Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1953)

Thursday, May 21, 1953 Motion Picture Daily 7 Talk New Pact For E. Studio Boothmen Local No. 306, projectionists' union of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes here, will resume negotiations tomorrow on a new pact for boothmen in New York studios, screening rooms, laboratories and newsreel offices. The contract expired last September but conferences have been held periodically since then, the last meeting having been held about a month ago. Wage scale increases higher than those just negotiated for theatre projectionists are being asked for the studio operators. A new two-year contract has been closed between the IATSE local and theatres in the Metropolitan area. The contract is retroactive to Sept. 1, 1952, and runs to May 31, 1955. Under its terms, the union wins a 10 per cent increase, with the projectionists getting an eight per cent wage boost and two per cent going into the welfare fund of the local. I.F.E. Plans Release Of Four in Chicago Chicago, May 20. — In a flurry of activity I. F. E., Italian film distributing organization, will release four new features here during the next few weeks. One, "OK, Nero," will have its American premiere at the Monroe Theatre starting May 28 ; two others, "Bellissima," starring Anna Magnani, and "Times Gone By," starring Gina Lollobrigida, will have their Midwest premieres at the Carnegie and Surf, respectively, on June 5 ; and "The White Line" will follow "Bellissima" at the Carnegie for its first Chicago showing. Bernie Lewis, I. F. E. advertising publicity executive, is in town with Norman Rosemont and Allan Hodshire to set up the pre-opening campaigns on the four pictures. Meanwhile, "Anna" is enjoying an unusually successful subsequent run at the Alex Theatre, where it is now winding up after playing the house seven weeks. 'It Came from Outer Space New Film Company Files Albany, N. Y., May 20. — Top Pictures Corp. has filed here a certificate to conduct a motion picture business in New York. Principals are Gerald F. Phillips, Daniel Glass and Bernard Rothman. Suggestive Film Ads Draw London Fire London, May 20. — London's Public Morality Council, an unofficial body but with considerable authority in ruling circles, has started a campaign against suggestive and morbid film advertising which, it asserts, "does the greatest possible disservice both to the film industry and the public." The London County Council, which licenses and controls all theatres in its area, has already warned distributors and exhibitors against "gross and sensual" advertising and contemplates making an example of one or two of the offenders. (Continued from page 1) and with stereophonic sound, it was frightening enough for even hardened veterans of the technological revolution in its initial violent sequences. Later on, when a rock-slide appeared to dump huge boulders onto the audience, and repeatedly as minor incidents of conflict built interest steadily toward the climax, the picture gave observers the utmost in 3-D scare effects. But its real proof of excellence lies in the fact that suspense mounts steadily from start to finish and was not dispelled by the necessity of stopping it twice for reel changes. Richard Carlson, whose name has the best billing value in the cast, plays a scientist who, with his girl, played by Barbara Rush, witnesses the landing of a meteor-like object in a desert and, on investigation, discover that it is not a meteor but a strange shaped conveyance from outer space, bearing living beings. When a rock-slide covers the object, townspeople and police pooh-pooh their report, but as evidence mounts that strange visitors with superhuman powers are active in the neighborhood, they finally are convinced. The surprise ending that follows is for seeing, not telling. Charles Drake, Russell Johnston and Joseph Sawyer are prominent in the supporting cast. The production by William Alland is totally suitable to his subject, and the direction by Jack Arnold keeps the performances within bounds so that the story can stand on its own, as good mystery stories must. Ray Bradbury wrote the original, and Harry Essex the screen play. Running time, 81 minutes. General audience classification. For June release. William R. Weavek Blatt Elected (Continued from page 1) Norman Mervis, Frank Panapolos, Elmer Hasley, Rudy Navari, Herman Stahl and Mrs. M. A. Rosenberg, the latter being the widow of the former AMPTO president. She is the first woman to be elected to the organization's board. Si Fabian, president of Stanley Warner, was to have been the principal speaker at the afternoon session today but his plane from New York was late. Other speakers were Wilbur Snaper, president of national Allied, and Blatt. Snaper discussed trade practices and described the industry as being the "most highly disorganized business in the country." Richard Morgan was general chairman of the convention. The members saw a Cinema Scope demonstration at the Stanley Theatre. Comments indicated that they were highly impressed. Pickus Process (Continued from page 1) which stretches approximately 45 feet across the entire front of his auditorium. He said it makes the characters lifelike so that "they seem to be actually appearing on the stage of the theatre." He declined to discuss technical details nor approximate cost at this time, although, according to him, he has been "besieged with calls for information during the last two weeks." A plan is being developed for placing AMP-O-Vision on the market next month. The system, he said, can be used for all conventional films permitting any picture to grow in size. Skouras to Europe On CinemaScope Spyros P. Skouras, president of 20th Century-Fox; is scheduled to leave here by plane for Europe next week to set up Cinema-Scope demonstrations in London and Paris. Also leaving for Europe in connection with the CinemaScope demonstrations will be Murray Silverstone, vice-president, and Earl I. Sponable, director of research. They will leave separately, it is understood, and meet in Europe. Ohio Censor (Continued from page 1) rent session of the legislature, Sen. Mosher said he believes the campaign waged for elimination of the laws has been of great value and will be so demonstrated when the fight is resumed. Elimination of censorship statutes is a slow and difficult battle, it was pointed out, but many legislators and newspapers have been won to its support. The revised bill providing for exemption of newsreels from censorship is back in the state education and health committee, of which Sen. Mosher is chairman. Cinerama (Continued from page 1) wide-screen which would have less curvature than the present Cinerama screen. It was indicated that this procedure, if completely successful, could make the Cinerama process practicable for general production and exhibition use eventually. Lists Six as 'Adult' Toronto, May 20. — The title of "No Orchids for Miss Blandish" has been changed to "Black Dice," it has been revealed by the Ontario Board of Censors, which has classified the film as adult entertainment, along with "Bad Blonde," "Blue Gardenia," "The House of Wax," "Royal Affair" and "Split Second." Kodak Officers Renamed; Net Up Rochester, N. Y., May 20.— All officers of Eastman Kodak were reelected at a meeting of the board of directors held here. They included Thomas J. Hargrave, chairman ; Albert K. Chapman, president ; Donald McMaster, vice-president and general manager; Dr. C. E. Kenneth Mees, Adolph Stuber, Ivar N. Huffman, Edward S. Farrow, James E. McGhee, Edward P. Curtis, M. Wren Gabel and I. L. Houley, vice-presidents ; Archbold H. Robinson, treasurer ; David H. Fulton, J. Donald Fewster and Carl L. Stevenson, assistant treasurers ; Milton K. Robinson, secretary ; William F. Shepard and Harmar Brereton, assistant secretaries ; Cornelius J. Van Niel, general comptroller; Thomas J. McCarrick and J. Leslie Harper, assistant comptrollers. It was revealed at the meeting that consolidated net earnings of Eastman Kodak for the first quarter of 1953 (12 weeks ending March 22) were $9,916,028, up 14 per cent from the $8,697,477 for the corresponding period of 1952. Earnings were equal to 59 cents a share on the 16,555,254 common shares outstanding. Earnings before taxes were $31,275,824, up 27.5 per cent over the first quarter of a year ago. Saland Sets Up New Firm; Has 6 Films Nathan Saland, head of Mercury Film Laboratories here, has formed International Releasing Corp. and has acquired the U. S. and Canadian rights to six productions produced by William Goetz. Deals have been closed with almost 100 per cent of state rights distributors for handling the pictures regionally, Saland said. IRC also will acquire new pictures and reissue product for national distribution. The six Goetz-produced features are "Along Came Jones," with Gary Cooper, Loretta Young and Dan Duryea ; "Tomorrow Is Forever," Claudette Colbert, Orson Welles and George Brent ; "Casanova Brown," Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright and Frank Morgan ; "The Woman in the Window," Edward G. Robinson, Joan Bennett and Raymond Massey ; "It's a Pleasure," Sonja Henie, Michael O'Shea and Ma rie McDonald, and "Belle of the Yukon," Randolph Scott, Gypsy Rose Lee and Dinah Shore. The latter two are in color by Technicolor. Sam Lake has taken over the pictures for the New York exchange territory.