The Exhibitor (1953)

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Volume 51, Number 11 January 13, 1954 I i Another Producer Makes An Auspicious Bow Stirling Silliphant And “The Joe Louis Story" Also Benefited From United Artists Merchandising Crowds line the streets for the New York Holiday premiere of the film based on the career of the former world heavyweight champion. WHEN Stirling Silliphant left his post at 20th-Fox to enter the field of production, he took with him a distinguished record, and this ex¬ perience proved valuable as is evidenced by his first independent production, “The Joe Louis Story.” The first announcement that the film biography of the former heavyweight champion of the world was in the works was greeted with skepticism on some fronts, and the subject matter was such that improper handling could have ruined the entire venture. Indeed, Silliphant had lined up an ambitious project for his initial venture as a producer. Coley Wallace, a young boxer whose resemblance to the former champion is remarkable, was signed for the title role, with Hilda Simms, Paul Stewart, and James Edwards featured in the cast. Rob¬ ert Sylvester, New York newspaperman and novelist, wrote the screen play, and Robert Gordon directed. Careful attention was paid to details in the champion’s life, resulting in a film that was something more than just sports fare. When United Artists announced that it would handle the distribution of the film, it meant that one of the most able adver¬ tising-publicity-promotion setups in the industry was going to work. The first fruits of this labor was a record-breaking premiere at the Broadway-Capitol, De¬ troit, with Louis in attendance. Impressive grosses were also racked up at ether houses. The UA promotion staff arranged an extensive tour for the former champion, and Wallace, back in the ring, plugged the film at each of his fights via radio and television commentators. Critical acclaim and public acceptance also aided the film, and the result saw Silliphant making his debut as a producer with outstanding success. (i