Variety (December 1954)

PICTURES Wcdneadajr, December 29, 1954 Panama Legislators Exhibs on Side United States Film Interests Resentful of Owners Of Theatres Using Alter-Ego Role as Congressmen Film companies in N. Y., doing Still Fixing ‘Jet Pilot’: a bit of sleuthing re a proposed ® . . restrictive law pending in the legis- Myctpry F||m Mnf VlPWPfl i lature of Panma, last week had; 1Ti J MCI J 111111 nWl IWWCU th^ir surprise answer: Many among , . D M i Dlf A the local Congressmen and officials ] Dj IflOSt luVU UlULldld pushing the measure were or are i »j et pilot," which Howard personally interested in various Hughes produced at RKO a couple \ theatre circuits in Panama. 1 of years ago at a cost said to be Alfredo Aleman Jr., Deputy of j over $4,000,000, is in line for more i the National Assembly, who sub- -revision. It was reported in N. Y. mitted the bill, is a shareholder this week that Hughes is still not j in the Central and Bella Vista cir- , entirely satisfied with the finished | cuits. Temistocles Diaz, Minister j product and is making additional Ken Englund IMS whipped ap A Handy Hollywood Baedeker one of the atony byline pieces ia the 49 th Anniversary Number of OUT NEXT WEEK Catholic Critic to Modify Comments Dale Francis of South Bend. Attacks Bryan Foy, Himself a Catholic, for Legion-Okayed ‘Bamboo’ 1 of Commerce, whose department would be called on to impose any fines, is a large stockholder in the Bella Vista Theatre. Other cabinet members also have exhibition interests. Ricardo Aries Espinosa, Minister of Health and Labor and also vice-president of the Republic, actually owns the Lux, Cecilia and Roqsevelt thea-1 tres in Panama. Everado -Duque, manager of the free zone, is also L.ez of the Circuito de Teatros Unidos Atlantico & Colon in Colon. Aquilino Boyd, Congressman, is a partner in the same circuit and he also runs the Ancon Theatre, Pana- ma City. The law submitted by Aleman would establish a sliding scale rent- al Veiling based on the type of the- atre, with 45% the absolute top. Secondruns would pay 35% tops on weekends and 30% midweek. Other houses would have a ceiling of 25%. Measure further would freeze admissions at 60c top except on unusual films. One of the major purposes of the bill would be to force the U. S. distribs to release their pix in Pan- ama before showing them in the Canal Zone. Violation of this rule would bring the rental ceiling down 10% in all categories of theatres. Execs in N. Y. are frankly con- cerned over the measure, partly because, should it be adopted, it would set a dangerous and easy precedent for other South Ameri- qpn countries. Also, they’re resent- ful of being put in a situation where exhib interests in a country are in a position to do their own legislating vs. American films. Draft of the Aleman law has •‘teeth” in the form of hefty fines ranging up to the revocation of a distrib’s operating license. changes. The film, which stars John Wayne, has been a source of mys- tery right from the start. Even many of the top execs at RKO haven’t been given a chance to see it and a specific date for its re- lease to theatres has yet to be set. A second epic at RKO, one which is set for distribution, is "The Con- queror,” produced and directed by Dick Powell. Company is figuring on releasing this one in May. Cut in Number Of Festival Pix; See Quota Link New limitations on the number of films each nation may enter in the Cannes and Venice film festi- vals in 1955 has American observ- ers wondering about the reasons for such moves. __ «... i Authorities of both fests have PRF 7 ‘ PARRAS AMT^ Stated their purpose is to maintain 1 lU^L, 1 VlUtrtJ yUllJ ; high artistic and cultural levels via CALDERON NEW AZTECA Rank’s Value for Money’ First Pic in VistaViswn; No Known C’Scope Plans The J. Arthur Rank Org's first VistaVision picture, "Value for Money,” uoes before the cameras in London in early 1955, according to John Davis, the Rank outfit’s managing director. The romantic comedy, in Eastman color will be lensed at the Pinewood Studios. Davis said the second Rank VistaVision pic will be an adapta- tion of A. J. Cronin’s "The Span- ish Gardner” at Ealing Studios. Latter will have several Vista- Vision productions on its 1955 sked. Davis hasn’t indicated whether Rank has any intention of trying its hand at Cinemascope. Several other‘British producers are com- mitted to do films in the C’Scope system. Los Angeles, Dec. 28. Azteca Films, Inc., distributor of Spanish language films in the U. S. and Canada, has a new president, Ruben A. Calderon, former secre- tary-treasurer and general mana- ger. He succeeds Alberto Salas Porras, one of the founders of the company, who is retiring from business. New president of the firm, which the reduction in the number of entries. It’s recalled in N.Y., however, that, under the rules of the Inter- national Federation of Film Pro- ducers Assns., any festival entry not only gets into the respective country on an extra-quota basis but also is entitled to free remittance of its local earnings. American ex- ecs are wondering aloud whether there may be a connection between maintains its headquarters in Los . Angeles, will also function as gen- ; these regulations and the clamp- eral manager. Gustavo Acosta takes over the post of secretary- treasurer and Guillermo Calderon continues as veepee. MARIO LANZA'S RETURN Warners Set Him for Long-Held ‘Serenade’ Script Hollywood. Dec. 28. Mario Lanza is returning to screen activity as star in Warners’ under which they’d alternateeach year. IFFPDA exec council, at its down on entries. Italian Films Export reported in N Y. Monday (27) that the 1955 Venice festival would start Aug. 25. Following in the footsteps of Cannes, Venice authorities have de- cided to reduce the number of pix each country is allowed to enter in the competition. There has been no indication to date of whether or not Cannes and Venice have reached an agree- ment on the proposed new system BOSUSTOW ANIMATIONS SET FOR CINEMASCOPE Hollywood, Dec. 28. From now on United Productions of America will make its animated short subjects in Cinemascope. Its entire 1955 program, filmed in the anamorphic process, will be re- leased through Columbia. Stephen Bosustow, UPA presi- dent, revealed that after release of the CinepiaScope shorts they will be made available as flatties. First of the new series will be based on the character of Mister Magoo. FRIARS' FIRST 'MR. & MRS.' Coast Fete To Honor Burns and Allen Jan. 23 ‘Don’t Think We Won’t’ Allied Warns Distfibs In Admitting Gains Allied States Assn, has warned distributors not be lulled into a false sense of security by the re- ported opposition to Allied’s plan to seek additional Government reg- ulation of the industry if necessary. While the exhib org admits that there’s been a general improve- ment in exhib-distrib relationships, it nevertheless stresses that it will seek the drastic action if condiwj tions warrant it. The policy was fully outlined recently by Allied general counsel Abram F. Myers, who claims that there has been a general misap- prehension of Allied’s intention. He said that "despite all the tu- mult and the shouting” all that the Allied board ever did was to instruct him to draft a bill for sub- mission to Allied’s convention in Milwaukee last October. The board, he noted, did not pass on the draft before the convention and has not met since. The convention dele- (Continued on page 17) Serenade,” based on the novel by I James M. Cain and heralded as "one of the studio’s top produc- tions for 1955.” Story, owned by Warners for several years, was originally slated for production by Robert Sisk in 1951 but the project was dropped at that time. Currently no pro- ducer or director has been as- signed to the picture. O'Connor With Crosby Hollywood, Dec. 28. Donald O’Connor will be one of the four stars in Paramount’s film version of Cole Porter’s "Anything Goes.” He will join Bing Crosby, Mitzi Gaynor and Jeanmaire in the Robert Emmett Dolan production. Films will contain the Porter score used in the stage version, in- cluding the title song, "You’re the Top,” "All Through the Night," "Blow, Gabriel, Blow” and "I Get a Kick Out of You.” last meet in Madrid, decided there should be only one competitive in- ternational fete each year. It in- structed Venice and Cannes author- ities to get together on who goes first in 1956, or else face lack of support from the Federation. Based on info received in N.Y., there’s every reason to believe that, suppbrt or no, both festivals will continue on an annual basis. Disney May Take 'Grizzly' Minneapolis, Dec. 28. Author Frederick Manfred (Feike Feikema) after struggling through creation of seven novels, is listen- ing to sweeter music with his eighth. Book, "Lord Grizzly” has a film bid from Walt Disney or- ganization. Based on historical incident in- volving pioneer nearly clawed to death by grizzly bear. Hollywood, Dec. 28. George Burns and Grade Allen will be guests of honor at the Friars Club’s first "Mr. and Mrs.” tes- timonial dinner, to be held Jan. 23 at the Biltmore Bowl with George Jessel as toastmaster. Special committee on arrange- ments consists of Jack Benny, Harry Mirkin, Arthur Stebbins, Leo Fields, Harry Joe Brown and Jules James. Dick Quine Ineligible Hollywood, Dec. 28. Because of his recently signed exclusive contract with Columbia, Richard Quine was forced to with- draw as director of Universal’s "So This Is Rio,” a sequel to "So This Is Paris” which he directed under his former contract which per- mitted two outside pictures annu- ally. Albert J. Cohen, who produced "Paris” will repeat on its sequel, along with the same stars, Tony Curtis, Gene Nelson and Paul Gil- bert, and the same writer, Ray Buff urn. A1 Lichtnian ha* his own views on a Design for Living Together * * * an interesring editorial feature in the 49th Anniversary Number of yfcfilETY OIT IS EXT WEEK IN FINAL DAYS OF YEAR, PARAMOUNT GROSS REVENUE MAY HIT NEW HIGH Amount of coin chalked up by Paramount in art not to distribute "Rear Window” until there this current week will determine whether 1954 was no possibility of a conflict with Universal’s turns out to be a record year for the company. It's "Glenn Miller Story,” an earlier release. Next, Par a close race. * was restrained from selling "Sabrina” until Sept. 1 Par’s total revenues in 1953 climbed to a new so as not to clash with the "Sabrina Fair” legit play, high of $110,300,000. First half of 1954 was behind Finally, the deal with Danny Kaye meant a holdup the ’53 pace but a strong pickup was experienced as on “Knock on Wood” until July 1. the company went into the second half. Following is a 10-year breakdown on Par’s gross That there’s a good chance of the necessary blue business on a pro forma basis, that is, considering chips income in this final week is reflected in the the corporation as it is now constituted and ex- product now in circulation. In the Los Angeles eluding the domestic theatres which were a part area alone, 45 theatres are playing these'four pix: the integrated setup until Jan. 1, 1950: "White Christmas,” "Sabrina.” "Three Ring Cir- 1945 j 84,200,000 cus” and "Country Girl.” This quartet of pix is in 1946 ‘’ ] * * ] * * ’ ’ " * *. , \\\ ’ \\\ 103,700^000 circulation at many key situations and could bring 1947 98 300 000 in exceptionally tall money. 19 4 8 86!600]000 An assortment of unusual contractual factors 1949 78,200,000 kept Par’s overall revenues below the 1953 level in 1950 81,800,000 the first half of 1954. The release of three sub- 1951 94,600,000 stantial-money films was held back by these com- 1952 1 104,800,000 mitments. 1953 110.300,000 First, there was an agreement with Jimmy Stew- 1954 1 ? ? L. A. to N. Y. Jim Backus Aleon Bennett Edgar Bergen George D. Burrow^ J. J. Cohn Lester Cowan Broderick Crawford Sammy Davis Jr. Charles Feldman Nina Foch William Gibson Vonne Godfrey Thomas Gomez Margaret Hayes Fritz Lang Peter Lorre Diana Lynn Dan McNamara Gene Nelson Joseph Newman Jerry Pickman Paul Raibourn Nicholas Ray Harry Ritz Elaine Stritch Philip A. Waxman Brooks West Europe to N.Y.* Robert Alda Helene Cordet • A1 Crown Lili Darvas Evie Hayes Herb Jeffries Richard Mealand C. C. Philippe Muriel St. Glair Joseph H. Westrich N. Y. to L. A. Harry Brandt Ervin Drake Lee Eastman John K. Philips Jimmy Shirl Spencer Tracy • India Producer Sol Lesser details how Hollywood met the b.o. challenge with Fewer But Better Pix an Interesting editorial featwre in the forthcoming 49th Anniversary Number of I^SrIeTy OUT IS EXT WEEK Dale Francis, a film reviewer for Our Sunday Visitor, a widely circulated Catholic paper of the South Bend, Indiana diocese, ap- pears to have singlehandedly stirred an abortive near-boycott of Bryan Foy’s production, "Bam- boo Prison,” released through Columbia. Final upshot may not amount to much and it’s now stated that Francis has promised to modify his comments in the next (Jan. 2) issue of Our Sunday Visi- tor. Not clear is the extent to which the review’ was reproduced in other Catholic diocese newspapers. It is known to have appeared in the Herald of Sacramento and the Evangelist of Albany. The action of an American Legion post in Timken, Kansas, is believed due to its commander reading the original South Bend critique. The review itself, or quotes therefrom, w’as "syndicated” by the National Catholic Welfare Council News Service. Critic Francis termed "Bamboo Prison” “the most brazenly insult- ing act in film history.” Comment- ing editorially on his review, the Sacramento Herald declared the plot "sounds silly enough to be amusing were it not for the fact it heaps shame and deceit upon the memory of a great priest and hero.” Foy states the Legion of Decen- cy rated "Bamboo Prison” A-2, un- objectionable on moral grounds for adults. He adds that the picture depicts a situation in which a Com- munist spy masquerades as a priest who has actually been murdered but the film audience "knows he's (Continued on page 14) m #