The Exhibitor (1960)

HOLLYWOOD Survey by Paul Moaning CHIN EXERCISING this past week in movietown was divided be¬ tween the lingering gloom of the strike and the signing of scripter Albert Maltz by Frank Sinatra to do the screenplay for “The Execution of Private Slovick,” a touchy tale of the execution of a deserter by the U.S. Army aurmg World War Two. The old saying is three strikes and you’re out. In this case, it seems that folks in Washington, D.C., figure this Maltz hiring for the third strike, the other two being the signing of “unfriendly” writers recently by producers Otto Preminger and Stanley Kramer. The other word from Washington is that Senatorial snoopers will soon be heading Hollywood -way to add to the upset. As tho we don’t have trouble enough already! In the works at present, according to sti'ong rumor, is a blast at the above three producers by their own Screen Producers Guild. THE OSCAR DERBY somehow seems to have lost it’s usual glitter, due no doubt to the general depressed mood of thousands of workers who have been idled by the strike. I have spoken to many pink-slipped workers in many different departments, and it appears that all fear greatly that they will not be recalled — even if the strike should end next week. Seems that the ugly story floating around is that the majors will use this stoppage to dump thou¬ sands of workers. This is causing a minor panic among the older workers. Most of the folks I have spoken with deplore the strike, the manner in which it was voted (by such a small minority of actually -working actors), and the stalling tactics charged to both sides. Sure hope that by the time this appears in print the strike will have been settled — and also that the fears of so many good and loyal Hollywood workers will prove to have been groundless. Unlike actors, writers, producers, and directors, the major force of Hollywood craftsmen are rooted to these Hollywood Hills. Any prolonged severance from the weekly pay check could be dis¬ astrous. LONDON Obse by Jock MacGregor OPTIMISM was the keynote of Associated British Cinemas’ champion managers’ dinner, when Jack E. Wright of the Savoy, Brighton, was named the winner of an all expense paid trip to the United States with his wife this summer. Managing director Jack Goodlatte, supported by Sir Philip Warter and C. J. Latta, said that to get the best out of a manager he must be made to feel that he is the owner of the theatre. Currenly, the group consists of 350 theatres and has no gloom about the future. It is prepared to acquire the right theatres and has recently taken over the Futurist, Liverpool, in which Todd-AO is being installed. “We can book the right pictures,” Jack said, “but it is still up to the boys in the field to put them over.” He is convinced that the pattern of presentation is changing and cited how he had played “The Nim’s Story” as a hard ticket road show in only 34 situations and has taken close to £1,000,000. Jack paid very high tribute to his assistant managing director. Bill CartHdge, who pre¬ sided at the dinner and made the presentations. He blesses the day he was lucky enough to find him. C. J. Latta in toasting the guests, whom we were all delighted to find included Steve Broidie and Norton Ritchey of Allied Artists, said how very happy the directors were that despite the unfortunate clash with the dinner at which Prince Philip presented the British Film Academy Annual Awards, not a single tradepaper editor was missing. CJ was being a trifle modest. This ABC function is always one of the year’s highlights for good fel¬ lowship, excellent fun, and wonderful hospitality. Even had the BFA not left it till the last moment to invite or inform the trade press about their function, the results would have been the same. I drifted along after the ABC affair to find a jubilant Charles Goldsmith MGM table. “Ben Hur” had been voted the best film and Shirley MacLaine the best foreign actress for “Ask Any Girl.” Other awards included: best British film, “Sapphire”; British actress, Audrey Hepburn; British actor, Peter Sellers; foreign actor. Jack Lemmon (“Some Like It Hot”); United Nations, “On The Beach.” PRINCE PHILIP also attended the Royal Film Performance in aid of the Cinema Trade Benevolent Fund. Selected was Columbia’s “The Last Angry Man” and the foyers of the Odeon, Leicester Square, were redecorated and most luxuriously recarpeted for the occasion. Among the stars presented to the royal party were Kim Novak, Leslie Caron, Noel Coward, John Mills, Kenneth More, Marina Valdy, Mylene Demongeot, and Frances Kwan. Execu¬ tives presented by Lord Rank included producer Fred Kohlmar who flew over for the oc¬ casion, Mike Frankovich, and Kenneth Winckles. Incidentally, the Prince made a most topi¬ cal crack to Kim about being a Hollywood striker and in consequence did not ask what film she was making. “SCHOOL FOR SCOUNDRELS,” which is packing them in in great style at the Warner, concerns an expert on putting one over on his neighbors. In consequence, I was not so sur¬ prised at the end of the press show to find the instigator of the vigorous handclapping, not often heard on such occasions, was producer Hal E. Chester. He need not have worried. He has a big winner here. rvations A group of Universal-International personali¬ ties are seen at their table at the annual dinner of the Hollywood Foreign Press Cor¬ respondents. Seen in the foreground, left to right, are producer Martin Melcher; Doris Day; Vera Miles, and producer Ross Hunter; and in the background, left to right, Tony Ran¬ dall; Mrs. Randall; U-l vice president David A. Lipton; Mrs. Lipton; and director Michael Gordon. Upbeat Industry Story Furnished To Press NEW YORK — A report on the outlook for upcoming films in the second quarter was re¬ leased last week by the MPAA to key news¬ papers throughout the country. The report is being planted by the exploita¬ tion field committee under the chairmanship of Rodney Bush that has so successfully served the Academy Awards promotion. The results of the survey show that some 135 unreleased films are in various stages of completion and will satisfy the tastes of every type of movie fan. There is a wide selection of dramatic films, a whole host of upcoming comedies, a generous selection of family films, westerns, musicals, and even three or four big spectacles. Each story was accompanied by a threepage list of titles and credits and a selection of a half a dozen scene stills around which any newspaper can build an interesting and timely feature story. The Association plans to furnish similar stories on a regular basis to the daily press throughout the year. Loew's Switch Okayed NEW YORK — Federal District Court Judge Edmund L. Palmieri last fortnight signed an order permitting Loew’s Theatres to acquire the American, St. Louis, on condition that it dispose of the Orpheum in the same city. Loew’s requested approval and plans to take over the American, now a legitimate house, and turn it into a film house. The Or¬ pheum, owned by the same landlord as the American, would revert to the owner, who plans to offer stage shows. "Jewel Box" A Hit NEW YORK— “The Jewel Box Revue” re¬ cently broke records in a two week engage¬ ment at the Opollo, a vaudeville high spot in this city. The 25 men and a girl revue has played many theatre and club engagements, and is now on the road to Washington and Chicago theatres. The show returns to Town and Country, New York, in May for six weeks after playing 32 weeks at this night spot last season. 18 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR April 6, I960