Variety (May 1961)

Ts Sphere of Major Influence ; _ Wednesday, May 10, 1961 ‘Appointment of Peter G. Levathes to supervise 20thFox’s studio facilities . personalizes the growing. importance of ty operations -to. major studios. Levathes, a v.p., will retain his. function as tv topper as well and will work in. conjunction with Robert Goldstein, who will remain as creative head of theatrical production for 20th Fox, Moveup of ‘Levathes: in the overall “studio operations is similar to the steps taken a few months ago by. Warner Bros.,which found William Orr promoted.from..his ‘post as headof. tv’ ‘operations to that of overall studio head in charge of. all: production, both the-. ° atrical and tv. “Television's role in the life of. other majors hasn’t been as. dra “matic, but there’s-no doubt .of the medium’s importance. At Loew's ‘prexy Joseph Vogel and v.p. Robert O’Brien take a lively interest -4n Metro TV.. The separate. corporate: structure of Screen.Gems. hasn’t severed the strong ties with’ Columbia ‘Pictures, which -re tains majority stock control -of SG. Universal ‘is: the only. major. seemingly untoucled by vidfilm operations at this time. United . Artists bought out Ziv-UA and Paramount, trying: once again to ' Set off the: ground, has’ inked: its deal with David Susskind's Tal-. . ent Associates.. Susskind’s Ambitious TAPar Plans: _ Vidpix, Specs, F eatures & Toll TV} Talent Associates Paramount+ Ltd., the new company signaling Paramount Pictures’ purchase of. a 50% interest in TA, will be active in all phasés of the entertainment : spectrum, including toll television and. features, . as well as “free” tv. Broad plans ‘of the tieup were'l outlined: by -TA’s. David. Susskind, mow engaged in a multiplicity of tv projects. Susskind’s partner, Al ‘Levy; will go to to the Coast skort dy with TA producer-exec. Mike} Abbott to head. ‘up the’ organiza-. tion’s: film operation: at Para mount's. Sunset. ‘stud{os. Susskind ]says he has six projects lined up| ‘for filming, three hour shows and: three half-hour ' series. Two of the projects, Susskind added, are al-| most committed ‘on the network | level. _ Susskind, long a severe critic of Hollywood's celluloid output-on tv, _ sald TA-Paramount’s vidfilm proj-| “eets will. reflect. the and level” in the quality he’s been ‘associated with on “live” tv. He aid he’s inked three writers at this point to work on.series, Dale | Wasserman, Larry Irving Gaynor Neiman, ‘all previ| ously associated with: Susskind on} a variety of projects. Wasserman also will write. the script in the new version. of. “The Power and the Glory.” which will ‘Laurence Olivier. Suss-.|kind said the Graham Greene ‘star Sir. ‘work would be’ filmed ‘and vidtaped simultancouslv, with a budget of $500..)00. Producer held out the possibility. that the 35m version may be shown in theatrical “exhibition, a-decision which would -be made ‘following | completion of the shooting. Securing both calls for -a -flat fee to talent for. both film and vidtaned rights.. “Power and G!orv’ had been tel-. ecast by “The Play of the Week” in N. Y. and other syndicated markets. in 1959 end 1960:. Susskind (Continued : On ‘page 5 95) a ———--+ ABC's Late Nite .]coronation to hi& victories in the WB Strin Kaput ABC-TV"s plans to program a: One’ hour late night Monday’: -> through Friday strip for next sea-! “son have co! slapsed. T ipoft came as affil after afiil” ‘in ked for: new -pix: . ‘packages. many of them post-'48's. W ‘eb had planued do buck NBC. | TT § “Jack. Paar Show" and the local late night pix of ‘competing stations with a striy.of rerun hour ‘vidilm series out of: the Warner Bros. stable... -Fre: m ‘the beginning though, affils: balked: at. the plan and in the face cf a w eb notice to affils to hold oT on pix .buying, affils with aoa? ‘dat titeir own continued to ba:kine features, (Flanced ar . was to have ‘started ca. 1! ABC-TV" 3 15-min. te news show. a , Pad ar, ° OF. ‘Africa. Now’ ‘Official Films has produc-. duction crews really: on ‘the -move. to keep up with devel‘opments. tn. Africa for its upcoming. pubservice serfes on. ve brightening dark continen “Syndicator’s: producer-director _ William . colony becoming an independent member of the British ‘Commonwealth of Nations. -. For series‘ of 13 half hours titled, Alexander was in: ~ Sierra . Leone’ Jdast .. Thursday. {27) collecting footage on the celebration that -marked’ tha VARIETY + ITV CODE WANTS A By MURRAY HOROWITZ Washington, May 9. ‘Censorship of feature films on tv looms as the issue which will either cause a further breakaway ‘tional Assn. of Broadcasters, or bring a better working relationship between the two groups. programmer-distributors in general are at loggerheads, with the film ‘| distributors smarting at the. ond class” citizenship role afforded them at recent NAB annual con| fabs... day (7) between major feature film distributors, members of the Television Code Review. Board and NAB Code. exec Ed Bronson. Major pix distributors were informed that the NAB wou!'d like to screen so-called .“troublesome” post-’48 pix for member stations. Accord pix are those which might violate the TV Code’s injunctions against | “sex.. violence and horror.” The way the meeting was interpreted by some pix dist:ibutors was that: the NAB might be open-; jing up a “Pandoras Box,” institut! ing. prior censorship of post-'48's {for the tv medium. It’s not a matter of ‘the minority “troublesome” | pix, according to one distrib, it’s | the principle, involved and once‘ tional level by NAB, there’ $ no tell. ing, where it might ‘stop. NAB's position is that the thea-. | trical and tv mediums are two. dif| of film distributors from the Na-]} At this point. the NAB and film | “sec| The censorship issue was’ discussed at a hush-hush meeting Sun-: ing to the NAB, the “troublesome” : censorship is instituted on a na “tone, taste Gelbart and) filmand vidtape ricthts.from all the talent involved now’ is being nego-. tiated. Producer said his formu}p. | background: of the history of Eng “Africa Now,” Alexander goes next to Algeria and the Republic of the Congo. To insure topical nature, series ‘will’ be. released one stanza amonth. — ferent cats and what may: be acceptable in theatres isn’t necessarily okay for the living-room. fore, the Motion Picture Produc| tion ‘Code seal, Irom-NAB’'s viewpoint; isn’t the delermining factor. In the discussion at the meet | sues raised: . 1. If the NAB circularizes ifs” ‘verboten sign on certain pix, will; | the NAB, in.a positive fashion. also | {grant.an. okay for other pix” 2. Who are the members who Danzigers’ New Richard’ Series Filming for AR _ London,. ‘May "9 .Danziger Bros: are rolling. a new ; “nixed? (NAB stated that it would be its staff, under the direction of the Code Review Board:' .3. Will pix ‘distributors be. given: the right to appeal NAB judgments : {before the word is out that a pix isn’t accepiable? Will the NAB. television film series, “Richard The i allow Oats. in a pix to make It .ac ‘Lionheart.” at New Elstree Stu-*: ceptable? dios. Skein is first. tv series to B04 Some. of the distribs had strong : into production at the studios’ feelings that the station themselves | since, they re-opened last monthshould act as their own censors, after'a shutdawn lasting since Noexecs of each outlet being more vember. Produced by Edward.-J.|famitiar with the mores of their and Harry Lee Danziger, the series community. is to be: shown in: U.K.’ by’ Asso| The request of.the NAB brought ciated-Rediffusion. _Ameriean re-jin sharp relief: the. division sepalease’ ‘is not yet fixed. rating the film distribs and NAB. Dermot Walsh tops cast-as Rich-| One <distrib was quoted as saying ard and three young British actors! that “Here you (NAB) are asking | who have scored recent hits.in the [for our “cooperation; where's theatre, tv and pop. disks play his|Yours?’ The way program supcompanions—Robin Hunter, as Sir pliers are shuffled . around at the /j Gilbert; Alan Hayward as Sir | Conventions, it’ doesn't pay us to! Geoffrey ‘and Ian Gregory as; attend.” | Blondel. | At this the N TAB came: was said. \to have held out some hopes of correcting what are considered abuses by film. program suppliers— no ‘exhibitions. no screenings, no hoopla. hospitality suits. scattered . in diferent hatels, ete. : The meeting was described as ; purely exploratory by the NAB. It wasn't brushed off nearly as lightly by others attending. It was ‘pointed out that NAB'’s Bronson ‘has been isecting in N.Y. individyualiy with each of the distribs. Sunday's: meeting with the board. Skein of 39 adventures will have! land from. the. time of. Richard’s ' Crusades. Associate producer for the series is Brian Taylor, with Ray. Stannard as. art director. ‘and Jim: tmy Harvey as lighting cameraman. { : First episade, “Sehool. for.a King” tis. directéd by “Ernest Norris: and also stars Peter Ming. Dawn Beret.. and | Bavid Davies. i d U Mar ‘baecording to the» NAB, was re|quested. by the pix: distributors. eonar pS anners { Desnite ‘the official poo-pooing‘of | Sam ‘Manners. _ associate’. producer of the -CBS-TV.. hour. ad-" venture series,..“Route 66," has: been named ‘executive of proditetion of all tele-shows produced. by. Herhert B. Leonard. ‘Besides “Route. 66,” Leonard is currently ‘producing the ABC-TV hour, *‘Naked City.” Both shows. ‘are released through Screen Gems. the meet. it was considered highly hnportant and significant by some | members attending. Some pix distribs felt the atmos; phere wis cordia! and that some-} thing may be worked out. One, however, NAB ‘move, questioning the consequences of such ‘NAB actions. Revresenting the post-’48 majors es {Manners was ‘producer of “Naked / at the meeting were Irwin Ezzes. folowing | City” when the show: was. introed United. Artists \-soc? fated: _ Riehard } Tiles in the ‘half-hour format. too (Continued on page 68) There-. jing, these were some of the is: | will act as the judge of what is” was highly of posed to the! TV-FILMS 81 48 CENSOR THREAT Metro, 7 Arts Click MGM’s Post-’48 Titles Washington, May 9. Metro TV’s first post-48 pix package, called “Best of the Fifties,” consists of 30 features. Titles include “Bad and the Beautiful,” Kirk Douglas, ‘Lana Turner, Dick Powell; “Carbine Williams.” James Stewart; “Royal Wedding,” Fred Astaire, Jane Powell; “Lone Star,” Clark Gable, Ava Gardner; “Battle Circus,” Humphrey Bogart, June Ally son: “The Actress.” Spencer Tracy, Jean Simmons, Tony Perkins. Among other stars who appear in one or more of the pix are Debbie Reynolds, Van Johnson. Judy Garland. Gene Kelly, Hedy Lamarr, Esther Williams, EKzio Pinza, Red Skelton. Cyd Charisse and Errol. Flynn. Record Qtr. For ABC Films; ‘Earp, | “sos ‘Matty’ Into Rerun ABC Films prexy Henry G. Plitt i Says the telefilm syndication wing ‘ef AB-PT has just racked up ts most successful quarter in me ‘firm's eight .years. ;Plitt. saw domestic syndication I sales topping all of 1960 by 111.2°2, | and the foreign sales picture sees lthe first quarter gross at 61.8°o of the total foreign sales in '60. Canaidian outleok, he says, also shows ! promise with sales registering 74.4°:. of the entire 52-week period | of Jast year. ABC will soon have more web }rerun properties on the syndie market with 170 episodes of the ‘cartoon series. “Matty’s Funday Funnies” tretitled “Casper the : Friendly Ghost & Co.” for station sales: and the “Wyatt Earp” stanizas, possibly five years worth. Also slated for syndication this year is :the Alcoa web series, “One Step Beyond. " ; Firm's hot syndie property currently is the five and 15-minute {stanzas with adiveetrix Dr. Joyce Brothers, who’s seen twice daily on NBC-TY. ’ On‘ the production side, company has two shows set for fall eee PTI on ABC-TV, “Expedition,” RalsionPurina travel series going into its second season, and “The Racer,” ‘With Electrie Autolite as a sponsor. Plitt points out that six ABC Films’ shows have been web properties since the 1958-59 season. including a year each of “The Court of Last Resort” and “Meec McGraw,” and “Man with a Camera.” — ‘NEW BREED’ T0 | ROLL IN MID-JUNE Hollywood, May 9. Quinn Martin's television series, “The New Breed,” for ABC rolHs in mid-June at the Goldwyn Studios. Hourlong drama of the brains over brawn hreed in the Los Anless police department stars Leslie Nielsen: and will have three, ji additional running leads, plus: weekly guest stars. Network has firmed 26 segments i with a possible overa!! total of 36. | ‘Hank Searles, creator of the series, 4 uill write a number of the episodes. “Breed” has been booked for the Tuesday, 9-10 timeslot commencing October 3 and has a ‘SRO. lineup of sponsors, Brown & Wiiliamson, Johnson & Johnson Laboratories and Scott 1 Paper Co. First three months of ‘61, says | Off Fast Sales CHT TOSCREEN| _nNew Post-48 Packages at NAB Washington, May 9 The new post-'48 packages ‘of Seven Arts Associated and MettoGoldwyn-Mayer kicked up some lively interest at the National Assn. of Broadcasters convention. Metra unveiled its first group of 30 and Seven Arts its second group of Warner Bros. pix. The 41 titles of Warners were purchased by at least six siztions, with more waiting in the wing, to close deals. Station buyers of the second Seven Arts Associated package included: WCAU, Pnhiladelphia;s KENS, San = Antonios WKBW, Buffalo; KGMB. Honoluluy WSOC, Charlotte; and KLZ, Denver. Latter outfit, the Time-Life station in Denver, in its first pix buv for the station, bought both War/ner Bros. and packages from Seven Arts, su-called “Volume One and Volume Two.” Metro clicked off deals wittt WKBW, Buffalo; WNBF, Binghamton; WHNC, New Haven: WCKT, Miami; WFIL, Philadelphia aud Triangle stations in Altoons, Lcbanon, and Fresno, as well as witht KEZI, Eugene, Ore. Metro’s pix sales topper Richard Harper anti!cipated closing another dozen markets before the convention ends. Metro is selling its group of 30 pix on a five-year. five-run \ five-year. five-run basis. 'MCA’s 45 Markets On 69-Min. Entries MCA TV has racked up a sizes able market roster for its off-network one-hour vidfilm entries, setting deals with 435 stations. Four series. first large scale thrust of one-hour vidfilm series in syndication, are “Suspicien,” “Overland Trail.” “Riverboat,” a d “Cimarron City.” To date. must of the deals have been for the four series, Recent sales include KOS\A,. Midiland-Odessa; KEZI, Eugene; KGO. Sau Francisco; KVOS. Bellingham; KBMT. Beaumont: KNWQO, Yakima: WTVT, Tampa; KPI.R, St. Louis; and WPTA, Ft. Wasne. Syonsors buying participations in the entries, according to MCA TV, are such national spot accounts @#s) Procter & Gamble, Duceta HHines, P. Lorillard, Brown & VWilliamson, Ralston. Swift & ©», Gleem, Dr. Pepper, Simoniz, Foid Nealers, Nescafe, Piels Beer, Taui, Savarin Coffee. PTI’s $1,250,000 Sales On ‘Linkletter & Kids,’ ‘Main Event’ Entries Programs for Television, in biisiness since last July, hay racked up $750,000 in sales on “Main Event” and a $500,000 gros, on “Art Linkletter & the Kids.” PTI partners, Leonard Loewinthan, prexy, Everett Rosenthal, production exee v.p., and Michael Silierman, sales y.p, report tiat outfit has eight new projects on te Planning hoards. Tallying the gross on the tuo series and fresh sales on PTUJ. Arthur Rark pix packaze. Silerman said that for the 10 moths in business. PTI scored a gros. of {$1,800.000. He forecast a gross of $4,000.000 for the company hv the end of the fiscal year in 1961. Roster of sales on “Main Fvent’® ‘includes: Lone Star Brewing i: a regioral deal covering 20 large and small markets in Texas. Oklahoma and New Mexico. Piels Beer beugt the Rocky Marciano-hosted show in eT ey N. ¥. WNBC-TY: Philadeip ia, WRCV: Hartiord, WTIC: Lancaster, WGAL. Another eastern regional pwas scored with J. Bo Willaims. Station sales included KING, Seattle; KGW, Portland: KRE&EM, | Spokane; KGO, San Francisco; PVAP, Pioerix; WJBK, Detroit; and KSD, St. Louis.