Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1959)

6 Motion Picture Daily I Tuesday, October 13, 1959 S National Pre-Selling THE pictorial essay of "Joan Crawford at 51" received front cover mention atop the Oct. 5 issue of "Life." To make photos for this article "Life's" Eve Arnold spent weeks with Joan Crawford, at her home in New Vork, at the 20th-Fox studio in Hollywood, and even at a Pepsi-Cola board meeting. This was done to get a comprehensive story. Joan plays an important part in "The Best of Everything," soon to be released. She is seen with Spyros Skouras, Mrs. Frances Spingold, a Nigerian delegation dressed in their native attire, and having a heated discussion with the director of "The Best of Everything." • "Pillow Talk," that hilarious comedy starring Rock Hudson and Doris Day, is reviewed in the October issue of "Look." According to Ross Hunter, co-producer of this U.I. comedy, Rock has been asking for years to do one of those white-tie-and-tail comedies. "When we started this picture, we told him to relax and enjoy himself, and even try out the Texan accent he used in 'Giant.' As a result all of Rock's high spirits came across on the screen." • Florence Somers, entertainment editor, and Bert Orde of "Redbook" are sponsoring a cocktail party for the purpose of introducing Charles Thorn, their publisher, and Robert Stein, editor to Hollywood executives and stars. The party will be held on Oct. 16 Friday in the Sun Lounge of the Beverly Hills Hotel at 7:30 P.M. The giant step taken by the hero of "Take A Giant Step," bridges the gulf between adolescence and adult maturity in the opinion of Richard Marek in the October issue of "McCall's." Spence Scott, a young Negro living in a white New England community, learns the hard way that he is essentially alone in an alien world. It is his acceptance of this fact, along with his awakened knowledge of sex and self-reliance, that makes up the simple plot of this sensitive, beautifully written picture. • "But Not for Me" the Paramount film starring Clark Gable, Carroll Baker and Lili Palmer received an upbeat review from Ruth Harbert in the October issue of "Good Housekeeping." An on-the-set photo of three stars in a comedy scene is atop "Good Housekeeping's" entertainment page of this issue. • Dressed in the customary translucent veils, habitual to the Queen of Sheba, a photo of Gina Lollobrigida in handsome color leads off the "Solo FEATURE REVIEWS A Med, on A CE Timbuktu Imperial-United Artists As an American adventurer, Victor Mature heads the cast of exotic characters in this tale of power struggles and divided loyalties in the French Sudan, World War II period. The picture moves rapidly between desert attacks, embattled outposts, oases, and the pleasure palace of an ambitious Emir. Yvonne de Carlo, as the wife of a French commandant wed to duty, provides the love interest for this Yankee way out of his territory. Since the French, of necessity, have concentrated all available manpower in Europe, the Sudanese are taking the opportunity to get the foreigners out of their country. The champion of their cause is the Mohamet Adani, an Arab holyman. Mike Conway is the U.S. citizen who sells his services to the highest bidder, and is the only link between the opposing forces. Actually, the Emir is holding the Mohamet prisoner, as the prophet, for the present, favors the French and their upholding of equality, education, and peace. After many a narrow escape, Conway brings the Mohamet to the mosque where he tells the people not to follow the reactionary Emir, who would re-establish slavery and become absolute ruler. During the course of action, the French commander is killed; so is the Emir and his important followers. The officer's wife is now free to marry Conway. Appropriate to his role as a rakewith-heart-of-gold, Victor Mature appears unruffled when making love for tactical reasons, when disguised as an Arab, when riding through the desert, and when, alternately, holding and being held a prisoner. George Dolenz gives a clear-cut performance of the French soldier to whom country is more important than love, and Yvonne de Carlo is sullen as his neglected wife. Screeen play is credited to Anthony Veiller and Paul Dudley, while Jacques Tourneur's direction keeps Counterplot Odell-United Artists Modestly conceived and produced, "Counterplot" is an action film which moves along at a clip appropriate to its theme of insurance machinations, intrigue, and murder in a Puerto Rican locale. The counterplots of the title result from the devilish, though finally vindicated, workings of a lawyer named Bergmann. He is helping out Brock Miller, an American in hiding on the Island, who thinks he's killed a man. At the same time, Bergmann, is negotiating with Ben Murdock, partner of the man Brock believes he murdered. It turns out Murdock completed the assault which Brock began, so as to collect $200,000 insurance money. An additional counterplot is created by Manuel, a homeless lad befriended by Brock, who begs, borrows, and lies to and for his friend. Manual tries has best to keep Brock from his girl friend Connie, as the boy is afraid of losing Brock, now like a father to him, to the lady. Forrest Tucker turns in a creditable performance as the innocent, hunted runaway. Gerald Milton, as the Dutchman Bergmann, aside from an unconvincing accent, projects some of the cunning, wit, coolness and masterfulness required by his part. The young boy is played by Jackie Wayne, and Allison Hayes is his opponent for Brock's affections. Filmed in Puerto Rico, the picture offers some naturalistic shots of deserted beaches and winding streets. The story is by Richard Blake, and Kurt Neumann's production and direction provide the necessary continuity. Running time, 72 minutes. General classification. Release, in October. J-A.W. all the strands of the plot integrated. Running time, 91 minutes. General classification. October release. Jerrold A. Weitzman mon and Sheba" story appearing in the Oct. 5 issue of "Life." The article tells in photos and prose how Gina provided off-set entertainment for the crew of "Solomon and Sheba," which was made in Spain. During breaks in the shooting Gina did not retreat into dressing-room solitude as most stars do. She roved about, took part in a flamenco jam session and wiggled in an American Hula-Hoop. • "Ben-Hur," M-G-M's three and a half hour action spectacle, has been recommended to the readers of "Parent's" October issue. • A group of fine photos leads off the entertaining and informative profile of Sammy Davis, Jr. appearing in the October issue of "Esquire." Sammy plays a starring role in "Porgy and Bess." • It is the opinion of "Life's" reviewer that with such flip talk— specialists as Doris Day, Thelma Ritter and Tony Randall working beside him— box-office idol Rock Hudson might seem to have the solid and square part in "Pillow Talk," put in the movie to pull in the customers and to hold up straight lines. However it works out quite differently— to make Universal's frothy comedy— one of the year's funniest films. "Rollicking Role for Rock" is the headline for the review on "Pillow Talk" starring Rock Hudson and Doris Day in Sept. 21 issue of "Life." Walter Haas ( Continued from page 1 ) at the midsummer board meeting in 1957 as a step in the right direction, but not as a substitute for an effective arbitration system. The plan was evolved at all-industry conferences at which Allied was represented by former president Gordon and its General Counsel. The board's approval still stands. "Since the revival of conciliation by ACE every Allied unit and every leader who has spoken on the subject has advocated giving the system a trial, so that it can be judged by its results. It is obvious that if the plan proves beneficial to exhibitors, no form of opposition can suppress itassuming there would be anyone wishing to do so. If in the opinion of exhibitors it proves to be of no value, it is doubtful if anything could save it. "Therefore, it should be understood that whenever an Allied unit announces its support of conciliation it thereby aligns itself with National Allied and the other regionals and is not taking a position antagonistic to them. "Apparently there are always some who would like to promote discord and distrust in Allied but their present efforts are wide of the mark and will fail as all past efforts along that line have failed." L. A. County Upheld ( Continued from page 1 ) to the county for $100,000 in taxes?] on the negative of "Around the | World in 80 Days." Attorney for Todd is expected to | appeal. 1 Coast 'New Horizons' Will Open Tomorrow From THE DAILY Bureau HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 12. "New ; Horizons of 1959," a behind-thescenes exhibition of picture making, i will open free to the public Wednes-|i day at the Shrine Exposition Hall here; for a run of six days. Designed as an effective public relations presentation for the motion;, picture industry and sponsored by; IATSE unions with the Hollywood i AFL-CIO Film Council, the exhibit | will demonstrate the work of the; crafts in film and live exhibits. Union participation is under the' supervision of George Flaherty, IATSE international representative, I with Al Firestone, publicist. [C Lewis to Meet Press HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 12. Roger'] Lewis, United Artists vice-president! in charge of advertising and publicity, will discuss plans for local and global presentation of "Solomon and Sheba" to press representatives at|' luncheon meeting in Perino's on Fri-H day. Among those attending will be UA vice-president Max Youngstein, '; producer Edward Small and director1" King Vidor.