Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1954)

6 Motion Picture Daily Monday, July 19, 1954 Israel in Move to Stimulate Industry TEL AVIV, Israel, July 18.— A bill aimed at boosting the Israel motion picture industry has been passed by parliament. Here are its main provisions : Film programs of 90 minutes or more must include an Israel newsreel. In addition, picture houses must perform locally-made films four hours each week and more if the weekly average of performances increases. The main stipulation, aimed at stimulating local production, is that exhibitors will not be compelled to show newsreels older than 90 days or other films older than two years. To benefit under the law, newsreels must total a minimum of 250 meters, out of which 200 should reflect matters of public interest. Also, 80 per cent of a film must be developed and processed in the country. Certain foreign-made pictures can be shown provided they have been processed in Israeli studios. 2 'Kings' Premieres Seven Hours Apart The world premiere of M.GM's "Val ley of the Kings" will be held in New York and Cairo seven hours apart, Wednesday evening, the company announced at the weekend. In New York the film will open at the Plaza Theatre, with box office receipts to be turned over to the School of Archaeology of the University ot Cairo. The Cairo premiere will be at the Metro Theatre and the audience will include local dignitaries. Reviews "The Diamond Wizard" (Pallos-Unitcd Artists) A SUCCESSFUL low budget picture is always welcome, but one that looks and sounds its cost has little to recommend it. Acting and photography are routine and the direction, Dennis O'Keefe's first effort, lacks distinction. It was made in England for 3-D but is being released in 2-D. O'Keefe, also the film's star, plays a T-man who goes to London and with the help of Scotland Yard inspector, Philip Friend, searches for the slayer of his buddy, killed while trying to thwart thieves who have stolen $1,000,000 from the U. S. Treasury. Their London cohorts plan to give them flawless synthetic diamonds in exchange. At the Yard he meets Margaret Sheridan, who does not know that her father has been forced to produce the synthetics. When the wild-haired wizard rebels, Margaret is intercepted and both are locked in the vault of a one-time brewery, now turned laboratory. Here the intended 3-D effects of the hissing cauldrons and the flashing lights and sparks of the control booth lose some of their effectiveness in the standard film. O'Keefe rescue the pair while the ringleader is destroyed in the flames. The cast also includes Alan Wheatley, Francis De Wolff and Eric Berry. The screenplay is by John C. Higgins. Steve Pallos produced. Running time, 83 minutes. General classification. Release date, not set. "Betrayed (Continued from page 1) those of Allied armies. Gable is a Dutch agent who falls in love with Miss Turner. After several exciting and realistic battle sequences the group learns that it is suffering extraordinarily high casualities because of a spy in its own ranks. Gable is assigned to uncover the agent. He at first suspects Miss Turner but, after several escapades and a great deal of observation, he learns that Mature is the guilty one. In a stirring climax. Mature is shot when he tries to escape capture and Miss Turner returns safely to Gable from behind the German lines. Gottfried Reinhardt directed from the screenplay by Ronald Millar and George Froeschel. Walter Goehr wrote the score. Running time, 108 minutes. General classification. For release, Sept. 3. FRANCIS BACKILMAN CRASHOUr We plan shortly to put into production a new featurelength black and white motion picture, "Crashout," starring William Bendix, Arthur Kennedy, Robert Strauss and other stars to be announced. It will be directed by Lewis R. Foster and has been written for the screen by Lewis R. Foster, Hal E. Chester and Fred Freiberger. It is the story of six convicts who crash out of prison and leave a trail of blood and violence across the countryside. At this time we are soliciting offers from theatres to play this picture. Upon telegraphic request, we will air-mail the synopsis of this story. We plan to release this picture on or about November 15, 1954. Any theatre operator who is interested in playing this picture should write us prior to August 2, 1954, making an offer to license the picture for exhibition. In such offer he should identify the theatre, giving its seating capacity, and state the terms he offers for playing the picture in such theatre. If any offer so made is acceptable to us we shall advise the theatre operator and send him our usual form of picture licensing agreement incorporating the terms of such offer, within the period of ten (10) days. FILMAKERS RELEASING ORGANIZATION 233 South Beverly Drive Beverly Hills, Calif. COMPO Ad Reprints E & P Editorial The 21st in a series of COMPO ads in Editor & Publisher, which was published Saturday, reprints an editorial from that publication which raises the question as to why newspapers give free space to television, the papers' competitor, while applying a penalty advertising rate to theatres, which do not compete with newspapers. Headed "The $64 Question," the editorial says : "The manager of a group of moving picture houses presented a $64 question recently when he asked California admen why they give free space to television listings while charging movies premium rates for advertising. A show of hands at the meeting indicated about half of those present accept local theatre ads at the local rate, the other half getting a premium rate. "The big' question," the editorial continues, "involves two questions : should newspapers be giving radio and television, competitors for the advertising dollar, a free ride in program listings ; should newspapers be charging local theatres, which do not compete for advertising, premium ad rates ?" Baron to Portland PORTLAND, Ore., July 18.— A W. Baron, Warner Brothers salesman, has joined the Portland sales staff. He was for a number of years located in San Francisco. He replaces Carl Miller, who transferred to the San Francisco office in a sales capacity. In the THEATRE Equipment A Reireshwnent World . . . 9 • with RAY GALLO T ITERATURE describing a com-L' plete line of "Standard" multichannel and single-channel sound systems designed specifically for small theatres has been sent up by the Westrex Corp. Last month the company announced similar equipment for theatres of large seating capacity. The new "Standard" systems include the "R9" reproducer for multi-channel magnetic sound and the "Integrator" for Perspecta (multi-channel optical) Sound. Also included are the "A116" power amplifier ; the "T604-A" preamplifiers; and the "33" cabinet assembly, which includes a muting amplifier for auditorium speaker control in addition to the four magnetic pre-amplifiers and switching arrangements. The Westrex "Standard 38" cabinet provides for three-channel or four-channel magnetic or optical reproduction, self-contained monitoring and non-synchronous and emergency switching facilities. Stage loudspeakers assemblies are also available, including the "L8" at a minimum cost ; the "L9" for somewhat larger theatres and the "TSOIA" at somewhat higher cost than both. • The nine shades of "Lustra Double-Duty" fluorescent lamps are described and illustrated in a new brochure, "A Miracle of Light," issued by Lustra Corporation, Brooklyn, N. Y. The brochure presents the company's expanded fluorescent lamps line and, in addition to general lighting information, contains suggested applications for each of the nine fluorescent shades. • "The Cadet" is a new dispenser for non-carbonated beverages (see photo) designed ns a siiinJlcr size coinpanion model of the "Cascader" manufactured by the Frigidrink Dispenser Co., Chicago. Both disp e n s e r s are equipped for illuminated cascading action of the beverage for counter display. The new unit's capacity is six gallon's, and it has a J4 ^^-P hermetically sealed compressor. All working parts are easily accessible for cleaning. The unit is 16 inches in diameter and stands 25 inches high. • _ Arthur C. Bryan has been appointed vice-president and general manager of consumer products and William H. Feathers, vice-presidetit and general manager of industrial products of the National Carbon Co., a division of the Union Carbide and Carbon Corp., according to an announcement by A. S. Johnson, president. The Cadet