Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1960)

4 Motion Picture Daily TENT TALK Variety Club News DALLAS — Gordon McLendon has been elected chief barker of the Dallas Variety Club, succeeding Phil Isley. Other officers are: John Q. Adams and James Pritchard, assistant chief barkers; Meyer Rachofsky, dough guy, and W. L. Marshall, property master. Members of the crew are Dowlen Russell, Alfred Sack, Raymond Willie, Sol M. Sachs, William B. Williams and Earl Podolnick. Loew's Production ( Continued from page 1 ) additional reason for thorough consideration of the proposal, it was stated, and in consequence Loew's Theatres officials took the further step of discussing the possibility with the Department of Justice in Washington, whose approval would have to be obtained before the theatre operating company could hope to enter film production. Barred by Consent Decree Loews Theatres' Federal consent decree prohibits the company from engaging in production, as do the Stanley Warner and National Theatres & Television decrees. The American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres and RKO Theatres decrees do not contain such a prohibition. The Loew's Theatres official described the discussions with the Justice Department as "largely informative, to find out what we could do and couldn't do in the event it was decided to proceed." Introduced at TOA Meet Loew's Theatres' interest in production was announced to the trade by Maurice Silverman, an Assistant to the Attorney General in the AntiTrust Division, in a talk to the annual convention of Theatre Owners of America in Los Angeles last September. Silverman said that the company's formal application to the U.S. District Court here for authorization to engage in film production was in preparation at the time and might be filed some time during the fall. The court's approval would be necessary and presumably it was to have been sought after the company had determined that the Justice Department would not oppose it providing certain specific safeguards were agreed to. Statement Brought Questioning It was on the basis of Silverman's disclosure that an application for court authorization might be filed by Loew's Theatres this fall that the company was questioned on the status of its production plans at this time. "With the company's major diversification plans in the hotel operating field now well advanced," a company official said, "I think the film production idea could safely be considered to have been abandoned." Stanley Warner Sets Refurbishing of Second Theatre in Albany District Avon, Utica Special to THE DAILY ALBANY, Dec. 11. -A second Stanley Warner theatre in the Albany district is to be refurbished. The first-run Avon in Utica will have its front redecorated, a new booth installed and a 70mm screen put in, according to word on Filmrow. The Kolite Company, of Schenectady, will modernize the front, inserting Vari-colored aluminum strips. The present projection booth, will be taken down and a new one will be re-positioned-for the wide screen. The brick structure will be closed while the booth work is under way-probably after the first of the year. Meanwhile in Albany, wreckers are engaged in the demolition of a former store budding, located adjacent to the Strand Theatre and on a corner. This will be the site of a new lobby, illuminated by a two-directional marquee The present lobby will be closed off, and offered for rental as a store U.S., Rumania ( Continued from page 1 ) American film companies approved by the State Department and Rumanian companies "for the purchase and sale through theatrical channels of mutally acceptable artistic, cultural, and other entertainment films." (2) Each nation will undertake to arrange a premiere of a representative film of the other's— to be held in Washington and Bucharest at approximately the same time— and the invitation of several personalities from the film industry of the other to attend. Reciprocal Visits Set (3) Each country will arrange for "reciprocal visits of delegations of specialists in the field of cinematography to become acquainted with the production of films in the other country." (4) The governments will assist, as appropriate, in widening the distribution of approved documentary films through regular distribution channels, "it being envisioned that special emphasis can be given during the first year to the distribution in each country of from eight to 10 documentary films from the other c ountry." To Dub or Sub-Title Films (5) The films exchanged, purchased and sold under this agreement will be released in dubbed or sub-titled versions. "The contents of the films will be preserved and any changes must be agreed to by the supplying party. Prior to its distribution, the release version of each film must be agreed to by a representative designated by the supplying party." Each of the countries has expressed its desire to "facilitate showings of films from the country of the other" by such means as invitational film showings. Each will support its desire according to the practice and regulations of the country of showing. Further discussions concerning this will be held on a diplomatic level. The cultural exchange agreement also provides for visits by U.S. and Rumanian performers. Col. Stockholders ( Continued from page 1 ) television distribution of feature motion pictures and shorts originally produced for theatrical release and, through the Elliot, Unger and Elliot division, in the production of commercials for television. Will Finance TV Programs The net proceeds from the stock sale will be utilized principally for the financing of television film programs produced by the company or by independent producers for distribution by the company and, to the extent required, for making the payments to Columbia which may be called for by the operating agreement between the company and Columbia on account of contracts for television distribution of Columbia's motion pictures. The company has outstanding 2,250,000 shares of common stock, all owned by Columbia. Landau Named ( Continued from page 1 ) 1936, when he joined the RKO studios in New York. Prior to that, he represented the Leo Spitz law office in New York where he was introduced to the motion picture businesses. Resumed Private Practice In 1946, he became assistant general counsel for United World Pictures, Inc., and from September, 1946, until 1954, he was assistant general counsel to Charles Prutzman at Universal. He then returned to private practice in New York and, in 1957, opened his Hollywood office. Beverly to Handle ( Continued from page 1 ) national distribution of the new package. Bill will go into saturation release on Jan. 1 in the Charlotte exchange territory, where it is booked by Harry Kerr's Dominant Pictures of the Carolina's, Inc. Fifty prints are available for 300 playdates in North and South Carolina over an approximate sixweek period. An additional 50 prints will be made available for West Coast dates during the same period. Spartacus' Bovi In London, Ron: Gala premieres have been helol Great Britain and Italy for "Spa cus," which bowed at the Mel pole, in London, and the Superc ma, in Rome, on December 7 ant respectively. Orowds in both c: welcomed the Bryna Production, leased by Universal Internatio and the film is reported to be plaj to capacity business in each situai since its release. Kirk Douglas, the star of the f; was present at the London premi together with Universal Picti president Milton R. Rackmil, v president and foreign general m ager Americo Aboaf, and "Spa cus" director Stanley Kubrick. Top Players Attend At th§ Rome opening, the ; colony was equally well represent with such luminaries as Gina La brigida and Anna Magnani, as \| as Peter Ustinov, another of the s of the picture. t $5,250 to Charity ( Continued from page 1 ) president of Canadian Famous Pi ers and representing Variety In! national, were: Robert K. Shap first assistant; Irving Dollinger, s ond assistant; Jack H. Levin, prop« master; Jack H. Hoffberg, dough g and canvassmen, Bud Edele, V\ Framer, Morris Sanders, Cha Smakwitz and George Waldman. C vassman Joseph E. Levine, recover from an operation in Boston, was present. Brandt, introduced by toastma^ Jack Levin, received a standing o tion from the more than 500 asst bled members and guests. In his marks, Brandt said, "Charity is name for Variety and Variety is name for show business," and stal that he was proud of the success the charitable work Tent No. 35 h undertaken. He then presented a check on 1 half of the tent to Dr. Emanuel I vici, head of its Cancer Control I search Foundation, for $2,500, brir ing the amount donated by the orga ization to that charity to $15,57 and a second check for $2,750 to D Daniels, president of the Tent's B Corum Fund, representing the Fun initial donation. Father William Shelley of Malachy's Actor's Chapel gave the _ vocation, and comedian Joey Adar was guest speaker for the affair. De Luxe Extension (Continued from page 1 ) "The Greatest Story Ever Told," ar other innovations. In addition, Freedman said th new hue-check devices are being tes ed to maintain a constant vigil c color printing, assuring absoluf fidelity in reproduction of Todd-A( colors as photographed. a » 1