Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1951)

Motion Picture daily Tuesday, May 15, 1951 'Bigger Ads, Bigger Grosses:' Simons Atlanta, May 14. — Mike Simons of MGM's exhibitor relations department, told delegates to the MPTO of Georgia meeting here today, that, "We of M-G-M are going to advertise and promote our product in every medium that pays off this year, just as we've always done. Maybe space rates are up in the newspapers, but if you weren't using sufficient space in the first place, what difference do the rates make/ If bigger and better advertising gets bigger and better grosses, it is worth more money and the total cost is indeed unimportant in the overall." Reviews Georgia Exhibitors (Continued from page 1) That's the word 'Slugging. Weve all got to start slugging and keep slugging in behalf of our business ; we ve taken too politely the snide attacks of panty-waist critics, many inspired, whether they realize it or not, by Communist disdain for American culture, particularly as represented by our movies." "Let us keep in mind that since 1939 we have a new generation of 20,UUU,UUU potential new customers, many of them kids who are now protagonists of Hopalong Cassidy, an old film cowboy who has found a new world in television, and let us try to make ourselves interesting and entertaining to these new customers," Maurice A. Bergman, Universal director of public relations told the convention. "These new customers are the backbone' of our business. They are the spenders of tomorrow," Bergman declared. "We must cultivate the kids in the lower age brackets." Public Relations "When the Redskins Rode9* (Columbia) T N this Supercinecolor film Columbia presents one of those historical dramas J. in which the fictional ingredients greatly outweigh the historical facts. "When the Redskins Rode," an account of the French and Indian Wars as fought in the Virginia colony, has all the tried and true elements— a bosomy siren, men of iron, Galahad-like Englishmen and, as the villains oily Frenchmen. The story is routine, but the action is plentiful and the sets and costumes capture the spirit of Colonial days. When the Redskins rode with the French, George Washington was still loval to the crown. In an effort to save Virginia for George III, young Washington (James Seay) attempts to get his friend Jon Hall, a Delaware prince, to ally his father's tribe with the English against the French and the Francophile Indians. Pedro de Cordoba, the Delaware chief, chooses to remain neutral until French troops attack his village While he waits for a formal treaty from England before actively joining the English, Cordoba is killed Hall then becomes chief and leads his braves into the English camp arriving at besieged Fort Necessity in time to beat off the French and Wyandottes and rescue the English. . , . , „ r „ -cv^r-Vi Romantic and plot complications are provided by Mary Castle, a French spy with a "TV neckline," and her rival for Hall's love, Sherry Moreland, a demure Indian maiden. , , , Supercinecolor, despite its tendency to turn green a purplish blue does a nice job of catching the pageantry and natural beauty of pre-Revolutionary America. Director Lew Landers has handled the action and the romance with understanding. Robert E. Kent wrote the screenplay for this Sam Katzman ^Cnfng'tSme" 78' minutes. General audience classification. For May release. Variety (Continued from page 1) "Good motion pictures are a major factor in maintaining good public relations—and Hollywood is supplying that necessary ingredient in ever increasing numbers," Dick Pitts editorial director of the Council of Motion Picture Organizations, declared before the convention today. Pointing out that 50 American films exhibited last year achieved the distinction of being on "best films" lists as selected by critics, publications and various reviewing groups, Pitts emphasized that "motion pictures really are better than ever." He said pictures have improved in merit and maturity probably more rapidly than any other art medium in history. Other speakers were: Sam Pinanski, president of the Theatre Owners of America; Harry Ballance, 20th Century-Fox; Walter Titus, Republic; Robert Lippert, Lippert Productions; Robert Mochrie, RKO Pictures; Hugh Owen, Paramount, and Morgan Hudgins, M-G-M. Mayor Hartsfield of Atlanta was a guest at the convention luncheon, at which was read a message of commendation by Gov. Herman Talmadge. A party for the ladies was held in the afternoon, with Mrs. John Carter handling arrangements. Today's proceedings were closed with a cocktail party and buffet supper given by E. D. Martin, O. C. Lam, Guy Brown, A. D. Chadwick and Carl Mabry. "Wells Fargo Gunmaster" (Republic) . • , ALLAN (ROCKY) LANE sets out to solve a series of stagecoach robberies in this latest Republic offering. By the time he submits his "mission completed" report to Wells Fargo, he has experienced all the trials and triumphs of the traditional cowboy here. It has all been done before, but that fact won't lessen the excitement and suspense of Wells Fargo Gunmaster" for the dyed-in-the-wool Western tan. With the connivance of Chubby Johnson, a Wells Fargo driver Lane stages a mock hold-up of a stage coach to get m with the gang. In the action-loaded minutes that follow, Lane rescues Michael Chapin, the crippled brother of a gang member, from a wild horse; meets, but fails to fall in love with, Mary Ellen Kay; is ambushed by the gang, wipes out the outlaws in a blazing gun battle in a silver mine, and m a rousing climactic chase involving two teams of horses, captures the o-ang leader, Stuart Randall, who had posed as a respectable citizen. " Galloping along at a quick clip, the picture is studded with flying fists and hot lead. "Wells Fargo Gunmaster" is all business— a no-holdsbarred struggle between good and evil, with no time for romance or crooning cowpokes. Philip Ford directed, from a screenplay by M. Coates Webster. Gordon Kay was associate producer . Running time, 60 minutes. General audience classification. Release date, May IS. "Jungle Headhunters" (Thalia Productions— RKO Pictures) TO THOSE of us who customarily experience no greater dangers than reckless taxi drivers and irate waitressess, the perils of jungle life always hold a fascination. In "Jungle Headhunters'; Lewis Cotlow recounts the experiences of his third Amazon expedition m search of Jivaros, headhunter trThempicture is an interesting affair in Technicolor, with all the usual visual excitements of jungle documentaries. There are the beasts in combat against the background of drum beats, the whistling spears greeting the intrusion of the white man, and the rituals and dances of the natives. The picture builds up to the point where the tribal warriors venture out to retaliate against their tribal enemies. After the raid they come back with their trophy, the head of an enemy warrior. There follows the ritualistic process of shrinking the head which is finally worn around the victor s neck aS TosephdAnsen and Larry Lansburgh collaborated on the screenplay for Thalia Productions, Inc., Julian Lesser produced with Cotlow as an associate in production. ... , ,. ,-, , , . Running time, 66 minutes. General audience classification. Release^date, See pages 3 and 6 for Additional Reviews man and Robert J. O'Donnell, international ringmaster-, also were adjudicated privately when both men shook hands, called it a misunderstanding and thereby again sealed the ranks. Marc J. Wolf of Indianapolis, was re-elected international chief barker along with his entire slate, as forecast in Motion Picture Daily last Friday. Others were Jack Beresin, Philadelphia first international barker; Charles P. Skouras, Los Angeles, second international chief barker; George Eby, Pittsburgh, international dough guy; Murray Weiss, Boston, international property master; Charles E. Lewis, New York, international press guy; W. H. Lollier, Los Angeles, international sergeant-at-arms ; James G. Balmer, Pittsburgh, ceremonial barker; C. J. Latta, London, international European representative; Nathan D. Golden, Washington, chairman of the Heart Committee; Sam J. Switow, Louisville, and William McCraw, international executive directors. Also, following members of the international and foreign committee : J. J. Fitzgibbons, George Hoover, Robert J. O'Donnell, Luis Montes, John H Harris and Marc Wolf, Harris, who also is international big boss, and O'Donnell, international ringmaster, hold life-time posts. Other Changes Other constitutional changes dealing with procedural processess, circulated prior to the convention, likewise were approved along with the limitation placed on the mid-winter meeting. Spirited competition among Houston, Cincinnati and Las Vegas for the 1952 convention was determined by ballot in favor of Las Vegas, Tent No. 39, which is less than six months old. Identification of Variety with the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital at Saranac Lake, N. Y., will be continued as a result of the pledge of the tents to circulate what is known as the "Mile-Long Christmas Card," an annual effort to obtain signatures and contributions for support of the hospital. However, the tents will not be obligated to pledge contributions. Baby Incident A baby reportedly found in the lobby of the Studio Theatre under circumstances identical with the incident which led to the formation of Variety in Pittsburgh 23 years ago, was adopted by Tent No. 13, Philadelphia. Las Vegas, for having sent the largest delegation, was presented with a cup and Tokyo, "baby" tent, an identical cup for having traveled the greatest distance. Such cups will he handed out each year hereafter. Sells R. /. Theatre East Providence, R. L, May 14.— Fay's Theatre, 38-year-old landmark famous for vaudeville and motion pictures was sold today by C. and F. Theatre Co. to the National Real Estate Investment Co. It was understood that the building would be torn down and a parking lot would replace it. Raibourn to Address ATS The second annual combined luncheon of the American Television Society and the Sales Executives Club will be held here at the Hotel Roosevelt today. Among the speakers will be Paul Raibourn, president Paramount Television Production and Chris Witting, general manager of Dumont Television. Arthur Suit (Continued from page 1) from all distributors, Fox West Coast Theatres, Pacific Drive-in Theatres and various individuals. Defendants were accused of comspiring to restrict trade and commerce in violation of the anti-trust laws. The suit also seeks a permanent injunction against future conspiratory acts.