Boxoffice-Febuary.18.1956

600 Industryites Launch
Brotherhood Campaign
LOS ANGELES—Upwards of 600 representatives
in independent and circuit theatres
and distributing organizations in the
southland attended a mass meeting Tuesday
(14> to launch the trade's participation in
the annual observance of Brotherhood Week.
The session was held at the Fox Boulevard
Theatre, with speakers including Edwin F.
Zabel. general manager of Fox West Coast,
circuit exhibitor chairman; Jack Dowd, Republic
manager, distributor chairman;
George Smith, exhibitor co-chairman; Evert
Cummings, independent theatre chairman;
actor Ernest Borgnine; Dr. William Lindsay
Young, executive director of the National
Conference of Christians and Jews in southern
California, and the Rev. Leonidas C.
Contos, dean of the St. Sophia Greek Orthodox
Cathedral.
Sherrill C. Corw.n, president of Metropolitan
Theatres, served as master of ceremonies
and introduced the speakers.
Zabel reminded that Brotherhood Week,
which begins Monday (19), is the time when
"we rededicate ourselves to promoting
goodwill, justice, understanding and peaceful
cooperation in our daily lives." He pointed
out that theatres will aid by running special
short subjects and raising funds to further
the NCCJ's objectives.
Four Star Productions,
Official Films Merge
HOLLYWOOD—Four Star Productions, in
which Dick Powell, David Niven, Charles
Boyer and Ida Lupino are partners, is merging
with Official Films, it was jointly announced
by William A. Cruikshank jr. and
Harold L. Heckett, respectively presidents of
Four Star and Official. The latter company
has acquired national and syndication rights
on future Four Star Playhouse telefilms and
syndication rights to the DuPont Cavalcade
Theatre, as well as all TV rights to W. Somerset
Maugham's literary properties, heretofore
held by Four Star.
Four Star TV, Inc., a related company, also
Is being merged with Official. However,
another corporation, Four Star Films, Inc.,
remains intact and will continue to operate
as it has in the past.
Solons of Georgia Thank
Disney for Filming 'Chase'
HOLLYWOOD — Because he chose that
state in which to film his Civil War spy
story, "The Great Locomotive Chase," Walt
Disney has been voted a resolution of appreciation
by the Georgia legislature. Read
and adopted in the house of representatives,
the citation listed the benefits the venture
brought to the state.
In Cinemascope and Technicolor, "Chase"
stars Fess Parker and Jeff Hunter and was
produced by Larry Watkin, with Francis D.
Lyon directing.
Alfred Berry to RKO
HOLLYWOOD — Further increasing its
studio staff, RKO has appointed Alfred B.
Berry executive in charge of studio relations,
including labor and personnel. Berry, who
takes over the post immediately, was for the
last six years an administrative assistant with
CBS in New York.
FILM MEN IN CIVIC DRIVE—Exhibition and distribution executives met recently
at the Beverly Hills Club to plan the industry's West Coast participation in
Brotherhood Week. Among those present were, back row, left to right, George Smith,
Ralph Clark, Spence Leve, Evert Cummings and Richard Carnegie. Front row, Edwin
F. Zabel, Dr. William Lindsay Young, William J. Heineman and Jack Dowd. All are
industry chairmen for the drive except Dr. Young, who is executive director of the
National Conference of Christians and Jews, sponsor of the special week.
Byrna Productions Set
New Five-Picture Slate
HOLLYWOOD—A five-picture, $8,000,000
slate has been charted for the next 18 months
by Bryna Productions, the independent unit
headed by actor Kirk Douglas, for United
Artists release. First to roll, going before
the cameras next month, will be "A Most
Contagious Game," starring Douglas, and to
be followed by "Spring Reunion," with Betty
Hutton and Dana Andrews; "King Kelly,"
toplining Douglas, "Shadow of the Champ"
and "The Viking."
Robert L. Lippert Seeks
Radio Station Permits
HOLLYWOOD—Exhibitor-distributor Robert
L. Lippert, planning to branch out into
broadcasting, has requested authorization
from the Federal Communications Commission
to build and operate a daytime radio
station in Fresno, Calif., and stations in four
other California areas.
The Fresno installation would adjoin Lippert's
Sunset Drive-In, while the others also
would be attached to ozoniers which he
operates.
Columbia to Construct
Sound Dubbing Stage
HOLLYWOOD—Columbia will begin construction
this month of a modern dubbing
stage incorporating new developments in
stereophonic sound. The stage, which will
have variable and controllable acoustics, is
being built under the supervision of John
Livadary- head of the studio sound department
Sinatra to Sing It
HOLLYWOOD—Frank Sinatra has arranged
to record "The Conqueror." title song
from the RKO release starring John Wayne
and Susan Hayward. for the Capitol label.
John Wayne to
'Eagles'
HOLLYWOOD—John Wayne will star in
and John Ford will direct MGM's "Wings of
Eagles," a Charles Schnee production based
on the career of Cmdr. Frank "Sprig"
Wead, one of the fathers of naval aviation,
who later became a prominent screenwriter.
Wayne replaces Robert Taylor, previously set
for the role, but relieved of the assignment
because of other commitments.
On Writers Program
HOLLYWOOD—Heading the entertainment
lineup at the eighth annual awards dinner to
be held March 8 by the screen scriveners'
branch of Writers Guild of America, West,
will be TV comic George Gobel and Dan
Dailey. Also attending will be Senator Estes
Kefauver, Gen. Omar Bradley and Adm.
Chester Nimitz. The affair will be staged
at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Singing those
'EMPTY THEATRE
BLUES'
WON'T FILL SEATS
Give em Something EXTRA
Then tell 'em with a punchy
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BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1956 59