Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1960)

Motion Picture Daily Tuesday, March 1, l£i Do-lt-Yourself Is Murder, Inc. Youngsters' Motto By SAMUEL D. BERNS HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 29.— "Ambitious young people now constitute the biggest do-it-yourself project in the history of Hollywood," Andrew J. Fenady, youthful TV and motion picture producer, said in an interview here. "Aspirants should disabuse their minds of the idea that if a famous producer was a classmate of thenfather at college they are assured of special treatment, or if a relative holds a responsible position in the industry, they are a cinch for a contract. Nepotism and influence have been replaced by study, preparation, talent and hard work," the young producer added, being himself an example of his observations. Young actors and actresses can no longer depend on a pretty face or an Apollo-like frame as their only asset in the bustling world of competition that is the world of entertainment. Nothing will take the place of a conscientious self-development, hard work and the drive to succeed, in addition to talent, he said. Points to Ambitious 'Thousands' "Despite the fact that media are increasingly more demanding in standards of performance, countless thousands still flock to the film metropolis under the misapprehension that the motion picture and television industries are waiting for them with open arms ready, willing and able to launch them to stardom, without any previous preparation," he pointed out. "The solid, hard-working, dedicated young actor and actress burn the midnight oil as determinedly as college seniors before final exams. Many are coming to the fore now, new names, new faces, talented, accomplished and disciplined. It is from this group of industrious players the stars of tomorrow will be launched. In our FenKer-Ada Company's teleseries, 'The Rebel', Goodson Todman package starring Nick Adams, we have used many new names and subscribed 100 per cent to the principle of demanding trained youngsters of high standards," he concluded. Decca Dividend Directors of Decca Records, Inc. yesterday declared a regular quarterly dividend of 25 cents per share on the company's capital stock, payable March 29, 1960, to stockholders of record at the close of business March 10. ( Continued from page 1 ) studio they are shooting exteriors around Manhattan or in Brooklyn. The big scenes at Coney Island are yet to come. Expenses are incalculable at this point. "We have thrown the budget out the window," said Balaban. The original budget estimate for "Murder, Inc." was $750,000. At that time the schedule called for four-and-one-half weeks' shooting. But "hurry-up" expenses have kicked the cost up to $1,000,000, and the strike threat has clipped time off the production by more than a week. Two Factors Being Tested Its devotees agree that "Murder, Inc." is testing two vital industry planks: 1. Can a film be shot in little more than half the reasonable time without seriously sacrificing quality of product? 2. Can the job be done entirely in New York? Balaban \s answer to both questions is yes. Until last Friday only the usual hubbub was to be heard on the Filmways sets. But, when the strike vote was announced, Balaban lost his director, Stuart Rosenberg, and his photographer, Joseph Brun. They quit because they didn't think they could do the job justice with an overloaded shooting schedule. Balaban stepped in to direct, and Gaine Rescher, because of his considerable television experience, was chosen to direct photography. "Our technique has changed completely," Balaban said. "We've sacrificed position shooting. Now we're going for dramatics and performance. We're staging each scene very carefully the first time we shoot it, to cut down on the takes. Cites 'Fresh Approach' Here "If we had any reservations about film crews in New York we can forget about them. There's a fresh approach here, everyone is more cooperative. If a producer doesn't have to work in Hollywood, I don't know why he should. The pressure would be murderous anywhere with this schedule but here the men work to capacity, with a minimum of complaints." "Murder, Inc." is the first featurelength film to be produced at Filmways which until recently was utilized for television programs and filmed commercials. But now Filmways, its president Martin Ransohoff feels, is being put to the ultimate test. If "Murder, Inc." is successful despite its obstructions, then Filmways and other local studios will become established and in greater demand. A sign hangs on one of the doors at Filmways. It reads, "Let's Keep It In The East." "Murder, Inc." is trying its hardest to do just that. Chessman Film to Open "Justice And Caryl Chessman," the new documentary will have its New York premiere tomorrow, at the TransLux Theatre, Broadway at 49th St. REVIEW; Nude In A White Car Champs Elysees — Trans-Lux "Nude in a White Car" is an unusual mystery pegged to the nocturnal escapades of two beautiful, blonde French sisters. One of them is the nude temptress who turns a young Frenchman's life upside down after she seduces him one night in her white car beneath the covering of a Riviera thicket. Following this scene both sisters keep their clothes on for the rest of the picture, so the sleuthing Frenchman is kept cracking until he discovers which girl, after offering herself to him, just as blandly put a gun to his head and ordered him out of the car. Robert Hossein, who also directed and wrote the screenplay, traces the nude's car to the palatial home of the blonde sisters. The younger one is Marina Vlady, who is as moody and contrite as she is beautiful. She is paralyzed from the waist down, confined to a wheel chair, or so it seems, and in the charge of her sister, Odile Versois. So charmed are the sisters by Hossein that they offer him a permanent place in their home and a share in their business interests. Eventually both fall in love with him and he with Miss Versois. But he intensifies his quest for the nude sister's identity. One of them continues to sneak away almost every night in the white car, exploiting her nudity along the beach. The pendulum of suspicion points from one sister to the other; in the dark, with their long hair down, they easily are mistaken for each other. Miss Vlady 's lecherous quirks dissolve the romance between her sister and Hossein. Miss Versois walks out. Finally Hossein surprises Miss Vlady in her room— on her feet. She had never been paralyzed, she had been acting to win pity and affection, to deprive her sister of her freedom. Miss Vlady accidently tumbles down a flight of stairs and Hossein tumbles out of the whole deceitful circus, leaving Miss Vlady on the floor screaming and begging for him to return. The film is far less sensational than its title implies. It was shot on location in Nice, and the comfortably warm, quiet glow of the Mediterranean intones itself upon the picture's exteriors. Running time, 87 minutes. General classification. Release, current. Saul Ostrove U.A. Sets 10 Films (Continued from page 1) future are "Apple Pie Bed," "Greengage Summer," "The Misfits," "North from Rome," "Paris Blues" and "Time on Her Hands." UA also now has four films editing and one nearing completion of shooting New 'Petticoat* Breaks Universal-International will promote "Operation Petticoat" on its second multiple-run opening in New York with large blocks of newspaper advertising and also in its third multiple break later this month. Johnston Rep] (Continued from page 1) no settlement has been reached March 7, the date set by the Sere] Actors Guild for its strike call. "Let me express our appreciat to you and to ACE for the telegrj urging a continuation of negotiat j to prevent a strike called by Screen Actors Guild for March : Johnston's message to Fabian said j "This is precisely our position. f\ want to negotiate. We don't wan | strike. A strike, as you suggest, co damage our industry, all elements \ it, perhaps beyond repair. Fears for Loyal Employees "The worst consequences would to the thousands of individuals, Hollywood, in distribution, in e>, bition, who have served the indu: faithfully and loyally through their lives. They would be thrown of work. Many thousands would ne again return to their jobs. "It would be likely that Hollyw would topple from its present nence to a minor position as a sc of motion picture production. Proc tion would go elsewhere. "We have negotiated in good f with the actors. But even while ne tiations were going on and real pi ress was being made, the actors a date for a strike. "We share your apprehension al: the unfortunate position in which theatres have been placed by' strike call of the actors. "I want therefore to assure that, for our part, we intend to everything possible to obtain mo, pictures to distribute to the thea 'We are ready. We shall be to meet all equitable terms of actors except their unreasonable unrealistic demands with resped post-1948 films. We hope the ac! are equally ready to negotiate agreements that will permit H< wood to go on uninterruptedly 1 the business of making motion tures that will fill the theatres America and of the world and bring prospering conditions to the, tire industry." The ACE executive committee t wired Johnston and company p( dents that it hoped SAG, in the e no agreement had been reached March 7, would "postpone the sjl and extend the negotiations so we may then offer to participate try to bring to the conference tt constructive suggestions that c result in maintaining peace in industry." Coast Talks Continue Meanwhile, negotiations cont in Hollywood between SAG and | major studios in an effort to reac I agreement before the Monday dj| line. Independent producers, me< with the guild, have reported areas of disagreement had narn to a point where it is believed Jn strike deadline for indepem il would be extended following aniW meeting slated for later this wei EAST COAST MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION, EDITORIAL and TECHNICAL SERVICES R FOR BETTER FILMS CREATIVE EDITING AND COMPLETE PERSONAL SUPERVISION JOSEPH JOSEPHSON 45 West 45th St. Circle 6-2146 New York 36