HOLLYWOOD’S WAR PLANS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 October 1939, Page 4

HOLLYWOOD’S WAR PLANS

MORE COMEDIES LIKELY. Mr Charles Munro, managing director of Hoyts Theatres, Ltd., said on. his return to Melbourne from the United States, that leading film producers in Hollywood had told him that, despite the war. they would push ahead with their plans to the limit. They recognised that the industry could play a tremendous part in providing diversion for people whose nerves were strained by the conflict. “Film companies both in Hollywood and Great Britain are likely to produce more comedies that will help to lake the mind right away from strife," he said. “They feel that laughter is necessary if people are to remain sane.” Mr Munro said the war was brought vividly to his notice in Hollywood when he met David Niven, the British actor. “Mr Niven was then playing a leading part in ‘Raffles,’” said Mr Munro. "He told me he had only two weeks to complete his job, because he was then packing up for England to join a regiment. He said that he felt compelled to fight for Britain. Hollywood is likely to lose many other British and French actors.’.’ Mr Munro said that leading men in the American film industry and business leaders generally, were very sympathetic towards Britain and France. They had no doubt about the outcome of the war.