Monday, Nov. 10, 1958

Moneymakers

P: Ziv Television Programs Inc., largest of the TV film syndicators that have made a $100 million industry out of quickie adventure series for non-network distribution, whooped that their boys make at least as much money as any of the high-priced network talent. Adolphe Menjou grossed $235,000 from Target last year, Lloyd Bridges $300,000 from Sea Hunt, and Richard Carlson will make $287,000 from Mackenzie's Raiders this year. Meanwhile, Jack Paar struggles along on $200,000 for NBC, and CBS's James Arness, whose Gunsmoke has hit the top of the ratings, toils for a humble $50,000.

P: The cost of network TV is zooming at a wicked rate, has increased more than $20,000--to $87,700--in the past two years for an average nighttime half-hour.

P: Rodgers and Hammerstein will be able to pay the fuel bill this winter, with Flower Drum Song, sold out for all 4 1/2 weeks of its Boston tryout. Advance sale in New York a month before the Broadway opening: a reported $1,000,000 plus.

P: The Screen Extras Guild reports that some producers of westerns are chiseling on their cowboys by taking them off their hosses too often and photographing them on foot. Cause of the beef: filmland cowpokes get $29.04 per eight-hour day in the saddle, only $22.05 out of it.

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