Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1952)

£ekih4 the £ceheJ off J/im Production STUDIO SIZ6-UPS M A R C H 2 1952 COLUMBIA Kramer Seen Upping Budgets With High-Priced Story Buys There is every evidence that Stanley Kramer's own unit is pointing toward costlier films. Whereas, in the past, Kramer has largely concentrated on medium-priced original stories, or those in the public domain, he is now competing with the majors on the big properties market. His most recent acquisition is "The Flying Yorkshireman." the Eric Knight novel, which he purchased for $75,000 from Frank Capra. Deals on two other important properties are expected to be worked out within the next two to three weeks. Meanwhile. Kramer is as busy as can be, one of his forthcoming projects to be "The Library,'* with Mary Pickford. As for the controversial matter of whether or not Kramer will assume production responsibilities on some of Columbia's "A" product, FILM BULLETIN is of the opinion that — as of right now, at least — the rumors are false. Within the past month, FB's Hollywood staff has interviewed several sources close to both Harry Cohn and Kramer, and has uncovered nothing to indicate such a switch has been more than sursorily suggested. In an effort to bolster the company's backlog of Class A features — and particularly those with big stellar names — efforts are being made to rush Rita Hayworth back before the cameras for a second picture within six weeks after the completion of her currently filming "Affair In Trinidad." This new assignment is "Salome," based on "The Good Tidings," written by W illiam Dieterle, under his pen-name of William Sidney. Dieterle. incidentally, will direct the picture for producer Buddy Adler. However, it is impossible to forecast an accurate starting date, inasmuch as "Affair" is almost nine days behind schedule, at the present writing. Another up-coming production that is particularly newsworthy is the re-make of the old Grace Moore hit, "One Night Of Love," which has just been placed on the company's schedule. Harry Cohn has signed a young Portland singer by the name of Gloria Kreiger to be starred in the re-make. Also among the important future productions r.ow being readied is "From Here To Eternity,"' based on the James Jones novel, which swept the country by storm a few momhs past. Buddy Adler has been handed the producer responsibilities on this CxcluMe $L BULLETIN OeatuM By Jay Allen important property, tentatively set to roll in July. A steady production pace has been maintained throughout March, with four pictures filming at all times. "Affair In Trinidad" (Rita Hay worth-Glenn Ford) and "Assignmen Paris" (Dana Andrews-Marta Toren) have been filming ever since the last Sizeups report. Recently completed were Kramer's "The Happy Time" (Charles Boyer-Bobby Driscoll), from the Broadway stage hit, and the Technicolor adventure, "Prince of Pirates" (John DerekBarbara Rush). New starters, both from the Stanley Kramer Company, are: "The Dirty Dozen" (Bonar Colleano-Arthur Franz), directed by Edward Dmytryk, and the "The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T" (Peter Lind Hayes-Mary Healy). Roy Rowland directs the latter, and Allan Scott serves as an associate producer to Kram.-r. It is being filmed in Technicolor. Three more pictures will have rolled by the time this issue is off the presses. They are Esskay Productions' "Last Train From Bombay" (Jon Hall), Fred Sears directing for producer Sam Katzman; "Kid From Broken Gun" (Charles Starrett-Smiley Burnette), Fred Sears directing for Bert Clark, and "The Outlanders" (Randolph Scott), directed by Roy Huggins. Louis de Rochemont's "Walk East on Beacon", tale of the F. B. I. fi^ht against the commies in the U. S., is ready for release. LIPPERT PRODUCTIONS Lippert Seeks New Deals, Pacts Set For Filming Abroad With a goal of 52 pictures for the 1952 releasing slate, Rohbcrt L. Lippert is angling for a distribution deal with Bernie Luber for two more George Raft starrers to follow his recently completed "Loan Shark." Luber, this month, revealed plans to star Raft in "The Black Pawn," an original by Harold L. Greene, to roll May 15 in England, and "Cairo Incident," to be filmed in Italy starting early in September. Seymour Friedman will direct "Pawn". Papers are being drawn up also on a co-production deal involving Luber and Alberto Audra of Sao Paulo, for the filming of "The Mysterious Amazonia," from a novel by Custao Cruls. The latter will be filmed in the Amazon country, and will be in color. The only feature in production at the present time is "The Jungle," a Voltaire Protiuctions film which is being made in India. William i?erke doubles as producer-director (Continued on Page 18) PLAN BIG M-G-M PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN Inauguration of an expanded plan for earlier promotion of all important M-G-M pictures was celebrated at the studio when executive ad chief Howard Dietz introduced six new divisional field cxploiteers. Seen above, seated, in the usual order: Frank 9 hit beck, studio head of advertising and exploitation; vice-president Dietz: Dan Terrell, director of promotion, and Howard Strickling, Studio' director of publicity. Standing at the extreme left. Dewey Bloom, Canadian exploitation representative, then the six newly appointed promotional men: Ted Galanter (west). Ivan Fuldauer (midwest), Arthur Canton 'east), E. C. Pearson i central), Emery Austin (south) and E. B. Coleman (southwestern).