Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1956)

4 Motion Picture Daily Wednesday, November 28, 1 Teleuision Today No MeL&r' I w«»«»)»M,i«»r»»n,rr:rr«««>nr:«r(;tc:x.-a:-.:nc:n«^x M , — »s«sgS8«a*S88«sa (Continued from page 1, See 'Independent Producer' Extending to TV Market By CHARLES S. AARONSON The concept that television may yet have the "independent producer" practice which is currently an integral part of theatrical motion pictures was put forward yesterdav by Joel Spector, producer and packager of the uniquely "The Stingiest Man in promising Town." The show, which is a musical version of Charles Dickens' immortal "A Christmas Carol," will be telecast over the NBC network from 9 to 10:30 P.M., EST, Sunday evening, Dec. 23, and will be sponsored by Alcoa. It will occupy the regular one-hour Alcoa time and preempt the half-hour Loretta Young show which normally follows. Signed for Four Years The novel thematic idea and execution are the work of Janice Torre, who did the book and lyrics, and Fred Spielman, the composer. Mr. Spector, across an Astor luncheon table yesterday, outlined his belief that there is an important field for the "independent," who will devise and carry to conclusion his concept outside the orbit of the network. In the instance of "The Stingiest Man," on which the principals worked for a year and a half, the show as such was sold, after completion, to Alcoa officials, who were sufficeintly impressed to take options for four subsequent live showings at Christmas time for the next four years. If the show in December is considered successful, consideration will be given to implementing optional contractual arrangements for a Broadway stage play, next spring, and a theatrical motion picture, both backed in whole or in part by Alcoa. Of interest and a degree of amusement is the fact that the record album for the show is a Columbia Records publication, of a show to go out over NBC. Theatrical Enterprises, Inc., is Mr. Spector's administrative factor. Cast Is Impressive The strong cast of "Stingiest" includes Basil Rathbone, Patrice Munsel, Vic Damone, Johnny Desmond, Robert Weede, Martyn Green, and the Tour Lads. Dan Petrie directed the production. It is in the interests of television and all entertainment that new approaches be launched to advance the art-industries. Mr. Spector's conception, in format and in administrative operation, will bear watching. B&K Station Moving CHICAGO, Nov. 27.-Three top floors of the State Lake Building are being renovated for B & K's TV station, WBKB. When the move is made by WBKB in the spring, the building will be renamed the ABC building. CBS-TV Spot Sales Top 19 55 By 21 Per Cent Total billings of CBS-TV spot sales are 21 per cent higher in 1956 than in 1955, according to John A. Schneider, general manager of spot sales, in his opening remarks at the third annual general managers' meeting yesterday at the Savoy Plaza here. The increase is much higher than the 12 to 15 per cent predicted at the previous year's meeting, Schneider reported. Television is primarily responsible for the growth in variety of items available to consumers, Schneider declared, by creating a demand for new developments over the past six years. He foresaw a continuing growth for television spot advertising in 1957, but felt that the percentage would be less than the 1956 figure. KTVW-TV Takes RKO Feature Film Package SEATTLE, Nov. 27.-A 740-feature film package has been acquired from RKO Radio Pictures for $900,000 by KTVW-TV for television showing, it was announced by William Veneman, general manager of the station. The RKO package, title "Movietime, USA," includes most of the Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers musicals as well as several films produced after the 1948 cut-off date. Olympics to WPIX Richard Carlton, vice-president of Trans-Lux Television, has announced the exclusive sale for the official Olympic games telecast to WPIX. The station will carry six half-hour film programs covering in entirety the Olympic games from Melbourne, Australia, with a commentary by Tom Harmon and on-the-spot interviews by Bob Mathias. Melnick Named at ABC Daniel Melnick has been named manager of program development for the ABC-TV Network, it was announced yesterday by Robert F. Lewine, vice-president in charge of programming and talent for the network. Melnick's initial assignment will be to assist in the development of contemplated "live" daytime network programming, Lewine said. ( Continued from page 1 tion site; and approved a resolution recently passed by the Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio convention calling for more family pictures. The board of directors' position on a merger with TOA, on which there has been considerable speculation recently, was clarified in a statement issued by Shor after the board met Sunday, yesterday and this morning. Complete Merger Seen Unlikely Unofficial convention opinion is that an outright merger is not likely because each organization apparently feels the danger of losing its identity. In addition to the difficult problem of selecting a president and setting the policies of a combined organization, there is worry on Allied's part that some of its trade practice complaints might be submerged. Present economic conditions in the industry, however, make continued and enhanced cooperation between the two almost inevitable. It is considered possible that if a working cooperative arrangement can be made in the future, a full-time executive would be engaged to be a spokesman for all American exhibition. Undecided Regarding Committee On the appointment of an arbitration committee, Shor said that because of his definite retirement as Allied president on February 1, he was uncertain whether he would appoint the committee now or leave it to his successor. The decision on the 1957 convention site will be made after Shor confers with TESMA officials in New York. The report of the Emergency Defense Committee was delayed to await the recommendations of the film clinics which will be held Wednesday and Thursday. In a report on equipment standardization filed by Hugh McLachlan, chairman of the committee, it was said that exhibitors may proceed with modernization or the purchase of new equipment now without too much fear that new developments will make their use impossible. Dallas Mayor Represented The convention opened today with an official luncheon. Julius Gordon, Rube Shor and Ray Miller of the Mercantile Bank, representing the Mayor of Dallas welcomed delegates at the first business session at which Roy Kalver made the keynote speech. Following the keynote address in an open forum discussion Milton London, Michigan Allied, recommended better public relations and better relations between distributors and exhibitors. Elmer Huhnke, Iowa-Nebraska, discussed the problems for exhibitors created by consolidation of film exchanges and warned against increased costs. Col. H. A. Cole drew attention to the serious "film transportation problem," asserting that costs would double for the average exhibitor if railroad TEDA Plans Convention With TESMA Next Year DALLAS, Nov. 27-The The; Equipment Dealers Association, wf will not participate in the Noveml 1957 industry trade show in Mia will hold a concurrent convenl elsewhere sometime in Septeml 1957, with the Theatre Equiprr and Supply Manufacturers Asso tion. The city and exact dates are determined as yet, according to Colvin, executive director of TE] Legion Hits ( Continued from page 1 ) Christian and traditional standard: morality and decency." The Legion also said: "Altho this film is an obvious violation of spirit and purposes of the Motion ture Code, it, nevertheless, bears Seal of Approval of the Code Aut ity. The subject matter of the indicates an open disregard of Code by its administrators." Warners' Reply ( Continued from page 1 ) has been shown at special preview leading creative talent of theatre screen, to exhibitors and to repre: tative members of the press and v ous organizations eliciting hii favorable reaction. "These advance comments accl 'Baby Doll' as a motion picture wl in story, direction and acting prov superior adult entertainment We pect that the public will concur x these authoritative opinions." The Kazan statement said "I rr 'Baby Doll' as I saw it. I did best I could to get on film whi felt in the South. Not the way th: should be. Not the way they will so day be. But the way they appef to me there and then. I wasn't | ing to be moral or immoral, c truthful. I did the best I could, I like the film as is. I have no inl tion of being pressured. I cut own films with the help of a good i editor of my own choosing. As the judgment of the Legion of \ cency, I think in our country all p pie finally will and should judge themselves." Taylor Mills, public information rector for the Motion Picture Asso tion in New York, issued the foil ing statement on the Legion's nouncement: "The Production C Administration obviously feels 'Baby Doll' meets the requiremt of the Code or it would not have sued a seal to the picture." express instead of truckers were us M. K. McDaniel, La Marque, Te: wanted to know why distributors not have representatives present. S said they were welcome if t wished to come. William Carroll, Indiana, asked hibitors not to book prints so cl as to require use of bus delivery stead of the less expensive truck