Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1959)

Motion Picture Daily Wednesday, November 18, 19j PERSONAL MENTION HUGH OWEN, Paramount vicepresident, will arrive in Pittsburgh today from New York. • Herman Rifkin, member of the Allied Artists board of directors, has left Hollywood for a vacation in Palm Springs, Cal., before returning to Boston. • William Castle, producer of "The Tingler," for Columbia, is in San Diego, Cal., from Hollywood. • James Hell, of Hecht-Hill-Lancaster, will return to New York today from London, and will leave here at the end of the week for the Coast. • Leonard Mendlowitz, motion picture editor of the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, has left there for Brackettville, Tex., to visit on the production set of John Wayne's "The Alamo." • Arnold Porozynsky, Cleveland exhibitor, has been discharged from the Marymount Hospital there after having suffered a concussion resulting from a fall from a roof. Sheilah Graham Guest At 'Infidel' Premiere The benefit world premiere of 20th Century-Fox's "Beloved Infidel," which was held at the Paramount Theatre here last night, was distinguished by the presence of Sheilah Graham, author of the autobiography on which the film is based and which features the story of F. Scott Fitzgerald, novelist of the 20's and 30's. The premiere was sponsored by the Damon Runyon Fund. The event was given full international press coverage by the NBC radio network, the Voice of America and Armed Forces Radio Service, and was filmed by Movietonews for general distribution to TV stations. KNOW-HOW EXPERIENCE DEPENDABILITY Name Marcus 7 Nations to Back Columbia Dea (Continued from page 1) headquarters here today. The convention will take place at the Eden Roc Hotel Dec. 7 through 9. Marcus is the operator of 37 theatres in Wisconsin, 26 indoor and 11 drive-ins, in cities and towns of various sizes ranging from Milwaukee (637,392) to Little Chute (4,152). He is also the Allied representative on the Compo triumvirate. Marcus is the originator of the successful Wisconsin business building campaign which is soon to be tested for national use in three cities. He is to spearhead the trials in those areas. 'Ben-Hur' World Bow In New York Tonight MGM's much-heralded "Ben-Hur" will open at Loew's State Theatre here tonight at a world premiere which is expected to draw a distinguished audience representing top figures in the civic and entertainment life of the city and nation. Director William Wyler and stars Charlton Heston, Haya Harareet, Stephen Boyd and Martha Scott will be at the premiere to join the black-tie audience in the theatre, that was rebuilt in anticipation of "Ben-Hur." MGM has also invited Ramon Navarro and Carmel Myers, two of the stars of the silent-screen classic to view the new film version of the Lew Wallace novel. The event will be covered by the local and international press. Tent 35 Installs Brandt As New Chief Barker Harry Brandt, head of Brandt Theatres and president of Independent Theatre Owners Association of N. Y., yesterday was installed new chief barker of New York's Variety Club Tent No. 35, before several hundred luncheon guests at the Astor Hotel here. Installed with Brandt were Walt Framer, first assistant chief barker; Charles Alicoate, second assistant chief barker; Jerry Pickman, property master, and Jack Hoffberg, dough guy. New canvasmen who took the oath were George Waldman, Charles Smakwitz, Mo Sanders, Jack Levin, Irving Dollinger and Jack Byrne. 'Petticoat' Here Dec. 3 "Operation Petticoat," the Granart Production in Eastman Color starring Cary Grant and Tony Curtis and being released by Universal-International, will have its world premiere at Radio City Music Hall on Thursday, Dec. 3, as the Music Hall's Christmas attraction. Film will be teamed with the Music Hall's celebrated Christmas show. "Conqueror' Fi By WILLIAM PAY LONDON, Nov. 17.-Plans for a large scale film entitled "William the Conqueror" to be made as an international cooperative project with financial investment from seven or more countries were announced today by producer Claude Heilman. The picture is to be made in Super Technirama 70 at a budget of $7,000,000, he said. Heilman, who was co-producer of Universal's "This Earth Is Mine" last year, told of plans for the new film at a press conference in the London apartment of Kay Harrison, deputy chairman of Technicolor, Ltd. The latter company will provide full support in the production and exhibition of the film by way of a deferred $250,000 investment, Heilman said. Heilman Coming Here Financing has already been secured in France, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, and Yugoslavia, it was stated. American and British participation is now in the process of being finalized. Heilman is to fly to New York tonight for a week. The picture is to be distributed on a roadshow basis, Heilman said, and it is expected to be completed by the end of next year. Filming will take place in Yugoslavia, Germany, France and Britain. Negotiations are now underway to secure Marlon Brando and Maria Schell for the leading roles. Laurence Olivier will direct. Heilman said his company, now being officially organized in Switzerland, plans two other pictures to be made on a similar large-scale treatment. At the same time he announced the appointment of Sam Eckman to represent his distribution and exhibition interests here. Dorso is Winner in Reade Showman Drive Michael Dorso of the Community Theatre in Kingston, New York, was awarded first prize in the recent Walter Reade Theatres' manager's showmanship drive, it was announced by Walter Reade, Jr., circuit president. Second place in the drive went to Paul Petersen of the circuit's Community Theatre in Morristown, N. J., and in third place was Sam Hofstetter, Mayfair Theatre, Asbury Park. Wins S.W. Drive Winner of the Stanley Warner "summer kiddie drive" is William Korenbrot, manager of the Fresno Theatre, Fresno, Cal., it was announced by Harry M. Kalmine, vicepresident and general manager. {Continued from page 1) prises, it was announced today 1 Samuel J. Briskin, Columbia vice-prd ident in charge of West Coast acti\ ties. Briskin said that not only will C lumbia extend full financing to tl Miller Enterprises organization, hi will also make available its entire f cilities including equipment, technic departments and personnel. The company, which has alreac set up its headquarters at the Colin bia Studios here, covers all phases I motion picture production for th Government and defense contractor including photographic instrument1 tion, publications, research and dev^ opment project requirements. Governor Films in As New Member of IFIM Application for membership in tlj Independent Film Importers and Dii tributors of America by Governd Films, Inc., has been accepted by th IFIDA membership committee, it ws announced by Michael F. Maye) IFIDA executive director. David Emanuel and Arthur Ke^ man, principal Governor officers, w# represent the corporation with IFID^ Other applicants are presently unde consideration, Mayer said. J. B. Micheletti, 49 DENVER, Colo., Nov. 17.-Funer« services were held here for James B Micheletti, a veteran of 31 years wit! M-G-M. Micheletti, age 49, was tht victim of a heart attack. He started with M-G-M in 1928 and, at the tim< of his death, was sales representativt covering the Southern Colorado ant New Mexico territory out of Denver «-<"<-. COMET 4! (pure jet!) 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