Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1954)

Report on Technical Progress Equipment which prevents damage to sound tracks and reproduction caused by magnetized parts contacted by the magnetic sound track in film machines has been developed by Altec Service corp. and turned over to 20th-Fox engineers for release to the entire theatre field. The magnetic problem had been threatening the success of stereophonic sound. In announcing Altec's demagnitizer kit, chief engineer E. S. Seeley said the development was made "in the interest of the entire industry as a contribution to the successful use of magnetic sound tracks in theatres." * * * A camera attachment which does away with laboratory processing to obtain the dissolve effect on film has been introduced by Hecht-Lancaster productions. It is being used on "Bronco Apache," Burt Lancaster starrer for UA release. Called an "in-camera dissolve," the attachment is a joint invention of director Robert Aldrich and special effects man Lee Zavitz, who are both working on "Bronco". The device fits either an N. C. or B. N. C. camera and uses a circular ground glass which obtains dissolves by revolving from a transparent to an opaque segment. It is reported the technique is capable of many distortion effects formerly obtained through laboratory chemical processes. The inventors claim that with dissolves costing approximately $80 each in film laboratories, the new method will save thousands of dollars on the average film. * * * The Ampex Corp. of Redwood City, Calif, is marketing a low-priced, three-channel stereophonic sound system designed for theatres up to 1500 seating capacity. Known as the Master series and priced to sell for $3995, the system features 30-watt amperage in each channel. For larger houses, Ampex is making the more powerful Deluxe and Super series. Spyros S. Skouras, of the Circuit Construction Corp. is sales chief for the equipment. According to Ampex engineer Ross Snyder, the Master series boasts a safety feature which enables two speakers to carry sound from three tracks should one fail. Also, one speaker could carry all three tracks if any two speakers should fail. Operators desiring a fourth channel can obtain it for approximately $300. * * * A stereophonic sound system which uses a sipgle optical track was revealed in London by Arthur M. Loew, president of Loew's International Corp. The system, named Perspect-A-Sound, reportedly takes sound from the single optical track and distributes it through the center and side screen speakers. Loew claims only a small piece of equipment is required in the projection booth and "there is no necessity to make any changes in standard projection sound heads." viewpoints BING'S TV BUST The television medium, with its insatiable appetite for talent, has for some time now been making with the proper glitter and gold to lure some of Hollywood's fair-haired boys and girls away from their mink-lined swimming pools and into the electron dens of CBS, NBC and the allied fraternity. Just about all of moviedom's top musical stars at one time or another have given it a go before the TV cameras. Up until the other Sunday, the one outstanding exception was Bing Crosby. Ever since the cathode ray tube first cast its glow across the living rooms of the nation, audiences have been waiting the appearance of Der Bingle. When the great moment finally came, other networks could have been showing unexpurgated versions of "Ecstacy" for all anybody knows, because it's a good bet that everyone who watched television that night was tuned into The Groaner's debut. Hut alas and alack, the ensuing half-hour resulted in the biggest let-down since Samson pulled the pillars out from under the temple of the Phillistines. Hut it wasn't because the Crosby vocals lacked any of their usual appeal. The floppola was compounded of a number of other factors. For one thing, the show wasn't done "live," which soured it for a large segment of viewers who are beginning to turn up their noses at films and kinescopes. Hut the most obvious fault was the vacuum which surrounded Mr. C. Now, Crosby can never be accused of turning in a high-strung, livert ire performance. He is a subtle and relaxed style. But if he had been any more relaxed in his appearance for General Electric, he'd have been unconscious. Not even Jack Benny's guest spot did much to spruce up the action. It was obvious however, that at least someone connected with the show had been consulting his Ouija board. In the d\ing minutes, Sherry North, a real loose dame, popped in with a Minskytype tap dance in an effort to awaken Dad, who by this time was in leaning back in his easy chair sleeping off the effects of Sunday dinner. Needless to say, little short of Mari lyn in the altogether could have saved the day at this point. As the last strains of whcii-the-hlue-of-theiiight-meets-the-gold-of-the-day drifted into obscurity, someone in the room ciuoted these immortal lines: Somewhere the sun is shining. Somewhere the children shout. Hut there is no joy in Mudvillc, Der Bingle has struck out. r^TUDIO $IZ€-aPS 1 ((^oniirmed from Page 19) INDEPENDENTS Inde Mushrooming Mirrors Optimism Within Industry NEW INDEPENDENT PRODUCtion companies continue to spring up like mushrooms in Hollywood, reflecting the optimistic viewpoint being felt throughout the industry. One of the most promising new companies is that headed by Paul Gregory, who has gained wide recognition in the legitimate theatre field during the past two years, with such stage hits as "Don Juan In Hell", "John Brown's Body" and "The Caine Mutiny Court Martial". Gregory plans to make two theatrical films per year, starting with "The Night of the Hunter," based on the David Grubb novel, which he recently purchased at a price of $75,000. Filming is expected to get underway around the first of July, with Charles Laughton probably directing, as he has for most of Gregory's stage presentations. Another new independent project which ranks high on the list of Hollywood's major productions plans for 1954 is "45 Minutes I'Vom Broadway," a re-make of the George M. Cohan classic, to be produced by Gayle Gitterman, executive producer of Motion Picture center, and Al Freedman, formerly associated with Louis B. Mayer in an executive capacity. The new inde organization has secured a commitment to film the production in CinemaScope & Technicolor, with Mickey Rooney and Jan Clayton probably starred. Frank P. Rosenberg, who recently left 20th Century-Fox to enter the independent ranks, has purchased from Fox the rights to "The Steeper Cliff," a David Davidson novel. Still another new independent company has been formed by Jane Russell and her husband. Bob Waterfield, to be known as Russ-Field Corp. Other productions which have just been set, include: "The White Orchid," to be produced in Mexico by Reginald Le Borg's Cosmos Company, in Eastman color, "Featherbrain" (Joanne Dru), to be produced and directed by Frank Rashlin from his own original screenplay; and "Walk With the Devil", to be made in Italy next summer by Mark Robson and Harry Lenart. Currently shooting are: "A Bullet Is W'aiting" (Jean Simmons, Rory Calhoun, Stephen McNally, Brian Aherne), Technicolor — Howard Welsch producing, John Farrow directing; "Kerry Drake" (William Lundigan, Martha Vickers, Arline Judge) — a Les Hafner production, Seymour Friedman directing; "The Naked World" (Lex Barker, Eva Gabor, Robert Hutton), an American Pictures production — Albert Zugsmith producer, Alfred E. Green director; and a Cinerama production, "The Thrill Of Your Life," which Louis de Rochemont is producing, Robert L. Hendick and Philippe De Lacey directing. FILM BULLETIN January II, I9S4 Page 23