Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1952)

Short Subjects BY NEWTON OF MEN AND THINGS: Saul Malisow is 20th-Fox's new Minneapolis branch manager it was announced by distribution chief Al Lichtman. Former salesman Vern Skorey steps into the slot left vacant by Malisow as assistant to Moe Levy, midwest division nijjr. . . . L'A distribution topper Kill Heineman revealed the resignation of George Waldman, sales mgr. in the upstate X. Y. and Jersey territory . . . Benjamin Rechetnik, 67, father of Sidney Rechetnik (Warner Bros, publicist), died May 6 . . . William Fox, 73, founder of the Fox Film and Theatre companies, died May 8 after a long illness . . . UA has expanded the company's Canadian district to division status with the appointment of Charles S. Chaplin as Canadian general mgr. . . . MGM director Stanley Donen and actress Marion Marshall to wed May 20 . . . Republic sales topper Jimmy Grainger is on tour of major [distribution cities . . . Darryl F. Zanuck is |in Furope on a business trip following the [Completion of his 20th-Fox production ''The Snows of Kilimanjaro" . . . U-I prexy N. J. Blumberg announced the appointment of [Alfred E. Daff, Director of World Sales, to the Company's board of directors. CAN' FARES: 20th-Fox has answered Joe f Exhibitor's requests for more than one !:railer per picture, spotlighting top stars, with three Technicolor samplers for "Wait |Til The Sun Shines, Nellie" Groomed for i xhibs in all situations, the trailers vary in [ength, selling approach and afford longi'ange campaigns for the July release. Fox Is also producing TV trailers for all films ronsidered suitable for TV advertising. To pbtain them, exhibitors need only submit a ichedule of stations on which the trailers Kill be used . . . Paramount's "Denver & Rio irande" is receiving a plug from the D&RG ailroad in a 16-page, two-color brochure being distributed to travel agencies, railroad lepots and train passengers . . . Aimed at irooing women into the armed forces, a Irailer is being produced by RKO's Jay Bonafield. under the sponsorship of COMPO nd the Dept. of Defense. It will be attached b a forthcoming issue of all newsreels . . . VARIETY TENT TOPICS: Jack Beresin [ of Philadelphia, was elected International Henry Souiaine, Pres. Souiaine Pictures; iward Rugoff, Rugoff & Becker Circuit, and Sarles M. Amory, Souiaine gen. sales mgr. at Vugural o Beekman Theatre and premiere Vever Take No For An Answer". AY 19, 1952 Chief Barker at the Las Vegas convention. Additional results of the elections were: George Hoover. Miami, A^t Chief Barker; John Rowley, Dallas, Second Asm < fuel Barker; M urray Weiss, Boston, Property Master; George Eby, Pittsburgh, Dough Guy, and John Chisholm, Toronto, Press Guy. DLAUDITS AND KUDOS: Despite the I fact that Paramount's "My Son John" was given a downbeat thumping by many critics and reviewers, the Leo McCarey production is being showered with accolades from many quarters. McCarey received the 1952 Award of the Catholic Institute of the Press for his contribution to fostering good citizenship. The B.etter American Foundation recommended the film to all its members, and the U. S. Senate echoed to the words "the greatest and most stirring proAmerican picture of the past decade" when Senator Karl E. Mundt kudoed this supposedly controversial picture . . . L'A's Max Youngstein, and Ilya Lopert, Lopert films prexy, received Parent's Mag Award of Merit for the "African Fury" production . . . American Mag. and the Christian Herald picture-of-the-month award went to 20thFox's "Belles On Their Toes". PARAMOL'NT'S motion picture junket staged for Nat Holt's "The Denver & Rio (irande" was an unusual premiere promotion. Stars of the picture, plus a large At "Denver & Rio (irande" premiere, from left: producer Sat Holt. Paramount's A. I). Schwal' berg, his wife. Carmel Myers; D&R(, president John McCarthy, stars l.aura Elliot and Forrest Tucker, and (.olorado (Governor Dan Thornton. press contingent, travelled 745 miles across the Rockies to Salt Lake City premiering the picture in cities along the way. A gala civic celebration in Salt Lake City greeted the world premiere train, climaxing the week-long promotion. 11 Above, the newspaper contingent and stars about to board the "I.ydia Bailey" for Haiti. It is doubtful that Haiti had ever seen anything like it. It is equally improbable that some 50 American press representatives, who were ferried by Pan American Clipper from New York to Port-auPrince, capital of the Haitian republic, were treated so royally by a film company and a foreign nation in a unique and mutually beneficial tie-up. The film company was, as millions of Americans have already read in newspapers and syndicated columns, 20th Century-Fox, whose Technicolor film, "Lydia Bailey", had its world premiere May 4 in Port-au-Prince. For four eventful days, the Haitians, from President Paul Magloire down, gave the Fourth Estaters carte blanche to the island's wonders. Syndicated columnist Leonard Lyons was so impressed, he told his millions of readers about it for two solid days, devoting his full column to the trip each day. Others were equally lavish in their space allocations to the premiere and its accompanying festivities. Look Magazine photographers and national photo services were snapping like crazy, getting Stars Anne Francis and William Marshall, as well as the press notables, in all conceivable poses with Haitian aristocracy and plebeians alike. The schedule was a heavy one. The flagship, " Lydia Bailey", arrived in Portau-Prince May 3, escorted by Haitian air force planes, and the stars, the press people whisked in open cars to CityHall for a reception by Mayor Camille Neleton, a lavish dinner at El Rancho Hotel and a night club party at the unique Cabane Choucoune. Sunday, May 4, was proclaimed "Lydia Bailey Day", with another round of festivities and sightseeing climaxed by the premiere and the Presidential Ball. Monday's feature was an awesome trip to the Citadelle, mountain refuge of Henri-Christophe, first emperor of Haiti. Each activity was superbly organized by publicity head Sterling Silliphant. The promotion coup pulled off by 20thFox has already garnered reams of invaluable publicity. It will continue to be heard of and talked about for a long time to come.