Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1952)

REPORT FROM THE STUDIOS COLUMBIA Columbia is busily engaged in acquiring outright ownership to much of the independent product for which it holds releasing rights. This embraces pictures already in release as well as those in the backlog awaiting distribution. Included are: Arch Oboler's "Five", currently in circulation; "Valentino", which has been playing for almost a year, and "Cripple Creek" and "The Brigand", both awaiting release. The latter duo comes from the Edward Small independent company. None of the principals would divulge the purchase price on the Small pictures, but FILM BULLETIN hears that the price tag on "Five" also a Small production, was worked out on a compromise expectant distributor's gross of $600,000. Small was paid $125,000 by Columbia when the picture was delivered last year on a straight distribution pact. A special unit was set up on the Columbia lot last month for the express purpose of making trailers to aid in selling the company's product. The trailers will be used both in theatres and on television. Prexy Harry Colin decided on the added emphasis on trailers after conducting a survey which reportedly revealed that 28 per cent of the film-going audiences is attracted to theatres by that kind of exploitation. Sagebrushers continue to dominate the production scene here, just as they did a month ago. With "The Outlanders" (Randolph Scott-Donna Reed) completed in late April, the company puts four more oaters before the cameras this month. They are: "Jack McCall, Desperado" (George Montgomery), Sidney Salkow directing for producer Sam Katzman; Esskay Picture Company's "Son Of Geronimo", as yet uncast; "Panhandle Territory" (Jack MahoneySmiley Burnette), Fred Sears directing for Colbert Clark; and The Gene Autry "Blue Canadian Rockies", which Armand Schaefer will produce and George Archinbaud will direct. LIPPERT PRODUCTIONS A pair of top independent productions for 1952 Lippert release are now in the hands of film editors and casting is underway on a third equally important production. Undergoing the scissors treatment are: "Hellgate" (Sterling Hayden-Joan Leslie-Ward Bond) and "Lady In the Fog" (Cesar RomeroLois Maxwell). The former is a Commander Films production, filmed almost entirely on location in Arizona, with Charles Marquis W arren directing and John Champion handling the producer chores. "Lady" is an International Films project, made in England, under the production guidance of Anthony Hinds. Samuel New la id dim li d Both pictures were filmed on shooting schrdulcs of approximately 36 days. The Warren-Champion production team launched immediately into the casting of "Man Without A Country", following their return from the "Hellgate" location. Richard Greene is the favorite to draw the starring assignment if he can fit it into his schedule following his current chore in "Rogue's March" at MGM. "Valley of the Eagles," now in its fifth week of playdates, is showing strong evidence of developing into one of Lippert's biggest money-makers of the year. In its initial run in Los Angeles, the English-made picture far surpassed all expectations. Robert L. Lippert, the distribution company's president has launched a formal protest against Hal Roach, Jr., over the latter's new telepix series, "Tales of Robin Hood", which conflicts with Roach's currently plaving theatre picture of the same name being released by the Lippert organization. At this writing no solution had been reached. ROBERT L. LIPPERT Says "No" to TV METRO-COLDWYN-MAYER In a major economy move, MGM is beginning to compress drastically its shooting schedules on medium-budgeters. In the past, it was rare for any MGM picture to be filmed in less than 40 days, but now at least half of the productions before the cameras, are aimed at breaking the tape in four weeks or less. For example, "Rogue's March" (Peter I.awford), which producer Leon Gordon and director Allan Davis rolled on April 28, carried a 20-day schedule. "You For Me" is still another example. Nevertheless, it should be pointed out that much of the saving in time is attributable to smart planning, rather than deliberate stinting on production values. For instance, the studio is using numerous slock shots from "Kim" to lessen shooting time and expense in the making of "Rogue's March". In marked contrast to the shooting cutbacks on the medium-budgeters is the studio's plan to continue making more and bigger musical extravangazas, many of them requiring three and four months to complete. MGM executives must be thoroughly convinced by now that such tremendous cash layouts in their supermusicals represent a sound investment. On the heels of the tremendous grosses piled up by "American In Paris", the company has alreday recouped $1,510,000 on the first 130 engagements for "Singin' In the Rain". Two of the big film tunes are currently well along in preparation for spring and summer shooting. Advance units are already at work on the new Gene Kelly starrer, "Bridgadoon", to be filmed in Europe and casting is now almost completed on "I Love Louisa" (Fred Astaire-Leslie Caron-Oscar Levant), due to roll around August 1. With the start of "Rogue's March" on April 28 and "Sky Full of Moon" ten days earlier, the Culver City lot is operating at capacity, with seven pictures shooting. "Moon" (Carlton Carpenter-Jan SterlingKeenan Wynn), is being directed by Norman Foster and produced by Hayes Goetz. MONOGRAM— AA With a decided production pick-up just around the corner, Monogram Prexy Steve Broidy has announced that his company will take a big jump on the 1952 production schedule by getting it underway early this summer. Of the 39 pictures which Monogram slated for 1952, 22 are already completed, three more are in production and six more are all set to roll within the next four weeks. Broidy has also revealed that over onefifth of his company's picture rentals is now coming from drive-in theatres. Over $200,000 worth of Monogram product was sold to the drive-ins over a ten-week period, starting j in late January. Walter Wanger, having been granted a stay of execution until June 4 on his fourmonth jail sentence, is completing plans to I rush "Battle Cry" into immediate production for Allied Artists. The story has already been screenplayed and Wanger expects to have his cast ready by May 10. Pictures currently in production are: "The Rose Bowl Story" (Marshall Thompson-I Vera -Miles-Richard Rober), in Cinecolor.i William Beaudine directing for producer j Richard Heermance; "Sea Tiger" (Margue-' rite Chapman-John Archer), which has justj returned to the lot after 10 days of shooting! on the high seas, Frank McDonald directing i for producer William F. Broidy, and "Barbed Wire" (Wild Bill Elliott-Phyllis Carter), Lewis Collins directing for producer Vincent M. Fennelley. (Continued on Page I3)\ 12 M AY 5 , 19 5 2