Variety (December 1953)

continued from P*If 5 'dlTobserved. He thinks such an attitude is inexcusable and likened the approach of certain reviewers o their appraisal tasks as very much akin to raising a “brain iron curtain . . . There should be some crace about „ this/’ But waxing philosophical, the writer said he had few qualms despite the critical barbs “for after all, everybody did as best they could with the pic- ture. What more can you do than tl £l ' Anamorphlc Writing A9s for Cinemascope, Bezzerides looks upon this new anamorphic depth process as A “very valid form of shooting/' The scripter, he added, gets a break in the new me- dium for “generally you can write a master scene and you know this big. wide screen can take it all in. It eliminates the necessity of the camera moving about in a variety of cuts from one thing to another.” Bezzerides, who's written such films as “They Drive By Night” < W’B) and “Thieves Highway” (20th), feels that “outstanding pic- tures almost always are an acci- dent.” But the uncertainty can be eliminated to some extent if the producer and director have a “com- plete understanding of the story and understand the need for a uni- fied point of view. How do you make a good picture? It’s tough. Do a good story. Work for anybody who knows what he wants and has good taste. True, he. may make errors in judgment but not mon- strous ones.” A freelance writer, Bezzerides just completed a screenplay for Metro of his upcoming novel, “NotJ Too Big a Dream.” Scheduled to go before the Cinemascope cam- era next spring, it may be a per- sonal production of Dore Schary with Spencer Tracy in the top male role. “America is a wonderful country” is its theme—“every boy bigger than his papa.” Accent The Positive “Dream,” incidentally, has an in- teresting origin. Metro wanted Bezzerides to do a . yam on anti- communism. But he reflected, “why take the negative approach? For one thing, 20th-Fox has done a couple of such pictures,” he re- minded a top Metro official, “let’s try and show the advantages of democracy instead of the disad- vantages of communism. Of course, Metro did such a film two years ago in ‘It’s a Big Country.’ “But the story I envisioned was one where a couple of immigrants come to the U. S. with little money or other material assets save for an unbounded faith in their indi- vidual abilities in a land where they would be free Uf exercise them. Their experiences were similar to that of my own father who came to California as a farmer In the San Joaquin Valley. Democ- racy could be shown in no better light. ” is th0 simplest decoder device on the market and that installation will be comparatively sifnple via a plug-in. On the basis of a half million decoders, the cost of the decoder units and installation com- bined would run to approximately $ 8 , 000 , 000 . Interested parties who’ve con- tacted Skiatron have been told that, in addition, about $5,000,000 or $6,000,000 would be required in advance guarantees against a per- centage to film outfits and pro- moters with the kind of program fare that Subscriber-Vision would require. Anti-Yank Pix Continutd from pace 2 been cleaned up to some extent, but still carries its message that U.S. bases in Japan are responsible for the present low state of morals among residents living close to the bases. It has been given a prologue (in Japanese) which states that no specific nation is intended to be depicted in the film, but that the U.S. soldiers represent the mili- tarists of any nation, even pre-war Japan. Use of the American na- tional anthem in the score has been eliminated and some of American Bob Booth’s scenes with his prostie friend have been toned down sexwise. Toll Tele Costs Continued from pace 4 ferent problem in that it must pay fur modifying switchboards and pioviding the necessary telephonic 'lookups in the home. Inability to 001110 (o a sound conclusion on initial launching costs is said to no one of the reasons why Zenith Jar has failed to press its appli- caiion with the FCC. Spokesmen for all three sys- •oms. while referring to the big remaining obstacle of having to convince the FCC that home-video oan perform a real and “so- ( ia ly valuable service, admit that ,()M m its initial stages will be an expensive proposition witli pro- nounced risk. While surveys sug- ^'■xt that Americans are willing to Pn' ior superior video fare, how IK , vv ^ work out in workaday pi act ice is a big question mark. Installation Costs ■ inanical end of introducing gub- jeuption video is currently of par- itcuiar concern to Skiatron which u,.i ln tlie of negotiations ,• 11 various interests that want to into Subscriber-Vision. t)ne mancier has his rep working . i^eh- with Skiatron execs but . \ , on Pfexy Arthur Levey won’t • vulge details, claiming that dis- 1 ^jinns are still too nebulous. ,V, Klall t 0n . decoders, produced on m,i <<S * S i- asis ’. may cost between $10 ' , a P l ece, with installation bot Y een $2-50 and $3. Skia- engincers claim that theirs Films TV Series Continued from page 7 ; Heckle Cel Continued from page 7 ceived only as a series of excerpts from standout features with one or two interviews with stars. Long Overdue Pilpt (a sample) was to have been ready in July, with ABC pro- ducing full series for fall presenta- tion. Prime difficulty so far has been lining up stars of the films which were to be previewed. Hud- son’s proposal to go into the stu- dios and actually shoot on the sets goes far beyond the scope of the original project and presents eco- nomic as well as other protocol dif- ficulties. As the ad-pub toppers mulled the ABC terms, one of the com- panies was informed by its Coast rep that Hudson was by no means adamant on his conditions and was in fact willing to proceed along more moderate lines. Observers feel that enthusiasm on both sides has cooled so markedly that only decisive action by top execs can rescue the project from oblivion. vide a more proportional represen- tation on the board for those* out- side the “Harry Cohn family con- trol.” Mardfin, who read a lengthy pre- pared statement, asserted that the Cohn family “monopolizes ■ the board” with alxmt 40% of the stock. In the interest of the other 60% he suggested that they be, “protected” by placing at least two independent directors on the board who would “in lib way Interfere with picture making policies hut would act as a check on high sal- aries” and other matters affecting the welfare of the “outside” share- holders. Still another proposal came from Lester Martin who heads the investment trust bearing his name. “Give all the stockholders some of the assets Columbia carries on its books for $1 (company’s old pic- tures),” he urged, “and distribute these assets by spinning ofif a new corporation ... share for share which would be tax free.” Secretary Charles Schwartz re- plied that the board “would take it ithe proposal) very seriously un- der advisement.” To this Martin retorted: “They shouldn't give it ‘serious advisement’ but should do it!” Martin, who holds 59,000 shares of Col common, also remind- ed the management of a suggestion he made at last year’s meet that the j company buy 200,000 shares of its j stock on the open market to re- duce its capitalization. “At that time, he said with arhusement, “it was selling, at $13." In the course of the one-hour session, attended by some 50 share- holders and management reps, nine,.directors were overwhelming- ly elected to serve for the ensuing year. They include prexy Harry 1 Cohn, veepee Jack Cohn, veepee- ’ treasurer Schneider, ad-pub vee- pee Nate B. Spingold, sales veepee Abe Montague, as well as Leo M. Blancke' Alfred Hart and Abraham M. SOnnabend. Jack Cohn presided i over the meet. Up Sync Continued from page 3 Acad Eyes Foreign Pix Hollywood, Dfec. 22. Charles Brackett, Academy prexy, appointee) .. Walter Reisch chairman of 'the For- eign Language Film Commit- (tee for the 26th Oscar Derby next March. Other members of the com- mittee are Daniel B. Cathcart, Addison Durland, William Feeder, William Gordon, Steve Goodman, Ely Levy, Luigi Luraschi, Roy Metzler, Rudolf Monta, Carl Schaefer, Geof- frey Shurlock, Claire Trevor and Robert Vogel. NEGOTIATIONS ON FOR CINERAMA IN LONDON London, Dec. 15. Hush-hush moves are being made to bring Cinerama to London next year. If present negotiations jell, it will be introduced here by a prominent legit manager. Negotia- tions which had been going on across the Atlantic for some time are reported as being brought a stage nearer fruition When Prince Littler recently went to America. It is.understood that be talked with toppers with the intention of pro- moting a deal to bring Cinerama to his Stoll Theatre in Kingsway. This house, with a capacity of more than 2,000 seats, has not housed a straight legit production since “Porgy and Bess” played there a year ago. When Cinerama was first launched on Broadway, Sir Alexander Korda, the London Film Productions boss, endeavored to get British rights to the process but the deal was stymied by the Board of Trade, who refused an import license for equipment. Un- less the equipment could now be obtained locally. Board of Trade sanction will still be required. Philly Screening SS Continued from page 1 of hauling out dancer and owner on cop’s mere sayso was ended. Policeman now makes a report and it’s up to the owner to straighten out the offender, or .get rid of same. AGVA was called in to adopt a screening policy and keep out too sexy steppers, many of whom are from out of town. Philadelphia has abundance of musical bars and girl-type enter- tainment is much in demand. Gar- vey, in a letter to all AGVA dance members, nightclub operators, pro- ducers and booking agents, said all acts must be cleared through his office in order to perform in terri- tory. Garvey’s letter asks the full co- operation of all nightclub owners. Nitery ops are not to ask dancers to violate the ethics of the profes- sion nor force them to mix against their will. If these requirements are not met. A&VA will take steps to remove all entertainment from the establishment involved. tiating with several French pro- ducers for what he terms “post- synchronization” co - production deals.- According to Riethof, who returned this week from a six- week European jaunt, his company would provide the French pro- ducers with an American script. He stressed that most French ac- tors can speak adequate English. “While they have an accent,” he explained, “they’ll be able to pro- vide the correct lip movements. In the U. S. our actors will then be able to perfect synchronization and eliminate the typical objec- tions voiced against dubbed pic- tures.” Riethof himself expects to be on hand during the production of experimental shooting In France so that he can keep an eye on the version slated for the American market. As a representative of Parkway, company backed by Baltimore ex- hibitor Milton Schwaber. Riethof currently has three French pic- tures ready for dubbing fold method) and thereafter will seek a releasing deal. He’s transformed such films as “Anna.” “Bitter “Rice." and “Heidi” for the Eng- lish-language market. Cinerama Readies St. Louis i St. Louis. Dc£. 22. J Cinerama, Inc., of Missouri, an ; affiliate of the Stanley Warner Cinerama Corp., has leased the j ; Ambassador, a 3,000 downtown de- ; I luxer, from the (Fanchon & Mar-I ; coi St. Louis Amusement Co. Al- ! terations will be completed late next month. The motion picture industry's perennial drive for elimination of the special—and high—amusement rate in newspapers has been quietly, revived. Theatre Owners of America and the Motion Picture Assn, of America are both canvas- sing local theatres throughout the country to ascertain rate policies of the various newspapers. Posi- tion of theatres is that film thea- tre advertising should . be placed in the'same run-of-paper rate cate- gory enjoyed by department Stores. Rate reduction campaign, active prior to recent technical (wide- screen, etc.) changes, was some- what forgotten during the hectic dimensional rcvolqtion. However, the pix industry experienced few rate rises during the past 10 months. Whenever a new advertis- ing contract came up for renewal, talks were held with newspaper publishers relating to the obtain- ing of parity in line rates. In some cases there were voluntary grants of run-of-paper. Only last week the Bergen Evening Record, 52.000-plus circulation- New Jersey daily, abandoned the practice of treating amusement advertising as a special classification at high flat rate, in many cases the highest rate charged to any advertiser. After Jan. 1 all theatre arid amuse- ment advertising will be accepted by the Bergen Evening Record at the same transient and contract rates which will apply to all other display advertising. Theatre chain ad directors fear there might be some rate increases in the future, especially in . New York, where newspapers are sup- posedly out to compensate for the losses incurred during the recent strike and the increased labor costs. Strike indicated to pix and theatre advertisers that the news- papers were their first line of sell- ing but at same time it pointed up the fact that radio and TV can be employed as potent supple- mental media. Distribs and thea- tres which resorted to radio and TV during the newspaper blackout fared better than those that neg- lected the sources. As a result, there’s indication that ad budgets may be upped for greater use of radio and TV. Local Citizens Rally To Aid Reopened House Norwalk, Dec. 22. A citizens’ committee headed by Dr. Harry H. Hefferan, local den- - tist, is at work here helping to ; put the operation of the Norwalk Theatre on a successful basis when it reopens Saturday <26>. House,' dark three years, has been taken ' over by Robert C. Spodick, Leon- > ard Sampson and Norman Bialek.' The localites are dressing up store windows and trying other ex- ploitation approaches in behalf of the theatre, including moves to enlist press and radio support. Metro is cooperating by permitting tlie house to have the Connecticut premiere of “Easy to Love." 6 FROM FILM COLONY IN TORNADO BENEFITS Hollywood. Dec. 22. Hollywood Co-ordinating Com- mittee sent six volunteers to put on benefit show's’ in Mississippi and Louisiana folk homeless victims of the Vicksburg tornado. Players, divided into two units, were Jerry Colonna, Julia Adams, Mari Blanchard, Mamie Van Doren and William and Lucille Demarest. N.Y. Talent Continued from page 5 Legion ‘B’ to Nine Exhifos in TV Continued from page 4 in Miami and TOA prexy Walter Reade Jr. in Asbury Park, N. J., have tele stations on the air and it’s believed that they may eventu- ally work out an exchange of pro- grams. Lightman, who doesn't have closed-circuit TV ip any of his houses since lines - ^generally aren’t available as yet, said he was im- pressed with the quality of such programming mapped out by ex- hibs at recent meets and comment- ed that, should such shows actually become available, he would be hap- py to install large screen video equipment. Eventually, he foresees closed-circuit video revolutionizing the entire distribution setup. j “Battle Cry” and “Giant.” Wil- 1 liam Orr. studio executive, is in ! Gotham to assist Mayer in the search for performers for “Bat- , tie Cry” while Henry Ginsburg. who is associated with George Stevens in the production of Edna Ferber’s “Giant.” is in N. Y. on a similar mission for the latter, j WB’s talent department. In order | to get a look at the most appro- ' priale talent for "Giant,’’ has sent copies of the hook to leading agents both in N. V. and on the ! Coast. “By making copies of ; ‘Giant’ available to the various agents,” said Ginsberg, “we hope to encourage every agent in town to assist and cooperate in finding th’e most ideal prospects to fill all ! the important roles in the picture.” ‘ If they’ll trouble to read the book, agents can get a better idea of the talent best suited for the various l parts. * Couple of new pic classification lists published by the National Le- gion of Decency shows an unusu- all\ large number of films in the Legion’s "B" category, meaning ob- jectionable in part for even one. ’ Total of nine entries as thus clas-' sified. Columbia leads with three— "Bad for Each Other." “Hot Blood” mow “The Wild One”' and “Miss Sadie Thompson.” Others are ; Paramount’s “Forever Female,”. ‘ United j-. Artists’ “The Man Be-; twetjU/* '• 20th-Fox' “.Man Crazy.” ! : Wajprtcfs! ’“Three Sailors and a Girl.” Universal's “Forbidden” and IKE’s “Fugitive in Trieste.” ‘Caesar’ Ducats En Bloc For School Kids, 85c Chicago. Dec. 22 Metro office here is soliciting school parties for “Julius Caesar” matinees on any date, including Saturdays, after Jan. 11. Groups of 25 students of any level public or private school, accompanied by i, teacher, will be admitted for a cut-rate 85c each. Same thing is being done for the pic elsewhere in t’ne country and lias been done in the past with “Hamlet.” “Henry \" and others to bolster matinee biz. “Caesar.” which is slated to open the Sclwyn Theatre on Dec. 25. has already been screened for the Board of Education, which has approved it and offered full coop- eration. Trueman Rembusch Tapped 1 Trueman T. Rembusch, formerly ■ one of the three cochairmen of the ' Council of Motion Picture Organi- , zation.s, has been named head of 1 COMPO's Tax Repeal Campaign ! Committee for Indiana. I Appointment was made by Roy ' Kalver, president of Indiana Allied I - Theatres. 1 U1 Rushes 2 Tinters Hollywood. Doc. 22. More than 600 construction workers aix? earning Christmas spending money on the UI lot tins week, rushing completion of 14 large exterior and interior sets for two upcoming Technicolor pro- ductions. Six of the sets, including a me- dieval castle and moat, will be used in “Men of Iron," starring Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. Other', are for “Sign, of the Pagan,” with Jeff Chandler and Ludmilla Telic- rina in top roles.