Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1960)

6 Motion Picture Daily Wednesday, November 23, ic MPAA Board (Continued from page 1) board members up to date on the legislative outlook and to inform them that there could be a rash of measures affecting the industry introduced in state legislatures in the months ahead. Actually, no new developments on the legislative front have occurred in recent months and the Clagett report yesterday was similar to others he has made to exhibitor organization conventions this fall. The board meeting adjourned without discussion of the recent proposal of Eric Johnston, MPAA president, for a study of new African market opportunities for American films. A committee of three has been named to look into the Johnston program and acceptances have been received from two. AB-PT Meeting (Continued from page 1 ) some cases for the entire year will be distributed. Thereafter it will be circulated to all exhibitors in the United States and Canada who have endorsed orderly distribution. In circulating his release schedule to exhibitors, Hyman will urge them to join with AB-PT affiliates in conducting simultaneous drives during April, May and June. Hyman, having just completed his usual round of visits to the distributors whose releases are included in the release schedule, stated that cooperation from distributors in assigning quality pictures during the drive period, and from their advertising chiefs in planning all-out campaigns, has been excellent. Hyman called attention to the fact that this is the fifth year in which he has campaigned for orderly distribution of quality product throughout the year. He expressed his enthusiasm over the opportunity which exhibition and distribution have to show great improvement in April, May, and June of 1961 over the corresponding period in recent years. Rackmil to Conduct ( Continued from page 1 ) schedule of forthcoming productions, which includes 15 films ready for release or currently shooting, and 26 films which are in preparation. Emphasis will be placed on the coming; European release of "Spartacus," which has a number of December roadshow openings in Europe, following the British premiere. The conferences will get underway in Rome on Nov. 28; Frankfurt, on Dec. 2; and Paris, on Dec. 9. Not 'Runaway' ( Continued from page 1 ) fast interview held here yesterday. One of the few specialists in the direction of mob and spectacle scenes, Marton reminisced about his experiences on the production of "King Solomon's Mines," the first Cinerama production, the chariot race sequence in "Ben-Hur," and, of course, the climactic scene of his newest picture in which a Greek shepherd, untrained REVIEW: Cinder Fella Lewis — Paramount Jerry Lewis, one of the top flight comedians, who has literally legions of fans across the world, this time essays a fairy tale, albeit one that is brought up to date and has been altered to fit, so to speak, for purposes of this film. There is much in it which Jerry's followers will find to their liking, there is a droll humor, and touches of the Lewis comedy technique which register very well. But it must be recorded that this Lewis excursion into the realm of fantasy, this foray into the area of whimsy, does not quite come off. With the necessary alterations to make the world-famed Cinderella story fit the occasion, including "Fella" instead of "Ella," Frank Tashlin, who also directed, has fashioned a screenplay which seeks to preserve the whimsical, bitter-sweet character of the original. With a touch of music, a song or two and set against the backdrop of a palatial mansion and its grounds, "CinderFella" is amusing, light, entertaining at moments, but withal never quite achieves the right touch of delicacy. Harry Warren Jack Brooks composed three musical numbers for the picture, "Somebody," "Princess Waltz" and "Let Me Be a People." The last named seems at this writing to be the most likely candidate for the song hit sweepstakes, and it is rendered by Jerry with just the right touch of pathos. In support of Lewis are Ed Wyrin, as the Fairy Godfather; none other than Judith Anderson, as the Wicked Stepmother; Anna Maria Alberghetti, as the Princess (counterpart of Cinderella's Prince Charming); Henry Silva as Maximilian, and Bobert Hutton as Bupert, the last two, of course, the counterpart of Cinderella's nasty pair of stepsisters. Count Basie, the notable exponent of jazz, appears with his orchestra quite as himself. This is the first picture of Jerry Lewis' new independent producing company, and he is listed in this instance as producer as well as star. Ernest D. Glucksman was associate producer. There is vast amusement in the early stages of the film, as Jerry, in the role of man-of-all-work about the household, performs as cook, chauffeur, butler, serving man, etc., etc., for stepmother Miss Anderson, and under the abuse of his two stepbrothers. As Jerry rushes about the palatial mansion, switching clothing constantly to the appropriate garb for his servant role of the moment, the film gets away to a good start. Then the household prepares for the visit of the princess, Miss Anderson hoping a match with one of her sons will recoup her rapidlv dwindling funds. Jerrv's late father had presumably left him a vast sum of monev, but no one seems to know where it is. Then appears the Fairy Godfather, and overcoming Jerry's fear and disbelief, convinces him that they must cooperate so as to right the feminine wrong done by the original Cinderella story, and settle the score for downtrodden married men the world over. With the necessarv alterations to accommodate the modern era and the change of sexes from the original, the story spins itself out, with Jerry eventually coming upon his hidden wealth, then giving it up to the now contrite stepmother and stepbrothers, while the lovelv princess refuses to accept his plea that he is not good enough for her. The sumptuous sets and the Technicolor add much to the visual impact of the picture, and the Lewis and Ed Wynn names should continue to attract many. In addition, much should be made in the selling of the fact that the old Cinderella theme has been reworked with a change in period, and above all a change in sex. Bunning time, 91 minutes. Belease, in December. Charles S. Aaronson as an athlete, wins the Marathon race in the 1896 games, restoring some of the glories of ancient Greece. The picture stars Jayne Mansfield, as the Athenian actress who has offered her hand in marriage to the winner of the race; Trax Colton, a new American personality, as the Greek runner, star athlete Bob Mathias as member of the 1896 American Olympic team, and Maria Xenia, a Greek actress, and, according to Marton, one of the most exciting new personalities to come to the screen in a long time. Marton will go to Hollywood to cut the picture, scheduled for release early in 1961 and then will go to Egypt to direct battle scenes for "Cleopatra." Explaining his views on runaway production, the director declared "If you want to film the climax of the 1896 Olympic games in the stadium where it happened you have to go there." Republic Sale (Continued from page 1 ) shares outstanding, Victor Carter, iij public president and chairman of it board, reported in a talk before 1 Los Angeles Society of Secuii Analysts today. For the first time in Republic's . tory, common stockholders are recet ing regular quarterly dividends, pointed out. Reporting on the company's nc picture making operations, Car> said, "the biggest growth and dev opment of the company, in its outloj for fiscal year 1961, will come frc the plastics division, as represent; by Consolidated Molded Produ. Corp., with two plants in Scrantt Pa., and one in Binghamton, N. and another soon to be established the West Coast." Will Enter 70mm Printing Field Carter forecast that the net ) 1961 may reach $1.25 per comni share, strictly from present operatioi which include the Consolidated Fi Industries Division, now developi plans to enter the 70mm. printr phase; Hollywood Television Fil Service, which is undergoing an e pansion program for television aJ theatrical film distribution, and stud rentals to numerous television ai feature film producing organizatio with Four Star Films, independe film producer, having 13 series work and a three-and-a-half-year co1 tract for space at the studio. Questioned on future acrivitie Carter said, "we will continue finance, without ownership, televisic and feature film production ( the cor parry has financed four features arj two television series), and we w seek acquisitions of manufacturii businesses drat have a future in o\ "space age." Rogell Named to Fox European Production From THE DAILY Bureau LONDON, Nov. 22.-The appoin ment of Sid Rogell as temporary hea of production in Europe for 20th Cei tury-Fox was announced here by Sp ros Skouras, president. Rogell succeeds Robert Goldsteii who was named executive head production at the Hollywood studt several months ago. 'Gulliver' Displays In addition to "The 3 Worlds Gulliver" float that will take part i the Macy's Thanksgiving Day paradt two other traveling displays will helj to promote the film. On the West Coast tonight, a Gulj liver float, 30-feet high, will partic^ pate in the annual Hollywood Santl Claus Lane Parade. After the paradt the float will be used in 16 suburba parades in the Los Angeles area, h Chicago over the Thanksgiving weekend, a Gulliver display featurin three large spheres will be seen. Afte the weekend, the float will tour di Chicago-Milwaukee area.