Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1953)

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currently is negotiating with other stations for sales on a similar basis. "It seems to me," Mr. Beckwith said, "that this sale highlights the point that the public will accept re-issues. We know it will be of great help to stations because by continual use the cost per film is gradually liquidated to quite an extent." FILM SALES Video Pictures Inc., Hollywood, announces sale of half-hour filmed Hank McCune Show in three new markets, bringing the total to 34. Sponsors are Bowman Dairy Co., WBKB (TV) Chicago, for 13 weeks from Oct. 25; Ford Dealers, WTVP (TV) Decatur, 111., for 13 weeks from Oct. 20; Contractors Heating Co., KKTV (TV) Colorado Springs, for 26 weeks from Nov. 9. • Commonwealth Film & Television Inc., N. Y., announced last week it has completed transactions for sale of its package of cartoons, serials, shorts, westerns and feature films to WTTG (TV) Washington, WXEL (TV) Cleveland and WIFE-TV Dayton. PRODUCTION Mark VII Ltd., Burbank, has completed shooting on "The Christmas Story" for NBC-TV's Dragnet, which has been processed in Pathecolor by Pathe Labs. This is in line with the production firm's plan to start filming in color. Commodore Productions & Artists Inc., Hollywood, according to Walter White, president has has signed a contract with Dan Liu, chief of the Honolulu police department, to produce a half-hour tv film series based on the departmental files titled No Escape. To be filmed in 35mm Eastman color in the Islands, production is scheduled to start in February, weather permitting. George Brent is expected to be signed to portray the leading role of the investigator with Chief Liu doing the opening and closing of each film. • Roy Rogers Productions, Hollywood, has completed the final 10 films in the 1954-55 season of 66 half-hour programs for NBC-TV Roy Rogers Show, sponsored by General Foods (Post Cereals Div.), through Benton & Bowles Inc. • Studio City Television Productions, Hollywood tv film production subsidiary recently formed by Republic Pictures, has started filming Outlaws of the Century, initial series of a proposed 52 half-hour programs. Jim Davis, star of recently completed Republic feature film, "The Fortune Hunter," enacts the leading role of a railroad detective. Assigned to the tv series are William Witney, director, and Edward White, producer. • Frank Wisbar, upon completion of current schedule as producer-director of NBC-TV Fireside Theatre, moves over to Bing Crosby Enterprises, Culver City, Calif., to serve in the same capacity on six half-hour films in CBS-TV General Electric Theatre. Production starts the first week in January. Following the temporary assignment, Mr. Wisbar will return to film-making under banner of Frank Wisbar Productions. CERTIFICATE stating that Royal Playhouse has passed the million dollar mark in sales is presented to Basil Grillo (seated), executive vice president, Bing Crosby Enterprises, series' producer, by Wynn Nathan (I), national sales manager. United Television Programs Inc. Charles B. Brown (c), BCE vice president in charge of sales, and Homer Duerr, treasurer, BCE, witness the ceremony. Screen Gems Inc., Hollywood, is completing shooting on "For Value Received" for inclusion in NBC-TV Ford Theatre series. Costarring Peter Lawford and James Whitmore, the film script is produced by Michel Kraike, by Erna Lazarus. • SIGNING of Claudette Colbert to a contract to appear in a situation comedy tv series to be produced by Rockhill Productions was announced last week by Stanley J. Wolf, Rockhill president. Production on the series is to begin on the West Coast the first week in January, with each film budgeted for an estimated $30,000. The contract was negotiated by Mr. Wolf and Don A. Davis, Rockhill general manager, and Charles Wendling, Miss Colbert's agent. • Robert Maxwell Assoc., Hollywood, is set to film a new half-hour tv series in color, based on the files of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and financed by All-Canada Broadcasting-Telecasting Affiliates. Latter firm will retain all Canadian tv rights while Mr. Maxwell retains remaining world rights. Exteriors will be shot in Canada and interiors at Goldwyn Studios, Hollywood. The Canadian group also has a 50% financial interest in Lassie, color tv film series produced by Mr. Maxwell and now being set for distribution. Hal Roach Sr., under the banner of Hal Roach Studios Inc., Culver City, Calif., plans to enter active tv film production next month with Hollywood Four Star Theatre. This half-hour series will feature four name actors in rotating star assignments, backed by players Mr. Roach expects to develop as a permanent video film stock company. • Family Films Television Inc., Beverly Hills, has been signed to produce third This is the Life half hour tv film series for Lutheran Television Productions on behalf of ' Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod. Shooting starts in January at KTTV (TV) Hollywood, for 1954 fall release. • Miller Brewing Co., Milwaukee, has contracted Jerry Fairbanks, Hollywood, to produce "With This Ring," a 60-minute feature film in color for a public relations service and later to be made available for tv. Agency is Mathisson & Assoc. Inc. Fotovox, Memphis, has been signed by Hallmark Productions Inc., Hollywood, to film a pilot program in proposed half-hour video series, Delinquent Angels, based on the court cases of Judge Camille Kelley. DISTRIBUTION Cheshire & Assoc., Hollywood, will handle eleven western states' distribution of Capsule Mysteries, new series of 78 five-minute films being produced by Charles Michelson in Montreal. With Glenn Langan, co-star on former NBC-TV Boss Lady, as star, the series is being readied for Jan. 1, 1954 release. M & A Alexander Productions, Hollywood, has acquired tv distribution rights to "The Seven Ravens," all-puppet feature film version of the Grimm fairy tale, release of which is being timed for the Christmas season. Additionally acquired is "Michael O'Halloran," feature film based on the Gene Stratton Porter novel which was produced by Julian Lesser. • Barney Gerard, former producer for Monogram Productions (now Allied Artists), has acquired tv film rights to "Jiggs and Maggie," the King Features cartoon strip by George McManus. Under the Monogram banner, he produced and co-authored five feature films based on the strip, which is syndicated in over 600 newspapers. Tv production plans have not been scheduled. Virgoian Productions, L.A., has completed a 26 quarter hour open-end' travelogue series, Hollywood is the World, to be distributed by Sterling Television Corp., N. Y. RANDOM SHOTS Helena Productions, Hollywood, has been formed as subsidiary of Revue Productions, that city, itself a subsidiary of Music Corp. of America. Termed an "empty corporation," an MCA spokesman said it was designed merely "to ease the legal angle" and no active production is contemplated at the moment. Revue, meanwhile, this week resumes filming on CBSTV Meet Mr. McNutley, ABC-TV Pride of the Family, Pepsi-Cola Theatre, City Detective and Kit Carson. Tom J. Corradine & Assoc., Hollywood, has been named to represent Official Films in 1 1 western states, Hawaii and Alaska, according to Herman Rush of the distribution firm. Among the film packages being offered is Colonel March of Scotland Yard, new series starring Boris Karloff. • Hispano Continental Films of Mexico, headed by Frank S. Leyva and Albert Scheff, has opened Hollywood headquarters at 6404 Hollywood Blvd. The distribution firm currently has 46 feature films in Spanish and 4 in English. Olympus Film Productions Inc. (formerly Bert Johnston Productions) has moved to new studios at Chicksaw and Warner Streets, Cincinnati. Page 36 • November 23, 1953 Broadcasting • Telecasting