Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1956)

Friday, July 20, 1956 Motion Picture Daily Preminger review: TOA Forum (Continued from page 1) i world-wide search for a new young liictress to portray Joan of Arc in his forthcoming United Artists film ver|ion of Bernard Shaw's "Saint Joan. Speaking informally at a press conference in New York on the eve of his departure for London, Preminger |;pecified that the girl must be in the il6-to-22 age bracket and should be English-speaking. He added that he had definitely committed himself to basting an unknown in the title role. Motion picture theatres, he said, would be given an opportunity to participate in this joint producer-exhibitor effort to satisfy the repeated pemand for new stars, and he emphasized his confidence that this method would uncover a young actress with the necessary qualities to portray Shaw's "Saint Joan," by general agreement one of the greatest Iranian's parts in the theatre. Will Start Immediately I The search, Preminger said, would [pegin immediately as a world-wide lontest. United Artists plans to enlist the aid of film theatres here and libroad to designate a "Saint Joan" Iveek during August. During this [period the search will be advertised |>n screens and in lobbies, and over one million entry blanks will be Imntecl. Candidates, according to the |)lan, will forward questionnaires Ivith photographs to Preminger's Hollywood office. In September the prollucer-director plans to travel to a llozen cities in the United States and Ihree in Canada, to hold auditions. Irhe search in Europe will follow a corresponding pattern, with lieadIjruarters set up in London, he said. Test in Hollywood or N. Y. The 50 most promising candidates emerging from the search will be wrought to Hollywood or New York or screen tests to be directed by limself, Preminger added. Tests of iome five finalists will be shown on i national tv program, to allow for he widest possible participation by he public. The test of the winner, he final choice for "Saint Joan," will )e shown throughout the world on •he screens of all participating theares. Preminger added, "It is my hope hat all five finalists will have an >pportunity to figure as important ilm personalities in the future, as expect to encounter more than one promising personality during the ourse of my search, and all can be itilized." O'Donnell Reports (Continued from page 1) ione during the previous two months, .lay and June. He said that the "big business" can ie attributed to quality product such S "Moby Dick," "Trapeze," "That Certain Feeling" and "The King and O'Donnell said that the month of .ugust is certain to be another "big The Naked Hills Ul Hollywood, July 19 Joseph Shaftel, who produced, wrote and directed this screenplay from a story by Helen S. Bilkie, has delivered an excellent character drama of the early gold rush days in California in 1849. The story, built on one man's determination to strike it rich, at the risk of losing the love of his family and friends, develops a realistic view of the wastefulness of time some undergo in trving to reach that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Audiences will find absorbing portrayals in highly individual performances by David Wayne, James Barton, Keenan Wynn, Marcia Henderson and Jim Backus. Filmed in Pathecolor, the well-paced story sustains interest throughout as it establishes David Wayne's madness for gold. He is willing to part company with Denver Pyle, his boyhood friend, who made the trip west with him, in exchange for a quick route to success with Keenan Wvnn. This success backfires when he learns that Wynn is a claim jumper in the employ of Jim Backus. Still determined, he decides to try his luck with Jim Barton, an inveterate prospector, despite the pleas of Marcia Henderson, his pregnant wife, to stay and make a success of farming. Barton is killed in a mine cave-in just as Wayne discovers a rich gold vein. When Wayne returns to his wife who still loves him, despite his vears away in the hills, he is again frustrated in his hope for success, as he finds Jim Backus has outsmarted him in laying claim to the rich portion of the gold strike. Wayne's determination again drives him into the hills. This time he doesn't return until he's a beaten, broken old man; but his wife and grown son still carry a strong feeling for him and take him back. Herschel Burke Gilbert has written an imposing musical score for the background. Running time, 73 minutes. General classification. Release, in Julv. SAMUEL D. BERNS (Continued from page 1) jection of creative thinking for the development of new and original perceptions, the theatremen attending the meeting will thoroughly discuss current proven activities which might have been successfully in use in one locale and completely unknown in another. The TOA official, stating that the reception to this forum has been most enthusiasic, said that the meeting, which will be attended by between 40 to 50 exhibitors, will delve into new product presentations, new challenges, new sales methods in concessions, and new approaches to ticket selling. Prominent Executives to Attend Among the theatremen attending the showmanship meeting will be: Douglas Amos, Myron N. Blank, Joseph Emma, Edward Fabian, Harry Goldberg, Marvin Goldman, Alex Halperm, Philip F. Harling, Herman Hunt, Tom Jones, Dave Jones, George Kerasotes, Nathan Lapkin, Walter Morris, Robert Moscow, Carl L. Patrick, Albert Pickus, Abe J. Piatt, Henry Plitt, Walter Reade, Jr., Samuel Rosen, Joseph Rosenfield, Ed Ruben, Thornton Sargent, Edwin Silverman, Philip Smith, Jr., Stellings, Dave Wallerstein, Dan Wilkinson, and Claude Mundo and Joseph Alterman of TOA's New York office. Boston Permit (Continued from page 1) cil a license fee of $300 annually for Sunday licenses. The present rate for theatres is $10 weekly or $520 a year. Although this represents a reduction of $220, Frank Lydon, executive secretary of Allied Theatres of New England, vigorously opposed it on the grounds that it is still excessive and contrary to a previous supreme court decision. Lydon submitted a substitute ordinance for the consideration of the Council in the amount of $50 per year for Sunday license. One of 319 Suggestions The mayor's Sunday theatre license fee is one of 319 proposals in his effort to net $300,000 additional revenue for the city. Lydon appealed to the Council to make his substitute ordinance a separate one to be made effective as soon as practical. The committee on ordinances now has the matter under consideration but it is too early to predict the outcome. No changes were proposed in )Mayor Hynes's program for weekday license fees for theatres which remains at $100 per year. business" monh for Texas Interstate Theatres due to the product which will be available then. O'Donnell said that he will leave New York over the weekend for Washington to help further the tax campaign. YOU WOULDN'T LET A PLUMBER TINKER WITH YOUR CAR! Your car plays a vital part in the life of you and your family. You wouldn't dream of letting a plumber tinker with it. So, too, your sound equipment is the most important property in your theatre. It deserves the expert technical attention only ALTEC can give it. 6,000 satisfied ALTEC SERVICE customers have learned this. HOW ABOUT VOU? 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