Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1955)

6 Motion Picture Daily Friday, January 14, 1955 S-W Net {Continued from page 1) share on the common stock then outstanding. Fabian informed the stockholders that he will recommend to the hoard of directors at the meeting to be held on Monday in New York that a dividend of 25 cents per share be declared, payable on Feb. 25. Concerning the company's Cinerama operations, Fabian said that following the world premiere of "Cinerama Holiday" in New York on Feb. 8, four more cities, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and St. Louis will open "Cinerama Holiday." The foreign reception of Cinerama, the SW president continued, pointing to the enthusiasm in London, Tokyo, Damascus, and Bangkok, "marks the beginning of the Cinerama era throughout the world." Includes Latex Operations The gross income of the first quarter was $23,320,400 as compared with $13,794,100 for the same quarter one year ago, Fabian reported. The figures lor the quarter ending Nov. 27, 1954, he added, include the operations of International Latex Corp., which was acquired on April 30, 1954. in discussing the operation of the company's International Latex division, Fabian said that the Playtex Bra, newest product added) to the Jrlaytex line, was so successful that the company is required to double its manufacturing facilities. Negotiations are being completed, he went on, for the construction of a new factory in Scotland for the production abroad of the whole Playtex line. "We look forward to the continued growth, expansion and further diversification of our company's activities," Fabian declared, adding that the company views the future with confidence. A total of 1,833,853 shares or approximately 84 per cent of the common stock was said to be represented at the meeting in person or by proxy. The amendment to the certificate of incorporation providing for two classes of directors, each class of which is elected for two years, with the terms of each class expiring in alternate years, was approved by a vote of 1,702,512 shares in favor of the amendment and 13,674 against such amendment. Directors Reelected Fabian, Samuel Rosen and David Baird were reelected directors of the company for a period of two years. Company officials present at the meeting included Fabian, executive vice-president Rosen, W. Stewart McDonald, vice-president and treasurer ; David Fogelson, secretary ; Charles Schwartz, counsel ; Harry Goldberg, advertising-publicity director ; A. J. Vanni, Philadelphia territorial manager, and Lewis S. Black, Wilmington city manager. Reviews Six Bridges to Cross ( Universal) IT took courage and a gambling spirit to produce such a picture as "Si*■ Bridges to Cross." .And the gamble and courage should pay off handsomely Here is a story almost completely devoid of romance, comedy and even drama m the accepted sense and yet is loaded with suspense, action and, at times shocking impact. It is a strange mixture of unorthodox cinematic ingredients leading up, unfortunately, to a very orthodox climax and ending. But that could not be helped. It is well known that the picture is based, factually or fictionally, on tine famous Brinks robbery in Boston just five years ago this month. Perhaps only the author, crime-reporter Joseph Dineen, knows how much of the story is true and how much is conjecture. Inasmuch as the crime never has been officially, or publicly, solved, it was only natural that an ending had to be invented. The master mind had to finish his life of crime with a bullet-punc hired body. Basically, the story traces the crime career of Jerry Florea, played by Tony Curtis in bis mature years and by young Sal Mineo as a youtn. Florea graduates, step by step, from petty thievery of fruit stands to the successful execution of the most sensational robbery in modern history. The role is tailor-made for Curtis and he performs it convincingly. But he must share the stellar acting honors with George Nader, as Gallagher, the rookie cop who befriends Horea and, in turn, is repeatedly betrayed by the hoodlum Nader's role also is tailor-made for his talents. From the time that Nader wounds the young hoodlum during a store robbery, the officer makes an earnest but futile effort to reform him. A strange friendship develops between the two after Nader gets him off on probation, in return, Mineo, and later Curtis, as Florea, serves as a stool pigeon for the policeman, the latter eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant. As the hoodlum grows in criminal stature, the friendship continues because of Nader's inability to pin specific crimes on him. It is obvious, but never proved, that Curtis is the "brain" behind the crimes that eventually lead to the big haul. And there is plenty of suspense in that episode. The behind-the-scenes activities of big city police won< is grapnically presented. There is nothing theatrical in the way the police operate in this picture. Director Joseph Pevney has done an expert job in maintaining a solid pace throughout the picture and in making the players believable characters. Aaron Rosenberg, in producing the film, selected a meaty story with powerful results. Exhibitors should be able to attract the support of a wide range of organizations in promoting the production. In supporting roles, J. C. Flippen is commendable as Nader's superior, while Julie Adams, as Nader's wife, and Anabel Shaw, who marries Curtis, turn in good performances to provide the slight romantic angles. Running time, 96 minutes. General classification. For February release. AL STEEN Wyler (Continued from page 1) "Trouble in Store" (Rank-Republic) to S-W Divestiture (Continued from page 1) to engage in production, if SW still wishes to move in that direction. The completion of its divestiture program came well before the July 4 deadline set by the Justice Department. The wind-up order entered last month allowed SW to keep three theatres the company was originally supposed to sell and set a July 4 deadline for disposing of the fourth and final theatre. THE United Kingdom's second best grossing picture of 1954, according the annual box office survey of the "Motion Picture Herald," J. Arthur Rank's production of "Trouble in Store," should keep American audiences amused and chuckling throughout at the antics of funnyman Norman Wisdom and elderly Margaret Rutherford. This British production is one of five Rank films which will be distributed in the United States by Republic Pictures. Wisdom, who was voted third place in the "Motion Picture Herald ' survey of top money-making stars in British exhibition, affords American audiences an opportunity to be entertained in "Trouble in Store" with a sock full of slapstick comedy which is expertly interwoven into the plot, in the style of the Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis screen antics. As played by Wisdom and Miss Rutherford, the latter portraying" an eccentric shop-lifter with British wit, and written for the screen by John Paddy Carstairs, Maurice Cowan and Ted Willis, this film tells its highly humorous story in a fashion which should hold an audience's attention and in turn, keep them laughing. Wisdom, a stock clerk in a London department store, has a heart of gold under a frenzied clumsiness which is his standard equipment. Only his girl sees him as he is — a man with great ambitions to be a window dresser. The store's director at first is unaware of the human booby-trap in the stock room, but in short order gains knowledge of Wisdom's good-natured, but disastrous doings. Flung into these elements is an elaborate plot to rob the store during a gigantic sale which affords Wisdom a desperate and all-out attempt to get back into the good graces of the boss. Others in the cast are Moira Lister, Lana Morris, Derek Bond and Jerry Desmonde. "Trouble in Store" was produced by Cowan and directed by Carstairs. Running time, 85 minutes. General classification. Release in January. L. D. along with producer-director Billy Wilder to multiple-picture contracts which will continue over a period of years with each having a participation in the profits of his respective pictures. Wyler, preparing to return to Hollywood over the weekend, said that [lis first film for Paramount, "Desperate Hours," which stars Humphrey Bogart and Fredric March, Hearing completion in the cutting and editing rooms, is the first VistaVision product to be produced in black and white. Each Will Make Three Under his agreement with Allied Artists, Wyler, along with Wilder and producer director John Huston, will produce a total of nine films, three each, for the company. Allied Artists, under the contract with Wyler, will finance the productions. Johnston Hails (Continued from page 1) of the world. If Japan's economy is to stand on its own, international trade must be liberalized ; tariffs must be reduced in our country and elsewhere." Johnston, who recently returned from a trip to the Far East, including Japan, cautioned that "one-sided trade can lead only to economic disaster." "There are many things that Japan wants and needs to buy from us," Johnston said, "but it can't even continue its present level of purchases from us unless we, in turn, take its products in much more substantial amounts. One-sided trade can lead only to economic disaster. Reciprocal trade brings mutual advantage." epic will 'Unchained' to Bow CHINO, Calif., Jan. 13. — The world press premiere of "Unchained," Warner Bros.' will be held in the California Institution for Men here, the location and background on the book, "Prisoners are People," written by the Institution's warden, Kenyon J. Scudder. K.C. Proclamation KANSAS CITY, Jan. 13.— M-GM's "1955 Motion Picture Theatre Celebration" was officially acknowledged today by Mayor William E. Kemp of Kansas City in a proclamation issued to William Gaddoni, manager of M-G-M's activities in this city. 'Scope Treatment For 'Alexander' 'Alexander The Great," the motion picture spectacle which star Richard Burton, Fredric March and Claire Bloom, will be filmed in CinemaScope and in color by Technicolor, United Artists announced. The Robert Rossen production will be the sixth United Artists release be filmed in CinemaScope. The first was "Sitting Bull," released several months ago. Currently in production in CinemaScope are "The Kentuckian," starring Burt Lancaster ; "Gentlemen Marry Brunettes," starring Jane Russell and Jeanne Crain, and "Beast of Hollow Mountain," with Guy Madison and Patricia Medina. About to go before the CinemaScope cameras is "Desert Sands," starring Ralph Meeker and Maria English. British and 'Time' Laud 'Animal Farm' Louis de Rochemont's "Animal Farm," animated cartoon with color in Technicolor, was hailed by critics at its opening in London, according to reports received at the de Rochemont offices here. The cartoon version of George Elwell's satire on Russian totalitarianism, which is now in its third week at the Paris Theatre here, received also an accolade in this week's issue of "Time Magazine," which pointed out that the film proved "that animation can cope with serious subjects as well as with slight ones."