— 20th  Century.  2nd  week 

(DB)  Cinderella  Swings  It  (RKO) 
CINCINNATI— RKO  Palace     .    .  . 
CINCINNATI— RKO  Capitol,  MO,  1st 
DENVER— Orpheum,  1st  week  .    .  . 

(DB)  Air  Raid  Wardens  (MGM) 


week 


121.4% 


174.1% 
117.6% 
91.6% 
133.6% 


DENVER— Orpheum,  2nd  week   91.8% 

(DB)  Air  Raid  Wardens  (MGM) 

DENVER— Broadway,  MO,  1st  week    ....  150.0% 

(DB)  Air  Raid  Wardens  (MGM) 

INDIANAPOLIS— Indiana   100.0% 

(DB)  Cinderella  Swings  It  (RKO) 

INDIANAPOLIS— Lyric                                  .  112.5% 

(DB)  Cinderella  Swings  It  (RKO) 

KANSAS  CITY— Orpheum,  1st  week   ....  200.0% 

(DB)  Falcon  Strikes  Back  (RKO) 

KANSAS  CITY— Orpheum,  2nd  week    ....  146.6% 

(DB)  Falcon  Strikes  Back  (RKO) 

LOS  ANGELES— Hillstreet,  1st  week  ....  120.2% 

(DB)  Falcon  Strikes  Back  (RKO) 

LOS  ANGELES— Hillstreet,  2nd  week  ....  83.4% 

(DB)  Power  of  the  Press  (Col) 

LOS  ANGELES— Pantages,  1st  week   ....  134.9% 

(DB)  Falcon  Strikes  Back  (RKO) 

LOS  ANGELES — Pantages,  2nd  week  ....  90.1% 

(DB)  Power  of  the  Press  (Col) 

NEW  HAVEN— Loew's  Poli    105  5% 

(DB)  Let's  Have  Fun  (Col) 

NEW  HAVEN— College,  MO,  1st  week    .    .    .  90.0% 

(DB)  Let's  Have  Fun  (Col) 

OMAHA— Brandeis   106  6% 

(DB)  One  Dangerous  Night  (Col) 

PHILADELPHIA— Fox    137.1% 

PHILADELPHIA— Karlton,  MO,   1st  week   .  128.5% 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Golden  Gate,  1st  week    .  125.67, 

(SA)  Vaudeville 

SAN  FRANCISCO-Golden  Gate,  2nd  week    .  123.0% 

(SA)  Vaudeville 

SEATTLE— Paramount    104.4% 

ST.  LOUIS— Ambassador   113  0% 

(DB)  Army  Surgeon  (RKO) 

ST.  LOUIS— Missouri.  MO,  1st  week   ....  78  5% 

(DB)  Hit  Parade  of  1943  (Rep) 

WASHINGTON— Keith's,  1st  week  ...  125  0% 

WASHINGTON— Keith's,  2nd  week   113^2% 

EDGE  OF  DARKNESS  (WB) 

Final  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $990,720 
Comparative  Average  Gross  869,572 
Over-all  Performance  113.9% 


BALTIMORE — Stanley,    1st   week   138.4% 

BALTIMORE— Stanley,  2nd  week   115.3% 

BALTIMORE— Stanley,   3rd  week   96.1% 

BOSTON— Metropolitan,  1st  week   137.5% 

(DB)  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  (Para) 

BOSTON— Metropolitan,  2nd  week   104.1% 

(DB)  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  (Para) 

BOSTON— Fenway,  MO,  1st  week   75.0% 

(DB)  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  (Para) 

BOSTON— Paramount,  MO,  1st  week   ....  97.5% 

(DB)  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  (Para) 

BOSTON— Scollay,  MO,  2nd  week   108.2% 

(DB)  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  (Para) 

BUFFALO— Buffalo   126.6% 

(DB)  High  Explosive  (Para) 

BUFFALO— Hippodrome.  MO,  1st  week  .    .    .  133.3% 

(DB)  High  Explosive  (Para) 

CHICAGO— Chicago,  1st  week    100.0% 

(SA)  Cross  &  Dunn  &  Others 

CHICAGO— Chicago,  2nd  week   85.7% 

(SA)  Cross  &  Dunn  and  others 

CHICAGO— Garrick,  MO,  1st  week     ....  114.2% 

CINCINNATI — RKO  Albee   92.8% 

CINCINNATI — RKO  Shubert,  MO,  1st  week    .  88.8% 

CLEVELAND— RKO  Allen,  1st  week   ....  280.0% 

CLEVELAND— RKO  Allen.  2nd  week  ....  240.0% 

CLEVELAND— RKO  Allen,  3rd  week    .   .   .  180.0% 

DENVER— Esquire   150.0% 

(DB)  Taxi,  Mister  (UA) 

DENVER— Denver    179.5% 

(DB)  Taxi,  Mister  (UA) 

DENVER— Aladdin,  MO,  1st  week   175.0% 

(DB)  Taxi,  Mister  (UA) 

DENVER— Rialto,  MO,  2nd  week   149.9% 

(DB)  Taxi,  Mister  (UA) 

INDIANAPOLIS— Indiana    109.0% 

(DB)  Rhythm  of  the  Islands  (Univ) 

INDIANAPOLIS—  Lyric,  MO,  1st  week   .   .   .  112.5% 

(DB)  Rhythm  of  the  Islands  (Univ) 

KANSAS  CITY— Newman    122.2% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Hollywood, 

1st  week   121.0% 


LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Hollywood, 

2nd   week    81.4% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Hollywood, 

3rd  week    63.7% 

LOS    ANGELES— Warner's    Downtown,  1st 

week    124.7% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Downtown, 

2nd  week   92.0% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Downtown, 

3rd  week    75.0% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Wiltern,  1st  week  153.6% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Wiltern,  2nd  week  96.4% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Wiltern,  3rd  week  70.0% 

MILWAUKEE— Warner,  1st  week   124.4% 

(DB)  Calaboose  (UA) 

MILWAUKEE— Warner,    2nd    week   ....  101.1% 

(DB)  Calaboose  (UA) 

NEW  HAVEN— Roger  Sherman   106.6% 

(DB)  Hi  Ya,  Chum  (Univ.) 

NEW  HAVEN— Paramount,  MO,  1st  week   .  100.0% 

(DB)  Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour  (Para) 

NEW  YORK— Strand,  1st  week   155.7% 

(SA)  Jan  Savitt  Orchestra  &  Ethel  Waters 

NEW  YORK— Strand,  2nd  week   145.7% 

(SA)  Jan  Savitt  Orchestra  &  Ethel  Waters 

NEW  YORK— Strand,  3rd  week   145.7% 

(SA)  Jan  Savitt  Orchestra  &  Ethel  Waters 

NEW  YORK— Strand,  4th  week   114.2% 

(SA)  Jan  Savitt  Orchestra  &  Ethel  Waters 

NEW  YORK— Strand.  5th  week   91.4% 

(SA)  Jan  Savitt  Orchestra  &  Ethel  Waters 

NEW  YORK— Strand.  6th  week   77.1% 

(SA)  Tan  Savitt  Orchestra  &  Ethel  Waters 

PHILADELPHIA— Mastbaum,  1st  week  .   .   .  167.5% 

PHILADELPHIA— Mastbaum,  2nd  week   .    .  103.1% 

PHILADELPHIA— Mastbaum,  3rd   week   .   .  86.0% 

PHILADELPHIA— Karlton,  MO,  1st  week  .    .  185.7% 

PITTSBURGH — Penn   97.0% 

PITTSBURGH— Warner,  MO,  1st  week  .   .    .  84.6% 

PROVIDENCE— Majestic   113.6% 

PROVIDENCE— Carlton,  MO,  1st  week   .   .   .  100.0% 

SAN  FRANCTSCO—  Fox.  1st  week   108.3% 

(DB)  Lady  Bodyguard  (Para.) 

SAN  FRANCTSCO— Fox.  2nd  week   86  1% 

(DB)  Ladv  Bodyguard  (Para) 

SAN  FRANCISCO — St.  Francis,  MO,  1st  week  130.7% 

(DB)  Lady  Bodyguard  (Para) 

SEATTLE— Orpheum,  1st  week   101  1% 

(DB)  Rhythm  of  the  Islands  (Univ) 

SEATTLE— Orpheum,  2nd  week   .....  84  4% 

(DB)  Rhvthm  of  the  Islands  (Univ) 

ST.  LOUIS-Fox                          .  103  3% 

(DB)  He  Hired  the  Boss  (20th-Fox) 

WASHINGTON— Earle,   1st  week   .    .    .  148  1% 

(SA)  Mario  &  Floria 

WASHINGTON— Earle,  2nd  week   129  0% 

(SA)  Mario  &  Floria 

WASHINGTON— Metropolitan,  MO.  1st  week  200.0% 

CRASH  DIVE  (20th-Fox) 

First  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $194,775 
Comparative  Average  Gross  147,000 
Over-all  Performance  132.5% 


BALTIMORE— New.  1st  week   112.5% 

BALTIMORE^New.  2nd  week   125.0% 

BALTIMORE— New.  3rd  week   112.5% 

CTNCINNATT-RKO  Albee   96.4% 

DENVER— Denver    150.0% 

(DB)  Let's  Have  Fun  (Univ) 

DENVER— Esquire   262.5% 

(DB)  Let's  Have  Fun  (Univ) 

INDIANAPOLIS— Indiana    122.7% 

(DB)  He's  My  Guy  (Univ) 

INDIANAPOLIS— Lyric.  MO,  1st  week    .    .    .  110.0% 

(DB)  He's  My  Guv  (Univ) 

KANSAS  CITY— Esquire,  1st  week   225.0% 

KANSAS  CITY— Esquire,  2nd  week     ....  175.0%. 

KANSAS  CITY— Uptown.  1st  week   100.0% 

KANSAS  CITY— Uptown,  2nd  week     ....  100.0% 

PHILADELPHIA— Fox    200.0% 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Fox   141.6% 

(DB)  He  Hired  the  Boss  (20th-Fox) 

ST.  LOUTS — Fox,  1st  week   103.3% 

(DB)  Good  Morning.  Judge  (Univ) 

ST.  LOUIS— Fox,  2nd  week   96.6% 

(DB)  Good  Morning,  Judge  (Univ) 


June  12 


94  3 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


61 


MANAGERS' 


ROUND  TABLE 


>An  international  association  of  showmen  meeting  weekly 
in  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD  for  mutual  aid  and  progress 

BOB  WILE  Editor  (GERTRUDE  MERRIAM.  Associate  Editor 


Another  Theatre  Service 

Once  again,  the  theatre  has  come  to  the  fore  in  a  small 
matter  of  service  to  army  men.  Enlisted  men's  quarters,  recrea- 
tion halls  and  theatres  on  Army  posts  are  rather  bare  without 
decoration.  And  what  more  pleasing  decoration  could  be  had 
than  pictures  of  beauteous  feminine  stars  of  the  screen? 

Motion  Picture  Herald  recorded  recently  a  request  from  an 
Air  Force  lieutenant  in  the  South  Pacific,  addressed  to  Bill 
Eider,  manager  of  Loew's  theatre,  Indianapolis.  The  lieutenant 
was  a  former  patron  and  Bill  immediately  obliged  with  a  large 
selection  of  stills. 

Now,  Private  Jack  M.  Wilhelm  connected  with  a  post  theatre 
at  Fort  Jackson,  S.  O,  writes  to  Lester  Pollock,  manager  of 
Loew's,  Rochester,  N.  Y.  and  after  stating  that  he  is  a  former 
patron  of  the  theatre,  and  that  he  got  the  idea  of  asking  from 
Motion  Picture  Herald,  puts  in  his  request  for  pictures  of  stars. 

Lester  obliged,  too,  with  about  100  stills.  It's  a  worthy  cause 
and  just  another  of  the  many  unsung  services  the  theatre  mana- 
ger can  and  will  perform. 

The  Industry  and  the  War 

The  part  our  industry  is  playing  in  the  war  effort  is  well  known 
to  us  now,  but  we  owe  it  to  ourselves  to  continue  to  keep  the 
public  informed  on  this  subject  through  every  means  at  our 
command.  Last  week  we  reported  how  A.  J.  Kalberer  of  the 
Indiana  and  Liberty  theatres,  Washington,  Ind.,  talked  to  the 
Kiwanis  Club  there.  And  among  the  many  newspaper  items 
to  this  effect  which  we  have  seen  is  an  editorial  in  the  The  Lake 
Wales  Daily  of  Lake  Wales,  Fla.,  which  is  the  result  of  a  con- 
versation between  the  editor  and  Leslie  Pendleton,  manager  of 
the  State  theatre.  It  is  a  fine  tribute  to  the  motion  picture  as  a 
morale  builder. 

Ever  the  Showman 

Out  near  Phoenix,  Arizona,  are  some  very  large  Army  camps. 
The  job  of  entertaining  the  thousands  of  men  stationed  there 
is  now  in  the  hands  of  "Carolina"  Brunson,  Recreation  Co- 
ordinator of  the  Phoenix  Metropolitan  area,  formerly  with  the 
Harry  L.  Nace  Circuit.  It  is  a  showman's  work  he  is  doing  as 
one  may  judge  from  his  description — "We  took  a  show  of  girl 
dancers  and  what  have  you  to  a  spot  called  Hyder — about  125 
miles  from  this  city  and  right  in  the  center  of  the  dustiest  of  all 


OP 


deserts.  They  took  three  big  trucks  and  swung  some  pontoon 
bridges  on  top  for  a  stage  and  used  some  more  trucks  for  light- 
ing. Over  1 0,000  men  sat  on  the  side  of  a  sort  of  hill  and 
screamed  for  more.  I  emceed  the  show  and  frankly  it  was  the 
biggest  thrill  of  my  life." 

Smart  Showmanship 

Just  about  the  time  that  Harry  Steam  was  playing  "Desert 
Victory"  at  the  Manring  theatre,  Middlesboro,  Ky.,  the  Allies 
finally  achieved  the  ultimate  victory  in  North  Africa.  Ever  one 
to  take  advantage  of  an  opportunity,  he  arranged  with  the 
newspaper  for  a  cooperative  ad  on  the  back  page,  with  the 
newspaper  to  make  over  the  front  page  with  "Desert  Victory" 
as  a  banner  head  two  and  a  half  inches  high.  A  photograph  of 
General  Sir  Bernard  Montgomery  also  appeared  and  there 
were  several  credits  mentioning  the  theatre  and  date.  The 
headline  was  repeated  on  the  back  page  together  with  a  six 
column  ad  of  the  theatre  and  four  merchants'  ads.  In  addition 
Harry  had  all  classes  in  the  schools  come  down  in  a  body. 

The  result  of  all  this — the  most  important  thing  in  any  cam- 
paign— one  of  the  biggest  midweek  openings  the  theatre  ever 
had. 


That  Local  Spirit 


Rather  than  allow  the  paid  staff  of  the  central  headquarters 
of  the  Red  Cross  in  Chicago  to  handle  a  recent  drive,  Bill 
Galligan  of  the  Commercial  theatre  in  South  Chicago  arranged 
with  a  unit  in  his  own  community  to  do  the  collecting.  He  was 
thus  able  to  give  a  check  for  a  considerable  amount  to  the 
local  chapter  and  to  send  a  letter  to  headquarters  emphasizing 
that  the  South  Chicago  unit  had  collected  every  penny. 

Co  To  Church  Campaign 

Barnes  Perdue,  Parsons,  Kansas,  manager  for  H.  J.  Grif- 
fith theatres,  sends  us  a  sample  of  the  folders  which  he 
sent  to  5,000  people  in  town,  headed  "Go  to  Church  Some- 
where Every  Sunday".  This  is  an  annual  promotion  of  Barnes's 
and  one  to  which  he  calls  attention  by  letters  to  the  local 
clergy.  Every  one  of  the  ministers  responded  with  a  letter 
expressing  his  gratitude  for  the  cooperation  of  the  theatres. 

—BOB  WILE 


62 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    12,  1943 


NOVELTY  IN  LOBBY  DISPLAYS 


mi iP  yourroWN  or  township 

J2rrL_   \a#IN  THE  RACE-  vkmwxw 

"T  OTAL  BONM I  ^>    1  Buy  BONDS  TO  MCWl  JoiRTAVORIT^  «DTKffi 


An  attractive  girl  appeals 
to  the  customers  in  the 
lobby  of  the  Centre 
theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 
Harland  Rankin,  manager, 
has  the  stills  changed 
each  week. 


Each  town  or  township  in  the  county  is  represented  by  an  airplane  or  a  ship  in  the  lobby  of  the  Strand 
theatre,  Fairmount,  Minn.  This  display  was  erected    by  Herb  Nicholas,  manager  of  the  theatre. 
The  figures  moved  forward  as  the  quota  was  approached. 


The  umbrella  in  the  picture  above  was 
borrowed  from  an  antique  dealer  by 
Vincent  Aldert,  manager  of  the 
Paramount,  Brattleboro,  Vermont,  who 
says  it  is  the  biggest  he  has  ever  seen. 
The  dealer  claims  it  is  100  years  old. 


Next  to  the  Kingsland  theatre  in  St.  Louis,  Jimmie  Huddleston  planted  this 
window,  which  was  his  own  idea.   Note  the  card  in  the  bottom  which  offers  guest 
tickets  to  each  patron  who  identifies  the  star  and  his  branch  of  service.  The  signs 
are  removed  weekly  to  tie  in  with  the  current  attractions. 


June    12,  1943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


63 


Selling  Points 

ON  THE  NEW  PRODUCT 

[The  material  below  reflects  press  books  now  in  preparation  and  represents  the  point  of 
view  of  the  distributors'  exploiteers  about  the  selling  points  and  special  merit  of  these  pictures.] 


CONEY  ISLAND  (Twentieth  Century-Fox): 

The  famous  barkers  at  Coney  Island  can 
well  be  emulated  in  a  stunt  which  will  have 
amateurs  in  town  taking  turns  to  "spiel" 
for  War  Bonds  and  Stamps.  An  outdoor 
Bond  Rally  could  be  arranged  during  which 
the  event  of  the  day  would  be  the  oppor- 
tunity for  the  audience  to  "bark"  for 
Bonds.  For  the  barker  who  sells  the  most 
Bonds  and  Stamps  guest  tickets  could  be 
awarded.  Directional  street  arrows  with 
copy  reading  "This  Way  to  Coney  Island" 
could  be  tacked  to  lampposts,  stores  and 
buildings  near  the  theatre.  A  photo  con- 
test should  appeal  to  amateur  camera  fans. 
An  attractive  girl  in  a  bathing  suit  could 
pose  in  the  lobby  with  proper  lighting  and 
the  "shutterbugs"  invited  to  take  pictures. 
A  tieup  with  a  local  photography  store 
for  announcements  of  the  contest,  window 
displays,  judging,  etc.  The  cooperation  of 
the  newspaper  might  also  be  sought  to 
print  the  best  photos  when  the  final  win- 
ners are  selected.  Camera  equipment  of 
War  Stamps  could  be  awarded  as  prizes. 
The  title  should  inspire  some  night-club 
impresario  to  build  his  floor  show  around 
the  great  amusement  center,  keyed  to  the 
spirit  of  the  picture.  The  tunes  from  the 
picture,  the  opportunities  for  comparison 
between  the  old  and  the  new,  a  bathing 
beauty  contest  with  the  winner  making  an 
appearance  on  the  stage,  are  some  of  the 
many  items  which  lend  themselves  to  this 
type  of  promotion.  Lifesize  five-color  win- 
dow litho  displays  of  Betty  Grable  are 
available  free  to  all  House  of  Westmore 
dealers.  A  "Miss  Coney  Island"  contest 
could  be  staged,  with  winners  being  judged 
upon  their  resemblance  to  Betty  Grable 
or  upon  their  ability  to  imitate  her  singing 
or  dancing.  This  should  be  started  in  ad- 
vance, so  that  the  winners  may  be  used  to 
ballyhoo  playdates.  In  addition,  the  win- 
ners could  appear  in  night  clubs,  on  the 
air,  make  personal  appearances,  etc.,  plug- 
ging the  opening. 


BOMBARDIER  (RKO-Radio):  By  the  time 
this  picture  is  played,  the  national  cam- 
paign to  "Buy  a  Bond  to  Buy  a  Bomber," 
put  on  by  the  Theatre  Division  of  the  War 
Activities  Committee  in  cooperation  with 
the  Treasury  Department,  will  be  in  full 
swing,  affording  an  opportunity  to  stimu- 
late interest  tying  in  with  "Bombardier." 
This  campaign  consists  of  Bond  and  Stamp 
selling  in  lobbies,  the  names  of  all  buyers 
to  appear  on  scrolls  which  will  be  micro- 
filmed and  placed  in  cabins  of  the  famed 
Mitchell  Bombers,  the  B-25,  the  type  of 
plane  that  was  used  in  the  bombing  of 
Tokio.  Feature  the  "Song  of  the  Bombar- 
diers" from  the  picture  over  loud  speakers 
in  the  lobby  and  from  the  marquee. 
Arrange  for  local  organizations  to  aid  you 
in  your  campaign.  Free  trailers  and  spe- 
cial posters  are  available  through  National 
Screen.  Photographs  of  local  men  who  are 
in  training  in  the  bombardier  schools  might 
be  solicited  from  patrons  and  photogra- 
phers for  use  in  a  lobby  display.  Copy 
should  be  placed  alongside  reading:  "If  you 
know  this  Bombardier,  and  if  you  know  he 
is  in  town  call  him  and  tell  him  there  are 
guest  tickets  waiting  at  the  Blank  theatre." 
Teaser  sign  posts  along  roads  leading  to 
the  theatre  might  read:  "One-quarter  mile 
to  Tokyo  Afire  via  'Bombardier'."  A 
montage  of  newspaper  headlines  regard- 
ing the  lifting  of  the  veil  of  secrecy  sur- 
rounding the  famous  Norden  Bomb  Sight 
used  by  our  Bombardiers  should  make  an 
interesting  and  eye-arresting  lobby  display. 
A  special  drive  to  collect  scrap  metal  to  be 
made  into  bombs  for  bombardiers  is  in  or- 
der with  papier  mache  reproduction  of  the 
finished  product  displayed.  A  swing-shift 
performance  for  defense  plant  workers 
could  be  arranged,  with  notices  planted  on 
bulletin  board,  the  nature  of  the  picture 
should  give  entree.  An  angle  for  a  spiel 
to  the  workers  is:  "Come  and  see  what 
happens  to  the  war  material  you  are  turn- 
ing out." 


City  Pays  Tribute  to 
Local  War  Plant 

In  connection  with  his  date  on  "Desert 
Victory"  at  Schine's  Pontiac,  in  Saranac 
Lake,  N.  Y.,  Clayton  Cornell  centered  the 
entire  showing  around  a  promotion  with 
Gladd  B  ros.  Manufacturing  Company,  Sara- 
nac's  own  local  war  industry.  The  Round 
Tabler  arranged  a  "Salute  to  Gladd  Broth- 
ers," which  was  sponsored  by  the  commun- 
ity at  large  and  held  on  the  theatre  stage 
on  the  opening  night  of  the  picture.  The 
proceedings  were  broadcast  over  WNBZ, 
the  local  Blue  Network  outlet. 

The  stage  ceremony,  which  lasted  fifteen 
minutes,  opened  with  a  brief  explanation  of 
the  occasion,  with  Clay  acting  as  master  of 
ceremonies.  Following  this  a  member  of 
the  Village  Board  of  Trustees  was  present- 
ed, bringing  the  official  greetings  of  the 
community.  Then  presented  were  an  Air 
Corps  Sergeant,  Lieutenant  in  the  WAAC, 
a  member  of  the  War  Production  Board, 
with  closing  remarks  by  Mr.  Richard  Gladd. 

The  plant  was  sold  tickets  to  this  per- 
formance for  each  employee.  The  radio 
station  was  promoted  for  its  part  in  the 
event  and  gave  many  plugs  in  advance  of 
the  occasion.  Cornell  incorporated  the  cere- 
mony in  his  own  daily  spots  on  the  "Pon- 
tiac Theatre  of  the  Air"  program;  the 
event  was  publicized  in  the  local  dailies  and 
a  40  by  60  was  made  up  for  lobby  display, 
advertising  on  the  screen  and  bulletin  board 
announcements  at  the  war  plant.  Cornell 
says  this  was  the  first  time  for  a  radio  show 
to  be  picked  up  from  the  theatre  during  an 
evening  hour. 

Groom  Arranges  Special 
"Desert  Victory"  Screening 

To  get  "Desert  Victory"  off  to  a  good 
start,  Arthur  Groom  at  Loew's  State,  in 
Memphis,  arranged  a  special  screening  for 
Army  officials,  newspapermen  and  heads  of 
local  defense  plants.  Later,  workers  at  all 
plants  were  urged  to  see  the  picture.  One 
of  the  local  critics  on  the  Commercial  Ap- 
peal devoted  his  entire  movie  column  to  the 
picture,  another  critic  came  through  with 
art  and  a  two-column  front  page  review, 
while  an  editorial  appeared  in  advance  of 
the  opening.  Posters  were  landed  in  all  de- 
fense plants,  5,000  heralds  were  distributed 
in  residential  sections  and  an  outdoor  ad- 
vertising truck  was  used  two  days  in  ad- 
vance of  the  opening. 

For  "They  Got  Me  Covered,"  Arthur 
placed  "C  Cards"  on  the  windshields  of  all 
parked  cars,  the  copy  here  reading,  "Here's 
your  C  Card.  C  that  you  gas  plenty  with 
vour  friends,  but  C  that  you  don't  forget  to 
C,"  etc.,  etc. 


Caution  Teaser  Cards  Aid 
On  "Slightly  Dangerous" 

As  an  advance  teaser  ahead  of  "Slightly 
Dangerous"  at  Loew's  Century  theatre,  in 
Baltimore,  Gertrude  Bunchez  posted  on 
scaffolds  and  corners  where  repairs  were 
being  made  throughout  the  downtown  and 
business  section  cards  reading  "Slightly 
Dangerous."  Also  arranged  for  was  the 
distribution  of  tinted  heralds  to  all  employes 
in  defense  plants,  calling  attention  to  a  spe- 
cial midnight  preview  of  the  picture. 

A  chain  drug  store  was  contacted  and  ar- 
rangements made  for  the  posting  of  heralds 
in  the  windows  of  their  42  stores.    One  of 


the  largest  jewelers  in  town  was  tied  in  for 
a  window  display  which  featured  a  large 
colored  blowup  of  Lana  Turner  and  Robert 
Young,  in  which  the  picture  was  promi- 
nently mentioned. 

Stearn  Lands  Editorial 

In  advance  of  "Tennessee  Johnson"  at 
Schine's  Manring,  in  Middlesboro,  Ky., 
Harry  D.  Stearn  invited  the  editor  of  his 
local  paper  to  see  the  picture.  This  brought 
a  two-column  editorial  of  commendation, 
which  mentioned  the  picture  title,  theatre, 
playdates  and  a  few  words  of  personal 
thanks  to  Harry  for  inviting  him  to  the 
show. 


Jitterbug  Contest  Held 
On  Stage  by  Mayer 

In  connection  with  the  appearance  of 
Louis  Prima's  swing  band  at  the  RKO  Pal- 
ace, in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  Louis  E.  Mayer 
held  a  jitterbug  contest  on  his  stage  with 
winners  decided  by  audience  applause.  The 
winning  twosome  was  given  a  week's  en- 
gagement at  the  theatre  and  also  received 
$150  for  the  prize  performance. 

The  preliminaries  were  held  nightly  for  a 
week,  with  two  best  couples  receiving  prizes 
of  $15  and  $10,  respectively,  each  night. 
The  best  six  first-prize  winners  were 
brought  back  for  the  finals. 


64 

High  School  Bond 
Salesmen  See 


'Human  Comedy' 


Sam  Gilman  at  Loew's  Regent,  in  Harris  - 
burg,  Pa.,  bannered  the  risers  of  steps  on 
a  prominent  street  corner  with  "Human 
Comedy"  copy. 


The  backbone  of  Sam  Gilman's  campaign 
on  "The  Human  Comedy"  at  Loew's  Regent, 
in  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  was  a  street  parade  of 
the  Edison  Junior  High  School  Band  and 
cheer  leaders  followed  by  two  hundred  War 
Bond  salesmen  from  the  school,  who  were 
on  their  way  to  see  the  picture  as  guests  of 
the  management  for  selling  $63,000  in  War 
Bonds.  After  parading  through  the  streets 
with  banners,  the  band  and  cheer  leaders 
formed  in  front  of  the  theatre  on  the  open- 
ing day  and  put  on  an  exhibition  of  cheers 
and  band  music  before  entering  the  theatre. 

On  the  main  street  of  Harrisburg,  there 
is  a  set  of  wooden  steps  which  lead  up  to 
another  street  in  the  higher  part  of  town. 
These  steps  are  witnessed  daily  by  thou- 
sands of  people  passing  on  busses,  autos  and 
on  foot.  Sometime  ago  Sam  bannered  the 
risers  of  these  steps  with  copy  on  his  cur- 
rent attraction,  so  much  attention  did  this 
create,  that  the  Round  Tabler  repeated  the 
stunt  for  "Human  Comedy." 

The  local  Postal  Telegraph  office,  which 
is  situated  on  a  very  prominent  street  cor- 
ner, turned  over  both  of  their  windows  to 
displays  on  the  picture,  which  included  scene 
stills,  picture  copy  and  playdates. 


Juvenile  Radio  Program 
Successful  for  Carson 

Gordon  Carson  of  the  Royal  theatre,  in 
Fort  William,  Ontario,  for  the  past  five 
years  has  been  conducting  a  most  successful 
juvenile  radio  program  known  as  "School, 
of  the  Air."  The  program,  a  kid  show,  is 
broadcast  from  the  stage  of  the  theatre 
every  Saturday  morning  from  11.30  to  12. 
The   manager   usually   receives  anywhere 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD- 

from  80  to  100  applications  every  week  from 
youngsters  who  want  to  appear  on  the  pro- 
gram. Twenty  of  these  are  selected  each 
week  by  an  announcer  from  the  radio  sta- 
tion, who  acts  as  master  of  ceremonies. 

The  broadcast  comes  on  half  an  hour  be- 
fore the  theatre's  regular  show  and  has  an 
average  audience  of  about  450  children. 
Carson  reports  that  on  several  occasions, 
listeners  have  sent  in  small  sums  of  money 
asking  the  announcer  to  buy  some  treats  for 
the  youngsters  on  the  program. 

The  show  starts  in  September  and  runs 
through  until  the  end  of  May  when  it  is  off 
the  air  for  the  summer;  therefore,  members 
wishing  to  take  advantage  of  the  stunt  might 
file  this  in  their  ticklers. 

Carson,  who  leads  the  youngsters  in  sing- 
ing as  well  as  lining  up  the  program  each 
week,  reports  that  the  show's  only  expense 
to  the  theatre  is  a  few  guest  tickets  each 
week  for  prizes  and  a  pass  to  each  child  who 
broadcasts.  Gordon  also  says  that  during 
its  five  years  on  the  air  "The  School  of  the 
Air"  has  done  much  to  build  goodwill  for 
the  theatre. 


Mayor's  Proclamation 
Helps  Sell  "Corregidor" 

For  the  premiere  showing  of  "Corregi- 
dor" at  the  Mayfair  theatre,  Baltimore, 
Maxwell  Weinberg,  director  of  publicity  for 
the  Hicks  Theatres,  highlighted  the  cam- 
paign with  a  proclamation  by  Mayor  How- 
ard W.  Jackson  of  opening  date  of  picture 
as  "Corregidor  Day,"  honoring  the  heroes 
of  that  famous  stand.  Proclamation  ap- 
peared in  press,  on  air,  etc. 

A  parade  was  held  from  City  Hall  to  the 
theatre  on  opening  night  at  8  P.M.  Mili- 
tary units  in  the  parade  included  Edgewood 
Arsenal  Band;  Coast  Guard  Band;  detach- 
ment of  men  from  Special  Service  Unit;  de- 
tachment of  men  from  23rd  Hospital  unit; 
Naval,  Coast  Guard,  WAAC,  WAVE,  and 
SPAR  Color  Guard.  Also  color  guard 
from  American  Legion  Macabbean  Post; 
drum  majorettes,  etc. 

A  broadcast  was  had  from  in  front  of 
theatre  with  civic  and  military  officials  in- 
terviewed ;  a  greeting  from  the  Mayor ;  a 
speech  by  Allan  Jones;  also  by  a  WAVE 
who  was  a  nurse  on  Manila  and  whose  hus- 
band, an  army  dentist,  is  reported  missing 
on  Bataan.  Pleas  for  enlistments  for  SPAR 
week  recruiting  were  also  made.  Radio 
transcriptions  of  Ellisa  Landi  reciting  Al- 
fred Noyes'  Poem  "Corregidor"  were  lauded 
on  stations  several  days  before  opening. 


By  R.  F.  Acker,  Royal-Mecca  Theatre, 
Enid,  Okla. 


June    12,    I  943 

LETTERS  FROM 
READERS 

To  the  Editor  of  the  Round  Table: 

I  have  always  maintained  that  the  short 
subject  had  more  dynamic  power  in  ten 
minutes  than  most  features  had  in  two 
hours.  I  wonder  just  how  many  showmen 
stop  to  think  that  a  short,  whether  it  be  his- 
torical, a  moral  short,  a  musical  short,  or  a 
crime  short  is  a  condensed  article  with  only 
the  "cream"  in  it.  There  is  no  doubt  about 
it  now  that  the  major  film  companies  have 
been  aware  of  the  power  of  the  short  sub- 
jects and  are  now  making  them  from  almost 
every  educational  standpoint  of  view  for  the 
public.  Countless  times  I  have  asked  my 
patrons  what  they  thought  of  a  certain  short 
we  were  playing  and  to  my  surprise  in  most 
cases  the  answers  were,  "better  than  the 
feature." 

When  we  play  the  March  of  Time  I  al- 
ways give  extra  space  in  the  newspapers 
and,  believe  me,  I  can  tell  the  difference  at 
the  boxoffice!  When  we  advertise  such  a 
short  as  Crime  Does  Not  Pay  series,  they 
come  out  to  see  it. 

Shorts  nowadays  contain  material  that 
has  beneficial  value  as  well  as  entertaining 
value.  Take  the  Pete  Smith  specialties  for 
instance,  "First  Aid."  This  short  was  made 
purely  for  the  benefit  of  the  American  pub- 
lic and  not  from  an  entertainment  stand- 
point. Then  we  have  "Letter  from  Bataan." 
There  was  more  truth  and  awakening  in 
this  short  than  any  I  have  ever  seen. 

I  have  noticed  that  the  public  wants  real- 
ity in  short  subjects.  Of  course,  we  have 
a  little  more  than  just  realities  in  the  shorts 
—the  Bugs  Bunny,  MGM  and  Disney  car- 
toons all  have  their  place  on  the  screen  and 
marquee. 

I  hope  the  day  will  come  when  features 
are  cut  to  average  sixty  minutes,  thereby 
making  its  possible  to  have  a  better  variety 
of  short  subjects.  I  take  my  hat  off  to  Besa 
Short  of  the  Interstate  Circuit  on  her  ex- 
ploitation of  short  subjects  for  I  think  she 
has  done  more  to  better  the  shorts  than  any 
other  person  in  the  show  business.  I  main- 
tain that  the  short  subject  is  seventy  per 
cent  of  a  program.— EDMUND  HARRI- 
SON, Joy  Theatre,  Smackover,  Ark. 


usic  Appreciation  Show 
Inaugurated  by  Andrews 

Stan  Andrews  of  the  Broadway  theatre, 
in  Timmins,  Ontario,  has  worked  out  a  spe- 
cial morning  show  idea  that  proved  most 
successful,  he  sold  the  idea  of  a  "Music 
Appreciation"  show  for  children  to  the  di- 
rector of  music  in  the  local  high  school,  who 
in  turn  sold  the  idea  to  his  board  of  educa- 
tion. This  resulted  in  a  half  morning  off 
for  the  children  and  a  capacity  house  of  the 
theatre. 

The  program  consisted  of  the  following 
short  subjects:  "California  Jr.  Symphony"; 
"Spanish  Fiesta";  "40  Boys  and  a  Song"; 
"Don  Cossack  Chorus";  "Symphony  Hour"; 
"Aida"  and  "Rosamunde."  No  feature  pic- 
tures were  used  on  the  program  and  the 
show  was  at  10:30  on  a  school  day.  The 
idea  got  a  good  spread  in  the  local  news- 
paper and  school  officials  were  quoted  as 
saying  that  the  show  was  as  good  as  20 
classroom  lessons  in  teaching  music  appre- 
ciation. 


June    12,    I  943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


65 


G.  D.  Beavis  of  the  Odeon  theatre,  Kingston,  Ont.,  made  a  tieup  with  a  leading  tailor- 
ing establishment  which  used  a  window  with  a  bomb  appearing  to  be  half  way  through 
it.   The  "bomb"  was  pasted  on  the  window,  creating  the  illusion. 


RKO  Cigarette  Benefit 
Held  in  Trenton 

The  entire  receipts  of  a  special  pre-re- 
lease showing  of  "Mr.  Lucky"  at  the  RKO 
Capitol  theatre,  Trenton,  went  to  the  pur- 
chase of  cigarettes  for  men  and  women 
in  the  U.  S.  Service.  This  is  the  first  of  a 
series  of  such  benefits  scheduled  by  Ed- 
ward L.  Alperson,  general  manager  of  RKO 
Theatres. 

Admission  to  all  seats  was  $1.10  and  were 
on  sale  in  all  RKO  Theatres  in  Trenton  and 
through  members  of  the  Trenton  Air  Raid 
Precaution. 

The  cigarettes  purchased  as  a  result  of 
this  benefit  at  the  RKO  Capitol  theatre 
were  distributed  equally  to  the  Service  Or- 
ganizations and  Soldiers'  Clubs  in  the  City 
of  Trenton  and  to  the  canteens  where  our 
boys  and  girls  are  located  in  foreign  coun- 
tries. 

"At  the  Front"  Advertising 
Directed  at  War  Workers 

William  Galligan  at  the  Commercial  thea- 
tre, in  Chicago,  offered  a  new  twist  in  his 
advertising  for  his  date  on  "At  the  Front" 
by  directing  the  copy  to  "War  Workers  of 
South  Chicago.  This  was  followed  by  sug- 
gestion that  here  was  an  opportunity  for 
them  to  see  the  materials  they  produce  in 
actual  combat.  Bill  reports  that  in  con- 
versation with  some  of  the  men,  they  felt 
that  he  had  helped  the  morale  at  the  plant. 

For  his  revivals  of  "Island  of  Lost  Souls" 
and  "Dr.  Cyclops,"  the  Round  Tabler  billed 
both  pictures  as  one  unit  and  used  a  special 
eerie  trailer  for  10  days  in  advance  of  the 
showing,  at  which  time  the  house  circuit  of 
green  lights  was  used.  Teaser  ads  were 
used  in  advance  together  with  scare  and 
gag  copy,  and  special  40  by  60's  were  made 


up  with  glaring  type  copy  and  background. 
One  was  used  in  the  lobby  and  two  planted 
on  the  sidewalk  in  advance  and  during  the 
run  of  the  engagement. 


Bond  Rally  Show 
Held  by  Enke 

For  his  recent  Bond  rally  show  at  the 
Rivoli  theatre,  in  Hempstead,  L.  I.,  Ed 
Enke  arranged  for  Wally  Butterworth, 
radio  broadcaster  of  the  Blue  Networks,  and 
now  on  the  new  show  "Take  a  Card,"  to  act 
as  master  of  ceremonies  and  Bond  salesman. 
Tickets  to  the  radio  broadcasts  were  given 
to  all  Bond  purchasers.  A  piece  of  skin  from 
a  Jap  Zero,  shot  down  over  Guadalcanal  was 
"auctioned"  off  to  the  highest  bidder ;  it  got 
$4,000.  Enke  reports  a  grand  total  of 
$12,050  in  Bond  sales  in  this  20-minute 
Bond  sale  and  sends  along  newspaper  clip- 
pings to  substantiate  it. 


War  Bond  Purchases 
Open  "Desert  Victory" 

To  launch  his  date  on  "Desert  Victory" 
at  the  Paramount  theatre,  in  Portland,  Ore., 
Zollie  Volchok  arranged  for  a  midnight 
preview  of  the  picture,  admission  being  only 
through  the  purchase  of  a  War  Bond.  In 
addition,  a  Liberty  ship  was  later  christened 
by  a  sponsor  chosen  at  the  theatre's  Bond 
premiere.  The  local  papers  came  through 
with  stories  and  art  and  stressed  the  fact 
that  folks  had  oversubscribed  the  goal  of 
$1,800,000,  the  cost  of  a  Liberty  ship. 

The  committee  working  on  the  event  in- 
cluded Albert  J.  Finke,  general  chairman, 
of  Hamrick-Evergreen  Theatres;  Mr.  Mose 
Mesher,  Earl  Hunt  and  Zollie  Volchock  of 
the  Evergreen  Theatres, 


Peters  Receives  Radio  Breaks 
On  "Lady  of  Burlesque"  Date 

Several  effective  tie-ups  resulting  in  at- 
tractive window  displays,  unusual  newspaper 
coverage  and  many  radio  plugs  were  among 
the  highlights  of  the  exploitation  campaign 
put  on  by  George  Peters  for  the  opening  of 
"Lady  of  Burlesque"  at  Loew's  theatre, 
Richmond,  Va. 

The  local  USO  Clubhouse  displayed  a 
special  board  with  full  layout  of  scene  stills 
from  the  picture.  A  similar  board  was  posted 
in  the  recreation  room  of  the  Dean-Rich- 
mond Valve  Co.,  which  employs  more  than 
1500  war  workers.  One  of  the  best  night 
clubs  in  town,  gave  the  picture  several  plugs 
nightly  and  arranged  a  special  night  which 
featured  the  song  hits  from  the  picture. 

Through  Station  WRVA,  which  carried 
the  "Okay  America"  program  from  Camp 
Lee,  several  mentions  were  made  regarding 
the  Loew  attraction.  The  Hollywood  High- 
light program  via  WRNL,  conducted  by  the 
Times-Dispatch,  carried  several  plugs  for 
both  Barbara  Stanwyck  and  "Lady  of  Bur- 
lesque." 


A  man 
walked  off  the  train 
this  Morning... 

. . .  with  him  sixteen  precious  reels  of  film, 
the  final  finished  print  of  "For  Whom 
The  Bell  Tolls", 

He  was  Y.  Frank  Freeman,  head  of  the 
Paramount  Studios  in  California,  who 
personally  brought  to  New  York  the  pic- 
ture into  which  his  studio  has  poured  nine 
million  man  hours  of  creative  skill. 

"For  Whom  The  Bell  Tolls"  will 
be  shown  in  New  York  at  the  Rivoli 
Theatre  beginning  July  1 4th.  The  Rivoli 
has  been  selected  for  this  occasion  be- 
cause unprecedented  public  interest  and 
the  demand  for  tickets  has  clearly  indi- 
cated the  need  for  a  larger  theatre  than 
has  ever  previously  been  used  for  the  re- 
served seat  engagement  of  a  motion  picture. 

You  will  never  fully  realize  how  beau- 
tiful, how  impassioned,  how  tremendous 
is  Ernest  Hemingway's  magnificent  story 
of  Robert  Jordan  and  Maria  who  felt  the 
eartrrmove  until  you  see  it  for  yourself. 

TOR  uiHom 

THE  BELL  T0LL5 

WORLD  PREMIERE  July  14,  Rivoli  Theatre 
Tickets  will  go  on  sale  soon.  Watch  for  announcement. 


Although  the  premiere  of  "For  Whom  the 
Bell  Tolls"  is  more  than  a  month  off,  Par- 
amount has  started  to  advertise  if.  The 
arrival  in  New  York  of  the  print  is  recorded 
by  this  first  ad  which  appeared  off  the 
amusement  page  on  Monday,  June  7th, 


66  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  Junel2,l943 


ADS  THAT  ATTRACTED 


- 1  WILLIAM  BENDIX 

Directed  by  JOHN  FARROW  •  i^rtTSttr^ 


Zttrul! 

BOTH  THEATRES 

"WINGS 
UP" 


2nd  HIT 
DOWNTOWN  ONLY 

tXPL0S/V£ 

CHESTER  JEAN 

MORRIS  •  PARKER 


HOLLYWOOD  1  DOWNTOWN 

H0LLrW00D.rHICHLam  HO.mi  I       6th  t  HILL  HI.  7321 


Harry  Wallen  of  the  Paramount  in 
Hollywood  sent  us  this  candidate  for 
designation   as   an   outstanding   ad.  The 
dominant  figure  helps  make  it  so. 


WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY 
MAY  19-20 

Showing  at  7:10  and  9:55 


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You'll  adore  her  and  shudder  to  think 
that  a  five-year  old  could  know  so  much 
terror  and  despair! 

You  II  long  to  sweep  her  into  your  arms 
to  give  her  the  love  and  affection  youd 
lavish  on  a  child  of  your  own! 
You  II  take  her  to  your  heari  and  call 
her  your  favorite  new  screen  heroine  a 
mere  youngster  with  oil  the  courage  and 
charm  of  Mrs  Miniver!'- 


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yyyy 


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A  MARGARET' 

By  W  L.  WHITE,  Author  ol  "THEY  W E R€  EXPENDABLE" 

^-YOUNG  -^DAY-BAINTER-  BRUCE  -SEVERN 


Scraen  Ploy  by  David  HERTZ  and 
William  IUDW4G  *  Baud  wpon 
|H*  Beak  by  W.  L  Whit. 


Directed  by 

MAJ.W.S.  VAN  DYKE  II 
Produced  by 
B.  P.  f  ENEMAN 


EAST  SIDE  KIDS 
LEO  GORCY 
NOAH  EEERY,  Sr 


Second  Feature  at  8:40  Only 


CLANCY  STREET  BOYS 


The  small  town  showman  is  often  tempted  to  pick  up  a  mat,  write  his 
playdates  on  it  and  hand  it  to  the  newspaper.  Not  so,  C.  J.  Remington  of 
the  State  theatre,  Auburn,  Calif.  Here's  his  ad  which  appeared  in  the 
weekly  paper  there.  A  novel  feature  in  this  paper  was  that  starting  on 
page  two  and  continuing  to  page  six  on  which  this  ad  was  located  was  a  black 
arrow  along  the  bottom  of  the  whole  paper  with  teaser  copy  pointing 
to  the  ad  above. 


The  outstanding 
selling  angles — high 
adventure,  intrigue 
and  desperate 
romance — a  re 
headlined  by  Harold 
Bishop  of  the 
Capitol,  Winnipeg, 
Manitoba.  Artist 
Zig  Rubin  worked 
all  the  illustrative 
elements  into  the 
ad,  too.   Note  that 
the  short  subjects 
are  also  mentioned 
in  the  lower  right 
corner. 


June    12,    I  943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


PERSONALS  ON  SHOWMEN 


Another  Army  Theatre  Manager 
Joins  Managers'  Round  Table 

Another  Army  theatre  manager  has  joined 
the  Round  Table.  Dale  E.  Medhurst,  who 
had  some  theatre  experience  before  his  in- 
duction into  the  service  almost  two  years 
ago,  has  been  managing  the  War  Depart- 
ment theatres  at  Drew  Field,  Tampa,  Fla., 
since  their  opening  last  July.  Dale's  career 
in  the  show  business  began  as  an  usher  in 
the  Cabrillo  theatre  in  San  Diego  in  the 
Spring  of  1938.  The  theatre  is  one  of  those 
operated  by  Lou  Metzger  and  his  associates. 
After  a  few  weeks  as  usher,  Dale  was  pro- 
moted to  doorman.  He  was  gradually  given 
the  responsibility  of  assistant  manager  and 
when  the  theatre  started  on  an  all  night 
policy,  he  was  made  night  manager.  After 
a  year  he  was  transferred  to  the  Spreckels, 
first  run  house  in  San  Diego,  as  assistant 
manager,  where  he  remained  until  he  went 
into  the  Army.  During  the  time  he  was  at 
the  Cabrillo,  he  assisted  Manager  Herb 
Goldberg  at  the  Broadway  twice  a  week 
conducting  Keno,  which  at  that  time  was  at 
the  height  of  its  popularity. 


HAPPY  BIRTHDAY 


June  14th 

Russell  A.  Bovim 

Edmond  E.  Gentes 

L.  Vaughan 

James  B.  Daugherty 

H.  P.  Thompson 

Gene  Basle 

James  E.  McAllister 

15th 

Cecil  B.  Rosson 
Mac  Krim 
Samuel  J.  London 
Thomas  N.  Pyke 
Albert  Livermore 
Jimmie  Fisher 
William  Messer 
H.  W.  Reisinger 

16th 

Paul  M.  Ketchum 
Phillip  Lerner 
Bob  Watson 
Howard  Simerson 
Paul  A.  Fiset 
Merrill  I.  Cowan 
Clyde  Young 
Ernest  F.  Ingram 


June  17th 

George  A.  Damon,  Jr. 
J.  Stoner  Hadden 
Charles  H.  McKinney 
J.  Dillard  Hill 
Ken  Henry 
Allan  Kahn 
George  Littman 
George  West 

18th 

Robert  D.  McGraw 
Louis  Stone 
George  Feder 
Charles  Shannon 
James  L.  Baffes 

19th 

Harold  Gabrilove 
Daniel  C.  Clinton 
Wallace  T.  Witt 
Reynolds  Roberts 

20th 

Irving  Dreeben 
Harold  J.  Murphy 
Philip  Seidman 
W.  D.Galligan 


Frank  Reiger  Climbs  from  Usher 
To  Manager  with  Warners 

Frank  C.  Reiger,  who  is  now  manager  of 
the  Frolic  in  Chicago  for  the  Warner  Cir- 
cuit has  worked  his  way  right  up  the  ladder 
with  that  group  of  theatres  of  which  James 
Coston  is  zone  manager.  Frank  is  a  native 
of  Chicago,  September  1,  1913,  being  the 
date  of  his  birth.  In  1930  he  was  an  usher 
at  the  old  National  theatre  in  Chicago  and 
he  stuck  at  that  for  two  and  a  half  years. 
He  went  with  B.  &  K.  for  nine  months  and 


then  started  to  work  for  Warner  Bros,  at 
the  Stratford  theatre  as  an  usher.  In  a  year 
he  was  promoted  to  assistant  manager  at 
the  Cosmo.  Later  he  was  transferred  to  the 
assistant  managership  of  the  Grove  and  then 
back  to  the  Stratford  as  assistant  manager. 
Later  he  was  again  promoted,  this  time  to 
manager,  and  sent  to  the  Paramount,  Ham- 
mond, Ind.  Now  he  is  back  in  Chicago  as 
manager  of  the  Frolic.  He  is  married  and 
the  father  of  a  baby  girl. 


Michael  O'Shea,  recently  appeared  in  Indianapolis  in  connection  with  the  engagement 
of  "Lady  of  Burlesque"  in  which  he  appears.  Left  to  right  in  this  picture  are  John 
Johnston,  representing  Hunt  Stromherg,  producer  of  the  picture;  Bill  Elder,  manager 
of  Loew's  theatre;  Mr.  O'Shea;  Wally  Heim,  United  Artists  exploiteer;  Walter 
Nehrling  of  the  "Man  Off  the  Street"  program  WYRE,  Indianapolis. 


Ronald  Sutton,  New  Zealander, 
Has  Long  Career  with  Circuit 

A  long  career  with  one  circuit  is  in  back 
of  Ronald  J.  R.  Sutton,  who  now  manages 
both  the  Grand  theatre  and  the  Theatre 

Royal  in  Christ- 
church,  New  Zea- 
land, and  also  has  a 
post  in  the  head  of- 
fice of  Christchurch 
Cinemas.  Mr.  Sut- 
ton was  born  in 
Christchurch,  Nov. 
18,  1907.  He  started 
in  the  show  business 
in  Timaru,  a  provin- 
cial town  on  New 
Zealand's  South 
Island,  about  100 
miles  south  of 
Christchurch.  He  was  assistant  projection- 
ist at  the  Grand  theatre,  now  known  as  the 
Regent.  About  1920,  he  came  to  Christ- 
church where  he  joined  Christchurch  Cin- 
emas, Ltd.,  as  projectionist  at  Everybody's, 
now  called  the  Tivoli.  Later  he  was  pro- 
moted to  a  post  in  the  head  office.  In  1925, 
he  was  appointed  manager  of  the  Rangiora 
theatre  and  then  in  1932,  he  was  transferred 
to  the  Grand.  Later  he  re-opened  the  long 
closed  St.  James  theatre  and  for  the  last 
two  years,  has  been  in  his  present  combina- 
tion of  posts.  The  Theatre  Royal  is  the 
company's  transfer  house,  or  moveover,  as 
it  is  called  in  the  U.  S.  Ron  reports  that 
"Mrs.  Miniver"  has  just  been  transferred 
there  after  a  record  breaking  six  weeks  run 
at  the  Regent. 


Lillian  Crawford,  Though  a 
Novice,  Says  She  Is  Learning  Fast 

One  of  the  many  women  who  have  entered 
the  managerial  field  in  theatres  recently  is 
Lillian  Crawford,  who  is  assistant  manager 
of  the  Broad  theatre,  Newark,  N.  J.,  for  the 
Raybond  Circuit.  She  was  born  in  Lon- 
don, England,  and  confesses  that  as  far  as 
show  business  is  concerned  she  is  a  young 
novice.  "Before  accepting  my  present  posi- 
tion," she  says,  "I  had  no  idea  that  an  indi- 
vidual could  be  kept  as  busy  as  I  have  been 
during  the  past  three  months,  trying  to  keep 
a  thousand  and  one  things  at  my  finger- 
tips. I  was  plenty  green  when  I  first  began 
and  if  my  present  superior,  Henry  F.  Lake, 
manager  of  the  Broad  theatre,  continues  in 
showing  me  the  way  up  the  ladder,  I'll  be 
right  up  there  plugging  away." 


DICK  WALSH,  formerly  advertising 
manager  of  Lafayette  theatre,  in  Buffalo  for 
the  past  13  years  is  now  managing  the 
Strand  and  Cataract  theatres,  in  Niagara 
Falls,  N.  Y. 

ABE  SONOSKY  has  resigned  as  manager 
of  the  Lyric  theatre,  in  Minneapolis,  and 
will  assume  the  post  of  general  manager 
of  the  Valley  Amusement  Co.,  in  Cincinnati 

ALBERT  JOHNSON  formerly  at  the  Har- 
ris Warren,  in  Warren,  Ohio,  is  now  man- 
aging the  Palace  theatre,  in  Houston,  Tex. 


68 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISING 

Ten  cents  per  word,  money-order  or  check  with  copy.  Count  initials,  box  number  and  ad- 
dress. Minimum  insertion,  $1.  Four  insertions,  for  the  price  of  three.  Contract  rates  on 
application.  No  borders  or  cuts.  Forms  close  Mondays  at  5  P.  M.  Publisher  reserves 
the  right  to  reject  any  copy.  Film  and  trailer  advertising  not  accepted.  Classi- 
fied advertising  not  subject  to  agency  commission.  Address  copy  and  checks: 
MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD,  Classified  Dept.,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York 


NEW  EQUIPMENT 


THEY'RE  FLOCKING  IN  —  FROM  MAINE  TO 
California — because  we  still  have  plenty  of  good  stuff 
yet— Brandt  coin  changers,  $89.50;  RCA  3'  x  5'  multi- 
cellular high  frequency  horns,  complete,  $225;  rectifier 
bulbs,  fifteen  ampere,  $7.95;  six  ampere,  $3.95;  DuPont 
Fabrikoid,  50"  wide,  $1.35  yard;  safety  steel  film 
cabinets,  $2.93  section;  Forest  60  ampere  suprex  recti- 
fier, $211.75;  latest  Superior  Atlas  projector  mechan- 
isms, $595;  Simplex  18  magazines,  pair  $49.50;  sound 
screens,  Beaded  39^c;  Chrome  (suprex)  2V/ic;  Flex- 
tone  washable,  3054c;  small  theatre  vacuum  cleaners. 
$89.50.  Get  our  jubilee  Bargain  Bulletin.  S.  O.  S. 
CINEMA  SUPPLY  CORP.,  New  York. 


USED  EQUIPMENT 


SLIGHTLY  USED  ALL  STEEL  BLOWER,  13,500 
cfm  with  2  hp  motor,  $230;  quiet  exhaust  fans,  from 
$21.25;  16"  oscillating  fans,  $22.50;  exhaust  blower, 
530  cfm,  $24.50;  RCA  portable  sound  projectors,  $79.50; 
Peerless  low  intensity  arcs,  $62.50.  Big  Jubilee  Sale 
Bulletin  now  ready.  S.  O.  S.  CINEMA  SUPPLY 
CORP.,  New  York. 


POSITIONS  WANTED 


THEATRE  MANAGER— 14  YEARS'  STAGESHOW 
and  picture  experience.  Draft  exempt.  BOX  1640,  MO- 
TION PICTURE  HERALD. 


CIRCUIT  BOOKING  MANAGER  AND  BUYER, 
with  eight  years'  experience.  Over  draft  age.  Can  sup- 
ply best  of  references.  Have  had  number  years  in  dis- 
tribution as  manager,  officer  manager,  and  booker. 
Available  July  15th.  BOX  1641,  MOTION  PICTURE 
HERALD. 


EXPERIENCED  PROJECTIONIST.  CLASSIFIED 
4F.  Go  anywhere.  State  salary.  CHARLES  ROLL, 
102  Bank  St.,  Morrisville,  Pa. 


EXPERIENCED  MANAGER.  GO  ANYWHERE 
in  Ohio  or  Michigan.  BOX  1642,  MOTION  PICTURE 
HERALD. 


FORMER  THEATRE  OWNER  WANTS  POSITION 
theatre  manager.    JOHN  FLAHERTY,  Danville,  111. 


HELP  WANTED 


WANTED  ASSISTANT  MANAGER.  MUST  BE 
experienced,  sober,  absolutely  reliable.  Al  references, 
draft  exempt,  include  snapshot.  COLUMBIA  AMUSE- 
MENT COMPANY,  Paducah,  Ky. 


BUSINESS  BOOSTERS 


BINGO  CARDS,  DIE  CUT,  1  TO  100  OR  1  TO  75, 
$2.00  per  thousand.  $17.50  for  10,000.  S.  Klous,  care 
of  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


Reserves  Decision  in 
Copyright  Dispute 

Judge  John  Bright  last  week  in  New  York 
Federal  Court  reserved  decision  in  the  copy- 
right infringement  action  brought  by  the  Hill 
Foundation,  Inc.,  against  the  Postal  Telegraph- 
Cable  Company,  the  former  company  claiming 
that  Postal's  singing  birthday  greetings  were 
taken  from  a  song,  "Good  Morning  to  You," 
copyrighted  by  the  agent  of  Patty  and  Mildred 
Hill,  composers. 

The  telegraph  company  asks  dismissal  of 
the  action,  asserting  that  use  of  the  song  does 
not  constitute  public  performance,  and  that 
the  copyright  owner  of  the  song  used  by  Postal 
Telegraph,  "Happy  Birthday,"  is  the  Clayton 
F.  Summy  Company. 


WANTED  TO  BUY 


WILL  TAKE  ANY  MAKE  16MM  OR  35MM  SOUND 
projector,  rectifiers,  generators,  sound  equipment. 
BOX  1634,  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


PIPE  ORGAN— STATE  PRICE  AND  ALL  INFOR- 
mation.  B.  VAN  HOUTEN,  280  W.  Leonard  St., 
Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 


WANTED— 20,000  OR  25,000  FT.  BLOWER,  WITH 
or  without  motor.  CAPITOL  THEATRE,  Rock  Hill, 
S.  C. 


WANTED  TO  BUY  A  #105  AIR  WASHER  COM- 
plete  with  motor,  motor  starting  switch  and  pump. 
MAXTON  THEATRE,  Maxton,  N.  C. 


BOOKS 


THE  1943-44  INTERNATIONAL  MOTION  PIC- 
TURE ALMANAC  is  now  in  preparation.  Will  contain 
more  than  12,000  biographies  of  players,  directors, 
writers,  technicians  and  executives.  The  biographical 
section  is  an  exclusive  feature.  In  addition  it  will  in- 
clude more  than  1,250  pages  crammed  with  motion 
picture  facts  and  figures  covering  every  phase  of  the 
business.  Supply  will  be  limited.  Be  sure  to  get  your 
copy.  Order  it  today  1  Price  $3.25  prepaid  in  U.  S.  A. 
$5  elsewhere.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller 
Center,  New  York. 


COMPLETELY  REVISED  7TH  EDITION  OF 
Richardson's  Bluebook  of  Projection  with  treatise  on 
Television  and  complete  Sound  Trouble-Shooting 
Charts,  as  well  as  a  host  of  additional  up-to-the-minute 
text  on  sound  and  projection  equipment.  Order  Now  I 
$7.25  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP.  Rockefeller 
Center,  New  York  City. 


SOUND  TROUBLE  SHOOTING  CHARTS.  A 
handy  tool  in  the  booth.  Gives  the  answers  to  all 
questions  regarding  trouble  shooting  on  every  type  of 
sound  equipment.  $1.00  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOK- 
SHOP, Rockefeller  Center,  New  York. 


MOTION  PICTURE  SOUND  ENGINEERING— 
547  pages;  illustrated;  covers  every  practical  method 
and  process  in  present-day  sound  engineering.  Leading 
engineers  explain  every  detail  of  apparatus  and  its  ar- 
rangement, with  diagrams,  tables,  charts  and  graphs. 
This  manual  comes  straight  from  the  workshops  of  the 
studios  in  Hollywood.  It  is  indispensable  to  everyone 
working  with  sound  equipment.  Price  $6.50  postpaid. 
QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York. 


TRAINING  SCHOOLS 


THEATRE  EMPLOYEES:  TRAIN  FOR  BETTER 
positions.  Learn  modern  theatre  management  and  ad- 
vertising. Big  opportunities  for  trained  men.  Estab- 
lished since  1927.  Write  now  for  free  catalog.  THE- 
ATRE MANAGERS  SCHOOL,  Elmira,  N.  Y. 


To  Fly  Victory  Flag 

Warner  Brothers  has  been  authorized  by 
the  U.  S.  Maritime  Commission  and  the  War 
Shipping  Administration  to  fly  the  Victory 
Flag  over  all  its  exchanges.  The  flag  was  con- 
ferred upon  the  film  company  because  of  its 
picture,  "Action  in  the  North  Atlantic."  Ex- 
hibitors also  will  receive  flags  to  display  when 
their  theatres  play  the  film. 


Officials  See  "North  Atlantic" 

A  private  showing  of  the  Warner  film, 
"Action  in  the  North  Atlantic,"  was  held  in 
Washington  on  Tuesday  under  the  sponsorship 
of  the  U.  S.  Maritime  Commission  and  the 
War  Shipping  Administration. 


June    12,    I  943 


Ken  Goldsmith 
Dies  at  43 

Ken  Goldsmith,  Universal  producer,  died 
Monday  night,  June  7th,  in  Hollywood.  He 
was  43.  His  next  production  for  Universal  was 
to  have  been  "Man  of  the  Family,"  scheduled 
to  begin  on  June  14th. 

Until  1937,  Mr.  Goldsmith  directed  films  for 
Republic  and  Monogram,  later  joining  Univer- 
sal. He  was  elevated  to  associate  producer 
status  with  that  company  in  1938  with  the 
film,  "Little  Tough  Guy."  During  the  next 
five  years,  he  handled  more  than  30  film  as- 
signments for  Universal. 

He  was  born  in  Brooklyn  in  1899,  and  at- 
tended New  York  University.  He  leaves  his 
widow,  the  former  Jean  Takff,  three  daughters, 
Helen,  Ruth  and  Gloria  Ann,  and  a  son,  Ken- 
neth. He  was  vice-president  of  the  Independent 
Motion  Picture  Producers  Association. 


Dr.  Donald  Clive  Stuart 

Dr.  Donald  Clive  Stuart,  62,  author  and 
playwright  whose  works  were  mainly  on  the 
theatre,  died  in  his  home  at  Princeton,  N.  J., 
on  June  2nd.  He  was  professor  emeritus  of 
dramatic  art  at  Princeton  University.  He  leaves 
a  son,  daughter  and  brother. 


Lena  Le  Boss 

Mrs.  Lena  Le  Boss,  mother  of  Mrs.  Max  A. 
Cohen  and  Murray  Le  Boss,  supervisor  of 
Cinema  Circuit's  Manhattan  theatres,  died  in 
New  York  on  June  7th.  Funeral  services  were 
held  Thursday  at  the  Riverside  Memorial 
Chapel. 


Alvin  Leonard 

Alvin  Leonard,  formerly  assistant  manager 
at  Loew's  Rochester,  was  killed  in  a  plane 
crash  in  a  South  American  jungle,  according 
to  a  report  received  in  that  city. 


Harry  Armstrong 

Harry  Armstrong,  72,  secretary  and  treas- 
urer of  the  American  Federation  of  Musicians, 
local  103,  of  Columbus,  O.,  died  in  that  city 
on  June  3rd.    He  had  been  ill  for  about  one 

week. 


Harold  Johnston 

Harold  Johnston,  58,  projectionist  at  War- 
ners Jeffrey  theatre,  Chicago,  died  there  on 
May  28th._  Funeral  services  were  held  June 
2nd.  Burial  was  in  Cincinnati  the  following 
day.  He  was  formerly  secretary-treasurer  of 
the  Chicago  operator's  union. 


Mrs.  Agnes  Hummel 

Funeral  Services  for  Mrs.  Agnes  Morrow 
Hummel,  mother  of  Joseph  S.,  Hummel,  War- 
ner's foreign  sales  manager,  and  of  Harry  Hum- 
mel of -Warner's  New  York  exchange,  will  be 
held  Thursday.  Mrs.  Hummel  died  Sunday  at 
her  home  in  Astoria,  L.  I. 


James  J.  Wright 

James  J.  Wright,  61,  associated  with  the 
Cozy  theatre  in  Bellevue,  Iowa,  since  1919, 
died  May  21st  in  that  city  following  a  heart 

attack. 


Vote  $1  Theatre  Dividend 

Directors  of  the  Orpheum  Theatre  Company 
at  a  meeting  in  Portland  recently  declared  a 
dividend  of  $1  per  share  on  the  capital  stock, 
payable  June  1st  to  stockholders  of  record  on 
May  25th. 


Film  Title  Brings  Song 

A  song  titled  "Mission  to  Moscow,"  written 
by  Mel  Powell  and  recorded  by  Benny  Good- 
man's orchestra,  will  be  released  next  month 
by  Columbia  Records. 


June    12,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


In  This  Week: 


SHOWMEN'S  REVIEWS 


ADVANCE  SYNOPSES 


SHORT  SUBJECTS  CHART 


THE  RELEASE  CHART 


Background  to  Danger 

(Warner  Bros.) 

Spies  in  Turkey 

Warner  Bros,  have  pinned  their  hopes  on 
Turkey  this  time  and  set  this  espionage  drama 
in  Ankara,  Istanbul  and  the  dark,  winding 
roads  between.  They  have  cast  George  Raft  as 
an  American  agent,  in  company  with  such 
veteran  intriguers  as  Peter  Lorre  and  Sydney 
Greenstreet.  The  stakes  are  high — as  high,  in 
fact,  as  the  value  of  Turkish  neutrality — and 
the  result  is  violent  melodrama  with  a  good 
share  of  excitement  that  even  careful  produc- 
tion, in  the  hands  of  Jerry  Wald,  fails  to  make 
plausible. 

Raft  is  apparently  a  commercial  traveller 
when  he  meets  Osa  Massen  on  the  train  bound 
for  Istanbul  and  agrees  to  carry  her  securities 
over  the  border.  He  is,  however,  an  under- 
cover representative  of  the  United  States,  while 
the  girl  is  a  foreign  agent  and  the  papers  are 
the  focus  of  a  Nazi  plot  to  arouse  Turkey 
against  the  Russians.  Three  Russian  counter- 
espionage agents,  Peter  Lorre,  Brenda  Mar- 
shall and  Daniel  Ocko,  are  trying  desperately 
to  destroy  them  before  the  Germans,  directed 
by  Sydney  Greenstreet,  can  publish  them. 

The  opening  newsreel  clips,  showing  Turkey 
at  peace  in  spite  of  pressure  from  both  sides, 
give  way  to  action  which  ranges  from  dungeon 
torture  to  a  wild  motor  chase  over  mountainous 
roads,  and  includes  three  deaths  by  violence 
before  the  Allied  cause  is  triumphant.  The 
exact  course  of  the  action  is  sometimes  a  bit 
confused,  a  difficulty  which  seems  to  arise  from 
the  editing  rather  than  Raoul  Walsh's  well- 
paced  direction. 

While  the  abundance  of  plot  leaves  little  room 
for  character  development  or  more  than  routine 
performances  by  the  principals,  action  fans 
should  be  well  satisfied,  and  audiences  will  find 
interest  and  suspense  generally  sustained. 

W.  R.  Burnett's  screenplay,  adapted  from  the 
novel  by  Eric  Ambler,  aims  at  keeping  the  in- 
ternational implications  alive  in  the  dialogue, 
but  the  whole  stands  as  spy  melodrama. 

Previewed  in  the  home  office  projection 
room.  Reviewer's  Rating  :  Fair. — E.  A.  Cun- 
ningham. 

Release  date,  July  3,  1943.  Running  time,  80  min. 
L"CA  No.  8833.    General  audience  classification 

Joe    Barton   George  Raft 

Tamara  Brenda  Marshall 

Co  .  Robinson   Sydney  Greenstreet 

Zaleshoff    ...     Peter  Lorre 

Osa  Massen,  Kurt  Katch,  Daniel  Ocko,  Frank  Publia 
Turhan  Bey,   Pedro  de  Cordoba,   Willard  Robertson. 


Crime  Doctor 

(  Columbia  ) 

Start  of  a  New  Series 

This,  the  Crime  Doctor's  first  appearance  on 
the  screen,  gives  his  reason  for  being  and  a 
plausible  one  it  is,   with  elements  of  drama 


Reviews 


This  department  deals  with 
new  product  from  the  point  of 
view  of  the  exhibitor  who  is 
to  purvey  it  to  his  own  public. 


uniquely  worked  out.  However,  the  general 
execution  is  weak  and  the  reception  of  the  film 
will  depend  upon  the  popularity  of  the  radio 
series  on  which  it  is  based. 

Warner  Baxter,  as  the  Crime  Doctor,  is 
shown  evolving  from  a  gangster  slugged  and 
abandoned  in  a  ditch,  and  bereft  of  memory,  to 
a  respected  physician  who  becomes  head  of  the 
state  parole  board.  At  intervals,  he  has  been 
accosted  by  gangster  John  Litel,  of  whose  iden- 
tity and  wickedness  he  is  unaware.  Litel  be- 
lieves that  the  gangster  "killed"  ten  years  be- 
fore had  been  slain  because  he  stole  $200,000 
from  his  accomplices  in  a  payroll  robbery.  He 
thinks  Baxter  is  merely  shamming  amnesia  and 
has  the  cash.  Baxter,  confronted  in  a  parole 
hearing  by  his  former  sweetheart,  trails  Litel 
and  makes  him  reenact  the  10-year-old  pay- 
roll robbery.  He  regains  his  memory  and  cap- 
tures Litel  and  his  accomplices  in  a  fight.  He 
then  faces  trial  as  the  original  gangster,  chief 
of  the  "mob" ;  and  the  judge  gives  him  a  sen- 
tence of  ten  years,  suspended. 

Baxter's  portrayal  often  lacks  conviction  and 
vitality.  Miss  Lindsay  and  others  in  the  cast 
work  under  the  handicap  of  stilted  dialogue  and 
direction  which  presents  some  scenes  as  posed 
tableaux. 

Michael  Gordon  directed  this  under  producer 
Ralph  Cohn,  from  a  screenplay  by  Graham  Bak- 
er and  Louis  Lantz,  adapted  by  Jerome  Odium. 

Seen  in  a  Nczv  York  projection  room.  Re- 
viewer's Rating  :  Fair. — Floyd  Elbert  Stone. 

Release  date,  June  22,  1943.  Running  time,  66  mins. 
PCA  No.  9386.    General  audience  classification. 

Robert  Ordway  Warner  Baxter 

Grace  Fielding   Margaret  Lindsay 

Three  Fingers  John  Litel 

Dr.  Carev  Rav  Collins 

Harold  Huber,  Don  Costello,  Leon  Ames,  Constance 
Worth.  Dorothy  Tree,  Vi  Athens. 

Hitler's  Hangman 

(  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  ) 
The  Story  of  Lidice 

This  is  the  telling  of  the  story  of  Germany's 
razing  of  the  village  of  Lidice  in  reprisal  for 
the  assassination  of  Heydrich. 

It  is  neither  so  fine  a  telling  of  that  story  as 
Edna  St.  Vincent  Millay's  "The  Murder  of  Li- 
dice" nor  so  powerful  as  the  press  dispatches 
covering  the  outrage. 

It  is  a  telling  achieved  first  by  producer  Sey- 


mour Nebenzal,  as  an  independent  venture  un- 
dertaken with  limited  budget,  and  secondly  by 
the  craftsmen  of  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  who 
exercised  their  talents  upon  the  property  after 
that  studio  acquired  it  by  purchase. 

For  any  or  all  of  a  number  of  possible  rea- 
sons, it  is  a  mixed  and  self-conscious  picture, 
penalized  by  a  continuous  shifting  from  under- 
statement to  over-emphasis,  with  weakness  in 
key  performances  and  banality  of  important  di- 
alogue discounting  subject  matter  still  too  fresh 
and  vital  in  memory  to  be  treated  successfully 
with  less  than  masterful  skill. 

It  does  depict  the  razing  of  Lidice  and  the 
execution  of  the  male  inhabitants  with  realism, 
and  this  final  portion  of  the  film  possesses  the 
power  of  the  documentary  to  stir  emotions. 
It  achieves  no  such  realism  at  any  other  point. 

It  does  utilize  the  Millay  poem,  too,  at  start 
and  close  of  the  picture,  but  it  does  not  justify 
the  usage. 

It  strives  hard  for  the  sombre,  tragic  and 
direful,  but  the  striving  is  always  in  evidence 
and  the  characters  are  always  players. 

Showmen  have  the  names  of  John  Carradine, 
Patricia  Morison,  Alan  Curtis,  Howard  Free- 
man, Ralph  Morgan,  Edgar  Kennedy,  Ludwig 
Stoessel,  Al  Shean,  Elizabeth  Russel  and  Jim- 
my Conlon  with  which  to  bill  the  picture. 

Direction  is  by  Douglas  Sirk  and  the  credits 
read :  Original  story  by  Emil  Ludwig  and  Al- 
brecht  Joseph ;  screenplay  by  Perte  Hirshbein, 
Melvin  Levy  and  Doris  Malloy ;  suggested  by 
"Hangman's  Village,"  by  Bert  Lytton.  Rudolph 
Joseph  is  down  as  associate  producer. 

Previewed  at  studio.  Reviewer's  Rating : 
Mediocre. — William  R.  Weaver. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  85  min.  PCA 
No.   9121.     General  audience  classification. 

Heydrich   John  Carradine 

The  Girl   Patricia  Morison 

The   Boy   Alan  Curtis 

Howard  Freeman,  Ralph  Morgan,  Edgar  Kennedy, 
Ludwig  Stossel,  Al  Shean,  Elizabeth  Russel,  Jimmy 
Conlon. 


That  Nazty  Nuisance 

(UA-Roach) 
Streamline  Comedy 

When  facsimiles  of  Hitler,  Mussolini  and 
Togo  are  put  on  the  receiving  end  of  rough 
house  comedy  in  this  Hal  Roach  streamliner, 
fantasy  and  slapstick  get  badly  tangled.  Laughs 
often  fall  short.  The  Axis  leaders  have  proved 
no  laughing  matter.  Perhaps,  too,  the  slap- 
stick is  not  rough  enough. 

The  three  butts,  skillfully  mimicked  by 
Bobby  Watson,  Joe  Devlin  and  Johnny  Ar- 
thur, arrive  by  submarine  on  a  mysterious 
tropic  island.  Hitler  wants  to  sign  a  secret 
treaty,  and  his  stooges  tag  along.  Some  Yan- 
kee sailors  reach  the  island  at  the  same  time, 
discover  the  sultan's  visitors,  and  the  fun  be- 
gins. One  swaps  places  with  the  court  magician 
and  while  his  pals  capture  the  submarine  he 
spirits  the  Axis  leaders  aboard.     The  picture 


Product  Digest  Section  1361 


MOTION    PICTURE   HERALD  June    12,  1943 

ADVANCE  SYNOPSES 

and  information 


ends  when  Hitler  and  pals  are  shot  through  the 
torpedo  tubes  head  first  into  a  sandbank. 

Pillow  fights,  peppery  soup,  splattered  ink, 
pratt  falls  and  most  of  the  routine  comedy  gags 
are  inflicted  on  the  Axis  leaders.  They  have 
several  rough  house  fights  among  themselves. 
But  the  sum  total  is  less  funny  than  it  might  be. 

Glenn  Tryon  produced  and  directed  the  pic- 
ture with  an  attention  to  detail  that  partly 
offsets  story  and  dialogue  lapses.  Earle  Snell 
and  Clarence  Marks  are  credited  with  the 
script. 

Seen  al  the  Laff movie,  New  York,  zohere  a 
small  matinee  audience  did  not  appear  to  find 
it  hilarious.  Reviewer's  Rating  :  Poor. — John 
Stuart,  Jr. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  43  min.  PCA 
No.  8864.    General  audience  classification. 

Hitler   Bobby  Watson 

Mussolini   Joe  Devlin 

Suki  Yaki  Johnny  Arthur 

Jean  Porter,  Ian  Keith,  Henry  Victor,  Emory  Par- 
nell,  Frank  Faylen,  Ed  (Strangler)  Lewis. 

Billy  the  Kid  in  Western 
Cyclone 

(Producers  Releasing  Corp.) 
Fast  Western 

■  Billy  the  Kid,  in  the  person  of  Buster  Crabbe, 
rides  again  in  this  speedy  story  of  the  wide 
open  western  spaces.  He  is  falsely  accused  of 
murder  by  a  low  varmint  who  heads  a  band  Of 
wicked  men  in  old  New  Mexico,  where  men 
are  men  and  not  all  snakes  travel  on  their 
stomachs. 

There  is  much  plotting  afoot  as  the  Governor 
of  the  state  and  the  local  sheriff  find  themselves 
facing  political  ruin  because  they  have  soft 
spots  for  the  hero.  The  story  hinges  on  a 
pistol  with  a  defective  hammer,  and  the  villain 
who  really  did  the  murder  doesn't  get  his  cOme 
uppance  until  the  end  of  the  piece. 

Crabbe  is  the  bold  hero,  but  Al  St.  John  is 
far  and  away  the  pivot  of  interest  around  which 
the  action  revolves.  His  comedy  is  refreshing, 
and  the  laughs  that  follow  his  antics  are  of 
the  midriff  variety. 

The  entire  picture  is  photographed  against 
engaging  backgrounds,  and  the  piece  runs  with 
celerity.  The  supporting  cast  is  adequate  and 
direction  by  Sam  Newfeld  competent.  Sigmund 
Neufeld  was  the  producer  and  Patricia  Harper 
wrote  the  screenplay. 

Seen  at  the  New  York  theatre  with  an 
appreciative  audience.  Reviezver's  Rating : 
Good.— A.  J. 

Release  date,  May  14,  1943.  Running  time,  59  min. 
PCA  No.  8914.    General  audience  classification. 

Billie  the  Kid  Buster  Crabbe 

Fuzzy   Al  St.  John 

Marjorie  Manners,  Karl  Hackett,  Milton  Kibbee, 
Glen  Strange,  Charles  King,  Hal  Price. 

SHORT  SUBJECT 

INVASION  (20th-Fox) 

March  of  Time  (V9-11) 

Under  the  up-to-the-second  title  of  "Inva- 
sion," March  of  Time  surveys  the  huge  task 
of  the  Army  Supply  Forces  in  preparing  the 
next  moves  on  the  world  battlefront.  The  film 
brings  a  realization  of  the  foresight  and  meticu- 
lous detail  necessary  in  carrying  out  the  plans 
of  strategists,  in  timing  moves  to  the  minute, 
weeks  and  months  ahead,  and  in  supplying 
continuous  operations.  Troops  and  weapons  are 
a  major  consideration  but  with  them  must  go 
food,  currency,  maps  and  information  on  civil 
problems  in  the  invasion  countries. 

The  subject  is  introduced  by  a  round  table 
discussion  with  Westbrook  Van  Voorhis,  the 
familiar  MOT  voice,  as  moderator,  and  Han- 
son W.  Baldwin,  De  Witt  Mackenzie  and  Paul 
Schubert,  military  analysts,  giving  their  views 
on  the  time  and  place  of  the  big  push.  The 
timeliness  of  the  subject  should  attract  an 
interested  audience. 

Release  date,  June  18,  1943         18  minutes, 


FIRST  COMES  COURAGE 
(Columbia) 

Commando  Story 

PRODUCER:  Harry  Joe  Brown.  Directed  by 
Dorothy  Anner. 

PLAYERS:  Merle  Oberon,  Brian  Aherne,  Lewis  Wil- 
son, Fritz  Leiber. 

SYNOPSIS 

The  scene  is  a  Norwegian  port  and  the  hero- 
ine is  a  Norwegian  girl  who  pretends  to  be  a 
Quisling,  attaching  herself  to  the  commandant 
on  a  romantic  basis  as  a  means  of  obtaining  in- 
formation useful  to  the  underground  movement. 
She  endures  the  scorn  of  her  fellow  citizens  and 
pursues  her  objective  to  the  extent  of  marrying 
the  Nazi,  but  she  supplies  information  which 
leads  to  a  commando  raid  in  which  the  hero 
kills  him. 


THE  FALCON  IN  DANGER 
(RKO  Radio) 

Falcon  vs.   Fifth  Column 

PRODUCER:  Maurice  Geraghty.  Directed  by  Wil- 
liam Clemens. 

PLAYERS:  Tom  Conway,  Jean  Brooks,  Richard  Mar- 
tin, Elaine  Shepard,  Edward  Gargan,  Erford  Gage, 
Clarence  Kolb. 

SYNOPSIS 

An  airplane  makes  a  crash  landing  at  the  air- 
port of  a  big  city  and  attendants  rush  to  see 
what  has  happened.  There  is  not  a  living 
soul  aboard  the  plane.  The  Falcon  is  called 
upon  to  try  and  solve  the  case  of  the  pilotless 
plane  but  he  runs  up  against  one  stone  wall 
after  another  as  no  finger  points  to  anyone  or 
anything.  At  the  same  time,  a  prominent  air- 
plane manufacturer  has  disappeared.  First  the 
body  of  his  secretary,  then  others,  are  picked 
up  by  patrol  boats  and  it  is  revealed  they  have 
parachuted  from  the  plane,  which  the  secretary 
knew  was  built  of  the  inferior  materials  the 
manufacturer  had  been  using  to  sabotage  Amer- 
ican planes,  and  thus  was  doomed.  A  survivor 
is  found  who  helps  piece  the  jig-saw  together. 
He  tells  that  they  were  urged  to  jump  from  the 
doomed  ship.  There  are  three  girls  on  the  trail 
of  the  Falcon  to  give  the  picture  its  romantic 
flair. 


TARZAN'S  DESERT  MYSTERY 
(RKO  Radio) 

Series  Item 

PRODUCER:  Sol  Lesser.  Directed  by  William 
Thiele. 

PLAYERS:  Johnny  Weissmuller,  Nancy  Kelly,  John 
Sheffield,  Otto  Kruger,  Lloyd  Corrigan,  Joe  Sawyer, 
Gerald  Mohr,  Chita. 

SYNOPSIS 

In  this  number  the  redoubtable  man  of  the 
tree  tops  makes  his  way  to  the  desert  country 
and  meets  up  with  a  dancing  girl  who  fasci- 
nates him  and  a  sheik  whose  machinations  gen- 
erate dangers  for  all  the  people  on  the  right 
side  of  the  ethical  standard.  Tarzan  takes 
things  in  hand  and  straightens  them  out  as 
usual. 


BEHIND  THE  RISING  SUN 
(RKO  Radio) 

Japanese  Preparation  for  War 

PRODUCER:  Edward  Dmytrylc.  Directed  by  Edward 
Dmytryk. 

PLAYERS:  Margo,  Robert  Ryan,  Tom  Neal,  J.  Car- 
rol Naish,  Nancy  Gates,  Don  Douglas,  Gloria 
Holden,  Abner  Biberman,  George  Givot. 

SYNOPSIS 

The  novel  by  James  H.  Young,  former  INS 
correspondent  in  Tokyo  who  was  jailed  by  the 
Japs  for  his  dispatches  to  America,  opens  in 
Japan,  where  a  father  is  sending  his  son  to  the 
United  States  to  be  educated  at  Harvard.  See- 
ing the  benefits  of  the  American  way,  he  re- 
fuses to  be  drafted  into  the  military  on  his 
return  and  loses  his  Japanese  sweetheart.  But 
he  is  mustered  into  the  Army  anyway,  takes 
part  in  the  atrocities  committed  against  China 
and  becomes  imbued  with  the  Jap  militaristic 
glory  of  conquest.  Having  become  as  brutal  as 
the  rest  of  Hirohito's  legions,  the  Japanese 
character  is  pictured  embodied  in  the  boy  before 
he  is  killed  in  an  American  bombing  of  Japan. 


ROGER  TOUHY,  LAST  OF 
THE  GANGSTERS 
(20th  Century- Fox) 

Biographical  Melodrama 

PRODUCER:  Lee  Marcus.  Directed  by  Robert 
Florey. 

PLAYERS:  Preston  Foster,  Kent  Taylor,  Lois  An- 
drews, Victor  McLaglen,  Anthony  Quinn,  William 
Post,  Jr.,  Matt  Briggs. 

SYNOPSIS 

Following  the  headlines,  this  picture  reviews 
the  career  of  the  Chicago  gangster  who  recent- 
ly escaped  from  Statesville  Penitentiary,  Illi- 
nois, resumed  for  a  brief  spell  his  career  of 
gangsterism  and  was  apprehended  by  the  F.B.I, 
"for  failing  to  notify  his  draft  board  of  his 
change  of  residence."  Footage  for  it  has  been 
made  at  the  prison.  The  tale  is  biographical 
and  based  upon  sources  of  record,  documenting 
the  career  of  the  principal  character. 


THE  LONE  RIDER  IN 
WOLVES  OF  THE  PLAINS 
(Producers  Releasing  Corp.) 

Crooked  Cattle  Rustlers 

PRODUCER:  Sig  Neufeld.  Directed  by  Sam  New- 
field. 

PLAYERS:  Bob  Livingston,  Al  St.  John. 

SYNOPSIS 

The  head  of  a  cattlemen's  association  has  a 
gang  of  hired  killers  in  his  employ.  He  stages 
a  raid,  trying  to  freeze  out  the  ranchers.  But 
the  president  of  the  bank  gives  them  money. 
The  head  rustler  has  the  banker  killed  and  a 
run  results.  Enter  the  Lone  JRider,  who  throws 
in  with  the  ranchers  and  stops  the  run.  He 
loses  his  memory  from  a  blow  on  the  head, 
however,  forgetting  where  he  hid  some  money. 
Enter  Fuzzy,  his  side-kick,  who  starts  a  fight 
during  which  the  Lone  Rider  is  hit  again,  re- 
members where  the  money  is  hidden  and  recog- 
nizes the  head  of  the  gang. 


I  362  Product  Digest  Section 


June    12,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


SHORT  SUBJECTS  CHART 

index  to  reviews,  synopses 


COLUMBIA 

Prod.  Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title  Date  Page 

ALL   STAR  COMEDIES 
(Averago   17  Min.) 

4421  Phony  Cronies   8-27-42  890 

(Brendel) 

4422  Carry   Harry   9-3-42  926 

(Langdon) 

4401  Even  As  IOU  9-18-42  950 

(Stooges) 

4423  Kiss  and  Wake  Up  10-2-42  974 

(Downs) 

4409    College  Belles  10-16-42  998 

(Gloveslinger) 
1424    Sappy  Pappy   10-30-42  1010 

(Clyde) 

4402  Sock-a-bye  Baby   11-13-42  1046 

(Stooges) 

4425  Ham  and  Yeggs  11-27-42  1046 

(Brendel) 

4426  Plane  Mooner   12-11-42  1094 

(Langdon) 

4110    The  Great  Glover  12-25-42  1171 

(Gloverslinger) 

4403  They   Stooge   to   Conga  1-1-43  1094 

(Stooges) 

4127    His   Wedding   Scare  1-15-43  1138 

(Brendel) 

4428  A  Blitz  on  the  Fritz  1-22-43  1171 

(Langdon) 

4404  Dizzy   Detectives   2-5-43  1251 

(Stooges) 

4429  Wolf  in  Thief's  Clothing.  .2-12-43  1171 

(Clyde) 

4411  Socks  Appeal   2-19-43  1251 

(Gloveslinger) 

4430  Two    Saplings   3-5-43  1281 

(Givot  and  Nazzarro) 

4131    A  Maid  Made  Mad  3-19-43  1281 

(Clyde) 

4405  Spook   Louder   4-2-43  1251 

(Stooges) 

4432  Blonde  and  Groom  4-16-43  1281 

(Langdon) 

4433  I  Spied  for  You  4-30-43  1281 

(Brendel) 

4412  His  Girl's  Worst  Friend.  .5-14-43  1329 

(Gloveslinger) 

4406  Back  from  the  Front  5-28-43  1329 

(Stooges) 

4434  My  Wife's  an  Angel  6-11-43  1329 

(Allen  Jenkins) 

4435  Boobs  in  the  Night  6-25-43 

(Brendel) 

4407  Three   Little  Twirps ...... .7-9-43 

(Stooges) 

4436  Here  Comes  Mr.  Zerk  7-23-43 

(Langdon) 

COLOR  RHAPSODIES 
(7  Minutes) 

4501  Song  of  Victory  9-4-42  926 

4502  Tito's   Guitar   10-30-42  1010 

4503  Toll   Bridge  Troubles  11-27-42  1046 

4504  King   Midas  Junior  12-25-42  1148 

4505  Slay    it   with    Flowers  1-29-43  1138 

4506  There's  Something  About  a 

Soldier   2-26-43  1251 

4507  Professor  Small  and 

Mr.  Tall   3-26-43  1263 

4508  Plenty  Below  Zero  5-14-43  1329 

4509  He  Can't  Make  It  Stick.  .6-21-43 

4510  Tree  for  Two  7-16-43 

PHANTASIES  CARTOONS 
(Average  9  Min.) 

4701  The  Gullible  Canary  9-18-42  950 

4702  The  Dumb  Conscious  Mind. 10-23-42  1010 

4703  Malice  in  Slumberland  . . .  1 1 -20-42  1046 

4704  Choly  Polly   12-31-42  1171 

4705  The  Vitamin  G  Man  2-5-43  1251 

4706  Kindly  Scram   3-5-43  1227 

4707  Willoughy's  Magie  Hat  4-30-43  1263 

4708  Duty  and  the  Beast  5-28-43  1329 

4709  Mass  Mouse  Meeting  6-25-43 


For  information  on  short  subjects  turn  to  the  Product 
Digest  Section  pages  indicated  by  the  numbers  which 
follow  the  titles  and  release  dates  in  the  listing.  Product 
Digest  pages  are  numbered  consecutively  and  are  sepa- 
rate from  Motion  Picture  Herald  page  numbers.  All 
releases  are  1942-43  product  unless  otherwise  noted. 


Prod. 
No. 


Rel.  P.D. 
Date  Page 


Title 

COMMUNITY  SING  (Series  7) 
(9  Minutes) 

4651  No.  I — Rhumba  and  Conga 

Hits   8-15-42  859 

4652  No.  2— "Yankee    Doodler". 9-17-42  950 

4653  No.  3 — College   Songs  10-15-42  1010 

4654  No.  4 — Service  Songs  11-12-42  1007 

4655  No.  5— 

Songs  of  the  States  12-11-42  1094 

4656  No.  6 — MacDonald's  Son. ..1-1-43  1148 

4657  No.  7— Crosby  Songs  2-18-43  1171 

4658  No.  8 — McNamara's  Band.  .3-26-43  1251 

4659  No.  9— Rosie  the  Riveter.  .5- 14-43  1281 

4660  No.  10 — As  Time  Goes  By. 6-25-43 

QUIZ  REELS 
(Average  10  Min.) 
4601    Kitchen  Quiz  No.  1  8-21-42  899 

PANORAMICS 

(10  Minutes) 

4901  Cajuns  of  the  Teche  8-13-42  856 

(Quaint  Folks  No.  I) 

4902  Oddities  (La  Varre)  10-8-42  998 

4903  Our  Second   Front  12-18-42  1078 

4904  Merchant  Seamen   5-28-43 

TOURS 
(10  Minutes) 

4551  Journey  to  Denali  (La  Varre) 

8-5-42  877 

4552  Old  and  Modern  New 

Orleans   10-2-42  974 

SCREEN  SNAPSHOTS  (Series  22) 
(10  Minutes) 

4851  No.  I   8-7-42  859 

4852  No.  2   9-11-42  926 

4853  No.  3   10-23-42  998 

4854  No.  4   11-26-42  1046 

4855  No.  5   12-25-42  1094 

4856  No.  6   1-29-43  1138 

4857  No.  7                                 2-26-43  1281 

4858  No.  8   3-31-43  1251 

4859  No.  9   5-21-43 

4860  No.  10   6-25-43 

WORLD    OF  SPORTS 
(10  Minutes) 

4801  Trotting  Kings   9-25-42  974 

4802  Wizard  of  the  Fairway ...  1 1 -6-42  1010 

4803  Winter   Paradise   12-8-42  1094 

4804  Ladies'  Day  in  Sports  1-22-43  1171 

4805  Diving   Daredevils   2-26-43  1251 

4806  Ski  Soldiers   3-26-43  1251 

4807  Aqua  Thrills  5-28-43  1329 

4808  Jump,  Fish,  Jump  6-25-43 

KATE  SMITH 
(10  Minutes) 
4751    America  Sings  with 


Kate  Smith 


..8-21-42  899 


Prod. 
No. 


Title 


Rel.  P.D. 
Date  Page 


AMERICA  SPEAKS 


4961  Wings  for  the  Fledgling  .  12-31 -42  1094 

4962  Mr.  Smug   1-28-43  1171 

4963  Men    Working    Together. .  .7-1-43 


M-G-M 


FAMOUS  BANDS 
(10  Minutes) 

4951  Ted  Powell  (1280  Club) .  .8-27-42  899 

4952  Hal  Mclntyre   10-23-42  996 

4953  Shep  Fields   12-23-42  1094 


TWO   REEL  SPECIALS 
(Average  20  Minutes) 

1941-  42 

A-306    Plan  for   Destruction  4-29-43  1263 

1942-  43 

A-401    Keep  'Em  Sailing  11-28-42  1022 

A-402    Heavenly  Music   5-1-43  1291 

FITZPATRICK  TRAVELTALKS  (Color) 
(9  Minutes) 

T-4II  Picturesque 

Massachusetts   10-3-42  998 

T-412    Modern   Mexico  City  11-8-42  1010 

T-413    Glimpses  of  Ontario  12-5-42  1118 

T-414    Land  of  Orizaba  1-2-43  1148 

T-415    Mighty  Niagara  1-30-43  1227 

T-416  Mexican  Police  on  Parade. 2-27-43  1227 

T-417  On  the  Road  to  Monterey.3-27-43  1281 

T-418    Romantic  Nevada   4-24-43  1291 

T-419    Motoring  in  Mexico  5-22-43  1329 

T-420    Scenic  Oregon   6-26-43 

PETE  SMITH  SPECIALTIES 
(10  Minutes) 

S-461  First  Aid   ,...1-2-43  1118 

S-462  Marines  in  the  Making .  12-26-42  1118 

S-463  Hollywood  Daredevils  ...3-20-43  1263 

S-464  Wild  Horses   4-17-43  1291 

S-465  Fala   4-10-43  1275 

S-466  Sky   Science   5-23-43  1350 

S-467  Dog  House   6-12-43  1365 

PASSING  PARADE 
(10  Minutes) 

K-481    Madero  of   Mexico  11-28-42  1022 

K-482    Who's   Superstitious   5-1-43  1291 

K-483    That's  Why  I  Left  You.. 6-12-43  1365 

MINIATURES 

(10  Minutes) 

M-431  The  Last  Lesson  12-19-42  1118 

M-432  People  of  Russia  12-26-42  1118 

M-433  Brief  Interval   11-28-42  1022 

M-434  Portrait  of  a  Genius  1-23-43  1227 

M-435  Inca  Gold   4-24-43  1304 

M-436  Wood    Goes  to   War  5-8-43  1340 

M-437  Here  at  Home  5-22-43  1365 

W-438  Memories  of  Australia. .  .6-12-43 

OUR   GANG  COMEDIES 
(Average   II  Min.) 

C-491    Unexpected    Riches   11-28-42  1067 

C-492  Benjamin  Franklin,  Jr... 2-30-43  1263 

C-493    Family  Troubles   4-3-43  1263 

C-494    Calling  All  Kids  4-24-43  1291 

TECHNICOLOR  CARTOONS 

(8  Minutes) 

W-441    Barney   Bear's  Victory 

Garden   12-26-42  1118 


Prod. 

Rel. 

P.D. 

No. 

Title 

Date 

Page 

W-442 

Sufferin'  Cats  . . . 

.1-16-43 

1227 

W-443 

Bah  Wilderness 

.2-13-43 

1227 

W-444 

Dumb  Hounded  .. 

3-20-43 

1251 

W-445 

The  Boy  and  the 

Wolf 

.4-24-43 

1291 

W-446 

Red   Hot  Riding 

Hood 

. .5-8-43 

1340 

W-447 

The  Lonesome  Mouse.. 

.5-22-43 

1350 

W-448 

Who  Killed  Who. 

..6-5-43 

PARAMOUNT 

UNUSUAL   OCCUPATIONS  (Color) 
(Averago  10  Minutes) 

L2-I  No.  I   10-9-42  974 

L2-2  No.  2   12-4-42  1070 

L2-3  No.  3   2-12-43  1206 

L2-4  No.  4   4-30-43  1291 

SUPERMAN    COLOR  CARTOONS 
(Average  8  Minutes) 

W2-I    Superman  in  Destruction,  Inc. 

12-25-42  1118 
W2-2    Superman  in  tho  Mummy 

Strikes   2-19-43  1206 

W2-3    Superman  in  Jungle 

Drums   3-26-43  1281 

W2-4    Superman  in  the 

Underground  World   6-18-43  1340 

HEADLINERS 

(Average  10  Minutes) 

A2-I    Tho  McFarland  Twins  & 

Orchestra   10-2-42  998 

4.2-2    Johnny  "Scat''  Davis 

&.  Orchestra   11-6-42  1010 

A2-3    Hands  of  Women  12-11-42  1070 

A2-4  Mitchell  Ayres  &  Orch. ..  1-15-43  1138 
A2-5  Ina  Ray  Hutton  &  Orch. .3- 12-43  1251 
A2-6    Moments  of  Charm  4-16-43  1281 

(Re-issue) 

A2-7    Letter  from  Ireland  5-14-43  1094 

A2-8    Rationed  Rhythm   6-10-43 

MADCAP  MODELS  (Color) 
(Average  8  Minutes) 

U2-I    Jasper  and  the  Haunted 

House   10-23-42  1010 

U2-2    Jasper  and  the  Choo-Choo.l-l-43  1138 

U2-3    Bravo  Mr.  Strauss  2-26-43  1251 

U2-4    The  500  Hats  of 

Bartholomew  Cubbins  ...4-30-43  1291 

U2-5   Jasper's  Music  Lesson  5-21-43  I34C 

POPEYE  THE  SAILOR 

(Average  6  Minutes) 

E2-I  A  Hull  of  a  Mess  10-16-42  974 

E2-2  Scrap  the  Japs  11-20-42  1007 

E2-3  Me  Musical  Nephews  12-25-42  1070 

E2-4  Spinach  for  Britain  1-22-43  1148 

E2-5  Seein'  Red,  White 

•n  Blue   2-19-43  1206 

E2-6  Too  Weak  to  Work  3-19-43  1281 

E2-7  A  Jolly  Good  Furlough  4-23-43  1340 

E2-8  Ration  fer  the  Duration ..  .5-28-43 

E2-9  The   Hungry  Coat  6-25-43 

POPULAR  SCIENCE  (Color) 

(10  Minutes) 

J2-I  No.  I   10-2-42  974 

J2-2  No.  2   11-27-42  1010 

J2-3  No.  3   2-5-43  1138 

J2-4  No.  4   4-2-43  1281 

J2-5  No.  5   6-11-43 

SPEAKING   OF  ANIMALS 
(Average  9  Minutes) 

Y2-I    Speaking  of  Animals  and 

Their  Families   12-18-42  1070 

Y2-2    At  the  Bird  Farm  3-19-43  1281 

Y2-3   Speaking  of  Animals  in 

Current  Events   5-7-43  1340 


Product  Digest  Section    I  363 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June  12, 


94  3 


Prod. 

Rel. 

p  n 
r  ,u . 

No. 

Title 

Date 

Page 

SPORTLIGHTS 

(Average   10  Minutes) 

R2- 1 

Sports  10  

.10-9-42 

974 

R2-2 

The    Fighting  Spirit... 

11-13-42 

1  uu/ 

R2-3 

Modern  Vikings   

. 1-8-43 

1138 

R2-4 

Trading  Blows   

.2-12-43 

1206 

R2-5 

Hike  or  Bike  

3-5-43 

1251 

R2-6 

The  Beach  Command 

4-9-43 

1281 

R2-7 

Tumble  Bugs   

5-14-43 

1340 

VICTORY  SHORTS 

(Average  14  Minutes) 

T2-I 

A  Letter  from  Bataan... 

.9-15-42 

946 

T2-2 

10-22-42 

946 

T2-3 

The  Price  of  Victory 

12-3-42 

1018 

T2-4 

The  Aldrich   Family  Gets 

3-25-43 

1251 

RKO 


WALT   DISNEY   CARTOONS  (Color) 
(7  Minutes) 

1941-  42 

24.113  Sky  Trooper   11-6-42  1022 

24.114  Pluto  at  the  Zoo  11-20-42  1070 

24.115  How  to   Fish  12-4-42  1094 

24.116  Bellboy  Donald   12-18-42  1118 

24.117  Der  Fuehrer's  Face  12-18-42  1067 

24-118    Education  for  Death  1-5-43  1067 

1942-  43 

34.101  Donald's  Tire  Trouble. ..  I -29-43  1206 

34.102  Pluto  and  the  Armadillo .2- 19-43  1206 

34.103  Flying  Jalopy   3-12-43  1227 

34.104  Private  Pluto   4-2-43  1251 

34.105  Fall  Out,  Fall  In  4-23-43  1315 

SPORTSCOPE 
(Average  8  Min.) 

34.301  Show   Horse   9-11-42  974 

34.302  Touchdown  Tars                10-9-42  998 

34.303  Winter  Setting   11-6-42  1022 

34.304  Q-Men   12-4-42  1094 

34.305  Basketeers   1-1-43  1118 

34.306  Ski  Trails    1-29-43  1171 

34.307  Trout   .'  2-26-43  1227 

34.308  Aqua  Aces   3-26-43  1263 

34.309  Golf  Limited   4-23-43  1329 


EDGAR  KENNEDY 

(Average  17  Min.) 

33,401 

Two  for  the  Money 

,8-14-42 

926 

33,402 

10-30-42 

1010 

33,403 

Duck  Soup   

12-18-42 

1118 

33.404 

Hold  Your  Temper. . . . 

,  2-5-43 

1227 

33,405 

1263 

33,406 

Hot  Foot   

.5-14-43 

1340 

LEON  ERROL 
(Average  18  Min.) 

33.701  Mail  Trouble   9-4-42 

33.702  Deer,  Deer   10-23-42 

33.703  Pretty  Dolly   12-11-42 

33.704  Double  Up   1-29-43 

33.705  Gem-Jams   3-19-43 

33.706  Radio   Runaround   5-7-43 

JAMBOREES 

(Average  9  Min.) 

34.401  Jerry  Wald  &.  Orch  9-11-42 

34.402  Johnny  Long  &  Orch  10-2-42 

34.403  Ray  McKinley  &  Orch. .  10-30-42 

34.404  Dick  Stabile  &  Orch. ..II -27-42 

34.405  Enric  Madriguera  & 

Orch  12-25-42 

It's  Tommy  Tucker  Time. 4-16-43 

VICTORY  SPECIALS 


34.406 


926 
1010 
1094 
1206 
1263 
1340 


950 
998 
1022 
1070 

1094 
1304 


34.201  Conquer  by  the  Clock. ..  10-27-42  1114 

34.202  City  of  Courage  2-11-43  1206 

FAMOUS  JURY  TRIALS 
(Average  16  Min.) 

33.201  The  State  vs.  Glen 

Willet   9-18-42  974 

33.202  The  State  vs.  Thomas 

Crosby   11-13-42  1070 


Prod. 
No. 


33,101 

33,102 
33,103 
33,104 
33,105 
33,106 
33,107 
33,108 


Rel.  P.D. 

Title                     Date  Page 

THIS  IS  AMERICA 

(Average  19  Min.) 

Private  Smith  of  the 

U.  S.  A  10-2-42  971 

Women  at  Arms  10-30-42  1031 

Army  Chaplain   12-18-42  1102 

Boomtown,   D.  C  2-12-43  1159 

Air  Crew   3-12-43  1215 

Medicine  on  Guard  4-9-43  1263 

Merchant  Seamen   5-7-43  1315 

Lieutenant  Smith   6-4-43  1365 


Prod. 
No. 


Title 


Rel. 
Date 


P.D. 
Page 


20TH  CENTURY-FOX 

ADVENTURES  NEWSCAMERAMAN 
(Average  9  Min.) 


3201  Along  the  Texas  Range. 

3202  Climbing  the  Peaks  


.10-9-42 
.4-16-43 


MAGIC  CARPET  (Color) 
(9  Minutes) 

3151  Desert  Wonderland   8-1-42 

3152  Wedding  in  Bikaner  8-28-42 

3153  Valley  of  Blossoms  9-25-42 

3154  Royal  Araby   10-23-42 

3155  Gay  Rio   2-19-43 

3156  Strange  Empire   1-15-43 

3157  Land  Where  Time  Stood 

Still   4-2-43 


974 
1281 


856 
899 
950 
998 
1022 
1138 

1263 


SPORTS  REVIEWS 
(Average  9  Min.) 

3301  Well-Rowed   Harvard   8-14-42  899 

3351    Neptune's  Daughters   11-20-42  1022 

3302  When  Winter  Calls  12-25-42  1138 

3303  Steelhead  Fighters   2-12-43  1148 

3304  Back  to  Bikes  3-12-43  1227 


TERRYTOONS  (TECHNICOLOR) 

(7  Minutes) 

All  Out  for  "V"  8-7-42  926 

Life  with  Fldo  8-21-42  926 

School  Daze   9-18-42  950 

Night  Life  in  the  Army. ..  10-2-42  974 

The  Mouse  of  Tomorrow. .  10-16-42  .... 

Nancy  in  Doing  Their  Bit.  10-30-42   

Frankenstein's  Cat   11-27-42   

Barnyard  WAAC   12-18-42  1138 

Scrap  for  Victory  1-22-43  1171 

Barnyard  Blackout   3-5-43  1281 

Shipyard  Symphony   3-19-43  1304 

Patriotic  Pooches   4-9-43  1304 

SPECIAL 

Somewhere  in  the  Pacific. ..  1-8-43  1171 

He  Dood  It  Again  2-5-43  1227 

The  Last  Roundup  5-14-43  1340 

Mopping  Up   6-25-43   

Pandora's  Box   6-11-43   

Keep  'Em  Growing  5-28-43  1365 


3551 
3552 
3553 
3554 
3555 
3556 
3557 
3558 
3559 
3560 
3561 
3562 


3567 
3568 
3569 
3570 
3571 
3572 


3501 
3502 


TERRYTOONS  (Black  &  White) 

(7  Minutes) 

The  Big  Build-Up  9-4-42  926 

Ickle  Meets  Pickle  11-13-42  1046 


THE  WORLD  TODAY 

(9  Minutes) 

3401  Women  in  Blue   7-2-43 

3402  Accent  on  Courage  4-30-43  1365 

MARCH  OF  TIME 

(Average  19  Minutes) 

V9-I  The  F.B.I.  Front  9-11-42  911 

V9-2  The  Fighting  French  10-9-42  946 

V9-3  Mr.  and  Mrs.  America. ..  1 1-6-42  1007 

V9-4  Africa  Prelude  to  Victory.  12-4-42  1055 

V9-5  The  Navy  and  the  Nation. .  1-1-43  1102 

V9-6  One  Day  of  War — Russia 

1943   1-29-43  1127 

V9-7  The  New  Canada  2-26-43  1171 

V9-8  America's  Food  Crisis.  .. .3-26-43  1215 

V9-9  Inside  Fascist  Spain  4-23-43  1263 

V9-I0  Show  Business  at  War  5-21-43  1315 

V9-II  Invasion   6-18-43  1362 

DRIBBLE  PUSS  PARADE 
(9  Minutes) 

3901  Monkey  Doodle  Dandies.  .12-11  -42  1046 

3902  Jungle   Land   6-4-43 


VICTORY  FILM 
3801    It's   Everybody's  War  11-6-42  1031 

AMERICA  SPEAKS 
3851    Weapons  for  Victory  5-7-43  1304 


UNITED  ARTISTS 

WORLD  IN  ACTION 

(Two  Reels) 

New  Soldiers  Are  Tough  .  .7-3-42  699 

Our  Russian  Ally  8-14-42  784 

Hitler's  Plan   9-4-42  854 

Inside  Fighting  China  10-2-42  896 

Mask  of  Nippon  11-6-42  971 

Fighting  Freighters   1-9-43  1055 

Invasion  of  North  Africa.  .2-12-43  1148 

Road  to  Tokyo  4-16-43  1281 

Invasion  of  Europe  5-7-43  1304 

SPECIAL 

Don't  Hook  Now  4-30-43  1171 


UNIVERSAL 


COLOR  CARTUNE 
(Average  7  Min.) 

7241  Andy  Panda's  Victory 

Garden   9-7-42  926 

7242  The  Loan  Stranger  10-19-42  998 

7243  Air  Raid  Warden  12-21-42  1118 

7244  The  Screwball   2-15-43  1148 

7245  Swing  Your  Partner  4-26-43  1340 

7246  The  Dizzy  Acrobat  5-31-43  1329 

7247  Canine  Commandos   6-28-43   

7248  Ration   Bored   7-26-43 

SWING  SYMPHONIES 

(Average  7  Min.) 

7231    Yankee  Doodle  Swing 

Shift   9-21-42  899 

7332    Boogie  Woogie  Sioux  11-30-42  1046 

7233  "Cow-Cow  Boogie"   1-4-42  1171 

7234  Egg  Cracker  Suite  3-22-43  1239 

PERSON— ODDITIES 
(Average  9  Min.) 

7371  Human  Sailboat   9-14-42  926 

7372  Jail  Hostess   9-28-42  950 

7373  King  of  the  49-ers  10-12-42  1046 

7374  Double  Talk  Girl  11-16-42  1007 

7375  Designed  by  Fannie 

Hurst   12-14-42  1118 

7376  Let  Huey  Do  It  1-25-43  1171 

7377  She's  A-l  in  the  Navy  2-8-43  1148 

7378  Little  Clayton  Farmfront 

Wonder   3-8-43  1227 

7379  Shepherd  of  the 

Roundhouse   4-19-43  1340 

7380  Tom  Thumb  in  Person  5-24-43  1304 

7381  The  Armless  Dentist  6-28-43   

7382  Western  Cowgirl   7-19-43 

VARIETY  VIEWS 
(9  Minutes) 

7351  Trouble  Spot  of  the  East.. 9-7-42  899 

7352  Canadian  Patrol   9-21-42  926 

7353  Spirit  of  Democracy  10-5-42  974 

7354  New  Era  in  India  11-2-42  1010 

7355  Western  Whoopee   12-28-42  899 

7356  Winter  Sports  Jamboree  1-8-43  1171 

7357  Mother  of  Presidents  2-1-43  1148 

7358  Hungry  India   3-1-43  1206 

7359  Mr.  Chimp  Goes  to  Town.  .4-12-43  1291 

7360  Mirror  of  Sub-marine  Life. 5-31-43  1329 

7361  Confusion  in  India  6-21-43  1365 

7362  Any  Chickens  Today?  7-26-43 

MUSICALS 

(Average  15  Min.) 

7121  Trumpet  Serenade   9-9-42  899 

7122  Serenade   in  Swing  10-14-42  899 

7123  Jivin'   Jam   Session  11-11-42  899 

7124  Swing's  the  Thing  12-2-42  1007 

7125  Chasin'  the  Blues  1-13-43  1046 

7126  Hit  Tune  Jamboree  2-10-43  1148 

7127  Swingtlme  Blues   3-3-43  1190 

7128  Swing  That  Band  4-7-43  1263 

7129  Dancing  on  the  Stars  5-26-43  1291 

7130  Russian  Revels   6-23-43  1365 

7131  Smoke  Rings   7-28-43 


Prod.  Rel.  p.D. 

No.         Title  Date  Page 

VICTORY  FEATURETTES 

0995  Keeping  Fit   10-26-42  998 

0996  Arsenal  of  Might  2-22-43  1148 

0997  What  We  Are  Fighting 

For  5-24-43  1291 

2- R EEL  SPECIAL 

7111    Roar,  Navy,  Roar  11-25-42  1046 

7110    "Eagle  Vs.  Dragon"  


VITAPHONE 


8001 
8002 
8003 
8004 
8005 
8006 


TECHNICOLOR  SPECIALS 
(Average  20  Min.) 

A  Ship  Is  Born  10-10-42  1010 

Fighting  Engineers   1-2-43  1118 

Young  and  Beautiful  3-13-43  1227 

Eagles  of  the  Navy  4-24-43  1291 

Mountain  Fighters  

Champions  Training 
Champions   5-29-43   

BROADWAY  BREVITIES 


8101 
8102 
8103 
8104 
8105 
8106 
8107 
8108 
8109 
81 10 
8111 


8301 
8302 

8303 
8304 

8305 
8306 


(20  Minutes) 

The  Spirit  of  Annapolis. .  .9-5-42 

The  Nation  Dances  9-26-42 

The  Spirit  of  West  Point.  1 1-20-42 
Beyond  the  Line  of  Duty.  1 1-7-42 

Vaudeville  Days   12-19-42 

The  Man  Killers  5-29-43 

Little  Isles  of  Freedom. ..  I -30-43 

Our  African  Frontiers  2-13-43 

Army  Show   2-27-43 

Rear  Gunner  4-10-43 

Three  Cheers  for  the  Girls. 5-8-43 

HOLLYWOOD  NOVELTIES 

(10  Minutes) 

Sweeney  Steps  Out  9-12-42 

You  Want  to  Give  Up 

Smoking   II -14-42 

Stars  on  Horseback  4-3-43 

So  You  Think  You  Need 

Glasses   12-26-42 

This  Is  Your  Enemy  1-23-43 

King  of  the  Archers  2-6-43 


926 
974 
1007 
1010 
1070 
1340 
1078 
1206 
1227 
1281 
1329 


950 

1022 
1251 


1206 
1206 


SPORTS  PARADE 
(10  Minutes) 

8401  Sniffer  Soldiers   9-12-42  950 

8402  South  American  Sports. ..  10- 17-42  1007 

8403  The  Right  Timing  10-31-42  1022 

8404  Cuba,  Land  of  Adventure 

and  Sport   1-9-43  1070 

8405  America's  Battle  of 

Beauty   11-21-42  1070 

8406  Horses!  Horses!  Horses!. .  12-12-42  1070 

8407  Sporting  Dogs   3-20-43  1239 

8408  Women  in  Sports  2-20-43  1206 

8409  With  Rod  and  Reel  on 

Anticosti  Island   5-1-43  1315 

8410  Rover's  Rangers   5-22-43   

8411  Gray,  White  &  Blue  6-19-43   

MELODY   MASTER  BANDS 

(10  Minutes) 

8501  Army  Air  Force  Band  9-19-42  950 

8502  Six  Hits  and  a  Miss  10-24-42  1007 

8503  U.  S.  Marine  Band  11-14-42  1007 

8504  Borrah  Minevitch  and  his 

Harmonica  School   12-26-42  1118 

8505  U.  S.  Navy  Band  1-16-43  1138 

8506  Ozzie  Nelson  &  Orch  3-27-43  1251 

8507  U.  S.  Army  Band  4-17-43  1329 

8508  All  American  Band  5-22-43  1340 

8509  Childhood  Days   6-26-43   

LOONEY  TUNES  CARTOONS 
(7  Minutes) 

8601  The  Hep  Cat  10-3-42  950 

8602  The  Daffy  Duckaroo  10-24-42  1022 

8603  My  Favorite  Duck  12-5-42  1007 

8604  Confusions  of  a  Nutzy  Spy 

1-23-43  1007 

8605  To  Duck  or  Not  to  Duck. .  .3-6-43  1227 

8606  Hop  and  Go  3-27-43  1263 

8607  The  Wise  Quacking  Duck.. 5-1-43  1291 

8608  Tokio    Jokio   5-15-43  1340 

8609  Yankee  Doodle  Daffy  6-19-43   

8610  Scrap  Happy  Daffy  


I  364    Product  Digest  Section 


June    12,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


Prod.  Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title  Date  Page 

MERRIE  MELODIES  CARTOONS  (Color) 

(7  Minutes) 

8701  The  Dover  Boys  9-19-42  950 

8702  The  Sheepish  Wolf  10-17-42  950 

8703  The  Hare  Brained 

Hypnotist   10-31-42  1007 

8704  A  Tale  of  Two  Kitties. ..  1 1-21-42  1007 

8705  Ding  Dog  Daddy  12-5-42  1007 

8706  Case  of  the  Missing  Hare.  12- 12-42  1007 

8707  Coal  Black  and  de  Sebben 

Dwarfs   1-16-43  1007 

8707    Pigs  in  a  Polka  2-6-43  1070 

8709  Tortoise  Wins  by  a  Hare.  .2-20-43  1206 

8710  Fifth  Column  Mouse  3-6-43  1251 

8711  Flop  Goes  the  Weasel  3-20-43  1251 

8712  Super   Rabbit   4-3-43  1263 

8713  The  Unbearable  Bear  4-17-43  1291 

8714  Greetings  Bait   5-15-43  1340 

8715  Jack  Rabbit  and  Beanstalk. 6-5-43   

8716  The  Aristo  Cat  6-12-43   

8717  Tin  Pan  Alley  Cats  

8718  Wacki-Ki  Wabbit   6-26-43   


OFFICIAL  U.  S.  VICTORY  FILMS 
(Distributed  by  Various  Major  Exchanges) 

Pots  to  Planes   509 

Bomber    509 

Food  for  Freedom   509 

Red  Cross  Trailer   509 


Prod.                                      Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title                     Date  Page 

Women  in  Defense   509 

Safeguarding  Military  Information   509 

Tanks    509 

Any  Bonds  Today   509 

Ring  of  Steel   587 

Fighting  Fire  Bombs   587 

Lake  Carrier    715 

United  China  Relief  

Winning  Your  Wings   674 

Keep  'Em  Rolling   674 

Mr.  Gardenia  Jones    674 

Your  Air  Raid  Warden   770 

Vigilance    771 

Out  of  the  Frying  Pan   926 

Salvage    946 

Manpower    971 

Japanese  Relocation    971 

Dover    1018 

Fuel  Conservation    1046 

Colleges  at  War   1078 

Community  Transportation    1102 

Paratroops    1114 

You,  John  Jones   1138 

Night  Shift    1148 

Troop  Train    1 171 

Point  Rationing  of  Foods   1182 

Since  Pearl  Harbor   1206 

Farmer  at  War   1206 

Right  of  Way   1239 

Food  for  Fighters   1239 

Doctors  at  War   1315 

Wings  Up    1315 

Mission  Accomplished    1329 


Prod.                                        Rel.  P.D. 

No.          Title                      Date  Page 

U.  S.  TREASURY  DEPT. 

The  Spirit  of  '43   1138 

WAR  ACTIVITIES  COMMITTEE 
(Released  Through  20th- Fox) 

Battle  of  Midway   912 

(Released  Through  Warner  Bros.) 

At  the  Front   1 190 

BRITISH    MINISTRY   OF  INFORMATION 

21  Miles    971 

Control   Room    1018 

C.  E.  M.  A   1018 

Fighting  French  Navy   1070 

Lift  Your  Head  Comrade   1094 

Letter  from  Ulster   1094 

Speed  Up  on  Stirlings   1114 

MISCELLANEOUS 

Quebec  (Canadian  Film  Board)   1070 

Kokoda  Battle  Front   1070 

(Australian  Dept.  of  Information) 

Sword  of  the  Spirit   1055 

(Verity  Film) 


SERIALS 

COLUMBIA 

4120    The  Secret  Code. 
(15  episodes) 


Prod. 
No. 


Title 


Rel.  P.D. 

Date  Page 


4140    The  Valley  of  Vanishing  Men 

(15  episodes)   12-17-42    1 138 

4160    The    Batman   7-9-43   

(15  episodes) 


REPUBLIC 


281  King  of  the  Mounties  . ..  10-10-42  908 

(12  episodes) 

282  G-Men  vs.  the  Black  Dragon 

(15  episodes)  1-2-43  1022 

283  Daredevils  of  the  West  4-17-43  1291 

(12  episodes) 

284  Secret  Service  in  Darkest 

Africa   7-9-43  1365 

(15  episodes) 


UNIVERSAL 


.9-4-42  899 


7881-92    Junior  G-Men  of  the  Air 

(12  episodes)   6-30-42 

7781-95    Overland  Mail   9-22-42 

(15  episodes) 
7681-93    Adventures  of  Smilin'  Jack 

(13  episodes)   1-5-43 

1943-44 

8681-92    Don  Winslow  of  the 

Coast  Guard   3-30-43 

(13  episodes) 


784 
950 


994 


SHORT  SUBJECTS 

reviews  and  synopses 


LIEUTENANT  SMITH  (RKO) 

This  Is  America,  No.  8 

This  eighth  in  Pathe's  "This  Is  America" 
series  carries  the  military  career  of  "Private 
Smith,"  hero  of  the  first  of  the  series,  through 
the  Officers  Candidate  School  of  the  Infantry 
Corps.  It  is  a  straight  forward,  fast  moving 
narrative,  telling  in  simple  cinematic  terms  how 
candidates  are  selected,  in  this  case  because 
of  fast  thinking  shown  in  an  emergency.  It 
shows  how  they  study,  live  and  eat,  and  how 
closely  their  development  and  characters  are 
checked  and  classified. 

The  camera  sees  through  the  eyes  of  Candi- 
date Smith  the  varying  types  who  will  be  his 
fellow  officers,  the  keen-eyed  instructors,  the 
arduous  field  maneuvres,  the  trials  and  tests, 
and  the  grueling  mock  battle  in  which  the 
officers-to-be  are  given  their  final  ratings. 

Technically  the  subject  is  up  to  the  high 
standard  set  by  previous  releases  in  the  series, 
the  direction,  by  Slavko  Vorkapich,  and  the 
photography,  by  Harry  Smith,  deserving  par- 
ticular mention.  Frederic  Ullman,  Jr.,  produced 
and  the  script  was  written  by  Ardis  Smith. 
The  well-paced  narration  is  given  by  Dwight 
Weist.— J.  D.  I. 

Release  date,  June  4,  1943  20  minutes 

DOG  HOUSE  (MGM) 

Pete  Smith  (S-467) 

Pete  Smith  is  worried  about  the  sad  fate  of 
residents  of  the  dog  pound.  He  sets  out  to 
investigate,  but  finds  that  they  are  surprising- 
ly well  and  happy.  The  institution  is  far  from 
the  death  cell  of  common  belief  and  offers  a 
good  chance  for  the  pets  to  gain  new  homes. 
Release  date,  June  12,  1943         9  minutes 

SECRET  SERVICE  IN 
DARKEST  AFRICA  (Rep.) 

Serial  (284) 

The  setting  of  the  latest  Republic  chapter 
play  is  North  Africa  sometime  before  the  Axis 
was  erased  from  that  battleground,  but  the  story 


of  adventure  and  intrigue  does  not  depend  on 
timeliness  for  its  appeal.  It  is  in  the  old  tradi- 
tion of  serial  excitement,  with  episodes  ranging 
from  "The  Charred  Witness"  through  "Cloaked 
in  Flame"  and  "Murder  Dungeon"  to  the  final, 
triumphant  "Nazi  Treachery  Unmasked." 

The  central  character,  played  by  Rod  Camer- 
on, is  an  American  agent  who  manages  to 
thwart  the  Nazi's  plans  for  gaining  the  al- 
legiance of  the  African  Arabs.  He  escapes 
death  many  times  in  the  process,  threatened  by 
dynamite,  secret  weapons  and  ceremonial  ex- 
ecution before  the  Nazis  are  brought  to  heel. 
An  American  correspondent,  Joan  Marsh,  an 
a  French  officer,  Duncan  Renaldo,  are  his  only 
accomplices,  and  a  scroll  and  dagger  his  only 
means  of  placating  the  Arabs,  but  his  negotia- 
tions are  finally  successful,  the  convoy  arrives 
safely  in  Casablanca  and  the  troop  ships  are 
saved. 

Spencer  Bennet  directed  the  effort  from  an 
original  screenplay  in  which  Royal  Cole,  Basil 
Dickey,  Jesse  Duffy,  Ronald  Davidson,  Joseph 
O'Donnell  and  Joseph  Poland  all  had  a  hand. 
W.  J.  O' Sullivan  was  associate  producer.  The 
first  chapter  comprises  three  reels,  running  26 
minutes,  and  succeeding  chapters  are  two  reels 
each. 

Besides  the  three  principals,  the  cast  includes 
Lionel  Royce,  Kurt  Kreuger,  Frederic  Brunn, 
Sigurd  Tor,  George  Renavent,  Kurt  Katch, 
Ralf  Harolde,  William  Vaughn,  William  Yet- 
ter,  Hans  Von  Morhart,  Erwin  Goldi,  and 
Frederic  Worlock. 

Release  date,  July  9,  1943  15  episodes 

CONFUSION  IN  INDIA  (Univ.) 

Variety  Views  (7361) 

Another  in  Universal's  featurettes  on  the 
problems  in  India,  this  deals  with  the  new  con- 
ditions arising  out  of  the  present  war.  The 
task  of  creating  an  informed  public  opinion 
is  the  large  one  of  education  in  a  country  that 
still  clings  to  the  mysticism  of  snake  charmers, 
the  tradition  of  native  princes  and  a  rigid  caste 
system. 

Release  date,  June  21,  1943         9  minutes 


RUSSIAN  REVELS  (Univ.) 

Musical  (713  0) 

In  a  setting  reproducing  the  atmosphere  of  a 
Russian  wedding  feast  this  short  features  folk 
dances  and  songs  by  varied  talented  artists. 
Topping  the  bill  are  Gertrude  Niesen  and  Nina 
Koshetz,  with  Adia  Kuznetzoff,  James  Alexan- 
der, William  Sabott  and  the  Gregory  Stone 
Ensemble  adding  their  specialties. 
Release  date,  June  23,  1943        15  minutes 

KEEP  'EM  GROWING  (20th-Fox) 

Terry  Toon  (3572) 

The  Terry  Toon  animals  make  another  con- 
tribution to  the  war  effort  to  relieve  the  situa- 
tion facing  the  farmer.  Changing  their  roles 
from  farm  pests  to  farm  help,  the  birds,  beasts 
and  insects  band  together  to  maintain  the  food 
supply.  They  plow,  sow  and  cultivate  with  the 
efficiency  of  skilled  hands. 
Release  date,  May  28,  1943       6^  minutes 

ACCENT  ON  COURAGE  (20th-Fox) 

The  World  Today  (3402) 

This  is  admittedly  action  in  training,  but 
live  ammunition  is  used  and  actual  battle  tactics 
are  portrayed.  The  action  is  the  capture  of  a 
village  by  American  infantry  forces  and  the 
purpose  is  the  reproduction  of  genuine  fighting 
conditions  to  test  the  skills  our  men  have 
learned  in  training. 

Release  date,  April  30,  1943         9  minutes 

HERE  AT  HOME  (MGM) 

Miniature  (M-437) 

The  personal  conflict  of  two  young  people 
in  the  face  of  the  great  world  battle  is  solved 
in  this  Carey  Wilson  Miniature.  Their  prob- 
lem is  the  question  of  having  children  at  such 
a  time  when  the  future  is  uncertain  for  all. 
The  simple  heroism  of  a  mother  who  would 
not  regret  her  lost  son  makes  the  answer  plain. 
Release  date,  May  22,  1943         10  minutes 

THAT'S  WHY  I  LEFT  YOU  (MGM) 

Passing  Parade  (K-483) 

The  age-old  urge  to  break  with  daily  rou- 
tine, leave  old  responsibilities  and  start  off 
anew  in  a  strange  country  is  surveyed  in  John 
Nesbitt's  latest  short  subject.  The  man  with 
the  restless  foot  does  his  traveling  by  arm- 
chair, with  the  aid  of  a  globe  and  a  vivid 
imagination. 

Release  date,  June  12,  1943         10  minutes 


Product  Digest  Section  1365 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    12,  1943 


THE  RELEASE  CHART 

Index  to  Reviews,  Advance  Synopses  and 
Service  Data  in  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION 


Release  dates  and  running  time  are  furnished  as  soon  as  avail- 
able. Advance  dates  are  tentative  and  subject  to  change. 

Consult  Service  Data  in  the  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION  for 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating,  Audience  Classification  and  Managers' 
Round  Table  Exploitation. 


All  page  numbers  on  this  chart  refer  to  pages  in  the 
PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION  of  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 

Short  Subjects  Chart  with  Synopsis  Index  can  be  found  on 
pages  1363-1365. 

Feature  Product  Including  Coming  Attractions,  listed  by  Com- 
pany, in  order  of  release,  on  pages  1352-1353. 


Title 

ABOVE  Suspicion 
Across  the  Pacific 
Action  in  the  North  Atlantic 
Adventures  of  Mark  Twain 
Aerial  Gunner 
After  Midnight  with  Boston  Bl 
Air  Force 

Air  Raid  Wardens,  The 
A-Haunting  We  Will  Go 
Alibi 

Alaska  Highway 
All  by  Myself 
Always  a  Bridesmaid 
Amazing  Mrs.  Holliday,  The 
American  Empire 
Andy  Hardy's  Double  Life 
Apache  Trail 
Ape  Man,  The 
Appointment  in  Berlin 
Arabian  Nights 
Arizona  Stagecoach 
Army  Surgeon 
As  Thousands  Cheer  (color) 

(formerly  Private  Miss  J< 
Assignment  in  Brittany 
At  Dawn  We  Die  (British) 

(formerly  Tomorrow  We 
Avengers,  The  (British) 
Avenging  Rider,  The 


Prod. 

Company 

Number 

MGM 

WB 

202 

:  WB 

WB 

Para. 

4223 

ackie  Col. 

4031 

WB 

217 

MGM 

326 

20th-Fox 

302 

Rep. 

214 

Para. 

Univ. 

7043 

Univ. 

Univ. 

7005 

UA 

MGM 

3  i  8 

MGM 

304 

Mono. 

Col. 

Univ. 

7063 

Mono. 

RKO 

312 

MGM 

nes) 

MGM 

327 

Rep. 

778 

.ive) 

Para. 

4213 

RKO 

Stars 


Release 
Date 

Joan  Crawford-Fred  MacMurray  Not  Set 

Humphrey  Bogart-Mary  Astor  Sept.  5,'42 

Humphrey  Bogart-Raymond  Massey  June  I2,'43 

Fredric  March-Alexis  Smith  Not  Set 

Chester  Morris-Richard  Arlen  Block  5 

Chester  Morris-Ann  Savage  Mar.  1 8, '43 

John  Garfield-Gig  Young  Mar.  20,'43 

Laurel  and  Hardy  Apr.-May,'43 

Laurel  and  Hardy  Aug.  7, '42 

Margaret  Lockwood-Hugh  Sinclaii  Mar.  24,'43 

Richard  Arlen-Jean  Parker  Block  6 

Patric  Knowles-Evelyn  Ankers  June  1 1, '43 

Andrews  Sisters-Patric  Knowles  Not  Set 

Deanna  Durbin-Edmond  O'Brien  Feb.  19, '43 

Richard  Dix-Leo  Carrillo  Dec.  1 1, '42 

Mickey  Rooney-Lewis  Stone  Dec-Feb.,'43 

Lloyd  Nolan-Donna  Reed  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

Bela  Lugosi-Wallace  Ford  Mar.  I9,'43 
George  Sanders-Marguerite  Chapman     July  I5,'43 

Sabu-Maria  Montez-Jon  Hall  Dec.  25, '42 

The  Range  Busters  Sept.  4,'42 

James  Ellison-Jane  Wyatt  Dec.  4,'42 

Kathryn  Grayson-Gene  Kelly  Not  Set 

Pierre  Aumont-Susan  Peters  Apr.-May,'43 

John  Clements-Godfrey  Tearle  Mar.  20/43 

Ralph  Richardson-Deborah  Kerr  Block  3 

Tim  Holt  Not  Set 


r-  REVIEWED  s 

M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Service 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Dtta 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

91m 

May  l,'43 

1289 

1001 

98m 

Aug.  22,'42 

927 

726 

127m 

May  22,'43 

1325 

983 

936 

78  m 

Mar.  20,'43 

1226 

1091 

64m 

Mar.  I3,'43 

1203 

1192 

124m 

Feb.  6,"43 

1 145 

936 

1280 

67m 

Mar.20.'43 

1214 

1091 

67m 

July  1  ( ,'42 

927 

66m 

Apr.  3.'43 

1237 

U92 

63  m 

June  5, '43 

i  350 

1277 

1192 

98m 

Feb.  6,'43 

1 145 

936 

i  34 1 

81m 

Dec.  I2,'42 

1053 

871 

92m 

Dec.  5,'42 

1042 

796 

1341 

66m 

June  27,'42 

938 

726 

64m 

Feb.  27,'43 

1 181 

1 104 

1305 

87  m 

Dec.  26,"42 

1090 

872 

1 1 74 

58m 

63  m 

Oct.  24,'42 

969 

701 

1079 

98m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

1019 

85m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

88m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

1280 

55m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 158 

BABY  Face  Morgan 
Background  to  Danger 
Bad  Men  of  Thunder  Gap 
Bambi  (color) 
Bandit  Ranger 
Bataan 

Behind  Prison  Walls 
Behind  the  Eight  Ball 
Behind  the  Rising  Sun 
Bells  Go  Down,  The  (British) 
Berlin  Correspondent 
Best  Foot  Forward  (color) 
Between  Us  Girls 
Big  Street,  The 

Billy  the  Kid  in  Fugitive  of  Plains 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Kid  Rides  Again 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Mysterious  Rider 
Billy  the  Kid  in  The  Renegade 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Western  Cyclone 
Black  Raven,  The 
Black  Swan,  The  (color) 
Blocked  Trail,  The 
Bombardier 
Bombers  Moon 
Bombsight  Stolen  (British) 
Boogie  Man  Will  Get  You,  The 
Boots  and  Saddles  (Re-release) 
Border  Buckaroos 
Border  Patrol 
Boss  of  Big  Town 
Boston  Blackie  Goes  Hollywood 
Bowery  at  Midnight 
Boy  From  Stalingrad 
Brains  Trust,  The  (British)  Strand-Anglo 
Buckskin  Frontier  UA 


PRC 

317 

WB 

PRC 

352 

RKO 

391 

RKO 

381 

MGM 

PRC 

313 

Univ. 

7029 

RKO 

Ealing-UA 
20th-Fox 
MGM 
Univ. 
RKO 
PRC 
PRC 
PRC 
PRC 
PRC 
PRC 
20th-Fox 
Rep. 
RKO 
20th-Fox 
Gains. 
Col. 
Rep. 
PRC 
UA 
PRC 
Col. 
Mono. 
Col. 


311 

70i0 
301 
359 
358 
357 
361 
360 
321 
320 
274 
329 


4026 
2301 
354 

310 
4030 

4025 


Mary  Carlisle-Richard  Cromwell 

Sept.  15/42 

62m 

July  25/42 
June  12/43 

903 

George  Raft-Brenda  Marshall 

July  3/43 

80m 

1361 

1058 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill 

Mar.  5/43 

57m 

June  5/43 

1350 

1277 

Disney  Feature  Cartoon 

Aug.  21/42 

70m 

May  30/42 

685 

Tim  Holt 

Sept.  25/42 

56m 

Robert  Taylor-Thomas  Mitchell 

June-Aug.,'43 

1 14m 

May  29/43 

1337 

1 1 27 

Alan  Baxter-Gertrude  Michael 

Mar.  22/43 

64m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 146 

1078 

Ritz  Bros.-Carol  Bruce 

Dec.  4/42 

60m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

794 

Margo-Tom  Neal-Robert  Ryan 

Block  7 

1362 

Tommy  Trinder-James  Mason 

Not  Set 

89m 

May  22/43 
Aug.  15/42 

1326 

Dana  Andrews-Virginia  Gilmore 

Sept.  1 1  ,'42 

70m 

927 

797 

Lucille  Ball-William  Gaxton 

Not  Set 

1 191 

Diana  Barrymore-Robert  Cummings       Sept.  4/42 

89  m 

Aug.  29/42 

890 

772 

Henry  Fonda-Lucille  Ball 

Sept.  4/42 

87m 

Aug.  8/42 

902 

701 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John 

Mar.  12/43 

56m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John 

Jan.  27/43 

60m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

1104 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John 

Nov.  20/42 

55m 

Jan.  30/43 

1 137 

1033 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John 

July  1/43 

1305 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John 

May  14/43 

59m 

June  12/43 

1362 

1276 

George  Zucco-Wanda  MacKay 

May  3 1/43 

61m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

Tyrone  Power-Maureen  O'Hara 

Dec.  4/42 

85m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

855 

Three  Mesquiteers 

Mar.  12/43 

55m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

Pat  O'Brien-Randolph  Scott-Anne 

Shirley       Block  6 

99m 

May  15/43 

1313 

9i  2 

George  Montgomery-Annabella 

Not  Set 

1305 

Leslie  Banks-Jeanne  Casalis 

Not  Set 

72m 

May  15/43 

1315 

Boris  Karlof-Peter  Lorre 

Oct.  22/42 

66m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

Gene  Autry-Smiley  Burnette 

Jan. 15/43 

58m 

Nov.  13/37 

1 1 14 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill 

June  15/43 

1276 

William  Boyd 

Apr.  2/43 

67m 

Jan.  30/43 

i  137 

John  Litel-Florence  Rice 

Dec.  7/42 

64m 

Oct.  17/42 

959 

Chester  Morris-Richard  Lane 

Nov.  5/42 

68m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 181 

794 

Bela  Lugosi-John  Archer 

Oct.  30/42 

63m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

Bobby  Samarzich-Conrad  Binyon 

May  20/43 

70m 

mi 

Ouiz  Experts 

Not  Set 

34m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

Richard  Dix-Jane  Wyatt 

May  14/43 

76m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

983 

I  366   Product  Digest  Section 


June    12,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


-  REVIEWED 

M.  P.       Product    Advance  Service 


Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Title 

Company 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

Busses  Roar 

WB 

203 

Richard  Travis-Julie  Bishop 

Sepi.  I9,'42 

61m 

Aug.  22/42 

903 

CABIN  in  the  Sky 

MGM 

323 

"  Rochester"-Ethel  Waters 

Apr.-May,'43 

98m 

Feb. 13/43 

1  157 

1019 

1341 

Cairo 

MGM 

307 

Jeanette  MacDonald-Robert  Young 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

101m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

1034 

Calaboose  UA-Roach 

Jimmy  Rogers-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

Jan.  29,'43 

45m 

1241 

Calling  Wild  Bill  Elliott 

Rep. 

2311 

Bill  Elliott-Gabby  Hayes 

Apr.  30,'43 

54m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

Captive  Wild  Woman 

Univ. 

7014 

Evelyn  Ankers-John  Carradine 

June  4, '43 

61m 

May  1/43 

1290 

1127 

Careful,  Soft  Shoulder 

20th-Fox 

312 

Virginia  Bruce-James  Ellison 

Sept.  1 8,42 

69m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

Carson  City  Cyclone 

Rep. 

275 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Mar.  23,'43 

57m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

Casablanca 

WB 

214 

Humphrey  Bogart-lngrid  Bergman 

Jan.  23, '43 

102m 

Nov.  28/42 

1029 

936 

1341 

Cat  People 

RKO 

313 

Simone  Simon-Tom  Conway 

Dec.  25.'42 

73m 

Nov.  14/42 

1005 

962 

1280 

Chatterbox 

Rep. 

219 

Joe  E.  Brown-Judy  Canova 

Apr.  27, '43 

76m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

1  127 

Chetniks,  Fighting  Guerrillas 

20th-Fox 

328 

Philip  Dorn-Virginia  Gilmore 

Feb.  5,'43 

73m 

Jan.  9/43 

1  115 

995 

1280 

Cheyenne  Roundup 

Univ. 

276 

Johnny  Mack  Brown-Tex  Ritter 

Apr.  29,'43 

59m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

China 

Para. 

4222 

Loretta  Young-Alan  Ladd 

Block  5 

78m 

Mar.  20/43 

1226 

1091 

1341 

China  Girl 

20th-Fox 

323 

George  Montgomery-Gene  Tierney 

Jan.    1  .'43 

95  m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

872 

1218 

Cinderella  Swings  It 

RKO 

318 

Guy  Kibbee-Gloria  Warren 

Jan.22,'43 

69m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 125 

City  of  Silent  Men 

PRC 

308 

Frank  Albertson-June  Lang 

Oct.  I2,'42 

64m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

City  Without  Men 

Col. 

4013 

Linda  Darnell-Doris  Dudley 

Jan. 14/43 

75m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 181 

1009 

Clancy  Street  Boys 

Mono. 

East  Side  Kids 

Apr.23,'43 

66m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

Coastal  Command  (British)  Para.-Crown 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

73m 

Nov.  14/42 

1005 

Colt  Comrades 

UA 

William  Boyd 

June  18, '43 

67m 

1339 

Commandos  Strike  at  Dawn 

Col. 

4004 

Paul  Muni-Lillian  Gish 

Jan.  7.'43 

98m 

Dec.  19/42 

1078 

962 

1 280 

Coney  Island 

20th-Fox 

Betty  Grable-George  Montgomery 

June  I8,'43 

90m 

May  22/43 

1325 

995 

Corregidor 

PRC 

31 

Otto  Kruger-Elissa  Landi 

Mar.  29,'43 

74m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

1  104 

1280 

Corvettes  in  Action 

Univ. 

Randolph  Scott-Andy  Devine 

Not  Set 

1240 

Cosmo  Jones,  Crime  Smasher 

Mono. 

Edgar  Kennedy-Frank  Graham 

Jan.  29,'43 

62m 

Feb. 20/43 

i  i  76 

1055 

Counter  Espionage 

Col. 

4027 

Warren  William-Eric  Blore 

Sept.  3/42 

72m 

Oct.  10/42 

945 

871 

Cowboy  Commandos 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

June  4/43 

1277 

Cowboy  in  Manhattan 

Univ. 

7036 

Robert  Paige-Frances  Langford 

May  21/43 

60m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

1240 

Crash  Dive  (color) 

20th-Fox 

340 

Tyrone  Power-Anne  Baxter 

May  14/43 

105m 

Apr.  24/43 

1273 

962 

1341 

Crime  by  Night 

WB 

Jane  Wyman-Jerome  Cowan 

Not  Set 

1091 

Crime  Doctor 

Col. 

Warner  Baxter-Margaret  Lindsay 

June  22/43 

66m 

June  12/43 

1361 

1305 

Criminal  Investigator 

Mono. 

Robert  Lowery-Jan  Wiley 

Oct.  23/42 

61m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

1033 

Cross  Your  Fingers 

Univ. 

Allan  Jones-Kitty  Carlisle 

Not  Set 

1351 

Crystal  Ball,  The 

UA 

Paulette  Goddard-Ray  Milland 

Jan.  22/43 

81m 

Jan.  23/43 

1  125 

960 

1341 

DARING  Voung  Man,  The 

Col. 

4021 

Joe  E.  Brown-Marguerite  Chapman 

Oct.  8/42 

73m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

871 

Dawn  on  the  Great  Divide 

Mono. 

Buck  Jones-Rex  Bell 

Dec.  18/42 

66m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

1031 

Days  of  Old  Cheyenne 

Rep. 

276 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

May  15/43 

55m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

1241 

Deadline  Guns 

Col. 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Not  Set 

1081 

Dead  Man's  Gulch 

Rep. 

274 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Feb.  12/43 

56m 

Feb.  20/43 

1  i  70 

1  127 

Dead  Men  Walk 

PRC 

320 

George  Zucco-Mary  Carlisle 

Feb.  10/43 

63m 

Feb. 20/43 

1 170 

1031 

Deep  in  the  Heart  of  Texas 

Univ. 

7071 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Sept.  25/42 

62m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

Desert  Song,  The  (color) 

WB 

Dennis  Morgan-Irene  Manning 

Not  Set 

872 

Desert  Victory  (British) 

20th-Fox 

341 

War  in  Africa  Feature 

Apr.  16/43 

60m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

1341 

Desperadoes,  The  (color) 

Col. 

4005 

Randolph  Scott-Glenn  Ford 

May  25/43 

85m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

871 

1280 

Desperate  Journey 

WB 

204 

Errol  Flynn-Ronald  Reagan 

Sept.  26/42 

107m 

Aug.  22/42 

915 

1082 

Destination  Unknown 

Univ. 

7030 

Irene  Hervey-William  Gargan 

Oct.  9/42 

61m 

Oct.  3/42 

946 

912 

Destroyer 

Col. 

Edward  G.  Robinson-Marguerite  Chapman  Not  Set 

1 162 

Devil  with  Hitler,  The  UA-Roach 

Alan  Mowbray-M.  Woodworth 

Nov.  20/42 

45m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

Diary  of  a  Nazi  (Russian) 

Artkino 

War  Documentary 

Mar.  24/43 

68m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

Dixie  (color) 

Para. 

Bing  Crosby-Dorothy  Lamour 

Block  6 

i  09  i 

Dixie  Dugan 

20th-Fox 

332 

James  Ellison-Lois  Andrews 

Mar.  12/43 

67  m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1082 

Dr.  Gillespie's  Criminal  Case 

MGM 

Lionel  Barrymore-Van  Johnson 

Not  Set 

89m 

May  8/43 

1302 

1 192 

Dr.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant 

MGM 

317 

Lionel  Barrymore-Van  Johnson 

Dec.-Feb.,'43 

86m 

Nov.  15/42 

1005 

1280 

Dr.  Renault's  Secret 

20th-Fox 

321 

Lynn  Roberts-John  Shepperd 

Dec.  1 1/42 

58m 

Dec.  17/42 

959 

936 

DuBarry  Was  a  Lady 

MGM 

Lucille  Ball-Red  Skelton 

June-Aug.,'43 

1  0  1  m 

Mau   ft  '43 

1  30  1 

1019 

IUI  7 

EDGE  of  Darkness 

WB 

219 

Errol  Flynn-Ann  Sheridan 

Apr.  24/43 

1  18m 

Mar.  27/43 

1225 

982 

En  Enda  Natt  (Swedish) 

Scandia 

Ingrid  Bergman-Olof  Sandborg 

Not  Set 

89m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

Eyes  in  the  Night 

MGM 

309 

Edward  Arnold-Ann  Harding 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

79m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

797 

1130 

Eyes  of  the  Underworld 

Univ. 

7037 

Richard  Dix-Lon  Chaney 

Jan.  8/43 

61m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

FALCON'S  Brother,  The 

RKO 

309 

George  Sanders-Jane  Randolph 

Nov.  6/42 

63  m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

871 

Falcon  in  Danger,  The 

RKO 

Tom  Conway-Jean  Brooks 

Block  7 

1362 

Falcon  Strikes  Back,  The 

RKO 

325 

Tom  Conway-Harriet  Hilliard 

Block  5 

65m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

Fallen  Sparrow,  The 

RKO 

Maureen  O'Hara-John  Garfield 

Not  Set 

1  182 

Fall  In  UA-Roach 

William  Tracy-Jean  Porter 

Mar.  5/43 

48m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

796 

False  Faces 

Rep. 

Rex  Williams-Bill  Henry 

May  26/43 

56m 

May  29/43 

1338 

1277 

Fighting  Buckaroo,  The 

Col. 

4203 

Charles  Starrett-Kay  Harris 

Feb.  1/43 

58m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

Fighting  Devil  Dogs 

Rep. 

211 

Lee  Powell-Herman  Brix 

Jan.  29/43 

69m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

Fighting  Frontier 

RKO 

383 

Tim  Holt 

Jan.  15/43 

57m 

Feb. 13/43 

1 158 

Fighting  Sea  Monsters 

Times 

Marine  Animal  Feature 

Mar.  9/43 

61m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

Find,  Fix  and  Strike  (British) 

ABFD 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

37m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

Fires  Were  Started  (British) 

Crown 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

63  m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

First  Comes  Courage 

Col. 

Merle  Oberon-Brian  Aherne 

July  29/43 

1362 

First  of  the  Few,  The  (British) 

Howard 

Leslie  Howard-David  Niven 

Not  Set 

1  18m 

Sept.  5/42 

889 

Five  Graves  to  Cairo 

Para. 

4224 

Franchot  Tone-Anne  Baxter 

Block  5 

96m 

May  8/43 

1301 

1  192 

1341 

Flight  for  Freedom 

RKO 

321 

Rosalind  Russell-Fred  MacMurray 

Block  5 

101m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 145 

983 

1218 

Flying  Fortress  (British) 

WB 

21 1 

Richard  Green-Carla  Lehmann 

Dec.  5/42 

68m 

June  27/42 

914 

1  174 

Follies  Girl 

PRC 

30 

Wendy  Barrie-Gordon  Oliver 

Not  Set 

1  104 

Follow  the  Band 

Univ.  • 

7033 

Leon  Errol-Mary  Beth  Hughes 

May  14/43 

61m 

May  1/43 

1290 

1241 

Footlight  Serenade 

20th-Fox 

301 

John  Payne-Betty  Grable 

Aug.  1/42 

80m 

July  1 1/42 

915 

715 

873 

Foreign  Agent 

Mono. 

John  Shelton-Gail  Storm 

Oct.  9/42 

64m 

Sept.  19/42 

91 1 

Forest  Rangers,  The  (color) 

Para. 

4206 

Fred  MacMurray-Paulette  Goddard 

Block  2 

87m 

Oct.  3/42 

933 

872 

1218 

Product  Digest  Section    I  367 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


J  u  n 


12,  1943 


Prod. 

Title                              Company  Number 

Forever  and  a  Day                      RKO  320 

For  All  We  Know  Univ  

(formerly  Flesh  and  Fantasy) 

For  Me  and  My  Gal                MGM  312 

Fortress  on  Volga  (Russian)      Artkino  .... 
For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls  (color)  Para. 

Frankenstein  Meets  Wolf  Man      Univ.  7012 

Frontier  Fury                                Col.  .... 

GAUCHO  Serenade  (Reissue)  Rep.  2303 

Gentle  Gangster,  A                    Rep.  .... 

Gentle  Sex  (British)     Two  Cities-Gen'l  .... 

Gentleman  Jim                              WB  212 

George  Washington  Slept  Here     WB  210 

Get  Hep  to  Love                       Univ.  7022 

Ghost  and  the  Guest,  The            PRC  314 

Ghost  Rider  Mono  

Ghosts  on  the  Loose                  Mono.  .... 

Gildersleeve's  Bad  Day                RKO  327 

Girl  Crazy                               MGM  .... 

Girl  Trouble                          20th-Fox  309 

Girls  in  Chains                            PRC  305 

Give  Out,  Sisters                        Univ.  7021 

Glass  Key,  The                           Para.  4203 

Good  Fellows,  The                      Para.  .... 

Good  Luck,  Mr.  Yates                 Col.  .... 

Good  Morning,  Judge                Univ.  7044 

Gorilla  Man,  The                         WB  216 

Great  Gildersleeve,  The              RKO  314 

Great  Impersonation,  The            Univ.  7032 

Gyandev  of  India               Ram  Bangai  .... 


Start 

British  and  American  Stars 
Charles  Boyer-Barbara  Stanwyck 


Release 
Date 
Mar.  26,'43 
Not  Set 


Judy  Garland-George  Murphy  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

Mikhail  Gelovani-Nikolai  Bogoliubov  Not  Set 

Gary  Cooper-lngrid  Bergman  Not  Set 

Lon  Chaney-Bela  Lugosi  Mar.  1 2, '43 

Charles  Starrett-Arthur  Hunnicutt  June  24,'43 

Gene  Autry  Apr.  1 5, '43 

Barton  MacLane-Molly  Lamont  May  10, '43 

Rosamund  John-Joyce  Howard  Not  Set 

Errol  Flynn-Alexis  Smith  Nov.  I4,'42 

Jack  Benny-Ann  Sheridan  Nov.  28, '42 

Gloria  Jean-Robert  Paige  Oct.  2, '42 

Florence  Rice-Jimmie  Dunn  Apr.  1 9, '43 

Johnny  Mack  Brown  Apr.  2, '43 

East  Side  Kids  July  I6,'43 

Harold  Peary-Jane  Darwell  Block  6 

Mickey  Rooney-Judy  Garland  Not  Set 

Don  Ameche-Joan  Bennett  Oct.  9, '42 

Arline  Judge-Roger  Clark  May  I7,'43 

Andrews  Sisters-Richard  Davies  Sept.  1 1, '42 
Brian  Donlevy-Veronica  Lake-Alan  Ladd        Block  I 

Cecil  Kellaway-Helen  Walker  Not  Set 

Claire  Trevor-Edgar  Buchanan  June  29, '43 

Dennis  O'Keefe-Louise  Allbritton  May  7, '43 

John  Loder-Paul  Cavanagh  Jan.  16, '43 

Harold  Peary-Freddy  Mercer  Jan.    I  ,'43 

Ralph  Bellamy-Evelyn  Ankers  Dec.  1 8, '42 

Indian  Feature  Apr.  9, '43 


Running 
Time 
104m 


-  REVIEWED 

Product  Advance  Service 
Digest      Synopsis  Data 


Herald 
Issue 
Jan.23,'43 


Page 
I  125 


Page 


1058 


1  04m 

Jc  pT.   1  £. ,  7i 

RQ7 

07  / 

7C  1 
/O  1 

77m 

Un     <?  '41 

1 1  n  i 

ODD 

73m 

Feb  ?7  '41 

1  1  A  1 

1  Ujj 

1  3KJO 

66m 

May  I8,'40 

1262 

57m 

May  I5,'43 

1314 

i  276 

93m 

May  8, '43 

1303 

104m 

Oct.  3I,'42 

981 

936 

93m 

Sept.  1 9/42 

909 

871 

77m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

61m 

May  15/43 

1314 

1241 

52  m 

May  8/43 

1304 

1241 

1351 

62  m 

May  8/43 

1303 

1241 

1191 

82m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

855 

71m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

65m 

Sept.  5/42 

889 

85m 

Aug.  29/42 

914 

119! 

1351 

67m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

1240 

64m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

62m 

Nov.  15/42 

1006 

995 

71m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

912 

63m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

Page 


HAIL  to  the  Rangers 

Col. 

Charles  Starrett 

Not  Set 

1055 

Half  Way  to  Shanghai 

Univ. 

7035 

Irene  Hervey-Kent  Taylor 

Sept.  18/42 

62m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

1082 

Hangmen  Also  Die 

UA 

Brian  Donlevy-Walter  Brennan 

Mar.  26/43 

I3lm 

Mar.  27/43 

1225 

1 191 

1280 

Happy  Go  Lucky  (color) 

Para. 

4217 

Mary  Martin-Dick  Powell-Rudy  Va 

lee           Block  4 

81m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

797 

1341 

Hard  Way,  The 

WB 

209 

Ida  Lupino-Dennis  Morgan 

Feb. 20/43 

109m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

796 

1280 

Harrigan's  Kid 

MGM 

Bobby  Readick-William  Gargan 

June-Aug.,'43 

80m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1 191 

Haunted  Ranch 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Feb.  19/43 

57m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 190 

1019 

Heart  of  a  Nation  (French) 

Graetz 

Raimu-Michele  Morgan 

Not  Set 

1  Mm 

Mar.  27/43 

1239 

Heart  of  the  Golden  West 

Rep. 

251 

Roy  Rogers-Gabby  Hayes 

Dec.  1 1/42 

65m 

Nov.  21/42 

1017 

Heaven  Can  Wait  (color) 

20th-Fox 

Don  Ameche-Gene  Tierney 

Not  Set 

1240 

He  Hired  the  Boss 

20th-Fox 

334 

Stuart  Erwin-Evelyn  Venable 

Apr.  2/43 

73  m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1 127 

He's  My  Guy 

Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello  (color) 

Univ. 

7041 

Dick  Foran-lrene  Hervey 

Mar.  26/43 

65m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

1 127 

20th-Fox 

333 

Alice  Faye-John  Payne 

Mar.  26/43 

98m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1 127 

1341 

Henry  Aldrich,  Editor 

Para. 

4209 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Block  2 

72m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

663 

1130 

Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour 

Para. 

4218 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Block  4 

72m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

986 

Henry  Aldrich  Swings  It 

Para. 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Block  6 

1104 

Here  We  Go  Again 

RKO 

305 

Fibber  McGee-Edgar  Bergen-"Charlie"  Oct.  9/42 

76  m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

1082 

Hi,  Buddy 

Univ. 

7031 

Dick  Foran-Harriet  Hilliard 

Feb.  26/43 

68m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 170 

1079 

Hidden  Hand,  The 

WB 

208 

Craig  Stevens-Elisabeth  Fraser 

Nov.  7/42 

67m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

1082 

High  Explosive 

Para. 

4221 

Chester  Morris-Jean  Parker 

Block  5 

62m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

983 

Highways  by  Night 

RKO 

304 

Richard  Carlson-Jane  Randolph 

Oct.  2/42 

63m 

Aug.  8/42 

938 

715 

Hi!  Neighbor 

Rep. 

201 

Lulubelle  &  Scotty-Jean  Parker 

July  27/42 
Mar.  26/43 

72m 

July  25/42 

927 

772 

1218 

Hit  Parade  of  1943 

Rep. 

215 

John  Carroll-Susan  Hayward 

82m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1043 

1280 

Hitler,  Dead  or  Alive 

House 

Ward  Bond-Dorothy  Tree 

Not  Set 

70m 

Nov.  2 1/42 

1018 

1082 

Hit  the  Ice 

Univ. 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Not  Set 

1162 

(formerly  Oh,  Doctor) 

Hitler's  Children 

RKO 

316 

Tim  Holt-Bonita  Granville 

Mar.  19/43 

83m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

986 

1280 

Hitler's  Hangman 

MGM 

Patricia  Morison-John  Carradine 

June-Aug.,'43 

85m 

June  12/43 

1361 

1351 

Hi'Ya,  Chum 

Univ. 

7039 

Jane  Frazee-Ritz  Brothers 

Mar.  5/43 

61m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

1127 

Hoppy  Serves  a  Writ 

UA 

William  Boyd-Andy  Clyde 

Mar.  12/43 

67m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

Hostages 

How's  About  It? 

Para. 

Luise  Rainer-Paul  Lukas 

Not  Set 

1277 

Univ. 

7025 

Andrews  Sisters-Robert  Paige 

Feb.  5/43 

61m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

Human  Comedy,  The 

MGM 

Mickey  Rooney-Frank  Morgan 

June-Aug.,'43 

1  15m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 190 

1019 

1341 

ICE-CAPADES  Revue  Rep. 
Iceland  20th-Fox 
Idaho  Rep. 
I  Dood  It  MGM 
I  Escaped  from  the  Gestapo  Mono. 
I  Married  a  Witch  UA 
Immortal  Sergeant,  The  20th-Fox 
In  the  Rear  of  Enemy  ( Russian)  Artkino 
In  Which  We  Serve  (British)  UA 
Isle  of  Forgotten  Sins  (1943-44)  PRC 
Isle  of  Missing  Men  Mono. 
It  Ain't  Hay  Univ. 
It  Comes  Up  Love  Univ. 
It's  That  Man  Again  (British)  Gains. 
It's  a  Great  Life  Col. 

(formerly  Blondie  Buys  a  Horse) 
I  Walked  with  a  Zombie  RKO 


206 

Ellen  Drew-Richard  Denning 

Dec.  24/42 

79m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

797 

1130 

306 

Sonja  Henie-John  Payne 

Oct.  2/42 

79m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

797 

1082 

252 

Roy  Rogers-Virginia  Grey 

Mar.  10/43 

70m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 169 

1 162 

1218 

Red  Skelton-Eleanor  Powell 

Not  Set 

1192 

Dean  Jagger-John  Carradine 

May  28/43 

75m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

1 162 

Fredric  March-Veronica  Lake 

Oct.  30/42 

78m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

797 

1218 

327 

Henry  Fonda-Maureen  O'Hara 

Jan.  29/43 

91m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

995 

1280 

War  Documentary 

Oct.  9/42 

59m 

Oct.  1 7/42 

958 

Noel  Coward-Bernard  Miles 

Feb.  12/43 

1  13m 

Oct.  17/42 

957 

1280 

40 

John  Carradine-Gale  Sondergaard 

July  26/43 

1339 

John  Howard-Gilbert  Roland 

Sept.  18/42 

67  m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

772 

7001 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Mar.  19/43 

81m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

1058 

1341 

7023 

Gloria  Jean-Ian  Hunter 

Apr.  9/43 

65m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 146 

986 

Tommy  Handley 

Not  Set 

84m 

Feb. 27/43 

1 182 

Penny  Singleton-Arthur  Lake 

May  27/43 

1241 

324 

Frances  Dee-Tom  Conway 

Block  5 

68m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

1057 

JACARE  UA       ....        Animal  feature  Nov.27,'42  65m       Dec.  26/42       1077       ....  1218 

Jane  Eyre  20th-Fox       ....         Orson  Welles-Joan  Fontaine  Not  Set  ....    ....        1240  .... 

Jitterbugs  20th-Fox       ....         Laurel  and  Hardy  June  1 1/43  74m       May  29/43        1338  1305 


I  368   Product  Digest  Section 


June    12,    l  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


REVIEWED 


Prod. 

Title  Company  Number 

Johnny  Doughboy  Rep.  205 

Journey  for  Margaret  MGM  314 

Journey  Into  Fear  RKO  307 

Junior  Army  Col.  4038 

Just  Off  Broadway  20th-Fox  310 

KANSAN,  The  UA  .... 

(formerly  Meet  John  Bonniwell) 
Keep  'Em  Slugging  Univ.  7040 
Keeper  of  the  Flame  MGM  320 
Kid  Dynamite  Mono.  .... 
King  Arthur  Was  a  Gentle- 
man (British)  Gains  

King  of  the  Cowboys  Rep.  254 


LADIES'  Day                          RKO  322 

Lady  Bodyguard                         Para.  4216 

Lady  from  Chungking  PRC  302 
Lady  in  the  Dark  (color)  Para. 
Lady  of  Burlesque  UA 
Lady  Takes  a  Chance,  A  RKO 
Land  of  Hunted  Men  Mono. 
Lassie  Comes  Home  MGM 
Last  Ride,  The  WB 
Last  Will  of  Dr.  Mabuse  (Fr.)  Krellberg 

Laugh  Your  Blues  Away                Col.  4033 

Law  of  the  Northwest                  Col.  4204 

Law  Rides  Again,  The               Mono.  .... 

Leather  Burners,  The                       UA  .... 

Leopard  Man,  The                      RKO  328 

Let's  Face  It  Para  

Let's  Have  Fun                           Col.  4040 

Life  Begins  at  Eight-thirty       20th-Fox  322 

Little  Joe,  the  Wrangler             Univ.  7072 

Little  Tokyo,  U.S.A.                20th-Fox  303 

Living  Ghost,  The                     Mono.  .... 

London  Blackout  Murders              Rep.  210 

Lone  Prairie,  The                        Col.  4209 

Lone  Rider  in  Death  Rides  Plains  PRC  365 

Lone  Rider  in  Wolves  of  Plains     PRC  .... 

Lone  Rider  in  Wild  Horse  Rustlers  PRC  364 

Lone  Rider,  Overland  Stagecoach  PRC  363 

Lone  Star  Trail,  The                   Univ.  7077 

Lost  Canyon                                UA  .... 

Loves  of  Edgar  Allan  Poe,  The  20th-Fox  305 

Lucky  Jordan                             Para.  4215 

Lucky  Legs                                 Col.  4032 

MADAME  Spy                   u  niv.  7034 

Magnificent  Ambersons,  The        RKO  371 

Major  and  the  Minor,  The           Para.  4202 

Man  in  the  Trunk,  The            20th-Fox  315 

Manila  Calling                       20th-Fox  314 

Man  from  Thunder  River               Rep.  .... 

Man  of  Courage                        PRC  319 

Mantrap,  The                             Rep.  217 

Man's  World,  A                         Col.  4044 

Margin  for  Error                   20th-Fox  330 

Mashenka  (Russian)                 Artkino  .... 

Masquerade  (Russian)             Artkino  .... 

McGuerins  from  Brooklyn      UA-Roach  .... 

Meanest  Man  in  the  World     20th-Fox  329 

Melody  Parade                        Mono.  .... 

Mexican  Spitfire's  Elephant           RKO  302 

Miracle  of  Morgan's  Creek,  The     Para.  .... 

Mission  to  Moscow                      WB  220 

Miss  London  Limited  (British)    Gains.  .... 

Miss  V  from  Moscow                    PRC  318 

Mister  Big                                   Univ.  .... 

Moonlight  in  Havana                   Univ.  7026 

Moon  and  Sixpence,  The                UA  .... 

Moon  Is  Down,  The               20th-Fox  335 

More  the  Merrier,  The                  Col.  4041 

Moscow  Strikes  Back  (Russian)      Rep.  .... 

Mountain  Rhythm                        Rep.  209 

Mr.  Lucky                                 RKO  330 

Mrs.  Wiggs  of  the  Cabbage  Patch  Para.  4208 

Mug  Town                                 Univ.  7027 

Mummy's  Tomb,  The                   Univ.  7019 

Murder  in  Times  Square                Col.  4034 

My  Friend  Flicka  (color)        20th-Fox  338 

My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy        Para.  4214 

My  Son,  the  Hero                        PRC  31 1 

Mysterious  Doctor,  The                  WB  218 

NAVY  Comes  Through,  The       RKO  308 

'Neath  Brooklyn  Bridge  Mono  


Stars 

Jane  Withers-Patrick  Brook 
Robert  Young-Laraine  Day 
Joseph  Cotten-Dolores  Del  Rio 
Freddie  Bartholomew-Billy  Halop 
Lloyd  Nolan-Marjorie  Weaver 

Richard  Dix-Jane  Wyatt 
Dead  End  Kids 

Spencer  Tracy-Katharine  Hepburn 
East  Side  Kids 

Arthur  Askey-Evelyn  Dall 
Roy  Rogers 

Lupe  Velez-Eddie  Albert-Max  Baer 
Eddie  Albert-Anne  Shirley 
Anna  May  Wong-Harold  Huber 
Ginger  Rogers-Ray  Milland 
Barbara  Stanwyck-Michael  O'Shea 
Jean  Arthur-John  Wayne 
Range  Busters 

Roddy  McDowall-Edmund  Gwenn 
Richard  Travis-Eleanor  Parker 
Jim  Gerald-Thorny  Bourdelle 
Bert  Gordon-Jinx  Falkenburg 
Charles  Starrett-Shirley  Patterson 
Ken  Maynard-Hoot  Gibson 
William  Boyd 
Dennis  O'Keefe-Margo 
Bob  Hope-Betty  Hutton 
Bert  Gordon-Margaret  Lindsay 
Monty  Woolley-lda  Lupino 
Johnny  Mack  Brown 
Preston  Foster-Brenda  Joyce 
James  Dunn-Joan  Woodbury 
John  Abbott-Mary  McLeod 
Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 
Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 
Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 
Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 
Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 
Johnny  Mack  Brown-Tex  Ritter 
William  Boyd 

John  Shepperd-Linda  Darnell 
Alan  Ladd-Helen  Walker 
Jinx  Falkenburg-Kay  Harris 

Constance  Bennett-Don  Porter 

Joseph  Cotten-Dolores  Costello 

Ginger  Rogers-Ray  Milland 

Lynne  Roberts-George  Holmes 

Lloyd  Nolan-Carole  Landis 

Bill  Elliott-George  Hayes 

Barton  MacLane-Charlotte  Wynters 

Lloyd  Corrigan-Dorothy  Lovett 

M.  Chapman-Wm.  Wright 

Joan  Bennett-Milton  Berle 

V.  Karavayeva-M.  Kuznetzov 

Nikolai  Mordvinov-Tamara  Makarova 

Max  Baer-William  Bendix 

Jack  Benny-Priscilla  Lane 

Mary  Beth  Hughes-Eddie  Quillan 

Lupe  Velez-Leon  Errol 

Eddie  Bracken-Betty  Hutton 

Walter  Huston-Ann  Harding 

Arthur  Askey-Evelyn  Dall 

Lola  Lane-Noel  Madison 

Gloria  Jean-Donald  O'Connor 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

George  Sanders-Herbert  Marshall 

Cedric  Hardwicke-Henry  Travers 

Jean  Arthur-Joel  McCrea 

Documentary 

Weaver  Bros.  &  Elviry 

Cary  Grant-Laraine  Day 

Fay  Bainter-Carolyn  Lee 

Dead  End  Kids 

Dick  Foran-Elyse  Knox 

Edmund  Lowe-Marguerite  Chapman 

Roddy  McDowall-Preston  Foster 

Richard  Carlson-M.  O'Driscoll 

Patsy  Kelly-Roscoe  Karns 

Eleanor  Parker-John  Loder 


Pat  O'Brien-George  Murphy 
East  Side  Kids 


M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Service 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

Dec.  3 1/42 

63m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

971 

1218 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

79m 

Oct.  3 1/42 

981 

912 

1  174 

Feb. 12/43 

71m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 146 

796 

1218 

Nov.  26/42 

71m 

Feb.  20/43 

1170 

1009 

Sept.  25/42 

65  m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

797 

Not  Set 

Apr.  2/43 
Dec.-Feb./43 
Feb.  5/43 

Not  Set 
Apr.  9/43 

Block  5 
Block  4 
Dec.  2 1  ,'42 

Not  Set 
Apr.  30/43 

Not  Set 
Mar.  26/43 

Not  Set 

Not  Set 
Mar.  19/43 
Nov.  12/42 
May  27/43 
July  23/43 
May  28/43 
Block  6 

Not  Set 
Mar.  4/43 
Dec.  25/42 
Nov.  13/42 
Aug.  14/42 
Nov.  27/42 
Jan.  15/43 
Oct.  15/42 
May  7/43 
July  15/43 
Feb.  12/43 
Dec.  11/42 

Not  Set 
Dec.  18/42 
Aug.  28/42 
Block  3 
Oct.  1/42 

Dec.  11/42 
July  10/42 

Block  I 
Oct.  23/42 
Oct.  16/42 
June  1 1  ,'43 
Jan.  4/43 
Apr.  13/43 
Sept.  17/42 
Feb.  19/43 
Nov.  20/42 
May  15/43 
Dec.  31/42 
Feb.  12/43 
Aug.  13/43 
Sept.  11/42 
Not  Set 
May  22/43 
Not  Set 
Nov.  23/42 
May  28/43 
Oct.  16/42 
Oct.  2/42 
Apr.  9/43 
May  13/43 
Aug.  15/42 
Jan.  8/43 

Block  6 

Block  2 
Dec.  18/42 
Oct.  23/42 
Apr.  1/43 
Apr.  23/43 

Block  3 
Apr.  5/43 
Mar.  6/43 


Oct.  30/42 
Nov.  20/42 


65m 


I  182 


61m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

100m 

Dec.  19/42 

1065 

936 

1280 

66m 

Jan. 23/43 

1 126 

98m 

Jan.  16/43 

1114 

67m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

1241 

62m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

962 

70m 

Jan.  2/43 

1090 

946 

70m 

Nov.  7/42 

1006 

574 

1 174 

1091 

91m 

May  1/43 

1289 

1 182 

1341 

1240 

58m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

1240 
1115 


94m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

70m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 159 

986 

59m 

May  29/43 

1338 

1018 

1339 

58  m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

59m 

May  8/43 

1303 

1241 
1277 

63  m 

May  1/43 

i290 

85m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

962 

64m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

64m 

July  11/42 

938 

61m 

Oct.  3 1  ,'42 

982 

59m 

Dec.  12/42 

1067 

58m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

1058 

1277 
1362 


55m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

58m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

1018 
1019 

63m 

Jan.  23/43 

1126 

67m 

July  11/42 

914 

75i 

84m 

Nov.  21/42 

1017 

986 

1341 

64m 

Feb.  13/43 

1158 

797 

63  m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

88m 

July  4/42 

938 

507 

947 

100m 

Aug.  29/42 

927 

1174 

71m 

Sept.  19/42 

911 

855 

81m 

Sept.  19/42 

911 

871 

59m 

May  22/43 
Jan.  30/43 

1325 

1277 

67m 

1137 

1031 

58m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

1 191 

60m 

Dec.  12/42 

1055 

74m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

995 

67m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

102m 

May  22/43 

1326 

46m 

Feb.  6/43 

1147 

57m 

Jan.  9/43 

1115 

962 
1339 

1341 

64m 

Aug.  8/42 

915 

1079 

123  m 

May  1/43 

1304 

1058 

99m 

May  29/43 

1339 

71m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

1031 

74m 

May  29/43 

1338 

1277 

62m 

Oct.  1 7/42 

959 

89m 

Sept.  12/42 

912 

1341 

90m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

1091 

1280 

104m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

1 182 

1341 

55m 

Aug.  15/42 

840 

1130 

70m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

1009 

100m 

May  8/43 

1301 

1081 

80m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

663 

1218 

60m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

61m 

Oct.  1 7/42 

970 

1 1 30 

65m 

May  15/43 

1313 

1079 

90m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

962 

1341 

75m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

871 

68m 

Jan.  23/43 

1126 

57m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 181 

1091 

81m 

Oct.  17/42 

957 

715 

1 130 

61m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

Product  Digest  Section 


1369 


K  A  f~\  T  1  S~\  K 1        D  1  r**  T  I  1   D  XL 

MO  HON  rICIUKb 

urn    a    i  p» 

June 

1  2  , 

19  4  3 

r—  REVIEWED 

M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Servici 

Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

rate 

Company 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

Mmiap    a     )  fill      Krinma  nt 

Univ 

p?  i         Rrne  .rranroc     1  st  r\  n  t  r\  r  rA 
l\  1  1  L     Ul  Ui.-n  dllLt;)     Ld  IIUIOI  u 

MOT  Jcl 

1  00  1 

NJav4-  a{  Ktn    Trio  fRi-i-fishi 
iNexi  OT  r\in,   ins  iuiiiimij 

Univ 

Udbll    jyuiloy   MUVd    r  II  Ucd in 

ivi  ci  y     / ,  *tj 

Anr  1  0  '43 

fx  k*J  1  •    1  V,  TJ 

1 262 

1  OA  1 

t\i  i  n  r\\m  a  ra 

m  ig  nTiTiart? 

U  niv. 

7015 

I  liana    RArrumnro.nrtan  IjaiiIavU 
LsiGiici   isaiiyiiiuic~viian  Lsumovy 

Nav  13  '42 

MOV.  1  J  , 

ft  1  m 

O  1  III 

Nov.  14/42 

1018 

1  1 

(NigriT  Tor  wnrrit?,  a\ 

PRC 

304 

\~>  \  a  n  rl        t  ra  r  re*  1 1  - 1             T  a  1 
viciiud    rai  i  cii-Ly ly    i  aiuoi 

Fnr-I    1  ft  '43 

78m 

Aug.  1/42 

903 

Night  Monster 

7038 

#  V OO 

I  r  on  o    riaruflw.RalA    1  unAf  i 

II  tJlltJ   1  l  cl  V  c  y -L*  a  Id  uuyosi 

73m 

Oct.  24/42 

970 

1  1  JU 

KllnUt    P  ana  imm   I  nlinnLtnn 

iNigni  nane  irom  ^iiunyMn^ 

Para. 

4219 

R  *-»  no  r"4-    Proctrtn.rllfln  llrau/ 
l\vj  UcIT    II  tJ  b  I  CJ  1 1    1- 1  lc|)    Ul  cW 

RIaaIt  4 

Aftm 

oom 

Jan.  2/43 

1  102 

700 

Nil/in^  4a  Rpmpmhpr  A 

MIUI1T    TO          M  1 1?  1 II  US? 1  |  /* 

Col. 

4009 

1  rirA+tfl  Yft ii nn- RtIa n  Anorno 

LUI  gl  |  u      1  UUIIM    Ul  lull    /  \  1 IC  1  lie 

Dpa  I0'42 

90m 

Uec.  1 V,  *\£. 

1  Uoo 

700 

M  ma    Knan     1  Rndcn  1 

Mine  ivien  idtitistii 

Ealina-UA 

1  ja  f  it    1  amPiftrT.Rirnarn    \A/  i   L  i       a  n 

Jdtn  Ldiiiuoi  i"i\icnaru  vvLininson 

INwT  OCT 

A7m 

Feb.  13/43 

1  158 

iNorTnwcST  rxangers 

MGM 

319 

1 A  m  A  c   (.  r  a  ifi-rA^riria  [jArio 
Jdiiics      i  diu  r  a 1 1  iLia  u^ariu 

npr  _PAk  '4^ 

64  m 

Oct.  3 1  ,'42 

98  1 

70U 

l  L\Q 

No  Place  for  a  Lady 

Col. 

4036 

William  Gargan-Margaret  Lindsay 

Feb.  1 1  ,'43 

67m 

1057 

No  lime  tor  Love 

D -...«. 

rara. 

L-laudette  l^olbert-rred  MacMurray 

Kl     i  A  j 

Not  bet 

855 

North  Star 

Goldwyn 

Walter  Huston-Anne  Baxter 

Not  Set 

1305 

Now,  Voyager 

WB 

206 

n    >  ■      tr-v,      •     n      lit           •  i 

Bette  Davis-Paul  Henreid 

Oct.  3  1  ,'42 

1  17m 

Aug.  22/42 

902 

1 174 

OLD  Acquaintance 

WB 

Rq+Ia     Ij  i  w  if  _  K«  in  a  m  rl^ntint 

DCTit;   Lva v i»- ivi iria m  nopmns 

Na+  ^ot 

MOT  OCT 

1  1  7  L 

Old  Chisholm  Trail,  The 

Univ 

7073 

Innnnw    K^at^lr*  Rmu/n 
•J  <j  1 1 1 1 1 1  y    ividLH  oruvYii 

Dpa    1  1  '4? 

60  m 

Jan.  16/43 

1113 

Old  Homestead,  The 

Rep. 

202 

w  crjvei    Ul  Ubi   dliu    L.  I  v  1 1  y 

Ann   17  '4? 

67m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

are; 

Old  Mother  Riley,  Detective 

(British)                     Br.  Nat'l-Anglo 

ArTrinr    1  1 1/* a  n 

/  \ i  i  iiur  Lucdii 

MOT  OCT 

80m 

Feb.  13/43 

1  159 

Omaha  Trail 

MGM 

3 1 1 

lamac  i    rain.Daan     I  ^  fi  n  a  r 
•J  a  nici  Via  iy  L/cdil  JdUijcl 

^ q r% 4-  '4^ 

61m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

/  70 

1  /ou 

Once  Upon  a  Honeymoon 

RKO 

31 1 

1^1  n    a  r   R  Aflo  rc»  (.  ^  r\i       r  a  n  t 
iiiyci    i\ u y    i  o  \s a i  y  \j i  a ii I 

Nov  ?7  '4? 

1  16m 

Nov.  7/42 

1006 

ODD 

One  Dangerous  Night 

Col. 

4029 

Warron    \A/il  i  a  rri.Pn/»  RlrtrCi 

vy  arren   vvniiaiii-c.ru,  oioro 

l^n  ?l  '41 
Jan.  ^  i ,  tj 

77m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

70  J 

One  of  Our  Aircraft  Is  Missing 

(British) 

UA 

>^ociTrey    i  edi  ic*ti  ic  rorTman 

Or*  1 A  '49 

86m 

Apr.  1  1/42 

903 

1  1  74 

One  Thrilling  Night 

Mono. 

lAh  n     Koa  L  \ A/  a  n      a    KA/*K  a\l 

JOiin   DcarVVdriud  ivicr\ay 

Julie  3, 

69  m 

Inlti    4  '49 
July    *r,  tL 

O  1  A 

Orchestra  Wives 

20th-Fox 

308 

[— r  o  ArrtQ    KA  AnlnA  m  c»  p  \/  -  A  n  r\    k  i  itpi  a  rtrt  rr 

N^tr  oi  y"  iviuiiiuuniciy  /a  nn  ixuiriciioic 

Cpn*     4  '47 

97m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

707 

1  1  JU 

Our  Lady  of  Paris  (French) 

Hirliman 

vaTHuiic  /Ait  c/wcumeniary 

M=»r    1  ?  '4^ 
ivi  dr.  1 1,  *i  j 

56m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

Outlaw,  The 

Hughes 

Jack  Buetei-Jane  Russell 

Not  Set 

I2lm 

Feb.  13,  43 

1 157 

Outlaws  of  Pine  Ridge 

Rep. 

Ill 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Uct.  27,  42 

o  /  m 

Nov.  21/42 

1017 

Over  My  Dead  Body 

20th-Fox 

325 

Milton  Berle-Mary  Be+h  Hughes 

Jan.  I5,'43 

68  m 

Uec.  1 2,  42 

1053 

995 

Ox-Bow  Incident,  The 

20th-Fox 

Henry  Fonda-Dana  Andrews 

May  21, '43 

75m 

May   8,  43 

1302 

872 

PALM  Beach  Story,  The 

Para. 

421 1 

r^laimoTTo    1        1  k  a  ri-  l/~>oi  Mrflroa 

vid u a ©ti t?   vui utsri  ocjci   ivn* >»/ 1  *s a 

Block  3 

90m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

AA3 

1 14. 1 

Panama  Hattie 

MGM 

303 

Ann  ooTnern-ixea  OKeiion 

\ Anl  _ Pvl i*\ \/  4y 

79  m 

July  25/42 

915 

39A 

i  n^4 

Pardon  My  Gun 

Col. 

4202 

i    U  arlaf    \^arpotl.A  ma    i  arrrsll 

v^rtari©s  OTarreTT~rtirnoi  vdrroti 

Dec.    1  '42 

57m 

May  22/43 

1326 

■  nco 
1  uoo 

Payoff,  The 

PRC 

303 

1  a  a  Tr*a  r\/-l  i  r>a  Tnat/Ar 
Lee    1  1  o  vy    1  Ilia    1  1 1  a  y  t?  1 

Jan  21  '43 

74m 

Nov  28  '42 

1030 

Petticoat  Larceny 

RKO 

i\UTn   vvarncR'Joan  vairon 

Rlnrl  7 

1 74(1 

Phantom  of  ihe  Opera  (color)  Univ. 

in e iso n  taay-jusannd  rosier 

1NOT  JcT 

1  107 

1  1  1  L 

Pied  Piper,  The 

20th-Fox 

304 

ivioriTy   vv  ooiiey~i\uciQy  ivicL/owdii 

Aim  71  '4? 

87m 

July  1 1/42 

903 

/O  1 

1082 

Pilot  No.  5 

MGM 

Fra nchot  Ton e-M a rsha  Hunt 

li  i  n  a     A  ii  a       ^1  < 

%june-A\uy.,  tj 

70m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

Q7  1 

Pirates  of  the  Prairie 

RKO 

382 

Tim  Mrtk 

1 1 m  noiT 

Nnv  70  '47 

57m 

Apr.  3/43 

1239 

1 033 

Pittsburgh 

Univ. 

7008 

Mariana     MiaTPiAn.  [a nn  \A/ja\/riA 

ividrieriB   tvieincn-oonn  vvaynw 

Dba  1  1  '42 

93m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

1  341 

Power  of  God,  The 

St.  Rts. 

1  am n  Rarr  flv/.Thnrnflc  1  oiifi^n 

\J  (J  1 1  1 9    UOI  vluy     ■  1 1  \J  1 1  I  a  5    l—\J  UU  en 

Not  Set 

1  l  U  1  JCI 

58  m 

Oct.  24/42 

970 

Powers  Girl,  The 

UA 

A  hha    \liir  Ai/.U,AArrlo  K/nrnhx/ 

Anns  oniri©y~^^cory iviuipny 

Ian    15  '43 

93m 

Dec.  19/42 

1078 

1341 

Power  of  the  Press 

Col. 

4017 

o u y  ixi DDco-Lee  i  rdcy 

Un  ?S  '43 

64  m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

1  U33 

Prairie  Chickens 

UA-Roach 

Jimmy  Rogers-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

Mflv  71  '43 
ivi  a  y  *m  i  (  i  j 

700 

Prelude  to  War 

WAC 

uucumcnTdry 

Maw  27  ^'l 

ivi  ay  if,  ~  J 

52m 

May  1/43 

1290 

Presenting  Lily  Mars 

MGM 

lii^ivf    Cap  ann.V^n     Hot  in 
JUQy    ^  drianu-Tdn    1  leTlin 

1 1 1  n  o -  A 1 1  '4^ 
wUiic  nuui|  ~«> 

104m 

May  1/43 

1289 

9A7 

Pride  of  the  Army 

Mono. 

Billy  Lee-Addison  Richards 

Nov.  I3,'42 

63m 

Oct.  10/42 

946 

(also  called  War  Dogs) 

Pride  of  the  Yankees,  The 

RKO 

43  1 

Gary  Cooper-Teresa  Wright 

Mar.  5,'43 

128m 

July  18/42 

915 

I0ft7 
1  vOi 

Princess  O'Rourke 

WB 

Olivia  de  Havilland-Robert  Cumminqs        Not  Set 

9A7 

.... 

Priorities  on  Parade 

Para. 

4701 

Ann  Miller-Jerry  Colonna 

Block  1 

79m 

Ann       1  'At 

Avug.    i , 

Prison  Mutiny 

Mono., 

Edward  Norris-Joan  Woodbury 

Feb. 12/43 

61m 

Jan.  30/43 

1137 

1  Oft  1 

1  UO  1 

(formerly  You  Can't  Beat  the  Law) 

Prodigal's  Mother 

Rep. 

Mabel  Paige-John  Craven 

June  4,'43 

1276 

.... 

Professor  Takes  a  Wife,  The 

MGM 

Mary  Astor-Herbert  Marshall 

Not  Set 

1  O  A  A 

1240 

(formerly  Faculty  Row) 

Purple  V,  The 

Rep. 

212 

John  Archer-Mary  McLeod 

Mar.  12/43 

58m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

1 162 

QUEEN  of  Broadway 

PRC 

312 

Rochelle  Hudson-Buster  Crabbe 

Mar.  8/43 

62m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

1018 

Queen  Victoria  (British) 

Renown 

Anna  Neagle-Anton  Walbrook 

Not  Set 

84m 

Jan.  16/43 

1 113 

Quiet  Please,  Murder 

20th-Fox 

33 1 

Gail  Patrick-George  Sanders 

Mar.  19/43 

70m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

983 

RAIDERS  of  San  Joaquin 

Univ. 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Not  Set 

59m 

June   5  '43 

1349 

1009 

Random  Harvest 

MGM 

Ronald  Colman-Greer  Garson 

June-Aug.,'43 

126m 

Nov  28  '42 

1029 

79A 

/TO 

1  7ft0 

Rangers  Take  Over,  The 

PRC 

j3  1 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill 

Dec.  25/42 

60  m 

Jan  16 '43 

1 1 14 

1  05R 

Ravaged  Earth 

Crystal 

Documentary  on  China 

Not  Set 

68  m 

Dec.  5/42 

1043 

Reap  the  Wild  Wind  (coloi 

)  Para. 

4 

*r  1  j  / 

Ray  Milland-Paulette  Goddard 

1941-42 

1 24m 

Mar  21  '42 

1250 

40ft 
*ruo 

/  73 

Redhead  from  Manhattan 

Col. 

4ft94 

Lupe  Velez-Michael  Duane 

May  6/43 

59m 

May  29/43 

1338 

1741 
i  i 

Red  River  Robin  Hood 

RKO 

Tim  Holt 

Not  Set 

57m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

Reunion  in  France 

MGM 

j  1  0 

Joan  Crawford-Philip  Dorn- 

(formerly  Reunion) 

John  Wayne 

Dec.-Feb.,'43 

102m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

R77 

OIL 

1  341 

Reveille  with  Beverly 

Col. 

4fl  1 4 
*rU  1  *r 

Ann  Miller-William  Wright 

Feb.  4/43 

78m 

Mar  13  '43 

1202 

1  IA7 

1  1  QL 

1 7ft0 

1  LOKJ 

Rhythm  of  the  Islands 

Univ. 

7A49 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Apr.  16/43 

ADm 

oun 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

\  1  77 

\  \  LI 

Rhythm  Parade 

Mono. 

Gale  Storm-Robert  Lowery 

Dec.  11/42 

70  m 

Dec.  I9i'42 

1067 

983 

Ride,  Tenderfoot,  Ride  (Reissue)  Rep. 

Gene  Autry 

June  1/43 

65  m 

Aug.  24/40 

1274 

Riders  of  the  Northwest  Mounted  Col. 

4?  1  I 
*tZ  I  1 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Feb. 15/43 

57m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 182 

101° 

1  U  1  7 

Riders  of  the  Rio  Grande 

Rep. 

Three  Mesquiteers 

May  21/43 

May  15/43 

1315 

1 276 

Ridin1  Down  the  Canyon 

Rep. 

LD  J 

Roy  Rogers-Gabby  Hayes 

Dec.  30/42 

55m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

1019 

Riding  Through  Nevada 

Col. 

Charles  Starrett-Shirley  Patterson 

Oct.  1/42 

61m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 169 

1058 

Right  About  Face 

MGM 

Kay  Kyser-Marilyn  Maxwell 

Not  Set 

1241 

Road  to  Morocco 

Para. 

4207 

Bob  Hope-Bing  Crosby-Dorothy  Lamour       Block  2 

83m 

Oct.  3/42 

933 

872 

1 130 

Robin  Hood  of  the  Range 

Col. 

Charles  Starrett-Kay  Harris 

Not  Set 

1057 

Roger  Touhy,  Last  of 

the  Gangsters 

20th-Fox 

Preston  Foster-Lois  Andrews 

Not  Set 

1362 

I  370   Product  Digest  Section 


June    12,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


REVIEWED 


Title  Company 
Russian  Story,  The  Artkino 
Russians  at  War  (Russian)  Artkino 

SADDLES  and  Sagebrush  Col. 

Sagebrush  Law  RKO 

Saludos  Amigos  (color)  RKO 

Salute  for  Three  Para. 
Salute  to  the  Marines  (color)  MGM 

Santa  Pe  Scouts  Rep. 

Sarong  Girl  Mono. 
Scattergood  Survives  a  Murder  RKO 

Secret  Enemies  WB 
Secret  Mission  (British)  Hellman-Gen'l 

Secrets  of  a  Co-Ed  PRC 

Secrets  of  the  Underground  Rep. 

Seven  Days  Leave  RKO 

Seven  Miles  from  Alcatraz  RKO 

Seven  Sweethearts  MGM 

Shadow  of  a  Doubt  Univ. 

Shadows  on  the  Sage  Rep. 

Shantytown  Rep. 

She  Has  What  It  Takes  Col. 
Sherlock  Holmes,  Voice  of  Terror  Univ. 
Sherlock  Holmes,  Secret  Weapon  Univ. 
Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington  Univ. 

Siege  of  Leningrad  (Russian)  Artkino 

Silent  Witness  Mono. 
Silk,  Blood  and  Sun  (Mexican)  Maya 

Silver  Queen  UA 
Silver  Fleet  (British)  Archers-Gen'l 

Silver  Skates  Mono. 

Silver  Spurs  Rep. 

Sin  Town  Univ. 

Sky's  the  Limit,  The  RKO 

Slightly  Dangerous  MGM 

Smith  of  Minnesota  Col. 

Soliga  Solberg  (Swedish)  Scandia 

Sombrero  Kid,  The  Rep. 

Something  to  Shout  About  Col. 

Somewhere  I'll  Find  You  MGM 

Somewhere  in  France  UA 

Somewhere  in  Sahara  Col. 

So  Proudly  We  Hail  Para. 

Son  of  Dracula  Univ. 

Song  of  Texas  Rep. 

Song  to  the  Wind  (It.)  Hoffberg 
South  of  the  Border  (Re-release)  Rep. 

Spirit  of  Stanford,  The  Col. 

Spitfire  (British)  RKO 

Spotlight  Revue  Mono. 

Spring  Song  (Russian)  Artkino 

Springtime  in  Rockies  (color)  20th-Fox 

Spy  Train  Mono. 

Squadron  Leader  X  (British)  RKO 

Stage  Door  Canteen  UA 

Stand  By,  All  Networks  Col. 

Stand  By  for  Action  MGM 

Star  Spangled  Rhythm  Para. 

Stormy  Weather  20th-Fox 

Stranger  from  Pecos  Mono. 

Stranger  in  Town,  A  MGM 

Street  of  Chance  Para. 

Strictly  in  the  Groove  Univ. 

Submarine  Alert  Para. 

Submarine  Base  (1943-44)  PRC 

Sundown  Kid  Rep. 

Sweet  Rosie  O'Grady  (color)  20th-Fox 

Swing  Shift  Maisie  MGM 

Swing  Your  Partner  Rep. 

TAHITI  Honey  Rep. 

Tales  of  Manhattan  20th-Fox 

Tarzan's  Desert  Mystery  RKO 

Tarzan  Triumphs  RKO 

Taxi  Mister  UA-Roach 

Tennessee  Johnson  MGM 
Tenting  Tonight  on  the 

Old  Camp  Ground  Univ. 

Terror  House  PRC 

Texas  to  Bataan  Mono. 

Thank  Your  Lucky  Stars  WB 

That  Nazty  Nuisance  UA-Roach 

That  Other  Woman  20th-Fox 

Theatre  Royal  (British)  Nat'l-Anglo 
They  Came  to  Blow  Up  America  20th-Fox 

They  Got  Me  Covered  RKO 

This  Is  the  Army  WB 

This  Land  Is  Mine  RKO 
Those  Kids  from  Town  (British)  Anglo 


Prod. 

Number 


4212 
384 
392 

4225 

265 

306 
205 

309 
208 
310 
315 
308 
7065 
261 
218 
4029 
7020 
7024 
7018 


7017 

325 
4035 

27  i 
4006 
301 


2302 
4022 


317 

326 

4042 
316 
4231 


324 
4210 
7028 

401 
273 


216 
313 

319 

322 

7074 
322 


318 

339 
352 

323 


Stars 

Historical  Feature 
Documentary 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 
Tim  Holt 

Disney  South  American  Feature 
Macdonald  Carey-Betty  Rhodes 
Wallace  Beery-Fay  Bainter 
Three  Mesquiteers 
Ann  Corio-Tim  and  Irene 
Guy  Kibbee-Margaret  Hayes 
Craig  Stevens-Faye  Emerson 
Hugh  Williams-Carla  Lehmann 
Otto  Kruger-Tina  Thayer 
John  Hubbard-Virginia  Grey 
Lucille  Ball-Victor  Mature 
James  Craig-Bonita  Granville 
Van  Heflin-Kathryn  Grayson 
Teresa  Wright-Joseph  Cotten 
Three  Mesquiteers 
Mary  Lee-John  Archer 
Jinx  Falkenberg-Tom  Neal 
Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce 
Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce 
Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce 
Soviet  Documentary 
Frank  Albertson-Maris  Wrixon 
Jorge  Negrete-Gloria  Marin 
George  Brent-Priscilla  Lane 
Ralph  Richardson-Googie  Withers 
Patricia  Morison-Kenny  Baker 
Roy  Rogers 

Constance  Bennett-Brod  Crawford 

Fred  Astaire-Joan  Leslie 

Lana  Turner-Robert  Young 

Bruce  Smith-Arline  Judge 

Edvard  Persson 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Don  Ameche-Jack  Oakie-Janet  Blair 

Clark  Gable-Lana  Turner 

Constance  Cumming-Tommy  Trinder 

Humphrey  Bogart-Bruce  Bennett 

Claudette  Colbert-Paulette  Goddard 

Louise  Allbritton-Lon  Chaney 

Roy  Rogers 

Giuseppe  Lugo 

Gene  Autry 

Frankie  Albert-Marguerite  Chapman 
Leslie  Howard-Rosamund  John 
Billy  Gilbert-Frank  Fay 


Not  Set 
Block  6 
Not  Set 
June  I4,'43 
Apr.  24,'43 
Mar.    I, "43 
Sept.  I0,'42 
Not  Set 
July  30,'43 


Nikolai  Kunovalov-Ludmila  Tzelikovskaya  Sept.  I  I, '42 

Betty  Grable-John  Payne  Nov.  6, "42 

Richard  Travis-Catherine  Craig  July   9, '43 

Eric  Portman-Beatrice  Varley  Block  6 

Stage  and  Screen  Stars  Not  Set 

John  Beal-Florence  Rice  Oct.  29,'42 

Charles  Laughton-Robert  Taylor  Dec.-Feb.,'43 
Betty  Hutton-Eddie  Bracken-Victor  Moore  Special 

Bill  Robinson-Lena  Home  Not  Set 

Johnny  Mack  Brown  June  25, '43 

Frank  Morgan-Jean  Rogers  Apr.-May,'43 

Burgess  Meredith-Claire  Trevor  Block  2 

Leon  Errol-Mary  Healy  Nov.  20,'42 

Richard  Arlen-Wendy  Barrie  Block  6 

John  Litel-Alan  Baxter  June  25, '43 

Don  Barry-Linda  Johnson  Dec.  28, '42 

Betty  Grable-Robert  Young  Not  Set 

Ann  Sothern-James  Craig  Not  Set 

Lulubelle  and  Scotty-Vera  Vague  May  20, '43 

Simone  Simon-Dennis  O'Keefe  Apr.  6,'43 

C.  Boyer-R.  Hayworth-G.  Rogers  Oct.  30,'42 

Johnny  Weissmuller-Nancy  Kelly  Block  7 
Johnny  Weissmuller-Frances  Gifford       Feb.  1 9, "43 

William  Bendix-Grace  Bradley  Apr.  1 6, '43 

Van  Heflin-Ruth  Hussey  Dec.-Feb.,'43 

Johnny  Mack  Brown  Feb.  5, '43 

Wilfred  Lawson-James  Mason  Apr.  19/43 

Range  Busters  Oct.  I6,'42 

All  Warner  Contract  Players  Not  Set 

William  Tracy-Joe  Sawyer  Not  Set 

Virginia  Gilmore-James  Ellison  Nov.  1 3, '42 

Bud  Flanagan-Chesney  Allen  Not  Set 

George  Sanders-Anna  Sten  May  7,'43 

Bob  Hope-Dorothy  Lamour  Feb.  5, '43 
Joan  Leslie-George  Murphy-Stage  Cast       Not  Set 

Charles  Laughton-Maureen  O'Hara  Block  5 

Percy  Marmont-Marie  O'Neill  Not  Set 


1305 
I  104 
124 


772 
1305 


in.  a  • 

rroutit.  i 

Advance 

Service 

txUfttlttlg 

rieraiu 

uigesi 

Synopsis 

Data 

Lsu  It 

"Time 

,  Issue 

rage 

Page 

Page 

June  8,'43 

73m 

June   5, '43 

1349 

Not  Set 

61m 

May    1 ,43 

1290 

A           OO  *  A O 

Apr.  22,  43 

57m 

May  8,  43 

1302 

1240 

.... 

A              T  1  A  "> 

Apr.   2,  43 

c , 

56m 

A  ■        OA  i  A  O 

Apr.  24,  43 

1 275 

reb.  1 7,  4J 

A  O 

43m 

P\  in  'An 

Dec.  ly,  42 

1 065 

1  1  OA 

1 1 74 

Block  5 

oc  

/om 

11         OO  'AO 

Mar.  27,  43 

1  OOA 

1226 

1  A  A  f 

1091 

M  _  1  C  A 

Not  bet 

1057 

A           1  A  i,i 

Apr.  16,  43 

55m 

LA          It?  'AO 

May  15,  43 

1314 

1276 

1  ,  1    I A  O 

June  1  1 , 43 

OA 

70m 

k  A        ir  'AO 

May  15,  43 

1 314 

1277 

(Jet.  1  o,  4/ 

66m 

r\ -a  i  7  i.i 
Uct.  1  7,  42 

959 

912. 

Oct.  1 7,  42 

59m 

A       —     OO  '  AO 

Aug.  22,  42 

914 

Not  Set 

OA 

V4m 

C  A    OA  'AO 

Sept.  26,  42 

922 

/~\      1      *)  /     '  y»0 

Uct.  26,  42 

67m 

Sept.  I9,'42 

910 

Pv  _  _     JO  '  A 1 

Dec.  1  8,  42 

AO 

69m 

r    L     1 O  ' AO 

Feb.  13,  43 

1 1 59 

1009 

kl*.,      1  O  'AO 

Nov.  1  3,  42 

8/m 

r\  L    1  o  1 A  O 

Uct.  1  7,  42 

AC  O 

958 

ooo 

872 

1280 

Jan.  o,  4a 

62m 

kl           1  A  'AO 

Nov.  14,  42 

1006 

962 

C  1    kl—..  'AO 

bept.-Nov.,  42 

AO  

V8m 

A  ..  —     1  C  ■  AO 

Aug.  1  b,  42 

AAO 

902 

1 1 74 

1  1  F  'AO 

Jan.  1 5,  43 

1 08m 

1              A  '  AO 

Jan.  9,43 

1 1 14 

936 

1280 

A  .. _    OA1  'AO 

Aug.  24,  42 

57m 

1               O  ■  AO 

Jan.  2,43 

1090 

.... 

A  OA  'AO 

Apr.  20,  43 

65m 

Apr.  24,'43 

1273 

1 191 

A  1  c  'AO 

Apr.  IS,  4a 

66  m 

1 192 

C  A     1  Q  '  AO 

bept.  1 8,  42 

65m 

C    _  a     1 O  '  AO 

Sept.  12,  42 

897 

C    L     1 O  '  AO 

Feb.  1 2,  43 

68m 

I              o  'AO 

Jan.  2,  43 

1090 

A  OPl  'A  O 

Apr.  3U,  43 

o  1  

7 1  m 

A  O  '  A  O 

Apr.  3,  43 

1  ooo 

1237 

983 

r   L    1  1  'AO 

reb.  1  1 ,  43 

/O  

62  m 

C    L    OA  'AO 

reb.  20,  43 

1  1  A  A 

1  1 69 

1  if  '  j  o 

Jan.  1 5,  4J 

AO 

62m 

P\     _     |  A  'AO 

Dec.  1 9,  42 

1066 

1033 

Not  Set 

OA  

86m 

L       A  'AO 

reb.   6,  43 

1  1  A  A 

1  146 

k  I  _        i  o  'AO 

Nov.  1 3,  42 

OA 

80m 

kl           1  A  'AO 

Nov.  1 4,  42 

1005 

936 

kl~l 

Not  Set 

Bom 

k  A  .  _    OA  'AO 

Mar.  2U,  43 

1  O  1  A 

1214 

r    L    OA  'AO 

reb.  26,  43 

/6m 

1  |  1    t  A  O 

Jan.  1 6,  42 

1  1  1  0 
1  1  1  3 

1  O  A  1 

1 341 

'..]._   in  'AO 

July  1 8,  43 

1351 

c__±   oc  'AO 

Sept.  23,  42 

oo  

/3m 

i       o  'AO 

Uct.    3,  42 

AO  A 
Y34 

O  AO 

898 

Block  7 

1  1  A? 

1  1  OA 

Apr. -May, '43 

94  m 

Mar.  6,'43 

1  189 

1057 

1280 

Oct.  I5,'42 

66m 

Oct.  1 7,'42 

959 

797 

Sept.  I2,'42 

89m 

Sept.  I9,'42 

910 

July  31, '42 

56m 

Oct.  3,'42 

935 

796 

Feb.  25/43 

90m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 157 

1043 

1341 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

107m 

Aug.  8,"42 

902 

726 

984 

June  1 1  ,'43 

83m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 169 

69m 

May  29/43 

1337 

76m 

May  8/43 

1303 

71m 

Dec.  16/39 

1 158 

73m 

Oct.  3  1  ,'42 

982 

796 

1082 

90m 

Apr.  17/43 

1275 

1351 

74m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

91m 

Sept.  26/42 

921 

855 

M74 

60m 

June  5/43 

1349 

1277 

100m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

132m 

May  15/43 

1313 

1115 

64m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

797 

109m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

871 

1341 

100m 

Jan.  3/43 

1 102 

855 

1280 

77m 

May  29/43 

1337 

1192 
1277 

67m 

Feb.  13/43 

1158 

1079 

74m 

Oct.  3/42 

933 

871 

1082 

60m 

July  4/42 

914 

55m 

Jan.  16/43 

1113 

1305 

87  m 

May  8/43 

1302 

1191 

72m 

May  8/43 

1302 

1276 

69m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

1191 

1  18m 

Aug.  8/42 

927 

706 

.  1130 

1362 

77m 

Jan.  23/43 

i  125 

983 

i  i  74 

46m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

986 

100m 

Dec.  19/42 

1065 

946 

i  280 

61m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

1018 

62m 

May  22/43 

1326 

1276 

56m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

1058 

43  m 

June  12/43 

1361 

1019 

75m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

936 

100m 

June  5/43 

1350 

73  m 

Apr.  24/43 

1273 

1162 

96m 

Jan.  2/43 

1 102 

872 

1341 

1276 

103  m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

1 162 

1341 

75m 

May  2/42 

633 

Product  Digest  Section  1371 


MOTION  PICTURE 

HERALD 

June 

12, 

1  943 

t—  REVIEWED  — % 

M.  P. 

Product 

Ad  vance 

Service 

Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Title 

Company 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

Thrf»p  Ha  Art*  for  Jul  1a 

MGM 

321 

Ann  Sothern-Melvyn  Douglas 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

90m 

Jan.  9/43 

1  101 

1009 

Thumbs  Up 

Rep. 

Brenda  Joyce-Richard  Fraser 

June  24,'43 

1351 

Thunder  Birds  (color) 

20th-Fox 

307 

John  Sutton -Gone  Tierney 

Nov.  20,'42 

78m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

796 

Thunder  Rock  (British)  Charter-Metro 

Michael  Redgrave-Barbara  Mullen 

Not  Set 

1  1  Im 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

Thundering  Trails 

Rep. 

263 

Three  Mesquiteers 

Jan.  25,'43 

56m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 159 

1115 

Time  to  Kill 

20th-Fox 

326 

Lloyd  No  Ian- Heather  Angel 

Jan.  22, '43 

61m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

995 

Tish 

MGM 

302 

Marjorie  Main-Lee  Bowman 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

83m 

July  25/42 

938 

772 

1034 

Tomorrow  We  Live 

PRC 

307 

Jean  Parker-Ricardo  Cortez 

Sept.  29/42 

64m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

Tonight  We  Raid  Calais 

20th-Fox 

337 

Annabella-John  Sutton 

Apr.  30,'43 

70m 

Apr.  3/43 

1239 

1 192 

Tornado  in  the  Saddle 

Col. 

4210 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Dec.  I5,'42 

59m 

1058 

Trail  Riders 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Dec.  4,'42 

55m 

June  5/43 

1350 

1018 

Traitor  Within,  The 

Rep. 

207 

Don  Barry-Jean  Parker 

Dec.  I6,'42 

62m 

Dec.  5/42 

1043 

983 

1 174 

Triumph  Over  Pain 

Para. 

Joel  McCrea-Betty  Field 

Not  Set 

912 

(formerly  Great  Without  Glory) 

Truck  Busters 

WB 

213 

Richard  Travis-Ruth  Ford 

Feb.  6,'43 

58m 

Jan.  23/43 

1  126 

True  to  Life  (color) 

Para. 

Mary  Martin-Franchot  Tone 

Not  Set 

1079 

Two  Fisted  Justice 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Jan.  8,'43 

61m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 127 

103  1 

Two  Senoritas  from  Chicago 

Col. 

Jinx  Falkenburg-Joan  Davis 

June  I0,'43 

68m 

June  5/43 

1349 

1305 

Two  Tickets  to  London 

Univ. 

i  f-  n    1  &    nA  rirn^n.ALan    ti  i  r+I  c 
ivi  i  v»ntsits    iviui  yail  AAlall  \^UiTIS 

June  i  o,  ^ o 

1  33Q 

1  537 

Two  Weeks  to  Live 

RKO 

317 

Lum  V  Abner 

Feb.  26,'43 

75m 

Feb.  6/43 

1  147 

UNDERCOVER  Man 

UA 

William  Boyd-Andy  Clyde 

Oct  23  '42 

68m 

May  9/42 

647 

Underground  Agent 

Col. 

4039 

Bruce  Bennett-Leslie  Brooks 

Dec.  3.'42 

68m 

Feb.  6/43 

1  148 

1009 

Undying  Monster,  The 

20th-Fox 

319 

Jcjmp'i  Ellison-H  ft  a  tne»r  Anoftl 

Nov  27  '42 

60m 

Oct.  17/42 

970 

936 

1082 

Unpublished  Story  (British) 

Col. 

Richard  Greene-Miles  Malleson 

Not  Set 

91m 

Apr.  11/42 

598 

VALLEY  of  Hunted  Men 

Rep. 

262 

Three  Mesquiteers 

Nov.  13/42 

60m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 190 

103 1 

Varsity  Show  (Reissue) 

WB 

215 

Dick  Powell-Fred  Waring  " 

Dec.  I9,'42 

81m 

Aug.  21/37 

1043 

Vengeance  of  the  West 

Col. 

3216 

Bill  Elliott-Tex  Ritter 

Sept.  3  '42 

60m 

Virgin  of  Guadalupe  (Mex. 

Maya 

Jose  Luis  Jiminez 

May  14/43 

95m 

May  22/43 

1325 

WAKE  Island 

Para. 

4205 

Brian  Don  levy- Robert  Preston 

Block  1 

87m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

772 

1 130 

War  Against  Mrs.  Hadley,  The  MGM 

306 

Fay  Ba inter- Edward  Arnold 

SeDt  -Nov  "42 

86m 

Aug.  8/42 

902 

797 

1 174 

War  Dogs 

Mono. 

Billy  Lee- Addison  Richards 

Nov  13  '42 

63  m 

Oct.  10/42 

946 

Watch  on  the  Rhine 

WB 

Bette  Davis- Paul  Lucas 

Not  Set 

986 

We  Are  the  Marines 

20th-Fox 

324 

Marine  Feature 

Jan.  8, '43 

70m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

We  Dive  at  Dawn  (British) 

Gains. 

John  Mills-Eric  Portman 

Not  Set 

98m 

May  22/43 

We'll  Smile  Again  (Brit.)  Nafl-Anglo 

Bud  Flanagan-Chesney  Allen 

Not  Set 

93m 

Oct.  31/42 

982 

Went  the  Day  Well?  (British)  Ealing-UA 

Leslie  Banks-Basil  Sydney 

Not  Set 

92  m 

Nov.  14/42 

1006 

West  of  the  Law 

Mono. 

Buck  Jones-Tim  McCoy 

Nov.  2,'42 

55m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

West  of  Texas 

PRC 

353 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill 

May  10, '43 

54m 

May  15/43 

1314 

1277 

West  Side  Kid 

Rep. 

Donald  Barry- Dale  Evans 

June  30  '43 

VUII&    *J  v  i  IJ 

1351 

We've  Never  Been  Licked 

Univ. 

Richard  Qutne-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

Not  Set 

1115 

What's  Buzzin',  Cousin? 

Col. 

Ann  Miller- John  Hubbard 

Not  Set 

1351 

When  Johnny  Comes  March 

ing  Home 

Univ. 

7016 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Jan.   1  ,'43 

74m 

Dec.  26/42 

1090 

1341 

Whistling  in  Dixie 

MGM 

313 

Red  Skelton-Ann  Rutherford 

Dec.-Feb.,'43 

74m 

Oct.  3 1  ,'42 

981 

946 

1 174 

White  Cargo 

MGM 

310 

Hedy  Lama  rr-^Va  Iter  Pidgeon 

Seot.-Nov  '42 

89m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

871 

1341 

White  Savage  (color) 

Univ. 

7004 

Maria  Montez-Jon  Hall-Sabu 

Apr.  23, '43 

76m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

1079 

Who  Done  It? 

Univ. 

7002 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Nov.  6,'42 

75m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

971 

1082 

Wildcat 

Para. 

4204 

Richard  Arlen-Arline  Judge 

Block  1 

73m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

Wild  Horse  Stampede 

Mono. 

Ken  Maynard-Hoot  Gibson 

Apr.  16/43 

59m 

May  1/43 

1290 

1276 

Wings  and  the  Woman  (British)  RKO 

303 

Anna  Neagle-R.  Newton 

Sept.  18/42 

94m 

May  2/42 

903 

1082 

(formerly  They  Flew  Alone) 

Wings  Over  the  Pacific 

Mono. 

Inez  Cooper-Edward  Norris 

June  25/43 

1276 

World  at  War 

WAC 

Documentary 

Sept.  18/42 

66m 

Sept.  5/42 

890 

Wrecking  Crew 

Para. 

4?  12 

Richard  Arlen-Chester  Morris 

Block  3 

73m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

986 

Wyoming  Hurricane 

Col. 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Not  Set 

1079 

X  MARKS  the  Spot 

Rep. 

204 

Damian  O'Flynn-Helen  Parrish 

Nov.  4/42 

56m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

986 

YANK  at  Eton,  A 

MGM 

305 

Mickey  Rooney-Edmund  Gwenn 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

87m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

726 

1 130 

Yankee  Doodle  Dandy 

WB 

201 

James  Cagney-Joan  Leslie 

Jan.  2/43 

126m 

June  6/42 

903 

674 

1082 

Yanks  Ahoy 

UA-Roach 

Joe  Sawyer-Willia m  Tracy 

Not  Set 

47m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1019 

Yanks  Are  Coming,  The 

PRC 

301 

Maxie  Rosen  bloom- Mary  Healy 

Nov.  9/42 

65  m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

1 130 

You  Can't  Beat  the  Law 

Mono. 

Edward  Norris-Joan  ^Voodbury 

Feb.  12/43 

61m 

Jan.  30/43 

1 137 

1081 

You  Can't  Escape  Forever 

WB 

207 

George  Brent-Brenda  Marshall 

Oct.  10/42 

77m 

Sept.  26/42 

921 

898 

1034 

You  Love  Me,  1  Love  You  (It.)  Hoffberg 

A  lid  a  Valli-Amedeo  Nazzari 

Apr.  3/43 

95m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

You  Were  Never  Lovelier 

Col. 

4002 

Fred  Astaire-Rita  Hayworth 

Nov.  19/42 

97m 

Oct.  10/42 

945 

796 

1 174 

Young  and  Willing 

UA 

William  Holden-Susan  Hayworth 

Feb.  5/43 

82m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 170 

663 

Youngest  Profession,  The 

MGM 

Virginia  Weidler-E.  Arnold  &  Guests 

June-Aug.,'43 

81m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

1081 

1341 

Young  Mr.  Pitt  (British) 

20th-Fox 

316 

Robert  Morley-Robert  Donat 

Feb.  26/43 

103m 

July  4/42 

914 

Youth  on  Parade 

Rep. 

203 

John  Hubbard-Martha  O'Driscoll 

Oct.  24/42 

75m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

Feature  Product  including  Coming  Attractions,  listed  Company  by  Company, 
in  Order  of  Release  on  Page  1352. 


I  372   Product  Digest  Section 


EASTMAN 
FILMS 


More  than  ever  the  main- 
stay of  the  motion  picture 
industry,  with  every  foot 
contributing  its  full  share 
of  exceptional  quality. 


EASTMAN    KODAK  COMPANY 

J.  E.  BRULATOUR,  INC.,  DISTRIBUTORS 
Fort  Lee  Chicago  Hollywood 


TAKE  OUR 
FAVORITE 


Traihn  and  Accessories 
en 

MfltfM  TQ  WAR 

Are  Available  af 
National  Scttm  Exchanges 


1 


And  in  war  times  .  .  .  SERVICE  is  that  priceless  entity  .  .  .  that  results 
from  years  of  painstaking  effort  toward  an  ideal  ...  in  spite  of  inadequately 
trained  personnel  .  .  ,  in  spite  of  restricted  materials  ...  in  spite  of  shipping 
bottlenecks  .  .  .  Theatres  shall  be  serviced  with  Advertising  .  .  .  Sometimes 
the  fight  seems  to  go  against  us  .  .  .  when  all  our  years  of  knowing  WHAT 
TO  DO  .  .  .  HOW  TO  DO  IT  BEST  .  .  .  AND  QUICKEST  ...  is  of  little  avail .  . 
it  is  at  these  times  that  we  earnesty  bespeak  your  help  ...  for  after  all 
.  .  we  cannot  perform  miracles  ...  but  our  motto  is  still  .  .  .  "Don't  let 
the  picture  die"  ...  so  help  us  keep  it  alive  and  kicking  .  .  .  IN! 

noTionoL  CjC^iee/l  service 

i^y  PRIME  BMJY  Of  THE  UIDU5IRY 


STANDARD    ACCESSORIES    »    SPECIALTY  ACCES 


S    •  TRAILER 


V, 


MO 


MR.  WILL  HAYS, 
28  W.   44TH  ST.  , 
NEW  YORK, 
N.  Y. 


TURt 


HERALD 


(/«  Product  Digest) 

Two  Ticket*  to  London 
Good  Luck.  Mr.  Yetet 
Thumbt  Up 
The  Lone  Ster  T  , 
World  of  Plenty 


OP 


Clearance  and  Zoning  must 
Wait  for  War's  End,  Majors  say, 
Answering  Exhibitor  Protests 

J.  Arthur  Rank  Interests 
Challenge  Position  of  U.  S. 
Industry  in  Great  Britain 

Playdates  of  Top  Product 

For  1943  Up  30  Percent; 
Holdover  Time  Increases 


Universal  announces  55  for  1943^44 


VOL  I5lt  NO,  12 


JUNE  i9,  !943 


1931  j  at  the  rati  Q 


Entered  at  ietsmd-clatt  imMttr,  Jam***]/  12,  - 

^ked  wtekN  fc»  Qnwfof  Pmblithino  Co.,  Imc.,  at  Svrth  Avetme,    Rockefeller   Center,   Uea>  York, 

^/iX^ZinYZ   tWM  e  **?  Few    Single  t*9.  2S  tnf.    AH  lomtenU  cofyngkt   190  by  Qu 


with fe"*n?  Li'v 


*af«"  with  Fay T  Li'v 
Richard   Car/son  l"^' 

H^  0£.  myDorsev 

Crosby  «d  hS'SSi,  B°b 
^reen   Play  by  £h£Stra 
,  Connell  and  rJ  .R,chard 
man    .  Baslj  !  rdys  Ler" 

,  Taurog    .    Pf.Dy,  Norman 

JOSePV>^1^C-d  AnV 
M"G-M  PictlIre  An 


st»t-  , 

tv,3oVvtx 


-pilot  #5"  ^ar;;sn,| 

T.   Sirtnev  •  Produced 
George  Sidney 

bv  B.  P.  Fineman  An 

M-G-M  Picture 


'Bat 


TayIornasStsrring  R°bert 

HoIferTk^^^  # 
pCroded  ^TayTarnetV 
An  M-G-M  Picture 


Let's  Keep 

Setting  Bonds  1 


Harrigan's  Kid"  with 
Bobby  Readick,  Frank 
Craven,  William  Gargan, 
].  Carrol  Naish  •  Screen 
Play  by  Alan  Friedman 
and  Martin  Berkeley 
Adaptation  by  Henry 
Blankfort    •    Directed  by 
Charles  F.  Riesner  •  Pro- 
duced by  Irving  Starr  •  An 
M-G-M  Picture 


Du  Barry  Was  A  , 
starring  Red  Ske 
Luc/U?r  BaU,  Gene  , 

"R     Y,ir£inia  O'B 
Rags"  Ragland,  i 
Mostel  •  Tommy  Dc 
and  His  Orchestra  •  i 
tographed  in  Technic 
Screen  Play  by  Irv 
Brecher  .  Adaptatior 
Nancy  Hamilton  •  A, 
tional  Dialogue  by  Wi 
Mahoney  .  Based  on 
Hay  Produced  by  B. 
DeSylva  and  Written 
Herbert  Fields  and  B. 
DeSylva  with  Music  a 
Lyrics  by  Cole  Port 
Directed  by  Roy  Del  Ru 
r°auced  by  Arthur  Fro 
An  M-G-M  Picture 


'Seven  From  Heaven"  Has  Everything! 

(4th  Great  Group  from  Metro 'Goldivyn 'Mayer) 


V  v  .  ****  • 


/o/'ra  /a/j>  /F^i?  STAMP  Drive! 


JACK  L  WARNER,  Executive 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD 


COLV1N  BROWN,  Publisher 


Vol.  151,  No.  12 


MARTIN  QVIGLEY 
President  and  Editor-in-Chief 


OP 


TERRY  RAMSAYE,  Editor 


June  19,  1943 


IN  WAR  and  PEACE      ^  M0NEY 

"E 


NTERTAINMENT  is  always  a  national  asset.  Invaluable 
in  time  of  peace,  it  is  indispensable  in  wartime,"  said 
President  Roosevelt  to  the  National  Conference  of 
the  Entertainment  Industry  for  War  Activities  last  week. 

That  expression  will  do  for  a  lobby  display  at  anybody's 
theatre. 

Coincidentally,  there  comes  interesting  documentation  in  an 
article  in  the  new  issue  of  Kodak,  a  magazine  for  Eastman 
employees,  which  quotes  from  the  remarks  of  Mr.  Will  H.  Hays 
on  a  Kodak  radio  program,  in  the  course  of  which  he  com- 
mented upon  British  experience  with  theatres  in  wartime, 
saying: 

"First,  some  800  British  theatres  were  put  out  of  commission 
by  bombs.  Then  there  was  the  problem  of  blackouts,  of  get- 
ting people  to  and  from  the  movies,  and  the  shortage  of  help. 
How  could  pictures  continue  to  be  exhibited? 

"The  most  natural  conclusion,  quickly  arrived  at,  was  to 
shut  up  shop.  Theatres  went  dark — people  were  advised  to 
stay  at  home.  But  that  just  didn't  work.  Hours  of  relaxation 
became  hours  of  anxiety.  Hours  that  had  been  given  to  enter- 
tainment became  hours  given  to  sorrow.  In  a  few  short  weeks, 
the  morale  of  families  in  their  homes  and  of  workers  at  their 
jobs  became  perceptibly  bad. 

"Movie  theatres  were  reopened;  400  of  the  800  hit  by  bombs 
could  be  repaired  and  soon  heard  the  laughs  of  men,  women 
and  children  being  entertained.  In  this  experience  is  our  lesson 
and  our  challenge.  That  the  full  supply  of  motion  pictures 
needed  at  home  and  abroad  be  produced  and  exhibited,  with 
their  vitality  unimpaired,  is  essential  to  the  demands  of  a 
population  deep  in  the  toil  and  worry  of  war." 


KINDRED  thought  is  reflected  in  a  piece  by  Mr.  Somerset 
Maugham  in  The  Redbook  for  June.  Mr.  Maugham, 
as  you  will  be  remembering,  is  an  author  of  authentic 
distinction  and  a  considerable  contributor  to  the  stage  and 
thence  to  the  screen — most  recently  "Moon  and  Sixpence". 
He  is  an  open  defender  of  entertainment  for  entertainment's 
sake. 

After  recounting  an  array  of  books  of  yesteryear  which  he 
recommends,  Mr.  Maugham  observes:  "All  these  are  good 
books  to  take  your  mind  off  your  troubles.  It  is  escape  litera- 
ture, of  course,  and  the  critics  are  apt  to  be  a  trifle  scornful 
about  that.  I  think  they  are  ill-advised.  After  all,  you  and  I 
are  not  critics.  We  are  plain  citizens  .  .  .  there  is  no  reason 
I  can  see  why  when  we  have  done  our  day's  work  we  should 
not  amuse  ourselves  as  we  like." 

The  author  also  remarks:  "And  don't  forget  that  escape 
literature  may  be  very  good  literature.  One  of  the  greatest 
books  that  has  been  produced  in  this  country  is  'Huckleberry 
Finn'  and  if  that  isn't  escape  literature  I  can't  imagine  what 
it  is. 


THE  not-too-frequent  visitor  to  Broadway  on  a  Sunday  night 
will  be  discovering  the  development  of  a  new  audience, 
with  a  strikingly  large  component  of  pre-draft  age  youth 
and  more  family  groups.  They  are  obviously  not  familiars  of 
the  Great  White  Way.  They  seem  to  come  from  strata  and 
communities  where  in  time  before  there  was  not  a  flow  of 
earnings  to  encourage  patronage  of  show  seats  at  $1.10  top. 
Now  they  have  it  to  spend,  fewer  things  to  spend  it  for  and 
only  such  places  in  which  to  spend  it  as  are  served  by  electric 
traction  or  motor  bus.  So  now  they  are  discovering  the 
amusement  center  of  their  own  New  York. 

Just  incidentally,  some  of  the  showmen  of  Broadway  are 
finding  this  eager  and  naively  curious  audience  easy  and  inex- 
pensive to  entertain.  Even  third  rate  bands  and  pictures  of 
considerably  less  than  hit  quality  are  doing  handsome  business. 

This  condition  of  easy  selling  obtains  in  most  other  centers 
in  varying  degree,  varying  mostly  with  population  concentra- 
tion and  the  flow  of  wartime  wages. 

The  effect  is  immediately  beneficial  in  the  flow  of  income 
at  the  box  office.  This  may  also  extend,  permanently,  the 
motion  picture  audience.  What  easy  money  may  do  to  the 
disciplines  of  theatre  showmanship,  and  all  other  departments 
of  the  industry,  is  yet  to  be  observed.   It  will  be. 

AAA 

HAROLD  J.  TANNENBAUM 

THE  death  in  action  of  Lt.  Harold  J.  Tannenbaum, 
U.  S.  Army  Eighth  Air  Force  Film  Unit,  closes  a  career 
of  valiancy,  spectacular  but  representative  of  the  life 
and  work  of  the  newsreel  camera  man.  Also,  like  his  fellows 
in  the  profession  of  being-there-when-it-happens,  Lt.  Tannen- 
baum was  modest  about  his  countless  deeds  of  daring  with 
the  camera.  Many  who  worked  alongside  did  not  know  of  his 
service  under  fire  in  the  first  world  war  as  a  naval  electrician 
and  his  rank  as  a  Naval  Reserve  ensign.  His  civilian  service 
included  posts  with  two  newsreels,  in  radio,  and  in  Hollywood. 
He  was  notable  for  bringing  back  the  film  with  something  on  it. 

AAA 

AT  RANDOM  —  Hollywood  is  plumb  lucky  that  in  this 
ardent  season  for  its  boudoir  acrobats  the  nation  and  the 
papers  are  too  preoccupied  with  war  to  give  much  atten- 
tion. :  :  :  :  :  :  The  most  immediate  need  of  the  land 
today  is  a  pipe  cleaner  made  of  non-essential  materials. 
:  :  :  :  :  :  Right  after  the  war  the  technicians  should  be  put 
at  the  task  of  evolving  a  lawn  mower  which  will  start  on  a 
button  and  avoid  choking  itself  to  death  in  the  tall  grass.  The 
saving  in  profanity  alone  would  be  an  important  social  gain. 
:  :  :  :  :  :  A  Technicolor  picture  of  a  big  porterhouse  steak 
and  a  baked  Idaho  potato,  well  buttered,  would  be  interesting 
reminiscence  now — and  it  could  be  lend-leased,  too. 

— Terry  Ramsaye 


8 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    19,  1943 


THIS  WEEK  IN  THE  NEWS 


CLEARANCE  changes  must  wait  until  war 
ends  Page  13 

PLAYDATES  on  better  films  increase  by 
30  per  cent  Page  14 

ON  THE  MARCH  — Red  Kann  discusses 
deferments  and  product  Page  16 

UNIVERSAL  plans  to  release  fifty-five  next 
season  Page  17 

RANK  offers  challenge  to  U.  S.  position  in 
England  Page  29 

SHOWMEN  in  Great  Britain  ask  fewer  war 
theme  pictures  Page  30 

PARAMOUNT    stockholders    hear  com- 
pany's best  annual  report  Page  32 

SERVICE  DEPARTMEN 

Hollywood  Scene  Page  39 

In  British  Studios  Page  59 

In  the  Newsreels  Page  57 

Managers'  Round  Table  Page  69 

IN  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION 


Showmen's  Reviews 
Advance  Synopsis 


Page  1373 
Page  1375 


VALUE   of  film   securities   increases  by 
$171,668,537  Page  37 

WMC  limits  job  deferments  for  age  group 
from  18  to  25  Page  38 

MONOGRAM  announces  forty  features 
for  new  season  Page  40 

PRODUCERS  RELEASING  schedules  forty 
films  for  1943-44  Page  44 

FREEMAN  launches  "For  Whom  the  Bell 
Tolls"  at  luncheon  Page  54 

INDUSTRY  sets  War  Stamp  goal  in  July 
drive  at  $  1 30,000,000  Page  58 

AN  American  sees  the  London  scene  and 
Wardour  Street  Page  60 

TS 

Obituaries  Page  63 

Picture  Grosses  Page  76 

Shorts  on  Broadway  Page  68 

What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me  Page  64 


Release  Chart  by  Companies  Page  1376 
The  Release  Chart  Page  1377 


Shorts  Holiday 

NO  war  information  or  "America  Speaks" 
short  subjects  will  be  released  during  the 
last  two  weeks  of  July,  the  War  Activities 
Committee  distribution  division  has  decided. 
This  will  allow  a  "dry  up  period"  before  the 
WAC's  new  one-a-week  locked  booking  plan 
for  free  war  shorts  goes  into  effect  on  Au- 
gust 1st. 

The  last  picture  in  the  current  series 
will  be  Twentieth  Century-Fox's  "Women 
in  Blue,"  an  "America  Speaks"  film  on  the 
WAVES.  It  is  scheduled  for  release  on 
July  15th.  The  first  releases  under  the  new 
plan  have  not  been  set. 

The  two-week  lag  will  give  distributors 
opportunity  to  clean  up  loose  ends  in  cur- 
rent bookings  and  overlapping  releases  of 
"America  Speaks"  or  Office  of  War  In- 
formation shorts.  The  new  series  of  War 
Information  reels  will  consist  alternately 
of  OWI  film  unit  shorts,  Hollywood  pro- 
duced pictures  with  a  special  message,  and 
occasional  releases  from  other  United  Na- 
tions or  U.  S.  film  bureaus.  They  will  be 
distributed  to  all  theatres  without  charge. 


2%  Barred 

TWO  per  cent  of  all  films  offered  for  ex- 
port or  import  are  condemned  by  the  Los 
Angeles  and  New  York  Boards  of  Review 
of  the  Office  of  Censorship,  it  was  disclosed 
Wednesday  during  testimony  on  appropria- 
tions for  the  war  agencies.  The  two  boards 
review  an  average  of  900  films  a  month, 
Byron  Price,  director  of  the  Office,  told 
a  House  appropriations  sub-committee.  Al- 
though only  an  average  of  18  of  these  are 
condemned,  he  said,  excisions  are  made  in 
others  when  necessary.  Mr.  Price  empha- 
sized that  his  office  had  no  control  at  all 
over  the  distribution  of  films  inside  this 
country  and  in  its  examination  of  pictures 
offered  for  export,  confined  itself  to  seeing 
that  no  information  of  military  value 
reaches  the  enemy.  The  office  has  no  con- 
cern with  the  dissemination  of  information 
or  material  designed  to  affect  public  senti- 
ment. 


Trumped 

NEW  YORK'S  Mayor  Fiorello  LaGuardia 
hates  Bingo.  The  courts,  however,  have 
allowed  the  game  in  theatres  provided  no 
admission  is  chareed  the  players. 

But  Mayor  LaGuardia  has  persistence. 

He  drove  past  the  Clifton  theatre,  on  up- 
per Second  Avenue,  recently.  The  Clifton 
advertised  "Trump  Bingo."  Twenty  min- 
utes later,  summonses  were  handed  manager 
Frank  Siclari  for  failing  to  have  exit  signs 
illuminated;  for  allowing  exit  doors  to  be 
obstructed;  for  failing  to  have  two  pails  of 
sand  in  the  projection  room;  for  obstructing 
the  sidewalk  with  a  wooden  sign  advertis- 
ing the  game ;  for  failing  to  have  a  lighted 


balcony  exit;  for  failure  to  have  the  permit 
number  of  the  marquee  painted  on  it  in  con- 
trasting colors,  and  for  allowing  cloth  signs 
to  hang  five  feet  below  the  marquee. 

Mr.  Siclari,  in  Magistrate's  Court  last 
Thursday,  paid  $235  in  fines  for  four  viola- 
tions of  the  city's  fire  laws. 


Rain  Again 

"RAIN,"  the  Somerset  Maugham  story 
which  in  the  daring  1920's  became  the  sym- 
bol of  Sex  in  the  South  Seas,  is  to  be  pro- 
duced again  on  the  stage,  this  time  as  a  mu- 
sical play,  by  A.  P.  Waxman.  An  announce- 
ment from  Mr.  Waxman's  office  in  New 
York  this  week  said  that  opera,  stage,  screen 
and  radio  were  being  searched  for  an  "ac- 
tress worthy  of  comparison  with  the  late 
Jeanne  Eagels,  whose  portrayal  of  'Sadie 
Thompson'  was  one  of  the  brightest  pages 
in  the  history  of  the  American  theatre." 

"Rain,"  following  its  stage  success,  was 
twice  produced  as  a  motion  picture,  once 
in  1928  by  Gloria  Swanson  Productions  for 
United  Artists,  starring  Miss  Swanson  and 
Lionel  Barrymore,  and  again  in  1932,  also 
for  United  Artists,  starring  Joan  Crawford 
and  Walter  Huston. 

Mr.  Waxman,  long  a  public  relations  and 
advertising  counselor,  has  been  a  major 
partner  in  several  Broadway  productions 
and  has  had  investments  in  others. 


WB  Retire  Debt 

AT  a  special  meeting  of  the  board  of  direc- 
tors of  Warner  Bros.  Pictures,  Inc.,  held 
Wednesday  afternoon,  officers  of  the  com- 
pany were  authorized  to  negotiate  a  long 
term  loan  in  the  amount  of  approximately 
$20,000,000  to  be  placed  privately.  The 
proceeds  from  the  proposed  loan  together 
with  treasury  cash  will  be  used  for  the  pur- 
pose of  retiring  all  of  the  outstanding  6  per 
cent  debentures,  the  payment  of  existing 
bank  loans  and  the  redemption  of  all  out- 
standing preferred  stock.  Upon  the  com- 
pletion of  the  proposed  financing  the  sole 
voting  rights  will  be  vested  in  the  common 
stock. 

A  similar  move  was  completed  last  week 
by  Paramount.    See  page  32. 


Horseshoes 

NEW  YORKERS,  who  until  recently 
turned  and  stared  when  a  horse  and  wagon 
rolled  by,  last  week  tossed  horseshoes  at  the 
Loew's  circuit.  They  were  doing  so  in  the 
hope  merely  of  hitting  free  admissions.  The 
admissions  were  offered  as  part  of  the  ex- 
ploitation of  the  Paramount  double  bill  play- 
ing the  Loew  circuit,  "Happy  Go  Lucky" 
and  "Lucky  Jordan,"  billed  as  a  "good  luck 
show."  The  iron  shoes  were  given  by 
Loew's  to  the  local  scrap  pile. 


June    19,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


9 


75"  Long,  20"  Deep 

THE  films  division  of  the  War  Produc- 
tion Board  is,  of  course,  but  one  of  the 
manifold  interests  of  that  agency.  Just 
how  manifold  those  interests  are  is  empha- 
sized in  WPB  Release  No.  3785,  issued  this 
week,  which  announces  the  formation  of  a 
Paper  Cup  Industry  Advisory  Committee 
and  a  Safety  Pin  Manufacturers'  Industry 
Advisory  Committee. 

Progress  of  the  same  agency  in  the  sim- 
plification of  what  few  civilian  goods  are 
still  manufactured  so  as  to  eliminate  frills 
and  style  variations  is  told  in  O WI  Release 
No.  2001,  listing  1,000  items  reaching  from 
"the  cradle  to  the  grave"  which  had  been 
selected  for  attention. 

"As  a  result  of  the  new  simplification," 
the  release  said,  "the  new-born  babe  now 
rides  in  a  carriage  in  which  the  iron  and 
steel  is  limited  to  nine  pounds,  while  his 
great  grand-father  is  transported  to  the 
grave  in  a  casket  limited  in  length  to  75 
inches  and  in  depth  to  20  inches." 


Southern  Knight 

SALUTING  the  contributions  of  Phil  Reis- 
man  to  the  cause  of  Inter-American  amity 
President  Getulio  Vargas  of  Brazil  on  Mon- 
day signed  a  decree  making  RKO's  foreign 
manager  and  vice-president  a  Knight  of  the 
Southern  Cross.  The  new  Knight  of  the 
order  of  "Cruzeiro  do  Sul"  is  an  associate 
director  of  the  film  division  of  the  Coordina- 
tor of  Inter-American  Affairs  and  adviser 
on  distribution.  He  returned  a  week  ago 
from  an  eight-week  tour  of  Brazil  and  other 
South  American  Republics.  Mr.  Reisman 
is  also  a  Chevalier  of  the  Legion  of  Honor. 
The  French  Government  bestowed  the 
decoration  in  1937.  In  the  state  of  Ken- 
tucky he  is  an  honorary  colonel. 


Brotherhood 

CAFE  life  (the  sidewalk  set)  is  one  of  the 
aspects  of  life  in  the  United  States  which 
the  Coordinator  of  Inter-American  Affairs 
will  show  South  Americans  in  a  forthcom- 
ing film  about  students'  International 
Houses.  The  picture,  titled  "That  Brother- 
hood May  Prevail,"  is  being  made  under 
contract  by  Willard  Pictures  and  will  cost 
about  $10,000. 

It  intends  to  show,  persons  associated 
with  the  story  said,  the  gay  and  educational 
times  which  students  coming  to  the  U.  S. 
from  abroad  may  have  through  the  Inter- 
national Houses  in  New  York,  Berkeley, 
Cal.,  and  other  university  centers.  Loca- 
tion scenes  will  be  made  in  New  York  at 
the  sidewalk  cafe  of  the  swank  Fifth  Ave- 
nue Hotel,  at  Greenwich  Village's  outdoor 
art  show,  and  on  the  corner  of  42nd  Street 
and  Sixth  Avenue. 

The  script  originated  with  Hanson  Borge- 


Moeller,  a  Danish  world  traveler  and  sales- 
man, who  induced  the  Coordinator  to  pro- 
vide him  with  film  for  a  travelogue  of 
Ecuador.  Mr.  Borge-Moeller  visited  Ecua- 
dor last  year  as  the  representative  of  a 
Wall  Street  trading  corporation  which  suc- 
cessfully obtained  the  right  to  mine  deposits 
of  bird  droppings.  The  pictures,  after  edit- 
ing, were  included  in  the  CIAA's  list  of  free 
films  for  exhibition  in  U.  S.  schools. 

Mr.  Borge-Moeller  had  never  made  mo- 
tion pictures  before  his  Ecuadorian  venture. 
He  followed  the  experiment  as  cameraman, 
however,  with  the  script  for  the  Interna- 
tional House  picture.  Recently  naturalized, 
he  is  currently  reported  working  for  the 
Board  of  Economic  Warfare  in  Washing- 
ton. 


Five  from  Small 

EDWARD  SMALL  will  release  through 
United  Artists,  five  features,  with  a  total 
budget  of  more  than  $6,000,000,  the  dis- 
tributing company  announced  Wednesday, 
in  New  York.  Production  is  to  start  short- 
ly. The  first  will  be  "The  Raft."  Others 
will  be  "Big  Time,"  "Cagliostro,"  "The 
Life  of  Valentino"  and  "The  Ghost  of  Mon- 
te Cristo."  A  sixth  picture  which  Mr. 
Small  may  produce  will  be  "Time  to  Be 
Born."  It  is  expected  three  of  the  sched- 
ule will  be  ready  with  the  start  of  the  1943- 
44  season. 


Not  Aloysius 

THE  James  A.  Farley  revue  now  touring 
New  Jersey  theatres  and  clubs  in  the  heart 
of  Hague  territory,  and  which  entertained 
the  servicemen  at  the  Newark  Stage  Door 
Canteen  last  Saturday,  has  no  connection 
with  the  James  Aloysius  Farley  who  head- 
quarters in  Nyack,  N.  Y.,  further  up  the 
Hudson.  The  Nyack  Farley,  of  course,  is 
the  former  Postmaster  General,  National 
Democratic  chairman,  and  baseball  player. 
The  James  A.  (not  for  Aloysius)  Farley 
who  heads  the  Farley  revue  is  a  master  of 
ceremonies  and  entertainer  of  long  stand- 
ing. He  is  a  brother  of  the  Ed  Farley  who 
wrote  that  song  "The  Music  Goes  'Round 
and  'Round." 


For  Employees 

WOMETCO  circuit  employees  in  Miami 
were  complaining  about  high  food  prices, 
and  crowded  restaurants.  Hal  Kopplin,  ad- 
vertising head,  listened  sympathetically,  be- 
gan a  storming  of  rationing  boards  and 
equipment  companies,  and  emerged  with  a 
Wometco  luncheonette.  One  feature  of  it 
is  that  circuit  workers  get  the  food  they 
particularly  like,  because  they  were  asked 
what  they  preferred.  Sidney  Meyer  and 
Mitchell  Wolfson,  co-owners  of  the  circuit, 
helped  pay  for  the  luncheonette  equipment. 


Less  War 

ENTERTAINMENT  is  the  theme  of  some 
of  the  brightest  blue  chips  in  the  backlog 
of  pictures  with  which  Warner  Bros,  face 
the  new  season,  it  is  learned.  Only  five  of 
the  22  to  24  pictures  which  the  company  in- 
dicates will  be  available  for  the  1943-44 
season  can  be  classified  as  war  pictures.  The 
size  of  the  backlog  and  current  status  of 
production  make  it  probable  that  none  of 
these  will  be  released  during  the  first  six 
months  of  the  season,  which  starts  Septem- 
ber 1st. 

A  reshuffling  of  schedules  as  market  con- 
ditions change  is  always  possible  but  the 
stockpile  of  features  on  the  studio  and  home 
office  shelf  from  which  the  releases  for  the 
first  six  months  of  the  new  season  will  be 
drawn  includes :  "Thank  Your  Lucky  Stars," 
"Arsenic  and  Old  Lace,"  "The  Constant 
Nymph,"  "Old  Acquaintance,"  "The  Desert 
Song,"  "Adventures  of  Mark  Twain,"  "De- 
votion," "Princess  O'Rourke,"  "Adventure 
in  Iraq"  (a  remake  of  "The  Green  Hat"), 
"Crime  By  Night,"  "The  Last  Ride"  and 
"Murder  on  the  Waterfront."  None  of 
these  is  a  war  film. 

Currently  shooting  and  for  release  pre- 
sumably after  the  first  half  of  the  new  sea- 
son are  "Saratoga  Trunk,"  "To  the  Last 
Man,"  a  sabotage  story;  "In  Our  Time," 
from  the  novel  with  a  war  background  by 
Robert  St.  John;  "Shine  On,  Harvest 
Moon,"  and  "Conflict." 

Going  into  production  soon  are  "Rhap- 
sody in  Blue,"  "Passage  to  Marseilles"  (a 
sequel  to  "Casablanca"),  "Battle  Cry" 
(with  a  post-war  angle),  "The  Young  and 
the  Brave,"  "Gay  Nineties"  and  "The  Horn 
Blows  at  Midnight." 


The  Last  Scent 

PART  of  the  time  of  Dr.  J.  B.  Fishman  of 
New  Haven,  manager  of  the  Fishman  cir- 
cuit, is  now  being  devoted  to  studying 
poison  gas  and  other  noxious  war  chemicals. 
An  expert  chemist,  he  has  been  appointed 
assistant  professor  in  the  Department  of 
Pharmacology  of  the  Yale  University 
School  of  Medicine.  He  will  continue  to 
keep  a  hand  in  circuit  affairs  and  the  new 
war  duties  will  not  interfere  with  his  presi- 
dency of  the  Allied  Theatre  Owners  of  Con- 
necticut. 


Up  10%  in  Canada 

CANADIAN  motion  picture  theatre  pa- 
trons paid  into  box  offices  13  per  cent  more 
last  year  than  the  year  before,  and  increased 
their  attendance  by  10  per  cent,  according 
to  the  annual  report  of  the  Dominion's 
Bureau  of  Vital  Statistics.  Admissions  last 
year  were  179,611,306.  Box  office  receipts, 
exclusive  of  taxes,  were  $46,930,278.  Taxes 
on  theatre  admissions  reached  a  total  of 
$10,256,502. 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD,  published  every  Saturday  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  City.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Colvin  Brown,  Vice-President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Terry  Ramsaye,  Editor;  James  D.  Ivers,  News  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  624  South 
Michigan  Avenue,  Oscar  Lundy,  correspondent;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Postal  Union  Life  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  editor;  Toronto  Bureau,  242  Millwood  Road,  Toronto,  Ontario, 
Canada,  W.  M.  Gladish,  correspondent;  Montreal  Bureau,  265  Vitre  St.,  West,  Montreal,  Canada,  Pat  Donovan,  correspondent;  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Square,  London  W  I, 
Hope  Williams  Burnup,  manager;  Aubrey  Flanagan,  editor;  cable  Quigpubco  London;  Melbourne  Bureau,  The  Regent  Theatre,  191  Collins  St.,  Melbourne,  Australia,  Cliff  Holt, 
correspondent;  Sydney  Bureau,  17  Archbold  Rd.,  Roseville,  Sydney,  N.S.W.,  Australia,  Lin  Endean,  correspondent;  Mexico  City  Bureau,  Dr.  Carmona  y  Valle  6,  Mexico  City, 
Luis  Becerra  Celis,  correspondent;  Buenos  Aires  Bureau,  J.  E.  Uriburi  126,  buenos  Aires,  Argentina,  Natalio  Bruski,  correspondent;  Rio  de  Janeiro  Bureau,  Caixa  Postal  1090, 
Rio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil,  Alfredo  C.  Machado,  correspondent;  Montevideo  Bureau,  P.  O.  Box  664,  Montevideo,  Uruguay,  Paul  Bodo,  correspondent;  cable  Argus  Montevideo. 
Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations.  All  contents  copyright  1943  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company.  Address  crll  correspondence  to  the  New  York  Office.  Other  Quigley  Publica- 
tions: Better  Theatres,  Motion  Picture  Daily,  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  and  Fame. 


10 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    19,  1943 


THIS  WEEK 


the  Camera  observes: 


By  Staff  Photographer 


FLAG  RAISINS,  on  Flag  Day,  June  14th.   Broadway  theatres 
hoisted  Treasury's  "T"  flags  simultaneously,  accompanied  by 
bands,  speeches,  entertainment,  signifying  that  90  per  cent  of 
theatre  employees  buy  Bonds  regularly.    At  Loew's  State,  above, 
Floria  raises  the  flag,  watched  by  Manager  Al  Rosen,  right. 


■  AT  MONOGRAM'S  final  regional  sales  meeting, 
at  the  Ambassador  Hotel  in  Los  Angeles,  are 
Trem  Carr,  in  charge  of  production;  Scott 
Dunlap,  producer,  and  W.  Ray  Johns- 
ton Monogram  president. 


By  Staff  Photographer 


■  ASSIGNMENT.  Major  E.  L. 
Stevenson,  transferred  from  the 
War  Department's  war  films  section, 
Washington,  to  the  Signal  Corps 
Photographic  Center,  Astoria, 
New  York  City.  Major  Stevenson 
formerly  made  advertising  films. 


OFF  TO  ALASKA  to  film  the  Alcan  Highway,  with  cameras  and  much 
baggage,  are  RKO  Pathe  News  cameramen  Larry  O'Reilly, 
Bob  Donahue,  Jr.,  and  Bill  McClure  shown  here  at  Grand  Central 
station  in  New  York. 


■  FISH  DINNER,  left.  The  fish  were 
caught  in  Canada  by  Tri-States  and 
Central  States  circuits'  executives, 
Myron  Blank  and  G.  Ralph  Branton. 
The  guests  at  the  dinner  in  Des  Moines 
were  the  executive  and  auditing 
departments.  At  center  table  are 
J.  J.  Deitch,  Tri-States  booker; 
A.  H.  Blank,  Mr.  Branton  and 
Mr.  Blank  at  head  of  the  table; 
A.  G.  Stolte,  Tri-States  district 
manager;  L.  McKechnay,  Tri-States 
treasurer;  Harry  Warren,  Central 
States  general  manager; 
Don  West,  its  booker. 


June    19,     I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


!  1 


■  BETWEEN  MISSIONS.  Commander 
John  Ford,  producer  of  the  Herald  poll 
winner,  "The  Battle  of  Midway",  and 
others,  on  a  Hoflywood  visit,  with  his 
wife,  Mary,  and  son,  Ensign  Patrick  Ford. 


By  Staff  Photographer 

CENTRAL  AMERICAN  distributors  and 
exhibitors  are  "fed  up"  with  war  and 
propaganda  pictures,  reports  Norton  Ritchey, 
Monogram  foreign  sales  manager,  back  in 
his  New  York  office  after  three  weeks 
in  the  territory.  See  page  52. 


REELECTED.   Morris  Loewen- 
stein,  above,  will  serve  his 
23rd  year  in  the  presidency  of 
the  Oklahoma  Theatre  Owners. 
With  all  other  officers,  he 
was  reelected  at  the  annual 
Oklahoma  City  convention 
last  Thursday. 


SALUTE  to  Republic's  new  star, 

Vera  Hruba,  who  will  appear  in 

"Gay  Blades".  At  the  Hollywood  party, 

above,  were  Herbert  J.  Yates,  Miss  Hruba, 

Roy  Rogers,  Al  Rogell,  Josephine  Dillon, 

and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Francis  Bateman. 


"DIXIE".   Scenes  at  left  and  above 
show  Bing  Crosby,  Dorothy  Lamour  and 
others  in  this  story  of  Dan  Emmett, 
minstrel  who  wrote  the  rallying  song  of 
the  south.  Paul  Jones  has  produced  the 
Technicolor  picture,  Bing's  first  such, 
in  which  he  appears  in  blackface. 


12 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    19,  1943 


"VICTORY  THROUGH  AIR 
POWER,"  now  apparently 
being  tried  by  the  Allies,  is 
exposited  in  Walt  Disney's 
visual  interpretation  of  the 
best  selling  book  by  Major 
Alexander  P.  de  Seversky, 
shown  at  left  with  his  co-pilot, 
the  flying  cocker  spaniel, 
"Vodka."  Above  is  a  scene 
from  the  Technicolor  picture, 
showing  the  bombing  of  a 
hydro-electric  dam.  Such 
bombings  of  Rhineland  dams 
have  been  tremendously 
successful. 


By  Stsitr  Photographer 

VISITOR  to  his  office,  which 
he  left  six  months  ago;  Lt. 
Paul  Mooney,  Jr.,  former 
Motion  Picture  Herald 
reporter,  now  instructor, 
anti-aircraft,  Camp  Davis, 
North  Carolina. 


■  BOND  SELLER.  Comedian 
Bob  Hope  continued  his  war 
efforts,  via  personal-appear- 
ances at  a  Columbia,  South 
Carolina,  luncheon  in  the 
Wade  Hampton  Hotel. 
Admission  was  a  $1,000  War 
Bond  and  $1.25  cash.  Above 
are  Mr.  Hope  and  Jack 
Jordan,  manager  of  the  Caro- 
lina Theatre.  Palmetto 
Theatres,  Inc.,  sponsored  the 
luncheon. 


■  JOHN  F.  SHEIK,  member  of  editorial  staff  of  Quigley  Publications,  left  Holly- 
wood by  plane  this  week  on  the  first  leg  of  an  extensive  tour  of  Latin  American 
countries.    He  is  seen,  at  right,  above,  on  the  set  of  MGM's  "Madame  Curie," 
with  Red  Kann,  Quigley  Publications  vice-president;  Marvin  Schenck,  of  Loew's 
circuit,  and  Mervyn  LeRoy,  producer.  Mr.  Sheik's  reports,  based  on  first-hand 
study  of  developments  in  Mexico,  Panama,  Colombia,  Peru,  Chile,  Argentina, 
will  be  published  occasionally  in  Quigley  Publications. 


■  THIRTY-SEVEN  years  in  the  show 
business,  30  as  operator  of  the  Queen 
Theatre,  Dallas,  were  observed  by 
Lou  Bissinger,  above,  on  Monday  noon, 
as  honored  luncheon  guest  of  the  Texas 
Variety  Club,  at  the  Hotel  Adolphus, 
that  city.  "Uncle  Lou,"  as  he  is  known 
to  the  Southwest  trade,  came  to 
Houston  in  1906,  from  North  Carolina, 
via  Oklahoma.  He  operated  an  open  air 
house.  To  Dallas  he  came  in  1913, 
succeeding  present  day  circuit  operator 
E.  V.  Richards  as  manager  of  the  Queen. 


June    19,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


13 


CLEARANCE  CHANCES  MUST 
WAIT  UNTIL  WAR  ENDS 


Sales  Heads  Contend  This 
Is  Not  Time  for  Large 
Scale  Readjustments 

Changes  in  clearance  schedules  will  have 
to  wait  until  after  the  war. 

Sales  executives  of  all  the  major  distribu- 
tors, questioned  about  reports  of  growing 
exhibitor  agitation  for  revision  of  clearance 
and  release  schedules,  are  agreed  that  "this 
is  no  time  for  wholesale  rearrangements." 
The  many  dislocations  of  wartime  opera- 
tion make  it  inadvisable  now  to  attempt  ad- 
justments in  clearance  structures  that  in 
most  instances  have  been  in  effect  for  years, 
the  distributors  say. 

Most  of  the  demands  for  cuts  in  clear- 
ance, and  earlier  availability  of  pictures, 
appear  to  have  come  from  operators  in  the 
eastern  and  northeastern  states,  where  gaso- 
line rationing  has  been  most  severe.  Many 
small  town  theatre  men  have  asked  New 
York,  Pennsylvania  and  New  England 
branch  managers  and  salesmen  to  cut  clear- 
ance margins. 

Ask  Changes  to  Compensate 
For  Product  Delays 

They  claim  that  since  casual  travel  between 
adjacent  towns  and  to  metropolitan  centers 
has  been  virtually  eliminated  clearance  margins 
should  be  reduced  to  compensate  for  other  de- 
lays in  securing  product. 

Home  office  spokesmen  are  inclined  to  mini- 
mize the  number  and  seriousness  of  these  ex- 
hibitor requests  for  clearance  changes.  Several 
said  that  complaints  do  not  exceed  the  usual 
number  of  pleas  for  better  playing  position, 
heard  at  this  time  of  year  when  a  new  season 
is  in  the  offing  and  the  summer  lag  in  attend- 
ance impends. 

Willingness  to  adjust  cases  of  obvious- 
ly unfair  clearances,  as  in  the  case  of 
some  resort  theatres,  is  apparent  among 
the  distributors.  In  line  with  announced 
policies  of  MGM,  Paramount,  Fox,  RKO 
and  others  to  hear  all  complaints  on  the 
prices  and  rental  if  complaints  are  justi- 
fied, the  home  office  department  heads  in- 
dicate that  their  ears  are  open  for  conclu- 
sive evidence  that  particular  clearances 
are  hurting  business. 

They  express  willingness  to  make  changes  if 
it  can  be  shown  that  this  step  is  necessary  to 
keep  theatres  operating.  But,  spokesmen  point 
out,  these  can  be  made  only  if  they  do  not  upset 
the  pattern  for  a  territory,  or  large  area.  They 
say  it  is  impossible  to  make  wholesale  adjust- 
ments. 

Distributors  cite  numerous  arguments  against 
a  wholesale  reconsideration  of  clearances  at 
the  present  time. 

A  paramount,  and  almost  insurmountable  ob- 
stacle, they  say,  is  the  acute  shortage  of  prints. 
There  has  been  drastic  reduction  in  the  number 
available  to  each  exchange,  they  point  out.  Cuts 
up  to  SO  per  cent  of  the  pre-war  print  allot- 
ment have  been  made  in  some  territories  to 
comply  with  the  raw  stock  slashes  ordered  by 
the  War  Production  Board. 

It  is  difficult  to  service  accounts  as  they  are 
now  playing  off.  To  further  tighten  schedules 
with  clearance  cuts  would  make  an  impossible 
situation,  according  to  Edwin  Aarons,  MGM 
sales  assistant.  Spokesmen  for  Paramount, 
RKO    and    20th    Century-Fox    concurred  in 


warning  that  in  the  event  of  a  wholesale  shift 
of  clearances  many  theatres  might  find  them- 
selves playing  off  still  later  than  at  present. 

Production  and  release  of  fewer  features  in 
the  last  two  years  may  have  stretched  clear- 
ance, the  distributors  admitted.  But  they,  de- 
nied that  any  particular  group  of  exhibitors  had 
suffered.  On  the  contrary,  sales  officials  asserted 
that  the  improved  quality  of  product  resulted  in 
an  increased  revenue  and  playing  time  for  all 
runs. 

Present  clearance  schedules  were  worked  out, 
one  salesman  recalled,  at  a  time  when  the  indus- 
try released  upwards  of  500  pictures  a  year. 
With  a  picture  a  week  from  each  major  com- 
pany the  lag  between  runs  might  have  been  less 
than  at  present,  he  said.  But  currently  longer 
bookings  are  common  through  all  runs.  Thus, 
although  a  picture  may  not  reach  subsequents 
in  as  many  days  as  formerly,  it  is  released  in 
the  small  situations  relatively  as  soon  as  in 
former  years,  one  manager  said. 

Alteration  of  Schedules 
Complicated  Now 

Better  business  throughout  most  sections  of 
the  country  has  added  to  the  problem  which 
clearance  changes  would  make.  Lengthy  early 
runs,  holdovers,  moveovers  to  a  second  thea- 
tre, and  extended  playing  time  are  common 
right  down  the  line,  it  is  said.  Inevitably  they 
have  delayed  some  subsequents,  it  was  admitted. 
Clearance  cuts  would  not  relieve  the  situation, 
distributors  said. 

Restricted  shipping  and  film  delivery  serv- 
ices make  a  reconsideration  of  clearance  and  re- 
lease schedules  very  complicated  at  the  present 
time,  according  to  a  Twentieth  Century-Fox 
executive.  In  western  and  midwestern  states 
where  theatres  are  often  hundreds  of  miles  from 
exchanges  it  has  been  necessary  to  allow  extra 
time  for  transit  between  dates.  This  in  effect 
has  delayed  availability  for  subsequents,  but 
is  unavoidable,  managers  said. 

"Disastrous  confusion"  would  inevitably  fol- 
low any  attempt  to  do  anything  now  about 
shifting  clearances,  Robert  Mochrie,  general 
sales  manager  of  RKO,  recently  remarked.  He 
further  expressed  the  belief  that  most  clear- 
ances now  in  effect  were  equitable.  They 
were  reached  over  a  period  of  many  years  by 
bargaining,  and  sound  sales  practice,  he  said. 
Revision  of  schedules  would  have  to  be  a  long 
process,  accompanied  by  careful  study,  he 
added. 

Other  distributor  sales  experts  agreed.  Mar- 
gins between  runs  in  most  instances  are  the  re- 
sult of  many  years  of  business  with  the  thea- 
tres involved,  and  have  been  reached  through 
competitive  bargaining.  Any  changes  would 
have  to  be  made  on  the  basis  of  individual  situ- 
ations, it  was  said.  Salesmen  saw  no  possibility 
of  attacking  the  problem  on  a  national  basis. 
Each  contract  would  have  to  be  renegotiated, 
William  Kupper,  Twentieth-Fox  sales  official, 
pointed  out. 

Last  Major  Adjustment 
Occurred  in  1934 

Warners  indicated  that  the  clearance  question 
had  not  arisen  in  their  offices  for  some  time. 
The  company  policy  of  a  few  pictures,  playing 
extended  runs,  had  made  it  possible  to  meet  all 
local  clearance  problems  without  difficulty,  it 
was  said.  Also,  the  fact  that  the  company  has 
been  able  to  make  more  than  the  average  num- 
ber of  prints  has  solved  many  clearance  prob- 
lems, despite  holdovers. 

The  last  major  readjustment  of  clearance 
throughout  the  country  occurred  in  1934  under 
the  National  Recovery  Administration's  indus- 
try trade  practice  codes.    At  that  time  local 


film  boards  studied  and  codified  the  particular 
clearance  arrangements  standard  in  each  ex- 
change area.  In  large  part  these  persisted  after 
the  disbanding  of  the  NRA.  However,  numer- 
ous local  adjustments  were  made  subsequently 
by  agreement  between  exhibitors  and  distribu- 
tors. An  example  of  these  revisions  is  the 
"blue  book"  schedule  which  formed  the  basis  for 
present  Los  Angeles  margins. 

Although  MGM,  RKO,  Paramount  and 
Twentieth-Fox  reported  that  they  had  made 
some  price  adjustments  for  exhibitors  who  had 
suffered  unique  wartime  handicaps,  they  indi- 
cated that  clearance  changes  generally  have  not 
been  requested.  Doubt  was  expressed  that 
changing  clearance  margins  would  remedy  these 
problem  situations. 

Companies  Prompt  to  Act 
On  Arbitration  Decisions 

The  few  clearance  changes  that  have  been 
made  lately  have  been  in  consequence  of  clos- 
ings by  competitive  theatres,  changes  in  run 
granted  to  a  few  theatres,  or  otherwise  out- 
growths of  normal  bargaining.  In  a  few  in- 
stances, as  in  the  case  of  RKO's  regional  pre- 
miere plan,  and  by  Metro  and  Twentieth-Fox 
with  several  special  releases,  local  clearances 
have  been  temporarily  set  aside  for  special  cam- 
paigns or  day  and  date  openings. 

Distributors  have  been  prompt  in  making 
clearance  adjustments  in  accord  with  arbitra- 
tion decisions.  These  apply  only  to  the  theatres 
which  are  party  to  the  complaint,  or  have  in- 
tervened in  proceedings. 

Out  of  56  cases  decided  by  the  arbitration 
appeal  board  since  June  1,  1942,  clearance  has 
been  reduced  in  25  cases.  Approximately  50 
theatres  have  won  clearance  changes  before  lo- 
cal arbitrators.  These  shifts  have  been  widely 
scattered,  with  some  large  slashes  in  present 
clearances  having  been  ordered  in  Los  Angeles, 
New  York,  Ohio,  Philadelphia,  Buffalo,  Ver- 
mont and  Texas. 

More  Pressing  Problems 
Than  Clearance 

Each  clearance  change  has  been  carried  out 
as  prescribed  without  disrupting  the  pattern 
of  the  exchange  territory.  Distributors  con- 
sider it  significant  that  not  many  new  cases 
have  followed  in  the  wake  of  these  settlements. 
If  there  were  really  need  for  an  immediate 
change  in  clearance,  they  said,  many  additional 
arbitration  actions  would  have  been  filed. 

As  conditions  are,  they  declare,  the  question 
is  a  secondary  one,  which  can  wait  until  more 
pressing  trade  practice  problems  are  decided. 

This  also  appears  to  be  the  attitude  of  the 
leading  exhibitor  organizations.  National  Al- 
lied's  trade  practices  caravan  has  studied  the 
clearance  problem  in  its  tour  of  the  country, 
although  price  and  rental  conditions  have  been 
the  foremost  considerations. 

Likewise,  it  is  reported  that  the  Motion  Pic- 
ture Theatre  Owners  of  America  through  the 
new  trade  practice  committee  has  given  passing 
attention  to  clearance.  Herman  Levy,  secre- 
tary of  the  group,  indicated  that  the  committee 
had  not  spent  much  time  on  the  problem,  nor 
did  it  appear  likely  that  the  subject  would  oc- 
cupy its  attention  until  more  urgent  questions 
of  sales  practice  and  terms  are  settled. 


Capt.  Vincent  Hart  Promoted 

Vincent  Hart,  former  film  attorney,  and  later 
associated  with  the  Motion  Picture  Producers 
and  Distributors  of  America,  has  been  promoted 
from  captain  to  major,  the  War  Department  re- 
ported this  week.  Mr.  Hart  has  been  in  the 
Adjutant  General's  Office. 


14  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  June    19,  1943 

PLAYDATES  ON  TOP  FILMS 
INCREASE  30  PER  CENT 


All  Companies  Report  Peak 
Levels  for  "A"  Product 
on  Holdovers,  Repeats 

Playdates  for  top-budget  features  of  the 
1942-43  season  increased  as  much  as  30  per 
cent  compared  to  previous  years,  analysis 
3f  bookings  indicates.  All  companies  re- 
ported peak  levels  reached  this  year  for  their 
"A"  product  in  theatre  bookings,  repeat  en- 
gagements and  holdover  time. 

Monogram,  Producers  Releasing  Corpora- 
tion and  Republic,  it  was  noted,  had  a  higher 
percentage  of  playdates  for  their  top  pro- 
ductions this  year  than  ever  before.  At  the 
other  end  of  the  available  playing  time  scale 
were  the  smaller-budgeted  features  from  all 
companies.  The  "A"  product  received  more 
playing  time,  and  the  "B"  product  played 
out  bookings  quicker  this  season  than  in 
previous  years. 

Holdover  time,  as  reported  by  Motion 
Picture  Herald  on  February  6th,  last,  in- 
creased as  much  as  100  per  cent  for  the 
first  half  of  the  season,  compared  to  a 
comparable  period  for  the  previous  year 
and  maintained  that  peak  during  the 
second  half  of  the  season,  now  nearing 
its  conclusion.  An  unprecedented  number 
of  features,  from  all  companies,  have  been 
getting  extended  playing  time  in  first  run 
theatres  as  well  as  second  run  houses. 

With  heavier  selling  and  exploitation  con- 
centration by  major  companies  this  season 
on  the  top-budgeted  features,  playdates  for 
high  production-value  attractions  received 
added  impetus.  A  number  of  companies,  it 
has  been  indicated,  are  able  to  add  hundreds 
of  new  accounts  on  some  pictures  as  a  re- 
sult of  1 942-43 's  bigger  and  better  enter- 
tainment wares.  Generally,  the  increased 
business  at  tne  nation's  box  offce,  has  been 
reflected  in  playdate  figures  on  the  "A" 
product  as  well  as  in  the  financial  statements 
of  film  companies  and  in  the  marked  action 
of  motion  picture  shares  on  the  New  York 
Stock  Exchange  (See  page  37). 

At  Columbia's  recent  Chicago  sales  con- 
vention, A.  Montague,  general  sales  mana- 
ger, reported  that  the  extra  playing  time  on 
"My  Sister  Eileen,"  "The  Talk  of  the 
Town,"  "You  Were  Never  Lovelier," 
"Commandos  Strike  at  Dawn"  and  "Some- 
thing to  Shout  About"  amounted  to  3,600 
days.  He  said  that  these  top  pictures  re- 
leased during  the  1942-43  season  brought 
Columbia  "so  tremendous  an  increase  of 
playing  time"  that  the  company,  "thus  as- 
sured of  holdover,  this  year  will  double  its 
1940-41  budget." 

"Sergeant  York"  Reaches 
20,000  Playdates 

According  to  Warner  Bros,  statistics, 
"Casablanca,"  the  fortuitously  titled  feature, 
had  the  "speediest  booking  on  record"  of 
the  company's  product  this  season,  playing 
more  than  12,000  engagements,  including 
many  repeats,  in  a  little  over  four  months, 
to  date.  "Yankee  Doodle  Dandy,"  the  com- 
pany said,  has  had  more  than  11,000  play- 
dates in  about  five  months  thus  far ;  "Des- 


perate Journey,"  13,300  playdates;  "Gentle- 
man Jim,"  12,700;  "George  Washington 
blept  Here,"  12,500;  "Now,  Voyager," 
12,750. 

The  company  also  reported  that  "Sergeant 
York"  had  reached  its  -20,000th  playdate, 
indicating  that  the  picture  had  played  re- 
peat dates  to  the  extent  of  about  90  per 
cent. 

Paramount's  top-budget  features  also  came 
through  with  record  playdates  for  this  sea- 
son, including  13,000  for  "Wake  Island"; 
12,500  "Major  and  the  Minor";  13,000, 
"Road  to  Morocco";  13,000  "Star  Spangled 
Rhythm"  and  12,500,  "Forest  Rangers." 
These  pictures  also  scored  heavy  holdover 
dates  in  first  run  theatres  in  key  cities  during 
the  season. 

Annual  Increase  Is 
Reported  by  Universal 

At  Universal's  annual  sales  meeting  in 
Chicago  this  week,  W.  A.  Scully,  vice- 
president  and  general  sales  manager,  dis- 
closed that  for  the  past  five  years  the  com- 
pany had  averaged  an  increase  of  1,000 
exhibitor  accounts  each  year. 

Although  no  official  playdate  totals  have 
been  reported  for  Universal,  it  was  observed 
by  a  home  office  executive  this  week  that 
"Arabian  Nights,"  "Pittsburgh,"  "Shadow 
of  a  Doubt,"  "Who  Done  It,"  "It  Ain't 
Hay,"  and  "Frankenstein  Meets  the  Wolf 
Man"  set  playdate-holdover  records  for  this 
season. 

Such  films  as  "Somewhere  I'll  Find  You," 
"Panama  Hattie,"  "For  Me  and  My  Gal," 
"Keeper  of  the  Flame,"  and  "Cabin  in  the 
Sky,"  were  singled  out  as  MGM's  top  box 
office  attractions  for  the  season  thus  far. 

Leading  the  playdate  and  holdover  fea- 
tures for  RKO  Radio  this  year  was  the 
Edward  A.  Golden  production,  "Hitler's 
Children."  Other  record  attractions  of  the 
company  included  "Pride  of  the  Yankees," 
"The  Navy  Comes  Through,"  "Here  We 
Go  Again,"  "They  Got  Me  Covered." 

Among  the  pictures  released  this  season 
by  Twentieth  Century-Fox,  those  which  led 
in  bookings  and  holdovers  included  "Foot- 
light  Serenade,"  "Black  Swan,"  "Spring- 
time in  the  Rockies"  and  "Hello,  Frisco, 
Hello." 

Republic  Time  Exceeds 
Previous  Years 

United  Artists'  roster  of  heavy  box  office 
attractions  for  the  season  included  "I  Mar- 
ried a  Witch,"  "In  Which  We  Serve," 
"Hangmen  Also  Die"  and  "Lady  of  Bur- 
lesque." 

Republic's  top-budget  features  received 
more  playing  time  this  year  than  in  previous 
seasons,  although  official  playdate  figures 
were  not  made  available.  Such  pictures  as 
"Hit  Parade  of  1943,"  which  played  the 
Loew's  circuit,  for  example,  and  "Ice- 
Capades  Revue,"  "Idaho"  and  "At  Dawn 
We  Die"  brought  increased  theatre  ac- 
counts for  the  company  during  the  season. 

Monogram's  "Silver  Skates"  and  "Sarong 
Girl,"  among  other  high  budget  produc- 
tions for  1942-43,  increased  theatre  accounts 
for  that  company.     "Corregidor,"  one  of 


PRC's  leading  features  for  the  season,  was 
one  of  the  big  playdate-holdover  pictures  for 
that  company. 

With  business  still  going  strong  for  all 
top-flight  pictures  of  all  the  companies,  final 
totals  of  playdates  and  holdover  time  can- 
not be  recorded  until  the  1942-43  season  is 
completed,  but  sales  officials  for  the  distribu- 
tors agree  that  this  year  will  be  the  "biggest 
for  the  best  product." 

Emphasis  on  regional  selling  and  ex- 
ploitation of  product,  by  both  Paramount 
and  RKO,  for  example,  which  reached  a 
high  point  during  the  season,  will  be  con- 
tinued for  those  two  companies.  Columbia, 
MGM,  Twentieth  Century-Fox,  Warner 
Bros.,  United  Artists,  Universal,  Republic, 
Monogram  and  PRC  all  are  planning  special 
selling  and  exploitation  campaigns  for  their 
higher-budgeted  product  for  the  balance  of 
this  season  and  for  next  year.  On  the  basis 
of  performance  of  the  1942-43  top-flight 
attractions,  and  taking  into  consideration 
the  fact  that  companies  will  produce  fewer 
pictuers  next  year,  it  was  observed  by  one 
sales  official  that  at  least  the  same  number 
of  big  pictures  from  each  company  next 
season  would  maintain,  if  not  exceed,  the 
playdate-holdover  records  set  this  year. 

Gamble  Leases  Fifth 
Theatre  in  Oregon 

Ted  R.  Gamble,  theatre  executive  in  the 
northwest,  and  assistant  to  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  Henry  Morgenthau,  has  acquired  the 
lease  of  a  theatre  in  Vanport  City,  Ore.,  which 
is  scheduled  to  open  soon. 

Mr.  Gamble  operates  four  other  theatres,  two 
in  Hood  River  and  two  in  Portland,  although 
management  has  been  apportioned  among  mem- 
bers of  his  staff,  since  his  Washington  duties 
have  kept  him  in  the  east.  The  Vanport  theatre 
will  seat  800. 

New  York  Carriers  to  Drop 
Thursday,  Friday  Deliveries 

New  York  film  carriers,  beginning  July  1st, 
will  neither  pick  up  nor  deliver  prints  to  thea- 
tres Thursday  nights  and  Friday  mornings. 
This  was  decided  this  week  by  a  six-man  com- 
mittee representing  the  carriers,  exchanges,  and 
exhibition.  The  new  schedule  is  temporary, 
and  regarded  as  a  partial  solution  to  the  prob- 
lems presented  by  Office  of  Defense  Transpor- 
tation orders  to  reduce  deliveries  and  save  gaso- 
line. 

Mulvey  Sales  Supervisor 
For  Cagney  Film 

James  Mulvey,  New  York  representative  for 
Samuel  Goldwyn,  has  been  appointed  by  Cag- 
ney Productions  to  handle  the  company's  do- 
mestic and  foreign  sales  on  "Johnny  Come 
Lately"  for  United  Artists  release.  Mr.  Mul- 
vey will  retain  his  Goldwyn  affiliation.  He  re- 
cently returned  to  New  York  from  the  coast. 
"Johnny  Come  Lately"  is  the  first  of  Cagney 
Productions'  films. 


Circuit  Raises  Prices 

The  Lasker  circuit  in  Chicago  has  raised  ad- 
missions five  cents  from  28  to  33  cents  for  eve- 
nings and  Sunday  and  holidays.  The  circuit  op- 
erates the  Ri-tz  in  Berwyn,  Vilas  in  Cicero  and 
Music  Box,  Ridge  and  Bertha  in  Chicago. 


A  BUY  FOR  JULY! 

[Is  your  blood  Red  — White  and  Blue!) 

A  wonderful,  thrilling  idea — 
A  great  new  airplane  carrier 
To  be  called  "  SHANGRI-LA"  (Hello  Tokio !) 
Launched  by  the  people  of  this  nation 
In  a  big,  special,  All -American 
JULY  WAR  STAMP  DRIVE 
IN  MOTION  PICTURE  THEATRES ! 
Uncle  Sam  asks  us  to  sell  at  least 
A  dollar's  worth  of  stamps  to  every 
Man,  woman  and  child  in  America! 
That's  $130,000,000  to  jolt  Japan! 
Help  build  "SHANGRI-LA"!  The  buy  for  July! 
Sell  every  patron  $1  worth  of  stamps! 
Watch  for  the  campaign  book  "Big  Guns" 
It's  the  U.  S.  Treasury's  barrage  of  showmanship! 
Watch  trade  papers  for  further  news! 
Get  set!   Stock  up  your  stamp  booth! 
Pep  up  your  theatre  staff! 
All  together  to  start  "SHANGRI-LA" 
Down  the  ways  to  Tokio! 


(  P.  S. — The  Government  is  asking  motion  picture 
theatres,  retail  stores  and  newspaper  carrier  boys 
to  participate  in  this  July  war  stamp  drive.  Let's 
make  sure  WE  do  more  than  one-third  of  the  job!] 

Sponsored  by  the  War  Activities  Committee  of  the" 
Motion  Picture  Industry,  150 1  Broadway,  N.  Y.  C. 


SIGN!  MAIL  TO  W.A.C.,  1501  B'way, 

(Count  me  in,  Uncle  Sam) 

THEATRE  

CITY    


N.Y. 


NAME 


(We'll  jolt  the  Japs  in  July) 


16 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


ON  THE  MARCH 


June    19,  1943 


by  RED  KANN 


THEY'VE  been  saying  for  years  here  that  this  business  of 
making  pictures  is  one  tough,  back-breaking  job,  but  its 
rewards  are  high.   Blood  pressure,  too. 
Illustrating  the  blood  pressure,  if  not  the  rewards,  is  a  merry 
tale.    Its  component  parts  are  "Cowboy  Commandos,"  the  Office 
of  War  Information,  the  Office  of  Censorship  and  a  state  of 
confusion. 

Before  launching  into  production,  the  script  was  offered  the 
OWI  for  consideration  and  suggestion.  At  that  point,  the  char- 
acters identified  in  the  subjoined  advance  synopses  reprinted 
from  the  Herald's  Product  Digest  Section  spoke  German  and 
Italian,  or  inflections  of  both. 

!  r 

COWBOY  COMMANDOS 
(Monogram) 

Series  Western 

PRODUCER:  George  Weeks.  Directed  by  S.  Roy  Luby. 
PLAYERS:   Roy  Corrigan,   Denis  Moore,   Max  Terhune. 

SYNOPSIS 

A  group  of  Nazis  who  believe  they  have  located 
magnesium  deposits  in  a  Western  community  pre- 
pare to  acquire  possession,  but  the  residents  become 
suspicious  and  notify  the  FBI.  Without  waiting  for 
the  Federal  men  to  arrive,  however,  the  intrepid  trio 
of  Range  Busters  take  matters  in  hand. 

The  OWI  took  the  position  this  would  not  push  matters  at 
large  toward  a  faster  victory;  that,  in  fact,  it  would  tend  to  dis- 
please and,  perhaps,  even  antagonize  German-Americans,  Italian- 
Americans  and  friendly  aliens  of  both  nationalities.  The  advice, 
consequently,  was  to  remake  the  characters  into  Americans  by 
killing  off  their  inflections,  but  leaving  them  with  their  Axis 
ideology,  plotting  and  cupidity.    It  was  as  simple  as  that. 

The  switch  was  made. 

Production  proceeded.  In  due  course,  the  picture  was  com- 
pleted. Thereafter  and  according  to  regulation,  a  print  went  to 
the  Office  of  Censorship  for  export  license.  At  that  stage,  "Cow- 
boy Commandos"  failed  to  get  a  permit  on  the  ground  Latin- 
Americans  and  others  in  other  lands  would  be  conveyed  the  idea 
American  cowboys  are  in  no  wise  different  from  the  Nazis  and 
Fascists  who  must  submit  to  unconditional  surrender  before  the 
dogs  of  war  are  called  off. 

At  about-  this  point,  Director  Luby  is  credited  with  having 
remarked  in  this  or  language  of  similar  intent,  "Whoinhell  am  I 
to  believe  about  these  things?" 

What  is  undeniably  a  merry  tale,  however,  is  also  tinged  with 
its  serious  side.  Both  the  Office  of  War  Information  and  the 
Office  of  Censorship  evidently  remained  well  within  the  boun- 
daries of  their  particular  function.  OWI  guides,  cannot  dictate ; 
thus,  the  producer  can  do  as  he  pleases  with  whatever  advice  is 
made  available  to  him. 

The  Office  of  Censorship  censors  after  the  deed  and  pre-advises 
only  in  terms  of  official  regulations  prescribing  what  producers 
may  not  touch  upon.  In  length,  these  restrictive  clauses  cover 
military  objectives,  such  as  shore  lines  and  that  ilk.  OC  is  not 
interested  in  any  of  the  phases  through  which  a  picture  passes. 
It  determines  its  actions  and  its  decisions  under  a  wide  and 
authoritative  mandate  solely  upon  the  evidence  which  takes  one, 
and  only  one,  form:  the  completed  production. 

If,  by  this  time,  you  may  be  wondering  why  the  boys  don't 
huddle  and  then  get  the  producer  out  of  his  muddle,  you're  won- 
dering along  with  this  department. 


Maybe  Yes  and  Maybe  No 

ETERNAL  Hollywood,  like  the  hope  that  springs,  is  specu- 
lating again.  On  this  occasion,  it  is  over  possibilities 
which  may  unfold  if  players  in  the  service  are  to  be  fur- 
loughed  for  occasional  pictures.  Specifically,  the  hope  springs 
from  the  case  of  Jack  Holt.  He  is  a  captain  in  the  Army  now 
and  may  be  relieved  of  duty  long  enough  to  star  in  "Ground 
Crew"  for  Monogram.    The  reason:  the  War  Department  is 


officially  interested  in  the  project,  which  would  be  a  straight 
commercial  enterprise,  nevertheless. 

The  Holt  circumstance  would  be  without  precedent  in  this 
country  so  far  as  any  researchers  have  been  able  to  dig  it  out. 
Closely  parallel,  yet  actually  not  close  at  all,  is  the  file  on  Ronald 
Reagan,  who  was  given  military  time  off  to  appear  in  "This  Is 
the  Army."  The  important  difference  there  is  that  his  was  a 
military  assignment  bearing  on  a  non-profit  venture  where 
Warner,  as  producer,  is  concerned. 

The  quick  calculators,  of  course,  are  thinking  about  the  Gables, 
the  Stewarts,  the  Fondas,  the  Montgomerys,  the  Powers  and  so 
on  down  the  illustrious  line  and  if  the  Holt  development,  prece- 
dental  as  it  would  be,  ought  to  be  construed  as  pointing  a  way. 

In  England  and  in  Russia,  what  is  not  common  practice  in 
America  is  common  enough.  Latest  to  engage  attention  here  is 
another  emphasis  on  the  policy  prevailing  in  those  two  countries, 
the  incident  so  happening  this  time  to  deal  with  Russia.  Drew 
Pearson  tells  it  in  his  "Washington  Merry-Go-Round"  column, 
quoting  Leonid  A.  Antonov,  special  emissary  of  his  nation's  film 
industry  who  has  been  conferring  with  studio  leaders. 

The  incident  has  to  do  with  violent  street  fighting  in  the  coura- 
geous defense  of  Stalingrad  and  how  a  group  of  actors  left  their 
studio  to  seek  arms  and  the  fight.  The  general  in  charge  turned 
them  down,  sending  this  answer: 

"We  have  soldiers,  but  we  haven't  many  actors.  Your  job  is 
to  make  motion  pictures.  Now,  back  to  your  studios  and  make 
them !  We  don't  need  you  to  carry  rifles,  nor  do  we  need  you  at 
the  barricades.  The  greatest  military  service  you  can  do  Russia 
is  to  go  on  acting  and  making  the  pictures  which  the  soldiers 
need." 

Mailbag,  War  Pictures,  De  Mille 

T  HAVE  been  most  interested  in  Motion  Picture  Her- 
ald's editorial  and  exhibitor  comment  on  war  pictures," 
A   writes  Cecil  B.  De  Mille.   Then : 

"The  consensus  seems  to  be  that  this  type  of  product  is  no 
longer  box  office.  But  just  what  is  meant  by  the  broad  term, 
'war  pictures,'  is  not  immediately  clear.  If,  for  example,  every 
picture  set  against  a  war  background  is  included  in  this  category, 
then  I  need  only  point  to  a  picture  released  after  publication  of 
these  deprecatory  critiques — Paramount' s  'China',  now  making 
golden  music  at  the  box  office. 

"I  was  once  warned  that  religious  pictures  were  'not  box  office,' 
yet  'The  Ten  Commandments'  turned  out  to  be  the  greatest  suc- 
cess I  ever  had.  So-called  costume  pictures  were  likewise  con- 
sidered taboo — until  'Gone  With  the  Wind'  came  along. 

"In  my  opinion,  there  are  only  two  kinds  of  pictures — good  and 
bad.    Good  pictures  will  always  be  'box  office.' 

"No  background,  whether  it  be  war  or  peace,  is  sufficient  justi- 
fication for  a  picture.  Primarily,  there  must  be  a  good  story, 
whose  characters  possess  universal  appeal.  That  is  why  I  am 
making  'The  Story  of  Dr.  Wassell.' 

"I  do  not  think  of  this  as  a  'war  picture,'  though  war  provides 
much  of  its  motivation.  It  is  the  story  of  a  man — Commander 
Corydon  M.  Wassell,  the  former  Arkansas  country  doctor,  who 
won  the  Navy  Cross  for  shepherding  nine  wounded  American 
sailors  to  safety  from  the  island  of  Java  during  the  Japanese 
invasion,  as  first  told  to  the  nation  by  President  Roosevelt  in  a 
fireside  chat. 

"It  is  the  story  of  this  man's  rise  from  failure  to  triumph,  of 
what  he  believed  and  of  the  faith  he  inspired  in  others.  It  is  also 
his  love  story.  And,  despite  its  underlying  theme  of  character, 
principle  and  ideas,  it  is  primarily  sheer  entertainment." 

Argument  and  plug  thus  are  admitted  in  evidence. 

B  How  hard  the  road  these  days  takes  on  another  minor  aura 
with  the  story  of  a  certain  key  city  exchange  now  70  per  cent 
over  annual  quota  in  a  season  still  full  of  life. 


Said  a  studio  generalissimo 
reported  the  state  of  affairs: 
"What!    Only  70  per  cent!" 
Was  he  kidding? 
He  was. 


to  the  district  manager  who 


A  film  wife  to  her  husband: 

"Do  I  have  to  go  to  that  party  tonight?" 

The  film  husband  to  his  wife: 

"If  you  don't,  you'll  be  accused  of  absenteeism  from  the  social 


set; 


June    19,    1943         '  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  17 


UNIVERSAL  TO  RELEASE  55 
FILMS  NEXT  SEASON 


IN  CHICAGO  for  the  Universal  sales  meeting  this  week  are  Cliff  Work,  vice-presi- 
dent and  general  manager  of  the  studios;  John  Joseph,  national  director  of  advertis- 
ing, publicity  and  exploitation,  and  Nate  Blumberg,  president. 


7  Westerns,  67  Shorts  on 
Program;  Theatres  Now 
Assured  429  Features 

Universal  Pictures  will  produce  55  fea- 
tures for  next  season,  it  was  announced  this 
week  at  the  company's  three-day  sales  meet- 
ing which  opened  Tuesday  and  ended  Thurs- 
day at  the  Blackstone  Hotel  in  Chicago. 

The  1943-44  schedule  will  offer  seven 
Westerns,  three  serials,  67  shorts  and  104 
issues  of  Universal  newsreel.  W.  A.  Scul- 
ly, vice-president  and  general  sales  man- 
ager of  the  company,  said  that  Universal 
would  continue  "to  anticipate  trends  in  en- 
tertainment, rather  than  follow  them." 

With  the  55  features  promised  from  Uni- 
versal, exhibitors  can  be  assured  of  429  fea- 
tures for  the  new  season.  The  1942-43  re- 
leases from  11  companies  totaled  453. 

Thus  far,  Columbia  has  announced  48 
for  1943-44;  Monogram,  40;  Producers 
Releasing  Corporation,  40;  Republic,  66; 
Twentieth  Century-Fox,  48;  United  Art- 
ists, 30.  RKO's  1943-44  schedule  will  be 
announced  at  the  company's  annual  sales 
meeting  next  month.  Paramount,  accord- 
ing to  Y.  Frank  Freeman,  vice-president 
in  charge  of  production,  will  not  exceed 
the  31  releases  offered  this  year.  It  has 
been  indicated  that  MGM  and  Warner 
Bros,  may  release  approximately  36  and 
24  features,  respectively,  next  season,  the 
same  number  as  this  year. 

Discussion  of  sales  policies  and  exploitation 
possibilities  for  next  season's  product  has  been 
carried  on  at  various  meetings  held  by  com- 
panies recently.  MGM,  according  to  announce- 
ment this  week,  will  not  hold  an  annual  sales 
meeting  but  will  call  district  manager  sessions 
Monogram  concluded  its  fifth  and  final  regional 
meeting  of  the  company  last  Sunday  in  Los  An- 
geles RKO's  annual  sales  convention  will  be 
held  in  New  York  July  12-14  at  the  Waldorf- 
Astoria  Hotel.  Paramount  this  week  called  a 
district  managers'  meeting  to  be  held  in  New 
York  at  the  Hotel  Pierre,  from  July  14  to  17. 
Warner  Bros.,  United  Artists,  Twentieth  Cen- 
tury-Fox, PRC  and  Republic  already  have  con- 
ferred on  next  season's  product  during  sales 
sessions  held  recently. 

Paramount  will  hold  a  meeting  in  Toronto, 
June  25th  and  26th.  . 

Universal's  "increased  appropriation  for  pro- 
duction" is  permitting  acquisition  of  new  pro- 
ducers, directors',  writers  and  stars  to  augment 
the  studio's  production  lineup,  thus  "insuring 
strong  box  office  attractions"  for  next  year, 
Mr.  Scully  said. 

Universal  Planning 
Balanced  Program 

"Now  more  than  ever,  the  public  seems  to 
want  diversity  in  its  entertainment,"  Mr.  Scully 
said.  "Being  quite  aware  that  even  in  normal 
times  it  is  difficult  for  any  studio  to  gauge  the 
public  taste  and  temperament  as  far  as  screen 
entertainment  goes,  it  becomes  increasingly  dif- 
ficult in  these  abnormal  times.  For  that  reason," 
he  said,  "our  entire  program  will  be  well  bal- 
anced with  drama,  comedy,  musical  and  ad- 
venture pictures. 

"This  does  not  mean  that  we  have  any  pre- 
conceived notions  about  whether  or  not  we  will 
make  pictures  dealing  with  the  war.    If  these 


fit  in  logically  with  what  we  consider  the  pub- 
lic wants  in  its  entertainment,  we  will,  of 
course,  include  them." 

Mr.  Scully  indicated  that  Universal  would 
make  a  point  during  the  next  season  to  keep  "as 
close  to  the  public  pulse  as  possible,"  in  seeing 
that  local  offices  throughout  the  country  con- 
duct informal  surveys  among  exhibitors  in  an 
effort  to  gauge  reactions  to  all  types  of  pictures. 

Universal  has  added  an  average  of  1,000  ex- 
hibitor accounts  annually  for  the  past  five  years, 
Mr.  Scully  told  the  sales  force.  He  praised 
the  loyalty  of  company  workers  and  pledged 
promotion  from  the  ranks. 

Clifford  Work,  vice-president  and  general 
manager  of  the  studio,  outlined  product  now 
ready  to  complete  this  season  and  discussed 
plans  for  next  year.  Dan  Kelly,  studio  talent 
head,  said  the  development  of  new  personali- 
ties would  be  continued.  He  cited  Maria  Mon- 
tez  and  Donald  O'Connor  as  examples  of  re- 
cent discoveries. 

Company  in  Strongest 
Financial  Position 

Wednesday,  J.  Cheever  Cowdin,  chairman 
of  the  board,  told  the  delegates  that  Universal 
is  in  the  strongest  financial  position  in  years 
as  the  result  of  recent  adjustments.  Joseph 
Seidelman,  foreign  manager,  and  Charles 
Prutzman,  general  counsel,  also  spoke. 

John  Joseph,  national  director  of  advertising 
and  publicity,  and  Maurice  Bergman,  eastern 
chief,  outlined  ambitious  plans  for  exploitation 
during  the  next  season.  They  indicated  that 
large  campaigns  in  all  media  are  being  planned 
for  top  product. 

Universal's  New  York  exchange  led  in  the 
William  Scully  Sales  Drive  this  spring,  Mr. 
Scully,  the  sales  manager,  announced  at  Chi- 
cago Wednesday.  As  awards  David  A.  Levy, 
manager,  and  the  staff  will  receive  three  weeks 
salary. 

Other  leaders  in  their  respective  divisions 
were  Indianapolis,  managed  by  L.  J.  McGinley, 
and  Portland,  Ore.,  under  R.  O.  Wilson. 

The  Southern  and  Canadian  division  headed 
by  Frank  J.  A.  McCarthy  led  in  sales. 

District  managers  honored  by  Mr.  Scully 
were  Harry  D.  Graham  of  Atlanta,  Allen  J. 
O'Keefe,  Chicago,  and  Pete  Rosian,  Cincin- 
nati. 

Of  the  55  features  announced  by  Mr.  Scully, 


five  will  be  super-specials.  Five  will  be  made 
in  Technicolor. 
The  five  in  the  special  classification  will  be: 
For  All  We  Know,  the  Charles  Boyer- 
Julien  Duvivier  film,  directed  by  Duvivier,  and 
starring  Gloria  Jean,  Alan  Curtis,  Frank  Cra- 
ven, Betty  Field,  Robert  Cummings,  Edgar 
Barrier,  Edward  G.  Robinson,  Thomas  Mitchell, 
C.  Aubrey  Smith,  Anna  Lee,  Dame  May 
Whitty,  Charles  Boyer,  Barbara  Stanwyck, 
Charles  Winninger. 

All-Star  Technicolor 
Musical  Is  Planned 

Hip,  Hip,  Hooray,  a  musical  in  Technicolor, 
with  such  players  as  Maria  Montez,  Robert 
Cummings,  Susanna  Foster,  Diana  Barrymore, 
Jon  Hall,  Donald  O'Connor,  Louise  Allbritton, 
Sabu,  Leo  Carillo,  the  Andrews  Sisters,  Peggy 
Ryan,  Robert  Paige,  Andy  Devine  and  Edgar 
Barrier.  The  film  will  be  a  cavalcade  of  the 
show  business  from  the  early  concert  hall  down 
to  the  present-day  musical  comedies.  It  will  be 
produced  by  John  Grant. 

Passport  to  Dakar,  with  Jean  Gabin  head- 
ing an  all-star  cast,  will  be  produced  and  di- 
rected by  Julien  Duvivier.  It  will  be  a  roman- 
tic action  story  of  adventures  in  Dakar. 

Gung  Ho,  the  story  of  the  Second  Marine 
Raider  Battalion,  the  American  heroes  who 
"mopped  up"  Makin  Island  and  Guadalcanal. 
It  will  be  produced  by  Walter  Wanger  and 
based  on  a  screenplay  written  by  Lucien  Hub- 
bard. 

Looking  for  Trouble,  another  Walter  Wan- 
ger production,  the  story  of  America's  women 
pilots — The  Women's  Auxiliary  Ferrying 
Squadron — written  by  Norman  Reilly  Raine. 
It  will  be  made  with  the  cooperation  of  the 
U.  S.  Army  Air  Force.  John  Rawlins  will 
direct. 

Other  features  will  include : 

Three  Abbott  and  Costello  starring  comedies 
— Here  Come  the  CorEDS,  Abbott  and  Cos- 
tello in  Society  and  The  Naughty  Nineties. 
"In  Society"  has  been  written  by  and  will  be 
co-produced  by  Hugh  Dedlock,  Jr.,  and  How- 
ard Snyder. 

Crazy  House,  which  will  have  Olsen  and 
Johnson  as  its  stars,  with  support  including 
Martha  O'Driscoll,  Patric  Knowles,  Cass 
Daley,  Billy  Gilbert,  Percy  Kilbride,  Andrew 
Tombes,  Franklin  Pangborn,  Richard  Lane, 
Moroni  Olsen,  Hans  Conried,  the  Laison  Broth- 

(Continued  on  following  page,  column  1) 


18 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    19,  1943 


Universal  Sets 
55  Features  for 
Next  Season 

(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

ers  and  Leighton  Noble  and  his  Orchestra, 
Erie  C.  Kenton  is  the  associate  producer  and 
Edward  F.  Cline  the  director. 

Two  Deanna  Durbin  starring  vehicles,  as  yet 
untitled,  both  of  which  will  be  produced  by 
Felix  Jackson  and  one  of  which  will  be  directed 
by  Frank  Borzage.  In  one  Miss  Durbin  will 
co-star  with  Pat  O'Brien  and  Franchot  Tone, 
while  the  second,  still  uncast,  will  be  made  in 
Technicolor. 

Three  Maria  Montez-Jon  Hall-Sabu  films, 
all  in  Technicolor.  The  first  is  Cobra  Woman, 
produced  by  George  Waggner  and  directed  by 
Robert  Siodmak.  The  second  will  be  Paul  Mal- 
vern's production,  Ali  Baba  and  the  Forty 
Thieves,  which  Arthur  Lubin  will  direct,  while 
the  third  will  be  Raiders  of  the  Desert,  an- 
other Malvern  production. 

Charles  Boyer  to  Star 
In  a  Mystery  Film 

72  Hours,  with  Charles  Boyer  starring  in  a 
"Raffles"  type  of  story. 

Fired  Wife,  starring  Diana  Barrymore,  Rob- 
ert Paige,  directed  by  Charles  Lamont. 

All  My  Love,  Joe,  starring  George  Raft  and 
directed  by  Frank  Borzage. 

Phantom  Lady,  based  on  a  mystery  novel, 
with  Maria  Montez,  Robert  Cummings,  Pat 
O'Brien,  and  Alan  Curtis  starred,  and  Joan 
Harrison,  as  associate  producer. 

The  Strange  Death  of  Adolph  Hitler, 
the  book  and  newspaper  serial,  which  will  have 
Ben  Pivar  as  associate  producer  and  Joe  May 
as  director. 

100  Girls  and  a  Man,  a  romantic  musical. 

The  Daltons  Ride  Again,  outdoor  film. 

Angela,  starring  Donald  O'Connor,  Susanna 
Foster,  Louise  Allbritton  and  Patric  Knowles, 
directed  by  Felix  Feist,  with  Bernard  Burton  as 
associate  producer. 

Man  of  the  Family,  co-starring  Donald 
O'Connor  and  Susanna  Foster. 

Invisible  Man's  Revenge,  which  will  co- 
star  Claude  Rains  and  Gale  Sondergaard  in  ad- 
venture of  H.  G.  Wells'  fictional  character. 

Son  of  Dracula,  starring  Robert  Paige, 
Louise  Allbritton,  Evelyn  Ankers  and  Lon 
Chaney. 

Andrews  Sisters  in 
Three  Musicals 

Three  musicals  starring  the  Andrews  Sisters 
with  outstanding  name  bands.  They  will  be 
titled  Always  a  Bridesmaid,  On  Mobile  Bay 
and  Ride,  Sailor,  Ride. 

Jungle  Queen,  with  Acquanetta,  the  "dis- 
covery" of  "Captive  Wild  Woman." 

Three  Sherlock  Holmes  productions,  co- 
starring  Basil  Rathbone  and  Nigel  Bruce.  They 
are  Sherlock  Holmes  Faces  Death,  Sher- 
lock Holmes  and  the  Spider  Woman  and 
Sherlock  Holmes  in  Canada,  all  produced 
and  directed  by  Roy  William  Neill. 

Never  a  Dull  Moment,  with  the  Ritz  Broth- 
ers, Frances  Langford  and  Mary  Beth  Hughes. 

Moonlight  in  Vermont,  a  musical  with 
Gloria  Jean  and  Peggy  Ryan. 

This  Is  the  Life,  another  musical  with 
Gloria  Jean  and  Peggy  Ryan. 

Two  Inner  Sanctum  mystery  dramas,  as  yet 
untitled,  with  Lon  Chaney  and  Gale  Sonder- 
gaard in  original  screenplays  along  the  lines  of 
the  stories  from  the  Inner  Sanctum  radio  series. 

Beast  of  the  East,  based  on  a  story  of 
Japanese  treachery  in  the  current  war. 

The  Mummy's  Ghost,  another  "horror"  pic- 
ture. 

Larceny  With  Music,  with  Allan  Jones, 


GOLDWYN  CONTINUES 
RKO  RELEASE 

RKO  Radio  will  continue  to  release 
the  productions  of  Samuel  Goldwyn 
during  the  coming  year,  it  was  agreed 
this  week  by  the  company  and 
the  producer,  it  was  announced  by 
N.  Peter  Rathvon,  president  of  RKO. 

The  first  Goldwyn  production  to  be 
distributed  by  RKO  Radio  under  the 
agreement  will  be  "The  North  Star", 
for  which  Lillian  Hellman  wrote  the 
original  screenplay.  Lewis  Milestone 
is  directing.  "Up  In  Arms",  the  musi- 
cal comedy  in  Technicolor  which  Mr. 
Goldwyn  is  producing,  with  Danny 
Kaye  in  the  star  role,  is  another 
feature  scheduled  for  RKO  Radio 
release.  "Treasure  Chest",  starring 
Bob  Hope,  is  the  third  Goldwyn  pro- 
duction planned  for  next  season. 


Kitty  Carlisle,  Leo  Carrillo,  William  Frawley, 
Lee  Patrick,  Alvino  Rey  and  his  orchestra  and 
the  King  Sisters. 

You're  a  Lucky  Fellow,  Mr,  Smith,  with 
Allan  Jones. 

Song  of  the  Plains,  another  Allan  Jones 
film,  with  a  background  in  the  West. 

Hi  Ya  Sailor  and  Week-End  Pass,  military 
musicals. 

The  Singing  Hills,  an  outdoor  musical  pro- 
duction. 

Further  feature  titles  announced  are : 
Anybody  Here  Seen  Kelly,  The  Mad 
Ghoul,  Rhythm  on  Parade,  Song  of  the 
Sarong,  The  Professor  Goes  Wild,  Twilight 
on  the  Trail,  Moocnlight  and  Orchids,  Her 
Own  Affair,  Brazilian  Nights  and  Blondes 
Prefer  Men. 

Drake  Will  Produce 
Seven  Westerns 

The  seven  Westerns  for  1943-44  will  be  pro- 
duced by  Oliver  Drake,  who  handled  Univer- 
sal's  1942-43  group,  and  will  be  highlighted  by 
important  Western  star  personalities,  who  will 
be  announced  shortly. 

The  shorts  program  will  consist  of : 
Thirteen  musical  two-reelers  featuring  lead- 
ing bands. 

Six  Color  Classics  in  Technicolor,  first  of 
which  will  be  Diver  vs.  Devilfish,  based  on  a 
story  appearing  in  Life  Magazine. 

Sixteen  Technicolor  Cartunes  produced  by 
Walt  Lantz,  and  featuring  Swing  Symphonies, 
Woody  Woodpecker,  Andy  Panda  and  Oswald 
Rabbit. 

Fifteen  Variety  Views,  presenting  subjects 
on  sports,  animals,  current  events  and  interna- 
tional affairs. 

Fifteen  Person-Oddities,  based  on  unusual 
articles  appearing  in  the  Popular  Mechanics  and 
Popular  Science  Magazines  as  well  as  on  per- 
sonalities of  national  importance  and  interest. 

Two  special  featurettes,  running  22  minutes 
each,  the  first  of  which  is  titled  World  With- 
out Borders,  embracing  the  Four  Freedoms 
and  the  Atlantic  Charter ;  the  second  titled 
Battle  of  Music,  in  which  a  symphony  orches- 
tra is  pitted  against  a  swing  band. 

The  three  serials,  each  of  which  will  be  in  13 
chapters,  will  be: 

Don  Winslow  of  the  Coast  Guard,  featur- 
ing Don  Terry,  Elyse  Knox. 

Adventures  of  the  Flying  Cadets,  with 
Bobby  Jordan,  Jennifer  Holt,  Johnny  Downs. 
Reginald  Denny,  Eduardo  Cianelli. 

Junior  Commandos  of  the  U.  S.  A.,  for 
which  the  cast  will  be  announced  later. 

The  104  issues  of  the  Universal  Newsreel  will 
give  theatres  semi-weekly  changes. 


Congress  Slices 
Coordinator  Film 
Budget  66% 

Motion  picture  expenditures  of  the  Coordi- 
nator of  Inter-American  Affairs  will  be  cut  by 
nearly  two-thirds  during  the  fiscal  year  begin- 
ning July  1st,  it  was  disclosed  Wednesday  when, 
the  House  of  Representatives  took  up  the  na- 
tional War  Agencies  Appropriation  Bill.  The 
film  units  of  the  Office  of  War  Information  also^ 
had  their  appropriations  cut,  but  less  drastically 
than  the  CIAA. 

Only  $1,790,204  will  be  granted  for  film  ac- 
tivities of  the  Nelson  Rockefeller  agency,  it  was. 
shown,  compared  with  $3,903,601  for  the  current 
year.  This  represents  a  decrease  of  $2,113,397, 
and  a  substantial  cut  in  the  film  bureau's  re- 
quest. 

The  cost  of  newsreels  will  be  reduced  from. 
$166,000  to  $100,000  but  there  will  be  no  cut 
in  the  program,  according  to  the  CIAA  esti- 
mates. The  fund  for  guarantees  against  losses 
on  special  goodwill  pictures  will  be  reduced 
from  $775,000  to  $400,000.  Figuring  on  the  ex- 
perience with  the  Disney  feature  "Saludos 
Amigos,"  the  agency  claimed  that  there  would 
be  little  need  for  expenditure  of  these  funds. 
The  present  program  under  the  contract  with 
the  Motion  Picture  Society  for  the  Americas  in 
Hollywood  will  require  $43,000  instead  of  the 
$94,000  appropriated  in  1942.  Current  plans  for 
co-production  of  pictures  with  the  other  Amer- 
icas will  cost  $100,000  instead  of  $125,000. 

With  a  decrease  in  the  number  of  reels  con- 
templated, only  $210,000  was  sought  for  pro- 
duction of  shorts,  against  $644,000  this  year. 
No  change  was  made  in  the  $40,000  fund  for 
accelerating  the  distribution  of  commercial  pic- 
tures in  the  other  republics. 

The  fund  for  editing,  processing  and  distribu- 
tion management  of  non-theatricals  is  halved 
from  $250,000  to  $125,000.  The  expense  of  field 
activities  on  such  film  is  to  be  reduced  from 
$186,970  to  $125,000.  The  budget  did  not  dis- 
close whether  the  Museum  of  Modern  Art  Film 
Library  would  continue  to  handle  this  work. 

The  cost  of  prints,  reels  and  containers  was 
reduced  from  $533,370  to  $400,000.  The  only 
new  item  is  $67,000  for  equipment  for  use  in 
the  other  Americas.  No  money  is  asked  for 
cooperation  with  the  theatrical  motion  picture 
industry,  it  being  estimated  that  the  present 
fund  of  $981,700  will  be  sufficient. 

During  hearings  before  the  sub-committee. 
Nelson  Rockefeller  called  cooperation  between 
the  CIAA  and  the  industry,  and  the  Hays  of- 
fice, "the  finest  sort.  They  have  been  quick  to 
respond  and  have  developed  pictures  which  are 
not  only  interesting  but  profitable,"  he  said. 

The  committee  was  more  generous  toward  the 
film  work  of  the  Office  of  War  Information, 
cutting  the  fund  for  domestic  operations  by 
$3,365,903  to  $5,500,000.  This,  it  was  said,  will 
require  a  drastic  rearrangement  of  the  domestic 
program. 

The  motion  picture  bureau's  estimate  had 
called  for  a  total  of  $1,122,904  for  domestic  films 
alone  and  $13,718  for  overseas  films.  The  total 
overseas  fund  was  cut  from  $27,003,590  to  $22,- 
500,000. 

The  total  granted  the  OWI  was  $24,472,504, 
a  decrease  of  $12,869,496  from  the  budget 
estimate. 


Appointed  in  Blumenthal  Case 

Albert  L.  Massey  has  been  appointed  by  a 
Wilmington,  Delaware,  Chancellor,  the  seques- 
trator for  the  property  of  the  defendants,  in  the 
case  of  Margaret  Fears  Blumenthal  against  A. 
C.  Blumenthal,  Miriam  Rogers,  and  the  Poli- 
New  England  circuit.  Mrs.  Fears  charges  her 
husband,  A.  C.  Blumenthal,  owes  $180,000  and 
interest,  under  a  property  settlement,  and  that 
he  has  defaulted. 


uring  the 


months  of  the  year 


is  the 


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71 


with 


SIM 

Patric  Knowles  •  Elyse  Knox  •  Marc  Lawn 
and  Johnny  Long  and  His  Orchestra 

%  Screen  Play,  Robert  Lees  ■  Frederic  Rinaldo  •  John  Grant  •  Original  Story, 
True  Boardman  •  Directed  by  Charles  Lament  •  Produced  by  Alex  Gottlieb 


47, 


A 


Hear  Deanna  Sing 
Say  a  Prayer  for  the 
Boys  Over  There 


f 


md  MAKING  low 


FOR  RELEASE 


JULY30th 


A 


Directed  by  Frank  Ryan 
Produced  by  FELIX  JACKSON 
Associate  Producer  FRANK  SHAW 


with 


Charles  Winninger- Evelyn  Ankers- Gus  Schilling 
Nella  Walker  •  Samuel  S.  Hinds  •  Virginia  Sale 


with 


mi**-**""* 


GWYNNE  •  LEO  CARRILLO  •  ANDY  DEVINE  •  Nl 
gygAHEY  •  TEX  RITTER  •  WlLLTAtrfMHQfl  •  THOMAS  GOW 

.  RAID  GERAGHTY  and  MORGAN  $.  COX  •  Directed  by  WILLIAM  McGANN  •  Associate  Producer  FORD  BEEBE 


WW1:. 


THE 


A  Of 


fljMfTjr  j 


i  Ik  is 


mm 


I 


1 


I  » 


i 


s 


/ 


/ 


starring 


RANDOLPH  SCOn 


James  Brown  •  Noah  Beery,  Jr.  •  Barry  Fitzgerald 
Andy  Devine  •  Fuzzy  Knight  •  Richard  Lane 
and  Ella  Raines  •  Directed  by  Richard  Rosson 

Produced  by  Howard  Hawks 


**ow  business 


S'eatest  attraction 


NELSON  EDDY 
SUSANNA  FOSTER 
CLAUDE  RAINS 


) 


*4 


with 


ft 


EDGAR  BARRIER -LEO  CARRILLO  -  JANE  FARRAJ 
I.  EDWARD  BROMBERG .  FRITZ  FELD  •  HUME  CRONYN 

Screen  Play  by  Eric  Taylor,  Samuel  Hoffenstein  •  Adaptation  by  John  Jacoby 
Based  on  the  composition  "Phantom  of  the  Opera"  by  Gaston  Leroux 
Directed  by  ARTHUR  LUBIN  .  Produced  by  GEORGE  WAGGNER 


tip 


the  summer  of 


will  be 


for  all 


with  augmented  creative  resources  in  its  entire 


studio  organization,  confidently  looks  forward 


to  its  responsibilities  in  maintaining  a  consis- 


tency in  producing  boxoffice  pictures.  The 


stature  of  this  summer's  performance  heralds 


Universal's  strength  for  the  1943-44  season. 


AT  UNIVERSAL,  WE  SPELL  IT 


June    19,     I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


29 


RANK  CHALLENGING  U.S. 
POSITION  IN  ENGLAND 


Interests  Embrace  Every 
Phase  of  Film  Industry; 
Monopoly  Cry  Raised 

LONDON  BUREAU 

For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the 
British  film  industry,  American  interests, 
which  with  their  combined  trading  power, 
exercise  a  decided  influence  in  the  British 
film  scene,  are  challenged  by  an  aggrega- 
tion of  industrial  and  commercial  strength 
operating  under  one  banner,  that  of  J.  Ar- 
thur Rank. 

There  is  no  question  but  that  the  Ameri- 
can interests  are  deeply  concerned  with,  and 
are  closely  watching,  the  rapidly  growing 
power  in  the  British  industry  of  Mr.  Rank, 
a  power  which  embraces  all  phases  of  film 
operation,  and  which  in  recent  months  has 
reached  a  point  of  clear-cut  dominance.  His 
interests  run  through  the  operation  of  the 
screen,  from  scenario  and  story  to  the  pic- 
ture house  itself. 

Face  Combined  Operation 
Of  Rank  Interests 

There  is  not  an  industry  phase  in  which 
American  companies  operate  in  England, 
whether  it  is  production,  distribution  or  exhibi- 
tion, in  which  they  are  not  faced  with  the  com- 
bined operations  or  sectional  power  of  Mr. 
Rank  and  his  associates,  Leslie  Farrow  and 
Woodham  Smith  in  particular. 

Mr.  Rank,  who  supplies  the  country  with 
its  flour  as  well  as  many  of  its  films,  has  be- 
come more  deeply  concerned  with  the  industry 
of  the  screen  as  time  goes  on. 

Mr.  Rank's  film  interests  may  be  catalogued 
somewhat  as  follows : 

Chairman  of  both  the  Odeon  and  Gau- 
mont  British  circuits,  controlling  approx- 
imately 650  theatres  in  Great  Britain. 

Chairman  of  the  entire  Gaumont  Brit- 
ish organization,  with  its  production  unit, 
Gainsborough  Pictures;  its  newsreel, 
Gaumont  British  News;  its  equipment, 
television  and  radio  companies,  its  the- 
atres and  music  halls. 

He  either  owns  or  directs  the  Denham 
and  Pinewood  Studios,  and  the  two  G.B. 
studios,  plus  a  smaller  one  at  Highbury, 
and  the  Amalgamated  Studio  at  Elstree, 
still  in  use  under  Government  orders. 

He  is  associated  with  numerous  other  produc- 
tion companies,  either  by  direct  financing,  or  by 
virtue  of  studio  renting  or  distribution  arrange- 
ments. 

Also,  apart  from  the  Gaumont  company,  and 
his  close  association  with  Two  Cities  Films, 
he  directs  Independent  Producers,  Limited,  a 
production  group,  members  of  which  are  such 
production  leaders  as  Marcel  Hellman,  Michael 
Powell,  Paul  Soskin  and  A.  W.  Watkins. 

It  is  considered  a  matter  of  some  interest, 
as  well,  that  the  late  Lord  Luke  has  been  re- 
placed on  the  board  of  directors  of  General 
Cinema  Finance  Corporation  by  Viscount  Mar- 
gesson,  organization  leader  of  the  Conservative 
Party  Central  Office,  and  for  some  time  a  lead- 
ing Government  Whip  and  an  ex-Cabinet  Min- 
ister. General  Film  Finance  is  the  private 
£1,225,000  company  behind  General  Film  Dis- 
tributors,  Gaumont,   Odeon   and  other  com- 


"QUALITY  WILL  WIN 
MARKETS" — FREEMAN 

Hollywood  and  the  American  mo- 
tion picture  industry  will  be  meeting 
the  after-the-war  competition  of 
British  on  the  common  ground  of  the 
English  language  territories  without 
fear  or  favor,  in  the  opinion  of  Y. 
Frank  Freeman  of  Paramount  Pictures, 
Inc.,  vice-president  in  charge  of  stu- 
dio operations,  in  the  course  of  a 
New  York  luncheon  with  the  industry 
press,  this  week. 

Mr.  Freeman  made  the  observation 
that  indigenous  product  in  the  larger 
foreign  language  territories  might  be 
expected  to  occupy  increasingly  im- 
portant positions  on  the  homeland 
screens,  pointing  to  the  rise  of  Latin- 
American  pictures  to  first  run  posi- 
tions in  exhibition  south  of  the  Rio 
Grande. 

"We  can  say  with  confidence,"  re- 
marked Mr.  Freeman,  "that  we  ex- 
pect to  be  able  to  hold  our  own  in 
the  English  speaking  world  with  our 
product,  and  may  the  best  pictures 
win. 


panies,  in  addition  to  holding  an  interest  in 
Universal  Pictures. 

Incidentally,  Mr.  Rank  is  actively  associated 
with  the  Religious  Film  Society. 

General  Cinema  Finance  is  a  private  com- 
pany, not  required  to  disclose  its  profits  or  in- 
vestments. Much  of  its  stock  is  held  by  in- 
vestment trusts,  nominees  and  finance  corpora- 
tions. One  of  these,  Manorfield  Investments, 
owns  £399,744,  Branch  Nominees  controls 
£155,000,  and  the  Midland  Bank  £147,555.  The 
organization  has  financed  many  of  Mr.  Rank's 
deals,  including  General  Film  Distributors,  and 
the  purchase  of  the  controlling  Ostrer  Brothers 
shares  in  Metropolis  and  Bradford  Trust,  which 
in  turn  controls  Gaumont  British. 

Strongest  factor  in  the  G.  B. -Odeon  control 
is  the  total  of  Rank  theatre  holdings,  amount- 
ing to  about  650  theatres,  which  may  be  in- 
creased to  700  in  the  near  future. 

The  Rank  studio  holdings  represent  control 
in  the  post-war  period  of  27  sound  stages,  and 
three  of  the  most  modern  and  best  equipped 
studios  in  Europe.  The  financial  investment  in 
these  studios  amounts  to  £2,500,000. 

Distribution  of  the  product  of  these  studios 
to  the  G.  B.  and  Odeon  circuits  and  any  inde- 
pendents is  through  General  Film  Distributors, 
leading  British  distributing  organization,  of 
which  Mr.  Rank  is  chairman. 

Largely  stemming  from  this  wide  and  rapid 
development  of  the  Rank  interests  in  the  film 
business,  there  are  increasing  signs  within  the 
industry  of  critical  voices  raised,  with  "mon- 
opoly" as  their  cry. 

In  trade  councils,  in  the  employees'  unions, 
in  the  Cinematograph  Films  Council  itself,  and 
to  an  extent  in  Parliament,  the  subject  has 
been  under  discussion. 

Recent  moves  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Rank's 
group,  and  on  the  part  of  at  least  one  produc- 
tion company  associated  with  him,  but  not  un- 
der his  control,  Two  Cities  Films,  Ltd.,.  have 
provoked  critical  discussion  within  the  British 


Film  Producers  Association,  denunciatory  re- 
solutions from  the  Association  of  Cine  Techni- 
cians, and  conversations  in  the  Government- 
blessed  Films  Council. 

All  this  culminated  in  a  request  that  the  pres- 
ident of  the  Board  of  Trade,  Dr.  Hugh  Dal- 
ton,  meet  with  the  Films  Council  to  hear  its 
views  on  industry  monopoly.  The  council  meet- 
ings on  monopoly  first  were  launched  with  the 
Rank  interests  as  their  target,  and  it  is  gen- 
erally known  that  the  discussion  was  stimulated 
by  George  H.  Elvin  of  the  Association  of  Cine 
Technicians,  and  Michael  Balcon  of  the  Ealing 
Studios,  most  active  production  unit  outside  the 
Rank  boundaries. 

Dr.  Dalton  has  been  requested  to  receive  a 
deputation  from  the  Association  of  Cine  Tech- 
nicians, which  is  expected  to  plead  the  case 
against  the  Rank  domination. 

Criticism  Directed  at 
Reciprocity  Plan 

Most  likely  the  latest  spurt  of  critical  activi- 
ty has  been  stimulated  by  the  reciprocity  pro- 
duction scheme  propounded  by  Filippo  Del  Giu- 
dice — and  examined  by  Motion  Picture  Her- 
ald of  last  January  9th — and  by  the  Rank-Del 
Giudice  Scenario  Institute,  launched  by  these 
gentlemen,  and  the  subject  of  a  news  story  in 
this  journal  on  March  20th. 

These,  it  would  seem,  are  the  immediate  pro- 
vocation rather  than  the  basic  reason  for  the 
current  situation.  The  former  scheme,  it  will 
be  remembered,  provided  for  the  production  of 
the  Americans'  British  quota  films  by  Two 
Cities  and  Rank-sponsored  production  com- 
panies, on  a  reciprocity  basis,  with  first  rank 
exploitation  in  the  U.  S.  and  the  provision  of 
stars  and  technicians  to  aid  the  production  of 
the  commodity  as  a  quid  pro  quo.  The  latter 
Institute  seeks  to  acquire  and  corner  all  the 
going  film  stories  and  scenarios  into  a  limited 
liability  company  controlled  by  Mr.  Rank  and 
his  associates. 

_  Both  these  proposals  have  been  volubly  and 
violently  denounced,  particularly  by  the  labor 
groups  within  the  industry,  but  only  behind  the 
ear,  so  to  speak,  not  in  the  full  floodlight  of 
public  discussion,  by  the  producers.  Now  the 
Scenario  Institute  has  been  examined,  explained 
and  denounced  by  the  Screenwriters  Associa- 
tion itself,  corporative  body  of  the  men  with  the 
portable  typewriters. 

Many  Producers  Are 
In  Rank  Orbit 

Not  all  British  producers  are,  however,  so 
nervous  of  a  monopoly  by  the  Rank  interests, 
for  the  salient  and  obvious  reason  that  a  con- 
siderable proportion  of  them  exist  only  by 
financial  and  distributional  courtesy  of  Mr. 
Rank.  At  a  recent  B.F.P.A.  meeting,  presided 
over  by  Mr.  Rank,  at  which  the  question  was 
raised,  at  least  11  out  of  16  producers  repre- 
sented were  either  associated  with  or  sponsored 
by  the  chairman. 

This  concern,  which  is  no  less  marked  in  the 
exhibitor  field  where  independent  exhibitors— 
although  they  have  not  failed  to  canvass  the 
active  collaboration  of  Mr.  Rank  in  renting  dis- 
putes, for  example,  the  battle  with  20th  Cen- 
tury-Fox— are  increasingly  nervous  about  the 
power  and  grip  of  the  circuits,  is  most  voluble 
among  the  production  groups,  both  those  repre- 
senting the  employees  and  those  who  make  the 
films. 

Future  discussions  within  the  Films  Council 
and  elsewhere  will  not  be  without  critical  fire- 
works provoked  by  these  situations  and  com- 
plaints. The  more  Mr.  Rank  consolidates  his 
territory  the  louder  the  protests  are  expected 
to  be.  It  appears  to  industry  observers  that 
the  protests  are  going  to  be  louder. 


30 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    19,  1943 


British  Showmen  Ask 
Fewer  War  Films 


CEA  Council  Approaches 
Producers,  Pointing  to 
Objection  by  Patrons 

by  HOPE  BURNUP 

in  London 

British  and  American  producers  here 
have  been  approached  by  the  general  coun- 
cil of  the  Cinematograph  Exhibitors  Asso- 
ciation with  a  view  to  decreasing  production 
of  war  films  in  consequence  of  mounting  op- 
position to  them  by  both  the  public  and 
exhibitors,  it  was  revealed  following  a  meet- 
ing of  the  council  last  week. 

After  the  meeting  influential  members 
quoted  the  results  of  the  recent  Motion 
Picture  Herald  poll  of  American  exhibi- 
tors which  showed  that  theatre  owners 
there  were  weary  of  war  films  and  favored 
lighter  entertainment  as  box  office  attrac- 
tions. 

Simultaneously,  the  council  attacked  the 
declared  policy  of  Warners  in  withholding 
pictures  to  build  a  12-month  reserve  of 
product.  Protests  against  the  practice  have 
been  sent  to  Will  H.  Hays,  president  of  the 
Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distribu- 
tors of  America,  in  New  York,  and  the 
Board  of  Trade  here.  It  is  understood  that 
the  Board  of  Trade  is  considering  informal 
advice  to  Warners  urging  the  company  to 
abandon  the  practice. 

The  meeting  was  in  agreement  with  cur- 
rent criticism  here  of  the  increasing  number 
of  war  films  and  took  cognizance  of  adverse 
audience  reaction  to  such  films. 

More  Entertainment 
Films  Favored 

It  was  pointed  out  that  of  61  British 
films,  41  were  on  war  subjects,  and  30  of 
the  41  top  budget  productions.  It  was  stat- 
ed that  it  was  essential  for  the  industry  to 
afford  light  entertainment  at  this  time  since 
the  coming  months  are  fraught  with  ten- 
sion for  all  of  Britain  while  the  impending 
invasion  of  the  Continent  approaches. 

Strong  feeling  was  expressed  at  the  ses- 
sion in  a  discussion  of  film  grading  in  per- 
centage categories.  A  cable  has  been  sent 
American  companies  as  a  result  of  this  dis- 
cussion contending  that  their  British  repre- 
sentatives' actions  are  imperilling  interna- 
tional film  trade  relations. 


Honor  Mitchell  Wolfson 
At  Party  in  New  York 

Mitchell  Wolfson,  head  of  Wometco  Thea- 
tres, Miami,  who  was  elected  Mayor  of  Miami 
Beach,  and.  reelected  a  member  of  the  City 
Council  recently,  was  sruest  of  honor  at  a  party 
at  the  Hotel  Plaza  in  New  York  last  Friday 
given  by  his  brother,  Dr.  William  Wolfson. 

Among  the  approximately  300  guests  were 
Herman  Robbins,  Tom  J.  Connors,  Major  Al- 
bert Warner,  George  Dembow,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Rube  Jackter,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sidney  Meyer, 
Mrs.  Mitchell  Wolfson,  Mrs.  William  Wolfson 
and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  Schuman. 


MAJOR  WYLER  WINS 
U.  S.  AIR  MEDAL 

Major  William  Wyler,  for  "courage 
and  skill"  reflecting  "highest  credit 
upon  himself  and  the  armed  forces  of 
the  United  States,"  has  received  the 
Air  Medal  in  London  for  meritorious 
service  as  an  observer  with  the  U.  S. 
Eighth  Air  Force.  He  is  expected  to 
return  to  this  country  soon  to  direct 
a  documentary  film  for  the  Air  Force. 
It  is  to  be  the  story  of  the  "Memphis 
Belle,"  the  Flying  Fortress  recently  in- 
spected by  King  George  and  Queen 
Elizabeth. 


Canada  Passes 
All  U.  S.  Films 

No  Hollywood  picture  was  condemned  by 
Ontario  censors  during  the  past  year.  Neither 
was  any  picture  from  Canada  or  Russia,  the 
board  disclosed  Tuesday,  in  Toronto,  through 
a  report  by  chairman  O.  J.  Silverthorne,  who 
remarked  "with  regret"  that  the  three  features 
which  were  rejected,  were  British;  and  that 
another  British  picture  was  allowed  for  dis- 
tribution only  after  23  eliminations. 

The  report,  which  covered  the  fiscal  year 
ended  March  31st,  praised  the  American  film 
industry's  quality,  maintained  in  spite  of  losses 
of  talent  to  armed  services ;  its  aid  to  morale ; 
and  the  efforts  of  distributors  and  exhibitors. 

Mr,  Silverthorne  noted  a  decrease  in  the 
number  of  films.  The  board  examined  499 
features,  33  less  than  in  the  previous  year ;  and 
231  comedies,  49  less.  The  total  number  of  pic- 
tures of  all  kinds  reviewed  the  past  year  was 
1,964.  That  is  120  fewer  subjects  than  last 
year. 

No  French  films  were  reviewed. 

A  marked  decrease  in  exploitation  material 
was  noted  with  33,266  pieces  of  advertising  ex- 
amined compared  with  39,659  in  the  preceding 
year.  The  board  rejected  169  displays  and  al- 
tered 22.  Licenses  granted  were :  418  theatres, 
2,236  public  halls,  808  projectionists,  228  ap- 
prentices, and  109  traveling  shows.  The  table 
showed  an  increase  of  five  projectionists  and  36 
apprentices  but  road  shows  were  down  by  14. 
Seven  theatres  were  prosecuted  and  licenses  of 
three  theatres  and  seven  projectionists  were 
suspended.  Only  six  film  fires  and  three  minor 
structural  fires  occurred  in  twelve  months. 

Mr.  Silverthorne  predicted  greater  16mm 
film  use  during  and  especially  after  the  war, 
remarking  its  success  thus  far  for  educational 
purposes. 

The  chairman  also  noted  889  deletions,  and 
altering  of  76  pictures. 

In  the  35  mm  classification,  the  United  States 
submitted  1,874  films ;  Great  Britain,  60 ;  Rus- 
sia, 15 ;  Canada,  10. 


Ohio  Third  Run 
Wins  Seven-Day 
Clearance  Cut 

Fourteen  days'  clearance  between  second  run 
theatres  downtown  and  a  modern  third  run 
neighborhood  theatre  in  Canton,  O.,  was  found 
to  be  excessive  by  the  Appeal  Board  of  the 
motion  picture  arbitration  system  in  a  decision 
on  Tuesday. 

The  Dueber  theatre,  operated  by  the  Park 
Theatre  Company,  in  the  board's  73rd  ruling 
was  granted  seven  days'  clearance  after  the 
second  run  Mozart,  State,  Strand  and  Valen- 
tine theatres.  The  board  reversed  Sidney  D. 
L.  Jackson,  arbitrator  of  this  sixth  Cleveland 
action,  on  this  point.  They  upheld  his  dis- 
missal of  the  Dueber's  demand  for  a  reduction 
in  the  42  days'  clearance  between  first  and  sec- 
ond run  Canton  theatres. 

Paramount,  MGM,  Warners  and  RKO  were 
the  defendant  distributors.  Costs  were  divided 
between  complainant,  distributors  and  inter- 
veners. 

Describing  the  Dueber  as  a  first  class  neigh- 
borhood   theatre    the    Appeal    Board  said: 

"While  a  14-day  clearance  in  favor  of  the 
second  run  theatres  over  those  third  run  thea- 
tres which  are  located  in  their  immediate  vicin- 
ity may  be  reasonable,  this  clearance  does  not 
seem  to  us  reasonable  to  impose  over  a  third 
run  neighborhood  theatre  such  as  the  Dueber. 
It  certainly  is  not  nearly  as  competitive  with 
the  second  run  downtown  theatres  as  are  the 
third  run  downtown  theatres.  Its  admission 
prices  are  higher  than  the  second  run  and 
third  run  downtown  theatres.  It  pays  larger 
rentals  to  the  distributors  on  its  third  run 
showings  than  do  the  Strand  or  Valentine  on 
their  third  run  showings  of  the  same  pictures," 
the  board  held. 

In  refusing  to  alter  the  clearance  between 
first  and  second  runs  the  board  noted  that  the 
second  run  theatres  registered  no  objection  to 
the  first  run  margin.  Inasmuch  as  there  is  no 
common  ownership  between  first  and  second 
runs  the  board  found  no  basis  for  considering 
the  two  types  of  runs  together  in  setting  a  third 
run  margin. 

Notices  of  appeal  were  filed  this  week  in 
New  Orleans  and  Buffalo. 

Anthony  Demharter  appealed  dismissal  of  his 
specific  run  demand  against  Fox,  Paramount, 
Warners  and  RKO  for  the  Peacock  theatre, 
New  Orleans.  It  was  the  city's  tenth  case. 
Ruben  C  Canter  appealed  the  clearance  com- 
plaint of  the  Colonial  theatre,  Skaneateles, 
N.  Y.  The  16th  Buffalo  case,  it  named  the 
five  consenting  distributors  and  the  Schine 
circuit. 


Business  Film  Producers 
Organize  for  WPB  Battle 

Educational  and  business  film  producers  met 
in  Chicago  last  week  to  form  a  national  organ- 
ization. Its  acting  head  is  O.  H.  Coelln,  Jr., 
editor  and  publisher  of  the  magazine  Business 
Screen.  The  organization  is  reported  to  have 
protested  "inequalities"  in  film  allotments  by 
the  War  Production  Board  films  section,  and 
to  have  asked  a  percentage  system  somewhat 
like  that  given  by  the  board  to  Hollywood  pro- 
ducers. 


Sells  Pennsylvania  Theatre 

Chris  Wagner,  a  Connellsville,  Pa.,  exhibitor 
for  many  years,  has  sold  the  Paramount  Thea- 
tre there.  It  was  acquired  by  George  Lasky 
and  Gene  Basle,  Western  Pennsylvania  inde- 
pendent circuit  operators. 


Warners  Promote  Two 
Branch  Employees 

Robert  M.  Wallace,  formerly  in  Warners 
Atlanta  exchange  shipping  department,  has  been 
promoted  to  ad  salesmen.  He  replaces  D.  S. 
Hassler,  who  resigned.  In  Winnipeg,  J.  Soutar 
has  been  moved  from  the  inspection  department 
to  ad  sales.  He  replaces  Melvin  Bloom,  who 
was  called  for  service  in  the  Royal  Canadian 
Air  Force. 


BOOK  " 


•  e  • 


Z 


FEATURE  THESE  FAMOUS 
BAND  LEADERS  ON 
YOUR  MARQUEE!  ' 

JOHNNY  LONG -JAN  GARBER 
HENRY  BUSSE  •  JAN  SAVITT 
TED  FIO  RITO  -  BOB  CHESTER 
GEORGE  OLSEN  ♦  GLEN  GRAY 
AL  DONAHUE  •  TED  LEWIS 

They're  presented  with 
their  orchestras 
in  the  Universal 
"NAME  BAND"  Musicals! 


32 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June     19,  1943 


Paramount  Finances 
At  New  High:  Balaban 


Stockholders  Are  Advised 
Last  Preferred  Debt  Paid 
by  Low  Rate  Loans 

Paramount  Pictures,  Tnc.  stockholders, 
all  holders  of  common  shares  in  the  com- 
pany, reelected  all  directors  Tuesday  at  a 
meeting  in  the  New  York  home  office  which 
was  unique  both  in  the  history  of  the  com- 
pany and  in  film  financial  history. 

For  the  first  time  since  Paramount's  re- 
organization the  entire  voting  power  rested 
in  the  hands  of  the  common  stockholders. 
All  preferred  shares  have  been  redeemed  by 
the  company  or  converted  into  common 
holdings.  This  refunding  of  debt  cut  the  an- 
nual interest  charges  of  the  company  and 
its  subsidiaries  to  approximately  $800,000 
a  year,  compared  with  $1,370,000  in  1942 
and  over  $3,000,000  in  1935,  Barney  Bala- 
ban, president,  told  the  stockholders. 

$16,640,000  in  Debentures 
Redeemed  Last  Week 

Saturday  the  company  called  in  $16,640,- 
000  of  its  four  per  cent  debentures  due  in 
1956,  to  leave  only  the  common  stock  out- 
standing. This  was  accomplished  through  a 
$15,000,000  bond  loan  from  a  group  of  banks 
and  insurance  companies.  Bearing  2.8  per 
cent  interest,  the  loan  runs  for  15  years, 
and  is  subject  to  prepayment  at  par.  The 
debentures  are  payable  July  13th  at  103  per 
cent  of  principal. 

Previously,  Mr.  Balaban  reported,  the 
1956  debentures  had  been  cut  from  $24,543,- 
700  by  company  purchases  and  cash  applica- 
tions to  sinking  fund.  Since  January  121,451 
shares  of  outstanding  preferred  stock  have 
been  redeemed  at  par  value  of  $100  per 
share,  or  converted  to  common  shares. 

The  principal  subscribers  to  the  $15,000,000 
loan  were  the  Mutual  Life,  Northwestern 
Life,  First  National  Bank  of  Chicago,  and 
the  Manufacturers  Trust  Company  and 
Bankers  Trust  Company  of  New  York. 
Additionally  the  parent  company  owed  a 
real  estate  mortgage  of  $90,000  and  the 
subsidiary  American  companies  owed 
$2,700,000,  Mr.  Balaban's  report  showed. 
Canadian  companies  and  the  English  com- 
pany owed  $5,600,000  and  $1,206,000  re- 
spectively. 

$32,000,000  Total 
Debt  Paid  Off 

Mr.  Balaban  called  attention  to  the  fact 
that  the  refinancings  since  1936  had  been 
managed  by  company  officers  with  the  pay- 
ment of  only  $82,500  for  temporary  loans 
and  $3,732  in  commissions. 

Debts  of  approximately  $32,000,000  were 
paid  off  in  seven  years  and  the  company 
added  $20,000,000  to  the  consolidated  prop- 
erty account.  Assets  increased  $12,000,000 
while  $18,000,000  was  paid  stockholders  and 
$32,000,000  preferred  stock  was  eliminated. 
Cash  balances  at  the  first  of  the  year  were 
estimated  at  $25,540,000  and  have  been 
maintained  despite  recent  refundings,  it  was 
reported. 

"The  company's  financial  position  is  excel- 


lent and  its  extensive  interests  in  theatre 
properties  made  it  one  of  great  strength," 
Mr.  Balaban  said.  He  reported  that  film 
business  was  excellent  and  even  if  current 
prosperity  lags  he  predicted  that  post  war 
recession  could  be  offset  by  renewed  foreign 
markets. 

Should  current  business  continue  Mr. 
Balaban  foresaw  an  increase  in  the  dividend 
rate  of  30  cents  a  quarter. 

Production  faced  rising  costs  and  acute 
material  shortages,  Mr.  Balaban  said,  but 
he  declared  that  Paramount  had  successfully 
matched  product  with  all  competitors.  "We 
are  watching  our  inventory  so  that  the  end 
of  the  war  will  not  find  us  with  too  large  an 
investment  in  war  pictures,'  he  said. 

Television  Investments 
Reported  Profitable 

Television  investments  by  Paramount 
have  been  profitable,  Mr.  Balaban  reported. 
The  war  effort  has  been  aided  materially, 
he  said,  by  the  manufacture  of  cathode  tube 
equipment  by  Allen  B.  DuMont  Laboratories 
and  the  Naval  training  school  operated  by 
the  Balaban  and  Katz  television  station  in 
Chicago. 

The  reelected  board  of  directors  was  ex- 
pected to  meet  at  New  York  next  week  to 
reelect  all  officers  of  the  company. 

Stockholders  Tuesday  approved  a  resolu- 
tion submitted  by  James  Fuller,  minority 
shareholder  from  Hartford,  Conn.,  calling 
for  "full  discussion  of  the  annual  report" 
at  meetings.  Three  other  resolutions  seek- 
ing to  require  directors  to  purchase  100 
shares  of  stock,  to  issue  verbatim  reports 
of  meetings,  and  revise  auditing  procedure 
were  defeated. 

The  reelected  directors  are  Mr.  Balaban, 
Neil  F.  Agnew,  Stephen  Callaghan,  Y. 
Frank  Freeman,  Harvey  D.  Gibson,  A. 
Conger  Goodyear,  Stanton  Griffis,  Duncan 
G.  Harris,  John  D.  Hertz,  John  W.  Hicks, 
Jr.,  Austin  C.  Keough,  Earl  I.  McClintock, 
Maurice  Newton,  E.  V.  Richards,  Edwin  L. 
Weisl  and  Adolph  Zukor. 

Open  Cincinnati  House 

The  Gayety,  Cincinnati,  has  closed  its  season 
of  burlesque  and  pictures,  and  has  opened  as  a 
grind  house,  showing  triple  features  "for  adults 
only"  on  the  opening  bill.  Morris  Zaidens  is 
manager. 

Buy  Theatre  in  Chicago 

The  K.  &  L.  Corporation  has  purchased  the 
Alma  theatre,  Chicago,  from  the  Small  Bros. 
Bernard  Klein  is  president  and  Sidney  Levine 
secretary  of  the  corporation,  which  is  new  to 
the  motion  picture  business. 

Raise  Portland  Prices 

Subsequent  run  and  neighborhood  theatres  of 
Portland,  Ore.,  have  increased  admission  prices 
to  35  cents  for  adults  and  15  cents  for  children. 
Attendance  has  not  been  affected  by  the  move, 
it  is  reported. 

Remodel  Theatres 

The  Tri-States  Theatre  Corporation,  at  Des 
Moines,  has  rebuilt  the  upper  part  of  the  front 
of  the  Paramount  theatre  and  closed  the  Garden 
theatre  for  a  remodeling  program. 


20th-Fox  to  Vote 
On  Purchase  of 
Chase  Interest 

A  special  meeting  of  Twentieth  Century-Fox 
stockholders  has  been  called  for  July  6th  at  the 
home  office,  to  consider  a  proposal  for  the  pur- 
chase by  the  company  of  the  Chase  National 
Bank's  58  per  cent  stock  interest  in  National 
Theatres  Corporation,  for  $13,000,000.  A  proxy 
statement  and  proxies  for  the  meeting  were 
mailed  by  the  company  to  stockholders  on 
Tuesday  night. 

Stockholders  also  will  be  asked  to  act  upon  a 
proposal  for  an  amendment  to  the  20th  Century- 
Fox  charter  authorizing  creation  of  a  new  prior 
preferred  stock  issue  which  would  be  sold  to 
the  public,  the  proceeds  to  be  used  toward  the 
purchase  of  the  Chase  holdings  in  National 
Theatres. 

Twentieth  Century-Fox,  of  which  Spyros 
Skouras  is  president,  owns  42  per  cent  of  the 
outstanding  shares  of  National  Theatres. 
Charles  P.  Skouras  is  president  of  the  latter 
circuit,  which  owns  and  operates,  directly  or 
indirectly,  approximately  590  theatres,  most  of 
which  are  located  on  the  west  coast,  in  the 
Rocky  Mountain  area  and  in  the  middle  west. 
Consummation  of  the  purchase  would  therefore 
make  the  theatre  company  a  wholly  owned  sub- 
sidiary of  the  film  corporation. 

The  20th-Fox  option  on  the  Chase  holdings 
in  National  Theatres  will  expire  next  Novem- 
ber 30th.  In  addition  to  the  purchase  price  speci- 
fied, there  is  involved  in  the  transaction,  if 
authorized  by  the  stockholders,  expenses  of 
registering  the  preferred  shares  of  20th-Fox. 

It  is  planned  to  authorize  100,000  shares  of 
new  prior  preferred  stock  of  no  par  value  in 
connection  with  the  purchase  of  the  National 
shares.  At  present  there  are  3,100,000  author- 
ized and  1,742,000  outstanding  common  shares, 
and  1,500,000  authorized  and  908,681  outstand- 
ing shares  of  preferred  stock  of  20th-Fox. 

On  April  1st  last,  the  Chase  National  Bank 
announced  sale  of  its  holdings  of  105,000  shares 
of  20th-Fox  common  shares  to  a  group  of  in- 
vestors, represented  by  Lehman  Brothers  and 
associates.  It  retained  its  holdings  of  preferred 
stock  in  the  film  company. 

Seattle  Houses  Using 
Second  Runs  for  Duals 

A  shortage  of  good  second  features  has  re- 
sulted in  Seattle  first  run  "move-over"  houses 
adding  second  run  features  to  complete  their 
double  bills  during  recent  weeks. 

Last  week  at  Hamrick-Evergreen's  Blue 
Mouse  theatre,  "Happy-Go-Lucky"  was  moved 
from  the  Paramount  for  a  second  week  as  the 
top  attraction.  To  bolster  the  bill,  city  manager 
Herb  Sobottka  added  "In  Which  We  Serve," 
which  had  played  a  first  run  engagement  at 
Jensen-VonHerberg's  Liberty  theatre  last 
March.  Results  were  highly  gratifying. 

This  week,  John  Danz's  Roosevelt  theatre  had 
"Hit  Parade  of  1943"  as  the  top  feature,  moved 
from  its  premiere  at  the  Orpheum  last  week.  In 
this  case,  Danz  added  "Dr.  Gillespie's  New 
Assistant,"  which  had  its  first  run  showings  at 
the'  Fifth  Avenue  theatre  in  April. 

Outdoor  Theatre  Opened 
At  Tennessee  Camp 

Motion  pictures  will  be  shown  to  1,300  sol- 
diers in  a  new  open  air  amphitheatre  at  Fort 
Oglethorpe,  near  Chattanooga,  Tenn.  Special 
projection  and  sound  equipment,  and  a  weather 
protected  stage  have  been  installed. 

Construction  was  of  used  materials  only.  It 
was  financed  with  profits  from  the  post  ex- 
change and  other  theatres.  Special  Service  Of- 
ficers Marvin  C.  Holmes  and  Virginia  K.  Pee- 
ples  are  in  charge  of  the  new  theatre. 


Hp 


fSi 


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%*.  Mi  I  <f  ,4  '.^if     *»  fi. 


June     19,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


3? 


VALUE  OF  FILM  SECURITIES 
RISES  BY  $171,668,537 


Strong  Position  in  Rising 
Market  Is  Attributed  to 
Effect  of  War  Economy 

by  the  ANALYST 

A  total  of  $171,668,537  was  added  to  the 
market  value  of  motion  picture  shares  on  the 
New  York  Stock  Exchange  during  the  first 
five  months  of  1943  in  an  active  continuation 
of  the  upswing  that  featured  the  list  during 
1942. 

The  increase,  by  companies,  is  as  follows : 
Columbia,  $2,609,659 ;  Eastman  Kodak,  $53,- 
234,280;  Loew's,  Inc.,  $25,818,552;  Para- 
mount, $24,967,510;  RKO  Radio,  $16,862,- 
409;  Twentieth  Century-Fox,  $15,371,559; 
Universal,  $7,359,534,  and  Warner  Bros., 
$25,444,994. 

The  total  stock  valuation  for  the  eight 
companies  as  of  May  29th,  1943,  was  $745,- 
603,191,  compared  to  $573,934,654  on  De- 
cember 31st,  1942. 

The  popularity  of  film  stocks  in  both  in- 
vestment and  speculative  circles  made  them 
stand  out  even  in  a  generally  rising  market 
and  was  attributed  to  a  variety  of  factors. 
Foremost  among  these  was  the  war  and  its 
repercussions  on  the  country's  economy  and 
habits. 

Industrial  activity,  payrolls  and  money  in 
circulation  are  at,  or  near,  the  highest  levels 
in  the  nation's  history  as  a  result  of  the  all- 
out  effort  to  produce  the  tools  of  war. 

Monetary  Circulation  Is 
At  New  High  Total 

The  Federal  Reserve  Board  reported  this 
week  that,  for  the  first  time  in  history,  mone- 
tary circulation  in  the  United  States  topped 
$17,000,000,000,  a  gain  of  $5,000,000000,  over 
last  year. 

Indicative  of  the  employment  and  wage  situa- 
tions in  general  was  a  report  by  the  American 
Iron  and  Steel  Institute  that  payrolls  of  the 
steel  industry  in  April  set  a  new  record  for  a 
30-day  month  totaling  $133,275,000  compared 
with  $118,568,000  in  April,  1942. 

More  people,  consequently,  have  more 
money  to  spend  than  ever  before,  even 
above  increased  taxes  and  purchases  of 
War  Bonds  and  Stamps.  Because  of  ra- 
tioning, however,  and  other  wartime  re- 
strictions, there  is  less  on  which  to 
spend  this  excess  purchasing  power. 

But  motion  pictures  are  not  rationed. 
In  fact,  film  production  has  been  encour- 
aged, officially  and  unofficially,  as  the 
ideal  source  of  wartime  public  entertain- 
ment and  an  important  means  of  relaxa- 
tion for  war-tense  nerves. 

Films,  moreover,  have  benefited  directly  from 
the  rationing  of  other  products,  notably  gaso- 
line. The  family  car,  practically  extinct  on 
the  highways  of  the  eastern  seaboard,  is  being 
"put  up"  in  increasing  numbers  in  other  states 
as  gasoline  rationing  is  extended.  Automobile 
drives  into  the  country  by  city  dwellers  appear 
to  be  out  for  the  duration.  John  Doe  and  his 
family  have  been  forced  to  look  around  for 
other  forms  of  recreation  and,  judging  by  the 
experience  of  last  summer,  when  gasoline  ra- 
tioning was  instituted  in  the  east,  they  have 
generally  ended  by  going  to  the  theatre. 

With  gasoline  supplies  cut  down  in  states 


COMPARISON  OF  FILM 
WITH  OTHER  STOCKS 

The  following  tabulation  shows  the  mar- 
ket action  of  the  seven  leading  film  stocks 
on  the  New  York  Stock  Exchange  and  of 
seven  representative  shares  of  other  groups. 


Motion  Picture  Stocks 


Close, 

Close, 

Stock 

1942 

May29,'43  NetChang 

Columbia  

IO'/4 

17% 

+  7/8 

l47l/2 

1693/t 

+22>/4 

Loew's  

46l/4 

6|3/4 

+  l5'/2 

16% 

27 

-HO'/s 

RKO  

3% 

93/4 

+  6l/8 

20th  Century-Fox. 

l|3/4 

21 

+  9/4 

44 

58 

+  14 

Warners  

8% 

l5'/4 

+  6% 

Miscellaneous 

Amer.  Tel.  &  Tel. 

127% 

154% 

+27/2 

General  Electric. 

30/2 

38 

+  7>/2 

General  Foods  .  . 

35% 

40 

+  4% 

General  Motors. . 

34% 

53 

+  18% 

New  York  Central 

10% 

19% 

+  9 

Stand.  Oil  of  N.J. 

46l/8 

56% 

+  103/4 

U.  S.  Steel 

47'A 

56% 

+  9>/8 

outside  the  eastern  area  there  may  be  a  decline 
in  small  town  theatre  patronage  dependent 
largely  on  the  motor  car  to  come  in  from  the 
farm,  but  this  has  been  offset  by  the  increase  in 
box  office  receipts  in  urban  centers. 

Restrictions  on  other  forms  of  travel,  par- 
ticularly railroad,  also  has  had  a  beneficial  ef- 
fect on  motion  picture  box  offices.  This  is  ex- 
pected to  be  accelerated  during  the  summer 
when  more  people  than  ever  will  spend  their 
vacations  at  home  because  of  the  campaign  by 
the  railroads  and  Government  officials  to  dis- 
courage civilian  railroad  travel  of  a  non-essen- 
tial character. 

Dimout  restrictions  in  large  areas  of  the 
country  on  various  forms  of  outdoor  entertain- 
ment also  have  played  a  prominent  part  in  re- 
ducing to  a  minimum  what  formerly  was  a 
normal  summer  decline  in  motion  picture  thea- 
tre attendance. 

Wall  Street  has  noticed  with  satisfaction  the 
ability  of  leading  motion  picture  producing  and 
exhibiting  units  to  transform  these  factors  into 
higher  net  earnings,  despite  the  heavy  inroads 
of  sharply  higher  taxes  and  an  increase  in  op- 
erating costs.  This,  together  with  the  strength- 
ening of  the  financial  position  of  some  leaders 
in  the  industry  through  redemption  of  stock 
and  reduction  of  fixed  debt,  has  brought  an 
investment  demand  into  shares  of  motion  pic- 
ture companies  formerly  considered  of  mainly 
speculative  character. 

Quality  Product  Draws 
Wall  Street  Interest 

The  quality  of  the  current  output  of  Holly- 
wood studios  also  has  drawn  favorable  com- 
ment in  financial  quarters,  which  point  to  the 
trend  on  the  part  of  many  exhibitors  away  from 
the  practice  of  offering  special  attractions  like 
Bingo  to  draw  customers. 

All  sections  of  the  stock  market  advanced 
during  the  first  five  months  of  the  year,  the  rise 
stimulated  by  the  favorable  character  of  the 
war  news.  The  prominent  part  played  by  mo- 
tion picture  company  shares  in  the  general  rise 
is  illustrated  in  the  accompanying  tables. 

Besides    the    favorable    attendance  outlook, 


good  earnings  reports  and  Wall  Street's  belief 
in  the  picture  industry's  ability  successfully  to 
make  wartime  adjustments  that  may  or  may  not 
come  up,  interest  in  film  shares  was  enhanced 
by  prospective  early  payment  of  British  reve- 
nue to  American  film  distributors  totaling  $20,- 
000,000  under  an  agreement  concluded  with  the 
British  Government  for  the  release  of  blocked 
sterling  accounts. 

The  receipts  of  these  "frozen"  sterling  bal- 
ances was  expected  to  be  reflected  in  forth- 
coming earnings  reports  of  the  leading  bene- 
ficiaries. One  of  these  is  Paramount  Pictures 
and  its  stock  was  one  of  the  market's  active 
favorites  in  the  five-month  period. 

Paramount  Market  Position 
Especially  Favorable 

Favorable  market  attention  also  was  directed 
to  Paramount  as  a  result  of  the  action  of  the 
company  directors  on  March  26th  when  they 
voted  to  pay  off  all  bank  loans  of  the  company, 
removing  all  its  fixed  debt  except  an  issue  of 
$19,364,000  of  four  per  cent  debentures  due  in 
1956. 

Paramount  reported  for  the  52  weeks  ended 
January  2,  1943,  a  net  income  of  $13,125,437, 
equal  to  $4.21  a  share  on  the  common  stock, 
compared  with  $9,206,042,  or  $2.97  a  share  in 
the  52  weeks  ended  January  3,  1942.  The 
stock  showed  a  gain  of  10^  points  during  the 
first  five  months  of  this  year,  which,  on  the 
basis  of  shares  outstanding,  represents  an  in- 
crease in  Paramount's  common  market  value 
of  approximately  $25,000,000. 

Eastman  Kodak  was  a  wide  gainer,  closing 
the  five-month  period  at  169%,  up  22]/^  points 
from  the  price  at  the  close  of  1942,  while 
Loew's  added  almost  $26,000,000  to  its  market 
value  by  rising  15^  points  to  61%  during  the 
five  months.  Sales  of  Eastman  Kodak,  it  was 
reported  recently,  were  approximately  34  per 
cent  greater  in  the  first  12  weeks  of  1943,  as 
compared  with  the  corresponding  pediod  of  1942. 

Other  Film  Stocks  Had 
Substantial  Gains 

The  gain,  it  was  reported,  resulted  entirely 
from  increased  sales  to  the  United  States  Gov- 
ernment and  to  prime  contractors  of  equipment 
for  military  purposes.  Loew's  earnings  trend 
has  continued  favorable,  the  company  reporting 
for  the  28  weeks  ended  March  18,  1943,  a  net 
income  of  $6,376,228,  against  $5,292,541  in  the 
28  weeks  ended  March  12,  1942. 

Radio-Keith-Orpheum  reflected  its  latest  in- 
come report,  showing  net  for  the  13  weeks 
ended  April  3,  1943,  of  $1,925,819,  equal  to  60 
cents  a  share  on  common  stock,  compared  with 
$439,268,  or  nine  cents  a  share  in  the  13  weeks 
ended  April  4,  1942.  The  stock  more  than 
tripled  its  value  in  the  five  months  ended  May 
29th. 

Stock  of  Twentieth  Century-Fox,  which  for 
the  13  weeks  ended  March  27,  1943,  reported 
net  income  of  $1,751,740,  or  81  cents  a  com- 
mon share,  against  $841,561,  or  29  cents  a 
share  in  the  13  weeks  ended  March  28,  1942, 
rose  9%.  points  to  21  in  the  first  five  months  of 
the  year.  This  company  also  will  benefit  consid- 
erably from  release  of  frozen  sterling  accounts. 

Columbia  Pictures  and  Warner  Brothers 
common  stocks  showed  gains,  respectively,  for 
the  five-month  period  of  7%  and  6%  points, 
respectively,  on  good  demand. 


Closes  Altec  Service  Deal 

Frisina  Amusements  Company,  of  Spring- 
field^ 111.,  has  signed  an  agreement  with  Altec 
Service  for  booth  repair-replacement  as  well 
as  sound  service,  for  18  theatres.  A.  H. 
Hosier  negotiated  for  Altec. 


38 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June     19,  1943 


Limit  Job  Deferments 
For  18-25  Croup 


WMC  Indicates  Fathers  To 
Be  Called  by  Year-end; 
No  Directive  Issued 

The  War  Manpower  Commission  this 
week  limited  occupational  deferments  from 
military  conscription  of  men  between  18  and 
25  years  of  age  to  six  months  "unless  the 
job  involved  is  exceptionally  important  to 
the  war  effort  and  extremely  difficult  to  fill." 

At  the  same  time,  employers  were  in- 
structed to  include  men  with  children  on  re- 
placement schedules  filled  on  or  after  July 
1st.  However,  it  also  provided  no  such 
men  might  be  scheduled  for  release  before 
October  1st. 

Announcing  these  changes  in  the  instruc- 
tions, the  War  Manpower  Commission  em- 
phasized that  they  should  not  be  interpreted 
as  fixing  a  date  for  the  drafting  of  fathers. 

Fathers  Must  Justify 
Deferred  Status 

It  is  pointed  out  that  instructions  to  em- 
ployers provide  that  "single  men  who  are  equal- 
ly replaceable"  will  be  listed  for  release  ahead 
of  men  with  children  and,  of  course,  will  be 
called  for  induction  first.  Moreover,  it  is 
stressed  that  the  replacement  schedule  will  list 
only  the  comparatively  few  "key  men"  in  essen- 
tial industries,  and  the  handling  of  these  cases 
does  not  necessarily  indicate  when  fathers  in 
general  will  be  called.  The  main  effect  of  the 
instructions,  it  is  said,  is  that  fathers  in  "key" 
positions  listed  on  replacement  schedules  will 
have  to  justify  their  continued  deferment  after 
October  1st  on  the  basis  of  occupation  rather 
than  on  their  family  status. 

WMC  officials  made  no  statement,  or  predic- 
tion, as  to  when  fathers  would  be  reached  in  the 
draft.  They  emphasized,  on  the  other  hand, 
that  the  change  in  replacement  schedule  proce- 
dure was  merely  routine  action  to  improve  the 
operation  of  the  system ;  that  it  had  become 
necessary  to  speed  up  the  induction  of  men 
without  children  and  to  take  into  account  the 
fact  that  fathers  would  be  drawn  from  the  gen- 
eral pool  of  registrants  at  least  by  the  last 
quarter  of  this  year. 

It  was  pointed  out  also  that  no  directive  au- 
thorizing local  boards  to  reclassify  men  with 
children,  except  those  in  non-deferable  occupa- 
tions, had  yet  been  issued,  and  that  none  other 
must  be  drafted  until  such  specific  instructions 
were  given.  The  present  instruction  does  not 
constitute  such  authorization. 

Expect  Majority  of  Fathers 
To  Be  in  Uniform 

The  order  which .  limits  occupational  defer- 
ment for  those  between  18  and  25  to  six  months, 
reads : 

"Every  man  attaining  the  age  of  18  and  who 
has  not  attained  the  age  of  25  on  or  before 
July  1,  1943,  who  is  single  or  who  is  married 
without  children  must  be  scheduled  for  replace- 
ment during  the  six-month  period  covered  by 
the  Replacement  Schedule  prepared  pursuant  to 
these  instructions,  unless  (1)  he  has  the  highest 
skills  or  professional  qualifications  and  is  in  a 
key  or  supervisory  position  or  (2)  he  has 
demonstrated  capacity  for  a  certain  assignment 
for  which  no  replacement  is  available." 

Meanwhile,  Selective  Service  officials  empha- 
sized this  week  that  before  the  war  ends,  "the 
great  majority"  of  physically  fit  fathers  might 
be  in  uniform.    They  also  hinted  that  the  low- 


ering of  physical  standards  by  the  Navy,  and 
the  consequent  calling  of  certain  men  now  re- 
jected, might  delay  somewhat  the  drafting  of 
fathers,  and  that,  after  December,  inductions 
might  be  reduced  60  per  cent. 

Assurances  Are  Given  by 
Canadian  Government 

In  Canada,  conferences  with  the  National 
War  Labor  Board  by  Leo  Devaney  of  RKO, 
and  David  Coplan,  of  United  Artists,  have  re- 
sulted in  governmental  guarantees  that  the 
country's  film  industry  will  be  able  to  retain 
its  key  men.  The  two  men  represented  Cana- 
dian distribution.  The  representation  to  the 
board  was  made  in  the  fear  that  such  men  not 
drafted  into  the  Army  might  be  forced  into 
war  work. 

In  Hollywood,  the  labor-management  com- 
mittee and  the  production  branch  of  the  indus- 
try in  a  two-hour  session  last  week,  formally 
subscribed  to  the  employment  stabilization  plan 
submitted  by  the  War  Manpower  Commission 
in  writing  on  May  31.  Formal  adoption  of  the 
48-hour  week  was  postponed  pending  discussion 
at  the  next  meeting. 

The  rapidly  increasing  pace  of  inductions 
is  causing  American  distributors  concern,  it 
was  learned  in  New  York  this  week.  Officials 
said  that  in  some  exchanges,  salesmen  were 
being  forced  to  book,  because  newcomers  could 
not  be  trained  quickly  enough.  Instead,  they 
are  being  assigned  as  salesmen. 

William  B.  Jaffe,  film  attorney,  has  been 
appointed  legal  consultant  to  the  WMC  in  the 
New  York  territory.  He  had  been  active  in 
preparation  of  the  WMC's  Manpower  Stabiliza- 
tion plan. 

Sabu,  Indian  star,  whose  latest  pictures  have 
been  "Arabian  Nights,"  "Cobra  Woman"  and 
"White  Savage,"  was  inducted  into  the  Army 
last  week  in  Hollywood. 


Bayard  Veiller,  Playwright 
And  Producer,  Dies 

Bayard  Veiller,  playwright  and  producer, 
author  and  scenario  writer,  died  Wednesday,  at 
the  Doctors'  Hospital,  New  York,  after  a  three- 
week  illness.  He  was  74. 

Mr.  Veiller  wrote  "The  Trial  of  Mary  Du- 
gan,"  "Within  the  Law,"  and  "The  Thirteenth 
Chair,"  and  produced  "Car  99"  for  Paramount 
in  1935. 

Mr.  Veiller  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  was  edu- 
cated at  City  College,  and  left  there  to  work 
as  a  newspaper  reporter,  from  which  field  he 
transferred  to  the  legitimate  theatre  and  Holly- 
wood. 

He  married  actress  Margaret  Wycherly  in 
1901,  and  was  divorced  in  1922,  remarrying  that 
year.  He  is  survived  by  his  widow,  Margaret,  of 
Darien,  Connecticut ;  son,  Captain  Anthony,  of 
Los  Angeles  ;>  and  brother,  Lawrence,  of  New 
York. 


WAC  and  Navy  Complete 
Print  Substitute  Plan 

To  replace  prints  lost  at  sea,  the  War  Activi- 
ties Committee  has  perfected  new  arrangements 
with  the  Navy  Department.  The  arrangements 
also  encompass  the  ship-to-ship  transfer  of 
prints.  Formerly  such  transfers  occurred  when 
ships  made  port  during  the  same  period.  How- 
ever, when  ships  missed  port  the  film  booking 
schedules  were  disrupted  and  many  ships  missed 
their  shows.  Additional  prints  will  now  be  fur- 
nished ports  and  naval  depots. 


Freon  Gas  Ban 
Seen  Affecting 
Few  Theatres 


A  flat  prohibition  by  the  War  Production 
Board  last  week  on  further  sales  of  Freon  gas 
to  exhibitors  may  have  resulted  in  a  few  houses 
being  unable  to  start  their  cooling  systems,  but 
on  the  whole  is  not  believed  to  have  had  any 
widespread  serious  effect. 

Hints  of  the  possibilities  of  a  refrigerant 
shortage  were  given  last  year  by  the  amuse- 
ments section,  then  under  Christopher  J.  Dun- 
phy,  when  exhibitors  were  urged  to  empty  their 
systems  if  they  had  drums  in  which  to  store 
the  gas  over  winter  or,  if  not,  to  make  a  thor- 
ough check  to  assure  themselves  that  lines  were 
tight  and  valves  efficient. 

The  ban  on  transfers  of  refrigerant  for  all  but 
war  and  hospital  purposes  applies  only  to  chlori- 
nated hydrocarbon,  more  generally  known  as 
Freon,  and  does  not  affect  cooling  systems  using 
carbon  dioxide  or  other  gases.  However,  such 
refrigerants  are  not  interchangeable  with  Freon 
because  of  differences  in  pressure  requirements. 

Issuance  of  the  order  by  the  WPB  industrial 
equipment  division  moved  Allen  J.  Smith,  head 
of  the  amusements  section,  to  make  an  immedi- 
ate investigation  of  the  situation. 

Mr.  Smith  found  that  the  order  was  based  on 
a  very  critical  shortage  of  Freon,  of  which  there 
was  not  sufficient  even  for  war  piants  and  hospi- 
tals, but  that  efforts  were  being  made  to  increase 
the  output.  There  was  a  possibility,  he  was 
told,  that  additional  supplies  might  be  available 
toward  the  end  of  the  summer  which  might  per- 
mit at  least  a  partial  lifting  of  the  ban. 

For  the  exhibitor  whose  theatre  cooling  sys- 
tem is  in  good  order,  the  prohibition  has  no  im- 
plications of  immediate  difficulty  since  Freon 
gas  cooling  units  will  operate  for  some  years 
provided  there  are  no  leaks. 

He  warned  exhibitors,  however,  to  make  an 
immediate  check  of  their  plants  to  assure  that 
they  were  in  good  condition  and  where  neces- 
sary to  make  immediate  repairs,  securing  the 
required  materials  under  CMP  Regulation  5  by 
use  of  the  general  priority  rating  of  AA-5  given 
theatres  for  repair  and  maintenance. 

Where  the  AA-5  rating  does  not  prove  suffi- 
cient to  secure  necessary  material,  Mr.  Smith 
said,  the  exhibitor  should  take  the  matter  up 
with  the  nearest  WPB  regional  office  with  a 
view  to  getting  a  higher  preference. 


Kansas-Missouri  Unit 
To  Convene  July  14th 

The  Kansas  Missouri  Theatre  Association 
will  convene  July  14th  and  15th  in  Kansas  City, 
the  board  decided  last  Friday.  On  the  arrange- 
ments committee  are  Clarence  Schultz,  George 
Baker,  Fred  Meyn,  and  R.  R.  Biechele. 


Detroit  Film  Council  Elects 

Marquis  E.  Shattuck  was  elected  president 
of  the  Detroit  Motion  Picture  Council  last 
week.  Other  1943-44  officers  are  Mayor  Edward 
J.  Jeffries,  honorary  president ;  Mrs.  Max  Wil- 
liams and  Mrs.  Wayne  Mohr,  vice-presidents  ; 
Mrs.  Donald  Worley  and  Mrs.  Edwin  Lord, 
secretaries ;  Mrs.  John  Phillips,  treasurer ;  and 
Mrs.  C.  C.  Roden,  parliamentarian.  Directors 
are  Dr.  T.  T.  Brumbaugh,  Rev.  Carroll  F. 
Deady;  Rabbi  Herschel  Lymon,  W.  W.  Whit- 
tinghill  and  Mrs.  Arthur  D.  Kerwin. 


RCA  Wins  Fourth  "E" 

The  Army-Navy  "E"  award  for  war  produc- 
tion was  presented  to  the  Radio  Corporation  of 
America's  Laboratories  at  Princeton,  N.  J.,  on 
Thursday.  It  is  the  fourth  such  award  won  by 
RCA  divisions,  other  flags  having  been  present- 
ed at  Camden  and  Harrison,  N.  J.,  and  to  the 
Radiomarine  Corporation  in  New  York. 


Junel9,l943  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  39 

THE  HOLLYWOOD  SCENE 


From  HOLLYWOOD  BUREAU 


"Post-war  pictures"  is  a  misnomer,  as 
used  by  studios  announcing  subjects  for 
treatment  along  lines  suggested  by  Brit- 
ain's Hilary  A.  St.  George  Saunders  on 
his  recent  visit  here,  according  to  Nel- 
son Poynter,  Hollywood  administrator  of 
the  Office  of  War  Information,  interro- 
gated here  last  week  by  the  puzzled  com- 
piler of  these  dispatches,  who  had  inter- 
rogated Mr.  Saunders  previously  with 
considerably  less  tangible  result.  The 
British  emissary  had  arrived  in  Holly- 
wood as  guest  of  the  Academy  of  Mo- 
tion Picture  Arts  and  Sciences,  follow- 
ing conferences  in  Washington  with 
OWI's  Elmer  Davis,  and  had  conveyed 
his  suggestions  about  product  to  studio 
executives  at  a  luncheon  in  the  Beverly 
Wilshire  Hotel. 

Mr.  Poynter  explains  that  the  type  of 
subject  matter  referred  to  by  Mr.  Saunders 
as  "post  war,"  for  lack  of  a  more  exact 
term,  is  by  no  means  a  variety  of  material 
which  would  undertake  to  depict  conditions 
as  they  will  or  may  be  after  the  war,  by  no 
means  a  blue-print  for  the  future  or  a  pat- 
tern for  peace.  On  the  contrary,  the  kind 
of  subject  referred  to  by  Mr.  Saunders  in 
person,  and  subscribed  to  in  some  degree  by 
the  OWI,  is  that  which  depicts  the  work- 
ability of  democracy  in  terms  of  established 
and  recorded  demonstration,  Mr.  Poynter 
said. 

Democracy  At  Work 
Suggested  Theme 

Far  from  projecting  the  camera  into  the  to- 
morrows and  bidding  it  sketch  a  stipulated  state 
of  affairs  in  a  world-to-be,  the  OWI  conception 
would  direct  the  lens  backward  at  certain  states 
of  affairs  which  had  prevailed  for  long  and  still 
prevail  in  the  world-that-is.  A  camera  thus  di- 
rected could  point  up  for  citizens  of  the  other 
hemisphere,  for  instance,  the  fact  that  some  20- 
odd  nations  in  this  one  have  been  getting  along 
together  for  several  scores  of  years  without  a 
fortified  border  anywhere  and  without  a  resort- 
ing of  force  or  threat  of  force  to  interrupt  the 
serenity  of  their  relations  with  each  other. 

A  camera  thus  employed  would  not  omit  to 
show  that  there  have  been  and  are  problems  of 
relationship  which,  in  an  earlier  era  of  civiliza- 
tion anywhere  and  today  in  the  other  hemi- 
spheres, have  provoked  governments  to  use  of 
arms,  but  would  show  also  how  these  problems 
have  been  solved  by  peaceful  means.  Mr.  Poyn- 
ter cited  other  examples. 

It  is  the  Poynter  view  that  films  which  regis- 
ter the  workability  of  democracy  in  terms  of 
fact,  without  deviation  from  or  coloration  of 
the  fiction  story  in  progress,  can  be  extremely 
useful  in  an  informative  way.  It  is  also  the 
Poynter  view  that  pictures  which  attempt  to 
portray  the  peace  to  come  in  advance  of  its 
coming,  to  map  out  or  prescribe  a  future,  can 
do  damage,  at  minimum  to  the  extent  of  creat- 
ing confusion. 

See  No  Likelihood 
Of  Raw  Stock  Cut 

None  of  the  "post-war  pictures"  announced 
by  studios  in  the  wake  of  Mr.  Saunder's  visit 
have  progressed  to  a  point  warranting  submis- 
sion of  the  material  to  the  OWI  for  considera- 
tion. 

Motion  picture  companies  face  no  likelihood 
of  a  reduction  in  their  supply  of  film  stock 


All  Quiet  on  Studio  Front 

'Twas  a  quiet  but  far  from  inactive  week  in  the  studios,  with  the  completion  of  four 
pictures  and  the  starting  of  three,  lowering  the  shooting  level  to  41 ,  while  cameras  ground 
steadily  on  37  of  the  38  pictures  previously  started,  Warners'  "Animal  Kingdom"  con- 
tinuing in  suspension.  The  total  of  41  still  represents  a  high  mark,  however. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's  "Meet  the  People"  is  the  standout  among  the  new  undertak- 
ings. It  is  being  produced  by  E.  Y.  Harburg  and  directed  by  Charles  Reisner.  The  cast, 
to  which  additions  will  be  made,  includes  Lucille  Ball,  Dick  Powell,  Bert  Lahr,  Virginia 
O'Brien,  Vaughn  Monroe  and  his  band,  Spike  Jones  and  his  City  Slickers,  the  King  Sis- 
ters, June  Allyson,  Mata  and  Hari,  Steve  Geray  and  Victor  Borge. 

Republic  launched  "Hoosier  Holiday,"  another  of  its  presentations  of  assorted  radio 
talents,  offering  Dale  Evans,  George  Byron,  the  Hoosier  Hotshots,  the  Music  Maids,  Mrs. 
Uppington  of  the  Fibber  McGee  and  Molly  program,  Shug  Fisher,  George  Hay  and  many 
another.  Armand  Schaefer  is  producing,  Frank  McDonald  directing. 

Producers  Releasing  Corporation  turned  its  cameras  on  "Billy  the  Kid,  No.  6,"  which 
will  be  titled  later.  It  presents  Buster  Crabbe  and  Al  St.  John  with  Frances  Galdwin,  Ed. 
Cassidy,  Charles  King,  Steve  Clark,  John  Elliott  and  Frank  Ellis  under  the  direction  of 
Sam  Newfield,  with  Sig  Nufeld  producing. 

The  state  of  production  by  studio  and  status: 


COMPLETED 

Columbia 

Without  Notice 

PRC 

Frontier  Law 
Strange  Music 

20th-Fox 

Claudia 


STARTED 

MGM 

Meet  the  People 
PRC 

Billy  the  Kid  No.  6 
Republic 

Hoosier  Holiday 


SHOOTING 

Columbia 

Cowboy  of  Lonesome 

River 
Cover  Girl 
Restless  Lady 

Goldwyn 

North  Star 

MGM 

White  Cliffs  of  Dover 

Cry  Havoc 

1,000  Shall  Fall 

Heavenly  Body 

Whistling  in  Brooklyn 

America 

Russia 

Madame  Curie 
Guy  Named  Joe 


Monogram 

I  Was  a  Criminal 
Revenge  of  the 
Zombies 

Paramount 

And  the  Angels  Sing 
Uninvited 

Hour  Before  Dawn 
Henry  Aldrich's  Little 
Secret 

RKO  Radio 

Around  the  World 
Iron  Major 
Adventures  of  a 
Rookie 

Republic 

Sleepy  Lagoon 

20th-Fox 

Guadalcanal  Diary 


Song  of  Bernadette 
Girls  He  Left  Behind 
Night  Is  Ending 
Dancing  Masters 

UA 

Gunmaster  (Sher- 
man) 

Universal 

Second  Honeymoon 
Frontier  Bad  Man 
Angela 

Cobra  Woman 

Warners 

In  Our  Time 
To  the  Last  Man 
Saratoga  Trunk 
This  Is  the  Army 
Animal  Kingdom* 


*Suspended,  indefinitely. 


within  the  foreseeable  future,  according  to  Har- 
old Hopper,  War  Production  Board  executive, 
who  returned  here  last  week  from  a  journey  to 
Mexico  City  at  the  behest  of  the  Coordinator 
of  Inter-American  Affairs. 

Only  an  unanticipated  and  greatly  increased 
need  of  film  for  military  purposes  could  be  ex- 
pected to  precipitate  a  situation  requiring  re- 
duction of  present  allocations  to  commercial 
organizations,  Mr.  Hopper  said,  adding  that 
some  of  the  companies  currently  are  running 
well  inside  their  allowances  and  none  is  in 
danger  of  encountering  shortage. 

A  parallel  state  of  affairs  prevails  throughout 
the  scale  of  critical  materials,  the  WPB  execu- 
tive told  Motion  Picture  Herald,  with  the 
single  exception  of  the  lumber  supply.  This 
commodity,  mentioned  several  weeks  ago  as  the 
single  material  lacking  in  sufficient  quantity 
to  serve  production  requirements,  continues 
scarce  and  is  likely  to  be  so  for  some  time  to 
come.  Meanwhile,  the  WPB  has  assisted  pro- 
ducers by  locating  stored  stocks  of  used  lumber 
throughout  the  country  and  studios  have  been 
buying  and  salvaging  these  for  their  purposes, 
the  WPB  managing  thus  far  to  furnish  the  es- 


sential minimum  of  new  stock  for  such  uses 
as  the  second-hand  lumber  does  not  serve. 

Mr.  Hopper  said  he  acted  in  a  purely  coop- 
eration capacity  on  his  Mexican  visit  and  de- 
clined to  report  on  the  present  state  or  proba- 
ble future  of  Mexican  production  prior  to  con- 
ferences with  CIAA's  Francis  Alstock,  who 
was  expected  to  arrive  here  this  week. 

Receives  Army  Discharge 

Huntz  Hall,  Monogram  actor,  who  appeared 
in  the  company's  East  Side  Kids  series,  has 
received  an  honorable  discharge  from  the  Army. 
He  is  to  appear  shortly  in  the  next  picture  of 
the  series. 


Change  Republic  Title 

The  title  of  Republic's  "The  Prodigal 
Mother"  has  been  changed  to  "Someone  to  Re- 
member," the  company  announced  this  week. 


"Hitler's  Hangman"  Retitled 

Paramount  has  changed  the  title  of  "Hitler's 
Hangman"  to  "Hitler's  Madman." 


40 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    19,     I  943 


Monogram  to  Offer 
40  for  1943-44 


Compares  with  48  During 
Current  Season;  Films 
Get  Higher  Budgets 

Monogram  will  offer  40  pictures  for  the 
1943-44  program,  including  three  blocks  of 
eight  features  each  and  two  series  of  eight 
Westerns,  according  to  the  announcement 
made  by  Samuel  Broidy,  general  sales  mana- 
ger, at  the  company's  fifth  and  final  regional 
sales  meeting  held  in  Los  Angeles  last  Fri- 
day to  Sunday,  at  the  Hotel  Ambassador. 

The  1943-44  schedule  compares  with  32 
features  and  16  Westerns  promised  by 
Monogram  for  this  season,  representing  a 
reduction  of  only  eight  features,  in  line  with 
the  company's  new  policy  of  fewer  and 
higher-budgeted  pictures. 

Trem  Carr,  production  manager,  in  dis- 
cussing the  new  program,  told  convention 
delegates :  "Audience  tastes  are  more  un- 
predictable than  ever  before  and  in  plan- 
ning our  initial  list  we  have  provided  for 
a  hedge  which  will  overcome  any  sharp 
change  that  may  be  noted  in  audience 
reactions  to  picture  themes.  Regardless 
of  the  audience  reaction  to  any  one  type 
of  subject,  we  will  be  amply  protected," 
he  said.  It  was  indicated  that  Mr.  Carr 
referred  to  a  possible  market  satiation 
with  war  films  and  musicals. 

The  company's  first  block  of  eight  pictures 
will  include : 

Ground  Crew,  starring  Jackie  Cooper 
with  Sam  Levene,  a  drama  about  aviation 
mechanics. 

Lady,  Let's  Dance,  musical  produced  by 
Scott  R.  Dunlap  and  starring  Belita. 

Spotlight  Revue,  musical  produced  by 
Sam  Katzman  and  Jack  Dietz,  with  Billy 
Gilbert,  Frank  Fay  and  Bonnie  Baker. 

Hitler's  Women,  war  drama,  produced 
by  Herman  Millakowsky. 

Charlie  Chan  in  the  Secret  Service, 
with  Sidney  Toler,  first  of  a  new  series  to  be 
produced  by  Philip  Krasne  and  James  S. 
Burkett. 

Melody  Parade,  a  musical  produced  by 
Lindsley  Parsons,  with  Mary  Beth  Hughes, 
Eddie  Quillan  and  Tim  and  Irene. 

The  Honor  System,  comedy-drama,  star- 
ring the  East  Side  Kids,  produced  by  Mr. 
Katzman  and  Mr.  Dietz. 

Black  Beauty,  screen  version  of  Anna 
Sewall's  famous  novel. 

Johnny  Mack  Brown  with  Raymond  Hat- 
ton  will  star  in  the  eight  Westerns  to  be 
produced  by  Scott  R.  Dunlap,  and  Ken  May- 
nard  and  Hoot  Gibson  will  star  in  the  group 
of  eight  Westerns  to  be  known  as  the  "Trail 
Blazers,"  produced  by  Robert  Tansey. 

Under  the  supervision  of  W.  Ray  John- 
ston, president,  the  meeting  was  attended  by 
the  following  delegates : 

Howard  Stubbins,  head  of  Pacific  coast 
distribution,  Marty  Solomon,  local  manager, 
Dudley  Forry,  Harry  Fields,  Martin  Mc- 
Carthy and  James  Schiller,  representing  the 
Los  Angeles  exchange;  Walter  Butler, 
Godron  Allen,  Clint  Meachim  and  Mel 
Hulling,  president  of  the  San  Francisco 


branch,  from  the  Bay  City;  Walter  Wess- 
ling,  manager,  and  Frank  O'Rourke,  from 
Portland;  Ralph  Abbett,  manager,  from 
Seattle. 

Following  the  screening  last  Thursday 
of  "Melody  Parade,"  Mr.  Stubbins  was  host 
at  a  cocktail  party  at  the  Variety  Club  head- 
quarters in  the  Ambassador  Hotel,  which 
was  attended  by  a  number  of  Monogram 
stars  and  featured  players. 

Studio  officials  announced  at  the  meeting 
that  plans  had  been  completed  for  the  film- 
ing of  "Ground  Crew,"  which  would  raise 
the  picture  to  a  definite  "A"  classification 
and  would  make  it  one  of  the  most  important 
productions  of  the  company's  new  season 
schedule.  The  picture  is  being  made  with 
the  cooperation  of  the  Army  Air  Forces  and 
much  of  the  action  will  be  filmed  at  Camp 
Rice,  located  in  the  California  desert.  Mono- 
gram has  set  back  the  shooting  of  "Lady, 
Let's  Dance,"  originally  scheduled  for  re- 
sumption in  July,  to  a  later  date,  to  make 
way  for  "Ground  Crew." 

Ann  Corio  On  Stage  as 
"Sarong  Girl"  Opens 

Ann  Corio  appeared  on  the  stage  of  the  Or- 
pheum  theatre  in  San  Diego  last  week  in 
conjunction  with  the  Monogram  film,  "Sarong 
Girl,"  in  which  she  is  starred.  It  was  Miss 
Corio's  first  motion  picture  for  that  company. 
Producers  Releasing  Corporation  starred  her 
in  "Swamp  Girl,"  in  1942. 

The  theatre  management  reported  a  $12,000 
record  box  office  gross  for  the  week.  Previous 
personal  appearance  records  for  that  house  had 
been  set  by  band  leader  Kay  Kyser  and  come- 
dian Chico  Marx. 


Cole  Joins  Monogram 

Don  Cole,  former  RKO  and  Universal  rep- 
resentative in  the  Dallas  territory,  has  joined 
Monogram's  sales  staff  in  that  area. 


Republic  Signs  Ice  Stars 

Republic  has  signed  McGowan  and  Mack 
for  the  company's  "Gay  Blades,"  film  scheduled 
for  production  in  late  August.  Rights  also 
have  been  acquired  for  the  International  Ice 
Revue. 


To  Rebuild  Theatres 

The  Patee  theatre  in  Lawrence,  Kansas,  and 
the  Princess  theatre  in  Aurora,  Mo.,  Common- 
wealth circuit  houses,  are  to  be  rebuilt,  authori- 
zation having  been  received  by  the  Government. 
Both  theatres  had  been  damaged  by  fire. 


Circuit  Adds  Miami  House 

The  Wometco  Theatre  Company  has  pur- 
chased the  Parkway  theatre  in  Miami  from 
Parkway  Enterprises,  which  brings  the  circuit's 
total  to  15  houses. 


Parker  Buys  Chicago  Theatre 

Fred  Parker  has  purchased  the  725-seat  Fox 
theatre  in  Chicago  from  Berman  and  Freeman 
and  will  take  possession  shortly.  Lawrence 
A.  Smith  was  the  broker  for  both  parties. 


Midnight  Shows  Half  Price 

The  Wood  theatre  in  Chicago  is  distributing 
tickets  through  employee  clubs  of  war  factories 
which  allow  employees  to  see  films  at  half  price 
between  midnight  and  6  A.M. 


CAN'T  CRACK  SAFE,  SO 
TAKES  IT  HOME 

A  22-year-old  Negress,  janitress  at 
the  Twentieth  Century  theatre  in 
Hamilton,  Ohio,  unit  of  the  Willis 
Vance  circuit,  was  convicted  in  Crim- 
inal Court  there  for  trying  to  crack 
a  safe  and  taking  it  away. 

It  was  charged  that,  failing  to 
break  open  the  200-pound  safe  after 
the  theatre  closed,  she  wheeled  it  to 
the  door  and  called  a  taxicab,  ex- 
plaining to  the  driver  that  the  safe 
was  an  old  one  and  had  been  given 
to  her  by  Mr.  Vance  to  take  home. 
The  safe  was  being  unloaded  at  her 
home  when  police  arrived.  It  con- 
tained but  a  few  dollars  and  some 
War  Savings  Stamps,  Mr.  Vance  said. 
The  taxicab  driver  was  acquitted. 


Expect  Print  Cut 
In  Canada 

The  Canadian  Wartime  Prices  and  Trade 
Board  advised  the  industry  that  raw  stock  re- 
ductions were  imminent.  Their  action  confirms 
rumors  that  Canadian  officials  have  taken  steps 
to  restrict  the  print  supply  available  to  theatres 
as  a  war  measure  affecting  booking  arrange- 
ments commencing  with  the  new  season  in  Sep- 
tember. 

While  restrictions  will  be  placed  on  prints 
to  theatres,  it  is  said,  arrangements  are  being 
made  whereby  the  National  Film  Board  will 
receive  stock  necessary  for  Government  re- 
leases for  either  theatre  or  educational  use.  The 
regulation  of  film  allotments  is  being  handled 
by  the  Committee  of  Prices  Board,  recently 
organized  and  headed  by  Roy  Geddes  of  the 
Supply  Division  of  the  Wartime  Board.  Two 
other  members  of  the  film  industry  are  on  the 
committee,  while  four  Government  representa- 
tives round  out  the  seven-man  war  unit. 

The  Trade  Board's  order  is  not  expected  to 
affect  16mm  films  or  Technicolor  product, 
which  are  imported  into  the  Dominion  in  a  fin- 
ished state,  but  quota  restrictions  will  be  im- 
posed on  negative  or  positive  stock  used  in  Can- 
ada for  production  or  printing  purposes. 


Buy  Cincinnati  Theatre 

Herman  H.  Hunt,  Cincinnati  manager  for 
National  Theatre  Supply,  and  his  son-in-law, 
Ival  Goodman,  baseball  player  with  the  Chi- 
cago Cubs,  have  acquired  the  500-seat  Avon 
theatre  in  suburban  Cincinnati  from  Jackson 
and  Murphy,  circuit  operators  of  Columbus. 


New  Portland  First  Run 

The  Hamrick-Evergreen  circuit  elevated  the 
Oriental  theatre  in  East  Portland,  Ore.,  to  a 
first  run  last  week.  The  circuit  now  has  four 
first  run  houses  in  Portland,  the  Paramount, 
Orpheum,  Playhouse  and  Oriental. 


Acquires  Distribution  Rights 

Herbert  Elisberg  has  acquired  the  distribution 
rights  in  the  Illinois,  Indiana  and  Wisconsin 
territory  for  the  film,  "Son  of  the  Sheik,"  from 
Artcinema  Associates. 


Colman  Stars  in  "Kismet" 

Ronald  Colman  has  been  signed  by  MGM 
to  star  in  "Kismet,"  originally  announced  as  a 
William  Powell  vehicle,  which  Everett  Riskin 
is  to  produce  in  Technicolor  with  William 
Dieterle  directing. 


,  June    19,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


43 


^Republic  Shifts 
iSales  Districts 

ma  J.  R.  Grainger,  president  of  Republic  Pic- 
5    ures,  this  week  announced  the  reorganization  of 
he  company's  sales  districts  to  provide  closer 
supervision  by  the  home  office. 

Edward  Walton,  formerly  branch  manager  in 
Seattle,  heads  the  midwestern  district  as  sales 
manager  with  headquarters  in  Chicago;  Sam 
Seplowin,  formerly  midwestern  district  sales 
manager,  now  supervises  the  newly-created  cen- 
tral district,  with  headquarters  in  Detroit ;  Max- 
well Gillis,  eastern  district  manager,  has  juris- 
diction over  New  York,  Albany,  Boston,  New 
Haven,  Washington  and  Philadelphia,  with 
headquarters  in  New  York. 

Formerly  in  the  eastern  district  were  Buffalo 
and  Pittsburgh,  which  are  now  included  in  the 
central  district,  with  Detroit,  Cleveland,  Cin- 
cinnati and  Indianapolis.  The  midwestern  dis- 
trict comprises  Chicago,  Kansas  City,  Omaha, 
Des  Moines,  St.  Louis,  Milwaukee  and  Minne- 
apolis. 


20th-Fox  Now  Has  967 
Employees  in  Service 

When  Al  Sobol  and  Murray  Scher  of  the 
Twentieth  Century-Fox  home  office  contract 
department  reported  for  military  service  last 
week,  the  number  of  stars  in  the  company's 
service  flag  was  increased  to  967.  Harry  Mer- 
say,  head  of  the  print  department,  was  toast- 
master  at  a  luncheon  attended  by  50  associates 
in  the  contract  and  print  departments  when 
Mr.  Scher  was  presented  with  a  traveling  bag 
and  Mr.  Sobol  with  a  military  kit. 


No  Rejections  Made  by 
Chicago  Film  Censor 

Ninety  pictures  examined  by  the  Chicago 
Police  Censor  Board  during  May  comprised  the 
smallest  total  for  any  month  this  year.  Footage 
of  340,000  was  also  the  smallest  with  15  cuts 
and  no  rejections  made. 

"The  Leopard  Man"  (RKO)  and  "Captive 
Wild  Women"  were  classified  for  adults  only. 
The  Board  has  passed  "Mission  to  Moscow" 
without  cuts. 


Charter  Three  Theatrical 
Companies  in  New  York 

Three  motion  picture  companies  have  been 
incorporated  in  New  York,  according  to 
Thomas  J.  Curran,  secretary  of  state.  Civic 
Features,  Inc.,  Buffalo;  131  Theatre,  Inc.,  New 
York,  and  Are  Actors  People,  Inc.,  New  York, 
were  granted  papers  of  incorporation. 

Cinetech  Corporation,  New  York,  was  dis- 
solved and  the  Graphic  Microfilm  Service, 
Inc.,  of  Massachusetts,  filed  statement  and 
designation  with  Mr.  Curran,  showing  capital 
stock  consisting  of  5,000  shares. 

Original  to  Be  Published 

The  Warner  screen  original,  "Here  Come  the 
Girls,"  a  story  of  Broadway  showgirls  now 
being  written  by  Mary  Dowell  ("Stutterin' 
Sam"),  will  be  adapted  into  a  book  and  pub- 
lished by  Random  House. 

Joins  Donahue  &  Coe 

John  W.  H.  Evans,  formerly  with  Charles  E. 
Cooper,  Inc.,  has  been  appointed  head  of  out- 
door and  transportation  advertising  for  Dona- 
hue and  Coe,  advertising  agency  with  a  number 
of  theatrical  accounts. 


Buys  Spokane  Theatre 

James  A.  Pike,  Portland  theatre  man,  has 
become  operator  of  the  Rex  theatre  in  Spo- 
kane, recently  purchasing  it  from  R.  J.  and 
Allen  Zell. 


HEADS  DISTRIBUTION 
FOR  MARCH  OF  TIME 


HOWARD  BLACK 

Howard  Black,  vice-president  of  Time,  Inc., 
in  charge  of  advertising  sales  for  Time', 
'Life'  and  'Fortune'  magazines,  has  been 
designated  by  Roy  E.  Larsen,  president  of 
Time,  Inc.,  to  take  charge  of  "March 
of  Time"  sales  and  distribution  policies. 
Mr.  Black  will  make  a  special  study  with 
Tom  Connors,  vice-president  in  charge  of 
distribution  for  Twentieth  Century- Fox,  of 
sales  and  distribution  methods  as  applied 
to  the  "March  of  Time"  releases  and 
other  products.  Mr.  Black  is  a  veteran 
member  of  the  Time,  Inc.,  staff  and  is 
widely  known  in  publishing  and  advertis- 
ing circles. 


Academy  Cites  Dr.  Mees 

Dr.  C.  E.  Kenneth  Mees  of  the  Eastman 
Kodak  Company  has  been  designated  by  the 
American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences  as 
the  winner  of  an  award  for  "distinguished  con- 
tribution to  the  science  of  photography,"  to  be 
given  in  Boston  on  October  13th. 


Schedule  Opera  Season 

According  to  present  plans,  light  operas  again 
will  be  presented  at  the  Cincinnati  Zoological 
Gardens  this  season.  The  tentative  schedule 
calls  for  a  season  from  June  27th  to  August  8th, 
with  a  change  of  program  nightly,  instead  of 
three  operas  a  week,  as  heretofore. 


Renew  Altec  Service 

The  H.  S.  Leon  Circuit  of  Dallas  has  re- 
newed agreements  with  Altec  Service  for  re- 
pairs in  six  of  its  theatres.  The  Day  theatres 
of  Oregon  and  Idaho  have  also  contracted  for 
the  company's  service. 


Museum  Exhibits 
Nazi  Pictures 


The  Museum  of  Modern  Art  in  New  York 
this  week  exhibited  four  German  propaganda 
films.  A  repeat  showing  will  be  given  the  week 
of  August  15-21.  The  entire  program,  which 
is  called  "Films  and  Reality,"  has  been  shown 
since  the  first  of  June  and  will  end  October 
16th. 

The  Museum,  on  its  program,  describes  the 
films  as  "evidence  of  the  carefully  calculated 
and  highly  effective  manner  in  which  the  Nazis 
used  film  as  a  powerful  instrument  of  propa- 
ganda." The  first  German  film  covers  the  per- 
iod from  1934-36,  and  is  titled  "Triumph  of  the 
Will."  The  next,  made  in  1940,  is  "Pilots,  Gun- 
ners, Radio-Operators,"  and  the  remaining  two, 
made  in  1940,  are  "Baptism  of  Fire"  and  "Ger- 
man Newsreel." 

All  four  films  are  rough  working  prints, 
prepared  from  material  in  the  Museum's  film 
library.  "The  films,"  the  Museum  says,  "pro- 
vide a  guide  to  Nazi  propaganda  film  devel- 
opments from  1934  to  1940.  The  dual  powers 
of  communication  that  the  film  possesses  have 
been  most  ably  and  unscrupulously  utilized— 
the  photographic  images  saying  one  thing  while 
the  spoken  commentary  makes  a  different  or 
even  a  contradictory  suggestion." 


Baltimore  Theatre  Will 
Double  Films,  Plays 

The  Maryland  theatre  in  Baltimore  will 
present  stage  plays  with  its  film  offerings,  it 
was  announced  last  week  by  C.  W.  Hicks, 
owner.  The  last  time  such  programs  were 
presented  in  Baltimore  was  in  the  Ford  theatre 
last  autumn. 

The  theatre  will  be  closed  until  the  first 
play,  probably  a  production  which  appeared  on 
Broadway,  is  presented  in  the  theatre.  The 
Maryland  has  operated  on  a  stage-show  policy 
since  its  reopening  in  January.  Lee  K.  Holland 
is  manager  and  Maxwell  Weinberg  handles 
advertising  and  publicity. 


Entertain  Junior  Patrol  at 
Portland  Theatre  Party 

Members  of  the  Portland  Junior  Safety  Patrol 
were  guests  of  Mrs.  J.  J.  Parker  and  Albert 
Finke,  district  manager  for  Hamrick-Ever- 
green  Theatres,  at  a  theatre  party  at  the  May- 
fair  in  Portland,  Ore.,  recently.  About  200 
youngsters  attended. 

Gordon  G.  Steele,  president  of  the  Portland 
Traction  Company,  cooperated  with  the  theatre 
heads  in  honoring  the  organization's  membership 
cards  in  providing  transportation  for  the  theatre 
party  group. 


File  Incorporation  Papers 

Amusements,  Incorporated,  has  filed  a  cer- 
tificate of  organization  with  the  Connecticut 
secretary  of  state,  listing  David  Simon  of  New 
York  as  president  and  treasurer,  H.  Simon  of 
Hartford,  assistant  treasurer,  and  Albert  Simon 
of  Forest  Hills,  L.  I.,  secretary. 


Joins  Cooper  Circuit 

Joseph  Philipson  has  resigned  from  Para- 
mount's  distribution  staff  to  rejoin  the  Cooper 
circuit  as  executive  assistant  of  operations.  He 
will  work  in  the  company's  home  office  in 
Lincoln,  Neb. 


Wounded  in  Africa 

Flight  Officer  Martin  D.  Frain,  former  chief 
of  service  at  Warner's  Avalon  theatre,  Chicago, 
has  been  reported  wounded  in  North  Africa. 


Theatre  Men  In  Army 

Private  George  Stenko,  formerly  on  the  staff 
of  the  Roxy  theatre  in  New  Britain,  Conn.,  is 
now  stationed  at  Fort  Devens,  Mass.  Private 
Joseph  DiLorenzo,  Hartford  theatre  man,  is 
attached  to  the  Army  Medical  Corps  at  Camp 
Dix. 


44 


Total  Production  Budget 
To  Be  Double  That  for 
Any  Previous  Year 

Producers  Releasing  Corporation  will  re- 
lease 40  pictures  on  the  1943-44  program, 
with  an  increase  in  budget  for  all  produc- 
tions that  will  more  than  double  the  total 
appropriation  for  any  previous  year.  Arthur 
Greenblatt,  vice-president  in  charge  of  sales 
for  PRC,  announced  the  company's  schedule 
at  the  national  meeting  of  PRC  franchise 
holders  in  Kansas  City  on  Friday. 

Of  the  40'  films  scheduled,  24  features 
will  be  divided  into  four  major  groups,  Mr. 
Greenblatt  said,  including  "Producers 
Specials,"  "Victory  Specials,"  "Pacemakers" 
and  "Spitfires,"  with  two  series  of  Westerns, 
eight  in  each  series.  Ten  of  the  24  features 
will  be  top-budget  specials,  four  in  the  Pro- 
ducers Specials  group  and  six  in  the  Victory 
Specials  classification,  and  the  remainder 
of  the  feature  program  will  comprise  eight 
Pacemakers  and  six  Spitfires. 

The  two  series  of  Westerns  are  the 
"Texas  Rangers,"  starring  Tex  O'Brien 
and  Jim  Newill,  and  the  "Billy  the  Kid" 
series,  starring  Buster  Crabbe  and  Al  St. 
John. 

To  Coordinate  Activity  in 
Larger  Studio  Space 

PRC  has  demonstrated  that  "it  can  make 
and  market  product  that  will  satisfy  the 
demands  of  the  important  circuits  for  the 
kind  of  entertainment  the  public  wants," 
the  sales  manager  said,  and  added  that  the 
company  "also  has  gotten  behind  the  exhibi- 
tor with  every  resource  at  our  command 
in  making  that  product  known  to  the  pic- 
ture-goers." 

Leon  Fromkess,  vice-president  in  charge 
jf  production,  disclosed  that  plans  are  now 
being  completed  for  coordinating  all  pro- 
duction activities  in  larger  studio  quarters. 
He  said  that  announcement  of  the  studio 
deal  would  be  made  shortly.  Mr.  Fromkess 
also  reported  that  PRC  is  building  up  a 
list  of  term  contract  players,  directors  and 
other  studio  personnel.  "The  higher-budget 
policy  which  applies  to  our  entire  program," 
he  said,  "warrants  a  greater  emphasis  not 
only  on  production  and  player  value,  but  also 
on  storv  importance  and  adaptation  to  the 
screen." 

Delegates  in  Attendance 
From  All  Sections 

O.  Henry  Briggs,  president  of  the  com- 
pany, opened  the  convention  Friday  morning 
with  a  complete  resume  of  PRC's  progress 
during  the  past  year  and  clarified  the  or- 
ganizational and  financial  setup.  Leo  J. 
McCarthy,  assistant  sales  manager,  and  Fred 
A.  Rohrs,  sales  manager  for  the  southwest- 
ern exchanges,  reported  on  field  operations. 

Among  the  delegates  who  attended  were: 
Jack  Berkson,  Albany-Buffalo;  Ike  Katz, 
Atlanta;  Harry  I.  Goldman,  Boston;  Harry 
Katz,  Charlotte;  Henri  Elman,  Chicago; 
Jack  Lefton,   Cincinnati;   Nat  L.  Lefton, 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


Cleveland;  Jack  K.  and  Jack  H.  Adams, 
Dallas ;  J.  H.  Ashby,  Denver ;  William 
Flemion  and  A.  V.  O'Donnell,  Detroit. 

Also,  Joseph  W.  Bohn,  Indianapolis ;  R. 
H.  Patt,  John  Muchmore  and  Beverly  Mil- 
ler, Kansas  City;  B.  F.  Busby,  Little  Rock; 
Samuel  K.  Decker,  Los  Angeles;  Joe 
Strother,  Ben  Marcus,  Milwaukee ;  Abbot 
Swartz,  Minneapolis ;  Frederick  F.  Goodrow 
and  P.  A.  Sliman,  New  Orleans ;  Lt.  Comm. 
BertKulick,  New  York;  Harry  McKenna  and 
E.  L.  Walker,  Oklahoma  City;  M.  L.  Stern, 
Omaha;  Herbert  Given,  Philadelphia;  Lew 
Lefton  and  Milton  Lefton,  Pittsburgh ;  Noah 
Bloomer,  St.  Louis ;  Sam  Sobel  and  Armand 
Cohn,  San  Francisco ;  Lloyd  Lamb,  Seattle 
and  George  Gill,  Washington. 

Frank  Buck  Story 
Included  in  Program 

The  films  announced  for  1943-44  are  as  fol- 
lows : 

Isle  of  Forgotten  Sins  :  dramatic  adventure 
story  of  the  South  Sea  islands ;  starring  John 
Carradine  and  Gale  Sondergaard,  with  Sidney 
Toler,  Frank  Fenton,  Rita  Quigley,  Veda  Ann 
Borg,  Rick  Vallin  and  Betty  Amann. 

Submarine  Base  :  the  story  of  the  blasting 
of  a  Nazi  base ;  starring  John  Litel  and  Alan 
Baxter,  with  Fifi  D'Orsay  and  Eric  Blore. 

Danger — Women  at  Work  :  a  comedy  of 
women's  defense  work.  Starring  Patsy  Kelly, 
with  Mary  Brian,  Isabell  Jewell,  Cobina 
Wright,  Sr.,  Wanda  McKay,  Betty  Compson, 
Warren  Hymer,  Vince  Barnett. 

Street  of  Darkness  :  a  drama  showing  re- 
sult of  torture ;  with  Francis  Lederer,  J.  Carroll 
Naish,  J.  Edward  Bromberg,  Sigrid  Gurie, 
Alexander  Granach. 

Tigers'  Fangs  :  a  Frank  Buck  wild  animal 
picture;  with  Frank  Buck,  Buster  Crabbe.  Fifi 
D'Orsay. 

The  Girl  from  Monterey  :  a  cyclonic  com- 
edv,  locale  below  the  Rio  Grande.  Starring 
Fifi  D'Orsay. 

Forgotten  Children  :  a  melodrama  of  chil- 
dren orphaned  by  war  and  sent  to  the  United 
States.  Story  by  Jim  Tully ;  screenplay  by  Ray 
Schrock. 

Berlin  Revolts  :  an  underground  story  of 
the  revolt  of  Berlin  youth  against  the  present 
regime. 

"Waterfront"  Drama 
Of  San  Francisco 

Woman  of  Horror  :  a  drama  of  a  modern 
Medusa.    With  an  outstanding  star. 

When  the  Lights  Go  on  Again  :  a  musical 
foreshadowing  post-war  celebration. 

The  Cossacks  Ride  Again  :  a  drama  por- 
traying the  efforts  of  heroic  Russian  women  at 
Stalingrad. 

Talent  School  :  a  comedy — semi-musical — 
of  stage-struck  girls  and  their  efforts  to  crash 
Broadway. 

Oh!  Say  Can  You  Sing:  an  all-star  patri- 
otic musical. 

Juke  Box  Girl  :  a  semi-musical  romance  in- 
volving a  band  leader  and  a  jive  girl. 

Waterfront:  a  melodrama  of  subversive  ac- 
tivities in  the  harbor  of  San  Francisco. 

My  Boy  :  a  melodramatic  comedy  of  a  broken 
down  prizefighter  and  his  protege,  a  young  lad. 

The  Executioner  :  a  drama  involving  the 
dilemma  of  a  state  executioner  and  a  girl  sen- 
tenced to  the  electric  chair. 


June    19,  1943 

I'm  from  Arkansas:  hillbilly  comedy  with 
music. 

The  Warning:  a  ration  racketeer  joins  the  j 
war  effort  when  his  son  dies  a  hero. 

Suspected  Person  :   a  mystery-thriller  in- 
volving an  international  crook. 

Avalanche:  an  outdoor  melodrama  with  ani 
avalanche  of  snow  climaxing  the  action. 

Cry  of  Youth  :  a  story  of  neglected  daugh- 
ters. 

End  of  the  Road:  a  drama  of  two  Spanish- 
American  War  veterans  and  what  they  did  to 
help  win  this  war. 

Last  Page:  a  marital  triangle. 

St.  Louis  Business  Good 
Despite  Competition 

St.  Louis'  Municipal  Opera  opened  its  silver 
anniversary  season  June  3rd  with  "Balalaika," 
running  10  nights.  Eleven  operettas  and  musical 
comedies  will  be  presented  during  the  season, 
which  will  close  with  "Chu  Chin  Chow," 
August  16th  to  29th.  The  municipally-owned 
and  operated  enterprise  offers  keen  competition 
to  the  film  theatres.  The  Municipal  theatre  in 
Forest  Park  seats  10,000  and  the  average  weekly 
attendance  is  more  than  60,000. 

However,  with  war  industries  providing 
money  to  spend  for  entertainment  and  several 
large  military  posts  in  the  St.  Louis  area,  the 
outlook  for  business  at  the  theatres  is  excellent. 
An  index  of  business  conditions  is  the  Grand, 
the  city's  only  burlesque  house.  In  normal 
years  the  Grand  closes  in  April.  This  year  it 
is  still  running  and  no  closing  date  in  sight. 
St.  Louis  also  will  have  a  community  stock 
theatre  this  summer,  the  Roof-Top.  Four 
plays,  recently  on  Broadway,  will  be  presented 
during  the  summer,  each  play  scheduled  for  a 
two-week  run  at  the  open  air  theatre.  The 
season  will  open  with  "Claudia"  on  June  13th. 

Fox  Midwest  Aids  Food 
Conference  in  Kansas 

Meetings  of  the  Wartime  Food  School  in 
Kansas  City  were  held  at  five  Fox  Midwest 
theatres  over  a  period  of  several  weeks.  The 
program  was  sponsored  by  the  Health  and 
Nutrition  Department  of  the  city's  Civilian 
Defense  Board. 

Senn  Lawler,  district  manager  for  Fox  Mid- 
west, arranged  with  the  department's  chairman 
in  selecting  the  sites  for  the  series  of  con- 
ferences. Display  space  adveitising  the  meet- 
ings was  donated  by  local  merchants  and  many 
of  the  city's  companies  cooperated  in  the  project. 
An  estimated  2,000  persons  attended  the  five 
sessions. 


Charter  Theatre  Company 

In  Albany,  New  York  Secretary  of  State 
Thomas  J.  Curran  has  issued  papers  of  incor- 
poration to  Long  Lake  Theatre,  Inc.,  Oneida, 
with  authorized  capital  stock  of  $10,000  in  $10 
par  value  shares.  Directors  are  Sidney  J.  Kal- 
let,  William  T.  MacNeilly  and  E.  W.  Zophy, 
Oneida. 


To  Publish  Film  Edition 

A  special  motion  picture  edition  of  "Back- 
ground to  Danger,"  Eric  Ambler  novel,  which 
Warners  made  into  a  film,  will  be  issued  by 
Triangle  Books,  a  Doubleday-Doran  unit,  ac- 
cording to  a  Warner  announcement. 


On  Portland  Victory  Staff 

Albert  J.  Finke  of  Evergreen  Theatres,  Ger- 
ald Fowler,  Joseph  Gamble,  Del  Milne  and  M. 
M.  Mesher  are  among  the  theatre  men  in  the 
northwest  named  to  the  staff  of  Portland's  New 
Victory  Center. 


To  Reconstruct  Theatre 

The  State  theatre  in  Newton,  N.  C,  de- 
stroyed by  fire  some  time  ago,  is  to  be  rebuilt, 
according  to  an  announcement  by  G.  G.  Mit- 
chell, owner.  The  Everett  Enterprises  of  Char- 
lotte are  the  lessees. 


PRC  Plans  40  Films 
For  New  Season 


46 

F  &  M  Tries  Out 
Dual  Run  Plan 

Fanchon  &  Marco  are  trying  out  a  "double- 
barrel"  policy  in  St.  Louis,  featuring  the  same 
picture  at  two  of  their  first  run  houses  simul- 
taneously. The  theatres  chosen  for  the  experi- 
ment are  their  leading  houses  in  point  of  box 
office  receipts,  the  Ambassador,  with  3,154  seats, 
located  in  the  downtown  business  district,  and 
the  Fox,  5,038  seats,  in  the  midtown  area. 

The  picture  selected  to  inaugurate  the  new 
policy  is  "Action  in  the  North  Atlantic,"  and 
the  estimated  receipts  for  the  week  are  equal 
to  and  even  slightly  in  excess  of  normal  busi- 
ness. The  next  film  scheduled  for  dual  presen- 
tation is  "Coney  Island"  and  following  it  will 
be  "Bombardier." 

Fanchon  &  Marco  officials,  while  withholding 
a  definite  commitment  to  the  new  policy  until 
it  is  tested  further,  said  they  were  "well  pleased 
with  the  results  of  the  first  week's  presenta- 
tion." 

For  "Coney  Island"  the  management  plans 
to  test  the  drawing  power  of  a  decorative  front 
as  an  exploitation  medium.  A  special  front  will 
be  erected  at  the  Fox,  but  there  will  be  no 
front  or  other  lobby  exploitation  at  the  Am- 
bassador. 

Goldman  Contests  Purchase 
Of  Philadelphia  Theatre 

Purchase  of  the  56th  Street  theatre,  Phila- 
delphia, by  Charles  Segall,  independent  ex- 
hibitor, was  contested  recently  by  William  Gold- 
man, independent  circuit  head,  who  has  been 
operating  the  house  on  a  10-year  lease  which 
will  expire  in  December,  1944.  Mr.  Segall  pur- 
chased the  house  at  a  public  sale  last  week  for 
$49,000,  the  highest  bid.  All  the  equipment, 
however,  belongs  to  Mr.  Goldman,  who  also  has 
the  picture  run. 

Mr.  Goldman  pointed  out  that  his  lease  on 
the  property  gave  him  the  option  to  purchase 
the  house  at  the  highest  price  bid  within  30 
days  after  being  notified  by  the  trustees  for  the 
estate  owning  the  theatre  property.  Moreover, 
Judge  Welsh,  in  U.  S.  District  Court  in  Phila- 
delphia, recently  approved  a  motion  of  the 
trustees  to  accept  Mr.  Goldman's  bid  of  $45,000 
for  purchase  of  the  house,  and  the  public  sale 
was  held  accordingly,  at  which  time  Mr.  Segall 
entered  a  higher  bid  of  $49,000. 


Washington  Variety  Club 
Aids  Victory  Gardens 

The  Washington  Variety  Club  donated  $1,500 
to  the  District  of  Columbia  Victory  Garden 
campaign,  following  a  plea  by  District  of  Col- 
umbia Commissioner  J.  Russell  Young  that  the 
campaign  would  die  for  lack  of  funds  unless  a 
sufficient  sum  was  raised  pending  the  receipt  of 
further  money  from  Congress  with  the  start  of 
the  new  fiscal  year  in  July. 

The  Variety  Club  donation  will  enable  the 
District  of  Columbia  Victory  Garden  Campaign 
to  keep  its  salaried  personnel  on  the  payroll 
until  further  funds  are  received  from  Congress. 


Aid  Jewelry  Campaign 

The  Paramount  Pep  Club,  home  office  em- 
ployees' group,  is  cooperating  with  the  Twelfth 
Night  Club,  a  women's  theatrical  organization, 
for  the  collection  of  discarded  jewelry  for 
service  men  in  the  South  Pacific  who  barter 
with  natives  by  trading  the  jewelry  in  return  for 
their  services  in  bringing  in  the  wounded  and 
other  tasks. 


Wins  Third  Medal 

Henry  Barbinski,  former  doorman  at  the 
Loew-Poli  in  New  Haven,  has  been  awarded 
his  third  medal,  an  Oak  Leaf  Cluster,  for  out- 
standing aerial  performance.  He  holds  the  rank 
of  technical  sergeant. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

FROM  READERS 

PRAISES  EDITORIAL  ON 
SCREEN  FUNCTION 

To  the  Editor  of  the  Herald  : 

I  have  just  finished  reading  for  the  third  time 
the  editorial  "The  Screen — Content  and  Func- 
tion" in  the  Herald  of  May  29th. 

Your  points  are  well  taken  and  our  indus- 
try will  benefit  if  the  producers  will  heed  your 
warning.  As  a  reader  of  your  editorials  for 
years,  I  have  always  heartily  agreed  with  you 
that  the  function  of  the  motion  picture  in  the- 
atres is  to  entertain.  Let  the  educational  films 
be  used  in  their  proper  place. 

Certainly,  since  our  theatres  are  institutions 
in  our  respective  communities  we  are  anxious 
to  do  everything  possible  to  win  this  war  quick- 
ly. But  trying  to  shove  things  down  the  throats 
of  our  patrons  does  not  come  under  the  head- 
ing of  helping  to  win  the  war.  Our  patrons 
do  not  object  to  the  many  OWI  and  other 
similar  films  we  have  shown.  However,  they 
do  object  to  seeing  a  feature  with  a  war  story 
every  time  they  attend  the  theatre. 

Again  congratulations  on  your  editorial,  and 
I  hope  you  will  keep  the  issue  alive  until  the 
producers  heed  the  plea  of  those  of  us  who  have 
to  face  our  patrons  night  after  night. — BOYD 
F.  SCOTT,  Grand,  Dixie  Theatres,  Holden- 
ville,  Ok! a. 

"This  Is  the  Army"  Gets 
Music  Store  Cooperation 

Window  and  counter  displays  coupled  with 
newspaper  advertising  by  music  stores  through- 
out the  country  are  included  in  exploitation 
plans  by  Warners  for  the  forthcoming  Irving 
Berlin  soldier  musical,  "This  Is  the  Army,"  it 
was  announced  this  week  by  Mort  Blumenstock, 
advertising  and  publicity  director  in  the  east. 

The  Decca  and  Victor  record  companies  also 
are  cooperating,  it  was  said,  by  issuing  new 
song  books  containing  additional  numbers  writ- 
ten by  Mr.  Berlin  for  the  film  version.  Simul- 
taneous showings  have  been  set  in  400  situations 
for  the  week  of  July  23rd. 

Dr.  Sawyer,  Eastman  Kodak, 
Receives  Knudsen  Award 

The  William  S.  Knudsen  Award  was  pre- 
sented to  Dr.  William  A.  Sawyer,  medical  di- 
rector of  the  Eastman  Kodak  Company,  at  a 
ceremony  in  Rochester  recently.  The  presen- 
tation was  made  by  M.  Herbert  Eisenhart, 
president  of  Bausch  and  Lomb  Optical  Com- 
pany. 

Dr.  Sawyer's  work  in  tuberculosis  and  the 
establishment  of  a  program  of  nutrition  and  re- 
habilitation of  handicapped  workers  brought 
him  recognition  from  the  medical  world.  Lead- 
ing physicians  and  surgeons  of  the  country  who 
were  in  Rochester  for  a  four-day  conference  at- 
tended the  ceremony. 


NSS  Portland  Office  Open 

The  Portland  office  of  National  Screen  Serv- 
ice remains  open  and  stocks  a  complete  line  of 
accessories,  it  was  announced  last  week  by 
Jack  Flannery,  manager  of  the  Seattle  branch. 
The  Portland  office  is  in  charge  of  Herbert 
Cass. 


Hartford  Admissions  Up 

The  E.  M.  Loew's  Theatre,  Hartford,  has 
raised  Sunday  admission  prices.  The  evening 
prices,  30  and  40  cents,  are  being  charged  all 
day  on  Sunday  there. 


Sells  Theatre  in  Iowa 

H.  G.  Moore  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  has  sold 
the  Royal  theatre  at  Dayton,  Iowa,  to  Ed  Le- 
Valley  of  Dayton.  Mr.  LeVallev  has  leased 
the  theatre  to  Harold  Lundberg,  who  has  man- 
aged it  the  past  six  months. 


June    19,  1943 


ASCAP  Charges 
Brandt  Monopoly 

The  American  Society  of  Composers,  Au- 
thors and  Publishers  this  week  filed  an  answer 
and  counter  charges  in  the  U.  S.  District  Court 
in  New  York  to  the  action  brought  by  Harry 
Brandt  as  head  of  Brandt  Theatres  and  the 
Independent  Theatre  Owners  of  New  York, 
charging  that  present  ASCAP  rates  are  arbi- 
trary and  the  result  of  a  monopoly  of  the  music 
field  in  violation  of  anti-trust  laws. 

The  answer,  filed  by  Schwartz  and  Frolich, 
counsel  for  the  society,  was  accompanied  by  no- 
tices for  examinations  before  trial  of  Mr. 
Brandt,  Samuel  Rinzler,  Walter  Reade,  Louis 
Frisch  and  other  independent  theatre  operators. 
The  answer  alleges  that  New  York  independ- 
ents were  coerced  into  appointing  Mr.  Brandt 
booking  agent  for  their  theatres  on  flat  fees  or 
percentage  of  sums  saved  on  film  rentals. 

Among  other  charges  are  the  driving  out  of 
competition  by  Mr.  Brandt  with  the  purchase 
of  theatres  "far  below  actual  value."  Also, 
threats  were  directed  at  theatre  owners  in  prox- 
imity to  the  Brandt  circuit  theatres,  it  was  al- 
leged, which  would  divert  product  from  them, 
and  force  the  owners  to  shut  down  their 
houses. 

The  exhibitor  action  seeks  to  recover  music 
license  fees  paid  the  society  which,  on  a  treble 
damage  basis,  aggregate  approximately  $600,000. 

Second  Phonograph  Record 
Campaign  Set  for  July 

The  War  Relief  Control  Board  has  given 
its  authorization  to  Records  for  Our  Fighting 
Men,  Inc.,  to  institute  its  second  collection  of 
old  phonograph  records.  The  net  proceeds  of 
their  sale  to  record- manufacturers  are  used  for 
the  purchase  of  new  records  for  the  armed 
forces.  The  campaign  will  be  held  throughout 
the  month  of  July.  A  similar  drive  was  under- 
taken last  summer. 

Bob  Hope  is  president  of  the  group,  which 
includes  many  artists  from  the  entertainment 
world.  The  American  Legion  and  the  Legion 
auxiliary  are  to  act  as  collection  agents  in  a 
house-to-house  canvass  throughout  the  country. 
Approximately  300,000  new  records  have  been 
supplied  to  the  armed  forces  to  date,  the  or- 
ganization reported  last  week. 

Astor  Pictures  Acquire 
Rights  on  Two  Films 

Astor  Pictures  has  acquired  distribution 
rights  to  two  films,  "The  Eagle"  and  "The 
Marines  Come  Through."  The  former  was 
obtained  from  the  Valentino  estate,  and  the  lat- 
ter was  produced  by  the  Colonnade  Studios  of 
Coral  Gables,  Fla.  Prior  distribution  of  "The 
Eagle"  was  through  United  Artists. 

All  Astor  exchanges,  including  Canadian,  are 
to  handle  the  pictures,  which  also  will  have  su- 
perimposed titles  in  Spanish  and  Portuguese  for 
distribution  throughout  Latin  American  coun- 
tries. "The  Eagle"  will  be  released  on  July 
1st,  and  "The  Marines  Come  Through"  on 
July  15th.  The  feature  stars  Wallace  Ford, 
Toby  Wing  and  Grant  Withers. 


Former  Usher  Decorated 

The  silver  star  for  bravery  in  action  recently 
was  awarded  to  Lieutenant  Delmar  Oaks,  Jr., 
former  usher  at  the  B  &  K  Belpark  theatre  in 
Chicago,  for  heroism  in  saving  the  lives  of 
three  men  by  dragging  them  off  a  battlefield 
under  enemy  fire. 


Named  War  Film  Director 

Dr.  Curtis  Reid,  head  of  the  department  of 
visual  instruction  at  Oregon  State  College,  has 
been  appointed  state  war  film  director  for  the 
Oregon  Defense  Council. 


THE  COLUMBIA  ill 
SALESMAN  WHO 
CALLS  ON  YOU 
RESTS  HIS  CASE 

ON  THIS 


PR1 


IN 


U.S.  »• 


FOB"  G« 


.off,ct 


To. 


ALL 


COL^BlA 


iltf 


V 


frd  now  fornix 
one  riflht after 
the  otter 


V 


THE  SENSATIONAL  STAR  OF  "CASABLANCA" 


Lloyd  Bridges  •  Guy  Kingsford  •  J.  Carroll  Naisl 
Rex  Ingram  •  Bruce  Bennett  •  William  Cartel 

Dirstted  by  ZOITAN  KORM  •  Produced  by  HARRY  JOE  BROWN- 


vVi 


FALKENBUF 


1  C  MAGAZINl 
I  O  COVER  GfR 1 

Music  by  JEROME  KER; 

Lyrics  by  IRA  GERSKWI 

Directed  by  CHARLES  VIK 


June     19,     i  94  3 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


51 


Spain  to  Pay  U.  S. 
Cla  ims,  In  c  lu  ding 
Film  Money 

The  Spanish  Government  is  planning  an  early 
settlement  of  claims  of  American  exporters 
owning  pre-Civil  War  funds  now  frozen  in  that 
country,  including  U.  S.  film  companies,  which 
have  approximately  85  million  pesetas,  or  $1,- 
700,000  frozen  in  cash  or  Spanish  Government 
bonds.  According  to  a  report  in  the  New  York 
Times  of  last  Tuesday,  Antonio  B.  Caragol, 
president  of  the  American  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce in  Spain,  said  in  New  York  that  he  had 
received  cables  informing  him  that  the  Span- 
ish Government  expected  to  pay  first  amounts 
under  $1,000. 

Mr.  Caragol  estimated  the  total  U.  S.  claims 
now  frozen  by  Spain  at  $60,000,000,  and  pointed 
out  that  the  recent  purchases  of  the  U.  S.  Gov- 
ernment in  Spain  "have  reversed  the  exchange 
picture,"  creating  a  reservoir  of  dollar  balances 
to  facilitate  the  settlement. 

Motion  Picture  Herald  on  March  27th  last, 
reported  that  a  deal  had  been  negotiated  be- 
tween representatives  of  the  film  industry  and 
the  United  States  Commercial  Corporation, 
whereby  the  latter  would  purchase  American 
film  companies'  frozen  pesetas  in  Spain.  The 
purchased  pesetas,  it  was  learned  at  that  time, 
would  be  used  to  buy  Spanish  commodities  and 
products  needed  in  the  United  States,  as  well 
as  surpluses  acquired  to  keep  them  from  the 
Axis.  It  was  indicated  that  the  deal,  when  com- 
pleted, would  direct  a  steady  flow  of  American 
films  into  Spain. 

At  least  150  U.  S.  motion  pictures  had  been 
earmarked  for  Spain  during  1943,  according  to 
the  reports  last  March,  compared  to  approxi- 
mately 35  which  were  purchased  for  showing  in 
Spain  in  1942.  Of  the  150,  115  from  the  follow- 
ing companies  already  had  been  set  for  pur- 
chase :  40  from  RKO ;  20  from  Paramount ;  20, 
Columbia ;  15,  Universal ;  10,  Warner  Bros. ; 
five,  Twentieth  Century-Fox,  and  five,  MGM. 

Supreme  Court  Clears  Loew 
In  Infringement  Case 

A  clean  bill  of  health  was  given  Loew's, 
Inc.,  in  the  matter  of  the  film,  "We  Who  Are 
Young,"  on  Monday  when  the  U.  S.  Supreme 
Court  refused  to  review  a  lower  court  decision 
exonerating  the  company  from  charges  of  in- 
fringement of  a  book  of  the  same  title,  written 
by  Harry  Becker. 

Mr.  Becker  charged  the  company  with  copy- 
right infringement  and  brought  suit  to  recover 
damages.  The  case  was  referred  to  a  master, 
who  found  that  the  picture  was  an  infringe- 
ment, and  his  findings  were  adopted  by  a  Fed- 
eral District  Court  which,  however,  was  re- 
versed by  the  Seventh  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals. 

An  appeal  was  taken  by  Mr.  Becker,  who 
charged  the  circuit  court  had  erred  in  interpret- 
ing the  Copyright  Act,  specifically,  among  other 
things,  in  failing  to  find  that  it  granted  protec- 
tion to  non-dramatic  works  which  contain  neith- 
er plot  nor  dialogue  and  in  failing  to  hold  that 
where  a  title  of  a  copyrighted  work  is  itself 
part  of  the  material  of  the  work,  such  part  so 
used  is  protected. 


Alaskan  Theatre  Burns 

The  Klawak  theatre  on  the  west  shore  of 
Prince  of  Wales  Island,  off  Alaska,  burned 
on  June  7th,  the  damage  being  estimated  at 
$40,000,  according  to  a  report  of  the  Forest 
Service. 


Drive-In  Business  Hit 

The  Drive-in  Theatre,  in  Illinois,  has  reported 
a  drop  in  revenue  this  year  as  compared  with 
last.  According  to  a  company  spokesman,  busi- 
ness is  down  one-half. 


ICELAND  DOES  NOT 
WANT  WAR  FILMS 

Theatre  audiences  in  Iceland  don't 
like  war  films,  according  to  Foreign 
Commerce  Weekly,  official  pub- 
lication of  the  U.  S.  Department  of 
Commerce.  In  its  May  29th  issue, 
the  periodical  reported  that  patrons 
of  Iceland's  I  I  theatres  preferred 
"fairly  serious  drama.  Sentimental  and 
adventure  stories  are  also  well  re- 
ceived, but  light  comedies,  which  or- 
dinarily contain  much  slang  and  collo- 
quial humor,  are  less  appreciated. 
War  stories  are  not  popular." 

The  majority  of  pictures  shown  in 
the  country  are  imported  from  the 
U.  S.  According  to  reports,  "the  gen- 
eral quality  of  films  exhibited  is  not 
up  to  the  best  standard,  and  in  many 
cases  they  create  unfavorable  impres- 
sions of  the  U.  S.  and  its  way  of  life." 


St.  Louis  DualBill 
Issue  Unsettled 

After  six  months  of  negotiation  and  argu- 
ment the  dual  bill  issue  is  still  unsettled  in 
St.  Louis.  The  original  plan  was  to  put  it 
into  effect  on  June  1st.  Fred  Wehrenberg, 
president  of  the  MPTO  of  St.  Louis,  Eastern 
Missouri  and  Southern  Illinois,  announced  on 
May  29th  that  50  second  run  theatres  had 
signed  the  agreement  to  show  as  single  features 
all  pictures  billed  in  the  first  run  houses  as 
single  offerings.  "Now  it  is  up  to  the  first 
run  theatres,"  Mr.  Wehrenberg  said. 

Fanchon  &  Marco  and  Loew's,  which  con- 
trol all  the  first  run  theatres,  have  not  com- 
mented on  Mr.  Wehrenberg's  statement,  but 
it  now  looks  as  though  the  project  will  die  a 
lingering  death.  The  proposal  was  first  sug- 
gested by  Harry  C.  Arthur,  Jr.,  head  of  Fan- 
chon &  Marco,  at  a  meeting  of  exhibitors  and 
exchange  representatives  last  January.  Mr. 
Arthur  at  a  later  meeting  opposed  the  com- 
promise proposal  which  called  for  the  first  run 
theatres  to  inaugurate  the  single  bill  policy, 
with  the  neighborhood  houses  putting  it  into 
effect  on  films  shown  as  single  features.  The 
Loew's  management  never  has  committed  it- 
self on  the  single  feature  policy. 

In  the  case  of  a  few  pictures,  including 
"Random  Harvest"  and  "Yankee  Doodle 
Dandy,"  which  were  first  shown  as  single  bills, 
the  neighborhood  theatres  followed  suit.  With 
the  summer  season  at  hand,  it  is  not  likely  any 
further  moves  will  be  made  and  by  autumn  the 
project  probably  will  be  dropped,  in  the  opinion 
of  observers. 


Dean  New  Britain  Manager 

Frank  Dean,  owner  of  two  Vermont  theatres 
now  being  operated  by  his  wife,  has  been  ap- 
pointed manager  of  the  Roxy  theatre  in  New 
Britain,  Conn.,  by  Nicholas  Kounaris,  owner. 
The  theatre  presents  vaudeville  on  weekends  at 
advanced  prices. 


Purchase  Iowa  Property 

E.  M.  Garbett  and  R.  G.  Faulds,  owners  of 
the_  Varsity  Theatre  Corporation  of  Des 
Moines,  and  Slater  O'Hare,  own«r  of  the 
Grand  theatre  at  Wellman,  have  purchased  the 
Humota  theatre  and  the  Bowlmore  bowling  al- 
leys at  Humboldt,  la. 


New  Zealand 
Frees  Revenue, 
MPPDA  Says 

New  Zealand  has  removed  restrictions  on  the 
remittance  of  revenues  to  the  American  motion 
picture  companies.  The  action  is  expected  to 
free  approximately  $450,000  in  blocked  funds 
for  distribution  among  the  American  producers. 

Announcement  of  the  New  Zealand  Govern- 
ment's order  was  made  in  New  York  Monday 
at  the  quarterly  meeting  of  the  board  of  direc- 
tors of  the  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Dis- 
tributors of  America,  Inc.  The  company  presi- 
dents had  postponed  their  session  from  June 
9th. 

The  free  flow  of  film  funds  between  America 
and  New  Zealand  was  permitted  following 
Great  Britain's  recent  removal  of  all  restric- 
tions. It  is  expected  that  Australia  and  India 
will  take  similar  steps  soon  to  revise  their  mon- 
etary bars. 

Revenue  of  American  film  companies  in  New 
Zealand  is  estimated  at  about  $2,000,000  a  year. 
Half  of  this  amount  has  been  frozen  since  early 
in  the  war.  First  withdrawals  of  the  accumu- 
lation were  permitted  on  November  30th.  The 
$450,000  represents  subsequent  accumulations. 

The  meeting  of  the  MPPDA  directors  was 
largely  devoted  to  a  discussion  of  foreign  dis- 
tribution problems  and  the  post-war  prospects 
of  film  exports.  Both  commercial  film  exports 
and  the  activities  of  government  propaganda 
agencies,  including  the  foreign  film  divisions 
of  the  Office  of  War  Information  and  the  Co- 
ordinator of  Inter-American  Affairs  were  ex- 
amined. 

Will  H.  Hays,  president,  reported  to  the 
company  presidents  on  conversations  Thursday 
with  President  Roosevelt  on  the  post-war  role 
of  films.  Mr.  Hays  and  the  President  conferred 
for  a  half  hour.  After  the  meeting  Mr.  Hays 
said  that  American  films  had  shown  that  they 
were  well  received  in  all  countries  and  pro- 
vided a  "universal  language"  which  might  be 
used  constructively  in  the  preservation  of  peace. 

The  company  presidents  were  told,  it  was 
indicated,  that  the  President  and  Government 
officials  were  aware  of  and  interested  in  the 
contributions  of  the  American  motion  picture 
in  North  Africa  and  potentially  in  liberated 
Europe. 

Attending  the  Monday  session  were  Mr. 
Hays,  Barney  Balaban,  Paramount ;  George 
Borthwick,  MPPDA ;  Jack  Cohn,  Columbia ; 
E._  W.  Hammons ;  N.  Peter  Rathvon,  RKO ; 
Nicholas  M.  Schenck,  Loew's ;  Spyros  P.  Skou- 
ras,  Twentieth  Century-Fox,  members  of  the 
board,  and  Joseph  H.  Hazen,  Warners  ;  W.  C. 
Michel,  20th  Century-Fox ;  Harry  D.  Buckley, 
United  Artists ;  J.  Robert  Rubin,  Loew's ;  Carl 
E.  Milliken,  MPPDA  secretary. 


Arkansas  House  to  Reopen 

The  Concord  theatre  in  Springdale,  Ark., 
will  reopen  shortly,  according  to  W.  F.  Son- 
nemann,  owner.  The  theatre  suffered  damage 
of  approximately  $20,000  in  a  recent  fire.  It 
is  being  rebuilt. 


Krantz  with  Film  Classics 

Charles  Krantz,  formerly  head  of  Select  At- 
tractions, has  been  named  New  York  sales 
manager  of  Film  Classics.  The  company  will 
open  its  own  New  York  exchange,  it  was  an- 
nounced by  Irvin  Shapiro,  general  manager. 


Rubinger  Gets  Commission 

Monroe  Rubinger,  formerly  midwest  field 
representative  for  Warners,  was  graduated  as  a 
second  lieutenant  from  the  Army  Signal  Corps 
officer  school  at  Fort  Monmouth,  N.  J.,  last 
Friday. 


52 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    19,  1943 


Mexican  Attendance   Central  America 

80,000,000  Yearly 


Report  of  Chamber  Shows 
Industry  Nation's  Fifth, 
Employing  15,000 

by  LUIS  BECERRA  CELIS 

in  Mexico  City 

The  National  Cinematographic  Chamber, 
which  the  industry  recently  established  here, 
and  of  which  Jesus  A.  Grovas,  formerly 
Mexico's  leading  producer,  is  president,  has 
issued  statistics  about  the  industry,  which 
show  that  the  business  represents  an  invest- 
ment of  $45,000,000  and  is  Mexico's  fifth 
most  important  industry.  It  employs  15,000 
persons  and  exports  90  per  cent  of  its  pro- 
duction to  the  United  States  and  many  to 
Central  and  South  America. 

The  reports  point  up  the  fact  that  pic- 
tures are  by  far  Mexico's  most  popular  paid 
public  entertainment,  for  in  1941,  (last  year's 
figures  are  not  yet  available)  the  1,025  ac- 
tive theatres  in  the  country  gave  190,000 
performances  for  which  80,000,000  tickets 
were  sold  for  $8,500,000,  of  which  the  pro- 
ducers received  30  per  cent. 

1,200  Exhibitors,  39 
Distributors  Cited 

The  industry,  this  report  said,  uses  an  av- 
erage of  30,000,000  feet  of  raw  film  a  year, 
There  are  20  producers,  of  which  the  Cham- 
ber names  Clasa,  which  has  its  own  studios, 
the  largest  in  Mexico,  and  laboratories, 
Films  Mundiales,  Producciones  Santander, 
Filmex  and  Posa  Films,  S.  A.,  as  the  most 
important.  Nine  studios  are  listed.  But  the 
report  says  that  only  two  of  them,  Clasa 
and  Azteca,  both  here,  are  rendering  any 
kind  of  adequate  service.  The  studios,  the 
Chamber  estimates,  will  have  a  production 
of  at  least  60  pictures  in  1943. 

The  Chamber  reports  39  distributors  doing 
business  and  lists  about  1,200  exhibitors. 

The  report  complains  that  the  Argentine,  of 
all  the  American  countries,  is  utterly  cold  to 
Mexican  pictures,  both  in  the  way  of  very 
high  customs  levies  and  exhibition.  No  first 
class  theatre  in  all  the  Argentine  exhibits 
Mexican  films  and  they  can  only  be  screened 
there  in  second  class  houses,  the  chamber  de- 
clares. 

The  report  reveals  for  the  first  time  that 
Lupe  Velez  is  to  receive  the  plump  pay,  for 
Mexico,  of  ,$10,000  for  her  role  in  "Nana" 
from  Produccines  Santander.  Miss  Velez  is 
reported  to  have  received  $12,500  for  her  first 
film  in  Mexico,  "La  Zandunga,"  made  five  years 
ago. 

Film  Union  Supports 
Labor  Federation 

The  picture  industry  attaches  much  signifi- 
cance to  pledges  of  solidarity  in  its  program 
given  by  the  local  sections  of  the  National 
Cinematographic  Workers  Union  at  a  banquet 
they  tendered  the  leaders  of  the  Confederation 
of  Mexican  Workers,  Mexico's  strongest  labor 
organization,  of  which  the  union  is  a  member. 
V 

Tampico  is  to  be  advanced  from  a  theatre 
standpoint  with  the  organization  of  a  company, 
Espectaculos,  S.  A.,  by  Vicente  Villasana,  own- 
er and  publisher  of  the  port's  important  daily 
newspaper,  El  Mundo.    The  company  is  to  op- 


MEXICAN  WORKERS 
ASK  WAGE  RISE 

Although  employees  of  the  eight 
American  distributors  in  Mexico  City 
are  seeking  a  contract  revision  and 
wage  increase  through  the  National 
Cinematographic  Industry  Workers 
Union,  the  union  itself  sees  no  likeli- 
hood of  a  strike.  Relations  between 
companies  and  the  union  are  excel- 
lent, and  a  settlement  is  anticipated. 
The  new  contract  would  be  a  renewal 
of  the  two-year  agreement  signed  in 
October,  1941,  ending  a  strike  then. 
There  has  been  no  serious  strike 
against  all  the  American  distributors, 
except  the  1941  affair,  since  1935. 


erate  most  of  Tampico's  theatres,  which  it  has 
acquired  at  a  reported  price  of  $100,000.  These 
theatres  are  to  be  modernized. 

The  company  also  intends  to  build  three  thea- 
tres and  is  considering  the  construction  of  a 
stage  theatre  as  well.  It  will  be  the  first  legiti- 
mate house  Tampico  has  had  in  more  than  20 
years,  since  the  lush  oil  boom  ended. 

V 

Labor  contracts  for  employees  have  been 
closed  by  the  National  Cinematographic  Work- 
ers Union  with  the  owners  of  two  theatres 
soon  to  open  here,  the  Metropolitano,  first  run, 
and  the  Tepeyac,  subsequent  run,  at  Villa 
Guadalupe,  local  suburb  that  is  the  site  of  the 
shrine  of  Our  Lady  of  Guadalupe,  Mexico's 
patron  saint. 

The  union  has  also  arranged  a  10  per  cent 
pay  raise  for  attaches  of  the  Cine  Hipodromo, 
a  subsequent  run  theatre  here. 

Lupe  Velez  Switch  in  Roles 
Rouses  Speculation 

Lupe  Velez's  sudden  switch  in  roles  and 
companies  for  her  second  film  in  her*  native 
land  in  eight  years,  has  prompted  much  specu- 
lation in  picture  circles.  When  Miss  Velez 
arrived  here  recently  from  Hollywood  it  was 
announced  that  she  would  play  the  feminine 
lead  in  a  burlesque  on  "Romeo  and  Juliette" 
that  Posa  Films,  S.  A.  and  its  vice-president, 
Mario  Moreno,  Mexico's  ranking  comedian, 
just  back  from  a  South  American  tour,  is  to 
make. 

Miss  Velez  has  now  announced  that  she 
will  play  the  lead  in  the  version  of  Emile  Zola's 
"Nana"  to  be  produced  by  Alberto  Santander 
and  directed  by  Celestino  Gorostiza.  The 
actress  explained  that  she  made  the  change 
because  she  didn't  like  the  "Juliette"  role.  Ac- 
cording to  Santiago  Reachi,  president  of  Posa 
Films,  he  broke  the  contract  with  Miss  Velez 
because  she  had  violated  a  clause  of  the  pact 
that  forebade  her  to  discuss  the  picture  with 
the  press. 

V 

The  first  general  meeting  of  members  of  the 
latest  section,  No.  45,  of  the  National  Cinemat- 
ographic Workers  Union,  composed  of  scenar- 
ists and  adapters,  revealed  a  cosmopolitan 
roster.  There  were  present  17  Mexicans,  13 
Spaniards,  one  Greek  and  a  Javanese.  That 
gives  the  natives  a  majority  of  only  two  over 
the  aliens. 


Is  Tired  of  War 
Films:  Ritchey 

Central  American  distributors  and  exhibitors 
are  "unanimously  sick  and  tired  of  war  pictures, 
and  are  fed  up  with  propaganda  pictures,"  ac- 
cording to  Norton  Ritchey,  Monogram  foreign 
sales  manager,  who  returned  to  New  York 
Monday  after  three  weeks  in  Mexico,  Costa 
Rica,  Venezuela,  Panama  and  Trinidad,  where 
he  checked  on  distribution,  and  signed  a  new 
franchise  contract  in  Venezuela. 

Everyone  to  whom  Mr.  Ritchey  talked,  he 
declared,  emphasized  that  the  common  run  of 
anti-Nazi  pictures  "die  the  death  of  dogs." 
"This  is  true  of  every  place  and  of  everybody," 
he  reiterated,  adding  that  records  made  by  such 
pictures  in  North  America  had  no  bearing  and 
were  rejected  when  advanced  by  film  salesmen. 

American  exchange  men  in  Central  America 
are  "scared  to  death,"  the  Monogram  executive 
added,  by  the  improved  quality  and  popularity 
of  Mexican  films.  Twice  as  many  are  playing 
as  last  year ;  and,  while  they  always  sold  in  the 
provinces,  they  now  are  being  booked  in  "top" 
theatres,  he  remarked. 

To  Mr.  Ritchey,  however,  the  trend  is  not 
alarming.  He  pointed  out  that  such  pictures 
make  up  in  some  part  for  the  now  absent  Ger- 
man and  French  pictures.  Very  many  of  the 
latter  were  popular,  he  noted. 

Additionally,  the  new  Mexican  product  is 
bringing  more  people  to  the  theatres,  making 
them  familiar  not  only  with  pictures  as  an  en- 
tertainment medium — -but,  consequently,  with 
American  pictures.  And  the  influx  of  such  peo- 
ple is  causing  a  theatre  building  boom  which 
must  become  beneficial  to  American  films,  he 
insisted.  He  noted  four  new  theatres  now  being 
built  in  Mexico  City,  and  four  of  recent  con- 
struction in  Panama. 

The  Venezuelan  franchise  contract  is  with 
International  Films,  operated  by  Joaquin  Marti. 
Mr.  Marti  owns  the  Avila  theatre,  the  number 
one  house  in  Caracas. 


Permit  Chance  Games  in 
Ohio  in  Special  Cases 

Mayor  Charles  Gertz  of  Reading,  Ohio,  has 
granted  permission  for  the  resumption  of  Bingo 
in  the  Emery  theatre  in  that  city.  His  decision 
was  based  on  a  recent  court  ruling  in  Cin- 
cinnati permitting  change  games  where  no  ad- 
ditional admission  was  charged. 

Margaret  Elliott  Keller  of  Cincinnati  has 
appealed  to  Governor  Bricker  protesting  the 
amendment  to  the  state's  anti-gambling  bill 
recently  passed  by  the  legislature  exempting 
Bingo  operators  from  prosecution  when  the 
game  is  conducted  for  religious  or'  charitable 
purposes. 


Shartin  Resigns  Post  as 
Warner  Midwest  Manager 

William  S.  Shartin  resigned  last  Thursday 
as  midwest  district  manager  for  Warner  Bros. 
His  successor  will  be  named  at  the  company's 
Chicago  regional  sales  meeting  by  Ben  Kalmen- 
son,  Warner  general  sales  manager,  it  was  an- 
nounced. Jack  Shumow  continues  as  Chicago 
branch  manager. 

Mr.  Kalmenson  has  appointed  Charles  Beilan, 
former  Philadelphia  salesman,  as  Cleveland 
branch  manager,  succeeding  Leo  Blank. 


Buying  Company  Now  Booking 

The  Theatres  Service  Corporation,  film  buy- 
ing agency  in  Milwaukee,  has  expanded  its  ser- 
vice to  include  booking,  it  was  announced  by 
H.  H.  Perlewitz,  secretary  of  the  company. 


June    19,    194  3 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


53 


Loewenstein  Is 
Reelected  by 
Oklahoma  Unit 

Headed  by  Morris  Loewenstein,  president,  all 
officers  of  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre  Owners 
of  Oklahoma  were  reelected  at  the  annual  con- 
vention last  Thursday  in  Oklahoma  City. 
The  other  officers  are  Max  Brock,  vice-presi- 
dent, and  L.  A.  White,  secretary-treasurer. 

Approximately  300  attended  the  session,  at 
which  the  chief  speaker  was  Edward  Kuyken- 
dall,  president  of  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre 
Owners  of  America,  the  parent  organization, 
who  spoke  on  current  exhibition  problems. 

Other  speakers  were  Robert  J.  O'Donnell, 
Texas  Interstate  circuit  general  manager,  and 
head  of  the  War  Activities  Committee  copper 
salvage  drive,  who  urged  increased  effort  to 
collect  the  metal,  and  Francis  Harmon,  ex- 
ecutive vice-chairman  of  the  WAC,  who  out- 
lined the  Committee's  aid  to  the  war  effort. 

Among  the  guests  were  Pat  McGee,  Cooper 
Enterprises ;  Henry  Reeve,  president  of  the 
Texas  Theatre  Owners ;  James  Harrison,  Wil- 
by-Kincey  circuit  booker,  and  Lou  Chatam,  of 
Tulsa. 

The  convention  ended  with  a  banquet  com- 
bined with  that  of  the  Oklahoma  City  Variety 
Tent,  Number  22.  L.  C.  Griffith,  chief  barker, 
conferred  honorary  membership  upon  the  state's 
new  governor,  Robert  S.  Kerr. 

Hold  Farewell  Dinner 
For  Schlesinger 

Leonard  S.  Schlesinger,  Warner  home  office 
executive,  recently  given  a  chief  petty  officer's 
rating  in  the  Navy,  where  he  will  handle  film 
activities  for  the  Bureau  of  Yards  and  Docks, 
was  honored  by  film  associates  at  the  Picca- 
dilly Hotel,  New  York,  last  Thursday. 

Among  those  present  were  Harry  M.  Kal- 
mine,  Harry  Goldberg,  Jules  Levey,  Mort 
Blumenstock,  Ben  Kalmenson,  Jacob  Wilk, 
Arthur  Sachson,  Jules  Lapidus,  Ed  Hinchy, 
Joseph  H.  Hazen,  C.  J.  Latta,  Joseph  Feldman, 
A.  J.  Vanni,  George  Crouch  and  Martin  Jurow. 

Confirms  Curtis  Appointment 
To  Brigadier  General 

The  promotion  of  Edward  Peck  Curtis  from 
colonel  to  brigadier  general  by  President  Roose- 
velt was  confirmed  this  week  by  the  Senate. 
General  Curtis'  advancement  came  after  the 
conspicuous  role  he  played  during  the  Tunisian 
campaign. 

He  is  on  leave  of  absence  from  Eastman  Ko- 
dak Company,  where  he  holds  the  position  of 
motion  picture  film  sales  manager.  On  June 
5th,  he  was  among  the  14  officers  chosen  for 
advancement. 


Party  for  Katherine  Smith 

Warners  tendered  a  party  in  Washington 
this  week  to  Katherine  Smith,  former  drama 
and  film  critic  for  the  Washington  Times 
Herald.  She  resigned  her  post  to  marry  Lieu- 
tenant Don  Craig,  former  drama-film  critic  for 
the  Washington  News. 


Assigned  to  New  Territory 

Robert  Pryor,  west  coast  exploitation  man 
for  RKO,  has  been  transferred  in  the  same 
capacity  to  the  company's  exchange  in  Phila- 
delphia. He  succeeds  David  Cantor,  who  has 
been  assigned  to  the  west  coast. 


Move  PRC  Salesman 

Harry  Sanger,  formerly  with  the  Buffalo  of- 
fice of  Producers  Releasing  Corporation,  has 
joined  the  Philadelphia  exchange  as  salesman 
for  upstate  Pennsylvania. 


PLAN  TO  COUNTERACT 
DRIVING  BAN 

The  possibility  of  the  pleasure  driv- 
ing ban  being  extended  to  the  west 
coast  has  stirred  activity  in  the  The- 
atre Defense  Bureau  of  Los  Angeles, 
where  plans  are  being  mapped  to 
initiate  an  advertising  campaign 
bearing  the  slogan,  "Don't  Ration 
Your  Entertainment".  Circuit  and 
independent  operators  are  cooperat- 
ing in  the  program,  which  would  use 
press,  radio  and  other  media  to 
carry  messages  designed  to  main- 
tain present  attendance  in  theatres. 

Jersey  Allied  to 
Meet  June  29 

The  24th  annual  conference  of  the  Allied 
Theatre  Owners  of  New  Jersey  will  be  held 
at  the  Hollywood  Hotel  in  West  End,  N.  J., 
on  June  29,  30  and  July  1st,  together  with  the 
Eastern  Regional  Conference  of  Independent 
Exhibitors,  which  includes  members  from  east- 
ern Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  Connecticut  and 
New  Jersey. 

Harry  H.  Lowenstein,  president  of  New  Jer- 
sey Allied,  will  preside-at  the  conference,  which 
will  be  attended  by  the  following  industry  rep- 
resentatives : 

M.  A.  Rosenberg,  president ;  Abram  F. 
Myers,  general  counsel  and  chairman  of  the 
board ;  Sidney  Samuelson,  executive  commit- 
tee member ;  Meyer  Leventhal,  secretary,  all 
of  Allied  States  Association ;  Francis  S.  Har- 
mon, S.  H.  Fabian,  Arthur  L.  Mayer,  Her- 
man Gluckman,  War  Activities  Committee ; 
William  F.  Rodgers,  Henderson  M.  Richey, 
Jack  Bowen,  Ben  Abner,  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer ;  Tom  J.  Connors,  Andrew  W.  Smith, 
Jr.,  Ray  Moon,  Joseph  Lee,  20th  Century-Fox ; 
Joseph  Bernhard,  Warners;  Max  Gillis,  Re- 
public ;  Dave  Levey,  Universal ;  Walter  Green, 
National  Theatre  Supply.  Others  expected  to 
attend  are  Neil  Agnew  and  Claude  Lee,  Para- 
mount ;  William  A.  Scully,  Universal ;  Abe 
Montague,  Columbia ;  George  Dembow,  Na- 
tional Screen,  and  representatives  from  United 
Artists. 

Haas  Takes  Executive  Post 
For  Advertising  Service 

Adolph  Haas  has  joined  the  Motion  Picture 
Advertising  Service  Company  of  New  Orleans 
as  assistant  to  the  president,  and  will  be  in 
charge  of  theatre  relations  in  the  northeast, 
operating  from  the  company's  offices  in  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.  For  eight  years,  he  served  in  a 
similar  capacity  for  the  Alexander  Film  Com- 
pany. 

It  was  probable,  Mr.  Haas  indicated,  that 
he  would  operate  from  New  York  if  the  com- 
pany's plans  to  open  an  office  in  that  city 
materialized.  The  company  distributes  films  on 
the  war  effort  for  Government  agencies  and  is 
producer  of  the  "Screen  Broadcast"  pictures. 


Sweigert  on  Beauty  Board 

Earle  W.  Sweigert,  Paramount  district  man- 
ager in  Philadelphia,  together  with  Roger  W. 
Clipp  and  George  A.  MacAvoy,  were  elected 
to  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Atlantic  City 
Beauty  Pageant,  representing  the  Philadelphia 
V ariety  Club  in  the  annual  pageant  for  a  "Miss 
America."  The  pageant  will  be  held  at  the 
resort  the  week  of  September  6th. 


Allied  Protests 
Adjustments, 
Dates  Caravan 

Adjustment  of  film  rentals  retroactively  is 
insufficient  remedy  to  exhibitor  complaints  of 
high  rentals,  M.  A.  Rosenberg,  president  of 
National  Allied  States  Association,  said  this 
week  in  a  bulletin  to  members  from  his  head- 
quarters in  Pittsburgh.  He  criticised  the  rebates 
as  "mere  palliatives"  which  do  not  remedy  "un- 
sound basic  conditions"  in  selling  practices. 

At  the  same  time  Mr.  Rosenberg  revealed 
that  the  Allied  "caravan  committee"  soon  would 
renew  its  visits  to  local  exhibitor  organizations. 
It  has  been  urging  concerted  resistance  to  rent- 
als and  distribution  terms. 

"However  welcome  adjustments  in  isolated 
cases  may  be,  the  policy  will  not  answer  ex- 
hibitor complaints  against  increasing  numbers  of 
high  percentage  pictures  or  sales  policies," 
which,  Allied  said,  "take  an  ever-increasing  pro- 
portion of  the  box  office. 

"Exhibitors  find  themselves  reduced  from  in- 
dependent business  men  to  mere  commission 
agents  of  distributors,  operating  their  theatres 
on  an  ever  narrowing  and  limited  percentage 
of  the  receipts,"  Mr.  Rosenberg  said.  He  de- 
manded distributors  adjust  selling  policies  and 
stop  discrimination  between  exhibitors  in  order 
to  "save  a  good  deal  of  grief  in  days  to  come." 

The  Allied  Caravan  plans  to  open  the  first 
of  a  new  series  of  regional  meetings  at  Cleve- 
land on  June  24th.  The  last  session  was  held 
early  in  May. 

At  the  Cleveland  meeting,  Mr.  Rosenberg 
will  preside  together  with  Abram  Myers,  Sid- 
ney E.  Samuelson  and  William  Ainsworth. 
They  will  be  joined  by  George  Erdmann,  Wil- 
lis Vance,  Leo  Jones,  Leo  Kessel  and  Roy 
Wells  of  the  Ohio  caravan  committee  and  Jo- 
seph Gellman  and  Harry  Walker  of  eastern 
Pennsylvania. 

Later  regional  meetings  will  be  held  in  Dal- 
las, Colonel  H.  A.  Cole  presiding,  and  in  Los 
Angeles,  Rotus  Harvey  presiding.  Both  are 
members  of  the  national  caravan  committee. 
The  caravan  also  will  appear  at  the  annual 
conference  of  New  Jersey  Allied  in  West  End 
on  June  30th.  Allied  members  from  eastern 
Pennsylvania,  Connecticut,  Maryland  and  New 
Jersey  will  attend. 

New  problems  which  have  arisen  during  the 
past  six  months  are  the  primary  cause  for  the 
newest  Allied  activity,  the  announcement  said. 
"It  is  the  intention  of  the  committee  to  examine 
these  minutely,  and  give  them  serious  attention 
and  consideration,"  Mr.  Rosenberg  said. 

The  Independent  Theatre  Owners  of  South- 
ern California  and  Arizona  has  started  a  study 
of  the  Crescent  decision.  Members  consider  the 
conviction  proof  that  the  Consent  Decree  does 
not  protect  independent  exhibitors,  according 
to  Robert  Poole,  of  Los  Angeles,  the  ITO 
president. 

Hold  Special  "Mission" 
Screening  in  Buffalo 

A  special  advance  screening  of  "Mission  to 
Moscow"  was  held  by  Warners  in  Buffalo  last 
week  for  prominent  citizens  of  that  city,  headed 
by  Mayor  Joseph  J.  Kelly. 

Walter  Duranty,  foreign  correspondent  and 
political  writer,  later  addressed  the  group  at  a 
luncheon  at  the  Statler  Hotel. 


Aid  Paralysis  Fund 

The  board  of  canvassmen  of  the  Philadelphia 
Variety  Club  officially  approved  a  contribu- 
tion of  $4,000  to  aid  spastic  paralysis  sufferers 
through  the  Board  of  Education,  it  was  an- 
nounced by  Samuel  Gross,  chief  barker.  In  ad- 
dition, a  contribution  of  $500  for  the  same  pur- 
pose was  made  by  the  Ladies'  auxiliary. 


54 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    19,  1943 


Freeman  Launches 
'Bell'  at  Luncheon 


Studio  Head  Tells  Editors 
Picture  Is  "Non-Contro- 
versial Story  of  People" 

Y.  Frank  Freeman,  Paramount  vice-presi- 
dent in  charge  of  production,  who  arrived 
in  New  York  last  week  with  the  first  pro- 
jection print  of  "For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls," 
launched  the  publicity  campaign  for  the  pic- 
ture at  a  luncheon  for  trade  press  editors. 
Over  Southern  fried  chicken  in  the  Yacht 
Room  of  the  Hotel  Astor  Mr.  Freeman  dis- 
cussed freely  and  at  length  the  production 
history  of  the  picture,  which  represents  a 
record  investment  in  money,  time  and  effort, 
and  Hollywood  problems  in  general  ranging 
from  manpower  and  star  salaries  to  set  costs 
and  post-war  production. 

"  'For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls'  is  a  non- 
controversial  picture,"  the  studio  chief  said. 
"It  is  primarily  a  story  of  people,  and  the 
characterizations  are  such  as  to  make  the 
audience  forget  the  background  and  its  po- 
litical implications. 

Denies  Intervention 
By  Outside  Agency 

"At  no  time  during  the  preparation  or 
production  of  the  picture,  or  after  its  com- 
pletion, did  any  department  or  official  of  the 
United  States  Government  intervene  in  any 
way,"  he  emphasized  at  the  start  of  the  dis- 
cussion while  the  editors  were  finishing  their 
melon. 

Adding  that  he  did  not  know  how  the 
stories  of  Government  concern  over  the  pic- 
ture had  originated,  Mr.  Freeman  said  the 
only  instance  of  intervention  by  any  outside 
person  or  agency  was  the  submission  of 
some  minor  requests  for  deletions  or  change 
of  emphasis  from  the  Spanish  consulate. 
Some  of  these,  he  said,  had  already  been 
because  realism  on  the  screen  can  be  a  great 
deal  less  artistic  and  in  poorer  taste  than  the 
same  realism  in  a  novel.  Where  the  Con- 
sulate's suggestions  conflicted  with  the  stu- 
dio's idea  of  the  production  they  were 
ignored. 

The  screen  treatment  by  Dudley  Nichols 
translates  the  Ernest  Hemingway  novel 
faithfully  to  cinema  terms,  Mr.  Freeman 
said,  explaining  that  Mr.  Hemingway  had 
not  seen  the  finished  picture  but  had  ex- 
pressed complete  approval  of  the  script. 

The  picture,  entirely  in  Technicolor,  has 
been  nearly  three  years  in  the  making  and 
cost  $2,970,000  exclusive  of  release  prints. 

Sees  Production 
Cuts  Inevitable 

During  the  last  of  the  fried  chicken  Mr. 
Freeman  observed  that  a  reduction  in  Hol- 
lywood production  was  inevitable.  This  will 
be  more  and  more  evident  during  the  com- 
ing months  as  shortages  of  production  ma- 
terials, sharply  rising  costs  and  the  decreas- 
ing numbers  of  stars,  directors,  producers 
and  writers  become  critical,  he  predicted. 

Indicating  that  product  backlogs  accumu- 
lated this  year  would  have  to  be  drawn  on 
to  fill  out  next  year's  programs,  the  studio 


head  said  he  did  not  see  how  Paramount, 
for  one,  could  release  fewer  pictures  in  the 
1943-'44  season  than  in  this  one.  The  com- 
pany will  complete  its  present  schedule  with 
a  block  of  six,  bringing  the  total  for  the  year 
to  31, 

Paramount  now  has  19  features  on  which 
shooting  has  been  completed,  Mr.  Freeman 
reported.  Ten  of  the  19  are  in  the  high 
budget  category.  After  "For  Whom  the 
Bell  Tolls"  he  likes  "Lady  in  the  Dark" 
best  among  next  season's  pictures. 

Estimate  Studio  Costs 
Up  20  to  25% 

The  salad  course  brought  Mr.  Freeman  to 
a  discussion  of  greatly  increased  production 
costs.  A  picture  which  could  have  been 
produced  last  year  for  $1,500,000  would  cost 
from  $2,000,000  to  $2,500,000  at  present 
levels,  he  said. 

One  factor  in  this  increase,  he  pointed  out, 
is  the  $5,000  limitation  on  set  costs.  Since 
the  limitation  is  only  on  the  expenditure  for 
new  critical  materials,  the  studios  are  put  to 
the  necessity  of  spending  far  in  excess  of 
that  amount  for  substitutes.  As  an  extreme 
example  he  said  Universal  had  bought  an 
entire  building  in  San  Francisco,  wrecked 
it  and  brought  the  salvaged  lumber  and 
other  materials  to  Hollywood  for  use. 

"Bell"  Premiere  Benefit 
For  National  War  Fund 

The  entire  receipts  of  Paramount's  world 
premiere  of  "For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls"  at  the 
Rivoli  theatre  in  New  York  July  14th  will  be 
given  to  the  newly  organized  National  War 
Fund,  the  company  and  the  Fund  announced 
Tuesday.  Tickets  will  be  scaled  at  $4.40,  $3.30 
and  $2.20. 

Member  organizations  of  the  National  War 
Fund  which  will  share  in  the  receipts  include 
the  USO,  United  Seamen's  Service,  British 
War  Relief,  Russian  War  Relief,  United  China 
Relief  and  the  United  Nations  Fund. 

Prices  for  the  two-a-day  run  at  the  Rivoli 
will  scale  from  $2.20  to  $1.10.  The  theatre  has 
been  leased  by  Paramount  for  the  duration  of 
the  run  and  will  be  operated  by  that  company. 

Preliminary  advertising  plans  for  the  New 
York  run  include  the  expenditure  of  $150,000 
for  newspaper,  radio  and  billboard  campaigns 
preceding  and  following  the  July  14th  opening. 


Coe  Will  Talk  to  Coast 
Advertising  Group 

Charles  Francis  Coe,  vice-president  of  the 
Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of 
America,  will  address  the  Pacific  Advertisers 
Association  June  21st,  at  the  Fairmount  Hotel, 
San  Francisco.  The  address,  entitled  "The 
Post  War  Challenge  to  American  Business"  is 
one  of  a  series  Mr.  Coe  has  been  making  to 
civic  leaders  and  businessmen  in  key  cities. 
Mr.  Coe  has  been  stressing  the  responsibilities 
and  efforts  of  the  film  industry. 


Mrs.  Carl  Harthill  Dies 

Mrs.  Carl  Harthill,  wife  of  Carl  Harthill, 
manager  of  Monogram's  Indianapolis  exchange, 
died  the  week  of  June  12th  at  her  home  in  the 
Antlers  Hotel.  She  had  been  ill  for  several 
years.    Burial  was  in  Elkhart. 


Urges  Doubled 
Budget  to  Make 
Vocational  Films 

The  House  Appropriations  Committee  on 
Monday  recommended  the  doubling  of  the  Of- 
fice of  Education  s  $1,000,000  fund  for  the  mak- 
ing of  vocational  training  motion  pictures  dur- 
ing the  coming  fiscal  year. 

Passing  on  a  request  from  the  office  for  an 
appropriation  of  $2,462,000  to  carry  out  a  pro- 
gram for  filming  380  new  subjects  during  the 
year  beginning  July  1st,  the  committee  agreed 
that  the  project  was  worth  while  but  held  the 
cost  to  a  flat  $2,000,000. 

Testifying  before  a  sub-committee  during 
hearings  on  the  Federal  Security  Agency  sup- 
ply bill,  Dr.  C.  F.  Klinefelter,  assistant  to  the 
Commissioner  of  Education  and  in  direct  charge 
of  the  film  project,  said  that  48  pictures  so 
far  have  been  made,  explaining  the  construc- 
tion and  operation  of  various  machines  and 
tools. 

On  the  average,  Dr.  Klinefelter  said,  it  costs 
$4,000  to  $4,500  to  have  a  16mm  picture  produced 
under  contract.  Prints  are  sold  to  schools,  in- 
dustrial concerns  and  others  interested  at  a  price 
of  two  cents  per  foot,  plus  47  cents  for  reel 
and  can,  or  less  than  one-fifth  the  cost  of  so- 
called  educational  film  produced  by  private  com- 
panies and  sold  to  schools. 

The  price  for  the  prints  covered  only  the  ac- 
tual cost  of  making  them  and  a  small  margin  of 
profit  for  the  distributor  having  the  contract, 
and  the  expense  of  producing  the  negative  was 
borne  by  the  Government,  he  pointed  out. 

Dr.  Klinefelter  told  the  committee  that  the 
pictures  had  proved  very  popular  and  very  valu- 
able. So  far  26,629  prints  of  the  48  subjects 
have  been  distributed,  17,137  by  sale  to  schools, 
private  industries  and  allied  nations ;  in  addition, 
the  armed  forces  make  duplicate  negatives  from 
which  they  produced  their  own  prints  and  have 
9,492  prints  in  actual  use  at  the  present  time. 

Seeks  Approval  of 
Talent  Pay  Rises 

The  status  of  Hollywood  talent  contracts 
calling  for  automatic  pay  increases  was  dis- 
cussed by  Y.  Frank  Freeman,  president  of  the 
Association  of  Motion  Picture  Producers  and 
Paramount  vice-president,  with  Treasury  offi- 
cials in  Washington  Monday.  An  appeal  to 
the  salary  stabilization  unit  of  the  Internal 
Revenue  Bureau  for  a  formal  validation  of  such 
agreements  was  considered. 

The  inquiry  was  prompted  by  a  ruling  issued 
by  the  unit  last  week  which  approved  option 
contracts  for  radio  artists. 

Mr.  Freeman  also  conferred,  while  in  Wash- 
ington, with  Lowell  Mellett,  chief  of  the  mo- 
tion picture  bureau  of  the  OWI,  on  the  two 
shorts  his  company  is  to  make  this  year  as 
their  assignment  from  the  13  to  be  produced  by 
the  major  studios. 

North  Central  Committee 
Prepares  Trade  Protests 

Following  consultation  with  the  Department 
of  Justice  anti-trust  motion  picture  unit  the 
North  Central  Allied  Independent  Theatre 
Owners  at  Minneapolis  have  formed  a  com- 
mittee to  prepare  a  bill  of  particulars  on  their 
trade  practice  complaints  for  submission  to 
Robert  L.  Wright,  head  of  the  Government 
unit.  Don  Guttman,  president,  and  Henry 
Greene,  secretary,  said  Mr.  Wright  had  received 
them  "very  cordially." 

Committee  members  include  A.  Martin  Lebo- 
doff,  chairman,  Sol  Fisher,  Andy  Lyman  Lee 
and  Mr.  Greene  and  Mr.  Guttman.  Directors 
of  North  Central  this  week  will  appoint  a  law- 
yer to  draft  the  complaint. 


Right  when  you  need  them, 
two  mighty  PARAMOUNT 
shows  that  bring  your  screen 
a  dozen  stars  and  terrific  action 
on  two  thundering  fronts  .  .  . 


9 


CECIL 


.  DeMILLE* 


UNION  PAC1FI 


-wRiusuumajoH  iratu- 


AKIM  TAMtROFF  ROBERT  PRESTON  LYNNEOVERMAN  BRIAN  DONLEV 

PRODUCED  AND 
DIRECTED  BY 


P'OOUCED4BD  CECIL  BMILLE 


a" "p'aTa aVo'u  n't ° "p i' c 'f  ur"e 


J, 


OIRECTEO  BV 

HENRY  HATHAWAY 

 A  

PARAMOUNT  PICTURt 


rnAkipro  nrr  henry  wilcoxon  •  harry  carey  •  olympe  bradna  nnnrnT  PIIMMIMPC 

Wittl  IllHflilLO  ULL  VIRGINIA  WEIDLER- PORTER  HALL-JOSEPH  SCHILDKRAUT  and  RUDLIiI  b  II  III  III  I II  Ud 

0     -fffffj  /  I  there's  loud  applause  for  PARAMOUNT'S 

Jmj  foresight  in  providing  a  product- starved  industry  with 

^tfjUj  such  a  perfect  booking  combination  — saved  until  this 

psychological  moment  for  their  first  general  repeat 
dates.  Special  ads  —  ample  accessories.  Ask  your 
Exchange  about  availability. 


June     19.     I  943 

Million  Shares 
Of  RKO  Sold, 
SEC  Reports 

Transfer  of  more  than  1,000,000  shares  of 
Radio-Keith-Orpheum  securities  in  April  was 
disclosed  Tuesday  by  the  Securities  and  Ex- 
change Commission  from  Philadelphia  in  its 
monthly  summary.  v 

Trades  in  RKO  stocks  included  the  sale  by 
Radio  Corporation  of  America  of  its  entire  in- 
terest, consisting  of  316,328  shares  of  common, 
555,254  warrants  for  common,  and  44,757  shares 
of  preferred,  and  the  sale  of  97,829  shares  of 
common  by  Rockefeller  Center,  which  held 
400,000  shares  at  the  end  of  the  month. 

Operating  through  Lehman  Brothers,  Fred- 
erick L.  Ehrman  bought  37,303  shares  of  com- 
mon and  sold  37,253,  bought  and  sold  61,263 
warrants  for  common  and  bought  7,225  shares 
of  preferred,  selling  6,225  shares. 

Other  transactions  in  RKO  included  pur- 
chases of  100  shares  of  preferred  by  Ned  E. 
Depinet,  president  of  RKO  Radio  Pictures,  and 
200  shares  by  N.  Peter  Rathvon,  president  of 
RKO. 

The  next  largest  single  transaction  was  the 
sale  of  105,358  shares  of  Twentieth  Century- 
Fox  common  and  2,000  shares  of  preferred  by 
Chase  National  Bank,  New  York,  representing 
its  entire  interest  in  common  but  leaving  it  with 
666,116  shares  of  preferred. 

The  Chase  bank  also  sold  15,900  shares  of 
the  capital  stock  of  General  Precision  Equip- 
ment (formerly  General  Theatres  Equipment), 
leaving  it  with  76,713  shares. 

The  only  other  large  transaction  was  the  pur- 
chase of  7,000  shares  of  Loew's,  Inc.,  common 
stock  by  Nicholas  M.  Schenck,  president,  which 
increased  his  interest  to  8,017  shares. 

Other  transactions  reported  by  the  SEC  in- 
cluded the  purchase  of  63  shares  of  Loew's 
Boston  Theatres  common  stock  by  Loew's,  Inc.. 
giving  it  a  total  of  119,691  shares;  purchase  of 
100  shares  of  Paramount  Pictures  common 
stock  by  Stephen  Callaghan,  director,  and  pur- 
chase of  one  share  of  Universal  Pictures  com- 
mon by  Universal  Corporation,  giving  it  a  total 
of  231,328  shares. 

Hake  Named  Pittsburgh 
Manager  for  20th  Century-Fox 

Tom  J.  Connors,  vice-president  in  charge  of 
sales  of  20th  Century-Fox,  this  week  announced 
the  appointment  of  Clay  Hake  as  branch  man- 
ager of  the  company's  Pittsburgh  exchange. 

Andrew  W.  Smith,  eastern  sales  manager, 
accompanied  by  Mr.  Hake  and  Clarence  Hill, 
assistant  to  Mr.  Smith,  left  Monday  night  for 
Pittsburgh  to  install  Mr.  Hake  in  his  new  posi- 
tion. Ira  H.  Cohn,  who  has  been  in  charge  of 
the  Pittsburgh  exchange,  has  been  named  spe- 
cial home  office  representative,  pending  a  new 
assignment. 

Before  returning  to  America  last  year,  Mr. 
Hake  was  general  manager  for  20th-Fox  in 
Australia.  Prior  to  that  post,  he  was  assistant 
sales  manager  for  the  company,  and  before  that 
he  was  manager  for  20th-Fox  in  Japan. 


Arrest  Four  Jersey  Youths 

Following  the  roundup  of  four  youths  in 
Wilmington,  Del.  for  the  theft  of  pocketbooks 
in  theatres,  Atlantic  City  police  this  week  ar- 
rested four  youths  on  disorderly  conduct 
charges  for  annoying  cashiers  and  patrons  of 
the  city's  theatres. 


Buy  Los  Angeles  House 

The  Laemmle  brothers,  operators  of  the 
Franklin  and  Dale  theatres  of  Los  Angeles,  re- 
cently purchased  their  third  theatre  in  that  city, 
the  Park. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


IN  NEWSREELS 


MOVIETONE   NEWS— Vol.  25,   No.   81— Invasion  of 

continent  due  England's  royal  family  at  church.... 

Captain  Joe  Foss  now  a  major  DeGaulle,  Giraud 

meet  Eisenhower  decorated  Mme.  Chiang  re- 
views service  women  A  total  of  765  commissioned 

in  Navy  Lew  Lehr  newsette. 

MOVIETONE  NEWS— Vol.    25,    No.    82—  Pantelleria 

bombing. ..  .Argentina    revolt  Lend-lease    ship  to 

Greece  Wounded    return    from    Attu  Synthetic 

rubber   plant  Record   potato  planting  Mosquito 

bombers  Axis  train  strafed. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY— Vol.  25,  No.  279— Zero  hour 

for     invasion  Eisenhower     decorated;  DeGaulle, 

Giraud  meet  Aid  to  African  refugees  Canadian 

soldiers    mine    coal. ..  .Annapolis    graduates  765.... 

WAVES  parade  for  Mme.  Chiang  Billiard  champ 

in  service  show. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY — Vol  25,  No.  280— Pantelleria 
bombed  How  Navy  took  Attu  Argentine  re- 
volt Greeks  get  U.  S.  ship  Flag  day  in  New 

York  Nurses  train  for  action  Synthetic  rubber 

plant. ...  Rodeo  for  sailors. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS— No.    84— Biggest  Annapolis 

graduation. ..  .Trustees       for       France  Canadian 

soldiers   mine   coal  French   honor  Eisenhower.... 

Overseas    relief    begins  How    to    stay  young.... 

Thunderbolts  with  wings. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS— No.  85— Argentina  revolt.... 

Nurses  for  overseas  duty ...  .Hindu  pageant  Royal 

train  joins  Army....  Peru  paratroopers. ..  .Allied  air 
blitz  on  Axis  Pantelleria  bombed. 

RKO  PATHE  NEWS— Vol.  14,  No.  84— DeGaulle  in 

Algiers  Relief  for  African  refugees. ...  Paraguayan 

president   visits   White  House  Biggest  Annapolis 

class    graduated. ..  .Mme.    Chiang    reviews  service 

women. ..  .Blast  for  pipeline  Canadian  soldiers  mine 

coal. 

RKO  PATHE  NEWS— Vol.  14,  No.  85— Argentine  re- 
volt....  Pantelleria       bombed  Synthetic  rubber 

plant  Hindu  pageant  Maine  plants  record  po- 
tato crop  U.  S.  ship  to  Greece  RCAF  strafes 

Axis  train. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWSREEL— Vol.  16,  No.  197— North 
African  News. ..  .Annapolis  class  graduated  Cana- 
dian   soldiers    mine    coal. ..  .Soldiers    convalesce  in 

Maryland   hospital  Bicycle   stunt  rider  Texans' 

Bonds  buy  ships  Paraguay's  President  in  U.  S. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWSREEL— Vol.  16.  No.  198— Pan- 
telleria    taken  Argentine     revolt  Strafe  Axis 

trains  U.  S.  ship  to  Greece  Flag  Day  in  New 

York.  ...  Synthetic  rubber  plant. ..  .Rodeo  for  service 
men. ..  .Nurses  set  for  combat. 

ALL  AMERICAN   NEWS— Vol.  2,  No.  34— Children 

buy    quarter-million    in    Bonds  Attorney  General 

Biddle  delivers  message  to  Negroes. ..  .Virginia  Union 

University  commencement  WAACS  tackle  tough 

jobs....U.  S.  prepares  for  gas  warfare. 


Olshan  Honored  in  Boston 
By  Salesmen's  Club 

Harry  Olshan,  recently  appointed  salesman 
for  Columbia  Pictures  in  New  Haven,  was 
tendered  a  farewell  luncheon  by  the  Motion 
Picture  Salesmen's  Club  of  New  England  on 
June  12th  in  Boston.  He  had  been  a  salesmen 
in  the  Boston  territory  for  the  past  seven  years. 

Among  those  present  were  Harry  Rogovin, 
Columbia  branch  manager  in  Boston ;  Tim 
O  'Toole,  New  Haven  branch  manager ;  also, 
Joseph  Levenson,  Harry  Goldman,  Al  Wheeler, 
Harry  Segal,  Morris  Posner,  Francis  Dervin, 
Al  Fecke  and  Meyer  Fox. 


"Guadalajara"  Has  World 
Premiere  in  New  York 

The  world  premiere  of  the  Mexican  film, 
"Guadalajara,"  was  held  at  the  World  theatre 
in  New  York  on  Friday,  June  11th.  Cantin- 
flas,  comedy  star  of  Mexico,  appears  in  a 
sketch,  "The  Plumber,"  and  also  featured  in 
the  film  are  Pedro  Aremdariz,  Chaflan,  Esper- 
anza  Baur  and  Jorge  Velez. 

The  picture  is  a  remake  of  "Jalisco  Nunca 
Pierde,"  with  original  music  by  Lorenzo  Bar- 
celata.  Dialogue  and  songs  are  in  Spanish  with 
subtitles  in  English. 


Abramson  in  New  Post 

Joseph  Abramson  has  resigned  as  head 
booker  for  the  Schoenstadt  circuit  in  Chicago 
to  join  the  staff  of  Allied  Theatres  of  Illinois. 


Partners  Hit 
Crescent  Order, 
Predict  Appeal 

Although  the  Crescent  Amusement  Company 
and  its  co-defendant  affiliates  have  made  no 
definite  announcement  of  their  intention  to  ap- 
peal their  conviction  for  monopolistic  buying 
practices,  current  activities  of  their  counsel  were 
seen  in  Nashville  as  preparing  the  way  for 
carrying  the  case  to  a  higher  court. 

Such  a  move  must  be  made  within  three 
months  following  the  entry  of  the  decree  on 
May  18th. 

These  preliminaries  have  been  the  filing  of  a 
motion  to  amend  the  findings  of  fact  and  con- 
clusions of  law,  entered  by  trial  Judge  Elmer  D. 
Davies  on  March  4th,  and  three  petitions  on  the 
part  of  stockholders  in  defendant  corporations 
seeking  to  intervene. 

Stockholders  requested  hearings  and  possible 
appointment  of  masters  to  determine  the  effect 
of  the  decree  compelling  Tony  Sudekum  and 
associates  to  sell  their  financial  interests  and 
completely  divest  themselves  of  all  connections 
with  these  corporations. 

One  petition  to  intervene  filed  by  Lyric 
Amusement  Company  was  signed  by  Mrs.  Mar- 
tha Crute  Fleming  and  Charles  A.  Crute,  Madi- 
son County,  Ala.,  owners  of  a  50  per  cent  in- 
terest in  that  circuit.  It  claims  that  Mr.  Sude- 
kum, partner  and  owner  of  the  other  50  per 
cent  of  the  stock,  has  been  entirely  responsible 
for  operation  of  the  Lyric  since  the  death  of 
C.  A.  Crute  and  that  remaining  owners  will 
"suffer  hardships  and  difficulties"  if  this  link 
is  dissolved.  Modification  of  the  decree  to  per- 
mit continued  supervision  by  Mr.  Sudekum  is 
asked. 

A  petition  filed  by  J.  M.  Hobbs,  owning  half 
interest  in  Kentucky  Amusement  Company, 
operating  a  theatre  at  Elizabethton,  Ky.,  which 
Mr.  Hobbs  himself  manages,  pleaded  that  he 
would  suffer  heavy  financial  loss  if  Rockwood 
Amusement  Company,  owners  of  the  rest  of 
the  stock,  is  compelled  to  dispose  of  its  in- 
terests. 

This  theatre  is  in  the  Fort  Knox  area.  Patron- 
age has  been  heavy  since  the  construction  of  a 
new  theatre  at  a  cost  of  $100,000.  Mr.  Hobbs 
told  the  court  that  he  is  not  a  party  to  the 
suit,  still  owes  $23,000  on  the  new  building 
and  feels  unable  to  carry  this  obligation  if  a 
change  of  ownership  is  required.  Elizabethton 
was  not  one  of  the  "competitive  situations"  fig- 
uring so  importantly  in  the  suit. 

The  third  petition  is  signed  by  Mrs.  Katie 
L.  Rhulander,  Lawrenceburg,  Tenn.,  half  owner 
in  Lawrenceburg  Theatre,  Inc.,  which  operates 
a  single  theatre.  Rockwood  is  the  partner  and 
supervises  operation  of  this  theatre.  Mrs.  Rhu- 
lander is  70  years  of  age  and  unable  to  assume 
responsibility  for  running  the  theatre,  the  pe- 
tition said. 

These  petitions  were  referred  to  Robert  L. 
Wright,  Department  of  Justice  attorney,  for  an 
answer.  The  20  days  allotted  rebuttal  on  the 
Lyric  petition  passed  without  reply.  Judge 
Davies  has  not  acted  on  the  petition  to  amend 
the  findings  of  fact. 

Other  stockholders  in  the  defendant  corpora- 
tion are  expected  to  file  petitions  to  intervene 
similar  to  the  three  already  received. 


Captain  Retchin  Prisoner 

Captain  Norman  Retchin,  former  Chicago 
theatre  operator,  has  been  reported  taken  pris- 
oner by  the  Germans.  He  commanded  a  Fly- 
ing Fortress  crew  in  recent  raids  over  the  Ruhr 
valley. 


Leaves  for  Army 

Salvatore   Gionatti,   associated  with  Rosen 

Film  Deliveries  in  New  Haven  for  the  past 

10  years,  has  joined  the  Army.  Samuel  Gal- 
legher  has  replaced  him. 


58'» 


J&U    I  9  M  <DW4  ©  N    PICTURE   H  B\R  <&,  t  DO  N    PIC1UR6   H  0  Ri  A  &  D I  9  ,  1943 


Industry  War  Stamp 
Coal  $130,000,000 


Drive  in  July,  Under  WAC, 
Has  Aid  of  Retailers;  All 
Theatres  Join 

The  motion  picture  industry,  through  the 
16,000-odd  theatres  of  the  nation,  has  turned 
to  the  publicizing  of  War  Stamps,  which,  in 
the  intense  selling  of  War  Bonds,  may  have 
been  neglected  by  the  theatre-going  public. 

The  industry,  through  the  War  Activi- 
ties Committee,  shortly  will  hold  a  July 
drive  for  the  sale  of  Stamps,  aiming  at  the 
sale  of  $130,000,000  worth,  to  pay  for  an 
aircraft  carrier  to  be  named  the  "Shangri- 
La."  It  is  hoped  that  at  least  one  dollar's 
worth  of  the  issue  will  be  sold  to  every  per- 
son in  the  country. 

Cooperating  in  the  drive  are  the  retailers 
of  the  country  and  newspaper  carriers. 

All  WAC  divisions  have  mobilized  for 
the  effort.  The  newsreel  division,  in  con- 
junction with  the  War  Department's  Pic- 
torial Section,  will  photograph  General 
James  Doolittle  in  Africa,  buying  the  first 
dollar's  worth.  This  scene  will  serve  as  an 
"unofficial"  trailer. 

Public  Relations  Unit 
Outlines  Campaign 

The  WAC's  public  relations  division  is  be- 
ginning a  publicity  "barrage,"  and  its  agents 
are  meeting  with  those  of  the  theatres  and  dis- 
tributor divisions,  to  make  specific  plans  for 
certain  territories. 

The  trade  press  division  is  preparing  adver- 
tisements to  run  in  all  industry  periodicals,  out- 
lining the  work  to  be  done. 

Through  the  Hollywood  division,  stars  will 
be  enlisted  to  pose  for  stills  for  newspapers, 
magazines,  and  to  appear  in  newsreels.  There 
may  be  a  radio  program  which  will  emanate 
from  "Shangri-La." 

The  Treasury  Department's  own  radio  time 
will  promote  the  campaign  and  tell  listeners 
to  go  "to  their  favorite  theatres  and  buy  a 
dollar's  worth  of  stamps."  The  War  Savings 
Staff  has  prepared  a  press  book  which  will 
arrive  at  theatres  shortly.  This  will  be  im- 
plemented by  a  special  "flyer"  in  preparation  by 
the  WAC,  to  be  shipped  before  July  1st. 

WAC  Will  Distribute 
Two  New  Subjects 

Two  new  Victory  Shorts  will  be  released 
by  the  War  Activities  Committee  June  24th 
and  July  8th.  They  are  "War  Town,"  from 
the  Office  of  War  Information,  showing  how 
crowded  Mobile,  Ala.,  solved  its  housing  and 
health  problems  with  Government  aid,  and  "Lift 
Your  Heads,"  from  the  British  Ministry  of 
Information,  and  edited  by  the  OWL  This 
depicts  the  special  English  Army  company 
made  up  of  German  refugees. 

_  Fall  River,  Mass.,  led  all  New  England 
cities  in  the  sale  of  War  Stamps  and  Bonds 
during  the  recent  visit  of  the  two-man  Japanese 
submarine,  it  was  reported.  The  Fall  River  total 
was  $683,919  sold  during  a  period  of  five  hours. 

Fall  River  theatres,  with  William  S.  Can- 
ning, Empire  manager  and  WAC  director  as 
chairman,  will  sponsor,  starting  July  1st  a 
Greater  Fall  River  brass  and  copper  drive  with 
the  proceeds  to  be  turned  over  to  a  local  chari- 
table organization. 

Churches  of  all  denominations  and  local  mer- 
chants will  cooperate  in  the  drive.    Mr.  Can- 


ning plans  to  have  receptacles  placed  at  en- 
trances to  churches  and  stores  in  which  the 
general  public  will  place  copper  and  brass  dona- 
tions. Donors  of  three  pounds  or  more  of  the 
metals  will  receive  a  free  ticket  to  any  of  the 
motion  picture  houses  of  the  community. 

The  Fanchon  &  Marco  theatres  in  St.  Louis 
are  joining  with  the  St.  Louis  Star-Times  in 
a  campaign  to  sell  enough  Series  E  War  Bonds 
to  purchase  a  $175,933  B-25  medium  bomber, 
to  be  named  "The  War  Spirit  of  St.  Louis." 
The  drive  will  continue  through  July  3rd.  On 
the  opening  day,  June  3rd,  sales  totaled  $9,563. 
The  Fanchon  &  Marco  theatres  in  the  drive  in- 
clude the  second  run  houses  operated  by  the  St. 
Louis  Amusement  Company. 

Loew's  theatres  have  devised  a  way  to  give 
a  news  flavor  to  War  Bond  booths  by  dis- 
playing a  special  card  poster  which  thanks  the 
patrons  for  their  Bond  purchases  and  empha- 
sizes the  fact  that  this  theatre  has  sold  $ —  

in  War  Bonds  and  Stamps  since  becoming  an 
issuing  agent,  September  1st,  1942.  The  man- 
ager fills  in  the  blank  with  the  amount  of  his 
sales  each  week.  The  card  also  notes  the  total 
Bond  and  Stamp  sales  of  the  entire  Loew 
circuit. 

The  industry's  manifold  aids  to  the  war  effort 
were  outlined  last  Thursday  to  150  exhibitors, 
at  a  War  Activities  Committee  luncheon  in  the 
Hotel  Muehlbach,  Kansas  City,  by  Francis 
Harmon,  executive  vice-chairman  of  the  WAC. 
Elmer  C.  Rhoden,  local  WAC  chairman,  pre- 
sided. 


War  Conference  Set 
For  Amusement  Industry 

Sixty  invitations  were  sent  this  week  to  vari- 
ous groups  of  the  entertainment  industry  to  send 
representatives  to  the  first  meeting  of  the  con- 
ference board  of  the  National  Conference  of  the 
Entertainment  Industry  for  War  Activities,  on 
July  14-15. 

Already  named  to  the  conference  board  is 
Walt  Dennis,  chief  of  the  news  bureau  of  the 
NAB,  who  was  designated  to  serve  by  Neville 
Miller,  president  of  the  National  Association  of 
Broadcasters. 

The  only  other  development  at  the  meeting  of 
the  organization's  continuations  committee  last 
Friday  was  the  naming  of  Leonard  Callahan  to 
the  committee  as  representative  of  the  music  and 
transcription  groups. 


Trotta  Heads  Ampa  Slate; 
Members  Vote  June  24th 

The  nominating  committee  of  the  Associat- 
ed Motion  Picture  Advertisers  in  New  York 
has  chosen  the  following  slate  to  be  voted  on  at 
the  election  meeting  on  June  24th :  Vincent 
Trotta,  president;  James  Zabin,  vice-president; 
Hap  Hadley,  treasurer;  Blanche  Livingston, 
secretary;  William  Ferguson,  Hal  Home,  Rut- 
gers Neilson,  David  O'Malley,  Paul  Benjamin, 
board  of  directors ;  Edward  McNamee,  trus- 
tee. 

The  meeting  will  be  held  at  the  Hotel  Edi- 
son. Leon  Bamberger  is  chairman  of  the  nomi- 
nating committee. 


Plays  Set  in  Cincinnati 

The  Theatre  Guild  has  announced  three 
definite  subscription  plays  to  be  presented  in 
Cincinnati  next  season,  opening  with  Paul 
Robeson  in  "Othello."  The  others  are  Eva  La 
Gallienne  and  Joseph  Schildkraut  in  "Uncle 
Harry,"  and  the  Sidney  Kingsley  prize  play, 
"The  Patriots,"  with  the  New  York  cast. 


Successor  to 
Correa  to  Press 
Racket  Case 

Assurance  that  the  Federal  Grand  Jury  in- 
vestigation into  racketeering  in  the  motion  pic- 
ture industry  would  continue,  was  given  last 
week  by  Howard  F.  Corcoran,  who  succeeded 
Matthias  F.  Correa  as  United  States  attorney 
for  the  Southern  District  of  New  York,  and 
shortly  will  be  superseded  by  Professor  James 
B.  M.  McNally,  professor  of  law  at  St.  Johns 
University,  Brooklyn.  The  latter  was  nominated 
Monday  by  President  Roosevelt.  The  Senate 
must  confirm  Mr.  McNally's  appointment. 

The  Grand  Jury  investigation's  current  result 
is  the  trial,  scheduled  for  September  8th,  in  New 
York  Federal  Court,  of  six  Chicago  gangsters, 
alleged  to  be  co-conspirators  with  George 
Browne  and  Willie  Bioff  in  the  extortion  of 
money  from  the  International  Alliance  of  The- 
atrical Stage  Employees,  and  from  the  major 
distributors  and  circuits  of  the  motion  picture 
industry,  using  the  union's  ability  to  cripple  op- 
erations as  a  threat. 

Browne,  former  union  president,  and  Bioff,  a 
former  special  West  Coast  representative,  are 
in  the  Federal  House  of  Detention,  New  York, 
it  is  understood.  Mr.  Correa  had  been  handling 
their  cases,  and  that  of  the  six  indicted  men. 
He  resigned  last  week  to  accept  an  Army  com- 
mission, as  lieutenant  in  anti-aircraft. 

Professor  McNally's  nomination  was  recom- 
mended by  Attorney  General  Francis  Biddle, 
and  endorsed  by  U.  S.  Senators  James  Mead 
and  Robert  Wagner,  of  New  York. 

On  Wednesday,  the  Department  of  Justice 
appointed  Boris  Kostelanetz  assistant  U.  S.  at- 
torney in  the  district,  as  a  special  assistant  to 
the  Attorney  General  to  conduct  the  film  in- 
vestigation prosecutions. 


Zanuck  Put  on 
Inactive  List 

Colonel  Darryl  F.  Zanuck  has  been  placed  on 
the  inactive  list,  War  Department  orders  dis- 
closed last  week.  The  order  is  effective  as  of 
May  31st.  Colonel  Zanuck,  however,  is  subject 
to  recall. 

It  was  explained  by  an  Army  spokesman  that 
the  Colonel's  designation  to  the  inactive  list 
was  ordered  by  the  Secretary  of  War  because 
of  the  completion  of  the  tasks  assigned  him.  He 
carried  out  missions  in  Alaska,  England  and 
North  Africa  for  the  Signal  Corps,  and  was 
credited  with  the  production  of  "At  the  Front  in 
North  Africa,"  a  panoramic  film  record  of 
American  operations  there. 

It  is  expected  that  Colonel  Zanuck  will  re- 
turn to  Hollywood  to  resume  his  association 
with  Twentieth  Century-Fox,  where  he  was 
studio  production  head.  William  Goetz,  who 
succeeded  him,  meanwhile,  remains  at  the  20th- 
Fox  studios  where  production  commitments  will 
keep  him  busy  possibly  until  October.  Holly- 
wood reports  Tuesday,  however,  said  that  Mr. 
Goetz's  assignments  being  very  near  comple- 
tion, he  might  withdraw  within  six  weeks,  and 
that  Mr.  Zanuck's  active  return  might,  there- 
fore, be  hastened.  Mr.  Goetz  recently  resigned 
as  production  head.  Last  month  Joseph  M. 
Schenck  was  appointed  executive  director  of 
production. 


Reelfellows  Honor  Gilliam 

The  Reelfellows  Club  of  Chicago  honored 
Tom  Gilliam  at  a  meeting  of  the  club  last  Sun- 
day in  that  city,  presenting  him  with  a  plaque 
and  electing  him  an  honorary  member.  Mr. 
Gilliam  was  recently  appointed  Chicago  branch 
manager  for  Twentieth  Century-Fox. 


Junel9,l943  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  59 

in  BRITISH  STUDIOS 


By  AUBREY    FLANAGAN,   m  London 


With  the  burgeoning  of  spring  in  Brit- 
ain this  year,  there  has  burgeoned,  too,  a 
certain  new  growth  within  the  production 
industry.  Some  of  it  is  healthy  looking, 
and  some  of  it  has  all  the  preliminary 
appearance  of  turning  to  dead  wood. 
Likely  it  is,  however,  that  unless  the  war 
situation  worsens — which  nobody  in  this 
country  nowadays  expects  it  to — or  other 
catastrophic  or  calamitous  interventions 
occur,  production  may  very  well  be  in  for 
an  even  bigger  boom  in  the  not  far  distant 
future. 

Sir  Alexander  Korda,  having  returned  to 
these  war-girt  shores,  the  trumpets  have 
sounded  and  the  rattle  of  side  drums  has 
proclaimed  with  all  the  magnificence  and 
publicity  emblazonment  associated  with  that 
titled  impresario,  production  plans  with 
which  the  name  of  Metro  have  been  asso- 
ciated, and  which  are  nothing  short  of  spec- 
tacular. If  they  are  materialized — and  on 
the  when  and  the  where  Sir  Alexander  has 
been  less  than  specific — something  akin  to 
the  production  millennium  will  be  here. 

It  is  in  the  Korda  tradition  that  he  should 
talk  of  a  British  Culver  City,  of  Metro  stars, 
players,  technicians  and  others  coming  over 
here  to  people  that  city,  that  he  should  con- 
ceive of  "War  and  Peace"  as  a  production 
in  terms  of  Orson  Welles,  who  is  promised 
as  co-producer,  director  and  actor  in  the 
film,  that  locations  should  be  contemplated 
not  in  Denham  but  in  Smolensk,  that  the 
Hardy  Family  en  masse  should  be  a  poten- 
tial forthcoming  importation  to  Britain,  and 
that  if  studio  space  is  not  available  it  is 
Korda's  declaration  that  he  will  build. 

See  20th-Fox  and  UA  as 
Producing  Factors 

"Metro  and  I  have  sort  of  merged"  is  Korda's 
own  epitome  of  the  situation.  On  when  this 
merger  would  produce  its  first  production  fruit, 
where  the  films  would  be  made,  or  even  when, 
he  preferred  to  remain  silent,  not  even  com- 
mitting himself  to  whether  it  will  be  during  the 
war  or  afterwards. 

Meanwhile  the  impending  visits  to  this  coun- 
try of  Spyros  Skouras  and  Arthur  Kelly,  of 
20th  Century-Fox  and  United  Artists,  respec- 
tively, are  not,  it  would  seem  certain,  disso- 
ciated entirely  from  the  subject  of  production 
of  films  in  Britain.  Both  those  organizations, 
if  they  are  to  meet  their  Quota  commitments, 
are  and  will  be  in  need  of  product,  and  it  is 
no  secret  that  neither  organization  has  any 
particular  inclination  to  product  that  is  not  of 
world  market  quality. 

Will  Be  Associated  with 
First  Class  Product 

Since  without  contracts  being  factually  cut 
and  dried,  it  would  be  impolitic  to  indulge  in 
specifics,  precise  prognosis  is  impracticable.  It 
can  be  forecast,  however,  that  in  all  likelihood 
these  two  companies  will  be  associated  with 
first  class  British  production  if  present  plans 
should  mature. 

Speculators  will  look  around  in  an  endeavor 
to  pinpoint  the  exact  form  such  production  will 
take,  the  organization  likely  to  be  associated 
in  any  deal.  The  number  of  British  companies 
unattached  to  any  particular  distribution  ban- 
ner are  limited.  Ealing's  are  earmarked  for 
their  own  distribution.  British  National's  prod- 
uct is  a  monopoly  of  Anglo-American.  Powell 


BRITISH  MAGAZINE 
HONORS  LADD 

The  British  motion  picture  maga- 
zine, Picturegoer,  awarded  its  1942 
Gold  Medal  to  Alan  Ladd  for  the 
best  performance  of  the  year.  The 
honor  was  given  the  Paramount  actor 
for  the  portrayal  of  his  role  in  "This 
Gun  For  Hire."  He  is  the  first  Amer- 
ican actor  to  take  top  honor  in  four 
years.  The  winner  is  designated  after 
a  poll  of  the  magazine's  readers  in 
England,  Scotland,  Wales,  Eire  and 
the  Irish  Free  State.  Mr.  Ladd  is  now 
a  corporal  in  the  U.  S.  Army. 


and  Hellman  are  tied  to  the  General  Film- 
Rank  interests. 

Two  Cities,  whose  production  quality  is  no- 
tably considerable,  are  free  lance.  Filippo  Del 
Giudice  has  a  reciprocity  scheme  which  is  known 
to  have  been  looked  on  with  favor  by  certain 
U.  S.  interests.  He  has  a  considerable  and 
finalized  program  of  films  on  his  production 
tapis.  If  speculation  turns  the  name  of  Two 
Cities  over  on  its  tongue  it  would  not  be  un- 
pardonable. 

Associated  British  -  Pathe 
Development  Likely 

Meanwhile  there  is,  too,  the  not  impossible 
chance  that  there  may  be  production  develop- 
ments under  the  Associated  British-Pathe  ban- 
ner. Pathe's  product  has  been  notoriously  mod- 
est of  recent  years,  and  a  circuit  of  the  eminence 
and  power  of  Associated  British,  rapidly  ex- 
panding and  strengthening  itself  under  Max 
Milder's  forceful  leadership,  need  not  always  be 
content  with  small  fry. 

A  round  dozen  or  so  first  grade  features,  not 
necessarily  made  by  the  organization,  but  spon- 
sored by  them  and  manufactured  by  independ- 
ent producers,  either  at  Teddington  or  Wel- 
wyn,  both  studios  under  the  A.  Bi  F.  C. -War- 
ners wing,  would  help  greatly  to  supply  prod- 
uct to  the  theatre  group  and  to  build  sub- 
stance into  Pathe.  Movements  behind  the  scenes 
at  Golden  Square  and  Wardour  Street  make 
such  a  possibility  plausible. 

Two  Films  Being  Made 
On  Distant  Locations 

As  already  foreshadowed  on  this  page  at  least 
one  imposing  British  production  will  be  made 
partly  outside  this  country.  Two  Cities'  "Henry 
V,"  Dallas  Bower's  screen  adaptation  of  the 
Shakespeare  play,  which  Laurence  Olivier  is 
co-producing  with  Bower,  which  he  is  directing, 
and  in  which  he  will  play  the  title  role,  is  to 
be  transported  to  Powerscourt,  Co.  Wicklow, 
Eire,  where  the  battle  scenes,  which  will  be  a 
spectacular  and  paramount  feature  in  the  film, 
will  be  shot. 

"Henry  V"  is  one  of  Shakespeare's  most 
patriotism-stirring  plays,  and  the  Dallas  Bower- 
Laurence  Olivier  production  will  duly  exploit 
that  angle.  Although  the  text  of  Shakespeare 
will  be  followed  integrally,  there  will  be  cuts 
in  the  play  as  written,  just  as  there  are  almost 
always  cuts  in  Shakespeare  plays  when  pro- 
duced on  the  stage.  Irrelevant  scenes,  some 
of  the  comedy  which  whilst  comedy  for  Eliza- 
bethan audiences,  would  be  likely  to  date  in  the 


world  today,  will  go.  There  should  be  no  lack, 
either  of  horses  or  of  men  in  Co.  Wicklow.  The 
film  is  being  shot  in  Technicolor. 

Meanwhile  at  Lower  Slaughter,  sequestered 
and  water-framed  Cotswold  Village  in  one  of 
the  most  beauteous  corners  of  Britain,  pro- 
ducer-director-author-actor Bernard  Miles  will 
be  making  "Tawny  Pipit,"  his  contemporary 
whimsy  of  the  English  spirit  in  the  face  of  war, 
a  tasteful  tapestry  of  bucolic  Britain  in  1943. 
Miles  practically,  will  take  over  the  village,  a 
picturesque  haven  of  stone  built  cottages,  and 
sleepy  streams,  and  shoot  most  of  his  film  there, 
if  the  English  weather  proves  as  propitious  as 
the  more  reliable  studio  arcs. 

Air  Sea  Rescue  Service 
Theme  of  Picture 

The  al  fresco  inclination  is  strong  in  British 
producers  these  days,  it  would  seem,  for,  with 
no  considerations  of  pleasant  weather  of  course 
impelling  him,  director  Val  Guest  has  taken 
his  unit  down  to  Torquay  for  location  and  ex- 
terior work  on  the  Arthur  Askey  comedy,  "Bees 
in  Paradise." 

Air  Sea  Rescue,  although  its  record  of  brav- 
ery in  this  war  is  unsurpassed  by  any  other 
branch  of  the  forces,  has  hitherto  remained  the 
"Cinderella"  of  the  services  so  far  as  films  are 
concerned. 

Now  Michael  Balcon  plans  a  tribute  to  its 
gallant  personnel  by  filming  a  story  of  their  ex- 
ploits. This  film,  which  is  expected  to  go  into 
production  some  time  next  month,  will  be  known 
as  "Those  in  Peril"  and  is  based  on  a  screen 
treatment  by  Richard  Hilary,  the  young  air- 
man-author of  "The  Last  Enemy"  who  was 
killed  on  active  service  early  this  year.  The 
script  has  been  written  jointly  by  Harry  Watt, 
Charles  Crichton  and  Major  J.  O.  C.  Orton. 
Direction  has  been  assigned  to  Charles  Crich- 
ton, whose  first  solo  undertaking  this  will  be. 

Children's  Place  in  Post-War 
World  Film  Subject 

After  the  success  of  "The  Gentle  Sex,"  the 
first  feature  picture  about  women  in  uniform, 
Concanen  producer  Derrick  de  Marney  is  go- 
ing ahead  with  his  second  feature  production 
with  the  working  title  of  "Battle  of  the  Fu- 
ture." 

The  theme  will  be  children  and  their  place 
in  post-war  Britain.  As  in  "The  Gentle  Sex" 
the  backgrounds  will  be  factual.  The  story  is 
being  written  by  Doris  Langley  Moore. 

Edward  Black  has  been  appointed  a  director 
of  Gainsborough  Pictures.  The  appointment 
is  a  tribute  to  Mr.  Black's  long  association 
with  Gainsborough,  which  began  as  studio 
manager  at  Islington  and  now  sees  him  as  one 
of  Britain's  most  prolific  film  producers. 

Hot  on  the  release  of  "Get  Cracking,"  his 
latest  film,  George  Formby  starts  on  a  new 
Columbia  production,  "Bell  Bottom  George." 
Marcel  Varnel  is  directing  at  the  Gainsborough 
Studios,  Islington. 

UA  Distributing  New 
Canadian  Subject 

The  Canadian  film,  "The  War  for  the  Men's 
Minds,"  produced  by  the  National  Film  Board 
of  Canada,  now  is  being  distributed  in  Canada 
as  one  of  the  "Canada  Carries  On"  two-reel 
subjects.  It  was  formerly  known  as  "Not  the 
Gates  of  Hell." 

United  Artists,  it  was  said,  probably  would 
distribute  the  film  in  the  United  States,  Aus- 
tralia, New  Zealand,  England,  South  America 
and  South  Africa  as  part  of  the  "World  in 
Action"  series. 


60 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June     19,  1943 


American  Sees  the  London 
Scene  and  Wardour  Street 


By  MARTIN  QUIGLEY,  JR. 

in  London 

Stories  of  the  excellent  business  being  en- 
joyed by  the  motion  picture  industry  here  and 
the  amazing  way  in  which  individuals  in  ex- 
hibition, distribution  and  production  have  car- 
ried on  much  as  in  peacetime,  despite  the  handi- 
caps of  a  wartime  economy,  and  enemy  action 
over  nearly  four  years,  have  been  printed  dur- 
ing this  period  in  despatches  from  London  to 
Motion  Picture  Herald. 

But  it  is  hard  for  an  American  to  under- 
stand the  full  reality  of  those  stories  without 
a  first  hand  visit.  While  naturally  the  spirit 
of  the  motion  picture  industry  in  Britain  is 
but  one  manifestation  of  the  general  spirit  of 
the  people,  it  really  must  be  seen  to  be  appre- 
ciated adequately. 

London  in  the  Spring  of  1943  looks  very 
well  considering  the  fury  of  the  "blitz."  So 
far  as  possible  the  debris  left  by  the  bombing 
has  been  cleared  away ;  the  streets  are  as  clean 
and  the  homes  as  neat  as  ever.  But  one  does 
not  usually  have  to  look  farther  than  around 
a  corner  to  see  evidence  of  the  utterly  indis- 
criminate and  random  bombing. 

Exhibitor  Has  Felt  Weight 
Of  Enemy's  Blows 

The  motion  picture  industry  in  all  its 
branches  naturally  was  affected  directly  and 
indirectly  by  the  enemy's  action  in  the  Battle 
of  Britain  and  still  suffers,  but  in  a  much  less 
degree,  from  the  "nuisance"  enemy  air  raid. 
As  for  example  there  have  been  12  night  air 
raid  alerts  this  week. 

The  exhibitor  in  London  and  throughout  the 
cities  and  towns  of  the  United  Kingdom  has 
felt  all  the  weight  of  the  enemy's  blows,  from 
total  annihilation  of  his  theatre  to  slight  scars 
caused  by  bomb  fragments,  and  the  serious 
inconvenience  to  potential  patrons  resulting 
from  the  blackout,  curtailed  transportation 
facilities,  and  other  more  or  less  indirect  ef- 
fects. 

One  London  first  run  theatre  which  twice  has 
suffered  blows  from  enemy  action  is  the 
Leicester  Square  theatre.  It  may  serve  as  an 
illustration  though,  of  course,  some  other 
theatres  have  been  much  more  seriously  dam- 
aged and  others  have  escaped  without  any 
physical  destruction.  Rather  early  in  the 
"blitz"  period  a  bomb  landed  close  to  Leicester 
Square  and  considerable  damage  was  done, 
though  the  auditorium  itself  was  not  hit.  E.  S. 
Luke,  manager,  was  able  to  obtain  supplies 
and  patch  up  the  spots  required.  The  repairs 
are  so  good  that  today  none  of  the  patrons 
would  realize  where  the  destruction  was. 

Worried  About  Loss  of 
400  Balcony  Seats 

On  the  second  occasion,  two  bombs  struck 
the  Leicester  Square  theatre,  naturally  doing 
considerable  damage.  The  principal  effect  was 
caused  by  one  which  crashed  through  the  roof, 
making  a  great  hole  in  the  upper  balcony.  That 
part  of  _  the  theatre  is  still  closed,  awaiting 
availability  of  materials,  but  most  patrons  do 
not  notice  this  fact,  for  the  luxury  of  the  rest 
of  the  house  is  unimpaired. 

The  chief  cause  of  worry  is  that  by  the 
bomb's  action,  the  house  is  deprived  temporari- 
ly of  some  400  seats  which,  said  Mr.  Luke, 
"could  be  filled  three  times  a  day."  The  bomb 
also  put  out  of  service  two  cafes  in  the  upper 
part  of  the  theatre.  One  cafe  downstairs  is 
still  in  service,  although  it  had  been  damaged 
in  the  first  raid  which  hit  the  theatre. 

Frequently  these   days   the  exhibitors  here 


have  a  problem  of  trying  to  find  seats  for  the 
crowds  which  "queue  up"  as  they  say  here 
for  "line  up."  The  high  admission  prices,  even 
without  considering  the  45  per  cent  amusement 
tax,  astound  many  Americans  who  are  abroad 
for  the  first  time.  Key  theatre  scales  go  up 
to  well  over  $2.  At  the  Monseigneur  News- 
reel  theatre  on  the  Strand  there  was  noticed 
a  large  box  office  sign — "Entire  Free  List  Sus- 
pended." That  is  a  sure  indication  of  excel- 
lent business. 

Nurseries  Maintained  in 
Some  Large  Theatres 

At  one  London  theatre  a  very  cute  little  baby, 
looking  back  over  his  mother's  shoulder,  com- 
peted for  attention  with  the  screen.  The  baby 
never  uttered  a  sound,  though,  and  evidently 
was  quite  trained  to  let  his  mother  and  father 
(and  the  rest  of  the  audience)  enjoy  the  pic- 
ture. Of  course  the  parents,  perhaps  both  war 
workers,  had  only  the  choice  of  staying  home 
or  bringing  the  baby.  The  solution  in  this  case 
was  only  a  relatively  satisfactory  one  for  all 
concerned. 

Nurseries  are  maintained  in  some  of  the 
larger  British  theatres.  In  America  some  ex- 
hibitors probably  have  given  consideration  to 
the  establishment  of  a  nursery  on  Saturday  and 
Sunday,  so  that  parents  could  have  a  safe  place 
to  leave  their  pre-film-age  children. 

Visits  to  most  of  the  London  offices  which 
distribute  American  motion  pictures  show  that 
this  branch  of  the  industry  also  has  very  suc- 
cessfully weathered  the  ravages  of  war  from  a 
physical  as  well  as  financial  point  of  view.  In 
general  the  entrances,  as  those  of  most  large 
buildings,  are  protected  by  a  brick  wall  which 
shuts  off  most  of  the  opening.  In  a  good  many 
cases  some  windows  are  covered  with  wood 
or  other  substitutes  for  glass.  Of  course  every 
office,  as  every  theatre  and  building  of  every 
kind  must  have  complete  blackout  protection. 

Wardour  Street,  the  London  "Film  Row," 
has  been  fortunate  in  that  in  the  motion  pic- 
ture area  there  are  not  the  gaps  of  missing 
buildings  destroyed  by  high  explosive  or  in- 
cendiary bomb  hits  visible  in  many  streets. 
Film  interests  did  not  escape  office  damage. 
F.  W.  Allport,  representative  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  Ameri- 
ca, was  bombed  out  of  his  office  and  the  new 
quarters  are  in  a  building  close  to  a  patch  of 
considerable  destruction. 

War  Brings  Changes  in 
Working  Conditions 

The  headquarters  of  the  British  Board  of 
Film  Censors  in  a  lovely  old  house  designed 
by  the  architect  Sir  Christopher  Wren,  were 
"there  one  evening  and  gone  the  next  morn- 
ing." Temporary  offices  have  been  taken  in  the 
20th- Fox  Building. 

War  conditions  have  made  all  kinds  of 
changes  in  working  conditions  of  exhibition 
and  distribution  personnel.  During  business 
hours  activities  function  much  as  usual  but 
many  of  the  employees  and  executives  have 
civilian  defense  jobs.  The  other  day  when 
Ernest  Simon,  RKO  director  and  sales  man- 
ager, was  asked  how  late  he  would  be  avail- 
able at  his  office,  he  replied,  "All  night."  It 
happened  to  be  his  turn  on  Fire  Guard  duty. 
That  is  just  one  example.  During  peaceful 
nights  the  extra  civilian  defense,  or  Home 
Guard,  or  other  activities  entered  into  by  vari- 
ous members  of  the  motion  picture  industry 
here  are  relatively  easy. 

When  there  are  frequent  alerts,  the  men  (and 
the  women)  naturally  lose  a  considerable 
amount  of  sleep.  So  if  ever  in  these  days  one 
gets  a  somewhat  sharp  answer  or  slightly  im- 


patient treatment  from  anyone  here,  it  must 
not  be  put  down  to  their  general  disposition 
and  feelings  but  to  slight  but  occasionally  quite 
real  effects  of  living  in  a  war  zone. 

The  production  centers  which  used  to  be 
reasonably  accessible  by  automobile  are  now 
fairly  remote.  For  here,  as  in  America,  and 
especially  on  the  east  coast  of  the  United 
States,  there  are  rather  few  private  cars  in 
operation  and  those  only  for  essential  users. 
Production  here  has  long  had  the  same  man- 
power, material  and  equipment  problems  now 
facing  Hollywood  studios  plus  the  direct  and 
indirect  effects  of  actual  enemy  action.  In  this 
matter  the  production  worker  faces  the  same 
circumstances  as  the  man  and  woman  in  ex- 
hibition and  distribution.  And  all  of  them  have 
problems  similar  to  those  confronting  workers 
in  every  other  activity  here. 
_  In  a  short  visit  to  London  one  thing  is  no- 
ticed that  evidently  has  not  changed,  or  if  so, 
has  changed  very  little — the  motion  picture 
cocktail  party.  Recently  Sir  Alexander  Korda 
told  about  his  new  plans  for  production  in 
Britain ,  in  association  with  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer  ("M-G-M  and  I  sort  of  merged")  to 
a  group  of  newspaper  press  men  and  women 
and  others  at  a  cocktail  party  which  was  sim- 
ilar in  almost  every  respect  to  a  film  cocktail 
party  in  New  York. 

But  the  most  important  news  of  the  day  on 
Wardour  Street,  Soho  Square,  Dean  Street, 
Golden  Square,  the  studios,  and  other  headquar- 
ters of  the  motion  picture  industry  in  Great 
Britain,  is  BERLIN  BOMBED. 


Boston  Council 
For  'Mission  'Ban 

Resolutions  requesting  Mayor  Tobin  to  take 
steps  to  ban  the  showing  in  Boston  of  "Mission 
to  Moscow"  were  adopted  by  the  city  council 
there  after  lengthy  and  somewhat  bitter  debate 
Tuesday. 

Sponsors  of  the  resolutions  urging  that  no 
Boston  theatre  be  permitted  to  show  the  film 
were  Councillors  Matthew  F.  Hanley  of  Ja- 
maica Plain  and  William  A.  Carey  of  Roxbury. 
Councillor  Carey  characterized  the  film  as  "out- 
right Communistic  propaganda,"  and  maintained 
that  it  "is  a  deliberate  distortion  of  the  truth 
and  expresses  contempt  for  our  democratic  in- 
stitutions." 

Mr.  Hanley's  resolution  described  the  picture 
as  a  "propagandizing  film  of  distorted  truth  with 
an  ulterior  motive  of  glorifying  a  dictatorship 
government  that  is  abhorrent  to  American  ideals 
and  principles,  especially  at  this  time  when  the 
flower  of  our  American  youth  are  fighting,  suf- 
fering and  dying  for  the  retention  and  perpetua- 
tion of  our  form  of  government." 

The  picture  is  scheduled  to  open  at  the  M  &  P 
Metropolitan  in  Boston  within  the  next  few 
weeks. 


MOI  Chief's  Son  Graduates 

George  Archibald,  director  of  the  film  divi- 
sion of  the  British  Ministry  of  Information, 
who  has  headquarters  in  New  York  at  Rocke- 
feller Center,  this  week  attended  the  commence- 
ment exercises  of  the  Phillips  Exeter  Academy, 
in  Exeter,  N.  H.,  from  which  his  son,  Christo- 
pher, graduated. 


Major  Lorentz  To  Marry 

Miss  Elizabeth  Meyer,  daughter  of  'Eugene 
Meyer,  publisher  of  the  Washington  Post,  and 
Major  Pare  Lorentz  last  week  obtained  a  mar- 
riage license  in  New  York.  Major  Lorentz, 
prior  to  his  enlistment,  was  engaged  in  produc- 
tion of  documentary  films,  and  was  a  writer. 


Party  for  Sodikman 

The  Albany  Variety  Club  was  to  hold  a  tes- 
timonial dinner  on  Friday  in  that  city  for  Nate 
Sodikman,  Monogram  branch  manager,  who  is 
scheduled  to  enter  the  Army  next  week. 


VARI ET  Y  worded  ALL  its 

I 

reports  of  the  first  openings  of . . 


THREE  SOCKS  AND  IT'S  IN! 


FRANCHOT  TONE  •  ANNE  BAXTER  «.  Akim  Tamiroft  and  ERICH  von  STROHEIM  As  Rommel 


j  u  n  e     19,     I  9  4  J 

Lt.  Tannenbaum 
Killed  in  Action 

Veteran  of  the  first  World  War,  and  since 
then  a  newsreel  sound  technician  whose  work 
carried  him  all  over  the  Western  Hemisphere, 
Harold  J.  Tannenbaum,  first  lieutenant  in  the 
Eighth  Army  Air  Force,  was  killed  in  action 
in  Europe  April  16th,  his  wife,  Adelaide,  of 
Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  was  informed  Monday  by 
the  War  Department.  Lieutenant  Tannenbaum 
was  46.  He  has  received  a  posthumous  Purple 
Heart  decoration. 

He  had  been  working  in  England  under  form- 
er director  Major  William  Wyler,  who  wrote 
Mrs.  Tannenbaum  before  her  husband's  death 
was  confirmed,  that  he  had  been  "resourceful 
and  determined,  tireless  in  the  face  of  difficult 
conditions"  and  also  a  "man  who  knew  what  he 
was  fighting  for." 

After  leaving  the  Navy  in  1927,  Lieutenant 
Tannenbaum  had  been  a  sound  technician  for 
the  Paramount  and  Universal  newsreels,  and 
for  the  Radio  Corporation  of  America;  and 
then,  for  six  and  one-half  years  until  receiving 
his  commission  last  July,  for  RKO  Radio  Pic- 
tures. His  last  sound  assignment  at  the  RKO 
studios  was  "The  Navy  Comes  Through." 

He  had  been  on  newsreel  assignments  such  as 
the  capture  in  1931  in  a  New  York  apartment 
of  "Two-Gun  Crowley"  ;  a  lynching  in  Mary- 
land ;  a  Leavenworth,  Kans.,  prison  break ;  a 
tropical  storm  in  the  Dominican  Republic ;  a 
crossing  of  the  St.  Lawrence  River  ice.  In  the 
lynching  his  equipment  was  thrown  into  a 
river,  and  he  was  forced  to  flee ;  in  the  prison 
break,  he  flew  over  the  prison  to  make  pictures 
of  the  fighting,  in  the  face  of  warnings  he 
would  be  shot  at ;  in  the  St.  Lawrence  cross- 
ing, the  ice  broke,  and  he  floated  for  hours  with 
the  temperature  at  30  below  zero. 


Lieutenant  McCarty,  Pilot; 
Son  of  Loew  Employee 

Lieutenant  James  P.  McCarthy,  20,  son  of 
Peter  McCarty,  of  Loew's  home  office  advertis- 
ing department,  was  killed  in  a  plane  crash  in 
South  Carolina  on  June  10th.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  a  bomber  crew. 

Lieutenant  McCarty  was  a  graduate  of  the 
Franciscan  High  School  at  Graymoor  on  the 
Hudson,  later  attending  Brooklyn  Polytechnic 
Institute.  He  received  his  pilot's  wings  at 
Brooks  Field,  near  San  Antonio.  Besides  his 
father,  he  is  survived  by  two  brothers  and 
three  sisters. 


Hold  Lt.  Weinberg  Rites 

Memorial  services  were  held  in  Chicago  June 
12th  for  Lieutenant  Albert  E.  Weinberg,  son 
of  Billy  Weinberg,  manager  of  the  Ken  thea- 
tre in  that  city.  Lieutenant  Weinberg  was 
killed  April  10th  in  the  crash  of  a  bomber  in 
the  New  Guinea  jungle.  He  had  been  credited 
with  shooting  down  three  enemy  planes. 


Cancel  Annual  Fair 

The  Flourtown  Fair,  one  of  the  largest  volun- 
teer firemen's  fairs  in  the  east,  scheduled  for 
the  first  week  in  August  at  Flourtown,  Pa- 
has  been  cancelled  because  of  the  gasoline 
shortage,  war  activities  and  food  rationing.  The 
fair  has  been  held  annually  since  1920. 


Philco  Pays  Dividend 

The  Philco  Corporation  this  week  paid  a 
dividend  of  20  cents  per  share  to  its  stockhold- 
ers of  record  on  May  28,  1943.  Previously,  a 
dividend  of  15  cents  was  paid  on  March  12th. 


Close  Theatres  for  Summer 

The  Tremont  theatre  in  Ansonia,  the  Globe 
in  Clinton  and  the  Capitol,  Danbury,  all  in 
Connecticut,  have  closed  for  the  summer.  The 
houses  are  units  of  the  Warner  circuit. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

Daniel  Maher,  Former 
Newsreel  Cameraman 

Daniel  M.  Maher,  52,  newsreel  cameraman 
for  many  years,  and  more  recently  a  photogra- 
pher on  the  staff  of  the  Bangor  News,  died  on 
June  9th  in  Bangor. 

He  worked  with  such  companies  as  Pathe, 
Fox  and  Universal,  covering  assignments  in  the 
United  States  and  Canada.  He  was  also  an 
expert  on  aerial  photography.  He  leaves  his 
wife,  Mrs.  Rowena  L.  Maher,  two  daughters, 
two  sons,  a  sister,  a  brother  and  one  grand- 
child. Services  were  held  at  St.  Mary's  Catho- 
lic Church  in  Bangor  on  June  11th. 

FCC  Face's  Fight 
In  Congress 

The  Federal  Communications  Commission  is 
facing  a  three-way  fight  in  Congress,  but  the 
desire  for  a  summer  vacation  is  expected  to  de- 
lay its  trials  until  next  autumn. 

Not  only  is  Representative  Eugene  E.  Cox 
of  Georgia  pushing  his  investigation  of  the 
commission  despite  the  protests  of  Commission- 
er Clifford  J.  Durr,  but  Representative  F.  Ed- 
ward Hebert  of  Louisiana,  is  declaring  that  the 
Supreme  Court  decision  in  the  network  regula- 
tion case  pushed  the  FCC's  power  far  beyond 
anything  contemplated  by  Congress,  and  last 
week  called  for  immediate  action  for  legisla- 
tion to  curb  the  radio  agency.  He  was  given 
the  support  of  Congressman  Peter  G.  Holmes 
of  Massachusetts,  a  member  of  the  Interstate 
and  Foreign  Commerce  Committee  which 
would  handle  the  measure,  and  in  the  Senate 
Chairman  Burton  K.  Wheeler  of  the  Inter- 
state Commerce  Committee  announced  that 
hearings  on  the  White- Wheeler  bill  to  amend 
the  Communications  Act  would  open  sometime 
in  September. 

At  the  moment,  the  commission  appears  to 
have  few  friends  at  the  Capitol.  It  is  not  even 
unanimous  in  its  position  toward  the  Cox  in- 
vestigation or  amendment  of  the  Communica- 
tions Act,  and  differences  of  opinion  on  policy, 
procedure  and  actions  will  be  made  apparent 
when  the  several  members  are  questioned. 

ITO  Checking  Up  on 
"Blind  Checking"  Mystery 

The  "blind  checking"  of  the  Bungalo  theatre 
at  St.  Maries,  Idaho,  owned  and  operated  by 
Fulton  Cook  in  the  face  of  the  fact  that  the 
house  does  not  play  on  percentages,  is  being 
given  the  attention  of  the  Independent  Theatre 
Owners  of  Washington,  Northern  Idaho  and 
Alaska. 

J.  M.  Hone,  executive  secretary  of  the  or- 
ganization, reports  on  presentation  of  the  mat- 
ter at  a  meeting  May  25th,  by  Mr.  Cook,  who 
also  presented  a  signed  statement  published  in 
the  St.  Maries  Gazette-Record,  in  which  he  re- 
lated that  "someone  keeping  watch  on  the  thea- 
tre" had  been  taken  into  custody  by  the  police 
and  had  identified  himself  as  the  postmaster  of 
a  town  some  fifty  miles  away.  The  name  of  no 
company  was  brought  into  the  report. 

Mr.  Hone's  communication  points  to  the 
question  of  the  propriety  of  a  government  offi- 
cial engaging  in  such  work,  and  his  consumption 
of  gasoline  for  a  hundred  miles  a  day  on  extra- 
official  errands. 


Reject  Sunday  Film  Plea 

At  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  Mayor  Fred  Stair  has 
refused  a  direct  appeal  by  the  Aviation  Cadet 
Corps  at  the  University  of  Tennessee  for  Sun- 
day films.  He  claimed  that  the  City  Council 
could  not  hold  an  election  on  the  question  until 
the  Supreme  Court  ruled  on  an  injunction  ob- 
tained by  opponents  of  a  Sunday  film  referen- 
dum. In  Springfield,  Tenn.,  USO  authorities 
have  asked  the  City  Council  to  permit  theatres 
to  open  on  Sunday  for  soldiers. 


63 

Henry  Loew  Dies; 
Was  Manager 

Henry  Loew,  66,  manager  of  Loew's  National 
theatre  in  the  Bronx,  New  York  City,  died  at 
the  home  of  his  niece,  Mrs.  Dorothy  Samson, 
in  Franklin  Square,  L.  I.,  on  June  13th.  He 
was  the  only  brother  of  the  late  Marcus  Loew, 
founder  of  Loew's,  Inc. 

In  years  of  service,  Mr.  Loew  was  the  oldest 
manager  of  the  circuit,  first  entering  the  busi- 
ness as  manager  of  the  Loew  Penny  Arcade  in 
the  Bronx  in  1904.  After  supervising  other 
arcades,  he  was  appointed  manager  of  the  Na- 
tional theatre  in  1910,  serving  in  that  capacity 
for  33  years. 

He  was  born  in  Rumania  and  upon  arrival  in 
this  country,  made  his  home  in  New  York. 
At  the  time  of  his  death,  he  resided  at  2440 
Valentine  Avenue,  Bronx.  Surviving  Mr. 
Loew  besides  his  niece  are  a  sister,  Mrs.  Fanny 
Weiss,  and  three  nephews,  David  Loew,  pro- 
ducer; Major  Arthur  Loew,  vice-president  of 
Loew's,  and  Morton  Spring  of  Loew's  foreign 
department. 

Funeral  services  were  held  at  the  Universal 
Funeral  Chapel  in  New  York  on  Tuesday. 
Burial  was  in  Mount  Neboh  Cemetery,  Queens. 


Music  Hall  Tax 
Value  11  Millions 

The  New  York  City  Tax  Commission  has 
placed  a  tentative  assessed  valuation  of  $81,- 
000,000  on  theatres  and  theatre  properties  in 
Manhattan  for  the  fiscal  year  from  July  1,  1943, 
to  June  30,  1944.  Assessments  for  all  properties 
amounted  to  $16,058,686,836. 
■  The  Radio  City  Music  Hall  and  RKO  Build- 
ing carried  the  highest  assessment,  $11,700,000. 
Next  highest  was  the  Center  Theatre  and  the 
U.  S.  Rubber  Building  with  $7,100,000.  The 
Criterion  followed  with  $6,475,000,  while  the 
Metropolitan  Opera  House  was  assessed  at 
$4,600,000,  and  the  Loew's  State  theatre  building 
at  $3,754,000.  Fifty-one  properties  were  listed 
and  21  carried  more  than  $1,000,000  assessments. 

They  included:  Palace  Theatre,  $1,240,000; 
Loew's  Mayfair,  $1,675,000;  Roxy  Theatre, 
$3,950,000;  Times  Apollo,  $1,315,000;  Astor, 
$1,700,000;  Strand,  $3,125,000;  Gaiety,  $2,150,- 
000;  Rivoli,  $1,400,000;  Capitol,  $2,195,000; 
Hollywood,  $1,050,000;  Rialto,  $2,825,000. 

Philadelphia  Theatres  Are 
Staying  Open  for  Summer 

Many  Philadelphia  theatres  which  normally 
closed  for  the  summer  months  are  continuing 
to  operate  and  plan  to  remain  open  all  summer. 
The  ban  on  pleasure  driving  and  the  general  in- 
crease in  theatre  business  in  Philadelphia  be- 
cause of  the  war  boom,  make  year-round  opera- 
tion more  attractive,  it  is  said. 

The  only  major  house  closing  down  for  the 
summer  months  is  Sam  Stiefel's  Fay's  theatre, 
vaudeville-film  house,  which  always  halts  opera- 
tions in  May  because  it  has  no  cooling  system. 
Warners'  first  run  Aldine  theatre,  which  also 
closes  down  at  this  time  of  the  year,  is  still 
ooen.  For  the  first  time  in  many  years,  Jack 
Greenberg's  Star  theatre  at-  neighboring  Cam- 
den. N.  J.,  will  remain  open  all  summer,  an  air 
cooling  system  having  been  installed. 


Tries  Single  Features 

Wilmer  and  Vincent's  State  theatre  in  Al- 
lentown,  Pa.,  is  the  first  double  feature  house 
in  that  eastern  Pennsylvania  territory  contem- 
plating a  change  to  a  single  feature  policy. 
Milan  Todorov,  manager,  said  he  will  experi- 
ment with  single  features  for  the  weekends  be- 
fore establishing  it  as  a  regular  house  policy. 


64 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    19,  1943 


WHAT  THE 

PICTURE  DID  FOR  ME 


.  .  .  the  original  exhibitors'  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 
In  it  theatremen  serve  one  another  with  information  about  the  box-office  per- 
formance of  product — providing  a  service  of  the  exhibor  for  the  exhibitor. 
ADDRESS  REPORTS:  What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,  Motion  Picture  Herald, 
Rockefeller  Center,  New  York,  N.  Y. 


Astor 

HER  ENLISTED  MAN:  Barbara  Stanwyck,  Robert 
Young — Did  a  fair  business  on  this  release  with  a 
story  of  World  War  I.  Had  a  few  walkouts.  Played 
Wednesday,  Thursday,  May  26,  27.— E.  M.  Freiburger, 
Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla.  Small  town 
patronage. 

TORPEDOED:  This  was  terrific.  I  couldn't  under- 
stand why  they  were  corning  until  I  found  out  the 
shots  of  the  "Royal  Oak"  were  wowing  them.  Played 
Sunday,  Monday,  February  7,  8. — H.  E.  Fulgham, 
Ideal  Theatre,  Fort  Worth,  Texas.   General  patronage. 

Columbia 

CARNET  DE  BAL:  Harry  Baur,  Raimu,  Louis 
Jouvet — Ran  this  to  cooperate  with  the  college  and 
just  broke  even.  For  those  who  can  use  foreign  pic- 
tures, this  one  is  very  good  and  has  English  titles. — 
W.  V.  Nevins,  Alfred  Co-Op.  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 
Small  college  town  patronage. 

CITY  WITHOUT  MEN:  Linda  Darnell,  Doris  Dud- 
ley— Just  a  first  half  of  an  ordinary  dual  bill.  Played 
this  with  "At  the  Front  in  North  Africa"  which  my 
competitor  also  played  day  and  date  with  me.  Hence 
both  houses  took  it  on  the  chin.  Played  Friday,  Sat- 
urday, April  30,  May  1. — Hal  Warner,  Benson  Thea- 
tre, Philadelphia,  Pa.    General  patronage. 

LAUGH  YOUR  BLUES  AWAY:  Bert  Gordon,  Jinx 
Falkenberg — Just  a  fair  program  picture  that  didn't 
bring  us  extra  business  at  all. — Harland  Rankin,  Cen- 
tre Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 

MAN  WHO  RETURNED  TO  LIFE,  THE:  John 
Howard,  Marcella  Martin — This  didn't  do  so  wonder-, 
fully  well  due  to  "Random  Harvest"  in  opposition  and 
a  lot  of  rainy  weather. — Harland  Rankin,  Centre  Thea- 
tre, Chatham,  Ont. 

NIGHT  TO  REMEMBER,  A:  Loretta  Young,  Brian 
Aherne — Not  much  to  say  about  this.  They  just 
slipped  out  without  comment  and  didn't  tell  anyone  to 
come  see  it  so  it  fell  flat  the  second  day.  I  would  rate 
it  a  fair  comedy  with  no  drawing  power.  Played 
Wednesday,  Thursday,  June  2,  3.— H.  T.  Nokes,  Ozark 
Theatre,  Ozark,  Mo.    Rural  patronage. 

SHUT  MY  BIG  MOUTH:  Joe  E.  Brown,  Adele 
Mara — We  enjoyed  exceptionally  good  business  from 
the  picture,  proving  Joe  E.  Brown  still  has  box  office 
potentialities.  Played  Sunday,  May  30. — Harland 
Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 

YOU  WERE  NEVER  LOVELIER:  Fred  Astaire, 
Rita  Hayworth — This  picture  was  enjoyed  by  all,  al- 
though business  was  only  fair.  If  the  patrons  like 
music  and  dancing,  play  it.  Played  Wednesday, 
Thursday,  May  26,  27.— Miss  Cleo  Manry,  Buena 
Vista  Theatre,  Buena  Vista,  Ga.  Small  town  and 
rural  patronage. 


Esquire 

KEEP  FIT:  George  Formby— George  Formby  doesn't 
seem  to  have  the  draw  he  did.  English  people  think 
he's  grand.  We  haven't  many  here.  Harland  Rankin, 
Centre  Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 


Metro-Gold  wyn-Mayer 

DR.  GILLESPIE'S  NEW  ASSISTANT:  Lionel  Bar- 
rymore,  Van  Johnson— Good  picture.  Dr.  Gillespie  al- 
ways draws  well  in  small  towns.  Played  Sunday,  May 
30.— Miss  Cleo  Manry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena 
Vista,  Ga.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

GRAND  CENTRAL  MURDER:  Van  Heflin,  Pa- 
tricia Dane — This  was  just  right  for  our  Friday  and 
Saturday  double  bill  program.  Business  only  fair,  but 
audience  reaction  good.  Played  May  28,  29.— A.  S. 
Edwards,  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal.  Small  town 
patronage. 

OMAHA  TRAIL:  James  Craig,  Dean  Jagger— This 
was  not  a  radical  departure  from  the  average  West- 
ern, but  our  audience  had  no  complaints  to  offer, 
which  is  more  than  we  can  say  about  some  other  and 
more  pretentious  "super-dupers."  Played  Friday,  Sat- 
urday, May  21,  22.— A.  S.  Edwards,  Winema  Theatre, 
Scotia,  Cal.    Small  lumber  town  patronage. 

RANDOM  HARVEST:  Greer  Garson,  Ronald  Col- 
man— Was  well  liked  here,  but  the  attendance  did  not 


increase  much  even  though  we  did  not  raise  the  ad- 
mission price.  It  was  truly  a  grand  picture,  though. 
Played  Friday-Sunday,  May  28-30.  —  Gertrude  V. 
Proulx,  Au  Gres  Theatre,  Au  Gres,  Mich.  Small  town 
and  rural  patronage. 

RANDOM  HARVEST:  Greer  Garson,  Ronald  Col- 
man — You  can't  quarrel  with  a  picture  of  this  calibre. 
It  is  not  a  "Mrs.  Miniver"  by  a  long  shot,  and  with 
all  due  respects  to  all  concerned,  it  could  have  been  cut 
to  advantage.  It  drags  with  too  much  dialogue. — A. 
E.  Hancock,  Columbia  Theatre,  Columbia  City,  Ind. 

RIO  RITA:  Abbott  and  Costello— Excellent  musical 
comedy,  enjoyed  by  the  few  who  came.  It  has  every- 
thing for  entertainment  and  relaxation.  Play  it  if  you 
can.  I  had  two  very  warm  days  in  a  row,  very  little 
business.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  30,  31.— M.  L. 
London,  Gem  Theatre,  East  Boston,  Mass. 

SEVEN  SWEETHEARTS:  Van  Heflin,  Kathryn 
Grayson — Nice  enough  light  picture  but  not  the  type 
my  crowd  cares  for.  It  is  too  sugary  and  sweet  for 
the  younger  bunch.  Business  poor.  My  experience 
this  year  puts  MGM  very  low  on  my  public's  likes. 
It  has  usually  been  one  of  the  highest.  They  certainly 
are  missing  as  far  as  my  patrons  are  concerned. — W. 
V.  Nevins  III,  Alfred  Co-Op.  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 
Small  college  town  patronage. 

SEVEN  SWEETHEARTS:  Van  Heflin,  Kathryn 
Grayson — This  picture  did  very  well  on  midweek. 
Played  Tuesday-Thursday,  May  4-6. — Melville  Danner, 
Kozy  Theatre,  Granite,  Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

TISH:  Marjorie  Main,  Lee  Bowman — Just  a  natural 
for  the  small  town.  Had  many  favorable  comments  on 
this  one.  It  pleased  and  did  above  average  business. 
Played  Tuesday -Thursday,  June  1-3.  —  Charles  A. 
Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield,  Mo.  Small  town 
and  rural  patronage. 

WAR  AGAINST  MRS.  HADLEY:  Fay  Bainter. 
Edward  Arnold — Here's  a  fine  show.  Good  acting. 
Good  cast.  In  fact  good  entertainment  for  most  any 
situation.  My  patrons  thoroughly  enjoyed  this  show. 
Business  only  average  for  midweek.  Played  Tuesday, 
Wednesday,  Thursday,  May  25-27.— Charles  A.  Brooks. 
Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield,  Mo.  Small  town  and  rural 
patronage. 

WHITE  CARGO:  Hedy  Lamarr.  Walter  Pidgeon— 
One  of  the  worst  I  have  ever  played.  Three  nights  of 
wasted  play  time.  This  didn't  bring  Hedy's  stock  up 
any.  Played  Tuesday-Thursday,  May  18-20. — Melville 
Danner,  Kozy  Theatre,  Granite,  Okla.  Small  town 
patronage. 

WHITE  CARGO:  Hedy  Lamarr,  Walter  Pidgeon— 
They  should  have  called  this  picture  "She  Killed  Him 
With  Love."  This  picture  is  not  suitable  for  small 
towns.  Skip  it.  Played  Thursday-Saturday,  June  3-5. 
— M.  Bailey,  Strand  Theatre,  Dryden,  Ont.  Small 
town  patronage. 


Monogram 

DAWN  ON  THE  GREAT  DIVIDE:  Buck  Jones, 
Rex  Bell — With  all  due  respect  to  the  late  Buck  Jones, 
this  picture  did  not  go  over.  It  was  well  produced, 
but  not  what  the  public  wants.  They  go  for  one-hour 
Westerns  and  fast  action  musicals.  Played  Fridav. 
Saturday,  May  28,  29.— M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre, 
East  Boston,  Mass. 

PHANTOM  KILLER:  Dick  Purcell,  Joan  Wood- 
bury— I  would  recommend  this  picture  on  the  lower 
half  of  a  strong  bill.  It  is  a  good  detective  story,  well 
acted,  good  direction.  In  fact,  I  was  surprised  .  It  had 
me  interested  to  the  end.  Played  Friday,  Saturday, 
May  28,  29.— M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  East  Bos- 
ton, Mass. 

SILVER  SKATES:  Patricia  Morison,  Kenny  Baker 
— This  is  as  nice  a  picture  as  you  could  wish.  Busi- 
ness a  little  better  than  average. — Harland  Rankin, 
Centre  Theatre,   Chatham,  Ont. 

SPOOKS  RUN  WILD:  Bela  Lugosi,  Leo  Gorcey- 


Not  a  picture  that  would  appeal  to  me  but  we  did  do 
fair  business  double  billing  it  on  a  weekend. — Harland 
Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 


Paramount 

ALOMA  OF  THE  SOUTH  SEAS:  Dorothy  Lamour, 
Jon  Hall — I  picked  up  this  old  one,  instead  of  a  new 
picture.  The  color  was  beautiful,  and  a  pleasure  to 
see  this  type  of  picture  instead  of  war  pictures.  That 
was  the  comment  of  the  people  who  came,  not  mine. 
Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  23,  24.— M.  L.  London, 
Gem  Theatre,  East  Boston,  Mass. 

FLY  BY  NIGHT:  Richard  Carlson,  Nancy  Kelly- 
Just  fair  program  for  dual  billing.  Business  slightly 
under  par.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  May  21,  22. — A. 
S.  Edwards,  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal.  Small 
lumber  town  patronage. 

HENRY  ALDRICH  GETS  GLAMOUR:  Jimmy  Ly- 

don,  Charlie  Smith — This  Aldrich  picture  packed  them 
in  and  pleased  100  per  cent.  Ideal  entertainment  for 
a  small  town.  Played  Tuesday,  May  25. — E.  M.  Frei- 
burger, Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla.  Small 
town  patronage. 

I  LIVE  ON  DANGER:  Chester  Morris,  Jean  Parker 
—Just  fair  program  film.  Used  on  weak  end  of  double 
bill.  Played_  Friday,  Saturday,  May  28,  29.— A.  S. 
Edwards,  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal.  Small  town 
patronage. 

MRS.  WIGGS  OF  THE  CABBAGE  PATCH:  Fay 

Bainter,  Carolyn  Lee — Very  satisfactory  for  my  week- 
end patrons.  Good  draw,  and  we  are  all  satisfied. 
Played  Friday,  Saturday,  May  21.  22.— H.  T.  Nokes, 
Ozark  Theatre,  Ozark,  Mo.    Rural  patronage. 

NEW  YORK  TOWN:  Fred  M'acMurray,  Mary 
Martin — This  is  a  good  family  picture.  A  good  fast 
comedy,  not  a  dull  moment.  I  would  like  to  read  some 
comments  on  the  various  pictures  by  a  few  New 
England  exhibitors.  Played  Tuesday,  Wednesday, 
Thursday,  May  25,  26,  27.— M.  L.  London,  Gem  Thea- 
tre, East  Boston,  Mass. 

PALM  BEACH  STORY,  THE:  Claudette  Colbert, 
Joel  M'cCrea — I  was  expecting  good  box  office  and  a 
swell  picture,  but  was  disappointed.  Only  comment 
from  patrons  was  "right  cute."  Played  Wednesday, 
Thursday,  June  2,  3.— Miss  Cleo  Manry,  Buena  Vista 
Theatre,  Buena  Vista,  Ga.  Small  town  and  rural 
patronage. 

PRIORITIES  ON  PARADE:  Ann  Miller,  Jerry 
Colonna — A  little  above  the  average  program  picture. 
Seemed  to  draw  fairly  well.  Played  Wednesday, 
Thursday,  May  26,  27.— H.  T.  Nokes,  Ozark  Theatre, 
Ozark,  Mo.    Rural  patronage. 

STAR  SPANGLED  RHYTHM:  Betty  Hutton,  Ed- 
die Bracken— Splendid  picture.  Lots  of  laughs  and 
everybody  enjoyed  it.  Played  Monday- Wednesday, 
May  31 -June  2.— M.  Bailey,  Strand  Theatre,  Dryden, 
Ont.    Small  town  patronage. 

STREET  OF  CHANCE:  Burgess  Meredith,  Claire 
Trevor— Just  an  average  picture.  My  Friday,  Satur- 
day business  has  never  come  back  since  the  ban  on 
pleasure  driving  started.  Played  May  28,  29.— Miss 
Cleo  Manry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena  Vista,  Ga. 
Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

WILD  CAT:  Richard  Arlen— Just  a  picture.  Those 
who  came  didn't  care  for  it.  Played  Tuesday,  Wed- 
nesday, April  20,  21.— Otto  W.  Chapek,  New  Annex 
Theatre.   Anamoose,   N.    D.     Rural   and   small  town 

patronage. 

Producers  Releasing  Corp. 

BAD  MEN  OF  THUNDER  GAP:  Dave  O'Brien, 
Jim  Newill— Above  the  average  Western.    The  best 
yet  from  PRC.     Pleased  the  Western  fans  on  our 
weekend  double  bill.     Played  Friday,  Saturday,  June 
(Continued  on  page  66) 


DRY  LEE 

HER  MOST  BRILLIANT 


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1*6* -  ARCHER  •  TtfaijofUe  LORD 

HARRY  DAVENPORT*  BILLY  GILBERT 
ANNE  REVERE  •  FRANK  JENKS  •  CLIFF 
NAZARRO  •  CARL  /ttfaefa  SYVITZER 
MATTY  MALNECK 


Vinected  6?  JOSEPH  SANTLEY 

Sew*.  -Pta?      OLIVE  COOPER 
/icU^ttatcoH  a/  a  ^  HENRY  MORITZ 


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A  REPUBLIC  PICTURE  *  BUY  U.  S.  WAR  SAVINGS  BONDS 


66 

(Continued  from  page  64) 
4,  5.— Charles  A.   Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield, 
Mo.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

BEHIND  PRISON  WALLS:  Alan  Baxter,  Gertrude 
Michael — In  22  years  exhibiting  pictures  I  have  played 
plenty  of  poor  films,  but  here  is  one  that  is  worth 
writing  home  about.  This  is  tops  in  weak  pictures. 
They  should  be  ashamed  to  release  it. — Hal  Warner, 
Benson  Theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa.    General  patronage. 

PRISONER  OF  JAPAN:  Alan  Baxter,  Gertrude 
Michael — Just  another  attempt  by  a  small  company  to 
make  a  big  show.  Only  it's  a  flop.  If  you  haven't 
played  it,  save  your  rental.  Played  Tuesday,  June  1. — 
Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C. 
Small  town  patronage. 


RKO  Radio 

BAMBI:  Disney  Feature  Cartoon — Did  a  nice  busi- 
ness on  this  Disney  cartoon  and  everyone  was  pleased. 
It  has  an  adult  plot  and  the  old  folks  enjoyed  it  as 
much  as  the  youngsters.  I  am  sorry  I  did  not  play  it 
sooner. — Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  23,  24. — E.  M. 
Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla.  Small 
town  patronage. 

CINDERELLA  SWINGS  IT:  Gloria  Warren,  Guy 
Kibbee — Good  little  musical  show  which  got  by  on 
family  night.  Played  Tuesday,  June  1. — E.  M.  Frei- 
burger, Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla.  Small 
town  patronage. 

HITLER'S  CHILDREN:  Tim  Holt,  Bonita  Granville 
—This  picture  will  please  100  per  cent  as  an  Anti-Nazi 
film.  We  filled  the  house  Sunday  night,  and  almost 
to  capacity  on  Monday.  The  picture  is  well  made, 
well  directed  and  worthy  of  your  best  days.  Played 
Sunday,  Monday,  May  30,  31.— Charles  A.  Brooks, 
Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield.  Mo.  Small  town  and  rural 
patronage. 

KING  KONG :  Fay  Wray,  Bruce  Cabot— In  its  day, 
10  years  ago,  it  was  a  grand  show.  Today  it's  so  old, 
and  people  don't  want  to  see  such  nowadays.  Had  a 
fair  crowd.  Would  advise  anyone  to  double  bill  it. 
Played  Thursday,  June  3. — Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont 
Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C.    Small  town  patronage. 

TWO  WEEKS  TO  LIVE:  Lum  V  Abner—  Fair  pic- 
ture but  poor  business,  especially  the  second  night. 
Played  Wednesday,  Thursday.  June  2,  3.— E.  M.  Frei- 
burger. Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla.  Small 
town  patronage. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


Republic 

CALLING  WILD  BILL  ELLIOTT:  Bill  Elliott, 
Gabby  Hayes — This  is  a  good  Western,  but  I  wish 
Republic  Pictures  would  be  a  little  more  careful  with 
the  parts  they  assign  to  the  lady  or  ladies  in  pictures. 
The  girl  sang  a  beautiful  sentimental  song  at  one  time 
during  the  picture  that  nearly  ruined  the  Western. 
There  was  a  grand  rush  for  what  used  to  be  called 
"smoking  rooms."  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  30, 
31. — M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  East  Boston,  Mass. 

DARK  COMMAND:  Claire  Trevor,  John  Wayne, 
Walter  Pidgeon — This  is  a  picture  liked  by  most  every- 
one. We  played  it  on  a  return  engagement  and  did 
good  business.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  May  5, 
6. — Jack  L.  Edwards,  New  Theatre,  Manila,  Ark. 
Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

DAYS  OF  OLD  CHEYENNE:  Don  Barry,  Lynn 
Merrick — A  good  action  picture  which  pleased  on  Fri- 
day and  Saturday.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  May  28, 
29. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey, 
Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

DEAD  MAN'S  GULCH:  Don  Barry,  Lynn  Merrick 
— Only  a  fair  Western.  No  draw  like  Cassidy  or 
Autry  or  Rogers.  Barry  good  but  not  so  popular.— 
Harland  Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 

IDAHO:  Roy  Rogers,  Virginia  Grey — This  picture 
did  pretty  good  business,  but  Roy  Rogers  will  never 
take  the  place  of  Gene  Autry.  Played  Wednesday, 
Thursday,  May  12,  13.— Jack  L.  Edwards,  New  Thea- 
tre, Manila,  Ark.     Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

JOAN  OF  OZARK:  Judy  Canova,  Joe  E.  Brown- 
No  draw.  Some  comic  situations,  appealing  chiefly  to 
children.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  May  26,  27. — 
A.  S.  Edwards,  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal.  Small 
lumber  town  patronage. 

JOHNNY  DOUGHBOY:  Jane  Withers,  Patrick 
Brook — Fairly  good  program  that  got  by  on  a  double 
bill.  No  comment.  Played  Friday.  Saturday,  May 
28,  29. — H.  T.  Nokes,  Ozark  Theatre,  Ozark,  Mo.  Rural 
patronage. 

KING  OF  THE  COWBOYS:  Roy  Rogers— A  gold 
mine  for  Western  towns.  Story  was  very  weak  and 
old,  too.  However,  Rogers'  singing  will  draw  a  crowd. 
Played  Saturday,  June  5. — Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont 
Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C.    Small  town  patronage. 

MOUNTAIN  RHYTHM:  Weaver  Bros,  and  Elviry 
— Packed  the  house  two  days  with  this.  They  seemed 
satisfied,    and   I   know   I   was.     Played  Wednesday, 


June     19,  1943 


Thursday,  May  19,  20.— H.  T.  Nokes,  Ozark  Theatre, 
Ozark,  Mo.    Rural  patronage. 

PHANTOM  PLAINSMEN,  THE:  Three  Mesqui- 
teers— Average  Western  picture  that  got  by  on  Friday 
and  Saturday.  Played  April  30,  M'av  1.— Jack  L.  Ed- 
wards, New  Theatre,  Manila,  Arkansas.  Small  town 
and  rural  patronage. 

ROMANCE  ON  THE  RANGE:  Roy  Rogers,  Linda 
Hayes— Enjoyed  nice  weekend  business.  Rogers  quite 
popular.— Harland  Rankin,  Centre  Theatre.  Chatham, 
Ont. 

SANTA  FE  SCOUTS:  Three  Mesquiteers— Rather 
a  weak  Western  that  in  my  opinion  just  got  by  on  a 
double  bill.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  May  28,  29.— 
Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield,  Mo. 
Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

SUNDOWN  KID:  Don  Barry,  Linda  Johnson-Red 
Barry  seems  to  please  the  weekend  trade  .  Business 
only  fair.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  May  28,  29.— Miss 
Cleo  Manry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena  Vista,  Ga. 
Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

SUNDOWN  KID:  Don  Barry,  Linda  Johnson-Good 
Western.— Melville  Danner,  Kozy  Theatre,  Granite, 
Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

SWING  YOUR  PARTNER:  Lulubelle  and  Scotty, 
Vera  Vague— A  good  musical  show  for  a  small  town. 
Business  was  good.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May 
30,  31.— E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre.  Dewey, 
Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

SWING  YOUR  PARTNER:  Lulubelle  and  Scotty, 
Vera  Vague— This  is  the  kind  of  picture  that  a  small 
town  likes,  but  lack  of  advertising  on  this  one  held 
it  down  to  average  business.  Played  Sunday,  Monday 
May  2,  3— Jack  L.  Edwards,  New  Theatre,  Manila, 
Ark.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

THUNDERING  TRAILS:  Three  Mesquiteers- Just 
a  fair  Western  that  got  by.  Played  Friday,  Saturday, 
May  21,  22.— Melville  Danner,  Kozy  Theatre.  Granite, 
Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

X  MARKS  THE  SPOT:  Damian  O'Flynn,  Helen 
Parrish— Double  billed  this  and  am  happy  I  did,  as 
cast  is  new  to  the  public  and  story  so  tangled  up  I 
wonder  myself  what  it  was  all  about.  This  gave  my 
patrons  a  chance  to  grab  a  smoke  and  stretch.  Would 
advise  anyone  to  double  bill  this  one.  Played  Satur- 
day, June  5.— Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt. 
Gilead,  N.  C.    Small  town  patronage. 


Twentieth  Century- Fox 

BLACK  SWAN,  THE:  Tyrone  Power,  Maureen 
O'Hara — Swell  picture  in  color.  Played  Saturday- 
Monday,  May  15-17.— Melville  Danner,  Kozy  Theatre, 
Granite,  Okla.     Small  town  patronage. 

CHETNIKS,     THE     FIGHTNG  GUERRILLAS: 

Philip  Dorn,  Virginia  Gilmore — Another  propaganda 
picture,  and  my  audience  are  about  fed  up  with  them. 
Business  just  fair.  Played  Thursday -Saturday,  May 
27-29.— Hal  Warner,  Benson  Theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
General  patronage. 

DESERT  VICTORY:  War  Documentary— Best  of 
the  actual  war  films  that  we  have  run  here.  Real 
action  with  plenty  of  closeups.  I  don't  think  you'll  go 
wrong  to  give  this  one  all  you've  got.  Business  good. 
Played  Thursday,  Friday,  June  3,  4.— L.  C.  Gardner, 
Hollywood  Theatre,  Mebane,  N.  C.  Rural -small  town 
patronage. 

DIXIE  DUGAN:  Lois  Andrews,  James  Ellison- 
Very  weak  show.  Played  this  as  second  half  of  double 
bill,  "Behind  the  Eight  Ball"  being  the  first  half.  On 
the  whole  both  films  were  too  weak  to  warrant  good 
business.  Ritz  Brothers  O.K.  but  material  bad. 
Played  Sunday,  Monday,  April  25,  26.— Hal  Warner, 
Benson  Theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa.    General  patronage. 

HE  HIRED  THE  BOSS:  Stuart  Erwin.  Evelyn 
Venable— After  20th -Fox  made  this  they  should  have 
burned  the  negative.  If  I  had  produced  this,  I  would 
have  done  so  and  saved  the  trade  mark.  Played  Sun- 
day, Monday,  May  2,  3.— Hal  Warner,  Benson  Thea- 
tre, Philadelphia,  Pa.     General  working  class  patronage. 

IMMORTAL  SERGEANT,  THE:  Henry  Fonda, 
Maureen  O'Hara— More  war,  more  propaganda.  When 
will  it  stop?  Even  the  boys  in  uniform  are  beginning 
to  resent  all  the  propaganda  pictures.  If  the  pro- 
ducers don't  watch  out  we'll  all  be  out  of  business  be- 
fore long.— Hal  Warner,  Benson  Theatre,  Philadelphia, 
Pa.     General  patronage. 

IMMORTAL  SERGEANT,  THE:  Henry  Fonda, 
Maureen  O'Hara— Good  enough  picture.  We  are  get- 
ting too  many  war  pictures.  The  public  is  getting 
fed  up  on  them.  Played  Thursday-Saturday,  May  27- 
29.— M.  Bailey,  Strand  Theatre,  Dryden.  Ont.  Small 
town  patronage. 

JUST  OFF  BROADWAY:  Lloyd  Nolan,  Marjorie 
Weaver — Just  another  murder  story.  Played  Tuesday- 
Thursday,  May  25-27.— Melville  Danner,  Kozy  Thea- 
tre, Granite,  Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

LIFE  BEGINS  AT  EIGHT  THIRTY:  Monty  Wool- 
ley,  Ida  Lupino — You'll  have  to  borrow  carfare  to  get 
home  if  you  play  this  one  on  a  single  bill.  Very  good 
acting  but  no  story.  Business  below  average.  Played 
bargain  day.  Played  Wednesday,  June  2. — L.  C.  Gard- 
(Continued  on  following  page) 


When  Theatres  Go  Dark 

Protect  your  theatre's  war-time  value,  protect  your  grosses. 
What  your  theatre  needs,  now  and  in  the  uncertain  years 
ahead,  is  the  all-out  technical  protection  of  the  Altec- 
pioneered  Booth  Parts  Repair-Replacement  Plan.  Altec 
originated  this  far-seeing  Plan  three  years  ago:  Altec  can 
offer  you  a  time-tested  Plan.  You  owe  it  to  yourself  to  get 
all  the  facts  about  the  Altec  Plan.  Call  your  local  Altec 
technician,  or  write: 


250  West  57  th  Street.  New  York  City 

*  Protecting  the  theatre  —  Our  "first  line  of  morale"  * 


June     19,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


67 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 
ner,  Hollywood  Theatre,  Mebane,  N.  C.  Rural-small 
town  patronage. 

MARGIN  FOR  ERROR:  Joan  Bennett,  Milton  Berle 
—The  best  thing  to  do  with  this  one  is  to  let  20th-Fox 
bury  it  among  the  archives,  as  it  is  the  most  thor- 
oughly boring  picture  of  all  time.  If  this  is  Claire 
Luce's  Broadway  success,  Broadway  must  have  a  lot 
of  time  on  its  hands  that  it  doesn't  know  what  to  do 
with.  Skip  it  if  you  can.  They  will  walk  out  in 
droves  on  you  if  you  have  the  average  audience — as 
they  did  here. — A.  E.  Hancock,  Columbia  Theatre, 
Columbia  City,  Ind. 

MEANEST  MAN  IN  THE  WORLD:  Jack  Benny, 
Priscilla  Lane — As  poor  a  film  as  I  ever  played,  and 
on  percentage,  too.  If  Benny  is  an  actor,  I'll  take 
vanilla.  Doubled  this  with  PRC's  "Behind  Prison 
Walls." — Hal  Warner,  Benson  Theatre,  Philadelphia, 
Pa.     General  patronage. 

MOON  IS  DOWN,  THE:  Cedric  Hardwicke,  Henry 
Travers — Another  war  and  propaganda  picture.  When 
will  they  stop?  Not  a  bad  show,  but  my  people  are 
fed  up  with  these  pictures.  The  cartoons,  serials, 
Stooge  comedies,  shorts  of  all  kinds  are  all  loaded  with 
propaganda.  There  is  such  a  thing  as  propaganda  de- 
feating its  purpose.  Look  at  Goebbels. — Hal  Warner, 
Benson  Theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa.    General  patronage. 

QUIET  PLEASE,  MURDER:  Gail  Patrick,  George 
Sanders — A  good  little  mystery,  played  on  a  double  bill 
with  a  Hopalong  Cassidy  Western.  Audience  well 
pleased,  but  I  don't  think  it  will  stand  alone  in  most 
places.  Business  average.  Played  Saturday,  June  5. — 
L.  C.  Gardner,  Hollywood  Theatre,  Mebane,  N.  C. 
Rural-small  town  patronage. 

THUNDER  BIRDS:  John  Sutton,  Gene  Tierney— 
Played  with  "Who  Done  It?"  to  average  crowd.  This 
is  a  nicely  photographed  service  picture  in  color  but 
cannot  be  called  outstanding  in  any  way. — W.  V.  Nev- 
ins  III,  Alfred  Co-Op.  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y.  Small 
college  town  patronage. 

YOUNG  MR.  PITT:  Robert  Morley,  Robert  Donat 
—British  made.  Here  is  a  truly  great  show,  but  for 
only  the  intelligentsia.  We  died  on  this  one  although 
it  was  not  the  fault  of  the  picture.  My  people  don't 
go  for  English  made  shows.— Hal  Warner,  Benson 
Theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa.    General  patronage. 


United  Artists 

DUDES  ARE  PRETTY  PEOPLE:  Noah  Beery, 
Jr.,  Jimmy  Rogers — Business  good  and  lots  of  favor- 
able comment.  A  nice  light  comedy  that  pleased. 
Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  May  12,  13.— H.  E. 
Fulgham,  Azle  Avenue  Theatre,  Fort  Worth,  Texas. 
Suburban  patronage. 

I  MARRIED  A  WITCH:  Frederic  March,  Veronica 
Lake — Due  to  heavy  rains  business  was  awful.  But 
those  who  did  see  it  seemed  to  enjoy  it,  although  we 
knew  the  picture  was  impossible.  Played  Sunday, 
May  23. — Miss  Cleo  Manry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre, 
Buena  Vista,  Ga.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

JACARE:  Animal  feature — Had  a  few  walkouts,  but 
most  of  those  who  enjoy  this  type  of  film  seemed  sat- 
isfied. Doubled  with  "Prairie  Chickens"  which  was 
the  better  of  the  two.  Business  average.  Played 
Wednesday,  Thursday,  June  2,  3. — R.  E.  Salisbury, 
Opera  House,  Presque  Isle,  M'e.    General  patronage. 

MISTER  V:  Leslie  Howard — Despite  excellent  work 
of  Howard  we  could  do  no  business  with  this  picture. 
Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  June  2,  3.— A.  S.  Ed- 
wards, Winema  Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal.  Small  lumber 
town  patronage. 


Universal 

ALL  BY  MYSELF:  Evelyn  Ankers,  Patric  Knowles 
—This  one  is  a  pleasant  little  program  film  with  one 
of  those  happy,  snappy  endings.  I've  played  lesser- 
entertainments  on  preferred  time.  Doubled  with 
"Blocked  Trail"  (Republic)  to  average  Friday-Satur- 
day business.  Played  June  4,  5.— R.  E.  Salisbury, 
Opera  House,  Presque  Isle,  Me.    General  patronage. 

AMAZING  MRS.  HOLLIDAY,  THE:  Deanna  Dur- 
bin,  Edmund  O'Brien— One  of  the  very  best  pictures 
of  the  year,  in  my  opinion.  M'y  patronage  enjoyed  it. 
Business  only  slightly  above  average  since  this  is  the 
first  Deanna  Durbin  picture  I  have  played  here  for 
some  time.— Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  23,  24.— 
Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield,  Mo. 
Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

ARABIAN  NIGHTS:  Sabu,  Maria  M'ontez,  Jon  Hall 
—The  picture,  although  it  had  beautiful  technicolor, 
failed  to  do  business.  They  don't  go  for  "fairy  tales" 
here.— Harland  Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 

GET  HEP  TO  LOVE:  Gloria  Jean,  Robert  Paige— 
This  is  a  picture  that  has  nothing,  and  was  not  liked 
by  our  patronage.  It  got  by  on  Bargain  Night.  Played 
Tuesday,  May  4.— Jack  L.  Edwards,  New  Theatre, 
Manila,  Ark.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

HOW'S  ABOUT  IT?:  Andrews  Sisters,  Robert 
Paige— Played  this  on  a  weekend  double  bill,  and  it 
pleased  100  per  cent.  Business  was  above  average. 
These  little  musicals  from  Universal  fill  our  weekend 
bill  spots  perfectly.  Played  Friday.  Saturday,  June 
4,  5.— Charles  A.  Brooks.  Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield, 
Mo.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 


IT  AIN'T  HAY:  Abbott  and  Costello— Better  than 
last  few  of  this  series — jokes  not  quite  as  old  as  in 
former  pictures,  but  do  not  expect  another  "Buck 
Privates."  These  stars  have  slipped.  Business  aver- 
age.— Played  Saturday-Tuesday,  May  29-31,  June  1. — 
L.  C.  Gardner,  Hollywood  Theatre,  Mebane,  N.  C. 
Rural-small  town  patronage. 

MUG  TOWN:  Dead  End  Kids— Just  what  my 
patrons  like  on  a  double  bill  weekend  program.  I  be- 
lieve it  really  pleased  this  class  of  patrons.  Played 
Friday,  Saturday,  May  28,  29.— Charles  A.  Brooks, 
Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield,  Mo.  Small  town  and  rural 
patronage. 

RIDE  'EM  COWBOY:  Abbott  and  Costello— This 
reissue  did  better  than  average  business  and  pleased 
all  who  came.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  June  4,  5. — 
E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 
Small  town  patronage. 

SHADOW  OF  A  DOUBT:  Teresa  Wright.  Joseph 
Gotten — Even  Hitchcock  cannot  make  box  office  attrac- 
tions without  names.  His  name  is  not  enough  to  keep 
the  till  clicking.  Not  a  bad  show,  but  not  a  good  one. 
This  director  can  make  good  pictures.  Why  doesn't 
he? — Hal  Warner,  Benson  Theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
General  patronage. 

WHAT'S  COOKIN'?:  The  Andrews  Sisters,  Robert 
Paige — Well  liked,  business  good.  Played  double  with 
"Guns  of  Pecos,"  Dick  Foran  Western.  Played 
Wednesday,  Thursday,  May  19,  20.— H.  E.  Fulgham. 
Star  Theatre,  Fort  Worth,  Texas.    General  patronage. 

WHEN  JOHNNY  COMES  MARCHING  HOME 
AGAIN:  Alan  Jones,  Jane  Frazee — These  light  musi- 
cals always  please  and  are  quite  popular  just  now  for 
diversion.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  2,  3. — H.  E. 
Fulgham,  Ideal  Theatre,  Fort  Worth,  Texas.  General 
patronage. 

WHITE  SAVAGE:  Maria  Montez,  Sabu,  Jon  Hall 
— Our  patrons  liked  it.  Not  so  good  as  "Arabian 
Nights,"  but  our  Sunday,  Monday,  Tuesday  business 
was  of  the  better  average.  Played  May  30,  31,  June  1. 
— R.  E.  Salisbury,  Opera  House,  Presque  Isle,  Me. 
General  patronage. 

WHO  DONE  IT?:  Abbott  and  Costello— This  pair 
has  never  meant  a  thing  at  my  box  office.  Played  it 
with  "Thunder  Birds"  to  average  returns.  It  is  a 
good  film  in  the  Abbott  and  Costello  manner. — W.  V. 
Nevins  III,  Alfred  Co-Op.  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 
Small  college  town  patronage. 


Warner  Bros. 

ALWAYS  IN  MY  HEART:  Kay  Francis,  Gloria 
Warren — Picture  was  well  liked.  Business  good. 
Played  Tuesday,  Wednesday,  March  9,  10.— H.  E.  Ful- 
gham, Azle  Avenue  Theatre,  Fort  Worth,  Texas. 
Suburban  patronage. 

CASABLANCA:  Humphrey  Bogart,  Ingrid  Berg- 
man— Better-read  folks  liked  it.  Some  of  them  com- 
mented it  was  one  of  the  best,  but  I  had  a  few  walk- 
outs on  it.  No  extra  drawing  power  for  me,  but  am 
glad  I  showed  it.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  30. 
31.— H.  T.  Nokes,  Ozark  Theatre,  Ozark,  Mo.  Rural 
patronage. 

CASABLANCA:  Humphrey  Bogart,  Ingrid  Berg- 
man— Another  fine  picture  from  Warners  with  Bogart 
doing  a  swell  job  .  Played  Saturday-Monday,  May 
29-31.— Melville  Danner,  Kozy  Theatre,  Granite,  Okla. 
Small  town  patronage. 

FLYING  FORTRESS:  Richard  Greene,  Carla  Leh- 
mann— My  patrons  were  very  much  disappointed  in 
this  picture.  These  British  made  pictures  don't  go 
so  well  in  small  towns.  Good  for  one-day  play.  Played 
Monday,  Tuesday.  May  31,  June  1. — Miss  Cleo  Manry, 
Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena  Vista,  Ga.  Small  town 
and  rural  patronage. 

GAY  SISTERS,  THE:  Barbara  Stanwyck,  George 
Brent — This  is  good,  and  they  did  not  hesitate  to  tell 
me  so.  Drawing  power  was  good  in  my  small  town. 
Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  23,  24.— H.  T.  Nokes, 
Ozark  Theatre,  Ozark,  Mo.    Rural  patronage. 


Jjllllll 


GENTLEMAN  JIM:  Errol  Flynn,  Alexis  Smith- 
Very  good  entertainment.  Business  above  average  and 
everyone  went  away  happy.  Many  favorable  com- 
ments. Even  women  remarked  it  was  the  only  fight 
picture  they  ever  cared  for.  Played  Sunday,  Monday, 
May  30,  31. — A.  S.  Edwards,  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia, 
Cal.     Small  lumber  town  patronage. 

GENTLEMAN  JIM:  Errol  Flynn,  Alexis  Smith- 
Again  Warners  have  come  out  with  a  small  town 
natural.  Quite  a  controversy  has  been  going  on  in  the 
trade  journals  regarding  war  pictures.  This  is  one 
you  won't  have  to  bother  your  head  about  as  the 
only  war  in  it  is  in  the  sport  of  boxing  which  all 
people  like.  This  picture  has  plenty  of  action,  comedy 
and  some  old  time  music.  I  can  fully  recommend  this 
one  for  a  small  town.  On  no  account  pass  it  up. 
Played  Friday,  Saturday,  May  28,  29.— A.  L.  Dove. 
Bengough  Theatre,  Bengough,  Sask.  Rural  and  small 
town  patronage. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON  SLEPT  HERE:  Jack 
Benny,  Ann  Sheridan — This  is  one  swell  comedy  and 
made  those  who  came  laugh  plenty.  However,  for 
some  unknown  reason  the  attendance  was  poor.  I 
thought  it  should  be  just  what  everyone  was  looking 
for  these  days  but  I  guess  I  slipped  up  somewhere. — 
W.  V.  Nevins  III,  Alfred  Co-Op.  Theatre,  Alfred, 
N.  Y.    Small  college  town  patronage. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON  SLEPT  HERE:  Jack 
Benny,  Ann  Sheridan — Very  good.  This  is  the  only 
Jack  Benny  feature  we  have  shown  that  went  over  at 
all.  Business  slightly  below  expectations.  Played 
Sunday,  Monday,  May  23,  24. — A.  S.  Edwards,  Winema 
Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal.    Small  lumber  town  patronage. 

LADY  GANGSTER:  Faye  Emerson,  Julie  Bishop- 
Just  another  gangster  picture  which  we  played  on 
Friday  and  Saturday  and  with  which  we  just  got  by. 
— Melville  Danner,  Kozy  Theatre,  Granite,  Okla.  Small 
town  patronage. 

NOW,  VOYAGER:  Bette  Davis,  Paul  Henreid— 
Although  I  did  not  get  to  see  this,  my  patrons  say 
"was  the  best  of  Bette  Davis'  pictures."  Business 
was  only  fair.  Played  Monday,  Tuesday,  May  24,  25. 
— Miss  Cleo  M'anry,  Buena  Vista  Theatre,  Buena  Vista, 
Ga.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

TRUCK  BUSTERS:  Richard  Travis,  Ruth  Ford- 
Would  have  done  better  with  this  by  using  it  on 
double  bill.  The  picture  had  no  story  of  interest  to 
my  patrons.  Played  Monday,  May  31.— Claude  R. 
Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C.  Small 
town  patronage. 

YANKEE  DOODLE  DANDY:  James  Cagney,  Joan 
Leslie — Very  fine  production  that  got  extra  business. 
James  Cagney  does  a  fine  job,  and  is  well  assisted  by 
the  supporting  cast.  Played  Saturday-Monday,  May 
22-24.— Melville  Danner,  Kozy  Theatre,  Granite,  Okla. 
Small  town  patronage. 


Short  Features 


Columbia 

COMMUNITY  SING  NO.  4:  (Popular  Songs)  Com- 
munity Sing — They  sang  with  it.  That  is  more  than 
they  usually  do.  So,  I  guess  they  liked  it. — W.  V. 
Nevins  III,  Alfred  Co-Op.  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

SLAY  IT  WITH  FLOWERS:  Color  Rhapsodies— 
These  Fox  and  Crow  cartoons  are  developing  a  fol- 
lowing here.  This  one  is  quite  good. — W.  V.  Nevins 
III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre.  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

TED  POWELL:  Famous  Bailds— Just  fair.  Will 
fill  nine  minutes  of  screen  time.— Claude  R.  Gray, 
Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C. 

THEY  STOOGE  TO  CONGA:  All  Star  Comedies— 
A  natural.  Nearly  stole  the  feature  picture.  They 
ate  it  up. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre,  Tilbury, 
Ont. 

WHO'S  ZOO  IN  HOLLYWOOD:  Color  Rhapsody— 
(Continued  on  following  page) 


ALLIED  THEATRE  OWNERS  OF  NEW  JERSEY,  INC.  | 

WELCOMES  1 
ALL  BRANCHES  OF  THE  INDUSTRY 

TO  B 

TWENTY-FOURTH  ANNUAL  CONFERENCE  § 

FOR  ■ 

SHOWMEN  AT  WAR  g 

AND  a 

EASTERN  REGIONAL  CONFERENCE  OF 

INDEPENDENT  EXHIBITORS  | 

AT  _ 

HOLLYWOOD  HOTEL,  WEST  END,  LONG  BRANCH,  N.  J. 
JUNE  29  -  30  —  JULY  I,  1943 
■  iiiiRiin  ill  iniiHiHiin  ni 


68 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    19,  1943 


(.Continued  from  preceding  page) 

Got  by  O.K.  No  complaints. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza 
Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

BAH  WILDERNESS:  Technicolor  Cartoons  —  A 
dandy  cartoon.  Well  made  up. — Charles  A.  Brooks, 
Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield,  Mo. 

BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN,  JR.:  Our  Gang  Come- 
dies— Filled  in  nicely — pleased  the  kids  and  held  the 
adults'  attention. — Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre, 
Marshfield,  Mo. 

CALLING  ALL  PA'S:  Pete  Smith  Specialties— This 
seemed  to  be  a  sequel,  but  the  way  it  ended,  you'd 
think  it  wasn't  finished.  Must  be  getting  hard  up 
for  material.— Gertrude  V.  Proulx,  Au  Gres  Theatre, 
Au  Gres,  Mich. 

DOIN'  THEIR  BIT:  Our  Gang  Comedies  —  Very 
poor  Our  Gang  comedy.  These  Our  Gangs  are  not 
nearly  as  good  as  they  used  to  be. — Gertrude  V. 
Proulx,  Au  Gres  Theatre,  Au  Gres,  Mich. 

FIRST  AID:  Pete  Smith  Specialties  —  Very  good 
short.  Anything  to  tell  us  something  we  don't  know. 
—Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C. 

LAND  OF  ORIZABA:  Fitzpatrick  Traveltalks— 
Beautiful  scenic  of  Mexico.  Well  worth  playing. — 
M.  Bailey,  Strand  Theatre,  Dryden,  Ont. 

LAST  LESSON,  THE:  Miniatures  —  Impressive 
short  story  well  done. — W.  V.  Nevins  III,  Alfred  Co- 
Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

MADERO  OF  MEXICO:  Passing  Parade— A  goo  1 
single  historical  reel. — W.  V.  Nevins  III,  Alfred  Co -Op 
Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

UNEXPECTED  RICHES:  Our  Gang  Comedies- 
Just  a  little  above  the  average  Gang  comedy.  It 
pleased. — Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre,  Marsh - 
field,  Mo. 


Paramount 

AT  THE  BIRD  FARM:  Speaking  ot  Animals— Not 
very  much  here — just  screen  time  and  that's  all — 
nothing  to  hold  attention. — Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont 
Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C. 

JASPER  AND  THE  HAUNTED  HOUSE:  Madcap 
Models — Just  average.  Can't  say  this  series  is  much 
in  the  minds  of  our  customers. — Charles  A.  Brooks, 
Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield.  Mo. 

LETTER  FROM  IRELAND:  Headliners— My  audi- 
ence seemed  bored  by  this  two-reel  Victory  short. — 
E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

MANY  TANKS:  Popeye  the  Sailor— A  satisfactory 
cartoon.  This  series  has  failed  to  hold  much  interest 
in  my  town. — Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre,  Marsh- 
field, Mo. 

MODERN  VIKINGS :  Sportlights— Packed  with  what 
any  sports  fan  will  rave  about. — Claude  R.  Gray,  Gil- 
mont Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C. 

MOMENTS  OF  CHARM:  Headliners— Another  re- 
issue featuring  Phil  Spitalny  and  his  all-girl  orchestra, 
and  very  good,  too. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount 
Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

TRADING  BLOWS:  Sportlights  —  Well  received. 
Helped  with  the  program. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza 
Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 

TUMBLE  BUGS:  Sportlight— Entertaining  sport  reel 
and  worth  showing  any  day  in  the  week. — E.  M.  Frei- 
burger, Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 


RKO 


CONQUER  BY  THE  CLOCK:  Victory  Film— This 
victory  reel  is  well  above  the  average.  It  is  quite  im- 
pressive.— W.  V.  Nevins  III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre, 
Alfred.  N.  Y. 

DICK  STABILE  AND  ORCHESTRA:  Jamborees- 
Above  average  in  band  reels. — W.  V.  Nevins  III,  Al- 
fred Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

DONALD'S  CAMERA:  Disney  Cartoon— Good  color 
cartoon  which  pleased. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount 
Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

DONALD'S  GOLD  MINE:  Disney  Cartoon— Well 
received.  ISlot  as  popular  as  he  used  to  be. — Harland 
Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 

LEND  A  PAW:  Walt  Disney  Cartoons— Good  color 
cartoon  fr8m  Disney. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount 
Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 


Twentieth  Century-Fox 

LAST  ROUNDUP,  THE:  Terrytoons— Good  color 
cartoon. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre, 
Dewey,  Okla. 

NEPTUNE'S  DAUGHTERS:  Sports  Reviews— Nice 


SHORT  PRODUCT 
PLAYING  BROADWAY 

Week  of  June  \Ath 

ASTOR 

North  African  Album  Victory  Film 

Sufferin'  Cats   MSM 

feature:  The  Human  Comedy.  MGM 

CAPITOL 

Motoring  in  Mexico  MSM 

Feature:  Bataan   MGM 

CRITERION 

A  Message  from  Malta  Victory  Film 

Red  Hot  Riding  Hood  MGM 

Feature:  Cabin  in  the  Sky .  .  .  MGM 

GLOBE 

North  African  Album  Victory  Film 

Sporting  Dogs  Vitaphone 

Wise  Quacking  Duck  Vitaphone 

Feature:  Mr.  Big  Universal 

HOLLYWOOD 

A  Message  from  Malta  Victory  Film 

With  Rod  and  Reel  on  Anti- 

costi  Island   Vitaphone 

Jack  Rabbit  and  Beanstalk ..  Vitaphone 
Feature:  Mission  to  Moscow.  .Warner  Bros. 

MUSIC  HALL 

A  Message  from  Malta  Victory  Film 

Feature:  The  More  the  Mer- 
rier Columbia 

PARAMOUNT 

A  Message  from  Malta  Victory  Film 

Unusual  Occupations  Paramount 

Feature:  Five  Graves  to  Cairo.  Paramount 

RIALTO 

A  Message  from  Malta  Victory  Film 

Ina  Ray  Hutton  and  Band ..  Paramount 
Superman    in    The  Mummy 

Strikes  Paramount 

Feature:  Captive Wild  Woman. U niversa I 

RIVOLI 

A  Message  from  Malta  Victory  Film 

Sky  Trooper  RKO  Radio 

Feature:  This  Land  Is  Mine.  .  RKO  Radio 

ROXY 

North  African  Album  Victory  Film 

Patriotic  Pooches   20th  Cent.-Fox 

Feature:  Coney  Island  20th  Cent.-Fox 

STRAND 

A  Message  from  Malta  Victory  Film 

Eagles  of  the  Navy  Vitaphone 

U.S.  Army  Band  Vitaphone 

Feature:  Action  in  the  North 

Atlantic  Warner  Bros. 


cartoon  that  clicked  O.K. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza 
Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 

WELL-ROWED,  HARVARD:  Sports  Reviews— In- 
structive and  interesting,  especially  for  university 
towns. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 

United  Artists 

DON'T  HOOK  NOW:  Special— This  is  another  case 
of  where  some  wise  guy  wanted  to  waste  film  and 
my  screen  time,  let  alone  rental  on  something  my 
patrons  don't  go  for. — Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Thea- 
tre, Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C. 

Universal 

AIR  RAID  WARDEN:  Color  Cartune— This  color 
cartoon  is  just  fair. — W.  V.  Nevins  III,  Alfred  Co-Op 
Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

ARSENAL  OF  MIGHT:  Victory  FeatureUe— This 
victory  reel  is  O.K.  as  a  filler  but  I  am  afraid  they 
are  starting  to  repeat  some  of  the  material  too  often. 
— W.  V.  Nevins  III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred, 
N.  Y. 


BOOGIE  WOOGIE  SIOUX:  Swing  Symphonies- 
One  of  Universal's  better  color  cartoons. — W.  V. 
Nevins  III,  Alfred  Co-op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

CHASIN'  THE  BLUES:  Musical  —  Another  good 
two-reel  musical  show. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount 
Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

COW-COW  BOOGIE:  Swing  Symphonies— A  cou- 
ple of  very  good  laughs  make  this  an  above  average 
color  cartoon.— W.  V.  Nevins  III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Thea- 
tre, Alfred,  N.  Y. 

HIT  TUNE  JAMBOREE:  Musicals— Entertaining 
two- reel  musical  show. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount 
Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

SPORTS  IN  THE  ROCKIES:  Variety  Views— A 
fine  reel  in  beautiful  color. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Para- 
mount Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

SWING  YOUR  PARTNER:  Color  Cartune  — A 
dandy  cartoon  that  pleased.  Far  above  the  average. — 
Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield,  Mo. 


Victory  Films 

DOVER:  Victory  Short— Hit  this  one  quite  late  but 
it  is  well  done  and  the  audience  liked  it.  That's  all 
one  can  ask  of  a  free  reel.— W.  V.  ISlevins  III,  Alfred 
Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

FARMER  AT  WAR:  Official  U.  S.  Victory  Films— 
Not  much  entertainment  in  this  routine  victory  short. 
E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 


Vitaphone 

BORRAH  MINEVITCH  AND  HIS  HARMONICA 
SCHOOL:  Melody  Master  Bands— Perfect  entertain- 
ment for  our  town.  Everybody  enjoyed  this  reel. — 
Charles  A.  Brooks,  Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield,  Mo. 

KING  OF  THE  ARCHERS:  Hollywood  Novelties— 
These  Howard  Hill  subjects  are  always  good. — R.  E. 
Salisbury,  Opera  House  Theatre,  Presque  Isle,  Me. 

MAN  KILLERS,  THE:  Broadway  Brevities— En- 
tertaining two-reeler  showing  man  fighting  crocodile 
and  other  jungle  animals. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Para- 
mount Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

OUR  AFRICAN  FRONTIERS:  Broadway  Brevities 
—Very  poor.  Color  bad.  Just  a  travelogue. — R.  E. 
Salisbury,  Opera  House  Theatre,  Presque  Isle,  Me. 

SO  YOU  WANT  TO  GIVE  UP  SMOKING:  Holly- 
wood Novelties— Played  with  "So  You  Think  You 
Need  Glasses."  This  is  a  pair  you  should  include  in 
your  schedule  of  better  shorts.  Several  of  our  patrons 
commented  on  how  well  they  liked  them.  They  asked 
for  more.  I  hope  Warners  will  release  more. — James 
A.  Nelson,  Hiram  College  Theatre,  Hiram,  O. 

SPIRIT  OF  WEST  POINT,  THE:  Broadway  Brev- 
ity— Our  audience  seemed  very  well  pleased  with  this 
two-reeler.  Very  entertaining. — Charles  A.  Brooks, 
Ritz  Theatre,  Marshfield,  Md. 

TORTOISE  WINS  BY  A  HARE:  Merrie  Melodies 
Cartoons — Bugs  Bunny  hasn't  got  quite  the  hold  on 
this  town  that  he  did  last  year.  This  is  still  very 
clever  and  good,  but  not  up  to  previous  Bugs 
Bunnies.  Keep  'em  coming  anyway,  Schlesinger. — 
W.  V.  Nevins,  III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred, 
N.  Y. 

UNITED  STATES  ARMY  BAND:  Melody  Master 
Bands — A  very  good  single  reel. — A.  L.  Dove,  Ben- 
gough  Theatre,  Bengough,  Sask.,  Canada. 

VAUDEVILLE  DAY:  Broadway  Brevities— Some 
imitations  of  old  timers  and  some  grand  new  acts 
make  this  a  very  swell  reel  for  any  program  with  em- 
phasis on  comedy. — W.  V.  Nevins  III,  Alfred  Co-Op 
Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 


Deny  Five  Per  Cent  Raise 
For  Chicago  Stagehands 

The  National  War  Labor  Board  has  refused 
the  request  of  the  Chicago  Stagehands  Union 
for  a  five  per  cent  wage  increase.  The  appli- 
cation was  considered  in  terms  of  the  wage 
stabilization  provisions  of  the  Anti-Inflation 
Act,  it  was  reported. 

The  board  denied  the  increase,  it  was  said, 
since  it  was  not  in  accord  with  the  principles 
adopted  by  the  labor,  industry  and  public  mem- 
bers of  the  National  War  Labor  Board.  New 
contracts  calling  for  increased  pay  for  the  op- 
erators and  janitors  are  still  before  the  board 
for  approval. 


Holds  Office  in  Club 

Rutgers  Neilson,  RKO  publicity  manager, 
last  week  was  elected  second  vice-president  of 
the  Publicity  Club  of  New  York,  formed  four 
years  ago  to  correlate  the  activities  of  profes- 
sional publicists. 


June    19,  1943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


69 


MANAGERS" 

ROUND  TABLE 


zAn  international  association  of  showmen  meeting  weekly 
in  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD  for  mutual  aid  and  progress 

GERTRUDE  MERRIAM,  Associate  Editor 


CHESTER  FRIEDMAN,  Edito 


OP 


^Announcing 

CHESTER  FRIEDMAN 

MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD  announces  the  appointment  of 
Chester  Friedman  to  the  post  of  editor  of  The  Round  Table, 
effective  this  week. 

Mr.  Friedman  brings  to  his  editorship  an  effective  and  exten- 
sive experience  in  the  motion  picture  theatre.  He  has  func- 
tioned in  many  capacities,  and  through  most  of  his  years  as  a 
manager. 

The  new  editor  of  The  Round  Table  has  also  had  the 
benefit  of  experience  in  many  widely  separated  and  diverse 
territories,  serving  all  sorts  of  American  communities. 

Mr.  Friedman  was  born,  as  so  many  showmen  have  been,  in 
Brooklyn,  April  10,  1909,  the  year  that  The  Patent  Company 
got  going.  He  came  to  the  motion  picture,  along  with  sound, 
in  1927,  starting  as  an  usher  at  the  Paramount  theatre  on 
Broadway.  He  was  the  first  usher  in  that  theatre's  history  to 
rise  from  the  ranks  to  the  position  of  assistant  manager. 

Special  opportunity  developed  in  the  period  of  the  Par- 
amount-Publix  theatre  expansion  and  he  became  house  manager 
of  the  Metropolitan  in  Houston,  Texas,  the  Paramount  in 
Des  Moines  and  the  Paramount  in  Omaha.  His  next  assignment 
was  to  the  Saenger  Theatres  in  the  New  Orleans  region  where 
he  was  concerned  with  the  installation  of  Publix  front  house 
methods  in  fifty-eight  houses  of  that  division. 

In  1931  Mr.  Friedman  returned  to  New  York  and  joined 
RKO.  He  managed  successively  the  Regent  in  New  York  and 
the  Tilyou  in  Coney  Island.  In  1936  he  left  to  take  over  opera- 
tion of  the  Biltmore  in  Mount  Vernon,  N.  Y.,  for  two  years. 
His  connections  also  included  service  with  the  Consolidated 
Circuit,  in  the  Bronx,  the  Harris  Circuit  and  the  Schine  Circuit. 
For  the  past  four  and  a  half  years,  prior  to  coming  to 
The  Round  Table,  he  has  been  with  the  Interboro  Circuit  in 
Brooklyn. 

*I  The  Round  Table  will  continue  its  basic  function 
of  service  to  the  working  showmen  behind  the  box 
offices,  with  accent  on  the  contributions  from  those 
showmen  by  which  they  render  mutual  aid  in  the 
experience  meetings  of  these  pages.  The  competitions 


for  the  Quigley  Awards  and  War  Showmanship 
Award  continue  in  their  established  pattern. 

Gertrude  Merriam,  associate  editor,  of  course  continues  in 
her  varied  activities  at  a  busy  desk  at  the  crossroads  of  cor- 
respondence which  reaches  all  over  the  show  world,  and  the 
war  fronts,  too.  —TERRY  RAMSAYE 


70 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June     19,  1943 


LOBBIES.  BALLYHOOS.  TIEUPS 


Tyrone  Power's  commission  in  the  Marines  was  tied  up  with  his 
appearance  in  "Crash  Dive"  by  the  Fox  theatre  in  St.  Louis. 


Arrows  like  these  were  tacked  on  poles,  placed  in  store  windows  by 
C.  J.  Remington  of  the  State,  Auburn,  Calif. 


TOM*'  2 


A  coffin  on  wheels 
pushed  by  two  men 
was  used  by  Sidney 
Kleper   of   the  Bijou, 
New  Haven. 


"This  Land  Is  Mine"  was  tied  up  to  the  Four 
Freedoms  by  Vincent  Aldert  of  the  Paramount, 
Brattleboro,  Vt.  Incidentally,  Norman  Rockwell,  who 
drew  the  four  freedoms,  is  a  resident  of  Vermont. 


"The  More  the 
Merrier"  is  about 
life  in  Washing- 
ton, but  Steve 
McManus,  of  the 
Elgin,  Ottawa, 
called  attention 
to  the  fact  that 
Ottawa,  too,  is 
a  crowded 
capital.  This  is 
one  of  the 
outside  displays 
he  used. 


By  Foster  Photos 


A  big  cutout  of  Barbara  Stanwyck  was  placed  in 
Loew's  Indianapolis  theatre  lobby  by  Bill  Elder  in 
advance  of  playdate. 


June    19,  1943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


71 


There's  a  law  against  this  in 
Meriden,  Conn.,  but  Joe  Samartano, 
manager  of  the  Palace,  says:  "With  a 
little  persuasion,  we  convinced  them 
to  approve  this  with  War  Bond  copy. 


One  of  a  series  of  lobby  displays  arranged  by  Herta  Laube  at  the  Manhasset  theatre, 
Manhasset,  Long  Island,  was  devoted  to  Victory  Gardens.  Real  vegetables 
grew  right  in  the  lobby.  There  was  also  an  old-fashioned  cupboard 
with  preserves  and  fresh  carrots  and  radishes  for  patrons  to  try. 


By  Blghter  Studio 

Ted  Teschner  of  the  Valentine,  Toledo,  Ohio,  obtained  a 
window  display  on  Army  and  Navy  uniforms  in  connection 
with  "Bataan". 


The  lobby  display  used  by  George  Balkin  at  the  Stanley 

in   Philadelphia   for  the  first  run   of  "This   Land   Is  Mine" 

attracted  considerable  attention. 


IM*I»]iKMia*MI;i;W.1^ 


CURVES  AHEAD.  LANA  TURNER 
IN  SLIGHTLY  DANGEROUS"... 
LOEWS  PARK  ...NOW  THRILLING 


By  George  E.  Marshall  Studio 

A  flash  front  was  used  by  Louis  Charninsky  of  the  Rialto,  Dallas,  for  his  engagement 
of  "Corregidor".  Note  use  of  blow-ups. 


Right  on  the  side  of  a  hill  opposite  a 
traffic  intersection,  this  sign,  placed 
by  Arnold  Gates,  remained  until  he 
was  "requested"  to  remove  it. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    19,    I  943 


Contests  Highlight  Flex's 
"Edge  of  Darkness"  Date 

Guest  tickets  to  see  "Edge  of  Darkness" 
at  the  Keith  theatre,  in  Syracuse,  were  of- 
fered by  Jack  Flex  in  connection  with  a 
contest  in  which  was  planted  in  the  Post 
Standard  and  which  required  readers  to 
name  the  titles  of  pictures  in  which  Errol 
Flynn  and  Ann  Sheridan  played  before  be- 
ing co-starred  in  this  one.  A  quiz  stunt  was 
worked  out  along  the  same  lines  for  the 
Press,  only  in  place  of  asking  titles  of  pic- 
tures, the  name  of  the  male  or  female  lead 
who  appeared  opposite  each  was  asked. 

A  bulletin  was  sent  out  by  the  Superin- 
tendent of  Schools  plugging  the  story  of  the 
picture  and  the  courage  of  Norwegian  peas- 
ants against  Nazi  rule.  A  set  of  the  United 
Nations  flags  was  used  for  front  decoration 
and  Flex  appealed  for  donors  to  the  Red 
Cross  Blood  Bank.  A  special  booth  was 
set  up  on  the  sidewalk  in  front  of  the  thea- 
tre and  manned  by  Red  Cross  workers  in 
official  uniforms.  Postcards  were  mailed  to 
residents  of  Norwegian  ancestry,  with  a 
short  outline  of  the  plot  of  the  picture. 

The  public  library  featured  a  book  display 
and  a  book  bin  for  the  donation  of  books  to 
men  in  the  armed  forces,  the  theatre  get- 
ting plugs  through  the  generous  use  of  scene 
stills  from  the  picture.  11  by  14  cards  were 
placed  at  the  USO  Centre,  YMCA,  YWCA, 
YMHA  and  Red  Cross  Recreation  rooms 
and  a  tieup  was  made  with  the  local  Optom- 
etrists and  Opticians,  who  used  the  title  of 
the  picture  as  an  angle  for  avoiding  edge  of 
darkness  and  eye  strain  and  urging  use  of 
eye  glasses. 


Kyger  Lands  Window  Tieups 

Otis  Kyger,  manager  of  Warners'  Capi- 
tol theatre,  York,  Pa.,  tied  in  with  the  mu- 
sic stores  in  town  to  promote  "Cabin  in  the 
Sky."  At  three  stores,  there  were  special 
displays  of  sheet  music,  photographs  and 
posters  advertising  the  film.  A  whole  dis- 
play window  of  a  piano  company  was  given 
over  to  an  arrangement  of  sheet  music,  stills 
from  the  picture,  recordings  and  personality 
plugs  for  the  picture's  stars. 


West's  "Don't  Talk"  Herald 

For  attention,  George  West  at  the  Grove, 
in  Miami,  distributed  four-fold  tinted  her- 
alds, the  front  of  which  carried  copy:  "Shhh, 
don't  talk."  The  next  fold  read:  "About 
military  secrets,  or  spread  rumors.  But." 
The  inside  was  followed  with  "Here  is 
Something  to  Shout  About.  The  musical 
comedy  hit  you'll  be  telling  everybody  else 
about,"  etc.,  etc. 


Ad  mission  Tickets  Offered 
In  Exchange  for  Records 

Through  a  tieup  effected  by  J.  G.  Oppen- 
heim,  Jr.,  of  the  Parkway  theatre,  in  Chi- 
cago, with  one  of  the  local  merchants,  the 
children  were  invited  to  bring  old  records 
to  the  store,  the  merchant  giving  one  guest 
ticket  for  each  five  records  turned  in.  The 
tickets  were  sold  to  the  store  in  lots  of  fifty 
at  the  standard  admission  fee,  including  tax 
and  all  such  tickets  ink  stamped  for  quick 
identification. 

The  merchant  also  supplied  the  theatre, 
on  a  loan  basis,  with  any  recordings  they 
desired  in  exchange  for  a  recorded  an- 
nouncement incorporated  into  the  picture 
plug.  A  juke  box  was  set  up  in  the  orches- 
tra pit  and  a  half-hour  of  recorded  music 
was  played  daily  from  opening  time,  1 :30 
to  screen  time,  2:00  p.m.  All  announce- 
ments were  made  on  records  and  played 
through  the  juke  box  as  any  other  record  is. 


Patrons  Write  Dialogue 
For  "It  Ain't  Hay" 

Through  a  newspaper  contest  ahead  of  "It 
Ain't  Hay"  at  the  Fairmont  theatre,  in 
Fairmont,  West,  Va.,  Frank  Austin  offered 
guest  tickets  to  those  submitting  the  funni- 
est dialogue  for  one  of  the  Abbott  &  Cos- 
tello  scenes  in  the  picture,  which  was  de- 
scribed in  the  ad.  For  the  week  ahead  of 
the  opening  of  the  picture,  Frank  used  a 
24-sheet  cutout  display  above  the  entrance 
doors  in  his  lobby,  with  the  letters  covered 
with  flitter. 

Newsboys  carried  signs  on  their  backs 
advertising  the  picture  five  days  ahead,  a 
tieup  was  made  with  a  local  nightclub  for 
special  announcements  the  night  before 
opening,  with  dance  contest  winners  receiv- 
ing free  passes  to  the  show. 


Sells  House  to  Defense  Plant 
For  "Desert  Victory"  Date 

As  a  result  of  a  special  preview  of  "Des- 
ert Victory"  at  the  Paramount  theatre,  in 
Syracuse,  Dick  Feldman  sold  the  local  Car- 
rier Corporation  on  the  idea  of  buying  out 
the  house  for  their  employees  for  the  Tues- 
day night  ahead  of  playdates.  The  presi- 
dent of  the  company  gave  a  spirited  talk  on 
the  stage  on  the  subject  of  absenteeism  and 
the  event  was  covered  with  a  two-column 
cut  and  stories  in  the  local  dailies.  One  of 
the  papers  gave  mention  to  the  picture  on 
its  editorial  page. 

A  leading  department  store  came  through 
with  a  cooperative  ad  on  the  second  day  of 
the  engagement  and  a  window  display  dur- 
ing the  week's  run  with  stills  and  tiein  cards 


plugging  the  picture.  The  Carrier  Corpora- 
tion hung  two  six  sheets  in  their  cafeteria, 
used  window  cards  on  all  of  their  38  bul- 
letin boards  and  distributed  last  minute  re- 
minder bills  at  their  gates  to  every  worker 
leaving  the  plant. 


Dillenbeck's  Teaser  Card 

As  a  teaser  slant  ahead  of  "The  Powers 
Girl"  at  the  Rialto  theatre,  in  Bushnell,  111., 
D.  M.  Dillenbeck  distributed  tinted  three  by 
five  cards,  which  were  slit  and  a  match  in- 
serted. The  copy  read:  "A  match  for  any 
man  !  'The  Powers  Girl.'  "  This  was  fol- 
lowed by  the  cast  and  playdates.  A  thou- 
sand of  these  were  printed  up  and  30  penny 
boxes  of  safety  matches  took  care  of  the 
stunt. 


June    19,    I  943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  Tv^BLE 


73 


Larnard  Sells  War  Stamps 
On  "Hitler's  Children" 

As  a  teasei-  ahead  of  "Hitler's  Children" 
at  the  Appalachian  theatre,  in  Appalachia, 
Va.,  Chuck  Larnard  took  a  plain  paper 
bag,  painted  it  with  white  poster  paint  and 
then  stuffed  it  with  heavy  paper.  On  both 
sides  of  the  bag  caricatures  of  Hitler  and 
To  jo  were  painted  and  then  was  hung  from 
the  marquee.  The  following  copy  was 
added  to  it:  "Punch  the  skunk.  One  punch 
— one  ten-cent  War  Stamp.  Three  punches 
for  a  twenty-five-cent  stamp.  Don't  fail  to 
see  Hitler's  Children."  Chuck  says  the 
stunt  attracted  plenty  of  attention  in  addi- 
tion to  selling  plenty  of  stamps. 

Mailing  pieces  were  sent  to  the  surround- 
ing mine  camp  areas,  40  three-sheets  and 
75  window  cards  carrying  the  full  week's 
program  were  posted  well  in  advance  and 
Chuck  made  a  five-minute  speech  in  the  local 
high  school  on  Gregor  Zeimer's  "Education 
for  Death"  and  the  coming  picture. 


Marines'  Mothers  Sell  Bonds 
For  "We  Are  the  Marines" 

Louie  Charninsky  at  the  Capitol  theatre, 
in  Dallas,  Tex.,  made  a  tieup  with  the  Ma- 
rines locally  for  an  effective  window  display 
with  cutouts,  etc.  In  addition  a  booth  was 
manned  by  Marines'  Mothers  in  front  of  the 
theatre  to  sell  Bonds  during  the  run  of  the 


picture.  In  addition,  another  booth  was 
erected  in  which  information  on  the 
WAVES  was  distributed.  In  the  true  Char- 
ninsky fashion  a  special  front  was  built  for 
the  occasion  and  a  large  setpiece  arranged 
for  10  days  in  advance  of  the  opening. 

Dillenbeck  Specializes 
In  Screwball  Heralds 

As  an  advance  on  "Casablanca"  at  the 
Rialto  theatre,  in  Bushnell,  111.,  D.  M.  Dil- 
lenbeck distributed  heralds  with  copy  across 
the  top  reading  "Free.  Five  gallons  of  gas 
with  each  new  tire  sold  this  week  at  the 
Rialto,  where  the  best  pictures  play.  Sure 
we're  kidding,  but  we  are  not  kidding  when 
we  say  you'll  really  like  this  grand  hit,"  etc. 

A  second  herald  was  in  the  form  of  gaily 
colored  wall  paper  with  copy  "We're  so  ex- 
cited about  'Hello,  Frisco,  Hello'  in  techni- 
color that  we  couldn't  resist  telling  you 
about  it." 


Rockwell's  "Wanted"  Herald 

To  help  exploit  his  date  on  "Isle  of  Miss- 
ing Men,"  Ken  Rockwell  at  the  Palace  the- 
atre, in  Jamestown,  distributed  tinted 
"wanted"  heralds  which  featured  cuts  of  the 
leads  in  the  picture  in  addition  to  descrip- 
tive copy  on  each.  The  bottom  of  the  her- 
ald was  devoted  to  a  plug  for  the  co-fea- 
ture, "Mountain  Rhythm." 


World  Premiere 
Of  "Corvette" 
Held  by  Dilley 

The  world  premiere  of  "Corvette"  at  the 
Colonial  theatre,  in  Port  Arthur,  Canada, 
was  given  an  outdoor  program  by  Charlie 
Dilley,  which  included  the  active  participa- 
tion of  the  crew  of  H.M.C.S.  Griffon  and 
some  members  of  the  crew  of  the  Port  Ar- 
thur. Naval  officers  from  a  number  of  Can- 
adian ships  also  took  part  in  the  pre-open- 
ing  ceremonies.  The  program  included  the 
RCAF  salute  to  the  Royal  Canadian  Navy, 
an  aerial  display  which  lasted  about  10  min- 
utes. 

A  guard  of  honor  of  naval  ratings  from 
H.M.C.S.  Griffon  was  drawn  up  in  front 
of  the  theatre,  the  entrance  to  which  was 
barred  by  a  cable  which  was  severed  by  an 
employe  of  the  Port  Arthur  Shipbuilding 
Company  to  mark  the  formal  opening  of  the 
world  premiere.  The  entrance  to  the  thea- 
tre was  an  improvised  ship's  gangplank  and 
deck.  Tied  up  with  the  opening  was  a  short 
talk  by  a  Victory  Loan  official  with  "Miss 
Canada"  girls  acting  as  special  usherettes. 

Part  of  the  campaign  consisted  of  a  solid 
12-page  section  of  the  Evening  News- 
Chronicle  tied  in  with  the  War  Finance 
Committee,  and  each  ad  in  the  section  paid 
tribute  to  "Corvette  Port  Arthur."  The 
section  was  loaded  with  interesting  stories 
concerning  the  building  and  lanching  of 
H.M.C.S.  Port  Arthur  and  its  personnel. 

At  three  matinees  during  the  engagement, 
school  children  were  invited  guests  of 
Famous  Players  through  an  invitation  is- 
sued by  Mr.  John  Fitzgibbons. 


Music  Store  Tieup 
Aids  "Hello,  'Frisco" 

In  connection  with  his  engagement  of 
"Hello,  Frisco,  Hello"  at  the  Poli  Palace, 
in  Meriden,  Conn.,  Joe  Samartano  distribut- 
ed heralds  through  a  tieup  with  a  local  mu- 
sic store  with  guest  tickets  issued  by  the 
merchant  in  exchange  for  old  records.  The 
cooperating  store  paid  the  full  price  for  the 
tickets,  Joe  coming  through  with  parapher- 
nalia on  the  picture  for  use  as  a  window  dis- 
play in  the  store.  In  addition  the  merchant 
paid  for  a  co-operative  ad  which  was  used 
four  times  in  both  daily  papers. 

On  "The  Moon  Is  Down,"  Joe  promoted 
a  cooperative  ad  from  the  local  five  and 
dime,  which  featured  the  sale  of  the  book  in 
the  ad  and  urged  readers  to  see  the  picture 
at  the  Palace. 


Lands  Numerous  Windows 
On  "Hit  Parade  of  1943" 

In  advance  of  his  date  on  "Hit  Parade" 
at  the  Poli  Bijou  theatre,  in  New  Haven, 
Sid  Kleper  promoted  several  window  and 
counter  displays  in  some  of  the  larger  down- 
town stores  in  advance  of  the  date.  Five 
music  stores  were  also  tied  in  and  cards 
were  planted  atop  fifteen  centrally  located 
juke  boxes.  Sid  also  promoted  one  of  the 
shoe  stores  for  imprinted  bags,  which  fea- 
tured a  cut  of  a  scene  still  together  with 
cast,  playdates,  etc.  A  tinted  herald  was 
also  distributed  well  in  advance. 


74 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    19,  1943 


Selling  Points 

ON  THE  NEW  PRODUCT 

[The  material  below  reflects  press  books  now  in  preparation  and  represents  the  point  of 
view  of  the  distributors'  exploiteers  about  the  selling  points  and  special  merit  of  these  pictures.] 


CONGRATULATIONS 


STAGE  DOOR  CANTEEN  (United  Artists): 

With  a  title  known  to  millions  of  people 
through  the  real  Stage  Door  Canteen  in 
New  York  and  its  attendant  publicity,  48 
stars  in  its  cast  and  a  story  which  though 
about  the  war  time  scene  is  nevertheless 
escapist  fare,  the  picture  is  replete  with 
selling  angles.  There  are  nine  songs  in  the 
picture  and  six  name  bands.  Recordings 
have  been  made  of  some  of  the  songs, 
offering  an  opportunity,  rare  of  late,  to 
tie  up  with  music  dealers.  "Marching 
Through  Berlin"  headed  the  list  of  tunes 
selected  by  American  Weekly  as  the  "Hits 
to  Be  for  '43"  and  for  this  reason,  heralds 
announcing  the  picture  could  be  inserted  in 
Sunday  papers  carrying  the  American 
Weekly.  Bands  should  be  asked  to  play 
the  hit  tunes  and  give  credit  to  the  picture. 
Radio  stations  may  also  be  sources  of  plugs 
for  the  music.  A  special  edition  of  the 
book  has  been  issued  to  sell  at  a  low  price 
for  giveaway  and  display  purposes.  Cheryl 
Walker  is  tied  up  with  a  Max  Factor  ad- 
vertising campaign  and  stores  handling 
these  products  should  be  asked  to  co- 
operate locally.  There  is  a  "Guess  the 
Stars"  contest  especially  adaptable  for  this 
picture  because  of  the  great  number  of 
well  known  personalities  in  it.  The  contest 
referred  to  is  for  five  days,  but  the  show- 
man may  easily  design  a  contest  to  fit  his 
own  situation.  Cheryl  Walker  in  the  pic- 
ture plays  the  part  of  Eileen,  a  girl  who 
becomes  a  junior  hostess  in  the  Stage  Door 
Canteen.  An  interesting  promotion,  there- 
fore, would  be  to  find  a  local  girl  who 
would  make  the  ideal  Stage  Door  Canteen 
hostess.  The  ten  prettiest  would  make  a 
good  drawing  card  for  the  opening  night, 
with  the  audience  to  select  the  winner  from 
among  them.  There  is  a  selection  of  photos 
showing  the  stars  of  the  Canteen  at  work 
which  can  be  set  up  in  various  places  to 


draw  attention.  Macy's  devoted  important 
space  to  this  exhibit  in  New  York.  If  your 
city  is  far  enough  from  New  York  and 
you  have  servicemen  about,  try  to  find  one 
who  has  visited  the  Stage  Door  Canteen. 
An  account  of  his  experiences  would  make 
good  reading  in  the  local  newspapers.  The 
Stage  Door  Canteen  in  New  York  sends 
pictures  to  their  home  towns  of  boys  who 
are  entertained  there.  A  display  of  pic- 
tures of  this  type  would  be  especially 
appropriate  in  connection  with  the  picture. 
There  is  a  classified  ad  contest  which  the 
newspaper's  promotion  manager  might  find 
interesting — there  are  48  questions,  one 
for  each  of  the  stars,  based  on  the  ads  in 
the  newspaper.  The  contest  can  run  four, 
six,  eight  or  12  days.  In  some  communities, 
a  baking  contest  might  be  conducted  to 
determine  service  men's  favorite  cakes. 
The  cakes  would  be  turned  over  to  service- 
men either  through  a  canteen  or  the  USO 
or  some  other  organization.  Prizes  would 
be  awarded  the  woman  who  baked  the 
best  cake.  A  cooking  contest  for  men 
might  be  run,  based  on  the  fact  that  in 
the  picture  Alfred  Lunt  is  shown  baking, 
an  art  in  which  he  is  known  to  excel.  This 
contest  could  be  staged  in  the  kitchen  of  a 
restaurant  at  off  hours  or  in  the  local  gas 
or  electric  company's  model  kitchen.  As  a 
special  feature  during  the  run  of  "Stage 
Door  Canteen"  you  might  serve  coffee  and 
sandwiches  in  the  lobby  to  servicemen  only, 
thereby  inaugurating  a  Canteen  of  your 
own.  If  you  have  a  stage  and  can  do  it  at 
the  stage  door,  so  much  the  better.  An- 
other similar  idea  is  to  arrange  a  canteen 
for  a  night  with  local  people  of  the  enter- 
tainment world,  social,  civic,  business,  re- 
ligious and  professional  organizations  all 
aiding  to  make  it  a  success.  The  celebrities 
should  be  enlisted  as  workers,  just  as  they 
are  in  the  picture. 


Book  Ads,  Recruiting  Booths 
Promote  "Action  in  Atlantic" 

Among  the  promotional  activities  calcu- 
lated to  stimulate  interest  in  the  nationwide 
engagements  of  Warner's  "Action  in  the 
North  Atlantic"  will  be  an  extensive  adver- 
tising campaign  on  the  book  version  of  the 
picture,  authored  by  Guy  Gilpatric  and  pub- 
lished by  E.  P.  Dutton  &  Co.,  and  the  op- 
eration of  recruiting  booths  in  theatres  play- 
ing the  picture. 

First  of  the  Dutton  ads  on  the  book  are 
appearing  in  New  York  newspapers  coin- 
cident with  the  pre-release  engagement  of 
the  picture  at  the  New  York  Strand,  with 
ad  copy  calling  attention  to  the  film  ver- 
sion. Subsequent  advertising  of  the  book  in 
other  cities  will  be  timed  to  coincide  with 
local  engagements  of  the  picture. 


The  War  Shipping  Administration  has 
given  its  approval  to  the  installation  of  Mer- 
chant Marine  recruiting  booths  in  theatres, 
with  local  recruiting  offices  cooperating  in 
the  enlistment  of  men  for  both  the  Training 
Organization  and  the  Recruitment  and  Man- 
ning Organization  of  the  War  Shipping 
Administration. 


Scott's  Scare  Cards 

To  help  exploit  "Frankenstein  Meets  the 
Wolf  Man"  at  the  Grand  theatre,  in  Holden- 
ville,  Okla.,  Boyd  Scott  distributed  five  hun- 
dred tinted  cards  reading:  "Can  you  take 
it?"  This  was  followed  by  scare  copy  and 
cast.  The  cost  of  these  cards  was  small, 
since  they  were  printed  from  a  teaser  ad 
used  in  the  newspaper  four  days  in  advance 
of  the  showing. 


June  2  I  st 

Edward  C.  May 
Leo  A.  Buskey 
Jack  G.  Van 
J.  Knox  Strachan 
Irving  Blumberg 
Ted  Kirkmeyer 
Marshall  Rooks 
Anthony  A.  Dapice 
A.  D.  Deason 
Elmer  Adams,  Jr. 
22nd 

J.  B.  Giachetti 
William  G.  Burke. 
Daniel  Harris 
D.  O.  Brantley 
Arthur  Halbrooks 
Albert  J.  Clarke 
Jay  Solomon 
23rd 

C.  Spencer  Hedge 
Thomas  Geary 
T.  Kenneth  Reeves 
Hyman  Bloom 
24th 

G.  B.  Kemble 
Nelson  Creswell 
Bob  Manderson 
N.  R.  Hamblin 
David  Bachner 
Robert  Gustafson 
25th 

Joseph  G.  Seyboldt 
Wilbur  Werthner 


June  25th 

Henry  Wtulich 
Leo  H.  Henderson 
Dwight  Van  Meter 
Paul  S.  Gottschall 
Fred  S.  Vassar 
Bob  De  Laneo 
William  J.  Gates 
Deborah  B.  Washer 
Ray  R.  Summers 
George  W.  Coleman 
Erwin  Janot 
Gertrude  Bunchez 

26th 

James  J.  Kolbeck 
Larry  Morris 
R.  E.  Eason 
T.  W.  Lewis 
Rodney  L.  Cron 
Harold  E.OId 
Jack  Hazlett 

27th 

Clarence  Groeteke 
Frank  Staley 
Richard  L.  Moss 
Eddie  Hohlor 
Milton  Bundt 
Jack  W.  Bartholic 
Abie  Beter 
L  G.  Hertl 
Dave  Vorzimer 
George  A.  Steeb 
Robert  M.  Watts 
Jack  Nixon,  Jr. 


Libraries  Aid  Teschner 
On  "The  Human  Comedy" 

Ted  Teschner  at  Loew's  Esquire  theatre, 
in  Toledo,  accorded  "The  Human  Comedy" 
a  well  rounded  campaign  which  featured 
numerous  window  and  counter  displays  of 
the  Saroyan  book  in  one  of  the  leading  de- 
partment stores,  which  also  used  special 
mounted  one-sheets  in  their  elevators.  Book- 
marks were  distributed  by  the  main  public 
library  and  its  branches,  a  local  jeweler 
came  through  with  a  cooperative  ad  and  a 
fashion  break  on  Marsha  Hunt  was  landed 
in  the  paper. 

For  outside  attention,  Ted  used  a  giant 
book  ballyhoo  for  a  week  in  advance  and 
during  the  run  of  the  picture  and  woodblocks 
lettered  with  the  title  were  used  by  newsboys 
to  hold  down  papers.  Cards  were  used  in 
the  boxes  of  all  leading  hotels  and  window 
displays  were  had  in  the  main  office  and  all 
branches  of  the  Postal  Telegraph. 


High  School  Contest  Aids 
"My  Friend  Flicka" 

An  essay  contest  at  the  local  high  schools 
was  promoted  by  Leonard  Stalling,  manager 
of  the  Astor  theatre,  Reading,  Pa.,  to  pro- 
vide an  extra  boost  for  "My  Friend  Flicka." 
The  chosen  subject  was,  "The  Part  Played 
by  Animals  in  the  War  Effort,"  and  the 
contest  was  announced  throughout  the  high 
schools  as  well  as  flashed  from  the  theatre's 
screen  by  a  special  trailer. 

Stalling's  campaign  also  included  a  street 
bally  consisting  of  a  youth  on  horseback, 
carrying  a  playdate  banner.  In  front  of  the 
theatre  was  placed  several  bales  of  hay, 
posted  with  a  sign  reading :  "This  is 
for  'My  Friend  Flicka.'  "  Book  makers 
were  distributed  through  the  public  libraries 
and  the  trolleys  and  buses  were  placarded. 


June    19,  1943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


75 


Fortnight's  Leading  Showmen 

At  this  writing  there  remains  but  one  two-week  period  before  the  end  of  the  Sec- 
ond Quarter  Judging.  There  is  still  time  to  get  in  under  the  wire,  so  send  along 
your  campaigns  for  Quigley  Awards  consideration. 


ELMER  ADAMS,  JR. 
Yucca,  Midland,  Tex. 

VINCENT  ALDERT 
Paramount,  Bra+tleboro,  Vt. 

G.  D.  BEAVIS 

Odeon,  Kingston,  Ont.,  Canada 

LIGE  BRIEN 

Kenyon,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

BERT  DETWILER 
Latrobe,  Latrobe,  Pa. 

GERTRUDE  BUNCHEZ 
Century,  Baltimore,  Md. 

GORDON  CARSON 

Royal,  Fort  William,  Ont.,  Canada 

LOUIS  CHARNINSKY 
Capitol,  Dallas,  Tex. 

DAVE  DALLAS 

Griffith,  Manhattan,  Kans. 


ARNOLD  GATES 

Loew's  Park,  Cleveland,  Ohio 

SAM  GILMAN 
Regent,  Harrisburg,  Pa. 

ARTHUR  GROOM 

Loew's  State,  Memphis,  Tenn. 

JAMES  HUDDLESTON 
Kingsland,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

ALBERT  T.  JOHNSON 
Palace,  Houston,  Tex. 

A.  J,  KALBERER 
Switow's  Indiana 
Washington,  Ind. 

MURRAY  KEILLOR 

Roxy,  Cornwall,  Ont.,  Canada 

JAMES  KING 

Keith's  Boston,  Boston,  Mass. 

SIDNEY  KLEPER 

Bijou,  New  Haven,  Conn. 


C.  J.  REMINGTON 
State,  Auburn,  Calif. 

ORVILLE  RENNIE 
Paramount,  Cedar  Rapids,  la. 

KEN  ROCKWELL 
Palace,  Jamestown,  N.  Y. 

HARRY  ROSE 

Globe,  Bridgeport,  Conn. 

JOE  SAMARTANO 
Pol?,  Meriden,  Conn. 

BOYD  SCOn- 
Grand,  Holdenville,  Okla. 

carl  scon 

Rivoli,  Muncie,  Ind. 

M.  R.  STEPHENS 

Granada,  Dunnville,  Ont.,  Canada 

MOLLIE  STICKLES 
Strand,  Waterbury,  Conn. 


FRANCIS  DEERING 
Loew's  State,  Houston,  Tex. 


GEORGE  LABY 
Palace,  Pittsfield,  Mass. 


CHARLES  B.  TAYLOR 
Shea  Theatres,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 


TOM  DELBRIDGE 

Loew's,  Nashville,  Tenn. 


JOE  LONGO 
Loew's,  Boston,  Mass. 


TED  TESCHNER 
Valentine,  Toledo,  Ohio 


LOUIS  BREYER 
Strand,  Holyoke,  Mass. 


LOUIS  E.  MAYER 
Palace,  Cleveland,  Ohio 


FRED  TICKELL 

Capitol,  Fort  William,  Ont.,  Can. 


WILLIAM  ELDER 
Loew's,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 


RITA  MORTON 

RKO  Albee,  Providence,  R.  I. 


ARTHUR  TURNER 

Griffith,  Parsons,  Kans. 


JACK  FLEX 

Keith,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 


GEORGE  OLSEN 
Madera,  Madera,  Calif. 


H.  S.  TWEDT 
Lido,  Manly,  la. 


WILLIAM  GALLIGAN 
Commercial,  Chicago,  I 


LESTER  POLLOCK 
Loew's,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 


MAXWELL  WEINBERG 
Mayfair,  Baltimore,  Md. 


Adams  Snipes  Juke  Boxes  with 
"Reveille  With  Beverly"  Copy 

In  an  effort  to  sell  his  date  on  "Reveille 
With  Beverly"  at  the  Ritz  theatre,  in  Mid- 
land, Tex.,  Elmer  Adams  planted  copy  on 
all  juke  boxes  around  town  reading:  "If 
you  don't  find  your  favorite  band  on  the 
records  listed,  you  are  sure  to  see  and  hear 
them  at,"  etc.  An  entire  false  front  was 
built  for  the  engagement  and  featured  cutout 
dancing  girls  on  a  banner  together  with  cut- 
out letters  of  red  with  metallics  against  the 
white  background.  Stars  dominated  the  bal- 
ance of  the  banner,  in  each  of  which  was 
painted  the  names  of  the  featured  players. 

For  "Hitler's  Children,"  Adams  promoted 
15  minutes  from  the  local  radio  station  for 
the  opening  day ;  this  was  utilized  for  a  short 
sketch  of  the  feature. 

A  teaser  campaign  was  planted  for  the 
papers  such  as  just  the  title  words  being 
used  the  first  day.  This  was  then  followed 
with  additional  copy  each  succeeding  day 
until  opening;  the  line  "Watch  This  Space" 
was  used  every  day.  Sniped  on  other  ad- 
vertising were  the  lines :  ''A  stamp  a  day 
helps  get  Hitler  out  of  the  way." 


Special  Preview  Held 
For  "Crash  Dive" 

The  Orpheum  and  Madison  theatres'  day- 
and-date  showing  in  Madison,  Wisconsin,  of 
"Crash  Dive"  was  heralded  by  a  special  pre- 
view dinner.  Members  of  the  local  univer- 
sity's naval  training  staff,  groups  of 
WAVES,  naval  and  marine  officers  sta- 
tioned locally,  were  invited  to  a  dinner, 
which  was  followed  by  a  preview  of  the  ac- 
tion hit. 

The  local  management  got  unusual  coop- 
eration from  the  papers  on  the  preview  din- 
ner and  on  a  national  pictorial  break  show- 
ing Tyrone  Power  in  training  as  a  Marine 
officer.  Papers  gave  credit  to  the  local 
showing  on  the  caption  for  the  national 
break. 


Blueprint  Posters 
Aid  "Desert  Victory" 

Manager  Toby  Ross,  of  the  Fox  theatre, 
in  Corning,  N.  Y.,  made  a  solid  tie-in  with 
the  local  Ingersoll  Rand  Co.,  who  are  man- 
ufacturing war  materials ;  posters  announc- 
ing the  playdate  of  "Desert  Victory"  were 
made  on  blueprint  paper  and  looked  like  a 
regular  working  blueprint  and  were  posted 
on  every  one  of  the  plant's  bulletin  boards. 

Interest  of  the  company  went  further  with 
a  block  buy  of  tickets  for  every  one  of  its 
employees,  which  enabled  them  to  see  the  of- 
ficial British  film  at  the  local  theatre. 


Pickard  Ties  S.P.C.A. 
To  "My  Friend  Flicka" 

Elmer  Pickard,  manager  of  Warner's 
Fox  theatre,  Philadelphia,  contacted  the 
Pennsylvania  Society  for  the  Prevention  of 
Cruelty  to  Animals  to  give  added  box-office 
support  to  "My  Friend  Flicka."  All  the 
members  of  the  Society  were  contacted  by 
letter  and  urged  to  see  the  picture.  In  ad- 
dition, the  monthly  bulletin  of  the  organiza- 
tion devoted  generous  space  to  an  editorial 
on  the  film.  Pickard  further  tied  in  with 
all  the  book  stores  and  book  counters  at  the 
department  stores,  resulting  in  flashed  win- 
dow displays  and  counter  cards. 


"Old  Timers  Round  Up" 
Arranged  by  Dallas 

Several  showmen  may  have  used  Captain 
Jack  Loyd,  self-styled  "Last  of  the  Plains- 
men," and  his  collection  of  Western  photo- 
graphs, but  Dave  Dallas,  city  manager  of 
the  H.  J.  Griffith  Theatres,  in  Manhattan, 
Kansas,  gave  the  Captain's  show  added  local 
interest  by  using  it  as  a  peg  on  which  to 
hang  an  "Old  Timers  Round  Up."  Three 
days  prior  to  the  show,  Dallas  ran  an  ad- 
vertisement in  the  local  papers,  not  only  in 
the  classified  section,  but  on  every  page  of 
the  paper's  three  days  issues.  As  was  ex- 
pected, this  stirred  up  considerable  interest. 

The  contest  was  held  in  the  lobby  of  the 
theatre  on  a  Saturday  afternoon  and  was  by 
admission  tickets  only. 


Todorov's  Match  Teaser 

More  than  2,000  envelopes,  each  contain- 
ing a  single  match,  were  distributed  as  a 
teaser  for  "Lady  of  Burlesque"  by  Milan 
Todorov,  manager  of  Wilmer  &  Vincent's 
State  theatre,  Allentown,  Pa.  The  slogan 
on  the  envelope  read:  "A  Match  for  Any 
Man." 


Soldier  Identification 
Contest  Held  by  Rockwell 

Kenneth  Rockwell  at  the  Palace  theatre, 
in  Jamestown,  N.  Y.,  tied  up  with  a  local 
photograph  studio  for  a  display  board  in  the 
lobby  with  soldiers'  photos.  The  first  three 
persons  to  identify  any  one  of  the  photos 
receives  a  pass  to  the  theatre.  In  exchange 
for  this  display,  the  photographer  plugs 
Rockwell's  week's  programs  at  the  Palace 
and  Wintergarden  theatres  on  his  15-min- 
ute  daily  radio  program. 

For  "Behind  Prison  Walls,"  Ken  dressed 
one  of  his  staff  in  striped  uniform  and  had 
him  parade  the  streets  with  a  sandwich  sign 
calling  attention  to  the  opening  dates. 


Carey's  Telephone  Stunt 

A  novel  telephone  stunt  was  conducted 
by  James  A.  Carey,  manager  of  the  Hiway 
theatre,  York,  Pa.,  as  an  institutional  pro- 
motion. Each  night  for  two  weeks,  Carey 
had  his  cashier  call  20  to  30  names  selected 
at  random  from  the  telephone  directory. 
She  would  ask  if  the  person  responding 
knew  what  picture  was  playing  that  evening 
at  the  Hiway.  If  so,  two  guest  passes  were 
sent  to  the  person  responding. 


PICTURE    HERALD  June    19,  1943 

A  statistical  compilation  and 
comparison  of  Box-Office  Per- 
formance in  first-run  theatres 

Figures  directly  below  picture  title  compare  dollar  gross  with  average  gross  and  show  relative  percentage  of  all  engagements  tabulated. 

Figures  opposite  theatre  names  represent  percentage-of  tabulated  grosses  to  average  weekly  business  based  on  the  six  months'  period 
ending  April  30,  1943. 

SYMBOLS:  (DB)  Double  Bill— associate  feature  title;  (SA)  Stage  Attraction;  (MO)— Move-Over  Run;  (AA)  Advance  Admission. 


76  MOTION 

PICTURE 
CROSSES 


THE  MORE  THE  MERRIER  (Col.) 

Final  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated 
Comparative  Average  Gross 
Over-all  Performance 


$832,400 
689,500 
120.0% 


BALTIMORE — Hippodrome,  1st  week    .    .    .  118.7% 

(SA)  Archie  Robbins,  Randall  Sisters  and  others 
BALTIMORE — Hippodrome,  2nd  week   .    .   .  87.5% 

(SA)  Archie  Robbins,  Randall  Sisters  and  others 
BOSTON— Loew's  Orpheum,  1st  week     .   .    .  111.6% 

(DB)  After  Midnight  With  Boston  Blackie  (Col.) 
BOSTON— Loew's  Orpheum,  2nd  week    .    .    .  97.4% 
(DB)  After  Midnight  With  Boston  Blackie  (Col.) 

BOSTON— Loew's  State,  1st  week  103.8% 

(DB)  After  Midnight  With  Boston  Blackie  (Col.) 

BOSTON— Loew's  State,  2nd  week  113.6% 

(DB)  After  Midnight  With  Boston  Blackie  (Col.) 

BUFFALO— Lafayette,  1st  week   169.6% 

(DB)  A  Man's  World  (Col.) 

BUFFALO— Lafayette,  2nd  week  121.2% 

(DB)  Stand  By  All  Networks  (Col.) 

BUFFALO— Lafayette,  3rd  week   92.9% 

(DB)  Underground  Agent  (Col.) 

CHICAGO— State  Lake,  1st  week  143.5% 

CHICAGO— State  Lake,  2nd  week  114.8% 

CHICAGO— State  Lake,  3rd  week  105.2% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Albee  86.9% 

CINCINNATI — RKO  Capitol,  MO,  1st  week  .  89.5% 
CINCINNATI — RKO  Grand,  MO',  2nd  week  .  70.0% 
CINCINNATI — RKO  Grand,  MO,  3rd  week  .  .  79.6% 
CLEVELAND1 — Warner's  Hippodrome, 

1st  week   142.8% 

CLEVELAND— Warner's  Hippodrome, 

2nd  week   86.3% 

DENVER— Denver  185.0% 

(DB)  Man  Trap  (Rep.) 

DENVER— Esquire   237.1% 

(DB)  Man  Trap  (Rep.) 

DENVER— Rialto  150.0% 

(DB)  Man  Trap  (Rep.) 

DENVER— Aladdin,  MO,  1st  week  100.0% 

(DB)  Man  Trap  (Rep.) 
DENVER— Broadway,  MO,  1st  week   ....  105.6% 
(DB)  Man  Trap  (Rep.) 

INDIANAPOLIS— Loew's  135.8% 

KANSAS  CITY— Midland,  1st  week   ....  166.6% 

(DB)  Boston  Blackie  Goes  Hollywood  (Col.) 
KANSAS  CITY— Midland,  2nd  week   ....  116.6% 

(DB)  Boston  Blackie  Goes  Hollywood  (Col.) 
LOS  ANGELES— Hillstreet,   1st  week   .   .    .  103.6% 

(DB)  Redhead  from  Manhattan  (Col.) 
LOS  ANGELES— Hillstreet.  2nd  week    .    .    .  112.8% 

(DB)  Prelude  to  War  (WAC) 
LOS  ANGELES— Hillstreet,  3rd  week    .    .    .  88.4% 

(DB)  He's  My  Guy  (Univ.) 
LOS  ANGELES— Pantages.  1st  week   ....  134.3% 

(DB)  Redhead  from  Manhattan  (Col.) 
LOS  ANGELES— Pantages.  2nd  week     .    .   .  151.4% 

(DB)  Prelude  to  War  (WAC) 
LOS  ANGELES— Pantages.    3rd   week    .    .    .  119.3% 
(DB)  He's  My  Guy  (Univ.) 

MILWAUKEE— Palace  181.2% 

(DB)  One  Dangerous  Night  (Col.) 

NEW  HAVEN— Loew's  Poli  102.1% 

(DB)  Falcon  Strikes  Back  (RKO) 
NEW  HAVEN — College,  MO.  1st  week   .    .   .  117.6% 
(DB)  Falcon  Strikes  Back  (RKO) 

OMAHA— Brandeis   143.1% 

(DB)  Underground  Agent  (Col.) 

OMAHA— Brandeis  98.9% 

(DB)  The  Great  Gildersleeve  (RKO) 
PHILADELPHIA— Boyd,    1st    week   ....  154.9% 

PHILADELPHIA— Boyd,  2nd  week  133.3% 

PHILADELPHIA— Boyd,  3rd  week  99.4% 

PITTSBURGH— Harris,  1st  week  188.8% 

PITTSBURGH— Harris,  2nd  week  133.3% 

PITTSBURGH— Harris.  3rd  week  118.8% 

PITTSBURGH— Senator,  MO.  1st  week  .    .    .  112.5% 

PROVIDENCE— Loew's  State  112.7% 

(DB)  Murder  in  Times  Square  (Col.) 
SAN  FRANCISCO— Orpheum.  1st  week    .    .    .  143.3% 

(DB)  Redhead  from  Manhattan  (Col.) 
SAN  FRANCISCO— Orpheum.  2nd  week  .    .    .  133.3% 

(DB)  Redhead  from  Manhattan  (Col.) 
SAN  FRANCISCO— Orpheum.  3rd  week  .    .    .  129.1% 
(DB)  Redhead  from  Manhattan  (Col.) 


SAN  FRANCISCO— Orpheum,  4th  week  .    .   .  112.5% 

(DB)  Redhead  from  Manhattan  (Col.) 
SEATTLE— Liberty,  1st  week  175.0% 

(DB)  Boogie  Man  Will  Get  You  (Col.) 
SEATTLE— Liberty,  2nd  week  118.7% 

(DB)  Boogie  Man  Will  Get  You  (Col.) 
ST.  LOUIS— Loew's  State,  1st  week   ....  118.0% 

(DB)  After  Midnight  With  Boston  Blackie  (Col.) 
ST.  LOUIS— Loew's  State,  2nd  week   ....  83.8% 

(DB)  After  Midnight  With  Boston  Blackie  (Col.) 
ST.  LOUIS— Loew's  Orpheum,  MO,  1st  week  .  82.8% 

(DB)  After  Midnight  With  Boston  Blackie  (Col.) 

TORONTO— Imperial  155.4% 

WASHINGTON— Earle,   1st   week  116.5% 

(SA)  Vaudeville 
WASHINGTON— Earle,  2nd  week  103.6% 

(SA)  Vaudeville 


THIS  LAND  IS  MINE  (RKO) 

Final  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $304,650 
Comparative  Average  Gross  309,850 
Over-all  Performance  98.3% 


BALTIMORE— Hippodrome   96.8% 

(SA)  Ben  Yost's  Vi-Kings  and  others 

BOSTON— RKO  Keith's  Memorial,  1st  week    .  105.2% 

(DB)  Ladies'  Day  (RKO) 

BOSTON— RKO  Keith's  Memorial,  2nd  week   .  57.4% 

(DB)  Ladies'  Day  (RKO) 
BUFFALO — 20th  Century.  1st  week  57.3% 

(DB)  Rhythm  Parade  (Mono.) 

BUFFALO— 20th  Centurv.  2nd  week,  (6  days)  62.5% 

(DB)  Rhythm  Parade  (Mono.) 

CHICAGO— Palace   120.4% 

(DB)  Ladies'  Day  (RKO) 

CINCINNATI— RKO'  Albee   93.1% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Capitol,  MO,  1st  week   .  89.5% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Circle    .    .    .   117.6% 

(DB)  Ladies'  Dav  (RKO) 

MINNEAPOLIS— Orpheum    77.7% 

NEW    HAVEN— Roger    Sherman   70.3% 

(DB)  Silver  Skates  (Mono.) 

NEW  YORK— Rivoli,  1st  week   120.0% 

NEW  YORK— Rivoli,  2nd  week   75.5% 

OMAHA— Brandeis   149.4% 

(DB)  Ladies'  Dav  (RKO) 

PHILADELPHIA— Stanlev   87.7% 

(DB)  Prelude  to  War  (WAC) 

PROVIDENCE— RKO  Albee   95.6% 

(DB)  Gildersleeve's  Bad  Dav  (RKO) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Golden  Gate,  1st  week  .   .  128.3% 

(SA)  Ted  Lewis  Orchestra 

SAN  FRANCISCO'— Golden  Gate,  2nd  week    .  117.1% 

(A)  Jimmv  Lunceford's  Orchestra 

SEATTLE— Paramount   100.5% 

(DB)  Ladies'  Day  (RKO) 


NEW  BASE  LINE 

Beginning  in  this  issue,  the  average, 
or  100  per  cent,  line  of  these  tabu- 
lations, is  the  average  weekly  busi- 
ness of  the  theatres  concerned  for 
the  six  months  ending  April  30,  1943. 
The  previous  period  was  the  last  half 
of  1942.  This  brings  into  the  new 
base  a  recognition  of  the  new  gen- 
eral level  of  box  office  performances 
of  the  current  period  of  wartime 
spending  and  war  payrolls. 


ST.  LOUIS— Ambassador  

(DB)  The  Great  Gildersleeve  (RKO) 
WASHINGTON— Keith's,  1st  week  . 
WASHINGTON— Keith's,   2nd  week 


104.1% 

114.7% 
59.0% 


REVEILLE  WITH  BEVERLY  (Col.) 

Final  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated 
Comparative  Average  Gross 
Over-all  Performance 


$261,700 
230,400 
M3.0% 


BALTIMORE— Hippodrome   112.5% 

(SA)  Billy  Rose's  Diamond  Horseshoe  Review 

BOSTON— Loew's    State   113  6% 

(DB)  Three  Hearts  for  Julia  (MGM) 

BUFFALO-Lafayette   63.5% 

(DB)  Enemy  Agents  Meet  Ellerv  Queen  (Col.) 

CINCINNATI-RKO  Grand  ..."   98.1% 

(DB)  McGuerins  from  Brooklyn  (UA-Roach; 

CLEVELAND— RKO  Palace   107.7% 

(SA)  "Lew  Walters  Latin  Quarter  Revue" 

DEN  VER— Paramount   100  0% 

(DB)  Keep  'Em  Slugging  (Univ.) 

INDIANAPOLIS— Loew's   92.3% 

(DB)  Something  to  Shout  About  (Col.) 

KANSAS  CITY— Midland   154.1% 

(DB)  Desperadoes  (Col.) 

LOS  ANGELES— Hillstreet   115.8% 

(DB)  Desperadoes  (Col.) 

LOS  ANGELES— Pantages  .   123.1% 

(DB)  Desperadoes  (Col.) 

MILWAUKEE— Palace   125.0% 

(DB)  Desperadoes  (Col.) 

MONTREAL— Capitol   131.5% 

(DB)  Power  of  Press  (Col.) 

NEW  HAVEN— College   147.0% 

(DB)  Pierre  of  the  Plains  (MGM) 

PHILADELPHIA— Earle   133.1% 

(SA)  Bob  Allen's  Orchestra  and  others 

PITTSBURGH— Senator   80.6% 

(DB)  Eyes  of  the  Underworld  (Univ.) 

PROVIDENCE— State   97.7% 

(DB)  Harrigan's  Kid  (MGM) 

PROVIDENCE— Carlton.  MO.  1st  week   .    .    .  90.9% 

(DB)  Harrigan's  Kid  (MGM) 

SAN  FRANCTSCO— Orpheum   120.8% 

(DB)  City  Without  Men  (Col.) 

SEATTLE— Liberty   117.5% 

(DB)  Junior  Armv  (Col.) 

ST.  LOUIS— Loew's  Orpheum   104.0% 

(DB)  City  Without  Men  (Col.) 

TORONTO— Imperial    130.2% 

(DB)  Flight  Lieutenant  (Col.) 

WASHINGTON — Metropolitan   115.3% 


FIVE  CRAVES  TO  CAIRO 

First  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated 
Comparative  Average  Gross 
Over-all  Performance 


Para.) 

$2 1 1 ,000 
203,900 
103.4% 


BUFFALO— Great  Lakes,   1st  week   ....  132.8% 

(DB)  Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour  (Para.) 

BUFFALO— Great  Lakes,  2nd  week   ....  87.4% 

(DB)  Henrv  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour  (Para.) 

CLEVELAND — Loew's   State   111.1% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Indiana    75.1% 

(DB)  Follow  the  Band  (Univ.) 

MINNEAPOLIS— Orpheum    116.6% 

NEW  YORK— Paramount,  1st  week   ....  115.0% 

(SA)  Frank  Sinatra,  Gracie  Barrie  and  others 

NEW  YORK— Paramount,  2nd  week   ....  85.0% 

(SA)  Frank  Sinatra,  Gracie  Barrie  and  others 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine   112.8% 

SEATTLE— Fifth  Avenue    123.5% 

(DB)  Follow  the  Band  (Univ.) 


June    19,     I  943 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


77 


PICTURE  CROSSES 


CHINA  (Para.) 

Intermediate  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $709,100 
Comparative  Average  Gross  538,600 
Over-all  Performance  131.6% 

BOSTON — Metropolitan,   1st  week   126.9% 

(DB)  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  (Para.) 

BOSTON— Metropolitan,  2nd  week   107.6% 

(DB)  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  (Para.) 

BOSTON— Paramount,   MO,    1st   week   .    .    .  68.9% 

(DB)  He  Hired  the  Boss  (20th-Fox) 

BOSTON— Fenway,    MO,    1st    week   ....  67.7% 

(DB)  He  Hired  the  Boss  (20th -Fox) 

CLEVELAND — Loew's  State   143.7% 

CLEVELAND— Stillman,  MO,  1st  week    .    .    .  118.7% 

DENVER— Denham,  1st  week   163.6% 

(DB)  Aerial  Gunner  (Para.) 

DENVER— Denham,    2nd    week   136.3% 

(DB)  Aerial  Gunner  (Para.) 

DENVER— Denham,    3rd    week   100.0% 

(DB)  Aerial  Gunner  (Para.) 
LOS  ANGELES— Paramount   Hollywood,  1st 

week    150.9% 

(DB)  High  Explosive  (Para.) 
LOS  ANGELES— Paramount  Hollywood,  2nd 

week    113.2% 

(DB)  High  Explosive  (Para.) 
LOS  ANGELES— Paramount   Downtown,  1st 

week    191.8% 

(DB)  High  Explosive  (Para.) 
LOS  ANGELES— Paramount   Downtown,  2nd 

week    154.6% 

(DB)  High  Explosive  (Para.) 

MONTREAL— Princess    131.5% 

(DB)  Careful,  Soft  Shoulder  (20th-Fox) 

NEW  HAVEN— Paramount,  1st  week  ....  122.9% 

(DB)  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  (Para.) 

NEW  HAVEN— Paramount,  2nd  week   .    .   .  96.1% 

(DB)  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  (Para.) 

NEW  YORK— Paramount,  1st  week   ....  170.0% 

(SA)  Harry  James  Orchestra  and  others 

NEW  YORK— Paramount,  2nd  week    ....  158.3% 

(SA)  Harry  James  Orchestra  and  others 

NEW  YORK— Paramount,  3rd  week    ....  136.6% 

(SA)  Harrv  James  Orchestra  and  others 

NEW  YORK— Paramount,  4th  week    ....  80.0% 

(SA)  Harry  James  Orchestra  and  others 

OMAHA— Orpheum  •  76-8% 

(DB)  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy  (Para.) 

PHILADELPHIA— Stanley   126-8% 

PROVIDENCE— Strand    156.2% 

(DB)  Tahiti  Honey  (Rep.) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Paramount,  1st  week    .    .  146.4% 

(DB)  Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour  (Para.) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Paramount.  2nd  week   .    .  167.8% 

(DB)  Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour  (Para.) 

ST.   LOUIS— Ambassador,   1st   week    ....  108.3% 

(DB)  Rhythm  of  the  Islands  (Univ.) 

ST.  LOUIS— Ambassador.  2nd  week    ....  79.1% 

(DB)  Rhythm  of  the  Islands  (Univ.) 

ST.   LOUIS— Missouri.   MO.    1st   week    .    .    .  115.9% 

(DB)  Crash  Dive  (20th-Fox) 

ST.  LOUIS— Missouri.  MO'.  2nd  week    .    .    .  139.1% 

(DB)  Crash  Dive  (20th -Fox) 

• 

MISSION  TO  MOSCOW  (WB) 

Intermediate  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $390,568 
Comparative  Average  Gross  355,700 
Over-all  Performance  109.8% 

BALTIMORE— Stanley    121.7% 

DENVER— Denver    75.0% 

(DB)  Cowboy  in  Manhattan  (Univ.) 

DENVER— Esquire   70.0% 

(DB)  Cowboy  in  Manhattan  (Univ.) 

INDIANAPOLIS  Indiana    77.1% 

(DB)  Good  Morning  Judge  (Univ.) 

KANSAS  CITY— Orpheum   83.3% 

(DB)  Taxi  Mister  (UA) 
LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Downtown, 

1st  week   109.0% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Downtown, 

2nd  week   77.0% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Downtown, 

3rd  week   75.7% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Hollywood, 

1st  week   110.0% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Hollywood, 

2nd  week   76.2% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Hollywood, 

3rd  week   69.0% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Wiltern,  1st  week  129.4% 

LOS  ANGELES— Warner's  Wiltern,  2nd  week  100.0% 

LOS  ANGELES—Warner's  Wiltern.  3rd  week  85.7% 

MILWAUKEE— Warner   122.0% 

(DB)  It  Comes  Up  Love  (Univ.) 

NEW  HAVEN— Roger  Sherman   74.0% 

NEW  YORK— Hollywood,  1st  week     ....  160.0% 

NEW  YORK— Hollywood,  2nd  week     ....  144.0% 

NEW  YORK— Hollywood,  3rd  week     ....  120.4% 

NEW  YORK— Hollywood,  4th  week     ....  116.0% 

NEW  YORK— Hollywood,  5th  week     ....  116.0% 

NEW  YORK— Hollywood,  6th  week     ....  70.0% 

PHILADELPHIA— Mastbaum,  1st  week     .    .  134.7% 

PHI LADELPHA— Mast baum.  2nd  week     .   .  84.5% 

SEATTLE— Orpheum    122.1% 

ST.   LOUIS— Ambassador    75.0% 


WPB  Places  Limitation 
On  Rim  "Short  Ends" 

A  ruling  last  week  by  the  War  Production 
Board  that  "short-end"  35mm  film  cannot  be 
sold  or  transferred  without  specific  authoriza- 
tion brought  mqtion  picture  film  in  lengths  of 
less  than  100  feet  under  the  general  limitation 
order  L-178. 

Such  film  formerly  was  exempt  from  the  raw 
stock  control  since  it  represented  only  a  small 
portion  of  total  35mm  film  transferred  during 
the  base  period  in  1941.  The  supply  of  "short 
ends"  has  become  so  limited,  however,  that 
WPB  found  it  necessary  to  regulate  the  film  to 
assure  equitable  distribution.  A  meeting  is 
scheduled  for  June  22nd  which  will  be  attend- 
ed by  members  of  the  distributors  advisory 
committee  of  the  War  Production  Board  and 
Harold  C.  Hopper,  chief  of  the  motion  picture 
section,  to  discuss  raw  stock  allocations  for 
the  third  quarter. 


Markey  Cited  by  Navy 
For  Work  in  Pacific 

Lieutenant  Commander  Gene  Markey  has  re- 
ceived a  citation  from  Rear  Admiral  T.  S. 
Wilkinson  for  his  action  during  the  Navy's 
South  Pacific  campaign.  The  commendation 
read : 

"For  meritorious  performance  of  duty  in  or- 
ganizing and  leading  a  reconnaissance  party  in 
the  Solomon  Islands  area  during  February, 
1943 ;  Commander  Markey,  through  his  excel- 
lent judgment,  initiative  and  leadership  in  the 
organization  and  execution  of  the  mission,  ob- 
tained extensive  and  accurate  information  which 
contributed  materially  to  the  successful  comple- 
tion of  the  occupation  of  an  enemy  island  group. 
His  conduct  throughout  was  in  keeping  with  the 
highest  traditions  of  the  Naval  service." 


Management  Association 
Honors  Anderson 

Henry  Anderson,  manager  of  the  insurance 
department  of  Paramount,  was  one  of  six  in- 
surance managers  representing  large  industries 
to  serve  as  expert  in  a  panel  discussion  at  the 
American  Management  Association  Associa- 
tion's annual  meeting,  held  recently  in  New 
York. 

It  was  the  first  time  that  a  representative 
of  the  motion  picture  industry  had  been  invited 
to  participate  in  such  a  meeting.  Mr.  Anderson 
is  chairman  of  the  theatre  protection  committee 
of  the  Society  of  Motion  Picture  Engineers  and 
a  member  of  the  SMPE  projection  practice 
committee. 


National  Decency  Legion 
Classifies  Six  Films 

The  National  Legion  of  Decency  reviewed 
six  films  for  the  current  week,  classifying  four 
as  unobjectionable  for  general  patronage  and 
two  as  unobjectionable  for  adults.  The  listing 
follows : 

Class  A-l,  Unobjectionable  for  General  Pat- 
ronage: "Buckskin  Frontier,"  "Background  to 
Danger,"  "Crime'  Doctor,"  "Two  Tickets  to 
London."  Class  A-2,  Unobjectionable  for 
Adults :  "Mexican  Spitfire's  Blessed  Event," 
"Stormy  Weather." 

The  Legion  also  revised  its  classification  of 
"Lady  of  Burlesque"  from  "C"  to  "B,"  objec- 
tionable in  part. 


Outing  for  Family  Club 

The  Twentieth  Century-Fox  home  office  Fam- 
ily Club  has  announced  that  the  group  will  con- 
duct a  boat  ride  and  outing  at  Bear  Mountain 
Park  on  June  30th. 


Exhibitor  Asks 
Parent  Aid  in 
Child  Problem 

Children  who  go  to  the  films  alone  and  solicit 
adult  strangers  to  buy  tickets  for  them  put  the 
theatre  management  in  a  difficult  and  embarras- 
sing position,  according  to  Vincent  R.  McFaul 
of  Buffalo  Theatres,  Inc. 

Mr.  McFaul  said  he  recently  read  a  statement 
by  Miss  E.  Marguerite  Gane  of  the  Children's 
Aid  Society  in  which  she  deplored  the  fact  that 
the  Buffalo  City  ordinance  governing  admis- 
sion of  children  to  theatres  was  being  widely 
broken,  either  because  parents  think  the  law 
is  not  important  or  because  they  do  not  know 
the  law. 

"I  want  to  say  that  the  theatre  management 
is  helpless  to  cope  with  the  situation,  which  has 
become  more  serious  in  recent  months  than  at 
any  other  time  since  the  ordinance  was  passed," 
he  said.  "We  know  the  law  is  being  flouted, 
but  just  what  we  can  do  about  it  is  the  problem. 

"The  suggestion  of  the  Children's  Aid  Society 
is  that  parents  become  acquainted  with  the  pro- 
visions of  the  ordinance  and  voluntarily  coop- 
perate  in  upholding  the  law. 

"The  Motion  Picture  Theatre  Owners  of 
New  York  State,  Inc.,  cooperated  in  passing  of 
the  enabling  statute  and  the  ordinances  several 
years  ago,  because  there  had  been  many  abuses," 
he  said.  "I,  for  one,  am  just  as  ready  to  co- 
operate now  in  seeing  that  the  law  is  upheld, 
before  these  wholesale  violations  lead  to  some 
serious  consequences." 

Mr.  McFaul  said  solicitation  of_  an  adult 
stranger  by  a  child  to  buy  his  ticket  is  only  one 
form  of  current  violations  of  the  ordinance  by 
children,  and  pointed  out  that  youngsters  get 
into  theatres  illegally  by  slipping  in  through  the 
exit  doors.  "It  is  not  the  loss  of  the  theatres' 
admission  price  that  is  the  serious  thing,_  but 
the  matter  of  the  Federal  tax  that  is  not  paid.  I 
believe  this  might  lead  to  very  serious  conse- 
quences," he  said. 

The  ordinance  covering  child  admissions  to 
theatres  provides  that  children  under  16,  when 
unaccompanied  by  parents  or  guardian,  may  at- 
tend only  special  afternoon  performances  Sat- 
urdays and  holidays  in  theatres  which  have  pro- 
vided matrons  to  supervise  the  children. 


Kirsch  Idea  for  Film  on 
Vandalism  Gets  Support 

Statements  from  Paramount,  through  Neil 
Agnew,  general  sales  manager,  and  Twentieth 
Century-Fox,  through  Tom  J.  Connors,  _  vice- 
president  in  charge  of  sales,  this  week  indicated 
that  the  suggestion  by  Jack  Kirsch  of  the  Allied 
States  Association  for  a  film  on  juvenile  de- 
linquency would  be  acted  upon  very  soon. 

Mr.  Kirsch  suggested  by  letter,  on  May  26th, 
that  a  film  of  this  nature  would  curb  vandalism, 
and  suggested  that,  a  series  of  single-reel  sub- 
jects be  produced.  Mr.  Agnew  said  that  he 
would  present  the  plan  to  the  War  Activities 
Committee  at  a  meeting  which  was  to  be  held 
this  week. 


Leases  Cincinnati  House 

Louis  Wiethe,  Cincinnati  circuit  operator,  has 
taken  a  10-year  lease  on  the  Jackson  theatre  in 
that  city. 


Honor  Ferguson,  Barron 

William  R.  Ferguson,  exploitation  director 
for  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  and  Carter  Barron, 
division  manager  for  Loew's,  in  Washington, 
have  been  appointed  honorary  members  of  the 
Tennessee  State  Society  of  the  District  of  Co- 
lumbia. The  honor  was  given  for  exploitation 
handled  by  the  two  men  on  the  film,  "Tennes- 
see Johnson." 

Increase  Admissions 

The  Ritz,  Vilas  and  Music  Box  theatres 
of  the  Lasker  Circuit,  Chicago,  have  increased 
prices  by  five  cents.  Admissions  now  charged 
are  22  and  33  cents  on  week  days  and  33  cents 
all  day  Saturdays  and  Sundays. 


78  MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

CLASSIFIED  ADVERTISING 

Ten  cents  per  word,  money-order  or  check  with  copy.  Count  initials,  box  number  and  ad- 
dress. Minimum  insertion,  $1.  Four  insertions,  for  the  price  of  three.  Contract  rates  on 
application.  No  borders  or  cuts.  Forms  close  Mondays  at  5  P.  M.  Publisher  reserves 
the  right  to  reject  any  copy.  Film  and  trailer  advertising  not  accepted.  Classi-  i^^sa 
tied  advertising  not  subject  to  agency  commission.  Address  copy  and  checks:  |[5iNl 
MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD,  Classified  Dept.,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  wkM 


NEW  EQUIPMENT 

WANTED  TO  BUY 

FAMOUS  RED  COMET  AUTOMATIC  FIRE  CON- 

trol — ceiling  or  wall  types,  standard  size  $4.95;  senior 
size,  $7.45;  manual  grenade  extinguishers  with  bracket, 
standard  size,  $2.95;  senior  size,  $4.35;  quit  gambling 
with  your  valuable  equipment  and  your  patrons'  lives. 
No  priorities  required.    Order  yours  now  from  S.  O.  S. 
CINEMA  SUPPLY  CORP.,  New  York  18. 

BEAUTIFUL  STREAMLINED  FLUTED  METAL 
ceiling  fixtures,  24"  long,  5  lights,  2  circuits,  $12.95; 
porthole  optical  glass,  3"x4",  $1.10;  4"x4",  $1.45;  box 
office  chairs,  $7.65;  RCA  3'x5'  multicellular  high  fre- 
quency horns,  complete,  $225;  rectifier  bulbs,  fifteen 
ampere,  $7.95;  safety  steel  film  cabinets,  $2.93  section; 
60  ampere  Suprex  rectifier,  $211.75;  Simplex  18"  maga- 
zines, pair  $49.50;  small  theatre  vacuum  cleaners,  $89.50. 
Get  our  Jubilee  Bargain  Bulletin.    S.  O.  a.  GIN  J!»JVL  A 
SUPPLY  CORP.,  New  York  18. 

USED  EQUIPMENT 

PIPE  ORGAN— STATE  PRICE  AND  ALL  INFOR- 
mation.  B.  VAN  HOUTEN,  280  W.  Leonard  St.. 
Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 

WANTED  WESTERN  ELECTRIC  OR  RCA  USED 
sound  and  projection  equipment  for  500  seat  theatre. 
Cash  deal.  CLARENCE  D.  SMITH,  282  Grand  Ave- 
nue, Akron,  O. 

TICKET  REGISTERS  AND  CHANGE  MACHINES 
—all  models.  Give  details.  BOX  1644,  MOTION  PIC- 
TURE HERALD. 

16MM.  OR  35MM.  SOUND  PROJECTORS,  RECTI - 
fiers.  generators,  sound  equipment.  BOX  1643,  MO- 
TION PICTURE  HERALD. 

BOOKKEEPING  SYSTEM 

FOR    SALE-TWO    MOTIOGRAPH  MACHINES 
with  Motiograph  lamps,  Model  H.    LIBERTY  THE- 
ATRE, Franklin,  Ky. 

KUMFORT    KOOLER    FOR    LARGE  OFFICE, 
$97.50;    No.    14  heavy   rubber   two  conductor  cable, 
slightly  used,  15c  ft. ;  Strong  Utility  Suprex  arc  lamps 
available;  portable  sound  projectors  from  $79.50;  Peer- 
less low -intensity  arcs,  $62.50.    Ask  for  Jubilee  Sale 
Bulletin.    S.  O.  S.  CINEMA  SUPPLY  CORP.,  New 
York  18. 

THEATRE  CHAIRS  —  BACKS  —  CUSHIONS  — 
parts.    ALLIED  SEATING  CO.,  INC.,  36  West  13th 
Street,  New  York  City. 

POSITION  WANTED 

THEATRE  MANAGEMENT  RECORD  AND  TAX 

Register.  This  new  accounting  system  is  the  finest 
book  of  its  kind  ever  made  available  to  an  exhibitor 
In  addition  to  being  complete  in  every  respect,  it  is 
simple — so  much  so  that  it  is  not  necessary  to  have 
had  bookkeeping  experience  in  order  to  keep  an  ac- 
curate, complete  and  and  up-to-minute  record  of  the 
business  of  your  theatre.  The  introductory  price  is 
only  $2.00  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rocke- 
feller Center,  New  York. 

BUSINESS  BOOSTERS 

BINGO  CARDS,  DIE  CUT,  1  TO  100  OR  1  TO  75, 
$2.00  per  thousand.  $17.50  for  10,000.  S.  Klous,  care 
of  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 

THEATRE  MANAGER— 14  YEARS'  STAGESHOW 
and  picture  experience.  Draft  exempt.  BOX  1640,  MO- 
TION PICTURE  HERALD. 

CIRCUIT  BOOKING  MANAGER  AND  BUYER, 
with  eight  years'  experience.  Over  draft  age.  Can  sup- 
ply best  of  references.  Have  had  number  years  in  dis- 
tribution as  manager,  officer  manager,  and  booker. 
Available  July  15th.  BOX  1641,  MOTION  PICTURE 

FORMER  THEATRE  OWNER  WANTS  POSITION 
theatre  manager.    JOHN  FLAHERTY,  Danville,  111. 

47  YEARS'  OLD.   DRAFT  EXEMPT.  FAMILIAR 
every   phase  of   theatre   operation,   booking,  buying, 
capable  exploitation.     Can  take  charge  of  small  cir- 
cuit or  deluxe  operation.    Now  employed.    Seeks  oppor- 
tunity for  future.     BOX   1645,  MOTION  PICTURE 
HERALD. 

HELP  WANTED 

BOOKS 

THE  1943-44  INTERNATIONAL  MOTION  PIC- 
TURE ALMANAC  is  now  in  preparation.  Will  contain 
more  than  12,000  biographies  of  players,  directors, 
writers,  technicians  and  executives.  The  biographical 
section  is  an  exclusive  feature.  In  addition  it  will  in- 
clude more  than  1,250  pages  crammed  with  motion 
picture  facts  and  figures  covering  every  phase  of  the 
business.  Supply  will  be  limited.  Be  sure  to  get  your 
copy.  Order  it  today!  Price  $3.25  prepaid  in  U.  S.  A. 
$5  elsewhere,  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller 
Center,  New  York. 

COMPLETELY  REVISED  7TH  EDITION  OF 
Richardson's  Bluebook  of  Projection  with  treatise  on 
Television  and  complete  Sound  Trouble -Shooting 
Charts,  as  well  as  a  host  of  additional  up-to-the-minute 
text  on  sound  and  projection  equipment.  Order  Nowl 
$7.25  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP.  Rockefeller 
Center,  New  York  City. 

WANTED  ASSISTANT  MANAGER.    MUST  BE 
experienced,  sober,  absolutely  reliable.   Al  references, 
draft  exempt,  include  snapshot.  COLUMBIA  AMUSE- 
MENT COMPANY,  Paducah,  Ky. 

HOUSE  MANAGER  SMALL  GRIND  THEATRE 
in  Western  New  York  State.    No  booking  or  buying 
experience  necessary.    Just  good  house  manager  who 
knows  how  to  keep  theatre  orderly  and  clean.  Good 
salary.     References   required.     BOX    1646,  MOTION 
PICTURE  HERALD. 

TRAINING  SCHOOLS 

THEATRE  EMPLOYEES:  TRAIN  FOR  BETTER 
positions.  Learn  modern  theatre  management  and  ad- 
vertising. Big  opportunities  for  trained  men.  Estab- 
lished since  1927.  Write  now  for  free  catalog.  THE- 
ATRE  MANAGERS  SCHOOL,  Elmira.  N.  Y. 

Attend  Ship  Launching 

George  Seid,  head  of  Columbia's  coast 
laboratories,  was  to  attend  the  launching  of  a 
fighting  ship  named  after  his  son,  on  Friday, 
in  Boston.  Ensign  Daniel  Seid  lost  his  life 
in  air  combat  over  the  Marshall  Islands  in 
February,  1942. 


Assigned  to  Missouri  Post 

Colonel  Richard  T.  Schlossberg  has  been 
transferred  by  the  Signal  Corps  to  Camp  Crow- 
der,  Mo.,  as  instructor  in  motion  picture  train- 
ing film  production.  Before  his  new  assign- 
ment, he  was  chief  of  .  the  Signal  Corps  Army 
Pictorial  Division. 


June     19,  1943 

Big  Philadelphia 

Stage  Season 
Is  Expected 

The  theatrical  boom  in  Philadelphia,  as  re- 
flected at  the  box  offices  of  the  legitimate  thea- 
tres, should  result  in  a  heavy  schedule  of  legiti- 
mate attractions  this  summer  with  three  theatres 
in  operation.  During  the  regular  season,  only 
three  legitimate  theatres  are  open — the  Forrest, 
Walnut  St.  and  Locust  St.  theatres,  all  operated 
by  the  Shubert  interests.  Making  up  for  the 
Walnut  St.  house,  which  will  remain  dark  dur- 
ing the  summer,  is  the  return  of  the  Bucks 
County  Playhouse  in  the  ballroom  of  the  Belle- 
vue-Stratford  Hotel. 

In  addition  to  the  legitimate  theatres,  out- 
door attractions  also  represent  major  com- 
petitive factors  for  the  motion  picture  theatres. 
The  old  Phillies  Ball  Park  was  reconditioned 
as  The  Fiesta  for  a  June  15th  opening,  offer- 
ing a  one-ring  circus,  a  carnival  midway  and 
free  outdoor  dancing  to  the  music  of  name 
orchestras.  The  enterprise  is  being  promoted  by 
a  New  York  combine  headed  by  Edward  F. 
Meserole  and  Reuben  C.  McKenty.  At  the 
same  time,  the  Robin  Holl  Dell  launched  its 
18th  outdoor  season  of  symphonic  and  popular 
orchestra  concerts  with  prominent  guest  solo- 
ists and  conductors.  Further,  the  two  outdoor 
amusement  parks,  Woodside  and  Willow  Grove, 
began  full-time  operations  on  May  22nd. 

In  the  legitimate  field,  The  Locust  St.  theatre 
started  its  summer  season  this  month  as  part 
of  the  "Subway  Circuit,"  operated  by  Jules 
J.  Leventhal.  A  rotating  stock  company  will 
make  two-week  stands  with  Lionel  Atwell  star- 
ring in  the  opening  production  in  "The  Play's 
the  Thing,"  with  Sylvia  Sidney  and  Luther 
Adler  in  "Jane  Eyre"  the  second  production. 
The  third  play  on  the  schedule  is  "The  Two 
Mrs.  Carrolls,"  starring  Elizabeth  Bergner. 

The  Forrest  will  function  as  a  tryout  house 
during  the  summer  weeks.  It  opened  this  week 
with  a  reyival  of  "The  Vagabond  King,"  which 
will  remain  for  two  weeks  before  going  to  New 
York.  It  is  hoped  to  keep  the  house  open  all 
summer  with  tryouts  planned  for  next  season. 

Theron  Bamberger  ushers  in  his  Bucks 
County  Playhouse  in  the  hotel  ballroom  on 
June  17th  with  a  regular  schedule  of  stars  in 
successful  Broadway  plays.  Richard  Skinner, 
who  managed  the  McCarter  theatre  at  Prince- 
ton, N.  J.,  last  summer,  is  the  general  manager 
of  the  Bucks  playhouse. 

Mary  Piclcford  Plans  Film 
To  Launch  "Girls  Town" 

Mary  Pickford  has  indicated  that  she  will 
sponsor  "Girls'  Town"  establishments  patterned 
after  Father  Flanagan's  plan  for  boys.  Miss 
Pickford,  who  returned  to  Hollywood  after  a 
tour  of  Canada  where  she  assisted  in  war  chari- 
ties drives,  said  it  was  her  intention  to  produce 
a  motion  picture  to  provide  the  initial  backing 
needed  for  the  venture. 

Miss  Pickford  advocated  the  support  of  local 
communities  in  the  raising  of  funds,  and  since 
the  program  would  be  continent-wide  in  scope, 
asked  that  Federal  Governments  also  cooperate. 


AFM  Union  Ousts  Official, 
Imposes  $3,000  Fine 

Edward  B.  Love  has  been  ousted  from  the 
American  Federation  of  Musicians,  Local  6,  San 
Francisco,  following  a  charge  of  misappropria- 
tion of  funds  totaling  $6,859.  The  union  claimed 
that  Mr.  Love  was  in  default  of  that  amount 
while  he  served  as  secretary  of  the  local  for 
10  years.  He  later  became  aide  to  James  C. 
Petrillo,  AFM  president,  at  a  monthly  salary 
of  $700.  The  union  fined  him  $3,000  and  ordered 
restitution  of  the  $6,859. 


June    19,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


In  This  Week: 


SHOWMEN'S  REVIEWS 


ADVANCE  SYNOPSES 


RELEASE  CHART 

BY  COMPANIES 


THE  RELEASE  CHART 


Two  Tickets  to  London 

(Universal) 

Suspense  and  Mystery  Drama 

Building  its  suspense  and  intrigue  steadily  all 
the  way,  this  Universal  drama  in  the  Hitchcock 
tradition  keeps  audience  excitement  continually 
rising.  Its  polish  and  finesse  are  the  work  of 
Edwin  L.  Marin,  who  produced  and  directed 
from  a  sound  original  story  by  Roy  William 
Neill  and  a  capitally  plotted  screenplay  by  Tom 
Reed.  Giving  it  life  is  an  all-round  excellent 
cast  of  players,  Alan  Curtis  in  particular,  whose 
role  is  so  well  thought  out  and  developed  that 
attention  never  wavers  from  the  path  in  which 
his  destiny  is  directed. 

The  story  opens  with  the  survivors  of  the 
torpedoed  Lucky  Star  reaching  port  and  board- 
ing a  train  for  London  to  be  questioned  by  the 
Admiralty.  When  the  train  is  blown  up  by 
Nazi  dive  bombers,  the  first  mate,  Dan  Driscoll, 
unlocks  his  handcuffs  and  escapes.  Out  of  the 
wreck  he  carries  a  woman  passenger,  Michele 
Morgan,  to  cover  his  own  escape.  The  woman 
falls  in  love  with  him  on  their  journey  into 
London,  the  pair  having  many  narrow  brushes 
with  the  police  along  the  way.  Later,  believing 
him  responsible  for  the  death  of  her  brother,  the 
woman  puts  the  police  on  Driscoll's  trail.  In  a 
cleverly  worked-out  climax,  Driscoll  clears  his 
own  name  and  pins  the  guilt  for  the  torpedoing 
on  the  real  culprit.  He  and  the  girl  are  re- 
united as  he  leaves  with  a  ship  for  Archangel. 

The  Curtis  interpretation  of  the  Driscoll 
role  is  an  admirable  job  of  acting.  Miss  Mor- 
gan is  also  very  good.  Praiseworthy,  too,  is 
the  work  of  C.  Aubrey  Smith,  Torquin  Olivier 
and  Dooley  Wilson,  with  special  mention  accru- 
ing to  Barry  Fitzgerald,  who  enacts  another  of 
his  salty  types  for  a  personal  hit.  Marin  has 
surrounded  his  production  with  capable  crafts- 
men, the  photography  by  Milton  Krasner  being 
particularly  outstanding. 

Previewed  at  the  Fox  Wilshire,  Hollywood, 
to  a  small  but  appreciative  audience  that^  sat  in 
ivatchful  and  respectful  attention  while  the 
drama  unreeled  and  applauded  sincerely  at  the 
conclusion.  Reviewer's  Rating:  Good. — Reed 
Porter. 

Release  date,  June  18,  1943.  Running  time,  78  min. 
PCA  No.  9373.     General  audience  classification. 

Jeanne   Michele  Morgan 

Dan  Driscoll   Alan  Curtis 

Fairchild  C.  Aubrey  Smith 

MacCardle   Barry  Fitzgerald 

Roddy   Torquin  Olivier 

Accordionist   Dooley  Wilson 

Mary  Gordon,  Robert  Warwick,  Matthew  Boulton, 
Oscar  O'Shea,  Doris  Lloyd,  Holmes  Herbert,  Stanley 
Logan,  Lester  Matthews,  Harold  DeBecker,  John  Bur- 
ton, Mary  Forbes. 

World  of  Plenty 

(Rotha  Films  -  M.  O.  I.) 
Documentary 

Here  is  one  of  those  rare  phenomena,  a  seri- 
ous film  about  a  serious,  almost  a  dry-as-dust 


Reviews 


This  department  deals  with 
new  product  from  the  point  of 
view  of  the  exhibitor  who  is 
to  purvey  it  to  his  own  public. 


subject,  which  not  only  makes  a  valuable  con- 
tribution to  contemporary  problems  and 
thought,  but  does  it  so  entertainingly  that  the 
result  is  in  the  category  of  exciting  entertain- 
ment. 

Food  was  ever  a  subject  about  which  the  en- 
lightened could  enthuse :  here  is  a  film  about  it 
which  should,  in  the  vernacular,  give  them 
something  to  chew.  Though  obviously  the  film 
does  not  enter  the  ranks  of  Old  Mother  Riley 
and  Anna  Neagle  it  is  a  film  which  will  attract 
considerable  attention  where  exploited  wisely 
and  presented  to  the  appropriate  audience. 
Sneak  previews  to  semi-service,  semi-official 
audiences  provoked  as  much  attention  and  ap- 
plause as  many  topline  entertainment  films. 

The  documentary  has  official  backing,  of 
course,  and  argues  a  persuasive  case  for  world 
planning  of  world  food.  It  does  so  by  exposing 
the  disorganization  and  disorder  of  pre-war  and 
war  years,  the  belated  machinery  of  food  and 
price  control,  of  rationing  and  planning  and, 
arguing  the  logical  corollary,  a  world  strategy 
for  food  when  the  needs  of  the  armies  no  longer 
call. 

It  is  a  brilliant  pattern  of  persuasion,  devised 
with  imagination  and  skill,  using  realist  devices, 
argument  and  counter  argument,  vocally,  visu- 
ally, diagramatically  and  always  with  a  sense 
of  proportion.  Sir  John  Orr,  Britain's  leading 
food  expert,  is  a  natural  star  in  the  film,  ap- 


REPUBLIC  SETS  FIFTH 
AUTRY  RELEASE 

The  fifth  of  the  eight  scheduled 
Gene  Autry  re-releases  is  "Mexicali 
Rose",  set  for  July  15,  1943.  The  film 
was  originally  released  in  March, 
1939,  and  featured  Smiley  Burnette, 
Noah  Beery,  Luana  Walters  and 
William  Farnum  with  the  Western 
star.  Autry  plays  the  part  of  a  radio 
singer  sponsored  by  a  wildcat  oil 
company.  The  story  concerns  his  in- 
vestigation of  the  company  and  its 
fraudulent  claims. 


pears  again  and  again  and  is  always  entertain- 
ing and  persuasive.  Henry  Wallace,  Lord  Hor- 
der  and  Lord  Woolton  also  appear  in  various 
sequences. 

It  is  all  set  against  a  canvas  of  reporting 
which  misses  neither  the  destruction  of  glut 
crops  of  coffee  nor  the  starvation  of  war's  vic- 
tims, the  fraternal  logic  of  lease-lend  and  the 
homely  humors  of  food  rationing. 

The  script  was  by  the  late  Eric  Knight,  but 
the  indelible  mark  is  of  Paul  Rotha's  logical 
scientific  mind  and  the  film  is  undoubtedly  his 
best. 

Seen  in  London.  Reviewer's  Rating:  Excel- 
lent.— Aubrey  Flanagan. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  60  min.  Gen- 
eral audience  classification. 

The  Lone  Star  Trail 

(Universal) 

Cowboy  Clears  His  Name 

A  step  above  the  ordinary  in  outdoor  dramas 
is  "The  Lone  Star  Trail,"  one  of  the  last  num- 
bers in  the  now  defunct  Universal  series  team- 
ing Johnny  Mack  Brown  and  Tex  Ritter  with 
Fuzzy  Knight's  comedy  thrown  in  for  good 
measure.  Producer  Oliver  Drake  lets  fast- 
flying  fists  take  the  place  of  lead  in  many 
scenes  with  the  result  that  more  action  is  com- 
pressed into  these  58  minutes  than  a  Western 
generally  has.  The  direction  by  Ray  Taylor 
deftly  mixes  action  with  lighter  moments  of 
comedy  and  song. 

Brown  is  seen  as  a  rancher  returning  to 
Dead  Falls  after  serving  two  years  of  a  jail 
term  for  which  he  was  framed  by  land-grab- 
bing interests,  trying  to  gain  possession  of  all 
the  acreage  of  the  valley  before  a  projected  dam 
is  erected.  Paroled  and  told  he  cannot  wear  a 
gun,  Brown  is  back  to  find  the  gang  that  rail- 
roaded him.  On  his  side  is  the  U.  S.  Marshal, 
played  by  Ritter.  Brown,  in  the  nick  of  time, 
gets  money  to  save  his  property  from  being 
sold  for  non-payment  of  taxes,  only  to  find  the 
money  has  been  marked  to  further  incriminate 
him.  There's  a  knockout  fist  fight  before  the 
guilty  parties  are  shown  up  and  Brown's  name 
cleared  of  all  suspicion. 

The  two  stars  show  to  excellent  advantage, 
Ritter  making  one  of  his  best  appearances. 
Knight's  comedy  as  Angus  MacAngus  is  a  help, 
and  Jennifer  Holt  is  an  attractive  heroine. 
George  Eldredge  creates  a  swell,  smooth  vill- 
ain. The  Jimmy  Wakely  Trio  and  Ritter  handle 
the  music.  The  work  of  William  Sickner  on 
the  camera  is  something  to  talk  about  in  these 
credits,  too. 

Seen  at  Hollywood' s  Hitching  Post  theatre, 
where  an  excited  audience  gave  it  whole-heart- 
ed approval.    Reviewer' s  Rating  :  Good. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  58  min.  PCA 
No.  S918.    General  audience  classification. 

Blaze  Barker   Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Fargo  Steele   Tex  Ritter 

Fuzzy  Knight,  Jennifer  Holt,  George  Eldridge,  Michael 
Vallon,  Jimmy  Wakely  Trio. 

Product  Digest  Section  1373 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    19,    I  943 


Good  Luck,  Mr.  Yates 

(  Columbia) 

Drama  On  the  Home  Front 

The  war  effort  on  the  home  front  is  back- 
ground to  this  story  of  how  a  4-F  becomes  a 
hero  without  uniform.  Spectacular  shipyard 
scenery  lends  a  documentary  interest  which  bal- 
ances lags  in  story.  There  are  incidental  mes- 
sages on  absenteeism,  safety  and  extra  effort 
calculated,  apparently,  to  spur  war  workers. 

Mr.  Yates  is  a  teacher  in  a  military  school 
who  leaves  for  Army  service  with  the  admira- 
tion, and  gifts,  of  his  young  pupils.  He  is  re- 
jected for  an  ear  injury  and  takes  a  job  in  a 
shipyard.  Rather  than  disappoint  his  pupils, 
particularly  a  young  reform  school  parolee,  he 
has  a  buddy  send  inspiring  letters  about  life  in 
the  Army. 

The  students  discover  the  deception  and  a  fel- 
low boarder  who  hears  Yates  conversing  with 
a  refugee  German  doctor  accuses  him  of  spying. 
There  is  trouble  from  all  sides,  climaxed  by  a 
fist  fight  on  the  shipways.  Fire  starts  and 
Yates  braves  the  flames  to  save  his  adversary 
and  confine  the  fire.  New  injuries  bar  him  per- 
manently from  the  Army,  but  he  has  vindicated 
himself  before  fellow  workers  and  the  students. 

A  new  juvenile,  Jess  Barker,  plays  the  name 
role.  Columbia  appears  to  have  found  a  com- 
petent young  actor,  with  some  screen  resem- 
blance to  Alan  Ladd.  Claire  Trevor,  a  pretty 
welder,  provides  romance,  while  Edgar  Bu- 
chanan and  Henry  Armetta  lead  the  character- 
izations of  earnest  builders  of  the  Victory  fleet. 
Masters  Tommy  Cook,  Billy  Roy  and  Scotty 
Beckett  pace  the  youngsters. 

David  J.  Chatkin  is  the  producer  and  Ray 
Enright  directed.  Lou  Breslow,  Adele  Coman- 
dini,  Hal  Smith  and  Sam  Rudd  get  screenplay 
and  story  credits. 

This  should  be  good  fare  for  young  audiences, 
and  keep  the  adults  interested  too. 

Previewed  at  a  New  York  projection  room. 
Reviewer's  Rating:  Fair. — John  Stuart,  Jr. 

Release  date,  June  29,  1943.  Running  time,  70  min. 
PCA  No.  9389.    General  audience  classification. 

Ruth  Jones  Claire  Trevor 

Oliver  Yates   Jess  Barker 

Jonesy  Jones  Edgar  Buchanan 

Tom  Neal,  Albert  Basserman,  Tommy  Cook,  Frank 
Sully,  Douglas  Leavitt,  Henry  Armetta,  Rosina  Galli, 
Billy  Roy,  Conrad  Binyon,  Bobby  Larson,  Rudy  Wis- 
sler,  Scotty  Beckett,  the  Bob  Mitchell  boy  choir  and 
the  Sheriff's  Boys  Band. 

Thumbs  Up 

(Republic) 

Inspirational  Musical  Drama 

A  mild  hands-across-the-sea  effort,  this 
sounds  and  appears  for  a  time  like  a  British 
documentary,  but  gradually  develops  some  de- 
gree of  drama.  It  points  up  how  women  may 
help  the  war  on  the  home  front  by  working  in 
factories  and  is  set  against  a  realistic  British 
background. 

Brenda  Joyce  is  the  American  night  club 
singer  bound  for  the  London  stage.  Learning 
from  fiance  Arthur  Margetson  that  his  pro- 
ducing firm  is  taking  only  talented  girls  from 
war  factories,  she  joins  one.  There  she  is  ac- 
cepted, and  loved,  and  she  earns  representation 
for  the  factory  in  a  tryout.  She  is  on  the  way 
to  London  when  some  banter  and  recrimina- 
tion between  Margetson,  who  knows  her  char- 
acter, and  Richard  Fraser,  a  squadron  com- 
mander, her  latest  "love,"  is  overheard  by  a 
spiteful  factory  girl,  Queenie  Leonard,  who  im- 
mediately tells  the  others. 

They  ostracize  Brenda,  who  now  learns  the 
meaning  of  cooperation  and  patriotism.  How- 
ever, even  though  she  leaves,  her  change  of 
character  is  recognized.  Fraser  pursues  her  to 
the  London  night  club  where  they  are  reunited, 
she  to  work  again  in  the  factory,  he  to  con- 
tinue fighting,  with  marriage  scheduled  after 
victory. 

Elsa  Lanchester,  Margetson,  Heath,  and 
others  give  authenticity  to  the  English  scene. 

While  the  first  quarter  of  the  picture  is  given 
to  statistical  information  and  pointers  on  the 
attractiveness  and  activities  of  women  in  war 


PARAMOUNT  SCHEDULES 
TWO  REISSUES 

Paramount  has  included  in  its  prod- 
uct schedule  for  this  season  reissues  of 
"Union  Pacific"  and  "Souls  at  Sea." 
The  former,  released  originally  in  1 939, 
is  a  Cecil  B.  De  Mille  production 
starring  Barbara  Stanwyck  and  Joel 
McCrea,  and  including  in  its  cast 
Robert  Preston,  Akim  Tamiroff,  Lynne 
Overman,  Brian  Donlevy  and  other 
prominent  players.  Reviewed  in  the 
April  29,  1939  issue  of  Motion  Pic- 
ture Herald,  it  was  characterized  as 
"an  action  tale  on  the  big  canvas 
of  the  American  west  and  its  roman- 
tic, dramatic  tradition."  The  running 
time  is  138  minutes. 

"Souls  at  Sea,"  released  in  1937, 
features  Gary  Cooper,  George  Raft, 
Frances  Dee,  Harry  Carey  and  Robert 
Cummings  in  the  story  of  a  wrecked 
passenger  liner  with  survivors  fighting 
for  life  in  a  crowded  lifeboat.  The 
review  in  the  August  14,  1937  issue  of 
Motion  Picture  Herald  said  in  part, 
"the  production  is  big,  maritime  in 
subject,  historically  predicated,  and 
above  all  a  melodrama.  The  big  scene 
is  strong  stuff,  deliberately  and  di- 
rectly, if  adroitly,  delivered."  The  film 
will  run  93  minutes. 


factories,  the  leavening  which  comes  later 
leaves  a  good  taste  at  the  picture's  end.  It  has 
a  good  musical  score,  with  several  catchy  num- 
bers by  Jule  Styne  and  Sammy  Cahn,  such  as 
"Who  Are  the  British"  ;  and  Gertrude  Niesen 
lends  some  exploitation  possibilities,  appearing 
in  one  musical  scene. 

Albert  J.  Cohen  produced  this,  with  Joseph 
Santley  as  director.  Frank  Gill,  Jr.,  did  the 
screenplay  from  a  story  idea  by  Ray  Golden 
and  Henry  Moritz. 

Seen  in  a  New  York  projection  room.  Re- 
viewer's Rating :  Fair. — Floyd  Elbert  Stone. 

Release  date,  June  24,  1943.  Running  time,  67  min. 
PCA  No.  9273.     General  audience  classification. 

Louise  Latimer   Brenda  Joyce 

Douglas  Heath   Richard  Fraser 

Emmy  Finch   Elsa  Lanchester 

Bert  Lawrence   Arthur  Margetson 

J.  Pat  O'Malley,  Queenie  Leonard,  Molly  Lamont, 
Gertrude  Niesen,  George  Byron,  Charles  Irwin,  Andre 
Chariot,  The  Hot  Shots. 

The  Kansan 

( Sherman  -  United  Artists ) 

Western  Spectacle 

Set  in  the  days  when  the  James  boys  and  the 
Hatton  gang  were  shooting  their  way  through 
western  towns,  the  latest  Harry  Sherman  out- 
door drama  abounds  in  action  and  scenic  beauty. 
It  is  highlighted  by  a  saloon  brawl  of  unusual 
dimensions  and  ferocity  and  the  dynamiting  of  a 
bridge  that  is  a  thrilling  spectacle.  In  spite  of 
awkward  dialogue  and  a  noticeable  stiffness 
in  performance,  the  whole  is  superior  Western 
drama  with  the  names  of  Richard  Dix,  Jane 
Wyatt  and  its  producer  to  commend  it  to  the 
customers. 

The  story  is  the  familiar  one  of  the  stranger 
in  town  who  agrees  to  take  over  the  duties 
of  marshal  to  settle  some  old  scores,  to  right 
a  few  wrongs  and  to  impress  a  lady.  His 
long-standing  fight  is  with  the  Hatton  boys, 
who  ride  into  town  on  schedule,  are  set  upon 
in  the  Golden  Prairie,  and  finally  routed  at  the 
finish.  They  have  received  aid  and  encourage- 
ment from  a  local  villain,  who  is  squeezing 


the  townspeople  but  meets  his  master  in  "John 
Bonniwell." 

Richard  Dix  plays  the  hero  with  a  sober 
sincerity  more  appropriate  to  upholding  justice 
than  in  romantic  moments  with  Jane  Wyatt. 
Victor  Jory  does  well  with  the  role  of  profes- 
sional gambler  and  brother  of  the  villain,  whose 
personal  heroism  turns  the  tide.  Albert  Dekker, 
Eugene  Pallette  and  Robert  Armstrong  are 
prominent  in  supporting  roles. 

George  Archainbaud's  direction  scores  in  the 
action  sequences  which  predominate  in  Harold 
Shumate's  screenplay  adapted  from  a  book 
by  Frank  Gruber.  Photography  by  Russell 
Harlan  is  an  asset  at  all  times. 

Seen  in  the  home  office  projection  room. 
Reviewer's  Rating :  Good. — E.  A.  C. 

Release  date,  not  set.  Running  time,  79  min.  PCA 
No.  9172.  General  audience  classification. 

John  Bonniwell  Richard  Dix 

Eleanor  Sager  Jane  Wyatt 

Jeff  Barat  Victor  Jory 

Albert  Dekker,  Eugene  Pallette,  Robert  Armstrong, 
Francis  McDonald,  Clem  Bevans. 

(Review  reprinted  from  last  week's  Herald) 

Ghosts  on  the  Loose 

(Monogram) 

Spooks,  Spies  and  Spoofing 

Showmen  can  differentiate  between  this  and 
preceding  East  Side  Kid  pictures  in  their  bill- 
ing, by  informing  interested  customers  that  this 
one  co-stars  Bela  Lugosi  and  presents  Ava 
Gardner,  whom  they'll  identify  as  Mrs.  Mickey 
Rooney. 

Apart  from  these  exploitation  features,  this 
Sam  Katzman-Jack  Dietz  offering  produced  by 
Barney  A.  Sarecky  and  directed  by  William 
Beaudine  is  yardage  from  the  same  bolt  as  its 
forerunners.  The  material  is  identical  in  de- 
sign and  quality,  with  just  slightly  more  humor 
and  proportionately  less  action. 

Kenneth  Higgins'  screenplay  concerns  com- 
plications which  arise  when  Nazis  who  have 
rumored  that  their  working  premises  are 
haunted  in  order  to  preserve  privacy,  are  dis- 
covered by  Leo  Gorcey  and  his  associates,  who 
mistake  the  address  of  a  house  they  seek  to 
redecorate  for  a  newlywed  couple.  Trapdoors, 
sliding  panels,  tunnels,  etc.,  figure  as  usual  in 
what  goes  on,  and  the  ending  is  as  customary. 

Previewed  at  the  Vista,  Hollywood,  to  a  quiet 

acceptance.  Reviewer's  Rating :  Fair.—W.  R.  W. 

Release  date,  July  16,  1943.  Running  time,  65  min. 
PCA  No.  9088.    General  audience  classification. 


Mugs   Leo  Gorcey 

Glimpy   Huntz  Hall 

Emil   Bela  Lugosi 

Betty   Ava  Gardner 


Bobby  Jordan,  Ric  Vallin,  Minerva  Urecal,  Wheeler 
Oakman,  Stanley  Clements,  Billy  Benedict,  Sammy 
Morrison,  Bobby  Stone. 

(Review  reprinted  from  last  week's  Herald) 

SHORT  SUBJECTS 

RACING  ROYALTY  (RKO) 

Sport  scope  (34,310) 

Highlighted  by  accounts  of  the  running  of 
the  Kentucky  Derby  and  Preakness  Stakes,  this 
sporting  reel  surveys  the  status  of  racing  in  war 
time.  The  problems  are  not  only  the  fans'  dif- 
ficulties with  gas  and  transportation.  Horse 
owners  too  scratch  their  heads  over  the  loss  of 
manpower  in  the  stables  and  on  the  track,  the 
high  cost  of  food  and  other  similar  worries. 
Release  date,  May  21,  1943         8  minutes 

RATION  FOR  THE  DURATION  (Para.) 

Popeye  (£2-8) 

Popeye  is  presumably  still  on  furlough  from 
the  Pacific  and  trying  to  instill  some  home 
front  fighting  spirit  in  his  nephews.  His  tale 
of  Jack  and  the  beanstalk  becomes  a  reality  that 
night  and  Popeye  has  a  tremendous  fight  with 
the  "New  York  Giant"  who  hoards  sugar,  rub- 
ber tires  and  food.  Spinach  comes  to  the  rescue 
finally,  and  our  hero  makes  a  timely  descent  to 
earth. 

Release  date,  May  28,  1943         8  minutes 


I  374  Product  Digest  Section 


June    19,    1943  MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

ADVANCE  SYNOPSES 

and  information 


HERS  TO  HOLD 
(Universal) 

Comedy  with  Music 

PRODUCER:  Felix  Jackson;  associate,  Frank  Shaw. 
Directed  by  Frank  Ryan. 

PLAYERS:  Deanna  Durbin,  Joseph  Cotten,  Charles 
Winninger,  Nella  Walker,  Gus  Schilling,  Ludwig 
Stossel,  Irving  Bacon,  Nydia  Westman. 

SYNOPSIS 

Miss  Durbin  plays  this  time  a  Pasadena  so- 
cialite who  falls  in  love  with  a  returned  member 
of  the  Flying  Tigers  and  hires  out  as  a  worker 
in  the  Vega  airplane  plant  where  he  is  occu- 
pied with  an  invention  while  awaiting  call  to 
duty  as  a  flyer  in  the  American  forces.  She 
sings  in  the  drawing  room  at  home  and  also 
at  the  warplant.  A  misunderstanding  about  the 
origin  of  a  request  for  his  deferment  leads  to 
an  estrangement  which  is  dissolved  before  he 
leaves  for  action. 

HI  DIDDLE  DIDDLE 
(UA-Stone) 

Farce  Comedy  Mixup 

PRODUCED  and  directed  by  Andrew  Stone.  Asso- 
ciate producer:  Edward  Finney. 
PLAYERS:   Martha   Scott,   Adolph   Menjou,  Pola 
Negri,  Dennis  O'Keefe,  Billie  Burke,  June  Havoc, 
Georges  Metaxa,  Ellen  Lowe,  Barton  Hepburn. 

SYNOPSIS 

This  is  a  farce  comedy  in  which  Andrew 
Stone  states  he  intends  to  build  the  individual 
gag  sequences  to  give  his  first  UA  effort  its 
major  claim  to  entertainment.  Plot  frame- 
work has  a  sailor  (O'Keefe)  marrying  a  glamor 
girl  (Martha  Scott),  with  48  hours  for  a  honey- 
moon. His  father  (Menjou)  is  always  in  a 
big  business  jam  and  her  mother  (Billie  Burke) 
has  lost  money  at  gambling.  Father's  wife  is 
Pola  Negri,  former  opera  star,  and  June  Havoc 
is  an  entertainer  at  the  cafe  where  Martha's 
mama  had  played.  Son  says  papa  can  fix  mama- 
in-law's  bad  debts,  but  papa  can't  and  son  and 
June  Havoc  find  a  better  magnet  and  beat  their 
way  to  the  gambling  house's  door.  Son  gets  an 
appointment  in  the  Navy  and  is  ordered  to  im- 
mediate duty  just  as  he  finally  starts  his  honey- 
moon. 

SECOND  HONEYMOON 
(Universal) 

Marital  Comedy  Mix-Up 

PRODUCER:  Warren  Wilson.  Directed  by  Ed- 
ward Lilley. 

PLAYERS:  David  Bruce,  Harriet  Hilliard,  June 
Vincent,  Rod  Cameron,  Ozize  Nelson  and  Or- 
chestra, Veloz  and  Yolanda,  Bobbie  Brooks,  Hattie 
Noel,  Tip,  Tap  and  Toe. 

SYNOPSIS 

A  young,  married  pair  of  successful  play- 
wrights have  reached  the  parting  of  the  ways. 
In  the  divorce  court,  the  wife  decides  they 
should  set  out  to  recapture  their  lost  romance. 
Retracing  the  steps  of  their  courtship  and 
honeymoon,  they  head  for  a  lodge  in  the  Sierras 
— she  by  auto,  he  by  train.  On  the  way,  she 
picks  up  a  tall,  handsome  stranger ;  he  picks 
up  a  girl  in  the  lower  birth.  There  are  amus- 
ing complications  as  the  four  are  thrown  to- 
gether and  the  scene  of  the  Sierras  lodge  af- 
fords some  musical  numbers. 


JOHNNY  COME  LATELY 
(UA-Cagney) 

Americana,  1906 

PRODUCER:  William  Cagney.  Directed  by  Wil- 
liam K.  Howard. 

PLAYERS:  James  Cagney,  Grace  George,  Marjorie 
Main,  Hattie  McDaniel,  Marjorie  Lord,  William 
Henry,  George  Cleveland,  Robert  Barrat,  Norman 
Willis. 

SYNOPSIS 

James  Cagney,  in  his  first  independent  pic- 
ture for  United  Artists  distribution,  portrays 
a  tramp  reporter  who  hires  out,  in  1906,  to  a 
woman  newspaper  publisher  who  is  in  trouble 
with  a  local  contractor  and  politico.  He  stays 
on,  responding  to  her  interest  in  him,  to  pilot 
her  through  complications  involving  grafting 
and  labor  difficulties.  It's  described  as  a  story 
with  sentimental  aspects  and  of  course  a  ro- 
mance running  through. 

FUGITIVE  FROM  SONORA 
(Republic) 

Western  Melodrama 

PRODUCER:  Edward  White.  Directed  by  Howard 
Bretherton. 

PLAYERS:  Don  Barry,  Lynn  Merrick,  Ethan  Laid- 
law,  Wally  Vernon. 

SYNOPSIS 

Don  Barry  plays  a  dual  role  in  this  West- 
tern,  portraying  a  preacher  and  his  twin  broth- 
er, a  paroled  convict  who  is  a  deadshot,  in- 
volved in  a  plains  war  between  a  cattle  ring 
and  homesteaders.  There  is  pursuit,  gun  bat- 
tle, finally  a  pistol  duel  in  which  the  erring 
brother  gets  his  man  but  is  also  fatally  wound- 
ed, dying  in  his  brother's  arms. 

FRONTIER  BAD  MEN 
(Universal) 

Early  Day  Cattle  Rustling 

PRODUCER:  Ford  Beebe.  Directed  by  William 
McGann. 

PLAYERS:  Diana  Barrymore,  Robert  Paige,  Lon 
Chaney,  Andy  Devine,  Noah  Beery,  Jr.,  Anne 
Gwynne,  Leo  Carrillo,  Thomas  Gomez. 

SYNOPSIS 

"Frontier  Bad  Men"  is  a  story  of  the  early 
day  cattle  wars  of  Texas  and  Kansas,  when 
the  Texans  drove  their  herds  to  the  markets  of 
Abilene,  Kansas,  the  rail  head.  There  the  cat- 
tlemen are  victimized  by  a  combine  hijacking 
prices  of  cattle.  Law  and  order  finally  are 
established  in  the  frontier  towns. 

GIRLS,  INC. 
(Universal) 

Playboy  Loose  in  Night  Club 

PRODUCER:  Will  Cowan.  Directed  by  Leslie 
Goodwins. 

PLAYERS:  Leon  Errol,  Grace  McDonald,  David 
Bacon,  Harriet  Hilliard,  Minna  Phillips,  Betty 
Keane,  Maureen  Cannon,  Glen  Gray's  Casa  Loma 
Orchestra,  The  Pied  Pipers. 

SYNOPSIS 

Cornelius  V.  Rensington  III  (Leon  Errol), 
a  multi-millionaire  playboy,  is  financial  angel 


of  a  big  night  club  run  entirely  by  girls.  His 
sister  finds  him,  threatens  to  cut  off  his  income 
unless  he  remarries  and  settles  down.  The  girls 
hatch  a  plot  to  have  one  of  their  number,  Grace 
McDonald,  pose  as  his  wife.  The  deception 
runs  smoothly  until  Cornelius'  son  by  a  long- 
dissolved  marriage  (David  Bacon)  arrives 
home  on  leave  from  the  Marines.  The  girl 
picked  to  pose  as  the  wife  and  the  boy  fall  in 
love. 


VICTORY  THROUGH  AIR  POWER 
(UA-Disney) 

Cartoon  and  Live  Action 

PRODUCER-DIRECTOR:  Walt  Disney. 

The  Disney  treatment  of  Alexander  de  Sev- 
ersky's  much-discussed  book,  "Victory  Through 
Air  Power"  will  mark  a  departure  from  pre- 
vious features  in  the  appearance  of  living  actors 
as  well  as  cartopn  characters.  The  author 
himself,  who  has  had  a  hand  in  the  screen 
version,  will  appear  in  the  film.  This  technical 
innovation  is  in  keeping  with  the  subject  matter 
of  the  book,  a  discussion  of  the  present  and 
future  use  of  the  airplane  in  World  War  II  and 
a  strong  case  for  its  increased  use.  United  Ar- 
tists plans  to  release  the  film  in  July. 


GET  GOING 
(Universal) 

Washington  Comedy 

PRODUCER:  William  Cowan.  Directed  by  Jean 
Yarborough. 

PLAYERS:  Grace  McDonald,  Robert  Paige,  Vera 
Vague,  Walter  Catlett,  Maureen  Connon,  Lois 
Collier,  Milburn  Stone,  Frank  Paylen,  Jennifer  Holt. 

SYNOPSIS 

A  young  lady  from  Vermont  goes  to  Wash- 
ington to  get  a  job,  encounters  the  crowded 
conditions  there  and  takes  quarters  with  other 
young  women  similarly  situated.  Romances  of 
various  kinds  experience  various  ups  and  downs 
while  the  girls  are  engaged  in  or  under  con- 
sideration for  work  for  the  various  government 
agencies,  the  objective  of  the  enterprise  being  in 
all  instances  humor. 

BORDERTOWN  GUNFIGHTERS 
(Republic) 

Wild  Bill  vs.  Lottery  Racket 

PRODUCER:  Eddy  White.  Directed  by  Howard 
Bretherton. 

PLAYERS:  Wild  Bill  Elliott,  George  "Gabby" 
Hayes,  Anne  Jeffreys,  Harry  Woods. 

SYNOPSIS 

Wild  Bill  Elliott,  Gabby  Hayes  and  a  girl 
break  up  a  vicious  lottery  racket  creating  bad 
blood  between  the  United  States  and  Mexico. 
Elliott  and  Hayes  come  upon  a  stagecoach 
hold-up  in  which  a  high  Mexican  official  is 
murdered.  The  bandits  return,  capture  and 
accuse  them  of  the  murder  to  save  their  own 
hides.  An  El  Paso  official  is  revealed  to  be 
in  cahoots  with  the  gang.  Elliott  and  Hayes 
are  working  for  the  U.  S.  Treasury  and  the 
two  nations  cooperate  in  running  down  the 
gang._  Wild  Bill  pursues  the  gang  fleeing  with 
the  girl,  led  by  her  crooked  uncle,  and  wipes  it 
out. 


Product  Digest  Section    j  375 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    19,    I  943 


RELEASE  CHART 

By  Companies 


COLUMBIA 


Prod. 
No. 


Title 


Release 
Date 


4027  Counter   Espionage   Sep.    3. '43 

4022  The  Spirit  of   Stanford  Sep.  10/42 

4044  A  Man's  World  Sep.  17. '42 

4032  Lucky  Legs   Oct.     I, '42 

4201  Riding  Through  Nevada  Oct.     I, '42 

4021  The  Daring  Young  Man  Oct.  8.'42 

4209  The  Lone  Prairie  Oct.   15, '42 

4035  Smith  of  Minnesota  Oct.   15, '42 

4026  The  Boogie  Man  Will  Get  You. Oct.  22,'42 
4042  Stand  By  All   Networks  Oct.  29/42 

4030  Boston  Blackie  Goes  Hollywood. Nov.    5, '42 

4033  Laugh  Your  Blues  Away  Nov.  I2,'42 

4002  You  Were  Never  Lovelier  Nov.  19, '42 

4038  Junior  Army   Nov.  26, '42 

4202  Pardon  My  Gun  Dec.    I. '42 

4039  Underground  Agent   Dec.    3, '42 

4009  A   Night  to  Remember  Dec.  10, '42 

4210  A  Tornado  in  the  Saddle  Dec.  15, '42 

4004  Commandos  Strike  at  Dawn... Jan.  7,'43 

4013  City  Without  Men  Jan.  I4,'43 

4029  One  Dangerous   Night  Jan.  21, '43 

4037  Power  of  the  Press  Jan.  28, '43 

4203  The  Fighting  Buckaroo  Feb.    I. '43 

4014  Reveille  with   Beverly  Feb.  4,'43 

4036  No  Place  for  a  Lady  Feb.  1 1, '43 

4211  Riders  of  the  Northwest 

Mounted   Feh.  15, '43 

4006  Something  to  Shout  About  ...Feb.  25, '43 

4040  Let's  Have  Fun  Mar.  4,'43 

4031  After  Midnight  with  Boston 

Blackie   Mar.  18, '43 

4005  The    Desperadoes   Mar.  25, '43 

4034  Murder  in  Times  Square  Apr.    I, '43 

4029  She  Has  What  It  Takes  Apr.  15. '43 

4212  Saddles  and  Sagebrush  Apr.  27, '43 

4024  Redhead  from  Manhattan  May  6,'43 

4001  The  More  the  Merrier  May  13, '43 

4025  Boy  from  Stalingrad  May  20, '43 

4204  Law  of  the  Northwest  May  27,'43 

4018  It's  a  Great  Life  May  27.M3 

4019  Two  Senoritas  from  Chicago.  .June  I0,'43 
4017  Crime  Doctor   June  22, '43 

.  Frontier   Fury   June  24, '43 

.  Good  Luck,  Mr.  Yates  June  29, '43 

.  What's  Buzzin'  Cousin?  July  8,'43 

.  First  Comes  Courage  July  29,'43 

.  Robin  Hood  of  the  Range  July  29,'43 


Cover   Girl   Not  Set 

.Silver  City  Raiders  Not  Set 

Hall  to  the  Rangers  Not  Set 

Wyoming  Hurricane   Not  Set 

The  Vigilantes  Ride  Not  Set 

Destroyer   Not  Set 

The  Last  Horseman  Not  Set 

Riding  West   Not  Set 

Law  of  the  Badlands  Not  Set 

Without  Notice   Not  Set 

Restless  Lady   Not  Set 

A  Night  of  Adventure  Not  Set 

Cowboy  of  the  Lonesome  River. Not  Set 


MGM 


302  Tish   Sep. -Nov. 

305  A  Yank  at  Eton  Sep. -Nov. 

306  The  War  Against 

Mrs.  Hadley   Sep. -Nov. 

307  Cairo   Sep. -Nov. 

308  Seven  Sweethearts   Sep. -Nov. 

301  Somewhere  I'll  Find  You. .  .Sep.-Nov. 
304  Apache  Trail   Sep.-Nov. 

303  Panama  Hattie   Sep.-Nov. 

312  For  Me  and  My  Gal  Sep.-Nov. 

309  Eyes  in  the  Night  Sep.-Nov. 

310  White  Carqo   Sep.-Nov. 

311  Omaha  Trail   Sep.-Nov. 

313  Whistling  in  Dixie  Dec.-Feb. 

314  Journey  for  Margaret  Dec.-Feb. 

315  Reunion    in    France  Dec.-Feb. 

316  Stand  by  far  Action  Dec.-Feb. 

317  Dr.  Gillespie's  New 

Assistant   Dec.-Feb. 

318  Andy  Hardy's  Double  Life .  Dec.-Feb. 

319  Northwest  Rangers   Dec.-Feb. 

320  Keeper  of  the   Flame  Dec.-Feb. 

321  Three  Hearts  for  Julia  Dec.-Feb. 

322  Tennessee  Johnson   Dec.-Feb. 

327  Assignment  in  Brittany. .  .  .Apr. -May 

323  Cabin  in  the  Sky  Apr. -May 

324  A  Stranger  in  Town  Apr.-May 

326  Air  Raid  Wardens  Apr.-May 

325  Slightly  Dangerous   Apr.-May 


42 
42 

42 
42 
42 
42 
42 
42 
42 
42 
42 
42 
43 
43 
43 
43 

'43 
43 
43 
43 
43 
43 
43 
'43 
'43 
'43 
'43 


For  Stars,  Running  Time,  Review  and  other  Service 
Data  references,  turn  to  the  alphabetical  Release  Chart 

starting  on  page  1378. 

Complete  listing  of  1941-42  Features,  by  company,  in 
order  of  release,  may  be  found  on  pages  878  and  879  of 
the  Product  Digest  Section  in  the  August  29,  1942  issue 
of  Motion  Picture  Herald. 


Prod. 

No. 


Title 


Release 
Date 


328  Bataan   June-Aug.  '43 

333  DuBarry  Was  a  Lady  June-Aug.  '43 

329  Harrigan's  Kid   June-Aug.  '43 

334  Hitler's  Madman   June-Aug.  '43 

380  Human  Comedy   June-Aug.  '43 

332  Pilot  #5   June-Aug.  '43 

330  Presenting  Lily  Mars  June-Aug.  '43 

370  Random    Harvest   June-Aug.  '43 

331  The  Youngest  Profession. .  .June-Aug.  '43 


Lassie  Comes   Home  Net  Set 

.  Salute  te  the  Marines  Net  Set 

.  As  Thousands  Cheer  Not  Set 

.  Above  Suspicion   Not  Set 

.  I  Dood  It  Not  Sot 

.  Swing  Shift  Malsle  Not  Set 

.  The  Professor  Takes  a  Wife.. Not  Set 
..Dr.  Gillespie's  Criminal  Case. Not  Set 

.  Girl  Crazy   Not  Set 

.  Right  About  Face  Not  Set 

.  Best  Foot  Forward  Not  Set 

.  A  Guy  Named  Joe  Net  Set 

.  The  Man  from  Down  Under. .  .Not  Set 

.  Madame  Curie   Not  Set 

.  Russia   Not  Set 

.  Lost  Angel   Not  Set 

.  America   Not  Set 

.  Whistling  In  Brooklyn  Not  Set 

.  A  Thousand  Shall  Fall  Not  Set 

.  The  Heavenly  Body  Not  Set 

.  Cry  Havoc   Not  Set 

.  White  Cliffs  of  Dover  Not  Set 

.  Meet  the  People  Not  Set 


MONOGRAM 


One  Thrilling  Night  June  5,' 

Isle  of  Missing  Men  Sep.  18,' 

Foreign   Agent   Oct.  9,' 

Texas  to  Bataan   Oct.  16,' 

Criminal  Investigaor   Oct.  23,' 

Bowery  at  Midnight  Oct.  30,' 

West  of  the  Law  Nov.  2,' 

War  Dogs   Nov.  13,' 

Neath  Brooklyn  Bridge  Nov.  20,' 

The    Living    Ghost  Nov.  27. 

Trail    Riders   Dec.  4,' 

Rhythm    Parade   Dec.  II, 

Dawn  on  thg  Great  Divide.  ...  Dec.  18,' 

Two  Fisted  Justice  Jan.  8,' 

Silent  Witness   Jan.  15,' 

Cosmo  Jonss  in  the  Crime 

Smasher   Jan.  29, 

Kid  Dynamite   Feb.  5,' 

Prison  Mutiny   Feb.  12,' 

Haunted  Ranch   Feb.  19.' 

Silver  Skates   Feb.  26, 

The  Ape  Man  Mar.  19,' 

Land  of   Hunted   Men  Mar.  26. 

Ghost  Rider   Apr.  2. 

Wild  Horse  Stampede  Apr.  16, 

Clancy  Street   Boys  Apr.  23, 

I  Escaped  from  the  Gestapo. ..  May  28, 

Cowboy  Commandos   June  4, 

Sarong  Girl   June  1 1, 

Wings  over  the  Pacific  June  25, 

The  Stranger  from  Pecos  June  25, 

Spy  Train   July  2, 

Ghosts  on  the  Loose  July  16. 

The  Law  Rides  Again  July  23, 

Black  Market   Rustlers  Aug.  13, 

He  Couldn't  Take  It  Aug.  20. 

Six-Gun  Gospel   Aug.  27, 

I  Was  a  Criminal  Not  Set 

Revenge  of  the  Zombies  Not  Set 

1943-44 

Melody   Parade   Sep.  17, '43 

Spotlight  Revue   Oct.     I, '43 


42 
42 
42 
42 
42 
42 
42 
42 
42 
42 
42 
42 
42 
43 
43 

43 
43 
43 
43 
43 
43 
43 
43 
43 
43 
43 
'43 
43 
43 
43 
'43 
43 
'43 
■43 
'43 
'43 


Prod. 
No. 


Title 


Release 

Date 


PARAMOUNT 


Block  I 


4205  Wake  Island   

4202  The  Major  and  the  Minor. 

4203  The  Glass  Key  

4204  Wildcat   

4201  Priorities  on  Parade  


Block  2 


4209  Henry  Aldrich,  Editor  

4208  Mrs  Wiggs  of  the  Cabbage 

Patch   

4207  Road  to  Morocco  

4210  The  Forest  Rangers  


Block  3 


4213  The  Avengers   

4212  Wrecking  Crew   

4211  The  Palm  Beach  Story  

4214  My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy. 

4215  Lucky  Jordan   


Block  4 


4216  Lady  Bodyguard   

4217  Happy   Go  Lucky  

4218  Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour.. 

4219  Night  Plane  from  Chungking. 


SPECIAL 


4231  Star  Spangled  Rhythm. 
4137  Reap  the  Wild  Wind. 


Block  5 


4221  High  Explosive   

4222  China   

4223  Aerial  Gunner   

4224  Five  Graves  to  Cairo. 

4225  Salute  for  Three  


Block  6 


REISSUES 


4250  Union  Pacific 
4254  Souls  at  Sea 


Prod. 
No. 


Title 


Release 
Date 


No  Time  for  Love  Not  Set 

.  True  to  Life  Not  Set 

,  Miracle  of  Morgan's  Creek ....  Not  Set 

.  Lady  in  the  Dark  Not  Set 

.  Henry  Aldrich  Plays  Cupid ...  Not  Set 

.  The  Good  Fellows  Not  Set 

.  Riding  High   Not  Set 

.  Let's  Face  It  Not  Set 

.  Hostages   Not  Set 

.  Tornado   Not  Set 

.  Henry  Aldrich  Haunts  a 

House   Not  Set 

.  The  Uninvited   Not  Set 

.  The  Hour  Before  Dawn  Not  Set 

.  Minesweeper   Not  Set 

.  And  the  Angels  Sing  Not  Set 

.  Henry  Aldrich  Rocks 

the  Cradle   Not  Set 


PRODUCERS  REL. 
CORP. 


317  Baby  Face  Morgan  Sep.  15, 

307  Tomorrow  Wo  Live  Sep.  29, 

308  City  of  Silent  Men  Oct.  12, 

309  Secrets  of  a  Co-ed  Oct.  26, 

301  The  Yanks  Are  Coming  Nov.  9, 

357  Billy  the  Kid  In  Mysterious 

Rider   Nov, 

3IR  Miss  V  from  Moscow  Nov.  23, 

310  Boss  of  Big  Town  Dee.  7, 

363  Lone  Ride  In  Overland 

Stagecoach   Dee. 

302  Lady  from  Chunking  Dee.  21 

351  Rangers  Take  Over  Dec.  25, 

319  Man  of  Courage  Jan.  4, 

303  The  Payoff   Jan. 

358  Billy  tha  Kid  In  the  Kid 

Rides  Again   Jan. 

320  Dead  Men  Walk  Feb. 

364  Lone  Rider  In  Wild  Horse 

Rustlers   Feb. 

304  A  Night  for  Crime  Feb. 

352  Bad  Men  of  Thunder  Gap.... Mar. 

312  Queen  of  Broadway  Mar. 

359  Billy  the  Kid  In  Fugitive 

of  the  Plains  Mar.  12, 

313  Behind  Prison  Walls  Mar.  22, 

31  Corregldor   Mar.  29, 

311  My  Son  the  Hero  Apr.  5, 

314  The  Ghost  and  the  Guest  Apr.  19, 

322  Terror  House   Apr.  19, 

365  Lone  Rider  in  Death  Rides  the 

Plains   May  7 

353  West  of  Texas  May  10 

360  Billy  the  Kid  In  Western 

Cyclone   May  14, 

305  Girls  In  Chains  May  17, 

321  The  Black  Raven  May  31, 

354  Border  Buckaroos   June  15, 

361  Billy  the  Kid  In  the  Renegade  July  I, 
30  Follies  Girl    July  I, 

Fighting  Valley  Aug.  I, 

Fury  of  the  Jungle  Aug.  8, 

Man  from  Washington  Aug.  23, 

Danger,  Women  at  Work  Not  Set 

Strange  Music   Not  Set 

1943-44 

401  Submarine   Base   July  15. 

40  Isle  of  Forgotten  Sins  July  26, 

. . .  Henry  Aldrich  Rocks 

the  Cradle   Not  Set 


20, 


21, 

27. 
10, 

12. 

It, 
5, 
8, 


"42 
'42 
•42 
'42 
•42 

,'42 
42 
42 

,'42 
'42 
42 
43 
43 

43 
43 

43 

43 
43 
43 

43 
43 
'43 
43 
•43 
•43 

'43 
'43 

•43 
•43 
43 

43 
43 

43 
43 
43 
'43 


4228  So  Proudly  We  Hail  

4230  Dixie    _  . - 

4229  Submarine  Alert    R  K  O 

4226  Henry  Aldrich  Swings  It   ,N,X>-X 

4227  Alaska  Highway   


Triumph  Over  Pain  ....Not  Set 

For  Whom  ths  Bell  Tolls. ...  Not  Set 


(No  National  Release  Dates  set  after 
March  31,  1943) 


371  The  Magnificent  Ambersons. .  .July  I0.'42 
391  Bambi   Aug.  2I,'42 

301  The  Big  Street  Sop.   4, '42 

302  Mexican  Spitfire's  Elephant. .  .Sop.  1 1. '42 

303  Wings  and  the  Woman  Sep.  I8.'42 

381  Bandit   Ranger   Sep.  25/42 

304  Highways  by  Night  Oct.  2/42 

305  Here  We  Go  Again  Oct.  9/42 

306  Scattergood  Survives  a  Murder.  Oct.  16/42 

308  The  Navy  Comes  Through  Oct.  30/42 

309  The  Falcon's  Brother  Nov.  6/42 


I  376    Product  Digest  Section 


June    19,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


Prei.  Relttut 
No.        Title  Date 

310  Seven  Days'  Leave  Nov.  13/42 

382  Pirates  of  the  Prairie  Nov.  20/42 

311  Once  Upon  a  Honeymoon  Nov.  27,'42 

312  Army  Surgeon   Dee.  4.'42 

313  Cat  People   Dee.  25/42 

314  The  Great  Glldersleeve  Jan.  1/43 

315  Seven  Miles  from  Alcatraz  Jan.  8/43 

383  Fighting  Frontier   Jan.  15/43 

318  Cinderella  Swings  It  Jan.  22/43 

352  They  Got  Me  Covered  Feb.  5/43 

307  Journey  Into  Fear  Feb.  12/43 

392  Saludos  Amlgos   Feb.  19/43 

319  Tarzan  Triumphs   Feb.  19/43 

317  Two  Weeks  ta  Live  Feb.  26/43 

351  Pride  of  the  Yankees  Mar.  5/43 

316  Hitler's  Children   ...Mar.  19/43 

320  Forever  and  a  Day  Mar.  26/43 


Block  5 


321  Flight  for  Freedom  

322  Ladies  Day  

323  This  Land  Is  Mine  

324  I  Yalked  With  a  Zombie 

325  The  Falcon  Strikes  Back 


Block  6 

326  Squadron  Leader  X  

329  Bombardier   

330  Mr.  Lucky   

327  Gildersleeve's  Bad  Day 

328  The  Leopard  Man  


Block  7 

  The  Sky's  the  Limit... 

. . . .  Petticoat  Larceny   

....  The  Falcon  in  Danger. 

  Behind  the  Rising  Sun. 

 Tarzan's  Desert  Mystery 


  The  Avenging  Rider  Not  Set 

 A  Lady  Takes  a  Chance  Not  Set 

 The  Fallen  Sparrow  Not  Set 

  North  Star   Not  Set 

  Mexican  Spitfire's  Blessed 

Event   Not  Set 

 The  Seventh  Victim  Not  Set 

....  The  Iron  Major  Not  Set 

 Around  the  World  Not  Set 

  Adventures  of  a  Rookie  Not  Set 


REPUBLIC 


201  HI.  Neighbor   July  27/42 

271  Sombrero  Kid   July  31. '42 

202  The  Old  Homestead  Aug.  17, '42 

261  Shadows  on  the  Sage  Aug.  24/42 

203  Youth  on  Parade  Oct.  24/42 

272  Outlaws  of  Pine  Ridge  Oct.  27/42 

204  X  Marks  the  Spot  Nov.  4/42 

262  Valley  of  Hunted  Men  Nov.  13/42 

251  Heart  of  the  Golden  West  Dee.  11/42 

207  The  Traitor  Within  Dee.  16/42 

208  Secrets  of  the  Underground. .  .Dee.  18/42 
206  lee-Capades  Revue   Dee.  24/42 

273  Sundown  Kid   Doe.  28/42 

253  Rldln'  Down  the  Canyon  Dee.  30/42 

205  Johnny  Doughboy   Deo.  31/42 

209  Mountain  Rhythm   Jan.  8/43 

210  London  Blackout  Murders  Jan.  15/43 

2301  Boots  and  Saddles  Jan.  15/43 

263  Thundering  Trails   Jan.  25/43 

211  Fighting  Devil  Dogs  Jan.  29/43 

274  Dead  Man's  Gulch  Feb.  12/43 

2302  South  of  the  Border  Mar.  1/43 

252  Idaho   Mar.  10/43 

274  The  Blocked  Trail  Mar.  12/43 

212  The  Purple  V  Mar.  12/43 

778  At  Dawn  We  Die  Mar.  20/43 

275  Carson  City  Cyclone  Mar.  23/43 

214  Alibi   Mar.  24/43 

215  Hit  Parade  of  1943  Mar.  26/43 

216  Tahiti  Honey   Apr.  6/43 

254  King  of  the  Cowboys  Apr.  9/43 

217  The  Mantrap   Apr.  13/43 

2303  Gaucho  Serenade   Apr.  15/43 

265  Santa  Fe  Scouts  Apr.  16/43 

218  Shantytown   Apr.  20/43 

219  Chatterbox   Apr.  27/43 

2311  Calling  Wild  Bill  Elliott  Apr.  30/43 

220  A    Gentle   Gangster  May  10/43 

276  Days  of  Old  Cheyenne  May  15/43 

221  Swing  Your  Partner  May  20/43 

266  Riders  of  the  Rio  Grande  May  21/43 

222  False  Faces   May  26/43 

2304  Ride  Tenderfoot.   Ride  June  1/43 

2312  Man  From  Thunder  River  June  11/43 

255  Song    of    Texas  Juno  14/43 


Prod.  Release 
No.        Title  Date 


  Thumbs  Up   Juno  24/43 

  Fugitive  from  Sonora  July  1/43 

  West  Side   Kid  July  11/43 

....  Mexicali    Rose   July  18/43 

  Silver  Spurs   July  18/43 

  Headin'  for  God's  Country  July  20/43 

  Bordertown  Gunflghters   July  24/43 


  Prodigal's  Mother   Not  Set 

  Sleepy  Lagoon   Not  Set 

  War  of  the  Wildcats  Not  Set 

  Black   Hills   Express  Not  Set 

....  Nobody's  Darling   Not  Set 

  Wagon  Tracks  West  Not  Set 

....  Fighting  SeaBees   Not  Set 

  A  Scream  in  the  Night  Not  Set 

  Death  Valley  Manhunt  Not  Set 

....  Hoosier   Holiday   Not  Set 

....  Man  from  Music  Mountain  ....  Not  Set 
  In  .Old  Oklahoma  Not  Set 


20TH-FOX 

Block  I 


301  Footllght  Serenade   Aug.  1/42 

302  A-Hauntlng  We  Will  Go  Aug.  7/42 

303  Little  Tokyo,  U.S.A  Aug.  14/42 

304  The  Pled  Piper  Aug.  21/42 

305  Loves  of  Edgar  Allan  Poe  Aug.  28/42 

Block  2 

308  Orchestra  Wives   Sep.  4/42 

311  Berlin  Correspondent   Sep.  11/42 

312  Careful,  Soft  Shoulders  Sep.  18. '42 

310  Just  Off  Broadway  Sop.  25/42 

306  Iceland   Oct.  2/42 

Block  3 

313  Tales  of   Manhattan  Oct.  30/42 

Block  4 

309  Girl  Trouble  Oct.  t/42 

314  Manila  Calling   Oct.  16/42 

315  The  Man  In  the  Trunk  Oct.  23/42 

317  Springtime  In  the  Rockies  Nov.  6/42 

Block  8 

318  That  Other  Woman  Nov.  13/42 

307  Thunder  Birds   Nov.  20/42 

319  The  Undying  Monster  Nov.  27/42 

320  The  Black  Swan  Dee.  4/42 

321  Dr.  Renault's  Secret  Dee.  11/42 

Bloek  6 

322  Life  Begins  at  8:30  Deo.  25/42 

323  China  Girl   Jan.  1/43 

324  Wo  Are  the  Marines  Jan.  8/43 

325  Over  My  Dead  Body  Jan.  15/43 

326  Time  to  Kill  Jan.  22/43 

Block  7 

327  Immortal  Sergeant   Jan.  29/43 

328  Chetnlks.  the  Fighting 

Guerrillas   Feb.  5/43 

329  Meanest  Man  In  the  World... Fob.  12/43 

330  Margin  for  Error  Feb.  19/43 

316  The  Young  Mr.  Pitt  Feb.  26/43 

Block  8 

332  Dixie  Dugan   Mar.  12/43 

331  Quiet  Please,  Murder  Mar.  19/43 

333  Hello.  Frisco,  Hello  Mar.  26/43 

334  He  Hired  the  Boss  Apr.  2/43 

335  The  Moon  Is  Down  Apr.  9/43 

SPECIAL 

341  Desert  Victory   Apr.  16/43 

Block  9 

338  My  Friend   Flicka  Apr.  23/43 

337  Tonight  We  Raid  Calais  Apr.  30/43 

339  They  Came  to  Blow  Up 

America   May  7/43 

340  Crash  Dive   May  14/43 


Prod.  Release 
No.         Title  Date 

Block  10 

336  The    Ox-Bow   Incident  May  21/43 

342  Jittersbugs   June  11/43 

343  Coney  Island   June  18/43 


V 

 Sweet  Rosle  O'Grady  Not  Set 

  Stormy  Weather   Not  Sot 

....  Bomber's  Moon   Not  Set 

  Heaven  Can  Wait  Not  Set 

....  Jane  Eyre   Not  Set 

  Winter  Time   Not  Sot 

  Holy  Matrimony   Not  Set 

....  Roger  Touhy,  Last  of  the 

Gangsters   Not  Set 

 The  Girls  He  Left  Behind. .  .Not  Set 

  The  Song  of  Bernadette  Not  Set 

  Claudia   Not  Set 

 The  Night  Is  Ending  Not  Set 

....  Guadalcanal  Dairy   Not  Set 

....  Dancing  Masters   Not  Set 


UNITED  ARTISTS 

  Battle  Cry  of  China  Aug.  7/42 

....  The  Moon  and  Sixpence  Oct.  2/42 

  One  of  Our  Aircraft  Is  Missing. Oct.  16/42 

  Undercover  Man   Oct.  23/42 

....I  Married  a  Witch  Oct.  30/42 

  Silver  Queen   Nov.  13/42 

....  The  Devil  with  Hitler  Nov.  20/42 

 Jaeare   Nov.  27/42 

 American  Empire   Dee.  11/42 

....  Lost  Canyon   Dec.  18/42 

....  McGuerins  from  Brooklyn  Dee.  31/42 

 The  Powers  Girl  Jan.  15/43 

  The  Crystal  Ball  Jan.  22/43 

  Calaboose   Jan.  29/43 

 Young  and  WIIHng  Feb.  5/43 

....  In  Which  We  Servo  Feb.  12/43 

....  Fall   In   Mar.  5/43 

  Hoppy  Serves  a  Writ  Mar.  12/43 

  Hangmen  Also  Die  Mar.  26/43 

  Border  Patrol   Apr.  2/43 

....  Taxi  Mister   Apr.  16/43 

  Lady  of  Burlesque  Apr.  30/43 

  Buckskin  Frontier   May  14/43 

  Prairie  Chickens   May  21/43 

  Leather  Burners   May  28/43 

....  Somewhere  in   France  June  11/43 

....  Colt  Comrades   June  18/43 


V 

...    Stage   Door  Canteen  Not  Set 

  Yanks  Ahoy   Not  Set 

 That  Nazty  Nuisance  Not  Set 

  Victory  Through  Air  Power. .  .Not  Set 

  Meet  John  Bonnlwell  Not  Set 

  False  Colors   Not  Set 

  Hi  Diddle  Diddle  Not  Set 

  Riders  of  the  Deadline  Not  Set 

 Johnny  Come  Lately  Not  Set 

 The  Gun  Master  Not  Set 


UNIVERSAL 


7010  Between  Us  Girls  Sep.  4/42 

7021  Give  Out  Sisters  Sen.  11/42 

7035  Half  Way  to  Shanghai  Sep.  18/42 

7020  Sherlock  Holmes  and  the  Volee 

of  Terror   Sop.  18/42 

7017  Sin  Town   Sep.  25/42 

7071  Deep  In  the  Heart  of  Texas.. Sep.  25/42 

7022  Get  Hep  to  Love  Oct.  2/42 

7030  Destination  Unknown   Oct.  9/42 

7026  Moonlight  In  Havana  Oct.  16/42 

7019  The  Mummy  Tomb  Oct.  23/42 

7038  Night  Monster   Oct.  23/42 

7002  Who  Done  It?  Nov.  6/42 

7015  Nightmare   Nov.  13/42 

7072  Little  Joe  the  Wrangler  Nov.  13/42 

7028  Strictly  in  the  Groove  Nov.  20/42 

7029  Behind  the  Eight  Ball  Dec.  4/42 

7034  Madame  Spy   Dec.  11/42 

7008  Pittsburgh   Dec.  11/42 

7073  The  Old  Chisholm  Trail  Dee.  11/42 

7032  The  Great  Impersonation  Dec.  18/42 

7027  Mug  Town   Doc.  18/42 

7063  Arabian  Nights   Dec.  25/42 

7016  When  Johnny  Comes  Marching 

Homo   Jan.  1/43 

7037  Eyes  of  the  Underworld  Jan.  8/43 

7065  Shadow  of  a  Doubt  Jan.  15/43 


Prod.  Relent* 
No.         Title  Date 

7074  Tenting  Tonight  on  the  Old 

Camp  Ground   Feb.  5/43 

7025  How's  About  It?  Feb.  5/43 

7024  Sherlock  Holmes  and  the 

Secret  Weapon   Feb.  12/43 

7005  The  Amazing  Mrs.  Holllday. .  Feb.  19/43 

7031  Hi  Buddy   Fob.  26/43 

7039  Hl'Ya  Chum   Mar.  5/43 

7012  Frankenstein  Meets  the  Wolf 

Man   Mar.  12/43 

7001  It  Ain't  Hay  Mar.  19/43 

7041  He's  My  Guy  Mar.  26/43 

7040  Keep  'Em  Slugging  Apr.  2/43 

7023  It  Comes  Up  Love  Apr.  9/43 

7042  Rhythm  of  the  Islands  Apr.  16/43 

7004  White  Savage   Apr.  23/43 

7018  Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington.Apr.  30/43 

  Next  of  Kin  May  7/43 

7044  Good  Morning  Judge  May  7/43 

7033  Follow  the  Band  May  14/43 

7036  Cowboy   in   Manhattan  May  21/43 

  Mr.  Big   May  28/43 

7014  Captive  Wild  Woman  Juno  4/43 

7043  All  by   Myself  Juno  11/43 

 Two  Tickets  to  London  June  18/43 

  Get   Going   Juno  25/43 

  Hit  the  Ice  July  2/43 

  Girls,  Inc  July  9/43 

  We've  Never  Been  Licked ....  July  16/43 

  Second  Honeymoon   July  23/43 

  Hers  to  Hold  July  30/43 

....  Frontier  Bad   Men  Aug.  6/43 

  Corvette   K-225   Aug.  13/43 

  Phantom  of  the  Opera  Aug.  27/43 


V 

7076  Raiders  of  San  Joaquin  Not  Set 

....  Son  of  Dracula  Not  Set 

  For  All  We  Know  Not  Sot 

7075  Cheyenne  Roundup   Not  Set 

7077  The  Lone  Star  Trail  Not  Set 

  Always  a  Bridesmaid  Not  Set 

 Cross  Your  Fingers  Not  Set 

  Never  a  Dull  Moment  Not  Set 

....  Cobra  Woman   Not  Set 

  Fired  Wife   Not  Set 

 Sherlock  Holmes  Faces  Death. Not  Set 

....  Angela   Not  Set 

....  Sherlock  Holmes  and  the  Spider 

Woman   Not  Set 

....  The  Mad  Ghoul  Not  Set 


WARNER  BROS, 


202  Across  the  Pacific  Sep.  5/42 

203  Busses  Roar   Sep.  19/42 

204  Desperate  Journey   Sop.  26/42 

207  You  Can't  Escape  Forever  Oct.  10/42 

205  Secret  Enemies   Oct.  17/42 

206  Now.   Voyager   Oct.  31/42 

208  The   Hidden   Hand  Nov.  7/42 

212  Gentleman  Jim   Nov.  14/42 

210  George  Washington  Slept  Here. Nov.  28/42 

211  Flying  Fortress   Dee.  5/42 

215  Varsity   Show   Dec.  19/42 

201  Yankee   Doodle   Dandy  Jan.  2/43 

216  The  Gorilla  Man  Jan.  16/43 

214  Casablanca   Jan.  23/43 

213  Truck  Busters   Feb.  6/43 

209  The  Hard  Way  Feb.  20/43 

218  The  Mysterious  Doctor  Mar.  6/43 

217  Air  Force   Mar.  20/43 

219  Edge  of  Darkness  Apr.  24/43 

220  Mission  to  Moscow  May  22/43 

221  Action  in  the  North  Atlantic.  .June  12/43 

222  Background  to  Danger  July  3/43 

V 

  Watch  on  the  Rhine  Not  Set 

  Princess  O'Rourke  Not  Set 

  Adventures  of  Mark  Twain. .. Not  Set 

  Arsenic  and  Old  Lace  Not  Set 

  The  Desert  Song  Not  Sot 

....  The  Constant  Nymph  Not  Set 

  Crime  by  Night  Not  Sot 

  Thank  Your  Lucky  Stars  Not  Set 

  Old  Acquaintance  Not  Set 

  Devotion   Not  Set 

  Adventure  in  Iraq  Not  Set 

....  The  Last  Ride  Not  Set 

  Saratoga  Trunk   Not  8et 

  This  Is  the  Army  Not  Set 

  To  the  Last  Man  Not  Set 

....  Animal  Kingdom   Not  Set 

  In  Our  Time  Not  Set 

  Murder  on  the  Waterfront  Not  Set 


Product  Digest  Section  1377 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    19,  1943 


RELEASE  CHART 

Index  to  Reviews,  Advance  Synopses  and 
Service  Data  in  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION 


Release  dates  and  running  time  are  furnished  as  soon  as  avail- 
able. Advance  dates  are  tentative  and  subject  to  change. 

Consult  Service  Data  in  the  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION  for 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating,  Audience  Classification  and  Managers' 
Round  Table  Exploitation. 


All  page  numbers  on  this  chart  refer  to  pages  in  the 
PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION  of  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 

Short  Subjects  Chart  with  Synopsis  Index  can  be  found  on 
pages  1363-1365. 

Feature  Product  Including  Coming  Attractions,  listed  by  Com- 
pany, in  order  of  release,  on  pages  1376-1377. 


REVIEWED 


Title  Company 

ABOVE  Suspicion  MGM 

Across  the  Pacific  WB 

Action  In  the  North  Atlantic  WB 

Adventures  of  Mark  Twain  WB 

Aerial  Gunner  Para. 
After  Midnight  with  Boston  Blackie  Col. 

Air  Fores  WB 

Air  Raid  Wardens,  The  MGM 

A-Haunting  We  Will  Go  20th-Fox 

Alibi  Rep. 

Alaska  Highway  Para. 

All  by  Myself  Univ. 

Always  a  Bridesmaid  Univ. 

Amazing  Mrs.  Holliday,  The  Univ. 

American  Empire  UA 

Andy  Hardy's  Double  Life  MGM 

Apache  Trail  MGM 

Ape  Man,  The  Mono. 

Appointment  in  Berlin  Col. 

Arabian  Nights  Univ. 

Arizona  Stagecoach  Mono. 

Army  Surgeon  RKO 

As  Thousands  Cheer  (color)  MGM 

(formerly  Private  Miss  Jones) 

Assignment  in  Brittany  MGM 

At  Dawn  We  Die  (British)  Rep. 

(formerly  Tomorrow  We  Live) 

Avengers,  The  (British)  Para. 

Avenging  Rider,  The  RKO 

BABY  Face  Morgan  PRC 
Background  to  Danger  WB 
Bad  Men  of  Thunder  Gap  PRC 
Bambi  (color)  RKO 
Bandit  Ranger  RKO 
Bataan  MGM 
Behind  Prison  Walls  PRC 
Behind  the  Eight  Ball  Univ. 
Behind  the  Rising  Sun  RKO 
Bells  Go  Down,  The  (British)  Ealing-UA 
Berlin  Correspondent  20th-Fox 
Best  Foot  Forward  (color)  MGM 
Between  Us  Girls  Univ. 
Big  Street,  The  RKO 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Fugitive  of  Plains  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Kid  Rides  Again  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Mysterious  Rider  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  The  Renegade  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Western  Cyclone  PRC 
Black  Raven,  The  PRC 
Black  Swan,  The  (color)  20th-Fox 
Blocked  Trail,  The  Rep. 
Bombardier  RKO 
Bombers  Moon  20th-Fox 
Bombsight  Stolen  (British)  Gains. 
Boogie  Man  Will  Get  You,  The  Col. 
Boots  and  Saddles  (Re-release)  Rep. 
Border  Buckaroos  PRC 
Border  Patrol  UA 
Bordertown  Gunfighters  Rep. 
Boss  of  Big  Town  PRC 
Boston  Blackie  Goes  Hollywood  Col. 
Bowery  at  Midnight  Mono. 
Boy  From  Stalingrad  Col. 
Brains  Trust,  The  (British)  Strand-Anglo 
Buckskin  Frontier  UA 
Busses  Roar  WB 


Prod. 
Number 

202 


4223 
4031 
217 
326 
302 
214 
4227 
7043 

7005 


318 
304 


7063 
312 


327 
778 

4213 


317 

352 
391 
381 
328 
313 
7029 


311 

7010 
301 
359 
358 
357 
361 
360 
321 
320 
274 
329 


4026 
2301 
354 


310 
4030 

4025 


203 


Release 

Stars  Date 

Joan  Crawford-Fred  MacMurray  Not  Set 

Humphrey  Bogart-Mary  Astor  Sept.  5, '42 
Humphrey  Bogart-Raymond  Massey       June  1 2, '43 

Fredric  March-Alexis  Smith  Not  Set 

Chester  Morris-Richard  Arlen  Block  5 

Chester  Morris-Ann  Savage  Mar.  1 8, '43 

John  Garfield-Gig  Young  Mar.  20, '43 

Laurel  and  Hardy  Apr.-May,'43 

Laurel  and  Hardy  Aug.  7/42 

Margaret  Lockwood-Hugh  Sinclair  Mar.  24,'43 

Richard  Arlen-Jean  Parker  Block  6 

Patric  Knowles-Evelyn  Ankers  June  1 1, '43 

Andrews  Sisters-Patric  Knowles  Not  Set 

Deanna  Durbin-Edmond  O'Brien  Feb.  19, '43 

Richard  Dix-Leo  Carrillo  Dec.  1 1, '42 

Mickey  Rooney-Lewis  Stone  Dec.-Feb.,'43 

Lloyd  Nolan-Donna  Reed  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

Bela  Lugosi-Wallace  Ford  Mar.  1 9, '43 
George  Sanders-Marguerite  Chapman     July  1 5, '43 

Sabu-Maria  Montez-Jon  Hall  Dec.  25, '42 

The  Range  Busters  Sept.  4,'42 

James  Ellison-Jane  Wyatt  Dec.  4, '42 

Kathryn  Grayson-Gene  Kelly  Not  Set 

Pierre  Aumont-Susan  Peters  Apr.-May,'43 

John  Clements-Godfrey  Tearle  Mar.  20, '43 

Ralph  Richardson-Deborah  Kerr  Block  3 

Tim  Holt  Not  Set 

Mary  Carlisle-Richard  Cromwell  Sept.  I5,'42 

George  Raft-Brenda  Marshall  July  3, '43 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill  Mar.  5,'43 

Disney  Feature  Cartoon  Aug.  2 1, '42 

Tim  Holt  Sept.  25/42 

Robert  Taylor-Thomas  Mitchell  June-Aug.,'43 

Alan  Baxter-Gertrude  Michael  Mar.  22, '43 

Ritz  Bros.-Carol  Bruce  Dec.  4,'42 

Margo-Tom  Neal-Robert  Ryan  Block  7 

Tommy  Trinder-James  Mason  Not  Set 

Dana  Andrews-Virginia  Gilmore  Sept.  1 1, '42 

Lucille  Ball-William  Gaxton  Not  Set 
Diana  Barrymore-Robert  Cummings       Sept.  4, '42 

Henry  Fonda-Lucille  Ball  Sept.  4,'42 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Mar.  1 2, '43 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Jan.  27, '43 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Nov.  20,'42 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  July   I, '43 

Buster  Qabbe-AI  St.  John  May  I4,'43 

George  Zucco-Wanda  MacKay  May  3 1, '43 

Tyrone  Power-Maureen  O'Hara  Dec.  4,'42 

Three  Mesquiteers  Mar.  1 2, '43 
Pat  O'Brien-Randolph  Scott-Anne  Shirley      Block  6 

George  Montgomery-Annabella  Not  Set 

Leslie  Banks-Jeanne  Casalis  Not  Set 

Boris  Karlof-Peter  Lorre  Oct.  22,'42 

Gene  Autry-Smiley  Burnette  Jan.  1 5, '43 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill  June  1 5, '43 

William  Boyd  Apr.  2,'43 

Bill  Elliott-Gabby  Hayes  July  24,'43 

John  Litel-Florence  Rice  Dec.  7,'42 

Chester  Morris-Richard  Lane  Nov.  5, '42 

Bela  Lugosi-John  Archer  Oct.  30, '42 

Bobby  Samarzich-Conrad  Binyon  May  20, '43 

Quiz  Experts  Not  Set 

Richard  Dix-Jane  Wyatt  May  14/43 

Richard  Travis-Julie  Bishop  Sept.  1 9, '42 


62m 
80m 
57m 
70m 
56m 
1 14m 
64m 
60m 

89m 
70m 

89  m 
87m 
56m 
60m 
•  55m 

59  m 
61m 
85m 
55m 
99m 

72  m 
66m 
58m 


64m 
68m 
63  m 
70m 
34m 
76m 
61m 


M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

91m 

May  l,'43 

1289 

1001 

98m 

Aug.  22,'42 

927 

726 

127m 

May  22/43 

1325 

983 

936 

78  m 

Mar.  20/43 

1226 

1091 

64m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1 192 

124m 

Feb.  6/43 

1145 

936 

67m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

1091 

67m 

July  11/42 

927 

66m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

1192 

63  m 

June  5/43 

1350 

1277 

1192 

98  m 

Feb.  6/43 

1145 

936 

81m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

871 

92m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

796 

66m 

June  27/42 

938 

726 

64m 

Feb.  27/43 

1181 

1104 

1305 

87  m 

Dec.  26/42 

1090 

872 

58m 

63  m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

701 

1079 

98m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

1019 

85m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

88m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

55m 

Feb.  13/43 

1158 

July  25/42 
June  12/43 
June  5/43 

May  30/42 

Ma'y29,;43 
Feb.  6/43 
Dec.  12/42 

May 22/43 
Aug.  15/42 

Aug.  29/42 
Aug.  8/42 
Apr.  3/43 
Mar.  20/43 
Jan.  30/43 

June  12/43 
Mar.  20/43 
Oct.  17/42 
Apr.  3/43 
May  15/43 

May  i5,'43 
Oct.  24/42 
Nov.  13/37 


67m       Jan.  30/43 


Oct.  17/42 
Feb.  27/43 
Oct.  3/42 

Feb.  6/43 
Mar.  13/43 
Aug.  22/42 


903 
1361 
1350 

685 

1337 
1146 
1054 

1326 
927 

890 
902 
1238 
1215 
1137 

1362 
1215 
958 
1238 
1313 

■  3 15 
969 
1114 

I  f  37 

959 
1181 
934 

1 147 
1202 
903 


1058 
1277 


1127 
1078 
794 
1362 

797 
1191 
772 
701 

1104 
1033 
1305 
1276 

855 

912 
1305 


1276 
!375 
794 

im 

983 


Data 

Page 


1280 


1341 
1341 

1174 


1280 


1130 


1218 


1378  Product  Digest  Section 


June    19,    I  943 


Title  Company 

CABIN  in  the  Sky  MGM 

Cairo  MGM 
Calaboose  UA-Roach 

Calling  Wild  Bill  Elliott  Rep. 

Captive  Wild  Woman  Univ. 

Careful,  Soft  Shoulder  20th-Fox 

Carson  City  Cyclone  Rep. 

Casablanca  WB 

Cat  People  RKO 

Chatterbox  Rep. 

Chetniks,  Fighting  Guerrillas  20th-Fox 

Cheyenne  Roundup  Univ. 

China  Para. 

China  Girl  20th-Fox 

Cinderella  Swings  It  RKO 

City  of  Silent  Men  PRC 

City  Without  Men  Col. 

Clancy  Street  Boys  Mono. 
Coastal  Command  (British)  Para. -Crown 

Colt  Comrades  UA 

Commandos  Strike  at  Dawn  Col. 

Coney  Island  20th-Fox 

Corregidor  PRC 

Corvette  K-225  Univ. 

Cosmo  Jones,  Crime  Smasher  Mono. 

Counter  Espionage  Col. 

Cowboy  Commandos  Mono. 

Cowboy  in  Manhattan  Univ. 

Crash  Dive  (color)  20th-Fox 

Crime  by  Night  WB 

Crime  Doctor  Col. 

Criminal  Investigator  Mono. 

Cross  Your  Fingers  Univ. 

Crystal  Ball,  The  UA 

DARING  Young  Man,  The  Col. 

Dawn  on  the  Great  Divide  Mono. 

Days  of  Old  Cheyenne  Rep. 

Deadline  Guns  Col. 

Dead  Man's  Gulch  Rep. 

Dead  Men  Walk  PRC 

Deep  in  the  Heart  of  Texas  Univ. 

Desert  Song,  The  (color)  WB 

Desert  Victory  (British)  20th-Fox 

Desperadoes,  The  (color)  Col. 

Desperate  Journey  WB 

Destination  Unknown  Univ. 

Destroyer  Col. 
Devil  with  Hitler,  The  UA-Roach 

Diary  of  a  Nazi  (Russian)  Artkino 

Dixie  (color)  Para. 

Dixie  Dugan  20th-Fox 

Dr.  Gillespie's  Criminal  Case  MGM 

Dr.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant  MGM 

Dr.  Renault's  Secret  20th-Fox 

DuBarry  Was  a  Lady  MGM 

EDGE  0f  Darkness  WB 

En  Enda  Natt  (Swedish)  Scandia 

Eyes  in  the  Night  MGM 

Eyes  of  the  Underworld  Univ. 

FALCON'S  Brother,  The  RKO 

Falcon  in  Danger,  The  RKO 

Falcon  Strikes  Back,  The  RKO 

Fallen  Sparrow,  The  RKO 
Fall  In  UA-Roach 

False  Faces  Rep. 

Fighting  Buckaroo,  The  Col. 

Fighting  Devil  Dogs  Rep. 

Fighting  Frontier  RKO 

Fighting  Sea  Monsters  Times 

Find,  Fix  and  Strike  (British)  ABFD 

Fires  Were  Started  (British)  Crown 

First  Comes  Courage  Col. 

First  of  the  Few,  The  (British)  Howard 

Five  Graves  to  Cairo  Para. 

Flight  for  Freedom  RKO 

Flying  Fortress  (British)  WB 

Follies  Girl  PRC 

Follow  the  Band  Univ. 

Footlight  Serenade  20th-Fox 

Foreign  Agent  Mono. 

Forest  Rangers,  The  (color)  Para. 

porever  and  a  Day  RKO 

For  All  We  Know  Univ. 


(formerly  Flesh  and  Fantasy) 


r~  REVIEWED  — < 


M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Service 

Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

323 

Rochester  -Ethel  Waters 

A               11            '  A  -) 

Apr.-May,  43 
Sept.-Nov.,'42 
Jan.  29, '43 

98  m 

Feb.  13,  43 

1  1 57 

lulv 

1)4  1 

1 J4I 

307 

Jeanette  MacDonald-Robert  Young 
Jimmy  Rogers-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

101m 
45  m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

1241 

1  A)  A 

1034 

231 1 

Bill  Elliott-Gabby  Hayes 

Apr.  30,'43 

54m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

7014 

Evelyn  Ankers-John  Carradine 

June  4,'43 

61m 

May  1/43 

1290 

1 127 

312 

Virginia  Bruce-James  Ellison 

Sept.  18, '42 

69m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

275 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Mar.  23, '43 

57m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

214 

Humphrey  Bogart-lngrid  Bergman 

Jan.  23, '43 

102m 

Nov.  28/42 

1029 

936 

1341 

313 

Simone  Simon-Tom  Conway 

Dec.  25,'42 

73m 

Nov.  14/42 

1005 

962 

1280 

219 

Joe  E.  Brown-Judy  Canova 

Apr.  27,'43 

76m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

1 127 

328 

Philip  Dorn-Virginia  Gilmore 

Feb.  5, '43 

73m 

Jan.  9/43 

1115 

995 

1280 

276 

II            ki      in             t  n*ii 

Johnny  Mack  Brown-Tex  Kitter 

Apr.  29, '43 

59m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

4222 

Loretta  Young-Alan  Ladd 

Block  5 

78m 

Mar.  20/43 

1226 

1091 

1341 

323 

George  Montgomery-Gene  Tierney 

Jan.  I,'43 

95m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

872 

1218 

318 

Guy  Kibbee-Gloria  Warren 

Jan.  22, '43 

69m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 125 

308 

Frank  Albertson-June  Lang 

Oct.  I2,'42 

64m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

4013 

Linda  Darnell-Dons  Dudley 

1             1  A    '  A  1 

Jan.  14,  43 

75m 

Feb.  27,  43 

1181 

1  AAA 

1009 

East  Side  Kids 

Apr.  23, '43 

66m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

*  *  *  * 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

73  m 

Nov.  14/42 

1005 

William  Boyd 

June  18, '43 

67m 

1339 

4004 

n      i    k  a      *  i  *ti*  /■* *  '  I 

Paul  Muni-Lillian  Gish 

Jan.  7,'43 

98m 

Dec.  19/42 

1078 

962 

1280 

343 

Betty  Grable-George  Montgomery 

June  18/43 

90m 

May  22/43 

1325 

995 

31 



Otto  Kruger-blissa  Landi 

r\             I      \      i       C          ill         1         FN  • 

Randolph  Scott-Andy  Devine 

Mar.  29/43 
Aug.  13/43 

74m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

1 104 
1240 

1280 

tdgar  Kennedy-Frank  Graham 

Jan.  29/43 

62m 

Feb. 20/43 

1 170 

1055 

4027 

Warren  William-Eric  Blore 
Range  Busters 

Sept.  3/42 

|,,_  _      4  I  A'j 

June  *to 

72m 

Oct.  10/42 

945 

871 

1  777 
1  A./  1 

7036 

Robert  Paige-Frances  Langford 

May  2 1/43 

60m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

1240 

340 

Tyrone  Power-Anne  Baxter 

May  14/43 

105m 

Apr.  24/43 

1273 

962 

1341 

Jane  Wyman-Jerome  Cowan 

Not  Set 

1091 

40i7 

Warner  Baxter-Margaret  Lindsay 

June  22/43 

66m 

June  12/43 

1361 

1305 

Robert  Lowery-Jan  Wiley 

Oct.  23/42 

61m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

1033 

Allan  Jones-Kitty  Carlisle 

Not  Set 

1351 

Paulette  Goddard-Ray  Milland 

Jan.  22/43 

81m 

Jan. 23/43 

1 125 

960 

1341' 

4021 

Joe  E.  Brown-Marguerite  Chapman 

Oct.  8/42 

73m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

871 

Buck  Jones-Rex  Bell 

Dec.  18/42 

66m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

1031 

276 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

May  15/43 

55m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

1241 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Not  Set 

1081 

274 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Feb. 12/43 

56m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 170 

1 127 

320 

George  Zucco-Mary  Carlisle 

Feb.  10/43 

63m 

Feb. 20/43 

1 170 

1031 

7071 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Sept.  25/42 

62m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

Dennis  Morgan-Irene  Manning 

Not  Set 

872 

34i 

War  in  Africa  Feature 

Apr.  16/43 

60m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

1341 

4005 

Randolph  Scott-Glenn  Ford 

May  25/43 

85m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

87  i 

1280 

204 

Errol  Flynn-Ronald  Reagan 

Sept.  26/42 

107m 

Aug.  22/42 

915 

1082 

7030 

Irene  Hervey-William  Gargan 

Oct.  9/42 

61m 

Oct.  3/42 

946 

9 1 2 

Edward  G.  Robinson-Marguerite  Chapman  Not  Set 

1162 

Alan  Mowbray-M.  Woodworth 

Nov.  20/42 

45  m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

War  Documentary 

Mar.  24/43 

68m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

4230 

Bing  Crosby-Dorothy  Lamour 

Block  6 

1091 

332 

James  Ellison-Lois  Andrews 

Mar.  12/43 

67  m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1082 

Lionel  Barrymore-Van  Johnson 

Not  Set 

89m 

May  8/43 

1302 

1192 

317 

Lionel  Barrymore-Van  Johnson 

Dec.-Feb./43 

86m 

Nov.  15/42 

1005 

1280 

321 

Lynn  Roberts-John  Shepperd 

Dec.  1 1/42 

58m 

Dec.  17/42 

959 

936 

333 

Lucille  Ball-Red  Skelton 

June-Aug.,'43 

I0lm 

May  8/43 

1301 

1019 

219 

Errol  Flynn-Ann  Sheridan 

Apr.  24/43 

1  18m 

Mar.  27/43 

1225 

982 

Ingrid  Bergman-Olof  Sandborg 

Not  Set 

89m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

309 

Edward  Arnold-Ann  Harding 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

79m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

797 

1130 

7037 

Richard  Dix-Lon  Chaney 

Jan.  8/43 

61m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

309 

George  Sanders-Jane  Randolph 
Tom  Conway-Jean  Brooks 

Nov.  6/42 
Block  7 

63  m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

871 
1362 

325 

Tom  Conway-Harriet  Hilliard 
Maureen  O'Hara-John  Garfield 

Block  5 
Not  Set 

65  m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

1182 

William  Tracy-Jean  Porter 

Mar.  5/43 

48  m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

796 

222 

Rex  Williams-Bill  Henry 

May  26/43 

56m 

May  29/43 
Apr.  17/43 

1338 

1277 

4203 

Charles  Starrett-Kay  Harris 

Feb.  1/43 

58m 

1262 

211 

Lee  Powell-Herman  Brix 

Jan.  29/43 

69m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

383 

Tim  Holt 

Jan.  15/43 

57m 

Feb. 13/43 

1 158 

Marine  Animal  Feature 

Mar.  9/43 

61m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

37m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

63m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

Merle  Oberon-Brian  Aherne 

July  29/43 

1362 

Leslie  Howard-David  Niven 

Not  Set 

1  18m 

Sept.  5/42 

889 

4224 

Franchot  Tone-Anne  Baxter 

Block  5 

96m 

May  8/43 

1301 

1192 

1341 

321 

Rosalind  Russell-Fred  MacMurray 

Block  5 

101m 

Feb.  6/43 

1145 

983 

1218 

211 

Richard  Green-Carla  Lehmann 

Dec.  5/42 

68m 

June  27/42 

914 

1174 

30 

Wendy  Barrie-Gordon  Oliver 

July  1/43 

iio4 

7033 

Leon  Errol-Mary  Beth  Hughes 

May  14/43 

61m 

May  1/43 

i290 

1241 

301 

John  Payne-Betty  Grable 

Aug.  1/42 

80m 

July  1 1/42 

915 

715 

873 

John  Shelton-Gail  Storm 

Oct.  9/42 

64m 

Sept.  19/42 

911 

4206 

Fred  MacMurray-Paulette  Goddard 

Block  2 

87m 

Oct.  3/42 

933 

872 

1218 

320 

British  and  American  Stars 
Charles  Boyer-Barbara  Stanwyck 

Mar.  26/43 
Not  Set 

104m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 125 

1058 

Product  Digest  Section    |  379 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    19,  1943 


Title  Company 

For  Me  and  My  Gal  MGM 

Fortress  on  Volga  (Russian)  Artkino 
For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls  (color)  Para. 
Frankenstein  Meets  Wolf  Man  Univ. 

Frontier  Bad  Men  Univ. 

Frontier  Fury  Col. 

Fugitive  from  Sonora  Rep. 

GAUCHO  Serenade  (Reissue)  Rep. 

Gentle  Gangster,  A  Rep. 
Gentle  Sex  (British)    Two  Cities-Gen'l 

Gentleman  Jim  WB 
George  Washington  Slept  Here  WB 

Get  Going  Univ. 

Get  Hep  to  Love  Univ. 

Ghost  and  the  Guest.  The  PRC 

Ghost  Rider  Mono. 

Ghosts  on  the  Loose  Mono. 

Gildersleeve's  Bad  Day  RKO 

Girl  Crazy  MGM 

Girl  Trouble  20th-Fox 

Girls  in  Chains  PRC 

Girls,  Inc.  Univ. 

Give  Out,  Sisters  Univ. 

Glass  Key,  The  Para. 

Good  Fellows,  The  Para. 

Good  Luck,  Mr.  Yates  Col. 

Good  Morning,  Judge  Univ. 

Gorilla  Man,  The  WB 

Great  Gildersleeve,  The  RKO 

Great  Impersonation,  The  Univ. 
Gyandev  of  India                 Ram  Bagai 

HAIL  to  the  Rangers  Col. 

Half  Way  to  Shanghai  Univ. 

Hangmen  Also  Die  UA 

Happy  Go  Lucky  (color)  Para. 

Hard  Way,  The  WB 

Harrigan's  Kid  MGM 

Haunted  Ranch  Mono. 

Headin'  for  God's  Country  Rep. 

Heart  of  a  Nation  (French)  Graetz 

Heart  of  the  Golden  West  Rep. 

Heaven  Can  Wait  (color)  20th-Fox 

He  Hired  the  Boss  20th-Fox 

Hers  to  Hold  Univ. 

He's  My  Guy  Univ. 

Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello  (color)  20th-Fox 

Henry  Aldrich,  Editor  Para. 

Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour  Para. 

Henry  Aldrich  Swings  It  Para. 

Here  We  Go  Again  RKO 

Hi  Diddle  Diddle  UA 

Hi,  Buddy  Univ. 

Hidden  Hand,  The  WB 

High  Explosive  Para. 

Highways  by  Night  RKO 

Hi!  Neighbor  Rep. 

Hit  Parade  of  1943  Rep. 

Hitler,  Dead  or  Alive  House 

Hit  the  Ice  Univ. 

(formerly  Oh,  Doctor) 

Hitler's  Children  RKO 

Hitler's  Madman  MGM 

(formerly  Hitler's  Hangman) 

Hi'Ya,  Chum  Univ. 

Hoppy  Serves  a  Writ  UA 

Hostages  Para. 

How's  About  It?  Univ. 

Human  Comedy,  The  MGM 

ICE-CAPADES  Revue  Rep. 

Iceland  20th-Fox 

Idaho  Rep. 

I  Dood  It  MGM 

I  Escaped  from  the  Gestapo  Mono. 

I  Married  a  Witch  UA 

Immortal  Sergeant,  The  20th-Fox 
In  the  Rear  of  Enemy  (Russian)  Artkino 

In  Which  We  Serve  (British)  UA 
Isle  of  Forgotten  Sins  (1943-44)  PRC 

Isle  of  Missing  Men  Mono. 

It  Ain't  Hay  Univ. 

It  Comes  Up  Love  Univ. 

It's  That  Man  Again  (British)  Gains. 

It's  a  Great  Life  Col. 

(formerly  Blondie  Buys  a  Horse) 

I  Walked  with  a  Zombie  RKO 


Prod. 
Number 

312 


7012 


2303 


212 
210 

7022 
314 


327 

309 
305 

7021 
4203 


7044 
216 
314 

7032 


7035 

4217 
209 
329 


251 

334 

704  i 
333 
4209 
4218 
4226 
305 

703  i 
208 

4221 
304 
201 
215 


316 

334 

7039 


7025 
380 

206 
306 
252 


327 

40 

7001 
7023 

4018 

324 


Release 

Stan  Date 

Judy  Garland-George  Murphy  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

Mikhail  Gelovani-Nikolai  Bogoliubov  Not  Set 

Gary  Cooper-lngrid  Bergman  Not  Set 

Lon  Chaney-Bela  Lugosi  Mar.  1 2, '43 

Diana  Barrymore-Robert  Paige  Aug.  6, '43 

Charles  Starrett-Arthur  Hunnicutt  June  24,'43 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick  July    I ,'43 


—  REVIEWED  \ 

M.  P.       Product    Advance  Service 


Running  Herald 
Time  Issue 

104m  Sept.  I2,'42 
77m       Jan.  9.'43 

73  m       Feb.  27/43 


Digest     Synopsis  Data 


Gene  Autry 

Barton  MacLane-Molly  Lamont 
Rosamund  John-Joyce  Howard 
Errol  Flynn-Alexis  Smith 
Jack  Benny-Ann  Sheridan 
Grace  McDonald-Robert  Paige 
Gloria  Jean-Robert  Paige 
Florence  Rice-Jimmie  Dunn 
Johnny  Mack  Brown 
East  Side  Kids 
Harold  Peary-Jane  Darwell 
Mickey  Rooney-Judy  Garland 
Don  Ameche-Joan  Bennett 
Arline  Judge-Roger  Clark 
Leon  Errol-Grace  McDonald 
Andrews  Sisters-Richard  Davies 
Brian  Donlevy-Veronica  Lake-Alan 
Cecil  Kellaway-Helen  Walker 
Claire  Trevor-Edgar  Buchanan 
Dennis  O'Keefe-Louise  Allbritton 
John  Loder-Paul  Cavanagh 
Harold  Peary-Freddy  Mercer 
Ralph  Bellamy-Evelyn  Ankers 
Indian  Feature 

Charles  Starrett 
Irene  Hervey-Kent  Taylor 
Brian  Donlevy-Walter  Brennan 
Mary  Martin-Dick  Powell-Rudy  Valli 
Ida  Lupino-Dennis  Morgan 
Bobby  Readick-William  Gargan 
Range  Busters 

William  Lundigan-Virginia  Dale 
Raimu-Michele  Morgan 
Roy  Rogers-Gabby  Hayes 
Don  Ameche-Gene  Tierney 
Stuart  Erwin-Evelyn  Venable 
Deanna  Durbin-Joseph  Cotten 
Dick  Foran-lrene  Hervey 
Alice  Faye-John  Payne 
Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 
Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 
Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 
Fibber  McGee-Edgar  Bergen-"Char 
Martha  Scott-Adolph  Menjou 
Dick  Foran-Harriet  Hilliard 
Craig  Stevens-Elisabeth  Fraser 
Chester  Morris-Jean  Parker 
Richard  Carlson-Jane  Randolph 
Lulubelle  &  Scotty-Jean  Parker 
John  Carroll-Susan  Hayward 
Ward  Bond-Dorothy  Tree 
Abbott  and  Costello 

Tim  Holt-Bonita  Granville 
Patricia  Morison-John  Carradine 

Jane  Frazee-Ritz  Brothers 
William  Boyd-Andy  Clyde 
Luise  Rainer-Paul  Lukas 
Andrews  Sisters-Robert  Paige 
Mickey  Rooney-Frank  Morgan 

Ellen  Drew-Richard  Denning 
Sonja  Henie-John  Payne 
Roy  Rogers-Virginia  Grey 
Red  Skelton-Eleanor  Powell 
Dean  Jagger-John  Carradine 
Fredric  March-Veronica  Lake 
Henry  Fonda-Maureen  O'Hara 
War  Documentary 
Noel  Coward-Bernard  Miles 
John  Carradine-Gale  Sondergaard 
John  Howard-Gilbert  Roland 
Abbott  and  Costello 
Gloria  Jean-Ian  Hunter 
Tommy  Handley 
Penny  Singleton-Arthur  Lake 

Frances  Dee-Tom  Conway 


Apr.  I5,'43 
May  I0,'43 
Not  Set 
Nov.  I4,'42 
Nov.  28.'42 
June  25/43 
Oct.  2/42 
Apr.  19/43 
Apr.  2/43 
July  16/43 
Block  6 
Not  Set 
Oct.  9/42 
May  17/43 
July  9/43 
Sept.  1 1  ,'42 
Ladd       Block  I 
Not  Set 
June  29/43 
May  7/43 
Jan.  16/43 
Jan.  1/43 
Dec.  18/42 
Apr.  9/43 

Not  Set 
Sept.  18/42 
Mar.  26/43 
e  Block  4 

Feb.  20/43 
June-Aug.,'43 
Feb.  19/43 
July  20/43 
Not  Set 
Dec.  1 1/42 
Not  Set 
Apr.  2/43 
July  30/43 
Mar.  26/43 
Mar.  26/43 
Block  2 
Block  4 
Block  6 
e"  Oct.  9/42 
Not  Set 
Feb.  26/43 
Nov.  7/42 
Block  5 
Oct.  2/42 
July  27/42 
Mar.  26/43 
Not  Set 
July  2/43 

Mar.  19/43 
June-Aug.,'43 

Mar.  5/43 
Mar.  12/43 
Not  Set 
Feb.  5/43 
June-Aug.,'43 

Dec.  24/42 
Oct.  2/42 
Mar.  10/43 
Not  Set 
May  28/43 
Oct.  30/42 
Jan. 29/43 
Oct.  9/42 
Feb.  12/43 
July  26/43 
Sept.  18/42 
Mar.  19/43 
Apr.  9/43 
Not  Set 
May  27/43 

Block  5 


65m 
98m 
72  m 
72  m 


68m 
67m 
62m 
63  m 
72  m 
82m 
70m 


83m 

85m 

61m 
67m 

61m 
I  15m 

79m 
79m 
70m 

75m 
78m 
91m 
59m 
1 13m 

67m 
81m 
65m 
84m 


66m  May  18/40 

57m  May  15/43 

93m  May  8/43 

104m  Oct.  31/42 

93m  Sept.  19/42 

77m  Oct.  3/42 

61m  May  15/43 

52m  May  8/43 

65m  June  12/43 

62m  May  8/43 

82m  Sept.' i  9/42 

71m  Apr.  10/43 

65m  Sept.  5/42 

85m  Aug.  29/42 

70m  June  19/43 

67m  Apr.  24/43 

64m  Dec.  12/42 

62m  Nov.  15/42 

71m  Dec.  19/42 

63m  Apr.  24/43 


62m  Sept.  19/42 

13  I  m  Mar.  27/43 

81m  Jan.  2/43 

109m  Sept.  19/42 

80m  Mar.  13/43 

57m  Mar.  6/43 

1 1  I  m  Mar.  27/43 

65m  Nov.  2 1  .'42 

73m  Mar.' i 3/43 


Mar.  27/43 
Mar.  13/43 
Oct.  3/42 
Jan.  2/43 


76m      Aug.  29/42 


Feb.  20/43 
Sept.  19/42 

Mar.  27/43 
Aug.  8/42 

July  25/42 
Mar.  13/43 

Nov.  2 1  .'42 


Jan.  2/43 
June  12/43 

Feb.  6/43 
Mar.  20/43 

Feb. '6/43 
Feb.  27/43 

Dec.  19/42 
Aug.  15/42 
Feb.  20/43 

Apr."  i  7/43 
Oct.  24/42 
Jan.  9/43 
Oct.  17/42 
Oct.  17/42 

Aug.  15/42 
Mar.  13/43 
Feb.  6/43 
Feb.  27/43 


68m       Mar.  20/43 


Page 

Page 

Page 

897 

751 

191)1 

1  im  1  O 

1 101 

855 

1181 

1055 

1280 

1 375 

1305 

1375 

nil 

IZ6Z 

.... 

1314 

1 276 

1  O  AO 

nn  1 

98 1 

AO  t 

936 

lion 

1 1 30 

AAA 

909 

DTI 

87 1 

111  n 

1218 

1 375 

OO  A 

934 

1  O  1  A 

1 3  14 

1  O  A  1 

1 241 

1  OAjt 

1  304 

1 241 

1  O  1 A 

1  374 

1  O  C  1 

1351 

1 303 

1  OA  1 

1 241 

.... 

1  1  O  1 

1  IVI 

OOO 
723 

occ 

033 

1  OCA 

1/50 

.... 

1375 

889 

914 

1 130 

1 191 

1 374 

1351 

1274 

1240 

1054 

1341 

1006 

995 

1066 

912 

1275 

■  •  >  ■ 

i  Arc 

1055 

aoo 
923 

1  AGO 

1082 

1 225 

MAI 

1191 

1280 

I  U07 

■707 
797 

1  1  A  1 

1 341 

AOO 

923 

Oft  £ 

796 

1280 

1 202 

l  ini 

1191 

1  1  OA 

1  190 

1  AIQ 

1019 

1  lift 

1 339 

1  ooo 
1  237 

IUI  / 

1240 

1  OAO 

1203 

1  127 

1  O  TC 

1375 

1  Ol  L 

1  Lib 

1 1  oo 
1  1  27 

1  OAO 

1  zUz 

1  127 

IO/II 

1 341 

AO  A 

934 

£  tO 

663 

1 130 

1  AO  A 

1089 

986 

1 104 

938 

1082 

1375 

1  170 

1079 

910 

1082 

1226 

983 

938 

715 

927 

772 

1218 

1  OAO 

1202 

1  A  A  O 

1043 

1280 

1018 

1082 

1 162 

I0R9 

1  UOT 

TOO 

I9P.0 

1  iUU 

nci 

1  J  9  1 

1 147 

1513 

.... 

1977 

•  .  •  • 

1  147 

1  IT/ 

1 190 

1019 

IUI  7 

1341 

1  A  L  L 

1066 

797 

i  i  on 
1  1  30 

902 

797 

1082 

1 1 69 

1 162 

1218 

1  1  AO 

1 192 

1261 

1 162 

969 

797 

1218 

1 101 

995 

1280 

958 

957 

1280 

1339 

927 

772 

1201 

1058 

1341 

1 146 

986 

1 182 

1241 

1214 

1057 

1380  Product  Digest  Section 


June    19,  1943 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


i—  REVIEWED  \ 

M.P. 

Product 

Advance 

Service 

Trod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Title 

Company 

Number 

Start 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

P'ge 

Page 

Page 

JACARE 

UA 

Animal  feature 

Nov.27,'42 

65  m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

1218 

Jane  Eyre 

20th-Fox 

Orson  Welles-Joan  Fontaine 

Not  Set 

1240 

Jitterbugs 

20th-Fox 

342 

i        i       i  1 1  i 
Laurel  and  Hardy 

June  1 1,'43 

74m 

May  29/43 

1338 

1305 

.... 

Johnny  Come  Lately  UA-Cagney 

James  Cagney-Grace  George 

Not  Set 

1375 

Johnnv  Douahbov 

V  Villi  1  1  J        Imf  VU^IIvVV 

Rep. 

205 

Jane  Withers-Patrick  Brook 

Dec.  3 1  ,'42 

63  m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

971 

1218 

t/ourney  for  Margaret 

MGM 

314 

Robert  Young-Laraine  Day 

Dec.-Feb.,'43 

79m 

Oct.  31/42 

981 

912 

1174 

Journey  Into  Fear 

RKO 

307 

Joseph  Cotten-Dolores  Del  Rio 

Feb.  I2,'43 

71m 

Feb.  6/43 

1146 

796 

1218 

Junior  Army 

Col. 

4038 

Freddie  Bartholomew-Billy  Halop 

Nov.  26,"42 

71m 

Feb. 20/43 

1170 

1009 

Just  Off  Broadway 

20th-Fox 

310 

Lloyd  Nolan-Marjorie  Weaver 

Sept.  25,'42 

65  m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

797 

KANSAN  -n.o 

1 1  A 

UA 

Richard  Dix-Jane  Wyatt 

Not  Set 

79m 

June  12/43 

1374 

1 182 

Keep  'Em  Slugging 

Univ. 

7040 

Dead  End  Kids 

Apr.  2,'43 

61m 

Mar.  6/43 

1189 

deeper  ot  the  name 

MOM 

320 

Spencer  Tracy-Katharine  Hepburn 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

100m 

Dec.  19/42 

1065 

936 

1280 

t/i J  n>i« _  —-Tx- 
Nid  Dynamite 

Mono. 

East  Side  Kids 

Feb.  5,'43 

66m 

Jan.  23/43 

1126 

King  Arthur  Was  a  oentle- 

man  ( British  J 

Gains. 

Arthur  Askey-Evelyn  Dall 

Not  Set 

98m 

Jan.  16/43 

1114 

•  •  .  . 

.... 

King  of  the  Cowboys 

Kep. 

254 

Roy  Rogers 

Apr.  9.'43 

67m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

1241 

.  .  *  • 

I  A  nice1 
LAUIbo  Day 

RKO 

322 

Lupe  Yelez-Eddie  Albert-Max  Baer 

Block  5 

62m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

962 

Lady  Bodyguard 

Para. 

4216 

Eddie  Albert-Anne  Shirley 

Block  4 

70m 

Jan.  2/43 

1090 

946 

Lady  from  Chungking 

PRC 

302 

Anna  May  Wong-Harold  Huber 

Dec.  21, '42 

70m 

Nov.  7/42 

1006 

574 

1 174 

Lady  in  The  Dark  (color) 

Para. 

Ginger  Rogers-Ray  Milland 

Not  Set 

1091 

Lady  of  Burlesque 

UA 

Barbara  Stanwyck-Michael  O'Shea 

Apr.  30,'43 

91m 

May  1/43 

1289 

1 182 

1341 

Lady  Takes  a  Chance,  A 

RKO 

Jean  Arthur-John  Wayne 

Not  Set 

1240 

Land  of  Hunfed  Men 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Mar.  26/43 

58m 

Apr.  24/43 

i274 

Lassie  Comes  Home 

MGM 

Roddy  McDowall-Edmund  Gwenn 

Not  Set 

1240 

Last  Ride,  The 

WB 

Richard  Travis-Eleanor  Parker 

Not  Set 

1115 

Last  Will  of  Dr.  Mabuse  (Fr.) 

Krellberg 

Jim  Gerald-Thorny  Bourdelle 

Mar.  I9,'43 

94m 

Mar.  20/43 

\214 

Laugh  Your  Blues  Away 

Col. 

4033 

Bert  Gordon-Jinx  Falkenburg 

Nov.  I2,'42 

70m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 159 

986 

Law  of  the  Northwest 

Col. 

4204 

Charles  Starrett-Shirley  Patterson 

May  27,'43 

59m 

May  29/43 

1338 

1018 

Law  Rides  Again,  The 

Mono. 

Ken  Maynard-Hoot  Gibson 

July  23,'43 

1339 

Leather  Burners,  The 

UA 

William  Boyd 

May  28, '43 

58m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

Leopard  Man,  The 

RKO 

328 

Dennis  O'Keefe-Margo 

Block  6 

59m 

May  8/43 

1303 

i  24  i 

Let's  Face  It 

Para. 

Bob  Hope-Betty  Hutton 

Not  Set 

1277 

Let's  Have  Fun 

Col. 

4040 

Bert  Gordon-Margaret  Lindsay 

Mar.  4/43 

63  m 

May  1/43 

1290 

Life  Begins  at  Eight-thirty 

20th-Fox 

322 

Monty  Woolley-lda  Lupino 

Dec.  25,'42 

85m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

962 

1218 

Little  Joe,  the  Wrangler 

Univ. 

7072 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Nov.  13/42 

64m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

Little  Tokyo,  U.SA. 

20th-Fox 

303 

Preston  Foster-Brenda  Joyce 

Aug.  14/42 

64m 

July  1 1/42 

938 

Living  Ghost,  The 

Mono. 

James  Dunn-Joan  Woodbury 

Nov.  27/42 

61m 

Oct.  3 1/42 

982 

London  Blackout  Murders 

Rep. 

210 

John  Abbott-Mary  McLeod 

Jan.  15/43 

59m 

Dec.  12/42 

1067 

Lone  Prairie,  The 

Col. 

4209 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Oct.  15/42 

58m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

1058 

Lone  Rider  in  Death  Rides  P 

ains  PRC 

365 

Bob  Livingston-Al  St.  John 

May  7/43 

1277 

Lone  Rider  in  Wolves  of  Plains  PRC 

Bob  Livingston-Al  St.  John 

July  15/43 

1362 



Lone  Rider  in  Wild  Horse  Rustlers  PRC 

364 

Bob  Livingston-Al  St.  John 

Feb.  12,  43 

55m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

Lone  Rider,  Overland  Stagecoach  PRC 

363 

Bob  Livingston-Al  St.  John 

Dec.  11/42 

58m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

1018 

Lone  Star  Trail,  The 

Univ. 

7077 

Johnny  Mack  Brown-Tex  Ritter 

Not  Set 

58m 

June  19/43 

1373 

1019 

Lost  Canyon 

UA 

William  Boyd 

Dec.  18/42 

63m 

Jan.  23/43 

1126 

Loves  of  Edgar  Allan  Poe,  The  20th-Fox 

305 

John  Shepperd-Linda  Darnell 

Aug.  28/42 

67m 

July  11/42 

914 

75i 

Lucky  Jordan 

Para. 

4215 

Alan  Ladd-Helen  Walker 

Block  3 

84m 

Nov.  2 1/42 

1017 

986 

1341 

Lucky  Legs 

Col. 

4032 

Jinx  Falkenburg-Kay  Harris 

Oct.  1/42 

64m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 158 

797 

.... 

MADAME  Spy 

Univ. 

7034 

Constance  Bennett-Don  Porter 

Dec.  11/42 

63  m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

Magnificent  Ambersons,  The 

RKO 

371 

Joseph  Cotten-Dolores  Costello 

July  10/42 

88m 

July  4/42 

938 

507 

947 

Major  and  the  Minor,  The 

Para. 

4202 

Ginger  Rogers-Ray  Milland 

Block  1 

100m 

Aug.  29/42 

927 

1 174 

Man  in  the  Trunk,  The 

20th-Fox 

315 

Lynne  Roberts-George  Holmes 

Oct.  23/42 

71m 

Sept.  19/42 

91 1 

855 

Manila  Calling 

20th-Fox 

314 

Lloyd  Nolan-Carole  Landis 

Oct.  16/42 

81m 

Sept.  19/42 

91 1 

871 

Man  from  Thunder  River 

Rep. 

2312 

Bill  Elliott-George  Hayes 

June  1 1  ,'43 

59m 

May  22/43 

1325 

1277 

Man  of  Courage 

PRC 

319 

Barton  MacLane-Charlotte  Wynters 

Jan.  4/43 

67m 

Jan.  30/43 

1137 

1031 

Mantrap,  The 

Rep. 

217 

Lloyd  Corrigan-Dorothy  Lovett 

Apr.  13/43 

58m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

1191 

Man's  World,  A 

Col. 

4044 

M.  Chapman-Wm.  Wright 

Sept.  17/42 

60  m 

Dec.  12/42 

1055 

Margin  for  Error 

20th-Fox 

330 

Joan  Bennett-Milton  Berle 

Feb. 19/43 

74m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

995 

Mashenka  (Russian] 

Artkino 

V.  Karavayeva-M.  Kuznetzov 

Nov.  20/42 

67m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

Masquerade  (Russian) 

Artkino 

Nikolai  Mordvinov-Tamara  Makarova 

May  15/43 

102m 

May  22/43 

1326 

McGuerins  from  Brooklyn 

UA-Roach 

Max  Baer-William  Bendix 

Dec.  3 1/42 

46m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

Meanest  Man  in  the  World 

20th-Fox 

329 

Jack  Benny-Priscilla  Lane 

Feb.  12/43 

57m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 1 15 

962 

1341 

Melody  Parade  ( 1943-44) 

Mono. 

Mary  Beth  Hughes-Eddie  Quillan 

Sept.  17/43 

1339 

Mexicali  Rose  (Reissue) 

Rep. 

Gene  Autry 

July  15/43 

58m 

Apr.  1/39 

i  373 

Mexican  Spitfire's  Elephant 

RKO 

302 

Lupe  Velez-Leon  Errol 

Sept.  1 1/42 

64m 

Aug.  8/42 

915 

Miracle  of  Morgan's  Creek,  The  Para. 

Eddie  Bracken-Betty  Hutton 

Not  Set 

1079 

Mission  to  Moscow 

WB 

220 

Walter  Huston-Ann  Harding 

May  22/43 

123m 

May  1/43 

1304 

1058 

Miss  London  Limited  (British)  Gains. 

Arthur  Askey-Evelyn  Dall 

Not  Set 

99  m 

May  29/43 

1339 

Miss  V  from  Moscow 

PRC 

318 

Lola  Lane-Noel  Madison 

Nov.  23/42 

71m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

1031 

Mister  Big 

Univ. 

Gloria  Jean-Donald  O'Connor 

May  28/43 

74m 

May  29/43 

1338 

1277 

Moonlight  in  Havana 

Univ. 

7026 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Oct.  16/42 

62m 

Oct.  1 7/42 

959 

Moon  and  Sixpence,  The 

UA 

George  Sanders-Herbert  Marshall 

Oct.  2/42 

89m 

Sept.  12/42 

912 

1341 

Moon  Is  Down,  The 

20th-Fox 

335 

Cedric  Hardwicke-Henry  Travers 

Apr.  9/43 

90m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

1091 

1280 

More  the  Merrier,  The 

Col. 

4041 

Jean  Arthur-Joel  McCrea 

May  13/43 

104m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

1 182 

1341 

Moscow  Strikes  Back  (Russian)  Rep. 

Documentary 

Aug.  15/42 

55m 

Aug.  15/42 

840 

1 130 

Mountain  Rhythm 

Rep. 

209 

Weaver  Bros.  &  Elviry 

Jan.  8/43 

70m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

1009 

Mr.  Lucky 

RKO 

330 

Cary  Grant-Laraine  Day 

Block  6 

100m 

May  8/43 

1301 

1081 

Mrs.  Wiggs  of  the  Cabbage  Patch  Para. 

4208 

Fay  Bainter-Carolyn  Lee 

Block  2 

80m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

663 

1218 

Mug  Town 

Univ. 

7027 

Dead  End  Kids 

Dec.  18/42 

60m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

Mummy's  Tomb,  The 

Univ. 

7019 

Dick  Foran-Elyse  Knox 

Oct.  23/42 

61m 

Oct.  17/42 

970 

1 130 

Murder  in  Times  Square 

Col. 

4034 

Edmund  Lowe-Marguerite  Chapman 

Apr.  1/43 

65m 

May  15/43 

1313 

1079 

My  Friend  Flicka  (color) 

20th-Fox 

338 

Roddy  McDowall-Preston  Foster 

Apr.  23/43 

90m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

962 

1341 

My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy 

Para. 

4214 

Richard  Carlson-M.  O'Driscoll 

Block  3 

75m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

871 

My  Son,  the  Hero 

PRC 

311 

Patsy  Kelly-Roscoe  Karns 

Apr.  5/43 

68m 

Jan.  23/43 

1126 

Mysterious  Doctor,  The 

WB 

218 

Eleanor  Parker-John  Loder 

Mar.  6/43 

57m 

Feb. 27/43 

1 181 

1 091 

Product  Digest  Section 


1381 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


June    19,  1943 


■  REVIEWED  ■ 


M.  P. 


Product    Advance  Servici 


Title 

NAVY  Comes  Through,  Th 
'Neath  Brooklyn  Bridge 
Never  a  Dull  Moment 
Next  of  Kin,  The  (British) 
Nightmare 
Night  for  Crime,  A 
Night  Monster 
Night  Plane  from  Chungking 
Night  to  Remember,  A 
Nine  Men  (British) 
Northwest  Rangers 
No  Place  for  a  Lady 
No  Time  for  Love 
North  Star 
Now,  Voyager 


Proa. 

Release 

Running 

rr      I J 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Company 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

e  RKO 

308 

Pat  O'Brien-George  Murphy 

Oct.  30/42 

81m 

Oct.  17/42 

957 

715 

1130 

Mono. 

East  Side  Kids 

Nov.  20,'42 

61m 

Oct.  I7.'42 

960 

Univ. 

.... 

Ritz  Bros. -Frances  Langford 

Not  Set 

1351 

Univ. 

Basil  Sydney-Nova  Pilbeam 

May  7,'43 

90m 

Apr.  10/43 

1262 

1341 

Univ. 

7015 

Diana  Barrymore-Brian  Donlevy 

Nov.  I3,'42 

81m 

Nov.  14/42 

1018 

1174 

PRC 

304 

Glenda  Farrell-Lyle  Talbot 

Feb.  I8,'43 

78m 

Aug.   1  ."42 

903 

Univ. 

7038 

Irene  Hervey-Bela  Lugosi 

Oct.  23.'42 

73  m 

Oct.  24,'42 

970 

■  1 30 

Para. 

4219 

Robert  Preston-Ellen  Drew 

Block  4 

68m 

Jan.  2.'43 

1102 

983 

Col. 

4009 

Loretta  Young-Brian  Aherne 

Dec.  10/42 

90m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

986 

i  i  30 

Ealing-UA 

Jack  Lambert-Richard  Wilkinson 

Not  Set 

67m 

Feb.  13, '43 

1 158 

MGM 

3  i9 

James  Craig-Patricia  Dane 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

64m 

Oct.  3 1  .'42 

981 

960 

1218 

Col. 

4036 

William  Gargan-Margaret  Lindsay 

Feb.  II, "43 

67m 

1057 

Para. 

Claudette  Colbert-Fred  MacMurray 

Not  Set 

855 

Goldwyn 

Walter  Huston-Anne  Baxter 

Not  Set 

1305 

WB 

206 

Bette  Davis-Paul  Henreid 

Oct.  31, '42 

1 17  m 

Aug.  22,'42 

902 

M74 

OLD  Acquaintance  WB 

Old  Chisholm  Trail,  The  Univ 

Old  Homestead,  The  Rep. 
Old  Mother  Riley,  Detective 

(British)  Br.  Nat'l-Anglo 

Omaha  Trail  MGM 

Once  Upon  a  Honeymoon  RKO 

One  Dangerous  Night  Col. 
One  of  Our  Aircraft  Is  Missing 

(British)  UA 

One  Thrilling  Night  Mono. 

Orchestra  Wives  20th-Fox 

Our  Lady  of  Paris  (French)  Hirliman 

Outlaw,  The  Hughes 

Outlaws  of  Pine  Ridge  Rep. 

Over  My  Dead  Body  20th-Fox 

Ox-Bow  Incident,  The  20th-Fox 

PALM  Beach  Story,  The  Para. 

Panama  Hattie  MGM 

Pardon  My  Gun  Col. 

Payoff,  The  PRC 

Petticoat  Larceny  RKO 
Phantom  of  the  Opera  (color)  Univ. 

Pied  Piper,  The  20th-Fox 

Pilot  No.  5  MGM 

Pirates  of  the  Prairie  RKO 

Pittsburgh  Univ. 

Power  of  God,  The  St.  Rts. 

Powers  Girl,  The  UA 

Power  of  the  Press  Col. 
Prairie  Chickens  UA-Roach 

Prelude  to  War  WAC 

Presenting  Lily  Mars  MGM 

Pride  of  the  Army  Mono. 

(also  called  War  Dogs) 

Pride  of  the  Yankees,  The  RKO 

Princess  O'Rourke  WB 

Priorities  on  Parade  Para. 

Prison  Mutiny  Mono. 

(formerly  You  Can't  Beat  the  Law) 

Prodigal's  Mother  Rep. 
Professor  Takes  a  Wife,  The  MGM 

(formerly  Faculty  Row) 
Purple  V,  The 


Bette  Davis-Miriam  Hopkins 

Not  Set 

1192 

7073 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Dec.  1 1  ,'42 

60m 

Jan.  16/43 

im 

202 

Weaver  Bros,  and  Elviry 

Aug.  I7.'42 

67m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

855 

Arthur  Lucan 

Not  Set 

80m 

Feb.  13/43 

1159 

3  i  i 

James  Craig-Dean  Jagger 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

61m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

796 

1280 

311 

Ginger  Rogers-Cary  Grant 

Nov.  27/42 

1  16m 

Nov.  7/42 

1006 

855 

1280 

4029 

Warren  William-Eric  Blore 

Jan.  21/43 

77m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

983 

Godfrey  Tearle-Eric  Portman 

Oct.  16/42 

86m 

Apr.  11/42 

903 

1174 

John  Beal-Wanda  McKay 

June  5/42 

69m 

July  4/42 

914 

662 

308 

George  Montgomery-Ann  Rutherford 

Sept.  4/42 

97m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

797 

1130 

Catholic  Art  Documentary 

Mar.  12/43 

56m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

Jack  Buetel-Jane  Russell 

Not  Set 

I2lm 

Feb. 13/43 

1 157 

272 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Oct.  27/42 

57m 

Nov.  2 1/42 

1017 

325 

Milton  Berle-Mary  Beth  Hughes 

Jan.  15/43 

68  m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

995 

336 

Henry  Fonda-Dana  Andrews 

May  21/43 

75m 

May  8/43 

1302 

872 

421 1 

303 
4202 
303 


304 
332 
382 
7008 


4037 

330 

351 
4201 


Claudette  Colbert-Joel  McCrea  Block  3 

Ann  Sothern-Red  Skelton  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

Charles  Starrett-Alma  Carroll  Dec.  1/42 

Lee  Tracy-Tina  Thayer  Jan.  21/43 

Ruth  Warrick-Joan  Carroll  Block  7 

Nelson  Eddy-Susanna  Foster  Aug.  27/43 

Monty  Woolley-Roddy  McDowall  Aug.  21/42 

Franchot  Tone-Marsha  Hunt  June-Aug.,'43 

Tim  Holt  Nov.  20/42 

Marlene  Dietrich-John  Wayne  Dec.  11/42 

John  Barclay-Thomas  Louden  Not  Set 

Anne  Shirley-George  Murphy  Jan.  15/43 

Guy  Kibbee-Lee  Tracy  Jan.  28/43 

Jimmy  Rogers-Noah  Beery,  Jr.  May  2 1  ,'43 

Documentary  May  27/43 

Judy  Garland-Van  Hefiin  June-Aug.,'43 

Billy  Lee-Addison  Richards  Nov.  13/42 


Gary  Cooper-Teresa  Wright 

Olivia  de  Havilland-Robert  Cummings 

Ann  Miller-Jerry  Colonna 

Edward  Norris-Joan  Woodbury 

Mabel  Paige-John  Craven 
Mary  Astor-Herbert  Marshall 


Rep.        212        John  Archer-Mary  McLeod 


Mar.  5/43 
Not  Set 
Block  I 

Feb.  12/43 

June  4/43 
Not  Set 

Mar.  12/43 


90m 
79m 
57m 
74m 


Nov.  7/42 
July  25/42 
May  22/43 
Nov.  28/42 


993 
915 
1326 
1030 


58m 


Apr.  3/43 


663 
396 
1058 

1240 
1192 


87m 

July  11/42 

903 

751 

1082 

70m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

971 

57m 

Apr.  3/43 

1239 

1033 

93m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

1341 

58m 

Oct.  24/42 

970 

93m 

Dec.  19/42 

1078 

1341 

64m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

1055 

986 

52m 

May  1/43 

1290 

104m 

May  1/43 

1289 

962 

63m 

Oct.  10/42 

946 

128m 

July  18/42 

915 

1082 

962 

79  m 

Aug.  1/42 

?i4 

61m 

Jan.  30/43 

1137 

1081 

1238 


1276 
1240 

1162 


341 
034 


QUEEN  of  Broadway  PRC  312 

Queen  Victoria  (British)  Renown  .... 

Quiet  Please,  Murder  20th-Fox  331 


Rochelle  Hudson-Buster  Crabbe  Mar.  8/43  62m       Nov.  28/42       1030  1018 

Anna  Neagle-Anton  Walbrook  Not  Set  84m       Jan.  16/43  1113   

Gail  Patrick-George  Sanders  Mar.  19/43  70m       Dec.  19/42       1067  983 


RAIDERS  of  San  Joaquin 
Random  Harvest 
Rangers  Take  Over,  The 
Ravaged  Earth 

Reap  the  Wild  Wind  (color) 
Redhead  from  Manhattan 
Red  River  Robin  Hood 
Reunion  in  France 

(formerly  Reunion) 
Reveille  with  Beverly 
Rhythm  of  the  Islands 
Rhythm  Parade 


Riders  of  the  Rio  Grande 
Ridin'  Down  the  Canyon 
Riding  Through  Nevada 
Right  About  Face 
Road  to  Morocco 
Robin  Hood  of  the  Range 


Univ. 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Not  Set 

59m 

June  5/43 

1349 

1009 

MGM 

370 

Ronald  Colman-Greer  Garson 

June-Aug.,'43 

126m 

Nov.  28/42 

1029 

796 

1280 

PRC 

351 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill 

Dec.  25/42 

60m 

Jan.  16/43 

1114 

1055 

Crystal 

Documentary  on  China 

Not  Set 

68  m 

Dec.  5/42 

1043 

Para. 

4137 

Ray  Milland-Paulette  Goddard 

1941-42 

124m 

Mar.  21/42 

1250 

408 

795 

Col. 

4024 

Lupe  Velez-Michael  Duane 

May  6/43 

59m 

May  29/43 
Oct.  17/42 

1338 

1241 

RKO 

Tim  Holt 

Not  Set 

57m 

960 

MGM 

3  i  5 

Joan  Crawford-Philip  Dorn- 

John  Wayne 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

102m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

872 

1341 

Col. 

4014 

Ann  Miller-William  Wright 

Feb.  4/43 

78m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1162 

1280 

Univ. 

7042 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Apr.  16/43 

60m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1127 

Mono. 

Gale  Storm-Robert  Lowery 

Dec.  11/42 

70m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

983 

)  ReP- 

Gene  Autry 

June  1/43 

65  m 

Aug.  24/40 

1274 

3d  Col. 

42  ii 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Feb.  15/43 

57m 

Feb.  27/43 

1182 

1019 

Rep. 

266 

Three  Mesquiteers 

May  2 1/43 

55m 

May  15/43 

1315 

1276 

Rep. 

253 

Roy  Rogers-Gabby  Hayes 

Dec.  30/42 

55m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

1019 

Col. 

4201 

Charles  Starrett-Shirley  Patterson 

Oct.  1/42 

61m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 169 

1058 

MGM 

Kay  Kyser-Marilyn  Maxwell 

Not  Set 

1241 

Para. 

4207 

Bob  Hope-Bing  Crosby-Dorothy  La 

mour       Block  2 

83m 

Oct.  3/42 

933 

872 

i  i  30 

Col. 

Charles  Starrett-Kay  Harris 

July  29/43 

1057 

I  382  Product  Digest  Section 


June    19,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


Title  Company 
Roger  Touhy,  Last  of 

the  Gangsters  20th-Fox 

Russian  Story,  The  Artkino 

Russians  at  War  (Russian)  Artltino 

SADDLES  and  Sagebrush  Col. 
Sagebrush  Law  RKO 
Saludos  Amigos  (color)  RKO 
Salute  for  Three  Para. 
Salute  to  the  Marines  (color)  MGM 
Santa  Fe  Scouts  Rep. 
Sarong  Girl  Mono. 
Scattergood  Survives  a  Murder  RKO 
Second  Honeymoon  Univ. 
Secret  Enemies  WB 
Secret  Mission  (British)  Hellman-Gen'l 
Secrets  of  a  Co-Ed  PRC 
Secrets  of  the  Underground  Rep. 
Seven  Days  Leave  RKO 
Seven  Miles  from  Alcatraz  RKO 
Seven  Sweethearts  MGM 
Shadow  of  a  Doubt  Univ. 
Shadows  on  the  Sage  Rep. 
Shantytown  Rep. 
She  Has  What  It  Takes  Col. 
Sherlock  Holmes,  Voice  of  Terror  Univ. 
Sherlock  Holmes,  Secret  Weapon  Univ. 
Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington  Univ. 
Siege  of  Leningrad  (Russian)  Artkino 
Silent  Witness  Mono. 

Maya 
UA 

Archers-Gen'l 
Mono. 
Rep. 
Univ. 
RKO 
MGM 
Col. 
Scandia 
Rep. 
Col. 
MGM 
UA 
Col. 
Para. 
Para. 
Univ. 
Rep. 
Hoffberg 
Rep. 
Col. 


Silk,  Blood  and  Sun  (Mexican) 
Silver  Queen 
Silver  Fleet  (British) 
Silver  Skates 
Silver  Spurs 
Sin  Town 

Sky's  the  Limit,  The 
Slightly  Dangerous 
Smith  of  Minnesota 
Soliga  Solberg  (Swedish) 
Sombrero  Kid,  The 
Something  to  Shout  About 
Somewhere  I'll  Find  You 
Somewhere  in  France 
Somewhere  in  Sahara 
Souls  at  Sea  (Reissue) 
So  Proudly  We  Hail 
Son  of  Dracula 
Song  of  Texas 
Song  to  the  Wind  (It.) 
South  of  the  Border  (Re-release) 
Spirit  of  Stanford,  The 
Spitfire  (British)  RKO 
Spotlight  Revue  (1943-44)  Mono. 
Spring  Song  (Russian)  Artkino 
Springtime  in  Rockies  (color)  20th-Fox 
Spy  Train  Mono. 
Squadron  Leader  X  (British)  RKO 
Stage  Door  Canteen  UA 
Stand  By,  All  Networks  Col. 
Stand  By  for  Action  MGM 
Star  Spangled  Rhythm  Para. 
Stormy  Weather  20th-Fox 
Stranger  from  Pecos  Mono. 
Stranger  in  Town,  A  MGM 
Street  of  Chance  Para. 
Strictly  in  the  Groove  Univ. 
Submarine  Alert  Para. 
Submarine  Base  (1943-44)  PRC 
Sundown  Kid  Rep. 
Sweet  Rosie  O'Grady  (color)  20th-Fox 
Swing  Shift  Maisie  MGM 
Swing  Your  Partner  Rep. 

TAHITI  Honey  Rep. 

Tales  of  Manhattan  20th-Fox 

Tarzan's  Desert  Mystery  RKO 

Tarzan  Triumphs  RKO 

Taxi  Mister  UA-Roach 

Tennessee  Johnson  MGM 
Tenting  Tonight  on  the 

Old  Camp  Ground  Univ. 

Terror  House  PRC 

Texas  to  Bataan  Mono. 

Thank  Your  Lucky  Stars  WB 

That  Nazty  Nuisance  UA-Roach 

That  Other  Woman  20th-Fox 

Theatre  Royal  (British)  Nat'l-Anglo 
They  Came  to  Blow  Up  America  20th-Fox 


Prod.  Release 

Number               Stars  Datt 

■  ■  ■  ■  Preston  Foster-Lois  Andrews  Not  Set 

■  •  •  •  Historical  Feature  June  8,'43 
....  Documentary  Not  Set 

4212  Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills  Apr.  27,'43 

384  Tim  Holt  Apr.  2/43 

392  Disney  South  American  Feature  Feb.  I9,'43 

4225  Macdonald  Carey-Betty  Rhodes  Blocks 

....  Wallace  Beery-Fay  Bainter  Not  Set 

265  Three  Mesquiteers  Apr.  16/43 

....  Ann  Corio-Tim  and  Irene  June  1 1/43 

306  Guy  Kibbee-Margaret  Hayes  Oct.  16/42 

  David  Bruce-Harriet  Hilliard  July  23/43 

205  Craig  Stevens-Faye  Emerson  Oct.  17/42 

....  Hugh  Williams-Carla  Lehmann  Not  Set 

309  Otto  Kruger-Tina  Thayer  Oct.  26/42 
208  John  Hubbard-Virginia  Grey  Dec.  18/42 

310  Lucille  Ball-Victor  Mature  Nov.  13/42 

315  James  Craig-Bonita  Granville  Jan.  8/43 
308  Van  Heflin-Kathryn  Grayson  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

7065  Teresa  Wright-Joseph  Cotten  Jan.  15/43 

261  Three  Mesquiteers  Aug.  24/42 

218  Mary  Lee-John  Archer  Apr.  20/43 

4029  Jinx  Falken berg-Tom  Neal  Apr.  15/43 

7020  Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce  Sept.  18/42 

7024  Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce  Feb.  12/43 

7018  Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce  Apr.  30/43 

Soviet  Documentary  Feb.  11/43 

Frank  Albertson-Maris  Wrixon  Jan.  15/43 

Jorge  Negrete-Gloria  Marin  Not  Set 

George  Brent-Priscilla  Lane  Nov.  13/42 

Ralph  Richardson-Googie  Withers  Not  Set 

Patricia  Morison-Kenny  Baker  Feb.  26/43 

Roy  Rogers  July  18/43 

7017  Constance  Bennett-Brod  Crawford  Sept.  25/42 

....  Fred  Astaire-Joan  Leslie  Block  7 

325  Lana  Turner-Robert  Young  Apr.-May,'43 
4035  Bruce  Smith-Arline  Judge  Oct.  15/42 
....  Edvard  Persson  Sept.  12/42 

271  Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick  July  3 1  ,'42 

4006  Don  Ameche-Jack  Oakie-Janet  Blair       Feb.  25/43 

301  Clark  Gable-La na  Turner  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

....  Constance  Cumming-Tommy  Trinder      June  11/43 

....  Humphrey  Bogart-Bruce  Bennett  Not  Set 

4254  Gary  Cooper-George  Raft  Not  Set 

4228  Claudette  Colbert-Paulette  Goddard  Block  6 
....  Louise  Allbritton-Lon  Chaney  Not  Set 

225  Roy  Rogers  June  14/43 

....  Giuseppe  Lugo  Apr.  24/43 

2302  Gene  Autry  Mar.  1/43 

4022  Frankie  Albert-Marguerite  Chapman      Sept.  10/42 

....  Leslie  Howard-Rosamund  John  Not  Set 

  Billy  Gilbert-Frank  Fay  Oct.  1/43 

....  Nikolai  Kunovalov-Ludmila  Tzelikovskaya  Sept.  I  1/42 

317  Betty  Grable-John  Payne  Nov.  6/42 

....  Richard  Travis-Catherine  Craig  July  9/43 

326  Eric  Portman-Beatrice  Varley  Block  6 
....  Stage  and  Screen  Stars  Not  Set 
4042  John  Beal-Florence  Rice  Oct.  29/42 

316  Charles  Laughton-Robert  Taylor  Dec-Feb.,'43 
4231  Betty  Hutton-Eddie  Bracken-Victor  Moore  Special 
....  Bill  Robinson-Lena  Home  Not  Set 
....  Johnny  Mack  Brown  June  25/43 

324  Frank  Morgan-Jean  Rogers  Apr.-May,'43 

4210  Burgess  Meredith-Claire  Trevor  Block  2 

7028  Leon  Errol-Mary  Healy  Nov.  20/42 

4229  Richard  Arlen-Wendy  Barrie  Block  6 
401  John  Litel-Alan  Baxter  July  15/43 
273  Don  Barry-Linda  Johnson 

....  Betty  Grable-Robert  Young 

....  Ann  Sothern-James  Craig 

221  Lulubelle  and  Scotty-Vera  Vague 


216-  Simone  Simon-Dennis  O'Keefe 

313  C.  Boyer-R.  Hayworth-G.  Rogers 

....  Johnny  Weissmuller-Nancy  Kelly 

319  Johnny  Weissmuller-Frances  Gifford 

....  William  Bendix-Grace  Bradley 

322  Van  Heflin-Ruth  Hussey 

7074  Johnny  Mack  Brown 

322  Wilfred  Lawson-James  Mason 

....  Range  Busters 

....  All  Warner  Contract  Players 

....  Bobby  Watson-Joe  Devlin 

318  Virginia  Gilmore-James  Ellison 

....  Bud  Flanagan-Chesney  Allen 

339  George  Sanders-Anna  Sten 


Running 
Time 


t—  REVIEWED  —, 

M.  P.  Product  Advance  Service 
Herald       Digest     Synopsis  Data 


Issue 


Page 


Page 


1362 


Page 


1 104 
1241 


772 
1305 


73  m 

June  5/43 

1349 

61m 

May  1/43 

1290 

57m 

May  8/43 

1302 

1240 

56m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

43  m 

Dec.  19/42 

1065 

i  i  74 

75m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

1091 

1057 

55m 

May  15/43 

1314 

1276 

70m 

May  15/43 

1314 

1277 

66m 

Oct.  17/42 

959 

912. . 

1375 

59m 

Aug.  22/42 

9\4 

94m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

67m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

69m 

Feb.  13/43 

1159 

1009 

87m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

872 

1280 

62m 

Nov.  14/42 

1006 

962 

98m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

i  i  7-i 

108m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 1 14 

936 

1280 

57m 

Jan.  2/43 

1090 

65m 

Apr.  24/43 

1273 

i  191 

66m 

1192 

65m 

Sept.  12/42 

897 

68m 

Jan.  2/43 

1090 

71m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

983 

62m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 169 

62m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

1033 

86m 

Feb.  6/43 

1146 

80m 

Nov.  14/42 

1005 

936 

88m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

76m 

Jan.  16/42 

1 1 13 

1341 

1351 

73  m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

898 

1162 

94  m 

Mar.  6/43 

1189 

1057 

1280 

66m 

Oct.  1 7/42 

959 

797 

89m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

56m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

796 

90m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 157 

1043 

1341 

107m 

Aug.  8/42 

902 

726 

984 

83m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 169 

1305 

93  m 

Aug.  14/37 

1374 

69m 

May  29/43 

1337 

76m 

May  8/43 

1303 

71m 

Dec.  16/39 

1158 

73m 

Oct.  3  1  ,'42 

982 

796 

1082 

90m 

Apr.  17/43 

1275 

1351 

74  m 

Sept.  19/42 

9\6 

91m 

Sept.  26/42 

921 

855 

N74 

60m 

June  5/43 

1349 

1277 

100m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

132m 

May  15/43 

1313 

II 15 

64m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

797 

109m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

871 

1341 

100m 

Jan.  3/43 

1102 

855 

1280 

77m 

May  29/43 

1337 

1192 
1277 

67m 

Feb.  13/43 

1158 

1079 

74m 

Oct.  3/42 

933 

871 

1082 

60m 

July  4/42 

914 

Dec.  28/42 

55m 

Jan.  16/43 

1113 

Not  Set 

1305 

Not  Set 

87  m 

May  8/43 

1302 

1191 

May  20/43 

72m 

May  8/43 

1302 

1276 

Apr.  6/43 

69m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

1191 

Oct.  30/42 

1 18m 

Aug.  8/42 

927 

706 

1130 

Block  7 

1362 

Feb.  19/43 

77m 

Jan.  23/43 

1125 

983 

1 17-4 

Apr.  16/43 

46m 

Mar.  I3/43* 

1203 

986 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

100m 

Dec.  19/42 

1065 

946 

1280 

Feb.  5/43 

61m 

Mar.  6/43 

1189 

1018 

Apr.  19/43 

62m 

May  22/43 

1326 

1276 

Oct.  16/42 

56m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

Not  Set 

1058 

Not  Set 

43  m 

June  12/43 

1361 

1019 

Nov.  13/42 

75m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

936 

Not  Set 

100m 

June  5/43 

1350 

May  7/43 

73  m 

Apr.  24/43 

1273 

1 162 

Product  Digest  Section  1383 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    19,  1943 


REVIEWED  ■ 


Prod. 

Titlt  Company  Number 

They  Got  Me  Covered  RKO  352 

This  Is  the  Army  WB   

This  Land  Is  Mine  RKO  323 

Those  Kids  from  Town  (British)    Anglo  .... 

Three  Hearts  for  Julia  MGM  321 

Thumbs  Up  Rep.  .... 

Thunder  Birds  (color)  20th-Fox  307 

Thunder  Rock  (British)   Charter-Metro  .... 

Thundering  Trails  Rep.  263 

Time  to  Kill  20th-Fox  326 

Tish  MGM  302 

Tomorrow  We  Live  PRC  307 

Tonight  We  Raid  Calais  20th-Fox  337 

Tornado  in  the  Saddle  Col.  4210 

Trail  Riders  Mono. 

Traitor  Within,  The  Rep.  207 

Triumph  Over  Pain  Para.  .... 

(formerly  Great  Without  Glory) 

Truck  Busters  WB  213 

True  to  Life  (color)  Para  

Two  Fisted  Justice  Mono  

Two  Senoritas  from  Chicago  Col.  4019 

Two  Tickets  to  London  Univ  

Two  Weeks  to  Live  RKO  317 

UNDERCOVER  Man  "  UA 

Underground  Agent  Col.  4039 

Undying  Monster,  The  20th-Fox  319 

Union  Pacific  (Reissue)  Para.  4250 

Unpublished  Story  (British)  Col  

VALLEY  of  Hunted  Men           Rep.  262 

Varsity  Show  (Reissue)                  WB  215 

Vengeance  of  the  West               Col.  3216 

Victory  Through  Air  Power   UA-Disney  .... 

Virgin  of  Guadalupe  (Mex.)       Maya  .... 

WAKE  Island  Para.  4205 

War  Against  Mrs.  Hadley,  The    MGM  306 
War  Dogs  Mono. 
Watch  on  the  Rhine  WB 
We  Are  the  Marines  20th-Fox 
We  Dive  at  Dawn  (British)  Gains. 
We'll  Smile  Again  (Brit.)  Nat'l-Anglo 
Went  the  Day  Well?  (British)  Ealing-UA 
West  of  the  Law 
West  of  Texas 
West  Side  Kid 
We've  Never  Been  Licked 
What's  Buzzin',  Cousin? 
When  Johnny  Comes  March- 
ing Home 
Whistling  in  Dixie 
White  Cargo 
White  Savage  (color) 
Who  Done  It? 
Wildcat 

Wild  Horse  Stampede 
Wings  and  the  Woman  (British 
(formerly  They  Flew  Alone) 
Wings  Over  the  Pacific 
World  at  War 
World  of  Plenty  (British) 
Wrecking  Crew 
Wyoming  Hurricane 

X  MARKS  the  Spot 

YANK  at  Eton,  A  MGM  305 

Yankee  Doodle  Dandy  WB  201 

Yanks  Ahoy  UA-Roach  .... 

Yanks  Are  Coming,  The  PRC  301 

You  Can't  Beat  the  Law  Mono  

You  Can't  Escape  Forever  WB  207 

You  Love  Me,  I  Love  You  (It.)  Hoffberg   

You  Were  Never  Lovelier  Col.  4002 

Young  and  Willing  UA  .... 

Youngest  Profession,  The  »       MGM  331 

Young  Mr.  Pitt  (British)  20th-Fox  316 

Youth  on  Parade  Rep.  203 


Stars 


Release 
Date 


324 


Mono. 

PRC 

353 

Rep. 

Univ. 

Col. 

Univ. 

7016 

MGM 

313 

MGM 

310 

Univ. 

7004 

Univ. 

7002 

Para. 

4204 

Mono. 

RKO 

303 

Mono. 

WAC 

Rotha 

Para. 

4212 

Col. 

Rep. 

204 

Bob  Hope-Dorothy  Lamour  Feb.  5,'43 
Joan  Leslie-George  Murphy-Stage  Cast       Not  Set 

Charles  Laughton-Maureen  O'Hara  Block  5 

Percy  Marmont-Marie  O'Neill  Not  Set 

Ann  Sothern-Melvyn  Douglas  Dec.-Feb.,'43 

Brenda  Joyce-Richard  Fraser  June  24, '43 

John  Sutton-Gene  Tierney  Nov.  20, '42 

Michael  Redgrave-Barbara  Mullen  Not  Set 

Three  Mesquiteers  Jan.  25, '43 

Lloyd  Nolan-Heather  Angel  Jan.22,'43 

Marjorie  Main-Lee  Bowman  Sept.-Nov.,'42 

Jean  Parker-Ricardo  Cortez  Sept.  29,'42 

Annabella-John  Sutton  Apr.  30,'43 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills  Dec.  15/42 

Range  Busters  Dec.  4,'42 

Don  Barry-Jean  Parker  Dec.  I6,'42 

Joel  McCrea-Betty  Field  Not  Set 


Richard  Travis-Ruth  Ford 
Mary  Martin-Franchot  Tone 
Range  Busters 
Jinx  Falkenburg-Joan  Davis 
Michele  Morgan-Alan  Curtis 
Lum  V  Abner 

William  Boyd-Andy  Clyde 
Bruce  Bennett-Leslie  Brooks 
James  Ellison-Heather  Angel 
Barbara  Stanwyck-Joel  McCrea 
Richard  Greene-Miles  Malleson 

Three  Mesquiteers 

Dick  Powell-Fred  Waring 

Bill  Elliott-Tex  Ritter 

Disney  Aviation  Feature 
Jose  Luis  Jiminez 

Brian  Donlevy-Robert  Preston 
Fay  Bainter-Edward  Arnold 
Billy  Lee-Addison  Richards 
Bette  Davis-Paul  Lucas 
Marine  Feature 
John  Mills-Eric  Portman 
Bud  Flanagan-Chesney  Allen 
Leslie  Banks-Basil  Sydney 
Buck  Jones-Tim  McCoy 
Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill 
Donald  Barry-Dale  Evans 
Richard  Quine-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 
Ann  Miller-John  Hubbard 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 
Red  Skelton-Ann  Rutherford 
Hedy  Lamarr-Walter  Pidgeon 
Maria  Montez-Jon  Hall-Sabu 
Abbott  and  Costello 
Richard  Arlen-Arline  Judge 
Ken  Maynard-Hoot  Gibson 
Anna  Neagle-R.  Newton 

Inez  Cooper-Edward  Norris 
Documentary 
Documentary  on  Food 
Richard  Arlen-Chester  Morris 
Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Damian  O'Flynn-Helen  Parrish 

Mickey  Rooney-Edmund  Gwenn 
James  Cagney-Joan  Leslie 
Joe  Sawyer-William  Tracy 
Maxie  Rosenbloom-Mary  Healy 
Edward  Norris-Joan  Woodbury 
George  Brent-Brenda  Marshall 
Alida  Valli-Amedeo  Nazzari 
Fred  Astaire-Rita  Hayworth 
William  Holden-Susan  Hayworth 
Virginia  Weidler-E.  Arnold  &  Guests 
Robert  Morley-Robert  Donat 
John  Hubbard-Martha  O'Driscoll 


Feb.  6.'43 
Not  Set 
Jan.  8,'43 
June  I0,'43 
June  18/43 
Feb.  26/43 

Oct.  23/42 
Dec.  3/42 
Nov.  27/42 
Not  Set 
Not  Set 

Nov.  13/42 
Dec.  19/42 
Sept.  3/42 
Not  Set 
May  14/43 

Block  I 
Sept.-Nov./42 
Nov.  13/42 
Not  Set 
Jan.  8/43 
Not  Set 
Not  Set 
Not  Set 
Nov.  2/42 
May  10/43 
July  1 1/43 
July  16/43 
July  8/43 


M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Service 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

96m 

Jan.  2/43 

1 102 

872 

1341 

1276 

103  m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

1 162 

1341 

75m 

May  2/42 

633 

90m 

Jan.  9,  43 

1 101 

1009 

.... 

67m 

June  19/43 

1 374 

1351 

78m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

796 

1 130 

1 1  1  m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

56m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 159 

1115 

.... 

o  1  m 

Uec.   b,  4/ 

IU4Z 

995 

83m 

July  25/42 

938 

772 

1034 

64m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

70m 

Apr.  3/43 

1239 

1 192 

59m 

1058 

55m 

June  5/43 

1350 

1018 

62m 

Dec.  5/42 

1043 

983 

i  i  74 

912 

58m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

1079 

61m 

Jan.  23/43 

i  i  27 

1031 

68m 

June  5/43 

1349 

1305 

78m 

June  19/43 

1373 

1339 

75m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

68m 

May  9/42 

647 

68m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 148 

1009 

60m 

Oct.  17/42 

970 

936 

138m 

Apr.  29/39 

1374 

91m 

Apr.  11/42 

598 

60m 

Mar.  6/43 

1190 

1031 

81m 

Aug.  2 1/37 

1043 

60m 

1375 

95m 

May  22/43 

1325 

87m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

772 

86m 

Aug.  8/42 

902 

797 

63  m 

Oct.  10/42 

946 

986 

70m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

98m 

May  22/43 

93m 

Oct.  3 1/42 

982 

92m 

Nov.  14/42 

1006 

55m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

54m 

May  15/43 

1314 

1277 

1351 
1115 
1351 


Jan.  1/43 

74m 

Dec.  26/42 

1090 

1341 

Dec.-Feb./43 

74m 

Oct.  3 1/42 

981 

946 

1174 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

89m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

871 

1341 

Apr.  23/43 

76m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

1079 

Nov.  6/42 

75m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

971 

1082 

Block  1 

73m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

Apr.  16/43 

59m 

May  1/43 

1290 

1276 

Sept.  18/42 

94m 

May  2/42 

903 

1082 

June  25/43 

1276 

Sept.  18/42 

66m 

Sept.  5/42 

890 

Not  Set 

60m 

June  19/43 

1373 

Block  3 

73m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

986 

Not  Set 

1079 

Nov.  4/42 

56m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

986 

Sept.-Nov..'42 

87m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

726 

1130 

Jan.  2/43 

126m 

June  6/42 

903 

674 

1082 

Not  Set 

47m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1019 

Nov.  9/42 

65  m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

1 130 

Feb.  12/43 

61m 

Jan.  30/43 

1137 

1081 

Oct.  10/42 

77m 

Sept.  26/42 

921 

898 

1034 

Apr.  3/43 

95m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

Nov.  19/42 

97m 

Oct.  10/42 

945 

796 

M74 

Feb.  5/43 

82m 

Feb.  13/43 

1170 

663 

June-Aug.,'43 

81m 

Mar.  6/43 

1189 

1081 

1341 

Feb.  26/43 

103m 

July  4/42 

914 

Oct.  24/42 

75m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

Feature  Product  including  Coming  Attractions,  listed  Company  by  Company, 
in  Order  of  Release  on  Page  1352. 


1384  Product  Digest  Section 


Edited  by  TERRY  RAMSAYE 


12,000 
BIOGRAPHIES 

An  invaluable  and  exclusive 
feature  of  the  Almanac  is  the 
Who's  Who  section  containing 
12,000  complete  biographies 
of  players,  directors,  writers, 
technicians    and  executives. 


THESE 


CHANCING 
TIMES  ■  ■  • 


1943  continues  to  be  history  making  ...  all  over  the 
world  the  motion  picture  business  is  undergoing  pro- 
found changes  .  .  .  production,  distribution  and  ex- 
hibition are  being  markedly  altered  to  meet  these 
shifting  conditions.  The  1943-44  International  Motion 
Picture  Almanac,  now  in  preparation,  will  present  all 
this  in  a  new  and  greater  compilation  of  facts  and 
figures.  It  will  contain  thousands  of  items  of  up-to-the- 
minute  industry  information  covering  every  phase  of 
the  business  with  scientific  accuracy  and  precision. 
The  Almanac  is  indispensable  to  the  showman  .  .  . 
particularly  so,  in  these  changing  times. 


RESERVE  YOUR  1943-44  MOTION  PICTURE  ALMANAC  NOW! 
$3.25  POSTPAID  IN  U.S.A.,  $5  ELSEWHERE 

QUICLEY  PUBLICATIONS 


ROCKEFELLER  CENTER 


NEW  YORK 


qp 


TEAM 

-.-—=  8*- 


m  a 


V 


w 


with  ANN  SAVAGE 

LESLIE  BROOKS  •  BOB  HAYMES  *  Screen  Plau  bg  Stanley  Rubin  and  Maurice  Tombragel 
Directed  by  FRANK  WOODRUFF  •  Produced  by  WALLACE  MacDONALD  •  A    COLUMBIA  PICTURE 

Dnnv  ••DDcninr  to  WiR"  SFNSiTIIML  55  MINUTE  SOCK  FILM  ...  RENTAL  FREE! 


MOTION  PICTURE 

HERALD 


REVIEWS 

(In  Product  Digest) 

So  Proudly  We  Hail 
Dixie 

Submarine  Alert 
Colt  Comrades 
Henry  Aldrich  Swings  It 
Alaska  Highway 
Get  Going 

Wings  Over  the  Pacific 

Guadalajara 

Simon  Bolivar 


—  in 

u 

m 


EXHIBITOR  UNITS  OPEN  FIGHT 
FOR  CEILING  ON  RENTALS 


BRITISH  PREPARE  BLUEPRINT 
FOR  SCREEN  INVASION 


COLUMBIA  TO  HAVE  44  FEATURES. 
10  WESTERNS.  118  SHORTS 


etterJhedtre 


Second  of  Maintenance  Inspection  Records 


VOL  151,  NO.  13 


JUNE  26,  1943 


Entered'  as  second-class  matter,  January  12,  1931,  at  the  Post  Office,  at  New  York  City,  U.S.A.,  under  the  act  of  March  3,  1879.  Pub- 
lished weekly  by  Quigley  Publishing  Co.,  Inc.,  at  1270  Si.vtk  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York.  Siibscription  prices:  $5.00  a  year 
in  the  Americas,  $10.00  a  year  Foreign.    Single  copy,  25  cents.    All  contents  copyright  1943  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company. 


World  Premiere,  Tuesday,  June  29th 


METRO  GOIOWVN  MWER  to*** 


Where  Box-Office 
History  is  made! 


'•Shangri-la"  War  Stamp 

r-i  '•  .  .   •  .    T..I..      1  ,1  h  I 


/ 


LATEST  'VARIETV'  REPORTS  OK  BOGAE 
IN  "ACTION   IN  THE  NORTH  ATLANTH 


NTLY  BIG!  4TH  WEEK  VERY  CLOS 


MORE  WEEKS!  WASHINGTON,  EARL 

-'ACTION'  IS  TOPS  WIT 
A  SOCKFUL  OF  DOUGH 
NEWARK,  BRAN  FOR  i 
-BOGART  ON  THE  WAY  T 
URDYTND  WEEK  AFTER  SOCK  INITIAL  STANZA!  PHILADELPHIA 
hSTBAUM- STRONG  3RD  WEEK  AFTER  STOUT  TWO  WEEKS 
IS  ANGELES  (3  HOUSES) - 
WMOWN,  HOLLYWOOD, 
ILTERN-2HD  WEEK  HEFTY,1 
ST  WEEK'S  GROSSES  GREAT! 
I/Jan****,) 

IUMPHREY  BOGART  •  RAYMOND  MASSEY  •  ALAN  HALE  ."ACTION  IN  THE  NORTH  ATLANTIC".*,  juiis  bishop  .  dane  oak  ^^KutX^A^! 


f 


/o/n  July  WAR  STAMP  Drive! 


Jack  L.Warner,  Executive  Producer 


EDITORS  OF  TIME 


«c|*0F  TIME 

^  ^  Reuses: 


AT  WAR 


jjP 


r%y-T00NS 

"'■'■ent  Releases: 

a  g!H,°Pp'NG  UP 

Goose  in  Technicolor 

p4/SfDORA'S  BOX 

'or|,'ng  Super  Mouse 


XX" 


SHORT 


,  Current  Re/eoSej7 

,  JUNGLE  LAND  whh  u  \ 

»  ACCENT  ON  COn*9*1"*  1 

I  A  Hugh  James  Wor/d  Tod      ^Qg  ' 


CENTU 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD 


MARTIN  QUIGLEY 

COLVIN  BROWN,  Publisher  President  and  Editor-in-Chief  '  TERRY  RAMSAYE,  Editor 


Vol.  151,  No.  13  m9iEM  June  26'  1943 


OWI  and  THE  SCREEN 

DESPITE  the  much  that  has  been  said,  and  much  of  it  in 
these  columns,  about  the  Bureau  of  Motion  Pictures  of 
the  Office  of  War  Information,  it  is  an  institution  of 
earnest  wartime  service  with  which  the  motion  picture  industry 
has  reached  a  generally  competent  working  relation.  Also, 
Mr.  Lowell  Mellett,  chief  of  that  bureau,  has  impressed  this 
industry  with  his  sincerity  of  purpose. 

The  movement  in  Congress,  pending  at  midweek  between 
House  and  Senate,  to  wipe  out  the  Office  and  along  with  it, 
incidentally,  the  picture  bureau,  is  to  be  viewed  as  a  process 
of  abandoning  the  horse  in  midstream. 

The  functions  at  which  the  OWI  picture  bureau  has  been 
addressed  are  essential  to  the  war  cause  of  the  nation  and  to 
the  conduct  of  the  motion  picture  in  wartime.  Relations  must 
be  maintained  by  some  agency.  The  existing  relation  enjoys 
the  benefit  of  a  deal  of  experience,  and  the  cause  is  not  to  be 
served  by  waiting  for  a  new  arrangement  and  organization  to 
acquire  working  experience. 

AAA 

STAG  SHOWMANSHIP 

THE  bawdy  art  of  burlesque  now  appears  to  be  seeping 
into  the  susceptible  consciousness  of  some  of  Hollywood's 
creative  personages  and  luring  them  into  screen  dalliance 
with  the  gross  indecency  of  what  is  known  as  "the  strip  tease". 

Picture  makers,  who  have  apparently  matured  their  study  of 
the  American  audience  by  postgraduate  courses  in  Fifty-second 
street,  the  marginal  theatres  of  the  "down  by  the  depot" 
districts  and  stag  dinner  programs,  seem  to  be  in  the  way  of 
accepting  the  obscene  device  of  having  a  girl  take  her  clothes 
off  with  a  maximum  of  suggestiveness  in  song,  dialogue  and 
gesture  as  a  dramatic  staple. 

The  typical  motion  picture  theatre  is  the  place  of 
entertainment  for  the  typical  American  family. 

The  burlesque  theatre  is  not  a  place  of  entertain- 
ment for  the  typical  American  family. 

There  is  nothing  that  burlesque  can  give  to  the  art 
of  the  motion  picture  theatre  save  indecency. 

There  are  two  current  major  attractions  now  on  the  screen 
which  have  been  invaded  and  tinted  by  "the  strip  tease." 

Now,  it  appears  there  comes  another.  It  is  recorded  in  a 
special  article  from  Hollywood  by  Mr.  Edward  Lawrence  in  the 
New  York  Times  Sunday  motion  picture  department,  discuss- 
ing the  return  to  the  screen  of  Joan  Blondell,  that:  ".  .  .  Direc- 
tor Richard  Thorpe  called  her  in  to  discuss  a  role  in  'Cry 
Havoc,'  a  revised  version  of  the  play  which  was  so  briefly 
stabled  on  Broadway.  He  wanted  to  know  if  she  could  portray 
a  strip-teaser.  Are  you  kidding?'  asked  Miss  Blondell,  who 
immediately  went  into  her  familiar  routines,  and  walked  off  with 
the  part." 

Miss  Blondell,  so  it  is  recounted,  has  been  for  fifteen  months 


on  tour  with  a  USO  vaudeville  unit,  and  had  evolved  a  number 
in  which  she  strip-teased  a  bit,  but  "...  where  the  pro- 
fessional stripper  gets  down  to  serious  business  ...  all  the 
zippers  stuck.  ..." 

It  is  also  to  be  recorded  here  that  an  army  camp  theatre  is 
not  necessarily  representative  of  the  institution  of  public  amuse- 
ment in  America,  either. 

There  is,  out  in  Hollywood,  an  office  and  incumbent  charged 
with  the  survey  of  scripts  and  a  general  vigilance  against  inva- 
sion of  the  theatre  screen  by  factors  of  turpitude  and  elements 
of  questionable  moral  implication.  It  is  a  device  of  the  industry 
for  its  self-regulation. 

Is  some  one  nodding  at  his  desk? 

AAA 

ADVERTISING 

EIGHTY-FOUR  per  cent  of  the  people  of  the  United  States, 
as  of  the  month  of  May,  considered  that  Advertising  by 
Business  was  doing  a  good  job  in  helping  to  win  the  war. 
I  his  was  reported  to  a  meeting  of  the  Association  of  National 
Advertisers  in  New  York. 

This  report,  from  a  survey  by  the  Psychological  Corporation, 
represents  a  new  high  in  the  status  of  advertising,  and  it  is  a 
plateau,  not  a  peak,  in  the  estimation  of  Advertising  Age. 
The  figure  is  a  gain  of  four  per  cent  over  the  state  of  the 
national  mind  in  April  of  1942.  Only  six  per  cent  said,  "No", 
and  ten  per  cent  replied,  "Don't  know". 

It  is  to  be  observed  that  a  large  proportion  of  big  business 
advertising  to  the  public  for  a  long  time  now  has  been 
addressed  mostly  at  selling  its  own  copy  and  telling  stories  of 
emotionalism.  The  New  Haven  takes  us  for  a  ride  with  "The 
Kid  in  Upper  Four".  We  blend  with  the  birdies  and  beasts 
of  the  Calvert  zoo.  Display  lines  oozing  glamour  and  allure 
used  to  lead  into  sales  copy  for  either  perfume  or  a  South  Seas 
picture  production;  but  now  the  reader  is  likely  to  find  him- 
self seduced  into  the  small  type  which  tells  how  some  cor- 
poration's bolts  and  nuts  are  winning  the  war. 

AAA 

TALKING  SELLS 

A RESEARCH  for  Metro-Goldwyn-Ma  yer,  reported  in  the 
news  pages  this  week,  reports  that  the  biggest  single 
influence  on  theatre  attendance  is  "word-of-mouth". 
This  is  probably  the  oldest  and  best  established  advertising 
medium  among  the  ultimate  consumers  in  the  history  of  the 
race. 

It  makes  emphatic  again  that  the  place  where  motion  pic- 
tures are  sold  is  in  the  theatre. 

The  theatre  is  run  by  the  exhibitor,  who  can  have  a  lot  to 
do  with  the  promotion  of  "word-of-mouth"  in  his  community. 
The  inquiry  rates  "word-of-mouth"  at  36  per  cent  and  fan 
magazines  at  2.8  per  cent. 

— Terry  Ramsaye 


8 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    26,  1943 


THIS  WEEK  IN  THE  NEWS 


EXHIBITORS  carry  fight  on  rental  terms  to 
Congress  Page  1 3 

ON  THE  MARCH  — Red  Kann  discusses 
censorship  and  films  Page  14 

BRITISH  prepare  blueprint  for  screen  in- 
vasion after  war  Page  19 

MOVE  in  Senate  to  save  OWI  after  slash 
of  budget  by  House  Page  22 

COLUMBIA  to  release  44  features  and 
ten  Western  films  Page  24 

SERVICE  DEPARTMEN 
BETTER  THEATRES,  Equipment  and 

Hollywood  Scene  Page  33 

In  the  Newsreels  Page  50 

Managers'  Round  Table  Page  55 

IN  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION 

Showmen's  Reviews  Page  1385 

Short  Subjects  Page  1387 

Short  Subjects  Chart  Page  1388 


SCREEN    must    re-educate    world  when 
peace  comes,  says  Coe  Page  30 

HOLLYWOOD  wili  launch  new  Bond  drive 
on  June  30th  Page  26 

STORY  buys  drop  below  three-year  aver- 
age during  May  Page  37 

MUSEUM  contract  with  Co-ordinator  is 
pending  in  Washington  Page  40 

REVOLT  in  Argentina  halts  allocation  of 
raw  stock  from  U.  S.  Page  44 

TS 

Maintenance  Page  65 

Picture  Grosses  Page  63 

Shorts  on  Broadway  Page  54 

What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me  Page  52 


Advance  Synopses 

Service  Data 

The  Release  Chart 


Page  1391 
Page  1392 
Page  1393 


Storm  Signals 

HOLLYWOOD  studio  publicity  directors 
on  Tuesday  discussed  but  didn't  decide  what 
to  do.  about  the  Chicago  Tribune's  Marcia 
Wynn.  She  is  in  town  for  a  fortnight  under 
the  label  of  special  writer  assigned  by  Pub- 
lisher Robert  R.  McCormick  to  pursue,  it  is 
reported,  four  lines  of  inquiry  designed  to 
yield  as  many  feature  stories  unfavorable 
to  the  industry  and  the  community.  Up  to 
Tuesday  requests  for  interviews  with  studio 
personalities  had  been  given  soft,  but  delay- 
ing, answers  by  publicity  men  whose  mem- 
ories go  back  to  Tribune  stories  about  Wal- 
lace Reid,  Roscoe  Arbuckle,  William  Des- 
mond Taylor,  which  set  the  precedent  and 
pattern  for  anti-Hollywood  newspapering, 
and  who  have  had  no  Tribune  reporters  to 
worry  about  first  hand  for  years.  Two 
schools  of  thought  prevailed  among  the  pub- 
licity directors.  One  favored  a  continuation 
of  courteous  but  definite  evasion,  a  tactic 
developed  to  a  fine  edge  in  Hollywood.  The 
other  favored  complete  cooperation  on  the 
theory  that  enough  facts  would  dissipate  the 
four  projects  or,  at  worst,  temper  the  ex- 
pected gale.  No  uniform  policy  eventuated 
and  each  conferee  departed  the  session  to  ex- 
ercise his  single  judgment.  An  unconfirmed 
report  had  Chaplin,  zoot  suits,  "Mission  to 
Moscow"  and  administration  pressure  on 
production,  on  the  Wynn  agenda. 


Ickes  vs.  Nelson 

THE  public,  and  owners  of  suburban  and 
rural  theatres  in  severely  rationed  eastern 
states,  pondered  this  week  declarations  by 
War  Production  Board  Director  Donald 
Nelson,  and  Petroleum  Administrator  Har- 
old Ickes. 

Mr.  Nelson  promised  motorists  relief  from 
gasoline  rationing  "in  the  very  near  future." 

But  Mr.  Ickes  said  he  foresaw  "no  possi- 
bility of  supplying  petroleum  products  to  the 
East  Coast  beyond  essential  requirements." 
And  he  added:  "I  wish  I  could  promise 
even  this." 


Union  Square  Tune 

LUNCHEON  music  was  provided  at  Union 
Square  on  Wednesday  noon  by  the  Skouras 
Theatres  Corporation.  Workers  from  near- 
by offices  and  the  ever-present  members  of 
the  Square's  debating  and  political  set  were 
regaled  with  a  band  concert  by  members  of 
Local  802,  American  Federation  of  Musi- 
cians. 

The  Skouras  circuit  paid  the  piper,  at  the 
rate  of  $17.50  per  player.  The  concerts  are 
part  of  a  series  arranged  for  the  aid  of 
unemployed  musicians.  It  is  presented  in 
cooperation  with  the  New  York  City  De- 
partment of  Parks.  The  programs  are  spon- 
sored by  banks,  bakeries,  department  stores 
and  other  city  business  houses. 

The  circuit  again  will  present  free  con- 
certs on  July  18th  at  Kings  Park,  Jamaica, 


and  in  August  at  the  swimming  pool  on  the 
World's  Fair  site.  It  is  the  first  film  com- 
pany to  sponsor  the  free  entertainments. 
Last  year  also  the  circuit  paid  for  several 
concerts.  Arthur  Lynch,  deputy  city 
treasurer,  arranges  the  series  for  Mayor 
LaGuardia,  who  is  himself  quite  handy  on  a 
bandstand. 


Music  of  the  Spheres 

STUDENTS  of  celestial  navigation  at 
New  York  University,  New  York  City,  are 
conducted  through  the  maze  of  the  heavens 
by  Erno  Rapee,  music  director  of  the  Radio 
City  Music  Hall.  He  teaches  four  hours 
per  week.  Mr.  Rapee  holds  a  navigator's 
certificate  in  the  Coast  Guard  and  is  a 
graduate  of  the  United  States  Power 
Squadron.  He  pilots  his  30-foot  Mariska, 
a  power  cruiser,  24  hours  per  week  in  Long 
Island  Sound  for  the  Coast  Guard. 


Calling  All  Dogs 

THE  motion  picture,  which  has  been  aiding 
the  war  effort  by  collecting  funds  and  scrap 
metal,  by  selling  Bonds  and  Stamps,  and  by 
enlisting  blood  donors,  and  recruiting 
WAACS  and  WAVES — is  now  going  to  re- 
cruit dogs.  Dogs  for  Defense,  Inc.,  a  national 
organization  soliciting  the  canines  for  war 
purposes,  has  arranged  with  National  Screen 
Service  for  a  50-word  trailer  to  be  added 
to  all  prints  of  Warners'  short  subject, 
"Rover's  Rangers." 


Why  They  Buy 

QUEST  of  what  gets  the  customers  to  the 
box  office  finds  "word-of-mouth"  at  36  per 
cent,  and  dominant,  in  a  survey  made  by  Dr. 
Leo  Handel  for  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. 
The  fan  magazines  so  ardently  devoted  to 
the  exploitation  of  screen  personalities  rate 
only  2.8  per  cent  and  the  big  national  maga- 
zines, in  which  large  sums  have  been  spent, 
trail  the  other  media,  near  the  bottom  of  the 
list. 

The  standing  of  the  media: 

Per  Cent 


Word-of-Mouth   36 

Preview  trailers    16.4 

Newspaper  reviews,  articles   16 

Advance  newspaper  ads   10.6 

Newspaper   film    page    (on    day   of  at- 
tendance)   5 

Theatre  front    3.6 

Radio   3.1 

Fan  magazines    2.8 

Posters  and  billboards   1.5 

National  magazines   1.4 

Ads  in  or  on  other  theatres   0.6 

Other  sources   2.8 


Direct  mail  advertising  or  publicity  did 
not  figure  in  the  report.  Dr.  Handel  previ- 
ously has  conducted  surveys  in  behalf  of 
MGM  to  determine  public  reaction  to  pic- 
tures and  the  sources  most  responsible  for 
patronage  by  persons  who  went  to  the  thea- 
tre to  see  a  particular  picture.  He  is  head 
of  the  Audience  Research  Institute.  Cur- 
rently he  is  on  leave  of  absence  for  service 
in  the  Army. 


June    26,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


9 


Twenty-five  Leaders 

EDWARD  L.  BERNAYS  of  New  York, 
noted  counsel  on  public  relations,  in  an  ad- 
dress on  democratic  leadership  at  Western 
Reserve  University  in  Cleveland,  has  named 
"the  twenty-five  most  influential  leaders  in 
the  country,  however  one  may  disagree  with 
any  of  them  .  .  .  selected  on  the  basis  of 
their  influence  over  large  numbers  of  fol- 
lowers." 

In  his  list  Mr.  Bernays,  in  the  following 
order,  selects :  Franklin  D.  Roosevelt,  Henry 
Wallace,  Donald  Nelson,  Elmer  Davis,  Sen- 
ator Robert  LaFollette,  Mrs.  Franklin  D. 
Roosevelt,  Wendell  Willkie,  James  F. 
Byrnes,  Arthur  Sulzberger,  Roy  Howard, 
Henry  Luce,  R."  R.  McCormick,  Walter 
Lippmann,  H.  V.  Kaltenborn,  Raymond 
Gram  Swing,  Westbrook  Pegler,  Raymond 
Clapper,  Walter  Winchell,  Philip  Murray, 
William  Green,  John  Lewis,  Louis  J.  Taber, 
Edward  A.  O'Neal,  William  Kiplinger, 
Dorothy  Thompson. 

In  his  search  for  persons  in  positions  of 
leadership  in  this  wartime  America  Mr. 
Bernays  found  a  total  of  788,257  persons. 

Of  his  top  twenty-five  he  observes :  "Who 
can  say  who  the  twenty-five  will  be  tomor- 
row? Leadership  changes  constantly  in  a 
democracy.  Tomorrow  the  public  may  re- 
ject today's  leaders.  Our  leaders  cannot  be 
far  behind  or  ahead  of  their  followers." 


Alaska  Campaign 

ARMY  film  makers  of  the  Signal  Corps 
have  completed  a  four-reel  color  report  on 
operations  in  the  Aleutian  Islands  filmed 
under  the  direction  of  Captain  John  Huston 
and  Colonel  Darryl  F.  Zanuck.  Whether  to 
release  it  to  the  public  has  not  yet  been 
determined.  Nor  have  policy-making  offi- 
cers in  the  Signal  Corps  and  public  relations 
section  decided  whether  a  public  release, 
should  it  be  obtained,  be  in  the  full  43-min- 
ute  version,  or  shorter.  Arthur  Mayer,  as- 
sistant executive  vice-chairman  of  the  War 
Activities  Committee,  said  Wednesday  that 
the  Army  had  not  submitted  the  Alaska  pic- 
tures for  consideration  for  distribution  to 
theatres.  They  were  shown  privately  at  the 
Museum  of  Modern  Art  last  Friday  by  the 
Army.  The  off-the-record  opinions  of  docu- 
mentary film  experts,  the  press  and  other 
invited  guests  were  solicited. 


Philadelphia  Party 

TO  encourage  Philadelphians  to  remain  at 
home  over  the  Fourth  of  July  holiday  week- 
end, the  City  Council  has  appropriated 
$100,000  for  the  buying  of  entertainment. 
Plans  call  for  neighborhood  celebrations,  and 
the  bands  and  performers  will  shuttle  from 
one  neighborhood  to  the  other  during  the 
weekend.  The  neighborhood  parties,  ar- 
ranged by  air  raid  wardens  and  American 
Legion  posts,  are  designed  to  keep  the  city 


people  away  from  the  crowded  trains  and 
buses  over  the  holiday  weekend.  And  since 
film  houses  and  other  local  amusement  en- 
terprises cannot  handle  a  home-bound  holi- 
day crowd,  the  stay-at-home  celebration 
was  seen  as  a  solution  to  relieve  the  holiday 
public  transport  problem.  The  facilities  and 
grounds  of  the  city's  schools,  both  public 
and  parochial,  and  the  42  recreation  centers 
and  playgrounds  have  been  made  available 
for  the  neighborhood  holiday  events.  For 
the  series  of  community  parties,  Isaac  D. 
Levy,  vice-president  of  WCAU,  Philadel- 
phia, and  a  member  of  the  board  of  the  Co- 
lumbia Broadcasting  System,  has  offered 
to  obtain  big  name  bands  and  radio  and 
film  stars. 


So  Sorry 

THE  Alien  Property  Custodian  Tuesday 
disclosed  that  motion  pictures  owned  not 
only  by  the  German,  but  also  by  the  Japan- 
ese and  Italian  Governments,  and  their  na- 
tionals in  the  United  States,  and  United 
States  patents  on  a  variety  of  products,  in- 
cluding motion  pictures  of  Italian  and 
French  inventors  had  been  seized.  A  list 
of  more  than  400  Italian  and  80  Japanese 
nationals  and  companies  having  ownership 
or  interest  in  motion  pictures  was  compiled 
by  the  APC,  but  there  was  no  indication 
how  many  or  what  types  of  films  were 
seized.  However,  it  is  understood  that 
Italian  and  Japanese  pictures  are  among  the 
more  than  3,000,000  feet  of  film  known  to 
have  been  taken  over  and  now  being  sorted 
out  by  the  APC  preliminary  to  final  disposi- 
tion. 


130%  Attendance 

PARAMOUNT'S  "Star  Spangled  Rhythm" 
has  been  setting  attendance  records,  accord- 
ing to  the  company.  But  last  week  it  set 
a  record  of  some  novelty.  The  town  of 
Keosauqua,  Iowa,  contains  830  inhabitants. 
The  picture,  on  its  first  day,  played  to  590. 
In  three  days  it  had  drawn  1,287 — 457  more 
than  the  total  population. 


Red  to  Green 

ALL  exit  signs  in  Seattle  theatres  and  other 
public  buildings  will  be  illuminated  by  green 
lights  instead  of  the  traditional  red  after 
July  1st.  Orders  to  this  effect  have  been 
issued  by  the  Seattle  Fire  Department  in  a 
campaign  to  increase  safety  in  public  places. 
Two  reasons  are  advanced  by  the  Fire  De- 
partment for  the  change :  green  through  its 
widespread  use  in  traffic  signs  has  come  to 
mean  "go"  to  the  public  and  consequently 
would  indicate  clear  passage ;  second,  red 
exit  signs  when  smoke  is  present  often  have 
the  appearance  of  additional  flames  and  con- 
stitute a  hazard  in  themselves  when  crowds 
are  involved  and  excitement  prevails. 


How  Old  Is  16? 

HOW  to  tell  a  16-year-old  is  worrying  New 
York  state  theatre  operators.  A  recent  de- 
cision in  the  Special  Sessions  Court  convict- 
ing Irving  Gerber,  operator  of  the  Photo- 
play theatre,  Manhattan,  of  admitting  a 
minor  under  16  was  attacked  last  week  by 
the  Unaffiliated  Independent  Exhibitors  at 
New  York  City.  The  ruling,  they  declared, 
places  an  unfair  burden  of  proof  on  the  the- 
atre manager  in  establishing  the  age  of 
children  admitted  to  his  theatre. 

In  the  Photoplay  case  the  boy  in  question 
was  15  and  a  half  years,  5  feet  9  inches  tall, 
weighed  165  pounds  and  shaved.  He  testi- 
fied that  he  attended  circuit  theatres  regu- 
larly without  supervision.  The  court  held 
that  if  he  was  in  fact  under  16  the  manager 
and  ticket  taker  violated  Section  484  of  the 
Penal  Law. 

The  age  of  juvenile  patrons  has  been  a 
vexing  problem  to  New  York  City  managers 
lately.  Truant  officers,  special  police  and 
juvenile  aid  officials  recently  made  an  ex- 
tensive check  of  Broadway  first  run  houses 
in  search  of  school  pupils  playing  hookey 
to  hear  bands  or  see  musical  pictures. 

One  of  the  best  proofs  of  age  in  New 
York  City,  managers  report,  are  the  identi- 
fication tags  recently  issued  in  all  schools  as 
a  civilian  defense  precaution.  Many  are 
asking  youngsters  to  show  the  tags  when 
their  ages  are  in  question. 


Fatter  Purses 

INCOME  of  the  average  American  is  cur- 
rently about  1.8  times  what  it  was  in  July, 
1940,  the  Office  of  War  Information  an- 
nounced Wednesday.  In  July,  1940,  the 
average  income — man,  woman  or  child — 
was  $47.92.  In  April  of  this  year  they  re- 
ceived $85.03.  War  expenditure  has  pushed 
the  average  up.  The  war  costs  averaged 
$53.52  in  April. 

"But  it  isn't  exactly  the  same  kind  of 
money,"  OWI  added.  The  force  that  pushed 
up  income  altered  its  character  by  reducing 
the  number  of  consumer  outlets  on  which  to 
spend  it.  "Temporarily,  money  represents 
wealth  only  in  a  limited  sense,"  the  Govern- 
ment said.  If  used  to  bid  for  the  reduced 
supply  of  goods  it  will  bid  up  their  price, 
but  buy  no  more  than  if  prices  and  income 
remained  at  a  lower  level. 

The  Government  urged  the  public  to  pay 
debts,  pay  taxes  and  buy  Bonds  with  its 
excess  earnings. 


Best  Actor 

M.  A.  LIGHTMAN,  Tennessee  exhibitor 
leader  and  head  of  the  Malco  circuit,  is  also 
an  actor  in,  and  supporter  of,  the  little  thea- 
tre movement.  He  has  been  reelected  presi- 
dent of  the  Memphis  Little  Theatre,  and 
awarded  a  silver  "Oswald"  for  the  best  sup- 
porting role  in  "On  Borrowed  Time." 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD,  published  every  Saturday  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  City.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Colvin  Brown,  Vice-President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Terry  Ramsaye,  Editor;  James  D.  Ivers,  News  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  624  South 
Michigan  Avenue,  Oscar  Lundy,  correspondent;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Postal  Union  Life  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  editor;  Toronto  Bureau,  242  Millwood  Road,  Toronto,  Ontario, 
Canada,  W.  M.  Gladish,  correspondent;  Montreal  Bureau,  265  Vitre  St.,  West,  Montreal,  Canada,  Pat  Donovan,  correspondent;  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Square,  London  W  I, 
Hope  Williams  Burnup,  manager;  Aubrey  Flanagan,  editor;  cable  Quigpubco  London;  Melbourne  Bureau,  The  Regent  Theatre,  191  Collins  St.,  Melbourne,  Australia,  Cliff  Holt, 
correspondent;  Sydney  Bureau,  17  Archbold  Rd.,  Roseville,  Sydney,  N.S.W.,  Australia,  Lin  Endean,  correspondent;  Mexico  City  Bureau,  Dr.  Carmona  y  Valle  6,  Mexico  City, 
Luis  Becerra  Celis,  correspondent;  Buenos  Aires  Bureau,  J.  E.  Uriburi  126,  Buenos  Aires,  Argentina,  Natalio  Bruski,  correspondent;  Rio  de  Janeiro  Bureau,  Caixa  Postal  1090, 
Rio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil,  Alfredo  C.  Machado,  correspondent;  Montevideo  Bureau,  P.  0.  Box  664,  Montevideo,  Uruguay,  Paul  Bodo,  correspondent;  cable  Argus  Montevideo. 
Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations.  All  contents  copyri-jht  1943  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company.  Address  all  correspondence  to  the  New  York  Office.  Other  Quigley  Publica- 
tions: Better  Theatres,  Motion  Picture  Daily,  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  and  Fame. 


10 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    26,  1943 


THIS  WEEK 


the  Camera  observes: 


■  FIRST  CITY  to  enroll  at  least  90  per  cent  of  businesses 
employing  25  or  more  in  the  Treasury's  payroll  deduction  plan 
for  War  Bond  purchases  was  Ferndale,  Michigan.  Above,  at  the 
flag  presentation  are  Frank  Isbey,  Treasury  Savings  Staff;  Thomas 
Ealand,  owner  of  the  Ferndale  theatre;  Mayor  Carl  Forsythe. 


THE  DEGREE  of  Doctor  of  Humane  Letters 
was  conferred  last  week  on  Harold  Rodner, 
above,  of  Warners,  by  Rollins  University,  Florida, 
for  his  charitable  work. 


CONTRIBUTOR.  Mrs.  J.  J.  Parker,  Portland, 

Oregon,  circuit  operator,  seated,  center, 

in  the  day  room  at  the  Portland  Army  Air  Base 

which  she  dedicated  to  her  late  husband. 


By_Staff  Photographer 

■  MANPOWER.  William  Jaffe,  New  York 
film  attorney,  has  been  appointed  chairman  of 
the  regional  manning  tables  committee  of  the 
War  Manpower  Commission,  covering 
New  York  State.  He  is  a  law  partner  of 
Sol  Rosenblatt,  who  left  the  practice  during  the 
1932-33  emergency  to  become  deputy  admin- 
istrator and  the  compliance  director  of  the 
ill-fated  NRA,  and  who  returned  to  law  in  1935. 


GENERAL  MANAGER  of 
A.B.F.D.,  Ltd.,  now  known 
as  Ealing  Distributors,  Ltd., 
of  Great  Britain,  is 
D.  E.  Griffiths.  The 
company  will  distribute 
the  product  of  Ealing 
Studios,  formerly  handled 
by  United  Artists. 
Mr.  Griffiths  recently 
assumed  his  post. 


CASH  from  Kansas  City  theatre  patrons 
to  the  Red  Cross.  The  check  for  $12,509 
is  handed  Mrs.  Charles  Bush  of  the  Red  Cross 
by  Elmer  C.  Rhoden,  Fox  Midwest  circuit  chief 
and  local  WAC  chairman.  Onlookers  are  Stan- 
ley Schwartz,  Jerry  Zigmond  and  Senn  Lawler. 


June    26,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


IMPORTED  OSCAR  for  'Our  Town".  A  marble 
statuette,  from  the  University  of  Chile,  is  handed 
Sol  Lesser,  left,  producer  of  the  picture,  by 
Juan  Predenas,  Chilean  Consul  General  at 
Los  Angeles,   in   Hollywood.    Martha   Scott,  the 
film's  star,  is  the  spectator. 


■  BIG  BLOWUP.  Said  to  be  the  largest  pin-up  picture 
in  the  world,  an  eight  by  ten  foot  enlargement  of 
"oomphy"  Ann  Sheridan  is  delivered  to  the 
Norwegian  Royal  Air  Forces  at  Little  Norway,  Toronto. 


WOMEN  ONLY  manage  the  Grand  and  Isis  theatres, 
Preston,  Idaho.    Seated  are  Myrlee  Peterson,  Betty  Jean  Smith, 
Pauline  Nelson,  Anne  Mae  Palmer  and  Lou  Jean  Graves. 
Standing  are  Beatrice  Harmer,  Colleen  Jones,  Norma  Kofoed, 
De  Lois  Jensen,  Patricia  Lamoreaux,  Valetta  Evans. 


■  KANSAS  CITY  CONFERENCE.   At  Producers  Releasing  Corporation's 
sales  meeting  there  are  Arthur  Greenblatt,  general  sales  manager; 
Nat  Lefton,  Cleveland  and  Cincinnati  franchise  holder;  Clarence  Schultz, 
Commonwealth  Theatres  manager;  Fred  Rohrs,  southwestern  manager; 
Leon  Fromkess,  production  head;  Leo  McCarthy,  assistant  sales  manager; 
Henri  Elman,  Chicago  franchise  holder. 


HAROLD  DUNN,  above,  has  returned 
from  Japan  to  Warner  Theatres' 
Philadelphia  office,  as  assistant  film  buyer. 
He  left  in  1931  to  be  the  picture  com- 
pany's Far  Eastern  supervisor.  The 
Japanese,  after  December  7th,  held  him 
nine  months.  He  has  been  a 
Warner  man  18  years. 


12 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    26,  1943 


CIRCUIT  EXECUTIVES,  as  they  attended  Paramount^ 
New  York  trade  showing  of  "So  Proudly  We  Hail",  are, 
above,  Jack  Hattem,  Interboro;  Irving  Renner,  Endicott. 
Below,  at  the  same  showing  are  Leslie  Schwartz  and 
Sam  Goodman,  Century  Circuit;  Arthur  Wakoff 
of  the  Walter  Reade  Circuit. 


•  FOR  LIFE.  Harry  Cohn,  president  of  Columbia 
pictures,  completes  the  deal  whereby  Al  Jolson,  watching, 
agrees  that  Columbia  may  film  the  story  of 
his  life  in  the  entertainment  world. 


UNDEFEATED  is  the  1943  Simplex  Soccer  team  of  the  International 
Projector  Corporation,  members  of  which  are,  above,  front,  Joseph  Ronzo, 
Dominick  Sommo,  Walter  Dermody,  Frank  McSowan  (captain),  Joe  Pascale; 
rear,  William  Catalina,  Carl  Fehre,  Michael  Ronzo,  Martin  Schneider, 
Nick  Bambardi,  Eileff  Reff,  Jake  DeLuca,  Edward  Lyde  (manager). 


J.  HAROLD  BOOTH,  above,  has  been 
appointed  a  vice-president  of  the 
Bell  &  Howell  Company,  manufacturers 
of  motion  picture  eguipment.  He  will  have 
charge  of  war  negotiations,  personnel 
and  public  relations,  sales,  service, 
and  advertising. 


June    26,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


13 


EXHIBITORS  CARRY  FIGHT  ON 
RENTALS  TO  CONGRESS 


Minnesota,  New  York  and 
New  England  Units  Lead 
Battle  for  Ceilings 

Exhibitor  concern  over  the  level  of  film 
rentals  turned  this  week  toward  agitation 
for  legislative  controls  of  motion  picture 
prices. 

A  group  of  New  England  independents  on 
Monday  retained  counsel  at  Boston  to  lead  a 
right  for  Congressional  support  of  a  Federal 
ceiling  on  film  rentals. 

New  York  exhibitors  sent  a  delegation 
to  Washington  to  confer  with  the  Office  of 
Price  Administration  and  the  Department  of 
Justice. 

Minnesota  independents  studied  the  re- 
sults of  a  similar  mission  and  the  national 
leadership  of  both  the  Motion  Picture  The- 
atre Owners  of  America  and  the  Allied 
States  Association  indicated  that  they  were 
giving  careful  thought  to  concerted  drives 
to  force  prices  down. 

There  was  no  sign  of  common  action 
among  the  numerous  local  and  national 
exhibitor  groups.  All,  however,  appeared 
concerned  over  the  same  issues  of  film 
price,  and  their  attacks  were  taking  simi- 
lar directions.  Several  independent  groups 
indicated  willingness  to  join  forces  with 
others  in  a  national  crusade  against  what 
they  charged  were  unjustifiably  high  ren- 
tal prices  and  unreasonable  conditions. 

George  R.  Farnum,  a  former  Assistant  Unit- 
ed States  Attorney  General  and  prominent  Bos- 
ton lawyer,  has  been  retained  by  an  important 
group  of  New  England  independents  to  lead 
their  fight  for  a  Federal  film  rental  law,  it  was 
learned  Monday.  He  refused  to  identify  the 
group  whom  he  represented!  It  was  learned, 
however,  that  they  include  some  of  the  largest 
independent  operators  in  the  New  England  area, 
including  members  of  the  Independent  Exhibi- 
tors, Inc. 

To  Seek  Congressional 
Support  for  Move 

This  association,  under  the  leadership  of  Na- 
than Yamins,  chairman  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee, and  Francis  C.  Lydon,  of  Dorchester, 
the  president,  broke  away  from  the  ranks  of 
national  Allied  a  year  ago  during  the  United 
Motion  Picture  Industry  conferences.  It  has 
since  been  an  outspoken  critic  of  trade  prac- 
tices and  rentals  under  the  Consent  Decree. 

Francis  Perry,  president  of  the  Independent 
Exhibitors,  Inc.,  Wednesday  said  that  his  group 
had  not  retained  Mr.  Farnum.  "Nevertheless,  I 
personally  feel  that  the  film  rental  demanded  by 
the  film  companies  today  must  be  curbed,"  Mr. 
Perry  said. 

The  Independent  group  will  meet  in  August, 
he  said,  predicting  that  action  then  would  be 
taken  on  the  rental  question. 

"In  New  England,  the  majority  of  small  in- 
dependent exhibitors  has  not  felt  the  boom  at  the 
box  office  that  downtown  key  theaters  and 
boom  town  theatres  are  getting,"  he  said.  "The 
majority  of  small  theatre  owners  are  suffering 
a  loss  of  business  because  of  shifting  populations 
and  the  very  strict  gasoline  ban  enforced  here." 

Mr.  Farnum  will  seek  to  obtain  support  of 
New  England  Senators  and  Representatives  for 
a  bill  which  would  provide  for  Federal  regula- 
tion of  motion  picture  sales  and  a  ceiling  on  film 


prices.  He  will  go  to  Canada  soon  to  study 
the  effect  of  Dominion  controls  over  theatre 
rentals  and  admission  prices  and  to  meet  with 
exhibitor  leaders  at  Ottawa  and  Toronto,  he 
said. 

Motion  picture  rentals  were  specifically  ex- 
empted, along  with  newspapers  and  radio  time, 
in  the  original  Price  Administration  Act  passed 
by  Congress.  They  were  omitted  for  fear  that 
ceilings  on  these  communications  media  might 
be  declared  an  infringement  on  Constitutional 
guarantees  of  freedom  of  the  press  and  the 
whole  price  control  law  set  aside  by  the  courts. 

Sponsors  of  Mr.  Farnum  at  Boston  were 
hopeful  that  their  move  would  spur  support  in 
other  sections  of  the  country  for  a  ceiling  law. 
They  said  several  exhibitor  leaders  already  had 
promised  support. 

Take  Action  to  Upset 
Percentage  Selling 

The  move  for  Congressional  film  price  con- 
trols was  calculated,  the  New  England  indepen- 
dents said,  to  upset  the  entire  present  plan  of 
percentage  selling.  It  would  give  independent 
theatre  owners  throughout  the  nation  a  chance 
to  compete  with  circuit  theatres  in  every  locality 
at  fairly  established  ceiling  prices,  they  claimed. 

"There  has  been  a  terrific  increase  in  the 
film  prices  demanded  by  most  companies,"  Mr. 
Farnum  said,  charging  that  "they  are  permitted 
by  virtue  of  the  monopoly  now  existing  to  de- 
mand and  in  most  instances  to  receive  these 
prices. 

"No  new  producer  can  enter  the  field  and  all 
established  producers  have  been  held  to  75  per 
cent  of  their  1941  raw  stock  consumption  by 
the  War  Production  Board.  Accordingly  most 
producers  have  deliberately  curtailed  production 
in  order  to  keep  the  prices  up  and  to  cause  the 
demand  to  be  greater  than  the  supply,"  Mr. 
Farnum  said. 

"Companies  which  made  50  to  60  pictures  an- 
nually have  cut  to  30  or  less,"  he  continued, 
"and  in  one  notable  instance  announcement  was 
recently  made  by  one  of  the  large  companies 
that  only  18  pictures  will  be  produced  next 
year. 

"By  reason  of  this  monopoly  created  in  this 
manner  these  companies  are  able  to  demand 
higher  prices  despite  the  fact  that  none  of  them 
are  permitted  by  the  Government  to  spend  as 
much  money  as  formerly  on  production.  This 
has  in  turn  created  phenomneal  profits  for  these 
companies  and  the  only  possible  way  the  inde- 
pendent theatre  owner  could  survive  would  be 
to  increase  the  price  of  admissions. 

Says  Public  Eventually 
Would  Pay  Bills 

"In  the  long  run  the  public  itself  would  pay 
the  bills  and  it  is  for  the  protection  of  our 
theatre-going  patrons  that  we  intend  to  demand 
an  equitable  adjustment  and  a  ceiling  price. 
The  margin  of  profits  has  been  vitiated  for  the 
independent  exhibitor  by  these  increased  film 
rentals  and  the  only  way  out  would  be  to  further 
burden  the  ticket  buyers — the  general  public," 
Mr.  Farnum  said. 

At  New  York  on  Thursday  the  Unaffiliated 
Independent  Exhibitors,  Inc.,  a  group  of 
Brooklyn,  Queens  and  Manhattan  independent 
subsequent  run  operators,  voted  to  send  a  com- 
mittee to  Washington  to  seek  Federal  aid  in 
their  fight  against  current  rental  terms. 

Jesse  Stern,  president,  and  operator  of  the 
Arena  theatre,  said  that  in  addition  to  carrying 
its  own  plea  to  Washington  his  group  was 
ready  to  cooperate  with  any  other  independent 
theatre  group  seeking  the  same  remedies.  He 
said  that  the  Unaffiliated  Exhibitors  had  not 


received  a  satisfactory  reply  to  protests  which 
they  addressed  to  company  sales  departments 
on  May  5th. 

The  committee  which  will  visit  Washington 
next  week  will  seek  appointments  with  Robert 
Wright,  of  the  Department  of  Justice  film  unit; 
Prentiss  Brown,  price  administrator,  or  his 
deputy.  Possibly  the  New  York  members  of 
Congress  would  be  visited,  Mr.  Stern  said. 

Exhibitors  Named 
To  Committee 

The  committee  includes  Mr.  Stern,  Jacob 
Leff,  counsel  and  treasurer  for  Unaffiliated; 
Leo  Storch,  Max  Cohen,  Brooklyn  indepen- 
dent; Lou  Goidel,  Julius  Charnow,  George 
Reisner,  Jack  Leff,  Abe  Leff,  Ben  Resnick, 
William  Demmemen  and  Irving  Gerber. 

Mr.  Stern  said  they  would  urge  Mr.  Wright 
to  bring  to  trial  the  government's  divorcement 
prosecution  of  the  distributors.  A  return  to 
full  season  selling,  with  cancellation  privileges 
and  fair  control  on  prices  is  essential  to  the 
continued  existence  of  independent  subsequent 
run  theatres,  he  added.  A  serious  product  short- 
age exists,  Mr.  Stern  said,  with  companies  re- 
fusing to  sell  reissues  and  cutting  down  the 
number  of  annual  releases. 

The  Independent  Theatre  Owners  of  Ameri- 
ca, New  York  independent  group,  which  re- 
cently hired  James  J.  Walker,  former  mayor 
of  New  York,  to  serve  as  counsel  in  its  rental 
fight  is  also  considering  making  a  campaign  for 
legislative  control  of  prices  a  part  of  his  as- 
signment, it  was  reported  this  wek.  Neither 
Mr.  Walker,  nor  his  principal  sponsors,  Harry 
Brandt  or  Max  A.  Cohen,  could  be  reached  for 
comment.  However,  they  have  indicated  that 
Mr.  Walker  would  soon  have  a  battle  plan 
drawn  up  and  ready  for  disclosure. 

The  Motion  Picture  Theatre  Owners  of 
America  through  its  trade  policy  and  grievance 
committee  this  week  under  the  leadership  of 
Herman  Levy  of  New  Haven,  chairman,  wrote 
all  distributors  asking  their  suggestions  on  a 
method  of  treating  certified  exhibitor  com- 
plaints. It  is  the  first  step  toward  setting  up 
adjustment  machinery,  authorized  by  the 
MPTOA  directors  last  May. 

Reported  to  Have  Number 
Of  Complaints  On  Hand 

The  committee  is  reported  to  have  a  number 
of  complaints  on  hand.  When  the  distributors 
reply  with  suggestions  for  handling  complaints 
they  will  present  these  initial  grievances.  It 
is  understood  that  the  committee  urged  flexible 
machinery  on  the  part  of  distributors  to  enable 
settlement  at  field  meetings  with  branch  or 
district  managers  wherever  possible.  Appeal 
to  the  home  office  is  seen  as  a  last  recourse  in 
the  committee's  plans.  Only  those  exhibitors 
who  have  substantial  evidence  of  complaints 
will  be  represented  by  the  MPTOA  group. 

National  Allied  is  also  preparing  to  organize 
complaints  on  price  and  terms.  Its  Caravan 
is  again  on  the  road.  M.  L.  Rosenberg,  presi- 
dent, and  Abram  Myers,  general  counsel  in  re- 
cent messages  have  criticized  rising  prices,  high 
percentages  and  other  terms  and  warned  that 
unless  distributors  volunteered  to  adjust  dif- 
ferences the  only  other  course  open  to  exhibi- 
tors would  be  controlling  legislation. 

In  Minneapolis  no  further  action  has  been 
reported  by  the  North-Central  Allied  Indepen- 
dent Theatres  which  two  weeks  ago  threatened 
a  revival  of  northwest  independent  attempts  to 
regulate  film  sales  by  state  law.  According 
to  Don  Guttman,  president,  the  group  is  study- 
ing the  possibilities  of  both  state  and  Federal 
regulatory  legislation. 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June  26, 


943 


OA  THE  MARCH 


by  RED  KANN 


HOLLYWOOD 

EVERYBODY  was  pleasant  enough.  There  may  have  been 
more  back-and-forth  traffic  than  the  situation  would  have 
exacted  under  other  conditions.  Finally,  however,  the 
case  of  "Cowboy  Commandos,"  which  came  to  flower  on  this 
page  last  week,  was  determined  for  the  defendants:  George 
Weeks,  producer ;  Monogram,  distributor.  The  good  name  of 
the  nation  was  preserved,  too. 

For  those  who  came  in  late,  this  case,  one  of  a  number,  points 
up  the  system  under  which  two  government  bureaus,  certainly 
committed  to  the  identical  end  result,  travel  differing  routes  and 
make  the  passenger  bilious  on  the  curves. 
The  passenger  is  the  industry. 

The  Office  of  War  Information  had  recommended  the  original 
characters  be  converted  from  Nazis  to  Americans  with  Nazi 
ideas.  It  was  done,  the  picture  was  finished,  then  rejected  by  the 
Office  of  Censorship,  through  its  Los  Angeles  Board  of  Review, 
on  the  ground  American  cowpunchers  would  appear  no  different 
from  i\azis  to  overseas  audiences  which  are  asked  to  believe 
America  harbors  no  Axis  sympathizers  and  no  home-brew  Fas- 
cists, either. 

After  the  first  rejection,  OWI  took  a  second  look.  So  did  the 
reviewing  board  of  the  Office  of  Censorship,  which  insisted  upon 
two  changes.  One  was  a  dialogue  shift  eliminating  a  reference 
about  two  of  the  saboteur  ring  originating  in  Canada;  that 
squared  any  subsequent,  real  or  imagined,  repercussions  from  the 
neighbor  on  the  north.  The  other  was  a  story  alteration  remov- 
ing a  draft  evasion  tag  from  one  of  the  mob;  that  kept  from  the 
eyes  and  ears  of  foreign  spectators  the  suggestion  any  American 
ever  thought  of  dodging  the  Selective  Service  Act. 

In  this  form,  "Cowboy  Commandos"  was  permitted  out  of  the 
country.  Likewise  was  this  the  process  by  which  the  good  name 
of  the  nation  was  imperishably  protected.  Now. 

"The  purpose  of  film  censorship  is  to  keep  information  con- 
cerning possible  bombing  objectives,  technical  data,  military  or 
economic  conditions  and  adverse  propaganda  harmful  to  the  war 
effort  from  leaving  the  country.  Likewise,  film  censorship  is 
designed  to  prevent  enemy  propaganda  and  information  leading 
to  subversive  activities  from  entering  the  country,"  the  Office  of 
Censorship  outlined  in  instructions  to  its  postal  censorship  boards 
and  its  film  boards  of  review. 

"There  is  no  hard  and  fast  rule  of  thumb  applicable  to  censor- 
ship. Interpretation  and  application  of  the  following  principles 
must  be  governed  by  the  knowledge,  understanding,  intuition  and 
judgment  of  those  applying  them,"  these  instructions  read  fur- 
ther. Insofar  as  films  are  invoked,  final  responsibility  is  vested 
in  the  Boards  of  Review. 

It  Gets  More  Interesting 

THE  objective  is  not  to  be  questioned,  and  is  not.  Not  here, 
anyway.  But  traveling  a  bit  further  the  stipulation  unfolds 
that  "certain  types  of  material  also  require  written  ap- 
proval from  the  War  Department,  Navy  Department  or  other 
government  agency  having  direct  supervision  over  the  subject 
involved."   And  underscored  is  this: 

"Written  approval  by  any  other  agency  represents  only  re- 
lease insofar  as  that  agency  is  concerned  and  is  not  binding  on 
the  Board  of  Review." 

The  bulk  of  this  material  embraces  military  installations,  shore 
lines,  movements  of  the  troops,  et  al — all  of  it  specific  in  nature 
and  attuned  to  home  security  and  military  defense.  But  there 
are  two  other  almost  limitless  categories  covered  as  well.  Even 
a  surface  reading  tells,  and  in  a  hurry,  how  far-reaching  postal 
censorship  can  be  in  pursuing  the  avowed  intention  of  presenting 
America  to  the  outside  world  as  the  land  where  nobody  makes 
any  errors,  nobody  transgresses  any  laws  or  grumbles  and  pro- 
tests over  wartime  restrictions.  In  a  word,  a  dream  land,  where 
the  realistic  is  not  acknowledged,  where  a  perfection  punctured  bv 
cold  and  hard  facts  in  foreign  newspapers  and  over  foreign  radio 
is  insisted  upon  and  where  one  penalty  is  inability  to  ship  a  film 
abroad  if  the  Office  of  Censorship  rules  otherwise  under  these 
magnificently  sweeping  mandates: 

"8.— Labor,  class  or  other  disturbances  which  might  be  dis- 
torted into  enemy  propaganda. 


"9. — Undue  emphasis  on  rationing  of  essentials  or  other  infor- 
mation revealing  economic  preparation  by  this  country  for  pro- 
longed war  effort." 

Presumably,  it  was  "other  disturbances"  under  Point  8  that 
created  trouble  for  the  American  cowboys  playing  Nazi  follow- 
ers and  agents  in  "Cowboy  Commandos."  Presumably,  the  same 
yardstick  now  applies  to  "Black  Market  Rustlers" — it  so  happens 
another  Weeks-Monogram  Western — which  also  is  in  a  censor- 
ship snarl.  The  dialogue  declares  it  is  pointless  to  ship  stolen 
cattle  because  the  Federal  authorities  have  overcome  the  black 
market.  That,  plus  title,  presumably  tells  foreign  audiences  what 
they  already  know  but  which  the  screen  must  not  admit.  Ideo- 
logical conflict  enters  into  this,  too,  in  that  the  OWI  has  seen  the 
film  and  finds  nothing  wrong. 

By  this  time,  the  reader  is  nicely  mixed  up,  provided  he  re- 
sponds as  expected.  And  with  reason.  For  instance  and  even  if 
Army,  Navy,  Coast  Guard  or  Marines,  OWI  or  you  name  it 
provides  the  go-ahead,  the  Board  of  Review,  proceeding  under 
Washington  instruction,  can  negate  that  signal  and  rule  a  film 
from  the  export  market  for  what  in  its  judgment  is  a  censorship 
violation. 

This  could  suggest  many  things.  For  example,  it  could  sug- 
gest Army,  Navy  and  the  and-so-forth  either  do  not  know  the 
pitfalls,  are  not  always  protecting  their  responsibilities  or  cannot 
be  trusted  to  pre-determine  what  footage  is  proper  for  overseas 
and  what  is  not.  Your  newsboy  claims  no  confidential  approach 
to  how  all  of  this  sets  with  the  assorted  officials  concerned.  Re- 
lying on  a  passing  knowledge  of  Washington  jealousies  and 
manoeuvers  for  place  in  the  conduct  of  the  war,  his  guess  is  it 
does  not  set. 

In  the  middle,  which  is  a  position  occupied  with  much  regu- 
larity these  days,  is  the  industry.  Long  ago  having  demon- 
strated its  cooperation  and  its  willingness  to  do  handsprings  if 
handsprings  help  win  a  war,  it  is  in  the  middle  because  its  pro- 
ducers constantly  face  conflicting  requirements.  They  meet  what 
has  to  be  met  in  one  direction  only  to  run  into  a  solid  wall  in 
another.  This  causes  delay,  costs  money,  frays  tempers  unneces- 
sarily. 

The  ultimate  objective  in  suggestion  from  OWI  and  in  censor- 
ship from  OC  is  designed  to  be  identical,  but  the  way  is  not. 
Does  this  have  to  be?   We  think  not. 

Land  of  Shimmering  Contrast 

HOLLYWOOD,  where  they  don't  surprise  easily,  was  sur- 
prised out  of  its  sockets  by  the  Chaplin-O'Neill  marriage 
trailing  so  rapidly  on  the  heels  of  that  case.  The  report 
is  the  arrangements  were  made  with  due  respect  to  Climaxes  and 
Drama;  that  Chaplin  would  "take  care"  of  the  Los  Angeles 
Times  because  of  Hedda  Hopper  and  her  column  by  giving  the 
Los  Angeles  Examiner  and  Louella  O.  Parsons  the  first  crack  at 
photos  of  the  nervous  bridegroom  (54)  and  the  smiling  bride 
(18).  Which  he  did,  including  a  facsimile  of  the  certificate  of 
binding.  The  result :  Almost  a  full  page  of  publicity,  via  photos, 
in  the  Hearst  paper  the  following  morning,  plus  a  two-line  ban- 
ner on  page  one  in  both  Examiner  and  the  picture-less  Times. 

While  the  first  pages  blazoned  this  love  ablooming,  these  head- 
lines either  were  subordinated  or  moved  inside : 

British  Army  May  Be  On  Move  in  Syria,  London  Paper 
Says. 

Allies  Batter  5  Airfields  in  Sicily. 

New  Floods  Sweep  Kansas  and  Missouri. 

Martial  Law  Declared  in  Texas  Race  Riots. 

Rumania  Reported  Ready  to  Seek  Separate  Peace. 

RAF  Heavy  Bombers  Over  Germany  Again. 

".  .  .  The  party  sped  on  its  way  again  at  a  rate  of  80  miles  an 
hour,  which  caused  raised  eyebrows  and  formal  inquiries  from 
the  OPA,"  reported  the  Daily  News. 

Ah,  Hollywood ! 

■  Errol  Flynn  will  star  in  "Singing  in  the  Wilderness"  the  life 
story  of  James  Audubon,  the  great  naturalist.  Jesse  L.  Lasky 
will  produce.  The  National  Audubon  Society  will  cooperate. 
Camera  crews  will  gather  material  in  the  important  aviaries. 
Warner  giving  Errol  the  bird? 


"Get  it  in  early  and  get  it  in  long,  for  what  Gary  Grant  has  done  to  the 
box-office  in  the  past  is  a  small  example  of  what  this  picture  will  do." 

—  Showmen' }s  Trade  Review 


GRAND  SLAM! 

"  'Mr.  Lucky'  should  prove  just  that  to  the  exhibitor  who  plays  it." 

—  Film  Daily 

JACKPOT! 

"As  entertaining,  exciting  and  suspenseful  a  picture  as  has  come  to 

the    screen  in  many  a  day."  — Motion  Picture  Herald 

BINGO! 

"One  of  the  best  Gary  Grants  . . .  audiences  will  get  a  good  ride  for 

their  money."  —  Motion  Picture  Daily 

TRIPLE  SIXES! 

"As  fresh  as  this  week's  ration  coupon  . . .  top  entertainment  aiming 

for  hefty  grosses."      —  Variety 

BLACKJACK! 

"Peg  it  for  top  money." 

—  Boxojfice 

GIN! 

"Box  office  importance  guar- 
anteed . . .  Gary  Grant  scores 
a  solid  personal  hit." 

—  Hollywood  Reporter 

PAYOFF! 

"Glass  entertainment . .  .will 
register  big  at  the  box  office." 

—  Hollywood  Variety 


Full  pages  in  LIFE,  LOOK,  COLLIER'S  and  the  en- 
tire FAN  GROUP  totaling  13,247,981  circulation 
...  to  send  the  nation's  millions  to  the  theatres 
showing  the  picture  that's  100<#>  the  kind  of 
happy  entertainment  everybody's  eager  for 
right  NOW! 


June    26,     I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


19 


BRITISH  PREPARE  BLUEPRINT 
FOR  SCREEN  INVASION 


Set  Up  Marketing  Board 
to  Aid  Development  of 
Post-War  Film  Sales 

by  AUBREY  FLANAGAN 

in  London 

Industry  observers  appear  to  have  been 
correct  when  they  forecast  that  the  British 
Government  would  play  a  more  than  normal- 
ly active  role  in  the  development  of  the  for- 
eign market  for  British  films.  Their  point 
is  borne  out  by  the  recent  formation  of  a 
marketing  board  for  British  films,  designed 
to  function  not  only  during  the  war  period 
but  in  the  post-war  era  as  well. 

It  is  fairly  clear  now  that,  unless  things 
of  a  more  crucial  kind  go  wrong,  or  a 
change  of  government  should  bring  about  a 
change  of  heart  and  policy,  there  will  be 
official  backing  for  the  foreign  invasions 
of  the  British  film  when  the  military  inva- 
sions are  past.  The  Government  may  well 
play  a  part  in  helping  British  producers  to 
sell  British  films  in  foreign  markets. 

Just  how  far  this  assistance  will  go, 
precisely  what  form  it  will  take,  time 
alone  will  tell.  It  would  seem  likely,  how- 
ever, that  the  present  marketing  scheme 
created  by  the  British  Film  Producers 
Association  and  blessed  with  the  practi- 
cal assistance  of  the  Ministry  of  Infor- 
mation and  the  Board  of  Trade,  may  be 
the  operating  nucleus  from  which  future 
developments  will  spring. 

Already  in  producer  circles,  talking  and 
acting  about  foreign  markets,  discussion  has 
proceeded  from  the  immediate  emergency 
into  the  post-war  period,  and  B.F.P.A. 
councils,  closely  associated  as  they  are  with 
certain  sections  of  the  legislature,  are  talk- 
ing of  long  term  policies.  All  of  which,  as 
Terry  Ramsaye,  editor  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald,  has  said,  "pertains  to  world  politik 
and  the  larger  pattern." 

Board  of  Trade  May  Aid 
Foreign  Sales 

It  would  seem  clear  that  when  with  the 
replacement  of  more  bellicose  machinery  by 
the  ploughshares  of  peace,  the  Ministry  of 
Information  withdraws  from  the  scene,  the 
Board  of  Trade,  under  whose  auspices  the 
Films  Act  is  operated  and  one  of  whose 
duties  is  the  furtherance  of  trade  in  motion 
pictures,  may  take  an  active  and  helpful  part 
in  aiding  the  sales  of  British  films  abroad. 
The  motion  picture,  in  short,  seems  likely 
to  be  considered  as  a  world  commodity  and 
its  distribution  and  sales  furthered. 

The  approval  and  practical  assistance  giv- 
en by  the  Board  of  Trade  and  the  Ministry 
of  Information  to  the  B.F.P.A.  scheme,  the 
generalities  and  much  of  the  detail  of  which 
have  been  recorded  in  Motion  Picture 
Herald,  indicate  the  way  the  wind  is  blow- 
ing, and  indicate,  too,  it  would  seem,  that  if 
the  British  industry  does  something  to  help 
itself,  the  British  Government  is  ready  to 
assist  that  process,  inasmuch  as  it  is  as- 
sisting the  commercial  prestige  and  progress 


of  industrial  Britain.  This  apart  from  the 
world  politik  involved. 

In  the  sphere  of  practical  assistance  and 
the  realm  of  the  present,  something  concrete 
has  been  achieved.  Already  studio  space 
sound  stages,  theatres  and  offices,  have  been 
freed  at  the  Government-controlled  and 
commandeered  Pinewood,  for  the  use  of  the 
B.F.P.A.  marketing  board.  This  has  been 
made  possible  largely  by  the  interest  of  the 
M.O.I,  and  the  financial  goodwill  of  the 
British  Treasury. 

Subtitling  Process  Is 
Under  Way  at  Pinewood 

There  selected  British  films,  approved  by 
the  Board,  on  which,  in  advisory  capacity, 
sit  M.O.I,  and  B.O.T.  representatives,  will 
be  subtitled  in  various  foreign  languages. 
The  aid  of  friendly  governments  has  been 
canvassed  and  it  is  now  certain — so  fast  has 
the  movement  been — that  as  soon  as  various 
occupied  territories  are  liberated  and  the 
invading  armies  advance,  the  audiences  will 
be  entertained  with  shows  of  British  films 
subtitled  in  a  language  they  can  understand. 

As  already  recorded  in  these  pages,  uni- 
formed officers,  appointed  by  the  M.O.I., 
the  Army,  and  presumably  the  motion  pic- 
ture industry,  will  have  charge  of  these 
operations,  for  agents  will  immediately  be 
established  in  the  appropriate  territories.  Al- 
ready a  first  selection  of  suitable  films  has 
been  made.  These  include :  "In  Which  We 
Serve,"  "Pimpernel  Smith,"  "Quiet  Wed- 
ding," "One  of  Our  Aircraft,"  "French 
Without  Tears,"  "Contraband,"  "The 
Ghost  Train,"  "The  Gentle  Sex,"  "Silver 
Fleet,"  "Gas  Light"  and  "Nine  Men."  There 
is  the  first  blueprint  of  world  politik  a 
I'cmglaise. 

'  Sight  has  not  been  lost  of  the  competition 
offered  by  Hollywood,  and  not  alone  the 
competition  today,  but  no  less  the  competi- 
tion of  a  post-war  period.  Late  as  was  the 
entry  into  North  Africa,  that  territory  is, 
state  the  B.F.P.A.  spokesmen,  already  prov- 
ing a  fruitful  source  of  revenue.  For  the 
time  being  the  direction  of  the  marketing 
board's  offensive  will  be  liberated  Europe. 
Later  toll  will  be  taken  of  South  America. 
There  is  no  reason  to  doubt  that  the  pro- 
ducers' vision  is  fixed  even  further  afield. 

Anxiety  Expressed  on 
Raw  Stock  Shortage 

First  practical  step  is  the  formation  of 
a  company  built  on  commercial  lines  with 
a  capital  to  be  agreed  and  approved  by  the 
B.F.P.A.  sub-committee  and  the  organiza- 
tion itself.  Details  of  the  company's  con- 
stitution and  financial  structure  have  not 
yet  been  worked  out  but  these  are  not  likely 
to  prove  a  formidable  obstacle.  Subtitling 
is  to  cost  £150  per  film  per  print,  a  reason- 
able figure  in  view  of  the  revenue  aimed 
at.  Subtitling  will  be  the  accepted  device 
and  dubbing  the  exception. 

A  matter  currently  concerning  Britisih 
producers  in  regard  to  foreign  distribution 
is  the  relation  of  the  raw  stock  situation  to 
foreign  sales.   It  is  feared  here  that  unless 


producers  are  assured  of  adequate  motion 
picture  stock  on  the  American  side  of  the 
Atlantic,  deals  for  distribution  of  films  in 
that  territory  will  be  prevented.  The  in- 
stance has  already  been  given  of  one  British 
film  which  was  the  subject  of  an  American 
deal,  being,  so  to  speak,  put  back  on  the 
shelf  because  there  was  no  assurance  of  suf- 
ficient raw  stock  to  ensure  distribution. 

Approaches  are  to  be  made  to  British 
Government  agents  in  Washington  to  ask 
their  interested  action  in  the  direction  of 
relief  on  the  situation.  Just  what  figure  of 
footage  would  be  needed  it  is  difficult  to 
assess  since  all  British  motion  pictures  are 
not  necessarily  of  a  standard  to  merit  dis- 
tribution on  the  U.  S.  market.  There  are, 
however,  not  more  than  45  films  per  an- 
num produced  here  nowadays,  cannot  in 
fact  be  more  than  that  figure,  so  the  total 
positive  involved  need  not  be  considerable, 


British  Theatres 
Protest  to  Hays 

British  exhibitors  this  week  charged  that 
American  film  companies  were  grading  films 
in  high  percentage  brackets  in  violation  of  the 
1938  agreement.  The  General  Council  of  the 
Cinematograph  Exhibitors  Association  cabled  a 
protest  on  Thursday  to  Will  H.  Hays,  presi- 
dent of  the  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Dis- 
tributors of  America. 

Carl  E.  Milliken,  secretary  and  foreign  man- 
ager of  the  MPPDA,  said  Friday  the  message 
had  been  received  and  that  Mr.  Hays  was  pre- 
paring an  acknowledgment.  The  question  of 
sales  terms  was  a  matter  for  the  individual 
companies,  however,  Mr.  Milliken  said,  and  not 
within  the  province  of  the  association. 

Foreign  managers  at  a  meeting  at  the 
MPPDA  offices  Friday  were  given  copies  of  the 
CEA  protest.  Mr.  Hays  was  in  Washington 
Monday  but  it  was  reported  that  he  had  in- 
formed the  CEA  that  the  price  question  proper- 
ly should  be  discussed  with  the  respective  Brit- 
ish managers  of  the  American  distributors. 

Most  of  the  major  distributors  indicated  that 
they  would  defer  replies  until  they  heard  from 
their  London  offices  or  received  specific  pro- 
tests direct  from  the  exhibitor  group. 

Phil  Reisman,  vice-president  and  foreign 
manager  of  RKO,  said  that  he  had  received  no 
complaints  from  his  London  office.  At  War- 
ners it  was  reported  that  the  matter  had  been 
referred  to  H.  M.  Warner,  president,  in  Cali- 
fornia, in  the  absence  from  the  country  of 
Robert  Schless,  foreign  manager.  At  Para- 
mount it  was  indicated  the  company  would  take 
no  action  until  David  Rose,  British  general 
manager,  reached  this  country  in  July.  MGM, 
Twentieth  Century-Fox  and  Universal  also  in- 
dicated that  they  would  await  further  details. 

The  message  to  Mr.  Hays  signed  by  Boyd 
Oxford,  Mansfield  independent,  for  the  CEA 
general  council,  said  the  grading  system  and  new 
trading  practices  now  being  introduced,  were  a 
"breach  of  the  1938  agreement"  between  the 
CEA  and  MPPDA,  and  that  "this  excessive 
pressure"  would  do  much  harm  to  Anglo-U.  S. 
understanding.  The  CEA  asked  Mr.  Hays  to 
issue  orders  to  MPPDA  representatives  in  Eng- 
land to  rescind  the  present  practices  and  re- 
vert to  accepted  pre-war  methods  of  trading. 


BISCUIT 
THE 
BOX-OFFICE 


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LESLIE  HOWARD 
DAVID  NIVEN . 


Join  the  special 
War  Stamp  drive 
during  July  I 


22  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  June    26.  1943 

MOVE  IN  SENATE  TO  SAVE 
OWI  AFTER  HOUSE  SLASH 


OWI  Film  Unit  Produced  20 
Pictures  Since  Last  July 

Since  last  July,  when  President  Roosevelt's  executive  order  created  the  Office 
of  War  Information,  the  film  division  of  OWI  produced  and  distributed  20  war 
propaganda  motion  pictures,  including  19  shorts  and  one  feature.  In  addition, 
the  bureau  released  three  shorts  made  by  the  film  division  of  the  British  Ministry 
of  Information;  produced  four  issues  of  U.  S.  News  Reviews  in  16mm  for  non- 
theatrical  distribution,  and  two  short  subjects,  "Campus  on  the  March"  and  "Report 
on  Russia,"  both  in  16mm  and  distributed  non-theatrically.  The  20  subjects  do  not 
include  those  produced  by  the  motion  picture  industry,  which  the  War  Activities 
Committee  distributes  to  the  more  than  16,000  theatres. 

The  OWI  pictures  are:  "Colleges  at  War,"  "Community  Transportation,"  "Doctors 
at  War,"  "Dover"  (British),  "Farmer  at  War,"  "Food  for  Fighters,"  "Fuel  Con- 
servation,"  "Japanese  Relocation,"  "Keep  'Em  Rolling,"  "Lake  Carrier,"  "Mission 
Accomplished,"  "Night  Shift"  (British),  "Paratroops,"  "Right  of  Way,"  "Salvage," 
"Troop  Train,"  "Vigilance,"  "The  World  at  War,"  feature;  "Message  from  Malta," 
"Lift  Your  Heads"  (British),  and  "War  Town,"  which  will  be  released  this  week. 


Hays  and  Industry  Heads 
Tell  Senators  Value  of 
Film  Bureau's  Work 

WASHINGTON  BUREAU 

The  fate  of  the  Motion  Picture  Bureau  »f 
the  Office  of  War  Information  at  mid-week 
awaited  Senate  action,  following  the  House 
of  Representatives'  drastic  elimination  of  the 
domestic  war  propaganda  services  of  the 
OWI  last  Friday  night. 

While  the  Senate  Appropriations  Com- 
mittee on  Wednesday  had  not  reached  the 
OWI  supply  bill,  there  were  indications  that 
the  reaction  to  the  House's  denial  of  funds 
was  having  its  effect,  and  it  was  considered 
likely  that  some,  if  not  all  of  the  $5,500,000 
wiped  out  last  week  would  be  restored. 

By  a  vote  of  218  to  114,  the  House  of 
Representatives  threw  out  the  $5,500,000 
fund  for  the  OWI,  recommended  by  the 
Appropriations  Committee.  As  approved  by 
the  Budget  Bureau,  a  total  of  $8,805,906  had 
been  provided  for  OWI's  domestic  activities, 
but  the  committee  pared  it  down  to  $5,500,- 
000  before  reporting  the  bill.  The  domestic 
operations'  branch  runs  the  news  service  for 
all  war  agencies  except  the  Army  and  Navy, 
and  conducts  film,  radio,  poster  and  other 
propaganda  programs. 

In  a  telegram  addressed  to  Chairman 
Clarence  Cannon  of  the  House  Appro- 
priations Committee  last  Friday,  Will  H. 
Hays,  president  of  the  Motion  Picture 
Producers  and  Distributors  of  America, 
expressed  unequivocal  support  of  the 
OWI  film  division.  It  was  indicated  that 
the  motion  picture  industry,  represented 
by  Mr.  Hays,  would  have  a  voice  in  the 
Senate  hearings  on  the  War  Agencies' 
bill  this  week.  Elmer  Davis,  chief  of  the 
OWI,  was  expected  to  appear  before  the 
Senate  in  an  effort  to  restore  the  OWI 
domestic  budget. 

Members  of  the  film  industry,  strongly  in 
support  of  Lowell  Mellett,  chief  of  the  film 
bureau,  this  week  were  contacting  their  Sena- 
tors to  express  their  belief  that  the  motion  pic- 
ture bureau  should  be  continued  and  Mr.  Hays 
conferred  with  Mr.  Mellett  Monday  regarding 
the  situation. 

Throughout  the  industry,  those  who  had  been 
in  contact  with  Mr.  Mellett  were  emphatic  in 
their  praise  of  his  policies  and  conduct,  declar- 
ing him  probably  the  best  friend  the  commer- 
cial screen  has  in  Washington. 

President  Could  Act 
To  Save  OWI 

It  was  believed  in  Washington  that  if  the 
Senate  accepted  the  House  action,  only  one  re- 
course would  be  open  to  the  OWI  to  restore 
its  war-time  functions  on  the  home  front,  and 
that  would  be  a  Presidential  executive  order, 
such  as  that  which  originally  called  the  OWI 
into  being  in  July  of  last  year. 

The  text  of  Mr.  Hays'  message  was  as  fol- 
lows : 

"I  note  in  the  report  on  the  hearings  of  your 
committee  on  the  War  Agencies  Appropriations 
Bill  the  inclusion  of  certain  criticisms  of  the 
Office  of  War  Information  as  they  relate  to  the 
motion  picture  industry.  The  effect  of  this  is 
to  suggest  that  OWI  has  attempted  to  unduly 


influence  the  content  of  American  motion  pic- 
tures. 

"I  speak  from  the  best  information  when  I 
say  that  this  view  is  not  that  of  the  industry. 
We  have  been  greatly  pleased  by  the  under- 
standing shown  by  the  Bureau  of  Motion  Pic- 
tures of  the  OWI  and  by  the  complete  lack  of 
any  effort  on  its  part  to  dominate  our  opera- 
tion. The  industry  on  its  own  initiative  of- 
fered to  cooperate  completely  with  the  Gov- 
ernment in  the  war  effort,  and  the  Bureau  of 
Motion  Pictures  of  the  OWI  has  aided  our 
efforts  to  make  our  cooperation  one  hundred 
per  cent  effective. 

"I  know  the  motion  picture  industry's  feeling 
is  one  of  genuine  appreciation  for  the  service 
being  rendered  to  the  industry." 

OWI  executives  and  personnel,  meanwhile, 
were  in  a  dither  this  week  over  the  possible 
effects  of  sharp  cuts  in  appropriations  ordered 
by  the  House,  but  more  interesting  to  the  film 
industry  was  the  public  disclosure  that  top 
officials  were  in  sharp  disagreement. 

Although  he  said  that  reports  of  such  differ- 
ences were  news  to  him,  OWI  Director  Elmer 
Davis,  questioned  by  newsmen  at  a  press  con- 
ference over  the  weekend,  said  he  "didn't  know" 
whether  he  would  dispense  with  the  services 
of  Lowell  Mellett,  chief  of  the  Motion  Picture 
Bureau.  Mr.  Mellett,  he  said,  "has  done  an 
excellent  job  in  motion  pictures"  but  in  view 
of  the  curtailed  appropriations  "I  don't  know 
whether  we  will  have  a  motion  picture  bureau." 

Reports  that  all  was  not  serene  in  the  OWI 
have  been  floating  about  in  the  industry  for 
some  time — ever  since  the  War  Department 
started  its  drive  to  have  every  theatre  in  the 
country  show  the  Frank  Capra  training  films. 

Mr.  Davis  supported  the  department  but  Mr. 
Mellett  felt  no  pressure  should  be  brought  to 
bear  on  the  industry  to  take  films  which  it  did 
not  believe  desirable  for  general  showing.  The 
controversy  finally  was  settled  at  meetings  with 
the  War  Activities  Committee,  and  "Prelude 
to  War"  is  in  circulation,  but  Mr.  Davis'  cool- 
ness toward  Mr.  Mellett  remained. 

In  sharp  contrast  to  the  way  the  House 
jumped  on  the  OWI  was  the  lack  of  criticism 
of  Nelson  Rockefeller's  Coordinator  of  Inter- 
American  Affairs  agency,  Byron  Price's  Office 
of  Censorship  and  the  Board  of  Economic  War- 
fare, all  of  which  were  conceded  to  be  doing 
a  good  job  without  friction.     In  fact,  OWI 


and  the  Office  of  Price  Administration  were 
the  only  agencies  attacked. 

The  denial  of  funds  to  the  OWI  was  attrib- 
uted to  Congressional  resentment  over  alleged 
"fourth  term"  propaganda  put  out  by  the 
OWI ;  to  expensive  "slick  paper"  books  which 
it  sent  abroad ;  Mr.  Davis's  sniping  at  the  news- 
papers for  their  reporting  of  inter-agency  and 
intra-agency  friction.  The  remarks  of  Wal- 
ter Wanger,  president  of  the  Academy  of  Mo- 
tion Picture  Arts  and  Sciences,  in  the  spring 
issue  of  Public  Opinion  Quarterly,  on  the  mo- 
tion picture  activities  of  the  OWI,  also  were 
understood  to  have  added  fuel  to  the  Congres- 
sional fire  against  the  war  agency.  Mr.  \<V  ang- 
er's charges  were  read  into  the  record  by  Con- 
gressman John  Taber  last  May  during  the  OWI 
budget  hearings. 

Recommendations  for  the  improvement  of  re- 
lations between  the  OWI  and  the  film  industry, 
made  in  the  article  by  Mr.  Wanger,  were  in- 
corporated in  the  Congressional  Record 
Wednesday  by  Representative  Will  Rogers,  Jr., 
of  California. 

Mr.  Wanger,  in  his  article,  proposed  the 
drafting  by  the  OWI  of  Y.  Frank  Freeman  as 
over-all  director  of  the  film  bureau ;  Edgar  J. 
Mannix  for  production  liaison ;  Spyros  Skouras 
for  distribution  liaison,  and  Carl  Hoblitzelle  as 
exhibition  liaison.  He  said  such  a  team  could 
arrange  the  production,  distribution  and  exhibi- 
tion of  special  purpose  films  "which  would 
come  out  right  and  would  interest  and  thrill 
theatre-goers." 

Mr.  Wanger  admitted  such  a  setup  was  un- 
likely but  insisted  upon  the  need  of  a  change 
"from  a  take-over  attitude  to  one  of  coopera- 
tion." 

On  June  12th,  the  Washington  Post,  in  an 
editorial,  commented  on  the  article,  and  quoted 
the  producer  as  saying  that  the  OWI  "  'has  en- 
trusted the  full  sweep  of  war  power  and  the 
intangible  but  strong  leverage  of  the  desire  the 
producer  shares  with  all  citizens  to  be  a  patriot, 
to  gentlemen  with  no  previous  film  experience. 
An  inevitable  result  is  that  producers  are  con- 
tinually urged,  under  pressure,  to  make  so- 
called  propaganda  pictures  that  can  effect  no 
purpose  except  to  empty  theatres.'  A  better 
method,  in  his  judgment,  would  be  for  the  Gov- 
ernment to  suggest  only  the  broadest  indication 
of  policy  and  leave  the  execution  of  it  exclus- 
ively in  the  hands  of  studio  executives.  .  .  ." 


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24  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  June    26,  1943 

COLUMBIA  TO  RELEASE  44 
FEATURES,  10  WESTERNS 


Also  Plans  118  Shorts  and 
Three  Serials  Next  Sea- 
son; Two  Specials  on  List 

Columbia  Pictures  this  week  announced 
the  full  schedule  of  its  1943-44  program  of 
44  features,  10  Westerns,  118  shorts  and 
three  serials.  At  the  company's  annual  con- 
vention held  in  Chicago  recently,  sales  and 
production  executives  said  that  emphasis 
next  season  would  be  placed  on  16  "AA" 
top-budgeted  pictures  and  two  special  "BB" 
productions. 

In  addition  to  the  44  features  will  be 
"The  Land  Is  Bright,"  which  Sam  Wood 
will  produce  and  direct,  and  another  special 
of  equal  importance,  according  to  the  an- 
nouncement. The  two  pictures  will  be 
screened  before  sale  and  offered  as  indi- 
vidual units,  apart  from  Columbia's  regular 
product,  it  was  said. 

Three  Technicolor  films  are  to  be  in- 
cluded in  the  company's  top-budget  features. 
They  will  be  "Cover  Girl,"  starring  Rita 
Hayworth  and  featuring  Jinx  Falkenburg, 
with  songs  by  Jerome  Kern  and  Ira  Gersh- 
win, directed  by  Charles  Vidor,  produced 
by  Arthur  Schwartz;  "Heart  of  a  City," 
co-starring  Miss  Hayworth  and  Janet  Blair, 
and  "Gone  Are  the  Days,"  co-starring  Cary 
Grant  and  Miss  Hayworth  and  featuring 
Janet  Blair  and  Charles  Coburn. 

Several  Important  Films 
Are  On  Schedule 

On  the  roster  of  important  productions  are: 
"Sahara,"  war  story  of  North  Africa,  starring 
Humphrey  Bogart ;  "My  Client  Curley,"  star- 
ring Cary  Grant,  a  romantic  comedy  based  on 
the  prize-winning  radio  play  by  Norman  Corwin 
and  Lucille  Fletcher  Herrmann ;  a  comedy  to 
follow  "The  More  the  Merrier,"  starring  Jean 
Arthur ;  "Ten  Percent  Woman,"  comedy-drama 
of  a  modern  business  girl,  co-starring  Rosalind 
Russell  and  Brian  Aherne. 

In  the  field  of  musical  productions,  Columbia 
has  scheduled  the  following  for  next  season : 
"The  Life  of  Al  Jolson,"  "Jam  Session,"  with 
eight  name  bands  and  popular  radio  acts ;  "Good 
Night  Ladies,"  based  on  the  Broadway  farce 
of  some  years  ago;  "When  My  Baby  Smiles 
at  Me,"  starring  Ted  Lewis  and  his  orchestra; 
'Louisiana  Hayride,"  starring  Judy  Canova ; 
"Hey,  Rookie,"  with  Ann  Miller  in  the  top 
role  and  featuring  Joe  Besser ;  "Victory  Cara- 
van," musical  romance;  "Doughboys  in  Ire- 
land," an  Army  musical;  "Rhapsody  in  A- 
Flat";  and  two  Joan  Davis-Jinx  Falkenburg 
musicals,  "Beautiful  But  Broke"  and  "Kansas 
City  Kitty." 

Program  Will  Include 
Topical  Pictures 

Among  the  pictures  which  will  draw  heavily 
on  topical  news  for  background  and  themes 
will  be:  "Knights  Without  Armor,"  drama  of 
Europe's  guerrilla  fighters;  "Mr.  Winkle  Goes 
to  War,  based  on  the  best-selling  novel,  which 
will  be  a  Harold  Lloyd  production ;  "Dear  Mr 
Private";  "Sailor's  Holiday,"  comedy-drama 
about  the  U.  S.  Coast  Guard ;  "Blimp  Patrol"  • 
"Soldiers  in  Slacks,"  story  about  women  in  war- 


industry;  "Two-Man  Sub,"  film  about  the  bat- 
tle against  Japan's  undersea  suicide  squadron  at 
Pearl  Harbor ;  "The  Home  Front"  and  "Twelve 
Is  Company." 

Rounding  out  the  comedy,  musical,  romance, 
drama  and  war  background  pictures  on  the 
schedule,  the  company  has  on  its  roster  a  num- 
ber of  mystery  thrillers,  including:  "Crime 
Doctor,"  starring  Warner  Baxter,  based  on  the 
radio  play ;  "Vampires  of  London" ;  "A  Night 
of  Adventure,"  a  "Lone  Wolf"  mystery  with 
Warren  William  and  Eric  Blore ;  a  new  "Bos- 
ton Blackie"  mystery  with  Chester  Morris  in 
the  title  role;  "Beyond  the  Grave"  and  "Nine 
Girls." 

Also  scheduled  for  1943-44  are  a  new  "Blon- 
die"  picture  featuring  Penny  Singleton  and  Ar- 
thur Lake ;  and  "Klondike  Kate,"  written  by 
the  famous  Klondike  Kate  herself  and  Robert 
L.  Johnson. 

Extra-Budget  Westerns 
Also  Planned 

In  addition  to  four  Charles  Starrett  and  four 
Russell  Hayden  Westerns,  Columbia  will  pro- 
duce two  extra-budget  special  Westerns,  "Ne- 
vada" and  "Empire  of  the  West,"  both  musicals. 

The  program  of  118  shorts  planned  by  the 
company  will  include  28  "big  name"  two-reel- 
ers,  among  them  four  Hugh  Herbert  specials, 
eight  "Three  Stooge"  specials,  and  16  comedy 
subjects  featuring  such  stars  as  Vera  Vague, 
Slim  Summerville,  Billy  Gilbert,  Cliff  Nazarro, 
Una  Merkel  and  Andy  Clyde. 

Included  in  this  two-reel  group  is  a  series  of 
"All-Star"  musical  comedies.  The  90  single 
reels  will  feature  four  Li'l  Abner  color  cartoon 
specials,  based  on  the  cartoon  strip,  and  four 
Fox  and  Crow  special  color  cartoons,  plus  82 
novelty  musical  and  comedy  reels  comprising 
Color  Rhapsody  cartoons,  Phantasies  (black- 
and-white  cartoons),  Film  Vodvil,  Community 
Songs,  World  of  Sports,  Screen  Snapshots, 
Panoramics  and  Columbia  Tours. 

Three  serials  will  be  produced  next  season. 
They  are:  "The  Batman,"  based  on  the  cartoon 
character  created  by  the  originators  of  "Super- 
man" ;  "The  Fighting  General,"  based  on  the 
great  battles  raging  in  the  Pacific;  and  "The 
Phantom,"  creation  of  Lee  Falk  and  Ray 
Moore,  which  is  based  on  the  syndicated  news- 
paper serial. 

Roster  of  Players  and 
Directors  Listed 

In  addition  to  the  stars  and  featured  players 
already  mentioned,  those  who  will  appear  in 
next  season's  pictures  include :  Kenny  Baker, 
Vi  Athens,  Jess  Baker,  Lloyd  Bridges,  Bruce 
Bennett,  Leslie  Brooks,  Stanley  Brown,  Ed- 
gar Buchanan,  William  Carter,  Marguerite 
Chapman,  Charles  Coburn,  Jeff  Donnell,  Doug- 
lass Drake,  Michael  Duane,  Jonathan  Hale, 
John  Hubbard,  Rex  Ingram,  Allyn  Joslyn,  Eve- 
lyn Keyes,  Richard  Lane,  Eddie  Laughton. 

Also:  Douglas  Leavitt,  Anita  Louise,  Ed- 
mund Lowe,  Adele  Mara,  J.  Carroll  Naish, 
Tom  Neal,  Shirley  Patterson,  Larry  Parks,  Ann 
Savage,  Larry  Simms,  Robert  Stanford,  K.  T. 
Stevens,  George  E.  Stone,  Frank  Sully,  Walter 
"Dub"  Taylor,  John  Tyrell,  Lewis  Wilson, 
Craig  Woods,  Nan  Wynn,  El  Brendel,  Larry 
Fine,  Jerry  Howard  and  Moe  Howard. 

Among  the  director-producers,  directors, 
producers  and  associate  producers  who  will  con- 
tribute to  Columbia's  1943-44  program  are: 
Charles  Barton,  William  Berke,  Sam  Bischoff, 


Irving  Briskin,  Colbert  Clark,  Andre  DeToth, 
Louis  Edelman,  Jack  Fier,  Rudolph  Flothow, 
Isador  Goldsmith,  Alfred  E.  Green,  Alexander 
Hall,  Leigh  Jason,  Burt  Kelly,  Bennie  Kline, 
Zoltan  Korda,  Harold  Lloyd,  Wallace  Mac- 
Donald,  Kurt  Neumann,  Arthur  Schwartz,  Sol 
Siegel,  Sidney  Skolsky,  Frank  Strayer,  Charles 
Vidor,  Richard  Wallace,  Jules  White,  Sam 
White,  P.  J.  Wolfson,  Sam  Wood. 

Company  Announces 
Contract  Writers 

The  writers  who  will  be  identified  with  new 
season  productions  are:  Edward  Eliscu,  Doris 
Anderson,  Elliot  Arnold,  George  Beck,  Lou 
Breslow,  Erik  Charrell,  Lester  Cole,  Adele 
Comandini,  George  Corey,  Norman  Corwin, 
Karen  DeWolf,  Edna  Ferber,  Irving  Fineman, 
Richard  Flournoy,  Paul  Frank,  Harold  Gold- 
man, Jay  Gourney,  Howard  J.  Green,  Thelma 
Hanover,  Laurence  Hazard,  Jack  Henley, 
Heinz  Herald,  Lucille  Fletcher  Hermann,  Rob- 
ert L.  Johnson,  George  S.  Kaufman,  Gina 
Kaus,  John  Lawson,  Connie  Lee,  Sonya  Levien, 
Philip  MacDonald,  Horace  McCoy,  Patterson 
McNutt,  Mrs.  "Klondike  Kate"  Rockwell  Mat- 
son,  Lewis  Meltzer,  Henry  Myers,  Alden  Nash, 
Alfred  Neumann,  Wilfrid  Pettit,  Theodore 
Pratt,  Oscar  Saul,  Paul  Schiller,  Manny  Seff, 
Harry  Segall,  Sid  Silvers,  Detlef  Sierck, 
George  Sklar,  Andrew  Solt,  John  Stone,  Lesley 
Storm,  Joseph  Than,  Jack  Townley,  Paul  Tri- 
vers,  Wanda  Tuchock,  Virginia  Van  Upp,  Har- 
lan Ware  and  Philip  Yordon. 

With  14  features  in  production  between  now 
and  the  autumn,  in  addition  to  two  serials  and 
several  comedies,  Columbia  this  week  reported 
its  "biggest  summer  production  schedule  in  the 
company's  history."  A  number  of  the  studio's 
top  pictures  are  set  for  shooting  within  the 
next  few  weeks,  including  "Cover  Girl,"  "Trop- 
icana,"  with  Victor  Moore,  Bill  Gaxton  and 
Mae  West,  which  will  be  produced  by  Gregory 
Ratoff  and  Harry  Goetz,  with  Mr.  Ratoff  di- 
recting; "Mr.  Winkle  Goes  to  War,"  the  Har- 
old Lloyd  production,  and  "My  Client  Curley." 

Several  Productions 
On  Summer  Program 

Now  in  the  last  stages  of  preparation  are 
"Life  of  Al  Jolson,"  which  Sidney  Skolsky  will 
produce;  "Ten  Percent  Woman,"  the  Rosalind 
Russell  film,  and  "Heart  of  a  City,"  with  Rita 
Hayworth  and  Janet  Blair. 

Other  pictures  on  the  summer  schedule  in- 
clude :  "There's  Something  About  a  Soldier," 
"Footlight  Glamour,"  latest  in  the  "Blondie" 
series;  "When  My  Baby  Smiles  at  Me," 
"Doughboys  in  Ireland,"  "Jam  Session,"  "Nine 
Girls"  and  "The  Gamble  of  Boston  Blackie." 

Details  on  the  top  productions  scheduled  by 
the  company  for  the  new  season  follow: 

The  Land  Is  Bright:  based  on  the  play  by 
Edna  Ferber  and  George  S.  Kaufman,  produced 
and  directed  by  Sam  Wood,  an  important  cast. 

Sahara:  starring  Humphrey  Bogart,  with 
Lloyd  Bridges,  Guy  Kingsford,  J.  Carrol 
Naish,  Rex  Ingram  and  Bruce  Bennett.  Di- 
rected by  Zoltan  Korda. 

My  Client  Curley  :  starring  Cary  Grant. 
Based  on  the  radio  show  by  Norman  Corwin 
and  Lucille  Fletcher  Herrmann.  Produced  by 
Louis  Edelman. 

Cover  Girl  :  Technicolor  production  starring 
Rita  Hayworth,  with  Jinx  Falkenburg  and  IS 
magazine  cover  girls  selected  by  15  magazines. 
Music  by  Jerome  Kern,  with  lyrics  by  Ira 
Gershwin.  Directed  by  Charles  Vidor,  pro- 
duced by  Arthur  Schwartz. 

A  Jean  Arthur  Production:  designed  to 

(Continued  on  opposite  page,  column  1) 


June    26,    I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


25 


Columbia  Plans 
To  Emphasize 
'AA 9  Pictures 

(.Continued  from  opposite  page) 

capitalize  on  the  success  of  "The  More  the 
Merrier." 

Heart  of  a  City  :  Technicolor  production  co- 
starring  Rita  Hayworth  and  Janet  Blair.  Louis 
Edelman  will  produce  from  Lesley  Storm's 
Broadway  play. 

Ten  Percent  Woman  :  Rosalind  Russell 
and  Brian  Aherne  co-starred  in  a  romantic 
comedy  of  a  modern  business  girl  who  thinks 
she  can  turn  her  back  on  romance.  Produced 
by  P.  J.  Wolf  son. 

Technicolor  Production 
Stars  Grant,  Hayworth 

Gone  Are  the  Days  :  Technicolor  produc- 
tion, co-starring  Cary  Grant  and  Rita  Hay- 
worth, featuring  a  cast  headed  by  Janet  Blair 
and  Charles  Coburn.  Arthur  Schwartz,  pro- 
ducer. 

The  Life  of  Al  Jolson  :  a  musical,  present- 
ing the  life  story  of  the  great  entertainment  fig- 
ure.   Produced  by  Sidney  Skolsky. 

Jam  Session  :  Ann  Miller  starred  in  a  musi- 
cal, with  eight  name  bands  and  radio  acts — Al- 
vino  Rey  and  his  orchestra,  Louis  Armstrong 
and  his  orchestra,  Jan  Garber  and  his  orches- 
tra, the  Pied  Pipers,  Glen  Gray  and  his  Casa 
Loma  orchestra,  Jan  Savitt  and  his  orchestra, 
Teddy  Powell  and  his  orchestra  and  Charlie 
Barnett  and  his  orchestra. 

Good  Night  Ladies  :  from  the  musical  com- 
edy by  Avery  Hopwood. 

Knights  Without  Armor  :  drama  of  Eu- 
rope's guerillas  who  are  waging  war  against  the 
Nazis.    P.  J.  Wolfson,  producer. 

Mr.  Winkle  Goes  to  War:  based  on  the 
novel  by  Theodore  Pratt.  Produced  by  Harold 
Lloyd. 

Dear  Mr.  Private:  an  unusual  romance  of  a 
girl  who  wrote  a  "blind  date"  letter  to  a  soldier. 
Produced  by  P.  J.  Wolfson. 

When  My  Baby  Smiles  At  Me:  starring 
Ted  Lewis  and  his  orchestra,  the  combination 
which  made  the  title  song  famous. 

Louisiana  Hayride  :  a  musical  starring 
Judy  Canova. 

To  Screen  Popular 
Radio  Play 

Crime  Doctor:  starring  Warner  Baxter  in 
the  film  based  on  the  coast-to-coast  CBS  net- 
work show  heard  weekly  over  113  stations. 

Vampires  of  London  :  horror  story  set  in 
blitz-stricken  London. 

Hey  Rookie:  starring  Ann  Miller  with  Joe 
Besser,  star  of  '"Sons  O'  Fun"  and  the  Fred 
Allen  radio  show.  Written  by  Edward  Eliscu, 
Jay  Gorney  and  Henry  Myers.  Based  on  the 
musical  staged  and  portrayed  by  the  men  at 
Fort  MacArthur. 

Sailor's  Holiday:  a  riotous  yarn  of  gobs  on 
shore  leave. 

Victory  Caravan  :  produced  by  Burt  Kelly, 
a  timely,  topical,  romantic  musical. 

Sub-Busters  :  filmed  with  the  cooperation  of 
the  U.  S.  Coast  Guard. 

A  "Blondie"  Production  :  Penny  Singleton, 
Arthur  Lake  and  Larry  Simms  in  another  ad- 
venture of  the  Bumsteads.  Based  on  the  comic 
strip  created  by  Chic  Young-. 

Doughboys  in  Ireland:  An  Army  musical 
featuring  Kenny  Baker. 


Two  Joan  Davis-Jinx  Falkenburg  Musi- 
cals :  Beautiful  But  Broke  and  Kansas 
City  Kitty,  a  pair  of  musicals. 

Rhapsody  in  A-Flat:  a  symphony  of  mu- 
sic and  laughs,  with  the  Vagabonds. 

A  Night  of  Adventure:  another  "Lone 
Wolf"  adventure,  with  Warren  William,  Eric 
Blore. 

A  "Boston  Blackie"  Adventure:  with 
Chester  Morris  in  the  title  role. 

Blimp  Patrol:  action  thriller  of  the  men 
they  call  "the  eyes  of  the  Navy." 

Beyond  the  Grave:  horror  thriller. 

Soldiers  in  Slacks  :  women  at  war — a 
salute  to  the  girls  on  the  home  front. 

Klondike  Kate  :  screenplay  by  Mrs.  "Klon- 
dike Kate"  Rockwell  Matson  and  Robert  L. 
Johnson.  This  will  be  the  drama  of  the  pioneer 
woman. 

Two-Man  Sub:  story  of  the  battle  against 
Japan's  undersea  suicide  squadron  at  Pearl 
Harbor. 

The  Home  Front:  drama  of  the  effects  of 
war  on  those  who  must  stay  behind. 

Twelve  Is  Company  :  comedy  of  12  hard- 
boiled  guys  who  turn  "angel"  to  give  Broadway 
kids  a  break.  , 

Nine  Girls  :  from  the  Wilfred  Pettit  Broad- 
way melodrama  of  nine  beauties  stalked  by 
murder.    Produced  by  Burt  Kelly. 


PRC  Discusses 
Film  Budgets 

Analysis  of  the  budget  appropriations  for 
Producers  Releasing  Corporation's  1943-44  pro- 
gram of  40  pictures  was  made  last  week  by  Ar- 
thur Greenblatt,  vice-president  in  charge  of 
sales,  at  the  company's  two-day  national  fran- 
chise holders'  meeting  at  the  President  Hotel  in 
Kansas  City,  June  18th  and  19th. 

Each  of  the  four  "Producers  Specials"  is 
budgeted  at  more  than  five  times  the  amount 
spent  on  PRC  features  in  former  years,  he  said. 
The  six  "Victory  Specials"  on  next  season's 
schedule  will  cost  in  excess  of  three  times  the 
ordinary  budget,  and  the  remainder  of  the  fea- 
tures will  be  increased  in  budget  50  to  100  per 
cent  over  the  amounts  which  were  spent  former 
years. 

Leon  Fromkess,  production  chief  of  PRC, 
told  the  delegates  that  within  90  days,  50  per 
cent  of  the  new  product  would  be  completed  or 
in  work.  He  pointed  out  that  with  increased 
working  capital,  the  higher  budgets  enable  the 
studio  to  extend  the  shooting  time  on  all  prod- 
uct, and  that  despite  manpower  and  talent 
shortage,  PRC  would  deliver  its  complete  line- 
up on  schedule. 

Joseph  0'  Sullivan,  director  of  advertising 
and  publicity,  said  the  appropriation  for  adver- 
tising was  commensurate  with  the  increased 
production  budgets  and  that  advertising  on  the 
Specials  would,  in  many  cases,  be  four  times 
the  amount  spent  on  any  previous  PRC  film. 

Reporting  on  the  foreign  operations  of  the 
company,  Robert  D.  Socas,  export  manager, 
said  the  company  had  representatives  in  every 
country  in  the  world,  that  deals  already  had 
been  completed  with  countries  at  war,  but  that 
deliveries  would  be  made  to  these  countries 
when  the  war  is  over.  He  also  stressed  con- 
centration on  the  needs  of  the  Latin  American 
market. 

Others  who  spoke  included  Leo  J.  McCarthy, 
assistant  general  sales  manager;  and  Fred  A. 
Rohrs,  southwestern  division  sales  manager, 
and  Nat  Lefton,  who  recently  joined  PRC,  tak- 
ing over  the  Cleveland  and  Cincinnati  fran- 
chises. 

Those  who  attended  the  luncheon  held  last 
Saturday  prior  to  the  closing  session  of  the 
convention,  were  Clarence  Schultz,  general 
manager  of  the  Commonwealth  Theatres ; 
Claude  Morse,  Fox  Midwest  Theatres;  Senn 
Lawlor,  district  manager.  Fox  Midwest  Thea- 
tres, and  Lester  Gibbs,  Griffith  Theatres,  Okla- 
homa City. 


MGM  Begins 
Product  Talks 
In  Hollywood 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  began  a  series  of  con- 
ferences this  week  at  the  company's  Hollywood 
studio  bearing  on  next  season's  production  and 
release  schedules.  Nicholas  M.  Schenck,  presi- 
dent of  Loew's,  and  William  F.  Rodgers,  vice- 
president  in  charge  of  distribution,  were  sched- 
uled to  arrive  on  the  west  coast  at  mid-week. 
Howard  M.  Dietz,  vice-president  and  director 
of  advertising  and  publicity,  who  has  been  in 
Hollywood  for  the  past  two  weeks,  remained  at 
the  studio  for  the  meetings.  Marvin  Schenck, 
eastern  talent  head,  and  Olin  Clark,  home  of- 
fice story  editor,  also  on  the  coast  for  product 
conferences,  were  to  remain  for  the  sessions. 

The  company  announced  this  week  that  it 
would  eliminate  regional  pre-season  sales  meet- 
ings because  of  transportation  curtailments  and 
instead,  would  designate  district  or  divisional 
managers  to  carry  plans  for  the  1943-'44  product 
and  policy  to  the  sales  forces  in  the  field. 

It  was  indicated  that  following  the  Holly- 
wood conferences,  Mr.  Rodgers  would  announce 
from  10  to  12  pictures  for  the  first  block  of  the 
new  season,  with  selling  likely  to  get  under 
way  sometime  in  August.  MGM's  first  group 
for  the  1942-43  season  totaled  12.  The  second 
block  numbered  10,  the  third  block,  five,  and  the 
last,  seven.  "Random  Harvest"  and  "The  Hu- 
man Comedy"  were  sold  separately. 

Warners  Shift 
Summer  Releases 

Ben  Kalmenson,  general  sales  manager  of 
Warner  Bros.,  announced  this  week  changes 
in  the  company's  summer  release  schedule,  put- 
ting "The  Constant  Nymph"  on  the  July  list, 
with  Irving  Berlin's  "This  Is  the  Army"  to 
follow  in  August.  Mr.  Kalmenson  recently  re- 
turned from  a  visit  to  Hollywood  where  he  dis- 
cussed new  product  plans  with  Jack  L.  Warner, 
executive  producer,  and  Charles  Einfeld,  di- 
rector of  advertising  and  publicity. 

"The  Constant  Nymph,"  starring  Charles 
Boyer  and  Joan  Fontaine,  will  go  into  general 
distribution  July  23rd,  on  which  date  the  film 
will  open  at  the  New  York  Strand.  August 
14th  is  the  date  set  for  release  of  "This  Is  the 
Army."  Tentative  premiere  date  for  the  screen 
version  of  Irving  Berlin's  Army  show  has  been 
set  for  late  in  July  in  New  York. 

"Watch  on  the  Rhine,"  starring  Bette  Davis 
and  Paul  Lukas,  will  go  into  the  Strand  fol- 
lowing "Constant  Nymph"  as  the  Labor  Day 
holiday  attraction. 

Twentieth  Century-Fox  this  week  announced 
its  11th  and  final  block  which  includes  the  fol- 
lowing three  pictures :  "Stormy  Weather,"  the 
all-Negro  musical  starring  Bill  Robinson  and 
Lena  Home,  which  has  been  trade  shown ; 
"Heaven  Can  Wait,"  Technicolor  production 
starring  Don  Ameche  and  Gene  Tierney,  and 
"Bombers  Moon,"  war  film  with  George  Mont- 
gomery and  Annabella.  These  three  films  bring 
the  total  number  of  Twentieth-Fox  1942-43 
releases  to  45.  Trade  screenings  for  the  latter 
two  films  and  release  dates  for  all  three  will  be 
announced  shortly. 

Paramount's  annual  Canadian  sales  meeting 
was  held  at  the  King  Edward  Hotel  in  To- 
ronto this  Friday  and  Saturday,  June  25th  and 
26th.  Sales  policy  and  plans  for  the  1943-44 
product  to  be  released  in  Canada  were  dis- 
cussed. Neil  Agnew,  vice-president  and  gen- 
eral sales  manager ;  Oscar  Morgan,  general 
sales  manager  of  short  subjects,  and  Robert 
M.  Gillham,  director  of  advertising  and  pub- 
licity, were  expected  to  address  the  meeting. 

The  company  also  held  an  exploitation  meet- 
ing on  "So  Proudly  We  Hail"  in  Los  Angeles 
Thursday  at  the  Ambassador  Hotel.  Another 
meeting  is  set  for  the  Hotel  Pierre  in  New 
York  next  Monday.  Circuit  advertising  execu- 
tives were  to  attend. 


28 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    26,  1943 


National  Circuit 
Plans  to  Stage 
Food  Show 


National  Theatres  Corporation,  headed  by 
Charles  Skouras,  is  planning  to  present  the  45- 
minute  tabloid  version  of  "It's  Up  to  You," 
U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture  "living  news- 
paper" show  on  wartime  food  conservation 
which  was  sponsored  in  April  in  New  York 
by  the  Skouras  theatre  circuit,  the  American 
Theatre  War  Wing  Service  and  national  food 
industry  associations. 

It  was  learned  in  New  York  this  week  that 
Charles  Skouras,  upon  his  return  to  the  west 
coast,  shortly  will  announce  the  schedule  of 
National  Theatres  which  will  exhibit  the  play, 
free  of  charge,  to  the  public.  A  special  press 
book,  informing  theatre  managers  on  the  man- 
ner of  presentation  of  "It's  Up  to  You"  and 
advising  on  community  participation  in  the 
event,  is  expected  to  be  sent  out  within  a  week 
to  circuit  managers. 

About  30  amateur  theatrical  groups,  with  the 
assistance  of  the  American  Theatre  Wing,  are 
being  organized  in  the  northwest  and  on  the 
west  coast,  important  National  Theatres'  terri- 
tory. According  to  present  plans,  one  night  a 
week  for  specific  theatres  in  the  circuit  will  be 
turned  over  to  presentation  of  the  play,  al- 
though it  has  not  yet  been  determined  how 
many  of  the  590  theatres  in  the  circuit  will 
stage  the  show. 

Following  the  New  York  premiere  of  "It's 
Up  to  You"  at  the  Skouras  Academy  of  Music 
house  in  New  York,  in  March,  the  show  was 
given  in  seven  other  theatres  of  the  circuit  in 
the  Metropolitan  area,  by  a  professional  group 
which  was  directed  by  Elia  Kazan,  Broadway 
director  now  under  contract  to  Twentieth  Cen- 
tury-Fox. 

Since  that  time,  highlights  of  the  original 
show  were  telescoped  into  a  14-minute  film 
prepared  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture  and 
included  in  the  45-minute  tabloid  version,  specifi- 
cally designed  for  use  by  amateur  theatrical 
groups.  The  film  was  produced  in  both  35  and 
16  mm  versions,  for  both  theatrical  and  non- 
theatrical  staging,  so  that  the  tabloid  version, 
according  to  reports,  could  be  presented  even 
by  high  school  groups,  with  a  minimum  of 
production  difficulties. 

In  July,  three  Skouras  theatres  in  New  York 
will  stage  the  45-minute  show,  using  the  14- 
minute  film.  The  schedule  is  as  follows:  Cro- 
tona,  July  14th ;  Ogden,  July  15th,  and  Tuxedo, 
July  19th.   All  three  houses  are  in  the  Bronx. 

It  is  understood  that  prints  of  the  14-minute 
film  prepared  for  the  tabloid  version  will  be  dis- 
tributed to  National  Theatres  by  Twentieth 
Century-Fox  exchanges.  It  was  learned  that 
the  Department  of  Agriculture  and  the  Office  of 
War  Information  were  cooperating  with  Na- 
tional Theatres  in  promoting  the  amateur  group 
presentations. 

Commendation  of  the  play  was  read  into  the 
Congressional  Record  last  month  by  Represen- 
tative John  M.  Coffee,  who  praised  the  Skouras 
circuit  in  New  York,  the  Food  Industry  As- 
sociation, American  Theatre  Wing,  and  other 
cooperating  groups  for  making  the  production 
possible.  He  criticized  a  national  magazine  for 
its  recent(  spread  on  "It's  Up  to  You,"  saying 
that  the  "brevity  and  selection  of  picture  mate- 
rial chosen,"  gave  an  "inaccurate  exposition 
of  the  subject  matter,  purpose  and  sponsorship 
of  the  play."  v 


$1,000,000  Contribution 


International  News  Photo 


President  Roosevelt  receives  a  $1,000,000  check,  half  the  proceeds  from  the  March  of 
Dimes  theatre  campaign,  from  Nicholas  M.  Schenck,  chairman  of  the  drive.  Presenting 
the  check,  at  right,  is  Basil  O'Connor,  head  of  the  Warm  Springs  foundation. 


Form  Terneen  Productions 

Pat  O'Brien,  Philip  L.  Ryan,  Judge  Lester 
Roth  and  Howard  B.  Henshey  have  formed 
Terneen  Productions  in  Hollywood  to  produce 
independent  films  starring  Mr.  O'Brien.  The 
company  has  a  capitalization  of  12,500  shares 
of  common  stock. 


A  million  dollars — approximately  half  the 
amount  raised  in  the  theatres  of  the 
country  last  February  to  help  victims  of 
infantile  paralysis  walk  again — was  turned 
over  to  President  Roosevelt  last  Thursday 
by  Nicholas  M.  Schenck,  chairman  of  the 
motion  picture  committee  for  the  1943 
March  of  Dimes. 

Mr.  Schenck  who,  with  Basil  O'Connor, 
was  a  luncheon  guest  at  the  White  House, 
reported  to  the  President  formally  on  the 
results  of  the  drive,  promising  him  that  an- 
other check  would  be  forthcoming  after 
final  audit  of  the  collections  to  make  an 
exact  50  per  cent.  The  other  half  of  the 
funds  remain  in  the  counties  in  which  the 
money  was  raised,  for  local  relief. 

Mr.  Schenck's  report  was  in  the  form  of 
a  letter  to  the  President,  as  follows: 

June  16,  1943 

My  dear  Mr.  President: 

On  behalf  of  the  motion"  picture  theatres 
of  America,  it  is  my  privilege  to  hand  you 
herewith  check  for  $1,000,000  made  pay- 
able to  the  National  Foundation  for  Infan- 
tile Paralysis. 

This  represents  approximately  one-half 
the  money  raised  in  February  through  col- 
lections in  some  12,000  theatres  through- 
out the  nation.  Half  of  the  collections 
remain  in  the  counties  collecting.  An  addi- 
tional check  will  be  sent  to  the  Foundation 
when  auditing  is  completed. 

The  collections  this  year  compare  very 
favorably  with  the  $1,450,000  raised 
through  our  theatre  drive  in  1942.  The 
gratifying  increase  in  results  may  be  traced 


to  the  enthusiastic  cooperation  of  theatre 
owners  and  their  staffs  everywhere  through- 
out the  nation,  and  to  the  interest  of  the 
public  in  this  worthy  cause. 

It  is  noteworthy  that  the  two  million  dol- 
lars contribution  represents  millions  of 
donors.  Not  only  grownups  contributed 
but  millions  of  children  paid  their  share,,  as 
evidenced  by  the  number  of  pennies  col- 
lected from  them. 

Our  committee  is  proud  to  advise  you 
that  the  campaign  was  conducted  with  a 
minimum  of  expense,  which  we  estimate 
will  not  exceed  two  per  cent  of  the  total. 
Most  of  this  expense  was  for  raw  film  pur- 
chased for  the  making  of  the  trailers. 

Attached  is  statement  from  accountants, 
showing  tabulations  of  collections  repre- 
sented by  the  states  to  date. 

The  entire  motion   picture  industry  is 
grateful  for  this  opportunity  to  serve  in 
your  fight  against  infantile  paralysis. 
Sincerely, 
NICHOLAS  M.  SCHENCK, 
Motion  Picture  Committee  Chairman, 
1943  March  of  Dimes. 

The  presentation  to  President  Roosevelt 
of  proceeds  from  the  theatre  drive  has 
been  an  annual  film  industry  ceremony 
since  the  March  of  Dimes  campaign  started 
during  the  President's  first  term.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  theatre  participation,  each  year 
scores  of  Hollywood  stars  travel  eastward 
for  the  annual  President's  Birthday  Ball  in 
Washington  and  also  appear  on  radio 
broadcasts  presented  in  conjunction  with 
the  infantile  paralysis  fund  campaign. 


June    26,  1943 

Theatres  Urged 
To  Stock  Coal 

The  Office  of  War  Information  this  week  ad- 
vised those  theatre  owners  who  have  not  al- 
ready done  so,  to  convert  to  coal  burners.  The 
OWI  specifically  mentioned  consumers  using 
more  than  10,000  gallons  a  year.  During  the 
past  year  many  circuit  and  independent  thea- 
tres converted  their  heating  systems  to  coal. 

The  OWI  further  recommended  that  orders 
for  coal  be  placed  with  dealers  immediately  to 
assure  an  adequate  supply  for  next  winter.  The 
nation's  1943  requirements,  it  was  said,  were 
the  largest  in  history  with  five  million  more 
tons  than  last  year  needed  to  fill  the  demand 
for  1943. 

Although  the  Solid  Fuels  Administration  is 
studying  a  program  for  anthracite  conservation, 
theatres  were  warned  that  unless  the  dealer  was 
given  as  much  latitude  possible  as  to  kind,  size 
and  quality  of  coal  required,  they  might  be 
"caught  short"  during  the  heating  season  if  a 
sufficient  amount  of  coal  had  not  been  stocked 
in  their  bins. 

The  ever-increasing  need  for  crude  oil,  it  was 
pointed  out,  indicated  that  for  the  next  heating 
season  there  would  be  no  relaxation  of  restric- 
tions. Harold  L.  Ickes,  petroleum  administrator, 
cautioned  oil  users  along  the  eastern  seaboard 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

to  refrain  from  optimism  because  of  the  near 
completion  of  the  "Big  Inch"  pipeline. 

"What  the  completion  of  the  pipeline  means," 
he  said,  "is  that  thousands  of  barrels  of  precious 
oil  will  be  made  available  for  shipment  to  the 
east  coast  and  transshipment  to  the  fighting 
fronts." 

The  Office  of  Price  Administration's  Fuel 
Rationing  division,  under  the  direction  of  Joel 
Dean,  recently  announced  a  rationing  program 
for  the  coming  winter,  designed  to  spread  out 
the  supplies  of  available  fuel  oil  and  to  speed  up 
distribution  and  delivery.  Renewal  applications 
are  now  going  into  the  field  and  new  ration 
coupons  are  expected  to  be  issued  in  July. 

The  OWI  emphasized  the  importance  of  the 
Office  of  Defense  Transportation,  which,  it 
said,  would  be  called  upon  to  increase  its  facili- 
ties to  a  new  peak.  It  advised  coal  users  to 
keep  a  supply  on  hand  of  from  60  to  90  days. 
Essential  industries  were  told  to  keep  a  120- 
day  supply  in  their  bins. 

A  directive  from  the  local  fuel  rationing  di- 
vision of  the  OPA  in  Philadelphia  is  expected 
to  bring  additional  hardships  to  theatres  in  that 
area  next  winter.  With  other  amusement 
places,  schools,  office  and  other  buildings,  thea- 
tres must  prove  that  conversion  to  coal  burners 
is  impossible  before  being  granted  application 
forms  for  oil  supplies. 

Engineering  reports  are  in  the  hands  of  the 
local  officials,  listing  practically  all  oil-heated 
buildings  in  the  Philadelphia  region,  and  they 
will  serve  as  a  guide  in  sending  out  applications. 


29 

OPA  Sets  Ceiling 
On  Film  Scrap 

The  Office  of  Price  Administration  this  week 
fixed  ceiling  prices  for  film  scrap  such  as 
washed  and  unwashed  X-ray  and  photographic 
film  used  by  manufacturers  of  novelties  like 
billfolds,  menu  covers  and  the  like.  The  ceiling 
was  set  to  conform  to  price  levels  of  October 
1st  to  15th,  1941. 

The  only  previous  order  applying  to  scrap 
film  affected  motion  picture  nitrocellulose  film 
scrap.  The  latest  order,  it  was  said,  would 
bring  about  a  reduction  of  prices  by  some  deal- 
ers of  as  much  as  50  per  cent  of  current  prices. 

A  study  by  OPA  of  the  industry's  costs  and 
prices  showed  that  the  new  ceilings,  reflecting 
October,  1941,  prices  are  about  eight  per  cent 
higher  than  the  average  prices  for  unwashed 
film  during  1936-39,  and  that  the  new  washed 
film  ceilings  are  about  20  per  cent  above  the 
average  for  that  period,  because  of  price  in- 
creases made  by  the  industry  before  the  war. 

The  roll-back,  the  OPA  stated,  should  not 
inflict  financial  hardships,  since  its  survey 
showed  that  the  margins  between  the  prices  of 
unwashed  and  washed  film  scrap  prevailing  be- 
tween October  1-15,  1941,  were  sufficiently 
above  the  average  margins  for  the  preceding 
three  years  to  allow  for  the  increased  costs. 


A  DAY  WITH  MR.  DISNEY 

In  which  Motion  Picture  Herald  gets  a  cover 


Walt,  arriving  at  the  studio, 
is  greeted  by  a  reception 
committee  bearing  mes- 
sages. .   .  . 


-eats  lunch,  talking  to  three 
tables  at  the  same  time.  .  .  . 


— journeys  into  the  hall,  where 
he  is  approached  by  persons 
having  problems.  .  .  . 


The  army  and  navy  join  Walt 
at  the  conference  table.  .  .  . 


— enjoys  a  quiet  cigarette  while 
his  mind  roves.  .  .  . 


— listens  to  the  gang  "selling" 
a  gag  in  "Victory  Through 
Air  Power."  .  .  . 


Joe  Grant,  offering  an  idea 
to  Walt,  holds  him  with 
his  electric  eye  while  Dick 
Huemer  prays  hopefully.  .  .  . 


— answers 


fan 


Walt  comes  off  the  nest  with 
Motion  Picture  Herald's 
Fourth  of  July  cover  idea.  .  .  . 


-gives  careful  consideration 
to  Donald  Duck's  comments 
about  his  work  for  the 
day.  .  .  . 


-speaks  Mickey  Mouse's  voice, 
an  assignment  which  has  al- 
ways been  his  exclusively.  .  .  . 


— hitches  a   ride  with  a  car 
pool. 


The  drawings  by  Roy  Williams,  the  words  by  Ralph  Parker,  from  Disney's  "Dispatch" — with  variations. 


30 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    26,  1943 


SCREEN  MUST  RE-EDUCATE 
THE  WORLD,  SAYS  COE 


Tells  San  Francisco  Ad- 
vertising Men  of  Film 
Use  in  Post-War  Era 

Declaring  the  motion  picture  "the  strong- 
est single  instrumentality  of  human  educa- 
tion," Charles  Francis  Coe,  vice-president 
and  general  manager  of  the  Motion  Picture 
Producers  and  Distributors  of  America, 
drew  a  verbal  blueprint  on  Tuesday  for  the 
wielding  of  that  instrumentality  on  a  global 
scale  in  the  post-war  world. 

He  voiced  his  views  as  principal  speaker 
at  the  official  dinner  of  the  Wartime  Emer- 
gency Conference  of  the  Pacific  Advertising 
Association,  comprising  membership  in  the 
six  western  states,  at  the  Fairmount  Hotel 
in  San  Francisco,  and  the  one-time  broad- 
caster of  championship  prize  fights  pulled 
no  punches  of  his  own. 

He  bespoke  a  position  in  opposition  to 
political  commitments. 

He  came  out  for  a  policy  of  providing 
means  by  which  freed  people  might  be 
taught  to  feed  themselves  but  against  the 
providing  of  "free  lunch." 

He  asserted  that  taxes  "work  both  ways" 
and  that  while  "they  provide  the  munitions 
of  war  they  must  not  grow  to  dimensions 
which  are  destructive  to  the  processes  of 
peace." 

He  hailed  American  business  as  "the 
strongest  bulwark  of  American  freedom." 

He  addressed  an  audience  of  600,  inclu- 
sive of  military,  Federal,  state  and  city  of- 
ficials and  ISO  exchange  men  and  exhibitors. 

Of  political  commitments  he  said,  "Mill- 
ions of  fighting  men  will  return  to  us.  These, 
with  the  sweat  of  conflict  on  their  brows, 
the  ache  of  battle  in  their  bones,  the  chill  of 
memories  in  their  hearts,  will  ask  of  us 
eagerly,  'What  have  we  saved  ?  Is  free- 
dom still  here?  We  did  it  out  there;  what 
have  you  done  here?'  We  must  answer. 
If  America  has  truly  been  saved,  we  will 
answer  with  jobs.  We  will  answer  with 
factories  booming  to  provide  a  world  never 
before  developed.  We  will  answer  with 
Opportunity  and  we'll  spell  it  with  a  capital 
O.  Any  other  answer  would  be  a  cat-call 
of  mockery.  Let  us  make  no  political  com- 
mitments which  do  violence  to  that  re- 
sponse." 

Must  Feed  Our  Own 
Before  World 

On  post-war  feeding  of  the  war-starved  popu- 
lations, he  said,  "I  cannot  feel  it  is  our  duty  to 
feed  the  hungry  of  the  world  until  we  first  feed 
our  own.  We  cannot  become  purveyors  of  a 
world  free  lunch.  We  can  become  producers  of 
equipment  which  will  fertilize  lazy  acres  in 
every  hemisphere  and  feed  the  world's  hungry 
by  their  own  efforts.  ...  I  look  with  dread  upon 
any  process  which  throws  American  labor  into 
competition  with  underpaid  foreign  labor.  I 
look  without  fear  upon  any  fair  basis  of  compe- 
tition between  the  American  worker  and  any 
other  man  on  earth." 

Of  taxes,  he  said,  "No  sane  or  patriotic  man 
resents  heavy  wartime  taxes.  No  sane  or  patri- 
otic man  fails  to  remember  that  the  power  to 
tax  is  the  power  to  destroy.    Taxes  work  both 


CITES  FILMS  FOR  MEN 
ON  FIGHTING  FRONTS 

Charles  Francis  Coe,  vice-president 
of  the  MPPDA,  addressing  advertis- 
ing men  in  San  Francisco  this  week, 
emphasized  the  part  played  by  the 
screen  in  the  war  effort,  and  said, 
"The  next  time  you  enjoy  a  movie  in 
your  theatre,  draw  added  joy  from 
the  knowledge  that  your  paid  pres- 
ence there  enables  the  showing  of 
feature  pictures  to  our  fighters  on 
the  fronts  of  the  world  with  the  com- 
pliments of  the  motion  picture  in- 
dustry. You  share  that  service  with 
us.  Not  only  do  motion  pictures 
'Keep  the  home  fires  burning';  they 
light  them  on  the  battle  fronts  of  the 
world.  More  than  I  1,000  shows  have 
so  been  provided." 


ways.  While  they  provide  the  munitions  of 
war,  they  must  not  grow  to  dimensions  which 
are  destructive  to  the  processes  of  peace.  Re- 
serves which  will  carry  business  over  the  re- 
conversion to  peace-time  employment  should 
not  be  expended  for  wartime  usages.  A  bal- 
ance must  be  struck  else  we  fail  after  victory." 

Of  American  business  he  said:  "The  es- 
sence of  Americanism  is  the  stalwart  devotion 
to  our  people  to  controlled  freedom.  While 
the  majority  should  rule,  their  prime  responsi- 
bility must  always  be  protection  of  the  rights 
of  the  minority.  The  strongest  bulwark  of 
American  freedom  is  American  business. 
American  business  in  the  over-all  is  that  proc- 
ess by  which  the  brain  and  brawn  of  man  is 
combined  into  a  way  of  life  which  gives  the 
basic  freedoms  to  every  one  of  us. 

"Destroy  freedom  of  the  press,  the  radio,  the 
motion  picture,  and  you  destroy  the  first  sup- 
port, financial  and  spiritual,  of  our  Democracy. 

Other  excerpts  from  the  Coe  address  follow : 

Film  Strongest  Instrument 
Of  Human  Education 

"No  people  has  ever  faced  so  many  problems, 
or  so  complex,  as  Americans  must  solve  after 
the  war.    Economics  are  but  one  of  these. 

"Psychological  habituation  will  be  adamant 
against  encroachment  of  the  new  and  the  better 
way. 

"America  holds  for  the  world  the  highest 
standard  of  living  ever  attained  in  recorded 
history.  The  underprivileged  world  must  be  made 
to  realize  that  America  did  not  inherit  this. 
America  earned  it.    Others  must  do  the  same. 

"We  of  the  U.  S.  are  the  only  nationals  not 
born  within  geographical  limitations  or  sup- 
pressed by  restricted  ideologies.  We  are  those 
men  of  all  nations  who  treasured,  above  all  else, 
freedom.  That  is  what  provided  the  energy,  the 
foresight  and  the  valor  to  reach  the  heights 
we  have. 

"There  is  in  Europe  a  national  generation 
schooled  in  the  philosophy  of  force,  dedicated 
to  the  devices  of  destruction,  consecrated  to  the 
confusions  of  lechery,  ignorance  and  greed.  The 
war  will  overpower  these.  But  only  the  peace 
can  enlighten  their  remnants  and  re-educate 
their  offspring. 

"Because  it  is  both  visual  and  oral,  the 
American  motion  picture  can  be  the  strongest 


single  instrumentality  of  human  education.  By 
pedagogic  showing  of  Democracy  in  operation, 
it  reveals  effortlessly  all  that  Democracy  does 
for  the  common  man.  Shown  to  the  bewildered 
and  benighted  subjects  of  dictators,  it  will  more 
quickly  than  anything  else  clear  the  way  to  a 
better  world. 

"The  supreme  tests  of  Democracy  will  not  be 
in  foreign  fields  but  here  at  home.  If  we  fail 
to  provide  the  proper  economic  reception  of  our 
returning  fighters,  we  shall  have  failed  in  our 
most  sacred  and  most  vital  obligation.  Under 
such  unthinkable  conditions,  Democracy  will  be 
alluring  neither  at  home  nor  abroad. 

Trade  Answered  Without 
Thought  of  Gain 

"Probably  seven  hundred  millions  of  people 
in  the  world  have  stagnated  in  the  poverty  of 
indolence,  or  suffered  from  the  indolence  of 
riches.  There  is  an  incalculable  commercial 
opportunity  in  the  rousing  of  these  people  by 
the  constructions  essential  to  a  raised  standard 
of  living.  For  this  opportunity,  I  think,  we 
should  reserve  the  right  to  compete.  Only  so 
can  we  assimilate  our  returning  fighters,  re- 
cover some  of  the  costs  of  this  war  and  bring 
to  our  people  the  continuing  right  to  a  free 
and  reasonable  existence  which  we  willingly 
share  with  deserving  others.  .  .  ." 

"Because  I  know  well  what  motion  pictures 
do,  I  ask  your  indulgence  in  reference  to  them 
in  the  interest  of  accuracy.  When  Uncle  Sam 
called  for  help  after  Pearl  Harbor,  he  turned 
to  American  industry.  He  did  not  call  in  vain. 
Steel,  automobiles,  mining,  and  other  basic  in- 
dustries responded  with  a  power  that  will  write 
the  doom  of  the  Nazi  hordes.  Government 
contracts,  backed  by  your  bonds  and  mine,  re- 
tooled vast  plants,  re-designed  and  produced 
mighty  armaments.  Uncle  Sam  turned  also  to 
motion  pictures  for  training  films  and  docu- 
mentary films.  He  got  them.  Men  are  learn- 
ing to  fight  in  less  than  half  the  time  otherwise 
required  because  of  motion  picture  films.  Par- 
don my  expression  of  pride  in  the  knowledge 
that  these  were  produced  without  thought  of, 
or  collection  of,  profit. 

"Just  as  Uncle  Sam  turned  to  American  busi- 
ness in  the  hour  of  his  greatest  war  need,  so 
will  he  turn  to  American  business  in  the  hour 
of  his  greatest  peace  need.  American  business 
will  respond.  It  will  not  fail  him.  There  is, 
that  I  can  see,  no  other  place  for  him  to  turn. 
We  of  business  must  be  ready.  Economic  tax- 
ation, as  well  as  economic  planning,  must  make 
its  contribution.  .  .  ." 

Art-Industry  Based 
On  Unborn  Ideas 

"Our  motion  picture  business  is  a  two  billion 
dollar  art-industry  based  immovably  upon  the 
non-existent — the  idea  unborn.  Your  advertis- 
ing is  much  the  same  thing.  We  make  some- 
thing out  of  nothing,  and  so  do  you.  But  the 
'nothing'  both  of  us  use  is  the  rarest  thing  on 
earth,  talent. 

"Every  privilege  of  liberty  levies  its  cor- 
responding duty.  To  partake  of  its  benefits, 
each  of  us  must  give  of  our  resources,  both 
spiritual  and  material. 

"Every  American  motion  picture  theatre  is 
an  outlet  for  dramatic  demonstration  of  a  free 
people  living-  in  a  free  country.  It  cannot  be 
otherwise.  The  homes,  the  appliances,  the  good 
free  earth  and  the  styles  and  customs  reveal 
to  the  world's  downtrodden  what  Democracy 
means  to  the  average  home.    It  is  inescapable. 

"Rolling  across  the  earth  is  a  mighty  army 
thundering  Democracy's  response  to  the  chal- 
lenge of  savagery.  We  are  behind  that  army." 


lie  golden  .touch  of  Lubitsch  glorifying 
an  era  of  romance  .  .  .  the  picture  he  was  destined  to  make 


an 


d  which  is  destined  for  every  "Best  Ten"  list  of  the  year! 


wrtAGENE  TIERNEY  •  DON  AMECHE  •  Ckarles  Co  bum  *  Marjorie  Main  •  Laird  Cregar 
Spring  Byington  *  Allyn  Joslyn  •  Eugene  Pallette  •  Signe  Hasso  •  Louis  Calhcrn  •  Helene  Reynolds  •  Aubrey  Mather  •  Michael  Ames 

SPto</ucff/ftttf/  Qiiec/et/ ERNST  LUBITSCH  •  P/iolcpia/t/iett 'in  iJfcAnico/oi 
Screen  Play  hv  Samson  Raphaels 


June    26,    194  3  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  33 

THE  HOLLYWOOD  SCENE 


From  HOLLYWOOD  BUREAU 


That  "neither  a  borrower  nor  lender  be" 
adage  gets  no  circulation  and  less  observ- 
ance in  Hollywood. 

A  case  in  point,  of  present  date,  is  RKO 
Radio's  "Government  Girl,"  placed  before 
the  cameras  last  week  with  Olivia  de  Havil- 
land,  Sonny  Tufts,  Anne  Shirley,  Jess 
Barker  and  James  Dunn  in  principal  roles. 
Miss  de  Havilland  was  obtained,  for  the 
picture,  from  David  O.  Selznick,  who  had 
obtained  her  services  for  one  picture  from 
Warner  Brothers  in  exchange  for  the  serv- 
ices of  Ingrid  Bergman  in  "Casablanca."  Mr. 
Tufts  was  obtained  from  Paramount  in  ex- 
change for  the  services  of  Maureen  O'Hara. 
Barker  and  Dunn  were  borrowed  from  Co- 
lumbia and  Producers  Releasing  Corpora- 
tion, respectively,  and  Miss  Shirley  is  from 
RKO  Radio's  own  contract  list. 

The  instance  is  only  slightly  more  indica- 
tive of  the  extent  to  which  the  studios  have 
perfected  their  system  of  barter  than  many 
another. 

Just  when  was  started  the  switch-over 
from  that  rugged  individualism  under  which 
competing  companies  used  to  guarantee  to 
their  exhibitor  accounts  the  complete  works 
of  its  contracted  stars  is  not  altogether  clear, 
but  Columbia's  Academy  Award  sweep- 
stakes winner  of  1934,  "It  Happened  One 
Night,"  for  which  the  studio  borrowed  vir- 
tually everything  but  the  trademark,  may 
have  been  the  shining  example  from  which 
the  system  sprouted. 

Three-Dimensional  Films 
In  Work  for  Navy 

The  three-dimensional  motion  picture, 
declared  an  impossibility  by  scientists  both 
before  and  since  George  K.  Spoor  spent 
$11,000,000  in  experimentations  seeking  to 
prove  otherwise,  are  just  two  months  around 
the  corner  and  coming  in,  under  Navy  pri- 
orities, at  a  cost  figure  of  $15,000 — if  one  is 
to  take  at  face  value  the  announcement  of 
Walter  Lantz,  Universal  producer  of  ani- 
mated cartoons  and,  just  now,  producer  of 
training  films  for  the  Navy. 

The  announcement  says,  "The  camera  is 
revolutionary  in  the  cinematography  field. 
For  six  months  we  have  been  conducting 
experiments  in  conjunction  with  U.  S.  Navy 
technicians,  and  we  have  now  reached  the 
stage  of  perfection.  The  new  apparatus  will 
enable  us  to  make  rear  projection  shots  with 
the  process  camera,  and  also  to  shoot  three 
dimensional  pictures." 

The  camera  is  due  for  delivery,  it  is  stat- 
ed, in  two  months,  but  there's  been  no  ex- 
citement about  it  in  a  town  that  would  be 
in  for  another  readjustment  comparable  to 
that  which  took  place  after  the  advent  of 
sound,  if  the  announcement  were  to  stand 
up. 

Joseph  Cotten  To  Star 
In  Selznick  Picture 

Joseph  Cotten,  David  O.  Selznick  con- 
tractee  who  starred  in  Univer sal's  "Shadow 
of  a  Doubt,"  is  to  be  starred  again  in  Selz- 
nick's  production  of  "The  Land  I  Love," 
now  referred  to  as  "For  Us  the  Living," 


Studios  Start  13  Films 


Hollywood  studios  started  13  pictures  in 
manifest  indifference  to  forecasts  of  cur- 
tailment, Universal  dominating  the  week, 
numerically,  by  launching  three. 

Warner  Brothers  started  "Conflict",  pre- 
senting Humphrey  Bogart,  Alexis  Smith, 
Sydney  Greenstreet,  Charles  Drake  and 
others,  with  William  Jacobs  producing  and 
Curtis  Bernhardt  directing. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  launched  "Broad- 
way Rhythm",  the  musical,  with  George 
Murphy,  Ginny  Simms,  Charles  Winninger, 
Ben  Blue,  Gloria  DeHaven,  Nancy  Walker. 

Twentieth  Century- Fox  trained  its  cam- 
eras on  "Happy  Land",  Kenneth  Macgowan 
producing  and  Irving  Pichel  directing,  with 
Don  Ameche,  Frances  Dee  and  Harry 
Carey  among  the  principals. 

Paramount  commenced  shooting  "French- 
man's Creek",  with  Joan  Fontaine,  Arturo 
de  Cordova,  Basil  Rathbone,  Sir  Cedric 
Hardwicke,  Ralph  Forbes. 

RKO  Radio  set  in  motion  its  much-dis- 
cussed "Government  Girl",  offering  Olivia 
de  Havilland,  Sonny  Tufts,  Anne  Shirley. 

Universal's  three   are   "Crazy  House", 


COMPLETED 

Columbia 

Cowboy  of  Lonesome 

River 
Restless  Lady 

Monogram 

Revenge  of  the 
Zombies 

Paramount 

Uninvited 

PRC 

Billy  the  Kid  No.  6 

Republic 

Sleepy  Lagoon 

UA 

Gunmaster 

(Sherman) 

Universal 

Cobra  Woman 
Warners 

This  Is  the  Army 


STARTED 

MGM 

Broadway  Rhythm 
Monogram 

Outlaws  of  Stampede 
Pass 

Paramount 

Frenchman's  Creek 
PRC 

Tiger  Fangs 
Lone  Rider  No.  5 

RKO  Radio 

Government  Girl 
Republic 

Death  Valley 

Manhunt 
Man  from  Music 

Mountain 
20th  Century- Fox 
Happy  Land 
Universal 

Let  Yourself  Go 
Crazy  House 


the  Olsen  and  Johnson  comedy,  with 
Martha  O'Driscoll,  Patric  Knowles,  Cass 
Daley,  Billy  Gilbert  and  innumerable  others 
in  support,  Edward  F.  Cline  directing  for 
producer  Earle  C.  Kenton;  "The  Strange 
Death  of  Adolf  Hitler",  a  Ben  Pivar  pro- 
duction directed  by  James  Hogan,  with 
Ludwig  Donath,  Gale  Sondergaard,  George 
Dolentz,  Marrill  Rodin  and  Charles  Bates; 
and  "Let  Yourself  Go",  a  musical  under 
producer-director  Jean  Yarbrough. 

Producers  Releasing  Corporation  started 
"Tiger  Fangs",  the  Frank  Buck  vehicle  in 
which  the  adventurer  is  supported  by  Dun- 
can Renaldo,  June  Duprez,  J.  Farrell 
McDonald,  Alex  Havier  and  others,  with 
Jack  Schwarz  producing  and  Harry  D. 
Edwards  directing;  also  "Lone  Rider  No.  5." 

Monogram  rolled  "Outlaws  of  Stampede 
Pass,"  a  Johnny  Mack  Brown  vehicle. 

Republic's  two  are  "The  Man  from  Music 
Mountain",  a  Roy  Rogers  number  pro- 
duced by  Harry  Grey  and  directed  by 
Joseph  Kane,  and  "Death  Valley  Manhunt", 
a  Bill  Elliott  Western. 

The  scene  at  the  weekend: 


Strange  Death  of 
Adolf  Hitler 

Warners 

Conflict 

SHOOTING 

Columbia 

Cover  Girl 
Goldwyn 
North  Star 
MGM 

White  Cliffs  of  Dover 

Cry  Havoc 

Cross  of  Lorraine* 

Heavenly  Body 

Whistling  in  Brooklyn 

America 

Russia 

Madame  Curie 
Guy  Named  Joe 
Meet  the  People 

Monogram 

I  Was  a  Criminal 
And  the  Angels  Sing 
Hour  Before  Dawn 


Henry  Aldrich's 
Little  Secret 
RKO  Radio 

Around  the  World 
Iron  Major 
Adventures  of  a 

Rookie 
Republic 

Hoosier  Holiday 
20th  Century- Fox 

Dancing  Masters 
Guadalcanal  Diary 
Song  of  Bernadette 
Girls  He  Left  Behind 
Night  Is  Ending 
Universal 

Second  Honeymoon 
Frontier  Bad  Men 
Angela 

Warners 

In  Our  Time 
To  the  Last  Man 
Saratoga  Trunk 


♦Formerly  "1,000 
Shall  Fall" 


which  the  Selznick  announcement  describes 
as  that  producer's  biggest  picture  since 
"Gone  With  the  Wind."  It's  on  the  list  for 
filming  this  winter. 

Jules  Schermer,  who  conceived  the  idea  of 
a  motion  picture  to  be  based  on  the  lives  of 
the  five  Sullivan  brothers  killed  in  the  South 
Pacific,  and  was  to  produce  it  for  Sam  Jaf- 


fe  and  Lloyd  Bacon,  is  foregoing  that  un- 
dertaking in  favor  of  shouldering  arms  for 
his  country.  Accordingly,  Mr.  Jaffe,  who 
was  production  manager  of  Paramount  stu- 
dios before  becoming  a  talent  agent,  will 
produce  the  picture,  Mr.  Bacon  directing  it 
as  previously  planned.  The  title  has  been 
shortened  to  "The  Sullivans." 


My 


t?  weeks— 

RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL! 


Only  five  other  pictures  have  ever  played 
six  weeks  or  more  .  .  .  "Woman  Of  The 
Year"  •  "Mrs.  Miniver"  •  "Random  Harvest" 
"Philadelphia  Story"  •  "Rebecca" 

gjWsi  Columbia 
f^efof  all  time  (f 


JEAN        JOEL  CHARLES 

ARTHUR  McCREA  COBURN 

-  GEORGE  STEVENS'  )\ 

*  Afore  The 

Scrooo  Floy  by  toborl  tuuoll  and  Frank  toll;  liehord  Floor«oy 
end  l«wi>  I.  Foitor  •  Slory   by  Hoborl  RuMil  ond  F>o»k  loll 

Di.oci.d  by  GEORGE  STEVENS  •  A  COLUMBIA  PICTURE 


JOIN  SHANGRI-LA  WAR  STAMP  DRIVE  DURING  JULY! 


irrier  everywhere  i 


^  WEEK 


<fe  uiFFK  SAN 


5 


WEEK 
WEEK 
WEEK 


FRANCISCO 


ATLANTA 
BENVER 


^WEEK 


5 


CINCINNATI 

tk.  uiFFK  OAKLAND 


4 
4 


WEEK 


^  WEEK 


Philadelphia 

CHICAGO 
HARTFORD 
LOS  ANGELES 

SEATTLE 


WEEK 


5 
5 


WEEK 
^WEEK 


ORE. 


#WEEK 


^WEEK 


PORTLAND, 
SPRINGFIELD 
SAN  DIEGO 


3^ 
3 


WEEK 


/^WEEK 


MASS.   W  WEEK 


3 
3 


^  WEEK 


BUFFALO 
MLANTlC  CM 

CLEVELAND 


4 

4 


WEEK 


>NASH\HGTOM  3 


week  ST.  LOUIS 


ik  WEEK 


SALT  LAKE  CITY  3 


WEEK 


BIRMINGHAM 


d  the 


of  HOLDOVERS 


and  RECORD  GROSSES  keeps  gettin 

Merrier  and  Merrier  \ 


36 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


June    26,  1943 


Hollywood  to  Launch 
Bond  Drive  June  30 


Takes  Lead  in  Campaign 
to  Sell  $40,000,000  in 
Los  Angeles  County 

In  famed  Hollywood  Bowl  on  the  night 
of  June  30th,  with  the  nation  listening  in 
by  radio,  the  Motion  Picture  Committee  for 
Hollywood,  at  the  request  of  the  Treasury 
Department,  will  launch  a  month-long  War 
Bond-selling  campaign  throughout  Los  An- 
geles County  to  finance  the  building  of  a 
$40,000,000  warship  to  be  known  as  the 
S.S.  Cruiser  Los  Angeles. 

Accepting  the  responsibility  last  week, 
Henry  Ginsberg,  chairman  of  the  Commit- 
tee for  Hollywood  which  has  surpassed  its 
quota  in  every  War  Bond  undertaking  since 
Pearl  Harbor,  had  surrounded  himself  by 
the  weekend  with  ranking  representatives 
of  every  studio,  craft  and  organization  in 
the  motion  picture  and  allied  industries  and 
put  in  motion  the  wheels  of  cooperation.  De- 
tails of  the  undertaking  began  to  take  shape 
at  once. 

Secretary  of  the  Navy 
To  Speak  in  Broadcast 

Secretary  of  the  Navy  Frank  Knox  will 
speak  to  the  nation  by  radio  from  the  Bowl. 

Cecil  B.  DeMille  will  open  the  program 
and  introduce  Secretary  Knox. 

Through  the  cooperation  of  Commander 
A.  J.  Bolton,  Navy  liaison  officer,  50  Navy 
planes  will  maneuver  overhead. 

C.P.O.  Rudy  Vallee  will  conduct  com- 
bined Navy,  Marine  and  Coast  Guard  bands 
in  an  instrumental  concert. 

The  cream  of  motion  picture,  stage  and 
radio  talent,  appearing  with  the  approval  of 
the  Hollywood  Victory  Committee  and  util- 
izing material  written  for  the  occasion  by 
the  Hollywood  Writers  Mobilization,  will 
entertain. 

There  will  be  no  public  sale  of  tickets,  ad- 
mission being  limited  to  members  of  the  vol- 
unteer organizations  cooperating  with  the 
Treasury  Department  in  its  sale  of  Bonds 
and  Stamps  in  80  communities  in  Los  An- 
geles County,  with  Fred  S.  Meyer,  Twenti- 
eth Century-Fox  studio  executive,  in  charge 
of  distributing  the  approximately  20,000 
tickets. 

Treasury  Official 
Praises  Industry 

Names  of  talent  to  participate  will  be 
made  known  as  soon  as  a  cross-studio  check- 
up on  the  matter  of  star  availability,  started 
last  Saturday,  is  completed. 

Commenting  on  the  committee's  accept- 
ance of  the  assignment,  Howard  D.  Mills, 
Southern  California  Administrator  of  the 
War  Savings  Staff,  said,  "With  the  motion 
picture  industry  taking  full  charge  of  the 
Hollywood  Bowl  event,  the  Treasury  De- 
partment is  looking  to  this  affair  to  focus 
public  attention  on  the  July  effort  of  the 
country-wide  Citizens'  Committee  to  sell 
enough  bonds  to  pay  for  the  U.S.S.  Los  An- 
geles. The  Motion  Picture  Committee  for 
Hollywood,  under  the  chairmanship  of  Hen- 
ry Ginsberg,  with  its  efficient,  overall  in- 


dustry organization,  has  made  a  remarkable 
record  of  Bond  sales.  In  voicing  my  ap^ 
preciation  of  this  accomplishment,  I  also 
bespeak  my  thanks  for  the  added  and  heavy 
responsibility  it  has  accepted." 

Ginsberg  Names  Large 
Assisting  Staff 

Mr.  Ginsberg,  who  will  be  assisted  direct- 
ly by  Ramond  A.  Klune  and  has  named 
Daddny  Dare  stage  manager  of  the  Bowl 
program,  appointed  the  following  vice- 
chairmen:  Bert  Allenberg,  Edward  Arnold, 
Fred  W.  Beetson,  Maurice  Benjamin,  Nate 
Blumberg,  Joseph  I.  Breen,  James  Cagney, 
Pat  Casey,  Harry  Cohn,  B.  G.  DeSylva, 
Walt  Disney,  Charles  K.  Feldman,  John 
C.  Flinn,  Y.  Frank  Freeman,  Herbert  Pres- 
ton, William  Goetz,  Samuel  Goldwyn,  B.  B. 
Kahane,  Dr.  Herbert  Kalmus,  Red  Kann, 
Charles  Koerner,  Mrs.  Ida  Koverman,  Sol 
Lesser,  E.  J.  Mannix,  Joseph  M.  Schenck, 
David  O.  Selznick,  M.  J.  Siegel,  Mendel 
Silberberg,  Leo  Spitz,  Kenneth  Thomson, 
Arthur  Ungar,  Hal  B.  Wallis,  Walter  Wan- 
ger,  H.  M.  Warner,  Jack  L.  Warner,  W.  R. 
Wilkerson,  Cliff  Work,  Loyd  Wright. 

The  following  were  appointed  co-chair- 
men: George  Bagnall,  Tom  W.  Baily,  Ed- 
ward Blackburn,  Myrt  Blum,  Ben  Bogeaus, 
David  Butler,  Ralph  Byrd,  Frank  Caroth- 
ers,  Trem  Carr,  Rex  Cole,  Carl  C.  Cooper, 
W.  K.  Craig,  George  Crane,  Harman  Dar- 
stein,  E.  L.  DePatie,  William  Dozier,  Mar- 
vin Essell,  Catherine  Hunter,  Pauline  Lau- 
ber,  R.  G.  Linderman,  J.  P.  MacGowan,  A. 
H.  McCausland,  John  McCormick,  Fred 
Metzler,  Jane  Murfin,  Fred  Othman,  Albert 
Ruben,  Robert  Rossen,  Paul  Scanlon,  Vic- 
tor Shapiro,  David  Shattuck,  J.  Wesley 
Smith,  Herbert  Sorrell,  Wilson  R.  Stone, 
W.  P.  White. 

Guild  and  Union  Members 
Are  Represented 

The  following  representatives  of  guilds, 
unions  and  crafts  also  were  appointed  to 
membership  on  the  committee :  Herb  Aller, 
Charles  Barrett,  W.  C.  Barrett,  Gus  Barth, 
Wilma  Bashor,  Robert  Black,  Ted  Camp, 
Teat  Carle,  B.  C.  Duval,  Ted  Elsworth,  Al- 
bert E.  Erickson,  Minneta  Gardner,  Ed  Gil- 
bert, J.  W.  Gillette,  Bernie  Gordon,  Leon- 
ard Braham,  George  D.  Hays,  Carl  Head, 
L.  C.  Helm,  Van  Herron,  Ace  Holmes,  Fred 
Jackman,  George  W.  Kuykendall,  Billy 
Leyser,  E.  E.  Lindsley,  John  R.  Martin, 
Ben  A.  Martinez,  Daniel  McCustion,  A.  J. 
Moran,  Ray  Moyer,  Ed  Mussa,  John  H.  Na- 
del,  C.  W.  Offer,.  Howard  Philbrick,  N.  W. 
Pomerance,  Thelma  Preece,  Max  Puett,  Ann 
Roth,  James  Skelton,  Harold  Smith,  Sidney 
Solow,  Al  Speede,  Joseph  F.  Tuohy  John 
Ward,  D.  T.  Wayne,  H.  Keith  Weeks,  Al- 
vin  Wendt,  Ralph  Wilshin. 

Sitting  in  with  Mr.  Ginsberg  at  the  pre- 
liminary meeting,  following  which  accept- 
ance of  responsibility  for  success  of  the 
Bowl  event  was  announced,  were :  Albert  S. 
Scott,  Los  Angeles  county  chairman  of  the 
War  Savings  Staff;  W.  L.  Kennedy,  direc- 
tor of  programs  and  special  events;  C.  K. 
Steele,  City  of  Los  Angeles  treasurer;  Mrs. 


Leland  Atherton  Irish,  executive  vice-presi- 
dent and  manager,  Southern  California 
Symphony  Association ;  C.  E.  Toberman 
and  Carl  Jacobson,  president  and  business 
manager,  respectively,  of  the  Hollywood 
Bowl  Association;  Elwood  J.  Robinson,  of 
the  Robinson  Advertising  Agency;  George 
Shellenberger,  executive  secretary  of  the 
Citizens'  Committee ;  Commander  A.  J. 
Bolton,  Navy  Motion  picture  liaison  of- 
ficer ;  Eric  M.  Stuart,  Los  Angeles  War 
Council  of  Retailers'  Stores ;  I.  B.  Korn- 
blum,  executive  secretary,  American  Fed- 
eration of  Radio  Artists  and  special  repre- 
sentative of  the  Theatre  Authority ;  Nat 
Wolff  and  Howard  Langley,  of  the  OWI 
Radio  Bureau;  David  Bershon,  of  the  Thea- 
tre War  Savings  Staff,  and  representatives 
of  various  branches  of  the  film  industry. 


Summer  Theatre 
Holds  Schedule 

Proprietors  of  summer  theatres,  many  faced 
with  the  ban  on  pleasure  driving,  nevertheless 
are  opening  on  schedule,  particularly  in  the 
Adirondack  area  in  New  York  state. 

It  is  believed  that  the  slack  left  by  the  de- 
parture of  young  men  for  the  service  will  be 
taken  up  by  soldiers  on  furlough  and  their 
families. 

Adirondack  Mountain  proprietors,  also  cog- 
nizant of  the  need  for  amusement  by  summer 
vacationers,  are  instituting  the  old  system  of 
horse-and-wagon  rides  to  theatres  each  night. 

Harry  Lamont,  operator  of  small  town  thea- 
tres in  the  Albany  area,  already  has  started 
nightly  hayrick  rides  to  his  theatre  in  Green- 
ville from  Catskill  Mountain  resorts.  Mr.  Lamont 
charges  15  cents  for  the  round  trip,  the  horse- 
and-wagon  touring  the  hotels  within  a  four  mile 
radius  to  pick  up  vacationers. 

The  Lake,  Lake  George,  was  reopened  by 
Robert  Yates  June  23rd,  while  The  Ausable 
Club,  Keene  Valley,  was  to  open  June  28th. 
Brown's  Old  Forge,  Fourth  Lake,  which  now 
has  one  change  of  pictures,  adds  another  for 
Thursdays  and  Fridays  beginning  next  week. 
Mr.  Lamont  also  reopened  the  Playhouse, 
Woodstock,  last  week.  In  past  years,  he  ex- 
hibited films  twice  a  week,  a  stock  company 
operating  other  nights,  but  continuous  operation 
will  be  the  policy  this  summer. 

Harry  Savett,  who  has  a  string  of  theatres 
in  the  Adirondacks,  will  open  the  Star,  Star 
Lake,  July  1,  near  an  ore  mine  development. 

Army-Navy  Equipment 
Needs  Discussed 

Arthur  G.  Meyer  of  the  International  Pro- 
jector Corporation  met  last  week  in  Washing- 
ton with  Allen  G.  Smith,  chairman  of  the  War 
Production  Board  amusements  section  in  a 
series  of  conferences  to  clarify  the  position  of 
manufacturers  in  regard  to  military  require- 
ments of  the  Army  and  Navy. 

Motion  picture  equipment  has  been  steadily 
in  demand  by  the  services  to  meet  increased  re- 
quirements of  machines  and  accessories,  it  was 
pointed  out,  with  the  industry  hard-pressed  to 
produce  ample  supplies. 


Maas  Back  from  Foreign  Tour 

Irving  Maas,  assistant  director  of  the 
Twentieth  Century-Fox  international  depart- 
ment, has  returned  from  a  six-week  tour  of 
company  branches  in  South  and  Central 
America. 


Son  Born  to  Goldens 

Gil  Golden,  Warner  advertising  manager, 
became  the  father  of  a  son,  born  to  Mrs.  Golden 
on  Sunday,  July  20th  at  Roscoe,  N.  Y.  It  is 
their  first  child. 


June    26,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


37 


STORY  BUYS  DROP  BELOW 
THREE-YEAR  AVERAGE 


Producers  Purchase  34 
Properties  in  May;  24 
Originals  Acquired 

May  purchases  of  story  properties  by 
producers  dipped  below  the  average  regis- 
tered in  the  same  month  of  the  past  three 
years.  Only  34  stories  were  acquired,  rep- 
resenting a  total  of  24  originals,  seven 
books,  two  magazine  stories  and  one  comic 
strip. 

In  1940,  company  activity  in  May  ac- 
counted for  43  stories,  in  the  following  year 
for  48  and  in  1942,  43  again.  In  compari- 
son with  totals  for  other  months  of  the  cur- 
rent year,  however,  the  May  figure  com- 
pares favorably  with  the  continuing  index. 
It  fell  only  one  short  of  the  previous  month's 
aggregate,  and  only  four  behind  the  38- 
story  total  reached  in  both  February  and 
March. 

Originals  Make  Up 
Most  of  Total 

Original  stories  repeated  as  the  favorite 
material  under  company  consideration. 
However,  seven  books  were  purchased, 
which  is  above  the  average  monthly  total 
in  this  department.  Twentieth  Century-Fox 
and  Warners  each  purchased  two  novels. 
Two  others  eventually  will  be  used  for  Uni- 
ted Artists  releases,  Seymour  Nebenzal 
planning  a  film  on  Anton  Chekov's  "The 
Shooting  Star,"  and  the  Jack  Skirball-Leo 
Spitz  combination  announcing  Fred  Allen 
for  the  lead  in  "Appleby  on  Ararat"  based 
on  Michael  Innes'  book.  The  other  novel 
was  purchased  by  MGM. 

Universal,  with  recently  announced  plans 
for  55  feature  releases  during  1943-44,  ap- 
parently is  relying  on  numerous  originals 
to  insure  sufficient  story  material.  Acquisi- 
tion of  nine  originals  in  May  boosted  its 
two-month  total  to  16.  Included  in  the 
May  group  are  stories  on  varied  themes, 
with  a  notable  absence  of  war  backgrounds. 
For  the  most  part,  the  titles  suggest  West- 
erns, horror  pieces,  melodramas  and  musical 
comedies.  M 

Story  Purchases  for 
May  Are  Listed 

The  listing  of  purchases  for  the  month 
follows : 

Appleby  on  Ararat,  novel  by  Michael 
Innes,  purchased  by  Leo  Spitz  and  Jack 
Skirball  as  a  vehicle  for  Fred  Allen.  Film 
for  release  through  United  Artists. 

Black  Market  Rustlers,  original  by  Patri- 
cia Harper,  acquired  by  Monogram. 

Calling  Mr.  Death,  original  by  Edward 
Dein,  purchased  by  Universal. 

Daltons  Ride  Again,  The,  original  by 
Harold  Shumate,  acquired  by  Universal. 

Diver  Versus  Devilfish,  original  by  Dan- 
iel P.  Mannix,  bought  by  Universal. 

Everything  Happens  to  Me,  original  by 
Wallace  Sullivan,  acquired  by  Universal. 

Flame  of  Stamboul,  original  by  Richard 
Brooks,  purchased  by  Universal. 


STORY  PURCHASES 
OF  YEAR  COMPARED 


Month 

Originals 

Books 

Plays 

Tota 

June,  1942 

35 

16(a) 

4 

55 

July 

24 

12(b) 

4 

40 

August 

35 

13(c) 

4 

52 

September 

22 

10(d) 

2 

34 

October 

32 

9(e) 

5 

46 

November 

12 

12(f) 

1 

25 

December 

17 

8(g) 

25 

January,  1943 

10 

6(h) 

1 

17 

February 

32 

5(i) 

1 

38 

March 

23 

10(1) 

5 

38 

April 

18 

I3(k) 

4 

35 

May 

24 

10(1) 

34 

TOTALS  FOR 

12  MONTHS 

284 

24(m) 

31 

439 

(a)  Including     I  magazine  story, 

I  song  and 

I  poem. 

(b)  Including    3  films, 

I  radio  script  and 

I  song. 

(c)  Including    2  magazine  stories, 

I  newspaper  comic  strip  and 

1  radio  serial. 

(d)  Including    4  magazine  stories. 

(e)  Including    2  magazine  stories  and 

2  songs. 

(f)  Including    2  novelettes. 

(g)  Including    2  magazine  stories. 

(h)  Including    2  magazine  stories. 

(i)  '  Including    3  magazine  stories, 
(j)     Including     I  magazine  story  and 

I  song. 

(k)     Including    3  magazine  stories  and 

I  song. 

(I)     Including    2  magazine  stories  and 

1  comic  strip. 

(m)    Including  22  magazine  stories, 

6  musical  compositions, 

2  radio  scripts, 

3  films, 

2  newspaper  comic  strips, 

2  novelettes  and 

I  poem. 


Harvest  Melody,  original  by  Martin 
Mooney  and  Andy  Lamb,  acquired  by 
PRC  for  production  by  Walter  Colmes. 

Her  Primitive  Man,  original  by  Richard 
Irving  Hyland,  purchased  by  Universal. 

Here  Come  the  Girls,  original  by  Mary 
Dowell,  acquired  by  Warners  and  to  be 
used  as  vehicle  for  Alexis  Smith,  Ann 
Sheridan,  Ida  Lupino  and  Jane  Wyman. 

Horror  Ship,  original  by  John  Fante,  pur- 
chased by  RKO  Radio. 

Instruct  My  Sorrow,  novel  by  Clare 
Jaynes  published  by  Random  House, 
acquired  by  Warners. 

Jive  Junction,  original,  purchased  by  PRC. 
Plot  deals  with  youthful  musicians  aid- 
ing the  war  effort.  Edgar  Ulmer  will 
direct. 

Judy  Adjudicates,  novelette  by  Philip 
Wylie  appearing  recently  in  Redbook 
Magazine,  acquired  by  Warners. 

Labor  and  Management,  original  by 
Henry  Sucher,  bought  by  Universal. 


Laura,  novel  by  Vera  Caspary,  purchased 
by  Twentieth  Century-Fox. 

Law  Rides  Again,  The,  original  by 
Frances  Kavanaugh,  purchased  by  Mono- 
gram. 

"Little  Lulu"  Bought 
By  Paramount 

Little  Lulu,  Saturday  Evening  Post  car- 
toon, purchased  by  Paramount  for  a 
series  of  Technicolor  shorts. 

Melody  Parade,  original  by  Tim  Ryan 
and  Charles  Marion,  purchased  by  Mono- 
gram. 

Moon,  Their  Mistress,  The,  based  on 
novel  by  Anton  Chekov,  "The  Shooting 
Star,"  acquired  by  Seymour  Nebenzal  for 
United  Artists  release. 

Noon  to  Midnight,  original  by  Marion 
Parsonnet,  purchased  by  MGM. 

On  to  Oregon,  novel  by  Honore  Willsie 
Morrow,  acquired  by  MGM. 

Raiders  of  the  Desert,  original  by  Clar- 
ence Upson  Young,  bought  by  Universal. 

Ready,  Willing  and  4-F,  original  by  Brian 
Marlow,  purchased  by  MGM  for  soldier 
comedy  with  Eddie  Bracken,  direction  by 
E.  D.  Leshin. 

Revenge  of  the  Zombies,  original  by  Ed- 
mund Kelso,  acquired  by  Monogram. 

Sea  Frontier,  original  by  Commander 
Herman  E.  Halland,  purchased  by  MGM. 

Seven  Days  Ashore,  original  by  John 
Fante,  acquired  by  RKO  Radio. 

Singing  in  the  Wilderness,  biography 
of  John  James  Audubon  by  Donald  Cul- 
ross  Peattie,  purchased  by  Warners  and 
possibly  to  star  Errol  Flynn.  Jesse  L. 
Lasky  to  produce. 

Warner  Brothers  Buy 
John  Huston  Story 

Stranger  on  the  Highway,  novel  by  H. 
R.  Hays,  purchased  by  Twentieth  Cen- 
tury-Fox. 

Three  Strangers,  original  by  John  Huston, 
acquired  by  Warners  as  a  Henry  Blanke 
production  to  star  George  Brent.  Frank 
Gruber  to  write  screenplay. 

Time  Is  Now,  The,  original  by  Stanley 
Paley,  acquired  by  MGM  and  to  be  pro- 
duced under  the  title,  "Tomorrow  Will 
Be  Fair." 

World's  Biggest  Negro  Business,  The, 
magazine  article  appearing  in  Saturday 
Evening  Post  and  Readers  Digest,  writ- 
ten by  Archibald  Rutledge,  purchased  by 
Twentieth  Century-Fox. 

Young  and  the  Brave,  The,  original  by 
Jerry  Wald,  purchased  by  Warners  and 
to  be  adapted  by  Lionel  Wiggam  for  Joan 
Leslie. 

Zorya,  original  by  Ralph  Stock,  acquired 
by  Universal. 


Announce  Sales  Staff  Changes 

Changes  in  the  sales  staff  at  the  Paramount 
exchange  in  Philadelphia  have  been  announced 
by  Ulrik  Smith,  branch  manager.  New  mem- 
bers of  the  sales  staff,  as  student  salesmen,  are 
Roger  Williams  and  Sidney  Price;  also,  James 
A.  Clarke  was  transferred  from  the  Paramount 
exchange  in  Atlanta,  to  replace  Raymond 
O'Rourke,  who  resigned  recently. 


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40 


Renewal  of  Deal  to  Handle 
Inter -American  Affairs 
Films  Waits  Approval 

Renewal  of  the  contract  under  which  the 
Museum  of  Modern  Art  Film  Library  has 
served  for  two  years  as  editor,  translator 
and  processing  agent  for  the  motion  picture 
division  of  the  Coordinator  of  Inter-Ameri- 
can-Affairs  is  now  pending  at  Washington, 
it  was  learned  this  week.  The  current 
agreement  expires  at  the  end  of  June. 

Continuation  of  the  relationship  between 
the  Government  and  the  Museum's  film  li- 
brary was  reported  to  have  been  agreed  upon 
last  week  at  a  meeting  in  Washington  of 
officials  representing  both  parties. 

Nelson  Rockefeller,  Coordinator,  was  re- 
ported to  have  told  the  Museum  executives 
that  the  library  had  satisfactorily  handled 
the  film  processing  for  the  Coordinator's 
production  of  non-theatrical  16mm  pictures. 
These  are  edited  and  translated  at  the  Mu- 
seum under  the  Coordinator's  direction  and 
distributed  without  charge  in  both  North  and 
South  America. 

Awaits  Return  of  Alstock 
From  Mexico  City 

Present  at  the  Washington  sessions  were 
John  Abbott,  director  of  the  Film  Library, 
Mr.  Rockefeller,  Wallace  K.  Harrison,  as- 
sistant coordinator,  John  E.  Lockwood,  gen- 
eral counsel,  and  Francis  Alstock,  director 
of  the  films  division. 

While  renewal  was  then  agreed  upon  in 
principle  the  new  contract  was  not  signed, 
according  to  reports.  Mr.  Harrison  was  in 
New  York  at  midweek  checking  on  the  plans 
of  the  film  division  and  the  Museum.  Several 
months  ago  he  completed  an  extensive  sur- 
vey of  the  relationship.  CIAA  officials  Mon- 
day said  that  the  new  agreement  awaited 
the  return  of  Mr.  Alstock  from  Mexico 
City. 

Appropriations  for  the  Coordinator's  film 
program  were  substantially  slashed  last  week 
in  the  war  agencies  fiscal  bill  recommended 
by  the  House  of  Representatives.  The  film 
budget  was  cut  from  $3,903,601  to  $1,790,- 
204.  This  is  expected  to  cut  payments  to  the 
Museum  from  over  $150,000  paid  in  the  fis- 
cal year  ending  June  30th  to  between  $125,- 
000  and  $100,000. 

No  Curtailment  of 
Staff  Expected 

Museum  officials  said  that  this  would  not  re- 
sult in  a  curtailment  of  staff  or  the  scope  of 
their  reviewing,  translating  and  editing  work. 
Transfer  of  a  portion  of  the  CIAA  film  work 
to  Hollywood  and  a  curtailed  documentary 
production  program  is  expected  to  compensate 
for  most  of  the  cut  in  funds.  Last  year  the 
cost  of  processing  was  said  to  average  $1,096 
per  reel. 

"Only  a  few  minor  changes  are  expected"  in 
the  staff  which  has  handled  the  Government 
films  at  the  library,  a  Museum  executive  said. 
One  staff  member  was  said  to  be  departing 
"on  a  leave  of  absence."  The  Museum  refused 
to  identify  him,  or  explain  reports  that  he  was 
undertaking  a  foreign  mission. 

However,  it  was  elsewhere  disclosed  that  Luis 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


Bunuel,  chief  translator  for  the  Museum,  was 
leaving.  He  has  been  a  storm  center  of  sub- 
merged inquiries  and  discussions  for  more  than 
a  year,  growing  out  of  his  left  wing  and  sur- 
realist film  activities  in  France  some  years 
ago.  It  will  be  remembered  that  he  was  asso- 
ciated with  the  making  of  "L'Age  d'Or,"  in 
collaboration  with  Salvador  Dali,  famed  sur- 
realist artist,  under  the  patronage  of  Etienne 
Beaumont,  Vicomte  de  Noailles,  in  Paris.  The 
picture  was  ultimately  suppressed  in  France. 

Also  Does  Work  for 
Library  of  Congress 

In  addition  to  its  work  for  the  CIAA  the 
Museum  is  also  a  Government  contractor  in 
behalf  of  the  Library  of  Congress.  Under  a 
contract  approved  last  summer  by  Archibald 
MacLeish,  librarian,  the  Museum  was  ap- 
pointed a  reviewing  agent  of  all  copyrighted 
motion  pictures.  Under  an  agreement  with 
the  major  distributors  the  Library  of  Congress 
planned  to  exercise  its  right  to  copyright  copies 
by  collecting  used  prints  of  outstanding  motion 
pictures. 

The  Museum  film  library,  it  is  reported,  has 
submitted  a  list  of  1942-43  pictures  which  it 
considers  worthy  of  preservation.  A  final  selec- 
tion is  to  be  made  by  Verner  Clapp,  assistant 
to  Mr.  MacLeish. 

Pending  construction  of  vault  facilities  at 
the  Library  in  Washington,  it  is  planned  to 
house  the  collection  at  the  Museum's  vaults  on 
New  York's  West  53rd  Street.  The  National 
Archives  vaults  in  Washington,  where  it  had 
been  planned  to  store  the  copyright  copies,  were 
not  available.  If  the  temporary  arrangement  is 
successful  the  Government  films  may  be  housed 
permanently  in  New  York  as  an  adjunct  to 
the  Museum  of  Modern  Art  Film  Library,  ac- 
cording to  the  Museum  staff. 


Dorothy  Calhoun  Gets 
OWI  Hollywood  Post 

To  meet  demand  from  foreign  newspapers 
and  magazines  for  news  and  features  about 
Hollywood,  the  publications  section  of  the 
OWI's  overseas  branch  has  sent  a  staff  writer 
to  Hollywood.  Dorothy  Donnell  Calhoun,  a 
former  editor  and  writer  about  films  for  fan 
magazines  and  syndicates,  arrived  in  Hollywood 
last  week  for  the  OWI.  She  was  formerly 
Hollywood  correspondent  for  Motion  Picture, 
Motion  Picture  Classics  and  the  Gibson  Publi- 
cations. 

She  will  write  special  material  on  Holly- 
wood's war  activities,  picture  production,  and 
the  stars,  producers  and  personnel.  These  will 
be  based  on  requests  for  coverage  of  particu- 
lar angles  reported  by  the  OWI's  outpost  ob- 
servers. They  will  be  given  by  the  Government 
without  cost  to  foreign  publications. 


"Hitler's  Children"  Has 
Long  Puerto  Rican  Run 

RKO  Radio's  "Hitler's  Children"  ended  its 
engagements  in  San  Juan,  Puerto  Rico,  last 
Wednesday,  after  a  23-day  run.  According  to 
the  company,  a  record  opening  day  gross  was 
set.  Starting  June  10th,  opening  day  premieres 
were  held  day  and  date  at  the  Matienzo,  Venus, 
Fox  and  Broadway,  of  the  Llamas  circuit. 


Attend  Special  Screening 

The  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  film,  "Hitler's 
Madman,"  was  screened  privately  in  Washing- 
ton for  officials  of  the  Czechoslovakian  Gov- 
ernment last  week.  The  screening  was  held  in 
the  Loew  projection  room  in  Washington. 


June    26,  1943 


Industry  Ready 
To  Open  New 
Bond  Drive 

The  film  industry's  drive  to  sell  at  least  $1  in 
War  Stamps  to  each  of  130,000,000  Americans, 
was  being  prepared  this  week  at  the  New  York 
headquarters  of  the  War  Activities  Committee. 
The  drive,  which  begins  next  Thursday,  and 
will  extend  through  the  month  of  July,  will  be 
implemented  by  special  exploitation,  the  coop- 
eration of  the  nation's  retailers,  and  of  the 
Treasury  Department ;  and  by  a  special  trailer, 
available  at  National  Screen  Service  exchanges. 

The  $130,000,000  will  be  used  to  build  an  air- 
craft carrier,  the  Shangri-La. 

New  York  exhibitors  met  Monday,  under 
WAC  auspices,  to  discuss  their  share  of  the 
campaign,  and  it  was  agreed  that  probably  more 
than  1,000  houses  in  the  area  would  participate. 

Continuing  his  visits  to  key  cities,  where  he 
has  been  explaining  in  detail  the  film  industry's 
war  effort,  Francis  Harmon,  executive  vice- 
chairman  of  the  WAC,  was  in  Salt  Lake  City 
Tuesday,  Denver,  Thursday,  and  Omaha,  Fri- 
day. In  the  first  city,  he  addressed  a  joint 
WAC,  Rotary  and  Chamber  of  Commerce  meet- 
ing at  the  Hotel  Utah ;  in  the  second,  the 
Rotary;  in  the  third,  the  Kiwanis.  Mr.  Har- 
mon visited  Hollywood,  Los  Angeles,  and  San 
Francisco  last  week. 

He  was  expected  to  return  to  New  York 
headquarters  this  weekend.  His  next  address 
will  be  to  the  New  Jersey  Allied  convention,  at 
West  End,'  July  2d.  Other  WAC  officials 
scheduled  to  speak  at  this  meeting  are  Arthur 
Mayer  and  Si  Fabian. 

Russell  Bovim,  WAC  publicity  chairman  in 
Columbus,  Ohio,  has,  with  Bobby  Jones,  local 
Variety  Club  chief  barker,  originated  "Bond- 
ball."  In  the  form  of  a  baseball  diamond,  a 
board  was  put  in  front  of  Loew's  United  Artists 
theatre.  With  the  "Army"  and  "Navy"  play- 
ing, and  Mr.  Jones  talking,  patrons  and  pas- 
sersby  were  urged  to  spur  teams  to  victory  by 
purchasing  Bonds  and  Stamps.  A  Stamp  was 
a  "single" ;  a  Bond,  a  home  run. 

Oscar  Nyberg,  operator  of  the  Fox  theatre, 
Spokane,  ran  a  War  Bond  premiere,  admission 
being  a  patron's  pledge  that  he  sign  with  his 
employer  for  allotment  of  10  per  cent  of  each 
week's  salary  for  War  Bond  purchase. 

To  stimulate  the  sale  of  Bonds,  a  "Yankee 
Doodle  Auction"  is  held  each  Monday  night  at 
the  State  theatre,  Gary,  Ind.  Merchandise  val- 
ued at  from  $250  to  $300,  donated  by  the  Hub, 
Gary  department  store,  is  given  away  to  pur- 
chasers of  the  largest  amount  of  Bonds.  The 
entire  program  is  broadcast  from  the  stage  of 
the  theatre  over  Station  WIND. 


Severslcy  in  New  York 

Major  Alexander  P.  de  Seversky,  author  of 
"Victory  Through  Air  Power"  which  Walt 
Disney  has  brought  to  the  screen,  is  in  New 
York  for  the  forthcoming  premiere  of  the  pic- 
ture at  the  Globe  theatre.  Major  de  Seversky 
recently  left  Hollywood,  following  work  on  the 
completed  live-action  scenes  of  the  Disney 
production.  It  was  the  aviator's  first  appearance 
before  the  cameras.  "Victory,"  a  full-length 
Technicolor  production,  part  animation  and 
part  live-action,  is  a  United  Artists  release. 


Ask  Payment  of  Back  Taxes 

The  U.  S.  Government  is  preparing  to  serve 
papers  on  Ruth  Chatterton,  actress,  for  alleged 
unpaid  income  taxes  amounting  to  $13,163,  it 
was  indicated  last  week  in  New  York  Federal 
Court.  The  suit  will  be  brought  in  Los  An- 
geles Federal  Court,  southern  district.  Unless 
payment  is  made,  the  Government  plans  to  is- 
sue a  tax  lien  against  the  actress'  personal 
property,  it  was  reported. 


Museum's  Pact  with 
Coordinator  Pends 


June    26,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


41 


MAY  BOX  OFFICE  CHAMPIONS 


Lewis  Milestone,  director 

EDGE  OF  DARKNESS:  Warner  Bros.  Pro- 
duced by  Henry  Blanke.  Director,  Lewis 
Milestone.  Screenplay  by  Robert  Rossen 
from  the  novel  by  William  Woods.  Pho- 
tography, Sid  Hickox.  Art  director,  Robert 
Haas.  Film  editor,  David  Weisbart.  Set 
decorations  by  Julia  Heron.  Cast:  Errol 
Flynn,  Ann  Sheridan,  Walter  Huston,  Judith 
Anderson,  Ruth  Gordon.  Release  date, 
April  24,  1943. 


Lothar  Mendes,  director 

FLIGHT  FOR  FREEDOM:  RKO  Radio.  Pro- 
duced by  David  Hempstead.  Directed  by 
Lothar  Mendes.  Screenplay  by  Oliver  H. 
P.  Garrett  and  S.  K.  Lauren  from  a  story 
by  Horace  McCoy.  Adaptation  by  Jane 
Murfin.  Photography  by  Lee  Garmes. 
Musical  director,  C.  Bakaleinikoff.  Cast: 
Rosalind  Russell,  Fred  MacMurray,  Herbert 
Marshall,  Damian  O'Flynn.  Release  date, 
April  2,  1943. 


Cedric  Hardwicke,  production  supervisor 

FOREVER  AND  A  DAY:  RKO  Radio.  Pro- 
duction supervisor,  Cedric  Hardwicke. 
Production  coordinator,  Lloyd  Richards. 
Sequence  producer-directors:  Frank  Lloyd, 
Rene  Clair,  Edmund  Goulding,  Victor 
Saville,  Robert  Stevenson,  Herbert  Wilcox. 
Musical  director,  Anthony  Collins.  Cast: 
Brian  Aherne,  Robert  Cummings,  Charles 
Laughton,  Ida  Lupino  and  others.  Release 
date,  March  26,  1943. 


Curtis  Bernhardt,  director 


HAPPY  GO  LUCKY:  Paramount.  Associate 
producer,  Harold  Wilson.  Directed  by 
Curtis  Bernhardt.  Screenplay  by  Walter 
DeLeon,  Norman  Panama  and  Melvin  Frank. 
Adaptation  by  John  Jacoby.  Original  story 
by  Michael  Uris.  Photographer,  Carl  Struss. 
Cast:  Mary  Martin,  Dick  Powell,  Eddie 
Bracken,  Betty  Hutton,  Rudy  Vallee.  Block 
Four  Release. 


Clarence  Brown,  director 


THE  HUMAN  COMEDY:  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer.  Produced  and  directed  by  Clarence 
Brown.  Screenplay  by  Howard  Estabrook 
from  a  story  by  William  Saroyan.  Musical 
score  by  Herbert  Stothart.  Photography 
by  Harry  Stradling.  Art  director,  Cedric 
Gibbons.  Cast:  Mickey  Rooney,  Frank 
Morgan,  James  Craig,  Marsha  Hunt,  Van 
Johnson.  Release  date,  June-August,  1943. 


George  Stevens,  director 


THE  MORE  THE  MERRIER:  Columbia. 
Produced  and  directed  by  George  Stevens. 
Associate  producer,  Fred  Guiol.  Story  and 
screenplay  by  Robert  Russell  and  Frank 
Ross,  in  conjunction  with  Richard  Flournoy 
and  Lewis  R.  Foster.  Photography  by  Ted 
Tetzlaff.  Art  director,  Lionel  Banks.  Cast: 
Jean  Arthur,  Joel  McCrea,  Charles  Coburn. 
Release  date,  May  I  3,  1943. 


'II -length  spec 


the  best-seller  by 


AJOR 


LEXANDER  de  SEVERSKY 

the  most  widely  read  Book-of-the-Month  in  history 
ndensed  by  The  Reader's  Digest! 


m 


rlifremiere  •  GLOBE  THEATRE.  NEW  YORK  JULY  17th! 


from  UNITED  ARTISTS 

. . .  where  BiO  things  ore  always  in  the  air 


Join  the  Shanari-La  War  Stamo  Drive  Durina  Jul 


44 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    26,  1943 


Revolt  in  Argentina 
Halts  Stock  Split 


Allocation  of  Raw  Film 
from  U.S.  by  Government 
Unit  Brings  Protest 

by  NAT  ALIO  BRUSKI 

in  Buenos  Aires 

The  revolution  which  in  12  hours  brought 
about  the  downfall  of  Dr.  Castillo's  govern- 
ment on  June  4th  has  resulted  in  suspen- 
sion of  the  distribution  of  the  raw  film  re- 
cently arrived  in  this  country,  the  allotment 
of  which  caused  the  energetic  protests  from 
the  interested  parties. 

On  June  1st  the  Minister  of  Agriculture 
at  that  time,  Dr.  Amadeo  y  Videla,  approved 
a  resolution  establishing  rules  and  fixing  the 
individual  quantities  for  the  distribution  of 
the  entire  batch  of  raw  film  confiscated  by 
that  Government  department,  and  which  had 
recently  been  brought  into  the  country  from 
the  United  States,  calculated  at  about  8,- 
000,000  feet.  The  decree  established  that 
the  film  would  be  distributed  among  the  us- 
ers in  proportion  to  their  requirements  and 
taking  into  consideration  their  stocks,  on 
the  following  basis: 

Distribution  Basis 
Is  Outlined 

a)  For  serial  productions  a  maximum  of 
25  current  rolls  of  negative  films  and  the 
same  quantity  of  sound  films  for  each  pro- 
duction. 

b)  For  shorts,  a  maximum  of  10  current 
rolls  of  negative  film  and  the  same  quantity 
of  sound  film  for  each  production. 

c)  The  quantity  of  original  film  which  will 
be  allotted  to  each  consumer  will  be  deter- 
mined by  taking  into  consideration  the  pro- 
portion fixed  in  the  quota  established  by  the 
United  States,  between  the  original  and 
negative. 

d)  Each  consumer  will  be  allotted  as  a 
minimum  the  quantity  of  film  necessary  to 
conclude  one  production,  in  accordance 
with  the  limits  mentioned  above,  except  in 
those  cases  where  the  quantity  required  is 
declared  to  be  inferior. 

The  consumers  who  obtain  a  participa- 
tion in  the  quota  of  raw  cinematograph  film 
must  promise  not  to  sell,  give  or  transfer, 
under  any  circumstance,  the  quantities 
which  they  receive  and  must  use  it  for  their 
own  production  exclusively. 

Many  Protests  Heard 
Over  Allocation 

The  film  quantities  not  used  in  accord- 
ance with  what  is  established  in  the  preced- 
ing paragraph  must  be  kept  at  the  disposal 
of  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture,  for  its  sub- 
sequent re-distribution.  If  within  30  days 
after  the  distribution  the  corresponding  pro- 
duction has  not  started,  the  material  will  be 
kept  at  the  disposal  of  the  department  for 
re-distribution,  except  in  those  cases  where, 
in  the  judgment  of  that  department,  there 
are  sound  reasons  to  allow  an  extension  of 
the  time  limit. 

The  raw  film  will  be  distributed  among 


the  producers  of  Argentine  pictures  upon 
the  presentation  of  their  respective  contracts 
drawn  up  to  March  31st  with  players,  di- 
rectors, script  writers,  etc.,  and  with  the 
studio  where  the  picture  will  be  produced. 

Although  the  decree,  apparently,  appeared 
satisfactory,  immediately  after  the  allocation 
for  each  company  was  known,  it  gave  rise 
to  many  protests  due  to  the  form  in  which  it 
had  been  realized,  since  it  included  among 
the  parties  benefited,  numerous  "indepen- 
dent" producers,  Government  entities  and 
individuals  who  up  to  the  time  had  practi- 
cally no  activities  whatsoever  in  the  produc- 
tion field. 

Acquisition  of  the  stock  resulted  from 
the  efforts  of  the  Association  of  Argentine 
Picture  Film  Producers,  who  had  sent  Dr. 
Rodriguez  Larreta  as  a  special  envoy  to  the 
United  States,  and  to  the  Academy  of  Cine- 
matograph Arts  and  Sciences  in  the  Argen- 
tine, which  had  appealed  to  the  Hays  organ- 
ization. 

Leading  Film  Groups 
Attack  Procedure 

Both  groups  issued  strong  protests,  the 
first  stating  that  it  had  negotiated  the  arriv- 
al of  the  crude  film  and  that  it  had  com- 
missioned Dr.  Larreta  for  that  purpose.  It 
also  added  that  the  recent  distribution  of  the 
material  destined  for  our  production  "did 
not  contemplate  the  true  interests  of  the  in- 
dustry" and  that  it  had  benefited  in  a  pro- 
portion much  larger  than  the  organized  in- 
dustry, persons  or  entities  completely  out- 
side of  same  and  their  normal  activities." 

The  A.P.P.A.  concluded  by  saying  that 
"the  matter  of  confiscating  from  the  indus- 
try important  quantities  of  raw  material  to 
the  benefit  of  outside  persons  or  entities  will 
bring  as  a  consequence  in  a  short  time  the 
paralyzation  of  the  Argentine  cinemato- 
graph activities  together  with  serious  dam- 
ages to  the  technical  men,  players,  direc- 
tors, employees  and  workmen,  not  only  in 
the  picture  show  business  but  also  in  many 
other  industries  connected  with  same." 

Argentine  Academy 
Issues  Statement 

The  Academy  on  their  part  issued  the 
following  statement:  "The  Argentine  Cine- 
matograph industry  is  constituted  exclusive- 
ly by  companies  whose  operations  are  well 
known  and  who  have  under  contract  pro- 
ducers, directors,  interpreters,  technicians 
and  workmen,  that  by  following  the  exam- 
ple of  the  United  States,  and  in  line  with 
the  problems  derived  from  the  war,  it  is 
only  right  that  the  distribution  of  the  raw 
material  be  effected  only  and  exclusively 
among  those  companies,  true  builders  of  our 
cinematograph  industry,  and  that  not  a 
single  meter  should  be  diverted  to  entities 
or  persons  who  represent  nothing  at  pres- 
ent in  that  industry,  and  make  public  its 
disagreement  with  the  policy  followed  in  the 
form  of  establishing  the  quota,  which  does 
not  consult  with  the  actual  requirements  of 
the  industry  and  whose  grave  consequences 
are  easy  to  imagine." 


Brazil  Will  Have 
Own  'Hollywood9 
Says  Director 

.  Brazil  will  have  a  "Hollywood"  before  the 
year's  end,  according  to  Israel  Souto,  director 
of  motion  pictures  for  that  country's  Depart- 
ment of  Propaganda  and  Information,  and  now 
visiting  this  country  to  study  the  making  and 
processing  of  films. 

It  will  be  built  in  Rio  de  Janeiro,  he  added, 
remarking  that  he  could  not  hazard  an  esti- 
mate of  its  expense  or  extent,  because  the  word 
to  proceed  awaits  his  return. 

The  Government  will  build  the  studios  and 
laboratories,  he  asserted,  and  then  will  rent 
them  at  "small  cost"  to  Brazilian  producers. 
It  also  will  use  the  studios  itself,  he  said,  and 
possibly  make  a  feature,  its  first,  for  "experi- 
mental purposes." 

But,  he  added,  the  main  purpose  in  building 
the  plants  is  the  promotion  of  a  large  private 
Brazilian  film  industry,  the  output  of  which,  he 
said,  thus  far  has  been  small  and  not  greatly 
competitive  to  American  films,  which  dominate 
the  Brazilian  screen. 

Brazil  will  not  manufacture  film,  nor  coat 
it,  so  long  as  it  is  able  to  obtain  raw  stock 
from  this  country,  Mr.  Souto  said.  Thus  far, 
despite  the  war  deliveries  of  raw  stock  to 
the  Government  and  to  private  producers,  the 
supply  has  been  sufficient,  although  deliveries 
have  not  been  as  regular  as  in  peace  time. 

In  fact,  he  observed,  while  here,  he  will  en- 
deavor to  obtain  a  more  systematic  method  of 
delivery. 

Admitting  the  possibility  that  the  United 
States  at  some  time  may  not  be  able  to  supply 
Brazil  with  film,  the  Brazilian  executive  said 
his  country  had  sufficient  industrial  resources 
and  ingenuity  to  make  or  coat  film.  "We  now 
have  an  iron  industry,"  he  commented,  "and 
there  was  none  before." 

Of  Brazilian  taste,  he  said,  it  remained  with 
American  pictures.  Increased  Argentinian  and 
Mexican  film  production  has  no  reflection  in  the 
Brazilian  market,  he  said.  Such  pictures  are 
not  liked  because  Brazilians  have  become  ac- 
customed to  English  as  a  "second  language" 
on  the  screen,  and  many  are  learning  it  private- 
ly.   Brazilians  still  like  "good  war  films." 

On  the  goodwill  film  efforts  of  the  Coordina- 
tor of  Inter-American  Affairs,  he  refused  to 
comment,  except  to  say  that  the  efforts  were 
new,  and  therefore  it  was  too  early  to  judge, 
and  that  it  seemed  to  him  the  Coordinator's 
representatives  were  doing  "all  they  can  do." 

Censorship,  of  which  Mr.  Souto  is  in  charge, 
rarely  has  to  be  applied  to  American  pictures, 
he  noted.  When  eliminations  are  made,  they 
are  made  for  some  faults  in  translation  of  sub- 
titles. 

He  had  especial  praise  for  Walt  Disney's 
"Saludos  Amigos,"  which,  he  said,  was  still 
playing,  and  probably  would  play  in  the  Repub- 
lic for  some  time. 

His  office  produces  eight  to  10  short  sub- 
jects per  month,  as  newsreels,  educational  sub- 
jects and  war  propaganda,  explaining  the  varied 
Brazilian  war  effort.  It  has  been  in  existence 
four  years.  As  censor,  it  has  reviewed  in  the 
past  year  approximately  four  and  one-half  mill- 
ion feet  of  American  film. 

Mr.  Souto  stayed  at  the  Waldorf-Astoria, 
New  York,  this  week,  having  arrived  by  air- 
plane from  Rio  de  Janeiro  last  Saturday.  Next 
Monday  he  is  to  leave  for  a  month's  stay  in 
Hollywood. 


Judy  Garland  Concert  Soloist 

Judy  Garland,  MGM  star,  will  appear  at 
Robin  Hood  Dell,  Philadelphia,  on  July  1st  as 
soloist  with  a  symphony  orchestra  conducted  by, 
Andre  Kostelanetz.  She  will  sing  four  George 
Gershwin  numbers. 


Even  If  You've  Never  Played  A  Paramount  Short 


Even  If  You  Never  Play  Another  One— 


Just  Be  Sure  To  Take  A  Look  At— 


Then  Use  Your  Own  Judgment! 


Produced  by  Jack  Eaton 
Narrated  by  Ted  Husing 

Directed  by  Russell  T.  Ervin 


IT'S  SOMETHING  SPECIAL... 

Machine  guns  fire  point-blank  at  troops  protected  by  one  inch  of  water — 
Trainees  swim  unscathed  through  blazing  oil — 
"Tops... truly  death-defying... packed  with  amazing  stuff,"  says  Film  Daily. 


46 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    26,  1943 


Appeal  Board 
Decrees  New 
Dating  Plan 


Kostelanetz  Pledges  End 
Of  Union  Racketeers 


"The  'boys  from  Chicago'  will  be  elim- 
inated from  the  American  Federation  of 
Labor  motion  picture  unions."  That  is  the 
pledge  of  Boris  Kostelanetz,  the  32-year-old 
Federal  prosecutor,  who  on  September  8th 
will  bring  to  trial  at  New  York  the  eight 
former  Capone  gangsters  now  under  in- 
dictment. They  are  charged  with  mail  fraud 
and  directing  the  extortion  of  $2,500,000 
from  the  motion  picture  industry  through 
Willie  Bioff  and  George  E.  Browne,  former 
IATSE  officials. 

He  was  appointed  a  Special  Assistant 
U.  S.  Attorney  General  on  June  16th  by 
Francis  Biddle,  the  Attorney  General. 
Since  1936  Mr.  Kostelanetz  has  been  on 
the  staff  of  the  Federal  prosecutor  at  New 
York.  With  Matthias  Correa,  who  recently 
resigned  as  U.  S.  Attorney,  he  drew  up  the 
Chicago  syndicate  indictments.  He  pre- 
pared the  cases  against  Bioff  and  Browne 
and  sent  Jack  Dietz,  fight  film  promoter, 
to  {ail. 

A  knack  for  figures  was  an  impor- 
tant part  of  the  talent  with  which  Mr. 
Kostelanetz  traced  the  involved  bookkeep- 
ing of  the  IATSE.  He  is  a  certified  public 
accountant  as  well  as  an  attorney.  He 
worked  for  Price,  Waterhouse  and  Com- 
pany from  1933  to  1936  while  studying  law 
at  night,  and  for  a  while  taught  accounting 
at  New  York  University.  In  1936  he  gradu- 
ated magna  cum  laude  from  St.  John's 
Law  School  in  Brooklyn  and  went  to  work 
for  Lamarr  Hardy,  then  the  U.  S.  Attorney 
for  New  York. 

Mr.  Kostelanetz  came  to  New  York  from 
Russia  when  he  was  nine.  He  grew  up  in 


By  Staff  Photographer 

BORIS  KOSTELANETZ 

Manhattan  and  went  to  Townsend  Harris 
High  School.  Later  he  worked  his  way 
through  NYU.  He  is  still  a  New  Yorker, 
married,  and  the  father  of  a  three-year-old 
son,  and  a  daughter,  born  last  Saturday. 

The  involvements  of  gangsters  and  film 
unions  and  their  depredations  against  the 
motion  picture  industry  are  a  "fascinating" 
trail,  Mr.  Kostelanetz  admits.  It  is  not  yet 
at  an  end.  He  promises  to  merit  the  desig- 
nation of  Special  Assistant  to  the  Attorney 
General  by  "prosecuting  the  indictments 
now  pending  and  continuing  the  investiga- 
tion until  'The  Syndicate'  is  eliminated  from 
American  Labor." 


A  new  availability  formula  to  protect  sub- 
sequent runs  from  booking  delays  by  theatres 
holding  clearance  over  them  was  decreed  by 
the  Appeal  Board  Monday  in  a  ruling  on  the 
clearance  complaint  of  Harry  Fried,  operator 
of  the  Riant  theatre,  Conshohocken,  Pa.  It 
was  the  Board's  74th  decision. 

The  new  formula  provides  that  when  the 
Norristown  theatres  holding  clearance  over  the 
Riant  delay  in  booking  pictures  for  more  than 
21  days  after  availability  their  clearance  mar- 
gin over  the  Riant  shall  be  reduced  by  one  day 
for  each  day  of  delay.  In  no  case  may  their 
clearance  be  cut  to  less  than  one  day.  Thus 
their  right  to  prior  run  was  preserved  by  the 
board. 

The  board  affirmed  the  clearance  margins  set 
by  John  F.  E.  Hippie,  Philadelphia  arbitrator. 
He  upheld  the  14-day  clearance  of  the  Norris 
theatre  over  the  Riant  and  cut  the  Grand  and 
the  Garrick  from  14  to  11  and  seven  days.  All 
are  operated  by  the  Norris  Amusement  Com- 
pany. The  five  consenting  distributors  were 
defendants.    Costs  were  divided. 

Mr.  Fried  appealed  the  award  contending 
that  the  arbitrator's  ruling  that  pictures  be 
available  to  Conshohocken  not  later  than  60 
days  after  first  run  Philadelphia  was  inadequate 
protection  against  late  playing  by  Norristown. 

The  Board  found  no  evidence  of  intentional 
late  dating  by  the  intervenor.  But  "a  consider- 
able amount  of  late  dating  might  have  been 
avoided  by  greater  diligence"  it  wrote. 

"Twenty-one  days  is,  in  our  opinion,  ample 
time  for  the  Norristown  theatres  to  book  and 
play  their  pictures,  and  if  they  do  not  play 
within  21  days  of  availability  they  should  lose 
one  day  of  their  clearance  for  each  day  of  delay 
over  the  21  days,  provided,  however,  that  in 
any  event  these  Norristown  theatres  should  con- 
tinue to  have  at  least  one  day  of  clearance  over 
the  Riant. 

"By  way  of  illustration,  the  Grand  theatre 
will  have  11  days  of  clearance  over  the  Riant. 
Should  it  commence  to  play  a  picture  25  days 
after  its  availability,  its  clearance  over  the 
Riant  is  reduced  to  seven  days,  and  should  it 
commence  to  play  a  picture  34  days  after  avail- 
ability, its  clearance  over  the  Riant  is  reduced 
to  one  day.  This  method  will  preserve  for  the 
Norristown  theatres  their  priority  of  run  o.n 
first  run  pictures,"  the  board  said. 

George  W.  Alger,  chairman,  and  Albert  W. 
Putnam  and  Robert  McC.  Marsh,  members  of 
the  board,  devised  the  new  formula. 

Chicago 

The  Carroll  theatre,  operated  at  Mt.  Car- 
roll, 111.,  won  a  clearance  reduction  from  thea- 
tres in  Savannah,  12  miles  distant,  this  week  in 
Chicago's  22nd  case.  Albert  G.  McCaleb,  arbi- 
trator, ordered  MGM  and  Warners  to  cut  their 
14  and  seven-day  margins  in  favor  of  the  Web 
and  Orpheum  theatres  in  Savannah  to  three 
days.    They  are  operated  by  Van  A.  Nomikos. 

Buffalo 

Basil  Brothers  circuit  at  Buffalo  on  Thursday 
filed  two  clearance  complaints  naming  the  five 
consenting  distributors,  MGM,  Paramount, 
RKO,  Warners  and  Twentieth  Century-Fox. 
They  are  the  city's  21st  and  22nd  complaints. 

In  the  21st  case  the  Basil  Brothers  com- 
plained that  the  14-day  margin  over  their  Gene- 
see theatre  of  the  D.  &  B.  company's  Bailey 
theatre  was  unreasonable.  The  Bailey  is  lo- 
cated at  2165  South  Bailey  Avenue.  The  Basils 
want  to  play  immediately  after  the  Bailey. 

A  similar  action  for  Basil's  Apollo  attacked 
the  14-day  margin  of  Shea's  Elmwood  theatre. 
Elimination  of  clearance  was  also  sought. 


ASCAP  and  AGVA  To  Join 
Victory  Committee 

The  executive  committee  of  the  Hollywood 
Victory  Committee  has  voted  to  accept  in  the 
organization  representatives  from  the  Ameri- 
can Society  of  Composers,  Authors  and  Pub- 
lishers and  the  American  Guild  of  Variety  Art- 
ists. The  committee  also  voted  to  employ  a 
full-time  liaison  man  to  work  with  the  Holly- 
wood Writers  Mobilization  to  supply  scripts. 

Full  approval  was  given  for  the  participation 
of  talent  in  the  Hollywood  Bowl  program 
June  30th,  launching  the  $40,000,000  "Build  a 
Cruiser  Los  Angeles"  War  Bond  campaign. 

Shouse  Hits  Ruling  on  FCC 
At  Editors'  Convention 

James  D.  Shouse,  vice-president  of  the  Cros- 
ley  Corporation,  Cincinnati,  decried  the  Su- 
preme Court  decision  upholding  the  powers  of 
the  Federal  Communications  Commission  in 
regulating  radio  networks  when  he  spoke  be- 
fore the  National  Editorial  Association  con- 
vetion  in  Cincinnati  last  week. 

Mr.  Shouse  said:  "Overnight,  American 
radio  under  the  law  as  interpreted  by  the  Court, 
lost  all  the  characteristics  of  freedom  vital  to 
our  two-party  political  system  and  so  essential 
to  American  democracy." 


Boston  Mayor  Refuses 
To  Ban  "Mission" 

Mayor  Maurice  J.  Tobin  of  Boston  announced 
Tuesday  that  he  would  not  ban  the  showing  of 
"Mission  to  Moscow"  from  Boston  theatres,  as 
requested  in  a  recent  order  by  the  City  Council. 

"Despite  the  fact  that  the  picture  is  definitely 
a  distortion  of  historical  fact,  to  ban  it  would 
embarrass  our  State  department  and  our  com- 
mander-in-chief, the  President,  in  their  handling 
of  our  relations  with  Russia,"  the  Mayor  de- 
clared in  making  known  his  decision. 

"Russia  is  our  military  ally  in  this  war.  At 
present  she  is  fighting  with  us  on  the  German 
front.  Shortly,  I  hope,  she  will  be  fighting  with 
us  on  the  Japanese  front,"  he  said. 

"Any  action  at  this  time  which  would  in  any 
way  tend  to  injure  our  relations  with  a  most 
valuable  military  ally  certainly  cannot  be  con- 
sidered a  contribution  to  the  war  effort,"  he 
added. 


Concert  Proceeds  to  Army 

A  check  for  $4,966  last  week  was  turned  over 
to  the  Armed  Forces  Master  Records,  Inc.,  by 
the  American  Society  of  Composers,  Authors 
and  Publishers,  representing  the  proceeds  from 
the  Rachmaninoff  concert  sponsored  by 
ASCAP  on  June  1st.  The  record  organiza- 
tion supplies  service  men  with  recorded  music. 


ROSEMARY  LANE  •  JOHN  HUBBARD 

GUS  SCHILLING  •  ANNE  JEFFREYS  •  GEORGE  BYRON 
and  THE  MILLS  BROTHERS  and   SPADE  COOLEY  AND   HIS  BOYS 

Joseph  Santley — Director  •  Original  Screen  Ploy  by  George  Corleton  Bro  wn  •   Frank  Gill.  Jr 


BUY  U.  S. 
WAR  SAVINGS 
BONDS 


48 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    26,  1943 


Warner  6-Month 
Net  $4,141,19% 
Up  $339,144 

Net  profit  of  Warner  Bros,  for  the  six 
months  ended  February  27,  1943,  rose  to  $4,- 
141,199,  representing  an  increase  of  $339,144 
over  the  six-month  total  of  $3,802,055  in  the 
corresponding  period  last  year. 

Earnings  of  $13,941,199  were  listed  as  profit 
from  all  operations ;  provisions  for  taxes  were 
$9,800,000.  During  the  same  period  in  1942, 
only  $2,825,000  went  for  taxes,  but  the  earnings 
of  $6,627,055  in  that  period  was  approximately 
100  per  cent  lower  than  the  present  figure. 

Gross  income  for  the  six  months  ended  Feb- 
ruary was  $83,409,868,  almost  $10,000,000  high- 
er than  gross  earnings  for  the  period  a  year 
ago.  Preferred  dividend  in  arrears  as  of  March 
1,  1943,  amounted  to  $33.68  per  share ;  the  net 
was  equivalent  to  $41.66  per  share  on  99,397 
preferred  shares  outstanding  at  Feb.  27,  1943 
(after  deduction  of  shares  held  in  treasury). 

Common  stock  earnings  were  equivalent  to 
$1.06  per  share  on  $3,701,000  common  shares 
outstanding.  The  consolidated  balance  sheet 
showed  cash  in  the  United  States  of  $12,325,615, 
about  $3,000,000  more  than  for  the  previous 
six-month  total.  In  England,  cash  credits 
amount  to  $2,769,186;  total  in  other  countries, 
$15,375,379. 

Current  and  working  assets  in  the  U.  S.  on 
February  27,  1943,  were  $44,389,653,  against 
current  liabilities  of  $27,130,024.  Additionally, 
on  the  same  date  foreign  subsidiaries  had  cur- 
rent assets  of  $4,405,908,  against  current  liabili- 
ties of  $5,459,495. 

Total  assets  were  listed  at  $174,798,772  in 
the  U.  S.,  $9,233,068  in  England,  and  $957,962 
elsewhere— a  total  of  $184,989,802.  Company 
listed  $8,403,225  for  goodwill,  charged  to  U.  S. 
assets. 

Affirms  Mandate  Ordering 
Music  Hall  Refund 

The  Radio  City  Music  Hall  won  a  victory  in 
the  New  York  Federal  Court  last  week  when 
the  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals  affirmed  a  man- 
date ordering  refund  to  the  Music  Hall  of 
$1,079  paid  to  the  Government  for  social  secur- 
ity taxes  paid  to  117  feature  performers  in 
1939. 

Judge  John  M.  Bright  authorized  the  com- 
pany to  file  judgment.  The  Music  Hall  had 
claimed  that  the  performers  were  not  "regular" 
employees,  but  "independent  contractors."  It  is 
felt  that  the  ruling  may  affect  other  film-stage 
show  houses  throughout  the  country. 

National  Decency  Legion 
Classifies  Eight  Films 

The  National  Legion  of  Decency  reviewed 
eight  films  for  the  current  week,  classifying 
seven  as  unobjectionable  for  general  patronage 
and  one  as  objectionable  in  part.  The  listing 
follows : 

Class  A-l,  Unobjectionable  for  General 
Patronage:  "Blazing  Frontier,"  "Fugitive  from 
Sonora,"  "Get  Going,"  "Yanks  Ahoy,"  "Hit  the 
Ice,"  "Robin  Hood  of  the  Range,"  "Thumbs 
Up."  Class  B,  Objectionable  in  Part:  "Ay 
Jalisco  No  Te  Rajes." 


Brennan  in  Films  25  Years 

Walter  Brennan,  who  is  to  appear  in  Samuel 
Goldwyn's  "North  Star,"  recently  celebrated 
his  25th  anniversary  as  a  character  actor  in 
motion  pictures. 


Malavenda  Acquires  House 

Peter  Malavenda,  operator  of  the  Fairmont 
in  New  Haven,  has  acquired  the  Victory  thea- 
tre in  Wallingford,  Conn.,  from  Ben  Levine. 


20th-Fox  May  Buy  Preferred 
Stock  from  Chase  Bank 

The  Twentieth  Century-Fox  proxy  statement 
sent  to  stockholders  providing  for  an  option 
to  buy  the  58  per  cent  interest  held  by  Chase 
National  Bank  in  National  Theatres  Corpora- 
tion also  provides  for  the  possible  purchase  of 
its  665,715  preferred  shares  held  by  the  bank 
in  the  next  five  years. 

Stockholders  have  been  asked  to  approve  ex- 
ercise of  the  option  to  purchase  the  $13,000,000 
holdings  of  National  Theatres  from  Chase 
Bank,  and  to  authorize  issuance  of  100,000 
shares  of  prior  preferred  stock  to  be  applied 
to  the  purchase  of  the  National  securities. 

A  registration  statement  covering  the  project- 
ed issuance  of  $10,000,000  of  new  20th  Century- 
Fox  prior  preferred  stock  was  filed  with  the 
Securities  &  Exchange  Commission  earlier  this 
week. 

Although  the  proxy  statement  touched  upon 
prospective  changes  in  the  industry  consent  de- 
cree following  the  decision  in  the  Crescent  case, 
no  forecasts  were  made  as  to  the  possible  turn 
such  changes  may  take. 

National  Theatres'  interests  include  590  the- 
atres in  this  country  and  110  Hoyts'  theatres  in 
Australia.  Its  consolidated  net  profit  for  1942 
totaled  $3,382,015. 

Nine-Month  Iowa 
Tax  $11,821,089 

The  report  of  the  Iowa  State  Tax  Commis- 
sion for  the  nine-month  period  ending  Decem- 
ber 31,  1942,  shows  collections  from  amusement 
taxes  of  $11,821,089.50,  a  monthly  increase  of 
approximately  $385,000  over  the  corresponding 
period  of  the  previous  year. 

The  quarter  breakdown  showed  the  following 
receipts :  April-June,  $3,793,480 ;  July-Septem- 
ber, $4,158,306;  October-December,  $3,869,302. 
Total  receipts  for  1941  amounted  to  $14,391,195. 

There  are  approximately  475  motion  picture 
theatres  in  the  state  which  pay  amusement  tax, 
with  1,108  listed  as  paying  sales  tax.  The  num- 
ber of  amusement  places  paying  sales  tax  has 
declined  during  the  past  three  years,  1,285  being- 
listed  in  1942,  1,378  in  1941  and  1,563  in  1940. 

The  increase  in  tax  revenue,  it  was  reported 
by  observers,  refuted  a  popular  conception  that 
amusement  places  would  suffer  by  the  loss  of 
Iowans  to  the  service.  It  was  pointed  out  that 
although  fewer  places  were  in  operation,  the 
increased  business  had  taken  up  the  slack. 
Greater  patronage  was  enjoyed,  it  was  said, 
through  the  influx  of  war  workers  into  larger 
cities,  downtown  city  theatres  receiving  the 
benefit  for  the  most  part. 

Monogram  39-Week  Net 
Profit  $43,306 

Monogram  last  week  announced  that  net 
earnings  for  the  company  for  the  39-week  period 
ended  March  27  amounted  to  $43,306.  The 
gross  profit  before  taxes  and  other  expendi- 
tures was  $120,379. 

W.  Ray  Johnston,  president,  said  the  gross 
domestic  billings  for  the  first  18  weeks  of 
1943  were  30  per  cent  higher  than  for  the  same 
period  last  year. 


Warner  Unit  Receives  Flag 

Warners  has  presented  a  flag  bearing  the 
troop  colors  of  the  company's  unit  to  the  War- 
ner employees  of  the  National  Women's  Secur- 
ity Corps.  The  unit  was  rewarded  for  their 
sales  of  War  Bonds  and  Stamps.  The  presen- 
tation was  made  by  Joseph  Bernard,  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  company. 


Joins  Paramount  Exchange 

John  C.  Bowles,  formerly  with  Ross  Federal 
Service,  has  joined  Paramount  as  salesman  in 
the  San  Francisco  exchange. 


$3,382,015  Is 
1942  National 
Theatres  Profit 

National  Theatres  Corporation  last  week  re- 
ported a  net  profit  for  1942  of  $3,382,015.  It 
was  approximately  a  30  per  cent  increase  over 
the  1941  earnings  of  $2,397,246. 

The  year's  total  gross  for  theatre  admis- 
sions, rentals  and  other  revenues  amounted  to 
$55,509,421,  while  operating  profit  after  ex- 
penses was  $9,716,219.  Provision  for  taxes 
amounted  to  $5,695,080.  In  the  previous  year 
when  $4,542,942  was  earned,  taxes  totaled 
only  $1,708,758. 

Total  assets  aggregated  $44,858,361  with  cur- 
rent assets  of  $11,572,271  and  current  liabilities 
of  $10,108,750  reported.  Undistributed  earn- 
ings of  the  subsidiaries  amounted  to  $4,981,457. 

The  1942  earnings  were  equivalent  to  approxi- 
mately $1,878  per  share  and  to  a  return  of  about 
15  per  cent  on  the  price  of  $13,000,000  for  1,- 
044  shares.  The  consolidated  balance  sheet 
showing  total  assets  of  $44,858,361  disclosed  a 
capital  and  surplus  of  $28,855,746  or  a  value  of 
$16,031  per  share  for  the  1,800  shares,  and 
representing  a  total  of  $16,736,364  for  the  1,044 
shares  owned  by  the  Chase  National  Bank. 

The  option  obtained  from  the  Chase  Bank  by 
Twentieth  Century-Fox  Film,  dated  May  11, 
1943,  requires  approval  by  a  majority  of  the 
film  company  stockholders  and  performance  of 
certain  other  conditions  and  expires  November 
30,  1943. 

May  Tax  Total 

$14,625,615 

Hitting  the  highest  level  since  last  Decem- 
ber, collections  from  the  Federal  admission  tax 
totaled  $14,625,615  in  May,  an  increase  of 
$2,821,693  over  the  collections  in  the  same 
month  last  year,  it  was  announced  Tuesday  by 
the  Internal  Revenue  Bureau. 

Increasing  for  the  third  successive  month, 
May  collections  topped  the  $13,283,115  in  April 
by  $1,342,500,  apparently  well  distributed  over 
the  country  as  a  whole,  since  receipts  in  the 
Broadway  sector  increased  less  than  $80,000. 

National  collections  for  the  first  five  months 
of  the  year  were  reported  as  $62,828,997  com- 
pared with  $54,309,878  for  the  same  period  in 
1942. 

The  special  report  for  the  Third  New  York 
District  showed  collections  of  $1,865,159 
against  $1,786,818,  kith  more  than  the  entire 
increase  split  between  box  office  collections  and 
admissions  to  roof  gardens  and  cabarets,  the 
former  rising  from  $1,584,741  to  $1,622,991  and 
the  latter  from  $182,943  to  $227,249,  while  rev- 
enue from  tickets  sold  by  brokers  dropped  from 
$17,819  to  $14,919.  Nothing  was  received 
from  tickets  sold  by  proprietors  in  excess  of 
the  established  price  or  from  permanent  use 
or  lease  of  boxes  and  seats,  which  in  April  re- 
turned $157  and  $1,158,  respectively. 


Gamble  Morgenthau  Aide 

Ted  R.  Gamble,  Portland  theatre  executive, 
is  first  assistant  to  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
Henry  Morgenthau  and  heads  the  Treasury 
Department's  War  Bond  staff  in  Washington. 
He  is  not  captain  of  the  Treasury's  War  Bond 
staff  for  the  Portland  area  as  reported  in  last 
week's  Motion  Picture  Herald. 


Feldman  Promoted  to  Captain 

Benjamin  Feldman,  former  manager  of  the 
United  Artists  theatre  in  Chicago,  has  been  pro- 
moted to  captain  in  the  Army,  in  charge  of  per- 
sonnel at  his  base  at  the  University  of  Idaho. 


EASTMAN 
FILMS 

More  than  ever  the  main- 
stay of  the  motion  picture 
industry,  with  every  foot 
contributing  its  full  share 
of  exceptional  quality. 


EASTMAN    KODAK  COMPANY 


J.  E.  BRULATOUR,  INC.,  DISTRIBUTORS 
Fort  Lee  Chicago  Hollywood 


50 


IN  NEWSREELS 


MOVIETONE   NEWS — Vol.  25,  No.  83— Allies  bomb 

Axis  Churchill   visits   North   Africa  Amphibian 

truck  tested  in  Massachusetts  Memphis  Belle  re- 
turns to  United  States  under  own  power. 

MOVIETONE  NEWS— Vol.  25,  No.  84— Occupation  of 

Pantelleria  Chinese  roll  back  Japs  Army  ready 

for    gas    warfare  63,000   nurses    needed  A.A.U. 

track  meet.... WAVES  and  SPARS  keep  fit.... An- 
other York  in  Army. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY— Vol.  25,  No.  281— Air  siege 
of  Europe  Churchill  visits  Africa  Bombing  he- 
roes in  Memphis  Belle  returns  home.... New  amphib- 
ian trucks  unveiled  Air-minded  WAVES. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY— Vol.  25,  No.  282— Pantelleria 

surrenders  U.  S.  ready  on  gas  warfare  Chinese 

start    new    offensive  Another    fighting  York  

Rites   for   New   Guinea   dead  Call   for  nurses  

WAVES  keep  fit....Haag  wins  race. 

PARAMOUNT    NEWS— No.   86— King    George  visits 

Africa  Allies  bomb  Italy  Memphis  Belle  returns 

 Navy    gets    drinking    water    from    the  sea.... 

Fortresses  raid  Germany. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS— No.  87— Swedish  runner  beats 

Rice  Surrender    of    Pantelleria  Action    on  the 

Burma    front  Axis    warned    on    gas  warfare  

President  signs  bill  for  65,000  nurses. 

RKO  PATHE  NEWS— Vol.  14,  No.  86-U.  S.  Army 

Air  Force  in  action  Memphis  Belle  arrives  home 

safely  Churchill  visits  North  Africa  Fortresses 

bomb  Axis  submarine  bases  in  daylight  raids. 

RKO  PATHE  NEWS— Vol.  14,  No.  87— Surrender  of 
Pantelleria. ...  Train    nurses    to    meet  shortage.... 

England's  King  George  VI  visits  Africa  Chinese 

fight  on  Salween  front  Gunder  Haag  wins  5,000 

meter  race. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWS  REEL — Vol.  16,  No.  199—Yanks 

bomb    all    foes. ...  French    leaders    hold  parleys  

Churchill  in  North  Africa  Amphibian  trucks  un- 
veiled Navy    gets    drinking    water    from  sea.... 

South  African  commandos  Memphis  Belle  returns 

home. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWSREEL— Vol.  16,  No.  200— Pantel- 
leria succumbs. ...  Burma  Road  attacked  by  Chinese 
 Memorial  Day  in  New  Guinea. ...  General  Em- 
mons    decorated. ...  Swedish     flash     wins  English 

monarch  visits  troops.... U.  S.  ready  for  gas  war- 
fare. ...  Nurses  for  the  home  front. 

ALL  AMERICA  NEWS— Vol.  2,  No.  35— Girls'  all- 
star  Softball  team  wins. ..  .Lumberjacks  from  Hon- 
duras aid  war  cause. ..  .Richmond  league  helps  blind 
....Liberia's  chief  feted  in  New  York  Mitchell  in- 
terviewed Publishers  convene  in  St.  Louis. 


Expands  Overseas  Broadcasts 

Direct  pickups  from  Switzerland,  Sweden, 
China,  Russia  and  Turkey  will  be  added  to  the 
overseas  broadcasting  service  now  in  opera- 
tion at  WLW,  Cincinnati  short-wave  station. 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 


Schines  Weigh 
Post-  War  Plans 

Post-war  plans,  with  emphasis  on  retaining 
the  new  theatre  customers,  were  discussed  at 
a  meeting  over  the  weekend,  in  Gloversville, 
N.  Y.  of  Schine  circuit  district  managers.  The 
meeting  supplanted  the  annual  Schine  conven- 
tion. 

Hosts  to  the  managers  were  J.  Myer  Schine, 
president  of  the  circuit  and  Louis  W.  Schine, 
vice-president.  Among  the  speakers  were  E. 
Douglas  Leisman,  personnel  head ;  Seymour 
Morris,  publicity  and  advertising  director  and 
Louis  Goldstein,  booking  chief. 

Theatre  men  attending  included :  Frank 
Nolan,  of  Malone ;  William  Tubbert,  Water- 
town  ;  Harry  Unterfort,  Syracuse ;  Harold  De- 
Grauw,  Oneonta ;  Clint  Young,  Geneva ;  Nick 
Kauffman,  Little  Falls ;  Gerald  Fowler,  Gen- 
eva ;  Joseph  Schwartzwalder,  Auburn ;  Gus 
DePauw,  Newark ;  Harry  Long,  Rochester ; 
Tony  Ross,  Corning ;  William  Selman,  Ash- 
land, Ohio ;  Wilbur  Eckard,  Fostoria,  Ohio ; 
Harold  F.  Sliter,  Bellefontaine,  Ohio ;  Lew 
Hensler,  Lexington,  Ky. ;  Harry  Stearn,  Mid- 
dlesboro,  Ky. ;  Lee  Insley,  Salisbury,  Md. ; 
Harold  Raives,  Cleveland ;  Harry  Goldsmith, 
Buffalo ;  Marsh  Gollner,  Salisbury,  Md.,  and 
Lou  Hart,  Gloversville. 


Film  War  Effort  Praised 
On  Radio  Program 

Praising  the  motion  picture  industry  for  its 
"terrifically  important  war  job,"  Mary  Ham- 
man,  who  conducts  the  "Frankly  Feminine"  pro- 
gram on  station  WEAF  of  the  National  Broad- 
casting Company,  read  a  letter  during  her  Mon- 
day morning  broadcast  from  a  soldier  in  North 
Africa.  She  quoted  him  as  saying,  "Movies  are 
definitely  the  best  morale  builder  over  here — 
overwhelmingly  so.  Each  performance  is  a  sell- 
out half  an  hour  before  the  picture  goes  on. 
The  boys  are  demonstrative  as  the  dickens,  but 
sincerely  so.  ...  I  think  this  letter  pretty  con- 
clusively answers  the  question,"  he  said,  "that 
pictures  are  an  essential  industry." 

Show  Two  MOI  Films  in 
New  York  Museum 

Two  British  Ministry  of  Information  films 
were  shown  at  the  Museum  of  Modern  Art  in 
New  York  on  Thursday.  They  were  "Silent 
Village"  and  "World  of  Plenty,"  the  first  pro- 
duced by  the  Crown  Film  Unit  and  the  other 
by  Paul  Rotha  Productions. 

The  program  was  sponsored  by  the  film 
division  of  the  British  Information  Services. 
Those  who  were  to  attend  included  Robert 
Sherwood,  Francis  Alstock,  Louis  Bromfield 
and  Jan  Papanec,  Czech  Minister. 


"Wings  Up"  Air  Force  Film 

The  motion  picture  unit  of  the  Army  Air 
Forces  are  the  producers  of  "Wings  Up,"  the 
film  describing  the  training  of  future  officers 
of  the  Army  Air  Corps.  It  was  the  first  film 
made  by  the  unit,  and  was  not  produced  by  the 
Army  Signal  Corps,  as  stated  in  the  July  5th 
issue  of  Motion  Picture  Herald. 


Bader  Promoted  by  20th-Fox 

David  A.  Bader  will  become  trade  press 
representative  of  Twentieth  Century-Fox  in  the 
home  office  on  July  1st,  succeeding  Joseph 
Shea,  who  leaves  to  join  Cagney  Productions. 
Mr.  Bader  had  been  handling  special  promo- 
tional work. 


Dominican  Republic  Honors  Paley 

William  S.  Paley,  president  of  the  Columbia 
Broadcasting  System,  has  received  the  Domini- 
can Republic's  heraldic  Order  of  Cristobal 
Colon  (Christopher  Columbus). 


June    26,  1943 

OBITUARIES 

John  du  Casse  Schulze  Dies; 
Was  Film  Art  Director 

John  du  Casse  Schulze,  67,  long  a  motion 
picture  art  director  in  Hollywood,  died  at  his 
home  in  that  city  in  June  18th.  He  had  been  ill 
lor  some  time  and  recently  was  treated  for  a 
cardiac  condition  at  the  Lebanon  Hospital. 

Mr.  Schulze  was  born  in  Pocahontas,  111., 
and  entered  the  motion  picture  business  as  art 
director  for  producers  in  New  York  about  35 
years  ago.  He  later  transferred  his  activities 
to  the  coast  but  found  time  to  further  his 
study  of  art  and  music  in  Europe.  Burial  was 
in  the  Church  of  the  Flowers  at  Forest  Lawn 
Cemetery  on  Monday,  June  21st.  His  widow 
survives. 


Horace  H.  Wrigley 

Horace  H.  Wrigley,  projectionist  at  Phila- 
delphia theatres  for  the  past  23  years,  died  on 
June  19th  in  the  Germantown  Hospital  in  that 
city.  He  was  43  years  of  age  and  projectionist 
at  the  New  Penn  theatre  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  His  wife,  Dorothy  Shore,  and  a  daughter 
survive. 


George  W.  Piantadosi 

George  W.  Piantadosi,  formerly  associated 
with  Warner  Bros,  music  division,  and  vice- 
president  of  the  Yonkers  Real  Estate  Board, 
died  in  Yonkers  on  June  15th.  He  was  57.  He 
leaves  his  wife,  a  son,  two  brothers  and  two 
sisters. 


John  S.  Haber 

John  S.  Haber,  46,  vice-president  of  Philco 
International  Corporation,  died  in  Havana, 
Cuba,  on  June  15th.  An  emergency  operation 
had  been  performed  for  acute  appendicitis 
shortly  before  his  death.  He  is  survived  by  his 
widow,  Lucille ;  two  children,  John  R.  and 
Joyce,  and  a  sister,  Anne  Haber. 


John  Straub 

John  Straub,  27,  for  several  years  an  assistant 
in  the  Paramount  home  office  photographic  de- 
partment, until  he  joined  the  armed  forces, 
was  killed  recently  in  the  crash  of  a  training 
plane  near  Pensacola,  Fla.  The  pilot  of  the 
plane,  a  two-seater  in  which  Straub  was  train- 
ing as  a  Navy  aerial  photographer,  also  lost 
his  life. 


Otto  Haas 

Otto  Haas,  believed  to  be  the  first  motion 
picture  theatre  operator  of  Charlotte,  N.  C, 
died  last  Friday  at  his  home  in  that  city.  He 
was  56.  He  saw  duty  in  the  first  World  War, 
and  is  a  Mason.  He  is  survived  by  one  son, 
a  member  of  the  armed  forces. 


John  P.  Goring 

John  P.  Goring,  former  general  manager  of 
Paramount  New  York  theatres  and  later  an 
exploitation  man  for  Universal  on  the  coast, 
died  in  Hollywood  on  June  17th.  He  was  51. 
He  had  been  suffering  from  heart  trouble  for 
some  time. 


Fire  Lt.  Kelly  Dead 

Lieutenant  John  J.  Kelly,  for  many  years 
connected  with  the  New  York  Fire  Depart- 
ment's Department  of  Public  Assembly  and 
well  known  to  exhibitors  and  theatre  managers 
in  Brooklyn,  died  at  his  home  in  Ridgewood, 
Queens,  June  20th.  Burial  was  Wednesday. 


"Yankee"  10  Weeks  in  Algiers 

Warners'  "Yankee  Doodle  Dandy"  recently 
ended  a  10-week  run  at  the  Fox  theatre  in  Al- 
giers, playing  to  70,000  patrons  for  a  gross  of 
1,000,000  francs,  the  company  announced  last 
week. 


M-G-M 
TITLE  CHANGE! 

"HITLER'S 
MADMAN'' 

is  the  NEW  TITLE  of  the 
production  advertised  for 
trade  showing  under  the 
title  "Hitler's  Hangman." 

PLEASE  NOTE 

that  this  picture  was  trade 
shown  June  8,  1943  in  all 
branch  territories  except 
Memphis,  June  12;  Albany, 
Oklahoma  City,  June  14. 


June    26,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


51 


Schad  Loses 
Trust  Appeal 

Dismissal  of  the  anti-trust  action  of  Harry 
J.  Schad,  Reading,  Pa.,  exhibitor,  against 
Warner  Bros.,  20th  Century-Fox  and  the  War- 
ner and  Wilmer  and  Vincent  circuits  was  up- 
held at  Philadelphia  Tuesday  by  the  United 
States  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals.  The  District 
Court  dismissed  the  $750,000  triple  damage 
action  in  May,  1942. 

The  circuit  justices  confirmed  the  ruling  of 
Judge  J.  Cullen  Ganey  that  Mr.  Schad  as  the 
new  owner  of  the  Astor  theatre  in  Reading 
had  no  "intangible  rights"  which  would  pre- 
vent the  previous  lessor,  Warner  circuit,  from 
agreeing  to  release  20th  Century-Fox  from  its 
contracts  with  the  Astor. 

The  Schine  circuit  at  Gloversville,  N.  Y.,  has 
been  granted  an  additional  30  days,  until  July 
9th,  in  which  to  file  its  report  on  efforts  to  sell 
16  theatres,  the  Department  of  Justice  dis- 
closed in  Washington  Monday.  The  report 
originally  was  due  in  May,  but  Schine  asked 
time  to  compile  additional  material. 

Only  10  of  the  16  theatres  ordered  sold  have 
been  disposed  of.  Under  the  two-year  agree- 
ment, signed  in  May,  1942,  deferring  the  anti- 
trust prosecution  of  the  circuit  at  Buffalo,  the 
company  was  to  attempt  to  sell  the  properties 
to  the  original  owners,  or  others.  In  monthly 
reports  the  circuit  said  that  buyers  could  not  be 
found  or  that  offers  for  the  remaining  houses 
were  unreasonable. 

Keith-Columbus  Co.  Wins 
Tax  Refund  of  $2,523 

The  U.  S.  Attorney's  office  last  week  in  New 
York  Federal  Court  authorized  the  return  of 
$2,523  in  excess  profits  taxes  paid  under  pro- 
test in  1937  by  the  B.  F.  Keith-Columbus  Com- 
pany, RKO  subsidiary. 

In  1936,  following  reorganization  of  the  com- 
pany, Keith-Columbus  refrained  from  distrib- 
uting a  percentage  of  its  profits  because  of 
notes  held  in  the  amount  of  $500,000  by  the 
Ohio  National  Bank.  The  Government  recog- 
nized the  company's  responsibility  and  ruled 
that  the  profits  were  not  liable  to  tax. 

Canadian  Branch  Transfers 
Announced  by  RKO  Radio 

Joseph  McPherson  has  been  transferred  by 
RKO  Radio  from  Calgary  branch  manager  to 
Winnipeg,  where  he  will  be  stationed  in  the 
same  capacity.  He  replaces  Harry  Woolfe, 
resigned. 

R.  J.  Doddridge  has  succeeded  Mr.  McPher- 
son, who  formerly  was  office  manager  of  the 
Calgary  exchange.  Mr.  Doddridge's  position 
has  been  taken  by  Mrs.  Laura  Cottersall.  The 
changes  were  announced  last  week  by  Robert 
Mochrie,  RKO  general  sales  manager. 

Film  and  Book  Tieup  Set; 
Trade  Showings  June  28th 

Grosset  &  Dunlap  will  reissue  "The  Constant 
Nymph,"  Margaret  Kennedy  book,  simultane- 
ously with  the  general  release  of  the  film,  pro- 
duced by  Warners,  it  was  announced  last  week 
by  the  company. 

National  trade  showings  have  'been  set  for 
June  28th  and  the  film  will  be  placed  on  the 
company's  general  release  schedule  for  this 
summer. 


Thomas  Handles  Midwest 

Monogram  has  given  the  entire  midwest  ter- 
ritory to  Harry  Thomas,  eastern  division  man- 
ager. Mr.  Thomas  will  supervise  sales  in  both 
areas.  Richard  Cohen  has  been  named  manager 
in  New  Haven,  succeeding  Nate  Furst,  who 
recently  was  transferred  to  the  home  office  as 
special  sales  representative. 


Name  Sponsoring  Committee 
For  Premiere  of  "Bell" 

The  National  War  Fund  has  announced  the 
sponsoring  committee  for  the  world  premiere 
of  Paramount's  "For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls" 
at  the  Rivoli  in  New  York  on  July  14th.  Head- 
ing the  committee  is  Mrs.  John  T.  Pratt. 

She  will  have  serving  on  her  committee  Mrs. 
Winthrop  Aldrich,  Mrs.  Henry  Alexander, 
Mrs.  William  Armour,  Mrs.  Vincent  Astor, 
Mrs.  George  F.  Baker,  Mrs.  Marshall  Field, 
Mrs.  Bernard  F.  Gimbel  and  other  prominent 
women.  The  Fund's  services  include  financial 
relief  for  many  war  organizations  and  philan- 
thropic units. 

"Stage  Door  Canteen,"  Sol  Lesser's  all-star 
production  for  United  Artists,  opened  at  the 
Capitol  theatre  in  New  York  on  Thursday, 
and  simultaneously  in  15  other  key  cities 
throughout  New  England,  the  Atlantic  seaboard 
and  the  Middle  West.  All  rights  for  the  pic- 
ture were  granted  by  the  American  Theatre 
Wing  which  will  profit  from  the  proceeds  of  all 
showings. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's  "The  Youngest 
Profession"  opened  at  the  Radio  City  Music 
Hall  on  Thursday.  Paramount's  "So  Proudly 
We  Hail"  will  open  at  the  Music  Hall,  in  Au- 
gust. The  last  Paramount  picture  to  play  that 
house  was  "Reap  the  Wild  Wind,"  in  March. 

Secretary  of  Navy  Frank  Knox  was  guest 
speaker  at  the  Chicago  Civic  Opera  House  last 
Wednesday,  where  "Crash  Dive,"  20th-Cen- 
tury-Fox  Naval  film  in  Technicolor,  was 
previewed  before  4,000  recently  enlisted  women 
of  the  Navy  attending  a  giant  rally. 


Vincent  Trotta  Elected 
AM  PA  President 

The  Associated  Motion  Picture  Advertisers 
elected  Vincent  Trotta  president  at  its  meeting 
at  the  Hotel  Edison  in  New  York  on  Thursday. 
He  succeeds  Maurice  Bergman. 

The  nominating  committee's  slate,  headed  by 
Mr.  Trotta,  was  unopposed,  the  following  mem- 
bers taking  office:  James  Zabin,  vice-president; 
Hap  Hadley,  treasurer,  and  Blanche  Living- 
ston, secretary.  Directors  elected  for  the  new 
term  are  William  Ferguson,  Hal  Home,  Rut- 
gers Neilson,  David  O'Malley  and  Paur  Ben- 
jamin.   Edward  McNamee  was  elected  trustee. 

Floods  Delay  Picture 
Deliveries  in  Midwest 

Flood  conditions  in  the  Missouri  and  Kaw 
river  valleys  in  the  vicinity  of  Kansas  City 
have  not  affected  operation  of  theatres  by  caus- 
ing shutdowns ;  however,  delayed  film  deliver- 
ies were  apparent  in  many  situations,  it  was 
reported. 

The  rivers  have  been  slowly  receding  and  nor- 
mal train  and  other  transportation  means  are 
resuming  operation.  There  was  extensive  dam- 
age to  potato  crops,  grazing  pastures  and  gar- 
den crops. 

O'Shea  Completes  Personal 
Tour  for  "Burlesque" 

Michael  O'Shea  has  completed  a  personal 
appearance  tour  in  conjunction  with  an  exploi- 
tation campaign  on  "Lady  of  Burlesque," 
Stromberg-tjnited  Artists  film,  in  which  he  ap- 
pears opposite  Barbara  Stanwyck. 

He  visited  more  than  20  key  cities  through- 
out the  country,  appearing  on  radio  programs 
and  in  theatres.  He  also  gave  hospital  bene- 
fits and  was  guest  of  exhibitors  in  various 
cities  on  many  occasions. 


20th-Fox  Executives  to  Coast 

Tom  J.  Connors,  vice-president  in  charge 
of  sales  for  Twentieth  Century-Fox,  and  Mur- 
ray Silverstone,  foreign  distribution  head,  are 
expected  on  the  coast  this  week  to  confer  with 
studio  executives  on  next  season's  product. 


Theatres  Closed 
In  Detroit  Riot 

Governor  Harry  F.  Kelly  of  Michigan  issued 
an  order,  Monday  night,  closing  all  theatres  in 
Detroit  at  9:15  P.M.  following  race  riots  which 
started  Sunday  evening.  Closings  of  all  other 
amusement  places  were  ordered  also. 

The  toll  of  dead  among  Negroes  and  whites 
reached  28  on  Tuesday  with  more  than  700 
injured  requiring  treatment  in  Detroit  hospi- 
tals. One  Negro  was  found  dead  in  the  rear 
of  a  theatre  while  riot  calls  were  sent  in  by 
numerous  others  before  the  ban  forced  theatres 
to  close. 

Loss  to  theatre  owners  already  has  been 
placed  at  approximately  $500,000.  Receipts 
were  75  per  cent  below  normal.  Until  order  is 
restored,  it  is  expected  that  the  9:15  curfew  will 
remain  effective. 

Although  most  film  deliveries  were  reported 
arriving  on  schedule,  minor  assaults  were  made 
on  trucks  in  the  riot  areas.  The  approach  of 
armed   soldiers   caused   mobs   to  disperse. 

All  of  southeastern  Michigan  in  the  vicinity 
of  Detroit  was  under  martial  law,  although  the 
declaration  was  officially  given  as  "a  state  of 
emergency."  Cooperating  with  State  and  city 
police  was  Brigadier  General  William  E.  Gun- 
ther,  in  charge  of  military  police  for  the  Army's 
Sixth  Service  Command. 

Jail  Costume  Union 
Head  for  Extortion 

Louis  Hollander,  organizer  and  president  of 
the  Theatrical  Costume  Workers  Union,  New 
York  Local  21,313,  American  Federation  of 
Labor,  was  arrested  yesterday  as  he  allegedly 
attempted  to  extort  $3,000  from  representatives 
of  two  costume  concerns. 

Detectives  from  District  Attorney  Frank  S. 
Hogan's  office  took  him  into  custody.  He 
previously  had  extorted  money  from  other 
manufacturers,  it  was  alleged.  Coercion  was 
used  by  Mr.  Hollander  under  the  pretense  of 
calling  strikes,  fraudulently  using  the  name  of 
Matthew  Woll,  a  vice-president  of  AFL,  it 
was  charged. 

Warner  Circuit  Expands 
Film  Buying  Division 

The  Warner  Theatres  circuit  has  announced 
the  expansion  of  its  film  buying  department. 
Joseph  Bernhard,  vice-president  in  charge  of 
theatre  operations,  said  that  four  assistants 
would  comprise  the  department  hereafter,  un- 
der the  supervision  of  Clayton  Bond. 

Frank  Marshall  will  retain  his  present  post ; 
Harry  Rosenquest  will  buy  features  in  addi- 
tion to  shorts  and  newsreels ;  Louis  J.  Kaufman 
will  remain  as  assistant  buyer  and  Nat  Fell- 
man  will  be  the  fourth  member  of  the  staff. 
He  formerly  was  film  buyer  for  the  Cleveland 
zone. 

Four  Army  Publicists  at 
Warner  Home  Office 

Four  publicists  of  Irving  Berlin's  "This  Is 
the  Army"  show  will  occupy  quarters  in  War- 
ners' home  office  in  connection  with  the  com- 
pany's forthcoming  film  of  the  same  title. 

Included  in  the  group  are  Sergeants  Ben 
Washer  and  Nathan  Schenker  and  Privates 
Max  Gendel  and  Alfred  Palco.  Private  Max 
Wilk,  another  member  of  the  unit,  remains  at 
the  studio  where  he  will  continue  to  handle 
public  relations  for  the  show  on  the  coast. 


Close  Two  for  Summer 

The  Loew-Poli  Lyric  theatre  in  Bridgeport 
and  the  Poli  in  Meriden,  Conn.,  have  closed  for 
the  summer. 


52 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    26,  1943 


// 


WHAT  THE 

PICTURE  DID  FOR  ME 


\\ 


Columbia 


ADAM  HAD  FOUR  SONS:  Ingrid  Bergman,  War- 
ner Baxter — This  is  another  show  that  should  be 
played  on  Sunday,  Monday.  I  played  it  on  a  Thursday 
night  at  11  cents.  Everyone  was  satisfied  and  I 
will  probably  book  again  later.  Played  Thursday, 
March  25. — Benton  Roy,  Roy  Theatre,  Mansura,  La. 
Small  town  patronage. 

COMMANDOS  STRIKE  AT  DAWN:  Paul  Muni, 
Lillian  Gish — A  very  good  war  picture.  Everybody 
seemed  well  pleased — wish  I  had  more  like  it.  Played 
Sunday,  Monday,  May  30,  31.— Benton  Roy,  Roy  The- 
atre, Mansura,  La.     Small  town  patronage. 

DEVIL'S  TRAIL,  THE:  Bill  Elliott,  Tex  Ritter— 
Nice  weekend  business.  Elliott  is  not  the  draw  that 
some  Western  stars  are. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza 
Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 

LAUGH  YOUR  BLUES  AWAY:  Bert  Gordon,  Jinx 
Falkenburg — We  played  this  one  as  a  late  show  and 
did  average  business  on  it.  But  the  show  itself  is 
nothing  to  shout  about.  Played  Saturday,  June  5. — 
Jack  L.  Edwards,  New  Theatre,  Manila,  Ark.  Small 
town  and  rural  patronage. 

LONE  PRAIRIE,  THE:  Double  billed  this  and 
mighty  glad  I  did.  Western  has  rather  a  good  plot 
behind  it  and  very  good  action  in  it,  yet  it  is  just 
about  like  all  Westerns.  Made  around  the  same  rock 
all  the  rest  are  made  near.  Played  Saturday,  June 
12.— Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead, 
N'.  C.    Small  town  patronage. 

MORE  THE  MERRIER,  THE:  Jean  Arthur,  Joel 
McCrea — This  picture  is  a  good  comedy,  well  made 
and  did  a  fine  business.  It  deserves  preferred  time 
in  anybody's  theatre.  It's  one  of  the  top  pictures  of 
the  year.  Played  Sunday- Wednesday,  June  6-9. — 
Mike  Kirkhart,  Vogue  Theatre,  Lincoln,  111.  General 
patronage. 

RIDERS    OF    THE    NORTHWEST  MOUNTED: 

Russell  Hayden,  Bob  Wills — This  was  an  excellent 
outdoor  picture  on  any  kind  of  a  double  bill.  Scen- 
ery is  beautiful.  Not  a  dull  moment.  Bob  Wills  and 
his  Texas  Playboys  furnish  the  music  which  is  just 
what  the  patrons  want;  but  not  many  these  days. 
Played  Friday,  Saturday,  June  4,  5. — M.  L.  London, 
Gem  Theatre,  East  Boston,  Mass.    General  patronage. 

SOMETHING  TO  SHOUT  ABOUT:  Janet  Blair, 
Don  Ameche,  Jack  Oakie — If  it  is  music,  dancing  and 
comedy  they  want,  they  will  find  it  in  this  one.  The 
dog  act  will  assure  the  patron  of  his  admission's 
worth.  Not  big,  but  entertaining.  Played  Sunday, 
Monday,  June  6,  7.— "Ted"  Keelen,  Royal  Theatre, 
Sheffield,   111.     Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 


Columbia-British 


SOUTH  AMERICAN  GEORGE:  George  Formby— 
Formby  did  as  well  for  us  as  he  always  does.  Why 
they  turn  out  to  see  him  I  can't  imagine,  but  the 
box  office  counts  and  he  brought  in  well  above  aver- 
age on  this  one.  Played  Monday,  Tuesday,  May  31, 
June  1. — K.  Jonn,  Legion  Theatre,  Bienfait,  Sask. 
Small  town  patronage. 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

BAD  LITTLE  ANGEL:  Virginia  Weidler,  Gene 
Reynolds — This  picture  is  a  little  old,  rather  cute,  but 
no  draw.  Business  poor.  Carnival  in  town. — Har- 
land Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 

CAIRO:  Jeannette  MacDonald,  Robert  Young— We 
dodged  this  one  as  long  as  we  could  for  we  were  told 
it  wouldn't  go  here,  but  it  wasn't  so  bad.  Our  busi- 
ness was  below  average,  but  the  picture  was  a  sur- 
prise as  it  didn't  have  too  much  classical  music.  Rob- 
ert Young  seemed  to  relieve  the  situation  some,  too. 
We  liked  it.  Played  Sunday,  M'ondav,  April  18,  19.— 
R.  H.  Duckett,  Taloga  Theatre,  Taloga,  Okla.  Ru- 
ral, small  town  patronage. 

FOR  ME  AND  MY  GAL:  Judy  Garland,  Gene 
Kelly — This  is  a  swell  picture  which  really  brought 
them  in  and  topped  anything  we  had  previously  done 
as  it  went  better  the  second  night  than  the  first. 
That  was  a  record  in  itself.  Our  patrons  go  all  out 
for  comedy  and  musicals  here.  Plaved  Saturday -Mon- 
day, May  22-24.— R.  H.  Duckett,  Taloga  Theatre,  Ta- 
loga,  Okla.     Rural,   small  town  patronage. 

FOR  ME  AND  MY  GAL:  Judy  Garland,  George 
Murphy — Much  better  than  the  title.     Everyone  sur- 


.  .  .  the  original  exhibitors'  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 
In  it  theatremen  serve  one  another  with  information  about  the  box-office  per- 
formance of  product — providing  a  service  of  the  exhibor  for  the  exhibitor. 
ADDRESS  REPORTS:  What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me.  Motion  Picture  Herald, 
Rockefeller  Center,  New  York,  N.  Y. 


prised  at  being  such  a  good  picture;  people  ate  it  up. 
People  are  still  whistling  "For  Me  and  My  Gal." 
One  of  the  best  pictures  I've  played  for  the  past  year. 
Played  Sunday,  Monday,  June  6,  7. — Benton  Roy, 
Roy  Theatre,  Mansura,  La.    Small  town  patronage. 

MRS.  MINIVER:  Greer  Garson,  Walter  Pidgeon 
— Very  good — everybody  satisfied.  I  think  it  was  a 
great  show.  Play  it  by  all  means.  Played  Sunday, 
Monday,  April  25,  26.— Benton  Roy,  Roy  Theatre, 
Mansura,  La.    Small  town  patronage. 

STAND  BY  FOR  ACTION:  Robert  Taylor,  Charles 
Laughton,  Brian  Donlevy — Picture  was  well  received 
here.  Lots  of  action  in  the  latter  part.  Attendance 
was  fair.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  June  6,  7. — 
Gertrude  V.  Proulx,  Au  Gres  Theatre,  Au  Gres, 
Mich.    Small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

TISH:  Marjorie  Main,  Lee  Bowman — We  played 
this  first  in  January  and  so  many  requested  that  we 
bring  it  back,  we  did,  and  it  did  more  business  this 
time  than  before  in  spite  of  strong  competition.  Peo- 
ple are  still  talking  about  it.  It  had  the  right  amount 
of  comedy  to  make  it  interesting  to  all  types  of  peo- 
ple. Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  May  19,  20.— R. 
H.  Duckett,  Taloga  Theatre,  Taloga,  Okla.  Rural, 
small  town  patronage. 

VANISHING  VIRGINIAN,  THE:  Frank  Morgan, 
Kathryn   Grayson — Played    this    very   late   and  was 

rather  scared,  but  was  agreeably  surprised  to  find  that 
it  took  very  well  with  my  patrons.  Just  a  homely 
picture  of  any  small  town  man's  family.  No  action, 
but  some  good  comedy.  Could  recommend  this  for 
small  town  booking.  Played  Saturday,  June  5. — Ar- 
thur L.  Dove,  Bengough  Theatre,  Bengough,  Sask., 
Canada.    Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 

WAR    AGAINST    MRS.    HAD  LEY,    THE:  Fay 

Bainter,  Edward  Arnold — Personally  I  thought  this^  a 
very  fine  story,  and  I  believe  it  gave  general  satis- 
faction. It  didn't  draw  as  well  as  expected,  but  if 
you  can  get  them  in  they  will  be  entertained.  It  is 
not  a  war  picture  as  the  title  would  imply.  Played 
Saturday,  Sunday,  May  22.  23.— C.  A.  Jordan,  Opera 
House,  Cogswell,  N.  D.    Small  town  patronage. 

YANK  AT  ETON,  A:  Mickey  Rooney,  Edmund 
Gwenn — Drew  average  business  and  seemed  to  please. 
No  comments.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  June  5,  6. — 
C.  A.  Jordan,  Opera  House,  Cogswell,  N.  D.  Small 
town  patronage. 


Paramount 


AVENGERS,  THE:  Ralph  Richardson,  Deborah 
Kerr — No  names  here.  However,  the  title  drew  a  fair 
crowd,  but  none  liked  the  picture.  Why  do  we  have 
so  many  war  pictures.  My  patrons  are  sick  of  them 
and  so  am  I.  After  what  few  war  pictures  I  have 
dated  are  played,  the  producers  can  keep  the  others. 
Played  Tuesday,  June  8. — Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont 
Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C.  Small  town  and  sawmill 
patronage. 

BEYOND  THE  BLUE  HORIZON:  Dorothy  La- 
mour,  Richard  Denning— This  is  a  beautiful  Techni- 
color outdoor  "A"  picture.  The  animals  are  very  en- 
tertaining. Those  patrons  who  came  enjoyed  this 
picture  very  much,  including  myself.  I  highly  recom- 
mend this  picture  for  any  type  of  theatre,  deluxe  or 
otherwise,  but  business  was  way  off  as  it  was  very 
warm.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  June  6,  7.— M'.  L. 
London,  Gem  Theatre,  East  Boston,  Mass.  General 
patronage. 

HOLIDAY  INN:  Bing  Crosby,  Fred  Astaire,  Mar- 
jorie Reynolds— Very  good  picture.  Plenty  of  comedy 
and  packed  with  familiar  songs.  This  feature  was 
enjoyed  by  everyone  here  and  the  patrons  left  the 
theatre  with  smiles  on  their  faces.  We  did  not  do  the 
business  on  this  that  we  had  expected,  but  we  never 
do  outstanding  business  on  musicals  in  this  town. 
Business  good.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  May  29,  30. 
—V.  A.  Blossom,  Movie-Tone  Theatre,  Fairfield, 
Mont.    General,  small  town  and  rural  patronage. 

I  LIVE  ON  DANGER:  Chester  Morris,  Jean  Park- 
er—We did  very  nicely  with  this  picture.  No  re- 
grets.—Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 


LUCKY  JORDAN:  Alan  Ladd,  Helen  Walker- 
Very  slow.  Nothing  here  to  hold  a  crowd.  Not  much 
of  a  story.  Had  fair  crowd.  People  here  just  don't 
like  Ladd.  One  lady  remarked  she  would  like  to  keep 
him  locked  in  her  ice  box;  said  she  would  never  have 
to  buy  ice  any  more.  She  said,  "Ladd  is  cold." 
Played  Monday,  June  7. — Claude  R.  Gray.  Gilmont 
Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C.  Small  town  and  sawmill 
patronage. 

MAJOR  AND  THE  MINOR,  THE:  Ginger  Rogers, 
Ray  Milland — This  one  really  pleased  the  largest  pre- 
view crowd  we  have  had  since  we  bought  the  theatre 
here.  Ginger  brings  them  in,  and  we  had  no  com- 
plaints on  it.  Practically  all  of  them  had  smiles  on 
their  faces  when  they  came  out  and  many  saw  it  over 
the  second  night.  Did  a  good  business  the  third  night, 
too.  Plaved  Saturday -Mondav,  June  5-7.— R.  H.  Duc- 
kett, Taloga  Theatre,  Taloga,  Okla.  Rural,  small 
town  patronage. 

REAP  THE  WILD  WIND:  Ray  Milland,  Paulette 
Goddard — Return  engagement.  Still  a  great  picture 
but  failed  to  do  the  business  expected.  Played  Sun- 
day-Tuesday, June  6-8. — Ray  H.  Salisbury,  Opera 
House,  Presque  Isle,  Me.    General  patronage. 

STAR  SPANGLED  RHYTHM:  Everybody  on  the 
Paramount  lot — this  is  the  hottest  thing  at  the  box 
office  today.  It  broke  the  house  record  that  "Frisco" 
set  two  weeks  before.  Played  Sunday-Thursday,  May 
9-13.— Mike  Kirkhart,  Vogue  Theatre,  Lincoln,  111. 
General  patronage. 

STREET  OF  CHANCE:  Burgess  Meredith,  Claire 
Trevor — we  did  not  do  business,  although  I  cannot 
say  it  was  a  bad  picture.  We  had  a  carnival  in  town 
sponsored  by  the  Kiwanis  Club  which  killed  business. 
— Harland  Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Chatham.  Ont. 


Producers  Releasing  Corp. 

PRISONER  OF  JAPAN:  Alan  Baxter,  Gertrude 
Michael— Not  much  of  a  picture  but  the  timely  title 
brought  them  in.  Had  some  complaints.  Recording 
not  so  good.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  June  11,  12. — 
E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 
Small  town  patronage. 


RKO  Radio 


BASHFUL  BACHELOR,  THE:  Chester  Lauck, 
Norris  Goff,  Zasu  Pitts — We  were  afraid  to  play  this 
one  as  we  did  not  do  any  business  on  "Dreaming 
Out  Loud."  We  were  surprised  to  have  a  full  house 
both  nights  and  were  glad  we  played  it.  Many  folks 
said  they  would  not  come  in  to  see  the  picture,  but 
those  who  did  come  did  plenty  of  laughing  during  the 
show,  which  is  usually  proof  that  they  are  enjoying 
themselves.  Business  good.  Played  Saturday,  Sun- 
day, June  5,  6. — V.  A.  Blossom,  Movie-Tone  Theatre, 
Fairfield,  Mont.  General,  small  town  and  rural  pat- 
ronage. 

BIG  STREET,  THE:  Lucille  Ball,  Henry  Fonda— 
This  picture  is  a  sleeper.  Had  good  crowd  and 
everyone  pleased.  Even  I  was  pleased  and  it  takes  a 
darned  good  show  to  make  me  smile.  Advertise  it 
right  and  you  are  sure  to  have  a  crowd.  RKO  has  a 
natural  in  "TJhe  Big  Street."  Played  Wednesday, 
June  9. — Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gile- 
ad, N.  C.    Small  town  and  sawmill  patronage. 

HITLER'S  CHILDREN:  Tim  Holt,  Bonita  Gran- 
ville— Had  many  walkouts  and  a  lot  of  criticism  on 
this  picture,  but  it  brought  many  of  the  natives  out 
due  to  the  plug  on  Station  WLW  35  miles  away. 
Business  swell  and  the  manager  very  well  satisfied. 
Played  three  days  and  could  have  played  it  seven. — 
James  Heney,  Milan  Theatre,  Milan,  Ind. 

JOAN  OF  PARIS:  Michele  Morgan,  Paul  Henreid 
— Very  good  and  everybody  well  pleased.  Made  the 
error  of  playing  it  on  a  Thursday.  Should  have 
played  it  on  Sunday,  Monday.  Played  April  29. — 
Benton  Roy,  Roy  Theatre,  Mansura,  La. 

(.Continued  on  following  page) 


June    26,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


53 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 
JOAN  OF  PARIS:  Michele  Morgan,  Paul  Henreid 
— A  fair  picture  but  did  just  average  business  for  us. 
Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  16,  17.— K.  Jonn,  Le- 
gion Theatre,  Bienfait,  Sask.    Small  town  patronage. 

ONCE  UPON  A  HONEYMOON:  Cary  Grant,  Gin- 
ger Rogers — This  is  the  first  picture  I've  ever  played 
with  either  Grant  or  Miss  Rogers  in  it  that  flopped. 
Can't  we  even  have  love  stories  any  more  without 
Hitler  being  the  star.  The  story  is  old  and  the  pic- 
ture is  worse.  If  you  haven't  played  it,  save  money 
and  don't.  Played  Thursday,  Friday,  June  10,  11.— 
Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C. 
Small  town  and  sawmill  patronage. 

SCATTERGOOD   SURVIVES   A  MURDER:  Guy 

Kibbee,  Margaret  Hayes — No  story  here.  The  pic- 
ture is  way  below  ones  of  past  year  with  Scattergood. 
RKO  seems  to  have  fallen  down  on  the  job.  Any 
other  time  I  would  have  played  two  days.  This  one 
held  its  part  on  a  double  bill.  Crowd  very  well 
pleased.  Played  Saturday,  June  12. — Claude  R.  Gray, 
Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N.  C.  Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

TARZAN  TRIUMPHS:  Johnny  Weissmuller,  Fran- 
ces Gifford — Good  picture  and  good  business.  Tar- 
zan  always  pleases  here.  Played  Sunday,  Monday, 
June  6,  7.— E.  M'.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre, 
Dewey,  Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

TARZAN  TRIUMPHS:  Johnny  Weissmuller,  Fran- 
ces Gifford — Here  is  a  dandy  picture  for  small  towns. 
The  kids  loved  it  and  they  fetched  out  the  older 
folks. — James  Haney,  Milan  Theatre,  Milan,  Ind. 

THEY  GOT  ME  COVERED:  Bob  Hope,  Dorothy 
Lamour — Enjoyed  nice  business.  Far  from  the  best 
Bob  Hope  picture.  Star  value  helped,  but  no  sellout. 
— Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 

VALLEY  OF  THE  SUN:  Lucille  Ball,  James 
Craig— A  very  good  Western  that  pleased  everyone 
and  proved  a  success  at  the  box  office.  Played  Fri- 
day, Saturday,  June  11,  12. — K.  Jonn,  Legion  Theatre, 
Bienfait,  Sask.    Small  town  patronage. 


Republic 

CHATTERBOX:  Joe  E.  Brown  and  Judy  Canova— 
Picture  N.  G.  but  who  cares  when  they  bulge  the 
box  office  and  go  away  happy.  Played  Friday,  Sat- 
urday, May  14,  15. — "Ted"  Keelen,  Royal  Theatre, 
Sheffield,  111.    Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 

JOAN  OF  OZARK:  Judy  Canova,  Joe  E.  Brown 
This  took  very  well  with  many  good  laughs.  Joe  E. 
Brown  is  always  acceptable  to  our  crowd.  Played 
Monday,  Tuesday,  April  12,  13. — K.  Jonn,  Legion 
Theatre,  Bienfait,  Sask.    Small  town  patronage. 

SHANTYTOWN :  Mary  Lee,  John  Archer— This 
one  spells  entertainment  for  every  member  of  the 
family.  Doubled  with  "Hoppy  Serves  a  Writ"  to 
good  business.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  June  11, 
12. — Ray  E.  Salisbury,  Opera  House,  Presque  Isle, 
Me.    General  patronage. 


Twentieth  Century- Fox 

BERLIN  CORRESPONDENT:  Dana  Andrews,  Vir- 
ginia Gilmore — No  regrets.  Everybody  seemed  pleased. 
Business  average. — Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre, 
Tilbury,  Ont. 

CHETNIKS,    THE     FIGHTING  GUERRILLAS: 

Philip  Dorn,  Virginia  Gilmore — This  is  a  picture 
which  every  American  should  see.  Did  great  business 
at  the  box  office.  Although  most  people  are  tired 
of  war  pictures,  this  one  brought  them  in.  Played 
Sunday,  Monday,  June  6,  7. — Jack  L.  Edwards.  New 
Theatre,  Manila,  Ark.  Small  town  and  rural  pat- 
ronage. 

DESERT  VICTORY:  War  documentary— Very  in- 
teresting film  that  did  good  business  for  us.  Played 
Friday,  Saturday,  June  4,  5. — A.  C.  Edwards,  Winema 
Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal.    Small  lumber  town  patronage. 

DESERT  VICTORY:  War  documentary— This  is  it— 
the  greatest  war  picture  of  this  or  any  other  War. 
This  is  the  kind  of  picture  that  puts  every  American 
in  the  shoes  of  the  fighting  men  and  makes  them  want 
to  help.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  June  2,  3. — 
Jack  L.  Edwards,  New  Theatre,  Manila,  Ark.  Small 
town  and  rural  patronage. 

HELLO,  FRISCO',  HELLO:  John  Payne,  Alice  Faye 
— A  very  fine  production  that  has  everything  for  audi- 
ence appeal.  It  broke  house  records  at  the  box  office. 
Played  Sunday-Friday,  April  25-30— Mike  Kirkhart, 
Vogue  Theatre,  Lincoln,  111.    General  patronage. 

IT  HAPPENED  IN  FLATBUSH:  Lloyd  Nolan, 
Carole  Landis — I  would  recommend  this  film  as  a 
good  "B"  picture;  good  story  about  baseball,  but  busi- 
ness was  way  off.  It  was  very  warm.  I  am  not  ex- 
pecting any  good  business  until  we  win  the  war,  as  the 
boys  are  leaving  daily  for  duty.  Played  Friday,  Sat- 
urday, June  4,  5. — M.  L.  London,  Gem  Theatre,  East 
Boston,  Mass.    General  patronage. 

LIFE  BEGINS  AT  EIGHT  THIRTY:  Monty  Wool- 
ley,  Ida  Lupino— it  might  be  OK  for  a  lot  of  Broadway 
hams  who  know  what  up  and  down  stage  means,  and 
a  hoofer  like  myself  who  laid  the  leather  on  about 
every  RKO-Fox  Pantages  and  Loews  theatre  apron 
in  America,  but  to  the  average  theatre  fan  in  a  hick 
town,  it  won't  give  satisfaction.  In  other  words,  it 
was  no  good  for  men  when  I  counted  up  the  ducats. — 
James  Haney.  Milan  Theatre,  Milan,  Ind. 


MOON  IS  DOWN,  THE:  Sir  Cedric  Hardwicke, 
Henry  Travers — The  picture  is  perfectly  cast  and  is 
well  directed  and  produced,  but  the  story  is  like  all 
of  Steinbeck's  stories.  They  do  not  accomplish  a  pur- 
pose and  their  endings  are  too  abrupt.  The  picture 
did  not  get  money  for  me.  Played  Sunday-Wednes- 
day, May  30- June  2. — Mike  Kirkhart,  Vogue  Theatre,' 
Lincoln,  111.     General  patronage. 


United  Artists 

AMERICAN  EMPIRE:  Richard  Dix,  Preston  Foster 
— This  one  is  too  weak  to  walk.  The  title  is  most 
misleading.  I  could  not  be  found  in  the  lobby  or  foyer 
— confidentially,  I  was  in  the  office  and  under  the 
desk.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  May  30,  31.— "Ted" 
Keelen,  Royal  Theatre,  Sheffield,  111.  Rural  and  small 
town  patronage. 

HOPPY  SERVES  A  WRIT:  William  Boyd,  Andy 
Clyde — A  superior  Western  which  our  patrons  en- 
joyed. Doubled  with  "Shantytown"  to  good  business. 
Played  Friday,  Saturday,  June  11,  12.— Ray  E.  Salis- 
bury, Opera  House,  Presque  Isle,  Me.  General  patron- 
age. 

JUNGLE  BOOK:  Sabu,  Joseph  Calleia— We  were 
disappointed  in  this  picture  and  did  only  average 
business.  Pleased  the  kids  but  surely  they  won't  war- 
rant paying  the  price  we  did.  Played  Friday,  Satur- 
day, May  7,  8.— K.  Jonn,  Legion  Theatre,  Bienfait, 
Sask.    Small  town  patronage. 

MISS  ANNIE  ROONEY:  Shirley  Temple,  William 
Gargan — This  picture  was  apparently  enjoyed  by  most 
of  those  present.  Played  Friday,  Saturday,  June  4,  5. 
— A.  C.  Edwards,  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal.  Small 
lumber  town  patronage. 

SILVER  QUEEN:  George  Brent,  Priscilla  Lane- 
Fair  Friday-Saturday  show,  but  priced  above  its 
value,  as  it  will  fail  to  draw.  Played  Sunday,  Mon- 
day, May  9,  10.— "Ted"  Keelen,  Royal  Theatre,  Shef- 
field, 111.    Rural  and  small  town  patronage. 

TWIN  BEDS:  George  Brent,  Joan  Bennett— This 
was  a  very  good  comedy  and  all  liked  it,  but  it  was 
just  average  at  the  box  office.  Played  Friday,  Satur- 
day, June  4,  5. — K.  Jonn,  Legion  Theatre,  Bienfait, 
Sask.    Small  town  patronage. 


Universal 

CAPTIVE  WILD  WOMAN:  Evelyn  Ankers,  John 
Carradine— One  of  those  little  programmers  from  Uni- 
versal which  did  better  than  average  midweek  busi- 
ness. Not  a  bad  little  picture,  either,  but  too  much  of 
the  animal  sequences.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday, 
June  9,  10.— Ray  E.  Salisbury,  Opera  House,  Presque 
Isle,  Me.    General  patronage. 

FOLLOW  THE  BAND:  Leon  Errol,  Mary  Beth 
Hughes — Nice  little  musical  show  which  pleased  all 
who  came.  Business  was  average.  Played  Tuesday, 
June  8.  —  E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre, 
Dewey,  Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

GET  HEP  TO  LOVE:  Gloria  Jean,  Robert  Paige- 
Young  folks  liked  this.  Business  was  off  due  to  the 
fact  that  we  had  a  carnival  that  took  the  money. — 
Harland  Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 

GREAT  IMPERSONATION,  THE:  Ralph  Bellamy, 
Evelyn  Ankers — Terrible.  A  few  came  out  the  first 
night  and  talked  out  loud  during  most  of  it.  No  one 
could  figure  it  out,  and  complained  all  the  time.  They 
went  away  and  panned  it  to  everybody  else,  then  came 
back  the  second  night  and  tried  to  figure  it  out  again. 
No  one  could  agree  on  what  actually  had  happened.  It 
was  truly  a  great  impersonation,  I  guess.  It  was 
poison  to  us,  and  I  don't  want  any  more  like  it. 
Played  Wednesday,  Thursday,  May  26,  27.— R.  H. 
Duckett,  Taloga  Theatre,  Taloga,  Okla.  Rural,  small 
town  patronage. 

MUMMY'S  TOMB,  THE:  Dick  Foran,  Elyse  Knox 
— What  a  flop  at  our  box  office.  Poorest  business  of 
the  year.  Horror  pictures  are  no  good  for  us  here. — 
Harland  Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 

NIGHT  MONSTER:  Bela  Lugosi,  Irene  Hervey— 
We  double  billed  this  picture  with  "The  Mummy's 
Tomb,"  turning  the  theatre  into  a  graveyard.  Poorest 
business  of  the  year.  Died  with  us — pass  it  up. — Har- 
land Rankin,  Plaza  Theatre,  Tilbury,  Ont. 

SHADOW  OF  A  DOUBT:  Teresa  Wright,  Joseph 
Cotten — This  picture  did  not  do  the  business  here  that 
we  expected,  although  it  is  a  picture  that  has  some- 
thing. In  my  opinion  it  will  be  one  of  the  top  pictures 
of  the  year.  Perhaps  it  was  new  to  too  many  here. 
We  do  better  with  older  pictures.  Played  Saturday - 
Monday,  May  29-31.— R.  H.  Duckett,  Taloga  Theatre, 
Taloga,  Okla.    Rural,  small  town  patronage. 

UNSEEN  ENEMY:  Leo  Carrillo,  Andy  Devine— 
Fair  picture.  Everybody  seemed  to  like  it.  Business 
off  due  to  a  local  club  sponsoring  a  carnival.— Harland 
Rankin,  Centre  Theatre,  Chatham,  Ont. 


Warner  Bros. 

AIR  FORCE:  John  Garfield,  Gig  Young— This  was 
strictly  a  war  picture  and  regardless  of  the  current 
agitation  against  them,  we  find  that  so  far  they  are 
doing  the  best  business  for  us.  Business  on  this  fea- 
ture very  good.  This  would  be  disappointing  to  Mr. 
Fidler,  perhaps.  Played  Sunday,  Monday,  June  6,  7. — 
A.  C.  Edwards,  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia,  Cal.  Small 
lumber  town  patronage. 


CASABLANCA:  Humphrey  Bogart,  Ingrid  Berg- 
man— Story  good  and  cast  very  good;  business  satis- 
factory. The  President's  trip  to  Casablanca  helped 
advertise  the  picture.  Played  Saturday,  Sunday,  May 
29,  30.— C.  A.  Jordan,  Opera  House,  Cogswell,  N.  D. 
Small  town  patronage. 

EDGE  OF  DARKNESS:  Errol  Flynn,  Ann  Sheridan 
— Good  picture  and  good  business.  Story  is  the  in- 
vasion of  Norway  done  over  again.  Played  Wednes- 
day, Thursday,  June  9,  10. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Para- 
mount Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla.    Small  town  patronage. 

HARD  WAY,  THE:  Ida  Lupino,  Joan  Leslie— Ex- 
cellent acting  but  not  a  very  good  box  office  attrac- 
tion. Business  off.  Played  Wednesday,  Thursday, 
June  9,  10. — A.  C.  Edwards,  Winema  Theatre,  Scotia, 
Cal.    Small  lumber  town  patronage. 

JUKE  GIRL:  Ann  Sheridan,  Ronald  Reagan— This 
took  very  well  and  has  the  action  which  our  audience 
craves.  Reagan  is  a  favorite  here,  as  is  Ann  Sheridan. 
Played  Friday,  Saturday,  April  30,  May  1. — K.  Jonn, 
Legion  Theatre,  Bienfait,  Sask.   Small  town  patronage. 

YANKEE  DOODLE  DANDY:  James  Cagney,  Joan 
Leslie — While  the  percentage  on  this  one  is  too  high 
for  the  "smallie"  like  myself,  it  is  the  greatest  pic- 
ture I  ever  played.  Played  it  two  days  and  repeated 
it  four  weeks  later  for  two  days,  and  never  had  a 
kick.  Many  people  came  back  a  second  and  third 
time.  James  Cagney  is  without  doubt  the  greatest 
actor  in  all  Hollywood,  and  the  award  given  him  cer- 
tainly was  well  earned. — James  Haney,  Milan  Theatre, 
Milan,  Ind. 

YANKEE  DOODLE  DANDY:  James  Cagney,  Loan 
Leslie — One  can  well  understand  why  Cagney  won  the 
Academy  Award  when  he  sees  this  feature.  I  guess 
nearly  everyone  had  seen  it  before  it  reached  us  asi 
our  attendance  was  only  average.  Played  Saturday, 
Sunday,  June  12,  13. — Gertrude  V.  Proulx,  Au  Gres 
Theatre,  Au  Gres,  Mich.  Small  town  and  rural 
patronage. 

YOU'RE  IN  THE  ARMY  NOW:  Jimmy  Durante, 
Jane  Wyman — They  ate  this  one  up  and  kept  coming 
back  to  see  it  over.  It  was  a  fairly  old  picture  when 
we  played  it,  but  if  you  haven't  played  it  and  your 
patrons  like  comedy,  play  it  for  them.  The  laughter 
was  so  loud  we  couldn't  hear  the  talking.  Played 
Thursday,  Friday.  May  6.  7.— R.  H.  Duckett,  Taloga 
Theatre,  Taloga,  Okla.    Rural,  small  town  patronage. 


Short  Features 
Columbia 

JOURNEY  TO  TUNISIA:  Tours— Showed  this  one 
with  Columbia's  "Our  Second  Front." — W.  V.  Nevins 
in,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 

OUR  SECOND  FRONT:  Panoramics— Ran  this  with 
"Journey  to  Tunisia"  in  a  show  dedicated  to  North 
Africa  and  had  the  very  interesting  experience  of 
showing  about  five  minutes  of  the  same  identical 
scenes  in  both  reels.  The  commentary  was  different 
but  the  audience  got  a  big  laugh  out  of  it.  Thev  are 
both  good  scenics. — W.  V.  Nevins  III,  Alfred  Co-Op 
Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y.. 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

BAH  WILDERNESS:  Technicolor  Cartoon— Some- 
one deserves  a  pat  on  the  back  for  this — some  came 
back  the  second  night  to  see  this,  and  believe  me  it's 
one  swell  reel  of  fun.  Billed  it  next  to  feature. — 
Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead,  N'.  C. 

BATS  IN  THE  BELFRY:  Technicolor  Cartoons— 

The  poorest  cartoon  we  ever  received  from  M-G-M. 

Nothing  to  it. — C.  A.  Jordan,  Cogswell  Opera  House, 
Cogswell,  N.  D. 

GLIMPSES  OF  ONTARIO:  Fitzpatrick  Traveltalks 
— Nothing  whatsoever  here  that  anyone  wanted  to  see. 
A  good  many  walked  out  for  a  smoke  until  this  was 
over. — Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead, 
N.  C. 

MADERO  OF  MEXICO:  Passing  Parade— Histori- 
cal based  on  the  history  of  Mexico.  Very  interesting. 
— C.  A.  Jordan,  Cogswell  Opera  House,  Cogswell,  N.  D. 

PUSS  'N  TOOTS:  Technicolor  Cartoons— One  of  the 
cutest  cartoons  we  have  run.  Some  of  the  kids  wanted 
us  to  keep  it  here,  they  said.— R.  H.  Duckett,  Taloga 
Theatre,  Taloga,  Okla. 

ROVER'S  BIG  CHANGE:  Our  Gang— Just  an  aver- 
age Our  Gang,  which  are  not  so  good  any  more. — 
Gertrude   V.    Proulx,   Au   Gres   Theatre,   Au  Gres, 

Mich. 

SUFFERIN'  CATS:  Technicolor  Cartoons— Swell; 
can't  be  beat.  As  a  rule  MGM's  cartoons  are  good. 
They  are  all  in  Technicolor. — C.  A.  Jordan,  Cogswell 
Opera  House,  Cogswell,  N.  D. 

UNEXPECTED  RICHES:  Our  Gang  Comedies— Not 
so  good,  but  will  get  by.  I  think  Gang  comedies  are 
slipping.  We  used  to  feature  them  in  our  advertising, 
but  don't  any  more. — C.  A.  Jordan,  Cogswell  Opera 
House,  Cogswell,  N.  D. 


National  Film  Board 

BATTLE  OF  THE  HARVEST:    Canada  Carries 
On — Very  good.    We  have  still  to  play  a  poor  sub- 
(Continued  on  following  page) 


54 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    26,  1943 


(.Continued  from  preceding  page) 
ject  in   this   series,   and  in  our  estimation  they  are 
as  good  or  better  than  March  of  Time. — A.  R.  Dakin, 
Rice  Lake  Theatre,  Bissett,  Manitoba. 


Paramount 

ALDRICH  FAMILY  GETS  IN  THE  SCRAP,  THE: 

Victory  Short — I  buy  every  film  Paramount  makes 
with  Aldrich  and  this  is  one  grand  piece  of  work. 
Everybody  said  it  was  great — better  than  some  com- 
edies that  cost  three  times  as  much. — Claude  R.  Gray, 
Gilmont  Theatre,  M't.  Gilead,  N.  C. 

POPULAR  SCIENCE  NO.  1:  Popular  Science— Very 
interesting  color  reel,  showing  the  growth  of  mush- 
rooms, and  how  poison  is  extracted  from  snakes. — 
C.  A.  Jordan,  Cogswell  Opera  House,  Cogswell,  N.  D. 

RATION  FER  THE  DURATION:  Popeye  the  Sailor 
—Good  Popeye  cartoon.— E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount 
Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 


RKO  Radio 


CITY  OF  COURAGE:  Victory  Specials— A  Victory 
short  which  contains  very  little  entertainment. — E.  M. 
Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

MERCHANT  SEAMEN:  This  Is  America— This 
subject  emphasizes  the  importance  of  this  branch  of  the 
armed  service,  whose  personnel  face  many  dangers  to 
keep  our  global  armies  supplied  with  the  needs  of 
warfare.  Heretofore  there  has  been  little  informa- 
tion given  to  the  public  about  this  very  important 
branch  of  our  service.  Very  good.— V.  A.  Blossom, 
Movie-Tone  Theatre,  Fairfield,  Mont. 

PRETTY  DOLLY:  Leon  Errol— Leon  Errol  tries 
hard  but  this  comedy  is  too  full  of  slow  spots. — W. 
V.  Nevins  III,  Alfred  Co-Op  Theatre,  Alfred,  N.  Y. 


United  Artists 

INVASION  OF  NORTH  AMERICA:  World  in  Ac- 
tion— This  is  what  my  patrons  want  every  so  often. 
It's  not  long,  but  has  facts  in  it.  Everyone  will  want 
to  know  about  it.  Billed  it  above  feature  and  did  well 
with  it.— Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead, 
N.  C. 


Universal 

BOOGIE  WOOGIE  SIOUX:  Swing  Symphonies- 
Good  color  cartoon. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount 
Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

DOUBLE  TALK  GIRL:  Person-Oddities— These  per- 
sonal oddities,  etc.,  seem  to  replace  the  old  pre-war 
newsreel  and  they  please.  Newsreels  don't  have  much 
any  more  except  war  and  men  enjoy  them  but  few 
women  do  here. — R.  H.  Duckett,  Taloga  Theatre, 
Taloga,  Okla. 

MILE  OF  DOUGH:  Stranger  Than  Fiction— Enter- 
taining reel  from  the  Stranger  Than  Fiction  series.- — 
E.  M'.  Freiberger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey,  Okla. 

ROAR,  NAVY,  ROAR:  Two-Reel  Special— Twenty 
minutes  of  newsreel  clips. — Ray  E.  Salisbury,  Opera 
House,  Presque  Isle,  Me. 

SHEPHERD  OF  THE  ROUNDHOUSE:  Person- 
Oddities — Another  good  reel  from  the  Person-Oddities 
series. — E.  M.  Freiburger,  Paramount  Theatre,  Dewey, 
Okla. 

WESTERN  WHOOPIE:  Variety  Views  —  Educa- 
tional, beautiful  scenery,  restful  and  interesting. — R. 
H.  Duckett,  Taloga  Theatre,  Taloga,  Okla. 


Victory  Films 

TROOP  TRAIN:  Victory  Film— A  very  interesting 
reel  showing  the  transportation  of  troops  and  equip- 
ment. If  you  haven't  played  it  and  have  it  coming, 
don't  be  afraid  to  advertise  it. — C.  A.  Jordan,  Cogswell 
Opera  House,  Cogswell,  N.  D. 


Vitaphone 

BORRAH  MINEVXTCH  AND  HIS  HARMONICA 
SCHOOL:  Melody  Master  Bands— Very  nice  short- 
music  O.  K.  Patrons  more  than  pleased — some  said  it 
was  better  than  the  feature.  Played  Tuesday,  June  8. 
Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  Mt.  Gilead.  N.  C. 

COAL    BLACK    AND    DE    SEBBEN  DWARFS: 

Merrie  Melodies  Cartoons — Very  excellent  little  car- 
toon. Everyone  well  pleased  by  this.  Played  Monday, 
June  7. — Claude  R.  Gray,  Gilmont  Theatre,  M't.  Gilead 
N.  C. 


B.  &  K.  House  Using  Usherettes 

Balaban  &  Katz  is  using  usherettes  in  the 
State  theatre,  Gary,  Ind.,  the  first  instance  in 
which  the  circuit  has  employed  women  for  this 
type  of  job  in  any  of  its  houses. 


SHORT  PRODUCT 
PLAYING  BROADWAY 


Week  of  june  list 

ASTOR 

North  African  Album  Victory  Film 

Sufferin'  Cats   MGM 

Feature:  The  Human  Comedy.  MGM 

CAPITOL 

North  African  Album  Victory  Film 

Feature:  Bataan    MGM 

CRITERION 

North  African  Album  Victory  Film 

Red  Hot  Riding  Hood  MGM 

Feature:  Cabin  in  the  Sky  MGM 

GLOBE 

Wise  Quacking  Duck  Vitaphone 

Sporting  Dogs  Vitaphone 

Feature:  Mr.  Big  Universal 

HOLLYWOOD 

North  African  Album  Victory  Film 

Jack  Rabbit  and  the  Bean- 
stalk  Vitaphone 

Feature:  Mission  to  Moscow    Warner  Bros. 

MUSIC  HALL 

Sky  Trooper  RKO  Radio 

Feature:  The  More  the  Mer- 
rier  Columbia 

PARAMOUNT 

North  African  Album  Victory  Film 

Unusual  Occupations  Paramount 

Feature:  Five  Craves  to  Cairo  Paramount 

R I  ALTO 

Saps  at  Sea  United  Artists 

Feature:  Captive  Wild  Woman.  Universal 

RIVOLI 

North  African  Album  Victory  Film 

Sky  Trooper  RKO  Radio 

Feature:  Spitfire   RKO  Radio 

ROXY 

North  African  Album  Victory  Film 

Keep  'Em  Growing  20th  Cent.-Fox 

Feature:  Coney  Island  20th  Cent.-Fox 

STRAND 

North  African  Album  Victory  Film 

Eagles  of  the  Navy  Vitaphone 

U.S.  Army  Band  Vitaphone 

Feature:  Action  in  the  North 

Atlantic  Warner  Bros. 


Grants  Motion  to  Examine 
20th-Fox  in  Court  Action 

Judge  Morris  Eder  last  week  in  New  York 
Supreme  Court  granted  a  motion  of  Margaret 
Sekey  and  Clarence  J.  Freed,  plaintiffs,  to  ex- 
amine Twentieth  Century-Fox  Film  Corpora- 
tion in  an  infringement  action  brought  against 
the  motion  picture  company. 

The  authors  claimed  that  they  wrote  a  play, 
"That  Other  Woman,"  in  1927,  and  that  Twen- 
tieth Century-Fox  produced  a  film  in  1942  with 
the  same  title.  The  company  seeks  dismissal 
on  the  ground  that  the  play  was  never  publicly 
presented  and  that  the  authors  do  not  have 
exclusive  rights  to  the  title. 


Hope  Wins  Magazine  Poll 

Bob  Hope,  Paramount  comedian,  has  been 
chosen  "Star  of  Stars"  in  the  1943  Movie- 
Radio  Guide  poll.  Mr.  Hope  was  voted 
"Champion  of  Champions"  for  the  last  two 
years  in  the  Motion  Picture  Her  ai.b- Fame 
radio  poll. 


Carolina  MPTO 
To  Aid  Fund 

The  board  of  directors  of  the  Theatre  Own- 
ers of  North  and  South  Carolina,  MPTOA  af- 
filiate, convened  in  Charlotte,  N.  C,  last  week 
to  discuss  ways  of  raising  funds  for  the  pro- 
posed aircraft  carrier,  Shangri  La." 

Roy  Rowe,  president  of  the  organization,  flew 
to  Charlotte  for  the  meeting  in  his  own  plane. 
An  aviation  enthusiast,  he  is  president  of  the 
North  Carolina  Aeronautics  Commission,  also 
the  Carolina  Aero  Club.  In  addition,  he  is  a 
squadron  commander  of  the  Civil  Air  Patrol. 

Mr.  Rowe  told  the  directors  that  Major  Gen- 
eral James  Doolittle  soon  will  launch  the  proj- 
ect by  purchasing  the  first  Bonds.  He  explained 
that  theatre  owners  could  best  support  the  cam- 
paign by  requesting  each  patron  to  contribute  at 
least  $1  toward  the  cost  of  the  carrier. 

Following  the  meeting,  17  of  the  directors 
were  entertained  at  the  Charlotte  Variety  Club 
dinner,  where  they  heard  an  address  by  R.  J. 
O'Donnell,  national  chief  barker. 

Dismiss  Frankel  Suit 
Against  Pathe  Laboratories 

A  jury  verdict  in  New  York  Supreme  Court 
on  Monday  resulted  in  dismissal  in  the  damage 
suit  in  which  Pathe  Laboratories  and  others 
were  defendants.  The  $600,000  damage  suit 
was  instituted  by  Daniel  Frankel,  former  sales 
manager  of  the  companies. 

The  plaintiff  charged  that  he  was  entitled  to 
commissions  under  the  terms  of  a  contract  en- 
tered into  with  the  defendant  companies.  The 
jury,  however,  upheld  the  contention  of  Louis 
Nizer,  counsel  for  the  defendants,  that  Mr. 
Frankel's  services  were  only  those  given  in  his 
normal  routine  as  sales  manager,  and  were  not 
of  a  special  nature.  Judge  Carroll  G.  Walter 
presided. 


Deny  Screencraft  Motion 

Screencraft  Pictures  last  week  was  denied  a 
motion  asking  for  dismissal  of  two  counter- 
claims by  the  Eastern  Trading  Corporation,  de- 
fendants in  a  breach  of  contract  action  brought 
by  Screencraft.  Justice  Peter  Schmuck  de- 
nied the  motion  in  New  York  Supreme  Court. 
Screencraft  alleged  that  Eastern  Trading  did 
not  fulfill  its  contract  in  the  matter  of  grant- 
ing exclusive  rights  for  distribution  of  37  re- 
issues. 


Grants  Warner  Motion 

Judge  Simon  H.  Rifkind  in  New  York  Fed- 
eral Court  last  week  granted  Warners  the 
right  to  have  submitted  a  bill  of  particulars  by 
Allen  Boretz,  plaintiff  in  a  $25,000  infringe- 
ment action  concerning  the  title,  "The  Hard 
Way."  The  plaintiff  claims  the  company  pro- 
duced a  film  using  the  title  without  his  per- 
mission. 


Sues  Republic  for  $50,000 

Frank  Capano,  music  publisher,  filed  an  ac- 
tion in  New  York  Federal  Court  last  week 
against  Republic  Pictures,  asking  $50,000  dam- 
ages for  alleged  libel  in  the  company's  film, 
"Hit  Parade  of  1943."  He  claimed  the  por- 
trayal of  Rick  Farrell,  played  by  John  Carroll, 
depicted  his  personal  life  in  a  slanderous 
manner. 


Reserves  Decision 

Judge  William  Bondy  last  Friday  in  New 
York  Federal  Court  reserved  decision  in  an 
infringement  action  against  Twentieth  Century- 
Fox.  Ira  B.  Arnstein,  plaintiff,  contended  that 
the  company  was  guilty  of  using  without  per- 
mission a  song  allegedly  written  by  him,  "I've 
Got  a  Gal  in  Kalamazoo"  in  the  company's  film, 
"Orchestra  Wives." 


u  n  e 


2  6 


94  3 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


55 


MANAGERS* 

ROUND  TABLE 


tAn  international  association  of  showmen  meeting  weekly 
in  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD  for  mutual  aid  and  progress 

GERTRUDE  MERRIAM,  Associate  Editor 


CHESTER  FRIEDMAN,  Editor 


OP 


That  Summer  Problem 

The  summer  school  recess  is  at  hand,  with  its  annual  problem 
of  how  to  combat  the  outdoor  diversions  with  ideas  that  will 
stimulate  children's  patronage  as  a  bulwark  against  declining 
grosses. 

Special  Kiddie  Matinees,  Giveaways  and  all  the  familiar 
stimulants  will  be  used  extensively.  Most  effective  method  of 
building  and  maintaining  children  trade — or  adult  trade  for 
that  matter — is  to  give  the  customers  what  they  like. 

It  is  encouraging  to  note  that  many  theatres  and  circuits 
are  preparing  to  meet  the  anticipated  tendency  toward  a  drop 
in  business  by  intelligent  booking,  designed  to  maintain  steady 
patronage  through  the  ensuing  months.  We  refer  specifically 
to  those  theatres  with  more  than  two  changes  each  week  and 
invariably  confronted  with  a  lack  of  suitable  product  in  the 
midweek  to  insure  good  business.  A  number  of  these  theatres 
are  dating  in  the  big  outdoor  westerns  of  earlier  vintage,  at 
special  matinee  showings. 

It  is  our  guess  that  theatres  following  this  course  as  a  steady 
summer  policy  will  be  well  satisfied  with  results.  No  one,  not 
even  the  most  pessimistic  showman,  can  deny  the  magnetic 
drawing  power  of  historical  personalities  characterized  in  the 
screen  in  pictures  such  as  "Wells  Fargo",  "The  Plainsman", 
"The  Buccaneer",  "The  Texans",  "Northwest  Passage",  "Ap- 
palachian Uprising",  "Drums  Along  the  Mohawk",  "Jesse 
James",  "The  Oklahoma  Kid",  to  name  just  a  few.  There  is 
always  the  chance  that  a  new  generation  of  moviegoers  has 
grown  up  since  these  pictures  were  originally  released,  aside 
from  the  fact  that  a  definite  percentage  of  patrons  would  not 
mind  seeing  some  of  these  thrillers  over  again. 


Stills  Do  Sell 


"Monty"  Salmon,  managing  director  of  New  York's  Rivoli 
theatre,  is  to  be  commended  for  his  initiative  in  using  stills 
as  a   distinctive  sales   medium   on  Broadway, 
page  of  this  issue  will  be  found  a  photo  which 
point. 

To  showmen  who  have  for  years  utilized  this  effective  means 
of  advertising,  the  value  of  black  and  white  scene  stills  is  no 


On  another 
illustrates  our 


HOWDY!  The  hand  of  cordiality  is  extended 
to  you  all.  Vacation  time  is  at  hand  and  we  are 
eagerly  awaiting  your  visits  here  with  happy  antici- 
pation of  meeting,  personally,  the  showmen  who 
consort  at  this  Table  each  week.  The  Welcome  sign 
is  always  out  for  members  who  would  promote  our 
mutual  acquaintanceship.  Drop  in.  We're  expect- 
ing you. 


novelty.  It  is,  however,  worthy  of  special  mention  when  this 
promotion  is  injected  into  competition  with  the  ostentatious 
fronts  affected  by  most  of  the  Broadway  houses.  The  Rivoli 
has  not  disregarded  its  facade  display  but  has  added  two 
easels,  crammed  with  eight  by  tens,  set  at  both  sides  of  the 
entrance.  Hundreds  of  people  who  normally  would  rush  past 
the  theatre  without  a  second  glance  are  crowding  around  the 
displays. 

It  has  long  been  an  acknowledged  fact  that  activity  around 
the  front  of  a  theatre  is  good  for  business.  Salmon's  show- 
manship extends  further.  The  feature  attraction  is  "Spitfire" 
and,  knowing  the  public  reaction  to  war  pictures,  he  wisely 
selected  scenes  which  stress  the  romantic  and  dramatic  aspects 
of  the  picture,  cleverly  refraining  from  the  use  of  air  or  battle 
scenes.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  many  people,  who  pre- 
viously connected  the  title  with  a  war  picture,  upon  viewing 
these  scenes  were  induced  to  purchase  tickets. 

So  it  is:  on  numerous  occasions  when  title,  cast,  or  theme 
are  not  appealing  to  patrons,  they  are  frequently  attracted  by 
the  action  disclosed  in  a  single  scene  that  has  escaped  notice 
through  other  mediums  of  advertising. 

For  those  managers  who  may  be  having  difficulty  in  secur- 
ing capable  sign  men  or  artists,  may  we  suggest  that  front 
and  lobby  layouts  be  altered  so  as  to  provide  for  a  continual 
and  profuse  display  of  these  potent  ticket  sellers.  If  you  would 
be  convinced  as  to  their  effectiveness,  you  may  emulate 
Monty's  example  on  your  next  attraction.  But,  for  proper 
comparative  purposes,  set  your  still  display  near  an  attractive 
art  sign,  and  observe  which  of  the  two  receives  most  attention. 

—CHESTER  FRIEDMAN 


56 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    26,  1943 


BALLYHOOS  AND  FRONTS 


Monty  Salmon's 
sidewalk  still  dis- 
plays at  the 
Rivoli,  New  York, 
attracted 
passersby  who 
impeded  traffic. 
Note  that  the 
photos  eliminate 
almost  entirely 
the  war  back- 
ground sug- 
gested by 
the  title. 
Effectiveness  of 
the  frame  is 
emphasized  by 
using  many  stills 
rather  than 
a  few. 


By  Metropolitan  Photo  Service 


Manager  Harold  Wyatt  used  this  advance  ballyhoo 

to  advertise  "My  Friend  Flicka"  at  the  McDonald  theatre, 

Eugene,  Oregon. 


This  attractive 
front,  emphasiz- 
ing stills,  was 
built  by  the  staff 
of  the  Rialto 
theatre,  Phoenix, 
Vaughn  Taylor 
manages. 


Lester  Pollock 
at  Loew's  the- 
atre, Roches- 
ter, is  another 
showman  who 
appreciates 
the  use  of 
stills  in  selling 
his  attrac- 
tions. Second 
features  are 
given  prom- 
inent billing. 


When  the  two-man  Jap  sub  was  exhibited 
recently,  Chas.  B.  Taylor,  ad  head  at 
Shea's  theatres,  Buffalo,  lost  no  time  in 
getting  this  plug  for  "Crash  Dive". 


June    26,  1943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


57 


Radio  Plays  Big  Part 
In  "Coney  Island"  Date 

Spurred  by  the  enthusiasm  engendered  by 
a  pre-playdate  screening  of  "Coney  Island," 
E.  V.  Dinerman,  ad  head  of  RKO  Midwest 
Theatres,  placed  extra  budget  display  ads 
which  were  reportedly  unprecedented  in 
Cincinnati. 

In  the  former  city,  a  unique  classified  con- 
test was  arranged  with  the  Times  Star, 
whereby  they  furnished  1,100  lines  of  dis- 
play advertising  in  a  promotion  which  ran 
for  six  days. 

A  radio  campaign  on  WLW  was  tied  into 
a  tune  guessing  contest  for  the  feminine 
trade  with  war  bonds  as  prizes.  This  also 
resulted  in  a  score  of  plugs,  all  of  which 
carried  playdate  announcements.  Tunes 
played  in  the  picture  were  featured  by  many 
local  orchestras  and  on  the  radio. 

Special  life  size  cutouts  of  Betty  Grable 
were  placed  in  the  lobbies  of  all  downtown 
RKO  theatres  with  invitational  signs  read- 
ing: "I'll  see  you  at  the,"  etc.  The  local 
amusement  park  also  featured  one  of  these 
cutouts  in  the  photographer's  studio  and 
folks  were  invited  to  have  their  pictures 
taken  with  Betty.  Every  music  store  in  town 
devoted  window  space  to  the  picture's  song 
hits.  A  special  screening  for  dealers  in  the 
entire  music  field  resulted  in  the  tunes  being 
plugged  in  all  night  spots. 

In  San  Francisco,  the  picture  was  like- 
wise ballyhooed  by  local  papers,  contrast- 
ing the  big  Eastern  resort  with  the  Bar- 
bary  Coast.  The  Call-Bulletin  published  a 
full-page  cartoon,  together  with  a  feature 
story  emphasizing  the  nostalgic  theme.  The 
western  campaign  was  rounded  out  with 
many  other  stunts,  including  a  specially  built 
traveling  billboard,  jumbo  telegram  displays, 
herald  tie-up,  and  cutout  figures  of  the  star, 
which  livened  up  many  local  windows. 


The  Selling  Approach 

ON  NEW  PRODUCT 

{The  material  below  reflects  press  books  now  in  preparation  and  represents  the  point  of 
view  of  the  distributors'  exploiteers  about  selling  special  merits  of  these  pictures.'] 


Mayfair  Theatre 
Has  Social  Center 

."Standing  room  only"  means  a  quiet 
game  of  checkers,  backgammon,  bridge  or 
gin-rummy  to  the  movie  patrons  of  the 
Mayfair  theatre,  Miami.  Mayfair  Lane,  as 
the  social  center  is  called,  is  equipped  for 
games,  reading  and  writing,  and,  before 
wartime  food  rationing  restrictions,  served 
refreshments. 

This  social  gathering  place  has  been 
fully  utilized  by  the  moviegoers  and  many 
use  the  Lane  to  entertain  guests,  hold  club 
meeting,  bridge  parties  and  give  book  re- 
views. 

Manager  Claude  Norton  does  not  con- 
fine his  outside-the-film  activities  to  the  so- 
cial center;  on  Sundays  the  theatre  is  used 
as  a  church.  The  Unitarian  Society  holds 
services  and  forums. 


MR.  LUCKY  (RKO  Radio):  The  producers 
have  wisely  selected  a  title  for  this  vehicle 
that  will  present  no  barriers  with  regard  to 
ballyhoo  and  exploitation.   In  addition  to 
a  strong  cast,  the  picture  has  several  dis- 
tinctive angles  which  will  be  closely  scru- 
tinized by  discriminating  showmen  to  best 
suit   their   individual    needs.  Adventure, 
romance,    satire,    novelty,    comedy  and 
action  are  all  interwoven  in  the  plot.  To- 
gether, they  offer  a  variety  of  entertain- 
ment conducive  to  good  box  office,  but 
they  can  be  separated  and  capitalized  on 
in  any  location  where  there  is  a  definite 
trend  towards  one  or  more  specific  types 
of  entertainment.    The  title  suggests  in- 
numerable gags  and  stunts.  Showmen  will 
revive  the  three-cornered  tieup  with  a  local 
newspaper  and  department  store  sponsor- 
ing prizes  to  the  persons  identifying  "Mr. 
Lucky",  who  will  be  found  in  the  store 
carrying  a  copy  of  the  newspaper.  All  of 
the  stunts  used,  and  reported  in  these 
pages  recently,  on  other  pictures  with  par- 
tially similar  titles  may  be  revised  and  re- 
vamped to  excellent  advantage.  A  hilarious 
scene   in   which   he-man   Cary   Grant  is 
taught  to  knit  offers  an  opportunity  to 
inject  a  men's  knitting  contest.    A  dart 
game  or  similar  diversion  may  be  used  as 
a  lobby  stunt  with  guest  tickets  for  "lucky" 
persons.   Lithographed  sheets  are  suitable 
for  lobby  cutouts  and  displays.  Exchange 
window  cards  are  particularly  attractive, 
for  prominent  locations  around  town.  The 
story   plot   is   largely   concerned   with  a 
women's  war-relief  society,  which  suggests 
local  cooperation  from  this  type  organiza- 
tion. The  characters  are  shown  visiting  a 
blood  bank.   This  offers  an  angle  to  con- 


Local  Lana  Turner  Double 
Acts  as  Soda  Dispenser 

As  a  publicity  stunt  ahead  of  "Sliehtlv 
Dangerous"  at  Loew's  State,  in  Boston*  Joe 
Longo  arranged  for  a  local  girl  who  resem- 
bles Lana  Turner  to  act  as  a  soda  dispenser 
at  the  largest  five  and  dime  store.  Between 
the  hours  of  two  and  four,  the  girl  made  up 
and  served  banana  splits  gratis.  A  giant 
credit  card  was  planted  alongside  of  her  and 
in  the  main  window  of  the  store. 


Portland  Sweater  Campaign 
Staged  for  "Moon  Is  Down" 

Playdate  of  "The  Moon  Is  Down"  at  the 
Orpheum  and  Playhouse  theatres,  Portland, 
Oregon,  spearheaded  the  local  campaign  to 
put  on  a  sweater  drive  for  sweaters  for  the 
Norse  populace  overseas.  Reasons  for  the 
local  campaign  was  the  tremendous  amount 
of  locals  who  originated  from  Norway. 
Merchants  cooperated  by  sharing  a  half- 
page  ad  and  the  theatre  tied  in  on  the  ad,  as 
well  as  on  the  receptacles  for  the  sweaters 
which  were  placed  in  the  lobbies  and  lead- 
ing department  store. 

A  special  screening  was  sponsored  by  the 
Norwegian  Vice  Consul,  to  which  local  Nor- 
wegian societies  and  press  representatives 
were  invited.  The  enthusiasm  engendered 
at  this  screening  resulted  in  special  Bond 
booths  at  the  Orpheum  and  Playhouse, 
manned  by  Norwegian  girls  in  native  cos- 
tumes. 

Radio  contributed  heavily  to  the  campaign 


nect  with  your  local  blood  donor  organi- 
zation. "Mr.  Lucky"  was  published  by 
Cosmopolitan  Magazine  under  the  title, 
"Bundles  for  Freedom".  This  may  be  men- 
tioned in  newspaper  ads  and  around  the 
theatre  displays.  Remember  that  Cary 
Grant  is  well  liked  by  male  and  female 
fans,  especially  for  his  individual  style  and 
mannerisms.   Don't  undersell  Cary. 

STORMY  WEATHER  (Twentieth  Century- 
Fox):  For  showmen  who  like  an  exploitable 
picture  in  which  they  can  really  "go  to 
town"  this  one  is  a  natural.   The  catchy 
title  presents  an  opportunity  to  tie  in  with 
every  type  of  co-op  from  newspapers  to 
windows.  The  musical  background  lends  it- 
self to  all  well  known  radio,  night  club, 
music  or  band  stunts,  with  variations  which 
exploiteers  will  inject  of  their  own  accord. 
The  lithographed  posters  will  serve  as  effec- 
tive lobby  displays  when  used  as  cutouts 
on  appropriate  backboards.   Any  number 
of  contests  are  suggested  by  the  variety 
of  dancing,  singing  and  instrumental  talents 
of  the  Negro  stars  who  comprise  the  cast 
Lobby,  screen  and  newspaper  teasers  may 
be  used  far  in  advance  of  playdates.  Dis- 
play ads  should  convey  the  effervescent 
spirit  of  contagious  rhythm  suggested  by 
the  theme  and  characters.  Song  hits  fea- 
tured in  the  picture  are  "There's  No  Two 
Ways  About  Love",  "My,  My,  Ain't  That 
Somethin'  ",  "Ain't  Misbehavin'  ",  "Diga 
Diga,  Doo",  "I  Cant  Give  You  Anythinq 
But  Love",   "Walkin'  the  Dog"  and,  of 
course,  the  title  song.  Dooley  Wilson,  who 
received  such  phenomenal  acclaim  in  a  re- 
cent picture,  is  in  the  cast  and  should  not 
be  overlooked. 


by  devoting  broadcasts  directed  at  the  local 
Norwegian  population,  urging  them  to  see 
the  picture  and  contribute  toward  the 
sweater  drive.  All  department  store  and 
book  dealers  helped  emphasize  the  Stein- 
beck angle  by  featuring  window  and  counter 
displays. 


Issues  Faint  Checks  for 
Double  Horror  Show 

«tJ°  ™her  in  his  doubIe  horror  show  of 
The  Mummy's  Tomb"  and  "The  Night 
Monster"  at  the  Appalachian  theatre,  in  Ap- 

?nSCia'  Xa-'  Chuck  Larnard  distributed 
1.UU0  heralds  on  the  streets  and  at  schools 
with  such  copy  as :  "Can  you  take  it  ?  Are 
you  tough?  Then  we  dare  you  to  see  the 
most  hair-raising,  blood-curdling  double  fea- 
ture ever  shown  at  the  State  Theatre."  Five 
hundred  faint  checks,  entitling  holder  to  re- 
admission  in  case  he  fainted  during  the  show 
were  distributed. 


MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  June    2  6,     194  3 


Four  Cooperative  Ad  Pages 
Aid  Saskatoon  "Serve"  Drive 


A  window  display  was  obtained  by  Bob  Maynard  of  the  Tivoli,  Saskatoon,  Canada,  in 
one  of  the  leading  hotels.   It  remained  there  fifteen  days. 


Four  pages  of  cooperative  advertising 
were  obtained  by  R.  E.  Maynard,  manager 
of  the  Tivoli  theatre,  Saskatoon,  Canada, 
for  his  engagement  of  "In  Which  We 
Serve."  In  addition  to  this,  exploitation  of 
every  kind  was  employed  to  make  the  peo- 
ple of  Saskatoon  Navy-conscious  and  there- 
fore aware  of  the  engagement  of  "In  Which 
We  Serve." 

Among  the  ideas  employed  by  Bob  was  to 
hand  out  Captain  D's  prayer  at  the  end  of  the 
picture  to  patrons  attending  the  opening 
night  of  the  picture.  It  was  printed  gratis 
by  the  Saskatoon  Star-Phoenix  

One  of  the  four  full  cooperative  pages 
was  devoted  to  recruiting  both  for  the  Roy- 
al Canadian  Naval  Volunteer  Reserve  and 
for  the  Wrens,  the  Canadian  equivalent  of 
the  Waves.  A  large  list  of  sponsors  of  the 
ad  was  published  at  the  bottom.  The  pic- 
ture received  attention  in  a  still  and  a  cap- 
tion. The  other  pages  were  straight  co- 
operative pages,  partly  text  and  partly  ads. 

The  newspaper  carried  an  editorial  prais- 
ing the  picture  on  the  following  day.  Maynard 
had  his  usherettes  garbed  in  naval  uniform 
in  advance  of  and  during  the  engage- 
ment.  Among  the  unusual  ads  used  was  one 


reproducing  a  telegram  from  H.  A.  Morton 
in  Winnipeg,  telling  Bob  what  a  big  busi- 
ness the  picture  did  when  it  played  the 
Garrick  theatre  there.  Ads  were  used  in 
the  Saskatchewan  University  paper,  "The 
Sheaf,"  especially  directed  to  students.  The 
radio  was  used  for  two  15-minute  tran- 
scribed programs,  which  because  of  the  na- 
ture of  the  picture  were  given  at  half  cost. 
Men  and  a  band  from  the  local  Naval  De- 
pot attended  the  theatre  on  the  opening 
night.  A  letter  from  Lieut.  Comdr.  Charles 
A.  E.  White,  praising  the  picture,  aided 
Bob  in  selling  it,  too. 

Window  displays  were  obtained  in  West- 
ern Canada's  finest  hotel  and  in  the  local 
store  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company.  The 
front  display  on  the  theatre  consisted  of  a 
24-sheet  on  the  marquee,  Navy  pennants  and 
ship  lights  furnished  by  the  local  barracks 
and  a  large  assortment  of  stills.  There 
were  four  24-sheet  boards  in  locations  fac- 
ing traffic. 

Out  of  a  possible  population  of  40,000 
Maynard  played  to  15,000  paid  admissions 
in  two  weeks  in  a  theatre  which  seats 
only  718  people.  He  ran  six  shows  a  day, 
operating  continuously. 


40,000  Heralds 
Drop  from  Sky 
For  "Air  Force" 

In  order  to  really  sell  "Air  Eorce"  at  the 
Kenyon  theatre,  in  Pittsburgh,  Lige  Brien 
promoted  the  use  of  two  airplanes  to  drop 
40,000  heralds  from  the  sky.  This  was 
done  on  the  opening  day,  but  to  get  the 
stunt  before  the  public,  Brien  had  a  40  by  60 
advising  the  public  to  watch  the  sky  on  Sat- 
urday. This  helped  arouse  interest.  Of 
course,  to  secure  permission  to  drop  heralds 
from  the  sky,  a  patriotic  tieup  had  to  be 
made,  and  this  was  done  through  the  ex- 
pediency of  "selling"  Bonds  on  the  herald. 
In  addition,  an  offer  was  included  to  admit 
each  person  who  had  purchased  a  Bond  on 
the  opening  day  of  the  picture.  Thus  Brien 
received  permission  from  the  City  of  Pitts- 
burgh and  a  waiver  from  the  Government 
Aeronautics  Bureau. 

An  attractive  display  planted  in  the  lobby 
for  12  days  in  advance  measured  27  feet 
long  with  each  title  letter  three  feet  in  height 
and  10  inches  in  depth.  The  face  of  these 
letters  was  painted  blue  and  the  sides  red. 
The  face  of  the  letters  was  sprinkled  with 
powdered  metallics  and  the  entire  display 
was  mounted  on  a  pure  white  oilcloth  back- 
ground. Four  bird's-eye  spots  shone  on  same, 
thus  giving  a  beautiful  sparkling  display. 

Two  hundred  postcards  with  picture  copy 
were  mailed  out;  the  cards  having  been  se- 
cured from  the  Pennsylvania  Central  Air- 
lines. 5,000  pure  white  bags  which  were 
used  at  the  candy  counter  were  imprinted 
with  a  mat  of  "Air  Force"  and  used  seven 
days  in  advance  of  the  opening.  An  "Air 
Force"  sundae  was  featured  at  a  local  soda 
parlor,  which  put  up  six  cutouts  in  the  shape 
of  a  plane. 

Book  jackets  were  secured  from  the  pub- 
lishers; 16  of  which  were  carried  about  in 
two  of  the  high  schools  well  in  advance  of 
the  opening.  A  tieup  was  effected  with  the 
Junior  Air  Reserve  which  brought  5,000 
heralds  from  them  describing  the  different 
types  of  airplanes.  Numerous  window  dis- 
plays were  secured  by  Brien,  2,000  pro- 
moted heralds  were  distributed  door  to  door 
and  comic  books  were  distributed  to  the  first 
500  children  attending  the  opening. 


Warnermen  Win  Prizes 
In  Local  Scrap  Drive 

Bob  Kessler,  manager  of  Warners'  Benn 
theatre,  Philadelphia,  was  awarded  the  first 
prize  of  $50  for  turning  in  the  largest 
amount  of  scrap  copper  during  the  industry's 
recent  drive.  The  prizes  were  donated  by 
Robert  Lynch,  Metro  branch  manager  in 
Philadelphia,  who  served  as  chairman  of  the 
local  committee.  Harry  Marks,  manager 
of  the  Casino  theatre,  South  Langhorne, 
Pa.,  won  the  second  prize  of  $25  and  a 
third  prize  of  $20  went  to  Barney  Cohne, 
manager  of  Warners'  Park  theatre,  Phila- 
delphia. 


"Crash  Dive"  Posters 
Lauded  in  War  Plants 

Herb  Blumberg,  Warner  ad  chief  in  Phil- 
adelphia, solidly  sold  "Crash  Dive"  in  the 
Quaker  City.  All  subway  and  "El"  stations 
were  posted  with  three-sheets  and  two  of 
the  town's  leading  department  stores  de- 
voted main  stem  windows  to  naval  para- 
phernalia including  art.  Over  100  industrial 
and  war  plants  received  special  posters  ad- 
vising war  workers  of  the  swing  shift  show 
staged  for  their  benefit.  Generous  use  of 
radio  time  was  made  with  spot  announce- 
ments, which  was  topped  by  the  dramatic 
synopsis  of  the  picture. 


Rosenthal's  Photo  Tieup 
Sells  "Forever  and  a  Day" 

To  help  exploit  "Forever  and  a  Day"  at 
the  Majestic  theatre  in  Bridgeport,  Conn., 
Morris  Rosenthal  made  arrangements  with 
the  photograph  department  of  one  of  the 
leading  department  stores  to  present  a  free 
photo  to  all  men  in  the  Armed  Forces.  The 
store  distributed  several  thousand  heralds 
and  gave  the  theatre  a  beautiful  window  dis- 
play with  cards  and  photos  of  men  in  the 
service.  Since  they  were  all  local  men,  it  at- 
tracted considerable  attention. 

Rosenthal  further  contacted  the  local 
committee  for  the  Infantile  Paralysis  Fund 
and  tied  them  in  on  the  picture.  They  sent 
out  300  cards  to  all  workers  on  their  com- 
mittee, urging  that  they  attend  the  show. 
Their  appearance  at  the  opening  was  good 
for  large  stories  and  art  in  the  local  dailies. 


June    26,  1943 


MANAGERS'    ROUND  TABLE 


59 


Cohen  Opens  "Crash  Dive" 
With  Bond  Sale  Drive 


Patrons  address  postcard  to  Tyrone  Power 
ahead  of  "Crash  Dive"  date. 

Widespread  newspaper  publicity  was  ac- 
corded "Crash  Dive"  at  Loew's  Poli  theatre, 
in  Hartford,  when  Lou  Cohen's  current  cam- 
paign called  for  the  sale  of  $10,000  in  Bonds, 
enough  to  buy  a  torpedo  like  the  one  dis- 
played in  his  lobby  ahead  of  and  during  the 
date.  The  torpedo  was  borrowed  from  the 
Submarine  Base,  at  New  London,  Conn., 
and  the  Navy  had  a  recruiting  booth  in  the 
lobby  in  addition.  A  giant  postcard  ad- 
dressed to  Lt.  Tyrone  Power  at  San  Diego 
was  also  featured,  with  patrons  invited  to 
sign  their  names  to  a  message  to  the  star. 
This  was  later  moved  to  a  downtown  win- 
dow.   The  stunt  sold  $1,687  in  War  Stamps. 


Miniature  Plane  Contest  Held 
By  Kleper  for  "Pilot  No.  5" 

In  conjunction  with  the  local  government 
drive  for  model  airplanes  now  being  held  at 
Yale  University  Army  Air  Force  branch, 
Sid  Kleper  at  the  Bijou  theatre  in  New 
Haven,  offered  guest  tickets  to  "Pilot  No.  5" 
to  all  those  who  brought  their  entries  down 
to  the  theatre.  An  Army  truck  was  planted 
in  front  of  the  theatre  to  receive  the  aggre- 
gation, and  pictures  were  taken  for  news- 
paper breaks. 

A  large  window  display  was  secured  from 
the  local  five  and  dime  store,  which  featured 
the  different  types  of  miniature  planes  with 
a  30  by  40  in  the  background  plugging  the 
picture.  Cards  were  used  on  local  news 
trucks  around  town  anw  for  a  teaser,  side- 
walks were  stencilled  with  such  copy  as, 
"Who  is  Pilot  No.  5?"  or  "Pilot  No.  5  is 
Coming."  Small  teaser  stickers  were  used 
for  theatre  mail,  store  packages  and  wind- 
shields of  parked  cars.  Eye  arresting  dis- 
plays were  also  landed  at  Yale  University, 
which  is  now  a  major  training  center  for 
the  Army  Air  Corps. 


Navy  Aids  on  "Crash  Dive" 

Ken  Hoel,  Publicity  Director  of  the  Har- 
ris Theatre,  Pittsburgh,  got  Navy  coopera- 
tion on  "Crash  Dive"  via  A-board  displays. 
The  Navy  boards  were  sniped  with  one- 
sheets  and  these  displays  created  added  in- 
terest in  the  local  playdate.  In  addition, 
naval  equipment  was  displayed  in  the  lobby 
of  the  theatre  and  a  giant  compo  board  sub- 
marine was  mounted  on  top  of  the  marquee. 


War  Showmanship  Contenders 

The  showmen  listed  below  have  contributed  and  reported  on  their  campaigns  to  aid 
the  war  effort.  Their  material  is  eligible  for  consideration  by  the  Judges  for  the  Quigley 
War  Showmanship  Award. 


ELMER  ADAMS,  JR. 
Yucca,  Midland,  Tex. 

EARLE  M.  BAILEY 
Warren,  Warren,  Pa. 

JOSEPH  BOYLE 
Broadway,  Norwich,  Conn. 

LEWIS  BREYER 
Strand,  Holyoke,  Mass. 

GERTRUDE  BUNCHEZ 
Century,  Baltimore,  Md. 

CLAYTON  CORNELL 
Pontiac,  Saranac  Lake,  N.  Y. 

ROBERT  COX 
Kentucky,  Lexington,  Ky. 

DAVID  DALLAS 

Griffith,  Manhattan,  Kans. 

TOMMY  DELBRIDGE 
Vendome,  Nashville,  Tenn. 

WILLIAM  ELDER 
Loew's,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 


ED  ENKE 

Rivoli,  Hempstead,  L.  I. 

WILLIAM  GALLIGAN 
Commercial,  Chicago,  III. 

SAM  GILMAN 
Loew's,  Harrisburg,  Pa. 

A.  J.  KALBERER 
Switow's  Indiana 
Washington,  Ind. 

HERTA  LAUBE 
Manhasset,  Manhasset,  L. 

JACK  MATLACK 
Broadway,  Portland,  Ore. 

HARRY  L.  MOLLER 
Globe,  Berlin,  Mo. 

JAMES  PISAPIA 
Harbor,  Brooklyn,  N.Y. 

SYDNEY  J.  POPPAY, 
Majestic,  Gettysburg,  Pa. 


ORVILLE  RENNIE 
Paramount,  Cedar  Rapids,  la. 

KEN  ROCKWELL 

Palace,  Jamestown,  N.  Y. 

CARL  ROGERS 
Granada,  Cleveland,  Ohio 

MATT  SAUNDERS 
Poli,  Bridgeport,  Conn. 

SID  SCOTT 

Capitol,  Sudbury,  Ont.,  Canada 

EVAN  THOMPSON 
Playhouse,  Hicksville,  L.  I. 

AL  ROCKE 

Peach,  Ft.  Valley,  Ga. 

A.  C.  VALLET 
Laurelton,  Laurelton,  L.  I. 

ZOLLIE  VOLCHOK 
Paramount,  Portland,  Ore. 

LEE  W.  WENTZ 
Capitol,  Glendale,  Calif. 


Cornell  Promotes  Station  for 
Children's  Talent  Revue 

Clayton  Cornell  at  Schine's  Pontiac,  in 
Saranac  Lake,  N.  Y.,  reports  on  a  promo- 
tion he  inaugurated  with  the  local  radio 
station,  which  is  resulting  in  some  very  fine 
business  for  the  theatre  and  has  created  an 
additional  incentive  for  closer  cooperation 
with  the  broadcasting  studio. 

At  his  suggestion,  they  went  out  and  sold 
six  merchants  the  idea  of  sponsoring  a  thea- 
tre-radio show  broadcast  from  the  stage 
each  Saturday  at  the  beginning  of  the  mat- 
inee. This  was  called  a  "Children's  Talent 
Revue"  and  War  Stamps  were  awarded  as 
prizes.  The  station  plugs  the  program  ap- 
proximately five  times  daily,  asking  young- 
sters to  register  at  the  station  or  the  theatre 
box  office.  In  their  spot,  they  urge  the 
listeners  to  attend  the  matinee  and  see  the 
show.  Cornell  plugs  the  show  on  his 
Wednesday  and  Friday  "Pontiac  Theatre  of 
the  Air"  program  and  also  carries  mention 
of  the  show  in  his  Friday  ads  in  both  the 
local  daily  and  the  Lake  Placid  Weekly. 

A  special  lobby  display  board  is  used  dur- 
ing the  week  and  a  screen  announcement  is 
used  at  all  times.  Clay  acts  as  master  of  cere- 
monies and  says  that  the  show  is  bringing 
the  management  closer  to  the  youngsters. 


through  with  an  effective  window  display 
as  did  a  cafeteria,  which  prominently  dis- 
played a  card  on  the  cashier's  deck. 

Tieups  were  made  with  orchestras  at  local 
hotels  to  play  the  hit  tunes  from  the  picture 
and  plug  the  playdates  and  theatre.  Cards 
were  also  distributed  to  hotels  and  placed  in 
each  room. 

For  his  date  on  "Flight  for  Freedom," 
Groom  printed  up  2,000  teaser  visiting  cards 
with  copy  "F.F.F.?.8-1464."  The  inclusion 
of  the  theatre's  telephone  number  resulted  in 
numerous  calls.  10,000  imprinted  napkins 
with  the  name  of  the  picture,  stars,  playdates 
and  theatre  were  distributed  to  all  downtown 
cafeterias  and  restaurants  and  fashion  win- 
dows using  star  stills  of  Rosalind  Russell 
were  used  in  three  of  the  best  stores. 


Merchant  Tieups  Help  Sell 
"Hello  Frisco"  for  Groom 

In  advance  of  his  opening  for  "Hello 
Frisco,  Hello"  at  Loew's  State,  in  Mem- 
phis, Arthur  Groom  secured  numerous  mer- 
chant tieups,  one  of  which  was  with  a  ladies 
apparel  shop  which  devoted  fashion  window 
to  plugging  the  picture  .  Woolworth's  used 
one  of  their  most  prominent  windows  and 
devoted  it  to  cosmetics  with  profuse  use  of 
Alice  Faye,  June  Havoc  and  Lynn  Bari 
stills.    One  of  the  leading  furriers  also  came 


Kalberer  Distributes  Bats 
For  "Pride  of  the  Yankees" 

Through  a  tieup  with  a  local  sporting 
goods  store,  A.  J.  Kalberer  at  Switow's  In- 
diana, in  Washington,  Ind.,  ahead  of  his 
date  on  "Pride  of  the  Yankees"  landed  a 
four  column  half-page  cooperative  ad  on  the 
giveaway  of  200  miniature  baseball  bats  to 
the  first  200  boys  or  girls  visiting  the  store 
on  a  Saturday  morning.  The  cooperative 
store  also  devoted  generous  space  in  their 
ad  to  a  cut  of  Gary  Cooper  and  Teresa 
Wright  and  copy  on  the  picture. 


SPECIAL  TRAILERS 


UJHED  V0U  pAME  DAY  SERVICE 

a4L  ill  n  n  t  \  We  Know  How  Important  It  is 
1!  (  We  Never  Disappoint.. .Try  Us 


FILMACK  TRAILER  CO. 

1327  So.  WoboshAve.,  Chicago 


60  MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  June    2  6,  1943 

VARIETY  IN  DISPLAY  ADS 


One  Month  from  Today 

At  8:45  P.  M.,  after  three  years  of  production  .  .  . 
Paramount^  "For  Whom  The  Bell  Tolls"  will  be 
shown  for  the  first  time  . . .  the  World  Premiere 
at  the  Rivoli  Theatre  .  .  .  then 

One  Day  Later 

New  York  will  know  that  "For  Whom 
f  he  Bell  Tolls"  with  its  passionately  mov- 
ing love  story,  its  magnificent  character- 
izations, its  superlative  color,  has  taken 
its  place  as  one  of  the  three  greatest 
-  motion  pictures  ever  made  ...  so 

Today 

Tickets  have  been  placed  on  sale 
that  you  may  buy  them  now, 
andavoid  disappointment  later 
There  will  be  two  perform- 
ances daily  . . .  all  seats  re- 
served. Tickets  may  be 
secured • at   the  box 
office  or  by  mail. 


uiHom 

^THE  BELL  TOLLS 


From    the    celebroted  no 


/r^  Gary         rr\  1"V,ML' 

Cooper  .  /Bergman 

.M.  AKIM  TAMIROFF  .  ARTURO  DE  CORDOVA 
JOSEPH   CAUEIA  And   KATINA  PAXINOU 

tx«cul,r«  P'tad.c.r  B.  G.  DE  SYLVA 


r.l  b,  ERNEST  HEMINGWAY*,, 


INGRID 


Sam  Wood 


S<«^*h  Play  by  Dudley  N.choh 

In  Technicolor 


world  Premiere 
Inly  14lh-8:43  p.  m. 

For  the  Bene6t  of  Tlic 
National  War  Fund- 
Trices  S4.40,  S3. 30  and  J2.20 

IntiuHini  'I'll 


RIVOLI 

Broadway  at  49ih  Street 
Twice  Daily  Thereafrer— 2:30. 
8:30  P.M.  All  seats  reserved 


Prices  for  all  performances 
after  World  Premiere: 
Matinees:  Weekdays  —  85tf  and 
S1.10.    Saturday's,  Sundays  and 
Holidays— jil.10  and  M.65. 

Efenincs:  Weelclays-81. 10, 21.65 
iui  ^'  .0  Saturdays,  Sundays  and 
Holidays-»1.6S  and  ?2  20. 


R.  M.  Gillham,  Paramount  ad  head  is  responsible 
for  this  striking  ad  which  appeared  in  the  New  York 
dailies.  It  was  calculated  to  impress  readers  with 
the  importance  of  this  picture.  World  premiere 
tickets  were  sold  out  within  two  days. 


TO  OUR  PATRONS  •  •••••••< 

One  Year  Ago  Tokio  Was  Bombed ! 

★  Today  We  Know  That  Three  Holyoke  Men  Participated  in  this  Raid  * 


Now  We  Are  Privileged  To  Bring  You  the  First 
Newsreels  Showing  Our  Local  Men  In  Action! 

Frank  Barnish  of  South  Summer  Street. 
Walter  Zielenski  of  High  Street. 
Francis  Daly  of  High  Street. 


*     Every  Scene  Is  Real!     Every  Thrill  Is  True!  ~k 


SEE  OUR  OWN  BOYS  CIVE  THE  JAPS  HELL! 


*  Salute  Our  Local  Men  and  Cheer  Them  On  to  FINAL,  CLORIOU8  VICTORY 


TRHHD 


Lew  Breyer,  at  the  Strand,  Holyoke,  Mass.,  is  one  of  the 
showmen  who  believe  in  capitalizing  local  interest  in  newsreels. 


iiiPii 


Taking  advan- 
tage of  Donald 
O'Connors'  cur- 
rent popularity, 
Rita  Morton, 
RKO  publicity 
head,  Providence, 
used  this  stand- 
out ad  and  tied 
in  a  jitterbug 
contest. 


DONALD 

O'CONNOR 

AMERICAS  VOWS  iOKATKW 
IK  The  fMn  SUBPB12E 
OF  THE  YEAR  with. 

JEAN 

URN 


muter 


Small  but  attractive  are  these  two-column 
eye-catchers  (above,  below)  from  Irving  Blumberg, 
Warner  ad  head  at  Philadelphia. 

 LiM|.ftiu.«mg.ii 

CHARLES 


DOORS  OPEN  10:45  A.M. 
JEAN  JOEL 


19th  and 
CHESTNUT 


ARTHUR  •  McCREA  •  COBURN  ^ 

f*«  More  the  nSfr 

\  LATE  SHOWS  TONIGHT  •  Last  Feature  at  3  A.  M. 


June    26,  1943 


MANAGERS 


ROUND  TABLE 


61 


IT'S  HERE!  1943's  NE  W 
KIND  OF  MOVIE!  The  Pic- 
ture With  the  DINGLE! 

NO  FOOLIN'— You'll  say  if  8 
the  ' funniest  romantic  hit 
since  "IT  HAPPENED  ONE 
NIGHT"! 

All !  did  was  my  patriotic  duty.  When 
this  funny  man  said  ha  was  the  perfect 
loonier... he'd  never  wear  my  stocking* 
.or  borrow  my  girdle. ..or  gel 
lipstick  on  the  towels... how 
was  I  to  know  he'd  rent  hall 
of  his  half  to  Joe..  . 
I  mean  Mr.  Carter..." 


Aa  exciting  as  this 
morning's  paper!  .  .  . 
AND  funnier  than 
Mussolini  on  a  bat- 
cony! 


Dead  End  Kids  -  Little  Tough  Guy*  "Mugtown" 


Plenty  of  white 
space  featured  the 
ads  used  by  A.  J. 
Kalberer  of  Switow's 
Indiana  theatre,  in 
Washington,  Ind., 
following  a  teaser 
campaign  in  both 
the  classified  and 
display  columns  of 
the  local  newspapers 
on  behalf  of  "The 
More  the  Merrier". 


White  space  makes  Boyd 
Scott's  ad  for  the  Dixie 
theatre,  in  Holdenville,  Okla., 
stand  out  on  his  newspaper 
page.  He  has  cut  up  mats 
and  added  type  and  rules  to 
make  an  effective  layout. 


HE'S  GOT 
NO  HEART! 


THIS  IS 

Helen  Walker  . 


The  kind  ol 
re  Alan 
fans  to  a 
foil  blaze! 


*  DIXIE  * 

N  -  O  -  W  ! 

THRU  TUESDAY 
-ft  Doors  Open  Today  1:45 


He's 

Cold  .  .  .  . 
Calm  .  .  .  . 
And  A 
Killer  !  !  ! 


JORDil 


LABS 

Who  was  death  cn 
rats  in  "The  Glass 
Key"  and  "This 
Gun  for  Hire": 


T//£y&IZ'S  PFSrWCWZF/S  HERE! 


Bob  Maynard  of  the  Tivoli  theatre,  in  Saskatoon,  Sask.,  used  every 
available  means  to  advertise  "In  Which  We  Serve".    Here  is  the  ad 
which  appeared  in  the  University  paper. 


No!  We  Don't  Sell  Spuds 


But  We  Have 

"ROBERTA" 

One  Of  The  Biggest  Musicals  Ever  Filmed 

WITH 

GINGER  ROGERS-FRED  ASTAIRE 
IRENE  DUNNE-RANDOLPH  SCOTT 

-  Showing  Thurs.  -  Pri.  — 


Tonite"My  Life  With  Caroline" 


Murray  Keillor  doesn't  play  new  pictures 
at  the  Roxy,  in  Cornwall,  Ont.  So  his 
showmanship  is  restricted  to  revivals 
and  reissues.  The  potato  shortage  was 
linked  to  "Roberta"  because  there 
was  no  advertising  material 
available  on  the  picture. 


-„*  Wr  in  Technicolor/ 


Starling 


esoAV 


Use  of  white  space  was  employed  here, 
too,  by  the  New  York  Roxy  theatre  for  the 
opening  of  "Coney  Island".  The  musical 
background  of  the  picture  was  stressed 
along  with  a  lively  cut  of  Betty  Grable. 


62 


MOTION    PICTURE    HERALD  June    2  6,    194  3 


PERSONALS  ON  SHOWMEN 


IN  NEW  POSTS 

RAY  ALLARD,  manager  at  the  Interstate 
Center,  Fall  River,  Mass.,  which  closed  for 
the  summer  season,  has  accepted  the  man- 
agement of  the  Park  and  will  serve  as  re- 
lief manager  at  the  Empire  and  Durfee  dur- 
ing vacation  period.  The  Center  will  re- 
open in  the  fall. 

BARNES  PERDUE,  city  manager  at  Par- 
sons, Kans.,  of  the  H.  J.  Griffith  Theatres, 
has  reported  for  Army  duty.  Arthur  Turner 
is  is  handling  the  job  temporarily. 

BOYD  F.  SCOTT,  formerly  manager  of 
the  Grand  theatre,  in  Holdenville,  Okla.,  is 
now  managing  the  Granada  and  Mozark 
theatres,  in  Springfield,  Mo. 

STEVE  McMANUS,  former  manager  of 
the  Century  theatre,  in  Trenton,  Ontario, 
has  succeeded  Stewart  Gillespie  as  manager 
of  the  Elgin  theatre  ,in  Ottawa.  The  latter 
has  gone  into  the  Twentieth  Century  thea- 
tres home  office,  in  Toronto. 

JOHN  LUMAN  has  been  promoted  to  as- 
sistant manager  of  Warner's  Capitol  thea- 
tre, in  York,  Pa. 

SI  SOLOMON,  released  from  the  Army 
for  over  age,  has  returned  to  the  industry 
as  manager  of  the  Laurel  theatre,  in  Laurel 
Springs,  N.  J. 

IRVING  PHILLIPS  has  been  named  man- 
ager of  Leo  Posel's  Lyric  theatre,  in  Phila- 
delphia. 


JIM  THOMPSON,  manager  of  B&K's 
Loop  Apollo  theatre,  has  been  inducted  into 
the  Army. 

WALTER  TOEMMES  has  been  appointed 
manager  of  the  Wometco  Parkway  theatre, 
in  Coral  Way,  Miami,  Fla. 

C.  ARNOLD  SKELLY,  formerly  manager 
of  the  New  Lamax  theatre,  in  Wilmington, 
Ohio,  is  now  at  the  342nd  Medical  Regiment, 
Co.  D,  Camp  Cooke,  Cal. 

TOM  CARRADINE,  who  was  formerly 
manager  of  the  Ace  theatre,  in  Chicago,  has 
been  made  manager  of  the  Era  theatre,  in 
Harvey,  111. 

BOB  PRYOR,  formerly  West  Coast  exploi- 
tation chief  for  RKO,  has  been  shifted  to  a 
similar  post  in  Philadelphia.  Dave  Cantor, 
formerly  in  Philadelphia,  succeeds  Pryor. 

RALPH  ARMSTRONG  is  now  managing 
the  Liberty  theatre,  in  Libertyville,  111. 

VIRGIL  FAULKNER,  recently  manager 
of  the  Orpheum  theatre,  in  Portland,  Ore., 
has  been  named  manager  of  the  Liberty 
there.    Del  Milne  has  succeeded  him. 

ED  WALKER,  formerly  assistant  manager 
of  the  Paramount  theatre,  in  Portland,  Ore., 
has  been  named  manager  of  the  Music  Box. 

G.  R.  GREER,  former  manager  of  the 
Grand  theatre  in  Chicago  before  it  was  tak- 
en over  by  RKO,  has  joined  Balaban  and 
Katz  as  a  special  manager,  temporarily  as- 
signed to  the  State-Lake  theatre. 


HAPPY  BIRTHDAY 


By  Metropolitan  Photo  Service 


Above  are  the  winners  of  the  RKO  metropolitan  theatres'  recent  contest  for  the  best  show- 
manship campaign  on  "Hitler's  Children."  Left  to  right:  Edward  L.  Alperson,  general 
manager  RKO  Theatres;  Max  Levine,  Orpheum,  Brooklyn,  winner  of  $150  War  Bond; 
Barney  Feingold,  Alden,  Jamaica,  who  in  addition  to  the  check  for  $100  was  awarded  a 
$250  Bond;  Joseph  Fellman,  Republic,  Williamsburg,  $75  Bond;  Raymond  F.  Hodgdon, 
Bushwick,  Brooklyn,  $2  5  Bond,  and  Louis  Goldberg,  division  manager. 


June  28th 

Byron  E.  Abegglen 
Ed  C.  Curdts 
M.  Honnaker 
Milton  Brenner 
Earl  Lewy 

Lawrence  E.  Forrest 
Max  Kuperstein 
Guido  Trusty 
Mott  P.  Blair 

29th 

Paul  J.  Poag 

Oliver  Menke 

Paul  Hefner 

David  Schaer 

J.  Barros  Browne 

Harvey  Kny 

William  W.  Birchfield 

George  J.  Flicker 

Gerald  M.  Westergren 

30th 

A.  J.  Kalberer 

July  1st 

S.S.  Holland 
H.  G.  Moore 


July  1st 

Louis  Schnitzer 
Y.  L.  Bain 
Clay  Walker 

2nd 

M.J.  Gilfillan 
Everett  N.  Olsen 
William  Wright 

3rd 

Sol  Strauss 
Roland  Douchette 
Julien  E.  Campbell 
Tom  Arthur 
Russell  Allen 
Jack  Golladay 
Maurice  F.  Magen 
George  Rice 
Wilson  McDonald 


4th 


Edgar  Jones 
Max  Keizerstein 
David  Ginsburg 
Russ  McGibbon 
Charles  J.  Oliver 
William  F.  Burke 


HUBERT  N.  SCOTT,  formerly  assistant 
manager  of  Loew's  State  theatre,  in  Cleve- 
land, has  been  named  manager  of  Loew's 
Broad,  in  Columbus,  succeeding  Robert  Kil- 
gore,  now  in  the  armed  forces. 

JAMES  DARBY,  formerly  at  the  Norwalk 
theatre,  in  Norwalk,  Conn.,  has  succeeded 
Louis  Schaefer,  following  his  resignation 
as  manager  of  the  MP  Paramount  theatre, 
in  New  Haven. 

FRED  PARKER  has  purchased  the  Fox 
theatre,  New  Haven,  Conn. 

FRED  FRENSKE  is  now  managing  the 
Emery  theatre,  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

CHARLES  M.  HURLEY,  for  the  last  10 
years  manager  of  the  Liberty  theatre,  in 
Springfield,  Mass.,  has  been  promoted  to 
the  position  of  manager  of  the  Liberty 
Theatre  Corporation's  Phillips  theatre. 

JONAS  PERLBERG  is  now  managing 
the  Ridge  theatre,  in  Chicago,  111. 

HARRY  L.  GILBERT  is  now  managing 
the  Oceana  theatre,  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

JERRY  SAGER  has  been  appointed  pub- 
licity director  of  Loew's  Criterion,  in  New 
York  City. 

ARTHUR  KROLICK,  manager  of  the  Cen- 
tury theatre,  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  has  re- 
signed to  enter  the  Army. 

EDWARD  J.  KEARNEY,  former  assist- 
ant manager  of  the  Keith  theatre,  in  Syra- 
cuse, has  been  promoted  to  manager  of  the 
Empire  theatre  there. 

AL  SIMON  is  now  house  manager  at  the 
RKO  Boston  theatre,  in  Boston. 


June    26,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


63 


PICTURE 
GROSSES 


A  statistical  compilation  and 
comparison  of  Box-Office  Per- 
formance in  first-run  theatres 


Figures  directly  below  picture  title  compare  dollar  gross  with  average  gross  and  show  relative  percentage  of  all  engagements  tabulated. 

Figures  opposite  theatre  names  represent  percentage  of  tabulated  grosses  to  average  weekly  business  based  on  the  six  months'  period 
ending  April  30,  1943. 

SYMBOLS:  (DB)  Double  Bill— associate  feature  title;  (SA)  Stage  Attraction;  (MO)— Move-Over  Run;  (AA)  Advance  Admission. 


THE  HUMAN  COMEDY  (M-C-M) 

Final  Reports: 

Total  Gross  Tabulated 
Comparative  Average  Gross 
Over-all  Performance 


$587,200 
515,950 
113.9% 


BALTIMORE — Century    103.5% 

BOSTON— Loew's  Orpheum,   1st   week    .    .    .  111.6% 

BOSTON— Loew's  Orpheum,  2nd  week    .    .    .  79.0% 

BOSTON— Loew's  State,  1st  week   146.7% 

BOSTON— Loew's  State,  2nd  week   77.9% 

BUFFALO— Great   Lakes,   1st   week    ....  152.4% 

(DB)  Quiet  Please,  Murder  (20th- Fox) 

BUFFALO— Great  Lakes,  2nd  week   ....  104.8% 

(DB)  Quiet  Please,  Murder  (20th-Fox) 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Albee   124.2% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Shubert,  MO,  1st  week   .  105.2% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Shubert,  MO,  2nd  week  .  73.7% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  State   117.6% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  Stillman,  MO,  1st  week  118.7% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Loew's    141.2% 

KANSAS  CITY— Midland,  1st  week    ....  150.0% 

KANSAS  CITY— Midland,  2nd  week    ....  104.1% 

LOS  ANGELES— Carthay  Circle   131.9% 

LOS  ANGELES— Chinese   108.7% 

LOS  ANGELES— Loew's  State   112.2% 

LOS  ANGELES— Ritz   100.5% 

NEW  HAVEN— Loew's   Poli   118.2% 

(DB)  She  Has  What  It  Takes  (Col.) 

NEW  HAVEN— Bijou,  MO,  1st  week    ....  114.3% 

(DB)  She  Has  What  It  Takes  (Col.) 

PHILADELPHIA— Boyd,  1st  week   146.2% 

PHILADELPHIA— Boyd,   2nd  week    ....  109.3% 

PHILADELPHIA— Boyd,  3rd  week   89.4% 

PHILADELPHIA— Karlton,   MO.   1st   week    .  148.87, 

PROVIDENCE— Loew's  State   135.3% 

PROVIDENCE— Carlton,    MO,    1st   week    .    .  106.0% 

SAN   FRANCISCO— Fox   95.5% 

(DB)  It  Comes  Up  Love  (Univ.) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— St.  Francis,  MO,  1st  week  185.7% 

(DB)  It  Comes  Up  Love  (Univ.) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— St.  Francis,  MO,  2nd  week  142.S% 

(DB)  It  Comes  Up  Love  (Univ.) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— St.  Francis,  MO,  3rd  week  128.5% 

(DB)  Prelude  to  War  (WAC) 

SEATTLE— Fifth  Avenue   132.3% 

SEATTLE— Music    Hall   120.0% 

ST.  LOUIS— Loew's  State,  1st  week    ....  111.8% 

ST.  LOUIS— Loew's  State,  2nd  week    ....  86.9% 

ST.  LOUIS— Loew's  Orpheum,  MO,  1st  week  78.5% 

TORONTO— Loew's,  1st  week   125.0% 

TORONTO— Loew's,    2nd    week   79.1% 

WASHINGTON— Palace,  1st  week   128.6% 

WASHINGTON— Palace,  2nd  week   111.1% 

WASHINGTON— Palace.  3rd  week   81.8% 

WASHINGTON— Columbia,  MO.  1st  week    .    .  137.7% 

• 

CABIN  IN  THE  SKY  (M-C-M) 

Final  Reports: 

Total  Gross  Tabulated  $456,800 
Comparative  Average  Gross  401,100 
Over-all  Performance  113.0% 


BALTIMORE— Century    121.4% 

BOSTON— Loew's  Orpheum                            .  106.8% 

(DB)  A  Stranger  in  Town  (MGM) 

BOSTON— Loew's  State   84.4% 

(DB)  A  Stranger  in  Town  (MGM} 

BUFFALO— Buffalo   107.7% 

(DB)  Air  Raid  Wardens  (MGM) 

BUFFALO— Hippodrome,   MO,    1st   week    .    .  116.8% 

(DB)  Air  Raid  Wardens  (MGM) 

CHICAGO— Apollo,   1st  week   151.1% 

CHICAGO— Apollo,   2nd   week   127.9% 

CHICAGO— Apollo,  3rd  week   116.2% 

CHICAGO— Apollo,   4th  week   93.0% 

CINCINNATI — RKO  Albee   95.5% 


CINCINNATI— RKO  Capitol,   MO,   1st  week  89.3% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Capitol,   MO,  2nd   week  82.0% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  State   101.3% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  Stillman,  MO,  1st  week  81.2% 

LOS  ANGELES— Carthay  Circle   131.9% 

(DB)  Dr.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant  (MGM) 

LOS  ANGELES— Chinese    94.2% 

(DB)  Dr.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant  (MGM) 

LOS  ANGELES— Loew's   State   97.5% 

(DB)  Dr.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant  (MGM) 

LOS  ANGELES— Ritz   100.5% 

(DB)  Dr.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant  (MGM) 

NEW  HAVEN— Loew's   Poli   91.4% 

(DB)  Desert  Victory  (20th -Fox) 

NEW  HAVEN— College    MO,  1st  week      .    .  82.3% 

(DB)  Desert  Victory  (20th-Fox) 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  1st  week   211.4% 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  2nd  week   148.6% 

NEW  YORK— Criterion,  3rd  week   120.0% 

OMAHA— Paramount   114.5% 

(DB)  Wrecking  Crew  (Para.) 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  1st  week    ....  170.2% 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  2nd  week    ...  140.6% 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  3rd  week    ....  123.7% 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  4th  week    ....  99.0% 

PHILADELPHIA— Aldine,  5th  week    ....  84.1% 

PITTSBURGH— Penn   79.4% 

PITTSBURGH— Warner,  MO,  1st  week    .    .    .  71.4% 

PITTSBURGH— Ritz,  MO,  2nd  week    ....  90.9% 

PROVIDENCE—  State   112.7% 

(DB)  American  Empire  (UA) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Paramount,  1st  week  135.7% 

(DB)  Air  Raid  Wardens  (M-G-M) 

SEATTLE— Fifth  Avenue,  1st  week     ....  92.1% 

(DB)  A  Stranger  in  Town  (M-G-M) 

SEATTLE— Fifth  Avenue,  2nd  week    ....  79.4% 

(DB)  A  StrangeT  in  Town  (M-G-M) 


THE  OX-BOW  INCIDENT  (20th-Fox) 

First  Reports: 

Total  Gross  Tabulated 
Comparative  Average  Gross 
Over-all  Performance 


$82,300 
82,600 
99.6% 


BALTIMORE— New,  1st  week     ..'   86.9% 

BALTIMORE — New,  2nd  week   103.2% 

CINCINNATI— RKO  Grand    88.8% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Circle   75.0% 

(DB)  They  Came  to  Blow  Up  America 
(20th -Fox) 

KANSAS  CITY— Esquire    90.9% 

KANSAS  CITY— Uptown    94.3% 

NEW  YORK— Rivoli   111.1% 

PHILADELPHIA— Stanton,  1st  week     .    .    .  134.9% 

PHILADELPHIA— Stanton,  2nd  week     .    .    .  87.9% 


NEW  BASE  LINE 

Beginning  June  19th,  the  average, 
or  100  per  cent,  line  of  these  tabu- 
lations, is  the  average  weekly  busi- 
ness of  the  theatres  concerned  for 
the  six  months  ending  April  30,  1943. 
The  previous  period  was  the  last  half 
of  1942.  This  brings  into  the  new 
base  a  recognition  of  the  new  gen- 
eral level  of  box  office  performances 
of  the  current  period  of  wartime 
spending  and  war  payrolls. 


BATAAN  (M-C-M) 

First  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated 
Comparative  Average  Gross 
Over-all  Performance 


$318,800 
281,750 
113.1% 


BALTIMORE— Century,  1st  week   116.4% 

BALTIMORE— Century,  2nd  week   82.1% 

BUFFALO— Buffalo   101.2% 

(DB)  The  Mysterious  Doctor  (WB) 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  State   150.3% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  Stillman,  MO,  1st  week  93.7% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Loew's    173.9% 

LOS  ANGELES— Chinese    101.4% 

(DB)  Stranger  in  Town  (M-G-M) 

LOS  ANGELES — Ritz   84.6% 

(DB)  Stranger  in  Town  (M-G-M) 

LOS  ANGELES — Loew's  State   97.5% 

(DB)  Stranger  in  Town  (M-G-M) 

NEW  YORK— Capitol,  1st  week   134.0% 

(SA)  Bob  Allen's  Orchestra,  William  Gargan 
and  others 

NEW  YORK— Capitol,  2nd  week   120.0% 

(SA)  Bob  Allen's  Orchestra,  William  Gargan 
and  others 

PROVIDENCE— Loew's  State,  1st  week     .    .  127.8% 

(DB)  Young  and  Willing  (UA) 

PROVIDENCE— Loew's  State,  2nd  week     .    .  101.5% 

(DB)  Young  and  Willing  (UA) 

WASHINGTON— Loew's  Palace,  1st  week     .  111.1% 

WASHINGTON— Loew's  Palace,  2nd  week     .  81.8% 


PRESENTING  LILY  MARS  (M-C-M) 

First  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated 
Comparative  Average  Gross 
Over-all  Performance 


27,100 
08.700 
16.9% 


BALTIMORE— Century   

CINCINNATI— RKO  Palace  

CINCINNATI — RKO  Schubert,  MO,  1st  week  . 
CINCINNATI — RKO  Shubert,  MO,  2nd  week  . 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  State  

KANSAS  CITY— Midland  

(DB)  After  Midnight  with  Boston  Blackie))) 
(Col.) 

PHILADELPHIA— Boyd  

PROVIDENCE— Loew's  State.  1st  week  .    .  . 

(DB)  Buckskin  Frontier  (UA) 
PROVIDENCE— Loew's  State,  2nd  week    .  . 

(DB)  Buckskin  Frontier  (UA) 


128.5% 
89.4% 
87.7% 
61.4% 
117.6% 
154.1% 


152.6% 
127.8% 

75.2% 


BOMBARDIER  (RKO) 

First  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated 
Comparative  Average  Gross 
Over-all  Performance 


BUFFALO— 20th  Century,  1st  week 

(DB)  Prelude  to  War  (WAC) 
BUFFALO— 20th  Century,  2nd  week 

(DB)  Prelude  to  War  (WAC) 
CINCINNATI— RKO  Palace     .   .  . 
CINCINNATI— RKO  Lyric,   MO,  1st 
KANSAS  CITY— Orpheum,  1st  week 

(DB)  Gildersleeve's  Bad  Day  (RKO) 
KANSAS  CITY— Orpheum,  2nd  week 

(DB)  Gildersleeve's  Bad  Day  (RKO) 
OMAHA— Brandeis  

(DB)  She  Has  What  It  Takes  (Col.) 
PROVIDENCE— RKO  Albee,  1st  week  . 

(DB)  Follow  the  Band  (Univ.) 
PROVIDENCE— RKO  Albee.  2nd  week  . 

(DB)  Follow  the  Band  (Univ.) 

{Continued  on  folloziing  page) 


$85,300 
79,250 
107.6% 

143.2% 
62.5% 


week 


97.5% 
80.0% 
114.5% 

78.1% 
128.4% 
159.3% 

98.9% 


64 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    26,  1943 


PICTURE  CROSSES 

(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

CRASH  DIVE  (20th-Fox) 

Intermediate  Reports: 

Total  Gross  Tabulated  $729,400 

Comparative  Average  Gross  605,350 

Over-all  Performance  120.4% 

BALTIMORE — New,  1st  week  

BALTIMORE— New,  2nd  week   cn'l£ 

BALTIMORE— New,  3rd  week  

BALTIMORE — New,  4th  week  

CINCINNATI-RKO  Albee    .    ■    •    •    •    ■    ■    ■  ~'n<7 

CINCINNATI-RKO   Capitol,   MO.   1st  week  82.0% 

CLEVELAND-Warner's  Hippodrome     .    ■    •  142.8/fe 

DENVER — Denver      .    .    •    ■    •  1M-U/0 

(DB)   Let's  Have  Fun  (Col.)  w  rw„ 

D  ENVER — Esquire     .    .    ■    ■    ■   /ZiV/o 

(DB)  Let's  Have  Fun  (Col.) 

DENVER — Aladdin      .    .      .    •   /5-0/o 

(DB)  Let's  Have  Fun  (Col.) 
DENVER — Rialto,  MO,  1st  week  

(DB)  Let's  Have  Fun  (Col.)  lotiia, 

INDIANAPOLIS-Indiana  _    ^A '° 

(DB)  He's  My  Guy.  (Univ.) 

INDIANAPOLIS-Lyric,  MO,  1st  week    .    .   ■  12a.5% 

(DB)  He's  My  Guy.  (Univ.) 

INDIANAPOLIS— Lyric,  MO,  2nd  week   .    ■    •  «*■//» 

(DB)  He's  My  Guy.(Umv) 

KANSAS  CITY-Esquire,  1st  week     ....  204.5/o 

KANSAS  CITY-Esquire,  2nd  week     ....  W.y% 

KANSAS  CITY-Uptown,  1st  week     ....  160.3/. 

KANSAS  CITY-Uptown,  2nd  week    ....  iW.JA 

LOS    ANGELES-Carthay    Circle   106.9/. 

(DB)  Taxi,  Mister  (UA) 

LOS  ANGELES-Chmese    lly-5/o 

(DB)  Taxi,  Mister  (UA)  % 

LOS  ANGELES— Loew's  State  

(DB)  Taxi.  Mister  (UA)  , 

LOS  ANGELES — Ritz    .    .  •  ■ 

(DB)  Taxi,  Mister  (UA) 

MILWAUKEE— Wisconsin,  1st  week  .  •  •  •  ita.o/c 
'  (DB)  He  Hired  the  Boss  (20th -Fox) 

MILWAUKEE— Wisconsin,  2nd  week     .    .    •  vo.o/c 

(DB)  That  Other  Woman  (20th-Fox) 

NEW  YORK— Roxy,  1st  week   it*.t>/o 

(SA)  Jimmy  Dorsey's  Band 

NEW  YORK— Roxy,  2nd  week   1JJ- " 

(SA)  Jimmy  Dorsey's  Band 

NEW  YORK— Roxy,  3rd  week   no.c/c 

(SA)  Jimmy  Dorsey's  Band 

NEW  YORK— Roxy,  4th  week   u»..s/to 

(SA)  Jimmy  Dorsey's  Band 

OMAHA-Orpheum    .   .    .    •    -    •    •    ■    •    ■   ■  88-B/o 

(DB)  Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour  (Para.) 

OMAHA-Omaha.  MO,  1st  week     .    .    .    •    •  **>■"<> 

(DB)  Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour  (Para.) 

PHILADELPHIA— Fox,    1st   week      ....  163.6&. 

PHILADELJHIA— Fox,   2nd  week      ....  108.2/o 

PHILADELPHIA — Fox,   3rd   week      ....  82.2  /„ 

PITTSBURGH— Harris,  1st  week   Yrklw 

PITTSBURGH— Harris,  2nd  week   1000% 

SAN  FRANCISCO' — Fox,  1st  week     ....  123.0% 

(DB)  He  Hired  the  Boss  (20th -Fox) 

SAN  FRANCISCO— Fox,  2nd  week     ....  98.0  h 

(DB)  He  Hired  the  Boss  (20th-Fox) 

ST.  LOUIS— Fox,  1st  week     .......  lvi.s/o 

(DB)  Good  Morning.  Judge  (Univ.) 

ST.  LOUIS— Fox.  2nd  week     .......  VI./ /o 

(DB)  Good  Morning,  Judge  (Univ.) 

• 

LADY  OF  BURLESQUE  (UA) 

Intermediate  Reports: 
Total  Gross  Tabulated  $418,803 
Comparative  Average  Gross  356,600 
Over-all  Performance  117.7% 

CHICAGO— Chicago,  1st  week   104.5% 

(SA)  Tommy  Tucker  Orchestra  and  others 

CHICAGO— Chicago,  2nd  week   91-7% 

(SA)  Tommy  Tucker  Orchestra  and  others 

CINCINNATI-RKO    Palace    121.1% 

(DB)  Prelude  to  War  (WAC) 

CINCINNATI— Keith's,  MO,  1st  week     .    .    .  71.4% 

(DB)  Prelude  to  War  (WAC) 

CLEVELAND— Loew's    State    111.1% 

CLEVELAND— Loew's  Stillman,  MO,  1st  week  175.0% 

INDIANAPOLIS— Loew's    130.4% 

(DB)  The  Devil  with  Hitler  (UA) 

KANSAS  CITY— Midland    116.6% 

(DB)  Young  and  Willing  (UA) 

NEW  HAVEN— College   102.9% 

(DB)  Army  Surgeon  (RKO) 

NEW  YORK— Capitol,.  1st  week   155.0% 

(SA)   Nat   Brandywine's   Orchestra,  George 
Jessel,  Jack  Haley 

NEW  YORK— Capitol,  2nd  week   120.0% 

(SA)    Nat   Brandywine's   Orchestra,  George 
Jessel.  Tack  Haley 
NEW  YORK— Capitol,  3rd  week  120.0% 

(SA)    Nat   Brandywine's   Orchestra,  George 
Jessel,  Jack  Haley 

OMAHA— Omaha    112.0% 

(DB)  Tonight  We  Raid  Caliar  (20th-Fox) 

PITTSBURGH— Stanley   77.5% 

PITTSBURGH— Ritz,  MO,  1st  week    ....  90.9% 

ST.  LOUIS— Loew  State                                 .  123.0% 

(DB)  Young  and  Willing  (UA) 

ST.  LOUIS— Loew's  Orpheum.  MO,  1st  week  120.0% 
(DB)  Young  and  Willing  (UA) 


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$6.95  each,  only  4  to  one  customer;  8  soundheads  for 
Powers,  $39  each;  15  watt  DeVry  amplifiers,  $27; 
4  RCA  soundheads  for  Simplex,  $45  pair;  Powers  6B 
projectors,  $150  pair;  Morelight  low-intensity  lamps, 
$55  pair;  new  8"  reflectors  for  Strong  or  Peerless, 
$12  pair,  used  $8  pair.  OAK  STORAGE,  Armitage  & 
Western,  Chicago,  111. 


POSITIONS  WANTED 


THEATRE  MANAGER— 14  YEARS'  STAGESHOW 
and  picture  experience.  Draft  exempt.  BOX  1640,  MO- 
TION PICTURE  HERALD. 

FORMER  THEATRE  OWNER  WANTS  POSITION 
theatre  manager.    JOHN  FLAHERTY,  Danville.  111. 

AVAILABLE:  RELIABLE  AND  PROVEN  SHOW- 
man  backed  by  twenty -two  years  of  executive  experi- 
ence as  manager,  district  manager  and  general  man- 
ager with  both  chain  and  independent  outfits.  Will 
cosider  proposition  in  Mid-West  or  any  part  of  the 
South.  Two  sons  in  the  armed  forces  and  wife  needs 
change  of  climate  to  preserve  health.  So  if  you  are 
looking  for  a  good  doctor  for  your  theatre  or  theatres, 
here's  a  chance  for  you  to  get  a  break.  SHOWMAN, 
MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD.  

PROJECTIONIST,  PENNSYLVANIA  LICENSE, 
classification  4F,  2  years'  experience,  prefer  one-man 
operation.  Will  work  anywhere.  BOX  1648,  MOTION 
PICTURE  HERALD. 


BUSINESS  BOOSTERS 


BINGO  CARDS,  DIE  CUT.  1  TO  100  OR  1  TO  75, 
$2.00  per  thousand.  $17.50  for  10,000.  S.  Klous,  care 
of  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


WANTED  ASSISTANT  MANAGER.  MUST  BE 
experienced,  sober,  absolutely  reliable.  Al  references, 
draft  exempt,  include  snapshot.  COLUMBIA  AMUSE- 
MENT COMPANY,  Paducah,  Ky. 

MANAGER,  FOR  FIRST- RUN  OPERATION  IN 
Connecticut.  Must  be  thoroughly  experienced  in  news- 
paper advertising,  publicity  and  house  management, 
references  required.  Write  giving  complete  back- 
ground.    BOX  1649,  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 


WANTED  TO  BUY 


WANTED  WESTERN  ELECTRIC  OR  RCA  USED 
sound  and  projection  equipment  for  500  seat  theatre. 
Cash  deal.  CLARENCE  D.  SMITH,  282  Grand  Ave- 
nue, Akron,  O. 

TICKET  REGISTERS  AND  CHANGE  MACHINES 
—all  models.  Give  details.  BOX  1644,  MOTION  PIC- 
TURE HERALD. 

16MM.  OR  35MM.  SOUND  PROJECTORS,  RECTI - 
fiers,  generators,  sound  equipment.     BOX  1643,  MO 
TION  PICTURE  HERALD. 

EDISON  SUPER  KINETOSCOPE  PROJECTOR, 
also  Ham  &  Bud  one  reel  comedies.  EARLE,  1130 
Premont,  Pontiac,  Mich. 


THEATRES 


WANT  TO  LEASE  THEATRE  SMALL  WEST- 
ern  town.   BOX  1647,  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 

W ANTED  THEATRE  IN  SOUTH  NEAR  COAST. 
Cash  deal.  Send  details.  BOX  1650,  MOTION  PIC- 
TURE HERALD. 


BOOKKEEPING  SYSTEM 


THEATRE  MANAGEMENT  RECORD  AND  TAX 

Register.  This  new  accounting  system  is  the  finest 
book  of  its  kind  ever  made  available  to  an  exhibitor 
In  addition  to  being  complete  in  every  respect,  it  is 
simple — so  much  so  that  it  is  not  necessary  to  have 
had  bookkeeping  experience  in  order  to  keep  an  ac- 
curate, complete  and  and  up-to-minute  record  of  the 
business  of  your  theatre.  The  introductory  price  if 
only  $2.00  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rocke- 
feller Center,  New  York. 


BOOKS 


The  1943-44  INTERNATIONAL  MOTION  PIC- 
TURE ALMANAC  is  now  in  preparation.  Will  contain 
more  than  12,000  biographies  of  players, .  directors, 
writers,  technicians  and  executives.  The  biographical 
section  is  an  exclusive  feature.  In  addition  it  will  in- 
clude more  than  1,250  pages  crammed  with  motion 
picture  facts  and  figures  covering  every  phase  of  the 
business.  Supply  will  be  limited.  Be  sure  to  get  your 
copy.  Order  it  today!  Price  $3.25  prepaid  in  U.  S.  A. 
$5  elsewhere.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller 
Center,  New  York  City. 

COMPLETELY  REVISED  7TH  EDITION  OF 
Richardson's  Blue  book  of  Projection  with  treatise  on 
Television  and  complete  Sound  Trouble  -  Shooting 
Charts,  as  well  as  a  host  of  additional  up-to-the-minute 
text  on  sound  and  projection  equipment.  Order  Now  I 
$7.25  postpaid.  QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP,  Rockefeller 
Center,  New  York  City. 


TRAINING  SCHOOLS 


THEATRE  EMPLOYEES:  TRAIN  FOR  BETTER 
positions.  Learn  modern  theatre  management  and  ad- 
vertising. Big  opportunities  for  trained  men.  Estab- 
lished since  1927.  Write  now  for  free  catalog.  THE- 
ATRE MANAGERS  SCHOOL,  Elmira,  N.  Y. 


fed  AD  IT  D  ©  M    P  D  <C  IT  QJ  R. 


EQUIPMENT  •  FURNISHINGS  •  DESIGN  •  PHYSICAL  OPERATION 


INVENTORY  FORM  AND 
INSPECTION  GUIDE  ON 

PROJECTION 
ACCESSORIES 

in  the  Maintenance  Record 
System  for  wartime  con- 
servation and  post- 
war planning 


JUNE    26,  1943 


THREE  C's  ARE  WE... 
WE'RE  OFF  TO  FIGHT! 


America's  War  Machines  Need  Copper, 
Carbon  and  Current! 

To  manufacture  the  equipment  our  fighting  forces  need 
to  win  this  war  takes  copper,  carbon,  and  electric  current 
—  all  of  these,  and  lots  of  them.  That  means  you  can 
help  win  the  war  by  using  less  of  these  essential  ma- 
terials in  your  theatre.  And  a  good  way  to  do  that  is  to  — 


Keep  Your  Projector  in  Good  Shape 

Replacement  parts  and  repairs  use  these  valuable  ma- 
terials. So  try  to  save  yourself  trouble  and  repairs  — 
serve  your  patrons  better  — and  help  the  war  effort— by 
preventing  breakdowns.  A  good  plan  is  to  have  your 
projector  inspected  regularly.  It  not  only  prevents  break- 
downs, but  saves  you  current. 


FQRVICTORY 


How  the  RCA  Snowhite  Screen  Saves  Light 

Of  course  you  know  that  projected  light  costs  you  money 
—  and  that  better  use  of  light  means  better  projection 
for  your  dollars.  That's  why  the  RCA 
Snowhite  Screen  is  so  important  — it  uses 
all  the  light  you  project  — helps  produce 
more  brilliancy,  depth  and  contrast  in  pro- 
jected pictures  — because  it  is  truly  white. 

*  ★  ★ 


Remember  that  saving  Copper,  Carbon  and 
Current  are  really  very,  very  important  in  the 
war.  You  can  help.  See  your  RCA  Theatre  Supply 
Dealer.  Or  write  Photophone  Division,  Radio 
Corporation  ol  America,  Camden,  N.  J. 


RCA  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT 


RCA  Photophone  •  RCA  Magicote  Lens  Service  •  RCA  Screens  •  RCA  Theatre  Service 
RCA  Hearing  Aids  •  Westinghouse  Lamps  •  Brenkert  Prcjectors  and  Accessories  •    Benwood  Linze  Rectifiers 


PHOTOPHONE  DIVISION,  RADIO  CORPORATION  OF  AMERICA,  CAMDEN,  N.  J. 


June    26,  1943 


BETTER  THEATRES 


67 


LOOK  BACK 
TO  SEE  AHEAD! 


For  Full  Details  of  the  RCA  Purchase  Priority 
Plan  —  mail  this  coupon  today! 


RCA  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT 

RCA  Sound  •  RCA  Magicote  Lens  Service  •  RCA  Screens 
RCA  Theatre  Service  •  RCA  Hearing  Aids  •  Westinghouse  Lamps 
Brenkert  Projectors  and  Accessories  •  Benwood  Linze  Rectifiers 

RCA  PHOTOPHONE,  RADIO  CORPORATION  OF  AMERICA 

Camden,  N.  J. 


I^emember  the  terrific  scramble  for  sound  equip- 
ment in  1928?  It  was  "Me  first!"  and  "How  long  must 
I  wait?"  and  "How  about  my  order! "  Everybody  want- 
ed it— and  everybody  wanted  it  right  away. 

When  this  war  is  over,  there's  going  to  be  a  demand 
for  new  theatre  equipment  so  great— it  will  make  1928 
seem  like  a  sleepy  off-day  in  mid-depression.  Who's 
going  to  be  served  first?  Who's  going  to  be  lost  in  the 
scramble? 

To  make  sure  there's  a  minimum,  of  confusion,  and 
that  those  who  look  ahead  now  are  served  first  later,  we 
have  set  up  the  RCA  Purchase  Priority  Plan.  It  is  a 
simple,  fair,  effective  method  of  allocating  new  equip- 
ment when,  and  as,  it  becomes  available. 

Under  the  RCA  Plan,  you  set  aside  the  money  approxi- 
mating the  down  payment  on  the  equipment  you  will 
want  when  the  war  is  over.  That  money  remains  yours. 
It  pays  you  interest  and  you  can  withdraw  it  right  up 
to  the  last  penny  if  you  change  your  mind.  You  there- 
fore take  no  risk,  and  pay  no  charge  for  this  service. 

But  the  advantages  for  you  are  tremendously  impor- 
tant: You  get  preferential  delivery  for  each  specific 
type  of  apparatus  or  system.  In  other  words,  by  apply- 
ing first  now,  you  get  served  first  later— when  material 
becomes  available.  The  postmark  on  your  letter  dates 
your  reservation. 

Here  is  a  way  to  save  money,  protect  your  interests,  and 
assure  yourself  early  delivery  of  the  equipment  you'll 
want  after  the  war!  The  RCA  Purchase  Priority  Plan 
is  the  perfect  plan  for  the  exhibitor  who  looks  ahead! 

I  1 

I  I 

RCA  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  DIVISION 
Radio  Corporation  of  America 
Camden,  New  Jersey 

Gentlemen: 

I  want  to  know  more  about  how  the  RCA  Purchase  Priority 
Plan  works— and  what  it  can  do  for  me.  Send  me  the  full  details. 

I  I 

Name  ,  . 

I  I 

Address  _ 

I  I 

.  City  State   J 

I  -  rl 


68 


BETTER  THEATRES 


June    26,  1943 


To  owners  of  G-E  Air  Conditioning, 
G-E  Commercial  Refrigeration 


"OIL  ME  •  •  •  C"AN  ME 
TIGHTEN  Mr  BELT 

and  I'll  J» 
My  best  for  y»«! 


Make  sure  these  things  are  done  —  regularly! 


Today,  your  G-E  air  conditioning  or  commer- 
cial refrigeration  equipment  is  irreplace- 
able. So  it's  more  important  than  ever  to  treat  it 
right! 

Your  condensing  unit  motor  should  be  oiled 
periodically  to  avoid  burned  out  bearings.  (Be 
sure  to  use  the  proper  grade  and  quantity  of 
lubricant!)  It  should  be  kept  clean — dust  and 
dirt  can  do  great  harm  to  moving  parts  and  can 
greatly  reduce  efficiency  by  clogging  up  the  cool- 
ing fins.  The  belt  should  be  adjusted  for  proper 


alignment  and  tension  to  prevent  needless  wear 
of  precious  rubber. 

These  jobs  are  simple.  Your  maintenance  man 
can  do  them  easily.  Make  sure  he  does — and  you 
will  prolong  the  life  of  your  equipment  and  avoid 
costly  breakdowns. 

If  at  any  time  your  equipment  needs  expert  at- 
tention, call  in  your  G-E  service  man  immediately. 

General  Electric  Company,  Air  Conditioning 
and  Commercial  Refrigeration  Dept.,  Division 
3576,  Bloomfield,  New  Jersey. 


GENERAL  0  ELECTRIC 


Published  in  every  fourth  issue  of  Motion  Picture  Herald 
GEORGE  SCHUTZ,  Editor  RAY  GALLO,  Advertising  Manager 


Plan  to  Spend  to  Help 
Make  Post- War  Patrons 

the  appeal  to  theatre 
operators  made  this  month  by  Col.  H.  A. 
Cole,  president  of  Allied  Theatre  Owners 
of  Texas,  to  begin  planning  at  once  for 
the  renovation  and  remodeling  of  their 
theatres,  and  for  the  building  of  new  ones, 
was  a  forthright  effort  to  induce  exhibitors 
to  help  make  their  own  customers  after 
the  war. 

Impliedly,  Col.  Cole  would  have  the- 
tre  managements  earmark  part  of  wartime 
income  for  post-war  rehabilitation  and  con- 
struction. These  columns  have  urged  this 
as  a  wise  measure  of  operating  economics, 
so  that  when  peace  comes  exhibitors  will 
be  financially  able,  with  minimum  outside 
financing,  to  restore  their  war-worn  proper- 
ties and  to  redistribute  the  exhibition  plant, 
which  will  mean  building  new  theatres,  ac- 
cording to  changes  in  the  growth  of  com- 
munities. To  this  argument  the  head  of 
Texas  Allied  adds  one  which,  while  less 
direct  and  immediate  in  its  concern  with 
post-war  motion  picture  exhibition,  is 
nevertheless  a  sound  one. 

It  is  that  in  order  for  theatres  to  have  a 
sufficient  number  of  customers  during  the 
years  following  the  war,  there  must  be  a 
high  level  of  employment;  and  the  motion 
picture  business  should  contribute  to  em- 
ployment by  helping  to  provide  jobs.  So 
it  is  that  Col.  Cole  urges: 

"Get  you  an  architect  right  now  and 
have  him  start  drawing  plans  to  remodel 
your  theatre,  or  to  build  a  new  one.  Talk 
to  your  equipment  dealer  and  survey  with 
him  your  needs.  Have  your  ideas  definitely 
lined  up  to  spend  $1,000— $5,000— $10,- 
000 — $25,000,  or  much  more  if  you  can 
invest  wisely.  Don't  be  niggardly.  Don't 
figure  how  much  you  can  save :  try  honestly 
to  see  how  much  you  can  spend  wisely. 

"And  remember — this  is  not  an  altru- 
istic plan.  It  is  a  long-sighted  selfish  effort 
to  preserve  your  business,  and  country." 

Planning  for  post-war  restoration,  re- 
modeling, construction  is  hardly  something 
to  be  undertaken  without  dependable  data. 
Theatre  executives  may  be  presumed  to 
have  their  eyes  on  population  trends  in 
their  respective  territorites,  studying  them 
for  likely  theatre  sites  after  the  war.  Such 
occupations,  to  a  business  man,  form  pleas- 
ant employment.  It  is  less  pleasant  to  take 
a  methodical,  detailed  inventory  of  the 
conditions  of  an  existing  theatre. 

Yet  this  is  necessary  for  a  really  in- 
formed prospectus  of  things  to  be  done  for 


the  restoration  of  a  theatre  that  has  gone 
through  this  war.  Planning  for  post-war 
repair  and  replacement  of  equipment  and 
furnishings,  and  for  repair  and  refurbishing 
of  the  building,  cannot  be  intelligently  done 
without  such  an  inspection  and  a  record- 
ing of  its  findings,  according  to  which  a 
percentage  of  wartime  grosses  may  be  de- 
termined for  a  post-war  rehabilitation  fund. 

Theatre  and  School  Join 
To  Teach  Projection 

A  new  twist  has  been  given  to  the  par- 
ticipation of  the  motion  picture  theatre 
business  in  the  war  effort  by  J.  C.  Mohr- 
stadt,  co-owner  of  the  Richmond  &  Mohr- 
stadt  group  of  theatres  in  five  towns  of 
southeastern  Missouri.  In  one  of  these 
communities,  Hayti,  the  local  High  School 
has  just  completed  presentation  of  a  course 
in  projection  instigated  by  Mr.  Mohrstadt 
and  conducted  with  the  assistance  of  his 
local  projectionist,  Ted  Wilson. 

Surprisingly,  the  course  was  offered  as 


J.  C.  Mohrstadt  (first  in  top  row)  and  Ted  Wilson 
(extreme  right  lower  row)  with  their  pupils  in 
projection  course  of  the  Hayti,  Mo.,  High  School. 


an  experiment  in  providing  projectionists 
for  the  armed  forces.  A  more  obvious  pur- 
pose would  be  to  supply  replacements  for 
regular  projectionists  of  R.  &  C.  theatres 
who  might  be  drafted.  That  the  instruc- 
tion so  far  has  proved  more  practical  for 
the  latter  purpose  is  indicated  by  the  en- 
rollment, which  consisted  in  six  girls  and 
only  two  boys.  But  perhaps  we  are  ignor- 
ing the  Waacs,  Waves  and  Spars. 

Theoretical  instruction  was  given  in  the 
High  School  classroom  by  Mr.  Mohrstadt 
himself;  then  the  pupils  were  taken  to  the 
Hayti  theatre  for  practical  work  under 
"Prof."  Wilson.  Mr.  Mohrstadt  suggests 
that  the  success  of  this  experiment  may 
"justify  expanding  such  a  program  of  voca- 
tional training  in  other  schools." 


Plastic  Materials  in 
Post-War  Architecture 

among  the  developments 
of  industrial  science  which  are  expected 
to  change  the  form  of  things  to  come — 
once  the  grim  business  at  hand  is  done — is 
plastics.  More  and  more  of  the  things  we 
used  before  the  war  were  made,  in  whole  or 
part,  of  plastics ;  these  resinous  materials 
were  in  much  of  the  implements  and  dec- 
orative objects  of  home  and  business.  In 
the  theatre  they  were  found  in  insulation 
and  on  walls.  The  war  has  vastly  added 
to  the  production  and  applications  of  plas- 
tics, and  now  we  hear  people  prophesy 
the  substitution  of  plastics  for  steel  in  au- 
tomobile bodies.  We  know  designers  who 
think  that  auditorium  chairs  should  be 
"poured"  in  the  same  general  manner. 

Ways  in  which  laminated  plastic  ma- 
terials are  likely  to  be  further  applied  in 
architecture  and  building  decoration  were 
described  by  George  F.  Schatz  of  the 
Formica  Insulation  Company  recently  in  a 
paper  read  before  a  meeting  in  Cincin- 
nati of  the  Ohio  Mechanics  Institute. 

In  his  paper  Mr.  Schatz  asserted, 
"Architects  and  designers  will  demand  im- 
pervious materials  in  varied  colors  and  de- 
signs. There  is  a  definite  trend  toward  the 
pre-fabrication  and  semi-fabrication  of 
dwellings  and  other  types  of  buildings." 

Mr.  Schatz  discussing  developments  of 
his  company's  research  added  that  physical 
properties,  colors,  designs  and  large-sheet 
size  of  the  present  material  will  assure 
Formica  a  prominent  place  in  these  pro- 
grams. 

"At  the  present  time  we  have  many  ma- 
terials in  the  process  of  development  which 
we  expect  to  complete  within  a  very  short 
time.  One  of  the  most  interesting  of  these 
is  a  flexible  wall  material  which  will  be 
applied  in  a  manner  similar  to  linoleum  or 
wall  paper." 

He  also  said  that  considerable  research 
and  development  along  the  lines  of  light- 
weight, load-bearing  wall  section  with  in- 
tegral insulation,  having  a  weather  resistant 
finish  on  the  outside  and  a  colorful  or  dec- 
orative finish  on  the  inside,  will  be  a  post- 
war application. 

• 

Marquee  and  lobby  advertising  has  been 
classified  as  more  effective  than  radio,  fan 
magazines,  billboards  and  several  other  me- 
dia in  a  survey  just  completed  by  MGM. 
It  can  be  made  even  more  so,  by  giving 
marquee  advertising  creative  instead  of 
routine  attention.  — G.  S. 


69 


BETTER    THEATRES  June    2  6,    194  3 

WAYS  &  MEANS 

in  operation,  installation,  maintenance 

John  J.  Sefing  is  a  graduate  mechanical  engineer  and  has  long  specialized  in  theatre  work 

WARTIME  INSPECTION: 

2.  Projection  Accessories 

CONTINUING   A   SERIES    OF  INSPECTION  GUIDES  WITH  RECORD  FORMS 


70 


With  Sparkling 


Theatre  owners  are  amazed  at  the  sheer 
beauty  and  box  office  appeal  that  even  a 
small  spot  of  Flexglass  can  give.  Flexglass 
changes  darkness  into  shimmering  light. 
It  spotlights  signs,  draws  customers  to  candy 
bars  and,  without  a  cent  for  electricity, 
makes  marquees  glow. 

Wherever  you  use  it,  Flexglass  can  give 
your  theatre  "the  sparkle  that  sells." 

Colorful  rectangles  of  real  glass,  cloth- 
backed,  Flexglass  can  change  your  theatre's 
outlook  practically  overnight.  Easy  to  in- 
stall and  requiring  no  maintenance,  it  is 
weatherproof  and  waterproof. 

Ask  your  architect  or  designer  about  Flex- 
glass today.  Or  write  for  FREE  color  card 
and  name  of  nearest  distributor. 

Flexglass  and  Flexwood  (genuine  wood,  yet 
it  bends  around  a  pencil)  are  manufactured 
and  marketed  jointly  by  The  Mengel  Co., 
Louisville,  Ky. ,  and  the  United  States 
Plywood  Corporation. 

UNITED    STATES    PIYW00D  CORPORATION 

103  Park  Avenue  New  York  17,  N.  Y. 


SOUND  EQUIPMENT 

■  * 

Rebuilt  and  New 

J&  Projectors,  Screens,  Booths, 

•  -fc^il  ^57  Opera    Chairs,  Spotlights, 

Ki  '   0  rfc^  vUV"  Stereopticons,    Film  Cabi- 

H«*=?y»Mf\  nets,    Portable  Projectors. 

Y^^Hf    ZJ  Arc  Lamps,  M.  P.  Cameras, 

fV- '  Carbons,     Mazda  Lamps, 

I  Tickets  and  Machines.  .  .  . 

Z/         Projection    machines  re- 
paired and  overhauled.  Re- 
pair parts  for  all  makes  of  opera  chairs. 
Equipment  bought  at  highest  prices. 


S.  0.  S.  CINEMA  SUPPLY  CORP. 

449  West  42nd  Street       New  York,  N.  Y. 


[The  Maintenance  Inspection  Record 
form  for  Projection  Accessories  appears  on 
pages  72-73.  Beginning  below,  with  each 
item  numbered  according  to  its  number  in 
the  form,  is  an  explanation  of  procedure 
for  efficient  examination  and  for  correction 
of  defects.  The  first  guide,  on  projection 
and  sound  equipment,  which  appeared  in 
the  May  29th  issue,  had  17  items;  items 
are  numbered  cumulatively  regardless  of 
classification  so  as  to  avoid  confusion  in 
the  use  of  the  record  forms."] 

ITEM  18:  Automatic  Changeovers 

Projector  changeovers  as  well  as  oper- 
ating foot  switches  require  the  same  regu- 
lar inspection  and  care  that  should  be 
given  the  projector  mechanism.  A  loss  in 
their  operating  efficiency,  or  a  complete 
breakdown,  can  be  caused  by  a  number  of 
conditions.  When  the  cut-off  shutter 
operates  but  does  not  fit  the  slot  properly 
at  the  aperture,  or  does  not  cut  off  the 
light  completely,  the  trouble  may  be  due 
to  one  or  more  of  the  following: 

The  set  screw  that  fastens  the  arm  of 
the  shutter  to  the  arm  of  the  changeover 
plunger  is  out  of  adjustment.  This  set 
screw  should  be  turned  in  or  out,  or  fitted 
into  another  hole  on  the  arm  of  the  shutter 
until  the  shutter  fits  perfectly  the  slot  at 
the  aperture  and  without  rubbing  or 
touching  any  part  of  it. 

The  changeover  is  fastened  improperly 
and  out  of  line  with  the  projector  head. 
It  has  worked  itself  loose  as  a  result  of 
use  of  the  wrong  type,  or  insufficient  num- 
ber, of  mounting  screws. 

RETARDED  OPERATION 

When  the  changeover  operates,  but 
throws  out  the  operating  arm  or  plunger 
slowly,  the  trouble  may  be: 

The  cut-off  shutter  is  rubbing  tightly 
against  the  sides  of  the  aperture  slot. 

There  is  a  partial  short-circuit  in  either 
the  opening  or  closing  coil. 

Trie  coils  have  insufficient  clearance  at 


their  centers  to  permit  the  plunger  to  move 
freely  in  and  out. 

The  splices  in  the  wires  or  the  connec- 
tions in  the  changeover  housing  have  been 
broken  open  and  are  partly  touching  each 
other;  or  the  insulation  has  deteriorated 
in  one  or  all  of  the  feed  wires  due  to 
penetration  of  oil  at  the  projector  head  or 
at  the  foot  switches;  or  the  insulation  has 
been  cracked  by  rough  handling  in  instal- 
lation. 

The  jaws  in  the  foot  switch  where  the 
contact  blades  fit  into  are  broken,  bent 
out  of  shape  or  are  dirty  and  scarred  due 
to  rough  changeover  operation  or  incom- 
petent maintenance. 

Where  the  foot  switch  is  of  the  type 
having  surface  to  surface  contact  by  means 
of  brass  rods  or  pins,  one  or  all  of  these 
pins  may  be  barely  touching  each  other; 
or  the  surfaces  are  dirty  or  scarred  or 
excessively  oil  soaked. 

The  wiring  connections  at  the  terminal 
of  the  foot  switch  have  worked  loose  and 
barely  making  an  electrical  contact. 

Where  a  new  coil  or  coils  have  been 
installed  and  this  "lagging"  of  the  change- 
over is  the  immediate  result,  check  to  see 
if  they  are  of  the  proper  voltage,  as  a  d.  c. 
coil  will  not  operate  properly  on  a.  c,  or 
vice  versa. 

"DEAD"  OR  "HUMMING"  CHANGEOVER 

When  the  changeover  goes  completely 
"dead"  or  there  is  a  "humming"  sound 
when  the  foot  switch  is  pressed  down,  one 
or  both  of  the  coils  are  burned  out  or  are 
not  getting  the  proper  voltage.  This  con- 
dition can  be  caused  by: 

The  circuit  wiring  is  improperly  con- 
nected, or  one  or  more  wires  are  touching 
each  other. 

The  protective  fuses  are  of  a  large 
capacity  allowing  excessive  current  to  flow 
through  the  coils,  or  they  are  wedged  tight 
in  the  housing. 

The  foot  switch  blades  are  not  making 
the  correct  contact,  or  the  foot  switch  was 


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"frozen"  by  keeping  it  pressed  down  too 
long  during  the  changeover. 

In  some  cases  a  burn-out  can  be  caused 
by  the  use  of  improper  screws  to  fasten 
the  cover  or  end  plates  to  the  changeover 
housing.  These  screws  when  long  will  dig 
into  the  coil  winding  as  they  are  tightened 
in  place,  resulting  in  a  "dead"  short  circuit 
when  the  switch  is  turned  on;  however,  it 
must  be  also  remembered  that  these  change- 
over coils  will  burn  out  because  of  "natu- 
ral" causes,  for  they  cannot  last  indefinitely. 

It  is  always  best  to  have  the  changeover 
circuit  wiring  identified  in  different  colors 
for  convenience  in  checking  and  when 
quick  repairs  must  be  made. 

ITEM  19:  Magazines 

It  is  very  important  that  the  projector 
magazines  be  installed  properly  and  kept 
in  the  best  possible  operating  condition  as 
they  not  only  can  ruin  valuable  film,  but 
can  be  a  fire  hazard.  When  there  are  fre- 
quent film  breakages  and  all  other  possible 
sources  of  trouble  have  been  traced  down, 
make  sure  that  the  upper  magazine  is 
properly  and  solidly  fastened  to  the  projec- 
tor head.  In  many  cases  the  wrong  type  of 
fastening  screws  are  used  to  secure  the 
magazine,  especially  where  the  new  type 
of  changeover  brackets  are  installed  that 
keep  in  place  both  the  upper  magazine  and 
changeover,  the  coil  housing  or  the  pro- 
jector head. 

A  loose  magazine  will  not  only  cause  a 
rattling  noise  at  the  projector,  but  also  it 
will  tend  to  twist  the  film  slightly  as  it 
goes  through  the  guide  spindles.  It  can 
also  cause  undue  spinning  or  "unreeling" 
of  the  film  reel,  especially  if  the  hinged 
locking  pin  is  defective  or  loose. 

Where  the  magazines  are  equipped  with 
some  standard  fire  control  device,  make 
sure  that  the  rollers  are  operating  per- 
fectly and  are  clean  and  true,  to  help 
overcome  the  possibility  of  fire  spreading 
into  the  maeazine  interior. 

On  the  lower  magazine  check  for  the 
same  source  of  troubles  as  on  the  upper; 
especially  be  certain  that  the  revolving 
guide  rollers  are  in  their  slots  and  rotating 
properly  with  the  film.  When  these  rollers 
are  defective,  have  jumped  their  slots,  and 
are  vibrating  up  and  down  instead  of  roll- 
ing, a  high  pitched  noise  will  result  that 
can  be  heard  throughout  the  theatre.  This 
condition,  if  allowed  to  continue,  will  also 
put  a  heavy  strain  on  the  passing  film,  tend 
to  open  patches,  and  to  disrupt  the  proper 
take-up  tension  of  the  magazines. 

MAGAZINE  DOORS 

Make  sure  that  both  the  upper  and  lower 
magazine  doors  have  good  hinges  with 
positive  closing  latches,  and  that  the  sight 
windows  are  clean  and  not  broken  or  com- 
pletely removed.  It  is  well  to  take  heed 
to  these  little  precautions  regarding  the 
doors  on  the  magazines  for  when  they  do 
not  completely  isolate  the  film  from  the 
interior  of  the  projection  room,  a  serious 
and  costly  fire  can  be  the  direct  result. 

In  several  instances,  a  good  tight  fitting 
(Continued  on  page  74) 


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72 


BETTER  THEATRES 


June    26,  1943 


THEATRE 

LOCATION 


MAINTENANCE  INSPECTION  RECORD- 


ITEM  INSPECTED 

DATE 
INSPECTED 

nFFFCTIVF    PAPT  fllMIT 

OR  material)  inspected 

AMOUNT 
IN  SAME 
CONDITION 

TOTAL  AM'T 
IN  USE  OR. 
ON  HAND 

i  nr  at  i  n  m 

(as  necessary) 

M  A  k  E 

D  A. DT  HD 

STYLE  NO. 

INSTAL- 
LATION 
DATE 

URIOI NAL 
PRICE 

18.  Automatic 
Changeovers 

19.  Magazines 



20.  Film  Reels 

i 

21.  Rewinders 

 1 

1 

— — — —  j 

22.  Film 
Splicers 

23.  Film 

Containers 

24.  Carbon  and  i 
Waste  ) 
Holders 

25.  Lamp 
Exhaust 
Blowers 

26.  Fire  Shutters 

27.  Emergency 
Batteries 

June    26,    1943  BETTER  THEATRES 

Projection  Room  Accessories 


73 


MANAGER 


INSPECTED  BY 


NATURE    OF  DEFECT 

COR£ECTION(check) 

DATE 

OF 

Correction 

SUGGESTIONS  FOP  POST-WAR  REPLACEMENT  orRE  VIS  I  ON 

REPLACE 

REPAIR. 



74 


BETTER  THEATRES 


June    26,  1943 


SECRETSof 


,t.  MUSTARD 
BUSINESS 


A  certain  manufacturer  who  made 
himself  a  neat  piece  of  change  selling 
mustard,  once  observed  that  he  made 
his  money  not  on  the  mustard  people 
ate,  but  on  what  they  left  on  the  side 
of  their  plates. 

When  you  come  to  National  Thea- 
tre Supply  for  projection  mainte- 
nance, there  is  no  "mustard  left  on 
the  plate" — you  get  and  use  every- 
thing you  pay  for.  National  provides 
visible  3-way  booth  protection  like 
this: 

Emergency  Repair  Parts 

Each  National  branch  carries 
emergency  repair  parts  for 
quick  replacement. 

Mail  Order  Parts  Stock 

National    is    delivering  the 
■jj  genuine   Simplex    parts  you 
need,   proved   by  shipments 
greater  than  ever  before. 

Loan  Service  Equipment 

Emergency    loan  equipment 
/  Y\      more    complete    than  ever, 
jfeTjs^ready  when  you  need  it. 

Remember,  there  has  never  been  any 
rationing  of  National's  ability  and 
eagerness  to  serve.  National,  for  17 
years,  has  continuously  given  exhibi- 
tors— not  "mustard  on  the  plate" — 
but  a  dollar  in  value  for  every  dollar 
spent! 


{Continued  from  page  71) 
door  on  the  magazine  has  prevented  the 
spread  of  fire  into  the  room  because  no 
draft  of  air  was  allowed  at  the  start  of 
the  fire  inside  the  magazine,  with  the  re- 
sult that  the  flame  slowly  burned  out.  A 
magazine  door  can  be  sprung  easily  by 
either  putting  a  strain  on  it  with  the 
(right)  hand  when  inserting  the  film  reel 
and  opening  or  closing  it  too  quickly.  A 
bent,  scarred  or  marred  magazine  or  door 
should  be  repaired  immediately  and  always 
be  kept  clean  of  all  film  residue. 

ITEM  20:  Film  Reels 

Make  sure  that  the  outside  diameter  of 
the  reels  are  not  bent,  cracked  or  have 
sharp  slivers  sticking  out  as  such  faults  will 
surely  mutilate  or  cut  the  film  edges  and 
sprocket  holes,  not  only  when  rewinding 
but  also  while  in  the  projector.  This  can 
be  very  serious,  especially  while  projecting, 
for  a  fire  can  result  when  the  film  or  patch 
is  cut  open.  At  the  least,  a  heavy  drag  is 
put  on  the  magazines  and  takeups,  while 
the  film  may  buckle  and  reel-up  unevenly. 

Always  check  the  reel  hub  for  defects 
and  make  sure  that  the  hole  fits  the  maga- 
zine shaft.  If  the  hub  bore  hole  is  too 
small  for  the  shaft,  ream  it  out  a  little 
with  a  proper^sized  round  machining  file 
— never  force  a  reel  on  shaft. 

Reels  should  not  be  piled  six  or  seven 
high  "flat-ways"  and  have  a  heavy  shipping 
container  or  exchange  reel  thrown  on  top. 
If  possible,  a  special  rack  should  be  in- 
stalled in  the  projection  or  rewind  room 
where  the  empty  reels  can  be  stored  safely 
and  easily  until  put  in  use.  It  should  be 
remembered  that  the  reels  leave  the  fac- 
tory fabricated  to  true  and  proper  toler- 
ances and  clearances  for  the  film  they  are 
to  accommodate  and  they  should  be  always 
handled  carefully. 

ITEM  21 :  Rewinders 

Always  remember  that  only  a  first-class 
automatic  rewinder  should  be  used.  Better 
than  a  poor  one  is  a  pair  of  hand  rewinders, 
operated  slowly  to  avoid  damage  to  film 
sprocket  holes,  re-opening  of  patches,  etc. 
There  are  instances  in  which  a  home-made, 
makeshift  or  experimental  automatic  re- 
winder  has  seemed  to  operate  all  right  for 
a  time — suddenly  a  film  fire  occurred. 

If  the  rewinder  starts  too  fast  and  has 
excessive  tension,  it  should  be  immediately 
corrected  and  be  kept  in  perfect  alignment 
to  prevent  any  mis-aligned  reels  from  dam- 
aging the  edges  of  the  film,  buckling  the 
film  and  causing  uneven  "reeling-up." 

Always  check  the  theatre  reels  and  espe- 
cially the  exchange  reels  for  defects  before 
starting  to  rewind  film. 

When  the  film  is  rewinding,  do  not  hold 
one  reel  tight  and  let  the  other  turn  freely ; 
this  will  scratch  the  film. 

ITEM  22:  Film  Splicers 

Remember  that  film  spliced  by  hand  can 
never  be  as  strong  and  reliable  as  one  made 
by  an  efficient  mechanical  splicer. 

And  use  only  a  standard  metal  rewind 


table,  one  that  is  factory-manufactured. 
In  addition,  use  only  good,  sharp  scraping 
blades  in  preparing  the  film  for  splicing; 
and  an  approved  applicator  set,  if  possible. 
Only  in  extreme  emergencies,  when  better 
means  are  not  readily  available,  should  the 
job  be  done  entirely  by  hand. 

If  splicing  must  be  done  by  hand,  cut 
one  piece  of  film  one  hole  past  end  of 
frame,  then  clean  emulsion  from  end  of 
frame  to  the  edge  of  the  film.  On  the 
other  piece,  cut  the  film  along  end  of  frame 
and  when  ready  to  apply  the  cement  raise 
the  edge  and  put  on  the  cement  under- 
neath, or  to  the  celluloid  side,  covering 
generously  a  surface  the  depth  of  the  patch ; 
then  lap  over  the  two  pieces  of  film,  match- 
ing sprocket  holes  exactly.  Keep  pressing 
the  two  firmly  together  while  still  on  the 
table  or  patching  block  to  allow  for  suffi- 
cient time  for  perfect  adhesion.  Remember 
that  film  cement  applied  to  the  emulsion 
surface  of  the  film  will  not  stick,  nor  will 
it  when  the  splice  is  not  perfectly  clean  or 
has  oil,  dust  or  grit  on  it.  Only  a  good 
grade  of  film  cement  should  be  used,  never 
cement  that  has  been  weakened  as  a  result 
of  the  bottle  being  left  open  for  a  long 
time. 


EMERGENCY  SPLICING  CEMENT 

In  these  uncertain  times,  when  imme- 
diate delivery  cannot  be  guaranteed,  a 
cement  can  be  made  on  the  job,  but  it  is 
strictly  an  emergency  substitute.  Dissolve 
about  8  inches  of  film  from  which  the 
emulsion  has  been  completely  removed,  in 
one  ounce  of  ether  and  one  ounce  of  alco- 
hol, thoroughly  mixed.  This  suggestion  is 
offered  for  what  it  is  worth,  for  applica- 
tion when  regular  cement  cannot  be  ob- 
tained. 

ITEM  23:  Film  Containers 

Always  keep  film  not  in  immediate  use 
in  solderless,  approved,  fireproof  metal 
containers  or  cabinets  with  the  doors  fitting 
properly  and  tightly.  The  insulation  be- 
tween the  individual  reel  compartments 
should  be  periodically  checked  for  any 
defects.  If  the  insulation  is  cracked  or 
broken  through,  have  the  cabinet  repaired 
by  the  manufacturer,  if  possible,  to  prevent 
the  igniting  of  film  from  one  compartment 
to  another  in  case  of  fire. 

Never  let  the  door  slam  shut  by  itself 
or  close  it  roughly  by  hand,  as  the  door 
and  hinges  can  be  jarred  out  of  perfect 
tight  fitting  alignment.  Also  make  sure 
that  after  each  closing  of  the  door  with  the 
film  inside,  that  no  end  of  the  film  is  left 
protruding  outside. 

FILM  SAFE  PRECAUTIONS 

The  same  care  should  be  accorded  a  film 
safe.  From  a  film  safe  an  insulated  exhaust 
duct  should  run  to  the  outside  of  the 
building.  The  size  of  this  exhaust  duct 
will  differ  according  to  the  capacity  of  the 
safe  and  the  code  requirements  of  the  dif- 
ferent states  and  localities. 

Make  sure  that  the  sprinkler  head  inside 
the  safe  is  of  the  approved  type  and  in  good 


NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY 

Division  of 

NATIONAL- ^"g^C-BLUDWORTH,  Inc. 


THERE'S  A  BRANCH  NEAR  YOU 


June    26,  1943 


BETTER  THEATRES 


75 


working  order,  otherwise  film  damage  can 
result,  not  only  in  case  of  fire,  but  by  a 
premature  bursting  of  the  fuse  in  this 
sprinkler  head.  In  case  the  sprinkler  head 
should  open  by  itself,  check  the  water  pres- 
sure in  the  pipe  line;  in  some  cases  this 
pressure  is  too  strong  for  the  particular 
head  in  use. 

In  case  the  film  stored  in  the  safe 
becomes  too  damp  or  too  dry,  check  the 
fusible  damper  in  the  exhaust  duct  that 
goes  to  the  outside  air.  If  there  is  no 
damper  in  this  duct  and  the  trouble  per- 
sists, one  should  be  installed  to  prevent  the 
temperature  changes  in  the  outside  air  from 
penetrating  into  the  interior  of  the  safe. 
From  experience  it  has  been  found  that 
film  keeps  best  in  a  cool  dry  place  of  not 
over  60°  Fahrenheit. 

ITEM  24:  Carbon  and  Waste  Holders 

New  carbons  laid  haphazardly  around 
the  projection  room  can  be  easily  broken, 
cracked  and  even  saturated  with  dampness. 
A  special  rack  should  be  made  or  pur- 
chased that  will  hold  these  carbons  in  a 
safe,  dry  place  where  they  can  be  reached 
readily. 

At  least  one  waste  can  for  the  burned 
carbon  stubs  should  be  provided  in  the 
projection  room.  This  will  add  to  the 
safety  of  the  room  as  these  stubs  can  easily 
ignite  any  film  carelessly  handled  or  laid 
about  the  floor.  It  will  add  to  the  appear- 
ance of  the  projection  room  also,  as  well 
as  a  ready  place  to  store  the  carbon  drip- 
pings. 

Use  only  a  hinged-top  pedal-opening 
waste  can  where  inflammable  material  can 
be  safely  stored  away.  Any  other  type  of 
waste  can  or  bucket  can  be  a  serious  fire 
hazard. 

ITEM  25:  Lamp  Exhaust  Blowers 

The  arc  exhaust  blower  and  lamphouse 
exhaust  ducts  should  be  cleaned  at  least 
once  a  month.  The  ducts  to  the  lamphouses 
should  be  removed  and  carbon  ash  thor- 
oughly removed  from  the  inside,  by  hand 
or  by  using  a  vacuum  cleaner. 

The  rotor  of  the  blower  should  also  be 
completely  cleaned  of  all  carbon  ash,  for 
if  ash  is  left  to  accumulate,  in  time  the  en- 
tire exhaust  system  will  become  inoperative. 

Check  also  to  see  if  the  dampers  are 
working  properly;  do  not  allow  any  block- 
age to  the  flow  of  air. 

All  grease,  oil  or  other  foreign  material 
should  be  cleaned  off  the  motor,  windings 
and  wiring;  and  the  electrical  connection 
should  be  tightened  or  new  lugs  be  in- 
stalled, or  splices  be  made  if  needed.  The 
motor  switch,  fuses  and  connections  should 
be  checked  for  tightness,  contact,  and 
cleanliness.  Lack  of  cleanliness  is  a  com- 
mon cause  of  exhaust  blower  breakdown. 

Make  sure  that  the  motor  bearings  are 
frequently  oiled  and  that  they  are  not  run- 
ning "hot."  In  the  care  of  the  projection 
room  exhaust  blower  and  motor  the  same 
checkup  should  be  made  for  the  lamphouse 
exhaust  system.  If  the  room  exhaust  blower 
is  of  such  size  that  it  is  necessary  to  operate 
it  from  a  3-phase  a.  c.  power  line,  make 


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76 


BETTER    TH  EATRES 


June    26,  1943 


YOU  CAN  BET  ON  THIS  TRACK 

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A  TRY-OUT  WILL  1 

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CONVINCE  YOU  1 

Projection  Optics 

330  LYELL  AVE.,      ROCHESTER.  N.Y.,  U.S.A. 

sure  that  the  protective  fuses  are  of  the 
right  capacity,  otherwise  a  burn-out  may 
occur.  In  case  the  motor  fails  to  start,  first 
check  to  see  if  one  of  the  fuses  has  not 
blown  and  is  connected  only  to  two  phases 
of  the  3-phase  line. 

ITEM  26:  Fire  Shutters 

Make  sure  that  the  fire  shutter  system 
is  always  in  good  operating  condition  and 
that  it  is  tested  daily.  Each  shutter  should 
have  a  fusible  link  to  the  fuse  at  160°  F., 
in  the  hangar  chain  or  rope.  Where  the 
shutter  does  not  close  properly,  the  port- 
hole, the  edges  of  the  shutter  or  the  tracks 
should  be  oiled  slightly. 

If  the  shutter  still  does  not  close  the 
opening  properly,  the  tracks  should  be 
spread  out  a  little  to  permit  easy  sliding 
when  it  is  dropped  by  its  own  weight. 

In  case  the  shutter  control  shaft  does  not 
revolve  easily  when  the  trip  cord  is  re- 
leased the  bearings  or  frictional  surfaces 
on  the  holding  brackets  should  be  oiled. 

Check  the  counterweights  to  see  if  they 
are  working  properly.  Also  make  sure  that 
all  shutters  overlap  all  sides  of  the  port 
opening  at  least  1  inch  when  they  are  in 
the  down  portion. 

If  optical  or  plate  glass  is  used  in  port 
openings,  make  sure  that  they  are  always 
clean  and  are  not  cracked. 

ITEM  27:  Emergency  Batteries 

Where  batteries  are  held  in  readiness  for 
use  in  an  emergency  to  supply  d.  c.  current 
to  the  arcs,  reasonably  good  attention  must 
be  given  them.  Regardless  of  whether  five, 
six  or  seven  batteries  are  used  in  the  pro- 
jection room,  all  must  be  given  attention. 
Make  sure  that  they  are  put  in  a  place 
away  from  any  open  flame  or  other  fire 
hazard.  Inspect  them  regularly  as  they 
do  not  give  any  warning  of  trouble.  In 
checking  use  a  good  hydrometer — and 
plain  common  sense.  Make  certain  that 
they  are  clean  and  that  any  corroded  sur- 
faces on  the  terminals  are  scraped  off. 

If  necessary,  wipe  the  top  of  each  cell 
with  a  bicarbonate  of  soda  solution  consist- 
ing of  one  pound  to  a  gallon  of  water; 
also,  a  thin  coating  of  corrosion  preventive 
can  be  applied  to  the  terminals. 

The  specific,  gravity  of  the  electrolyte 
rises  and  falls  in  direct  proportion  to  the 
amount  of  current  put  into  or  taken  from 
the  cells;  however,  the  pressure  of  each 
cell  remains  the  same  at  approximately  2 
volts.  A  specific  gravity  reading  should  be 
taken  with  an  accurate  hydrometer.  Do 
not  take  readings  immediately  after  water 
has  been  added  to  the  battery. 

Just  before  the  battery  or  batteries  are 
to  be  charged,  water  should  be  added  to 
insure  a  good  mixture  with  the  acid  when 
"gassing"  occurs  near  the  end  of  the 
charging  period.  This  mixing  will  give  an 
accurate  reading  when  the  battery  is  tested. 
Add  water  as  often  as  necessary  when 
charging  to  keep  the  level  of  the  electrolyte 
about  a  J^-inch  above  the  top  separator 
plates. 

Remember  that  too  much  water  will 
cause  the  acid  to  escape  at  the  vent  holes 


when  the  cells  begin  to  gas  at  the  end  of 
the  charge.  This  loss  of  acid  will  cause 
corrosion  and  also  will  weaken  the  electro- 
lyte. Do  not  add  any  acid  unless  some  of 
the  solution  has  been  spilled  or  has  leaked 
out,  and  never  add  it  to  a  discharged  bat- 
tery. Too  much  acid  concentration  will 
tend  to  increase  the  rate  of  self-discharge 
and  will  damage  the  plates  and  separators. 

When  batteries  are  completely  dis- 
charged after  an  emergency,  they  should 
be  promptly  recharged ;  if  left  to  stand  for 
any  length  of  time,  the  plates  and  separators 
will  become  badly  damaged,  and  as  a  result 
will  have  to  be  renewed  or  new  batteries 
purchased. 

In  charging,  some  source  of  direct  cur- 
rent supply  must  be  used  and  the  terminals 
must  be  attached  positive  to  positive,  and 
negative  to  negative ;  otherwise  serious 
damage  to  the  batteries  will  result.  Keep 
the  vent  plugs  in  the  batteries  while  charg- 
ing. The  room  should  be  properly  venti- 
lated during  this  charging  period  to  carry 
off  the  volatile  generated  by  the  batteries. 
Smoking  or  any  open  flames  should  not  be 
permitted  in  the  room.  Do  not  overcharge 
or  overheat  the  batteries  as  this  will  defi- 
nitely shorten  their  useful  life.  When 
"gassing"  begins  lower  the  charging  rate, 
as  "gassing"  loosens  the  active  material 
from  the  positive  plates  and  starts  deterio- 
ration. Keep  the  charge  on  until  the  specific 
gravity  or  voltage  stops  rising.  Use  a  volt- 
meter to  check  the  voltage.  For  a  battery 
properly  charged  and  in  good  condition  the 
specific  gravity  should  be  from  1.270  to 
1.290  in  a  northern  climate;  from  1.200 
to  1.225  in  a  southern  climate. 


37  YEARS  EXHIBITING 

•  COKING  back  on 
L  a  career  as  an 
exhibitor  spanning 
practically  the  whole 
life  of  the  commer- 
cialized, projected 
motion  picture,  John 
A.  Schwa  I  m  ,  man- 
ager of  the  Northio 
Circuit's  Rialto  in 
Hamilton,  Ohio,  has 
just  celebrated  his 
70th  birthday  and 
37th  year  in  the  film  business. 

He  was  a  glass  worker  in  Pittsburgh  when 
one  day,  out  of  curiosity,  he  went  into  a 
little  storefront  picture  show.  "That's  for 
me,"  was  his  prompt  reaction,  and  it  wasn't 
long  before  he  joined  up  with  C.  S.  Roth- 
leder,  also  of  Pittsburgh,  to  convert  a 
storeroom  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  into  a  film 
+heatre.  Called  the  Electric,  it  had  99 
seats;  the  price  was  5c  for  a  15-minute 
performance  and  a  headache.  It  was  Day- 
ton's first  screen  theatre. 

In  the  years  following  he  opened,  op- 
erated and  sold  many  theatres  in  Ohio  and 
Pennsylvania. 

"I've  always  been  glad  to  be  part  of 
the  business  that  provides  motion  pictures," 
he  told  his  interviewer.  "I  think  motion 
pictures  are  a  Godsend  to  people." 


e    2  6,  1943 


BETTER  THEATRES 


COPPER  CONSERVATION  NEWS 


Xjp/ICTORY 
tJ  BUY 


ISSUED  BY  NATIONAL  CARBON  COMPANY,  INC.,  CARBON  SALES  DIVISION,  CLEVELAND,  OHIO 


Many  Theatres  Now 
Sponsor  "Copper 
Matinees" 


Novel  Plan  Adds  Much  Scrap 
to  Our  Nation's  Supply 


In  cooperation  with  the  War  Pro- 
duction Board,  theatres  throughout 
the  country  are  devoting  matinee 
performances  to  the  Nation's  drive 
for  scrap  copper.  Under  the  novel 
"Copper  Matinee"  plan,  boys  and 
girls  are  given  free  admission  to 
matinee  shows  in  exchange  for  a 
prescribed  weight  of  copper  of  any 
type. 

This  plan,  which  supplements  the 
drippings-saving  program,  has 
brought  to  light  a  considerable 
amount  of  metal  which  otherwise 
would  not  be  made  available  for  war 
use. 

In  devoting  performances  to  the 
collection  of  copper,  the  country's 
theatres  are  performing  a  patriotic 
duty  by  adding  to  the  available  sup- 
ply of  this  important  metal.  The 
success  of  the  program  is  important 
to  the  motion  picture  industry,  as 
well  as  to  the  country  as  a  whole. 


Conservation  Program  Nets  Many 
Tons  of  Copper  Drippings 
and  Peelings 

Wholehearted  Cooperation  by  All 
Concerned  is  Reason  for  Success 


Carbon  Stubs  Should 
be  Prepared  in 
the  Theatre 


of  individuals  con- 
motion  picture 


Appearance  of  Dripp 
Their  Value  as 


Uncontaminated  Projector  Scrap 
is  Shown  by  Test  to  Yield 
at  Least  90%  Copper 


Difficulty  has  been  experienced  in 
some  sections  of  the  country  in  dis- 
posing of  copper  drippings  and  peel- 
ings. Because  of  the  oxidized  appear- 
ance of  the  metal,  scrap  dealers,  who 
judge  the  copper  by  its  color,  will  not 
accept  these  gray-colored  pellets  and 
strips  as  usable  metal. 

By  actual  test  it  has  been  shown 
that  if  the  drippings  and  peelings  are 
not  contaminated  by  dirt  or  other 
material,  they  yield  at  least  90% 
copper. 

If  projector  scrap  is  turned  over  to 


The  spontaneous  response  to  the  copper  conservation  program  in  vir- 
tually every  section  of  the  country  has  resulted  in  the  collection  of  many 
tons  of  copper  drippings  and  peelings.  This  accumulation  was  made  pos- 
sible by  the  active  cooperation  of  the 
large  majority 
nected  with 
projection. 

Reports  received  indicate  that 
some  motion  picture  supply  houses 
have  collected  9,000  to  10,000  pounds 
and  more  of  copper  drippings  and 
peelings.  This  was  accomplished  by 
varying  degrees  of  promotion  on  the 
part  of  these  organizations.  Adver- 
tising in  the  trade  publications,  direct 
mail  and  window  displays  showing 
the  amount  of  scrap  turned  in  sup- 
plemented the  work  of  the  field 
organizations  in  some  cases. 

The  theatres,  in  turn,  have  done 
their  part  by  turning  in  their  scrap 
regularly. 

While  the  copper-saving  record 
established  to  date  is  excellent,  it 
can  be  improved  if  every  supply  house 
and  theatre  in  the  country  will  give 
maximum  cooperation. 


Some  theatres,  we  understand,  are 
turning  in  unpeeled  stubs  of  used 
projector  carbons.  As  a  result,  mo- 
tion picture  supply  houses  are  having 
difficulty  in  disposing  of  the  copper 
scrap. 

To  facilitate  disposition,  may  we 
urge  you,  therefore,  to  avoid  mixing 
stubs  with  drippings  and  peelings. 


ings  Does  Not  Affect 
Usable  Metal 


the  supply  houses  for  handling,  the 
metal  will  find  its  way  back  into  the 
Nation's  stockpile  without  delay. 

The  photograph  above  shows  the 
general  appearance  of  copper  drip- 
pings as  taken  from  the  projector 
lamp  house.  The  color  is  a  dull  gray 
with  a  few  copper-red  spots  visible. 
Projector  scrap,  despite  its  discourag- 
ing appearance,  is  90%  copper. 


Weight  of  Copper 
Drippings  From 
Victory  Carbons 


The  following  table  shows  the 
actual  weight  of  drippings  obtained 
from  a  unit  carton  of  the  various 
sizes  of  "National"  Victory  Carbons. 


8  mm  x  14"  "Suprex"  Positive 
8  mm  x  12"  "Suprex"  Positive 
7  mm  x  14"  "Suprex"  Positive 
7  mm  x  12"  "Suprex"  Positive 


3.2  ounces 
2.7  ounces 
1.5  ounces 

1.3  ounces 


7  mm  x 
6  mm  x 


9"  "Orotip"  C  Negative  1.6  ounces 
9"  "Orotip"  C  Negative  1.3  ounces 


The  trade-marks  "National,"  "Suprex"  and  "Orotip"  distinguish  products  of  National  Carbon  Company,  Inc. 


ADV. 


78 


BETTER  THEATRES 


June    26,     I  943 


Floor  Slope  for  22  Rows 
Using  "Reverse"  Method 


BEN  SCHLANGER 


THE   THIRD  AUDITORIUM 

floor  slope  presented  now  is  one  for  use  in 
connection  with  Auditorium  Type  1C  as 
classified  in  the  article  of  this  series  in  the 
issue  of  March  6th.  Type  1C  is  an  audi- 
torium of  a  theatre  built  on  level  ground, 
or  on  ground  having  a  slope  of  less  than 
3  feet  in  any  direction  and  with  a  seating 
depth  of  22  rows  or  less.  The  present 
slope,  No.  3,  shows  a  reverse  portion  near 
the  screen  slightly  greater  than  that  which 
was  used  in  Slope  No.  2. 

In  the  case  of  Slope  No.  2  the  reverse 
floor  was  introduced  to  avoid  the  excessive 
downward  pitch  which  would  have  been 
necessary  if  the  reverse  portion  were  not 
used.  The  reverse  portion  in  Slope  No.  3 
is  introduced  to  avoid  costly  excavation  and 
foundations,  and  also  to  keep  the  sills  of 
the  exit  doors  nearest  the  screen  as  high 


as  possible  so  that  there  will  be  a  minimum 
of  difference  in  level  between  these  sills 
and  the  outside  ground. 

A  picture  size  of  approximately  11  x  15 
feet,  and  a  distance  of  16  feet  from  the 
screen  to  the  first  row  of  seats,  are  indi- 
cated for  a  seating  depth  of  22  rows. 

The  total  downward  pitch  on  Slope  No. 
3  (Floor  A)  is  24  inches,  and  the  reverse 
slope  rises  upward  12  inches,  thereby  setting 
the  level  of  the  floor  at  the  first  row  12 
inches  below  the  floor  at  the  last  row. 

If  the  ground  upon  which  the  theatre  is 
being  built  is  practically  level,  as  it  quite 
often  is,  the  exit  door  sills  at  the  screen 
end  will  be  only  12  inches  below  the  out- 
side grade.  Such  a  small  difference  can  be 
adjusted  with  slight  ramps  inside  or  out- 
side the  building,  or  preferably  in  both 
places.  Any  other  slight  up  or  down  grade 
of  the  property  could  be  treated  likewise. 

With  the  exception  of  the  design  of  the 
reverse  portion,  Slope  No.  3  was  calcu- 
lated according  to  the  simplified  method 
submitted  in  this  series  in  the  February 
6th  issue.  The  reverse  portion  of  the 
floor,  except  for  rows  7  and  8,  was  calcu- 
lated on  the  basis  of  a  non-stagger  system 
of  seating.  Staggered  seating  in  the  first 
six  rows  would  not  allow  a  clear  view  of 
the  entire  width  of  the  picture. 

Tolerable  amounts  of  obstruction  of  the 


view  of  the  screen  limited  to  not  more  than 
5%  of  the  total  picture  area,  were  used 
to  fix  the  pitch  for  the  front  six  rows. 

The  datum,  or  fixed  reference  line,  is 
always  shown  in  the  floor  slope  drawings 
of  this  series  at  the  point  of  the  beginning 
of  the  slope,  or  at  its  lowest  point.  Where 
there  is  a  reverse  floor,  it  is  at  a  point 
where  each  of  these  slopes  begins  to  rise 
(or -one  might  say,  where  they  meet).  Al- 
though the  bottom  of  the  screen  image  is 
shown,  in  the  accompanying  scheme,  as 
84  inches  above  datum,  actually  this  point 
is  only  72  inches  above  the  level  of  the 
floor  at  the  first  row  of  chairs.  Keeping 
this  distance  of  72  inches  as  a  maximum 
(adhered  to  in  all  previous  slopes  pre- 
sented in  these  articles)  will  control  the 
upward  viewing  angles  for  proper  sitting 
posture  and  visual  comfort. 

Incidentally,  chair  manufacturers  should 
be  instructed  to  use  chair  support  standards 
which  will  set  the  chair  angles  in  the 
reverse  portion  of  the  seating  at  a  maxi- 
mum of  23°  for  the  first  row  of  seats,  with 
a  decrease  in  angle  of  about  one-third  of  a 
degree  for  every  row,  progressively  away 
from  the  screen.  This  angle  is  measured 
from  a  true  vertical  or  plumb  line  from  the 
top  of  the  chair  back.  Chair  backs  of  im- 
proper tilt  (angle  with  floor)  can  be  the 
cause  of  actually  painful  postures. 


Si 


<T»      <J>  «n   

tr>  <r>  q [cm 
^     £J     =£  o-1 


i5  n  m 
•«*  CO 


2 

3 

o 
o 


ROW  LEVELS  FLOOR,  A 


r-. 


o 
o3 


Ln 


iri 


c3 


2*5  228   2.2  212  2XF5  l.<8  IS   L7i    159  1.46  I.S  1.188  104  W>   .75   125    1.5   1.75   2.    Z2S  2.5 


R/SB  PER  ROW 

FLOOR  A 
 I 


U.'JNC  STAGGERED 


22    21    20    19    18    17    16    15    14    15  12 


FLOOR  B : 


WITHOUT 


OA'E  RpW 
STAGGERER 


//SAW 
S&TING 


S 
c 
R 

E 
E 
M 


84  INCHES 
ABOVE  DATUM 


DATUfVi 


10    987  65432 


ROW  NUMBER 


AUDITORIUM  FLOOR  SLOPE  NO.  3:   For  Auditorium  Type  1C  (see  text) 

The  levels  and  rise  per  row  are  noted  in  inches  and  decimal  parts  of  an  inch  (up  t&  one-hundredths  of  an  inch).  For  practical  construction  purposes 
five-hundredths  of  an  inch  would  be  sufficiently  accurate.  In  forming  floors  an  accurate  template  talcing  in  three  rows  at  a  time  should  be  used. 
The  rise-per-row  figures  shown  in  the  drawing  are  exactly  half  the  rise-per-row  as  calculated  for  Floor  B,  for  one  row  vision.  Only  the  recommended 
Floor  (A)  figures  are  shown.    It  would  not  be   practical  to  use  Floor  B,  due  to  the  excessive  pitch  and  the  need  for  stepped  platforms. 


June    26,  1943 


BETTER  THEATRES 


79 


The 


LIGHT  on  your 

a M SCREEN 

i 


By  CHARLES  E.  SHULTZ 

Member  SMPE  .  .  .  Honorary  Life  Member  LOCAL  365,  IATSE  &  MPMO 


Relation  of  Shutter 
And  Film  Movement 

A  letter  from  a  projec- 
tionist in  an  Eastern  city  brings  up  a 
matter  that  I  shall  endeavor  to  clear  up 
for  many  projectionists,  since  the  puzzle- 
ment expressed  in  this  letter  is  more  general 
than  its  writer  apparently  thinks  it  is.  He 
writes,  in  part: 

"In  order  to  save  as  much  carbon  and 
power  as  possible  I  have  reduced  my  arc 
amperes  from  49  to  42  amperes.  I  am  using 
Strong  utility  lamps  with  7-mm.  Victory 
negative  by  7-mm.  Victory  positive  suprex 
carbons.    These  lamps  have  a  10T/\-inch 


"In  a  recent  article  you  told  of  a  method 
for  deciding  on  the  minimum  width  blade 
possible  with  any  type  disc  shutter  if  the 
relative  aperture  of  the  reflector  were 
known  as  well  as  the  distance  from  the 
center  of  the  light  beam  to  the  center  of 
the  shutter  shaft  and  the  distance  from  the 
shutter  to  the  aperture.  The  center  of  my 
shutter  shaft  is  3 15/16-inches  from  the 
center  of  the  light  beam  and  my  shutter 
is  5  inches  from  the  aperture. 

"The  only  thing  that  I  cannot  quite 
understand  about  your  article  is  the  state- 
ment that  the  film  is  in  motion  during  72° 
of  the  360°  in  one  revolution  of  the  shut- 
ter shaft.  I  had  always  believed  that  the 
standard    intermittent    movement  moved 


PO/A/TS  AT  WHICH 
CAM  fi/Af  ENCAGES  AMD 
D/SEA/6A6ES  THE  STAI? 


PO/AJTS  A  T  WHICH  CAM 
P/AJ  BEGINS  AND  ENDS 
STAR  MOVEMENT 


reflector  set  24%-inches  from  the  film  line. 
My  projectors  are  simplex  with  rear  shut- 
ter, which  is  not  adjustable.  The  light  at 
the  center  of  my  screen  with  the  shutter 
running  is  19  foot-candles,  and  11  foot- 
candles  at  the  sides.  Without  the  shutter 
running  I  have  49  foot-candles  at  the  cen- 
ter. I  figure  that  my  shutter  is  transmitting 
about  39%  of  the  light. 


the  film  during  90°  of  each  complete  revo- 
lution of  the  shutter  and  I  have  often  heard 
this  movement  described  as  a  90°  move- 
ment in  other  things  that  I  have  read." 

"Also  I  want  to  irhn  my  blades  to 
minimum  angle,  but  as  they  are  not  adjust- 
able I  want  to  be  sure  I  don't  trim  off  too 
much  and  ruin  them." 

I  shall  first  answer  the  question  about 


OUR  COURSE  'TIL  "V-DAY" 

Today,  our  efforts  and  facilities  are 
focused  on  winning  the  War.  But 
we're  still  doing  all  we  can  to 
supply  your  needs  too. 


LaVfezzi  Machine  Works 

180  North  Wacker  Drive         Chicago,  Illinois 


"IM6IC  BKID6E 


FOREST  aAo-l^ld  PRODUCTS 


FOREST  MANUFACTURING  CORP. 

200  MT.  PLEASANT  AVE.,  NEWARK,  N.  J. 


SUPER  MCS 

I  ID.aO  10-40  10-30 

I  BECTITIEBS 
I  UNIVESSAL  trim 

i  one  kilowatt 
[lamps 

i  rectifying 

1  TUBES 
S  C  REE  N  S 


80 


BETTER  THEATRES 


June    26,  1943 


the  number  of  degrees  of  one  complete 
revolution  of  the  shutter  during  which  the 
film  is  in  motion.  The  reason  that  the 
film  is  in  actual  motion  during  only  72° 
instead  of  90°  is  this: 

The  pin  of  the  intermittent  cam  engages 
the  slot  in  the  star  wheel,  moves  along  this 
slot,  turns  the  star  and  leaves  the  slot  in 
exactly  90°  of  (or  one-quarter  of  a  com- 
plete turn)  of  the  shutter  shaft.  This  is 
why  the  Geneva  movement  is  called  a  90° 
movement. 

However,  the  pin  enters  the  slot  of  the 
star  wheel  and  travels  a  distance  equal 
to  90°  of  one  complete  shutter  shaft  revo- 
lution before  it  actually  moves  the  film  at 
all.  At  the  end  of  the  film  movement  it  has 
to  go  a  distance  equal  to  9°  of  one  revo- 


lution of  the  shutter  shaft  before  it  disen- 
gages the  slot  in  the  star  wheel  {see  draw- 
ings). Thus,  there  is  a  total  of  18°  of 
one  shutter  shaft  revolution  during  which 
the  pin  is  engaged  with  the  slot  in  the  star 
wheel  without  moving  the  film. 

This  does  not  mean  that  it  is  possible 
to  use  a  shutter  blade  only  72°  in  width. 
It  is  necessary  to  have  a  blade  wide  enough 
to  cover  the  beam  almost  completely  before 
the  film  goes  into  motion. 

I  say  almost  covered  because  it  has  been 
found  that  there  can  be  a  slight  movement 
of  the  film  without  it  being  recorded  upon 
the  brain  as  travel  ghost. 

This  slight  movement,  which  will  be 
rejected  by  the  eye,  depends  very  greatly 
on  the  screen  intensity.    For  screens  of 


Tips  on  Wartime  Operation 
of  Projection  Lamps 


,    used  today,  although 
Carbon  savers  are  ^J^^  W  W  «~ 
these  savers  are  no,  9     *  createo  by 

facturers  because  of 

U.   Suore*  arc  H  delicately 

adl"        the magnetic  influence  of  the  g  con. 

however  the  mag  magnetic  tieiu  y 

Arable  turbulence  non.magnetic  are  pr* 

u  n  savers  which  are  non  my  afC 
Brass  carbon  saver  ^  he  r  of 

arable,  but  if  on  Y  steel  sa  ^  &  fa(|H    f  car 

turbulence  should  not  be ^  ^  use    f  carbon 

i         The  discontinuance  „mmended. 
the  lamp-  ™e  °  emergency  is  recommeno 
aTter  the  present  emerg 


Don't  forget  to 
save  all  copper 
drippings  and 
strippings  fr 
carbons 


#  The  best  projection 
lamps  of  tomorrow... 
like  those  serving  so 
well  today,  will  carry 
the  name  STRONG. 


STRONG 

ELECTRIC  GosiftxrtxUibn 


87  City  Park  Ave. 


Toledo,  Ohio 


average  intensity  we  can  consider  a  tole- 
rable movement  of  12°  as  a  fairly  accurate 
figure. 

We  must  remember,  however,  that  lost 
motion  between  the  intermittent  and  shut- 
ter shaft  will  increase  travel  ghost.  There- 
fore, we  should  make  the  12°  allowance 
only  with  projectors  that  are  in  new  con- 
dition, and  with  pictures  not  more  highly 
illuminated  than  10  foot-candles  average 
all  over  the  screen  with  the  shutter  run- 
ning. 

The  number  of  degrees  in  each  blade 
of  a  shutter  must,  therefore,  be  72°  plus 
the  number  of  degrees  in  the  "covering 
angle,"  minus  the  number  of  degrees  allow- 
able with  new  projectors  and  average 
screen  illumination. 

To  decide  on  the  absolute  minimum 
number  of  degrees  which  will  assure  you 
of  maximum  screen  light  without  danger 
of  travel  ghost,  let's  use  the  figures  given 
in  the  letter: 

A  10%-inch  reflector  set  24%-inch  from 
the  film  line  will  have  a  relative  aperture 
of  f:2.2. 

An  f:2.2  reflector  will  have  an  effective 
beam  size  of  about  3j4  inches  at  5  inches 
from  the  film  line. 

The  covering  angle  of  3 ]/% -inch  beam 
from  a  shutter  shaft  3  15/16  inches  from 
the  center  of  the  light  beam  is  about  40°. 

Thus  the  maximum  angle  of  each  blade 
must  be  40°  plus  72°,  or  112°. 

From  this  112°  we  could  subtract  12° 
if  the  projector  were  in  new  condition  and 
the  screen  illumination  were  10  foot- 
candles  average  all  over  the  screen.  Our 
projectionist  has  19  foot-candles  of  light 
at  center,  and  11  foot-candles  at  the  sides, 
so  he  has  an  average  all  over  the  screen 
of  about  13.7  foot-candles  with  the  shutter 
running. 

This,  and  the  fact  that  he  must  make 
allowances  for  lost  motion  between  the 
intermittent  and  shutter  shaft  as  the  pro- 
jector wears,  will  only  make  it  safe  to  use 
about  three-quarters  of  the  12°  allowance, 
or  9°. 

Thus  112°  —  9°  =  103°;  and  103°  is 
the  absolute  minimum  to  which  he  can 
reduce  the  angle  of  each  blade  of  the  shut- 
ter with  complete  safety. 

At  present  he  has  a  transmission  value 
of  39%  from  the  shutter,  which  means 
he  has  110°  blades. 

When  the  angle  of  each  blade  is  reduced 
to  103°  he  will  have  a  transmission  value 
of  42.8%.  This  will  result  in  21  foot- 
candles  of  light  upon  the  center  of  the 
screen  with  the  shutter  running. 


Function  of  the 
Magnet  in  Suprex  Arcs 

Just  what  is  the  suprex 
arc  magnet  for?  That  question  has  been 
asked  me  a  number  of  times,  most  recently 
by  Projectionist  Harry  Hartzell  of  the 
Belvidere  theatre  in  Belvidere,  N.  J. 

To  understand  the  part  this  magnet 
plays  in  the  operation  of  the  suprex  type 
arc  we  must  first  understand  how  the  arc 
operates  basically.    The  principal  of  the 


June    26,  1943 


BETTER  THEATRES 


81 


suprex  arc  varies  from  the  low-intensity 
arc  in  the  following  manner : 

The  low-intensity  arc  forms  a  white  hot 
tip  on  the  positive  crater  which  is  focused 
upon  the  aperture.  The  gases  which  sur- 
round the  low-intensity  arc  are  relatively 
unimportant  as  far  as  light  production  is 
concerned.  In  the  Suprex  type  arc,  how- 
ever, the  light  producing  gases  which  form 
just  in  front  of  the  crater  of  the  positive 
carbon  constitute  the  source  of  light. 

To  obtain  maximum  intensity  and  stabil- 
ity of  this  brilliant  mass  of  gas  it  is  neces- 
sary for  its  shape  and  position  to  be 
controlled  by  the  electrical  stream  sur- 
rounding it.  The  position  of  the  gaseous 
mass  is  maintained,  to  some  extent,  by  the 
negative  flame,  but  when  used  without  a 
magnet  the  gases  form  in  an  even  mass 
around  the  positive  carbon.  This  even  mass 
of  gases  will  not  burn  steadily  nor  produce 
a  continuous  light  intensity.  In  addition 
to  this,  such  an  arc  will  tend  to  burn  off 
the  positive  carbon  unevenly  as  the  arc  gap 
changes  under  normal  feed  conditions. 

When  a  supplementary  magnet  is  placed 
behind  the  reflector,  however,  with  its 
polarity  so  arranged  that  it  lifts  the  elec- 
trical stream  below  the  arc  and  pushes 
down  on  the  stream  above  the  arc,  it 
changes  the  burning  characteristics  entire- 
ly. The  expended  gases  from  both  the 
negative  and  positive  sweep  up  into  a  long 
even  flame  and  the  arc  stream  at  the  posi- 
tive carbon  cradles  the  mass  of  light- 
producing  gas  in  the  most  advantageous 
position  just  in  front  of  the  positive  crater. 
The  arc  burns  steadily  and  with  even  in- 
tensity. 

Variation  in  Color  of 
Light  on  the  Screen 

.  Here  is  an  interesting 
observation  from  Frank  Sheets,  projection- 
ist of  the  Clinton  Point  theatre,  Clinton, 
N.  J.: 

"I  have  offen  noticed  that  during  a 
matinee  performance  the  picture  on  the 
screen  looks  yellowish  in  color  even  when 
the  arc  is  in  perfect  adjustment.  We  use 
a  suprex  arc  and  in  the  evening  the  light 
looks  blue  white  in  color  at  the  same  arc 
setting  and  the  same  number  of  amperes. 
On  clear  days  this  yellowish  appearance 
is  more  noticeable  than  on  dark  cloudy 
days.  Would  you  say  that  this  condition 
is  caused  by  a  change  of  some  kind  in  the 
line  power,  or  is  it  an  optical  illusion?" 

The  condition  to  which  you  refer  is 
definitely  an  optical  illusion.  Here  is  the 
answer  to  the  mystery  of  your  yellowish 
color  in  the  projected  image  during  matinee 
performances  on  clear  days. 

You  probably  have  a  window  or  windows 
which  let  daylight  into  the  projection  room. 
Daylight  has  a  far  higher  blue-white  con- 
tent than  the  projected  image  on  your 
screen.  As  the  retina  of  your  eye  is  satur- 
ated with  daylight,  your  projected  image 
appears  yellowish  by  comparison. 

The  reverse  of  this  illusion  is  often 
created  at  night  when  a  projectionist  stands 


at  a  rewind  table  over  which  there  is  a 
low  hanging,  shaded  incandescent  lamp 
illuminating  the  surface  of  the  table  to 
about  30  foot-candles.  If  he  makes  out  a 
schedule  on  yellow  paper  illumiated  by  a 
yellowish  filament  lamp,  he  will  soon  sat- 
urate the  retina  of  his  eye  with  this  color. 
If  he  glances  out  at  the  projected  image 
it  will  appear  very  blue. 

This  is  because  the  eye  compares  the 
light  which  it  sees  with  the  color  which 
has  saturated  the  retina,  and  the  blue  con- 
tent of  the  projected  image  is  exaggerated 
by  comparison  with  the  yellow  impression 
upon  the  retina  of  the  eye  from  the  brightly 
lighted  sheet  of  paper.  When  the  picture 
is  viewed  from  completely  darkened  sur- 
roundings, its  true  color  values  are  seen. 


Meaning  of  Foot-Candle 
And  Foot-Lambert 

In  answering  the  above 
inquiry  we  have  referred  to  foot-candles. 
That  is  the  term  commonly  used  among 
projectionists  in  talking  about  screen  light. 
Yet  they  often  encounter  the  use  of  foot- 
lamberts  in  this  same  connection,  and  it 
is  my  experience  that  many  projectionists 
are  a  bit  confused  by  this.  Therefore  it 
may  be  a  good  idea  here  to  explain  it. 

The  term  'foot-candle'  is  used  in  refer- 
ence to  light  falling  upon  a  surface;  the 
term  ' foot-lamb ert'  is  used  in  referring  to 
light  reflected  from  a  surface. 

{Continued  on  page  86) 

 —  —  > 


J 


Motiograph  Dealers 
Are  Mobilized  to 

Keep  'Em  Showing 

They've  enlisted  for  the  job  of  helping  keep  pictures  on 
America's  screens  despite  limited  supplies  and  restricted  manu- 
facture of  the  many  kinds  and  types  of  equipment.  Thus  they 
are  maintenance  men  of  morale  on  the  home  front. 

They're  armed  with  the  latest  tools  and  machinery  for  doing 
every  repair  job  quickly  and  with  precision  and  efficiency. 

They're  trained  in  the  repair  of  all  makes  of  equipment  and 
have  access  to  the  repair  departments  of  all  leading  manu- 
facturers. 

They're  stationed  strategically  throughout  America,  maintain- 
ing a  24-hour  watch,  awaiting  your  commands. 

MOTIOGRAPH 

ESTABLISHED  1896 

4431  West  Lake  Street        •        Chicago,  Illinois 

v.   


82 


BETTER  THEATRES 


June    26,     I  943 


Exhibitors  of  America  have  many  du- 
ties to  perform  these  war  days.  You 
build  unity  and  morale  through  motion 
picture  presentations— and  you  promote 
and  support  the  various  government 
drives  that  are  initiated  to  spur  war 
production  and  civilian  defense. 

RCA  Service,  like  exhibitors,  is  carry- 
ing on  important  war  duties:  RCA  en- 
gineers are  rendering  scheduled  service 
to  projection  room  equipment  in  thou- 
sands of  theatres  to  "Keep  'em  Run- 
ning"—and  other  RCA  Service  groups 
are  installing  military  equipment  and 
instructing  personnel,  in  this  country 
and  at  the  battlefronts. 

The  RCA  Service  organization  is  to- 
day more  than  nation-wide 
...  it  is  world-wide . . .  serv- 
ing the  home  front  and 
battlefronts  too! 


VICTORY 
BUY 

UNITED 
STATES 

.WAR 

IONDS 

AND 

STAMPS 


RCA  SERVICE  CO.,  INC. 

RADIO  CORPORATION  OF  AMERICA 

Subsidiary 
Camden,  N.  J. 


OLDBfl  BR0T 

DENVER,  COLO.  . 


Save  that  carbon — turn  it  in! 


F.  H.  RICHARDSON'S 

COMMENT  on  PROJECTION 


F.  H.  R. 


Urging  an  End  of  Film 
And  Manpower  Waste 

bad  physical  condition 
of  prints  continues  to  be  the  subject  of  let- 
ters from  projectionists  and  theatre  opera- 
tors. It  is  a  matter  that  crops  up  every 
once  in  awhile ;  now  after  quite  a  period 
of  hibernation,  it 
rears  its  sinister 
head  again,  and  at 
a  time  when  maxi- 
mum efficiency  is 
absolutely  urgent  if 
we  are  going  to 
keep  our  theatres 
supplied  with  pro- 
duct and  otherwise 
able  to  keep  run- 
ning. In  the  May 
29th  issue  these 
columns  presented 

complaints ;  many  letters  received  give  the 
same  testimony.  One,  however,  from  S.  L. 
Hall  of  the  Avon  theatre  in  Stockbridge, 
Mich.,  goes  a  little  further  and  makes  a 
couple  of  interesting  suggestions.  He  writes : 

"I  probably  have  one  of  the  smallest 
spots  in  the  country— a  village  of  800 
people  within  a  fair  farming  community. 
There  is  a  very  good  theatre  14  miles  away, 
and  several  others  from  20  to  34  miles — 
the  best.  Twenty-nine  months  ago,  with 
absolutely  no  experience  in  the  picture 
business  except  about  one  week  in  the  pro- 
jection room  with  the  owner  and  occa- 
sional projectionist,  who  had  a  defense  job 
in  another  town,  I  took  over  operation  of 
the  Avon;  acting  as  owner,  manager,  cash- 
ier, projectionist  and  general  handyman  I 
have  gained  a  considerable  amount  of  ex- 
perience which  has  been  both  pleasant  and 
at  times  unpleasant. 

"I  have  two  Acme-Simplex  projectors 
with  low-intensity  arc,  RCA  sound.  The 
building  used  to  be  Town  Hall  (220 
seats).  And  if  I  do  say  it  myself,  the 
sound  is  about  the  most  natural  of  any 
I  have  ever  heard  in  a  theatre,  not  ex- 
cepting large  city  theatres. 

"I  read  your  articles  in  Better 
Theatres  and  have  picked  up  some  very 
fine  ideas  therefrom.  Many  of  the  letters 
in  your  columns  have  griped  about  the 
poor  cue  marks  on  films,  most  of  which 
have  been  scratched  on  by  the  projectionist. 
I  certainly  admit  there  are  some  bad  ones, 
but  when  you  consider  the  way  a  lot  of 
films  come  out  the  exchanges,  the  cue- 
marks  become  as  nothing.  I  thought  when 
I  paid  rental  for  a  film  it  should  be  ready 
to  run  without  spending  two  or  three 
hours  on  a  feature  checking  splices,  cue 
marks,  split  sprocket  holes,  etc.,  not  to 
mention  checking  distance  between  cue 
marks  at  the  end,  and  the  correct  starting 
point  on  the  leader.  It  seems,  however, 
that  the  rental  is  just  for  the  privilege  of 


re-conditioning  the  film  for  the  exchange. 
I  have  re-spliced  as  many  as  ten  exchange 
splices  on  one  2,000-foot  reel. 

"In  my  estimation  the  exchanges  all  have 
the  wrong  method  of  checking  films.  They 
generally  take  the  emulsion  off  the  leading 
end  of  the  film  and,  instead,  it  should  be 
taken  off  the  bottom  end.  This,  because 
of  the  fact  that  where  the  emulsion  sides 
lap  is  the  place  which  is  most  liable  to 
come  loose,  and  if  this  lap  is  trailing  there 
is  nothing  for  it  to  catch  on.  Many  of 
the  exchange  splices  come  apart  because 
they  have  not  cleaned  the  plain  side  to  get 
the  wax  off.  I  clean  and  roughen  both 
sides,  and  have  never  had  a  splice  come 
apart  even  on  prevues. 

'Another  thing,  the  exchanges  send  out 
rotten  reels  in  rotten  cases,  made  worse 
by  the  express  company  and  film  truck  so 
that  when  the  film  is  run  the  edges  which 
have  been  crushed  in  shipment  are  pulled 
off  by  the  poor  reels  and  they  mess  up  the 
inside  of  the  projector.  Many  projec- 
tionists put  film  clippings,  gum  wrappers, 
paper  reel  seals,  string  and  even  wire  in- 
side the  cases  and  these  pieces  of  debris 
work  into  the  sides  of  the  reel,  then  clog 
the  fire  rollers  in  the  upper  magazine — 
and  sometimes  go  down  through  the 
sprockets. 

"We  use  an  empty  coffee  can  with  a 
slot  in  the  top  in  which  to  put  film  clip- 
pings. The  film  companies  ask  us  to  save 
film,  still  cut  the  beginning  of  the  leader 
to  a  sharp  point,  using  up  as  much  as  one 
entire  frame.  I  cut  the  leader  on  a  curve 
between  two  sprocket  holes  and  this  holds 
better  in  the  shallow  slot  of  the  reels  sent 
out  by  film  companies. 

"Since  beginning  this  letter  I  have  re- 
ceived from  one  of  the  better  exchanges 
a  feature  which  had  three  splices  in  one 
reel,  each  of  which  was  off  one  sprocket 
hole.  I  have  also  been  to  two  pre-showings 
and  in  each  case  there  was  a  scratch  the 
full  length  of  one  reel.  The  exchange 
claims  it  was  done  in  the  projectors  at  that 
showing.  (It  was  one  of  the  better  theatres 
in  Detroit!  And  these  theatres  pass  the 
blame  on  to  the  smaller  towns!) 

"Would  it  not  be  profitable  for  the  film 
exchanges  in  the  same  territory  to  hire 
a  projectionist  with  plenty  of  practical  ex- 
perience and  a  willingness  to  apply  it,  to 
go  around  to  every  theatre  in  their  terri- 
tory and  inspect  the  projectors?  Such  men 
could  give  less  experienced  men  ideas  as 
to  how  to  adjust  or  repair  their  projectors 
so  it  would  save  them  a  lot  of  trouble  and 
the  exchange  a  lot  of  film,  which  means 
money.  We  smaller  theatres  cannot  afford 
to  have  a  service  man  come  out  every  time 
some  little  thing  goes  wrong. 

"I  have  talked  to  some  of  the  exchanges 
about  these  various  items  but  it  seems  quite 
impossible  to  tell  them  anything — they 
have  had  so  much  more  experience  than  I 


June    26,     I  943 


BETTER  THEATRES 


83 


have,  etc.,  etc.;  however,  I  have  waited 
until  I  was  sure  of  what  I  was  writing 
about  before  I  attempted  this  letter." 

Such  letters  —  and  one  written  and 
mailed  always  represents  at  least  50  that 
might  have  been  sent — indicate  that  some- 
thing must  be  done,  and  done  quickly  and 
effectively,  to  minimize  these  conditions. 
They  certainly  do  not  represent  the  con- 
servation that  is  being  continually  urged 
upon  everybody.  Nor  do  they  mean  merely 
waste  of  film ;  they  mean  waste  of  man- 
power. 

Emergency  Cure  for 
Cracked  Photocell  Block 

WALTER  DUNKELBERGER, 

projectionist  of  Fargo,  N.  D.,  always 
ready  to  pass  on  to  his  fellow  projectionists 
any  idea  that  he  gets  from  his  experience — 
and  "Dunk"  always  has  something  a-cook- 
ing  in  his  head — now  offers  this  sugges- 
tion : 

"Here  is  a  gadget  that  still  has  plenty 
on  the  ball,  even  though  it  is  an  'oldie.' 
After  developing  the  'pilot  lights'  for  con- 
denser banks  [which  he  told  us  about  in 
a  previous  issue  of  Better  Theatres] 
I  became  quite  interested  in  any  gadget 
that  might  save  a  show.  I  really  began 
to  learn  the  diagrams  of  my  sound  system. 

"The  job  wasn't  hard,  thanks  to  your 
Bluebook!  I'd  just  discovered  the  way 
of  connecting  both  PE  cells  together 
when,  darn  it,  I  found  I  had  to  use  the 
information. 

"When  only  one  thing  is  wrong  with  a 
system  (one  thing  at  a  time)  a  projec- 
tionist can  usually  find  the  trouble  and 
remedy  it  in  short  order,  but  occasionally 
several  things  happen  at  once  and  then — 
blooey. 

"Symptoms:  A  crackling  appeared  in  the 
sound  varying  in  intensity.  It  appeared, 
then  disappeared,  then  would  reappear 
after  an  indefinite  interval.  The  output 
of  one  machine  began  to  fluctuate,  rising 
and  falling,  also  with  no  definite  regularity. 

Actual  Trouble:  Connection  block  for 
photocell  lead  was  cracked,  allowing  a 
vibration  which  probably  caused  the  crack- 
ling noise.  Grid  leak  for  the  head  ampli- 
fier on  the  machine  had  gone  sour. 

"As  both  items  caused  trouble  of  an 
intermittent  nature,  the  elimination  of 
either  would  not  necessarily  clear  up  the 
trouble.  The  difficulty  was  overcome  only 
by  dismantling  the  head  amplifier  and  ex- 
amining the  connection  block  on  the  inte- 
rior of  the  PEC  mount.  It  is  not  advisable 
for  a  projectionist  (in  a  one-man  room) 
to  shoot  trouble  by  dismantling  or  partially 
dismantling  a  sound  system,  especially 
when  he  has  several  shows  still  ahead  of 
him  that  day.  He  definitely  should  not 
tackle  that  sort  of  job  when  methods  of 
saving  the  show,  until  the  service  man  ar- 
rives, are  available — methods  that  are  sure 
and  certain. 

"From  diagrams  worked  out  with  the 
aid  of  the  Bluebook  I  had  determined  that 
I  could  disconnect  the  head  amplifier  of 
the  offending  projector  entirely  and  con- 
nect the  photocell  leads  of  the  offender 


by  means  of  a  jumper  to  the  photocell 
leads  of  the  good  machine.  Of  course  this 
threw  a  double  load  on  the  good  machine 
and  the  volume  output  sank,  necessitating 
raising  the  gain  on  the  main  amplifier. 
This  of  course  increased  the  noise  output — 
but  the  show  was  saved !  All  of  the  crackle 
and  volume  variation  had  vanished. 

"While  out  to  dinner  I  called  the  Altec 
district  office  in  Minneapolis  to  report  the 
trouble  and  find  out  where  the  nearest 
Altec  man  was  at  the  moment.  Our  own 
service  man  was  at  the  farther  end  of  his 
route  (400  miles  away)  and  in  a  snow 
drift.  The  Minneapolis  office  advised  he 
would  send  another  head  amplifier  and 
then  suggested  the  following  modification 
of  the  show  saver  I  had  used : 


"1 — Obtain  a  double  throw  switch 
(either  single  or  double  pole). 

"2 — Disconnect  the  'undergrounded' 
connection  from  each  photocell. 

"3 — Run  a  jumper  from  the  'un- 
grounded connection'  (on  connection 
block)  of  good  projector  to  the  center 
connection  of  the  switch. 

"4 — Run  jumpers  from  each  of  the  dis- 
connected photocell  leads  to  the  outside 
connections  on  the  switch. 

"5 — Use  double  or  two-wire  (lamp 
cord)  cable  for  the  jumpers.  Use  one 
of  the  wires  for  the  actual  connection, 
the  other  as  a  shield.  Ground  the  shield 
(if  you  have  coaxial  cable  use  it). 

"6 — Be  sure  that  all  wires  hang  free 
from  the  projectors  so  that  vibration  will 


Bausch  &•  Lomb  Research  Melalloscope  with  Photomicrographic  Accessories 

He's  Making  a  Photomicrographic  History  of  the  War 


The  photomicrographer  in  his 
it>  laboratory,  whether  in  an  in- 
dustrial  plant,  in  some  distant 
United  Nations  base  of  opera- 
tions or  in  a  great  research 
institution  . . .  whether  his  work  is  dedicated  to  war 
production  or  to  the  fight  against  disease  ...  is  today 
documenting  each  forward  step  that  science  takes. 

Vital  in  war  production  and  an  essential  heritage 
to  those  who  will  live  in  the  days  of  peace  to  come, 
photomicrography  preserves  important  findings  that 
could  otherwise  so  easily  be  lost.  Photomicrography 
makes  wartime  experience  in  metallography,  surgery, 
prophylaxis,  chemistry  ...  in  all  fields  .  .  .  available 
for  peacetime  applications. 


Here  is  another  field  in  which  Bausch  &  Lomb 
instruments,  developed  in  the  interests  of  peacetime 
scientific  and  industrial  research,  go  to  war.  Here 
is  still  further  proof  that  this  is  a  war  of  precision, 
where  the  optical  instruments  that  insure  accuracy 
in  expanded  production  take  an  important  place 
beside  those  other  B&L  Instruments  used  as  fighting 
tools  by  our  fighting  men. 

For  Bausch  &  Lomb  Instruments  essential  to 
Victory — priorities  govern  delivery  schedules. 

BAUSCH  &  LOMB 

OPTICAL  CO.  .  ROCHESTER,  NEW  YORK 
ESTABLISHED  1853 


AN  AMERICAN  SCIENTIFIC  INSTITUTION  PRODUCING  OPTICAL  GLASS  AND  INSTRUMENTS 
FOR    MILITARY    USE,   EDUCATION,   RESEARCH,   INDUSTRY  AND    EYESIGHT  CORRECTION 


84 


BETTER  THEATRES 


June    26,     I  943 


not  be  induced  into  your  sound  system. 

"7 — If  PEC  jumpers  are  the  same  length 
your  projectors  will  still  be  balanced  (out- 
put volumes  will  be  the  same). 

"8 — Turn  off  the  current  to  the  offend- 
ing head  amplifier,  but  be  sure  that  the 
exciter  lamp  is  still  on. 

"9 — Set  the  regular  sound  changeover 
to  on  for  the  good  machine.  Then  use 
double-throw  switch  for  changeover.  The 
changeover  will  snap  in  the  sound  system 
at  every  flip,  but  that's  better  than  the 
trouble  you  were  eliminating. 

"This  system,  or  'saver,'  eliminates  all 
trouble  (if  it  is  located  in  one  projector) 
by  isolating  it.  It  does  not  change  the 
quality  of  the  sound,  while  the  volume  or 
gain  level  remains  normal.    The  only  dis- 


advantages are  the  snap  sound  and  the 
trouble  to  the  projectionist. 

"I  used  this  'show -saver'  for  nine  days 
without  a  complaint  at  the  box  office  or 
any  injury  to  the  system.  Its  use  saved 
the  Altec  man,  Nick  Fiore,  an  extra  trip 
of  several  hundred  miles,  some  gas  for  our 
boys  in  the  service,  and  two  headaches — 
the  boss's  and  mine.  Hope  it  will  save  a 
show  for  someone  else  sometime." 

Many  thanks,  Brother  Dunkelberger — 
and  let  your  thoughtfulness,  for  the  benefit 
of  others  as  well  as  yourself,  be  an  in- 
spiration to  others.  Give,  lads,  give  when- 
ever you  run  across  something  that  might 
be  of  help  to  the  other  fellow.  That's 
a  big  part  of  the  purpose  of  these  columns. 
You  men  are  urged  to  use  'em ! 


A  Projectionist-Soldier 
Presents  His  Workshop 

these  days  the  "work- 
shops" of  projectionists,  which  most  of 
you  like  to  look  at  from  time  to  time,  in- 
clude those  which  are  bringing  much  ap- 
preciated screen  entertainment  to  the  men 
of  our  armed  services.  Reproduced  here 
is  a  picture  sent  in   by  Sgt.  James  R. 


Sanders,  Jr.,  who  is  in  charge  of  projection 
at  MacDill  Field,  Tampa,  Fla.  Accom- 
panying it  is  a  letter  telling  us  something 
about  Sgt.  Sanders'  equipment.  Incident- 
ally, our  soldier-projectionist  comes  natur- 
ally by  both  of  his  current  activities,  for  he 
says : 

"I  started  in  projection  in  1936,  at  Fort 
Bliss,  Tex.  My  father  is  in  the  Army  and 
has  been  for  the  last  24  years,  and  he  was 
an  old-time  projectionist.  I  guess  that  I 
inherited  the  bug  from  him,  but  I  started 
when  I  was  just  thirteen  years  old  and 
have  been  at  it  ever  since. 

"I  joined  the  Army  just  five  days  after 
Pearl  Harbor.  I  hold  the  job  of  chief  pro- 
jectionist at  both  theatres  on  this  air  base. 
Our  main  theatre  is  the  early  Army  stan- 
dard type  (TH-3).  We  have  1,108  seats 
on  a  single  floor;  154  seats  in  the  rear  are 
reserved  for  officers  and  for  enlisted  men 
with  wives.  I  have  Simplex  E-7  projector 
heads,  Simplex  soundheads,  Peerless  Mag- 
narc  lamps,  and  Robbin-Imperial  motor- 
generator.  The  throw  is  about  120  feet, 
and  our  RCA  screen  measures  16^x22 
feet.  I  am  using  434-inch  Superlight  lenses. 

"I  notice  that  there  is  quite  a  bit ,  of 
controversy  over  the  article  in  your  col- 
umns on  using  tape  on  the  hubs  in  the  take- 
up  magazine.  I  have  used  this  method  ever 

since  it  came  out  and  it  hasn't  failed  me 
J? 

once. 

The  Conclusion  that  Didn't 
Conclude—with  Apologies 

we  have  had  quite  a 
few  messages  from  readers  asking  us  about 
the  finish  of  the  letter  from  Don  Ritchey 
in  the  June  29th  issue  which  was  lopped 


:■ 


Those  who  bought  Simplex  High  Lamps  know 
that  it  stands  for  the  utmost  in  projection 
lighting. 

Although  production  of  new  lamps  has  been 
discontinued  for  the  duration,  it's  a  good  name 
to  remember  for  the  future. 

THE  COPPER  DRIVE  IS  ON! 

America  needs  more  copper  for  producing 
ammunition.  We  must  save  all  the  drippings  and 
strippings  from  carbons.  Wasting  even  a  small 
part  is  the  equivalent  of  withholding  bullets  for 
the  guns  of  our  fighting  men.  And  you  wouldn't 
do  that! 

Do  not  hesitate  to  call  us  when  in  need  of 
parts  or  service  on  any  type  of  equipment. 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY 

Division  of  National — g&g0&-  — Bludworth,  Inc. 
THERE'S  A  BRANCH  NEAR  YOU 


_ 


_ 


June    26,  1943 


BETTER    TH  EATRES 


85 


off,  sudden-like,  in  the  middle  of  the  wind- 
up.  The  printer  had  failed,  in  the  course 
of  a  last-minute  mechanical  change,  to 
make  a  "kill,"  which  in  printer's  language 
means  to  remove  certain  lines  in  order  to 
make  room  for  others.  Well,  in  the  rush 
of  things,  this  wasn't  done,  so  the  three 
or  four  lines  remaining  were  omitted.  Mr. 
Ritchey  wound  up  his  letter  with  a  word 
or  two  in  praise  of  the  Bluebook;  and  I 
added  a  sentence  to  tell  him  that  the  mazda 
lamp  trouble  he  was  reporting  was  due  to 
a  defective  lamp,  which  should  be  returned 
for  replacement. 

Projection  in  Australia 
Has  Its  Troubles,  Too! 

AN      INTERESTING  letter 

arrives  from  Australia,  written  on  Red 
Cross  stationery,  from  Pvt.  M.  L.  Mor- 
purgo,  a  projectionist,  who  certainly  has 
been  getting  around  since  he  started  work- 
ing for  Uncle  Sam.  It  reads: 

"A  lot  of  things  have  happened  since 
the  last  time  I  saw  you.  Since  that  time 
I  have  run  shows  in  many  camps  from  New 
Jersey  (Camp  Edison,  Camp  Wood  and 
Fort  Monmouth)  to  the  underside  of  the 
world.  In  Jersey  I  handled  Bell  &  Howell 
16-mm.,  Victor  16-mm.,  and  Simplex  E-7's 
with  Peerless  lamps.  From  Jersey  I  was 
sent  to  Charleston,  S.  C,  where  we  had 
Holmes  Educator  (35-mm.)  and  Strong 
(baby-18  amps.)  lamps. 

"From  South  Carolina  I  traveled  a  bit 
and  now  am  in  the  country  down  below 
you.  Here  in  Australia  most  of  the  camDs 
use  16-mm.  equipment,  either  Ampro  or 
Kodascope.  Some  camps  have  standard 
35-mm.  equipment,  but  most  projectors 
are  of  foreign  make  and  very  antiquated. 
Two  I  have  seen  employed  are  British 
Kalee  heads  and  arcs  and  Raycophone 
(Australian)  soundheads.  The  other 
standard  projector  is  one  of  German  make, 
AEG.  Soundheads,  amplifier  and  arc  are 
by  the  same  manufacturer. 

"The  results  obtained  from  this  pro- 
jector are  satisfactory.  It  has  single-bear- 
ing intermittent  movement,  rear  shutter 
and  belt  drive.  The  arc  is  hand-fed,  using 
copper-coated  trim.  Satisfactory  light  is 
obtained,  considering  it  is  an  a.c.  arc,  and 
the  light  is  fairly  steady.  This  projector  is 
open  from  the  upper  magazine  down  to 
the  takeup  magazine.  The  PEC  is  en- 
closed in  a  revolving  drum. 

"Splicers,  either  Griswold  or  block,  are 
sorely  needed  here ;  the  same  applies  to 


film  cement.  After  a  print  leaves  an  ex- 
change here  it  does  not  return  until  it  has 
completed  its  tour.  This  takes  anywhere 
from  twelve  to  fifteen  months.  Conditions 
in  exchanges  are  exteremely  poor  pertain- 
ing to  the  handling  of  prints.  From  what 
I  have  seen  most  exchanges  have  but  one 
broken  down  splicer  (Paramount  has  two 
good  ones,  B.  &  H.)  and  two  examiners. 
Examining  is  left  up  to  the  projectionists 
as  a  print  is  shipped  from  house  to  house 
on  a  circuit  tour. 

"In  the  northern  states  and  in  the  bush, 
projectionists  employed  in  many  instances 
are  girls,  or  more  often  are  15-  and  16-year 
old  boys.  Damage  to  prints  is  caused 
mostly  through  carelessness  and  inefficiency 
on  the  part  of  these  'projectionists.' 


"In  the  exchanges  the  reels  are  laid  on 
the  floors  of  the  vaults.  Everything  is 
shipped  on  thousand-foot  reels.  Exceptions 
to  this  are  the  prints  which  make  the  city 
houses  or  camp  theatres.  In  this  case 
the  show  is  made  up  on  2,000-foot  wooden 
spools.  These  'spools'  are  rented  and  re- 
rented  until  they  actually  fall  apart.  I 
am  not  exaggerating  when  I  say  some  of 
these  prints  actually  have  splices  every  foot 
apart  from  beginning  to  end  of  the  feature 
— and  you  should  see  some  of  the  splices ! 
About  everything  but  bailing  wire  is  used 
to  make  them. 

"Well,  keep  up  the  good  work  at  home. 
Let  those  working  now  know  they  have 
very  little  to  complain  about.  If  we  can 
carry  on  with  what  we  have  to  carry  on 


TIRELESS  TEACHER  BY  DAY.. 


Precision  projectors  such  as 
these  assure  men  of  the 
United  States  Navy  day- 
time instruction,  leisure- 
time  entertainment.  At 
world-scattered  bases  and 
on  the  high  seas  day-in, 
day-out  performance  is  the 
rule  rather  than  the  excep- 
tion. Mechanisms  as  well 
as  men  must  have  inbuilt  or 
inborn  in  them  that  extra 
something  that  War  demands.  It  is 
this  type  of  motion  picture  sound 
equipment   that   won   for  DeVRY 


Buill  in  Sound  Head  (with 
rotary  sound  stabilizer) 
assures  microscopic 
synchronization  of  sound 
track  and  image. 


workers  the  Army-Navy 
"E."  It  is  this  type  of  mo- 
tion picture  sound  equip- 
ment for  which  you  will  be 
looking  when  Peace  comes. 
Keep  your  eye  on  DeVRY! 
DeVRY  CORP.,  1108  Ar- 
mitage  Ave.,  Chicago.  Pic- 
ture is  one  of  two  installa- 
tions at  U.S.N.  Reserve 
Aviation  Station,  Glenview, 
III.  Seats  2,500.  Projection 
throw  125  feet.  Equipment:  DeVRY 
Super-Endurance  Projector  and  De~ 
VRT  Sound  System, 


WORLD'S  MOST  COMPLETE  LINE  OF  MOTION  PICTURE  SOUND  EQUIPMENT 


No  More  SMPE  Journals 

In  a  recent  issue  of  Better  Theatres 
I  told  you  I  had  back  numbers  of  the 
Society  of  Motion  Picture  Engineers 
"Journals"  which  I  was  willing  to  send 
to  any  who  wanted  them.  Sorry,  boys, 
they're  all  gone. 


86 


BETTER  THEATRES 


June    26,  1943 


PROJECTOR  REPLACEMENT 

PARTS  L  WENZEL 


Another  Wenzel 
Accomplishment. . 
A  NEW  SHOCK-ABSORBING 

INTERMEDIATE  GEAR 
FOR  PROJECTORS 

(Patents  Pending) 


.w 


A  development  of  importance 
to  you.  Write  for  details 


While  war  orders  must 
naturally  come  first 
please  bear  in  mind  that 
we  can  still  supply  stand- 
ard 35  MM.  projec- 
tor replacement  parts. 
Wenzel  precision,  quality 
parts  are  available  to  the- 
atres exclusively  through 
their  supply  dealers.  We 
cannot  sell  direct.  How- 
ever, we  invite  you  to 
write  us  for  our  valuable, 
comprehensive  catalog 
WC  II.  Please  mention 
name  of  your  independent 
supply  dealer  and  catalog 
will    be    sent  promptly. 


WENZEL 

PROJECTOR  COMPANY 

^^^W^^'        2505-19  S.  STATE  STREET 
' i  mSr<Jitx         CHICAGO.  ILLINOIS 


Keep  posted  for  post-war 
planning— READ  THE  ADS! 


with,  surely  those  of  you  who  are  still 
lucky  enough  to  be  on  the  job  at  home 
can  do  a  major  job  with  no  complaints  at 
all.  .  .  .  By  the  way,  we  surely  do  need 
a  JBluebook  or  two,  or  six,  down  here!" 
• 

LIGHT   ON   YOUR  SCREEN 

{Continued  from  page  81) 

That  is,  illumination  is  measured  in 
ioot-candles ;  brightness  is  measured  in  foot- 
lamberts. 

The  light  from  your  projector  is  meas- 
ured in  ioot-candles  at  the  point  at  which 
it  falls  upon,  or  illuminates,  your  screen. 

The  light  reflected  from  your  screen  is 
measured  in  ioot-lamberts  and  represents 
your  screen  brightness. 

For  example,  if  you  placed  a  light  meter 
at  the  center  of  your  screen,  facing  the  pro- 
jection room,  and  found  that  you  had  10 
foot-candles  of  light  falling  upon  your 
screen,  you  would  then  say  you  had  a 
screen  illumination  of  10  foot-candles  at 
the  center. 

If  your  screen  were  new,  it  would  reflect 
about  75%  of  the  light  thrown  upon  it,  so 
you  would  have  7^4  ioot-lamberts  of  light 
reflected  from  the  screen.  You  would  then 
say  you  had  a  screen  brightness  of  7^  foot- 
lamberts  at  the  center. 

Let's  suppose  you  replaced  your  screen 
with  black  paper  which  only  reflected  5% 
of  the  light.  You  would  then  say  you  had 
a  screen  illumination  of  10  foot-candles 
at  the  center,  and  a  screen  brightness  of 
half  a  foot-lambert  at  the  center. 

The  relationship  of  foot  candles  to  foot- 
lamberts  is  controlled  by  the  reflective  effi- 
ciency of  the  surface  upon  which  a  specified 
amount  of  light  is  thrown.  Since  no  sur- 
face reflectes  all  of  the  light  thrown  upon 
it,  a  foot-lambert  is  never  equal  to  a  foot- 
candle  for  any  given  measurement. 

• 

Index  of  ADVERTISERS 
in    BETTER  THEATRES 

Page 

Altec  Service  Corp   75 

American  Pop  Corn  Co   75 

Artkraft  Sign  Co.,  The   75 

Automatic  Devices  Co   76 


Bausch  &  Lomb  Optical  Co. 

Celotex  Corp.,  The  

DeVry  Corp. 


  83 

  71 

  85 

Forest  Mfg.  Corp   79 

General  Electric  Co.,  Air  Conditioning  Div.  68 

Goldberg  Bros  82-86 

LaVezzi  Machine  Works   79 

Motiograph    81 

National  Carbon  Co.,  Inc   77 

National  Theatre  Supply  Div.  of  National- 

Simplex-Bludworth,  Inc  74-76-79-84-86 

Projection  Optics  Co.,  Inc   76 

Pittsburgh  Plate  Glass  Co   75 

RCA  Service  Co.,  Inc   82 

Radio  Corp.  of  America,  Photophone  Div.  66 
RCA     Theatre     Equipment     Div.,  Radio 

Corp.  of  America   67 

S.  O.  S.  Cinema  Supply  Corp   70 

Strong  Electric  Corp.,  The   80 

Union  Carbide  &  Carbon  Corp   77 

United  States  Plywood  Corp   70 

Wenzel  Projector  Co   86 


QP 


Pli 

H 


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Prices,  Cash,  Taxes,  Costs  of  Features, 
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ROCKEFELLER    CENTER.    NEW  YORK 


June    26,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


In  This  Week: 


SHOWMEN'S  REVIEWS 


ADVANCE  SYNOPSES 


SHORT  SUBJECTS 


SHORT  SUBJECTS  CHART 


THE  RELEASE  CHART 


So  Proudly  We  Hai 

(Paramount) 

Bataan  Heroines 

There  have  been  films  of  men  in  battle,  fight- 
ing with  the  weapons  and  against  the  foes  of 
this  war,  but  it  has  remained  for  a  story  of 
women  to  personalize  the  struggle  in  terms 
wholly  within  the  grasp  of  the  people  at  home. 
This  story  of  nurses  on  Bataan  captures  and 
transmits  the  emotional  experience  of  the  last 
bitter  days  of  Philippine  fighting.  That  it  does 
so  without  portraying  a  battle,  with  small  re- 
course to  melodrama  and  yet  without  softening 
the  hard  core  of  fact,  is  proof  of  the  worthy 
handling  of  an  heroic  subject.  And  the  gal- 
lantry of  the  American  girls,  the  natural  inter- 
mingling of  humor  and  pathos,  the  poignancy 
of  the  love  story,  suggest  a  strong  popular  ap- 
peal that  should  make  itself  felt  at  the  box 
office. 

Mark  Sandrich,  whose  personal  project  the 
film  is  in  large  measure,  has  told  a  story  of 
war  in  terms  of  people,  of  girls  from  typical 
American  homes  who  left  with  no  thought  of 
war,  found  themselves  caught  up  in  it  and  were 
touched  with  the  nobility  of  all  who  served  and 
sacrificed.  They  are  at  sea  when  Pearl  Harbor 
is  attacked.  They  land  in  the  Philippines,  live 
through  the  terror  of  evacuating  wounded 
under  fire  and  fall  back  on  Corregidor. 

Their  leader  finds  love  with  a  young  techni- 
cian and,  flown  under  protest  on  the  last  plane 
to  Australia,  discovers  his  faith  in  a  happier 
future.  The  pretty  flirt  who  carried  a  black 
nightgown  from  base  to  base  is  wooed  and  won 
by  a  brash  and  awkward  Kansan  in  brief  mo- 
ments between  unflagging  service  on  the  Island. 
The  unhappy  girl  with  the  tragic  past  sacrifices 
herself  for  the  safety  of  the  others.  And  the 
little  homesick  one  from  Missouri  realizes  that 
she  has  conquered  her  fear  under  the  patient 
tutelage  of  the  surgeon,  before  both  meet  death. 

These  are  memorable  characterizations  under 
the  sensitive  touch  of  Mr.  Sandrich  as  director 
and  in  the  hands  of  excellent  performers. 
Claudette  Colbert  plays  the  efficient  lieutenant 
who  falls  in  love  against  her  will,  with  admir- 
able poise  and  warmth  of  feeling.  Paulette 
Goddard  combines  pertness  and  sweetness  in  an 
appealing  blend.  The  difficult  and  sombre  part 
given  to  Veronica  Lake  never  rings  quite  true, 
but  Barbara  Britton,  Mary  Servoss,  Mary 
Treen  and  Lorna  Gray  make  individual  and  at- 
tractive personalities  from  briefly  written  roles. 

On  the  male  side,  George  Reeves,  Walter 
Abel,  Ted  Hecht  and  Sonny  Tufts  all  give 
skillful  performances.  Tufts  is  a  newcomer 
whose  corn-fed  Kansan  will  surely  be  succeeded 
by  numerous  and  effective  appearances. 

All  are  helped  immeasurably  by  eminently 
speakable  dialogue  which  rings  at  times  with  a 
sharp  Tightness  that  is  unusual.  Here  credit 
should  be  given  Allen  Scott  for  the  original 
story.  Charles  Lang's  photography,  too,  rates 
warm  praise.  . 

Paramount  has  not  been  overbold  m  taking 


Reviews 


This  department  deals  with 
new  product  from  the  point  of 
view  of  the  exhibitor  who  is 
to  purvey  it  to  his  own  public. 


its  title  from  the  national  anthem.  It's  a  job 
to  be  proud  of. 

Seen  in  the  home  office  projection  room 
where  men  and,  women  were  equally  moved. 
Reviewer's  Rating:  Excellent.  —  E.  A.  Cun- 
ningham. 

Release  date,  Block  6.  Running  time,  126  min. 
PCA  No.  9026.    General  audience  classification. 

Lt.  Janet  Davidson  Claudette  Colbert 

Joan  O'Doul   Paulette  Goddard 

Olivia  D'Arcy   Veronica  Lake 

Lt.  Sumners   George  Reeves 

Barbara  Britton,  Walter  Abel,  Sonny  Tufts,  M'ary 
Servoss,  Ted  Hecht.  Dick  Hogan,  Dr.  H.  H.  Chang, 
James  Bell,  Lorna  Gray,  Dorothy  Adams,  Kitty  Kelly, 
Bill  Goodwin,  Mary  Treen,  Helen  Lynd,  Jean  Willes, 


Dixie 


(Paramount) 
Romance  in  Blackface 

The  idea  around  which  Paramount  has  built 
the  new  Bing  Crosby  musical  is  an  engaging 
one — the  birth  of  the  old-time  minstrel  show. 
It  is  a  "natural"  for  Technicolor,  for  veteran 
comedians  like  Lynne  Overman,  Raymond  Wal- 
burn  and  Eddie  Foy,  Jr.,  and  allows  room  for 
attractive  troupers  like  Dorothy  Lamour  and 
Marjorie  Reynolds  in  pre-Civil  War  hoop- 
skirts.  Produced  on  a  lavish  scale  under  the 
practiced  hand  of  Paul  Jones,  it  should  make 
lively  fare  for  the  summer  season. 

The  father  of  the  minstrel  show,  one  Dan 
Emmett  of  Ohio,  was  a  composer  by  talent,  a 
"play  actor"  by  trade  and  a  man  beset  by  holo- 
causts, if  the  screenplay  of  Karl  Tunberg,  Dar- 
rell  Ware  and  Claude  Binyon  from  a  story 
by  William  Rankin  has  any  basis  in  fact.  Three 
colorful  blazes  mark  turning  points  in  his 
career.  Because  of  the  first  he  is  forced  to 
start  making  a  living,  with  the  second  he  turns 
from  the  musical  stage  to  composing,  and  the 
third  puts  over  his  big  hit,  "Dixie,"  when  the 
tempo  is  stepped  up  to  keep  the  audience  from 
smelling  smoke. 

A  change  of  pace  might  have  improved  some 
of  the  earlier  scenes,  too,  when  honor  has  its 
time-worn  battle  with  love  and  Crosby  marries 
the  pretty  girl  in  the  wheel  chair  despite  the 
charms  of  Dorothy  Lamour.  But  gay  and  tune- 
ful music  sung  in  the  popular  Crosby  manner, 
and  amusing  dance  and  patter  routines  in  color- 
ful stage  settings  quickly  restore  the  light- 
hearted  touch. 

Four  new  tunes  by  Johnny  Burke  and  James 


Van  Heusen — two  ballads,  "If  You  Please"  and 
"Sunday,  Monday  and  Always,"  a  buggy-riding 
ditty,  "A  Horse  That  Knows  the  Way  Back 
Home,"  which  may  be  timely  once  again,  and 
the  lively  "She's  from  Missouri" — stand  out 
among  older  favorites,  of  which  the  title  song, 
and  "Swing  Low,  Sweet  Chariot,"  receive 
memorable  treatment. 

A.  Edward  Sutherland,  as  director,  shares 
honors  with  Raoul  Pene  du  Bois,  who  designed 
the  sets,  and  William  C.  Mellor,  who  handled 
the  excellent  color  photography. 

Previewed  in  the  home  office  projection 
room.    Reviewer's  Rating  :  Good. — E.A.C. 

Release  date,  Block  6.  Running  time,  89  min.  PCA 
No.  8953.     General  audience  classification. 

Dan  Emmett   Bing  Crosby 

Millie  Cook   Dorothy  Lamour 

Mr.  Bones   Billy  de  Wolfe 

Jean   Mason   Marjorie  Reynolds 

Lynne  Overman.  Raymond  Walburn,  Eddie  Foy,  Jr., 
Grant  Mitchell,  Clara  Blandick,  Tom  Herbert,  Olin 
Howard,  Robert  Warwick,  Fortunio  Bonanova. 


Sub 


marine 


Alert 


(  Paramount ) 

Of  Ships  That  Sink  in  the  Night 

From  a  standing  start  in  which  Jap  torpedoes 
sink  tanker  after  tanker,  to  a  screaming  finale 
in  which  the  FBI  rescues  hero  and  heroine 
from  a  broiling  death  in  a  steam  chamber,  this 
melodrama  makes  good  that  promise  of  action 
and  thrill  which  the  production  signature  of 
William  Pine  and  William  Thomas  telegraphs 
to  the  customers.  The  picture  combines  the 
best  of  the  serial  technique  with  a  plentiful 
application  of  tactics  developed  in  the  espion- 
age school  of  topical  material,  stretching 
plausibility  to  the  snapping  point  but  never 
quite  snapping  it. 

The  script  by  Maxwell  Shane  depicts  the  de- 
vices by  which  enemy  agents  on  our  coast, 
Germans  and  Japs  working  together,  obtained 
and  communicated  to  submarines  off  shore  the 
sailing  times  and  routes  of  tankers  leaving  port 
unescorted.  The  devices  are  amply  credible  and 
the  means  by  which  the  FBI  detects  and  ap- 
prehends the  enemy  agents,  functioning  through 
a  radio  expert  who  doesn't  know  he's  being 
used,  provide  a  wealth  of  interest  and  an  abun- 
dance of  suspense. 

Richard  Arlen  plays  the  unwitting  tool  of 
the  enemy  and  Wendy  Barrie  the  FBI  girl  who 
pretends  to  fall  in  love  with  him  and  does  so  in 
fact. 

Frank  McDonald  keeps  the  action  spinning 
along  swiftly  without  losing  the  narrative  at 
any  point. 

Previewed  at  the  studio.  Reviewer's  Rating : 
Good. 

Release  date,  Block  6.  Running  time,  67  min.  PCA 
No.  8594.     General  audience  classification. 

Lee  Deerhold   Richard  Arlen 

Ann  Patterson   Wendy  Barrie 

Nils  Asther,  Roger  Pryor,  Abner  Biberman,  Marc 
Lawrence,  John  Miljan,  Patsy  Nash,  Ralph  Sanford, 
Dwight  Frye,  Edward  Earle,  William  Bakewell,  Stan- 
ley Smith. 


Product  Digest  Section  1385 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    26,  1943 


Colt  Comrades 

(United  Artists  -  Sherman ) 

Hoppy  At  His  Best 

"A  bunch  of  the  boys  were  whooping  it  up  in 
the  Malamute  saloon"  when  Hopalong  Cassidy 
and  his  side-kicks  chased  a  killer  into  the  place, 
shot  and  battled  it  out  with  him,  turned  him 
over  to  the  sheriff  and  then  saw  him  slain  by 
the  town's  leading  citizen  for  reasons  of  his 
own. 

This  addition  to  the  Harry  Sherman  caval- 
cade of  Cassidys  starts  off  as  per  above  and 
proceeds  at  approximately  that  pace  for  all  of 
its  66  minutes,  providing  the  while  a  firmly 
written  and  fittingly  told  story  fully  warranting 
the  ridin',  shootin'  and  fightin'  involved. 

At  the  core  of  the  script  by  Michael  Wilson 
is  a  matter  of  land  grabbing  and  water  rights, 
but  it's  by  no  means  the  whole  of  the  narrative. 
Guns  speak  their  pieces  aplenty  but  the  char- 
acters confine  their  speaking  to  lines  that  say 
something,  whether  vital  or  humorous,  that  ad- 
vances the  tale. 

William  Boyd,  Andy  Clyde  and  Jay  Kirby 
have  never  played  together  with  better  effect, 
and  Victor  lory's  bad  man  is  one  of  his  best. 

Direction  by  Lesley  Selander  is  tip-top. 
Lewis  Rachmil  aided  Sherman  as  associate 
producer. 

Previewed  at  the  studio,  where  a  press  and 
professional  audience  enjoyed  the  film  to  the 
extent  of  applauding  it  spontaneously.  Review- 
er's Rating :  Excellent.— William  R.  Weaver. 

Release  date,  June  18,  1943.    Running  time,  67  min. 
PCA  No.  8943.     General  audience  classification. 

Hopalong   Cassidy   William  Boyd 

California   Andy  Clyde 

Jay  Kirby,  George  Reves,  Gayle  Lord,  Earl  Hodg- 
ins,  Victor  Jory,  Douglas  Fowley,  Herbert  Rawlin- 
son.  i 

Guadalajara 

(Maya  Film) 
Mexican  Musical 

Akin  to  our  musical  westerns,  this  presents 
the  Mexican  equivalent  of  our  cowboy,  the 
"charro,"  a  hard  worker,  hard  drinker,  and 
hard  lover  who  is,  above  all,  musical.  The  lat- 
er word  is  the  key  to  this  picture,  with  a 
ballad,  solo  or  group,  in  every  other  scene,  tell- 
ing of  loneliness,  patriotism,  unrequited  or  re- 
warded love. 

Stars  of  the  proceedings  are  Pedro  Armen- 
dariz  and  Esperanza  Baur,  whom  he  loves,  but 
who  is  betrothed  instead  to  handsome  and  so- 
cially acceptable  Jorge  Velez.  Pedro,  a  humble 
worker  on  Esperanza's  ranch,  is  shy,  but  Es- 
peranza loves  him,  and  fights  the  coming  mar- 
riage with  Jorge,  who  loves  someone  else.  The 
marriage  is  arranged,  but  comes  off  differently 
because  of  the  interest  and  conspiracy  of  the 
principals  and  the  local  judge,  Joaquin  Pardava. 
He  marries  Pedro  to  Esperanza  and  Jorge  to 
Rosita  Lepe,  whom  Jorge  loves,  and  all  are 
happy  except  the  parents. 

Woven  along  with  the  songs  into  this  simple 
tale  are  details  of  Mexican  ranch  life :  the  mak- 
ing of  baskets  and  of  tortillas,  the  life  in  the 
marketplace,  and  a  local  rodeo. 

English  titles  are  plentiful  and  adequate,  and 
translate  the  numerous  songs,  among  which  are 
"Guadalajara,"  "Jalisco  Nunca  Pierde"  and  "El 
Mariachi." 

This  is  a  re-make  of  "Jalisco  Nunca  Pierde," 
by  the  Azteca  Studios,  of  Mexico  City. 

Seen  in  the  World  theatre,  New  York  City, 
where  a  weekday  matinee  audience  familiar  with 
the  language  appreciated  the  numerous  comical 
comments  of  certain  characters,  especially  Cha- 
flan,  with  great  laughter.  Reviewer's  Rating ; 
Good. — Floyd  Elbert  Stone. 

Release  date,  June  11,  1943.    Running  time,  100  min. 
General  audience  classification. 

Pedro  Armendariz   Pedro 

Chaflan   Meliton 

Esperanza  Baur   Hortensia 

Joaquin  Pardava,  Jorge  Valez,  Emma  Roldan,  Rosita 
Lepe,  Lorenzo  Barcelata. 


PRC  REISSUES 
LADD  FILM 

Producers  Releasing  Corp.  has  in- 
cluded in  its  release  schedule  under 
the  title  "Gangs,  Inc."  the  film  orig- 
inally released  in  1941  as  "Paper 
Bullets".  This  is  one  of  the  early 
Alan  Ladd  pictures  which  billed  Joan 
Woodbury  and  Jack  LaRue  as  the 
leads  in  its  first  appearance.  The 
story  is  gangster  melodrama  of  the 
type  popularly  associated  with  Ladd. 
The  reviewer  in  Motion  Picture 
Herald,  issue  of  June  7,  1941,  stated: 
"It  is  fast  moving  and  can  take  its 
place  on  the  basis  of  quality  among 
the  better  types  of  crime  melo- 
drama." 


Get  Going 

(Universal) 

Girls  Town  with  Music 

The  state  of  Washington,  D.  C,  with  its  ex- 
cess of  girls  and  jobs  and  scarcity  of  living 
quarters  and  men,  forms  the  basis  for  another 
bright  comedy,  done  on  a  modest  budget  but 
with  a  good  share  of  charm  and  fun.  Jean 
Yarbrough's  excellent  direction  sets  the  breezy 
pace,  and  engaging  performances  by  Grace  Mc- 
Donald, Robert  Paige,  Vera  Vague  and  Walter 
Catlett  keep  the  story  fresh  and  merry. 

The  tale  of  a  small  town  girl  who  escapes 
to  Washington  from  an  aggressive  admirer,  pre- 
tends to  be  a  spy  to  gain  a  man's  attention  and 
finally  uncovers  some  genuine  intrigue  might 
very  well  have  been  otherwise.  But  this  is 
merely  the  framework  for  situations  with  a 
novel  twist,  for  dialogue  which  crackles  more 
often  than  not  and  for  incidental  musical  turns 
which  spark  the  story  when  it  threatens  to 
drag. 

Grace  McDonald  plays  straight  comedy  in 
the  central  role  and  does  a  creditable  job.  Vera 
Vague,  still  frantically  engaged  in  man-hunt- 
ing, proves  her  ability  with  a  more  sympathetic 
part  than  usual.  Robert  Paige,  Walter  Cat- 
lett and  Frank  Faylen  rise  above  the  female 
preponderance  manfully,  and  a  young  singer, 
Maureen  Cannon,  puts  over  two  songs  with  a 
nice  balance  of  talent  and  energy. 

William  Cowan  is  listed  as  associate  produc- 
er, and  Warren  Wilson  wrote  the  original 
screenplay. 

Seen  in  the  home  office  projection  room.  Re- 
viewer's Rating  :  Good. — E.  A.  C. 

Release  date,  June  25,  1943.  Running  time,  60  min. 
PCA  No.  9350.    General  audience  classification. 

Judy  King  Grace  McDonald 

Bob  Carlton  Robert  Paige 

Tillie   Vera  Vague 

Walter  Catlett,  Maureen  Canno,  Lois  Collier,  Milburn 
Stone,  Frank  Faylen,  Jennifer  Holt,  Nana  Bryant, 
Claire  Whitney,  Wally  Vernon. 

Henry  Aldrich  Swings  It 

( Paramount ) 
Henry  in  the  Groove 

Henry  Aldrich,  that  perennial  juvenile  whose 
pranks,  concocted  by  Paramount,  afford  audi- 
ences much  amusement  and  frequently  some 
nostalgic  moments,  is  on  the  screen  again.  This 
time  he  is  the  troublesome  adolescent  caught  in 
the  midst  of  a  high  school  fracas  involving  the 
principles  of  swing  music  versus  serious,  or 
"long  hair,"  as  the  hep  cats  have  it. 

Henry  falls  in  love  with  his  music  teacher  at 
school  and  through  this  emotional  upset  be- 
comes involved  in  a  feud  between  the  teacher 
and  the  school  principal.    As  the  plot  develops, 


Henry  is  accused  of  stealing  a  valuable  Stradi- 
varius  from  a  famous  violinist  who  honors  the 
school  with  a  personal  appearance.  More  diffi- 
culties ensue,  adding  to  Henry's  wrinkled  brow 
and  Dizzy's  uncontrollable  vocal  eruptions, 
when  Henry's  mother  mistakes  Mr.  Aldrich's 
interest  in  the  young  music  teacher  for  love. 
Naturally,  Henry  eventually  extricates  himself 
and  is  restored  to  the  bosom  of  his  family  and 
to  the  good  graces  of  his  teachers  and  school 
chums. 

Mimi  Chandler,  daughter  of  A.  B.  "Happy" 
Chandler,  former  governor  of  Kentucky  and 
now  U.  S.  Senator,  makes  her  appearance  as 
Mimi  Gray,  the  serious  music  student  who  is  in 
love  with  Henry.  She  is  pert,  pretty  and  ade- 
quate in  this  role.  Jimmy  Lydon  and  Charles 
Smith,  as  Henry  and  Dizzy,  respectively,  re- 
peat their  former  performances.  Marian  Hall 
plays  a  charming  music  teacher.  Vaughan 
Glaser  is  good  as  the  principal  and  John  Litel 
and  Olive  Blakeney,  as  Henry's  father  and 
mother,  turn  in  excellent  performances.  Bev- 
erly Hudson,  a  new  comer  in  the  art  of  taking 
a  tune  and  putting  it  in  the  groove,  has  a  brief 
bit  singing,  "Ding,  Dong,  Sing  a  Song,"  writ- 
ten by  Jule  Styne  and  Kim  Gannon. 

Although  the  plot  is  a  light  skirmish  in 
screen  comedy  and  the  direction  lags  in  a  few 
sequences,  the  picture,  on  the  whole,  should 
prove  entertaining  to  the  scores  of  "Henry 
Aldrich"  screen  and  radio  fans.  There  are 
plenty  of  laughs  and  some  good  music  to  pro- 
vide warm-weather  relaxation. 

Walter  MacEwen  produced  the  film  which 
was  directed  by  Hugh  Bennett.  Val  Burton 
and  Muriel  Roy  Bolton  wrote  the  original 
screenplay. 

Previewed  at  the  Paramount  home  office  pro- 
jection room.  Reviewer's  Rating:  Fair. — J.  E. 
Samuelson. 

Release  date,  Block  6.  Running  time,  65  min.  PCA 
No.  9027.    General  audience  classification. 

Henry  Aldrich   Jimmy  Lydon 

Dizzy  Stevens   Charles  Smith 

Mimi  Chandler,  Vaughn  Glaser,  Marian  Hall,  Beverly 
Hudson,  John  Litel,  Olive  Blakeney,  Fritz  Feld. 


The  Life  of  Simon  Bolivar 

(  Grovas-Mohme) 

Latin  American  History 

Two  and  a  half  hours  of  the  life  story  of 
Latin  America's  great  liberator  unfold  in  this 
Mexican  film  which  Gilbert  Josephson,  inde- 
pendent importer,  presented  to  the  U.  S.  with 
English  subtitles  at  the  Belmont  theatre,  New 
York. 

It  is  a  pretentious  pagent,  telling  episodically 
the  high  points  of  Bolivar's  leadership  of  the 
revolt  against  Spain.  The  film  is  of  unques- 
tioned interest  to  Latin  American  audiences,  but 
it  presupposes  a  knowledge  of  Spanish  Ameri- 
can history,  and  patience  with  detail  and  slowly 
moving  story  not  likely  to  be  found  in  U.  S. 
audiences,  even  at  the  "art"  theatres. 

Bolivar's  personal  life,  and  military  and 
political  careers  are  told  in  a  series  of  incidents. 
There  are  lapses  through  the  long  revolution- 
ary period  of  the  1820's  which  make  the  story 
difficult  to  follow.  The  battles  for  Ecuador, 
Venezuela,  Peru,  Colombia  and  the  other  re- 
publics are  depicted  with  galloping  pageantry, 
powder  smoke  and  many  extras.  There  is  a 
sketchy  love  story.  But  speech-making  dulls 
these  colorful  moments. 

Production  is  on  a  greater  scale  than  has 
been  seen  hitherto  from  Mexico  City's  studios. 
The  extent  of  the  Grovas  investment  and  tech- 
nical aid  from  Hollywood  are  apparent.  Mig- 
uel Contreras  Torres  wrote  and  directed  with 
concern  for  detail.  Don  Cornelio  Hispano, 
Bolivar's  biographer,  added  historical  docu- 
mentation. Julian  Soler,  who  plays  the  title 
role  with  dignity,  stands  out  in  a  large  cast. 
English  subtitles  are  undistinguished  and  often 
incomplete. 

Bolivar's  epic  story  could  be  presented  to  the 
theatrical  screen  with  more  dramatic  interest. 

Revieived  at  the  Belmont  theatre,  New  York. 
The  audience,  mostly  Spanish  speaking,  was 


I  386  Product  Digest  Section 


MOTION    PICTU  RE  HERALD 

SHORT  SUBJECTS 

reviews  and  synopses 


June    26,  1943 

not  demonstrative.  Reviewer's  Rating:  Fair. — 
John  Stuart,  Jr. 

Release  date,  June  17,  1943.  Running  time,  152  min. 
General  audience  classification. 

Simon  Bolivar   Julian  Soler 

Manuelita   Marina  Tamaya 

Josefina  Machado   Margarita  Mora 

Carlos  Orellana,  Domingo  Soler,  Anita  Blanh,  Fran- 
cisco Jambrina  Carlos  Moctezuma,  Julio  Villarreal, 
Pedro  Armendartz,  Carmen  Molina  and  Tito  Junco. 

Alaska  Highway 

(Paramount) 
Brother  vs.  Brother 

This  is  a  story  of  brother  against  brother  in 
competition  for  the  hand  of  a  girl  who  knows 
which  one  she  wants  but  refrains  from  making 
it  altogether  plain  until  the  brothers,  who  are 
engineers  engaged  in  building  the  Alcan  high- 
way, get  their  work  attended  to.  It  is  no  great 
shakes  as  stories  go,  when  they  come  from  the 
skilled  hands  of  Maxwell  Shane  for  the  produc- 
tion uses  of  William  Pine  and  William  Thomas, 
but  it  serves  to  utilize  as  background  a  road- 
building  job  which  is  something  to  contemplate 
in  fact  but  rather  too  much  for  the  camera  to 
capture.  In  consequence,  the  picture  is  a  let- 
down for  the  Pine-Thomas  organization,  al- 
though the  title  and  background  do  bear  their 
stamp  of  exploitability. 

Richard  Arlen  and  Bill  Henry  play  the 
brothers,  neither  improving  on  past  perform- 
ances, and  Jean  Parker  portrays  the  girl  of 
their  hearts.  The  brothers  take  turns  in  de- 
ciding to  quit  the.  project,  to  the  distress  of 
their  father,  who  is  also  their  superior  officer. 
Incidental  comedy  by  Ralph  Sanford  and  Eddie 
Quillan  brighten  some  moments. 

Frank  McDonald's  direction  maintains  a  de- 
gree of  motion  but  no  momentum. 

Previewed  at  the  studio.  Reviewer's  Rating : 
Mediocre.— W.R.W. 

Release  date,  Block  6.  Running  time,  66  min.  PCA 
No.   9313.     General  audience  classification. 

Woody  Ormsby   Richard  Arlen 

Steve  Ormsby   Bill  Henry 

Ann  Caswell   Jean  Parker 

Ralph  Sanford,  Joe  Sawyer,  John  Wegman,  Harry 
Shannon,  Edward  Earle,  Keith  Richards,  Eddie  Quil- 
lan. 

Wings  Over  the  Pacific 

(Monogram) 
War  Melodrama 

Another  drama  of  a  South  Pacific  island, 
where  war  can  be  limited  to  the  struggle  among 
a  few  principal  characters,  this  has  moments 
of  action  to  recommend  it  but  suffers  from  trite- 
ness in  plot  and  treatment.  It  should  offer 
some  support  on  an  action  bill,  however,  despite 
the  lack  of  marquee  names. 

War  comes  to  the  small  island  when  both 
parties  to  a  dogfight,  an  American  lieutenant 
and  a  German  pilot,  land  on  its  shores.  They 
are  taken  in  by  the  trader  and  his  daughter, 
joined  by  a  Nazi  agent  in  the  guise  of  a  Dutch 
trader,  and  the  stage  is  set.  A  contingent  of 
Japanese  troops  lands  and  is  wiped  out  by  the 
islanders  before  contact  is  made  with  Ameri- 
can forces.  By  that  time,  of  course,  romance 
has  flowered  between  the  American  and  the 
trader's  daughter. 

Inez  Cooper  and  Edward  Norris  are  satisfac- 
tory as  the  romantic  couple,  while  the  veteran 
actors,  Montagu  Love  and  Robert  Armstrong, 
essay  the  heavier  roles  of  the  opposing  traders. 
All  are  somewhat  hampered  by  the  patterned 
characters  and  dialogue. 

Lindsley  Parsons  produced  and  Phil  Rosen 
directed  from  an  original  screenplay  by  George 
Sayre. 

Seen  at  the  New  York  theatre.  Reviewer's 
Rating:  Mediocre. 

Release  date,  June  25,  1943.  Running  time,  60  min. 
PCA  No.  9280.    General  audience  classification. 


Nona   Inez  Cooper 

Allan   Edward  Norris 

Butler   Montagu  Love 

Pieter   Robert  Armstrong 


Henry  Guttman,  Ernie  Adams,  Satini  Pauiloa,  John 
Roth,  James  Lono,  Hawksha  Paia,  George  Kamel, 
Alex  Havier. 


MESSAGE  FROM  MALTA  (OWI) 

Victory  Film 

This  is  a  graphic,  moving,  even  inspiring  rec- 
ord of  the  Maltese  and  the  British  on  Malta, 
how  they  adapted  themselves  amid  the  rubble 
of  their  cherished  homes,  schools,  churches, 
museums ;  and  how  they  received,  after  some 
3,000  raids,  the  George  Cross.  The  photog- 
raphy by  regular  British  Army  cameramen  is 
always  competent,  and  sometimes  excellent.  It 
shows  the  faces  of  the  people,  their  activities, 
eating,  working,  playing — and  fighting  back  at 
the  enemy.  Also  of  interest  are  scenes  showing 
the  use  of  airplanes  based  on  the  island.  The 
narration  is  restrained  and  effective.  The  foot- 
age was  edited  in  this  country  by  the  OWI's 
film  suit. — F.  E.  S. 

Release  date,  June  10,  1943  10  minutes 

WAR  TOWN  (OWI) 

Victory  Film 

With  a  camera  attitude  as  dreary  as  the  town 
it  portrays,  this  subject  develops  in  essence  the 
propaganda  note  that  the  Government  is  the 
factor  to  solve  war  housing  problems,  and  that 
it  is  efficient. 

The  short  shows  old  Mobile,  and  new  Mo- 
bile, Ala.,  a  shipbuilding  town  suddenly  filled 
with  150,000  new  workers,  not  knowing  at  first 
where  to  house  and  how  to  feed  them,  and  then 
aided  by  the  Government.  The  War  Produc- 
tion Board,  the  Maritime  Commission  and 
other  agencies  set  up  men's  and  women's  dormi- 
tories, low  cost  group  houses  and  individual 
houses,  trailers,  cafeterias  and  nurseries.  The 
result  is,  the  narrator  says,  that  ships  now  go 
down  the  ways  at  the  rate  of  one  per  week  in- 
stead of  one  every  six  weeks. 

Release  date,  June  24,  1943  10  minutes 

MEN  WORKING  TOGETHER  (Col.) 

America  Speaks  (4963) 

To  point  up  the  message  of  cooperation  in 
the  war  effort,  this  subject  tells  the  story  be- 
hind a  poster — a  picture  of  three  men,  a  soldier, 
a  sailor  and  a  welder.  The  welder  had  ex- 
pressed a  desire  to  meet  his  poster  companions 
and  the  Government  complied.  The  men  in 
uniform  visited  the  plant  where  weapons  were 
being  forged,  met  the  man  behind  the  machine 
and,  in  their  common  interest,  brought  the  pic- 
ture to  life. 

Release  date,  July  1,  1943  10  minutes 

SCREEN  SNAPSHOTS,  NO.  9  (Col.) 

(4859) 

Some  of  the  wartime  activities  of  Hollywood 
personalities  are  pictured  in  this  latest  visit  to 
the  screen  capital.  There  are  glimpses  of  Ann 
Miller,  Marlene  Dietrich,  Rochester  and  a  visit 
to  79  Wistful  Vista  with  Fibber  McGee  and 
Molly. 

Release  date,  May  21,  1943         10  minutes 

TREE  FOR  TWO  (Col.) 

Color  Rhapsody  (4509) 

The  Fox  and  Crow  have  another  set-to  when 
the  wily  one  decides  to  go  in  for  tree  surgery. 
His  idea  is  to  repair  the  tree  which  gives  the 
crow  his  home.  Armed  with  a  bucket  of  cement, 
he  make  i  his  diagnosis  and  prescribes  closing 
the  holes.  But  the  crow  once  more  turns  the 
tables. 

Release  date,  June  21,  1943         7  minutes 


SCENIC  OREGON  (MGM) 

Fitzpatrick  Traveltalk  (T-420) 

The  rugged  beauty  of  our  Northwest  moun- 
tain and  lake  country  is  the  subject  of  James 
Fitzpatrick's  pictorial  survey.  Among  the  spots 
visited  are  the  Columbia  River  with  its  famed 
salmon  ladder,  Crater  Lake  and  the  national 
parks  which  have  preserved  the  natural  beau- 
ties of  the  region  for  the  public. 

Release  date,  June  26,  1943         9  minutes 

WHO  KILLED  WHO?  (MGM) 

Technicolor  Cartoon  (TF-448) 

This  is  heavy  spoofing  of  the  popular  who- 
dunit melodrama.  The  detective  is  very  dili- 
gent and  very  dumb.  The  suspects  are  equally 
innumerable  and  innocent.  But  with  all  the 
clues  and  trails  the  culprit  turns  out  a  complete 
surprise. 

Release  date,  June  5,  1943  8  minutes 

JUNGLE  LAND  (20th-Fox) 

Dribble  Puss  Parade  (3902) 

Lew  Lehr's  familiar  comedy  is  here  directed 
to  a  variety  of  animals.  The  subject  portrays 
the  large  collection  of  beasts  and  birds  at  the 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Zoo,  with  appropriate  or  imperti- 
nent comments  by  the  narrator  of  "Monkey 
Doodle  Dandies,"  the  first  in  the  series  with  the 
same  locale. 

Release  date,  June  4,  1943  9  minutes 

FARM  HANDS  (MGM) 

Our  Gang  (C-495) 

The  youngsters  are  determined  to  do  their 
bit  for  the  farm  problem.  With  more  confidence 
than  skill  they  try  their  hands  at  animals  and 
vegetables.  Their  efforts  are  not  completely 
successful,  in  spite  of  the  very  worthy  motives. 

Release  date,  June  19,  1943         11  minutes 

MEMORIES  OF  AUSTRALIA  (MGM) 

Miniature  (T^-43  8) 

With  Australia  so  important  in  the  news  in 
the  Pacific,  Fitzpatrick  has  compiled  a  series  of 
camera  notes.  The  island  is  shown  in  other 
days  when  peace  and  scenic  beauty  were  prime 
qualities  in  place  of  planes  and  guns. 

Release  date,  June  12,  1943         10  minutes 

MERCHANT  CONVOY  (Col.) 

Panoramic  (4904) 

This  short  subject,  produced  in  England,  tells 
the  story  of  Britain's  new  Merchant  Navy.  It 
follows  the  career  of  a  torpedoed  merchant 
seaman  who  pays  back  his  own  and  his  ship- 
mate's experiences  on  the  sea  by  learning  gun- 
nery and  getting  his  next  U-boat. 

Release  date,  June  11,  1943      10  minutes 

PANDORA'S  BOX  (20th-Fox) 

Terry  Toon  (3  571) 

Pandora,  the  attractive  little  girl  friend  of 
Supermouse,  gives  into  her  curiosity  and  opens 
the  box  left  by  Witch  Hazel.  Three  mice 
scramble  out  to  wreak  havoc  in  the  surround- 
ing country.  But  they  have  not  counted  on 
Supermouse  and  Supercheese,  which  prove  tri- 
umphant once  more. 

Release  date,  June  11,  1943      6l/2  minutes 
(Additional  short  subjects  on  page  1390) 


Product  Digest  Section  1387 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June  26 


9  4  3 


SHORT  SUBJECTS  CHART 

index  to  reviews,  synopses 


COLUMBIA 

Prod.  Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title  Date  Page 

ALL   STAR  COMEDIES 
(Averags   17  Mill.) 

4421  Phony  Cronies   8-27-42  890 

(Brendel) 

4422  Carry   Harry   9-3-42  926 

(Langdon) 

4401  Even  As  I0U  9-18-42  950 

(Stooges) 

4423  Kiss  and  Wake  Up  10-2-42  974 

(Downs) 

4409  College  Belles  10-16-42  998 

(Gloveslinger) 

4424  Sappy  Pappy  10-30-42  1010 

(Clyde) 

4402  Sock-a-bye  Baby   11-13-42  1046 

(Stooges) 

4425  Ham  and  Yeggs  11-27-42  1046 

(Brendel) 

4426  Plane  Mooner   12-11-42  1094 

(Langdon) 

4410  The  Great  Glover  12-25-42  1171 

(Gloverslinger) 

4403  They   Stooge   to   Conga  1-1-43  1094 

(Stooges) 

4427  His   Wedding    Scare  1-15-43  1138 

(Brendel) 

4428  A  Blitz  on  the  Fritz  1-22-43  1171 

(Langdon) 

4404  Dizzy   Detectives   2-5-43  1251 

(Stooges) 

4429  Wolf  in  Thief's  Clothing  .  .2- 12-43  1171 

(Clyde) 

4411  Socks  Appeal   2-19-43  1251 

(Gloveslinger) 

4430  Two    Saplings   3-5-43  1281 

(Givot  and  Nazzarro) 

4431  A  Maid  Made  Mad  3-19-43  1281 

(Clyde) 

4405  Spook   Louder   4-2-43  1251 

(Stooges) 

4432  Blonde  and  Groom  4-16-43  1281 

(Langdon) 

4433  I   Spied  for  You  4-30-43  1281 

(Brendel) 

4412  His  Girl's  Worst  Friend .  .5- 14-43  1329 

(Gloveslinger) 

4406  Back  from  the  Front  5-28-43  1329 

(Stooges) 

4434  My  Wife's  an  Angel  6-11-43  1329 

(Allen  Jenkins) 

4435  Boobs  in  the  Night  6-25-43  1390 

(Brendel) 

4407  Three   Little  Twirps  7-9-43  1390 

(Stooges) 

4436  Here  Comes  Mr.  Zerk  7-23-43 

(Langdon) 

4408  Higher  than  a  Kite  7-30-42 

COLOR  RHAPSODIES 
(7  Minutes) 

4501  Song  of  Victory  9-4-42  926 

4502  Tito's   Guitar   10-30-42  1010 

4503  Toll   Bridge  Troubles  11-27-42  1046 

4504  King  Midas  Junior  12-25-42  1148 

4505  Slay   it  with    Flowers  1-29-43  1138 

4506  There's  Something  About  a 

Soldier   2-26-43  1251 

4507  Professor  Small  and 

Mr.  Tall   3-26-43  1263 

4508  Plenty  Below  Zero  5-14-43  1329 

4509  Tree  for  Two  6-21-43  1387 

4510  He  Can't  Make  It  Stick.  .7-23-43 

4511  A  Hunting  We  Won't  Go. .8-23-43 

PHANTASIES  CARTOONS 
(Average  9  Min.) 

4701  The  Gullible  Canary  9-18-42  950 

4702  The  Dumb  Conscious  Mind. 10-23-42  1010 

4703  Malice  in  Slumberland  ...  1 1-20-42  1046 

4704  Choly  Polly   12-31-42  1171 

4705  The  Vitamin  G  Man  2-5-43  1251 

4706  Kindly  Scram   3-5-43  1227 

4707  Willoughy's  Magic  Hat  4-30-43  1263 

4708  Duty  and  the  Beast  5-28-43  1329 

4709  Mass  Mouse  Meeting  6-25-43  1390 

4710  The  Fly  in  the  Ointment.  .7-23-43 


For  information  on  short  subjects  turn  to  the  Product 
Digest  Section  pages  indicated  by  the  numbers  which 
follow  the  titles  and  release  dates  in  the  listing.  Product 
Digest  pages  are  numbered  consecutively  and  are  sepa- 
rate from  Motion  Picture  Herald  page  numbers.  All 
releases  are  1942-43  product  unless  otherwise  noted. 


Prod.  Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title  Date  Page 

COMMUNITY  SING  (Series  7) 
(9  Minutes) 

4651  No.  I — Rhumba  and  Conga 

Hits   8-15-42  859 

4652  No.  2— "Yankee    Doodler".9- 17-42  950 

4653  No.  3— College   Songs  10-15-42  1010 

4654  No.  4— Service  Songs  11-12-42  1007 

4655  No.  5— 

Songs  of  the  States  12-11-42  1094 

4656  No.  6 — MacDonald's   Son. ..1-1-43  1148 

4657  No.  7— Crosby  Songs  2-18-43  1171 

4658  No.  8— McNamara's  Band.  .3-26-43  1251 

4659  No.  9—  Rosie  the  Riveter.  .5- 14-43  1281 

4660  No.  10 — As  Time  Goes  By. 6-25-43 

QUIZ  REELS 
(Average   10  Min.) 
4601    Kitchen  Quiz  No.  1  8-21-42  899 

PANORAMICS 

(10  Minutes) 

4901  Cajuns  of  the  Teche  8-13-42  856 

(Quaint  Folks  No.  I) 

4902  Oddities  (La  Varre)  10-8-42  998 

4903  Our  Second   Front  12-18-42  1078 

4904  Merchant  Convoy   6-11-43  1387 

TOURS 
(10  Minutes) 

4551  Journey  to  Denali  (La  Varre) 

8-5-42  877 

4552  Old  and  Modern  New 

Orleans   10-2-42  974 

SCREEN  SNAPSHOTS  (Series  22) 
(10  Minutes) 

4851  No.  I   8-7-42  859 

4852  No.  2   9-11-42  926 

4853  No.  3   10-23-42  998 

4854  No.  4   11-26-42  1046 

4855  No.  5   12-25-42  1094 

4856  No.  6   1-29-43  1138 

4857  No.  7   2-26-43  1281 

4858  No.  8   3-31-43  1251 

4859  No.  9   5-21-43  1387 

4860  No.  10   6-25-43 

WORLD   OF  SPORTS 
(10  Minutes) 

4801  Trotting  Kings   9-25-42  974 

4802  Wizard  of  the  Fairway. ..  1 1-6-42  1010 

4803  Winter   Paradise   12-8-42  1094 

4804  Ladies'  Day  in  Sports  1-22-43  1171 

4805  Diving   Daredevils   2-26-43  1251 

4806  Ski  Soldiers   3-26-43  1251 

4807  Aqua  Thrills  5-28-43  1329 

4808  Jump,  Fish,  Jump  6-25-43  1390 

KATE  SMITH 

(10  Minutes) 

4751    America  Sings  with 

Kate  Smith   8-21-42  899 

FAMOUS  BANDS 
(10  Minutes) 

4951  Ted  Powell  (1280  Club) .  .8-27-42  899 

4952  Hal  Mclntyre   10-23-42  996 

4953  Shep  Fields   12-23-42  1094 

AMERICA  SPEAKS 

4961  Wings  for  the  Fledgling .  12-31 -42  1094 

4962  Mr.  Smug   1-28-43  1171 

4963  Men   Working  Together  7-1-43  1387 


Prod.                                      Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title                     Date  Page 

M-G-M 

TWO   REEL  SPECIALS 
(Average  20  Minutes) 

1941-  42 

A-306    Plan  for   Destruction  4-29-43  1263 

A-307    Inflation   7-1-43 

1942-  43 

A-401    Keep  'Em  Sailing  11-28-42  1022 

A-402    Heavenly  Music   5-1-43  1291 

FITZPATRICK  TRAVELTALKS  (Color) 
(9  Minutes) 

T-4II  Picturesque 

Massachusetts   10-3-42  998 

T-412    Modern    Mexico   City  11-8-42  1010 

T-4I3    Glimpses  of  Ontario  12-5-42  1118 

T-414    Land  of  Orizaba  1-2-43  1148 

T-415    Mighty  Niagara   1-30-43  1227 

T-416    Mexican  Police  on  Parade. 2-27-43  1227 

T-417    On  the  Road  to  Monterey.3-27-43  1281 

T-418    Romantic  Nevada   4-24-43  1291 

T-419    Motoring  in  Mexico  5-22-43  1329 

T-420    Scenic  Oregon   6-26-43  1387 

PETE  SMITH  SPECIALTIES 
(10  Minutes) 

S-461    First  Aid   1-2-43  1118 

S-462    Marines  in  the  Making.  12-26-42  1118 

S-463    Hollywood  Daredevils  ...3-20-43  1263 

S-464    Wild   Horses   4-17-43  1291 

S-465    Fala   4-10-43  1275 

S-466    Sky   Science   5-23-43  1350 

S-467    Dog  House   6-12-43  1365 


PASSING  PARADE 

(10  Minutes) 

K-481    Madero   of   Mexico  11-28-42 

K-482    Who's   Superstitious   5-1-43 

K-483    That's  Why  I  Left  You.. 6-12-43 


MINIATURES 
(10  Minutes) 

The  Last  Lesson  12-19-42 

People  of  Russia  12-26-42 

Brief  Interval   11-28-42 

Portrait  of  a  Genius  1-23-43 

Inca  Gold   4-24-43 

Wood   Goes  to  War  5-8-43 

Here  at  Home  5-22-43 

Memories  of  Australia. .  .6-12-43 

OUR   GANG  COMEDIES 

(Average  II  Min.) 

Unexpected   Riches   11-28-42 

Benjamin  Franklin,  Jr. ..2-30-43 

Family  Troubles   4-3-43 

Calling  All  Kids  4-24-43 

Farm  Hands   6-19-43 

TECHNICOLOR  CARTOONS 
(8  Minutes) 

W-441  Barney  Bear's  Victory 

Garden   12-26-42 

W-442    Sufferin'  Cats  1-16-43 

W-443    Bah  Wilderness   2-13-43 

W-444    Dumb  Hounded   3-20-43 

W-445  The  Boy  and  the  Wolf .  .4-24-43 

W-446  Red  Hot  Riding  Hood. .  .5-8-43 

W-447    The  Lonesome  Mouse  5-22-43 

W-448    Who  Killed  Who  6-5-43 


M-431 
M-432 
M-433 
M-434 
M-435 
M-436 
M-437 
W-438 


C-491 
C-492 
C-493 
C-494 
C-495 


1022 
1291 
1365 


II 18 
1118 
1022 
1227 
1304 
1340 
1365 
1387 


1067 
1263 
1263 
1291 

1387 


1 1 18 
1227 
1227 
1251 
1291 
1340 
1350 
1387 


Prod.  Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title  Date  Page 

PARAMOUNT 

UNUSUAL  OCCUPATIONS  (Color) 
(Average  10  Minutes) 

L2-I  No.  I   10-9-42  974 

L2-2  No.  2   12-4-42  1070 

L2-3  No.  3   2-12-43  1206 

L2-4  No.  4    4-30-43  1291 

SUPERMAN   COLOR  CARTOONS 
(Average  8  Minutes) 

W2-I    Superman  in  Destruction,  Inc. 

12-25-42  1118 
W2-2    Superman  in  the  Mummy 

Strikes   2-19-43  1206 

W2-3    Superman  in  Jungle 

Drums   3-26-43  1281 

W2-4    Superman  in  the 

Underground  World   6-18-43  1340 

HEADLINERS 

(Average  10  Minutes) 

A2-I    The  McFarland  Twins  & 

Orchestra   10-2-42  998 

A2-2    Johnny  "Scat"  Davis 

&  Orchestra   11-6-42  1010 

A2-3    Hands  of  Women  12-11-42  1070 

A2-4  Mitchell  Ayres  &.  Orch.. .  1-15-43  1138 
A2-5  Ina  Ray  Hutton  &  Orch. .3-12-43  1251 
A2-6    Moments  of  Charm  4-16-43  1281 

(Re-issue) 

A2-7    Letter  from  Ireland  5-14-43  1084 

A2-8    Rationed  Rhythm   6-10-43  1390 

A2-9    A  Revival  of  Moments  of 

Charm   6-18-43 

MADCAP  MODELS  (Color) 
(Average  8  Minutes) 

U2-I    Jasper  and  the  Haunted 

House   10-23-42  1010 

U2-2    Jasper  and  the  Choo-Choo. 1-1-43  1138 

U2-3    Bravo  Mr.  Strauss  2-26-43  1251 

U2-4    The  500  Hats  of 

Bartholomew  Cubbins  ...4-30-43  1291 

U2-5    Jasper's  Music  Lesson  5-21-43  134(1 

POPEYE  THE  SAILOR 
(Average  6  Minutes) 

E2-I    A  Hull  of  a  Mess  10-16-42  974 

E2-2    Scrap  the  Japs  11-20-42  1007 

E2-3    Me  Musical  Nephews  12-25-42  1070 

E2-4   Spinach  for  Britain  1-22-43  1148 

E2-5   Seein'  Red,  White 

'n  Blue   2-19-43  1206 

E2-6    Too  Weak  to  Work  3-19-43  1281 

E2-7    A  Jolly  Good  Furlough  4-23-43  1340 

E2-8    Ration  for  the  Duration.  .5-28-43  1374 

E2-9    The  Hungary  Goat  6-25-43 

POPULAR  SCIENCE  (Color) 
(10  Minutes) 

J2-I    No.  I   10-2-42  974 

J2-2    No.  2   11-27-42  1010 

J2-3    No.  3   2-5-43  1138 

J2-4    No.  4  4-2-43  1281 

J2-5    No.  5   6-11-43  1390 

SPEAKING   OF  ANIMALS 
(Average  9  Minutes) 
Y2-I    Speaking  of  Animals  and 

Their  Families   12-18-42  1070 

Y2-2    At  the  Bird  Farm  3-19-43  1281 

Y2-3    Speaking  of  Animals  in 

Current  Events   5-7-43  1340 

Y2-4    Speaking  of  Animals  at  the 

Cage  Door  Canteen  6-25-43 

SPORTLIGHTS 

(Average   10  Minutes) 

R2-I    Sports    I.Q.*   10-9-42  974 

R2-2   The   Fighting  Spirit  11-13-42  1007 

R2-3    Modern   Vikings   1-8-43  1138 

R2-4    Trading  Blows   2-12-43  1206 

R2-5    Hike  or  Bike  3-5-43  1251 

R2-6   The  Beach  Command  4-9-43  1281 

R2-7   Tumble  Bugs  5-14-43  1340 

R2-8    Amphibious  Fighters   7-2-43  1390 


1388   Product  Digest  Section 


June    26,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


Prod.  Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title  Date  Page 

VICTORY  SHORTS 
(Average  14  Minutes) 

T2-I    A  Letter  from  Bataan  9-15-42  946 

T2-2    We  Refuse  to  Die  10-22-42  946 

T2-3    The  Price  of  Victory  12-3-42  1018 

T2-4   The  Aldrlch   Family  Gets 

in  the  Scrap   3-25-43  1251 

RKO 

WALT   DISNEY  CARTOONS  (Color) 


(7  Minutes) 

1941-42 

21.113 

Skv  Trooper   

11-6-42 

1022 

24. 1 1  4 

Pluto  at  the  Zoo  

11-20-42 

1070 

24. 1 15 

Hnw   to  FUh 

12-4-42 

1094 

24.1 16 

Bellboy  Donald   

12-18-42 

1118 

24.117 

Der  Fuehrer's  Face.... 

12-18-42 

1067 

9  A    f  1  Q 

Education  for  Death... 

, 1-5-43 

1  UD/ 

1942-43 

3^.101 

Donald's  Tire  Trouble.. 

.1-29-43 

1 206 

34, 102 

Pluto  and  the  Armadillo 

.2-19-43 

( 206 

34. 1 03 

Flying  Jalopy   

.3-12-43 

1 227 

34.104 

1251 

34.105 

Fall  Out,  Fall  In  

.4-23-43 

1315 

SPORTSCOPE 

(Average  8  Min.) 

34.30 1 

Show  Horse   

.9-11-42 

974 

3  '.302 

10-9-42 

998 

34.303 

Winter  Setting   

.11-6-42 

1 022 

34,304 

12-4-42 

1 094 

31.305 

1-1-43 

1118 

34.306 

Ski  Trails   

.1-29-43 

1171 

34.307 

2-26-43 

1227 

34.308 

3-26-43 

1263 

34,309 

Golf  Limited   

.4-23-43 

1329 

34.310 

7-21-43 

1374 

EDGAR  KENNEDY 

(Average  17  Min.) 

33.401 

Two  for  the  Money  

8-14-42 

926 

33.402 

Rough  on  Rents  

10-30-42 

1010 

33.403 

12-18-42 

1118 

33.404 

2-5-43 

1227 

33.405 

Indian  Signs   

.3-26-43 

•1263 

33.406 

Hot  Foot   

,5-14-43 

1340 

LEON  ERROL 

(Average  18  Min.) 

33.70 1 

9-4-42 

926 

33,702 

10-23-42 

1010 

33.703 

Pretty  Dolly   

12-11-42 

1 094 

33.704 

Double  Up   

.1-29-43 

1206 

33.705 

3-19-43 

1263 

33.706 

5-7-43 

1340 

JAMBOREES 

(Average  9  Min.) 

34,40 1 

Jerry  Wald  &.  Orch  

9-11-42 

950 

3  4.402 

Johnny  Long  &  Orch  

10-2-42 

998 

34.403 

Ray  McKinley  &  Orch.. 

10-30-42 

3  4.404 

Dick  Stabile  &  Orch.. . 

11-27-42 

IA7A 

34,405 

Enric  Madriguera  & 

12-25-42 

i  nod 
i  uyi 

34 .406 

It's  Tommy  Tucker  Time. 4-16-43 

1304 

VICTORY  SPECIALS 

34.201 

Conquer  by  the  Clock. . . 

10-27-42 

1114 

34.202 

City  of  Courage  

2-11-43 

1206 

34,203 

North   African  Album. 

.  .6-3-43 

1390 

FAMOUS  JURY  TR 

ALS 

(Average  18  Min.) 

33.201 

The  State  vs.  Glen 

Willet   

9-18-42 

974 

33,202 

The  State  vs.  Thomas 

11-13-42 

1070 

THIS  IS  AMERICA 

(Average  19  Min.) 

33,101 

Private  Smith  of  the 

U.  S.  A  

10-2-42 

971 

33.102 

Women  at  Arms  

10-30-42 

1031 

33.103 

12-18-42 

1102 

33,104 

Boomtown,   D.  C  

.2-12-43 

1159 

33,105 

3-12-43 

1215 

33.106 

4-9-43 

1263 

33.107 

5-7-43 

1315 

33.108 

Lieutenant  Smith   

..6-4-43 

1365 

20TH  CENTURY-FOX 

ADVENTURES  NEWSCAMERAMAN 
(Average  9  Min.) 

3201  Along  the  Texas  Range. ..  10-9-42  974 

3202  Climbing  the  Peaks  4-16-43  1281 


Prod. 

Rel. 

r.U. 

No. 

Title 

Date 

Page 

MAGIC  CARPET  (Color) 

(9  Minutes) 

3151 

Desert  Wonderland   

.  .8-1-42 

856 

3152 

Wedding  in  Bikaner  

.8-28-42 

899 

3153 

Valley  of  Blossoms  

.9-25-42 

950 

3154 

Royal  Araby   

10-23-42 

998 

3155 

3156 

Strange  Empire   

.1-15-43 

1 138 

3157 

Land  Where  Time  Stood 

Still   

4-2-43 

1263 

SPORTS  REVIEWS 

(Average  9  Min.) 

3301 

Well- Rowed    Harvard  ... 

.8-14-42 

899 

3351 

Neptune's  Daughters   

11-20-42 

IMt 
\  V£C 

3302 

When  Winter  Calls  

12-25-42 

1  loo 

3303 

2-12-43 

1 148 

3304 

Back  to  Bikes  

3-12-43 

\e.ii 

TERRYTOONS  (TECHNICOLOR) 

(7  Minutes) 

3551 

All  Out  for  "V"...:  

8-7-42 

926 

3552 

Life  with  Fldo  

.8-21-42 

926 

3553 

9-18-42 

950 

3554 

Night  Life  In  the  Army.. 

.10-2-42 

974 

3555 

The  Mouse  of  Tomorrow.. 

10-16-42 

3556 

Nancy  In  Doing  Their  Bit. 

10-30-42 

3557 

Frankenstein's  Cat   

11-27-42 

3558 

Barnyard  WAAC   

12-18-42 

1 138 

3559 

Scran  for  Victory  

.1-22-43 

1171 

3560 

Barnyard  Blackout   

..3-5-43 

128 1 

3561 

Shipyard  Symphony   

.3-19-43 

1304 

3562 

1304 

SPECIAL 

3567 

Somewhere  in  the  Pacific. 

..1-8-43 

1 171 

3568 

2-5-43 

1227 

3569 

5-14-43 

1340 

3570 

Mopning  Up   

.6-25-43 

3571 

Pandora's  Box   

6-1 1-43 

1387 

3572 

Keep  'Em  Growing  

5-28-43 

1365 

TERRYTOONS  (Black  & 

White) 

(7  Minutes) 

3501 

9-4-42 

926 

3502 

11-13-42 

1046 

THE  WORLD  TODAY 

(9  Minutes) 

3401 

7-2-43 

3402 

Accent  on  Courage  

.4-30-43 

1365 

MARCH  OF  TIME 

(Average  19  Minutes) 

V9-I 

9-11-42 

911 

V9-2 

The  Fighting  French  

.10-9-42 

946 

V9-3 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  America.. 

.11-6-42 

1007 

V9-4 

Africa  Prelude  to  Victory 

.12-4-42 

1055 

V9-5 

The  Navy  and  the  Nation 

..1-1-43 

1102 

V9-6 

One  Day  of  War — Russia 

1943   

1-29-43 

1 127 

V9-7 

The  New  Canada  

.2-26-43 

1171 

V9-8 

America's  Food  Crisis.. 

.3-26-43 

1215 

V9-9 

Inside  Fascist  Spain... 

.4-23-43 

1263 

V9-I0 

Show  Business  at  War... 

.5-2lr43 

1315 

V9-1 1 

1362 

DRIBBLE  PUSS  PARADE 

(9  Minutes) 

3901 

Monkey  Doodle  Dandies. 

12-11-42 

1046 

3902 

.  6-4-43 

1387 

VICTORY  FILM 

3801 

It's  Everybody's  War. . . 

11-6-42 

1031 

AMERICA  SPEAKS 

3851 

Weapons  for  Victory  

,  5-7-43 

1304 

UNITED  ARTISTS 

WORLD  IN  ACTION 

(Two  Reels) 
  New  Soldiers  Are  Tough. .  .7-3-42  699 


...  Our  Russian  Ally  8-14-42  784 

...  Hitler's  Plan   9-4-42  854 

...  Inside  Fighting  China  10-2-42  896 

...  Mask  of  Nippon  11-6-42  971 

...  Fighting  Freighters   1-9-43  1055 

...  Invasion  of  North  Africa.  .2- 12-43  1148 

...  Road  to  Tokyo  4-16-43  1281 

...  Invasion  of  Europe  5-7-43  1304 

SPECIAL 

. ..  Don't  Hook  Now  4-30-43  1171 


Prod.  Rel.  P.D. 

No.        Title  Date  Page 

UNIVERSAL 

COLOR  CARTUNE 
(Average  7  Min.) 


7241  Andy  Panda's  Victory 

Garden   9-7-42  926 

7242  The  Loan  Stranger  10-19-42  998 

7243  Air  Raid  Warden  12-21-42  1118 

7244  The  Screwball   2-15-43  1148 

7245  Swing  Your  Partner  4-26-43  1340 

7246  The  Dizzy  Acrobat  5-31-43  1329 

7247  Canine  Commandos   6-28-43   

7248  Ration   Bored   7-26-43 

SWING  SYMPHONIES 
(Average  7  Min.) 
7231    Yankee  Doodle  Swing 

Shift   9-21-42  899 

7332    Boogie  Woogie  Sioux  11-30-42  1046 

7233  "Cow-Cow  Boogie"   1-4-42  1171 

7234  Egg  Cracker  Suite  3-22-43  1239 

PERSON— ODDITIES 
(Average  9  Min.) 

7371  Human  Sailboat   9-14-42  926 

7372  Jail  Hostess   9-28-42  950 

7373  King  of  the  49-ers  10-12-42  1046 

7374  Double  Talk  Girl  11-16-42  1007 

7375  Designed  by  Fannie 

Hurst   12-14-42  1118 

7376  Let  Huey  Do  It  1-25-43  1171 

7377  She's  A- 1  in  the  Navy  2-8-43  1148 

7378  Little  Clayton  Farmfront 

Wonder   3-8-43  1227 

7379  Shepherd  of  the 

Roundhouse   4-19-43  1340 

7380  Tom  Thumb  in  Person  5-24-43  1304 

7381  The  Armless  Dentist  6-28-43   

7382  Western  Cowgirl   7-19-43 

VARIETY  VIEWS 
(9  Minutes) 

7351  Trouble  Spot  of  the  East.. 9-7-42  899 

7352  Canadian  Patrol   9-21-42  926 

7353  Spirit  of  Democracy  10-5-42  974 

7354  New  Era  in  India  11-2-42  1010 

7355  Western  Whoopee   12-28-42  899 

7356  Winter  Sports  Jamboree  1-8-43  1171 

7357  Mother  of  Presidents  2-1-43  1148 

7358  Hungry  India   3-1-43  1206 

7359  Mr.  Chimp  Goes  to  Town.  .4-12-43  1291 

7360  Mirror  of  Sub-marine  Life. 5-31-43  1329 

7361  Confusion  in  India  6-21-43  1365 

7362  Any  Chickens  Today?  7-26-43 

MUSICALS 
(Average  15  Min.) 

7121  Trumpet  Serenade   9-9-42  899 

7122  Serenade   in  Swing  10-14-42  899 

7123  Jivin'  Jam  Session  11-11-42  899 

7124  Swing's  the  Thing  12-2-42  1007 

7125  Chasin'  the  Blues  1-13-43  1046 

7126  Hit  Tune  Jamboree  2-10-43  1148 

7127  Swingtime  Blues   3-3-43  1190 

7128  Swing  That  Band  4-7-43  1263 

7129  Dancing  on  the  Stars  5-26-43  1291 

7130  Russian  Revels   6-23-43  1365 

7131  Smoke  Rings   7-28-43 

VICTORY  FEATURETTES 

0995  Keeping  Fit   10-26-42  998 

0996  Arsenal  of  Might  2-22-43  1148 

0997  What  We  Are  Fighting 

For   5-24-43  1291 

2- REEL  SPECIAL 

7111    Roar,  Navy,  Roar  11-25-42  1046 

7110    "Eagle  Vs.  Dragon"  


VITAPHONE 

TECHNICOLOR  SPECIALS 
(Average  20  Min.) 


8001  A  Ship  Is  Born  10-10-42  1010 

8002  Fighting  Engineers   1-2-43  1118 

8003  Young  and  Beautiful  3-13-43  1227 

8004  Eagles  of  the  Navy  4-24-43  1291 

8005  Mountain  Fighters   8-7-43   

8006  Champions  Training 

Champions   6-26-43  1390 

BROADWAY  BREVITIES 

(20  Minutes) 

8101  The  Spirit  of  Annapolis. .  .9-5-42  926 

8102  The  Nation  Dances  9-26-42  974 

8103  The  Spirit  of  West  Point.  1 1-20-42  1007 


8104    Beyond  the  Line  of  Duty. 11-7-42  1010 


Prod. 

Rel. 

P.D. 

No. 

Title 

Date 

Page 

8105 

12-19-42 

1070 

8106 

5-29-43 

1340 

8107 

Little  Isles  of  Freedom.. 

.1-30-43 

1078 

8108 

Our  African  Frontiers  

2-13-43 

I20S 

8109 

2-27-43 

1227 

81 10 

4-10-43 

1281 

8111 

Three  Cheers  for  the  Girls. 5-8-43 

1329 

8112 

Happy  Times  and  Jolly 

HOLLYWOOD  NOVELTIES 

(10  Minutes) 

8301 

Sweeney  Steps  Out  

9-12-42 

950 

8302 

You  Want  to  Give  Up 

11-14-42 

1022 

8303 

Stars  on  Horseback  

4-3-43 

1 25 1 

8304 

So  You  Think  You  Need 

12-26-42 

1118 

8305 

This  Is  Your  Enemy  

.1-23-43 

1206 

8306 

King  of  the  Archers  

..2-6-43 

1206 

SPORTS  PARADE 

(10  Minutes) 

8401 

9-12-42 

950 

8402 

South  American  Sports... 

I0-I7--42 

1007 

8403 

The  Right  Timing  

10-31-42 

1022 

8404 

Cuba,  Land  of  Adventure 

and  Sport   

1-9-43 

1070 

8405 

America's  Battle  of 

11-21-42 

1070 

8406 

Horses!  Horses!  Horses!.. 

12-12-42 

1070 

8407 

3-20-43 

1239 

8408 

Women  in  Sports  

.2-20-43 

1206 

8409 

With  Rod  and  Reel  on 

Anticostl  Island   

. .5-1-43 

1  o  1 3 

8410 

Rover's  Rangers   

.5-22-43 

1340 

841 1 

Gray.  White  &  Blue  

.6-19-43 

1390 

8412 

Sow  Sports   

.7-24-43 

8413 

Dude  Ranch  Buckaroos... 

.8-14-43 

MELODY  MASTER  BANDS 

(10  Minutes) 

8501 

Army  Air  Force  Band.. 

.9-19-42 

950 

8502 

Six  Hits  and  a  Miss  

10-24-42 

1007 

8503 

U.  S.  Marine  Band  

11-14-42 

1007 

8504 

Borrah  Minevitch  and  his 

Harmonica  School  ... 

12-26-42 

1118 

8505 

U.  S.  Navy  Band  

1-16-43 

1138 

8506 

Ozzie  Nelson  &  Orch.... 

3-27-43 

1 25 1 

8507 

U.  S.  Army  Band  

4-17-43 

1329 

8508 

All  American  Band  

5-22-43 

1340 

8500 

6-5-43 

1390 

8510 

U  S  Service  Bands  

7-24-43 

LOONEY  TUNES  CARTOONS 

(7  Minutes) 

8601 

The  Hep  Cat  

. 10-3-42 

950 

8002 

The  Daffy  Duckaroo  

10-24-42 

1022 

8603 

My  Favorite  Duck  

12-5-42 

1007 

8604 

Confusions  of  a  Nutzy  Spy 

1-23-43 

1007 

8605 

To  Duck  or  Not  to  Duck 

. .3-6-43 

1227 

8606 

Hop  and  Go  

3-27-43 

1263 

8607 

The  Wise  Quacking  Duck  . 5-1-43 

1291 

8608 

5-15-43 

1340 

8609 

Yankee   Doodle  Daffy... 

. .7-3-43 

8610 

Scrap  Happy  Daffy  

.8-21-43 

861  1 

Porky  Pig's  Feet  

.7-17-43 

MERRIE  MELODIES  CARTOONS  (Color) 

(7  Minutes) 

8701 

The  Dover  Boys  

.9-19-42 

950 

8702 

The  Sheepish  Wolf  

10-17-42 

950 

8703 

The  Hare  Brained 

10-31-42 

1007 

8704 

A  Tale  of  Two  Kitties. . 

11-21-42 

1007 

8705 

Ding  Dog  Daddy  

12-5-42 

1007 

8706 

Case  of  the  Missing  Hare 

12-12-42 

1007 

8707 

Coal  Black  and  de  Sebben 

1-16-43 

1007 

8707 

Pigs  in  a  Polka  

2-6-43 

1070 

8709 

Tortoise  Wins  by  a  Hare 

.2-20-43 

1206 

8710 

Fifth  Column  Mouse.... 

3-6-43 

1251 

8711 

Flop  Goes  the  Weasel. . 

.3-20-43 

1251 

8712 

1263 

8713 

The  Unbearable  Bear  . 

4-17-43 

1291 

8714 

Greetings  Bait   

.5-15-43 

1340 

8715 

Jack  Rabbit  and  Beanstalk. 6- 12-43 

1390 

8716 

The  Aristo  Cat  

.6-19-43 

1390 

8717 

Tin  Pan  Alley  Cats  

.7-17-43 

8718 

Wacki-Ki  Wabbit   

..7-3-43 

8719 

Hiss  and  Make  Up  

7-31-43 

8720 

Corny  Concerto   

.8-21-43 

8721 

Fin-n-Caddie   

.8-28-43 

Product  Digest  Section  1389 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    26,  1943 


Prod.                                    Rel.  P.O. 

No.         Title                     Date  Page 

OFFICIAL  U.  S.  VICTORY  FILMS 

(Distributed  by  Various  Major  Exchanges) 

Pots  to  Planes   509 

Bomber    509 

Food  for  Freedom   509 

Red  Cross  Trailer   509 

Women  In  Defense   509 

Safeguarding  Military  Information   509 

Tanks    509 

Any  Bonds  Today   509 

Ring  of  Steel   587 

Fighting  Fire  Bombs   587 

Lake  Carrier    715 

United  China  Relief  

Winning  Your  Wings   674 

Keep  'Em  Rolling   674 

Mr.  Gardenia  Jones    674 

Your  Air  Raid  Warden   770 

Vigilance    771 

Out  of  the  Frying  Pan   926 

Salvage    946 

Manpower    971 

Japanese  Relocation    971 

Dover    1018 

Fuel  Conservation    1046 

Colleges  at  War   1078 


Prod.                                    Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title                     Date  Page 

Community  Transportation    1102 

Paratroops    1114 

You,  John  Jones   1138 

Night  Shift    1148 

Troop  Train    1171 

Point  Rationing  of  Foods   1182 

Since  Pearl  Harbor   1206 

Farmer  at  War   1206 

Right  of  Way   1239 

Food  for  Fighters   1239 

Doctors  at  War   1315 

Wings  Up    1315 

Mission  Accomplished    1329 

Message  from  Malta   1387 

War  Town    1387 

U.  S.  TREASURY  DEPT. 

The  Spirit  of  '43   1138 

.    WAR  ACTIVITIES  COMMITTEE 
(Released  Through  20th- Fox) 

Battle  of  Midway   912 

(Released  Through  Warner  Bros.) 

At  the  Front   1190 


Prod.  Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title  Date  Page 

BRITISH   MINISTRY  OF  INFORMATION 

21  Miles    971 

Control  Room    1018 

C.  E.  M.  A   1018 

Fighting  French  Navy   1070 

Lift  Your  Head  Comrade   1094 

Letter  from  Ulster   1094 

Speed  Up  on  Stirlings   1114 

MISCELLANEOUS 

Quebec  (Canadian  Film  Board)   1070 

Kokoda  Battle  Front   1070 

(Australian  Dept.  of  Information) 

Sword  of  the  Spirit   1055 

(Verity  Film) 

SERIALS 
COLUMBIA 

4120    The  Secret  Code  9-4-42  899 

(15  episodes) 
4140   The  Valley  of  Vanishing  Men 

(15  episodes)   12-17-42    1 138 

1942-43 

5120    The  Batman   7-16-43   

(15  episodes) 


Prod.  Rel.  P.D. 

No.         Title  Date  Page 

REPUBLIC 

281  King  of  the  Mounties  10-10-42  908 

(12  episodes) 

282  G-Men  vs.  the  Black  Dragon 

(15  episodes)  1-2-43  1022 

283  Daredevils  of  the  West.  ...4-17-43  1291 

(12  episodes) 

284  Secret  Service  In  Darkest 

Africa   7-9-43  1365 

(15  episodes) 


UNIVERSAL 

7881-92   Junior  G-Men  of  the  Air 

(12  episodes)   6-30-42  784 

7781-95    Overland  Mai!   9-22-42  950 

(15  episodes) 
7681-93   Adventures  of  Smilln'  Jack 

(13  episodes)   1-5-43  994 

1943-44 

8681-92    Don  Winslow  of  the 

Coast  Guard   3-30-43  1227 

(13  episodes) 


SHORT  SUBJECTS 

reviews  and  synopses 


BOOBS  IN  THE  NIGHT  (Col.) 

El  Brendel  (4435) 

Brendel  is  laying  carpet  in  a  doctor's  office 
with  his  friend  Bill,  as  the  film  opens,  having 
his  trouble  with  tacks,  tape  measure  and  sliding 
rugs.  They  are  called  away  by  a  blackout  for 
police  duty,  apply  first  aid  to  a  scarecrow  and 
narrowly  avoid  bullets  for  putting  their  lights 
on  to  get  their  bearings.  Finally,  in  the  home 
of  a  mad  scientist,  they  are  mistaken  for  a  head- 
less dummy  and  a  weird  chase  ensues. 
Release  date,  June  25,  1943     17J^  minutes 

MASS  MOUSE  MEETING  (Col.) 

Phantasy  Cartoon  (4709) 

The  mice  assemble  in  solemn  conclave  to 
settle  the  problem  of  the  cat.  They  agree  he 
should  be  belled  but  are  a  little  reluctant  to 
undertake  the  task.  A  rebellious  little  cut-up  is 
chosen  against  his  will  and  sets  off.  Stealthily 
he  patrols  the  parlor  when  the  lights  go  on  and 
there  is  the  cat.  When  the  chase  is  over,  the 
cat  has  a  bell  around  his  neck,  mice  tinkle  at 
their  tails  and  the  rafters  ring. 
Release  date,  June  25,  1943  6  minutes 

RATIONED  RHYTHM  (Para.) 

Headliner  (A2-8) 

The  timely  idea  of  applying  rationing  to 
swing  music  is  tested  out  in  this  subject  by  the 
Korn  Kobblers  and  Alma  Kay.  The  musical 
novelties  include  dummy  musicians,  pint-sized 
instruments  to  none  at  all,  accompanying  some 
novel  songs  of  explanation.  The  whole  is  a 
jam  session  in  swing. 

Release  date,  June  10,  1943     10^4  minutes 

JACKWABBIT  AND  THE  BEANSTALK 
(WB) 

Merrie  Melody  (8715) 

Bugs  Bunny  has  gone  off  to  look  into  Vic- 
tory gardens  and  the  state  of  the  carrot  crops 
and  stumbles  into  the  domain  of  the  Giant  of 
Beanstalk  fame.  The  owner  is  aroused  and 
goes  after  the  rash  rabbit,  but  with  as  little 
luck  as  he  had  with  Jack. 
Release  date,  June  12,  1943         7  minutes 


THE  ARISTO  CAT  (WB) 

Merrie  Melody  (8716) 

A  pampered  pussy  has  been  abandoned  by 
his  mistress  to  the  lonely  rooms  of  a  large 
mansion.  His  ignorance  of  the  ways  of  the 
world  is  shortly  recognized  by  two  mice  who 
prepare  to  take  advantage  of  the  strange  situa- 
tion. A  dog  provides  the  opportunity,  and  the 
fur  begins  to  fly. 

Release  date,  June  19,  1943         7  minutes 

GREY,  WHITE  AND  BLUE  (WB) 

Sports  Parade  (8411) 

In  spite  of  the  title  and  the  times,  this  is  not 
a  military  subject  but  one  of  scenic  and  sport- 
ing interest.  The  reference  is  to  wild  geese, 
photographed  in  Technicolor  against  the  sky, 
during  their  annual  journeys  to  the  South  and 
back.  The  subject  includes  the  hunter  as  well 
and  his  artful  tricks. 

Release  date,  June  19,  1943         10  minutes 

CHAMPIONS  TRAINING  CHAMPIONS 
(WB) 

Technicolor  Special  (8006) 

The  Navy's  Physical  Fitness  Training  Pro- 
gram has  attracted  many  athletic  stars  of  today 
and  yesterday  who  can  serve  their  country  in 
the  way  they  know  best.  They  put  the  future 
Navy  men  through  their  paces — calisthenics, 
jiu-jitsu,  obstacle  races,  football  and  basketball 
— stressing  physical  stamina,  speed,  skill  and 
sportsmanship. 

Release  date,  June  26,  1943        20  minutes 

POPULAR  SCIENCE,  NO.  5  (Para.) 

The  opening  shot  of  this  varied  feature  is  of 
the  Oswaldo  Cruz  research  laboratory  in  Rio 
which  furthers  our  scientific  knowledge  in  its 
fight  against  disease.  A  victory  garden  style 
show  presents  Lynda  Grey  and  Louise  La  Plan- 
che  as  well  as  something  new  in  the  way  of 
cultivation.  The  finale  shows  the  training  and 
practice  of  the  glider  units  of  the  U.  S.  air 
forces. 

Release  date,  June  11,  1943        10  minutes 


THREE  LITTLE  TWIRPS  (Col.) 

Three  Stooges  (4407) 

The  Three  Stooges  take  their  familiar  rou- 
tine to  the  circus  in  this  short  feature.  They 
have  a  bit  of  trouble  with  a  two-man  horse  and 
a  spear  thrower,  and  are  joined  in  their  ad- 
ventures by  two  familiar  names  of  former  years, 
Chester  Conklin  and  Sidney  Blystone. 
Release  date,  July  9,  1943       15^2  minutes 

NORTH  AFRICAN  ALBUM  (RKO) 

Victory  Special  (34,203) 

This  is  a  different  view  of  the  expeditionary 
force  in  North  Africa.  There  are  no  troops  in 
action  or  training".  There  are,  however,  many 
scenes  of  the  countryside,  the  native  villagers 
and  above  all,  the  uniformed  newcomers  at  lei- 
sure. It  is  a  report  for  the  folks  at  home  on 
what  the  boys  are  seeing,  eating  and  doing  in 
their  spare  time. 

Release  date,  June  3,  1943  9  minutes 

JUMP,  FISH,  JUMP  (Col.) 

Sport  Reel  (4808) 

With  Bill  Stern  narrating  the  action,  this 
sport  subject  looks  into  the  matter  of  "off- 
shore" fishing.  The  climax  is  a  determined 
battle  with  a  fighting  marlin,  a  lunger  who 
makes  a  stubborn  foe  for  even  the  most  experi- 
enced fisherman. 

Release  date,  June  2  5,  1943         9  minutes 

AMPHIBIOUS  FIGHTERS  (Para.) 

Sportlight  (R2-8) 

The  Army's  Amphibious  Command  trains  for 
the  cameras  in  this  latest  edition  of  Grantland 
Rice's  Sportlight.  Soldiers  are  shown  crossing 
rivers  under  machine  gun  fire,  with  full  packs 
and  under  cover  of  fire  from  an  amphibious 
jeep.  Fifty-foot  jumps  with  complete  equip- 
ment are  also  part  of  the  training  as  well  as 
fighting  a  gasoline  fire  on  the  water's  surface. 
Release  date,  July  2,  1943        9}4  minutes 

CHILDHOOD  DAYS  (WB) 

Melody  Master  (8509) 

A  good  blend  of  popular  and  classical  music, 
this  short  features  young  Diana  Hale  and  Peter 
Meremblum's  California  Junior  Symphony  Or- 
chestra. The  numbers  played  are  "Childhood," 
"It's  the  Good  Old  American  Way,"  "Three 
Cheers  for  the  Red,  White  and  Blue,"  "To- 
night We  Love,"  Richard  Strauss'  "Perpetuum 
Mobile"  and  Tschaikovsky's  "Piano  Concerto 
in  B-Flat  Minor." 

Release  date,  June  5,  1943         10  minutes 


I  390  Product  Digest  Section 


June    2  6,    19  4  3  MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

ADVANCE  SYNOPSES 

and  information 


THE  CONSTANT  NYMPH 
(Warner  Brothers) 

Romantic  Lframa 

PRODUCER:  Henry  Blanke.  Directed  by  Edmund 
Goulding. 

PLAYERS:  Charles  Boyer,  Joan  Fontaine,  Brenda 
Marshall,  Alexis  Smith,  Charles  Coburn,  Dame  May 
Whitty,  Jean  Muir,  Peter  Lorre,  Montagu  Love, 
Edward  Ciannelli,  Joyce  Reynolds,  Doris  Lloyd, 
Richard  Ryan,  Crawford  Kent,  Joan  Blair. 

SYNOPSIS 

Another  screen  version  of  Margaret  Ken- 
nedy's popular  novel,  this  tells  the  story  of  the 
love  of  a  young  girl  for  a  musician,  his  ignor- 
ance of  her  devotion  and  the  final  tragedy  of 
her  death.  The  setting  is,  first,  a  chalet  in  the 
Swiss  Alps  where  a  once-great  musician  lives 
with  his  several  daughters,  and,  second,  London 
where  the  tangled  love  story  reaches  its  climax. 
The  last  production  of  "The  Constant  Nymph" 
was  by  Gaumont-British,  almost  a  decade  ago. 

FIGHTING  VALLEY 
(Producers  Releasing  Corp.) 

Texas  Rangers  Western 

PRODUCERS:  Alfred  Stern  and  Arthur  Alexander. 
Directed  by  Oliver  Drake. 

PLAYERS:  Dave  (Tex)  O'Brien,  Jim  Newill,  Guy 
Wilkerson,  Patti  McCarty,  John  Merton,  Robert 
Bice,  Stanley  Price,  Mary  MacLaren,  John  Elliott, 
Charles  King. 

SYNOPSIS 

The  Independent  Smelting  Company  is  being 
forced  to  close  because  of  hi-jacked  ore  ship- 
ments when  the  Texas  Rangers  ride  into  town. 
Realizing  that  the  only  one  to  benefit  is  the 
larger  smelting  corporation,  they  keep  on  the 
trail  of  its  owner  even  when  the  Independent 
is  declared  bankrupt.  The  hunch  proves  right 
and  a  fight  at  a  rival  mine  ends  in  victory  for 
the  Rangers. 

I  WAS  A  CRIMINAL 
(Monogram) 

Study  in  Suspense 

PRODUCER:  King  Brothers.  Directed  by  Kurt 
Neumann. 

PLAYERS:  Victor  Jory,  Pamela  Blake,  Veda  Ann 
Borg,  Paul  Fix,  Frank  Faylen,  Philip  Van  Zandt, 
Harry  Hayden. 

SYNOPSIS 

The  plot  of  "I  Was  a  Criminal"  is  built  upon 
a  premise  of  suspicion  and  the  action  of  the 
leading  character's  attempts  to  clear  his  name 
of  false  charges.  The  story  opens  with  a 
murder  committeed  in  a  hunting  lodge  of  a 
small  town  and  our  hero  is  first  suspected. 
Even  the  girl  who  loves  him  is  forced  to  sus- 
pect him.  The  suspicion  is  finally  lifted  in  a 
fast  climax. 

SIX-GUN  GOSPEL 
(Monogram) 

Outlaws  on  Gold  Trail 

PRODUCER:  Scott  R.  Dunlap.  Directed  by  Lam- 
bert Hillyer. 

PLAYERS:  Johnny  Mack  Brown,  Raymond  Hatton, 


Inna  Gest,  Kenneth  MacDonald,  Roy  Barcroft, 
Edmund  Cobb,  Mary  MacLaren,  Eddie  Dew. 

SYNOPSIS 

Shipments  of  gold  are  being  hijacked  by  an 
outlaw  gang  secretly  headed  by  Benton,  the 
town's  leading  citizen,  who  is  also  trying  to 
buy  up  all  the  property  in  town  because  he 
knows  the  railroad  is  going  to  put  a  line 
through  it.  Sandy  and  Nevada,  U.  S. 
Marshals,  are  sent  to  clean  out  the  gang.  The 
townspeople  think  Sandy  is  a  preacher,  which 
helps  in  the  hunt.  The  trap  is  set  with  a 
stagecoach  holdup  and  the  outlaws  trailed 
their  lair. 

REVENGE  OF  THE  ZOMBIES 
(Monogram) 

Zombies  vs.  Nazis 

PRODUCER:  Lindsley  Parsons.  Directed  by  Steve 
Sekely. 

PLAYERS:  Joh  n  Carradine,  Veda  Ann  Borg,  Bob 
Steele,  Robert  Lowery,  Gale  Storm,  Wanda  McKay, 
Mantan  Moreland. 

SYNOPSIS 

_  Dr.  Van  Altman  (John  Carradine)  is  a  scien- 
tist collaborating  with  the  Nazis.  He  turns 
human  beings  into  Zombies,  incapable  of  acting 
for  themselves  but  whose  brains  remain  alive. 
He  conceives  an  invincible  army  of  these  be- 
ings that  will  do  the  bidding  of  Nazi  warlords. 
He  kills  and  makes  a  zombie  of  his  wife.  Her 
brother  comes  looking  for  her,  gains  her  co- 
operation and  disrupts  the  plans.  They  kill 
Van  Altman. 

SLEEPY  LAGOON 
(Republic) 

Canova  Rotits  Gangsters 

PRODUCER:  Albert  J.  Cohen.  Directed  by  Joseph 
Santley. 

PLAYERS:  Judy  Canova,  Denis  Day,  Ruth  Don- 
nelly, Ernest  Truex,  Joe  Sawyer,  William  Wright. 

SYNOPSIS 

When  all  the  men  of  the  town  go  into  the 
Army,  the  women  take  over  their  jobs.  One 
job,  in  particular,  is  the  running  of  an  amuse- 
ment park  so  the  defense  workers  will  have  a 
wholesome  place  to  have  fun  for  their  money 
instead  of  gambling  it  away.  But  a  gigantic 
racketeering  outfit  tries  to  muscle  into  the 
park  and  turn  it  into  a  Monte  Carlo.  Judy 
Canova  leads  her  fair,  strong-arm  squad  to  the 
rescue. 

BLACK  MARKET  RUSTLERS 
(Monogram) 

Range  Busters,  Black  Cattle 

PRODUCER:  George  Weeks.  Directed  by  S.  Roy 
Luby. 

PLAYERS:  Ray  "Crash"  Corrigan,  Dennis  "Denny" 
Moore,  Max  "Alibi"  Terhune. 

SYNOPSIS 

The  Range  Busters  are  summoned  into  a 
town  where  cattle  is  being  rustled  in  order  to 
supply  the  black  market  with  meat.  The  Bust- 
ers bust  up  the  racket.  A  sub  plot  has  to  do 
with  Denny's  infatuation  with  the  daughter  of 
a  ranch  owner  and  his  pals'  tricks  on  him. 


WITHOUT  NOTICE 
(Columbia) 

Misadventures  in  America 

PRODUCER:  P.  J.  Wolfson.  Directed  by  Richard 
Wallace. 

PLAYERS:  Charles  Coburn,  Isabel  Elsom,  Mar- 
guerite Chapman,  Bill  Carter,  Betty  Brewer,  Mel- 
ville Cooper,  Norma  Varden. 

SYNOPSIS 

A  vitriolic  English  author  plans  a  good-will 
tour  to  the  United  States.  The  trip  is  almost 
called  off,  however,  when  his  cook  refuses  to 
make  the  trip.  It  is  made,  finally,  and  he  ar- 
rives at  a  New  England  town  he  insists  must 
resemble  his  corner  of  England.  Isabel  Elsom 
plays  a  mystery  novelist  and  the  social  arbiter. 
Her  son,  a  naval  lieutenant,  falls  for  the  daugh- 
ter of  the  author,  played  by  Charles  Coburn. 
There  is  much  misadventure,  misunderstanding 
and  misappropriation  of  cooks  before  Coburn 
finds  a  cook  who  pleases  his  palate.  He  vows 
to  get  even  but  "discovers"  America  and  softens 
up. 

WAGON  TRACKS  WEST 
(Republic) 

Indian  Warfare 

PRODUCER:  Lou  Gray.  Directed  by  Howard 
Bretherton. 

PLAYERS:  Wild  Bill  Elliott,  George  "Gabby" 
Hayes,  Rick  Vallin,  Tom  Tyler,  Anne  Jeffreys, 
Robert  Frazer,  Roy  Barcroft,  Tom  London,  J.  W. 
Cody. 

SYNOPSIS 

A  drink  of  water  starts  the  action  in  the 
latest  of  the  Wild  Bill  Elliott  series.  When 
Gabby  Hayes  leans  over  to  get  a  drink  from 
a  creek  in  Indian  territory,  he  falls  in,  swallow- 
ing infected  swamp  water.  Arriving  in  town 
with  the  fever  taking  effect,  he  is  believed  to 
be  drunk  but  his  illness  is  recognized  by  a 
young  Indian  medical  student  (Rick  Vallin). 
It  is  discovered  the  tribe's  medicine  man  is  in 
cahoots  with  the  Indian  Commissioner,  using 
the  fever  scare  to  run  the  Pawnees  off  their 
grazing  lands.  Wild  Bill,  Gabby  and  the  young 
Indian  pin  the  guilt  on  the  culprits. 

HERE  COMES  KELLY 
(Monogram) 

Slap-Happy  Youth 

ASSOCIATE  PRODUCER:  William  Lackey.  Directed 
by  William  Beaudine. 

PLAYERS:  Eddie  Ouillan,  Joan  Woodbury,  Slapsy 
Maxie  Rosenbloom,  Armida,  Sidney  Miller,  Ian 
Keith,  Mary  Gordon,  Sugar  Geise. 

SYNOPSIS 

This  is  the  comedy-drama  of  a  brash,  slap- 
happy  youth  who  can't  hold  a  job.  He  is  the 
despair  of  his  mother  and  his  girl,  who  returns 
the  ring  after  his  latest  discharge.  He  resolves 
to  study  law,  gets  kicked  out  of  school.  He  de- 
cides to  be  a  prize-fighter,  gives  up  that,  too. 
He  does  get  a  job  in  a  law  office,  finally,  and 
manages  to  keep  it.  Involved  in  a  night  club 
brawl,  he  meets  the  star  of  the  show,  finds 
she  owes  a  legal  bill,  which  leads  him  to  a 
trail  at  the  end  of  which  is  his  employer  in  a 
tangle  with  the  law.  Story  ends  with  the  boy 
getting  his  draft  notice. 


Product  Digest  Section    I  39  i 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


SERVICE  DATA 

on  features 


June    26,  1943 


Action  in  the  North  Atlantic  (WB) 

Audience  Classification — General 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 

Round  Table  Exploitation— June  19,  '43,  p.  74. 

Air  Force  (WB) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 133% 

Based  on  averages  7-1-42  to  12-31-42 
Round  Table  Exploitation— Feb.  20,  '43,  p.  50; 
Mar.  6,  '43,  p.  53;  Apr.  17,  '43,  p.  61,  62;  May 
1,  '43,  p.  64;  May  8,  '43,  p.  64;  May  22,  '43, 
p.  55;  May  29,  '43,  p.  59;  Tune  5,  '43,  p.  58. 

Bataan  (MGM) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 
Round  Table  Exploitation — May  15,  '43,  p.  56; 
June  19,  '43,  p.  71. 

Bombardier  (RKO) 

Audience  Classification — General 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-l 

Round  Table  Exploitation — June  12,  '43,  p.  63. 

Cabin  in  the  Sky  (MGM) 

Audience  Classification — General 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  B 

Round  Table  Exploitation— Apr.  24,  '43,  p.  52; 

May  29,  '43,  p.  56;  June  5,  '43,  p.  56;  June  19, 

'43,"p.  72. 

Coney  Island  (20th-Fox) 

Audience  Classification — General 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  B 

Round  Table  Exploitation — June  12,  '43,  p.  63. 

Corregidor  (PRC) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 
Round  Table  Exploitation — Mar.  13,  '43,  p.  64; 
Apr.  17,  '43,  p.  62;  June  12,  '43,  p.  64;  Tune 
19,  '43,  p.  71. 

Crash  Dive  (20th-Fox) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 
Round  Table  Exploitation— May  8,  '43,  p.  62; 
June  5,  '43,  p.  58;  June  19,  '43,  p.  70,  75. 

The  Desperadoes  ( Col.) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-l 
Picture   Gross,   Overall   Performance — 125.3% 

Based  on  averages  7-1-42  to  12-31-42 
Round  Table  Exploitation— Mar.  27,  '43,  p.  70 ; 
Apr.  17,  '43,  p.  60 ;  May  8,  '43,  p.  60 ;  Mav  22, 
'43,  p.  60. 

Edge  of  Darkness  (WB) 

Audience  Classification — Adult 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 

Picture   Gross,   Overall   Performance — 113.9% 

Based  on  averages  7-1-42  to  12-31-42 
Round  Table  Exploitation — June  5,  '43,  p.  59 ; 
June  19,  '43,  p.  72. 

Five  Graves  to  Cairo  (Para.) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 
Round  Table  Exploitation — May  22,  '43,  p.  56 ; 
June  12,  '43,  p.  66. 


References  to  Round  Table  Exploi- 
tation, Picture  Gross  final  percent- 
ages, and  Legion  of  Decency  ratings 
with  audience  classifications  are 
listed  in  this  department. 

Index  to  Service  Data  may  be  found 
in  the  Release  Chart,  starting  on 
page  1393. 


Flight  for  Freedom  (RKO) 

Audience  Classification — General 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  B 

Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 116.2% 

Based  on  averages  7-1-42  to  12-31-42 
Round  Table  Exploitation — Feb.  27,  '43,  p.  61  ; 
June  5,  '43,  p.  55. 

Forever  and  a  Day  (RKO) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-l 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 121.6% 
Based  on  averages  7-1-42  to  12-31-42. 

The  Human  Comedy  (MGM) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-l 
Round  Table  Exploitation — May  8,  '43,  p.  61 ; 
June  12,  '43,  p.  64;  June  19,  '43,  p.  74. 

Lady  of  Burlesque  (UA) 

Audience  Classification — Adult 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  B 

Round  Table  Exploitation— Mar.  20,  '43,  p.  60: 

Mav  29,  '43,  p.  57,  61;  June  5,  '43,  p.  54,  55, 

56;  June  12,  '43,  p.  65;  June  19,  '43,  p.  70. 

Mission  to  Moscow  (WB) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 
Round   Table   Exploitation — Mav   29,   '43,  p. 
58,  60. 

The  Moon  Is  Down  (20th-Fox) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 121.9% 

Based  on  averages  7-1-42  to  12-31-42. 
Round  Table  Exploitation— Mar.  27,  '43,  p.  70; 
Apr.  10,  '43,  p.  51 ;  May  29,  '43,  p.  56,  61 ;  June 
5,  '43,  p.  54,  56. 

The  More  the  Merrier  (Col.) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  B 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 120% 

Based  on  averages  11-1-42  to  4-30-43 
Round  Table  Exploitation— Apr.  24,  '43,  p.  54; 
May  29,  '43,  p.  59 ;  June  5,  '43,  p.  58 ;  June  19, 
'43,  p.  70. 


LEGION  of  DECENCY  Ratings 

Class  A-l  Unobjectionable 

Class  A-2  Unobjectionable  for  Adults 

Class  B  Objectionable  in  Part 

Class  C  Condemned 


My  Friend  Flicka  (20th-Fox) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-l 
Round  Table  Exploitation — May  8,  '43,  p.  61 ; 
June  5,  '43,  p.  55,  59;  June  19,  '43,  p.  74,  75. 

Next  of  Kin  (Univ.) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 
Round  Table  Exploitation — May  1,  '43,  p.  62; 
June  5.  '43,  p.  55,  58. 

Presenting  Lily  Mars  (MGM) 

Audience  Classification — General 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 

Round  Table  Exploitation — June  5,  '43,  p.  56. 

Ravaged  Earth  (Crystal) 

Audience  Classification — Adult 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 

Round  Table  Exploitation— May  22,  '43,  p.  54. 

Reveille  with  Beverly  (Col.) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-l 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — -113% 

Based  on  averages  11-1-42  to  4-30-43 
Round  Table  Exploitation— Mar.  20,  '43,  p.  60 ; 
Mav  8,  '43,  p.  64 ;  May  29,  '43,  p.  61 ;  June  5, 
'43,  p.  55;  June  19,  '43,  p.  75. 

Saludos  Amigos  (RKO) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-l 
Round  Table  Exploitation — Feb.  6,  '43,  p.  60 ; 
Mav  22,  '43,  p.  58;  May  29,  '43,  p.  56;  May 
29,  "'43,  p.  57. 

Stage  Door  Canteen  (UA) 

Audience  Classification— General 

Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Not  Given 

Round  Table  Exploitation — June  19,  '43,  p.  74. 

Tennessee  Johnson  (MGM) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-l 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 110.3% 

Based  on  averages  7-1-42  to  12-31-42. 
Round  Table  Exploitation— Apr.  10,  '43,  p.  48; 
Apr.  17,  '43,  p.  61;  May  22,  '43,  p.  60;  June 
12,  '43,  p.  63. 

This  Land  Is  Mine  (RKO) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  A-2 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 98.3% 

Based  on  averages  11-1-42  to  4-30-43 
Round  Table  Exploitations— May  15,  '43,  p.  56 ; 
June  19,  '43,  p.  70,  71. 

Three  Hearts  for  Julia  (MGM) 

Audience  Classification — Adult 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating — Class  B 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 116.6% 
Based  on  averages  7-1-42  to  12-31-42. 

The  Young  Mr.  Pitt  (20th-Fox) 

Audience  Classification — General 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating— Class  A-2 
Picture  Gross,  Overall  Performance — 113.5% 
Based  on  averages  7-1-42  to  12-31-42 


1392  Product  Digest  Section 


June    26,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


THE  RELEASE  CHART 

Index  to  Reviews,  Advance  Synopses  and 
Service  Data  in  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION 


Release  dates  and  running  time  are  furnished  as  soon  as  avail- 
able. Advance  dates  are  tentative  and  subject  to  change. 

Consult  Service  Data  in  the  PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION  for 
Legion  of  Decency  Rating,  Audience  Classification  and  Managers' 
Round  Table  Exploitation. 


All  page  numbers  on  this  chart  refer  to  pages  in  the 
PRODUCT  DIGEST  SECTION  of  MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD. 

Short  Subjects  Chart  with  Synopsis  Index  can  be  found  on 
pages  1388-1390. 

Feature  Product  Including  Coming  Attractions,  listed  by  Com- 
pany, in  order  of  release,  on  pages  1376-1377. 

r-  REVIEWED  —\ 


M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Service 

Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Dttt 

Title 

Company 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

ABOVE  Suspicion 

MGM 

v'oan  vidwio ru*rrcu  ivi awivi ui  i  ay 

Not  Set 

O  1  m 

ivi  ay    i ,  "r  j 

i  nn  i 

1  UU  1 

Across  the  Pacific 

WB 

202 

Humphrey  Bogart-Mary  Astor 

Sept.  5,'42 

98m 

Aug.  22,'42 

927 

726 

Action  in  the  North  Atlantic 

WB 

Humphrey  Bogart-Raymond  Massey 

June  12/43 

127m 

May  22, '43 

1325 

983 

1392 

Adventures  of  Mark  Twain 

WB 

Fredric  March-Alexis  Smith 

Not  Set 

936 

Aerial  Gunner 

Para. 

4223 

Chester  Morris-Richard  Arlen 

Block  5 

78  m 

Mar.  20/43 

1226 

1091 

After  Midnight  with  Boston  Bla 

ckie  Col. 

4031 

Chester  Morris-Ann  Savage 

Mar.  I8,'43 

64m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1 192 

Air  Force 

WB 

217 

John  Garfield-Gig  Young 

Mar.  20,"43 

124m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 145 

936 

i392 

Air  Raid  Wardens,  The 

MGM 

326 

Laurel  and  Hardy 

Apr.-May,'43 

67m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

1091 

A-Haunting  We  Will  Go 

20th-Fox 

302 

Laurel  and  Hardy 

Aug.  7,'42 

67m 

July  1 1/42 

927 

Alibi 

Rep. 

214 

Margaret  Lockwood-Hugh  Sinclair 

Mar.  24,'43 

66m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

Alaska  Highway 

Para. 

4227 

Richard  Arlen-Jean  Parker 

Block  6 

66m 

June  26/43 

1387 

1 192 

All  by  Myself 

Univ. 

7043 

Patric  Knowles-Evelyn  Ankers 

June  1 1  ,'43 

63m 

June  5/43 

1350 

1277 

Always  a  Bridesmaid 

Univ. 

Andrews  Sisters-Patric  Knowles 

Not  Set 

1 192 

Amazing  Mrs.  Holliday,  The 

Univ. 

7005 

Deanna  Durbin-Edmond  O'Brien 

Feb.  19/43 

98  m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 145 

936 

1341 

American  Empire 

UA 

Richard  Dix-Leo  Carrillo 

Dec.  1 1,'42 

81m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

871 

Andy  Hardy's  Double  Life 

MGM 

318 

Mickey  Rooney-Lewis  Stone 

Dec.-Feb.,'43 

92m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

796 

1341 

Apache  Trail 

MGM 

304 

Lloyd  Nolan-Donna  Reed 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

66m 

June  27/42 

938 

726 

Ape  Man,  The 

Mono. 

Bela  Lugosi-Wallace  Ford 

Mar.  I9,'43 

64m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 181 

1 104 

Appointment  in  Berlin 

Col. 

George  Sanders-Marguerite  Chapm 

an     July  1 5, '43 

1305 

Arabian  Nights 

Univ. 

7063 

Sabu-Maria  Montez-Jon  Hall 

Dec.  25,'42 

87m 

Dec.  26/42 

1090 

872 

1174 

Arizona  Stagecoach 

Mono. 

The  Range  Busters 

Sept.  4,'42 

58m 

Army  Surgeon 

RKO 

312 

James  Ellison-Jane  Wyatt 

Dec.  4, '42 

63m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

701 

As  Thousands  Cheer  (color) 

MGM 

Kathryn  Grayson-Gene  Kelly 

Not  Set 

1079 

(formerly  Private  Miss  Jones) 

Assignment  in  Brittany 

MGM 

327 

Pierre  Aumont-Susan  Peters 

Apr.-May,'43 

98m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

1019 

At  Dawn  We  Die  (British) 

Rep. 

778 

John  Clements-Godfrey  Tearle 

Mar.  20,'43 

85m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

(formerly  Tomorrow  We  Live) 

Avengers,  The  (British) 

Para. 

4213 

Ralph  Richardson-Deborah  Kerr 

Block  3 

88m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

1280 

Avenging  Rider,  The 

RKO 

Tim  Holt 

Not  Set 

55m 

Feb. 13/43 

1158 

BABY  Face  Morgan  PRC 
Background  to  Danger  WB 
Bad  Men  of  Thunder  Gap  PRC 
Bambi  (color)  RKO 
Bandit  Ranger  RKO 
Bataan  MGM 
Behind  Prison  Walls  PRC 
Behind  the  Eight  Ball  Univ. 
Behind  the  Rising  Sun  RKO 
Bells  Go  Down,  The  (British)  Ealing-UA 
Berlin  Correspondent  20th-Fox 
Best  Foot  Forward  (color)  MGM 
Between  Us  Girls  Univ. 
Big  Street,  The  RKO 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Fugitive  of  Plains  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Kid  Rides  Again  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Mysterious  Rider  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  The  Renegade  PRC 
Billy  the  Kid  in  Western  Cyclone  PRC 
Black  Market  Rustl  ers  Mono. 
Black  Raven,  The  PRC 
Black  Swan,  The  (color)  20th-Fox 
Blocked  Trail,  The  Rep. 
Bombardier  RKO 
Bombers  Moon  20th-Fox 
Bombsight  Stolen  (British)  Gains. 
Boogie  Man  Will  Get  You,  The  Col. 
Boots  and  Saddles  (Re-release)  Rep. 
Border  Buckaroos  PRC 
Border  Patrol  UA 
Bordertown  Gunfighters  Rep. 
Boss  of  Big  Town  PRC 
Boston  Blackie  Goes  Hollywood  Col. 
Bowery  at  Midnight  Mono. 


317 

352 
391 
381 
328 
313 
7029 


311 

7010 
301 
359 
358 
357 
361 
360 

321 
320 
274 
329 


4026 
2301 
354 


310 
4030 


Mary  Carlisle-Richard  Cromwell  Sept.  15/42  62m 

George  Raft-Brenda  Marshall  July  3/43  80m 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill  Mar.   5/43  57m 

Disney  Feature  Cartoon  Aug.  21/42  70m 

Tim  Holt  Sept.  25/42  56m 

Robert  Taylor-Thomas  Mitchell  June-Aug.,'43  I  14m 

Alan  Baxter-Gertrude  Michael  Mar.  22/43  64m 

Ritz  Bros.-Carol  Bruce  Dec.  4/42  60m 

Margo-Tom  Neal-Robert  Ryan  Block  7  ... 

Tommy  Trinder-James  Mason  Not  Set  89m 

Dana  Andrews-Virginia  Gilmore  Sept.  11/42  70m 

Lucille  Ball-William  Gaxton  -Not  Set   

Diana  Barrymore-Robert  Cummings       Sept.  4/42  89m 

Henry  Fonda-Lucille  Ball  Sept.  4/42  87m 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Mar.  12/43  56m 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Jan.  27/43  60m 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  Nov.  20/42  55m 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  July   1/43  58m 

Buster  Crabbe-AI  St.  John  May  14/43  59m 

The  Range  Busters  Aug.  13/43  .... 

George  Zucco-Wanda  MacKay  May  3 1  ,'43  61m 

Tyrone  Power-Maureen  O'Hara  Dec.  4/42  85m 

Three  Mesquiteers  Mar.  12/43  55m 

Pat  O'Brien-Randolph  Scott-Anne  Shirley       Block  6  99m 

George  Montgomery-Annabella  July  30/43  .... 

Leslie  Banks-Jeanne  Casalis  Not  Set  72m 

Boris  Karlof-Peter  Lorre  Oct.  22/42  66m 

Gene  Autry-Smiley  Burnette  Jan.  15/43  58m 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill  June  15/43  60m 

William  Boyd  Apr.  2/43  67m 

Bill  Elliott-Gabby  Hayes  July  24/43 

John  Litel-Florence  Rice  Dec.  7/42  64m 

Chester  Morris-Richard  Lane  Nov.  5/42  68m 

Bela  Lugosi-John  Archer  Oct.  30/42  63m 


July  25/42 
June  12/43 
June  5/43 
May  30/42 

May  29/43 
Feb.  6/43 
Dec.  12/42 

May  22/43 
Aug.  15/42 


Aug.  29/42 
Aug.  8/42 
Apr.  3/43 
Mar.  20/43 
Jan.  30/43 

June  12/43 

Mar.  20/43 
Oct.  17/42 
Apr.  3/43 
May  15/43 

May  i5/43 
Oct.  24/42 
Nov.  13/37 


903 
1361 
1350 

685 

1337 
1 146 
1054 

1326 
927 

890 
902 
1238 
1215 
1 137 

1362 

1215 
958 
1238 
1313 

■  3 15 
969 
!  !  14 


Jan.  30/43  1137 


Oct.  17/42 
Feb.  27/43 
Oct.  3/42 


959 
1181 
934 


1058 
1277 


1 127 
1078 
794 
1362 

797 
1 191 
772 
701 

i  i  04 

1033 
1305 
1276 
1391 

855 

912 

1  305 


1276 
i375 
794 


Product  Digest  Section  1393 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    2  6,  1943 


REVIEWED 


Title 

Boy  From  Stalingrad 
Brains  Trust,  The  (Brit 
Buckskin  Frontier 
Busses  Roar 


M.  P. 

Product 

Advance 

Service 

Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Company 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

Col. 

4025 

Bobby  Samarzich-Conrad  Binyon 

May  20.'43 

70m 

1191 

Strand-Anglo 

Quiz  Experts 

Not  Set 

34m 

Feb.  6/43 

M47 

UA 

Richard  Dix-Jane  Wyatt 

May  I4,'43 

76m 

Mar.  13.43 

1202 

983 

WB 

203 

Richard  Travis-Julie  Bishop 

Sept.  19/42 

61m 

Aug.  22,'42 

903 

CABIN  in  the  Sky 

MGM 

323 

Cairo 

MGM 

307 

Calaboose  UA-Roach 

Calling  Wild  Bill  Elliott 

Rep. 

231 1 

Captive  Wild  Woman 

Univ. 

7014 

Careful,  Soft  Shoulder 

20th-Fox 

312 

Carson  City  Cyclone 

Rep. 

275 

Casablanca 

WB 

214 

Cat  People 

RKO 

313 

Chatterbox 

Rep. 

219 

Chetniks,  Fighting  Guerrillas 

20th-Fox 

328 

Cheyenne  Roundup 

Univ. 

276 

China 

Para. 

4222 

China  Girl 

20th-Fox 

323 

Cinderella  Swings  It 

RKO 

318 

City  of  Silent  Men 

PRC 

one 

City  Without  Men 

Col. 

4013 

Clancy  Street  Boys 

Mono. 

Coastal  Command  (British)  Para.-Crown 

Colt  Comrades 

UA 

Commandos  Strike  at  Dawn 

Col. 

4004 

Coney  Island 

20th-Fox 

343 

Constant  Nymph,  The 

WB 

Corregidor 

PRC 

3l' 

Corvette  K-225 

Univ. 

Cosmo  Jones,  Crime  Smasher 

Mono. 

Counter  Espionage 

Col. 

4027 

Cowboy  Commandos 

Mono. 

Cowboy  in  Manhattan 

Univ. 

7036 

Crash  Dive  (color) 

20th-Fox 

340 

Crime  by  Night 

WB 

Crime  Doctor 

Col. 

40i7 

Criminal  Investigator 

Mono. 

Cross  Your  Fingers 

Univ. 

Crystal  Ball,  The 

UA 

"Rochester"-Ethel  Waters 

Apr.-May."43 
Sept.-Nov./42 

98m 

Feb.  13/43 

1  157 

1019 

1392 

Jeanette  MacDonald-Robert  Young 

101m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

1034 

Jimmy  Rogers-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

Jan.  29,'43 

45m 

1241 

Bill  Elliott-Gabby  Hayes 

Apr.  30,'43 

54m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

Evelyn  Ankers-John  Carradine 

June  4/43 

61m 

May  1/43 

1290 

1127 

Virginia  Bruce-James  Ellison 

Sept.  18/42 

69m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Mar.  23/43 

57m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

Humphrey  Bogart-lngrid  Bergman 

Jan.  23/43 

102m 

Nov.  28/42 

1029 

936 

1341 

Simone  Simon-Tom  Conway 

Dec.  25/42 

73m 

Nov.  14/42 

1005 

962 

1280 

Joe  E.  Brown-Judy  Canova 

Apr.  27/43 

76m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

1127 

Philip  Dorn-Virginia  Gilmore 

Feb.  5/43 

73m 

Jan.  9/43 

1115 

995 

1280 

Johnny  Mack  Brown-Tex  Ritter 

Apr.  29/43 

59m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

Loretta  Young-Alan  Ladd 

Block  5 

78m 

Mar.  20/43 

1226 

1091 

1341 

George  Montgomery-Gene  Tierney 

Jan.  1/43 

95m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

872 

1218 

Guy  Kibbee-Gloria  Warren 

Jan.  22/43 

69m 

Jan.  23/43 

1125 

C          I      Alt        A             1  1 

Frank  Albertson-June  Lang 

Oct.  12,  42 

64m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

Linda  Darnell-Doris  Dudley 

Jan.  14/43 

75m 

Feb.  27/43 

1181 

ioo9 

East  Side  Kids 

Apr.  23/43 

66m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

War  Documentary 

Not  Set 

73m 

Nov.  14/42 

1005 

William  Boyd 

June  18/43 

67m 

June  26/43 

1386 

1339 

Paul  Muni-Lillian  Gish 

Jan.  7/43 

98m 

Dec.  19/42 

1078 

962 

1280 

Betty  Grable-George  Montgomery 

June  18/43 

90m 

May  22/43 

1325 

995 

1392 

Charles  Boyer-Joan  Fontaine 

Not  Set 

1391 

Otto  Kruger-Elissa  Land! 

Mar.  29/43 

74m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

1 104 

1392 

Randolph  Scott-Andy  Devine 

Aug.  13/43 

1240 

Edgar  Kennedy-Frank  Graham 

Jan.  29/43 

62m 

Feb.  20/43 

1  i70 

1055 

Warren  William-Eric  Blore 

Sept.  3/42 

72m 

Oct.  10/42 

945 

871 

Range  Busters 

June  4/43 

52m 

1277 

Robert  Paige-Frances  Langford 

May  2 1/43 

60m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

1240 

Tyrone  Power-Anne  Baxter 

May  14/43 

105m 

Apr.  24/43 

1273 

962 

1392 

Jane  Wyman-Jerome  Cowan 

Not  Set 

1091 

Warner  Baxter-Margaret  Lindsay 

June  22/43 

66m 

June  12/43 

1361 

1305 

Robert  Lowery-Jan  Wiley 

Oct.  23/42 

61m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

1033 

Allan  Jones-Kitty  Carlisle 

Not  Set 

1351 

Paulette  Goddard-Ray  Milland 

Jan.  22/43 

Vim 

Jan.  23/43 

1125 

960 

1341 

DARING  Young  Man,  The  Col. 

Dawn  on  the  Great  Divide  Mono. 

Days  of  Old  Cheyenne  Rep. 

Deadline  Guns  Col. 

Dead  Man's  Gulch  Rep. 

Dead  Men  Walk  PRC 

Deep  in  the  Heart  of  Texas  Univ. 

Desert  Song,  The  (color)  WB 

Desert  Victory  (British)  20th-Fox 

Desperadoes,  The  (color)  Col. 

Desperate  Journey  WB 

Destination  Unknown  Univ. 

Destroyer  Col. 
Devil  with  Hitler,  The  UA-Roach 

Diary  of  a  Nazi  (Russian)  Artkino 

Dixie  (color)  Para. 

Dixie  Dugan  20th-Fox 

Dr.  Gillespie's  Criminal  Case  MGM 

Dr.  Gillespie's  New  Assistant  MGM 

Dr.  Renault's  Secret  20th-Fox 

DuBarry  Was  a  Lady  MGM 


4021 

Joe  E.  Brown-Marguerite  Chapman 

Oct.  8/42 

73  m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

871 

Buck  Jones-Rex  Bell 

Dec.  18/42 

66m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

1031 

276 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

May  15/43 

55m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

1241 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Not  Set 

1081 

274 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Feb.  12/43 

56m 

Feb.  20/43 

i  170 

1127 

320 

George  Zucco-Mary  Carlisle 

Feb.  10/43 

63m 

Feb.  20/43 

1170 

1031 

7071 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Dennis  Morgan-Irene  Manning 

Sept.  25/42 
Not  Set 

62m 

Sept.  12/42 

898 

872 

34i 

War  in  Africa  Feature 

Apr.  16/43 

60m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

1341 

4005 

Randolph  Scott-Glenn  Ford 

May  25/43 

85m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

87i 

1392 

204 

Errol  Flynn-Ronald  Reagan 

Sept.  26/42 

107m 

Aug.  22/42 

915 

1082 

7030 

Irene  Hervey-William  Gargan 

Oct.  9/42 

61m 

Oct.  3/42 

946 

912 

Edward  G.  Robinson-Marguerite  Chapman  Not  Set 

1162 

Alan  Mowbray-M.  Woodworth 

Nov.  20/42 

45  m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

War  Documentary 

Mar.  24/43 

68m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

4230 

Bing  Crosby-Dorothy  Lamour 

Block  6 

89m 

June  26/43 

1385 

109 1 

332 

James  Ellison-Lois  Andrews 

Mar.  12/43 

67m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1082 

Lionel  Barrymore-Van  Johnson 

Not  Set 

89m 

May  8/43 

1302 

1192 

3  i  7 

Lionel  Barrymore-Van  Johnson 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

86m 

Nov.  15/42 

1005 

1280 

321 

Lynn  Roberts-John  Shepperd 

Dec.  1 1/42 

58m 

Dec.  17/42 

959 

936 

333 

Lucille  Ball-Red  Skelton 

June-Aug.,'43 

101m 

May  8/43 

1301 

1019 

EDGE  of  Darkness  WB  219 

En  Enda  Naft  (Swedish)  Scandia  .... 

Eyes  in  the  Night  MGM  309 

Eyes  of  the  Underworld  Univ.  7037 


Errol  Flynn-Ann  Sheridan  Apr.  24/43 

Ingrid  Bergman-Olof  Sandborg  Not  Set 

Edward  Arnold-Ann  Harding  Sept.-Nov./42 

Richard  Dix-Lon  Chaney  Jan.  8/43 


I  18m  Mar.  27/43  1225  982  1392 

89m  Dec.  26/42  1077   

79m  Sept.  12/42  898  797  1130 

61m  Oct.  17/42  960   


FALCON'S  Brother,  The  RKO 

Falcon  in  Danger,  The  RKO 

Falcon  Strikes  Back,  The  RKO 

Fallen  Sparrow,  The  RKO 
Fall  In  UA-Roach 

False  Faces  Rep. 

Fighting  Buckaroo,  The  Col. 


309 
325 


222 
4203 


George  Sanders-Jane  Randolph 
Tom  Conway-Jean  Brooks 
Tom  Conway-Harriet  Hilliard 
Maureen  O'Hara-John  Garfield 
William  Tracy-Jean  Porter 
Rex  Williams-Bill  Henry 
Charles  Starrett-Kay  Harris 


Nov.  6/42 

63  m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

87! 

Block  7 

1362 

Block  5 

65  m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

Not  Set 

1182 

Mar.  5/43 

48m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

796 

May  26/43 
Feb.  1/43 

56m 

May  29/43 
Apr.  17/43 

1338 

1277 

58m 

1262 

I  394  Product  Digest  Section 


June    26,     I  943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


Title 


Company 


Prod. 
Number 


Stars 


Release 
Date 


Running 
Time 


Fighting  Devil  Dogs 

Rep. 

21 1 

Powell-Hsrmdn  Brix 

Jan.  29,'43 

69m 

Fighting  Frontier 

RKO 

383 

Tim  Holt 

Jan.  I5,'43 

57m 

Fighting  Sea  Monsters 

Times 

Marine  Animal  Feature 

Mar.  9,"43 

61m 

Fighting  Valley 

PRC 

Tex  O'Brien-Jim  Newill 

Aug.  I,'43 

Find,  Fix  and  Strike  (British) 

ABFD 

V^ar  Documentary 

Not  Set 

37rri 

Fires  ^v*ere  Started  (British) 

Crown 

^Var  Documentary 

Not  Set 

63  m 

First  Comes  Courage 

Col. 

Merle  Oberon-Brian  Aherne 

July  29,'43 

First  of  the  Few,  The  (British) 

Howard 

Leslie  Howard-David  Niven 

Not  Set 

1 18m 

Five  Graves  to  Cairo 

Para. 

4224 

Franchot  Tone-Anne  Baxter 

Block  5 

96m 

Flight  for  Freedom 

RKO 

321 

Rosalind  Russell-Fred  MacMurray 

Block  5 

101m 

Flying  Fortress  (British) 

WB 

21 1 

Richard  Green-Carla  Lehmann 

Dec.  5,'42 

68m 

Follies  Girl 

PRC 

306 

V/endy  Barrie-Gordon  Oliver 

July  l,'43 

Follow  the  Band 

Univ. 

7033 

Leon  Errol-Mary  Beth  Hughes 

May  14/43 

61m 

Footlight  Serenade 

20th-Fox 

301 

John  Payne-Betty  Grable 

Aug.  1/42 

80m 

Foreign  Agent 

Mono. 

John  Shelton-Gail  Storm 

Oct.  9/42 

64m 

Forest  Rangers,  The  (color) 

Para. 

4206 

Fred  MacMurray-Paulette  Goddard 

Block  2 

87m 

Forever  and  a  Day 

RKO 

320 

British  and  American  Stars 

Mar.  26/43 

104m 

For  All  We  Know 

Univ. 

Charles  Boyer-Barbara  Stanwyck 

Not  Set 

(formerly  Flesh  and  Fantasy] 

For  Me  and  My  Gal 

MGM 

312 

Judy  Garland-George  Murphy 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

104m 

Fortress  on  Volga  (Russian) 

Artkino 

Mikhail  Gelovani-Nikolai  Bogoliubov 

Not  Set 

77m 

For  Whom  the  Bell  Tolls  (color 

)  Para. 

Gary  Cooper-lngrid  Bergman 

Not  Set 

Frankenstein  Meets  Wolf  Man 

Univ. 

70i2 

Lon  Chaney-Bela  Lugosi 

Mar.  12/43 

73m 

Frontier  Bad  Men 

Univ. 

Diana  Barrymore-Robert  Paige 

Aug.  6/43 

Frontier  Fury 

Col. 

Charles  Starrett-Arthur  Hunnicutt 

June  24/43 

Fugitive  from  Sonora 

Rep. 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

July  1/43 

t—  REVIEWED  s 
M.  P.  Product 

Herald  Digest 
Issue  Page 


Feb.  6/43 
Feb.  13/43 
Mar.  20/43 

Sept.'  1 2/42 
Apr.  17/43 

Sept.  5/42 
May  8/43 
Feb.  6/43 
June  27/42 

May  i/43 
July  1 1  ,'42 
Sept.  19/42 
Oct.  3/42 
Jan.  23/43 


Sept.  12/42 
Jan.  9/43 

Feb.  27/43 


1147 
1158 
1215 

898 
1261 


Advance 
Synopsis 
Page 


1391 


Service 
Data 
Page 


1362 

889 

1301 

II 92 

1392 

1 145 

983 

1392 

914 

1174 

il04 

1290 

1241 

915 

715 

873 

911 

933 

872 

1218 

1 125 

1392 

1058 

897 

751 

1218 

1 1 0 1 

855 

1181 

1055 

i280 

1375 

1305 

1375 

GANGS,  Inc.  (Reissue)  PRC 

Gaucho  Serenade  (Reissue)  Rep. 

Gentle  Gangster,  A  Rep. 
Gentle  Sex  (British)    Two  Cities-Gen'l 

Gentleman  Jim  WB 
George  Washington  Slept  Here  WB 

Get  Going  Univ. 

Get  Hep  to  Love  Univ. 

Ghost  and  the  Guest,  The  PRC 

Ghost  Rider  Mono. 

Ghosts  on  the  Loose  Mono. 

Gildersleeve's  Bad  Day  RKO 

Girl  Crazy  MGM 
Girl  Trouble  20th-Fox 

Girls  in  Chains  PRC 

Girls,  Inc.  Univ. 

Give  Out,  Sisters  Univ. 

Glass  Key,  The  Para. 

Good  Fellows,  The  Para. 

Good  Luck,  Mr.  Yates  Col. 

Good  Morning,  Judge  Univ. 

Gorilla  Man,  The  WB 

Great  Gildersleeve,  The  RKO 

Great  Impersonation,  The  Univ. 

Guadalajara  (Mexican)  Maya 
Gyandev  of  India                Ram  Bagai 


123 
2303 


212 
210 

7022 
314 


327 

309 
305 

7021 
4203 


7044 
216 
314 

7032 


Alan  Ladd-Joan  Woodbury  June  15/43  72m  June  7/41  1386 

Gene  Autry  Apr.  15/43  66m  May  18/40  1262 

Barton  MacLane-Molly  Lamont  May  10/43  57m  May  15/43  1314 

Rosamund  John-Joyce  Howard  Not  Set  93m  May  8/43  1303 

Errol  Flynn-Alexis  Smith  Nov.  14/42  104m  Oct.  31/42  981 

Jack  Benny-Ann  Sheridan  Nov.  28/42  93m  Sept.  19/42  909 

Grace  McDonald-Robert  Paige  June  25/43  60m  June  26/43  1386 

Gloria  Jean-Robert  Paige  Oct.  2/42  77m  Oct.  3/42  934 

Florence  Rice-Jimmie  Dunn  Apr.  19/43  61m  May  15/43  1314 

Johnny  Mack  Brown  Apr.  2/43  52m  May  8/43  1304 

East  Side  Kids  July  23/43  65m  June  12/43  1374 

Harold  Peary-Jane  Darwell  Block  6  62m  May  8/43  1303 

Mickey  Rooney-Judy  Garland  Not  Set  •  .  -  -    .... 

Don  Ameche-Joan  Bennett  Oct.  9/42  82m  Sept.  19/42  923 

Arline  Judge-Roger  Clark  May  17/43  71m  Apr.  10/43  1250 

Leon  Errol-Grace  McDonald  July  9/43  ....    .... 

Andrews  Sisters-Richard  Davies  Sept.  11/42  65m  Sept.  5/42  889 

Brian  Donlevy-Veronica  Lake-Alan  Ladd       Block  I  85m  Aug.  29/42  914 

Cecil  Kellaway-Helen  Walker  Not  Set   

Claire  Trevor-Edgar  Buchanan  June  29/43  70m  June  19/43  1374 

Dennis  O'Keefe-Louise  Allbritton  May  7/43  67m  Apr.  24/43  1274 

John  Loder-Paul  Cavanagh  Jan.  16/43  64m  Dec.  12/42  1054 

Harold  Peary-Freddy  Mercer  Jan.   1/43  62m  Nov.  15/42  1006 

Ralph  Bellamy-Evelyn  Ankers  Dec.  18/42  71m  Dec.  19/42  1066 

Pedro  Armendariz-Chaflin  June  11/43  100m  June  26/43  1386 

Indian  Feature  Apr.  9/43  63m  Apr.  24/43  1275 


1276 

936 
871 
1375 

1241 
1241 
1351 
1241 
1191 
855 

1375 


1191 
1351 
1240 

995 
912 


HAIL  to  the  Rangers 

Col. 

Charles  Starrett 

Not  Set 

1055 

Half  Way  to  Shanghai 

Univ. 

7035 

Irene  Hervey-Kent  Taylor 

Sept.  18/42 

62m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

1082 

Hangmen  Also  Die 

UA 

Brian  Donlevy-Walter  Brennan 

Mar.  26/43 

I3lm 

Mar.  27/43 

1225 

1191 

1280 

Happy  Go  Lucky  (color) 

Para. 

4217 

Mary  Martin-Dick  Powell-Rudy  Vallee 

Block  4 

81m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

797 

1341 

Hard  Way,  The 

WB 

209 

Ida  Lupino-Dennis  Morgan 

Feb.  20/43 

109m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

796 

1280 

Harrigan's  Kid 

MGM 

329 

Bobby  Readick-William  Gargan 

June-Aug.,'43 

80m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1191 

Haunted  Ranch 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Feb.  19/43 

57m 

Mar.  6/43 

1190 

1019 

Headin'  for  God's  Country 

Rep. 

William  Lundigan-Virginia  Dale 

July  20/43 

1339 

Heart  of  a  Nation  (French) 

Graetz 

Raimu-Michele  Morgan 

Not  Set 

1  Mm 

Mar.  27/43 

i239 

Heart  of  the  Golden  West 

Rep. 

25i 

Roy  Rogers-Gabby  Hayes 

Dec.  11/42 

65  m 

Nov.  21/42 

1017 

Heaven  Can  Wait  (color) 

20th-Fox 

Don  Ameche-Gene  Tierney 

July  23/43 
Apr.  2/43 

1240 

He  Hired  the  Boss 

20th- Fox 

334 

Stuart  Erwin-Evelyn  Venable 

73  m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1127 

Hello,  'Frisco,  Hello  (color) 

20th-Fox 

333 

Alice  Faye-John  Payne 

Mar.  26/43 

98m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1127 

1341 

Henry  Aldrich,  Editor 

Para. 

4209 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Block  2 

72m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

663 

1130 

Henry  Aldrich  Gets  Glamour 

Para. 

4218 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Block  4 

72  m 

Jan.  2/43 

1089 

986 

Henry  Aldrich  Swings  It 

Para. 

4226 

Jimmy  Lydon-Charlie  Smith 

Block  6 

65m 

June  26/43 

1386 

1104 

Here  Comes  Kelly 

Mono. 

Eddie  Quillan=Joan  Woodbury 

Aug.  20/43 

1391 

Here  We  Go  Again 

RKO 

305 

Fibber  McGee-Edgar  Bergen-"Charlie 

"  Oct.  9/42 

76m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

1082 

Hers  to  Hold 

Univ. 

Deanna  Durbin-Joseph  Gotten 

July  30/43 

1375 

He's  My  Guy 

Univ. 

704  i 

Dick  Foran-lrene  Hervey 

Mar.  26/43 

65m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

1127 

Hi  Diddle  Diddle 

UA 

Martha  Scott-Adolph  Men{ou 

Not  Set 

1375 

Hi,  Buddy 

Univ. 

7031 

Dick  Foran-Harriet  Hilliard 

Feb.  26/43 

68m 

Feb.  20/43 

1170 

1079 

Hidden  Hand,  The 

WB 

208 

Craig  Stevens-Elisabeth  Fraser 

Nov.  7/42 

67m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

1082 

High  Explosive 

Para. 

4221 

Chester  Morris-Jean  Parker 

Block  5 

62m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

983 

Highways  by  Night 

RKO 

304 

Richard  Carlson-Jane  Randolph 

Oct.  2/42 

63  m 

Aug.  8/42 

938 

715 

Hil  Neighbor 

Rep. 

201 

Lulubelle  &  Scotty-Jean  Parker 

July  27/42 

72m 

July  25/42 
Mar.  13/43 

927 

772 

1218 

Hit  Parade  of  1943 

Rep. 

215 

John  Carroll-Susan  Hayward 

Mar.  26/43 

82m 

1202 

1043 

1280 

Hitler,  Dead  or  Alive 

House 

Ward  Bond-Dorothy  Tree 

Not  Set 

70m 

Nov.  2 1/42 

1018 

1082 

Product  Digest  Section    |  395 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    26,  1943 


—  REVIEWED  — > 

M.  P.        Product    Advance  Service 


Prod. 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

Data 

Title 

Company 

Number 

Stan 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

Hit  tdp  Ira 

(111    TIIH  ICO 

Univ. 

Arih^'f'f  inrl   i* r\ c+o  1  In 
r  \ u uu  1 1   dnu   wual  t?  1  iu 

lulu     ?  '41 
JUiy    L,  *ig 

1  1  L*i 

(formerly  Oh,  Doctor) 

Hitler's  Children 

RKO 

316 

Tim  Holt-Bonita  Granville 

Mar.  I9.'43 

83  m 

Jan.  2,'43 

1089 

986 

1280 

Hitler's  Madman 

MGM 

334 

Patricia  Morison-John  Carradine 

June-Aug.,'43 

85m 

June  12, '43 

1361 

1351 

(formerly  Hitler's  Hangman 

) 

Hi'Ya,  Chum 

Univ. 

7039 

Jane  Frazee-Ritz  Brothers 

Mar.  5,'43 

61m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

1127 

Hoppy  Serves  a  Writ 

UA 

William  Boyd-Andy  Clyde 

Mar.  12/43 

67m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

Hostages 

Para. 

Luise  Rainer-Paul  Lukas 

Not  Set 

1277 

How's  About  It? 

Univ. 

7025 

Andrews  Sisters-Robert  Paige 

Feb.  5,'43 

61m 

Feb.  6/43 

H47 

Human  Comedy,  The 

MGM 

380 

Mickey  Rooney-Frank  Morgan 

June-Aug.,'43 

1  15m 

Feb.  27/43 

1 190 

ioi9 

1392 

ICE-CAPADES  Revue  Rep. 

206 

Ellen  Drew-Richard  Denning 

Dec.  24/42 

79m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

797 

1 130 

Iceland  20th-Fox 

306 

Sonja  Henie-John  Payne 

Oct.  2/42 

79m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

797 

1082 

Idaho  Rep. 

252 

Roy  Rogers-Virginia  Grey 

Mar.  10/43 

70m 

Feb.  20/43 

1169 

1162 

1218 

1  Dood  It  MGM 

Red  Skelton-Eleanor  Powell 

Not  Set 

1 192 

1  Escaped  from  the  Gestapo  Mono. 

Dean  Jagger-John  Carradine 

May  28/43 

75m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

1162 

1  Married  a  Witch  UA 

Fredric  March-Veronica  Lake 

Oct.  30/42 

78m 

Oct.  24/42 

969 

797 

1218 

Immortal  Sergeant,  The  20th-Fox 

327 

Henry  Fonda-Maureen  O'Hara 

Jan. 29/43 

91m 

Jan.  9/43 

HOI 

995 

1280 

In  the  Rear  of  Enemy  ( Russian )  Arfkino 

War  Documentary 

Oct.  9/42 

59m 

Oct.  1 7/42 

958 

In  Which  We  Serve  (British)  UA 

Noel  Coward-Bernard  Miles 

Feb.  12/43 

113m 

Oct.  17/42 

957 

1280 

Isle  of  Forgotten  Sins  (1943-44)  PRC 

40 

John  Carradine-Gale  Sondergaard 

July  26/43 

1339 

Isle  of  Missing  Men  Mono. 

John  Howard-Gilbert  Roland 

Sept.  18/42 

67  m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

772 

It  Ain't  Hay  Univ. 

7001 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Mar.  19/43 

81m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

1058 

1341 

It  Comes  Up  Love  Univ. 

7023 

Gloria  Jean-Ian  Hunter 

Apr.  9/43 

65m 

Feb.  6/43 

1146 

986 

It's  That  Man  Again  (British)  Gains. 

Tommy  Handley 

Not  Set 

84m 

Feb.  27/43 

1182 

It's  a  Great  Life  Col. 

4018 

Penny  Singleton-Arthur  Lake 

May  27/43 

1241 

(formerly  Blondie  Buys  a  Horse) 

1  Walked  with  a  Zombie  RKO 

324 

Frances  Dee-Tom  Conway 

Block  5 

68m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

1057 

1  Was  a  Criminal  Mono. 

Victor  Jory-Pamela  Blake 

Sept.  10/43 

1391 

JACARE 

UA 

Animal  feature 

Nov.27/42 

65m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

1218 

Jane  Eyre 

20th-Fox 

Orson  Welles-Joan  Fontaine 

Not  Set 

1240 

Jitterbugs 

20th-Fox 

342 

Laurel  and  Hardy 

June  11/43 

74  m 

May  29/43 

1338 

1305 

Johnny  Come  Lately 

UA-Cagney 

James  Cagney-Grace  George 

Not  Set 

1375 

Johnny  Doughboy 

Rep. 

205 

Jane  Withers-Patrick  Brook 

Dec.  31/42 

63  m 

Dec.  26/42 

1077 

971 

1218 

Journey  for  Margaret 

MGM 

314 

Robert  Young-Laraine  Day 

Dec.-Feb./43 

79m 

Oct.  3 1/42 

981 

912 

1 174 

Journey  Into  Fear 

RKO 

307 

Joseph  Cotten-Dolores  Del  Rio 

Feb.  12/43 

71m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 146 

796 

1218 

Junior  Army 

Col. 

4038 

Freddie  Bartholomew-Billy  Halop 

Nov.  26/42 

71m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 170 

1009 

Just  Off  Broadway 

20th-Fox 

310 

Lloyd  Nolan-Marjorie  Weaver 

Sept.  25/42 

65m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

797 

KANSAN,  The  UA 
Keep  'Em  Slugging  Univ. 
Keeper  of  the  Flame  MGM 
Kid  Dynamite  Mono. 
King  Arthur  Was  a  Gentle- 
man (British)  Gains. 
King  of  the  Cowboys  Rep. 


7040 
320 


254 


Richard  Dix-Jane  Wyatt 
Dead  End  Kids 

Spencer  Tracy-Katharine  Hepburn 
East  Side  Kids 

Arthur  Askey-Evelyn  Dall 
Roy  Rogers 


Not  Set 

79m 

June  12/43 

1374 

1182 

Apr.  2/43 

61m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

Dec.-Feb./43 

100m 

Dec.  19/42 

1065 

936  1280 

Feb.  5/43 

66m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

Not  Set 

98m 

Jan.  16/43 

1 1 14 

Apr.  9/43 

67m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

1 241 

LADIES'  Day  RKO 

Lady  Bodyguard  Para. 

Lady  from  Chungking  PRC 

Lady  in  the  Dark  (color)  Para. 

Lady  of  Burlesque  UA 

Lady  Takes  a  Chance,  A  RKO 

Land  of  Hunted  Men  Mono. 

Lassie  Comes  Home  MGM 

Last  Ride,  The  WB 

Last  Will  of  Dr.  Mabuse  ( Fr.)  Krellberg 

Laugh  Your  Blues  Away  Col. 

Law  of  the  Northwest  Col. 

Law  Rides  Again,  The  Mono. 

Leather  Burners,  The  UA 

Leopard  Man,  The  RKO 

Let's  Face  It  Para. 

Let's  Have  Fun  Col. 

Life  Begins  at  Eight-thirty  20th-Fox 
Life  of  Simon  Bolivar,  The 

(M  exican)  Grovas-Mohme 

Little  Joe,  the  Wrangler  Univ. 

Little  Tokyo,  U.S.A.  '  20th-Fox 

Living  Ghost,  The  Mono. 

London  Blackout  Murders  Rep. 

Lone  Prairie,  The  Col. 
Lone  Rider  in  Death  Rides  Plains  PRC 
Lone  Rider  in  Wolves  of  Range  PRC 
Lone  Rider  in  Wild  Horse  Rustlers  PRC 


322  Lupe  Velez-Eddie  Albert-Max  Baer 
4216        Eddie  Albert-Anne  Shirley 

Anna  May  Wong-Harold  Huber 
Ginger  Rogers-Ray  Milland 
Barbara  Stanwyck-Michael  O'Shea 
Jean  Arthur-John  Wayne 
Range  Busters 

Roddy  McDowall-Edmund  Gwenn 
Richard  Travis-Eleanor  Parker 
Jim  Gerald-Thorny  Bourdelle 
4033        Bert  Gordon-Jinx  Falkenburg 
4204        Charles  Starrett-Shirley  Patterson 

•  •  •  •         Ken  Maynard-Hoot  Gibson 

•  ■  •        William  Boyd 

328        Dennis  O'Keefe-Margo 
Bob  Hope-Betty  Hutton 
4040        Bert  Gordon-Margaret  Lindsay 
322        Monty  Woolley-lda  Lupino 

Mexican  Historical  Feature 

7072  Johnny  Mack  Brown 

303  Preston  Foster-Brenda  Joyce 

....  James  Dunn-Joan  Woodbury 

210  John  Abbott-Mary  McLeod 

4209  Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

365  Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 

366  Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 
364  Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 


Block  5 

62m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

962 

Block  4 

70m 

Jan.  2/43 

1090 

946 

Dec.  2 1/42 

70m 

Nov.  7/42 

1006 

574 

Not  Set 

1091 

Apr.  30/43 

91m 

May  1/43 

1289 

1 182 

Not  Set 

1240 

Mar.  26/43 

58m 

Apr.  24/43 

i274 

Not  Set 

1240 

Not  Set 

1 1 15 

Mar.  19/43 

94  m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

Nov.  12/42 

70m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 159 

986 

May  27/43 

59m 

May  29/43 

1338 

1018 

July  30/43 

1339 

May  28/43 

58m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

Block  6 

59m 

May  8/43 

1303 

1241 

Not  Set 

1277 

Mar.  4/43 

63m 

May  1/43 

1290 

Dec.  25/42 

85m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

962 

June  17/43 

152m 

June  26/43 

1386 

Nov.  13/42 

64m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

Aug.  14/42 

64m 

July  11/42 

938 

Nov.  27/42 

61m 

Oct.  3 1/42 

982 

Jan.  15/43 

59m 

Dec.  12/42 

1067 

Oct.  15/42 

58m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

1058 

May  7/43 

1277 

June  2 1/43 

60m 

1362 

Feb. 12/43 

55m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

1 174 

1392 


1218 


I  396  Product  Digest  Section 


June    26,  1943 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


REVIEWED 


Title 


Prod. 
Company  Number 


Lone  Rider,  Overland  Stagecoach  PRC  363 

Lone  Star  Trail,  The                    Univ.  7077 

Lost  Canyon                                  UA  .... 

Loves  of  Edgar  Allan  Poe,  The  20th-Fox  305 

Lucky  Jordan                               Para.  4215 

Lucky  Legs                                 Col.  4032 


Stars 

Bob  Livingston-AI  St.  John 
Johnny  Mack  Brown-Tex  Ritter 
Will  iam  Boyd 

John  Shepperd-Linda  Darnell 
Alan  Ladd-Helen  Walker 
Jinx  Falkenburg-Kay  Harris 


M.  r. 

Product 

AJvanct 

Release 

Running 

M             1  J 

Herald 

Digest 

Synopsis 

L/Stie 

Time 

Issue 

cage 

Page 

Dec.  1 1  ,'42 

58m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 126 

1018 

Not  Set 

58m 

June  I9,'43 

1373 

1019 

Dec.  I8,'42 

63m 

Jan.23,'43 

1  126 

Aug.  28,'42 

67m 

July  1 1,'42 

914 

751 

Block  3 

84m 

Nov.  21, '42 

1017 

986 

Oct.  1/42 

64m 

Feb.  I3,"43 

1 158 

797 

Dats 

Page 


1341 


MADAME  sPy 

Univ. 

7034 

Constance  Bennett-Don  Porter 

Dec.  1 1  .'42 

63  m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

Magnificent  Ambersons,  The 

RKO 

371 

Joseph  Cotten-Dolores  Costello 

July  10/42 

88m 

July  4/42 

938 

507 

947 

Major  and  the  Minor,  The 

Para. 

4202 

Ginger  Rogers-Ray  Milland 

Block  1 

100m 

Aug.  29/42 

927 

1174 

Man  in  the  Trunk,  The 

20th-Fox 

315 

Lynne  Roberts-George  Holmes 

Oct.  23/42 

71m 

Sept.  19/42 

91 1 

855 

Manila  Calling 

20th-Fox 

314 

Lloyd  Nolan-Carole  Landis 

Oct.  16/42 

81m 

Sept.  19/42 

91 1 

871 

Man  from  Thunder  River 

Rep. 

2312 

Bill  Elliott-George  Hayes 

June  1 1/43 

59m 

May  22/43 

1325 

1277 

Man  of  Courage 

PRC 

319 

Barton  MacLane-Charlotte  Wynters 

Jan.  4/43 

67m 

Jan.  30/43 

1 137 

1031 

Mantrap,  The 

Rep. 

217 

Lloyd  Corrigan-Dorothy  Lovett 

Apr.  13/43 

58m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

1191 

Man's  World,  A 

Col. 

4044 

M.  Chapman-Wm.  Wright 

Sept.  17/42 

60  m 

Dec.  12/42 

1055 

Margin  for  Error 

20th-Fox 

330 

Joan  Bennett-Milton  Berle 

Feb.  19/43 

74m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

995 

Mashenka  (Russian) 

Artkino 

.  •  •  • 

V.  Karavayeva-M.  Kuznetzov 

Nov.  20/42 

67m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

Masquerade  (Russian) 

Artkino 

Nikolai  Mordvinov-Tamara  Makarova 

May  15/43 

102m 

May  22/43 

1326 

McGuerins  from  Brooklyn  UA-Roach 

Max  Baer-William  Bendix 

Dec.  3 1/42 

46m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 147 

Meanest  Man  in  the  World 

20th-Fox 

329 

Jack  Benny-Priscilla  Lane 

Feb.  12/43 

57m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 1 15 

962 

1341 

Melody  Parade  (1943-44) 

Mono. 

Mary  Beth  Hughes-Eddie  Quillan 

Sept.  17/43 

1339 

Mexicali  Rose  (Reissue) 

Rep. 

Gene  Autry 

July  15/43 

58m 

Apr.  1/39 

1373 

Mexican  Spitfire's  Elephant 

RKO 

302 

Lupe  Velez-Leon  Errol 

Sept.  1 1/42 

64m 

Aug.  8/42 

915 

Miracle  of  Morgan's  Creek,  The  Para. 

Eddie  Bracken-Betty  Hutton 

Not  Set 

1079 

Mission  to  Moscow 

WB 

220 

Walter  Huston-Ann  Harding 

May  22/43 

123  m 

May  1/43 

1304 

1058 

1392 

Miss  London  Limited  (British] 

Gains. 

Arthur  Askey-Evelyn  Dall 

Not  Set 

99m 

May  29/43 

1339 

Miss  V  from  Moscow 

PRC 

318 

Lola  Lane-Noel  Madison 

Nov.  23/42 

71m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

1031 

Mister  Big 

Univ. 

Gloria  Jean-Donald  O'Connor 

May  28/43 
Oct.  16/42 

74m 

May  29/43 

1338 

1277 

Moonlight  in  Havana 

Univ. 

7026 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

62  m 

Oct.  1 7/42 

959 

Moon  and  Sixpence,  The 

UA 

George  Sanders-Herbert  Marshall 

Oct.  2/42 

89m 

Sept.  12/42 

912 

1341 

Moon  Is  Down,  The 

20th-Fox 

335 

Cedric  Hardwicke-Henry  Travers 

Apr.  9/43 

90m 

Mar.  13/43 

1201 

1091 

1392 

More  the  Merrier,  The 

Col. 

4041 

Jean  Arthur-Joel  McCrea 

May  13/43 

104m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

1  182 

1392 

Moscow  Strikes  Back  (Russian)  Rep. 

Documentary 

Aug.  15/42 

55m 

Aug.  15/42 

840 

1 130 

Mountain  Rhythm 

Rep. 

209 

Weaver  Bros.  &  Elviry 

Jan.  8/43 

70m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

1009 

Mr.  Lucky 

RKO 

330 

Cary  Grant-Laraine  Day 

Block  6 

100m 

May  8/43 

1301 

1081 

Mrs.  Wiggs  of  the  Cabbage  Patch  Para. 

4208 

Fay  Bainter-Carolyn  Lee 

Block  2 

80m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

663 

1218 

Mug  Town 

Univ. 

7027 

Dead  End  Kids 

Dec.  18/42 

60m 

Jan.23,'43 

1 126 

Mummy's  Tomb,  The 

Univ. 

7019 

Dick  Foran-Elyse  Knox 

Oct.  23/42 

61m 

Oct.  17/42 

970 

1 130 

Murder  in  Times  Square 

Col. 

4034 

Edmund  Lowe-Marguerite  Chapman 

Apr.  1/43 

65m 

May  15/43 

1313 

1079 

My  Friend  Flicka  (color) 

20th-Fox 

338 

Roddy  McDowall-Preston  Foster 

Apr.  23/43 

90m 

Apr.  10/43 

1249 

962 

1392 

My  Heart  Belongs  to  Daddy 

Para. 

4214 

Richard  Carlson-M.  O'Driscoll 

Block  3 

75m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

871 

My  Son,  the  Hero 

PRC 

311 

Patsy  Kelly-Roscoe  Karns 

Apr.  5/43 

68m 

Jan.  23/43 

1126 

Mysterious  Doctor,  The 

WB 

218 

Eleanor  Parker-John  Loder 

Mar.  6/43 

57m 

Feb. 27/43 

1 181 

1091 

NAVY  Comes  Through,  The  RKO 

'Neath  Brooklyn  Bridge  Mono. 

Never  a  Dull  Moment  Univ. 

Next  of  Kin,  The  (British)  Univ. 

Nightmare  Univ. 

Night  for  Crime,  A  PRC 

Night  Monster  Univ. 

Night  Plane  from  Chungking  Para. 

Night  to  Remember,  A  Col. 
Nine  Men  (British)  Ealing-UA 

Northwest  Rangers  MGM 

No  Place  for  a  Lady  Col. 

No  Time  for  Love  Para. 
North  Star  Goldwyn 

Now,  Voyager  WB 


308 

Pat  O'Brien-George  Murphy 

Oct.  30/42 

81m 

Oct.  17/42 

957 

715 

1 130 

East  Side  Kids 

Nov.  20/42 

61m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

Ritz  Bros.-Frances  Langford 

Not  Set 

1351 

Basil  Sydney-Nova  Pilbeam 

May  7/43 

90m 

Apr.  10/43 

1262 

1392 

7015 

Diana  Barrymore-Brian  Donlevy 

Nov.  13/42 

81m 

Nov.  14/42 

1018 

1 174 

304 

Glenda  Farrell-Lyle  Talbot 

Feb.  18/43 

78m 

Aug.  1/42 

903 

7038 

Irene  Hervey-Bela  Lugosi 

Oct.  23/42 

73m 

Oct.  24/42 

970 

1130 

4219 

Robert  Preston-Ellen  Drew 

Block  4 

68m 

Jan.  2/43 

1 102 

983 

4009 

Loretta  Young-Brian  Aherne 

Dec.  10/42 

90m 

Dec.  19/42 

1066 

986 

i  i  30 

Jack  Lambert-Richard  Wilkinson 

Not  Set 

67m 

Feb.  13/43 

1158 

i\i 

James  Craig-Patricia  Dane 

Dec.-Feb./43 

64m 

Oct.  31/42 

981 

960 

1218 

4036 

William  Gargan-Margaret  Lindsay 
Claudette  Colbert-Fred  MacMurray 
Walter  Huston-Anne  Baxter 

Feb.  1 1/43 
Not  Set 
Not  Set 

67m 

1057 
855 
1305 

206 

Bette  Davis-Paul  Henreid 

Oct.  31/42 

1  17  m 

Aug.  22/42 

902 

1 174 

OLD  Acquaintance  WB 
Old  Chisholm  Trail,  The  Univ 
Old  Homestead,  The  Rep. 
Old  Mother  Riley,  Detective 

(British)  Br.  Nat'l-Anglo 

Omaha  Trail  MGM 
Once  Upon  a  Honeymoon  RKO 
One  Dangerous  Night  Col. 
One  of  Our  Aircraft  Is  Missing 

(British)  UA 
One  Thrilling  Night  Mono. 
Orchestra  Wives  20th-Fox 
Our  Lady  of  Paris  (French)  Hirliman 
Outlaw,  The  Hughes 
Outlaws  of  Pine  Ridge  Rep. 
Over  My  Dead  Body  20th-Fox 
Ox-Bow  Incident,  The  20th-Fox 


Bette  Davis-Miriam  Hopkins 

Not  Set 

1 192 

7073 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Dec.  11/42 

60m 

Jan.  16/43 

iiii 

202 

Weaver  Bros,  and  Elviry 

Aug.  17/42 

67m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

855 

Arthur  Lucan 

Not  Set 

80m 

Feb.  13/43 

1159 

311 

James  Craig-Dean  Jagger 

Sept.-Nov./42 

61m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

796 

311 

Ginger  Rogers-Cary  Grant 

Nov.  27/42 

1 16m 

Nov.  7/42 

1006 

855 

4029 

Warren  William-Eric  Blore 

Jan.  21/43 

77m 

Apr.  24/43 

1274 

983 

Godfrey  Tearle-Eric  Portman 

Oct.  16/42 

86m 

Apr.  1 1/42 

903 

John  Beal-Wanda  McKay 

June  5/42 

69m 

July  4/42 

914 

662 

308 

George  Montgomery-Ann  Rutherford 

Sept.  4/42 

97m 

Aug.  15/42 

927 

797 

Catholic  Art  Documentary 

Mar.  12/43 

56m 

Mar.  20/43 

1215 

Jack  Buetel-Jane  Russell 

Not  Set 

I2lm 

Feb. 13/43 

1  157 

272 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

Oct.  27/42 

57m 

Nov.  21/42 

1017 

325 

Milton  Berle-Mary  Beth  Hughes 

Jan.  15/43 

68  m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

995 

336 

Henry  Fonda-Dana  Andrews 

May  2 1/43 

75m 

May  8/43 

1302 

872 

Product  Digest  Section 


1397 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    26,  1943 


REVIEWED 


Title 


Company 


PALM  Beach  Story,  The  Para. 

Panama  Hattie  MGM 

Pardon  My  Gun  Col. 

Payoff,  The  PRC 

Petticoat  Larceny  RKO 
Phantom  of  the  Opera  (color)  Univ. 
Pied  Piper,  The  20th-Fox 

Pilot  No.  5  MGM 

Pirates  of  the  Prairie  RKO 

Pittsburgh  Univ. 
Power  of  God,  The                   St.  Rts. 

Powers  Girl,  The  UA 

Power  of  the  Press  Col. 
Prairie  Chickens  UA-Roach 

Prelude  to  War  WAC 

Presenting  Lily  Mars  MGM 

Pride  of  the  Army  Mono. 

(also  called  War  Dogs) 

Pride  of  the  Yankees,  The  RKO 

Princess  O'Rourke  WB 

Priorities  on  Parade  Para. 

Prison  Mutiny  Mono. 

(formerly  You  Can't  Beat  the  Law) 
Professor  Takes  a  Wife,  The  MGM 

(formerly  Faculty  Row) 

Purple  V,  The  Rep. 


Prnduri 

J/ O Tit  C 

SfTVtCC 

PrnA 

Release 

ft  <(HMM  IT 

Herald 

Viivrtt 
UfgWth 

T\m£m 
XJmtB 

\7«#-Mf  r><0  f 
LH  MTffVcT 

9/ art 

Of  BIS 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Pap* 

Pa  en* 
r  age 

rage 

4211 

Claudette  Colbert-Joel  McCrea 

Block  3 

90m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

663 

1341 

303 

Ann  Sothern-Red  Skelton 

Sept.-Nov./42 

79m 

July  25/42 

915 

396 

1034 

4202 

Charles  Starrett-Alma  Carroll 

Dec.  I,'42 

57m 

May  22/43 

1326 

1058 

303 

Lee  Tracy-Tina  Thayer 

Jan.  21, "43 

74m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

Ruth  Warrick-Joan  Carroll 

Block  7 



i240 

.... 

Nelson  Eddy-Susanna  Foster 

Aug.  27,'43 

1192 

304 

Monty  Woolley-Roddy  McDowell 

Aug.  21, '42 

87  m 

July  11/42 

903 

751 

1082 

332 

Franchot  Tone-Marsha  Hunt 

June-Aug.,'43 

70m 

Apr.  10/43 

1250 

971 

382 

Tim  Holt 

Nov.  20.'42 

57m 

Apr.  3/43 

1239 

1033 

7008 

Marlene  Dietrich-John  Wayne 

Dec.  1 1  ,'42 

93m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

1341 

■    I        n         1        TL                1  J 

John  Barclay-Thomas  Louden 

kl    x  C  x 

Not  Set 

CO  

bom 

CJct.  4z 

970 

Anne  Shirley-George  Murphy 

Jan. 15/43 

93m 

Dec.  19/42 

1078 

1341 

4037 

Guy  Kibbee-Lee  Tracy 

Jan.  28,'43 

64m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

1055 

Jimmy  Rogers-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

May  21, '43 

986 

Documentary 

May  27/43 

52m 

May  1/43 

1290 

330 

Judy  Garland-Van  Heflin 

June-Aug.,'43 

May   1 ,  *fj 

1  OQO 
1  £07 

1  ooo 

1  ili 

Billy  Lee-Addison  Richards 

Nov.  13/42 

63m 

Oct.  10/42 

946 

351 

Gary  Cooper-Teresa  Wright 

Mar.  5/43 

128m 

July  18/42 

915 

1082 

Olivia  de  Havilland-Robert  Cummings        Not  Set 

962 

420  i 

Ann  Miller-Jerry  Colonna 

Block  1 

79m 

Aug.  1/42 

914 

Edward  Norris-Joan  Woodbury 

Feb. 12/43 

61m 

Jan.  30/43 

1137 

1 08 1 

Mary  Astor-Herbert  Marshall 

Not  Set 

1240 

212 

John  Archer-Mary  McLeod 

Mar.  12/43 

58m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

1162 

QUEEN  of  Broadway  PRC        312        Rochelle  Hudson-Buster  Crabbe  Mar.  8/43  62m       Nov.  28/42       1030  1018 

Queen  Victoria  (British)  Renown    Anna  Neagle-Anton  Walbrook  Not  Set  84m       Jan.  16/43  1113   

Quiet  Please,  Murder  20th-Fox         331        Gail  Patrick-George  Sanders  Mar.  19/43  70m       Dec.  19/42       1067  983 


RAIDERS  of  San  Joaquin 
Random  Harvest 
Rangers  Take  Over,  The 
Ravaged  Earth 

Reap  the  Wild  Wind  (color) 
Redhead  from  Manhattan 
Red  River  Robin  Hood 
Reunion  in  France 

(formerly  Reunion) 
Reveille  with  Beverly 
Revenge  of  the  Zombies 
Rhythm  of  the  Islands 
Rhythm  Parade 

Ride,  Tenderfoot,  Ride  (Reissue) 
Riders  of  the  Northwest  Mounted 
Riders  of  the  Rio  Grande 
Ridin'  Down  the  Canyon 
Riding  Through  Nevada 
Right  About  Face 
Road  to  Morocco 
Robin  Hood  of  the  Range 
Roger  Touhy,  Last  of 

the  Gangsters 
Russian  Story,  The 
Russians  at  War  (Russian) 


Univ. 
MGM 
PRC 
Crystal 
Para. 
Col. 
RKO 
MGM 

Col. 
Mono. 

Univ. 
Mono. 
Rep. 
Col. 
Rep. 
Rep. 
Col. 
MGM 
Para. 
Col. 


20th-Fox 
Artkino 
Artkino 


Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Not  Set 

59m 

June  5/43 

1349 

1009 

370 

Ronald  Colman-Greer  Garson 

June-Aug.,'43 

126m 

Nov.  28/42 

1029 

796 

1280 

351 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill 

Dec.  25/42 

60m 

Jan.  16/43 

1114 

1055 

Documentary  on  China 

Not  Set 

68m 

Dec  5/42 

1043 

i392 

4i37 

Ray  Milland-Paulette  Goddard 

1941-42 

124m 

Mar.  2 1/42 

1250 

408 

795 

4024 

Lupe  Velez-Michael  Duane 

May  6/43 

59m 

May  29/43 

1338 

1241 

Tim  Holt 

Not  Set 

57m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

315 

Joan  Crawford-Philip  Dorn- 

John  Wayne 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

102m 

Dec.  5/42 

1041 

872 

1341 

4014 

Ann  Miller-William  Wright 

Feb.  4/43 

78m 

Mar.  13/43 

1202 

1162 

1392 

John  Carradine-Veda  Ann  Borg 

Sept.  3/43 

1391 

7042 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Apr.  16/43 

60m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1127 

Gale  Storm-Robert  Lowery 

Dec.  1 1  ,'42 

70m 

Dec.  19/42 

1067 

983 

Gene  Autry 

June  1/43 

65  m 

Aug.  24/40 

1274 

42 II 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Feb.  15/43 

57m 

Feb.  27/43 

1182 

1019 

266 

Three  Mesquiteers 

May  21/43 

55m 

May  15/43 

1315 

1276 

253 

Roy  Rogers-Gabby  Hayes 

Dec.  30/42 

55m 

Dec.  12/42 

1054 

1019 

4201 

Charles  Starrett-Shirley  Patterson 

Oct.  1/42 

61m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 169 

1058 

Kay  Kyser-Marilyn  Maxwell 

Not  Set 

1241 

4207 

Bob  Hope-Bing  Crosby-Dorothy  Lamour       Block  2 

83m 

Oct.  3/42 

933 

872 

1130 

Charles  Starrett-Kay  Harris 

July  29/43 

1057 

Preston  Foster-Lois  Andrews 

Not  Set 

1362 

Historical  Feature 

June  8/43 

73  m 

June  5/43 

i349 

Documentary 

Not  Set 

61m 

May  1/43 

1290 

SADDLES  and  Sagebrush 

Col. 

4212 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Apr.  27/43 

57m 

May  8/43 

1302 

1240 

Sagebrush  Law 

RKO 

384 

Tim  Holt 

Apr.  2/43 

56m 

Apr.  24/43 

1275 

Sahara 

Col. 

Humphrey  Bogart-Bruce  Bennett 

Not  Set 

1305 

(formerly  Somewhere  in  Sah 

ara) 

Saludos  Amigos  (color) 

RKO 

392 

Disney  South  American  Feature 

Feb.  19/43 

43  m 

Dec.  19/42 

1065 

1392 

Salute  for  Three 

Para. 

4225 

Macdonald  Carey-Betty  Rhodes 

Block  5 

75m 

Mar.  27/43 

1226 

io9i 

Salute  to  the  Marines  (color) 

MGM 

Wallace  Beery-Fay  Bainter 

Not  Set 

1057 

Santa  Fe  Scouts 

Rep. 

265 

Three  Mesquiteers 

Apr.  16/43 

55m 

May  15/43 

1314 

1276 

Sarong  Girl 

Mono. 

Ann  Corio-Tim  and  Irene 

June  1 1/43 

70m 

May  15/43 

1314 

1277 

Scattergood  Survives  a  Murde 

•  RKO 

306 

Guy  Kibbee-Margaret  Hayes 

Oct.  16/42 

66m 

Oct.  17/42 

959 

912.  . 

Second  Honeymoon 

Univ. 

David  Bruce-Harriet  Hilliard 

July  23/43 
Oct.  17/42 

1375 

Secret  Enemies 

WB 

205 

Craiq  Stevens-Faye  Emerson 

59  m 

Aug.  22/42 

9i4 

Secret  Mission  (British)  Hellman-Gen'l 

Hugh  Williams-Carla  Lehmann 

Not  Set 

94m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

Secrets  of  a  Co-Ed 

PRC 

309 

Otto  Kruger-Tina  Thayer 

Oct.  26/42 

67m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

Secrets  of  the  Underground 

Rep. 

208 

John  Hubbard-Virginia  Grey 

Dec.  18/42 

69m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 159 

1009 

Seven  Days  Leave 

RKO 

310 

Lucille  Ball-Victor  Mature 

Nov.  13/42 

87m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

872 

1280 

Seven  Miles  from  Alcatrai 

RKO 

315 

James  Craig-Bonita  Granville 

Jan.  8/43 

62m 

Nov.  14/42 

1006 

962 

Seven  Sweethearts 

MGM 

308 

Van  Heflin-Kathryn  Grayson 

Sept.-Nov.,"42 

98m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

M74 

Shadow  of  a  Doubt 

Univ. 

7065 

Teresa  Wright-Joseph  Cotten 

Jan.  15/43 

108m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 1 14 

936 

1280 

Shadows  on  the  Sage 

Rep. 

261 

Three  Mesquiteers 

Aug.  24/42 

57m 

Jan.  2/43 

1090 

Shantytown 

Rep. 

218 

Mary  Lee-John  Archer 

Apr.  20/43 

65m 

Apr.  24/43 

1273 

M9I 

I  398  Product  Digest  Section 


June    26,    194  3  MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 

r—  REVIEWED 
M.  P.       Product    Advance  Service 
trod.  Release         Running  Herald       Digest     Synopsis  Data 


Title 

Company 

Number 

Stars 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Page 

She  Has  What  It  Takes 

Col. 

4029 

Jinx  Falkenberg-Tom  Neal 

Apr.  15/43 

66m 

1 192 

.... 

Sherlock  Holmes,  Voice  of  Terror  Univ. 

7020 

Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce 

Sept.  I8,'42 

65m 

Sept.  12/42 

897 

Sherlock  Holmes,  Secret  Weapon  Univ. 

7024 

Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce 

Feb.  I2,'43 

68m 

Jan.  2/43 

1090 

Sherlock  Holmes  in  Washington  Univ. 

7018 

Basil  Rathbone-Nigel  Bruce 

Apr.  30, '43 

71m 

Apr.  3/43 

1237 

983 

Siege  of  Leningrad  (Russian) 

Artkino 

.... 

Soviet  Documentary 

Feb.  1 1,'43 

62m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 169 

Silent  Witness 

Mono. 

.... 

Frank  Albertson-Maris  Wrixon 

Jan.  15/43 

62m 

Dec.  19/42 

1 066 

1033 

Silk,  Blood  and  Sun  (Mexican)  Maya 

.... 

Jorge  Negrete-Gloria  Marin 

Not  Set 

86m 

Feb.  6/43 

1 146 

.... 

Silver  Queen 

UA 

George  Brent-Priscilla  Lane 

Nov.  13/42 

80m 

Nov.  14/42 

1005 

936 

Silver  Fleet  (British)  Archers-Sen'l 

.... 

Ralph  Richardson-Googie  Withers 

Not  Set 

88m 

Mar.  20/43 

1214 

Silver  Skates 

Kit  a  n  st 

ivi  o  no. 

Patricia  Morison-Kenny  Baker 

Feb.  26/43 

76m 

Jan.  16/42 

1 1 13 

1341 

Silver  Spurs 

Rep. 

Roy  Rogers 

July  18/43 

1351 

Sin  Town 

Univ. 

7017 

Constance  Bennett-Brod  Crawford 

Sept.  25/42 

73m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

898 

Six-Gun  Gospel 

Mono. 

.... 

Johnny  Mack  Brown-Raymond  Hatton    Aug.  27, '43 

.... 

1391 

Sky's  the  Limit,  The 

RKO 

.... 

Fred  Astaire-Joan  Leslie 

Block  7 

1 162 

Sleepy  Lagoon 

Rep. 

Judy  Canova-Dennis  Day 

Not  Set 

1391 

Slightly  Dangerous 

MGM 

325 

Lana  Turner-Robert  Young 

Apr.-May/43 

94m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

1057 

1280 

Smith  of  Minnesota 

Col. 

4035 

Bruce  Smith-Arline  Judge 

Oct.  15/42 

66m 

Oct.  17/42 

959 

797 

Soliga  Solberg  (Swedish) 

Scandia 

Edvard  Persson 

Sept.  12/42 

89m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

Sombrero  Kid,  The 

Rep. 

27  i 

Don  Barry-Lynn  Merrick 

July  3 1/42 

56m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

796 

Someone  to  Remember 

Rep. 

.... 

Mabel  Paige-John  Craven 

Not  Set 

1276 

(formerly  Prodigal's  Moth 

Something  to  Shout  About 

Col. 

4006 

Don  Ameche-Jack  Oakie-Janet  Blair 

Feb.  25/43 

90m 

Feb. 13/43 

1 157 

1043 

1341 

'Somewhere  I'll  Rnd  You 

MGM 

301 

Clark  Gable-Lana  Turner 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

107m 

Aug.  8/42 

902 

726 

984 

Somewhere  in  France 

UA 

Constance  Cumming-Tommy  Trinder 

June  1 1  ,'43 

83m 

Feb.  20/43 

1 169 

Souls  at  Sea  (Reissue) 

Para. 

4254 

Gary  Cooper-George  Raft 

Not  Set 

93m 

Aug.  14/37 

1374 

So  Proudly  We  Hail 

Para. 

4228 

Claudette  Colbert-Paulette  Goddarc 

Block  6 

126m 

June  26/43 

1385 

1 104 

Son  of  Dracula 

Univ. 

Louise  Allbritton-Lon  Chaney 

Not  Set 

1241 

Song  of  Texas 

Rep. 

225 

Roy  Rogers 

June  14/43 

69m 

May  29/43 

1337 

.... 

Song  to  the  Wind  (It.) 

Hoffberg 

Giuseppe  Lugo 

Apr.  24/43 

76m 

May  8/43 

1303 

South  of  the  Border  (Re-release)  Rep. 

2302 

Gene  Autry 

Mar.  1/43 

71m 

Dec.  16/39 

1 158 

Spirit  of  Stanford,  The 

Col. 

4022 

Frankie  Albert-Marguerite  Chapman 

Sept.  10/42 

73m 

Oct.  3 1  ,'42 

982 

796 

1082 

Spitfire  (British) 

RKO 

Leslie  Howard-Rosamund  John 

Not  Set 

90m 

Apr.  17/43 

1275 

Spotlight  Revue  (1943-44) 

Mono. 

Billy  Gilbert-Frank  Fay 

Oct.  1/43 

1351 

Spring  Song  (Russian) 

Artkino 

Nikolai  Kunovalov-Ludmila  Tzelikovskaya  Sept.  II  ,'42 

74m 

Sept.  19/42 

910 

Springtime  in  Rockies  (color 

20th-Fox 

3  i  7 

Betty  Grable-John  Payne 

Nov.  6/42 

91m 

Sept.  26/42 

921 

855 

1  i  7-4 

Spy  Train 

Mono. 

Richard  Travis-Catherine  Craig 

July  9/43 

60m 

June  5/43 

1349 

1277 

Squadron  Leader  X  (British) 

RKO 

326 

Eric  Portman-Beatrice  Varley 

Block  6 

100m 

Nov.  28/42 

1030 

Stage  Door  Canteen 

UA 

Stage  and  Screen  Stars 

Not  Set 

132m 

May  15/43 

1313 

1 115 

1392 

Stand  By,  All  Networks 

Col. 

4042 

John  Beal-Florence  Rice 

Oct.  29/42 

64m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

797 

Stand  By  for  Action 

MGM 

316 

Charles  Laughton-Robert  Taylor 

Dec.-Feb..'43 

109m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

871 

1341 

Star  Spangled  Rhythm 

Para. 

4231 

Betty  Hutton-Eddie  Bracken-Victor  M 

oore  Special 

100m 

Jan.  3/43 

1 102 

855 

1280 

Stormy  Weather 

20th-Fox 

Bill  Robinson-Lena  Home 

July  16/43 

77m 

May  29/43 

1337 

1 192 

Stranger  from  Pecos 

Mono. 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

July  17/43 

1277 

Stranger  in  Town,  A 

MGM 

324 

Frank  Morgan-Jean  Rogers 

Apr.-M  ay/43 

67  m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 158 

1079 

Street  of  Chance 

Para. 

4210 

Burgess  Meredith-Claire  Trevor 

Block  2 

74m 

Oct.  3/42 

933 

871 

1082 

Strictly  in  the  Groove 

Univ. 

70?  8 

Leon  Errol-Mary  Healy 

Nov.  20/42 

60m 

July  4/42 

914 

Submarine  Alert 

Para. 

4229 

Richard  Arlen-Wendy  Barrio 

Block  6 

67m 

June  26/43 

1385 

772 

Submarine  Base  (1943-44) 

PRC 

401 

John  Litel-Alan  Baxter 

July  15/43 

1305 

Sundown  Kid 

Rep. 

273 

Don  Barry-Linda  Johnson 

Dec.  28/42 

55m 

Jan.  16/43 

1113 

Sweet  Rosie  O'Grady  (color) 

20th-Fox 

Betty  Grable-Robert  Young 

Not  Set 

1305 

Swing  Shift  Maisie 

MGM 

Ann  Sothern-James  Craig 

Not  Set 

87m 

May  8/43 

1302 

1 191 

Swing  Your  Partner 

Rep. 

221 

Lulubelle  and  Scotty-Vera  Vague 

May  20/43 

72m 

May  8/43 

'302 

1276 

TAHITI  Honey 

Rep. 

216 

Simone  Simon-Dennis  O'Keefe 

Apr.  6/43 

69m 

Apr.  3/43 

1238 

1 191 

Tales  of  Manhattan 

20th-Fox 

313 

C.  Boyer-R.  Hayworth-G.  Rogers 

Oct.  30/42 

1 18m 

Aug.  8/42 

927 

706 

1 130 

Tarzan's  Desert  Mystery 

RKO 

.... 

Johnny  Weissmuller-Nancy  Kelly 

Block  7 

1362 

Tarzan  Triumphs 

RKO 

319 

Johnny  Weissmuller-Frances  Gifford 

Feb.  19/43 

77m 

Jan.  23/43 

1 125 

983 

1 174 

Taxi  Mister 

UA-Roach 

William  Bendix-Grace  Bradley 

Apr.  16/43 

46m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

986 

Tennessee  Johnson 

MGM 

322 

Van  Heflin-Ruth  Hussey 

Dec.-Feb.,'43 

100m 

Dec.  19/42 

1065 

946 

1392 

Tenting  Tonight  on  the 

Old  Camp  Ground 

Univ. 

7074 

Johnny  Mack  Brown 

Feb.  5/43 

61m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

1018 

.... 

Terror  House 

PRC 

322 

Wilfred  Lawson-James  Mason 

Apr.  19/43 

62m 

May  22/43 

1326 

1276 

Texas  to  Bataan 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Oct.  16/42 

56m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

Thank  Your  Lucky  Stars 

WB 

Al!  Warner  Contract  Players 

Not  Set 

1058 

That  Nazty  Nuisance 

JA-Roach 

Bobby  Watson-Joe  Devlin 

Not  Set 

43  m 

June  12/43 

1361 

1019 

That  Other  Woman 

20th-Fox 

318 

Virginia  Gilmore-James  Ellison 

Nov.  13/42 

75m 

Oct.  17/42 

960 

936 

Theatre  Royal  (British)  Nat'l-Anglo 

Bud  Flanagan-Chesney  Allen 

Not  Set 

100m 

June  5/43 

1350 

They  Came  to  Blow  Up  America 

20th-Fox 

339 

George  Sanders-Anna  Sten 

May  7/43 

73m 

Apr.  24/43 

1273 

1 162 

They  Got  Me  Covered 

RKO 

352 

Bob  Hope-Dorothy  Lamour 

Feb.  5/43 

96m 

Jan.  2/43 

1 102 

872 

1341 

This  Is  the  Army 

WB 

Joan  Leslie-George  Murphy-Stage  Cast       Not  Set 

1276 

This  Land  Is  Mine 

RKO 

323 

Charles  Laughton-Maureen  O'Hara 

Block  5 

103m 

Mar.  20/43 

1213 

1  162 

1392 

Those  Kids  from  Town  (British)  Anglo 

Percy  Marmont-Marie  O'Neill 

Not  Set 

75m 

May  2/42 

633 

Three  Hearts  for  Julia 

MGM 

321 

Ann  Sothern-Melvyn  Douglas 

Dec-Feb.,'43 

90m 

Jan.  9/43 

1 101 

1009 

1392 

Thumbs  Up 

Rep. 

Brenda  Joyce-Richard  Fraser 

June  24/43 

67m 

June  19/43 

1374 

1351 

Thunder  Birds  (color) 

20th-Fox 

307 

John  Sutton-Gene  Tierney 

Nov.  20/42 

78m 

Oct.  17/42 

958 

796 

1 130 

Thunder  Rock  (British)  Charter-Metro 

Michael  Redgrave-Barbara  Mullen 

Not  Set 

1  1  1  m 

Uct.    S,  4z 

yjo 

Thundering  Trails 

Rep. 

263 

Three  Mesquiteers 

Jan.  25/43 

56m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 159 

1115 

Time  to  Kill 

20th-Fox 

326 

Lloyd  Nolan-Heather  Angel 

Jan.  22/43 

61m 

Dec.  5/42 

1042 

995 

Tish 

MGM 

302 

Marjorie  Main-Lee  Bowman 

Sept.-Nov.,'42 

83m 

July  25/42 

938 

772 

1034 

Tomorrow  We  Live 

PRC 

307 

Jean  Parker-Ricardo  Cortez 

Sept.  29/42 

64m 

Sept.  26/42 

922 

Tonight  We  Raid  Calais 

20th- Fox 

337 

Annabella-John  Sutton 

Apr.  30/43 

70m 

Apr.  3/43 

1239 

1 1 92 

Tornado  in  the  Saddle 

Col. 

4210 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Dec.  15/42 

59m 

1058 

Trail  Riders 

Mono. 

Range  Busters 

Dec.  4/42 

55m 

June  5/43 

1350 

1018 

Traitor  Within,  The 

Rep. 

207 

Don  Barry-Jean  Parker 

Dec.  16/42 

62m 

Dec.  5/42 

1043 

983 

1 174 

Product  Digest  Section    |  399 


MOTION    PICTURE  HERALD 


June    26,  1943 


REVIEWED 


Title 


Pro  J. 

Company  Number 


Triumph  Over  Pain  Para.  .... 

(formerly  Great  Without  Glory) 

Truck  Busters  WB  213 

True  to  Life  (color)  Para. 

Two  Fisted  Justice  Mono.  .... 

Two  Senoritas  from  Chicago  Col.  4019 

Two  Tickets  to  London  Univ.  .... 

Two  Weeks  to  Live  RKO  317 


Stars 

Joel  McCrea-Betty  Field 

Richard  Travis-Ruth  Ford 
Mary  Martin-Franchot  Tone 
Range  Busters 
Jinx  Falkenburg-Joan  Davis 
Michele  Morgan-Alan  Curtis 
Lum  'n'  Abner 


M.  P. 

Product 

Ad  van 

Release 

Running 

Herald 

Digest 

Synop 

Date 

Time 

Issue 

Page 

Page 

Not  Set 

7  1  L 

Feb.  6,'43 

58m 

Jan.  23,'43 

1126 

Not  Set 

1079 

Jan.  8/43 

61m 

Jan.  23/43 

1  i  27 

1031 

June  I0,'43 

68m 

June  5,'43 

1349 

1305 

June  I8,'43 

78m 

June  I9,'43 

1373 

1339 

Feb.  26,'43 

75m 

Feb.  6,'43 

1 147 

Service 
Data 


UNDERCOVER  Man  UA  .... 

Underground  Agent  Col.  4039 

Undying  Monster,  The  20th-Fox  319 

Union  Pacific  (Reissue)  Para.  4250 

Unpublished  Story  (British)  Col.  .... 


William  Boyd-Andy  Clyde 
Bruce  Bennett-Leslie  Brooks 
James  Ellison-Heather  Angel 
Barbara  Stanwyck-Joel  McCrea 
Richard  Greene-Miles  Malleson 


Oct.  23,'42 

68m 

May  9,'42 

647 

Dec.  3,'42 

68m 

Feb.  6,'43 

1 148 

1009 

Nov.  27,'42 

60m 

Oct.  17/42 

970 

936 

Not  Set 

138m 

Apr.  29,'39 

1374 

Not  Set 

91m 

Apr.  II, "42 

598 

1082 


VALLEY  of  Hunted  Men           Rep.  262 

Varsity  Show  (Reissue)                   WB  215 

Vengeance  of  the  West                 Col.  3216 

Victory  Through  Air  Power   UA-Disney  .... 

Virgin  of  Guadalupe  (Mex.)        Maya  .... 


Three  Mesquiteers 
Dick  Powell-Fred  Waring 
Bill  Elliott-Tex  Ritter 
Disney  Aviation  Feature 
Jose  Luis  Jiminez 


Nov.  13/42 
Dec.  19/42 
Sept.  3/42 
Not  Set 
May  14/43 


60m 
81m 
60m 


Mar.  6/43 
Aug. 21/37 


1190  1031 
1043 


95m       May  22/43  1325 


1375 


WAGON  Tracks  West 

Rep. 

Bill  Elliott-Gabby  Hayes 

Not  Set 

1391 

Wake  Island 

Para. 

4205 

Brian  Donlevy-Robert  Preston 

Block  1 

87  m 

Aug.  15/42 

902 

772 

1 130 

War  Against  Mrs.  Hadley,  The 

MGM 

306 

Fay  Bainter-Edward  Arnold 

Sept.-Nov./42 

86m 

Aug.  8/42 

902 

797 

1174 

War  Dogs 

Mono. 

Billy  Lee-Addison  Richards 

Nov.  13/42 

63  m 

Oct.  10/42 

946 

Watch  on  the  Rhine 

WB 

Bette  Davis-Paul  Lucas 

Not  Set 

986 

We  Are  the  Marines  20th-Fox 

324 

Marine  Feature 

Jan.  8/43 

70  m 

Dec.  12/42 

1053 

We  Dive  at  Dawn  (British) 

Gains. 

John  Mills-Eric  Portman 

Not  Set 

98m 

May  22/43 

We'll  Smile  Again  (Brit.)  Nat'l-Anglo 

Bud  Flanagan-Chesney  Allen 

Not  Set 

93m 

Oct.  3 1/42 

982 

Went  the  Day  Well?  (  British)  Ealing-UA 

Leslie  Banks-Basil  Sydney 

Not  Set 

92m 

Nov.  14/42 

1006 

West  of  the  Law 

Mono. 

Buck  Jones-Tim  McCoy 

Nov.  2/42 

55m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

West  of  Texas 

PRC 

353 

Dave  O'Brien-Jim  Newill 

May  10/43 

54m 

May  15/43 

1314 

1277 

West  Side  Kid 

Rep. 

Donald  Barry-Dale  Evans 

July  1 1/43 

1351 

We've  Never  Been  Licked 

Univ. 

Richard  Quine-Noah  Beery,  Jr. 

July  16/43 

1115 

What's  Buzzin',  Cousin? 

Col. 

Ann  Miller-John  Hubbard 

July  8/43 

1351 

When  Johnny  Comes  March- 

ing Home 

Univ. 

7016 

Allan  Jones-Jane  Frazee 

Jan.  1/43 

74m 

Dec.  26/42 

1090 

1341 

Whistling  in  Dixie 

MGM 

313 

Red  Skelton-Ann  Rutherford 

Dec.-Feb./43 

74m 

Oct.  31/42 

981 

946 

1 174 

White  Cargo 

MGM 

310 

Hedy  Lamarr-Walter  Pidgeon 

Sept.-Nov./42 

89m 

Sept.  19/42 

923 

871 

1341 

White  Savage  (color) 

Univ. 

7004 

Maria  Montez-Jon  Hall-Sabu 

Apr.  23/43 

76m 

Apr.  17/43 

1261 

1079 

Who  Done  It? 

Univ. 

7002 

Abbott  and  Costello 

Nov.  6/42 

75m 

Nov.  7/42 

993 

971 

1082 

Wildcat 

Para. 

4204 

Richard  Arlen-Arline  Judge 

Block  1 

73m 

Aug.  29/42 

938 

Wild  Horse  Stampede 

Mono. 

Ken  Maynard-Hoot  Gibson 

Apr.  16/43 

59m 

May  1/43 

1290 

1276 

Wings  and  the  Woman  (British] 

RKO 

303 

Anna  Neagle-R.  Newton 

Sept.  18/42 

94m 

May  2/42 

903 

i082 

(formerly  They  Flew  Alone) 

Wings  Over  the  Pacific 

Mono. 

Inez  Cooper-Edward  Norris 

June  25/43 

60m 

June  26/43 

1387 

1276 

Without  Notice 

Col. 

Charles  Coburn-lsabel  Elsom 

Not  Set 

1391 

World  at  War 

WAC 

Documentary 

Sept.  18/42 

66m 

Sept.  5/42 

890 

World  of  Plenty  (British) 

Rotha 

Documentary  on  Food 

Not  Set 

60m 

June  19/43 

1373 

Wrecking  Crew 

Para. 

42i2 

Richard  Arlen-Chester  Morris 

Block  3 

73m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

986 

Wyoming  Hurricane 

Col. 

Russell  Hayden-Bob  Wills 

Not  Set 

1079 

X  MARKS  the  Spot 

Rep. 

204 

Damian  O'Flynn-Helen  Parrish 

Nov.  4/42 

56m 

Nov.  7/42 

994 

986 

YANK  at  Eton,  A 

MGM 

305 

Mickey  Rooney-Edmund  Gwenn 

Sept.-Nov./42 

87m 

Aug.  15/42 

915 

726 

1130 

Yankee  Doodle  Dandy 

WB 

201 

James  Cagney-Joan  Leslie 

Jan.  2/43 

126m 

June  6/42 

903 

674 

1082 

Yanks  Ahoy 

UA-Roach 

Joe  Sawyer-William  Tracy 

Not  Set 

47m 

Mar.  13/43 

1203 

1019 

Yanks  Are  Coming,  The 

PRC 

301 

Maxie  Rosenbloom-Mary  Healy 

Nov.  9/42 

65  m 

Oct.  3/42 

935 

1 130 

You  Can't  Beat  the  Law 

Mono. 

Edward  Norris-Joan  Woodbury 

Feb.  12/43 

61m 

Jan.  30/43 

1137 

1081 

You  Can't  Escape  Forever 

WB 

207 

George  Brent-Brenda  Marshall 

Oct.  10/42 

77m 

Sept.  26/42 

921 

898 

1034 

You  Love  Me,  1  Love  You  (It.)  Hoffberg 

Alida  Valli-Amedeo  Nazzari 

Apr.  3/43 

95m 

Apr.  17/43 

1262 

You  Were  Never  Lovelier 

Col. 

4002 

Fred  Astaire-Rita  Hayworth 

Nov.  19/42 

97m 

Oct.  10/42 

945 

796 

i  i  74 

Young  and  Willing 

UA 

William  Holden-Susan  Hayworth 

Feb.  5/43 

82m 

Feb.  13/43 

1 170 

663 

Youngest  Profession,  The 

MGM 

33 1 

Virginia  Weidler-E.  Arnold  &  Guests 

June-Aug./43 

81m 

Mar.  6/43 

1 189 

1081 

1341 

Young  Mr.  Pitt  (British) 

20th-Fox 

316 

Robert  Morley-Robert  Donat 

Feb.  26/43 

103m 

July  4/42 

914 

1392 

Youth  on  Parade 

Rep. 

203 

John  Hubbard-Martha  O'Driscoll 

Oct.  24/42 

75m 

Oct.  3/42 

934 

Feature  Product  including  Coming  Attractions,  listed  Company  by  Company, 

in  Order  of  Release  on  Page  1376. 


I  400  Product  Digest  Section 


THIS  IS  NUMBER  6  OF  A  SERIES  OF  ADVERTISEMENTS  SPONSORED  BY  THE  INTERNATIONAL  PROJECTOR  CORPORATION 
MANUFACTURERS  OF  *JB&&£i!£2SL    EQUIPMENT  IN  COOPERATION   WITH  THE  NATIONAL  CONSERVATION  PROGRAM 


ii 


Keep  Our  Theatres  Open  by 
Coring  for  Equipment  Now! 


-4ay4  VERNE  LANGDON 


T 


oday,  we  exhibitors  are  face  to  face  with  a  critical  situation  born 
of  war-time  conditions. 


VERNE  R.  LAJNGDON 

Exhibitor 
Chicago,  Illinois 


The  show  must  go  on  and  it  must  be  done  with  our  present  equipment, 
from  the  basement  to  the  booth,  as  practically  no  new  equipment  is 
available.  So  far,  the  question  of  proper  conservation  and  maintenance 
is  up  to  us  and  whether  we  sink  or  swim  is  on  our  own  shoulders. 

The  proper  kind  of  Maintenance  will  prolong  the  life  of  our  equip- 
ment as  well  as  the  life  of  the  film.  It  is,  therefore,  of  the  utmost  impor- 
tance that  all  equipment  be  inspected  regularly  by  competent  persons 
and  any  needed  repairs  made  at  once  before  real  trouble  develops. 

Good  Maintenance  will  become  a  habit  once  you  get  a  taste  of  it.  It 
will  be  of  immeasurable  help  in  conserving  many  raw  materials  and 
finished  products  so  that  we  can  carry  on  for  the  duration. 

Let's  keep  our  theatres  open  by  caring  for  equipment  now!" 


JOIN  JULY 
SHANGRI-LA 
WAR  STAMP 
DRIVE! 


The  accompanying  edi-  J 
torial  from  'The  Exhibitor1  1 
of  June  2nd  is  the  ex-  j 
pression  of  an  exhibitor  J 
who  personally  operates 
many  theatres,  is  a  pub- 1 
lisher  and  a  prominent  1 
figure  in  film  circles.  Com- 
ing from  a  man  of  Mr. 
Emanuel's  stature  in  this 
industry,  we  are  only  too 
proud  to  reprint  his  opin- 
ion in  full. 


■ 


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y^/piuiE  mar  of  the  uiduswrv 


^^^T   Have  Headaches? 
Think  You  Have  . 

„  ot  the  industry  ha*  *   ,he  armed  servi ,  ^ 
Evebv  BWSCH  ot  ™      have  left .^Things  are,  and  w 
time  condiuons.  EmPaiyr.als  are  scarce 

l>r  war  jndntfduration.  aU  o{  us, 

Tt^conipany,  things  have  Ug     ^ ^  m  d 

5SSyS»25S  -  station,  and  net  aceord 
-S^Sonnerstounderst 

For  w^P^un     President  Bohb't ^  t0  do  its  part 
Din"55  »ore  than  glad  to  be  up  of  J.  '  for 

COmC  from  felf  a^hlle^^ 

going  to.  QVdaY  is  not  the  s<»  created,  things 

trade  has  been  mhers  are  con  country>  r_ 
moving  on  Ume  ^  parts  Gt  x  trad^i  minority 

of  shipments  m  Bobbins  states  small J^b 

which  is  as  located  against  any 
perhaps  has  nov 


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