The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-04-30
HOLLYWOOD Shorts
BY JOHN R. CHAPLIN

IL by JOf1N II. Cf1Af LIN
STRINGS are being felt throughout
the industry about what seems to be
a movement to start censorship of the
films on grand scale.
Most significant is the organization
of a group of some 25 of the top film
correspondents, to present their prob
! lens unitedly to the Hays Office
Never before had people such as Lou
ella Parsons, Hedda Hopper, Jimmie
Fidler and so on, been organized to-
gether into one group for any pur-
pose In fact it was sometimes diff
let alone professionally.
Two theories are advanced: 1. That
the producers, who under the govern
ment consent decree have to sell films
on their own merit in groups of no
more than five at a time, intend ulti-
mately to do away with previews and
film reviewing entirely Tin order to
avoid letting the exhibitor, prospec-
tive purchaser of their product, know
what the press thinks about it,;
q That this attempted censorship
is just the forerunner of the real
RECOMMENDATION which will come when
we get more deeply involved in the
war
Whatever the actual reason (and
probably a little of both is trueJ not
only are the top correspondents exer
cised, but fan magazine writer's are
stirring, too; free-lance photographers
are talking about organization; and
other hitherto "individualistic" groups
are beginning to learn that only in
a union is there strength. :.
Another heartening factor is the
organization by Local AZ, American
Federation of Musicians (AFL), of a
united committee of all Hollywood
unions and guilds to fight current
anti-labor bills pending in California s
legislature.
Addressing the first meeting of the
group, State Sen. Robert Walker Ken
ny pointed out that it was such a
coalition as this that de-
feated the infamous Initiative No. 1
in the 1888 elections. 1t seems al
most too late to stop the current bills,
but the developing wave of protest
will doubtless prompt Gov gilbert L.
Olson to veto or pocket-veto them.
Organizations involved both ALL
md independent, include the Bro. of |
Painters Decorators & Paperhangers, |
screen Writers Guild, Screen Car
oonists Guild, Studio Office EN-
)loyes Guild, Init Alliance of Theatri-
al Stage Employees, Screen Publicists
Guild, Screen Actors Guild, American
iuild of Variety Artists, American
federation of Radio Actors, and 9TH
rs. No Clio unions are in the group,
ince none is involved in the enter
ainment industry.
Still lacking formal cooperation be-
ween ALL and CLIO, which licked No.
in 1888, this fight against the state
ills sees both great declarations carry
ng on parallel struggle, with every
nance that unity may be found on
his point before the issue is settled.
Briefly: Orson Welles' actors Ever
tt Sloane and Ray Collins, both big
its in the New York stage produc-
ion of Native Son, will soon WOW
GU on the screen in Citizen Kane,
nd they appear weekly on the big
me radio show, Court of Missing
Ieirs,. Not bad record, boys. +.
HE CURRENT FILMS I
The Devil & Miss Jones (R.K.O): Is
xcellent comedy about boss joining a
Mon. Strictly phony ending, but
bod understanding of the workers
roblems until the last few scenes. o
ont miss it.
Reaching For the Sun (Par): Hon n
1t, if sentimental, story of strug- a
ing young couple in Detroit's auto q
dustry. Despite the absence of >
Dor facts, it's entertaining and 3
rilling Worth seeing. q
Men of Boys Town (M.G.M) Sec "
ID film about Father Flanagans good 7
Ork for delinquent boys. Especially
nelly because of the priests current
tempt to reform Los Angeles no. y
rious Whittier reformatory, almost u
act duplication of the film story. .,
orth seeing. W
RECENT BEST BETS: Fantasia, fo
'wer and the Land, Land of liberty, be
Line, Lady Eve, Topper
turns, Nice Grip, Road to Zanzibar G.