Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1954)

Wednesday. December 15, 1954 Motion Picture Daily 5 Siegel Says '20^ 000 Leagues Under Sea ' (Coiifinucd from page 1") (Continued from page 1) product, Siegel said that the producers are giving more careful attention to production values and to the advertising aiid promotion of their wares. Siegel, who now heads an independent unit at Paramount, described the present film market as an "ideal situation." Studios have realized that independent producers are better bets, have more latitude in making a film at lower costs, and in turn, are more rewarding for all concerned, Siegel said. "The taxes involved for contract producers are not as high as those for independent producers whose participation deals also provide greater incentive in producing a good film with the material on hand," he said. Lauds New Media During the conference with the trade press in his Sherry Netherland Hotel suite here, Siegel, who plans to return to the Coast over the weekend, said that the improvements in CinemaScope lenses and in stereophonic sound also have been factors in bringing out the better qualitj of current releases. "If a film is a hit," Siegel said, "there is no limit to its gross. The public's selectivity in entertainment has encouraged producers to determine the subject matter of future product accordingly." Pictures such as "Three Coins," which will gross world-wide about $10,000,000, and "White Christmas," which will gross world-wide an approximate $14,000,000, attest to this, he said. "The medium, CinemaScope or Vista\'ision. is secondary," the producer stated. "CinemaScope has already proven its value at the box office, but when making a film, the story must always be considered initially," Siegel said. Also, the virtue of the spectacle in a picture is always better on a big screen and if the story is there, "you are home," he said. Sees Dearth of Top Talent Commenting on the talent problems which are confronting Hollywood, Siegel said that it is his hope that television will pro\-ide motion pictures with talent because actors have better opportunities to develop in that form. "There is enough medium talent available to studios, but not enough top flight talent." he said. "It is very difficult to find someone young with experience," Siegel asserted. He disclosed that "There's No Business Like Show Business" cost 20thFox in excess of $4,000,000 to produce and it took some five and one-half years to make. In filming the musical, Siegel said that the new anamorphic CinemaScope lenses were used. that gets ol¥ to a fast start in the opening footage, the principal characters are taken through a series of amazing experiences which, although some of them tax the credulitj of the viewer, are taken in stride. CinemaScope adds a great deal to the effectiveness of the production. It would still be an exciting picture if given only the conventional screen-size treatment, but the film takes fine advantage of the sweeping and panoramic effects provided by CinemaScope, especially in the underwater scenes. The color by Technicolor is excellent, in the interior, exterior and undersea shots. Director Richard Fleischer had a tough assignment when he tackled this production but the results on the whole, are good. The acting of the principals, while interesting, could have benefitted from more restrained direction. In fact, there appears to be a tendency on the part of each of the stars to over-act. However, it does not detract from the fascinating adventures that are woven into the story. A battle between a giant squid and the crew of the submarine '"Nautilus" probably will rank as one of the most exciting and engrossing sequences that have been filmed in many a year. The battle is staged with grim reality and tremendous suspense on a vast waterj' stage that glimmers with color as a backdrop for the harsh struggle for survival between man and monster. The all-male cast is headed by James Mason, Kirk Douglas, Paul Lukas and Peter Lorre. The story opens in 1868 in San Francisco. The shipping lanes of the Pacific are menaced by an unidentified creature which has been destroying vessels, with the result that sailors refuse to ship out. On an expeditionary ship, Paul Lukas, an authority on undersea life ; Peter Lorre, his assistant, and Kirk Douglas, a harpooner, find themselves thrown together in search of the strange monster. As is well known to readers of Verne, the monster turns out to be a submarine commanded by !Mason whose scientific discoveries could destroy the world. Douglas, Lukas and Lorre eventually become the submarine's prisoners on a global tour, permitting them to observe the wonders of the ocean's depths through ingenious diving suits and from the craft's windows. Escape comes only after ma;i)' adventures. Considerable credit must go to Franz Planer who was responsible for the unusual photography ; Earl Fenton for his screenplay and Elmo Williams who edited the vast footage. Running time, 122 minutes. General classification. National release not set. AL STEEN "SHOWPIACE OF THE EAST" FOR YOUR SCREENINGS ((^ (H* f U!l" (fffr (f^ (W* f.^, , ^ if^fr (ft* /ff* flw (ffT^i^^^j^ • Three Channel interlock projection • lernm, 171 imm g, ssmm, tape interlock • lemin interlock projection CUTTING & EDITING ROOMS AVAILABLE MOVIE. A6 THEATRE SERVICE, inc 6 .f W 54. o St N V 19. N Y . JUdion 6 0367 Says TV Industry Probes Crime Shows WASHINGTON. Dec. 14. — The television industry is considering large-scale research into the extent to which crime and horror TV programs may be contributing to juvenile delinquenc}'. This was revealed by Senator Hendrickson (R., N. J.), chairman of a Senate judiciary subcommittee studying juvenile delinquency. The subcommittee has investigated, among other items, the program content of television programs for children. Hendrickson, who leaves the Senate at the end of the year, declared that he had been "unofiicially advised that the television industry itself is contemplating significant research into the effects of certain kinds of programming." The retiring law maker urged the Senate to resume investigation next vear. L.A,, Denver, Minn. Topping UA Drive United Artists' Los Angeles, Denver and ^linneapolis branches have won the second lap of the Robert S. Benjamin Drive, it was announced by William J. Heineman, vice president in charge of distribution, and B. G. Kranze, general sales manager, who are serving as co-captains of the salute to the company's chairman of the board. The Benjamin drive will award a grand total of $50,000 in prizes to w-'nners among United Artists' 32 U.S. and Canadian branches, which are competing in three groups of equal grossing potential. Runner-up to Los Angeles in the first group is the Washington exchange, while the San Francisco branch takes third place. 'Prodigal/ 'Slipper' Tours Set by MGM Promotional campaigns utilizing a huge glass slipper and a 74-foot railroad car are being prepared by AI-G-M to coincide with the national release of "The Prodigal" and "The Glass Slipper," according to EmeryAustin, M-G-!M exploitation head. Beginning on or about Feb. 1, one of the largest rolling stock cars in operation on U.S. railroads, a 74-foot freight car, will be transformed into a combination projection room and museum to tour the country in advance of "The Prodigal" openings, Austin said. The huge 14-foot high glass slipper which was displaj^ed by M-G-M in Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade here last month will be sent about the domestic market to plug "The Glass Slipper'' in early March, he said. Wm. Harper Named FF Assoc. Producer William A. Harper has been named associate producer by Fred Feldkamp in his newly formed FF Productions. Feldkamp's independent company has scheduled two untitled features for production in 1955. Harper headed the Marine Corps photographic department on the staif of the commandant during the Korean war. More recently he has been engaged in television and commercial film production in the East. Masterpiece, AAP Sign NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 14.— Masterpiece Pictures will distribute in this territory the product of Associated Artists Productions, in accordance with a deal just signed with AAP by Milton Dureau, president of Masterpiece. Balaban (Continued from page 1) more people will pay to see it than have seen any other motion picture for several years. "Based on this highly favorable reception of VistaVision in 'White Christmas,' we believe we have a practical and economical solution to our industry's efforts to achieve the best techniques for processing and exhibiting motion pictures. We are now producing all our pictures in 'highfidelity' Vista-Msion." The letter reports the likelihood of "an acceleration in public interest and discussion about pay-as-you-see television in 1955" and that Paramount feels that the practical advantages of its International Telemeter system "makes it oustanding in the field." It also states that the Lawrence color TV tube, in which Paramount is interested, has been granted important patents and promises to make possible practical prices for mass acceptance of color TV. WB Gives *Army' (Continued jrom page 1) producers and distributors of the picture. \\'i\h the cooperation of the Arm.y and of theatre owners and their patrons throughout the country, "This Is the Army" earned in excess of $7,800,000 for Army Emergency Relief. Industry Dividends $22,747,000 in '54 From THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, Dec. 14. — Publicit} reported cash dividend payments of motion picture companies totaled an impressive $22,747,000 during the first 11 months of 1954, compared with only $18,519,000 during the like 1953 period, the Commerce Department reported. Dividend payments in November amounted to $2,533,000 compared with $1,018,000 in November last year. Commerce officials said the increase was due to large payments this year b} Columbia Pictures, National Theatres and Stanley ^^'arner Theatres. FLY B OM ARISTOCRAT OF THE AIR Direct New York • London BRITISH OVCRSEAS AIRWAYS CORPORATION Reservations through your travel agent or call B.O.A.C. at 342 Madison Ave., New York 17. N. Y., tel. MU 7-8900