Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1949-08-26
Film On Scandinavia

OF participated III SOlile uillQue
achievement. He suggests that the
opening scenes of the film would
feature historical backflashes de-
picting the Scandinavian imigra-
tions to the U. S. in general, be-
ginning of course with the Viking
landing on the shores of North
America. He said most of this his
torical material could be supplied
through Hollywood.
Scandinavian Festivals Luring
What particularly appeals to
me - and I'm thinking of it's ar
tistic possibilities on film is
many of your local activities" he
remarks. Things like the Norwe-
gians May 18th celebrations, Swe-
dish Day, folk dances and Lucia
festivals, etc, have a folkish touch
which are very rare in America
today. In fact, the Scandinavian
peoples to my knowledge are
some of the very few in America
that are so responsive to the
quaint old country traditions. And
very little of this has been cap
tured on film. You remember In
grid Bergman was portrayed in a
short movie on Minnesota. That
picture was quite a hit over in
Sweden and received top billing,
according to what l heard in Hol-
lyWood. The market for the pic
ture 1 have in mind would also be
pretty large in the u. s., be-
cause there are so few of them.
1 don't think I've ever heard of a
real down-to-earth Scandinavian
movie with a U. S. setting over
here, have you?"
He would ask representatives of
Scandinavian groups or supporter
to form a committee to work out
general approach to the story
material which would then be SUBJ
mitted to the Hollywood studio
for technical treatment.
RevOlted Against Hollywood
Mckee, who is Northwest rep
resentative of Mercury Interna-
tional Motion Pictures, Inc, be-
came interested in the proposed
project largely through his assist
ant, Jess Wall Terry, Dr., of Sc
attic, who says he has been nour-
ishing the idea for some time.
The studio staff is comprised en-
tirely of film artists and techni-
clans formerly associa ted with the
maj or film companies who revolt
ed against Hollywood's CONNER
cial film restrictions and wanted
more art. Mckee, who has won
coveted Los Angeles Museum
prize for painting, was art direc-
tor for Walt Disney on such pic
lures as Fantasia, Pinnochio. Vic
tory Through Air Power, and has
had other top engagements with
a number of major companies.
Thus the group of embittered ar
fists banded together in a COM
pany of their own, which in addi-
ton to making commercial movies
with an artistic touch also makes
documentaries. One of its latest
! documentary fashioned pictures,
The California Way of Life, is now
being distributed nationally by
Warner Brothers.
Worldwide Distribution of Film
The movie company, which spe-
cializes in low-cost pictures with
main emphasis on artistic quality,
operates only on a basis of full
economic guarantees for each pic
ture, which requires sponsors.
The local Scandinavian film,
running about 80 minutes or so.
could be made at streamlined
budget cost of about $50. 900, says
Mckee, who is now seeking the
support of Scandinavian groups,
individuals or firms for the prof.
ect. which he hopes to launch this
fall. The film would be complet-
ed within a year.
The company would give the
picture national publicity. distrib-
ute il to film libraries and any
number of the LOO film-purch-
asing organizations in the L. :.
and arrange sale of theatrical and
commercial rights to a major stu
do for national and worldwide re-
lease.