Variety (March 1955)

PICTURES Wednesday,, March 30, 1955 Broadway Legit Hit Fears 20th s Premature Release of ‘ With most hit shows on Broad- + way .being snapped up for film- ing,. the release date of these screen versions is shaping up as an increasingly important bone of contention. Latest example is “Bus Stop," the William Inge play, which 20 th- Fox acquired on a pre-production deal. Pic is slated for summer production but the producers and the studio are now in a hassle over the release date of the popular Jegiter. Property was acquired by 20th on the basis of an advance against payments scaled to the success of the play on Broadway. Since it’s a hit, 20th is apt to shell out some $250,000 for it. Under the. original contract, an early release date for the film was agreed on. Now that the play looks set for a long Broad- way stand, wrangling is going on over the skedding of the film ver- sion. 20th, which is considerably inter- ested in play properties these days, and has money in several of them, is an investor in “Ankles Aweigh,” the Howard Hoyt-Reginald * Ham- merstein-Fred F. Finklehoffe musi- cal comedy which is heading for Broadway following a shakedown cruise via Boston and Phill'y. This doesn’t give 20th any.* automatic rights to the property. However, it’s certainly first in line'. Legit. producers’ sensitivity vis- a-vis the release of film versions of their plays is understandable in that the impact of a pic on the b.p. of the stage version has never been clearly established. “Desperate' Hours’* is one hit that’s currently on the main stem. Paramount has the film version already in the can. “Sabrina Fair” was still on Broad* way when Par cameras were al- ready turning on the film. “Desperate Hours” carries a 1956 release date in its contract with the play producers. This may well be postponed if—as did “Seven Year Itch 1 ’ in the case of 20th— the legiter shows unexpected stay- ing power. While it’s felt that early release of a pic version may not have too much of an impact on Broadway, it’s seen severely hurting the road. JANE RUSSELL'S NEXT ‘No Return’ Rolls (For Columbia) Before ‘Portofino’ Hollywood, March 29.- Howard Hughes sold “No Re- turn,” a yarn with a gypsy theme, to Howard Welsch; who will pro- duce it as a musical starring Jane Russell. Nicholas Ray will direct and Columbia will release. Purchase of “No Return” means the postponement of-“Portofino,” originally slated for Miss Russell under the Welsch Productions ban- ner. U USINQ VISTAV1SION - - - Its ‘Away All Boats’ Studio’s All- Time Budget High Hollywood, March 29, Universal will make “Away All Boats” in VistaVision, the first stu- dio aside from Paramount to use that process. Howard Christie pro- duction will be shot in. Technicolor on location in the Caribbean Sea. According to production veepee Edward' Mphl, “Away” carries the highest budget in the histsory of the studio, ■ Goldschmidt to India On Franco Coproduction Paris, March 29. Gilbert de Goldschmidt, whose company,- Madeleine Films, has made three .pix in collaboration with Stuart SdHulberg and N. Peter Rathvon, is off to India to study possibilities of a Franco-In- - dian coproduction. Goldschmidt feels that lowering of production output of Hollywood makes it a more vital market for films with an International slant. His repent pic, “Embassy Baby,” made With Jo- seph Cotten and Eva Bartok as a Franco-German coproduction with an English version also, will be distributed worldwide by Columbia. His previous two pix, both Franco- German, “No Way Out” and “Double Destiny,” are also set for U, S. arty release. Goldschmidt feels that U. S. films have great international scope not only because, they are dubbed hut have a subject lend- ing itself to. this process. . This makes American stars known throughout the world and he has tried, whenever possible, to get U. S. stars interested in making pix abroad. He has big hopes for In- dian production for he says it is the biggest in the world today, with 300 features per year, all from four to five hours long. He feels there is a market for more tailored films there and besides, the natural aspects of .India are filraiealiy of high production value. He also has.- plans for a future Franco- Japanese production which he will look into on his present eastern trip. French Shy From Routine American Features As B.O. Improves—Hakim By GEORGE GILBERT Hollywood’s trend’ toward fewer and bigger pictures- is posing a problem for French distributors which generally have one or more licenses that permit 'them to re- lease American films in the Gallic market. Top Yank product, of course, is distributed in France by the majors themselves and what’s left over is ofteh looked upon by native distribs as not good enough to warrant handling. “Product shortage” faced by those, French companies with li- censes available was pointed up in New York this week by Gaston Hakim who recently set jup a Paris office as an American producers’ jep. Although attendance at French theatres has taken a sharp upturn, he asserted that even with the current healthy b.o. the native distribs are unimpressed with much indie American pix whose sponsors are clamoring to make deals. Aside from his role as producers’ rep, Hakim also distributes foreign films in the U.S. and is readying separate production ventures for tv and theatrical release. On his film-making slate is the tentatively titled “Nature Girl,” a full length feature which would be lensed on the Riviera late this summer. It’s described as a romantic comedy. Financing is said to be assured from private sources^ Vidpix project, titled “International Frauds,” is due to roll in Paris next August as a 13 part half-hour series. « Hakim, who is a brother of pro- ducer Andre, Raymond and Rob- ert, recently returned from Paris where he acquired U.S. distribu- tion rights to the Daniele Delorme starter, “Cage Aux Fillies.” (Cage for Girls). He may retitle the Maurice Cloche production as “Women’s Reformatory’! when the fihn moves into release. In addi- tion, Hakim is handling American distribution of three Arthur Davis Swedish imports, “Illicit Inter- lude,” “Monica,” and “The Naked Road.” Rdy Murrqy Elevated Ray Murray, publicity depart- ment staffer at the Columbia homeoffice, has been named .as- sistant exploitation manager, to work under A1 Rylander. In another shift, Martin BlaU has become tradepress contact. Sell on Air Arm By GENE ARNEEL Omaha, March 29. Strategic Air Command wing of the U. S. Air Force skied close to 100 newsmen and radio-tv charac- ters to this Nebraskan location* over the past weejcend to join in SAC’s celebration of its ninth an- niversary. The visitors, who came via Corsair from N. Y., D. C. and L. A., were impressed with, (1) the message about SAC’s position as the nation’s • monumental striking force, incessantly holding to war- time standards of security and alertness; (2), the expert r.anner of “selP engaged in by SAC brass, eloquent in explaining the outfit’s functions and seeking to lure and hold hew personnel, and (3), the' showmanship values put to use in collaboration with. Paramount, which happens to have at picture titled “Strategic Air Command.” This was largely a hitchhike for Par; at least, ostensibly, it was all SAC inspiration and the film company was invited to ta,ke a free publicity ride for its film. Which is as it may be. The fact remains that both SAC and Par came out on top—SAC forcefully getting its message across to the important name newspapermen and video* ites, and Par focusing a spotlight on its Samuel Briskin production. Screening was an Omaha holiday for public and press alike at the Orpheum Theatre in full-scaled VistaVision. The color was there, Hollywood providing Briskin, June Allyson, James Stewart and- Frank Lovejoy, director Anthony Mann and writers' Beirne Lay Jr. and Valen- tine Davies. Gen. Curtis Lefljay, four-star commander of SAC, led the militaristic contingent, almost constantly with a stogie aflame to the delight of Cigar Institute of America footer Lynn Farnol, and video had its“Tony Marvin on hand to onceover the layout, and partici- pate in a theatre stage ceremony, in behalf of the Arthur Godfrey shows for which he’s announcer. (Godfrey has a close interest in winged travel and Par’s hopeful of some hefty .plugs.) That this was an important mis sion for Par was reflected in part by prez Barney Balaban’s special trek to the area for the “SAC” unveiling, plus the full comple- ment of ad-pub spellbinders be- ginning with Jerry Pickman and including Sid Blumenstock, Herb (Continued on page 61) f New York Sound Track •• ► 1 • ■<* •» ♦♦♦♦♦ , ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦»+++♦ ♦ ♦♦♦ ♦ ♦■♦ »♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦ ♦♦♦<’ When the Italian “Love in the City” was first released in Italy, it had six episodes, including one on “Paid Love” (prostitution). U, S. release of the film features only five stories. “Paid' Love’,’ was elimi- nated, at the suggestion of the Italian government.' Authorities thought this slice from life would portray Italy in the wrong light abroad.. Spyros P., Skouras, 20th-Fox prexy, 63 years; old last Monday (28) , , Emil Lustig, American producermaking films In Germany; says the permaris, depending almost wliblly on their domestic? market plus Austria and the Saar, will have a tough time affording the extra cost of color pix when the German government’s financing setup folds . .. Bernard Jacon, IFE Releasing Corp. sales topper, back tomorrow r (Thurs.) from a trip to Texas . . . Metro’s pre-production deal for the legit hit, “Silk Stockings,” gives'the company a one year exclusive option on the Cole Porter musical. Play based 6H Metro’s “Ninotchka” oldie with Greta Garbo. Metro so far hasn’t indicated whether it’ll |SJo a musical repeat . . . Robert^ Fleisher, national mag contact for 20th, resigned effective April 8. No replacement set yet. ■ Walter Wanger wants it known that his “Riot in Cell Block 11,” released by Allied’Artists last year, was the first of the current cycle of prison pictures . . . Dolores Gray to the Coast to/ begin reheatsasl for Metro's screen version of “Kismet.” David O. Selznick, set a $750,000 ad-pub budget his forthcoming re*issue of ‘‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” . . . Metro secured first refusal on screen rights to the musical, ‘Silk Stockings” . . . Natalie Wood up for femme lead in “Rebel Without a Cause” at Warners. Board meeting today (Wed.) in prexy Jack Cohn’s office of the Motion Picture Pioneers and the Foundation of the M. P. Pioneers. Board will review the PP’s annual audit and discuss future plans. Alex Gordon named advertising and p.r. rep for American Releas- ing Corp. , . . Gene Autry mulling plans to do some theatrical wide- screen westerns in color. Meanwhile, Roy Rogers has been huddling with UA on the same idea but financing is said to have run into a snag . . . Laslo Benedek, American director of the German film “Kinder, Muetter und ein General,” back in the U., S, and on the Coast . 1 . Columbia’s international topper, Lacy W. Kastner, recuping in London . . . 20th-Fox very happy with the reactions at those “Man Called Peter” previews! One of the ads whipped up by Charles Einfeld's crew.is latching on to the pic’s “Religion Can Be Fun” pitch, . Robert Strauss, completing a role in “Seven Year Itch” for 20th, has moved his family back to,Gotham where he’ll concentrate bn legit and tv . . . Greer Garson will attend the five-city preem of “Strange Lady in Town” which will be staged by Warner Bros, in Texas during April. This is Miss Garson’s first personal appearance with a picture ... Metro sales chief Charles M. Reagan, assistant general sales man- ager Ed Saunders, and eastern sales manager John P. Byrne back from a Chicago conclave . . . Metro studio publicity chief Howard Strickling in from the Coast over the weekend for a quickie visit ...NY. News film critic Kate Cameron tagged Metro’s “The Glass Slipper” with four stars for children and three and a half for adults. Accord-,, ing to Miss Cameron, this isn’t the first time she has split ratings on pictures having different appeals for children and adults . . . Metro composer Andre Previn in to look at the legit “Kismet” before start- ing the scoring on the screen version. • Herbert Whittaker of the Toronto Globe & Mail dug up [ Some ar- resting addendum to “The Investigator,” the now-famous Canadian Broadcasting Co, radio program satirizing Senator .Joe. McCarthy. Seems that there is a possible (1) British feature film version in con- templation with Donald Ogden Stewart to collaborate with the origi- nal radio author, Reuben Shipp and a possible (2) Broadway stage play with which project the name of Norman Corwin has been as- sociated. Put on discs, “The Investigator” has been widely, sold in tjie United States, giving Shipp “poetic revenge” for his having been deported by Uncle Sam after taking the Fifth Amendment stance. Vriiything-is-possible Dept.: N. Y. Post’s Passover Section Monday was edited by Agnes Murphy. Background shooting On Mike Todd’s “Round The World In Eighty Days” starts in 10 days to two weeks. Lensing will be done in the Todd-AO widescreen process . . . George Skouras pf Magna Theatre Corp. planning a N. Y. and L. A. bow of “Oklahoma” in late July. The Todd-AOer is expected to open in 25 spots by the end of 1955. It’s eventually seen playing 40 or 50 theatres in the super widescreen version. Exact, number will be determined when the results of the 25 opening are in . . . Earl I. Sponable, 20th chief engineer, continuing to test Cinemascope on 55m film. 20th brass is said to he extremely pleased with the results . . * Max E. Youngstein, United Artists v.p., elected president of the N. Y. Cinema Lodge of B’nal B’rith for the coming year. He succeeds Burton E. Robbins of National' Screen Service. “The Dynamo,” 20th-Fox houseorgan edited by Roger Perri, named the “outstanding company publication” of 1954 by the Company Pub- lication Editors of N. America, repping house organs of 332 leading industrial and business corporations. Last time Ferri collected that prize was in 1951 , . . While indies have snapped ^up some tv plays for the screen, not a single tv property has been acquired by a major company so far.' Bullfighting and the art of painting go hand in hand in the King Bros, production, “The Boy and the Bull,” currently filming in Mexico City, Producers have taken out a $1,000,000 insurance policy on valu- able works of art in the Chapultepec Palace, where part of the picture is being shot. In addition, 20 additional security guards have been hired to keep an eye on the.treasure. Of Capital Invested in Films Indie producers are finding an^ increasingly important source of financing in the various labs which in turn are eager for their print work. Most active among the proces- sing plants in extending financial aid .to indie filmmakers is Pathe Laboratories with plants both in N.Y. and on the Coast. According to J. L. Wolcott, the lab’s exec v.p., the printing outfit is currently an investor in 25 to 30 features and has “several million dollars” either tied Up in films or committed. Loans to producers, amounting to anywhere around- 30% to 40% of negative cost, are made actually by Chesapeake Industries, which owns Pathe, and the lab doesn’t participate in the profits. Loans usually include deferred costs of printing and materials, an impor- tant Item in the current tint age. Europe to N. Y. Tony Buttitta James Carreras Lionel Hampton Gene Nelson Sheldon Reynolds Harold Rowe Kenneth Tyman James R. Webb N. Y. to L. A. Americo Aboaf Geraldine Brooks Dagmar Bruce Eells Danny Kaye Grace Kelly Harold Lang Peter Levathes Josuha Logan Marisa Pavan Barry Macollum Howard Strickling Joseph Szigeti L. A. to N. Y. Fred Astaire Kpye Ballard Harry ‘Belafonte Samuel Bischoff James Cagney Gower Champion Marge Champion Scoop Conlon Wendell Cofey Doris Day David Diamond Paul Douglas Douglas Field Rhonda Fleming Hugo Fragonese Roy Heindorf Sol Hurok Anne Jeffreys George Jessel Shirley Jones Peter Lawford Elsa Lanchester Joe E. Lewis W. B. Lewis Diana Lynn Jeanette MacDonald Audrey Meadows Dennis Morgan Dick Moore John O’Hara Gene Raymond Joan Patti Marguerite Piazza Lawrence Ryle Ernest S. SarrScino Robert Sterling Stewart Stein Richard Todd Richard Widmark N. Y. to Europo Ricard Aldrich Harold Clurman Eddie Fisher Julius r i. Fleisclimann Gaston Hakim' Morris Helprin David Marshall Holtzmanri Sherlee W. Lantz Lotte Lenya Beverly Michaels' Debbie Reynolds Andres Segovia Phil Silvers Joe Kingsley Smith Art Weems Mrs. Flora Ward Hineline will run a special “Cinerama Holiday’ train of six cars from Toledo on Saturday, April 2, to Detroit’s Music Hall Theater.