Variety (December 1951)

26 TV-MUMB Jon Bennett BowsOrt Television moved a step nearerf this week to the position where it will he able to compete on even terms, at least with art houses, for top-quality first-run feature films. In a deal for 16 features set by Snader Productions with 20 TV stations throughout the country, those films which have already , . _ . _ , . « . Co. in winding up a 26-week run of played first-run houses are to be- b'oid American Barn Dance’!, vidpix : ’ .6 « . rn*m * m * A ». ' '«•«:! *■ _ > ‘i mm come available immediately, while the others will go on TV imme- diately after completion of their first-run engagements. While the price each station is paying for the films (which in- clude 15' new , British-mades . and one RKO release of 1043) was not revealed, it’s reported that they’ll draw up to $2,000 lor a single showing in the top video markets such as N. Y., where they're to be aired on WCBS-TV (CBS). A top film at a key art house in 'N. Y.i such as the Sutton or Little Carhegie, can gross many times that on its first-run engagement. But, for. other. TV cities, the rental for the single video screening may be as much as that* earned during an entire theatrical engagement for the same film. As a result, it’s ex- pected that it’s only a question of time until TV can begin bidding directly against the art houses for .first-run films, Deal also points up new advan- tages in release of films to TV now being' eyed for the. first time by distributors, Because feature pix consistently play to large video audiences, it’s expected that mil- lions of viewer^ who never before frequented the art'houses will now be exposed to such pix for the first time. As a result, they’ll be poten- tial customers for the art houses, which can mean larger future ren- tals for the distribs. Snader package, which includes 10 features not yet released to the- atres in this country, comprises 13 Sir Alexander Korda productions, two from J, Arthur Rank and RKO’s ‘'Forever and. a Day.” Among the titles are “The Wooden Horse,’’ produced in lfi51; “Seven Days to Nooh,” produced in 1950; “Woman of Dolwyn,” produced in 1949; “Saints and Sinners,” also turned out in *49; “interrupted Journey,” produced in ’49, and “Man in the Dinghy," produced this year. Ih Cincinnati, where the films were purchased by Crosley’s WLW- T, Bernie Barth, assistant to Cros- ley veepee John T. Murphy, point- ed out that the films could “quite possibly be playing in a neighbor- hood theatre at the same time they’re showing on WLW-T.” Ac- cording to Barth, the fihri indus- try is finding TV as profitable a source of revenue as theatres and is, therefore, testing a system whereby “A” films can be s hown on TV immediately after their release to theatres. WLW-T will start playing the films Feb. 1 on its late-evening “Family Theatre” show. In N. Y., WCJBS-TV plans to screen them on itg new series; “Picture for a Sun- day Afternoon/' CHI 1 Chicago, Dec. 25, After a trial run, it's been found that television films and snuff aye compatible. The American. Snuff on seven southern stations, and has ordered a rcrruh of the series plus 13 new films, >. The Series is being produced here by Kling Studios, with United Television Productions handling the sales. v UTP has also sold the series to tfie West End Brewing Co. for beaming on four upstate New York stations. Hollywood, Dec. 25, Adjustment of writer fees on pic- tures: originally made for televi- sion and later switched into theat-. rical distribution has been de- manded by Screen Writers Guild. One unidentified producer whose TV picture was shifted to theatri- cal release has been notified to appear before the Guild’s griev- ance committee for an explanation. Guild’s minimum scale for a half- hour video show is $500 and $1,000 for an hour program, While the scripter minimum for a theatrical feature costing less than $100,000 is $2,000. Guild demands that the difference be paid to writers when the TV films are distributed to the- atres. Producers who refuse to make the adjustment will be placed on the unfair list, requiring a de- posit of the full fee for future as- signments for Guild members. New chairman of the Central committee of the Television Writers Group is Morgan Cox, with Richard Murphy as co-chairman. Other. chairmen of committees in this division are: Wells Root, membership and organization; Har- old Greene, minimum 'demands; Robert Blees, staff contracts; Ivan Goff, strategy, and Deyallon Scott, publicity.' Eddie Albert Eyes TV , For Sex-Educationals Eddie Albert is weighing, the possibility of making. a series of sex-education films foi^vtfdCp simi- lar to the group of films he is now distributing successfully to schools and civic groups' throughout the country. Actor - producer. Who heads back to the Coast this week after a New York teevee guest shot, says he’s been carefully con- sidering how to make the. transi- tion. He admits that the tele pix will have to be considerably modified. While his present films are made for specific children’s age groups, he says the video series Will have to be geared toward parents Or to children in general. The job will be a tough one, he asserts, and he’ll weigh every angle before go- ing into actuarproduction. Actor-producer is also seriously eyeing indie theatrical pix produc- tion. Albert and his wife, Margo, are readying a concert tour of the midwest. Pair Will sing, dance and do sketches. Hollywood, Dec, 25. Telepic producer Edward Lewis is negotiating for a top femme name to replace Joan Bennett in a series of vidpix already canned. Star would intro and femcee. Contract between Miss Bennett and Lewis had been terminated Friday by mutual agreement of all parties concerned. Lewis immediately contacted agents in search for a top name to replace Miss Bennett, Washington, Dec. 25. A process for duplicating mag- netic tape recordings, which gives promise of ’ extensive use in the radio, TV and motion picture in- dustries, ■ Was demonstrated here last week by Dr. Francis Rawdon Smith, a physicist, who designed tbe equipment. In collaboration with the L. S. Toogood Recording Co. of .Chicago,’Which’* worked out thp mechanical problems. Smith has established headquarters here, under the name of Rawdon Smith Associates, where copies of master tapes will fie produced. The com- pany will glso lease equipment. Known' is “Multitape,” the proc- ess is said by its developers to be as important to the -broadcasting industry as the printing press was to tbe publishing industry. Dr. Smith operated a unit which pro- duced from the master nine 30- minute tapes in 11 minutes. Qual- ity was as good, if not better, than the original and cost is as low or lower than disk transcriptions. The company is offering to make copies at $4 : to $5.50 per 30-minute spool, depending on quantity. Prices for. 15-minute tapes are $2.40 to : $3.30. * One master can be used to produce an unlimited num- her of copies/ Dr. Smith told reporters .that with a large majority of radio pro- grams now being recorded on tape and the sound for TV shows often' being ta£ed, a need has developed for making duplicates which will eliminate the loss of fidelity in transferring a program from tape to disks. Other advantages in hav- ing duplicate tapes are speed of production, elimination of break- age and ability to correct faults in the Original. Copies may he played on any playback, equipment. Dir/ Smith feels that the most feasible use of the process in the (Continued on page 36) Hollywood, Dee, 25. Telefilm producer Jerry Fair- banks shelled out about $200,000 to buy back all of the more than 260 video films he has made for NBC. Deal gives Fairbanks a vast stockpile of material. Producer is making the product available immediately on local and regional basis. Minneapolis, Dec. 25. W. R. Frank, local indie theatre circuit owner and Hollywood film producer, Who also Is in the TV field, announces that in January he, in association with writer Bill Bowers of Hollywood, will start the production of 13 half-hour TV film shows. These will be built around the stories of the events that have led to the Congressional medal of honor in all American wars and similar awards in the 12 Atlantic pact nations. Each show, he says, will cost $18,000 to $20,000. No sponsor has been signed for the shows yet, but Frank Says he’s, negotiating with U. S. Steel. Tnte t®hd United World Productions, pictures will be made at the Nasser General Service Studios in Bros. Hollywood. It’s hoped to make them a force for creating good- will among nations and a mark of prestige as well as entertainment, Frank explains. Frank, who was a co-producer this year of the Dick Powell pic- ture, “Cry Danger/' and who. has a number of other films to his pro- duction credit, also announces he has obtained a Technicolor com- mitment for his forthcoming pic- ture, “Sitting Bull,” planned as an epic of the noted Indian chief, on whjch, he says, shooting will start next August. Scrlpte^s are Bud Beauchamps; Bowers and- Frank Nugent, and Sidney Salkow has (Continued on page 36) TV Films In Production WILLIAM F, BROIDY PRODS. Sunset Studios. Hollywood "TRAIL BLAZER," holf-hour outdoor adventure aeries currently shooting at Big Bear. Cast: Alan. Halts Jr., toplines, Dick Tyltr, Lyle Talbot, Duka York, Bobby Hyatt, Barry McCormick, Jim Flowers featured. Producer: William F. Broidy Director: Wesley Barry Writer: Sara Hoeca, John Marks COMMODORE PRODUCTIONS General Service Studios; HoUywood First four of 26 half-hour adventure teleplx featuring Clyde Beatty .roUefl Dec. 10. Producer: Walter White, Jr. Director: George' Blair BING CROSBY ENTERPRISES RKO-Pathe. Culver City "REBOUND" series of half-hour adult drama series resume* shooting Janu- ary IS. Executive producer: Basil Grillo' Producer: Bernard Girard Director: B. Girard DESILU PRODS;, INC. General Service Studios,' Hollywood "I LOVE LUCY" half-hour pomedy se- ries for CBS-TV. sponsored by Philip Morris, began shooting Sept. 7 for 26 weeks* Cast: Lucille Bell, Deal Arnes; set leads with William Frawley, Vivian Vance In support. No parts toflll. Producer: Jess Oppenheimer. Director: Marc Daniels. . Writers: Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll DONLEVY DEVELOPMENT CORF. Republic Studios, North Hollywood . "DANGEROUS ASSIGNMENT" half- hour adventure, series starring Brian Donlevy resumes shooting January ?. Producer: Harold E. Knox. Director: Bill Kara JERRY FAIRBANKS 6052 Sunset Blvd.; Hollywood CFRONT PAGE DETECTIVE" series of half-hour adventure teleplx resumes shooting • Dec. 24. Associate producer: Riley Jackson Associate producer: Ril< Director: Derwin Abbe s AS OF DEC. 21, 1951 = FILMCRAFT PRODS. . 8451 Melrose, Hollywood OROUCHO MARX starred in 39 haH-hour audience participation film productions, to be made once a week, began Aug. 23 for NBC. DeSoto-Plymouth sponsoring. Producer: John Guedel Film producer: 1, Lindenbaum Directors: Bob Dwan, Bernie Smith FLYING A PRODUCTIONS 6920 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood (Shooting- Interiors at, Eagle Lion Studios) "RANGE RIDER" second half of series of 52 half-hour teleplx now shooting. Jack Mahoney, Dick Jones in fixed leads. Producer: ‘ Louis Gray Director: Wallace Fox' JOHN GUEDEL PRODS. 600 Taft Bldg., Hollywood "LIFE WITH LINKLETTER," starring Art Llnkletter in series of 16 vidpix. half- hour audience participation show for ABC web. shotting every, other Week for 26 weeks. Green Giant sponsors. Producer: John Guedel Director: Irvin Atkina ODYSSEY PICTURES 666 N; Robertson Blvd., Hollywood "TERRY AND THE PIRATES'' 26 half- hour adventure teleplx elated for Jan. 15 start. 4 ■■ Producers; DbuglaS Fairbanks, Sol Lesser Associate producer: Barney Sarecky Writers: Norman Hall, Arthur Pearson ROLAND REED PRODS. Hal Roach Studios: Culver City "TROUBLE WITH FATHER" series of] half-hpur comedy teleplx resume Jan. 9. Stu Erwin toplines. Producer: Roland Reed Director: Howard Bretherton Associate producer: Guy V. Thayer, Jr. "BEULAH" ceriea of half-hour situation Comedy teleplx skedded. for mid-January start. Louise Beavers heads cast. "MYSTERY THEATRE" adventure ae- ries resumes shooting Jan, 28. REVUE PRODUCTIONS Eagle Lion- Studios: Hollywood Casting: Bob' Walker "KIT 1 CARSON” series of half-hour western adventure films, and half-hour drama teleplx for Gruen and Revue Pro- ductions resume shooting mid-January. Producer: Revue Productions HAL ROACH STUDIOS Culver City, Hollywood "CHILDREN'S HOUR" one hour telepic done in four parts: "Stray Lamb/' "Hal Roach Rascalg." "Crummy the Clown," "The Little People." Maureen O’Sullivan femceea each portion. Producer: Sidney F. Van Keuren Production supervisor: Jack Reynolds Director: James Tinling, Louis McManus ROY ROGERS PRODUCTIONS . Goldwyn Studio, Hollywood. ROY ROGER! in.four oater teleplx roll Jan. .7. Vidpix 'are half-hour each. Roy Rogers, Dale Evans topline. Pat Brady in support. General western parts to fill.. Sponsored by General Foods for NBC-TV. Producer: Roy Rogefs Associate producer: Jack Lacey Director: Bob Walker SCREEN TRLEVIDEO PRODS. Eagle Lion Studios,. Hollywood . "ELECTRIC THEATRE" series of 39 teleplx to be shot In groups of 18, each with ' 3-day r shooting schedule, begins Jan. 2. • Producer: Gil Ralston WDBC FILMS KTTV Studios: Hollywood Casting: Milton Bowron Resume shooting 15-minute dramas. Jan. 17th, first two entitled "Five Minutes Be- fore Eternity” and "Cindy Is Dead." Cast: Tom Kean,. Angela Stevens, Phyllis Coates set leads. Producer-director-Wrlter: Edward D. Wood, Jr. Associate producer: Milton Bowron, Joe '■ Carter FRANK WISBAR PRODS. Eagle -Lion Studios: Hollywood "FIRESIDE THEATRE" series of half- hour drama., teleplx resume shooting Jan. 28. , Producer-director: Frank Wisbar Associate producer: Sidney . Smith ZIV TV . 5255 Clinton,. St., Hollywood . "BOSTON BLACKIE" series of three teleplx skedded for December. Cast: . Kent Taylor toplines; Lois Collier, Frank Orth, Robert- Spencer, Paul Keast In support. General parti to fill. Director: Paul Labdres, Eddie Dav , Sobey Martin "UNEXPECTED” aeries of half-hour teleplx shoot in December. Hollywood, Dec. 25. Teleplx production roars to an unprecedented high beginning in January, at a pact which wJUntort than take up the customary post- holiday lull in motion picture ac- tivity. Result will be gold-mine for thousands of actors, techni- cians, cutters, office and other trade personneL r Consolidation of tlie vidpix in- dustry shows It's; no longer T m the diaper stages, and instead of the 80-odd companies in circulation less than a year ago, today it’s down to about 30 companies with definite shooting slates, and .some of them are booked solid for -1952. Day of the shoestring promoter- producer in teleplx Is fast; hearing its end, his place having been taken by reputable/ established .’com- panies which Operate as a business, not a promotion, Trend toward putting television on film is increasingly, noticeable. With more and more network shows now taking the form of .telepix. These add to the general note of prosperity in the field as a new year approaches. Another all-im- portant factor is that most of the product planned has already been sold -to sponsors or networks, and the rate of speculation shooting is rapidly dimimshihg* Also adding weight and author- ity ^6 the telepix picture is the entry into the field o# WOjtipii pic- ture companies via subsidiaries. Republic, through, its Hollywood Television Service, has already laid plane for inltial^.production of tele- pix. And plans; along similar lines are now 'being made by'interstate Television, a subsid of Monogram; subsidiary VidpiCLlneup Corapany-by$ttnpany picture of the 1952^patterns as far as can be sfeen at this point follows: Abbott & Costello: Begi shoot- ing 2Q untitled George Raft tele- pix "Feb. 14 at/Hal Roach studios; 13 more A&C vidpix roll in Janu- ary. ' ' * Amos V Andy:. Series of E6 pro- duced by Sidney Van Keuren for CBS-TV begins at Roach studio Jan. 15. Van Keuren’s “Children’s Hour” for Hal Roach, Sr., shoots to mid-January. ' ✓ Carroll "Case,. Hal Roach, Jr.t Resume 13 “Racket Squad” pix Jan. 14, shoot to March I. Roach plans pilot on ZaSu - Pitts-Virginia Grey series Jain. 14,- also pilot on “Passport to Danger,” starring Cesar Rbmero. William F. Broidy Prod.; Begin “Consultation Room” series of 26 in January, other series skedded, plan three-weeks shooting every month.. Jack Chertok: Begins, series of 20 “Sky King” series for NBC-TV and Swift ft Co/s Derby Eoods Feb. 4, will ,shoot four, months. ' Other product skedded. (General Serv- ice.) Commodore Prod.; Finish first nine Clyde Beatty vidpix Jan. 10, shoot to March 20 to finish 26, then' being 13 in “Expose” series, (Gen? eral Service.) Bing Crosby Enterprises: Shoot- (Continued on page 36) REP LAUNCHES VIDPIX WITH’SKIT MARSHAL' A Hollywood, Dec. 25. “Commando .Cody-rShy Marshal of the Universe,” first Republic, teleplx production, rblls Jan. 15 under aegis of Hollywood Televi- sion Service; studio subsidiary which will also distrib the prop- erty-' Morton V; Scott, HTS yip., said Mel Tucker ^hnd!'Franklin Adreon will produce the science-fiction, with 39 half-hour telepix planned.: He added studio plans to spend $100,009 on' merchandising cam- paign and personal appearance tour for still to be picked star once series is canned. 26 More AAA Hollywood, Dec. 25. Producer Sidney S; Van Keuren Set deal with CBS-TV whereby he will produce 26 Amos 'n* Andy telepix for the net, beginning Jan. 15 on the Hal Roach lot. A total of 26 A&A’s have already been canned.