Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1963)

chases of three million feet of film from the NBC library in 1959 and Telenews footage between 1947-56. His first purchase was the Miles library, with film dating back to 1898. This library included 250,000 feet on World War I, believed to be among the largest. In all, Filmvideo has about 300,000 feet of coverage on sports events. Children's View ■ Filmvideo operates mainly as a supplier of footage to networks and producers but has produced a series called Kiddie Camera, a children's eye-view of the news. In the future, Mr. Zouary said, the company plans to turn out three to four programs a year, either on a series or special show basis. Stratford International Film Researchers Inc. is operated by John Stratford, a Hungarian-born motion picture producer who has contacts with film executives throughout the world. His forte is his personal liaison with film organizations abroad, enabling him to acquire required footage from outof-the-way places. Mr. Stratford estimates he holds rights to more than 50 million feet of film, including short subjects, features and newsreel footage from various countries, including Iron Curtain nations. His company has been particularly helpful to network and outside producers who have sought foreign footage. He stressed that he often is engaged as a research consultant on production projects with an international flavor. The Sherman Grinberg organization is a noteworthy example of success 'The Race for Space' was the first successful David L. Wolper documentary. The firm has an ambitious schedule outlined for the coming year. achieved through dealing in old film footage. In 1958, after working for 20th Century-Fox for five years as an agent for the company's stock footage film libraries, Mr. Grinberg formed Sherman Grinberg Film Libraries Inc. He bought the stock footage assets of Pathe News Inc., and in the intervening years, Mr. Grinberg took over the operation of the Columbia Pictures' film library: bought the Allied Artists' film collection and, in partnership with David L. Wolper, acquired the Paramount Newsreel footage. The Grinberg company has in excess of 75 million feet of film at its disposal. Though Grinberg still supplies stock footage to networks, producers and agencies, the company became active in production in the actuality field in 1960, producing 260 five-minute shows, Greatest Headlines of the Century, for Official Films, and a one-minute program, titled Sportsfolio, also for Official. In association with David L. Wolper, Grinberg co-produced 65 halfhours of Biography for release by Official in 1962 and 1963, and this year has produced the Battle Line series, also for Official Films distribution. An advocate of the you-gotta-produce school of film librarians, Mr. Grinberg is blueprinting a new project for 1964. In cooperation again with Official Films, the Grinberg production arm is completing the pilot of a new half-hour series, tentatively titled Survival, a first-person account of individuals who have endured critical situations. Wolper's Production ■ David L. Wolper Productions owns the Paramount Newsreel jointly with Sherman Grinberg, with the latter organization serving as custodian. The Wolper company has achieved outstanding success in the factual film field, starting with The Race For Space TV special several years ago, and is undoubtedly the leading independent producer in the field. Wolper is mapping an ambitious schedule for 1964. For syndication by United Artists TV, the company is blueprinting six one-hour specials in the area of science. Wolper also is preparing 10 one-hour historical specials, of which tentative titles include "Trial in Nuremburg," "The Rise and Fall of the Japanese Emperor" and "Prelude Stock footage by the million available from these firms There are many film companies that supply stock footage to producers of TV documentary programs and the following list compiled by Broadcasting is representative of the leading suppliers. It must be pointed out that many government agencies, both here and abroad, also provide footage, obtainable either directly or through a film supplier in this country. At present, Time Inc.'s March of Time and Fox Movietone News have a policy of not leasing film footage to outside producers and are not included in the compilation. John E. Allen Inc., 116 North Avenue, Park Ridge, N. J. Contact: John E. Allen. Description: About 7 million feet of film from 1900 to 1930: specializes in street scenes, life in the 1920's and earlier and Americana footage of various types. Filmvideo Releasing Corp., 333 W. 52d Street, New York. Contact: Maurice Zouary. Description: Approximately 12 million feet of film from 1898 to 1956; strong on sports, World War I and travelogues. Sherman Grinberg Film Libraries Inc., 1438 North Gower, Hollywood. Contact: Sherman Grinberg; New York office: 630 Ninth Avenue.; Bernard Chertok. Description: Has more than 75 million feet of film, including Pathe News Inc. Newsreel, Paramount Newsreel footage, Allied Artists' film collection. Operates Columbia Pictures' stock film library. Footage covers 1896 to 1956. Hearst Metrotone News, 450 W. 56th Street, New York. Contact: Caleb Stratton. Description: Approximately 50 million feet of film, dating to 1919. Company still produces weekly newsreels and signifi cantly has footage available after 1956 by which time many other newsreel companies had ceased production operations. Stratford International Film Researchers Inc., 230 West 57th Street, New York. Contact: John Stratford. Description: Company has access to more than 50 million feet of film from libraries throughout world. Company is said to be skilled at locating footage in out-ofthe-way places and is particularly known for obtaining middle European film segments. Universal Newsreel, 105 East 106th Street, New York. Contact: George Barrett. Description: Has approximately 15 million feet, starting in 1929. Still distributes newsreels to theaters which are produced for Universal by Hearst Metrotone and accordingly has latest footage. BROADCASTING, December 9, 1963 n