Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1955)

6 Motion Picture Daily Monday, March 7, 1955 German Says {Continued from page 1) the average two years ago. In addition to the increase in the number of prints for domestic use, German said that there has been quite a boost in the number of prints processed in the U. S. for abroad over the past few years due to the growing utilization of color and the lack of color laboratory facilities abroad. On the question of whether there is a print shortage, German pointed out that distribution argues that one does not exist. Certainly, he added, the print situation is not related to the supply of raw stock, stressing that "we have no shortages of any kind." Turning to the affairs of W. J. German, Inc., he forecast that 1955 will be a banner year for the raw stock business, topping the record year of 1954. German, who recently returned from an extended trip to the Coast, said he based his prediction of a banner year on two factors : €J[ There will "definitely" be more pictures produced in Hollywood by major studios and independents this year than last ; <]] There will be more "big" pictures, which run longer and require more footage. Asked about the supply of raw stock in reference to 20th CenturyFox plans to shoot in 55mm., German said as yet he had not explored the question with 20th-Fox officials. Given "sufficient time," German expressed assurance that his company would be able to supply 20th-Fox with 55mm. raw stock, adding" that by "sufficient time" he meant a number of months rather than days. Myers, Shor (Continued from page 1) means of survival in the present highly-competitive market. Regarding rentals, Shor emphasized the need for checking on exchanges through printed forms listing" companies as "the three treating you best" and "the three treating you worst." Exhibitors cannot continue to absorb losses, he said, they must unify and fight in order to be guaranteed fair terms. There were 114 delegates registered for the morning session, a rather poor showing which was attributed to bad weather. Election of officers will be held by mail this month. Eric Johnston to Ask Trade Pact Extension Special to THE DAILY _ WASHINGTON, March 6.— Motion Picture Association president Eric Johnston is expected to submit a statement to the Senate Finance Committee early this week urging extension of the reciprocal trade program. He submitted a similar statement to the House Ways and Means Committee. Johnston is just back from several weeks in the Near East as the President's personal representative and from a week in New Orleans as host to a conference aimed at spurring" investment in Latin America. MPAA officials said as far as they knew, Johnston would stay put for a while, spending his time here and in New York. Holly wood Bu Samuel D. Berns^— FRANK O. PINYONS: The government will discover in "Assignment Children," Danny Kaye's film contribution to UNICEF's cause, more power than the H-bomb. Government subsidy for more good-will films of this nature would prove the film industry the greatest public relations instrument for the promotion of world peace and understanding". Hollywood has the brains to develop and deliver such understanding to the world through the common denominator of perception — a picture. . . . With D. O. Selznick, Lucy and Desi, and now Irving Berlin considering an indie deal with MGM, looks like all of the majors are widening the studio gates to welcome to the fold the top independent packages. Norman Corwin is working on the screenplay of "Lust For Life" that will paint the romantic life of the Dutch artist, Vincent van Gogh, on a colorful MGM canvas. . . . Jane Withers comes out of retirement for one of the leading roles in Warners' "Giant," which George Stevens is directing and producing in association with Henry Ginsberg. . . . The start of another important package: Writer F. Hugh Herbert and director Mark Robson co-producing their film version of the European stage hit, "The Little Hut." It will no doubt be made abroad with a combination of American and British players. . . . Solly Baiano will be "beating the bushes" for sources of new Warner Brothers talent in a nationwide search. . . . Kirk Douglas adds a feather to his cap, signing Andre de Toth to direct "The Indian Fighter," Bryna's first United Artists feature. INCIDENTALLY : Walt Disney, recipient of more azvards than anyone else in Hollywood, on receiving an honorary life membership plaque together with a director's chair with his name embossed in leather at the annual Screen Directors' Guild dinner, told everyone he was a frustrated director. He came out in the early 20's primarily to direct a film. He was to report on a Monday. The studio burned down on Sunday in one of biggest fires in the history of Hollyzvood, and he's been waiting for that opportunity ever since. Corriganville, the 2,000-acre movie ranch, has been leased by Herb Ebenstein's Outdoor Amusements Corp. The place will still be used for outdoor location shooting but will have a face-lifting change that will put it into the important Amusement Park class. . . . There's more than 200 G's tied up in story costs alone for Rita Hayworth's return in "Joseph and His Brethren." . . . Jerry Fairbanks is shooting the commercials for Oldsmobile which will be featured on the "Oscar" telecast over NBC this month. . . . Johnny Green is breaking in a possible lecture tour on the making" of motion picture music, with Andre Previn playing piano selections from their MGM film scores. George Sidney now looks like one of his own leading men with all that weight off. He's thrilled with the megging assignment of "Tea And Sympathy" on the home lot after he completes his MGM loanout to Columbia for "The Eddie Duchin Story." . . . Fred Quimby put "Hi Fi Feline," a new Tom and Jerry cartoon on the drawing boards, to vie for the same honors won by his "Cat Concerto" and "Johann Mouse." . . . Harriet Parsons wanted "The Rainmaker" for RKO but Hal Wallis stepped in with a reported third of a million bucks to weather the storm. . . . SMOKE RINGS: Richard Conte favors Allied Artists' "The Big Combo" zvith the same character styled in Warners' "New York Confidential." . . . Karen Sharpe, WayneFellows protege, the pretty honeymooner in "The High and the Mighty," zvas borrowed by Sam Goldwyn, Jr., for a top role in "Deadly Peacemaker," his first UA release. Coincidcntally, Jan Sterling, zt'ho is fingertips away from the Oscar for her supporting role in "The H. and the M," has the co-starring spot opposite Bob Mitchum in the "Peacemaker" project. And Mitchum zvas picked for the lead when he and W ayne-Fellozvs called it quits in San Francisco. That's our merry-go-round for today. Oboler Sues AA on Gulu Corp* Interest HOLLYWOOD, March 6.— Arch Oboler has filed in district court here a suit against United Artists seeking $102,116 assertedly due him as balance of payment for general and limited interest in Gulu Pictures Corp., owner of the production "Bwana Devil." Miss Than in D.C. WASHINGTON, March 6.— Win Min Than, Burmese beauty who plays opposite Gregory Peck in "The Purple Plain," was scheduled to arrive here today for several days of personal appearances and press and TV interviews in connection with the film. AFM Seeks Relief From 20% Levy Relief from the 20 per cent Federal amusement tax was requested at the weekend by James C. Petrillo, president of the American Federation of Musicians, in an open letter to President Eisenhower. Petrillo, in asking for relief from the levy, credited the "revival" of the motion picture industry to the 10 per cent reduction granted on theatre admissions by Congress. "My deep concern is, of course," Petrillo said in his letter, "the socalled amusement tax which remains at 20 per cent. This applies in all cabarets, hotels, roof gardens, etc., where live musicians perform." Petrillo also suggested formation of a United Nations orchestra. In the THEATRE Equipment & Mtefreshwnent World . . I • • with RAY GALLO WALTER FUTTER.. New York, has announced projection lenses of speeds f/1.7 and f/l.S, with the latter in both standard and 4-inch barrels. Focal lengths in the standard diameter are 2 to 3ji inches in J^-inch steps. Those in the larger barrels will be available in focal lengths of 4 through 6^5 inches, with delivery starting May 1st. Lenses of speed f/1.7 are in standard barrel only, with focal lengths from 4 through A2/*, inches. Later in] the year this speed will also be available in sizes from 2 through 3fi inches. • "Burger-Mat" is the name of a new automatic, infra-red broiler designed to cook four hamburgers and toast four buns within two minutes. It is made by the BurgerMat Corp., Brooklyn, N. Y. and was created expressly to broil hamburgers without smoke or odors in the eating area. The unit is designed for counter display; it has a flasher sign and numerals to indicate the price of the hamburgers. • Further for refreshment service, Kestenbaum Brothers, Nezv York, have announced a line of fruit syrups for non-carbonated water beverages. Trade-named "Esco," the syrups arel made from fresh fruit and require only} the addition of water. Flavors available include orange, grape, pineapple, papaya and coconut. • Large automatic film rewinders ac-j commodating 3,000 feet of black andj white 35mm film on reels with aj diameter as large as 18 inches have, been marketed by Goldberg Brothers, Denver. The rewinders can also be' adapted for 35mm film on reels 15'i inches or smaller as well as for 16inch. • Automobile "rain guards" made of canvas are announced by KleerView, Portland, Me. For use at drive-ins on rainy evenings, the "guards" are 4 feet long and 5 feet wide. They are attached to the autos by steel rods equipped with rubber suction cups which are latched onto the fenders. A metal clasp fits under the rain drip mouldings, and adjustable straps complete the fastening. "Doc" Faige & Associates, New York, has been namied national distributors to theatres of the "Activeaire Electric Tozvel," manufactured by Activeaire Devices, Inc., New York. Plans call for sales in each film territory to be handled by local dealers. The line consists of two models, Standard and DeLu.ve. Both have a hot-air hand drying unit, but the latter has in addition two GE ultra-violet ozone lamps, a deodorant block, and an insect-repellent.