Variety (Apr 1949)

On-Spot 'Location Filming in N.Y. Speeded Via Commerce Dept lotine in New York* « ; . ' Wednesday, April 13, 1949 Location shooting in New York* a little more than a year ago was frowned upon by most filmmakers even though their scripts might i have cried for authentic on-the-spot, scenes of Gotham or Brooklyn.; Time^ftnsuming red tape in those bygone days was too high a har for | impatient producers to hurdle. To-| day it's a difi'cvent story. Granting | fAra permits is a streamlined pro- } cedure handled entirely through ■ the city's Departaient of Com-; jnercct i Consequently it's now possible j for a producer to secure a green- \ light on use of the city's streets I •within 24 hours after making his | application. But generally the de-j partment would like more notice, ' deputy diriector Morgan Sheahan i said on Monday (U), "since we prefer to looli over the script.; Furthermoi-e," he added, "a rush \ ""rl'tiuest-means -a - lot of legwork for our stafl'men." Pointing up the volume of per-, mils processed by the ComKierce | Dept. are figures which show that i during last year 14 major films | were location licensed, as were 10 j documentaries and several shorts. ] Television also comes under the i department's scope and some 647. individual video permits were is-; sued in 1948. Slated for May production here ! ' is M-G's "Adam's Rib," directed by ; George Gukor from a Ruth Gor-1 don-Garson Kanin script. Cukor | plans to bring in both Katherine i Hepburn and Spencer. Tracy, who - coTStar in the pic. Director, in N. Y. to look over , locations, shoves.off for the Coast! this week. He has been also eye- j ing Broadway legit players whom | he wants to cast in the film. No i decision on casting, however, will i be made during his current Goth- i «m sojourn. i Set to start this week are 10 days 1 of shooting for Metro's "Bodies i and Souls," which Curtis Bern-1 hardt is directing for the com-: pany. Glenn Ford planed in to! if. Y. Monday (11) to take up, thespiiig chores in the film. ; Tlfiird film will be "Side Street" i with approximately two-thirds of i the footage lensed in N. Y. An- thony Mann, director, will be on hand April 27 when the cameras i start grinding. Easting for the slint will also be James Craig, Far- ley Granger and Kathy O'Donnell, trio featured in the film. Sam Zim- balist is producing. Fourth pic set for local lensing is "On the Town," which Arthur Freed is producing. Frank Sina- fi-a fjpnp Kplly and .Tule s Munshin will cdmie to town in May after studio sequences are completed. Kelly is also directing the filmi Twentieth-Fox has "HouSfe. of ■ strangers" pencilled in for N, Y. Dual Billing Going a step further in its ed'orts to bring about a closer tie between the film and tele- vi.sion industries, the Society of Motion Picture Engineers governing body -has voted to recommend changing its name to the Society of Motion Pic- ture & Television Engineers. Outfit also hopes with the ac- tion to open its member.ship roster to TV engineers M'ho are not now associated with= tlve filni industry. Move is seen as further proof that the film biz now recognizes the ties between the two industries. SMPE's move is expected to further the es- tablishment of a code of stand- ard.s •lor the use of film on tele, plus a speedier develop- ment of commercial theatre TV. Big Screen Video Continued from page 3 direction was taken two weeks ago ; when the TOA exec committee de- | cided tentatively that projected i plans for an exhib-syftdicated com-1 pany to book .exclusive shows for i theatre TV playings would be , limited at the outset to theatres in : Greater N. Y.). j TOA-SMPE session, despite the j fact no conclusions were reached, is considered e.specially significant i in that it mai;ked the. first time that theatre operators and engi-1 neers had sat down across a table j to talk out their mutual problems. | Lending added significance to this meet was TOA's joining of the SMPE last week as a sustaining member. Huddle was confined to exploring theatre TV in detail and specific points brought up will be thrashed out at another meeting called for within the next few weeks. Meet, ■which featured the final day of the SMPE's 65th semi- annual convention, was led by Eastman Kodak's Donald E. Hynd- man, past SMPE prez and now chairman of its theatre tele com- mittee, and Walter Beade, Jr., ex- hib who is co-chairman of the TOA's committee. Particular emphasis was placed in the huddles on the application I of FCC regulations to theatre tele. ' While no specific answers were ar- ' rived at, it was pointed out that I the only place in which theatres I will actually need micro-wave re- lay channels will be between the evetit.aickedjLm. a nd a transmitter. CIO Collarites Eesiime Wage Majors Following three months of labor- management peace, the CIO white- coUarites in the New York home- offices once again are launching a public relations war against Metro, Paramount, 20th-Foxi RKO and Warner Bros. Move to revive the- atre picket lines, circular distribu- tions and other pressure parapher- nalia stems from a breakdown in the negotiations for a new contract between the Scrg^n Publicists Guild and the five major com- panies. . '. ■ «v»,V Bargaining session's';© e t w e e n both sides foundered on the firm stand of the companies against up- ping their payroll loads at the present lime. Originally asking for a 2,'5'"fo wage hike, SPG drastically cut its demands to a nominal in- crease but could not budge the majors from their status quo sal- ary stand. According to the union *x"eefe, the companies refused to make "any satisfactory counter- proposals." Decision to enlist support of the public in its contract fight was niade last week after the majors indicated their wi.sh to water down the so-called security provisions gi'^nted-to-SPG—in-Hpast-oontracts. These provisions cover arbitration of. non-economic dismissals and working condition gi^ievances, and double severance pay for laid-off flacks. SPG will get support for its the- atre demonstrations from its sis- ter CIO local. Screen Office & Professional Employees Guild, which represents the bulk of the h.o. help. Beginning its own con- tract negotiations with the majors, SOPEG execs anticipate facing the same company resistance as did SPG. Both unions have joined in a mutual assistance pact to gain their demands. Picture Grosses DX. Dull; 1 Paso' 14G, 'Colo/ Same, Both Mild Washington, April 12, No standouts along main stem currently, with fine weather luring populace outdoors. Best bet is second run of "Sierra Madre" at Metropolitan, where the Academy awards skyrocketed film into com- paratively better biz than in its initial run here. _^ "Caught" with Vaude looks very "slow at Capitol. "El Paso" is only so-so at Palace. Estimates for This Week Capitol (Loew's) (2,434; 44-85)— "Caught" (M-G) plus vaude. Slim $18,000. Last week, "Ball Game" (M-G) (2d wk), stout $22,000, bet- ter than .expected. Keith's (RKO) (1.939; 44-80)— "Criss Gross" (U). Mild $10,000. Last week, "Set-Up" (RKO), nice $14,000. Metropolitan (WB) (1,163; 44-74) —•'Sierra Madre" (WB) (reissue). Hot $10,000 in 9 days. Last week, "Johnny _Belinda:L'WBJ (2d run): 500. (2d wk), $5,000 in 5 days. ."" T ~ " National (Heiman) (1,600; 44-74) ' —"High Fury" lUA) and "Guest in , House" (UA) (reissue). Sickly $4,- 000. Last week, "This Is N. Y." lUA) and "Texas, Brooklyn" (UA), .$5,000. Palace'(Loew's) (2,370; 44-74)— "El Paso" (Par). So-so $14,000. Last week, "Mother Is Freshman" (20th) (2d wk), okay $12,000. SAN FRANCISCO (Continued from page 8) "I Cheated the Law" (20th) (2d wk). Fair $12,500. Last week, okay $19,000. Warficld (FWC) (2,656; 60-85)— "The Bribe" (M-G) and "Miss Mink 1949" (20th) (2d wk), Drab $11,000. Last week, $16,500. Paramount (Par) (2,646; 60-85)— "El Paso" (Par), and "Feathered Serpent" (Mono). Okay $18,000. Last week, "Force of Evil" iM-G) , and "Rimfire" (SG), $19,500. i St. Francis (Par) (1,400; 60-85)— "Ball Game" (M-G) (2d wk>. Nice $16,000. Last Week, $20,000. I Orpheum (No. Coast) (2,448; 55- I 85)—"Undercover Man" (Col) and I "The Mutineers" (Col).- Good $17,- i 000. Last week, "Red Canyon" ! (U) and "Search for Danger" (FC), ! dull $12,000. I United Artists (No. Coa.st) (1,207; I 53»85)—"Blanche Fury" (EL). Only ! $4,500 or less. Last week -' ; saw" (UA) and "Caravan" j $4,000 in 5 days. Stagcdoor (Ackerman) $1.20-$2.40)—"Hamlet" (Ul ! wk). Big $6,500. Last week •Jig- (EL), (370; i22d $■7,- *EI Paso' Pacing Buff., $16,000; W Good 15G Buffalo, April 12. Biz is only marking time await- ing the arrival of Easter here this stanza. Only "El Paso" looks good T.I 1. IT <.\ ,ton OK\ at Lakes. "Force of Evil" Shapes Playhouse (Lopert) (432; 50-85)--: j„st okay at Buffalo. "Sleepmg Car Trieste" (EL) (2d r ,„„ m,«„ w i wk). Strong $5,500, after hefty! Estimates for This Week $6,000 for oiFcner. Holds. t Buffalo (Loew's) (3,500; 40-70)— Warner (WB) (2,164; 44-74)-1 "^o^ce of Evil''(^^^^ "Man From Colorado" (Col). Mild ! .Fairly .good_ $15,000. Last Pres* Truman Continued from page 6 Screen Plays' 2 in the Can, Kramer-Glass Set 2 More With "Champion" now in release and "Home of the Brave" in the can, Stanley Kramer's Screen Plsys Corp. is How readying two more. Tentatively budgeted not to exceed $600,000 each, the films are "High Noon," a western that shows how a town died morally, and "The Courage of 10," which deals with paraplegics. In New York for the opening of •'Champion,' Kramer said on Mon- day (11) that he views "Courage" as an "inspiring" property that can be a great dramatic y^rn. Story 'ut-as'authored by Mort Offner and Lee Gold, who are currently work- ing on the screen treatment. Pro- «Iucer, himself, has toured the Veteran Administration's Birming- ham Hospital at Van Niiy.s, Calif., and found an "amazingly sharp humor" in the attitudes of the pp patients despite their handicaps. Willie his "Home of the Brave" concerns six men, including one Negro, who wept on a mission, Kramer is confident that "we'll play thie bulk of situations in the south, for the picture Is solid en- tertainment." Partner - publicist George Glass added that the pic- ture will play the south "if we have to show it in tents, but," he adds, "we certainly won't invite censor- ship lor publicity purposes." i Pictures can be carried from the I transmitter to all theatres linked to the circuit via telfephone wires. ;Thus, the two committees foresaw ' no particular trouble with the FCC in getting a program under way. Earl I. Sponable, SMPE prez and 20th-Fox research chief, pointed : out, however, that the' phone wires ' now in use are not built for the ■ wide band needed to carry TV ; images. He indicated, though, they might be forthcoming if the de- mand was present. As for micro- wave channels, he said theatre TV I v\ ould use the spectrum space ; above tha current ultra-high fre- , quencies, which have not yet been as.signed by the FCC for commer- cial use. B'way Victoria i Continued fr6m page 5 ; the satne policy of guarantees with : some success- i^t City Ibvesting's ' Keith's Cincinnati; aiid may be fol- \ lowed by other exhibs, it is expect- I ed, if present shortage of product ' with real .stamina continues. With few films available that will hold Up for long runs, producers are in a tremendously better position in dealing with first-run exhibs than a few years ago when they were ; begging for playing time On Broad- .' >vay, I "Home of the Brave," produced by Stanley Kramer, is an adapta- tion of the Broadway stage play , of a few .seasons ago. United Artists is distributing. Unit's "Champion" is Currently at I Brandt s Globe. determined to give positive support to our industry." Arnall left im- mediately for New York, but said he had been requested to keep in close touch with the Department on future developments. At the conclusion'of yesterday's half-hour meeting at the White House. Arnall declared, "It is certain that in President Tru- man the American-motion picture producers have an understanding and loyal friend." Arnall said he had conveyed to the President that. "It would be a fine thing if the State Department should use its good offices to se- cure fair, non-discriminatory treat- ment for American motion pic- tures at the hands of foreign gov- ernments." Arnall emphasized that playing Hollywood films in other countries -can materiali v implem ent theJMar;^ shall Plan, EGA, the Voice- of America, and the North Atlantic Pact. The President, according to the SIMPP topper, •was "tremen- dously interested' and coopera- tive." It was the first time during the current push by the industry that the President had gone this far. Arnall made it clear that he has by no means exhausted his efforts toward unsnarling the trouble, but sald^ he felt the State Department was the place to start. "If the State Department will go ; to bat for us," he said, "most of the j problems of the industry will be ; solved." j On another front yesterday, the matter was taken up in the House of Representatives by Rep. Gordon McDonough, of Hollywood, With the EGA bill beforti the ehatmber, McDonough took the floor to de- clare his opposition to a suggested ■ economic unification of Europe, i McDonough stated he was opposed : to such unification if it meant en- couraging oppo.sition to the devel- opment of American economy. 1 As an example, he referred to i the Britifih film quota and what it i wa.s doing to the Ame'ricah indus- i try. Reviewing the background of ! the quota, he said it "cut deeply ! into the foreign market of Ameri- I can film.s and brought widespread ' unemployment to Hollywood, down to the level of 1937." The Cali- fornian expressed himself in op- position to the u.se of Ainerlcan funds to build up foreign competi- , tion putting a U. S. indu.stry out of ; bu.siness. The example of Britain, Mc- Donough warned, might be copied by other European nation.? to the . detriment of Hollywood. $14,000. Last week, "Kiss in Dark" (WB),. Okay $iq,500 in 8 days. Trans-Lux (T-L) (650; 44-80)— "Paisan" (Indie) (6th-final wk). Steady $6,000 for second consecu- tive week. CHICAGO (Continued from page 9) "Homicide" (WB) and "Last Ban- dit" (Rep) (2d wk). Oke $6,000. Last week, trim $9,000. Grand (RKO) (1,500; 75-$1.25)— "Joan of Arc" (RKO) (3rd wk). Holding to very strong $24,000. Last week, $27,000. Oriental (Essaness) (3,400; 50-98) —"Ball Game" with >Tane Russell ' personal. Fancy $55,000. Last I week,."Mother Is Freshman" (2flth) plus^ Nellie Lutcher and Charlie Ventura orch on stage (3rd wk), $31,000. Palace (RKO) (2.500; 60-98)— "Set-Up" (RKO) (2d wk). Hefty $19,000. Last week, socko $26,000. Rialto (Indie) (1,700; 60-98)— "Frankenstein Meets Wolf Man" (U) and "Dracula's Daughter" (U) (retsstt os). Fairish $ 0 , week, "Armored Car" WY and "State Police" (U) (reissue)^ $8,- 300. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 50-98)— "Kiss in Dark" (WB). Neat $18,- 000, Last •week, "Canadian Pacific" (20th) (2d wk), solid $14,000. . Selwyn (Shubert) (1,000; $1.20- $2.40)—"Red Shoes" (EL) (18th wk). Okay $11,500. Last week, $12,800. State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 50-98) —"Bribe" (M-G) (2d wk). $15,000. Last week, $23,000. United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 50- 98)—"Force of Evil" (M-G). Weak- ish $14,000. Last week, "Sun Comes W (M-G) {2d wk), $10,- 000. ^ Woods (Es.saness) (1,073; 98)— "Command Decision" (M-G) (3rd wk). Off to average $18,000. Last week, $22,000. week, "Canadian Pacific" (2()th) and "Texas, Brooklyn" (UA), $15,- 500. . (», Great Lakes (Par) (3,400; 40-70) —"El Paso" (Par) and "Incident" (Mono). Good $16,000. Last Week, "Nick Beal" (Par) and "Own True Love" (Par), $13,500. Hipp (Par) (2,100; 40-70)—"Un- known Island" (FC) and "Appoint- ment Murder" (20th). Okay $7,000 , or near. Last week, "Johnny Be- linda" (WB) and "Sierra Madre" (WB) (2d runs), $8,500. Lafayette (Basil) <3,000; 40-70)— "Walking Hills" (Col) and "Blackie's Chinese Venture" (Col). Mild $11,000 or close. Last week, "Knock On Door" (Gol) and "Blon- die's Big Deal" (Col) (2d wk), strong $10,500. Century (20th Cent.) (3,000; 40- 70)—"Stagecoach" (UA) and "Long Voyage Home" (UA) (reissue). Mild $10,000. Last week, "The Set-Up" (RKO) and "The Hunted" (Mono), $12,000. MINNEAPOLIS (Continued from page 9) of Sierra Madre" (WB) (2d runs) I2d wk), $5,200. ' Radio City (Par) (4,000; 50-70)— "Kiss in Dark" (WB). Fair $13,000 looks about all. Last week, "Fam- ily Honeymoon" (U), good $16,500. ' RKO-Orpheum < RKO) (2,800; 50- 70)—"The Set-up" (RKO). Helped by good exploitation and favorable ■ reviews shapes to hit nice $14,500. La.st week, "Knock On Door" (WB) I i2d wk), good $9,000 in 5 days. I RKO-Pan (RKO) (1,600; 50-70) : —".Shockproof" (Coll. Fair $8,000. Last week, "Sgt, . York" (WB) and '"Castle on Hudson" (WB) (reis- sues), okay $7,500. I State (Par) (2,300; 50-70)— I "Three Godfathers" (M-G). Very good $12,000. Last week, '' Bear' (Par), $12,500. Anglo-U.S. War-Made DocumentariesJi^.O^ Indicating that documentaries can pack a b. o. wallop, particu- larly in the New: York metropoli- tan area, the dual package of "Bur- ma. Victory," British govei'nment- made treatise on the Burma cam- paign, and "The Trujs Glory," U.S. and British joint opus, is being held for a third week at the Squire, N. Y. Double-bill, playing at the off-Broadway house, has racked up Medium ' ^^'^"^^ for its opening stanza and $6,000 in the foUowup week. On its usual diet o£ first-run re- issues and foreign pix, the 8th ave- nue theatre has been scoring $3,r- 500-$7,000 weekly revenueis. House scale is in the 55c-$1.20 range. I Nat Sanders, head of English I Films. Ltd., distrib of the dualer, j has taken on another British gov- I ernment - produced documentary, I "A Yank Comes Back," which [opens at the Symphony, Skouras I house, Wednesday (20). Film w«S Written, produced, directed and I *cted in by Burgess Meredith who finished it in '48. Loew's Pitt Snags 'Shoei* Pittsburgh, April 12. Persistent efforts of Art Cinema, tiny art house downtown, to grab off "Red Shoes'' came to nothing last week, when Eagle Lion offi- cials closed a deal in New York with Loew's to put the English piQ- ture into the Rltz here. That's the same theatre which recently played "Hamlet"'for a coujple of mohths. "Shoes'V will; play 800-sealer on a regular two-a-day policy, al- though no Opening date has been "Nick ^ set yet, Ritz ordinarily is « move- i 0ver spot for pix playing the Penn.