Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1959)

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12 Motion Picture Daily Tuesday, May ] Memories of A Big Television Night By SAMUEL D. BERNS HOLLYWOOD, May 11. -As the sun set over Frank Serines' Moulin Rouge last Wednesday, the echoes of applause were mixed with voices of comment and reactions as most of the Television Academy members, winners and guests made their way across the street to the Palladium following the presentations for some dining, toasting and dancing. Fred Astaire was the essence of modesty and embarrassment with an armload of Emmys attesting to his achievements in the TV medium. A most rewarding sight for an outstanding hour of entertainment. Seems strange that Astaire, who has contributed so much of the same talent for 26 years to motion pictures, was never nominated for an award by members of the long established film academy in all that time. Compared with 'Gigi' "An Evening With Fred Astaire," making a clean sweep of the awards for every one of its nine nominations, was being labeled the "Gigi" of the Emmys for a similar victory. Jack Benny's jibe at his writers, who finally won Emmy's favor, and his pixie patter at the podium, aimed at Maverick's competitive time slot, is still fresh in our ears. Bob Hope showed up' for his special award despite doctor's orders. Bud Yorkin sported the widest grin of satisfaction, achieving Best Direction, etc., for his share of the Astaire show. Buit All Shook Up Raymond Burr confessed he was all shook up with the excitement of winning, but contained himself in acknowledging the glad hands of the table-hoppers, in a manner befitting the guise of the "legal eagle" (Burr puts in more hours on his show than anyone else we know devoted to a regular film series). Dinah Shore never ceases to be amazed at her constant flow of trophies. But she appeared more thrilled by the news that her show was singled out as the Best Musical or Variety series than for her award as the top Female Performer. There's "Another Evening With Fred Astaire" in store for October; and we'll wager color sets will boast a peak sales month because of the greater enjoyment offered by the lighting and costuming of Astaire's production. AROUND THE RCUIT Yates Joining TvAR Douglas L. Yates will join Television Advertising Representatives, Inc. as an account executive, it was announced by Larry H. Israel, vicepresident and general manager. Yates comes to TvAR from CBS Radio Spot Sales, where he has been an account executive since June 1958. with PINKY HERMAN. PREXY OIlie Treyz of ABC-TV may have something in his speech delivered last Thursday at the 50th Journalism Week at the U. of Missouri in Columbia. "Since the broadcasters are dedicated to televise programs that are in the public's interest," said Treyz, "then would it not be advisable to measure the public's likes and dislikes by taking a census?" He also pointed out that the U.S. Census is planning to go into the field next April and questions about TV programming might be added to the questionnaire. ... At a cocktail partv in honor of the Emmy Nominees several days ago, Prexy Robert Lewine anticipated a query from ye fourth estators with the mention of the fact that the Academy of TV Arts & Sciences were keenly aware of the "42 Categories problem." The "Emmy" program, cleverly overcoming the "timing error" of the "Oscar" Awards helmsmen by utilizing the resonant voice of Frank (timekeeper) Gallop, succeeded in avoiding that danger. However, the "Category Problem" still remains and next year's steering committee might do well to reduce the number of categories. . . . Ralph Meeker, who starred in the Broadway stage production of "Picnic," has been CBSigned to star as "John Dillinger," the first video tape pilot of a new teleseries, "The Lawbreakers," which goes into production in New York June 3. John Houseman will produce with scripts by David Davidson. Johnson will sponsor the series on alternating weeks. ft ft ft As a reward for turning in consistently listenable programs nitely from the new International Theatre Bistro on Broadway (midnight-2:30 ayem) the "Bea Kalmus Show" has been signed to a long term contract by WMGM. Bea returned after 7 years during which she emceed radio and nite-club shows in Miami Beach. . . . Hollywood's ardent booster, Dave Epstein, in Gotham to set up possible deal for Frank (Wells Fargo) Gruber's new teleseries, a situation comedy called "Johnny Fletcher!" While here, Dave will open a branch office for his flackery. . . . One of the metropolitan's most popular disk jockeys, the WNTAlented Paul Brenner has joined forces with Actor-Singer-Producer Jerry Wayne to inaugurate North Jersey's first Music Tent at Pinebrook. Teeing off June 19 with the current Broadway click "Li'l Abner," the BrennerWayne combo has lined up an imposing sked including "Bells Are Ringing," "The Boy Friend," "Showboat," "Wish You Were Here" and "Silk Stockings." . . . Henny Youngman booked for an additional five "Ed CB Sullivan" shows this fall. . . . Jack Rael dickering with an independent producer for a new "Musical Quiz" program to star Patti Page. TV REVIEW: Our Lady of Fatima Family Theatre The story of the Apparition of Mary the mother of Christ at the little Portuguese village of Fatima in the early 1930s, is pictured in simple but dramatically effective form in this 55-minute film, produced in Spain. An excellent cast handling difficult roles with quiet restraint etches some memorable characters and develops a storv that holds the interest throughout. Especially good are three youngsters to whom the Vision first appears while they are tending flocks in the hills. Their story is rejected as a fanciful tale by families, townspeople and the village priest, but the story gains circulation and with it, believers. It becomes a political issue for an anti-religious faction in the government and stern measures are taken to discredit both the story and its principals. The children, though apprehended and threatened with torture and death if they do not recant, cannot be intimidated. Their faith wins new believers and on the promised day pilgrims from far and wide converge on Fatima, where the children have been told a sign will be given in return for their devotion. As a heavy rain ends and the sun breaks through, miraculous cures are discerned among the sick and handicapped in the crowd. The apparition itself is shown only from behind or in the form of shafts of light descending from sky to earth, and its speech is through an off-screen voice. The English dialogue has been dubbed effectively enough not to be distracting and the inspirational story urging men and nations to peace and faith in God loses none of its effectiveness on the TV medium. It has a good musical background. Distributed by the Family Theatre it is a Catholic Daughters of America presentation. As shown Sunday on station WPIX-TV, New York, cast, director and writer credits were not supplied. S.K. pen Winners in N Chicago and E "Emmy" Awards made for ment in the New York area follows: Best children's or teen-aj gram: "Hi Mom," with Shari Jane Palmer and Josie Mi WRCA-TV. Best documentary or edu program: "Sunrise Semester," TV. Best news program: WC coverage of plane crash in t River. Outstanding male David Susskind. Outstanding female pen Shari Lewis. Special station achievement went to WNTA-TV for "Ope and to WCBS-TV for special tional and public service sho' In Washington, the local were: Best local entertainment p "Sam & Friends" Best educational program: room 9: Russian, Shorthand, Best news program: "Tl: Hour News"— Richard Harkne Ward, Frank Forester, Jim Best children's or teenage p "Ranger Hal" Best sports program: Jim Best television personality Gallaher Best documentary or discuss gram: "Celebrity Parade" witl McCaffrey. In Chicago, the local awar Best creator of TV comr "Ex Nihilo"-Fred A. Niles Best creator of TV com with material elements: Butler Best performer, TV comt male, Jim Conway Best performer, TV comi female: Fran Allison Best performer, TV prograr Norman Ross Best performer, TV progt male: Fran Allison. The Los Angeles chapter Academy made no awards t because it is in the midst of a more satisfactory method ing local area awards. NBC Wins 29 'Emmys CBS Gets 14; ABC, 2 Of the 45 "Emmys" awai achievement in 1958, NBC CBS won 14; and ABC, t\ big winner in the NBC line the much-acclaimed "Eveni Fred Astaire" which accoui no less than nine of the : awards.