Variety (December 1952)

9 Wednesday, December 10, 1952 TEft Amusement Stock Quotations (N*Y* Stock Exchange) ‘Powerful Forces” « Continued from page 5 ^ Week JEnding Tuesday (9) (Quotations furnished by Dreyfus & Co.) N. Y. Times’ Critic i — - Continued from page 2 ■■ ■ the Dec. 15 performance, when they had been invited in the ex- pectation that revisions, recasting and re-rehearsals would be com- pleted. However, the Daily News is understood to have reversed its decision and planned to send a reporter to the actual opening last Thursday, with critic John Chap- man attending the later perform- ance on invitation to write a for- mal review. There was some discussion in legit circles about whether the management could have prevented Atkinson or a News reporter from attending last Thursday night’s scheduled performance. Also, there was speculation about the possibility of legal action in case the reviews in question had been unfavorable. However, in- formed sources say the producers could have done virtually nothing on either count. Questions Academic In any case, Miss Davis’ illness made the whole question academic. Accompanying the postponement notice last Wednesday (3) was a statement by the star’s physician that she had a serious case of laryngitis and that it “would be criminal” for her to attempt to give a performance. Subsequent statements have indicated that the film actress has been resting and making rapid progress toward re- covery. » The Times decision to cover the show’s actual first performance originally slated for last Thursday night was on the theory that open- ing would have been news and that it could therefore not have been legitimately ignored. Atkin- son points out that the 'scheduled opening had been officially an- nounced in publicity statements and ads. Moreover, thousands of tickets had been sold and approxi- mately 15,000 people would have seen the show by the time the critics attended the formal preem. For the paper to have pretended that the revue had not opened 1 ’ would have been silly and con- trary to sound journalistic policy, the critic declares. There is a growing tendency, he believes, for people in the theatre to try to use reviews as promotion, whereas the critic’s and the paper’s primary responsibility is to the readers rather than to the producers, or even to the theatre as an institu- tion or a business. Atkinson says there is nothing to trade rumors that the Times policy in future would be td review the actual first performance of every show, including previews. He de- clared that in assigning him to last Thursday’s scheduled “Two’s Com- pany” opening, Turner Catledge, managing editor, had specifically remarked that the decision should not be regarded as a general rule, but that future cases be decided on individual circumstances. In the case of “Wish You Were Here,” which had three weeks of paid previews as a sort of “Broad- way tryout” before being covered by the critics, Atkinson noted that the Leland Hayward-Joshua Logan production had been announced in advance as playing the pre-sold benefit performances. Tickets were not available for sale to the gen- eral public and the circumstances of the entire operation was basic- ally different from the “Two's Com- pany” situation, he added. It’s estimated that the “Two’s Compa’ny” postponement may in- volve a cost of over $100,000. Even if the revue is able- to open next Monday night, the management will have had to pay two weeks’ full salary to the cast (around $20,- 000), musicians ($6,000;, stage- hands ($5,000), managerial-press- agent staff ($1,000), extra advertis- ing ($5,000), theatre expense ($10,- 000) and various other items, and will have lost around $70,000 in 12 already - sold - out performances. However, the producers reportedly have $150,000 insurance on Miss Davis. In a wire over the weekend to backers, producers Russo and Ellis revealed that they are trying to obtain additional, outside financing (reportedly $50,000-$60,000) and invited those already investing to put up an extra 25% on a “purely voluntary basis.” New money is to be repaid from first profits, it’s noted. The production was original- ly budgeted at $175,000 and there has already been a 20% overcall. The illness of Miss Davis and the consequent postponement of the preem is the latest and most seri- ous in a succession of mishaps that have plagued “Company” since practically before rehearsals start- ed'. At the show’s initial perform- ance during the Detroit tryout Miss Datds passed out during her first number, but quickly revived and received an ovation at the final cur- tain. Sjnce then there has been virtually a crisis a day, and Broad- way rumor-mongers have been in a continual lather. Par Execs in Hollywood For Promotion Huddles Hollywood, Dec. 9. Trio of Paramount homeoffice execs arrived today (Tues.) for pro- motion and merchandising confer- ences with Par’s L. A. reps. Vis- itors are A. W. Schwalberg, sales chief: E. K. O’Shea, assistant sales topper, and Jerry Pickman, ad-pub head. They were in Dallas for similar meetings Sunday and yesterday, and after a two-day stop here will trek to Chicago for another ses- sion. as well as newspaper editors, the MPEA veepee stated. Quota Shortage Commenting’ on the statement made at the open forum by Ko- kichi Tomizuka, prexy of the Japan exhibs association, Maas said that Tomizuka’s assertion that Japanese exhibs were suffering from a shortage of films under the quota was “forthright and heart- warming” and touched the real is- sue. Maas tied this in with a re- cent Mainichi newspaper report that five local indie producers now have an ambitious schedule of films in production. The paper said that these five companies are composed mostly of persons who have quit or been fired from major studios for reasons well known in trade and government circles. Mainichi also said that this group consists of impoverished members, some of whom were in back of the controversial quickie, “Atom Bomb Over Hiroshima,” now in local dis- tribution and the subject of bitter discussion by some high govern- ment figures and patriotic Japa- nese citizens who would like to see it banned from export. “The U. S. motion picture indus- try is the oldest, and has become the largest and most progressive in the world,” said Maas, “primarily because it provides screen fare which is acceptable to the ticket buyer. That is the simple secret of the film industry’s success at home and abroad.” Maas distinguished sharply be- tween producing interests in Japan whose aim may be to control the film market purely *for economic gain and those who seek to replace American films and those from other democratic countries in or- der that films of a contrary ideological content may gain ascendency here. Texas C0MP0 Continued from page 7 and O’Donnell’s plan for the travel- ing expo includes the ways and means of making it self-supporting through the public sale of admis- sion tickets, the ide& would stand a strong chance of getting COMPO’s okay. Short is now conferring with offi- cials of the American Assn, of Railroads on details of the pro- gram. As it is now figured, the train will be painted in red, white and blue and will carry the “Movie- time” banner. Twelve of the cars will house a Hollywood studio ex- hibit of historical data, costumes, properties, miniature production sets and material depicting the in- dustry’s growth through the years. A car designed for television broad- casts and. another for radio shows 9 will be included. Two cars will serve the press, the executive staff and crew. Another car will be used as a miniature theatre for showing a 20-miBute film on Holly- wood history and another will house a miniature studio for screen tests for contestants in a talent search. Request to H’wood Columbus, O., Dec. 9. Hollywood studios were request- ed this week to furnished material for another giant display in Ohio featuring the motion picture indus- try. Robert A. Wile, secretary of Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio, sent request after Cincinnati Gas & Electric Co. offered its main-floor lobby space and win- dows for exhibit featuring Holly- wood glamor. It will run from March 16 to April 9. H’wood Execs ■ - Continued from page 7 be incomplete if we did not study what sort of impression is being made by those films.” Moreover, Wiley added, “with television operations gradually growing in western Europe, we will want to look into what our Govern- ment is doing and can do in rela- tion to helping to tell the ‘freedom message’ on foreign TV. Just as I tarn seeking to mobilize Holly- wood’s talents, I am endeavoring to tap in this anti-Communist in- formation fight the best brains we can reach in the radio, television, advertising, public relations, grap- hic arts and other professions in which America ranks so high.” MAY EASE CONTROLS ON OZONER BUILDING Washington, Dec. 9. An early easing of material con- trols for drive-ins is expected to come out of a press conference to be held tomorrow (Wed.) by Rich- ard McDonald, National Produc- tion Authority administrator, in- dustry sources here believe. The McDonald session will be on con- trol of materials for all types of construction. The present regula- tion, which would permit amuse- ment construction to self-certify for limited amounts of scarce ma- terials, is scheduled to be lifted May 1 or sooner. Recent reports were that the change might be in- stituted by Jan. 1. Some film industry officials feel McDonald will make the Jan. 1 date official. Under the regula- tion, an amusement construction project would be able to obtain, without NPA authority, five tons of carbon steel, two tons of struc- tural steel and 500 pounds of cop- per per quarter. This amount would give a sharp boost to the drive-ins, but not be too helpful for large, roofed-over theatres. Exploitation, Publicity Combined at Mqtro Under Dan Terrell Naming of Metro exploitation chief Dan S. Terrell as the com- pany’s eastern publicity manager may see an amalgamation of both exploitation and publicity depart- ments with Terrell heading both operations.’ Present Metro plans do not call for the appointment of a new exploiter head to replace Terrell. Terrell, it’s anticipated, will name two assistants who, in addi- tion to their present duties, will serve as exploitation and publicity aides, respectively. New publicity chief, who overseered M-G’s vast field staff, reportedly feels that the salient features of both exploita- tion and publicity can be combined successfully. Terrell was named to the pub- licity post last weekend by pub-ad veepee Howard Dietz. He replaced John Joseph, who resigned re- cently. Terrell has been with Metro since 1940, first working as a theatre publicist in Washington, D. C. Following the war, he be- came assistant to Loew’s Theatres pub-ad topper Ernest Emerling. He became Metro exploitation chief three years ago, succeeding Wil- liam R. Ferguson. AGVA Strike Continued from page 1 shoot organization a good chance to hold on. The rebel peelers can work Chicago for many years at a time. Many stay several months in one spot, change their name and go to work virtually next door. Chi Strip Joints The Chi strip operators have al- ready stated that they’ll hire no performer who is not a member 'Of the rump union. If AGVA mem- bers want to work their cafes, then they’ll have to join. There’s also likelihood that CEU may develop into a national organ- ization. There are sufficient strip- peries in New Orleans, N ew York and other cities to knock off a siz- able slice of AGVA membership. The AGVA executive board meeting Monday (8) in New York did a bit of breast-beating at the insurrection. Several board mem- bers pointed out that the union, did little to forestall, the rebellion. It didn’t confer with or educate its members sufficiently, it was charged. Others also pointed out that the union execs didn’t confer with those they were asking to pay the welfare fund bills—meaning the operators. It’s $2.50 per week per person, or $1 a night for club dates. As is detailed on Page 51 the smaller bistros squawked but are paying these tolls “under protest.” As a result, AGVA once it set- tles its difficulties, will have to start working on a revised welfare setup. It’s pointed out, for ex- ample, that union welfare funds are generally administered by a board comprising one union repre- sentative, a public member, and an employer representative. Latter group, it’s felt, may be more in- clined to chip in with the welfare coin if employers’ interests were looked after as well. MCTBBBS 17 Lesser Skeds Two 3-D Features for ’53 In Tri-OpticonProcess Hollywood, Dec. 9. Two full-length third-dimensional features using the British Tri-Opti- coii process have been scheduled by Sol Lesser for 1953, as well as a group of six 20-mlnute shorts in color. Initial feature will be chosen from three scripts Lesser now has ready and will be an action story titled “The Runaway Train.” Pro- ducer expects to have it completed within the next eight or 10 weeks. Plans for 3-D production were revealed by Lesser after preview- ing the British process for the local press last Friday (5), and his entry into the field of “round” pictures will give exhibs a choice of two. Already, “Bwana Devil,” an Arch Oboler production using Natural Vision 3-Dimension, is playing its world premiere date here in two houses to smash business, and Obo- ler and others are plotting follow- up features. However, Lesser holds no U.S. production rights to the British stereo-techniques, according to Jesse A. Levinson, who says he is U.S. resident attorney for the Brit- ish concern. Legalite asked that the producer clear the implication he’ll use the process to make two feature-length pix. Lesser retorted that Thalia Pro- ductions, Inc. (of which he’s board chairman) “has by contract, exclu- sive U.S. exhibition rights for two years of all pictures filmed by the British concern and to all pictures filmed by anyone else using the stereo-techniques third-dimension- al photography.” Tri-Opticon looked impressive in the five short subjects the producer screened for the press. Three were in Technicolor, and the hues are outstanding. Two of the color sub- jects were cartoon abstractions de- vised to show off what can be done with the 3-D medium. The third color short was a special nine and a half-minute subject displaying the Thames River. The viewer has the sensation of having his eyes at the water’s level, looking out to the banks, fields and buildings along the river. One brief black-and- white subject gives an explanation of 3-D. Fifth subject is “The Black Swan,” featuring the dancing of Beryl Grey and J’ohn Field of Sad- ler's Wells Ballet. Although beau- . tifully done and impressive, it cries for color. On the technical side of Tri-Opti- con, the process is easy to view through Polaroid glasses, and com- pletely absent is fhe necessity to constantly refocus the vision as scenes change. Use of a mechani- cal calculator and a special camera mount during film gives a “space control” that makes the focus changes easy on the viewer and practically unnoticeable. All other photographic equipment, including the two cameras, lenses and film, are standard. Projection is via synchronizing two projectors for the simultaneous projecting of the right and left eye prints. The screen is standard size but of spe- cial plastic, with a metalized sur- face which, once installed, can be used for regular projection of 2-D pictures as well. Among the short subjects Lesser is scheduling for production next year are “Mack Sennett Bathing Beauties of 1953,” “The Seven Modern Wonders of the World,” “Flight Over the North Pole,” “American Wildlife,” “Schehera- zade” and “Beneath the Sea.” The five shorts, Lesser used for Friday’s demonstration form a film bill that has been playing in Eng- land and Europe for the past 18 months. Raoul Levy Producing French Pic in Mexico Raoul Levy, producer, and Yves Allegret, French director, proceed to Mexico upon arrival in New York from Paris tomorrow (Thurs.) to produce the first French film made in the Western Hemisphere. Story is by author and existentialism leader Jean Paul Sartre. Screenplay is by Jean. Aurenche and Pierre Bost, authors of “Devil in the Flesh” and “Jeux Interdits.” Costarring Pedro Armendariz, just signed by Levy in New York, the film will be co-produced with Salvador Elizondo, head of Re- forma Films of Mexico.