Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1959)

/ednesday, October 7, 1959 Motion Picture Daily Corf Foreman Award et for 'Best Novella' Ij An international literary contest kill be launched this week with announcements in Harper's Magazine Ind the Atlantic Monthly of the esLblishment of the "Carl Foreman \ward for the best novella on a coniemporary theme." Sponsors are two l')f the world's leading publishers, Harourt, Brace and Company, in America, and Collins, Publishers, in Europe. Foreman, screenwriter and execuive producer for Highroad Produciuons, Inc., says he has "long deplored jhe virtual disappearance of the novella as a popular literary form, particularly since the short novel lends itself nost gracefully to adaptation for the creen." In an effort to encourage writers to uch pursuits, Foreman has, in associition with the distributor of his films, Columbia Pictures, established the tward, which provides $2,500 for the pest novella submitted, against the jurchase of film rights for an addiional $18,500. bantam 'Exodus' Order To Pass 3,000,000 From THE DAILY Bureau HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 6.-Oscar Dytel, president of Bantam Books, Inc., here to attend conferences with the studio's executives and writers incident to the filmization of Leon Uris' novel, "Exodus," which Bantam is putting out in paperback next month, repealed that Bantam's orders for "Exodus" have already passed the three million mark. "Company distribution reports, demands of book stores and public interest all point to the fact that an earlier release date is justified," says Dystel. "We may have to move it up." Restaurant Share Sold WETHERSFIELD, Conn., Oct. 6. — Bernie Menschell, president of Bercal Theatres, Inc., and his brother, Si, have sold their shares in Hot Grinder Heaven, drive-in restaurant here, to Hartford interests for an undisclosed sum. They intend henceforth to concentrate on their theatrical properties. A Summer Place CONTINUED FROM PAGE I coast of Maine where Kennedy, scion of an old and proper but impoverished Boston family, his wife Miss McGuire, and their son, Donahue, now run an inn for paying guests. There to spend the summer come Egan, who as a youth worked there as a lifeguard, his wife, Miss Ford, warped and bitter, and their daughter, Miss Dee. The youngsters fall in love at first sight, precipitating a number of reactions. Egan and Miss McGuire, it develops, had had an affair years ago on the island before either was married and they now, spurred by the unhappiness of their separate marriages, renew that affair in a series of after midnight meetings in the boathouse. In an outbreak of scandal they both divorce their mates and marry each other but the children, each now in the custody of a wronged parent, are forced to carry on their romance surreptitiously. When Miss Dee becomes pregnant they attempt to elope but cannot marry without their parents' consent. Kennedy, now dying of ulcers and alcoholism, in a memorable scene refuses his sanction but the heart-wom youngsters finally find love and a blessing at the home of her father and his mother. Extraordinarily competent performances, delicate direction and tight editing wring every nuance of emotion out of the somewhat artificial story. The mounting of the production contributes greatly to the value of the picture, with the Technicolor photography catching eye-filling views of interiors of the house in Maine, the rocky coast, and a Frank Lloyd Wright designed beach house. The matter of pre-marital sexual relations is freely and frankly discussed by all concerned— with any definitive answers obscured by the emotionalism of the story— thus limiting the audience to adult or at least mature minds. Running time, 130 minutes. Adult classification. November release. James D. Ivebs NameAllendorf K. of C. Buys Theatre SEYMOUR, Conn., Oct. 6. The Knights of Columbus council of this community has purchased the 450seat Strand Theatre here from the widow of industry pioneer Harold Donovan for an undisclosed sum. John Hannon, a postal worker, will be resident manager for the K. of C. 'Place' to Hall Next Warner Bros.' "A Summer Place" will have its world premiere as the next attraction at Radio City Music Hall, following the current engagement of Warner Bros.' "The FBI Story." RKO Theatres ( Continued from page 1 ) Mandel, vice-president, who will preside. Sol A. Schwartz, president of RKO Theatres, will make the opening address. Others who will speak include Matty Polon, chief film buyer for the circuit, and Metropolitan division managers, Mike Edelstein of Manhattan, Bronx and Newark, Sigurd Wexo of Brooklyn and Queens, Charles Oelreich of Westchester and Upper Bronx, Edward Sniderman of Trenton and New Brunswick. Also Charles Horstman, Maintenance Department manager; Fred Squire, Comptroller, and Lee Koken in charge of concessions. The meeting at which attractions scheduled to play RKO Theatres during the fall and winter will be discussed, will start at 10:00 A.M. and will be unique in presentation. In advance of this meeting RKO managers were arranged into three groups. Then under the supervision of publicists Fred Herkowitz of Manhattan, Bronx, Westchester and Newark; Pat Grosso of Brooklyn and Queens; and Ward Farrar of Trenton and New Brunswick, the groups were subdivided into teams. Each team consists of three managers who as a unit were assigned a specific attraction for which to work out the campaign they would employ in their own situations. In this manner all coming attractions and special events will be covered. Following these reports there will be an open discussion on the campaigns submitted with all the other managers, division managers and publicists participating. 1TOO Praises ( Continued from page 1 ) the fact that a lot of busy individuals have continued to give up much of their time" in the hope that something of benefit to all exhibitors might result. Prickett to Assist The bulletin notes that Ken Prickett, executive secretary of the ITOO, is available to serve as second party to any member who initiates a conciliation proceeding under the recent ACE-Motion Picture Association action. Lazarus in Hollywood HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 6, Paul N. Lazarus, Jr., Columbia Pictures vicepresident, arrived here today from Dallas for meetings with Samuel J. Briskin, vice-president in charge of studio operations, and Columbia's studio-based independent producers. While in Dallas, Lazarus met with Jack Judd, the company's southwest division manager, to discuss plans for the release of important Columbia films in that area. (Continued from page 1) and advertising. Allendorf has been director of market development. McGhee also announced that Donald M. Lewis, Jr., an assistant advertising manager, has been appointed assistant director of sales promotion. As director of sales promotion, a newly created position within the advertising department, Allendorf will be responsible for the company's sales promotional activities, including such functions as advertising displays, wholesale and dealer promotion, dealer advertising services, advertising trade relations, and package design. In addition, he will continue to coordinate sales and advertising efforts, especially in the announcement of new products. Joined in 1929 Allendorf joined Kodak's Pacific Northern sales division in San Francisco in 1929 and headed the division's advertising distribution. He became a salesman in 1935, assistant manager of the sales division in 1941, and manager in 1946. He transferred to the company's headquarters in Rochester, N. Y., in 1950 as an assistant general sales manager. He was appointed director of dealer distribution in 1956 and director of market development in 1958. Lewis joined Kodak in 1936 as assistant to the manager of its New York City display department. In 1949 he moved to Rochester as display manager in the advertising department. He was named manager of advertising promotions in 1958 and an assistant advertising manager early this year. 'Try Conciliation'1 ( Continued from page 1 ) of all descriptions, as had other TOA national and regional officials. "This (conciliation) is the aid the distributors have offered in good faith, as the one method they feel Uiey can use to help the distressed theatre. It is now up to you to ask for this help; if you don't try you'll never know." '.ir.r.H= COMET 4! ' (pure jet!) MONARCH (de Luxe and First Class only) frequency: NIGHTLY (leaves New York at 9 p. m.) destination: LONDON! Para. Exchange Moves CLEVELAND, Oct. 6.-The Paramount exchange has moved from its 2800 Euclid Ave. location here to 836 Keith Bldg., Euclid Ave. at E. 17th St. Harry Buxbaum, who resigned last week as Paramount branch manager to become branch manager here for Universal, remains with the company until Oct. 17. He and salesmen Gordon Bugie and Jerry Lipow occupy the new office. reservations through your Travel Agent or BRITISH OVERSEAS AIRWAYS CORPORATION Flights from New York. Boston, Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco. Montreal. Offices also in Atlanta. Dallas. Los Angeles. Miami. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto.