Paramount World (1955)

4 LATEST BULLETINS ON iS IPARISiBURNiNG? Through a number of changes of program at Le Paramount , this eye-catching and attention-compelling sign, at left, has remained at this great Crossroads of the World as a notice to tens of millions of the coming of the Epic of the Decade, "Is Paris Burning?" Director Rene^ Clemente, Academy ^ Award-winning compos¬ er-conductor Maurice Jarre and authors Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre have received Paramount invitations to join the stars and attend the gala American premiere of "Is Paris Burning?" November 9 at the Criterion Theatre in New York. Recently, from New York, Paramount issused an invitation for all former TI.S, serv¬ icemen who had participated in the Liberation of Paris on August 25, 1944, to get in touch with the company. As of the time of our going to press, more than 150 responses had been rereceived, One of these was from Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Elliot L. Richardson, who entered Paris as part of the Liberation forces of the 4th Infantry Division, A winner of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart with Cluster ,Lt. _ Gov, Richardson was Persons who participated in the Liberation of Paris, 22 years ago, on August are being sought by Paramount in conjunction with the rel¬ ease of "Is Paris Burning?" in New York City next November 9. All veterans with inter¬ esting first-hand stories to recount about the Liberation, are asked to contact: "Is Paris Burning?" Editor, Para¬ mount Pictures, 1501 Broadway, New York, NY 16036. In addition to former menybers of the United States Fourth Division, which shared in the glory of freeing Paris, other ex-G.I, 's and American and French civilians who were involved in the events of that day are invited to contact Paramount. (We believe, for instance, that there were some U.S. Paramourteers involved in this historic event.) a lieutenant platoon leader with Company B, ^4th Medical Batt¬ alion . as oart of the aiion, as part 01 12th Combat Team, The issuance of the Paramount invit¬ ation was given very fine press coverage right across the US, a particularly fine instance of this be¬ ing Allen M.Widem's Coast— to— Coast column in the Hartford (Corm,) Times of August 29. Allen devoted six columns to "Is Paris Burning?", the search for participants, and an illustration which showed the stellar cast and a scene frcm the picture. LARRY COLLINS & DOMINIQUE LAPIERRE August 18, 1966 Mr. John Jones John Jones & Company 11 Jones Street Jonesville, New York U.S. A. Dear Mr. Jones : This letter, accompanied by a copy of the book, "Is Paris Burning?", was airmailed from Paris directly to hundreds of U.S. exhibitors, film critics and columnists to further pre¬ pare them for the gala premiere ' of the film on November 9th. As authors of "Is Paris Burning?" we are happy to inform you, as someone particularly close to the film industry, of the immense satisfaction we felt recently in screening, for the first time, the finished version of the motion picture representation of our book. It is a brilliant and beautiful piece of work, a film that is above all worthy of the subject and the magnificent city it seeks to honor. During the three long and sometimes painful years that went into the research and writing of "Is Paris Burning?, " we often thought what a wonderful film might be made from this story of Paris' brush with destruction. Never, however, did we think that film could be made in 1966, in a Paris trans¬ formed by twenty years of peace and prosperity. Yet, through a happy concordance of circumstance and talent, that film has been made. We are genuinely proud of it, and of our role in its making. Rarely have writers been better served than we have been by the men and the resources which produced the film "Is Paris Burning?". The film conteiins, we honestly be¬ lieve, scenes whose starkness or beauty will be recalled by the motion picture industry for years to come. Director Rene Clement has worked with a blend of poetry and brutality, and a breathtaking attention to detail. He was ably seconded by scores of stars amd thousands of extras and tech¬ nicians . The pjersonal satisfaction of everyone with a job well done was unhappily marred by the tragic death of the film's producer Paul Graetz who sought with this film to conclude a distinguished career in your industry. The film's very exis¬ tence is above all a tribute to his tenacious efforts . It is an achievement of which he would certainly be proud and which must surely bring great satisfaction to all who were associated with it. 'Is Paris Burning?" is a just and touching tribute to Paris and the men who fought and died in the summer of 1944 to save her from destruction. There is, really, no finer compliment that can be paid the film theUi that. We hope that when this film is finally scored and edited and shown to you later this year, your enthusiasm for it will equal ours. With this in mind, on the eve of the twenty-second anni¬ versary of the Liberation of Paris, we are taking the liberty of having sent to you a copy of the latest edition of our work as a foretaste of the entertainment which we believe awaits you. Sincerely, Lairy/Collins </ f L. Dominique Lapierre