Variety (May 1948)

ncrruBES IV OR NOT TV?-$64 QUESTION ELSE IITTITUDE Vr»iPvkion brcfadcasters have Jnffi warning to distribs that f?""5rLttpr seU their product to S^nof or rfse. Thei^r attitude, jwirtsed by a VARIETY survey, is Sved to bear special slgnifl- S at this time, especially in S of, the proposed moratorium Sst the further leasing of pix tB^ele set forth by Theatre Own- Sa of America prez Ted Gamble. According to the broadcasters, Hktrib* take a chance on losing out " entire tele market if they conlintte their present recalcitrant attitud*. Brotidcasters' warning is basfedon thehr assumption that fea- ture fflws to^^y represent only a stopWP interval in tele program- ming. Even though the better films aired today by various video sta- tions might be the best program- ming available, those fiUns were still made for theatre use and not. for tele use. Once tele gets set ecow^ically, they claim, the ma- jority of theatrical films will be ruled out in favor of live studio and remote shows, or of films pro- duced especially for the new me- dimn. Films produced for showing on a large theatre screen, the broad- casters claim, do not shpw well on the average small-sized tele screen. Much of the detail is lost and, in (ddltion, films produced for tele t«(iuire different lighting tech- niques. Latter point, they declare; has already been proved by the ex- perience of Fox Movietone News, which has found that average film lighting \s not bright enough for tele films. Seller's Market Now for Plx Broadcasters readily admit they need all the films they can get now >rot claim this is due only to the fact that the major stations are tramped for stucUa space and the smaller ones canH afford the costs «f a full schedule of studio shows. In addition, the gradual increase by all stations in the number of hours o£ weekly programming, plus the number of new tele stations constantly taldng the air, make feature films a requisite. Once a naittonwide video network is estab liilhed; however, the need for films will ease off. That's the reason dish-ibs are urged to sell now while k seller's market still exists. Film industry officials, mean- while, look on the broadcasters' warning as practically groundless, offered only as a shot in the dark to lure more distribs into aelling product to video. They cite nu- merous instances of tele set own- ers, among the hep show biz crowd, who recognize fully the difference between good and bad entertain- ,ment but who still sit enthralled Whenever even a fairly good film is aired via video. That should prove, they claim, that a picture produced for theatres is just as valttahle and will show equally as Well on a tele screeni Comic Strip Qnartet Hollywood, May 4. New quartet of upcoming pix are based on comio strips. Johnny WeismuUer dropped his Tarzan role to make "Jungle Jim" for Sam Katzman and Columbia. Douglas Fairbanks is making "Terry and the Pirates," Eagle Lion is dickering with J. Arthur Rank for Stewart Granger to do "Prince Valiant" and "Bamaby." 20th Skeds 11 For Snnmier Release Catching up rapidly on its pro- posed 1948 release schedule of 48 films,' 20tb-Fox has scheduled, 11 features for release during June, July and August. New offerings bring* the company's total up to three and. two-thirds releases monthly, which means a slight stepup is In prder for the last quar- ter if the year's quota of 48 is to be reached. June schedule Is topped by "Green Grass of Wyoming," Tech- nicolor feature starring Peggy Cunimins. - Also listed for June are "Deep Waters," starring Dana Andrews and Jean Peters, and "The Counterfeiters," a Reliance production starring John Sutton and Doris Merrick. July relea'ses include "Escape," starring Rex Harrison and Peggy Cummins, and filmed in England; "Street With No Name," starring Mark Stevens and Richard Widmark; "Mine O w n Executioner," a^ London Films (-Korda) production, star- ring Burgess Meredith find Kieron Moorfr, tnd "The Checkered Coat," a Belsam production, with Tom Conway and Noreen Nash. August will have "The Walls of Jericho," starring Cornel Wilde, Linda DarneU, Anne Baxter and Kirk Douglas; "Give My Regards to Broadway," Technicolor musical starring Dan Dailey; "Fighting Back," a Sol Wurtzel production, with Paul Langton and Jean Rogers, and "The Winner's Cir- cle," a Richard K. Polimer pro- duction, with Jean Willes and Mor- gan Farley. ' Aver Anglo-UJS. Filin Relations Strained By Korda's Television Deal The burn of indie exhlbs over Sir Alexander Korda's sale of 24 pix to WPIX, N;Y., for video Screening may light the fuse under amicable film'Ixade relations be- tween XJ. S. and Britain. Accord- ing to Ed Lachman, prez of New Jersey Allied, Korda's mqve won't: cement relations between American ' exhibitors and JBnglish film distributors." Lachman said that U; S. theatre owners had formerly Indicated a willingness to go along with the geneM industry plan to give more playing time to British films as a reciprocal gesture. But Korda's move has put an entirely different light on the situation, he said. If the British assist in the undermin- ing "of U. S. theatre owners by building up television competition, Lachman queries "vlny- should we have friendly feeUngs for those producers?" Lachman also said exhibs in his organization were protesting the sale of Fox Movietone News to video outlets. The customers are complaining over the stale reels being shown in theatres due to the fact that video' carried them one or two days earlier. Lachman said widespread cancellation of con- tracts with Fox Movietone by ex- hibs can be expected if there is no reversal in the reel's policy. Declaring that video repre- sented the same danger to exhibs as 16m showings in churches and private halls, Lachman warned in- die producers that exhibs will boy- cott their product ff they sell to television stations. "The way to stop them from selling, their old features to video," he said, "is to stop buying their new product. That will be our strategy 4n the future," he "warned. Hitch on Proposed Scribe Asiis 150G For Story'Misappropriation' _ Los Angeles, May 4. J.nomas ■ Burtis, screenwriter, Si. f "'i $150,000 against Uni- versal Pictures, charging misap- wopnation of his film story, "Man- nattan Masquerade." Writer declared he sold his yam »m. studio in 1938 with the SE^f^pnt that he was to get $3,- «»iJf y'^^ *l">ed. In 1945, he asserts, his tale was incorporated Jhft to. P'cture titled "She Wrote w»,.7 , ^"^^ screen credits to Wdrren Wilson and Oscar Brodney, ShTlfe"So.*''*'^"*»»''*«»^'>"S $50,000 111. Blaze Tiin n . St. Louis, May 4. fot^S.OO^O.'^'^S^^^ Wolfe Cohen, Warner Bros. In- which house was located and ternational vice-prexy. has re- rtSj?^ apartment house also {turned to New York alter a two- were destroyed. 1 month tour of Far East territories. was Duncin-Horwin's Reno Pic Reno, May 4. Local Chamber of Commerce and the Reno Rodeo Assn. are co- operating with Bright Star Pro- ductions, Hollywood indie, on a film to be made here along the lines of "The Naked City" on-location and in semi-dociimentary tech- nique^ Bob Duncin is producer for BS and Jerry Horwin, who will script, also has a participating interest. EXHIBS LIKEN 10 WB Buys 2 Haras s _ Stockholder Suit Sizeable groups of lawyers showed up Monday <3) in the New York supreme court to aim ques- tions at a proposed settlement of a minority stockholders' suit against Loew's. Justice Louis A Valente, who presided at the hear- ing, adjourned the proceeding for one week to allow attorneys to file pro-and-con briefs in the interim. There's a likelihood that some op posittott will develop to the com promise. Suit in question attacks candy concessions granted to People's Candy Co.- on all Loew's houses contending that some Metro direc- tors or their relatives stood to make a personal profit out of the deal. It also claimed Illegality in certain tax transactions between Metro and Nicholas M. Schenck, company prexy. ■ With judicial sanction necessary for the compromise reached be- tween plaintiffs' attorneys and Metro, preliminary hearing was held this week. No direct stand "was taken against the settlement which calls for some changes in the candy company's pact with Metro. However, several attorneys hinted that they would formally oppose the peace terms, If court approval Is forthcoming, plaintiffs' attorneys will then apply for legal fees which would be paid by Metro. Abraham L. Pomerantz is of counsel for the stockholders with Grosser & Walker, attorneys of record. For Flynq, Cooper Hollywood, May 4. Warners bought two story - prop- erties ainied as starrers for~Errol Flynn and Gary Cooper. Slated for Flynn is "Dallas," an outdoor romance by John Twist, who has been assigned to the screenplay. Possible Cooper starrer is "Dragger Captain," written by Joseph MitcheU and handed to Henry Blanke ibr prodnctionL Cites Need For TV Distrib Setup A central distributing agency de- signed to handle release of films to television stations as a "nation- wide package" must be evolved be- fore a film producer can seriously think of selling his product to tliat medium. So stated Samuel Cum- mins, indie distrib and foreign film importer in New York last weelt. He feels there's no "real money", in the isolated bookings a film- maker may get at present from sale of his wares to individual sta- tions at random. Moreover, Cummins pointed out, as the current video situation shapes up tliere is entirely too much risk for both the picture dis- trib and the producer. He added that if a film is sold to one station in the New York metropolitan area, for example, dozens of potential theatre playdates in that lucrative district are jeopardized. On the other hand, Cummins ob- served, "If someone comes to me and says I can give you television booldngs in a dozen key cities as well as lesser points throughout the country such a deal might be financially acceptable." Mean- while, with video's distribution problem still to be worked out, the film importer is studying a plan for producing pictures especially for television in Mexico. Advantages in Mexican produc- tion, said Cummins who is just back from a two-week south-of-the- border inspection junket, are that labor, talent and studio space are abundant and cheap. As yet he has not embarked upon any film- making in the Mexican capital, but expects to take the necessary steps in the near future. Briefs From the Lots Hollywood, May 4. Richard Long drew-a new player contract at U-I and was assigned to a featured role in "Criss Cross",.. Frederick de Cordova completed "Washington Girl," his first direc- tor chore at U-I, and started work on ''Western Story," his second picture starring Deanna Durbin... Columbia took "Miss Grant Took Richmond" off the shelf and is prepping it as a starrer for Rosa- lind Russell... Pedro Armendariz and Emilio Fernandez checked in from Mexico to join John Ford's "Three Godfathers" troupie.. Mar- shall Grant Pictures bought a new screen treatment on (the Eugene Sue classic, "Mysteries of Paris." Luis Van Rootcn returned to Co- lumbia for a detective role in "Gentleman from Nowhere." ... Marion Colby shifted from stage to screen for a role in "Singin' Spurs" at Columbia Bill Neff plays a millionaire in "The Tatlock Mil- lions" at Paramount. . . . Bill Ed- wards signed for one of the leads in "Ladies of the Chorus" at Co- lumbia. . . . Warners closed the "Girl from Jones Beach" set while Virginia Mayo goes through a se- ries of tests in bathing suits. Kurt Krcugcr's player option lifted by 20th-Fox. . . . Chester Clutc signed for a key role in "Singin' Spurs" at Columbia. . . . "Lady Windermere's Fan" will be filmed as "The Fan" at 20th-Fox. . .: Cagney Productions is readying "The Stray Lamb," "Only the Valiant" and "A Lion Is in th^ Streets" for early production. . . . Gene Loclihart and Taylor Hebncs signed for featured roles in "That Wonderful Urge" at 20th-Fox. . . . Lamar Trotti will produce and script ''Here Come the. Stars," based on George Jessel's story in Esquire mag, . . . Steven Geray re- turns to Columbia for a role in "Ladies of the Chorus." . . . E. Ed- win Morgan signed a writer con- tract at 20th-Fox. Virginia Bruce signed as one of the leads in the John Garfield star- rer, "Tucker's people," which Rob- erts Productions is making for En- terprise release. . .Gigi Perreau signed by Samuel Goldwyn for a moppet role in "Take Three Tenses".,. Paramount purchased "After Midnight," a n o v e 1 by Martha Albrand., C1 e o Moore gets the femme lead in Sam Katz- man's cliffhanger, "Congo Bill," at Columbia .. .Thomas Gomez plays a sleuth in "Sorrowful Jones" at Paramount , Fay Baker draws the top femme role opposite Warner Baxter in "Gentleman from No- where" at Columbia.. . Richard Powers and Robert Bray cast as heavies in "Indian Agent" atRKO. John Ireland signed a term con- tract with Columbia and moved into a key role in "The Walking I Hills" ... Yvonne Dc Carlo will ! co-star with Burt Lancaster and Dan Duryca in "Criss Cro3s," I which Jules Schcrmer will produce 'for U-I ... Willard Parker plays j Joan Fontaine's husband in "You I Golta Stay Happy" . . . Michael On the heels of a spreading, exhib revolt against the sale of television rights to feature films which flared this week at several points, Ted Gamble, prexy of Thea- tre Owners of America, is propos- ing a mora;torium ,on further video ' . deals "until television finds itself and its place in Show business gen- erally." His statement, made to Variety, is the first sign of opposi- tion from national TOA which heretofore was more or less favor* able to rapid linking of pix to tele. "Television is now riding the coat-tails of the film industry, and that's not fair," Gamble declared. : "Exhibitors pay 99% of the cost of making a film and television pays the other 1%. Since it can't carry its own weight at the present time, it shouldn't be permitted to com- pete with theatres." Gamble branded current "fringe activities" as "premature." He wants the majors to refrain from closing video licenses for their films until tele stabilizes itself and some fair working arrangement can be mapped out which would > insure theatres that they won't have to compete with home tele- i vision sets; Exhibs "have a right to protest" the way things are goi" ing now, Gamble asserts, since the haphazard fashion in whieh deals are now being made can only hurt the film biz. /'If producers are going to profit by 'the sale of television rights, then the exhibitor' who makes it possible for films to be produced should also derive some profit from that factqr," Gamble wlent on. "But again we find that what we support financially—specifically, the films we book—-are being used against us in direct competition. It's true of '■ video just as it's true of 16m fUuiS. ' . "Distributors profiting through booking films to television should permit exhibitors to share by way of reduced rentals," he added. "But when they act prematurely, as a few are now doing, they're not getting the right price and we^ getting no benefit whatsoever." ' Gamble's declaration for a mpra- . torium followed closely a blast issued by Southern California ' Theatre Owners Assn., TOA affili- ate, against the sale by Sir Alex- ander Korda of 24 films to WPIX, tele station owned by the New York Daily News. SCTOA wired TOA protesting the sale of some films which are stiU contracted for theatre dates. TOA was asked to lodge a. complaint against the peddling of video rights to the. Korda pix. Wire expressed general alarm over the situation and mentions trade reports of similar deals per- colating between CBS and Mono> gram, with PRC and J. Arthur Rank also considering proposals. ' Any films which still have theatre potentialities or are contracted on future dates should not be loosed : to video, SCTOA maintains. Autry Tests Legaility Of Ariz. Compensation law • Phoenix, Ariz., May 4. Friendly test suit was filed in the Arizona supreme court by Gene Autry to determine the le- gality of the insurable wage ceil- ing set by the Arizona Industrial Commission. Pending decision of the case, Hollywood producers are steering clear of location spots in this state, Problem is whether the Arizona workmen's compensation law is de- signed to cover top-salaried actors or average wage-earners. Under present condition.: insurance rates for death or injury of a film star would be prohibitively high. Understood the abandonment of Arizona film locations will cost the state about $5,000,000 tliis year unless « cliange is made.