Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1960)

Motion Picture Daily Monday, November 21. Hornblow, Jr. {Continued from page 1) that Martin Davis of Paramount, chairman of the advertising-publicity directors committee, and Albert M. Pickus, TOA president, would head delegations from their respective organizations at the meeting. Mirisch's disclosure that SPG would be represented by Hornblow was the first positive indication that the producers would have a delegate at the first of what is expected to be a series of meetings to air criticisms of film and theatre advertising and to search for means of increasing its effectiveness. TOA and die ad-publicity directors were prepared to proceed even though an SPG representative was not present, it was reported. The difficulty of finding someone to make the trip to New York for the meeting was responsible for the early doubts about producer representation. Spurred by Criticism Arrangements for the meeting were made as a result of outspoken criticism of industry advertising by TOA and SPG committees meeting jointly in Hollywood in advance of TOA's annual convention there in September. Advertising-publicity executives reacted promptly, contending that while there undoubtedly could be improvements in industry advertising, those who were throwing the stones were not exactly faultless, either. Producers, it was argued, could cooperate in endeavoring to have an excess of meaningless (to the public, at least) credits eliminated from advertising, thus freeing space to be used for selling copy. Exhibitors, for their part, could adopt a more constructive attitude toward making cooperative advertising more effective and businesslike, it was asserted. However, it is not believed that the meeting will become an arena for the hurling of charges and countercharges but, rather, a means of attempting to find ground for friendly criticism, exchanges of viewpoints and suggestions for improvement. Whether this would take the form of working liaison committees on a permanent basis, or retention of an outside agency to make a study of current industry advertising with recommendations for changes or improvement, could not be stated in advance of Wednesday's meeting. No SBA Loans Made to Theatres in October From. THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, Nov. 20. The Small Business Administration approved no loans to theatres during October. It approved 300 business loans for $15,254,000, plus 301 disaster loans worth $1,205,000. Tennessee Pioneer Dies CLINTON, Tenn., Nov. 20.-John L. Davis, who started one of this community's first motion picture theatres, is dead here at the acre of 78. h REVIEW: Esther and the King 20th-Fox — Galatea — CinemaScope All the trappings of a Biblical spectacle, exotic sets and costumes a moving and dramatic story, and the skilled and experienced hand 'of Raoul Walsh make this a worthy and potentially successful entry in the present cycle of historical epics. Its single sales drawback, lack 'of marquee names, can be more than compensated for bv intensive merchandising. Walsh produced, directed and collaborated, with Michael Elkins on the screenplay and his expert touch is evident through most of the 'picture, particularly in getting the utmost from a supporting cast of Italian players. Joan Collins plays Esther with beauty and some depth Richard Egan is properly virile as a soldierly but unstatesmanlike King Ahasuerus and Denis O'Dea is dignified and devout as Mordecai, Jewish leader who has become councillor to the king. The story, brought to the screen with reasonable faithfulness, is of the fair Jewish maiden who is one of the "ten virgins brought to the king when his queen proves faithless and the law requires a new queen to bear an heir to the throne. The Jews at the time are living a precarious existence in exile in an alien land, subject to the suspicions and frequent persecutions of their Persian conquerors. Such a persecution is precipitated by Haman, the king's prime minister, who aspires to the throne and needs a scapegoat to cover his political machinations. Esther at the urging of Mordecai, wins the favor and ultimately the love of 'the king and dissuades him from destroying her people. Her sacrifice is commemorated in the Jewish feast of Purim. An added romance between Esther and a young Jewish soldier who is her bethrothed and from whom she is snatched on the dav of her wedding adds suspense and dramatic conflict to the Biblical story Among others in the cast Rick Battaglia is satisfactory as Esther's nance whose death resisting the Persians makes her sacrifice the more poignant; Sergio Fantoni is sufficiently menacing as the villainous first minister; and Daniella Rocca is somewhat overly voluptuous as the adulterous queen. Color bv DeLuxe and excellent camera work by Maro Bava give an eye-hlling background to the straightforward story. In contrast to the trend blood and gore are at a minimum, with the killings, except for two deaths by strangulation, off-screen. Running time, 109 minutes. Release date, November. James D. Ivers Decision Reserved on NT&T Drive-In Bid Federal Judge Edward L. Palmieri on Friday reserved decision on a petition by National Theatres & Television of Los Angeles to erect a drive-in theatre in Orange County, Calif. NT&T previously had submitted its petition to the Department of Justice with evidence purporting to show that erection of the theatre and its operation as a first run would not unduly restrain competition within its area. However, at Friday's hearing the NT&T petition was opposed by Vinnicoff Theatre Circuit of Los Angeles, whose attorney, Mervin C. Pollak, appeared as amicus curiae and argued that the proposed theatre would unduly restrain competition Pine-Thomas Deal (Continued from page 1 ) were not owned by Paramount which, however, will have some participation in the deal. Paramount has stated that it has no plans at this time for disposing of the tv rights to the post1948 releases which it controls. L.A. AFTH ( Continued from page 1 ) for a new contract. They joine $ New York chapter also in J strike authorization against pro< I of film and taped tv commercial I networks and agencies. The Oil chapter was to meet Friday nidi make its decision. Still to be heard from wa*| Screen Actors Guild, which is | ducting a mail referendum in 'I the membership is asked to autll the Guild board to call a strill necessary to obtain a "fair and table contract." Deadline for reJ of ballots here was noon Friday.] Guild has called a membership 3| ing for tomorrow night at the Be Hilton Hotel. Elections to Be Announced Results of the referendum wiil announced at that time, also thi| suits of the guild's annual ele| President George Chandler and officers are unopposed but them! contests for positions on the SACj tional board of directors. Meanwhile in New York, asf possibility of a strike grew stro:] Robert E. Kintner, president of J National Broadcasting Company, j a stations affiliates meeting there L still a "wide gap" between the I groups of negotiators. He said a si was possible and might come atlT time. In case of a strike, he ad] NBC could continue its radio an] program operations in the foresee] future. Macy-MusicHall Window In addition to its full-scale participation in Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade with its Rockettes, Corps de Ballet, and uniformed ushers, Radio City Music Hall is providing Macy's with a window display exhibiting the lavishly costumed Three Kings from its celebrated Nativity pageant. c, «~ ™ — Start 'Pepe' Seat Sale sunrise in Florida MIAMI, Nov. 20.-Warner Brothers' "Sunrise at Campobello" is being presented here on a continuous-run, popular-price policy at four houses of Floida State Theatres, including the newly-renovated Shores Theatre at Miami Shores. Reserved seats for the first eight weeks of the world premiere engagement of "Pepe" will go on sale at the boxoffice at the Criterion Theatre here today. The world premiere is scheduled for Dec. 21 and the theatre will be extensively refurbished and redecorated for the event. Verve Records ( Continued from page 1 ) retained as to label, appearance,, direction, quality approach, and A structure. The M-G-M president said thati acquisition of Verve was expecte<l enable M-G-M to increase its curl substantial sale of disks by more tf 30 per cent immediately and wc provide a base for further expan in the world market. All East G pressings will now be made I M-G-M's own record manufactui plant. Among the famous artists in Verve catalogue are Red Allen, Si ley Berrnan, Ray Brown, Don Dandridge, Blossom Dearie, Ray I ridge, Herb Ellis, Ella Fitzger Four Holidays, Stan Getz, T< Gibbs, Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy Giui Johnny Hodges, Earl Humphr. Gene Krupa, Elsa Lanchester, Geo! Lewis, Lewis Sisters, Frank Moroc Edward "Kid" Ory, Oscar Peters Paul Smith, Randy Sparks, Sui Stitt and Anita O'Day. Maxin Heads Both Arnold Maxin, who has been charge of MGM Recording Divis for the past three years, will head joint operation. Granz will be charge of European Activities of merged enterprise and will contir recording activities with present Ve artist roster. The present distribut relationships of both MGM and VeJ Records will be continued.