Variety (November 1954)

I r •i f Wednesday, November 24, 1954 "'‘4a PSutaefr PICTURES 21 Inside Stuff—Pictures Addressing the 300 guests at the Variety Club’s “New Faces in New Positions" luncheon at the Hotel Bradford, Boston last week, Samuel Pinanski, American Theatre Corp. prez and honorary chairman of hoard of TOA, outlined to the guests the reasoning behind the organi- zation of TOA’s new committee to raise funds for indie producers. PinansJci, chairman of the committee, declared, “Everyone recognizes the fact that never before in history has the production end of our industry been so prosperous. We all hope it continues to flourish and to produce the same high calibre of features. But, despite the excellent pix that are being made today, there are not enough of them : and in between the. top product the exhibitor is starving. We must hiv^ more pix to fill in during the lean periods when the top product Is not available.” Jack Warner continues to buy common stock of Warner Bros. His latest 5,000-share purchase ups his holdings to 295,499, plus another 13,400 shares in a trust account,. Major Albert Warner, who, •had 100,000 shares iri his own name, added 4,500 shares to his trust accounts, for a total of 31,000 shares. Alfred E. Daff, of Universal Pix, sold his last 1,000 shares of com- mon, with Preston Davie unloading 300 shares but retaining 409. Nathaniel Lapkin has acquired 11,241 shares of common,stock in the Stanley-Warner circuit. Because of his tv network show, “Disneyland,” Walt Disney gets a slap in the current North Central Allied bulletin. The bulletin asserts the hour long show “looks Jike prime ribs for those Who will sit at home and look into that infernal box.” It’ll be tough to drag the kids to dinner before 6 p.m , the bulletin comments. “Disney is wide open in the end zone with this show and Will have plenty of time to advertise his current featurg picture as. he did *20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,’ ” declares the bulletin, concluding that “this surely will be a thorn in the exhibitors’ side.” Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews, explorer and honorary director of the American Museum of Natural History, is to be the subject of a theatrical pic and a television series, per plans of Robert H. Nolan. Latter, a radio-tv producer, arid longtime friend of, Andrews^ will head all production. Andrews has mad£ all his writings available to Nolan and Will serve as technical: advisor on development of the properties. The two were associated in the ’‘Keep Up With the World” radio series Which Nolan produced and directed. Some 600 friends, former employees and associates in the film business plus■ civic leaders attended a testimonial dinner honoring Harold J, Fitzgerald, retired prez of Fox Wisconsin Amusement Corp., at Bchroeder Hotel, Milwaukee. At the dinner, a check for $5,000 was given to Fr. Clarence Ryan, S.J. of Marquette’ University, as a “kickoff” lii' establishing a Marquette scholarship dedicated to Fitzgerald's son, Lt. Richard H. Fitzgerald, who was killed iri World War II, Giving no facts, as usual, the Chicago Police Censor Board reports it rejected, none of the 80 pix submitted for permits last month but made six cuts in the 401,000 total feet of film scanned. Of the num- ber submitted, 22 were foreign, again pointing up an increased influx of foreign product here this year. Four pix were tagged for adults T>y the censors, and one of those was a foreign entry. Continued from page 3 maintain it with curbs on new pro- duction. Martin, arguing that heavier lensing skeds could be maintained if sincerely desired by the studios,, stated that many competent stars, writers and producers are now on the prowl for television work and easily could be nabbed for pictures if Hollywood beckoned. TOAcers were iri N V. last week to fill in on details of the new Ex- hibitors Film Financial Group, Inc., which the theatre org is fostering. Pinanski is temporary president. Outfit is to engage in indie pro- duction financing. Capitalization is $10,000,000, its funds coming from theatremen through a stock solicitation. Securities Exchange Commission approval of the setup is now awaited. This will green- light actual. investments in the . company by the theatremen. Fu- ture operation will be flexible to the extent that the public and other industry groups, apart from the exhibs, Who are legally unre- strained from doing so, may be in- vited to buy in. The purpose is to up the supply df pix;which, in turn, it’s figured, will have the effect of cutting rent- als on the output from all- com- panies. AS the supply is enhanced, states Martin, there’ll be an even balance of power betweeri buyer and seller and lopped-off film costs on the overall will be the ultimate : result. Distribution of the financed "product vvill be through rion-major outlets, such as regional releasing companies. Point is made that one of the principal companies might drop a film from its own sked if it could take a substitute from the TOA operation. “We want, to sup- plement production, riot substitute it,” commented Levy. This, Of course, brings up the point that banks insist on a major company release setup before pro- ductiori money is advanced to an ■independent filmmaker. Pinanski. said he sees no problem in this respect. For one thing, he said, the new company will be putting up the “risk money.” ^ EFFG is a separate entity being backed by TOA until it gets off the ground. It’s a Delaware cor- poration and bylaws, provide for a board of directors and an exec committee. SEC approval of the stock sale is expected tin a few Weeks. The stockholders, as they come into* existence, will meet to elect directors who, in turn, will name permanent officers and exec committee members. Guiding the operation in the in- terim, along with Pinanski, are John Rowley, v.p.; L. S. Hamm, treasurer, and Myron Blank, sec- retary. They’re also on the tem- porary board with Martin, Walter Reade Jr. and Alfred Starr, EFFG was brought into being at the TOA convention in Chidhgo early this month, At this, many theatremen said; they'd be willing to invest the equivalent of one week’s film rentals at their respec- tive theatres. There are no of- ficial estimates as to the amount of actual stock buys in view. Geo Minter SaS Continued from page 5 closed since exhibs are in need of thi? widescreen product. Minter said one of his own problems With C’Scope Was that, in partriering . with 20th-rwhich is offering such assistance—the company would expect to get first crack at the dis- tribution rights. Si he has his own distribution org in Britain, such a deal isn’t acceptable to him. Minter. found Hollywood ex- tremely gross conscious, “It's not at all like iri Britain now,” he re- ported. “Everyone I talked to— producers, directors, etc.—spoke as much in terms of what their pic- tures would gross as in terms of their content;” At home, he said, the creative minds weren't particu- larly concerned about the b.o. As for the availability of Ameri- can stars to work in Britain, Min- ter found a lack of interest among the top names. “It’s the elimina- tion. of that tax loophole that’s done it,” he opined. “Actually, there are only a handful of top names around, arid they’re tied up way in advance.” Minter leaves for London tomorrow (Thurs.). The Visual Impact Hollywood, Nov. 23. Survey by Paramount re* Veals that television has forged ahead of radio for the first time as a means! of exploiting motion pictures. It is esti- mated that the volume of plugs for films on tv this year has been twice that on radio. Television is regarded as more potent than radio be- cause of its Jarger audience and its visual impact. At th same time the analysis shows that tv is better adapted to some pictures than to others, While radio is more flexible and can be Utilized for any kind of picture. UA SELLS 16 EN BLOC TO WINNIPEG HOUSE There being no restrictions on block booking in Canada, United. Artists has licensed 16 consecutive programs to. the Dominion Theatre, Winnipeg, Man. The house, operated by Mesho Thriller, has been renovated and is switching to a firstrun policy with the UA lineup. Metro homeoffice delegation con- sisting of sales chief Charles Rea- gan, assistant sales chief Ed Saun- ders, and eastern sales topper John Byrne returned to New York Mon- day (22) following a two-day sales confab at the: Blackstone Hotel in Chicago. . All division managers were represented at the session, including George Hickey, west; John S. Allen, southwest; Rudy Berger, south; Burtis Bishop Jr., midwest, and John S; Maloney, central; Meeting was concerned, with Metro’s , release of eight pictures during the first four months of 1955. Films will be released at the .! rate of two a month. AH are in color, With seven in Cinemascope. Pictures include“Bad Day at Black Rock” and “Green Fire,,” January; “Many Rivers to Gross" and “Jupi- ter’s Darling,” February; “Hit the Deck” and “Interrupted Melody,” March, and “Glass-Slipper” and “Boulevard in Paris,” April. Field representatives also con- vened in Chicago over the week- end to discuss exploitation plans on the eight pictures.. Emery Aus- tin, field chief, presided. Harry Brandt GRAINGER VS. SHEA Judge Orders Breach of Contract Issue to Arbitration ; . New York Supreme Court Jus- tice Joseph. Gavegan' last . week ordered arbitration on E. C. Grainger’s breach of contract claim against Shea Enterprises and Jamestown Amusement Corp. At the same time, the judge upheld the Shea claim that the statute of limitations applied, arid limited Grainger’s recovery to six years. Justice Gavegan held that; the Grainger-Shea - Jariiestown agree- ments of 1942 and 1946 were valid and “the parties must proceed to arbitration.” Request for arbitra- tion of the contract matter by Grainger back in 1951 was coun-. tered by the Shea interests via a suit against Grainger, Ed Raftery and the late Dennis F. O’Brien, changing' mismanagement of the Shea estate while they were ex- ecutors. Ruling by Surrogate Christopher McGrath completely cleared Grain- ger, Raftery and O’Brien of the charges. Hollywood, Nov. 23. A drastic change in film sales, publicity and advertising methods in the “near future” was predicted, tonight (Tuesday) by Steve Broidy, Allied Artists prexy, as keynote speaker at the eighth annual Pub- licists Guild dinner at the Hotel. Statler. His speech, the sole seri- ous spot in the artnual frolic, en- visioned a “new system of mer- chandising specialists.” Broidy paid tribute to publicists whose jobs ' are “not always fully appreciated in some quarters. Had you riot done your job well.” he emphasized, “films Would not have met with success they’ve come to enjoy.” Upcoming system, Broidy de- clared, will be a switch from the present so-called endless belt oper- ation. “I envision units of three or four men from publicity and ad- vertising departments devoting their entire efforts over a period 09 ‘RV. Day of ; the “B” picture may b* Over as. far as the major compa- nies are concerned, but it’s still very much in evidence with X th* non-key exhibs who either can’t get the “big” films, or else don’t do too well with them. Situation as it seems to be shap- ing up now favors the extremes. The key. runs naturally want and need the “A” product, arid they’r* getting It, even though there’s « difference of opinion on whether or not it’s, coming through iri suf- ficient quantity. The suburbs, With two or thre* changes a week—and particularly the small-town situations:—com- plain they’re starving for the low budgeters that they can buy cheap arid which catch their audiences* fancy. It’s this type , of “B” film which the exhibs seem to be angling for when they set themselves up in business to make or finance pix. Since there’s no market for th* “B” feature in the major runs, such pix .have to be turned out at very low cost so as to be able to recoup their investment from the smaller situations alone. Distrib execs say the pattern of the future would appear to shap* into big-budgeters and very low- cost pix. They’re puzzled by an- nouncements of plans for films run- ning into $400,000 Or $500,000 each. “How. are they going to get their money back?” asked on* sales topper. Exhibs’ projects envisioning flow of volume product appear to fall, for the most part, into th* “B ” grotsp. * This contrasts oddly with oft-repeated statements by both exhibs and distribs that audi- ences have become selective in their film-going and, over the past couple of years, have passed up the minor releases which conse- quently have lost mpriey. Observers, say the only hope . for "B" pix to rake in the coin under present conditions is to turn them out for $100,000 or less. A num- ber of such films have been made. Latest exhib-backed org to enter the “B” field is American Releas- ing Corp. which plans to issu* eight in 1955. Just whether and where there Is a film shortage at the moment is subject to many diverse views, Exhibs almost uniformly complain that there aren’t enough pictures around;, and they blame the stu- dios. Distribs themselves can’t make up their mind on what’s Continued from page 3 ssss peake Industries as assignee of the defunct Eagle. Lion Classics. Chesapeake charged that Brandt had not paid the full amount due Eagle Lion under certain licensing agreements on films rented some 150 theatres between Dec. 1, 1949, and April 28, 1951. Among other things Brandt denied personal li- vability on the ground that he was acting as agent for principals known to ELC. “If this be true,” Justice William C. Hecht Jr., opined, “plaintiff could have no recovery and consideration of the remaining issues would become academic.” But in a lengthy opinion Justice Hecht noted that Chesapeake de- nies that Brandt disclosed the identity of. his principals. “The Written license agreements,” the court added, “Were executed in the name of the .defendant Brandt, through Irigber, his agent and em- ployee, and 'do not disclose the name of a principal, although the name of the theatre is shown.” Moreover, Justice Hecht ruled, testimony of Ingber as well as that of George; J. Waldman, .onetime metropolitan district manager for Eagle Lion, bore out Chesapeake’s claim that it was never aware of the individuals that Brandt repre- sented. “I find that, defendant did not disclose the! identity of his principals,” the court ruled, “Therer fore he is personally liable for such sums as will be found due and owing td plaintiff dri such items of its claim as will be allowed.” Previously ELC had prepared two invoices totaling $26,360 for Which no payment had ever been made. Brandt subsequently offered two checks amounting to $23,160 in full payment Of certain items but the drafts Were returned after a five-month delay without being cashed. Meantime, the exact amount due is tp be computed later in accordance with the court’s de- cision. of many, months, perhaps a year, solely on three or four films. “Similarly, in the sales depart- ment, a separate sales manager will be assigned these same films as it is a responsibility on a na- tional basis. These units’ work will be coordinated, of course, by a general Sales manager and a na- tional director Of advertising and publicity. Why Cut a Good One? Hamilton, Ont. Editor, Variety: I ain Only one of the many movie- goers eagerly awaiting “A Star Is Born” and it is putting it mild, to say the least, that I was extremely, disappointed to read that “Star” ! is to be trimmed by about 30 min- utes. Surely the Customer deserves a better break than this. For year's many customers have been sitting through three and four-hour dou- ble bills (Often putrid) and the ex- hibitor hasn’t minded. Why should:Warner Bros, trim an obviously first-rate production like “Star” to suit some exhibi- tors?, ... Movies are better than ever these last few years, for sure, blit why not keep them that way by leaving them intact? Ken W. Daridge Hayward Filming ‘PdinF Hollywood, Nov. 23. . Lei and Hayward has acquired screen rights to “Point Of No Re- turn” based on J. P. Marquand’s' novel. Hayward produced the Paul Osborn legit adaptation of novel on Broadway with Henry Fonda Starred. Film version next year will follow Hayward’s production of “Spirit of St. Louis.” No release is set for "Point Of No Return” but “Mr. Roberts,” Fonda starrer which Hayward re- cently Completed, will be dis- tributed by Warners. what. , Said one sales exec this week: ‘‘There is no. real shortage in th* first runs. They just don’t hav* as many pictures to pick from. It’s the little fellow, the one with the three changes a week, who’s suffering!” Coyne European Holiday Robert W. Coyne, special coun- sel for the Council of Motion Pic- ture Organizations, left N. Y. over the past weekend for a vacation in Europe. He’ll see the plays and talk to picture people in Loridon and then hit the Continent. He’ll join his wife In Germany, where she’s now visiting her parents. New York Theatres _RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL_ Rockefeller Center irving. BERLIN'S "WHITE CHRISTMAS" inVIitaVlalon starring BING CROSBY • DANNY KAYE ROSEMARY CLOONEY • VERA ELLEN Color by Technicolor • A Paramount Picturo and wtcwom mu rsnniTATwi •••••»•* IN PERSON AND HIS ENTIRE TV CAST •on SCREEN OnomJScO**- WARNERCCM.0 * JUJINUIDDin DRUMBEAt PARAMOUNT rw* f .AT U.B IT. '• ■ ■ O. :■ CONGRATULATIONS TO JUDY GARLAND in "A STAR IS BORN" ROBERT MANDA