The Exhibitor (1951)

8 EXHIBITOR Mel Konecoffs HEW YORK IT LOOKS as though United Artists is shaping up, according to the parade of the producers. At a luncheon in honor of Robert Stillman, head, Stillman Produc¬ tions, in town for a series of conferences with Ar¬ thur B. Krim, president, United Artists, and Max E. Youngstein, vice-presi¬ dent and national director of advertising, publicity, and exploitation, on re¬ leasing plans for his two productions, “The Sound Of Fury” and “Queen For A Day,” the producer stated that he was happy with the new UA setup. Max Youngstein, in introducing Still¬ man, thanked the industry for its help and patience. One phase of his operation will be to see that exhibitors receive proper assistance through a permanent field force consisting of 10 to 15 men and allocation of a sizeable budget to get across bookings in the proper fashion. The field force size, will, of course, be aug¬ mented, depending on the release sched¬ ule and type of opening desired. Another speaker was Irving Rubine, vice-president, Stillman Productions, who also expressed confidence in UA, and re¬ minded his audience that Stillman was one of few producers to have confidence in the organization by gambling with his films which were delivered to UA for dis¬ tribution without haggling or question. He also thought that the company would once again become a promising part of the business. Stillman’s “Queen For A Day” will be readied for release with gigantic promo¬ tion plans. The Mutual radio show on which the title is based will shortly start a road tour, acting as a live trailer for the film itself, with all sorts of contests, prizes, etc., being planned. Stillman’s next can’t be announced as yet as negotiations are still in progress, but he expects that a total of six pictures will have been completed by him in three years, with two already finished. ADD PRODUCER, CONFIDENCE, UA DEPT.: We went over to see Sam Spiegel, sometimes known as S. P. Eagle, in town briefly to discuss releasing plans on his next film, “The Prowler,” with Van Heflin and Evelyn Keyes, scheduled for May re¬ lease. He leaves for England, and then for Africa, where his and John Huston’s Horizon Pictures will film, in conjunction with a British company, “African Queen,” starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, in Technicolor, for UA release. Spiegel reported that he, as well as other producers on the coast, had been holding up production plans to see whether or not the UA situation would be straightened out. He has been assured that the com¬ pany will limit itself to top producers and pictures, and he expects that after the first six months of operation, UA will be States Can't Censor TV Films, High Court Says WASHINGTON— The U. S. Supreme Court last fortnight let stand a finding that states may not censor motion pic¬ ture films shown on television when it refused to review a decision to that effect by the U. S. District Court in Philadelphia and later upheld by the U. S. Circuit Court there. termed “the Cartier of independent pro¬ duction.” Spiegel also has a two-pix deal with ELC, one of which, “When I Grow Up.” has already been delivered, with the sec¬ ond, “Hot House,” to be made soon. In the planning stage is a threepart feature, ‘ Three Weird Tales,” with each section to feature a different cast and director. This will be for UA release. HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL OR PRO¬ DUCER CARRIES ON: Another United Artists producer also vouchsafed confi¬ dence in the future of the industry. This latest note was sounded by I. G. Gold¬ smith, who has under his belt "The Stars Look Down”, “Hatter’s Castle”, “Bedelia”, “Out Of The Blue”, and others, and who presently holds a contract with UA call¬ ing for the release of “Three Husbands” and “The Scarf.” Goldsmith revealed that money has loosened up for production as a result of the new UA setup, and banks are once again accepting that company’s releasing contracts as a condition to putting up first money for forthcoming films. Second money is also more easily forthcoming since the new management took over. Even exhibitors seem affected, he thought, since the contracts for “Three Husbands” are coming in at an increasing rate since the new UA was announced. Goldsmith can scarcely wait for the legal department to put through his new contract for his next film, which must by all means, he insists, be a UA release. It is entitled “The Garden,” and is written by his wife, novelist Vera Caspary, to star Mercedes McCambridge. Incidentally, he thought that “The Scarf,” which also stars Miss McCambridge, James Barton, and John Ireland, will see release in April. The producer thought that all of his colleagues will be pleased to know that UA has plans to handle all pictures prop¬ erly sales-wise and exploitation-wise. He seemed to sense that the foreign setup of the company would undergo reorganisation so as to assure producer clients the utmost in returns. HISTRIONIC SECTION: The other day a better than reasonable facsimile of Ar¬ thur Godfrey and Red Skelton walked into the office, and announced that he was Richard Neilson, an actor, whose most recent film was the British production, “No Orchids For Miss Blandish.” He also appeared in “I Was A Male War Bride” and “Stairway To Heaven,” likes to play dramatic roles, had much stage experi¬ ence, and thinks that motion pictures are here to stay. He is making a round of radio and TV shows, newspapers, etc., plugging “Blandish,” and may even extend his efforts outside this budding metropolis when other dates come in. He seemed like a nice chap. Slight Upturn In B'way Grosses New York — With the Strand leading the parade, business was a trifle better than average last week. According to usually reliable sources reaching Exhibitor, the breakdown was as follows: “STORM WARNING” (WB). Strand, with stage show, had a very good opening with $36,000 in the till for Friday, Satur¬ day, and Sunday, with the opening week expected to tally $73,000. “CRY DANGER” (RKO) . Paramount, with stage show, anticipated the second week at $52,000. “THE 13TH LETTER” (20th-Fox). Rivoli reported the second week heading toward $19,000. "U.S.S. TEAKETTLE” (20th-Fox) . Roxy, with stage show, claimed $37,000 for Fri¬ day, Saturday, and Sunday, with the sec¬ ond week bound to hit $55,000. “PAYMENT ON DEMAND” (RKO). Radio City Music Hall, with stage show, reported $71,000 for Thursday through Sunday, with the third and last week head¬ ing toward $105,000. “TARGET UNKNOWN” (U-I). Cri¬ terion claimed the opening week wculd tally $13,500. “NO ORCHIDS FOR MISS BLANDISH” (Alliance). Globe did $15,000 on the second week. “BORN YESTERDAY” (Col.). Victoria announced the 10th week at $22,000. “HARVEY” (U-I). Astor did $6,000 on the last five days of the 11th week. “TOMAHAWK” (U-I) . Loew’s State ex¬ pected the third week to hit $14,000. “THREE GUYS NAMED MIKE” (MGM) . Capitol, with stage show, claimed a $52,000 opening week. To Keep Up With the Latest Develop¬ ments In Television, Read the Regular Column Appearing In This Publication. DOCUMENTARY-TYPE PUBLIC RE¬ LATIONS: The DuPont Company re¬ corded highlights of its 149-year history in a feature-length film, “The DuPont Story,” with color by Technicolor. The 72-minute feature was filmed in California and at various company plants by pro¬ ducer Jack Chertok and director William Thiele. In the cast of 225 there are to be found many faces familiar to the screens of the nation. The film is interesting and well done. It will not be booked into theatres. THE METROPOLITAN SCENE: Eddie Solomon has been appointed assistant ex¬ ploitation manager at 20th Century-Fox after 10 years with the company. It’s nice to have him back. . . . Two scholarships in audio-visual education have been awarded New York University by Ency¬ clopaedia Films for study this summer. . . . Bill Raynor, former advertising copy¬ writer at the RKO home office, has been signed by that studio to script “Tonight We Sing.” He had been doing scripts for independent producers. . . . The Rivoli is paging doctors to see “The 13th Letter” via promotion pen letters. That house’s managing director Monty Salmon and wife are in California on a vacation trip. . . . Better pressbooks are in on “Bird Of Para¬ dise”, “Valentino”, and “I’d Climb The Highest Mountain.” Konecoff March 7, J95I