Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1951)

4 Motion Picture daily Thursday, March 15, 1951 Review "Fort Savage Raiders'' {Columbia) WESTERN-PICTURE PATRONS will find in "Fort Savage Raiders" all of the familiar ingredients, packed compactly, which they might expect in a Charles (Durango Kid) Starrett tale of ridin' and shootin' and bare-knuckle jaw-bustin', all interspersed with a nicely-spotted flavoring of songs, by Dusty Walker, and comedy, to which Smiley Burnette and Trevor Bardette contribute noticeably. Starrett is commissioned by the Army to track down a band of desperados who have escaped from a stockade at Fort Savage. The gang is led by John Dehner, an AWOL captain embittered at the Army over the death of his son. Peter Thompson, a pompous young lieutenant, is placed in charge of Starrett's desperado-hunting party. His conceit threatens the venture with disaster on two occasions. As expected, Thompson is placed on an even keel after taking a good licking at the hands of Starrett, bowing to Starrett's experienced judgment, and together they clean up the villains. Others in the cast are John Dehner, Fred Sears, John Cason, Frank Griffin and Sam Flint. Running time, 54 minutes. General audience classifications. For March release. Film Festival Set For June in Berlin An international film festival, in which the U. S., Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy and other Western democracies will participate, is slated for Berlin next June 6-17. Sponsored by the city administration of West Berlin and endorsed by the Western allies, the purpose of the festival is to display the caliber of motion picture art that emanates from the studios of the free world, according to word received here from Germany. Foreign managers of Motion Picture Association of America member companies will meet at MPAA's office here today to discuss a number of late developments abroad. Approval of the MPAA companies participation in the forthcoming Berlin film festival is expected to be registered at the meeting. Raybond Houses Join Free Passbook Plan Raybond Theatres here has joined the Metropolitan Passbook Plan, which is said to offer over $175 worth of free admissions to Broadway and neighborhood theatres, free dinners at restaurants and nightclubs, etc., it was announced jointly yesterday by David Weinstock, Raybond president, and Harry Schooler, Passbook Plan executive. Weinstock, an official of the New York Independent Theatre Owners Association, said that if the plan "lives up to expectations, I intend to urge it for all ITOA theatres." 'Hunts' Hartford in With Pack of Plans Chicago, March 14. — Huntington Hartford, grandson of the A. and P. chain store founder, said today while here en route to New York from the Coast that he had just completed "The Secret Sharer," based on a story by Joseph Conrad and starring James Mason and Gene Lockhart, and planned two additional pictures. Hartford said he will start "The Open Window" in May and an as yet untitled Stephen Crane story later. He said he is negotiating for the rights to Rudyard Kipling's "Without Benefit of Clergy" and also plans a series of television shorts to be made by a company which he purchased recently. Vol Ivan Lewton, 46, Producer, Dies Hollywood, March 14. — Val Ivan Lewton, 46, died this morning at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital. A film producer who was a member of the Stanley Kramer production staff, he was born in Yalta, Russia. Educated at Columbia University, he became a journalist and novelist before joining the industry as M-G-M home office publicist. After coming to Hollywood as scenarist, he became a producer, making ten films for RKO, later producing for Paramount, Universal-International and M-G-M. The widow, mother, sister, and two children survive. Funeral services will be held Friday morning at St. Matthews Episcopal Church. B. J. Callahan, 87, Pioneer Exhibitor Seaside, Ore., March 14. — Bartholomew John Callahan, 87, pioneer Seaside theatre owner, died at his home here. He had been ill since last July. Callahan built the Critic, Seaside's first theatre, in 1907. In later years he built the Strand and Times, which are now operated by his sons, John Michael and Daniel James Callahan. Services Today for Samuel R. Wax, 53 Philadelphia, March 14. — Samuel R. Wax, 53, veteran exhibitor in this area, died suddenly this morning. Surviving are the widow, Gertrude, a son Philip, and three brothers. Services will be held tomorrow. Mrs. Nellie Dickinson Hollywood, March 14. — Word has been received here of the death in London of Mrs. Nellie Dickinson, wife of Clifford G. Dickinson, London representative of Monogram International Corp. W. Va. Tax Cut Near Wheeling, March 14. — A bill reducing from three to two per cent the West Virginia amusement tax authorized for local imposition in cities with home rule taxing powers has been sent to the governor for signature. Goldstein Resigns Gloversville, N. Y., March 14. — Louis Goldstein of the Schine Circuit here has resigned as assistant film buyer. 'M-G-M Story' Potent Boost for Industry An expanded verision of "The MG-M Story," first shown to exhibitors at the Theatre Owners of America Houston convention, is now available free of charge to exhibitors. Narrated by Dore Schary, production vice-president, the hour-long film takes its audience to the M-G-M studios and gives glimpses of 25 features to be released in the coming months. No audience can justly complain of tedium during the showing. The exhibitor who plans to use the feature would be wise to devote thought and energy to its exploitation, for it is worthy public relations. The format is simple and straightforward : Lionel Barrymore introduces Schary and the picture, after a few studio shots, plunges into clips from coming product. Schary's comment is chary of superlatives ; the pictures are allowed to speak for themselves. However, Schary does point out the value of certain pictures in fostering patriotism and appreciation of our nation. The picture concludes with closeups of a number of M-G-M stars, with a total of 58 personalities appearing during the show. Herman Hoffman produced, and Frank Whitbeck supervised. V. O'B. 25 Loew's Theatres Book 'Story' "The M-G-M Story" has been dated in approximately 25 Loew's theatres in conjunction with the booking of "Royal Wedding," starting March 22. Towns where the combination is set include Akron, Atlanta, Baltimore, Columbus, Dayton, Harrisburg, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Louisville, Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans, Norfolk, Pittsburgh, Reading, Richmond, St. Louis, San Francisco, Washington and Wilmington. Army Air Show at U-Ps 'Cadet' Bow San Antonio, March 14. — With a large group of civic and military officials in attendance, Universal-International's "Air Cadet" had its world premiere at the Majestic Theatre here tonight, following a full day of civic activities and an air show put on by the U. S. Army Air Force. Participating in radio and television interviews from a specially-constructed stand in front of the Majestic Theatre before the premiere were Major Generals Robert W. Harper, Warren R. Carter, James S. Stowell, Charles W. Lawrence ; Brigadier Generals Otto Benson, Carl MacDaniels and Charles Born. Station KABC carried the radio interviews and KEYL, the telecast. MITCHELL MAY, Jr. CO., INC. 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