Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1955)

6 Motion Picture Daily Wednesday, March 23, 1955 National Pre-Selling ii TP AST OF EDEN," the new Warner Bros, production, has been selected by "Look" for the "Movie Review" department of the issue now on the newsstands. Two half pages are devoted to an especially well written review which should create a desire with many "Look" readers to see this picture when it comes to their locality. An eye catching, full color page ad on UI's "Man Without A Star" also appears in the issue. • "American Weekly's" issue of March 20 has a striking color ad on 20th Century-Fox's "A Man Called Peter." This picture will have its premiere here March 31 at the Roxy Theatre. • 20th Century-Fox is grooming Sheree North for stardom in "How To Be Very, Very Popular," replacing Marilyn Monroe. "Life" has given considerable help to Fox in this venture. The editors of "Life" have placed Miss North on the full color front cover of the current issue in addition to devoting five pages depicting how the studio is preparing her for stardom. Also in the issue is a pictorial story of a religious film entitled "Day of Triumph." It was produced by Dr. James K. Friedrich. • To determine the readership of advertisements in the January issue of "Coronet," a survey was made by Daniel Starch. The findings of the survey were as follows : The UI ad on "So This Is Paris" was the best read ad in the whole issue, including the back cover. It was noted by 51 per cent of the male readers, 52 per cent of the women, "Read-Most" by 21 per cent and 26 per cent respectively. • "Woman's Home Companion's" recommended pictures for April include: "Cinerama Holiday," "Interrupted Melody," "Captain Lightfoot" and "Black Tuesday." • The front cover of "Parade's" March 27 issue is devoted to Grace Kelly, star of "The Country Girl," and Judy Garland, whose latest picture is "A Star Is Born." These stars are tied in with a four-page story in the issue on the annual Academy Awards which will be announced next Wednesday. • Florence Somers of "Redbook" has reviewed "East of Eden," "The Glass Slipper," and "Fuget's Budget" for the April issue. • "Movie Prevue," the fan magazine published monthly by Stephan L. Saunders of the Carmel Theatre, Carmel, N. Y., has changed its format to a handy five-by-seven-inch pocket size, starting with the May issue. The 66-page book features reviews and articles on stars and production. The new issue is distributed by American News Co. and will go on sale April 1 on newsstands throughout the country. Saunders said the exhibitors wishing to subscribe for themselves or their managers should address him in care of his theatre. • "A Man Called Peter" will be awarded the "Parents" magazine A Man Called Peter 9? (Continued from page 1) upon to preach the higher values, but to transfer those sentiments — to be realistic — into dollars and cents at the box-office might have posed a problem if 20th Century-Fox hadn't done a gigantic pre-selling job. The smart exhibitor will follow the showmanship pattern laid down by 20th-Fox in attracting the interest of the ministry and obtaining its valuable support and backing. This picture requires specialized and individual handling so that word-of -mouth can do the rest of the job effectively. It took courage to produce "A Man Called Peter" and the net result should be profitable to both distributor and exhibitor. It is big, elaborately mounted and powerful in its impact. The central theme, frankly, is off-beat as pictures go. But even though it is factual, it has all the elements of romantic fiction, with overtones of humor and considerable pathos. It's the type of picture that should give new prestige to an industry that needs new friends, especially on a front that has not been over-friendly. The entire cast turns in excellent performances under the capable direction of Henry Koster. Richard Todd as Peter Marshall registers with a poignant and warmly human portrayal of the man called by God to preach the gospel as he interpreted it. Jean Peters as his wife is equally effective. As to synopsis, a herald prepared by 20th-Fox adequately sums it up : "This is a story about love . . . and strangely enough it begins in the obscurity of the Glasgow docks with a little boy and a dream. This is the story of Peter Marshall who came to America as a young man . . . and who was destined to become an inspiration to millions upon millions the world over. This, too, is the story of a girl named Catherine who fell in love with him. Together, no matter where they went — from the small towns of Georgia and New Jersey to the windswept beaches of Cape Cod . . . from the great cities of Atlanta, Birmingham and Annapolis to the nation's capitol, theirs was a romance that touched eternity." Others who give outstanding performances are Marjorie Rambeau, Jill Esmond, Les Tremayne, Robert Burton, Gladys Hurlbut, Richard Garrick, Gloria Gordon and Bill Chapin. Produced by Samuel G. Engel in color by De Luxe from a screenplay by Eleanore Griffin, the picture should have profound appeal for all age groups. Running time, 119 minutes. General classification. For release in April. AL STEEN Hirschhorn Dead (Continued from page 1) adelphia exchange where he rose to sales manager of the office in 1951. In 1954 he was promoted to manager of the New Haven office where he served until his death, at the age of 48. Prior to his employment at 20th Century-Fox, Hirschhorn was affiliated with Eagle-Lion Films and Monogram Pictures. During World War II he served with the United States Navy. He is survived by a wife, Catherine. To Cite Paramount (Continued from page 1) of "Strategic Air Command" at the Orpheum Theatre here on Friday before an audience of military, civic notables, and 100 newspapermen, magazine writers and photographers and radio and television commentators who are being flown to Offut Air Force Base, by the United States Air Force for special briefings on the structure and plans of the Strategic Air Command. TNT Terms (Continued from page 1) went to TNT; from $3.50 to $4.00, $1.75 went to TNT ; and on tickets of $4 and over, $2 went to TNT. Nathan L. Halpern, TNT president, could not be reached for comment yesterday on the report. Medal Award as the outstanding "family movie of the month" for April. "Interrupted Melody," "The Tiger and The Flame" and "Captain Lightfoot" are reviewed in the April issue of "Seventeen." WALTER HAAS Bingo Bill (Continued from page 1) in favor of the "quicker approach," via a bill removing the present penalties for playing bingo), had considered the adverse effect of legalization "on the amusement business." Senator Horton also emphasized the opposition by business and othei groups to the legalization of bingo, which he held to be morally wrong. The debate ranged over the moral, legal and financial aspects of bingo and its legalization. Senate Majority Leader Walter J. Mahoney, Buffalo Republican, in closing the argument, declared that the very "difference of opinion, intellectual and moral" expressed by sincere-minded senators was further proof the proposal should be _ referred to the public for its decision. Sees 'Gimmick' Involved He called attention to the fact "bingo can be legally played in this state. If you doubt this, look up the Court of Appeals case in The People vs. Schaefer. There is a 'gimmick' involved, but the game can legally be played." Several Western New York theares experimented with bingo under the conditions fixed by the state's highest tribunal. The measure passed today — a companion is pending in the Assembly — would have to be adopted by two consecutive legislatures before going to the public in a referendum. It could not be approved before November, 1957, with the necessity of local option act, could not come into effect before 1958. The bill carries out a pledge in last fall's Republican state platform. 'Purple' to Capitol "The Purple Plain," starring Gregory Peck, will have its New York premiere on April 9, at the Capitol Theatre on Broadway. TV and Radio in HOLLYWOOD By SAMUEL D. BERNS EMMY ECHOES: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will have to top the "Emmy" Award night on the same NBC network for its finals March 30, for the best show in the interest of entertainment. . . . Following the Emmy network presentation there was an hour-and-aquarter break at the Moulin Rouge before KRCA continued with Danny Thomas m.c.-ing the balance of technical and local personality awards for the Pacific Coast Timers. . . . Danny was genuinely thrilled with the "Best Actor in a Series" and "Best Comedy Show in a Series" awards. . . . Incidentally, Alan Lipscott and Bob Fisher, one of TV's most prolific writing teams, created 37 of the scripts that helped bring Danny and "Daddy" the awards for the second consecutive year. . . . Lunching at the Brown Derby, Don DeFore, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences president told us the ATAS membership will reach 2,500 by the end of the year. "Tugboat Annie" may become another name for Charlotte Greenwood if the film series gets under way. . . . Anne Jeffreys and Bob Sterling have been offered the leads for a Marcel Hellman Technicolor musical, "On Wings of Song," to be made in England this summer. . . . "Passport To Danger," a Rabco (Roach and ABC) production, was sold by ABC distributors to KCOP, a channel competitor to its own outlet in L. A., before the rating was established. . . . Sobey Martin, who started directing the "Passport" series after a year with "Paris Precinct" in France, counted 180 halfhour dramatic shows to his credit and is now looking for a breather with a full length feature assignment. Not only has TV invaded Hollywood's motion picture personnel, but business and industrial film producers are also sticking their thumbs into the theatrical film brain pie. The latest plum to be pulled out is a specialist known in motion picture circles as Al Vaughan. H i s career as an adverti singpublicity director has been linked with such names as Sam Goldwyn, Walter Wanger, and recently Rosalind RussellFred Brisson's Independent Artists Pictures. Al will now be identified as public relations and sales head for Raphael G. Wolff of Hollywood, New York, Chicago, and Detroit. The Wolff Studios produce sales, salestraining and public relations films for top national organizations. Al Vaughan