Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1960)

Motion Picture Daily EDITORIAL They'll Remember "The Alamo" TIMING, to repeat an obvious truism, is of the essence in promotion and merchandising. This week a superb example of both timing and content was given by a master in the art. With the interest of the nation's citizens rising to fever heat as Los Angeles prepares to welcome the delegates to the Democratic convention next Monday, the Fourth of July issue of Life magazine was uniquely devoted to politics on the American scene, past and present. Opening that issue is a gate-fold cover, Life's deluxe and most costly preferred position. The first two of the three inside pages is devoted to a painting of the Alamo — "The Mission that became a Fortress, the Fortress that became a Shrine." On the third page is an article by Russell Birdwell entitled "There Were No Ghost Writers at the Alamo," written, according to the author, not merely to promote a motion picture "but as a reminder to America and the world that other men fought and died for the liberty which is in jeopardy as it has never been before in our history." It is signed as "A statement of principle" by John Wayne, Batjac Productions and James Edward Grant, author of "The Alamo." Besides the unique impact on Life's national readership, the feat immediately attracted the attention of Hollywood columnists and newspapermen across the country. By mid-week dividends in the way of newspaper space had begun to roll in. The picture will not open until October. By that time the penetration of the campaign begun so spectacularly here should be equal to that of the phrase embedded in American vernacular and history, "Remember the Alamo." — James D. Ivers 2 PERSONAL MENTION 17 RED GOLDBERG, United Artists r national director of advertisingpublicity, left New York yesterday for Dallas and Denver. • William Richardson, president of Capital Releasing Corp. and Astor Pictures, Atlanta," and Mrs. Richardson celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. • Ted Mann, owner of the Mann Circuit, Minneapolis, has left there for a hunting trip in Alaska. • Mrs. Hugo Sanjurjo has given birth to a son at Mount Sinai Hospital here. Father is a member of the United Artists mailroom staff. • Lane Hebson, of the Strand Theatre, Alexander City, Ala., has returned there from Atlanta. Sheila R. Gabrilove, daughter of Harold Gabrilove, chief barker of the Albany (N. Y.) Variety Club, will be married in the autumn to Ronald I. Richardson of Toronto. • Paul Newman and his wife, Joanne Woodward, have returned to New York from Israel. Paul Lundquist, booker for the Northwest Theatre Corp., Minneapolis, has left there for a three-week vacation at Hot Springs, Ark. • R. J. "Hap" Barnes, president of ABC Theatrical Co., Atlanta, has left there for Knoxville, Tenn. • Harold Spears, general manager of Bailey Theatres, Atlanta, has returned there from Boston. • Joe Johnson, booker for Martin Theatres, Atlanta, has returned to his duties following a short illness. • Alton C. Dureau, Columbia field representative, is recuperating at his home in New Orleans after having been seriously injured in an automobile accident. 'Portrait' Runs 118% Ahead of 'Imitation' "Portrait in Black," which opened in 69 key situations for the Fourth of July weekend, is running 118.1 per cent ahead of "Imitation of Life" in these situations, while equalling openings of "Pillow Talk," the company said yesterday. These key situations include San Francisco, Seattle, Charlotte, Salt Lake City, Portland, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Denver. Directors Directory Out The 1960-61 "Directory of Directors" is now being distributed by the Screen Directors International Guild. The book lists almost 500 members, from every field of motion pictures and television, educational films and theatrical features. There are two new sections, one naming "area representatives" from Venezuela to Israel, the other listing assistant directors and script clerks of the East Coast. Swedes Like 'Porgy' STOCKHOLM, Sweden, July 6.Samuel Goldwyn's "Porgy and Bess," which had its Swedish premiere at a benefit performance at the New Astoria Theatre here on July 1, played to standing room only audiences in the 70 Theatre Managers Win 'Few' Drive Prizes Ten theatre managers have won a total of $2,300 in a contest for the best promotion campaigns for the M-G-M release, "Never So Few." A panel of trade press representatives, including Sidney Rechetnik of Motion Picture Herald, selected the winning entries— five from large theatre situations and equal prizes to small theatres. The winners are: large theatres— 1st prize, $500, Arthur Groom, Loew's State, Memphis; 2nd prize, $300, Dick Mears, Alabama Theatre, Sacramento; 3rd prize, $200, Joe Real, Warner Theatre, Oklahoma City; 4th prize, $100, Lou Brown, Loew's Orpheum, Boston; 5th prize, $50, Robert Kessler, Benn Theatre, Philadelphia. Small theatres— 1st prize, $500, Joseph Sommers, Majestic Theatre, Perth Amboy; 2nd prize, $300, C. H. Stewart, Waco Theatre, Waco; 3rd prize, $200, Fred Harbottle, Strand Theatre, Muncie; 4th prize, $100, Ann De Ragom, Reade's Strand Theatre, Plainfield; 5th prize, $50, Lou Hart and Ray Corcoran, Schine Auburn, Auburn. first three days of its roadshow run. The Todd-AO presentation was completely sold out in its first six performances. o Thursday, July 7, 1960 j 'Herald' Story ( Continued from page 1 ) classic, "The Kid." Independent pro1 ducers and exhibitors alone have the courage to wander into "left field" for new entertainment ideas, Spring says. By its distribution organization set j up First National avoided the need of j immense funds and high overhead1! costs. "A cool look at the heads of the j exhibition circuits, struggling today i with an acute shortage of product, ' adds up to the verdict that they may j well prove as smart and daring as;, were the then not-so-famous exhibitors: who were having so hard a time toij survive in 1922 when I came to New i York as general counsel and then secretary-treasurer," Spring writes. Recalls Stormy Sessions He adds that Ned Depinet, Andrew ; Smith and Ned Marin, as well as him' self, fought as constantly with the executive committee of the company and I the franchise holders over distribution ; ideas, as did Dick Rowland over production ideas. Charles Einfeld, as ad! vertising manager, also was kept om his toes by the committee's comments, j "Exhibitor bosses are tough; but yout always know what they are thinking,"; says Spring. Legion Places Four Films in Class A The National Legion of Decency classified four pictures this week, placing all in Class A. In Section 2 (adults and ado-; lescents ) are "I Aim at the Stars" and" "S.O.S. Pacific." In Section 3 (adults); are "Inherit the Wind" and "It Started in Naples." * Song9 inLondonAug. 29 William Goetz' "Song Without End," the story of Franz Liszt, will have its European premiere at the Columbia Theatre in London on Aug. 29. The invitational affair will be followed by a week of benefit performances, after which the picture will be roadshown on a 15-performances-aweek basis. Up Newspaper Rates PITTSBURGH, July 6. The two Pittsburgh dailies, the Pittsburgh Press and the Post-Gazette and Sun-Telegraph, will increase their entertainment lineage from 68 to 70 cents per line on Aug. 1. '£/' Dividend $1.06 The board of directors of Universal Pictures has declared a quarterly divi-; dend of $1.0625 per share on the 4Vk\ per cent cumulative preferred stock of the company. The dividend is pay-: able Sept. 1 to stockholders of record at the close of business Aug. 15. MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; James D. Ivers, Managing Editor; Richard Gertner, News Editor: Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager, TELEVISION TODAY, Charles S. Aaronson, Editorial Director; Pinky Herman, Eastern Editor. Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building, Samuel D. Berns, Manager; Telephone HOllywood 7-2145; Washington, E. H. Kahn, 996 National Press Bldg., Washington, 4, D. C; London Bureau, 4, Bear St. Leicester Square, W. 2. Hope Williams Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; William Pay, News Editor. Correspondents in the principal capitals of the world. Motion Picture Daily is published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, Circle 7-3100. Cable address: Quigpubco. New York" Martin Quigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Gallagher, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary. 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