Rosy Outlook

Though heads were rolling in an epidemic of studio layoffs, a heap of movies was rolling too, and Hollywood's 1958 production schedule was the most ambitious of recent years. While streamlining their activities and culling their deadwood, few producers missed the implication in Variety's estimates of last year's op grossers: moviemakers strike few bonanzas with low-budget sleepers these days. On most of their efforts, they must spend money to make money.

The top three films on Variety's list, in order of gross rentals paid by exhibitors: 1) The Ten Commandments (Paramount), raking in $18.5 million (cost: $13.5 Cecil B. DeMillion); 2) Around the World in 80 Days (Mike Todd; United Artists), which coined $16.2 million (budget: $6 million); 3) Giant (George Stevens; Warner), rented out for $12 million last year on a $5 million investment. In a wave of optimism, the major studios talked big about big doings. Paramount plans to release 32 movies this year. Twentieth Century-Fox will put a record $65 million into 65 or more films. In plugging its $50 million-plus worth of movies, United Artists will shoot $9 million on exploitation alone. Other studios --Warner, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Columbia, Allied Artists--announced near-record production splurges. Glowed President Eric Johnston of the Association of Motion Picture Producers: "For Hollywood, 1958 is a real upbeat year!"

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