Variety (February 1961)

Wednesday, February 1, 1961 kfiisiEff Herons s WORLD WAR THEME FIXATION [CRITIC’S OWN CREDO] Philadelphia, Jan, 31. Henry T. Murdock, who in addition to his drama critic chores for the Philadelphia Inquirer, assumes the post vacated by vet film reviewer Mildred Martin, stated his beliefs in the Sunday edition (28). , “I suppose that devotion, tolerance and understanding are the key words in the credo of a critic. One must cherish the medium he sometimes castigates else he will become a jagged nagger, at best a disgruntled bore, at worst an egotist who would complain of the glare of a gorgeous sunset. “This in no way implies that this devotion should blind him to the frequent defects of the lively art which demands his hurried judgement. .No matter how much he may be- infatuated with the stage or screen—both Infatuations easy to acquire—his duty is first to the readers of the paper which is tolerant enough to put up with his quirks and condone a certain amount of personalized reporting. “About now the question may arise it has in the past—just what makes a critic? Upon what meat does this Caesar feed that he dares to tell the public what is good and what bad? “We will impart a secret of the craft. A reviewer is just a fan with a place to'sound off and possibly an experience which can lend a little weight to his sounding off. Being moderately human a critic is a bundle of prejudices which may crop up in spite of everything he may say against prejudices. “It has been one of our long time conceits that Reader A can thoroughly disagree with Critic B and yet Critic B may be Reader A’s best guide to entertainment. It goes something like this: “Mur¬ dock hated it. Let’s buy tickets'!” Jersey Theatremen Vexed at Metro As Army Camp Unreels‘Ben-Hur’ The prior release of important-f films to Army and Navy posts, long a sore point with theatres in cities near the camps, came to a boil tnis week, in New Jersey when three Army theatres at Fort Monmouth* N.J. showed Metro’s “Ben-Hur. “ Commercial theatres in the ter¬ ritory have long-clamored for the hardticket entry, but have been turned down by Metro on the ground that the picture was still drawing biz at specified theatres with prior exhibition rights. Espe¬ cially annoying to the exhibitors in the Fort Monmouth area is the fact that the Army theatres are showing the picture at admissions prices Of 50c and $1. About a year ago, a delegation from Theatre Owners.of America and representatives of the film companies worked out an agree¬ ment in Washington with the Army and Air Force Motion Picture Serv¬ ice whereby the commercial thea¬ tres would get first call on the pic¬ tures, thus eliminating the compe¬ tition that the Army camps rep¬ resented. However, there have been num¬ erous instances in which terms of the agreement have apparently been broken. Various excuses have been offered by the film companies for not living up to the arrange¬ ment. • The defection with “Ben-Hur” is expected to cause a new clamor and it’s figured that exhibitors will again trudge to "Washington to pre¬ sent, their beefs. HOW TO ENJOY MONEY, IF YOU COLLECT IT By LEO GUILD Hollywood, Jan. 31. In July I met Cornelius Vander¬ bilt at' Del .Mar Race Track and watching him squander his $2 bets on the horses, I was hit by an idea. I convinced him he should write an article for a national magazine titled "How to Enjoy Money.” (I would write it with him and therefore make half the money, and so I would learn to enjoy money too. You see, I’m not so dumb.) When I was in New York in September I ran into Ernie Hyne, editor of both Family Weekly and Suburbia. Yes, he thought with Vanderbilt’s by-line it would be fine at $500. Vanderbilt was then in Miami. I called him there and took notes on how to enjoy money. I wrote the article and sent it to Ernie. It was now late October. He thought my style should be more Neil’s style and so I called Neil in Reno and he re-wrote parts of the piece. In laio November, Ernie wrote me that t*-c pi"- ■> was much better (Continued on page 28) Cowboy ‘Inventory But No Randolph Scott New York. Editor, Variety: Alex Gordon’s “When Shooting Cowboys Began Singing” was inter¬ esting indeed to an old cowboy movie fan like me . . . I’ve spent 25 of my 30 years, partner, in and out of movie houses , . . but I must protest the omission of one of the all-time great cowboys. His career paralleled that of John Wayne and still is doing so although he is apparently on a much-less active schedule than Duke. In fact, I read somewhere —Variety? —that he was being considered for the Ward Bond re¬ placement role on “Wagon Train.” I refer, of course, to Randolph Scott, star of a hundred westerns who could also play anything from a count to a commoner. And how could Gordon forget HIM! Robert A. Cutter Public Relations Theatrical Release Of Patterson-Johansson D i IIPiL IT * A * ! R aa b, recording secretary; Harriei DOllt Willi UA Agaill Chinsky, corresponding secretary; United Artists, as expected, will ^ Rea Fische1 ’ Usurer, release the films of the third While the nations of the world are being extremely careful not to touch off a third World War, the film industries of many countries appear to be determined to fight World War II over—at least on the screen. Conflict which ended 15 years ago has served as the source of numerous films since, but the material—and producer inter¬ est in it—seems inexhaustible. The continuing cycle, sure to pick up momentum, is not primari¬ ly concerned with the actual fight¬ ing and the activities of soldiers in combat. There are many fringe stories, with World War II as the overriding backdrop. Spy stories, service comedies, the reaction of civilians, specific battles or actions, and stories, about Hitler’s Germany are among the crop of war-angled pix that will soon be coming to the screen. Two spy thrillers, both about the exploits of the actual partici¬ pants, include Paramount’s “Coun¬ terfeit^ Trailer,” dealing with the activities of Eric Erickson, the American-born Swede who oper¬ ated for the Allies, and “Who Are You, Mr. Sorge,” a three-hour French-made documentary drama about Richard Sorge, who as a dual agent spied for both the Axis and the Allies in Japan. Marshall Schaker, head of Premiere Films, is bringing the latter film to the U. S. Filmed in France*; Germany and Japan, it has dialog in French, German, Japanese, and English. Zanuek’s D-Day Two of the major companies— Metro and 20th-Fox—are under¬ taking two gigantic films dealing with the war period. Darryl F. Zanuck will film “The Longest Day,” a complete roundup of D-Day, for 20th, and M-G has ac- (Continued on page 28) S, B UI [One-World Concept Paying Off; Rothman Cites ‘Verite’ $5-Mii From Foreign; 20 Col Pix O’Seas Women of Pictures Set Manhattan Chapter And Dorothy Reeves, of United Art¬ ists, has been elected president of the newly formed New York Chap¬ ter of the Women Of the Motion Picture Industry. Unit is the 12th in the national org. Other officers include Virginia Aaron, first veepee; Estelle Mingel- green, second veepee; Dorothy Raab, recording secretary; Harriet Name Aussie’s Turnbull To Brit Empire Order Sydney, Jan. 31. For services in charitable move¬ ments, Ernest Turnbull, managing director of Hoyts film loop, was honored by the British Queen in her New Year’s Honors list with the order of Commander of the British Empire (C. B. E.) A former head of the Returned Soldiers League in Victoria and acting fed¬ eral president, Turnbull sponsored the Merchant Navy Club in 1942, Anzac House, War Orphans, Leg¬ acy, French Widows and Orphans and Food for Britain, among others. Turnbull threw open all of the circuit’s cinemas to GI’s through the war years. Today, he is active in local charities and for his serv¬ ices was made a Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur. Cleveland’s Three Critics Give 1,2,3 ‘Best’ Among Yank and Imported Pix Cleveland, Jan. 31. Cleveland Film Critics Circle picked “Spartacus” (U) now in sixth week at Palace Theatre here, as best American picture of 1960 at its annual awards dinner. “Inherit the Wind” (UA) was named as second best by reviewers composed of W. Ward Marsh of Plain Dealer, Stanley Anderson of Cleveland Press and Arthur Spaeth of Heights Sun-Press. Trio’s third choice was “The Apartment” (UA). A special award went to “Ben- Hur” (M-G), which was technically too late for this year’s considera¬ tion. Best foreign film selected by Critics Circle was “Hiroshima, Mon Amor,” followed by “Never on Sun- Dorothy Reeves Is Prez|S„]? a d ti r ack 0rpheus ” in this For best American performances, Cleveland awards went to Frederic March in “Inherit the Wind” and Shirley MacLaine in “The Apart¬ ment.” Melina Mercouri of “Never on Sunday” and Max von Sydow of “The Magician” were considered best foreign players. Nancy Kwan in “World of Suzie Wong” and Steve McQueen “Magnificent Seven' •¥ Mo Rothman, exec v.p. of Colum¬ bia Pictures International was in New York last week after two months in the Far East and one month in Europe, and his once¬ over of the overseas outposts has convinced him that foreign-made pictures are achieving more and more of the world market. There’s a greater accent on the “one world” nature of the business, noticeable greater than even a year’ ago, as global capitals experience “a new awakening and awareness of the good pictures made over the world,” says the exec who joined Col just nine months ago. The money potential is enor¬ mous, says Rothman, and more than justifies the Col program of fostering foreign productions—a program that already has proved “most successful.” He citfes, for ex- ampe, Raoul Levy’s “La Verite” (The Truth), starring Brigitte Bar- dot, which expectedly will gross $5,000,000 in the' foreign market. This is in terms of rentals (not the¬ atre gross) and $2,000,000 is coming from France and Germany alone. Add to this the French production’s obviously vast potential in the United States and the rest of the Western Hemisphere. “Verite” is one of five pictures being produced by Levy with 100% financing provided oy Col. which takes the distribution rights. Anzac Guaranty The Italian-made “Dolce Vita” has a six-month booking guarantee at the Lido Theatre, Sydney, and this same picture is going day and date at the Curzon and Columbia Theatres in London—first time it ever happened with the Curzon raising prices. Rothman claims that Col is “most active in-the field” but nonetheless acknowledges that the competitors are doing well, too. “Look at ‘Never on Sunday’,” he advises, in refer¬ ence to Jules Dassin’s click made- in-Greece comedy which Ilva Lo- pert is distributing in the U. S. Rothman reported that Col has (Continued on page 26) Floyd Patterson-'Ingemar Johansson heavyweight title fight. The film company, which handled the films of the two previous Patterson- Johansson battles, acquired the rights from TelePrompter Corp.. closed-circuit firm which holds all the ancillary rights to the contest. The fight will be held in Miami Beach on March 13. Teleprompter Corp., as has been Its policy, will produce the film. (Continued on page 17)’ IT’S FOUR FOR PREM VIA COLUMBIA PFS Otto Preminger’s two-picture deal with Columbia has been extended to include a total of four films. The pix included in the original of! agreement are “Bunnv Lake Is copped hon- j Missing,” scheduled for filming Columbia Contract Merits to Trial Sought Judgment for $1,100 From Newburgh Ozoner; —Crucial to Common Practices of Day N.Y. the latter part of May, and “The Other Side Of the Coin.” slated for 1982 production in Malaya and Singapore. The two additional properties for Col re¬ lease have not been indicated as yet by the producer-director. Preminger’s arrangement with Col is concurrent with his three- picture agreement with United Art¬ ists. His first UA entry will be “Advise and Consent,” which goes • into production late in September tta . . , , , , and exhibitors, more disobeyed LA, which has had considerable , than honored in recent years, may success with the previous Patter- • be subjected to a nevv interpreta- son-Johansson fight films, is said • tion as a result of an upcoming to have offered a substantial vguar- [ trial involving . Columbia Pictures antee. The pix of the June, 1960 : an( j the Brookside Drive-In of meeting of the pair^ are said to < N ew burgh, N. Y. The issue of spe- some ^’500 theatres in . c ifi e d playing time on particular ; pictures may be of special sig- I uifTcsncG Morton Sunshine Directing j An effort by Col to obtain a sum- Dpmnrrflte nimiPr mary j ud § m ent of $1,100 in N. Y. democrats Stale Uinner , Municipal Court from the upstate Morton Sunshine, exec director drive-in for failure to play its of the Independent Theatre Own-. “Suddenly Last Summer” for seven ers Assn, of New York, has been ! days as stipulated in the contract Contracts between distributors j actual deals had no connection ‘following “Bunny Lake Is Missim*. with the signed contract. ■ Preminger’s last picture rele^ ed So far as is known, according to ! by Col was “Anatomy Of a Mur- Monroe E. Stein, attorney for the der.” In recent years, the prodr-, cr- Brookside, this is the first time , director has worked through ei her that a court has ordered a trial on \ Col or UA. As with his current UA the issue involved. In previous in- irelease, “Exodus.” Preminger will stances where the distributors sued I not use studio facilities for his exhibitors for violations of exhibi- i productions, tion contracts, the courts have held to the letter of the contracts and have awarded summary judgment. Say Mass. ‘Adults Only’ Measure Is Withdrawn Frank C. Lydon. exee secretary of Allied Theatres of New Engl-u.d, ■ . .. 4 ^ .- , -!named v.p.-general sales manager reported to the Motion Picture named exee director of the Demo-; was denied by the court and af-i of Valiant Films, independent im-«Assn. of America ves>rri*v *Tue-) cratic State- Committee's “Vintnrv flrmoH hv Annollato Tarn, nnlw., TT„ !,__ TIT_ * ‘ •' Emerson Coining East Joseph C. Emerson has been cratic State- Committee’s “Victory I firmed by the Appellate Term on Dinner” Feb. 11 at the Waldorf- appeal. The ozoner withdrew the Astoria. picture after four days on the Eugene J. Keough, Congressman ! basis that initial contracts, accord- from Brooklyn, and chairman of ing custom and usage, were a mere the dinner, noted that Sunshine, - formality and that actual terms, as who’s also editor of the Indepen- ■ per the custom in recent years, j over the top sales job. porter and distributor. He is mov- that Massachusetts House bill no. ing up from western division man- 248. setting up the machine: -- for¬ ager, will shift his headquarters . “adults only” classification of Jib ;s from San Francisco to New York, j in Mass., has been withdrawn by and will absorb the western divi-j Rep. Ferullo. who introduced the sion duties in addition to taking ; measure. Under terms of the bill, film ^ m ^ ournal - was aligned with were worked out after the picture ! Fred Schwartz, president of Val- ! classification for the state v.oivd the Kennedy-Johnson ticket as co- had been exhibited. Exhibitors ‘ iant, said a successor to Emerson ; have been administered by the chairman of the N. Y. State Demo- have long contended this practice in the western division will be j state’s Obscene Literature Comnrit- cratic Campaign Committee. I has been commonplace and that t named shortly. I tee.