The Independent Film Journal (1954)

Ted Richmond Claims Audience Sensitivity At Peak; Only Good Pictures Can Earn By Richard l “We plan to get the best material and the best material regardless of the cost,” Prolucer Ted Richmond explained in his Copa Productions office at Columbia Studios. Rich¬ mond, who is partnered with Tyrone Power n the company, which will release through Columbia, made 20 pictures in five years at Jniversal-International. Copa will put its first film, “Lorenzo the Vfagnificent,” before the cameras following Power’s completion of his last picture in his p-year association with 20th Century-Fox, [‘Untamed,” in which lie will co-star with Busan Hayward. Oscar Millard is doing the Icreen play for the feature. Copa has re¬ ceived a great deal of co-operation on the ilm from the De Medici Society in Rome. Richmond anticipates a spring start for the film. The company also owns “The Stalk,’’ a suspense love story of a young doctor, which t plans to film. “Copa will not only make alms that star Power,” Producer Richmond explained. “Tyrone will appear in two pic:ures a year along with co-stars and the com¬ pany will make two without him with Power functioning as executive producer.” Use Accepted Ratio Copa plans to use the accepted ratio at the time its productions start. The company’s films will be in color. Power and Richmond made an extensive trip recently to talk to exhibitors. Both men are well aware of the part that the exhibitor plays in the motion picture business and were anxious to hear every exhibitor’s comments and advice. Rich¬ mond reports that as a result of the trip, they discovered that business is better than ever. Power plans to spend 10 to 15 weeks on the road to meet people. He also plans to exploit his Copa films with personal appear¬ ances. He just completed “The Long Gray jfLine” at Columbia. The film, which was di¬ rected by John Ford, co-stars Power and Maureen O’Hara and was produced by Rob¬ ert Arthur. It was filmed in CinemaScope and Technicolor. Richmond further explained that Power and himself want to run Copa Productions Director Stuart Heisler coaches stars Linda Dar¬ nell and Rick Jason for a key scene on the set of "Night Without End," an Allan Dowling pro¬ duction for RKO Radio release. Bernstein TED RICHMOND like “a miniature studio.” He pointed out that the company is seeking a variety of stories for Power. “Tyrone will make some off-beat pictures too,” Richmond revealed. Richmond feels that the problem of an independent getting prop¬ erties is much easier than the studio problem. In regard to getting the best people pos¬ sible, the producer said, “I think that there are many constructive and creative artists who would like to work with Power in an independent setup like ours.” The RichmondPower team was responsible for the top¬ grossing “Mississippi Gambler” at UniversalInternational. Richmond stated that some Copa films will have three top stars. He also explained that the company will put top talent in all phases of filmaking under contract. Richmond made it quite clear that this is the period of audi¬ ence selectivity and that it takes a good pic¬ ture to make money. Looking For Scripts As a result of this, Copa has been care¬ fully looking for scripts that it feels will be making intriguing and different films, that will excite the public. Copa has also been keeping a weather eye out for talented actors and actresses. Richmond began his theatrical career as a theatre treasurer in New Bedford, Mass., then became the manager of a local stock company. From this, he became a theatre manager, moving eventually to the post of publicity director for 38 theatres in New York State after which he became district manager of RKO’s upstate New York thea¬ tres. Richmond then became identified in Holly¬ wood with the formation of Producers Re¬ leasing Corporation. He became a producer at Columbia, where he remained seven years ; from here he went to U-I. Some of his hit credits are “Kansas Raiders,” “Cimarron Kid,” “Desert Legion,” “You Belong To Me” and “Walkin’ My Baby Back Home.” HOLLYWOOD... “Dead Pigeon.” The Robert Cohn produc¬ tion rolls Aug. 3 from William Bowers’ screen play. . . . John Ireland left for Lon¬ don, where he goes into the starring role in “The Outsiders,” a melodrama of a circus sideshow, which Anthony Hinds is produc¬ ing and Montgomery Tully is directing for Exclusive Films and Lippert release. The picture, scripted by Richard Landau is from a novel. * * * Republic will roll “Carolina Cannonball,” Aug. 9 with Sidney Picker serving as asso¬ ciate producer and Charles Lamont direct¬ ing. . . . Sam Katzman’s ‘‘Riot on Pier Six,” will roll Aug. 10. . . . Danny Kaye’s next at Paramount will be ‘‘The Court Jes¬ ter.” Norman Panama and Melvin Frank will direct and produce. The film goes before the cameras Aug. 16. . . . “Cell 2455,” based on the best-selling novel, will roll Aug. 23 at Columbia with Wallace MacDonald pro¬ ducing. * * * U-I’s “To Hell and Back,” based on the Andie Murphy novel, has a starting date of July 28. Aaron Rosenberg will produce with Jesse Hibbs directing. . . . Rhonda Fleming planed out to Rome for her starring role in the independent film, ‘‘Woman of Babel,” which rolls Aug. 5. . . . Vincent Sherman is huddling with Sterling Hayden in regard to Sherman directing Hayden’s indie film, ‘‘Mad Anthony,” based on the exploits of Mad Anthony Wayne. # * * Ernest Lehman was signed to a directorwriter pact at M-G-M. He reports to the studio after completing the screen play of ‘‘The King and I” for 2 0thCenturyFox. His short novel, ‘‘The Comedian,” which appeared in “Cosmopolitan,” has been pur¬ chased by George Glass for independent pro¬ duction. . . . Fritz Lang will direct “Moonfleet” at M-G-M for Producer John House¬ man. At the same studio, it was announced that Roy Rowland will direct ‘‘Hit The Deck,” which will be produced by Joe Pas¬ ternak. Film rolls July 26. . . . Sam Katzman has a Aug. 24 starting date for ‘ ‘Robin Hood, Outlaw” at Columbia. # * Jack L. Warner announced the signing of Ethel Barrymore to join Doris Day and Frank Sinatra in ‘‘Young At Heart,” in which Gig Young has an important role. Gordon Douglas directs with Henry Blanke producing in CinemaScope and WarnerColor. . . . With three major location sites in Kentucky and one in Indiana finally selected, Hecht-Lancaster’s Technicolor ad¬ venture drama, “The Gabriel Horn,” goes before the cameras Aug. 15. The entire pro¬ duction will be photographed in Kentucky and neighboring Rockport, Indiana. Lan¬ caster will make his debut as a director on the picture as well as play the male lead. Dianne Foster has been announced for the femme lead. Harold Hecht produces. Washington Film Planned Feature on the career of Gen. George Washington, tracing developments in his life from the time he assumed command of the Revolutionary armies until his acceptance as first President of the U.S., is planned by pro¬ ducer-director John Sturges. THE INDEPENDENT FILM JOURNAL— July 24, 1954 35