Boxoffice-August.28.1948

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M.IOT many weeks ago this space toyed
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with the idea that possibly the motion
pi^lui-e industry, like the nation 'way
back m 1932, has nothing to fear but fear
itself, giving credit, of course, to FDR for
that since-proven-sound analysis of America's
economic woes. Such possibility was
posed because of a particularly pessimistic
perspective displayed by Eric Johnston, president
of the MPAA. Johnston, it will be recalled,
opined at a press conference during
a visit to Hollywood that the picture business
is going to get a lot worse before it gets
better—offering, among other reasons for
that prediction, the fact that the foreign
market for American celluloid has virtually
vanished, and that theatremen in the U.S.
itself are confronted with constantly-increasing
competition from other entertainment
forms such as television, night baseball, auto
racing and the like.
Now comes word from the bailiwick of
David O. Selznick to establish that there is
still confidence in the ancient axiom that
"there is nothing wrong with the motion picture
industry that a few good pictures canno.
cure"; and in the less-widely accepted "nothing-to-fear-but-fear"
theory.
Speaking for the Selznick organization,
Daniel T. O'Shea, president of Vanguard
Films, made it known that DOS's next production
venture, "The Greatest Show on
Earth," is being shaped up as "what promises
to be the most expensive picture ever
made in Hollywood."
That covers a lot of territory, particularly
when one considers that an earlier Selznick
offering, "Gone With the Wind," was well up
into the astronomically-budgeted class, as
was his superwestern, "Duel in the Sun."
O'Shea reminded, in connection with
"GWTW," that DOS's decision to unlimber
the bankroll for his new project is in line
with the same policy of opulence he adopted
in filming the Margaret Mitchell novel
produced at a time when the industry also
was deep in a boxoffice slump.
Selznick, it was insisted by O'Shea, "won't
compromise his decision about pictures because
of the panic of others."
That, at least, is one step in the right direction.
A few more—and from persons of
comparably high industry status as that enjoyed
by DOS—could prove all that is necessary
to get production, distribution and exhibition
out of their current doldrums.
From the Universal-International praisery.
Frank McCarthy Signed
As Darryl Zanuck Aide
HOLLYWOOD—Executives at 20th Century-Fox
were advised by cable from Darryl
F. Zanuck, production chief now touring Europe,
that he had signed Frank McCarthy
as his executive aide. McCarthy will report
to the Westwood studio January 1. McCarthy,
former executive aide to Byron Price
when the latter was Eric Johnston's representative
in Hollywood, has been in charge
of Motion Picture Ass'n of America activities
presided ever by John Joseph—who is to the
loreiront among filmdom's gadgeteers
ccmes now a bit of statuary. Finished in a
jaundice-yellow, it is the figurine of a shapely
wench, the base of which is inscribed,
One Touch of Venus," which, as one and
sundry know, is the title of an upcoming
U-I opus.
Had the sculptor—spare the mark—made
the inscription read "One Touch of Venice"
the error would have been entirely understandable.
The object d'art is exactly of the
same variety with which the suckers are rewarded
when they successfully toss baseballs
ct milk bottles on the amusement pier of
that community—Venice, Calif., that is.
Those cinema critics who maintain that
the trouble with modern-day movies is that
they don't move should take a quick glance
at the advance synopsis for a Columbia cliffhanger,
"Congo B-U." In this 15-episode
serial, "Congo Bill" successfully escapes:
An attack by masked villains; a dynamite
explosion; a huge rock tossed down at him
by unfriendly African natives; quicksand;
a trap that throws him into a pit with a
panther; another trap that hangs him by his
heels while bad men shoot at him; a tortuie
chamber with revolving knife blades; an
attack by natives with poisoned arrows; another
dynamite explosion; a duel with knives;
and the menace of a maddened gorilla.
And without mussing a single hair of Title
roler Don McGuire's well-trimmed coiffeur.
KEEPING-UP-WITH-THE-JONESES DEFT.
Screen Guild Productions Division
Big, fat old 20th Century-Fox bought a
new property called "Fire," while Robert L.
Lippert Productions acquired "Three Alarm
Fire."
Monogram isn't taking the 45 per cent British
film quota sitting down. In a counteroffensive,
the studio announces it will send
Producer Jan Grippo and the Bowery Boys
to England film "The Bowery Boys Invade
London."
Twentieth Century-Fox and Washington
stand accused oi both bad timing and woeful
lack of cooperation. Darryl F. Zanuck's
"The Iron Curtain" was released in May,
and it wasn't until August that the house
committee on un-American activities got
around to launching its investigation into
the alleged Russian spy ring operating in
these United States.
in Europe, headquartering in Paris, for the
last year or more,
At the studio he will take over executive
cuties previously handled by Lyman Munson,
who is now in charge of the company's London
studios.
Zanuck is expected back in Hollywood early
next month.
Seattle Liberty Improved
SEATTLE—The Liberty Theatre here has
installed a new type seat and made other
general improvements.
'Tap Roots' Premieres;
Proceeds to Charity
HOLLYWOOD—"Tap Roots," the Walter
Wanger production for Universal-International
release, was given a benefit premiere
in San Francisco August 24 with proceeds
into a charity fund supervised by the San
Francisco Call-Bulletin. On hand for the
opening were Hollywood players incluning
Chill Wills, Susan Hayward, Boris Karolff,
Julie London, Richard Long and Shelley Winters.
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Educational, civic and film leaders were on
the guest list when "California's Golden Beginning,"
official film in commemoration of
the state's centennial celebration, was premlired
August 27 at Hollywood high school, j
The Cinecolor subject was produced by the j
California centennial commission with Grant
Leenhouts of the Motion Picture Producers I
Ass'n as supervisor, and was directed by Cecil
B. DeMille and William H. Coleman. Prints
are being made available for noncommercial
showings in state and parochial schools, serv-
ice clubs, historical societies, women's organ- I
izations and similar groups.
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Edward Arnold to Open
Birmingham, Ala., Drive
HOLL"YWOOD—Edward Arnold, executive
vice-president of the industry's permanent
charities committee, is attempting to adjust
upcoming film commitments so that he can
indulge in a bit of extracurricular charitable
work. Arnold has besn invited to make the
"kickoff" speech in Birmingham, Ala., next
October, launching all major Community
Chest drives in the southern states.
In appreciation of their successful efforts
to raise the local $10,000,000 quota for the
United Jewish relief fund. Producer Samuel
Goldwyn was host to campaign workers at
a concert at the Philharmonic auditorium by
Artur Rubenstein, Joseph Szigeti and Lotte
Lehman. Goldwyn, UJRF director for the
Los Angeles area, presented the trio of artists
with scrolls on behalf of the fund.
First Schary MGM Film
To Be 'The Intruders'
HOLLYWOOD—First picture to get the
green light at Metro under supervision of
Dore Schary as executive vice-president in
charge of production will be "The Intruders,"
story of an innocent Negro saved from lynching
by a boy and an elderly spinster, both
white.
Clarence Brown will produce and direct!
from the novel by William Faulkner, withf
Claude Jarman jr. cast as the boy.
Bob Hope to Be Recognized
At DAV Ball September 20
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HOLLYWOOD — Bob Hope will have to
make room on his already crowded shelf for i
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another award when, as the highlight of the I
Disabled American Veterans' benefit ball f
September 20, the Paramount comedian will I
be cited "in recognition of his continued work
for hospitalized servicemen. " hand to
present the tribute will be Gen. Jonathan M.j u
Wainwright, new national DVA head.
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44 BOXOFFICE :
: August 28, 194«'{