Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1954)

STUDIO SIZ€-UPS fxciu^iiJe ^BULLETIN Oeatute By JAY ALLEN ALLIED ARTISTS Participation Deals Lure Big Names for AA Toppers ALLIED ARTISTS' xVEW PARTICIpation deals with outside producers, directors and acting talent, is being eyed in Hollywood as an important factor in the studios resolution to hypo its quality product. Universal started it with offering top stars 50 per cent profit-sharing contracts two years ago. Actually, AA goes much further than U-I in offering enticements to corral new creative talent. Participants will be given a substantial share of the profits in their individual product, and part ownership in their pictures, plus stock in the company. Amount of the latter will be determined by the number of pictures each makes. The plan was devised to assist high salaried talent in spreading its earnings over a greater period of time to benefit on income taxes. Although none of the actors, producers and directors mentioned in the last issue of Size-Ups has actually signed one of the new contracts at this writing, it appears certain that at least four of them will do so within a matter of a few days. According to FILJiI bulletin's information, John Huston, P.illy Wilder, Clark Gable and William Wyler have all given verbal agreement to the deals, are only awaiting legal counsel. To further carry out its program of securing top names for its future product, AA is working out a deal with Associated British Pictures. Already the company has secured a commitment with the British firm for the services of Audrey Hepburn, who has a three-picture contract there. Next in line will be development of a stock company, also along the lines of the one set up at U-l, to build new stars. According to the best available information. Allied prexy Steve Broidy hopes to have the transition well enough underway lo resume production on the lot by early March. COLUMBIA Columbia Gets Goetz; 'Guys & Dolls' First of 3 HARR^■ (OHX PULLKI) oi l TIM', coup of the month by signing up William Goetz to produce his slate of important independent production for Columbia release. Goetz had been sought after by most of the companies in the business. Right up until the minute that his Columbia deal was announced, most Hollywoodites were convinced that he would affiliate his independent company with either Paramount or Warner Brothers. The former Universal production chief will headquarter at Columbia, has three important vehicles set: "Guys and Dolls," "The Maurice Chevalier Story", with Danny Kaye in the title role, and "Dawn in the Sky," starring James Stewart. First of the three films to roll, "Guys and Dolls," will be in CinemaScope with, reportedly. Betty Grable and Jane Russell in the feminine starring roles, and — hold your hat.s — Clark Gable and Bob Hope likely prospects for the two top male spots. Goetz reportedly paid $300,000 for the property, plus a participation in the film's gross over and above $4,000,000. Columbia is reported to be planning a big increase in CinemaScope productions, following recent conferences between Harry Cohn and executive producer Jerry Wald. At least ten films have already been slated for the process, including: "Joseph and His Brethren," "Mary Magdalene," "River to the Sun," "Reminiscenes of a Cowboy," "West Point Story," "My Sister Eileen," "Pal joey." "Franz Liszt," "Guys and Dolls". I'our pictures are shooting on the lot at the present time, with at least two slated to roll during the remainder of February, three in March, and one or more in April. Now shooting are: "The Human Beast" (Glenn Ford, Gloria (irahame, I5roderick Crawford) — Lewis J. Rachmil producer, Fritz Lang director; "The Killer Wore A Badge" (Fred MacMurray, Phil Carey, Dorothy Malone) — Jules Schermer producer, Richard Quine director; "3 Hours to Live" (Dana Andrews, Donna Reed), in Technicolor— Harry Joe Brown producer, Al Weikcr director; "The Law vs. Billy the Kid" (Scott Brady, Betta St. John) — Sam Katzman producer, William Castle director. C"oming up later in the month are: "Pirates of Tripoli" ((jeorge Montgomery. Patricia Medina) — Katzman producer, Felix b'eist director; "Those Reported Missing" (not yet cast) — Byron I-'oy producer, Lew Seller director. March starters will be: "The Long Grey Line" (not cast) — John Ford directing, and "The Bandits" (not cast) — Lewis J. Rachmil producer. In .April, the cameras will roll on: "Pfft" (Judy Holliday ) — I'red Kolilmar producer. LIPPERT PRODUCTIONS Reciprocal Pact Gives Lippertl2, Broidy TV Rights ROBERT L. LIPPERT AND WILliam F. Broidy have inked a two-way deal — I'roidy will produce twelve features for Lippert release and, in turn, takes over the television sales of all Lippert pictures, including over 100 features. The Broidy productions will carry budgets ranging from $100,000 to $350,000, according to a joint statement issued by the two principals. First is scheduled to go before the cameras in April. No definite stories or castings had been decided upon at the time FILM BULLETIN went to press. Broidy's 12 films will augment Lipperf's regular product, making a total of 24 features to be delivered to Lippert franchise distributors during the new year. Official Films will represent Broidy on sales to TV. Official, in turn, has retained Tom Corrodine and Associates to do the actual marketing of the films in eleven western states. TV sales began with signing of the pact. In addition to the 100 old features, Broidy takes over 170 musical shorts, 39 Blackstone magic short subjects and 26 girl wrestling shows. Although neither Lippert nor Boidy would confirm it, FILM BULLETIN'S Hollywood staff is informed that Broidy will eventually ■ be named to an executive post with the Lip | pert distribution set-up. I METRO-COLDWYN-MAYER 1953-54 Lineup Completed; | 8 Set for Cameras Thru May ITS ENTIRE SLATE FOR THE 1953 | 54 releasing season scheduled for completion j by March 1, Metro launched its 1954-55 pro , ducing schedule with eight pictures scheduled for the cameras in March, April and | May. Meanwhile, production machinery i seems to be grinding to a temporary halt. No new films are slated to roll until March 8, leaving only two in production this month — one on the home lot, the other in England. ^ Currently filming are "Bridagoon" ((jene ] Kelly, Van Johnson, Cyd Charisse, Elaine | Stewart) in CinemaScope and Ansco Color j — Arthur Freed producer. Viiicente Minelii director; and "Beau Brumniel" (Elizabeth Taylor, Stewart Granger) in Ansco Color — (Continued on Page 9) Pag* 8 FILM BULLETIN February 8, 1954