Variety (March 1961)

§ 4 PICTURES Wednesday, March 1, 1961_ 300: Ex-Staffers of RKO Theatres Claim Glen Alden Crimps Perisions; Committee Explores Legal Angles Dismayed by the action of ‘the board of directors of the Glen Alden Corp. in apparently byPassing a section of the RKO Theatres pension plan, several former RKO Theatres employes are form; ing a committee of pensioners with : the stated purpose of their grievances to the N. Y. state: attorney-general. In this way. the grovp hopes to obtain some satis-! faction for some>300 ex-RKO The-: } t i carry ing | atres’ employees whq have ‘heen: novified that the $1.000death bencfit portion of the pension plan has been dropped. Some farmer RKO Theatre workers incividually already have ap-_ pealed to the U. S. Federal Incoine ; Tax Bureau, te the Bankers Trust Co. ‘which apnvarently only acts as an agent for RKO) and to the N. Y. State Labor Commission. Frem these visiis, they have decided the smartest course of action is via a committee which can presenti 1 their grievances to the state attor: ney-general’s office. Gist of what has aruused these former company employees is the note receivcd a couple of weeks ago, addressed to RKO Theatre Fensioners, which stated in part: “The board of directors of the Glen Alden Corp. ‘it now controls RKO Theatres) has adopted a unicrm group lUfe insurance plan, effective Feb. 1 for rarious divisions and subsidiaries. We regret to advise you that such plan does not rrovide for any group life tnsurance after termination of employment. “Under these circumstances, you will no longer be insured by the company for $1.000 of life insurance after March 3.” Notice goes on to say that under ‘own “Ben-Hur” Mortal Fame Bennett Cerf, publisher, Punster columnist. television canelist and member of the board of Metro, was present at the M-G annual meeting in New York last week. AS the meeting was. adjourned a stockholder in all seriousness walked over and asked, “Mr. Cerf, what's your line?” ' Reason Re Fall. Not Easter, For King of Kin: As previously stated here, Samuel Brenston's “King of Kings,” is to be released by Metro next fall although all original intentions were to open the Biblical enic this. _ Easter. Producer Bronston and M-G re-studied recent history. ; Hence the switched decision. It was noted that Paramount's’ “Ten Commandments” started off in the fall and “hit it right.” M-G's exé€cs say “Hur,” .mandments,” is going ahead of the latter in many situations. Distinct impression given by president Joseph R. Vogel of Metro ‘is that “Hur” is on the wav to sur provisions of the Group Life Poli: cy, the ex-employe is entitled to apply tc the Equitable Lite Assurance Society for individual policy en life insurance in an amount up to the amount of “your contributory insurance.” examination required. Checkup reveuled that for those having $6,000 policies and 68-69 years of a7e, it wouid cost about Sé6CO per year; fcr the £1.600 policy, it would cost 1oughly $114. $6,000 Policies whose amount to passing “Commandments,” slobat rentals now $67.000.000. This al! simply means, apparent; ly, that the public is more likely to crowd around an epic-sized pro duction in the autumn, and that. _this' type of film can build and vi j t 1 with no medical _Euild right through the following summer. Whereas. a bit-scale fea-' -ture, having been initially exposed ‘fare Additional notice from the Glen’ Alden company stated that “if you are on pension but still emploved, this does not apply.’ it is estimated that about 289 RKO-ites had $1.000 policies while upwards of 70 had $6.000 policies at the time their services with the company were terminated. Something not put forth in the cricinal notices to ex-emploxees is tne werding of Section 10, Article 2, of the RKO Theatres Pension Tiust Plan, dated Dee. 31, 1950. This reads: “The beneficiary or beneficiaries | of-a member dying after his retirement, or after his normal retirenicnt cate while in the employ of | the cerporation, shal' receive a death benefit equal to $1.000." In presenfing their.cace to the attorney-feneral, the members of! the committee will try to ascertain ! what betame of the fund sect aside’ to cover the pension plan, now at Easter, micht encounter a pos-, sible hardshin during the weather months iwhen lightweight ' traditionally is preferred! | without the long-range peretration: First interpretation was that M-G . cidn’t want to go with “Kings” at | Easter because this would have‘ “meant having two hard-ticket pic-. > tures on sale at the same fi:me. ciher being “Hur.” An officer of; 7I-G says this is net the case, for: “Har will sti] be available in the fall as wil? be, too. other roadshow pictures from other companies. There’s no fear of overloading the market with the hard-ticketers, Ist so long ss each one of them cuatifies for this speciz] marketing | , APRFoaeh Qr, so it sounds. © : sta! ‘fer, joins Lou Novins at Para; that the Glen Alden company has‘ decided it will not pay cut the $1.000 benefit in the case of the dezth of former employees. Those who were emploved at RKO) Theatres and were covered j hy the pension-insurance plan upi to $6.690 Thompson. former lahor administrator: Wiliam W. Howard, vieepresident: David Bines, producer of staseshows; John Hearns, division manager: H. Russ E:ide, +-ne manager: Charles MeDonal. sion Manager: and some 34 others. Europe to U. S. Brich.cp Arihur Cantor Hierman Coben Ainmut Eggert Jimmy Gardiner tarcld S, Pidnce Vicor Samrock Erk Schumann Mux E. Youngstein rete ree nt = ce os were rnp : Morrie Roth, ex-Wall Street Jour! include Major Lestie | HY HOLLINGER TO PAR, JACK PITMAN INTO HY. When Hy Hollinger, Variety mount’s Telemeter, Jack Pitman, :from this paper's Chicago office, shifts to New -York. Pit will take over the film news “heat™ formerly handled by Holl. nal, succerds Pitman in the Chi bureau of VARIETY. Local Joke . Chicago. Feb. 28. Merrie Roth will take the re-: View signature of Mor. Since bu -reau head Les Brown's signature Givi| is Les. thats Mor.or Les in the new Chi tandem. N. Y. to L. A. Aram Avakian | Warry C. Bell Jr. Vivian Coleman tay Emmett Dick Heller Joel Spector U. S. to Europe Don iacrbitt Jousep.: Meyer Lavrence Treiffesen -was a fall re'aseand ditto. As a matter of fact, M-G: following the : :same release pattern of “Com-. hot| ; 4 Leonard Spigelgass | United Artists Mostest Of Nominations (41) In Hollywood, Feb. 28.. United Artists has greatest number, 41, of nominations ever given’ a distributor, The 41 cover nine releases in the 33d annual Oscar _ vote by the film colony here. UA ‘entries included six.on two fea“tures handled by Lopert: Pictures, ‘owned by UA. Nearest -competiitors were 20th-Fox, Warner’ Bros., ‘tied with 13 fiominattons each on} ‘six films each. Columbia trailed ‘with eight taps for two films: : Metro, last year’s leader,.. Para:-mount, Universal have seven nom films, respectively. Most nominated film was UA’s -“The Apartment,” which garnered | 10 nominations, including. nearSper five out of six top categories. Spencer Tracy, up for ‘Best Peve: in “Inherit the Wind.” and Greer Garson, one of nominees for 1“Best Actress” via “Sunrise at ;Campobello,” are. nominated for: ‘ seventh time in their careers; Laurence Olivier. and Deborah Kerr for sixth time. Wilder's nomination for. ‘‘Best Direction” also ” ma a seventh mention for him. Previous high in number of nom| inations for single company. was ! _32 registered by Metro in 1954 on ‘17 films, 31 on 11 in 1956. Nominations are these: “The Alamo,” Batjac. United Artists, John Wayne, producer. . “The Apartment,” Mirisch, United : : Artists, Billy Wilder, producer. “Elmer Gantry,” Burt LancasterRichard Brooks Production. United Artists. Benard Smith, producer. ““Sons and Lovers,” Company of | 20th Century Fox. : Jerry Wald, producer. “The Sundowners,” Warner:Bros., Fred Zinnemann, producer. Artists Inc., Choices offered voters on “Best : iRoom ‘Friday (24) to overflowing | Director” are: ; Billy Wilder. for “The _Apartment.” ‘ Jules Dassin for “Never On Sun-: day.” Alfred Hitchcock for. “Psycho. ” Jack Cardiff ‘for. “Sons and: ‘ Lovers.” Fred Zinnemann for “The Sundowners.” . Here are ,the choices: before ‘those here in Holly wood qualified : td vote: For best perforniance by an” actor— i Trevor Howard, ‘Sons and Lovers,” . Company of ArcisSis. .ne., 2¢tn Century Fox. Bur? Lancaster, “Elmer Gantry.” Burt . Lancastcr-Richard Brooks ¢ Production, United Artists. Jacks ‘temmon, ’ Mirisech Company, Laurence Olivier, | “The Apartment,” ' vU nited Artists. “The Entertainer,” ' Woodfall Production: ‘ Continental Dis; teiputing Ine. : | Spencer Tracy, “Inherit the Wind.” Sianley Kramer Production, United: ‘Artists. . Best | performance by actor in supportin ole J Peter Falk, “ Murder Inc,’ 20th CenuuryFox. of . » Jack Kruschén, “The Apartment,” ’ Mirtsch. United Artists. . Sal' Mine:. “° . le-Alpina -§.A. Production, ‘United Artists. Peter Ustinov, * “Spare.cue ayyna Pro dvew.. as ine., L riversal. Chill Wills, . duction. United Artists. Fest performance bs actress— . Greer Garson, “Sunrise at C ampobello,” : Schary Production, Warner, Brés. Deborah Kerr, “The “Su: idowners,” ‘Werner, Bros. . Shirley MacLaine, “The Apartment.” Mirisch, United Artists. Melina Merrcur:, wee CF Sande Lopert Copora. tion. Elizabeth Taylor, ‘Butterfield 8,” Af‘an-Linebrook Production. ‘MGM: Melinafilm Production, porting .role- “The Alemo.” Batiac Pro Best performance by actress in sup-. ” Moscow F ‘lim Fest Rules Oscar’ S 3dofCentury Fons i NRE ea fetus Bia « st SRS AOE EERO sac eran ‘Washington, Feb. . 28. Soviet Embassy ‘in Washington has furnished these particulars on the second Moscow International Film Festival to be held July 9-23. _=-All nations are invited to participate... -—Each participating country may submit tor competition one fulllength feature and one short (with the latter being art, documentary, popular: ‘scien¢e, or cartoon). —Prints in either 35m, 16m or 70m may be submitted with. normal or stereo sound, Panorama and circorama films also acceptable. Not Previously ‘Fested’ -—Submitted films must have: been completed not more than :18/ months before opening date of festival, and. must not have been: shown | in any other International Festiyal. — —lIn exceptional cases, by decision . of: the. Festival's. Organization ' ‘Committee, a larger selection of films than provided for above, may ‘inations apiece, on five, four, two ; be included in the Festival program. if ‘they: ‘contribute to “the im-, ! portance and ultimate aim of the. Festival.” —Organization. Committee of the Festival retains right to exclude. \ country.” tion picture industry. Expenses of will be paid by the Festival. iany film “‘which may offend’ the national feelings. and dignity: of any” Prefer Russian Titling ; 7 —All films ‘on the program will. be shown..in ‘the language of the country of origin but. preferably should have Russian subtitles. .—Each participating country may send an. official ‘delegation. of three members selected among: executives or personalities of the mo official .delegation while in’ ‘Moscow —A 15-man jury, comprised. of reps from industry, arts and literature, willbe formed to judge feature. films. A. similar nine-mai “group Will judge shorts. lartistic distinction,” (3) Gold. Prize. ifor best. documentary short, popular science short film; children’s film, screenplay. cc photography, . best actress, . sic. “Best Motion Picture: of “Year” b est actor, art direction and mu .—Awards. will consist of (1) the Grind Prize, for’ the. best’. fuil[length feature (2) Three: Gold Prizes, for fe3} tes of “outstanding . and +4) Silver: prizes for best sh ‘Gartoon,. puppet Eulogy for the Living Characterizes Industry Luncheon to Sol Schwartz By ABEL GREEN At $10-a-head “the tribute to: 1 Sol A. Schwartz by his friends in ‘the. motion picture industry’ i packed the Waldorf-Astoria’s Sert ! !and, as cochairman Si Fabian ob‘served, this luncheon is unique in ythat ‘it’s “a warm family affair” ‘and “no pressure had to be exerted. , ito get people to attend. It is the | most ‘spontaneous turnout experi lenced in many, en ir many industry inners.” . | Without being sticky, there was. ‘such a warmhearted outpouring of : ‘encomiums that George Jessel—a ‘highlight. comedy contribution al beit. not the toastmaster general. ,per usval—ad libbed that this i sounded like a eulogy instead of a salute to a vital showman ‘who was . merely changing: hats—from exhibition to production. _ H ‘Columbia Pictures exec’. -veepee . -Abe’ Montague. in a humorous: Speech, “defined” Schwartz's “new” , duties as a Cul veepee and apolo-; | gized. for the absence on, the Coast ' -of prexy Abe Schneider and. veepee | i Leo Jaffe. The only wire read ‘was ! ithe one from incumbent production ‘veepee Sam Briskin. a rousing wel-’ ‘come-to-the-organization .¢orimuni Scnwart2’s. ;cation, with. accent of production . upcoming duties as ‘head, topping it off, ithe: better.” In this connection Schwartz, in .an excellent, ad lib speech, observed -that. after a brief holiday he found himself “this week with no office to go to. When I called: ‘somebody and Ieft my name. the ’: girl wanted to know ‘Mr. Schwartz of where?’ and I] told her ‘Mr. Schwartz of ‘in between.’” checks into the Col Monday :27). It is still ‘indeter; ? Glynis. Johns, “ The: Sundowners. “ War-: ‘minate whether he w ill £0 to Lon-: _mer Bros. Shirley Jones, “Elmer Gantry. ” Rurt Lancaster-Ric herd Rrooks Production, UA. Shirley Knight. “The " +k at the Top i of the Stairs,” Warner Bros. Janet Leigh, “Psycho,” A: ured J. Hitchcock, Paramount. Mary Ure, “Sons and Lovess,.”” Company ‘of Artists Inec., 20th ‘Century: Fox. L. A. to N. Y. Julian Blaustein Jack Brodsky Nat Cohn Reg Connelly Frank Cooper Bill Gandal Mike Hutner. Harry M: Kalmine Ralph Martin Edwin Miller Stu Ostrow. Tony Owens _ Gerzldine -Page ' Eugene B. Rodney Fred Ruegg > Jane Russell _ Marvin HH. Schenck Jerry Wald George Wellner : which includes RKO Thea ‘don for production huddles with i Mike -Frankovich before checking into the California studio. ° . On The Dais .The dais was topdrawer. with in. !dustryites such as Russ Downing, ° Eric Johnston,.. Barney: ‘Balahan, Spyros Skouras. Arthur Krim. Mil: ton Rackmil, Albert A. List thead of Glen Alden, the holding com tres); Bill German, Laurence Tisch, among others. Exhibition leaders and the executive end of the business rounded out the rostrum. Ned Depinet's cavalcade. of the RKO dynasty was virtually a history of that company's’ shifting tides and trends.aver the last third| f-a-century. “And sol: welcomé you, too, to the RKO alumni association," said the former RKO prexy to the just resigned president ‘of RKO Theatres. Depinet réeled off names which have tread ‘the Radio Keith Albee. corriders | over the years, such .as David Sarnoff. Hiram S. Brown, Deac Aylesj J worth, Joseph P. Kennedy, Nate “the sooner. He. homeoffice ° Blumberg, Major Leslie Thompson, Charles Boasberg, Walter Branson, 1 Robert. S. Wolff, N. Peter Rathvon, i Malcolm Kingsherg.. Joseph IL. iBreen, Howard ‘Iughes. Leo Spitz, !Charles Koerner. Herbe-t Bayard .Swope, Harold B. Franklin, Jehn™ ‘J. O'Connor,: Ed ‘Alperson. Jules Levey, Walter Mirisch, Phil Reis’man—a who's who of manpower ‘hich was startling in. the sharp -focus of a-company Whose fortunes. and misfortunes swung like a pen-. dulum with each succéssive. ad-. ministration. —— Cochairmaning the — “tribute” were Schwartz's: fellow exhibitor: leaders—Si Fabian. on’ behalf of. the American. ‘Congress ‘of -Exhibi-. !tors, Harry Brahdt, head of the In‘dependent Theatre Owners Assn., .and Leslie. Schwartz,. prez of the. -Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatre Assn, tA death in-the family .kept Brandt: away). Each attested. : to their regard for the veteran theiatre man — “soodbye exhibition,’ hello. Hollywooa” as.‘one. put .it— ‘as an individual: as.a family man, and .as.a showman. ‘Voice of Experience’ ‘ Depinet, as the selfstyied “voice of experience” ‘again. harking back ° ‘to the RKO debacle:, recalled how’ Joseph I. Breen, ex-head of: the in-. dustry’s self/regulation board. was. made production head, and his first .speech said, “I thank you -and I want you to know that I'm starting from scratch—I don't know a thing:. about, making motion -picturés.” Depinet accented that if Schwartz’ ‘then had -been shifted : to Holly°° wood, aS many in the homeoffice suggested, “‘there nev er would have been any problem | of shortage of films and quality of films.” Schwartz -realistically, in signoff speechlet, observed that he had ample time. to ‘prepare a speech “but this I knew. is nat that. kind of an affair, it’s too warm and. .informal ‘and’ honest.” but. “changing hats” he. stressed that i“every company here has had. as taste of success and knows: that ‘good | pictures don't Bet good but. igreat business” and is. dedicating : himself to being of some value te . Columbia in producing the type of j Pictures that will do well at the boxoffice. -: He saluted his ex;boss, Albert .A. ‘List, for meking the transition, so‘smooth; his staff for ‘their good ‘wishes; a special nod to new -prexy ‘Harry Mandel “with whom I've worked shoulder-to-shoulder”’:;. to , List again “for that lovely Fhun'derbird. you and. the bunch gave me, along with the other gifts’: a. ; plea to “keep RKO Theatres ital” ie a pledge to his new association, . Departure for. such industry affairs was the presence of wives. . Mrs. Schwaitz «Marian’ was saluted, along with Mis. List ‘who insisted on.a wirm little speech “for Sok’) ‘and. Atrs. ‘or de. wife of the | new RKO Theatres president. his: