The Exhibitor (1955)

SS-4 STUDIO SURVEY , THINGS TO COMI OM HOLLYWOOD... MGM^S "'Blackboard Jungle" “BLACKBOARD JUNGLE” leaps from the screen into the lives of most Americans living with today’s fast moving younger generation. Coming to violent grips with one of the major problems facing us today, steadily increasing juvenile delinquency, this hard-hitting picture attacks the problem where most authorities agree is its spawning ground, the public schools in the slum areas of our larger cities. GLENN FORD offers his best screen perfomiance since his memorable one in “Gilda.” A difficult role, that of a young teacher attempting to control diabolical and savage students. Ford rises to new heights. Backed up with outstanding contributions by the entire cast, this is a picture which will cause wide public controversy and, by thus doing, bring heavy boxoffice grosses to all situations. PANDRO BERMAN, producer, rates high praise for his alertness to this ever growing problem, and for his daring and ingenuity in fashioning this explosive film. RICHARD BROOKS, the director, who also did the screen play, is still young enough to evaluate and qualify the dynamic ingredients of this problem. He forces realism and motion into script and into the picture itself. A very important credit for Mr. Brooks. IT IS the studied opinion of this editor, that “Blackboard Jungle” will be attended, applauded, and remembered far longer than most of Holly¬ wood’s lavish, pretentious films. — P. M. Seen above are two scenes from "MGM's exciting story on juvenile delinquency, "Blackboard Jungle," starring Glenn Ford and Anne Francis. On the bottom row are director Richard Brooks, who also wrote the screen play, and producer Pandro S. Berman. James Stewart Returns James Stewart, who toured the Orient with his wife as part of Paramount's pre-selling cam¬ paign for "Strategic Air Command, is seen at a Manila ceremonial reception as the guest of circuit owner Ernesto RufTino, right. At left is A. S. Velasquez, Paramount Philippines manager. James Stewart, accompanied by his wife, Gloria, has just returned to Holly¬ wood from his first trip to the Orient, where he visited such cities as Tokyo, Hong Kong, Yokohama, Kyote, and Manila among others. A combination busi¬ ness and pleasure trip, Stewart held many press conferences in advance of screen¬ ings of three of his latest films, “Rear Window,” “Far Country,” and “Strategic Air Command.” Much of the lanky star’s fan mail is of Oriental origin, and he looked forward with great interest to meeting the popu¬ lace first hand. He was not disappointed. The Stewarts’ arrival in Tokyo in a driving rain did not deter the over¬ whelming crowds, nor dampen the enthusi¬ astic greeting of the man whose many quality motion pictures have earned him a unique and enviable position in the entertainment world and with people everywhere. The thunderous ovations accorded the couple and the genuine dis¬ play of affection shown the star on every occasion is still another example of the high esteem with which he is regarded. Stewart’s first hand experience, meet¬ ing the people of various cities, pointed up even more vividly the tremendous in¬ fluence wielded by motion pictures, and made it more evident that the entertain¬ ment offered by the movies is indeed the universal language. The star found the people gracious and understanding, showing an eager interest in the American way of life. He left Japan with a warm feeling, generated by the people whose interest in him showed only too clearly that the entertainment offered by motion pictures can and does, in its place, bring a measure of better understanding between the peoples of many countries. Stewart’s films have always been made to exacting standards on the highest pos¬ sible plane as attested to by his popu¬ larity which has consistently placed him in the top 10 stars everywhere. The industry can well be prcud of James Stewart, whose impeccable be¬ havior, quiet intelligence, and keen un¬ derstanding have made him one of the most popular and beloved figures in the world. MGM Releases Set New York — MGM will release four pic¬ tures in May and June, according to tentative plans. The pictures will be re¬ leased at the rate of two a month and will make a total of 12 minimum for the first six months of the calendar year. The new tentative releases include “The Prodigal” in Eastman Color and CinemaScope, and “The Marauders” in Eastman Color, for May; and “Love Me Or Leave Me,” in Eastman Color and CinemaScope, and “Moonfleet” in Eastman Color and CinemaScope, for June. Previously announced for the first four months of the current year were “Bad Day At Black Rock” and “Green Fire,” for January; “Many Rivers To Cross” and “Jupiter’s Darling,” for February; “Hit The Deck” and “Anchors Aweigh” reprint, for March; “The Glass Slipper” and “Be¬ devilled,” for April. All are in color. MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR March 16, 1955