THAT morsel of philosophy anent the uneasiness of the head that wears a crown, which was rendered archaic with abolishment of most of the world's royalty, might find paraphrasing in Hollywood's current avalanche of award bestowals, which every year are growing more numerous and, resultantly, less important individually. To wit: "Sore is the arm that reaches for the kudos." Photoplay's annual gold medals-distributing clambake launched this year's lineup, followed a few weeks later by a comparable, and characteristically well-staged, venture by Look magazine. On the very next night, the awards-snatchers went around once again at the yearly "golden globes" event of the Hollywood Foreign Correspondents Ass'n, subsequent to which came the distribution of "silver movie" citations for motion picture achievement by Redbook magazine. Then, too late as always and increasingly anticllmactic, will be staged the granddaddy of them all, the annual awards event of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, scheduled for March 29. Covering a year during which Hollywood's output was not outstandingly scintillating, it is most natural that the recipients of the above-listed kudos are the same—with slight variations—in each instance. By the same logic, most of them are favorites among the nominees for the Academy's 1950 honors. Comes the night of March 29 and their respective arms may be so charley-horsed that they'll encounter difficulty in carrying their Oscars off the Pantages Theatre stage. By then, the glorified ones among the beautiful people will probably be so bored with accepting plaques, medals, awards, golden globes, silver movie bestowals and what-will-you-have, that poor ol' Oscar will not look nearly as shiny as he did in earlier years when he was not subjected to the intensive competition that has made him lose much of his luster in the eyes of the press and the general public. Of course—and on the ill-wind theory there are those who are happy about the whole thing. Witness: The tradepapers that manage to clout the selectees for a few pages of "thank you-all" advertising, no matter from whom or whence came the kudos; the cabinet-makers who build display cases and/or shelves to house the bumper collections, and the trucking companies retained to haul them all home for the arm-sore winnahs. Again it's open sea.son in Cinemania for the avid headline hunters and them Hollywood hilUs are resounding to the "yoicks" of the house committee on un-American activities. But that's too succulent a morsel to dissipate in the limited space remaining to complete this week's chore. What's puzzling is why Senator Kefauver's committee Investigating gambling practices in 48 California has overlooked Hollywood. Certainly the good senator and his associates should see grounds for suspicion in the fact that upcoming features include: "Inside Straight" (MGM). "The Sure Thing" (Columbia). "Secrets of Monte Carlo" (Republic). "Chuck-a-Luck" (Fidelity Pictures, for 20th Century-Fox) "Skid Row" (Joseph Bernhard-Anson Bond, also for 20th-Fox). Further to assure that the 1951 awards hysteria reaches a new high in ridiculousness comes a release—cloaked in anonymity, but obviously stemming from Al Horwits' Universal-International praisery—informing that the American Humane Ass'n has inaugurated a special award, presented and named in honor of Richard C. Craven, veteran film industry humanitarian, for filmdom's best trained animal actor. Presentation of this citation augmented the distribution of Patsy (picture animal top star of the year) trophies and awards at a benefit premiere staged by the humane organization of IJ-I's "Bedtime for Bonzo" at the Carthay Circle Theatre on March 6. Says Trigger: Make mine hay. Intelligence from Lou Lifton, Monogram's publicity impresario, that Leo Gorcey, starred in that company's "Bowery Boys" series, has purchased a 10-acre almond ranch in Reddings. And nuts to you, too, Leo. Producer Paul Short plans an early start, for Allied Artists release, on "The Frog Men," and 20th Century-Fox has nearly completed an opus with the same title. Both are concerned with the exploits of the navy's underwater demolition squads. Obviously, both cannot be permitted to reach the nation's screens under the same title, and, resultantly, much controversy in tradepaper columns—has ensued. Perhaps the issue could be resolved by putting Darryl Zanuck and Paul Short under water to determine who should demolish whom. And at the same time they can establish that movies are wetter than ever. A gander at upcoming product gives assurance that for the time being, at least, Hollywood n^ted not worry about a Margaret Sanger award being added to the groaning list. Note: "Rock-a-Bye Baby" (20th Century-Fox). "A Baby for Midge" (Warners). "Oh, Baby" (Universal-International) "Don't Cry, Baby" (Warners). "The Day They Gave Babies Away" (EMmund Grainger-RKO) "Billion Dollar Baby" (Samuel Goldwyn- RKO). lATSE Continues Wage Hike Demand HOLLYWOOD—Continued efforts to reach agreement between studio labor liaison representatives and the lATSE studio locals concerning the latter's demand for cost-ofliving wage boosts were being made at midweek despite an earlier rejection by the lATSE of a producer proposal for a ten-centan-hour boost and other adjustments. An additional and subsequent stalemate was encountered when producer representatives refused to talter their stand that a reopening of the lA bargaining agreement be set back to October 1953, although the union has been holding out for an October 1951, reopening date. The same ten-cent hourly boost has been offered to the five unions which are members of the studio labor basic agreement, and that offer has been under advisement. In an effort to negotiate contracts similar to the agreement recently reached with the major producers, the Screen Writers Guild has charted huddles with the Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers and the Independent Motion Picture Producers Ass'n. An SWG negotiating committee was scheduled to meet with IMPPA representatives Thursday (8) and sessions with the SIMPP will get under way later in the month. * « * A general membership meeting of the Screen Producers Guild will be staged Monday (12) at which President William Perlberg will make a progress report and plans will be discussed for holding an election of officers and board members early in May. Irving Asher is chairman of the nominating committee. Anthony Landi Rejoins I. G. Goldsmith Unit HOLLYWOOD—Anthony Z. Landi has rejoined the I. G. Goldsmith production unit to function as associate producer on "Gardenia," which Goldsmith is readying as a United Artists release. Landi and Goldsmith were previously teamed on "The Scarf," which will go into early distribution under the UA banner. Subsequently Landi had been associated with Lou Schor, independent producer. Teachers Vote 'Cyrano' Top Educational Film HOLLYWOOD—"Cyrano de Bergerac" has been voted "the best educational film of 1950" by the California Teachers Ass'n, and Producer Stanley Kramer was scheduled to be presented the organization's first annual award Saturday (10). To Topline Andrews Sisters HOLLYWOOD—With Alex Gottlieb and Jean Yarbrough—two veterans of the theatrical film field—serving respectively as producer and director, filming has been launched on the first in a proposed series of video films topllning the Andrews Sisters, radio and recording singers. The unit is headquartering at the Hal Roach studios. BOXOFFICE March 10, 1951
Left, the Eastman I6mm. Projector, Model 25, brings 16mm. projection to the professional level. Shown here, adaptedfor arc illumination, permanently installed
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Errol Flynn and Dean Stockwcll in a
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- Page 9 and 10: No Shortage of Carbons Seen by Manu
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- Page 13 and 14: Independents Confident Of UA Succes
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- Page 17 and 18: ITS 34.928.741 READERS THE w im EXC
- Page 19 and 20: Hughes, Government File Stock Brief
- Page 21 and 22: IRES PRODUCED BY REPUBLIC! THAT [7O
- Page 23 and 24: National Theatres Executives Discus
- Page 25 and 26: He Tells of His Success Paramount E
- Page 27 and 28: ^re's theJk^^at SjEZIS/ 2" X 3" DIE
- Page 29 and 30: British Economic Crisis Expected to
- Page 31 and 32: aucer-Director Clarence Brown's age
- Page 33 and 34: MGM Promotes Four In Realignment NE
- Page 35 and 36: CHESTER FRIEDMAN EDITOR HUGH E. FRA
- Page 37 and 38: I Tadi( adio Contests Spark New Hav
- Page 39 and 40: It The army brought up its heavy ar
- Page 41 and 42: ' beside Doyleslown, Pa., Key Seeks
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- Page 45 and 46: I6th MMPTA Is Opposing Booth Standa
- Page 47 and 48: Eastman Kodak Net For 1950 Increase
- Page 49 and 50: . . . . Herb Jersey Showman Given C
- Page 51 and 52: . . Melvin . . The PHILADELPHIA par
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- Page 57 and 58: 'Hornblower' Debut In London April
- Page 59 and 60: i [ ment i during Waive Wage Freeze
- Page 61 and 62: Tcane Seattle Lioness Gets Film Con
- Page 63 and 64: . . Edward PHOENIX nctress Virginia
- Page 65 and 66: Kansas Bill Seeks To End Censorship
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- Page 69 and 70: Allied Board Plans Spring Conventio
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- Page 73 and 74: $310,000 Theatre Honors E.R. Rogers
- Page 75 and 76: Mayor Brings Change To Higher Type
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- Page 79 and 80: MIAMI Tack Cohn, executive vice-pre
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- Page 83 and 84: 'Air Cadet' Will Open In San Antoni
- Page 85 and 86: I Ben Cockrell Denver, Buys Out Gam
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- Page 89 and 90: Stench Bombs Tossed In Louisville S
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- Page 95 and 96: CINCINNATI . . f^eorge Fetick, oper
- Page 97 and 98: Conn. Film Men Join To Discuss 8 Bi
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BOXOFFICE BAROMETER • EXHIBITOR H
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attendance. Played Sat., Sun.—C.
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Alphabetical Picture Go/1/0 ladex a
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++VerY Good; + Good- ±Fair; -Poor
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CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHA
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REPUBLIC _j (S5) Driuna SOOS MACBET
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20th Century-Fox Universal-Internat
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Opinions 00 Correof Prodaetlons; Ex
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I CLOSING DATE: Monday noon pracadi
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