Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1955)

4 Motion Picture Daily Monday, January 24, 1955 Myers Review (Continued from page 1) the Constitutional rights of others, is now determined to deny free speech to the theatre owners, there must be a reason which has nothing to do With the law or with the facts," he declared. "The timing of the motion, in view of a recent announcement that the trial had been postponed until next September, indicates a purpose to afford Commander McDonald ammunition for his propaganda campaign for toll television. Predicts Failure of Move "As a result of action taken in New York on Wednesday, however, the misrepresentations and distortions of fact in the pro-toll-TV propaganda will be exposed. McDonald's dream of hustling through approval of toll TV before the public can be ac HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 23. — Feb. 7 has been set by Federal Judge Harry C. Westover for hearing on the Government's motion for permission to amend its complaint in the 16mm. antitrust suit to include as coconspirators the Council of Motion Picture Organizations, Allied States Association, Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatre Owners Association, the Independent Theatre Owners Association and the Pacific Coast Conference of Independent Theatre Owners. The latter organization has been out of existence for many years, but, according to Assistant U. S. Attorney James McGrath, it was named in order to make its actions admissible as evidence in the trial, which has been scheduled for September. if quainted with the facts will be shattered, and this assist from the Department of Justice will do him little good." Commenting on the Justice Department's action, Harry Brandt, ITOA president, said : "The government knows that it has no basis for a suit and I do not know what foundation it has to list the trade associations as co-conspirators in the 16mm. suit. We have never even been served with a notice that it plans to include us as a defendant." The reported plan of the Department of Justice to amend its 16mm. complaint to include the Council of Motion Picture Organizations and others brought a denial of conspiracy charges by Robert Coyne, special counsel for COMPO. "I am very confident," Coyne said, Admission Prices Dipped in Late '54 WASHINGTON, Jan. 23. — Motion picture admission prices in major cities declined during the month to mid-December, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. In its consumer price index for last month, the BLS said the drop was due to the "return to regular prices after showings of special features in a number of cities." Jupiter's Darling (M-G-M) (CinemaScope) Hollyivood, Jan. 23 PRODUCER George Wells has set a new pace for the 2.55 to 1 ratio with a spectacular musical that has the flavor of a three-ring circus, the magnificence of a colorful pageant and the kind of entertainment that will turn "Jupiter's Darling" into an exhibitor's darling at the box office. It's loaded with satirical fun and lyrical music, giving its stars, Esther Williams and Howard Keel, a field day in a baiting romance that dates back to 216 B.C., when Hannibal made his historic march on Rome. George Sidney supplied a masterful touch in directing the humorous Dorothy Kingsley script, which is based on Robert E. Sherwood's play, "Road to Rome." His supervision of the underwater ballets and a thrilling underwater chase, involving Miss Williams, is a mark of achievement for the star, the director and the technical crew. These underwater sequences will undoubtedly prove worthy contenders for recognition in the current derby of features exploiting "wet footage." Marge and Gower Champion add to the levity of their roles by scoring admirably in an exciting dance number with real elephants. It brought showstopping applause from the audience attending the preview at the Egyptian Theatre. George Sanders as Fabius Maximus, dictator of Rome, is provided with a chucklesome role, laboring under the delusion that the fascinating Miss Williams, his betrothed, is sincerely in love with him, while she is secretly sharing romantic interludes with the barbaric Carthaginian, Hannibal (Keel). The latter's rendition of "I Never Trust a Woman," serves to establish his relationship with Miss Williams. He loves her, yet mistrusts her, in the belief she is using her wiles to ward off his attempt to attack the vulnerable Rome. Aroused by her escape from his camp, where she was held captive, Hannibal decides to move in on Rome with his army, and storm the gates with his "well-trained" elephants. Fabius tosses a flag of truce at Hannibal, but loses Miss Williams when he feigns martyrdom, agreeing to leave with Hannibal (her true love), thereby saving the city. Adding choice moments of fun in their costumed roles are Richard Haydn, William Demarest and Evelyn Varden. The film is in color by EastmanColor. George Wells produced. Running time 95 minutes. General audience classification. Release in February. SAMUEL D. BERNS 'Fortune' (Continued from page 1) Small's 'Brass Ring' No 20th Toll TV To United Artists tion states. "Some exhibitors are screaming about shortage of product, but for producers tine 'scarce,' big screen, 'big' picture is a bonanza bigger than their dreams." "The present upsurge of the movies is not merely a recovery," the writer observes; "it is a major boom." Y. Frank Freeman, Paramount studio head, is quoted on the fewer-butbigger production policy; Alfred Starr of Nashville and Leonard Goldenson, head of American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres, on the product shortage. Goldenson thinks "not only that there are too few little pictures, but that the business could use twenty-five more big pictures. He believes they will soon be supplied." Arthur Krim, president, and Robert Benjamin, board chairman, United Artists, describe their company's procedure in backing independent producers and their reasons for maintaining a release schedule approximately twice as large as that of some other major companies. Milton R. Rackmil, Universal president, voices his confidence in the industry and relates the success the company has had with "small" pictures and unreduced production schedules. It is an understanding, concise presentation of the industry's current position and should be exceptionally informative to most members of "Fortune's" audience. S. K. Edward Small's "The Brass Ring," on which production is scheduled to begin early next month in Hollywood, will be released by United Artists, it was disclosed here yesterday. Anthony Quinn, Farley Granger and Anne Bancroft are starred in the picture, which will be directed by Maxwell Shane. "that there has been no conspiracy on the part of this organization. COMPO is in the public relations field and could not be involved in the controversy." Emanuel Frisch, president of the Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatres Association, said that a statement at this time would be premature, preferring to wait until details had been received. He said an official association statement would be made when its members knew the specific charges. Harry Arthur Says SCTOA Could Not Be Involved HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 23. — Commenting on the Justice Department's move to include the Southern California Theatre Owners Association in its 16mm. anti-trust suit complaint, Harry Arthur, president of the group, declared: "I have not been notified of any naming of SCTOA as coconspirator, and I have never heard the 16mm. case, nor anything relating to 16mm. films or their uses, mentioned in any SCTOA meeting, nor even by any member of SCTOA individually, in or out of meetings." Arthur added that he could not think of any way in which his organization could be considered involved in any aspect of the government's suit. Stand to FCC With the 16mm. suit pending against 20th Century-Fox and other distributors. 20th-Fox lawyers think it unwise for the company to express its feelings about toll TV to the Federal Communications Commission, Al Lichtman, 20th-Fox distribution director, declared here at the weekend. Lichtman reiterated his company's belief, however, that the future of motion picture producers is tied in with the theatres' future. And, Lichtman went on, 20th-Fox feels that there is no outlet to match the theatres. Lichtman referred to the 16mm. suit filed by the Department of Justice now pending in the Federal court in Los Angeles, alleging a conspiracy to deny films to television and other outlets. Grainger in Havana, Mexico Sessions HAVANA, Jan. 23.— J. R. Grainger, president of RKO Pictures, and Walter Branson, worldwide sales manager, held sales meetings here at the weekend with Michael Havas, RKO's Latin America supervisor, and local sales personnel. Before coming here, Grainger held a series of meetings with exhibitors in Mexico City in connection with "Underwater !". Following the Havana meetings, Grainger will stop off in New Orleans and Dallas on his way back to Hollywood. Toll TV Not Reached By the FCC Friday WASHINGTON, Jan. 23. — The Federal Communications Commission spent all Friday discussing budgetary problems and didn't reach the subscription television issue at its meeting, according to reliable reports. Officials indicated the commission will probably meet every day this week in an effort to dispose of the subscription TV issue and several other controversial problems which have been awaiting action for some time. Dineen Hosts Press Joe Dineen, author of the "Collier's" story on which Universal's "Six Bridges to Cross" was based, will hold a press breakfast this morning at the Delmonico Hotel. Schaefer Retained For 'Sabaka' Sales George Schaefer has been retained as producer's representative for United Artists' "Sabaka," it was announced by Francis M. Winikus, national director of advertising, publicity and exploitation for UA. No Conspiracy of Scarcity: 'Fortune' Exhibitor contentions that the current shortage of product could be attributed to a conspiracy of producers are dismissed as "unrealistic" in the report on the industry in the February "Fortune" magazine. It points out that during the war, prior to divorcement, producers "followed exactly the present pattern of reducing output as business improved." It concludes: "A genuine shortage is not apt to last long in American business if there is a way of filling it profitably."