20th Century-Fox Dynamo (February 11, 1956)

Andre Hakim, producer of "The Man Who Never Was," is above pictured during a New York press conference. En route to Paris and London with his lovely wife (right), the former Susan Zanuck, Mr. Hakim announced plans for the production this year of two additional CinemaScope attractions, the tentatively titled "Sea Wyf and Biscuit," from J. M. Scott’s new suspense story, and "The Black Wings." Both are for world-wide distribution by this company. Mr. Hakim said he plans filming "Sea Wyf and Biscuit" in Jamaica, England and Scotland, with Ronald Neame, who did "The Man Who Never Was," directing, "The Black Wing" will be filmed in England. The latter is from a television play by Joseph Schull and was presented several months ago on the NBC- TV Alcoa Show starring Wendell Corey. Both pictures will feature American stars, but neither has yet been cast. Mr. Hakim’s pictures are produced under the corporate ban- ners of Sumar in England and of Alma in the United States. Sumar stands for Susan Marie, his wife’s first and middle names. Alma is the name of Mrs. Hakim’s old governess. Before making "The Man Who Never Was," Mr. Hakim produced 26 half-hour TV shows filmed in France. They were telecast in the United States as the "Paris Precinct" series, co-starring Louis Jourdan and Claude Dauphin. Before venturing forth as an independent producer, Mr. Hakim produced at both our and MGM studios in California. (Continued from page 21, column 2) tion reel, have written Dynamo to ascertain the identity of the man who staged the sensational "June Is Bustin’ All Over" number. Incidentally, that is the first major musical film number wholly shot on "location." O OE> Alexander was the choreographer on "Carousel." He had danced in many films, but had never done choreography on one before. And he has developed numbers for "Carousel" that will zoom him right among the topnotchers in his field. Actually, Mr. Alexander, whose wife, Bambi Lynn assisted him on the "Carousel" numbers, was in charge of choreography on 18 TV "Spectaculars." He spent three years with the famed Jack Cole troupe. Remember the name: Rod Alexander! Page 22 FIELD RANKS CONTINUE TO SUPPLY MANPOWER FOR MORE IMPORTANT TASKS (Continued from paqe 21, column 1) post at Pittsburgh. From the latter berth, he moved to Boston. Mr. Waters won the admiration of Mr. Lichtman by leading "task forces" that, in collaboration with local managers and sales- men, developed remarkable records in cleaning up unsold feature product in six territories. Mr. Waters returned to this company’s fold last September as Home Office Representative in Glenn Norris’ Eastern area. The new Boston pilot has a substantial background in branch management, as well as in theatre film-buying and booking. He started in distribution as Home Office adsales supervisor for Para- mount back in 1928. From 1937 through 1944 he served as Paramount salesman in the Cleveland and Albany areas. On Feb. 21, 1944, Mr. Waters associated himself with this company, as salesman, working out of Atlanta. Two years and one month later he was promoted to the Albany branch managership. On Dec. 2, 1946 he took charge of the larger Pittsburgh territory, remaining there exactly three years, at the end of which period he resigned to associate himself with the Dipson circuit and as a part- ner in Co-Operative Theatre Service in the Steel City area. Mr. Conn, who will be 42 years old on May 12, celebrates his 20th anniversary in this company’s employ in April. It was on April 29, 1936 that he joined the field ranks as assistant shipper at the Kansas City branch. On August 18, 1941 he was boosted to a bookership there, continuing on to a salesmanship on Jan. 11, 1943. Following a two-year military leave of absence, Mr. Conn returned to Kansas City, resuming his selling chores. But, on July 18, 1949 he became office manager and city salesman at Kan- sas City. In mid-1951 he was promoted to Des Moines branch man- ager. In that capacity he again distinguished himself. In fact, under his direction Des Moines did so well that on June 22, 1953, Mr. Conn was put in charge of the larger. Indianapolis exchange. Cleveland’s Ray Schmertz, who will be 40 years old'on July 10, celebrated his 19th year at that exchange when he was of- ficially notified by Mr. Lichtman that he had been singled out for assumption of managerial responsibilities at the Indianapolis branch. Born in New York, Ray started with the company as a poster clerk in the Adsales Department. Thus, Ray Schmertz becomes the sixth manager who got his start with this company as poster clerk. The others are Phila- delphia’s Sam Diamond, Washington’s Ira Sichelman, Pittsburgh’s Nat Rosen, St. Louis’ Gordon Halloran and Jacksonville’s Tom Tidwell. Following three years in the poster room, Mr. Schmertz moved up to the Cleveland assistant cashiership, holding that spot until Nov. 22, 1941 when he became a salesman. Almost 11 years later he was selected to fill the newly created berth of branch sales man- ager there. Actually, he moves up to the Indianapolis branch manager- ship from the latter position. Mr. Schmertz won the admiration of not only associates in the four territories in which he co-operated in negotiating a record number of deals on individual CinemaScope features for a four- week period, but of Home Office sales executives as well. His performance with the "task forces" was a genuine revelation.