Motion Picture Herald (1954)

THE WINNERS CIRCLE Pictures doing above average business at first runs in the key cities for the week ending October 23 were: Arn til l Drops Export Un.it Uompla in t Independent producers last week withdrew from the Federal Trade Commission their complaint, filed July 8, against the Motion Picture Export Association of the Motion Picture Producers Association of America. Ellis Arnall, president of the Independent Film Producers Export Corporation, affiliate of the Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers, said the withdrawal was based upon assurances by Eric A. Johnston, MPAA president, that any agreements now or in the future would not contain subsidies to foreign producers; that Mr. Johnston personally opposed subsidies, and that now he had support from the MPEA directors. Mr. Arnall added : “Now that Mr. Johnston has stated his position, there is no difference existing between us. If private film subsidies in violation of the Webb-Pomerene Act are not granted in the future by export corporations, whether or not such subsidies are violative of law becomes a mere theoretical rather than an actual or practical question.” Mr. Arnall also cited a letter from Samuel C. Waugh, Assistant Secretary of the Department of State, opposing subsidies, and he also said the Hollywood AFL Film Council would be gratified at the unity between independents and majors on the question. First Superscope Film Has Christmas Dates “Underwater !” the first film to be shot in Superscope, has been set for four Christmas Day openings following its world premiere at the Fox theatre, St. Louis, it was announced this week by James R. Grainger, president of RKO Pictures. The theatres are the Mayfair, New York; Woods, Chicago; Paramount, Hollywood, and Rialto, Atlanta. “Underwater !” which stars Jane Russell, was produced by Harry Tatelman and directed by John Sturges. Superscope Demonstrated In Paris and Rome Following the demonstration last week of the Superscope lens in Paris, Walter Branson, world wide sales manager of RKO, and Joseph Tushinsky, co-inventor of Superscope, went to Rome, where they held the second European demonstration of the new wide screen process. Mr. Branson said the exhibitor reaction in Paris was that Superscope was the answer to their need for standardization of wide-screen projection. Paramount Studios to Make Girl Rush" in VistaVision Y. Frank Freeman, vice-president in charge of Paramount Studios, and Frederick Brisson, president of Independent Artists’ Pictures, have reached an agreement for “The Girl Rush” to be produced at Para Albany : A Star Is Born (W.B.), Rogue Cop (MGM). Atlanta: About Mrs. Leslie (Par.), The v Caine Mutiny (Col.) 5th week, Rear Window (Par.) 2nd week, Rogue Cop (MGM). Baltimore: Brigadoon (MGM), On the Waterfront (Col.), A Star Is Born ( W.B.) 2nd week, A Woman’s World (20th-Fox) 2nd week. Boston: High and Dry (U-I), Rogue Cop (MGM), Sabrina (Par.), A Woman’s World (20th-Fox). Buffalo: The Human Jungle (A. A.), Rogue Cop (MGM) 2nd week, A Star Is Born (W.B.) 2nd week, Three Hours to Kill (Col.), A Woman’s World (MGM). Columbus: Rear Window (Par.) 2nd week. Denver: Sabrina (Par.) 4th week, A Star Is Born (W.B.), Suddenly (U.A.), A Woman’s World (20th-Fox). Des Moines: Sabrina (Par.) 2nd week, A Star Is Born (W.B.). Detroit: Rear Window (Par.), A Star Is Born (W.B.) 3rd week, A Woman’s World (20th-Fox). Hartford: Bengal Brigade (U-I), A Bullet Is Waiting (Col.), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (MGM reissue), The Malta Story (U.A.), Notorious (RKO revival), A Woman’s World (20th-Fox). Indianapolis: On the Waterfront (Col.), Sabrina (Par.) 2nd week, A Star Is Born (W.B.), The Vanishing Prairie (Buena Vista). Jacksonville: Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (U.A.), Brigadoon (MGM), Duel in the Sun (SRO), Rogue Cop (MGM). Kansas City: Human Desire (Col.), Vanishing Prairie (Buena Vista), A Woman’s World (20th-Fox) holdover. Memphis: Brigadoon (MGM), Rear Window (Par.), A Star Is Born (W.B.) 2nd week. mount and distributed by them. The Rosalind Russell film, which has been in preparation at RKO for several months, will be produced in VistaVision which was developed by Paramount. Mr. Brisson is producer and Robert Pirosh director. Federation Honors Goldwyn The New York State Federation of Women’s Clubs, on its 60th anniversary, has chosen Samuel Goldwyn to receive a citation for outstanding achievements in motion pictures and setting high standards for the entire industry. The citation will be made at the Helmuth Fellowship dinner at the Hotel Roosevelt, New York, November 8. Milwaukee: Brigadoon (MGM) 3rd week, On the Waterfront (Col.) ends 3rd week, Shanghai Story (Rep.), A Woman’s World (20th-Fox) 2nd week. Minneapolis: On the Waterfront (Col.) 4th week, Rogue Cop (MGM) 2nd week, Sabrina (Par.) 4th week, A Star Is Born (W.B.) 2nd week. New Orleans: Broken Lance (20th-Fox) 2nd week, Sabrina (Par.) holdover, A Star Is Born (W.B.) 3rd week. Oklahoma City: Brigadoon (MGM), Rear Window (Par.) 4th week, A Star Is Born (W.B.) 3rd week, The Vanishing Prairie (Buena Vista) 2nd week, A Woman’s World (20th-Fox) 2nd week. Philadelphia: Brigadoon (MGM) 2nd week, Hajji Baba (20th-Fox), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (MGM) 3rd week, A Star Is Born (W.B.). Pittsburgh: A Star Is Born (W.B.), A Woman’s World (20th-Fox). Portland: Brigadoon (MGM), Rear Window (Par.), A Star Is Born (W.B.) 2nd week, The Vanishing Prairie (RKO) 3rd week, A Woman’s World (20thFox). Providence: About Mrs. Leslie (Par.), The Bounty Hunter (W.B.). Toronto: Brigadoon (MGM), The Caine Mutiny (Col.) 3rd week, Doctor in the House (JARO) 8th week, Julius Caesar (MGM). Vancouver: Doctor in the House (JARO) 7th week, Seven Birdes for Seven Brothers (MGM) 2nd week, Sins of Rome (RKO). Washington: Brigadoon (MGM) 2nd week, On the Waterfront (Col.) 5th week, Rear Window (Par.) 7th week, Rogue Cop (MGM), Sabrina (Par.) 2nd week, A Star Is Born (W.B.), A Woman’s World (20th-Fox) 2nd week. Five RKO Color Releases Before End of Year Walter Branson, RKO world wide sales manager, announced this week that the company would have five films, all in color, in national release between now and the end of the year. Following its world premiere in Houston, November 11, “This Is My Love” will go into immediate release. “Cattle Queen of ^lontana” premieres in Billings, Mont., November 18. “Underwater !” opens in St. Louis, December 21, while “Hansel and Gretel,” now in its pre-release run in New York, will be released at Christmas. “Passion” went into release at the beginning of the month. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, OCTOBER 30, 1954 23