Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Mar 1954)

Eternity 99 A. I . Critics Best Film Columbia’s “From Here to Eternity” was the best picture of 1953, the New York Film Critics voted last week. The group, comprising film writers and editors of major New York newspapers, also cited Fred Zinnemann, director of that picture, as the best director of the year ; Burt Lancaster, also in the picture, as the best actor, and Audrey Hepburn as the best actress, for her role in “Roman Holiday.” Other “candidates” in these categories, the newspaper writers said, were “Conquest of Everest”, “The Robe”, “Roman Holiday” and “Moulin Rouge” ; George Stevens, Joseph Mankiewicz, William Wyler, and John Huston; William Holden, Spencer Tracy, John Gielgud, and James Mason; and Ava Gardner, Anna Magnani, Jean Simmons, Leslie Caron, and Colette Marchand. The critics also declared “Justice Is Done” was the best foreign film of the year ; and they cited specially “A Queen Is Crowned” and “Conquest of Everest.” Both are in color. Dozen Big Openings Set for "Cease Fire!" A dozen gala military-style openings have been scheduled for the Paramount-Hal Wallis film of the Korean war, “Cease Fire!” in six cities during the first five weeks of the new year. Each local opening will be patterned after the arc-lighted Army-sponsored world premiere at New York’s Criterion theatre November 24 and coast premiere at the St. Francis theatre, San Francisco, December 22. The Paramount theatre in Newark, N. J., January 1 will lead off the openings. Then on January 13 seven key Los Angeles firstruns will open the picture. The following day, January 14, the picture will open at the Ontario theatre, Washington, D. C. The Metropolitan theatre, Boston, will open the film with military trimmings January 15, and on either that day or January 22 it will make its bow at the Stanley theatre, Philadelphia. On February 4 “Cease Fire !” will have an Army-sponsored opening at the Palm State theatre, Detroit. RKO Signs Deal for Release Of Stillman's "Americano" RKO Radio Pictures this week announced the signing of a distribution deal with Robert Stillman Productions for the release of “The Americano.” The film, which has a Brazilian background, stars Glenn Ford, Arthur Kennedy, Ursula Thiess and Cesar Romero. It is the fifth independent film in as many weeks to be placed on RKO’s 1954 agenda. Massachusetts Circuit Head Shares with Employees Samuel Goldstein, president of Western Massachusetts Theatres, Inc., Springfield, announced last week he is giving part of his organization to between 15 and 20 of his top employees. Word of his plans accompanied the announcement that his 226 employees were receiving Christmas bonuses ranging from $100 to $800, depending on length of service. Under the reorganization, Western Massachusetts Theatres will serve as a holding company, owning the 15 theatres involved. He will head this firm. Theatre Managers, Inc., will be the name of the company which will operate the theatres and stock in this firm will be held by 15 or so administrators, or former employees of Mr. Goldstein. Becca to Buy "V" Stock WASHINGTON : Decca Records has notified the Securities and Exchange Commission that it proposes to increase its holdings of Universal Pictures common stock. Decca filed a registration statement with the Commission to increase its own outstanding capital stock to offer to Universal stockholders Decca stock in exchange for their Universal stock. The Decca statement sought registration of 145,842 shares of 50 cents par value capital stock, “to be issued only in exchange for shares of $1 common stock of Universal Pictures Co., Inc.” The ratio of exchange is to be filed later. According to the prospectus, Decca now owns 600,075 shares of the outstanding Universal stock. Issuance of the additional 145,842 shares of Decca capital stock would increase its outstanding stock to 1,500,000 shares. Decca declared the ratio of exchange would be determined by Decca’s board of directors some time in January, upon the basis of the earning records of the two companies, the dividends paid, the book value, the market history, the prospective earnings of the two companies, and other similar matters. Columbia Buys "Joseph And His Brethren" “Joseph and His Brethren” a Biblical classic, has been acquired by Columbia Pictures from Louis B. Mayer. It will be made in 1954 and according to Columbia president Harry Cohn will be one of the most important and costly productions the company has attempted. The screenplay, by John Lee Mahin, will be made by executive producer Jerry Wald and directed by William Dieterle. It will be in color by Technicolor, and be made on ffications in Europe, and the Holy Land, and in Hollywood. Mr. Mayer is said to be pleased at the eventuation. He originally acquired and prepared the story. He will have an interest in the production, Columbia said. J Loetr Single Truck Sound Is Expluined LONDON : Details of Loew’s International Corporation’s new single optical track stereophonic sound system were discussed here by Arthur M. Loew, president. The system, called Perspect-A-Sound, will be used first with British and Continental prints of “Knights of the Round Table,” MGM s first production in CinemaScope which will have its overseas premiere at the Empire in London some time in February. Sound from the single optical track, said Mr. Loew, “is distributed through the center and side screen horns by means of a small piece of equipment in the projection booth. There is no necessity to make any changes in the standard projection sound heads.” “It is simple ad foolproof, ’ he continued. “From the renters’ point of view, it makes stereophonic sound an easier and less expensive process. For the exhibitors it has all the advantages of the new sound, with none of the difficulties.” He said, in effect, that it was an all purpose system since theatres not equipped for stereophonic reproduction can run the sound through their single horns without any adjustments. A trade demonstration of the device is expected to be held at the Empire some time early in January, followed by demonstration in other European countries. For U. S. engagements, prints of “Knights” are equipped with the four-track magnetic sound which 20th-Fox is using with all its CinemaScope features. Chicago Tribune Lists Neighborhood Films CHICAGO: Regular editorial coverage of motion pictures shown at neighborhood theatres was begun by the “Chicago Tribune ’ recently, as a weekly feature of the paper. The neighborhood film column, consisting of a brief comment about the stars and themes of films scheduled throughout the Chicago area that weekend, is to appear on the same page with neighborhood theatre advertisements every Friday. Rosenberg Buys Story HOLLYWOOD : Frank P. Rosenberg, independent producer, has purchased “Steeper Cliff” from 20th Century-Fox, where it was on his production agenda during his term at that studio, and will produce it in Germany next summer. Drive-Ins, RENEW SPEAKERS NOW! Any make in-car speakers reconditioned "just like new". Repainted, all defective or doubtful parts replaced, tested in service. Get complete details! In lots of 40, only $2.98 each! fir si ‘American pWuzts .Tic. 1717 Wyandotte St., Kansas City 8, Mo. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, JANUARY 2, 1954 27