Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1954)

4 Motion Picture Daily Tuesday, July 13, 1954 Rank (Continued from page 1) readi' filled their renting-books. The gap was filled partly with increased booking of British films ; partly with French films which hitherto would not have stood a chance of a Rank booking. One of the latter — "Wages of Fear" — has gone round the Odeon circuit with immense success. With an eye obviously on the impending Anglo-American monetary agreement talks in Washington in September, Davis returns to his earlier plaint of unfair discrimination against British films in the U. S. Speech Misunderstanding '.'You take out of Britain at least $22 millions a year", he tells America. "Yet the results of our films in America are still disappointing. We are even told the accents of our players are not understood by Americans, _ but Hollywood is using the same British actors and actresses we use in our films with no special voice training". Joan Greenwood, Peter Finch and Peter Ustinov are cited as among the latest British stars to go to Hollywood for film-making. HERE'S GOOD PRESS RELATIONS: EDITORIAL PROMOTES PICTURES MEMPHIS, July 12. — When a newspaper gives its lead-off editorial to space advocating attendance of motion picture theatres, that's news. The Memphis Press-Scimitar expressed its sentiments in an editorial which was placed ahead of political and international comment. Under the heading of "Let's Go to the Movies — Five Good Ones Downtown," the editorial stated: All five of Memphis' downtown, first-run theatres are featuring first-rate films. Loew's State has that screen classic, "Gone With the Wind," whose appeal has not diminished one whit in the 14 years since it was first presented. The Malco, with "Garden of Evil" filmed in Mexico, and Loew's Palace with "Three Coins in the Fountain" filmed in Italy, are offering magnificent CinemaScope views of the world we live in. The Strand is rocking with laughter inspired by Danny Kaye's antics in one of his best comedies, "Knock On Wood." And the Warner's long suit is excitement as passengers and crew of a crippled airliner face an uncertain fate in "The High and the Mighty." Memphis' response to all these films has been such that, for the first time in recent memory, all five downtown theatres are holding their current attractions over for a second week. Have you been to the movies lately? This is a good time to go. RKO Radio {Continued from page 1) sistant to the president, and Perry Lieber, national head of advertising, publicity and exploitation, are attending also. In addition to the 18 Disney Technicolor cartoons, the shorts schedule, as prepared by Sidney Kramer, short subjects sales manager, lists 13 Sportscopes and 13 Screenliners, both onereelers, from RKO Pathe. Two-reel subjects from Pathe include eight specials, one "Football Highlights" and one "Basketball Highlights." RKO Radio will re-release the following two-reel subjects: six Leon Errol, six Edgar Kennedy, two Ray Whitley and two My Pal. Film Bows Tomorrow The first feature in RKO's new releasing schedule, "Susan Slept Here," will have its world premiere in San Francisco, at the Golden Gate Theatre, on Wednesday. Attending this fourth regional sales conference, for the Western division and the remainder of the Rocky Mountain branches, are J. H. Maclntyre, Western division sales manager, and A. L. Kolitz, Rocky Mountain district manager. Branch managers from the areas who are present are Seymour Borde, Los Angeles ; Joe C. Emerson, San Francisco; Richard H. Lange, Portland; Eddy A. Lamb, Seattle ; Gif¥ Davison, Salt Lake City, and Marvin Goldfarb, Denver. 3 American Films At Venice Festival HOLLYWOOD, July 12.— Four films have been selected to represent the U. S. at next month's Venice Film Festival, with two of the four coming from Columbia Pictures. "On the Waterfront," a Sam Spiegel production for Columbia release, has been added to the original trio of American pictures announced for the competition. "The Caine Mutiny" is the other Columbia entry with M-G-M's "Executive Suite" and 20th Century-Fox's "Three Coins in the Fountain" rounding out the list. Spiegel recently flew to Italy and personally showed "On the Waterfront" to festival authorities, who put it on the list of American films. Ordinarily, only three films are permitted to be entered by each nation. 'Victory at Sea* In Invitational Premier More than 100 naval, military and civilian notables attended the invitational premiere of "Victory at Sea," the United Artists release, at the Trans-Lux 60th St. Theatre here last night. The National Broadcasting Co. Film Division's production will have its New York premiere at the same house today. Among the military men present at the invitational premiere were Fleet Admiral William F. Halsey, Admiral John J. Towers, Vice Admiral Laurence T. DuBose and Brig. IGen. David Sarnoff, chairman of the Radio Corporation of America. Joining the notables at the premiere were some 200 enlisted members of the Navy stationed in the New York area. Rear Window^ ^ {Continued from page 1) Marks 35th Anniversary HARTFORD, July 12.— Hugh J. Campbell, manager of the Central Theatre, West Hartford, Conn., is marking his 3Sth year in the industry. ALWAYS COOD! 1327 S. Wikuli ChiuKa, III. S30 Ninlli Alt. N» Yoik, N. Y. and a pair of honeymooners. From his rear window across the way, Stewart studies these people through binoculars. He observes a quarrel between the jewelry salesman (Raymond Burr) and his invalid wife, followed by several excursions of the husband with a suitcase, the wrapping of a saw and the sudden death of the birdwhistler's dog after it becomes too curious about the courtyard garden. Stewart concludes that the wife has been chopped up and buried in the flower bed. Lisa Fremont (Grace Kelly), a Park Avenue beauty who loves him, finds the murdered woman's wedding ring, the needed proof. The killer catches her signaling Stewart who has frantically phoned the police. Aware of his pursuer's whereabouts, Burr crosses over to his apartment. Unable to get out of his chair, Stewart flashes blinding red camera bulbs in Burr's face. Nevertheless, the murderer reaches Stewart, upsets his wheel chair and pushes the agonized victim out of the open window. His fall is broken by police below, sufficiently to save his life. There are plenty of potent exploitation angles in addition to the stars' and producer-director's names. Accordingly, the box office prospects for this one are exceptionally bright and it should enjoy long and satisfying runs in theatres of every description. Credit Hal Pereira with his theatrical looking set ; it tightens the story, enclosing the action without smothering it. And of course there is always the Hitchcock-directed camera, never idle but constantly interested. John Michael Hayes wrote the screenplay from a story by Cornell Woolrich. Hitchcock produced as well as directed. Running time, 112 minutes. General classification. For release in September. R. G. Arbitration (Continued from page 1) ferences and will resume discussions tornorrow. There appeared to be an indication that faster progress will be made in drawing up a plan than was first anticipated. While no date was set for the submission of a completed draft to the general arbitration committee, there was some hope expressed that it might be available by Aug. 1. Submit to Government If the formula is approved by the committee and the exhibitor organizations involved, it may be that the format can be submitted to the Department of Justice by early September. Arnall (Continued from page 1) in entering private film agreements with foreign governments containing subsidy payments and thereby to arrogate unto itself the control, domination and monopolization of the American export film business. "The terms, conditions and contents of the so called MPEA-French film agreement, including covering letters, collateral and oral understandings, working arrangements and subsidy provisions as well as their legality or illegality and their propriety or impropriety." Arnall, in a letter last week to Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, asked the State Department to make a study of the MPEA's agreement with France. Eric A. Johnston, MPEA president, in a trade press conference last week, denied that that new two-year agreement with France includes a subsidy payment. "I do not consider any payments we have made a subsidy," Johnston said when questioned about the first Arnall letter. "We have made a settlement of all disputes outstanding," he said. Stock Sales (Continued from page 1) ing 400 shares of Paramount Pictures common, dropping his holdings to 24,500 shares, while Austin C. Keough increased his holdings by 100 shares to 500. Harry Cohn sold his remaining 400 shares of Columbia Pictures preferred, while Jack L. Warner bought 3,100 shares of Warner Brothers Pictures common. His holdings now total 274,899 shares in his own name and 13,400 in trust accounts. WANTED An outstanding first-run 2 or 3 reel short subject to play with The N. Y. Premiere Engagement of "THE COWBOY" starting Monday, August 2nd at The Baronet Theatre, N. Y. C. Phone, write or wire: JACK P. HARRIS. Walter Reade Theatres, 701 Seventh Ave., N. Y. 36, N. Y. Circle 5-5250