Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1952)

STUDIO SIZ6-UPS (Continued from Page 11) uqality product. This is reflected not only in Columbia's own current production, but in that of the independent companies who release through the company. All of the three pictures now shooting are budgeted above normal for this outfit. "Love Song" (Jane Wyman Ray Milland Aldo Ray), which Oscar Saul is producing and Al Hall directing, is one of the most expensive Technicolor productions undertaken by Columbia company in recent years. The Warwick production of "The Red Beret" (Alan LaddLeon Genn) should provide another Class A release. The latter, which is also in Technicolor, is being filmed in England, with Irving Allen and Cubby Broccoli as coproducers and Terence Young directing. Also filming, but on a lower budget, is "Posse" (Broderick Crawford-John DerekCharles Bickford), produced by Harry Joe Brown and directed by Alfred Werker. LIPPERT PRODUCTIONS Lippert Denies TV Deal For Oldies, Cites Reissue Value Robert L. Lippert has again emphatically denied to FILM BULLETIN that there is any truth to the report that he is planning to sell all of his old pictures to television. "The current backlog of my films will have re-issue value in the theatres for some time to come," Lippert says, "and for that reason, I intend to hang on to them." He further disclosed that he has agreed to supply recent purchasers of his many exchanges around the country, with approximately 20 features per year for the next three years. By far the greatest percentage of these films will be packaged by Lippert for production by independent producers, both in Hollywood and in England. However, he is in the market for good product from the various independents who finance their own films. Lippert is known to be highly pleased with the recent pictures which he has produced cooperatively with Exclusive Films of London, and is now negotiating with the James Carreras outfit for further film ventures. Several packages are now being completed, with Lippert supplying either the star or director for the producing firm. Next to roll will be "Spaceways" (Howard Duff), for which the American cast is already en route to England. Eight Lippert releases have been set for November and December. They are: "Scotland Yard Inspector" (Cesar Romero-Lois Maxwell), "Tromba, the Tiger Man" with the entire cast of the Krone circus; "Mr. Walkie Talkie" (William Tracy Joe Sawyer), "Gambler and the Lady" (Dane Clark), "I'll Get You" (George Raft-Sally Gray), "The Tall Texan" (Lloyd BridgesLee J. Cobb-Marie Windsor). The other two are re-issues, "Great White Hunter" (Gregory Peck-Joan Bennett-Robert Pres P«g« 12 FILM BULLETIN November 3, 1952 MGM'S SCHARY Efficiency ton and "Captain Kidd" (Randolph ScottCharles Laughton). METRO-COLDWYN-MAYER Schary Brings 'Em in Under Schedule in Economy Campaign The economy drive set in motion by MGM early this summer, is really beginning to pay off, with nearly every picture coming in under schedule and — in more cases than not — under budget. This is high tribute to the efficiency of studio boss Dore Schary and his crew of producers and directors. Two outstanding examples are: "The Clown" (Red Skelton-Jane Greer), which director Robert Z. Leonard wound late last month, three days ahead of schedule, and "Dangerous When Wet", which Chuck Walters brought in in seven days and $138,000 below the original estimates. Moreover, we hear that daily rushes on both pictures indicate there is no evidence of short-circuiting production values for the sake of economy. Meanwhile, Metro's top-heavy talent roster continues to dwindle, as more and more players are dropped from contract, in an effort to tighten the purse string. To date, Peter Lawford, Sally Forrest, Dean Miller, Ralph Meeker, Dawn Addams and Janice Rule have been released from contract, with still others expected to follow. In spite of these cutbacks, however, Metro at this moment continues to lead the production parade both in quality and quantity. At present seven features are before the cameras, of which four are being filmed in Technicolor. The tinters are "Invitation to the Dance" (Gene Kelly-Igor YouskevitchTamara Toumanova), which Kelly is personally directing for Arthur Freed; "Young Bess" (Jean Simmons Stewart Granger Deborah Kerr-Charles Laughton), a Sidney Franklin production, directed by George Sidney; "The Band Wagon" (Fred AstaireCyd Charisse Nanette Fabray Oscar Levant), directed by Vincente Minnelli and produced by Arthur Freed, and "Give A Girl A Break" (Marge and Gower ChampionU Debbie Reynolds), directed by Stanley Donen and produced by Jack Cummings. Black and white features in production: are: "Dream Wife" (Cary Grant-Deboral Kerr -Walter Pidgeon Bette St. John), ; Dore Schary production, directed by SidneJ Sheldon; "Remains to be Seen" (June Ally] son Van Johnson Luis Calhern Angela Lansbury), directed by Don Weis for pro | ducer Arthur Hornblow, Jr., and "Fast Com | pany" (Howard Keel-Polly Bergen-Nin;| Foch-Marjorie Main), John Sturges direct ing for Henry Berman. Next to roll will be "Years Ago" (Spence: Tracy-Debbie Reynolds), which directo: George Cukor and producer Lawrence Wein garten expect to place before the cameraslj on November 10. MONOGRAM— AA AA Sets Technicolor Deal; Broidy Names Four for '53 The Allied Artists' negotiation for a Tech nicolor commitment, reported here last issue, has been successfully concluded, pavj ing the way for the company's first ust the color system on the 1953 program. AA president Steve Broidy says his comj pany will make three pictures in Technil color next year, in addition to one alread;) completed in England. The three cominni up are: "Wichita," a story of the old wesl built around the life story of Wyatt Earpj "The Annapolis Story," a drama of th' U. S. Naval Academy; and "The Blacll Knight", a romantic swashbuckler. All three are on executive producer Waltclj Mirisch's slate. The English picture il; "Affair in Monte Carlo" (Merle Oberon-Leil Genn-Richard Todd), produced by Associl ated British-Pathe in affiliation with Allied Artists. The use of Technicolor in the 1953 pro) gram marks AA's further break-away fronj low-budgeters, and marks a full-scale entrj into the realm of major, quality production! Already the company has been emphasizing important names in the casting of its picj tures. However, not all of Allied Artists produc will be big stuff. They will continue to turn out the profitable programmers. Jerr Thomas, who has produced the BoweH Boys pictures for the past 18 months, rcj signed last month, and is being replaced oi| the series by Ben Schwalb. Schwalb joined AA as a producer three years ago and most recently has been making the quickies wit! Stanley Clements — which he will continue] in addition to his Bowery Boys comedies i Thomas has announced that he plans t enter independent production, following short vacation. Two pictures are currently shooting hen with a pair more set to roll later this monl " The Roar of the Crowd" (Howard Duff| (Continued on Page /3