Variety (September 1963)

“-@hefeature;.: Son lao Ore ab ~ Horse’ Results In Total Ban Of American. filmi officials. close. to +— ‘the. international -scene ‘this. week. . expressed incredulity. -with. what | ‘one’ termed ‘the’: dictatorial, be-| :. “havior -.of . the “Spanish: ‘govern-|_ le ‘ment’. in. panning. Columbia -Pic|: -tures: from: that country.: -Colum-+} bia: hasn’tbeen: ‘permitted. to. re lease: a-single production in Spain. for the’ past four months:. en | ‘Spanish: ‘Minister of* Entertain. |= ment took this action ‘against’ Col: ... pecause *. the.’ company .-undertook the: production of. “Behold. a. Pale * Horse,” .-from: the. Emericec. ‘Press-.}. . burrger: novel, which: had. been:|" titled “Killing ' a. ‘Mouse : ‘on. ‘Sun=4-" Pov day.” ee : dividuals, "Greeory Peck: ‘and. “An__ thony Quinn; who had-been on opt “posite sides in. the Spanish. .Civil War. But’ it’s said © there’s_ RO. partisanship either: way “and,. fact, nothing ~ at alt. political in _ the basic: story. ae Yank observers say: ‘the ‘ganction against Col.-is particularly’ peculiar because: it. comes at-‘a‘time: ‘when “Spain “is seeking to: becomé-.more |.‘ «OF a, member of the Western: world, | _ including. NATO:” © .. of. one “company. said: he regards. -the-..Col ~ ban | “as = democratic. ‘fora ‘country’ . which is. seeking~ the. ‘join ‘our: ‘civilized -western.: ‘world: elub.”.° 7. The. exec v.p. Spanish’ . “ government’s . cediet versus .Col. ‘affects all. independent producers. aligned with-this com pany,.: ‘obviously: They’ Fre’ made. to} Suffer... because. .of one: picture .held _ objectionable. ‘by: Spain. . Even: this: ; Fred. -Zinnemanti’ S. “Pale |. Horse,” hasnt. been com: pleted and. hasn't” been’ seenin|. ‘any. form. ‘by.: ‘any, member ofthe Spanish. government, ° “could: be learned: . : _ “Noone denies their sigtit to stop -...@ picture, ‘but “why. stop all others | from’..a ‘Single company,”’ -. com=' Inented © another film official Jin ‘New York.. ; Col: itself”. “has | taken’ ‘on: umbrage, indeed. it: contributed. product’ to: the: recentSan Sebastian’ a Film. Festival.” What. -Measures the. (Continued on: ‘Page 20). Museum Picks Pix | ‘lter of fact, is. welcome. ‘It's the}. agency: with the numerous accounts’: that bothers the .ad-pub hierarchy... For N. Y. Festival “The Museum of Modern: Art. has chosen’ nine of the 10: films: which -it will show. i in. conjunction: with the | 2, first New: York. international ‘film | : festival. at ‘Liincoln : Center : Sept. 10-19. ‘The’ Museum’s films,: which’ will be shown at-its:own little. the: |. -atre, “are described .as “distinguished: films .6f: the recent’ past “never before shown theatrically. in the: ‘United. States.. * Actually,” one’ of .the“Muiseum’ S ‘pictures, °“‘Poiint. ‘of: -Order,”. will. be ‘having its: world’ premiere. This ds: the feature. length documentary: on the. ° 1954 . ~““Army-McCarthy” | * hearings, -produced by Emile. de. “-2'; Antonio and Dan ‘Talbot (who also |~ (7: . runs’ the. New: Yorker Theatre, } "> west ‘side artié in New York). Ari-j » “other of .the Museum’s: entries,.Max. ~~ Ophuls’ “Lola Montes,” is included in. this. category, even’. ‘though’. it “Was: ‘shown here. Several _ years. ago. ina cut form: * “The version: ‘tobe. shown. at the Museum is one. which. “was restored by .Ophuls for:a.show-: -.. ing at. the. National Film: Theatre “..4inLondon, -": q. Each of. the 10 “Museuri: ‘entries’ will. be shown twice—at. 3: p.m. and “Be 30 ‘p.m.—on ° ‘the ‘day ‘it: is .Sched uled..The-. ¢rogram: Sept... 10: " “Sansho “The Bailiff, ” Japa “strangely | un 50: far’: 28s: : | ductions, . | producers ° agencies. * JOHNSTON'S $1,000,000 ESTATE TO FOUNDATION | ‘Foundation As: zation. “ Jolinston’s. “home: ‘town. was ‘in . ‘Spokane: ‘but “the. globetrotting ‘head. ‘ofthe MPAA. and: the Motion: ‘Pictures Export. Assn. was domi“|nantly identified with political,. “Like Read the Title ‘Ottawa, Sept. 3. AuiteSky ozoner : booked. F three pictures whose. titles. tied > in’: nicély: -They. are: . “Sex in ‘the Service,” “The -: Horizontal... Lieutenant” and. » “The ‘Perfect: ‘Furlough.” wv. —— Trend to Larger | Pub Staffs At HO’ Studios | | ‘Ad:pub. execs at. both: ‘the: ‘home| in | offices:'and ‘the: -studios are noting; what . one: termed “the swing -of ‘the pendulum” toward. enhance-' ‘ment of. their own publicity staffs anda’. ‘commensurate decrease. in the: film activity: of Outside DP. r..| offices. : “The. promotion officials ‘at the ’ | homeoffices. particuarly appear re‘sentful: of. the outsi@epublicists who handle multiple. accounts: at | ‘the: same. time. “For one: office : to. handle “four .:or:more pictures: : ‘| simultaneously. i is jast. plain ridicu-. “| Ious,”.: said” one _Spokesman.". He: : “They ‘really: are’ nothing : but correspondents; they take. our. ‘notes:and.-records,. along with ‘our “campaigns,: and send them to: ‘their |} producer: clients. And ° ‘yet... their. services’ are. charged. against. our. added: pictures,” one film at’a’ time. -This, as a-mat “They ‘don’t .contribute a bit. to ..a campaign; they’re just cops,” com--| mented a Gotham v:p: : ~Phat: the: picture outfits in NY. have . ‘been expanding their own press departments” is evident..and ‘that. this will. ‘each™:trend propor-. tions: appears a possibility. This is. a reversal.on. the situation some 10 | years ago; when the: bulk of Holly: | wood ‘production was taken over by| independent. producers and. said | signed.’ with: outside Jor. course, Adolph Zukor: « -. Spokane, Sept. 3.° “Erie: A. Johnston, late. president of. the -Motion. Picture Assn. ‘of America, : left: an. estate: of over’ $1;000, 000 to ‘the Johnston’ Founda-. ‘tion,. family trust, and: to: members of -his: family, ‘according. to: probate papers. filed: here: Aug. 30.‘The a charitable. organi. “1 tie: and two “overseas “dates, ° of. ‘+ $10,000,000 which will mean earned: rentals of: approximately. $7,000,000:| |in less than four. months: of release.: ‘ _| Star ‘Elizabeth’ Taylor, incidentally, |. .=;should: be watching: closely;:“her.|: | 10%.. of: the -b.o; take . starts. once | ~} the picture has recouped, $7, 500, 000 --fin rentals. ~ the ‘picture: At: any rate, ‘there is a new. ‘decent'on. the hiring of unit publicists: on the part ‘of the film companies: : David | Golding at : Universal, and Jerry. .Pickman. and: Richard ‘Kahn at -Columbia. are ‘among the more prominent examples..Such person: nel.are assigned to. individual proserving somewhat. -as. liaison between the. company ‘and. ‘the indie ‘produeer. This to a large extent: precludes ‘the need for.an’'| outside agency working: in the » filmmaker’s behalf. ~ Ad-pub. officials said. this. week: they-don’t mind a. producer having | his. own, pressagent, if said. pressagent: concerns himself with only. | | Balaban: Says | He By. VINCENT CANBY According. to. one. 20th estimate; 41 the picture is. currently. accounting. 7 for. weekly: earned rentals of more}: -:fthan: -$800, 000. . ‘And: the vast. bulk | ' of the: premiere ‘overstas:.dates— 24 key. spots—do: not get. underway . until mid-October. One. of the most’ interesting” ‘aspects. “of . the . -current © “Cleo”. ‘biz: phenomenon. is ' that -20th-Fox’s'|-. | precedentaldemands for. ‘cash-in| ~ advance guarantees . of new high)” dimensions is not proving as back| breaking . as. ‘many. exhibs had “pre-|° dicted: At ‘the Rivoli in: "New York, for 2 : example, ‘the. ‘film had‘Eecounted | for ‘a total boxoffice : gross .(as’ of | last -week) of: approximately $855,-.! 000.(excluding ° an advance. sale-of more. than $200,000). 11. weeks recouped. approximately | . $598,000 . of. the’ history-making | ° -$1,250;000 which:. it.-paid 20th in ‘cash “advance guarantee: Should |: cinch to recoup in much.less. than |12-months—and ‘the picture.‘has ‘a guaranteed 18-month | berth. there’ ‘anyway. ‘Using. the weekly Wanwery: box office figures as guide, the. Pantages |. in’ LosAngeles has, in 10. weeks, taken “in: a b.o.. total ‘of ; “approxi ‘mately $690, 000, which. would in-. _(Coritinued: on. page 18) ; ‘Asn’t Moving Up. Or Stepping Down/ ‘told a Variety man in New. York last. Friday (30), But. don’t look for it ‘to happen: momentarily. af “The .veteran ‘film. official ‘speci fically. ‘was asked if. he ‘intended .to’ resign as chief executive. Officer. to ‘become. board. chairman. ‘He. was fast with : ‘a:smile and a. reply:. “We have | a board. chairtnan’’-—meaning, |: ‘The rumor «that Balaban. would. step cup” ‘has ; “been in circulation for some time... Balaban recalled that when he} was. approaching. 50 years of age/ -he changed -his. annuities : because | ‘he knew. this was not the. time ‘to retire. -He ‘has. dittoed with the’ an-. nuity. bit ‘several times. since.. ‘And| now that. ‘he’ Ss 15° he’s: still” feéling fit; he: said. “One. thing is: for cértain. When ‘Balaban. moves it will:not. be’ be cause ‘he is. -being. pushed: The de cision’ is -his :to make. -Members ‘of. ‘the board. ‘commented © privately | that Balaban -1s. incomplete charge: of fhe .presidency and. there’s not ay single ‘director. who: ‘would.“be ‘happy’ to -see -him: BO.. in hn ed To ECOUPAVANCES) : Ainrelease, as it: was: -in: ‘produc: |” = a. ‘tion. *Cleopatra™: continues -to be |: 7 a: spectacular. numbers game... “. Word. this week is that the pic| ‘ture ‘will ‘shortly: have achieved: a] « total boxoffice take, from. 45-domes| ‘+ continue to . draw: at the: Rivoli, at: the current: pace, |it: could recoup the entire. guaran-; ‘tee. beforé theyearend. But ‘even } ‘l4f.it should ‘slip: somewhat -in the | “post-Labor : Day. weeks, it’ seems a-| “Loew’ 'S . New. D. C. House -. Washington; Sept. 3.. “Opening. night. of. the plush new. Loew's Embassy here. : . "Thursday: (29) drew an impres-. sive: array. of Washington's top. Society, as. well. BS. political ‘biggies. ' Tt was a benefit ‘jointly ‘for. the: National Cultural. Center. -and..the American “Newspaper _. Women’s. ‘Club. . Mrs. Averell ° .. Harriman; wife: of the former New: “York: ‘governor. who. has _ -held nearly a ‘dozen high. Fed-~ ‘eral ‘posts, was. chairman | Of. the. ‘event. : _: First. attraction. at: the thea-"_ : tre, which ‘has 567 seats: and — the -Jatést and best’ of every ‘4s. Paramount's Lovers.”. <°. ; Loew's execs: on: “hand. for’ the .screening, followed. by a™ champagne: reception, included Arthur ‘M. Tolchin;. :executive: . in, charge of. theatre. opera-_. “tions: “Bernhard . Myerson, exec” \p.; Ernest Emerling, © WD. ~» Charles. E. Kurtzman, ‘general “southern. division director; ‘and Lloyd Jacobs; engineering as-’ . sistant . director... ‘Never Aske: OBrien About ~ MPAA Top Spot ‘Washington, Sept. 3. The’. Les Angeles: Times. .said. White ‘House ‘staffer Lawrence F.. ‘O’Brien -is in line: for the Motion atl. often: reluctant Congress,. In another development concern|: ‘moved himself. front speculation as a possible film czar. The Senator ‘would he quit his ‘Senate seat for both houses. _ Of ‘Congress, was a “Cabinet as. ‘Secretary: ‘of. Health, Education & Welfare... — if: aCatholic were at the helm of MPAA. | ; vate TC STOCKHOLDERS “BLAST NAIFY DEAL The Stockholders’ Committee for | Better ‘Management. of United Art-_ ists Theatre. Circuit takes ‘a sharp | “swipe at. the. deal, temporarily 7 ery Figuring : . Manager; “Orville -Crouch,;. ~ ‘earned rental as being about 10% |. of .that..figure, the theatfe has_ in|}. Picture‘ Assn. ‘presidency, . but, in} id Washington, O’Brien Said it’s ews _ ‘to. him. .. ‘|. -O'Brien: said no one connected. us ‘owith: the . film . industry has -ap-|-proached ’ him: anid the newspaper |. | account was the: first. he had heard -| of-it. O’Brien, who is from Spring“| field, Mass.; heads the White House | . lobbying: operation on Capitol Hill.| f a. -His job is to push President Ken| nedy’s legislative: program. through | ing:the vacant job long held ‘by. the j “Phe ‘time will come” ‘when “he {date 1 Erie. Johnston, Sen. Abraham |'will relinquish ‘the. reins ‘as: Para= ‘mount: president, © Barney ‘Balaban said that “under no circumstances”. ‘two term governor. of Connecticut and: was ‘in ‘the. original .Kennedy | -O’Brien isa Catholic. His faith} caused. a discussion concerning the ‘future’ of: the relationship. between MPAA. and :the. Legion of Decency . SOME ALE E ALRE AD \Landan Cc Considers Eastern Prod. Exit, Cites Union Practices Based On Comm., TV Filming, Vs. Features By EDDIE KALISH Ely A. Landau is seriously: cons sidering moving his indié film.pro ‘| duction. operation out of New York, The producer, who’s Landau -Co. trecently. completed one film and ‘| has ‘three more slated. to roll shorts lly in the. east, is thinking along “|these lines primarily because’ he feels. that the east coast labor situ ‘ation is not geared to the -construc|tive development of a. ‘picture’ In dustry on the Atlantic shore. ‘ “Fhere’s a lot. of. talk around ‘about: New York: being: a “major. _|film centre, but I think there are \very few-who have realty ‘given it | much thought. Technically, the east |.has everything that. ‘it .takes, ‘al-: ‘though there are too. few really {top men and, as far as studio space * thing. in decor and. equipment, | goes, there-are only a couple places Wives and . ; that can do ‘a’ top-level job. The teal problem, however, is that .tv | films, industrials and commercials. | are ‘the king of the roost in the east. “When there is work, there are facilities and the technical People. {to handle the. job. What’s suffer-. ing is the claim that the east-coast film industry will open its ‘hearts, | minds, traditions.and precedents in ‘an effort to re-evaluate current... ‘practices to induce creative. picjture making. More business must be. attracted so that concessions. can be obtained (from labor} and be. made up for in volume and so | forth,” the ~ producer said earlier. "ts week. Meetings Held. _ To. ‘this. end, Landau has‘ held | three meetings with the East -|Coast. Motion Picture Council, an organization made up of the principal locals’ of the International . ‘Alliance of Theatrical Stage Em ‘ployees involved in-eastern picturemaking. What he has. been seeking | out of the'sessions, he said, is so7:e indication that the unions are will-ing to strive for the development of ‘more workable ‘practices than | are. presently in force. “If you're {going to make pictures cn a continuing basis,.as is my plan, than you have to find economically feasible ways to do it” he stated, ‘not ks Like Jane ~ Bow for ‘Story’ George Stevens’ “Greatest. Story |"Bver Told” will be put into release ‘by United Artists next June, ac-. ‘cording to present thinking. Ex | actly when or where the Cinerama the. job. Ribicoff has. served in|. epic will be preemed isn’t being discussed yet, butthe June period ‘Yooks : firm. The picture will also most likely open in'a few key cities at first owing ‘to possible theatre conflict. with another UA’ Cinerama film, Stanley Kramer's “It’s:a Mad. Mad, ‘Mad World,” which is also a one Jens. .item, preeming in November. and. spreading throughout. a host {of -Cinerama houses: ‘around. the | country by Christmas.. Because of | the “Mad World” occupancy, which most. likely is’ being calculated to hold. ‘through. June in most loca| tions, “Greatest Story” would have i to play: cities where there is more | than: one Cinerama theatre. Settling of Juné as the preem. time for “Story” also. finally ends blocked by’ court. action, whereby’ j conjecture that the film. would. be UATC .would give the. Naify family an’ Easter release. This. had been -of. San. Francisco’ 740,000 shares: of | considered hecause. of .its obvious’ ‘UATG: stock in exchange for the: ‘holiday’ tieup froma. sbiect -mat Naifys’ 50%. -interest “in. United: + California. Theatres. ter standpoint. “Mfad World” . and “Story” ‘will be the first. pix -seen. <to Further, there’s_ no evidence’. of|. Ina Jetter’. ‘sent. ‘out’: ‘to: UATG: tin Cinerama’s new one lens process. ‘any kind. of. :stockholder: resent-|-stockholdersFridev.(30), the comwhich will be pr ojected from one ment, excepting the usual-sporadic |-mittee” charges. ‘that the UATC. ‘booth instead of the \old threebeefs about dividend increases, or |:‘stock. going. to the -Naifys. has* a booth ‘method. Both. pix. represent earnings, ‘or stock prices. market value in excess ‘of $10,750,-.| 2 big investment for UA in 1964, as ‘So it -is-.that-:the personnel _ of | 000, whereds the. assets UATC, well as. showcasing Cinerama’s. adPar. at. the. top is remaining ‘the{ would. get in return “earned less vances. . ‘same for the.time being; with Bala-| than $315,000 in 1962... ... In. other |. “Story” recently finished filming : ban. at the helm :and George Welt-| words, your. cotipany” “would. be ; 12 Utah. and. is “presently being. ner’ ‘as: ‘second in. command, 7 ee (Contiriued. on. ‘Page 18) . (Continued on page 16) nese,: 1954, directed by. Keni’ Mizoguchi, | diplomatic and. industrial. activiK Sept, "1 1 iy ee pumas. ve ent “Mae. | ties in Washington, long . his: busi_ . Kenzie’s ‘study o erican Indians: liv(ness. base, when not: commuting to o2! dng: in the slums of Los Angeles. © Filn | ? : ‘was made overa. four-year period, 1958-61. New York. and | traveling: the ‘world’ -Sept. 12: “I Live in Fear,” Japanese, | over in: behalf of: the .American 1955. ones ww Akira Kurosawa,, star: film ‘industry. Prior :to joining: to| Gent Ise "The oi, | the MPAA, as Successor to.‘the late ept. 13: “The -Olive. Trees: of ‘Tustice;” 4. 4 9. ‘French, 1961, directed: by. James Blue; ‘an: Will: ‘H. Hays, first czar”. of: the: “” Aimerican: living ‘in: Algeria who. has. ‘sub | Picture business, he was president . (Continued: on. Page. 18)" tof the. U: Ss. Chamber of Commerce.