The Exhibitor (1955)

20 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR New Columbia Unit Headed By Kingsley New York — Columbia Pictures an¬ nounced last week the establishment of a special sales division to handle United States distribution of imported films, hav¬ ing finalized an agree¬ ment with Edward L. Kingsley to head up the new operation Kingsley, who is president, Kingsley International, also re¬ tains his present as¬ sociation and will con¬ tinue to operate his own independent dis¬ tribution company. Columbia’s decision to create a new sales arm results from the request of many foreign producers, a large number of whom are Columbia's co-producing part¬ ners, for an American distribution organi¬ zation equipped to give their product a treatment that is individual in form and yet national in scope. “We will oflfer U. S. exhibitors only the very finest films from abroad, merchan¬ dized and launched in a hand -tailored manner,” said a Columbia spokesman. It is anticipated that the new set up will be in operation by the end of the year. Konecofi' (Continued from page 4) Murrow: What about writers? Goldwyn: Some are paid tco much, others not enough. They ai'e very im¬ portant to a producer and a picture. Murrow: What does the public want? Goldwyn: They don’t know what they want. If you make it and its gcod, then they want it. Murrow: Is there a shortage of ideas and materials? Goldwyn: There must be. It takes me two or three years to find something I like and then I take a chance and make it, which is the only way. Murrow: Do you plan to enter TV yourself? Goldwyn: What can I prove by going into it? I may ruin it. Murrow: What about new talent? Goldwyn: You have to look for it and then give young people a chance when you find them. He was presented with a gift. Aboard the dais were: Robert H. Schmidt, Leopold Friedman, Robert Mochrie, Hubbell Robinson, Jr., Samuel I. Rosenman, Sol Schwartz, William I. Nichols, Mannie Sachs, James Mulvey, Charles Reagan, Max Liebman, Howard Dietz, Charles Denning, Abel Green, Leo¬ nard Goldenson, Robert Sherwood, and Robert Burton, president. WEDDING: Si (Confucious) Seadler said it: “If pigeons can mate in Times Square, why not people.” And so it came to pass that last week the canyon-like buildings of Broadway and Times Square and their inhabitants wit¬ nessed a wedding, a by-product of the forthcoming “Guys And Dolls.” The thousands who lined the sidewalks and those who rode by at a snail’s pace saw a hoy and girl, guy and doll to some, get married, as the Goldwyn Girls in forma', dress and the Goldwyn Guys in top hat and tails were witnesses. Industry Charities Unit Gets $800,000 In Week HOLLYWOOD— More than $800,0()(» had been subscribed to the 19,'5.'5 drive of Motion Picture Permanent Char¬ ities last fortnight at the end of the first full week of campaigning, it was announced by campaign chairman Walter Pidgeon. Some 16,800 workers in studios and allied industries had contributed, and Pidgeon predicted that last year’s total of $1,100,000 would be exceeded. Funds from the cam¬ paign will be divided among 18 agencies, with the Los Angeles Com¬ munity Chest receiving 64.8 per cent of the total. Just so the showmanlike event should not be forgotten and a proper mark kept in the records books, there were loads of photographers exposing their film to the event for posterity. The youngsters, who were the center of attraction and the stars of the moment, won a contest conducted b.y the Capitol where the film opens this week, in conjunction with R. H. Macy. All of the essentials as well as the trim¬ mings were free, as was a honeymoon trip to Havana, Cuba. Even the pigeons were impressed. PRODUCTION NOTES: William Schorr, producer of Kirk Douglas’ “The Indian Fighter,” arrived in town for various and sundry reasons we never did uncover. He was quite willing to talk about “Indian Fighter” and several other things and if he wasn't, there were a couple of press agents around who were and did. “Indian Fighter” in CinemaScope and color runs 87 minutes, cost about a mil¬ lion dollars, and will be available to some lucky 250 exhibitors for Christmas play¬ off with the N. Y. Mayfair already set. All of the scenes were shot on location at Bend, Oregon, with even the interiors being filmed within a 200 square foot fort that was especially built for the occasion by the local Chamber of Commerce which figures cn using it as a tourist attraction as well as to rent it out to other film companies seeing as how authentic forts aren’t as plentiful these days as they once were. It will also be used for Boy Scout and other area functions. The female lead, Elsa Martinelli, an Italian damsel of attractive proportions, was selected by Douglas, but she almost didn’t get the part. It seems when Douglas called her and told her to report, she wouldn’t believe him and he couldn’t con¬ vince her of his identity. It turned out that on that day, she had seen “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea” and thought it was some of her friends ribbing her. He had to call her again and sing a number from the film 'ere she would believe. Schorr, a former stage director and producer, has a couple of things he’s working on and as soon as he finalizes one of them he is thinking of presenting it on TV which would serve the purpose of garnering reaction, ironing out the rough spots, and possibly interesting backers to participate. Who knows? May¬ be the TV outfits might even wind up as his partner, he thought. METROPOLITAN SCENE: Last week saw the passing of Fred Meyers, United Artists New York-Metropolitan district manager, a nice guy in our books as well as in a multitude of others. We are sorry to lose him. The local branch and home office closed down during the funeral services. . . . MGM has some wonderful and humorous booklets out on “Guys And Dolls.” Incidentally, we caught the five minute trailer out on the film and it should sell the attraction wonderfully. Ed Sullivan appears, and he presents some of the highlights, scenes, and settings from the film. It’s almost as good as playing the feature. . . . Those piano-shaped ash¬ trays plugging the Warner-Liberace film, “Sincerely Yours,” are the mostest. . . . The Nov. 11th issue of Colliers will have a four-page color layout on “Guys And Dolls” and the Goldwyn Girls. . . . Okay pressbooks out on “The Girl In The Red Velvet Swing” and “Three Stripes In The Sun.” . . . The cover of a recent New York Mirror Sunday Magazine section is bright¬ ened via the appearance of Sophia Loren. She’s the subject of an inside feature as well. . . . Okay pressbooks out on “Queen Bee,” “Gentlemen Marry Brunettes,” “Lucy Gallant.” This Was The Week When . Twentieth-Fox slated “The View From Pompey’s Head” for its New York premiere in the Roxy, Nov. 4. . . . Stanley Warner directors declared a dividend of 25 cents per share on common stock, payable Nov. 25 to holders of record Nov. 7. United Artists revealed a deal with Figaro to make nine features for UA release during the next four years, five of which will be produced, directed and written by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. . . . Vittorio De Sica’s “Umberto D.” was slated to bow at New York’s Guild on Nov. 7. . . . Henri-Georges Clouzot’s “Diabolique” was booked at New York’s Fine Arts to follow the current “The Sheep Has Five Legs.” . . . Richard Egan and 20th-Fox special events manager Leo Pillot started a 10-city, nation-wide tour in behalf of “The View From Pompey’s Head.” The United Nations’ Dr. Ralph Bunche announced that Leonard Bernstein and Cornelia Otis Skinner will be featured in ceremonies dedicating the Building For Brotherhood, new headquarters for the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Nov. 11. . . . Danny Kaye was slated to spend November on tour on behalf of the United Nations Children’s Fund and related activities for Paramount’s “The Court Jester." . . . Warners’ “Sincerely Yours” world premiered in Chicago’s Chicago, with the femme fan clubs in a dither over the p.a. of the star. . . . 20th-Fox also slated Dana Wynter to make a 15-city tour with Richard Egan, his second, to pre-sell “Pompey’s Head.” , . . The schedule of American Releasing Corporation will be upped to one a month by mid-year, it was announced by president James Nicholson. . . . United Artists announced that Frank Sinatra has organized Kent Productions, Inc., to make six features for UA release. November 2. 1955