Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1947)

^Hollywood 0]Jwe — Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.; Ivau Spear, Western Manager) Fairbanks Sees 16mm As Backbone of Video Central Casting Plans To Streamline Work HOLLYWOOD— Those in the ranks of Hollywood extras as well as the persons who employ them should benefit from the organizational changes to streamline Central Casting Corp.’s work in handling placements of more than 800 day players hired by the studios every day. Howard R. Philbrick, vice-president and general manager of Central, disclosed the new setup, saying, “Changes are designed to achieve greater economy and efficiency. They include the creation of a centralized system for all files concerned with the 4,000 adult extras and 1,200 children on Central Casting’s rolls, a redistribution of personnel and equipment to handle the peak load of 4,000 telephone calls an hour from 4 to 7 p. m. each day from extras seeking jobs for the following day, and the merging of isolated activities.” Among the latter, Philbrick said, is the casting of children under 18 years, which has come under a separate department headed by Mrs. Bernice Saunders. This work will now be handled by regular casting directors. Mrs. Saunders, a veteran of Central Casting since its formation in 1926, is leaving. “Station M,” known to thousands of Hollywood players called for special assignments, has been moved into the general castingroom for a closer coordination of activities. Philbrick reported that placements for the first six months of 1947 totaled 109,783, a 19 per cent reduction from the first six months of 1946. In the past two months, however, placements have totaled 41,374. 'Eagles in Exile' Docketed As John Wayne Starrer HOLLYWOOD — Republic has purchased “Eagles in ExDe,” an original by George Waggner, and has signed the author as producer, director and scripter on the screen version. The story is a historical romantic adventure dealing with the flight of 340 French families from their homeland after the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo and their efforts to build a new life in Alabama. John Wayne has been set to star. 'Unconquered' Booklet HOLLYWOOD — A special 50-page de luxe presentation has been prepared by Paramount for distribution to 10,000 exhibitors, film critics and newspaper Sunday editors throughout the country as part of the company’s campaign on “Unconquered,” new DeMille production with Gary Cooper and Paulette Goddard. Contents of the presentation include large removable glossy photographs suitable for reproduction or display and a history of the picture and its subject matter. BOXOFFICE : : August 9, 1947 HOLLYWOOD — Television films are destined to become the backbone of the video entertainment field, Jerry Fairbanks contends in refutation of the Motion Picture Council’s recent report which branded telecasting as “not very satisfactory.” “The council would be correct in saying that films made for theatrical release are ‘not very satisfactory’ when telecast,” said Fairbanfe, who is undertaking a program of mass production of pictures made especially for television. “Video requires films shot solely for telecasting. New lighting techniques must be used, long shots avoided and television’s small gray screen kept in mind during production if quality transmission is to be obtained. COMPARABLE TO THEATRE FILM “Although film for television is just graduating out of the experimental stage, it still is comparable to that shown in theatres.” Fairbanks says he has spent three years developing lighting techniques and perfecting camera equipment for video pictures. He also defended the use of 16mm film in the production of television movies. “It is regrettable that television in the past has used films made by nonprofessionals and with amateur equipment,” he declared. As an example of what video film producers are doing, Fairbanks described the preparations of his own organization for the new field. “Special lenses were made in England for the most modern professional 16mm camera equipment developed in the U.S.,” he revealed. “Eastman prepares special 16mm negative film for us that compares to any 35mm film on the market. “Only through the use of 16mm film is it possible to give advertisers or stations pictures at cost that they can afford for video,” he said. FILM FOR TELEVISION Fairbanks believes that film will be the main source of programs for the new field. “It is the best and most professional way of television programming,” he said. “It is the only proven method by which a show can be rehearsed, edited, previewed, and telecast with professional perfection. As I see the future, television’s soap operas, westerns, mystery dramas — anything that takes place in more than two rooms or one central location— will be presented on film. “Movie programming also is the answer for sponsors,” Fairbanks continued. “Not only does the advertiser get a better show but he can spot programs at various stations whenever he pleases. The cost will come to less than live programs when amortized.” Fairbanks sees a huge new specialized film industry when television comes of age. “A major studio releases two or three hours of film a week,” he pointed out. “When television is as advanced as today’s radio industry, stations will require as much as eight or nine hours of film a day, which would be several times the amount of film now beingproduced by any major. The field becomes even larger when this is multiplied by the number of stations there will be in each city.” Safety Meet in Santa Ana Hears Actor Bill Goodwin HOLLYWOOD — Actor Bill Goodwin was principal speaker at an organization qf Orange county safety councils held at the Willard junior high school in Santa Ana. Representatives of the county’s 20 communities, court and police officials and state traffic safety education leaders attended the meeting. Gene Autry made a benefit appearance, along with his horse Champion and the Cass County Boys, at the Altadena youth benefit horse show. The affair was staged to raise funds for children’s playgrounds in Altadena, Pasadena and vicinity. * * T LeRoy Prinz, Warner studio dance director, has been honored by the American Legion with presentation of a gold life.naembership. Prinz, who saw service with the army air forces during World War I, has long been an active member of thC' Legion and prominent in national Legion affairs. The presentation of the life membership, only one of which is awarded annually, was made by the Cheviot Hills post. Story of Famous Model Set by Morros-LeBarbii HOLLYWOOD — Producers Boris Morrqs and William LeBaron have acquired a .stpfy written especially for the screen by Louis Bromfield, Thomas Mann and Maxmiljah Ilyin, titled “The Woman of a Hundred Faces,” as their next production for Federal Films. 'i <c The yarn tells of a famous European model who was painted by 100 different artists, each of whom portrayed her as a distinctly different type. Ilyin has been assigned to write the screenplay. The film will replace “Babes in Toyland” on the company’s United Artists release schedule, and “Babes” will be held in abeyance until a Technicolor commitment is available. 53