LETTER TO ALLEN W. DULLES FROM JULIUS OCHS ADLER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R000400640005-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 26, 2002
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: November 26, 1954
• Content Type: LETTER

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JULIUS OCHS ADLER
GENERAL MANAGER
November 26, 1954
Dear Allie:
Being aware of the many vital matters
that occupy your full attention almost day and
night, I hesitate to send you this little pinprick,
which on the surface seems to be a miscarriage
of justice by someone in the C.I.A. I will fully
understand if you should decide to do nothing about
it.
To identify the writer of the covering
letter, Edgar G. Shelton, Jr. , he is the Executive
Director of the National Security Training Com-
mission, of which I am Chairman, and therefore
felt free to forward this data for what it was worth.
As always,
The Hon. Allen W. Dulles
Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington 25, D. C.
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 STAT
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Edgar G. She.Can, Jr.
November 21, 195)
Dear Ueneral Adler,
Attached hereto is the material concerning John Horton about
which I talked to you last week, As i pointed out to you at that
time, neither Mr. Horton or his studio would want to use any
nra.terials which was in fact of a security nature, but it is
extremely hard to conceive of how this film could possibly be
of such a nature. I know that John will appreciate your finding
our anything you can about it.
Looking forward to seeing you s oon, I am,
Yours,
P.S. It is my understanding that this is not urgent(i.e. not before
mid-December) so that you may wish to take it up next time you
are in Washington rather that from New York.
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Trttvrrxoal 31irturi (&impanj,
JOHN E. HORTON
Washington Representative
19 November 1954
STerling 3-2695
MEtropolitan 8-4141
r IM10RANDUM FOR GENERAL ADLER
SUBJECT: Motion Picture Footage for Incorporation into "TO HELL AND BACK"
Early in August 1954, I was advised by the studio that there was
in existence some outstanding motion picture footage, l6mm Kodachro e
the landings at Salerno and Sicily. The photographer was STAT
who was with the O.S.S. during the War. At present,1 f] is wi STAT
20th Century Fox and informed our studio about the subject film.
My first inquiries as to its location were directed to the Signal
Corps Photographic Center in Astoria, Long Island, Mr.: Sam Besner, Librarian,
who was unable to locate it. Shortly thereafter upon the advice of Mr.
B. B. Adams at the Naval Photographic Center contact was made with C.I.A.
to their film section. Mr. Adams suggested that he should inquire about
the film since the folks he could contact would not be available to
Universal. Mr. Adams learned that the footage was in the hands of C.I.A.,
approximately 28 rolls of l6mm Kodachrome, uncatalogued and filed under
an O.S.S. code. It was suggested by C.I.A. (the film section) that this
film be turned over to the Navy for handling and our subsequent use,
thereof.
Following this arrangement by one day, I was advised that
nothing could be done unless I wrote a letter to Col. Grogan explaining
our interest (letter attached). Also, that there was doubt, now, that
the film existed. I received nV reply (also attached) which in itself
was an entirely insufficient reply to a request which I was advised to
make by C.I.A. personnel.
After receipt of this letter, I determined through rqy own
channels of information that the film was at hand and actually in the
hands of C.I.A. Thereupon, I asked the Defense Department (Mr. J.A.
Yovin) to speak with Grogan, but he received the same type of negative
with no more explanations.
After this rebuff, I asked the Army Pictorial Service, who had
had the film in their possession after the War in the Signal Corps Photo-
graphic Center, to request the footage again on any basis which they
could reach with the film section of C.I.A. They were advised there was
nothing they could do as the film was a "hot" subject now.
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19 Nov. 54
. Shortly after this request of the Army Pictorial Service, I
was told one evening at a social function that the reason Universal
couldn't obtain this film was due to the fact that it was requested
by the son of a former Cabinet Officer of President Truman (this doesn't
seem possible to me but could happen, of course).
In late September, I asked Colonel George P. Welch, Deputy
Chief of Information, Department of Army, to take the matter up with
General Trudeau, G-2 of the Army. He did and General Trudeau called
the C.I.A. and talked with his liaison, whomever that might be, and after
explaining the Army's interest in the footage was given another negative
answer.
The situation, now, is status quo; the footage itself would
be of great value to our film as it is the only color film taken of
these important invasions of World War II. Finally, our film 'ITO HELL
AND BACK, R based on the life and Service career of Audie Murphy, will
provide the American public and peoples the world over with an inspiring
tribute to the valor and deeds of American soldiers and a background of
the tremendous accomplishments of the U. S. Army in World War II.
With much appreciation,
JEH:nc
Attachs:
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y CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Washington 25, D.C.
1 September 1954
Mr. John E. Horton
Universal Pictures Company, Inc.
227 H Street Northwest
Washington 1, D. C.
Dear Mr. Horton :
In reply to your letter of 30 August 1954
please be informed that this Agency regrets that it
may not favorably consider your request regarding
16mm Kodachrome film covering landings in Sicily and
Salerno by units of the U. S. Third Infantry Division
during World War II.
Sincerely,
/Signed/S.J. Grogan
Stanky J. Grogan
Assistant to the Director
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c UNIVERSAL PICTURES COMPANY, INC.
o 227 H Street, Northwest
p Washington 1, D. C.
y
30 August 1954
Colonel Stanley J. Grogan
Assistant to The Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington 25, D. C.
Dear Colonel Grogan:
Our company is producing a feature motion picture entitled "TO
HELL AND BACK" based on the life and war career of Audie Murphy.
Murphy, as you may recall, was the most decorated soldier of World War
II. The film, in telling his war experiences, also relates the his-
tory of the U.S. Third Infantry Division's campaigns in Africa, Sicily,
Italy, France and Germany.
For a portion of the invasion sequences, we are desirous of
utilizing combat photography as recorded during the war. Since our
film will be in color, the amount of official footage available is
considerably restricted.
presently Head of Special Effects for 20th
Century-Fox Film Corporation, informed our production staff at our
studio of some 16mm Kodachrome film he photographed as an OSS camera-
man. This particular photography covered the landings at Sicily and
Salerno. There is approximately 5000 feet of film and, as reported
by ellent material that could be extremely useful to
us. aid that this film was at Astoria, the Signal Corps
Pho ograp is n er; however, a search by Mr. Besner at SCPC for this
film has been unsuccessful to date.
Since most of the OSS material was turned over to your agency
after the War, it seems possible that this particular footage might
be stored under your supervision in a manner or' place not immediately
accessible to the parties contacted in the military channels.
Would it be possible for you to search for this material for us.
If so, we would be most appreciative and believe the resultant use would
be in the best interests of the government.
y
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Col. Grogan -2-
30 Aug 54
In the latter regard, our film is receiving the full coopera-
tion of the Department of Defense (Mr. Donald E. Baruch, ext. 5-2058)
in the event you should desire to confer with them on this request.
Kindest regards.
JEH:nc
cc: D. Baruch
Sincerely yours,
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