Boxoffice-March.10.1951

(Hollywood Office— Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.: Ivan Spear. Western Manager/
War Aid Appearances
Total 80 in February
HOLLYWOOD—Film players made 80
appearances
during February to cheer wounded
GIs or otherwise aid the armed forces, it
was disclosed by the Hollywood Coordinating
Committee, which handles all such events.
On Operation Starlift, in which thespians
make weekend trips to the Travis air base
hospital, 34 players entertained there during
the month, while the HCC reported a total
of 157 appearances by Hollywood talent for
all approved functions, an increase over the
137 appearances chalked up in January.
* * •
Expected to reopen this summer is the
Hollywood Canteen, the organization which
during World War II gained wide fame as
a center of hospitality and service for members
of the armed forces. Bette Davis has
been re-elected president, Carey Wilson is
vice-president and treasurer and Mervyn
LeRoy is assistant treasurer. The Canteen
will utilize the Florentine Gardens, a defunct
night club on Hollywood boulevard, as its
headquarters.
* * •
First annual awards of the World Brotherhood
Organization will be distributed at an
International Brotherhood awards dinner to
be staged Thursday (15) at the Ambassador
hotel. The recipients will be L. M. Giannini,
president of the Bank of America, and Gen.
Carlos P. Romulo, secretary of foreign affairs
for the Philippines. Charles P. Skouras,
president of National Theatres and Fox West
Coast, has been named dinner chairman and
Dick Dickson, PWC's southern California division
manager, is executive director.
* * *
Mexico's Aztec Eagle decoration has been
presented Roy O. Disney, president of Walt
Disney Productions, for his work toward
"strengthening the unity of the Americas
and a better understanding of the peoples
of the world." The presentation was made
to Disney by Salvador Duhart, Mexican consul-general,
in ceremonies at the Biltmore
hotel.
Switches to RKO Pathe
HOLLYWOOD—Glenn McCarthy, oil tycoon
who made one picture two years ago
for RKO release, has switched his production
headquarters from the RKO studio in
Hollywood to the RKO Pathe lot in Culver
City. Making the shift are Robert Paige,
vice-president tof the McCarthy film organization;
Richard Steenberg and Maurice
Janov.
NLRB to Resume Hearing
On SAG-TA Jurisdiction
HOLLYWOOD—Focal point for a lengthy
jurisdictional dispute between the Screen
Actors Guild and Television Authority has
been transferred from New York to Hollywood,
the NLRB having agreed to resume
hearings here on the question of collective
bargaining representation for actors employed
by TV networks. Such was disclosed
with the return of SAG officials from
Gotham, after participating in eastern hearings
for the last two weeks.
Date for the Hollywood hearings has not
yet been set.
New TV Film Unit Formed
HOLLYWOOD—Incorporation papers were
filed for a new TV film production unit.
Home Star Theatre, Inc., listing as the directors
Edward and William Nassour; George
Bagnall, former west coast executive of
United Artists; Actor Charles Laughton and
the latter's representative, Paul Gregory.
Detailed plans are expected to be announced
later.
ROY DISNEY DECORATED—Roy O.
Disney, president of Walt Disney Productions,
is shown being decorated with
Mexico's Aztec Eagle, an honor similar
to one made by Mexico to his brother,
Walt Disney, six years ago. At the left
is Mexico's Consul General Salvador
Duhart attaching the medal on behalf
of President Miguel Aleman. The award
was made in acknowledgment of Disney's
efforts for the benefit of undernourished
children of Mexico through his
support of charitable work of Mrs. Ale-
'Monte Cristo' Shown
To Y-Teen Members
HOLLYWOOD — "The Sword of Monte
Cristo," Edward L. Alperson production being
released by 20th-Fox, which had its
tradepress preview here Tuesday (6), was
given an earlier screening Saturday morning
(3) at Grauman's Chinese Theatre at which
the guests were members of Los Angeles
chapters of the Y-Teen Clubs of America.
The Y-Teen members presented plaques to
George Montgomery and Paula Corday, stars
of the swashbuckler, and to Cinecolor for developing
its new Supercinecolor process, in
which "The Sword of Monte Cristo" was
photographed.
* • •
Although they have not as yet established
releasing arrangements for the opus, the
King Bros, are laying plans for a dual world
premiere on Decoration day of "Drums of
the Deep South" in Washington and Richmond,
Va. Both northern and southern dignitaries
are being invited to attend the showings,
located in the Civil war capitals of the
Union and the Confederacy. The James
Craig-Barbara Payton topliner deals with
the war between the states.
Highlighting the west coast premiere of U-I's
"Bedtime for Bonzo" Tuesday (6) at the
Carthay Circle Theatre was the distribution
of awards to filmdom's "best animal actors."
The event was staged under sponsorship of
the American Humane Ass'n and the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Awarded the Patsy trophy was Francis, U-I's
"Talking Mule," with presentations made by
James Stewart, Leo Carrillo, Diana Lynn and
Rex Allen,
and Ronald Reagan.
* * «
Warners dispatched Dennis Morgan, Steve
Cochran and Dorothy Hart, who star in the
film, to Albuquerque and Raton, N. M., for
personal appearances Tuesday and Wednesday
(6,7) in connection with a two-day, twocity
premiere of "Raton Pass."
• • •
"My Outlaw Brother," produced for Eagle
Lion Classics release by Benedict Bogeaus,
will be world-premiered Wednesday (14) at
the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco.
Norman Siegel Elected
HOLLYWOOD—First studio representative
to be so honored, Norman Siegel, Paramount
studio publicity-advertising director, has
been elected a member of the PubUc Relations
Society of America, comprising public
relations representatives of business and industrial
firms in the U.S. and Canada.
BOXOFFICE March 10, 1951 47