Variety (July 1962)

“You Can't Dislike Spyros Skouras | 2 A Reporter’ 's Reininiiscences of a : Dynamic. Pérsoiidlity —_ ‘Shieid: ‘nd. Adroit.—_ = Wis _ Style in 1 Handling. Hot Questions « — An Early Riser. = ‘By. ‘VINCENT ‘CANBY: . ‘Almost fwodozen. reporters: kept the News ‘wateh | at the 20th-Fox’ New. York homeoffice last. Wednes~ . day (27), waiting for word as ta the fate.. -of : ‘Spyros:.. -P. Skouras, whose’ continued tenure as. president | ‘of the company was _being. ‘decided at one: of. the .”. Jongest,.stormiest. board sessions’ in 20th’s ‘history. .“ For most of the press, the time was spent smoking; -. ‘drinking a little. studying ‘the annual reports and... * the official. biography of the beleaguered. prexy. ‘The. . a Wall Strect Journal man was asking «what: the: board ‘. room. looks -liké, what ‘its dimensions: ‘are: “Except: “for the facet that-the -patient..was remarkably: alive’ *fighting like . a bull: it was |. and, characteristically, like ‘the vigil outside a sick | room. When.. after © ‘almost: six. hours of. waiting. the ‘ Yeport was issuea ‘front behind. clesed’ doors. ("Une -: “in: as. early “as: he). fortunately. reasons of health compel’ -him to’ .re tire . “), the effect was somehow anticlimatic: The inevitable ‘biographical: ‘Yecapitulations | and eulogies’ , masked the complexities of the. personality . -of the man and the nature of the 20th predicament... A.-Professional ‘Pauper’ | _ An -associate. of “Skeuras once remarked, apropos ‘of Skouras’well-publicized : Junchean. ‘debate’. ‘with’: the: premier of the USSR: “Hell, Skouras’. isn’t any ‘Horatio Alger: story: ‘He just happened to ‘be born. peor, an accident. on which he. has capitalized, ever’ Skouras-is an alternately hard: witty, ‘shrewd: ‘interviewee, and: ‘almost always:a colorful | one., There’. ‘Saturday “the. day after Christnias, ‘when: no: éther: film executive anywhere: was, at his: place: of.: ‘busi _ since!” * was.’ for example, an encounter several. years ago, when the prexy answered every’ question by throw. ing a personal question back at.the-reporter, re age, . religion, “Marital status.,.When: the . zeporter acknowledged that: he’ was abachelor, the. “and: for -thé -end_ of intra-industry. squabbling, efc., “vat the: ‘Sametime: ‘making phone. ‘calls<to. associates | ‘around the’ country. ‘to wish .them -liappy’ holidays. Flace of birth, prexy enquired sadly, “Are. you.living in.:sin?” '’ Personal questions «have. -Heen. ‘until fiow),: ° one. 2 of his favorite: gambits to “get out. of: embarrassing :’ situations. Back atone of. those ‘crowded * géneral press meetings in. the. early. CinemaScope ‘era, can” eager, Vassar-ediicated researcher. from. Fortune: ' pressed. him ona financial point. He. seemed pleased she had asked suth ‘an. -astute.question. ‘He was |”. searching for .just. the right words. to do it: justice =.” . "joyment -of power, résponsiblé for ‘so much of his-|: when ‘he. suddenly . seemed .to. see the ‘girl ‘for the. first time. His face became’ full’ of compassion: | * Miss Van: Dusen,”.she helped. ~: “Miss ... Miss’. “Miss. Van. Dusen.” "he said to that lovely, lost .crea‘ture, “Are you ‘married?’ *: He could spot a spinster right away. When. another reporter insisted on ask Ing about the’ subleties of CinemaScope* aspect Tas. tios, the old showman became: bored: *’So. what: are. "Kind ‘of a Greek-is -that?”. he reportedly.: bellowed |. “at: the: first homeéoffice screening.) . i. you, Mr, Horow itz,. an atomic scientist?” oe eee , ‘His Own Best... OE “Skouras’ accessibility to all members. of” ‘the pr ess. ‘go Skouras: ever faced. was that. upside down: tin. tim-+ ° ‘ing) ‘testimonial: ‘dinner ‘ tendered hin in “April ‘by aa .Theatre: Owners: of. America and: Alliéd States," : conting. ‘as. it did,-ort the heels-of a disastrous annual | .Tréport-and as-a. _prelude’ to’ ‘his just:lost. ‘board battle * According: ‘to, one: “asseéciate, be® ‘Said: that afternoon |‘. -: that he. would.-rather attend ‘his. own*funeral,:, ~' has :Served. to. ‘make him his own, best: ‘public’ telations ‘man, ‘It. has also, ‘perhaps, confusion surrounding. the company’ in. this last; crisis-ridden year. Though he had: already. admitted: the fact to’ reporters: who ‘had contacted: chim indi-:" vidually, the: first: official: ‘acknowledgment from the company's publicity depattment. last. summer. that Bob Goldstein, was nolonger stidio head’ came.° jn‘a two-weck-late press release which started: “Mr. a Robert. Goldstein, ‘former .héad of .. production ‘at: 20th Century-Fox. : ‘passed | through New ‘York-:today: “ ¢n route to. Detroit. Where jhe will attend. the debut. of ‘Miss ‘Anne Ford, daughter: of ; Knickerbocker ‘items. -.Because’ of ' Skouras’. extraordinary’ ‘ Shrew dieés, . this reporter found it difficult-some months. agoto. accept the prexy’s accusation that the: Yeporter had «: “betrayed” SkKouras’ confidence by ‘printing..a “cete: tain story. ‘gentle © reproach. able to tatk again.” It was as if someone’ dear. had vied. The reporter fretted: in ‘Coventry for almost... UA Ups Summer : ” Gabe, -Sumnerhas: been. rianied | United Artists national ‘director | | of :ad-pub: ‘and: exploitation, Fred}. Goldberg, veep, announced. Mon: “NEY to LA. Rosily Bazzini’ ‘Cliff Cochrane Lou Frizzell Sol Lesser. Jobn Resko: Lewis Sobcl Uz S, toEurope ste Abeles Lyn Austin : | ‘Herbert. Barrett: ‘Steve Broidy . Abe Goodman . Lewis, J.. Hexter ° Samiel Lurie * . Martin Manulis. Seymour Poe Mildred ‘Shagal Sam ‘Spiegel Roger 1. Stevens’ _ Norman ‘Twain aa Charles Vanda Lucia. Victor.. Bert Wheeler . ' Bernie W ilens, fp day’. €2)..° 1961. . + ‘Low Brecker | > Jerry .Bresler: of. Jack’ Mills: “The Finest "Address | In. London ts Leo: Jaffe: 1 -. Gigi Perreau’ ‘Mark Robson. | May Fair Hotel BERKELEY: SQUARE, LONDON, wa, ' Res.: Cable Célect—Mayfzirtel, . ; ‘London’ or: r Pewee 7 Travel. Agent re ‘cyeturned: the ¢all.His first. words: "Why: do you | telephone me when: rT said: I wouldn't fal to: ‘you -, to control, cancel: or suspend.-all. disbursenierits: in. production.; it “eyer again?” -: .° a ‘cannot deriy. its: share’ of ‘responsibility, ‘The. ‘committee... €@xervised dezvous ‘with a reporter’ were; dictated: bya. “busy |” -‘$chédule and’ perliaps. also «a: ‘desire ‘té Have sonie|. ,one.to talk. to, since’ the: taikswere not always’ pro--}.. “came in’ topick. up: her. coffee: It was “just: a: ‘couple | ». of ‘weeks. after-:an. unsuccessful “revolt: in ‘Ethiopia: +" “Nita,”: he called, : Suddenly coming -alive.. “Take <a]. *eable | to* Haile ‘Selassie: ‘best: ‘wishes for’ the New -Year,’ ”: He “paused, then |’ ‘added: “forgotten . his naiie, -but‘we: have it. “written: ‘down | © somewhere.” His ° day. had’ started and the. ‘reporter |" ‘withdrew. “in: his. -barber’ chair, talking: to’ a reporter.: about. ~Spyros .. : “Then: he “hung, up... “the reasons: for the: cataclysm of. the. ‘last: ‘twoyears. -:Singlehandedly, ‘he. pushed. through.’ CineniaScope | “10 years: ago—anid: it-was in, this process seven. years.| Jater ‘that::he. personally: ‘okayed: ‘the . production : ‘of |. 7 compounded the: .: “The. publie *.. relations boys weréredueed to handing ‘out: ‘Cholly-:. : ‘untelenting’ “personal drive, “wondered: ‘aloud what | _/ Skouras, Was seeking. The associate confided that he-|: (It had, in-fact,: been: Skouras” first .ac..:.ad.oncé asked Skouras’if-hé ‘knew: Shelley's. OzYs | knowledgment that Wall. Streeters Milton S. Gould. and Jobu L. Loeb. would. be joining the. board:). “ES spoke ta you like.a friend,” -Skouras said: ‘sadly. with © vy am sorry. We. will. never . be .Sumner jiovea up > fr om. the. Fost! PG exee assistant. to: Goldberg, a position ‘he’s . held .; since .. “April, He. had: joined. UA the: ‘year. before | as pubbeity manager. : . “Europe. to. U: 8 i= Erroll Garner ; as Darryl F. Zanivek OND D. of ALAS te: N. ¥: po 3 fo “Mastin: Le. Bartky one a Sidney. Carre)l .fo Gower: ‘Champion. . Jackie ‘Cooper: . |. .-Dan Dailey *: Bob Hoberman: a ‘Ricky ‘Nelson. "Connie. Stevens * |... Franichot. Tone. _ a Margaret whiting: 2 Oo eee ght oe “month “Before : “belie” “forced to “try 6. contact | Skouras ‘to. ‘gleck. ‘another’ story. ;Skouras : was out}: when. the ‘call ‘atrived: Two: :hours: Jater . the. prexy.}° _Friends. ouce more: I 7 ’ Bless: ‘As Memory. ; “There: is tlie: ‘thought ‘that..2: “reporter ite. say. jonethe |” ing: afthe motion picture industry).‘needs ‘men of Skouras’. unique stature... Sometimes: out. of ‘shéer | Joneliness.. -Skouras! penchant: for.7%:'and ‘8° a.m:. ‘rer ‘ductive. of hews.: (and ‘few other’ ‘Foxites | were .ever:] ‘when his longtinte '117-years) ‘secretary ‘Nita’ ‘Arthur [-. ‘Merry. Christmas: and all “Send the same. to the: Crown. ‘Prince. I've]. There: was ‘another ‘interview,; “at: 8: ans “an. af ness. Bur sting: With energy’ ‘as, always,. the’ prexy’: sat]. Eidophor, ‘a need: for: the overhaul. of distribution |. To-a: startled’ ‘friend ‘in. San. -Francisco, -where: it: was |: all of: 5 a.m... “it went, something Jike: “Yes |, Merry: Christmas. sHappy ] New y Year!”]. ‘He ‘Loved: His ‘Jab: Sos “This energy. ana drive, this: ‘caultation | tn. and en success. have. also: been: ‘according to. his: ‘etities, | a film like “It Happened: in Athens,” ‘star ring “Jayne |. Mansfield: as..a-. 19th Century. Greek “actress, ("What 1° ‘Perliaps.. oné :of -the ‘most. -difficult“gssipnments| -Skouras is, has‘ been. and. will’ continue: ‘46--be} _tinique:: For ‘this . reason: it’s’ to: be hoped. that ‘hist. ‘partisans: wWill:: not, “destroy: ‘his image. ‘with. ‘conven-. tional praise. He ‘déserves. more: Late. one’ Winter afternoon. a “couple of” years: ago; } a..few “minutes. after -the prexy . had “departed .-the | homeoffice -for Italy, ‘Egypt ‘or. TitaybeKatmandu;| | mS the’ exeettive floor“was. moving a-. Jittle: less franti-. eally’ as it’ atways does. when: he .is ‘away.. An: asso| ciate; Who. shares. ‘Skouras’ confidence. bit not. his mandias,". ‘dark. ‘odeto. mortality: of: ‘worldly: glory: ‘Skouras_ did. not. and ‘the. associate: ‘Rave. it ‘ta him of ee “Tmet a traveler from. an. atitique land-: 2. reaction?’ “He . listened “pa: | 4 litely, a impatient. toeet ‘back: te his ‘world. of action | : “and affairs.” are i Le, What” was, ‘Skouras’ Hk LM TRADE NE REMARKS | CURTIS PUB: PARALLEL| ” Readérs . of. the’ ‘NewYork. ‘fi-} ‘nancial. . ‘pages "were struck’ ‘Jast }. riweek. by thesimilarity. in the: words| : Jing of ‘the: announcements’ of: the |: rétirement-of: Spyros. P: Skouras: asl .of Robert. -E. MacNeal as prexy of | ee 20th, ‘also -has been: ‘beset: by: fi-| ar “naneial problems. ne of directors, have: ‘beelt named: to. fing) pew presidents. : . Interestingly: ‘enough, " prinie “| movers -in -both upsets were -board: : :|-membersrepping the ‘WallStreet, brokerage ‘houses. of. Carl M. Loeh, Rhoades & Co. and Treyes& Co., ‘| and-in. one’ ‘instance’ ‘the saine man. us -, [reps. Tréves 6nboth. ‘the. 20th and . 5.41 Curtis boards, cattorney“Milton S. :t.-Gould, Jt: was” a’ . busy: week... for . nf Gould with the: Curtis ‘meeting on ~. Monday (25). ‘and’ the 20th: meeting io fon “-Wednesday (27);. 2: [-~ Perhaps’. Significant.” ‘in: “the | “Sin ee ‘stance’ of 20th is the. report. that: :| the special Curtis. committee seek~ Poe ee ing a new prexy. “might: ‘very. ‘well. o. Bimake “several” other crucial deci-' “J: | sions ‘besides. Selecting. a “Dew a President.””: Sede ae . . are . “ eb ce | au te ae, a * . a . soe a se : “One. -such, ‘fh. -the.; ‘homeoffiee. dining room, one -morning,Was’ “abruptly. ‘terminated |: prexy of 20th-Fox.and of the. ouster |’ ‘Curtis Publishing ‘Co::, which; likeShicley MacLaine’ S: Nite: ‘In both ‘instanees: aéoramittes atk . a8 5° "| Wediesday, “hiya re Bea = oo : a zene ae 4s. ‘unjust to: blanie. ME: ‘Skouras. ‘alone for thé. decline 6 of. 3 ““oéntur Fon. The board. of -diréctors and the executive® committe approved -all -major.. decisions + in’. production . “‘and~ administrat{ _ during the last’ several ‘years aid’ particularly during: the last 18° months. «A: special. management. committee. was: appointed: by. the. _ » board of directors with: the: power’ and authority to“alter. or Nullify: ~ ‘. ‘any: detisions-made by. the president. or any officer of. the CcOrporas -. tion, This“committee; as well as: the’ board of: Mirectors, must share: -Tesponsibility, for “what occurred. . When this committee. was ‘formed, BOX: stock was ‘sellifig at: Ap: oe " proximately. ‘$50. per ‘share:: ‘The: “Corporation. had a. healthy Lash ‘position; -Actual: production ‘on: “The ‘Longest Day” -and:* “Cléopatra’’ had “hot yet commenced. Since’ this committee. had the. authority. ts: authority: frequently, ‘not: only. concerning major. Problems, Dut. , alga: in: minor’ ‘problems. . ‘It: held, the veto power.” wo Regrettably, Talk ‘members. of | this: -committeé.. with the: ‘exteptidn’ of ‘two emniployéés of: Fox,-have hadnoexperience: in’ the notion -. ‘. pitture industry. I-do not believe that ‘stockbrokers ‘or ‘their: ‘atlors. Meys ‘aré’ qualified to. eridorse ‘or. annul’ film proposals:. any: ‘ore: than® ‘T:am ‘qualified | to. plead a case in court or’ sell. stock, . -The : board of. directors. ‘is.‘primarily ‘composed : 6f Very . sues. ’ cessful and -importanit . industrialists. Unfortunately. : ihe major ity -. “of them, while: ‘eminently . successful in. their.own fields, ‘have. go. ": Working ‘knowledge. of, : or .experience~ in, themotion. Ficture-., industry. : Théir -finaiicial ‘interést” in. Fox’ is ‘negligible. Thave a * Jarger financial interest in Fox. than: -the. ‘combined : Amemibershipof ‘the. ‘hoard: ‘of Girectors: * Tans . When” the. Special Managemeiit : Conimities ° was! ‘formed: a -Aormally’ notified "Fox ‘that-I did. not wish:to, be. ‘consulted “on: any ~ matters. that did not. pertain. ‘exclusively: to: my. own ‘independent. -|-productions. I. determined: to devote. all. of. my. time and fort to a Ue production . of “TheLongest’ Day.” eae «".. Phe Committees’, ‘Rulings a ‘believe that. “committees -can ‘function: “very” lease ‘eh. in ads. . y " Sninistration. but. I. do: not. believe. that: committees Can make. ‘good! ‘Motion: pictures: ‘This ‘Committee-was ‘instrumental . ‘in”¢anceHing® ° the. ‘production: ‘of George Stevéns’.“The Greatest. Story Ever. Tola™: ss “which,-is: now~being produced -by ‘United: Artists. This’ Cemniittee. “cancelled, the. production of “The. ‘Chapman : “Report”. which. has: now ‘béen. ‘completed by: ‘Warner. Bros; ‘This: Committee® approved .. *. thée..production:.and . budget: of. “Cleopatra” andall Jother. fins. “i during « the last. year: This ‘Committee; ‘without “any: Tegal might,” “ YY challenged. the. production of? ‘The: Longest. Day." 7 SoM : I-was compelled: ‘to-fly:: to. New York ‘to “convince: the Conimatize af the’ potential boxoffice value. of. this, Day. film. Its production.” was. reluctantly. : approved: ‘Twentieth: ‘Century -Fox. is. “poteritially’ a ita: factoti in the. We ae _ wide manufacture; and. ‘distribution: of motion picture and television: .: > Fm It ‘has. valuable’ ‘assets, creative talent; sand -¥esources.. .«. Since ‘Mr: Skoutras. as” decided to. retire “at the end OfSeptem « ber. -Fox” “needs” a. new: “president more . than, aiything. else. it: needs a new” policy and ‘a’: -eomplete : reorganization: Of every: “dee: 65 ‘partment’ and ‘branch, ‘For-20. years Fox lead thé industry’ asthe" “most progressive ‘and. ‘profitable: motion. picture company: At Feast: | " 56% of. the : ‘board of ‘directors: should: Consist.-of: qualified and » exper ienced: motion: pietire executives: -andfilminakers. with fresh, Modern: ideas. Its funetions Miust ‘be ‘guided. ‘by:. a, -poliey ‘that: ig “fiexible : and. in. tune” with,.the industry. ‘as it ‘stands’ ‘today ‘and: ‘not _ Beated: lo ?_ policies: that. were profitable. ang: popular. 10° years ago. < History ‘Repeats: foranle ay hen 4 the sciginal Ww illiam. Fox * ‘Corp. wert: to ‘pieces.. 957 ‘Nears. 80, -the Corporation’ did. not: seek a: new. President, ‘They. migrged all of..their™ ‘mighty resources with a° very, ‘small but. very ‘successful | independent: company: ‘releasing, through : United “Artists: and known: “as 20th Century; .thus. 20th” Century-Foxwas ‘born:, Mr. Sidney” Kent: yemained .és. president. until ‘his death and. T | was"in-complete -. 7 control of: _ production © 4s” vicéprésident:. The merger: “the: rew 7 on ‘ideas ‘and achange:in Policy’ -brought. 20th ‘Century -Fox: to its.tep .. ‘. position where it was‘ :onl challen ed: for; r “Seldyyn-Mayer. rarer * Bs ot iges by me veut _ Committee Needs Overhaul T have. been’ ‘inaudible: for entirely: too: Jong.’ Now. as. ‘the‘Taieat Audividuat: stockholder, I _inténd .tomaké my’ position: clear. on. all . “major ‘matters. -I-: am. “not selling’ 20th” Century-Fox. ‘short. AS al. “matter. of -faet?-1 ‘am: optimistic. It. is. -more’ difficult. if: ‘jotworse | “than we have: been: doing: -sincé the formation. of “the. Committee, + . “The: prospects: ‘and potentialities. are. enormous .but if Fox. ne” a. hew. president. then: it’ certainly neédsa complete: overhaul, : * ‘starting: with. the board ‘of. directors: and the: Comm:ttee. ‘anid. going. . ‘Tight -down the ‘liné; More. ‘than. ‘anything else, it: needs”a definite: "Policy which. will inspire ‘confidence: and result: in’ ‘pr ide: and, Profits * S Have Not. Been. Offered’. Prez we ok, “¥, have het been : offered, the . presidency. of. 26th’ “Century: Fox.. SW hetheér . or: not J. would. ‘accept. it if“itwere Offered. depe ndg on. certain’ vital ‘circumstances: The -president: ‘must. have’ the cunquali=. 22): : fied and: “unanimous: support.’ ‘of ‘a: unifiedboard’ of:. directors. ‘He-. need. ‘not necessarily ‘have: ‘total ‘autonomy. but‘ to function. | proper ly. for the: benefit of. the. . Corporation: and.Ahe ‘stockholders: he cannot .: “be. placed ‘jn a. Position’ where he-js “second-guecsed"” ‘by. ~ enéed. “committees” In collaboration. with:d. united, and experienced : : board Of. directors the. president should :be able to’ establish Policies“ > and seé that. . they care‘ executed efficiently “and effectively. and for," -. the bestinterest" of the corpor auton. “and. its: Stockholders and em, 2 | ployées. _ dna Russian Lobby} Karlovy. Vary,. July: 3. inexperle ©.” at ‘Comection” Wins ri Letter 7 recent. Karlovy. after. an official : { It. was . ae felt... “-Shitey MacLainé -¢anie‘to: ‘the f. Vary’ Rumania ‘for the opéning ‘of: “The “Apartment” ::UA) ‘and ..a.-trip, -to “‘Apart= | Merit” got ‘a. fine. reception as -it. Seemed to. get. ‘everywhere... ‘There | was.probably something. about. the. tale of a man finally: taking a. stand’ after being victimized .and ° even ‘using © “his — ‘superior’s ‘eerruption that © was. appreciated. She: ‘Tan into ‘some: “trouble: in: ‘Leningrad when ‘a: bag. was" .stolen| and. she: was not given a-room. ‘after: Missing a’ train, thus being. forced: Moscow. :' ‘She © :i¢parted:* to’ spend. a-night. in the: lebby, But she .wag angry Father ‘than.. bitter. | dust: common, discourtesy; Film.: Fest | ‘appearance... ‘in. A ‘state’: Ss. 4 | Word. From Censors: ‘Okay’: “t ~ New. York’ ‘Supreme. ‘Court More’. day (2) tuled ‘thatthe: film, version >, of the “junkie” play; “Gonnéction”. : 1 is. not: “obscene: be: ‘denied; ‘exhibition in. ‘this: state a ‘because: of the use of an “uinmene:, tionable”. avord: on ‘the. soundinck. ‘New York: State ‘Beard: of. Regents, ‘which: had earli¢r upheld the’ 5 ; Motion .-Picture “Division; was ordered -to “pay. the: plaintiff, “The. ‘Coungetion™.” Company; $50 plus. all. vrinting “costs, éstimiated. 4 to be about $600 ‘(for legal. briefs, o and’. thus. carinot On.. the | picture: jristituted ° by: etc. a . Attorney: Eph: aim. London,. who: handled’ the précedental “Miracle” ‘censorship. ‘case, ais “Connection” ruling... also. “won, “the °.