Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Dec 15, 1956)

PAGE FOUR Outhe Geam -~--(Continued from Page 1)-~ actor who has achieved his biggest success in virile, rough-and-ready roles, gives the greatest performance of his career as the somewhat bewildered, but ever-willing “Captain Fisby”. His way of attempting to bring the message of Democracy to the Okinawan natives, is a gem of characterization. His portrayal reminded me very much of Melvyn Douglas, when the latter was at his comedy peak. Machiko Kyo, beauteous Japanese actress, is as lovely as any Hollywood star, and she gives to her role a freshness that is a welcome relief from the usual movie star type. Her failure to use any English words except “Hot Water” throughout the picture, enhances her charm rather than detracts from it. Eddie Albert, always a capable performer, who recently turned in a tremendous acting chore in UA’s “Attack”, comes up with another performance that is bound to boost his stock still higher. Paul Ford, who took over the role slated for the late Louis Calhern, is a riot as the C.O. who tries to run things according to the book. The only drawback in respect to Ford’s portrayal, is that his presence makes you expect an appearance by “Sergeant Bilko’ at any minute. Another good bit is offered by Henry (Harry) Morgan as an orderly. In addition to the American players, and the Japanese feminine star, there are some really terrific character roles portrayed by some top Japanese actors. The names are unfamiliar, but the dramatic ability of these players is certainly unquestioned. One elderly man in particular, reads his few lines in such a way as to make his role one of the high spots of the picture. One of the most amazing features in connection with “Teahouse of the August Moon” is the brilliant manner in which the American and Japanese craftsmen worked together to make this picture. The facilities of Japan’s largest motion picture producing company were put at the disposal of M-G-M when the company was on location, and the technical crew made a notable contribution to the ultimate success of the film. Much of the credit for the entertainment qualities of the picture, of course, must go to producer Jack Cummings, director Daniel Mann, and John Patrick, who wrote the original play from Vern Sneider’s book, and who adapted his own screenplay. The Metro $54,500 Paid Out In Ottawa Foto-Nites Ottawa: In celebrating the third anniversary of Foto-Nite at six theatres in Ottawa, the announcement was made that $54,500 had been paid out in awards to date there. The six co-operating theatres are the Centre, Linden, Somerset, Mayfair, Francais and Eastview, where the latest offer was $4,000. At Toronto the 16 Foto-Nite theatres had paid $90,000 to date and the newest offer stood at $5,700. FIGARO’S FIVE (Continued from Page 1) Lantz, vice-president of the independent film-making organization. Lantz concurrently reported that Figaro has signed novelists Marion Hargrove and Merle Miller to writing contracts. The five features to go before the cameras next year include “Top Dog”, “Commencement” and “Border Trumpet’, all to be produced by Walter Wanger. The others are “The Quiet American” and “Santo Cowboy”, both to be written and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. “Top Dog”, based on David Karp’s “Good Old Charley Faye”, will be written for the screen by Merle Miller. Marion Hargrove, author of the best-selling “See Here Private Hargrove”, will write “Commencement”, based on an original idea. “The Quiet American’, film version of Graham Green’s best-selling novel of the same title, is scheduled to start location production next January in Saigon, Vietnam. Claude Dauphin was recently signed for a co-starring role. color lensing of John Alton is another feature that rates special mention, as does the art direction of William A. Horning and Eddie Imazu. All are of Academy Award calibre. “Teahouse of the August Moon” is a picture with a message, namely that Democracy is not something that can or should be shoved down anyone’s throat in a prefabricated pattern. However, unlike most such pictures, it is first and foremost entertainment; the message is strictly secondary, and never allowed to interfere with the entertainment values of the film. As holiday fare for the entire family, and for booking for many months ahead, I most highly recommend “Teahouse of the August Moon”. It should rank with “The King and I” as one of the year’s biggest box-office successes. “piercer QUATI Re-Elect All Executive Officers Montreal: At its annual meeting held recently at Ruby Foo’s Restaurant in Montreal, Quebec Allied Theatrical Industries retained Doris Robert of Granby as President for another year, as well as returning to office J. Arthur Hirsch as Honorary President, Leo Choquette as Vice-President, Bill Lester as Chairman of the Executive Committee, Bill Elman as Secretary, and George Arnott, treasurer. Other directors include Joseph DeSeve, Len Jones, Charley Magnan, Basil Salamis, Art Bahen, Johnny Ganetakos and George Destounis. At the annual meeting it was decided to approach the Provincial Government on changing the laws which forbid children under 16 from attending regular theatres. An effort will be made to have the Quebec Government reduce the age limit to 14, since it is apparently impossible to secure blanket approval for all ages. An appeal will also be made by QUATI to the Provincial Government for a repeal of the amusement surtax on tickets costing $1.00 or less, and a lowering of the amusement tax from 10 per cent to 8 per cent on admissions of .75c and under. No successor has been named as yet for the post of executivesecretary, from which Charles Bourassa retired last year. “The Desk Set” Hollywood: Joan Blondell has been signed to a top role in 20th Century-Fox’s “The Desk Set”, which co-stars Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. Walter Lang will direct the screen adaptation of the smash Broadway comedy hit, which got underway early this month at the 20th-Fox Studios. DECEMBER 15, 1956 ODEON SUES (Continued from Page 1) An interim injunction was granted to the plaintiffs (Odeon) last week, and hearing on the case was scheduled for this Wednesday. Famous Players have been made a party to the suit, and the order restrains them from showing the CinemaScope version of the picture for the present, at least. Case involves the split between Odeon and Famous Players on 20th Century-Fox CinemaScope _ product, which has been in effect for the past three years, and which was revised just this year. While the terms of the deal are not available for publication, it is common knowledge in the trade, that the split gives Famous Players two-thirds of Fox’s CinemaScope releases, and Odeon one-third, according to the Fox release schedule. Odeon claim that the CinemaScope version of “Oklahoma!”’ falls in their side of the split, while 20th Century-Fox executives argue that the picture belongs in the F-P group. Famous Players are caught in the middle, with their booking schedules shattered. Odeon and Famous Players have had little conflict since the Odeon circuit was formed a number of years ago. Virtually no employee raiding has taken place, although a number of Odeon employees at one time did work for Famous Players. Battle between the two for the moviegoers’ dollars has been exceptionally clean at all times, with both circuits depending upon the showmanship ability of their mana gers to attract the patrons. Even — now, Odeon officials are quick to state that they have no quarrel with Famous Players, that their differences of opinion is with Fox. One thing Fox must be happy about, “Oklahoma!” must really be an important picture or Odeon would never have gone to court over it. Wide selection of the BEST GERMAN SPEAKING 35 MM. FILMS of late production Prints now available in Montreal for countrywide distribution ALSO: GERMAN SPEAKING SHORTS and regularly arriving by Air from Germany GERMAN NEWS REELS FOR FULL INFORMATION: VITA FILM Ltd. 3350 BARCLAY AVE., MONTREAL, QUE. REGENT 3-6239 GERMAN FILM SHOWS ARE TOP MONEY MAKERS AND HAVE NO TV COMPETITION.