Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1960)

6 Motion Picture Daily Monday, October 24, 19| FCC's Hearing lhe A\amo ( Continued from page 1 ) would adopt the position that had been taken by its broadcast bureau, saying diat "the present issues encompass the information required as to programming." Marcus Cohn, attorney for the Connecticut Committee Against Pay-TV and five Connecticut theatres, told Motion Picture Daily he is "perfectly delighted and perfectly happy" with this turn of events, as long as it is clear diat the issue of programming is not to be avoided. Statement Flexible FCC's statement concerning programming was, it would appear, almost deliberately worded in a manner that leaves the commission free to make interpretations as the case goes on. The commission reminded Cohn and his clients that "this proceeding looks merely toward a trial operation at Hartford, Conn., and that— as earlier announced— it "concerns questions of narrower scope than were involved in die rule-making proceeding" which related to proposal for nation-wide subscription television service. "Therefore, it is our view that the issues as presently framed provide for the introduction of sufficient evidence concerning programming to enable us to render a meaningful decision with respect to the proposed trial operation," the commission declared. Several Witnesses Available It is understood that Cohn has a number of witnesses in reserve, in case they are needed. Cohn's case, under FCC rules, will necessarily be a rebuttal, not an affirmative presentation. As far as is known, the only witness to be called by Cohn is Arthur Mayer, a veteran of exhibition, distribution and production of films. The Hartford Phonevision Co., which has first crack at making its affirmative presentation to FCC, has not said which witnesses it will put on the stand. It is believed, however, that Thomas F. O'Neil of RKO-General is going to carry a substantial part of the case. Broadcast Bureau Supported FCC also spelled out its support of the Broadcast Bureau, which had earlier urged denial of the right of Zenith Radio and its Phonevision licensee, Teco, Inc., to participate as parties to the case. FCC said that in its judgment "this vague, conclusionary allegation of Zenith that denial of the instant application will cause it economic injury is insufficient to establish that its interest is direct and substantial." FCC also said that "Teco has failed to specify in sufficient detail what direct and substantial injury it would suffer as a result of unfavorable action herein, nor has it even attempted to demonstrate clearly whether its prospective injury would be separately recognizable as a matter of law in view of the essential identity of interest of petitioners and applicant, Hartford Phonevision. CONTINUED FROM PAGE ing action all are contained in this saga of the Alamo, and all tending to reach deeply the emotions of all who see it. And the children, too, will find much to cheer about in the exploits of their favorite American heroes, Davey Crockett and Jim Bowie. Never have the Todd-AO screen, and Technicolor been used to better advantage than in this depiction of the vast outdoors shot on location in Bracketville, Texas, and the impressive array of the huge Mexican army as the men march down the vast countryside to take their positions to lay siege to the fortress known as the Alamo. IT IS asserted that the film was made at a cost of $12,000,000, and all of it appears on the screen. In handing out well-deserved plaudits to those connected with this production, one must start with Wayne who produced and directed in superb style, capturing the full flavor of the period in the mounting of the film, as well as in the gusty activities of the backwoods men. Wayne also performs his role as the legendary Colonel David Crockett in heroic Wayne style, which is perfectly suited for this part. Outstanding is the acting of Richard Widmark as Colonel James Bowie, the roustabout soldier who commanded 100 followers and who fought discipline with the same fervor as he fought his enemies. He is impressive in a swashbuckling role, and even more so when he is informed by a courier of the Mexican army of the death of his Mexican wife. It is a memorable and touching scene, in a film that abounds with neverto-be-forgotten episodes. Outstanding, too, is English actor Laurence Harvey as Colonel William Barret Travis, commander of the fort, and a strict army disciplinarian. His cool and dauntless courage, however, is never in doubt. Romance is provided by the lovely Linda Cristal, as Flaca the Mexican widow who shares a brief romantic interlude with Wayne, who sends her away to save her from the war that is to follow. I MOST tender moment involves little Aissa Wayne whose birthday is /| heralded by the fighting men in the shadow of the battle that is soon to begin, and Joan O'Brien, mother of Aissa, and Ken Curtis, the child's father, and aide to Harvey. All three turn in fine performances. James Edward Grant, associate producer and writer of the original screen play, has handled both assignments in superlative fashion. The screenplay, especially, is noteworthy for its dialogue, both in the lighter moments, and in the romantic and dramatic situations. Dimitri Tiompkin, four times an Academy Award winner, composed and conducted the musical score which blends perfectly with the action on the screen, and should be in line for another award. Second-unit director Cliff Lyons deserves credit for handling the innumerable details of the battle scenes, which are as exciting as any that have ever been filmed. Stuart Gilmore performed an expert task in editing the vast cinematic undertaking. "The Alamo" takes its place among the great ones in American film making. It is bound to impress the huge audiences that it is destined to attract. There is so much to see and hear, and so much to be entertained by in this truly big production. -Running time, 190 minutes, plus 15 minute intermission. Release, special. Sidney Rechetnik PEOPLE John DeWaal, assistant manager branch operations for Buena Vi here, has been named manager branch operations, succeeding t| late Joseph Burke. DeWaal forme was manager of exchange operatic; for RKO Radio. □ Peter E. M. Sharp, formerly sistant to the managing director the Troughton and Young Groif London, has been named genei manager manager of the Westrex Cj Ltd., wholly-owned British subs, iary of the Westrex Corp. of Ni York. □ Melvyn Berman, vice-president Tri-State Automatic Candy Cor] with headquarters in Buffalo, 1 been elected a director of ABC Ver| ing Corp., Long Island City. □ Dr. Hugh M. Flick, one-time rector of the New York State Ecj k cation Department's motion picti I division and now associate comrr sioner for cultural education, v speak on "Communications in I, Fight for Freedom" at a meeting the Provincial Board of Censors Canada, at St. John, N. B., on Oct. r NTA Offers Stations 'Post-'48 Movie Quiz' A one-hour "post-'48 movie qu is being offered to tv stations buyi National Telefilm Associates' new for '61" features, E. Jonny Graff a Berne Tabakin, NTA vice-presidei; in charges of sales for the E and West respectively, announc» a This promotional program was fi p used at WNTA-TV when the stat scheduled the 20th Century-Fox pc|a '48 films. The program was said be most successful in building audience for the films. The program's format follows quiz formula with questions based the trailers of the upcoming fib Viewers are asked to submit answ|is for various prizes. Johnston Here But Board Meets Are Off Erie Johnston, president of the If tion Picture Ass'n., will arrive in N York today from Hollywood Washington for staff conferences the MPAA offices here. Projec, meetings of the boards of MPAA i MPEA to hear, among other matt Johnston's recommendations result from his summer inspection of 1 African film markets will not be h at this time, due to lack of a quoi of board members. J it 1. Paul A. Englar Dies BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Oct. 23. Paul A. Englar, owner and open of theatres in this area for many ye died at his home here following a r tracted illness.