Variety (October 1963)

| Problems and Not Hurt United iat Efforts of the newly formed Philippine Motion Picture Pro-} ducers Assn. to alleviate problems facing its domestic filmmakers will not take the shape of.a quota | although} there has been some consideration | against U.S. product, of such action. Rather, the associa= |. tion intends to persuade the government to: grant tax reductions on admissions and equipment: ~ and perhaps, eventuaHy, stitute some kind ‘of. Production. subsidy. This is the opinion -of “Leon: Lopez, Philippine producer-distribexhib who was in New York Mon-. day {28) en route to San Francisco. where. his “No Way Out’ is -the |. official Philippine entry. at. the Frisco fest.. According | ‘to. Lopez, | the Philippine MPPA, which. succeeds two other: associations (which repped, respectively, : ‘major | producers and indies) intends to. model itself along the lines of Japan’s Unijapan, an. all-industry. group designed . to promote. its] country’s pix abroad and ‘to present a united front towards industry matters at — ‘home. .: The: PMPPA was. organized in August: with “a completely independent. film man,” Ben. Pingo, as: permanent head. -° While many Philippine producers feel that the vast quantity of U.S. product, which comes into the Philippines freely,. does. ‘limit the chances of domestic pix, they generally agree that any move to’ control U.S. pie accesswould boomerang to the detriment .of the overall market. For one .good |. reason: American pix are generally better than all the rest. and: are sought by exhibs. Contributing to Philippine filo}, problems is the. fact that’ the. domestic industry has ‘been overproducing. for the last™ couple: of years, says Lopez. In 1961 and: .again in 1962, the industry turned ‘out about 150 pix’ which,. with: all the competition from foreign product, just isn’t getting dated. This: year, production will be ‘off between 10 and 15%, he estimated, which-is ‘all to the good. In addition to seeking tax relief, the PMPPA will also press | ‘the government to negotiate reciprocal film trade deals. It’s unlikely that one will be sought with the US., though Lopez thinks’ that: many | | Maryland Plotting the European countries, including | Italy, Germany and France. At the | present time, such an agreement |. more Philippine pix could go. into the U.S. market than ever. show up today. Rather; such deals will be sought with Japan and some of is being worked. out.with Indonesia. The general business outlook in| ‘the islands. is good; according to: Lopez who credits the ‘current Philippine government for :the upbeat. New a tration has taken most. of the controls. off biz, “which has eliminated ‘much of the: possibility ‘for. ‘under-the-counter dealings, and.-has created: an attractive climate for foreign. capital. BROTMAN OPPOSES : B&K AT OAKBROOK Chicago, ‘Oct. 29. “Chi motion picture theatre oper-: ator Oscar Brotman, has’ filed’.an ‘amicus curiae brief with the. ‘Dept: of Justice in protest: against an. application by the Balaban :&.Katz{ theatre. chain. for a-theatre ‘in ‘the: new Oakbrook ‘shopping. céntre, The. brief” was. filed: by -Brotman {also an attorney):on behalf. of five other indie ‘operators and himself, | ; all with houses in. the. Oakbrook | area. Essence of ‘the Brotman petition |. is. that the owners don’t mind an-. other theatre in the aréa so. long | as it’s not run by B&K. The brief | alleges that B&K are alreadyusing their superior “buying. power “in order to deprive the’ complainants" theatres from: obtaining, top. prod-| It further states ‘that: the | uct’ B&K.. suburban ‘houses have -been awarded the ‘hottest picturés. over| “RL _ Cid,” “West Side Story;” “‘Longest |” lem,” the indie houses, including “Day,” “Mutiny On. The -Bounty,” and: “Lawrence of Arabia.” -The petition also elaims that. ‘B&K can “overbid” for. a ‘picture. because. they-are in a better. ‘posi| tion to get an adjustinent. if; the ‘gross does not .warrant.the' bid, and. they can absorb a loss more * readily than can the indies... Police Use Film Warning ‘to in-| Stranger: ‘eduéate children anent. the dangers | o£. child molestings.” Ever since the | im. .came into existence it. has] been: shown. from time ‘to. ‘time. to-} the local schools’ third, ‘fourth and |. ‘fifth graders. : Now, however, the police depart| ment js starting to show: it occa| sionally to. first and second. graders |. and..even kindergarteners. This. is ‘because of increasing concern here: over. child’ molestings, . especially. occasioned by the murder of two. small girls innearby Minneapolis. fear that the film Imight -cause .un-' reasonable fear and distrust-in the: kids,. but that jasn’t been. the case: | He points out ‘that. nowhere: in the film -is there any suggestion of Stranger Danger” might} do. to the child, ‘thereby . ‘avoiding any suggestion. that sex. ‘is ‘dirty or. ‘harmful... what “Mr. : : ‘get. another: film and: open.” Vs Child Molesters | Austin, Minn., Oct: 29. Danger,”: designed to. An. anonymous Austin ‘policeman plays the title villain role. Before’ any: chil it, some 5. 7000. ocal -PTA | ‘proups and service organization members. viewed an initial... screening ‘and gave. ‘the film: their approval. . dren. were permitted. to ‘see. Austin. police: chief -Robert: Nek son ‘told: Minneapolis’ Morning Tribune. staffer . Karl ‘that since. the police’ department. started showing. the movie ‘to the school kids ‘more’ ‘molestings have. been reported to his. department. ‘But he attributes this to the fact that children in. many instances. kept silent before anent.such: happenings. Now, however,. he-said,-| they’ re more aware: of the. wrongnéss involved and ‘the need: of ‘telling their elders. Nordlinger “Nelson said. therg. had been: ‘some. Also;: much of ‘the movie has to: ‘do with such ‘safety ‘subjects as | playing with ‘matches, hiding in refrigerators, water and. playing with strange’ dogs.. : wading in ‘deep Censor Beef-Up| a Baltimore, Oct:. 29.”. Three-man legislative. committee: is undewray With a study of: film. censorship with. the clear intent.|. of: ‘strengthening the’ powers of the: State Board ‘of Censors... As “part of its investigation the group. last. ‘week viewed “Promises, Promises,” indie ‘Mansfield: . feature ‘starring © J ayne. Prior to this. Norman . “Mason, we ‘chairman. of the State: Board, ‘asked ‘\|for a law.under which: persons ‘18 \year of age. and under would be]. ‘barred from. “questionable” films: | If he had been empowered; Mason -would have placed United. Artists” “Irma La Dolice”: in. this category; he said. ‘Trio. of Maryland. solons also: thas under consideration a proposal to. subject all ‘theatremen inthe state: to. a licensing: statute...Under this, exhibs who defy: the Censor | -Board’s~ ruling. would “have their. ‘licerises -revoked. Te Committee also. is “exploring tighter Testrictions: on. film | -ad= vertising, —— Hunt’ $ MeCook Dark: Dayton, : Oct. 29. . For this ‘theatre : after “Lawrence . of -Arabia,” and “closed: his: Columbus ‘theatre: this week.. “T was. faced. with ‘a. real: prob-: “TT eould. “have |:booked other first run’. pix but . I he‘said. felt it. would be a mistake. ‘since the theatre’s.. teputation: was built} on road shows.” 7 As things. now stand, Hunt said it: may be late: in November. or |: even December before the’ theatres . The: police: ‘and. ‘residents of this | Ton Tegsons of education, sex town of. -29,000 population ‘five |-years ago” ‘created, produced .and did ‘the. acting in a film. titled: “Mr. -22% more than “the : ‘previous. .alltime hardticket champ,”. generally: |-conceded. to” have been Metro's “Ben-Hur.”.|’ _Exeereports “overseas interest in: ‘the . pic: “to. be “tremendous”’— | enough, in‘ ‘fact, -to overcome. un-: foreseen rough’ luek. :InItaly, for example, the pic “was due -to have; | such...that :.the “first . newspaper | ad. announcing the. opening of. the: film: featuring only. the likenesses of the Stars, sans’. picture. title). resulted ‘in Sweden.. Kong Dec. 20, the first: time. in’ several years, ‘this city’s -roadshow ’ house, |: Hunt’s McCook, is: dark’ for. want of product. Herman Hunt closed ~"Nuptials Can Wait “Roman. Catholic Legion ‘of -+ -_ Decency -has: B-rated (morally. ‘-objectionable in ‘part. for all) vend “Palm Springs: Week ynent: | “This” filra; ‘made for teen-.. : agers ° ‘and starring: “reputed . teenage: -idols;. tends to.-confirm. an. ‘attitude ‘that although: ‘marriage. may: be: ‘postponed ual indulgence: need: not: be 0’ Dates; Advance! Receipt At $24,800,000 tees ‘on: the. picture. now. comes to 000). Further, ‘according to: Poe,. the: film is presently grossing a solid had .agala: preem: in Rome ‘and. national mourning, ‘the. ‘galas were ‘called off-and film opened quietly” the : following day. The. lay: press the -Vati‘can press actually: hostile), but biz] has .been. boff ever since. : ‘::J Poe, since the | ‘picture. was: ‘made | Lin. Italy..most Italians ‘seem to feel a ‘this. is. “their . film: sd was noticeably cool (and. (Says “Interest in Stockholm. chas been (the ‘same .ad .as.. was used here in: tickets. going fora month in advance—. practically ‘unheard of Meanwhile, “the. ‘film is due. to. get its Far Eastern ‘preem: at: the ‘House, ** based on:the book by Robert Nathan ....° Ever. Theatre, Manila. Nov. 28. This isto be followed. by openings in -being: put-on by.“‘Tom.Jones” at Rugoff’s posh, 700-seat eastsideartie,. | Cinema:One. For example, a week ago last Saturday (19), the pic took :: ‘|:in’ close to. $8,000—more than any. other pic. in the_ city. with. the. © exception of Radio City -Musie Hall. (“The VIPs”) | and: “Cleopatra”. Singapore Dec:: ‘19. ‘and. in. ‘Hong Mad’s’ “Chase mosphere | Spills: Into -Intermish | All those film: “producers who. have: ‘expressed their. disapproval “over” the use. of intermissions.. in -pictures: because. -of: the -break in ‘continuity’ involved. will. find Stan: ley Kramer’s: “It’s | ‘a. Mad;. Mad; Mad,.. Mad World”: interesting. at : interval time... “Mad World” ‘is 2 a chase. picture involving: a‘‘hunt: “for treasure -by. several characters“and thepursuit by” the law. ‘During. the _intermis-.} ‘sion, ‘picture: keeps: ‘the chase--at-. mosphere: alive. -by. ‘piping police. | car’ radio: reports into ‘the. theatre. .| lobby: and auditorium from time to |“ | time.|So smokers and. gabbers will {| occasionally. hear. “car 96, so-and-so ‘| proceeding -north on: route. 25" oF. {7 ‘things to. that’ effect. up..and: the tadio: reports dopro “gress the action of. the .film. ‘It’s ‘the first: time. that any. real use has been-made of. the. interval which | ‘is normally filled. with music from. the. given <‘picture’s . soundtrack. There have been detractors. on the —— mostly centering around the. break | Vin continuity. sreated by the: Pause. Troy: .Donahue-Connie .} ™ Stevens starrer, with this. com= ‘Horner treasurer. for. the 1963-64 term . l be ‘all-over town Starting today -(Wed.). “<The. Condemied of . Altona”: release it in December . . . ‘Little: Movies filmmakers who won an. Oscar for’ ‘their: short,:““Day of 1 chickened out, has retitled it “The Outrage.” . | with a paperback of Connie Francis’ advice: for. teenagers, titled “For -Every Young Heart. ae -drama’ critic, signed: ‘as a technical’ advisor on. Samuel’ Bronston’s... “Circus “World.” department’ ‘and: a pro. painter on_ his -own,. has an ‘exhibition’ of his works going at Midtown Galleries -month’s vacation: in London and. Rhodes: The producer-director . is now | student, has. just. asked: her how to.spell Cleopatra . Miami-based filmmaker, ‘here todiscuss plans for ‘his newest. ‘production, “Racing Fever”. ; campaign committee: of New York. Habe: and. chis latest : novel, . “Dee: 25-.at the Whalley Theatre in. New Haven . |-Th 24 National Allied here, AI = -It is pointed out. that if one ne of | ursday (24) of. the National Allie Convention ére, AIP: chiefs Jim ‘these things is: missed by a‘ patron who is: too. absorbed in ‘discussion | ‘or ‘whatever; nothing will Teally. be. ‘lost : but. the “momentum. ‘of the. { sereen aiitics: is: nonetheless: kept’ ‘Pawnbroker” sa _ ‘Wednesday, October: 30, .1963°— [New York Sound Track | “AR Sherman, former managing. director of the: Baronet’ and. ‘Coronet, negotiating for a theatre. property in Manhattan. to. perform the. triple purpose . of serving ‘as a home for the professional -presentation. of experimental and avant garde motion. ‘pictures; to. provide fully. |:equipped .stage space for the filming. and production ‘of television. | shows, complete. with dressingrooms, cutting, .editing ~and.. ‘rehearsal. hall: facilities; -and.-to serve as an: after-hours private cinema. club | where film: aficianados can meet, ‘preview, dine .and discuss’ the’ ‘more. -lesoteric aspects of. today’s. Cinematics.. The ‘present site under.. nego-: = = tiation, according toSherman,. is ‘being designed’ to handle virtually. ‘| every phase. of stage and screen presentation. Prior .to -last Friday night’s (25) private. screening of ophe: ‘Victors,”? | producer ‘Carl Foreman was asked by’ a reporter: how.come he’s erusad1 ing fora Government subsidy...in. light. of his. success; he. ‘certainly doesn’t need: a “benefit. ”” Foreman replied he’s not looking for a personal handout but. As: convinced a. subsidy ‘would: be helpful to the. entire | industry. Couple of practicing. Rom man | Catholics at the Tower Suite last Friday night (repeat Friday). were’ among the guests at a ‘Columbia dinner | party and. threw: both’ waiter .and. captain for a loss. by* asking: for: a | f fish: dinner. Wasn’t in their script: Since the trail: of 20th-Fox’ sf Americo Aboaf prepping for. the company's Latin: American sales con-: “Cleopatra” is. studded. with’ mile-. stones, you should be’ up-to-datet ‘on. the latest additional ‘ones. | “With: the windup last ‘week of. ‘Seymour Poe's: month-long, globecircling: taur, ‘the. exee. veep. has | ‘completed: the. ‘dating of the’ 70m. | spectacle in. all. the key cities” of -|. the world: ‘Without. counting: the} | domestic. dates, this comes to. about . 75 engagements. -Most impottantly : the total of cash. advance guaran U prez Milton .R. Rackmil. ‘and Ul veep-foreign general manager” ‘vention next month, site.of which is still unset. This. is the first of: the :. ‘pair’s off-shore biz. trips of. the. new season which, annually, take. them ‘Glear around the world. The girls. of the ‘press don't always see. eye +40. eye. “Judith Crist. of. the’ Herald Tribune took a look at “Mary, Mary” at the Music. ‘Halland . concluded “‘all has changed ‘in transition from stage to screen.” ”” Wanda . Hale ‘of. the News caught the same picture, and .observed, “Play and ‘movie. are as alike’ as the proverbial peas in. a pod.” The: ‘reviews generally were just about fair. .. ‘Loretta Powell in from L. A: for’ ‘lead. ‘in “Andy”. opposite, ‘Tony Randall. This is:a spoof. on Madison Ave. to be shot in the.east: by: Dick . Sarafine for Universal on a James Mefvin'script. It’s the actress’s second © ‘theatrical film. She previously had a bit-in Frank Sinatra’s “Oceans. 11’ “but has some 30 television drama credits. since. ‘she ‘was: Miss ‘United. ‘States in 1959: Her: other. vocation. has been as: elocution. teacher | to re-tarded children, on which angle Life. is: plotting a spread. -approximately$24, 800, 000, -includ ing : the. whopping |: ‘advarices .re-.. ‘ceived domestically (estimated. at. ‘mid-summer: Ao be: about $15,700, IFIDA board has’ reelected Munio. ‘Podhorzer secretary. “and Peter .. < Two new 20th-Fox pix will opens at the. ‘Astor, : ‘34th Street East and other. Prémiere: Showcase | houses, “and. “The Leopard,” which just: wound at ‘the Plaza yesterday» (Tues.), opens at the Trans-Lux 85th Street ‘and 20. other Golden: Show case: houses . . Janus Films’ new documentary feature, “The Face of : War,” will open: ‘tomorrow. {Thurs.) at the T-L 52nd Street and the T-L.. ‘Broadway. Latter is departing from.its regular newsreel, policy ‘for this =: ‘run. “Face’’.is directed. by Tore Sjoberg, who. made the highly successful. | “Mein Kenipf.” . Apparently Astor Pictures is still active: General. tmhanager ‘Robert C. ; Stebbins reports company has acquired..U.S. rights to the British-made version of Edgar. Allen Poe’ s: “Fall. of The House’ of: Usher” and will ‘Ezra Baker, who. was. part of the trio. of . The Painter,”. has -a’ second short.on firstrun view here. It’s “The Con-... : cert,” about arents’. reactions to a. grade’ school orchestra, now on view ; ‘Milan: the night-after the dam dis| Pe & aster, ‘Because of ‘the. -period. :of |. with “All The Way Home” at the. Trans-Lux Fast.. _ The crews of three U.S. Navy ‘ships inthe. harbor. had ‘a. special eaily _ morning. screening | Saturday: (26) morning of. “Cleopatra” ‘at the Rivoli. ‘Ruth Furst,: director. of group. sales for ‘the Rivoli, arranged. the showing _ Hollywood. actor’s agentGlenn: Shaw. has’ appointed Eleanor Cody “Gould to.screen -N. Y; talent for the ‘Shaw: office. on -the: Coast: ‘Miss. © Gould, a faculty. advisor for American Academy. of Dramatic Aft,. has: ~ been managing. director. of ‘the American: Creative: Theatre for. ‘the last. . five years: — Metro had. been’ calling its. riew Paul ‘Newman. picture “The Rape” but ; . Monarch coming out. Alfredo . Marquerie,, Spanish journalist. and. ..Maurice .Freedman, director: of Columbia’s art. . The Robert Rossens back from: a to resume editing. of. his newest, “Lilith.” -M. Y. Film Co., indie .| distributor headed by. Manny ‘Youngman, . took new. and: Jarger_ office Space across from VaRIETY on West :46th Street. : Louis: Pelletier signed..by Walt. Disney..to script. “The ‘Woodcutter’ ‘Ss 7 Industryites locally are ‘not ..a little awed by. the” lusty’ ‘performance : at the Rivoli. Those: aulti-thousand seat. houses. on’ Broadway. can’ well: be jealous. — Indie distrib. Tom Brandon is ‘setting: a. ‘precedent, ‘perhaps: ‘He has’ ‘a-small.ad in ‘the: current issue-of The-New Yorker calling. attention to the. availability. (for rental) of his library of film classics for home showing, ‘schools, etc... ‘release of his latest overseas acquisition, the.J apanese “Burmese. Harp.” . Meanwhile, ‘Brandon. is readying the theatrical ne | Where will -itall end? Wife of. publicity manager -Mort Segal : (of :: 20th Fox,. natch) ‘Yeports that at a-recent PTA meeting she’ overheard one. distraught ‘mother telling another that her. daughter, a third grade . William Grefe;. Joan ‘Crawford. appointed. co-chairman of the. “USO!'s Ss" Harcourt,. Brace & World threw a cocktail . part ast. week for. ‘Hans ““The’ Countess,” ‘which Michael-Arthur Productions ‘will: film: with. Romy Schneider in‘ title role... K. Feldman Has. signed: Bitter. End: comedian ‘Woody. "Allen ‘to ‘script “What's New,-’Pussycat” for ‘star: Warren’ Beatty and.UA release...’ . Robert Goilet to costar with Sandra. Dee in Ross Hunter’ Ss “The. Richest fe, -Girl in Town” for U, starting in: December. : " Norman: Panama. and: Mel Frank, producting-directing-writing: team: have | agreed. to. lecture at London’s National: Film Theatre in January: '20th’s. “Cleopatra” opens its: 51st domestic. ‘roadshow. engagement: . Following the-close. — Nicholson and Sam. Arkoff . took’ off: for. England. and “preproduction: confabs: ‘on “‘The Masque of The Red Death.” © : ‘Jerry Lewis ABC-TV “Mad World” show: next . Saturday : (2), ‘fea= _. ‘turing: many. of the costars ‘of Stanley Kramer’s comedy, will: involve _ several performers from: other. webs, ‘Something. unusual. in ‘ty’s. highly. competitive scramble and.a plus” for: the: Kramer plug .. inked ..for-.. ‘AA’s “The Iron Kiss” are Patsy Kelly, Betty Bronson, Michael Dante and. | Virginia Grey. Stanley Cortez will: handle: photography,. Eugene Lourio._ is art director and ‘Nate Levinson is assistant director. . Landau Co. has Linda ,Geiser, Marketa Kimbrell and. Eusebia. Cosme for “The . Margaret Muse. sét for Stanley. ‘Kramer’ 3. “Invitation Toa ‘Gunfighter (UA). . big top. expert and prominent Spanish: drama. critic and’ writer Alfredo Marquerie" among the: advisors for -Samuel. (Continued: on page 22. Charles. Elvis Presley’s. latest for Paramount, “Fun in. ‘Acapulco,” ‘set for 500: ” ‘dates. in 28 key ‘exchange areas around Thanksgiving .