Screenland Plus TV-Land (Nov 1952 - Oct 1953)

stars would start working for TV as soon as their contracts permitted. (You know they are!) Gene also predicted that TV would build new stars for movies. Well, Martin and Lewis came from TV and look at their picture success! Charlton Heston is a TV product. So is Rita Gam. So are Imogene Coca and Sid Caesar, who have been signed for movies. Donald O'Connor's movie career zoomed after he became a TV favorite on the Colgate Comedy Hour. Gene Autry was the first top star to go into TV production, truly a pioneer, and now he's not only star of the highest-rated Western TV series, but producer of that series, owns the studio where they are made — the only studio built to date exclusively for TV film production. And through his Flying A Television Productions also makes the "Range Rider" series starring Jack Mahoney; produces "Death Valley Days," a new documentary series made for the 20 Mule Team Borax Company, and has pilot films completed on two other series which are still hushhush. This, of course, is in addition to his continued radio series, his six-a-year-feature film contract for Columbia Pictures, his recordings for Columbia records, his personal appearances at theatres, rodeos, benefits and hospitals, his commercial tie-ups and his song writing. A man with nothing to do, but with it all, Gene is still the unhurried, unharried, easy-going, soft-spoken guy he was ten years ago. He even looks the same! Let's get more of his views directly: "I I don't know why movie makers and theatre owners blame all their troubles on TV; there are lots of other factors, too. People now are more selective about the pictures they'll go to see. But big pictures, good pictures, clean up at the box-office. I feel there will always be big movies — shown in theatres. People like to 'get in the crowd.' Look at the World Series. It was broadcast and televised, but still people wanted to go. I went all the way from the Coast just to see two games; People feel the same way about movies and will go to the theatre to see a good show. "Audiences also like Technicolor movies and go to see them. Producers are smart to step up the number of films in color. That means good box-office. I don't believe there will be color in TV for another five years. The equipment is not available and the public can't afford to junk the sets they have or put on expensive converters. "Exhibitors point out the number of movie theatres that have had to close because of lack of business. Certainly this is true. But the exhibitors .don't mention how many new drive-in theatres have opened that take up the slack. "I like exhibitors. I've always tried to work with them. I visited them, made personal appearances, met them personally and felt they were my friends. But I think some of them may be shortsighted now in trying to fight TV, blame it for all their woes, instead of making it work for them. And I believe some of them could also work harder at promoting their wares to the public. "I've found that Texas exhibitors have done a bang-up job on promotion. They make (continued on pace 58) Gene and Gail Davis making TV film. "Keep it simple, keep it moving, keep it close, make it fast," says Gene of TV. Gene and Gail making film for theatres. In these Gene can be his "singing cowboy" self. Shorter TV films limit him. At his San Fernando ranch with his wife and pal, Smiley Burnette. Gene was first top movie star to go into TV.