The Exhibitor (Aug-Nov 1948)

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8 THEEXHIBITOR Met KONecorrs New yorn TO YOU who missed us, we say howdy. To you who didn’t, we say Ah, yer ladder’s mustache. When we arrived back in lil’ ol’ won’erful New York, what do you think we found awaiting us besides a bagful of mail, bills, and assorted trivia? An interview. How pleasant to take up where we left off, and, so soon, too. The interview was with Fred Brisson, head. Independent Artists, Inc., which makes films for release by RKO, his first and latest being “The Velvet Touch” with his wife, Rosalind Russell. He told us how he went to Europe not only to help the RKO organ¬ ization sell his film but also to appoint representatives in London and Paris and to complete filming arrangements of properties abroad, import talent, etc. In the selling of his film, Brisson opined that his personal attention to distribution in Europe has increased the amount of playing time and at top terms. Brisson thought it wrong for American producers to write off the foreign market generally, preferring instead to feel that when a film has a suitable foreign theme, that greater attention should be exerted personally by the producer. He would not, however, produce solely for the foreign revenue, preferring instead the American market, if a film has to be limited. Brisson couldn’t find any anti-Holly¬ wood feeling among the people in the countries he visited, stating that everyone was infatuated with the American movie capital and its emissaries. Touching on production plans here, he stated that his company will try to make on an average of one-and-a-half pix per year, and that it was all financed and work was being readied on the scripts. Among the features planned are the story of Barney Barnato, discoverer of the Kimberly mines, to be called “King Of The Diamonds”; a comedy love story by Dudley Nichols; an idea by Rosalind Rus¬ sell, “Madly In Love”; a story of the auto¬ mobile, “New Model,” and a film biog¬ raphy of Carl Brisson, his father and noted stage star. MAIL DEPT.: H. M. Richey, MGM’s goodwill ambassador, is sending out a needle, button, and thread to each branch manager with a note which, in part, said: “This needle, thread, and button are to remind you that the sales department is committed to back up the advertising de¬ partment’s promise in the trade show advertisement for “A Southern Yankee” to replace all the buttons your exhibitor friends lose from laughing when they see the new Red Skelton picture at your tradeshow A perfumed note on pink stationery was awaiting our return which stated: “Dear Mel, I know all about you — your business is my business. We must get together and at my house as soon as possible. Please don’t tell anyone — keep our relationship a secret. Love, Mona Stevens. P. S. I’ll contact you very soon.” A note from Dick Powell followed the latter up to announce to our relief and slight disappointment that Mona Stevens was a character played in “Pitfall.” TRIVIA OF THE TIMES: A single per¬ fect rose arrived in town last week from England enroute to Hollywood for pres¬ entation to Greer Garson. It was a prize winning “Mrs. Miniver Rose” sent her as a tribute after a special permit was granted by the U. S. Department of Agriculture for importation of the rose. . . . When actor Robert Preston recently received a request for an autographed foto from China, a bale of Chinese money totaling 439,000 yen accompanied for postage. In America it amounted to 17 cents. 20th=Fox Takes Bids In Philly PHILADELPHIA — It was learned last week that 20th Century-Fox was taking bids on four of its “A” films, “The Walls Of Jericho,” “Escape,” “Anna Karenina,” and “That Lady In Ermine.” This development, plus the fact that the local Fox was playing an MGM show, was interpreted by local tradesters as meaning that the theatre may no longer be used exclusively as a 20th-Fox showcase. CINEMA REPORT: From London comes the report that the CEA doesn’t think much of their own films and especially so since British filmakers have tried to rush production to make numerically instead of qualitywise. The Association’s viewers re¬ ported that since Jan. 1, 1948, of the films seen, it classified two as good, five as moderate, five as poor, and three as very poor, which comes to a total of 72 per cent classified as moderate to very poor. In the period of five to six months prior to Jan. 1, 1948, the same reviewers classified five as very good, four as good, two as moderate, and one as poor, or a percentage figure of 25 moderate to poor with none very poor. To sum it all up concisely and precisely, “Haste Makes Waste.” THE METROPOLITAN SCENE: Mayor William O’Dwyer was scheduled to at¬ tend the opening of Radio City Music Hall’s new stage show, “Jubilee,” .saluting New York’s 50th anniversary, and Gus Eyssell was to welcome him. . . . Monty Salmon wants it known that he is not leaving the Rivoli and the Gay White Way. . . . Watch for a new releasing deal to be announced by United Artists involv¬ ing production in the east (not New York City). . . . Over 30 circuits the country over have written in for the format being used by Walter Reade Theatres in the present courtesy campaign. . . . There was big excitement when Paramount opened “Without Glory,” and had some 350 West Point cadets and the band in and around the theatre. . . . Thanks to the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Connecticut for the invite to attend the annual golf tour¬ nament. . . . EL’s “Northwest Stampede” received the Parents magazine medal for August. . . . High rating pressbooks are out on “The Time Of Your Life” and “So Evil My Love.” . . . The Canadian Minister to the U. S., his staff, and State Department representatives attended a "Judy" Gross Broadway's Peak New York — A general improvement in Broadway first-run grosses was noted over the weekend with the Paramount doing very good indeed and the other houses all garnering returns indicative of a general upsurge. According to usually reliable sources reaching The Exhibitor, the break¬ down was as follows: “KEY LARGO” (WB). Strand, with stage show, hit $30,000 for Friday through Sunday, the fourth week sure to top $58,000. “FOUR FACES WEST” (UA). Globe had a $15,000 opening week. “THE WALLS OF JERICHO” (20thFox). Roxy, with stage and ice show, claimed $95,000 for Wednesday through Sunday, the opening week sure to go above $130,000. “A DATE WITH JUDY” (MGM). Radio City Music Hall, with stage show, reported $93,000 for Thursday through Sunday, the opening week bound to exceed $155,000. “RETURN OF THE BAD MEN” (RKO) . Mayfair garnered $25,000 on the opening week. “ON AN ISLAND WITH YOU” (MGM) . Capitol, with stage show, hit $50,000 for Thursday through Sunday, the second week heading toward $85,000. “ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN” (U-I) . Criterion had a $28,000 second week. “BEYOND GLORY” (Para.). Para¬ mount, with stage show, had a very good opening week, going over the $100,000 mark. “SO EVIL MY LOVE” (Para.). Rivoli claimed $30,000 for the fourth week. “EASTER PARADE” (MGM) Loew’s State reported $43,000 for the sixth week. “THE BABE RUTH STORY” (AA). Astor had a $38,000 second week. Charles Perry Mourned Cincinnati — Charles Perry 55, well known publicist, died on Aug. 5. He had been a Paramount exploitation man here for the past several years. Funeral serv¬ ices were held at Riverside Memorial Chapel, New York City. Perry, who had been ill for quite some time, is survived by his son, three brothers, and two sisters. Green Settlement Due Pittsburgh — It was expected last week that the suit of David N. Green against the majors would be settled out of court. Reports had it that Green would settle for $40,000 plus improved clearance and run for his two nabe theatres. special screening of the Paramount short release, “Neighbor To The North,” in Washington, arranged by Bob Denton, Paramount. . . . Joe Burstyn, Mayer and Burstyn, foreign film distribs, was off for a visit to France, Italy, and England for six weeks to buy foreign pix for dis¬ tribution. . . . Congrats go to George Spires, trade scribe, who became a proud father for the first time. August 11, 1948