Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1959)

ednesday, October 14, 1959 Motion Picture Daily 7 REVIEW: Battle of the Coral Sea Morningside — Columbia Hollywood, Oct. 13 The suspense of capture and escape from a prison camp on a Japaneseheld island in the Pacific, related with interesting character portrayals and good dramatic action throughout, places this war film in the better box office class. The film is prefaced with action aboard a submarine commanded by Cliff Robertson, on a reconaissance mission to determine the number, position and identification of Japanese war ships, which paved the way to an Allied naval victory in the South Pacific. In the climax, with integrated authentic battle footage, the well-written screenplay by Daniel Ullman and Stephen Kandel provides a strain of human emotions, with deference to a Japanese point, of view regarding war. Teru Shimada is a standout in his sensitive depiction of an Americaneducated, Japanese commander seeking information from Robertson on the island which had belonged to Gia Scala's family before Japanese occupation. The story moves with interest under the capable direction of Paul Wendkos, and the fluid editing job delivered by Chester W. Schaeffer. Robertson registers impressively with his sincere performance, as we follow his exploits from the gathering of information with a periscope camera through the blowing up of his submarine when cornered in Japanese controlled waters and his escape from the Japanese prison camp with the help of Miss Scala, a sympathizer who was being used as an interpreter by the Japanese. The film was produced as a Morningside Production by Charles H. Schneer. Running time, 80 minutes. General classification. Release, in November. Samuel D. Rerns fis. Allied Encourages onciliathn Trial Special to THE DAILY \ MILWAUKEE, Oct. 13.-Members Allied Theatre Owners of Wiscon§i are encouraged by president Edard E. Johnson to make use of conjjiation to obtain whatever relief iay be warranted for distressed small yeatres. J A letter from Johnson, accompanied W information on how to make use of mciliation, states that the Wisconsin ^lied office has checked with branch ^anagers of the major distribution jmpanies in Milwaukee and received .jnfirmation from each that the ranches have been given "very em latic instructions from their home .pees to cooperate and participate to sake conciliation effective." 'Nothing to Lose,' He Says 1 Reminding exhibitors they "have ^thing to lose and may gain considijable" through use of conciliation, Ihnson emphasizes that only by tryjg it can its effectiveness be deterined. Meanwhile, he noted, Allied's White paper" campaign still is alive Sid personal meetings have been held ■ith Wisconsin Congressmen on it, >ind their many letters attest to their 'incem over this matter and their 'illingness to do something about it." illied Artists ( Continued from page 1 ) )0, compared with $15,977,000 in '358. Domestic and Canadian film ntals declined to $11,055,000 from jje 1958 figure of $11,311,000. Forgn film rentals decreased to $4,137,50 from $4,427,000 in 1958. Total cpenses were reduced from $17,166,L8 in 1958 to $15,567,821 in 1959. Carry-Forward $1,875,000 As of the end of the last fiscal year A had available for tax purposes a irry forward of losses for the three Ucal years 1957 to 1959, inclusive, nounting to approximately $1,875,§0, to be applied against future 'fofits. I Current and working assets, inSuding cash of $1,801,000, amounted j> $10,642,147. Current liabilities Counted to $8,940,000. Bank loans ere $3,640,000, compared with $2,,42,000 at June 28, 1958. Operations Profitable, Says Broidy Steve Broidy, president, informs )mpany stockholders that AA's cur(snt operations are profitable and |ianagement believes that the 1960 ^scal year will show an improvement jver fiscal 1959. He notes that the breign film rental outlook is bright, |i line with the company's improved pternational distribution and continfed easing of foreign exchange restriclOns. ! The company's annual meeting of :ockholders will be held here on Nov. 2, with the election of nine directors s the principal business scheduled, roposed for reelection to the board re W. Ray Johnston, Broidy, George D. Burrows, Roger Hurlock, Sherrill Corwin, Edward Morey, Paul Porzelt, Norton V. Ritchey and Herman Rifkin. The company's proxy statement shows that in the past year Broidy received aggregate remuneration of $82,384; Burrows, $52,000; Ritchey, $36,400, and Morey, $31,200. Loan Negotiated It also discloses that Broidy-Burrows Productions borrowed $1,400,000 from a bank on a partnership note for the benefit of AA to assist in financing of production for the company. The loan bearing 6 per cent interest on unpaid balances matures July 1, 1960. Broidy and Burrows also guaranteed personally three additional bank loans to the company in' sums of $1,200,000, $591,000 and $1,200,000. The first matures Dec. 30, 1959; the second, Dec. 1, 1959, and the third, June 30, 1960. Each bears interest of 6% on unpaid balances. For these accommodations, Broidy and Burrows were paid $35,128, one-half to each. President Bought 9,500 Shares The proxy statement reveals that Broidy purchased 9,500 shares of AA stock pursuant to an employes' stockpurchase plan; Morey, 6,000 shares; Maurice Goldstein,' 6,000 shares; and Sam Wolf 5,000 shares. It also reports that Albert Zugsmith owns of record or beneficially 10 per cent or more of the outstanding voting securities of the company, consisting of 96,500 shares of common, or record, and 400 shares of common beneficially. Adler Speaker ( Continued from page 1 ) closed this was the third successive year TOA had invited Adler to be a principal speaker; in 1957 he was forced to decline due to pressure of business and last year was unable to attend due to illness. Will Speak Nov. 11 He will speak at the luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 11, after the convention hears that morning from the sales managers of each of the major distributors on their release plans for the ensuing 12 months. I.F.D. Acquires Three International Film Distributors has acquired world distribution rights to three new feature films in a deal with Governor Films, Inc. It covers theatrical and television distribution for all territories outside of the United States and Canada. Pictures included in the deal are: "Devil's Partner," "Teenage Zombies" and "Incredible Petrified World." To Film 'Nine Coaches' HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 13.-Mel Ferrer and Dorothy Kingsley, who recently organized Dome Productions, will co-produce "Nine Coaches Waiting," best-selling novel by Mary Stewart, for Columbia Pictures release, it was announced today by Samuel J. Briskin, Columbia's vice-president in charge of West Coast activities. Fox Managers ( Continued from page 1 ) be a constant exchange of promotional plans and a continuing flow of merchandising projects before the ad-pub managers. As each new ad-pub manager takes a position (the company is in the process of adding 16 ad-pub managers) he will take part in the round-robin exchange. "This serves the purpose," Einfeld declared, "of having a weekly conference of all our advertising-pubicity managers. The idea arose at our national sales meeting last month, in which a round-table discussion, held by the managers, provided a wealth of ideas and material which were then put into use around the country. "It is also intended that the ad-pub managers will be able to communicate the exploitation and merchandising ideas to exhibitors in each of the exchange areas, thereby providing the theatremen with a vast catalogue of promotional tools." Showmanship Sessions Held Following the national sales meeting, branch and ad-pub managers have been holding showmanship meetings across the nation to acquaint exhibitors with 20th plans on two levels: plans for the current Spyros P. Skouras Sales Drive and promotional campaigns for forthcoming 20th production between now and the end of 1959. Meetings will now be held with exhibitors on weekly, bi-monthly and monthly basis to acquaint them with the promotional and merchandising campaigns outlined and working throughout the nation. Cartlidge Promoted ( Continued from page 1 ) he was made general manager and a director of the company. His new appointment will considerably increase the scope of his activities in all sphere's of ABC's extensive operations. In order to fully concentrate on his new assignment, Cartlidge has asked the directors of Associated British Picture Corporation to release him from his duties as a director of ABC Television, with which company he has been associated from its formation. Fellerman Resigns ( Continued from page 1 ) operation of our theatres, both here and in other cities." Fellerman came to City Entertainment Corp. and Lopert Films after many years as an executive of ABC Paramount Theatres and RKO. Heads ' Beach9 Premiere Actress Lillian Gish will serve as chairman of the sponsoring committee of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts for the benefit premiere of Stanley Kramer's "On the Beach"' at the Astor Theatre here Dec. 17. All proceeds from the New York premiere will go to the Academy, now celebrating its 75th anniversary.