The Exhibitor (1953)

SS-4 STUDIO SURVEY They re Nominated Three of the men whose productions have been nominated for the Laurel Awards 1953-54 competition are pictured at their studio offices with the official scrolls notifying them of the honor. George Pal, producer, "War of the Worlds," Paramount. Fritz Lang, director, "Clash by Night," RKO. Pat Duggan, producer, "Just for You," Paramount. GOOD THINGS TO COME FROM HOLLYWOOD . . . Shown above are three scenes from Paramount's "Stalag 17," starring William Holden, Don Taylor, and Otto Preminger, and, bottom, right, Billy Wilder, producer-director. Paramount's "Stalag 17" Billy Wilder, that bright young man wearing the snappy Alpine fedora who goes hustling about the Paramount lot, has really come up with something big in his “Stalag 17.” “Stalag 17” dramatically grips the imagination as few films have done, and, at the same time, delivers solid belly laughs, an unbeatable combination in any book. I foresee much do-re-me in the Paramount till. Wilder, who produced, directed, and co-wrote the script, hits the jackpot in each department with an adroit and absorbing script, intelligent production mounting, and good-good-good in the all-important direction berth. Throw in another good to make it a Four “G” film, of which there is no gooder! With Bill Holden chalking up a solid dramatic performance, the others in the cast all deliver in great fashion. A standout job is by newcomer Robert Strauss in the character role of “Animal”, a socko job by a talented actor of whom we should see more, and probably will. By now, all exhibitors should have a pretty fair idea of how impressed I was with “Stalag 17”, and I’m making book that before the first five feet of this has rolled through the happy sprockets of your projectors you’ll be in there, too, rooting for a really tops motion picture. Thanks Billy Wilder, and thanks Para¬ mount! — P.M. Doris Day Wins Honors London — Doris Day was recently named top female motion picture star in a popu¬ larity poll conducted by the Kemsley pub¬ lications in the British Isles. She is also the favorite of American audiences. The Warner star is currently being seen in the studio’s “By The Light Of The Silvery Moon,” in which she co-stars with Gordon MacRae. Sokolov Joins Powell Hollywood — Richard Sokolov recently joined Dick Powell as editorial assistant in the production unit the latter is building at RKO under his recently-signed pro¬ ducer-director contract. For the past two years, Sokolov has been executive assistant to Darryl Zanuck, and, prior to that, served as story editor at Paramount and Columbia. EXHIBITOR May 13, 1953