The Exhibitor (1950)

10 EXHIBITOR MEl KONECOFF'S MEW YORK THE LION’S CLUB of New York replete with loud bell and all sponsored a forum at its luncheon last week devoted to “Motion Picture Production in New York City.” George Hamilton Combs, radio personality, was master of ceremonies, and, after stress¬ ing the importance of picture making to the livelihood and economy of the city, intro¬ duced Clifford Evans, director, television and motion picture unit, City of New York. Evans reported that the city was conscious of the industry’s needs, and is more than willing to cooperate in any manner, shape, and form. Not only is the mayor anxious to bring picture production here on a large scale but he was also making plans to keep this city as the television center. RKO Pathe was represented by Douglas Travers, production man¬ ager, in the production end both here and on the west coast, and, in comparing the two, he thought that New York had more to offer for any type of subject whether it be a short or a feature as far as interior and exterior locations are concerned, in addition to the wonderful cooperation of the city government. He opined that given the time, the industry would realize the advantages to be found here, and many more films would be made in the east. He related some experiences in making the “This Is America” series. John M. Murtagh, chief magistrate, represented Mayor O’Dwyer, and ex¬ pressed the desire to see the industry re¬ developed here from a production view¬ point, and that it was natural to utilize the scenery, backgrounds, and unusual flavor of the city. The official also pre¬ sented a letter of commendation from the. mayor to Harry Lee and Edward J. Danziger for their production activities. H. L. Danziger was on hand to accept the letter as well as to relate some of the experiences encountered in making films in the metropolis, and also to pay tribute to the crafts and unions whose skill is improving with each production. Frank Lee Donaghue, director, Department of Commerce, reported that last year saw 35 features in whole or in part, shot in New York City as well as more shorts and documentaries than were turned out in Hollywood. He reiterated that the city was willing to go all out in cooperation. Donaghue, a former writer with Warners, scoffed at the idea that the city would or has censored scripts but he did say that it is insisting on the right to see the gov¬ ernment departments presented in their proper perspective. Robert F. Wagner, Manhattan Borough president, paid tribute to the Danzigers for their work, and said he was anxious to see film production return here. He foresaw a bright future for the industry. Incidentally, he has an interest in a the¬ atre on Long Island, in case anyone is interested. Russell V. Downing, managing director, Radio City Music Hall, was also on the dais. DEMONSTRATION: Ever notice how, when a closeup is made of a scene or a person in a film, how the background grows fuzzy and unclear? Well, a new lens has been developed, to be used on still cameras as well as motion picture machines, which will capture a scene or portrait with clarity of detail both fore and aft of the subject without any loss. A demonstration was held last week, and a reel of rough shots with and without the Garutso lens was shown, utilizing indoor and outdoor coverage, closeups, distance shots, etc., and the advantage of the lens was clearly demonstrated. Whether or not the depth of focus and the somewhat third dimensional character attained will be noticed by the average movie going public is a debatable point but from a craftsman’s point of view it was impressive. Contracts have been signed with the inventor’s representative, and producer Stanley Kramer will use the lens in his next three productions with options for further use for payment of $100 per day on a lease basis. No lenses will be placed on the market for outright purchase. Things are getting clearer all the time. PIP, PIP DEPT.: John Sutro, British producer, here for production conferences and also trying to sign American talent for future productions to be made in Britain, told us that production in his country has been very weak until of late. Boxoffice figures are still off although the good films are still doing business. He felt that the whole industry would be stimu¬ lated if all or part of the 40 per cent tax on admissions were removed. Television is not hurting theatre attend¬ ance much there although that medium is showing some old American features and westerns, and producers have agreed there not to permit their product to be shown via TV. His future plans call for two films to be made in Europe this year. “Thou Shalt Not Kill,” a modernized version of “Crime And Punishment” gets under way in July in London and Paris, and EL will release. The second will be made entirely in Ger¬ many, “The Devil’s General,” to start in September, and an American actor is be¬ ing sought for the lead. EL will release this, too. His first production for 1951 will be in Technicolor, “Gordon Of Khartoum,” to be made in Africa. He has been approached on the advis¬ ability of making a film or two in New York, using British and American actors, with local investors keeping western hem¬ isphere profits, and Sutro and his group receiving all the monies from Europe, the Far East, etc. No other details were available. THE METROPOLITAN SCENE: Know those three reel musical westerns that U-I turns out? Well, U-I is presently testing pairing two of the subjects, adding a few feet tieing them together, and re¬ leasing the package as a six-reel western. If it is successful, next season should see more extensive work along those lines. . . . That piece by Virginia Kellogg, screenwriter, in the June 3 issue of Col¬ lier’s about her tour of prisons to get material for “Caged” is a shocker. . . . Frank McGrann, one time exploitation di Shopping Evident In Broadway Area New York— It looked like a case of show shopping in the Broadway first-runs last weekend, with some pictures doing business. According to usually reliable sources reaching Exhibitor, the break¬ down was as follows: “CAGED” (WB). Strand, with stage show, claimed $19,000 for Friday, Satur¬ day, and Sunday, with the second week heading toward $37,000. “IN A LONELY PLACE” (Col.). Para¬ mount, with stage show, claimed a $69,000 second week. “KILL THE UMPIRE” (Col.). Rivoli claimed a $20,000 opening week. “LOVE THAT BRUTE” (20th-Fox). Roxy, with stage show, opened to $45,000 for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with the initial session heading toward $85,000. “FATHER OF THE BRIDE” (MGM). Radio City Music Hall, with stage show, reported $90,000 for Thursday through Sunday, with the second week anticipated at $150,000. “ROCKETSHIP XM” (Lippert). Cri¬ terion expected the opening week to hit $26,000. “CITY LIGHTS” (UA). Globe reported $10,000 for the eighth week. “JOHNNY HOLIDAY” (UA). Mayfair expected the second week to tally $8,000. “THE 3RD MAN” (SRO-EL). Victoria had $13,000 on the 17th week. “THE JACKIE ROBINSON STORY” (EL). Astor anticipated the second week to tally $22,000. “ANNIE GET YOUR GUN” (MGM). Loew’s State hit $43,000 on the second week. “THE BIG HANGOVER” (MGM). Capitol, with stage show, expected the first week to go to $38,000. “ADAM AND EVALYN” (U-I). Park Avenue claimed $4,000 on the third week. rector for Columbia and more recently a radio producer, joined the staff of the Fox Feature Syndicate, and will head its tele¬ vision activities. . . . Canadian documen¬ tary shorts booked into theatres other than Canadian for a total of 10,966 days in first nine months of last year. . . . Dean Stockwell was wonderfully received in the lead of “The Happy Years,” sneaked here last week. . . . The next five films Radio City Music Hall bound are “The Next Voice You Hear,” “The Men,” “Sun¬ set Boulevard,” “The Glass Menagerie,” and “The Miniver Story.” . . . Good pressbooks are out on “Love That Brute,” “City Lights,” and “The Gunfighter.” . . . 20th Century-Fox radio department proudly notes that 523 plugs on the hit tune “Wilhelmina,” from “Wabash Ave¬ nue,” have been used on radio networks since the Easter release. Snaper Sees TV Change New York — Wilbur Snaper, president, Allied Theatre Owners of New Jersey, at the group’s policy meeting here last fort¬ night, said a changed exhibitor attitude toward television in his area was evident. Exhibitors are admitting that television is a competitive medium, but they realize it can be used to their advantage. Snaper pushed a request for a plan of action against major companies still “surround¬ ing” the anti-trust laws. May 31, 1950