Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1959)

Motion Picture Daily Monday, October 26, 19551 6 New Faces' ( Continued from page 1 ) film companies in agreeing to send their new acting talent to the convention would assure it of having the largest such group of any single exhibitor forum to date. TOA firmly believes, he added, "that it shares with the film companies a definite responsibility for the development of these new personalities. Their appearance at our convention will enable us to fulfill these commitments in a major way." Names of five young players from Paramount selected by Barney Balaban, company president, were announced by Kerasotes. They will join five new stars of other companies and the list is expected to swell. Several from Paramount Coming from Paramount will be Leslie Parrish and Stella Stevens, both of whom have starring roles in "Li'l Abner"; Joan Blackman, soon to be seen in "Korea" and "Visit to a Small Planet"; Barbara Lawrence, who will be in "Visit to a Small Planet"; and Dolores Hart, under contract to Hal Wallis and currently starring on Broadway in "Pleasure of His Company." Lizabeth Scott, another Paramount personality, will also attend the convention, Kerasotes said. Already announced as coming to the convention are Sandra Dee, from Universal; Angie Dickinson and Troy Donahue from Warners; and Tom Noonan and Pete Marshall from 20th Century-Fox. Adler, Anita Louise to Visit Kerasotes said that Buddy Adler, executive in charge of production for 20th Century-Fox, who will be the principal speaker at the president's banquet which concludes the convention on Thursday on Thursday evening, Nov. 12, will be accompanied to Chicago by his wife, Anita Louise, who is an actress of star billing, and that he will also bring along additional new faces from Fox's studio. Joseph Vogel of Loew's has also promised some of his company's new faces, and Columbia has promised to send three of its new stars. An additional Hollywood luminary will be the actor or actress who will be awarded the Star of the Year citation by TOA at the concluding banquet. Vidor to Make Talks King Vidor, director of Edward Small's "Solomon and Sheba" will discuss the filming of the United Artists release at schools and colleges across the country during his promotional tour for the spectacle. Century 70/ 3 5mm Sales Frank E. Cahill, Jr., sales manager of Century Projector Corporation, reports sales of the Century 70/35mm projection system to the Astor Theatre, New York, and the Fox in Philadelphia. REVIEW: The Warrior and the Slave Girl Columbia — Alexandra Chief among the assets of this film are the vivid colors, picturesque settings, and period costumes which fill the Supercinescope screen. The story takes place in Armenia during the time of the Roman Empire, and the action is replete with gladiator contests, dungeons, clashes between rival factions, and the loves of two Armenian girls for the two conquering Roman soldiers. Right wins out over heavy odds. The most effective role in this Italian-made film is played by Georges Marchal. He projects the tight-lipped determination of a primitive leader, enslaved for gladiatorial duty seeking freedom from oppression. As the cunning, power-hungry princess, Italy's Gianna Maria Canale gives a controlled performance, eyes properly glinting and greedy when required. Ettore Manni portrays the Roman tribune who comes full of honorable intentions into this seething province. Basically the tale told is that of Miss Canale's ambitions and the consequent betrayal of the Armenians. Manni tries to mete out justice as he sees it, but runs up against the established interests of Miss Canale who has, over the years, worked out a profitable compromise with the lax Roman governor. When the freed rebels kill the governor, the entire fabric falls apart. Miss Canale tries to poison the boy-king to get her hands on the sceptre; she also calls out the mercenaries. Meanwhile, Marchal heads a group of former gladiators and dissatisfied Armenians in the hills. At the outcome, the boy-king is saved by the medical skills of the slave girl; Marchal dies for his cause; and Manni assumes command of the province and the slave girl. Director Vittorio Cottafavi utilizes the panoramic possibilities of the wide-screen, and depicts rather well the scrubby Armenian terrain in which few civilized refinements exist. The screenplay is the work of a quartet consisting of Ennio De Concini, Francesco De Feo, Gian Paolo Callegari, and Francesco Thellung. "Warrior" has been dubbed into English. Running time, 89 minutes. General classification. Release date, November. Jerrold A. Weitzman Pinanski Headl 'Happy' to Bow Here For Benefit of WAIF Fields Production's "Happy Anniersary," a United Artists release starring David Niven and Mitzi Gaynor, will have its charity world premiere at the Victoria Theatre here on Tuesday evening, Nov. 10, with all the proceeds going to the New York Chapter of WAIF, the adoption division of International Social Service. Helen Hayes is chairman of the New York Chapter. Among the honorary sponsors for the charity premiere are Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Vice President Richard M. Nixon, Senator Jacob K. Javits, Senator Kenneth B. Keating, Governor and Mrs. Nelson A. Rockefeller and Mayor and Mrs. Robert F. Wagner. Following the opening there will be a supper dance at the Hotel Plaza for social and civic dignitaries, entertainment personalities and members of the sponsoring organization. Reade to Divulge (Continued from page 1) day. The system has been applied by Reade to a Chinese-made picture which he acquired in Italy last summer. Details of the system and its imminent world premiere will be disclosed at the luncheon. Indications are the Reade scentfilm will be playing publicly well in advance of the earlier planned and exploited Michael Todd, Jr. "Scent of Mystery," which is in its final production phase now and is scheduled for release around Christmas. Todd's sound department for the production was moved from Rome to Hollywood last week. The Smello-Vision production will have an eight-channel sound track. The smell signal-track will be impregnated at the same time the sound is added. A five-week schedule has been set for the sound and smell-mixing for the picture, which was shot in Spain. Univ. Press Luncheon Tour for 'Pillow Talk9 Henry H. Martin, Universal general sales manager, and Charles Simonelli, Eastern advertising-publicity director, will meet trade press editors at lunch tomorrow at the Laurent restaurant to discuss box office performance of "Pillow Talk," as well as new Universal projects under way. Doris Day, co-star of Universal's "Pillow Talk," will aid in a series of New England openings during a 10day New England motor trip starting in Boston today. Miss Day is accompanied by her husband, Martin Melcher, who produced the film with Ross Hunter. ( Continued from page 1 ) cago, Nov. 8 to 12, it was announced at the weekend by George G. KerJ! sotes, TOA president. Other members of the nominating committee are: Robert R. Livingston Nebraska TOA secretary; S. pp Fabian, New York, TOA treasure!! and past-presidents Mitchell Wolfsi of Miami; Myron N. Blank of Di Moines; Walter Reade, Jr., of Oal hurst, N. J.; and Arthur H. Loci! wood of Boston. The nominating committee wi meet Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Shei man, and present its slate to tli combined meeting of the board cj directors and executive committee trj< next day at an all-day session. ! Solomon Named ( Continued from page 1 ) rector has been associated with 20^ Century-Fox for the past 20 yea* serving in various advertising, put licity and exploitation capacities, uj til assuming his present position 1956. \ Prior to his affiliation with 20^ Lj Solomon was associated with tit Balaban and Katz organization, wheii ;, he worked in the advertising dfc h partment, under the direction of tb m late William K. Hollander. / Levine to Columbia ( Continued from page 1 ) vine had served as assistant accouj; executive on the Loew's Theatres ai count for Donahue and Coe. Befoj that he was an advertising consultai to the motion picture industry. Lee Back in Hollywoo\ HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 25. Ro^ land V. Lee has returned here fa lowing a seven-city tour on behgi of his production "The Big Fishe« man." He timed his trip to coinci^' with other key participants of NP tional Bible Week, visiting wi|: President Eisenhower at the Whi House last Monday. Lee is honora chairman of the Week for Moti^ Pictures. Lederer a WB Product HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 25. Ja L. Warner on Friday announced tb Richard Lederer has been named Warner Brothers producer, assumif new duties immediately. Lederer \ past nine years had been associafc with Gil Golden, national advertisii manager for W.B., the past two yei at the Burbank studio. Hackel Rites Held HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 25. Funel services for A. W. Hackel, 76, pione film producer who died Wednesd of heart attack, were held here F[ day. He had been in semi-retireme'' the past few years.