Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1960)

8 Motion Picture Daily Monday, February 15, il National Pre-Selling NEW YORK: Broadway was ablaze with lights and glamor for the premiere of "Sink the Bismarck" at the Paramount Theatre. A host of celebrities and British and American dignitaries gathered to watch the stirring parade and trooping of the colors in Times Square. Seen above are the Sovereign British Bagpipers. JULES VERNE, the 19th century author, loved to write science fictioiv stories with long titles, such as "Journey to the Center of the Earth," "Around the World in 80 Days," 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." These titles are problems to theatre managers, when they must find room for them on their marquees. However, they are happy theatre managers during the time these films are plaving their theatres, because these Jules Verne films are hits. "Journey to the Center of the Earth," is the current Jules Verne authored film now ii^ general release. This 20th-Fox picture starring Pat Boone, James Mason and Arlene Dahl is recommended to the readers of the Feb. issue of "Seventeen." • A striking ad on "Once More, With Feeling" appears in "Life's" Feb. 8 issue. This Columbia film is now at Radio City Music Hall. • A powerful advertising presentation in color for Joe Levine's "Jack the Ripper," will be seen in "Life's" Feb. 15 issue. • Pictorial and text stories in the 34 Sunday Magazines published in key cities do their part in pre-selling motion pictures. In the Jan. 31 issue of three Sunday magazines the following stars and films were published. The actress who plays opposite Kirk Douglas, in "The Last Train From Gun Hill," was profiled in the Chicago Tribune magazine. She is Ziva Rodann, who put in her period of military service in Israel's women's army when in her teens. She has played in a number of Hollywood films. Leslie Parrish and Peter Palmer, who played Daisy Mae and Li'l Abner, in the Paramount film "Li'l Abner," were on the attractive full color cover of "The Boston Globe" magazine. A bio of the author Al Capp appeared in the same issue. Under the caption "Spring Flower," a full color photo of Jo Morrow, who plays Alec Guinness' daughter in "Our Man In Havana," appears in the Denver Sunday EMPIRE Magazine. Names of all the stars in this Columbia picture; Noel Coward, Maureen O'Hara, Ernie Kovacs and Burl Ives are part of the caption for Jo Morrow's photo. • A interest compelling color ad on Joe Levine's "Jack the Ripper," appears in the Feb. 16 issue of "Look." • When nine chariots, in "Ben-Hur," each driven by a team of four magnificent horses, race around a huge stadium filled with 15,000 extras as spectators, the movie audience sees one of the most thrilling scenes the screen has ever produced, reports 'Porqy' Booked in 17 N. Y. Area Theatres Following completion of its 35 week engagement at the Warner Theatre on Broadway, Samuel Goldwyn's "Porgy and Bess" will open day-and-date in 17 New York area theatres starting Feb. 24, it was announced by Columbia Pictures. This will include engagements in both 70mm and 35mm, according to George Josephs, Columbia's sales director for the Goldwyn production, in New Jersey, Connecticut, Long Island, Brooklyn and other localities. At the same time, it was announced the film will be playing in 62 other new engagements throughout the nation and Canada by March 15, following similar long-run presentations in key cities. As in the New York territory, the attractive will play areas adjacent to its 32 week run in Los Angeles; 28 weeks in Chicago; 26 in Boston and San Francisco, as well as theatres throughout Texas where it premiered in Dallas and Houston. Also, it will follow the runs in Detroit, Cleveland and Indianapolis with territorv bookings. In addition, there will be new engagements in Milwaukee, Kansas City, St. Louis, Montreal, Memphis, Portland, Tucson, Miami, Seattle and Denver. Florence Somers in February's "Redbook." "Ben-Hur" was selected as the picture of this month by "Redbook." • "Solomon and Sheba," the U.A. film produced in Spain in the Super Technirama process is the recipient of considerable attention in the February issue of "Ebony." The article is built around 13 interest compelling production photos, many of which are closeups of Yul Brynner and Gina Lollobrigida. • A Kapralik caricature of the cast of "Home From The Hill," will appear on the full color cover of "Pictorial Review's" Feb. 21 issue. Robert Mitchum and Eleanor Parker are starred in this new MGM film. Walter Haas Knoxville Suit (Continued from page 1) Pike and Tower theatres in Knoxville under ownership of Walter L. Morris. Wilby-Kincey owns the Tennessee, Bijou and Park theatres located here. U. S. District Judge Robert L. Taylor of Knoxville will hear the case. Three weeks docket time has been provided for this trial, a court aide said. He indicated that any effort to delay the hearing would probably be denied by Judge Taylor. At a pre-trial conference on Jan. 7 both sides in the lawsuit agreed on exhibits, methods and procedures and did not seek delay beyond the April 11 trial date. Judge Taylor ordered several additional exhibits and other evidence along with general data from the independent and majors. The other anti-trust suit, involving Taylor Bros. Theatres of Kingsport, Tenn. and Gate City, Va. versus the majors, will not be heard by Judge Taylor for at least six months or longer. This case will also be conducted before the Knoxville District Court. Four Films Removed (Continued from page 1) both Columbia; and "The Third Man," British-Lion. The films were removed from the barred list following assurances from the three distributors to the CEA that producers John Woolf, Major Daniel Angel, and David O. Selznick no longer have any financial interest or participation in the properties. In addition distributors will delete all references to the producers from the titles on the prints and also on publicity materials. "Esther Costello" and "The Whole Truth" were made by Romulus films, headed by Woolf; "Sheriff" was made by Angel; and "The Third Man" by Selznick. Meanwhile the CEA is continuing its boycott action against the producers in regard to the 61 other pictures on the list. So far there is no indication of any legal action as threatened previously. TEST T \ LI Variety Club Newi MILWAUKEE Harry Mint j been named chief barker of V;fi Club of Wisconsin, Tent No.H Other officers are; Dean D. Fitzg<j| and Lew Breyer, assistants; Ht| Pearson, dough guy; Gerry Fr.i property master, and Glen Kail I canvasman. Harold Rose has \\ named manager of the special e j committee and is currently at wo; I an all-industry Valentine Party. 1 A ATLANTA Mrs. John Fultoi I been named chairman of the 1 1 committee of the Variety Club. I chairman is Mrs. Stam Raymond. 1 Richard Walsh is recording seer J and Mrs. Sam Goodman treasure-! Albany Bill Suggests J New Placement Fees Special to THE DAILY ALBANY, N. Y., Feb. 14.-AI amending the general business la\l fix a new fee ceiling for placemen |I theatrical employment for a single i gagement, at 10 per cent of the 1 f pensation payable to the appbij and 20 per cent for employmer I engagements for orchestras and ir I opera and concert fields, insteaiX five per cent of the weekly wag* I salary through the first two weelli that engagement, has been introd1 i by Sen. Jacob H. Gilbert, B \ Democrat. Film Advertising Stu Based on 'Photoplay Motion picture advertising in i ( May issue of Photoplay magazine be the subject of a special study n>; for the publication by the D;' < Starch Organization, Charles TeH liger, Photoplai/ motion picture ac i rising manager, announced at i weekend. The study is the first extensive £ ysis of fan readership of motion i ture ads since 1948. It will report extent to which fan magazine rea, notice film advertising and to ^ extent they associate each ad with picture it depicts. Terwilliger said study will be made available! all Fhotoplaij advertisers. The measure also changes the ' nitions of "theatrical employr agency" and "engagement." 'Tall Story9 Tour Sta A 13-city promotion tour in be of "Tall Story" will be launched day by Arthur Zinn, executive as ant to Joshua Logan, producer-di' tor of the Warner Brothers rel starring Anthony Perkins and ' Fonda. Arthur will open the torn i day in Washington and will fo up with visits to Philadelphia, P burgh, Buffalo, Boston, Detroit, ( cago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Ka City, Dallas, Houston and New leans, returning here on March 3.