Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Mar 1954)

Box Office Champions For /Pecan her. 1953 The Box Office Champions are selected on the basis of the gross revenue at key city theatres throughout the country. Trust Caws Liability Is Questioned If ASHINGTON : Rep. Emanuel Celler (D., N.Y.), ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, is of the opinion that a recent Federal court decision raises the question of whether the motion picture industry and other entertainment businesses are subject to the Federal anti-trust laws. He was sharply critical of a decision handed down last week in New York by Federal Judge John C. Knox. Judge Knox dismissed the Justice Department’s antitrust suit against the Shubert theatre booking interests on the grounds that like baseball, theatre bookings are not a business and therefore not subject to anti-trust laws. Rep. Celler said this decision may be followed by the dismissal of other anti-trust suits involving “all manner of activities both in and out of the entertainment world.” Pointing out that motion picture companies, the medical associations and press wire services have in the past all been held subject to the anti-trust laws, he said that Judge Knox’s decision will “raise many eyebrows” and require a complete examination of the question of what constitutes “business” under the anti-trust statutes. “When Congress reconvenes,” Representative Celler said, “I shall insist that the House Judiciary Committee take a new look at the definition of ‘business.’ We must nail down a number of activities that now seem to be immune from our Federal anti-trust laws.” TOA AMay Ash Code Becision The possibility that exhibition, through the 1 heatre Owners of America, might ask for a voice in any reexamination of the Production Code as called for recently by Samuel Goldwyn, was indicated this week by Walter Reade, Jr., president of the TOA. In a statement issued Tuesday Mr. Reade said the matter would be discussed at the exhibitor organization’s next board meeting. The statement said : “At its annual meeting in Chicago in November of last year TOA’s board of directors reaffirmed its position that the highest moral standards should be the guide in the production and distribution of all motion pictures. It also reaffirmed its support to the principals and purposes of the motion picture Production Code. “However, as with all credos, codes and statements of principal it becomes necessary from time to time to reanalyze, revaluate ALL THE BROTHERS WERE VALIANT ( Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) Produced by Pandro S. Berman. Directed by Richard Thorpe. Written by Harry Brown (based on a story by Ben Ames Williams). Technicolor. Cast: Robert Taylor, Stewart Granger, Ann Blyth, Betta St. John, Keenan Wynn, James Whitmore, Kurt Kasznar, Lewis Stone, Robert Burton, Peter Whitney. CALAMITY JANE (Warner Bros.) Produced by William Jacobs. Directed by David Butler. Written by James O'Hanlon. Technicolor. Cast: Doris Day, Howard Keel, Allyn McLerie, Philip Carey, Dick Wesson, Paul Harvey, Chubby Johnson, Gale Robbins. HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE (20th Century-Fox) (CinemaScope) Produced by Nunnally Johnson. Directed by Jean Negulesco. Written by Nunnally Johnson (based on plays by Zoe Akins, Dale Euson and Katherine Albert). Technicolor. Cast: Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, Lauren Bacall, David Wayne, Rory Calhoun, Cameron Mitchell, Alex D'Arcy, Fred Clark, William Powell, George Dunn, Percy Helton, Robert Adler, Harry Carter, Tudor Owen. and perhaps revise. It may well be that the time has now arrived in the industry to do just that with the existing Production Code. If that is so, I feel that TOA will be in favor of such action. And if that is the decision of the producers and distributors, and if the board of directors, at its meeting later this month, votes that exhibition should have a voice in the process of reanalysing, revaluating, and possible revision, then the board will undoubtedly do what ever may be necessary to pursue its decision.” Columbia Signs Warwick For 3 More Pictures A three-picture releasing and financing program this week was agreed to by Columbia Pictures and Warwick Productions. The latter’s latest three, all made in England with Alan Ladd the star, are being released by Columbia. Of the new series, the first will be “Cockleshell Heroes,” to be made in England and France; the second will be “Prize of Gold,” to be made in England and Germany. Both will be in CinemaScope. The three completed films are “Paratrooper,” “Hell Below Zero” and “The Black Knight.” HONDO (Warner Bros.) (3-D) Produced by Robert Fellows. Directed by John Farrow. Written by James Edward Grant (based on a story by Louis L'Amour). WarnerColor. Cast: John Wayne, Geraldine Page, Ward Bond, Michael Pate, James Arness, Rodolfo Acosta, Leo Gordon, Tom Irish, Lee Aaker, Paul Fix, Rayford Barnes. KISS ME KATE ( Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ) Produced by Jack Cummins. Directed by George Sidney. Written by Dorothy Kingsley (based on the play by Samuel and Bella Spewack). Technicolor. Cast: Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Ann Miller, Keenan Wynn, Bobby Van, Tommy Rail, James Whitmore, Kurt Kasznar, Bob Fosse, Ron Randell. THE ROBE (20th Century-Fox) (CinemaScope) Produced by Frank Ross. Directed by Henry Koster. Written by Philip Dunne. Adapted by Gina Kaus from the novel by Lloyd C. Douglas. Technicolor. Cast: Richard Burton, Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Michael Rennie, Jay Robinson, Dean Jagger, Torin Thatcher, Richard Boone, Betta St. John, Jeff Morrow, Ernest Thesiger, Dawn Addams, Leon Askin. ( Champion for the third month.) Screen Directors' Guild To Present 14 Awards HOLLYWOOD : A record of 14 awards will be made by the Screen Directors’ Guild of America at its third annual awards dinner-dance to be held January 24 in the Biltmore Bowl of the Biltmore Hotel, according to George Sidney, Guild president. Heading the list will be the critic’s award to be made to the outstanding critic in the United States whose reviews have been both constructive and beneficial to the industry. For the first time, an award will be made to the best TV director and assistant director. Also to be given this year will be the D. W. Griffith award for long and distinguished achievement in motion picture direction. One award will be given for the most outstanding directional achievement of 1953. A similar award to the assistant director wil\ be presented. Four awards for outstanding directorial achievements during 1953 and similar awards to assistant directors will also be given. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, JANUARY 9, 1954 19