Variety (May 1947)

FICTOIES Wednesday, May 7, 1947 Schary Blasts 'Planted' Film Ideas, Cites Need for Screen to 'Crow Up The surefire boxoffice psychology+« in planning film ideas and the "this ■will kill them" approach in culling pix themes were riddled unmerci- fully this week by Dore Schary, RKO's executive veepee in charge, of production. In New York on some last huddles with company biggies, Schary put in his oar for significant Alms. "I think the screen has to grow up and develop a point of view on things," the RKOer averred, "If »n art is solely escapism, it dies." "We must be working at times ■when we're not so certain of the results, 1 ' Schary declared. All-out for fresh film material, he added, "1 •would much rather that RKO cut the pattern and others followed." Bs, for instance, fie said, should be Ssed more experimentally with Jhe lea of developing young directors, .writers and personalities, • Barring no holds, Schary even took a solid swipe at "Born to Kill," RKO pic which opened this week at the Palace (N. Y.) to a chorus of • critical boos. "That kind of low key picture is doomed," he said flatly. ''Films are reflected in what the public wants. This is a period of rejection for violent subjects. What's wanted is a little more sweetness and light. Therefore, we don't intend using arbitrary violence in the fu- ture—rather, we'll restrict it to where it's necessary to the theme." Scripters' complaints that censor- Ship regulations barred them from writing strong, fresh material "an- noyed" him, Schary said. "That (Continued on page 29) Far Pards in Coast Meet Hollywood, May 6. Five days of meetings between Paramount home office execs and theatre partners started Monday, (6) night at Arrowhead Hot Springs, with Leonard Goldenson, veepee in charge of theatre operations, pre- siding. Operation of theatres under con- sent decree will be principal topic to be discussed, as well as problems resulting from postwar conditions. See Film Later Costs Record Entry List For , Belgium Film Festival; v ■ Many UJSw Stars Going I Brussels, April'29. With actual competition in Bel- gium's Film Festival scheduled to get underway on June 8 for a 19- day period, scores of entries are rolling in and it appears that film companies throughout the world will be well represented. Meanwhile it's reported here that Eric Johnston, head of U. S. Motion Picture Assn. end Gerald Mayer, its foreign chief, not only will be here but are re- doubling their efforts to bring Holly- wood's top stars over. After three days of deliberation the winners will be announced on June 30. Only shorts will be presented by the Dutch film combine because its studios were destroyed by the Nazis. U. S. will also have a dock of shorts since some , 300 American cartoons are slated to be exhibited at the "Cercle Gaulois." French entries are to be picked by a oaard early in May. However, it's reported that France will send Rene Clair's "Silence Is Gold," "The Devil and the Flesh" and "Copie Con- forme." British Film Producers Assn. is submitting "Odd Man Out" (Two' Cities-Carol Reed), "Great Expectations" (Cineguild - David Lean), "A Matter of Life and Death" (Archers) and Aussie-made "The Overlanders" (Ealing Studios). Other foreign films include Swe- den's "Rotagg" (Mattson), Switzer- land's "The^Rcign of Matto" (Lindt- berg) and "Citizen and Peasant," an educational by Frat.z Schnyder.' Ar- (Continued on page 31) Major company labor reps recent- ly on the' coast report privately-ex- pressed beliefs of union leaders that studio and exchange wage scales have reached their peak. The cur- rent fanfare over the inflated living costs is having its effect on the Coast, it's said, and labor biggies be- lieve there'll be no further move- ment to up salaries providing prices on commodities hold to their pres- ent level or recede. "Naturally, it's the job of union leaders to jack as much as possible out of a company and they'll try to do so," one company spokesman said. "But they're privately convinced, and they've indicated so to me, that it will be unpolitic to seek higher pay if prices rise no further. On that basis, if President Truman's present move is successful, I think we can say that pictures have reached theifi peak expense and won't go any higher." GEORGE GIVOT : Jose in Variety said; "George Givot still does the Greek ambassa- dor bit for hearty results. There's many hearty laughs in his banter and he finales with singing which registers well." Theatre Direction HARRY A. ROMM Metro Preens From Past Hits; lay Become Series 1 Selwyn AiMing Ent Hollywood, May 6. William E. Selwyn, talent director at Enterprise since that company was organized) arranged a cancella- tion of his contract and will an* nounce a new affiliation shortly. During his regime at Enterprise Selwyn' rounded up Hazel Brooks, William Conrad, Canada Lee and Joseph Pevney, among others. v Film Labor's Hourly Wages at New High Hollywood, May 6. Average weekly earnings of hourly workers in motion picture production increased by $13.56 over March, 1946, according to the latest California labor statistics bulletin. For March just past, workers' aver- age weekly check was ■$93.34, com- pared to $79.78 a year ago. Take also was a gain over" February, when vsekly pay averaged $91.41. Workers put in an average of 41.3 hours weekly at average of $2.25 an hour' during March. This com- pares with 40.4 hours at $2.24- in February, and 42.7 hours at $1.84 in March, 1941. Kids' Picket Line Cuts Admission From 50c to 24c Vancouver, May 6. Prices for students at the 330-seat Roxy in Port Alberni, British Co- lumbia, returned to 24c after a tab hike to 50c caused local kids to throw a picket line around the house. Port Alberni, which has a population of 9,000, is a boomtown located on the west coast of Van- couver Island. Theatre is owned by Famous. Players-Canadian. Bobbysoxers also * picketed the 449-seat Vanisle theatre at Camp- bell river and held the audience down to six lonely adults. Theatre, which is owned and operated by E. W. Bickle, prominent island busi- nessman, was picketed by kids de- manding reduction of admission scales from six bits for both chil- dren and adults to 50c for adults and 30c for children. Before the picket lines went around the the- atre, six persons had entered, but thereafter no one entered. These strikes are following upon the kids' recent boycott against raising choco- late bars.from 6c to 8c. Canada, Instead, Uppg Scales While talk in the United States is of cutting, admission prices, trend in Canada is toward raising them, according to Joe Franklin, partner in the Franklin & Hershorn circuit, which operates seven houses in. the Maritime Provinces. Exhib and' his Wife are in New. York this week on a trek from Florida to their home in Canada. Franklin said most Canadian op erators had raised prices a nickel or a dime during the past three months', following expiration of the Price Control Act. Scales'had been previously frozen at 1939 depression levels. Franklin pointed out that he had been getting only 47c, of which 30% (14c) was taxes, at a first-run deluxer in his chain. "There have been no complaints from the public and no adverse ac- tion at the boxoffice as a result of the increase," Franklin stated. "We consider that fortunate because most exhibitors have been anxious to make the increases, among other reasons, because they fear a reces- sion which will force scale cuts and they want to be at a reasonable (Continued on page 29) 4- Novel method of film production, involving the integration of clips' from some Of Metro's top films of the past into a streamlined 60; minute feature, was preemed before the delegates at Metro's sales meet in New York last week by M-G star George Murphy, who originated the idea. Film reportedly was favorably received by the sales staff but was taken back to the Coast by Murphy for further revisions. Film clips were tied together by a running commentary by Murphy', with a finished product similar to the film of past Academy Award winners which was screened at the last Academy Award dinner. Mur- phy's narration, however, may be replaced by a spiced-up commentary by Jimmy Durante. In addition, Mur- phy may eliminate some of the se. quences from several Marx Bros, and Laurel & Hardy pictures in favor of more serious stuff. Film .will probably be limited in bookings to dual bill theatres be- cause of its comparatively short running time. If it meets with audi- ence approval, the possibilities of a series "of such features are believed to be limitless, since any company would be able to draw on its entire library of old products. Idea is be- lieved to be an outgrowth of the excellent grosses currently being rung up by reissues in some situa- tions. Most of these are now limited either to costume pieces or com- paratively modern pix but' with only brief sequences of older fea- tures, almost any footage could be used. ■ 'HeMyV'Took$I,100,GnA So Far in U.S. and Canada "Henry V's" record 47-week run in New York, which ended Saturday (3), turned in a net of $310,000. Of that, $190,000 was garnered in the 12-week stand at the City Centre and $120,000 in the 35-week move- over to the John Golden theatre. J. Arthur Rank Technicolor epic has amassed a total income of $1,100,000 in its U. S. and Canadian en "agements. Since United Artists, the distribs, have in every case leased theatres on a four-walls basis, above figures are , the net to the company. Already subtracted is the rent of the houses, advertising and salaries of theatre, employes. Thee charges amounted to about $6,500 a week in New York, Of that, the ad budget was $1,400 a week. Rank"® income from the U. S. and Canadian distribution so far is about $775,000, UA taking out approxi- mately 29% of the total return as its .distribution fee. BALK AT 70% AMD FOR 'BEST mVWiEL' Minneapolis, May 6. Despite the fact that in its Twin City first-runs "Best Years of Our Lives" has been chalking up sen- sational business, local indies refuse to make deals for it at 70%. "Duel in the Sun," not released in the territory yet, is being sold at 60% and the combines declare they won't buy it at that price. Minnesota Amus. Cq. (Paramount) and a num- ber of independents outside the combines, however, have bought all three pictures. Local independent exhibitors, not members of Independent Theatre Associates, have been grabbing up "Jolson Story," at 35%, at its first availability and have done landof- fice business. "Best Years" is in the eighth week here and third week in St. Paul of its downtown first-runs. Hughes Switching Tag On Diddlebock' to Help B O. Weak grosses registered in pre- release engagements by the Harold Lloyd starrer. "Sin of Harold Did- dlebock," has resulted in a decision by producer Howard Hughes to switch the title. New label has not been set yet and United Artists, the distrib, is takingno further dates until a decision is reached. Pic has played in Miami, Portland, Seattle and a few other towns with consistently disappointing results. It's the first film Lloyd has made in seven years and was produced, di- rected and written by Preston Sturges for California Pictures, in which he was formerly partnered with Hughes. L. A. to N. Y. Judith Anderson Richard Basehart John Beck, Jr. Sidney Bernstein Johnny Burke Wendell Corey Laraine Day William Eythe Geraldine Fitzgerald Bernard Goodwin Jane Greer Mitchell Hamilburg Don W. Haymes Alfred Hitchcock " Carroll Hollister Arthur Krim Burt Lancaster Chuck Lowry Steve Mason James Melton Harold Orlob Maria Palmer Jack Pan- Johnny Pransky Rudy Rudolph Arthur Sachson Nicholas M. Schenck Bernard Schubert Martha Tilton Richard Walsh John Wildberg Charles Woramm Harry Wright N.Y. Astor's Admish Cut Spurts GoMwyn's 'Years' Steep jump in b.o. returns on "Best Years of Our Lives" at the Astor, N. Y, over last weekend, as result of an admish cut, has led the Samuel Goldwyn forces to also slash the weekday scale. It goes down to- day (Wednesday) from a $1.80 eve- ning top to $1.50. Saturday-Sunday prices were cut over the past week- end from $2.40 peak to $1.80. With the film now in its 24th week in the Broadway house, results of the weekend slash were considered phenomenal. Pic did $5,891 this past Saturday as against $5,534 the pre- vious week. On Sunday it racked up $5,639 in contrast to $5,088 the week before. Cut also brings Astor prices more nearly in line with "Years" scales throughout the country. All new contracts call for $1.20 tops. Some spots which started before this new policy went into effect are still get- ting higher fees. There's a possibility that one of these, the Chicago en- gagement at the Woods theatre, may be brought into'line a bit more. The $1.80 weekend scale would be re- duced to $1.50 and weekdays from $1.50 to $1.20. "Years" has shown tremendous holdover power in all its runs and undoubtedly will be 1947's top grosser. It breaks the Astor's long- run record Friday (9) when it en- ters its 25th week. N. Y. to Europe George Choos E. Y. Harburg Val Parnell Phil Reisman Richard de Rochemont Lee Shubert Jack Votion Robert Wolff faterstate's §Miis. Of Shorts Click; Second 'Mirth of Nation' Set Hollywood, May 6. Interstate Theatres, controlling 160 houses in Texas and New Mexico, recently tried out a 90-minute pro- gram made up of nine shorts from different studios, and is readying a second show along the same lines. Debbs Reynolds, chief of Interstate's short subjects department, is cur- rently in Hollywood lining up nine more brief ies to be shown'under the title, "Second Mirth of a Nation." Program, tied together, with a narration by Mel Blanc, will consist of Metro's "Hound Hunters" and "Cat Concerto;" Warners' "Birth of a Notion," "So You're Going to be a Father," "A Boy and His Dog" and "Facing Your Danger;" and Uni- versal-International's "Cookoo Bird," "Jitterumba" and "Let's Sing College Songs." Europe to N. Y. Cecil Barker John Davis Helena Bliss Irving Maas James V. Pattinson J. Arthur Rank Casey Robinson N. Y. to L. A. Walter Batchelor Barney Balaban Eddie Cantor Charles Chaplin Jack Cohn - Harry Foster John Garfield Bob Goldstein Martin Gosch Hal HOrne George Jessel Ann Miller Alec Moss Donald Nelson Mary Pickford Monte Proser Loren L. Ryder Arthur Schwartz Jules C f Stein Howard Strickling Martin Wagner Lew Wasserman Ed Weisl Loew's Playing Medley Of Old Crosby Shorts With "Road to Hollywood," a col- lection of old Bing Crosby shorts tied together in a feature-length pic, hitting 17 Loew's houses day-and- date today (Wed.) as tail-ender to Metro's "Boomtown," producers Rob- ert Savini and Bud Pollard claim they're well on the way to running an investment of $20,000 into hun- dreds of thousands. What's more, with the recipe clicking to the tune of solid circuit bookings, Sayini- P.ollard combo are currently work- ing on a followup, tagged "It Pays to Be Funny," which glues together ancient briefies of Milton Berle, Bert Lahr, Willie Howard and Bob Hope. "Road" and its ilk stem from a jackpot bid which Savini made some five years ago at a bankruptcy sale of Educational Pictures' celluloid. With Educational on the rocks, the Federal court sold hundreds of shorts, most of which found their way into Savini's hands. Intended for 16m use, they were converted into features with Pollard, prez of the Screen Directors Guild, eastern chapter, handling new material add- ed to the shorts. Savini and Pollard plan to mine their stock of Educationals for four features yearly. They have on hand the early screen efforts of a num- ber of top stars, including Betty Grable, Cornel Wilde, Jack Benny and the late W. C. Fields. Follow- ing "It Pays to Be Funny," they'll tack together a Grable opus which will be labeled "Stairway to Holly- wood." Duo, moreover, claim there's un- limited room for expansion sinc c many old pix companies have Urn- (Continued on page 31)