Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1960)

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Motion Picture Daily Monday, October 17, 196 Television Today Reiner to UAA (Continued from page 1) ner Brothers features and cartoons, Popeye cartoons, such half-hour series as "Miami Undercover," "The Vikings," "The Troubleshooters," "The Dennis O'Keefe Show," and "Hudson's Bay," and other motion picture features and shorts. Beiner has resigned as executive vice-president of Galaxy Attractions, where he has been working with Milton Gordon for the past two years, an association that began at T.P.A., where Beiner was vice-president of foreign operations. Previously he had been foreign manager for Samuel Goldwyn Productions and for the David O. Selznick organization. His background in television and motion pictures also includes executive positions with Louis G. Cowan and with Paramount, M-G-M and Warner Brothers. During the war he was films officer for the Office of War Information abroad. He will take up his new duties at UAA on Oct. 24. NAB Will Send Tower To Pay-TV Hearings From THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, Oct. 16. The National Association of Broadcasters said on Friday that Charles H. Tower, its vice-president for television, will represent the NAB at the forthcoming Hartford pay-tv hearings before the Federal Communications Commission. The NAB television board of directors earlier reaffirmed NAB's position against the use of authorized tv channels for pay television. The FCC granted the NAB permission to participate in the hearings starting Oct. 24 after the television board instructed the NAB staff to file the request. The hearings were called by the FCC to consider the application of Hartford Phonevision Co., for authority to conduct trial subscription-tv operations over its station WHCT (Channel 18) in Hartford, Conn. AB-PT Elects Freund Bichard L. Freund has been elected vice-president of American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres in charge of labor relations for the ABC division, Leonard H. Goldenson, AB-PT president, announced. Freund had been director of labor relations since 1957. Gruskin Leaves Para, TV George Gruskin and Paramount Pictures Television Division have announced that Gruskin has asked for, and received his release from his employment agreement. After a short vacation, Gruskin will announce his future plans. TV Relf-Regulation Support Is Urged From THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, Oct. 16. Clair B. McCollough, chairman of the policy committee of the National Association of Broadcasters, and E. K. Hartenbower, chainnan of the NAB Television Code Beview Board, have given a progress report on the Code and urged continued support of the television industry's self-regulatory activities. Their report was made in a special closed circuit broadcast which was videotaped for the affiliates of the three television networks. It is directed at the top management of the television stations. Heads Steinman Stations McCollough, who is president and general manager of the Steinman Stations, Lancaster, Pa., said, in opening the telecast, "the past 18 months have been in many ways the most hectic in the history of television. The rigging of quiz programs was uncovered. Instances of payola were brought to light. Critics decried the quality of television programming. Competitors sharpened their knives. Some legislators demanded rigid controls. . . . "Despite the furor, the American people never lost confidence or interest in the splendid service television provides. Calls It 'Powerful Weapon' "During this difficult period one of our most powerful weapons has been the NAB Television Code. Without it we would, I am certain, have been in serious trouble. The Code symbolized then as it does now serious intent of a mature and responsible industry to take care of its own affairs." Hartenbower, who is vice-president and general manager of KCMOTV, Kansas City, Mo., said: "In my career in radio and television— and it's been almost 30 years now — I've noticed that networks and affiliates don't always see eye to eye. But there's one important exception— the Television Code. The constant support of the three networks— moral support, financial support and operating support— from their management and their fine continuity acceptance people has contributed immensely to the success of the Television Code." 271 Subscribers Hartenbower said that last November 271' of the 521 operating commercial television stations then on the air subscribed to the Code. He said that today 380 of the 521 commercial stations on the air subscribe to the Code, or over 70 per cent, and pointed out: "I don't have to tell you, either, that many stations become Code subscribers at considerable financial sacrifice." Levine Drive ( Continued from page 1 ) tinue to handle his pictures that way. At a press conference here Levine also announced George Jessel has been named coordinator of the forthcoming production of "Sodom and Gomorrah," which will be filmed on the legendary Biblical sites in Israel, with the government of Israel. Levine also said that Bobert Aidrich will direct, and Stewart Granger will star in the film to be co-produced with Titanus Films. Embassy will put up 80 per cent of the big-budgeted picture, with Titanus financing the remaining 20 per cent of the cost, he revealed. Picture, which will begin shooting on Nov. 15, will be filmed in English, and then dubbed in Italian for other markets. Embassy will distribute "Sodom and Gomorrah" world-wide, with the exception of Italy and Spain, which will be handled by Titanus. Levine said he has set no distribution deal on this film as yet. Will Be Made in Color He said the film will be shot in color, and possibly in 70mm and Technirama. Levine also announced that he has concluded a deal with Carlo Ponti, producer of Alberto Moravio's "Two Women," to release the film in the United States and Canada. He bought the Sostar production after seeing an hour's screening of the uncompleted picture in Borne three weeks ago. Film, directed by Vittorio de Sica, stars Sophia Loren in a "great role." said Levine. He plans to release the film differently from his usual saturation booking campaigns, and is contemplating a New York opening in a single theatre, he said. "Thief of Bagdad," which is nearing completion in Borne, will be released in the U. S. over the July 4th holidays backed by Levine's biggest exploitation campaign yet, the company head stated. He said it is loaded with exploitation gimmicks, and has an appeal for all types of moviegoers. REVIEW: Please Turn Over Peter Rogers — Columbia The American market has been de luged of late by a flood of Britisl comedies which were not only funm but commercially successful. "Pleasi Turn Over," a Peter Rogers produc tion, is the latest of the genre to ar rive here and is as delightful as it predecessors. Strictly for the adult audience, tb Columbia release tells the cynical tali of a seemingly modest 17-year-olc girl who shocks her neighbors ant disrupts her typically English famil) by authoring a Grace Metaliously re vealing novel about sex in the Londor suburbs. Add to this the fact that sh< has used family and friends as basi for her characters and the chaos be gins. The meat of the Norman Hudi screenplay is a segment in which the book's counterparts of the little towi come to life in all their back street low-living lustiness. This is especialh telling for the talents of the leadin performers for each is an updated Walter Mitty and must portray ; double role. They are highly successful. With the possible exception of tb young girl's mother, played by Jean Kent, a leading lady to Stewart Granger during his English popularity, th cast is virtually unknown, but quite adept. Audience reaction to their an-.1 tics can be expected to account for much business after initial opening: If Gerald Thomas had not emphasized the slapstick and had deemed to soft-sell the sex angle, he might have directed a film of better taste,| but, as is, the import is an item for adult audiences in selected theatres. "Please Turn Over," which wa taken from the play "Book of the Month" by Basil Thomas, is the Brit ish answer to exhibitors who have wondered what to run as a follow-up to product such as "Carry On, Nurse." Bnnning time, 86 minutes. Release date, December. William Wernetii L Accessories in Preparation Files for Buffalo Station Accessories on two forthcoming releases, "Thief of Bagdad" and one other film, either "Morgan the Pirate" or "The Wonders of Aladdin," will be completed and in all U. S. exchange centers by the first of February. He also is readying a double feature combination for release next year and for which he has prepared a special gimmick teaser that cost $5,000 to prepare. The films are "The Fabulous World of Jules Verne," made in France, and "Mimbo the Great," a circus story filmed in Germany. In England, "Hercules Unchained" will gross in excess of £,450,000 ($1,260,000), in film rentals, Levine informed the press. "This is one of the biggest grossers in the history of Great Britain," he declared. Levine paid tribute to the grassroots cooperation of the British theatre managers as being responsible for half of the huge "Unchained" gross BUFFALO, Oct. 16.-A1 Ansocmbe, chief barker of Tent No. 7, Variety Club of Buffalo, has filed application with the Federal Communications Commission for a permit to build an ultra-high-frequency television sta tion in Binghamton, N. Y. Applicant is Adver-Cast, Inc., which would be owned 99 per cent by Anscombe and his wife. Previously Anscombe was general manager of WINE, Kanmore. ■.I in that country, with the other half attributed to the unprecedented campaign which represented four times more money than ever before had been spent on merchandising a film in England. Levine enplaned for Borne Sunday, with Jessel scheduled to meet him in the Italian capital tomorrow. They then go to Israel to set up production details for "Sodom and Gomorrah." !'■! : ■r