Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1955)

VOL. 78. NO. 122 MOTION PICTURE DAILY NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28. 1955 TEN CENTS C & C Head Says: Fox Setting Up TV Sales Unit For RKO Films Features, Shorts Are Available Immediately By LESTER DINOFF The features and shorts acquired by C & C Super Corp. from RKO Radio Pictures are available for immediate distribution to independent and some network television outlets, according to Walter S. Mack, president of C & C Super, who yesterday disclosed that Matthew Fox is now in the process of setting up an organization which will handle the domestic and foreign sales of the films. Mack said that the RKO Radio pictures "which will be released in an orderly fashion" will be sold by (Continued on page 6) See Price Cut For TV Film The immediate sale of the RKO Radio Pictures film library to U. S. and Canadian television outlets "may I drive television film prices down" ! even lower than they now are, a top television film executive declared here yesterday in commenting on the Matthew Fox-C. & C. Super Corp. deal with the film company. "There is a great demand for new (Continued on page 6) SAG Requests Titles Of RKO C&C Films From THE DAILY Bureau HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 27.-In a move to determine the production tiates of the 740 films acquired by C & C Super from RKO Radio Pictures, the Screen Actors Guild today requested RKO Radio for the complete list of titles. The guild's basic contract with producers provides additional payments ! For performers in television films I made subsequent to Aug. 1, 1948. Commerce Report Lists Motion Pictures With Nation's Top Industries in 1956 From THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.— The motion picture industry was included among the most virile of the nation's industries in a year end report prepared by the Industry Divisions of the Commerce Department's Business and Defense Services Administration for Secretary of Commerce Weeks. The reports were the most optimistic in some time, predicting that the industries surveyed, motion pictures among them, will show gains or will hold their 1955 high levels in the New Year. In discussing the film industry, named as one of 25 major industries of the U. S. which will continue operating at or close to peak level through the first half of 1956, Secretary Weeks stated that the increased production of motion pictures and the growth of theatres, particularly drive-ins, is expected to maintain theatre gross receipts in 1956 at the 1955 level, estimated at $1,300,000,000. Commenting on the electronics industry, Secretary Weeks said that the production of products in 1956 is expected to reach an all-time high around $6,800,000,000 at factory prices in comparison with an estimated 1955 figure of $6,300,000,000. N. Y. Film Critics Golding, Hutner in Name 'Marty' Best Goldwyn Changes "Marty," United Artists, was selected as the best picture of 1955 by the New York Film Critics here yesterday, making their 21st annual awards. The best actor award went to Ernest Borgnine for his role in "Marty," while Anna Magnani won top honors as the best actress for her role in "The Rose Tattoo." David Lean was chosen the best director of the year for his assignment in "Summertime." For the first time in any category, there was a tie for the best foreign import of the year, with the honors being shared by "Umberto D" and "Diabolique." David Golding, director of advertising and publicity for Samuel Goldwyn Prods., who has divided his time heretofore between the com No Fire Violations Found in 12 Theatres A clean bill of health was given to 12 New York City motion picture theatres which were inspected by the Fire Department yesterday, according to Commissioner Edward F. Cavanagh, Jr., who reported that of the overall 121 theatres inspected in the city thus far, 55 were found to have violations. Commissioner Cavanagh, in reaffirming his intention of having every theatre in the city inspected, indicated that the violations found thus far have been corrected already. "These inspections," he said, "demonstrated that the owners of motion picture theatres have been awakened to the responsibility they owe to their highly profitable patrons." David Golding Meyer Hutner pany's East and West offices, will in the future make his permanent headquarters on the West Coast, James A. Mulvey, president, annouced here yesterday. In consequence of the arrangement, (Continued on page 2) Tent 35 to Install Officers Jan, 9 The annual installation of officers of Variety Tent No. 35 will be held at Toots Shor's restaurant on January 9. At the luncheon, tribute will be paid to Retiring Chief Barker William J. German and the new chief barker, Harold J. Klein, and his crew. George C. Hoover, International Chief Barker, will be the installing officer. Matches Forecast IV way Grosses Hit Holiday's Merry Level Music Hall Sets Pace With Healthy $188,000 By MURRAY HOROWITZ Business along Broadway here took sturdy strides on die diree-day Christmas weekend, starting the holiday period on a healdiy box-office upswing, as expected. Pacing Main Stem business was die Radio City Music Hall, featuring "Kismet" on its screen and the Hall's traditional Christmas show on stage, with a lowering $188,00 forecast for die diird week of die screen-stage package, ending tonight. A tremendous $108,000 is seen for (Continued on page 7) Dates Set for 13 By RKO RKO Radio Pictures has set release dates for 13 features, three of which are re-releases, during the first four months of the new year, Walter Branson, vice-president in charge of distribution, said yesterday. Dates for the releases are: Jan. 11, "Glory"; Jan. 18, "Postmark for Danger"; Jan. 25, "Cash on Delivery"; (Continued on page 2) Global Premiere Set For 'Helen of Troy9 From THE DAILY Bureau HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 27.-Jack L. Warner yesterday announced the first global premiere in motion picture history will usher in Warner Bros.' CinemaScope production of "Helen of Troy" in WarnerColor before a firstnight audience of more than a half million people in more than 50 nations around the world on Jan. 26. The simultaneous premiere will be staged in more than 130 foreign cities in addition to the first U. S. showings of the picture.