The Independent Film Journal (1953)

Dietz Sees Exhibitor Shoj i mia nship R isin g The fact that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer lias already received more than 575 entries in its exhibitor competition called the “Lucky 7 Showmanship Contests,” caused Howard Dietz, vice-president and director of advertis¬ ing-, publicity and exploitation, to note last week “a really tremendous upsurge in ex¬ hibitor interest in promotion and showman¬ ship.” First film for which theatre owners were asked to send in campaigns was “Mogambo,” with “Torch Song” and “Take the High Ground” slated to follow. Cash awards of $5,950 will be divided among theatre man¬ agers and advertising men for the best drives on each picture in each population group. In addition, M-G-M has announced that it will pay all costs of putting the winning campaign into effect. “‘Wolf** Rights To Levey The U. S. and Canadian distribution rights to “The She-Wolf,” starring Kerima, the F rench-Egyptian actress, have been acquired by Jules Levey, just returned from an ex¬ tended trip to Europe. Arrangements were concluded via a special deal with Paramount, which holds the world-wide release on the film, and Ponti-de Laurentiis, producers of the picture. Dinner Honoring Brandi Slated For JDA Charity Benefitting Loeal Drive A dinner honoring Harry Brandt, presi¬ dent of Brandt Theatres, will be given at the Waldorf-Astoria on Oct. 21, by the Mo¬ tion Picture division of the Joint Defense Appeal in conjunction with Cinema Lodge of B’nai B’ritli, it has been announced by William J. German, general chairman of the JDA amusements division. Brandt will be feted for “his efforts in the fight to protect American democratic liberties,” a report stated. A call for industry-wide attendance at the dinner was made by German and Max E. Youngstein, United Artists vice-president, serving as dinner chairman in the JDA drive. The latter noted that the film industry is helping the Appeal raise New York’s share of the $5,000,000 neded. German stressed Brandt’s worthiness for the tribute, pointingout the time and energy he has given to causes “that benefit mankind.” Al \\ . Schwalberg, president of Para¬ mount Film Distributing Gorp., is serving as dinner chairman, working closelv with Youngstein. WB Ups Italy's Orlando Umberto Orlando has been promoted to post of general manager for Warner Bros, in Italy, with headquarters in Rome, suc¬ ceeding Mario Zama, resigned. Orlando, who has been sales manager for Warners in Italy for the past few years, joined tin1 company in 1935. Six Records Broken In Lichtman Campaign The fourth week of the Al Lichtman testi¬ monial sales drive, now underway at 20th Century-Fox, set six new company records, William C. Gehring, executive assistant gen¬ eral sales manager, announced this week. The record for a week’s domestic business made back in 1947 was broken, as was the previous high 13-week total set in 1949. Also, a new high was created for revenue earned domestically in any single month, Gehring reported. The first three quarters of 1953 went 13.16 percent over returns for the corresponding period of the previous year, he announced, and September, 1953, bookings soared 21.34 percent over any previous four-week period. The sales official added that Terrytoon car¬ toon bookings established a new record in its field by zooming 52.35 j>ercent over the weekly average set by the cartoon series be¬ fore the drive began. Italian CinemaScope Pic First Italian-produced CinemaScope fea¬ ture will be “Judith and Holophernes,” a Technicolor Biblical spectacle starring Silvana Mangano, according* to word received this week by Italian Films Export from Lux Films in Rome. Jean Negulescu will direct the project which will probably costar a well-known American actor. DELILAH • CLEOPATRA • BATHSHEBA SALOME... They learned their wiles, wickedness and evil From the woman called JEZEBEL Paulette GODDARD