Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Nov 17, 1956)

NOVEMBER 17, 1956 WAYNE-UA (Continued from Page 1) Wayne disclosed, will be made in the new Technirama process on location in the Sahara Desert. Interiors will be filmed in Rome. Wayne said that a 60-day shooting schedule has been set, involving 50 days of location work and 10 days of studio photography, probably at the Cinecitta Studios in the Italian capital. Wayne declared that although the current Batjac-UA_ contract calls for four features, this does not proclude tha possibility of new projects being added to the slate. He said that he considered United Artists the organization best equipped to handle the distribution and promotion of independent films. Indicative of the scope of the promotion that will back “Legend of the Lost” is a UA budget of $200,000 for pre-production and production publicity and exploitation alone. Batjac’s production rate, Wayne said, will be governed by the development of suitable properties. However, Batjac anticipates that its film-making activities over the next four years may hit an all-time high for an independent company. In addition to the UA commitments, Wayne is slated to make four features for 20th Century-Fox and one for RKO under previous contracts. Wayne’s tremendous boxoffice appeal is underscored by the $28,500,000 gross registered by seven of his recent pictures. The production cost of this group, Wayne said, was $7,000,000. Wayne and his production staff left for Europe November 13 to make final preparations for “Legend of the Lost.” Henry Hathaway will produce and direct from a screenplay by Ben Hecht. The original story is by Hathaway. In addition to starring, Wayne will serve as executive producer. $5,500,000 Cost For “Raintree County” Hollywood: Filming of MGM’s “Raintree County”, which had been in production since April 2, was completed recently at a cost of $5,500,000, a record high for any picture ever made by MGM in the United States. Starring Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, Eva Marie Saint, Nigel Patrick and Lee Marvin, “Raintree County” tells the story of a group of people from a small Indiana town whose lives are swept up in the vicious currents underlying the Civil War. —— “piercer KAMLOOPS TV (Continued from Page 1) B.C. A CBC decision in this case was made quickly when it became known that a private corporation planned to install a closed-circuit at Kamloops with film and other programs from the United States and otherwise but not from the CBC. Other pocket-size TV transmitters for small cities and towns, using CBC prints, are expected, it was intimated. RKO Title Change New York: “That Night!” has been set by Galahad Productions as the final title for its production, formerly titled “Brave Tomorrow”, it was announced last week by Himan Brown, Executive Producer of Galahad. ‘That Night!”, being released by RKO and starring John Beal, Augusta Dabney and Sheppard Strudwick, is the first of 12 features the independent outfit has contracted to supply RKO with during the next three years. John Newland directed. Para. Profit Drops New York: Paramount Pictures Corporation reports estimated consolidated net earnings for the third quarter of 1956 at $1,742,000, which represents $.87 per share, including $.04 per share non-recurring profit on sale of film, etc. These earnings compare to $2,515,000 or $1.15 per share reported in 1955. For the nine months of 1956 consolidated net earnings are estimated at $6,743,000, which represents $3.37 per share, based upon 1,999,816 shares outstanding at September 29, 1956, including $1.38 per share non-recurring profit on the sale of film, etc. Comparative earnings for the same period in* 1955: << were ~ :éstimated < at $7,680,000 or $3.51 per share on 2,188,911 shares then outstanding. W-B Title Changes Hollywood: “Top Secret Affair” is the new title for Warner Bros.’ “Melville Goodwin, U.S.A.,” starring Susan Hayward and _ Kirk Douglas. The Warner Bros. picture formerly titled “The Marshall of Independence,” starring Randolph Scott, will now be called “Shoot Cut at Medicine Bend.” “The Helen Morgan Story,” to be directed by Michael Curtiz and produced by Richard Whorf for Warner Bros. is the new title of the picture previously announced as “Why Was I Born?” Walbrook Added To “Saint Joan” Cast Hollywood: Anton Walbrook, distinguished actor of the British screen and stage, has been signed to play the important role of Bishop Cauchon, principal accuser of Joan of Arc, in the Otto Preminger film production of Bernard Shaw’s “Saint Joan.” Announcement of his signing for the United Artists release which will be produced and directed by Preminger comes close upon the heels of Preminger’s selection of a newcomer, 17-year-old Jean Seberg of Marshalltown, Iowa, out of 18,000 contestants for the leading role of Joan. Others already signed include Richard Widmark and Richard Burton. PAGE SEVEN PIONEERS (Continued from Page 1) Delegates from all divisions of the Pioneers will occupy head table places with their wives. Mayor Phillips. and other distinguished guests will be present. The Annual Award Dinner of the Pioneers is recognized as the industry's biggest event. Not alone does it focus national attention to the Industry by its press and newsreel coverage but it allows the Who’s Who of the Industry from all parts of Canada to meet and renew friendships. The capacity of the Crystal Ballroom of the King Edward is limited to 400, so we advise the early purchase of tickets by those planning to attend on the big night —November 22nd. The Industry's BIGGEST EVENT CANADIAN PICTURE PIONEERS ANNUAL DINNER and DANCE Presenting The 1956 Award To OSCAR HANSON "Pioneer of the Year" Cocktails at 6.45 Dinner at 7.30 Dancing at 10 p.m. Crystal Ballroom King Edward Hotel THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND CURLY POSEN And His Orchestra Dress Optional Accommodation Limited to 400 Obtain Your Tickets at Once! $6.00 Each Person CHET FRIEDMAN EM. 3-5703 GEO. OULLAHAN EM. 6-6221