Variety (December 1954)

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^ wlnfmlay. December 29, 1954 PICTIHES 2 TOP CHAINS SEEK RKO STUDIO This-Is-Where-W e-Came-In More and more the film business is becoming a this-is-where- we-came-ln industry. The five major companies came into inte- * ated being when producers bought theatres as outlets for their films and theatremen bankrolled production to assure for them- selves a continuing supply of product. RKO, Loew’s, Paramount, 20th-Fox and Warner Bros, thus came to make their own pic- tures for their own theatres plus, of course, independent ac- counts. ■ The Department of Justice, prodded by the indie exhibitors, upset such organizational structures with its antitrust suit that led to separation of domestic film houses from production-dis- tribution affiliates. So here we go again. Two of the previously-affiliated chains want back in production. Specifically, they’re angling to buy the KKO picture company. But there’s a switch. They want this Howard Hughes operation as a means of stimulating more pro- duction for all exhibitors; as it’s now set up RKO is no longer major league as a product supplier. On other fronts, 30 non-major circuits are backing Distribu- tors Corp. of America, also for the primary purpose of bringing more pictures to market. And thousands of indies have ex- pressed eagerness to guarantee playing time for pictures in ad- vance of production just to encourage this production. All this, because most of the principal studios have cut down on produc- tion schedules and the exhibs on all levels are screaming “shortage.” Provocative question among film men is this: If there hadn’t been that divorcement, would the major studios still be pro- ducing enough pictures for their own theatres plus, of course, independent accounts? Par Has 20 Pix Completed (or ’55, But Releases Geared to Playoffs J See Rank Trend to Indie Distribs; The 20 films which Paramount* has on its distribution schedule for " 1955 already are completed and five on tha 1956 slate go before the cameras by Feb. 1, Barney Bal- aban, president, revealed in N. Y. last Wednesday (22). Par’s plans and policy were discussed by the chief exec, board chairman Adolph Zukor, distribution chief A. W. Schwalberg and v.p. Paul Raibourn at a luncheon following a homeof- fice screening of “Bridges At Toko-Ri.” Balaban added that the number of releases for next year would be increased if “distribution could handle more,” but there was no promise that this would be the case. Me made the significant point that the scheduling of new releases U determined by the playoff of pic- tures in current sale. For example, he said in effect, it would be economically unwise to cut in on extended runs of, per- haps, "White Christmas,” with an- other film. This would cause loss of some of the “Christmas” poten- tial. Plenty bullish on the future, Bal- ahan anticipates record gross busi- ness in 1955, this based on the apparent strength of the product. (Separate story on Par's 1954 gross business.) Balaban. answering intra-trade criticism about product availability, (Continued on page 16) Of 152 Features, Italy Tints 61 152 features produSed by e Italian industry between Jan. v al a . nd t.M 0V ' 30, 195 4, more than Film r bl ”“ were in color . Italian * Urns Export reported in N.Y. Mon- er . y J 27) - , The majority of the tint- ers were in Italy’s own Fer- eou? C i°i °. r; 15 were in Eastman- p. ’ 1 ,n Tecjpiicolor, three in Tpv- 0 0r an . d two In Warnercolor. n ', statistics showed that 43 co- Productions wen t before the cam- cras during the first 11 months of with 4 r ’ ™ ance leadln « the field with c 6 'i Three fiIms were made one ,. SP u ln ’,t) V0 Germany and °ne each with Japan and Egypt. thrc« e r- Par a ' so saw the start of films a. In J ?maSc °P e P»x. Several in g in i9 55 Ue f ° r VistaVis l on lens - Cecil B. DeMille who should know abour thoso things gives his reasons for The Values of Cinematic Research m bright editorial feature in the 49 th Anniversary Number of t / SniEfr OUT NEXT WEEK William Saroyan has written a humorous piece which started out Seeking a Stage Prop and Winds lip Being a Commercial for ‘Uar/e/y’ one of the many byline pieces in the upcoming 49th Anniversary Number of PSk/ety OUT NEXT WEEK Yugoslavs Sending Negotiator Over Arrival in N. Y. in January of a representative from Yugoslavia Film is expected to break the im- passe in the Motion Picture Export Assn.’s 50 picture deal with Croa- tia Film. Yugoslavia Film has in- dicated to MPEA it wants to talk business and indications are that the agreement will be switched from Croatia Film to Yugoslavia Film, the import monopoly. MPEA originally signed with Croatia Film for 50 films, each at $4,500, a price Which Yugoslavia Film refused to pay but to which it did agree in the instance of Metro alone, which consequently made its own arrangements with Yugoslavia Film. One of the con- ditions of the Croatia Film pact was that it would get the $225,000 involved via the informational media guarantee program. It later on turned out that, even Pakistan Take-Out Needs a Formula Disagreement on a formula un- der which 850,000 rupees (about $200,000) are to be brought out of Pakistan is holding up transfer of the coin. Motion Picture Export Assn, board had the matter on its agenda at a meet in N. Y. yesterday (Tues.). Also discussed were means of splitting up 300 permits allotted the companies in Bolivia. Under the last deal with the Pakistani government, negotiated by the MPEA’s Irving Maas, the Karachi authorities agreed to okay remittances of all coin accrued up to July, 1954. For the year ending July, 1955, the government con- sented to the Issuance of unlimited import permits plus a bulk remit- tance of 850,000 rupees. Pakistan has lived up to its promise to remit all monies to July, 1954. and it also came through with the import permits for the first half of the current year. Hitch now involves the sec- ond half for which the MPEA com- panies have applied, and the trans- fer of the 850,000 rupees. MPEA wants the money to come out under its own formula. The Pakistani government is using a yardstick based on old billings with the explanation that its method is the one conforming to local law. It’s Indicated that MPEA will abide by the Karachi formula in order to get transfer clearance. SANCTION DEAL? By GENE ARNEEL Two of the country’s major thea- tre circuits—the same chains which were divorced from the production end of the business by Federal Court decrees a few years jigo—are involved in a king-sized scheme to again become affiliated with film- making via the purchase of RKO Radio Pictures from Howard Hughes. Syndicate formed for the pur- pose of trying to swing a deal with Hughes comprises United Para- mount and Stanley Warner plus Eliot Hyman and the First National Bank og Boston. Hyman is a film dis- tributor in the television field. He’s been angling for RKO for some time but without success; now that he’s linked with the top-rung the- atre companies plus the big money institution there appears more likelihood of some kind of accord with Hughes. Latter has received proposals from various sources in the last couple of years but has remained aloof. It's believed other important chains may become a part of the syndicate. At least, the door is being left open to them. There have been no official com- ment but strong indications are that the prospective buyers are willing to pay close to $25,000,000 for the Hughes properties; i.e., film backlog, Hollywood studio and pro- duction facilities and the RKO worldwide distribution network. Major contingency is the atti- tude of the Dept, of Justice, whose prosecution of antitrust charges against the film companies begin- ning in the 194C’s led to the di- vorcement judgments. United Par- amount, et al., will ask D. of J. approval of the RKO buyout and if this is forthcoming U would be tan- tamount to a required formal okay by the N. Y. Statutory Court. This is the tribunal that heard the anti- trust suit and has kept the case in its continuing jurisdiction. I though it’s an importer—not a dis- Since the U. S. Supreme Court trib—Yugoslavia Film was appar- itself directed the divorcement ver- J ently the only outfit capable of ob- dict, there can be no certainty that taining the necessary dollars. Her- the theatre chains will obtain the bert Erlanger, who handled the D. of J. clearances. Efforts could J Yugoslav negotiations for MPEA, be made to reopen the decrees for was contacted by Belgrade and a new, latter-day argument before date was made for the Yugoslavia (Continued on page 46) I film rep to come to N. Y. for talks. National Boxoffice Survey Xmas Week Booms Trade; ‘Show Biz* New Champ, ‘Sea’ 2d, ‘Chalice’ 3d, ‘Heart’ 4th, ‘Cruz’ ‘Circus’ Next Guinness’ Paris’ Highly Significant Noting the diminishing number of "typical British” J. Arthur Rank films on Universal’s release sked, trade circles say they’ll be watch- ing with more than ordinary in- terest the showing made by Rank’s “To Paris with Love” which was acquired by Walter Reade Jr* and Frank Krassler’s buying co-op. Fate of the Alec Guinness starrer, for which the Reade-Kass- ler combine is shelling out a $300,- 000 advance guarantee, is seen as a clue to future relations between Rank and U re pix that don’t ap- pear to have an out-and-out appeal in the commercial houses. No Rank films of that type have gone to U for its special films division since “High and Dry.” Impression is growing that the Rank Org., while still maintaining its contractual relations with U, is now in the mood for playing ball with the indie distribs, possibly even at the expense of Universal. Execs at U, while traditionally mum on their Rank relations, which continue sensitive, admit that they now have some “compe- tition” via the indies and others who are in a mood to put up cash for the Rank films. Asked whether U would have been interested in “To Paris with (Continued on page 14) Bogart Near Big Sellout to Col Hollywood, Dec. 28. Humphrey Bogart’s negotiating outright sale of his Santana Productions to Columbia Pictures, in what may be one of the biggest capital gains deals yet involving a single actor. Bogart is prexy and owner of most of stock in San- tana. Only other shareholder be- ing Morgan Maree, Bogart’s biz (Continued on page 14) an Cinema biz in big key cities is in high gear this holiday week, with favorable weather in many loca- tions and strong product hypoing trade. Result is that the five big- gest grossing pictures will rack up a total gross of more than $2,000,- 000 in the key cities covered by Variety this stanza. “No Business Like Show Busi- ness” (20th) is the new b.o. champ by a substantial margin. Playing in some 17 key cities, this C’Scope musical ranges from big to great and terrific. The new Disney pro- “Hansel and Gretel” (RKO) is finishing ninth, with “Last Time ♦ Saw Paris” (M-G) in 10th. “De- siree” (20th). “Romeo and Juliet” <UA), “Aida” (IFE) and “Detec- tive” (Col) are the runner-up pix. Last three named are new. “Sign of Pagan” (U) shapes as strongest newcomer, aside from those out on extensive release cur- rently, to be launched this session. It is sock in Boston and Toronto, big in Seattle, fast in L.A. and wow in Washington. “Country Girl” (Par) gave further evidence duction. “20,000 Leagues UnjJer j of its great drawing power by top- Sea” (BV), is a strong ^ccond, play- ing in a like number of keys. “Silver Chalice” <WB) is cap- turing third place, with only about two routine showings in some 12* playdates. “Deep in My Heart” (M-G) is winding up fourth. “Vera Cruz” <UA) looks to land ping the initial week in second round at N.Y. Criterion and open- ing strongly in L.A. “So This Is Paris” (U), rated smash in Philly, is socko in Port- land and Indianapolis. “Tonight’s the Night” (AA) started out great iu N.Y. “Aida” (IFE)*, another 'fifth money although only out on newcomer, looks to do more in the seven playdates currently. This future. Cooper-Lancaster blockbuster is running ahead of “High Noon” (UA) biz in several spots, with some mighty, colossal and terrific engagements. Likely will be heard from subsequently. “3-Ring Cir- (Par) is a close sixth while “Violent Men” (Col), good in Boston, looms tall in Philly. “Des- try” (U). solid in Detroit, shapes sock in Omaha. “Barefoot Contessa” (UA), fine | in Chi. is rated neat in L.A. “Trouble in Glen” (Rep) looks big “Young at Heart” (WB) is taking chi and Toronto, seventh. | “Mr. Hulot’s Holiday” (GBD) ! “Cinerama” (Indie) is winding up looms fine in Frisco. “Phffft” eighth, lowest it has been in some weeks. Pic is ready to close in six weeks in some keys, with the sec- cus Trade Mark Registered FOUNDED BY SIME SILVERMAN Published Weekly by VARIETY. INC Harold Erichs. President 154 West 46th St New York 36, N V JUdson 2 2700 Hollywood 21 6311 Yucca Street Hollywood 9 1141 Washington 4 1296 National Press Building . STerling 3-5445 Chicago 11 612 No Michigan Avo. DElaware 7 4984 London WC2 8 St. Martin’s PI Trafalgar Sq. Temple Bar 5041 SUBSCRIPTION Annual 810 Foreign ill Single Copies 25 Cent* ABEL GREEN Editor Vol. 197 120 No. 4 HAPPY NEW YEAR ond “Cinerama” pic to follow. (Col) is fancy in Boston. (Complete Boxoffice Reports on Pages 8-9) INDEX Bills 46 Chatter 54 Concert-Opera 52 Film Reviews 6 House Reviews 46 Inside Pics 5 Inside Radio-TV 30 International 12 Legitimate 48 Literati 58 Music 35 New Acts 43 Night Club Reviews 47 Obituaries 55 Pictures 3 Radio-Television 18 Radio Reviews 24 Record Reviews 36 Frank Scully 53 Television Reviews 27 TV-Films 32 Unit Reviews 43 Vaudeville 43 Wall Street .' OAILY VARIETY (Published In Hollywood by Daily Variety. Ltd > 813 a Year 820 Foreign