Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1951)

Tuesday, July 10, 1951 Motion Picture Daily 5 Warner Sets Nine Releases for U.K. Warner has set nine productions for release in Great Britain from Aug. 1 through December 31. The pictures are: "Operation Pacific," starring Gary Cooper and Patricia Neal; "Fine and Dandy" (released in the United States as "The West Point Story"), starring James Cagney and Virginia Mayo; Alfred Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train," starring Farley Granger, Ruth Roman and Robert Walker; "I Was a Communist for the FBI," starring Frank Lovejoy; "Goodbye, My Fancy," Joan Crawford, Robert Young and Frank Lovejoy; "Dallas," in Technicolor, Gary Cooper, Ruth Roman and Steve Cochran ; "The Great Jewel Robber," David Brian ; "Lightning Strikes Twice," Richard Todd and Ruth Roman, and "Lullaby of Broadway," in Technicolor, starring Doris Day, Gene Nelson and S. Z. Sakall. Chicago Ticket Tax Collections Still Off Chicago, July 9. — The downward spiral of theatre receipts, as reflected by City of Chicago amusement tax collections, is continuing here. City theatre tax collections during June, on May receipts, were $83,491, a considerable drop from the $105,828 for the same month a year ago, and also down from the $90,602 paid in by theatres in May for April receipts. Much of the drop in total receipts can be attributed to the fact that approximately 50 theatres have closed here in the past year. London Tabloid Apologizes to 20th-Fox For Published Slurs About 'Frogmen' London, July 9.— The tabloid London Daily Graphic has made a humble apology to 20th Century-Fox for unwarranted published aspersions cast on "The Frogmen." The paper printed a sensational story characterizing the film as "an insult" and alleging categorically that no American "frogmen" took part in operations during the whole of the war. The Graphic, moreover, reported a "wave of resentment" in London against the film and that "protests" had been made at its trade showing here. Lawyers for 20th-Fox quickly told the newspaper that all those statements were untrue. As promptly, the tabloid printed a complete retraction and apology. No further action is planned by 20th-Fox, it was stated. The picture is scheduled to open here soon at the Leicester Square Theatre and will go into general release shortly thereafter. NEWS Brief in Coast Showmen Aid Israel Bond Drive San Francisco, July 9. — Local showmen who are participating in the Israel bond show at the Geary scheduled for July 12 are Abraham Berry of General Theatrical, Jack Blumenfeld and Joe Blumenfeld, Blumenfeld Theatres ; Irving Levin, San Francisco Theatres ; Hulda McGinn, California Theatres Association ; Michael Naify, Golden State Theatres; Paul Spier, Amusement Guide and Jerry Zigmond of United Paramount. Williams on His Own San Francisco, July 9. — Bucky Williams, former manager of Robert Lippert's Newsvue in San Francisco, is now a partner of the 285-seat Peerlax, formerly the New Peerless, owned by Goldberg Theatres, in Oakland. Faughnan, Downey, Seymour Partners Albany, N. Y., July 9. — James P. Faughnan, Warner Theatres upstate contact manager for 15 years, is joining forces with Francis Downey and Cy Seymour, artists in the recentlydiscontinued Warner sign shop, for a. sign business of their own. It is understood the local Warner houses will be among their clients. Faughnan closes Friday as contact manager, that being the date the accounting and bookkeeping departments are scheduled to transfer to New Haven. Woodrow Campbell, Faughnan's assistant, will become office manager and head booker of the RKO exchange next Monday. He was with Warner in Albany for 18 years. About 20 employes in the Albany and Buffalo districts are affected. Hollywood, July 9. — Richard Quine, who for the past several years has been active at Columbia as producer, director and actor, has been signed to a seven-year directing contract by the studio. The new agreement will go into effect after Quine completes direction of "Sound Off," starring Mickey Rooney for producer Jonie Taps, in August. • Chicago, July 9. — The annual sales conference of Radiant Manufacturing Co., Chicago projection screen producer, will be held Aug. 1-3 to pinpoint the complete fall and winter sales and advertising program of the company. The meeting will be held at Nippersink Country Club, Genoa City, Wis. • Cleveland, July 9. — The Variety Club has turned over the keys of its clubhouse here to its new owners, American Legion Post No. 2. Downtown hotel quarters will be established in the fall. Only summer club activity planned is the annual August golf tournament, to be held August 6 at the Lake Forest Country Club. • London, July 9. — Margaret Marshall, motion picture publicist here for leading British producers, died recently at the age of 47. She is survived by her husband, William Batchelor, publicity manager for Sir Alexander Korda's London Films, and I three young children. Wl Savage Excitement! m. IIPPERT! ""sir. New Thrills! Ravage r „ UTA BARON ^ | Amazing! Fmitm CESAR ROMERO \ ^ Hillary Brooke J Helmet Still Tops! Fun Time! ^1 Robert HUTTOH -Sieve BRODIt James EDWARDS • Richard LOO and introducing Gene EVANS ■Milan. Produced iti DirtcKC bf SitBott fallii JERRY COLONNA lean PORTER -lames ELLISON Pfcimto iod OirtdEd bj Bsn Orctoofl Jean PORTER -Tom NEAL Iris ADRIAN PindncfS by HutlJ ■ * Diftcitd by Rt[lull Ic Bo'E Now Shooting! CESAR ROMERO ■ GEORGE BRENT • AUDREY TOTTER in Rupert Hughes' "F B I GIRL" PiorJuced and Drreclcd by William Berke FOREIGN SALES DEPARTMENT: 723 Seventh Ave., New York, N. Y. CABLE ADDRESS: GILDFILMS — LIPPFILMS