Variety (April 1953)

April I, 195S PICTURES ON THE MARCH AGAIN Set % Ns With Erfubs On IPIXERS ALERTEO Marciano-Walcott 3-D Bookings Advance bookings by United Art-* n , A 11d Pix of'the ftocky Mar- ,st L jersey Joe Walcott heavy- St Championship Aft are l -Jri \pt on a percentage basis. bel ?l canine up for the film have P*' b s S ted ? thel intend to play it in function ^th a' feature picture which they’ll get at a flat renta. . Meanwhile, preparation for .Witine the film, being produced hv Nate Halpern for UA release, b - v , iinf , er wa y yesterday (Tues.) g °!hthe first units from Hollywood Irrfving at Marciano’s Holland, S training camp to film pre- w activities. The unit moves to CMcago today (Wed.) to obtain Walcott footage. Former champ also pulls into Chi today for wind- up training prior to the April 10 bout in the Windy City. Pic to be filmed in the Stereo- Cine process, will be shot by HoL lyvvood cameramen. Its believed to be the first time that a Coast crew has ever covered a bout, the shooting usually being done by the newsreel photogs. John Boyle will Serve as director of photography and Leslie Winik as production supervisor. Both recently worked on Sol Lessens “3-D Follies,” also filmed in the Stero-Cine process. Camera crew will employ nine cam- eras to record th<? bout, with two. cameras operating from ringside positions. Permission from the promoters, the International Box- ing Club, has been received to work from the ringside stations. UA expects to have the film in theatres two or three days follow- ing the tussle. Key city houses can expect the footage on April 13, company indicated. Unique aspect of the film is- that it is causing newsreel theatres to install 3-D equipment. Quickie Stripix In Fast Returns With a minimum of coin outlay, hefty returns are’ being realized by producers of quickie exploita- tion-type pix, with films dealing with burlesque prpving among the most successful. Most concrete ex- ample is the experience of the appropriately - named Sensational Films which, in five days, turned out a 74-minute bump-and-grind feature film. Brought in at $16,000, it’s figured the film can gross between $80,000 and $100,000. This estimate is based on the experience of pro- ducers who have made similar pic- tures in the past. Sensational’s “Strip-Tease Holdup” is currently in its sixth week at the Times Sq. Theatre, one of the three theatres in N. Y. handling this type of product. House gave the distrib- utor, Union Films, a $2,000 guar- antee against a 20 to 25% arrange- ment. Similar deals, involving guaran- tees and percentages, can also be made with other theatres, it’s claimed. It’s estimated that there *re approximately 1,000 houses in (Continued on page 29) Hassle Looms Again On SWG’s Dues Bite Hollywood, March 31. Retention by the Screen Writers Guild of 1% dues, being voted on at a special membership meeting April 22, appears likely to precipi- tate much controversy, in an echo of last year’s attempt by Leonard bpigeigass to cut the bite to one- ualf of 1%. Spigelgass attempted ° a ceiling put-on dues, firtt t 5200, then $300, but was beaten, nderstanding is that a pitch may De ™ ade again'for a ceiling. At the same meeting, an agree- , between the exec board and P ouueers will be voted on, and a Proposed operational -plan of S\VG s TV writers. Italo-ILS. Pact May Pour $6,000, In D.S. Pix Purse, Hamstring OFE B’way’s 3-D Race Columbia yesterday (Tues.) closed the deal by which it will beat Warner Bros, ivith the first Broadway opening of a 3-D pic from a major studio. Col’s “Man in the Dark,” Edmond O’Brien-Audrey Tot- ter costarrer, was pacted to preem at Harry Brandt’s Globe Theatre next Wednes- day (8). WB's “House of Wax,” with Phyllis Kirk and Vincent Price in the leads, is skedded to bow at the Paramount the following Friday (10). RKO Has Its Own Sweepstakes: 2 Pix Pushing $8, With the industry preoccupied with technical changes, the censors are on the march again, according to informed filmites. Although the sound of snipping shears hasn’t reached nationwide proportions, there have been indications of re- newed blue-pencil activity in vari- ous communities. The censors, con- sisting of either officially-backed boards or local pressure groups, are not only aiming their scissors at films but are also attacking books, with the pocketbook edition re- ceiving the main barrage. With the scissors wielders again flexing their muscles, serious con- cern is being expressed in film and publishing circles. Chairmanned by playwright Elmer Rice, the Na- tional Council oh Freedom from Censorship, an affiliate of the American Civil Liberties, Union meets tonight (Wed.) to map a pro- gram in an effort to halt the march of the censors. Acoording to a re- liable source, the confab will make specific mention of censorship problems confronting films. Indication of the renewed activi- Re-Discovered It apparently takes acclaim in a Broadway show for a film star to receive special recog- nition. Rosalind Russell’s mar- quee value has been upped be- cause of ’ her performance in the musical hit, “Wonderful .Town." Terrace Theatre, on New York’s West 23d St, bills star as “Broadway’s Newest Sensa- tion.” House is showing a re- vival of “My Sister Eileen,” film version of yarn on which the legituner is based. TOA Gets Senate Bid to Discuss Distrib‘Abuses’ In a unique situation for any dis- fLuia^ure 1 emo^wedn^com^nL Theatre Owners of America has tributor, and particularly RKO in tils 1 to set un local censoring received an invitation from the ?•»<*** C0 S di S°l° £ “ This isthefKt new Teas- tl P3S f t ’ Howa F d Hughes ure Evolving film censorship to be t -m annearance before g the outfit has two films on its own re- m ake an appearance before me leasing sked competing tor the | folce* In* Few tallest coin among all current pix jersevsnarM The- ington later j his mon ^ on al J eged Jersey, sparxea Dy me Allied me Jicfritt tratto nrantir»p ahnses. in circulation. On 'the basis of returns so far, Samuel Goldwyn’s Andersen” atre Owners of N. J., are marshall- distrib trade practice abuses. Whether TOA will accept the in- + Indie distribs in. N.Y, this week expressed satisfaction over the new 14-month Italy-U.S. film deal which specifically bars use of American funds in Italy for subsidized dis- tribution of Italian pix in -this country. Proposed pact ups dollar remit- tances from the former 37 Vz% to 40% of American distrib earnings. It is seen as a possible blow to Italian Films Export, which dis- tributes as well as promotes Italo product here. Under the former deal, 12^£%—now reduced to 10% —of U.S. earnings went to main- tain IFE. The current pact expires June 30. New deal agreed on in Rome last Friday (27) between Motion Pic- ture Assn, of America prexy Eric Johnston and the Italian producers group, gives U.S. distribs more money; imports are retained at th« 225-pix'-a-year level, with additional permits for the Society of Inde- pendent Motion Picture Producers. Also, 50% of American earnings remain frozen, as in the past, but can be channeled into “wider uses” which, Johnston commented, “w« think will be beneficial to the Ital- ian industry, people and govern- ment.” Agreement, which runs to Aug. 31, 1954, is still subject to Italian government approval which, ac- cording to an MPAA spokesman in N.Y., is expected to be forthcom- (Continued on page 20) „„ _.. .. a j „ y “j ing their forces to defeat the bill, hacprl on vnlimtarv acrent- “Hans Christian Andersen” and annP9 i c u niniy mart* tn Wh Vlte » P ased on voluntary accept- Walt Disney’s “Peter Paii” will lawmakers Sd to Gov Drfc. ance ' is a ? a£ter f ? r u the b° ard . ot bring in domestic distribution reve- * directors of the exhib outfit to de , . termine. Board action, it’s indi rnirUwn fio.irpc “Wane” af *7 r nir Mar y* anfl Kevl s c cated, will not he set until the re nnn nnnT sf non nnn Ltli « “ Mary a ? d ’ where films have turn from a European trlp of TOA °°°’“° n 0 , h“= n | 8 ’?2“’°®°’„ th S v l, atte £ o£ten J un mt0 censor , difficulty, a AIfred starr Latter is due tof? v ^ eis . mea f ure P ol “^ n 8. to a back about April 15, almost coin- tollrTnT nitoinilnlvT u° f C ?“ S0 ” bl P. “ ciding wUh the set for the sock h.o. pace. On the Disney side, state has been introduced in the of thp «?pnatp nrobe it’s said that $8,000,000 for “Pan” assembly. Bill has the approval of op8mng °* the Senate P rob is a conservative estimate,” that Sydney Traub, chairman of t»e the cartoon entry could go well state Board of Censors. Adding the beyond that level. The two films are selling ajt ad- vanced admission price scales gen- erally via 60-40 deals with exhibs, TOA’s policy, as expressed in the past by Starr and other TOA top- pers, has been to avoid seeking word “profane” as a reason for re- Government intervention in intra- (Continued on page 29) trade disputes. Starr has frequent- ly declared publicly that “we have no plans to call in the cops.” How- ever, an indication that TOA might be changing its tune was a recent blast issued by Starr and executive via ou-tu ueaib wiui CAiuub, « llll'TVi A that is, 60% of the gross going to AlHAl! ASKS UHlft UH the distrib. it n n* li c* 1 Incidentally, it’s claimed that a |t<U0-U.S. PlC iHCt S06KS study so .far of the audience divi- sion with “Pan” shows a 65-35 adult-children ratio. Greater per- centage of adult admissions is im- portant for the obvious reason that leveled against the Italian govern- stating so specifically, there was the youngsters pay 50c at the b.o. ment Monday (30) by Gov. Ellis an intimation in their charges that whereas the tab for grown-ups runs Arnall, Society of Independent individual members of TOA might _ i\ii 9 veepee Walter Reade, Jr., condemn- Indies Own Bank Acc ts ln * tberecenttre , nd ‘ n ® lmrental ? and the increase in the issuance of Charge of “discrimination” was pre-release pictures. While not to about $1.20 or higher. General Precision In 100% Net Profit Hike; Motion Picture Producers prexy. His criticism was based on the Italians’ refusal to make establish- ment of separate bank accounts for the indies part of any new Italo-U. S. film deal. Arnall is in Washington this seek relief from the Dept, of Jus- tice. The Invitation- to TOA was (Continued on page 27) $54,326,849 in Sales» With its sales volume up 82% to $54,326,849 in 1952, General Precision Equipment Corp. and subsidiaries yesterday (Tu6s.) dis- closed a more than 100% increase in net profit, from $596,546 in 1951 to $1,255,278 in 1952. Company’s annual report further showed that the number of di- rectors on the board last month had been increased from 17 to 21, with the resulting vacancies to be filled at the annual stockholders meet April 28. General Precision prexy and board chairman Herman G. Place said .overall sales had been boost- ed-despite the fact that sales of motion picture equipment and sup- plies had dropped from $14,721,000 in 1951 to $13,728,000 last year. Major portion of the sales gain stemmed from increased activities of Several subsidiaries operating in the fields of mechanics, optics, hydraulics, electricity and elec- tronics, essentially for the Armed Services and heavy industry. The backlog of orders at the close of 1952 Was $106,900,000 compared With v $32,000,000 in 1951. The $1,255,278 net in 1952 equalled $1.88 per common share, compared with 99c. per common share warnings in 1951. Profit be- fore taxes was $3,130,578 as against $1,055,969 in 1951. is week sounding out the State Dept. “what would happen if we didift go along with the proposed agreement.” He said SIMPP was "bitterly disappointed,” since the org had been given to understand WB Out to Overcome Beefs Re Early 3D-ers, ‘Wax’ as ‘First’ In view of some public resent- by the Italians that there would be brought about by early films separate bank accounts. 3 'J ) 1 J iedlul ? 1 :*2? lc 1 p Ifvviv" He said he was “puzzled” by ds m ^ < ® du8 V* on A House of Wax several aspects of the pact negoti- as a LfsL Aimed to overcome ated in Rome last week by Motion any resistance, the company is Picture Assn, of America prexy spothghting new techniques in its Eric Johnston and the Italian in- first 3-D effort, including the War- dustry. One point Arnall would nerphonic sound system. _ like clarified is whether the new Witn the knowledge that the “loan,” amounting to 10% of Warner filn} may have far-reaching American earnings in Italy, should effects on the future course of the be considered a subsidy, and if 8 °J bpa f iy as . w 1 e11 . a A the industry, not, why not. SIMPP has taken a WB s technical staff is keeping a resolute stand against any subsi- careful eye on installations, espe- dies, and has stated that it will PiaUy as regards the sound equip- not go along with any agreement ment. In some quarters, the intro- that provides for them. duction of stereophonic sound, al- In announcing reduction of though overshadowed by the new financial aid to the Italians from sight effects, is regarded, almost of 12V£% to 10%,.Johnston said, in equal importance. Its felt that Rome, that the* arrangement was despite the butcome of the 3-D being continued “although a ma- versus widescreen race, stereo British Exhibs Go Slowly on 3-D London, March 31. An appeal for all-industry talks, including policy discussions with Hollywood, to probe the possibili- ties of 3-D standardization before exhibitors become involved in a permanent installation, is made in a confidential memorandum being circulated among British exhibs. Feature of the memo is an analysis of the known 3-D systems byMhe Cinematograph Exhibitors Assn, technical expert, L. Knopp, plus some practical observations on questions of policy and application. The current stampede in Amer^ ica, it is suggested, may be charac- teristic of that country. -With the conflict of systems, the report urges an immediate approach on standardization. As a‘tentative sug- gestion it is proposed that this standardization shoiild determine the practical maximum wid^i of screen in conjunction with stereo- scopic projection and a suitable projection. It is pointed out that very few British theatres could accept a screen of the proportions being adopted by Cinerama and Cinema- Scope without most unsatisfactory reduction in screen height. An- other aspect of the excessive screen width is the los^ of seating accommodation which would in- volve the removal of some seats. In his summing up, the CEA’a Kopp argues that since both stereo- scopic and larger screen presenta- tion represent a considerable ad- vance in picture technique, future progress and standardization should aim at welding these two into a single system. Landy Victor in % Suit Vs. Small Agency Hollywood, March 31. S Sf toe“lmerican“«ntos souidwiU become^tai.dard equip-! Paul Small Artists was ordered innose the uroaram ” ment for all theatres. j to pay literary agent George Landy Meanwhile, theatres set to play oppose the program SIMPP’s plans for establishing a foreign department, with a rep headquartering in N, Y., are tak ing shape and Were discussed in N. Y. last week, according to “Wax” are proceeding with the sound installations. In New York, technicians are working roUnd-the- clock to ready the Paramount for Arnall. He expects to go to the April 10 preem of the ^ picture. Coast next week to further explore Technical staff nioyes mto the the project with SIMPP members theatre immediately foUowmg/the and also to look around for some- last show and works until the one with a suitable background to house opens its doors for*the early fill the post. [trade. a percentage of commissions col- lected from writer Laslo Vadnay as long as Vadnay is with the agency. Order favoring Landy, who sued Small, was made by Bevhills Judge Henry Draeger. Landy had contended his pact with the agency called for con- tinued payment .for pacting Vad- nay, even though he had exited tht office.