Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1955)

FILM CONCLUDING an agreement for Union Pacific railroad sponsorship of NBC Film Div.'s His Honor, Homer Bell over KCOP (TV) Los Angeles are (I to r) Paul Beach, Union Pacific advertising manager for California and Nevada; Jack Heintz, general manager of KCOP; Cliff Ogden, western sales manager, NBC Film Div.; Marion E. Welborn, account executive, The Copies Co., agency for Union Pacific, and Jack Tobin, NBC Film Div. salesman. In addition to Los Angeles, the series has been sold in Omaha, Seattle and Portland, Ore., NBC Film Div. reported. FILM GROUPS SIGN CONTRACT WITH SAG AGREEMENT was reached last week by the Screen Actors Guild with the Film Producers Assn. of New York and the Alliance of Television Film Producers, Hollywood, on a new contract covering minimum wages and conditions for actors, singers and announcers in tv film commercials. The current pact expires March 1 . A joint statement by the union and producers' organizations reported negotiations had been completed and that a proposed new contract, now being drafted, will be submitted for approval of the governing bodies. The American Assn. of Advertising Agencies also participated in the negotiations, although it will not be a signatory to the contract. TPA Plans Spade Cooley Show PLANS were announced last week by Television Programs of America. New York, to produce and distribute a new half-hour tv filmed series, described as "sophisticated country music and comedy." The series will feature Spade Cooley, country music and comedy star, who has been conducting a tv program on KTLA (TV) Los Angeles for the past six years. Milton Gordon, president of TPA, said the company had decided to produce the new series after studying "the skyrocket growth" of country entertainment in the last three years. Production on the new series is scheduled to begin in Hollywood this week. The company produces and distributes seven other filmed series, and also syndicates the Edward Small feature package. Unity Plans New Package ACQUISITION of a new package of 13 feature films by Unity Television Corp. was announced last week by Len Firestone, sales manager. He said Unity plans to issue a group of 13 feature films each quarter of this year. The new package, called "The Lucky 13," is to consist of features never before shown on tv. The titles include Operation Diplomat, This Was a Woman, Dangerous Cargo, Private Information and Profile. Page 72 • February 21, 1955 MCA-TV Details Campaign For After Sale Promotion MCA-TV Film Syndication last week announced details of an "after sales audience promotion" campaign to provide regional and local sponsors and stations a continuing service of promotion and publicity in support of their MCA-TV syndicated programs. Wynn Nathan, vice president in charge of sales, said that a film distributor often supplies a station with a packet of material at the time the sale is made but forgets to service it thereafter. MCA-TV, he said, plans to provide service after the sale with merchandising items, publicity material, on-the-air promotion, synopsis of story lines, promotion ideas, point of sale items and suggestions on selling shows to sponsors and spotting them in appropriate time slots. Sterling Distributes Films Formerly Handled by TeeVee STERLING TELEVISION Co. has acquired distribution rights to all properties formerly handled by TeeVee Co., Beverly Hills, according to Saul J. Turell and Gifford Phillips, presidents of the respective firms. Among the newly-negotiated series are halfhour Tales of Tomorrow and quarter-hour shows Little Theatre, Invitation Playhouse, The Charles Laughton Show, Camera's Eye and Gigi and Jock. TeeVee's future activity will be devoted exclusively to production under the guidance of Ludlow Flower, company vice president, Mr. Phillips revealed. TPA's Gordon in London MILTON A. GORDON, president of Television Program of America, New York, emplaned for London last Friday at the invitation of contractors for British Broadcasting Corp. to discuss the showing of TPA properties in the British Isles. While in Europe, Mr. Gordon intends to establish TPA's first European branch office, spokesmen said, reporting that TPA has taken option on office space in London, Paris and Rome. FILM SALES Glynipia Brewing Co., Olympia, Wash., has signed to sponsor new Ziv film series. The Sci ence Fiction Theatre, in seven West Coast markets, raising total number of markets to 15. Series scheduled to go on air April 1. FILM DISTRIBUTION Brandon Films Inc., N. Y., has acquired distribution rights to Swiss Cartoon Series, group of 13 color cartoon films produced in Switzerland by Pinschewer Film Atelier. Canadian Pacific Railways, Montreal, is making its library of 32 16mm travel films available to U. S. and Canadian tv stations free, through offices in N. Y., Montreal and Toronto. Only advertising appearing in films is at beginning when they open with "Canadian Pacific Railway presents . . ." and occasionally on railway car shown in films. Last year tv stations in 53 U. S. cities showed films 309 times and they also were shown on 15 Canadian stations 87 times. Sportsvision Inc., S. F.. has acquired distribution rights to quarter-hour Adventure Out of Doors film series in the 1 1 western states, Alaska and Hawaii. FILM PRODUCTION Family Films, Hollywood, is shooting new quarter-hour series. Our Children, for tv and church library use. First two films, dealing with child conduct, are directed by William P. Claxton with Sam Hersh producer. Family Films also will shoot new series of 13 half-hour dramatic tv films for Methodist church, to be released through National Council of Churches, expected to be ready for telecast next January. Vi-Bar Productions, Hollywood, is shooting new half-hour tv film series, Steve Donovan. Western Marshal, to be syndicated by NBC Film Div. Transfilm Inc., N. Y., has completed nine tv film commercials for Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., for Saran Wrap, Saranette, Dowex and Magnesium, through MacManus. John & Adams, N. Y., and "Europe Salutes Goebel" tv film spot announcements for Goebel Brewing Co., Detroit, through Campbell-Ewald, N. Y. Charles O. Puffer Co. (adv.), Chicago, has produced one-minute tv spot announcement for National Brush Co., Aurora, 111., for SnoChaser window brush. Placements of announcement are in 10 eastern and midwesterr markets. RANDOM SHOTS Carey-Swain Inc. (production), Sarasota, Fla.. will expand quarters at 1938 Laurel St. b\ adding 4,000 feet and two floors to present onestory building. Additional film editing rooms, more sound stage area for tv film production, projection and conference room, studio apartment and swimming pool are planned. FILM PEOPLE Barbara Wilkens, publicity dept.. BlaineThompson Co., N. Y., to ABC Film Syndica tion Inc., same city, as assistant to advertising and promotion director. Norman Macdonnell, with CBS Radio Gunsmoke, signed as associate producer on upcoming CBS-TV film version. A! Ward, writer. Alias Jimmy Valentine series. Gross-Krasne Inc., Hollywood, father of boy. Steven Clay, Feb. 10. Howard Bernard, national sales executive. Reela Films Inc., subsidiary, WTVJ (TV) Miami, father of girl, Teri. Tom Moore, 71. tv film actor, died Feb. 12. S. Z. Sakall, 62, tv film actor, died Feb. 12. Broadcasting • Telecasting