Boxoffice-08.01.1960

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Joins George Stevens on 'Greatest Story'
Carl Sandburg, Poet, Makes His Bow
As Motion Picture Industry Craftsman
By DALE OLSON
HOLLYWOOD— It became Increasingly
apparent during the course of a press conference
called by George Stevens for Carl
Sandburg last week that the exact details
of the famed poet and historian's "creative
association" with Stevens on his upcoming
film. "The Greatest Story Ever
Told," were not to be revealed until the
end of the picture.
"IN CREATIVE ASSOCIATION"
Stevens and Sandburg became associated
some two weelis ago when the former announced
that the writer was to work on
the entire scope of the motion picture and
would, in fact, get full screen credit on a
card reading, "in creative association with
Carl Sandburg." He called the press conference
to introduce Sandburg to film
scribes and to discuss new details on the
film. The author apparently will work in
collaboration with Ivan Moffatt and
others on the screenplay, as well as. according
to Stevens, making a considerable
contribution to the entire film in the form
of a poetic as well as musical influence.
While he has had numerous offers to
work on films in the past. Sandburg paid
Stevens the tribute of saying that he is
the first person with whom he would consider
working. In fact, the poet said that
"Stevens is the more important factor than
the theme." when asked what finally drew
him to making a Hollywood movie.
Stevens was more detailed in his discussion
of the joint w-ork of the two and said
that they expected to join forces in still
more research on the subject, then in the
editing and scripting and in the ultimate
design of the film. Sandburg will continue
working with him through the pictui-e's
filming, which is to be underway
some time in early 196L
Discussing Hollywood in general. Sandburg
said that he "would like to produce a
picture that will be a help to the people
who at present must have their Miltown
handy." He said he would like it to have
"a certain solemnity" and pointed out that
he feels Stevens' work has this. Along
these lines, he has spent the past couple
of days viewing some of Stevens' other
films, among them "A Place in the Sun."
"Diary of Anne Prank" and "Giant."
"Wasn't it nice, there wasn't a commercial
in it." he said, decrying the necessity of
breaking up the television offerings he occasionally
views with bids for product
sale.
MUM ON RELIGIOUS VIEWS
Sandburg wouldn't allow himself to be
cornered by questions of his thoughts as
to the "Christ-like quality" he said he
'vould try to get into "Greatest Story."
saying questioners would have to wait to
see ih' picture. Neither would he discuss
his views about religion or the overall
thoughts he has about the subject of the
film, referring all to his published writings
for this information. He did say that he
would probably have cast Mabel Normand
Toho Co. Acquires Its
First
U.S. Theatre
LOS ANGELES—The Toho Co.,
the
largest producer and distributor of
Foyer and lounge in La Brea Theatre
motion pictures in the Orient and operator
of a major chain of theatres in
Japan, has acquired its first theatre
in this country.
Masachi Shimizu, Toho president,
on a brief visit here last week, announced
the acquisition of the La
Brea Art Theatre in this city from
Robert Kronenberg and Dan Sonney
& Associates as of August 1.
The theatre presumably will serve
as a showcase for Toho productions
and for screening of company product
which holds an interest for the U. S.
market. The La Brea, a 640-seat theatre,
was recently remodeled and redecorated
at a cost of more than
$70,000 and returned to operation after
being boarded up for many years.
in a part in the film were it being made in
her time, but declined to name any current
players he thought would fit the roles.
Final Title Selected
NEW 'VORK— "Circle of Deception" has
become the final title of the Bradford
Dillman-Suzy Parker picture now in production
in Great Britain. It was formerly
titled "Destruction Test." It is being produced
by Thomas Morahan and directed
by Jack Lee from a screenplay by Nigel
Balchin.
Circuit Heads Endorse
Will Rogers Campaign
NEW YORK—The Will
Rogers Hospital
fund campaign which will start in August
will have the enthusiastic backing of some
80 heads of theatre circuits. That became
apparent as the result of a meeting in
the MGM home office screening room
presided over by Emanuel Prisch, New
York exhibitor chairman. They saw and
praised a trailer narrated by Shirley Mac-
La ine.
The circuit heads also heard a tape recording,
copies of which have been sent to
all exchange area chairmen for playings
at meetings. It presents A. Montague, hospital
president: Richard P. Walsh, board
chairman: James R. Velde and Morey
Goldstein, cochainnen of the distributor
committee, and Charles Kurtzman, chairman
of the exhibitor committee.
S. H. Pabian and Ned Depinet, cochairmen
of the overall campaign, called at the
meeting for new ideas to further advance
"the things we are working for at Will
Rogers." Eugene Picker, finance chairman,
told how the $1,000,000 goal from audience
collections and the Christmas Salute
would expand hospital research and provide
more accommodations for the hospital
staff. Sol A. Schwartz, president of
RKO Theatres, pledged full support and
said he was sure the circuit will exceed
previous performances.
New York exhibitors have set a goal of
$300,000. The campaign is keyed to the
O'Donnell Memorial Research Laboratories,
recently dedicated by Montague as a
living memorial to Robert J. O'Donnell,
the late Texas exhibitor-humanitarian.
Granada Gets Worldwide
Rights to Five Films
TORONTO — Granada
International
Films. Ltd.. has acquired worldwide distribution,
for both theatrical and tele- <
vision showings, of three Canadian-made
productions, according to I. H. Allen, managing
director of Granada. These fiLms are
titled "Ivy League Killers." "Now That
:
April Is Here" and "Hired Gun." In addit:on.
Granada has secured world distribution
for "Johnny Ringo's Woman" and
"Gunfight at Tombstone." Hollywoodmade
outdoor action pictures.
i
Granada is affiliated with Astral Films,
which also is headed by I. H. Allen, both
of which are headquartered here at 130
Carlton St.
A. E. Matthews Dies;
British Film Actor
NEW YORK—A. E. Matthews. 90, beloved
British actor of stage and screen,
died in his sleep at his home in Bushey
Heath July 24. Matthews was one of the
"cameo" stars in Michael Todd's "Around
the World in 80 Days" and had played
featured roles in a score of British films,
some of the most recent being "Man With
a Million" iUA-1954>, "Tonight's the
Night" iAA-1954> and "Three Men in a'
Boat" iRoach-1959>. His first film was
"Men Are Not Gods." released by UA in
1937. He played on the Broadway stage in
many hits, including "Peg O'My Heart,"
"Bulldog Drummond." "The Last of Mrs.
Cheyney" and, last, in "Yes, M'Lord" in
1950.
10 BOXOFFICE August 1, 1960