Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1957)

jig.. Tuesday, July 9, 1957 Motion Picture Daily 3 Toll TV (Continued from page 1) "clear that the commission itself, is not, as yet, satisfied that an experiment will, in fact, be helpful to it in determining whether subscription television will serve the public interest." A limited test of the sort the commission seems to have in mind, the committee continued, "is not feasible" and wouldn't serve the public interest. A limited test "would not produce the data upon which the commission can authorize subscription television," the Joint Committee said. "Its only effect will be to expose the public to whatever potential harm is available from subscription television, and to permit the promoters to get their 'foot in the door' and be in a position to see that it remains firmly implanted." If a test situation is to be meaningful, the committee went on, it "would entail the very consequences that the commission desires to avoid by not issuing a full-scale experimental authorization." Yet, the committee pointed out, a full-scale authorization would "in a very short period of time, prove that pay-to-see television would be successful — from the economic vantage point of the proponents." The Xational Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters urged the FCC to seek authority from Congress "before it undertakes to sanction illegally, as we believe, a system far removed from, and actually diametrically opposed to broadcasting as it is today and always has been." The Association called pay-TV "a promotors dream which could become a public nightmare." The American has property rights in the present free television channels, the NARTB said, and authorization of subscription television on these channels without the consent of Congress would violate this right. "Temporary" authorization by the FCC, under the guise of experimentation, would be just as illegal as permanent authorization, the NARTB declared. It said that experiments conducted in some other part of the spectrum not now allocated to free television might be justified. Warners Buy ' Pick-up' HOLLYWOOD, July 8.-Warner Brothers purchased "Pick-up on Dope Street," independently made feature produced by Andrew J. Fenady and directed by Irvin Kershner, and signed both men to long term contracts. REVIEW: God Is My Partner Regal Films — 20th-Fox — Regalscope Film stories which transpire in a court room are not generally the kind that satisfy the familv audience group, but this one has redeeming qualifications. It tells of an action brought by two neighbors against a famous and wealthy surgeon to restrain him in the handling of his own money, on the grounds that he is mentallv incompetent. They prove that the old doctor has opened a bank account in the name of "Uncle Charley" —and writes checks for anyone deserving of his whim. And that he has provided a Christmas tree, in May, and given away S20 bills as gifts— and donated $50,000 to his church, because of his stewardship, with the explanation that "God is mv partner." And that he hobnobs with certain unsavory characters. Walter Brennan plays the benign old doctor, and Marion Ross is a young woman acting as the doctor's legal counsel. The rest of the cast and credits are adequate in this Regalscope film in black-and-white, released bv 20th Century-Fox. Some reviewers have regarded the picture as "a church film"— not intended for theatres, but we are of the opinion that it will bring the family audience to the movies in hundreds of situations outside the metropolitan areas and "west and south of the Hudson"—as Terrv Ramsave used to saw The producer, Sam Hersh, has a reputation for religious themes. In the story, the ladv counsellor draws out the facts of the case. The doctor did engage "Louis the Lump" to play Santa Claus, at a Christmas partv out of season, for a little bov whose dangerous brain operation had deprived him of Christmas at the proper time. "Louis" was a little inclined to be light-fingered, but he picked his own pockets to put out enough S20 bills to go around for all the crippled children in the hospital. His friend, who did a stretch in the stir with Louis, testified that the doctor had set him up in business— the first he had ever known that was "on the level," and he was paying the doctor back, a "C" note at a time. The case began to crumble and finally collapsed when the ladv lawyer called the prosecuting attorney as a witness— which the judge said was unusual, but legal. Then she asked, "Do vou belong to a church? And do you give contributions to charity ?" When he said of course he did, she asked "Why/' and that was a poser. The judge immediately directed a verdict in favor of the defendant— and dismissed the case, since the venerable physician had an equal right to bestow his own funds. Running time, 80 minutes. General classification. Release, in Julv. Walter Brooks RKO to Start ( Continued from page 1 ) who along with RKO sales executives, will supervise the distribution of the shorts through local releasing organizations in every exchange area. The same set-up is being utilized to handle a number of RKO productions not involved in the domestic distribution deal now in force with UniversalInternational. Included in the shorts is a group of four two-reelers-RKO Pathe color special, "Saga of Kittimat," and three RKO Pathe specials, "Bred to Stay," "Brokenhearted Ski" and "Polar Outpost." There are also several in the Sportscope series. Reveal 41984' (Continued from page 1) budget was before Congress, agency officials admitted spending 8100,000 to help finance an anti-Communist motion picture, but refused to reveal the name. They said the film was still being distributed overseas with telling anti-Communist effect, and tiiat to disclose the government's role in its production would permit the Communists to attack the picture and so reduce its impact. Over the weekend, however, newspaper dispatches carried the story that "1984" was the film involved, and reliable sources confirmed this fact. Long Weekend Aids Business On Broadway (Continued from page 1 ) that the film will gross $77,000 in the second week of its Broadway engagement ending Thursday. The Radio City Music Hall reported that it did a big $95,000 for the four days beginning Thursday. On July 4 receipts totaled $27,567. Also continuing to hold its own was Darryl Zanuck's "Island in the Sun" at the Roxy, where four-day receipts were $57,000. The 20th Century-Fox release pulled in $18,000 for the holiday alone. At the Paramount, where AB-PT's "Beginning of the End" is featured with a rock 'n' roll stage show, the period Wednesday through Sunday totaled gross receipts of $97,000. The theatre recorded $17,000 taken in on the holiday. As the Astor, where Paramount's "Beau James" is doing extremely well, the management reported capacity audiences for the holiday. In the entire four days the house took in $22,000. Another Paramount release, "The Delicate Delinquent" took in $6,300 on July 4 at the Mayfair and $31,600 for the six days since it opened last Tuesday. The State reported a big $23,230 gross for Hecht, Hill and Lancaster's "Sweet Smell of Success" over the holiday weekend, with a total of $35,000 or more in sight for the United Artists release in its second week there. In its fifth week at the Sutton Theatre the Rank Film Distributors' release, "The Third Key," is expected to take in $9,300, which is well ahead of the previous week. For the fourday weekend it grossed $6,500. Michigan Allied (Continued from page 1) ment. The next meeting is to be held July 17. President Milton London has named a committee to watch out for the interests of independent theatres in the film trucking field. Howard Sharpley is chairman and his fellow members are Emmett Goodrich, John Himmelein, Don R, McKenzie, J. C. Peck and Emmett Roche. William M. Wetsman has been named chairman of the 1958 convention committee. The convention is scheduled for September. THE GEVAERT CO. OF AMERICA, INC. Quality photographic materials since 189 % i l i i i i 1 1 1 1 I 1 g^GEVAEFny Jg EVAER™ /XCl^|jL*ft\ Fg evaer^ ICANADAI LIMITED 321 West 54th Street 150 No. Wacker Drive 6370 Santa Monica Blvd. 9109 Sovereign Row 345 Adelaide St.. 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