Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1958)

6 Motion Picture Daily REVIEW: The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw 20th-Fox — CinemaScope Placing a "tenderfoot" from 19th Century England into the middle of the wild and wooly American West is the merry conceit that has inspired "The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw." This playful notion has been developed for plenty of laughs in the script, and the inspiration has fortunately extended to the casting of the two principal roles. There could have been no better choice for the part of the transplanted Englishman than likeable Kenneth More. He has the ability to maintain complete aplomb without becoming stuffy no matter how absurd plot complications are. And whoever had the idea of obtaining the services of Jayne Mansfield to enact the dance hall girl the hero falls in love with deserves an extra month's vacation with pay. Miss Mansfield, who could become the Mae West of her generation, uses her Amazonian proportions to create a hilarious caricature (rough exterior; heart of gold within) of all the flashy females who ever flounced around in frontier saloons on the screen. And it is not only such barroom entertainers who come in for gentle ribbing in this amiable spoof of western films. Just about every cliche of the genre is struck at before Arthur Dales, who wrote the script (from a story by Jacob Hay) is through. The targets are hit, too, with sufficient regularity to assure all types of audiences of a most entertaining time. The aim of the script is especially sure and steady in an early scene in which More, who is actually the owner of a failing gunsmith business in London, arrives in Fractured Jaw and is mistaken for a ruthless gun slinger. When, through a lucky accident, be bests some tough guys who challenge him, it becomes perfectly natural— by the rules of this script— for the mayor to appoint him town sheriff. In actuality he can't even shoot a gun properly, so this leads to another funny scene in which he is given instructions in the art by Miss Mansfield. And there is also plenty of amusement in the consequences of his involvement in a ranch war between the "Lazy S" and the "Box T." At the end these two feuding groups join forces to try to wipe out the new sheriff, but he and his girl are rescued at the last minute by an Indian tribe he has befriended— in the equivalent of the arrival of the marines. Under the direction of Raoul Walsh the action moves briskly, and a good cast supports the stars. It includes Henry Hull, William Campbell, Bruce Cabot and— in a brief glimpse at the beginning— Robert Morley as an English squire. Incidentally, although the picture was photographed in Spain and England's Pinewood Studios, the settings as well as the Indians look like the real thing. Photography is in CinemaScope and color by De Luxe. Daniel M. Angel produced. Running time, 103 minutes. General classification. Release, January, 1959. Richard Gertner Scores Horror ( Continued from page 1 ) gion of Decency office in New York City as "a very valuable book to have as collateral reading in this work (reviewing) during an address at the New York State Chapter, I.F.C.A., triennial convention in Academy of the Holy Name (Saturday). Mrs. Looram's topic was "How Legion of Decency Reviewers Rate Pictures." Discussing the present emphasis on "horror," which the speaker characterized as "a menace," Mrs. Looram said that the trade papers are complaining about this." "In the Nov. 8 edition of the Motion Picture Herald," she commented, "the editor is talking about mail that comes to him from all over. He cites as an example a letter from Cliff Rank 'Night' to Open At Criterion Dec. 17 The Rank Organization's "A Night to Remember" will begin its American premiere engagment at the Criterion Theatre here on Wednesday, Dec. 17. The film will be presented at the Criterion on a reserved seat policy. Elliott, Evansville, Ind., exhibitor, who said, 'Horror, crime and sex— a lousy way to make a living'." "There are many of these exhibitors," continued Mrs. Looram, "exhibitors who want no part of this ghoulishness." There has been "a great increase" in objectionable advertising of films, Mrs. Looram reported. "Even decent pictures are being advertised to indicate viewers are going to see the worst pictures on earth." Television Today Telestar Sets 3 Sales Divisions; Names Rohrs Telestar Films has established three sales divisions, each to be headed by a vice-president, it was announced by David Savage, executive vice-president. At the same time he reported that John P. Rohrs has been appointed vice-president in charge of the company's Central Division, effective immediately. Rohrs, who will headquarter in Chicago, formerly was vicepresident and midwest sales manager of Gross-Krasne, Inc. Bernard L. Schubert, president of Telestar, and Savage, currently are interviewing top industry figures for the unfilled eastern and western vicepresident positions. ABC Primary Affiliates Meet Here Tomorrow Primary affiliates of the ABC Television Network will hold a one-day meeting here Wednesday, it was announced by Alfred R. Beckman, vicepresident in charge of ABC-TV station relations. This regular fall meeting of the group will be held in the Sheraton NTA Appoints Four to Station Sales Dept. The national sales department National Telefilm Associates' own< and operated television and radio st tions has expanded its operations wi the addition of four new account e ecutives, David Polinger, the depai' ment's general manager, has al nounced. The new account executives, Lav] rence Gershman, John Fernande Marshall Karp and Peter Yaman, W' handle national sales for NTA statio in the New York metropolitan are WNTA-TV and WNTA AM & I and its television outlet in Minnean lis-St. Paul, KMSP-TV. Gershman 1, been associated with NTA for the pa year. Before assuming his new duti he was assistant to Ted Cott, vic president in charge of NTA's broa casting properties. Fernandez, Karp and Yaman we formerly with Adam Young, In station representatives. East Hotel and will be devoted to d fill cussion of current network progrc > , and plans for the 1959-60 televisiij ■■<< season. kii Brynner to Take Over Power 'Solomon' Role From THE DAILY Bureau HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 17-"Solomon and Sheba," the picture in which Tyrone Power was enacting a starring role when he died of a heart attack Saturday on the set of the film in Madrid, will have to be virtually made over, according to Edward Small, producer. Yul Brynner has been signed to take over the Power role and will leave for Spain at the end of this week. The decision to eliminate Power's scenes was made by Small after consultation with director King Vidor in Madrid. "Solomon and Sheba" is being made for release by United Artists at a production budget of $5,000,000. Tribute to Zukor A tribute to Adolph Zukor, chairman of the board of directors of Paramount Pictures, as a pioneer of the motion picture industry was the inaugural feature of Martin Starr's new Hollywood commentary program last night over radio station WABC, New York, and the American Broadcasting Company network. Mother of Mort Sunshine Funeral services were held on Monday for Mrs. Sadie P. Sunshine, 70, mother of Mort Sunshine, editor of the Independent Film Journal. Mrs. Sunshine, who also is survived by a brother, Jesse, died Friday night at Booth Memorial Hospital, Flushing, L. I. Chicago Press ( Continued from page 1 ) they consider the ads submitte "bad taste." The Chicago Americ had not yet responded yesterday. One of the papers, the Daily Nev agreed to accept a series of type a prepared by UA explaining the troversy and announcing the openii of the picture at the Oriental Theali there Nov. 26. Previously all fo! papers had refused to do this. In reply to the newspapers, Lev yesterday told them he feels m categorizing the ads "as 'in bad tas hardly justifies ( your ) action in rejei ing them. You do not deny the fa< contained. Do you contend that other matter in your newspapers, i] eluding editorial, is "in good tasb Would you be willing to submit y editorial copy to the same rule?" Suggests 'Unprejudiced Jury' Lewis then offered to submit "Lucasta" ads to an "unprejudic jury or individual to be weigh against your editorial copy for the h 30 days." 'Mardi' Bows Here What was described as the largi audience ever to witness a moti picture premiere viewed last nigh "Mardi Gras on Broadway," whi launched the New York opening at t Paramount Theatre of Jerry Wall "Mardi Gras." The entire festiviti were telecast "live" across the Unit States by the American Broadcasts Co. television network.