Variety (October 1963)

The U-. S. Information. Agency: is mulling the possibility .of seeking commercial distribution ‘outlets | everseas for some of.the more than 300 documentaries it turns out:each year, film services director George Stevens Jr..reported in New. York’ last week. As the USIA’s film pro= | gram has been evolved in. the past, the films have been serviced -di-' rectly to theatres:.via information mobile units—all free of charge of course. Idea of possibly seeking’ commercial distribs: for ‘some ‘of ‘its pix. would not be to earn money: as much as it would..be to get as wide a distribution :as ‘possible for: the government-sponsored product.. However, by going out via -com-: mercial distribs. the pix ‘woud. not. necessarily be any more: guised’ than they are now {that ‘is, their production auspices would. not necessarily be any more of a secret). In so far as possible, says Stevens, the USIA already avoids’ labelling their pix as such in those. ‘countries where it’s not required ‘by regulation. Point is made that. audience resistence .maybe. trig-gered just as soon aS a USIA label. shows on: screen, (Commented Stevens: “The films’ are always: at-: tributable to us, though not. always |~ . attributed to us. on) In. New York to host.a. screen-_ ing of five typical USIA ‘items for: the Screen Directors “International | Guild, Stevens summed. up. changes. in the USIA film program under. his tenure in office by saying. he. felt that now, more than any time” in the past, “except possibly dur-" ing the war,” the USIA is seeking: to establish “a. sense. of. author-: ship in its pictures.” ‘While USIA pix are—foremost—expressions' ‘of the “psychological” (propaganda) arm of the government, they may ‘the art of. filmmaking. Thus; the film services chief has sought, in. so far as possible; to give filmmakers their freedom in ‘utilizing. their own styles and. techniques. ‘As To Content . While there . may have... ‘been. some disagreement in the craft ‘au= dience as to the. content of the. five pix screened, there was much. appreciation for the beautiful tech‘nical. quality, especially the often strikingly original camerawork.. Re film content, Stevens reminded the audience that the pix were made for overseas audiences and: that ‘all USIA pix were designed -to promote specific policy aims of the’ U: S. Government, The four: principal themes presently. being stressed in USIA pix: (1) the need for modernization (and the U. S. helps: those underdeveloped peoples. who help ‘them-. selves) (2) support of the. ‘United: ‘Na tions (3) the “insult to humanity” represented. by the Berlin Wall, and: (4) the: encouragement: of peoples. to support. governments which. allow freedom of choice. Integration Problem. One of the pix screened for the: N. Ys directors; “Five. Cities . of: _June,” included asegment. which Stevens thought to: be: the ‘first direct USEA film treatment_of this. country’s current integration prob-} tems. It featured the (ultimately). peaceful enrolitment of two Negro ‘students at the University ‘of Ala‘bama, and wound on an upbeat’ note to the effect that while: Ameér-. ica has Many. problems still to be | solved,. it is ‘seriously. working at} those solutions. Pic was edited and put. into. Te-lease prior to the recent Birmingham bombings and’ Stevens sSuggested that perhaps the overly rosy commentary might possibly _ be changed . to. recognize ‘the fact au-.|: diences would be viewing the film: with. the Birmingham headlines: ‘still fresh i in their minds. Film services chief confirmed an. earlier. VARIETY report . that’ the’ USIA. has cancelled a projected 30-minute documentary | entitled: “The American Negro: A Progress Report.” Cancellation, he’ said, was no reflection against the pic; pro duced .by Willard Van Dyke and directed by’ Graeme Ferguson, but. rather. was dictated by the ‘fact. that the film, which was shot last year, was. “out of date in light of recent. events, a including the civil + rights March on ‘Washington. ; sities.‘The. quality ‘of -the film, | made . by a graduate. student vat Northwestern. on a -$5,000. budget, . | was -much-., -admired: by. the pros. | ‘It. also served ‘to emphasize...Stevens’ point that. the USIA has undertaken an. important, though. ‘pre‘sently. small, ‘program: ta provide. a |. training ground for embryo “film eg makers. . is|: nothing. comparable ‘to. the various government-sponsored. film insti-.| tutes. abroad,. especially ‘behind | the Iron Curtain, where youngsters j. are. thoroughly trained.in: filmmaking. The USIA program of bring-|. ing.. in five talented. youngsters. S {each year is ‘presently not. much | more. than “a token effort,’ 7 he said, but it’s a first: ‘step in the right direction. —a Continued. from page — —_ ‘author: J ames. Poitier, David ‘Susskind and. others participating. Reports of ‘the film's: disastrous start also stirred interest on the part of various ‘groups and individuais: who besigned the. boxoffice with: ‘phone calls .about . the ‘Situation and. also called the Hammers pledging their support of the pic, many .offering to: buy blocks of 50. and: 100. seats. to support the also be valuable as. expressions of | film. also ‘been. indicated,, with one Dept. of. Education: rep ‘calling. tosee. about: the: arranging of special cutrate morning showings of the film for elementary and “school students: The Hammers naturally: agreed. and. plans. are presently: in motion to, screen: the ‘pic.for such groups at: 75¢ a ticket:: Organizations. like thé B’nai B'rith and. the United Jewish | Congress are also_ being contacted for suppo “East Theatre .Monday. (23). and: Harry Brandt, ‘Trans-Lux Corp. prez -has. decided: not: to ‘exercise his’! option. to throw-out. the. film, wishing rather to give it. a. further | chance. He .is keeping .it: in: the. theatre for two ‘more .weeks at least, according to the: ‘Hammers ‘who are still hopeful ‘the. opening . | few days’ situation can be reversed. | by: the Hammers and was directed: | by. Nick Webster. It's translation from. stage to. screen is a: most literal one, infact: the’ most ‘criti-. ‘| cised point: about the film was: its legit-like | _ quality. On Broadway. | “Purlie” Tan for over seven months ‘| put ‘was a $100,000. loser. Around |40;000. people saw .it-on Broadway with. essentially. the same ‘cast as is in the film version and’ this is ‘seen as a possible contributor to the Gotham reception. Also a possible factor, the ‘Hammers ‘figure, |. was. the _opening’s timing which]... came on top. of the funerals in| ‘Birmingham for the victims of that |. tragic bombing incident—not ex-. ‘actly setting the stage for a comedy Satirizing the civil rights struggle.. _The-. Jewish: high: holy . days” are also a‘factor: ~~ ‘The . USIA is “now ‘readying : al | 20-:.to . 25-minute documentary. on |: the march, ‘under.the direction of James ‘Blue, which Stevens. expects. 1. to befinished: ‘in a few weeks,” 7 Also. included in. ‘the? -program.| | shown: ‘to: the. N.Y: ‘directors: was: one: of the ‘six: pix ‘commissioned -offices abroad, film ‘libraries and by the. USIA last year to: student: ers in American univer-: Stevens: ‘noted. that: the U. S. has. ‘Gone Are the Days’. Baldwin, Church & School. Support| “Church and school. support has: ‘secondary: | “Days” opened at the. Tranxlux The film is the first production. But . these elements are::. enough. to explain the almost. total Jack of interest atthe boxoffice:on the -part of the public. It. -also brings up that:old. arguement about. just how influential critics are at. 4 -eochairmen, ‘earned $50,000. for the the wickets. The film had experienced... a similar problem, ‘but. of a: different. nature “before. ‘its release: | At screenings. there was ‘almost. unanimous praise} ‘for the feature, ° port, but the: distribs. also refused to. handle the: pic. branding it: “too controversial” and terms to that -effect...The: result is that -the current Gotham ‘booking: is. the -film’s| sole engagement. to. date and, un-} less. some miraculous things -hap-]. pen; it doesn't look like it will get] mnay. -more,. all.of which .‘would) mean .at least:-a: -$241, 000, ‘loss for the: Hammers. “Sidney. (U: s. not: t for... distributors, ; “ye: -Hammers.:re-} ‘STUDENT. OF THE: FRANC Peter’ G “Evans: New. 20th ., Comptroller In Paris... "Paris, ‘Oct: 1 USIA May Send Its ‘Themed’ Shorts|_ Into Commercial Channels G 0 ’seas| “Peter. G ‘Evans ‘has been named | comptroller * “of | the: . Continental | division.-of. 20th-Fox’. hheadquarter; ‘ing here, . He'll. supervise all: ac-|‘coynting and administration of | 20th . distrib: Operatings | ‘in Europe 7 and Middle East. Evans joined. 20th. in: 1956. as| travelling” ‘auditor, . first: .in: Latin \Colorama i uture Remain, Cables; Problems’ 7 ‘subd : in. “Yelac : Inc. Po ‘1963 “Weekly Vol. Weekly ‘Weekly : Tues, | . Change | Hich Low . in10¢s, High ‘Low Close. fer: ‘whe 7 “Vege: 12%. ABC’ Vending 109 3394" tie et) ae) ee 88%. 277%. Am Br-ParTh 376. 32 “2956. * 30% -_ ee . 2136 14% Ampex ......807 17% 1636 167% ~=— 34 99% 42% CBS ..:.... 611-79. 7484 27556 3th 7 18% «12%: Chris Craft. 89. 19%." 12% 2.13% 16, (29% 2214 Col Pix....... 88 254%... 234 2%: --1%46 45% “‘Decéa. “10 4542" 4542 “4516. ee "4636, 2734 Disney .....144 43%. 4114-48 on 12236: 10616. Eastman Kdk 283° 114. 110% «2120 1% | 6% 5% EME... Th 5% BM HH 16%. 954. Glen.Alden 356. 153% «14%. 14% AS 23% 15%. ‘Loew's Thea... 251. 18% 175%. 18% ; 68% . MCA Inc. 64--°65 © 61. 62°. =2%).. y 34.5 ‘Metremedia: . 516 3556 a 33. 3334 Je e/a 37% 28. MGM ...... 260. 3234-3058 303% 116. 1234; 774 Nat. Gl Corp. 248° «9% ORK 9H GH 2434 2014" Outlet... 5... 1670" 22482194 21384 534m. 35% Paramount 128. 50°. . .475@ -49%¢ .— 5% ' 211% 120% Polaroid” wo 18436 175.7: 179914. “=A 2544. 36 RCA i.c.:3. 853° 273 68%. 71%. 1A 10% 6%. ‘Republic UW. OR 8 RS 1654. 14 _ Rep.. pfd.6. 15%. 1554 15% = 4: 25% 2014 * Stanley ‘War. 362. . 253%, 24144 ~ 244%. = 34° 456% 31... Storer’ 36 41° -89%. 40% —~—.36. 28% 17% Taft Bdest. -. 31 259% 2456-25 37° «20... 20th-Fox:... 3612. 324% 303% 32% +1.% © 32... 173% United Artists: 89: 20°. 19% 19H. 164% 127% ‘Warner Bros.. 112), 14%. 138%. -14:|a 6834 51. ‘Zenith wns Lee's 419. 64%, 61¥2 6238. 156 | ; Aineriean: Stock Exchange . — 4. 2a Allied Artists 47. 24 236° "2% ‘8% 5° BalW’nt GAC 15 -734 (“Te TH 04% 12% 6% Cam-P’kway : 17 Re (TH ee 24% 16% Cap. Cit. Bde. “G5. 2234. 2116 ... 21% —%% 173% 12% Cin’rama Inc. 444 .16%: 155% 15% -—-% 8% §«614: Desilu Prods.. 33°: we 8 8% —% “744 4% Filmways ... 22 ~ 614 64h .— 4%. 11% 9 . Movielab: 3. 10% 9% + 9%. — A... 13° 534 MPO Vid... 15° 10 9% .10°" 2A... 3 54% 2% Reeves Bdcst..13. 2K BBA 2%: +h. 3% 24 Reeves Ind... 177 3%: 314 358. 2 KB 1734 13% Rollins Bdest: 12 15(14% (14% 0.% 253g 1634: Screen Gems. 25. 22°. 21% 2142 —-% 22: 854 Technicolor .:. 632 2056 18% 18% +15. 634.. 414. ‘Teleprompter | 24. 456 | 45% — 4%. 2%. Ya -Tele-Indus| ~~ 22 nt a: distribution’ . America’ and: jater. in. the. Far. East. |. besetting " Colozama Features still await: resolution. The }. company. has’ been’ the subject. of yrounds.’ ‘of. . ‘meetings . for several > | weeks. These. continue. *: | The: task: at Colorama remains |... | financial liquidety. It goes.back tof: | last: spring. when. a Canadian ‘out-|._ . ;{ fit, Telac: Ltd:, which also.has al. Purchased. control of: the company. It]: never pumved “in: ‘the--needed|:. funds, -however;: and recently its prez, Herbert °G. “Stevenson, re-| signed as board chairman of Color| ‘ama,a .post ‘he> chadheld. since: : Telac’s takeover. © fons “The. Canadian ° ‘corp: ‘is still” inf: 51%. control ‘ef the. company but] . ‘the -main: interests. at. work ap-|-“parently are two busihess:. invest | | ment: -corporations,,. one being: Royal | ‘Business’ Funds, which -have con-|' siderable coin tied up in the prac|: tically “dormant :. operation: Color| ‘ama’ has put but. one: feature into |. ‘since’, Télac’s © May |: takeover, -in. addition toa. couple | of: pix. ‘brought ‘in by Telac. A: par-| tial financial‘ interest in some of| :” these. is held. by. Colorama prez|/ | Dino. Fazio who. took over that. job} °: ‘when. .the ‘original « topper: of the| .. company, Jules Weill, oui a few | months: baek. original partner .who’sold-his ‘hold-. ‘stood -to .be a. complication jis the distrib: are..the: vested interests’ of Puciato, | : .Stevenson,’ Weill, ‘the SBICs, Fazio and others. To. . unravel * ‘ these strands of interest: is: the = gnatienge | before the: “Architects... SICHARADE’. FOR SOCIETY Preem Earns 50G. For. Sn-Dron out Drive. Washington: O8t: 1. The ‘dressy “high .society. benefit ‘preview of Universal’s: “Charade”. -here, ‘with. First. Lady-: Jacqueline Kennedy © “as “honorary © chairman “Mrs. ‘David‘Brinkley as working Jocal ‘Stay-in-School fund. The money. will be: used to. com-: bat theschool. dropoit problem ‘in’ Washington. public. schools. . Ella ‘Fitzgerald ‘sang. from ‘the | Randall .. was emcee.» Randall.’ stayed. .over. and{ went with Ethel Kennedy the next day to. ‘the... opening . of; the new}: tol watch Attorney: General. ‘Kennedy _ stage, “and™ Tony. ‘Senate crime investigation | as the leadoff. witness. Cary -Grant-Audrey Hepburn. film, 4 Palace. Theatre here." and. Mrs..“Robert F.: “Kennedy and » Tt is’ “understood that. ‘negotia| . ‘tions. have:.been in progress: with ‘an. undisclosed distrib which would |" assume ‘control of. Colorama if de-: tails. can. be | ‘worked. out.: Such al move, ‘while™ strengthening Color|: ‘ama, involves. several complexities. in its overall fiscal. pattern. It.is be lieved: that: Carroll Puciato, Weill’s | ings to: Stevenson, is still owed | Payoff «on. his: stock" and this may |. ‘beone of ‘the factors: complicating: present | ‘Negotiations. “Also. under-|°. Weill’s: retained” 25% holding in| = “The. coniplexities being. clear, ie} nothing else is,-none ‘of the people}: ‘involved ' offer ‘comment. Involved —_£ -Continued from ‘page’ .————— * Week. ‘Ended Mon: (30). t Actual. Volume. : | c ck ‘Coo a Week Ended Tues. a ON, Y, Stock Exchange (Courtesy Of. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &. Sith, Ine. ) “China Vs, USSR ‘our: people. ” The ‘film will present | the Soviet revolution “from: the} Chinese point” of view.” | “Feature. will make the point | that the: ‘Chinese. peasant. was: “‘al-. |. | ways: threatened.”: These’ villains-|° have been “Tigers | of : the . West,” “Leopards |. of: the South” and “Bears ‘from | ° | the North.” Dramatic .culmination of ‘the message picture ‘is reached. ‘when a Chinese . peasant, ‘kills -a ‘white bear “after a life and death | struggle.” ‘Remarks: theChinese, ‘after .the fight, standing on. the “The . Chinese ds a real. mani. “You: wanted me_ “Lions .of£. the -East,” dead white. bear: to run. ‘But this is : ‘going -to hap pen only in‘ your.:dreams. ‘The “day |} is: near when: vou . shall bee. the aight. of;the Chinese!” = Universal. provided the: ‘new! and. Loew’s donated use: Of * its} te _ Steal: background, « ee’ The. Soviet. press. makes -bitter | {comment respecting this new ‘Chi| nese film. Writes. the. Soviet: daily’ “Izyjestija”: ae a “The | Chinese picture” has “The Proletarian” must imply unity. This. is foul ‘zoological garden humbug with tigers, * pears, leopards and other ani mals...» We ‘hope. ‘they dre. “not going to put the tunes of ‘The Internationale’ as. a ‘mu OcertheCounter ‘Securities | Bid. Ask Commonwealth Theatres of: Puerto, Rice : 6 6% ; Four Star = iene reer vea eens eaves, dl 2° ae Gen. Aniline & Film . tee oe ee NIT és 340". 363 _ ‘10: General. Drive-in ‘ 1 2 9 (10% os hee. Magna. Pictures’ reise edegense eolse owe. 134 218 © pee Medallion’ Pictures... .. .’. Pieris Seb ets ess ie ; 213%, > 5B. Pickwick International .......... 00” 434. BI LI. Premier. Albums. .....0.:2. i he ae es sceesespee 62: 6%. ae —YRust Craft Greeting Garda Wlenedetetees 1S 1854" 2 ‘Seven Arts Productions. *:'....5020.0..8. T1405 8%. ice “: ‘Teanscontinent. Television cegeaee -.. 18%. 195%]. — HH ‘U. A. Theatres... 22.0020. cienceveee 104%. 11% —% ‘Universal Pic. (Com) .. weteaaecewecacse, ° 66° = A “Walter Reade-Sterling. Inc. err 25% BO a .Wometeo Enterprises. == +34, 0 885 ate fue , a Wrather Corp. "634 TA —_ Ye (Sources: ‘National Assn. a ‘Securities: Dealers Arey {Three Years of Woe Rack Film Biz of Mexico — Washington, Oct. E Mexican: motion picture industry. ‘Gs still in the throes of ‘a three year ‘slump, the “U.S. Commerce Dept. reported... ‘Featherbedding, union Wage. de-. oy ‘mands. ‘and low theatre admission. |: prices were among the factors con-" ~. a ‘tributing . to ‘the. downturn -which::. **:~ saw = two studios close.’ and . two others “merge: ‘in 1962. _ Also. hitting” the. producers. ‘was: oy | its loss .of:the Cuban‘playoff: mar— fa -ket and a. sharp decrease in export ‘earnings to. Venezuela. Attendance. also ‘continued to . slide last ‘year. . The only reliable ‘statistics . were: from -Mexico. City .| where attendanée fell to: 77,300,000 : from. the. 1961. mark of 80, ,000, 000. , nothing’ ‘to do with its name. ‘|. 7 ” Tea ‘Richmond. will produce’ “Showdown in: the. Sun, *. Edward | North screenplay, as. a Yul. ‘Bryn.. | ner-. starrer.. Producer,.-who says | pie --probably. -will be: Teleased| through Metro, hops to. Madrid for: _|eonfabs . 7 about, directing. with : ‘Henry: Hathaway: