Boxoffice-December.20.1952

.
I
58 Subjects, with Emphasis on Color
Highlights U-I's Shorts Program
by
Lantz Steps Up Cartoon Output, While Band Series
Will Get a New Dress and a New Name
IRVING SOCHIN
Short Subjects Soles Manager
In a program marked by diversity to
meet the ever-changing demands of its
exhibitor customers, Universal Pictures Co.
will release 58 short subjects and 104 issues
of the Universal-International Newsreel
during the year 1952-53.
Greater emphasis than ever before will
be placed on the use of color in the company's
short subjects program, which has
been developed following a survey of exhibitor
preference from coast to coast.
material in the field.
Rounding out the program will be twc
special two-rselers with the subject mattei
not yet determined but of the same audience
appeeJ as such subjects as "Fun at tht
Zoo" and "Danger Under the Sea," both oi'
which have attracted nationwide attention i
An all-out promotion campaign is being'
developed around a special Technicolor
two-reeler being called "The Most Beautifu.'
Girls in the World," filmed at the Pasadena
j
"Miss Universe" beauty pageant last June
This subject is being hailed as a potential'
business builder and has extra boxoffict'
appeal for all exhibitors.
Innovations also are being planned iiil
the promotion of the company s
short sub
jects. The Musical Featurette, The Eartl
and Its Peoples and the color cartoon series
will have special accessories including e;
three-column mat containing ads, stills anc
publicity which will be available from National
Screen Service or through local Universal
office.
New Color Parade Series
Highlighting the stepped up emphasis on
color features, Universal is introducing a
new series to be called "The U-I Color Parade"
which will consist of eight single reelers.
These shorts will be on a wide variety
of subjects and the production program
will be kept flexible so as to make the individual
releases as timely as possible,
crammed with action and dealing with material
of a general nature with the widest
possible audience appeal.
In
keeping with the growing importance
of color cartoons and the ever-increasing
demand by the theatre-going public, Walter
Lantz is increasing the number of Technicolor
subjects he will supply for release
from six to 13, by the addition of seven
special films to the six Woody Woodpecker
subjects. These new subjects which are
made possible by the expansion of Lantz's
studio facilities, will be varied in material,
some based on well-known fables, others
suggested by popular picture themes. Exhibitors
are being aided in their promotion
of the Woody Woodpecker subjects by the
fact that Woody has now become a syndicated
cartoon feature in newspapers from
coast to coast as well as a cartoon book
character on a regular basis.
Overhaul
Band Series
To meet the growing tendency of exhibitors
to book a good entertainment short
instead of a second feature, I'nivcrsal has
overhauled its poi)ular Name Band Musical
Series and instead will release 13 two-reel
Musical Featurettes. Instead of just having
bands play musical numbers as in the past,
there will be more production and conlituiity
in this series. Already going into
release arc the first two subjects in this
series— the first featuring Xavier Cugat
and his orchestra and Ablic Lane and the
second, Don Cornell. A complete story line
has been worked into a new Iwo-reeler in
this series currently in
prochiclion and featuring'
Aiulv ,in