Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1963)

CAST AND CREDITS (Continued from Page 6) ing them officers of the company. The Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. board of directors at a recent special session elected Morey Goldstein and Richard Lederer vice presidents of the parent firm. Goldstein has been president and general sales manager of the distribution subsidiary since last July, while Lederer has severed for several years as director of advertising and public relations for the parent and subsidiary companies. Tulipan Upped at Col. In a move to strengthen Columbia's promotion force, vice president Robert S. Ferguson last week announced the appointment of Ira H. Tulipan as his executive administrative assistant. Tulipan has been assistant director of advertising and publicity at Columbia since I960, having previously served in key promotion posts at 20th-Fox. His new duties, Ferguson stated, will include, in addition to all areas of departmental activities, "liaison with Hollywood studio and overseas production publicity." Bolstad New FP Head John J. Fitzgibbons, president and managing director since 1941 of Famous Players Canadian Corp., the Paramount subsidiary, was succeeded last week by Reuben W. Bolstad. Fitzgibbons was elected board chairman. New Gunsberg Post Sheldon Gunsberg was appointed executive vice president of Walter ReadeSterling, Inc. In making the announcement, board chairman Walter Reade, Jr. and president Saul J. Turell termed the appointment of Gunsberg another major step towards completing the firm's reorganization "to consolidate and coordinate its integrated activities." GUNSBERG Ferri to NSS Veteran promotion executive Roger Ferri has been named director of advertising and publicity for National Screen Service by president Burton E. Robbins. He succeeds Melvin Gold, who resigned to enter independent production. Ferri formerly served in various capacities at 20th Century-Fox. DFZ: 20th Century Caesar ( Continued from Page 6 ) pany that showed a loss of almost $40 million last year. And, he predicted, the company will be in the black for this full year. "If we aren't, I won't be here." The statement reflecting his bold optimism was greeted with rapturous applause. He proceeded to explain that the huge cash guarantees advanced by theatreman for the privilege of exhibiting "Cleopatra" were not included in the first quarter report. He spoke of "The Longest Day", its profitable roadshow engagements, its forthcoming general release. Removing his glasses he addressed himself to future plans, specifically construction of the proposed Fox MGM Columbia studio center on the site of 20th's 2500-acre Malibu ranch, a project on which "steady progress is being made." He pledged himself to the ultimate task of resuming payment of dividends. Before Mr. Zanuck could fully savor the audiences' full approval of his remarks, a brilliant orange figure topped by a Cleopatra bob, barged to the base of the dais and bluntly announced the presence of "Cleopatra, Queen of the Stockholders," to which Zanuck blandly noted, "I subscribe to that." Further identification revealed that she was Evelyn Y. Davis, an innocent victim of Liz Taylor's extravagances. Then began a long soliloquy, delivered with a Luise Rainer accent and an occasional flutter of doe-like eyes, against the forces that had conspired to deny her dividends. The scene completed, she took recourse to a printed script and challenged Mr. Zanuck with a series of questions about "Cleopatra." Miss Taylor, Zanuck informed her, was paid $1.7 million in salary and she will receive 10% of gross rentals after Fox gets the first $7.5 million. The afternoon's next major supporting performer wanted the audience on her side. One Gloria Parker graciously bestowed God's blessings on Mr. Zanuck, Elizabeth Taylor, and all the "wonderful real show people" of Fox. She thereupon suggested "for the second consecutive year" that "this glorious woman" (Miss Taylor) be elected to the board of directors. The benign air was broken when, with a shriek, Miss Davis lunged forth to assault this defender of diminishing returns; referee-ushers abruptly called the fight before the end of round one. This byplay squelched, speaker followed speaker to lay praise at the feet of DFZ. There were sure to be a few dissents, of course, and one stockholder, Jack Schaeffer, questioned Richard Zanuck's value to the company. Speaking softly and chewing on the stem of his glasses, DFZ replied that his 28 year-old son was much in demand by other film companies, that the $1,000 weekly salary he draws is not excessive, and recalled that he, himself, was only 24 when he was head of Warner Bros, studio at $5,000 per week. The first quarter last year showed a loss of $513,587. The profit this year was earned in spite of a sharp decline in gross revenue: $23,961,000 compared to $32,668,000 for 1962's first three months. Heavy cuts in executive salaries effected much of the reduction in costs. Some gasps were heard from the audience when executive vice president Seymour Poe revealed that "Cleopatra" will have to gross approximately $62 million before the film company recoups its entire outlay for production, distribution, prints and advertising. Shortly after 4 o'clock, new business, primarily the election of a new board of directors, was presented. Board chairman Spyros Skouras, the originator of "Cleopatra", obviously happy at the tone of the meeting, took his place to the right of the urbane Zanuck to await the inevitable verdict — election of the entire 14-man management-recommended board*. Zanuck and his associates each tallied nearly two million votes; Liz got 243. Robert L. Clarkson, Adam L. Gimbel. Donald A. Henderson, Robert Lehman, Francis S. Levien, Kevin C. McCann, Fred L, Metzler, William C. Michel. Thomas A. Pappas, Seymour Poe, Spyros P. Skouras, Jerome A. Straka. Gen. James A. Van Fleet. Darryl F. Zanuck. Film BULLETIN May 27. 1943 Page 37