Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1955)

4 Motion Picture Daily Tuesday, March 15, 1955 People H enry Pardo, formerly with Lockwood & Gordon Theatres in Maine and New Hampshire, has been named manager of the Manchester Drive-in, Bolton Notch, Conn., succeeding Sol Karp, who has gone into independent exhibition with Mike Masselli of Hartford. Karp and Masselli have leased the Baltic Theatre, Baltic, Conn., from Edward Lorch of Norwich. Ray Lathrop will manage both the Grove Theatre, Lindsay, Cal., and the Exeter, Exeter, Cal., replacing Charles Pease and Archie Clark, respectively. Both houses are owned by Westland Theatres of San Francisco. Paul Whiteman has been appointed vice-president in charge of music for Fred Astaire Dance Studios, it was announced by Charles Casanave, executive vicepresident. Albert Pickus, owner of the Stratford Theatre, Stratford, Conn., and a vice-president of Theatre Owners of America, has been invited to an atomic test at Yucca Flats next month by national CD director Val Peterson. Pickus is director of Civil Defense in Stratford. George Schaefer, distributor of "Day of Triumph," yesterday accepted a bronze plaque from the "Christian Herald," which cited the picture as its "Picture of the Month" award for May. n Donald Menasco, doorman at the Fox Theatre in San Francisco, has been appointed assistant manager of the Parkside in that city. Douglas Skene, veteran cameraman, has resigned from Associated Screen News Limited to join Davart Productions, Ltd., Toronto, a company producing television and other films headed by David Price. Edgar Smith, who has been with Florida State Teachers for the last 25 years, has been appointed city manager of the Polk and Lake Theatres in Lakeland, Fla. Tom Sawyer has been named manager of the Tampa Theatre, Tampa, Fla. Review "Revenge of the Creature" ( U niversal Pic tares) A 3-D entry is offered in this Universal release, concerning the horrors of a pre-historic half-man, half-fish, that runs (and swims) amok in civilized Florida. It is the only 3-D entry of any studio this year and smart showmen may capitalize on its uniqueness to revive interest in the medium. Whether the public will be receptive to 3-D again remains to be seen. This sequel to "The Creature of the Black Lagoon" used 3-D effects sparingly, but, for example, an extra note of horror was felt when scalyhands reached out from the screen, seemingly tipping the nose of the viewer. The theatre owner can decide whether these few moments of novelty justify exhibition in the 3-D medium, for Universal also will release this picture in its conventional form. While the picture does contain a number of weaknesses, there appear to be sufficient suspense and horror ingredients to register in most situations, especially if its exhibition is geared to a proper exploitation campaign. Shock elements on the screen appeal to many patrons and "the creature," gills and all, is shocking, indeed. The picture, in regard to the strength of its story line and production values, stacks up at par with the initial offering "The Creature of the Black Lagoon." Two young scientists capture the creature in a dark lagoon in the Amazon jungle. They bring it back for exhibition at Ocean Harbor, Fla. John Agar, a scientist, leaves his university post, to study the creature. At Ocean Harbor, too, attractive Lori Nelson arrives as an ichthyology student. The two supply the romantic element, for they study the creature by day and find their mutual interest goes beyond the creature. The half-man, half-fish, however, remains the primary source of interest, especially after he escapes his underwater imprisonment. The escape triggers many suspenseful moments, heightened by the creature's capture of the young lady scientist, who finally is rescued. Others in the cast include John Bromfield, Robert B. Williams, Nestor Paiva, Grandon Rhodes, Dave Willock and Charles Cane. William Alland produced and Jack Arnold directed from a screenplay by Martin Berkeley, based on a story by Alland. Running time, 82 minutes. General classification. For May release. MURRAY HOROWITZ Peter' Bow (Continued from page 1) formance for the March of Dimes and many people who knew Peter Marshall as pastor of the "Church of the Presidents" and as chaplain of the U. S. Senate also are expected to attend. Among those due at the premiere will be a group headed by the mayor of Glasgow, representing the city where Peter Marshall was born. Earl Wingart, 20th-Fox Merchandising manager, meanwhile, stated that the forthcoming series of 60-city previews of the picture to over 100,000 clergymen, lay church leaders and civic opinion-makers constitutes "the greatest sampling of a motion picture in the history of the film business." , Pa. Allied Meet (Continued from page 1) Salesmen's Talks (Continued from page 1) stifling their enthusiasm and destroying their efficiency by failing and refusing to accord to them the consideration commensurate with their importance to the industry." The placing of a $100 limit on the salary of a salesman would mean the decimation of its sales force and the exodus of high calibre, "hard-hitting salesmen to other fields of endeavor," Bartell said. He added that the Colosseum did not intend to sit back and let the salesmen be "strangled." Kingsley Acquires 'Court Martial' Kingsley International Pictures has concluded a deal for the United States and Canadian distribution rights to Anthony Asquith's latest British production, "Court Martial," starring David Niven and Margaret Leighton, it has been announced by Edward L. Kingsley. _ The recently completed British picture was produced by Romulus Films from the play "Carrington, V.C." by Dorothy and Campbell Cristie. Confirmation to FCC For McConnaughey WASHINGTON, March 14.— The Senate confirmed the nomination of George McConnaughey as a member of the Federal Communications Commission through July, 1957. The President has designated McConnaughey to serve as FCC chairman. He has been serving in that capacity under a recess appointment. Military Clearance (Continued from page 1) atre Owners of America, sent the letter today to Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Swan. The letter contains the industry's understanding of the plan which industry and Pentagon officials agreed, at a recent meeting, to try out for a one-year test period. Swan must clear the letter with the individual armed services before the agreement goes into effect. There's no deadline for doing this. president of the American Releasing Corp. ; Horace Adams, Allied regional vice president, and Fred J. Schwartz, of the Century Circuit, N. Y. Among the subjects to be discussed are toll TV, film rentals, product and print shortage, probable increased admission taxes and declining attendance. The Stearn Hanna Co-operative Theatre Service Corp. will host a cocktail party in the Variety Club of Hotel William Penn on Monday. A3 dinner dance at the Ankara night club will close the two-day convention on Tuesday following election of officers and a closed forum with counsel Abram F. Myers earlier that day. N. Y. Tax Bill (Continued from page 1) Anti-Trust Subpoenas WASHINGTON, March 14.— The House today gave the judiciary committee power to use subpoenas in any anti-trust investigation it carries on. Chairman Celler (D., N. Y.) has said that the motion picture industry might be one of the committee's targets later in the session. New Liebman Pact Max Liebman, producer-director of NBC-TV Saturday and Sunday "Spectaculars" has signed a new exclusive five-year contract with the National Broadcasting Co., it was announced by Thomas A. McAvity, vicepresident of the NBC television network. and for the City of New York would file a supplemental brief with the Court of Appeals. That tribunal heard arguments on March 3 in the appeal by New York City from a 3-2 Appellate Division decision invalidating collection of major breakage. Assistant corporation counsel Stanley Buchsbaum suggested to the high court that both sides be given the opportunity to file supplemental briefs dealing with the effect of the bill on the court case. TV Set Production Down in January _ WASHINGTON, March 14.— Television set production in January was down from December but above January, 1954, The Radio-ElectronicsTelevision Manufacturers Association reported. It said 654,582 sets were produced in January, a four-week reporting period, compared with 833,423 sets in the five-week December period and with 420,571 sets in January a year ago. Of the production this January, 117,095 sets, or almost 18 per cent, had UHF facilities. Republic Holders To Meet April 5 Four directors will be up for reelection at Republic Pictures annual stockholders meeting, slated to be held here on April 5, according to a management proxy statement. Nominated by management were the following directors : John Petraukas, Jr., William M. Saal, Edwin Van Pelt and Douglas T. Yates. The proxy stated that $387,275 was paid to all directors and officers for the fiscal year ended Oct. 30, 1954. Herbert J. Yates, president and director, was listed as having a remuneration of $168,886 for the fiscal year. This figure, it was added, includes $100,000 accrued remuneration for the fiscal year, payment of which is deferred pursuant to the terms of his 1950 employment agreement. Richard W. Altschuler, director and vice-president, was listed as having received a remuneration of $40,210 for the fiscal year. Fast 'Eden* Pace In Initial 2 Dates In its first two special pre-release engagements, Elia Kazan's production of John Steinbeck's "East of Eden," is maintaining the same pace for Warner Bros, as the company's current "Battle Cry," Warners announced. At the Astor Theatre in New York, where the film was world preemed, "East of Eden" grossed $40,713 in its first four days, with a $59,000 first week gross anticipated. At the Michigan Theatre in Detroit, the picture is reported to have rolled up $26,443 in its first three days, with an estimated $50,000 for the week.