Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1960)

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Motion Picture Daily Avoid B and C Production Activity Swings into High Gear; Films, Bishop Urges Sev^ Films Started for a New Total of 39 Special to THE DAILY ALBANY, N. Y., Dec. 12.-A11 Roman Catholics, "young and old," should avoid motion pictures rated by the Legion of Decency as "B," "C," or those placed in a special category. The Most Rev. William A. Scully, bishop of the Albany diocese, underlined this in a pastoral letter read at Masses Sunday, when the L.D. pledge was again recited. Members of 220 parishes took the "old" Legion of Decency pledge to "condemn indecent and immoral motion pictures and those which glorify crime or criminals, and to remain away altogether from places of amusement which show them as a matter of policy." "Dirty Deluge" Bishop Scully served for three years as chairman of the Catholic Bishops Committee for Motion Pictures, Radio and Television. The " Evangelist, diocesan weekly (whose publishing company Bishop Scully heads), in a weekend editorial captioned "Stop the 'Dirty Deluge,'" commented: "Stressing the danger of compromising moral standards, the Bishop rightly insists that all pictures rated 'B' or 'C/ or those placed in a special category should be avoided by all-young and old. You can't play with pitch and not be dirtied." "Immorality Glorified" The Bishop's pastoral letter declared: "Subjects have been chosen for production that should never be displayed on the screen. Immorality has been glorified; sex glamorized, brutality and crime made commonplace. The Motion Picture Production Code, set up by the industry as a protective measure has failed in its primary purpose and is hardly more than a name. The seal of approval has been given to pictures which are not fit to be shown in any neighborhood motion picture theatre. Parents should be constantly alert to the moral danger confronting their children, especially adolescents, through the exhibition of these offending pictures." From THE DAILY Bureau HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 12.-With seven new pictures started this week production activity swing into high gear, with 39 currently before the cameras. Three were completed. Started were: "Summer and Smoke" a Hal Wallis Production for Paramount, costarring Laurence Harvey and Geraldine Page. "Snow White and the Three Stooges" got underway at 20th Century-Fox, with Walter Lang directing for producer Charles Wick. Picture stars Carol Heiss, The Three Stooges and Patricia Medina. Three started at Warner Bros., "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone" an A.A. Production shooting in England. Louis de Rochemont is producing and Jose Qumtero directing a cast toplined by Vivien Leigh and Warren Beatty "Portrait of a Mobster," with Joseph Pevney directing, has Vic Morrow Leslie Parnsh and Peter Breck in the leading roles; and "Claudelle Inglish" with Gordon, Douglas directing and Leonard Freeman producing, stars Diane McBain, Arthur Kennedy and Constance Ford. "You Can't Run Far," Harvard Film production for United Artists release, is being produced by Robert E. Kent and directed by Edward Cahn. "Lolita" is shooting at Elstree Studios, London. The controversial story is being produced by James B. Harris and Stanley Kubrick, with Sue Lyon in the title role, James Mason, Shelley Winters and Peter Sellers in supporting roles. Completed were: Two at Universal-International, "Come September" and Back Street, and "Caribe" an independent production. REVIEW: Goliath and the Dragon American-International Hartford, Dec. 12 This James H. Nicholson-Samuel Z. ArkofF presentation of a newly filmedin-Italy, dubbed-for-America spectacle might well get by on its very novelty. The idea of fiery dragons, snake-pits and other fearsome lures of death, coupled with casting of Mark Forest as the robust, redoubtable Goliath, and Broderick Crawford as the evilminded-King, should prove strong merchandising points. And while the human factors are capable enough, a long, appreciative bow should be registered for the special effects themselves, perhaps as imposing a conplomeration as has come down the pike since the dreaded "King Kong" himself reared back his ugly head from atop New York's Forest is the legendary Goliath, who finds his hope of living peacefully in an idyllic kingdom abruptly drawn up short by King Eurystheus, a scheming villain as dark-minded as predecessors or successors in recorded annals. To save said kingdom, Goliath finds it necessary to face such worldly beasts as a killer elephant, a giant bear, and then horrors from another word-a three-headed dragon dog, a giant bat and a fire-breathing, flesh-eating dragon. The king is eventually dispatched to a spectacular death, and Goliath happily gathers up his clan-clinging wife, Eleonora Ruffo; brother, Illus, Philippe Hersent; and latter's girl friend, Thea, Federica Ranchi-and moves hopefully to quieter surroundings. The ancient land of Thebes in Greece has provided the world with many legendary heroes— Hercules, Jason (who found the Golden Fleece); Theseus (who slew the Minotau); as well as Goliath. Achille Piazzi and Gianni Fuchs produced, and Vittorio Cottafavi directed, from a story credited to Marco Piccolo and Archibald Zounds, Jr. The music is by Les Baxter. Colorscope adds immeasurably to the spectacle of moving mass adventure. Running time, 90 minutes. Release, in December. A. M. W. Tuesday, December 13, j| Consolidated Fil Sets Remodelin Consolidated Film Industries, wi undertook a $150,000 moderniza program a year ago, will continut improve its facilities in 1961, Vi Carter, board chairman of Repu Corp., announced here yesterc Consolidated, a Republic division, headquarters in Manhattan and plant in Fort Lee, N. J. The modernization program eludes the installation of two specia designed machines in the Fort laboratory. Many months in desi and built at Republic's West Co laboratories, the new machines increase Consolidated's capacity processing color film and televiij film commercials, Carter said. r machines will be operative in Janus MPPCPledges$670M To LA. Community fw From THE DAILY Bureau HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 12-Motf Picture Permanent Charities, honos for its fund-raising achievements the Los Angeles Community Ch presented the host Red Feather ganization with a pledge of $670,( to help the Chest finance its 1 agencies. Announcement of the allocation the Chest group was made by MP] campaign chairman Sidney P. Sol( who told a gathering of over 5j Community Chest volunteers tr Permanent Charities was particulai proud to present the Chest with su a substantial allocation in a ye when the community's charity nee are larger than ever. In a special presentation, Solo awarded the MPPC's first annual Li Member's Perpetual Trophies, coi tributed by Samuel Goldwyn and Frank Freeman, to Eugene Arnste representing Allied Artists whic achieved 100 per cent of quota to wi the studio competition, and to Waltt Mirisch, representing the Screen Pre ducers Guild, which had a recor of 77 per cent of quota to lead in th industry group category. seven PICTURE £ MONTH FOR JANUARY Fred Zinnemann's Production of THE SUNDOWNERS 99 Released by Warner Bros. Selected seventeen . . . entertainment guide for America's top movie goers . . .4,800,000 young women under 20!