The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-11-20
Hollywood Shorts
Federated Press)
By JOHN R. CHAPLIN

tfeQeTdLeu HTeSSJ
The government settlement of its
film antitrust suit by a consent de.
cree has met with varied reactions
Exhibitors feel the government has
not been stiff enough with the big
producers. But many consumer groups
feel that at least part of the desired
effect has been achieved
Instead of selling films in blocks OF
10, studios must now sell them in
block Of no more than five. Which
means that instead of IL stinkers
being palmed off on the public with
each good picture, no more than four
for one can be slipped over. Thus
each studio must make IL worthwhile
films per year instead of only four.
This is undoubtedly a gain for film
quality. But it does not yet rip the
market wide open, and will not slim
ulate widespread Independent produc-
ton, as had been foerseen if the trust
suit had been carried to its ultimate
conclusion. -.
1t is rumored that the real revenue
from dime-in-the-slot movies will come
from the production of Topographic
shorts, to be shown at stag parties,
and to other specialized audiences.
Many believe that the situation will
get so warm that Jimmy Roosevelt
(who has already given up his posi-
ton in the feature production field to
accept a commission in the u. S. Ma
potato Several other companies are
now in the field, competing with
Roosevelt in the slot-machine short
production. -.
Ben Markson has written scenario
called Bomb Shelter, detailing night
in London afraid shelter; Leonard
Hoffman has done Night Hawks, a
yarn about youthful R. A. F. flyers.
Both films will be made by Warmers,
which is also releasing London Can
Take 1t, now playing 500 U. S. thea
tiers simultaneously Proceeds from
London Can Take 1t, with common
tary by Quentin Reynolds, go to the
British War Relief. =.
A survey once noted that $40 of
films had scenes of people in dress
clothes. The studios have apparent
ly at last learned most Americans
don't dress for dinner; you'll note that
many, many recent films have no full
dress scenes at all. Contracts:
Wayne Morris renewed at Warmers;
Mary Astor at same studio (for Far
Horizon); Brian Donlevy renewed at
Paramount.
Warmers have bought Irwin Shaw's
Group Theater hit, The Gentle Peo-
pie. John Garfield, Ann Sheridan (if
she makes up with the studio),
Thomas Mitchell and Albert Basser-
man will appear in it. Sylvia Sidney
and Franchot Tone were it's stars on
:. Ring Lardner Jr. and
Fritz Rotter have written yarn call
ed She Was His Boss, which M.G.M.
will make as one of the studios out
standing comedies of the coming pro-
gram. -. Irene Dunno stars in Mr..
which Edmund Goulding
will direct at Warmers.
Highlight of the recent election
was a picture of Humphrey
Bogart welding a machinegun, which
adorned the restaurant at Warmers.
Under it, some wags had put a sign
that read: "Roosevelt-or else" Il
Orson Welles had bar for the press
Turing filming of his Citizen Kane.
But, to rib the reporters on their al
eyed liking for liquor, he had sign
IN it: Gentlemen: News is found on
he streets-not in saloons"
THE NEW FILMS
Knute Rockne-All American CIV. |
b.: Success story of high-minded |
deals, with good football action stuff.
Pat O'Brien turns in a remarkable |
characterization as Rockne, with Ron
I'D Reagan outstanding as Gipp. Good |
seasonal gridiron stuff.
Tugboat Anne Sails Again CIV. b: |
Acceptable comedy, with Marjorie
aambeau doing a good job as the
ugboat skipper. Medium.
Arise MY Love tfdr.J. rTSt-Tdlo
comedy about an adven-
flyer. Too bad it makes the
.oyalist volunteers appear as adven-
ures. But the dialogue is exceeding
y racy and the performances tops.
)kay
Hullabaloo IN. G. M: Nondescript
MUSICAL, marked by the film debuts
f Virginia O'Brien and Charles Hol-
and. Both disappoint in looks but
ing well.
CURRENT BEST BETS: City of
conquest, Christmas in July, Thief of
agdad, Spring Parade, The Great
'ictator, Hired Wife, The Long Voy-
ge Home, The Towards of Virginia. /