Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1960)

jOL. 88, NO. 37 MOTION PICTURE DAILY NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1960 TEN CENTS DITOR1AL J.S. Image Abroad Rj' Sherwin Kane N a recent column for ScrippsHoward newspapers, Richard Starnes commented on a poll con icted among a group of Indian stu ;nts on their attitudes toward the nited States. Starnes wrote: "Eight hundred stu:nts, presumably a valid cross-secHi of the class that will rule Ina's 400 million souls in the decades come, were polled. More than I per cent gave Hollywood movies the principal source of their mwledge of the United States." Secondary sources of information eluded magazines and newspapers, >oks, Voice of America radio and >cumentary films. Starnes reported at the poll disclosed among other ings that the students thought the .S. was giving India the most aid id the most advantageous aid, in imparison with the Soviet; that resident Eisenhower was more >pular with them than Premier hrushchev, and so on, and yet a rge percentage of them were unpnvinced that the United States was )ing all it should to promote peace. • Starnes notes that the favorable ipressions of the U.S. could have .tan derived from films, which proded the largest number in the oup with their impressions of merica, but that the lack of conction that we are not doing all we lould to promote peace is something at comes within the province of Rcial government agencies, such as e Voice, rather than theatrical morn pictures. The columnist asks: "Why, for inince, is the Voice of America refively ineffective among the stumts? VOA is (available) free and is as its sole aim the promotion of nited States interests. The flickers, lely motivated by profit and costly see, seem a better propaganda ;hicle." • Starnes' conclusion may seem somehat naive to industry members who ive repeatedly pointed out over the ;ars the immensely valuable work le American motion picture does (Continued on page 2) Censorship of Film Ads Could Spread To Other Fields, Editors Are Warned Citing the provision in the Pennsylvania censorship law pertaining to the censorship of film advertising in newspapers, which the Dauphin County court held invalid, the 119th in the series of COMPO ads in Editor h Publisher again warns editors that censorship of newspapers is part of the program of those persons leading the film censorship drive. Newspaper editors and publishers, the ad points out, "should be the first to realize that if censorship is allowed to grow in one field, it will soon spread to others, including their own protected pastures." Under the heading, "Film Censor Law Hitting Press Ruled Unconstitutional," the ad says: "In discussing film censorship in (Continued on page 5) Marcus Action Special 'Midnight' Drive for Women (Picture on page 3) A "campaign within a campaign," designed as a major part of Universal's promotional effort on the Ross Hunter film, "Midnight Lace," and aimed specifically at women, was outlined to the trade press yesterday at the home office by Philip Gerard, Universal's Eastern advertising and publicity director. The special campaign has been built around the elaborate wardrobe worn chiefly by Doris Day in the (Continued on page 3) Univ. Revamps Short Subjects '6? Program Universal Pictures is revamping its 1960-1961 short subjects releasing program, it was announced yesterday by F. J. A. McCarthy, assistant general sales manager who supervises the company's short subjects distribution. He said this was being done because of increased emphasis in the industry on big box office pictures designed for extended run engagements. With Walter Lantz increasing his (Continued on page 2) on Theatres Is Upheld Special to THE DAILY HARTFORD, Aug. 22.-The Connecticut State Supreme Court of Errors has ruled that an ordinance of the city of New Rritain requiring a policeman to be present in all motion picture theatres is valid. The ordinance had been challenged in State Superior ( Continued on page 4 ) Rivoli Books 'Alamo' Oct. 26 on Roadshow John Wavne's Todd-AO production of "The Alamo" will have its New York premiere at the Rivoli Theatre Oct. 26, it was announced yesterday by Wayne, who produced and directed the picture for United Artists re( Continued on page 4) Editor Finds 'Air-Conditioned Movies1 Far Preferable to Television 'Hot Air' Special to THE DAILY NILES, O., Aug. 22.— The reopening of the Robins Theatre, only one in this town of over 16,000, which had been closed for six months due to fire damage, inspired Walter Wick, editor of The Niles Daily to come out with an editorial in the August 1 issue headed "Movie ELEVISION TODAY— page 5 Is Good Relief." The editorial went on to say: "With all the hot air television viewers have had to endure during the national political conventions, the air conditioning found in a good movie is a welcome relief. "After six months of doing without local movies, the films being shown at the newly-remodeled Robins Theatre are pleasant relaxation indeed. "Television will never replace the movie as the way to wind up a good evening's entertainment." The Robins Theatre is a unit of a chain of theatres belonging to the Robins Amusement Co., Warren, O. headed by Leon Enken, Jr. Allied to Fill New Executive Post Soon At Salary Commensurate With Individual 's Status Special to THE DAILY MILWAUKEE, Aug. 22. Negotiations are scheduled to start soon for someone to fill the newly created post of executive director of Allied States. Ren Marcus, recently named interim board chairman of Allied, is scheduled to leave for New York to open talks with several persons sought for the position. Despite recent reports that A. W. Schwalberg, head of Citation Films, was being sought for an executive position with International Films, a new company with which former New ( Continued on page 4 ) Film Stocks Cited By 'Financial )Norld' Good earnings prospects for motion picture companies are indicated in an article in the current issue of Financial World under the heading "Prosperous Era for Movie Makers." The financial magazine terms Universal's operations as "One of the most outstanding performances," and adds that U-I and M-G-M "appear to have found the magic touch and their (Continued on page 4) Report Goldstein Permanent 20th-Fox Production Head From THE DAILY Bureau HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 22.-Reports here that Robert Goldstein, who on July 15 was named temporary head of production at 20th Century-Fox, has been given permanent status in that capacity could not be confirmed tonight due to the fact that Spyros P. Skouras, head of the company, had left for New York. Goldstein was named temporaiy head of the studios following the death of Buddy Adler.