Boxoffice-Febuary.18.1956

: February
:
To Produce a Second
Feature in New York
NEW YORK—Michael Myerberg, whose
"Patterns" was the first feature to be completely
made in New York in about 30 years,
also will make his next film, "Line of Duty,"
in New York. Both will be released and financed
by United Artists. "Patterns" and
"Line of Duty" are part of a series planned
by Myerberg to cover various aspects of
American life.
Myerberg plans to make two "live" pictures
a year and one annually using his Kinemins
puppet process, first used in "Hansel and
Gretel," distributed by RKO in 1954. The
new puppet films, planned for production in
England, are "The Borrowers" and "Aladdin,"
as well as a science-fiction adventure.
"Patterns," which is based on Rod Serling's
TV drama of the same name, stars Van Heflin
with Everett Sloane, Ed Begley and Joanna
Roos, the three last-named having appeared
in the same roles in the TV drama, as did
Fielder Cook, the director. "Line of Duty,"
based on "Incident in an Alley," also written
for TV by Rod Serling, will start production
in April, probably at the Vitagraph Studios
in Brooklyn, where "Patterns" was filmed.
Arthur B. Krim. UA president, is anxious to
foster production in New York, according to
Myerberg, who said that the first class technical
job done on "Patterns" demonstrates that
good films can be made entirely in the east.
In the fall, Myerberg plans another picture
starring Heflin, but no property has been set
and no distribution arrangement made yet.
In reference to "Patterns" having been
shown twice on TV (the second time being a
repeat "live" because of its wide acclaim when
first shown), Myerberg said that "television
is only a trailer for theatrical films" and
"commercials destroy the real kick." The
film version of "Patterns" runs 84 minutes,
compared to 53 minutes for the TV show.
Harry Novak Now Europe
Sales Head for Columbia
PARIS—The appointment of Harry Novak
as continental sales manager for Columbia
Pictures with headquarters in Paris has been
announced by Lacy W. Kastner, president of
Columbia Pictures International.
Novak will serve under Nick Pery, vicepresident
and continental manager. Until
recently Novak had been continental manager
for Universal. Before that he was divisional
manager for Warner Bros, in Latin
America.
Norbert Auerbach has been named as assistant
continental sales manager.
Sidney Harmon and UA
Sign Ten-Picture Deal
NEW YORK— Sidney Harmon, producer,
and Arthur B. Krim, United Artists president,
have closed a deal whereby United
\it: is will finance and distribute ten pictures
from Harmon's Security Pictures, Inc.
This supersedes a previous deal for the financing
and distribution of two films, "Step
Down to Terror." now in production, and
"Men at War."
Harmon has purchased screen rights to
W. R. Burnett's novel, "Little Men. Big
World," which will follow "Men at War" into
production.
Tent 35 Completes Plans
For Variety Convention
NEW YORK—Complete plans for the
forthcoming 20th annual convention of
Variety Clubs International were made public
Wednesday (15) at a luncheon of Tent 35,
the host tent, at Toots Shor's restaurant.
Martin Levine, general chairman, said there
already had been an excellent response from
all tents, that a registration of 1,500 was
expected and that all attending will be "in
for a great time."
The convention, to be held at the
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, will open May 9 and
end the evening of May 12. There will be
morning and afternoon sessions the first three
days and a morning session the last day.
Much entertainment will be provided, including
guests tickets to television broadcasts,
Broadway and, it is hoped, art theatres, a
special screening of "Oklahoma!" and the
New York Coliseum's "Showcase for Better
Living." That is the entertainment schedule
for the evening of the first day. The same
day there will be luncheon for the delegates
and the ladies.
The morning of the second day the ladies
will visit the United Nations and attend a
fashion show. In the evening there will be
a cruise around Manhattan island with dinner
and entertainment with Coca-Cola as
the host.
The morning of the third day there will be
a special meeting of lady barkers, and at
noon a luncheon of delegates, ladies and
distinguished guests in the grand ballroom.
In the evening, Pepsi-Cola will be host at
a "Mardi Gras" in the grand ballroom with
E. P. Curtis of Eastman
To Presidential Post
WASHINGTON—Maj. Gen. Edward P.
Curtis, USAF, Ret., vice-president of Eastman
Kodak, has been named by President
Eisenhower to a new
Presidential staff post,
that of special assistant
for aviation facilities.
Curtis was chief
of staff in the Strategic
Air Force during
World War II.
In his new post, the
Kodak executive will
direct and coordinate a
long-term study of the
nation's aviation facilities
and future requirements.
Top executives
in both the Defense and Commerce
departments will be assigned to serve on
the project.
Curtis will retain his association with
Kodak. He will spend two months in Washington
setting up the program and then devote
parttime to the Washington activities.
.
I :4
Edward P. Curtis
Ponedol to Philippine Post
NEW YORK—Carl Ponedol. Republic Pictures
International special representative in
Spain, has been made general manager in the
Philippines, succeeding Fred Paulus.
cocktails, dinner, dancing and entertainment.
Costumes are suggested but not mandatory.
The Humanitarian Award dinner will be
held the final evening after a "grand finale"
cocktail party. Prom midnight to 2 a.m.
there will be an "au revoir" party.
Registration fees are $45 for barkers and
$35 for ladies. Choice rooms have been
reserved at the Waldorf-Astoria, Belmont-
Plaza, Shelton. Biltmore and Ambassador
hotels. The following apparel is suggested
for the boat ride, sports clothes for the men
and informal wear for the ladies; costumes
for the Mardi Gras (there will be a costume
service available); the award dinner, black
ties for the men and formal or semi-formal
dinner dress for the ladies; for the convention
sessions, business suits for the men and
informal attire for the ladies.
The convention will see a special film on
epilepsy, "The Dark Way," to be made by
20th Century-Fox. Al Gerson reported on the
tent's tieup with the Albert Einstein College
of Medicine here. It is establishing an epilepsy
clinic at the college. It is also organizing
borough groups of epileptics which will meet
and discuss common problems.
Larry Morris, luncheon chairman, presided.
Harold Klein, chief barker, inducted the following
as members: Arnold Jacobs, William
Mishkin, Bernard Jacon, Manny Youngerman,
Lou Allerhand, Saal Gottlieb. Herman
Ripps, Joe Wohl and Peter Horner.
Bernard Kranze, who recently resigned as
general sales manager of United Artists, introduced
James R. Velde. his successor.
British Academy Awards
To Olivier's 'Richard'
LONDON— Sir Laurence Olivier and his
production of Shakespeare's "Richard in,"
which he also directed and starred in. won
three of the 1955 awards to be given by the
British Film Academy. The awards will be
presented here March 1.
"Richard ni" was voted the best film from
any source, as well as the best British film,
and Sir Laurence's performance in the title
role was declared best by a British actor.
Katie Johnson. 77-year-old character actress,
won the best actress award for her performance
in J. Arthur Rank's "The Ladykillers."
"Richard III" will open a two-a-day engagement
at the Bijou Theatre, New York
March 11, the same day it is presented on
television by NBC-TV. "The Ladykillers" will
open at the Sutton Theatre February 20—this
being the first time both British films will
open in the U. S. after the awards publicity.
Three awards went to the U. S.— to Ernest
Borgnine, for his "best performance by a foreign
actor" in United Artists' "Marty." to
Betsy Blair, for her "best actress" performance
in the same film, and to Walt Disney's
"The Vanishing Prairie." named the best
documentary. The British Academy's award
for the best picture illustrating the principles
of the United Nations Charter went to the
Japanese "Children of Hiroshima." not yet
shown in the U. S. William Rose was named
"best screen writer" for "The Ladykillers."
BOXOFFICE :
18. 1956
13