Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1956)

20th -Fox Planning 50 Films in 12 Months . . . Release schedule set by Spyros Skouras and Buddy Adler will include up to 30 big budget productions in one year HOLLYWOOD: An ambitious operating schedule, calling for the release of over 50 films during the April 1957-April 1958 period, is in the offing at 20th CenturyFox, according to plans charted by Spyros P. Skouras, president, and Buddy Adler, production chief, who are looking to the future “with unbounded optimism.” According to the program reported this week, there will be 26 to 30 big-budget features to be turned out by staff and independent 20th-Fox production teams, including Darryl F. Zanuck, David O. Selznick and Jerry Wald. Twenty-four additional films will be made through a new producing unit organized by Robert Lippert and including Westerns, science-fictions, and a variety of action stories. There will also be much activity at 20th-Fox’ television branch, TCF-TV productions, under the supervision of Irving Asher, with seven new filmed series getting underway during the year. More Picture-Minded Mr. Skouras feels that the public is more motion picture-minded at present than at any time since TV made its influence heavily felt — the goal is not a question of getting people interested in filmed entertainment but of luring them out of the house and into the theatres. He feels 20th-Fox can offer a variety of fare and that casting problems can be hurdled. Admitting that stars are difficult to obtain, the Fox team feels that many stars are more amenable to deals today than they were this time a year ago, as several have found organization of independent productions an onerous effort and other stars have been disenchanted with lookedfor high grosses which failed to materialize. Accordingly, stars are showing an increased interest in working for guaranteed salary plus a portion of the profits after the studio redeems its investment. Reportedly the plans at 20th-Fox do not affect previous reports concerning the possible merger of production facilities between the studio and Warner Brothers, with the two companies sharing a common production plant. The latter move has been considered in the interests of economy. 20th-Fox announced that it also expects to complete arrangements with National Telefilm Associates to put its pre-1948 out put into the home entertainment market. The deal being discussed would lease films on a percentage basis. This would follow a cash payment of more than $2,000,000 and a substantial ownership, reportedly 50 per cent, in NTA. Mr. Skouras said he does not think that running “old style” films on television will hurt the earning potential of new releases, adding that CinemaScope has brought about a new look in film styles that cannot be matched by TV. In addition, he said, theatre operators must bear part of the responsibility in attracting audiences. To this end, men such as Elmer C. Rhoden, president of National Theatres, and Leonard Goldenson, president of AB-Paramount Theatres, two of the nation’s largest circuits, have indicated that they plan refurbishings and new houses that will make going to motion pictures an ever-more-attractive diversion. Norman Silverman Heads Philadelphia MPA PHILADELPHIA: Norman Silverman, branch manager for Republic Pictures, was elected president of the Motion Picture Associates of Philadelphia at a meeting last week. Named vice-president was Joseph Engel, 20th Century-Fox salesman. Treasurer is Edward Adelman of New Jersey Film Messenger Service. Secretary is David Law of Warners. Elected to the board of directors were George Beattie, Alfred J. Davis, William Doyle, Jay Emanuel, Eli Epstein, Maxwell Gillis, Jack Greenberg, David Supowitz, Lester Wurtele, Milton Young. Also on the board are past president Charles Zagrams, branch manager of RKO Radio Pictures, and Sam Diamond, branch manager of 20th CenturyFox. Italian Film Agency Plans U.S. Branch ROME: Unitalia, Government agency for the promotion of Italian films abroad, will open its own branch in the United States, it announces. President is Eitel Monaco, who is also head of the Italian Film Industry Association. Unitalia now has branches in Paris, London and Madrid, and correspondents in 12 other countries, including South America, Germany and Japan. It is also the agency which organizes the “Italian Film Weeks” abroad, one of which is now being held in Russia. Similar ones are scheduled to be sponsored in Greece, Hungary, Hong Kong, Singapore, Karachia and New Delhi. F. P. Canadian Meet Told Big Films Coming TORONTO: Those who are pessimistic about the future of product in the industry were assailed by Ben Geldsaler, chief booker and buyer for Famous Players Canadian Corp., at the company’s annual meeting in Niagara Falls last week. Surveying the present product picture, Mr. Geldsaler said: “Too much has been said about the decline of public interest in our business, and not enough has been said about the great attractions which are being shown in the motion picture theatres today.” Mr. Geldsaler makes his pertinent comment in the introduction to a special booklet, “Gold for the Box Office,” prepared for distribution from Mr. Geldsaler’s survey. Listed are eight films from Paramount, nine from 20th Century-Fox, nine from Warners, 11 from MGM, six from Columbia, seven from United Artists, four from Empire-Universal, four from IFD, and two from Allied Artists, for a total of 64. Another upbeat note was sounded by Rube W. Bolstad, vice-president of the company, when he said, “This a great business.” He prefaced his remark with, “For those who have faith in it; for those who work at it; for those who inteligently manage it.” He spoke at the closing dinner of the conference, presided over by Morris Stein, eastern division general manager. Among those who were guests at the dinner were C. B. DeMille and Charles Boasberg, as well as the distribution company executives. Following the Niagara Falls meetings, a quintet of the company’s executives went on the western trail to hold the company’s western regional meeting in Edmonton. In the troupe were John J. Fitzgibbons, president; Mr. Bolstad, Bob Eves, western division general manager; Mr. Geldsaler and James R. Nairn, head of public relations. New Australia Drive-in SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Loew’s International has opened a new 1,400-car drive-in in Chullora, a suburb of Sydney, called the Metro Twin Drive-in. This is Loew’s first Australian drive-in and the first twin drive-in to be constructed in the country. To Open Holland Office AMSTERDAM: Cross & Co., agents and film importers, have opened new offices here as of November 1. The firm serves as agent for several groups in Scandinavia, France, England, Germany and Italy. 24 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, NOVEMBER 3, 1956